27 august

27 August 2014

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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Snap a selfie!

MISS GARDEN ROUTE

Danicka Riehl, right, features on this selfie taken by freelance photographer Cindy Ellis, left, with stylist Mandy Varrie at centre read more on page 11 about their recent visit to the Bay and turn to page 7 for a report on eco-selfies

Brutal robbers in jail p3

Food & wine for all p12

Victor victorious! p16

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

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CXPRESS

News & Views

27 August 2014

This prince of a Karoo town is truly worth a visit...

CXPRESS received this travel tale from long-time Plett resident RITA HARDAKER (née Van Rensburg), who said she thought readers may benefit from a reminder that many worthwhile destinations in our region could be reached without having to spend extensive hours on the road

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Our 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

AVING decided to take a short break that was within a few hours’ drive of Plett, my husband Mike and I opted for Prince Albert. And what a delightful trip it was!

Breaking for lunch in Oudtshoorn, we partook of a superb meal at Jemima’s - which is certainly worth the stop with its homely, olde-worlde atmosphere and crackling fire.

Then it was on through the awesome grandeur of Meiringspoort to our destination.

“Mein Himmel, Victor, they named a town after me!” read an inscription on one of the many enterprising, painted tip-up bins in the main street of Prince Albert.

A hive of activity with coffee shops and restaurants galore and numerous art galleries, a winter school was also in progress with a multitude of choices.

Many of your readers are sure to remember Di van der Riet, who was giving a course on jewellery design at the time of our visit, and is still very active in the town. What a pleasure it was to catch up after all these years!

We found Prince Albert to be exceptionally clean and the old-fashioned homes with their high-beamed ceilings and ‘broekie-lace’ verandas brought back memories of an era that was both gracious and stately.

Talent abounds: one of our hosts was a world-class photographer from Switzerland who had made his home in Prince Albert, and after having a meal at his restaurant

DOUBLE CELEBRATION: Mike and Rita celebrated their first wedding anniversary as well as his birthday in Prince Albert

HOLIDAY SNAPS: ‘These photos were taken for fun and the family,’ says Rita - ‘the magnificent mountains, an awesome tree, and pics of the lodge where we stayed that was very old-fashioned and spacious with its high ceilings and loos from another era, the quaint and useful boxes at left were stacked against the wall of a local restaurant and offered for sale to diners’

cum gallery, we wandered around admiring his work.

Some images are quaint, while in other quarters he managed to capture the mag-

nificence of his surrounds.

We also had the best rösti ever, not to mention the Karoo lamb loin.

Wherever we went there

was warmth and a friendly welcome. This prince of a town is certainly to be visited when planning a short getaway from the Garden Route.

News & Views

27 August 2014

CXPRESS

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Police manhunt yields suspected throat-slitter and his accomplice

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REAT-BRAK River police started a manhunt for house robbers on the morning of August 19, appealing to the public to assist them in the tracing of Joseph Oupa Motlomelo and Lionel Kennedy.

These two suspects were linked to the brutal attack on a 56-year-old woman in the town’s Sandhoogte Road on the previous day.

The victim was alone at home, busy in the kitchen at about 11:50am when one of two men approached and surprised her from behind. It is alleged that he threatened her with a knife while demanding money and valuables.

When she refused to show him where the safe was, he slit her throat. Wounded and shocked, she accompanied the assailant to the safe from where he removed a substantial amount of cash.

The men fled the scene on foot, leaving the victim behind to die. She sustained se-

rious injuries to her neck and was admitted to a local hospital for treatment, where she was in a serious but stable condition by last Tuesday.

The police then made a major breakthrough that night when arresting the 46-yearold Motlomelo, believed to be the kingpin in the brutal attack.

Said SAPS spokesman captain Malcolm Pojie: “The investigation officer and branch commander acted on information from the public that one of the suspects was fleeing to Bloemfontein.

“Based on this and assisted by correctional officers, they arrested the 46-year-old suspect on the R102 near Voorbrug in Great-Brak River.

They found more than half the amount of cash that was taken during the house robbery. The money was handed in as exhibit.”

And later that evening, police tracked down the second

suspect, who was found at a friend’s shack at Wolwedans informal settlement in GreatBrak River.

“The investigating team followed the leads they had after receiving information from the public, and arrested the suspect at about 10:15pm on August 21,” explained Pojie.

Both Motlomelo and Kennedy appeared in the Mossel Bay magistrates court on Friday on charges of house robbery, and were remanded in custody for a formal bail application to be brought before court yesterday, August 26.

Da Gamaskop Cluster commander brigadier Gerhard Jantjies applauded the investigating team for their dedication and swift response in bringing these suspects to book. ß" Kh" tgcfgtu" jcxg" etkogu" vq" tgrqtv." ecnn" Etkog" Uvqr" qp" 2:822" 32333" /" cnn" kphqtoc/ vkqp"yknn"dg"fgcnv"ykvj"eqphk/ fgpvkcnn{0

Balaclava gang strikes in Keurbooms Yolandé Stander

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EURBOOMS homeowners have been plagued by a spate of housebreakins over the past few weeks.

During the latest incident an elderly man was overpowered at about 10pm last Thursday by a group of three armed men wearing balaclavas.

The men, armed with knob-kieries and knives, approached the 70-year-old resident while he was locking up a storeroom outside his house.

They forced him back inside the house where they tied him up with wire on his bed.

Otto Olivier of Plett Security said the homeowner kept his cool and did not resist, answering all their questions calmly.

Police spokesman lieutenant Marlene Pieterse said the sus-

pects then left the house with a laptop, cellphone and an undisclosed amount of cash.

The resident managed to free himself and went to his neighbours’ home where he phoned the Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association after which several security companies and police responded.

No arrests have however been made yet.

Olivier urged visitors and residents to be alert at all times especially when leaving home at night - after a noticeable increase in housebreak-ins in the Keurbooms area from Enrico Restaurant along the beachfront to the Keurbooms River including Matjiesfontein and Dolphin Waves.

“It seems there is a group of suspects wearing balaclavas targeting homes in the Keurbooms area,” Olivier said.

He added the biggest challenge apprehending them was the fact that there were various paths that they could use to move in and out of the Keurbooms area undetected.

“They know the area well and know exactly where to hide to keep an eye on movement in and out the houses and then how to get away swiftly.”

Olivier said another challenge was the fact that there were very few permanent residents living in Keurbooms when compared to other areas in Bitou. “Therefore there are not as many patrols by security companies there at night.”

Pieterse agreed that the most prevalent crime in Keurbooms was housebreak-ins and that they would be addressing the issue with more visible policing and community involvement.

ASSISTED ARRESTS: Last Tuesday police released these photos of Lionel Kennedy and Joseph Oupa Motlomelo, right, saying they believed the men pictured would be able to assist in the investigation of a house robbery on August 18;

by Friday the 22nd, thanks to information received from the public, both suspects were behind bars

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CXPRESS

News & Views

27 August 2014

Knysna police and volunteers team up to counter scourge of domestic violence Knysna police and crime prevention groups are reaching out to the community to stomp out domestic violence, which has reached alarming levels of late - YOLANDÉ STANDER reports

SOUP AGAINST ABUSE: From left are Concordia resident Loretta Jansen, Mary Arnolds of Knysna SAPS Victim Support, David Jansen of Concordia and Knysna CPF chairperson Rochelle Kock at the soup drive in Joodsekamp

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ORE than 100 incidents of domestic violence are being reported to local police every month, with Joodsekamp being the worst affected area.

“Domestic violence and crimes against women and children remain key focus areas for police. Partnering with the community safety structures to create more awareness will assist in reducing

KNOW THE FACTS: From left are Knysna CPF secretary Bertie Beël, Hornlee NHW members Charlton Lategaan and Ann van Rensburg, CPF chairperson Rochelle Kock, Mrs Flortina of Hornlee NHW, Mary Arnolds of Knysna SAPS Victim Support, and SAPS spokesperson Chris Spies during the pamphlet distribution

these incidents. Joodsekamp has been identified as one of the hotspot areas,” Spies said.

Therefore the first of a series of crime awareness drives involving the Knysna Community Police Forum, Knysna police, victim support volunteers and local neighbourhood watch volunteers kicked off in Joodsekamp on August 25 and another will be done in Damsebos and Nek-

kies today [Wednesday].

Spies said although police had not done an in-depth analysis on why this type of crime had reached such worrying levels, drugs and alcohol abuse were major contributing factors.

“That is why we have also been focusing on trying to reduce the illegal sale of alcohol and clamp down on the drug trade in the area.”

Spies added that the awareness drive involved distributing pamphlets encouraging victims of abuse to report the crime to police.

“We have found that many women are afraid to report domestic violence to police.

In most cases the man is the breadwinner and they are scared that if they come forward about the abuse, they would lose the financial security and therefore often decide to rather endure the assault.

“With these campaigns we want victims to know that this is not their only option.

We have great victim support and there are various organisations which will ensure that these women are well taken care of and don’t end up on the streets.”

During the first awareness initiative last week, victim support as well as neighbourhood watch volunteers also joined forces in the Knysna CBD with a Love Your Car initiative.

“They engaged motorists on theft out of vehicles and the importance of hiding valuables out of sight. These thefts have been a challenge in Knysna for quite some time.

“Incidents reported to us are extremely high, although a number of arrests have been made. Pamphlets were distributed along Main and Grey Streets as well as in shopping centres’ parking areas.”

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News & Views

27 August 2014

CXPRESS

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It’s bon voyage as Margaret’s banking savvy wins her a Vic Falls break - and won, each member walking off with a 32cm flatscreen TV for their trouble.

After these play-offs were completed in each province, nine provincial top teams met in Johannesburg for the finals, with the grand prize for the winners being an allexpenses paid trip for two to Victoria Falls.

Says Margaret: “Playing against competitors from the eight other provinces was really tough but finally our team,

FAMILY FIRST: Margaret and Hendrik van Huyssteen with their daughter Rozaan, 18, who’s doing her matric at Outeniqua High School and plans to study teaching next year

FOCUS ON THE FALLS: Margaret answered the majority of questions of team Eden Experts

EARNING THEIR COLOURS: The Cape Town leg of the competition saw competitors in graduation gear complete with togas and caps - from left behind Margaret are Ria (George), Lizelle & Elaine (Oudtshoorn), and Geraldine & Alfredo (Beaufort West) - while in Joburg Team Eden Experts sported turquoise Ts with a rainbow motif for luck... which obviously worked!

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HROUGH the Plett grapevine we belatedly learned that Margaret van Huyssteen - the guardian angel of many First National Bank Plett clients’ financial wellbeing - won a national competition along with her able team of colleagues.

So we bugged her busy schedule (she’s Customer

Banker at the Plett branch where she has worked for the past 28 years, and has been an FNB employee for 38 years!) to find out more.

Turns out First National Bank SA held a countrywide product knowledge competition, for which six candidates per region were grouped together to represent, for in-

stance, Cape Town and surrounds, the West Coast, and the Garden Route.

These candidates, of which Margaret was one, were selected after scoring 100% in all tests on the bank’s range of products.

Her team was then required to battle it out against nine other Western Cape teams

the Eden Experts, walked off with this magnificent prize. It was an extremely proud moment for me.

“The mother of one of the ladies in our winning group, Lizelle Engelbrecht from Oudtshoorn, owns the jewellery store in Plett’s main street and she’s taking her mom along on the Vic Falls trip.”

Margaret and her husband, Hendrik, are much looking forward to the outing. They hit the road north on Mon-

day September 1 and will enjoy the luxury of David Livingstone Lodge for three full days, hopefully bringing back lots of Falls photographs on their return.

She concludes: “The experience proved again that FNB cares for its employees while at the same time being serious about ensuring that we know our products well enough to give clients the best possible service.”

Bon voyage, Margaret!

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CXPRESS

News & Views

27 August 2014

Is Masizame’s good work going down the drain?

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HE Masizame Drop-In aims to keep vulnerable children off the street by providing day care services at the centre in New Horizons.

From humble beginnings, working with just a handful of boys at inception in 1992, the Drop-In today provides partial care to around 50 children on a daily basis.

The Centre is fully registered with the Department of Social Development, and provides hot meals, ablution facilities and life skills programmes in an effort to meet the developmental needs of these vulnerable youngsters.

Many of the children come from backgrounds of extreme poverty, abuse and/or neglect and do not see a viable alternative to a future on the street.

The first step and a key element in addressing the emotional needs of these children is through building self-esteem. It is important that the children gain a sense of self-respect and dignity before any hope for a change in lifestyle and meaningful life can be considered.

Fkipkv{"hnwujgf"cyc{" Says Marketing & PR Officer Nicholas Coleman: “It is here where our team at Masizame Drop-In faces a discrepancy between the core value of promoting dignity, which our programmes look to impart, and the quality of services that we are able to provide - the state of the ablution facilities are of great concern to us.

“The toilet and laundry facilities are housed in a converted ‘shipping’ container which has been in daily use for almost 25 years. The shower floors are constantly flooded and the toilets are in terrible condition, and severe rust damage takes the term ‘rustic’ to another level,” he explains.

“While the holes in the walls and ceiling are a source of light, and the lack of floor ensures the grey water is recycled directly into the earth below, it is a nightmare for health and safety.”

For many children, the Drop-In is the only facility in which ablution facilities are accessible.

“The realities of the social economic backgrounds of these children mean that it is primary services such as ablution facilities and hot meals which draw the children to our centre, where we may then engage in broader development programmes.”

BEYOND ‘RUSTIC’: The state of the ablution facilities at the Masizame Drop-In in New Horizons is appalling – above, Shaylin can’t bear using the rusty, leaky loos; below, the rest of the pics show extensive rust and holes in the container walls

Jgnr"rwnn"vjg"rnwi"qp"ngvvkpi" jqrg"fqyp"vjg"ftckp Masizame is appealing for sponsors and grant makers to help develop a viable and sustainable solution to this ablutions problem.

“Whether it is a permanent solution or a replacement mobile solution, we want to hear from you as we are eager to

adopt new and creative ideas.

We would welcome contributions in the form of donations, either financial or goods, labour or integrated solutions,” concludes Nic. If you or your business can provide any assistance, please contact Nicholas Coleman on 044 533 0087 or at masizame pr@gmail.com for more info.

News & Views

27 August 2014

Only four days left to win big with our power as consumers, your eco-selfie! but we are in fact extremely

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CO Atlas, the pioneering eco portal, invites all South Africans to snap a selfie of themselves at their favourite eco destination in order to win one of four fabulous prizes and further build SA’s already substantial ecoconscious community.

In this age where all things are instagrammed and the selfie serves as short-form communication, Eco Atlas hopes the competition, which runs until the end of August, will celebrate people and places that are humanely sound while benefiting the environment.

“If it’s a place that is doing something good for people, or something good for the planet, then it should be celebrated,” says Eco Atlas founder and director Rhian Berning.

“It can be anywhere you love to eat, shop, stay or play.”

Selfie snappers have ‘till August 31 to post their pics to their Facebook or Twitter accounts tagging @ecoatlas and hashtagging #ILoveEco along with a short sentence or two about where they are and what kind of great ecothings happen there.

Prizes include two nights’ luxury accommodation at Three Trees Lodge at Spioenkop in the Drakensberg, and a weekend for four at the incredible Ingwe Forest Adventures resort outside of Plett.

Further prizes include tickets to the Greenpop Hogsback Reforest Fest that takes place mid-September.

Established by Berning in 2013, Eco Atlas is a South African first and provides consumers with information on socially and ethically sound businesses. The website lists accommodation, restaurants, outdoor activities and goods providers, to mention a few.

Each listed venue features a write-up, photos, Google maps and the ability for visitors to review and comment.

The value of Eco Atlas has been recognised by Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa, who has encouraged all certified places to be listed on this unique and necessary

online tool. The Sustainable Tourism Partnership Programme has also given Eco Atlas its stamp of approval.

“If you want to change the world, start with your wallet and change the places you visit and support,” says Berning. “We often underestimate

powerful. There are so many people and places creating positive change and walking the ethical talk. Eco Atlas provides you with the map to find them.”

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FAMOUS FACES ALREADY IN THE RUNNING: Selfies entered in the Eco Atlas competition so far include those of Freshly Ground’s golden-voiced Zolani Mahola, pictured above with her boy Zazi Bastion Mahola-Klemp, who turned one on August 8; below is food celeb Karen Dudley & Co of Cape Town’s The Kitchen fame, and ‘Liefling’ star Lika Berning at the bottom

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CXPRESS

Formerly hidden wine gems now sparkle in Plett SIP more than 50 local wines and bubbles, SAVOUR the delicacies of artisanal foods and eateries, SEA the Big Blue and ENJOY the festivities along the Plett Winelands...

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burgeoning wine tourism hotspot has been unearthed in the beautiful coastal town of Plett. This is one of South Africa’s newest Wine of Origin regions and has become popularly known for its Méthode Cap Classique (MCC) sparkling and still wines - declared award winners every year.

The farms are producing a variety of cultivars, including Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and the expanding MCC varieties are growing fast and

flavoursome to turn this area into a premier bubbly experience.

With a gentle ocean breeze sweeping through the vines, glorious Plett weather and a wine region that can be traversed in a variety of ways, the Plett Winelands will be making a definite mark on the SA wine industry.

For a little taste of that extraordinary Plett feeling, plan ahead and book your space at the Plett Wine & Bubbly Festival on October 4 & 5 the same time as whale sea-

son, sunny cool afternoons, and school holidays.

Imagine blissfully sipping a crisp MCC or a fine Pinot Noir at the Beacon Island Hotel, the sun freckling your face as you watch whales frolicking in the waves - a unique experience indeed.

Visit www.plettwinelands. com to book your tickets and for more information - main event at the iconic Beacon Island Hotel on October 4 & 5, with breakaway wine farm events from October 6-12.

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CXPRESS

Interval

27 August 2014

Sailor: I was shipwrecked and lived on a can of sardines for a week.

Captain: My, weren’t you afraid that you’d fall off?

The welfare genius A guy walks into the local welfare office, marches straight up to the counter and says: “Hi. You know, I just HATE drawing welfare - I’d really rather have a job.”

The social worker behind the counter says: “Your timing is excellent. We just got a job opening from a very wealthy old man who wants a chauffeur/bodyguard for his 18-year-old daughter.

“You will have to drive

around in his Mercedes, and he’ll supply all of your clothes. Because of the long hours, meals will be provided. You’ll be expected to escort her on her overseas holiday trips. You’ll have an adjoining room.

“And the starting salary is $200,000 a year.”

The guy exlaims: “You’re joking!”

The social worker replies: “Yeah, well, YOU started it.”

The importance of walking and exercise • Walking can add months to your life. This enables you at the age of 85 to spend an additional five months in a nursing home at R40,000 per month.

• My grandpa started walking five kays a day when he was 60. Now he’s 97 years old and we have no idea where the hell he is.

• I like long walks, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me.

• The only reason I would take up walking is to hear heavy breathing again.

• I have to walk early in the morning, before my brain figures out what I’m doing.

• I joined a health club last year, spent about R2,500.

Haven’t lost a kilo. Apparently you have to go there!

• Every time I hear the

dirty word ‘exercise’, I wash my mouth out with chocolate.

• I do have flabby thighs, but fortunately my stomach covers them.

• The advantage of exercising every day is so when you die, they’ll say: ‘Well, he looks good, doesn’t he?’

• If you are going to try cross-country skiing, start with a small country.

• I know I got a lot of exercise the last few years just getting over the hill.

• We all get heavier as we get older, because there’s a lot more information in our heads.

• Every time I start thinking too much about how I look, I find a pub with a Happy Hour and by the time I leave, I look just fine.

Anagrams… very clever!

• SLOT MACHINES When you rearrange the letters: CASH LOST IN ME • ANIMOSITY When you rearrange the letters: IS NO AMITY • ELECTION RESULTS When you rearrange the letters: LIES - LET’S RECOUNT

• SNOOZE ALARMS When you rearrange the letters: ALAS! NO MORE Z’S • ELEVEN PLUS TWO When you rearrange the letters: TWELVE PLUS ONE • MOTHER-IN-LAW When you rearrange the letters: WOMAN HITLER

... And then she asked: “What’s the best form of birth control after 50?”

I said: “Nudity.”

God has to be the best inventor of all time. He took a rib from Adam and made a loudspeaker.

My wife said: “Watcha doin’ today?”

I said: “Nothing.”

She said: “You did that yesterday.”

I said: “I wasn’t finished.”

Business

27 August 2014

CXPRESS

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Seeff concludes R2.7-billion property deal

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HE team at Seeff Plett was pleased to share with CXPRESS last week the announcement that their group had successfully brokered “what we believe is the largest private industrial sale and single-tenanted leaseback property transaction concluded in the country”.

The deal, worth R2.7-billion, was concluded by Jeremy Diamond who heads up Seeff’s Structured Sale and Leaseback business, and is believed to also be the single largest transaction ever con-

Investor Focus

cluded by a real estate agency in the country.

The transaction involves the acquisition of the commercial property portfolio of Macsteel Service Centres South Africa, comprising over 500,000sqm of mostly industrial space by the Redefine Properties for the sum of R2.7-billion.

The transaction was concluded as a triple net, selfrepairing lease on a 12-year period. Seeff introduced the parties and facilitated the deal, which took over six months to complete.

The transaction has enabled Macsteel to action a strategic management decision to enter into a long-term sale and leaseback transaction with a strategic group with the view to unlocking significant capital inflows for investment in future growth.

For Redefine, this is a significant transaction as the acquisition allows it to increase its industrial portfolio from R5-billion to R7.7-billion.

Diamond says there is a global trend towards sale and leaseback transactions as an

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

Living with the volatility threat

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OLATILITY instils fear in the hearts of most investors, particularly retired investors who are unable to replace any assets that are badly affected.

To live with a problem, it is always best to understand it. A brief look at the current environment would be as follows: there are wars festering away in Iraq, Iran, Syria, Libya, Palestine, Israel and Ukraine, as well as troubles in Nigeria and Kenya.

This is a frightening list, but most of these have been ongoing for some time and the markets have ignored them.

The actual question to ask is whether or not they will affect the markets in real terms.

That they may influence market sentiment is possible, of course, but will they affect the profits of listed companies, or have seriously detrimental impacts on the economies of nearby countries?

Most of what we are reading

with regard to these events is called “noise” by investment professionals. They make for good newspaper headlines, but more often than not have little real effect on the ground.

The sad events at African Bank have put a dampener on sentiment at the JSE, but will they have a real impact on, say, British American Tobacco, or Nampak? Probably not.

The possibility of rising interest rates in the US had a negative effect but this possibility is now built into the markets.

The European markets are a different story. The Ukraine/ Russian conflict does present a real risk, particularly if it escalates into an all-out conflict. (At this stage this seems unlikely.)

Russia does, however, supply Europe with most of its gas, so there is a distant possibility of a real impact rather than one that only affects market sentiment.

Having considered all of these negative sentiments, one must now consider a different approach.

Warren Buffet has said that when all are reacting in fear, it is time to be brave (not his exact words).

I believe that the current volatility or market weakness is a correction in an ongoing bull market. Share prices got too rich, the fundamentals were ignored, and those that were sucked in by the herd instinct have been left above the high-water mark...

Momentum investing is always fraught with risk. The noise was the trigger for this market correction. How long it will last, or how low it will go, is impossible to predict.

However, the lower share prices will correct back to better value levels and will certainly present us with sound buying opportunities.

Now is the time to do your homework, establish the

Healthy finances, healthy relationship

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healthy relationship entails sharing, but should that include your money?

Merging your finances in a marriage or committed relationship can be tricky, especially if you and your partner have completely different attitudes towards money, says Lyle Harker from Sanlam.

You may be quite disciplined when it comes to spending, whereas your partner may be a complete shopaholic and end up dipping into credit in the middle of the month. So how would you ideally structure your finances to make sure you are both financially secure?

Yjgp"vq"mggr"kv"ugrctcvg" Even if you manage your finances separately, you should still have mutual financial goals and priorities you agree on. Things like home extensions, a new car or saving for your child’s education are large financial commitments and should be discussed and agreed upon, since it has financial implications for both of you.

economically sound alternative to owning property that is not core to the operations of the business.

“In the current global financial environment, this type of transaction offers an attractive financing alternative with the added benefit that the property seller is able to remain in the property as a tenant with minimal disruption to business and staff.”

On the back of growing demand, Seeff has over the past two years concluded several key transactions and currently

Credit, however, is something you should ideally separate, says Lyle, especially if you have conflicting money management principles.

“The last thing you want is to be responsible for a partner’s extravagance, which in the long run could reflect negatively on your own credit history and play havoc with your budget,” says Lyle.

Many couples set up a joint account for household expenses, while others choose to pay for certain items from separate accounts. One partner may finance the bond, while the other is responsible for utility and grocery bills.

“However you decide to manage joint expenses is a personal choice, and you and your partner should agree on how you prefer to manage it. Keep in mind, though,” warns Lyle, “that a joint account will be frozen if either partner dies, which could leave the remaining partner in the lurch.”

Yjgp"vq"fqwdng"wr" When you own a joint asset

that both parties are contributing to, make sure that joint ownership is recorded. This is particularly important in livein relationships where partners are not legally married.

Few people realise that romantic partners do not automatically have rights when it comes to inheritances, even where couples have been living together for years.

“Sit down with your partner and a financial adviser to jointly plan your estates and draw up your respective wills,” says Lyle. “That way you can ensure that your interests and assets are protected and that your final wishes are clearly spelt out.”

Financial woes can place a big strain on a relationship.

Involving your financial adviser, frank discussion and clever planning can help prevent a situation where you spend most of your time arguing about money, and ensure that you have peace of mind, regardless of what the future may hold.

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price levels that offer true value in your mind, buy the shares and wait for the noise to subside. If you have done your homework properly, you will be well rewarded.

For retirees needing income, you must watch the dividend yields - if the company is sound, you might get an opportunity for some juicy yields.

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has a pipeline of over R3.7billion, including this deal.

According to Diamond, the transaction illustrates that now is the perfect time for property owners to maximise their upside as the market is

extremely bullish for sale and leaseback transactions.

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CXPRESS

27 August 2014

Social Scene

OUD MAAR LANK NIE KOUD! Age in Action Eden Karoo-streek het op 21 Augustus hul streeksvergadering by Rosemoor Dienssentrum in George gehou en 50 mense van regoor die hele streek (Oudtshoorn - Mosselbaai - Knysna - Plettenbergbaai George) het die geleentheid bygewoon. Onderwerpe wat bespreek is het ingesluit uitdagings ten opsigte van vooruitgang en ander met betrekking tot die Departement Maatskaplike Dienste. ‘n Kompetisie is aangekondig vir Wêreld Alzheimer’s Dag op 21 September en opleiding het gehandel oor die Wet op Ouer Persone.

Daar is ook gesels oor die George Sportdag, Golden Games in Kaapstad, en Week van Ouer Persone van 29 September tot 5 Oktober. As deel van Vrouemaand is die aanwesige dames bederf met geskenkies deur Irene Pietersen van Age in Action se kantoor in George. Jakkie Brandt, links, het die gehoor vermaak met ‘n paar lekker sang items. Op die foto regs voor is Sophie du Preez, die oudste dame by die geleentheid teen 92 jaar. In die agterste ry van links is Kay Hermanus, Helen Damons, Age in Action onder-voorsitter Johanna Joshua, en Irene.

People, places & events NOTHING SAYS ‘TA’ QUITE LIKE A STYLE AND FOOT SPA: On August 21, the Democratic Alliance of Ward 4 New Horizons in Bitou Municipality treated its elderly citizens to a morning of pampering and delight. Local activists, the committee and hair dressing specialists all got together to make sure the ladies of Ward 4 were well looked after.

Said councillor Elaine Paulse, second from left at back: ‘During Women’s Month, we wanted to give back to elderly women of our community and say thank you for their selflessness. This was just a small gesture from our side.’ Branch chairperson Wayne Terblanche, at back left, organised the Hair Clinique of Knysna to assist with washing, cutting, dying and blow-drying of the ladies’ hair.

They were also treated to foot spas and pedicures. All the pretty ladies - mainly retired citizens of the New Horizons community - left happy and the DA committee is looking into making this a more regular event.

KNYSNA’S KIWI FANS ON A ROLL: About 45 All Black supporters from as far as Tsitsikamma and Plett rocked up to attend the inaugural meeting of the Knysna All Blacks Supporters Club (KABSC) on August 16. Many indicated that the initiative is long overdue and that it should focus on how the communities of Knysna could benefit from the club. An executive was elected with Elrick van Aswegen as chairperson, Charles Thobi as vice-chair, Devon Hans as secretary and Elton Vinnies as treasurer. Other ex-officio members were also elected and after the meeting, all members enjoyed the first Bledisloe Cup game. Says KABSC initiator, Michael Rhode: ‘We were a bit disappointed in the result, but took courage in the fact that the All Blacks remain unbeaten.’ The club watched the next game on Saturday August 23 at the premises of the chairperson, and interested parties can find out where this weekend’s and future All Black supporter action will take place by phoning Devon Hans on 081 776 7617.

Social Scene

27 August 2014

CXPRESS

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People, places & events

DOSH FOR RESCUERS: Plett’s high-performing NSRI Station 14 last Wednesday received this fat cheque to the value of R11,500 of which R1,500 was raised by Willing Workers in SA, and R10,000

by Plett Ski-boat Club. In the pic, chairman Chris Schorn hands the moola to station commander Deon Truter, left, who expressed his gratitude to the Club and to WWISA’s Mac McKechnie.

STYLING IN PLETT: Photographer Cindy Ellis, top left, shot a bunch of pretty pics of the crew who came to test the waters for seasonal shoots on the Garden Route that will feature in Living & Loving magazine’s November and January editions.

With her at centre is Miss Garden Route / Klein Karoo Danicka Riehl - not only a beauty, but a sharp gal studying Economics at NNMU in George - and fashion stylist Mandy Varrie. In the pic at left, Danicka is treated to a ride on his awesome BMW by Ski-boat Club chair Chris Schorn, who also appears on the bottom pic with the gals and club PR Sue van der Gaast, right. The ladies thank Ocean Safaris for sponsoring their whalewatching trip, and the club for treating them to a delicious fresh fish lunch.

DYNAMITE IN A SMALL POCKET: Deon Coetzer of Plett Sports sent this pic of his daughter Sasha, right, who posed next to an opposing team’s goalie during last Saturday’s successful inter-schools hockey tournament at Plett Primary. At right, Sasha shows that, even though she’s pocket-sized in comparison, her reach is not to be questioned. Well done to Plett Primary’s teams for good results and excellent sportsmanship.

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CXPRESS

Food & Wine

27 August - 2014

From Michael Oliver’s pen

Carey’s pork on cauliflower mash ‘a party in your mouth with every single bite’ This recipe rolled in at the same time as last Friday’s front, part of MICHAEL OLIVER’S daily news on good food, wine and times – visit www.michaeloliver.co.za to find out more

T

HIS has to be one of my favourite dishes at the moment: Carey Boucher Erasmus’s juicy fried pork neck steaks on a bed of cauliflower mash with a rich creamy sauce, leeks and pancetta.

It really is a party in your mouth with every bite.

Earthy, sweet, salty, creamy, smoky… absolute heaven!

The trick with making cauliflower mash is steaming it until tender and then squeezing as much excess liquid out of it as possible (I use a sieve). If you don’t do this, you end up with watery, separated mash.

I have been trying wherever possible and when I feel like it to replace carbs with veg-

etables that leave me equally satisfied. With the result, cauliflower mash has become a staple in our home and we love it.

If you’re not keen on pork, try replacing with chicken breast fillets - makes for a winner chicken dinner.

It’s easy to make, prep time is 10 minutes and cooking time 15 minutes.

Rqtm"Uvgcmu"qp"ecwnkhnqygt" ocuj"ykvj"nggm"("rcpegvvc" etgco"ucweg"*Ugtxgu"6+ Kpitgfkgpvu< • 4 pork neck steaks • Freshly ground salt and pepper • 1T (15ml) butter • 1T (15ml) vegetable oil • 50g diced pancetta

F R E S H

• 2-3 leeks, thinly sliced • 1 clove garlic, crushed • 2 sprigs of thyme • 1/4 c (60ml) dry white wine • 2T (30ml) sherry • 1c (250ml) cream Ecwnkhnqygt"ocuj< • 500g cauliflower florets, steamed until tender • 2T (30ml) butter • Salt, pepper and nutmeg to taste Ogvjqf< • Season the pork steaks with salt and pepper. Heat the oil and butter in a frying pan until bubbling.

• Add steaks and fry each side over moderate heat for 4 minutes per side or until cooked through. Remove and set aside to rest.

• Add the pancetta to the pan and fry until crispy. Add the leeks, garlic and thyme and sauté until glossy and softened.

• Add the wine and sherry and fry until this liquid cooks away. Add the cream and

BITS OF FABULOUSNESS: Carey Boucher Erasmus is a wellknown Cape Town-based food consultant, food writer, recipe developer, food ambassador and teacher - her website www.bitsofcarey.co.za is well worth a visit

gently cook until reduced and thickened to desired consistency. Season to taste.

Ecwnkhnqygt"ocuj<

• Drain cauliflower well and squeeze any excess liquid out. Add butter and mash until smooth and season to taste.

PeeBee’s Wine Column

Peter Bishop

Memories of wines that got away

I

undertook the combined Wine Trade Show of Tim Rands’ Vinimark and Andy Baker’s Wineworx not really with trepidation, in case I ended up with a red wine sour head, but in the hope of finding something new, and that the established producers would once again perform.

I was not disappointed.

After a Gosset Rose Champagne that had a nice grip, I was thrilled to encounter once again the country’s top Cabernet Sauvignon: the Le Riche 2011 (“elegance and dignity”) produced by Christo, son of Etienne, in the family’s new (but old) cellars. It’s the quality of those little drying tannins.

Then on to one of the greatest Sauvignon Blancs I have ever enjoyed: the youthful Reyneke 2013, fermented in oak. Johan was one of the owner/winemakers among 43 stalls. The wine sells in London and New York top hotels, and small wonder with its bio-dynamic pedigree.

A Chardonnay of class was the Groot Constantia 2013 that had undergone malolactic fermentation in the barrel.

This serious wine was bolder than most reds encountered, and the opposite to many of the unwooded, simpler but pleasant Chardonnay on offer.

The newly-packaged Goewerneur’s Reserve 2011 was also powerful, with 20-30 years potential. Predominantly Cabernet Franc, it had no pretensions to be consumerfriendly and for that reason I top-rated it.

Thunder Child.

The Special Cuvee Sauvignon Blanc of 2014 at under R100 will be a winner this season, as will the Work of Time 2008 so popular with the Indians in the IPL Cricket competition. It’s creamy and spicy, it seems to go with curry.

I had not seen Goede Hoop’s Pieter Bestbier in 20 years, but his well-priced

‘If one lives in a region like Eden where the water quality is questionable, then easy accessible wines are okay’ Many producers these days are forced by marketers and marketing influences to make easy accessible wines, with cellar techniques like microoxidation and the use of enzymes to break the tannic grip and loosen the fruit. Some even retain a bit of sugar.

If one lives in a region like Eden where the water quality is questionable, then such wines are okay.

These cheaper or less expensive wines serve a wider purpose in the Southern Cape as restaurateurs can buy cheap and sell the same wine high, without the wine maturing in their cellars (shelves), and then not always served at ambient temperatures.

So they sell on profit potential not on class. The show had many of these offerings.

Jeanette and Abrie Bruwer of Springfield are changing the lives of children in a neighbouring orphanage in Robertson with sales of the

• Place the pork steaks on a bed of mash and pour generous amounts of sauce all over. Eat immediately.

Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon showed floral freshness and fine ripe fruit. The formula has not been lost.

The legacy of Altydgedacht is being maintained by Olly Parker. The 2014 (dry) Gewurztraminer was another white to impress, a peach of a wine.

Well-travelled winemaker Etienne Louw produces a New Zealand-style Pinot Noir in a screw cap, fresh with a damson nose for those who love going around smelling damson.

One cannot visit each stall. I would have loved to do justice to Shannon of Elgin’s flagship Mount Bullet Merlot, and the Macushla Pinot Noir.

I missed out on Rustenberg’s truly classic Peter Barlow Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, and a Neil Ellis Cabernet Sauvignon 2011, the De Morgenzon Chenin Blanc Reserve of 2013 and the Glenelly Lady May of 2010 - as good Catho-

lics say, “through my own most grievous fault”.

Fear of taking the wrong turn out of Simola and landing in the forest creates inhibition.

It was great linking up with Irene Waller of Franschhoek’s La Bri, who has mystic floral background labels on her range. The Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 is calm with a long memory. The 2009 was a five-star.

A co-fermentation of Shiraz and Viognier has the smell of red roses, finely tuned, again calm and sedate like the lady winemaker, and under R100.

Again I was impressed by Bon Courage’s moderatelypriced Méthode Cap Classique, this time the Cuvee Rose 2008.

Newcomer was Wellington’s Leeuwenkuil, whose prices went from R29 to R195. Winemaking technique is natural with dry-land farming. Whereas the screwcap Shiraz was R31 to the trade, the Heritage Syrah 2012 was R195, showing how the Swartland is stepping out.

Lovey red Capsicum peppers, with a bit of the feel of white peppers, and lovely small ending tannins.

The organisation was excellent, with the crowd being controlled so as to avoid congestion. But somehow my memories are of the wines I could not get to.

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Home & Health

27 August 2014

CXPRESS

How Amanda’s sewing dream came true

W

HEN Amanda Allum came to live in Plett last year, she wanted to give something back to the community and decided to pass on some of her sewing skills to local children so that they too could enjoy and benefit from the craft.

She joined forces with local charity Born in Africa and has for the last seven months been teaching hand-stitching, and now knitting, to some of the boys and girls of Kranshoek Primary School.

Their projects so far have included cellphone wallets, pencil cases, shoulder bags and aprons, all made by hand - but Amanda wanted them to learn and make more.

Self-funded, Born in Africa (BIA) stimulates social and educational development in children, and apart from many other activities, the BIA team sets out to make someone’s dream come true every month.

The aim is to inspire their learners - if they can start be-

GIVING N GETTING: From left are Lea, Adje, Maria and Nita at the happy occasion of Amanda, right, receiving her new sewing machine

lieving that their dreams are possible, they will be increasingly motivated to chase them with greater fervour.

Among the many dreams

they have realised count the fact that they have helped a child to see properly again with an eye operation, organised that a student could

‘shadow’ a grown-up in the workplace, given guitar lessons, and even built a house!

So this time, Amanda’s dream for her sewing class was on the agenda. She needed a sewing machine to develop her students’ skills further, enabling them to make and alter their own clothes or create something useful for the home - not only as a rewarding hobby, but as beneficial skill for the future.

Fortunately, Siya Phambili, the inspirational bead workshop up at The Crags, got to hear about Amanda’s dream and, as they also like to give back to the community, decided to sponsor a brand new sewing machine just for her class.

And now, thanks to the skilled bead workers of Siya Phambili and Adje, their mentor, the sewing class is learning how to cut a skirt pattern to their own measurements, and can start machine sewing their skirts in their chosen fabric, ready to wear

Garden clubbers hang with the bats in Hunter’s Home jungle

While you read here, chances are good that members of Knysna Garden Club are marvelling at the lush indigenous trees and plants, streams and hidden alcoves of Littlewood Garden in Hunter’s Home. Having scheduled their meeting for 10am today (Wednesday August 27), the club’s Elinor Clegg said they had chosen this specific season to visit Martina Holzi’s beautiful Lindsey Street home. ‘Martina has an amazing display of succulents and exotic cacti which should be at their best at this time of the year.’ The jungle of a garden is also home to an abundance of birds, butterflies, and a large contingent of resident bats.

Contact Elinor on 044 387 1966 for more info on Knysna Garden Club.

You can boost the welfare of many Bitou children

C

HILD Welfare SA have three crèches in Bitou - Flamingo, Kurland, and Theodora - and, says Hendrika van Huyssteen, the Kurland Crèche is in desperate need

of old story books, linen and plastic utensils.

“Furthermore, we used to run eight soup kitchens but during the past year, due to lack of funding, we can no

longer provide this service to our community.”

Readers are encouraged to contact Hendrika at plett child@cyberperk.co.za or on 044 533 2257 for bank

details or if you can help with donations - or swing past the Child Welfare premises in Pine Street, New Horizons, if you have goods to drop off for the children.

Paws

Plett Animal Welfare Service

for this summer.

Now that’s a real dream come true!

Find out how you could make a donation or become a

13 volunteer for Born in Africa at www.borninafrica.org and drive out to The Mohair Mill Shop in The Crags (open seven days a week) where you can see all Siya Phambili’s beautiful bead work and lots more.

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CXPRESS

Read CXPRESS online at www.cxpress.co.za

27 August 2014

Classifieds

On the Soapbox

27 August 2014

Letters to the Editor

CXPRESS

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

Plett’s friendly locals and service sustain economy As you know, I am a real estate agent in this beautiful town. I recently sold an apartment to a couple from Luxembourg who both work for the European Commission.

They chose to renovate the apartment and I assisted in project managing the exercise on their behalf.

We completed the work by mid-July. Roger Hart being the main contractor performed a magnificent job of renovating the apartment.

This included building a

balcony off the main bedroom, giving them a lovely sea view as opposed to the estate agent’s view it originally offered. A new kitchen and bathroom were also a part of the exercise.

Upon the couple’s arrival to take possession of the newly renovated unit last Saturday at 7pm (after flight delays, etc.), I handed them their keys and presented the work which we had done for them.

They were blown away, not just by the completed product

Shell’s track record - it’s all about the bucks There seems to be little doubt that fracking has damaged eco-systems, without taking into consideration how unsightly the attendant buildings, roads, pylons and pipelines will be.

It must be pretty obvious that somewhere money has changed hands, which will account for the Government’s about-turn on the moratorium - no prizes for thinking there might be a Fracking-gate in the not too distant future!

What we really should be highlighting is the environmental record of those behind the proposal, notably Shell (Royal Dutch Shell).

A good example is the environmental devastation that this company has caused in Nigeria since 1958, including backing the brutal raids conducted against the Ogoni people who live in the Niger Delta region and were most affected by Shell’s activities.

Nine Ogoni leaders were executed by a specially created military tribunal. The

devastation caused by the oil company’s activities read like a science fiction novel.

I recommend you Google the factsheet “Shell’s Environmental Devastation in Nigeria”. You will discover that protecting the environment is not a priority and if things go horribly wrong they will just shrug their shoulders and walk away.

The only thing that really matters are the profits.

Mike Kantey’s letter [in CXPRESS of August 20], which highlights the readily available resources that exist, reinforces the argument that the only people who will really benefit are those behind the proposal.

It is hard to believe that there are people who really trust that fracking in the Karoo will benefit our country when there is so much evidence, both statistical and visual, which proves otherwise.

Have a good hard look and you will find that it’s all about the money.

Okem"Mknnggp."Mp{upc

Client service at its worst?

I have known Edith Gelandt for 10 years - she is a widow, hardworking, honest and reliable, and I am dismayed at the way she has been treated by Doves due to an inability to understand the finer points of English - the language of her policy and all correspondence.

From commencement date of July 1 in 2008 to the end of April 2014, she has been paying R60 per month. At this point she was asked to surrender her book to Head Office for a “premium history”.

Ms Gelandt was afraid this meant there had been some fault on her part, but in fact her Receipt No.120851 had been incorrectly allocated to another account.

This error was rectified and her book returned to Doves’ office at Plett, but not to Ms Gelandt. When she asked to have it returned, it could not be found, and so she awaited further instructions with regard to payments.

She then received a letter (in English) saying that her “period of grace” was over.

Again not sure what this meant, she took her papers to another employer, a Mr Wessels, who tried unsuccessfully to plead for leniency.

However, Doves company policy dictated that the only recourse for Ms Gelandt was to take out a new policy.

I fully realise that all companies must enforce rules and regulations to safeguard their profits from the unscrupulous, but by the same token surely there should be some safeguard for the innocent transgressor, under which category Ms Gelandt undoubtedly falls.

I have also written to the appropriate Ombudsman in Cape Town.

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but by the service level they had received from the various businesses they had dealings with from afar, inter alia TTS for the tiles and sanitaryware, and Plett Appliance Agency for the appliances.

This was just the beginning of their happy experience.

Upon joining the couple for supper at LM in Plett, they continued to sing our town’s praises, dishing out accolades for the incredible service received from Mr Price, Plett TV & Audio, and many

other retailers.

The friendliness of the retailers as well as the general public was also lauded. This has been a fantastic experience for me, as these are the people who keep the wheels of our economy turning, supporting local business and sharing our piece of paradise with us.

Thank you Plettonians, for making this couple’s experience special, and one they look forward to coming back to shortly.

Tqdgtv"Cwgturgti."Rngvv

Close Pledge nature walk!

An open letter to Knysna Municipality Would you be so kind as to close the Pledge Square nature walk, just off Main Road?

I live in the apartment block, Oyster Walk, and look over the nature pathway. We see people dealing drugs in the reserve. We have seen people having sex in public in the reserve.

There are drunks all over, bothering the public. Most of these people are teenagers and it seems that the municipality created a place for them to be disorderly and experiment with drugs and alcohol in private.

The general public and visitors to Knysna are not using the walk due to these elements. But most importantly: Drunks or people under the influence of drugs have tried to scale the walls of the Oyster Walk apartment block.

When reprimanded, they get aggressive.

There are children living in these apartments. Please be advised that this letter will serve as evidence of report should anything unpleasant happen to any of the occupants of Oyster Walk and especially the children.

Even the general public is at risk, as access to the walk is from a public parking area, with a guesthouse nearby and a major take-away restaurant.

Knysna Municipality and local government will be held responsible.

In the times we are living, an unprotected and very bushy walk should not be open to the public and if it is, should be guarded 24 hours.

Mgkvj"Fcyuqp."Mp{upc *Vjku"ngvvgt"ycu"ugpv"vq"Mp{u/ pc" Owpkekrcnkv{‚u" Eqoowpk/ ecvkqpu" Fgrctvogpv." dwv" pq" tgurqpug" jcf" dggp" tgegkxgf" d{"qwt"iqkpi"vq"rtguu0"/"Gfu0+

A country’s land What defines a county and its boundaries? Yes, its land.

If therefore the land is the country, then the country is the land and the country owns the land.

So the answer to all the problems of land ownership is simple to resolve: no private ownership of a country’s land.

All people who presently own land would have it expropriated by the Government but in exchange are given a free lease on the land they presently own for their lifetime. This free lease would not be transferable but cease on the sale or transfer of the buildings or undertaking on the land.

The new lessee of the land would be liable for payment of the land lease to the Government based on its value.

For the lease value I have based the annual lease on land at its current value divided by 25 years (a generation).

For example, let us take a building plot that normally sells for R1-million. The lease holder wishing to build on this plot would not have to purchase it but sign a contract where the monthly lease payment to the Government would be R3,300 per month.

This is an immediate saving to the lessee as, should he have to purchase the land for R1-million, the loss of interest per month at the present rate on the R1-million would be R8,300.

The lease holder would have the right to build on the leased land and own the building but on selling the dwelling / building / undertaking, the price would be based on the building value only and improvements to the land; the lease on the land would be transferred to the new building’s owner.

The same situation would arise with farming land, but the lease on the land would include a clause stating that should the land not be used in accordance with Government’s expectations, it would have the right to cancel the lease and advertise it for a new tenant.

There are many refinements that this system would require but it would solve all land claims within the country. If you want to use the land, every individual would have the right to lease it from the Government and not get it for free.

Tqigt"Fcxku."Rngvv

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CXPRESS

Sport & Adventure

27 August 2014

Vic victorious at Southern Cross ...and he now has his sights set firmly on the Otter African ‘Grail of Trail’ for local actors’ sake

V

ICTOR Gugushe of Kwanokuthula won this month’s Tri Sports Southern Cross three-day trail run at Ebb and Flow National Park Wilderness earlier this month.

His first-ever stage run, the first day’s mountain route saw him hanging in second place for most of the run, behind the strong Quintin Honey from Joburg. But Vic sped into the lead close to the end, finishing

the 30km track in 2:39.

He then won Day 2’s 30km forest trail comfortably in 2:33. The route on Day 3 was a dramatic coastline track for some 20km. Vic said by this time his legs were tired and the run was tough with terrain consisting of sand, grass and railway track.

He soldiered on to finish the day in 1:32 - in third position of the solo runners on this fi-

nal stage. It was an impressive overall win for Victor, with prize money of R2,000 and a great trophy. Plett Athletics Club is extremely proud of its extreme trail runner.

Says Vic: “Since my first African Otter Trail Run in 2010, in which I achieved a second place on that extremely tough but beautiful course, I have come back each year for the past five against increasingly difficult competition.

“My highlight was a third place in 2011 with my first sub five-hour run (4:53:57).

COASTAL TRACK: Victor pictured on Day 3 of the recent Southern Cross trail run, which he won overall in a time of 13 hours 8 minutes – read above how you can support his forthcoming Otter African Trail Run fundraising drive

Storms River SAPS netball tournament a day for all to remember

P

OLICE officials from Storms River Village hosted a successful Women’s Day event on Saturday August 9 in conjunction with the community they serve.

Community police official W/O Nicolene Kruger and her team from SAPS Storms River decided to swap their police uniforms for sports gear and coordinated a wellorganised netball tournament, inviting teams from the Coldstream area and surrounds.

More than 200 players attended the tournament and 11 teams fought it out to be crowned as champions. Apart from several games played, the day was also marked by the remarkable words of guest speaker Amanda Vorster, with live music and dance adding to the festive event.

The tournament was a huge achievement, not only on the courts but also serving to help the community and SAPS

members build ever-stronger relationships. Contact W/O Gerda Swart on 082 301 7948 for additional information.

COURT ACTION: The winning team of Woodlands Mighty Angels was tops after a day characterised by serious action on the netball court

I have been running for eight years and this year I wanted to run for a reason, giving something back to the communities that have supported me throughout my career.

“So I’m running this year’s 42km Otter on September 22 to raise funds for Lunchbox Theatre. I chose this lo-

cal development organisation because I see the value of the work they do for the youth in our underprivileged communities. My dream is to see one of their young actors achieve a successful acting career.

“With your support, I am positive that the dreams of these young actors will become true. Please visit www. givengain.com/activist/ 118358/projects/8175/ to donate towards this cause.”