24 June 2020 by CXpress

24 June 2020

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

Plett mountain-bike great Kevin Evans shows he’s still very much alive after scaling the equivalent of Mount Everest’s peak during a 13-hour jaunt, with wingman and fast-rising MBT star Rogan Smart getting some sustenance in the background. Turn to page 3 to read all about the momentous challenge this duo took up - and smashed - on the shortest day of the year.

Photo: Nicholas van den Handel

Everest conquered!

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RIP, dear Toddy and Elsa p2

C-19 deaths in CX Country p3

Knysna Estuary in need of TLC p5

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A life worth celebrating… as soon as C-19 allows

TODDY (25 March 1940 - 11 June 2020): A great man with a big heart who will be sorely missed by all. Due to the constraints of Covid-19 and the availability of repatriation flights, it is not possible to hold a memorial service to celebrate Toddy’s life at present. Our thoughts and prayers are with Drifa and his family during this sad time. - Anton Nell and Annie Mitchell

24 June 2020

NEWS & VIEWS

Province loses a legend as ‘Poppie’ author Elsa Joubert succumbs to the virus OUTH African literary giant Elsa Joubert died in the Cape last week due to causes related to Covid-19, aged 97. Her son, Nico Steytler, confirmed that his mother died in Mediclinic Cape Town after having contracted the virus. In May, Joubert wrote an open letter published on Netwerk24 pleading to be able to see her relatives as she was in the last months of her life. “I’m suffering. Telephone calls, and videos, and Skype, and much more help, but it’s not enough. It’s not the same,” she wrote in the letter addressed to her house doctor, Hans Woermann. The plight of the elderly has been of great concern in countries around the globe, where older people have been most susceptible to contracting the virus. This is also the case on the Garden Route, where senior residents of care homes and retirement villages report feeling isolated and completely cut off from loved ones, albeit for their own protection. Provincial Cultural Affairs and Sport minister Anroux Marais said: “The Western Cape and country have lost another big voice in the literary world with the passing of writer Elsa Joubert. Her death follows shortly after that of Jeanne Goosen. In the space of a week, we have lost two pioneering female writers. “Elsa Joubert played a major role in opening narrative spaces for the stories of women in South Africa. Her groundbreaking novel Die swerfjare van Poppie Nongena told the story of the complex relationship between women of different races living during the Apartheid era. With this work, she brought a very important political message to her audience.

“She was a woman of strength in Afrikaans literature, who continued to publish many works and won the prestigious Hertzog Prize on two occasions. “Poppie was recently adapted to a movie (it has been available on DSTV Box Office since June 21) and received high praise for the story, which still resonates with audiences today,” said Marais. “The Western Cape has sadly lost a number of important figures in the Arts and Culture environment over the past few weeks. They have all played a role in opening spaces for others to continue building on their legacy and we must continue celebrating their work.” • Elsa Joubert grew up in Paarl and matriculated from the all-girls school La Rochelle in 1939. She then studied at Stellenbosch University, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1942 and Secondary Education Diploma in 1943. She continued her studies at the University of Cape Town, which she left with a Master’s degree in Dutch-Afrikaans literature in 1945. After graduating, Joubert taught at the Hoër Meisieskool in Cradock, then worked as editor of the women’s pages of Huisgenoot (1946-1948) before starting to write full-time. She travelled extensively in Africa, from the springs of the Nile in Uganda, through the Sudan to Cairo, as well as to Mozambique, Mauritius, Réunion, Madagascar, and Angola. She also visited Indonesia. In 1950, Joubert married Klaas Steytler, a journalist and later publisher and author, who died in 1998. She had two daughters and one son, and lived in Oranjezicht.

ELSABÉ ANTOINETTE MURRAY JOUBERT (19 October 1922 - 14 June 2020): A Sestigers Afrikaans-language writer, Elsa rose to prominence with her novel ‘Die swerfjare van Poppie Nongena, which was translated into 13 languages, voted one of the top 100 best books of the 20th century (translated to ‘The Long Journey of Poppie Nongena’), staged as a drama, and turned into an award-winning film

News Briefs • Plettenberg Bay detectives are investigating a case of murder after the death of Sisa Mahlaba (see photo below), who was discovered injured near the Qolweni Circle in Plett on March 28. Preliminary investigations into this matter indicate that Mahlaba died as a result of a blunt object that was forced into his chest and abdomen. The public is requested to come forward with any information that could assist the police with their investigation. Please call the investigating officer, warrant officer Thomas James, on 044 501 1955 or 044 501 1941. • Thorough investigation by the George Family violence Child protection and Sexual offences (FCS) unit into a case of rape reported at Thembalethu police station last week led to the arrest of a 40-year-old suspect at his residence on June 18. The 41-year-old victim alleges that she was on her way home from a tavern on Monday the 15th at about 8:30pm when the suspect pulled up next to her in his vehicle, offering her a lift. She got into the vehicle and they proceeded to a bushy area at Thembalethu Zone 8, where the man allegedly assaulted her before raping her inside his vehicle. The matter was reported the following day. The 40-year-old suspect was arrested on June 18 and a Volkswagen Polo Vivo, in which the suspect allegedly travelled at the time of the incident, was confiscated for forensic tests. Said SAPS spokesperson captain Malcolm Pojie: “We are aware of voice notes circulating on social media in which the victim makes allegations against the investigating officer, accusing him of acting unethically during the course of the investigation. These allegations are of a serious nature and an internal investigation was immediately instituted. “Gender-based violence, in particular violence against women and children, is being taken seriously and all efforts are made to bring offenders to book,” Pojie concluded.

LEFT FOR DEAD: Sisa Mahlaba was found fatally injured in Qolweni end-March; readers with information are urged to call warrant officer Thomas James on 044 501 1955

NEWS & VIEWS

24 June 2020

CXPRESS

Three Covid-19 deaths in Knysna, one in Plettenberg Bay as confirmed cases start to climb ARDEN Route residents have been keeping their eyes on a fast-moving ball as the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases has gained significant momentum over the past few weeks. Whereas Bitou Municipality reported 16 cases and 15 recoveries 10 days ago, that figure had more than doubled by Tuesday June 23, with 37 cases recorded. At 1pm on June 14, Knysna registered 88 confirmed cases with 59 recoveries; these figures climbed daily to 91 (62 recovered) on the

16th, and 95 (64 recovered) by June 17. By Friday the 19th, Knysna had crossed the 100-case mark with 105 Covid-19 infections (68 recovered); on the 23rd, the total had reached 120 (81 recovered). According to a statement last week, Knysna Municipality had taken preventative action two days earlier, when the town was declared a Covid-19 hotspot after a June 17 meeting of the local Joint Operation Centre. In fact, new Knysna mayor

Ricky van Aswegen said that Garden Route District Municipality as a whole had been declared a hotspot, and was one of five districts that had been identified as such within the Western Cape. Government defines a ‘hotspot’ as a district with more than five cases per 100,000 persons. ‘Areas of vigilance’ have less than five cases per 100,000 people, as do ‘emerging hotspots’, which are characterised by a rapid rise in new cases. Western Cape Health spokesperson Nadia Fer-

reira on Tuesday confirmed Knysna had recorded three C19-related deaths, and Bitou one. For reasons of privacy, no further information on these local victims could be made available. “By June 22, Bitou had 34 cases with 17 recoveries and Knysna had 118 cases with 71 recoveries. Community Health Workers have to date screened 27,368 people, of which 75 were referred for testing. “Patients who are unable to isolate or quarantine at home are referred to

the Petro SA West Camp, where they are able to safely isolate or quarantine in a comfortable and secure environment,” said Ferreira. This Mossel Bay facility currently accommodates 33 people, of which 31 are in isolation and two in quarantine. One of these patients hails from Knysna. Ferreira concluded that Knysna Provincial Hospital currently had no coronavirus-related admissions. Bitou Covid-19 Response Team leader Dr Nicky Whiteman said that the iso-

lation centre they had prepared over the past months at Piesang Valley Hall was ready to deal with local residents who had contracted the virus and could not selfisolate at home. “We also have 70-odd days’ worth of food left to distribute among our neediest communities, while funds remaining after the acquisition of personal protective equipment and medical stock will be used for emergencies,” said Dr Whiteman. Regular updates on confirmed C-19 cases along the Garden Route and beyond are posted here and on the CXPRESS Facebook page.

Everest scaled, how cool! But thankfully not quite as cold… “It was his stupid idea,” said Kevin Evans when asked why he had spent over 13 hours riding his bike up the Longships-extension hill last Sunday alongside cycling buddy Rogan Smart - the ‘idea’ man in question. Taking into account the absence of competitive races during lockdown, rising-star Rogan and old-hand Kevin decided to take up the Everest Challenge - a classic endurance trial that involves climbing the amount of elevation equal to the height of Mount Everest, which is 8,848m above sea level - on winter solstice, i.e. the day with the shortest period of sunlight. Pictured from left, the pair finally felt some sun on their skins around 7:30am, after riding in virtual darkness since their 3am start; an over-the-shoulder shot of Kevin shows Rogan in high spirits, with riders who joined them for some of the laps in hot pursuit; at far right, the stats tell the story: a total ascent of 8,852m attained! The guys are indebted to fellow Plettenberg Bay cyclist Erik Klootwyk “for running up that hill about 50 times” to ensure they stayed hydrated and energised. They also thank Sean Gannon of Buco Plett for the welcome cups of java, and everyone else who rocked up to show their support. CXPRESS credit is due to Danny Aaron and Nicholas van den Handel for contributing additional images and information. Please visit the gallery at www.cxpress.co.za for more Everest Challenge images.

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CXPRESS

INTERVAL

24 June 2020

My wife says I only have two faults: I don’t listen and something else...

A letter from jail N old father living alone in the country wanted to plant his pepper garden, but the ground was too hard and he was too old to do the work. His only son who used to help him was in prison for robbing a bank. The old man wrote a letter to his son and mentioned his situation: “Dear Jake, I’ve been very depressed lately because it looks like I won’t be able to plant my peppers this year. You know how much your mother loved planting peppers this time of year, but I’m just getting too old to be digging up a garden plot. “I know if you were here my troubles would have been over. I know

you would have been happy to dig the plot for me.” - Love, Dad. A few days later he received a letter from his son: “Dear Dad, Don’t dig up that garden! That’s where I buried the THINGS!” - Love, Jake. At 4am the next morning, the local police arrived and dug up the entire area looking for the THINGS. They apologised to the old man after not finding anything and left. The next day the old man received another letter from his son: “Dear Dad, go ahead and plant your peppers now. That’s the best I could do under the circumstances.” Love, Jake.

Just checking... Y colleagues and I eagerly awaited the opening of a new East Indian restaurant close to our office, and on opening day we were first in line for the buffet lunch. As I helped myself to a generous portion of meat curry, I smiled at the res-

A woman’s random thought F you love something, set it free. If it comes back, it will always be yours. If it doesn’t come back, it was never yours to begin with. But, if it just sits in your

living room, messes up your stuff, eats your food, uses your telephone, takes your money, and doesn’t appear to realise that you had set it free... you either married it or gave birth to it.

taurant owner, who was hovering close by to ensure that everything was satisfactory. “You are our very first customers,” he said, to which I replied, “Ah, guinea pigs, eh?” “No, no,” he replied quickly, “it’s beef.”

Seeing is believing man went to his doctor and said: “Help me, doctor. I think my eyesight is getting worse.” The doctor asked him to look out the window.

“Tell me what you see,” he said, pointing. “I see the sun,” he replied. The doctor asked: “Just how much farther do you want to see?”

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P A DR A P L Y S M P M I C S

ON THE SOAPBOX

24 June 2020

Letters to the Editor

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

Use same brush to paint those historically driven by power and greed The sad thing about modern emotionalism is that it completely ignores the true facts of history. Let’s look at Cecil John Rhodes and the pressure to remove all traces of one of Oxford’s greatest benefactors from its history. When Rhodes made his money in Southern Africa, there were no racial laws. Those working in the diamond fields were of every racial type and colour. The eating places, entertainment places, and brothels were open to everyone who could afford it, and to anyone who could

bother to read it, his Rhodes Scholarship stated: no denomination and no racial discrimination*. He wasn’t typical of the Victorian freebooters, of which there were plenty around the world. Men driven by power, money and greed were not alone. Start digging and you will end up digging many financial graves. It is often the case of not how you make your money, it’s what you do with it, and Rhodes’s legacy was one of the greatest educational gifts in the world.

Images of C-19’s new normal

These were not nice men, but how many men with financial power are agreeable? Greed and need drive man and, occasional, creative ability. Let’s have a quick look at a trade that has never died - the most disgusting trade in this world: the trade in human bodies. Where is the modern historical bias in this? It was orchestrated in West Africa and welcomed by the Americas. How closely do we look at who caught those bodies, and who sold them to the European slave masters? Africans. Without the powerful African kings, there would have been very little chance of a successful slave trade. Here comes our old friend greed - but in this case, without need. Let us pop across the continent to East Africa.

The Arab rulers of Tanzania exported to Arabia between 20,000 and 30,000 slaves each year. But are there any marches of historical protest against them? No. That would be casting oil on troubled waters. We cannot judge the past on the moral emancipated views of today, and today’s mass protests are a positive sign at last of a caring human race - providing that they are not used to stir up racial hatred in a world which is battling to leave it all behind. The sad fact is that the trade in human bodies, in many different and political forms, is still with us today. And there is a protest of value awaiting. * They may remove his plaques, but will they give up his money? Paul Deans, Plett

Distressing lack of Knysna Estuary maintenance mars return to fishing grounds

These pics show, from the top, Angelo Muller of Plett SuperSpar taking care to put customers at ease when measuring their temperatures, then reassuring them: “Look, you’re fine - please stay safe and healthy!”; Grade 7 Plett Primary student Heinrich Goedhals does a good job of baby-sitting 15-month-old Asher on their farm off the Wittedrift Road; Brian Chakwira of Bay Shoe & Key at Mellville’s Corner quickly got used to working without ever letting his mask slip out of place, and is applying strict C-19 protocols when dealing with customers, who are allowed entry one at a time and at a safely-spaced distance.

Glory be: we were allowed to go out recreational fishing in our boats on June 13! I’m not sure why it took so long for Knysna to open up, as other Eastern and Western Cape spots around the Breede River and St Francis have been open since June 1. But that’s another story… I left Leisure Isle and travelled to The Heads, slowly pulling a lure. But the water was very cold at 14 degrees, so no action. Then I nearly ran into that dangerous sandbank in the middle of the channel, as the first two - and main - estuary safety buoys are missing. The first has not been seen since before the lockdown. I also noticed that the first main ‘Non-baiting’ marker (pole no. 3) at The Heads, is still unreadable, as is its explanation board. SANParks have been made aware of this with photographic evidence - how odd, as it must take years to get into this state. I then travelled up to the Railway Bridge, hoping the water would be warmer. No luck: it was 12 degrees. Coming back, you pass the large square buoy outside the SANParks offices, informing everyone going into Thesen’s or going up to the Waterfront, via Knysna Yacht Club, that there is a nowake zone and speed restriction. You guessed it: bleached totally white

and unreadable! Coming back to Leisure Isle, I saw that the main pole at the start of Ashmead Channel and also the start of the Leisure Isle Boat Club channel, was missing. This marker also advises against speeding and skiing. I drove back to town and saw that the main K5 ‘Non-baiting’ marker in George Rex Drive has still not had its advisory board replaced. We cannot complain about illegal baiting and boating under these conditions. The above-mentioned markers are our main safety and conservation advisory indicators. I am well aware of SANParks budgetary constraints, but we are talking here of a few litres of paint and replacing some small notice boards. I venture to say that if this was a privatelyfunded operation, there would be an audit of the situation and the result would undoubtedly be that “heads will roll”. SANParks employees were very active since lockdown telling everyone where not to hike and fish and walk their dogs. I just wish they had taken the opportunity to do some maintenance like the rest of us. Arland Read, Knysna (SANParks spokesperson Nandi Mgwadlamba promised to provide a response in this regard, which we hope to publish in the next edition. - Eds.)

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Paws

Plett Animal Welfare Service

24 June 2020

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