22 July 2015
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Cango Caves faces unsure future p3
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News & Views
22 July 2015
There’s a whole lot of Plettenberg Bay’s history worth revisiting MIKE KANTEY has a good memory, and shares some of them along with local stories from days gone by in his capacity as Van Plettenberg Historical Society stalwart
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HE last month or two have seen a massive flowering of interest in matters historical. First, it was a true delight to see how Charmaine Wild has bounced back from her near fatal illness to organise a wonderful morning of stories from the old folk of Piesang Valley. Many of them were forcibly removed from their family homes in the valley, but the stories of their lives and
their schools - led by the indefatigable Shirley Harker were told with such dignity and grace that it was a truly humbling experience. Let’s hope that these oral testimonies will be faithfully written down and a proper map drawn up which may show us all where everyone had their homes before 1974. The next big event was the sudden removal of the sand at Hobie Beach to reveal not only the iron slipway used
for the whaling station at the beginning of the 20th Century, but also a mystery wooden wreck, which caused a flurry of speculation. Alas, at the time of going to press not much light was shed on this little reminder of Plett history, except for a few suggestions. Charmaine Wild remembered the excavations of 1992 - including Heinz Ruther of UCT, who I tried to contact but without success as yet. Lynne Wallace remembers observing the wreck as a youngster back in the 1970s, while Jack Mudd had an idea it might have been the TriStar, a fishing trawler that ran aground about then. So... plenty of speculation but surprisingly little hard evidence. The last piece of history to emerge was in conversation with local Professor Emeritus Mike de Jongh, who informed me that the second excavator of the Robberg Nelson Bay Cave after Ray Inskeep, Professor Richard Klein, had revisited the site with colleague Janette Deacon. Way back in the 1960s, Professor Klein helped make famous the term “Robberg industry”, which has since become a global catchphrase
for early modern humans’ ability to make and use tools effectively. On Sunday July 12, caravan park owner Chris Hops entertained us with an incredibly rich history of the Toplis and Cuthbert families. Farms and buildings for which fine details were provided included: Weldon House, Ganzevlei (including his own site and the Old Nick complex, Hangklip, and Hillview (now South Cape College in KwaNokuthula). Follow the Van Plettenberg Historical Society on www. pletthistory.org for new and re-invigorated interest in our ancient and modern history.
Photo: Sonja Barnard WHAT THE WRECK? The sudden removal of sand at Hobie Beach revealed not only the iron slipway, above, used for whaling, but also a mystery wooden wreck, below, causing a flurry of speculation Photo: Adrian Keelips
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Plett Animal Welfare Service
News & Views
22 July 2015
CXPRESS
Missing millions still missing Confusion and a lack of transparency seem to be the name of the game when it comes to the Oudtshoorn Municipality and the survival of the Cango Caves, which sustains a large portion of the Little Karoo and the Garden Route in tourism revenue each year - MELISSA REITZ reports
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FTER much national media coverage on the continuous political upheaval within the Oudtshoorn Municipality and the crippling effect it is having on the survival of the Cango Caves - due to bad management and the removal of millions by the municipality from its bank account - it was recently announced in an online Garden Route
newspaper that the missing millions have been repaid. However, according to the Western Cape Ministry of Finance and the Cango Caves manager this remains untrue. With a debt of roughly R165 million and a R500 million unapproved budget coupled with nearly two years of council discord as the ANC refused to cede power to the elected DA, the
rightful party, which finally took up its position last Friday, has requested that the Municipality be placed under administration. This will now allow national and provincial government to step in and reinstate order within local government. “An initial forensic investigation has begun in order to uncover where the monies have gone as we still don’t
KLEIN KAROO HERITAGE: Dripstone formations in the magnificent Cango Caves just outside Oudtshoorn at the head of the Cango Valley. The vast halls with huge limestone formations have dazzled visitors for decades, but the future of the Caves has been threatened by alleged municipal mismanagement. - Photo: John Charalambous - Wikimedia Commons
Knysna ‘dragging murder’ charges pending autopsy results
Yolande Stander
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OLICE are still investigating the circumstances around the death of a Cape Town student after he was allegedly dragged by a 23-year-old man next to a vehicle through Long Street in Knysna in the early hours of July 12. Police spokesman Captain Bernadine Steyn initially said the 23-year-old suspect had allegedly been sitting in his grey Mitsubishi Colt bakkie in Long Street when he grabbed 22-year-old Jared Lomas by the collar and drove off, pulling Lomas under the wheels. Lomas was declared dead
on arrival at hospital, having sustained a severe head wound. The suspect, who cannot be named until he has appeared in court, was arrested at his house in Knysna at about 5am on the same day and was set to appear in court on a charge of murder on Tuesday July 14. Police spokesman Captain Malcolm Pojie however said this week that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) decided not to place the matter on the court role pending further investigation and the outcome of the autopsy. “As a result the suspect
was released on Tuesday,” Pojie said. “This does not, however, mean the case has been concluded. Investigation regarding the death of Lomas is still continuing. As soon as it is finalised, we shall submit the docket to the senior state prosecutor for a decision,” Pojie added. He further said the autopsy report had not yet been finalised. Lomas, a financial management student from Cape Town, was in Knysna for the Pick n Pay Oyster Festival working for Ignite Events – a Cape Town-based events services-supply company.
know what has and hasn’t been paid [by the Oudtshoorn Municipality],” says Western Cape Ministry of Finance media spokesperson Daniel Johnson. Accused of syphoning and misusing up to R21 million of the Cango Caves operational fund, thus placing the caves and hundreds of jobs in jeopardy, the Oudtshoorn Municipality has denied al-
legations, stating that incorrect information was leaked to the public. According to the municipality’s communications and media officer, Ntobeko Mangqwengqwe, R16 million was transferred back to the cave’s coffers earlier this month. However, Hein Gerstner, the Cango Caves manager, who has signing power of the account, says this is untrue.
3 “Our account reflects just under R500,000, generated by ticket sales as the Caves have been incredibly busy over the school holidays. The R16 million has not been paid back,” says Gerstner. Without its operational funds the Cango Caves faces an unsure future with conservation and maintenance projects remaining incomplete, which could result in the closure of an important South African heritage site. A Western Cape cabinet meeting is set to be held today (July 22) after which the DA-run Oudtshoorn Municipality administration and budget approval will be officially announced.
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News & Views
22 July 2015
‘Endless Summer’ or ‘Endless Great White Winter’? Another South African shark shock - and this time the world has sat up and taken notice - NIKKI RIDLEY reports
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IDEO footage of Australian pro-surfer Mick Fanning being ‘attacked’ by a shark in the finals of the J-Bay Open on Sunday has gone viral around the world in record time – in both mainstream and social media. Fanning is a very lucky man, as in fact the shark only bumped his board and severed his leash, pulling Fanning underwater momentarily as it did so – but leaving competition officials and spectators stunned as they watched the splashing, fearing the worst. A shocked Fanning was reportedly unnerved by the incident, but physically unharmed. However, the clarity of what is to date exceptionally rare footage of such an incident, and the fact that it has never happened before in a pro-surfing event – any-
where in the world, let alone in South Africa - has made it ‘big news’. The remainder of the event, the biggest on SA’s surf calendar, was understandably cancelled, with finalists Fanning and another Australian, Julian Wilson, splitting the winner’s purse. However, some have voiced questions over the future of pro-surfing in Jeffreys Bay as a result of this incident. Local Plett surfer Dylan Reddering, who survived a shark attack three weeks ago at Lookout beach, said that he thinks “it’s silly” for people to question the future of pro surfing in J-Bay. “I don’t see why one incident should mean the end of the competition in J-Bay. It’s just an unlucky coincidence that it happened in front of the eyes of the world. It was a
big scare because of that, and because it was in the competition environment, but there has been media sensationalism. Everyone’s freaking out, but I hope people don’t get the wrong idea about surfing in South Africa.
September with his dad, Marty Reddering. “We plan on going to Bali, and travelling around Indo a bit.” He said that although he is now off crutches and able to walk around unaided, he is still undergoing physiothera-
‘Everyone’s freaking out, but I hope people don’t get the wrong idea about surfing in South Africa’
NOT ON THE MENU: Lucky escapee, Australian Pro Surfer Mick Fanning, lived up to his nickname of ‘White Lightning’ when he escaped the jaws of a shark in J-Bay on Sunday, with a very young Dylan Reddering in an old news photo from the 2008 Billabong Pro J-Bay. Reddering, now aged 19, survived a ‘high-speed attack’ by a Great White in Plett on June 26
“All surfers know that the sharks are in the ocean, so there’s always a chance of being attacked, but it’s the same as driving a car; there’s always a chance you’ll be in an accident. I have come to terms with the fact that the sharks are there.” Reddering went on to say that he is healing well from his injuries, experiencing relatively little pain now, and is planning a trip to Indonesia to go surfing in mid-
py for internal muscle damage. Nevertheless, he is optimistic that he’ll be ready to get in the water by the time he goes to Indo, and is looking forward to surfing again. “I’m not sure how I’d feel about surfing in Plett just yet though. I certainly wouldn’t get in the water here now, not for a couple of months, not with the high shark activity at the moment. Luckily there are no waves now anyway,” he added.
WHAT THE BLEEP: Mick Fanning attempts a getaway after being bumped. He was subsequently pulled off the board and underwater when the shark got tangled in his leash, and punched the shark in the back to deter it as “it kept coming” at his board. The shark may have been trying to get his autograph, but was not available for comment. - Photo source: youtube.com
Free serviced sites for some Bitou earners as KwaNokuthula expands
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HE Provincial Minister of Human Settlements for the Western Cape, Bonginkosi Madikizela, visited Plettenberg Bay on Sunday July 12 to formally announce that serviced sites will be made available to Bitou residents who do not qualify for free housing. These ‘non-qualifiers’, as they have traditionally been called, earn salaries in the R3,500 to R7,000 bracket – too much for full subsidies, but too little to obtain finance to buy houses. They will now have title deeds to their own fully serviced plots, and they will be able to build their own homes at their own pace – subject to municipal by-laws and building regulations, but with no time limit. As per a Western Cape Government statement, this decision is in line with the Department’s “strategic focus to ensure that residents of informal settlements across the province have access to basic services, and to prioritize the in-situ upgrading of informal settlements. “The announcement also means that the non-qualifiers will not need to be uprooted from their communities.” When enquiries were made as to where eligible candidates are currently residing, it was confirmed that the serviced stands will not be exclusively for KwaNokuthula
or Bossiesgif, but will be available for non-qualifiers from anywhere within the Bitou Municipal area. Minister Madikizela also announced that another housing project with 1,360 serviced sites is already well underway, with 288 people housed and 443 sites set aside for the non-qualifiers. This housing project constitutes further ‘phases’ of the KwaNokuthula development. Bitou’s head of housing, Anton Fourie, announced that a tender will go out in the next few months for the installation of services. It was also recently announced that Bitou will be representing the Western Cape in the National Govan Mbeki Awards to be held at the Cape Town International
Convention Centre (CTICC) on August 13. Bitou won the provincial award for Best Integrated Residential Development Programme for the KwaNokuthula Project, and they will be competing with winners in that category from eight other provinces “to determine the best human settlements deliverers in the country. “These winners have already done us proud through contributing to excellent service delivery in the Western Cape,” said Minister Madikizela. “I have no doubt that each and every one is capable of winning the national prize, but that is up to the judges to decide. No matter what happens, they will walk away with their heads held high.”
SERVICED SITES FOR NON-QUALIFIERS: Bonginkosi Madikizela addresses Bitou officials and other attendees at a public meeting in the Kwano Community Centre on July 12
News & Views
22 July 2015
CXPRESS
Put that in your pipe and smoke it
The legalisation (or re-legalisation as many proponents term it) of cannabis is undoubtedly a contentious issue, with valid and heartfelt arguments to be made from both sides of a fence upon which many sit. However, a recent case in Knysna has not only given an individual reprieve from dealing charges for growing cannabis in his garden, but also shows the power ordinary people have in challenging the Constitution. NIKKI RIDLEY reports
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Knysna resident has recently had dagga charges provisionally withdrawn by the Knysna Magistrate’s Court, for the not-so-usual reasons. Bruce Botha was arrested on January 10 this year after police raided his home and found cannabis plants growing in his vegetable garden. Botha was charged with possession and/or dealing in dagga, with the ‘dealing’ aspect coming from the definition of ‘dealing’ in the Drugs and Drugs Trafficking Control Act, which includes ‘cultivation’. However, Botha proceeded to fight his case with assistance of the legal team from the registered South African NPO Fields of Green for
ALL – an organisation set up by Myrtle Clarke and Jules Stobb of Gauteng, also known as The Dagga Couple, specifically to assist those who have been arrested on cannabis charges. Clarke and Stobb were arrested in 2010 after police found cannabis in their home. Indignant of the treatment they had received by police, and believing that “laws prohibiting the possession, use and trade in cannabis are based on outdated and racist laws”, they decided to sue the government for “enacting unlawful laws”, thereby challenging the Constitution. Their case is due to be heard in the Pretoria High Court on March 10, 2016, and then in the Constitution-
al Court, and is termed The Trial of the Plant. With their assistance, Botha brought an application in the Western Cape High Court for an order for the stay of the prosecution of the charges. The charges against Botha were then provisionally withdrawn on July 10, as the case cannot be tried pending the outcome of The Trial of the Plant. Botha has since issued a statement saying that, “there is no longer any reason for people to admit guilt and be saddled with criminal records and/or jail time after being arrested on cannabis related charges. “Prohibition only suits criminals, as they make profits
Celeb bikers roll in for Mandela Day Yolande Stander
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OME of the country’s top singers and DJs swapped their microphones for helmets this weekend in support of the Bikers for Mandela Day campaign. Said Bikers for Mandela Day convener and Mandela’s former private secretary, Zelda la Grange: “Bikers for Mandela Day was launched so that SA’s large biker com-
munity could pay tribute to Madiba and his legacy. Madiba strongly believed that small acts of kindness could change the world for the better and gave 67 years of his life fighting for the rights of humanity. Now it’s our turn to make a positive and sustainable difference to communities in need. “For the sixth year, we are travelling to remote areas to advocate change. Caring
BIKING FOR CHANGE: Karen Zoid, centre, entertaining the crowd at the Chris Hani Centre in Knysna on Mandela Day. Photo: Mark Crause
brings about change.” The bikers travelled from Joburg to Beaufort West, George, Knysna, Graaff Reinet, and Bloemfontein where they supported several organisations. One of their stops included a visit to Knysna’s Chris Hani Centre to support the local Famsa, where the youngsters were treated to a puppet show, followed by entertainment by several celebrities including South African singer Karen Zoid. The 1st for Women Foundation also handed over a cheque of R50,000 to FAMSA.
PIPES FOR PEACE: The second Knysna resident to have cannabis charges provisionally withdrawn this year with help from Fields of Green, Bruce Botha, right, jams with ‘Twakkies’ for ‘cannabis awareness’ in Judah Square on Human Rights Day March 21
5 that feed the crime and corruption problem in this country. [Dagga] is being legalized, regulated and taxed all over the world and it is time for South Africa to do the same. This is the last apartheid law that still needs to be disposed of.” Myrtle Clarke of Fields of Green sent a statement in support of Botha and affirming determination to attain victory in their fight to have the right to choose to use cannabis. “Once we have victory in South Africa we’ll go to the International Court of Human Rights so that this plant never has to be put on trial again, anywhere in the world. These laws are wrong, it is our human right to use this plant. We are not criminals.” Botha’s attorney, Donald Curtis, stated that “the fact that Botha has obtained a stay of prosecution does not affect the pending or future prosecutions of any other person, within Knysna or elsewhere. Every accused would have to follow the process to obtain their own stay of prosecution order if they so wished.”
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News & Views
22 July 2015
Knysna Education Trust is SABC African education NGO of the Year
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very proud Knysna Education Trust (KET) has brought home the prestigious education-based NGO of the Year award, presented at the SABC African EduWeek Awards held recently in Johannesburg. As per the website, the SABC Education African EduWeek is “widely regarded as the premier education event on the African continent”, showcasing numerous local and international exhibitors, seminars and technical workshops “designed to enhance teacher training and development.” The Awards aim to recognise excellence in the education sector, from innovative and life-changing products
and/or services to “local heroes who go above and beyond to assist their communities and the lives of our precious learners.” KET won the award for best NGO based on their outstanding project implementation, designed to ensure optimal development, growth and learning in young children, as well as maximum use of resources for truly significant benefit. KET is the only organisation in Knysna and Sedgefield to focus exclusively on early childhood development and education, and they have been recognised for their implementation of, among others, the ‘Fonix’ mother-tongue literacy and
‘Numicon’ mathematics programmes, teacher training initiatives, nutritional support feeding schemes and infrastructure upgrade initiatives. Said director Nicola Goodall: “KET would like to say a HUGE thank you to all our educators, volunteers, supporters and donors who have been pivotal in our organisation’s success. You are really making a difference in the lives of so many children! “This accolade is also a true testament to the dedication and commitment of our team of five ladies and six board members; especially considering the size and calibre of peer organisations we were competing against.” For more info on KET, visit www.knysnaedutrust. co.za or www.facebook.com/ knysnaeducationtrustKET.
A WELL DESERVED ACCOLADE: KET staff members - from left are Xoliswa Mabukane (Eduassistant), Linda Smith (Support to Director), Nicky Goodall (Director), Gail Rossini (Edumentor), and Jemima Lutywantsi (Eduassistant) with their SABC Eduweek NGO of the Year Award
Bitou Training AGM notice and appeal
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EGISTERED NPO Bitou Training is holding their AGM on Thursday July 23 at the NG Kerk in Marine Drive, to present 2015 plans for a new training initiative. They are appealing to members of the public to attend and get involved in what they term “an important community project”. Bitou Training has been training domestic workers for the past 10 years, but the decision has now been taken to focus on the organi-
sation’s efforts on training care-workers for the elderly. In a statement to the media, Project Manager Sanet van Rooyen said that the local market for domestic workers seems to be saturated, but that there is a need for skilled carers for the elderly. She added that they will be working with SETA accredited Ukuphela Training George to conduct the training, and that preference will be given to prior Bitou Training-trained students.
Ukuphela Training specialises in accredited health and welfare training interventions across the Western and Eastern Cape. The proposed training will take place over the course of 10 months, and involves both practical and theory, at a cost of R29,000 per student. R19,500 has already been raised through donations. For further details, contact Bitou Training on 044 533 3923 or 082 856 4150 or email dirson@telkomsa.net.
Eskom educating kids now for the future
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SKOM has released educator guides, learner material and DVDs for free download for use in the classroom to teach children energy efficiency awareness and skills as part of its Energy Education Programme. In a recent media release, Eskom stated that a crucial facet of a rollout of advice to consumers on how to use electricity sparingly and on the cost-saving benefits of energy efficient technologies,
is helping to teach South Africa’s kids about the importance of being ‘electricity smart’. The material is aligned with the Grade R to Grade 6 CAPS (Curriculum Assessment Policy Statement) curricula, and has been developed for Eskom by an education specialist. Spokesperson Khulu Phasiwe said that Eskom “is supporting South Africa’s school education programme to increase awareness of energy
efficiency. Using electricity wisely at any age is crucial at a time when our country is experiencing energy shortages. “It is a pleasure to invite South Africa’s educators to use these tools to teach our children about electricity.” The material is available for both teachers and parents on the Eskom website http:// www.eskom.co.za (click on School Yard) or from E-classroom http://e-classroom.co.za.
Business
22 July 2015
Minimise the impact of losing your home
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OR most people, owning a home is seen as a major achievement; it may represent years of hard work and sacrifice. There is no doubt that property ownership forms part of a solid investment portfolio and it is for all these reasons that losing a home can be devastating, not only financially, but emotionally too. Every property that is repossessed is already one property too many. However, many home owners end up in a situation where they can no longer keep up their mortgage payments due to their financial position. It is advisable that prior to purchasing a home, one conducts research and constructs a budget catering for unforeseen expenses that may place the repayment ability at risk. Many property owners who cannot meet their bond repayments make the common mistake of not contacting their bank, and sometimes choose to ignore telephone calls, letters and emails. Steven Barker, Head of Home Loans at Standard Bank, says: “If you know that you are not able to make the payments, you should contact your bank immediately. “It is in the bank’s interest to assist you to find a solution that is acceptable to both parties. No bank wants to repossess a home; if it is at all possible they will try to accommodate a financially stressed homeowner, as long as there is a viable solution and obligations are met.
Investor Focus
“Many consumers tend to believe that if their house is repossessed, their financial worries will be over. However, there are some major risks associated with this course of action.” When your home is repossessed, the bank is forced to cancel the home loan agreement and institute legal action against you. Once a judgement is obtained through the courts, the property is attached by the sheriff and sold at an auction as a ‘sale in execution’. Standard Bank does not ‘Many property owners who cannot meet their bond repayments make the common mistake of not contacting their bank, and sometimes choose to ignore telephone calls’ seek to make profits out of a sale in execution,” says Barker. “They credit the ex-owner if there is a surplus from the sale, after deducting costs. If the proceeds of the sale are not sufficient to cover the outstanding loan balance, then the client still has an obligation to repay that outstanding amount to the bank.” Here are a few tips to prevent repossession: Gzcokpg"{qwt"dwfigv" ectghwnn{"cpf"ewv"fgdv"ngxgnu Sometimes giving your budget a makeover can free up enough cash to keep your payments on track. This process will require
you to make changes to your lifestyle; limit eating out, cellphone use, and suspend subscriptions. Remind yourself that the cutbacks are short-term and that keeping your home is of utmost importance. Ugnn"vjg"rtqrgtv{"dghqtg"{qw" hcnn"kpvq"cttgctu Waiting in the hope that your luck will turn could make matters worse. If you don’t want to sell your home, you may need to sell something else. Look around your house and see what assets you can sell to boost your funds. Cum"vjg"dcpm"vq"gzvgpf"{qwt" oqtvicig"rc{dcem"rgtkqf" vq"52"{gctu" This will give you more cash in hand, but you will pay more interest. You could always change the mortgage repayment period back to 20 years once your situation has improved. Urgcm"vq"{qwt"ceeqwpvcpv"qt" hkpcpekcn"cfxkuqt They may be able to give you financial advice on how to use investments to tide you over. While not ideal, cashing in an investment may be a viable solution. Financial advisors have experience with individuals in financial stress and may be able to suggest some feasible solutions. “Remember, the bank will do everything in their ability to assist you to keep your home,” concludes Barker. “The key to an amicable solution is regular and open communication.”
Malcolm Stewart – Investment manager at Michaelides Parker Wealth Knysna & Plett
Exchange Traded Funds: A look at the Top 40
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HE Satrix Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) Top 40 represent the 40 largest companies listed on the JSE - in fact, it makes up a vast percentage of all listed companies. It is a very popular investment vehicle and has the following performance track record: • Last 12 months -.09% • Last three years +51.53% • Last five years +88.3% When delving into its components, one makes some startling discoveries, e.g. that 43.25% of your funds invested in this ETF will in the main be invested offshore. Naspers makes up 11.8% of the ETF and, as most people know, this is one of the world’s leading IT companies. It is the largest internet operator in China, so 11.8% of your funds will be invested in China. The other large holdings are SAB at 10.9% and Richemont at 8.8%. Altogether, these
three shares make up 31.5% of the Top 40. Mining shares make up 15.43% of the ETF, with Billiton at 9.35% and Anglos at 4.3%, while the remainder of the Top 40 ETF tends to represent South Africa Inc. These are the domestic companies whose profits are in the main derived within South African borders. However, it is probably safe to say that at least a third of their profits are also derived offshore. For example, MTN is huge in Nigeria; Sasol is well diversified in other countries, and most of our banks and retailers have diversified into other African countries. Companies like Sanlam have diversified into India, Discovery into the United States, and Woolies into Australia, while Bidvest is well represented throughout Europe and Africa. Sectorially the investments are categorised as follows:
• Financial services -20.25% • Basic materials (e.g. mining, including Sasol) 17.7% • Consumer cyclicals 15.39% • Consumer defensive 14.96% • Technology 11.7% Two basic investment indicators are its P/E ratio of 17, which is above its long-term average, while the dividend yield is only 3.03%. This is a very useful Rand hedge investment, which will also provide sound internal growth over the long term. The two investment indicators mentioned above do however show that it is not cheap at present, so potential investors should wait for a more attractive entry point. (Note that the above statistics vary on a daily basis.) Ocneqno"jcu"dggp"kp"vjg" kpxguvogpv"kpfwuvt{"hqt"qxgt" 62"{gctu0"Jg"jcu"ytkvvgp" vjku"eqnwop"kp"EZRTGUU" hqt"vjg"ncuv"39"{gctu"cpf"ku" c"urgekcnkuv"kp"ocpcikpi" tgvktgf"ygcnvj0
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22 July 2015
What are the first three letters of the Greek alphabet? I.O.U.
Teenagers have a lot in common with cats • Neither teenagers nor cats turn their heads when you call them by name. • No matter what you do for them, it is not enough. Indeed, all humane efforts are barely adequate to compensate for the privilege of waiting on them hand and foot. • You rarely see a cat walking outside of the house with an
adult human being, and it can be safely said that no teenager in his or her right mind wants to be seen in public with his or her parents. • Cats and teenagers can lie on the living-room sofa for hours on end without moving, barely breathing. • Cats have nine lives. Teenagers carry on as if they do.
The difference between cats and dogs • A dog thinks: ‘Hey, these people I live with feed me, love me, provide me with a nice warm, dry house, pet me, and take good care of me. They must be Gods!’
Car Rides... YAY!
YAY!
We are all going to die.
I really want you to pet me
• A cat thinks: ‘Hey, these people I live with feed me, love me, provide me with a nice warm, dry house, pet me, and take good care of me. I must be a God!’
Speeding gone wrong
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police officer in a small town stopped a motorist who was speeding down Main Street. “But officer,” the man began, “I can explain… ” “Just be quiet,” snapped the officer. “I’m going to let you cool your heels in jail until the chief gets back.” “But officer, I just wanted to say… ”
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“And I said to keep quiet! You’re going to jail!” A few hours later the officer looked in on his prisoner and said: “Lucky for you that the chief is at his daughter’s wedding. He’ll be in a good mood when he gets back.” “Don’t count on it,” answered the fellow in the cell. “I’m the groom.”
The cheek of it!
HEN I was in the pub the other day, I heard two guys saying they wouldn’t feel safe on an aircraft if they knew
the pilot was a woman. Wow! What a pair of sexists. I mean, it’s not as if she’d have to reverse the damn thing!
Living in a pine tree…
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squirrel is living in a pine tree, when one day it starts to shake and rock. So he looks outside and sees a large elephant trying to climb up the tree. “What the heck?” the squirrel exclaims, “what do you think you’re doing climbing up this tree?”
The elephant replies: “I’m climbing up here to eat pears.” The squirrel is befuddled. “You moron! This is a pine tree! There are no pears!” The elephant stares at him for a moment before replying: “I know vjcv. I brought my own.”
A mother of three brings a paternity suit against a well-known cricketer. “On what grounds?” asks the judge. “Newlands, Kingsmead and the Wanderers,” she responds.
But I also kinda want to bite you
Social Scene
22 July 2015
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People, places & events POETRY AND MUSIC: A great evening was had by all during ‘An Evening of Poetry and Music’ held at the Grand Café and Rooms in Plett on Friday July 17. In the pic above, Robyn Brouckaert, left, and Jane Donald entertained a full house in the region of a hundred guests. At right, Jill Kirkland and Paul Deans read a selection of poetry and prose from Cry the Beloved to Dylan Thomas. Proceeds from the evening were donated to The Plett Aid Foundation. JAH LOVE IN JUDAH SQUARE: The annual Knysna Rasta Earth Festival opened over the weekend on Saturday July 18. Due to very cold conditions, the normally outdoor celebrations were moved to the Percy Madala High school hall. The evening started with DJ Ras MauMau, at right, followed by formalities. The Zion Youth from Judah Square played next, and the evening continued with more live bands playing into the early hours. In the pic above, young children from Judah Square then opened the celebrations with prayers and chanting, accompanied by their teacher, Sista Kerri. Words and photos: Marylou Newdigate
Words and photos: Timothy Twidle
GARDEN ROUTE BOOST: Minister Donal Grant, right, and Alderman Charles Standers cutting the ribbon for the official opening of the R105-million Blanco Road in George on Wednesday July 15, as part of a drive to improve transport infrastructure in the Southern Cape.
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Classifieds
22 July 2015
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
22 July 2015
23 July 2015
24 July 2015
25 Julyy 2015
26 Julyy 2015
27 Jul July ly 2015
28 July 2015
Rain and drizzle in the p.m.
17° Lo 13° Precipitation: 60% Thunderstorm: 27% Sunrise: 7:27AM Sunset: 5:40PM Wind: NNE 35km/h Gusts: 50km/h NNE
Mostly cloudy with showers
19° Lo 11° Precipitation: 84% Thunderstorm: 20% Sunrise: 7:26AM Sunset: 5:40PM Wind: W 24km/h Gusts: 37 km/h W
Cloudy, showers, cooler
Sunny and d warmer
Sunny and warmer
S Sunshine hi and d patchy clouds
Cloudy with a passing shower
14° Lo 11°
19° Lo 07°
21° Lo 09°
22° Lo 09°
18° Lo 08°
Precipitation: 0% Thunderstorm: 0% Sunrise: 7:25AM Sunset: 5:42PM Wind: NE 9km/h Gusts: 24km/hNE
Precipitation: 0% Thunderstorm: 0% Sunrise: 7:24AM Sunset: 5:42PM Wind: NE 17km/h Gusts: 35km/h NE
Precipitation:1% Thunderstorm: 0% Sunrise: 7:23AM Sunset: 5:43PM Wind: SW 7km/h Gusts: 22m/h SW
Precipitation: 55% Thunderstorm: 20% Sunrise: 7:23AM Sunset: 5:44PM Wind: SW 7km/h Gusts: 20km/h SW
Precipitation: 99% Thunderstorm: 20% Sunrise: 7:25 AM Sunset: 5:41 PM Wind: S 26km/h Gusts: 39km/h S
MOON PHASES: July - Aug 2015
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Fri 24 July First quarter Fri 31July Full moon
22 Wed 23 Thu 24 Fri 25 Sat 26 Sun 27 Mon 28 Tue 29 Wed 30 Thu 31 Fri 01 Sat 02 Sun 03 Mon 04 Tue
TIDES: 22 July - 04 August LOW
HIGH
LOW
HIGH
01h06 01h47 02h38 03h51 05h41 07h01 07h53 08h36 09h15 09h54 10h32 11h10 11h48 00h18
07h19 07h57 08h49 10h09 12h01 00h18 01h23 02h15 03h02 03h47 04h30 05h11 05h52 06h33
13h12 13h52 14h47 16h11 18h02 19h13 20h03 20h47 21h29 22h11 22h53 23h35 12h27
19h40 20h25 21h26 22h51 13h16 14h07 14h51 15h33 16h15 16h56 17h37 18h18 19h01
On the Soapbox
22 July 2015
Letters to the Editor
Email: editor@cxpress.co.za - Fax: 044 533 0852 - PO Box 1449, Plett 6600
A public whinge about road rage I thought I might entertain readers with reflections on the gravest threat to public order in Plett: road rage. This has nothing to do with those much moustachioed and sun-glassed fellows whose muscles are larger than their motor-bike fuel tanks; even less about those nutcases like me who weave in and out of the slow traffic by accelerating across double lines on a hairpin bend. Sad to relate - it’s not even
about spindly athletes in garish gear and sperm-shaped helmets. I wish to publicly whinge about people in multi-million Rand vehicles with the manners of a pennydreadful crime thriller. Their first offence is to creep up on your tail while you’re driving a low-end, second-hand sedan with your knees, listening to Vivaldi, talking to your beloved on the cellphone, and adjusting the sound system with your
On electricity usage... I feel sure that your erudite readers will enlighten me on the following questions regarding electricity: 1. Some years ago, on learning that hot water geysers were wasteful of electricity, I turned off the geyser from 9pm until 6am (bath time would be covered). I did this religiously for two months, causing much dis-
sension in the home. Question: Why did my Eskom account not drop one cent? Obviously I was not saving any electricity... 2. With all the ‘out(r)ages’, why has my Eskom account not dropped? Obviously there are no savings... 3. Does electricity theft contribute to the crises? Cpftgy"Hqtdgu."Rngvv
Another Dear Abby It is with humour that I read Abby’s letter regarding parking constraints [see page 15 of the July 8 edition at www. cxpress.co.za]. If she depends on ‘car guards’ to advise her of parking times, then one should wonder if she has passed her licence test? Please note that the K53 does NOT mention ‘car guards’ or any other such ‘assistants’. You’d better open your eyes to the fact that
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there are other motorists also needing to get to where-ever you want to be, around the same time that you are hogging the parking for longer than the law allows you to. Simple good manners are required of us all, including you, no matter whether you are ‘J-Z’ or just Joe Soap. The law is a double-edged sword, cutting both ways. If I obey, so should you. Rkpgokpz."d{"gockn
other free hand. I’ve always prayed for a large cow-catcher to be welded onto the boot so that I can clap on anchors without warning and wait for the sweet etttwor of their radiators collapsing. Their second offence is to double-park at a critical parking place while they flounce in to buy a little sun-dried tomato or a touch of oregano, leaving the rest of us mere mortals to play at egg-dancing in the constricted area remaining in their ample wake. However their final offence is unspeakable. I have the good fortune to be able to look after my elderly mother (or she after me, I can never quite work it out). As a result, I am often called upon to take her shopping to Market Square, either to Pick n Pay, or to Woolworths. My niece claims that her Granny Joan would die if it weren’t for Woolies. At both ends of the shopping mall, the management has very considerately provided demarcated parking bays for the disabled (some might say ‘physically challenged’) and more so for the ‘elderly’. It immediately occurs to me that the problem is with the definition of what constitutes an ‘elderly’ person. Even as I rapidly approach the magical cut-off point of 60, I can see and feel within my muchabused body tangible signs of advancing age. Yet, if called upon to do so, I could probably bound up
the stairs to what was once the movie house in a short time, so parking some distance from the supermarket entrance is no problem. For people like my mother, however, it helps to be able to park nearer to the entrance, even when I am driving, because more often than not she wants to do the shopping or the withdrawal of money from the ATM herself. When I was much younger, I also had the privilege of assisting a paraplegic friend who, I am proud to say, now serves on the President’s National Planning Commission. Although relatively autonomous in his ability to drive and get in and out of his own vehicle, it always made it a little less difficult if a convenient parking bay was available. So, all things considered, why do relatively able people find it so tempting to park in those bays reserved for the truly elderly and physically challenged? And statistically speaking, why are the majority of those offenders the drivers of cars whose purchase price is well over the cost of a decent apartment in Plett? Does excessive wealth and indulgence in conspicuous consumption grant some ancient right, some ‘droit seigneur’ (or perhaps some goldbangled adroit seigneurina), which entitles them to ignore all common courtesies and compassion? I shall leave you to ponder, while I search the Internet for a handy wheel-clamp. Okmg"Mcpvg{."Rngvv
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CXPRESS
Sport & Adventure
22 July 2015
Ross Taylor Surf Contest cancelled in 2015 Read CXPRESS online at www.cxpress.co.za
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HE popular Ross Taylor Surf Contest, held annually in August in Buffalo Bay for the past six years, has been cancelled in 2015. A significant and very wellknown event on the South African surfing calendar, the contest was inaugurated in 2009 by young Knysna surfer Ross Taylor, who lost a battle with cancer the following year, aged 29. While the contest was initially created to raise funds for Taylor’s medical bills, it continued after Taylor’s death, at his request to raise funds for the Sedgefield and Knysna Hospice. The contest generated in the region of R500,000 in the next five years. However, as per a statement released by Taylor’s mother earlier this year, by 2014 the event had outgrown the capacity of the volunteer committee to run it, growing from 70 entrants in 2009 to well over 200 in 2013, necessitating handing the contest over to an events company. The company that subsequently ran the 2014 contest as a commercial event has since pulled out, and the Taylor family has decided to cancel the contest. “The Taylor family is basically now starting from square one with any fund
raising events in Ross’s name. The committee has dissolved as the members feel that the contest cannot be held any other way except on a commercial basis.” Taylor’s brother Marc, also a member of the volunteer committee, said that the contest also lost the spirit of past events when it became too big and went commercial, but there were plans for future surf events.
Knysna Oyster Festival rugby tournament winners
KNYSNA RUGBY CHAMPS: First place Sedgefield Eagles FRC – winners of the inaugural Oyster Festival Rugby Tournament
REMEMBER THE LOVESHINE: The new identity for future fundraising in honour of Ross Taylor who lived and loved to surf - Photo courtesy of the Facebook page LetsStandByRoss
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HE Oyster Festival Rugby Tournament took place at the Loerie Park Sports Grounds during the final weekend of the festival, with teams from Hornlee, the Northern Areas and Sedgefield competing for the R14,000 champions cheque. The Sedgefield Eagles FRC and Sky Blues pushed through to the finals, with the Eagles finally crowned tournament champions. Knysna mayor Georlene Wolmarans said that she was pleased with the turnout of the event. “It is a great opportunity to develop sport in our community and young and upcoming rugby players are able to showcase their talent. We want the tournament to be bigger and better next year and in years to come.”
Paralympic sport at Oyster Fest
SOFT BOWLS: Boccia tournament winner Denver John showing competitors how it’s done
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BOCCIA tournament for disabled athletes was held in Knysna on July 8. Presented by the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS), the event enjoyed the participation of no less than ninety enthusiastic players. Similar to bowls, but played instead with soft leather balls, Boccia is played in over 50 countries worldwide and is an official sport at the Paralympic Games. Event organiser Picca de Bruin thanked the DCAS and Pick n Pay for making the event possible. “It’s such a nice feeling to know that you’ve brought so much happiness to people’s lives,” she said.