25 April 2018 by CXpress

25 April 2018

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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Almost there... The first phase of Plett’s central civic complex called the New Horizons Precinct - an urban renewal project designed to bring local communities together - is now nearly complete. Comprising criminal, regional, civil, and family courts and offices, the futuristic building is a proud tribute to the able resident workforce involved. Find out more on page 4.

High drama in Bitou p3

‘The Swiss Donation’ p5

No fear or confusion p11

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NEWS & VIEWS

25 April 2018

Driving Miss Crazy

Where have all our Lotto winners gone? JEEVES shares his adventures as Garden Route chauffeur extraordinaire... F there is one thing that characterises the African temperament, it’s the exuberance that goes with good fortune. Celebration is a part of our life - be it a win at cricket, rugby or soccer (increasingly rare nowadays), or a new president. We don’t do things in half measures. Not long ago a friend asked me to chauffeur someone in his car to George Airport; turned out to be an Irishman on his way back to Dublin. He was a happy and humorous fellow, middle aged but hard and slim. He told me with a twinkle in his eye that his red nose had nothing to do with either Messrs Guinness or Jameson… He then burst out laughing, giving the game away. It emerged early on in the trip that he was a racehorse trainer from Tipperary, and he had come to SA to be the best man at a friend’s wedding in Knysna. Naturally, the conversation drifted to horse racing - Ireland is famous for its race horses - and from there to betting and gambling. He said he never bet on a race, as he’d seen too many lives shattered by reckless gambling. Then he told me the story of a barman at his local pub. “One day he took a break from

LUCKY NUMBERS: If those winning digits happen to be yours, will you tell the world or vault your luck?

pulling beer levers and drying glasses to go downtown and take a ticket in the Euro Lotto. The man, in his 40s and unmarried, was more reserved and quieter than most Irishmen, and he probably had no expectations. “That night, as the evening crowd gathered in the pub, a patron told him that there had been one winner of the jackpot which stood at 20-million Euro, and showed him the numbers he recognised them instantly, because they were the same as his telephone number… His lucky numbers on his lotto ticket! “He made polite noises and later in the evening, as the decibel level rose, he Googled the lotto site to confirm. Bang! His heart began tripling and fluttering as he read the numbers over and over. He couldn’t believe his

eyes… his home phone number! (He probably had the whole world phoning him, I thought; from people claiming to be a lost cousin or distant relative; or a charity for lost parrots begging for donations.) “As I already said, this fellow was a quiet man but he was unable to contain himself and he burst out screaming: ‘I’ve won, I’ve won the lotto!’ A moment of silence descended on the bar, and then all hell broke loose,” said the trainer. “For the next two hours, until closing time, it was drinks on the house, and the lotto winner quickly collapsed in a heap on the floor.” Apparently, the next day the man was picked up by helicopter and flown around and about, courtesy of the lotto management. When he arrived back on terra firma, the cork was popped from a jeroboam of champagne, and the TV news cameramen did their thing as the winner upended the huge bottle into his mouth and took several large gulps. “I would have done much the same!” I quipped. “Who wouldn’t?” he said. “When he was asked by the reporter what he intended doing with the money, he shouted

above the whine of the chopper’s rotors: ‘Enjoy myself, what else?’.” The story had a sad ending when the winner died six months later due to overindulgence, but it had me thinking about our SA Lotto and the Powerball. Why such total silence after a big win? It’s stretching the imagination to suggest that no-one is going to know when a poor person wins a huge, life-changing sum - especially in Africa, where so many people are poor and illiterate. “In SA we never know who has won,” I mentioned. “I don’t believe it!” he blurted. “What’s the reason?” I couldn’t think of any. Having just emerged from a series of scandals in which billions of Rands have gone missing, it got me wondering about who the winners really were. I dropped off my friendly passenger and returned to Knysna, deep in thought. Surely nothing untoward is happening with the SA Lotto? Just wondering… (Remember: don’t stand on the side of the road flagging a R50-note. Just call me!) Buckle up, Jeeves 083 532 0041

NEWS & VIEWS

25 April 2018

CXPRESS

Hawks to investigate Bitou as AUF-DA drama intensifies

“If your hands are caught in the till in this province, then we will not hesitate to chop them off, no matter whose hands it is,” according to Western Cape MEC for Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning Anton Bredell after the DA in Plett laid a criminal complaint against, among others, Bitou mayor Peter Lobese - YOLANDÉ STANDER reports HE complaint was laid with the Hawks last Wednesday and involves alleged illegal “siphoning of money” out of municipal bank accounts. “We welcome the Hawks investigation, acting on my request for their intervention. My department has a long history of not fearing to step in when there are concerns about the way municipalities are being run,” said Bredell. “We have seen similar investigations in Oudtshoorn and Kannaland municipalities by the Hawks in the past. It is a pity that these types of matters seem to repeat themselves and it is a real pity that public officials seem to forget in whose interests they serve. “We want to urge officials and public representatives in all our municipalities to remember their duties and responsibilities. We will cooperate fully with the Hawks in the matter, as we have always done,” Bredell said. Lobese, who is also the DA’s coalition partner in Bitou, has since responded saying that although he noted a statement about a criminal complaint against him, he did not have any detailed information about

the allegations. “As a result, I am unable to respond. However, as soon as I have more information, I will then be able to respond fully,” he said about the complaint. Lobese’s Active United Front (AUF) has, however, responded. “The DA is a racist organisation. It views black Africans as corrupt and incompetent to run a smooth administration. We know that Lobese rejected the DA’s position to dismiss or terminate contracts of senior black officials in Bitou. “We believe that the mayor and the senior officials are targets because they are too black to run Bitou,” AUF local structure chairman Lindinceba Nkentsha said in a statement. Nkentsha added that the timing of the complaint was also a concern as it came in the wake of “positive relations” between the ANC and the AUF “to make changes in Bitou”. “We are not surprised with these cheap political points scoring by [the] DA,” Nkentsha said, claiming this was a ploy to create administration and political instability in Bitou. He added that the AUF had taken a decision to man-

date its councillor not to support the “racist disciplinary hearing against” municipal manager Thabo Ndlovu. “The AUF also instructed its councillor to submit a motion for a vote of no confidence against DA speaker Annelise Olivier and deputy mayor Jessica Kam-Kam. “The DA had tried by all means to destabilise Bitou Municipality and cause chaos by poaching senior officials from Bitou to DA-controlled municipalities. This is a plan to create administration instability in Bitou Municipality to enable the DA-controlled provincial government to run Bitou. “The AUF will not be bullied by any political party; we enter into coalitions as equal partners. The DA is desperate for power, forgetting that they did not win the majority of votes in the 2016 local government elections. To steal the power or think that they will easily swallow the AUF is a mistake.” Nkentsha said the AUF would continue to champion the interests of the working class and poor people of Bitou and would not be intimidated by any party or person in realising its aims and objectives. Garden Route Media

Estranged bedfellows… AUF chairperson Lindinceba Nkentsha, pictured, said the marriage between the AUF and DA in Bitou was in a state of collapse. “We cannot pretend everything is normal when our members on the ground are afflicted. The partnership agreement we signed has set targets, but on three occasions now we voted with the ANC. We come from an ANC marriage which we ended abruptly because of disagreements on how they were doing things. We thought the DA would participate differently and would collaborate constructively. The AUF first and foremost wants service delivery to the townships and poverty alleviation. Our mandate is to change the lives of the poor. People voted us in for that reason. We must stand strong on who the AUF is. There is no stability in the municipality at all. Our final decision was decided by party members and our followers who said ‘this marriage does not work for us’. It is a situation where the woman sleeps in one bedroom and the man sleeps in another. We don’t talk to resolve our differences.” - Khaya Mbesi

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CXPRESS

NEWS & VIEWS

25 April 2018

Plett’s new Magistrates Court nears completion

La Luna

HASE I of an urban renewal project designed to bring the communities of Plett, KwaNokuthula and New Horizons together kicked off with the construction of the Plettenberg Bay Magistrates Court, which is now nearing completion. The building, together with a public library and others still to be built, will provide residents in these areas with a central civic complex called the New Horizons Precinct. Since October 2015, GVK-Siya Zama has

been busy bringing architect Barry Kok’s vision to life. Kok says the building - a concrete-framed, fourstorey structure enveloped by a glazed curtain wall - turns its back on the N2 and faces the community it serves, with its large, multivolume entrance portal inviting them in. The only brief given to him by the Department of Justice and Correctional Services, in terms of the building’s aesthetic, was the that it should be a ‘contemporary expression’. “I spent some time on a

beach down in Plett where I saw rocks with cracks and fissures and went and reinterpreted that in the façade of the building through the criss-crossed beams covering the building’s exterior.” The contemporary façade hides a complex internal layout that accommodates four criminal courts, two regional courts, two civil courts, as well as a family and children’s court, along with a public parking basement, staff parking, 17 detainee cells and magistrate offices.

GVK-Siya Zama senior contracts manager Jaco Kotze says general feedback has been extremely positive and all parties seem impressed and excited for the building to become operational. “The 312 labourers from Bitou who were employed on the project since commencement, together with local contractors and suppliers, can be extremely proud of the parts they all played in the successful delivery of the project.” Visit www.siyazama. co.za to find out more.

Search for Norwegian student continues HE South African Police Service released a statement on April 22 to advise that the search for missing Norwegian student Marie Ostbo, 21, continued in Sedgefield. It included members of the SAPS, the police diving unit, K9 dog unit, National Sea Rescue Institute volunteers and searchers attached to SANParks, as well as Emergency Medical Services and volunteers from the local community. “The search party is

MISSING: Marie Ostbo, 21, didn’t return to her touring party’s backpackers in Sedgefield after a beach stroll in the early evening of April 18

currently searching for traces of the missing student at Myoli Beach [Sedgefield]. This search operation was also extended to neighbouring beaches at Buffalo Bay and Wilderness,” according to the statement. Any person that can assist with information about the missing Marie Ostbo may contact the investigation officer, Captain Abrie Visagie, at Knysna police station on 044 302 6687. • The original NSRI

report stated that Ostbo hails from Norway but is studying in France and was on a tour of South Africa, arriving in Sedgefield with a group of young international student tourists last Wednesday. Some of the group went for a walk on the beach and returned at around 7pm, which is when Ostbo was last seen at around 7pm on the beach, wearing blue jeans and a white shirt, about 100 metres from the backpackers where the group was staying.

First Kranshoek fire victims’ home now rebuilt

Plett Fire Fund was established by Marius Venter, Neville Petersen, and Sally Turner to reinstate the dignity of fire victims left desperate and destitute after losing homes in June last year. Marius Venter sent along these photos, saying: “It gives us great pleasure to announce that we have broken ground in Kranshoek in March, to rebuild the Snyman home that burnt down in Kranshoek. The contract was awarded to Arthur Keister and his team of builders who are all Kranshoek residents, and it was a pleasure to see Mr Snyman and his son being part of the building team on their new house.” Venter adds that after some bad-weather hold-ups, the team progressed fast and they hope to complete the house by the end of the first week in May. “We thank all our donors, especially Tony Lubner and his family, for giving us a large donation towards helping these fire victims.” If you wish to support the Plett Fire Fund cause, please deposit into the MA Hurwitz Attorney Trust Account, Nedbank Plett (branch code 109014), account number 1090 043 813. Remember to quote Plett Fire Fund and your name as reference.

NEWS & VIEWS

25 April 2018

CXPRESS

The Swiss Donation: how Ivan’s blessing found its way to the Bay In this first-hand account, chairman of Associated Fire Management Units Bitou STEVE RITKY reveals all the trials and tribulations, bureaucratic bungling and dogged determination involved in taking receipt of a generous gift to Plett’s firefighting fraternity

FMU CREWS DELIGHT: Standing from left are Plett South (PS) members Dillon Down, Cyan Myburgh, and Tanya Ritky; Rotary Plett chair Patrick Leary, Brian Phillips (Harkerville), Giselle Myburgh (PS), and Tyrone Hodges (PS), with Steve Ritky (PS) and Lorraine Oliver (Harkerville) seated in front, amid tackling the task of recording the extent of ‘The Swiss Donation’

THE BIG UNLOAD: Apart from fire suits, goggles, helmets, boots, safety lines, pikes, branches, utility belts, and standalone pumps, this trailer pump driven by a Porsche engine also formed part of Ivan’s gift

UNE 2017. Plett South Fire Management Unit had just lost crew member Bradley Richards; fellow firefighter Ian Barnard was still in hospital. Our primary response vehicle was a burnt wreck in the forest somewhere and the equipment store had been razed to the ground. We were all exhausted. And then this guy, Ivan, calls and asks, in a mix of German, English, and Italian: “What do you need?” What do we need! Sleep, more sleep, the wind and temperatures to drop, fires to die, strong rum - and a complete new unit to start ASAP would be nice, thanks. A day or two after the fires, we met Ivan at his Plett home. Truthfully, we completely failed to pick up on the man’s passion. We didn’t give it much thought when two days later he returned to his home country of Switzerland. In retrospect, huge sup-

port came from people who hardly made contact, rather than those who did. Many promises came to nothing, and so much from donors whom we’ll never be able to thank. Wow, were we wrong in Ivan’s case! A few weeks later, Ivan’s first WhatsApp pictures and questions started coming in. Could we use pumps? Could we use boots, helmets, suits? Absolutely yes! How many? We gave him a rough number. He called on friends in the Swiss Military and Military Reserve. Every week he sent a list through for us to work on import - lists that grew longer each week. A plea for help was posted on the Plett South FMU Facebook page. Plett local Wendy Ekman stepped forward and killed a forest for all the paperwork required by authorities. The initial import plan was thrown out after months of efforts, when authorities finally acknowledged the

listed items. Start again. #SoundstheCall (STC) put the import in its name. They had NPC and NGO status, but needed NPO, NFP, ABC, and VHS status! Maggie Zeelie, while under severe pressure from paying clients, spent many days getting STC the full pedigree required and transferring paperwork. All the equipment was stored in Switzerland while we waited for permits. Eventually these were done and the container was shipped to Port Elizabeth. On arrival, Megafreight noticed that Customs had so badly hashed 50% of the permits that the container would never clear. Start again. At some stage a call came in from Rotary Plettenberg Bay chairman Patrick Leary. They had collected donations for a project to benefit Plett’s firefighters. Meetings and ideas on trailers, pumps and other matters bounced back and forth for weeks. Then the estimates came in on the cost of getting the equipment over from Switzerland... amounts available with a top up from STC would cover it. Perfect. Ivan booked his flight to South Africa so that he could load in Switzerland, fly here and help unload. Delays meant everything had to be moved to different storage there, as he would be in SA came load time. But once here, he had to move his home flight as the container was not clearing. Eventually, with Customs and ITAC creating delay after delay, and no clear container ETA, he had to return to Switzerland and missed the unload as well. When Ivan’s gift arrived in Plett on April 13, it was a full nine months after the start of the project. There were some laughs along the way, e.g. I received an email asking for more info on the hoses. A brief reply resulted in a phone call asking if hoses would be

sold, given away or worn by fire fighters… OMG! Outline the subtle differences: fire hose vs pantyhose. The full extent of the impact of all this equipment will take time to realise. One of the biggest concerns is that volunteers, while safer in thermal barrier clothing, could become too brave while not fully understanding the dangers they face, so training is now

more vital than ever. Fittings on all the pumps and hoses will have to be changed to suit Fire Department and FMU fittings. The most obvious question is: Who gets to use the 75+ thermal barrier fire fighter suits, 80+ fire retardant work suits, goggles, helmets, boots, safety lines, pikes, branches, utility belts, 10 stand-alone pumps and 1,800-litre/min-

ute trailer pump driven by a Porsche 911 engine? We have already started recruiting and training with town folk to boost our volunteer numbers. So much to be done… but man, we’re moving forward! • Associated FMUs Bitou is a collaboration between all Plett’s Fire Management Units. Find them on Facebook and visit www.cxpress. co.za for a gallery of pics.

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CXPRESS

NEWS & VIEWS

25 April 2018

Beleef ‘n ‘Oomblik van Waansin’ - net in Afrikaans! EL Botes is in Klerksdorp gebore en het op Zeerust en Rustenburg grootgeword. Hierdie liedjieskrywer, sanger en kitaarspeler uit eie reg het klassieke kitaar by onder andere Charl Lamprecht geneem, asook jazz- en blueskitaarstyle bemeester. Mel het twee jaar in Europa gereis waar hy in verskeie lande soos Switzerland, Brittanje, Spanje en Nederland opgetree het. Hy het in 1999 naam gemaak met sy epiese musiekproduksie David’s Confession, waarvan hy al die lirieke en musiek geskryf het. Die eerste van vier hoofstukke van hierdie futuristiese musiekdrama, About Time, is by Sun City opgevoer. ‘n Gelyknamige album is in 1999 by Bop Studios opgeneem. Hierdie werk is en word steeds beskryf as een van die beste ooit uit SA in die rock genre, en jare voor sy tyd. Mel is in 2000 uit ‘n groot aantal inskrywings in Beeld/ Geraas en Janus Musiek se Vuurdoopliedjiewedstryd as algehele wenner in die kontemporêre afdeling aangewys vir sy wenliedjie As. Oomblik van Waansin is Mel se eerste Afrikaanse album en het voortgespruit uit

sy aanwysing as Vuurdoopliedjiewenner van 2000. Gesoute musikante ondersteun Mel op hierdie album. Clinton Waring slaan die klawers en klavier, Leon Ecroignard die baskitaar, en Vinnie Henrico die dromme en perkussie. Denny Lallouette lewer insette op die baskitaar op Vir altyd, Stormsee en Oomblik van Waansin en Mathys Maree speel die addisionele klawers op Waansin en Vir Altyd. Julian Wiggins speel die keltiese fluit en bodhran en Jolette Odendaal, Anna Davel en Petronel Baard sorg vir die agtergrondsang op Stormsee. Mel speel al die akoestiese en elektriese kitare op die album en was ook verantwoordelik vir die regie en verwerkings. ‘n Juweel op die album is die duet As II saam met mede-kitaarmeester Mauritz Lotz. Mel is in 2001 vir drie kategorieë in die Geraas Musiek Toekennings vir Oomblik van Waansin benoem: beste vervaardiger, beste liedjieskrywer en beste kontemporêre album. Hy is uiteindelik as beste liedjieskrywer bekroon. Bespreek nou vir Oomblik van Waansin by Plett Barn-

BAAS VAN DIE BARNYARD: Mel Botes vat komende Vrydagaand die verhoog oor by Plettenbergbaai se Barnyard Theatre, wat deur hom en vroulief Jeanne besit en bestuur word Foto: Francois Theron

yard op 27 April, wanneer Mel die volledige CD sal opvoer in die eerste helfte, gevolg deur ander bekende en nuwe Afrikaanse liedjies soos Plekkie by die See, Pad na die Son, en meer. Die CD is na 16 jaar op aanvraag weer vervaardig en sal by hierdie vertoning beskikbaar wees. Koop kaartjies aanlyn by www. barnyardplett.co.za of kyk in by Barnie’s Info Kiosk in die Market Square sentrum. Dieselde besprekingsdetails geld vir Auldfield met Robin Auld en Wendy Oldfield, more aand by die Barnyard.

BUSINESS

25 April 2018

CXPRESS

Reserve Bank claims we have turned the corner, but can we take the brakes off too? Stuart Murray

ECENT official inflation figures indicate a slight turnaround in our economy over the first quarter of the year. Whether the momentum can be maintained is the big question. The good news is that SA’s poor economic growth has surpassed expectations, according to the Reserve Bank. Inflation, at 3.8%, hit a seven-year low in March,

flation is creeping up again. Services inflation (medical, housing, transport) fell to a seven-year low over the past six months from 5.8% to 4.9% in February, and the mining sector also rebounded - in spite of heightened investor uncertainty - due to a rise in commodity prices. It’s fair to point out that the improved performance is also due to such a terrible

‘A roadshow led by Nhlanhla Nene came up against concerns over government’s commitment to land expropriation without compensation’ slightly down from the previous month’s 4%.The fact remains, however, that GDP growth was a poor 1.3%. This lags our annual population growth at 1.6%. Furthermore, a detailed assessment shows that the inflation improvement is largely due to an appreciating exchange rate, which has moderated import prices. Food inflation has fallen considerably, from 11.8% in December 2106 to 3.9% in February this year. Drought finally gave way to bumper crops (except, alas, in the Western Cape). But food in-

starting point, the Reserve Bank admits. It further acknowledges the events that pushed inflation under 4.5% are now fading and that higher taxes, especially VAT, will raise inflation once again. The cut in the Repo Rate to 6.5% - the lowest level in two years - has helped soften the VAT blow, but it does not reach the majority of the population. The Treasury has hinted about some additional relief for poor families, but we will have to wait and see. Meanwhile, Reserve Bank

governor Lesetja Kganyago says while economic growth beat expectations last year, it is still well below levels that the country needs to meaningfully reduce poverty and unemployment. The government’s debt burden is a huge problem, and our weak growth makes that debt issue direr yet. It is generally accepted that we need to thrust our economy into a higher growth mode. Since 2014 our real annual GDP growth has not reached 2%. Growth prediction by the Reserve Bank for this year is around 1.7% - way short of the National Development Plan’s 5.4% target. It is also generally accepted that to achieve anywhere near this sort of target, we need to attract foreign investment - that is, fixed sustainable and productive investment. This is an old song. However, with president Ramaphosa’s support, perhaps we can raise it a few octaves. He plans to send a team of financial gurus abroad to promote investment. But the truth is that no matter how many teams we send

abroad, they all come up against the fact that our investment ratings are as near to junk as you can get, and our current and future government policies are frightening off foreign investors. In March, it was reported that a roadshow led by Finance minister Nhlanhla Nene came up against concerns over government’s

commitment to expropriation without compensation. This would quite clearly scare foreign investors in terms of the security of their investment. If the policy can apply to land, as is the current discourse, it could apply to anything. There are other obstacles to foreign investment: employment restraints, labour

laws, trade union militancy, the new mining charter, political rivalries, and so on. But if there is no security of tenure, there is little attraction for investors. The world is full of alternative opportunities. • Stuart Murray (stuart murray758@gmail.com) is a former senior assistant editor of Financial Mail and cofounder, editor, and CEO of Finance Week. He is retired and lives in Plettenberg Bay.

CXPRESS

INTERVAL

25 April 2018

Not taking ‘no’ for an answer... travel agent looked up from his desk to see an elderly lady and gentleman peering through the shop window at the posters showing many glamorous destinations around the world. The agent had had a good week and the dejected couple looking at the display gave him a feeling of generosity. He called them into his shop and said: “I have a surprise for you. I am sending you off to a fabulous resort at my expense, and I won’t take no for an answer.”

He took them inside and asked his secretary to buy two flight tickets and book a room in a five-star hotel. As can be expected, they gladly accepted and were on their way. About a month later, the elderly lady arrived at his travel agency. “And how did you like your holiday?” the travel agent asked eagerly. “The flight was exciting and the room was lovely,” she said. “I’ve come to thank you. But, one thing puzzled me. Who was that gentleman I had to share the room with?”

LOCAL LAUGH OF THE WEEK Submit your joke to editor@cxpress.co.za

Some kinda joyride Dublin yuppie makes a killing on the stock market and buys himself a beautiful Porsche Carrera with all the trimmings. He takes the sportscar out to the Dublin hills for a joyride. He finds a long straight road and lets it out… 80, 120, 150, 175… He suddenly sees a combine harvester lurching out of a field gate right in front of him, and does the only thing

possible: ducks in the open gate and screams up the stubble. Luckily, the top gate is open, so the yuppie gets back on the road and is gone in a cloud of exhaust fumes. Pat and Mick are watching all this from the combine harvester. “Lord help us,” says Pat, “if we had been in that field, we’d have surely been killed!” Submitted by Mike Mc Donnell, Knysna

Yes, your Honour N important and very well publicised murder trial was soon to begin. In preparation for the trial, the tiresome jury selection process took place, each side hotly contesting and dismissing potential jurors. One prospective juror, Dan O’Keefe, was called for his question session. He was asked: “Property holder?”

Dan replied: “Yes, I am, your Honour.” Then he was asked: “Married or single?” Dan responded: “I have been married for 20 years now, your Honour.” Next the judge asked: “Formed or expressed an opinion?” Dan stated with certainty: “Not in 20 years, your Honour.”

The story of four people HIS is a truely interesting story of four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody. There was an important job to be done and Everybody was asked to do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it.

Somebody got angry about that, because it was Everybody’s job. Everybody thought Anybody could do it, but Nobody realised that Everybody wouldn’t do it. Consequently, it turned out that Nobody told Anybody, so Everybody blamed Somebody.

If my body were a car F my body were a car, this is the time I would trade it in for a newer model. I’ve got bumps, dents, and scratches in my finish and my paint job is getting dull. But that’s not the worst of it. My headlights are out of focus and it’s hard to see things up close. My traction is not as graceful as it once was. I

slip and slide and skid and bump into things, even in the best of weather. My whitewalls are stained with varicose veins. It takes me hours to reach my maximum speed. My fuel rate burns inefficiently. But the worst: every time I sneeze, cough or sputter, either my radiator leaks or my exhaust backfires.

I hope Elon Musk never gets into a scandal because ‘Elongate’ would be really drawn out...

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25 April 2018

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ON THE SOAPBOX

25 April 2018

Letters to the Editor

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

It’s a jack-up oil-well drilling rig, Derek! A veritable deluge of responses were received to Derek Frielinghaus’s request for insight alongside the image of an unusual seafaring contraption, placed among last week’s letters (check it out on page 11 of the April 18 edition at www.cxpress.co.za) - below is a most interesting explanation received from Plettenberg Bay resident RAY LAWRENCE I also happened to see this Years ago we used to wet at the back is about 220ft lower the rig down on to it. going by last week just as tow them on ocean voy- tall and the top (crown) is But actually they bring the I was sitting down to have ages as well. So to move a probably 270ft above the hull of the rig to the water and then ballast (suba beer at my friend’s place rig from South East Asia deck of the lift vessel. The hull of the rig floats merge) the lift vessel. They off Airport Road. It is ac- to Africa or the Gulf of tually two vessels, one on Mexico would take a cou- and is towed to its drilling then bring it under the rig, top of the other. ple of months. Best speed location where the legs are de-ballast and float it up, lowered; when they hit the lifting the rig. It is then seThis is a jack-up oil- would be 3-5 knots. well drilling rig being ‘dry However, for the last 20 seabed the hull of the rig cured and off they go. Apologies for the longtowed’ on a heavy lift ves- years it has been common climbs up the legs to the fisel. My guess is that she is practice to dry tow on long nal drilling position, usu- winded reply, but havon her way to Port Eliza- voyages as it is quicker, saf- ally leaving a 35-50ft air ing spent the best part of er, and more fuel efficient. gap between the bottom 45 years running these, I beth or beyond. The three latticed legs are of the hull and the water. thought I wouldn’t see any For short moves, these So you would think that more after moving to Plett. rigs are usually conven- visible and I would guess tionally ‘wet towed’ by one are 300 to 500-feet tall. The they then just bring the lift (Read all the responses reto three work boats or tugs. derrick that can be seen vessel under the rig and ceived online. - Eds.)

No ‘fear or confusion’ over CXpress editorial integrity This letter serves to give my full support to the stance taken by the editors of CXPRESS in publishing stories of public interest and importance regarding South Africa’s political parties. And they put forward an excellent defence of why they should continue to do so. [Turn to page 11 of the April 18 edition at www.cxpress.co.za and read ‘EFF cover causes fear and confusion’.] This country has significant political, socioeconomic and environmental challenges to deal with. Not all, but many can be traced to the ravages of our past; the twin horrors of colonialism and Apartheid. The EFF and what they stand for are a direct manifestation of these, and to ignore or attempt to censor their views is senseless and displays a dangerous lack of insight into the politics of today. We have no chance of a peaceful resolution to our challenges if history is de-

nied, and some are barred from the discussion. As a source of communicating relevant and interesting information to the community, CXPRESS does great work. Ian Michler, The Crags --I can understand your correspondent’s fears regarding Julius Malema’s rantings, but his complaint is a classic example of attacking the messenger and not the guilty party. First of all, we must realise that Malema is speaking to a specific group and using them for his own gain - in this case to further his political career. This he does quite well, in fact to such an extent that his party has been dictating policy to the ANC, and like a meek lapdog, the ruling party has tagged along. To continue the metaphor, it has become a case of the tail wagging the dog. Remember that those who follow Malema have

absolutely nothing to lose, so expropriating land without compensation must sound like receiving manna from heaven. But let us be realistic about Malema’s rantings. His grasp and understanding of history are as bad as his prowess in carpentry. He couldn’t drive a nail in straight and neither can he substantiate his take on history, but unfortunately his audience has an equal lack of understanding and believes every word he utters - and this is why he is dangerous. To appeal to the very poor and landless is his strategy and in this he excels. For the life of me, I cannot fathom how he can say that land ownership can give you respect. If that were the case, Malema would have the utmost respect for land owners such as Johann Rupert and other billionaires! This is, of course, not the case.

Before land can be expropriated willy-nilly, the ANC should first get its house in order by sacking those who have been in charge of land transformation during Jacob Zuma’s tenure as their efforts have come to nil. What has happened to the over 4,000 farms that the government has already obtained through the willing seller, willing buyer method? Why does the government not give title deeds to the beneficiaries of land formerly held by whites? And remember, that according to EFF policy, the land given to landless blacks will not belong to them; it will belong to the (EFF) government! There will be no private land ownership under the EFF. Cyril Ramaphosa is far too wily to fall for Malema’s tricks, so I believe his posturing is simply paying lip service to Malema’s ideals so that the ANC can garner more votes. GN Nefdt, Johannesburg

Doubling of transaction fee can’t be justified I feel this inequitable charge - the so-called ‘transaction fee’ - has gone unchallenged for far too long and is now being used as an extra way of fleecing vehicle owners to boost the coffers and pockets of the municipality and its officials. When I renewed my licence for the first time in Knysna there was a charge

of R36. In 2017, it had increased to R42, but this year it has jumped to R72! The Western Cape already has the most expensive vehicle licences in South Africa. In this day of computers and automation, how can this ‘fee’ even be warranted? A few strokes on the computer and press ‘p’ for

print and voila, out pops the licence paper with completed disc. So where does the R72 charge for ‘transacting’ this simple operation come in? Multiply this figure by all vehicle renewals and the municipality will have enough to buy new computers every month and pay the salary of the tellers.

I would like to see a comment from the municipality to please explain exactly what this cost is all about, how the charges were arrived at and how they can warrant a 100% increase. Fleeced Pensioner, Knysna (We have forwarded this letter to the powers that be and await feedback. - Eds.)

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SPORT & ADVENTURE

25 April 2018

Don’t miss Sunday’s premier car event HERE is no doubt that the year’s premier classic, vintage, veteran and collectable car and motorcycle event will be the 2018 Knysna Motor Show on April 29 at the Knysna High School sports grounds from 9am to 4pm. Organised by the Garden Route Motor Club for the seventh year, this invitationonly event will draw close to 400 cars and motorcycles of absolute top-drawer quality. And every single genre of classics held dear to the hearts of car and motorcycle enthusiasts will be represented in a feast of colour, glamour and splendour sure to please not only petrol-heads, but families wishing to spend an unforgettable day together. “We have been working flat out to assemble the finest classic cars and motorcycles in the country,” says organiser Peter Pretorius, “They’re coming from all parts of South Africa - Gauteng, Limpopo, KwaZulu Natal, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, you name it! “We are also blessed that the Garden Route boasts some of the finest classic and

YANKEE ROYALTY: This 1958 Imperial Crown Southampton Coupé is part of the incredible Kobus Mostert collection of rare American cars

vintage collections in the country, which are housed in our region. “The buy-in from collectors has been fantastic. And of course we have had amazing support from our community, as well as generous sponsors Sanlam Private Wealth. Without them, an event of this magnitude would not be possible. “Last year we hosted over 6,000 visitors and raised over R150,000 for charity. This year,

we’re hoping to surpass both of these figures.” Among the exciting attractions this year will be: • A 1908 Ford Model S, the oldest car on the show • A 1912 Bat Motorcycle, built in England • A 1928 Bentley 3-litre • A 1923 Rolls-Royce Doctor’s Coupe • A 1938 BMW 328 • A 1990 Lamborghini Countach • A 1963 Corvette Grand Sport continuation car • A unique Mazda Cosmo rotary-engined sports car from the 1960s • The Kobus Mostert Collection of ultra-rare American coupes from the 1950s • A tribute to SA special cars, built only in this country • A special display of modern supercars, such as Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Porsches • A 50th birthday celebration of the Morgan Plus 8 and a 100-year-old Morgan Three Wheeler • The Parnell Bruce racing car Collection. The Knysna Motor Show is a one-day only event; it’s extremely family orientated, with a relaxed atmosphere, a beer garden and food court to cater for all culinary tastes. Tickets cost R50 or R10 for ages 12-18 (U12s free). See the ad on this page for more info.

A bright equestrian future awaits five intrepid Kranshoek Riders PRIL 14 marked a very special milestone for the Kranshoek Riders (KHR), as they successfully completed their Basic Introduction Equine Management course. The five kids comprising KHR have been put through a challenging eight weeks of gruelling theory, as well as the practical and physical labour necessary when caring for horses. Now they can look forward to a bright equestrian future. Says KHR founder Lee Naudé: “These five youngsters have everything it takes to become great riders, and their determination and commitment singled them out as winners. With limited to no resources, they meet every Saturday to learn about horses or have riding lessons. “We would like to thank our sponsors and supporters, including the Caw fam-

RIDING HIGH: Pictured are, at back from left, Spur manager Gwan Markus, rider Nicole Jacobs (95%), Jenny Pope of Bitou Horse Welfare, Spur’s Louis de Lange, rider Lana Williams (88%), volunteer parent Elvira Jacobs, and KHR founder Lee Naudé, with riders Jared Jansen (93%), John Williams (68%) and Roxzaan Johnson (70%) in front

ily, Spur, Western Shoppe, the Kranshoek community, and their parents, friends and family without whom our achievements would not be possible.”

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SUNDAY, 29 APRIL 2018 09h30–16h00 HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS FIELD, WATERFRONT DRIVE

0795738656 ĂĚŵŝŶΛƉůĞƩƐƚŽƌĂŐĞ͘ĐŽ͘ǌĂ ǁǁǁ͘ƉůĞƩƐƚŽƌĂŐĞ͘ĐŽ͘ǌĂ

www.grmc.co.za or

/knysnamotorshow