20 may

20 May 2015

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Robberg rescue Plett’s NSRI rescue crews pull together to move a Vanderbijlpark man who was swept of the rocks to higher ground before he is airlifted to George for surgery - turn to page 3 for the full story

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News & Views

20 May 2015

Memories of World War II as vivid as though it happened yesterday The annual Dutch celebrations this month of the liberation of that country from Nazi-German occupation prompted Plett reader HENK BOLHUIS to share his recollections of a lifethreatening encounter with enemy forces seven decades ago

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T was sometime in the spring of 1944 when my mother took me to visit my uncle, Pieter Bolhuis, and his family. Uncle Pieter was a State Police officer stationed in Zundert, a small town in the Province of Brabant in the south of the Netherlands, on the border with Belgium.

The Netherlands at this point in time had been under Nazi-German occupation for about four years and life was extremely difficult.

Food was very scarce, but my uncle had somehow managed to get extra food from local farmers and had asked us to come and collect it.

My mother and I first travelled by tram from our home village of Wassenaar to the city of The Hague, and from there we were to travel by train to Breda, a city just north of Zundert.

Travelling by train during the latter part of the war, however, was not as simple and safe as nowadays and one had to reckon not only on regular serious delays, but also the reality of possible aerial attacks by Allied planes.

British fighter planes were constantly trying to stop and destroy the Dutch railway system to prevent the Germans from transporting their troops and war material.

I remember when we entered the huge station, how overwhelmed I was by the sheer size of it and also by the large number of people, many of them German troops that crowded the platforms.

After my mother had bought our tickets, we made our way to the platform from where our train was to depart. Not too long thereafter, I was thrilled to see a huge steam locomotive entering the station with all the passenger cars and goods wagons behind it.

Immediately in front of the enormous locomotive I noticed a flatbed rail wagon on which was placed a big anti-aircraft gun manned by German soldiers. About one third further down the line, there was another of these gun-wagons, and finally a third one right behind the last goods wagon.

After all passengers had disembarked, it was our turn to board the train; station guards, however, kept the civilians back so German officers and soldiers could get on first.

Then, finally, it was our turn to board and my mother soon found a compartment with a number of empty seats. I was excited to be able to sit right next to a window.

After what seemed to me an eternity, I heard the locomotive build up steam and soon thereafter the shrill whistle blast of the stationmaster, al-

lowing the train to depart.

What an experience for a little boy like me who, up to that day, had never seen a train, let alone travelled on one.

Slowly we snaked out of the station and after travelling through parts of the city, we eventually found ourselves in the countryside where the train started to pick up speed.

Somewhere along the way - I’m not sure how far we had travelled - the train suddenly screeched to an abrupt stop and some soldiers jumped off the gun-wagons. I could see them walking along the tracks as though they were searching for something on the ground.

(Years later, when I had grown up, I realised that this happened every once in a while as the gun crew on the first wagon thought they had spotted something suspicious on or near the rail tracks.)

And so our journey of about 80km, as the crow flies, proceeded with more of those sudden unscheduled stops, making our trip a very slow one.

After a few hours we came to a large railway bridge with a road bridge alongside it.

My mother pointed it out to

‘For me, now age 76, the memories of this particular traumatic event in my early childhood have come back and I realise it was God who protected me’

how many - the locomotive that had been the main target of the fighters had not been gravely damaged, so our journey could carry on.

Soon after we had all embarked again with the help of strong male hands, both Dutch and German, we were on our way.

The atmosphere in the train had changed; most people were subdued and little was being said.

After travelling only a few minutes, we came to a tiny rural railway station near the small town of Lage Zwaluwe, where the train stopped and all passengers were ordered to get off. Everyone had to find alternative transport for the rest of their journey.

It turned out that Lage Zwaluwe was only about 25km from Breda where we were to meet my uncle, and my mother was soon able to find a bus to take us there.

When we finally arrived safely at the home of our relatives, rather late in the afternoon and after my mother had told them about our scary adventure, we could finally relax with a cup of tea and even some cookies - something I could not remember

also unhurt.

With other passengers around us, we flattened ourselves in this little watery gully just off the tracks.

All the time while this was going on I could hear the noise of the attacking aeroplanes and the harsh stutter of the German guns attempting to hit the aircraft or at least scare them away, and the shouting of orders by German officers.

I did not dare lifting my head - I could not if I had wanted to, as I was virtually covered by my mother lying on top of me.

Later, after what seemed an eternity but what took probably just a few minutes, the fighter planes suddenly abandoned their attack and flew away.

The shooting stopped and, apart from the occasional shouting of the Germans and people running around calling one another, things became quiet again.

It turned out that although there were casualties - I never discovered how serious or

having seen or tasted before.

That evening I had a “real” meal with potatoes and vegetables and some other food that I could not name, but which tasted very good.

Shortly after supper, my mother put me in my bed a very strange one, called a dgfuvgg that consisted of an opening right in the wall of one of the bedrooms, about 1.8m long, 1m deep and 1m high, with a curtain in front sealing it off.

I slept like a log and never even dreamed of the nightmare that we had experienced that afternoon.

On Tuesday May 5, the people of the Netherlands celebrated the liberation of their country from five years of Nazi-German occupation during WWII. For me, now age 76, the memories of this particular traumatic event in my early childhood have come back as vivid as though they happened yesterday, and I realise that it was God who kept me and protected me from injury or death that day.

the train had come to a stop just after passing the last span of the bridge and was now standing in the middle of cattle grazing fields, there was obviously no platform to step on to.

People jumped off the train right into a small drainage ditch next to the tracks and parents tossed their children out as though they were cases of luggage. Some were caught by those who had jumped earlier, but others were not so lucky and must have sustained injuries.

I remember my mother picking me up and carrying me to the open carriage door and literally throwing me into the arms of a man standing directly below us next to the train.

I was one of the lucky ones and made it into the ditch without a scratch while my mother, following me, was

DEATH FROM THE SKIES: This artist’s impression illustrates well the action of Allied planes bombing the train that carried Dutch civilians as well as German soldiers and armoury Photo: dailymail. uk/news/ article-2111038

me and said that it was called the Moerdijk Bridge, the longest in the Netherlands with a span of about 1.5km, across a large waterway called Het Holland’s Diep.

The river forms the border between the provinces of South Holland and Brabant.

(The Germans destroyed the bridge soon after this to prevent the Allied forces from using it.)

I was duly impressed and remember running from one side of the compartment to the other, trying to see as much as possible.

Suddenly, over the noise of the locomotive that was not too far ahead of our compartment, I heard the sound of guns firing. Amid this frightening sound and passengers screaming, the train again came to a screeching halt.

About the same time, a conductor entered our compartment shouting in Dutch: ›Cnngoccn"gt"wkv."yg"yqtfgp" dguejqvgp" fqqt" xnkgivwki/ gp#fi"(Everybody out, we are being shot at by planes!)

It was complete chaos. As

News & Views

20 May 2015

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CXPRESS

Gautengers escape with their lives after Robberg ordeal By going to press, two men from Vanderbijlpark in Gauteng were still in hospital after landing themselves in life-threatening peril while taking pictures of the spectacular scenery on Robberg last Sunday

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HE men, aged 34 and 39 respectively, were on holiday in Plettenberg Bay and exploring the wonders of Robberg Nature Reserve when disaster struck around lunchtime on Sunday.

The 39-year-old man had walked up a section at Blaas Gat when a wave swept him off the rocks into rough seas.

His friend went to his aid but was swept away too, then disappeared into a gulley.

The older man managed to haul himself to dry land where a group of hikers, believed to be Canadian nationals, came upon him.

Soon after, former NSRI crewman Dr Herman Nel, hiking with his family on Robberg, came across the situation and began emergency treatment on the man, who was suffering multiple lacerations and severe bruising to his body, arms and legs, and suspected fractures to his right arm and leg.

After securing the man on the beach, Dr Nel and his daughter’s friend, André Barnard, went in search of the 34-year-old, and managed to

contact Plett’s Station 14 from a higher part of The Island.

Says spokesman Craig Lambinon: “At 14:18, NSRI Plett’s duty crew were activated. Several crewmen responded by road and arrived on the scene first, followed by the crew who responded by sea aboard the craft Leonard Smith, and by paramedics from WC Government Health EMS and Med-Life ambulance services.

“The AMS/EMS Skymed helicopter had also been activated from Oudtshoorn and was en route to the scene after having picked up two NSRI Air Sea Rescue volunteers, who had earlier taken part in a rescue exercise at NSRI Wilderness.”

Dr Nel and Barnard had by now found the 34-year-old man among rocks in a gulley.

Being battered by swells in a rising tide, he also suffered multiple lacerations and bruising, with a head injury and a suspected fractured spine.

The helicopter hoisted the man, secured into a specialised stretcher, and transported him to Robberg Nature

Sesona case postponed to Yolandé Stander mid-June

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HE man accused of brutally killing eight-yearold Sesona Bhayibhile briefly appeared in the Plettenberg Bay Magistrate’s Court again on Monday.

The case has come to a standstill after the 18-yearold accused Lulama Candani in April insisted on undergoing psychiatric evaluation at Valkenberg Hospital in the Cape. He is currently number 118 on the hospital’s admissions waiting list.

He briefly appeared in a court packed with family, friends and children’s rights activists last Thursday, but

the matter was postponed until May 18 for attempts to speed up his admission and for the State to appoint an independent team of psychiatrists to evaluate Candani.

On Monday prosecutor Henriette Breedt told the court that Valkenberg staff were in the process of trying to accommodate Candani earlier. The matter was therefore postponed until June 15.

Candani is accused of slitting the little girl’s throat in December last year and dumping her body only a few metres from her home.

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Reserve car park where paramedics continued with medical treatment.

He was finally airlifted to hospital in George in a serious but stable condition.

The 39-year-old was also static-line hoisted to the car park before being transported by ambulance to Plettenberg Bay Medi-Clinic.

Readers are cautioned to stick to the path when hiking on Robberg (it is reported that the two victims from Gauteng were off the track when swept off the rocks), and to never brave the berg without having the Plett NSRI emergency number handy: 082 990 5975.

NSRI TO THE RESCUE: The 34-year-old was in an area threatened by the rising tide and was secured to a trauma board and carried to a higher point to also aid with his rescue extrication by helicopter Photos: Ross Badenhorst

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CXPRESS

News & Views

20 May 2015

Teen pitbull victim’s family celebrates out of court settlement While the horrors of being viciously attacked by a pitbull still haunts a Knysna teenager, his family can now breathe a sigh of relief as skyrocketing doctors’ bills will no longer be a worry YOLANDÉ STANDER reports Leisure Island from Hornlee

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ITH the help of Knysna lawyers, Glenwill Britz managed to reach a settlement agreement with the owner of the dog that attacked this 16-year-old on New Year’s Day, to cover among other costs the young-

CXPRESS friend Trevor Mapitiza shared this photo and wrote: ‘Sad news is that we have lost one of our talented local young fellas.

He used to work at The Table and Cornuti’s so many of your readers will remember him. Mkhuseli Custology Martin, aka ‘Custo’, was born in 1984 and died on Sunday May 10. We will always miss you and you shall forever be in our hearts and minds.

Your family, friends and everyone say Rest In Peace, brother.’ Custo’s memorial service takes place tonight, Wednesday May 20 from 6-8pm at KwaNokuthula community hall, and the funeral service is on Saturday at the Full Gospel Church of Christ from 10am to 3pm.

ster’s medical expenses.

The settlement amount and terms of the agreement are being treated as confidential, but the young victim’s mother said they were happy with the outcome.

Glenwill was walking to

RIP fab young fella

to go swimming with several other children when a free-roaming pitbull charged him and his friends in Fraser Street in Hunters Home. It took three men to pull the dog off him.

Glenwill was the one the attack was focused on as he tried to save some of the smaller children by throw-

ing a towel over the dog in an attempt to stop the attack.

His mother said the dog immediately went for the teenager’s face and while he was trying to shield himself with his arms, he suffered several serious bite wounds to his arms as well as severe muscle damage. He also suffered injuries to both legs, his hip and chest and had to be admitted to hospital.

“Following the initial treatment, we have had to make several follow-up doctors’ appointments to treat his injuries,” Glenda said this week.

She added that her son

had a long road to recovery ahead of him as he still battled with pain in his one arm.

“He cannot move it like he did before the attack and is in a lot of pain, especially when he tries to lift heavier items.”

She said that although the psychical wounds had healed well now, the incident had also taken its toll psychologically. “My son battles to sleep at night and is petrified of dogs, especially pitbulls.

We will be taking him to a psychologist so that he can work through the trauma.”

Glenda added that they had not had any contact with the

dog’s owner and that dealings with him were done through her lawyer, Donald Curtis of Mosdell, Pama & Cox. “We are very happy with the settlement and hope this is the start to putting the incident behind us.”

Glenda thanked all those involved with initially saving her son from certain death in January and also those who helped her thereafter to report the matter to the police and with subsequent legal action.

“I’m really grateful to all who have assisted us, including Donald Curtis, who did a fantastic job to help us.”

Phoenix will rise from the ashes of Boatshed blaze

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statement has been issued by Dr Chris Mulder of CMAI Architects in Knysna to the effect that all the businesses affected by the fire at Thesen Harbour Town on May 6 are moving forward with efforts to get back on their feet.

They have set up temporary facilities in the back part of The Boatshed which was undamaged by the fire. Dr Mulder also expressed great gratitude to everyone who helped at the time of the fire and since.

“We have received unbelievable support from the community here in Knysna, our friends and clients, as well as from all over the country and the world.

“We will never forget this support and words of encouragement during these trying times; also a huge word of thanks to the Police and the Knysna Fire Brigade who rendered a fantastic service.”

While many of the businesses in The Boatshed suffered predominantly water and smoke damage, CMAI

was completely gutted and lost everything.

Although luckily much of their data was backed up on ‘the cloud’, he states that “we have lost all of our furniture, computers, hard copy files and records, and library and memorabilia collected over a 33-year existence of CMAI in particular. There is nothing left! Nothing!”

However, the attitude is one of a ‘phoenix rising from the ashes’ and Dr Mulder went on to say that, while they were making progress with

insurance claims and “getting more insight and clarity”, it’s all systems go.

“We will throw all our creative juices and energy into the pot and see what the ‘genie’ brings out the jar. We will rebuild as quickly and creatively as possible. This is our pledge.”

Dr Mulder was in the building when the fire started and tried to save what he could, but was quickly forced back by the flames. He was fortunate to escape without injury. /"Pkmmk"Tkfng{

News & Views

20 May 2015

CXPRESS

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Foot saved, but parking lot incident causes Facebook furore Nikki Ridley

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man was seriously injured on Saturday May 9 during an accident in The Market Square parking lot in Plettenberg Bay, when a motorist reversed out of a parking bay next to Clicks and hit the man’s leg, partially severing his foot.

An ambulance, the SAPS, Bitou Fire and Traffic departments, as well as Plett Security managers were on the scene in minutes. The injured man was attended to on the scene and rushed to hospital, undergoing an emergency operation on his foot.

Surgeons in George managed to save his foot after initial fears that it would have to be amputated.

The man, 44-year-old Griffin Mehande, said that he had pins in his foot and was walk-

ing with crutches, and that he was still unable to work.

“The doctors initially wanted to cut my leg and foot off, but they said they would do their best. Then by some magic they did it, and they put pins in. I was in hospital for three days, and must go back in July. I’m getting there.”

Mehande was unable to reveal any further details, as a reckless and negligent driving case has been opened, and police are currently investigating the incident.

--A witness on the scene ignited a social media furore in Plett by laying blame for the accident on the driver’s age and posting pictures of the injured man on a local community Facebook page

as he was being attended to by paramedics.

The threads were deleted from Facebook by the particular page’s administrator - begging questions over the ‘misuse’ of social media, and dangers inherent in posting opinions and photos before an incident like this can be investigated through the proper channels.

Other considerations include respecting people’s right to privacy and the constitutional right to a ‘fair trial’, as opposed to an instant trial by social media, with the jury ultimately consisting primarily of people who weren’t on the scene at all, and facts distorted by personal bias, opinion and ‘the broken telephone’ phenomenon.

‘Mama Liz’ honoured in Port Elizabeth

Bitou was represented big time during the Democratic Alliance’s Federal Congress in PE, where Mmusi Maimane was voted in as the new leader of the party, earlier this month. The congress also saw some party members’ work highlighted and awarded. Says provincial parliamentarian for Bitou Mireille Wenger: ‘We are very proud that Liz Mundell was honoured with the Lifetime Contribution to Democracy in South Africa award. Mrs Mundell has been a stalwart of the Bitou region for many, many years. She has given of her time, her talent and her dedication to the cause of an open opportunity society for all, and is fondly known by councillors and activists as ‘Mama Liz’. In the pic above, Bitou mayor Memory Booysen hands over her award. Below, the local contingent of congress attendees show off their message to outgoing leader Helen Zille.

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CXPRESS

News & Views

20 May 2015

This horse addict doesn’t need rehab - she rides her way to success

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EATITIA Snyman from Kranshoek - described by her as “a small community a few kilometres outside of Plett town” - popped in to meet the CXPRESS team recently, with news of her past and bright-future prospects.

“My story starts when, as a young girl aged nine, I began riding horses bareback in my rural neighbourhood.

Horses have always been a part of me and my life, and the other way round, too.

“I grew up with my single mother who has been a domestic worker for most of my life and we did not have much money for me to participate and excel at this sport.

“I am now 21 and have attended my first show with a horse called Orion that I have trained and entered into his first show at Quarry Lake Estate, so it was a first for both of us...

“I have ridden bareback and cowboy-style since I can remember, but had no idea it would be so difficult for me to excel in this sport and improve my riding.”

Leatitia went on to explain how she taught herself to ride, rise to a trot and gallop, but that she had no idea about proper riding until about six months ago.

“I was given the opportunity to ride at a school in Plettenberg Bay called Roodefontein Riding Centre, owned by

Photo: Mariska Visagie

MUTUAL RESCUE: Orion was a rescue horse that Laetitia fell in love with while working at Avalon Riding Centre, and together they entered their first show with excellent results last month

Sue Jacobs, in exchange for doing work around the yard.

“My riding has now improved so much - after 12 years of doing it my own way, my life has truly changed and I have become one of the best riders at the school!

“I met the beautiful boy named Orion soon after I started working there.

“Since my arrival at the yard, I have been putting lots of hard work and schooling into Orion. Last month at Quarry Lake we entered three show-jumping classes and one cross-country class.

We had a rocky start but ended up winning our XC class

with the best time.”

Leatitia was also chosen along with seven other locals to be part of a South African Tourism shoot that took place on May 6 & 7 at Knysna Elephant Park and Canopy Tours in The Crags, the images to be used as SAT advertising material.

She has been serving on the committee of Bitou Horse Welfare for the past five years and assists students of Sterreweg Centre for special needs kids in her line of duty at Roodefontein (as of last week called Avalon RC).

We wish her the best of luck with all future endeavours.

Let’s make Knysna Sea Cadets’ African ambassador dream come true

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In loving memory of Gill Hume and all the families in the school who have lost a loved one.

WO senior cadets from Cadet Training Ship Knysna have been chosen during a national competition for all cadets in South Africa to visit the United States of America. Amber Cloete and Denilsen Juries were placed in first and third position respectively, so winning this trip of a lifetime.

Says their commanding officer, Lt Commander Steve Eriksen: “We are very proud of them, and of our unit, to have had not one but two cadets in podium position.

Naturally, the other Sea Cadet units are rather jealous of our success!”

The able duo will leave Knysna next month to travel to the birthplace of the American navy at Newport, Rhode Island. There they will join a Sea Cadet summer camp, run by the US Sea Cadets and US Navy until mid-July.

They will meet with many American cadets and cadets from the various other countries with Sea Cadet units, but our cadets will be the only ones from the African continent.

“They leave late in June, but we must first raise money for their return airfares to Johannesburg, for passports and American visas at R2,000 apiece, and then there is course fees of R1,800 and

pocket money to be raised,” explains Steve.

He is appealing to the people of Knysna, Sedgefield and Plettenberg Bay to please assist these youngsters to live their dream.

“We have had a number of people who offered help, but more is needed. Some donors have said they would

like to make anonymous donations to a bank account.”

If you are reading here and would like to assist, please deposit into the following account: Knysna Sea Cadets, Nedbank (branch code 108914), savings account number 2149017032. Alternatively, call Steve on 083 653 7060 any time of the day.

ALL THE WAY TO THE USA: Petty officer Denilsen Juries, left, and cadet petty officer Amber Cloete, right, need your assistance to sponsor their trip to the States (see bank details at end of story) - at centre from left are seamen Katelyn Kiwido, Adrian Alie and Jamie-Lee Petersen - Photo: Derick Ikin

Notice Board Plett Surf Lifesaving holds its AGM on" Oc{" 43 at 5:30pm at the clubhouse.

Call Shameera on 083 304 5087 for information.

Catch Heather Waters on Oc{"44 at 7pm at Cocomo in Wilderness and on Oc{"

46 at 2pm at Mo’s in Knysna (info: 072 0237 232).

Knysna Garden Club will meet on Oc{"49 at 9:45 at Woodlands on Rheenendal Road. Walking shoes and chairs needed, visitors welcome (044 387 1966).

News & Views

20 May 2015

CXPRESS

Take the headache out of home buying - know what questions you need to ask

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HETHER buying your dream home or a fancy new set of wheels, doing your homework upfront and knowing what questions to ask is essential in preventing any surprises down the line.

South Africa’s biggest bond originator, ooba, has been finding the money for home owners for over 15 years and is well-placed to offer expert advice on how to take the headache out of

Investor Focus

home buying.

Cuuguu"{qwt"chhqtfcdknkv{ The question of affordability is an obvious one and very important to bear in mind from the beginning.

In addition to thinking about the deposit, you need to also consider the monthly bond repayments and whether you will be able to afford to keep your property in a good condition.

A good place to start is to

HE recent ‘selloff’ in both global bond and equity markets could be an early warning that global asset prices are getting a little rich.

In the US the rates on long term bonds (normally 10-year bonds) rose from ±1.84% a month ago to 2.36%. While this move may appear to be marginal, it represents a rise of nearly 30%.

This is extraordinary and will have created some major losses for bond holders.

Remember that a rise in rates results in a drop in values.

In Euroland, the German Bunds (bonds) saw rates rise from ±.23% a month ago to .74%. This is a massive rise and has caused some severe pain for European bond holders. Both these markets are now gradually recovering with German Bunds trading at .68%.

Commentators around the world are battling to explain these dramatic moves, and there are no really clever explanations forthcoming.

A few weeks ago Ms Yellen, the current chairper-

Gpuwtg"vjcv"vjg"nqecvkqp" uwkvu"{qwt"nkhguv{ng Location is crucial in ensuring that your home fits the lifestyle you lead. It is important to consider the fol-

lowing factors when thinking about the area you are buying in: • What is the distance from home to work?

• Is the property in a developing area where you see the resale value increasing at a considerable pace?

• Is the neighbourhood safe?

Icvjgt"c"jkuvqt{"qh"vjg" rtqrgtv{"cpf"ctgc Do some research on the property and area; find out

Malcolm Stewart – Investment manager at Michaelides Parker Wealth Knysna & Plett

Is this a yellow card?

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get pre-qualified; this will give you an idea of what you can afford. Before signing off on the property, do a spot check to ensure that, should you need to do renovations, this has at least been accounted for in the asking price.

son of the Fed, expressed her view that equities were becoming expensive (not her exact words). One remembers a previous Fed chairman, Greenspan, using the now famous phrase “irrational exuberance” to describe his view of share prices on Wall Street.

When a person of that stature tells you that markets are getting expensive, then you had better listen!

The last decade has seen the most powerful and extensive bull market in bonds in history. We know that US interest rates are set to rise in the near future. We also know that Central Banks around the world are trying to avoid deflation at all costs - in fact, they are all trying to stimulate inflation.

The biggest influence affecting the prices/rates of long bonds is inflation, so it’s very possible that bond strategists have had a sniff that inflation will soon make its appearance on the world’s investment stage.

It is therefore very possi-

ble that this savage uptick in global bond rates is an early warning that the party is coming to an end.

It is also an early warning that equities will no longer be supported by zero interest rates, and that growing company earnings will soon have to become the main drivers of markets.

So we may have seen an early warning signal on both bond and equity markets.

Share prices are relatively high. It will take time for company profits to show convincing growth.

While we wait for confidence to return to markets, a little caution is required. I anticipate a ‘churning’ market, short corrections, quick recoveries, and a lot of uncertainties. Investors should enter the markets when the corrections occur, and be prepared to wait for company profits to drive share prices.

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how long the property has been on the market and how long the current owners have been living there.

If it’s possible, speak directly to the owners to find out why they are moving, just to make sure there is nothing wrong with the property. Also approach neighbours to get an idea of what their experience of the

7 area has been.

All this information should ultimately answer the question: is the property a worthy investment?

Igv"egtvkhkgf Ensure that all your compliance certificates have been issued by an authorised independent contractor - these include the electricity, plumbing, gas if there is gas on the property and extras such as the electric fence certificate.

The last thing you want is a nasty surprise with regards to compliance issues once you have moved in.

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CXPRESS

Interval

20 May 2015

All men are brave.

Horror movies don’t scare them.

But five missed calls from the wife?

See them shiver...

Maak seker jy kry altyd ‘n tweede opinie...

S

EDERT kindsbeen het Marnus al die vrees dat iemand onder sy bed wegkruip. Hy besluit om ’n psigiater te besoek en vertel hom van sy fobie.

“Elke keer wanneer ek gaan slaap, is ek vreesbevange daar is iemand onder my bed.

Dit is besig om my tot waansin te dryf.”

“Plaas jou vertroue in my,” sê die psigiater. “Kom spreek my drie maal per week vir ’n jaar lank. Ek sal jou kan help om van jou vrese ontslae te raak.”

“Wat gaan dit my kos?”

“R600 per besoek.”

“Dankie, ek sal daaroor gaan dink,” antwoord Marnus.

Na sowat ses maande loop die twee mekaar weer op straat raak.

“Waarom het jy my toe nooit kom sien nie?” vra die psigiater.

“Nadat ek daar by jou weg is, het ek ‘n dop gaan drink en my lot bekla by die kroegman. Ons het uitgewerk dat teen R600 per besoek, dit my R153,000 sal kos!

“Die kroegman het toe aangebied om my gesond te maak vir net R20! Dis die beste R20 wat ek nog ooit bestee het. Ek was so verheug

The latest reports from the Tax Man shows that it has streamlined its tax form this year.

It goes like this: A. How much did you make last year?

B. How much do you have left?

C. Send B.

You can’t take it with you

A

priest, a lawyer, and an accountant were all at the bedside of a very ill man.

The man said to them: “Gentlemen, I’m dying. Before I go, however, I want to ask you one final favour: My family is rotten and I don’t want to give any of them an inheritance. I would like to be buried with the remainder of my money.”

He then handed the priest, the lawyer, and the accountant an envelope each that contained $100,000.

“While my coffin is being lowered into the earth, please throw each of the envelopes in. Don’t tell anyone what’s inside the envelopes,” the dying man said.

So the three men left, and sure enough, one week later, the man died.

During the funeral, the

three men tossed the envelopes into the grave while the coffin was being lowered into the ground.

After the funeral, the three men went to a cafe to discuss the life of the old man.

The priest said: “I have a confession: I took $10,000 from my envelope. But I used it to fix up the children’s home. The old man was always very generous and loved the children. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind seeing where his money went.”

The lawyer piped in: “Well, I also have a confession: I took $30,000 as payment of a personal loan he borrowed from me years ago.”

The accountant looked rather shocked, and said: “I cannot believe you two! I wrote a personal cheque that covered the whole thing!”

dat ek summier vir my ‘n nuwe VW Polo gekoop het met die geld wat ek gespaar het,” sê Marnus.

“Is dit so?” sê die psigiater smalend. “En hoe, as ek mag vra, het die kroegman jou genees?”

“Hy het vir my gesê om

die bed se pote af te saag.

Daar is nou geen manier wat iemand onder my bed kan wegkruip nie.”

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If anyone tells you it’s too early to drink wine... unfriend them.

You don’t need that kind of negativity in your life!

20 May 2015

CXPRESS

Photo: Gerhard van Huyssteen

Photo: Brian Nkosi

Social Scene

SAY ‘TOURISM’! Phakamile Sebezo of the Activate Leadership Programme treated high-performing Grade 12 learners of three local schools - Murray High, Plett Secondary and Wittedrift - to a Plett Tourism educational tour on Wednesday May 6. Sponsors Ocean Blue, SANParks, Monkeyland, Birds of Eden, Lawnwood Snake Sanctuary and Jukani all contributed to show the kids what a good time could be had in the tourism game, and they also thank Flashbacks for providing their transport on the day. Call Thandi at Plett Tourism on 044 533 4065 to find out more.

PROVINCIAL NOD FOR MR DODD: Gerald de Jager of Western Cape Lifesaving hands over his Certificate of Commendation to Devon Dodd at Oakhill School in Knysna last week, in recognition of the friendly Grade 8 student’s brave save of a swimmer in trouble at Buffels Bay last month (read the full story on page 2 of the May 6 edition at www.cxpress.co.za). Significantly, this handover coincides with a long-time plan of forming Knysna’s own lifesaving club - watch this space for details.

HEY SHOO WOW, SHANELLE! Plett Secondary Grade 10 student Shanelle Windvogel surprised everyone during an in-house competition at Knysna Gymnastics Club recently when taking top podium position.

Says proud mom Debbie: ‘After three years of not doing any gymnastics, she’s now made a comeback, showing that she’s still got it. Dad Robin and I are just sooo proud!’

People, places & events MASTER OF THE MARKET: The first of a series of monthly Market Master Chef competitions was held at the Harkerville Saturday Morning Market on May 2. The competition is the brainchild of Tim Woodford, director of the Christina Martin Culinary Arts School in Plett, who are kindly sponsoring the event along with Anthony Tuffin of Tuff Building Solutions. In the initial cook-off, Rodney Rolleson, a private professional caterer from Knysna, crossed culinary crafts with Alan Cherrington, a builder from Plett who enjoys cooking as a pastime. The contestants were allotted 30 minutes to create a delight for the palate that was then adjudged for taste, texture, colour, food styling, presentation and use of ingredients, by Tim and Susan Kieser. Rodney prepared a ‘Chicken stirfry with bacon mash’ and Alan a ‘Tropical chicken delight’ - the winner, by a whisker! Alan was awarded a luncheon at Plettenberg Park and a treatment session in their spa, while Rodney won a complimentary Christina Martin Culinary course. Further Market Master Chef competitions will be held until the end of this year. In the pic from left are Rodney, Alan and Susan. - Timothy Twidle RUGBY BOYS NOT ALL BRAWN: Hilton Nagel of Plett’s Yellow Wood Spur was so taken with the Plett Primary U/11 rugby team’s potential that he made them a deal at the sports day in Kareedouw two weeks ago: a win would score all players and reserves a Spur burger and shake. Well it was an offer the boys simply couldn’t resist so here they celebrate that victory by munching and sipping away last Wednesday night when taking Hilton up on his kind offer. And seems those burgers packed with tasty energy helped lots, because the team went on to win both games in Jeffrey’s Bay on Saturday, and are now on track to take the Plett league, which will culminate in playing winners of the Knysna/Sedgefield league before embarking on their winter tour. Finally, it was heartwarming to see that the team sported not only brawn but good manners too, when skipper Dougi Harvey, pictured in grey at centre of the front table, penned this letter shared with CXPRESS by ‘Mr Spur’ Nagel: ‘Dear Hilton, thank you for getting us to play so hard at last week’s game, and for remembering the deal. Thank you for the burgers and milkshakes. We really enjoyed them and had a great time at your Spur.’

JERSEYS TO INSPIRE: Plett reader Pauline Coubrough sent this pic and wrote: ‘We had Jersey Sunday at St Peter’s on May 10, which was also Mother’s Day. We received almost 200 jerseys for destitute children, collected by myself and Pat Douglas, and you may want to add the picture in CXPRESS to inspire the giving of warmth this winter.’ Hear-hear!

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10

CXPRESS

NOTICETO CREDITORS IN DECEASED ESTATES All persons having claims against the below estate must lodge it with the Executor concerned within 30 days (or as indicated) from date of publication hereof.

Estate No. Surname Christian names Date of Birth: Identity No. Last Address Date of death

13960/2013 NCANYWA SINDILE 1965/01/10 650110 5365 08 5 6043, Phase 2, Kwanokuthula, Plettenberg Bay 2013/09/08

Master’s Office CAPE TOWN Only applicable if deceased was married *in community of property/subject to the accrual system.

Christian names and surnames of surviving spouse Date of birth

Classifieds

20 May 2015

Identity No.

Name and (only one) address of Executor or authorised agent PAUL JORDAAN, c/o Jordaan & Pretorius Attorneys,Village Square, Main Street, Plettenberg Bay, P O Box 57, Plettenberg Bay, 6600.

Period allowed for lodgement of claims, if other than 30 days………………

Advertiser and address JORDAAN & PRETORIUS ATTORNEYS, VILLAGE SQUARE, MAIN STREET, P O BOX 57, PLETTENBERG BAY, 6600 Date: .BZ r Tel: 044-533 2140 Notice for Publication in the Government Gazette on: 22 May 2015

ESTATE NOTICE In the estate of the late RONALD FRANKLIN Identity No : 311104 5092 08 9 Date of Birth : 4 November 1931 Date of Death : 2 August 2014 Formerly of 13 Griz Nes Avenue, Longships Drive, Plettenberg Bay 6600 Estate Number 028148 / 2014 The First and Final Liquidation and Distribution Account in the above estate will lie for inspection at the office of the Master of the High Court, Cape Town, and at the office of the Magistrate in Knysna for a period of 21 days from the date of publication of notice in the Government Gazette on 22 MAY 2015.

Clifford Chapman Franklin (Executor) Erf 9577 Schoongezicht Country Estate Plettenberg Bay 6600 Cell: 076 321 9699

25181_DG

On the Soapbox

20 May 2015

Letters to the Editor

CXPRESS

Email: editor@cxpress.co.za - Fax: 044 533 0852 - PO Box 1449, Plett 6600

‘Furusate nozei’ for Plettenberg Bay? Japan recently introduced a system of hwtwucvg"pq|gk, or ‘local tax’, which has proved to be a windfall.

City residents are allowed to divert a proportion of their income tax payments to a local area of their choice.

Poorer regions are delighted and stories of rural revival have become inspirational to urban residents.

The system is now a force that the government cannot ignore and as a result, it is promoting and expanding

Calling all terminologists to set my malapropistic mind at ease WHAT DOES IT MEAN? Clever readers are invited to contact CXPRESS with possible explanations for ‘squandering’ in this context

While exploring one of the lesser-known ‘hoods of Plett down Poortjies way, I came across the unusual sign pictured here. It was on a vacant stand.

My multitudinous dictionaries, aided and abetted by Google, failed to cast any light on this seemingly local Plett dialect.

Yes, we all know the meaning of ‘squander’ - we do it all the time with money and other valuable commodities and situations.

But ‘squandering’?

I suppose that dumping (things) and loitering (timewasting) could be considered as forms of squandering, but why then duplicate the injunction?

My malapropistic mind suggests that it is a local synonym for ‘squatting’.

But surely not... Perhaps one of your readers, maybe one familiar with legal terminology or the property owner, would enlighten us?

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Yes Laurent is special, but ‘stall’ should not fall in ‘restaurant’ stable Pots must be boiling over in restaurant kitchens in Plett with the announcement by the ever dubious TripAdvisor that Chez Laurent is the second best eatery in town [see story on page 6 of the May 13 edition at www.cxpress.co.za].

Now we all love that rotund Frenchman, but there is no way his stall could be called a restaurant. It is an insult to those very good and professional businesses like The Fat Fish, Enrico’s, The Deck, Nguni, The Med, Le Fournil... the list is long.

That said, we all miss Laurent’s mussels that made Friday nights at The Market a must, and no one would want to detract from what his Gallic

character has done for food in Plett. But to name his stall as top restaurant? Come on!

By the way, Laurent never served as chef at Enrico’s, let alone ‘head chef’ as mentioned in your story. He was front of house waiter, with lots of personality to boot.

Good reporters should always check their facts.

Oh, sorry, Zinzi, I nearly forgot about you when listing our town’s award-winning establishments! And by the way, the only club that will have me as a member is Plett Ski-boat Club.

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the scheme.

Introducing the idea to SA - where the greedy, dishonest and inefficient are rife has manifest advantages.

As payments are made to an area of choice and as taxpayers are more likely to be aware of municipalities that are responsible, less tax money will find itself into the hands of the greedy, dishonest and inefficient.

Bitou is a good example of a municipality that deserves to earn the benefits of the system. Taxpayers can believe with confidence that, as far as Plett is concerned, these payments will

be made primarily on less developed areas and for the less privileged.

Thus the argument that a hwtwucvg will be a mechanism for directing money to the filthy rich does not wash.

Indeed, it will be a mechanism whereby money flows from the filthy rich (as well as us more common folk) to the deserving.

However, the fact that this money will not flow into the maw of the greedy, dishonest and inefficient presents a problem. It could well be a stumbling block to its introduction... Pity.

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Like top Knysna dog Charlie to win Ambassadoggy title

D

STV recently ran an Ambassadoggy competition to find Channel 105’s ‘Ambassadog’ for the next year. I’m very happy to announce that super-dog Charlie, a Knysna local, has made the top five finalists!

With hundreds of entries to choose from, DSTV selected this Heads-born, awesome dog based on his fantastic trick collection and darn good looks.

To win the title, Charlie’s video needs to receive the

highest number of likes on MNet’s YouTube page.

If he wins, he will get TV work as well as other super cool prizes, and will hold the title for a full year. Please take a minute to watch his video and like it, and please share the link with anyone and everyone so that we can get as many likes as possible (visit https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=3PfN7teqYpk or Google Ambassadoggy Top 5: Charlie).

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Your blankets bring much more than winter warmth I wanted to share, from my personal perspective (as owner of wool&more), what the handing over of the blankies to the Masizame Shelter kids meant to me.

[Turn to page 6 of the April 8 edition at www.cxpress. co.za for the full story.]

That Thursday afternoon was just another day. A few of us piled two huge bags of blankets into my car and we made our way to Masizame in KwaNokuthula. The children were all doing their homework so we just waited in their atrium for them to emerge.

As they came in and saw the bags of beautifully knitted and crocheted blankets - huge clear bags filled with cuddly, happy colours - their faces lit up and it was at about that moment that the realisation dawned of how very much our visit (not to mention the blankets) meant

to these beautiful little souls.

My heart just melted, tears welling up in my eyes.

Each child responded with utter joy and delight at receiving their own, personalised blanket and I began, silently but fervently, to thank the Universe for all that I have and all that I am.

We are, each of us, gifted with so, so much in our lives... And we forget! It just takes a short visit to Masizame Shelter to see life differently and to feel overwhelming gratitude.

Thank you to ALL the wonderful ladies who made the blankets. Not only did you give these kids something special and unique for themselves - and to help keep them warm - but you gave me the opportunity to be reminded of the extent of my abundance and feel that deep, warm sense of gratitude.

Lq{"Uceju."Rngvv

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CXPRESS

Sport & Adventure

20 May 2015

Ladies bring home the gold from Langebaan nationals

T

HREE Plett teams sailing for Knysna Yacht Club made their way to Langebaan to compete in the Hobie 18 Tiger Nationals and the Hobie 16 Ladies Nationals recently.

Blaine and Peter-Blaine Dodds, William and Douglas Edwards, and Roxanne Dodds and Mark Kopel teamed up for the Tigers, while mother and daughter

combo Lucinda and Pippy Edwards competed in the Hobie 16 Ladies Nationals.

Friday dawned windless and remained that way until racing was postponed to the next day. A full day was scheduled for Saturday with course racing in the morning and an extreme series format set for the afternoon.

The extreme series consisted of a very confined

race course set just in front of Langebaan Yacht Club, which presented excellent spectator value with 21 powerful sleek catamarans manoeuvring and rounding course marks in excess of 45km per hour.

The Dodds and Edwards teams were too conservative in the extreme series, which cost them in the overall results, but William and

Douglas managed to win the last run of the course race, putting them fourth overall. Alan Lawrence of Cape Town was first with multiple world champion Sean Ferry second.

Blaine Dodds, who is normally a fixture on the podium, finished eighth while Roxanne and Mark finished in 14th place.

With the boys and mixed teams out of the medals it was up to the girls team of Lucinda and Pippy Edwards to bring home the gold. And that’s exactly what they did when sailing a brilliant regatta, beating

HAPPY FAMILIES: The full contingent of Plett’s hobie heroes, along with mom June Dodds in blue, at the recent nationals

Belinda Hayward in the last race to win overall.

The Hobie 18 Tiger Nationals was good training for the upcoming multi-worlds on Lake Garda in Italy. William and Douglas Edwards and Blaine, Peter-Blaine and Roxanne Dodds with Mark Kopel will be competing in the F18s while Roxanne will

team up again with Bella Zanesco from Australia for the Hobie 16 Ladies event.

William and Lucinda Edwards will attend an Invitational Prosail event in Germany a week later.

We wish them the best of luck and the right winds in their sails... watch this space for updates.

TOP COMBO SHINES: Lucinda and Pippy Edwards sailing their way to winning the Ladies Nationals in Langebaan

NECK AND NECK: William and Douglas Edwards (red spinnaker on left) and Blaine and PeterBlaine Dodds (black spinnaker on right) sailing in Langebaan

Wittedrift Hoër maak korte mette met Murray en Oakhill op die sportveld

D

IE netbalspanne van Hoërskool Wittedrift het vroeër die maand vir Murray Hoërskool die stryd aangesê op dié se tuisveld.

Die O18-span se Megan van Tura en Verushka Damons het uitstekend presteer - voorwaar ‘n prestasie, as mens in gedagte hou dat dié twee dogters maar net 14 jaar oud is. Die ondersteuning van die res van span het tot ‘n sege van 34-5 gelei.

Die O/16-span het hulle ook goed van hul taak gekwyt en het hul wedstryd 1811 gewen, terwyl die O/15s gelykop gespeel het met ‘n puntetelling van 16-16.

Die meisies se netbalafrigter, Mnr Gallant, bedank graag vir Murray Hoërskool vir hul goeie ontvangs en gasvryheid tydens die wedstryde.

Nog goeie netbalnuus is dat Megan (O/14) en Clarese Moos (O/18) die volgende naweek by die netbalproewe in Kareedouw gekies is vir die SWD-span.

Baie geluk, meisies!

Op die sokker-front sê Hoërskool Wittedrift veels geluk aan hul seuns sokkerspan wat vir Murray Hoërskool geklop het met ‘n telling van 3-1. Alhoewel die dogterspan met 2-0 verloor

het, verdien hulle ook gelukwensinge aangesien dit hul eerste wedstryd was.

Volgens Me de Bruyn, die dogters se afrigter, het hulle die spel terdeë geniet en sien hulle uit na hul eerste sege.

Laastens het die O/15 rugby seuns van Hoërskool Wittedrift op Woensdag 6 Mei ‘n skitterende vertoning gelewer op hul tuisveld. Die span het teen Oakhill van Knysna gespeel en het die wedstryd met ‘n telling van 40-5 gewen.

Onder die uitstaande spelers was Tyrique Martin, Liam Smith en Charles Esau.

Veels geluk, manne!