22 April 2020

22 April 2020

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Screen shot Cynthia Gobisiba, left, and Sarah McCullum are part of the team facilitating Covid-19 screening, currently underway in Kranshoek, on behalf of the Western Cape Health Department. Turn to page 3 to find out how you can assist and promote this important process.

3D printed visors the rage p2

Bitou flasher goes too far p4

Business recovery steps p6

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CXPRESS

NEWS & VIEWS

22 April 2020

3D printing done from home provides visors to Plett’s frontline staff N the update provided by Bitou’s Covid-19 response team last week [read it on the Editors’ Desk at www.cxpress.co.za], Plett resident Jason Graber is acknowledged for having produced more than 50 face shields by using his 3D printer.

These masks have been donated to bolster the town’s effort to timeously provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to volunteers and frontline medical personnel by the time the pandemic rolls down the Garden Route.

When we tracked him down remotely at his Kransbos abode this weekend, Jason said that the amount of visors had doubled by the time of writing.

He elaborated: “With the outbreak of Covid-19, it soon became apparent that

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ARMING OUR COVID-19 ARMY: Jason Graber displays the visor manufactured with the help of components created by his trusty 3D printer and clear transparency film; below from left, Martin and Sage Wolfaardt, along with Logan Graber feel safer behind their locallyproduced visors

many types of personal protection equipment would be in short supply - this included face masks and face visors.

“All of a sudden, the various 3D-printing communities that I am part of on Facebook moved from posts about the latest, coolest gadgets that someone had printed, to posts about visors and masks to help protecting

frontline workers from the spread of the novel coronavirus.

“It was incredible to see so many people globally offering their assistance and get on with printing protective equipment from the safety of their own homes.

“When we went into lockdown, I started doing a bit of research and running test

prints to choose the best design to go with.

At the same time I saw a post on Facebook from local medical volunteer Maggie Ubsdell, asking if there was anyone in Plett with 3D printers… Perfect timing!

“I in turn posted a request to see who else could assist with 3D printing, and Jessica Piper of 3D Goodies fame got hold of me, as she too was in the process of printing visors.

“So to date in Plett, myself (3D Printing Studio) and Jessica have printed and supplied 100 face visors to Dr Nicola Whiteman and her Covid-19 Response Team.

And should there be a need for more we will continue to supply our frontline workers.

“The design we are using has been widely adopted internationally. The key factors of this design are sufficient protection, comfort, minimal printing time, and readilyavailable clear shield material.”

Jason added that each visor frame took 80 minutes to print on their machines, and that A4 clear transparency film and file dividers worked perfectly for the purpose.

3D printing is an additive manufacturing process and unlike other subtractive processes such as laser cutting and CNC cutting, 3D printing has very little wastage of materials.

“This makes it a lot more environmentally friendly,” Jason explained, “and a true perk to this tech is that you can ‘print’ accurate and functional items from the comfort of your own home.”

A significant perk this proves indeed, given the context of our current lockdown and future isolation prospects. For enquiries regarding face visors and 3D printing in general, call Jason on 076 522 0343 or Jessica on 082 757 1391.

Remembering local heroes of yore: dramatic rescue witnessed in run-up to the Battle of Tobruk Plett history fundi DEREK FRIELINGHAUS recounts this story of two local boys’ experiences during World War II - “one being my dad, Geoff, and the other Bob Kershaw from Knysna” EOFF Frielinghaus of Plettenberg Bay was a one-pip lieutenant at an airbase in North Africa. He had four Bofors antiaircraft guns to protect these Hurricanes.

Having witnessed the event described below, he often told us the story of how disappointed the gunners were who guarded the airfield, when only three of the four Hurricanes returned after a patrol, and then how amazed they all were when they saw two pilots emerging from the one single-seater fighter plane.

Both Bob Kershaw and Jack Frost dismounted Bob’s aircraft!

Sometime later, I believe, that favour was returned when Jack landed and picked up Bob, who had forced landed…

--On March 15, 1941, Italian SM 79 bombers struck several SAAF (South African Air Force) bases and, in response, SAAF pilots set out to destroy the enemy base at Dire Dawa* in Ethiopia.

In their first attack, the SAAF aircraft were intercepted by three Italian Fiat Cr 32s.

Captain Frost was credited with the destruction of one of these aircraft, one more was claimed by captain Theron, and the destruction of yet another was claimed as shared by Morley and Venter.

The SAAF aircraft returned to their base to refuel and replenish ammunition, and later in the afternoon returned to Dire Dawa

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for a second attack. By now, though, the Italians were waiting for them.

Lieutenant Harvey’s Hurricane was hit, burst into flames, and crashed into a building. Captain Jack Frost, flying Hurricane 280 ‘W’, was next to be hit by ground fire.

His engine started streaming glycol, and he was forced to make an emergency landing at a satellite airfield. Jack hastily exited his stricken aircraft and tried to set fire to it.

After failing several times, he sought cover, since the Italian gunners had by now spotted him as well as his Hurricane, and he started taking heavy fire.

Captain Frost’s wingman, lieutenant Bob Kershaw, flying Hurricane 284 ‘J’, made several efforts to dislodge the Italians, but with little or no success.

Kershaw then made a landing close to Frost, and with Frost sitting on Kershaw’s lap in the cramped cockpit, took off again and made the 45-minute flight back to their base. Kershaw was awarded an immediate DSO** for the rescue of his OC. Jack Frost was shot down on June 16, 1942 near Bir Hakeim in Egypt. Neither his remains nor the wreckage of his aircraft have ever been found.

Frost was the highest-scoring ace of the SAAF during WWII, with 15 kills. He received the DFC and Bar, and was mentioned in Dispatches.

Bob Kershaw served four operational

PLANE DOWN TO EARTH KINDA GUYS: Lieutenant Bob Kershaw wearing his DSO ribbon and captain Jack Frost, right, are pictured here with a Hawker Hurricane in what seems to be a rather bomb-damaged hangar, after the events described below Photo: Air Tactical Assault Group.com

tours before crashing behind enemy lines in 1945, and spending the last few weeks of the war as a POW. After a successful career in business, he retired in Knysna, passing away in 1996. * Dire Dawa (lit. ‘Place of Remedy’) is one of two chartered cities in Ethiopia - the other being Addis Ababa, the capital. It is divided administratively into two woredas, the city proper and the non-urban woreda of Gurgura. ** Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the Commonwealth, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.

Since 1993, all ranks have been eligible.

NEWS & VIEWS

22 April 2020

Bitou Covid-19 response update Plett residents are joining forces to fight the novel coronavirus, and have raised just short of R1.5-million to boost efforts - YOLANDÉ STANDER reports CCORDING to the Bitou Covid-19 response team, funds raised thus far include a R200,000 donation from Bitou Municipality; just over R76,000 have been spent on equipment and efforts to fight the virus and its impact on the town.

Head of the team Dr Nicky Whiteman said more good

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news was that all five locals who had tested positive for the virus, have recovered.

“The Western Cape Department of Health is currently conducting door to door screening, starting with Kranshoek. This will likely see our total number of cases rise,” Whiteman said.

In preparation the team,

in collaboration with the municipality, are in the process of setting up an isolation facility at Piesang Valley Community Hall.

With the help of local businesses and individuals, a vast range of personal protective gear, medical and disposable medical equipment has been procured, and the team has

already ordered 40 5L oxygen concentrators.

“Due to volatile exchange rates and inconsistent import and export channels, as well as the global demand for oxygen concentrators, it is difficult to estimate when these will arrive in Plett and how much they will cost.

“We are working through

CXPRESS a couple of local companies to try and procure these machines as soon as possible. According to our predictions - which are based on global statistics - if required, the machines will only arrive by mid-late June,” said Dr Whiteman.

Other equipment ordered include pulse oximeters, infrared thermometers and syringe drivers. Hospice Plett has availed automated blood pressure machines while a Plett local is producing spacers, used for asthma pumps,

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out of 500ml plastic bottles.

“We are procuring oxygen tubing, equipment for giving intravenous medication and fluids, linen savers, catheters, syringes and needles from a local supplier.

We have also ordered large amounts of hand sanitiser.”

She added that the team was working with a local pharmacist to ensure the availability of sufficient medication, should the health department not be able to deliver these locally.

Garden Route Media

Screening is an essential step in stemming the Covid-19 tide INCE April 18, more than 16,000 Western Cape residents have been screened as part of the Department of Health’s Covid-19 Home Visits programme.

Community Health Workers (CHWs) started with door-to-door screening in Kranshoek on Friday the 17th and will visit every home in the area for this purpose.

“The Community Health Workers will ask questions about your health, which should be answered honestly. These questions will focus on symptoms of illness at the time of screening, such as a sore throat, cough or fever,” said Knysna/Bitou medical manager Dr Andries Brink.

“To keep your family and community safe, it is important for us to find

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people who may be sick or have the virus, and try and test those with symptoms so that we can help everyone. The faster we can find those infected, the quicker we can help them.

“You may be advised by the CHW to go for a test, which is done at Kranshoek Clinic by way of a nose swab. Please do not be afraid. Test are safe and you should have your results within 48 hours.”

What individuals must do • Please welcome the health workers, who will be identifiable, and answer their questions honestly.

• If you cannot isolate from other people (like crowded living or public transport), wear a threelayer cloth face mask.

• Those on antiretroviral and treatment for other

HOUSE CALL: Community Health Workers Ronel Thorne and Justice Lose chat to a local resident during the screening process currently underway in Kranshoek

chronic ailments must stick strictly to their medication.

This will give you the best chance of recovery, should you contract the virus.

What communities must do • Encourage everyone to be screened and do not be

afraid of testing or potentially sick people.

• Look out for CHWs wearing official identification and branded clothes.

• Please keep your community clean and promote good behaviour.

• Engage all community

leaders and volunteers to support the campaign and spread the message; teach our people to take the containment measures seriously, and support all affected individuals and families Where can I get help?

Knysna deputy mayor nutshells amended lockdown regulations URING a media briefing by members of the National Command Council in Pretoria on April 16, rules pertaining to the lockdown’s second phase were set out.

Knysna deputy mayor Aubrey Tsengwa explained: “Rules of this second phase are only slightly altered from the initial hard lockdown, as

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stipulated by National Government last Thursday.”

The following regulations were amended: • Cooked food are still not allowed to be sold, while the total ban on alcohol and cigarette sales remain in place.

• Artisans now allowed to do emergency repair work for essential services in-

clude locksmiths, glaziers, roof repairers, plumbers, and electricians.

• Some hardware and carpart stores have reopened for emergency supplies. Essential goods now include the hardware, components and supplies needed by tradespeople for emergency repairs at homes. Hardware and supplies needed by es-

sential institutions such as hospitals may also be sold, and the same goes for suppliers of car parts for any vehicle engaged in essential services work.

• Community crime-watch groups are not allowed to patrol neighbourhoods.

• Rules pertaining to funerals remain unchanged.

• Children may move be-

tween parents, as long as the parent can produce a birth certificate.

Tsengwa thanked all the residents of Greater Knysna for adhering to the strict regulations of the current national lockdown.

“Our Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said during

• Your nearest local NGO or health worker.

• Call the hotline numbers (national 0800 029 999, provincial 021 928 4102) or WhatsApp ‘hi’ to 0600 123 456 - all lines are operational 24/7.

• Your closest clinic.

the briefing that when we do stop the lockdown, we cannot do it abruptly.

“We have to phase in for an orderly move towards normality. I ask each of you to adhere to the rules to ensure the safety of all, especially our vulnerable. Stay at home not only for your sake, but also for the sake of your loved ones.”

Visit www.knysna.gov.za for updates.

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CXPRESS

NEWS & VIEWS

22 April 2020

Mentally-challenged man detained for flashing family jewels on Plett’s Millionaire’s Row Plett crime fighters reacted in a flash when they heard about a man indecently exposing himself to women in the Beachy Head Drive area last week - YOLANDÉ STANDER reports LETTENBERG Bay Crime Prevention Association (PBCPA) operations head Otto Olivier said reports were received last Friday of a man “flashing” three women in the vicinity of Beachy Head, aka the town’s very own ‘million-

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aires row’.

“The suspect fled the scene towards the beach. Plett’s K9 unit was on the scene swiftly and footprints on the beach indicated that he had run towards the Beacon Island,” said Olivier.

The man, a mentally-

challenged person, was apprehended and handed over to police for the necessary action to be taken.

In another incident, Olivier said that just after 2am on Saturday morning, PBCPA control room operators spotted a suspect on the Poortjies

CCTV cameras, scaling a fence in Plato Street.

“The Plett Security Tactical Response Unit, Smhart Security, Plett Security and SAPS officer Phillip van Pletzen responded immediately with ADT in quick succession. The suspect was

apprehended by Smhart response officers and taken away by the police.”

According to Olivier, crime fighting proved challenging during the lockdown period as neighbourhood watch groups had been banned from patrolling.

He said over the past three weeks, PBCPA security partners, police and Bitou law enforcement have been patrolling the streets while neighbour-

hood watch groups have had to keep an eye out for suspicious behaviour from their places of residence.

“These security partners have had to stretch resources to the limit to continue doing crime prevention patrols,” Olivier said.

“Massive thanks are due to our fabulous community for going above and beyond the norm to assist people and animals. You are very special people indeed.”

Fake news nipped in the bud Matrics and Grade 7s could go back has of a special Ministerial fake news from their platto school by May 6 GOVERNMENT ramped up its capac- Task Team established by forms with immediate effect.

Other grades will be phased in if lockdown ends by April 30, reports PREGA GOVENDER of TimesLIVE RADE 12 and seven pupils will be the first to return to school on May 6 if president Cyril Ramaphosa lifts the lockdown at the end of the month - this according to proposals contained in the Department of Basic Education’s (DBE) post Covid-19 lockdown recovery plan, which was discussed with teacher unions and governing body associations last Wednesday.

According to the document, two grades will be phased in at a time, starting from May 6. These are the

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tentative dates for pupils to return to school: • Grades 12 and 7: May 6 • Grades 11 and 6: May 20 • Grades 10 and 5: June 3 • Grades 9 and 4: June 17 • Grades 8 and 3: July 1 • Grades 2 and 1: July 8 • Grade R: July 15 The document further states that the phased-in approach ‘’will be closely managed and monitored’’ and that the next two grades will be brought in based on how the school is coping with the management of the number of pupils, the space, and the

hygienic requirements.

But it adds that schooling will only resume after the Health department has given the green light that it is safe to resume schooling. ‘’Given the high risk associated with large gatherings, the DBE is considering a phased-in approach.

“The most critical grades will be brought in first to start the primary and secondary schools, while the remaining learners are retained at home, and they are brought in on an incremental basis,’’ the document states.

ity to monitor and respond to misinformation and fake news during the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond.

A hi-tech monitoring and evaluation process has been put in place to assess complaints from the media, the public and other sectors of society, with the ability to take down fake news items on a range of platforms and submit cases to the SAPS for investigation.

This solution is a unique collaboration between the government’s Communication department, Media Monitoring Africa and the CovidComms volunteer communication network.

It forms part of the work

the Department of Communication, which also includes representatives from ICASA, the Film and Publications Board, ZADna, mobile phone companies and other key players in the ICT sector, including platform owners.

Once fake news items or social media posts have been identified, platform owners are notified to bring down the posts. Electronic Communications Services Licensees, including over-the-top media service providers and internet service providers that are in the service of providing linear and nonlinear services, will then have the responsibility to remove

Complaints can be channelled through the Real411 website www.real411.org or the WhatsApp line 067 966 4015.

“We are stepping up our campaign against digital misinformation, particularly in relation to Covid-19 and related actions such as the national lockdown,” said acting Communications minister Jackson Mthembu.

“We also need to remind South Africans that spreading fake news or disinformation about Covid-19 is a punishable offence. Arrests have already been made, and they will continue if people persist in spreading fake news,” Mthembu concluded.

Silver linings captured in colour and B&W These images shot by Uplands resident Res Kammer blew us away, so we picked his brain for the backstory: “The sunset pic at left was taken from our Uplands farm Balele in the direction of Diepwalle Forest around 5:30pm on April 13. There was not much colour to see, just a lot of nice contrast, so I set my Nikon P900 to B&W. The colour image at right was shot early on the previous morning towards Formosa Peak. We are retired and live high up in the hills 15km behind Plett, completely off the grid for the past six years, so for us the lockdown is not really a big change. Feel free to have a quick look at our website www.2ch. co.za (ch = country code for Switzerland, with reference to us two Swiss nationals in South Africa). We don’t know why, but we currently receive between 2,500 and 4,000 clicks per day!” Check the gallery at www.cxpress.co.za for more spectacular sunrise pics.

Photos: Res Kammer

Running out of alcohol during lockdown? Here’s how your anxiety can be managed…

OR South Africans who enjoy a daily sundowner for stress relief and relaxation, extension of the national lockdown has sparked anxiety about their rapidly-dwindling supplies and the prospect of ‘going dry’ until the end of April.

The good news is that they will probably cope better than they think - and it’s good for their health and their pockets, too.

South Africans’ reliance on their daily tipple, perhaps more than most would care to admit, is highlighted by a 500% spike in local Google searches on the alcohol ban and homemade

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booze recipes, and reports of bootlegging, bartering and supplies being traded on WhatsApp groups.

Those who hoped to replenishing alcohol stocks

by April 17 had their hopes dashed when President Ramaphosa announced an extension of the lockdown to the end of April.

Those who consume two to three standard drinks a day are unlikely to experience severe withdrawal symptoms, although they may experience “some subjective discomfort”, said Dr Lize Weich - convenor of the Substance Abuse Special Interest Group of the

South African Society of Psychiatrists (SASOP).

“The threat of a pandemic of a potentially fatal illness and its effects on the economy may increase stress, anxiety and depression rates, and some people will use substances like alcohol to try to cope. But there are much healthier coping strategies,” she said.

Dr Weich advised that it could help to mentally prepare for “day zero” by cutting down on daily consumption to make stocks last and seeing the situation in a positive light.

“There is much to be gained from a few alcohol-

free weeks - less calories consumed to compensate for not being able to exercise as before, saving money, and improving general health and immunity.

Dr Weich suggested strategies such as mindfulness, meditation, exercise and distractions like hobbies and reading, or learning a new skill, and drawing on the wealth of online resources for how-to and self-help.

Alcohol use affects virtually every organ in the body and contributes to mental health disorders, she said, and adversely affects the immune system causing greater vulnerability to respira-

tory and viral infections.

“Most people would want their lungs, airways and immune system to be functioning optimally amidst the threat of Covid-19 infection, and avoiding or reducing alcohol and tobacco intake can potentially aid in this.

“There is the added benefit of cost savings in the difficult economic times ahead, as well as limiting social contact and risk of contracting the disease by reducing the need for going out to shop,” she said.

Dr Weich said while studies had shown that mild alcohol use, two standard drinks a day for men and one for

women, could be associated with lower risk of vascular disease such as heart attack and stroke, the harm of alcohol use follows a steep “J curve”, rapidly increasing its damaging effects and potential for increased health problems and mortality.

For those who do experience significant withdrawal symptoms, such as increased anxiety, difficulty sleeping, physical symptoms like tremors, headaches, sweating or nausea, or more severe effects such as hallucinations or seizures, she advised consulting a medical practitioner or using online medical help resources.

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22 April 2020

BUSINESS

Practical steps for business recovery during and after lockdown Stephan du Plessis

IGHT now, most owners of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have been out of business for over three weeks.

Many have been able to continue paying their employees, rent, utility bills, creditors and other costs.

With another eight (at least) business-less days to come, there is little doubt that severe financial challenges await. Sadly, many businesses will not recover from this blow.

This article is neither about that, nor is it a motivational piece. Rather, it is aimed at providing business owners with a few practical steps that could assist in restarting the engine of their businesses.

Now is a good time to think about your business Few SME owners ever have or take the time to reflect on their business - especially, to analyse its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT). This period of enforced closure offers the perfect opportunity.

Apart from understanding the business and its environment better, a SWOT analysis will be very helpful in devising a strategy for recovery and growth once the lockdown ends.

Devise a re-opening strategy It is important to plan properly for reopening. Many businesses are going to need significant working capital investment with no or little recent operating cash flows to fund it.

If a business has to be re-stocked (think restaurants, boutique clothing stores with season change, etc.) this investment requirement can be substantial, and it is critically important to have a funding plan in place.

In this regard, the SME grants and loans schemes that have been devised, could be

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very helpful. But those sources are limited and not all SMEs will be able to access them.

Most banks are offering some sort of payment holiday on existing debt, which could help with releasing cash to invest in restarting. A word of caution: payment holidays do not equal free credit; interest will accrue and be added to the capital sum outstanding, which in turn will mean a higher repayment amount in the future.

For investors, interest compounding is a friend, for borrowers, not so much! Rather try and access some of the interest-free debt offerings to fund re-opening investment and even to service bank debt.

Another logical strategy is investing in a limited range of stock (best sellers) initially and then gradually expanding the product range as cash flows improve. Restaurants could, for instance, reopen with a slimmed down menu instead of offering options that are only ordered by a small percentage of patrons but require stocks to be kept on hand.

Inevitably, there will be slow moving stock when the business opens its doors again.

Get rid of this stock to generate cash for investment in stock that can be sold profitably and quicker, even if you must have a re-opening discount sale to turn that stock into cash.

Right now, cash is king! It would also help with the next point to consider.

Have a plan to get customers back into your business Customers will need to be enticed back into spending money after about five weeks of spending mostly only on essential items. Re-

member that they are almost without exception going to be financially worse off after the lockdown.

Be innovative about ways to attract them to your business and once they are there, make sure they are treated like gold (to you that’s what they are).

Do not be scared to offer individual discounts or general special offers, even if you don’t normally do that. You want them to associate your businesses with a pleasurable experience and in a difficult economic envi-

SUPER SAVVY: Stephan du Plessis is a vastly experienced independent corporate advisor

ronment, saving something at the point of sale is very pleasurable indeed.

Communicate with creditors Everybody would like certainty and a visible route going forward. Creditors also have businesses with the same challenges as yours and are also worrying about cash flow.

Contact your creditors (preferably with spoken word) and discuss how you might be able to settle the outstanding amounts.

Trust me on this, both you and the creditor will feel more comfortable if a clear way forward can be agreed upon.

Communicate with debtors If customers owe you money, reach out to them to have similar discussions to the ones you have with your creditors. Be prepared to compromise to the same extent you expect your creditors to compromise.

Communicate with employees Your employees are also facing challenges and uncertainties. Do not be afraid to reach out to them, understand their individual situations, and reassure them as much as you honestly can.

Once your reopening strategy has been formulated, inform your employees - without them and their support your plans are most likely going to fail. Make sure every employee knows what is expected of him or her from the beginning.

Plan properly for re-opening... and then, just do it!

• Stephan du Plessis is an independent corporate advisor with many years of experience. Email him at stephan@cristalkonsult. com for additional information.

Thought Leadership: Covid-19 will bring about a retail apocalypse Howard Saunders

URRENTLY we all speak from a position of absolute ignorance. No one can truly know what the outcome of this pandemic will be, nor when the virus will pass or if it will ever be defeated.

Even if a vaccine is developed in the next few months, it’s clear that we will forever mark this moment as one of seismic significance.

From now on we will talk of pre or post C19.

If there’s anything positive to be wished from this, it’s that perhaps this is the socioeconomic reboot we’ve all been yearning for. It’s almost biblical.

The developed world has become increasingly guilt-ridden, hysterical even, over its impact on the planet, and steeped in doubt as to mankind’s purpose upon it. In short, we grew to despise humanity and believed humans were responsible for all the planet’s ills.

We became fully signed up Malthusians!

Our new gods utterly despised us (Greta, Attenborough) and believed robots would do our jobs better than us.

Pre-C19 we grew hysterical over every social injustice, inherited privilege or innate bias we could hunt down or dig up. We even disputed our own biological gender. Put simply, we now have something more urgent to fret about, namely survival. In the long term, we will learn to pull together more and it may well set our ship on a clearer course.

In the short term, however, we must not underestimate the catastrophic effects it will have on 21st century life. Thousands of shops, pubs, restaurants, bars, cinemas, galleries and venues will close down for good. There’s no question the retail apocalypse has arrived.

Unemployment will soar as fast as our incomes decline. Nations will focus on feeding their own, rather than exports, meaning we’ll become accustomed to buying locally produced, seasonal food.

Yes, globalisation died in 2020. We’ll learn how to cook again, bake bread and homebrew. We’ll take on more DIY, learn to knit, sew and play instruments. Our renewed sense of mortality will see many of us writing diaries and journals again. In short, we’ll live simpler - dare I say, more austere - lives.

As social animals, the restrictions on social activity will be our greatest challenge.

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Months on end without family gatherings, nights out, holidays, celebrations, parties, festivals and sporting events will hit us harder than we can imagine.

But when, finally, we do emerge from this storm, consider how much we will cherish those ordinary, yet beautiful, social interactions we took for granted only a couple of weeks ago. It’s the hugs and the handshakes that give humans their humanity.

Very soon we will understand that retail and hospitality were never really about buying more stuff or filling our bellies. Our industry is all about human engagement and, post-C19, I expect shops and restaurants to welcome us more warmly and sincerely than at any time since the festive season.

Sadly, as C19 proliferates, we are unlikely to be dancing and hugging in the streets as in 1945. Masks and visors will become standard dress, and restaurant staff will be obliged to wear protective gear for insurance purposes.

Tables will be widely spaced and prices will have to rise accordingly. But with unemployment at 30% very few will be able to afford the luxury of dining out, so it will feel like a return to the 1960s.

The coming months will teach us a lot about ourselves. We will learn how to work remote-

JARGON-FREE: Howard Saunders is a writer and speaker who sees beyond retail’s currently choppy waters; he spent the first 25 years of his career at some of London’s most-renowned retail design agencies, before relocating to New York; his talks are high-energy, jargonfree journeys that explore the exciting, if terrifying, retail landscape ahead

ly, how to replenish essentials online, how to write, read and entertain ourselves. (We’ll also learn that bulk buying makes no sense.)

Social media will undergo a much-needed reset as we become more sensitive to the vacuousness of posts and Tweets that scream little more than fatuous mundanity or misplaced self-puffery. Our media will mature to reflect the age.

The global move into cities will reverse. We will have learned how to work remotely and, more importantly, what we really want from work. Cities will lose much of the thriving lunchtime market along with most of the fast casual brands. It will become less about work and much more about play as we head back to the city in the evening for the choice of restaurants and entertainment.

Celebrity culture will undergo a muchneeded correction as our moral and social hierarchies turn upside down. Hollywood will be humbled enough to stop its finger wagging and lecturing. The BBC will follow, too - if it survives.

These next few months are a period of contemplation not just for us but also for brands. Any brand waiting to bounce back to market post-C19, revved up like bloody Tiger, will have got it wrong. Advertising, as we currently understand it, finally died in 2020. Brands, like humans, must rethink their roles and purpose. Legacy brands will either die or back out quietly.

Post-C19, we will expect our brands to be philanthropic, sponsoring, partnering, teaching and incubating on behalf of the local community. Brand values will shift away from self-indulgence, luxury, celebrity and narcissism towards fundamentals such as family, home, friends and wellbeing.

Cultures don’t usually adhere to the tidy chronology of the decades. The 60s didn’t properly begin until 1964, for example. But the new age that lies ahead really did begin in early 2020.

Expect everything to get a reboot, from our lacklustre music, inane superhero movies and even our egotistical urban ‘starchitecture’.

2020 is a mighty test for us all. When we do come out the other side we are sure to be more appreciative of simple pleasures, and a little more content with life on Planet Earth.

Perhaps 2020 is the year of vision after all?

NOTICE

22 April 2020

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INTERVAL

22 April 2020

Sing-song sermon pastor decided to do something a little different in church one Sunday morning.

He said: “Today I am going to say a single word and you are going to help me preach. Whatever single word I say, I want you to sing whatever hymn comes to mind.”

The pastor shouted out: “Cross!”

Immediately the congregation started singing ‘The Old Rugged Cross’ in unison.

The pastor then hollered out: “Grace!”

Emergency mask solutions

The congregation began to sing ‘Amazing Grace’.

The pastor said: “Power.”

The congregation then sang ‘There is Power in the Blood’.

The Pastor said: “Sex.” The congregation fell into total silence. Everyone was in shock. Then they all nervously started looking at one another, afraid to say anything.

Then all of a sudden, way from the back of the church, a diminutive 87-year-old grandmother stood up and began to sing ‘Precious Memories’.

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The lame date... guy asks a girl to a dance. She agrees, and he decides to rent a suit.

The rental has a long line, so he waits and waits, and finally he gets his suit.

He decides to buy flowers, so he goes to the flower shop.

The flower shop has a long line, so he waits and waits, until he finally

buys flowers.

He picks up the girl and they go to the dance.

There is a long line into the dance hall, so they wait and wait.

Finally, they get into the dance, and the guy offers to get the girl a drink.

She asks for punch, so he goes to the drinks table. There’s no punch line.

A

Spotting a cute baby E brought our newborn son, Adam, to the paediatrician for his first check-up. As he finished, the doctor told us: “You have a cute baby.”

Smiling, I said: “I bet you

say that to all new parents.”

“No,” he replied, “just to those whose babies are really good looking.”

“So what do you say to the others?” I asked.

“He looks just like you.”

W

“Mondays are fine. It’s your life that sucks.”

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S P E N D T H R I F T

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ON THE SOAPBOX

22 April 2020

Letters to the Editor

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

We must become self-sufficient to prepare sent in medical for the post-global-village world state teams or supplies to save

In the face of the rising number of coronavirus patients and the speed of political changes in the world, few people have stopped to notice that world we have known for the past generation is falling apart.

The global village concept is disintegrating under the weight of this pandemic.

The coronavirus will not destroy global markets, but it will change them radically and reduce their size and scope, especially in the case of agriculture, manufactured goods and medical supplies worldwide.

The pandemic has exposed large scale vulnerabilities in both import and domestic production.

The model of dependence on foreign suppliers needs to be adapted in the context of what we are learning.

As the world is finding in the race to purchase respirators, it is ill advised to depend on foreign suppliers for medical equipment, medicines and diagnostic reagents in times of crisis.

Until January 2020, it seemed perfectly logical to outsource manufacturing to China. Now, as

we face global shortages of respirators and other medical supplies it is obvious that China is not a trustworthy supplier.

The novel coronavirus exposed a truth that global village fans have spent the past generation denying, including the fact that borders are important.

From 1997 until the advent of Covid-19, Europe’s internal borders were all open. Over the past few weeks, 15 European Union (EU) states have tightly shut their borders.

When Italy and Spain begged for help, no EU

their fellow Europeans.

So much for the concept of a ‘union’!

It is obvious that to survive and protect themselves from global shocks, nations must have selfsufficient agricultural and manufacturing capabilities. China is not a reliable industrial base.

South Africa’s ability to protect itself today and adapt its economy to the new post-global-village reality will in a large part determine how it survives and prospers in the new world now taking shape.

Kevin Meineke, Plett

Letter from Panama: Every silver lining has a cloud… especially when trying to open a bank account So here we are, still in our little ‘pondokkie’ in the foothills of the Baru volcano in western Panama, awaiting our release from single-gender shopping on alternate days of the week.

Somewhat unlike South Africa, the promise of a ‘soft drink’ doesn’t quite cut it with the local cops, who are under instructions to arrest transgressors who can be locked in the slammer for up to six years for being out and not shopping for food or medicine, or being of the wrong sex on the wrong day. (Now where did I leave my wig and party dress?)

Not having had much time to explore or experience the country yet, our perspective of Panama has been based mainly on our impressions from the first visit in 2016.

Locally, the looming presence of the volcano tends to dominate all.

Reading on Wikipedia, apparently the last time it popped - in 1550 - was quite something, with it hurling Volkswagen-sized rocks all over the place and even as far as the Pacific coast, some 35km away.

One legacy of that is the very rocky terrain everywhere, with very sparse vegetation on top.

Another, more positive, outcome was the creation of a series of deep canyons that channel the water from the lengthy rainy season into hydro-electricity dams that power the country and provide free water to all (eat your heart out, George Municipality).

The mountainous town of Cerro Punta is the fruit and vegetable capital of the area thanks to deposits of nutrient-rich volcanic soil.

Another interesting aspect of local farming is the extensive use of hydroponics to grow vegetables in massive greenhouses, where the bulbs or tubers of the

For background, read ‘A letter from Panama: No direction home’ on page 2 of the April 8 edition at www.cxpress.co.za

NO TALL TALE: The Volcán Barú is an active stratovolcano and the tallest mountain in Panama at 3,475 metres high. It lies about 35km off the border of Costa Rica. It is also the 12th highest peak in Central America. Due to its height and the narrowness of the Isthmus of Panama, it is possible to see both the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea from Volcán Barú’s peak on a clear day - Wikipedia

plants are suspended while their roots are dangled into nutrient-rich (free) water.

Enough of the boring stuff - what about fun places to go? Well if, in normal times, you are a shopaholic, then the Albrook Mall near Panama City is the place to be.

Built near the site of an old US Air Force base, not far from the Canal, this is the shopping centre to beat them all, with more than 700 stores.

Its baby brother, the Federal Mall - near the town of David just down the road from here, and due to completed shortly - will have a mere 400 outlets which is meant to service not only local customers but also cross-border traffic from southern Costa Rica, where prices are higher.

Another thing discovered by this aspiring ‘gringo’ and ‘gringa’ is that finding somewhere to stash your assets in Panama is harder than digging up a Mayan coin in your backyard…

Bitcoins aside, those traditionalists among us still adhere to the concept of opening a bank account somewhere as, perhaps, a subliminal signal that you have ‘Arrived’ and that you ‘Belong’.

So it was with us when, just a few days after arriving in Panama, we made our first attempt to do just that - not only because it was part of the resident visa process, but also since we needed somewhere secure to put the US$ proceeds of our South African house sale.

Okay, we thought, let’s see what they need, confident that with the arrival of a significant deposit, we would be welcomed with open arms. How wrong can you be?

Sent away with a list of requirements and forms, we spent the next few days feverishly accumulating documents, detail, tax forms and responding to the most obscure of questions.

We then returned to attend the second interrogation, which turned out to be even worse than the first because, clearly, the ‘assistant’ could not find anything to question or reject.

His frustration manifested itself as a delaying tactic when he repeatedly shuffled, rearranged, and photocopied the same papers over and over again.

After nearly an hour of this charade, when my blood pressure needle was well into the red, I had this

wonderful vision. I could excuse myself for a few minutes, pop down the street to the supermarket where they had a lovely selection of jungle-clearing machetes (or ‘pangas’ in SA) return with one and pin our ever-helpful ‘assistant’ to the wall with it!

I had this delightful image of Andrew, as my adversary was called, sweating as a metre of glistening, honed steel hovered just below his larynx, while he signed, stamped and computed our bank account into existence.

Sadly, reality prevailed as I noticed two armed guards at the door, one inside, one out, who would no doubt have intervened in my sadistic adventure, not counting the effect on my unblemished criminal record thus resulting in my visa application being cancelled but also expedited my expulsion from the country.

Deflated, we finally exited the bank with an account number, and shortly afterwards encountered a local acquaintance who noticed my agitated state.

“Don’t worry,” he said, “all the banks here are like that!”

A low pass by the bank a couple of days later, in the vain hope that we could get a credit or debit card and even an interest-bearing second account, were dashed when the security guard gleefully shouted: “We’re closed!”

There, I hope we have relieved your boredom for just a few minutes. If you wish, we can continue to send more of this idle chat or, alternatively, you can just say “Bob, shut up, will you!”

If you don’t, there’ll be more experiences to follow. All the best from the foothills of Baru…

Bob & Joyce Hopkin, Boquete

CXPRESS

Read CXPRESS online at www.cxpress.co.za

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Plett Animal Welfare Service

22 April 2020

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