25 march

25 March 2015 ‘Challie’ remembered p2

No balloons for Binnie p3

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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Mr Sandman

Bitou success stories p5

Michael Myekwa has become well-known across South Africa for his breath-taking sand art. He has been particularly busy on Plettenberg Bay’s Central Beach lately and sculpted this lifelike creation during a recent Nippers carnival.

Photo: Ewald Stander - Garden Route Media

10 000 FREE COPIES OF CXPRESS DISTRIBUTED ALONG THE GARDEN ROUTE EVERY WEDNESDAY

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CXPRESS

News & Views

25 March 2015

OBITUARY

‘Mr Archerwood’ passes away peacefully at age 95 Charles Eric Westwood: 2.12.1919 - 5.3.2015

C

HALLIE, as his family knew him, was born at Krugersdorp district township in his grandparents’ home on December 2, 1919.

After the family moved to Johannesburg, he attended PTPS and then went on to Houghton College. A keen sportsman, he played cricket, soccer, swam, and participated in track and field.

In 1939 came the war and like all young men, he enlisted fist as lieutenant in the artillery and then as captain in the physical training corps under Dr Danie Craven. He served in the dessert under Montgomery and came back in 1945.

After the war, Challie worked with his father in Johannesburg, and took up

CHARLES ATLAS: This photo of Charles Westwood dates from the days of his family’s arrival in Plett in the early 1960s CXPRESS thanks his son, Richard, for sharing these memories

archery. He became one of the top archers in the country, winning many championships. Hating the Joburg business world, he decided to make a move.

In 1962, he arrived in Plett with his family and bought a pile of rock on the corner of Marine Way and the N2, which he turned first into a caravan park, then a hotel and The Cave.

Archerwood became a well-known destination for many young people and caravaners, and so he came to be known as ‘Mr Archerwood’.

Today, this is the site of the Rod & Reel, Castleton, and the Shell garage.

Charles had three sons, Richard, Robin and Jeffrey.

After Archerwood was sold he moved to Fisanthoek where he lived for the past 26 years with his wife, Jaye.

Challie passed away peacefully in his sleep on Thursday March 5 and will be missed by all of us.

Excerpts of Charles Westwood’s booklet The Story of Archerwood including images of a bygone Plett era will be published in an upcoming edition of CXPRESS

Eden to Addo director inspires international of these centres claim to be ban to aid lion conservation adding to predator conserOur 10 000 free copies are distributed every Wednesday to a multitude of outlets along the Garden Route, with emphasis on Knysna and Plett and drop-offs at *Sedgefield Tourism *Caltex StarMart in Wilderness *Lynn Schroeder, Build It and other select outlets in George *Storms River Village and Bridge in Tsitsikamma - phone 044 533 1004 (o/h) with distribution queries.

If you’ve missed out on a hard copy, read the electronic version online at www.cxpress.co.za

After nearly 15 years of research and lobbying against predator breeding and ‘canned’ lion hunting, Plett resident Ian Michler is beginning to see the fruits of his efforts - MELISSA REITZ reports

A

USTRALIAN Environment minister Greg Hunt recently announced a permanent ban on the importation of all lion parts and trophies into Australia.

This decision came after Eden to Addo Corridor Initiative director and internationally renowned conservationist Ian Michler’s visit to Australia late last year, when he informed Hunt on South Africa’s breeding and canned hunting industries [read ‘Around the world in 40 days to fight the canned hunt cause’ on page 5 of the September 24, 2014 edition at www.cxpress.co.za].

Keeping to his word Hunt, who had announced during Michler’s visit that Australia

would give serious consideration to placing a permanent ban on all lion products by year-end, broadcast the official ban with immediate affect via video message to the Global March for Lions in Melbourne on March 13.

“It’s not fair, it’s not humane, it’s not 21st century.

On my watch it’s not acceptable,” said Hunt.

The horrific practice of breeding lions for the sport of hunting within an enclosed area is still legal in South Africa. Although Australians do not make up the majority of visiting lion hunters (most hail from the USA), this move by Australia is a first step in an international effort to curb the practice of breeding lions to be shot in captivity.

Says International Fund for Animal Welfare regional director Isabel McGrea: “We congratulate the minister for standing up for lion conservation and condemning the farming of lions for a thrill kill. We are now hopeful that New Zealand, the EU, and USA will take similar steps.”

However, not all groups

support this decision and the SA Predator Association feels the ban is based on emotion rather than facts.

“It is our view that Australia’s decision is a blow to the sustainable and responsible utilisation of wildlife in general,” says chairman Prof Pieter Potgieter.

But according to Michler’s research, the fact remains that over 800 lions are being shot annually in South Africa in what is now referred to as “captive” hunts. And hundreds, possibly thousands more are being killed for their bones to be shipped to the East in the burgeoning lion-bone trade.

With a decline in tiger populations, a relatively new trade has evolved where Asians are substituting tiger bones with lion bones for traditional medicines, adding to the demand for lions legally supplied by an increasing number of breeding farms in South Africa.

Up to 200 predator breeding facilities now exist where not only lions, but also exotic cats like tigers and jaguars are kept. Many owners

vation and research, denying any breeding, trading or hunting.

However, Michler points out that “not a single lion ecologist or recognised conservation agency supports these breeding facilities”.

“The numbers simply don’t add up: where do all these cats come from and where do the old ones go if no one is breeding or hunting?”

In 2000, South Africa had less than 1,000 predators in cages. That number swelled to 3,000-3,500 in 2005 and has since more than doubled, to nearly 8,000 today.

Judging from these figures, it is clear that the captive predator industry is thriving.

“If we don’t act now, we could be looking at anywhere from 10,000-12,000 predators in captivity within the next few years,” says Michler.

Due to factors such as habitat and prey loss through human impact, lions have vanished from over 80% of their historic African range and are listed as vulnerable on the IUCN red data list.

Only 2,800-3,200 wild lions are left in South Africa.

But, warns Michler, it is not possible to use captive bred lions to augment wild populations because they are human imprinted, tame and genetically contaminated.

“The captive breeding industry has no conservation and rehabilitation value whatsoever,” he says.

Following his success in Australia, Michler addressed the European parliament in Brussels on March 19, urging European nations to take similar action.

News & Views

25 March 2015

CXPRESS

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‘We never suspected he would hurt Sesona’ - but Binnie won’t see her happy girl again In a few weeks little Sesona Bhayibhile would have celebrated her ninth birthday, but instead of blowing up balloons and baking cake, her mother has to go to court and wait for her child’s alleged murderer to be brought to justice - YOLANDÉ STANDER reports

HOPES AND DREAMS DOUSED: Sesona’s mother, Binnie, said she was a happy child who loved school - ‘I had her buried in her school clothes’ - Photo: Yolandé Stander

O

N December 8 last year, Binnie Bhayibhile’s life changed forever; her daughter never returned home after playing with friends just a few steps away from her home.

A day later, her worst nightmare became a reality. “They [police] said ‘we found your daughter’. I still asked where she was, but was then told ‘she is no longer alive’,” Binnie said this week, before heading to the Plettenberg Bay Magistrate’s Court tomorrow for the next court appearance of her child’s alleged killer, Lulama Candani.

The little girl’s body was discovered in dense bushes near her home in Bossiesgif.

Her throat was slit, she suffered blunt force trauma to the head, and was raped.

Binnie said that the Sunday before Sesona, or ‘Rukis’ as she was known among family and friends, was brutally murdered, she felt danger lurking.

“I heard something outside our house. I immediately switched the television off and then heard footsteps.

I shouted, ‘who is there?’, but did not get a response.

I switched the kitchen light off and peered through the window and got a glimpse of someone standing outside.

“A short guy wearing white tekkies and a black hooded top was standing there. Lulama is short and has white tekkies.”

She tossed boiling water through an opening in the door as a deterrent and the person on the outside ran away.

“A bit later we saw him nearby hiding behind a tree.

We later found whoever it was, was attempting to make a small hole in one of our walls.”

A week later, Rukis asked her mother if she could play with children next door.

“This was nothing out of the ordinary; she often played with friends near our home.”

The little girl returned a bit later to fetch some yoghurt. “I also tied her hair before she left again to go and play.

“She came back to ask for R5 to buy sweets and chips,

‘Candani’s parents would still be able to see him, but I will never again see my daughter’

so I gave her some of her pocket money and she set off again. She came back a third time to ask me if she could phone her father to ask him when he could bring her money for meat. She really enjoyed meat.”

When she did not return by 6pm that evening, Binnie went out searching. “I thought maybe she had watched television and fell asleep. When I couldn’t find her I knew something was wrong.

“I was told by her friends she had asked Lulama if she could pick peaches near his house.

When she asked a second time, Lulama allegedly went

with her. They never returned.

“By this time the neighbourhood was silent. You couldn’t hear a child anywhere.” She went to the local police station and reported Sesona missing.

The Bossiesgif street committee then started a door-todoor search, but this yielded no results. “It was only the next morning when we heard Lulama was also missing, that we realised there was most probably a link.”

On December 9, Binnie and other residents saw police vehicles driving up a road into a bushy area near her home - an area they had scoured just the night before,

but found nothing.

“Behind them was one of those forensic vehicles that is sent out when police discover a body. My heart dropped and at that moment I knew.”

Police later told her that her daughter had been murdered and her body hidden in bushes off the road. “It was also there where I collapsed.”

She wanted to see her child’s body, but the undertaker warned her that Sesona “was in a bad way”.

“I had her buried in her school clothes, she loved school.”

When she was informed that Candani had shown police where Sesona’s body was, Binnie was shocked.

“We never suspected he would ever hurt Sesona. He

was like a child in our house.

When he went into town he always asked if we needed anything. I would often ask him to bring nappies with for Sesona’s brother.”

Binnie said she hoped that the court case would bring closure to her and her family.

“I hope he is sent to prison for the rest of his life. His parents would still be able to see him, but I will never again have the opportunity to see my daughter.”

Binnie added that Sesona would have turned nine on April 14. “She was such a happy child with hopes and dreams. We miss her terribly. Even her brother who is a year and six months misses her. When he sees her picture on the wall he says ‘Rukis’.”

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CXPRESS

Knngicn"hktgcto"cttguvu Greater George police stations cracked down on illegal firearms last week as they arrested three suspects, two in Thembalethu and one in Lawaaikamp.

The three accused appeared in the George Magistrate’s Court on Friday after being charged for the illegal possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.

In the first incident, Lucky Chake, 34, and Pinky Wahluthu, 26, were arrested on March 18 during a joint crime prevention operation following information received

News & Views

25 March 2015 from a local resident.

This information led the team to a house in Zone 6, where a search was conducted and members, with the assistance of K-9 dog Bingo, found two firearms, a 9mm Vector Pistol and a .22 revolver in a wardrobe in a bedroom where the accused resides. Two magazines and various rounds of ammunition were also confiscated.

In the second incident, Conville SAPS members arrested Sibusiso Masane, 30, at his residence in Lawaaikamp, Conville on March 19 following information received from

News Briefs

a member of the public.

A firearm with filed off serial number and ammunition were found in the accused’s bedroom and confiscated.

Southern Cape SAPS spokesperson captain Malcolm Pojie says all the confiscated firearms would be sent for laboratory analyses to determine if they had been used in other crimes. The outcome of the three accused’s first court appearance was not known by our going to press.

GUNS N BULLETS: The 9mm Vector Pistol and .22 revolver plus two magazines and various rounds of ammunition confiscated in Thembalethu last week

Ugzwcn"qhhgpegu"wpkv"uggmu" kphqtocvkqp"qp"Mp{upc"tcrg The Family violence, Child

protection and Sexual offences unit (FCS) based in George is requesting the assistance of the public in a rape investigation that occurred in a footpath near Knysna.

At 4:30am on March 14, the 31-year-old female victim was walking while listening to music on her cellphone. She heard a voice saying “hello sister” after which the suspect appeared and pushed her until she fell. The suspect allegedly raped her.

Anyone with information is requested to contact Constable Delores Witbooi on 044 803 4618.

News & Views

25 March 2015

CXPRESS

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It’s a matter of Trust: changing Diarise Knysna School of Arts & Design auction G the lives of local students Champion of many an upliftment project in Plettenberg Bay over the years, ROSEMARY MURRAY penned this overview of Bitou Community Educational Trust success stories

QUALITY AND QUANTITY IN ONE FINE PACKAGE: Sive Nombombo is the first African woman from Bitou to qualify as a Quantity Surveyor

O

UR Plett, our education, our future. These are the words of Bongeka Ntlanga, a third-year student at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University studying for a degree in Media, Communications and Culture.

They epitomise the aspirations of the youth of Bitou for opportunities to study further post matriculation.

And so in 2008, aware of this growing need for financial assistance for further study, a small group of residents established Bitou Community Educational Trust.

The Board of Trustees presently consists of two teachers, two social workers, a lay preacher, a former mayor and an administrator. All members give of their services freely and act as mentors to the students.

Students are required to send mid-year and final exam results, and furnish proof of registration at the start of each year of study. The Trust is registered with the Master of the Supreme Court and submits reports to them and the Receiver annually. Its financ-

es are audited by Mazars.

With limited funding the Trustees awarded three scholarships, one to each of the top students from each of Bitou’s public high schools.

Today, Nokubonga Ncera is a qualified lawyer. “My life would have been very different had I not received the financial assistance from you.”

Well done, Nokubonga, we are all proud of you.

The Trust has entered into a relationship with Trustees of the John Bell Educational Trust (JBET) and R250,000 is made available for further study at a registered Public Institute of Higher Learning.

Today, the Trust has 25 students at universities and universities of technology from Durban to Cape Town, on bursaries of R10,000 each.

However, it is unable to cope with the growing need of the Bitou youth.

Once a bursary is awarded, students are automatically assisted until they graduate.

So each year only a limited number of new bursaries are available, despite receiving over 50 applications. Sourc-

ing funds is not easy.

We are aware that there are many residents in Plett who would like to assist but perhaps do not know what they could do. A group or organisation might wish to sponsor a student by raising R10,000 annually.

Rotary and Bitou Municipality also award bursaries but this is still not enough, and it is necessary for more students to be assisted.

At the end of 2014, nine of our students obtained distinctions in their final exams. Three students graduated: Likhona Bauhti with a BCom in Finance, Petro Andrews obtained a BCom Accounting, and Sive Nombombo qualified as the first African female Quantity Surveyor in Bitou.

Both Likhona and Petro are continuing with post graduate studies. Sive is working parttime at Chauke. The Trust is proud of their achievements against remarkable odds.

Appreciation for the assistance was received from Petro. And in a letter to the Trust, Sive wrote: “In a community where many find it difficult to attain financial support to further their studies, it meant more than the thousands you contributed.

“Thank you for recognising our hunger for education and simply being part of our support system through the journey. We can never forget you.

You’ve been a great example of help.

“Today I personally feel responsible in continuing to be who I believe I was meant to be and help others realise their dreams - and that responsibility is not a burden but a privilege.”

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REAT news for the Garden Route is that Terance Ellis and his team are preparing to rock our worlds with their one of a kind School of Arts & Design, art centre and gallery situated in The Oaks building at 28 Main Road in Knysna.

Terance has undertaken a huge challenge in restoring this historical property to its former glory. His dream is to create a centre that will become the art hub of the Route, while developing and encouraging young artists.

Please diarise March 28 from 2pm, when Knysna School of Arts & Design and

Terance Ellis Live Art Studios will join forces at their new 28 Main Road premises for a fundraising art auction.

Readers from near and far are invited to join them for a day of fun, beer and braai, with masterpieces from various local artists up for auction. All proceeds will go towards the further restoration of the historical Oaks building and the Knysna School of Arts & Design.

Whether you are an artist who wishes to donate some of your work, an art lover with a spare million or two, or just wish to assist in any other way, contact Terance or Terri

on 082 347 9902 or 081 810 5350. They will collect or you can drop off any donations at 28 Main Road.

COME SEE, COME BID! Artist Terance Ellis needs your support to start the Knysna School of Art & Design, so please attend the fundraising art auction at 28 Main Road on March 28 at 2pm

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CXPRESS

25 March 2015

Promotion

Business

25 March 2015

CXPRESS

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An overview of the Plettenberg Bay property market by mid-March Steven Neufeld

L

AST year saw R640million worth of property sales in Plettenberg Bay and registered to date.

The market has remained relatively constant over the past six years with between 220 and 300 units sold per annum, and showing a ±7% increase in both total value of sales and average prices from 2013 to 2014, the latter following the trend of a gradual recovery from a dip in 2011.

Estate agents in Plett felt that this year started off positively, albeit that the Budget speech created some uncertainty in the market, which has resulted in a mood of cautious optimism.

The highest prices achieved for residential sales in 2014 were for four houses on the beachfront of Beachy Head Drive, prices ranging from R25-million to R27-million (in 2013, it was R43-million ‘The entry level for houses is R1.1-mil, for apartments R450,000, and for vacant land R199,000’

for a larger residential estate further up Robberg Beach).

The average price for sectional title units is currently about R1.25-million and for freehold property around R2.44-million (vacant land and houses are included, i.e. generally stands will be lower than this and upmarket houses higher).

The entry level for houses is around R1.1-million (off a high of R1.4-million in 2007). The entry level for apartments is R450,000, while vacant land starts at about R199,000. There are cheaper options in areas surrounding Plett.

Over the past 10 years, average prices in Plettenberg Bay have grown annually at an average of ±6%, or roughly in line with inflation. Looking further back to 15 years ago, the annual growth increases to ±10% per annum.

The record price so far for residential property in Plett is R50-million for a luxury coastal estate in 2006, sold by Hein Pretorius, broker owner of Sotheby’s International Realty Plettenberg Bay. Says Pretorius: “Prices have stabilised overall. There is

still an oversupply of entry level vacant land, but stock levels are decreasing in other segments, particularly the upper end of the market, where choice is diminishing and values are increasing. We expect moderate overall growth, in line with inflation, in 2015.”

Investor Focus

Five properties transferred in the town of Keurbooms in 2014 for an average of R4.186-million, and 11 in Nature’s Valley for an average of R2.86-million. In Wittedrift, five properties transferred for R782,000 on average.

The figures above were taken from deeds information on March 17, and sales are listed by date of sale, not transfer date, to provide a more accu-

rate depiction.

Rural property, sales below R100,000, known non-arm’s length transactions and duplications (e.g. when a developer buys numerous properties for a single price and each is listed at the full price, only the single figure is taken) are not included in the figures.

A number of sales are still in the registration process, so the picture will change

somewhat, especially for the last year. ß"Uvgxgp"Pgwhgnf"ku"ocpcigt" rtkpekrcn" qh" Ngy" Ighhgp" Uq/ vjgd{‚u" Kpvgtpcvkqpcn" Tgcnv{" Rngvvgpdgti" Dc{" cpf" rtqhgu/ ukqpcn"cuuqekcvgf"xcnwgt"cpf" crrtckugt" hqt" Uqwvj" Chtkecp" Rtqrgtv{"Xcnwcvkqpu0"Eqpvcev" jko" qp" 266" 755" 474;" qt" cv" uvgxg0uktBrngvvgpdgtidc{0 eqo"cpf"ugg"vjg"cfu"qp"rcigu" 3"cpf"5"hqt"ewttgpv"nkuvkpiu0

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

Investment 101 - The Stories Part III: Sam, the Businessman

B

ACK in the late 60s many clients placed their orders directly with clerks on the trading floor. We got to know all our clients and many became friends.

One of these clients was named Sam; he owned a clothing factory down in Jeppe. One day he phoned me to say that he had sold his business for a million Rand.

He was in a serious hurry to speak to Fred, my old Jewish mentor. The market was really booming and he did not want to be left behind.

I arranged a meeting that afternoon. The market was so busy that it used to close

at 1:15pm.

Once we were settled (I was always invited to attend these meetings... and to pour Fred’s whisky), Sam told his story: the final result was that he had R1-million in cash it was burning a hole in his pocket, and he saw his buddies making fortunes on the market.

He wanted to know what shares to buy and at what prices. Fred thought for a while and gave the most startling recommendation.

He said: “Sam, why don’t you just have the million pounds for a while.”

Sam was really taken aback,

but he listened to the advice.

Fred was known in the Jewish community as a highly successful investor. He had started from humble beginnings and had amassed a fortune on the market.

The real message here was firstly not to be sucked into roaring markets. Shares had become very expensive, and there was a record turn-over on the JSE. The first unit trust was launched and people queued in the streets to buy into this new investment vehicle.

The JSE computer systems (which were very new) could not handle the volumes.

The final leg of this story took place in April 1969, when the JSE collapsed. Fortunes were lost. I even witnessed a destitute investor jump to his death from the JSE balcony!

The investment message is: don’t be sucked into roaring markets, do your homework, look at values and, most of all, don’t do what everyone else is doing.

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CXPRESS

Interval

25 March 2015

Doing business without advertising is like winking at a girl in the dark.

Only you know what you are doing.

Suspicion at the Mexican border

J

UAN comes up to the Mexican border on his bicycle. He’s got two large bags over his shoulders.

The guard stops him and says: “What’s in the bags?”

“Sand,” answers Juan.

The guard says: “We’ll see

about that. Get off the bike.”

The guard detains Juan overnight and has the sand analysed, only to discover that there is nothing but pure sand in the bags. He releases Juan and lets him cross the border.

No harm in asking…

A

N employee comes into her manager’s office to ask for a day off.

The manager replies: “So you want a day off. Let’s take a look at what you are asking for.

“There are 365 days per year available for work.

There are 52 weeks per year in which you already have two days off per week, leaving 261 days available for work.

“Since you spend 16 hours each day away from work, you have used up 170 days, leaving only 91 days available.

“You spend 30 minutes each day on coffee break,

which counts for 23 days each year, leaving only 68 days available. With a onehour lunch each day, you used up another 46 days, leaving only 22 days available for work.

“You normally spend two days per year on sick leave.

This leaves you only 20 days per year available for work. We are off five holidays per year, so your available working time is down to 15 days.

“We generously give 14 days holiday leave per year which leaves only one day available for work and I’ll be darned if you are going to take that day off!”

Two racehorses in a bar

T

WO rather old retired racehorses are in a bar getting totally drunk.

After about two hours the first racehorse says: “You know, when I was a young racehorse, from one hundred starts, I won (hic) 90 races, got five seconds and five thirds. I am without a doubt the greatest racehorse that ever lived… blah, blah, blah… ” In response to this and approximately half an hour later, the second racehorse responds: “Oh yeah? When I was a young racehorse, from one hundred starts, I won (hic) 95 races, got two seconds and three thirds. I am the

greatest racehorse that ever lived… blah, blah, blah… ” The bartender (a greyhound) decides that they are drunk enough so he says: “I am sick of you two telling one another how great you are, you are both drunk and I am throwing you out of the bar, but before I do I want to let you know that when I was a young greyhound, from one hundred starts, I won 100 races, no seconds and no thirds.”

The two racehorses are totally gobsmacked and for five minutes sit with their mouths open until the first racehorse finally says: “Isn’t that amazing (hic)… a talking greyhound!”

A week later, the same thing happens.

The guard asks: “What’s in the bags?”

“Sand,” says Juan.

The guard does his thorough examination and discovers that the bags contain nothing but sand. He gives the sand back to Juan, and Juan crosses the border on his bicycle.

This sequence of events is

repeated every week for three years.

Finally, Juan doesn’t show up one day and the guard meets him in a cantina in Mexico.

“Hey there buddy,” says the guard, “I know you are smuggling something. It’s driving me crazy. It’s all I think about… just between you and me, what are you smuggling?”

Juan sips his beer and says: “Bicycles.”

Download me a fish

Social Scene

25 March 2015

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CXPRESS

PATRICK FOR PLETTAID: Fourth-generation Zimbabwean Patrick Mavros was born in Matabeleland where he developed a deep love for wildlife and beauty. Starting out as baker, he then became a soldier and, when he married, carved a pair of earrings in the form of roses for his new bride. He was soon inundated with requests for similar pieces of jewellery and thus the now legendary international Patrick Mavros brand was born.

The PlettAid Foundation and Robin PelhamReid happily host Patrick for a private viewing of his silver sculptures and jewellery at Cornerway House on March 26, and a public exhibition at The Plettenberg Hotel on the 27th (10am-5:30pm, entrance free). Patrick has generously donated four pieces as prizes (R100 per ticket), which will be drawn at 5:30pm on the Friday. Buy tickets at both viewings or email aconyngham@telkomsa.net for info and visit www.patrickmavros.com for an appetiser to this incredible artist’s work, which will be on sale at both viewings.

KOEKEDOOR MURRAY IS IN ONS MIDDE! Hy’s deesdae ‘n Plettenbergbaai ‘local’, maar wat baie lesers en maats miskien nie van Murray Pienaar weet nie, is dat hy een van die huidige deelnemers aan die bakprogram ‘Koekedoor’ is. Die reeks bestaan uit 12 episodes waarvan twee reeds uitgesaai is, maar kyk gerus Donderdagaande om 8:30 op KykNet (DStv kanaal 144) om te sien hoe dié vaardige bakker vaar, en gaan draai by www. murraypienaar.com vir ‘n voorsmaak van sy vele ander talente.

People, places & events

Photos: Timothy Twidle

GETTING A PIECE OF THE PROF’S MIND: Professor Jonathan Jansen, ViceChancellor of the University of the Free State, gave a talk entitled ‘We Need to Act’ at The White House in Plettenberg Bay on the evening of Friday March 20. He emphasised the importance of a sound education system that inculcates learning and values, as the basis of building a vibrant country with a strong economy. At top left, the prof is flanked by, from left, Bitou councillor Wayne Craig, Member of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament Mireille Wenger, his wife Grace, and Bitou mayor Memory Booysen. At left, André van Niekerk of Sanlam, left, enjoys the event with Bay College headmaster David Butler. The delightful evening was arranged by the Bitou 10 Foundation.

PIANO AFICIONADOS: The second Knysna Plett Concert of the year held on March 17 featured a scintillating recital on piano by Lukás Vondárečk of works by Mozart, Smetana, Dohnanyi, Suk and Schumann, and was enjoyed by a capacity audience that included, from left, Tony & Shlomit Elliott and Jennifer & Richard Wilkinson of Knysna.

Photo: Timothy Twidle

Photos: Elle Photo

NO. SIX = SOLD OUT! Presented by Pam Golding Properties Knysna, ticket sales of last week’s sixth annual Knysna Literary Festival far exceeding any previous year. Festival founder Ling Dobson explains: ‘We were sold out within four hours for Zapiro Unplugged (pictured above left), and The Delicious Word Journey sold out in just two days, compared to a week last year. Before the festival even started, we were down to a scattering of available tickets.’ Other highlights included the ‘Fate of the Nation’ political panel, creativity workshops by Graeme Butchart, and talks by PJ Powers, Tony Leon, Shani Krebs, Mandy Wiener and Jonathan Kaplan, right.

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CXPRESS

25 March 2015

Classifieds

On the Soapbox

25 March 2015

Letters to the Editor

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

Looking for a lady Boerboel from a very good blood line My name is Milo and, if I have to say so myself, I’m rather highly born - got the papers to prove it, you know? But living on a Plett farm gets rather lonely without lady friends. And I’m not getting any younger, at two and a half years old! So if there’s a thoroughbred Lady Boel with a loving nature (no crazies or aggressive bitches, please) reading here, please contact my pet human on 082 492 4417 or at plett101@gmail. com to set up a date. I’m ready to start a family if you have the right credentials!

My poem on ‘Barking Dogs’ In the early hours of a summer’s morn, The old dog wakes up with a jaw-stretching yawn.

On his blanket he lies feeling rather forlorn, At that time of night, a while before dawn.

What woke him up? Oh! He needs to pee, And he also wants to stretch his knee.

But it’s a lonely walk to the nearest tree.

So why not call a mate, or two, or three?

He peers into the night that’s still so dark, And offers up a tentative bark.

Then another and another, just for a lark, Soon enough the pitch has reached its mark.

An answering howl is heard through the gloom, And soon the barking begins to bloom, As with a sense of impending doom The network heats up, just like a chat-room.

The owner of the dog couldn’t give a continental.

He has, after all, kept up with his rental.

With plugs in his ears (this is

CXPRESS

not accidental), He is able to sleep without going mental.

The neighbourhood now is disturbed to the core, The cacophony of sound is too loud to ignore.

Woken up from their dreams with a snort and a snore The men-of-the-house jump up with a roar.

With wives waking up along with their spouses.

The lights go on in surrounding houses, This situation a classic swearword arouses, As the men try to struggle into their trousers.

Leaning out of their windows, this is quite a sight, Folk are yelling and shouting into the night, Shaking their fists and ready to fight As the dogs are now barking with all their might.

The dark of night slowly turns into day, And the hadedas have decided to join in the fray With glee they laugh twice, then fly away.

But the Barking Dogs are determined to stay… flC"Owug‚."Rngvv

Paws for an aerial view

John Larter shared this photo that provides an alternative view to what we see when visiting the Plett Animal Welfare Services (PAWS) premises off the N2 between New Horizons and KwaNokuthula, taken on Saturday March 14. Take note that PAWS will be holding a street collection this Friday (March 27) from 9am to 1pm. If you are willing to give up an hour of your time to help collect, please call Di Butlin on 082 569 2571.

Accident waiting to happen as low-flyers skim Plett rooftops Low-flying aircraft in Plett, including helicopters and micro-lights, have been an endemic problem over the years - with an obvious dramatic increase over season time, when there are more of them around.

I feel, as I’m sure do many residents of Plett, that we do not want to become a statistic as innocent victims of pilot error, as is ascribed to so many light aircraft accidents in this country, because irresponsible people push their luck.

A few weeks ago and prior to your article on the CemAir photo shoot, I had already reported that incident to the SA Civil Aviation Authority in Cape Town. Thank you to CemAir for its prompt and concerned response, and its now apparent strict compliance with flight paths to and from the airport.

Since reporting the incident, most pilots of light aircraft in the area seem to have been complying with the regulations. Skydive Plett appear to be too busy making a living to waste precious fuel and time on low altitude photo shoots and fly-pasts, and have always appeared to comply as well as the aerobatics guys who ply their trade well out to sea or at the airport.

As with most things, there are always the exceptions who feel that laws and

regulations do not apply to them. I have reported a number of other incidents to SACAA, providing numbers, and now also have a camera handy to record the actual event as a report must be backed by factual/ photographic evidence.

A favourite route is to depart from the airport in an easterly direction, fly low over Robberg Beach End/ Robberg Ridge, turn north skimming low over Robberg Beach and after a bit of a flyaround, turn west up Piesang Valley over River Club in the direction of Schoongezicht Country Estate and on to the airport.

The transgressors often fly just above, level with and/ or below the ridge above Piesang Valley (±145m above mean sea level!) where I reside. This is well below the minimum legal ceiling over a built-up area, of which all pilots are fully aware.

Another trick when returning to the airport from a north-easterly direction is to skim low over town, over the roofs of the houses on the ridge, over the Brackenridge Estate area and on to the airport.

I already have the registration numbers of some of the regular offenders, so please smile for the camera when you fly past in future?

Fgttkem"Cpfgtuqp."Rngvv

Are these the Amoils okes that I used to know?

I’m taking a bit of a flyer here... In Yolandé Stander’s story in CXPRESS of March 18 [read ‘Wealth report affirms allure of CX Country for multi-millionaires’ on page 3 of that edition at www. cxpress.co.za], she mentions the name Andrew Amoils.

It is a name that takes me back 60+ years! (I do live in a retirement village, ok?)

I used to work for a George Amoils at Transvaal and Delagoa Bay, which were taken over by Rand Mines, Johannesburg, and wonder if there

is any connection.

I’m not necessarily expecting an answer to my query, so please don’t go to a whole heap of bother.

Strange things come with old age: I can’t remember what I did yesterday or who phoned today, but I can go way back to school days at Barnato Park!

Cpignc"Jcttkuqp."d{"gockn *Kh" {qw" tgcf" jgtg" cpf" eqwnf" ujgf" uqog" nkijv" qp" Cpignc‚u" uwurgevgf"eqppgevkqp."rngcug" ftqr" wu" c" nkpg" cv" gfkvqtB ezrtguu0eq0|c0"/"Gfu0+

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Read CXPRESS online @ www.cxpress.co.za

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CXPRESS

Sport & Adventure

25 March 2015

Is Matthew Tindall Plett’s youngest lifesaver yet?

DON’T FEAR WHEN MATTHEW’S NEAR: Plett NSRI Station 14 crew, at right, treated the Tindall family to a cruise on one of its rescue craft, before honouring the town’s latest little rescue ranger with a Certificate of Appreciation, handed over by station commander Deon Truter, at right below - above, mom Kerry and dad Brendan enjoy the ride with their boys Matthew and Billy Photos: Quintan Olivier, Steph le Roux, Brad Thomas

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OBBERG Vet Clinic’s Dr Brendan Tindall and his wife Kerry could be excused if walking about with pride-swelled chests of late, and ditto for boet Billy, after the family’s youngest member, six-year-old Matthew, was honoured by Plett NSRI last Wednesday.

The Greenwood Grade 1 pu-

pil was at a pool party some weeks ago, you see, when the call for birthday cake had everyone leaving the water at once. Except for one buddy, that is, who suddenly found himself in deep-water trouble.

Says Kerry: “I was trying to get Matthew out of the pool and saw from the corner of my eye another child still

playing in the water. When I registered that he was actually in trouble I yelled ‘Matthew, get him!’ so he swam towards the boy and went underneath him, lifting him up

‘till I could reach his hand.”

There was no-one else close and if Matthew weren’t around, who knows how dire his panicked buddy’s situation might have become?

Kerry attributes Matthew’s quick action to the fact that he’s a Micro Nipper - the junior gang of Plett Surf Lifesaving Club’s crew of sea-savvy children whose achievements on the beach and in the ocean have graced these pages often before.

When the volunteers of NSRI Station 14 got to know about his speedy rescue action, Matthew and his family were invited for a cruise along with the crew during their Wednesday training session, before being awarded a Certificate of Appreciation by station commander Deon Truter at Plett’s state of the art station on Central Beach.

We salute you, too, young Mr Tindall, for setting such a sterling example of service before self.

Taking polo to the pool for a festival of note...

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LETT Water Polo Club hosted The Beacon Isle Kwikspar Mini Water Polo Festival on Saturday March 7, welcoming teams from Glenwood House, Holy Cross Primary, George Suid and Oakhill School to compete against one another in a festive atmosphere.

A total of 20 games were played, matches including development teams that comprised young inexperienced players. There were also some very entertaining hard fought matches among the A teams.

The grand finale was the Plett Stingers against Knysna Masters - teams made up of older former water polo veterans strengthened by a number of high school players.

The youngsters surely learnt some new tricks!

A great carnival vibe was created by Ian McMillan from The Music Box with continual music and regular updates of results. The Club is extremely grateful to Beacon Isle Kwikspar for generous sponsorship.

Thanks are also extended

to Plett Primary School for the use of its stands and gazebo, to Proline Construction for transporting the stands, to Plett Health & Fitness Centre

for the use of the pool, and to all the willing parents who assisted with the preparation and serving of delicious food and refreshments.

AWESOME AQUA GALS: All smiles outside of the water, these young ladies were a force to be reckoned with when representing Plett Water Polo Club in the pool - Photo: Duncan Brown

Water polo is the fastest growing school sport in SA. Anyone interested in playing, young and old, can call Dave Harrow on 082 569 5556.

SHOOTING FOR GOAL: Etienne van Wyk of Plett Water Polo Club stands out above the opposition - Photo: Roger Holmes

The Off the Treble Hook Challenge is on!

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S the Pennypinchers Adventure Racing Team is organising three events during this year’s Plett Easter Games, it makes perfect sense to have a challenge for the best all-rounder over the course of the weekend.

Says team captain James Stewart: “As we take part in a wide range of off-road adventures during the year, many of these involving the different disciplines of trail running, mountain biking and paddling, we felt that it would be great to reward the best all-rounder of the Pennypinchers Adventure Easter Weekend.

“The Challenge was born last year when OfftheHook owner and multisport athlete Wayne Craig came up with the idea, offering generous prizes from his restaurant as well as Robberg Fine Foods.

The 2014 winner Wojtek Orzechowski sailed through the challenge, being the fastest athlete that had entered all three races. He viewed this as

great preparation for the Led Lenser War Trail, which he won about two weeks later.

“Woit has found that taking part in endurance multisport events has given him a new mental and physical energy, as opposed to being stuck in the rut of training for one sport all the time,” says James.

“Going off road has also reduced the number of wear and tear injuries that can be associated with constant training in one sport.”

Competitors who take part in the 17km Pennypinchers Cairnbrogie Trail Run (April

3), the Pennypinchers Nite MTB Relay (April 3) and the Pennypinchers Easter Surf Ski Challenge 20km Singles event (April 4) will be eligible for the Off the Treble Hook Challenge prize, sponsored by OfftheHook restaurant and Robberg Sea Foods.

The prize and trophy will be awarded after the Single Surf Ski Race to the athlete who has completed all three events in the shortest amount of time. Visit entrytickets. co.za to enter online (enter all three events and you enter at a discounted rate).

WOIT N WADE... N WHO WILL IT BE THIS YEAR? Last year’s Off the Treble Hook Challenge winner Wojtek Orzechowski is congratulated by Pennypinchers brand manager Wade Faure, left