22 August 2018

22 August 2018

Published every Wednesday by CXpress 2006 (Pty) Ltd - PO Box 1449, Plettenberg Bay 6600 - 6 Park Lane, Plettenberg Bay - Tel: 044 533 1004 - Fax: 044 533 0852 Email: editor@cxpress.co.za / advertising@cxpress.co.za Web page: www.cxpress.co.za Printed by Group Editors

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Waste not…

Using the space around us wisely is one of the categories forming part of the recently-launched WasteNothing Knysna competition. Here, Jason Julies of Edge of Africa demonstrates how a plastic bottle can be converted into a vertical hanging garden in no time. Turn to page 5 to find out more about the fat cash prizes on offer.

Risking SA’s status - p2 Molosi murder update - p3 Allan to give it all in Italy - p12

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CXPRESS

NEWS & VIEWS

22 August 2018

Never again ‘till next time - notes on why SA risks relegation to ‘skunk of the world’ status once more Martin van Staden

N 1994, Nelson Mandela dedicated the day he was inaugurated as first president of a free South Africa to those who sacrificed “and surrendered their lives so that we could be free”.

Freedom was the reward after the struggle against Apartheid was won.

Mandela concluded with these famous words: “Never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another and suffer the indignity of being the skunk of the world.”

Unfortunately, these words of the pioneer of democratic South Africa have not stood the test of time. The confidence with which he delivered his statement in 1994 was not enough to carry it three decades into the future, with South Africans again facing government tyranny.

The ruling party has decided that it is now a fait accompli that the constitution will be amended to allow for expropriation of private property without paying compensation.

This harkens back to the 1950s, shortly after the National Party (NP) came into power.

The NP sought to remove coloured voters, who were still enfranchised on the common voters’ roll in the Cape Province, from the roll.

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Then prime minister DF Malan said in October 1953 that the party had a mandate to place Cape Coloured voters on a segregated roll, and the party was not going to ignore that mandate.

Malan said this amid a constitutional crisis, during which the supreme court invalidated various attempts by government to implement this aspect of Apartheid.

The government eventually beat the courts after loading the upper house of parliament with loyalists and threatening to stack the bench with more sympathetic judges.

The NP had decided on tyranny, and they were not going to let considerations of freedom, constitutionality, evidence, and human dignity stand in the way of getting what they wanted.

This mentality has carried through to 2018, under an apparently different government.

In 1994, Apartheid officially ended. Its greatest crime - denying property rights on the basis of race - was finally put to an end. Section 25 of the Constitution was brought into operation to ensure that the arbitrary infringement of private property that was rampant under the previous regime would not happen again.

The section also obligated the new government, specifically, to bring about security of tenure; in other words,

strengthening property rights. Finally, black South Africans could own property wherever they liked, and millions took advantage of this now-recognised right.

Millions more, unfortunately, have been waiting patiently for government to strengthen their property rights, mostly in urban townships. This has not happened.

Instead, government now has the full intention to shove South Africa back at least three decades in time, but perhaps four, back into the Cold War era when the idea that the state is a custodian of property, or at least should have the authority to pick and choose which private property to use for what, was still in vogue. A forgotten era of absolute poverty made new again.

The moment expropriation without compensation becomes legalised and implemented in South Africa we, like Zimbabwe before us, will again become “the skunk of the world”. If not sanctions, then surely no sustainable investment.

Expatriates, of whom there will be millions, will go out into the world and tell of an African country that, after 1994, saw massive economic growth and an explosion in social welfare, but which then, on the altar of political ideology, threw it all away.

Tyranny is an inevitable consequence of a

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Martin van Staden is a lawyer working as legal researcher for the Free Market Foundation; he is pursuing a Master of Laws degree at the University of Pretoria. He has served on the African Executive Board of Students for Liberty since 2015 and is currently its Academic Programmes Director for Southern Africa. Being a passionate writer, he is a Young Voices Advocate and the Editor in Chief of two online classical liberal publications, Being Libertarian and Rational Standard. Martin co-authored an FMF monograph on South African telecommunications policy, The Real Digital Divide, and was a contributor to and editor of the Rational Standard book, Fallism: One Year of Rational Commentary. He has been interviewed on television and radio about public policy, law, and economics in South Africa. Visit www. freemarketfoundation.com for additional information.

lack of property rights.

When government has the power to take that which is yours without the most substantive check and balance - the requirement to pay you for it - then constitutionalism no longer exists.

Without the Section 25 right to compensation, the constitution itself will immediately be reduced to a shadow of its former self, arguably not worth the paper it was signed on by President Mandela in 1996.

Of course, this state of

dystopia will not be permanent. Eventually, sanity will return and South Africa will again pick itself up. Many will, at that time, declare, once again, “never again”, but that will only last until next time.

However, one can hope, even if only naively, that South Africans will then have the fortitude and prudence to entrench institutions strong enough to truly ensure that secure property rights are a permanent fixture in our society.

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NEWS & VIEWS

22 August 2018

CXPRESS

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‘Don’t hurt Molosi case’ pleads provincial exco member on eve of bail hearing Four men, including Knysna councillor Velile Waxa, 58, is set to take their place in the Knysna Magistrate’s Court dock tomorrow in connection with the murder of a local ANC councillor last month - YOLANDÉ STANDER reports ICTOR Molosi, 50 - who was the councillor for Knysna’s Ward 8, which includes Concordia and Joodsekamp - was gunned down on the night of July 23 after leaving Concordia High School, where he had attended a school governing body meeting.

According to police, while walking home from the meeting, a gunman approached him and fired several shots at Molosi with an unidentified firearm. A gunshot to the head was fatal.

Molosi was not only a local councillor, but also the ANC chief whip in Knysna as well as the party’s Southern Cape deputy secretary.

Five men have since been arrested in connection with the murder. First was Knysna Taxi Forum secretary Mandla Tyololo, 39, who has since been charged with conspiracy to murder.

Last Tuesday four more sus-

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pects were arrested, but charges against one of the men have since been dropped. Southern Cape police spokesman Captain Malcolm Pojie said that insufficient evidence was the reason for his release.

The other three - Waxa, Mawande Makhala, 42, and Vela Patrick Dumile, 37 - have since been charged with murder and appeared in court with Tyololo on Thursday August 16.

The matter was postponed to tomorrow for a formal bail application. All four were remanded in custody.

A ruling was also made barring the media from taking or distributing photographs of the accused pending further investigation into the matter.

Waxa, an independent councillor, is no stranger to drama and was last month, during disciplinary proceedings, found guilty of several charges relating

SHOWING TRUE COLOURS: About 300 residents marched peacefully to the court building in Knysna last week, some awaiting the outcome of court proceedings clad in mostly ANC and EFF regalia Photos: Yolandé Stander

to the breach of the code of conduct for councillors.

These charges related to, among others, disregarding the supply chain management process, and verbally attacking a member of the public in 2016.

A large group of Knysna residents is expected to gather at the court

again tomorrow where they will demand that the suspects are not to be released on bail.

About 300 residents marched peacefully to the court building last week, where they waited for the outcome of court proceedings.

Several residents were clad in political party regalia, mostly of the

ANC and EFF. One of those in the crowd was ANC Western Cape PEC [Provincial Executive Committee] member Lionel Adendorf, who addressed the protestors after proceedings.

“When they killed one of our leaders, they hurt us deeply. This is why they must not get bail. We don’t want to see them on the streets,” Adendorf said.

He also urged residents to remain peaceful. “Don’t do anything that can hurt this case. Continue the behaviour shown thus far.”

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CXPRESS INTO THE FOLD: Historian, author, and finance expert Ian Uys was sworn in as councillor last week - he is flanked by mayor Mark Willemse and speaker Georlene Wolmarans

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NEWS & VIEWS

22 August 2018

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News Briefs Knysna welcomes councillor Ian Uys Knysna mayor Mark Willemse welcomed new ACDP representative Ian Uys - having replaced Shakespeare Arends - to council when he took the Oath of Office on Thursday August 16.

Councillor Uys was sworn in at a special ceremony held in the speaker’s chambers, and said he looked forward to serving the town and working with council.

According to Willemse, Uys with his wealth of expertise, especially in the field of finance, will be of great benefit to Knysna Municipality at the communities it serves.

Bitou gets nod from up top for fully spending grant funds A Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) is a conditional grant from national government that is awarded to local government for maintaining and improving municipal infrastructure.

The MIG programme is monitored in terms of the national government financial year from April to March.

A project management

unit within Engineering Services department manages Bitou’s MIG from a programme perspective and ensures compliance and performance at all levels.

So its members were deservedly when the municipality on Monday received a letter of acknowledgement and appreciation for spending a full 100% of its MIG funding. These kudos came from the national Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs department.

Their letter stated, inter alia, that Bitou’s spend in the year under review “has contributed to good performance of the MIG programme in general�, since the municipality has spent its allocated funding appropriately on infrastructure.

The municipal leadership thanked all the officials who worked tirelessly in this regard for a job well done, and concluded its statement in this regard thus: “Bitou Municipality is a caring local government and service delivery to its people is a priority. We will make sure that this goal is achieved again in

the next financial year.�

Knysna angler disappears at Noetzie - search continues NSRI Knysna station commander Jerome Simonis on Friday advised that his duty crew was activated at 5:02pm the previous day, Thursday August 16, following reports of an angler who had fallen off rocks into the sea at Noetzie and was missing in the surf. “The sea rescue craft Jaytee IV and Jolen were launched and NSRI rescue swimmers responded directly to the scene in our sea rescue vehicle and in their private vehicles.

Members attached to the SAPS, Western Cape Government Health EMS, ER24 ambulance services, and a Police Dive Unit also responded,� he said.

On arrival on the scene, NSRI rescue swimmers were deployed into the surfline in rough 2-3m swells to conduct a search while NSRI crew, police and emergency services searched along the shoreline. But despite an extensive search no sign of the man was been found.

It was reported that

while fishing with a friend the man, believed to be aged 38 and living in Knysna, slipped on rocks and fell into the surf.

The man’s friend sought help and found a bystander at Noetzie Beach, who raised the alarm.

A Police Dive Unit continued an ongoing search operation but by going to press, no sign of the man had been found.

Police spokesman Malcolm Pojie said on Monday: “The search for the missing person resumed this morning with our diving units deployed to the area, as well as members with the search and rescue dock and other members. “We appeal to everybody who may see any floating object that might be the body of the missing person, now assumed to have drowned, to please call their nearest police station.�

The NSRI commended members of the local community who provided support to the missing man’s friend on the scene. “Our thoughts and support are with the family of the missing man in this difficult time,� said Simonis.

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NEWS & VIEWS

22 August 2018

CXPRESS

Knysna water safe after purification plant attack FTER an attempt to sabotage Knysna’s water supply last week, tests confirmed that the water was once again safe for human consumption.

Technical Services Committee chair Peter Myer said laboratory results received on Tuesday confirmed that the treated water complied with the official guidelines.

“The only requirements not met were in terms of colour and turbidity, or clarity, which exceeded the limits relevant to the parameters measured. Even so, the turbidity complied with the required aesthetic limits.”

He said both plants were

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up and running, and added: “We had to close and isolate the affected unit to clean it and to make sure that no contaminated water entered the system.

“With demand staying the same but production capacity limited, the reservoirs were running low and loose sediment ended up in the pipes, causing the discoloration of the water. It must be emphasised that at no time was any contaminated water released into the distribution system.”

The problem was caused when residents from White Location dumped refuse bags into on of the purifi-

cation plant tanks.

“Weve met numerous times before the incident and are working with them to try and resolve their issues. They are unhappy with a service provider appointed in the area, so much so that the contractor was chased off site numerous times.

“Our Technical department is under enormous pressure as our available budget and resources are needed to address a variety of urgent issues. It is unfortunate that resources had to be spent on an act of sabotage, rather than focusing it where it is needed most.”

Win cash prizes in WasteNothing Challenge HE WasteNothing Knysna programme launched a competition last week - with prizes totalling R20,000 to be won. Sue Swain from BioWise said they were looking for ingenious, original, practical, and implementable ideas or designs on how not to waste our precious resources.

“We are focusing on four categories: being water-wise, waste-wise, space-wise, and energy-wise. The emphasis is on not wasting, as opposed to wise utilisation.”

She said participants could enter by choosing one of the specified categories, and were allowed to enter more than one category as well.

“In the water-wise category we’re looking for new, innovative ways to harvest, save, reuse, and to slow, spread and sink, or plant the rain. In the waste-wise category the team is looking for pioneering ways of reducing our waste to land-

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fill. This can include unique and novel upcycling ideas or cleverly-constructed, useful bottle-brick structures.”

Swain said new and innovative ways to use space are what’s required in the space-wise category. “In nature every nook and cranny is used in a multi-functional and regenerative way. Every level in a forest has a role to play, so how do we mimic this in the spaces that surround us?”

The last category is focusing on energy. “Do we access freely available, clean, naturally renewable sources of energy where we can?

Can we improve on current concepts that are available?

These are the questions we want the participants to think about,” said Swain.

The first prize for each category is R3,000 cash, and the runner-up in each category will receive a weekend away for two in the Garden Route area to the value of R2,000.

“Extra points will be given for materials used that are waste products - the more upcycled materials used, the better,” Swain said, adding that the competition closes on September 21 at 5pm.

Visit WasteNothingKnysna on Facebook to find out how to enter. If you do not have access to Facebook, call Keagon on 082 950 9388 or email wastenothing@knys napr.co.za for information.

“The aim of the challenge is to make people think about how we do things,” said Swain. “Look at nature for inspiration; every organism has a role to play, actively contributing to maintaining a healthy, resilient system able to respond and adapt to changing conditions - a system where there is no pollution and no unemployment.

“I thank the National Lottery Commission as it is their funding support that makes it possible to run the programme and competition.”

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CXPRESS

NEWS & VIEWS

22 August 2018

Binge-watching TV can wreck your immune system and make you fat T turns out there are some surprising daily habits, such as overdosing on our favourite TV series, that can wreak havoc on the body’s ability to fight off colds and flu.

Nicole Jennings of Pharma Dynamics says the relatively new phenomenon of being able to watch an entire TV series all at once, as opposed to waiting a week, has sparked several studies that attempt to understand how binge-watching is impacting our health.

She cites a paper published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine which found that people’s addiction to watching TV series can lead to chronic fatigue, which has a damaging effect on immunity.

“According to the study, over half (52%) of bingewatchers viewed three to four episodes in one sitting, with an average session lasting three hours. If one considers that most of the watching occurs in the evening, that doesn’t leave much shuteye.

“Binge-watchers also reported more fatigue and insomnia and had 98% more chance of having poor quality sleep than those that limited their screen time.”

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Watching TV in a dark room for hours on end can really mess up our circadian rhythm (the cycle that regulates physiological processes) and disrupts sleep-wake cycles. The blue light emitted from TVs, PCs, laptops, phones and other devices can also reduce the production of melatonin (a hormone that promotes sleep).

Poor sleep in general is associated with lower immune system function and a reduced number of antibodies or ‘killer cells’ that help to fight germs. Adults need between seven and nine hours of uninterrupted sleep every night in order for the immune system to function optimally.

“You can still enjoy watching TV, but try to avoid a binge too close to bedtime,” she recommends.

Apart from lack of sleep, marathon-viewing can also exacerbate mindless eating and unhealthy snacking both detrimental to your waistline and immunity.

Research by Cornell University’s Food and Brand Lab found that actionpacked shows, such as The Walking Dead for example, made participants eat twice as much (98%) than others who watched milder talk

show content.

Those that watched depressing shows like the sci-fi drama Solaris, for example, also ate 55% more than participants who watched positive, upbeat programmes.

According to the researchers, action and adventure shows may encourage viewers to eat more, because they subliminally try to keep up with the pace of the story.

Stress and anxiety experienced during a show also leads to comfort-eating.

Jennings points out that although it’s easier to order in pizza than pausing your show for an hour to cook a nutritious meal, junk food significantly compromises the immune system.

“Fatty, fried foods increase bad cholesterol and can cause inflammation, leading to reduced immunity, while sugar can hinder the body’s ability to produce germ-fighting white blood cells that destroy foreign pathogens.

“Watching your favourite characters drink a beer or smoke a cigarette might also trigger a craving for these substances, which have been proven to lower immunity. If you are planning to watch a TV series, To page 7

NEWS & VIEWS

22 August 2018

CXPRESS

‘PROVES’ is the perfect strategy for mastering your matric mock exams ATRICS from the Class of 2018 should now be deep into preparing for their upcoming mock exams - which are only a few weeks away - and ultimately the final exams of their school careers in two months’ time.

With only a handful of weeks left to revise, they now need to up the ante to ensure they get the best marks possible on their prelims.

Doing so will enable them, firstly, to see which areas need more work before they write their finals, and will also ensure that they get the very best marks to allow them access to the higher education institution and qualification of their choice.

“Learners now need to go beyond reading and re-reading their textbooks and notes, and employ a more holistic strategy which will position them to bring their very best to the exam room,” says Wonga Ntshinga of the Independent Institute of Education.

Ntshinga says that at this stage of the game, the PROVES method is a great approach to follow, as it helps to cement the academic work in the learner’s mind, while expanding understanding from different angles.

Additionally, it gets learners in the right frame of mind to withstand the

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anxiety and stress which are known to negatively impact performance.

PROVES can be broken down as follows: • PRACTISE by writing past papers or example questions rather than just reading. Most schools should make past papers available to their learners, but it is also a good idea to get ones in addition to those provided by your own school.

Good higher education institutions also help matric learners by providing past papers, so visit a registered and accredited one in your area, and ask a student advisor to assist.

As a bonus, the student advisor might even be able to talk through some of your concerns about the exams and your postmatric options, which will further help to mitigate any anxiety you may have.

• REFRESH by making sure you are eating, sleeping, and exercising enough. Cramming into the early hours of the morning before an exam will leave you stressed, exhausted, and unable to focus. It is important now to look after your physical and mental health as well as throwing your weight behind your books.

Learners still have enough time to cover what they need to cover ahead of the exams, but then the plan needs to be put into motion right

away to avoid last-minute panic and the resultant impact on their physical wellbeing.

• ORGANISE yourself, your time, and your work.

Having a neat working environment and a clear plan for what you need to do and study every day, as well as having the relevant materials sorted and on hand, will go a long way to reduce anxiety and optimise learning.

Follow the plan closely but avoid spending hours every day on the plan rather than the implementation of the plan.

Don’t allow yourself to feel overwhelmed, but focus on the small efforts hour after hour, day after day - which, when compounded, will ultimately make a big impact.

• VISUALISE by using colour and mind maps and other strategies rather than just words, so that you can utilise more parts of your brain.

• EXPLAIN by answering questions or telling friends or relatives about your work. It is not until you have tried to explain what you know that you can assess if you really know enough to answer the questions.

• SOCIAL MEDIA can be used as an academic tool to expand your understanding and grasp of your work. This is best done by getting together a study group of equally

dedicated and committed peers, and using the various platforms for their specific purposes.

Being part of a study group helps you track your progress, quickly clarifies your understanding of issues, and sets you on the right track if you have misunderstood something. It also acts as an early warning system if you are falling behind.

Various channels and apps can be used, including Google, WhatsApp groups, Facebook, and YouTube, where you can find videos related to the content you are studying.

Sometimes seeing something explained in video format will clarify things you just weren’t able to pin down while going through your textbooks.

“The next few weeks and months are going to be taxing for learners preparing for their final exams, but by following a strict study strategy and doing what needs to be done every day - without allowing panic and procrastination to set in there is still sufficient time even for those who aren’t quite where they should be at the moment,” Ntshinga says.

“By incorporating this strategy into your approach right now, you will also find a new feeling of power to take on the additional burden that higher education will bring.”

Binge-watching TV can wreck your immune system From page 6 rather put out cut and sliced fruit and vegetables or low-carb meals and healthy drinks on the table,” she suggests.

Furthermore, sitting in the same position while watching hours of TV series not only contributes to deep-vein thrombosis and the formation of po-

tentially fatal blood clots, but also increases one’s risk of respiratory tract infections like a cold, sinusitis or tonsillitis, most likely as a result of lowered immune function.

A study conducted by researchers in the US found that staying physically active nearly halved the odds of catching cold

viruses, and even those that did fall ill, didn’t suffer too badly.

Jennings suggests that instead of sitting on the couch, TV addicts should consider watching a series on their cellphone or tablet while using the treadmill, stationary bike or rowing machine.

“There are different ways

to make the occasional marathon TV session healthier, but moderation is key,” she concludes.

These findings were released as part of Pharma Dynamics’ ongoing public awareness efforts to help reduce the incidence of respiratory infections, which typically spike during the winter months.

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CXPRESS

INTERVAL

22 August 2018

Auto repair miracles NE day a woman called an auto mechanic to inquire when he could work on her car.

“I’m not busy now,” he replied, “bring it right in.”

A short while later, the woman pulled into the service bay, stopping her

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small car perfectly over the wide, deep grease pit.

“Wow!” said the mechanic. “That’s great driving. Your wheels only have a couple of inches to spare on each side of the pit.”

With a blank look, she asked: “What pit?”

Gedagte van die week...

Looks of disappointment man was just waking up from anaesthesia after surgery; his wife was sitting by his side.

His eyes fluttered open and he said: “You’re beautiful.”

Then he fell asleep again. His wife had never heard him say that before, so she stayed by his side.

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A few minutes later his eyes fluttered open and he said: “You’re cute.”

The wife was rather disappointed because instead of ‘beautiful’, it was now ‘cute’.

She asked: “What happened to beautiful?”

Her hubby replied: “The drugs are wearing off.”

A positive attitude...

HE other night I gradually woke up stiff as a plank in the hospital’s ICU with tubes up my nose and down my throat, wires monitoring every function, and a hell of a pain over my left ear.

A gorgeous nurse was hovering over me.

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It was obvious I’d been in a serious accident.

She looked at me deep and steady, and I heard her slowly say: “You may not feel anything from the waist down.”

I managed to mumble in reply: “Can I feel the puppies, then?”

Proof of residence ODAY I was at our local hardware store purchasing a few bags of potting soil.

As I waited in line to pay for my bags, a gentleman behind me asked: “Are you going to

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do some planting?”

I turned to him and with a very serious look, said: “No, I’m buying my land back one bag at a time and I’m getting a receipt this time.”

Making their escape WO prisoners were making their escape over the jailhouse roof when one of them dislodged a tile.

“Who’s there?” shouted a guard.

The first prisoner replied with a convincing

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imitation of a cat’s meow.

Reassured, the guard went back to his rounds, but then the other prisoner dislodged another tile.

The guard repeated: “Who’s there?”

“The other cat,” answered the prisoner.

My wife just stopped, then said: “You weren’t even listening, were you?”

I thought: “That’s a pretty weird way to start a conversation... ”

Nataniël sê: “Kry elke dag iets om voor dankie te sê! Al is dit vir die gang wat jou yskas toe vat. Of vir jou nek sodat jou kop nie op jou bors hang nie. En, as jy dan wraggies niks het om voor dankie te sê nie, koop vir jou ‘n hond en doop hom ‘Dankie’, sodat jy ‘n paar keer per dag kan Dankie sê.”

Card cover up man entered a stationery store and asked the clerk for a birthday/anniversary card.

The clerk replied: “We have birthday cards and we have anniversary cards. Why not take one

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of each?”

The man replied: “You don’t understand. I need a card that covers both events. You see, we’re celebrating the fifth anniversary of my wife’s thirtyfourth birthday.”

SOCIAL SCENE

22 August 2018

FEISTY GUY FETES ZEST FOR LIFE: Founder of Plett’s Bahia Formosa School, Dutch national Guy Wertheim Aymes, turned 91 on August 17 and feted this milestone with a full 48 hours of celebrations and parties, in defiance of what may generally be regarded as ‘age-appropriate’. When asked about his recipe for longevity of such impressive proportions, he told friends that a personal guardian angel had protected him many times over the years, “during World War II and on many other occasions,” citing the fact that he was the only survivor of 20 children who contracted a rare disease during the war years. He moved to SA after WWII. His English wife, Elizabeth Wertheim Aymes, hails from one of the original 1820 Settler families who came to PE from the UK, including the Bradfields, the Tims and the Tarrs. She said they had brought along sheep from Southern England and farmed with them here, making mohair products. They travelled by foot and had their sheep with them at all times.

“We ate with our flocks and slept in our (mohair) socks,” she explained to the friends who came from far and wide to join in the celebrations. Above, the couple is pictured with their daughter, Chamilla Sanua from Joburg. Below from left, Plett locals Francois Lombard, André Bouwer, and Rassie Theron enjoy welcome cocktails at one of the parties held at nineteen89. Below right, the birthday boy blows out his candles at Bahia Formosa - the seventh school founded by him. - Photos: Leigh Dunn

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Cell: 082 587 2462 or 083 626 1918 Email: imaxsignage@gmail.com

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BOWLING FOR HOSPICE PLETT: Golfers, tennis players, and bowlers attached to Plettenberg Bay Country Club have been hard at work to organise a fundraiser on Sunday August 26, with all proceeds of the event bound for Hospice Plett. Bowler John Swinley encourages participation on a grand scale for this deserving cause, saying there’s a plethora of prizes to be won in what promises to be a day of sporting fun, kindly sponsored by Warwick Wealth. “Dress code is casual but please wear flat-soled shoes or come barefoot. Bowls can be borrowed and visitors are welcome to join in, but numbers will be limited so please book your place promptly with Ivan Boardman on 083 390 1034,” advises John.

Rock up at 10:30 for 11am - the entry fee of R100 per person includes a braai lunch. Pictured above are, from left, Warwick Lifestyle Network manager Natalie Melrose, Plett Country Club Bowls section president Roger Wright, Plett Hospice CEO Cecily van Heerden, Plett Hospice Nursing manager Edward Muchenje, and Bowls section honorary secretary Nita Davis. - Photo: John Swinley

People, places & events

BLOOMS FOR A BEAUTIFUL MOM: Plett local of more than two decades and expert educator at South Cape Collage, Anne Battle invited friends and family to celebrate her mother’s milestone 99th birthday on Sunday August 19. Thora Farish, pictured above, enjoyed the company of about 30 loved ones who gathered at The Crescent Home where tea, cake, and bubbles were enjoyed by all, while best wishes for Thora’s health and happiness were the order of the day.

CXPRESS

PAINT IT BLACK AND RED: The ladies of South Cape College Bitou Campus wore red and black attire in solidarity with the Level 3 Office Admin students’ Life Orientation Women’s Day Celebration project on August 8. The project follows a series of events to promote National Day awareness in South Africa. Two esteemed local entrepreneurs added zest to the day: business mover and shaker Noksie Kolwapi spoke about the socio-economic issues facing women in SA and encouraged the female staff members and students in attendance to value themselves as the significant human capital required to develop the country. The second motivational speaker, Lithe Nguza, stressed the importance of being a self-starter and inspired the ladies to take initiative by starting their own businesses to be independent and prosperous. The audience enjoyed a showcase of some of the talent within the college with Lucy Mgubasi and Mamello Molefi expressing the experience of being a woman through poetry, followed by a fashion show exploring the variety of women in our unique society. The event concluded with students sharing inspirational quotes on fempowerment. - Ncuthukazi Webber

CXPRESS

22 August 2018

Designed by CXPRESS 044 533 1004

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Paws

Plett Animal Welfare Service

CLASSIFIEDS

ON THE SOAPBOX

22 August 2018

Letters to the Editor

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

Please pave way to Kyalami for Mr Hunny and I My name is Tyler-ann Caithness and I have been a student at Plett Primary since Grade 1.

My parents are old locals and I’ve lived in Plett all my life. I am currently doing my last year at primary school, Grade 7.

I am a prefect and academically one of the top pupils in my grade. A keen equestrian, I have a pony named Mr Hunny.

We compete together in equestrian events and I love him very much.

For the last three years, I have represented Eden in the Regionals Schools League (SANESA) and have recently competed in George, with great results: two first places in show jumping, and second places for all my other classes (Prix Caprilli, Working Hunter, Dressage and Equitation).

This year, I have been selected to ride at the National Championships in Kyalami, Gauteng.

The cost of competing is quite significant, and include trucking for Hunny to get there and back, show entries, stabling, Western Cape uniform for Hunny and I, accommodation, and airfare for my mother and I. I am trying to raise sponsorship for me to be able to participate and was hoping that CXPRESS would consider to put a small article in the paper

EXCELLENT EQUITATION: Tyler-ann and her beloved Hunny have been raking in the rosettes, and since hard work pays off, are due to compete at the national equestrian champs in Kyalami - with a little bit of help from CXPRESS readers

for me to raise funds. I would be very grateful for the support.

I would also like to have an article in your newspaper afterwards, with my results and to thank

the people and businesses that have made it possible for Hunny and I to partake, and receive our National Colours.

Tyler-ann Caithness, The Crags

(Readers who have perused the Plettenberg Bay Primary School newsletter on page 6 of every edition except during school holidays may well remember reading about Tylerann’s regular equestrian accomplishments.

Her latest George results, for instance, can be seen in the August 1 edition at www.cxpress.co.za and on page 6 of many other back issues.

Parents Emily and Michael Caithness of Lawnwood Snake Sanctuary are well loved locally as well as being adored by the many visitors who have had the privilege of experiencing their unique reptilian tourism attraction.

We thought Tyler-ann’s letter to CXPRESS was such a telling example of her bright, young character that it could hardly be said better when turned into an article. If you would like to enable this rising equestrian star’s participation at the biggest annual show in SA - viz: maximum exposure for your business or brand - then act soonest, since the event takes place in a month’s time.

Direct deposits can be made as follows: Emily Davis, Absa Plett, account number 924 6923 093 please use ‘Nationals’ and your name as reference.

For more information, give Emily a bell on 082 6676 588. - Eds.)

Number two’s expensive entourage boggles the mind I noticed with utter dismay two advertisements in the local press for a fulltime manager and secretary for the ‘office’ of the deputy mayor.

These two posts would cost the taxpayer more than R800,000 per annum. Hello… this is Bitou! I’m sure they will also receive all the benefits of municipal employees.

What in heaven’s name makes the deputy mayor such a busy man that it warrants having a personal manager and his own secretary?

Would councillor Wildeman be so kind as to please provide us, the taxpayers of Bitou, with a complete job description

for these two additional municipal employees?

This is just more proof that the ANC is hell-bent on spending as much of the taxpayers’ money on themselves, rather than providing services to the poor in our midst.

No wonder the Hawks are already investigating the municipality. My concern is, what will be left once these people have wasted everything?

H de Wet, Plett Acting manager of Bitou’s Communication and Customer Care department James Sijama responds as follows: There is nothing sinister in the appointment of staff in the deputy may-

or’s office, as it is viewed by the public. This has been the case and precedent set by the previous administration - who had even more staff in said office, as opposed to the current scenario.

We find it rather bizarre and perplexing that people would want to single out this current administration for an inherited practice.

Fortunately, provisions for these employees’ existence in the organisational structure was made and approved by all parties in council with no objections.

Their job descriptions were also evaluated by the Task system as approved by the South African Local Government

Association (SALGA) and are in line with funding models sanctioned by SALGA. We also noted the misrepresentation of staff packages from the office of the deputy mayor; the figures mentioned are far from the reality of packages received by officials attached to that office.

Bitou Municipality’s current administration wants to state categorically its commitment to clean governance and to serving all people of the greater Bitou.

(Call the communication department on 044 501 3193 or email jsijama@ plett.gov.za and visit www. bitou.gov.za for municipal news. - Eds.)

Transfer fee rip-off rears its ugly head again I feel the general public are being ripped off by Bitou Municipality in a manner that in these hard time, is not necessary especially the pensioners among us.

I had occasion to renew my vehicle licence and while the actual year to year rate only went up by R3, the transfer fee went

up from R42 to R72 - almost 40%!

Then one might also ask the valid question, why is the transfer cost there at all? We, the public, only go to renew and pay for the new year’s licence fee.

So my question, besides the huge rise in the transfer fee, is why do we have to pay a transfer fee at all?

Surely administration costs are built into the licence renewal. It would be interesting for Bitou Municipality to explain just why a transfer fee is charged at all. One should only pay for the licence.

Burdened Motorist, Plett (When the same question was posed by a Knysna

reader previously, local powers that be washed their hands of it, saying the charge is an instruction straight from the top echelons with no input on local authority level.

Does anyone know more on the subject, or shall we be forced to send a smoke signal to Pretoria to verify this claim? - Eds.)

CXPRESS

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CXPRESS

SPORT & ADVENTURE

22 August 2018

Plett veteran heads for cycling world champs and fun ride with Tour de France greats OT many Garden Route cyclists get to represent SA at top international level, so when CXPRESS learnt that Plett rider Allan Kuhnert was selected to wear the green and gold at next month’s UCI World Cycling Championships in Italy, we bugged him for the backstory.

“To represent your coun-

N

try at the Worlds, cyclists have to qualify in one of the UCI Grand Fondo events, which I did last December at the Spinneys Cycle Challenge in Dubai, winning my 65-69 years age category.

“In March, the UCI advised that I was eligible to participate in the Worlds, and Cycling South Africa notified me shortly there-

after that I could represent SA in Italy on September 2 - should I choose to, as all costs are for one’s own account.”

The World Champs take place in Varese - a city in northern Italy, situated 55km north of Milan - from August 30 to September 2, and Allan will compete in the road race on the final

day of the event.

Typically devoid of fanfare, Allan describes his cycling career as “hardly spectacular”. But upon closer enquiry, it’s revealed that this founder of Club 100 Plettenberg Bay has attained several podium positions since taking up the sport in 1998, when his first-ever race was the 94.7 Cycle Challenge.

“My first Argus [today’s Cape Town Cycle Tour] was in 1999, when I finished the race in 3 hours 15 minutes… on a mountain bike. I have now completed the Argus 19 times and the 94.7 Cycle Challenge 10 times, winning my age category once.”

Allan also has two age-category victories in the South Western Districts [now Eden Cycling Association] championships road race under his belt, with runner-up spots in the individual time trial and SWD MTB marathon, and thirds in both the road and MTB races of the Western Cape Championships.

“I formed Club 100 in Plett a decade ago and have been chairman since inception. The club has grown from 34 members to 134 members at present.”

Having moved to Plett some 18 years ago, Allan commuted to Joburg for seven years before finally retiring from his position as executive director of Consolidated Metallurgical Industries. “I have both a legal and an accounting degree but practised neither in my career,” he chuckles.

“Because the costs of participating at the Worlds are for our own account, we are making a bit of a holiday of the trip. We leave SA on August 29 and intend to spend a week in Italy after the race, as well as 10 days with friends in Luxembourg, where we will ride the Charley Gaul Cycle Classic course.”

Charley was the first Luxembourg winner of the Tour de France, and an annual race in his honour takes place on the same Sunday as Allan’s Worlds participation.

When he does get to ride this famous course it will be in the company of Frank and Andy Schleck - brothers who both boast podium finishes in the Tour de France - and Kim Kirchen, who sported the yellow jersey for four days and finished seventh in 2011.

100 PERCENT PLETT: Allan Kuhnert is a week away from departing for Italy, to represent SA in the World Cycling Championships

“After another few days of training I should be ready to go, so the excitement level is rising. This is unknown territory for me, but two SA riders who went to the Perth Worlds in 2016 said the race was extremely difficult.

“Given that information, my expectations are basically to not embarrass myself or my country. If I can finish in the top third I will be very happy - I’ll certainly give it my absolute best, and who knows…”

Go, Mr K - and do enjoy!

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