30 september

30 September 2015

Published every Wednesday by CXpress 2006 (Pty) Ltd - PO Box 1449, Plettenberg Bay 6600 - 6 Park Lane, Plettenberg Bay - Tel: 044 533 1004 - Fax: 044 533 0852 Email: editor@cxpress.co.za / advertising@cxpress.co.za Web page: www.cxpress.co.za Printed by Group Editors

It’s trail season

free

Swiss mountain man Marc Lauenstein last week announced that he will step up to the mark to test his herculean climbing abilities, as shown here on the Sierre-Zinal in the Swiss Alps, during Africa’s toughest marathon distance race, the Otter African Trail Run that takes place in just over a fortnight - read all about it, and about this weekend’s Robberg Express trail run, on page 16

Archerwood tale concludes p2

Wadrift suspect caught p3

Holiday jorls for all Photo: Martina Valmassoi

p8 & 9

10 000 free copies of cxpress distributed along the garden route every wednesday

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CXPRESS

News & Views

30 September 2015

Excerpts from ‘The Story of Archerwood’ by Charles Westwood

Final

Tragedy in Westwood home hails the beginning of the end of a dream We conclude the late Charles Westwood’s account of how Plett’s famous Archerwood was established, penned in his final years before passing on in March 2015, aged 95 - turn to page 2 of the past seven editions at www.cxpress.co.za to catch up on the story

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N 1975 towards the end of the year, tragedy struck our family and we completely lost direction.

The hotel and caravan park seemed to run on their own momentum but our hearts were no longer involved.

This story has been about Archerwood and has not included details of our family life, so I will not go into any of it here.

By 1977, we had decided to sell the property and it was advertised. A number of conmen tried their luck and were sent on their way.

Likeable Bob Lloyd eventually arrived on the scene and impressed us by appearing to be a very wealthy man. In his youth he had been a weightlifter, and he knew Ray McCauley and Sam Busa.

He was a very pleasant person but a great drinker and had made and lost two fortunes in this time, we think through gambling and other pursuits, which we knew nothing about.

After meeting us initially and discussing the hotel, he went back to Johannesburg and rang up several times to talk about buying the property on Deed of Sale.

A few months went by

and we suggested he should come down so that we could talk face to face, which he duly did, arriving in the biggest V12 Cadillac one could buy, which he had imported.

A great time was had for a couple of days partying with him and his ex-wife who had accompanied him. She seemed to have a stabilising effect on his alcoholic intake.

Not prepared to accept a small amount as a deposit, we told Bob we wanted enough to at least buy a house and to semi-retire.

He eventually paid a substantial deposit on the understanding that the balance would be paid during his first year of occupation.

He installed Willy Futerin as manager - a real livewire, he reorganised many things and installed a huge deep freeze next to the kitchen.

During this period Bob lived in one of the rooms.

There was rather a clash of temperaments between Bob, who was always pissed, and Willy, who did not drink, but amazingly they did not end up killing each other.

One or two managers followed in quick succession after Willy. But in 1984 things went wrong for Bob and he

COOL POOL, ROCK-SOLID WALLS: When Jeff took over the running of The Cave, he completely renovated the discotheque, putting in new toilets upstairs as the downstairs toilets were being used by patrons at the swimming pool

was bankrupt. His many creditors were shouting for their money, we among the loudest. We attended a creditors meeting in Johannesburg as the biggest creditors by far.

After two days of meetings, an angel appeared to save Bob Lloyd. Mike Scholtz arranged to take over all his debts and pay out what was owed to us.

This saved the hotel from going under the hammer and, in effect, Mike became the owner.

So strange how circumstances can change so quickly. If Bob had listened to Willy and let him carry on running the hotel, it is quite conceivable that Archerwood Hotel would still exist today.

Mike Scholtz eventually moved permanently to Plett and took over the running of the hotel. He spent a great deal of money renovating the rooms beautifully, as well as the main part of the hotel.

In 1988, he hired a management team of husband and wife to run the hotel, and Jeff now took over the running of The Cave.

Jeff completely renovated the discotheque, putting in new toilets upstairs as the downstairs toilets were being used by patrons at the swimming pool.

He increased the size of the old store room and turned it

into a very pleasant bar area with a huge yellowwood bar counter.

As there were changes being carried out in the hotel, Jeff was able to enclose half of the old dining room to accommodate two pool tables and dart boards. He and [his wife] Shelley ran The Cave for seven years and, as is to be expected in this type of establishment, the behaviour of the clientele was not always pleasant.

To ensure that law-abiding patrons were not subjected to nasty behaviour by the unruly ones, he was forced to employ a team of bouncers, as many as 10 at the height of the season, when on busy nights there were 500 or so teenagers milling around.

During these years many well-known bands put on shows at The Cave, and when the expected audience was too big Jeff moved outdoors and erected a stage next to the swimming pool.

In 1995, he and Shelley decided they had had enough of nightlife and started up Ocean Life - a shop catering for surfers, their sporting needs and related clothing following on Jeff’s lifelong passion for surfing.

And so ended the final link of the Westwood family to Archerwood.

Looking back today, my 20

years at Archerwood seems such a short time. Thinking back about the many strange things that happened, it all seems quite incredible.

--On seeing the hotel being demolished, I thought back to the 3,000 tons of rock (approximately) that I took out of the ground, which was used to build the foundations and many of the walls - all done by hard labour and 16lb hammers.

Blood, sweat and tears, but

destroyed so easily with a bulldozer.

So poignant, almost distressing, that the vision of Archerwood we had dreamed about was now returned to the bare veld.

Love’s labour lost.

Archerwood having been built on the highest point of the town, the buildings were always noticeable and, I had no doubt, would be missed by people who visited Plettenberg Bay for the last 40 years.

HARD TO LEAVE: Charles with an unknown guest and Eve, right, who came to the hotel for two nights and stayed for two years as receptionist - one of the many weird and wonderful episodes and occurrences that characterised Archerwood

BLOOD, SWEAT AND TEARS BULLDOZED: On seeing the hotel demolished in 2002, Charles thought of the 3,000 tons of rock that they took out of the ground and used to build the foundations and many of the walls, ‘all done by hard labour and 16lb hammers’

News & Views

30 September 2015

CXPRESS

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Local police arrest ‘known burglar’ for murder that shocked Wittedrift community in July The man who allegedly gunned down an elderly Wittedrift lodge owner is scheduled to apply for bail in the Plettenberg Bay Magistrates Court on Friday October 3 after local detectives made a major breakthrough in the murder case - YOLANDÉ STANDER reports

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HE 34-year-old suspect Jeffrey Pienaar was arrested at his home in KwaNokuthula on Monday last week after a lengthy and thorough investigation into the murder, which had rocked the local community earlier this year.

The body of 66-year-old John Barns, new owner of the Wadrift Eventide Lodge in Wittedrift just outside Plettenberg Bay, was discovered by his wife in his bedroom at the lodge during the early morning hours of

July 24. Barns’ dog was also found dead in the room.

His wife, who was in another room at the time of the incident, made the grisly discovery after investigating what she had thought was a “scuffle” at about 4am that morning.

Police spokesman Captain Malcolm Pojie said Barnes had several bullet wounds to his upper body and that the dog had also been shot.

Since his arrest Pienaar has appeared in the local magistrates court twice - once on

the day after he was apprehended and then on Friday last week after consultation with a legal representative.

After briefly taking his place in the dock on Friday, the matter was postponed until Friday October 2 for a formal bail application. He was remanded in custody until then.

At the time of the lodge owner’s murder, mystery surrounded the incident as a preliminary investigation revealed that there were no signs of forced entry and it

Top cops treated to fine dining

During an informal get-together last week, Plett top cop Detective John Nomdoe and two of his colleagues were congratulated for sterling work in cracking the Wadrift murder case (see story above) and received dinner vouchers for their trouble from the owners of popular eateries LM in Plett and OfftheHook. On hand to add his voice was Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association (PBCPA) chairman Bruce Richardson, left, whose dedication towards labouring along with all local security stakeholders towards a safe and crime-free town is known far and wide. With him from left is OfftheHook owner and Bitou Ward 2 counsellor Wayne Craig, Detective John Nomdoe, LM owner Luiz da Fonseca, Commander in Chief of Plett’s detective unit Colonel Zola Victor Zatu, and Captain Martin Theunissen of the same unit. Says PBCPA administrator Ina Olivier: ‘Colonel Zatu is an excellent detective and inspirational leader of his team, while Captain Theunissen is also a brilliant local detective who worked closely with John Nomdoe on the Wadrift murder case.’ We salute these men for leaving no stone unturned in the pursuit of bringing criminals to book. As this paper went to print, Plettenberg Bay and Knysna police joined hands with stakeholders and community members to unite in prayer against crime on Tuesday morning at 10am in KwaNokuthula’s Simunye community hall. The SAPS National Prayer Day was also attended by dignitaries and senior police members of the Eden Cluster, with similar events held in other provinces. ‘The event formed part of activities held in support of National Police Safety month during which, as a collective, the South African Police Service will pray for the protection of our employees and guidance in our efforts to fight crime and criminals effectively,’ said Sergeant Chris Spies of the Knysna SAPS communications department.

appeared that nothing had been stolen.

Pojie also said that police were therefore not investigating a case of robbery.

Otto Olivier of the Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association (PBCPA) said that the suspect was allegedly a known burglar in the Bitou area.

He also recognised the hard work that went on behind the scenes to apprehend the suspect.

“We want to give recognition to one of our biggest local police heroes, Warrant Officer John Nomdoe [investigating officer in the case]. This fine officer and gentleman is one of the

most successful detectives in Plett. He is always courteous and humble, but determined to bring criminals to justice,” Olivier said.

“We are sure everyone in Wittedrift will sleep better now that they know this alleged criminal is off their streets.”

Garden Route Media

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News & Views

30 September 2015

September 11 now tragic date for the wildlife crew at Samara

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T was with sadness that CXPRESS last week learnt of the passing of Sibella, a cheetah whose story and legacy had captured hearts and minds throughout the world.

As the first wild cheetah reintroduced into South Africa’s Great Karoo region in 125 years, and contributing 3% to the wild cheetah population in SA through her various litters, Sibella had become a globallyrecognised ambassador for cheetah conservation.

She died aged 14 in the early hours of Friday September 11 after an altercation with a duiker during a hunt, which left her with a gaping hole in her abdomen.

Despite the vet’s best efforts, she did not make it through the night.

Sibella leaves behind an extraordinary legacy. A powerful symbol of the special relationship between man and wild beast, this exceptional cat has done more than merely touch hearts and allow humans to marvel at her beauty.

Her story embodies not only the plight of the cheetah, but the immense poten-

tial for successful conservation of a species on the precipice of extinction.

Born wild in South Africa’s North West province, Sibella’s life nearly ended at the hands of hunters when she was only two years old.

Set upon by dogs that tore the flesh from her hind legs, she was savagely beaten and locked in a cage.

Lying at death’s door, she was fortunate enough to be rescued by De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Trust. She owes her life to the five-hour surgery and dedicated rehabilitation that ensued.

In December 2003, she began a new chapter in her life when she was released onto Samara Private Game Reserve near Graaff-Reinet.

Since then, she has surpassed all expectations.

Outliving most cheetah in the wild, she has proved herself to be a capable hunter despite her previous injuries. Successfully rearing an astonishing 20 cubs in four litters since her release, she has also been an exemplary mother - giving birth on steep mountain slopes to avoid potential predators and eating only after her

FROM TORTURED TO TREASURED: The cheetah Sibella will remain symbolic of the change in mindset required to conserve our planet’s biodiversity

young have had their fill.

The unspoken bond she shared with the humans in her new home was extraordinary - with the birth of each new litter, when the cubs were old enough to leave their den, this wild cat dutifully presented to her human guardians her latest bundles of fur.

The degree of trust she vested in human beings, walking to within just a few metres of them, was simply astounding - her past suffering at the hands of her tormentors all but forgotten.

Sibella’s story, from tor-

tured to treasured, is symbolic of the change in mindset required to conserve our planet’s biodiversity. We mourn her loss along with the folk that shared her life closely, and who seek comfort in knowing that she lived and died in the wild.

Email Sarah or Isabelle Tompkins at protect@sa mara.co.za or on 044 792 9150 466 for further information on Sibella, and visit www.facebook.com/Land markFoundation to find out about a predator project that monitors big cats on the Garden Route and further afield.

Super Moon makes stargazers howl with delight

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N her Candlewood blog, local astrology guru Sharron Toop explains Monday lunar spectacle as “the most special of 2015” for three reasons: a Harvest Moon, Super Moon, and total eclipse of the moon occurred

at once.

‘Harvest Moon’ refers to the full moon that falls closest to the equinox on September 23.

“At this time of year, corn, pumpkins, squash, beans, and wild rice - the chief Na-

HEAVENLY: This photo of a partially eclipsed Super Moon was taken from Brackenridge Heights by Plett reader Bill Jones at about 3:45am on September 28 - Photo: Bill Jones

tive American staples - are ready for gathering; and at the peak of the harvest, farmers could work into the night by the light of this full moon.

“Most of the year, the moon rises an average of 50 minutes later each night, but for the few nights around a Harvest Moon, the moon seems to rise at nearly the same time each night: just 25 to 30 minutes later across the United States, and only about 10 to 20 minutes later throughout much of Canada and Europe.”

Toop explains that a Super Moon is sighted when, on occasion, the moon is full at the same time it is closest to the earth. “On average, the moon takes 29.5 days to orbit the earth. Because of it is slightly irregular orbit there is one day when it passes close to the earth (perigee)

and one day when it reaches its furthest point from the earth (apogee).

“In recent years, this perigee full moon adopted the name Super Moon.”

A total lunar eclipse occurs when there is a perfect alignment of the moon, earth and sun, when the shadow of the earth totally covers the moon.

“There are usually two lunar eclipses in a year, some of these only partial or penumbral eclipses. The September 2015 lunar eclipse is special because it is the last of four total eclipses in a row, known as a tetrad.

“During the 1900s there was not a single tetrad, yet the 21st century, according to NASA, will see eight in total.” Click on www.candyl wood.co.za to read Toop’s interpretation of the astrological symbolism.

News & Views

30 September 2015

CXPRESS

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Join the ranks of these campaigners for a tip-top tourism town R

Matt Covarr

UNNING for well over a year now, the Keep Plett Clean Campaign continues to gain momentum by the minute. Started by longtime resident Alison Bryant, the campaign has grown from humble beginnings to be a formidable force against litter in Plett.

A loyal band of dedicated town folk armed with rubbish pickers, gloves and refuse bags sweep through the CBD and surroundings every Tuesday evening, endeavouring to ensure that Plettenberg Bay appears the way any major tourist town ought to.

Through the full-time employment and management of helpers Thomas and Benson, the parks, streets, town centre and public areas are kept in tip-top condition.

This said, the process certainly does not come without its fair share of challenges.

The campaign now attempts to place more emphasis on public awareness.

Through working closely with Bitou Municipality, a

number of recycling points has been installed in key areas of the town.

However, the management of these points and the constant cleaning of illegally dumped refuse still remains a tough task for the campaign to keep on top of.

Public areas such as the picnic sites along the banks of the Piesang River (including unbelievable amounts of litter in the river itself), Signal Hill and the view site near the Van Plettenberg Monument are constantly monitored and cleaned, while the area surrounding the rubbish dump and informal drop-off points for refuse from small holdings remain a problem.

All this certainly doesn’t dampen the enthusiasm and drive of the team. Along with their helpers, a number of local businesses, garden services and weekly donations from the public for Thomas and Benson’s wages, the campaign continues to pursue a squeaky clean image for Plettenberg Bay. With awareness top of the agenda, the team urges the

WAR ON WASTE NOT WON: Outlying areas like the border between Bossiesgif and Plett Industria still present major problems, as it seems that the responsible municipal department is not successful in cleaning up such sites - which is why your contribution to the Plett Clean Campaign could enable the team to spread its wings even wider Photo: Pieter Coetzee

Weed war!

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HE Kaaimans-to-Touw Eco Restoration Forum in collaboration with NMMU, George Municipality, SANParks and Southern Cape Landowners Initiative will host a Community Hacking Day on October 1 from 8:30am to 2pm.

The programme is aimed at getting rid of invasive weeds in the George Municipal Servitude along Whites Road in Wilderness Heights and offers an excellent opportunity to jointly tackle this growing problem.

Email Corita.Loubser@ nmmu.ac.za or call 044 801 5127 from 9am-1pm for information (no under-16s).

people of Plett to pull together and make sure that their surroundings are kept spick and span.

“Whether it’s the area in front of your house or a nearby park, if we all keep our bit clean, it does make a difference,” says Alison.

In true Plett spirit, the team of Tuesday cleaners continues to attract the hoots and waves of passing motorists as they move around town.

If you’re up to joining them and making a real difference, meet outside The Grand in Main Street on Tuesdays at 5:15pm, or make your cash donations to the Keep Plett Clean Campaign at Nedbank (branch code 198765), account number 1096711974 (name as reference).

AFTER ACTION SATISFACTION: Taking time out at The Table after last Tuesday’s session of tackling waste hot spots in Plett CBD and surrounds is the Plett Clean team of, from left, Brenda Scott, Lesley Mullins, Kim Wilsher, Matt Covarr, Nic Bryant, Jamie Gotz, Frances Orzechowski, Alison Bryant, Mandy Frost, Dee Gotz and Di Butlin - Photo: Esther de Villiers

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News & Views

30 September 2015

Help Hilde-Guard to fight fires and to be the best she can be

This news reached us from a standout member of the Kurland Village community, and is included here as inspiration to other youngsters to give it their all in a progressively competitive employment environment

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Y name is HildeGuard Primo and I come from Kurland Village in The Crags. I attended The Crags Primary School from 1996 to 2004, and Plett Secondary from 2006 to 2008, when I matriculated.

I started working as a firefighter at Working on Fire in October 2012 and I am now 24 years old.

Along with three other candidates - S Mhlakaza from The Crags, M Phillips from Goudveld, and E Bezuidenhout from Uniondale - I’ve been identified as potential crew leader in our province (Southern Cape) by the WoF crew leaders and managers.

Our training took place between June and August at Breakthrough Academy in Nelspruit. We had to undergo tough physical and mental training in order to prove that we are worthy of leadership.

We committed ourselves to learning and becoming the best we can be. We were assessed and we had to go through different kinds of training like doing a 40km route march, a 2.4km run, 40 push ups, 40 sit-ups and nine pull-ups.

As far as mental training goes, we had to cover many topics like HR policies, BOPs (best operational procedures), management, etc.

All of this required a lot of body and mind focus in order to give our best, and many hours of hard work and dedication were poured

into this course. Many wanted to quit but we reminded ourselves that we were not just doing it for ourselves, but for our families and a better future.

Without any doubt, I believed that we would make it. And when it was time for our pass-out parade, all four of us made the grade. I was awarded best theoretical student with the highest mark of the group.

I want to thank our regional manager, Warren Galant, along with our base managers and crew leaders for seeing the potential in us and for believing in us. We also thank our fellow firefighters and family members for their support.

(Hilde-Guard’s mom Katie, now in her 60s, is a domestic worker in The Crags, who has dedicated her life to putting her children through school and has also taken on the upbringing of a number of her 15 grandchildren. If you read here and would like to contribute to ‘laatlammetjie’ Hilde-Guard’s career or Katie’s cause, please email info@kuthumba.co.za for more information. - Ed.)

TOP OF HER CLASS: HildeGuard scored top marks and a treasured trophy for being the best theoretical student in her Working on Fire training group - she is pictured at left with one of her instructors at her recent pass-out parade, while the pretty pic above was taken on the occasion of her matric farewell at Plett Secondary some years ago

Plett open studios day an artful affair

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EVEN professional artists in Plett and environs - Malcolm Solomon, David Wells, Sally Rush, Margaret Knight, Juliet Goddard Morawski, Leigh-Anne Wolfaardt and Ilse Kruger - opened their studios to the public on September 24.

Visitors had the opportunity to see how a work of art is planned, executed and brought to fruition in disciplines embracing ceramics, sculpture, engraving, handicraft, drawing and painting.

Solomon has a shop/studio in The Upper Deck in the heart of Plett and is invariably engaged upon fashioning an original sculpture. On the day, anyone calling by would have been able to see him involved with just such an activity.

Solomon grew up in Plett, is a keen surfer and draws inspiration from the natural beauty of the area.

Wells who has a ceramics workshop adjacent to

the banks of Bitou River in Wittedrift, rejoices in being able to practise his art without having to draw electric power from the national grid - even the kiln used to fire his works is operated with heat and draught generated on site. His ceramics are a delightful mix of modern and traditional designs.

Rush and Knight, based in The Crags, share a studio surrounded by indigenous forest teeming with birds.

Rush sketches and paints wildlife with a sure hand and Knight decorates glassware and ostrich eggs in a most attractive manner.

Art aficionados were able to call on Goddard Morawski and Wolfaardt, both of whom create art of striking quality, amid the peace and rustic splendour of the farthest reaches of The Crags.

Goddard Morawski draws on her studies and interaction with cutting edge artistic endeavour in England, whereas Wolfaardt has garnered rich source material derived from living on

Dassen Island off the west coast of SA, the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands in the southern regions of the Atlantic Ocean.

Many who partook of the day were happy to travel out to Nature’s Valley in order to talk with Kruger, who is fortunate in having a studio a mere stone’s throw from the beach and pounding breakers. A self-taught artist, she puts in long hours at the easel every day and produces splendid paintings.

All of the artists reported a steady stream of callers throughout the day and enjoyed sales of their work to boot. All proceeds from the event went to Kids of Kurland - a charity that funds improvements in the quality of education given to learners at The Crags Primary School in Kurland Village.

Turn to page 11 for images of some of the artists at work. - Timothy Twidle

Business

30 September 2015

CXPRESS

A career in Spur - for life!

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NO PEOPLE LIKE SPUR PEOPLE: Hilton Nagel, left, owner of Plett’s Yellow Wood Spur shakes on his promotion and new status as shareholder with dedicated manager Granvelle Paulse

A short personal account of how long hours at the grindstone and dedication lead to a former waitron’s current shareholdership

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Y name is Granvelle Paulse and as many before me, I started my working life at Yellow Wood Spur in Plett as a waitron. It was November 2002, and at the time I never thought that this may be a stepping stone to what I have achieved to date.

After two years, in Septem-

ber 2004, I was promoted to Junior Manager. The next step of my career life now starting to take shape, in January of 2008 I was once again promoted to Senior Manager and Second in Charge.

This was now an exceptional challenge and through shear dedication and hard

work, not forgetting the many hours spent at work, I achieved the position of Operational Manager in 2012.

This year, the pinnacle point of my career became a reality when I was promoted to being an Operating Partner and also became a Spur shareholder.

Investor Focus

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

Understanding China - or trying our very best to do so...

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HE economic and social events in China over the last 20 years has been described as an “only time in history” event. Never before has a country with such a vast “backward and suppressed” population been injected into modern times.

If we look back at the 80s, we see the collapse of the communist economic systems in both Russia and China. At that point the Russians went directly to a democratic system, which as we have learnt can have all sorts of unintended consequences.

The Chinese, however, changed from a communist dictatorship to a capitalist dictatorship. They realised

that the communist economic doctrines of Carl Marx, etc., had not worked (some of our current politicians have yet to learn this) and began to enforce a capitalist system, albeit still retaining absolute control over their population.

Today China still has many economic rules, i.e. a fixed currency, capital in/ outflows, restricted shareholdings, control of foreign shareholdings - the list goes on and on...

The infrastructure development plan (service delivery?) was a massive success; houses, roads, bridges, dams, etc. were constructed at a rate that boggles the mind.

This massive project drove the demand for raw materials to levels never seen before. Iron ore rose from ±$50 per ton to an incredible ±$180/ton; coal to feed their energy needs rose from ±$40/ton to $140/ton.

As the infrastructure drive matured, the Chinese dictators decided to turn their attention to creating a consumer led economy. Though the massive urbanisation that had occurred, the Chinese middle class had reached a size that would sustain its own momentum.

The demand for raw materials had dried up and their prices began to revert to ‘normal’ levels. The price of

iron ore dropped from $180 back to $57/ton and coal from $140 to $40/ton.

The global fallout from these historic events has been painful for the companies and countries that supplied the raw materials.

These companies are all battling to contain the damage while all new developments have been hastily stopped.

Many of the countries that benefited from this massive windfall thought they had hit the Promised Land, spent the excess income that was generated, and are now struggling with dire economic and social hangovers.

We are all aware that economic cycles do happen. We

go from good times, where money is plentiful and confidence is high, and many excesses creep into our lives.

Then the cycle turns and the good times dry up. We are forced to tighten our belts, and may even lose our jobs.

China is no exception to this process. Their GDP growth has dropped from a peak of ±15% per annum to a current 7%.

This in turn has negatively affected the fortunes of those companies that exported finished goods to China, e.g. the expensive German cars, fancy goods by Richemont, or even the famous American fast food chains.

Then there is the Chinese

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currency, which is artificially pegged at a low level so as to make their exports unfairly competitive.

We do not as yet know the full extent of the economic fallout from China’s downturn. Any event of this magnitude, which has never ever occurred in history, could still have further negative consequences.

Suffice to say, it is probably still too early to go back into the water.

Malcolm has been in the investment industry for over 40 years. He has written this column in CXPRESS for the last 17 years and is a specialist in managing retired wealth.

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CXPRESS

Holiday Activities

30 September 2015

of brilliance will characterise Father and son team to knock Displays next month’s Knysna Arts Festival your socks off on Saturday K

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DOLS winner in 2009 Jason Hartman and his father, the well-known musician and local resident Sam Hartman, are staging a concert on October 3 at The Backpackers Beach House, situated in Meeding Street and bordering Plett’s Hobie Beach parking lot.

“We will be transforming the venue so prepare to experience the Beach House as you have never seen it before!” says organiser Ninette, adding that the entire outside area will be covered with a stretch tent to add ambience while allowing for all weather conditions.

The Beach House Bistro will also dish up some of the eats and treats they have now become famous for so don’t miss out on an unforgettable evening this Saturday from

GREAT GUY, EXCELLENT ENTERTAINER: Don’t miss top Idol of 2009 Jason Hartman when he teams up with his veteran muso dad Sam at Plett’s Backpackers Beach House Lodge & Bistro on Saturday from 7pm onwards

7pm ‘till late.

Tickets at R150 per person are limited, so book now to avoid disappointment. There are also eight VIP tickets available at R170 per person

if you want to be in the pound seats of what promises to be an awesome night of music.

Call 044 533 0437 and see the advert on page 13 for more information.

NYSNA is shaking out its tail feathers for its arts fest billed Displays of Brilliance from October 7-10, when the Knysna Arts Festival promises to showcase talent in both the visual and performing arts, as well as exciting and stimulating lectures, debates, and demonstrations.

Painting, sculpture, exhibitions More than 50 established artists from Knysna, Sedgefield, and Plettenberg Bay will exhibit at 40 venues around Knysna. They’ll be joined by at least seven artists from historically disadvantaged local suburbs who’ll exhibit both at home and in the CBD. And you’ll be able to meet them all - painters, sculptors, potters, photographers, cartoonists and others - and learn from many of them during numerous lectures and demonstrations.

One of the featured artists is landscape oil painter Peter Barret (born 26 August 1945), who has lived in Knysna for the past 25 years and has been retired for the past seven years.

It was in his retirement that he decided to take up oil painting and after taking a few courses with Bob McKenzie and Sue Kemp, he had a go at painting the countryside in the vicinity of his home.

His favourite subject is the Karoo/Namaqualand and his main interests at the moment is mountains, trees and water reflections.

Peter has held a number of exhibitions in Knysna over the past few years as well as four in Johannesburg. His work is on show at Robertson

Art Gallery where he has, of late, sold about 10 paintings.

Peter’s hobby has become his passion and he continues to improve his ability by painting every day of the week and studying works by other impressionists. He will be exhibiting from his studio in Hunters Home where you are invited to see him at work demonstrating his remarkable ability to create impressionistic oils using a palette knife. Enjoy a cuppa with this successful artist at 26A Thesen Street.

Performing arts Song, dance, choir performances and musicals will be staged, with special guest performances by several of the shows fresh from the recent National Arts Festival in Grahamstown.

One of the highlights promises to be extracts from Frank Graham’s popular review, There was a Time. This production is an evening of nostalgia that reflects on days when the precious radio was truly the only source of home entertainment.

Memories of legendary Springbok Radio shows like The Missing Persons Bureau, Men from the Ministry and Squad Cars are re-invoked with Frank’s popular brand of humour.

Debates and visits ‘Knysna Natter’ will include a debate about fracking, a walking tour of Knysna’s historic CBD, and visits to a local yacht builder and to the Knysna Basin Project’s research laboratory.

The guided tour of historic Main Street will allow you to imagine that you are back in the mid-1800s. Existing historic buildings will be

WIRELESS LEGEND: Frank Graham was involved with many of the Springbok Radio shows recorded in front of ‘live’ audiences in Durban from 1968 onwards and is regarded as one of SA’s most versatile character actors and comedians

pointed out and where possible, visited. Your guides will share stories of both places and people to bring the past to life. Philip Caveney, a retired electrical engineer, is chairman of Knysna Historical Society and a mine of information on early Knysna and its surroundings.

Society member Lorraine Stainer is a retired history teacher. Both Philip and Lorraine give talks to the Society on various topics as well as taking interested groups on the historic walks.

The Knysna Arts Festival is brought to you by Sotheby’s International Realty. Visit http://sirknysna.co.za/index. php or http://www.visitknys na.co.za/ and see the adverts on page 4 for information.

You can go to http://www. visitknysna.co.za/explore/ festivals-events/knysna-artsfestival.html to download the full festival programme.

Holiday Activities

30 September 2015

CXPRESS

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Interval

30 September 2015

Conclusive evidence

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fter having dug to a depth of 10 feet last year, British scientists found traces of copper wire dating back 200 years and came to the conclusion that their ancestors already had a telephone network more than 150 years ago.

Not to be outdone by the Brits, in the weeks that followed, an American archaeologist dug to a depth of 20 feet, and shortly after a story appeared in the New York bulletin: “American archaeologists, finding traces of 250-year-old copper wire,

have concluded that their ancestors already had an advanced high-tech communications network 50 years earlier than the British.”

One week later, the Cape bulletin, in South Africa, reported the following: “After digging as deep as 30 feet in his backyard in Thabazimbi, South Africa, Lucky Simelane, a self-taught archaeologist, reported that he found absolutely nothing (aziko, f*k*l). Lucky has therefore concluded that, 250 years ago, Africa had already gone wireless.”

Shoo, that must hurt

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man got on a bus, with both of his front trouser pockets full of golf balls, and sat down next to a beautiful (you guessed it) blonde.

The puzzled blonde kept looking at him and his bulging pockets.

Finally, after many glances

I

from her, the man said: “It’s golf balls.”

The blonde continued looking at him, thinking deeply about what he had said.

After several minutes, not being able to contain her curiosity, she asked: “Does it hurt as much as a tennis elbow?”

You having a raff?

went into a Chinese takeaway last night.

The owner of the shop said: “What do you do for a riving?”

I said: “What do I do for a living? Well, I’m a bit of a comedian.”

So the Chinese chap said: “Go on then, change colour.”

I said: “No! I’m not a chameleon, I’m a comedian.”

So then he said: “Tell me a joke, make me raff.”

I said: “You want me to tell you a joke and make you laugh?”

Just then his wok caught fire, so I screamed: “Wok! Wok!” And he said: “Who der?”

Look before you leap...

T

he photographer for a national magazine was assigned to get photos of a great forest fire.

Smoke at the scene was too thick to get any good shots, so he frantically called his home office to hire a plane.

“It will be waiting for you at the airport!” he was assured by his editor.

As soon as he got to the small, rural airport, sure enough, a plane was warming up near the runway.

He jumped in with his equipment and yelled: “Let’s

go! Let’s go!”

The pilot swung the plane into the wind and soon they were in the air.

“Fly over the north side of the fire,” said the photographer, “and make three or four low-level passes.”

“Why?” asked the pilot.

“Because I’m going to take pictures! I’m a photographer, and photographers take pictures!” said the photographer with great exasperation.

After a long pause the pilot said: “You mean you’re not the instructor?”

You know what’s beautiful?

Read the first word.

Playing hide not seek

I

was with my best mate today when I saw my wife walking in. Quick as a flash I hid under a table, hoping she wouldn’t see me.

“Don’t let her see me,” I whispered to my mate.

“Are you kidding me?” he

asked.

“No,” I replied. “Distract her for me, would you?”

Everyone began to stare.

“Distract her?” he shouted, looking at the congregation.

“Steve, it’s your bloomin’ wedding!”

Social Scene

30 September 2015

CXPRESS

People, places & events LOVING OUR PARKS: A total of 4,383 South Africans visited Garden Route National Park (GRNP) during SA National Parks Week 2015. The figures for Knysna were 1,619 visitors, with 1,567 for Wilderness and 1,197 visitors to the Tsitsikamma section of the park. The campaign kicked off on September 14 with an information session for locals in Harkerville. In Tsitsikamma, Segway tours were provided to community members who would otherwise not afford them, while learners from Coldstream, Woodlands and Stormsriver Primary were taken on a Cultural Heritage walk down the old Stormsriver Pass. In Wilderness, an orchestra in the Park and potjiekos competition, pictured at left, drew the most visitors. Daily hikes and educational talks were scheduled in all three sections. The GRNP is encouraged by recent figures and global ecotourism trends that are on an upward trajectory. To keep the momentum, the team is planning an open day for cyclists and self-drive route in the Knysna Forest during November. A fun day is in the pipeline for Tsitsikamma, and carols by candlelight in the forest around Wilderness. Visit www.sanparks.org/parks/garden_route/ for details.

Photos: Timothy Twidle

ART AT WORK: Their Open Studios day paid off beautifully for Bitou artists on Heritage Day - read the full story on page 6. Anti-clockwise from above are Ilse Kruger in her studio at Nature’s Valley; David Wells with his son, Oscar, behind an array of his oven to table ceramics; Sally Rush at work in her studio in The Crags; Leigh-Anne Wolfaardt alongside her painting ‘Memories of The Falklands’; and Malcolm Solomon, right, working on a sculpture with his assistant, Jade Peens.

PLATTER PULLED OFF: The inaugural Plett on a Platter food fest from September 23-27 was a well-attended and most satisfying affair as food lovers sat down to a variety of culinary offerings showcasing the best of Bitou’s eats. At left, co-organiser Sarah Murray talks presentation with stylists Caro Gardner, centre, and Hannah Lewry, who make food put its best foot forward for ‘Taste’ and ‘Fresh Living’ mags respectively. The pic was shot during a particularly enjoyable curry cook-off at Nguni. Photos of the great new Plett food fest will be posted at www.cxpress.co.za by October 1.

Paws

Plett Animal Welfare Service

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CXPRESS

Visit www.cxpress.co.za

Food & Wine

30 September - 2015

Hunter gathers lots of kudos at national and regional food and wine awards

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La Luna

TARTED more than two decades ago, the annual Diners Club Wine List Award is a much sought-after symbol of excellence and achievement among restaurateurs that take great pride in their wine selection and pairing of food with wine.

At the awards ceremony held at Fancourt’s La Cantina on Monday September 21, Hunter Hotels was privileged to be awarded the following three awards: • Zinzi Restaurant - Gold • Hunter’s Country House - Platinum • Gorah Elephant Camp in Addo National Park (Eastern Cape) - Gold Another coveted accolade for purveyors of quality culinary offerings is the American Express Platinum Card Fine Dining Restaurant Award.

During the latest award ceremony, presented for Cape Town, the Winelands, and the Garden Route at The Watershed in Cape Town’s

TOP WINES ON HAND: Pictured with their well-earned wine list award are Zinzi’s assistant restaurant manager Kervin Richtenberg and manager Sally-Anne Grinter

V&A Waterfront on September 7, CX Country and surrounds were strongly represented with five establishments featuring among the Cape’s very best.

Congratulations are due to Serendipity in Wilderness, Kurland Hotel Restaurant in The Crags, Pembreys in Knysna, Transkaroo in Great Brak River, and Zinzi

PeeBee’s Wine Column

FINE FOOD HISTORY: A proud Ian Hunter, CEO of Hunter Hotels of which Zinzi is one of the flagship eateries, received the restaurant’s sixth annual Amex Award

Restaurant in Plett This was Zinzi’s sixth year of recognition on this top national level.

Words & Photo: Peter Bishop

The Eben Sadie Mystique - ‘Have you tasted Columella?’

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ACK in 1998 that most modest and quiet of men, Charles Back of Fairview, set out to widen his awareness of that vast region behind Paarl, stretching to Wellington and Malmesbury and up the West Coast.

He founded Spice Route in 1998, and placed the young Eben Sadie in control. The maiden Spice Route Syrah won the Brussels Mondial championship of that year.

Although it was not the first of the modern era wooded Shiraz, it was the first to succeed internationally. I tasted one of these wines recently and found it to still be in perfect balance.

Eben worked at Spice Route and in the off-season ventured to make wines in a partnership in Priorat, south of Barcelona in Spain.

This exposed him to Grenache and Carignan, the Rhone varietals more suited to warmer climes - and thus to a growing awareness of the wider Swartland area. He ventured to establish Sadie Family Winery in the Paardeberg region.

Such was his mastery that he attracted mavericks like Adi Badenhorst to establish nearby. The Fan Club grew.

The Mullineux’s set up in Riebeek Kasteel, keeping the Sadie focus before them.

Eben established the Swartland Revolution and soon the boundaries of Swartland will be redefined.

Wines of South Africa (WOSA) has made Eben and the Swartland adherents into its bait to catch overseas interest to SA wines - so much so that the traditional Stellen-

bosch winemakers have had to meet the challenge.

Take a recent initiative. Clients were invited to Sadie Family Winery to taste 10 wines. Not only has Eben sourced unusual grapes within and wider than the Swartland, but he has planted a myriad of ‘unknown’ cultivars on his own land.

The list sounds like the Litany of the Greek Saints!

The red Columella (R654) and the white Palladius (R483) are sold as the Signature Series and represent the Appellation concept - expressing the many varietal components and the range of soils found in any particular vintage.

I used the clef du vin on the 2013 Columella and it grew in status. Message? Take it 10 years down the line to reveal itself.

The rest of his wines are sold as the Old Vine Series, where the grapes need not necessarily come from his own farm.

All bottles are sealed by wax.

The five whites are fascinating in name and interesting in style.

Skerpioen (R195) is a blend of Palomino and Chenin Blanc - clean, bright with a sharp refined grip. Pure Chenin Blanc sells as Skurfberg (R195) and the linear Mrs Kirsten, the latter from vines of 110 years of age and selling at R735.

A multi-blend of Palomino, Semillon Blanc and Semillon Gris, Muscat de Alexandrie and Chenin Blanc is called ‘T Voetpad (R237) and will benefit by age. My favourite was the Semillon Blanc and Gris called Kokerboom (R237)

with a powerful nose, flintiness and refinement.

There are three red wines in the Old Vine Series: Soldaat (R237) - a rugged and lean Grenache; the incredible Pofadder (R212) - a Cinsaut from aged vines and arguably the best modern Cinsaut one could find; and the restrained Tinta Barocca called Treinspoor (R195).

So how does Eben play these onto the market? Quite easily.

Limited availability, and if you want any straight from the farm you buy a case of the Signature and two cases of the Old Vines. Amen. And if you don’t somebody else will and you will miss out.

Orders were taken from midnight on August 11 and apportioned chronologically.

Thus he creates demand and keeps friends.

This ‘affrontery’ does not exist elsewhere but Eben can carry it off - and if not, why not? It did exist at Dry River in New Zealand at the turn of the century.

I went to the farm in August on the Saturday before the 2014 releases hit the market.

It is disconcerting for me to find how drinkable, how accessible the wines are in their youth.

I far prefer older white wines and except for the blends that need time, one finds a style of freshness, of restraint, and of delicacy and linearity.

That evening I had the Dawid Nieuwoudt’s Ghost Corner Bowline blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, and Hempies du Toit’s Annandale Cavalier 2003,

WHAT A CATCH: Wines of SA uses Eben Sadie and the Swartland adherents as its bait to catch overseas interest to our wines - here he is in action during an August tasting

and was highly satisfied.

Eben’s wines are different - distinctive and linearly focused, but quality is not exclusive. What WOSA are obsessed with is that the style is identifiable with a region, though in this case there is also the persona factor.

You won’t find machinery that squeezes everything out of the grapes mechanically, nor supplementary chemicals. Maintaining the freshness and the unique taste of the low yielding grapes is the secret.

You will find the Fan Club growing - among producers and the public.

PeeBee has kept his palate alive since 1975 when he met Beejay Lankwarden in the Wilderness. He explores local, national and international wines, looking for ‘the cutting edge’.

Home & Health

30 September 2015

CXPRESS

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Survey reveals what makes South Africans see red

Traffic jams, queue jumpers and people who think rules don’t apply to them have emerged as high up on the list of 30 things that get South Africans’ blood boiling, according to a just-released health survey survey were concluded last by World Cup 2015 would

M

ORE than 1,300 South Africans were polled by the country’s leading heart and stroke treatment provider, Pharma Dynamics, to divulge the things that most get their goat, with taxi drivers topping the list.

People cutting in line, folk who ignore the rules, forgetting to say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’, and load-shedding complete SA’s top five rage-inducing annoyances.

Commuting in SA evidently also shoots our blood pressure through the roof, especially when motorists and/or cyclists jump red traffic lights, when busses or trains don’t stick to schedules or get cancelled at the last minute, drivers ignoring zebra crossings, or when Cocky Joes rip through suburbia or housing estates at supersonic speeds.

Other temper triggers highlighted in the poll include anti-social behaviour such as when someone pays more attention to their electronic device/s than to you, along with having to go through endless automated phone options and then being kept on hold.

Money also leaves us fuming, with high petrol prices, fees due when withdrawing money from an ATM, paying for parking when you only intend to pop in to the shops quickly, and seeing salaries disappear in fees and taxes, all on the list.

Pharma Dynamics spokesperson Mariska van Aswegen said they commissioned

the poll as a way to get citizens to take their hearthealth more seriously.

“With 6.3-million South Africans suffering high blood pressure, SA has one of the highest rates of hypertension in the world. Many however remain unaware of their condition because the disease usually has no symptoms.

“Hypertension is also a precursor and leading cause of other life-threatening conditions, such as stroke and heart disease.

“Stressful situations can cause your blood pressure to spike temporarily, but too much stress could lead to high blood pressure in the long-run. Activities that can help you manage your stress and improve your health can make a long-term difference in lowering blood pressure,” she says.

According to the survey, SA’s top 30 annoyances are: 1. Taxi drivers 2. Queue jumpers 3. People who think rules don’t apply to them 4. Bad manners 5. Load-shedding 6. Rudeness in general 7. Having to go through lots of automated phone options and then being kept on hold 8. Traffic jams 9. People smoking around children 10. Spitting in public 11. Motorists and/or cyclists who jump red traffic lights 12. Anti-social behaviour,

e.g. when someone pays more attention to their electronic device(s) than to you 13. Backstabbers 14. Using cellphones while driving 15. People eating loudly and sloppily 16. Petrol-price increases 17. Laziness 18. People who swear all the time 19. People who can’t spell or use correct grammar 20. Paying a fee for withdrawing money from an ATM 21. Pop-up adverts on the internet 22. Paying tax 23. Office suck-ups 24. Paying for parking when you only intend to pop in to the shops quickly 25. Drivers who are speeding through housing estates 26. Your neighbour mowing the lawn or drilling at 7am on weekends 27. Drivers ignoring zebra crossings 28. Tardiness 29. Tissues in the washing machine 30. Busses or trains being cancelled According to the poll, almost a third of South Africans are easily provoked with partners, call centre agents and fellow motorists most likely to be on the receiving end of their anger.

Twenty percent of respondents experience daily stress and aggravation from daily irritations and frustrations, and almost 40% admitted that these usually cause them

stress long after the incident.

Van Aswegen says that if you’re tired, stressed or simply at the end of your tether, it doesn’t take much to make your blood boil.

“Try taking short breaks during times of the day that tend to be very stressful, identify what specifically makes you angry and think of possible solutions. Humour also helps to diffuse tension, and exercise is a great way to help reducing stress and feelings of great frustration.

“Statistics show that about 130 heart attacks and 240 strokes occur daily in SA, which means that 10 people suffer a stroke and five a heart attack every hour. We call on all South Africans to have their blood pressure tested at least annually,” Van Aswegen urges.

The Pharma Dynamics survey findings were released in September to mark National Heart Awareness Month.

Have your blood pressure tested for free by the Heart and Stroke Foundation to know your heart age, and visit www.pharmadynamics. co.za for scheduled screenings in your area.

For more information on the prevention or management of hypertension, visit www.ichange4health.co.za or www.facebook.com/i Change4Health, and take note that October 28 to November 3 is World Stroke Week.

(We believe that, if the

Take note of these simple but super DIY tips!

D

O not waste water by washing paintbrushes in between coats. Instead, wrap tightly in plastic cling film and they will stay moist.

Teasing a thread free and then pulling completely out from cotton and linen fabrics will create a straight line that you can follow to cut.

Fix a squeaky door by sprinkling talcum powder on the hinges.

Use baby oil to remove paint from your skin.

Add two teaspoons of vanilla essence to one-and-ahalf litres of paint to reduce overbearing paint smells.

Make threading a needle easier by squirting the thread with hairspray to stiffen it.

To remove old paint stains, soften with linseed oil and then wipe. Use a razor blade to scrape off tough stains.

Use double-sided tape to stop rugs from slipping.

Dip scissors in boiling water to make it easier to cut through delicate fabrics.

Use dental floss to quiet a dripping tap. Tie one end of the floss around the tap and the other end down the drain. The drips travel along the thread instead of dripping into the sink.

week instead of last month, it’s highly likely that the Boks losing to Japan at Rug-

have topped the list of things that make South Africans see red... - Ed.)

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CXPRESS

30 September 2015

Classifieds

On the Soapbox

30 September 2015

Letters to the Editor

CXPRESS

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

Snippet from the past hails new beginnings for all This delightful letter reached our offices the traditional way: in an envelope under the front door, but with no name signed at the bottom - which normally prevents CXPRESS from printing it, as we prefer to know who we’re talking to... BUT, we happened to know the ‘little girl’ concerned, so decided to include it here with a tail end to the story (see the block at left below) and in the hope of hearing from its author so that we could perhaps stage a reunion between the giver and receiver of those sweet posies We arrived to live in Plett in mid-August 1978. Suddenly I thought: ‘What have we done... no friends or family close by!’

Then, on September 1 Spring Day - there was a knock at the door. It was an unknown little girl with a posy of flowers. What joy

and a change of heart.

Apparently each child at the primary school at the time was encouraged by the principal and teachers to collect flowers from their gardens, make a posy, and give it to anyone who was on their own or just didn’t have children at home.

Li’l Miss Posy: 40 and still fab

What a lovely thought and it went on for a good few years.

Thinking back, I believe that the little girl was the daughter of Mr and Mrs Kleinjan, who must now be nearly 40!

May it be that the signs of shamrocks that have sprung

up all around Plett are meant to do the same thing: herald spring, and perhaps a new beginning for all of us.

(We’d love it if the author could swing past our offices again, or share contact details on 044 533 1004 or at esther@cxpress.co.za - Ed.)

Tattoo kry tuiste, als te danke aan CXPRESS TATTAAA! Die liewe brakkie genaamd Tattoo kon laas week die Plett Animval Welfare Services se hondehokke vaarwel (stert)waai nadat ‘n gawe leser Marsja se brief in CXPRESS gesien en hom aangeneem het

MAKING HEADLINES, THEN AND NOW: The 1982 clipping at left shows young Angie after winning Plett Primary’s posy-making competition, and the pic at right appeared in an August edition of CXPRESS, when she featured on our Social page - with Angie, at right, is sis-in-law Sarah Murray

Angie Murray (née Kleinjan) is a veteran Grade 1 teacher at Plett Primary School and had a good chuckle when we called to tell of the anonymous letter received, and her role in it.

The author’s trip down memory lane sent Angie on a little reminiscing ramble of her own, recalling how all her little class mates were vying to arrange the prettiest posies with the sole purpose of brightening the lives of local seniors at the time.

To add to the tale of those early Plett days when the primary school was located where Cornuti al Mare now stands, Angie admitted that in 1982, she actually won the posy competition, and that achievement landed her a spot in the newspaper of the day!

After some arm-twisting, she shared a photo of the clipping as pictured at left above, the report reading, inter alia:

‘Although it was cold and pouring with rain, last Wednesday was officially the first day of spring. And Plettenberg Bay Primary School was filled with the fragrance of flowers when all the pupils brought flowers to school to make posies for the town’s senior citizens.

‘The overall winner of the posy-making competition was Angelique Kleinjan of Sub B. She won a cup for her beautiful posy.

‘Parents transported the children all over town to distribute the posies to 350 senior citizens.’

As surmised by the author of the letter that started all this joyous reminiscing, Angie celebrated her fabulous 40th year on the planet in February, and has not stopped making ‘everything coming up roses’, as it were, for lucky hubby Myles Murray, her family and friends, and the many fortunate youngsters taught by her.

Danksy die wonderlike hulp van CXPRESS met die artikel oor Tattoo word hy nou aangeneem, hopelik dié keer permanent! Baie, baie dankie dat julle plek daarvoor gevind het; dit bewys net weer eens hoe effektief blootstelling in CXPRESS koerant is.

Ons is julle ewig dankbaar vir die geweldige bydrae wat julle tot ons gemeenskapslewe maak. Julle lesers maak op jul staat vir nuus oor al die aktiwiteite wat deel vorm van ons daaglikse lewens in hierdie wonderlike omgewing.

Marsja Hall-Green, Plett (Jou nuus het ons sommer nuwe woema gegee terwyl

ons tydens die langnaweek geswoeg het om hierdie vakansiekoerant gereed te kry, Marsja. Ons waardeer jou en die hele Plett Animal Welfare Services-span se harde werk om te verseker dat ons buurt se diere gelukkig en gesond daar uitsien. As lesers Marsja se oorspronklike brief oor Tattoo gemis het, lees ‘Who can make Tattoo less blue’ op p15 van die 16 September uitgawe by www.cxpress.co.za - Red.)

Wake up to the right tides!

When about three weeks ago we noticed the mix-up of low and high tide times in CXPRESS, we thought it was a once-off glitch. However, in the following issue the mistake was repeated.

We observed at the beach that something was wrong and Googled the Plettenberg Bay tide schedule, which confirmed the error in your paper.

Apart from the above, we really enjoy reading CXPRESS regularly.

Lena & Herbert, Plett (Thanks for taking the time to write, guys. We have for

years been using the Crawfords Sports tide table as source but when it arrived late this month, our lady in charge of tides inputted those times using another website as source. We won’t point fingers but suffice to say, it was definitely not spot-on for Plett!

When we did get our hands on the trusty Crawfords chart the discrepancy was clear, so our September 23 edition included the correct tides times once more. We sincerely hope none of our esteemed readers got their feet wet unplanned because of this glitch… Ed.)

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Read CXPRESS online at www.cxpress.co.za - and send us your news and photos, too!

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CXPRESS

Sport & Adventure

30 September 2015

It’s SA Champs time and Plett is represented by an awesome trio of surfers

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OCAL blondie locks surfer boys Joshua Stow, Dayne Olsen and Riaan Wiener are about to hit the surf at Jeffrey’s Bay’s Lower Point, where the Billabong South African Junior Surfing Championships is being held for the third consecutive year from today until Sunday October 4.

Josh, a member of the ASP

Association of Surfing Professionals, also surfed the Billabong Junior Champs Final in Seal Point and is currently ranked 15th in SA (at the time of going to print) as opposed to finishing 34th last year.

Says his proud mom, Liza Westwood: “Josh has spent yet another year in J Bay away from his family, in

order to pursue his surfing dream. The boys started surfing competitively only two years ago, and this is their second SA Champs.

They have done us proud before and we wish them the best of luck for this weekend’s competition.”

All three boys belong to Eden Surf Riders and ‘the twins’ work for Clayton Bischoff at Plett’s Jamin’ Surf School during the holidays.

But they are always in need of sponsorship to help with costs involved in participation. Dayne attends Bay College and Riaan Wittedrift High School.

Liza assisted us in gathering a little information about the boys that most of their fans may not know.

Joshua Passion: Surfing.

Favourite surf: Barrels and big turns.

Favourite food: Pineapple.

Hobbies: Waves and babes.

Motto: Be formless, shapeless, like water - Bruce Lee. Says Josh: “Right now, in this moment, it is all about surfing. I sacrificed a lot to move to J Bay for two years to live this dream, doing

PUMPED: Plett surfers Joshua Stow, left, and Dayne Olsen - known as ‘the twins with different mothers’ - along with Riaan Wiener, aka ‘Ducktape’, at right, hit the road to Jeffrey’s Bay earlier this week to compete in this weekend’s SAs, and you can help sponsor their surfing careers

my schooling at home. This weekend will be awesome, before I have to head out into the world, and then it’s INDO! Dayne Passion: Surfing.

Favourite surf: Being in a barrel.

Favourite food: (Dayne did not comment, but we know that he’s fussy...)

Hobbies: Besides surfing, skateboarding and playing with fire-fire poi.

Motto: If you don’t go, you won’t know.

Riaan Passion: Surfing Favourite food: Pizza, burgers and biltong.

Hobbies: Apart from surfing I love cooking.

Motto: Live hard, live your dream.

“Riaan taught himself how to surf and as a youngster we were all amazed at how

he went into the big waves fearlessly,” says Liza. “He knew no better but always came out super stoked with the waves that broke on his head.”

The Billabong SA Junior Surfing Championship takes place from September 30 to October 4 and The Lower Point is sure to deliver some great waves and top-class action.

It is an intense team event, as well as a quest for the individual surfers’ personal honour and glory in being an SA Champion.

This year sees the team event format changed from a provincial contest to a district challenge, with competing teams representing Cape Town, Cape Winelands, Eden, Nelson Mandela Bay, Buffalo City, Ugu, defending champs eThekweni, uThungulu and the Development Academy team.

So our blond surfer boys

from Eden will be among 100 frothing juniors representing nine districts, along with their coaches, parents and entourage, and you’ll be hard pressed to find a better arena for the country’s top young surfers to perform.

As well as the coveted team trophy, individual honours in six different divisions ranging from U13-U17 will also be decided in the fiveday tournament. And as an added incentive, the winners of the U17 and U15 Boys and Girls divisions will score national colours and be included in the 2016 SA Junior Team.

So there’s a lot at stake and we wish Riaan, Dayne and Josh all the very best for their participation in this prestigious event. For updates, or if you wish to sponsor the boys in any way, please contact Liza via www.facebook. com/GoSurfing.co.za or on 083 489 2585.

Swiss eyes Otter glory but first, Robberg awaits racing snakes

I

NTERNATIONAL trail running superstar Marc Lauenstein is heading to the Garden Route for next month’s Grail of Trails, when he will line up with 450 runners at the Stormsriver rest camp to run the full distance of the famous five-day Otter Trail in one day only.

And along with a handful of other speed freaks, the Swiss mountain marathon man will challenge the mythical four-hour barrier.

“Welshman Ricky Lightfoot, following his 2013 record-shattering win of 4:15:21, shocked the South African trail fraternity with his assertion that the Otter could be run even faster and that a sub-four hour Otter was indeed possible,” said Christine Collins of organisers Magnetic South.

The confirmed participation of Lauenstein, a world champion in two sports, has sparked anew the debate on the race’s fabled four-hour barrier being broken.

But race director Mark Collins thinks not - not in his first year anyway - and he has the most riding on it:

R100,000 to be exact. If the Swiss runner does go subfour hours, Collins will be an unbudgeted six figures poorer, but he thinks his money is safe for now.

“It would take a superhuman effort on a perfect day for someone who knows the course well to even get close to that mark,” said Collins.

“Running this course unseen like Lauenstein will, it’s not likely, even for him.”

Word of the toughness of the Otter doesn’t deter the Swiss champion though.

“The tougher the better,” he said.

Money is the last thing that motivates the mountain runner, whose main motivation in racing the Otter is just being in this beautiful part of the world. He insists that his hero will be the oldest person to finish the Otter.

One way or another, the cat has been set among the pigeons - or the otters, in this case - and all eyes will be on that famous floating finish line come Saturday October 17. The Otter African Trail Run, presented by Salomon and GU, takes place in the Tsitsikamma Section of Gar-

den Route National Park.

Spend Saturday on our favourite bit of rock Plett Athletics Club is holding its annual Robberg Express trail run on Saturday October 3.

Says club seccie Janet: “CapeNature has been fantastic in allowing us to use the reserve for the run and we invite not only runners but the local community to get involved. It’s sure to be a great day out on our favourite bit of rock.”

There is a 10km route that goes all the way round the peninsula, as well as a 5km route to Witsand and back.

There will be food and drink stalls at the finish as well as braai facilities.

The Table in Plett Main Street has kindly agreed to host early registration on Friday the 2nd from 4-7pm, and it should be a great atmosphere. So enter online at www.racingsnake.net of pop round to The Table on Friday afternoon. All funds raised through the race are used to support its development and disadvantaged runners.