3 October 2018

3 October 2018

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

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Grade 12 students from Plett Secondary had their matric farewell at Sky Villa last Tuesday night, with a photo session in the gardens at Mungo Mill before heading up the hill overlooking Old Nick Village. Pictured here are Ashwill Mabie and Clivenia Stander looking like a million bucks at the very least! Turn to page 6 for more photos of Plett Secondary and Wittedrift High matrics celebrating this milestone occasion in style.

Tragedy strikes at Poortjies - p3

Photo: Gillian O’Shea

Matrics styling!

R1-billion investment fêted - p4

Can we have our oil back now? - p7

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CXPRESS

NEWS & VIEWS

3 October 2018

Differently-abled Toni Mould sets the pace for making dreams come true CXPRESS caught up with Plett native and SA para-cycling champ Toni Mould to find out more how about her recent Italian adventure, as well as the road ahead for this multi-awarded differently-abled sports star ORN with Cerebral Palsy (CP) - a physical disability that stemmed from a birth complication - Toni Mould has had her fair share of challenges from the word go. CP comes in various forms and degrees, but her disability is purely physical, affecting motor skills, speech and balance.

After being home-schooled, she graduated from Stellenbosch University with a Social Work degree in 2009. She still lives in the university town, where she has founded an NPO called Bridging Abilities (www. bridgingabilities.co.za). “In 2013 I took up cycling and participated in my first local league race for persons with disabilities. After 18 months of searching for a suitable racing tricycle, I received my new trike in January 2015 and only two weeks later I competed in my very first nationals,� she says.

In September 2015, Toni gained national colours and represented SA at the World Cup in Pietermaritzburg, which she did again in 2016.

To date, Toni has already experienced two UCI World Championships and a few UCI World Cups. Having three years of UCI status events in South Africa has provided the opportunity to compete against the best in the world on home soil, finishing as the UCI World Cup Series Winner in 2016 and culminating

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with the 2017 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships, where Toni won a silver medal in the road race.

In August this year, Toni competed in the UCI World Championships Time Trial race in Italy and although she just missed scaling the podium in Maniago, she’s is a winner in every sense of the word.

Her activities have seen her acknowledged and nominated for several awards, including the Cape Winelands Sportswoman of the Year with a Disability, which she won this year; the G-Sport Awards; and the Western Cape Provincial Sport

Awards, due to her silver medal at the 2017 UCI World Championships and 2018 National Champs titles.

She has previously received the Chief Director’s Merit Awards at Maties Club for representing South Africa on international level, and was also a nominee for Sportswoman of the Year with a Disability at last year’s South African Sports Awards. “Being at these events was not only a privilege but also allowed me to promote myself with people in the right circles. During the last month I have been interviewed by various magazines. I have also re-

VENI VIDI VICI: Toni owns the city streets of Maniago, Italy, where she competed in the 2018 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships early August - Photo: Fabio Passador

BORN TO WIN: Toni Mould is no stranger to the podium

turned to work and co-hosted a sports day for children with disabilities in the Winelands/ Cape Town area through our non-profit company,� she says.

So what’s next for Toni? “At present I am taking a break from training until mid-October. I hope to compete at SA Cycling Nationals in February next year as well as SASAPD (South African Sport Association for the Physically Disabled) Nationals in March. “May 2019 will mark the start of the international season and if I can secure enough funding I would like to participate in two World Cups next year,�

Toni explains.

But all of these plans are heavily dependent on whether she can secure vital sponsorships, since Cycling SA no longer funds cyclists and she has no permanent backers. If you would like to get involved, email toni.mould@ gmail.com or call 082 936 5131, and read Toni’s blog at https:// tonikm.wordpress.com/ for regular updates.

Differently-abled Awareness Campaigners now selecting Sky Villa winners Finalists in the Different-Abled Awareness Campaign competition - which concluded at the end September and offers the grand prize of a night’s stay for two at Sky Villa Boutique Hotel with dinner and breakfast included - will be selected and notified during the course of the next week, with the prize draw happening at the spectacular Sky Bar in the second week of October. We thank everyone who entered - do watch this space for the finalists announcements in CXPRESS of October 10.

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NEWS & VIEWS

3 October 2018

CXPRESS

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Quick action saves lives, but Saturday boating fun ends in tragic lagoon drowning NSRI volunteers in Plett had a busy weekend, during which a capsized canoe caused one fatality on Saturday, and quick reaction saved three lives during non-fatal drowning incidents off Central and Robberg beaches LETT NSRI station commander Marc Rogers said reports from the SAPS of a boat capsized in the vicinity of Keurbooms River mouth alerted his crew to the emergency in which one local man died, while another resident and two minors received treatment for near drowning symptoms.

“At 3:25pm on September 29, our duty crew were activated and launched sea rescue craft Ray Farnham, Airlink Rescuer, and Free Runner as well as our NSRI rescue vehicle. The police, Government Health EMS, Medlife ambulance services, and members of the PBCPA (Plettenberg Bay Community Protection Association) also responded, while a former NSRI Plett volunteer also stopped at the scene to assist.

“On arrival on the scene at Poortjies Beach, we learnt that a canoe with four people on board - two adult males and two boys, all from Plett - had capsized and we

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believe local fishermen were able to rescue all four from the water,” said Rogers.

CPR was commenced on one of the adults and breathing assistance resuscitation was commenced on one of the children who was in a critical condition. The second adult and the second child were treated for shock and non-fatal drowning symptoms.

“All four victims were transported to hospital but sadly after all CPR efforts were exhausted on the adult, he was declared deceased.

The child remained in a critical condition in hospital in Plett overnight and after his condition stabilised he was transferred to a hospital in George,” he said.

The boy remains in a serious but stable condition but doctors are confident that he will recover. The second adult and the second child were both released from hospital following treatment for shock and nonfatal drowning symptoms

(see the box below).

On Saturday at 2pm, while NSRI crew were attending at Plett Ski-boat Club next door to the NSRI base, they noticed a commotion on Central Beach where it appeared two young men were in difficulty in the surf.

“NSRI coxswain Dan Meiring ran to our base and grabbed a Malibu rescue board. He launched into the surf and reached both teenagers, aged 18 and 16, who were caught in rip currents and in serious difficulty in the surf. The Malibu was used to keep the two young men afloat,” said Rogers.

Additional NSRI rescue swimmers launched into the surf and assisted Meiring to get the teenagers safely to the beach, where they were checked for non-fatal drowning symptoms as both appeared to be at the point of sinking beneath the surf when reached by Meiring.

Both teenager were released after being medically

‘I still can’t believe that Bobby is gone’ Gerswin Nelson, 30, shared this recent photo of himself and the late ‘Bobby’ Booysen, 40, when Bobby’s boy was born four months ago. Gerswin, right, and Bobby along with two nine-year-old boys were playing around on a canoe on Keurbooms Lagoon on Saturday when the craft started taking in water and the ensuing emergency caused Bobby to drown. “We were cruising across and back on the lagoon with my girlfriend’s little brother and my own stepson without a care in the world. The boys must have been shifting around because the boat started taking in water, so Bobby and I swam out to get them from the water. But the child with me was in such a panic that we struggled to keep head above water, so Bobby came to our aid, but he was sucked down before he reached the boys. I had swallowed lots of water by now and one of the fishermen had helped me to the beach, and then helped the rest of them to the side. I saw Bobby lying on his side and thought he must be just as tired as me now. But after they tried for an hour and a half at the hospital to resuscitate him, they couldn’t bring him back and the doctor came to me saying Bobby didn’t make it. I still can’t believe it.” Bobby Booysen, who was employed by Krigga Builders, leaves behind his young son and a 10-year-old daughter.

checked and no further assistance was required.

In another incident on Sunday, the duty crew were activated following eye-witness reports of a drowning in progress at Robberg Beach near to the BI Hotel. NSRI res-

cue swimmers and a rescue ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) responded and the sea rescue craft Airlink Rescuer was launched around 2:35pm.

“On arrival on the scene a 25-year-old local man, who had been caught in a rip current, was found safe out of the water after being washed back towards the beach where bystanders, including local resident Andrew Olifant, 65, had waded into shallow surf

and managed to help the man out of the water.

“Eye-witnesses confirmed that the man had been face down in the water while he was swept out and then swept back in by rip-currents,” said Rogers, adding that NSRI medics treated the man on the scene for non-fatal drowning symptoms, before a Medlife ambulance took him to hospital in a stable condition for further treatment.

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THREE EVENTS. THREE VENUES The Verandah, Goose Valley, Plettenberg Bay, 16 October 2018, 6 PM RSVP to Susi Eusman at ceo@sairr.org.za King George Protea Hotel, George, 17 October 2018, 6 PM RSVP to Haley Jimmie at info@sairr.org.za Bravo Lounge, Mossel Bay, 18 October 2018, 6 PM RSVP to Joy Cook at joy@whalephin.co.za Attendance is free, but please RSVP For more information contact Marius Roodt at 0636942611

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CXPRESS

NEWS & VIEWS

3 October 2018

Garden Route District attracts investment of R1-billion

KEY STAKEHOLDERS: From left, Ikusasa chairman Lee Norman, Ikusasa director Andrew Theunissen, GRDM mayor Memory Booysen, Mossel Bay mayor Harry Levendal, and Transnet Mossel Bay Port manager Shadrack Tshikalange

INCE the first Garden Route Investment Conference in March 2018, Garden Route District

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Municipality (GRDM) has been in various promising engagements with domestic and foreign investors.

The first of many negotiations has now secured a R1billion investment accompanied by 3,000 jobs over the next five years.

This follows after the GRDM Council entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Ikusasa Processing Engineering Consultants on August 28.

A report to the council unpacked the conditions relating to a long-term lease of one of GRDM’s properties next to PetroSA to Ikusasa, who will erect a chemical plant that will support the timber, water, and textile sectors. Currently in its design phase, the project will be im-

Possible PGA tournament announced at GRDM launch

Mayor of the recently renamed Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Memory Booysen during his welcome address at Friday’s launch ceremony, revealed that negotiations were underway for a possible world-class golf tournament in the region in 2019. Booysen also listed some of the initiatives the municipality had taken to promote economic development in the area, the most recent of which was the commencement of building work for a chemical factory adjacent to PetroSA in Mossel Bay, where complimentary products and skills between the two industries would help reduce unemployment. The potential for the golf tournament is under discussion between the district municipality and the Els for Autism Foundation, founded by South African golfing great Ernie Els, who has undertaken to promote the idea with the worldwide Professional Golfers Association. Further details are awaited in the near future. At left, Bitou councillor Anne Windvogel is seen with GRDM municipal manager Monde Stratu. At right, councillors and invited guests gather under the newly-unveiled GRDM entrance logo. - Words & photos: Bob Hopkin

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

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

Ward

Councillor

Date

Venue

Time

1

Leveal Davis

6 November 2018

Smutsville Youth Centre

18:00

2

Cathy Weideman

23 October 2018

Sedgefield Council Chambers

18:00

3

David Skosana

9 October 2018

Chris Hani Hall

18:00

4

Velile Waxa

8 November 2018

Chris Nissen Primary School

18:00

5

Eleanore Bouw-Spies

20 November 2018

Rheenendal Community Hall

18:00

6

Elrick Van Aswegen

27 November 2018

Hornlee Committee Room

18:00

7

Mandla Matiwane

18 October 2018

Khayalethu Hall

18:00

8

Vacant

13 November 2018

Masifunde Library

18:00

9

Mark Willemse

30 October 2018

Cearn Hall, Leisure Island

18:00

10

Peter Myers

16 October 2018

Council Chambers

18:00

11

Donovan Pofadder

22 November 2018

Sunridge Primary School

18:00

Enquiries may be directed to Mr Brian Cornelius, Coordinator: Public Participation, at bcornelius@knysna.gov.za or alternatively to Ms Noxolo Mcothama at nmcothama@knysna.gov.za or tel. 044 302 6586.

JB DOUGLAS ACTING MUNICIPAL MANAGER CLYDE STREET KNYSNA 6570 www.ayandambanga.co.za

134925 CXPRESS www.thecandocompany.co.za

plemented after a few weeks.

It is envisaged that the factory will be fully operational by the end of 2019.

A Sod-Turning Ceremony was held on September 28 at the property. During the ceremony, GRDM mayor Memory Booysen explained: “We are in partnership with Mossel Bay

Municipality and by working together, we are going to use the law to fast-track the process.

“We have seen other economic developments in Kouga, Richard’s Bay, Saldanha - now is the time for development to happen here.”

Booysen also talked about the regional landfill site soon

to be constructed in the same area, saying that these developments would benefit most people around the area.

The key stakeholders invited included Mossel Bay Municipality, PetroSA, the Mossel Bay Port, and private-sector partners, all of whom will play a pivotal role in the success of the project.

Proudly South African Qhubeka bikes to Words & photo:Timothy Twidle ensure a safer Kwano T a ceremony held in the Simunye Thusong Centre in KwaNokuthula on Monday afternoon, 32 bicycles were handed over to upstanding citizens of the community. The occasion also served as launch of a local Community Police Forum (CPF) that will direct and oversee neighbourhood safety watch schemes throughout KwaNokuthula.

In attendance were Bitou mayor Peter Lobese and his deputy, Sandiso Gcabayi, along with municipal office bearers, members of the SAPS based at police stations in Plett and KwaNokuthula, cycling enthusiasts, well-known sporting personalities, and members of the public.

The bicycles were kindly donated by the SPAR Group, which has more than 850 stores throughout SA, and was facilitated by the not-for-profit organisation Qhubeka - a word derived from the Nguni group of languages, that can be translated as either ‘to progress’ or ‘to go forward’.

The SPAR Group were represented by George Faria and Elliot Scott of SuperSpar Plett, and Qhubeka by Knysna resident Jan Rossouw.

The ceremony was also graced with the presence of

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SAY ‘SAFE’! At back from left are Vewaldo Lamini (Bitou Municipality), Jan Rossouw of Qhubeka, Smuts Mana (BM), deputy mayor Sandiso Gcabayi, Matthew Gqodwana (BM), rugby legend Joel Stransky, Mzwandile Namthu (BM) and Ntomboxolo Mrubata (CPF KwaNokuthula), with SAPS Plett Station Commander colonel Nolan Michaels, Rory Steyn (African Icons), former Australian cricket captain Steve Waugh (AI), former SA hockey star Vuyisanani Mangisa (AI), Comrades great Nick Bester (AI), SAPS Kwano Station Commander lieutenant colonel Mlamli Khunge, captain Noluthando Katu of SAPS Kwano, and Bitou mayor Peter Lobese in front

members of African Icons Invitational, a group of 40 cyclists presently riding from PE to Bot River, over the course of six days to raise funds for the support of families of SAPS members who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

The cyclists include SA rugby legend Joel Stransky, former SA hockey star Vuyisanani Mangisa and Steve Waugh, who captained the Australian national cricket team from 1999 until 2004.

Qhubeka helps people by giving them bicycles in return for diligent and meaningful work carried out in the cause of either an organisation, education or a com-

munity. Since 2007, Qhubeka has overseen the donation of 90,000 bicycles through work-to-earn programmes that have enabled scholar mobility, adult learning, sports involvement/sporting events and disaster relief.

The use of Qhubeka bicycles by the CPF will greatly enhance the provision of a safer environment for the community, through better surveillance of schools, homes, streets, communal areas, and retail outlets.

The Qhubeka bicycle is manufactured in East London, entirely from parts made within the country, and is a proudly South African product.

No charge to watch South Africa’s best golfing international stars like John seniors fight it out ‘till Friday Bland and Hugh Baiocchi, HE SA Senior Open is currently taking place at Plett Country Club, offering the opportunity to see international golfing greats in action with no entry fee required until Friday October 5.

This year’s tournament for the first time incorporated a special pre-event feature on Sunday, with the

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annual Mayoral Golf Day celebrating the alliance between the Senior Tour and Bitou Municipality.

Proceeds will go towards the creation of a golfing academy, targeting talented youngsters from all Bitou communities.

See Africa’s best senior professionals over the age of 50 competing alongside

RISING STARS: Proceeds from Sunday’s event will bolster the creation of a golf academy to exploit the talents of youngsters from all Bitou communities - adults pictured from left at back are Cliff Barnard of Plett Pro Shop, Bitou mayor Peter Lobese, Plettenberg Bay Country Club chair John Lloyd, and Youth Development instructor Ernst Cedra

all of whom will aim to dethrone 2017 Senior Open champion Mark McNulty.

TRAIL-BLAZER: Mokgeteng John Mashego, seen here in action during Sunday’s Mayoral Golf Day, was the first black South African golfer to win a tournament on the Southern African Tour after lifting of its whites-only rule; this victory came at the 1991 Bushveld Classic, where he defeated Steve van Vuuren and Ian Palmer in a playoff

NEWS & VIEWS

3 October 2018

CXPRESS

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Let there be sunshine…

Correspondent BOB HOPKIN caught up with this year’s solar challenge cars and teams at their stopover in Sedgefield last Thursday INCE the invention of a means of converting light into electricity in France in 1839, scientists have been refining the concept continuously ever since and the first commercial product, called a photovoltaic cell, was produced at Bell Laboratories in 1954.

Its first unique application was as a power source for a NASA satellite launched in 1958 when sunlight was found to be the ideal renewable source to power the on-board electronics.

Although the first efforts had an efficiency of just 1% (i.e. only 1/100th of the sun’s power was converted to electricity), steady development has achieved almost 36% efficiency as well as massive reductions in cost.

The ready availability of these products now has led to a surge in versatility and alternative uses including hobbyists and engineers applying them to automobiles.

In typical competitive manner, the first endurance race for solar only powered vehicles took place in Australia in 1987 and the race continues to this day with some 42 vehicles taking part.

South Africa with our predominantly sunny cli-

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CATCHING RAYS IN SEDGEFIELD: Pictured above is Tshwane driver David Schofield in the midst of technology; at top right is the Swiss entry in charging mode - Photos: Bob Hopkin

mate now has our own biennial race sponsored as the Sasol Solar Challenge, which in this year sixth event runs from Pretoria to Stellenbosch via the Garden Route.

This year, nine teams took part, five from South African universities and one each from China, Holland, Switzerland, and Japan following a 4,500km route that allowed some additional loop additions to gain competitive advantage when battery power allows.

The first three races here were won by the Japanese and the last two by the

Dutch. The cars are single seaters and optimised for minimum weight and aerodynamic drag and maximum upper surface area to accommodate as many photovoltaic cells as possible.

The Tshwane University of Technology, running fourth at the Sedgefield stopover on Thursday, showed a remarkable level of sophistication with a wholly carbon fibre construction.

Driver David Schofield explained that their vehicle weighed just 188kg and the rules specified that the driver should be no more than 80kg.

FINAL SCORE: Dutch team Nuon won the 2018 Sasol Solar Challenge in Stellenbosch, clocking 4,030.40km; their close rivals from Japan, team Tokai, completed 3,941.40km, while top SA team Tshwane University of Technology travelled a full 2,397km on roads between Pretoria and Stellenbosch, narrowly beating North West University’s 2,276.3km - Photo: Waldo Swiegers

According to him the technique for obtaining the maximum range included cruising at about 60km per hour, anticipating traffic

actions by using regenerative braking where possible and using teamwork to ensure that the photo cells were exposed to sunlight at

every possibility.

The race ended in Stellenbosch on Saturday - visit www.solarchallenge.org.za for more information.

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CXPRESS

3 October 2018

NEWS & VIEWS

Sky’s the limit for Plett Secondary and Wittedrift High matrics

Sky Villa served as perfect venue to host the Wittedrift High School matric farewell last Thursday night, creating an ambience that matched the style and elegance displayed by each of the soon-to-be school leavers in attendance. Here’s wishing all local matric students the best of luck for their end-of-year exams. See the advert on this page for more news from this small but high-performing Bitou school with the very big heart. - Photos: Kate Maclean

Raring to rock their matric farewell party at Sky Villa boutique hotel on Tuesday September 25 were Plett Secondary matrics, at left from left, Chantenay Krigga, Dillon Absalom, Raydon Barnardo, and Veronique Windvogel, while two proud moms were on hand to join, centre from left, Sivuyse Tsona, Brushielda Mani, and Phaphama Kibiti. At right, Julian Windvogel and Devolin Jacobs, right, epitomise the concept of ‘handsome’ during their pre-party photo session at Old Nick Village. See the Mungo Mill advert on this page.

BUSINESS

3 October 2018

CXPRESS

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It’s time for a serious look at pedal power as fuel costs face pressure… …if only we could have our strategic oil stocks back, muses STUART MURRAY O what’s your fancy: motorcycle (with or without sidecar), scooter (with or without passenger seat), or perhaps the latest craze in perambulation, the electric bicycle?

There is, of course, horseback.

Sounds absurd. But the cost of fuel - a daily necessity, particularly for those of us who live at the sea and in the countryside has moved back into the clouded period when the oil sheikhs and their allies put the screws on the world and pushed the cost of crude oil through the roof.

The current situation in world oil production has far-reaching consequences for South African consumers. Such is the turmoil that global oil watchers, traders and analysts, expect oil to reach $100/barrel by early next year.

After the formation of Opec, the largest oil-producing cartel centred in the Middle East, calm was restored to the extent that the regulated price of a barrel

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of crude oil drifted down to around $30/barrel. This then laid a heavy boot on the world’s oil producers.

But the oil barons got tired (and poorer) of being screwed and they have steadily brought the price of a barrel back up the charts, reaching a fouryear high of almost $82 on London’s ICE exchange.

This apex was reached after Opec and its Russialed allies rejected United States president Donald Trump’s request to increase oil production to help reduce the price of crude.

But America’s sanctions on Iran, including Trump’s threat of sanctions on all countries if they don’t stop importing oil from Iran by November 4, has further fuelled the crude price rise.

According to JP Morgan and Bank of America Merrill Lynch, US sanctions on Iran will result in a loss to the international market of around 1.5-million barrels of oil per day.

And that is only Iran.

There are supply shortfalls

from Libya and Venezuela, as well as the US itself. US commodity traders in general estimate that overall around 2-million barrels per day will be lost to the international market by November this year.

All this combines to push up the price of oil, and thus the cost of fuel.

So when will we in South Africa get the next hit?

The Central Energy Fund has released a depressing report on the prospect of increasing petrol prices in October and Energy minister Jeff Radebe has warned of a surge in prices well past the R17/litre mark.

Radebe has already cautioned the public that the subsidy which eased the burden of the last price increase, costing the fiscus an estimated R500-million, was a “once off ” and that the government plans no further subsidies.

Yet, there are ways by which we can trim fuel costs at the pump, most of which I have suggested in previous CXPRESS articles. The two heavyweights are the Fuel Price Levy and the Road Accident Fund, which to-

gether presently add more than R5 to each litre of petrol or diesel we buy.

To tamper with the Fuel Price Levy is, admittedly, tricky. It has no link with fuel, but the levy, approaching R4 a litre, goes straight to Treasury, which needs all the cash it can get its hands on. So the argument there might be that we would be robbing Peter to pay Paul.

The contention against continuing with the Road Accident Fund holds more water. The fund is bankrupt and its finances have been in a mess for years. Over time it has collected R33.3-billion in revenues from fuel.

For those of us with long memories, South Africa’s Strategic Fuel Fund comes to mind. Can that help?

The answer is sorry, our strategic fuel stockpile was sold for a song years ago.

The country’s main storage depot, with a capacity of 40-50 million barrels is at Saldanha Bay. This, as far as I know, is still operational. A considerable amount of our strategic oil was stored there Back in December 2015 the stockpile of an estimated 10-million barrels of crude oil was sold at some $28 a barrel - $10 a barrel below the reigning market price. When shocked oil traders (and journalists) questioned the sale, the government argued that it was a rotation, not a sale.

But further statements by government officials, including that of the then Energy minister Tina Joemat-Petterson, clouded the issue. Whatever, the oil changed hands.

What did not make sense was that at the time of the

sale the international crude oil price was in a contango - a rising-market strategy in which oil companies and traders purchase oil when the price is low and hold it in storage until the price increases. Not the time to sell; rather trade in futures.

So who bought our oil?

According to newspaper reports after the sale became public, the fortunate buyers included the Taleveras Group, a Nigerian-owned trading company, Vitol and Glencore, plus Thebe Investment Corporation - in which the ANC had a large stake.

If only we could have our oil back...

• Stuart Murray (stuartmurray758@gmail.com) is a former senior assistant editor of Financial Mail and co-founder, editor, and CEO of Finance Week. He is retired and lives in Plett.

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CXPRESS

BUSINESS

3 October 2018

SA’s recession has little effect on entry-level jobs Read CXPRESS online at www.cxpress.co.za

FTER exhibiting two consecutive quarters of negative Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, South Africa’s economy has slipped into a technical recession, foreshadowing an array of economic downturns, including a decrease in employment rates.

But despite this, certain industries have exhibited robustness in maintaining and growing the number of people employed in those industries, according to youth-employment engine Lulaway.

“One of the first obvious signs of an economy hit by a recession is job loss on an industrial scale.

Even those industries that do not shed jobs in high numbers display a stagnation in growth, leading to a slower intake of new employees,” explains Lulaway CEO Jake Willis.

Figures released by Statistics South Africa showed that SA’s GDP has shrunk by 0.7%. Agriculture/forestry and fishing made the largest negative contribution of -29.2% followed by the transport industry (-4.9%), trade and retail (-1.9%), government (-0.5%), and manufacturing coming in at -0.3%.

But some industries fair better than others, ac-

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cording to Willis.

“While many spheres are affected, the industries we work with do not seem to be reducing their hiring. Looking at our placement statistics, the security industry - one of the biggest sectors - grew by 1% from the second quarter to 31% (of total placements in that period) in the third quarter.

“The fast food and hospitality industry dropped slightly from 10% to 9% in the same period. In line with national contributors to GDP shrinkage, our retail placements dropped from 15% in the first quarter to just 6% in the third quarter.”

Willis attributes the robustness of certain industries to the crucial services they provide, such as the security industry. He adds that high turnover in the early stages of employment in many entrylevel positions lead to ongoing recruitment to fill these vacancies.

“The most important reason we do not see a decline in placements is our internship offering. Our ability to secure funding for host employers funding bodies ensures that the private sector continues to employ entry-level jobseekers even in eco-

nomic downturns.

“Internship programmes do more than give work experience, they empower interns with spending power, who then inject it back into the economy,” Willis says.

He says the financial incentives (in the form of internship funding) are especially important to small businesses who otherwise would reduce or stop hiring when finances are tight.

“Many of our clients are small and mediumsized businesses. Without the financial gain offered by internship funding, they would limit or stop hiring altogether and make do with their current staffing levels.

“However, by actualising the budgets already allocated to internships, we ensure that the businesses can continue current operations and even expand.

Young people gain employment at the same time when they are afforded jobs at these employers.

“When the economy struggles, internships are more valuable than ever and can be the game changer for SMMEs running on tight budgets,” Willis says.

He warns trainers and jobseekers to align their training to the demands

of the industry, since training without understanding employers’ needs will not help solving the unemployment crisis.

“Most job seekers hold some sort of training or qualification.

However, few are aligned with the actual needs of employers. Training institutions should collaborate closely with placement companies, which understand the real needs of employers.

“They can then direct their learners along paths with the highest chance of employment. Training alone is not useful. Only training driven by the actual demands of employers will help young people progress economically.

Willis encourages job seekers to carry on with their efforts, and not to give in to the negative outlook. “There are many opportunities available for those who are willing to start at the bottom and display commitment.

“Hard work, talent and tenacity are recognised.

We have many cases of entry-level staff who progressed within the company in short periods of time. Our advice is to get your foot in the door, no matter the type of work, and build from there,” concludes Willis.

ADVERTORIAL

All you need to know about 3%.Com Properties %.COM Properties is a national franchise network of attorneys and conveyancers that specialises in marketing and selling immovable property legally and effectively.

Since its inception, the venture has proved to be hugely successful. New mandates are received daily and the franchise group, which has grown to 47 individual 3%.Com Properties franchisees, is expanding at a phenomenal rate across the country.

Says director Dale Hobbs: “In Plettenberg Bay, in just our first 12 months, we have saved sellers and buyers a combined total of over R750,000.

“Our slogan - ‘Lawyers selling property… it makes sense!’ - comes from the idea of an allinclusive property service run by attorneys and conveyancers, which is practical and logical. We then do everything from marketing your property to finally registering and paying the seller.”

3%.Com Properties offers the entire spectrum of services related to the selling of property, from making an appointment with a prospective seller, discussing the sale of the property, doing a valua-

3

CANYON

3%.COM AT YOUR SERVICE: From left are Dale Hobbs (director/attorney), Nicci Hobbs (attorney agent), Janet Sapire (attorney agent), and Nicole van Zyl (candidate attorney/attorney agent)

tion and proper due diligence on the property.

“We then market your property on all the major platforms, hold show days, help with showing your house to prospective buyers, assist with the negotiations, including offers to purchase, rentals and everything handled comprehensively and professionally - a truly integrated property experience,” he says.

The operation provides a comprehensive service to property owners and buyers including the valuation, marketing, selling

and transferring of residential and commercial property. 3%.Com Properties also assists in arranging finance, registering bonds, and securing all insurance needs, should this be required - all of this with no hidden cost, as a mere 3% commission (+VAT) is charged.

The 3%.Com Properties initiative is unique in that only practising attorneys and conveyancers are eligible for membership or ownership of a franchise.

“As specialist property lawyers we are all fully capable and equipped to

provide a comprehensive legal and conveyancing service on all your property transactions. Since we are attorneys, there is no need to run to an attorney for protection,” explains Hobbs.

“Furthermore, each attorney has a trustworthy reputation, existing clientele, and our transfer fees are based on the prescribed fees from each relevant Law Society - the governing body for attorneys.

“If one of our property attorneys markets and sells your property, you are most welcome to also make use of our attorney to assist with the conveyancing process - how convenient, everything under one roof!

“Please note that as the seller, it is your right to appoint the transferring attorney of your choice.

Our attorneys or attorney agents will explain this and will respect any decision made by the seller to use another attorney to help with the transfer process,” he says, adding that they operate in Knysna and Sedgefield, too.

Give 3%.Com Properties a call today for a free valuation of your property, and see the advert on page 7 for contact details.

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3 October 2018

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CXPRESS

INTERVAL

3 October 2018

World survey by phone Understanding telephone • In Africa they didn’t modern technology Aworld-wide survey was conduct- know what “food” meant.

Beginner’s guide to decoding work emails • I have a question = I have 18 questions.

• I’ll look into it = I’ve already forgotten about it.

• I tried my best = I did the bare minimum.

• Happy to discuss further = Don’t ask me about this again.

• No worries = You really messed up this time.

• Take care = This is the last you will ever hear from me.

The future of technology I was visiting a friend who could not find her cordless phone.

After several minutes of searching, her young daughter spoke up: “You know what they should invent? A phone that stays connected to its base so it never gets lost.”

Pizza for dinner Someone knocked at my door last evening. When

I opened it, I saw a guy from Pizza Hut holding a chicken pepperoni pizza with extra cheese and onion rings.

“I haven’t ordered any pizza,” I said. “This must be a mistake.”

“No, it’s not,” he replied. “Your neighbour forgot his Facebook password and wanted to show you what he was eating for dinner.”

Computer size While trying to explain to our six-yearold daughter how much technology had changed, my husband pointed to our brand-new desktop computer and told her that when he was in college, a computer with the same amount of power would have been the size of a house.

Wide-eyed, our daughter asked: “How big was the mouse?”

ed recently by the United Nations. The only question asked was: “Could you please give your honest opinion about solutions to the food shortage in the rest of the world?”

The survey was a massive failure because of the following: • In Eastern Europe they didn’t know what “honest” meant.

• In Western Europe they didn’t know what “shortage” meant.

• In China they didn’t know what “opinion” meant.

• In the Middle East they didn’t know what “solution” meant.

• In South America they didn’t know what “please” meant.

• In the United States they didn’t know what “the rest of the world” meant.

• In the United Kingdom they hung up as soon as they heard a foreign accent.

A day in South Africa OHN Smith started the day early, having set his alarm clock (made in Japan) for 6am.

While his coffeepot (made in China) was perking, he shaved with his electric razor (made in Hong Kong).

He put on a shirt (made in Sri Lanka), designer jeans (made in Singapore) and tennis shoes (made in Korea).

After cooking his breakfast in his new electric skillet (made in India), he sat down with his calculator (made in Mexico) to see how much he could spend today.

After setting his watch

J

(made in Taiwan) to the radio (made in India) he got in his car (made in Germany), filled it with gas (from Saudi Arabia) and continued his search for a good paying job in South Africa.

At the end of yet another discouraging and fruitless day, checking his computer (made in Malaysia), John decided to relax for a while.

He put on his sandals (made in Brazil), poured himself a glass of wine (made in France) and turned on his TV (made in Indonesia), and then wondered why he can’t find a good paying job in South Africa.

A young lady asked about buying a gold fish at the pet shop. The salesperson asked if she needed an aquarium.

“I don’t care what star sign it is,” she replied.

‘n Vriend vertel my nou die dag dat hy na die Kanarie Eilande toe was en daar is geen kanaries nie. Hy was ook na die Virgin Eilande toe, en raai wat?

Ook geen kanaries nie...

HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES

3 October 2018

CXPRESS

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3 October 2018

SOCIAL SCENE

MERVâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S TRUTHS STRANGER THAN FICTION: Crags resident Mervyn Prior and internationally-acclaimed mountain climber cum alpinist and adventurist has recently self-published his amazing book entitled â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Almost - Memoirs, Mountains and Mishapsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Says the feisty and funny nonagenarian: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think the reason for the title was the fact that I wanted to achieve something really worthwhile in a couple of fields when I was young, but although I did fairly well, I never really reached any of my goals. Looking back, however, I do not feel disappointed, as the experiences I had were often stranger and more interesting than they would have been had I been, say, a champion golfer or tennis-player. My ways of trying to do things have always been unorthodox and to most people, a bit crazy. At age 91, I do not regret any of them.â&#x20AC;? The book is brimming with images as included here and at R290, including postage (or delivery in Plett), a real bargain. Merv says itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s quite funny that so many Canadians, Americans, Australians, Brits and Kiwis have acquired copies, but many Plett locals are unware of the existence of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Almostâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Call 072 729 4767 or email priormerv@gmail.com to get your hands on a copy.

People, places & events

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FIND YOUR INNER FLAMINGO: The WasteNothing Knysna competition launched

by BioWise closed on September 21, winners of prize money totalling R20,000 now being decided by a panel of judges. Pictured at right is Kerry Hawkins, one of the BioWise Flapping Flamingos volunteers, hard at work to â&#x20AC;&#x153;wake up the flockâ&#x20AC;?. The name of these volunteers hails from the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Flamingo Effectâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; - a term originating from an ecologist who studied migrating flamingos on Kenyaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lake Nairasha and noticed an interesting phenomenon. Came migration time, a few flamingos started the process by taking off from the lake. Since none of the others took notice, they soon turned around and came back. The next day they tried again. This time a few others struggled along with them but again, the vast majority carried on as usual, so the pioneers returned to the lake.

This trend continued for a few days. Each time a few more birds joined in but, since the thousands of others still took no notice, the migration plan was aborted. Finally, one day, the same few birds took off again. This time, however, the tiny increment to their number was enough to tip the balance. The whole flock took flight and the migration began. Visit WasteNothingKnysna on Facebook or email wastenothing@knysnapr.co.za for further details and take note that the Flapping Flamingos will run a pop-up shop in Knysna Mall from October 9-15 to promote local products and services that are waste-wise, water-wise, space-wise and energy-wise.

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HERITAGE-DAY HEROES: The staff of SuperSpar and Tops at Melvilleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Corner in Plettenberg Bay came to work in traditional dress on Heritage Day, September 24 and, to a person, looked absolutely marvellous.

From left at back are Ntosh Sodawe, Nadine Solomons, Vuyokazi Kaleni, Jes Alexander, Janiquie Meswatie, Zimkhitha Sowule and Babalwa Mahlathi, with Brendy Soyisile and Busisiwe Nteta in front. Also sporting a sunny disposition throughout the day were Tops staffers, from left at right, Elliot Scott, Mihlali Mvandaba, Siya Vena, and Masibulele Booi. - Timothy Twidle

THE GOV IS IN THE HOUSE: Rotary District Governor Casper Kruger and his deputy, Di Kershaw, visited the Rotary Club of Plettenberg Bay on Thursday September 6. As part of their rendezvous, local and visiting delegates called at Harkerville Primary School - one of Plett Rotaryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s primary project along with Born in Africa - after which they enjoyed a scrumptious luncheon at Sky Villa.

Two of Plett Rotaryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ongoing projects include the launch of their new calendars soon to be on sale, as well as the Rotary Bonanza evenings with amazing prizes to be won, all in aid of local charitable causes. Pictured above, District Governor Kruger, fourth from left, is joined by Jennifer Jantjies of the Harkerville School, at centre, along with Rotarians and members of the Born in Africa team. - Photo: LM Dunn

HOME & HEALTH

3 October 2018

CXPRESS

Survey sheds light on weird allergies that afflict South Africans T’S hayfever season - the time of year when nature releases gazillions of microscopic pollen spores into the atmosphere, but while springtime has a whopping 17-million (30%) of South Africans in a frenzy, our nation also seems to grapple with much rarer allergies.

A leading provider of allergy treatments, Pharma Dynamics recently conducted a national poll among 1,772 allergy sufferers to find out to what degree we are affected by unusual allergies. Here’s what the survey revealed: • 36% experience eczema type symptoms when wearing jewellery • 25% are allergic to certain fruit • 21% break out in a rash when spending time in the sun (different to sunburn) • 17% suffer from pressure urticaria, which means they can’t wear tight clothing, sit down, lean against or touch anything for too long • 17% have an allergic reaction to air conditioners • 16% are allergic to cigarette smoke • 15% experience allergy symptoms when eating shellfish, such as mussels, oysters, prawns, etc. • 15% are allergic to alcohol • 13% break out in a red rash when exposed to cold temperatures • 9% are allergic to hair dye • 7% experience either hives, swelling of the mouth and throat or wheezing after eating chocolate • 6% com-

I

plain of headaches, heart palpitations or skin problems when drinking coffee • 6% break out in hives, coughs or sneezes when working with wood • 5% are allergic to fizzy drinks • 3% experience redness, swelling or flaking around the nail when applying artificial nails.

Pharma Dynamics spokesperson Nicole Jennings says even though many of these allergies only affect a small percentage of the population, it can cause a lot of discomfort and agony to sufferers.

“The fact that almost 20% of the allergy sufferers polled had to either be hospitalised or treated in ER for these allergies speaks to the severity of their symptoms and how it impacts the quality of their life.”

She explains that an allergic reaction typically occurs when the body mistakenly misreads something that is harmless as a threat.

“This overreaction by the immune system leads to an allergic reaction, which can manifest as a rash, fever, headache, swelling of the mouth or affected area, wheezing, runny or stuffy nose, nausea and the like.

“Those who are allergic to jewellery are likely to have a nickel allergy - also known as contact allergic dermatitis. Nickel is often

used in the base metal of less expensive jewellery, which is then plated with gold or silver.

“Affected individuals often develop eczema in places where nickel-containing jewellery touches the skin, such as the fingers, earlobes, wrists and neck. Sufferers should rather opt for jewellery that is hypoallergenic, made from stainless steel, sterling silver, polycarbonate plastic or at least 18-karat gold.

“Fruit such as strawberries, kiwis, peaches, apples, bananas, and citrus are known to cause allergies, which can prove fatal in severe cases. Most often, symptoms include skin reactions, swelling of the oral cavity, asthma or rhinitis.

Similar signs of alarm are also common in those who are allergic to alcohol.

“While some may be allergic to alcohol itself, others may be sensitive to certain allergens in alcoholic drinks like wheat, barley, yeast, or grapes.

However, if you are allergic to alcohol, fruit or any other type of food, rather steer clear of these allergens,” advises Jennings.

“Two other sinful but everyday indulgences, coffee and chocolate, could also trigger allergy symptoms in some, but it’s important to note the distinction between allergies and sensitivities. While

Feng Shui tips for your home office ORKING from home has a number of benefits, and using feng shui as part of your home office décor can help you make the best of it.

Follow these basic feng shui guidelines to create a harmonious and successful office: Designing your home office Placement of objects in a particular area or quadrant of your office or desk can enhance the energy in the room.

To help you understand the various quadrants, consider where you sit as the front of the desk.

For example, as you sit facing your desk, the wealth quadrant would be the upper left corner.

Once you’ve figured out your position, here’s how to get started: 1. Get rid of any clutter in your home and office.

Eliminating the clutter will begin to clear away certain problems in your life and make room for something new and desirable to enter.

2. The wealth quadrant or upper left corner is the most important part

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of your home office or desk. Place a crystal bowl or a healthy plant in this area to enrich this area of your business.

3. A red object or red flowers should be placed in the upper left corner to bring you financial success. Placing the red object in the back centre portion of your office or desk attracts fame.

4. Place a medium-sized rug in the centre of your office. A deep blue, black, or other dark colour rug in the middle of the office is like a deep pool of water, upon which to rest the eyes and reflect.

5. If you don’t have a view of the outdoors from where you sit, hang a plant or a picture of a plant in your line of view to bring the outdoors inside for a calming effect.

6. Never place anything blue in the fame quadrant or back centre portion of your office or desk because this drowns your fame.

7. It takes money to make money, so pay attention to the quality of things you put in your office. Your office should

only have objects that are truly meaningful to you.

Although a complex science and art, many of the principles of feng shui are common sense and are based on intuition. When incorporating these principles into your home office, aim for simplicity, think creatively, and trust your intuition.

Imagine being drawn to your office because you feel comfortable and relaxed. This results in a flow of creative energy that leads to an increase in productivity, which ultimately leads to success and prosperity.

Decorating your home office When decorating your home office, have an idea of the colours and the mood you want your office to reflect. Depending on your career, you need to make your office space reflect the energy you want to project into the world.

Colour research shows that people are stimulated in different ways by different colours. Feng shui uses colour as a means to promote the appropriate en-

both are problematic, a sensitivity to something isn’t life-threatening, while an allergy can be.”

Symptoms of a sensitivity could include stomach cramps, feeling bloated or jittery, anxious and could even elevate your heartbeat and blood pressure, especially if sensitive to coffee, while an allergy can cause more serious symptoms - nausea, vomiting, trouble swallowing, shortness of breath, wheezing, sudden drop in blood pressure, and dizziness.

“Even though scientists are still grappling with why or how people become allergic to certain allergens, thankfully there are ways to treat it.

“If you suspect you may have an allergy, it’s best to see an allergologist or GP who will be able to perform or authorise an immunoglobulin (IgE) antibody test, which will help to diagnose an allergy to a specific substance or substances.

“Never ignore the symptoms of an allergic reaction. If left untreated, it can quickly worsen, especially in the case of anaphylaxis, where emergency treatment is required.

“Even if you have never suffered from an allergy before, it is possible to become allergic later in life.

Although we don’t have substantial data on allergy rates in SA, it is clear that allergy rates, are climbing and are likely to continue to rise in the future.

April Sanders

ergy for a space, that’s why it’s so important to pick a colour based on the tasks you will be performing.

Here are just a few of the colours associated with feng shui: • Fire - Red, orange, purple, pink, and a strong yellow invite passion and infuse vibrant energy into a space.

• Earth - For a more relaxed and nurturing environment use light yellow, beige, taupe, or cream.

• Metal - For an atmosphere conducive to sharp thinking, clarity and precision, use grey, white, silver, and pewter.

• Water - Use blue and black to create a refreshing and calm space.

• Wood - Bring the energy of health, vitality, growth, and prosperity to your home office with brown and green.

Feng shui experts believe that by creating harmony and balance in your physical environment you will attract good luck and prosperity in every other area of your life.

Article courtesy of www. home-dzine.co.za

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CXPRESS

3 October 2018

Paws

Plett Animal Welfare Service

CLASSIFIEDS

ON THE SOAPBOX

3 October 2018

Letters to the Editor

CXPRESS

15

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

CemAir delivers Ginger - Bitou action needed Recently CemAir spread its wings in order to save a beautiful young lady dog, Ginger. Finding a permanent home for a ‘rescue dog’ is difficult enough for our volunteer animal welfare associations throughout South Africa, who are sadly receiving no government funding whatsoever.

Consider the logistical difficulty in transporting a dog from Pretoria to Plett; a 14 to 15-hour drive, allowing for stops, etc., with a dog that has not yet

bonded with the prospective new owner. This is a strain enough, without allowing for fuel costs.

CemAir became aware of our plight and they didn’t hesitate for a moment - she was virtually on the next flight. They are an exceptionally wellorganised company and I, for one, would like them to remain operating to and from Plett, thus continuing to provide local residents with the superior service they have done in the past.

Thank you, thank you, CemAir - and to all the individuals who have helped; thank you to the animal welfare organisations PAWS (Plett Animal Welfare Service), and the Pretoria German Sheppard Rescue Association.

My wife and I really appreciate your enormous commitment - not only in this situation but also your ongoing efforts. By the bye, Ginger has settled in wonderfully and is now a full family member.

In addition, the residents of Plett should demand action from Bitou Municipality, who have put CemAir under a monthto-month contract? No company should be in such a situation, as it is extremely restrictive for future planning and efficiency.

Please sort out your differences and give CemAir what they deserve: a signed agreed contract for a specific term, which is normal business practice.

Jeff Mills, Plett

WHO SAYS DOGS CAN’T FLY? Sara Mills with the well-travelled Ginger “Jake and Joey, our other PAWS rescue dogs, love their new big sister,” says Jeff Mills

Glass-bowl letter recalls lotto winning yarns of yore The letter about fairly drawing lotto winners in last week’s edition refers [read ‘Glass bowls the only way to fairly draw winning lotto numbers’ on page 19 of the September 26 edition at www.cxpress.co.za].

I have often wondered about the lotto system.

When living in KwaZuluNatal, a group of office

friends and myself won R40,000 from the Sunday Tribune crossword puzzle, when we were the only ones to submit the correct answers.

At that time, the five of us made it to the front page of the following Sunday Tribune - all with happy smiling faces regarding our shared pool.

At the same time, the

Natal Lotto was still running and here again pictures were published of the happy winners.

This brought joy to the whole nation, giving encouragement to those buying a lotto ticket - and why not, as the winners created a wonderful atmosphere of hope for future players of the lotto.

But now we don’t know

where the money is going.

These days I am sure many people don’t want to share their happiness with others. But transparency should be a condition of taking a South African Lotto ticket.

Unfortunately, the Natal Lotto was closed down when the national lotto started - how very sad!

GB, Plett

Remembering the magnificent ‘maestro’ and his incredible flying machine I found the article by Gigi Lewis on Harold Jackson and his grandfather most interesting [read it on page 2 of the September 26 edition at www.cxpress.co.za], particularly so as I actually met Mr Jack Vine in the mid-1930s. I must have been about nine or 10 years old at the time.

My uncle, Charles ‘Toss’ Pillans, and his partner, Mr Sandy Douglas, were in the process of buying Mr Vine’s engineering business from him, and Mr Vine invited them to come see the aeroplane he was busy building.

The plane was hanging in the garage of his house in Krugersdorp and we kids were over-

awed by the thought that we might one day see it flying over our heads. It seemed to be mainly built of wood, beautifully finished.

At that time Krugersdorp held an annual “derby” of soap-box cars.

The two main contenders were always a chap named Jackie Legoff and Jack Vine’s son, Harry.

The Legoff car was more stylish but Harry always won the race. I managed to enter a car one year, but stood no chance against these maestros.

Jack Vine founded a gliding club and one of my teachers joined it.

He would expound on the subject and particularly the fact that gliders

were soundless, allowing the pilot to hear sounds from below.

Jack was famous for his research into manpowered flight. Amazingly, his plane actually became airborne and flew for 150 metres before crashing due to a gust of wind.

All Krugersdorp was hoping to have one of its citizens win the prize of 10,000 pounds - a huge sum of money in those days - but he died before he could rebuild his plane. It was only 50 years later that this feat was surpassed.

Many years later, I found myself working with Jack Vine’s grandson, Alan, in the same

municipal department.

We were both interested in mountaineering and rock climbing and I persuaded him to join the Mountain Club.

I would like to meet Harold Jackson; I think we would both find it interesting.

Mervyn Prior, Plett (We’re sure that can be arranged, Mr Prior - now here’s another incredibly interesting individual!

If you’ve missed the blurb about Mervyn’s book on page 12, go back there but most importantly, find a copy of this riveting read subtitled ‘Memoirs, Mountains and Mishaps’ and enjoy the life story of one of the country and continent’s top climbers. - Eds.)

So much more to tell about Harold’s formidable family What a lovely layout of my story on Jack Vine, as told by Harold S Jackson of Knysna - thanks a mill to everyone involved.

Your readers may like to know that what I reported about Jack was really only half the story. He was, for example, a lover of motorcar races, who participated in and won several times in the Muldersdrift Hill Climb tournament.

Harold shared with me so many other anecdotes - too many to publish.

However, I think our story on the one subject of pedal-planes rounded it off quite nicely.

Also of interest was Jack’s Westrand Engi-

neering and Welding Works, which led to the invention of the ‘Evertite’ hose connection described as “one of the most successful pieces of engineering ever to be provided for the mining industry”. It’s still in use today, I believe.

Harold’s father, J Jackson, who also built a glider around 1936/37, married Jack’s eldest daughter, Alice - hence the name change.

And here is another one for your readers who hail from a generation that’s not too young to recall a certain musical era: Do you remember a group called The Chase in the late 60s,

or the New King Cole Sound in the late 70s?

The latter won competitions and appeared on Afrikaans television in a programme entitled ‘Ateljee 4’, and also featured on the Gé Korsten Show. Penny Rogers was their vocalist and the bass player, Chippy Jackson - wait for it was Harold’s nephew!

And these remarkable genes just seem to carry on and on: two of his granddaughters came first in a national championship in Magnum Archery in 2015. Their father always wanted a son, but these two girls did him extremely proud. Quelle famille!

Gigi Lewis, Knysna (What a blast it was, Gigi, to through your pen get a glimpse into the lives of these inventive and adventurous individuals.

We thank Harold for getting in touch with the CXPRESS office many months ago, and for bearing with us as we awaited with bated breath Gigi’s return from a German sojourn - we just knew no one could capture the tale as she so expertly did.

Here’s a reminder to regular and visiting readers that your stories, whether historically significant or not, will always be welcomed with open arms by the crew at this community newspaper. - Eds.)

The only pharmacy in Main Street

16

CXPRESS

SPORT & ADVENTURE

3 October 2018

Plett’s Golden Boy gunning for title at Mossel Bay Boxing Explosion LETTENBERG Bay boxer Unathi ‘Golden Boy’ Mndwana has but 10 days of training left before the Mossel Bay’s Boxing Explosion - part of the town’s month-long sports festival - on Saturday October 13, when he will fight for the vacant Western Cape junior bantam weight title against Ntandozo Dliwako from Cape Town.

Says well-known Southern Cape boxing promotor and co-organiser David Faas: “The current Western Cape junior fly champion Nwabisile Colani will also feature on the bill.

“And two promising boxers from Mossel Bay - Bulelani Ngondeka and Mbulelo

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NEW PROS AND OLD HANDS: Mossel Bay boxers Bulelani Ngondeka and Mbulelo Gubula, right, will go head to glove in their collective first bout as professionals on October 13 - at back are, from left, trainer/manager Phillip Goodger, trainers Simpiwe Qatu and Mncedisi Nqekeza, trainer and former WBF international middleweight champ Xolani Ngemntu, and boxing promotor David Faas - Photo: M Bay Advertiser

Gubula, who both turned professional early this year will showcase their talents in front of their home crowd.”

Faas is extremely excited about the forthcoming tournament and invited fans and aspiring boxers from as far east as the Tsitsikamma to organise their transport and other arrangements in good time.

Explained Faas: “Companies are urged to buy tickets for their employees. The bouts on October 13 will be a rebuilding process to close the gap that was left by the late Mossel Bay box-

ing promoter Terrence Majeke Ndanda.”

Faas added that since Ndanda’s passing, boxing had not featured much on the Garden Route sporting calendar.

Whatever you do, don’t miss next Saturday’s Boxing Explosion, which will feature the biggest clashes in the square ring to be seen in the area in months.

The action takes place at Imekhaya Primary School from 6pm and admission is R50 a head.

Call David Faas on 064 057 1459 to enquire about tickets or for sponsorship information, and contact the Mossel Bay boxers’ manager and trainer, Phillip Goodger on 083 575 7571 or at phillip@tigerkai.co.za if you can help with kit.

MAKING TEAM PLETT PROUD: Unathi Mndwana trains several hours a day in the run-up to next weekend’s Boxing Explosion in Mossel Bay, where he will he will contending for the vacant Western Cape junior bantam weight title

Mini parachutists charm at Oudtshoorn Words & photos: Bob Hopkin model air show MID all the fast jets and aerobatics at last weekend’s annual scalemodel air show in Oudtshoorn, a quiet but skilful innovation brought smiles and applause from the visitors. Aero-modellers Kobus Stofberg from Worcester and Fanie Fourie from Oudtshoorn skydived one fifth scale parachutists from a ferry aircraft from up to 1km above the airfield.

The scale-model human mannequins were dropped from under the wings of a large scale-model craft and free fell until a radio command was sent to open the ‘chutes.

Then two other servos controlled the arms of the model men to pull the control lines of the scale parachutes to steer them to the landing zones before “flaring” for a soft landing.

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DUDES PLAYING WITH PARABAT DOLLS: Fanie Fourie, above, with his scale-model parachutist; Kobus Stofberg, below at left, repacks the chute for another scale descent and a model parachutist, below, mimics the exact actions of the real thing as it flares for landing, to the great entertainment of crowds at the recent scale-model air show in Oudtshoorn

Storms River

TIN HOUSE Self-catering accommodation

Golf and bridge fanatics play it out in Plett The second Tee to Trump competition was held in Plettenberg Bay recently - an event designed to cater for bridge and golf fanatics who are competitive both on the course and around the table. There were 10 pairs competing for this year’s title, playing Better Ball golf in the morning at Goose Valley and Plett County Club, and a five-table Howell Movement of bridge in the afternoon.

Entries included pairs from as far afield as East London and Joburg and despite the rainfall on day two, spirits were high and the tournament most enjoyable for all. The overall winners of Tee to Trump 2018 were Trish Leach, at right, and Christine Barker of Knysna, grabbing victory on a count-out from Plett locals Di Klette and Erica Millican.

Thanks go to sponsor Helen Melon Properties for availing a stash of excellent prizes.