25th October 2017 by CXpress

25 October 2017

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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Brenton-on-Sea, one of Knysna’s two Blue Flag beaches - the other being Buffalo Bay - served as apt venue to celebrate these awards along with the Blue Flag status gained by marinas Thesen Harbour Town and Thesen Islands, and Ocean Odyssey as sustainable tourism boat operator. In the pic, municipal manager Kam Chetty is flanked by the Environmental Management team of, from left, Amanda Ndlanga, Lauren Jasias, Joclyn Fearon, Shane Rode, and Pamela Booth. Congrats to Knysna, and ditto to Plett for scoring five ‘Flags’ for the 2017/18 season: Robberg 5, Keurboomstrand, Nature’s Valley, Lookout, and The Dunes.

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NEWS & VIEWS

25 October 2017

Spatz Sperling: ‘Where has the FUN gone?’ - Part I

‘These days all winemakers talk about is medals and stars…’ CXPRESS wine writer PETER BISHOP has just returned from Stellenbosch, where he was one of 10 close friends to join the Sperling family’s final farewell to the beloved Delheim patriarch am privileged in having been a close friend of Michael ‘Spatz’ Sperling of Delheim, who passed away on October 8 at the age of 87. Visiting him was an invite to sit down and to ponder. In the last number of visits, Spatz was not able to communicate other than to follow the view with his penetrating brown eyes. Parkinson’s disease dominated those dark days spent with beloved wife Vera and support staff who teased him to keep his humour going. On an earlier occasion, he asked me: “Bishop, where has all the fun gone? These days all winemakers talk about is medals and stars. We used to have fun. There should be fun.” Sure there had been fun. Private or public functions at the Downstairs Cellar, often with an Oompah band. Singing with Stevie Smit of Koopmanskloof was a highpoint. Wine Shows throughout the country saw a serious and a cheerful presenter something he pioneered in 1953! I met Spatz at a Nederburg Auction 40 years ago, having been on letter-writing terms till then. I was told he was unorthodox, but from the start I found him to be concerned and outreaching. Supremely intellectual. I used to write reports on tastings I gave in George. My uninformed opinions were not universally loved. Spatz sat me down and said: “Those that do things are criticised. You must ignore what your critics say. I want to know what the consumer thinks of my wine and of other wine, and there is nobody else that feeds back opinion.” Spatz was to receive reams

his uncle (and farm owner) Hans Hoheison that he could “make a go of Delheim” with his aunt, Deli, sharing the profits. There were never to be profits, as everything was ploughed back to develop the farm and to stabilise the lives of the workers - a direction that continues to be followed by the next generation. He told me that his guiding principles were clearly outlined. On the farm, what mattered was “Delheim and its wines”. Everything had to be perfect. He would take his leather hat, his walking stick, his note book and two or three Corgis and inspect the vineyards. His eagle eye spotted every water leak, every plant under pressure. He held comparative tastings, and relentlessly questioned helping winemakers on their interpretation. He absolutely admired the young South African winemakers he met, and declared who would succeed and who would fail. Spatz himself was not bookeducated, so he asked questions. I was his source of consumer opinion, but he was not one to allow conceit. A great day in the life of Delheim was August 1983, when he launched the first Grand Reserve. He had bought two farms: one for R600,000 and one for R1-million in the Klapmuts region near Kanonkop and Warwick, so as to have perfect soil. This became Delvera - aunt Deli and beloved wife Vera. He had restructured the cellar; he had travelled to California and sent winemaker Kevin Arnold to check the maturation in small new oak barrels. Came the night: 200 seated

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from me over the years. On visits, he would tell me of behind-the-scenes events and directions. He would ask opinion. Every word would open a crease, a path for more water to flow. More avenues to ponder. World War II ended close to his 15th birthday, and on that very day, his father was killed. His mom and the other two children survived the bombing of Dresden. He worked on a farm for a pittance that provided bread and potatoes to his famished relations. As a 20-year-old, he landed at Delheim planting and selling vegetables, flowers and demijohns of wine at Mowbray Station on Friday mornings. Aged 26 in 1957, he made a deal with

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cognoscenti. Guess the wine. Obviously, Spatz leading those who called a Pinotage a Shiraz up paths of more confusion. Came the moment. The drama and tension was thick. Right under his nose was I piping: “It is a Pinot Noir.” His deaf ear ignored me as I re-uttered. Finally, he gets the attention of the 200 and says: “Quiet. Bishop here has an opinion. What is it?” He leans down. “Gewurztraminer!” he calls. Squelch. Ouch. I thought I was to get revenge when he called a gathering of about 20 winemakers. They all had to bring a top red wine that others tried to identify. The game was on. Then Spatz disappeared and returned with a magnum of 1982 Grand Reserve (as a prize to the first correct answer) and an unmarked dusty bottle. The Dusty was called as a Burgundy by most of the audience - who came up against the deaf ear. I called out: “Blaauwklippen Pinot Noir 1979, not yet marketed.” Not that I was brilliant, but I had given that very wine to Spatz three years before and it had not moved from the spot in his office he had laid it. The deaf ear was deafer yet. When everyone went home, he gave me the magnum, telling me that I would be too conceited, had he acknowledged my ‘guess’ earlier. To be continued… • PeeBee will be one of three esteemed wine cognoscenti (nudge-nudge…) to present tastings and share secrets at next month’s Plett Wine & Bubbly Festival. Turn to page 9 and 12 for details.

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NEWS & VIEWS

25 October 2017

CXPRESS

Tick-tock, tick-tock as Plett’s biggest money-spinner propels towards D Day Organisers of Plett Rage - the student festival which brings thousands of school leavers to Bitou each year - have announced the new venue for the event, despite not having the necessary approval from Bitou Municipality yet - YOLANDÉ STANDER reports LETT Rage organisers last week announced on their Facebook page that this year’s festival would be hosted at the Coco Valley property on the outskirts of Plett - this after last year’s Ganze Vallei venue became unavailable due to the upgrading of the town’s waste water treatment works. The organisers have in the meantime applied for land use of another portion of the Ganze Vallei farm just outside of the town centre, for activities between December 1 and 7.

They also earlier this year applied for land use of Central Beach for day-time activities. The latter saw widespread criticism from various organisations and stakeholders, who believe that the event could have a negative impact not only on marine life, but also on residents and businesses in the area. According to the latest application, stakeholders have until November 6 to submit comments or raise concerns. Bitou municipal spokesman Howard Swartz how-

ever confirmed that a decision had not yet been taken on either of the applications. “No decision has been made as to the use of Portion 98 of Ganze Vallei 444 for the Rage site. The organisers have chosen to make an announcement without the necessary approvals, and they do so at their own risk,” Swartz said. He added that normal process in terms of the bylaw had not been finalised yet and that the application was still open for comments from the public.

Machete-wielding assailants sought: R2,000 reward offered Yolandé Stander

reward is being offered for any information that could lead to the arrest of two suspects who viciously attacked a farmer on the outskirts of Plettenberg Bay during the early hours of Sunday morning. Operations head of the Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association (PBCPA) Otto Olivier said they received a distress call at about 3am on Sunday from a farmer on Avontuur Road. According to Olivier, the man reported that he had been attacked by two machete-wielding men after

they broke into his home. “He sustained several wounds in his attempt to defend himself and his property,” Olivier said. He added that, following the attack, the suspects fled the scene with various stolen goods. Olivier said various PBCPA members responded and conducted a thorough search of the area. “During the search it was found that the suspects also broke into the neighbouring farm where various tools were stolen. During the search for the suspects

some of the stolen goods were recovered.” Olivier said with the assistance of police dog unit officer Waldo Gerber and his dog, the suspects’ trail was tracked through the bushes and over the N2 to KwaNokuthula. Following the attack, a R2,000 reward was being offered to anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects. Should anyone have information which could assist police in their investigation, Plett police can be contacted on 044 501 1900.

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The festival not only brings thousands of future tourists to the town, but also contributes just short of R50-million to the local economy over the period. The latest application is available for inspection at the municipal town planning office at Monks View

in Church Street during office hours. Telephonic enquiries can be directed to Bitou’s town planner, Adel Stander, on 044 501 3321. Objections to the proposal should be lodged in writing to reach municipal manager Thabo Ndlovu at Private Bag X1002,

Plettenberg Bay, 6600. It can also be faxed to 086 457 3270 or hand-delivered at the municipal offices in Sewell Street. The deadline for submissions, which should include the name and address of the person concerned, is Monday November 6.

CXPRESS

NEWS & VIEWS

25 October 2017

Gqukani ready to unite Bitou members on eve of ANC’s elective leadership conference The battle to succeed SA president Jacob Zuma as leader of the African National Congress heats up daily, the main contenders being deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa and Nkosazana DlaminiZuma, and this race for the top job has now directly impacted politics in Bitou as reflected during the election of an ANC branch chairperson last Thursday night - KHAYA MBESI reports S the leadership campaign of deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa has gained momentum, sweeping changes have characterised the Bossiesgif ANC branch of Bitou, hitting especially hard the faction supporting Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma’s drive for the presidency. The latter clique is led by ANC stalwart Monica Seyisi, who has been a ward councillor until recently and a party great in Bitou for the past 15 years, sans interruption. But since October 19, a newly-elected committee is chaired by Ndoyisile Gqukani. When CXPRESS visited chairman Gqukani, he was relaxed and calm and ready for the next meeting in his fast-filling diary. “Our strategy was to visit houses door to door, to meet all members of the ANC in this area. We talked to them about the changing of the old guard, and phoned those whom we couldn’t get to in person. “We are busy developing, re-energising, and rebuilding the ANC in Bitou. We hope to unite our members and give them impetus leading up to the national conference in December. “The morale of the people was brought down by what is going on in the organisation, so our first mandate is to preach

DIRECTION CORRECTED: Ndoyisile Gqukani believes the morale of ANC members are down, and welcomes back those who gave up on the party because of a lack of direction Photo: Khaya Mbesi

unity and encourage our members to be strong again. We wish to bring back all members who gave up on the ANC because of the local ignorance and lack of direction,” said Gqukani. He added that Monica Seyisi would not be ignored or engaged in a war of words while the “bigger agenda of the ANC” is being pursued. “We must stop corruption and be closer to our people. This organisation does not belong to us the leaders. It is a people’s organisation and people come first. Scarce job opportunities and poverty

are our main priority. “We will remain in touch with our communities and listen closely to their cries so as to build their confidence in us,” he said. Gqukani introduced his top executive as follows: deputy chairman Linomtha Mhlana, secretary Amanda Jenet, deputy secretary Priscilla Gqogqa, and treasurer Thobeka Memani, along with additional members. Memani is alleged to be strongly opposed to Seyisi, but denied this when talking to CXPRESS. “Although I am seen as a competitor to Ms Seyisi, this is not the case at all. We have seen how they have fought in the past. I look at her as my role model, not my rival, and we would like to gain knowledge from them as previous committee. “Our ideal is to take the struggle forward and to clean up where there is such a need. Development of the people is paramount - we want to work closely with people and listen to their complaints. “We will be servants of the people. We are the new face in this ward and we hope to work in unity and understanding with each other. Respect for people is the engine for leadership. We are open to learn and to be taught by those who know,” said Memani.

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One of the supporters of the new leadership, Zola Zanekile, said: “We are happy with these changes. We were shocked that Mama Seyisi only had about 10 or 11 voters. We couldn’t believe it! They left the meeting halfway because they saw they were hammered by the opposition. “Our cry as supporters is employment and development, and for our area to be improved and grown. Proper houses must be built, abuse of women must end,” said Zanekile. He added that the new leaders did not appear to be interested in enriching themselves, but that “they represent us on the ground”. One young resident, Azola Keleku, said there were many complaints from the local youth. “I tried to advise our leaders, including Mama Seyisi but she would not listen. “I did not advise her directly but I made some public comments that I thought would be taken seriously. “When you are a leader you listen to people. Many young people were not happy with the old style. I am happy with the changes and hope they will benefit us all.” When we visited Monica Seyisi, she was not prepared to share her side of the story.

NEWS & VIEWS

25 October 2017

CXPRESS

Four unique Plett gardens ready to enthral and raise funds for PAWS cause

ALL-GREEN: Marsja and David Hall-Green are once again intricately involved with organising and incentivising this year’s Plett Open Garden Day on November 11

HEN the first Plett Open Garden Day took place in October 2013, no-one would have predicted that it would grow into such a popular annual event on the Garden Route calendar. Last year, about 350 guests visited the gardens and over R45,000 was raised for Plett Animal Welfare Services (PAWS). This year, garden lovers and other visitors can again look forward to viewing some exceptional gardens at various locations around Plett on Saturday November 11, from 10am to 4pm. They also have the opportunity to explore the town of Plett and its spectacular views of mountains and ocean. Says organiser Marsja Hall-Green: “Every year it is quite a challenge to find four very different gardens because visitors like to see a variety of ideas, plans, colour schemes and changing trends in gardening.

“It is also interesting to juxtapose older gardens with large trees, with newer gardens that focus more on shrubs.” Ouland Royale will host the ever-popular PAWS Plant and Cake Sale, where affordable plants and delicious home-baked fare will be on offer. “We are so grateful to Wilja Reitz for being willing to host us while the Reitz family are still recovering from their losses in the Plett fires. Her own garden is showing hopeful signs of recovery and we know that people will enjoy the special setting with lovely views over Plett, while sampling her tempting treats,” says Marsja. David Hall-Green has donated a watercolour painting worth R3,000 to be raffled. The winner will be able to choose the subject for David to paint - usually a child or a pet. Tickets are R100 for four

gardens and can be bought at any one of the participating properties: Milton Garden, 45 Bitou Glade, Brackenridge Estate This lovely garden consists of a number of focal areas, including two courtyards, a water feature and a surrounding garden with a varied colour palette for flower and foliar contrast. Designed by Wendy Sanderson Smith, it features uniquely beautiful plants, with quirky specimens juxtaposed with bold architectural plants for dramatic effect. Vilacqua Garden, 29 Pladda Drive (off Longships) The garden of this stunning boutique guest villa underwent a complete redesign, which included pools, planters, decking and water features. Designer Lauren Leech chose mainly indigenous and water-wise plants, with a variety of foliage colour and texture. Flower colours are mainly purple and blue, with pops of orange and yellow for vibrancy. Mouton Garden, 6 Beachy Head Drive Graham von Hoesslin redesigned this coastal garden a year ago. It features mature Milkwood and other trees that afford protection from the elements. A palette of mostly pastel colours - blues, purples pinks and whites - dominates the wide selection of indigenous plants, and old-fashioned favourites combine naturally to create a sense of calm. It also features a lovely courtyard and long staircase down to the garden. Brassey Garden, 8 The Meadows, off the N2 opposite BUCO This two-year-old garden, designed with the help of Tyrone Yates, was developed from scratch. Set against the backdrop of mountains, it now features a traditional herbaceous border with a mix of indigenous and exotic flower bushes and trees. The owner describes it as “a youngish garden created by oldish people”! Maps to the gardens will

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be available at Barney’s Info Kiosk at The Market Square from Monday November 6. “I look forward to welcoming visitors to this special event and excellent opportunity to spend a day outdoors enjoying all that nature has to offer - glorious gardens with a backdrop of mountains and ocean,” concludes Marsja. Call her on 073 645 9476 or 044 533 4578 with queries.

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CXPRESS

25 October 2017

NEWS & VIEWS

BUSINESS

25 October 2017

Beer will go down on your permanent record… Stuart Murray

IRST, the really important news: Fear not the Trumpet of threats from the administrative heart of the United States, the shambles of Brexit card dealing, Spain’s threatened civil war, deadly weather patterns so widely global that they have spread to Natal, or migrant hordes still pouring into Europe. All is not lost! Heartening is the recent disclosure by Stats SA that South Africans spend more on beer than on vegetables. Moreover, the statisticians reveal that over half of household expenditure on alcoholic beverages is spent on beer. Mpumalanga leads the quaffing, with beer making up 71% of alcoholic drinks consumption, followed by the Northern Cape and North-West at 66% and 64% respectively. The Eastern and Western Cape are laggards, beer presumably facing competition from wine. Most of us can recall the assertion that there are lies, damn lies, and then there are statistics. But the latter are at least informative. Although the majority of

us juggling books to make ends meet might find it hard to believe, the cost of living is falling. Can it be true? A murmur of comfort from Stats SA, the government department tasked with compiling our Consumer Price Index, is that during the year to October, consumers paid less for bread, vegetables, and fruit. The cost of meat, alas, has gone through the roof - so much so that the Reserve Bank Governor early this month expressed his concern (albeit while hinting at further bad news ahead). In line with global standards, every four years Stats SA updates the basket of items (more than 400) composing the Index. Recent changes that may be of interest are those items leaving the food composite; out went creamed corn, tinned peas, and spreads such as Marmite and Bovril. Newcomers, you’ll be thrilled to learn, are instant noodles, chicken giblets, beef offal, savoury biscuits, and chewing gum. You may not have noticed, but in the first eight months of this year, according to

Stats SA, vegetable prices fell by 3.6%, with lettuce, tomatoes, pumpkins, and potatoes statistically leading the pack. Cheaper fruit prices proved a veritable bonanza, falling by 8.4% in August alone! Best performers were bananas, plums, and pineapples. The big conundrum now is how food prices will perform in the months ahead as we limp closer to the December holiday season, complete with Christmas and Happy New Year jollifications - not to mention Plett Rage. For those readers who enjoy statistics and record keeping, it might prove fun to compile a short list of regular household consumables (not too long or you’ll get bored), and keep a weekly record of price movements. For the sake of domestic peace, however, please do not include the beer. • Stuart Murray (stuartmurray758@gmail.com) is a former senior assistant editor of Financial Mail and co-founder, editor, and CEO of Finance Week. He is retired and quaffs beer in Plettenberg Bay.

How to curb your consumer enthusiasm HE Diderot Effect, named after French philosopher Denis Diderot, teaches us that obtaining a new possession can create a spiral of consumption which leads to acquiring even more new things. As a result, consumers end up buying things they did not previously need to feel fulfilled, instead of saving for their future. “You join a gym and suddenly you need colour-coded fashion accessories, supplements and an expensive meal plan. Or you buy a new bedside table and then find yourself questioning the rest of your bedroom furniture. “If we do not watch our desire to accumulate, we can easily fall into the debt trap,” said Gary Fisher, Head of Member Education at Alexander Forbes Retail. “The Diderot Effect tells us that more things will be fighting to get into your life, so you need to understand how to curate, eliminate, and focus on those

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things that matter, such as ensuring you have enough money for retirement or your child’s education. “It is more important to have sufficient life cover in place, or to be contributing regularly to savings and investment vehicles like a tax-free savings account or a retirement annuity, than to be driving a better car than the neighbour’s.” Here are some guidelines towards mastering this phenomenon: • Reduce exposure. One of the quickest ways to reduce the power of the Diderot Effect is to avoid the habit triggers that cause it in the first place. Unsubscribe from commercial emails. Meet friends at the park rather than the mall. Use tools like https://freedom.to/ to block your favourite shopping websites. • Buy items that fit your current system. You don’t have to start from scratch each time you buy something new. When purchasing

new clothes, look for items that work well with your current wardrobe. When upgrading electronics, get compatible equipment so you can avoid buying new chargers, adapters, or cables. • A cooling-off period will give you pause for thought before spending money. Online purchases, in particular, can be impulse buys. Add an item to your virtual shopping trolley, but wait 24 hours before returning to complete the purchase, allowing you time to consider if you really need that item. • Go one month without buying. Don’t allow yourself to buy any new items for a full month. Instead of buying a new lawnmower, rent one from a neighbour or buy ‘as-new’ second hand. • Let go of wanting. There will never be a time when you’re done wanting things; there is always something to upgrade to. But realise that wanting is just an option your mind provides, not an order you have to follow.

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INTERVAL

25 October 2017

Short bursts of laughter… • Lady (to her doctor): “What I am worried about is my height and not my weight.” Doctor: “How come?” Lady: “According to my weight, my height should be 2.34 metres.” • A company owner was asked: “How do you motivate your employees to be so punctual?” The owner smiled and replied: “It’s simple. I have 30 employees and 29 free parking spaces. One is paid parking.” • My wife told me I did not love any of her relatives. I told her that is not true. I said: “I love your mother-in-law and fatherin-law much more than I love mine.” • I said to the gym instructor: “Can you teach me to do the splits?” “How flexible are you?” she asked. I replied: “I’m pretty flexible, but I can’t make Tuesdays.” • A thought from the greatest living Scottish thinker, Billy Connolly: “If women are so bloody perfect at multitasking, how come they can’t have a headache and make love at the same time?” • Teacher: “Johnny what do you want to be when you grow up?” Johnny: “Either a vet or a taxidermist.” Teacher: “Why did you choose two such different careers?” Johnny: “Well Miss, either way, you get your dog back.” • A woman notices her husband standing on the bathroom scale, sucking in his stomach. “You know, that’s not going to help,” she says. “Sure it does,” he answers. “It’s the only way I can see the numbers.” • The chicken and the egg are laying in bed. The chicken is smoking a cigarette with a satisfied smile on its face while the egg is frowning and looking slightly annoyed. Quitely, the egg mut-

ters: “Well, I guess that answers that riddle.” • A prospective husband visits a book store: “Do you have a book called ‘Husband - the Master of the House’?” Saleslady: “Sir, fiction and comics are on the first floor.” • Teacher: “Donald, what is the chemical formula for water?” Donald: “H I J K L M N O.” Teacher: “What are you talking about?” Donald: “Yesterday you said it’s H to O.” • “Your wife will hit the ceiling when you get home tonight,” said the barfly to his drinking buddy. “Yeah,” said his buddy. “She’s a lousy shot!” • The three dolls in a man’s life are: His daughter, ‘Baby doll’. His mistress, ‘Barbie doll’. And his wife, ‘Myprodol’. • Traffic officer: “Miss, according to your driver’s licence you should wear glasses.” Driver: “I have contacts.” Traffic officer: “I don’t care who you know!” • The wife has been missing a week now. Police said to prepare for the worst. So I have been to the charity shop to get all her clothes back. • “Doctor, I have a son who thinks he’s a chicken,” said the man. “Why don’t you bring him in for treatment?” asked the doctor. “We need the eggs,” replied the man. • A husband is throwing darts at his wife’s photo but not even a single dart hits the target. From another room his wife calls: “Honey, what are you doing?” The husband replies: “Missing you.” • A cop pulls a guy over for weaving across two lanes of traffic. He walks up to the driver’s window and asks: “You drinkin’?” The driver replies: “Well that depends…

You buyin’?” • Son: “Mom, when I was on the bus with Dad this morning, he told me to give up my seat to a lady.” Mom: “Well, you have done the right thing.” Son: “But, Mom, I was sitting on Daddy’s lap.” • Mom: “Having trouble with your computer, Son?” Son: “My computer says it can’t see my printer.” Mom: “I’m not sur-

prised. Look how messy your room is!” • A boxer went to a doctor for treatment of insomnia. “Have you tried counting sheep?” suggested the doc. “It doesn’t work,” replied the boxer. “Whenever I get to nine, I get up.” • Dentist: “Johnny, you’re not brushing your teeth very well. Do you know what comes after decay? Little Johnny: “De ‘L’?”

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SOCIAL SCENE

25 October 2017

IT’S A SURF THING: Henri van Huyssteen was one of first recipients of a board donated via Surfers Helping Surfers, and facilitated by Fullcircle Surfboards and Clayton Bishop (of Learn to Surf and Surf Café fame), pictured with Henri at left. Says Clayton: “The plan is to get guys who lost boards in the June fires back in the water, main events towards this end being two fundraisers in November.” So watch this space for news of these jorls set in Knysna and Plett respectively. But whatever you do, don’t miss out on this weekend’s BUFFS Surf Classic that kicks off in Buffalo Bay on Friday with divisions including Logging, Retro Boards & Alaia, SUP Surf, Hotdogs, and Groms. Says co-organiser Nicky Goodall: If you love surfing, and love giving back, then this event is right up your alley. Not only does it raise money for two local charities, but this year we’re also joining hands with the Surfers Helping Surfers initiative started after the June fires. Brought about by a caring group of local surfers, the main aim is to replace those precious items like boards and wetsuits lost in the blaze.” The event runs over three days in Buffalo Bay arguably one of the friendliest and most fun surf breaks along our coast. Email edenuprising2016@gmail.com or call Nicky on 083 412 4598 for details.

KICKING OFF SUMMER: Bitou’s well-known DJ Mjilo, formerly known as Zuko Jonas, has 20 years as professional DJ under his belt. Great news for fans is that he is hosting a pre-birthday event on November 4 at Spotlight in Plett Industria, bringing along his actor friend Musa Ngema who is known as Mazwi in SABC’s popular eight o’clock soapy, ‘Generations’. Says Mjilo: “I’m very excited to create a platform for all my supporters to come celebrate with me. Beside my celebrity guest, local artists will also perform - one way of promoting them and creating space for them to grow.” He said this event is sure to kick-start Plett’s summer season and that more events will follow. “In the past, I have brought artist such as Tira, DJ Cleo, Gqom and many others to Plett, and I promised your readers that many more events and artist will follow in the near future!” - Khaya Mbesi

THEY WILL MEET FATMAN & FRIENDS: Winners in Plett Barnyard’s The Voice Reunited competition are Lorraine Berg and Carina Brits - congrats! Jeanne will be in contact to let you know where your complimentary tickets to this amazing show, hosted by Johan ‘Fatman’ Brummer, right, can be collected. If you haven’t booked yet for Saturday night’s gig at The Barnyard in The Crags, visit www.barnyardplett.co.za for online bookings or pop in at Barney’s Info Kiosk at The Market Square. The 90-minute show will take you through Season 2’s highs and lows, and favourite moments will be complemented by new music by The Voice SA Reunited. Doors open at 6:30 and the show starts at 8pm (tickets: R150). Call Jeanne for info on 079 876 0406.

People, places & events

CXPRESS

25 October 2017

CLASSIFIEDS

ON THE SOAPBOX

25 October 2017

Letters to the Editor

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

A special farewell message - and the Oscar goes to... …Plett and all the friendly, wonderful and caring people we’ve had the pleasure of knowing for the past 20 years! We moved to Plett from Benoni in 1997 and found it to live up to its reputation of being a veritable “paradise”. Until we moved here, we had only visited Plett once shortly after our marriage, and never dreamed that we would one day make it our home. I have been practising law for the past 53 years, of which the last 20 were in Plett. I built up a loyal clientele which I will always remember with great affection. Since I’m now 80 years of age, Clare and I find our calling is to be nearer our children and grandchildren. We have seven grandkids in all, five of whom live in Cape Town and two in Grahamstown. Sadly, we will be moving further away from the ones in Grahamstown as we are relocating to Cape Town. But we are extremely fortunate, because not only do all three of our children live in South Africa, but all of them reside in the Cape Province. The Rotary Club of Plett and the Anns to which we belonged for a number of years were very good to us and we would like to think that we helped, in our small way, to contribute to those less privileged than ourselves during that time.

We were exceptionally blessed to have professionals in their respective medical fields in the village. They know who they are, so there is no need to thank them individually - or else this letter might become as lengthy as those speeches at the Oscar Awards presentations. In these 20 years, we have experienced horrendous floods and fires, but the level of camaraderie that was shown by all who care, was a testament of how much good there still is in mankind. The National Sea Rescue Institute volunteers of Station 14 and Bitou Fire Department have their hands full, Plett being situated on the beautiful Garden Route, surrounded by ocean and forests. Yet they are at their posts in a moment’s notice whenever there is an emergency. We will miss hearing the midday siren on Fridays, always reminding us of how lucky we are. May God keep you safe at all times while doing your brave rescues and putting your lives so unselfishly on the line. The recent fires that swept through Knysna and Plett witnessed many such acts. You are a very special breed indeed! We wish you all a very fond and loving farewell as we start on the next, exciting new phase of our lives. Ian & Clare Stoloff, Plett

Thank you, CXPRESS! Thank you all so much for your incredible support and help. Voices for Hospice was an amazing concert with wonderful music from talented musicians - a fantastic experience and sold out in both venues. I could not have achieved anything without your editorial support. Lady Annabelle Conyngham, Plett --I just logged onto email to thank you for an amazing piece of work [‘Plett local one of top juniors at SA Bodyboarding Champs

in Durbs’ on page 12 of the October 18 edition at www.cxpress.co.za]. I had people WhatsApping me before I had even seen it to say “what a brilliant article!” You always do an excellent job. Mandy Howorth, Plett --Baie dankie vir die plasing van my Bernie brief [op bladsy 11 van die 11 Oktober uitgawe], dit was so ‘n groot verrassing! Ons het weer hierdie week iemand gehad wat hom kom ontmoet het. Ons hou weer duim vas… Marsja Hall-Green, Plet

Him To stand in line for Wittedrift High School’s Fish Eagle Awards, candidates need to submit an article or piece of creative writing for publication - below is an abridged version of a moving contribution penned by FRANCES WEINER He was art. The way his sun-kissed hair fell over his forehead, emphasising his eyes. Oh, and his eyes, deep blue like the waves of the ocean. I used to get sucked into his eyes where I saw galaxies of stars. Every single thing about him was extraordinarily beautiful. His presence alone made my heart race. Simply being with him brought me much joy. When he wasn’t by my side, I felt unpleasant, strange. Perhaps this is what the stories meant by ‘heartsick’? Your heart and stomach and everything inside of you feels empty and hollow and aching. He was an interesting character. His mind was constantly occupied, always filled with different ideas and emotions. His heart overflowed with sincerity and love, but was enclosed at the same time. He showed signs of fear, and I used to imagine a concrete wall around his wounded heart. I had empathy towards him though. I knew what it was like to feel alien. We both were pretty isolated from society. We didn’t ‘fit in’. We were different from the rest, but the same as each other. We used to discuss how we thought that society was corrupt and people high on their perceptions. Truth is, I was not a cynic by nature, only by revolt. I got away from what I hated, but hadn’t found what I loved. That all changed when I got to know him. He was what I loved. I loved him - every single thing about him. I used to believe that I could never be understood by another, but he understood me. We understood each other. “Don’t let the world shape you,” he used to say. “You can shape the world!” He had a pure and unique soul, even

though it was covered in bullet holes. His sister passed away six years ago. When she died, he got a tattoo of a pocket watch inked on his left wrist. I asked him about it once. He said that it was of the exact time that his sister died. He didn’t like to speak of it. I could see it made his heart ache and that made mine, too. I miss him. Ever since the day he let me drown in his absence, I have never been the same. I know I never ever will be. I miss the way he used to kiss me like my lips were air and he couldn’t breathe. I miss how we would talk about our favourite places to go when our souls felt lost. He said I was his favourite place. We used to discuss different places where we would run away together one day - desert islands in the Caribbean or a Himalayan village. I mourned so much when he left his tiny little blue dot in space. I felt heart-sick, but a billion times worse than before. My entire body felt like a glass jar thrown onto the floor; smashed inside, shattered into a thousand sharp pieces, with nobody to clean up the mess. Whenever I look in a mirror, all I see is a heatshaped bruise. A part of my soul had loved him since the beginning of everything. Maybe we were from the same star. “He’s in a better place now,” they all say. Nobody will ever know how I feel. To have empathy for me is impossible. His name remains a mystery to you, but it is the only secret I can keep, locked inside my broken heart. The saddest truth is realising that I had fallen in love with something that can no longer be. Missing him comes in waves and today I am drowning.

CXPRESS

SPORT & ADVENTURE

25 October 2017

Blue skies and a stiff breeze make for best kite fest yet Correspondent BOB HOPKIN reports on Sunday’s Eden Kite Festival

HE Garden Route’s persistent, and sometimes irritating, breezes were put to good use last Sunday when local and international enthusiasts gathered for the Eden Kite Festival in Sedgefield. This, the third event of its nature to be held in the area, was by far the biggest and, after a frustratingly calm morning, settled in with a stiff breeze in the afternoon to enable even the largest kites to put on a spectacular display. The organisers encouraged public participation by selling promotional kites at below cost in an attempt to beat the Guinness Book of Records target of 1,000 kites in the sky at one time. Although, at time of printing, that target looked doubtful, there was no question that visitors enjoyed the challenge. Surprisingly perhaps, kite flying has an international following and many travel around the world to attend and participate in similar gatherings. On Sunday there were serious national kiters from Port Elizabeth, Knysna, Sedgefield, and Pretoria, together with nationals of Poland, Holland, and the UK. One enthusiast, Alicja Szalska from Gdansk in Poland, said her parents were influential in building her interest in the hobby. “They started modern kite flying in Poland in 1988 and organised the first Leba Kite Festival, and now I am just carrying on their tradition. My hometown is on the Bal-

A FLURRY: A variety of kites - including falcons, dinosaurs, frogs, and even goldfish - took to the skies over Sedgefield Photo: Vivienne Jacobsz

tic coast so there is usually plenty of wind for us to fly on the beach,” she said. Karl and Sara Longbottom from North Yorkshire in the UK have made a profession from kite design and sales. According to Karl, their interest started when they had young children, but 20 years later they have turned it into a career. Apart from designing and selling unique designs, they have been employed to fly kites as an attraction

to major events such as the Olympic Games and music festivals. Event organiser Keith Mould explained that proceeds from the festival will be used by the charity Masithandane to contribute to their bursary fund, which is used to assist parents in Sedgefield with transport costs involved in sending their children to schools in either George or Knysna, as there is no high school in the town.

Sport Shorts

sunglass boutique

• See you at Buffalo Bay for the BUFFS Surf Classic from October 27 to 29! Turn to page 9 for details on divisions, beneficiaries, and info on the fun that starts this Friday. • The Shades of Pink Cansa Fun Walk/Run sets off from Plett’s Longstone Park at 5pm on October 27. Call June on 072 506 0509 and visit ‘Pink Plett’ on Facebook for further details. • This year’s Ultimate Sports Quiz in aid of Plett Nippers takes place on November 10 from 7pm at Plett Bowling Club. Call Barry on 044 533 5902 to book your team.