29 March 2017

Danger looms at Lookout - p3

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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Colonisation concept revisited - p11

Photo: Yolanda van der Stoep

29 March 2017

Radiant local lass DemiLeigh Nel-Peters was crowned Miss South Africa 2017 at a glittering ceremony held at Sun City on Sunday night.

Here Demi-Leigh’s proud mom and stepdad, Sedgefield residents Anne-Mari and Johan Steenkamp, congratulate their girl with a kiss on each cheek. Read more about this beautiful and brainy winner on page 9.

Sedgefield lass our new Miss SA!

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CXPRESS

NEWS & VIEWS

29 March 2017

OBITUARIES

Simon had a legendary love for this place, its people, its beauty - an apt place to end his days The Valentines of Plett, Joburg, and further afield gathered with family and friends at Simon’s Bar last Saturday to bid their patriarch adieu - these words were kindly shared by NICOLA VALENTINE-BENNETT T is with deep sadness that our father and husband Simon gently passed away in the early hours of Tuesday, and I would like on behalf of my family and mother to thank you all for making this place his home for the last 13 years.

Plettenberg Bay was a place he loved more than the speaking of it, and a fitting place to end his full life.

His journey and life was full and long: born in Rhodesia on a farm in Umtali in February 1936, he started his adventure with this world and filled his time here as few do.

He never forgot for a moment what was important, sharing his life with wife Diane, and children Mark, Grant, and Nicola.

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PARADISE FOUND: Simon Valentine (13 February 1936 - 21 March 2017) in days gone by - he enthralled visitors to the family lodge in beautiful Bitou valley with the love story of Harry Mallard and Emily Moon

It would be a massive challenge to pen a list of his adventures but what is real to us is this place he found, and which gave him some of the happiest times of his life - this Emily Moon, its people, its beauty, its birds.

It was with great pride that he told her story to thousands of people from across the globe, and found his way into not only our hearts but theirs as well, becoming her legend. It was his place and will always be.

Thanks to everyone who joined us in a great celebration of his life last Saturday afternoon at Simon’s Bar, when Emily Moon was closed for the first time in 13 years something we’re not sure he

would have liked. But too bad, Dad, this is one decision you didn’t get to make.

‘Dear Emily, I have found paradise’ Who can measure the power of love? It inspires great deeds.

It changes worlds. It cannot be ignored. Great love is everything.

The love between Harry Mallard and Emily Moon touches all who visit Emily Moon River Lodge today. Legend has it that Harry built this magical place for his love, and waits for her still…

Visit www.emilymoon.co.za and read The Legend of Emily Moon.

Francois pushed boundaries, but never left victims in his wake CARINA RIVÉ contributed these beautiful words after the recent passing of her husband LETT resident Francois Rivé, 61, passed away shortly before midnight on Thursday March 16. Though Plettenberg Bay has not been his home for a lifetime, he loved living here.

He lived fully, pushing the boundaries but without leaving victims in his wake. He tread gently, chose to be kind rather than right, but not to be trampled upon.

Even in dying, Francois was not burdensome: He was so intent on living that no one really noticed him dying! Some say it happened so fast... he was given four months to live, he kept going for almost 10.

The carbon footprint he left

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behind on a day of freedom exploring highways and in particular, byways, observant and alert on one of his motorbikes, should not be held against him. He was passionate about and exhilarated by riding.

Francois fought the cancer battle bravely and honourably.

He went for chemo treatments on his motorbike in season to avoid being held up by the heavy traffic volumes en route.

He just wanted to get back to his base, a real homebody, always.

He entertained many with his creative application of his very original and unconventional verbal expressions. He found acceptance, love and friend-

THE FUN RIDE OF LIFE: Francois Rivé (21 December 1955 - 16 March 2017) was a passionate biker who fought the big C honourably, enjoying his rides to George for chemo treatments

ship in Plett.

A loyal and loving husband, father and friend who loved and nurtured life always.

Gratitude was not negotiable: He was selflessly generous and visible gratitude was the only payment he required in return. His legacy I find in Proverbs 13:22: “A good man leaves an inheritance of moral stability and goodness to his children’s children.”

Thank you to Dr Schroeder and the nursing staff at Mediclinic Plettenberg Bay for your compassionate care.

And to his Bestie: Jy was altyd ‘n baken van lig vir hom, Mark Fourie - dankie vir jou opregte vriendskap!

NEWS & VIEWS

29 March 2017

Beware the dangers of Plett’s Lookout Rocks

The stretch between The Wedge beach and Lookout Deck, commonly called ‘the Lookout Rocks’, has lately been the scene of a number of violent assaults and muggings - NIKKI RIDLEY reports

LEKKER BY DIE SEE: One of a number of ‘informal dwellings’ discovered by PBCPA members in the bushes near The Plettenberg Hotel after two men threatened a member of public at mid-day on March 23 - two suspects were arrested - Photos: PBCPA

AST week, a response to yet another incident in this area resulted in the discovery of several informal dwellings hidden in the bushes above the Lookout Rocks.

Said Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association (PBCPA) operations executive Otto Olivier: “The people living there aren’t fishermen. They are vagrants - some local, some passing through.”

Olivier and Prime Security operations manager Wesley Andrew confirmed that the suspects arrested for an assault on two elderly tourists earlier in the month (as reported in CXPRESS of March 15) had been living in these dwellings.

Most locals know how dangerous that area is, so should our valued tourists not be informed, too? This question is of particular concern to the members of Plett Watch, the PBCPA, and private security companies regularly called out to search for suspects in their partnership capacity with Plett SAPS and Bitou Law Enforcement (BLE).

Olivier said that most for-

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eign tourists have a false sense of security, simply assuming that Plett’s beautiful natural areas are safe, many of them keen to use the pathway between The Wedge and Lookout Deck, often walking down from The Plettenberg.

“They go into places South Africans wouldn’t go into,” he said.

“We have come across these ‘shacks’ before, and have cleared them assisted

by BLE, but they come back. They move in slowly, one by one, and we only become aware of them when there are six or seven set up back again. The area is big - as large in volume as Central Beach.”

Andrew added: “We as a community need to educate our foreign tourists to be aware, to stay away from certain areas, to be streetwise and savvy.”

He advised about a planned meeting between key role players, including The Plettenberg, Lookout Deck, Plett Watch, PBCPA, security companies, and other local law enforcers.

“I believe they must put up big signs: ‘Please don’t walk

here, you will be mugged’,” said Olivier, adding that certain role players are reluctant to do so because they don’t want to scare tourists away from Plett.

He believes this is the wrong approach. “We have an obligation to tell tourists that it’s not safe. People won’t stay away from Plett because there’s a sign warning them about a bad area, but they will stay away because of a bad experience.”

In reference to the victims of one of the muggings reported on in CXPRESS earlier this month, he said.

“These people from England... they told us they were never coming back.”

The reality that this presents is upping the urgency level for a definitive answer to the question of what Plett’s powers-that-be need to put first: a ‘don’t chase the tourists away’ image, or the safety and security of those tourists.

The mayor’s office, Bitou Law Enforcement, and Plett Tourism have been approached for statements on the matter, with responses pending but not received by going to print.

CXPRESS

Read CXPRESS online @ www.cxpress.co.za

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CXPRESS

NEWS & VIEWS

29 March 2017

Child pornographer still free Sentencing of a karate sensei found guilty of the creation of child porn has once again been postponed - CANDICE LUDICK reports ESSEL Wilms was found guilty on charges of creation and possession of child pornography and crimen injuria on February 8 before the George Regional Court.

He appeared before the court again on March 22 for sentencing, which was postponed until April 19.

Wilderness resident Wilms once again declined the opportunity to comment. “I’m really not going to talk to you,” he said before hanging up the phone.

At the time of his arrest on August 1, 2014, his laptop and a desktop computer were confiscated for analysis and a video clip which constitutes child pornography was among the appropriations.

He was expelled from the South Africa Goju Ryu Karate Do and Karate Do International Renmei on August 6, 2014. Nonetheless, he denied the allegations for a further two and a half years.

SAPS spokesman captain Malcolm Pojie confirmed that Wilms had indeed been found guilty of creation and possession of child pornography and crimen injuria in February. Wilms, however, remains free and continues

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SAD SELFIE: Wessel Wilms posted this image on a Facebook page - ostensibly taken while returning from court - accompanied by a lowdown on the day’s procedures

teaching karate to Garden Route students.

At 11:10am on March 22, he posted in a public Facebook group with 51 members called ‘The things spewing from my mind’ (https:// www.facebook.com/groups/ myweirdmind/): “The prosecutor tried her best to have the magistrate order me to see a police psychiatrist. My lawyer argued that this was an attempt of the prosecution to destroy my character instead of focusing on the evidence. The magistrate agreed and no order was given.”

At 6:20pm, he posted: “The hardest thing to do today is teach my classes as if nothing is wrong. I have a headache, a stomachache, a heartache, and I feel embarrassed... my ego is non existent and my self-image feels like a joke.

Sitting there... hearing about how house arrest works, how jail time works... being mentally prepared for what might happen... is a shock to the system.

“And yet here I am... finished all the kids classes and now waiting for the teens and adults to arrive. For them just another karate day... for me a blessing to still be allowed to teach [sic].”

The parents and now adult, then teenage, victims of Wilms’s unwelcome sexual advances hope that justice will eventually prevail.

Wilms appears to believe that he is the victim.

In among a long monologue on the Facebook page on March 23, he said: “I get to live the rest of my years without the sword held above my head by four women who take pleasure from having mental power over someone [sic.].”

Perhaps some closure will be reached when sentencing takes place on April 19.

Non-response for co-funding before March 30 deadline will deepen Bitou water crisis N a final attempt at holding on to a R1.5-million+ grant from national environmental authorities, Pam Booth of Eden to Addo contacted CXPRESS 24 hours before going to print.

“We have been clearing [aliens] in the Keurbooms river catchment since 2014, the bulk of funding coming from the Department of Environmental Affairs: Natural Resource Management, and co-funding from donors like WWF Green Trust, Plett residents and the Table Mountain Fund.

“The DEA recently offered us an extension of

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the contract for a further 12 months to the value of R1,532,013.45 from April to end March 2018, but without co-funding of about R250,000 to cover management costs, we will have to give it back.

“I’ve personally been lobbying Bitou for the last 10 years for a sustained investment in catchment management as opposed to ongoing ‘emergency’ measures. The fact that we now have to give this money back because Bitou has not responded to repeated requests for investment into catchment management is irresponsible in

light of the town’s ongoing water crisis,” Booth said.

No response was received from Bitou when CXPRESS attempted an 11th-hour effort at spreading awareness of the fact that administrative holdups should not be blamed for the dire situation Plett would face without the essential funds to continue clearing its catchment area of the alien vegetation which robs so many SA towns of its essential water sources.

Email pam@edentoaddo. co.za for details, or if you have R250k to contribute before the DEA’s deadline on Thursday March 30.

NEWS & VIEWS

29 March 2017

CXPRESS

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How to catch a Rabbitt in Plett at The Barnyard…

Rock legend Duncan Faure has returned to South Africa for a nationwide tour from mid-March to April 16, and excellent news for Garden Route music lovers is that a couple of gigs are scheduled in Knysna and Plettenberg Bay

THEN AND NOW: Duncan Faure, below at left back, with fellow members of Rabbitt in the 70s, and today, above, as mature musician with a lifetime of rock memories to share - Photo: John Wassenaar

F you grew up in South Africa in the 70s, you’ll know all about Rabbitt - the four-piece pop rock phenomenon that captured the imagination of a generation, went platinum, and generated unprecedented mania.

Gaggles of screaming fans flocked to sold-out venues, losing their marbles to iconic songs like Charlie and Lonely Loner Too. This is where rock legend Duncan Faure took his first step into the limelight.

Since then, this talented composer, lyricist, vocal artist, guitarist, and keyboard player has featured in yet another best-selling band.

Faure has written 100+ songs and so made his way into the Rock Godz Hall of Fame in Las Vegas (USA) in 2014, due to his prolific contribution to rock music.

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Best of all, he has now made his way back home for a nationwide tour, alongside top South African musicians under the careful direction of Plett resident Mel Botes of The Barnyard. This month’s shows will feature some of his best-loved hits, as well as fresh new material.

Career highlights When Rabbitt disbanded in 1978, Faure joined Scottish pop-rock outfit the Bay City Rollers, who sold more than 50-million records worldwide. He later went on to form KARU with fellow Roller Stuart Wood, and treating the globe to yet another chart-topping song: Where is the Music.

Then, in 1988, he contributed vocals to Madonna’s Who’s That Girl soundtrack, which went on

to sell five-million copies.

Since then, Faure has written a globally-recognised peace anthem, and released three solo albums that enjoyed acclaim among international audiences.

On the latest album, Machine from the Other Side (2014), Faure has developed a strong, subtle sound that is wholly his own.

Comprising 12 new songs performed on a grand piano, this album also includes the first officially recorded version of Tennessee, a John Lennon song that had only shown up on bootleg records and for which the cover rights were awarded after years of negotiations with Yoko Ono and Sean Lennon.

Show dates and venues Faure’s highly anticipated South African shows have already enthralled audiences in Gauteng and Mpumalanga, with Port Elizabeth slotted in on April 5 before his Garden Route gigs on April 8 and 9 at Plett’s Barnyard Theatre and Knysna’s Blend Country Restaurant and Pub, respectively.

He then moves on to the Mother City, Durbanville, and Kleinmond for his final show dates. Visit https:// www.facebook.com/duncanfauresouthafrica2015 and see the advert on page 6 for additional information.

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CXPRESS

NEWS & VIEWS

29 March 2017

National Lotteries Commission funds local educator training

TEACHING TEACHERS: Education specialist Dianne de Villiers, below, presented a series of workshops to eager Bitou educators, department heads, and school principals

LETT’S Bitou 10 Foundation (B10F) recently contracted education specialist Dianne de Villiers to provide educator training that would address the needs of schools within the region.

Dianne holds a Master’s degree in Education and with her vast knowledge and experience, is a huge asset to the B10F team.

Dianne facilitated five interesting and thoughtprovoking workshops for foundation (Grade 1-3) and intermediate (Grade 4-7) phase educators, and one workshop for principals and HODs during the first quarter of the year.

All sessions took place at Plett Methodist Church Hall on a weekly basis and participating schools included The Crags, Phakamisani, KwaNokuthula, Formosa, Kranshoek and Plett primary schools, as well as Greenwood Bay College.

On average about 45 educators attended each workshop, and will be accredited with Continuous Professional Training (CPT) points by the WCED - a requisite for

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promotion purposes.

The workshops were interactive, educators were alert and participated in group work and discussions, with content covering diverse subjects, e.g. Classroom Environment and Materials, Powerful and Positive Classroom Management, and Distributed Leadership and Smart Goals.

The educators had an opportunity to assess the sessions they had attended and most of them felt the content was applicable to all grade levels, and that the workshops were helpful, in-

formative and practical.

Educators remarked that they found the lesson-planning session most helpful and enjoyed learning from each other and designing lessons regarding the principles of Universal Design of Learning (UDL).

These workshops would not have realised without the generous donation from the National Lotteries Commission. The B10F team extends sincere gratitude towards the Commission for making such a worthy investment in Bitou education.

BUSINESS

29 March 2017

CXPRESS

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Tips for spotting bogus cash collection scams ITH a busy retail season approaching in April, criminals are once again devising new scams and tactics to steal money and valuables. One scheme that has recently come to the fore is criminals posing as cash-intransit collection officers.

From fake bank emails to skimming credit cards and phone calls from people pretending to be someone else to get sensitive information, misdirection and illusion are some of the most significant tools criminals use to set up their thefts.

And this tactic has now extended to bogus cash collections from criminals who pose as cashin-transit guards to get access to cash and valu-

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CASH WATCH: An SBV Services guard in action

ables, and then rob the rightful owners.

Cash services company SBV Services has specifically designed its cash-intransit processes to prevent these types of heists.

Here are some tips on how to know if a cash collec-

tion is legitimate or fake.

Confirmation process Cash collection companies have a very specific process for notifying their clients about when they will be collecting an instalment of cash. Even the smallest deviation in the process of notification (too soon, too early, or not done using the usual channels) should set off alarm bells for retailers.

Keep it quiet Absolutely no information about an upcoming cash collection should be shared with any employees that do not have clearance, and should most definitely not be shared with any members of the public.

Check guards’ identification

Pocket Pal update: first quarter now closes on April 30 LETT Pocket Pal creator Norman Doyle shared this update of the latest Golden Ticket winners (see at right), with news that the first quarter of his brilliant discount booklet has been extended from April 1 to 30, in order to allow the Plett public to benefit from yet more discounts and Golden Tickets to be redeemed.

Draws for The Bungalow and BI KwikSpar have also been extended to the 30th - see Facebook for details.

“Our second quarter currently boasts 33 brand new businesses taking part, as well as many first-quarter businesses returning with fantastic discounts, give-aways, and

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specials - not to mention the awesome Golden Tickets,” says Doyle.

First quarter winners include: • Moby’s - Granville Nigel Naldrett (R500 cash) • Pico’s - Sher-Lee Arendse (R900 - 10 vouchers for free large pizzas) • Pizzeria - Pascalette Quirk (two free pizzas and two free soft drinks) • Sao Goncalo’s - (Burn The Bill for two people) • The Bungalow - Kyle Kneen (R1,000 food and beverage voucher) • The Table - Janine Crutchfield (R500 off the bill).

Call Norman on 079 712 2787 to find out more.

Guards should have clearly visible branding on their clothes and should be able to show identification that confirms they are the people who are expected for the pickup.

All identification should be checked before the guards are taken to an area where cash is being held and if things are not in order, the cash-in-transit company’s main control room should be contacted before any further collection steps are taken.

These simple tools can go a long way in helping retailers stay on the front foot and not become victims of ever-evolving criminal scams, so making the upcoming Easter holiday season profitable rather than problematic.

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CXPRESS

INTERVAL

29 March 2017

A huge dilemma at the bus stop...

S the bus stopped and it was Mary’s turn to get on, she became aware that her skirt was too tight to allow her leg to come up to the height of the first step of the bus.

Slightly embarrassed and with a quick smile to the bus driver, Mary reached behind her to unzip her skirt a little, thinking that this would give her enough slack to raise her leg.

She tried to take the step, only to discover that

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she couldn’t.

So, a little more embarrassed, Mary once again reached behind her to unzip her skirt a little more, and for the second time attempted the step.

Once again, much to her chagrin, Mary could not raise her leg.

With a little smile to the driver, she again reached behind to unzip a little more, and again was unable to take the step.

About this time, a large

gentleman who was standing behind her picked her up easily by the waist and placed her gently on the step of the bus.

Mary went ballistic and turned to the wannabe Samaritan and yelled: “How dare you touch my

body! I don’t even know who you are!”

The gentleman smiled and said: “Well, Ma’am, normally I would agree with you, but after you unzipped my fly three times, I kinda figured we were friends.”

Rapid train service passenger train is creeping along, painfully slowly. Finally, it creaks to a complete halt.

A passenger sees a conductor walking by outside.

“What’s going on?” she yells out the window.

“Cow on the track!” replies the conductor.

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Ten minutes later, the train resumes its slow pace. Within five minutes, however, it stops again.

The woman sees the conductor walking by again.

She leans out the window and yells: “What happened - did we catch up with the cow again?”

“We don’t see things as they are; we see them as we are.” - Anais Nin

Always be ready LEASE, always be alert and watch out for people around you.

Yesterday, while I was making my way home, a man came to me and drew scissors.

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I was panicked, so I immediately responded with a rock.

Imagine if I was not alert: I might have accidentally answered with paper and lost the game.

Fire safety first, children Y cooking has always been the target of family jokes. One evening, as I prepared dinner a bit too quickly, the kitchen filled with smoke and the smoke detector went off.

Although both of my children had received firesafety training at school, they did not respond to the alarm.

Annoyed, I stormed

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through the house in search of them. I found them in the bathroom, washing their hands.

Over the loud buzzing of the smoke alarm I asked them to identify the sound.

“It’s the smoke detector,” they replied in unison.

“Do you know what that sound means?” I demanded.

“Sure,” my oldest replied. “Dinner’s ready.”

Control your sideline, Coach!

NE of the youth soccer coaches didn’t care much for my refereeing and had no problem letting me know it.

Fed up, I threatened him with a send-off if he didn’t stop. He calmed down, but

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an older woman took up where he’d left off.

“You’d better control your sideline,” I warned the junior coach.

The coach turned to the woman and barked: “Knock it off, Mom!”

“Birthdays are good for you. Statistics show that the people who have the most live the longest.” - Larry Lorenzoni

SOCIAL SCENE

29 March 2017

CXPRESS

People, places & events BEGORRA, LOOK AT THAT THEN! At The Shamrock Dance held at The White House in Plett on March 17 were, at right from left, Kristyn Holding, Cherilee Windvogel, Virginia Williams and Caroline Vedder, all of Old Nick Village anchor concern Mungo Design, who generously sponsored the evening. Also celebrating St Patrick’s Day in aid of the Kids of Kurland were, above from left, Volker and Janine Bachle with Suzy and Bruce Noble. - Timothy Twidle

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TOP OF THE POPS AT 21: Not only did Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters from Sedgefield score the crown so coveted by thousands of beautiful young women throughout SA on March 26, but the ravishing 21-year-old Miss South Africa 2017 also recently completed her B.Com degree in Business Management.

Her entrepreneurial spirit manifested when she did part-time modelling while studying. And these great qualities were preceded by a leadership gene that landed her the honour of being the first girl in Outeniqua High history to be chosen as head girl of both the school and its hostel. Demi-Leigh was also elected Deputy Junior Mayor of the George City Council. She lists barbecue pork ribs and oxtail in a red wine reduction as favourite meals, and says her biggest motivator is her disabled half-sister who lives in Potch with her stepmom and dad.

Demi-Leigh is pictured here during her crowning moment, with Miss SA 2016 Ntando Kunene handing over the glittering crown.

Photo: Yolanda van der Stoep

LIFE BEGINS AT 70… “Up until then you are just doing research!” This is how Marsja Hall-Green - pictured at left with hubby David and Ouland Royale’s Wilja Reitz - quoted Carl Jung when celebrating this hale and healthy milestone at an intimate brunch gathering for family and friends recently. As always, Wilja and the Ouland crew pulled out all the stops to ensure that the eats and surrounds were as marvellous as the goodloving vibes that prevail in Marsja’s presence, and which were ever so gently enhanced by flutes of Pongracz and Plettenvale bubbles.

GOLFERS HELP RAISE HOSPICE FUNDS: On Friday March 24, Knysna Sedgefield Hospice hosted its 12th Annual Golf Day at Simola, and that night saw the draw for a R50,000 travel voucher prize, too. Says PRO and Hospice marketer Ashleigh Smith: “Together the two events raised R222,011! Congratulations to winners of the day Michael and Marie Lillis, and John and Patricia Goodwin, and to Vee Frampton who won the travel voucher. We trust that you will make many fond memories on your trip. Thank you to all who entered the raffle - the money you helped raise will enable us to continue helping those who need it the most. A big thank you also goes to those who donated prizes, sponsored holes, and entered the golf competition. And as is always the case, none of this would have been possible without our dedicated team of volunteer fundraisers - thank you, ladies!” At left, Vee Frampton, left, and Lynne Barnhoorn flank rugby royalty Nick Mallet. Email info@hospiceknysna. org.za to find out how you can contribute to this essential service.

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CXPRESS

29 March 2017

CLASSIFIEDS

ON THE SOAPBOX

29 March 2017

Letters to the Editor

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

Plett folk, let’s not miss the vote again...

At least 21 registered Plett residents missed the vote in August 2016, while there was no reason for them to stay away from the ballot box. The result, seven months later, is that the Bitou municipal management skills cupboard lays stripped bare.

For a long time we had no Municipal Manager (MM) and we still have no Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Head of Corporate Services, or Head of Community Services - you know, those guys

who were chiefly responsible for winning Bitou an unprecedented three consecutive clean audits, plus a healthy cash surplus in the bank.

That was quite an achievement after a R30million deficit got carried forward after the 2011 election.

Folks, we might not be voting for or against Brexit or the building of a wall along the Mexican border, but we are voting AGAINST corruption and mismanagement.

Mungo’s backing of St Patrick’s party much appreciated The Kids of Kurland School Project held an extremely successful and enjoyable St Patrick’s Day ball on March 17. The music had everyone on the floor, and the laughter and conversation raised the roof.

This would not have been possible without the generosity of our many supporters who donated wine and all the delicious foods, and we give them our warm

thanks. A very special thank-you goes to Mungo for so generously sponsoring the event - they even provided a spectacular raffle prize.

Our communities depend so much on the support of local businesses, and Mungo certainly showed their care for the welfare of our children.

Marie Hoadley obo Kids of Kurland, Plett (See a couple of the party pics on page 9. - Eds.)

After our skills drain, the Bitou table is now neatly set. The newly appointed Bitou MM was a colleague and friend of former Bitou MM George Seitisho at another municipality. Many in Bitou will remember George for the credit card fraud charges against him and our current deputy mayor.

So, one might ask, what about a new CFO for Bitou? We do not know who is waiting in the wings, but it would be a safe bet that he/she will

be a cadre of similar ilk.

Forgive and forget is the way in Plett, but to those 21 people: we know who you are and we will be watching the voters roll.

To the hundred or more others who felt that a holiday in the Kruger or a European tour was a much cooler thing to be doing than voting in Bitou… grrrr.

Just don’t go missing the vote boat again. The Ward 2 by-election is on Wednesday April 5.

Bill Nel, Plett

Thoughts on colonisation The debate continues regarding the pros and cons of colonisation.

Were there any benefits whatsoever?

Let’s look at Britain as an example. The Picts and Celts, undisturbed, happily fighting and killing each other. They were colonised by the Vikings, who introduced currency.

Horror of horror: the death of bartering.

Worse was to come - the Romans… Big Julie came, saw, and conquered. And with him, destruction of the very fabric of society.

The wheel!

And if that weren’t bad

enough, roads and bridges, houses made of stone, numbers and letters.

The Romans withdrew and the anarchy of Dark Ages occurred with the destruction of infrastructure and law.

Then Willie the Conqueror colonised and some semblance of order was restored.

Then the colonised became the coloniser and invaded America, in dribs and drabs to start with, and then a torrent. And the world was changed for ever.

Oh, for the good old days.

Guilty as Charged, Plett

Thanks, Plett, for getting ‘stuck in’ when the recent fire threatened our home I’m writing on behalf of my mother-in-law, wellknown Garden Route artist Graine Auersperg - who as a Plett resident since the 60s would, together with my husband and our son, like to thank the community of Plett.

Graine, 79, watched in disbelief recently as her home at Ebenezer was threatened by fire for the third time since 1969.

When I rushed home to tell her that we had to be on standby and get ready to evacuate, “so please pack your valuables”, the reply was “not again…”

We phoned Peter and summoned him home.

We have been on tenterhooks since December last year, with threatening fires raging in the vicinity of our farm. The thud of helicopters landing in our garden to fill up from our dams has become all too familiar a sound, and the

smell of fire in the air took on an eerie permanence.

At 10pm on the night in question, our farm was a raging inferno. Then people arrived from everywhere. Fire department members from Plett and George fought fires through the night alongside local farmers and friends.

It was madness, trying to control the blaze

with raging winds forever changing direction. To the reader of this epistle, it may seem farfetched… until it becomes a reality in your own life.

Our courageous fire fighters put their lives at risk, fighting throughout days and nights, some of them without sleep. The Plett community once again pulled together and did what they always do

OMINOUS: Flames were surrounding our house, approaching very quickly as the evening progressed

in a crisis: get stuck in.

We would like to acknowledge Plett Fire Department, Christo from First Care Wild Fire Support, George Fire Department, Brett Leppan for bringing his personal equipment and spending endless hours helping, Reidwood and staff, Elvis, and our swimming parents for all the support and offers of accommodation.

We are also indebted to Plett NG Kerk, Julie Smith, and Jo Geldenhuys for meals, Plett Watch, Ollie from Harkerville, Shaun for helping us after he was evacuated out of his own home, as well as Simon, Byron, and Eugene.

We are eternally grateful to you and all the helpers whose names we don’t know. We salute you!

Louise Auersperg obo Graine, Peter, and Alexander, Plett

CXPRESS

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CXPRESS

SPORT & ADVENTURE

29 March 2017

Second running of Tsitsikamma Ultra Trail sifts truegrit trailies from respectful rest HE second annual Tsitsikamma Ultra Trail Run took place on Saturday March 18 in near perfect weather conditions,

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with cool temperatures and a welcome bit of drizzle.

A small but keen field lined up at the start under the impressive Storms River yel-

lowwoods in anticipation of the 60km of trailing heaven that awaited - according to the stats, those 60 kays included 2,600 metres of ver-

tical climbing. The route follows in reverse, for safety and logistical reasons, the Tsitsikamma Hiking Trail managed by MTO Forestry.

After a short briefing and with safety crews and MTO forest rangers all in place, racers headed into the Tsitsikamma Mountains, crossing mountain passes with names like Naademans Nek and Rushes Pass - all of these now etched in the runners’ minds.

The trail has an abundance of fresh water in the form of rivers and streams, and with volunteers at the huts adding extra treats, all participants were well cared for.

With very lenient safety cut-offs in place, runners were afforded the luxury of time to enjoy the vast range of spectacular views along

TOUGH TRAIL TRIO: The ladies podium with, from left, runner up Wendy McLeod, James Stewart of organisers Muddy Foot Adventures, winner Janet Woodhead, and third-place finisher Marie Ayton

the way.

This was not the case for the leaders, however, and once again Izak van der Merwe claimed the men’s title in a time of 7hrs55min.

The race for runner up proved an interesting affair, as George local Jacques Mouton held second place for the first 40km before succumbing to the pace. He eventually limped home in 12hrs11min, showing the true grit required of the athletes tackling this event.

First lady home was Plett

runner Janet Woodhead in a very respectable time of 9hrs52min. Bringing up the rear of the field were two friends from Bloemfontein, who finished together in 12hrs30min.

Both lamented the fact that they had no hills to train on back home, but said they would return in 2018, better prepared for the Tsitsikamma Ultra Trail Run challenge.

Visit www.muddyfoot adventures.co.za for full results and more images.

Excitement builds for Goukamma Traverse NLINE entries for the Goukamma Traverse and Family Fun Trail Run have been open since midFebruary and enquiries from some of South Africa’s top trail runners have been streaming in.

“Being limited to 250 entries, avid trailies need to be quick off the mark to secure themselves a place,” said event organiser Amanda Dixon.

Starting with a pont ride across the calm Goukamma River on Saturday April 15, the 19km race kicks off on the western side of the river with 4km of single track and the first of five climbs.

Opening onto jeep track for a short section, the route then threads onto single track dune milkwood forests, through swathes of fyn-

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bos and over an undulating series of dunes with spectacular ocean and lake views, eventually leading to Lake Pleasant and ending on the Sedgefield Village Green.

The 2016 Goukamma Traverse attracted a top field of trail runners and was a raging success.

“We have four great sponsors on board this year - Pick n Pay, SOGA Organic, AfriCamps, and Vivolicious Native Sport - which means that we have both cash and great prizes up for grabs,” said Dixon.

SOGA Organic will sponsor buffs for the first 50 online entries and there is R5,000 cash prizes up for grabs, as well as Vivolicious and Native Sport vouchers to be won. The main lucky draw this year is a two-night

stay for five people at an AfriCamps camp.

Naturally wanting to attract the shorter distance runners, youngsters, and families, a 5.5km Family Fun Trail Run is also being offered under the Pick n Pay banner. This event starts and finishes on the Village Green and runs along the scenic fisherman’s trails along the edge of Sedgefield lagoon.

Registration for the 19km race takes place at the Info centre in Goukamma Reserve while those wanting to do the 5.5km route should enter at the Village Green in Sedgefield.

Enter online at www.trailrunning.co.za or on the day, and see www.slowfestival. co.za or www.facebook. com/slowfestival.co.za for additional information.