27 February 2019 by CXpress

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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A force to be reckoned with The combined might of Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association (PBCPA) members pictured here means that residents and visitors can enjoy our paradise in safety throughout the year. Turn to page 4 to find out more about a novel fundraising initiative now launched to secure the resources required for its continued operations.

Plett protests post-mortem - p3

Milestone for Knysna Lions - p5

Photo: William Ashurst

27 February 2019

Budget hits where it hurts - p7

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CXPRESS

NEWS & VIEWS

27 February 2019

Plett Performing Arts Fest a resounding success Words & photos: Timothy Twidle

HE fifth Plett Performing Arts Festival held at The White House from February 15-22 played to capacity audiences, starting off with award winning saxophonist Andrew Young accompanied by René Piet on keyboards. The scintillating performance included their own compositions along with perennial favourites like Louis Armstrong’s What a Wonderful World and the Judy Garland classic Somewhere Over the Rainbow, from the film The Wizard of Oz. The following evening Taryn Bennett of Contagious Theatre enacted a solo performance of Silkworm, the surreal and at times tender and touching story of a day in the life of the socially awkward Georgina. The penultimate performance of the festival featured South Africa’s premier comedian and satirist, Pieter-Dirk Uys, in a rapid fire delivery of When in

Doubt Say Darling. Uys looked back wistfully on 40 years of life, political adventure and misadventure, political correctness and incorrectness in South Africa, with the proviso that if absolutely all else fails, just say “Darling!” The fact that Pieter-Dirk Uys presently resides in the Western Cape town of Darling is, of course, completely by the by… On the last evening of the festival, the Vumani Choir of Cape Town took to the stage and sang opera, choral and gospel music, and delighted the audience with a fine display of African dance. All proceeds from the Plett Performing Arts Festival have been donated to the Kids of Kurland - a project that funds improvements to the quality of education offered to learners at The Crags Primary School in the small community of Kurland Village. Find more images of the Plett Performing Arts Fest on page 9.

THEY MADE IT HAPPEN: Members of the Kids of Kurland committee that arranged and ran the popular Plett Performing Arts Festival - from left are Jill McIlleron, Sharon van Hees, Leon Swart, Ann Fermor and Susie Ovenstone (absent: Anne Wilson) - are to be commended for having pulled off a most entertaining fundraiser once again

TAKES ONE TO KNOW ONE: Lunchbox Theatre members and friends attended the second festival night - from left are Zodwa Ntoni, Shanette Elliott, Amanda Valela, Jean Sparg, Carol Sachs, and Nomzamo Mhaga

This village offers art and action TORMS River Village is the centre of adventure experiences in the Tsitsikamma, but also the place where dreams of being inspired, entertained, enchanted and pampered come true. Yes, all the action in one village, right in the heart of the Tsitsikamma! Experience village pampering at its best at the Tsitsikamma Mountain Spa in a tranquil forest setting, or participate in the many adventure activities that operate from the village. Choose from canopy tours, segway forest tours, cycle and bike trails, black-water tubing, and horse-back riding or opt for the beautiful hiking trails through forests or fynbos, all of which are accessible on foot from the village. Inspirational crafts and the work of local fine artists can be appreciated by taking a stroll through the village and visiting

up to 10 arts and crafts venues with the aid of the Storms River Art Trail map. Bitou Art Gallery forms the heart of the village’s strong art community. It features the work of local artists and also a working studio, where you can see the artists in action - or become part of the action by attending one of a variety of art courses offered by experienced local artists. (See the ad alongside for contact details.) Accommodation ranges from backpackers to lodges and caters for all tastes and budgets. The wide selection of places to eat contributes great food, service, log fires and village ambiance. Most of them trade from 8am until 10pm, are licensed to sell wine, beer and spirits, and offer a full range of dishes from traditional South African to Italian and most everything in-between.

Advanced Hearing

NEWS & VIEWS

27 February 2019

Riots cost Bitou R1M in repairs

Plettenberg Bay was rocked by yet another violent wave of riots, following protracted unrest in the coastal holiday town last year - YOLANDÉ STANDER reports

PEOPLE SEA: Residents march down Marine Drive last Wednesday - see a gallery of riot pics at www.cxpress.co.za

AST week, two sets of protests took place in Bitou. One was staged by KwaNokuthula residents over electricity issues, and the second by Qolweni locals with lingering gripes over housing. On Tuesday night several Qolweni residents gathered along the N2 near the footbridge where they burnt tyres and other objects while pelting passing vehicles with stones. The action was to voice their dismay around Bitou Municipality’s plan of action in addressing housing problems in the area. Last year, Plett was plagued by riots, mostly over housing, by various communities - some of which brought the town to a near standstill when protestors gathered on the N2 and blocked the road

for traffic. The protests temporarily came to an end after mayor Peter Lobese addressed communities and committed to various steps to attend to their concerns. A plan has since been put in place to address the housing shortage, but after a housing committee meeting on Tuesday, residents reverted to protest action once again to show their unhappiness with the process so far. The crowds were dispersed after authorities intervened. But the action sporadically continued during most parts of Wednesday February 20. This not only led to traffic in and out of Plett being diverted via Airport Road, but also to the damage of property and looting at several businesses. Bitou municipal spokesman Manfred van Rooyen confirmed that a mini substation was set ablaze and destroyed. This left several businesses in Plett Industria without electricity until this week, when the municipality replaced the damaged infrastructure at a cost of

R1-million. On Wednesday, KwaNokuthula residents embarked on a march to the municipal offices to voice their concerns over issues with electricity. Residents indicated that they wanted, among other things, to procure their electricity directly from Eskom as the municipality used the prepaid system to recover rates and taxes. This has led to residents receiving less electricity units than paid for. While the protest action started off peacefully, residents blocked access roads to KwaNokuthula leaving learners and local workers unable to go to school or their place of employment. Later on Wednesday, residents started burning tyres and other objects which required the intervention of police. Several businesses, including a liquor outlet in KwaNokuthula, were looted. On Monday, Lobese tabled an item at a special council meeting relating to the petition handed to him last Wednesday. It was resolved, among

others, that 50 free electricity units would be re-introduced in all “subeconomic areas” and electricity cut-offs be implemented to all those not registered as indigents. “Residents should be advised that the cost of the measures taken by council represents a R40-million loss in revenue, which will affect the budget and various projects and programmes that have to be either re-adjusted downwards or postponed to later budget periods. “These measures may in the medium to long term have lasting negative implications on the financial sustainability of the council,” Van Rooyen said. Regarding the demand by protestors to become direct Eskom consumers, he said its status as Nersalicensed electricity distributor meant Bitou did not have authority over this matter. He advised direct application to Nersa for the migration to Eskom. Van Rooyen said a formal response on the petition would be given to the leadership of the concerned residents shortly.

CXPRESS

How YOU can bolster PBCPA coffers HE PBCPA needs your help to continue being an effective force in quelling crime levels. Make a donation or buy a raffle ticket for R100 per draw, with two prizes on offer. Prize A is an adventure package for one: Bloukrans Bungy, Africanyon, AfriAbseil, Monkeyland, Birds of Eden, Jukani, Radical Raptors, Lawnwood Snake Sanctuary. Prize B is a romantic threenight stay at The Bungalow, including one dinner for two.

Choose your preferred prize (A or B) when buying your tickets for the April 21 draw. Prizes are not transferable and cannot be sold. Buy your raffle tickets at BI KwikSpar, Zigzag at Mellvilles Corner, Aulrine at Market on Main, Friends at The Market Square, Barraclough’s at Plett Mall, or call William on 073 213 1806 and we will send someone to you. PBCPA banking details: BMERC Standard Bank, acc no 251 989 976.

A brief history of Plett’s crime-fighting force and its new fundraising drive Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association (PBCPA) chairman BRUCE RICHARDSON explains why we should all contribute to this important community-serving cause

PPROXIMATELY nine years ago, the PBCPA was formed as the brainchild of Otto Olivier of Plett Security and Andries Trahms of Smhart Alarms. This organisation has over the years built a close working relationship between Plett SAPS, Municipal Law Enforcement, the Bitou Traffic and Fire departments, and a number of local security companies. Also on board are emergency services and Medlife, Plett Watch plus various neighbourhood watches throughout Bitou, and other participants too many to list. Today they form the well-coordinated, wellknown and potent crime fighting organisation working under the banner of the PBCPA which, with all its component parts, has been directly responsible for a massive (viz: 60%) reduction in property-related crime levels in Plettenberg Bay over the past few years. In addition, since the fires of June 2017, the PBCPA - having played a significant role in coordinating the fire fighting and management effort - has been expanded to incorporate a substantive disaster management component. The PBCPA is the sum total of all members who work together under a single banner with a common purpose to make Plett a safer place to live and to visit; it is the ‘head organisation’ to which all members belong. Among PBCPA resources count a 24/7 hotline (082 251 8134) to report crime-related issues and emergencies, a fully trained and equipped Rapid Response unit with an armoured response ve-

hicle, and a fully equipped PBCPA caravan serving as mobile operation centre. Furthermore, our independent K9 security dog unit, thermal camera, radio system for communications, drones, CCTV cameras with monitoring services in a dedicated control room and other assets enable the PBCPA to effectively carry out the extraordinary work for which it is renowned. The commitment of our members enables us to live in a town that I believe has the most all-embracing, responsive and successful security system not only in South Africa, but worldwide. I have yet to come across another town where such effective help is only a phone call and a few minutes away. Response times to a point of need continue to amaze even me on a daily basis. So what does this mean to residents? I would suggest the following: • A safe town in which to live and raise our families. I sit on our front deck on a regular basis and watch women and children walking, riding and playing in our streets, often into the evening, and relish the fact that we enjoy such safety and security. • A prosperous tourism industry, to which security is an essential factor. • Higher property values - to quote someone who approached me months back and expressed his extreme gratitude: “My residential property is worth more because of what you guys are doing.” • That matchless “Plett - it’s a Feeling” sentiment of enjoying life in a safe environment. If Plett is perceived as a safe town, that is to all

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our benefit in literal financial terms and we need to support the initiatives that create that situation. Having said all this, perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the PBCPA is the fact that for the past nine years, as is the case currently - apart from very limited support from time to time - the resources of the PPBCPA, and those carrying out patrolling and responding to our security needs, are largely coming from the pockets of those who are also giving of their time and energy to keep us all safe and secure. Some months back I spoke to a couple who, having bought a property around the corner from our home, were in the process of relocating to Plett from KZN to enjoy a safer environment. I told them about the PBCPA and, after saying how amazing the initiative appeared to be, they asked: “How much does it cost per month to belong to the PBCPA?” When I told them “nothing” and that it was a purely voluntary association, they were gobsmacked. This incident reminded me in a very real

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KEEPING A COOL HEAD: Chair of the PBCPA Bruce Richardson says funds are now desperately needed to stay ahead of the game and keep the pressure on criminals in our midst

way how privileged we are as a community to benefit from all the PBCPA has to offer, at someone else’s expense - the expense of those who are also doing all the work. I am sure you will agree that this skewed state of affairs needs to change; as a community we now need to show our gratitude by starting to subsidise those expenses. If we spread the load, the contribution from each of us for the massive benefit received, will be minute. Bear in mind that as we put pressure on criminals operating in our area and adapt to their behavioural changes, they do likewise, and we need to stay ahead of the game to keep the pressure on. Crime is a moving target and the PBCPA needs resources to root it out effectively. Monthly funding of the PBCPA is greatly appreciated and can be facilitated, but new exco members William and Astrid Ashurst have now initiated a far more innovative and appealing mechanism to raise funds for the PBCPA, kicking off with a raffle offering amazing prizes donated by our tourism industry. Other initiatives to follow will be rolled out in due course. I urge both residents and visitors to support both the raffle and follow-up initiatives with the same enthusiasm evident in those who give of their time and resources to make Plett the paradise we are privileged to live in and visit. I trust that we will be as amazed by the generosity and commitment shown by this community support, as I am amazed daily by the achievements of those who work so hard to keep our town safe.

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NEWS & VIEWS

27 February 2019

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NEWS & VIEWS

27 February 2019

CXPRESS

Five thousand cataracts nuked, thanks to Knysna Lions and caring med teams Words & photo: Timothy Twidle

LETT Town Clinic chalked up a milestone on Wednesday February 20, when the operating theatre carried out the 5,000th eye cataract operation for Knysna Lions club on Christina Beukes of New Horizons. The devoted and diligent work of the doctors, nurses and staff of this clinic and of Knysna Provincial Hospital over a period of some 20 years, has been all important in the attainment of this fine achievement and the concomitant benefits to the health and general wellbeing of the peoples of

MOMENTOUS OPHTHALMIC OCCASION: It was smiles all round after Christina Beukes, centre, was the 5,000th recipient of Lions-funded cataract surgery - at left are nurses Zwakele Sibisi and Dodrin Kapank with Dr Nicolas Stempels, who performed the op, and Lion Olwen Toms

Bitou and Knysna. Costs of the ongoing surgery have been generously funded through proceeds of the BUCO Lions Karoo to Coast cycle race, expertly organised

annually by the Knysna and Uniondale clubs of Lions International. So it was most appropriate that district chair for sight and past president of the Knysna Lions, Ol-

wen Toms - who has been a champion of the Sightfirst campaign for the last 22 years - was on hand to witness this marvellous and memorable occasion. Said Olwen on the day: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Restoration of sight is my soul food, and is always an emotional and joyful experience.â&#x20AC;? Enter Karoo to Coast now The BUCO Lions Karoo to Coast MTB Challenge takes place on September 22 and entry costs R630. The event is owned by the Lions clubs of Knysna and Uniondale and all proceeds go to Sightfirst, the SA Guide Dog Association, and other urgent needs in the community (www.karootocoast.com).

Birthday luncheon brings about blessings to Qolweni kids GENEROUS GERMANS: Peter and Uschi Reinecke pictured outside Milkwood Manor and its award-winning Lemon Grass restaurant, where an 80th birthday luncheon was held for Peter

birthday celebration held in Plett for German national Peter Reinecke - who has clocked up three score years and twenty on the good earth - brought about the dona-

tion of a sizeable amount of money to a local child care facility. Pesently on holiday in SA, Peter and his spouse Uschi held a luncheon at Lemon Grass restaurant

on February 11, and all 35 invited guests were asked to make a donation to a worthy cause rather than expend money on presents. An amount of R20,000 was raised and donated to Siyakula Nursery School and CrĂ¨che in Qolweni, and is to be used for the acquisition of two geysers, to be installed under the direction of principal Nokhwezi Mdatyulwa. Siyakula cares for more than 200 children up to the age of six years, Mon-

day to Friday, from 7am to 4pm, and the provision of hot water on tap will greatly improve the quality of care provided. At the luncheon a choir of adults and kids from Qolweni sang gospel and other songs and wished Peter a happy birthday in isiXhosa. Plett songstress Julie-Ann de Lange delighted all with her rendition of popular standards and Pete â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Greekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Papapanayotou entertained on guitar. - Words & photo: Timothy Twidle

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CXPRESS

NEWS & VIEWS

27 February 2019

Language levels soar thanks to Bitou 10 HE Bitou 10 Foundation (B10F) has been going full steam ahead from the start of 2019 in its quest to uplift the level of education in schools in and around Plettenberg Bay Explains B10F managers Sooneela Naina: “This year so far has been most meaningful for Grade R and Grade 1 students of Harkerville Primary School, where learners are nicely settling into the Ready Steady Read Write Wordworks programme. “Kranshoek Primary students have now entered into the second year of the programme, and the results are showing great progress. Here, coordinator Anthea Wiesie and her team of volunteers support early language and literacy development of Afrikaans Home Language learners from previously disadvan-

PRICELESS SKILLS HONED: Janie Twine helps one of the many local primary school kids who benefit from the educational assistance offered by Plett’s Bitou 10 Foundation

taged communities.” She adds that Grade 3s at Phakamisani Primary and Kwanokuthula Primary schools have been strengthening their English reading, comprehension and language skills in preparation for the transition from isiXhosa (Home Language in Grade R to Grade 3) to English (Home Language

from Grade 4 onwards). The Reading and English Programme is coordinated by Pippa Ford and 80 trained volunteers from VolunteerSA. Contact the Bitou 10 Foundation by emailing manager@bitou10founda tion.co.za or call 044 533 6466 if you would like to learn more.

Notice Board • Limited services will be available at the Bitou DLTC (Drivers and Learners Testing Centre) until March 8, due to refresher training for traffic officials prior to the opening of the testing premises. During the training period, the

DLTC will only be open for collection of driver’s licences and writing of prebooked learner’s tests. Call Gerry Swiegers on 083 455 5180 with queries. • Knysna SAPS and CPF invite the public to a Sector 2 meeting on February

28 at 6pm at Pride Store in Davidson Street, Hornlee, to discuss police action affecting residents. It will be an opportunity to engage with SAPS management. Call W/O Jacobs on 082 522 1817 or Ivan Harker on 060 895 5475 for info.

BUSINESS

27 February 2019

CXPRESS

Budget 2019: what does it mean for your back pocket? INANCE minister Tito Mboweni last week delivered his budget speech against the backdrop of a tough economy and an even tougher energy crisis. The biggest cost will again be felt by motorists when hit by a triple whammy: the fuel price and Road Accident Fund levies, plus a carbon tax. Said Susan Steward of Budget Insurance: “On the whole, daily living will become more expensive this year, and consumers are going to feel the pinch when filling up their cars, and buying tobacco, alcohol, or sugary drinks.” Here’s why: • The fuel levy for petrol and diesel went up by 29c and 30c respectively. • The Road Accident Fund levy hike of 5c/l (despite the minister’s claim that it won’t cover the R215-billion liability) comes into effect in April. • A carbon-fuel levy of 9c/l (petrol) and 10c/l (diesel) is effective in June. • In addition, petrol is expected to rise by another 43c/l and diesel by another 62c/l in March. By mid-year, motorists will be paying around R14.94/l of petrol and R14.22/l of diesel. Filling

a 50-litre fuel tank will cost R747 (petrol) and R711 (diesel). • Smokers will pay R1.14 more for a pack of 20 cigarettes, and excise duty on a typical cigar will go up by about 64c. • Wine lovers will pay 22c more for a 750ml bottle and sparkling wine will cost an extra 84c, while 340ml cans of beer will increase by 12c (if no tax on sorghum beer). Whiskey saw the biggest increase at R4.54 per bottle. • Increasing sin taxes may see consumers opting for cheaper substitutes, including illicit cigarettes or alcohol. If your budget can’t cover these hikes, best you cut down or quit, rather than compromise your health and pay much more in medical bills over the long term. • Introduced last year, the sugar tax will increase from 2.1c/g (above 4 grams) to 2.21c/g. So where will my tax money go? The 2019 budget allocates 47.9% of nationallyraised funds to national government, 43% to provinces, and 9.1% to local government over the medium term, after provid-

ing for debt-service costs and contingency reserves. What’s the good news? • Over R30-billion is allocated to build new schools and maintain schooling infrastructure. • To increase the complement of doctors and nurses in the public health sector, R2.8-billion is allocated to a new human resources grant, and R1billion to medical interns. • R481.6-million allocated to the Small Enterprise Development Agency will expand the small-business incubation programme. • A R950-million subsidy over three years will assist first-time home buyers. • Government has allocated R567-billion for social-grant payments to assist with child support and the elderly. With these increases in mind, Steward recommends five points to ponder when reviewing your monthly budget: 1. Draw up a budget by starting with a list of fixed expenditures and other monthly deductions. Have a careful look at what you are spending money on and identify where you might be leaking cash on non-essentials like take-

aways and entertainment, as well as essentials like cellphones, groceries and transport. Once pinpointed, start cutting back on areas where you could be spending less. 2. Get creative when looking for ways to cut back on costs. For instance, you could establish lift clubs to save money on petrol and encourage your family to switch off lights in unoccupied rooms to save on electricity costs. 3. If repayments on your car, maintenance and fuel eat up a third of your monthly income, then it is time to consider downsizing. Big-ticket items like monthly rental payments and consolidating highinterest debt should also be tackled as part of your budget review. 4. Being underinsured can drastically increase expenses despite your best budgeting intentions. This is especially true for items we tend not to insure, but which are in fact high risk such as cellphones, laptops and home contents. Being over-insured is also costly, so fine-comb your various policies and be clear on the type of cover you are paying.

5. Don’t carry credit cards in your wallet, since you might be tempted to spend. Rather use a

debit card for everyday purchases and save up for the more expensive things you really want.

CXPRESS

INTERVAL

27 February 2019

Family is as family does… • Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family in another city. - George Burns • Don’t yell at your children! Lean in real close and whisper, it’s much scarier. - Unknown • The quickest way for a parent to get a child’s attention is to sit down and look comfortable. - Lane Olinghouse • Everyone should have children. They are the greatest joy in the world. But they are also terrorists. You’ll realise this as soon as they are born and start using sleep deprivation to torture you. Ray Romano • I don’t know what’s more exhausting about parenting: the getting up

early or the acting like you know what you’re doing. - Jim Gaffigan • It just occurred to me that the majority of my diet is made up of the foods that my kid didn’t finish. - Carrie Underwood • When your children are teenagers, it’s important to have a dog so that someone in the house is happy to see you. - Nora Ephron • My nickname is ‘Mom’, but my full name is ‘Mom Mom Mom Mom Mom Mom’. - Unknown • Toddler: Emotionally unstable, pint-sized dictator with the uncanny ability to know exactly how far to push you towards utter insanity before reverting to a loveable creature. - Unknown

Lucky sevens FTER leaving the local racetrack, Bill bumps into his old friend, Peter, on the bus. “Say,” Peter enquires, “How’s it going?” “Going? You want to hear one of the most amazing things that ever happened? Tell me, what’s today’s date?” “July the seventh,” replies Peter. “Right,” says Bill. “The seventh day, of the seventh month. I go

to the racetrack at seven minutes past seven. My son is seven years old today, and we live at number seven, Seventh Avenue.” “Let me guess,” Peter interrupts. “You put everything you had on the seventh horse in the seventh race.” “Right.” “And he won!” Peter sighs excitedly. “No. He came in seventh,” replies Bill.

The complications of visiting grandma RANDMA, who was becoming an evermore intimidating personality as the years went on, was giving directions to her grown grandson who was coming to visit with his wife. “You come to the front door of the apartment complex. I am in apartment 14T. “There is a big panel at the door. With your elbow push button 14T. I

will buzz you in. “Come inside; the elevator is on the right. Get in, and with your elbow hit 14. When you get out, I am on the left. With your elbow, ring my doorbell.” “Thank you, Grandma, that sounds easy, but why am I hitting all these buttons with my elbow?” her grandson asked. “What? You’re coming empty handed?”

Flattery will get you places ECKY asked her boyfriend: “Do you love me with all your heart and soul?” “Mmm hmm,” said Dave. “Do you think I’m the most beautiful girl in the whole world?” “Mmm hmm.” “Do you think my lips are like rose petals?” “Mmm hmm.” “Oh Dave,” gushed Becky, “you say the most beautiful things!” --After being married for

30 years, a wife asked her husband to describe her. He looked at her for a while, then said: “You’re A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K.” “What does that mean?” she asked. He replied: “Adorable, Beautiful, Cute, Delightful, Elegant, Foxy, Gorgeous, Hot.” She smiled happily and said: “Oh, that’s so lovely. What about I, J, K?” “I’m Just Kidding!” he replied.

SOCIAL SCENE

27 February 2019

CXPRESS

‘MUNGO’S HOPE’ SHINES BRIGHT: During the course of the Plett Performing Arts Festival held at The White House from February 15-22, South Africa’s premier comedian and satirist, PieterDirk Uys, gave a brilliant performance of his latest revue, ‘When in Doubt Say Darling’. Afterwards he signed a copy of one of his books for Janet Holding of Old Nick Village, left. Below are Cherilee Windvogel, left, and Tessa Holding, retail and marketing managers respectively of Mungo at Old Nick. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of Mungo kikois, which were on sale throughout the festival, has been donated to the Kids of Kurland. The kikoi illustrated in the poster was designed by Hope Davids of The Crags Primary School during a visit by a party of learners from the school to Mungo Mill, and has been named ‘Mungo’s Hope’. Read the full festive story on page 2. - Timothy Twidle

People, places & events

CXPRESS

CLASSIFIEDS

27 February 2019

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EMERGENCY NUMBERS POLICE

10111 044 501 1900 Est. 1947

AMBULANCE Government

10177 Private

JOB VACANCY: MARINA MANAGER LOCATION : PLETTENBERG BAY START DATE : NOVEMBER 2019 Applications are invited for the position of Marina manager, commencing November 2019.

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DUTIES: s /VERALL MANAGEMENT OF ALL THE #LUB S FACILITIES s %NSURE ALL AREAS OF THE #LUB ARE WELL PRESENTED AND MAINTAIN A HIGH STANDARD OF CLEANLINESS s -ANAGE A TEAM OF STAFF MEMBERS TO ENSURE DELIVERY OF A HIGH STANDARD IN ALL AREAS OF THE #LUB s /PERATE THE #LUB WITHIN AN AGREED EXPENDITURE BUDGET WITH FOCUS ON OPERATING AND MAINTENANCE EXPENSES s %NSURE ADHERENCE TO CASH HANDLING PROCESSES s -ANAGE ALL LICENCES WITHIN THE #LUB AND ENSURE COMPLIANCE TO LICENCE AGREEMENTS s -ANAGE OPERATIONAL BREAKDOWNS AND SERVICE ISSUES s /VERSEE THE SMOOTH RUNNING OF THE #LUB S BAR AND KITCHEN RESTAURANT s 2ESPOND TO MEMBERS COMMENTS AND COMPLAINTS AND RESOLVE PROMPTLY s $RIVE MEMBER RETENTION BY GIVING EXCELLENT SERVICE

044 533 2744 082 990 5975 PAWS ANIMAL WELFARE PLETT

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BENEFITS: s ! GENEROUS SALARY s !NNUAL BONUS EQUIVALENT TO MONTH S SALARY s &REE HOUSING ELECTRICITY AND WATER ON THE #LUB S PREMISES s 5SE OF THE #LUB S VEHICLE WITHIN THE 0LETTENBERG "AY AREA s 3HARING IN THE INCOME DERIVED FROM BOAT HIRE

REQUIREMENTS: s 'ENERAL MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE s "EING ABLE TO WORK LONG HOURS AT PEAK TIMES IS ESSENTIAL INCLUDING EVENINGS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS s "E ON STANDBY s 0ASSION FOR STANDARDS AND CLEANLINESS

Applicants should email a comprehensive Curriculum Vitae including details of employment history, qualifications, marital status etc. to:

The Chairman Plettenberg Bay Angling Club email: pbac@mweb.co.za

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ON THE SOAPBOX

27 February 2019

Letters to the Editor

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

Words of gratitude gratefully received Thanks so much for arranging for Timothy to be at the clinic with me - what a pleasant, helpful and efficient gentleman. He was so concerned and really set my mind at rest with all the protests on the day. Olwen Toms, Knysna (That’s our guy, Olwen! If you haven’t read Timothy Twidle’s story on the 5,000th cataract operation enabled by Lions In-

ternational yet, turn to page 5 of this edition, and find background on last Wednesday’s protest action on page 3. - Ed.) --Thank you very much for making space to include the achievements of our Bahia Formosa athletes [find out more on p12 of the February 20 edition at www.cxpress.co.za]. Eldrin Wildeman was chosen for the Eden Team to

go to Cape Town, where he will be running the 1200m. We are so proud of him, and of every one of these young stars. Sarie du Plessis, Plett --Ek wil net dankie sê vir die PDF wat julle gestuur het met Nobuhle Dlamini se storie (lees ‘Sunshine Ladies Tour hat-trick delight for Nobuhle Dlamini in George’ op p12 van CX20.2]. Ons waardeer

jul ondersteuning opreg. We are trying hard to find a sponsor who would cover all Nobby’s flights to Europe - so every mention helps our cause! Lali Stander, by email (Any enterprises or local business folk in a position to assist with this incredibly high-performing lady golfer's travel costs can email lalistander@gmail. com for additional information. - Ed.)

Erik and his clean team set example for us all Perino Pama of Plett shared this lovely image and wrote: “This photograph shows Erik Mentoor, left, and his team, who work for Leon de Kock at Plett Game Reserve. I encountered them after they had picked up litter from the R340 next to the Bitou River all the way up to the game farm, on both sides of the road. I asked Erik how many bags there were and he said more than 20 bags were filled with litter. I want to thank them for their efforts and for setting an example to others. Please appeal to motorists not to throw litter from their vehicles.” Pictured from left with Erik are Kiewiet, Sipho, Jeffrey and Lionel.

Reporting crime may be first step in healing process Sadly, there are still many criminal incidents that go unreported each year. The problem with this trend is that it contributes to the dissemination of misinformation around crime. What the SAPS and private security companies really need to apprehend suspects is accurate and contextualised information - no matter how big or small or how insignificant you feel the crime is. What your readers need to understand is that by reporting crime, they are

helping the authorities establish crime trends. This in turn leads to better allocation of resources. It helps identify both the motive and modus of the crime. Your report could lead to more arrests, as it could be a critical link to similar crimes. Through crime reports, trends are established that assist communities and homeowners to make better decisions regarding their safety plans and security systems. Encourage your domes-

tic employees, children ,and neighbours to report any criminal incidents they may have witnessed or have been affected by directly. Sometimes, apprehension or fear may be associated with reporting crimes, so explain that it is done confidentially. Criminals often threaten further violence if a crime is reported. However, by not reporting the crime, these criminals will carry on doing this to other victims. It is the responsibility of every one of us to

step up and report what has happened. It may be helpful to accompany a friend or family member to the police station when a crime needs to be reported. Offer your support or consider a trauma counsellor to assist if the victim is showing signs of trauma. Reporting a crime is often a big step in the healing process. Charnel Hattingh Fidelity ADT marketing manager, by email (See the ADT ad on p3.)

CXPRESS

HERE’S A RACY PIECE OF NEWS… Rumour has it that there’s a horse-whisperer in the ‘hood, who has been spreading word about a horsey event planned for some time in July - something to do with glamorous hats, spectacular Sky Villa, and the differently-abled…

Online entries for Knysna Cycle Tour to open on Friday LANS for Knysna Cycle Tour 2019 are on track and online entries will open on March 1. The event will take place in and around the town over the weekend of June 22 and 23 as part of the annual Knysna Oyster Festival. The tour is one of the iconic sporting events of the festival and has been running for over 30 years. Knysna Cycle Tour marketing director Andrew Finn said the 2019 event will provide an exciting weekend of cycling for the whole family. “The main events - the mountain bike races, the road races and the Spur children’s fun ride - will be back to thrill and challenge the thousands of participants who flock to Knysna every year for the tour,” said Finn. “This year we have relooked our routes and made several exciting changes, particularly to the longer road race for elites and experienced roadies, which is also a seeding race for the 2020 Cape Town Cycle Tour.

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This 104km route is significantly more scenic now with the inclusion of Buffalo Bay and a section of the historic Seven Passes Road that runs between Barrington and Karatara - a 3km stretch of gravel road.” With a total ascent of 1,588m and a maximum elevation of 239m, the 104km road race route will also be more challenging than ever. Explained Finn: “The route will take riders on a thrilling, scenic adventure through one of the most picturesque sections of the Garden Route, revealing stunning views of ocean and beach, mountains and pristine forest along the way.” The 50km road race will follow the same route as previous years, from Knysna to Sedgefield and back along the N2. There are also some changes to the MTB events which consist of two premier races - the 80km race for elite riders and the 50km event for experienced MTB cyclists. Two family events

include a 30km race and a 15km fun ride. “This year, three of these events have been reinvigorated with changes to the routes and a set of new challenges,” enthused Finn. “The premier events will have more sections in pristine forest areas and more single track. Both these races as well as the 30km route will descend via Eastford to the Oakhill cycle track, thus avoiding the Simola Hill descent.” The route for the 15km race for under-16s and their families, which was introduced in 2017, will remain the same. Both the 30km and the 15km race are priced to encourage family participation, with only one adult in the group paying the full price and the others paying just 50% of the entry fee. Said Finn: “We are very excited by our new routes. We wanted to make the events more challenging for both those competing in the Cycle Tour for the first time, as well as our regular participants - and

I think we’ve succeeded. These races are already become iconic, bucketlist events on the national cycling calendar.” The third event of the weekend is a children’s fun race on Sunday June 23 for kids aged 10 and under. This popular race will take place on the Knysna High School sports field in three age group categories: 2-4; 5-7; and 8-10. There will be goodie bags for all entrants and medals for every finisher. The Knysna Cycle Tour is organised by local volunteers and is the biggest fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Knysna, raising substantial amounts of money for local charities every year. All events can be entered online. Race packs should be collected in Knysna at registration on Friday June 21 for all events and on Saturday the 22nd for the road races and the children’s race. For more information and to enter online, visit www.knysnacycle.co.za and follow the Knysna Cycle Facebook and Twitter pages for regular news and updates.

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