2 December 2015
Published every Wednesday by CXpress 2006 (Pty) Ltd - PO Box 1449, Plettenberg Bay 6600 - 6 Park Lane, Plettenberg Bay - Tel: 044 533 1004 - Fax: 044 533 0852 Email: editor@cxpress.co.za / advertising@cxpress.co.za Web page: www.cxpress.co.za Printed by Group Editors
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Photos: Sharyn Hodges
RAGE! Daft robber nabbed
Bush fires a fait accompli
Sedge sets PGA stage
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p7
p12
These pics i show some of the good times enjoyed by the fit young set that’s been descending on Plett since last Friday for the annual Rage, which hails the end of exams and school benches, and the start of freedom, grownup games and driving like demons… oh wait, that’s perhaps just a minority trait. Here’s wishing our visitors as enjoyable a second part of Plett Rage as was its start, and hoping that sunburn and boogie fatigue may be the worst of your woes. More images will feature in the December 9 edition.
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CXPRESS
NEWS & VIEWS
2 December 2015
Legal Alien: Recollections of the Bolhuis family’s immigration to SA - Part III
Stepping off familiar soil and setting sail for the great unknown Union of South Africa Plett resident and part-time CXPRESS columnist HENK BOLHUIS continues the account of how his clan came to settle in South Africa - turn to page 2 of the November 18 & 25 editions at www.cxpress.co.za for the story so far
FAREWELL TO THE FORCE: Yours truly at right in Air Force uniform with my best friend just days before leaving the base for good
HE months before our planned departure to the Union of South Africa just flew past with all the important things we still had to do, like selling the house and most of the furniture. Because of the massive destruction of residential dwellings as a result of bombing raids during the war - especially in cities such as Rotterdam and The Hague, the latter located close to where we lived there was a great demand
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for housing and so the sale went through rather quickly. For me personally, there were several emotional moments during all these days of preparation such as having to say goodbye to my Air Force comrades. Another unpleasant event was when I had to take our cat, Miempie, to the SPCA for adoption, while our old dog, Morro, had to be put down. Finally, the time came to bid farewell to our family, friends and neighbours. Those, too, were very emotional occasions, as we were all well aware that this was not just a ‘going away on holiday’, but a permanent departure. Then, one morning during late March 1959, the removal company’s truck appeared and apart from some of the things we left behind, the house was emptied and our earthly possessions put in a large wooden crate to be shipped to Cape Town. Finally a few days later, on April 2, the four of us - my father, mother and my fiancée and I - travelled by bus to The Hague and from there by train to Amsterdam,
where we were joined by my uncle, his wife and their two little twin daughters. Here we were to board the MS Randfontein, our temporary home for the next fortnight on our sea voyage to the Union of South Africa. On our arrival at Amsterdam’s busy harbour complex, we asked around for directions and eventually someone directed us to the departure terminal of ships of the Holland Africa Line. All of a sudden there she was, MS Randfontein, huge in my eyes, moored alongside one of the long quays. Just before embarking we, together with a number of other emigrants, again tearfully took leave from those family members and friends who had come to say a final farewell. Then we stepped off Dutch soil and onto the gangplank of the ship. As the crew began to prepare for departure, all of us - emigrants and other passengers - lined the side of the ship, facing the harbour quay, and stood waving to those below. Next, two tugboats moved into place and started manoeuvring the ship away from the quay into the harbour’s channel. It was then that I realised we were truly on our way into the unknown. Once we had entered the North Sea, the ship’s purs-
er and staff showed us our cabins and we began to settle in and enjoy life aboard this beautiful ship. I later learned that “our ship” was the newest edition to the fleet of the Vereenigde Nederlandse Scheepvaart Maatschappij (VNSM) and a sister-ship of two older vessels: MS Jagersfontein and MS Oranjefontein. She had made her maiden voyage to South Africa only a few months earlier, in January 1959. The 13,694-tonne liner was built in Schiedam and launched on June 28, 1958, by Mrs Geldenhuys, the wife of South Africa’s ambassador to The Netherlands. MS Randfontein had actually been built to replace the older MS Klipfontein that sank in January 1953 just off Cape Barra, Mozambique, after striking submerged rocks. Fortunately RMS Bloemfontein Castle (Union Castle Line) was close at hand and saved all 234 passengers and crew. To be continued…
SHIP SHAPES: MS Klipfontein goes down (8.1.1953), and MS Randfontein sets sail for the Union of South Africa, at right Photos: www.ssmaritime.com/fontein-ships.htm
NEWS & VIEWS
2 December 2015
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Social media assists in identification of Plett’s ‘dumbest criminal of the year’ candidate A Bitou-based social media site earned some kudos last week after it played a role in the identification and subsequent arrest of a Plettenberg Bay man who committed an armed robbery at the newly-renovated service station opposite the Piesang Valley traffic circle - NIKKI RIDLEY reports
AS SEEN ON TV… Members of the Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association posted these stills drawn from Total BI’s close circuit cameras to alert local social media surfers of the robbery, ultimately leading to the perpetrator’s swift arrest
middle-aged white local man was filmed on CCTV when he entered the Total BI service station shop at 2:45am on the morning of November 26, wearing a white hat pulled low over his forehead. The footage shows him walking to the chocolate shelf and scoping out the till area while choosing a chocolate. After a half a minute, he is seen walking to the till with a Lunchbar, placing the chocolate on the counter and awkwardly counting out change with his left hand only, his right tucked behind his back. He then pulls a gun from behind his back (now confirmed to be a 9mm pistol) and points it at the shop assistant, who was alone in
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the shop that morning, demanding cash. According to the shop assistant, he first grabbed a proffered tub filled with airtime cash, then demanded that she give him “all the money in the shop”. The footage shows her opening the till and placing the drawer full of cash on the counter in front of him, the gun still pointed at her chest. The man is then seen grabbing all but the R10 notes and coins, and fleeing the shop before following through on his demand for all the cash. His behaviour (evidently sufficiently satisfied with his immediate gains) appears to tie in with speculation that he was robbing
the shop to get cash for drugs. It has been confirmed that the suspect, whose name is withheld until he pleads, is a drug addict, recently released from one of the Plett rehab centres, and that he is a local resident. Although it is difficult to see the suspect’s face clearly in the CCTV footage due to slightly blurry close ups amid otherwise exceptionally clear footage, and due to the hat, shop owner Robbie Weddell said he immediately thought that he recognised him as a local man who had recently made a nuisance of himself at the
shop trying to peddle snack ‘samples’ and other edibles. Weddell said that on the last of these occasions, the man had become angry when he [Weddell] declined to purchase anything, as has been the case before. Weddell’s suspicions were confirmed when he placed CCTV stills of the man’s face on Plett social media hub Plett in Stereo. The suspect was recognised by a number of locals, leading to his arrest at his family’s home on November 27. The gun was recovered from the suspect and he remains in custody. Weddell said that he
hoped the man did not get bail and that he “goes down for at least 10 years”. “This is a very serious crime,” he said. “What if the gun had gone off ?” He added that they were tightening up security after the incident and now had a security guard in place, as they do every season. Weddell praised the response of locals on Plett in Stereo, not only for the help in confirming the suspect’s identity, but also for the “overwhelming messages of support” received. The shop assistant said that she was recovering well but was still stressed,
experiencing chest pain and having trouble eating and sleeping. “When he pointed the gun at me, I really thought that he was going to shoot me. I felt powerless. I was given time off, but I decided to go back to work on the Saturday because I wanted to ‘take my power back’.” Plett SAPS have confirmed that the suspect is a 53-year-old Plett resident. PBCPA chairperson Bruce Richardson suggested that the man ought to be up for a dumbest criminal of the year award for robbing a shop he had previously frequented.
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NEWS & VIEWS
2 December 2015
Good luck with the bad as ER services assist elderly Knysna resident within seconds after accident N elderly Knysna woman on a mobility scooter was knocked over during a freak mid-morning accident in the town’s main road on Saturday. According to residents who witnessed the accident, the elderly woman was crossing the road at the traffic lights near Zanzibar when a truck crashed into her scooter. Mariska Crause who saw the drama unfold said she heard the crash and screaming and when she turned around saw the
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BLIND SPOT: An eyewitness surmised that the turning truck’s view was obscured by branches, preventing the driver from seeing the mobilityscooter before it was too late Photo: Mark Crause
woman lying in the street. She said it appeared as if the woman was crossing the road on her mobility scooter, while the truck
was turning left into Main Street. “I don’t think he saw her, she was so low to the ground and there was a
tree obstructing the view,â€? Crause said. She added that the left side of the truck struck the scooter, knocking the woman from it. “I don’t think she suffered serious injuries, but did sustain a head wound.â€? A provincial health department ambulance was there within seconds of the accident. “They were passing by and saw the commotion and assisted.â€? Knysna police did not respond before going to print. - YolandĂŠ Stander
Inspection and awards prepare safety officials for season STRENGTH IN UNITY: Bitou mayor Memory Booysen, municipal manager Allen Paulse and Community Services head Monde Stratu are pictured here with all of Plett’s public safety officials, including the Fire & Rescue, Traffic, and Law Enforcement divisions
ITOU’S Public Safety manager Andile Sakati conducted his annual Chief Inspection of this division encompassing Fire & Disaster Services, Traffic Services, and Law Enforcement on November 2. Public Safety has to ensure a secure environment throughout Bitou as enshrined in the SA Constitution. They are also responsible for the promotion of a safe and healthy environment to all communities. The purpose of the Chief Inspection is to determine the capacity, condition and readiness of this division to fulfil its primary mandate. Another objective of the
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day was to promote a safe working environment by conducting a vigorous assessment of the personal protective equipment necessary for officials to duly perform their daily duties. The event was hosted by Bitou’s head of Community Services, Monde Stratu. The Chief’s Inspection coincided with the Annual Performance Awards, which acknowledge standout work performance as well as the various courses completed by officials in line with the scope of fulfilling their functions. One of the highlights of the Chief Inspection was the drill exercise. This
Squad Drill, performed by a platoon of 33 men and women, continued despite adverse weather, the heavy rain not dampening the marchers’ collective spirit. This demonstrated the dedication of Bitou safety personnel and their willingness to serve and protect by ensuring continuation of services regardless of inclement conditions. Bitou mayor Memory Booysen, ward councillor Wayne Craig and municipal manager Allen Paulse all expressed their appreciation at the selfless nature of all the officials. • See the advert on page 7 on bush fire prevention.
DRAFT NOTICE AND REGULATIONS Re-declaring the Tsitsikamma National Park Marine Protected Area under Section 22A of the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, 2003 (Act No. 57 of 2003). The Tsitsikamma National Park Marine Protected Area (TNP MPA) is the oldest and largest MPA in Africa and provides refuge to a number of over-exploited and threatened marine line fish species. Recreational fishing was allowed in the central area of the Park but was stopped in 2000 when the MPA was declared as a no-take MPA under the Marine Living Resources Act, 1998 (MLRA). This prevented the local communities from gaining equitable access to marine resources for some 15 years. The national Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) is now in a position to explore options to provide limited access to marine resources. DEA published the Draft Notice in the Government Gazette 39423, Notice No. 1145 of 19 November 2015 to re-declare the existing marine protected area in order to provide new proposed fishing and management zones. The draft regulations to manage the proposed marine protected area were published in the Government Gazette 39424, Notice No. R1146 of 19 November 2015. In addition to access for local communities, the Draft Regulations also aim to provide reasonable access to Tsitsikamma anglers to fish recreationally in four dedicated controlled zones, subject to requirements of possessing a valid recreational angling or bait permit issued in terms of the MLRA. Details of other requirements are contained in the Draft Regulations. Any person who wants to submit comments on the proposed Declaration and Regulations is invited to do so. The final day to receive comments is Monday, 1 February 2016. The draft notice and regulations can be found on the Department’s website: www.environment.gov.za and copies may be obtained electronically upon request by email to: MPARegs@environment.gov.za
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NEWS & VIEWS
2 December 2015
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English boots arrive for Let’s keep Western Cape roads free of corruption last week, The Department conducts local soccer teams Provincial Depart- regular internal awareness INthea statement
ALL THE WAY FROM THE UK: The boots arrive ready for sizing, above; coach David Luiters with some of his teams’ members sporting their new boots, below
HEN enthusiastic coach David Luiters of Kranshoek received two sets of New Orlando FC strip for his junior soccer teams last season, he was delighted - it meant that his young teams could now compete in the local league. The new kit was generously sponsored by friends and relatives of a local couple with kind connections abroad. One year on, it became apparent that the players’ footwear - or lack thereof - was the next headache. Most of the kids were forced to play with either bare feet or, at best, worn out takkies… hardly likely to lead to the best results on the field. So another SOS was sent
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to England and moms with young soccer players in their families hunted down their old boots to send out to Plett. With small feet growing fast, lots of boots were found, and all with a good few years of soccer still in them. A total of 49 pairs of boots in good condition were collected together, and with the help and generosity of another friend and soccer enthusiast, were shipped out to South Africa. A big thank you goes to Darrell Marshall and his supporters at PTG Engineering, moms Claire Mather and Clare Davis, as well as all the young football stars of the future who helped collect boots for this deserving purpose.
ment of Transport and Public Works urged members of the public to report any corrupt behaviour by traffic officials, adding that every case was quickly investigated and appropriate disciplinary measures taken. ‘Corruption is a serious crime and anyone convicted, be it a giver or a receiver, could be sentenced to a heavy fine or imprisonment. Corruption involving traffic officers undermines road safety laws, increasing the risk of crashes and the likelihood that people could be injured or killed.’ Earlier this year, two provincial traffic officials were dismissed after being found guilty of corruption, while another was dismissed for misusing a government vehicle. A number of road users who tried to bribe traffic officers were also arrested, offers of bribes being especially common during weekend alcohol blitz roadblocks.
campaigns aimed at traffic officers about bribery and corruption. Help them to make our roads safer for all by reporting any form of corruption or bribery involving traffic officials to the Traffic Management Centre on 021 812 4581 or the 24/7 toll-free fraud hotline on 0800 32 31 30.
SWIFT ACTION: Corruption involving traffic officers undermines road safety laws and will be quickly investigated
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BUSINESS
2 December 2015
Lowdown on property in Bitou’s more affordable satellite suburb Steven Neufeld
HE Wittedrift residential property market appears to be improving, five properties having transferred this year so far according to current deeds office records, for an average of R864,000 or a total of R4.32-million. This is a 10.5% increase from 2014, which was in turn a 28% increase from 2013. It is a small market with usually only a few houses for sale. Prices seem to be steadily increasing, but are still lower than the peak of the market in 2007 and 2008, when it was R950,000 on average. The highest price to date
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is R1.64-million for a house in Hoof Road in 2008. The highest sale in 2015 was R1.195-million for a home in Kammassie Street. Only seven properties have sold for over R1-million, the first of which occurred in 2006. In other words, it is rare for houses in Wittedrift to sell for over R1-million, and only the bigger, better quality homes will do so. There are currently at least seven dwellings for sale in Wittedrift. Asking prices start from R695,000 for a two-bedroom apartment and R890,000 for a three-bedroom house up to R3.1-million for an upmarket house. The cheaper properties
have already sold, so the demand for these is higher. There are numerous stands available from R325,000 to R420,000. Wittedrift appears to be following national trends in terms of growth and decline, historically being a more affordable satellite suburb of Plettenberg Bay. There are not enough sales in Wittedrift to make the historical analysis statistically significant, but an indication of rough trends can be gauged. • Steven Neufeld is manager, candidate valuer and appraiser of Sotheby’s International Realty Plett. See the adverts on p1 and p3 for current listings.
Sotheby’s Plett celebrate many successes HE team at Plett’s Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty agency is celebrating four recent achievements: the brand has increased sales in the Garden Route by 29% this year, a new agent won national awards, one property consultant won an overseas trip, and the Plett office scored 16 regional awards. Notably Paul Jordaan Jr won Rookie of the Year for the entire network, and third place for farm sales, at the National Convention held recently at Fancourt in George. Carrie Maclean won an overseas trip of her choice to the value of R35,000 by achieving a predetermined amount of commission for the year. This is an annual competition run by the Plett office, and is the second year Carrie achieved the award. At the Quarterly Awards held at Emily Moon, awards included the following: Quarter ending May 2015 • Fiona Thorpe: top residential agent with highest
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PTY UNLIMITED: The winning Plett Sotheby’s team are, from left at back, Carrie Maclean, Sue Harvey, Hein Pretorius, Steve Neufeld, Marna Brand and Paul Jordaan, with Janelle Pinto, Fiona Thorpe, Desré Reck and Elbie Pama in front
units sold. • Elbie Pama: top residential agent with highest factored turnover. • Desré Reck: top agent in developments for both units sold and runner up for turnover. • Steve Neufeld: top referral manager. • Plett office: Marketer of the Quarter for the office with the best external image. Quarter ending August 2015 • Carrie MacLean: top agent for turnover and outbound referrals, and runner up for units sold. • Desré Reck: top agent in developments for both
units sold and turnover. • Plett office: office with the highest factored turnover growth. Says owner broker Hein Pretorius: “It’s been a good year for us and I must commend our agents for their hard work and dedication 2015 is our second-best year to date. Although there is still a lot of property on the market, stock levels are decreasing and we’ve seen an uptake in demand across the board. We expect moderate growth overall for 2016 in line with inflation. Summer holiday rentals are almost full and we look forward to another bumper season.”
Another business sale by ‘Remax Rob’ LETT Handigas has new owners! This iconic and longstanding business in Plettenberg Bay has been bought by former Plett residents Neil Holland and his wife Jennine. They have returned from Canada to our fair shores and will continue in the good traditions that Rennie and Claire Gibson have implemented during their tenure. Their friends sadly bid farewell to the Gibson family, who leave for the UK early in the New Year. Plett Handigas not only sells gas but appliances as well and has a vast array of gas appliances and gizmos in the shop. They also do gas installations and inspections, service and maintain
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existing installations, and deliver in bulk on contract to hotels, restaurants etc. This deal was brokered by Robert Auersperg, business broker and sales associate at Remax Prime Properties in Plettenberg Bay. Says Robert: “In saying goodbye to Claire, Rennie and family, we wish them all the best on their
new venture in the UK. To Jennine, Neil and family, welcome back and here’s wishing you many happy, profitable years of running Plett Handigas.” When buying or selling a business there are a few golden rules to be followed. For more on this subject, feel free to give Robert a call on 072 246 9929.
COOKING WITH GAS: Robert, Neil, Jennine and Rennie in front of the iconic Plett store that recently changed hands
PROMOTION
2 December 2015
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2 December 2015
INTERVAL
I’m getting kind of tired of always slowly raising my hand when someone asks: “Who would DO something like that?!”
Armstrong’s ‘Good luck, Mr Gorsky’ explained... N July 20, 1969, as commander of the Apollo 11 lunar module, Neil Armstrong was the first person to set foot on the moon. His first words after stepping on the moon, “that’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind”, were televised to earth and heard by millions. But just before he reentered the lander, Armstrong made the enigmatic remark: “Good luck, Mr Gorsky.” Many people at NASA thought it was a casual remark concerning some rival Soviet cosmonaut. However, upon checking, there was no Gorsky in either the Russian or American space programmes. Over the years, many people questioned Armstrong as to what exactly “Good luck, Mr Gorsky” referred to, but the astronaut always just smiled. On July 5, 1995, in Tampa Bay, Florida, while answer-
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ing questions following a speech, a reporter brought up the 26-year-old question about Mr Gorsky with Armstrong. This time he finally responded because Mr Gorsky had died, so Neil Armstrong felt he could now answer the question. Here is the answer to the mysterious Mr Gorsky: In 1938, when he was a kid in a small mid-western town, Armstrong was playing baseball with a friend in the backyard. His friend hit the ball, which landed in his neighbour’s yard by their bedroom window. His neighbours were Mr and Mrs Gorsky. As he leaned down to pick up the ball, young Armstrong heard Mrs Gorsky shouting at Mr Gorsky: “Sex! You want sex?! You’ll get sex when the kid next door walks on the moon!” • Neil Armstrong’s family confirmed that this was a true story.
Moderation is key WO ladies who had just met at a health spa were talking about lifestyles and how they hoped to stay healthy. One asked the other to detail her daily routine. “I eat moderately,” she
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replied. “I exercise moderately, I drink moderately, and I live moderately.” “Is there anything else you do?” her new friend asked. “Oh yes,” she said, “I lie extensively.”
My magic dad HE teacher asks a student: “What does your father do for a living? Student answers: “He is a magician.” Teacher: “What is his favourite event?”
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Student: “He cuts people in two.” Teacher: “Do you have siblings, and if so how many brothers and sisters?” Student: One half-brother and one half-sister.”
Why is Monday so far from Friday, and Friday so near to Monday?
Animal photo bombs
SOCIAL SCENE
2 December 2015
NEW THREADS FOR GOLFING YOUNGSTERS: Proud members of Plettenberg Bay Development Golf Academy show off their brand new outfits sponsored by Seeff. Pictured with the team at right in the back row are Seeff Plett principal Linda Engelsman and Cliff Barnard, head PGA professional at Plett Country Club, as well as Country Club manager Greg Phillips, at left in the back row, and Academy admin assistant Clifton Lamini, second from left. NEXT LITFEST DATE NOW SET: The seventh annual Knysna Literary Festival will take place from March 17-20 next year. This was confirmed by Pam Golding Properties principal Ling Dobson, left, who established the event in 2010 as a way of giving back to the Knysna community. Dobson says the four-day event promises an enthralling programme of current affairs, politics, history and adventure, centred around best-selling local and international authors, who will entertain and delight audiences with readings, conversations, debates and workshops. Tickets go on sale on February 1 at the PGP Knysna office at 5 Gray Street. Call 044 382 5574, email info@ knysnaliteraryfestival.co.za or visit www.knysnaliteraryfestival.co.za for more information. DON’T MISS THIS MARKET: A brocante is a French flea market for collectables and valuable second-hand goods. A Boere Brocante is our local version, selling an eclectic mix of antiques, vintage clothes and shoes, silver, jewellery, glassware, porcelain, selected books, paintings and photos. The next BB takes place on Tuesday December 15 from 9am to 3pm at Ouland Royale on Plett’s Airport Road. Entry costs R20 for adults and there’s lots of parking with one-way traffic in and out of the farm (entrance opposite airport turn-off). Come and spend a lovely time in a beautiful spot with friends or family, browse through fascinating bargains, buy what you can’t resist, and have something to eat and drink. The event will raise funds for four organisations key to the improvement of Plett’s community including Hospice, Plett Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), Bitou 10 Education and Development Foundation, and Plett Environmental Forum. Ouland Royale will donate part of the profits made from their sales, and there is still time to donate quality collectables. Phone Lady Annabelle Conyngham on 044 533 5178, Marsja Hall-Green on 073 645 9476 or Marietta van Rooyen on 083 379 5339 before December 12 to arrange for collection. In the pic sporting three of Wilja Reitz’s exquisite hats are, from left, ‘brocanteurs’ Marietta, Annabelle and Marsja. Some of the interesting donated objets on sale this year include a valuable brass ship light, a pair of stylish leather boots, elegant kid leather gloves, framed butterflies, a crystal cocktail shaker, good paintings and much more. PS: Pop down to the PAWS Car Boot Sale on Sunday December 6 from 9am to 1pm. Visitors will find an array of interesting and affordable Christmas gifts and, of course, the usual bargains. A donation of R100 to PAWS allows you to sell as much as you like. Join in for fun, pancakes and browsing at the Market Square parking area - call Margie on 044 533 6262 for further details.
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ALL-ROUND WELLNESS FOR WOMEN: Dr Estia Odendaal is a bit of a legend among the childbearing and rearing residents of Knysna, Plett and beyond, and Saturday morning saw clients and friends descending on her revamped rooms at 4 Typhoon Terrace for a look and feel of her brand new venture. Pictured here with partner Colette, right, services offered at their ‘Nurturance’ centre will not only encompass female physical health but will assist women of all ages in achieving wellness in alignment with their individual personal needs. A trained doula, author and wellness counsellor, Colette will assist clients with emotional health, utilising healing modalities, intuitive insights and additional tools to create awareness and understanding of each client’s unique path to wellness. Apart from the good cheer and tables teeming with scrumptious eats and bubbles, this weekend’s open day saw callers enthralled with the practice’s new interior. Says Estia: ‘The rooms were designed to allow women to feel supported, nurtured and feminine. We want our local ladies to recognise the worth, beauty and value within when stepping into our space, and we aim to incorporate this theme with future workshops, seminars and talks.’ Watch this space for your invite and email drestia@medi.co.za for additional information.
People, places & events
OPEN FOR LUNCH! It’s summertime & our doors have reopened for lunch! Dine on the finest cuisine at Emily’s Restaurant & the Garden Route’s best artisan pizzas at Simon’s Bar. E m i l y ’s R e s t a u r a n t : Tr a d i n g H o u r s Mon - Sun from 18:00 to 22:00 & Tues - Sun from 12:00 to 14:30
S i m o n ’s B a r : Tr a d i n g H o u r s Tues - Sun from 12:00 to 23:00
BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL
RIETVLEI ROAD, PLETTENBERG BAY | +27 44 501 2500 | e m i l y m o o n . c o. z a | i n f o @ e m i l y m o o n . c o. z a
Wednesday
2nd 2n d December Dece De cemb mber er 2 2015 015 01 5
Thursday
3rd December 2015
Overcast db and breezy
Sunny and windy in the afternoon
Precipitation: 25% Thunderstorm: 20% Sunrise: 5:08AM Sunset: 7:24PM Wind: ESE 18km/h Gusts: 35km/h
Precipitation: 2% Thunderstorm: 24% Sunrise: 5:08AM Sunset: 7:25PM Wind: ESE 28km/h Gusts: 43km/h
23° Lo 18°
CLASSIFIEDS
2 December 2015
25° Lo 18°
Friday
4thh December 4t Dece De cemb mber er 2 2015 015 01 5
Low clouds
Saturday
5thh December 5t Dece De cemb mber er 2 2015 015 01 5
Windy with some sun
Sunday
6thh December 6t Dece De cemb mber er 2 2015 015 01 5
Sun through high clouds
25° Lo 19°
24° Lo 19°
24° Lo 18°
Precipitation: 25% Thunderstorm: 0% Sunrise: 5:08AM Sunset: 7:26PM Wind: ESE 22km/h Gusts: 32km/h
Precipitation: 8% Thunderstorm: 0% Sunrise: 5:08AM Sunset: 7:26PM Wind: ESE 37km/h Gusts: 57km/h
Precipitation: 4% Thunderstorm: 0% Sunrise: 5:08AM Sunset: 7:27PM Wind: E 15km/h Gusts: 26km/h
Monday
7thh December 7t Dece De cemb mber er 2 2015 015 01 5
Considerable l d clouds
Tuesday
8thh December 8t Dece De cemb mber er 2 2015 015 01 5
Cloudy with a shower
24° Lo 14°
24° Lo 13°
Precipitation: 25% Thunderstorm: 0% Sunrise: 5:08AM Sunset: 7:28PM Wind: WSW 26km/h Gusts: 48km/h
Precipitation: 40% Thunderstorm: 20% Sunrise: 5:08AM Sunset: 7:29PM Wind: SE 15km/h Gusts: 28km/h
December 2015
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Thu 3 Dec Last Quarter Fri 11 Dec New Moon
02 Wed 03 Thu 04 Fri 05 Sat 06 Sun 07 Mon 08 Tue 09 Wed 10 Thu 11 Fri 12 Sat 13 Sun 14 Mon 15 Tue
TIDES: 2 Dec - 15 Dec LOW
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01h26 02h15 03h25 05h11 06h28 07h16 07h55 08h31 09h04 09h38 10h13 10h49 11h28 12h10
08h03 09h07 10h42 12h02 00h34 01h26 02h07 02h44 03h18 03h52 04h26 05h01 05h38 06h18
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ON THE SOAPBOX
2 December 2015
Letters to the Editor
Email: editor@cxpress.co.za - Fax: 044 533 0852 - PO Box 1449, Plett 6600
‘Sun circles’ a saturation of toxic substances
OMINOUS: A chem trail over The Crags appears like a jet trail before morphing into a misty cloud-like circle
Greetings and thank you for publishing Rudi Bliggenstorfer’s photos of the sun circles in CXPRESS of November 18 [turn to page 6 of that edition at www. cxpress.co.za]. These “sun circles” are a result of saturation of toxic substances dispersed into the air as “chem trails”. They start out looking like a thin regular jet trail, then morph into huge misty cloud-like things. I took the photograph alongside of a chem trail overhead The Crags a few weeks ago. (Visit http:// w w w. g l o b a l r e s e a r c h . ca/chemtrails-the-con sequences-of-toxic-metals-
and-chemical-aerosols-onhuman-health/19047 for complete details on chem trails.) Having lived in the USA for 35 years, I know what chem trails look like. The site above provides comprehensive details on how chem trails are dispensed, who’s behind them, who’s flying the planes, and what toxic substances are being sprayed on us... The next question to ask is: who is being paid off here in South Africa to allow this to be perpetrated? And does Bitou Municipality know what is being sprayed on us and our land? Clive Buirski, Plett
CXPRESS
Thank you CXPRESS for fighting abuse We love the front page of your November 25 edition [visit www.cxpress.co.za]! Thank you for being so involved and pro-active about
creating awareness when it comes to the crimes of violence and abuse against women and children. Yvette, Plett
Reviving the fracking debate in Nights blighted by horn I would like to find out (We’ve sent your query a country racked by drought how many other Plett resi- along to various Plett resiHey CXPRESS, please ask this question of all your readers, email buddies and Facebook friends: We have been officially informed that this country is in a serious drought situation. Where do our leaders now stand on the question of fracking? It’s already going on in the Karoo… ‘Annie’, Plett
(Visit www.treasurethe karoo.co.za for more information, and stats like these: ‘One well, 20-million litres of water; 2,500 trucks, 32 wells on a pad, 10 pads in a development, many developments in SA; 52% of the Karoo, more than 20% of SA, France has banned it, many US cities don’t want it… IS fracking the answer for SA?’ - Eds.)
dents are aware of or are disturbed nightly by intermittent sounding of a hooter or fog horn. We run a B&B in Poortjies and have had guests complain about the noise. Is there anyone out there who knows the reason why this hooter is on all night, and whether it could be stopped? Al Scheffer, Plett
Apies laat Fraaisig se ogies blink ‘n Paar Woensdae gelede, omstreeks 8-uur die oggend, het ‘n konvooi van ses busse vanaf Fraaisig Primêr vertrek - 350 uitbindige grondslagfaseleerders met blink ogies en ‘n tasbare afwagting in die lug, het die rit meegemaak. Hulle opwinding was aansteeklik. Bestemming? Monkeyland! Monkeyland Company het ‘n gulhartige skenking vir ‘n volledige pakket ter waarde van R66,500, aan Fraaisig Primêr gedoen. Ingesluit in die pakket was ‘n besoek aan Birds of Eden, Monkeyland, en Jukani Wildlife Ranch. Die ondervinding het inderdaad elke verwagting van die kinders se wildste drome ver oortref. Hulle was oorstelp van opgewondenheid en het letterlik oor mekaar se voete geval om hul ervaring oor te vertel. Die herinneringe aan hierdie genotvolle ervaring is duidelik diep in hul geheue gegraveer. Die dag is dus nie net op
BUSKIEKIES: Juffrou Barry, bo, en ‘n paar van haar Graad 2 Engelse leerlinge geniet die busrit Crags toe, en Ivana Palmer, regs, en haar Graad Rs op die hangbrug tydens Fraaisig Primêr se onlangse uitstappie na Birds of Eden, Monkeyland, en Jukani Wildlife Ranch
Fraaisig Primêr se kalender met rooi omkring nie, maar ook in die lewens van elke kindjie wat die voorreg gehad het om die ondervinding mee te maak. Baie dankie, Monkeyland, vir die belewenis van ‘n leeftyd. Constance Stuurman Fraaisig Primêr prinsipaal, Knysna
dents and organisations, Al, but no one so far seems to have an answer. Readers with information in this regard are invited to email editor@cxpress.co.za with feedback. - Eds.)
On your grammar... Dear editors, may I ask a favour of you please? Sometime the English grammar in your news paper leaves a lot to be desired. I know that the English taught in our schools these days is of poor quality. Don’t know if you have a proof reader. In CXPRESS of November 18, front page under heading ‘Ablaze again...’, last line “…lit a gas stove to cook themselves a meal…” etc. There is no way that the children could have cooked themselves, should have read cook a meal FOR themselves. There are other mistakes but I am not going to go through the whole paper picking out mistakes or poor grammar. Otherwise, lovely little news paper, and enjoy reading. Adrian Ackerman, Sedgefield (We have left this letter unedited, not sure at all now of our language capabilities… Just kidding - point taken, Adrian, and thanks for writing. Do let us know what the favour part is, though, and we’ll do our very best to oblige. - Eds.)
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The only pharmacy in Main Street
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CXPRESS
SPORT & ADVENTURE
2 December 2015
Pro golfers head for Sedge’s first Southern Hemisphere PGA Par 3 champs G ARDEN Route golf enthusiasts are in for a treat when 12 professional PGA golfers descend upon Sedgefield to enjoy a sporting weekend of note, starting off on Friday December 11. These golfers will have their eye on the coveted title of 2015 SA PGA Par 3 Invitational Tournament champion with a purse of R17,500. The invitational will be played at Sedge Links Golf Club on December 12. While Sedge Links will be used by the professionals on the Saturday, the club has not forgotten its loyal members and arranged the Pro-Am Invitational Golf Tournament for the Friday at 3pm. This Pro-Am (professional versus amateur) is very special and spectators are encouraged to attend for a sneak peek at talented Sedgefield golfers taking on the pros. Sedgefield has not only been honoured as the first accredited African Cittaslow Town, but also the first Southern Hemisphere town to ever host a PGA Par 3 event. “The American Senior Tour as well as the British PGA have played this
BLAND NOT BLAND: Current SA PGA Par 3 champ John Bland in full swing during the inaugural 2014 Sedge Links Golf Club PGA Par 3 Invitational - Bland will be defending his title at Sedge Links Golf Club on December 12 - Photo: Fran Kirsten
format for many years and SA’s PGA joined them for the first time at Sedge Links last year,” explained PJ Gronum, Sedge Links director of golf. He added that this invitational 12-man field resembles that of the original Sun City Million Dollar Challenge. “Sol Kerzner and his team had invited 12 great golfers to play in their event. “We are nowhere near the same budget as Mr Kerzner, but it was paramount to him that the 12 players must be spoilt and return to wherever they went in the world with high praises for his establishment and South Africa, just like we
plan to do with Greater Knysna and our course.” He said the club was expecting hundreds of enthusiastic spectators lining the course to watch the professionals play for first prize. “This is really a celebration of the beautiful old game.” Knysna & Partners CEO Greg Vogt said: “Greater Knysna has for long been known as a golfing mecca and it is just fitting that the SA PGA has sanctioned this Par 3 tournament to be held in Sedgefield.” The golfers will kick off the festival weekend on December 11 with an Italian Night at La Piazza. Gronum promised that the golfers and their families
would be spoilt throughout the entire weekend. “They will be staying in the beautiful Pine Lake Marina and Waterfront Resort’s Villas and Cabanas. We are hoping that they will have some time to experience the beauty of the area before they leave on the Sunday morning with satisfied smiles as they watch our coastal village disappear in their rear-view mirrors,” said Gronum. The 36-hole SA PGA Par 3 Invitational will kick-off with well-known Cape St Francis Links CEO Jeff Clausem acting as the official starter and tournament host, announcing the players as they tee off from 11am onwards. Watch out for defending champ John Bland, who isn’t known as The King of Aces for no reason. Several internationally renowned golfers like Monique Smit, Titch Moore, Heinrich Bruiners, Roger Wessels, Graeme van der Nest, Adam McKinlay, Altus Kapp, Chris Dixon and Neil Kruger are already confirmed as part of the elite 12 players. Food and drinks will be on sale throughout the weekend and entrance is free to the public.
Knysna SAPS man master of the ‘marbles’ The management of Knysna police station recently congratulated Warrant Officer Francois Steyn for his awesome bowling achievements over the past year. And anyone still referring to the sport as ‘old man’s marbles’ need only spend an afternoon at Knysna Bowling Club to realise exactly how much skill is required to rise above the rest in the highly competitive local bowling fraternity! Francois walked away with five victories in different categories at the club’s prize-giving on November 18, including winning the Open Club Singles Champion trophy, winning the Mixed Pairs prize along with Jo Louw, ditto for the Drawn Pairs with Rudi Bosch and Nominated Pairs with Clarence Kolanisi and, not surprisingly, being declared Club Men’s Player of the Year 2015. Acting Knysna Station Commander Major Patrick Gogwana acknowledged these achievements, saying: ‘Francois joined the club during 2012 and has made us proud ever since. We encourage other members to become involved in sport and to join clubs like these as part of our efforts to build closer relations with our community.’ All we can add to that is... ‘Wow, wow, WOW, W/O Steyn!’
On Plett bowls N November 8, bowlers from Plett Country Club invited the club’s golfers and tennis players along for a morning of bowls, followed by lunch. “A lot of fun was had on and off the greens,” says club secretary Nita Davis. “We thank Roger Wright and Corrie Nel for cooking the meat, Karin Mathies and Derek van der Berg for managing the bar, and Rochelle and her partner for clearing up.” The club’s year-end function takes place on December 6, and tabs-in time is 1:30pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Phone Rob Windsor on 044 533 9139 for details.
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