27 May 2015
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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Kevin bows out Plett’s cycling champion, Kevin Evans, has announced his retirement from professional racing, at the age of 37, later this year - turn to the back page for the full story
Fathers face abuse charges p3 Photo: Dr Evil Classic
Mad about food and films? p7
Blessed for a full 50 years p9
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CXPRESS
News & Views
27 May 2015
Memories of WWII
Air raids put an end to my fishing excursions with Father HENK BOLHUIS shares his recollections of growing up in wartorn Netherlands during the late 1940s
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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
N the first article [see page 2 of the May 20 edition at www.cxpress.co.za] I described how, during WWII, sometime in the spring of 1944, my mother and I had travelled by train to visit family living in the Netherlands province of Brabant to get food, and how we had miraculously survived an aerial attack. Fortunately, our return trip was uneventful and after a week we arrived back home carrying bags filled with potatoes, Brussels sprouts and all kinds of other veggies, some eggs, butter and cheese. Since hostilities had begun and the German army had invaded the Netherlands on 10 May 1940, conditions had grown steadily worse and now four years later many civilians were beginning to suffer from severe malnutrition and subsequent illnesses. Our family was fortunate to survive because of a variety of reasons, such as the fact that my mother - who worked as a house maid for a wealthy family who were very generous people - sometimes received extras from them in the form of bread, potatoes and other vegetables. But it was my father who came up with some novel and practical ideas to bring in much needed extra food and vitamins: He went fishing. Now, this may sound as a simple and common experience, but let me assure you that in those war days it was anything but normal. My dad - who was a municipal police officer, a ycejv/ ogguvgt (Sergeant Major) in Wassenaar where we lived - was well known, both to the local German occupying force, but also to the numerous farmers who lived around our village. As such he had obtained permission to cross the farm fields and fish in the many small waterways and rivers in the surrounding area. There was one favourite place where no one else was allowed: the anti-tank canal that had been constructed around the airport of Valkenburg, about 3km away from our home. And this is where I, too, come into the story, as I sometimes had to go with him on his fishing trips, travelling on the back carrier of his bicycle in order to open and close the many cattle gates and, on our arrival, turn over cow dung to find the earthworms dad needed to catch the small baitfish that he used in turn to catch the big pike that lived in the canal. For obvious reasons there was always a bit of risk involved fishing near the air-
GREY AREA: This photo depicts the construction of an antitank canal during WWII (unfortunately the canal at Valkenburg, mentioned in the story, does not exist anymore) Photo: www.atlantikwallplatform.eu/home/landen/plaatsen/regios/ poi/?poi_id=248
FISHERMEN’S HEAVEN: I took this photo in Holland in May 2011, of one of those typical little waterways where my dad used to go fishing - Photo: Henk Bolhuis
port so one had to be very careful, especially after a recent bombing raid, because we never knew whether there might be unexploded bombs or grenades lying around. In spite of the dangers I loved these regular outings, although my mother was always apprehensive and never completely in agreement. Some of the pikes that my father caught were absolute monsters, weighing up to 10kg, with large mouths full of very sharp, vicious teeth; one needed to be very careful when extracting the hook. A good catch meant that not only we ourselves had fresh fish to eat, but dad would sometimes also be able to exchange some of the fish with a local farmer for potatoes, sugar beets, beans, milk or butter, or even some meat. Unfortunately, as a result of increased bombing raids - initially only at night, but eventually also during the day - fishing in the tank canal became too dangerous and everything changed drastically just a few months later, after the Normandy Invasion in June 1944, when the Germans stepped up security. Mines were laid in the area and we were no longer allowed near the canal. When these bombing raids took place during the night, I remember lying in bed and waking up hearing first the air-raid sirens and soon af-
ter that the drone of the approaching Allied bombers on their way to Germany. This was followed by the sharp barking noises of the heavy ‘Ack-Ack’ anti-aircraft batteries around Valkenburg, firing at the planes. Although my parents did not allow me to get out of bed I would nevertheless sometimes get up and stand at my bedroom window that faced in the general direction of the airport, watching the immense beams of giant spotlights that illuminated the sky, searching for the planes. Later, as the bombing raids increased, there were more and more incidents when some of the bombers would be hit. In order to try and escape, they would deliberately drop their bomb loads prematurely, sometimes very
close to the village. When this started happening more frequently, we would all move to a makeshift shelter that my dad had constructed underneath the staircase, as soon as we heard the sirens go off. In retrospect, I don’t think that this would have helped very much if a 500-pound bomb had landed on our house. In spite of the fact that there were still days when we had very little to eat, I personally cannot remember that I ever had to go to bed hungry, with no food, as so many others of our countrymen did. As the war dragged on, life and survival becoming more difficult each day, there suddenly came a glimmer of hope. On a Tuesday, June 6 of 1944, my father arrived home in the evening with the wonderful news that the Allied Forces had landed in Normandy, France, and that we would soon be liberated. However, this new hope of freedom was in reality still far in the future and soon evaporated. For the people in western Holland especially, the next couple of months turned out to be the most difficult times of the German occupation - a time when more than 20,000 civilians died from starvation and cold and many resorted to killing and eating cats and dogs, just to stay alive. Also during this time, a terrible tragedy struck our family, when the Gestapo (Igjgkog"Uvccvurqnk|gk), the Nazis’ official secret state police, arrested my father for suspicion of assisting the Dutch “Underground”. This resistance movement often sabotaged the Germans by blowing up railway lines or by attacking German military convoys; in addition, they had an organised network assisting Allied pilots that had been shot down, getting them safely to a neutral European country. Over and above that, the Underground was involved in temporarily protecting Jews and other fugitives in so-called safe houses, before attempting to smuggle them out of the country. But more about all that in the next episode of WWII memories...
Notice Board • Knysna Art Society members Margie Bolt and Des Thomas opened an exhibition on May 21 and you’ve ‘till June 20 to see it; diarise too the society’s AGM vqfc{ (May 27) at 4pm in the Old Goal Gallery. • Knysna’s popular Friday Night Market will be going into hibernation for winter, the last market convening on Oc{"4; (reopening: first Friday in September).
• Folk singer and songwriter Heather Waters and her band return to Plett’s Beach House Backpackers on Saturday Oc{"52 at 7pm (cover R50 - book in advance on 079 036 3123 or 044 533 0437 and see www.backpackersbeach house.co.za for more information). On Sunday Oc{" 53, you can catch them at The Oyster Shack in Wilderness at 3pm.
News & Views
27 May 2015
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CXPRESS
Fathers back in court for alleged abuse of their own and others’ children On the eve of national Child Protection Week, two George fathers are set to take their place in the dock this week after allegedly sexually assaulting young children - YOLANDÉ STANDER reports
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N Thursday a 40-yearold man who allegedly drugged his 12-yearold daughter and six of her friends during sleepovers, raped them and took naked photographs of the young girls is scheduled to appear in George Magistrate’s Court. The man was arrested at his home by the George Family violence, Child protection and Sexual offences (FCS) unit in November last year after an investigation into abuse claims. The incidents allegedly happened over a two-year period and the accused alleg-
edly administered pills to the young girls which resulted in them losing consciousness. While unconscious he allegedly raped them. Before his arrest police searched the man’s home and confiscated his laptop, desktop computer, camera and cellphone which was sent for analysis and used in the investigation. On Friday, a prominent George dentist will also have to take his place in the dock in the same court after allegedly sexually assaulting a 12-year-old boy in April while under house arrest.
The incident took place just over a month after the 43-year-old father of three was sentenced to four years under house arrest for performing sexual acts on a minor. He was also arrested by members of the George FCS unit following the latest incident which allegedly happened during a sleepover at his Herold’s Bay home on Saturday April 11. According to the police the accused allegedly went into the guest room, where the 12-year-old boy was sleeping, and between 8pm and
9.30pm pulled the child’s pants down and touched his private parts. He was released on R5,000 bail during his last court appearance on April 24 under condition that no child under the age of 16 “enters his premises�. His release has since sparked outrage among children’s
rights activists who have not only vowed to share their disgust with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), but also stage a protest outside the court during his next appearance. Garden Route member of Women and Men Against Child Abuse (WMACA) Yvette Wilschut said a group
of concerned residents will be heading to court on Friday with anti-child abuse posters in an attempt to put pressure on authorities to hand down harsher punishment on sexual predators, especially when children were involved. The protest will also serve as a symbol of their outrage over the accused’s release on bail. WMACA has been involved in several efforts to bring an end to the granting of bail to alleged sexual predators where children are involved. Ictfgp"Tqwvg"Ogfkc
Plett’s Green Hearts pleas for child protection get national TV coverage
Photos: Hardy Mills
Saturday May 23 saw yet another successful protest action by the Plett body now formalised as The Green Hearts, which has been campaigning inter alia for the refusal of bail to self-confessed paedophiles or paedophiles caught red-handed. In this instance, however, the well-attended demonstration served to further highlight the case of Lulama Candani, accused of the rape and murder of eight-year-old Sesona Bhayibhile in December, which has been postponed several times already in order to afford Candani psychiatric evaluation at Valkenberg in the Cape. Said Wilschut: ‘A memorandum in this regard was handed to Control Prosecutor Johan Engelbrecht, while letters [of which CXPRESS holds copies] have been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions, National and Provincial Police Commissioners, and various other justice officials.’ Apart from public participation, other bodies involved in Saturday’s action included Born in Africa, Women & Men Against Child Abuse, the ANC Women’s League and Masizame Children’s Shelter. Directors of these organisations fortified the Green Hearts campaign by addressing their respective pleas for a local child protection unit, and for fast-tracking of Candani’s place on the Valkenberg waiting list from number 118, to Engelbrecht of the NPA and Captain Theunissen of Plett SAPS. The rally received national TV coverage on SABC news that night. Candani, 18, is due to reappear in court on June 15.
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CXPRESS
News & Views
27 May 2015
Two Eden/Karoo residents die on W Cape roads F
ROM May 22-24, 26 alcohol blitz roadblocks across the Western Cape saw 2,386 vehicles stopped as part of the provincial traffic services safety campaign. There were 14 road fatalities reported this weekend, while traffic officers also apprehended a suspect in Beaufort West and confiscated dagga worth nearly R4-million. A total of 1,455 drivers were screened for being sus-
pected of driving under the influence of alcohol, resulting in 17 arrests. The highest breath alcohol reading was recorded in Vredenburg at 1.62mg/1000ml, i.e. six times the legal limit of 0,24mg/1000ml. A total of 4,475 vehicles were screened for speeding of which 539 speeding offences were recorded; 245 fines were issued for various traffic violations to the
amount of R286,850. Highest speeds recorded include 188km/h in a 120-zone (N2 Mossel Bay), 127km/h in a 100-zone (N2 Swellendam), 110km/h in an 80-zone (N2 Knysna) and 94km/h in a 60-zone (R62 Oudtshoorn). Three arrests included the above-mentioned bust of 1.9 tons of dagga, as well as another dagga arrest (7.30kg to the value of R14,600), also in Beaufort West, with the third
instance an excessive speeding arrest in Mossel Bay. Of the 14 fatalities reported, only two occurred in the Eden/Central Karoo district when on May 22 a pedestrian was killed in Plett, while one driver died near Beaufort West on Sunday the 24th. Follow Safely Home on Twitter at @WCGovSafely Home under the hash-tag #It CanWait, and search for Safely Home on Mxit.
News Briefs • A 22-year-old man has been arrested and charged with the murder of well-known Plett resident Mkuseli Custology Martin, 31, known locally as ‘Custo’. The suspect appeared in the Plettenberg Bay Magistrate’s court on May 11 and has been remanded in custody until his bail application hearing today (May 27). It is alleged that the suspect stabbed Martin with a pair of scissors in a fight that is reported to have been sparked by an SMS from a woman while the two men and other friends were drinking together at around 2pm at 35 Mantyi Street in KwaNokuthula on Sunday May 10. Martin was certified dead at the scene. His memorial and
funeral services were held in KwaNokuthula last week. • The Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association (PBCPA) has reinstated weekly meetings with the SAPS and neighbourhood watch members in Bitou. The meetings resumed on May 18, specifically to tackle a cited recent increase in crime stats in the area, and further community involvement in direct crime prevention through neighbourhood watch schemes. PBCPA chairman Bruce Richardson stated that since these meetings fell away at the end of last year, the area had experienced “a significant increase in levels of criminal activity - particularly insofar as property crimes
are concerned. “These meetings are essential if we are going to meaningfully progress our fight against crime.” Among a number subjects raised at the inaugural meeting of 2015 was the need for people to look out for ‘markers’ (rubbish such as cartons, coke bottles, chip packets and the like) and other objects placed outside of properties. These markers serve as indicators from people who have scoped out potential victims to those criminals who plan to conduct break-ins. The list of potential markers is highly detailed and has been compiled over the years by the SAPS, neighbourhood watches and other observers countrywide.
“The list is definitely factual,” said Richardson. “It has been around for a long time, and known markers have been seen in this area in the past.” The list can be seen on the PBCPA Facebook Page. PBCPA member Charles Fulton urges locals to get involved in neighbourhood watch schemes. “There are still too many areas in Plett that don’t have these schemes, specifically the upper town area [Hill and Church Streets]. “The Longships and Poortjies neighbourhood watches are up and running.” For more info on how to set up a neighbourhood watch, call Charles Fulton on 073 660 7913. /"Pkmmk"Tkfng{
News & Views
27 May 2015
CXPRESS
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Tragic Sedgefield death turns into saving grace for organ recipients Four people have a chance to enjoy an improved quality of life due to a competent medical team and two local parents’ brave decision to donate their son’s organs after a tragic incident that happened earlier this year out of their way and rendered outstanding service. To say that they maintained a perfect balance with every aspect would summarise my experience in Knysna. “An organ donor offers the
GIFT OF LIFE: Jacqui Salmons from Sedgefield tells her story, saying that ‘it was an opportunity for something good to come from the horrible incident’ - the pic below shows the late Dunovan Bond
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ACQUI Salmons and her family had to bid farewell to 19-year-old Dunovan Bond after he was fatally injured in a shooting incident in Sedgefield, and swift actions of Western Cape Government staff at Knysna Hospital contributed to the removal operations being a success. Doctors fought hard to try and save Dunovan’s life but he was declared braindead later on the day of the shooting and medical staff realised that he would be a good candidate for organ donation. A team from Groote Schuur and Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital in the Cape travelled to George via private aeroplane and then took a fast ambulance to Knysna because the organs, especially the heart, could only be outside the body for a very short period. Physicians refer to this as the cold ischemic time - the time elapsed between the clamping of the aorta (therefore halting blood supply) in the donor and the organ being transplanted with the re-
cipient’s blood supply. The cold ischemic time for the heart is limited to 260 minutes; with six hours for the liver and 12 hours for the kidneys. Dunovan’s liver was placed on the first available flight from George Airport and taken to a very ill patient in Johannesburg. Said mom Jacqui: “Dunovan was a gentle, friendly boy who respected others and his family. Everything happened so fast on the day of the incident. I was at home when I received the call. “At the hospital they explained the situation to us and mentioned the option of organ donation, and gave us time to come to terms with his fate and to think it through. I realised that it was an opportunity for something good to come from the horrible incident, and we decided to donate some of his organs.” Jacqui thanked Knysna Hospital for the special care during this difficult time. Groote Schuur transplant coordinator Maryke Reyner said: “The staff really went
Help find Mikayla’s family a place close to Red Cross
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NE-year-old Mikayla lives in Plettenberg Bay, but had to hit the road to the Red Cross Children’s Hospital in Cape Town with mom Ilse today (May 27). You see, Mikayla has a large haemangioma - a benign tumour formed by a collection of excess blood vessels - growing on and around her left armpit. About the size of a mango, which is enormous on a little
girl who has just turned one, it is causing her much pain and discomfort. Treatment was urgent as this growth, while not malignant, has been causing severe anaemia. The registered and audited non-profit company (NPC) Geezer Events is assisting as far as possible with the expense of getting Mikayla and her parents to the Cape To page 6
chance to prolong the lives of four to seven other patients, but the donor is still a family’s loved one that passed away recently. So this balance is particularly important during the time just before brain death. “When Dunovan came to the hospital, the staff had his interests at heart and fought to save his life. Only at the point when they realised they could do absolutely nothing more for him, did they start
thinking of others.” Qticp"cnnqecvkqpu" Hearts, lungs and livers are allocated to the most seriously ill patients countrywide who have the same or a suitable blood group and body size. Kidneys are allocated to the waiting list of the province, and the area which the donor came from is considered. Anyone is a good candidate for organ donation, and readers are requested to give some thought about signing
up to become organ donors. Would you like to help others after you have passed away? Medical fitness for donation is determined by the transplant team only once someone is declared braindead. Research and technology means that the organs of many more donors, e.g. those with high blood pressure or other chronic diseases, can now be used. • Visit www.odf.org.za for more information.
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Business
27 May 2015
Rug ‘n Tile rolls out their Top Carpets
After 27 years of successfully operating in Plett, Rug ‘n Tile is now a member of the Top Carpets Flooring & Blinds Group. Megan and her brother Garth have joined forces and have bought Top Carpets Knysna & Plett. ‘Top Carpets is the largest flooring group in South Africa with more than 130 privately-owned flooring contactors nationally, thus giving us superior buying power which enables us to offer excellent prices as well as exclusive ranges of wall to wall carpeting, luxury vinyl and laminated flooring,’ says Megan. CXPRESS welcomes this new venture and wishes her and Garth every success in this exciting new endeavour. See the advert on page 7.
Investor Focus
Malcolm Stewart – Investment manager at Michaelides Parker Wealth Knysna & Plett
Understanding mining companies
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ESOURCES make up a large portion of the JSE and have been in serious decline for the last five years. The first step in understanding these mining companies is to understand the commodity cycle. The first phase of the traditional commodity cycle is characterised by rising commodity prices, which far outstrip the cost of production. Exploration takes place at a dramatic pace, and mining companies become highly profitable, and are the favourites of investors around the world. The driver of the rising commodity prices can vary from normal accelerating economic growth to the exceptional infrastructural development that took place in China over the last 20 years. The second phase of the cycle sees the levelling off of commodity prices as the underlying driver begins to moderate. This phase in most developed economies is normally accompanied by rising interest rates, which if led by the USA (as is normally the case) results in a firming US$. With the majority of commodities priced in US$, we see additional bearish pressure being put on commodity prices. The third phase sees sharp reductions in the profitability of mining companies. There
is a rush to cut expenses, to cut production and to curtail all exploration. One witnesses massive restructuring of companies as they shed their marginal mines, and delay all new developments. Some will go to the wall, while others will be forced to merge or go into mothballs. We finally reach a stage of equilibrium, where commodity prices settle at or very close to the cost of production. Mining companies will have restructured, and a degree of profitability will have been reached. As the market enters this final stage, investment sentiment on the mining sector is normally extremely negative. Investors that have clung to their mining shares give up all hope and dump their shares in a final capitulation. It is, however, in this phase that valuations are cheap and some brave professionals may begin to re-enter the market. Some may be too hasty and still see substantial capital losses. While it may well be correct that we have entered the final phase where we see the normalisation of commodity shares, it is necessary to reconsider the driver of the recent commodity super cycle. I do not believe that there has ever been a commodity super cycle that equalled
the one driven by China’s 20-year infrastructure boom - truly a boom of unprecedented dimensions. It is impossible to really measure the massive extent to which this boom drove commodity prices; the road back to normality is impossible to anticipate. It is, however, possible to assume the specific commodities that saw this massive demand will see a longer period of consolidation. These are the so-called bulk metals like iron ore and coal. While the share prices of these producers may look attractive, the consolidation could take far longer than many anticipate. There could be a case for the very longterm investor to consider reentering the market. Other commodities that supply developed economies as well as a growing Chinese economy should produce better results. One should consider the producers of platinum, copper and even oil as alternatives. Watch the re-structuring activities now taking place, and make sure that the valuations are cheap. Ocneqno"jcu"dggp"kp"vjg" kpxguvogpv"kpfwuvt{"hqt"qxgt" 62"{gctu0"Jg"jcu"ytkvvgp" vjku"eqnwop"kp"EZRTGUU" hqt"vjg"ncuv"38"{gctu"cpf"ku" c"urgekcnkuv"kp"ocpcikpi" tgvktgf"ygcnvj0
Help find Mikayla’s family a place (cont.) From page 5 and back, and keeping them sheltered and fed during their stay. Says Geezer’s Paul Schafer: “We have made a fantastic start, with Plettenberg Bay businesses and individuals opening their hearts and wallets as they so regularly do. But if surgery is advised after her appointment at Red Cross on Thursday morning, the stay may be two weeks or longer. “We are really struggling
to find them suitable accommodation close to the hospital. So while we’re extremely grateful for the cash donations received so far, a place for them to stay for the duration of their time in the city is now crucial. “Any donations towards the cause will be gratefully accepted, and feedback of the exact expenses covered will be available in due course. And if funds gathered surpass our unknown target, these will be returned pro-rata to donors. Bank statements will
be available for inspection to anyone interested.” Call Paul on 071 350 9475 or Anton Muller on 082 880 8080 with queries or if you can help with accommodation close to Cape Town’s Red Cross Children’s Hospital. If you would like to donate towards this cause, use these bank details: Geezer Events, FNB Plett (branch 210514), account no. 6251 9406 054 - please use ‘Ilse’ and your email address as reference so you could be kept informed of Mikayla’s progress.
News & Views
27 May 2015
Prepare to bask in the Spice Prince’s magnificence Reza Mahammad, Food Network UK’s top chef and main talent, headlines at the 2015 Plett Food Film Festival
STAR OF INDIA: Taste flamboyant TV chef Reza Mahammad’s themed canapés for a sensory experience sans equal during the Plett Food Film Festival on July 11
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S an honoured guest and festival patron, Reza Mahammad will be warming up Plettenberg Bay with his creative and special sensory experience of Indian and Western flavours on July 11 during the festival’s film premier, Vjg"Nwpejdqz. Delighted fans will also have an opportunity to meet Reza on July 9 and 10 as he mingles with guests during the other films premiered at
the Plett Food Film Festival. Reza - the hugely popular and flamboyant TV chef and owner of the renowned Star of India restaurant in Kensington, London - has recently completed a new 25-episode series with Jenny Morris. Entitled Tg|c" cpf" Lgpp{‚u" Hqqf" Cecfgo{, it is set to launch across Food Network in July. Drawing from his encyclopaedic knowledge of Indian
food, Reza combines Indian and Western flavours to stunning effect, delivered in an informal, humorous style. Spice and life become intertwined on the final night of the Plett Food Film Festival, featuring the culinary styles of Reza along with the film premier of Vjg"Nwpejdqz, directed by Ritesh Batra. Guests will enter an Indian-inspired courtyard at the historical White House Theatre for a demonstration by the irrepressible ‘Spice Prince’. Foodies will be tantalised with Reza’s themed canapés for a sensory experience as they watch the film - a foretaste of flavours to come. And the Spice Notes installation is sure to add to a night of intrigue... • The Plett Food Film Festival is one-of-a-kind in Africa. Plett Tourism and iKasi Media bring you the experience of Delicious film | Compelling food at The White House Theatre in Plett during three days of five classic food films and the food that is central to the film narrative. Visit www.pletttourism. com for the full Plett MAD listing and to book your tickets online.
So, what’s in your lunchbox?
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ULY 11’s premier Vjg" Nwpejdqz features starrated performances by Irrfan Khan, Nimrat Kaur and Nawazuddin Siddiqui. The film is centred on a middle class housewife, Ila, who tries to add some spice to her marriage. She hopes that new recipes will arouse some kind
of reaction from her neglectful husband. Ila prepares him a daily lunchbox for work and it is mistakenly delivered to another office worker. Thus begins a series of lunchbox notes between Saajan and Ila, and the mere comfort of communicating with a stranger anony-
mously soon evolves into an unexpected friendship. Gradually, their notes become little confessions about their loneliness, memories, regrets, fears, and even small joys. They each discover a new sense of self in the big city of Mumbai that so often crushes hopes and dreams.
Knysna businesses and public enabled The Oaks art school’s grand opening
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ESPITE many challenges faced, the team from Knysna School of Arts & Design, fearlessly lead by Terance Ellis, has managed to clean up ‘The Oaks’ build-
ing and surrounding grounds. They are excited to finally announce the official opening of the Live Art Gallery, where you will find over 200 works by more than 35 dif-
COME MEET THESE ARTY OKES: Knysna School of Arts & Design is now finally settled in at ‘The Oaks’ building in Main Street, and readers are invited to the official opening on Friday
ferent artists from all over the country - and the number is growing daily. Terance thanks the many individuals and local businesses for their donations, suggestions and support in this enormous undertaking. Without the help and support of the artists and community this dream would have been almost impossible to achieve. The official opening of the Live Art Gallery will be held at The Oaks, 28 Main Road on May 29 from 4-9pm. Wine and snacks will be served and a fire will be provided for those who want to join the team for a braai. Call Terance on 082 347 9902 or Terri on 081 810 5350 for further details.
CXPRESS
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Interval
27 May 2015
I have so much debt, I can start a government!
AAADD - know the symptoms... Cig/Cevkxcvgf"Cvvgpvkqp" Fghkekv"Fkuqtfgt" This is how it manifests: I decide to water my garden. As I turn on the hose in the driveway, I look over at my car and decide it needs washing. As I start toward the garage, I notice mail on the stoep table that arrived earlier. I decide to go through the mail before I wash the car. I lay my car keys on the table, put the junk mail in the rubbish bin under the table, and notice that the bin is full. So, I decide to put the bills back on the table and take the bins out first. But then I think, since I’m going to be near the post box when I take the bins out anyway, I may as well pay the bills first.
I take my cheque book off the table, and see there is only one cheque left. My extra cheques are in my desk in the study, so I go inside the house to my desk where I find the can of Pepsi I’d been drinking. I’m going to look for my cheques, but first I must push the Pepsi aside so that I don’t accidentally knock it over. The Pepsi is getting warm, and I decide to put it in the fridge to keep it cold. As I head toward the kitchen with the Pepsi, I notice a vase of flowers needs water. I put the Pepsi on the table and discover my reading glasses that I’ve been searching for all morning. I decide I better put them back on my desk, but first I’m going to water the flowers. I set the glasses back down,
fill a container with water and suddenly spot the TV remote. Someone left it on the kitchen table. I realise that, tonight when we go to watch TV, I’ll be looking for the remote, but I won’t remember that it’s on the kitchen table, so I decide to put it back in the room where it belongs. But first I’ll water the flowers. I pour some water in the flowers, but most of it spills on the floor. So, I put the remote back on the table, and I get some towels and wipe up the spill. Then, I head down the hall trying to remember what I
was planning to do… At the end of the day: The car isn’t washed, the bills aren’t paid, there is a warm can of Pepsi sitting on the table, there is only one cheque in my cheque book, I can’t find the remote, I can’t find my glasses, and I don’t remember what I did with the car keys. Then, when I try to figure out why nothing got done today, I’m really baffled because I know I was busy all day, and I’m really tired. I realise this is a serious problem, and I’ll try to get some help for it, but first I’ll check my e-mail… Fqp‚v"ncwij"/"kh"vjku"kup‚v"{qw" {gv."{qwt"fc{"ku"eqokpi#
If my memory gets any worse, I’ll be able to plan my own surprise party.
The generous husband
A
Scotsman and his wife walked past a swanky new restaurant. “Did you smell that food?” she asked. “It smells absolutely incredible!”
Being a kind-hearted husband, he thought to himself: ‘What the heck, I’ll give her a treat!’ So, they walked past the restaurant again…
Interesting observations • I read recipes the same way I read science fiction. I get to the end and I think: “Well, that’s not going to happen.” • The other night I ate at a real family restaurant. Every
table had an argument going. • Have you noticed since everyone has a camcorder these days no one talks about seeing UFOs like they used to? • According to a recent survey,
men say the first thing they notice about a woman is her eyes, and women say the first thing they notice about men is they’re a bunch of liars. • Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again. • Politics is supposed to be
the second oldest profession. I have come to realise that it bears a very close resemblance to the first. • How is it one careless match can start a forest fire, but it takes a whole box to start a campfire?
27 May 2015
CXPRESS
9 Photo: Linda Ausker
Social Scene
BLESSINGS BURNING BRIGHT: Reverent Pam and hubby Keith Berning - pictured standing at right with a bunch of loving family members on the beach - reached that impressive 50-yearssince-tying-the-knot milestone last month. Says Keith: ‘God has been good to us. We have four children and six grandchildren - the fruit of this amazing marriage - and we’ve blessed each other to grow in our God-given gifts. Our secret? Respect and communication, held together with love.’ The Bernings marked their union on April 10 and their journey kicked off in Pretoria, then went on to Port Elizabeth, back to Joburg and finally ended up in Plett. Says the Rev: ‘We’ve been blessed with a fulfilling ministry and wonderful friendships. Thank you!’
NO FLASH IN THE PAN: Four staff members of Flashbacks in Main Street Plett received their long-service awards on Sunday, after having dealt gracefully with customers and the popular sports-music-food bar’s well-loved owners André, at centre, and PJ, right, for the past 15 years. Congrats on this awesome achievement of sterling service to, from left, Gladys, Richard, Cynthia and Vincent. And here’s looking forward to the next decade or three of Flashing Back...
Photo: Timothy Twidle
People, places & events
SEEFF PLETT TOPS IN SA: The Group Licensee of the Year award was bestowed upon Seeff Plettenberg Bay at the recent National Convention held at the Fairmount Hotel Zimbali in Ballito, KZN. In addition, they also won Licensee of the Year (Division 4) and Exterior & Interior Signage and Branding (Division 4). Licensee Kevin Engelsman says this is thanks to great teamwork from all staff and fantastic support from the community in achieving their objectives. In the pic at right are Kevin & Linda Engelsman and manager Alet Ollemans, centre, with chairman Samuel Seeff and his wife, Simone, at the gala event. (See the advert on page 3.)
YANK PIANIST NO PRAT: At the fourth Knysna-Plett Concert of the year, local music aficionados enjoyed a marvellous performance by Awadagin Pratt - Professor of Piano and Artist in Residence at the University of Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of Music. Pratt played a number of variations of compositions by well-known composers and the evening was enjoyed thoroughly by Knysna locals, from left, Daniel du Toit, Leoni Hattingh and Elise Latter.
WITTEDRIFT SE HEEL SKOONSTES: Limor Katz en Aiden Connelly, albei in Graad 11, het onlangs met die gesogte titels van Mr en Mej Wittedrift 2015 weggestap. Die skool bedank graag die Graad 10-komitee onder leiding van Mr Vorster vir hul harde werk om die kompetisie glad te laat verloop.
Photo: Rhian Berning
BEING VERY GOOD TOGETHER: Tickey Tones, under the talented orchestration of Marie Skeen of Oak Note Music Academy, won a silver medal at the recent Knysna Eisteddfod. This group of youngsters is an excellent example of Bitou kids coming together, comprising students from Plett Primary, Raphaeli Waldorf, Greenwood Independent School and Footsteps. And the song this most representative mini orchestra played to attain silver? ‘We All Stand Together,’ of course!
ADOPTIONS...ADOPTIONS...ADOPTIONS ADOPTIONS...ADOPTIONS...ADOPTIONS
Storm is 18 months old, he is a husky who Suzie is 2 years old, she is a bundle of joy with Lulu is 6 years old, if you are looking for a a happy go lucky personality. needs lots of space and exercise. loving companion then Lulu is the pet for you.
Joey is a lovely young female surrendered by Joan is a half-grown Rottweiler cross who is Dixie is a lively, young, medium sized female. her owner who couldn’t provide a good home. going to be a big girl.
Cora is 2 years old, she is calm and Balto is 2 months old, he and his siblings are Alaska is 1 year old, she has a playful nature very busy exploring the cattery. affectionate with perfect tabby markings. and loves company.
Tina, under a year, is a sweet-natured girl.
Knysna Animal Welfare Society [KAWS] has a cattery full of gorgeous cats and kittens and a wonderful selection of dogs of all shapes and sizes, all ready to move into your home and into your heart. You can see the full selection on www.knysnaaws.com or visit the kennels at 1 Marlin Street, Hunters Home, Knysna to select your new furry friend. Phone 044 3841603 for further details.
Jay is a friendly boy, 4 months old, who will Three male terrier pups, three months old, be medium sized. small breed. Our PAWS kennels are situated on the N2, near the Ebenezer Estate on the left, approaching Plett. We have several wonderful dogs who have been with us longer than is ideal and we would really like to find happy homes for them. You can see the full selection of cats and dogs at www.facebook.com/PlettAnimalWelfare or visit the kennels at N2, Hill View, Plett
to select your new furry friend. Phone 083 287 9917 for further details.
Wednesday 27th 27 th May May 2015 201 015 5
A blend of sun and clouds
Classifieds
27 May 2015
Thursday
28th May 2015
Sunshine and pleasant
20° Lo 11°
23° Lo 12°
Precipitation: 25% Thunderstorm: 0% Sunrise: 7:20AM Sunset: 5:27PM Wind: NW 13km/h Gusts: 20km/h NW
Precipitation: 23% Thunderstorm: 0% Sunrise: 7:21AM Sunset: 5.27PM Wind: NE 11km/h Gusts: 17km/h NE
Friday
29th 29 th May May 2015 201 015 5
Saturday
30th 30 th May May 2015 201 015 5
Sunday
31st May 2015
Monday
01st June 2015
More clouds than sun
Morning shower, shower not as warm
Cooler, a little lilitt ttlle le p.m. p.m p m rain
Windy dy with withh rain rai raiin
Precipitation: 0% Thunderstorm: 0% Sunrise: 7:21AM Sunset: 5:26PM Wind: WNW 11km/h Gusts: 9 km/h WNW
Precipitation: 40% Thunderstorm: 20% Sunrise: 7:22AM Sunset: 5:26PM Wind: N 22 7km/h Gusts: 48 km/h N
Precipitation: 59% Thunderstorm: 20% Sunrise: 7:23AM Sunset: 5:25PM Wind: ESE 17km/h Gusts: 41 km/h ESE
Precipitation: 75% Thunderstorm: 0% Sunrise: 7:23AM Sunset: 5:25PM Wind: E 41km/h Gusts: 61km/h E
23° Lo 13°
20° Lo 9°
15° Lo 10°
17° Lo 10°
Tuesday
02nd 02 nd June Jun unee 2015 2015
Decreasing clouds and warmer
23° Lo 12°
Precipitation: 12% Thunderstorm: 2% Sunrise: 7:24AM Sunset: 5:255PM Wind: NNE 11km/h Gusts: 30km/h NNE
June 2015
CXPRESS
MOON PHASES:
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Wed 03 June Full Moon Wed 10 Jun Last Quarter
27 Wed 28 Thu 29 Fri 30 Sat 31 Sun 01 Mon 02 Tue 03 Wed 04 Thu 05 Fri 06 Sat 07 Sun 08 Mon 09 Tue
TIDES: 27 May - 09 June LOW
HIGH
LOW
HIGH
05h39 06h41 07h25 08h03 08h37 09h11 09h44 10h19 10h55 11h33 12h13 00h39 01h32 02h35
11h43 00h16 01h06 01h46 02h23 02h59 03h36 04h13 04h51 05h30 06h12 06h57 07h47 08h48
17h43 18h46 19h30 20h08 20h43 21h18 21h54 22h31 23h10 23h52 12h56 13h46 14h48
12h49 13h37 14h17 14h54 15h29 16h05 16h41 17h19 17h58 18h41 19h30 20h28 21h41
On the Soapbox
27 May 2015
Letters to the Editor
CXPRESS
11
Email: editor@cxpress.co.za - Fax: 044 533 0852 - PO Box 1449, Plett 6600
So long and thanks for all your support... After 42 years in this community, we have now retired and need to say goodbye to all the lovely people of Plett and Wittedrift. We have moved to Jeffrey’s Bay with our son, Rosjame. Thank you to the business people with your open hearts where we could freely ask for sponsors for our schools and church. You never gave up. We thank the reverends
Kritzinger, Smith, Du Preez and their wives for the support, understanding and appreciation for what we did in our congregation; the committees of the World Day of Prayers and Chrissies Happy Hour where we could form part of; and the Presbyterian of George - especially the Women’s Ministry. To our own congregation at URC (VGK) Plett, we
Welcome to Plett – we dump our trash wherever we dig
Plett reader Linda Stevens sent this pic and wrote: ‘This is really a disgrace. Dogs and other animals tear open the bags and garbage lies all over the airport road, blowing around for days on end before the people who are supposed to collect, do so. When approached regarding this problem, they told Plettenberg Park & Spa manager Didi Alberts some tall tale that if they built or erected a proper storage place (until they can collect), people would continue dropping off their garbage on the side of the road.’ (Sad and disconcerting that this sight is what greets visitors fresh off their CemAir flight, before even glimpsing a view of the beautiful bay… - Eds.)
Don’t drink and eat inky caps…
Elfriede Draper sent this pic and wrote: ‘This extremely beautiful mushroom group that appears every year more or less on the same spot, is one of the species called the Inky Cap Mushroom. Any expert that can shed more light on this subject, e.g. is it edible? According to research, it can be eaten before the ink part at the top of the cap appears.’ (A quick Google search revealed that another name for these ‘shrooms is tippler’s bane, as it causes a severe reaction when imbibed along with alcohol: ‘For the most part, a bite is fine. Although inky caps are not food mushrooms, and shouldn’t be made into a big meal or eaten long-term, generally a single mushroom won’t do any harm. But inky caps take a rather puritanical view of drink. People who drink anywhere from three hours to five days after eating an inky cap will feel their faces getting red, limbs tingle, and hearts racing. Then comes the nausea, vomiting and, in severe cases, heart problems. The more alcohol the unfortunate sinner drinks, the more they’ll suffer. If things get bad they’ll have a heart attack.’ - Eds.)
will miss you very much, especially the education part. Denice and Bettie, you were there from Day 1 when we started in 2008. The Women’s Ministry and Kinderbond were our heart and soul organisations. Thank you for your support and prayers when it was most needed. The Curves members, we miss you, because we were a family. Thanks Heather and
staff for your positive attitude. We also thank Link Pharmacy, Dr Donald and his surgery staff, Plett Mediclinic, Drs Verrier and Seton, the Vodacom staff, and Bitou Municipality - especially the people at Community Services and Public Works. Thank you to Seaview and Denron for your support. Tqu{"*pêg"Jqtp+"("Lcogu" Cpftgyu."Lghhtg{‚u"Dc{
G marks the spot… Chances are you have, at some time or other, ‘lost’ your car in a parking lot especially in the ginormous Garden Route Mall parking, particularly on a Saturday morning. It’s bad enough when you have only handcarried purchases, but with a loaded trolley and a couple of tired children in tow, it’s no joke. Living in South Africa, your first thought might be that the car’s been stolen, but this is just a one-in-athousand possibility brought on by panic thinking. Then you begin wandering around the general area which you think you remember, pushing the button on your remote hoping that a recognisable car will light up to welcome you. However, your remote probably only operates at a distance of 10 metres or less and, when there’s a preponderance of silver-coloured cars with basically the same shape and size, your chances are about the same as winning the lottery. Trying to describe your car to a parking/security attendant is beyond your and his communication command - unless it’s a bright red convertible Ferrari! So, you decide to go back into the mall to shop (again), eat, have your hair done, or go to a movie until the crowd thins out in two or three hours’ time, when your car should hopefully be left exposed and locatable. It’s useless trying to tell yourself that you’ll never do this again, because next time you’ll make a precise note of the location. Chance and the human forgettery will ensure that in a month or two, it’ll happen again. Modern technology has, however, provided us with means of avoiding this stressinducing exercise. For those who can afford it, a GPS is the way to go. This system is
also now available in some cameras and smart-phones. Of course, if your car is fitted with a tracking device, just call the service and have them find it for you, while you have another coffee. Simpler still, call the SAPS, report it stolen, and take a taxi home. They’ll probably deliver it to you for the customary bonsella… But, for ordinary folk with inexpensive digital cameras, cellphones, tablets, iPads, etc. which take photographs, the solution is simple - take a snap of the spot where the car is parked, incorporating identifiable surroundings that are permanent. It’s a universal solution that’s applicable to places like airports, multi-storey buildings and the like. For example, the photograph here shows the exact place where a driver parked this car, clearly identifying the spot with a reference he’ll not easily forget. Imagine the pleasure felt when he is reunited with his beloved wheels! Gctpguv"Itåhgpdgti." Mp{upc
SNAP SHOT THE SPOT: Taking a pic of permanent fixtures close to your car in a mammoth shopping mall’s parking lot may well save you hours of searching for your wheels
2013 Toyota Fortuner 3.0 D-4d, Auto, Silver, 47,243km, 4x4! 2012 Nissan Patrol 3.0 Di GL, Manual, Silver, 45,900 km, Safari ! 2014 VW Kombi 2.0 TDi SWB, Manual, Silver, 45,114km, Tow Bar! 2011 Mitsubishi Triton 3.2 D/C 4x4, Manual, White, 181,778 km 2011 Kia Sportage 2.0i, Manual, Silver, 67,829km, Leather Seats! 2013 Nissan X-Trail 2.0 XE, Manual, Silver, 51,290km, Good Value! 2010 Hyundai iX35 2.0 GLS, Manual, Bronze, 72,326 km, Leather ! 2010 Isuzu KB250D-TEC LE D/C, Manual, 125,062km, Canopy inc! 2010 Audi A4 1.8T Ambition, Auto, Silver, 59,500km, Awesome ! 2008 Mercedes Benz C280 Avantgarde, Auto, Gold, 82,365km,Solid! 2014 Kia Rio V 1.4i TEC, Hatch, Manual, White, 13,144km, Gorgeous ! 2012 Nissan NP300 2.4i 4x4, Double Cab, White, 92,813km, Canopy ! 2013 Honda Jazz 1.3i Comfort CVT, Auto, Silver, Only 11,700 km !... 2013 Toyota Avanza 1.5 SX, Manual, Silver, 39,852 km, 7 Seater ! 2014 VW new Polo 1.4i Trendline, Manual, Grey, 33,526km, Cool ! 2013 Toyota Corolla 1.3 Prof, Manual, Silver, 54,172km, Cruiser ! 2012 Hyundai i20 1.6i, Manual, Black, 7,832km, Awesome Mileage ! 2014 VW Polo Vivo 1.4 Hatch, Manual, Silver, 12,276km, Bluetooth ! 2013 VW Polo Vivo 1.4 Sedan, Auto, Silver, 36,422km, Automatic ! 2014 VW Polo Vivo 1.4 Sedan, Manual, Silver, 43,559km, Trusted ! 2006 Peugeot 2.0 CC ( 130 kw ), Manual, Black, 83,900km, Cabriolet ! 2012 Nissan Tiida 1.6i Sedan, Auto, White, 53,000km, Comfortable ! 2011 Peugeot 207 1.4 VVT Active, Manual, Grey, 23,075km only ! 2012 Chevrolet Aveo 1.6i Sedan, Auto, Silver, 57,682km, Good Value ! 2014 Chevrolet Spark 1.2 L, Manual, Blue, 18,535km, Electric Window ! 2003 BMW 530d, Auto, Silver, 111,919km, One owner since new ! 2004 Jeep Cherokee 2.4 Sport, Manual, Blue, 139,929km, 4x4 ! 2005 Hyundai Sonata 2.4 GLS, Auto, White, 138,000km, Good Value!
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12
CXPRESS
Sport & Adventure
27 May 2015
Kevin Evans to hang up his pro racing boots Undoubtedly Plettenberg Bay’s foremost sports professional, champion road and mountainbiker Kevin Evans has announced his retirement from professional cycling later this year, concluding a highly successful 12-year career competing locally, nationally and internationally - NIKKI RIDLEY chatted to the pleasant pedal pusher
W
HEN I asked Kevin Evans what prompted him to quit professional riding at what seems to be the fairly young age of 37, he answered with a quiet laugh: “Yaaa, 37 might be young, but it’s not young when you are racing against 22 to 24-year-olds - the new generation who are really fast and have grown up with all the new science that we never had as youngsters. “It’s just one of those things - as in most sports, you are only as good as your last race, and the time feels right now.” Kevin also plans to spend more time with his family, while another reason for his decision is giving his father, Leon Evans, a regular break from The Bike Shop.
“My daughter will be seven in August. She’s grown up with me riding full time, going away for four to five weeks at a time and this has also been one of the reasons behind my decision to stop riding full time.” Kevin has enjoyed an illustrious career in both MTB and road cycling since turning professional at the age of 24 and is a multiple SA champion. Career triumphs include six-times winner of the SA MTN Marathon Series (MTB) and seven-times winner in the SA (Marathon /XTC/Time Trial) National Championships. Besides winning or achieving a podium place in a number of other local and national events, he has also
represented South Africa no less than 12 times overseas in both road cycling and mountain-biking tours, with an eighth place finish in the 2009 World Championships. As far as personal career highlights go, he says it’s hard to pick any particular occasion. “But the first time you win SA Champs is one, and the second time you win is also a big one because it kind of proves to you and to others that the first one wasn’t a fluke.” He also mentions the Maccabi Games in Israel. “That was really special, while another that stands out for me is the 2009 World Champs. That was my best result ever in the World Championships, and the second best result by any South African in that event.”
Kevin says that MTB is his first passion. “There’s more soul to mountain-biking; you are out in nature and you get to places on a mountain bike that you’d never normally get to any other way. Having said that, we’ve got beautiful roads to ride on here as well.” Kevin is still competing in a few upcoming events in 2015 as a professional and plans on riding “for fun” in others. “I don’t think I’ll ever quit riding completely, but probably my last races as a professional will be the Dr Evil Classic and Karoo to Coast, which are scheduled back-toback in September.” Sad to see you go from the pro scene, Kev, but sure we’ll still spot lots of you and your bike and your happy family on the roads and forest tracks of our beautiful ‘hood.
All hail the new king
HOPE FOR THE RACE: Kevin Evans will focus on family matters after years of competing away from his Plett home, and spend more time in The Bike Shop - the expert Evans team’s business off Piesang Valley Road - Photo: Nikki Ridley
‘A luta continua’ for our brave PAC comrades! These Plett Athletic Club members will tackle the 90th edition of the legendary Comrades marathon on Sunday May 31. From left are Andrew Bezuidenhout (running his eighth Comrades and shooting for a sub-10 hour time), Eric Nangu (fifth Comrades, goal sub-seven and a half hours), Georgie Minopetros (third Comrades, goal subeight hours), and PAC chairperson Vicki Meggersee, who is running her second Comrades and aims to ‘beat the man with the gun!’ For those not in the ultra-marathon know, this means finishing the gruelling 89km - uphill this year, as it starts in Durban and finishes in Pietermaritzburg - in less than 12 hours, which for Vicki would boil down to achieving back to back medals. Godspeed to y’all...
Des Gutzeit proved top of the 2015 Jaguar Simola Hillclimb field, winning the highly anticipated King of the Hill challenge on May 17 by setting a new lap record of 40.148 seconds on the final run in his explosive 1400hp Nissan Skyline R32 GT-R. ‘It was a fantastic weekend,’ said Des, who competed alongside his son Jade, on the winner’s podium. ‘We set out to win after coming so close last year, and I’m really glad we achieved our goal. My crew did an amazing job with the car, and I have to thank the organisers for putting together a splendid event.’ Despite convincingly taking the trophy, the Gutzeits are already looking ahead to Hillclimb 2016. ‘I’m not sure if I can go any faster, but next year we’ll definitely try breaking the 40-second barrier.’ The Port Shepstone-based duo dominated the six qualifying rounds spread over the Saturday and Sunday, with Des leading the charge on 40.210sec, blitzing Franco Scribante’s 2014 record of 41.159sec by almost a full second. Jade was second overall in the qualifiers with a time of 41.366sec. Interestingly, both fastest times were set during Saturday afternoon. A record 12,000+ spectators attended the three days of adrenaline-fuelled racing. Visit www. jaguarsimolahillclimb.co.za for more information and pics.