24 february 2016

24 February 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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Rivers policed by new law Rape accused, 83, gets bail Bitou municipal update p7-10

Buff countdown begins p16

Members of the SAPS Sea Border unit based in Mossel Bay undertook a routine river inspection on the Keurbooms recently, observing river users’ behaviour and checking boat operators for the necessary certificates and safety equipment. Read more about the recently promulgated bylaws that will end the Wild West days on Bitou’s rivers, on page 4.

Photo: Errol Finkelstein - CapeNature honorary river officer

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CXPRESS

NEWS & VIEWS

24 February 2016

That sinking feeling... more MS Klipfontein memories shared

Crew carried on serving tea to the end as Dutch ship went down The HENK BOLHUIS series ‘Legal Alien’ - the story of how the Bolhuis family came to settle in South Africa in 1959 - and in particular the part dealing with the sinking of MS Klipfontein in CXPRESS of December 2 (read it on p2 of that edition at www.cxpress.co.za) brought another two interesting stories to light, the first being that of Knysna resident Jane Jones N the January 27 and February 3 editions, Peter Hatz from Plett shared the account of how he as 18-year-old on January 8, 1953, was a passenger on RMS Bloemfontein Castle and witnessed the sinking of MS Klipfontein not even 200m away.

Reading these stories immediately triggered the memory of Jane Jones of Knysna, whose grandmother was a passenger on the ill-fated Dutch liner that

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day and survived the ordeal. The following is Jane’s story as told to me recently: I remember the incident as though it happened yesterday. I was a young girl, just about nine years old, living in Springs shortly before moving to Johannesburg. At the time, I was aware of the fact that my dear grandmother (we addressed her as ‘Gran’) was once again off on one of her regular vacations.

A widow, aged about 66

at the time, Gran was a seasoned traveller and in the years before, she had made several boat trips to the UK to visit her daughter and also to Beira in Mozambique, to stay with one of her best friends.

We knew that this time she had embarked MS Klipfontein - one of three Dutch luxury ocean liners regularly travelling up and down the East African coast - in Cape Town (I believe it was on Wednesday January 4) and was off to Beira again.

Then, just a few days after her departure I remember my dad rushing into the room with a telegram in his hand, clearly upset.

“Gran’s ship has sunk!” he exclaimed, and quickly added, “but she’s alright they’re all fine, all passengers and crew.”

Thereafter it was pandemonium in the house - dad on the telephone and pacing up and down desperately trying to get through to Beira to get hold of Gran. Eventually he succeeded and was able to talk to her personally and get further details.

Then, a week or so later, my parents went to the cinema and there, prior to the movie and watching the Pathé News Reel, they saw the whole rescue operation.

As one of RMS Bloemfontein Castle’s life boats came into close-up view, dad actually saw Gran and apparently shouted out: “My God - look, there’s mother!”

I could hardly wait for Gran to come back to Johannesburg but finally, after having stayed with her

SUPER GRAN: Gran Henderson had survived a major shipping disaster and lived a further 25 years to finally die in 1978 at the ripe old age of 91

friend in Beira for quite a while, she returned and I had a chance to talk to her and hear the whole story from her own lips.

Not that it was easy to get any details… Gran wasn’t a person who went around telling everybody about her experience; on the contrary, I had to really persuade her.

She told me how on that beautiful Sunday morning of January 8, they had left Lourenço Marques on the final leg to Beira. Most people were enjoying themselves on deck, and tea and cakes were being served by the ship’s crew.

All of a sudden she felt the ship shudder and heard a strange noise; moments later there was a warning of some kind informing passengers that the ship had struck a submerged object and was sinking. All aboard had to abandon ship.

Gran told me the one thing that stood out for her at the time was the attitude and actions of the crew of MS Klipfontein.

There was no panic and everything was done in a quiet, controlled and calm manner - staff on deck actually carried on serving tea almost right up to the end. Some crew members even joked about it, saying: “Now we can just leave everything on deck and we won’t have to wash up!”

In the meantime, RMS Bloemfontein Castle had come into view and was lying just aft and to the port side of MS Klipfontein and had begun to send their lifeboats across. Although the sea was relatively calm,

there were nevertheless big swells and the Klipfontein crew had decided to pump some bunker oil onto the waves to calm the water down even more.

By this time the ship was listing slightly to port and the bow was slowly going under water and as the lifeboats came along side, passengers had to jump into the water to escape the sinking vessel.

Gran told me that they had not been allowed to return to their cabins and subsequently had to leave everything behind, even the things they had with them on deck whilst queuing for the lifeboats.

After some further prodding, she told me that once she and some other passengers had embarked in one of the lifeboats soon everybody, except her, became violently sea sick.

Then she added: “The worst thing that happened that afternoon, however, was an elderly man in our lifeboat who was terribly upset, because he had lost his dentures.”

Finally they had been hauled up on board RMS Bloemfontein Castle, where the crew and passengers were “just absolutely wonderful” and had assisted every one of them supplying many of the wet survivors with dry and clean clothes, especially those who had been covered in oil.

Thereafter they were given tea and food and temporary accommodation.

I desperately tried to get more out of her, wanting to know whether she actually saw the sinking of “her” ship and how she had felt in those moments, but being a very modest and reserved person she just wasn’t one to “blurt out” things and that turned out to be the end of her story.

Gran Henderson had miraculously survived a major shipping disaster and lived a further 25 years to finally die in 1978 at the ripe old age of 91.

NEWS & VIEWS

24 February 2016

CXPRESS

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Elderly rape accused quoted by police as saying he was ‘just a man’ Yolandé Stander

ASPS echoed through the Plettenberg Bay Magistrate’s Court on Monday when it came to light that an 83-year-old alleged child rapist allegedly admitted that he had raped a nine-year-old girl from The Crags last year.

The elderly accused, who cannot be named until he has pleaded, applied for bail Monday after initially turning down the option earlier this year.

During his bail hearing the investigating officer in the matter, Constable Yolandi Carolus, testified that the accused told her that the little

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girl had undressed herself and climbed onto his bed.

He then allegedly raped her.

Carolus said she asked him why he had done that.

“He told me that it was because he was just a man,” Carolus said. But when the accused took the witnesses stand he denied any wrongdoing.

Carolus also testified that the girl told her the accused had been the one who pulled her pants down and placed her on the bed before he allegedly raped her.

The suspect is accused of raping the nine-year-old girl just before Christmas

last year after luring her into his flatlet on her grandmother’s property.

According to police reports, he was renting the flatlet from the child’s grandparents at the time of the alleged incident. It is believed that the suspect called the girl to his home while she was visiting her grandparents and asked her to write a letter on his behalf.

He allegedly needed the letter as he wanted to borrow something from her grandparents. It came to light during the bail hearing that he wanted to ask her for meat.

Protesters behind bars but no murderers arrested for Crags Valentine’s stabbing While the safety of Crags residents is being addressed at provincial level, locals have started taking the matter into their own hands following the brutal murder of an upstanding 20-yearold resident on February 14 - YOLANDÉ STANDER reports TEAM PLAYER LOST… Franklin de Waal (born 27 August 1995) was a pivotal part of a local soccer team and manager/coach Arthur White wrote to CXPRESS, saying: ‘It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to the Great Pouw. The management of Kurland Strikers as well as the players are heartbroken after the death of a beloved team mate and player. We say farewell to him and strongs to the family and his oneyear-old baby.’

RANKLIN de Waal’s body was discovered by a family member in Geelhout Street in The Crags on Valentine’s Sunday. He was stabbed in the chest.

Despite allegations by the local community about two possible suspects, police said that there was no evidence that linked the men to the murder.

This led to community outrage with some members damaging the alleged suspects’ home.

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Last Thursday, about 700 residents participated in protest action in the community, some protesters plundering the home of the alleged suspects.

By Monday morning, it was the residents behind bars and not the alleged murderers. Police arrested seven people allegedly linked to the plundering.

Resident Yvonne Mapondo said the community was upset over the way police was handling the situation.

“We just want justice for our children,” she said. She added that police knew it was a volatile situation and should have had sympathy with the community. They, however, brought the suspects back to the community after questioning.

She added that the community planned further protest action by the time of going to print. The two alleged suspects have since left The Crags.

Plett SAPS spokesman Lt Marlene Pieterse confirmed that seven people would appear in court on public violence charges on Wednesday. Police appealed to anyone with information to call the investigating officer Constable Tertius Wolmarans on 044 501 1943 or 076 946 6825, or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.

In the meantime, Bitou mayor Memory Booysen vowed to take up the issue of safety in The Crags with Western Cape MEC for public safety Dan Plato.

She reported the matter to her family who reported it to police. The man was arrested and appeared in the Plettenberg Bay Magistrate’s Court on December 22.

He was set to apply for bail on January 11, but informed the court that he no longer wanted to continue his bail bid as he did not have the money for bail.

Carolus did not oppose bail on Monday as she did not believe the accused was

a flight risk, that he would interfere with the case, or that he would intimidate the complainant or witnesses.

He vowed to move to Knysna and stay with his grandchild.

But prosecutor Henriette Breedt told the court that sex crimes against children in the Plett area had reached “epidemic proportions” and that the community had had enough.

The accused asked the

court to release him on warning as he had no money, but added that his grandson had R500 to pay should the court require money for his release.

Magistrate Andre Maqubu said that this would not send out the correct message to the community and set bail at R1,000.

He postponed the matter to Wednesday April 6 for further investigation.

Garden Route Media

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CXPRESS

NEWS & VIEWS

24 February 2016

Rivers now regulated, with new body to advise on bylaw OLLOWING the promulgation of the Bitou Municipality River Bylaw, affecting usage of rivers in and near Plett, a public meeting was held on February 16 to consider details that required further refinement. The meeting was attended by Bitou officials and about 25 people representing a variety of interests.

After discussion of the previous process, the meeting unanimously agreed to propose to the Municipal

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Manager (MM) that a committee be formed to advise the MM regarding the bylaw and its implementation.

The committee is to comprise representative organisations who in turn represent the major river users, as well as the relevant Council officials. Many items are within the scope of the River Bylaw or up for discussion, including: • Enforcement of the longstanding boat permit ‘No Wake Zone’ from the river

mouth near Poortjies all the way up to the N2 bridge; • Enforcement of the ‘Skiing’ zone in its traditional area, above the N2 to the marker buoy, between 10 am and 4pm. Most believe that uncontrolled skiing cannot continue as the traffic volumes have grown exponentially and are now far beyond dangerous. Other skiers and water traffic cannot safely pass through the ski zone due to the highspeed uncontrolled traffic

in season (90+ boats were counted skiing simultaneously in high season in the small ski area).

• Other enforcement matters imposed by national or other laws include boat annual sea worthy certificates, skipper’s tickets, safety equipment, anti-pollution measures, clarifying construction of jetties, fishing and bait collection, environmental protection, etc.

• Further items for discussion include annual permits,

fees, mooring and public jetties, volunteers forming a ‘River Neighbourhood Watch’, jet ski ban, house boats, commercial activities, under 16-year-olds commanding power boats (currently permitted by a quirk in the SAMSA National Regulations), signage need-

Finkelstein’s take on new Bitou River bylaw XPRESS asked Errol Finkelstein, in his capacity as chairman of the ‘in the process of registration’ Garden Route Biosphere Reserve (a UNESCO project), how the new bylaw fits into the bigger picture.

“I’m encouraged about the future health of Bitou Municipality’s rivers, including the Piesang.

Water security for the area and the country is a vital issue and all of the above is part of the regulatory framework involved,” says Finkelstein.

He was on hand when members of Mossel Bay’s Sea Border unit undertook a routine river inspection on February 13, from the Keurbooms mouth all the way up to Whisky Creek, to observe land-based behaviour and on-the-water activity.

The officers told Finkelstein that they had fined two people for operating boats without the necessary Captain’s Certificates and/or safety equipment on board.

Having been extremely involved in the formulation of the recently promulgated Bitou River Bylaws, Finkelstein advises that the ‘Wild West’ days on these rivers are numbered.

“Resources are being activated to better manage, preserve and utilise some of Plett’s most iconic assets - the lagoon, the estuary, the rivers, their

C ENTRY FORM

Prize

Youth Water

Competition 2016

Do you have an invention that will help us save water?

And are you a student between grades 8 and 9 or, are you perhaps a teacher?

If so, enter the South African Youth Water Competition and stand a chance to win great prizes, including an overseas trip to Stockholm in Sweden.

Name of school: ______________________________________ Name of teacher: _____________________________________ Tel of school: ________________________________________ Name of student/s: ____________________________________ Tel of student group leader: _____________________________ Name of project: ______________________________________ _____________________________________________________ Description of project: __________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________

For competition details visit www.dws.gov.za or contact the Department of Water and Sanitation's Toll-Free number on 0800 200 200 info@dws.gov.za Competition closes on the

29 February 2016

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Big Toll-Free: 800 200 200 www.dws.gov.za

ed on the river, abandoned fishing trawlers, no passage at all for boats of certain excessive weight/size, etc. and a possible phase-in period for certain aspects of the local bylaws.

Email riverwatch@parsun. co.za with any input for the committee’s consideration.

banks, and all who use them. Many dedicated individuals are passionate about the area and its part in the greater scheme of things.

“It seems the late 20th and early 21st centuries will be regarded as a time when mankind realised that the planet can take only so much abuse from us humans. But it will also be remembered as the time when we realised we could roll back past damaging practices and encourage a better, more sustainable way.”

He says that simple indicators are encouraging, e.g. the fact that, “against all odds, the transient flamingo population of the Bitou and Keurbooms has risen over the past three or so years, as recorded in part by your paper, from 11 to 21, to over 60 last week”.

Finkelstein concludes: “Viewing this flamboyance of flamingos quietly feeding in the shallows has been a great reward.

The apparent saving of the Oyster Catcher population on these waters from extinction, and their continuing growth in numbers is another example of our capacity, with a little thought, to arrange our affairs in such a manner so as to not impede, but actually to co-exist with nature, the environment and each other.”

• Visit www.cxpress.co. za for more in this regard.

NEWS & VIEWS

24 February 2016

Keep calm and don’t panic: Canine Distemper is lethal but preventable DR JANNIE NAUDÉ of Plettenberg Bay Vet Clinic sets the record straight so our many canine-loving readers can make informed decisions rather than react in panic to the general notion that a local outbreak of Canine Distemper spells doom for all dogs

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ANINE Distemper is a highly contagious and lethal disease caused by a virus which is closely related to the human measles virus. The clinical signs shown by affected dogs can vary, but most commonly include: • Fever • Discharge from eyes and nose (usually with pus and mucous, and crusts can form around the nasal passages and eyes) • Coughing • Vomiting and diarrhoea • Neurological signs like seizures, off balance,

muscle tremors, paralysis, convulsions, and blindness.

The virus is transmitted mainly by air (although it can also be spread by urine and faeces) and is therefore commonly contracted when dogs are in direct contact.

To prevent your dogs contracting this highly contagious disease, it is important that vaccinations are done for all dogs from a young age. A very effective vaccination exists and is routinely given by vets to puppies and adult dogs.

The so called 5-in-1 vaccination that dogs should receive annually contains the Canine Distemper vaccine, while also protecting dogs against other core diseases.

Puppies should be vaccinated at six weeks of age and again at nine and 12 weeks.

After these initial vaccines, it is important to keep your dog’s immunity up to date by vaccinating every year. If only one vaccine is given and the follow-up boosters are missed, or if you don’t vaccinate every year as is neces-

sary, the dog’s immunity will disappear completely and it will be highly susceptible to Canine Distemper.

In any outbreak of this disease, it is crucial that all dogs showing the clinical signs are taken to a vet immediately, and that infected dogs are isolated.

If your dogs’ vaccinations are up to date, it is unlikely that they will get infected but to be safe, rather avoid public places and other dogs - particularly unvaccinated animals - during such a time.

NYSNA Animal Welfare Society (KAWS) has frequently been on the receiving end of scathing comments on social media for their stringent vetting of potential adopters and for charging an adoption fee.

Statements like ‘I find it insulting to have my home inspected and having to pay for a pet when I am offering a loving home to an unwanted dog or cat’, have been bandied about.

KAWS is responsible for

Can you afford to own a pet?

A once-off sterilisation operation will be ±R1200 for a male dog, R850 for a male cat, R2,000 for a female dog and R1,000 for a female cat. The KAWS adoption fee of R450 for a cat and R600 for a dog covers vaccinations, deworming, initial flea and tick control, and sterilisation.

So, although this may not be ‘free to a good home’, it certainly is a bargain.

• Visit www.knysnaaws. com for more information.

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the safety and physical and mental health of each animal that comes to the shelter - a responsibility not taken lightly. With the emphasis on ‘welfare’, all decisions are taken to benefit the animal in question. Sadly, a love of animals is not enough to sustain its needs.

The lifespan of a dog or cat can be as long as 15-20 years, and sound financial planning is essential to en-

sure its ongoing wellbeing.

Conservatively, not allowing for medical emergencies, a typical medium-sized dog’s basic upkeep will be ±R4,000 a year and a cat’s R3,500. This includes an annual vaccination (R340), deworming biannually (R75 dog, R32 cat per annum), flea and tick control (R100/ month - R1,200pa), and medium-priced food (R2,400/ dog and R1,920/cat).

CXPRESS

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CXPRESS

NEWS & VIEWS

24 February 2016

Geluk soos bewoord deur Mej Cloete van Kranshoek KADEMIESE koördineerder by Born in Africa Belinda Coram het CXPRESS laas week genader om, in haar woorde, ‘n “baie groot guns” te vra.

“Een van my leerlinge het ‘n pragtige opstel geskryf as deel van die vereistes vir Wittedrift Hoërskool se Visarend Toekennings.

Is dit moonlik om haar inspirerende woorde met jul menigte lesers te deel?”

Maar natuurlik, Belinda!

Hiermee bied ons aan...

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RAGNÉ SE GEDAGTES JEENS ‘GELUK’ Is jy ‘n gelukkige persoon?

Is jou glas half vol of is jou glas half leeg? My naam is Ragné Cloete van Kranshoek en ek is ‘n leerling by Wittedrift Hoërskool. Ek is in Graad 10 en ek vra myself die vraag: “Waar ontstaan gelukkigheid?”

Soms sien jy paartjies wat in restaurante ‘n ete saam geniet, maar hulle gesels geen woord met mekaar nie. Hulle kleredrag spreek van duur make te wees, maar die uitdrukking op hulle gesigte is baie nors.

Hulle staar altwee verby mekaar in stilte. Dit lyk vir my of hulle nie baie geluk-

PROPVOL GLAS: Ragné Cloete weet dis belangrik om mens se geluksplantjie goed nat te lei, en dat geld beslis nie geluk kan koop nie

kig is met mekaar of met hulself nie. Dis duidelik dat geld nie altyd geluk kan koop nie.

Dan op ‘n ander geleentheid het ek by die strand gesit en die hawelose man dopgehou wat ‘n stuk hout vir sy hondjie langs die see gooi. Met elke gooi hardloop die klein brak om die stuk hout te gaan haal en die man skater van die lag, sy mond sonder tande!

Daardie man lyk vir my vanaf diep binne homself baie gelukkig, al besit hy weinig aardse besittings.

Ek is maar 15 jaar oud - of jonk - en weet nie veel van die lewe nie, maar wat ek wel besef terwyl ek grootword, is dat geluk binne in jou hart gebore word.

Ek dink ook dat dit ons elkeen se plig is om hierdie kosbare gevoel van geluk, hierdie “plantjie”, water te gee deur die mooi dinge in die lewe elke liewe dag raak te sien.

Wanneer laas het jy tyd gemaak om langs ons strande te gaan sit en die mooi natuurskoon te bewonder, die see lug diep in te asem?

Wanneer laas het jy dankie gesê vir die feit dat jy sig en gesondheid het om dit te kan sien en te kan ervaar?

Die pragtige sonsondergange hier, die skoon lug, ruimte om in vrylik te beweeg sonder bomme wat om jou ontplof, vriendelike mense, ‘n blou oseaan, pragtige blou berge, loeries, walvisse, dolfyne - net ‘n paar dinge wat ons kan inspireer om gelukkig te wees.

Ek stel weer die vraag: “Is jou glas steeds half leeg, of is hy nou half vol?”

COUNCIL NEWS

24 February 2016

CXPRESS

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CXPRESS

24 February 2016

COUNCIL NEWS

24 February 2016

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CXPRESS

24 February 2016

COUNCIL NEWS

PROPERTY

24 February 2016

CXPRESS

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Construction commences at One Beachy Head Drive

STYLISH LINES: Design of the units includes subtle references to the surroundings, the use of wood and rustic finishes lending a contemporary, pastoral and unconventional feel

N case you haven’t noticed yet, while driving down Odland Hill you’ll see that construction has started at One Beachy Head Drive - the popular area’s first gated estate. Situated on the hill to the right of the Beacon Island Resort, the construction team has started piling for foundations.

Only four individual erven are available in this unique development, with house sizes ranging from about

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450-600m2.

Designed by world famous architects Stefan Antoni/ Olmesdahl/Truen in association with Simplicitas Architects, the objective was to create prominent contemporary, modern and unique signature homes offering privacy, security, sea views, light, and exposure.

The development is perched on a prominent hill overlooking the Piesang River valley, Robberg and Central

Beach, with vistas of the lagoon, beach and famous Beacon Isle Hotel.

House plans vary to include four bedrooms with en suite bathrooms, a pyjama lounge/TV room, terraces, separate staff quarters, yard and double garages.

An open-plan in/outdoor living, dining, kitchen and outside swimming pool area forms the nucleus around which the houses evolve.

Although the contemporary architectural lines of the houses are paramount, there are subtle references to the surroundings with the use of wood and rustic finishes here and there, lending a contemporary, pastoral and unconventional feel.

These recurring paradoxes make for an interesting and unique project full of feeling and soul. An in-depth study of the climate and specific characteristics of the plot determined the layout and positioning of the houses to ensure the most natural light, protection from prevailing winds, privacy, and maximum views.

The detailing of the design is visible throughout and the finishes and structural elements are a lesson in construction, in and of themselves, to bring about a development that is state of the art and stylish, yet rustic, simple and relaxed.

Says Hein Pretorius, exclusive mandate holder and principal of Sotheby’s International Realty Plett: “The beachfront of Beachy Head Drive has seen recent growth that is way above the national market.

“Whereas beachfront sites were selling for around R17-million a couple of

years ago, they have now increased to around R27-million – and these are southfacing sites.

“One Beachy Head Drive is north-facing and is the first gated estate on what is one of South Africa’s high-

est value areas. It is state of the art, stylish and unique, with magnificent sea views.

“Homes are designed to ensure harmonious living within a secure environment while maximising views and privacy. What more can you

ask for?”

Asking prices are from R19,600,000 including VAT (no transfer duty). Call Hein on 083 701 3159 for more details and see the adverts on this page and the cover for current listings.

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CXPRESS

INTERVAL

24 February 2016

Did you hear about the new restaurant called Karma?

There is no menu - you get what you deserve.

My favourite animal O UR teacher asked what my favourite animal was, and I said: “Fried chicken.”

She said it wasn’t funny, but she couldn’t have been right, because everyone else laughed.

My parents told me to always tell the truth. I did.

Fried chicken is my favourite animal.

I told my dad what happened, and he said my teacher was probably a member of PETA. He said they love animals very much.

I do, too. Especially chicken, pork, and beef.

Anyway, my teacher sent me to the principal’s office.

I told him what had happened, and he laughed, too.

Then he told me not to do it again.

The next day in class, my teacher asked me what my favourite live animal was.

I told her it was chicken.

She asked me why, so I told her it was because you could make them into fried chicken.

She sent me back to the principal’s office. He laughed, and told me not to do it again.

I don’t understand. My parents taught me to be honest, but my teacher doesn’t like it when I am.

Today, my teacher asked me to tell her what famous person I admired most.

Me: “Colonel Sanders.”

Guess where I am now… ?

On Spanish oysters... tourist stopped at a local restaurant following a day roaming around in Madrid.

While sipping his wine, he noticed a sizzling, scrumptious-looking platter being served at the next table.

Not only did it look good - the smell was heavenly. He asked the waiter: “What is that you just served?”

The waiter replied: “Si Señor, you have excellent taste!

Those are called Cojones de Toro, bull’s testicles from the bull fight this morning.

A delicacy!”

The tourist said: “I will have the same, please.”

The waiter replied: “I am

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so sorry Señor. There is only one serving per day because there is only one bull fight each morning. If you come early and place your order, we will be sure to save you this delicacy.”

The following day the tourist returned, placed his order, and that evening was served the one and only special delicacy of the day.

After a few bites, he called to the waiter and said: “These are delicious, but they are much, much smaller than the ones I saw you serve yesterday.”

The waiter shrugged and replied: “Si Señor. Sometimes the bull wins.”

A certain level of sensitivity HE room was full of pregnant women with their husbands.

The instructor said: “Ladies, remember that exercise is good for you. Walking is especially beneficial.

It strengthens the pelvic muscles and will make delivery that much easier.

“Just pace yourself, make plenty of stops and try to stay on a soft surface like grass or a path.

“Gentlemen, remember you’re in this together. It

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wouldn’t hurt you to go walking with your wives.

In fact, that shared experience would be good for you both.”

The room suddenly became very quiet as the men absorbed this information. After a few moments a man, name unknown, at the back of the room, slowly raised his hand.

“Yes?” said the instructor.

“I was just wondering...

Would it be all right for her to carry a golf bag?”

Do you have this in a size for people who actually eat?

SOCIAL SCENE

24 February 2016 PMF RIDES WAVE OF SUCCESS: The Plett Music Festival (PMF) from February 18-21 at The White House provided sparkling entertainment while raising funds for the further improvement of primary education in Bitou. The line-up opened with ‘Guitar Magic’, a double bill that brought together the talents of Derek Gripper and Shawn Phillips. The second evening saw ‘The Three Waiters’ - pictured at left from left are Thozama Dyasi, Mhlekazi Mosiea and Zolina Ngejane - delighting a capacity house with a selection of music drawn from opera, the contemporary idiom, jazz and traditional SA standards while the audience enjoyed fine food from Nguni restaurant. At right from left are German nationals on holiday in Plett, Rolf & Ursula Neuhaus and Birgitt Pagenberg. As eventide fell on Saturday the 20th, festival-goers thrilled to the splendid choral talents of the renowned Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University Choir, below, shortly returned from a tour of China. The 60-member choir sang a diverse range of sacred and popular favourites, including Xhosa rhythms and the work song ‘Shosholoza’ - almost SA’s unofficial anthem - as well as chants of praise to the man whose name is given to their seat of learning. The festival closed with a stellar performance by songstress Cat Simoni who took those in attendance on a whirlwind tour of ‘Divas Around the World’, embracing the timeless contributions of Edith Piaf, Ella Fitzgerald, Marlene Dietrich and Miriam Makeba. Pictured at left are the Van Willen family of New Horizons, who enjoyed watching daughter Coryn, left, sing a supporting act earlier that evening. The PMF 2016 was organised yet again by Ann Fermor, Jill McIlleron and Carmen Clews, together with the invaluable help of Susie Ovenstone and staff of The White House and Nguni. - Timothy Twidle

Photos: Coreen Morrow

HAVING A BALL: The Wittedrift Valentine’s Ball saw teens dressing up to the nines for a night of cool and foot-stomping tunes. Pictured above are Jessica & Wendy Morrow, and some of their fellow Valentine’s dancers looking sharp for the occasion.

People, places & events GOOD CONDUCTOR: The award-winning Cape Town Youth Choir conducted by Leon Starker, right, will perform two distinctive concerts in the conservatory of the Rose Pavilion at Bosky Dell this weekend to benefit the Plett Aid Foundation/Hospice Plett, Eyethu Educare and Plett Meal Centre. The first takes place on Saturday at 3:30pm (R200pp including tea and treats), and the second on Sunday at 11:30am (R350pp including summer luncheon and a glass of wine).

After completing a BSc at Maties, when he sang in the Stellenbosch University Choir, Leon joined Bellville High as Science teacher in 1990 and started training their senior choir, who won the Prague International Choir competition under his direction. He has been responsible for the Cape Town or ‘Pro Cantu’ Youth Choir’s success since 2003, and also conducts both the DF Malan School Choir and St Cyprians Girls Choir. The performances at Rae and Greg Gilbert’s rose paradise off the Plett N2 should sate all senses. Get your tickets from The Market Square info kiosk and contact Lady Conyngham on 044 533 5178 or at aconyngham@ telkomsa.net for details.

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24 February 2016

CLASSIFIEDS

ON THE SOAPBOX

24 February 2016

Letters to the Editor

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

Knysna needs that bypass - for tourism’s sake Your article about the Main Street crossing [go to www. cxpress.co.za and read it on page 4 of the February 10 edition] highlights the chaotic state of traffic, road surfaces, and almost nonexistent safe pedestrian crossings in Knysna.

This situation has prevailed for many years already and is getting progressively worse by the day.

The condition of the street surfaces is appalling. Try and travel around Knysna with a fractured shoulder to get medical treatment; try to get through the bottlenecks on the way to George; try to visit friends in the holiday season -

agony, pure and simple.

The potholes, uneven surfaces, faded lines, conglomeration of signs and hideous advertising boards add to a nightmare that has turned Knysna into a messy, ugly little town. Its charm has been wiped out!

To make matters worse, they have put two nasty big humps on the road to the Hospital. Is this to slow down the ambulances or to cause more pain to the patients?

Why does Knysna Municipality turn a blind eye to these conditions? Why did local businesses and ratepayers vote against the N2 bypass proposed sev-

eral years ago? How many mega-vehicles actually stop and bring any money into the town?

You have shot yourselves in the foot by blocking the N2 bypass proposal. It took me one hour to travel through town from the first to the last robot on December 27.

The holiday traffic mingled with huge trucks, chemical and gasoline tankers (a major environmental hazard if there ever was one) and every other kind of transport passing through Knysna must surely be off-putting to the tourists you so highly value and need for your economic survival.

The condition of the road surfaces must be addressed

by Knysna Municipality with urgency and the N2 bypass should be implemented immediately, no matter what the cost.

The N2 is a major trunk and national highway along the Southern Cape coast; it serves millions of people right up through the Eastern Cape to Durban and beyond and SANRAL should allocate funds without delay.

M Matzener, Plett (This letter was forwarded to Knysna Municipality for a response but none had been received before going to print. – Eds.)

Jet skis addressed, but what about the leaf blowers?

For or against, most people seem to have firm opinions about jet skis, and the debate flared up again on our pages late January when a Plett holidaymaker lamented their presence in the bay. CXPRESS of February 17 carried an ‘Open letter to Bitou’ on the subject, along with a response from mayoral spokesperson Manfred van Rooyen. Below is the conclusion of those comms as well as another author’s view on a semi-related bug bear...

Dear Mr van Rooyen, thank you for your rapid and prompt response to my open letter of February 9 - I note your replies to my concerns.

In particular, I thank you for the opportunity for the wider public and myself to participate and comment on the proposed by-law once it is opened to public participation, and of course I will actively participate in any such discourse, as I hope will all other concerned members of the public and potentially affected parties.

I trust that Bitou Council will give ample notice of the release of such a proposed by-law and enough time for the public and all concerned parties to react accordingly and have their say before any final decision is made.

This is a most important issue that will have a longlasting impact and consequences for the future

wellbeing of the tourist industry in Plett, and I am sure your council will take this matter very seriously and respond accordingly.

Thank you again for your attention to this matter - we await your further advices.

Johnny Matthews, Plett --I refer to the letter about the writer’s dislike of jet skis and his motivation to have them banned from Plett.

Frankly, I don’t like them much either - although I’m not quite sure why.

I perceive them to be noisy and dangerous to swimmers, surfers, etc. There may also be some negatives in terms of the impact on marine life, specifically the dolphins and wales.

But then, surely, all the holiday fishing boats pose the same threat? Has any study been done to confirm that they do in fact disturb the dolphins, for instance, or is it just another case of ‘I don’t like them so neither

should anyone else’?

I think we all need to look closely at the realities of some of our dislikes before we condemn others and their particular likes and dislikes.

Of course there are often legal issues that have to be considered. The fact that they are seldom properly enforced these days doesn’t mean they can be ignored.

(Take note, those motorists who drive straight through four-way stops…)

So if and when an activity is examined and the overriding consensus - hopefully by impartial authorities - is that it impacts unfairly, is damaging, dangerous to the public or environment, only then should steps be taken to stop the activity, or perhaps consider some kind of compromise.

OK, so what’s my particular pet hate? Well it’s the gardening services in Plett who use those screaming leaf blowers in

the wrong application in the windy, dusty, dry conditions of South Africa.

They will happily blow huge clouds of dust from the pavement, gutter and driveways, across and into the neighbouring homes, cars, and all over.

This is apart from the horrendous noise they make (you could easily be mistaken that a jet was coming in to land) which I am positive is way over the legal noise limit.

How are these totally inconsiderate companies able to carry on regardless of the impact and damage to neighbouring people’s homes? Surely this must be illegal?

Why are the majority of gardening companies able to use rakes and brooms to get the job done effectively?

I’m surprised the municipal authorities and by-laws haven’t done something about this by now.

Rod Sterndale, Plett

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CXPRESS

SPORT & ADVENTURE

24 February 2016

Mossel Bay gears up for Buff 2016 T’S that time of year when Mossel Bay revs up as host town of the threeday Buffalo Rally - now less than a month away, as it’s scheduled to take place from Friday March 18 until Sunday the 20th.

Nomads Motorcycle Club and Garden Route Casino team up annually to host an action-packed event on Day 2 of the rally that showcases amazing motorbikes, remarkable stunts, live music and festive market food stalls.

On Saturday March 19, show and shine bikes will arrive at the casino’s main parking area from 10:30am

I

Come and delight in some delicious food and a wine tasting in the beautiful surroundings of our boutique estate.

Call us on +27 83 704 8560 or +27 84 504 8082 Open from 11am to 4pm, Tuesday to Sunday REDFORD ROAD | THE CRAGS | PLETTENBERG BAY

kayandmonty.com

Loe e rie Park,, Knysna 27th Feb b ruary 2016 S treet March & Massed P ipes & D r ums 9.15 - 10.30 am

March Past by 10+ Pipe Bands on Knysna’s Main Road Massed Band with 150+ Pipers & Drummers from all over SA This event is unique to Knysna & is NOT to be missed!

Celtic Festival - L oerie Pa rk 11 am - 3 pm

PBASA Pipe Band Competition, Solo Piping & Drumming Highland Dancing Championship Highland Games & Tossing the Caber – Powered by The Gym, Knysna Regional 3D Archery Tournament Beer Garden with live Celtic Music – Food Court Entrance Fee: Adults – R30, Children – R15, at Gate

Sundown ne rs Celtic & Blueg g rass Conce e rt 5 pm - 9 pm

Blacksmith from Cape Town in concert with…

Knysna & Districts Pipe Band & a lot more Great Food, Dinner & Pub with Wine, Beer & other refreshments Tickets from all Sotheby’s Offices: Knysna, Plett & Sedgefield – R100

for a public exhibition, allowing guests to admire the motorbikes and interact with the owners. This will be followed by a thrilling stunt show by the Le Riche Brothers, which kicks off at 12pm.

Those who want to get a little peace and quiet from all the hustle can look forward to gastronomic de-

lights, delicious beverages and live music in the casino’s Bravo Lounge.

“We are gearing up for a fun-filled day. Hosting this sensational event is incredibly exciting for us and visitors cannot afford to miss the stellar line-up of petrol-powered entertainment, live music and great food all in one day,”

says Garden Route Casino marketing manager Karen Johnstone.

The event is free to the public and there will be lots of giveaways up for grabs.

Visit www.gardenroute. co.za and for details and click on www.nomads.org. za/buffalo-rally/2016-2/ to download information sheets and entry forms.

Gathering of the aqua-games clans

Knysna Waterfront was awash with aqua-sporty students on Thursday February 18 during a ‘gathering of the clans’ that preceded the Prep School edition of the fourth annual Waterfront Chukka Festivals, which have helped to put water polo back on the Garden Route map. February 27 to March 1 will see the College edition of this successful Oakhill event.

Registration is on Thursday evening, with games played on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

According to festival organiser Terri Pautz, 49 teams from 29 schools all over South Africa are participating this year - an increase of 12 teams compared to 2015. The two events are the only open-water water polo festivals of their kind in Africa and are held at Knysna Waterfront in two specially made floating arenas. Schools participating across the Prep and College festivals this year include Crawford (Joburg); Cannons Creek, Camps Bay High, Fishhoek High, Llandudno Primary, Parklands College, Pinelands, Pinehurst Primary, Reddam House Prep and College, Sun Valley Primary, WPPS, Wynberg Girls Junior and High, and Wynberg Boys High School (Cape Town); Bridge House (Franschhoek); York High (George); Clarendon, Collegiate, Grey Junior and High School, Pearson High School, St Georges Prep and Woodridge College (Port Elizabeth); Stirling Primary (East London); and DSG and Graeme College (Grahamstown). Visit www.oakhill.co.za for fixtures of games scheduled between Saturday and the tournament’s conclusion on March 1. - Photo: Gigi Lewis

You win some, you lose some…

These Plett Water Polo Club players took part in a primary schools tournament in George two weekends ago, playing against Knysna’s Oakhill School as well as teams from Glenwood House, George South and Holy Cross. Plett entered two girls and two boys teams, who each won one and lost one game. Now those are truly balanced results!