2 july

2 July 2014

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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What’s cookin’?

Tik linked to crime

This image from the Plett Food Film Fest premier ‘Cooking History’ features army chef Peter Silbernagel, the only crew member to have survived the sinking of the submarine Hai in 1963 - turn to page 12 for more on the movie, and find out what’s cooking in Bitou’s council on pages 3 & 4...

p4

Security a joint effort p5

Overseas buyers return p8

Festivals and holiday fun p12, 13, 15, 20

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CXPRESS

News & Views

2 July 2014

Driving Miss Crazy

Nothing better than a Brenton braai... ‘cept maybe Massa’s pole position JEEVES shares memories of his adventures as Garden Route chauffeur extraordinaire...

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UNDAY morning. Beautiful, sunny day - but baby, it’s cold outside.

So thought I’d just snuggle in bed for a couple of hours, with a cup of hot water, lemon and honey, and a Jeffrey Archer novel, while keeping an eye on highlights of the Ghana / Germany game in Brazil.

Just as I was planning the construction of a curry for lunch, the phone rang.

“Sorry to disturb so early on a Sunday morning. Can we fetch a lemon and an olive tree please, before we go for a walk?” enquired a lady’s voice on the other end.

(One of my retired ‘occupations’ is to dabble in, and grow, fruit trees.)

“Certainly, ma’am.”

“Ten o’clock suit?”

I rolled out of bed, showered, got dressed and went to the kitchen where I hit all the buttons on the coffee machine. One hour to go before they arrived for the trees.

Well, might as well start building the curry. Back in Kenya where I grew up, if

BEFORE: A local couple contacted me to buy baby trees...

AFTER: ... but what unexpectedly transpired is a braai and drive involving Brenton Beach and Buffels!

it wasn’t a roast for Sunday lunch, then definitely a hot curry - the Indian influence.

(One of the ‘secrets’ of a curry is to add half a teaspoon or more, depending on your taste, of turmeric, cumin, coriander and garam masala. But use less curry powder to compensate.)

The curry pot had just begun to simmer when the gate bell rang.

“Aren’t you the chap who does the article on various road trips in one of the local newspapers?” she asked, as I laid the trees in the boot of their vehicle.

“Pardon?” I said, looking

her in the eye.

“Yes! I’m sure it’s you.”

Meanwhile the pic next to the column is meant to act as a disguise, not to make my identity (too) obvious.

“Not sure what you mean,” I added. “Is it in the Ecrg" Vkogu?”

Eventually I gave in. “Oh. Fantastic,” she said.

They were then planning to drive to Buffels Bay, walk the six kilometres to Brenton, get a friend who lives there to drop them back at their house in Belvidere, and then drive back to Buffels to collect their other car.

Whew! What a mission.

“So,” she continued, having established my identity, “are you busy at all? Why don’t you take us to Buffels, if you can, and pick us up again at Brenton?”

My curry lunch was going out of the window, and I also wanted to watch the Austrian Grand Prix, with Massa, ditched by Ferrari, in pole position.

After a little thought, I suggested dropping them at Brenton, and collecting them at Buffels instead.

“Oh, good,” he said.

“Then, why don’t we do Sunday lunch at the restaurant deck in Buffels?” she asked.

Even better, I thought.

“Why not light a fire on the grass verge there, next to the sea? It’s a beautiful day, no wind. I’ve got some wors.”

“Let’s do that” she responded. “I’ll bring a salad and some boiled potatoes.”

“And we’ve got some chicken kebabs,” he added.

No problem. I could record the race, and anyway, the curry would taste better the next day.

They departed with smiles and waves. I fetched them at their house, drove them to the beach in their car, all laden with chairs, umbrella, table, braai equipment and cooler boxes.

An hour later I drove in their car to Buffels to meet them from their walk, where we had a few beers at the restaurant, overlooking the sea.

Then it was off to the picnic/ braai spot, which was packed with people under umbrellas, lazing on the grass and busy around the fires.

We were lucky - a group was just leaving, and we inherited their roaring coals!

So much for my plans with Jeffrey Archer, curry, and the Grand Prix...

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News & Views

2 July 2014

Bitou coup fears allayed, but will ratepayers cough up for politicians’ antics?

The Democratic Alliance is still clinging to power in Bitou after an attempt by the opposition to take over the municipality and to replace, among other councillors, mayor Memory Booysen YOLANDE STANDER reports

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HE move has caused some drama since Friday including the municipal offices being closed as well as an urgent court application to stop a special council meeting from taking place yesterday.

The saga started on June 20 with a request for a special council meeting submitted by a majority of councillors including six ANC members and deputy mayor Adam van Rhyner of COPE. The DA does not have an outright majority in Bitou and relies on COPE for a coalition, but Van Rhyner’s aligning with the ANC on the petition for the special council meeting, means that the majority of councillors are in

favour of the move.

The six councillors - Mpakamisi Mbali, Hilda Plaatjies, Thelma Besana, Sandiso Gcabayi, Nolan Stuurman, Monica Seyisi - and Van Rhyner called for the meeting to serve a motion of no confidence in Booysen, speaker Annelise Olivier and Van Rhyner himself and, if accepted, replacing the three.

Although the initial request was for the meeting to be held on Tuesday July 1, the councillors attempted to move the meeting to last Friday, but this conflicted with the rules of order regulating meetings of council which requires a request to be submitted six days ahead of the meeting.

This attempt was followed by an order by Booysen to close Bitou’s municipal offices on Friday after alleged threats to safety of staff and residents - a move ANC Southern Cape secretary Putco Mapitiza labelled as an attempt to thwart an ANC takeover of the municipality, as there had been no such threat.

In a statement Booysen said he wished to assure residents that the “attempted special council meeting” convened by the ANC councillors and Van Rhyner was “illegal and counter to council procedures”.

He further said that he had received information of a To Page 4

BETTER DAYS: Bitou mayor Memory Booysen, left, and deputy Adam van Rhyner share a chuckle during an official event recently - but that was then… - Photo: Ewald Stander

Porn granddad case postponed again Yolandé Stander

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HE case against a 64-year-old former Wittedrift High School teacher who allegedly sexually assaulted his six-year-old granddaughter was postponed again in the Knysna Regional Court on Monday.

The man, who is no longer teaching at the school, was not in court as he is currently overseas. The case was postponed until July 23 for the trial to commence.

Since his arrest on December 15, the case has been postponed several times and was transferred to the Knys-

na Regional Court in May. The accused, who is out on bail, allegedly showed his granddaughter pornography and told her to touch his private parts in August 2012.

He faces charges of sexual assault and exposure or display of pornography to a person under 18.

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News & Views

2 July 2014

Latest cases show link between crime and drugs - abuse expert Yolandé Stander

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HE past two weeks have been marred by violent and somewhat bizarre incidents of crime in Plett and Knysna, throwing the spotlight on the link between crime and substance abuse.

During the latest incident, a Plett couple found a knife neatly tucked under a blanket on their bed - left there by burglars who helped themselves to a few strange household items last week.

This was just days after 39-year-old actor Terence Bridgett, in Knysna filming a movie, was violently attacked and robbed in a home in Paradise. Bridgett was overpowered by two men believed to have been Tik addicts during the early hours of June 23.

Although official crime statistics do not indicate a dramatic increase in crime compared to the same period

last year, the violent manner in which these crimes are being committed seems to be on the rise.

Knysna police spokesman Constable Chris Spies said although there had not been an increase in overall crime in the area, there had been spikes in specific crimes including robbery and assault.

Experts believe that this could be as a result of increased substance abuse as there was a definite ink between drugs, especially Tik - which fuels aggression and removes inhibitions - and crime.

“There is no two ways about it. Firstly drugs like Tik make the user aggressive and secondly drug use and crime go hand-in-hand in most cases.

“You’ll find that it starts with petty crime, maybe dipping into family members’ wallets to fuel the addiction, and then move on to crime from cars, before escalating

to violence,” substance abuse counsellor and crime prevention activist John Preller said.

Preller, who is doing a master’s degree in substance abuse, added that these users often left traumatised family and victims in their wake.

The Moulds from Plett last Wednesday experienced the trauma of crime. When Justin Mould arrived home at about 6pm, he found their security gate had been forced open and their phone line cut.

“This was however not where they got in. The burglar bars of the spare bedroom at the back of the house were completely bent and the window ripped out of the frame,” Mia Mould said.

Upon inspection of the house the Moulds were surprised to find that none of the “big items” had been stolen.

“The hi-fi and the laptop were still there and they didn’t take my jewellery.

Bitou coup fears allayed... (cont.)

YOU KEEP ON KNOCKIN’ BUT YOU CAN’T GET IN: Pictured in front of the closed municipal offices on Friday are, from left, Adam van Rhyner with ANC councillors Nolan Stuurman, Phakie Mbali, Sandiso Gcabayi, Monica Seyisi, Thelma Besana and Hilda Plaatjies - the caption accompanying this photo when emailed to CXPRESS read ‘peaceful, friendly faces and, most importantly, the majority of the 13-seat council…’

From page 3 possible danger to property and life and “in order to protect the municipality, took the extraordinary decision to partly and temporarily close the head offices of the municipality”.

“The councillors involved in organising the council meeting will not be allowed to make a mockery of municipal practice and procedures.

Service delivery is our main priority and I will be taking further action to prevent any disruption to the effective functioning of the municipality’s work,” Booysen said.

Olivier then turned to the Western Cape High Court to stop the meeting from taking

place on Tuesday as originally requested.

In court papers, she claims that she only became aware of the request for the meeting on June 23.

In the meantime, on June 25, the municipality was also informed by COPE that Van Rhyner was suspended and prevented from participating in council or party activities.

But according to legal experts, a party suspension does not prevent a councillor from voting in council.

Olivier, in court papers, added that the councillors also did not indicate why they had lost confidence in the mayor, Olivier and Van Rhyner.

But Mapitiza said it was because of “non-performance by the mayor and the lack of service delivery in Plettenberg Bay”.

“The time has come for the ANC to take over the municipality and looking at the national election results, the people of Bitou also don’t want the DA anymore,” Mapitiza said.

Van Rhyner said yesterday the reason he aligned with the ANC was because he could no longer “sit back and do nothing” while job creation in Plett was not developing and “pleas fell on deaf ears”.

In court documents, Olivier indicated that the application was an urgent matter as fears

“They took an iPod that was plugged into the hi-fi and various personal belongings. This included some of my scarves, my husband’s underwear, face cream, aftershave, a hunting knife given to my husband as a gift, wine, cheese, chicken, bacon and even chocolate. But they left the lamb in the freezer.”

Mia said the burglars also took two cameras, one with photographs they had not yet downloaded. “But they left the lenses.”

After police arrived and processed the scene, the Moulds turned in for the night, but not before making a chilling discovery. “Underneath a blanket, neatly folded on the edge of the bed, we discovered a massive kitchen knife.

“It doesn’t belong to us, so we can only assume that the criminals left it there. This really freaked us out.”

No arrests have been made. existed of a “coup d’état” at local government level.

She added that the “situation in Plett is extremely tense” and unless relief was granted and the meeting went ahead, she feared the ANC councillors and their supporters would attempt to physically and, if necessary, violently remove her and Booysen from the offices, suspend the municipal manager, intimidate staff, and unlawfully gain access to municipal funds.

The councillors however, through their legal representative Hardy Mills, undertook not to take over the municipality by “any illegal means or force”.

Judge Owen Rodgers called the various parties to his chambers yesterday and informed them that the matter was not urgent and advised them to settle it out of court.

The meeting was subsequently not convened yesterday and the councillors have now taken the decision to oppose Olivier’s application and submit a counter application to force Olivier to convene the meeting as well as seek a costs order against Olivier, as they believe taxpayers’ money should not be used in this case.

It is estimated that the court application would cost taxpayers roughly R300,000 so far. Mills said he hoped that the matter would be heard on Wednesday.

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R150k worth of Tik confiscated

The Attaqua K9 unit based in Oudtshoorn arrested two men on June 25 after Tik to the value of about R150,000 was found in their vehicle. At about 5:15am the members, who were on patrol, noticed a white Toyota Corolla on the road between George and Oudtshoorn. They followed the vehicle in the direction of Oudtshoorn and a high-speed chase ensued. The two occupants managed to get away but were spotted again in Oudtshoorn, when their vehicle was searched by narcotic K9 Sheeba - pictured above with warrant officer Gabriel Bruintjies - that found a paper bag containing Tik hidden in the engine. The two suspects, aged 35 and 37 respectively and both Nigerian citizens appeared in the Oudtshoorn Magistrates’ court on June 26.

Bitou council hung... out to dry?

As the Bitou ‘coup’ bomb burst late last week, MIKE KANTEY got lost momentarily in ponderings of a Shakespearean nature

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HEY say a week is a long time in politics.

In the more long-suffering municipality of Bitou, however, the time machine is more like the Blind Divinity’s chronometer, where a thousand days may be collapsed into one hour.

As our patient queues of residents and ratepayers might recall, in the local government elections of 2011 the DA was granted exactly the same number of councillors as then governing ANC, thus creating a proverbially “hung” town council.

During the same elections of 2011, Adam van Rhyner was a member of the recently formed COPE, which had broken out of the ANC in revolt at what I call the “Polokwane Putsch” of 2007, when ANC president Thabo Mbeki himself had been unceremoniously ousted.

Having been the sole party representative in Plett, therefore (and not unlike a less practised Fool in

Shakespeare’s King Lear), he found himself playing the part of kingmaker and was induced to side with the DA in exchange for a deputy-sheriff’s badge.

To make matters more Byzantine, current mayor Memory Booysen had journeyed across the politically wind-swept heaths from the epicentre of the ANC, via a sort of temporary COPE shelter with his Fool, to the bosom of the DA sisters.

As is always the matter with Shakespearean tragedies, however, the bodies are starting to clutter up the stage.

Unlike King Lear, however, the first man down is the Fool, Van Rhyner himself, who has apparently been fired by his own party for breaking a national agreement between the DA and COPE. Now we wait with bated breath to see what new twists and turns await us in this long-running, epic, and multi-million sea-foamy opera that is Plett.

News & Views

2 July 2014

CXPRESS

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‘Security’ is being part of a team that cares and acts MIKE KANTEY reports on a joint effort that resulted in the capture of a culprit who wreaked havoc inside Formosa Garden Village, and pays tribute to those hard-working individuals who set the bar high for excellence in service to the community

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N the heady days when I served as ANC branch chairman, I used to sit on no less than three Community Police Forums: Rondebosch, Mowbray, and Claremont.

So eventually, I was involved in developing the Community Police Forum Toolkit with SABMiller, SAPS Western Cape and the then Provincial Department of Community Safety.

Having had some training in the old SADF 11 Commando Battalion, I also used to do active patrolling in the Cape’s Southern Suburbs sometimes in the middle of the night - and our record one summer was 35 arrests.

Nevertheless, it is always extremely difficult to pin down a sneak thief, especially when he’s a long-standing and trusted member of a gated community.

Yet, this is what was achieved by the management of the Formosa Garden Village retirement complex in Plettenberg Bay, when they were able to identify and capture red-handed a workman who had allowed himself to steal from the innocent and vulnerable elderly.

Over some period of time, the thief would break into or walk into residents’ homes and steal mostly valuable and often well-loved jewellery. On one occasion more recently, he allegedly stole an entire safe, which suggests that he may have had active accomplices.

Once it had been established that this was an inside job, however, and that the robust nature of the break-ins could only have been perpetrated by a man, it was relatively easy to first establish a pattern and then match that pattern with known movements of the suspect.

All that remained was for Formosa Garden Village management to observe the unfortunate villain and - voila! - an open-and-shut case.

It sounds easy when put like that, but it required plenty of hours and much hard work by the more trustworthy members of the entire FGV team. So, let’s remember a few things about security.

One: there’s no security in high walls, TV cameras, and barred windows or doors.

Two: there’s no security in alarms, armed patrols, and

flashlights.

Three: the best security you can get is being part of a live team that cares enough to hear what is going on, to see what is going on, and to act on what is going on - even if that only means calling in the professionals from the SAPS and private security companies.

In the 1990s, we reduced the Southern Suburbs crime rate by 90% with one strategy only: active neighbourhood and business watches, linked to one communications network, and including the Traffic Department.

By comparison, Plett has a remarkably low crime rate with a high success rate in capturing and convicting dangerous criminals.

Let’s keep it that way by joining and strengthening the Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association - and here I must pay tribute to the outstanding and consistent work of SAPS Plett, CPF chairperson Bruce Richardson, Otto Olivier of Plett Security, and Smhart Alarms’ Andries Trahms.

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News & Views

2 July 2014

Bitou 10 Foundation boosts local learners’ self-esteem

PLAY-LEARNING: Educators and parents participated in the B10F-facilitated workshops with child psychologist Carol Surya, pictured at right

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HE Bitou 10 Foundation recently teamed up with local child psychologist Carol Surya to offer a two part workshop - ‘Boost their Best’ and ‘Play and Grow’ for Bitou parents and learner support educators.

Held over two Saturdays, the workshop series focussed on understanding children, as well as teaching parents and educators skills for building children’s self-esteem.

During many years of running parenting workshops in Joburg, working on board the Phelophepa Health Care train and later working overseas, Carol found that parents, educators and caregivers listed common difficulties experienced in understanding and disciplining today’s generation of children.

This, together with her volunteer experience working with tsunami survivors in Indonesia, inspired Carol to create a children’s self-esteem game and write a practical parenting book.

“I started dreaming about a fun ‘feelings game’ as an effective way of helping all children to learn how to manage their feelings and realise their inner potential. I also kept getting requests to put my workshop information into a book,” says Carol.

The first two-hour workshop, ‘Boost their Best’, is based on Carol’s practical parenting book, Itgcv" Mkfu" /" uvtgpivjgpkpi" vjgkt" pcvwtcn" rqvgpvkcn (2012).

Working within a child-

I put a spell on you...

For the first time ever, Grade 1-3 learners at Plett’s Formosa Primary School will be competing in an interschools and inter-circuit Spellathon - one of the Education Department’s LitNum improvement strategies.

In the photo at right, the Grade 3 winners - from left are Tiffany Krigga, Anelisiwe Gojela and Jamie-Lee Daries - are very excited to compare their combined spelling proficiency against that of their Knysna counterparts as soon as school reopens later this month. Good luck, young ladies! - Leigh Dunn

centred framework in which the three areas of feelings, respect and security are paramount, Carol helped parents and learner support educators better understand today’s sensitive children, who live in a world of feelings.

She explained easy ways of speaking so that kids will listen and feel good about themselves, as well as democratic discipline recipes that really work with this generation of youngsters.

Carol also demonstrated fun and practical tips to help children believe in themselves, let go of ‘bad’ feelings, release their anger without hurting others, and redirect excess energy.

The workshop ended with delegates having an opportunity to practise the tools learned with each other before trying them out with children in their homes or schools.

The second workshop, ‘Play and Grow’, looked at the importance of play and the value of games in a child’s development. The participants also learned all about InnerMagic - an interactive game designed by Carol to improve self-esteem, emotional intelligence, expression, life skills and relationships.

This game is designed for one or two children aged between six and 12 to play with an adult. It poses real life questions, offers children choices, challenges them to perform developmental tasks, and engages them in self-esteem building activities.

Beautifully illustrated and cleverly designed, the game is fun and challenging. It develops critical thinking, communication and decision making, literacy and problem solving skills while teaching children how to express and manage their feelings.

Four learner support educators and 17 parents attended the workshops. Participants each received a copy of Carol’s book and the game.

The workshops were a great success. Both parents and educators who participated gave Carol glowing feedback and left feeling inspired and eager to try out their new skills.

Thanks to the Bitou 10 Foundation, these invaluable resources (the game and book) can now be used by learner support educators working with children at Phakamisani, The Crags, Wittedrift, Kranshoek and Formosa Primary Schools to build children’s self-esteem and confidence.

For details on the book, game and workshops, contact Carol Surya on 044 533 5655 or visit www.carolsurya.com for additional information.

News & Views

2 July 2014

CXPRESS

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Coats, cans, agents, and carers join forces to combat winter

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E/MAX of Southern Africa has set up a charitable foundation to try and assist the underprivileged sectors of communities throughout the country. Their latest drive is the ‘Coats & Cans’ collection of warm clothing and non-perishable food stuff - a countrywide initiative.

Says Cheryl Anley, broker/owner of Re/Max Prime Properties in Plett: “Winter is a very challenging time for those not fortunate enough to have the means to keep themselves and their families warm, dry and well fed over this period.

“We have had particularly strange weather this year, with warm and freezing or wet spells following close on the heels of each other. Flu and stomach bugs have been rampant.

“The Coats & Cans initiative sees each Re/Max office nominating a charity in their area to receive the donation,” she explains. “In Plettenberg Bay, we have been privileged to assist Born in Africa - a wonderful local organisation that helps Bitou students and their families.

“We were absolutely delighted to be able to hand over a large box of warm clothing and tinned goods to Born in Africa education coordinator Wesley Andrew

and student Alberto Wilskut on June 25, and are happy to report that the items have been distributed among the students and their families.

“Feedback received is that all the recipients were over the moon to accept our contributions, and we will continue to work with Born in Africa in an attempt to assist wherever we can.”

RE/MAX CARES: The Re/Max Plett team, top, with Born in Africa representatives Alberto Wilskut at left and Wesley Andrew, right – in the pic above left are more happy recipients of the estate experts’ countrywide Coats & Cans campaign, and above right, Simamkela Tyam shows off an armful of non-perishables that are sure to go a long way to make this winter more bearable

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Business

2 July 2014

International property buyers return to Plett and Knysna The area principal for Pam Golding Properties in CX Country shares positive news on the real estate front

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UYERS from overseas have returned to the popular destinations of Plett and Knysna, says Ling Dobson, area principal for Pam Golding Properties.

“And,” she says, “in addition to an influx of European visitors over the past summer and holiday season, for the first time we are seeing visitors from Sweden on our shores – mainly in Plett, enjoying our scenic coastline

and generally looking at golf estate properties in the R3.5million to R5-million range.

“During an exceptional season we’ve noted international visitors from countries such as Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Sweden, the UK and America, with a number of these advising us of their return in June this year to complete property purchases.

“These are either holidaymakers who will utilise their

newly acquired homes for holidays, or those we refer to as ‘swallows’, who spend several months of the year here. The Swedes are now very evident, growing in numbers over the past six months in pursuit of their place in the African sunshine.

We are also seeing international buyers looking to acquire guesthouses,” she says.

With three International Blue Flag beaches - Robberg

5, Keurboomstrand and Nature’s Valley - Plett has recently been nominated as Africa’s Leading Beach Destination by the World Travel Awards, in good company with some of the globe’s best beaches.

Fellow nominees include Bazaruto in Mozambique, Cape Town (2012 winner), Diani Beach in Kenya, Sharm El Sheikh (2010, 2011 winner), Taba Heights in Egypt and Zanzibar (2013 winner) in Tanzania. Knysna’s Thesen Islands marina also boasts Blue Flag status.

Plett has much to offer residents and visitors. Apart from the 15km of beaches from Keurboomstrand to Robberg Peninsula, the river, lagoon and bay are popular among fishing, boating and water sport enthusiasts and offer the best shore-based whale watching of the area.

Plett is home to wildlife sanctuaries, game reserves and other recreational activities such as mountain biking and abseiling.

Says Dobson: “The quality of these beaches coupled with the spectacular coastline along this part of the Garden Route is a huge drawcard for buyers both from overseas as well as elsewhere in SA, including Gauteng, Cape Town and KwaZulu-Natal.

“Since the start of 2014, we’ve noticed a marked uptick in the residential market, and for the first time in years have also seen developers return to the market, seeking large tracts of land for new developments.”

Dgcejhtqpv"jqogu"dgkpi" tgpqxcvgf."gxgp"fgoqnkujgf “In Plettenberg Bay it is very encouraging to see numerous vacant land sales taking place, which is always indicative of positive movement in the market. While the bulk of home sales have been up to around the R2.5-million mark, we are also seeing large homes being purchased for prices up to R10-million and extensively renovated.

“In fact, at present in Beachy Head Drive alone there are about nine properties undergoing renovations. There are also homes being acquired and demolished to enable the owners to build their dream homes in a prime beachfront location - particularly front row properties.”

Dobson says Knysna is also enjoying an increase in the demand for residential property, mainly in the price band to approximately R5-million.

A recent sale by Pam Golding Properties was a fivebedroom (all en suite) home on The Heads which fetched R4.5-million.

“Private, secure and with uninterrupted views, this luxury property was very well priced, particularly given its prime location.”

Dobson adds that vacant land in Knysna is selling across a broad price range

from R400,000 to R500,000 for stands of about 1000sqm, or 5000-7000sqm sites with ocean views priced at R2-R3million, to top end vacant land of R14-milllion for 1.77ha.

“Homes in estates remain sought after as buyers continue to place a high priority on security, with prices of R2million and R3-million being achieved for vacant stands in Pezula Private Estate, while completed homes are fetching prices from R4.8-million and upwards of R7-million on Thesen Islands, and from R6-R11-million on Leisure Isle on the waterfront.

have seen average prices increase considerably. For example, on sought-after Thesen Islands in Knysna, the average house price in 2013 was R3.8-million, which increased to R4.8-million in early 2014 and is now in the region of R5.3-million.

“Spanning 90ha, Thesen Islands comprises 19 manmade islands linked by 21 arched bridges and surrounded by 25ha of tidal waterways. Residents have easy access to the mainland, waterfront, yacht harbour and Knysna’s town centre.

“Being a unique, special pocket of land in a prime location, Thesen Islands has

‘We have seen developers return to the market, seeking large tracts of land for new developments’ “In regard to residential property in general, there is a strong demand in the price range from R1.5-R2.5-million among those seeking a home to retire to, with the bulk of these being local buyers.

“On Leisure Isle, which is surrounded by the waters of the Knysna estuary and linked to the mainland, we’ve seen quite a few frontline homes selling for R5-R6million and R7-million.

“And on Thesen Islands, which is experiencing a shortage of stock, a mix of buyers upgrading - as well as those from Gauteng and Cape Town purchasing for leisure use and retirement are acquiring homes for R5million, R8-million or even R9-million,” says Dobson.

Xcnwgu"kpetgcug"qp" Vjgugp"Kuncpfu “Of significance is that we

maintained property prices through the economic recession and has even seen a steady increase in house values of approximately 20% over the 12 months to endMay 2014,” she says.

In Knysna, Pam Golding Properties also recently sold a light industrial property for R2.8-million to an out of town investor. Set on a stand of 1,755sqm and with a building size of 1,154sqm, the property is fully tenanted and achieving a yield of 10% per annum. ß" For further information, contact Pam Golding Properties Knysna on 044 382 5574 or email knysna@pamgold ing.co.za or Pam Golding Properties Plettenberg Bay on 044 533 2103 or email plettenbergbay@pamgold ing.co.za, and see the advert on page 9 for listings.

OWN HOTEL 007: Perched on the edge of the cliff of Knysna’s eastern Head, this property enjoys a world famous viewpoint, and has the look and feel of a James Bond movie set, with nine bedrooms (all en suite) and three reception rooms, the building size is approximately 820sqm - priced at R17-million through Pam Golding Knysna, this property has the potential to be run as a small boutique hotel

VILLA PRIVÉ: Situated a stone’s throw from The Wreck Beach, adjacent to Robberg Beach and with panoramic views overlooking the entire Plettenberg Bay, this six-bedroom (all en suite) villa has private balconies and spacious living areas, and is marketed at R32-million through Pam Golding Properties

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2 July 2014

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Business

2 July 2014

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

Part II: Investment Tools - Retirement Annuities

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ETIREMENT Annuities (RAs) as a ‘product’ offers great value to both the young and the entrepreneur.

It allows one to build up a nest egg that is ultimately converted to a pension on retirement. It is also a product that allows the retiree to gen-

erate a tax-efficient pension and to reduce death duty.

Funds invested within an RA are not subject to capital gains tax, dividend tax nor any tax on interest earned within the product. This allows the investor to build a personal retirement fund

that will grow free of tax - an enormous advantage considering the effect that tax has on your long-term returns.

Older generation RAs were often sold with all sorts of strings attached. They could not be transferred from one insurance company to another

(not without horrendous penalties) and they were invested in opaque portfolios that nobody could understand, or that were not transparent.

They were funded by debit orders, and any missed payment incurred its cancellation or resulted in your be-

Popular local couple reels in iconic Plett restaurant Congratulations to the new owners of Plett’s Rod n Reel Restaurant, Chantelle Kieser and Patrick Dicey.

Many readers will know Chantelle from her days at Remax Plettenberg Bay, and Patrick ‘The Nutter’ of Mac Nut. Rod n Reel is a long-standing local icon, offering fabulous family fare in an amazing venue.

The deal was brokered

by Robert Auersperg - a business broker and sales associate at Remax Prime Properties in Plett, and flanked by the eatery’s happy new owners in the pic at right. Robert says that there has been marked increase for businesses in the town, which bodes very well for the local economy.

Should you be interested in buying or selling a business, give Robert a call on 072 246 9929 confidentiality assured!

ing charged more penalties.

Some had life policies attached so that a missed payment cancelled your life policy.

Many of these old generation products are still in existence and cause serious problems if you want to transfer or adjust your underlying investments.

The new generations of RAs are far friendlier. One can open an RA with a single payment, then pay funds into it either on a regular basis (you can use a debit order) or on an irregular basis.

There are no penalties for missed payments, and no charges if you want to transfer it to another product provider.

They may be used to house a unit trust portfolio or even a portfolio of shares, and 20% may be invested offshore.

They are subject to the so called Section 28 rules as stipulated by Government.

These rules regulate the percentages of each asset class that is used within the RA. The tax regulations regarding your contributions are equally attractive. From March 1 next year, company contributions to your RA will be taxed as a fringe benefit.

However, your own contributions are tax deductible up to 27.5% of your taxable income, with a maximum ceiling of R350, 000 per annum.

In other words, you can save up to 27.5% of your income instead of paying it

out to the Receiver. This is of tremendous importance to the younger generation who are worried about their longterm retirement savings.

But take note that you cannot access these funds until age 55, and then certain rules apply - all of the funds may be withdrawn but will be subject to the following taxes: • Up to R500,000 is tax free.

• R500,000 to R700,000 will pay 18% in tax for those funds over R500,000.

• R700,000 to R1,050,000 will pay R36,000 plus 27% over R700,000.

• R1,050,000-plus will pay tax of R130,500 plus 36% over R10,50,000.

Your RA however also allows you to either buy a traditional annuity or to convert the funds into a Living Annuity. Either of these products will then pay you a taxable income, when at retirement you will be paying tax at a reduced rate.

RAs do not form part of your estate, thus reducing your death duties. You can select beneficiaries, so that the funds do not disappear on the event of your death.

I will look at Living Annuities in next week’s edition.

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Social Scene

2 July 2014 GET DOWN TO THE RIVER: The new Down to Earth restaurant off the Plett N2 and on Bitou River’ boasts a daily menu with ingredients from its own vegetable garden and local organic suppliers, while also offering pizzas with fresh toppings to die for. The opening event was a happy affair on the river banks with delicious snacks of open sourdough sarmies with beef fillet, rocket and fresh vegetables, scrumptious fish cakes, pork belly and crispy duck, all mouth-watering and beautifully presented on wooden boards. Guests - like Helen & Barries Ferreira pictured at left enjoyed being outdoors even in the crisp winter clime, as the fireplace warmed ‘em up cosily.

The atmosphere at Down to Earth is relaxed and the emphasis is on fresh food and French Anglaise-style country dishes. They are open daily except Mondays from 8:30am to 4:30pm phone 044 533 5843 to book your table.

DON’T MISS THE ‘NEW’ HEATHER: Heather Waters, right, flows through the Garden Route this month to spread messages of inspiration, determination and love with her contagious melodies and beautifully crafted lyrics. Catch Heather and her band on the Main Stage at Knysna’s Oyster Festival on Monday July 7 at noon. Despite an incredibly challenging year of battling peripheral neuropathy, Heather’s messages of hope burn brighter than ever. With a little help from her friends and a hands-on holistic approach to health and medicine, her lifestyle has undergone immense changes, allowing her to manage the symptoms and once again deliver her music to delighted audiences. The track ‘Keep On Walking’ from her second album ‘The Campervan Collective Volume I’ was written long before her diagnosis and has come to life in a whole new light, as Heather has spent over a year in a wheelchair. But her music is the best medicine so be sure to catch one of her shows - gigs are also scheduled on July 5 & 12 at Woodmill Lane (10am), Quay Four on Thesen Islands on the 6th & 13th (1pm), and The Oyster Shack at Timberlake on July 12 at 4pm. Visit www. heatherwatersmusic.com for more information.

People, places & events

WALKING TALL FOR WALDORF: These images capture the special nature of Raphaeli Waldorf School’s fourth annual Big Walk, which this year for the first time traversed the 5km Robberg Beach, from the Beacon Isle to Beach End and back. And it was such a roaring success that this will be the route again come next year’s event. Lots of fun for everyone who joined the ramble, the Big Walk doubles up as a superefficient fundraiser for this special community school. Says Raphaeli mom, Rhian Berning: ‘Hats off to all the children who walked the 10km, and collected a mountain of litter as an extra challenge. And for some of us parents who grew up in Plett it was truly a walk down memory lane, as the Big Walk along Robberg used to be an institution in our town.’

TREAT ‘EM TO A TREE SHOW: Stephan Wenz, pictured at left with some of his charges, runs Bitou Family Care together with his wife and took a group of young people aged six to 16 years to a performance of ‘The Tree Show’ by Lunchbox Theatre at The White House in Plettenberg Bay on the third day of the Plett Fringe Festival, Saturday 28 June.

- Timothy Twidle

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CHAÎNE WOWED BY SUPER CHEF DELIA: Delegates who attended the 2014 SA Chaîne des Rôtisseurs AGM in Knysna were left speechless, as all the stops were pulled out by Simola GM Andrew Bonham and executive chef Delia Clarke, left - who was unperturbed by the fact that she had to cater for these über foodies who make it their business to dine and be merry. With a CV that includes cooking for the likes of FW de Klerk, Nelson Mandela, Thabo Mbeki, Jacob Zuma, George Bush Snr, Will Smith and Tiger Woods, Delia is all about her cuisine - a memorable experience to each and every one fortunate enough to enjoy it. In the top pic from left, Mimi Finestone, Kevin Joseph, Francois Ferreira, and George Parkes enjoy the food indaba.

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Holiday Activities

2 July 2014

Life drawing art and great food films await Plett MAD festinos

T

HE Plett MAD Festival is in full swing, with a most successful second annual Fringe Festival having concluded on Tuesday, and music events staged at The Market in Main Street and Surf Café on the BI Piesang Valley circle particularly well attended.

While food film aficionados are waiting with bated breath for next week’s Plett Food Film Festival launch (see block below), Friday sees the return of a well-established and much loved local exhibition in the form of

Vernissage VI. So when Americans celebrate Independence Day on July 4, Plett locals and visitors are invited to fête the area’s artistic talent when Look Out Centre in the Main Street will come alive with the opening of the sixth annual Vernissage.

The delightful Le Fournil courtyard will host the launch, and three venues will feature superb visual artists showing in different media and genres, with one thing in common: all the artworks

revolve around the human form, honouring the original gentle art of life drawing.

Contemporary work will be on display at Myfanwy Bekker’s Art Studio, works of popular appeal at Lookout Gallery, and new avant garde work in the space previously occupied by the Bitou 10 Foundation.

The avant garde exhibition will include experimental multimedia and interactive art, where members of the public can participate and develop their own skills, and

maybe even make their mark on the art map.

Vernissage has been a great success each previous year, and features Plett and Knysna artists alongside renowned South African artists such as Steve Rosin, Gordon Froud and Diane Victor.

Says event initiator and artist ‘Muffin’ Bekker, who has nurtured and promoted the

unique art happening: “What began as a few fine artists gathering together for gentle drawing sessions in my studio seven years ago, has now become an annual grand exhibition, with works for sale, the proceeds going to the artists themselves.”

The popular opening soirée in Le Fournil’s courtyard takes place at 5:30 for 6pm on Friday July 4. After words of welcome by artist Gordon Froud, Plett outfit Tongue n Groove will seduce you with their smooth sounds while staunch supporters of the arts Darling Cellars will sponsor

wines to complement the delicious snacks served. All are welcome to attend.

Vernissage VI will be open for two weeks, until July 18.

Opening hours of the venues are Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm and on weekends from 10am to 1pm. Call Muffin on 076 066 0483 for further information.

The organisers of Vernissage VI thank CemAir for sponsoring a Johannesburg to Plett return ticket for guest speaker on July 4, Gordon Froud. See the advert on page 8 for details on flight schedules and more.

War doccie opens Plett Food Film Fest

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N Thursday July 10 at 6pm, the documentary Eqqmkpi"Jkuvqt{ opens the first Plett Food Film Festival at The White House Theatre.

This spellbinding 88min documentary sees filmmaker Peter Kerekes allowing a handful of veteran army cooks, all of whom participated in 20th century wars, a chance to share their stories and recipes.

And as if the film alone is not enticing enough, stellar SA rock outfit Zebra & Giraffe will provide the live musical entertainment before and after the screening, while grand opening guests will get to meet legendary actor and film director - and PFFF ambassador - Regardt van den Bergh.

After the flick, guests

ANYONE FOR SUSHI? A scene from ‘Cooking History’

will enjoy a late night blini inspired by this fascinating film while entertained by more Zebra & Giraffe tunes. Tickets at R180 include the movie, meal and music and a cash bar will

be open in the White House courtyard.

Pop in at the Plett Tourism office in Mellville’s Corner, phone 044 533 0966, or visit www.quicket. co.za to book your spot.

Holiday Activities

2 July 2014

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Interval

2 July 2014

PMS should just be called OVARY-ACTING

Distance matters...

A

British General had sent some of his men off to fight for their country in the Falkland Island War. Upon returning to England from the South American island, three soldiers that had distinguished themselves in battle were summoned to the General’s office.

“Since we weren’t actually at war,” the General began, “I can’t give out any medals.

We did, however, want to let each of you know your efforts were appreciated.

“What we’ve decided to do is to let each of you choose two points on your body. You will be given two pounds sterling for each inch of distance between those parts.

“We’ll start on the left,

boys, so what’ll it be?”

Soldier 1: “The tip of me head to me toes, sahr!”

General: “Very good son, that’s 70 inches which comes to 140 pounds.”

Soldier 2: “The tip of the finger on one outstretched hand to the tip of the other, sir!”

General: “Even better son, that’s 72 inches which comes to 144 pounds.”

Soldier 3: “The palm of me hand to the tip of me left pinky, sahr!”

General: “That’s a strange but fair request, son!”

As the General began the measurement: “What! Son, where is your left pinky?”

Soldier 3: “Falkland Island, sahr!”

An Irish story

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ADDY had long heard the stories of an amazing family tradition.

It seemed that his father, his grandfather, and his great-grandfather had all been able to walk on water on their 18th birthday.

On that special day, they’d each walked across the lake to the pub on the far side for their first legal drink.

So when Paddy’s 18th birthday came around, he and his pal, Mick, took a boat out to the middle of the lake.

Paddy stepped out of the boat… and nearly drowned!

Mick just barely managed to pull him to safety.

Furious and confused, Paddy went to see his grandmother.

“Grandma,” he asked, “tis me 18th birthday, so why can’t I walk across the lake like me father, his father, and his father before him?”

Granny looked deeply into Paddy’s, troubled eyes and said: “Because ye father, ye grandfather, and ye great-grandfather were all born in December when the lake is frozen, and ye were born in August, ya fekin idiot!”

Two friends on death row

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ATIEP and his friend, Gammatjie, are sitting on death row, to be executed by electric chair.

Gatiep says to the warder: “Scuse me Meneer, does this take long and is it painful?”

Warder: “Aikona, they just strap you in and flick the switch and it’s over.”

Gammatjie is called in.

Moments later Gatiep hears Gammatjie screaming: “Eina!

Bliksem! Ouch!”

This carries on for quite a while. Gatiep says to the warder: “Jislaaik! I thought you said it was quick and painless.”

Warder: “Due to load-shedding today, they have to use candles.”

Some women can be so ungrateful.

I made breakfast this morning.

Instead of thanking me, she screamed: “Who are you? How did you get into my house?!”

Finally, after going through a virus attack, losing a hard drive, fighting off hackers, upgrading all my software, installing fire-walls, threatened with being cut off by my email provider, etc... I have fixed my computer, and now it works EXACTLY the way I want it to!

Entertainment

2 July 2014

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Cape’s best stand-up comedians hit Knysna on Friday

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OSTED by Mel Jones with headline act KG Mokgadi, Knysna native Lungile Koti has managed to pull off what’s sure to be one of this year’s Oyster Fest highlights when luring some of SA’s top stand-up comedians for a one-night-only funny fest at Knysna High on July 5 from 7-9pm.

Stand-up comedy is one of the fastest-growing genres in entertainment, and the Western Cape is blessed with some of the best comedians in the country. Friday night’s show will give its audience a chance to see the hilarious side of our everyday lives.

Leading the pack and fresh from his successful one-man show at the Cape’s Baxter Theatre is Kagiso Mokgadi, or ‘KG’ as he is affectionately known, who is well and truly on his way to becoming a right comedy heavyweight.

The son of a Sangoma and western medicine nurse, KG takes his audience on a unique comedy journey with a glimpse into behind-thescenes practices of a Sangoma while explaining how, with these parents, he was never able to take a day off sick from school.

In a short period of time, KG has moved from an open-mic comedian to being a featured act in club, theatre and corporate comedy. He made his big-stage debut at the Joburg Arts Alive Festival in the Comedy Nine-Nine showcase, earning rave reMel Jones is a single mother, comedian, highly-rated producer and energetic MC. You may have heard her on the radio and seen her on TV’s Comedy Showcase, the Phat Joe Show, the King Size Comedy Tour, the Blacks Only Comedy Show, Mind The Gap, The Heavyweight Comedy Jam, Kings & Queens of Comedy, Comedy Central, and the critically-acclaimed ‘Bitches’. She was their very first female to host the Vodacom Funny Festival and is hugely popular as a corporate comedian and MC. Mel, who takes laughter very seriously, is one of only a handful of female comedians in the country, making her part of a rather exclusive club.

Catch her at Knysna High School on Friday night.

SON OF SANGOMA: Kagiso Mokgadi will explain how, having a traditional healer as father and western medicine nurse mom, he was never able to take a day off sick from school... ever!

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Win two sets of complimentary tickets to the show just go on Facebook and like the page ‘Oyster Comedy Show - 5 July’ and write CXPRESS on the page’s wall.

Winners will be selected from here and contacted by the organisers by July 4. See you there!

She’s serious about hilarity

views from audience members and organisers alike.

Since then, he has shared the big stage with the elite of SA comedy, including the Fugard Theatre Christmas Festival of Laughter, Vodacom Comedy Festival 2012, Eqogf{" Egpvtcn" Rtgugpvu, Mggrkpi"[qw"Kp"Uvkvejgu with Riaad Moosa, The Marc Lottering Roadshow, and Dncemu" Qpn{"Eqogf{"Ujqy.

Apart from performing at several outdoor music festivals, national comedic celebrities David Kau and Nik Rabinowitz have also both invited KG as opening act for their one-man shows.

And while many considered it too early to have his own one-man show, KG - a 2013 nominee for Best Newcomer at the SA Comics Choice Awards - went ahead and performed his first solo show, Jgcx{, at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown last year.

A week’s worth of packed houses resulted in standing ovations and rave reviews.

March 2014 saw him staging Jgcx{ at Cape Town’s Baxter Theatre, showing again why he is regarded as top quality act when receiving a standing ovation on media night, and again throughout the two-week run.

KG is fast becoming one of the top acts to take to the stage in South Africa. Mark Palmer and Kurt Schoonraad concurred that, even though he’s a big guy already, “he’s going to be huge one day”.

Among the strong cast of comedians coming to Knysna this weekend is Calvin ‘CJ’ Benson - a self-proclaimed “black coloured” comedian who hails all the way from the streets of Lotus River in Cape Town.

The rest of the line-up include Lungelo Ndlovu, Stuart Cairns and Khanyiso Kenqa call Lungile Koti on 060 523 8008 for more information.

Tickets cost R80 and can be purchased from Computicket, or visit www.oysterfestival. co.za/events/oyster-comedyshow to book your seat in the Knysna High School hall.

Win complimentary tickets!

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Food & Wine

2 July - 2014

A fisherman’s notes on cooking... mainly fish

Some things the fish cookbooks don’t teach you - starting at the toes ALASTAIR GRANT revisits the places and people that left an indelible mark on his continuing personal culinary journey

I

have cooked a lot of fish in the last 50 years and I have some of the best cookery books on the subject, including Rick Stein, Jane Grigson and her daughter, Sophie Grigson*.

I often find there are important things about cooking fish which are missing from the books. This doesn’t deter me from cooking their recipes or reading them. These are good pieces of literature - very good indeed.

Cooking fish is tricky, so here are a few tips on braaiing fish to save some agony.

As a start, if you insist on wearing flip-flops or going barefooted about the patio, make sure there is a small basin of water nearby into which you can dip a foot if a hot spark from the coals

lands between the toes.

There is no other solution to this little problem. The garden hose works, but floods the whole patio. The dog’s water bowl is fine.

More seriously, try not to overcook fish - it gets very dry. This is the commonest mistake because it cooks so quickly. Pouring on the lemon-butter is not the only solution and it will make your fish less healthy if you are watching your cholesterol levels.

When cooking a whole fish on the braai, the tail end cooks long before the thick body.

Filleting makes things easier for the cook, while making serving a lot easier, too.

However, fish fillets cooking on the grid will stick to it and it is very difficult to remove them intact. Use a grid

with two handles which can be opened. Place a sheet of heavy aluminium foil over the bottom grid shiny side up and turn up the edges like a tray.

Brush a little cooking oil over it. Lay the fillets on it skin-side down, sprinkle with a little salt and place two or three thick lemon slices on each fillet. This for me is the most important part of successful fish braaiing.

The lemon slices keep the top grid from being in contact with the fish - so no sticking at all. Squeeze lemon juice over the fish, close up the grid by bringing the handles together and put it over the hot charcoal for about six minutes. The second side will cook in about three minutes.

To preserve some of the natural juices, place a sheet of foil over the fish before turning it over by the handles. Never use a pan lifter to flip over the fillets individually on a braai.

The hot coals must be evenly spread for even cooking. It may take almost an hour to get the charcoals bright and

even, depending on your fuel - and the fish is done in 10 minutes. C’est la vie.

The foil with the cooked fillets can be slid onto a shallow dish. When covered, the fish continues to cook a little, so one need not be too concerned about any undercooked pieces off the braai.

When cooking fish, watch the sides of thick pieces white juice oozing out means you are about to overcook it, so take it off. They don’t tell you that in the books.

Another way of making

evenly thick fish portions from a large fish is to cut across the whole fish right through the backbone. This is a good way to prepare fish for baking in a dish.

However, it is essential to first remove the whole row of back fins and the small loose bones below them.

This is easily done by using a sharp knife to cut closely along each side of the fins to a depth of about 15mm from the front dorsal near the head to the tail.

Then you strip them out in a

YELLOW AND YUMMY: A yellowtail, at right, is strong flavoured and best cooked on a braai – above, yellowtail fillets ready to braai - Photos: Alastair Grant

PeeBee’s Wine Column

Words & Photo: Peter Bishop

Tasting opulence … and a second time

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ECENTLY, I returned from an auction in Johannesburg with a bottle given to me - Kanonkop Pinotage 2012, but it was not the classic label, rather it was black with taints of red. I had to look twice whether it was screw-capped, as if it was a downgraded product.

That was until I tasted it with a friend who in his day was not reluctant to describe most wines as “canine excreta”, and who would have been astounded had I brought a cutting-edge wine to the table.

The wine was covered, thus tasted blind. Black cherry.

What a dark wine, cherry liqueur, no half measures (it was to be 14.5% alcohol) plum, overt, opulent, yet incredibly smooth, and yet immense and yet smooth.

I wondered if it was overplay, like being kissed by a long-lost aunt who had four layers of lipstick on.

“World class!” my host proclaimed. I was relieved.

“This is world class. Forget about guessing vintage and cultivar and even country.

This is world class.”

I tried to look for a fault, as it was huge opulence rather than elegant restraint. It was Liberace, not Mantovani. It was so rich that one could not even give a defining feature.

The rich tannins were crowded with rich fruit, with rich calmness. No spiking. It was packed in every aspect.

Glazed cherry.

Reading the back label, I saw it was number 79 of

string. It works marvellously, and your cooked fish will be free of small bones. Do the underside as well to remove the pelvic fins and bones.

Never discard fish heads, as they can be steamed and the flesh removed for fishcakes.

After filleting a large fish, the head and backbone provide enough fish to make a dozen fishcakes. ," Fish d{" Uqrjkg" Itkiuqp" cpf"Yknnkco"Dncem."Jgcfnkpg" Rwdnkujkpi"3;;:0

1,500. Then I recalled. It was a limited release, only two tons per hectare - not what would make profitable winemaking. It had been marketed at near to R1,000, referred to as the Limited Release Black Pinotage 2012 of Kanonkop.

It was the personification of the dreams of men like Paul Sauer who planted Pinotage in the 1950s on Kanonkop; Jan Boland Coetzee who made “that great 1973” at the tender age of 28; Beyers Truter who rediscovered that Pinotage site; Johan Krige (grandson of Paul Sauer) and the actual winemaker, Abrie Beeslaar.

Jan’s Pinotage always tasted better as he pronounced it, “Pinotaaage”.

Beyers, on his own since 2001, told of how he had this one site that he only harvested in June, when his dog, Diesel, would eat the berries. This

is the special site of thickstemmed aged Pinotage.

In 1985, Johan and Beyers conspired how they could elevate Pinotage that had dropped in popularity from the heavyweights of 1966 to 1974 (that proved they could mature over 25-30 years).

Bordeaux blends had become the vogue, matured in new oak barrels that in those days of sanctions cost R600 each. They decided to give Pinotage the same oak regime as the Paul Sauer blend and the Kanonkop Cabernet Sauvignon. The Futures Scheme brought in the necessary capital.

On a wintry evening, 100 guests were greeted with three wines, and two questions: Rate them first, second, third, and identify them.

Nigh on 100 said that what proved to be the Pinotage was “the best” and only three

NOT QUITE CANNON FODDER: The classic Kanonkop label did not appear on the 2012 taster, but the wine turned out to be world class

identified the Pinotage. The point was made. Beyers crystallised his love affair with Pinotage by starting the Pinotage Association in 1993.

My own opinion is that the great Pinotages are those made for LONG life - usually big alcohol. The Swartland KWV 1981, the Meerendal 1978, the Kanonkop 1973.

In 1983, Pinotage adherent FC ‘Duimpie’ Bayley organised the production of magnums of Zonnebloem Pinotage so as to restore the popularity of the wine.

Stellenbosch Farmers Winery only made magnums when the style was different to the ongoing range - in this case, the use of new oak.

The 1983 was not even labelled and sold in company for R5, of which I procured a few and have one less. The 1984 was labelled and became a classic.

Too often at judging panels, including at the Pinotage Association, the search is not for the great one that will stun at the age of 25, but they search for clean accessible wines.

Those wines will never become great. A Pinotage needs muscle or, as Dirkie Morkel of Bellevue did in 1998 with his PK Morkel, be produced from 50-year-old vines.

It was these vines that produced the first marketed Pinotage in 1955.

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Home & Health

2 July 2014

Flat Dog is a man’s best friend

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OW many times have you gone on an outdoor excursion with great expectations, only to have your dream dashed?

We all have romanticised ideas about the perfect picnic or camping alongside a babbling brook, but next thing, an army of ants infest your space, your wine is spilt on uneven ground, and you have to revert to eating your food from the picnic basket.

So how about making your outdoor dreams come true?

Enters Flat Dog - an innovative way to create the space you have envisaged and merge imagination with reality.

Be it spontaneous sundowners on the beach or planned outdoor excursions of any kind, Flat Dog - your ever-loyal ‘Table on a Stick’ - will come to the rescue.

Flat Dog is a mobile table top that can literally follow you anywhere. Versatile and adjustable, it needs little space and is easy for anyone to set up and dismantle.

The trusty Dog promises to add pleasure to your picnic, comfort to your camping, flair to your fishing, style to your sundowners and bliss to the beach, while beefing up your braai with no fuss at all.

Flat Dog is a man’s best friend - and at only R389, everyone should own one.

Flat Dog’s table top is a black ABS plastic tray of 40cm in diameter. It comes with three pole lengths offering different height options, plus two bases: a steel spike for easy insertion into soft ground or the beach, and an alternative hard surface solution.

VERSATILE PURPOSEBUILT PET: This ingenious mobile table top can follow you anywhere you go, and is compact to boot!

An optional accessory is a non-slip rubber mat at R30 or R78 printed with a picture of your choice. Being a brand new product with a patent pending, Flat Dog is currently only available from Cape Town-based design specialist brothers, Ant and Robin West.

Your Flat Dog can be delivered to your nearest post office, anywhere in South Africa, for an additional cost of R46, plus R6.85 insurance if required. With volume purchases, Flat Dog can be obtained in various colours, and branded for promotional purposes (all prices VAT-inclusive).

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Knysna FM makes Hornlee children smile brighter

PASTE! Pieter Cloete, kneeling, with Hornlee Primary’s principal Weber at left and representatives of the of Knysna FM and Seeff teams who ensured the dental care project’s sparkling success

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TUDENTS at Hornlee Primary School had lots to smile about last week, when Knysna FM with partners Seeff, Knysna Round Table and Toys 4 Africa handed out a thousand toothbrushes to the youngsters.

Pieter Cloete - Ftkxgvkog presenter on Knysna FM and Toys 4 Africa local ambassador - said that it was important to instil a culture of

Paws

Plett Animal Welfare Service

caring for one’s health and well-being from a young age.

Toys 4 Africa provides the local platform to reach out to the kids and teach them about these lifestyle choices.

Principal Weber of Hornlee Primary School was delighted that his school was chosen. He asked the kids to use their creativity and draw a picture that would symbolise ‘One thousand smiles’.

“It was really difficult to choose a winning picture because all of them were so unique and pretty,” said Cloete.

Knysna FM acknowledges and thanks sponsors Seeff and Knysna Round Table for donating the toothbrushes.

Visit the Toys 4 Africa Facebook page at www.facebook. com/toysatheart for more information about the project.

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CXPRESS

Read CXPRESS online @ www.cxpress.co.za

2 July 2014

Classifieds

On the Soapbox

2 July 2014

Letters to the Editor

CXPRESS

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

Neglected properties invite alert criminals Reading your article in the last edition about the house that was stripped bare in Boston Light Street, I must admit I am not at all surprised. [Visit www.cxpress.co.za and read the full story on pages 3 and 7 of the June 25 edition.]

I have occasion to pass that way every couple of weeks

and have noticed the deterioration of that property over the last three years, at least.

The back of the house onto the road was totally unkempt and weeds the size of small bushes were seen everywhere. Even an estate agent’s board had fallen over in time.

This begs the question:

Why was the owner, who according to your article lives in Cape Town, not interested in keeping her property tidy?

There are plenty of maintenance companies in Plett who could have ensured the property remained in a respectable condition, as they do for most

non-resident owners.

This must surely be a warning to absent homeowners and the permanent residents alike, that robbers are around looking for any opportunity and, in this case, it seems that they had time on their side.

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Sterling service acknowledged

Doctors test patients’ virtues

Plett reader Ray Lankester brought a smile to the CXPRESS office when forwarding this photo. He wrote: ‘This sign outside Medway Centre opposite Medi Clinic in Muller Street caught my wife’s eye while walking our dog the other day. It is quite appropriate, actually - last year I had to wait to see a doctor in Medway Centre and he was running half an hour late, so I sat in my car and listened to the radio. My PATIENCE was truly tested...’

Lucretia Malgas of Green Valley in Wittedrift sent this pic and wrote: ‘I would like to thank the whole CXPRESS team for the quality writing that you deliver each week. This gives everyone hope, when we see how much you do for our community.

Please include this photo of the three staff members of Pep Stores at The Market Square in Plett, just to say thank you and show gratitude to them, too, for the outstanding and friendly service they deliver. They really deserve a golden star for being one off the best teams, doing what they do so well. From left are Lauren, Gwendolene, and Jodine.’

The importance of dining local...

Knysna reader JOHN MAGILL copied us on a link (www.andyhayler.com/restaurantguide?country=85&city=Paris&size=50) where a list of Parisian restaurants are reviewed, the food pics and price tags being mouth-watering and heart-stopping at the same time, with amounts quoted per diner starting at a ‘low’ of £120 and pushing the £400 mark at the top end...

Should you be planning a trip to Paris soon, you might want to book your din-dins ahead of your arrival because these establishments are rather sought after.

I have only had the pleasure of dining at one of this lot, The Bristol - but thank goodness, it was a business expense. So please, local res-

taurateurs, don’t be tempted to more closely align your Knysna/Plett prices with the current Parisian ones.

The Pétrus and Romanée Conti wines, for instance, start at about R11,000 per bottle - which will be extra, as will the tip. And, no doubt, a special table will not be had for nothing.

Oh, and no self-respecting dining partner will want to be seen in anything less than new, with well-respected and prominent labels and styles like red-soled pumps. Burqas and bling will not avoid this expense...

Note that the £ to ZAR exchange rate at the time of writing was 18.1036, so £350

per person equals R6,336.26 per person for this fine dining experience.

PS: I subsequently looked at London prices for their top restaurants - surprisingly, the most expensive are roughly 50% of their Parisian counterparts. Of course the French will deny that they’re ‘counterparts’.

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Read CXPRESS online @ www.cxpress.co.za

20

CXPRESS

Sport & Adventure

2 July 2014

Celebrate two decades of Plett’s Wedge Classic next week Entries close today at 5pm!

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THAT’S HOW HE ROLLS: On the eve of Plett’s Wedge Classic 2014, it’s apt to revisit this image of local boarder Nik Martin executing a textbook invert during last year’s event Photo: Simon Heale

OUTH Africa’s longestrunning bodyboarding contest is back on the beaches of Plett, as part of the MAD Festival, and will see the country’s best riders compete for the coveted ‘King of the Wedge title.

The Wedge Beach offers spectators excellent views of the action, while enabling board-riders to show their ultimate moves.

The event is organised by the SA Bodyboarding Association and takes place on July 7 & 8, with a briefing on Sunday July 6 at VIP at 6pm.

Says last year’s double

champ Iain Campbell on the SIXTY40 bodyboarding site: “It’s time for the penultimate contest on the SABA tour for 2014 - The Wedge Classic.

“Plett boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in the world and, with The Wedge offering bodyboarders the ultimate wedging shorebreak and fast barrels, it’s clear to see why we flock back year after year.

“Contest director Pat Harris has been working hard with her SABA team to make a huge success of this year’s Wedge. The organising committee has secured a 2A-rated

event for this year, so this will be a contest not to miss.

“I am super excited for another amazing event in Plett.

I have a real love for the wave, people and area. This year I will be very excited to come up against all the top guys at one of my favourite waves on the SABA tour and I really hope for success.”

A prize-giving and afterparty will take place on July 8 from 6pm at VIP, where tribute will be paid to the generous sponsors who came on board to support the 20th Wedge Classic.

Entries close at 5pm today, so don’t miss out on your chance to compete, and keep abreast at www.facebook. com/sabodyboarding - but first prize, of course, will be coming to The Wedge beach next Monday and Tuesday!

There’s no stopping Mrs Sinclair...

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LETT Athletics Club member Hanlie Sinclair is registered for the Epic Otter Trail Run later this year.

“But,” says the Club’s Vicki Meggersee, “she took some time off running over the past few months and, in the process, lost confidence in her ability.

“Then, on Saturday June

14, Hanlie participated in the SA Trail Running Championships that starts at the Garden Route Botanical Gardens in George, and then ventures up into the mountains. Called the Merrel Outeniqua Traverse, there are 10km, 25km or 38km route options.

“Hanlie went ahead and won her category, Female

Veteran (40 years+) in the 25km race in a time of 3hours 53mins - an outstanding time for a hectic scramble of a mountain trail run, with the decent off the mountain only coming 5km from the end!”

Congrats, Hanlie - you make us pen-pushers green with envy...

RETIRED? NOT! Hanlie Sinclair on her way to win the Female Vets category of the 25km Merrel Outeniqua Traverse

Better routes for Knysna Cycle Tour riders

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HE Momentum Weekend Argus Rotary Knysna Cycle Tour is a wellknown attraction for those attending the Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival, and this year the MTB and Road events, held on July 5 & 6 respectively, will offer riders a scenic view of Knysna with vastly improved routes.

Andrew Finn, a founding member of the Rotary Knysna Cycle Tour, explains: “Mountain bikers will be glad to know that the 50km & 80km events are still official premier seeding events for the 2015 Cape Argus.

“All three MTB races will be held on July 5 - 80, 50 and 30km - with similar routes to last year but with improvements. We’ve increased the

difficulty of a few of the technical sections, while improving the flow of competitors.

“For the 100km road race on July 6, we have planned a new and exciting ride with a modified route that is tougher, more attractive and slightly longer than the previous route.

“We wanted to deliver a route that stays off the N2 for as long as possible, and that offers a more natural Knysna feel, with stunning scenery in the mountains through the forest and past rolling farmlands.

“Only 46km of this year’s 100km road race overlap with the old route. While it will be a more beautiful ride, it won’t be easy. We’ve added two new climbs to challenge

legends like Kevin Evans, as well as many of the top cycling teams.

“With 1,577m climbing overall during the 105km race distance, this is a route that will keep you working until the very end.”

Visit www.knysnacycle.co. za to enter, or to see a complete summary of the routes including maps and training trips. Out of town competitors can visit www.night trans.co.za or phone 082 684 5053 to find out about a bike transportation service offered for their convenience.

Visit www.pnpoysterfesti val.co.za or contact Knysna Tourism on 044 382 5510 for details on the many exciting sporting events on this year’s festival programme.