2 May 2018 by CXpress

2 May 2018

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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Keurbooms saved This sad scene is what remained of the house of holiday homeowners in Keurview Estate, where firefighters converged to prevent loss of property on a much larger scale. Turn to page 4.

On baboon and human co-existence p p5

Life without Hospice unacceptable p p11

Launch of Plettâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new parkrun Photo: Juanita Eksteen - Dream Catcher Photography Plett

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NEWS & VIEWS

2 May 2018

Choral artistry on tap at this month’s Hope College Chapel Choir show OPE College Chapel Choir from the city of Holland in Michigan, USA will perform at St Peter’s Anglican Church in Plettenberg Bay on the evening of Sunday May 20. This illustrious choir was founded in 1938 and its 40-strong members come from a variety of academic disciplines. While many are music majors, others specialise in biology, business administration, computer science, religion, theatre, chemistry, English literature, and mathematics. Regardless of discipline, each member is dedicated to carrying on the final tradition of choral artistry that has been the Chapel Choir’s discipline for eight decades. Choir director Dr Brad Richmond is a Canada Council for the Arts Conducting Award winner and has toured with choirs throughout the States, Canada, England, Austria, France, Italy, Hungary, The Czech Republic, and South Africa. Several of his choral compositions have been published.

The Choir and Dr Richmond toured South Africa in 2009 and promptly fell in love with the country, insisting that they would return. This year, they will again perform for the many diverse communities within SA, serving as strong reminder that music is the one language sure to cross all borders. The choir’s distinctive robes were designed by Charles and Ray Eames - filmmakers, poets, painters, and furniture designers. They were hired as consultants by Henry Miller Gallery, which had been impressed by a widely-acclaimed exhibition at New York Museum of Modern art featuring the work of Charles Eames. The robes were designed by Ray Eames in 1952 and donated to Hope College, where they remain the choir’s distinctive performing apparel. The robe colours symbolise the four primary voice parts, from the highest and brightest (yellow) to the lowest and darkest (purple); the black horizontal lines represent an extended

MID-CENTURY MODERNISM: The bold and quirky Hope College Chapel Choir robes hold a special place in 20th Century art and design, adding a unique dose of eye candy to heavenly harmonies of the students’ perfectly-combined voices

staff; the black swatches signify random notes in the universe. Purity of tone and faith are represented by the prevailing white that appears on every surface. The robes epitomise the bold and quirky designs of mid-century modernism and hold a special place in 20th Century art and design. The performance at St Peter’s Anglican Church on May 20 promises to delight. Doors

open at 5:30pm and the concert begins at 6pm. Tickets at R150 include a complimentary glass of wine in the church hall. Seats are limited, so book early through Barnie Barnard at The Market Square Info Kiosk (044 533 3219) or call 082 744 1884. EFT payments can be made to The Parish of Formosa, FNB Plett (code 210514), acc no 6202 685 9952 (reference: Hope/your name).

Former Plettenberg Bay lass survives the Philippines… Filming of the sixth season of Survivor South Africa kicked off in the picturesque Republic of the Philippines late last year, and one of the contestants has a strong connection with the Garden Route, having attended Plett Primary and Wittedrift High before concluding her school career at Outeniqua in George. Now living in Cape Town, 44-year-old Annalize Sainsbury is the daughter of Terence and Sophia van Heerden, who for many years owned Terry’s Motors & Gifts in Plett’s Main Street. Running her own catering company in the Mother City, she describes herself as an eternal optimist who reads people well. Annalize says she made sure she got her fill of husband Paul and daughters Jemma, 13, and Mia, 11, before leaving for the island. Her packing essential? A gold bikini! And her strategy: “To play a very social and strategic game and to try to get along with the various personalities.” See how that pans out for this former Plett lass when Survivor South Africa: Philippines kicks off on M-Net channel 101 tomorrow night (May 3) and every Thursday ‘till there’s but one ‘survivor’ left... Visit www.mnet.tv for M-Net’s programme schedule.

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NEWS & VIEWS

2 May 2018

CXPRESS

‘Final straw was when Lobese voted in an illegal council meeting’ - MEC Donald Grant Political drama is continuing in Plettenberg Bay following a series of issues between the Active United Front (AUF) and the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Bitou - YOLANDÉ STANDER reports UST over a week ago the DA in Bitou laid criminal complaints against, among others, mayor and DA coalition partner Peter Lobese, over alleged illegal “syphoning of money” from municipal accounts. Shortly thereafter, Lobese voted against his coalition agreement and sided with the ANC to pass a vote of no confidence in two DA councillors - deputy mayor Jessica Kamkam and speaker Annelise Olivier. The AUF regional leadership has since lashed out against the DA, labelling the party a “racist organisation” that views “black Africans as corrupt and incompetent to run a smooth administration”. AUF local structure chairman Lindinceba Nkentsha said they knew Lobese rejected the DA’s position to dismiss or terminate contracts of senior black officials in Bitou and said the AUF believed the mayor and the senior officials were therefore targets as they “are too black to run Bitou government”. He added that the timing of the complaint was also a concern as it came in the wake of “positive relations” between the ANC and the AUF “to make changes in Bitou”. The DA has since broken the silence over the drama saying that, among others, Lobese’s actions “have made it impossible to provide service delivery” in Plettenberg Bay. DA constituency head Donald Grant and DA caucus leader in Bitou Bill Nel said in a statement that the DA and AUF coalition had de facto been broken by the AUF. “The final straw was when Lobese voted in an illegal council meeting on April 24 in support of a motion

of no confidence in the DA speaker and the DA deputy mayor tabled by the ANC,” Grant said. He added that this was a complete violation of the memorandum of understanding governing the coalition. At the meeting, ANC councillor Euan Wildeman was elected speaker, Lobese remained as mayor and ANC councillor Sandiso Gcabayi elected deputy mayor. “The meeting was illegal on a number of procedural grounds. This was made clear beforehand to Lobese and all the councillors who, nevertheless, proceeded with the meeting.” ‘The investigation indicated serious illegal actions, wasteful and fruitless expenditure, corruption, and fraud’ The DA has in the meantime applied for a court order declaring this meeting illegal. This matter will be heard on May 8. The DA in Bitou said the drama was sparked following a decision to initiate a forensic investigation into the affairs of Bitou. “This investigation indicated serious illegal actions, wasteful and fruitless expenditure, corruption, and fraud by municipal manager Thabo Ndlovu, senior heads of departments, and officials in the mayor’s office.” Ndlovu and the head of corporate services were suspended and disciplinary proceedings instituted against them. “On March 31, Lobese voted with the ANC to prevent the extension of the contract of the acting municipal manager, Johnny Douglas - a highly regarded professional official deployed by the minister

of Local Government in the Western Cape after the suspension of Ndlovu.” Grant and Nel added that Lobese also voted with the ANC to stop the disciplinary proceedings against Ndlovu and to reinstate him. “This was an illegal decision and the DA applied for a court declaratory order declaring it so and making the decision invalid. On advice from his lawyers, Lobese was obliged to remove Ndlovu from office and not oppose the court application.” Grant said it had been a continuous problem for the DA working with Lobese “who habitually took unilateral decisions and actions without consultation with the DA, acted capriciously changing his mind on a whim, and not abiding by decisions of the combined DA/AUF Caucus”. “The actions of Lobese and Ndlovu, together with the serious staff situation, have made it impossible to provide service delivery and many serious issues have been neglected.” He said there were sufficient grounds for some time for the DA to break the coalition, but it was decided that it would be in the best interests of Bitou to remain in the coalition to prevent corruption where possible and be in the position to obtain all necessary information to bring the perpetrators of corruption to book. “As a result of the forensic investigation, serious criminal complaints have been laid with the police against Lobese, senior officials and officials in the mayor’s office. These charges include alleged illegal siphoning of money out of municipal accounts.” “It is now inevitable that the DA will return to opposition but will continue to fight against corruption

and push for service delivery for the people of Bitou. “Should the AUF leadership decide to replace Lobese and be willing to work constructively with the DA, the DA would once again be prepared to form a coalition with them,” said Grant.

Nel said a scheduled council meeting was since held on Monday. He had requested that it be postponed due to the pending court matter. He explained that should the court find the previous special council meeting, in-

cluding the vote of no confidence, illegal then the scheduled council meeting and all decisions made during it would be deemed null and void as there would not be a “legal” speaker in council. This request was denied. Garden Route Media

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FIGHTERS UNITE: Plett’s volunteer firefighting fraternity was on hand in good time last Saturday, and now readers are invited to join them when they celebrate International Firefighters Day on Saturday May 5 at Plett Rugby Club from 12 noon onwards - after a formal word of welcome, remembrances, thank yous and the handover of some equipment it’ll be play time with a bring n braai, spray foam for kids, a demo of donated Swiss equipment, and the cutting up of a car to get the patient out so bring a chop, a chair, blankets and a change of clothes... it’s gonna get wet (more info from steveritky@gmail.com)

A truck load of plastic enters the ocean every minute. That is 1440 trucks a day.

NEWS & VIEWS

2 May 2018

Home razed but fire forces prevent extensive damage to Keurbooms HE setting of Keurview on the ridge above Keurboomstrand village availed an unobstructed if daunting view from most everywhere in Plett of the conflagration that razed a house located in this sought-after ecoestate on Saturday. ‘Duck A Way’ was the holiday home of Zieg and Petro Weber, who divide their professional lives between Johannesburg and Stellenbosch but had arrived on Friday for a longweekend local break. They were in Knysna when the house caught alight around 12:45. Explains Keurview estate manager Chris van Aswegen: “Neighbour Paul Schmidt and his guests started evacuating their house next door as soon as they saw the fire, and phoned the emergency services. “They hurried to the house to check for any occupants, and were of great assistance to the firefighters throughout the operation. André and Louis van Niekerk called me at 12:50pm to report the fire. We arrived at the house along with Louis and fellow resident Minee Heyns. A car was parked outside the garage but it was not safe to move it.” When Chris’s wife, Jenny, phoned Plett Fire Station, she learnt they had already been informed. Firefighters started arriving around 1:25pm. In the meantime, surrounding residents rallied the connect hoses to the nearby hydrants. Two of Plett’s firefighting vehicles arrived and immediately started spraying the fire from these hydrants and from their vehicles. “Most of the firefighters arrived in their private vehicles wearing holiday and beach attire, proving that they left everything and immediately came to our

GONE: Now reduced to ashes, Dr Weber built ‘Duck A Way’ in Keurview in 1992 - these pics show various perspectives of the home’s location in the estate, proving what an excellent job Plett’s firefighters and volunteers had done to prevent that neighbouring houses were affected Photos: Juanita Eksteen - Dream Catcher Photography Plett

assistance,” says Chris. “Our little tender came in very handy as they used it to spray the Schmidt’s house. The wind was blowing flames in that direction so this water cart and its sprayer were of great help. “I must comment on the quick and efficient

response of Plett’s volunteer firefighters as well as the ready and willing assistance from many Keurview and Keurbooms residents. Unfortunately, the entire house with contents and the car were lost.” Chris also praises the security companies, SAPS

and detectives present in case crowd control was required, and to investigate the cause of the fire. “I’m proud to say that without exception, everyone was well behaved and I did not see anyone getting in the way of the firefighters.” Chris thanks the Plett volunteers, Keurview residents, and visitors as well as Keurboomstrand locals for readily and unselfishly assisting to bring the fire under control. “There was a scary moment when I realised that our reservoir was only half full because repair work was done at the pump station, and we were told not to use the pump until Wednesday. “I phoned the technicians who told me that I could start the pump immediately. Had this not been done there would have not been enough water. “The firefighters remained until after 7pm and returned on Sunday evening when small fires started flaring up from the ruins, stayed for three hours to ensure that it was totally extinguished,” he says. Next-door neighbours Wynand and Monica Kleingeld assisted greatly in monitoring the situation, as did Paul Schmidt with his family and friends, who were monitoring from the other side. Chris expressed sympathies on behalf of the Keurview trustees and members to Zieg and Petro Weber, the bright side being that there was no loss of life or injuries suffered. By going to press, there was no indication of what caused the fire. • Email vanaswegen@ webafrica.org.za for additional information, and visit Dream Catcher Photography Plett on Facebook for a myriad of dramatic images.

NEWS & VIEWS

2 May 2018

French and SA collaboration aims to better understand our ‘closest brothers’ Correspondent BOB HOPKIN recently hung out with some French researchers absorbed in understanding the interaction between humans and baboons

PLOTTING THE SPREAD: Sorbonne tutor Chloe Guerbois, left, and student Elie Pedarros tracing the locations of baboon troops on the Garden Route - Photo: Bob Hopkin

comment. They, as part of a group study centred at the NMU George Campus, are in the midst of a long-term international exercise to understand how humans and baboons co-exist on the fringes of suburbia. As the Garden Route is one of the few places where rich Afro-Montane forest - an ideal baboon habitat - surrounds urban centres, they have chosen George and environs as survey area. According to research, baboons are our closest evolutionary partner, with 91% of their DNA identical to humans. Consequently, they have been found to be capable of reasoning and learning from experience, and

MERICAN business magnate T Boone Pickens once said: “Chief executives, who themselves hold few shares of their companies, have no more feeling for the average shareholder than they do for baboons in Africa.” Although not yet chief executives, Paris Sorbonne MSc-degree in Ecology student Elie Pedarros, together with supervisor Dr Chloe Guerbois from Nelson Mandela University, are definite exceptions to Mr Pickens’s dismissive

URBAN SPRAWL: Baboons are capable of reasoning and learning from experience, and are craftily conscious of the fact that our houses are rich sources of high-energy food Photos: Frederic Mazué

are considered ‘crafty’ as they know that our houses are rich sources of high-energy food. These interactions trigger antagonistic reactions with humans concerning damage to crops and property, disease risk, and human safety. According to Pedarros, negative interactions with baboons are increasing and one of the objectives of the research is to determine their landscape requirements in order to predict their presence. “One method is to use GPS collars but that has been discredited as inhumane and invasive. Our method is to mobilise local ecological knowledge by conducting participatory mapping with local residents so as to understand their movements and range,” he said. When completed, the study is expected to yield significant results that may well influence urban town planning - but even small changes can bring worthwhile outcomes. One discovery in 2015 showed that households bothered by baboons could reduce interference from 60% to 3% of the time by removing the temptation of fruit trees and unsecured rubbish. Timing rubbish collection to be within the baboons’ normal dormant periods also reduced irritating pilferage. At one stage, George had to employ baboon monitors to remove them from houses and gardens during a particularly dry period that resulted in little natural grazing. Subsequent knowledge gained of their habits has removed this necessity, and it is hoped that this study will bring improved co-existence between man and baboon along the Garden Route.

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NEWS & VIEWS

2 May 2018

Church camp on banks of Keurbooms Lagoon enriches young and old

EASTER AND OSCARS: Whereas the kids concentrated on the story of Easter and entertained with song, adult Fellowship members regaled their audience with award-winning performances during their evening concert - Photos: Louann Waters

LETT Evangelical Fellowship’s second term started off with an exciting annual church camp held from April 13 to 15 at the beautiful Keurbooms Lagoon campsite. Young, old, and in-between joined forces for a fantastic weekend of fun, games, shared meals and a series of challenging talks. REACH Church bishop Glenn Lyons and his wife, Sandy, were on hand to

present these sessions to the captivated Plett Evangelical Fellowship members. Says happy camper Cathryn Proctor: “Glenn reminded us that we serve a Resurrected and Living God and asked us to ponder how the wonder of this reality should impact and direct our lives for God’s glory. “The children revisited the Easter story, focussing on how much Jesus sacrificed for us and discussing

ways of sharing this story with their friends. Other highlights included a nature walk, a sunset cruise, and an evening concert with some Oscar-worthy performances and many laughs!” The Fellowship gives special thanks to Christopher Hops and David Butterworth for availing their wonderful campsite, to Enrico for the use of his tent, and to Louann Waters for capturing all the fun in pictures.

NEWS & VIEWS

2 May 2018

CXPRESS

Land expropriation without compensation? No need to panic, says Seeff CEO E continue seeing sensational reports on the question of land expropriation without compensation - especially those around land grabs, which seem to be rearing its head in various areas. However, Seeff Property Group CEO Stuart Manning reminds that the question of land expropriation without compensation is a hot political topic and with the 2019 general elections looming, the ANC was ex-

Knysna Motor Show triumphs Words & photo: Timothy Twidle

TYRE-HAPPY TRIO: At Sunday’s Knysna Motor Show were, from left, Franschhoek Motor Museum curator Wayne Harley, one of the judges who adjudicated the awarding of trophies at the show; Roger Fisher, who provided roving commentary throughout the day; and chief organiser Peter Pretorius, chairman of the Garden Route Motor Club

HE seventh Knysna Motor Show held on Sunday April 29 on the large Knysna High sports field in the centre of the town was a great success. On a clear, calm and warm day more than 6,000 people, many of whom had travelled from far and wide throughout South Africa, streamed into the grounds to view a splendid display of some 400 classic, vintage, veteran and collectable motor cars and motor cycles. Overseen by the Garden Route Motor Club (GRMC), the event was the culmination of months of thorough planning and organisation by office bearers and members of the club. Visitors were able to wander at leisure in order to view the meticulous layout of the many stands of different marques of vehicles. There were a number of motor merchandising stalls and many food and refreshment kiosks, all of which were well patronised throughout the day. Following adjudication by a panel of judges, various awards were made to exhibitors: Kobus Mostert of Sedgefield won the Meilleur View Voiture Trophy (best pre-1940 old car) for his 1937 Packard 1501 Coupé; Gauteng resident, Djurk Venter, owner of a 1955 Porsche 356a, was awarded the Concours d’Elegance Trophy for best classic car. Winner of the Style et Lux Trophy for the best stand of a single make of car was Capetonian ‘Peanuts’ Fouché for his fine collection of Mazda vehicles. The award for the Best Motor Cycle was bestowed upon Trevllynne and Mervyn Woods of Port Alfred, proud owners of a lovingly-preserved 1957 Maserati 50cc. It is anticipated that this year’s Knysna Motor Show will have raised in excess of R150,000 for charity, to be distributed between Knysna Hospice, Knysna Animal Welfare Society (KAWS), Families South Africa (FAMSA) and the e’Pap Children’s Feeding Project. The Knysna Motor Show, now one of the town’s signature events, grows in popularity and size, year upon year. Full marks and a big thank you are due to the Garden Route Motor Club. See more images on page 9.

pected to make a move in this regard. Following the adoption of a motion by parliament, the matter is now with parliament’s Constitutional Review Committee who will consider whether to amend the constitution and how it should be done. Since then, there have been various media reports about the topic and these continue to surface, often creating confusion in the property market. Manning says it is vital to note that it is very early in the process and there is no need to panic or pay attention to the sensational publicity on the subject. The process is still a long way off from being proclaimed into law and it would still need to pass through rigorous processes, he says. “We’ve also seen president Cyril Ramaphosa and the ANC come out strongly and reiterating that no land grabs in any form will be tolerated whatsoever, and that any expropriation will be done within the confines of the laws and with the utmost care and in pursuance of economic growth and development, as well as business and investor confidence.” Manning points out that SA has a very robust and progressive constitution, regarded as one of the best in the world, and all laws have to be in line with the constitution. Property rights are currently protected by Section 25, but there are many other safeguards and such a law is expected to be subjected to vigorous litigious tests. It would also be necessary to change the Land Restitution Act and there are currently no proposed or draft amendments to either this act or to the constitution. Without detracting from the need for land reform and redistribution, Manning states that constitutional and legal experts and economists have expressed doubt about whether such a law would pass the many other tests provided for by the constitution. The current proposal is around agricul-

tural land and there are many concerns surrounding the mechanisms of expropriation and effect on the greater community, property owners and, in particular, the financial and economic impact. He says that the banks for example, in addition to agricultural land bonds, also provide extensive loans to this sector hedged against crop yields and other assets. Furthermore, the impact on the Futures Market should be considered. Also of great concern is the fact that land expropriation and nationalisation has a poor record internationally, and most experts believe there is no case study of success to draw from. There are already concerns about current food insecurity and lack of success insofar as agricultural land reforms are concerned. Some commentators have proposed that perhaps a hybrid approach in the form of

a blended financing model and BEE in agriculture might be used to transform productive farmland, specifically land that is uninhabited, unused and unbonded. Again, given the lack of success thus far, this too would require a whole new approach. In any event, Manning says it is clear that government is still a long way off from a workable solution, and that the need for economic growth will have to drive any land reform. It is therefore vital for property owners, buyers and investors to note that it’s business as usual for property ownership; the property market and all legislative protection remains in force. “Many areas are currently offering an outstanding selection of property and there is no need for buyers to wait,” Manning concludes. • See the Seeff advert on the cover for listings and contact details.

Knysna Municipality strives to maintain its position as a premier tourist destination in South Africa – a place where peace, prosperity and harmony prevail, ensuring an exceptional lifestyle for residents and visitors alike.

FORMAL SCHEDULED WARD COMMITTEE MEETINGS The Municipality hereby gives notice of Ward Committee meetings which will be held in all municipal wards as per the schedule below:

Ward

Councillor

Date

Venue

Time

Leveal Davis

5 June 2018

Smutsville Youth Centre