24 august 2016

24 August 2016

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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Catch me if you can...

Photographer Glenn Murray captured this image on a bright afternoon last week when a Cape Town boarder tempted gravity down the Beacon Way hill - with a Plett Traffic official or two in hot pursuit. Said Glenn: “It’s not legal and definitely not endorsed but this guy, who goes by the name of Stefan Niewoudt, obviously had huge fun in his adrenaline pursuit.” So no, don’t try this at home or anywhere else in the ‘hood, and let’s enjoy this vivid reminder that it’s now a mere eight days’ countdown ‘till spring!

Dragging rape case takes its toll

Arson suspected in Wilderness fires

What’s with the Rand?

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NEWS & VIEWS

24 August 2016

Driving Miss Crazy

Second-hand book find reminds of Bob Hope’s universal appeal JEEVES shares his adventures as Garden Route chauffeur extraordinaire...

OU don’t have to be an avid ‘reader’ (that’s hard copy, dears - not YouTube, News24 and the like) to stop a while and browse through the used-book sales you find in the malls, at the markets or church bazaars.

The choice in literature is vast, varied, interesting, historical - even cheap. You’ll definitely come across a copy or two of something that’ll grab your fancy.

By the way, the subject matter of the two most widely-sold books in the world is, a) on food or how to cook, and b) how to diet - i.e. how to put on weight, and then how to lose it!

One of the books I picked up at a Hospice or KAWS second-hand book sale recently was about Bob Hope: KBE, KC*SG, KSS...

Born Leslie Townes Hope in 1903 in England, he was the son of a stonemason,

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but also an American comedian, vaudevillian, actor, singer, dancer, athlete, and author (Don’t shoot, it’s only me, Have Tux, will travel, etc.).

--On dropping Mrs Jones off at the hairdresser one day, I took the book along for the read while I waited for her to emerge.

And here, for you to savour (over coffee and a croissant), are some of Bob Hope’s classic one-liners - and a few new ones too!

• “Bigamy is the only crime where two rites make a wrong.”

• “I thought ‘Deep Throat’ was a movie about a giraffe.”

• As a boxer: “I ruined my hands in the ring. The referee kept stepping on them.”

• On his six brothers: “That’s how I learned to dance. Waiting for the bathroom.”

• On his early failures: “I would not have

anything to eat if it wasn’t for the stuff the audience threw at me.”

And as the years passed by...

• On turning 70: “I still chase women, but only downhill.”

• Then on turning 80: “That’s the time of your life when even your birthday suit needs pressing.”

• And 100: “I don’t feel old. In fact, I don’t feel anything until noon. Then I take a nap.”

Finally, on his death bed, they asked him where he wanted to be buried. His answer?

“Surprise me.”

Haaaah, what a man! Hope you’re smiling too.

‘Till next time, belt up! - Jeeves

HISTORICAL ONE-LINERS: With Jane Russell: ‘Culture is the ability to describe Jane Russell without moving your hands.’

With United States President Richard Nixon: ‘Watergate gave dirty politics a bad name.’

With Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Junior: ‘Golf is my profession show business is just to pay the green fees.’

On turning 90: ‘You know you’re getting old when the candles cost more than the cake.’ (He died aged 100 in 2003.)

Jogging Down Memory Lane

Derek Frielinghaus

Do you remember those times - the places and people?

N CXPRESS of August 17, we featured an image of a small crowd gathered around one magnificent fish [view on page 2 at www.cxpress.co.za]. Peter Monson and one of the youngsters pictured, Michael McCarthy, were the only Plett locals I could recognise, and we asked readers to get in touch if they could name anyone else in the photo.

Richard Goodwin was quick on the draw and enlightened me thus: “The person on the right of the photo next to the big fish has to be Stevie Hough!”

Then Peter Monson sent an email, sharing the memories below: I saw the photo you posted in CXPRESS… Wow, that was an amazing fishing trip. I had a friend, Ernie Blom, who had a holiday house here in Plett, and he

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had a Butt Cat boat that he used when coming on holiday. I used to go fishing with him as I knew where all the different reefs were.

On that day, there was a fishing competition at the Ski Boat Club and they were members. I took them down to Nature’s Valley just off the Bloukrans Bridge and we caught some good fish.

Then I hooked into this 35kg red steenbras on a 1.7m fishing rod and 6.5kg line with a Jigmaster reel. I was using light line as I know more points are given for light tackle.

When we landed and did the weigh-in, it was a world record. But later on we were told the world record could not be recognised, as I had not renewed my club membership - what a disappointment that was.

But I had red steenbras steaks in the deep freeze for a long time and a memory of note. I had Tinker Milner mount the head on a wall plaque for me. That fish had the most frightening mouth full of teeth you have ever seen.

The fishing used to be good in the old days. In the photo posted is the weigh-in bridge and the guy with the black hair is an advocate from Cape Town with a home around the corner from the beach. I am not sure of the other people.

Thanks for the photo - it brought back some good memories.

• Email your early Plettenberg Bay reminiscences to haus@mweb.co.za (with or without your name), or drop it off in hard copy at the CXPRESS office at 6 Park Lane in Plett CBD.

NEWS & VIEWS

24 August 2016

Dragging out of 83-yearold’s court date takes toll on victim’s family Each court postponement is taking its toll on a little girl from The Crags who was allegedly raped by an 83-year-old man last year YOLANDÉ STANDER reports HE nine-year-old girl’s mother spoke out this week after the case against her daughter’s alleged rapist was yet again postponed.

“Every time he [the accused] appears in court, she stresses and her performance at school suffers. We pray that this case is resolved quickly so she can start working through the trauma,” the victim’s mother said.

The man, who cannot be named until he has pleaded, on Monday took his place in Knysna Regional Court dock for the first time since the matter was transferred from the Plettenberg Bay Magistrate’s Court earlier this year.

The matter was, however, postponed to September 6 for the accused to consult with his lawyer.

The man is accused of raping the little girl just before Christmas last year after calling her to a flatlet

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he was renting from the child’s grandparents.

The unit is on the property of the girl’s grandparents and the crime allegedly took place while the girl was visiting them.

He allegedly asked the girl to write a letter on his behalf to her grandparents asking them if he could borrow something from them. Once inside the flatlet he allegedly raped her.

During his bail hearing in February, the court heard that he allegedly admitted to police that he had raped the girl after she undressed herself and went to sit on his bed. He allegedly said to police that he did it because he “was just a man”.

But when testifying in his bail hearing, he denied any wrongdoing. He was subsequently released on R1,000 bail.

The girl’s mother said that since the incident her daughter, who turned 10

recently, had undergone behavioural changes.

“She often locks herself in her bedroom and doesn’t want to speak to anyone.

She has also started using rude words, words she never used before. We try and take her out of town as much as possible to try and remove her from this environment, but financially it is taxing.”

She added that the thought of having to face the man in court weighed heavily on her daughter.

“She is fearful of the chance of coming faceto-face with him. We have explained that she did not have to physically see him.

“She is also scared that when the case finally goes to trial, she would have forgotten what she wanted to say.”

The girl’s mother said that the trauma had also taken its toll on her entire family. “It has really been a difficult time for us all over the past eight months.”

Do you recognise this suspected ATM crook?

Yolandé Stander

LETTENBERG Bay police have turned to the public to help solve a crime after a man scammed a French tourist out of a large amount of money in March this year.

Police spokesman Captain Marlene Pieterse said the incident took place on March 10 at about 11:35am at the Absa ATM in Main Street.

The victim, a visitor from France, was busy withdrawing money from the bank when the suspect approached him. “This happened while the tourist was entering his PIN and select-

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ing French as the preferred language,” Pieterse said.

The suspect allegedly leaned over the man’s

BEHIND YOUR BACK: This image recently became available and shows the man, at left, suspected of relieving a French tourist of a substantial amount of cash

shoulder and pressed several buttons on the ATM and moved away.

“The screen showed that the transaction had been rejected. The complainant then cancelled the transaction, but his card was not returned to him.”

Pieterse said the tourist reported the incident inside the Absa branch, but by then a large undisclosed amount of money had been withdrawn from his account.

She asked readers who knew the whereabouts of the suspect to contact detective Constable Zingisa Mtirara on 044 501 1922 or 044 501 1941.

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These are the councillors in charge of Bitou since August 3 EADERS have requested information of all elected councillors in the Bitou Municipality, and the list below was provided by municipal spokesperson and media liaison Manfred van Rooyen “Currently we only have 12 councillors, due to the resignation of the PR councillor of the Democratic Alliance, Douglas Baartman,” explained Van Rooyen, adding that the resignation letter was received before the inaugural meeting of the Bitou Council on Friday August 12.

“Municipal manager Allen Paulse has accordingly advised the IEC of the vacancy on our Council,” he said.

“The next candidate on the DA’s proportional list will then become the PR councillor, except if the DA changes its proportional list.”

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NEWS & VIEWS

24 August 2016

Bitou Municipality political office-bearers • Councillor Msimboti Peter Lobese: Executive mayor (Active United Front, PR councillor) • Councillor Euan Vernon Wildeman: Deputy mayor (African National Congress, PR councillor) Members of the Executive Mayoral Committee • Councillor Peter Lobese • Councillor Euan Wildeman • Councillor Sandiso Enoch Gcabayi (African National Congress, Ward Councillor, Ward 6) • Councillor Lungiswa Monica Seyisi (African National Congress, PR councillor) Speaker

THE SOUP KITCHEN & AYETHU EDUCARE CENTRE

Provincial traffic officers seize drugs worth R370,000

• Councillor Mpakamisi Mac Mbali (African National Congress, Ward Councillor, Ward 5) Bitou representatives on Eden District Municipality • Councillor Memory Booysen (Democratic Alliance, PR Councillor) • Councillor Nomhiki Cynthia Jacob (African National Congress, PR Councillor) Ward Councillors • Jessica Noreen Kamkam (DA Ward 1) • Wayne Robert Craig (DA Ward 2) • Xola Matyila (ANC Ward 3) • Anne Stephnie Maureen Windvogel (DA Ward 4) • Annelize Renata Olivier (DA Ward 7).

As part of regular unannounced operations, officers of Eastern Cape Provincial Traffic seized drugs worth approximately R370,000 on the N2 near Grahamstown on August 14. A Greyhound bus travelling from East London to Port Elizabeth and then westwards to the Garden Route was stopped by the officers. While searching the trailer, chief traffic officer Glen Muller, officer Njibane and officer Kalipa pictured above from right to left with the confiscated contraband - found a black suitcase packed with Mandrax, tik and cocaine. No arrests have been made so far and members of the public with information in this regard are asked to contact Ntombizomzi Bala of Eastern Cape Communications on 083 287 6771.

Finding a new system of practice Ian Dewar

ROM the evidence of their footprints of behaviour, it appears that there have been only two systems of evolutionary practice over the ±200,000 year path of human development; the original system of cooperative hunter-gathering and the current system of competitive production-trading.

The ancient footprint of hunter-gathering on nature was so light on the land it is barely discernible in the archaeological record.

At the other extreme, the current footprint of production-trading has become so vastly devastating it is on the verge of becoming the sixth major extinction event in the ±4-billionyear history of life on the planet.

The good news is that in order to address this crisis, in 1992 at the Rio Earth Summit, 179 Heads of Government agreed on the Agenda 21 strategy as ‘the blueprint for sustainable development in the 21st century’.

Even better news is that, as a result of Madiba’s legal revolution, our lawmakers quite brilliantly captured the overarching ‘ecological’ ethos of Agenda 21 into Section 24 of the Bill of Rights in the new SA Constitution.

24. “Everyone has the right (b) to have the environment protected, for the benefit of present and future generations, through reasonable legislative and other measures that (iii) secure ecologically sustainable development and use of natural resources while promoting justifiable economic and social development.”

Agenda 21 was only a strategy for policy development. The ‘ecologically sustainable development’ of the Constitution on the other hand is a lawful constitutional right, which, in Section 4(2)(j) of the Municipal Systems Act, is designated as a duty which the council of a local municipality must ‘progressively realise’.

The dilemma is that, like transformation, this is just not happening. There is a tremendous variety of new ‘eco-practice’ going on, but the mainstream institutions of the economy and government remain stubbornly locked-in to their old path of business-as-usual.

This inability to change can be explained by the fact that there is no precedent for a working system of eco-practice with which to inspire meaningful institutional change.

And herein lays an opportunity for South Africa with its law for a new system of evolutionary practice.

All that is required is the research and prototype development of a pilot system to demonstrate a working precedent at a viable economy-of-scale. The research and eco-innovation of this practice is therefore a major new industry just waiting to happen.

The pertinent question is” which local government is up to leading the charge?

F Drop off point at Sotheby’s, 25 Main Street, Summer Hill, Plett

In need of dry/canned food, new/used clothing & stationery for the centre...Please give generously.

NEWS & VIEWS

24 August 2016

Plettenberg Bay experts help battle wild fires in Wilderness

N Monday, captain Malcolm Pojie of the SAPS Media Centre in George confirmed that a case of arson had been opened following the recent fire that razed a number of homes in Wilderness on August 11.

The investigation will be carried out by officials of George Fire Brigade, based on a tip-off received from a member of the community.

“These allegations are being investigated. So far no arrest has been made and we appeal to the community to come forward should they have any information that can assist the George police with the investigation,” said Pojie.

The fire was fuelled by dry weather and berg wind conditions, while the situation is said to have been worsened by the fact that Eden Fire Services crews - including those of Knysna, Mossel Bay, and Oudtshoorn - were tied up fighting fires in several other locations when the Wilderness blaze was reported at around 2pm that day.

This dearth of equipment and crew resulted in Plett veteran Ian Barnard and his George-based partner, Christo Theron, being contacted by the district’s Disaster Management HQ, as their services and expertise were desperately needed when it became clear that a residential area was under threat.

In the two years since they established their NPO called Firstcare Wildfire Services, Ian and Christo have also assisted with fires in St Francis and Cape Town, when local manpower and equipment proved inadequate to extinguish dangerous fires without reinforcements from elsewhere.

This month’s Wilderness inferno - which was

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NO REFUGE LEFT: The Hoekwil fire was fuelled by strong winds and razed several homes in Wilderness - pilot Nico Heyns was instrumental in curbing the carnage

FIRE WHIRL: Also known as a ‘fire devil’ or ‘fire twister’, the fire tornado pictured here during the Wilderness blaze occurs when intense rising heat and turbulent wind conditions combine to form whirling eddies of air Photos: Ian Barnard

initially regarded less threatening, as it posed no immediate danger to houses or people - was no exception, and along with Plett volunteers Steve Myburgh and Eric Barnard, Ian fought the blaze for 12 long hot hours after their 3pm callout.

The Firstcare bakkie has a skid unit mounted on its back, allowing extremely effective assistance to the district’s fire-fighting equipment. And with the help of helicopter pilot Nico Heyns’s indefatigable water-bombing efforts from the air, the crews were finally allowed to stand down at 4:20am on August 12.

Ian - whose day job involves the manufacture and installation of steelworks such as sliding gates and burglar bars serves as fire marshal and has been part of Plett’s firefighting team since 1998, while also boasting experience in the field in Port Elizabeth and Dubai.

As part of chief Hedley Venter’s 30-odd crew, residents of Bitou and beyond can rest assured that experts abound when fire disaster strikes.

Please call the investigating officer, detective warrant officer Jerome Malan, on 044 803 4764 or 082 297 9629 if you have anything to confidentially report in this regard.

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NEWS & VIEWS

24 August 2016

Jessie and her KTK crew are set to change the world, bit by bit

TOP GIRL: Clever Jessie Fielding, left, has much to offer her young charges at KTK Africa - turn to page 6 of the June 22 edition at www.cxpress.co.za to read about her recent ‘perfect score’

few years ago when Jessie Fielding was 14 and in Grade 9, she decided to spend some of her free time volunteering in the Plettenberg Bay community.

She could have picked up litter on the Bitou River for WESSA or helped PAWS raise funds at The Market Square, but she had her own ideas: Jessie decided to tutor less privileged children in her spare time in the afternoon.

It sounds like a pretty big plan for a 14-year-old kid, but she soon figured out how to go about it.

Jessie spoke with Neil and Rie Uys at the Wimpy across the street from Plettenberg Bay Primary School and they graciously offered her a table to use; she distributed leaflets at the primary school and started tutoring at the Wimpy on Tuesday afternoons.

As we all know, Plett is a small town and when her classmates found out what she was doing, they volunteered to help. And thus, KidsTeachingKids (KTK) had seen the light!

Jessie is now in her final year at Greenwood Bay College and KTK Africa operates at three venues around town: Wimpy on Tuesdays, New Horizons on Wednesdays, and Wittedrift on Thursdays (except during exams, when everyone needs to concentrate on their studies).

Jessie started with three kids and now KTK tu-

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tors about 50 kids a week, helping them with reading, maths and homework in general - whatever is needed, really.

The high schoolers are called Explainers, and though the idea was helping the little kids, it turns out the Explainers are getting a lot out of it, too.

They take on the role of teacher rather than student, and become role models for the younger kids. They mature as they learn about responsibilities, leadership, team building, and more it’s amazing to watch.

The younger kids are often surprised but invariably thrilled that someone actually cares enough to be there for them and explain things.

It is difficult to fully understand the odds that are often stacked against these little kids. Classes can be so large that teachers don’t have the time to help, and sometimes parents are simply unable to.

Providing these kids with the help they need before they become disillusioned and give up is absolutely key, and the very basis on which KTK was formed.

This helping hand to get over the hurdles means we can expect more of these kids to thrive, finish their education, and become productive members of society.

Started with one ninthgrader’s great idea, KTK blossomed when her friends volunteered to help. It’s been

running at Bay College (and now GBC) for a while, and it grew further when Wittedrift High - the small school with a huge heart - joined the initiative this year.

Says Jessie: “The launch of our Wittedrift Chapter was a really special thing - it was the first time I really got a chance to stand back and watch. There was so much enthusiasm, from both the Explainers and the little kids, and right in front of me KTK took on a life of its own.”

KTK is working on setting up new chapters in Knysna and then beyond.

The plan is to spread the idea across the Garden Route and then nationwide.

“If each one of us does just the little that we can, then bit by bit we will change the world,” she enthuses.

Hats off to Jessie Fielding and her team of Robyn Thomson, Cina van der Mescht, Matthew Nagel, Wade van Zyl, Robyn Cunningham, Taylor Kromhout and Ava Loots - you’re doing Plett very proud, and South Africa, too.

• A simple idea, executed by a few Plett kids, is going a long way to help with our education crisis. Who would have thought this was happening right under our noses - and if these kids can do so much with so little, what can we as adults do to help them and KTK to succeed?

Check out www.facebook. com/ktkafrica for details.

PLEASED TO EXPLAIN: The KidsTeachingKids team help younger children to keep the faith and gain confidence in their academic abilities during weekly sessions at three different Plett venues

BUSINESS

Investor Focus

24 August 2016 Malcolm Stewart – Investment manager at Michaelides Parker Wealth Knysna & Plett

Factors that influence the Rand REDICTING the Rand has proven to be impossible. Professionals will always refuse to project a value, citing the incredible volatility as creating an impossible environment.

However, there is certainly a series of factors that do influence the currency which, if better understood, make its movements easier to comprehend.

Firstly, there is the fundamental calculation of its Purchasing Power Parity (PPP). This is based on the differential between the US inflation rate and the South African inflation rate.

For example, if one assumes a US inflation of 2%, and a South African rate of 6%, then according to the PPP-theory the Rand should depreciate against the US dollar by 4% per annum, i.e. you will have to pay 4% more each year for the same item in SA as you would in the US. The PPP value of the Rand is currently a little above R10/US$. A stable international environment together with better economic growth both in SA and globally could well see the Rand trending in this direction over the next three to four years.

Then there are the political influences that buffet the Rand (as they do other currencies). To better understand this sphere of influence, one must remember that the Rand is seen as a global emerging market currency.

It is often used as a proxy for what is happening in

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other emerging countries, particularly when their markets are closed, or their economies are seen to be similar to ours.

The recent Brexit surprise saw a massive move in the R/GBP rate from ±R22/ GBP to R17/GBP in a very short time.

Over the next two years there are a series of elections in the pipeline that could influence global currencies - the US in November, Europe over the next 18 months, the Italian referendum on austerity in October this year, and our own national elections in 2019.

‘It is an impossible task, so don’t try and be too clever - invest in sound companies that straddle the globe.

Otherwise, just keep it local’ The third influence is the massive disparity in global interest rates. The actions or even the words of Central bankers will send markets off in anticipation of any changes that may be perceived.

In a situation where investors have to pay banks for holding their funds, it is easy to see the attraction of 8.5% being offered by our long bonds. This is known as the carry trade. It is incredibly fickle and powerful in the short term, but is an all-pervading influence behind the scenes.

The use of “free” credit influences all investment decisions particularly in the

large global companies who have ready access to funds with a wide range of interest differentials.

Predicting the Rand becomes an impossible task.

Those who believe that all investment values eventually revert to their true level will ultimately see the Rand back at its true PPP value.

In the interim, the political influences will buffet this trend while the words of Janet Yellen in the US Fed, or any other Central banker, could send it off in the opposite direction.

Then there are those who see our own domestic economic policies as being the dominant influence and envisage a continued downward trend in the price.

That global interest rates will eventually normalise is probably inevitable, however Japan has held their rates at near zero for over a decade.

These influences each have their day in the sun… for a while (read: one month or a decade)! It may be the PPPtheory that dominates, or our politics may be seen to have improved, or Euroland is seen to be recovering.

It is an impossible task, so don’t try and be too clever.

Invest in sound companies that straddle the globe and are less influenced by shortterm currency fluctuations.

Otherwise, just keep it local!

• Malcolm has been in the investment industry for nearly 50 years. He has written this column in CXPRESS for the last 18 years and is a specialist in managing retired wealth.

CXPRESS

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INTERVAL

24 August 2016

How children perceive their grandparents was in the bathroom, putting on my makeup under the watchful eyes of my young granddaughter as I had done many times before.

After I applied my lipstick and started to leave, the little one said: “But Grandma, you forgot to kiss the toilet paper good-bye!”

I will probably never put lipstick on again without thinking about kissing the toilet paper good-bye.

--My young grandson called the other day to wish me Happy Birthday.

He asked me how old I was, and I told him, 80.

My grandson was quiet for a moment, and then he asked: “Did you start at one?”

--After putting her grandchildren to bed, a grandmother changed into old slacks and a droopy blouse and proceeded to wash her hair.

As she heard the children getting more and more rambunctious, her patience grew thin. Fi-

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nally, she threw a towel around her head and stormed into their room, putting them back to bed with stern warnings.

As she left the room, she heard the three-yearold say with a trembling voice: “Who was THAT?” --A grandmother was telling her little granddaughter what her own childhood was like.

“We used to skate outside on a pond. I had a swing made from an old tyre; it hung from an oak tree in our front yard. We rode our pony. We picked wild raspberries and apples in the woods.”

The little girl was wideeyed, taking this all in.

At last she said: “I sure wish I’d gotten to know you sooner!”

--My grandson was visiting one day when he asked: “Grandma, do you know how you and God are alike?”

I mentally polished my halo and I said: “No, how are we alike?’’

Something to think about Y wife has some days when she wants us to ‘talk about things’.

We were discussing aspects of our future, so when it was my turn I asked her: “What will you do if I die before you do?”

After some thought, she said that she’d probably look for a house-sharing

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situation with three other single or widowed women who might be a little younger than herself, since she is so active for her age.

Then she asked me: “What will YOU do if I die first?”

I replied: “Probably the same thing.”

“You’re both old,” he replied.

--A little girl was diligently pounding away on her grandfather’s word processor. She told him she was writing a story.

“What’s it about?” he asked.

“I don’t know,” she replied. “I can’t read.”

--When my grandson asked me how old I was,

I teasingly replied: “I’m not sure.”

“Look in your underwear, Grandpa,” he advised. “Mine says I’m four to six.”

--A six-year-old was asked where his grandma lived.

“She lives at the airport,” he said, “and when we want her, we go get her.

Then, when we’re done having her visit, we take her back to the airport.”

How to pose with statues...

SOCIAL SCENE

24 August 2016

DO NOT READ THIS… is a heading guaranteed to get readers to pay attention, thus eliciting the opposite reaction! This kind of creativity is indicative of the success behind Sparklife Studios - the brainchild of dynamic duo Walter Corbett and Erik van Niekerk. A couple of Fridays ago, they hosted a bash celebrating the graduation of their latest batch of 3D graphic illustrators referred to as ‘Blenderheads’, and Knysna mayor Eleanore Bouw-Spies was on hand to present Cameron Stander - pictured with her at right - Duncan Havemann and Angus Herwels with their well-deserved achievement certificates. Sparklife Studios also recently produced the DA electorate theme song in collaboration with the fresh voice talents of Shaza Greef over the afro-chic rhythmic beats of Smokestack Lightning Studios. Another local talent present at the cheery do was Piet Frans - cartoonist behind the cheesecurl loving Knysna tree frog ‘Brother Zeb’ - to launch his first comic strip book, while announcing the finalisation of two comic novellas in the very near future. Finally, the night marked the start of production on the animated fulllength movie ‘Stefanie’, as well as the 15-week countdown to ‘The Garden Route Kalabash in Knysna’. Billed as the largest entertainment event to hit the Route, Kalabash is a collaboration between Sparklife and Creative Events.

People, places & events

SKILLS DEVELOPED THROUGH WOOD: This year’s Working with Wood Show, presented by the Association of Woodturners SA (AWSA), will be held at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University's George Campus from August 26-28. The focus of this event lies in the upliftment of surrounding communities through woodwork. Besides the myriad of wood and timber-related products, skills and machinery on display, the event’s main aim is to reawaken the interest in carpentry and place wood firmly back on the centre stage where it once lived. With this in mind, the American Association of Woodturners’ board, on invitation of AWSA, will launch two of their outreach initiatives - Turners without Borders and Women in Turning - during this weekend’s festival of wood. The latter project recognises that globally, women are in the top rankings of woodturners. A move away from the traditional male domination has been noticed, with women making their mark in the industry and many of them finding new meaning in life. Pictured at left is the beautiful international DYI icon Carmen de la Paz, who will be launching two upliftment initiatives during the Working with Wood Show and Woodturners Symposium. Besides the many woodturning lectures, the Working with Wood team is also offering three days of woodworking demonstrations and workshops at no charge. Entry to the show is R20 (no charge for under-12s). Phone 082 416 3398 or email fran@ out-there.co.za or alex@ circumference.co.za for further information.

LIFE IS NO DRAG FOR THIS QUEEN OF CABARET: ‘Corné’, pictured here in some of her different guises, will regale a select crowd on August 27 at Zanzibar from 7pm onwards - a firstever event of its kind for Plettenberg Bay. Her 80-minute cabaret 'Life is a Drag' will feature a wide variety of items, from a rendition of Nataniël’s ‘Madame Butterfly’ to Dowwe Dolla and Casper de Vries impersonations, and interpretations of songs by Liza Minelli, Christina Aguilera, Barbra Streisand, Cher and every other songbird you can think of. Tickets cost R125 per person and can be bought from organiser Gerrie, who explains that the multi-talented Corné has been in the industry for 15 years, and has starred in all the major drag shows ever staged in SA. “Her other talents include fashion design, while she is also a foodie and personality extraordinaire!” Call 079 264 4349 or email gerrie70@gmail.com for details.

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24 August 2016

CLASSIFIEDS

ON THE SOAPBOX

24 August 2016

Letters to the Editor

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

Every vote counts Well, the ANC rules again in Bitou - this despite the DA garnering 49% of the votes and four of the ward seats, while the ANC attracted only 41% of the votes and won three of the ward seats!

Clearly the formula used by the IEC to allocate Proportional Representation (PR) seats is flawed, as the ANC were awarded three PR seats to the DA’s two seats, notwithstanding that the DA received over 2,850 votes more than the ANC. However in the end, based on the IEC formula used to determine the allocation of PR seats, the DA needed only 21 more voters to secure a further PR seat, in which case the DA would have retained control of Bitou and the good work done

by the municipality over the past five years would have continued.

Instead, in all probability, we will have the ANC dispensing their own particular brand of management over our municipality for the next five years.

On Election Day, August 3, I have no doubt that there were at least 21 more residents of Plettenberg Bay, who would normally have supported the DA and who were in town on the day, but who had not taken the trouble to register to vote, or who simply did not take the trouble to queue and vote.

Add to that those who voted for smaller parties (such as the ACDP, which realistically had no chance of winning a seat in Bitou), who might

otherwise have voted for the DA. Every single vote counts on a proportional representation basis, and people who did not vote on voting day should consider the result of

their actions.

They will have no grounds to complain about service delivery or mismanagement by the ANC Council over the next five years.

B Knight, Plett

No-vote notion had far-reaching consequences for Bitou I notice a deathly silence since the ANC took over Bitou Municipality. I find it hard to accept that the party that took almost 49% of the vote is not in charge. The ANC with 41% must be pretty eager to undo the good work done by the DA! Before the elections it was stated by many that “a vote for a small party is in fact a vote for the ANC”.

Well, Bitou is proof of it.

About 1,700 people voted for the various small parties and what do they have

to show? Not a single seat, whereas the DA was 21 votes short of an outright majority.

“My vote won’t make a difference.” It did for the more than 700 voters in Ward 2 (Plett) who didn’t vote. To all my friends who thought it was too cold and unpleasant to go and make your crosses - shame on you! I hope I never hear you complain again.

Next elections, think about the consequences of your choice.

H de Wet, Plett

Please introduce us to people in Bitou’s pound seats Pursuant to the municipal elections held throughout South Africa on the third day of this month, may I venture to suggest that Bitou Municipality publish the names of the members of the new council, together with a photograph, the

allegiance and the portfolio of each councillor?

I, for one, am not sure who the 13 members of the present Bitou Council are and I have been unable to access the pertinent information. Moreover, many people that I speak to in Plett are also una-

ware of exactly who the council members are.

In the past, I have been criticised by former council members for not knowing the names of the councillors and justifiably so, but if the necessary information is not published for the information

of Joe Public, it is difficult for an individual to know exactly who are and who are not council members.

TR Twidle, Plett (Thanks for the suggestion, Mr Twidle - please turn to page 4 for an update on who’s who in Bitou’s new council. - Eds.)

Open letter to SANParks after microlight incident Dear Nandi [Mgwadlamba - spokesperson] and Jonathon [Britton - SANParks Wilderness marine ranger], I would like to add my voice to those already concerned over the behaviour of Barthlo Haremse in his microlight over Wilderness lakes recently.

In my capacity as ornithologist, programme director of the regional NGO Nature’s Valley Trust, and regional representative of the Western Cape Birding Forum on the Executive Board of

BirdLife SA, I would like to ask SANParks to deal with the situation swiftly and decisively.

I feel there is sufficient cause and evidence to make a bold statement that behaviour like this is not acceptable. Not only is the area a national park, but also a Ramsar site, specifically designated internationally for birds like flamingos.

Having worked firsthand with the flamingos recently affected by a powerline collision from

the same area, I feel the general public needs to see a firm stance from SANParks, and would like to ask for a case to be opened up against Mr Haremse.

Not only was his behaviour unacceptable, but his reasoning and dismissive attitude reported in the press suggests that some members of the microlight community are not correctly informed of appropriate legislation covering the area, or are not too bothered about breaking the law in this regard.

A strong message to this community will go a long way towards preventing further such incidents.

Dr Mark Brown, Nature’s Valley (For those who’ve missed recent reports in the local media: the low-flying antics over Wilderness lakes of a microlight pilot caused havoc among a flock of flamingos, adding fuel to residents’ and birding bodies’ woes after several flamingos were killed or injured when flying into power lines at Swartvlei. - Eds.)

Time is valuable, but children much more so...

Parents, have you ever thought how much a few more minutes in the morning mean to your child?

My sister, my mother and I wait every morning for the bus at Engen to go to Wittedrift High and watch with astonishment how many parents drop their children off at the garage,

CXPRESS

only for them to have to cross the busy road on their own - often before the traffic officer arrives.

What does a few extra minutes every morning cost? Well, it could be the difference between going home that night to a family, or not at all.

Really, the school is

just across the road; it’s not blocks away or inaccessible by car and only by foot. It would mean so much if you just went to the effort. Do you remember, when you were a child, how you felt when your parent did that?

And always hug and kiss your child and say “enjoy

your day!” Who knows what may happen to you that day? My mother does without fail, and she waves at us when the bus leaves.

Time is valuable, I know, but so are children - and crying when they’re gone will not bring them back.

Wendy Morrow Wittedrift High, Grade 9

La Luna

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CXPRESS

SPORT & ADVENTURE

24 August 2016

Enter Tour de Plett before August 31 and win big TO Group has come on board as title sponsor of the sixth Tour de Plett, scheduled to take place on October 8, and organisers Club 100 Plettenberg Bay is rather chuffed about this partnership that will ensure a bigger, better TdP than ever before.

Prize money of R40,000 will be split between the top three finishers in the Women’s and Men’s Marathon, but take note that only riders with a CSA professional racing license are eligible for their share of this fat purse.

“It is one of the most beautifully-organised races ever,” says 2015 Men’s MTB Marathon winner Dylan Rebello.

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“Much thought has gone into the scenic route, which is tough yet visually rewarding. Not often do you get to ride in the mountains and forests, and then get to finish on the beach.”

This year, three floating bridges again ensure access to several kays of pristine track, so the winning recipe of amazing routes that include the challenge of tough climbs and technical descents, balanced with the fun of flowing single-track, is retained.

Entering this year’s Tour de Plett becomes even more tempting when taking into account that the race is paired with the hugely successful Sasfin Plett Wine &

Bubbly Festival (October 7-9), as well as the fact that TdP has partnered with Robberg Express Trail Run on Sunday the 9th.

The latter is widely regarded as one of the most challenging and beautiful trail runs in the country, and those keen on tackling both the cycling and running events now have the unique opportunity to enter the run at a discounted price.

Finally, if you enter online before August 31, you will be included in a draw for two nights’ accommodation at Sea Breeze four-star B&B, valued at R2,500.

Visit www.tourdeplett.co. za for all the details and to enter online.

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This team, featuring the best U12 rugby players in CX Country, impressed selectors at district level when representing the KPS region in Oudtshoorn on Saturday, with other teams including Karoo, George, Mossel Bay, Hessequa, and Kannaland, as well as two invitational teams.

The boys thank Ivor White of Knysna Primary School for facilitating a practice session before the big day, and Plett Primary School for the loan of its rugby jerseys, kindly sponsored by the generous team at Pennypinchers Plett.

Great Outdoors Diary • Readers are invited to join the Bongani and Khayalethu river clean-up on August 25. The aim is to work together around the selected sites to pick up litter from the rivers for safe disposal at landfill sites. Participants will meet at Bongani sport field at 9am.

• Sign up for the 4.9km Blue Run in aid of male cancer awareness on August 27 at 9:30 from Harkerville Market (R30pp, or R20 for kids). Walkers are welcome, too - call 082 688 3152 for more information.

• The next Knysna Garden Club meet is on August 31 at 9:45 for 10am at ‘Charmante’, 13 Queen Street, Old Belvidere. Park at Holy Trinity Church and walk along Queen up the paved road to #13. Visitors are welcome. Phone 044 387 1966 for details.