Photo: Esther de Villiers
2 December 2020
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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Pre-season devastation
CXPRESS distribution stalwart Tumi Tom, at left, was among several Bossiesgif residents who lost their homes and possessions during a fire that razed about 24 shacks in the early hours of Monday morning - turn to pages 3 and 4 to find out more about their plight amid spiking Covid-19 infections throughout the province.
Saying farewell to loved locals - p2
Eight Blue Flags for Plett - p4
Seaplane’s landing revisited - p5
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CXPRESS
NEWS & VIEWS
2 December 2020
OBITUARIES
True son of Plettenberg Bay flexed mental muscles while lavishing love ‘till end of his memorable life ETER Duminy, who died last Thursday morning at Strombolis retirement village, had a long association with Plettenberg Bay. On a visit from Johannesburg in 1962, he was lucky to buy a plot halfway up Hill Street, overlooking Lookout Beach. It had just been placed on the market after it was found that Hill Street could not proceed directly down the hill, as had originally been planned. The house De Meermin, designed by his brother-in-law John Stegmann, was the first to be supplied with municipal electricity and was for many years a well-known landmark. The son of UCT vice-chancellor JP Duminy, Peter grew up in Pretoria, where he matriculated at Pretoria Boys High in 1948 before graduating at Rhodes with a BA/LLB in 1952. While completing an honours degree in Economics in 1953, he served as chairman of the SRC. A committed opponent of the apartheid government, he was a founding member of the South African Liberal Party when it was formed in May of that year.
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PETER DUMINY: 8 November 1931 - 26 November 2020
Although he completed his articles with Lunnon and Tindall in Pretoria, he decided against pursuing a career in law and joined the Sunday Times, where he was involved in the foundation of the Financial Mail in 1959, later becoming its deputy-editor under the legendary George Palmer. In 1968, Peter transferred to The Economist in London and three years later became editor
of Finance Week in Australia, when it was launched by Rupert Murdoch in 1971. Publication was halted due to lack of demand after only a few editions had been printed, whereafter Peter became the Economist’s far-Eastern correspondent, based in Tokyo, before returning to Australia to head the publicity section of the Broken Hill Corporation. After his retirement in 1991,
Gentle Jordan will live on in our hearts
JOCELIN KAGAN will be signing her new book
7th DECEMBER 2020 Between 5pm and 7pm On the lawns & verandah Cash Bar Painted Wolf Wines will be on offer Tel: 044 050 3767
“My best friend and childhood brother Jordan Drew Weyer (11.07.1994 - 19.11.2020) left us for different pastures last Thursday night. He was well known and much loved in Plettenberg Bay, where he grew up and went to school and had tons of family and friends. Many locals will remember Jordy from the time he worked at The Table, but his gentle presence was felt far above and beyond. As I’m writing here, his mom is in Durban saying final goodbyes to her special boy and we would really want her to know that he was loved by everyone in this town.” - Storm Febb
Peter returned to South Africa, where he was SACCOB’s parliamentary representative in Cape Town during the last years of white rule. Following the death of his mother in 1997, he lived at De Meermin in Plettenberg Bay, where he was a generous host to friends and family from all over the world and where he later operated a bed-andbreakfast. The house was sold in 2004 and subsequently demolished. During his last active years, Peter was a member of the Van Plettenberg Historical Society committee, his special interest being the preservation of The Timber Shed, whence his ancestor Francois Renier Duminy had taken the first load of timber in 1788. He continued to use his considerable intellectual abilities and writing skills and was the editor of Trevor McGlashan’s republication of Pat Storrar’s book Plettenberg Bay and the Paradise Coast in 2001. Unmarried, Peter lavished kindness and love on members of his family and friends. His life will be celebrated during a private function.
NEWS & VIEWS
2 December 2020
CXPRESS
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Strategies to manage resurgence explored, as another lockdown will kill economy Y Monday November 30, the active Covid-19 cases in Knysna totalled 862 (up by 156 from the last count on Friday November 27), with Bitou’s count at 529 active cases - a jump of 137 from three days before. The tally for the entire Western Cape Province by 1pm on Monday was 10,057 active infections, with a total of 130,826 confirmed cases and 116,125 recoveries. Along with these figures, premier Alan Winde released a statement that reiterated the seriousness of the situation and suggested strategies to manage the resurgence. “The Western Cape Government is considering a variety of different tools and approaches at our disposal to tackle the resurgence in the province, so that we are fully prepared and can ensure that our health system is not overwhelmed,” said Winde. He added that, at the time of writing, no decision had been taken yet on localised restrictions. “We are still seeking legal advice on what is possible, given that disaster restrictions are imposed by national government,
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and not by provinces.” Winde reiterated that the main priority was to prevent a lockdown that would devastate the local economy, saying “the best and quickest way to do this is through individuals, businesses and civil society playing their part by changing their behaviour”. The basic rules to avoid further spikes in infection - and thus risk the debilitating return to lockdowns of whatever level - remain unchanged: • Everyone needs to wears a mask. • Avoid crowds and nonessential gatherings. • Ensure we do not have close contact with others. “If we follow these protocols, we can make a major dent in this resurgence. This should be every citizen’s priority right now,” Winde said. World Aids Day As World Aids Day was commemorated around the world on December 1, Winde urged citizens not to forget the battles fought and won in the Aids pandemic and the important work that remains in ensuring that we address both the Aids and Covid-19 pandemics.
“As a country, we have made significant strides from the early days of the Aids pandemic - we have rolled out ARVs that have saved lives, reduced mother to child transmission, and made huge advancements in research,” he said. “But we still face obstacles; stigma continues to stop people from knowing and disclosing their status, and we still need to put considerable effort into reducing the number of HIV infections in high risk groups including teenage girls and young women, men who have sex with men, substance abusers, and sex workers.” Covid-19 has presented a further challenge in that fewer people have been accessing health care services, including HIV testing and treatment, with a marked drop in testing and treatment for TB - one of the leading causes of death for people living with HIV. From early on in the pandemic, the Western Cape Government has delivered medications to stable chronic patients in their homes, to reduce their risk of Covid-19 infection and to ensure that they continue
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to receive treatment while we decongest our healthcare facilities. “As we have begun implementing our recovery plan, we have been scaling up healthcare with a focus on those services that present a low risk but have a high impact on outcomes, includ-
ing diabetes, hypertension, HIV, TB, immunisations and children and women’s healthcare services. “Managing TB and HIV together will significantly impact the wellbeing of many residents,” Winde said, and encouraged all Western Cape residents to know their
HIV status in order to start treatment if necessary. “Let us also support those who have HIV or Aids, and break the stigma still associated with this virus, and which has such a negative impact on the dignity of those living with it,” he concluded.
Houses razed but Qolweni residents relieved that no lives were lost UMI Tom, 51, has been a member of the CXPRESS family for the better part of a decade, and an integral cog of the Van Huyssteen/De Villiers clan for even longer - significantly so when their house was one of those burnt to ashes in the June 2017 fires that severely affected large tracts of CX Country. It was thus with shock and concern we learnt on Monday that ‘our Tom’ counted among members of 30-plus families who lost their houses in the early hours of that morning. “It was about three o’clock on the dot when I heard the sounds of the fire - the popping of wood and iron sheets from the heat. Not many people
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here had gas bottles, but I could hear two of these exploding close by. “We quickly ran to the house where the fire started and tried to clear it out, but shortly after we put these goods in the street next to the house, the fire caught and destroyed what we tried to save.” Tom says they believe the fire started when kids fell asleep when waiting for meat to cook, and their little stove overheated, setting surrounding furniture alight. But everyone is extremely grateful that no one was hurt or killed in the consequent conflagration. “Our saving grace was the fact that there was no wind that night, otherwise many more shacks would
have been destroyed,” he says, adding that everyone was grateful when the mayor visited the affected area the next morning. “People who were approved to move into those little houses built in Bossiesgif will now have to wait a little longer, as we will stay there until our shacks have been rebuilt. The mayor said he would provide mattresses, food parcels and building materials, but that there was not enough planks and sheets for everyone to start rebuilding immediately.” Readers who can assist with building materials are asked to email esther@cxpress.co.za. See the report on page 4 for additional information.
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CXPRESS
NEWS & VIEWS
2 December 2020
Blue Flags abound in and around the bay as Plett retains its eight-strong status Plettenberg Bay is bathed in blue once more after dominating this year’s national Blue Flag awards, with six of the coastal holiday town’s beaches receiving this esteemed stamp of approval last week - YOLANDÉ STANDER reports NCE again Plettenberg Bay not only boasts the second-most Blue Flag beaches in the Western Cape, but also scaled the podium’s second step when tallying the totals countrywide. The town went head-tohead with some of South Africa’s biggest coastal areas and was only edged out of the lead by major city centre Cape Town, which managed to secure 10 sites. Bitou tied for second with Hessequa, which also received six Blue Flag awards. Plett also outshone other major coastal centres including Nelson Mandela Bay, which only managed three Blue Flag sites and Kwazulu-Natal’s Ray Nkonyeni, which received five awards. Plett’s Blue Flag beaches
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BEST OF THE BLUES: Robberg 5 Beach is the stalwart of Plett’s Blue Flag recipients, 2020 being the 12th consecutive year for it to receive this coveted international stamp of approval Photo: Yolandé Stander
this year include for the 12th consecutive time Robberg 5; for a 10th time Keurboomstrand, for the ninth year Nature’s Valley; for a seventh time Lookout Beach; for a fifth year The Dunes, and Singing Kettle Beach for a fourth consecutive year. Local operator Offshore Adventures added to the awards after both their vessels, Robberg Express and Oceanic Express, received Blue Flag accreditation. This comes after Plettenberg Bay, after its 11th nomination, won a World Travel Awards title as Africa’s leading beach destination last month. This year none of Knysna’s beaches received Blue Flag status; Brenton-onSea was the only beach
with this approval last year. Thesen Islands, however, received two Blue Flags in the marina category. The only other Garden Route town that managed to obtain Blue Flag status for some of its beaches was Mossel Bay, which now has five Blue Flag beaches. • The Blue Flag is a certification by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), declaring that a beach, marina, or sustainable boating tourism operator meet its standards. The Blue Flag trademark is owned by FEE, which is a not-for-profit non-governmental organisation consisting of 65 organisations in 60 member countries. For additional information, visit www. blueflag.global.
Bitou mayor and senior municipal officials quick to visit victims of Qolweni fire N the afternoon of Monday November 30, Bitou Municipality released a statement to announce that, around 2:45am that morning, a fire was reported to have razed a section of Qolweni, leaving 24 shacks burnt to the ground. “About 33 families were affected by the fire,” ac-
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cording to the statement, which claimed that details pertaining to the cause of the blaze were not clear at that stage. “It is alleged, however, that it could have been an accident.” Bitou mayor Peter Lobese, accompanied by councillor Xola Matyila the ward councillor for the
affected area - addressed the victims of the fire at 8:30am on Monday. Senior officials from various departments were also present at the meeting. Material to rebuild some of the shacks was said to be available and would be issued with immediate effect to accommodate sev-
eral of the families. A plan also outlined how Bitou Municipality would assist affected residents in the interim. “Some fire victims will be accommodated in the temporary relocation area (TRA) on Minaar Land to avoid placing families in halls due to Covid-19. Res-
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idents temporarily housed in the TRA will have to be beneficiaries of the Qolweni 169 project.” The mayor promised to engage the Home Affairs department to deal with the loss of identity documents and birth certificates, and said that school uniforms would be provid-
ed to affected scholars by the municipality. The statement concluded that the community members were very pleased with the prompt intervention of the mayor and his team of officials. • Visit the gallery at www. cxpress.co.za to view more images of the devastation.
NEWS & VIEWS
2 December 2020
Remembering seaplane Singapore’s Knysna lagoon landing in 1928 Plett’s favourite amateur historian Derek Frielinghaus has been sharing some fabulous stories with CXPRESS over the years. Last week, we were privy to correspondence between Derek and another old friend and contributor, Martin Hatchuel (find out what Mart can do for your businesses or pleasure at www.tourismcontent.co.za), with Knysna classic boat expert CAMERON SEARLE N amazing sight greeted Knysna residents on March 28, 1928 as Sir Alan Cobham landed the seaplane, on loan to him from the Air Ministry, in the main channel of Knysna Lagoon. He was on a 20,000 mile journey around Africa to explore the potential of air travel from the UK. The Singapore was en route from Durban and was the largest all-metal flying boat in the world, weighing in at 10 tons with a wingspan of 100 foot. Sir Cobham was accompanied by his wife, also a trained pilot, and four crew. They stayed overnight in the Royal Hotel after sev-
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eral functions and took off the next day at 7am, in a northerly direction from Brenton on Lake. Of interest are the boats that tendered to her. In 1928 I’m assuming they were either private builds or products of Thesen Industries. The clinker rowboat has fenders over the sides, possibly filled with sand, but she’s very stable with four crew. The sharp bow of the rowboat behind shows a different design, also four up, with one man to each of the two oars. The year 1928 was also when the railway bridge was constructed which proved a promising viewpoint for take-off the next
day. Railway access to Cape Town would be the end of the steamship transport business between the Cape and Knysna, just as steam had replaced sail. There is a report of another flying boat visiting Knysna in May 1934, however, it’s not clear how regular these visits became. Sunderland flying boats were to play an important role in World War II hunting for submarines on the surface and reporting on enemy shipping. A full account of Sir and Lady Cobham’s visit can be found in the excellent book entitled Knysna the Forgotten Port by Margaret Parkes and Vicky Williams.
IS IT A PLANE? Sir Alan Cobham, accompanied by his wife and four crew, landed the seaplane Singapore in the main channel of Knysna Lagoon, the town being one of his stops on a 20,000mile journey around Africa to explore the potential of air travel from the United Kingdom
BOATING HEYDAY: This handsome inboard launch must have turned heads in her day; the stern flag isn’t clear, but judging by their dress, the gentlemen aboard are possibly dignitaries - it’s 92 years later, but anyone with information on these boats are invited to email Cameron at info@ boatshowknysna.co.za and visit https://boatshowknysna.co.za/ for more information
Support Famsa’s virtual tinless street collection AMSA usually has two street collections per year, which contribute in a major way to its annual budget gaps for running costs to continue essential services to the community - enhancing relationships and emotional well-being through counselling, training and community work
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for all people. Unable to have a collection in June due to the Covid-19 lockdown, the team at Famsa has explored various options and decided on a virtual tinless street collection to reduce risk of spreading the virus. Look out for the A3 posters with Famsa’s SnapScan
information, as well as banking details of which shoppers could take a pic and EFT a donation. The virtual collection takes place for ONE day only: in Knysna on December 5 and in Plett on December 12. Also keep an eye on the Famsa Knysna Facebook page and see the advert on page 9.
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BUSINESS
2 December 2020
Tackling unemployment by creating more in-demand skills, not just jobs A S lockdown is pushing up South Africa’s unemployment rate, local and international stakeholders have upped their game to turn the tide. The focus is on creating employment, through enabling tens of thousands of individuals, including young people, with the indemand digital skills they need to compete for the thousands of hard to fill vacancies - free of charge. When looking at South Africa’s most pressing socio-economic problems, unemployment - particularly amongst youths - is one of the most urgent issues. The government estimates that 58% of 15 to 24-year-olds are not being employed, educated, or trained. Creating more economic opportunities is only part of the solution. “The fact is there are thousands and thousands of positions available. The problem is that employers struggle to fill these vacancies because they can’t find candidates with the right skill sets,” says Onyi Nwaneri, CEO at Afrika Tikkun Services (ATS) - a recruitment, placement, and training company specialised in corporate transformation.
Digital skills, in particular, are in high demand. According to last year’s ICT skills gap survey by the Johannesburg Centre for Software Engineering and the Institute of Information Technology Professionals in South Africa, shortages are most prominent in software development, computer network and system engineering, ICT systems analysis, programming, ICT security, and business analysis. Nwaneri stresses these and other digital abilities are not just in demand among IT employers. “As the global and South African economies are becoming increasingly digitised, digital skills have become more relevant in all industries. That includes finance, engineering, and business management, but also education and travel,” she says. For this reason, ATS has partnered with multinational technology company Microsoft in its Global Skills Initiative (GSI). As a response to lockdowninduced economic crises and job losses worldwide, this global programme intends to empower 25 million people around the
world with crucial digital skills so they can take part in the digital economy. “In South Africa, we aim to recruit at least 50,000 unemployed, unskilled, under-skilled and economically marginalised individuals, including youths, and set them up for life so they can take part in the growing digital economy,” says Nwaneri. “Of these recruits 20,000 will go to the next round, in which we will determine their best learning pathway and support them to access and complete at least one of the many courses available.” The remaining candidates will benefit from selecting and following their learning pathways on their own, according to Nwaneri, who notes that this trajectory is offered free of charge. “We are also offering to pay for or reimburse 1,500 unemployed people to complete Microsoft vendor certified exams in the technical pathways of software developer, data analyst, and network administrator. We will help a minimum of 500 find jobs or work experience placements, and assist 50 entrepreneurs,”
Nwaneri explains. Interested individuals should register on the GSI website, after which each applicant’s needs, interests, and aspirations will be assessed allowing them to be channelled to the correct learning pathway. Nwaneri says ATS got involved in GSI as it fits in with its Cradle to Career 360º development model. This youth upliftment strategy empowers disadvantaged South Africans from the age of two until they are independent and employed adults with education, core and technical skills, and employment or self-employment, while also helping to meet their nutrition, health, and social needs. “What makes the GSI a powerful development and empowerment solution is that it taps into the human resources South Africa already has at its disposal, training individuals and providing them with the right skills to fill the vacancies we can’t fill. “This is more efficient than creating new jobs, especially considering the extremely tough economic climate we are finding ourselves in,” she concludes. Google ATS for details.
Western Cape celebrates entrepreneurial resilience HE Western Cape Entrepreneurship Recognition Awards (WCERA) took place as a hybrid virtual event at Cape Town International Convention Centre on November 26, when 12 inspiring entrepreneurs were lauded for their hard work and resilience during the Covid-19 pandemic. Taking the grand Business of the Year prize was Ntombi Nonxuba from Rise Uniforms, which is based in the Philippi area, employs 46 people from the surrounding area and is a manufacturer and supplier of locally produced uniforms, corporate wear and complementary garments. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Ntombi pivoted her focus to also provide Personal Protective Equipment and in so doing was able to keep her business going and her staff employed during a very challenging time. A well-deserved winner!
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MASKS ON, HATS OFF! From left are Western Cape Economic Development and Tourism department head Solly Fourie, winner Ntombi Nonxuba of Rise Uniforms, and Finance and Economic Opportunities minister David Maynier at the hybrid virtual awards evening
Now in its eighth year, the WCERA celebrates the hard work of entrepreneurs and their contribution to job creation and economic growth in the Western Cape. Importantly, winning businesses are awarded with prize money and support services that will help them to sustain or expand their enterprises. Congratulating all the
winners during the keynote address, Western Cape Finance and Economic Opportunities minister David Maynier said: “Our entrepreneurs deserve to be celebrated because they play a critical role not only in creating jobs, but they also support skills development and provide opportunities for those who
need it most. “They are role models for others, especially young people, who can learn from them and be inspired to start their own businesses. We support and encourage our winners, now more than ever, because their entrepreneurial spirit is exactly what we need as we continue to fight both a health pandemic and an unemployment pandemic in the Western Cape. “And so, since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, in addition to our many initiatives to support businesses, we have also been working hard to support entrepreneurs in the Western Cape. “I’m incredibly proud that we have been able to help our entrepreneurs, because it is their brave leap into the unknown that results in disruption, in competition, in better ways of working and in the new ideas that we need to bounce back in the Western Cape.”
BUSINESS
2 December 2020
Investor Focus
Malcolm Stewart – Investment manager at Michaelides Parker Wealth Knysna & Plett
The confidence versus pessimism debate ETWEEN the ‘lost 10 years’ and the virus, we find South African investments valued at their lowest rating in 50 years. Shares are currently priced for maximum pessimism, with bonds offering an unprecedented real return of almost 5%. Much of the uncertainty created by the virus has begun to dissipate. This is accompanied by extraordinary global and local monetary stimulus (negative rates are now almost the norm) accompanied by massive fiscal spending by governments around the world. The oil price is well contained. The extreme value offering of South African equities is best seen in a comparison with other emerging markets. The average PE ratio of South African shares is ±9, while that of our peers is ±12. In other words, our shares are 25% cheaper than those of our peers. The catalyst that will transform our current pessimism to a more confident mood will depend on several factors:
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• Containment of the civil service wage bill. Ironically, the more labour unrest the better, as it will show that the government is digging its heels in. • No further state owned enterprises (SEO) bailouts. A few insolvencies would be a good thing. SAA will be the litmus test. • Eskom reconstruction and repair. We already
ginning to happen and, again, it is ironic that the more political wars we see, the better. • The investment drive is accelerating. We see the spectrum auction, renewable energy, and changed government regulations allowing private/municipal energy generation as signals of gradual success. A sound equity portfolio of quality shares will
‘The next 12 months will see most of the favourite dividend stocks resuming payments’ see Madupi under full production, better debt collection, and new energy sources being promoted. We should receive more details of the reconstruction by Christmas. • Government infrastructure rollout. This will focus on schools, water, sanitation, housing, ports, rail, and roads. Many of these projects have been gazetted, and several are already under construction. • High profile criminal prosecutions for corruption. This is clearly be-
be rewarding over the next three to five years. This portfolio should include: • Banks, in particular Standard Bank, First National Bank, and Capitec for the more aggressive investor. • Diversified miners like Anglos and Billiton will participate in the global recovery, with growth in China as a focus. • Global equities like Bats, Prosus (or Naspers), and Multichoice all offer good rand hedge qualities.
• Retailers to look for are Spar (where you get good rand hedge protection) and Pick n Pay in the food sector, with Foschini in the clothing retail department. • Property equities and Growthpoint will ultimately recover. • Telecoms - both MTN and Vodacom continue to produce good dividends. The concept of a “dividend recovery” is important for retirees. The next 12 months will see most of the favourite dividend stocks resuming payments. This will bring relief to your income projections and compensate for extremely low interest rates. Now start watching out for the swing from extreme pessimism to a gradual return of confidence. • Malcolm has been in the investment industry for nearly 50 years. He has written this column in CXPRESS for the last 22 years and is a specialist in managing retired wealth. See the MPK advert on this page for contact details.
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SOCIAL SCENE
2 December 2020 KYLE’S A WINNER IN EVERY WAY: Plett’s first-ever Mr South Africa Top 10 finalist Kyle Hans was certainly a hot favourite, and top contender in many categories of the contest, including the areas of charity work throughout the year and physique. So although he did not win the recently-concluded Mr SA 2020 title, Kyle is grateful for the exceptional support received over the past year, since he first entered the competition. He thanks his main sponsors, Rice and Linen, along with JAM Design, BAG, Jansen’s Transport, Sharat Lahb, Ricardo’s Glass and Enrico ‘Oom Bul’ Apollis from Oom Bul Coffee Shop in George. “Thank you to Sybil and Jeanine of The Grand for hosting me, and my beautiful mom Felicia for the photoshoot and gift voucher,” says Kyle, who also expresses his thanks to the friends and family from far and wide for supporting his charity initiatives throughout the year. “Top of this list are the mental health and breast cancer awareness drives. Those memories will be cherished, and specifically the events at T’Niqua Stable Inn and being a crucial part of their latest promotional video, which has been well received both locally and internationally,” he says. At left, Kyle is pictured with his “greatest supporter”, Felicia Hans. - Photo: Leigh Dunn
People, places & events CLEGG THE YOUNGER AT FANCOURT THIS MONTH: Eager to get back on the road as South African restrictions open up, Jesse Clegg has announced the dates for his upcoming end-of-year tour which will see him performing around the Eastern and West-ern Cape in December and January. The tour follows the successful release of his latest single, ‘Speed of Light’ - an upbeat pop-inspired track about how life can still hold inspiring surprises, even at our lowest points - which was charting on stations around the country within a week of being released to radio. “This song is about dealing with disappointment and regret and then rediscovering your passion and sense of connection; the tour symbolises a culmination of what 2020 has represented and taking a positive approach moving into the new year,” explains Jesse, who wrote and produced the song with Nick Furlong (Avicci, 5 Seconds of Summer, Kygo, Steve Aoki) and Nick Petricca (lead singer of Walk the Moon). ‘Speed of Light’ follows on the back of Jesse’s previous chart-topper ‘Let It Burn’, which marked his first new original music since the release of ‘I’ve Been Looking’ in March 2018 - the first and only collaboration he did with his late father, the legendary Johnny Clegg. Catch Jesse at Fancourt in George on December 20 and see the advert on page 5 for details.
Photo: Adam van Rhyner
FOR A SAFER COMMUNITY: The newly-elected Plettenberg Bay Community Policing Forum (CPF) structure had its first orientation meeting with Western Cape Department of Community Safety (DoCS) deputy director Justin Lottering on November 24. Pictured here on the occasion in the lecture room at Plett Police Station are some of the members in attendance - seated from left are Collin Wildeman, Warrant Officer Qhukani, Sally Turner, Elaine Paulse and Linnys Freecks. CPF member Adam van Rhyner is not pictured, as he was responsible for shooting this photo of his colleagues and their esteemed visitor from DoCS in mid-instructional mode. NOU REGTIG IN DIE EG VERBIND: Leon Smith en Wilmien Strydom het getrou op 31 Oktober in Thornham in die hart van die Tsitsikamma, en geniet hier die heugelike geleentheid saam met hul kroos Liz-mien en Jaundri. Ons wens hul als van die beste toe vir ‘n gedeelte toekoms vol geluk en liefde.
GOOSE PLAYS HOST TO SOUTH CAPE PROS: The annual PGA Pro Am was held at Goose Valley Golf Club (GVGC) on Monday November 23. In conjunction with title sponsors Cape Summer Villas (CSV), the event saw 16 of the Southern Cape’s PGA professionals and their team mates playing for the title. Each team had one professional and three amateurs playing a four-ball alliance with two scores to count as well as the PGA professionals competing in their own section against each other. Cape Summer Villas along with Srixon Golf SA produced a fantastic prize table of golf equipment and five-star accommodation vouchers and hampers for the winning teams. The prize-giving was held at Sky Villa - just one of the many hotels in the collection - with a fabulous spread of salads, desserts and a perfectly-cooked lamb spit braai that was enjoyed by all. The winning team on the day was pro player Andrew Jamieson from Scratch Golf and his amateurs Eugene Kok, Glen Moller and Ruan Smit. The winning professional was Terence Boardman from Simola, with a score of three under par. “On behalf of Goose Valley Golf Club, I thank our sponsors for what was called the best event thus far on the Southern Cape PGA calendar. We look forward to next year’s competition, which may turn into a two-day event with even more to play for,” said Goose Valley head PGA pro Daniel Gouws. Cape Summer Villas has a corporate membership at GVGC as of December 1, which is sure to add value add to guests. Pictured from left above are Ruan, Eugene, Andrew and Glen with CSV Boutique Hotel Collection Group GM Paul Duverge at right.
As part of its responsibility in ensuring everyone’s safety, the Department of Health will continue to restrict
HOSPITAL VISITOR RESTRICTIONS
visitations to its health facilities in line with national safety regulations. Some facilities are in a position to allow one birthing partner and one parent/guardian for paediatric patients. Facilities will also consider visitation on compassionate grounds i.e. when a patient is at end of life stage. However, anyone going to, or planning to go to a health facility, is HQFRXUDJHG WR ´UVW SKRQH the facility to enquire about visitations, as this varies daily due to the number of factors at a VSHFL´F IDFLOLW\
ENTERTAINMENT
2 December 2020
Diarise these unique concerts featuring three of SA’s most memorable musicians Ouland Royale Baroque Barn and Hum Bee Flora Garden are to host fundraisers for Hospice Plett on December 12 and 13 respectively
DRAKENSBERG BOY SCORES BIG: Makudupanyane Senaoana will perform with Dr Lisa Engelbrecht at Ouland Royale and they will be joined by Mike Bhayibhile at Hum Bee Flora on the following Sunday; next year, Makudu is due to attend masterclasses at Italy’s Camerata Bardi Vocal Academy
LETTENBERG Bay will resound with wonderful music and song at two concerts to be held over the weekend of December 12 and 13. The concerts have been arranged by soprano and pianist Dr Lisa Engelbrecht, who is the operatic vocal coach at UCT’s Opera School where she also lectures in lyric diction. A renowned musician, she performs regularly in both South Africa and Europe and coaches specifically in London at the Royal College and Academy of Music, and Trinity Laban at the University of Greenwich. Lisa is also part of the dynamic Cape Town-based duo The Opera Angels with mezzo soprano Lindsay Thomson. They create unique programmes encompassing many musical genres, whether it be an introduction to opera, an evening of cinema greats, or a taste of Italy. Tenor Makudupanyane Senaoana originally hails from Lesotho and cut his cords with the Drakensberg Boys Choir. He completed his Masters in
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005-417 NPO
Music at the Hochschule in Cologne and has performed internationally with Cape Town Opera and in William Kentridge operas in the USA and Europe. Makudu also performs regularly with the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra in oratorio and symphonic works, and has been acknowledged in two international online voice competitions this year. Apart from claiming third prize in the International Grand Prix of Romania Trophaeum Artis Cantorum, he scored the scholarship prize at the Giovanni Consiglio International Competition, which allows him the opportunity to participate in masterclasses at the Camerata Bardi Vocal Academy in Italy next year. To have won this prize out of 256 participants from 29 countries, adjudicated by a jury composed of opera singers, casting directors, conductors, voice teachers and agents, is a tremendous accolade. As regular CXPRESS readers will know, Plettbased baritone Mike Bha-
yibhile performed with Dr Lisa Engelbrecht in two livestreamed concerts organised by Plett Tourism in its first virtual Arts Festival earlier this year. Themed ‘La Vida Local’, the festival afforded home grown artists like Mike, who lives in Kwanokuthula, the opportunity to perform and as a consequence he has been awarded a prestigious double scholarship to Berlin. Next weekend’s two concerts will have totally different content and should delight music lovers no end. “And since Makudu and Mike have never performed together before, it’s sure to be an exciting experience for them both,” says lady Annabelle Conyngham of the PlettAid Foundation. The Foundation and Hospice Plett are grateful for the support of Wilja Reitz of Ouland Royale and Hum Bee Flora’s Bruno and Ulrike Baldzuhn for hosting the events and tickets for both are available from The Market Square Info Centre on 044 533 3219. The Ouland Royale concert on December 12 starts at 7pm (gates open at 5:30pm and close at 6:50pm, tickets R400 each) and the Hum Bee Flora concert starts at 5pm on December 13 (gates open at 4pm, tickets R250 each). Most importantly, strict Covid-19 protocols and precaution plans for both concerts have been drawn up by Hospice Plett. Email aconyngham@telkomsa. net for more information.
CXPRESS
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CXPRESS
WITTY AND WISE QUOTES Bill Murray Knowledge is like underwear. It is useful to have it, but not necessary to show it off. Eddie Murphy The advice I would give to someone is to not take anyone’s advice. Ellen Degeneres Follow your passion. Stay true to yourself. Never follow someone else’s path unless you’re in the woods and you’re lost and you see a path. By all means, you should follow that. Jerry Seinfeld Men want the same thing from their underwear that they want from women: a little bit of support, and a little bit of freedom. Jim Carrey I can tell you that the effect you have on others is the most valuable currency there is. Jon Stewart If you don’t stick to your values when they’re being tested, they’re not values, they’re hobbies. Ricky Gervais Just because you’re offended, doesn’t mean
you’re right. Robin Williams See, the problem is that God gives men a brain and a willy, and only enough blood to run one at a time. Ryan Reynolds Believe me, airplane toilets are extremely aggressive. It wasn’t until I got back to my seat that I noticed my pants and testicles were missing. Stephen Colbert There’s an old saying about those who forget history. I don’t remember it, but it’s good. Steven Wright I almost broke both my arms yesterday trying to hold open a revolving door for a woman. Will Ferrell Whenever someone calls me ugly I get super sad and hug them, because I know how tough life is for the visually impaired.
lars. That’s why in the navy the captain goes down with the ship. Jimmy Durante My wife has a slight impediment in her speech. Every now and then she stops to breathe.
Woody Allen The difference between sex and love is that sex relieves tension and love causes it. Dick Gregory When I lost my rifle, the army charged me 85 dol-
Police have arrested the World TongueTwister Champion... They said he’ll be given a tough sentence.
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ent book Testam 14 Old (7) (5) 16 Fiddle (5)
s? — narcotic
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My dokter sê hy kan nie presies sê wat fout is met my nie... dis moontlik al die gedrinkery... so ek sal maar teruggaan as hy nugter is.
INTERVAL
2 December 2020
C H A E WE T H I E F R A T U
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ON THE SOAPBOX
2 December 2020
Letters to the Editor
Email: editor@cxpress.co.za - Fax: 044 533 0852 - PO Box 1449, Plett 6600
Municipality dishes out houses to those who own homes already, or have moved away In 2008, my sister Nomfuneko Mafana, 39, applied for a Rural Development Programme (RDP) house in the Bitou district. She was diagnosed with depression in 2010, but fortunately, she is stable at present. She has been receiving a government disability grant for the last 10 years because of her condition. Doctors have confirmed her incapability of being employed whatsoever. Her son, Inga Mafana, suffers from a digestive condition and has thus
been on a government grant since 2014. His situation requires a convenient working bathroom and toilet facility. We have great uncertainty in our lives, since we are never really sure of the roof over our heads, e.g. when our landlord will decide he needs his house. We have been in all offices of the Bitou Housing department, and met with the highest seat in town. We have been tossed around from one official to the next, just to realise we have just been
going in circles. We have submitted every single document and all the necessary paperwork that they required. But now I have lost all faith in the system. A few weeks ago, names were being called out for beneficiaries of houses in KwaNokuthula Phase 5; most of these people are known by the community to already own houses, or to have sold their RDP homes and moved away from Plett many years ago. It’s a sad state of af-
fairs that we have been in Plettenberg Bay for the past 15 years, but see people who have arrived long after us receiving their own homes. Please help if you can. Nondyebo Mafana, Plett (This letter was forwarded to Bitou Municipality as well as the Western Cape Government’s Housing department, so we sincerely hope that your plight grabs the attention of someone who is in a position to help you, Nondyebo. Please keep us posted. - Eds.)
Rates rip-off reflects badly on Bitou, province, and CXPRESS The full page report by Plett Ratepayers Association [turn to page 4 of the November 25 edition at www.cxpress.co.za] does not make for good reading. In fact, tax payers in this town should be worried - very worried! It is clear that this town is run by a mayor and ANC councillors who are totally unaccountable. Is this not the sad story of every single municipality governed by the ANC? Do these councillors pay their rates and taxes? Looking at the figures supplied, I doubt that very much. Using Covid money as bonuses for the 300 fat cats who already receive the highest salaries in town, and didn’t work during lockdown, is steal-
ing from the poor. Bonuses after already receiving R9.2-million in “overtime” cannot be justified. For how long can the taxpayers of Plettenberg Bay (specifically those in Ward 2) continue paying rates and taxes for ALL the inhabitants of Bitou? Bear in mind that another 1,300 houses are to be built in Qolweni and Ebenezer in the near future, complete with free water and electricity. Brace yourself for another steep increase in rates and taxes in the near future. Soon we will not be able to afford living in this beautiful town. My biggest concern is the silence of the opposition DA councillors in light of all this information. Why do we have to
rely on the Ratepayers Association for information? Where were they when all these dubious decisions were taken? Did they object, did they walk out, did they report to their constituents? When is the Western Cape Government going to put a stop to all this? Surely they have been informed… I also have to ask: where was CXPRESS? Is it not your duty as a community newspaper to keep your readers informed? Don’t you attend these council meetings? We marched against Zuma two years ago. I would be the first to volunteer to march against this municipality and all its wasteful expenditure. H de Wet, Plett
(Mr De Wet, there’s literally hundreds of examples over the past 22+ years of our reports on municipal misdemeanours, to put it lightly, in all the Garden Route towns served by CXPRESS. A quick run through back issues on our website will reveal as much - look for these in the form of hard news reports, information furnished by organisations such as Plett Ratepayers Association, and letters from our readers as they take a stand on the soapbox - a platform offered to the community free of charge. Do keep in touch, as we value the input and opinions of our readers more than can be expressed given the space constraints on this page. - Eds.)
Who’s supposed to save this young tree? Traute Brueck shared this photo and wrote: “The young tree pictured here is dying, and has been lying for many days alongside White Caps Way, where sewage blockage needed fixing. Will it be replanted? Is there no nature conservation in Plett?” (Upon our enquiry, Henk Nieuwoudt of CapeNature immediately referred us to the correct person at the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), advising that the particular case falls within the DAFF mandate. CXPRESS forwarded Mr Brueck’s query after chatting to friendly staff at the department’s Knysna branch but, to our disappointment, no response had been received by going to press. We’ll be sure to share a response if and when it lands. - Eds.)
State of ‘90 Trees’ will make Madiba turn in his grave As one nears Plett from the Harkerville side, there is a group of trees called Madiba’s 90 Trees. Once upon a time there was a fence surrounding these trees, producing a neat border while mak-
ing the area visually attractive and honouring Madiba. Sadly, today, the fence lies in ruins, probably with parts stolen and the rest vandalised. I wonder if our illustrious town fathers and
mothers have even noticed the dilapidated fence. Whether they have or not, they show disrespect to Madiba by allowing the fence to remain in ruins. Surely, out of apprecia-
tion for Madiba and for all that he achieved for South Africa, our first citizens should delegate someone to either repair the fence or to remove it altogether. Kevin Meineke, Plett
CXPRESS
On Covid... You have gone Before goodbyes Were said Years of touched Memory unspoken
No hand that could Be held No gentle kiss Just gone - Paul Deans, Plett
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CXPRESS
CLASSIFIEDS
2 December 2020
Garden flat for short-term rental Plett CBD garden flat available immediately, rates depending on length of stay.
Phone 082 492 4417 to enquire
Paws
Plett Animal Welfare Service
