3 May 2017 by CXpress

3 May 2017

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

That was close! Joshua Daniels, 13, is flanked by Plett NSRI volunteer Herman du Plessis and Station Commander Marc Rodgers, at right, after his close encounter with a shark off Keurbooms on Saturday - read all about it on page 3

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NEWS & VIEWS

3 May 2017

Henk’s Little Travelogue: Australia/Tasmania/New Zealand - Part III

Taking the scenic route to famous Bondi Beach Itinerant contributor HENK BOLHUIS is currently exploring the wonders of Down Under with his wife Rentia, and will entertain CXPRESS readers for the next eight weeks with his travel tales and pics - turn to page 2 of the previous two editions at www.cxpress.co.za to catch up AST week, I started sharing with you the story of a famous cat called Trim, as told by Australian author Bryce Courtenay in his book Matthew Flinders’ Cat; today we continue the story. Trim sailed with him on all his voyages and even survived the shipwreck of the Porpoise - a ship on which Flinders was a passenger in 1803 while en route back to England. However, when Flinders arrived at then French-governed Mauritius on December 17, 1803, he discovered that England and France were at war. He was subsequently promptly incarcerated. During the time of his imprisonment, which lasted for six and a half years, Trim remained Flinders’ faithful companion. Just before his release during an exchange of prisoners in June 1810, however, Trim mysteriously disappeared and was never seen again. Flinders arrived back in England on October 23, 1810 and was promoted to Post Captain. Over the next four years he wrote his book A Voyage to Terris Australis, but soon after its completion he fell seriously ill. However, the first leatherbound copy was printed in July 1814, rushed to his London home and placed into the hands of this intrepid explorer, two days before his death on July 19. Matthew Flinders was only 40 years old when he died. It was truly special, on a Sunday afternoon, to find myself occupying Billy O’Shannessy’s bench under a massive Moreton

BLACK SUNDAY BEACH SCENE: Disaster struck in February 1938, before the advent of lifesavers doing duty on Sidney’s popoular Bondi Beach

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Bay fig tree, and facing Trim’s small bronze statue made by sculptor John Cornwell. It was mounted on the State Library’s east side window ledge in 1996, directly behind a statue of Matthew Flinders. A plaque under it states: ‘TO THE MEMORY OF TRIM. The best and most illustrious of his race. The most affectionate of friends, faithful of servants and best of creatures. He made the tour of the globe and a voyage to Australia, which he circumnavigated and was the ever delight and pleasure of his fellow voyagers. Written by Matthew Flinders in memory of his cat.’ For me, especially after reading Bryce Courtenay’s book, this place now has a very special meaning as it so wonderfully contributes to the historical facts of the ‘discovery’ of this vast continent, first called ‘New Holland’ by Dutch seafarer Abel Tasman. Later the name was changed to ‘Terra Australis’ (Latin for ‘South Land’), although that name had already been used as far back as the 5th Century on maps by Macrobius; Flinders, however is credited with the name ‘Australia’. After this brief visit we were off to Bondi Beach, prob-

ably Sydney’s most famous and popular beach, only about 7km to the east of the CBD. We took the long route to the suburb of Bondi, via New South Head Road and other short scenic drives, all of them studded with beautiful homes overlooking parts of Sydney Harbour and the ocean. Bondi, pronounced ‘Bon-dye’, derives its name from the Aboriginal word meaning ‘noise of water breaking over rocks’, and was originally part of a private 200-acre parcel of land belonging to a certain Francis O’Brien that included the beach front area, which he allowed the public to use as picnic ground. Later the local council obtained the land and in June 1882 they declared the area a public beach. The Australian coastline is notoriously treacherous and nowadays lifesavers are on duty virtually everywhere, even out of season. However, in 1938 lifesavers were not yet employed on the beaches and on February 6 that year disaster struck at Bondi Beach. On that day, known as ‘Black Sunday’, five people drowned and more than 250 people were rescued, many of them having to be resuscitated. Today the beach is especially

popular with young people, many of whom are backpackers that come from a variety of foreign countries. Another interesting story about Bondi Beach involved the famous American movie star Jean Parker, who in 1951 made international headlines when she was escorted off the sand by a beach inspector named Aub Laidlaw. Laidlaw and another inspector were, at the time, employed by the Waverley City Council in order to enforce Local Government Act, Ordinance 52 that governed, since 1935, the swimming costume code. This Public Decency bylaw stipulated, among other things, the minimum dimensions of swimwear and caused immense controversy after WWII when the two-piece bikini arrived in Australia from the USA. The beach inspectors were sometimes required to physically measure the bikinis and, if the size was smaller than the prescribed minimum dimensions, the lady in question was marched off the beach. The old ordinance was repealed in 1961 and replaced with one that ‘requires bathers to be clad in a proper and adequate bathing costume’. This is wide open to interpretation - especially nowadays, when many young ladies prefer to do their sun bathing on the beach topless. After this venture, later in the afternoon, we returned to the city by an alternative, scenic road. Another wonderful day had ended. To be continued…

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NEWS & VIEWS

3 May 2017

CXPRESS

Shark sighting and attack lend serious weight to NSRI appeal for caution in the water A cautionary press release by the National Sea Rescue Institute on April 29 was disseminated not a moment too soon... - NIKKI RIDLEY reports RELIEF ALL AROUND: The NSRI rescue craft is pictured here immediately after having landed back on Main Beach - the relaxed faces of the volunteer crewmen as they alighted from the boat was evidence of a far better outcome than that feared by many worried onlookers who witnessed the attack; NSRI volunteer and member of the crew that responded to the emergency, Neil Stephenson, in front of the craft, lost his right leg in a shark attack at The Waves in 1998 Photo: Nikki Ridley

N the morning of Saturday April 30, only a day after the NSRI’s appeal for caution and awareness along the Southern Cape coastline was posted locally on social media by Plett NSRI Station 14, a large Great White shark was tracked as it made its way from the Robberg toward Lookout Beach prompting Beach Control to close Central and Lookout beaches temporarily. According to Beach Controller Norman Mayall, the shark was first sighted by a glider pilot at Robberg 5 Beach, and it was then monitored by lifeguards stationed at Robberg 5. These lifeguards went out on Malibu boards to watch

the shark’s progress and reported that it was swimming in the direction of the Beacon Isle hotel. The lifeguards at Robberg 1 then reported it rounding the BI rocks, after which they lost sight of the shark. Beach Control proceeded to closed Central Beach. Unable to pick up a visual on the shark’s movement after that, Mayall then also closed Lookout Beach on the assumption that the lack of visuals at Central meant the shark was further offshore and on its way to Lookout. While Lookout Beach was being closed for bathing, the shark was spotted near The Blinders - a rock reef off the Beacon Island,

offshore from Central. The shark was monitored from there by Offshore Adventure skipper Jaco Kruger (who reported it to be around 4m in length, according to Mayall) until it was seen heading further out into the bay. Later on the same day, teenaged surfer Josh Daniels was attacked by a shark at The Waves - a relatively remote and not-so-heavily frequented but still popular surfing spot off Keurbooms Beach. According to the official NSRI report, the 13-yearold Pearson High School student was apparently in the water with two other surfers when he was bitten on his calf. He suffering

Sharks aplenty along Southern Cape Coast This photo of a shark off Robberg Peninsula appeared on the NSRI website on April 29 with a warning and stating, inter alia, that it was normal for sharks to come close in-shore at this time of year. “NSRI urges public caution along the coastline, particularly along the Southern Cape coastline (The Garden Route), between Natures Valley and Mossel Bay, and in particular around the Plettenberg Bay in-shore area, due to a high number of White shark sightings. The increase in shark in-shore presence at this time of the year is part of the normal aggregation of these animals… to take advantage of naturally occurring prey like seals and fish close in shore. Most of these shark sightings are in the vicinity of Robberg and the high number of sightings reported daily offers a rare opportunity for sightseers to view shark activity close in shore. NSRI and the Emergency Services are well prepared to deal with any incidents and carry emergency medical shark kits on rescue boats, while NSRI medics carry emergency medical shark kits in private vehicles to ensure the quickest response to any incident.”

deep lacerations, but luckily nothing more serious. There has been no conclusive identification of the species of shark as yet; this will hopefully to be determined from analysis of the bite wound. However, according to the official NSRI state-

ment, it is thought to have been a juvenile Great White of around 2m in length. The victim received emergency treatment and was stabilised on the beach before being transported by ambulance to Mediclinic Plettenberg Bay for further treatment.

Local friends of the teen said that he was still suffering the after-effects of the shock the next morning, and did not recall the exact run-up or immediate actions after the attack. The family returned to their home town of Port Elizabeth on May 1.

CXPRESS

NEWS & VIEWS

3 May 2017

Crime experts warn of new scams as opportunists target Garden Route holiday towns

The Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association (PBCPA) this week issued a statement warning the public to be vigilant after nefarious activities were observed at many ATMs in Plett - NIKKI RIDLEY reports BCPA chairman Bruce Richardson reported that, after an incident involving a lady’s card being taken at the FNB Plett ATM in Main Street and shortly thereafter used at an Absa ATM, the Association and Plett Watch, assisted by security guards, observed two groups of people hanging around the various banks’ ATM stations, with the apparent intent to scam users. Richardson added that the movements of the sus-

pects were closely monitored over the past long weekend until they left Plettenberg Bay, when they were observed driving east along the N2. “The prospective perpetrators obviously realised that we were onto them and left town,” he said. He described the operation as “tightening the net in terms of levels of cooperation and interaction with ATM guards, etc. to try and minimise opportunities for the scam artists”.

However, he added that “at the end of the day, the best defence against scamming is for those using ATMs to be wise and observant, while refraining from using ATMs when isolated or when someone tries to ‘assist’ them.” He also explained that the lady who was robbed had put her card down next to the ATM momentarily, so this theft was regarded as a case of opportunism. Alarmingly, one of the groups of suspected

scammers (reportedly with Gauteng-registered cars) had threatened the FNB security guard “not to intervene in their activities”. Richardson warned that another ploy to look out for was scammers targeting foreigners, telling them that they had to pay for their parking spots at the ATMs and offering to help them do it. This has been reported happening at The Market Square, and been successful “on a couple of occasions”. “The amazing part of it all is that this is a common form of crime internationally and the vast majority of people know not to allow close proximity of others or interference at an ATM, but still fall for the scam when it happens.

“We continue to work on eliminating this scourge from our town but other steps can be taken to assist,” he said. As per the statement, Richardson is calling for accommodation establishments to play a more active role in warning guests, particularly about the paid parking scam, and warning them to avoid ATMs when there are few or no other people around. He added that they were providing accommodation establishments with a document on the subject to share with their guests. “Banks need to be more involved with the local security effort. CCTV footage is not enough - by the time it is seen, the perpetrators have the loot and are

long gone.” Last, but certainly not least, Richardson is appealing to the community to report all incidents to the SAPS and “to be observant and intervene when we see our tourist visitors at risk or doing something unwise”. “We also need to be alert concerning suspect individuals lurking around ATMs and report suspicious activity to the PBCPA hotline on 082 251 8134.” “Perpetrators visit our town because of the relaxed holiday atmosphere in which crime is the last thing on people’s minds,” he concluded. “We need to change this perception and ensure that such individuals enjoy no success in Plettenberg Bay.”

‘Blood Lions’ wins two major awards OCAL supporters of the global Blood Lions campaign, which endeavours to end canned hunting and all exploitative tourism activities using predators, will be pleased to know that the docu-film of the same name has just won two major African Responsible Tourism Awards. Announced at the annual gala awards event held in Cape Town on April 20, Blood Lions walked away as winner in the category Best Responsible Tour-

ism Campaign, and was then declared joint overall winner, along with Coffee Shack Backpackers, of the coveted main Responsible Tourism Award 2017. Plett resident and campaign leader Ian Michler, who is the special consultant and lead character in the award-winning documentary, said these awards would hopefully bring greater awareness to issues around responsible and ethical tourism. “These are words used far

too loosely in the marketing material of so many operations. I call on all Garden Route residents and visitors to the region to do their research before they consider visiting any facility that keeps wildlife in captivity, especially so if they allow animal interaction activities,” said Michler. He invites tour operators to visit www.bloodlions. org/born-to-live-wild/ and sign up for the Born to Live Wild pledge.

There’s something whiffy en route to The Wedge

These photos taken on April 30 show the path of a sewage spill from the pump station behind Hobie beach, with lime having been put down to disinfect the affected area. This was done after a number of people complained on social media of a terrible stench coming from the leak on the morning of April 29. However, local surfers who frequent The Wedge break have reported that this particular sewage spill is a regular occurrence and has been happening at intervals over the past three years. We hope to provide details on the exact cause and remedial action in this regard, in a near-future edition. - Nikki Ridley

NEWS & VIEWS

3 May 2017

Extraordinary French prof to explore enigmas of Le Vaillant’s accounts LETT Angling Club on the tranquil banks of Keurbooms River is once again the setting for an interesting talk hosted by the Van Plettenberg Historical Society, presented on May 14. Guest speaker on this occasion is professor David Culpin, who will explore the veracity of the legacy of François le Vaillant - the remarkable French traveller who spent a couple of months in Plettenberg Bay during the 18th Century. Professor Culpin is an Honorary Reader in French at the University of St Andrews in Scotland, Adjunct Associate Professor of French at the University of Cape Town, and Extraordinary Associate Professor of French at the University of the Western Cape. Entitled ‘François Le Vaillant’s Travels into the Interior of Africa: Fact or Fiction?’, his talk tracks the Frenchman’s journey from his departure eastwards from Cape Town on December 18 in the year 1781. Travelling along the coast, Le Vaillant camped

THE TALENTED MISTER LE V: François le Vaillant, pictured in all his 18th Century glory above, spent his time productively while camping in Plettenberg Bay during 1782

at Plettenberg Bay between May and July 1782, before continuing his journey to a spot just north of Cookhouse, on the western bank of the Great Fish River, which he reached on October 12 that year. He remained there until December 4, when he

started his return journey across the Little Karoo, reaching Cape Town on March 28, 1783. His account of this journey, published in Paris in 1790, is one of the most important travel narratives of the 18th Century, and is particularly noted for its careful description

of the region’s ornithology and natural history. But certain aspects of Le Vaillant’s account remain shrouded in mystery: did he really cross the frontier into ‘Caffraria’ shortly after the First Frontier War (1779-81), in an attempt to make peace between the settlers and the Xhosa? And is he really the author of his own narrative? Next Sunday’s talk will address the achievements of Le Vaillant’s text, while suggesting possible solutions to these enigmas. Be there at 10:30 for 11am and please take note that while there will be no buffet lunch available at the Angling Club, but that The Verandah at nearby Goose Valley Clubhouse should be open for Sunday lunch on the day. Cover charge for the talk is R30 per person (subscriptions cost R70 per member). Please phone Mike Kantey on 072 628 5131 with queries and see the Van Plettenberg Bay Historical Society advert on this page for additional information.

VUE DE LA BAYE: This painting by Le Vaillant depicts the ‘view of the bay of Plettenberg’, and the inscription below even makes mention of the ‘mouth of the Witte Drift’ - this reference probably pertaining to the Keurbooms River, thus making Plett Angling Club a particularly apt venue for next Sunday’s talk

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NEWS & VIEWS

3 May 2017

B10F and Rage for Good host motivational talk for matrics FULL BACKING: Suzette de Villiers, Western Cape Education Department circuit manager, promised the department’s unconditional support when addressing the matriculants from Murray High, Plett Secondary and Wittedrift High School last Tuesday

AGE for Good, Firecracker and the Bitou 10 Foundation came together to organise a first time ever get together of all the Grade 12s in Bitou - a total of 271 learners. This event was made possible through a generous contribution from the Western Cape Government. The aim was to give the matriculants an opportunity to listen to some of the best teachers and life coaches as they prepare for their final examinations, bearing in mind that there are less than 100 days at school before they write one of the most significant exams of their life. This motivational morning not only inspired them, but also guided them about Raging responsibly and making the right decisions. The three keynote speakers all gave the same message, albeit from different

vantage points. Western Cape Education Department (WCED) circuit manager Suzette de Villiers made it clear that each learner is important to the WCED - and that her office would do whatever was necessary to enable each Grade 12 learner to achieve to his or her full potential. Colin Garnett, the next speaker, was not only inspirational but also brought home the reality of how a single foolish decision could destroy all the excellent work and effort preceding it. As one learner said: “After this talk by Colin, we can never, ever again say ‘we didn't know’.” Innocent Matalingoane, an ex Wittedrift learner, was the third and final speaker. He pleaded with our learners to stop using whatever excuses they may

have had for poor achievements and inspired them to dream big. His address to the learners was emphatic proof of the quality of young people raised in Bitou. A huge thank you to all the participants, principals and teachers who accompanied the Grade 12 learners, Plettenberg Bay Primary, Hunter Hotels, The Deli Factory, Andrie Combrink for a superb breakfast spread, Kitten, The Biltong Boutique, PNA, Mason’s Packaging, The Flower Shop and Plett Sports - together you ensured an incredible morning for all our town's matriculants. Madiba said: “The only way we have of touching the future is by laying the foundations well today.” The B10F team thanks everyone who helped in any way to ensure the sucCLASS OF 2017: Good decisions and responsible Raging were some of the buzzwords when three different speakers addressed a packed Plett Primary School hall, where the matrics also enjoyed a delicious breakfast

BUSINESS

3 May 2017

CXPRESS

This is how persistent drought impacts our economy HE agricultural sector has so far survived the worst of the drought that has been gripping the country for the past three years; however, the Western Cape has not been as fortunate - dam levels are low and the lack of rain has led to decreasing soil moisture that is threatening production. The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) reported that dam levels have eased marginally as

we approach the end of the rainy season in the summer production areas, reaching 73.7% full versus 54.8% by end April 2016. In contrast, the summer rainfall areas of the Western Cape (WC) did not receive sufficient rainfall and dam levels remain critically low at 24.2% full compared to 31.2% last year this time. “Recent weather forecasts indicate that we might see a return of the El Nino weather pattern in the new

season (2017/8), but it’s early days and the situation may improve,” says FNB Senior Agricultural Economist Paul Makube. “Already, weather forecasts have signalled a possibility of above normal rainfall for late autumn to mid-winter, which is a welcome relief for the Western Cape winter crop areas.” Makube shares some implications from the drought that is gripping the province’s agricultural sector.

Investor Focus

Wine: Production volumes have declined. However, the drier conditions in general mean improved quality of wine. The lower volumes may lead to a modest increase in prices to the benefit of producers. Fruit and veg: Not all areas in the WC are badly affected by the drought - an example being the Ceres region. One must differentiate between water available for human consumption and for irrigation.

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

Climbing the wall of worry recent Investec news bulletin coined this lovely phrase, the ‘wall of worry’ referring to the bullish performance of equities worldwide in the face of unprecedented political threats. We have witnessed the election of a maverick US president, Brexit, and now new general elections in the UK. We saw the Dutch elections, the first round of the French elections and, in September, the Germans go to the polls. In our own country we witness the ongoing political soapy, with investment threatening events at the end of each episode. Yet global equities remain firm, while the Rand recovers. This reinforces the argument that we should ignore the political noise and rhetoric (however difficult this may be) and

keep our eyes on the investment fundamentals. In the leading developed economies, we are seeing a reduction in interest rate-stimulated growth, and a resurgence of earnings-stimulated growth. These company earnings are recovering from almost a decade of stagnation and massive regulation stress. Inflation and economic growth are showing signs of recovering and markets are reacting positively. This change in the investment climate, together with the “Trump Bump” - i.e. the promise of reduced corporate taxes - has led to a strong US market, with the UK and Euro markets having a coat-tail run. It is now necessary to focus on true value in assessing equity valuations. One must be wary of an “elevator market”, i.e.

where a rising elevator gains more passengers on each successive stop, with the greatest number of passengers getting on board at the top floor! The simplest metric to watch is the P/E ratio: the share price divided by the earnings of the company gives you the number of years before the company earnings equal the price you paid. Historically, the S&P 500 in the US has recorded an average P/E of ±14; it currently stands at ±19. Clearly this market is no longer cheap and should be treated with caution. No one knows at which floor the elevator is currently standing… The South African market is far more diversified, with ±60% of the earnings of the top 40 shares being earned offshore. This makes it impossible to generalise when assess-

ing our market. It is, however, clear that some of our equities are not expensive. Banking shares are on single digit P/Es and offer dividend yields of almost 6%. Our bonds offer yields of just under 9%; in the developed markets, you are lucky to get 2.3% These are bargains in a global context. The downgrades to Junk status were clearly anticipated by markets and while some global investors will no longer be able to invest in SA, other funds are sure to be attracted, Absolute caution is clearly advised but don’t miss the bargains because of the rhetoric. • Malcolm has been in the investment industry for nearly 50 years. He has written this column in CXPRESS for the last 18 years and is a specialist in managing retired wealth.

Although the situation with dam levels is dire, some farmers have on-site storage capacity for irrigation, but not for human consumption. Nonetheless, vegetable farmers who do not have this capacity face a bleak future if it does not rain sooner. Grain: The rainy season normally starts early May, so everything is not yet lost. Fortunately, the rainfall outlook has since improved with the possibility

of above-normal showers in the winter ahead, which will be beneficial for wheat and other winter crops. Some farmers have opted to diversify into barley production, which has previously only been produced in the Southern Cape. “The agri-value chain may come under pressure and impede potential job growth in the sector. With that said, we remain hopeful that the rains will return soon,” concludes Makube.

CXPRESS

INTERVAL

3 May 2017

The five toughest questions women ask men - and the answers you need... HE questions are: 1. What are you thinking about? 2. Do you love me? 3. Do I look fat? 4. Do you think she is prettier than me? 5. What would you do if I died? What makes these questions so difficult is that every one is guaranteed to explode into a major argument if the man answers incorrect (i.e. tells the truth). Therefore, as a public service, each question is analysed below, along with possible responses. 1. What are you thinking about? The proper answer to this, of course, is “I’m sorry if I’ve been pensive, dear. I was just reflecting on what a warm, wonderful, thoughtful, caring, intelligent woman you are and how lucky I am to have met you.” Inappropriate answers: a. Rugby. b. Cricket. c. How fat you are. d. How much prettier she is than you.

e. How I would spend the insurance money if you were to die. (Perhaps the best response to this question was offered by Al Bundy, who once told Peg: “If I wanted you to know what I was thinking, I would be talking to you!”) 2. Do you love me? The proper response is “Yes!”, or if you feel a more detailed answer is in order “Yes, Dear”. Inappropriate responses include: a. I suppose so. b. Would it make you feel better if I said yes? c. That depends on what you mean by love. d. Does it matter? e. Who, me? 3. Do I look fat? The correct answer is an emphatic “Of course not!” Incorrect: a. Compared to what? b. I wouldn’t call you fat, but your thighs sure do make a lot of noise. c. A little extra weight looks good on you. d. I’ve seen fatter. e. Could you repeat the question? I was just

thinking about how I would spend the insurance money if you died. 4. Do you think she’s prettier than me? Once again, the proper response is an emphatic “Of course not!” Incorrect responses: a. Yes, but you have a better personality. b. Not prettier, but definitely thinner. c. Not as pretty as you when you were her age. d. Define pretty. e. Could you repeat the question, I was thinking of the insurance money again. 5. What would you do if I died? A definite no win question here. (The real answer, of course, is “Buy a new Porsche”.) No matter how you an-

swer this question, be prepared for at least an hour of follow-up questions, usually along these lines: Woman: “Would you get married again?” Man: “Definitely not!” Woman: “Why not? Don’t you like being married?” Man: “Of course I do.” Woman: “Then why wouldn’t you remarry?” Man: “Okay, I’d get married again.” Woman: “You would?” Man: “Yes, I would.” Woman: “Would you put away my pictures, and replace them with hers?” Man: “That would be the proper thing to do.” Woman: “And would you let her use my golf clubs?” Man: “She can’t use them, she’s left-handed.”

The latest mergers RE your investments in order? Below are some of the latest rumours from Wall Street regarding mergers we can expect: • 3M and Goodyear merge to become MMMGood. • Polygram Records, Warner Brothers, and Keebler Crackers merge to become Polly-WarnerCracker. • John Deere and Abitibi-Price merge to become Deere Abi. • Zippo Manufacturing, Audi Motors, Do-

fasco, and Dakota Mining merge to become Zip Audi Do Da. • Honeywell, Imasco, and Home Oil merge to become Honey I’m Home. • Denison Mines, Alliance, and Metal Mining merge to become Mine All Mine. • Federal Express and UPS merge to become FED UP. • Finally, Knott’s Berry Farm and National Organisation of Women will merge and become Knott NOW!

I don’t need a personal trainer so much as I need someone to follow me around and slap unhealthy foods out of my hand.

WAIT FOR IT ...Wait for it...

SOCIAL SCENE

3 May 2017

CXPRESS

CARS AND GIRLS: Knysna photographer Gigi Lewis was wielding her lens last weekend and shared these photos for fun, writing: “When three-year-old (next month) Sirnaylon, left, went shopping at Knysna Mall with his mum, he couldn’t stop admiring this car on display, once driven by famous racing driver David Piper at Kyalami in the 60s. The nipper looks quite convinced that, one day, he’ll be driving a racing car like this, too.” At left below, Jett Jones and Victoria Styles show off their fabulous costumes during Saturday’s Pink Loerie street parade, right. This year’s Malebooth Pink Loerie Mardi Gras and Arts Festival from April 26 to May 1 was brimming with fantastical fairies, bears, princes, princesses (and some frogs, too), kings and fabulous queens. A storybook line-up of events hailed the annual celebration of all things LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and more).

Photos: Gigi Lewis

Photos: Dreamlink Art Studio

People, places & events

Photos: Timothy Twidle

MINGLING AT THE MARKET: At the Harkerville Saturday Market on April 29, Bitrus Kukah John of Algeria, left, and Dave Fostel of The Seychelles serve Inge and Albert Pretorius of Cape Town. Both youngsters are studying for a Diploma in Culinary Arts at the Christina Martin Culinary Arts Studio in Bitou. Below, the Suikerbekkie stall’s Johanna Zaayman, second from left, shares a moment with Harkerville residents Devenisha, left, and Antoinette Jonkerman, who is holding her pretty five-month-old baby, Anastacia.

WHAT A BLAST! The Knysna Motor Show - organised and run in exemplary fashion by the Garden Route Motor Club and backed by generous sponsorship from Sanlam Private Wealth - was held on April 30 at the Knysna High sports field. On the hot, sunny Sunday under clear skies, some 5,000 people poured into the grounds to inspect and view 400 vehicles, which included 45 motorbikes, all lovingly maintained in pristine condition by their owners. Roger Fisher with his roving microphone provided commentary and held interviews with owners of said machines. At left, he is seen requesting Joburgers Piet Maas, crouching at left, and Steven Helm, holding a handlebar, to start their 1914 Clyno motor-bicycle with side-car. Thereafter Maas and Helm sounded the hand-operated horn to the delight of everyone present. At centre above, showgoers admire a magnificent Austin Healey in British racing green, owned by Lionel Hewitt of Knysna. At left, Jacques Botha proudly displays his 1941 HarleyDavidson WL 750cc motorbike, which saw service in World War Two. The top two pics were submitted by Dreamlink Art Studio - at centre, William Ashurst, left, brushes shoulders with Enrico Iacopini of the famous same-named eatery in Keurbooms. At top left, Astrid Ashurst cracks up at the entertaining stilt man in hot pursuit. Motor enthusiasts from all parts of South Africa travelled to the Garden Route in order to participate in the famous motor show. Algoa FM conducted a live broadcast of music from the show ground throughout the day. Proceeds from the event are donated to Knysna Hospice, Famsa, e’Pap Children’s Feeding Project, and Knysna Animal Welfare.

CXPRESS

CLASSIFIEDS

3 May 2017

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ON THE SOAPBOX

3 May 2017

Letters to the Editor

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

A lesson in cooking to unspecified local chefs After spending another night tossing and turning with pain in my stomach, I would like to ask some of our restaurateurs to take a good look at the quality of food they are serving their customers, and to re-evaluate their cooking methods. Firstly, vegetables… ‘Al dente’ does not mean raw vegetables; al dente is fine in Europe, where vegetables are grown in a mild climate. The soil is different and the markets there deliver produce on a daily basis. Not so in South Africa! Our vegetables first go to some supermarket depot - usually hundreds of miles from their endusers - and then get distributed and sold after lying around in supermarkets for days, or perhaps weeks. Some franchises will not allow franchisees to buy fresh local produce, insisting it is supplied by their depot. Alternatively, veg is frozen - which is worse, as some chefs think they can just throw the frozen vegetables into a pot of boiling water until they are defrosted, and then serve it to customers in a practically raw state. Green beans in SA, unless very young, tend to be hard and indigestible and all but tasty. Carrots are yellow little rubbery things and totally tasteless (even old carrots can

be made tasty if cooked well and then glazed in butter and sugar). Broccoli is cooked to a state of India rubber and one can’t even cut it with a knife! Freezing of vegetables does not destroy all levels of bacteria, so after sitting humming in plastic bags for days/weeks/ months/years, they become toxic to people with IBS [irritable bowel syndrome], causing problems and pain - especially if they are not cooked properly. Secondly: salt. Any chef who does not know how to salt food should pack his bags and find another profession. The saltless, tasteless, vile food that we are supposed to eat is not acceptable. Carbohydrates have to be cooked with salt, i.e. Sodium Chloride, from cold start. Salt in vegetables can be added halfway through the cooking process. Sprinkling pure salt crystals over food just before you eat it is very bad for the body. The excuse offered is that some people have heart disease… Really? What about the diabetics with their sugar specifications? Are we eating hospital food now?! Salt added during the cooking process requires only small amounts and enhances the flavour of the food. If added on the plate it is uneven and en-

New Horizons licensing staff impress with kind efficiency We recently had the pleasure of renewing our driving licences at the new centre in New Horizons and must compliment officer Sean Ganga on the professionalism of his staff, and the competence shown in dealing with our requirements. Staff members Candy de Bruyn and Danielle Petersen were polite, friendly and efficient and did all possible to ensure we were guided promptly through the system.

One suggestion is that applicants for licences obtain a sight clearance certificate from an optician before going to the centre, as this will save you time and enable the staff to process your request without delay. The team at Specsavers at The Market Square was particularly helpful in this regard. Thanks again to all concerned and keep up the good work. Claire & Laurence, Plett

ters the digestive process in big crystals, which is worse for fluid retention. Table salt or common salt is a mineral composed primarily of sodium chloride (NaCl), a chemical compound belonging to the larger class of salts; salt in its natural form as a crystalline mineral is known as rock salt or halite. It is essential for life in general, and saltiness is one of the basic human tastes. Thirdly, potato chips. Possibly the worst invention in the fast-food industry is the pre-cooked, frozen potato chip. These are also thrown into hot oil just long enough to warm them up and then served - hard, tasteless, dry, revolting little sticks of oily carbohydrate, only made palatable by adding loads of salt and tomato sauce. I am repeatedly left disappointed and annoyed by the quality of the food in our local restaurants and if only the chefs would check to see what is left uneaten on the plates returned to the kitchen, they could perhaps adjust their cooking methodology. I often ask the waiters: "Would you eat this food?" They just look embarrassed and smile - why don’t we rather go about calling the chef ? I was recently served Eggs Benedict with a huge steak knife. I won-

dered why ‘till I tried cutting the bread, for which I actually needed a chisel and hammer. M Matzener, Plett (Mmm, it sounds as if this poor author has had extraordinarily horrid luck when it comes to local cuisine. Since no mention is made of particular establishments, no reactions were invited to the long list of woes described here. But one thing is certain: there exists an even longer list of reputable restaurants with incredibly talented chefs and servers plying their trade in Plett and surrounds. One example is Lemongrass, where a large party of residents and sophisticated Cape Town visitors arrived unannounced on Freedom Day, not least because of its exquisite lagoon-front setting. From the youngest to the oldest guests, several of whom are intricately involved in the food industry and particularly picky eaters, a deluge of compliments erupted upon tasting the wide variety of dishes served promptly and presented perfectly. It may not be fair to single out one local restaurant but a word in this regard is necessary indeed, as this team believes there’s a plethora of fabulous eateries in Plett, with sterling work ethics, sound product knowledge, and food integrity that cannot be faulted. - Ed.)

Warm meals required Dear Bitou residents, please consider supporting the Pine Trees Community Outreach Programme’s feeding schedule for the people of this impoverished local neighbourhood. Winter is nearly upon us and we would like to start preparing warm meals for distribution in the community. All individuals and businesses are asked for assistance in this regard. Donations in the form

of clothes, tinned food, beverages, veggies, and dry goods will also be appreciated. This is a truly worthy cause, and a humbling experience for everyone involved. Please pledge your support via email at shaunterblanche26@g mail.com or phone 073 531 5119 with queries thanks in advance. Shaun Terblanche Director: Pine Trees Project for Families & Children in Need, Plett

Please heed Kranshoek day-care centre’s desperate plea for help After 30 years of operation, Jack n Jill Day-care Centre is the oldest children’s project of its kind in Kranshoek. It currently cares for 90 children. Looking back on the growth and efforts of the community who started and managed this project, it grieves us to see this facility falter because of the economy. Its closure would have a very serious effect on our children’s future. The committee and

staff of Jack n Jill have decided to appeal for assistance in covering overall expenses required to operate this facility. Normal functioning cannot currently transpire due to lack of funding. Our dire need at this stage is to pay staff wages, rental, security and other expenses; we are still trying to cope with the provision of meals. Because of the unfortunate circumstances and diminished funding for

Child Welfare due to the current economic situation, we are reaching out for assistance to avoid closure of this essential community facility - for the sake of our children, as this project is the foundation of their educational progress. The parents and committee are trying their best to raise funds, but the response is not very favourable due to the amount of people being unemployed. At this

stage, we are in a desperate situation and are trying very hard to save the centre from closure. We plead with anyone who cares to assist in this matter to please help us lift this project out of its current unfortunate state of affairs. Feel free to contact me on 081 763 1329 - we would be most thankful for any kind of assistance. Elizabeth Andrews o.b.o. Jack n Jill, Plett

CXPRESS

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CXPRESS

SPORT & ADVENTURE

3 May 2017

Mountain bikers rock up in droves for first of Madibaz cross country series HE Madibaz Mountain Bike XCO Series made a flying start at the NMMU campus in George, its the organisers receiving double the number of entries compared to last year’s event. The cross country mountain bike race was the first of four events in the series, with the remaining legs set to take place on June 10, August 27, and October 29. Presented by Old Mutual Private Wealth Management, the series aims to provide exposure to cross country racing for riders in the Eden region, and race director Jan Venter said the opening event was an overwhelming success. “The majority of the riders were from Eden District, but there were also entrants from Ladismith, Oudtshoorn and Cape Town,” he said. “In total, across the various categories, we had 120 riders - a 100% increase from last year.” He added that feedback from participants had been positive and it had been an excellent start in the promotion of cross country racing in the region. “I must admit that the large number of riders was unexpected but welcome,” said Venter. “An incredible number of young riders showed lots of talent in the nippers and sprogs categories.

AIRBORNE: The first leg of the Madibaz Mountain Bike XCO Series got off to an excellent start last month with 120 riders competing in various categories on the track at the NMMU George campus - Photo: Christopher Brooke

“I have no doubt it is an indication that cross country and mountain bike racing have a great future in Eden District.” He added that there had been a strong level of competition in all age categories, saying “they left it all out on the track”. Venter said that one element they would reconsider for the next leg would be to split the Nippers and Sprogs categories “to make for easier riding for these youngsters”. In terms of the course, he said they were happy with what had been created. “We will probably effect a few minor changes to make it even better. And, of course, the next event will have a different race route with new technical surprises.”

Sport manager at the NMMU George campus Hugo Loubser said the series, which was also supported by Ridelife George, Giant SA and Tippeton, was open to everyone. “Besides promoting cross country racing in Eden, we want to provide the community with healthy lifestyle options,” he said. “It is built on a drive for excellence and respect for the environment.” The third leg of the series in August will include an intervarsity section, with top university stars competing against each other. Loubser added that the series champions would be determined by tallying the points from riders’ top three finishes. Visit www.madibazmtb. co.za for more info.

SA icons back newest Olympic sport IC Bay is one of the venues that will benefit from a deal announced by Surfing SA (SSA) last week, after the signing of a sponsorship contract with the Sea Harvest brand. The amount of R250,000 represents a big investment in junior surfing nationally and is well-timed ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where surfing will feature officially for the first time. Sea Harvest and Surfing SA are both completely invested in the ocean, so the partnership seems an ideal fit. The company was established in 1964 in Saldanha Bay on the West Coast and today is a household brand and market leader in the frozen fish category. Last year, it was recognised as one of the Top 10 Iconic Brands in South Africa. SSA has its headquarters in Muizenberg and is the recognised governing body for the sport in the country. It is a member of the SA Sports Confederation, the Olympic Committee, and the International Surfing Association (ISA).

With surfing included at the next Olympics, SSA will be working hard over the next four years to identify and support the talent that will represent South Africa in Tokyo in 2020. This will be achieved through regular and tough competition, with an increased number of youth and junior tournaments throughout SA thanks to Sea Harvest’s sponsorship. The sponsorship will also provide support for the SA Junior Team selection process, a key part of the goal to represent South Africa in the sport at the next Olympic Games. A key motivation for the funding was to contribute towards developing and transforming the sport, which includes supporting SSA’s youth and junior programmes. Sea Harvest will have a significant presence at events such as the annual SA Grommet Games, the 2017 SA Junior Championships in Jeffrey’s Bay, and the 2017 SA Junior Team programme. In addition, six U18 male

and female surfers drawn from SSA’s talent identification programmes will qualify for a share of a generous surfing scholarship of R10,000 each at the end of 2017. “South Africa is known as one of the main surf destinations in the world and we are thrilled to support Surfing SA in nurturing top talent and developing the sport ahead of its first appearance at the Olympic Games in Tokyo,” says Sea Harvest marketing director Konrad Geldenhuys. Sea Harvest will be the name sponsor at seven events, presenting sponsor at two more events, and support sponsor at one event. These will take place in six districts and three provinces over the next eight months: Kommetjie, Monwabisi, Strand and Muizenberg (W Cape); locally at Vic Bay (June 2830); Nelson Mandela Bay, J Bay and East London (E Cape); and St Michaels on Sea and Durban in KZN. Visit www.surfingsouthaf rica.co.za/events/ for info.