28 october 2015

28 October 2015

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Photo: Nikki Ridley

Oversized sign boards like the one at left are positioned in strategic spots along Robberg Beach, where the bodies of Irish newlyweds Lynette and John Rodgers were discovered by passers-by on Friday afternoon - see the report on page 3

Rips cost lives After the Kurland fire

Prof Mike remembers

Final words on RWC 2015

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News & Views

28 October 2015

Driving Miss Crazy

Driving Barry Richards to fly off on his national launch JEEVES interrupts his Croatian tales with this account of an hour spent in the presence of ‘one of the greatest batsmen test cricket has (n)ever seen’, who happens to reside in Knysna

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new book is being launched around the country this week on the cricketing time and life of arguably the greatest South African batsman, if not the greatest right-hander the world has ever seen - Knysna resident Barry Richards.

Cleverly entitled Uwpfkcn"kp" vjg"Ujcfg, referring to the genius lost to test cricket, nine

of the 10 chapters recall his career in cricket, the other relates to some tragic aspects of a personal and domestic nature, and is called ‘Those two imposters - triumph and disaster, 1984-2015’.

“How come should I be in the know?!” I hear you cry...

--The text message to Jeeves read: ‘Are you able to drop

me at the airport on the 22nd departing Knysna 11am?

Thanks. Barry.’ I confirmed I was and received a confirmation of time and pick-up point.

On the day, waiting at the door of the Thesen Islands address, was Barry RICHARDS! Seated next to him in his nifty black sports car, he thanked me and explained that he was off to various venues to promote and sign copies of his biography, written by Andrew Murtagh - a Hampshire County team-mate in the 70s.

How lucky was I to be spending the next hour with this great sportsman?

First stop on his travels would be Kingsmead cricket ground in Durban, to the Kingsmead Mynars Suite.

Originally, the Mynars were a group of businessmen and avid cricket enthusiasts who sponsored Barry to play for Natal, because back in those days (60s and 70s) there were no professionals and the districts were not allowed to pay the players.

Then it was off to my old haunt, Olympic Sports Club in Rondebosch on the 27th.

Second home to Robin Jackman, Barry would be hosted at Olympic by publisher Don Nelson and speaker Trevor Quirk. Third stop is Wanderers in Johannesburg on Friday.

With him, Barry had a box of 10 signed hard covered books for friends and family - they had arrived from the UK where the book is already on the shelves. He passed me one.

I flipped through the pages as he talked me through the makings of the book; his years at Hampshire, where they won the County Championship twice under him; South Australia winning the Sheffield Shield; Natal, the Curry Cup. I detected an edge of disappointment, possibly sadness in his voice as he cast his mind back and reflected.

The foreword is by Sir Tim Rice (of Andrew Lloyd-Webber fame), a past president of the MCC. He writes: “...one of the greatest batsmen test cricket has (n)ever seen... whose talents compare to Sir Donald Bradman, Sachin Tendulkar and his namesake Vivian... sadly lost to test cricket through isolation 1970 to 1991, as a result of apartheid.

“He has known great ups and downs in life, on and off the field... remains above all a sportsman and a gentleman... without bitterness and with few equals.”

Barry explained: “The best years of a batsman’s life are from 25 to 30 when he’s physically peaking; thereafter its survival and growth through mental application and technique.”

So he was lost forever, and would only qualify to play for England - not that he wanted to - after seven years of uninterrupted play and residency, which meant he couldn’t return and play for Natal in-between.

He did manage to play only four tests for SA, all against Australia, winning all the matches. His contribution, I noted under stats at the back of the book, being 508 runs, highest score 140, at an average of 72.6!

A picture in the middle of the book depicts Barry and Graham Pollock (brother to fast bowler Peter, and uncle to Shaun) together, after their

DEPARTING THE ISLANDS: Getting into his nifty black sports car, above, before we set off from his Thesen Islands home, Barry Richards is described by Sir Tim Rice as ‘one of the greatest batsmen test cricket has (n)ever seen’ SPOIL DAD OR GRANDPA: ‘Sundial in the Shade’ will hit the shop shelves countrywide in time to make an excellent Christmas present

famous partnership of 103 in 60 minutes in the second test at Kingsmead in 1970.

Dubbed ‘The Golden Hour’ by the press, it has gone down in South African folklore. Richards scored 140; Pollock went on to score 274.

“I don’t think this country has ever again seen batting like we saw that day,” said captain Ali Bacher (except perhaps Herschell Gibbs’ 190-odd v England in an ODI at the Wanderers, but that was a different format of the game).

Glancing through a few lines in the author’s introduction: “Who was the greatest batsman you ever played with or against?” asked my dining companion.

“Richards,” I replied.

“Fair enough,” he said, “I don’t think anyone could disagree with that. After all, Wisden named him one of five cricketers of the century.

King Viv - surely the most...”

“Barry,” I corrected him, “Barry Richards. Not Viv.” The book is littered with words like great, talented, ge-

nius, majestic; and sad, tragic, disappointing - all because he was born in the wrong era, where politics would deny the world witnessing a team at test-level the likes of Barry, the two Pollocks, Procter, Gamsy, Irvine, Lance, Barlow, Goddard, Trimborn, Traicos, and Bacher.

(I remember a friend once saying to me: “I would like nothing more than to have seen that team in the 70s playing against the West Indies at Melbourne Cricket Ground!”)

Another quote caught my attention, on Barry Richards playing at a deserted Lords for his County Champion side against the MCC, with the likes of Hendrick, Jackman, Knight, Edmonds, and Acfield in the bowling attack.

There were no TV cameras, no standing ovation for the 189 he scored that day, no MCC members cheering him as he passed through the Long Room to the dressing room.

One teammate said on his innings: “This is sheer box office, bloody marvellous. And no one’s here! It’s a tragedy.”

As Tony Lewis described this innings at an empty Lords in 1974: “It was as if Yehudi Menuhin had taken his fiddle on stage at the Royal Albert Hall and reeled off faultless, unaccompanied Bach all day for the pleasure of the cleaners, box-office clerks, electricians and a carpenter who chanced to be there”.

That was the tragedy of Barry Richards.

It’s a book warmly written with the empathy of a man who shared more with his subject than a dressing room, as becomes evident with another tragedy in the final chapter. I couldn’t suppress a lump in my throat for this great man.

The launch is timeous with the advent of Christmas, and would make a great present for Dad or Grandpa, or any cricket lover for that matter.

In his whirlwind trip around the country, he’ll also be on radio - Cape Talk and 702, as well as on Kpukfg" Gfig in a couple of weeks.

And I’m off to CNA or Bargain books to get a copy for myself.

Until next time back in Croatia, hang LEFT, and pass RIGHT! - Lggxgu

News & Views

28 October 2015

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CXPRESS

Drowned bride did ‘cha-cha slide down the aisle’ on her wedding day

THINK THRICE: Robberg Beach was deserted when the couple went swimming last Friday, and the ocean much less calm than when this photo was taken on Monday

Friends and family of the newlyweds who drowned on Robberg Beach on Friday evening are battling to come to grips with the tragedy, just six days after the two walked down the aisle - YOLANDÉ STANDER reports

REST IN PEACE: Lynette and John Rodgers just arrived in Plett when they went for a swim and was swept out to sea by strong rip currents - Photo: courtesy Rodgers family

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HE couple, who have been identified as 28-year-old John Rodgers and his 26-year-old wife Lynette, née Reilly, from Belfast, Ireland, had been in South Africa on honeymoon since Tuesday after marrying on October 17.

They had just arrived in Plettenberg Bay on Friday October 23 when they went for a swim and was swept out to sea by strong rip currents. Their bodies washed up along the beach and were discovered by passers-by in shallow surf.

In a touching statement, the couple’s family said their happiness in sharing their recent wedding had been “thoroughly devastated”.

“It has come as a great shock to both the Reilly and Rodgers families to learn of the sudden and tragic event in South Africa, that has taken the lives of Lynette and John.

“Both were dearly loved and brought us great joy. We would now ask that our families’ privacy be respected and we are left in peace. Thank you,” the statement read.

The families of the newlyweds are from Hollywood in Worcestershire, England and their local church minister, Rev Stephen Lowry, also issued a statement after the tragedy.

“It has come as a great shock to both families, and to our church community, to learn of the event that has taken the lives of Lynette and John.

The happiness and joy of their recent wedding last Saturday [October 17] has been replaced by grief and loss.

“We will continue to support both families and friends with our love and prayers. The families have understandably requested privacy in this time of grief,” Lowry, the assistant minister at First Hollywood Presbyterian Church said.

In the meantime, friends have been paying tribute to the couple on social media and many have changed their profile pictures to depict moments with the two.

A friend of John, Rob McFarland, posted on Facebook on Saturday: “I’ve spent the day absolutely stunned and completely devastated at losing my best friend and

his beautiful wife last night whilst they were celebrating their honeymoon.

“I’m not usually one to put my emotions onto Facebook, but I can’t help but read the overwhelmingly kind words that everyone has to say about John Rodgers and Lynette Rodgers.

“I think it is just testament to what everyone thought of them and how much of an impact they had on all those who knew them. It doesn’t make it easier, but I seek comfort in the fact that they had one of the best weeks of their life and were together,” he added.

A friend of Lynette wrote: “Lynette Rodgers, you were truly one of a kind. The most bubbly and happiest of people. The only person who would ever want to do the cha-cha slide down the aisle on her wedding day.

“John Rodgers was the man of her dreams and the man who made them all come true. I can’t express the pain at the loss of these two truly beautiful people I have had the honour of calling my friends,” Rio Scott said.

National Sea Rescue Institute spokesman Craig Lambinon said a local man walking on Robberg Beach on Friday evening called the NSRI after discovering the body of a man in shallow surf.

“While calling emergency services he then reported that two female walkers on the beach had happened upon the body of a woman about 200m further along the beach,” Lambinon said.

The woman’s body was also found in shallow surf.

Lambinon added that NSRI Plett, local police, and MedLife ambulance services responded.

“On arrival on the scene, Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) efforts were commenced on both persons but sadly, despite extensive

Photo: Nikki Ridley

efforts, the NSRI doctor declared both persons deceased.

“It is believed that they had gone swimming shortly after arriving in Plettenberg Bay on holiday. It is suspected that

they drowned. Sea conditions were rough with strong ripcurrents in the vicinity.”

Police have opened an inquest docket, and although no foul play is suspected the

deaths are being investigated.

The bodies have been handed into the care of the Forensic Pathology Services and British authorities are assisting with family abroad.

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News & Views

28 October 2015

Wittedrift Somalians still out in the cold

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ORE than a week after the mob violence in Wittedrift that saw three Somali spaza shops destroyed, proprietors Mohamid and Abdi Khalif are still seeking a return to Green Valley.

Although the police opened dockets, no arrests have been made, and the matter has since been referred to the Eden Cluster POPS (Public Order Police Service) in George for further investigation.

The Khalifs have been unable to return to Green Val-

ley to fix up their shops and start over, despite approaching Bitou Municipality for assistance.

According to Mohamid Khalif, at his request for assistance, the mayor and municipal manager Allen Paulse set up a meeting with the Green Valley community to address concerns and the allegedly unfounded ‘grievances’ that underpinned the small demonstration that got out of hand and turned into the 350-strong mob attack on

October 18.

The meeting was held on October 22, but according to the Khalifs brought no positive result. They still feel afraid and unwelcome in the community and are sleeping “here and there, sometimes in our bakkie”.

Mohamid Khalif was granted refugee status in SA eight years ago. He says: “Our Constitutional rights as refugees have been violated.

My papers state clearly that I have the right to live and

Knysna fisherman disappears without a trace Yolandé Stander

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OLICE divers and search and rescue workers have been working around the clock since Saturday to find a fisherman who disappeared in the Knysna Lagoon.

Knysna’s National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) station commander Jerome Simonis said that their duty crew had been activated just before 2:30pm on Saturday after reports of a drowning in progress in the lagoon

near the local train bridge.

“NSRI Knysna rescue swimmers responded directly to the scene in their private vehicles, the sea rescue craft Jaytee III was launched and responded and so did local police, forensic pathology services, local law enforcement as well as Knysna fire and rescue services,” Simonis said.

He added bystanders reported that a fisherman, believed to be a 35-year-old local man, had disappeared under the water after falling

into the lagoon.

“Despite an extensive search no sign of the missing man has been found and police divers are continuing an ongoing search operation.”

Police spokesman Captain Malcolm Pojie confirmed that police had been searching every day since the incident without success.

Search efforts continued yesterday [Tuesday] and by time of going to print he had not been located.

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work in South Africa and for this reason the municipal manager and mayor said they would assist. Not being allowed back home (Green Valley) is a violation of our human rights.”

The incident in Green Valley is one in an uprising in xenophobia in the past week - with

a number of shops belonging to foreign nationals destroyed in Grahamstown over the weekend, and over 80 people arrested in the attacks.

Citing this violence, the Khalifs are imploring locals to remember how the rest of Africa stood in support of the fight against apartheid.

“People must remember that we are all Africans together,” said Abdi, adding that they will be taking their case to the UN if no resolution is forthcoming soon.

Bitou Municipality has been contacted for a statement as to what transpired at the meeting and why the Somalis are still unable to return to their residence and shops in Green Valley, but no response has as yet been received.

Bail denied for flight risk Ghanaian Yolandé Stander

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HE Ghanaian man accused of several sex crimes involving four young Plettenberg Bay girls has been denied bail.

The 38-year-old man, who cannot be named until he has pleaded, appeared in the local magistrate’s court on Thursday [October 22] after a lengthy bail application which started on October 2.

The accused, who was among others a hairdresser in KwaNokuthula, was arrested by members of the George Family violence, Child protection and Sexual offences (FCS) unit at his home on September 8 after allegedly committing several sexual offences involving girls aged between seven and 11.

During his bail bid the court heard how the suspect alleg-

edly lured the children - including the daughters of a local police officer, who is also his neighbour - to his home with promises of “cookies” and other treats before attempting to perform sexual acts with them.

He allegedly showed pornographic films to some of the children, attempted to have oral sex with one girl and demanded others to undress themselves while he took off his clothes.

After his arrest a drug charge was also added to the charges and it came to light that he did not have the necessary permit to be in South Africa.

Among the reasons Magistrate Len Goosen denied bail was the fact that communities were “sick and tired” of sexual predators targeting young children and that children needed to be protected.

He added that it seemed every time he opened a newspaper or switched on the television, these crimes were making headlines.

Other factors that influenced his decision included that the man was believed to be a flight risk.

The matter was postponed until Friday November 27 for further investigation. The accused denies the charges and said during bail hearing that he believed the claims followed an argument with a neighbour over money.

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News & Views

28 October 2015

CXPRESS

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Bitou folk rally round to lighten fire victims’ load The Kurland community will soon be on the road to recovery after a devastating fire razed 21 homes last week - NIKKI RIDLEY reports

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fire broke out in the ZawaZawa informal settlement shortly after 1pm on Tuesday October 20 and spread rapidly; Bitou Fire and Rescue was alerted at 1:23pm.

No one was injured in the blaze, as most residents were out at work and all the resi-

dent children were out of the houses. But 40 adults and 16 children were left homeless and have lost almost all of their personal possessions.

Although the official statement from Bitou Municipality claimed that the cause of the fire was still under investigation, according to a wit-

DEVASTATION: Nearly 70 souls were left homeless and have lost almost all of their personal possessions in the ZawaZawa fire last week Tuesday - Photos: Saleena Jubber, Born Free Ministries

ness on the scene and with close ties to the community, the fire is thought to have started from an electrical fault in one of the homes.

The municipality stated that a contractor would be appointed to clear the area and starter kits issued to each household to begin rebuilding once the area had been cleared. flCoc|kpi‚"eqoowpkv{" uwrrqtv Saleena Jubber of Born Free Ministries, who works daily in Kurland Village running soup kitchens, was one of the first people on the scene and appealed immediately to the Plettenberg Bay community for assistance. She said that the response was “amazing and overwhelming”.

“Clothes, bedding, pillows, food and more started arriving (straight away) and I received groceries to cook meals.”

She went on to say that they had been cooking for those displaced by the fire ever since, relying on donations from local supermarkets, NGOs, organisations and businesses. In addition to an extensive range of food items, donations included small appliances, cutlery and plates, clothing and fresh water.

“There is a lot of cleaning up to do - they will start with the houses in a few days. It has been a very sad time for these folks, but having supper every evening and a food parcel and clothes have lifted their spirits.

“Just knowing that people out there really care about them has given them

strength to cope. Many are staying with friends and family and, I must say, locals have really come together to help each other.”

Bitou Municipality has also

praised those who have assisted. “The Bitou Housing Section and Public Safety - Disaster Management assisted the affected persons with blankets, mattresses

and food parcels, but much needed support has been flooding in from the public, local Churches and NGOs, which is always appreciated in times of disaster.”

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News & Views

28 October 2015

Top-notch wildlife pro’s ease bushbuck into Crags forest Harkerville resident RONELLE THOMSON penned this account of setting free her four-legged ‘boy’

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HREE years ago a male bushbuck jumped into our property... and never left!

He had been living among goats, chickens and a horse for all that time, and it took much soul searching to decide whether to move him, being very concerned as to where he should go.

According to the guys at CapeNature, not many reserves would consider taking him in as he seemed tame. He was rather tame since his arrival, leading us to believe he may have been hand-reared.

Male bushbuck can be very dangerous because of their horns, and they can be quite demanding when it comes to food. And this is where the danger lies, especially if you have a semi-tame animal as house guest.

He had also become very nervous of strangers and would run and hide at any change in the environment.

I spoke to our vets, Drs Jannie Naudé and Magdalena Braum at Plettenberg Bay Vet Clinic, who suggested that I applied for a transport permit and have him moved to Brackenburn Private Nature Reserve in The Crags.

At this property down Askop Road, he would be able to roam free and meet female bushbuck. The general consensus was that once he reached the reserve, everything would be so alien to him that he would enter the forest rather than seek out human company.

Through Dr Braum, I met Brackenburn’s Mark Jones and Polly Bramham. Plett Vet Clinic has already sent quite a few ‘patients’ in need of rehabilitation before being released back into the wild, to Mark and Polly.

A Level 3 field guide and a zoologist respectively, the couple boasts a total of 40 years’ wildlife experience between them. They rehabilitate wild animals while also educating people on wildlife.

After receiving my transport permit from CapeNature and booking the dreaded release day for October 8, we counted down to the day of moving the bushbuck. I approached the Wolf Sanctuary who kindly lent me one of their crates for this purpose.

Mark and Polly met with Dr Braum, who arrived at the smallholding with darting equipment. Having done

DART-GUN MAGIC: While the drugs take effect, Mark and Polly, above, cover the buck’s head with a towel to minimise stress before he is loaded into the crate in which he is transported to his release, below

a lot of research on the subject, I was very nervous of the outcome as it is never an easy process to dart and move wild animals.

Dr Braum proceeded to dart my buck and about 10 minutes later, the drug took effect. On the good doc’s command, Mark bravely but slowly moved closer to the buck and covered his head with a towel to ease the stress - although very sleepy, he could still move around at this stage.

He was watered down to avoid overheating, and Dr Braum immediately gave him an injection to reverse the effects of the tranquiliser.

He was put in the crate and en route to Brackenburn, already sat up straight.

The entire process was seamless and my boy was released at Brackenburn Re-

serve about 30 minutes after being tranquilised, walking out of the crate into a beautiful forest. Mark and Polly have been monitoring the area where he was released, where it seems he has blended in beautifully, without returning in search of human company.

What a success story - I owe BIG thank yous to everyone involved, not least of whom is Brackenburn owner Brenda Berge, who has the kindest soul and never hesitated to take in my boy.

It was a pleasure to deal with such top-notch professionals, who have a burning passion for wild animals and vast knowledge to boot, while never asking me for remuneration at all.

Visit www.brackenburncrew.org.za or Mark and Polly’s Facebook page to see what wonderful work they do.

Promotion

28 October 2015

CXPRESS

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CXPRESS

Business

28 October 2015

Investor Focus

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

More on income-based investing for retirees

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ITH today’s medical skills, plus the lessons we have learnt about healthy living and lifestyle choices, it is not unreasonable to assume that we may all possibly live into our 80s.

So if you have just retired at 65, your retirement nest egg will have to last between 15 and 20 years. Can you imagine what a tube of toothpaste will cost in 20 years’ time?

It becomes absolutely crucial that the capital base be retained for as long as possible and that you live off the proceeds of your capital, and not use the capital itself.

The income thus earned must therefore be sustainable and increase by at least the inflation rate.

Only two investment vehicles provide this growing and sustainable income and that is equities, which offer growing dividends, and

property trusts, of which the distributions rise as rental rates increase.

If one is invested in such equities and the dividend income is sufficient to meet your retirement expenses, then you are in a position

to ride out any market fluctuations, as the value of the portfolio does not affect the income that it generates.

With regard to the longterm value of such a portfolio, it is important to remember that the value of

any financial instrument is measured by the income it produces. So the shares of a good company will ultimately reflect the value of its rising dividend yield.

Values may rise and fall as market sentiment chang-

es but in the long term the value will always revert to a level that reflects the higher dividend.

In simple terms, any instrument that generates 100 cents, for example, will be worth double its previous value if it pays, say, 200 cents. The charts of Brit-

ish American Tobacco and Clicks included here clearly reflect this principal In 1999, the dividend was ±500 cents, and the share price was ±500p, but the dividends grew to ±3,000cents in 2014, and the share price grew with the dividends to ±3,500p.

In 1999, Clicks paid a dividend of ±1,000 cents. The share remained undervalued until 2009, when it eventually caught up with its enhanced dividend.

These two examples clearly reflect the sustainability and growth in the dividends of quality companies. Your retirement income can do the same. (Charts and projections supplied by Marriott Asset Management.)

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Business

28 October 2015

Business sales in Plett on the rise

GOOD DEAL: Dorothy Prinsloo, Robert Auersperg of Remax Plett and Skaf Tin’s new owner Andrew Boyd shake on a great business bought

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HE past year has seen a marked increase in enquiries on Garden Route businesses for sale. There are a few contributing factors, foremost of these being the quality of life that living here offers.

The good news is that Skaf Tin Pizzeria & Take-aways has a new owner. The deal was brokered by Robert Auersperg - business broker and sales associate at Remax Prime Properties in Plett.

Congratulations to Dorothy Prinsloo on selling Skaf Tin to Andrew Boyd, who is relocating from Cape Town to Plett in a bid to get away from the corporate world and run his own business.

“Says Robert: “We welcome and wish Andrew and his family all the success in the world and know that he will continue the good traditions that Dorothy has implemented in her time owning Skaf Tin.” Skaf Tin is a take-away eatery situated on the corner of Marine Drive and High Street and enjoys the support of the locals for its excellent value and wide variety of fares, like its ever popular calzones, pizzas, burgers, and ribs among other treats created in a wood fire oven.

If you own a business and are thinking of selling, give Robert a call on 072 246 9929 for a free appraisal.

CXPRESS

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Two new captains will steer the Club’s ship

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LETTENBERG Bay Ski-Boat Club has put in place a dynamic team to steer them in the right direction.

The old adage ‘two heads are better than one’ now becomes three heads, as the club welcomes its new management team.

Andrew Nezer, or Drew to his friends, has been appointed as general manager as of October 26.

He explains: “I applied for the position of manager for the simple reason that I think my skills will contribute to the growth, stability and success of the Club.

“I like to chat with people, I like to entertain people and I like to see people happy.

Many of your readers will know me from my days with Craig at Plett Yamaha, where I was responsible for the boat sales, admin and sorting out pre-survey inspections, among other things.

“Other folk might know me from my time with Pierre Dreyer at Plett Roofing. I’ve spent a year in Mozambique, where my partner and I ran Dugong Beach Lodge and then Entabeni Private Game Reserve before returning to Plett. Here we continued at Whale Song and Yamaha.

“It made us realise that this town is special. I love this town and its people - Plett has been the centre of the

universe for the past nine years and I never want to live anywhere else.”

Drew’s vision for the Club starts from the reason for its existence in the first place, i.e. the promotion of sustainable and responsible fishing and the sport of angling.

“I’d like to see our membership grow and to make the restaurant not only a successful funds generator, but also a home for members where they feel welcome and proud to be a part of it.”

The second new ‘head’ at the Club is well-known Plett resident Dirk Sinclair.

After starting his restaurant

SA’s Leading Enzymologists

career at the famous Islander more than 20 years ago, Dirk joins Plett Ski-Boat Club as Food & Beverage manager.

After a fruitful 15 years at The Med, Dirk - who is married and has two young children at Plett Primary - applied for the job as he felt ready for a new challenge. Dirk is looking forward to a long and exciting career at the Club.

Third person in the management trio is Sue van der Gaast, who will move to the background while assisting Drew and Dirk with Club marketing and events.

Drew concludes: “I would like the see the Club restored

to its former vibrant glory - a great venue for visitors and a hot spot for local members. I am very excited about what Dirk and I will achieve at the Club. We look forward to seeing you here and to meet those of you we don’t yet know.”

Members and non-members are invited to Plett Ski-Boat Club on Sunday November 1 for a braai from 2:30 to meet the new management team, with the live sounds of 2for1.

Bring your own meat or buy a braai pack. There will be fires and salads, some tasters and, of course, an awesome view.

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Interval

28 October 2015

I’m reading a book about anti-gravity.

I just can’t put it down.

Marriage to an African king...

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HE beautiful secretary of a bank president was asked to squire around the king of a wealthy African kingdom, one of the bank’s most important clients.

After a day of shopping and sightseeing, the king was utterly besotted with the lady, and asked for her hand in marriage.

The proposal took the secretary by surprise and she was thinking of how to turn him down politely without jeopardising the bank’s business relationship.

So she told the king that she would only marry him if he fulfilled three conditions.

The king readily agreed.

The secretary named her

first condition. She would only marry him if he could give her a 75-carat diamond ring with matching 200 carat tiara.

The king thought for a while and finally said: “No problem! I have, I have.”

One down; the lady thought up something more complex.

“My second condition is that you must build me a 200room mansion in the best district of New York City and for my holiday home, a chateau in the middle of the best wine country in France.”

The king whipped out his cellphone, and after a lengthy conversation with his broker in New York, he said triumphantly: “Ok, I

Getting fresh in the bar

O

NE day a huge, extra-extra strong mint walks into a pub.

He sits down and starts boasting about how he’s the strongest mint in town and how he could win any fight with ease.

Then another mint walks

in, and suddenly the extraextra strong mint dives under a table.

The barman asks him: “I thought you were the strongest mint around?”

“I know!” the huge, extra-extra strong mint replies, “But he’s menthol.”

What’s my name again?

A

NDREW looked a little worried when the doctor came in to administer his annual physical, so the first thing the doctor did was to ask whether anything was troubling him.

“Well, to tell the truth, Doc, yes,” answered Andrew.

“You see, I seem to be getting forgetful. I’m never

sure I can remember where I put the car, or whether I answered a letter, or where I’m going, or what it is I’m going to do once I get there - if I get there; so I really need your help. What can I do?”

His doctor mused for a moment, and then answered in his kindest tones: “Pay me in advance.”

TWO SECRETS TO KEEP YOUR MARRIAGE CRUISING 1. Whenever you’re wrong, admit it.

2. Whenever you’re right, shut up.

- Patrick Murray

build, I build.”

Realising that she was down to her last defense, the lady thought hard. Finally, she smiled to herself thinking that her third condition was the best yet. Surely the king could not possibly fulfil this one.

Clever drawings

“Well,” she said, “You know, I love being romantic, so the man I marry MUST be very well endowed.”

The king was silent and thoughtful for a long time, burying his face in his hands.

Finally, he shook his head, and in a rather sad, resigned voice replied: “Ok, Ok, I cut, I cut.”

Entertainment

28 October 2015

CXPRESS

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Diarise riveting talk on forgotten folk at Plett Angling Club

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NTHROPOLOGIST and author Professor Mike de Jongh will be giving the keynote address on ‘Land Rights and the Forgotten First People’ at the Annual General Meeting of the Van Plettenberg History Society on Sunday November 8.

De Jongh has studied intensively two communities of what are known as “first people” by the United Nations. The first community he described in a marvellous book called Tqqvu" cpf" Tqwvgu" /" vjg" Mcttgvlkg" Rgq/ rng"qh"vjg"Itgcv"Mctqq, published by UNISA Press and available at the African shop at Old Nick Village.

Now itinerant sheep shearers, mcttgvlkg" ogpug are direct descendants of the / Xam (popularly known as ‘bushmen’ or ‘San’) who roamed the Karoo before the arrival of any other lan-

PRESERVED BY THE PEN: The drawing at left dates from a Dutch manuscript on early forays into the South African hinterland and depict San people guarding their livestock at night - see the advert on page 2 for additional information

guage speakers.

The second community is that of the Hessequa, whose story he has captured in another book, currently in production at Mike Kantey’s Watermark Press in Plett.

Part of what old history books called ‘Hottentots’, these are members of what is more correctly called the Mjqgmjqgp (‘men of men’ in the Nama language).

Before European colonists arrived, the Hessequa pastured their cattle along the southeast Cape coast all the way from modern-day Swellendam to Albertinia.

Their closest relatives were the Attaqua, who traded their cattle with survivors of the São Gonçalo shipwreck at Robberg.

In the current, dynamic debate around land rights, however, the voices of their descendants have not been PASSION FOR THE POSITIVE: Starting out on a medical degree, Prof Mike de Jongh soon discovered his enthusiasm for social science disciplines and pursued degrees in anthropology at Rhodes, Maties, and in the States

heard, nor have they been recognised, and so we describe them as “forgotten” by the powers that be.

By writing about them and taking up their cause, the prof hopes to “open a window” on their history, their current lives, and their rightful place in the modern Republic of South Africa.

Having grown up in the small town of Vryburg, De Jongh matriculated at Queen’s College, after his father was transferred to the Eastern Cape as regional inspector of schools.

He says that “many of my mccnxqgv friends in Vryburg spoke different languages, such as Sesotho, and as a small boy I travelled to remote places with my father.

In all these places I was exposed to people with what appeared to me to be very different and new languages, customs, and traditions.

“I suppose this stuck in the back of my mind to become an abiding interest in human culture and diversity.

“Although I started a medical degree, I soon found that my passion was indeed less for the biophysical aches and pains, and more for the positive stuff, so I augmented my medical studies with social science disciplines and discovered anthropology at Rhodes, Stellenbosch, and during post-graduate studies in the States.”

Never at a loss for research, Professor de Jongh is currently working on another two books: Vjg" Hqtiqvvgp" Htqpv" /" Vwtoqkn" kp" c" Nqecn" Mctqq" Eqoowpkv{" fwtkpi" vjg"Cpinq/Dqgt"Yct and Vtw/ n{"Uqwvj"Chtkecp"/"Vjg"Ngic/ e{"qh"Eqgptccf"fg"Dw{u.

The November 8 talk takes place at Plett Angling Club.

Call Mike Kantey on 628 5131 for more information.

Entertainment Diary

G

ARDEN fans can enjoy the fourth Plett Open Garden Day on Saturday Qevqdgt" 53 from 10am to 4pm, visiting four lovely local gardens while supporting PAWS. The magnificent Bosky Dell Rose Garden is anchor spot again, and tickets at R60 for all four venues will be sold at each garden.

Info flyers can be collected from Barney’s Kiosk next to Mugg & Bean at The Market

Square. See the advert on this page for contact details.

The KAWS Dog Walk, agility demo and Blessing of the Pets take place on Sunday Pqxgodgt"3 on Leisure Isle.

Entry is R30 per dog, registration starts at 9:30 and the walk at 10 am. Email cathie. garner@arup.com or call 083 291 7967 for details.

Readers who drive west next

weekend could catch some of SA’s hottest entertainers in Arniston, which will be on fire with music, comedy and much more during the inaugural Weekender Festival from Pqxgodgt" 8/:.

Among the attractions is the rising star of SA comedy, Schalk Bezuidenhout, who has toured the country with Trevor Noah. Visit www. weekenderfestival.com to find out more.

This year’s revered Leisure Ilse Festival will add something special to ensure that the Pqxgodgt" 9" (" :" event pleases all. Besides many crafts, books and plant stalls, it includes an exhibition by renowned classic car collector Brian Bruce, who will display some of his privately owned models. Read more about this in the next edition and see the advert on this page for contact details.

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CXPRESS

28 October 2015

People, places & events DRESSED TO THE NINES: Lorenzo Windvogel and partner Marilize Botha, right, look spectacularly snazzy for their Plett Secondary School matric farewell on Friday October 16 at the Piesang Valley community hall. The names of their elegant fellow learners, starting at far right, are Lee-Urtis Kampher and Geodene Cortje; the group of Jose Bailey, Anrick Christians, Carlo Barnardo, Jayden Krigga, Adrian Windwaai, Roderick Christoffels, Liesl Moodie and Austin Plaatjies with John Carl Abrahams in front; the three lovely ladies Ashleigh Alexander, Tharon Paulse and Lenay McClean; and stylish Sya Yumata and Simone Kruger. On behalf of the school, teacher Tania Schlechter thanks Constance Stuurman, Brokwa and Pick n Pay for all their help to make the evening a glamorous success.

Social Scene

Social Scene

28 October 2015

BIODIVERSITY ACKNOWLEDGED: Andrew Hill of Plett’s famous Cairnbrogie Farm shared this photo and wrote: ‘I was privileged as the chairman of the Robberg Coastal Corridor Landowners Association to collect an award from CapeNature in recognition and appreciation of an outstanding contribution made towards biodiversity conservation in the Western Cape.’

Flanking Andrew during the glittering function at Surval Boutique Olive Estate on October 21 are CapeNature’s Annita Wheeler and Dick Carr from Eden to Addo fame.

JUST SAY ‘SIR’ AND PARTY: The Plett’s Sotheby’s International Realty team knows how to have a good time.

The theme for the Annual Convention held at Fancourt in George was ‘Your Inner Child’, so Steve Neufeld went as a robot and Paul Jordaan went as a rock star from KISS. Watch this spot for news on the SIR annual awards ceremony and see the advert on page 1 for contact details.

People, places & events

SIFISO IN DA HOUSE: Dumi Masilela - former soccer player, Idols singer and actor best known for his role as street kid Sifiso Ngema in the e.tv soap opera ‘Rhythm City’ - is the latest celeb adding his name to a long list of stellar DJs and musos and other famous folk due to rock Plett’s KwaNokuthula Stadium at the Déjà Vu concert on Friday November 6. See the advert on page 11 for more information and contact details.

DON YOUR PINK GLOVES THIS SATURDAY: Ride against Breast Cancer with the 2015 HarleyDavidson Pink Glove Run. This national campaign has been organised by Harley-Davidson Africa, and invites motorcyclists from all brands to come together to raise awareness in a united show of support for victims of breast cancer. The procession through Knysna leaves the newly established Harley-Davidson Garden Route dealership - the opening jorl of which is pictured above - at 70 Main Road (N2 next to Total Garage) at 9:30am on Saturday October 31 and should take about an hour. All riders are welcome - no fees or registration required but participation is at own risk. Call 081 325 1507 or 044 382 1000 for more details.

ALL SMILES AND ACTION: Plett Rotary launched its 2016 Calendar themed ‘Action Plett’ at a prestige event at the BI Resort, to thank the people and businesses that sponsored the calendar, and photographers who donated pictures. An added bonus was the presence of Rotary District Governor Geraldine Nicol. The calendars are available at R100 each from selected outlets in Plett or from president Ate Bos at atebos@cyberperk.co.za or on 082 353 9198. Pictured above are young members of the Rotary Interactors’ Club together with Ate, Geraldine, and Calendar Project leader David Pickering at right.

CXPRESS

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Read CXPRESS online @ www.cxpress.co.za

28 October 2015

Classifieds

On the Soapbox

Letters to the Editor

28 October 2015

CXPRESS

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

Crags congregation’s bazaar a blast

Revd Pam Berning shared this photo and wrote: ‘St Michael Crags Bazaar was held on October 3 and netted R11,000. We are indebted to everyone who contributed and especially appreciate the hard work of our stall holders: the jumble stall, cakes to die for, curry and rice, and more. Thank you St Michael’s for achieving this success.’

Ta for being great sports!

On Saturday September 12, young and old gathered at Formosa Primary’s field for the school’s annual sports day.

It was a fun-filled event and the people of New Horizons were entertained by Formosa and Kranshoek Primary’s young sport stars. The school thanks its staff, the learners and community members who attended the event, with a special word of thanks to Kranshoek Primary for attending the sports day.

Vintage cars at Lemon Grass

Three cheers to Mario, Ashley, and Bradley My handbag was recently stolen out of my car at Atmar Centre due to my own carelessness, and in spite of the constant warnings about leaving items exposed in your car. But it happened in a flash.

The loss of money and a new cellphone and other items of value are annoying, but it’s the time taken to replace everything that is the most irritating.

However, two days after the event, I received a phone call from three school children who found my handbag - slashed open but with wallets, credit cards, ID book, and driver’s licence - in the bushes on the outskirts of New Horizons.

I’d like to pay tribute to these three lads - Mario, Ashley, and Bradley - who used the last few minutes on their cellphone to call me.

They’re all pupils at Plett Secondary School and are to be commended for their effort in tracing me, for their honesty and for saving me no end of trouble in replacing most of the cards.

I wanted to take a photo of the boys to include with this letter but my battery had run down. They are decent lads who come from poor homes, living in tin shacks.

One of them has a mother who works in George and he lives alone.

The three boys are very close friends and used to always be together until a week or so ago when Mario, the only one with a cellphone, found work in Oudtshoorn. He had to leave school as he had no way to support himself.

I wish all three the best of luck - thank you boys, you’re great!

Lcemkg"Dcuu."Rngvv

Cancer and pet champs say ta Many thanks for the lovely advert you put into CXPRESS of October 21 for Cansa and the events being held at our local clinics. Your exposure is sure to guarantee a good response.

Lwpg"Okndwtp/R{ng."Rngvv --Heather Pieterse forwarded your online posting of the

free CXPRESS advert for Plett and Knysna Animal Welfare Services. As a volunteer of PAWS and an animal lover living in Plett, I personally wanted to thank you for giving our animals exposure and, hence, a chance!

On their behalf, bless you and thank you!

Okejgnng"Oq{gu."Rngvv"

Great new Knysna find

Plett reader John Larter snapped this photo and wrote: ‘On Sunday October 18, we just happened to drive down to Lookout Beach and in the Milkwood parking area we came across not one, but 17 Vintage Bentleys. There were too many to photograph individually but suffice to say, they were on an International Vintage Bentley tour of SA. There were no owners around but they appeared to hail from the UK, USA, Australia, and Europe. (Well spotted, John! The www tells us that the three-week tour featured 18 Bentleys dating from 1922 to 1930.

Bentleys need to have been built before the end of 1930 to warrant the title ‘Vintage’. The cars were shipped to Durban, where the tour started, and it ends in Cape Town from where the foreigners will depart to their respective homes. - Eds.)

There is a delightful new restaurant that has opened up next to Knysna Tourism on Main Street. My husband and I went there for lunch on Sunday with some friends and the food was absolutely divine.

They also have a concept which we found very refreshing: everything in the restaurant is for sale, from handmade wooden furniture to paintings done by several internationally re-

nowned artists such as Leoné Spies, Bill Ashton, and Deon Cloete.

They also sell biscotti, shortbread and choc chip cookies which are made in their kitchen. Then there were olives, pickled cucumbers, jams, special sauces. etc... Absolutely superb!

Well done to owners Lourens and Erik for a great new Knysna eating and shopping - alternative.

Cpc"Eqtdgvv."Mp{upc

DMA

DEBT MANAGEMENT Agency

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CXPRESS

Sport & Adventure

28 October 2015

And then there were two...

GLENN MURRAY shares his final sentiments on Rugby World Cup 2015

A

FTER a brilliant tournament of exceptional rugby, weather and crowd support, we now await Saturday’s World Cup final to see which two of the bitter Tasman neighbours will lift the William Webb Ellis Trophy.

The All Blacks and the Wallabies will contest the showpiece - and who will argue that they are indeed the two best teams at RWC 2015, and

deserve to be there.

Not so the Springboks after a narrow loss to the All Blacks in the semi-finals, where they were outplayed and outscored two tries to nil. Only passion and typical combativeness kept the Boks in the game, which was not as close as the score line suggests.

How often have our guts and passion kept us in a match against a country that

has beaten us seven times in the last eight meetings? This statistic will only get worse until some serious changes are made in the mind-sets and structures of SA rugby.

poor England?

The largest, wealthiest and most influential rugby board in the world continues to ignore the fact that the Southern Hemisphere is running away

to aimlessly kick away every well-won precious ball.

Our laager tradition is holding the Boks back in much the same way England’s RFU are.

Enough negativity. The All Blacks have been sublime and the final should be a cracker, with them carving their old antipodean enemies apart.

Aussie number 10 Bernard Foley has been my player of

have been top-notch hosts, and I have to say that the players this year have epitomised all aspects of sportsmanship, making RWC 2015 the best ever.

The highlight of my last five weeks has been seeing the great rugby family coming together; right up there with it is the highlight of not having to watch any English

the tournament so far, and he is the only player who may prevent Richie McCaw from lifting the trophy for the second time on Saturday.

Argentina have been crowd favourites, and Japan produced the biggest upset.

England and their crowds

premiership soccer.

Don’t you think the majority our youth in SA, in such desperate need of heroes, life skills, leadership and discipline, are playing and watching the wrong sport?

‘Nough said. My prediction?

Rugby is to win on Saturday.

RUGBY WILL WIN: Australian David Pocock, above, may well be Player of the Tournament, but only Saturday will tell if the Kiwis lap up victory once again - Photos courtesy RWC 2011/Glenn Murray

A 120kg piece of meat and muscle should not be standing at fly-half… ever. This position calls for the skills of Carter and the brain of Foley. Poor Handré Pollard received fewer balls at number 10 than the forwards parading as playmakers.

A 38-year-old lock should not be scrumming down at a RWC semi-final.

The Springbok coach post, which Heyneke Meyer may be forced to vacate, has no obvious successors, as nobody seems to want the job.

A poisoned chalice seems part and parcel of the position and with a grey quota system mandate and weakening rand, top overseas coaches may not show much interest.

I believe we have to look outside the country if we are to shed the No 2-tag that sits so comfortably around our necks. No improvements in structure, playing style or team selections have been made since New Zealand 2011. We seem content with that tag.

The World Cup cannot be won on size, bravery, or bashing and bruising opponents into submission. Ask Japan.

If the SA rugby path forward is grey and sketchy, can you imagine, or will you pity

with the future of rugby.

They could stop this trend but arrogant, almost colonial, ownership and jealousy keeps preventing it from happening.

The idea of a global international eight-month rugby season overlapping the Southern Hemisphere winter has been proposed for years and it is the only realistic way England and their Six Nation partners will be able to compete with teams from south of the equator.

England’s stance - that rugby is a winter sport and needs to be played in the rain and mud where scrumming and mauling in the sludge is attractive to a freezing crowd - has to change. (They were outscrummed and out-mauled by Australia, anyway.)

Argentina’s improvement in the last few years is due to their participation in the Southern Hemisphere Rugby Championship. Can you imagine if the Welsh or Irish were added to the next edition? Can you imagine their improvement and the support they would receive?

This will never happen though, as tradition will get in the way - just like we in SA are convinced we need 120kg flanks standing at fly-half, and that our number 10 needs

Surf team takes Business League once more

MEANING BUSINESS: Fighting it out with glee on the green is a tournament characteristic - Photo: Lindo Hauptfleisch

T

UESDAY October 20 saw the culmination of the twice-yearly Business League at Plettenberg Bay Bowling Club.

A cross-section of Plett businesses, schools, banks, restaurants, golfers, and interested individuals entered 32 teams of players in a six-week session of great fun and camaraderie on the greens.

Always a fiercely contested competition, the cream comes to the top they say and the Plett Surf team of Sue Harvey, Steve Ritchie, and George Minopetros walked away with this year’s honours - not for the first time.

Says the club’s Larry Deferville: “Other teams like

Rug & Tile and The Barbarians also keep coming back to perform well each season - much talent out there to benefit the club, if they would just bowl more regularly!”

The club thanks FNB for sponsoring the main cup prizes as they always do, and to a host (14 in total) of other sponsors too numerous to mention here, who stepped up with prizes throughout the competition.

The hamburgers provided

by Granville of Yellowwood Spur on the last evening were enjoyed by all.

The next Business League session starts on January 19 on Tuesdays at 5pm. Email Neil Calder at caldersn@ gmail.com to get involved.

CHAMPS... AGAIN: The winning Plett Surf team of George Minopetros, Sue Harvey, and Steve Ritchie is flanked by event organiser Mike Honiball, left, and FNB Plett Business Manager Johan Burger - Photo: Derek Rushton