23 july

23 July 2014 Meet the talented Mr Kilani p2

Feel like trading houses? p7

Surf... ‘coz Ross said so! p16

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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A special visit from Joost Turn to page 5 to find out who Joost van der Westhuizen visited in Plett on Monday, and how this moving meeting helped spreading hope to all involved...

Photo: Ewald Stander

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CXPRESS

News & Views

23 July 2014

From Kimberley laaitie to Plett Pioneers trailblazer: the Hyson Kilani story Field Band Foundation board member Marietta van Rooyen shared an excellent lead earlier this month when telling CXPRESS about the Plett Pioneers programme organiser, saying ‘he is a role model for young people in Bitou’ - so we tracked down the busy 25-year-old in the days leading up to last weekend’s Field Band regional champs in East London and he told us his life story so far... so good!

M

Y name is Mzikayise Hyson Kilani. I was born in Kimberley and went to school at Transvaal Road Primary and William Pescod High in the same town.

My music journey started at the age of 13 in 2003 after the death of my father. We were close and spent all our weekends together, so after he left us my life felt empty.

My mother realised my loneliness and took me to Gariep Kunstefees in Kimberley.

While walking around at the festival, I heard drums and trumpets playing and started following the sounds, which lead to a group of young, energetic dancers and musicians performing and having fun.

I spotted two of my church friends and my face lit up. So the following Sunday, I asked them the name of the band.

It was my first hear of “Field Band Foundation” (FBF).

As they told me more, blood was rushing through my body because of the excitement. I said I would like to be part of the band and they told me where rehearsals were held.

Because of my eagerness, distance was not a factor.

The following day I shed my uniform and rushed out. I walked to the rehearsal venue and as I got nearer, I walked faster. The louder the instruments, the faster I walked.

My friend was waiting for me at the gate, took me to the music instructor and just left me there. The instructor looked at me and said: “Lc" ncckvkg."ycv"iccp"ccp?”

I stated my reason for being there and he said: “Ok, go grab an instrument and come stand here.”

Not knowing the names of the instruments, I just grabbed the smallest - a trumpet - and joined the class.

My love for music grew daily. One instructor suggested I should change instruments, so I went from trumpet to mellophone to baritone, and today I play the biggest brass instrument: the tuba.

Two years after joining the field band, I was invited to try out at Kimberley Academy of Music (KAM). I played a few memorised songs for the headmaster, who suggested I attend auditions for the SA Junior Youth Orchestra, held in Kimberley that month.

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My music reading skills were very poor, but I passed the auditions and played with the orchestra’s brass band. I learnt reading music the hard way: every night I went into my room and wrote the fingerings of the notes on top of the notes.

It helped, because today my music reading skills are much better - I no longer need my pencil!

In 2006, with the help of KAM, I did my first graded practical exam - Grade 5 for tuba - and passed.

I remained with the FBF and KAM until after high school, when I gained a bursary from the Lubner MAID (Make An Immediate Difference) Foundation to study music at the University of the Free State.

I did my first year in 2009 as well as a bridging course at Kimberley FET (Further Education & Training) College.

Needing money for transport to college and music lectures, I got a job as waiter and barista at Dulce Café in Kimberley.

I worked from morning until lunch, attended music lectures in the afternoons and FET classes at night. The schedule was tight but I loved it.

Being this busy, I had to leave the band for a while. But by the end of that year, my life felt empty once more - I was young and needed to learn more about the music world before studying more about it.

The next year I ended all music studies but did well at college and varsity. I worked at the café in the mornings and evenings, so afternoons were open for FBF rehearsals.

That same year I was chosen for a three-month exchange programme in the US, where I marched with the Wisconsin Milwaukee Pioneers Drum Corpse. On my return, I was appointed as brass tutor at the Kimberley Field Band.

In 2010, I was chosen to be part of the Field Band Academy (FBA) to receive further music training from Norwegian facilitators for two years.

That was an exciting year for me, because I was also one of the students/tutors involved with preparing music for the Fifa 2010 Soccer World Cup closing ceremony.

In 2012, I moved to Bochum in Limpopo to work with the FBF band there. Life in Limpopo was not easy but I adjusted. I had been there for almost seven months when I was invited to Norway for a period of 10 months.

I attended a Norwegian folk high school during the week, and on weekends we travelled around Norway to educate people aged seven to 60 about South Africa and the Foundation. We also held seminars,

teaching people about South African music and dance.

It was really fun, but I wanted to learn more and decided to enrol in a special class that captured my heart: in the folk school’s Music & Health class, we were trained to work with people with disabilities through music, so integrating them into society.

The biggest challenge was that the classes were in Norwegian and I had to learn the language ASAP. I went to my practical instrument teacher to share my problem. He just laughed and said: “The fastest way to learn the language is to make friends and, most importantly, get a girlfriend.”

I took classes but it was once a week for a 45-minute session only and that was not enough. So I did as advised and some weeks later, I no longer needed the Norwegian classes - but I kept my friends and my girlfriend!

In the Music & Health class,

WHAT WOULD MADIBA DO? This is one of Hyson’s favourite recent photos, Nelson Mandela at back and his tuba in his lap

we were tasked with teaching disabled students and expected to perform a concert within eight weeks. I had two charges, one with Down syndrome who was a good recorder and organ player, and another mentally disabled student who dreamed of becoming a singer one day.

SEIZING THE DAY: These images captured during Hyson’s 10-month stay in Norway tell the story of how this youngster embraces the challenges and opportunities life throws his way

PREP PARADE: On Tuesday and Wednesday last week, Plett Pioneers musicians and dancers entertained residents of Kranshoek and New Horizons to a showcase of what they would be doing during the Eastern Cape regionals in East London - which kicked off with a parade by all participating bands through the city streets on Saturday morning

I chose the song Vjwnc"Vjw/ nc and tried explaining what the words meant. Of course it was not easy for them to be comfortable with me but I decided I would treat them like friends rather than students.

I decided to challenge them, so told them they had to sing the song in Zulu, word for word! Not only was it fun for us, but also a success because our item was chosen for that year’s Christmas concert.

Returning home in May last year, I felt I wanted to grow and share what I have gained. So when the FBF asked me to be band coordinator in the Free State town of Viljoenskroon, I gladly accepted because I would work at Mphatlalatsane School for the handicapped.

I soon built a relationship with the kids, who treated me and my team like family. My stay there also helped greatly in me realising that I really want to be a teacher.

The educators saw how much I enjoyed teaching and allowed me to take over classes when teachers were absent. I told myself that I’d never leave that school but in December 2013, I was given the choice to return to the FBA as facilitator in training, or become programme organiser for the Plett Pioneers.

It was a hard decision but I chose the latter, because I have wanted to work with the Plett Pioneers Field Band for a long time, sharing with them the skills I have picked up over the years.

My passion for teaching is still there, and I know that one day I will be able to make this dream come true. But first I want to share the opportunities I was given with young people here in Bitou. ß" Tguwnvu" qh" vjg" yggmgpf‚u" tgikqpcn"hkgnf"dcpf"ejcorkqp/ ujkru" ygtg" pqv" cxckncdng" d{" qwt" iqkpi" vq" rtguu." dwv" ecnn" Octkgvvc" xcp" Tqq{gp" qp" 2:5" 59;" 755;" qt" J{uqp" qp" 2:3" 743" :82:" hqt" oqtg" kphq." qt" vq"hkpf"qwv"jqy"vjg"Rngvv"Rkq/ pggtu" ecp" eqpvtkdwvg" vq" {qwt" pgzv"gxgpv"qt"hwevkqp0

News & Views

23 July 2014

He said, she said as Bitou players continue the battle for power The Bitou Municipality take-over saga is no closer to being resolved after another week of drama - YOLANDÉ STANDER filed this report yesterday shortly before going to press

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ITOU deputy mayor Adam van Rhyner’s internal COPE disciplinary hearing was set to proceed last week, but was marred by several postponements and various issues including the fairness of proceedings.

Van Rhyner faces party disciplinary action after aligning with six local ANC councillors in a call on June 20 for a special council meeting to serve a motion of no confidence in mayor Memory Booysen, speaker Annelise Olivier, and himself.

The disciplinary action comes after Van Rhyner allegedly breached COPE’s agreement with the DA where there is a coalition arrangement in hung councils.

Van Rhyner’s disciplinary hearing was set to start on July 9, but the matter was postponed until July 16. But the hearing did not progress very far, and was again postponed until July 25.

According to Van Rhyner, after the first day the chairman was replaced by the prosecutor, after which an application against the prosecutor was brought to recuse himself, as he had privileged information while trying to prepare for the prosecution and consulted with witnesses.

But this was refused, although he was subsequently replaced by a third chairman.

The matter was then postponed until Monday, but did not continue as all parties were not ready to proceed, and it was then postponed until Friday.

In a media statement Van Rhyner said following this, all hope of receiving a fair disciplinary hearing was destroyed.

“Not only is the municipality actively involved in my disciplinary hearing, but also uses taxpayers’ money to finance

COPE’s legal challenge of the current litigation in the High Court,” Van Rhyner said.

The municipality’s legal representative, Lizelle Harker, however said her clients denied having a hand in, or being actively involved in, the disciplinary proceedings against Van Rhyner.

“It is very clear from the actions of Van Rhyner that the court processes are being abused by him, which is evident in the cost order awarded against him in light of the fact that Van Rhyner urgently approached the [W-Cape] High Court on July 9 for a matter that was already before court.

“Consequently, the accusations against our clients are not only false but also seek public sensationalism,” Harker said.

Van Rhyner brought an urgent interdictory application attempting to stop the Independent Electoral Commission from filling the vacancy declared by the Bitou municipal manager, Alan Paulse.

She added her clients also specifically denied assisting COPE financially. “The legal team of the municipality is currently considering filing a defamatory action against Van Rhyner for the malicious, false and baseless allegation levied against its legal team.”

Van Rhyner said Olivier still refused to convene any council meeting and that Paulse refused to retract the undisputed unlawful vacancy he declared on June 30.

“It is very clear from the court papers filed on record that the municipal manager declared a vacancy and is consequently hwpevwu" qhhkekq which prohibits him from withdrawing the vacancy and it is common cause that this matter is before court to be heard on July 29,” Harker responded.

Van Rhyner said Booysen also attempted to evict him and his staff from their municipal offices last week.

“This attempt was fortunately stifled after my attorney had to intervene.”

Harker said her clients also denied this attempt. “It is very sad that the merits of this matter have not been addressed.

Instead, focus is levied on petty side issues to arise the public sensation.”

The parties turned to the Western Cape High Court after the request for the special council meeting on July 1 was turned down by Olivier, as she claimed it did not comply with the municipality’s rules of order.

She brought a court application to stop the meeting from taking place and in court documents indicated that the application was an urgent matter as fears existed of a “coup d’état” at local government level. Judge Owen Rogers postponed the matter indefinitely."

Olivier did not convene the special council meeting on July 1, which was followed by a counter application by the six councillors - Mpakamisi Mbali, Hilda Plaatjies, Thelma Besana, Sandiso Gcabayi, Nolan Stuurman and Monica Seyisi - and Van Rhyner.

The councillors are seeking an order to force Olivier to convene the meeting, claiming that it is in line with the rules of order, as well as to set aside the municipality’s decision to declare Van Rhyner’s seat vacant and declare that he remains a councillor until lawfully unseated.

They are also seeking an order to stop the replacement of Van Rhyner and labelled his suspension “unlawful” after a series of conflicting instructions as to his membership status.

CXPRESS Read CXPRESS online at www.cxpress.co.za

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CXPRESS

News & Views

23 July 2014

Bitou ‘not at risk’ during communication radio system switch-off Municipal manager Allen Paulse and Bitou mayor Memory Booysen released this statement last week, in reaction to a report in CXPRESS of July 16 under the heading ‘Unpaid radio service leaves Bitou vulnerable’

R

ECENT media reports created the impression that Bitou Municipality placed life and property at risk when the repeater system that regulates communication in the emergency services section (fire, traffic and law enforcement) was switched off due to the non-payment of

service providers.

The facts are: A contractual dispute arose between the parties, which led to the disconnection of one channel of the communication line to a portion of the outer areas of Bitou Municipality.

The entire Plettenberg Bay area was not affected at all. The “switching off” of this operating Channel 2 at

Spitzkop happened on Friday July 11.

Since then, the Emergency Services section has reverted to using Channels 1 and 3 of the internal municipal frequencies for the coverage these channels offer.

In order to address the challenge of pager systems not operating due to the repeater being “switched off”, a shift system has been introduced

whereby a crew is on standby from the Fire Station between 11pm and 7am until such time that the radio and pager system issue has been resolved and/or until 24-hour shifts are approved and implemented.

Thus no life or property was at risk during this “switching off” of the one channel.

Contractual dispute matters between the parties are attended to. The municipality is also investigating long-term communication solutions for our emergency services.

Knysna teacher’s sexual assault case bumped out to December

T

HE case against a Knysna teacher, who allegedly raped and sexually assaulted a 12-year-old pupil at Fraaisig Primary last year, was postponed yet again.

The 52-year-old man, who briefly appeared in the Knysna Regional Court on Monday, was expected to plead after which the trial was set to commence.

But the matter was postponed after it came to light that the various parties did

not receive the necessary documents, including trauma reports, to continue with the trial. The matter was postponed until December 8.

On August 19 last year the teacher, who is currently out on bail and no longer teaches at the school, allegedly pinned a pupil against a wall in the school’s photocopying room after she had helped him hand documents out to teachers, covered her mouth with his hands and pulled her

pants down before sexually assaulting and raping her.

The man, who had been a teacher for 31 years and had been with the school for 29 years, was allegedly caught red-handed by the acting principal, who alerted authorities. This subsequently led to his arrest on August 23.

The accused, however, denies the incident and claims he only touched her hip while trying to pull himself up from under a table where

he was busy picking up documents that had fallen out of one of the copier trays.

He was released on R4,000 bail in September last year and agreed to go live with his family near Pacaltsdorp as part of his bail conditions to ensure he does not interfere with the victim or witnesses.

The matter was transferred to the regional court earlier this year. [qncpfê"Uvcpfgt"/" Ictfgp"Tqwvg"Ogfkc

Plett mayor joins Clean campaigners to shine for Madiba

F

OR the past several months, the Plett Clean Campaign has brought pride and exceptional cleanliness to the streets of Plett.

Volunteers began their 67 minutes in honour of former SA president Nelson Mandela by cleaning up the Red Door location on the N2 and other areas throughout the town. Over 100 individuals showed up at 1pm to celebrate this special day.

Together, the group swept the streets, discarding trash and random rubbish at the different locations.

Although picking up trash is not typically considered a fun task, the event was successful as participants showed outstanding care for their community. Those who attended left with a sense of shared pride in the accomplishment of making their community a better, cleaner place.

Plett Clean Campaign organiser Alyson Bryant was present and explained why

DEDICATED: Members of the Plett Clean Campaign honoured Nelson Mandela with 67 minutes to tidy the town – in the pic at left, mayor Memory Booysen helps community members from KwaNokuthula to turn an illegal dump site into a productive veggie patch; at right, Plett Clean stalwart Patrick Windvogel showcases his passion for this amazing community project

she started this initiative: “I was inspired to do this clean-up campaign because I couldn’t stand the mess of our tourist town. I wanted to provide a clean town and make it more attractive for the tourists. The municipality was at first a bit shocked with our

activities, but now realises we are here to help them.

“We understand that their scope of work does not always allow them to tackle all the messy parts of town. We communicate with them on a regular basis and work together as much as we can to beau-

tify and keep Plett clean.”

The campaigners meet every Tuesday from 5:30-6:30pm just off Main Street. The group aims to provide a voice and enhance the quality of life for tourists and residents while supporting actions that benefit the community.

News & Views

23 July 2014

CXPRESS

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Cedric’s surprise: welcomed into the J9 fold

by Joost, in the flesh A Kranshoek resident could not believe his eyes when his hero not only on the rugby field, but also in their shared fight against a debilitating neurological disorder - showed up on his doorstep on Monday... YOLANDÉ STANDER was there to capture the moment

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UGBY legend and former Springbok scrumhalf Joost van der Westhuizen personally welcomed Cedric Ruiters as a beneficiary of his J9 Foundation - established to provide support to those suffering from motor neuron disease.

Van der Westhuizen himself was diagnosed with the fatal illness, which destroys the cells controlling voluntary muscle activity, early 2011.

Ruiters, an avid rugby player and supporter, was diagnosed in 2010 after experiencing difficulty using his arms, and when his speech started deteriorating.

Today he battles to move any of his limbs, spends most of his time in a wheelchair and speaks with great difficulty - not unlike his rugby idol.

Ruiters can also no longer hug his wife or two sons or enjoy “braaivleis” with his friends, as he now has to be fed through a PEG (percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy) tube.

The toll the illness has taken on him both physically and emotionally was however the last thing on his mind when the door of his RDP home in Kranshoek opened on Monday morning, and in stepped Van der Westhuizen.

His friends and family, along with the J9 Foundation team, organised the surprise visit behind the scenes.

Van der Westhuizen and his team, including his brother Pieter van der Westhuizen and Foundation chief executive David Thorpe, scheduled visits with several beneficiar-

ies from Plettenberg Bay to East London on Monday and Tuesday. Van der Westhuizen makes a point of visiting each new beneficiary himself.

Not only did the visit give Ruiters a morale boost, but Van der Westhuizen and his team also came bearing gifts.

They handed him a cheque of R5,000 to help ease the financial burden the illness has placed on the family.

Ruiters can no longer work and his wife, Davedine, has had to give up her job to take care of him.

Ruiters was also given a “jacket of hope” - a gift each beneficiary receives as a reminder that all is not lost and to not give up hope.

‘My faith keeps me going through this tough journey - and my children. Children need their father.’

“We are not giving up hope and we pray for a cure. Our faith pulls us through every day,” Davedine said.

Van der Westhuizen said that it was his faith that kept him going through this tough journey. “And my children.

Children need their father,” he said.

Ruiters was also supplied with Biobalance tablets to boost his immune system especially after contracting pneumonia a few weeks ago.

“It is great to have you as part of the J9 family and we thank you for motivating us to keep going. We praise you for your will to live and the

fight you have in you. We welcome you to the family,” Thorpe said.

Ruiters became a beneficiary after his friends, Monique and Arthur Kayster, facilitated the application process.

They have been actively involved in finding the family the needed support – including raising funds and creating awareness about motor neuron disease.

“People just don’t understand the illness and they don’t know how to deal with it. If people see Cedric, they always ask if he has had a stroke,” Davedine said.

Motor neuron disease is a degenerative disorder of the motor neurons which control voluntary muscle activity such as speaking, swallowing, breathing and walking.

The disease is more common in men than women and usually presents itself after the age of 40. Very little is known about the cause and only 10% of cases are inherited.

The J9 Foundation is currently involved in gathering the necessary information and statistics about MND in South Africa and has been working tirelessly to establish a research centre in Cape Town.

“We would like to thank the J9 Foundation team as well as the Kaysters for helping us, as well as everyone who has supported us over the years,” said Davedine.

• If anyone would like to assist Cedric and his family, they can contact Monique on 079 915 6053 or Arthur on 079 954 0270.

Ictfgp"Tqwvg"Ogfkc

HOPE REGAINED: Above, Cedric shows off his ‘jacket of hope’ and R5,000 cheque; pictured at right in the back row from left are Monique & Arthur Kayster, Anne Koopman and Anthea May of Plett Hospice, and Joost’s brother, Pieter; flanking Cedric and Joost in front are Davedine Ruiters and David Thorpe, chief executive of the J9 Foundation - the rest of the pics on this page show clearly the range of emotions brought on by the team’s surprise visit - Photos: Ewald Stander

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CXPRESS

News & Views

23 July 2014

Weekend camp teaches so much more than school work

P

LETT’S TB & HIV/ Aids Association hosted a camp for less privileged local kids at Southern Comfort Horse Ranch on the N2 between Harkerville and Knysna last month.

Says the Association’s project manager Shaun Terblanche: “The camp was all about life skills and how to promote yourself when you become an adult. It was sponsored by St Thomas Methodist Church, Hunters Hotels, The Plettenberg, Pick n Pay and Old Nick.

“And when our transport didn’t work out as arranged, Pika Tours came to the rescue by taking these children to the campsite, where we stayed for the weekend.

“Our hostess was Ms Ma-

griet and her wonderful husband. They welcomed us and showed us to our rooms. The children played, laughed and enjoyed the excellent company of nature and animals.”

Shaun was assisted in leading the camp activities by Sally Ngene and Sylvia Kamm from Child Welfare, who also helped preparing meals for the children.

“The camp was an outstanding opportunity for these children to get to know each other. We often live together in one community, but don’t know how much we have in common before an occasion like this provides the opportunity to learn more about those around us.”

Apart from the generous establishments that are men-

tioned above, Shaun thanks Barbara Estement for the delicious fresh fruit she donated for the children’s enjoyment, and all the kids’ parents for entrusting their children to him and for contributing R50 per child.

If you wish to know more about this organisation, contact Shaun on 073 513 5119 or email tbandhivass@ gmail.com.

Any donation of goods can be dropped off at St Thomas Methodist Church in Marine Way (044 533 4198) and financial assistance can be deposited into the Association’s Biz Launch Current Account at Standard Bank Plettenberg Bay (branch code 050714), account number 282033971.

CAMPING IN COMFORT: Some of the happy campers show off the toiletry packs presented to them for their excellent weekend excursion to Southern Comfort Horse Ranch

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Please help one boy and 10 families for Madiba’s sake

HE TB & HIV/Aids Association asks for assistance with a youngster who is a member of its feeding scheme in Pine Trees, and who is under great pressure.

According to the Association’s project manager, Shaun Terblanche, the teen is nearly 18 years old but has never received much in life.

“He is living with his family, but his mother is sick while his father is doing odd jobs to provide something to eat, sometimes. We ask that anybody who reads this

article assists us in helping this boy.”

This organisation is currently in need of finances to make sure that all the children in its care are being looked after, and if you don’t have cash to give, you may help with clothes (medium - trousers, tops, jackets, underwear, socks, T-shirts, etc.), shoes (size 5-6) or toiletries.

“We also ask for donations in the form of food parcels to distribute to 10 needy households, so making eve-

Win big with George golf day

R p r o u d ly robberg

This pretty painting called ‘Struisbaai cottage’ by well-known artist Keith Forrester is up for grabs if you buy a R10 raffle ticket, while there’s still a few days to punt your business by sponsoring holes and prizes for a fundraiser in aid of George Service Clubs Utility Company - a retirement village situated in De la Fontaine Street - at George Golf Club next Wednesday. Contact Janine Nel at gscresidents@gmail.com or on 044 873 5615 or 084 522 0537 if you wish to contribute or need more info on the golf day or raffle.

ry day this month Mandela Day,” says Shaun.

Those parcels would go a very long way if containing some of the following items: pilchards, potatoes, onions, carrots, cabbage sugar, pasta, baked beans, tea, maize meal, tins of tomato & onion mix, coffee & creamer, cake flour, yeast, fish oil, soup mix or Cuppa Soup, Omo/Sunlight soap, candles, face soap.

Phone Shaun on 073 513 5119 or email tbandhivass@ gmail.com for further info.

News & Views

23 July 2014

CXPRESS

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HOUSE SWAP SOUTH AFRICA

Would you like to stay for free on your next holiday?

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ITH the imminent launch of houseswap. co.za, paying for holiday accommodation could soon be a distant memory.

So says Sarah Curtis of the Garden Route-based husband and wife team who founded House Swap South Africa.

“House swapping has been used extensively for over 50 years in Europe and America.

It’s time South Africans also enjoyed the rewards and benefits of this money-saving model,” adds local attorney husband Donald.

The concept is simple: you invite someone to stay in your house and in exchange you stay in theirs. It allows you to travel locally or abroad and stay for free. You live like a local in a real home (or apartment, log cabin or farmhouse) affording you the comfort, convenience and experience that no hotel or guesthouse ever could.

It’s really a win-win situation for both parties.

Says Margaret Burrell from Port Shepstone: “Sadly, our budget for our annual vacation was no longer taking us to where we wanted to go, or for how long we wanted to stay.

“Now that I have created a

profile on houseswap.co.za I look forward to finding great matches for house swaps in SA and maybe even other places around the world.”

Such excitement is well evidenced by the impressive response so far. At the time of going to press, and in just over two weeks, more than 560 people have given the literal ‘thumbs up’ on the House Swap South Africa Facebook page.

The page allows you to preregister and create profiles in anticipation of the website’s launch in August. People doing so also stand a chance to win a luxury five-star getaway at The Alexander in Knysna valued at R8,000, plus receive free memberships to the site.

“We look for matches that reflect our lifestyle so that moving into a holiday home becomes a seamless transition” says father of three, Mike Peters.

“In other words, we look for what we have at home: pool, swings, jungle gym. Also, we don’t like to be beholden to set meals times, hotel rules, and so on.”

“It works on so many levels” says Thandi from Cape Town, who has swapped

TRADING PLACES: Husband and wife team Sarah and Donald Curtis are launching South Africa’s first house swapping site – right here in Knysna, where they live happily with their three children, three dogs and two cats!

houses within South Africa via the more expensive international sites.

“I don’t have to put my beloved pets in the kennels, and neither do the people whose homes I stay in. You find yourself making lifelong friends in the process.

Plus it saves money in subscriptions to swap locally using a local site.”

The website is geared towards helping you find your perfect swap. You can create a profile to showcase your house and search all of the other homes to discover an ideal destination for free.

When you’ve found potential matches, you purchase a very reasonable subscription (less than the cost of a single night’s accommodation for

the average family) and then contact other members via the site’s secure internal messaging system.

All of your private information remains confidential so you control what and with whom you share.

“Although there are several large international house swapping websites, with over a thousand South African

homes listed already, there was nothing in South Africa geared toward local swaps,” says Sarah.

“For many vacationers, overseas swaps are budgetbreakers when you take into account airline tickets and exchange rates.”

“This is not to say, however, that overseas houses won’t be prominently listed,” adds Sarah, who grew up in Germany.

“Millions of tourists from around the globe visit our country, and South Africans love going overseas, too.

However, there simply hasn’t been an affordable local swap site, until now.”

The average family of four could save anything from R1,000 to R3,000 per day on accommodation.

With spring just around the corner, and the summer holiday season coming up, now is the perfect time to start looking for your own house swap partner.

Find more information on the House Swap South Africa Facebook page, and keep your eye on www.cxpress. co.za for more information on the launch of www.house swap.co.za in the very near future.

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CXPRESS

Interval

23 July 2014

Australian sensitivity

T The world’s best babysitters!

HREE Aussie blokes - Mongrel, Coot, and Bluey - are working up on an outback mobile phone tower.

During their descent, Coot slips, falls off the tower and is killed instantly.

As the ambulance takes the body away, Bluey says: “Well, bugger me, someone’s gotta go and tell Coot’s wife.”

Mongrel says: “Okay, I’m pretty good at that sensitive stuff, I’ll do it.”

Two hours later, he comes back carrying a case of beer.

Bluey says: “Where’d you

get the grog, Mongrel?”

“Coot’s wife gave it to me,” Mongrel replies.

“That’s unbelievable; you told the missus her husband was dead and she gave you a case of beer?”

“Well, not exactly,” Mongrel says. “When she answered the door, I said to her: ‘You must be Coot’s widow’.

She said: “You must be mistaken. I’m not a widow.”

Then I said: “I’ll betcha a case of beer you are… ” Aussies are good at that sensitive stuff.

A drunkard was brought to court.

Just before the trial there was a commotion in the gallery.

The judge pounded the gavel on his table and shouted: “Order! Order!”

The drunkard immediately responded: “Thank you, your honour, I’ll have a scotch and soda.”

Let’s face it - English is the language of lunatics...

There is no egg in eggplant nor ham in hamburger; Neither apple nor pine in pineapple.

English muffins weren’t invented in England.

We take English for granted, but if we explore its paradoxes, We find that quicksand can work slowly, boxing rings are square; A guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig.

Why is it that writers write, but fingers don’t fing,

Grocers don’t groce and hammers don’t ham?

Doesn’t it seem crazy that… you can make amends but not one amend?

If you have a bunch of odds and ends… and get rid of all but one of them, What do you call it?

If teachers taught, why didn’t preachers praught?

If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a

humanitarian eat?

Sometimes I think all people who speak English Should be in an asylum for the verbally insane.

In what other language do people recite at a play, and play at a recital?

We ship by truck but send cargo by ship…

We have noses that run and feet that smell; We park in a driveway and drive in a parkway.

And how can a slim chance

and a fat chance be the same, while a wise man and a wise guy are opposites?

You have to marvel at the unique lunacy of a language in which your house can burn up as it burns down; In which you fill in a form by filling it out, and in which an alarm goes off by going on.

And in closing…

If Father is Pop… how come Mother’s not Mop?

Business

23 July 2014

Accounting made easy

Jeremy Andrews – Andrews & Co Chartered Accountant & Auditor - Plett

Tax Season 2014 is now officially open

S

CHOOL holidays are over for some and the “mini-season”, which seems to have been pretty good, is just about a thing of the past.

To those who escaped for a break, welcome back!

And to those who stayed in Plettenberg Bay either for business or social reasons, we hope it was a profitable and happy period.

At this point I’m sure tax and your tax obligations are the last thing you want to deal with, but with all the current SARS advertising,

you’ve probably been reminded of this reality more than once a week.

As much as none of us like paying tax, I really have to compliment SARS on their PRO and marketing efforts.

They have almost succeeded in making the process of being relieved of substantial sums of hard-earned money seem sexy and fun...

They call it a “tax season”, which sounds a bit like the hunting season, and there is even an app that you can download to your cellphone

so you can e-file while watching the school sports or sitting on the beach!

Of course if you can’t manage that, then there is always a friendly SARS agent at your nearest SARS branch, who will help you get rid of some hard-earned cash.

I suspect it won’t be long before they have a mobile office cruising around during tax season.

Not only have they upped their game in terms of marketing, but the whole operation is starting to function

National Credit Regulator declares Wonga’s paperwork wonky...

T

HE National Credit Regulator (NCR) last week announced that it had issued a Compliance Notice to Wonga Finance SA (Pty) Ltd for breach of the National Credit Act 34 of 2005. The investigation conducted by the NCR revealed that: • Wonga does not obtain proof of consumers’ income and living expenses and does not require them to provide supporting information or documentation to verify the income and living expenses in order to determine the ability of the consumers to repay the credit applied for; • The consents to judgments issued by and/or on behalf of

Investor Focus

Wonga to consumers contain a clause which expresses, on behalf of consumers, consent to the jurisdiction of a court seated outside the area of jurisdiction of a court having concurrent jurisdiction; and • Wonga does not keep records of documentation in support of affordability assessments and the steps taken after default by consumers for the prescribed period of three years.

The notice requires Wonga to submit an audit report to confirm that the company has implemented systems and procedures to comply with the National Credit Act in respect of these issues.

Wonga was also instructed to remove adverse credit bureau listings recorded on consumers’ credit records and rescind judgments taken against consumers, at its own expense, on loans where Wonga did not obtain proof of consumers’ income and living expenses.

Moral of the story? Do a whole lot of homework before you decide to make a loan. The NCR website www.ncr.org.za and helpline 0860 627 627 provide a lot of important information, and you can email lselibi@ ncr.org.za or plettdebthelp@ gmail.com to find out about your nearest debt councillor.

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

The importance of Exchange Traded Funds

M

UCH has been written about so called active and passive forms of investing; the former is achieved through the use of Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs).

An ETF is a basket of shares that track a specific stock exchange index. These funds are essentially managed by a computer programmed to hold the exact quantity of shares that make up a particular index.

The JSE top 40 index is represented by the Satrix 40.

It provides the price performance of this index and pays out the dividends collected on a quarterly basis (net of collection costs).

Its costs or ‘ter’ ratio is 0.45%, as against most unit trust fees of not less than 1%, and in some cases an outperformance can incur costs in excess of 3%.

The biggest holdings in this ETF are Billaton at 12.5%, SABMiller at 9.3%, Richemont at 9.13%, Naspers at 8.2%, and MTN at 6.9%.

These funds can be accessed through a stockbroker, as they are all listed on the JSE. Some investment platforms, however, do have access to

9

CXPRESS

them directly, while there are also specialist websites where they can be traded.

What is often not realised is the incredible range of ETFs available to investors. It is possible to construct a Global ETF, investing in any of the developed markets, China, Africa, or emerging markets in general.

You can also access those that track the gold price, the platinum price, the oil price, the corn price and many other commodities.

There are “balanced” ETFs, which give you a balanced portfolio that shadows the top 40, the government bond Index, and cash.

Then there are specialised local ETFs that hold the 15 financial shares in the JSE FINI Index, or the Resources Index, or the Satrix Divi that holds the top 30 biggest and best paying dividend shares on the JSE. Others hold the top 10 property REITS, or 22 property REITS. Another holds a portfolio of preference shares.

Most important is the particularly low cost of these ETFs. Some charge as little as 0.15%, while the more

technical ones may charge up to 65%.

The offshore ETFs do not need any forex or Reserve Bank permission; they are asset swop-based funds and allow you direct access to the foreign markets.

A Retirement Annuity, Preservation Fund, or a Living Annuity managed through a stockbroker’s office can utilise these instruments and thus provide a lower cost investment.

Only the brokerage charged at the time of the initial ETF purchase will add to the initial cost, as will the platform fee charged by the FSB registered administrator.

These investment instruments have experienced massive development over the past few years. They merit greater attention, particularly in the offshore offerings where South Africans can access foreign markets at vastly reduced costs.

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like a well-oiled machine.

This is both good and bad; good because it has simplified the process, and bad because they are onto noncompliance or suspect returns in a flash.

This results in requests for the uploading of documents - or, worse still, assessments - being marked “selected for audit” being a very common outcome of a tax submission these days.

So here are a few pointers to ensure that you have a reasonably happy tax season: • If your only income is from employment and you earn less that R250,000pa, you might not need to submit a return. But be careful, as it might be in your interest

to do so.

• Make sure that you have supporting documentation, medical expenses, interest earned, business expense vouchers, etc. as it’s highly likely that you will be required to upload supporting documents.

• Company cars and travelling expenses are big issues in the eyes of SARS and, without going into detail, you must keep a log book recording all business travel if you intend claiming use of your own vehicle, or if you want to adjust the way company cars are treated by the Receiver.

• If your returns include business income, you will have to upload financial statements.

These are just a few highlights but there are many,

many more areas that will take up more space than is allotted to me for this article.

But please take note that for all the really excellent PRO work done by SARS, it is a case of an iron fist in a velvet glove, i.e. they are not very accommodating if you stray off the straight and narrow.

Ordinary taxpayers have until November 21 to file their returns, and provisional tax payers until January 30 next year.

Here’s wishing you a trouble-free (if not happy) Tax Season 2014!

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CXPRESS

Photo: Watty Watson

People, places & events

23 July 2014

GOOD OLD SPOT, GREAT NEW FARE: Colin Levitan, the owner of Plett’s newest restaurant, Nepo’s (located where the old Europa coffee shop was) says, after seven years of paying ‘school fees’ by providing the townsfolk and visitors to Plettenberg Bay with top quality food, good service, and reasonable prices under the Europa franchise, the time has come for a change. ‘As human beings, it’s in our nature to keep moving, and reinventing ourselves to keep up with the times.’

With this in mind, Colin has made a few very nice changes to the menu, by condensing it, reducing prices to make it ‘more affordable for locals’ and adding new items like flame-grilled steaks. He also reminds the local fraternity of his free delivery service in and around Plett. Why not visit this well-known spot in Main Street to check out the new-look Nepo’s?

Phone 044 533 6942 to find out more.

PEZULA’S MADIBA PLEDGE: Team members from Conrad Pezula conducted a clean-up at Pledge Nature Reserve in Knysna on Mandela Day last Friday. Park manager Mervyn Crous met the team on the day and guided them through the park while trash was collected - if not much, as the park is in immaculate condition.

Says Conrad Pezula GM Gert Venter, pictured above while shaking on a good cleaning plan with Mervyn, right: ‘Some of our team brought their children along and it was a great learning experience for all. Not only did the kids learn about the local flora and fauna, but also about the importance of keeping our environment clean.’ Conrad Pezula sponsored two wooden dustbins manufactured by the folk at the Knysna branch of Epilepsy SA and handed them over to Pledge Nature Reserve at the end of the cleaning exercise.

Social Scene

FLOWERS FOR MADIBA: Staff and residents of Formosa Garden Village in Plettenberg Bay spent 67 minutes on Madiba Day gathering and arranging flowers for frail care incumbents of the Riley Wing and Price-Jones Wing of the Village. From left at back are Elizabeth Bekker and Rowena Meswatie, both members of the FGV staff. Seated in front, sister Ingrid Baker is flanked by residents Mala van Huyssteen, left, and Jeanette Mitchell. - Timothy Twidle

TWO PREZZES N BILLY AT LILY POND: The Rotary Club of Plettenberg Bay held a function on Sunday July 13 at Lily Pond Lodge in The Crags for the induction of new president Ate Bos - pictured above with past prez Ruby Chetty.

Says Rotarian, Barry Whitfield: ‘Rotary also recognises the work undertaken by members of the community and on that occasion, it was our chance to bestow a Community Service Award on Belinda Coram of Born in Africa.’ Visit www. cxpress.co.za and click on page 10 of the July 16 edition for more information on Billy’s award.

THANKS FOR MAKING MADIBA MAGIC: Bitou head of Finance Felix Lötter expressed the municipality’s gratitude to everyone who contributed towards activities on July 18. ‘I would like to thank all the suppliers and organisations that had assisted us during the Mandela Day 67 minutes of rolling up our sleeves and giving hope to those who find themselves in hopeless situations, including our neediest local residents. Thanks to Sean Gannon of Pennypinchers, Nico de Kock of Mabuseka Africa, Wessel Rabbets of Price Waterhouse Coopers, Steven Oraai of Shekyna Projects, Andre Schutte of Mason’s Marketing, Zackie Ali of Park Avenue Stationers, and Diana Barnard of Waltons. This year we decided to honour Madiba’s memory through massive operations such as painting walls, handing out of food parcels with stationery and toys, as well as fruit parcels and sandwiches to selected NGOs in KwaNokuthula. We would like to express our gratitude for the generous contributions that have been made by our suppliers and personnel. We will keep on living every day like it’s Mandela Day by striving to improve the lives of our fellow community members. Pictured above in the front row are, from left, S Heath, Z Ncera, M Noholoza, N Maredi, F Lötter, Rev Len Levendal, J Witbooi, V Prins, P Sakati, and T Nombombo, with M Memani, A Brink and E Korff at back.

At left is the jubilant Clean Plett team, headed by Alison & Nick Bryant, who tidied large tracts of Plettenberg Bay on Madiba Day - read the full story on page 4.

News & Views

23 July 2014

CXPRESS

The Cousin says come braai...now!

C

OMEDIAN Barry Hilton is taking a break from his world tour to launch a new range of braai marinades at the George Cheese Festival this weekend, where he will be manning his own ‘Nou Gaan Ons Braai’ stall.

Developed in George by Lakeland Food Company, the three marinades are the latest addition to an ever-expanding Nou Gaan Ons Braai range.

Lakeland Food Company managing director Frans Bekker said his company wanted to expand its offering with an

upmarket, MSG-free marinade range. Barry’s marinades are available in Sticky Chicken, Barbeque Ribs and Steakhouse Classic flavours.

Speaking from the UK where he is currently performing, Barry said he was looking forward to his stint in George.

“I love working and holidaying on the Garden Route - and it’s not just the beautiful surroundings, but the people are fantastic.

“I am very excited to be associated with Lakeland and I just love that these delicious

marinades are MSG-free and therefore healthier.”

Barry’s Nou Gaan Ons Braai range was developed following a comedy skit he developed in which the culture of the SA braai was explored, and made fun of - particularly the protracted process in which the actual food is only presented several hours after the guests have arrived.

The skit has subsequently attracted hundreds of thousands of viewers on YouTube.

Visit ngobraai.com for further information.

11

Paula’s pet’s our giant pillow winner!

COMING TO GEORGE: Barry Hilton – pictured here with sons Tyler, left, and Robin – is looking forward to spending the weekend in George

Congratulations to Paula McLachlan from Formosa Garden Village in Plett for being the winner of our Hill’s Pet Giant Lazy Pillow! Thanks to everyone who entered the competition better luck next time...

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CXPRESS

Home & Health

23 July 2014

Can we trust generic medicines?

A

RE generic medicines or ‘imitator’ products as good as the real thing? Many people, especially in South Africa, still feel that generics are inferior because they are cheaper than the branded or ‘innovator’ product.

Many of us are also concerned about the effectiveness of these medicines, i.e. are they as safe or as strong as the originator or innovator medicines? Fedhealth principal officer Peter Jordan says we can rest easy.

“Nowadays generics are bioequivalent to the original branded products and are a far more affordable medicinal option for many South Africans. They should be considered and recommended, where appropriate,” he says.

Generic drugs may be up to 30% (and often more) cost effective than the brand name.

“It is reassuring to know that, for the great majority of medicines, generic drugs offer the same safety and efficacy as their more expensive equivalents. The Medicines Control Council (MCC) requires that generic drugs deliver the same amount of the same active ingredient into the bloodstream at the same rate - and they’re very strict about this requirement.”

Generic drugs are less expensive because they don’t entail the same investment cost required for the research and development of a new drug - which may total billions. New drugs are developed under patent protection.

The patent protects the investment - including research, development, marketing and promotion - by giving the company the sole right to sell the drug while the patent is in effect in order to recoup the money they’ve invested.

After 15 years, the patent expires and any generic manufacturer can produce a generic equivalent product thereafter and sell it at a lower cost and under a different trade name. Once generic drugs are approved, competition keeps the price down.

Jordan points out that both the branded and generic drug must meet the same stand-

ards of good manufacturing practice (GMP). The MCC strictly prohibits manufacturing of drugs in sub-standard facilities and biannually conducts inspections to ensure GMP standard.

“Generic firms have facilities comparable to those of brand-name firms. Another important point to consider is that your generic drugs could be made by the same company making the brand-name drug because brand-name firms are responsible for manufacturing a high percentage of generic drugs,” Jordan adds.

There is fierce competition in the generics market - which

is advantageous for South Africans, particularly in tough economic times. The stronger the competition, the more competitive prices become.

Yet, South Africa is still ranked low in terms of generic usage when compared to Western countries worldwide.

Moving forward, and in an effort to provide affordable healthcare for all South Africans, Jordan believes that generics will start being recognised as sound alternatives to innovator products and medical professionals will prescribe them with more confidence.

“The Medicines and Related Substances Act 1965 allows pharmacists to inform the public of the benefits of ge-

nerics. Doctors too will start prescribing generics more readily in the future. Where there are requests from patients for cheaper generic alternatives, medical professionals will have to accede to such requests.”

In terms of medical schemes, generics mean members get far more mileage out of their day-to-day benefits as well as their chronic medication benefit.

“While there may not be generics available for all medications prescribed, there are many on the market. Members should consider generics, as these will assist in stretching their benefits, rather than them running out of benefits early in the year,” says Jordan.

Nothing like new threads to beat the freeze

Born in Africa learners were privileged to receive clothing donated via collections made at Plett Primary, Wittedrift Primary and Greenwood Independent School, as well as by Ida Jones from La Fashionista, trading from Florina Place in Plett’s Main Street.

The clothes were handed to almost 200 grateful young recipients, some of whom are pictured above. Thank you to everyone who contributed - every piece of clothing and pair of shoes has helped to make a child’s life a little brighter.

Contributing to this Community Chest campaign is non-perishable foods by vance, empower and care by sure to warm your heart and placing the items in marked combining human value with

W

ILL you spend each day of these long winter months fighting the icy cold against your skin and battling a pang of hunger that envelops your whole body?

Many of us are spared this disheartening prospect, but thousands of South Africans are again facing the harsh weather without a roof over their heads, without a snug coat against the frosty wind, and with no food to provide nourishment and warmth.

So Checkers and Shoprite have teamed up with Com-

munity Chest for a winter collection campaign that encourages customers to open their hearts and wrap those in need up in warmth, love and hope this winter.

Regional community radio stations such as Radio Tygerberg in the Cape, Groot FM in Pretoria and Kingfisher FM in Port Elizabeth support this initiative and are committed to the improvement of disadvantaged communities.

The public is urged to contribute to this worthy cause by donating clothes, blankets

Paws

Plett Animal Welfare Service

trolleys at the entrance of all Checkers, Checkers Hyper, and Shoprite stores.

Join this caring community by donating today or ask your cashier to add a donation amount to your groceries when paying at the till. You can also SMS ‘warmhearts10’ and your name to 38806 to donate R10.

Community Chest is a nonprofit organisation with a national footprint, allowing distributions to take place in the most vulnerable communities and aiming to ad-

available resources, to have a positive social impact where it is most needed.

All items collected will be distributed to needy communities across the country through Community Chest’s integrated network.

Commit to the upliftment of underprivileged communities by making a difference today - donations will be accepted until Friday August 15.

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Home & Health

23 July 2014

CXPRESS

13

Young and merry and about to start smoking?

This report was received from Plettenberg Bay resident and retired specialist ‘DR JOE’ and is included in its entirety as it might be the most important one ever read by those who are considering taking up smoking...

D

OES cigarette smoking adversely affect the health of our youngsters? The answer is ‘no’... at least, not for the present, nor for a number of years ahead.

Young smokers can still play sport, dance, and enjoy the “in” thing of smoking and the pleasures it may bring.

They also display their now grownup status.

This phase of their lives can continue for some years ahead, depending on the quantity of cigarettes smoked over the time period, until some adverse effects are noticed, the main probably being a degree of breathlessness on exertion and a niggling smokers’ cough.

Unfortunately, one of the many evil characteristics of tobacco smoke is addiction. Adverse symptoms are brushed aside or ignored in favour of another cigarette to calm the nerves.

So why is there this time lapse before symptoms arise?

An answer would need an in-depth knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems of our bodies. I will try and give some understanding of this complex matter.

On inhaling, air which contains oxygen (and smoke from a smoker), passes down the mucosa-lined passageways of the lungs (trachea, bronchi, and bronchioles) which keep narrowing to reach their final destination, the alveoli.

These remarkable microscopic clusters resemble miniature and extremely thinwalled balloons. They resemble bunches of grapes hanging from their attached twigs of a grape vine.

They inflate on inhaling, filling up with oxygenated air. Hold that picture in mind while I go on to the cardiovascular system.

Deoxygenated blood now needing oxygen refills, pass from the heart through the pulmonary arterial passageways down ever-narrowing pathways to terminate in microscopic thin-walled capillaries.

These are closely interwoven with the oxygen-filled alveoli, and where the vital interchange of gases occurs.

Oxygen (plus toxic tobacco smoke products) pass from the air-distended alveoli into the blood stream to return via the venous system back to the heart and then to every corner of the body, head to toe (toxic products included).

So-called waste products of metabolism, mainly carbon dioxide, pass back from the capillaries to the alveoli, which then contract to be exhaled. This complex system is essential to life.

Alveoli are the main constituents of lungs. But how many are there? I know of no quoted

CHOOSE LIFE: Dr Joe says youngsters should ‘ceremoniously crush their cigarettes and flush them down the loo’

number and can only guess that there are many millions.

So where does tobacco smoking come into the picture? Tobacco smoke has many bad characteristics, one of these being that it is corrosive to tissues such as mucous membranes and to the thin walls of the alveoli. So, in time, these walls are corroded and punctured - useless.

Some years ago, I read a paper in a medical journal where the author estimated that a number of alveoli (I think it was ±20) were destroyed with each cigarette smoked.

Its importance should be assessed in relation to the millions of alveoli available. We are endowed with far more alveoli than are needed for most normal activities. I consider this to be our lung reserve.

It follows that, over time, smoking progressively destroys lung capacity. Thus at times of need, the reserve will be diminished or absent.

Let’s say that our young man or woman has the first cigarette aged 15. The only initial effect may be a transient feeling of dizziness, which will soon pass.

They may continue smoking say 15 cigarettes a day until their early 30s with no obvious health problem, except perhaps that niggling “normal smokers cough”.

But one day when they have to walk up a familiar two-storey flight of stairs they realise that they are panting and more breathless than they used to be in younger days.

So what would be their likely reaction? It might be: “I’m not fit and should go back to gym.” So they smoke another cigarette to settle down.

If they do go back to gym, they might realise that they can no longer do their exercises as in past times. From my experience, such smokers are reluctant to accept smoking as cause, as their addiction prevents them from kicking the habit.

What about that niggling “normal smokers’ cough”?

In my experience, an X-Ray may reveal much more sinister causes and two possible future scenarios: 1. Medical advice persuades them to stop smoking. Does that mean they are out of danger, health-wise? Unfor-

tunately, no. They can carry on living normally and regain some of their health loss, but the toxic effects of years of smoking will persist.

It has been estimated that the danger of major effects such as cancer (of lungs, pharynx, bladder, etc.), cardiovascular catastrophes (heart attacks causing sudden death, stroke, gangrene of the feet, etc.) can still occur up to five years after stopping, diminishing possibility over the next 10 years.

To summarise, the toxic elements of smoking are distributed in one’s circulation from head to foot (viz. stroke in the head, and Buerger’s Disease/foot gangrene). And you’ll be totally free of tobacco’s effects only after 15 years of non-smoking.

2. Carry on smoking. The adverse effects are too numerous to discuss in detail in this report but, to mention a few in summary: You will hopefully carry on living and coping with diminished health - more likely so for periodic smokers, whereas the rest will proceed to chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

This condition has been described to me by patients as “living death”, and is one I have witnessed only too often.

Then there is the unexpected appearance of various forms of cancer, particularly Primary Bronchial Carcinoma of the lung, which is described as a “silent killer”, as symptoms are few other than that irritating smokers cough.

In the same vain are cancers of the throat and bladder.

Periodic and persistent infections of the chest such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and the coughs associated with the common cold or flu may persist much longer than in non-smokers.

A common complaint I have heard is: “Doctor, I just can’t get rid of this coughing, even though I am taking bottles of cough mixture.”

A healthy-looking friend in his 40s and of robust build was a heavy smoker. I often tried to persuade him to stop, but he usually replied: “Joe, when you got to go you got to go.” And he regarded my efforts as a bit of a joke.

One day, he was referred to my X-Ray Department for a

Barium Meal after a suspected duodenal ulcer.

During the routine preliminary chest screening I was shocked to see a mass the size of a golf ball in his left lung. It was obviously an advanced Primary Bronchial Carcinoma (cancer). He had had no warning symptoms.

To cut a long story short, he stopped smoking when he got the terrible news. Over the following months he lost weight at an alarming rate and died about a year later, leaving a wife and young children.

Another tobacco victim...

So how do you kick the smoking addiction? I can’t give a definite answer. I know of many who have tried reducing their daily habit, but this does not work. My advice is to ceremoniously crush your cigarettes and flush them down the loo.

Then never again accept a cigarette from a well-meaning friend or give in to the addictive craving for a smoke.

My advice to our youngsters? Show strong character and resist the temptation to try it, or to join your friends and peers who are already smoking, assuring you it’s not bad for you.

Your aim may be “a short life and a merry one”, but should be “a long life and a healthy one”.

Read CXPRESS online at www.cxpress.co.za

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23 July 2014

Classifieds

On the Soapbox

23 July 2014

Letters to the Editor

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

Cycling for the frail for 50 hours In CXPRESS of July 9, we included a letter by DAVID KLEYNHANS that informed readers of his 26-hour cycle trip from Cape Town to Knysna, to raise awareness of the plight of our seniors and funds for the residents of Vermont Centre - and last week, we received this update on his return trip After a productive sojourn during the first weekend at Knysna Oyster Festival, Monday morning dawned and I made sure all my gear was recharged and ready for a 2pm departure.

I stopped briefly in Sedgefield for some coffee and cake and, when getting to George, I pulled over to put on some warmer clothing and fill up with coffee round 6pm.

Hitting the Outeniqua Pass,

Where there’s smoke...

A reader who prefers to remain anonymous sent this picture and wrote: ‘The pall of white smoke that covered Plett last Wednesday morning originated from the municipal dump, where it appears rubbish that had recently been pushed over the bank had caught alight. This did not affect operations at the dump, although there were four water tankers attempting to douse the fire - which had apparently been accomplished by late afternoon.

Well done to the Plett Fire team!’

Object to Plettenberg Bay drop-off station by Friday Living next door to the Plett dump, which should have been closed four years ago, it came as big surprise when I found out that the site next door to the existing dump will now be used for a dropoff station.

Apparently the new facility will be used for household and garden refuse as well as builders’ rubble.

The problem we are faced with here is that this station will be in clear sight from the road (next door to the water tower and where the old recycling station used to be) to all locals and visitors who use Robberg Road to get to the beautiful nature reserve of Robberg Peninsula, as well as visitors travelling to and from Plett Airport.

The pickers, or vagrants, will still be present and threatening everyone entering the site. Rubbish will be blown all over this part of town and, as we have come to know, there will be no control (remember

CXPRESS

what the recycling station was like?), while the current dump remains in a state that is nothing less than disgusting.

Surely there is a more appropriate site, which is not located next to an upmarket estate and on the main approach to Plett from Harkerville and the airport?

This is particularly the case since Provincial plans are in the works to upgrade the Harkerville road through to the N2.

To my knowledge, this is one of seven stations to be erected, and objections must be lodged by emailing larry@ rmsenviro.co.za by Friday July 25.

Rubbish is a dirty business but is our responsibility. The Plett site has suffered enough damage and can only be bad for tourism in its current location. So please log your objections by way of email and let’s find a more suitable drop-off site for Plett.

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I was welcomed with a light drizzle, which only lasted for about half an hour.

When arriving in Oudtshoorn, I found a spot to grab a bite and hit the road again by 9:30pm.

Getting to Calitzdorp was easy... ‘till my body felt the temperature: minus-four degrees! It was now 1:15am and I stood at the side of the road, desperately trying to get some blood circulation through my hands. Only after about 30 minutes did I regain feeling in my fingers.

Arriving in Ladismith in time for breakfast (6:40am), I’ve never had a more welcoming cup of coffee, serving too to fully defrost my fingers.

After a relaxing breakfast in front of a fireplace, trying to reach Barrydale seemed impossible – the town kept avoiding me!

When I finally got there, I grabbed a bite before getting back to the road. It was 3:45pm.

Pulling into Montagu, I

looked up a friend and was invited to warm up on some hot chocolate to get ready for the next stretch (7pm).

Getting to Robertson meant trying to keep the legs going.

It was 11:30pm when I arrived, replaced some batteries and ‘refuelled’.

I arrived in Worcester at 5am and had a quick coffee before hitting Du Toits Kloof Pass, where I stopped to wonder at the beautiful

15 snow on all the peaks. When pulling into Paarl at 10am, I had to remove some layers of clothing. I was ready for the final leg of my journey.

When hitting Cape Town at 4pm on Wednesday, I had a wonderful feeling of having conquered any qualms about spending 50 hours on a bicycle! *Xkukv" yyy0ecwugu0eqo1 HTCKN6QCJ"vq"hkpf"qwv"oqtg" cdqwv"Fcxkf‚u"ecwug0"/"Gfu0+

16

CXPRESS

Sport & Adventure

23 July 2014

Ross Taylor’s last wish was for caring, sharing, giving... and surfing!

T

HE sixth Ross Taylor Surf Contest, held at Buffels Bay from August 8-10, is now just about two weeks away.

As last bequest of a brave young Knysna local, the event has over the past five years delivered five weekends of amazing surfing, while serving as welcome fundraiser for Knysna Sedgefield Hospice.

This year’s entry field is filling up rapidly leaving

only a few spots to fight for, with surf fanatics from all over the country amped to go. The organising team is on track with planning and logistics to ensure another bumper event brimming with entertainment for all.

Says organising team member Nicky Goodall: “This event has become a firm fixture on the surf calendar and we are thrilled to be welcoming back all of our loyal supporters, some surfing fami-

lies returning for the sixth year running.

“It’s truly wonderful to see so many families taking part in the event, with mom, dad and kids all taking to the water in different divisions.

“Beach activities like sandcastle building and our fun walk, as well as the nowfamous happy pancake-baking team, will all be back to make the weekend extra special. We also have an openair movie night on Friday for

the whole family to enjoy.”

This year’s Saturday benefit bash will be by reservation only, with many amazing auction items, music and dance all lined up for the evening’s entertainment.

“There are a couple of new additions to the weekend that we are sure will add to making this year yet another memorable one for our contestants and spectators alike,” says Nicky.

“Once again, we thank all

our sponsors and supporters of this fantastic event. It is without doubt the local support received every year that makes this an annual beacon of caring, sharing, giving... and surfing!”

Visit www.rosstaylorsurf contest.co.za or the Facebook page Ross Taylor Surf Contest for additional information, and email ross taylorsurf@gmail.com or call Nicky on 083 412 4598 or Louise on 072 467 1665 with queries. *Ugg"vjg"cfxgtv"qp"rcig"37+0

Dream results for Crags rider at PE champs Savannah Gierke from The Crags, pictured here in full flight on Dream Prince, has once again won the Eastern Cape Junior Open Eventing Championships held in Port Elizabeth during the weekend of July 18-20. Eventing is a particularly challenging competition comprising three disciplines - dressage, show jumping and cross country. Pushing both horse and rider to the limit, participation requires weeks of intense preparation, so congratulations are due to Savannah and Dream Prince for doing Plett proud on this highly competitive provincial level.

Photo: Pauline Herman

ASWD’s Jo-Ané is off to the Olympics!

Athletics South Western Districts is proud to announce that javelin ace and ASWD Sportswoman of the Year Jo-Ané van Dyk was selected to participate at the second Youth Olympic Games held in Nanjing, China, from August 17-28. A small team of two boys and five girls were selected by Athletics South Africa and will be accompanied by team manager Chris White and coach Pierre Blignaut.

Congratulations, JoAné! We are looking forward to following your participation and achievements during the Youth Olympic Games and wish you the very best of luck. For more information, call ASWD general manager Michélle Jacobsz on 044 873 0023.