3 February 2021

3 February 2021

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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Photo: Jenny Ponder

Finally!

Last Saturday, protesters in Plett added their voice to many demonstrators along the Cape coast, to bemoan the beach ban in place since December 16. When several Level 3 lockdown restrictions were eased during Monday night’s presidential address, locals took full advantage and, at first light yesterday morning, flocked to the seaside en masse to celebrate and ‘take back their beaches’. Whether the Garden Route economy will ever recover from a season so horrendously affected by said restrictions, however, remains to be seen. Turn to page 3 to find out more and see the gallery at www.cxpress.co.za for additional images.

Tribute paid to loved locals - p2

Violent home invasion shocks - p3

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NEWS & VIEWS

3 February 2021

After 10 years, Simon is still remembered with abiding love by all who knew him KEN HIRSCHBERG contributed this memorial to son Simon Hirschberg and all those who perished on board the Italtile plane that crashed in Plettenberg Bay a full decade ago EN years ago, in the early morning hours of Tuesday February 8, 2011, a thick mist rolled in over Plettenberg Bay. At approximately 4:30pm on that same fateful day, the private Pilatus aircraft, owned by Majuba Aviation - a subsidiary of Italtile - approached the Plettenberg Bay area and inexplicably plunged into the sea, approximately 300m off the east coast of the Robberg Peninsula.

All nine people on board were killed instantly; among those was 42-year-old Simon Hirschberg.

At the time of the accident, Simon was working in Johannesburg as general manager of Grainwave, the company contracted by Italtile and CTM to design, manufacture, and erect interiors for their showrooms around the country. The Italtile team were on their way to check out the CTM showroom in Plett.

Prior to this, Simon owned the Easylife Kitchens franchise, with branches in Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, and George.

Simon was extremely hardworking and conscientious, and a very dedicated family man who was loved and admired by all

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SIMON HIRSCHBERG: 20 April 1968 - 8 February 2011

who knew him - family, friends, and colleagues alike.

Simon left behind his late mother, Shirley, and dad Ken, his brother and sister Jarret and Nicky, all of Plettenberg Bay. The greatest loss of all was that of his wife Belinda and their two beautiful children, Daniel and Emma, in Port Elizabeth.

Even though 10 years have passed, Simon will always be remembered with deep and abiding love by us all.

The Hirschberg family wish to pass on their condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of all those who perished on that tragic day, namely: Gianpaolo Ravazotti, Gia Celori, Marilize Campion, Aletsia Krause, Sava di Bella, and Jodie Jansen van Rensburg, as well as the pilot, Bronwyn Parsons, and copilot Alison van Staden.

Of course, all the families of the lost souls undoubtedly owe a great debt of gratitude to those incredibly brave and dedicated volunteers of Plett NSRI, who endured the most difficult and traumatic recovery of the remains of those who perished that day, with special thanks to Mark Rodgers and his team.

Long time resident of Keurboomstrand, Jane Worthing’s main contribution was as loyal friend to many JOCK WORTHING pays tribute to his recently departed wife, Jane - who was a chef, gardener, florist, fashion model, artist, and home creator par excellence ANE (née Romyn), like too many, succumbed to the coronavirus. Her children, grandchildren, their spouses, her niece, nephews, and their families are filled with gratitude for the support and love she brought to their lives. She was proud of them all and their achievements.

The contribution of her parents’ and grandparents’ generation on the developments in Southern Africa was considerable.

Part of the family recognised the beauty and special nature of Keurboomstrand in the 1930s, and Jane inherited the responsibility for keeping it in the family.

We are overwhelmed by the condolences and expressions of love and admiration received, and we all humbly thank you.

Born in Salisbury, then Rhodesia, Jane filled our lives with family and friends from around the world. A chef of diversity, a multi-continental gardener, a florist, a fashion model, artist, and home creator

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Jane’s overwhelming influence was as a loyal friend to so many.

She travelled the world with me and our grandchildren and created homes in Zimbabwe, England, Switzerland, and South Africa.

She affected all with her gracious beauty, dignity, and caring. Our memories of her will support us as we adapt to a future significantly influenced by her.

- With deep love: Jock, Belinda, Amanda, Sara, Jessica, Georgia, Julia, Stuart, Jack, George, Harry, Lauren, and all the extended family.

• If you so desire, please contribute to Hospice Plett, PAWS, and other health and family support structures in and around Plettenberg Bay in Jane’s name.

Our special appreciation for the care, dedication, and professionalism of the staff at Mediclinic Plettenberg Bay.

JANE WORTHING: 10 September 1939 - 9 January 2021

The CXPRESS office at 6 Park Lane in Plett will be open from 9am to 1pm Monday to Friday, should you need to pop in.

NEWS & VIEWS

3 February 2021

CXPRESS

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Premier pleased that president paid heed to citizens’ needs, but easing of restrictions won’t recoup Garden Route’s lost revenue N a statement released

by Western Cape premier Alan Winde shortly after the conclusion of Monday night’s presidential address, tribute is paid to the positive steps taken by national government towards saving both lives and livelihoods.

“With new infections, hospitalisations and deaths declining in the Western Cape, I argued in submissions to Health minister Dr Zweli Mkhize and the president that restrictions needed to be eased in order to save jobs.”

In particular, Winde said, he requested that: • The ban on beaches and other public spaces be lifted in the province.

• The curfew be changed to 11pm to 4am.

• A closing time for 10pm for establishments.

• Alcohol sales be permitted offsite from Monday to Thursday, and not permitted on the weekend; • Alcohol sales be permitted at wine farms during the weekend.

• Onsite alcohol consumption be allowed all days of the week within the curfew.

“I welcome the fact that president Ramaphosa con-

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sidered the submissions made by the Western Cape and implemented measured, common-sense regulations.

“Beaches and outdoor spaces like parks are safer, providing fresh air and ventilation. The closure of beaches over the December period had a devastating impact on tourism and on our economy, costing the province in excess of R100-million every month,” Winde said.

He added that a curfew extended to 11pm would have a significant positive impact on the restaurant and hospitality industry, allowing for a full dinner service.

“I must however appeal to residents to drink responsibly. We have seen the impact that reduced alcohol consumption has had on our healthcare system, and we must all work to ensure that we reduce the harmful impact of alcohol on people and on our society,” he urged.

“Monday night’s announcements require all of us to act responsibly. We cannot afford to swing back and forth between hard lockdowns and irresponsible behaviour, both of which have disastrous consequences.

“It remains compulsory to wear masks in public spaces and we must continue to avoid close contact and crowded and enclosed spaces. I appeal to residents and businesses to ensure that we are able to maintain the downward trajectory in Covid-19 infections while supporting the recovery of our economy.”

The premier concluded by cautioning that Western Cape citizens’ management of potential future waves would depended on us maintaining the delicate balance between saving lives and livelihoods.

As for the Garden Route, many business owners feel that the easing of restrictions is a case of ‘too little, too late’, and that revenue lost during a decidedly unfestive season sounded the death knell for the area’s economy as a whole.

At least now we can voice our gripes with a glass of crispy white in hand, or the beach sand between our toes.

• Read the report by Plett Tourism acting head Patty Butterworth, focussing on the future of our local industry, on the Editor’s Desk at www.cxpress.co.za.

BEACH RIGHTS: Hundreds of W-Cape residents from Camps Bay to Plett on Saturday showed their collective dismay at the continued closure of public beaches - in Plett, locals gathered at Central Beach where Bitou Law Enforcement head Siyasanga Vandala, at left, engaged with some of the protesters to try and get them to disperse. The small group that spoke with Vandala, some not wearing masks, were adamant that they had a right to be on the beach; after Monday night’s address, we are all allowed to reclaim that basic human right. - Photos: Andrew Bell

Brazen home invaders beat up Plett man before army of responders intervene A violent home invasion in the usually peaceful suburb of Poortjies in Plett rocked the town last week, but also highlighted the cooperation between security stakeholders that led to the swift arrest of suspects allegedly involved with the incident - YOLANDÉ STANDER reports LETTENBERG Bay Crime Prevention Association (PBCPA) operations head Otto Olivier said they were alerted about an emergency at a home in Zenon Street on Friday afternoon.

Smhart Security responded immediately and found a “badly beaten” man on the property. They also spotted three men fleeing into nearby bushes between Julia Avenue and the N2.

While responders assisted the man, whom they established had been tied up and viciously assaulted during an armed robbery, PBCPA members including police, Bitou Law Enforcement,

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the Plett Security Tactical Response Unit, PBCPA patrollers, Plett Security, Fidelity ADT and PlettWatch members flooded the area.

“Even members of the public assisted. About 40 vehicles and 50 people cordoned off the bush area,” Olivier said.

The PBCPA drone was also deployed to scan the dense vegetation. One of the suspects was spotted and through tracking, chased down and arrested.

The other two suspects, however, slipped away and fled towards the N2.

Olivier added that responders gave chase and the

other two suspects were arrested in the bushy area near Formosa Garden Village.

All arrests were completed within 49 minutes. The stolen goods, which included a laptop, camera, cellphones and various other high-value items, were also recovered.

Olivier said the victim did not want to go to the hospital and therefore was treated for his injuries on-site by Medlife personnel.

Bitou municipal spokesman Andile Namntu confirmed the incident and added that the municipality welcomed the good working relationship between law enforcement agencies.

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CXPRESS

NEWS & VIEWS

3 February 2021

Foursome of thirsty hikers saved by efficient PBCPA intervention EMBERS of the Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association (PBCPA) gathered at The Market Square last Saturday to raise funds for crime prevention efforts in KwaNokuthula.

PBCPA spokespersonn Ina Olivier said a “humungous thank you” to everyone who popped in at the meet and greet occasion, with Covid-19 all protocols in place.

“The Kwano Crime Prevention Response Scooter fundraiser was well supported.

Kind donations ensured we are on our way to achieving the goal of buying response scooters, but there’s a long way to go still,” she said.

Donations or sponsorships for crime-prevention operations and equipment are most welcome and can be channelled to a specific parts of PBCPA operations - use the following as reference: PSTRU, Kwano Scooter, NWG equipment, volunteer patrollers’ fuel expenses, control room, or general operational expenses.

The PBCPA played a pivotal role in a rescue operation on Friday just after 12 noon, when executive member Wesley Andrew alerted his colleagues of four hikers lost in thick forest skirting the Harkerville coastline.

They went out for a trail walk at about 5am that morning, starting off at the SANParks Harkerville office to do Perdekop Trail, but went off the trail towards Sinclair. One of the hikers informed her mother per phone that they were lost.

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While responding, operations head Otto Olivier got hold of one of the hikers and assisted her in downloading the Life360 app on her phone, enabling him to pinpoint their location.

The drone was launched to assess the hikers’ situation and it was found that they had run out of water and needed assistance ASAP. NSRI station 14 commander Mark Rogers escalated the operation to Metro Search & Recue, who was joined by SAPS K9 and SANParks officials attempting to reach the lost hikers, while the PBCPA drone delivered water to ensure they could rehydrate. Unfortunately, the rescue per foot failed, as the terrain was too dangerous.

Eden Search & Rescue then decided to activate its helicopter to airlift the hikers to safety.

After a debrief the operations was concluded.

“A sincere thank you goes to all the role-players involved, and special thanks to the four hikers for strictly following the instructions and advice of the Eden Metro rescuers, which resulted in a successful rescue,” said Olivier.

Always remember when hiking: • Stay on the trails as indicated; • Pre-plan your route; • Very importantly, know your own capabilities; • Always take extra water; • Inform friends or relatives of your planned route and estimated time it will take, then set a contact time to enable proactive emergency response.

It is imperative to save emergency numbers on your phone especially Eden Metro Search & Rescue on 10177 - and to download the Life360 app.

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ALL BASES COVERED: Dogs and drones and a whole lot of dedicated humans form part of the PBCPA’s united front, as depicted here during a meet-and-greet session at The Market Square last Saturday - Photo: Dreamlink Studios

Readers Forum

Our devastated town needs urgent answers as well as accountability - right now How do you apologise to Plett people of all race groups for the devastation that has been wrought upon our town?

How do you apologise to the people who have lost their jobs and opportunity to gain employment?

How do you apologise to business owners who, as a result of illogical thinking, had to close shop, losing their livelihoods and causing workers to be laid off ?

How do you apologise to holidaymakers who support our little town every year, forced to cancel their festive-season bookings?

How do you apologise to poten-

tial visitors from abroad who, as a result of the above, may not be coming back for years to spend their much-needed money in Plettenberg Bay? The festive season in our holiday town used to bring in millions, which benefited us all.

How do you apologise to these very same people for the long-term closure of our town as a tourist centre?

How do you apologise for the illconceived idea of fencing off our beaches and creating a prison atmosphere? What is the purpose of the fences - are we animals to be fenced in/out?

Why did the fences go up before

the beaches were officially closed, and when will they be removed?

How much was spent on the fences and what is to happen to the fencing once removed?

The money wasted on these unsightly and unwanted fences should have been spent on housing.

Some people have much to answer for…

When will we have accountability in our country and in our town? Those in power were put there by the people of this town and they have a responsibility to take good care of Plettenberg Bay and its people.

Appalled, Plett

The saga of trying to renew one’s driver’s licence, and a possible solution Here are two actual experiences: • I arrive at the Licencing Office in New Horizons at 7:30am on a Friday, fully equipped with completed application form, eye-test certificate and photos, and join the queue. A number of people join the queue behind me.

We all stand there for about 30 minutes and then a security man comes to the queue and counts the applicants. I am number 14 with several people behind me.

We are told they only take 13 applicants on a Friday, because it is a half day.

Asking why it took half an hour before telling us this, we just get a shrug and are told it is Covidrelated. Me and those behind me are fuming with frustration by now and ask when we should come again. We are told Monday and Wednesday, when they process 25 people a day. I return home in an irate state.

• I arrive at Bitou Licencing Office at 7:20am on a Wednesday. I am number 25. It starts raining and as the queue is outside, I leave as I’m due to go to George. I consider trying Knysna on the way but no luck - their queue snakes down the road.

On return from George, I head back to the Plett office at 1:45pm on the off chance that the 25 people might be processed and I could put my application in. I am told they have done their 25 for the day, so I should come back Friday.

The 25 applications had been completed by normal Friday closing time, but they were not prepared to do more on the Wednesday… wonderful service!

A solution may be to start an appointment system: provide a

telephone number that people can call to make an appointment. Allow 10-minute intervals on a Monday for processing applications from people with all documents complete, and 15-minute intervals on a Wednesday and Friday for those who need to complete forms, etc.

This will eliminate the need for people to queue all day and will reduce any queue to one or two people waiting for their appointments - a big plus in this Covid age.

Applicants can make appointments a week or more in advance,

thus avoiding wasting time standing in queues. The Licencing Office will then also be able to process more applications, thus improving service delivery and reducing the backlog. I do hope that they want to…

I know this system works, as a friend of mine did her renewal in Krugersdorp that way. Surely we can’t let Gauteng do it better than us?

Frustrated Resident, Plett (This letter and the one below were sent to Bitou Traffic for a response, but none had been received by going to print. - Eds.)

Plettenberg Bay 0, Knysna 10 On January 22, we went to the Plettenberg Bay magistrate’s court building in New Horizons to apply for the renewal of my driver’s licence.

I was previously told that if you arrive early, you don’t need to wait that long. Wrong, very wrong!

I got there at 6:50am, although they only open to the public at 7:30am. To my surprise, 27 people were already waiting in a bizarre queue - nobody knew exactly where one should line up.

Finally, after standing for an hour and 15mins, some action: a security guard walked towards the queue and started measuring people’s temperature and signing them in at the gate.

After an additional wait, another surprise: we were told by a rather unfriendly and arrogant lady employee, that only the first 11 people would be served, “because it is Friday” (although the office is ostensibly open until 1pm).

Nobody came outside to inform us and there was no signage at the gate pertaining to the number restriction on that day. Many, many people came after me; they were all

told to come back on Monday and had to leave the premises.

Together with other disappointed and angry citizens, I was absolutely enraged with this disgusting service.

When passing the building some time later, I saw the poor gentleman in front of the queue still waiting for his turn to be called.

On the same morning, I drove to Knysna and applied for the renewal of my driver’s licence there.

I was met with friendly and competent people. Everything went smooth as butter and after less than 10 minutes, my application was submitted and I happily paid my fee.

A very big thank you for a great fivestar Knysna service.

I hope this letter is being read by Bitou Traffic personnel in a position of authority.

As I and many other experienced, some employees in your Licencing Department don’t deserve to have a job as they lack the passion and motivation to serve the public who, in the final analysis, pay their taxes and put food on their families’ tables.

Lena, Plett

BUSINESS

3 February 2021

What tech lies ahead? Some six trends to expect this year…

CXPRESS

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Read CXPRESS online @ www.cxpress.co.za

By mid-March 2020, business plans went out the window and many shifted focus from thriving to surviving. Seidor Africa group managing director PEDRO LOPES predicts that technology trends will increasingly evolve in line with online and digital lives in 2021, and explores what else the year will bring…

Business management systems key Challenges differ from one organisation to the next, but business needs remain the same. Now more than ever, end-to-end business management systems are needed to manage and control daily activities.

An integrated solution designed specifically for the business will help managers reach targets by cutting manual tasks and automating business-critical functions. A centralised database at the heart of the solution will allow for reconciling data from multiple systems, enabling automation which brings with it efficiency and productivity.

Informed and efficient management decisions will be enabled by having access to integrated, real-time data.

Adaptability critical to success The key to sustainability in 2021 will be the ability to understand the full picture using business intelligence and rock-solid systems.

We are continually having to adapt because we do not know what’s coming, although we can be sure there will be some unexpected twists and turns.

How do we make assumptions with so many disruptions? At the moment, it is critical for businesses to adapt to market and environmental changes on a daily basis and to do that, they

Investor Focus

need an integrated system that provides real-time data.

Covid-19 accelerating e-commerce growth The increasing use of technology to work and stay connected is creating new digital habits globally. The way we shop is changing, with e-commerce having boomed under lockdown.

Now is the time to transform business operations to match the new digital expectations that have emerged.

According to research, two-thirds of CEOs of Global 2000 companies will shift their focus from traditional, offline strategies to more modern digital strategies to improve the customer experience, with 34% of companies believing they’ll fully adopt digital transformation within 12 months or less.

Work from home here to stay Remote work is the future and with the work from home (WFH) trend unlikely to lose momentum, remote monitoring and management will enable managed IT service providers to monitor client endpoints, networks, and computers remotely and proactively. This is also now known as, or referred to as, remote IT management.

With operational and sales staff working remotely, integrated human capital management (HCM) solutions in the cloud will

become increasingly common, and performance reviews will increasingly be moving online as the world becomes more digital.

Work sharing and collaboration Collaboration is the new normal in the workplace, with employees no longer expected to work cut off from one another. Document management systems and collaboration platforms are more popular than ever, allowing secure access to documents for remote workers from any device of their choice.

Conversion ratio to remain sluggish In the B2B world, buying decisions are taking longer.

The time from lead to prospect, and from prospect to closure has had a big impact on new sales across many sectors. It may be time to reassess innovation strategies and perhaps re-prioritise the product pipeline.

I would wager that in general, people are stalling decisions until we have a vaccine, and they start to feel safer and more confident about the future.

One thing is clear: events of the past year have had an impact on technology as much as every other part of our lives. Beyond WFH, we can expect tech trends to increasingly evolve in line with our online and digital lives.

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

Best you believe Buffet on Bitcoin ITCOIN has made a lot of people a lot of money, and has lost a lot of people a lot of money.

Its success has relied on the upward momentum of the price; its downward moves on negative momentum.

Investments trade in the opposite way to other goods. If a pound of butter in the supermarket suddenly went up by 25%, housewives would stop buying butter. However, if shares or Bitcoin suddenly start soaring, everyone rushes in to get their hands on them.

This investment modus operandi is often called “the theory of the greater fool”, i.e. only a fool would buy them and then hope that a greater fool would come along to sell them to.

Here are some quotes about Bitcoin from Warren Buffet, the world’s most successful investor.

“It’s not a currency. It does not meet the test of a

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currency. I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s not around in 10 or 20 years. It’s not a durable means of exchange; it’s not a store of value.

“It has been a very speculative kind of Buck Rogers-type thing that people buy and sell because they hope they go up or down, just like they did with tulip bulbs a long time ago.”

(The tulip bulb mania started in Holland about 100 or so years ago. The mania got so bad that people sold their homes just to own two bulbs… Everyone lost everything!)

“A rising price does create more buyers and people think, I’ve gotta get in on this, and it’s better if they don’t understand it. If you don’t understand it, you get much more excited than if you do understand it.”

Buffet continued unabated: “It draws a lot of charlatans. It’s something where people who are of less than

stellar character see an opportunity to clip people who are trying to get rich because their neighbour’s getting rich, buying this stuff that neither one of them understands.”

A quote from another source reads as follows: “Bitcoin is defined as ‘everything you don’t understand about money, combined with anything you don’t understand about computers’. It’s not considered a medium of exchange, i.e. you can’t buy a cup of coffee with it.”

So, dear Garden Route retirees, the message is: stay at home, stay safe, and stay away from Bitcoin.

• Malcolm has been in the investment industry for nearly 50 years. He has written this column in CXPRESS for the last 22 years and is a specialist in managing retired wealth. See the MPK Wealth advert on page 7 for contact details.

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CXPRESS

INTERVAL

3 February 2021

INTERESTING FACTS

are not figments of your imagination. They are actual people that you have seen at some point in your life. Your mind stores them away until they make an appearance in your dreams.

• Ever wonder where the term ‘computer bug’ originates from?

It was coined by US Navy admiral Grace Hopper - a computer scientist in 1945. She was working on a computer that was lagging, and she fixed it by removing a moth that somehow became stuck inside the computer.

The first-ever ‘computer bug’ was an actual bug.

• When someone or something is ‘long in the tooth’, that means it’s old, worn out, on its last legs, about to give, etc.

But where does the saying come from?

It hails from horses. The

• What’s the last thing you would expect to find at an Olympic swimming pool? The answer is... “lifeguards”.

They are rarely shown on TV and seldom needed, but are in attendance indeed. Their presence is just an extra precaution, but at least they get to see the action upfront.

Not too shabby for a day’s work.

• Where is a lobster’s brain? If your answer is “in its head”, you would be wrong.

A lobster’s brain is located in its throat.

In case you are wondering what is located in a lobster’s head, that answer is “its kidneys”.

• One can be released early from prison for good behaviour. In one country, you can get out early for reading books.

Due to overcrowding in Brazil’s prison system, the Brazilian government has a programme in place in which prisoners can reduce their sentences by four days for every book they read.

Inmates read a book, submit their book report, and if approved they will spend four days less in the system.

• The human brain can do many fascinating things. One thing it cannot do is create faces.

The faces in your dreams

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• When was the last time you were reading a book or magazine in a dream?

If you are like most people, you won’t be able to recall. More than likely, it has never happened.

While not impossible, it is highly unlikely. Why does it not happen?

Reading is a function of the right side of the brain, while dreams originate from the left side.

When you are dreaming, the right side of your brain is at rest.

teeth of a horse continue to grow as it gets older. So as the years go by, each tooth gets longer and longer, hence the expression ‘long in the tooth’.

• The Twitter generation calls it a hashtag (#). Those from the ‘preTwitter’ dinosauric era will call it the pound sign or number sign.

Both are used, yet neither is technically correct.

The correct official name of the tic-tac-toe-looking sign is an ‘Octothorpe’.

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ent book Testam 14 Old (7) (5) 16 Fiddle (5)

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— narcotic

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P R A I S R R E L O I T E R W D E P E T E N S C G S T ON E R O T AQU A R I S G E C OH E R E A E U L E N I N

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ON THE SOAPBOX

3 February 2021

Letters to the Editor

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

A heartfelt tribute to the wonderful staff at Plettenberg Bay Mediclinic On January 9, just before returning home after our December holiday, I had an unfortunate cycling accident near Plettenberg Bay. I ended up having to have three operations to repair/ reconstruct my right elbow.

To this end, I spent 12 consecutive days in Plettenberg Bay Mediclinic.

Obviously with the Covid-19 precautions, I was not allowed any visitors during my stay. I got to know the staff very well during this time - and what a privilege it was.

It was quite extraordinary to find so many people working in one mediclinic, all with the same wonderful characteristics: Kindness. Compassion. Genuine concern for fellow human beings.

Always friendly and very professional, they never complained and never showed any negativity.

All these traits prevailed despite them working in the front lines during a serious pandemic. And I really mean ALL the staff - sisters, nurses, day and night staff, catering and cleaning staff. I got to know most of them by name but will not mention any for fear of leaving someone out.

I take my hat off to each one of you and I thank you for making my stay so pleasant, even amidst substantial pain and discomfort.

Above all, you really opened my eyes to what life should be about.

Too often we get caught up in simply doing our

daily jobs and living day to day. You all showed me once again that there should be a purpose to one’s life and I salute you for the passion that you put into your work and into caring for other human beings.

You truly are angels sent straight from heaven and I wish God’s blessing in abundance on each of your lives.

A special word of thanks is due to the doctors involved: Dr Nel at the emergency room where I was admitted, very ably assisted by Thabiso; Dr Maré, the orthopaedic surgeon who did the three intricate operations so successfully and always inspired confidence in me and assured me all would be OK.

Dr Jansen van Vuuren, the anaesthetist, was always quirky and perky and eager to lift my spirits; nurse Tholda Grimsell in the surgical theatre, whose smiling face was the first I saw when I woke up after each of the three operations, and who of her own accord kept contact with my wife, Lydia, and always let her know how I was doing.

Tholda also came to my ward every day from the theatre to pay me a visit and to see how I was doing. God bless you all.

You are fantastic, wonderful, loving people who deserve the highest appreciation and accolades for your sterling, unselfish, sacrificial work and excellent attitudes.

André Vorster, by email

Don’t let this unique forest be annihilated by aliens If you have driven into Knysna, from the George side of town recently, you may have noticed that all the indigenous bush on the hillside is being overtaken by an alien creeper, which is going to kill the small section of natural bush that is left.

It’s going to be a great pity to see the beautiful

Cape Chestnuts demolished but, hey, that’s life in the new, old South Africa.

More concerning is the state of the forest on the way into Nature’s Valley, where the Cape Chestnuts are at risk, along with many hundreds of years old Yellowwoods.

Now that’s a travesty!

Who are the custodians

No girl trouble…

of this forest? Is it Nature’s Valley Trust, is it a government agency?

Whoever it is, we need to engage and to form a group of concerned citizens to save these trees.

What we need is access and a handful of volunteers to cut the creepers at the base of the trees and poison the stump to prevent regrowth, or to ring-bark said creepers.

The dying creepers will be dislodged by wind and rain. This may not be as easy as it sounds, given the terrain, but surely we should make an effort

before losing a unique local phenomenon.

Anyone interested or who has relevant information, please provide same to the CXPRESS, so that we can form an action group/work with authorities.

This forest will be gone in the wink of an eye and if we do not save it, we are surely a bunch of winkers…

Peter Brown, Plett (Email editor@cxpress. co.za if you have input in this regard or would like to form part of Peter’s working group. - Eds.)

A big THANKS to you, Edna!

Derrick de Necker of Plett shared this pic and wrote: “I took this photo recently on the Keurbooms River just after the bridge over the N2. How peaceful, with not a woman in sight!”

Toxic lack of discretion by advertising regulatory body I read in the media that the South African Advertising Regulatory Board (ARB), has banned the television advert in which Scottish actor Gerald Butler takes part, recommending Windhoek beer, as it promotes “toxic masculinity”.

What a sad and ludicrous decision by the ARB. The advertisement concerned and its sequel are two of the best adverts to appear on TV for many months, in that they are well presented, clever, and stick in the mind.

To my mind, the ARB has missed the main point of the advert; it does not promote the “role of men as having to behave in a certain way”, but promotes a brand of beer as being superior to other brands.

I have no idea what the term “toxic masculinity” even means. Perhaps the ARB can explain it to us.

Is it possible that someone on the ARB received the proverbial 10% from a rival beer group to crush this excellent advert?

Kevin Meineke, Plett

Seventeen years ago, there was a lady who lived in Qolweni and made soup in her informal house to feed the hungry.

One day, Edna Light came to see me and asked if the Plettenberg Bay Housing Trust could donate a container to this lady for a kitchen. I checked it out but there was no space and the delivery truck could not get there.

A couple of years before, the Trust built four workshops on donated land in Plett’s industrial area. I found out that there was one vacant workshop. With municipal approval, the Trust fitted out a soup kitchen and handed it over to Edna Light.

Edna went overseas to Ireland and Canada to raise funds to run the soup kitchen. Those who donated money came out from overseas to see the soup kitchen in action and took vid-

eos and photos.

She went on to run the soup kitchen for 17 years, feeding over 300 people, five times a week!

The cooking staff are wonderful and have been there for years.

Laurence from the municipality was there whenever they needed help. Edna’s friends were there from the start as backup when needed.

There were donors from Plett who contributed food on a regular basis, but the largest donations came from Ireland and Canada.

Later, a preschool classroom for the local kids was built, as well as a shelter for the people waiting for food so that they did not get wet in the rain.

Due to personal reasons, Edna has now returned to Ireland. Magriet Reddering, who has been helping her for years, is still involved.

Well done, Edna!

Paul Scheepers, Plett

CXPRESS

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CLASSIFIEDS

3 February 2021

Storms River

TIN HOUSE Self-catering accommodation

Paws

Plett Animal Welfare Service