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
Forever young
FREE Photo: Gigi Lewis
3 September 2014
At 100.5 years old, Lexie Elliott has more stories to tell than most - learn her and other Leisure Isle residents’ secrets to longevity on page 2, and then go have yourselves a happy SPRING!
Three years of sorrow p4
Spring specials & services p8 & 9
Small business to the rescue p11
10 000 FREE COPIES OF CXPRESS DISTRIBUTED ALONG THE GARDEN ROUTE EVERY WEDNESDAY
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News & Views
3 September 2014
People Around Town
Heavenly Gardens - and the art of enjoying a long life GIGI LEWIS interviews interesting Garden Route residents and visitors that happen to cross her path
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HE age of retirees has, metaphorically speaking, moved its goal posts over the last few decades. It is now fashionable to state that “sixty is the new forty” - especially among women. Consequently, I needed to find out what our octogenarians and the growing number of folk that live to be 100, and beyond, are up to. What is their perceived age? What do they occupy themselves with? A good start was Leisure Gardens on Leisure Isle, one of a handful of well-run seniors’ residential homes in the area that provide whatever is needed for the wellbeing of their residents to make long life more of a pleasure than a chore. Leisure Gardens officially opened its new centre in 1990, as an extension to its older sis-
ter, known as Garden Gates. Manager and CEO Sandy Berrange, who has been with the organisation for 14 years, explains: “We have comprehensive facilities for assisted living and frail care and presently have 46 residents and 30 staff, including the chef and our drivers. “Regrettably, there is a long waiting list of people wanting to join us.” Leisure Gardens receive no government subsidies. The building of the cottages was originally funded through private donations and a State loan. It’s a pleasure to walk through the kaleidoscope of flowering plants in the garden, tended lovingly by some of the horticultural buffs living on the premises, helped by on-site gardeners.
Our 10 000 free copies are distributed every Wednesday to a multitude of outlets along the Garden Route, with emphasis on Knysna and Plett and drop-offs at *Sedgefield Tourism *Caltex StarMart in Wilderness *Lynn Schroeder, Build It and other select outlets in George *Storms River Village and Bridge in Tsitsikamma - phone 044 533 1004 (o/h) with distribution queries.
If you’ve missed out on a hard copy, read the electronic version online at www.cxpress.co.za
Residents buy a life-right to their cottages and pay levies to cover daily running costs, including lunch. Sister Marina van Reenen, who came to the Garden Route from the old Transvaal in 1984, confirms that there is always a qualified nursing sister at hand or on call. In the airy reception, Sandy’s Doberman, Chewy, lazily looks on with gentle brown eyes as some ladies return from an excursion to Knysna, chit-chatting while rushing to lunch laid out in the dining hall beyond. On Friday mornings, the space is transformed into a crafts centre, where ladies make hand-painted scatter cushions and a variety of gift items to be sold on their open day, which this year takes place on September 6. The proceeds are used for various projects of the residents’ choice. I was invited to tea on such a working-party morning and the following picture is etched in my memory: Besides a room full of people is this delicately built, welldressed and coiffed old lady, sitting in an armchair near the entrance. Around her frail shoulders are tightly wrapped the leather straps of a Hohner accordion, which seems huge in front of her slim body. She taps the keys with gusto, moving the bellows to and fro in harmonious waves, and as I approach, her joyous voice goes into a crescendo as she sings the famous German song: “Muss i denn, muss i denn, zum Städtele hinaus…” I can’t help but fall into song with her. There’s a lot of laughter. Lexie (Alexa) Elliott says she is exactly 100.5 years old! She is as vivid a raconteuse as she is a passionate musician. The songs she had learned while attending an English school in Switzerland. Born in Hertfordshire, UK, Lexie was posted in 1942, during the war, to Tripoli in Libya with a dozen other young girls, to tend to soldiers who were injured while fighting in North Africa. She chuckles: “We were known as ‘The Massage Corps’ because they hadn’t invented the word physiotherapist yet.” While there she met Charles, a South African who served in the famous Eighth Army which fought Rommel under the command of Montgomery. They got married in 1942 and she moved with Charles to South Africa where their two sons and two daughters were born. Sadly, Charles passed away some time ago. Lexie and Len Purcie, 98, are the earliest residents to have moved into Leisure Gardens. The seven male residents seem to keep out of
the ladies’ way. Erika Huhn turned 88 on August 22. She moved to Knysna from Cape Town in 1991. Her bachelor cottage is minimalist, light with artistic touches and exudes German Gemütlichkeit. She was born in the Lüneburg Heath, a large area of moor and woodland in northern Germany, near Hamburg. Erika met her husband, Hans-Joachim, before he immigrated to Namibia, but she soon joined him and they got married in Swakopmund in 1953. With her husband being in the printing business, they eventually ran their own print company and founded the Pcokd"Vkogu, which still exists today, although it was sold long ago. It was almost certainly the first newspaper in Africa that
was printed in German, English and Afrikaans. In 1980, they moved to Cape Town where Erika obtained her Tourist Guide certificate and started her own Cape Tours enterprise, initially for Germans who couldn’t speak English - but she soon had clients from all over the world. She was realistic about moving from a three-bedroomed house in Belvidere to her present domicile and remembers the years after the war, when she and her mother had to live for a while in a room a quarter the size of her present residence. She is happy within herself and has friends to play Bridge with. Neither she nor her husband, who died some years back, had siblings and she is content in the knowledge that she’ll be looked after as she
NO WRINKLES AT 90?! Alpha Visser was 90 on August 15 and her radiant complexion is the envy of many a younger woman
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goes on enjoying life. Alpha Rosalind Visser turned 90 on August 15. Her radiant complexion is that of a much younger woman and I noticed with envy that she had very few wrinkles. Born in Germiston, Alpha grew up in Joburg - then a safe heaven and an exciting, cosmopolitan capital of international calibre. She has happy memories of boarding school in Somerset West in 1940. Her husband to be was a final year medical student at UCT in 1941 and they married three years later. He passed away in 2002, just before their 60th wedding anniversary. Against a wall of her comfortable cottage stands a computer. Following my eyes she explains: “With my daughter living in Australia, I just had to learn how to use a computer and send emails, photographs and letters, and I often Skype as well.” Then she confides: “But my greatest hobby is Astronomy. I love the stars and galaxies and I am a member of the Astronomical Society. I also like Geology, but their walks are getting a bit difficult for me now.” Alpha has lived in Leisure Isle since 1979. She used to play bowls in competitions but now rather watches the game from the side. With her various interests, she has made many friends on the island, with whom she still keeps in touch. Please support Leisure Gardens on September 6. You might even win one of their lovely hampers in a raffle call Sandy on 044 384 0612 for more information.
GEMÜTLICHKEIT: Erika Huhn turned 88 on August 22 and has been spreading her characteristic German cheer in Knysna since 1991
News & Views
3 September 2014
Let the battle of Bitou’s Ward 7 begin… Candidates vying for the vacant council seat hope the upcoming by-election will bring stability in Bitou Municipality after severe political turbulence over the past two months - YOLANDÉ STANDER reports
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ARD 7, which includes Kranshoek and Harkerville, has been under ANC control until councillor Nolan Stuurman suddenly resigned on July 27 in the midst of court action involving a move by him and five other local ANC councillors to take over the DA-led municipality and replace its leadership. The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) therefore announced last month that the ward should be contested in a by-election on September 17. The DA announced their candidate as long-time Plett resident and Bitou speaker Annelise Olivier, while ‘Oom’ Sammy Jansen has been identified as the ANC contender. Olivier said this week she
was passionate about the community of Kranshoek and Harkerville and would ensure residents’ needs were top priority. She added that if the DA won the ward, it would make Bitou more governable as there would no longer be a need for a coalition. This coalition with COPE became an issue of contention when deputy mayor and COPE member Adam van Rhyner sided with the ANC in a call for a special council meeting to serve a motion of no confidence in, among others, Olivier and mayor Memory Booysen. “If I become the Ward 7 councillor, I will do all I can to bring good and effective
service delivery to the community,” Olivier said. She said other priorities would be creating job opportunities, upgrading and maintaining sport facilities, ensuring proper infrastructure and addressing housing issues. Olivier, who will also remain the speaker, made it clear that this would not mean she would be receiving two salaries. “I’ll wear two hats, but get one salary.” ANC Southern Cape secretary Putco Mapitiza said Jansen had been chosen as the party’s candidate as they could no longer tolerate the “divisive and skewed service delivery” by the DA. “The ANC is the only political party that can save Bitou from the reverse segregation style of development. The DA’s approach to development is not different from the apartheid regime,” Mapitiza said. “Winning the by-election is a step closer to bringing back the plight of the community of Bitou, and Kranshoek in particular.”
News Briefs Ugctej"hqt"okuukpi"pkpg/ {gct/qnf"htqo"Mp{upc" eqpvkpwgu The public are requested to assist the police in the search for Liyema Baleni, 9, from Bongani in Knysna following her disappearance on Thursday August 28. She was reported as missing by a family member on Friday the 29th. Liyema is about 1.2m tall and was dressed in a pink jacket, grey track top, white pants and brown long boots at the time of her disappearance. The circumstances surrounding her disappearance are being investigated and anyone with information must contact the Knysna Police on 044 302 6608 or 044 302 6609. Tqddgt{."mkfpcr"cpf"tcrg" ecug"eqpvkpwgu The 24-year-old accused of house robbery, kidnapping and rape in Knysna last week appeared in the Knysna Magistrate’s Court yesterday, but the case against his alleged accomplice, aged 22, has been
MISSING: Liyema Baleni was last seen on August 28
temporarily withdrawn due to insufficient evidence. The drama started in the early hours of August 27 when the suspect entered a house in Ridge Drive, Knysna Heights, around 5:30am. The 68-yearold female resident and her husband, 75, were at home when the suspect entered through an open window. The suspect allegedly asked for the safe key and cash and took several items from the house including jewellery, a camera, clothing, sunglasses
and two cellphones. The hands and feet of the husband were tied with shoelaces before the suspect took the victim to the garage and left the scene in her Toyota Corolla. They stopped at a bushy area near Concordia where the suspect allegedly raped her. SAPS members reacted swiftly and found the victim and the vehicle on the gravel road. The suspect was arrested in a yard in Concordia and the stolen items recovered. They also found a bicycle and a bag is his possession, which follow-up investigations confirmed had been stolen at another house in Ridge Drive. The 22-year-old accomplice had allegedly waited outside the house in Ridge Drive during the incident. After the suspects’ first court appearance in the Knysna Magistrate’s Court on Friday, the younger man was released. The 24-year-old accused remained in custody and the investigation continues.
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News & Views
3 September 2014
Parents’ trauma relived during final days of bus tragedy inquest The parents of the 14 children who lost their lives in the horrific Rheenendal bus tragedy three years ago felt a sense of peace as they held a memorial service for the young accident victims on Sunday after the final chapter in a lengthy inquest into the crash was closed last week - YOLANDÉ STANDER reports
THREE YEARS OF MOURNING: Memorial services were held in Rheenendal on August 24 - the bus tragedy’s three-year anniversary - and on Sunday the 31st in Pacaltsdorp, and reminders like this weatherworn soft toy remain at the spot where the bus entered the cold Kasatdrift River - Photo: Ewald Stander
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NYSNA magistrate Derek Torlage found on Friday there was prima facie evidence of negligence by several people and that this contributed to the accident which claimed the lives of not only Rheenendal Primary pupils but also 65-year-old driver Tiaan Colin Payle.
They succumbed to a watery death after the African Express Tata school bus, in which 56 children were apparently crammed, plunged into the icy Kasatdrift River about 20km from Knysna on August 24, 2011. “It feels as if a great weight has been lifted off our shoul-
ders,” said Kathleen Wessels, who lost her 11-year-old daughter Raylene in the crash. This sense of relief contributed to the parents’ decision to have another memorial service on Sunday in Pacaltsdorp (they also honoured their children during a service at Rheenendal Anglican Church
on August 24). “There has been a lot of finger-pointing throughout this process, but today we know where to point our fingers,” Wessels said referring to the four parties implicated. Torlage, who delivered a four-hour judgment to a packed gallery on Friday,
Know your Knysna sectors, numbers and commanders
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HE Knysna policing precinct has been divided into six sectors according to the sector policing approach. Cellphones are being placed in vehicles in these sectors for the community to contact the police. Sector commanders have also been appointed and could be contacted as follows (the first cell number belonging to the Sector Patrol Vehicle in every case, and the sec-
ond number being that of the sector commander): • Sector 1 (Knysna CBD, Brenton, Belvedere, Paradise, Knysna Heights, Upper Old Place & Thesen Islands) 082 379 0084 - W/Officer Francois Cowley: 082 522 3190 • Sector 2 (Hornlee, Industrial Area, Hunters Home, Leisure Island, The Heads, Knoetzie & Pezula) 082 411 2135 - W/O Adam Jacobs: 082 522 1817
• Sector 3 (Oupad, Damsebos, Nekkies, Khayalethu, Diepwalle, Brackenhill & Ndameni) 082 443 4528 Sergeant Juliet Ndlovu: 079 894 1609 / 072 223 5845 • Sector 4 (Bongani, Concordia, White Location, Joodsekamp & Flenters) 082 379 0084 - Sergeant Thamsanqa Maqungu: 079 894 1607 • Sector 5 (Rural sector including the farming areas of Rheenendal, Bibbieshoek,
Karatara, Farleigh & Barrington) 082 379 3411 - Sergeant Petrus Kapp: 079 894 1608 • Sector 6 (Sedgefield CBD, Smutsville, Island, Groenvlei, Myoli Beach & Buffalo Bay) 082 379 3411 - Sergeant Sonja Stander: 079 894 1616 Ecnn"Mp{upc"rqnkeg"urqmgu/ rgtuqp" Ugtigcpv" Ejtku" Urkgu" qp"293"826":598"qt"266"524" 889:"qt"gockn"mp{upc/ucruB ucru0qti0|c"hqt"oqtg"kphq0
found there was prima facie evidence the Western Cape education department, the testing station which issued a roadworthy certificate for the bus, the bus company owner, and the driver had been negligent and that this contributed to the disaster. He also highlighted several issues with the bus, including an ineffective right rear brake system, cracks in the chassis, play on the steering and problems with the gear lever and clutch. He said adding these factors to Payle’s age and complaints about pain in his legs before the accident, it became a “deadly combination”. Torlage pointed out that the education department failed to ensure the bus was in a proper working condition and only accepted the roadworthy certificate at face value, despite complaints by parents that the bus was not up to standard. “The department just lifted its shoulders and shrugged off the possible consequences,” Torlage said. He added that testing officers at TJ’s Test Station, which issued the roadworthy certificate for the bus just weeks before the accident, should have ensured that the bus had been fit for purposes of transporting passengers, especially with South Africa’s high bus accident rate. Torlage found a certificate was issued despite several issues with the vehicle, so there was contributory negligence on the testing station’s part. He said negligence by African Express owner Praveen Singh could not be excluded
as the bus was in a “very poor state” and no preventative maintenance had been done. Torlage’s recommendations will now be directed to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for a decision whether to prosecute or not. Parents can also possibly proceed with civil claims. “We are waiting for feedback from the DPP before we make any decision on what we would want to do next,” Cornelius Davidson said. His 17-year-old son Ashwell died in the accident. “My sympathy goes out to the families and parents of the deceased as well as those who survived this horrible ordeal,” Torlage said after calling for a moment of silence in court on Friday in honour of those who died. Wessels said although the court’s findings could not bring their children back, it did bring some form of closure. “We felt a new sense of peace as we held memorial services over the past week, knowing that the findings of the inquest were fair,” Davidson said. However, Sibilla Mello, who lost her six-year-old son Antonio and nine-year-old daughter Lisa in the accident, said the pain of the day was still very real and that many of the parents relived the trauma during court proceedings. Advocate Norman Arendse, who represented the parents, welcomed Torlage’s recommendations. “The parents waited for three years to find out who was responsible for the death of their children. We are satisfied with the outcome and it has brought some measure of closure to a very tragic case,” Arendse said. Ictfgp"Tqwvg"Ogfkc
Another victim of irresponsible anglers?
Knysna resident Bradley Sparg sent this photograph of a dead African Black Oystercatcher and wrote: ‘Please could you bring the terrible death of this beautiful bird to the attention of your readers. It is imperative that fishermen pick up all loose nylon caught on rocks, as this is what caused this bird to become tangled and then drown in the incoming tide. Anglers must be responsible about their lines and also help prevent that our lovely fishing spots are marred by litter.’
News & Views
3 September 2014
Willow Tree blooms in Brackenhill as preschool gets safe new premises LINDA SMITH of Knysna Education Trust sent this delightful news, saying: ‘Remember how kids would have to cross the highway at Brackenhill to get to school in the church building? They now have a gorgeous school on the right side of the road!’
WITNESS TO A WELL-WORN HOME: Veteran marathon runner - and winner! - Yvonne Luiters, 76, remembers playing as a young girl in the home now used as school; above at right, Maria Terblanche, 80, was born in the house
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T is a welcoming sight… the singing of children as the sun streams in through the large windows of a freshly-painted, beautiful farmhouse in Brackenhill. The reason for the little ones’ bright cheer and the beaming faces of their teachers is because, after seven long years, they finally have their own preschool building, generously provided by PG Bison in collaboration with Knysna Education Trust. Having had to negotiate a daily crossing of the treacherous highway to receive their preschool education in a lessthan-adequate tiny church building with no facilities, the children can now enjoy the secure, spacious house with its lush surrounding garden. During the handing over ceremony on Monday August 25, PG Bison’s HR risk manager Davey Carelse said: “We are pleased to invest in this opportunity to develop children and build the future of a community. “These children are the future leaders of our land. We
thank Nicky Goodall and Knysna Education Trust for their willingness to join hands and contribute. They are setting an example to all in the Knysna area.” Once occupied by forestry managers, the farmhouse is host to many a memory as recalled by 80-year-old Maria Terblanche - who was born in the house - while 76-year-old Yvonne Luiters remembers playing upstairs as a young girl. It seems apt that the sounds of young children now again fill the passages as they learn their ABCs. Ant Bets, a well-known pillar of the community who has thrown her support behind Willow Tree principal Julia Moses, thanked the elderly for their provision of funds and food during difficult times. Indeed, the community of Brackenhill faces a lot of challenges, with many single or unemployed parents sending their children to live with elderly grandparents. A full 15 of the pre-schoolers at Willow Tree are receiving
BACK TO SINGLE-USE: The quaint church that used to serve as preschool premises
sponsorship through the KET Adopt a Child’s Education programme. “I just want to say thank you to Davey from PG Bison, Nicky from Knysna Education Trust, my team and the parents who continue to believe in me,” was the heartfelt dedication of principal Moses, whose devotion was complimented by the Trust’s Nicky Goodall. “This accomplishment today couldn’t have been achieved without commitment, co-operation and team work. We have full confidence in Julia and see a positive future ahead, especially with the unity and support of parents. “Well done to Julia and your team for such amazing work you can rely on our support!” “Clap your hands … clap, clap, clap!” certainly rings true for this wonderful collaborative effort of putting down roots for Willow Tree so that it can continue to grow into a pillar of strength. Rngcug"xkukv"yyy0hcegdqqm0 eqo1mp{upcgfwecvkqpvtwuv" cpf"flnkmg‚"MGV0
GENERATIONS OF JOY: Willow Tree pre-schoolers with teachers, parents and grandparents celebrate the new school premises with Davey Carelse of PG Bison, third from right, and Nicky Goodall of Knysna Education Trust next to him
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News & Views
3 September 2014
Enter our Garden for free next week
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VER 1,500 people last year responded to the call to visit Garden Route National Park (GRNP) for free. This year, SANParks invites all members of the public to visit various sections of the picturesque GRNP during SA National Parks Week from September 8 to the 12th. The nine-year-old campaign held every September encourages all members of the public, young and old, to visit National Parks. Activities of interest planned for this year’s campaign week include an art and pictures exhibition in the Storms River Rest Camp. And on September 10, the business fraternity and all small, micro and medium businesses are encouraged to attend a business workshop organised by SANParks from 10am until 1pm. Members of the public are invited to bring picnic baskets to the Park on September 12. This day will be celebrated through music and dance by local artists and bands, in-
cluding the battle of popular local DJs, starting at 5:30pm at Storms River Rest Camp in the Tsitsikamma. Braai stands are available and rangers will be on standby to assist. In the Knysna section, the public is invited to take a 30-minute stroll in the Garden of Eden guided by rangers between 9am and 2pm daily during the campaign week. Those interested in seahorses can visit the SANParks Office on Thesen Islands from Monday to Friday (10am to 12 noon). Visitors can also access the Forest Legends Museum in Diepwalle, Knysna Forest, for free from Monday to Wednesday between 11am and 2pm. The focus in Wilderness is on the young at heart as they explore the Park’s various activities, such as canoeing through indigenous forests on the Touw River. Free entry into the Park excludes costs for accommodation and activities. Ugg"vjg"cfxgtv"qp"rcig"7"hqt" cffkvkqpcn"kphqtocvkqp0
Celebrate 200 years since great outdoorsman’s visit to George
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bicentenary commemoration on September 19 takes the form of talks by two William John Burchell enthusiasts, followed by the unveiling of a memorial in recognition of his contribution to our understanding of the natural beauty and the topography of this region. Burchell visited during September and October 1814, when he set up camp above the newly founded village of Georgetown, in the shadows of George Peak. Son of a London nurseryman, he visited the Cape Colony from 1810 to 1815. He was well educated and skilled as an observant naturalist and explorer, as recorded in his journals and published in his Vtcxgnu"kp"vjg"Kpvgtkqt"qh" Uqwvjgtp"Chtkec in 1822. Burchell was well trained in botany and zoology, an
accurate navigator and cartographer, and a competent artist with a talent for languages. He travelled over 7,000km throughout the Cape Colony in a purpose-built ox-wagon, reaching as far north as today’s Botswana. He returned to the Mother City along the southern Cape coast, having amassed 60,000 zoological and botanical specimens that he shipped back to England for description and identification. Attend this special occasion at Garden Route Botanical Gardens at 8:30am on September 19 (R50 entry includes tea and snacks, or optional lunch at R110). Prior registration and payment is essential. Email burchell2014@gmail.com or phone 079 260 4159 for more information (closing date for payment: September 11).
News & Views
3 September 2014
Plett’s new wine event gears up for two days of tasting SIP more than 30 local wines and bubbles, SAVOUR the delicacies of artisanal foods, SEA the Big Blue and ENJOY a plethora of festivities along the Plett Winelands...
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HE Plett Wine & Bubbly Festival presented by Plett Tourism and the Plett Wine Growers Association will offer over 30 wines from the Plett Winelands area, for guests to sample during two days of grand tastings. This year’s event takes place at the Beacon Island Resort on October 4 and 5 from 1-8pm on the Saturday and from 12 noon to 8pm on the Sunday, and will include the dress theme ‘Blue and White, Ocean and Bubbles, Wear a Hat’. “The Plett Wine & Bubbly Festival is the front window to the Plett Winelands, Plett’s newest attraction consisting of 16 wine farms and estates and two slack-packing trails, all of which will be officially launched at the Festival,” says Plett Tourism chairman Peter Wallington. “It is a major step forward
to extending Plett’s appeal beyond the summer and Easter seasons. The Plett Wine & Bubbly Festival will become one of Plett’s main drawcards in years to come and is a perfect fit to Brand Plettenberg Bay.” Tickets are R250 per person and include a signature Plett Wine & Bubbly champagne flute and one complimentary glass of wine from a pre-selected wine farm. Food is available á la carte at artisan stations and Plett Tourism will tantalise the taste buds with an Oyster & Bubbly Bar. The artisan food stations will include a tapas-style Mediterranean selection presented by Coral Reef Restaurant and a selection of cheeses, artisanal breads and delicacies presented by local producers. The entertainment line-up includes leading South Afri-
can acoustic rock group Watershed on both days, with supporting acts Sujo & Storm and local favourite Tigger. VIPs will be treated to an exclusive food and MCC wine pairing brunch sponsored by The Plettenberg Hotel and its signature restaurant, Seafood at The Plettenberg. Sommelier Michelle Michaels will introduce guests to the amazing MCCs to be showcased at the Festival. Parking will be available to patrons at the Central Beach parking area both Saturday and Sunday, and there will be escorts to assist you across the bridge and beach to the venue at the Beacon Island Resort. Don’t miss the first official celebration of wine and bubbles in Plettenberg Bay! Visit www.plettwinelands.com or more information and to book online.
‘Capture Golden Hour with Bubbles’ Competition
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HE Golden Hour is that magical time for photographers when the sun slips towards the horizon and produces those incredible orange, yellow and golden photos. Celebrate Plett’s first Wine & Bubbly Festival with a glass of wine or bubbly (extra points if it’s from
a Plett Winelands vineyard) and snap away. Tag #plettwineweekend to enter and you stand a chance to win two VIP tickets to the Plett Wine & Bubbly Festival on October 4 at the Beacon Island Resort, and two nights at the fabulously luxurious Christiana Lodge (October 3 & 4).
Plett Tourism will feature their favourites each week leading up to the festival. JQY"VQ"GPVGT Hashtag your Twitter or Instagram entries with #plett wineweekend or follow this link to enter via Plett Tourism’s Facebook page: http:// bit.ly/PlettGoldenHour
Notice Board
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Rtkxcvg" Eqpxgtucvkqp written by Paul Deans is to be presented as a play reading on Thursday September 4 at Myfanwy Bekker Studios, Look Out Centre above The Pie Shop, at 6:30 for 7pm sharp. Wine will be served but bring a snack. This one-night-only occasion is sure to be an experimental and thought provoking hour. Email kbalaja dia@gmail.com for info. Don’t miss the WEV" Ejqkt" at Plett Methodist Church on Friday September 5 at
7pm. The choir features former Plett Music Academy and Oakhill students, and tickets cost R80 (pensioners pay R50, scholars R25). Call Adele of PMA on 083 957 3241 and see the advert on page 10 for more info. Famsa in Plett presents a Nquu"("Itkgh"yqtmujqr from September 9-11 with expert Femke Hamming. Call 044 533 0515 to book and see the advert on page 3 for info. Diarise September 27 for Plett’s very own OPF" Keg"
Dwemgv"Ejcnngpig - an event involving dumping a bucket of ice water on one’s head, and challenging others to do the same to raise funds for the Motor Neuron Disease Association of SA. Marcia & Malcolm Katz are hosting the event at The Market Square from 11:30am on the 27th and it’s sure to be lots of fun while serving the purpose of widening awareness of the disease. Phone Marcia on 082 575 1745 for details and watch this space for information on challenges in the next few editions.
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MZ FORROW FOR PLETT’S FAB FASHION FEST: On Thursday September 18, Ouland Royale will be turned into a catwalk and cake emporium when fashion and confectionary combine for a marvellous morning of elegant tastes and excellent eats. And another bonus is the fact that now Knysna resident Amanda Forrow - long-time radio and TV celeb and SA’s best loved funny girl - will be mistress of ceremonies. Ouland Royale is on Plett’s Airport Road and the fun begins at 10:30am. Buy tickets at R200 from Linda Batt (082 490 42 58), Marian Kushner (082 601 4854), Lynn Searle (082 490 4258) or Marsja Hall-Green (073 645 9476) and please take note that all proceeds will benefit Plett Animal Welfare Services. Also diarise Sunday September 7 when it’s time for the annual PAWS Car Boot Sale (9am to 1pm) at The Market Square parking area near Horse & Hound. Call Marsja for info on 044 533 4578.
3 September 2014
People, places & events
Social Scene
SHARP ENOUGH TO BUNGY! A full 50 of Plettenberg Bay Secondary School’s matriculants went on a motivational outing to Face Adrenalin’s Bloukrans Bungy and three of the top learners had the opportunity to do the 216m jump off the bridge. They say a heartfelt thanks to owner Devon Tuohey for sponsoring this once-in-a-lifetime adventure, to Pika’s Tours for transporting the learners, to André Bouwer for taking the initiative to organise the outing, and to principal Bowers and the other teachers who accompanied them.
FULL GOSPEL LADIES LOVE HAVING FUN: The ladies of Full Gospel Church of God in KwaNokuthula held a Women’s Day celebration on August 9, with members from branches in Knysna, Oudtshoorn, George and Mossel Bay travelling to Bitou for the day. The theme of the day was Women Arise and the ladies in the top photo represent the local Full Gospel Church committee under Pastor Hewu. Says Phathiswa Buso, who sent us these pics: ‘We had different speakers on that day sharing the word of God as women in Christ praying for each other and praying that drugs would not destroy our communities. We also had a beauty contest on August 23, where we celebrated the beauty of God’s creation as women with some ladies wearing traditional gear, other vintage and other modern formal frocks, showing our young women that you can have fun at church and that church is not boring!’
KUNSTE UIT DIE BOONSTE RAKKE: Leerlinge van Hoërskool Wittedrift se drama, musiek, dans, voordrag en skildertalente is tydens die jaarlikse Kunstefees op 22 Augustus ten toon gestel. ‘Wat ‘n ongelooflike belewenis was dit nie! Kultuur is ook een van die sterk pilare van ons skool en ons is trots op al die toekomstige akteurs, musikante, kunstenaars en dansers wat Wittedrift gaan oplewer. ‘n Groot dankie gaan aan Ananda Naudé, die organiseerder van die aand, wat baie moeite gedoen en leerders aangemoedig het om deel te neem,’ aldus skoolhoof Jeremy Marallich. Kan dié vierstuks dans! Baie geluk aan Ballroom-kompetisie wenners Jerome Hudson en Carey-Anne Davids (met die ruikers) en naaswenners Jolize Joubert en Athenkosi Seneti. Die beoordelaars vir die aand was Leigh Dunn en Yvette Eloff, heel regs. Dansers oefen elke Vrydagmiddag na skool onder die wakende oog van Alex Eloff. Dan is dit tyd vir boogie,cha-cha, salsa, rumba en die tango!
Business
3 September 2014
Investor Focus
CXPRESS
Malcolm Stewart – Investment manager at Michaelides Parker Wealth Knysna & Plett
In the global property game, Germany takes the Kuchen!
O
VER the past five years, property indices have outperformed global equities, which themselves have doubled. Many of these so-called REITS are now fully valued but there are still pockets of hidden value.
In many cases these stocks are yielding more than the sovereign long bonds. This ‘positive yield gap’ means that companies can fund value enhancing properties with low cost debt. Most high-quality REITS
Accounting made easy
have been sought-after for several years and although they are still sound investments, you may find yourself paying too much for an income stream. There are, however, pockets of value to be found.
have great admiration for the courage, creativity and the entrepreneurial spirit of the people who own and run small businesses: when they get knocked down they get up, dust themselves off and get on with it. When you work for yourself, you work for the toughest boss of all! Small business is in my DNA; coming as I do from several generations of entrepreneurs and business people, developing a passion for small enterprise came naturally. I really get a buzz from the challenge of developing new and innovative ways and systems for the smooth, efficient administration of small businesses. I am one of the lucky few who earns a living doing what I really enjoy. A reality faced by global finance is that small business will have to be a very big factor in the future of economies throughout the world. Employment by ‘big business’ is contracting as companies become more streamlined and efficient. The result is that more people are having to fend for themselves by starting their own businesses. Ironically, in a way, big business is shooting itself in the foot because it needs consumers with disposable income to sell their products, yet contracting wage bills will reduce disposable incomes, which in turn could lead to more layoffs, and so on. A vicious cycle. In my last article (CXPRESS of August 20), I talked a bit about the small business activity I observed in Zambia and, as I have had
While many of these pockets of value are in emerging markets, which may present excess risk for retirees, an anomaly in the German residential market is worth investigating. Prospective homeowners
Jeremy Andrews – Andrews & Co Chartered Accountant & Auditor - Plett
Small business to the rescue... but will governments lift the harnesses?
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the good fortune of spending some time in New Zealand, I thought it might be interesting to compare the two countries. Frenetic, chaotic Zambia and neat, organised and outwardly placid New Zealand appear to be like chalk and ‘Once again, my space allotment in this wonderful local example of entrepreneurship is running out’ cheese; but there are a few things they have in common. Both countries’ economies were badly harmed by socialist governments, and both use English as their official language (well, proper English in Zambia and Australiansounding English in Kiwiland - apologies in advance to any Kiwi who reads here). Standards of education seem to be high in both countries and both appear to be nations of small business initiators. I suspect it is largely thanks to this characteristic that both countries have pulled themselves out of the economic doldrums and are now prospering. The nature of their small businesses are very different; in Zambia it revolves mainly around basic goods and services while in Kiwiland, emphasis seems to be on services and technology. The difference is not important but what is, is that each country has succeeded in encouraging the types of businesses suited to their particular circumstances. Although governments all
over the world are citing the importance of small enterprise and see them as the solution to our economic woes, not many seem to have progressed beyond the talking phase. Once again, my space allotment in this wonderful local example of entrepreneurship is running out - I really could write many chapters on this topic and perhaps I will expand on the theme in future articles. But for now, I will confine myself to what, in my opinion, needs to happen for small business to be the panacea to the economic world’s ailments. • Governments need to get rid of much of the red tape that strangles small business and provide legislation that not only encourages small business but that also protects
it and levels the playing field. • Small business itself has to do a lot more not only in lobbying governments but also in developing structures that enable them to support each other. • Consumers need to understand the importance of supporting small businesses; if they are not already small business owners, there is a more than even chance that they will be in the future. • Big businesses need to relook their growth and profit goals and strategies and explore ways of supporting small businesses, rather than competing with them or gobbling them up. Next time, I’ll share pleasant experiences in my dealings with a few small businesses. Lgtgo{"Cpftgyu"jcu"dggp" kp"vjg"dwukpguu"qh"ocmkpi" ceeqwpvcpe{"gcu{"hqt"nqecn" dwukpguu"hqnm"hqt"fgecfgu"/" ugg"vjg"cfxgtv"qp"vjku"rcig" hqt"eqpvcev"fgvcknu0
are particularly aware of how difficult it is to get a bond. The bank considers the total bond value relative to the value of the property, and the mortgage repayments relative to their earnings. In these terms, the IMFs Global Property Outlook shows that Canada, Australia, New Zealand and parts of Europe are expensive. Portugal, Spain, Ireland, Italy and Greece are at fair value while Germany, Japan and the US are inexpensive. German house prices are currently 10% below the levels of 40 years ago (this is after inflation has been taken into account). Apparently today you can buy an apartment for only slightly more than it cost 10 years ago! At the same time, both population and household incomes have shown steady growth over this period. House prices in the UK and Australia have more than tripled over the same period.
In Germany, the cost of developing a property from scratch is about double that of purchasing one in the secondary market. As a percentage of total household income, rental costs are the lowest in all of Europe. Germany, as we know, is the powerhouse of Euroland and is attracting immigrants from its more depressed neighbours. Something has to give in this situation, and that will in all probability be the rental levels. We are thus looking at an attractive investment proposition. How long it will take to produce results is unknown, but you will be earning income of over 7% while you are waiting. This yield will improve as German rental levels adjust nearer to the Euroland average. Ocneqno"jcu"dggp"kp"vjg" kpxguvogpv"kpfwuvt{"hqt"qxgt" 62"{gctu0"Jg"jcu"ytkvvgp" vjku"eqnwop"kp"EZRTGUU" hqt"vjg"ncuv"38"{gctu"cpf"ku" c"urgekcnkuv"kp"ocpcikpi" tgvktgf"ygcnvj0
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CXPRESS
Interval
3 September 2014
Food quotes, quips, and thoughts... • “I’ve been on a constant diet for the last two decades. I’ve lost a total of 789 pounds. By all accounts, I should be hanging from a charm bracelet.” /"Gtoc"Dqodgem • “Artichokes are just plain annoying. After all the trouble you go to, you get about as much actual ‘food’ out of eating an artichoke as you would from licking 30 or 40 postage stamps. Have the shrimp cocktail instead.” /" Okuu"Rkii{" • “The most remarkable
thing about my mother is that for 30 years she served the family nothing but leftovers. The original meal has never been found.” /"Uco"Ngxkpuqp" • “This recipe is certainly silly. It says to separate two eggs, but it doesn’t say how far to separate them.” /"Itc/ ekg"Cnngp" • “I told my doctor I get very tired when I go on a diet, so he gave me pep pills. Know what happened? I ate faster.” /"Lqg"G"Ngyku • “I will not eat oysters.
I want my food dead, not sick, not wounded - dead.” /" Yqqf{"Cnngp • “Food is an important part of a balanced diet.” /" Htcp" Ngdqykv|" • “Health food makes me sick.” /"Ecnxkp"Vtknnkp • “Watermelon - it’s a good fruit. You eat, you drink, you wash your face.” /" Gptkeq" Ectwuq • “Old people shouldn’t eat health foods. They need all the preservatives they can get.” /"Tqdgtv"Qtdgp
Questions and answers • Q: What do you call a fake noodle? C<"Cp"korcuvc0 • Q: What do you call an alligator in a vest? C<"Cp"kpxguvkicvqt0 • Q: What happens if you eat yeast and shoe polish? C<"Gxgt{"oqtpkpi"{qw‚nn" tkug"cpf"ujkpg# • Q: Did you hear about the hungry clock? C<" Kv" cnyc{u" ygpv" dcem" hqwt"ugeqpfu0 • Q: What do you call an elephant that doesn’t matter? C<"Cp"kttgngrjcpv0 • Q: What did Bacon say to Tomato? C<"Ngvvweg"igv"vqigvjgt# • Q: Did you hear about the shampoo shortage in Jamaica? C<"Kv‚u"ftgcf/hwnn000 • Q: What did the femur say to the patella? C<"K"mpggf"{qw0 • Q: Where do bees go to the bathroom? C<"Cv"vjg"DR"uvcvkqp0 • Q: Who earns a living driving their customers away? C<"C"vczk"ftkxgt0 • Q: What did the baby corn say to the mama corn? C<"›Yjgtg‚u"RqreqtpAfi • Q: What belongs to you but others use more? C<"[qwt"pcog0 • Q: What do you call an illegally parked frog? C<"Vqcf0 • Q: What do you call a laughing motorcycle? C<"C"[cocjcjcjc0 • Q: Why did the crosseyed teacher lose her job? C<"Dgecwug"ujg"eqwnfp‚v" eqpvtqn"jgt"rwrknu0 • Q: What sound do porcupines make when they kiss? C<"Qwej0 • Q: Did you hear the joke about the roof? C<"Pgxgt"okpf."kv‚u"qxgt" {qwt"jgcf000 • Q: Did you hear about the angry pancake? C<"Jg"lwuv"hnkrrgf0
Heard this teacher joke?
A
blonde gets a job as a sports teacher for 16-year-olds. She notices a boy at the end of the sports field standing alone, while all the other kids are running around having fun, kicking a football. She takes pity on him and decides to speak to him. “You okay?” she asks.
“Yes,” the boy replies. “You can go and play with the other kids, you know,” she says. “It’s best I stay here,” the boy says. “Why’s that, sweetie?” asks the blonde teacher. The boy looks at her incredulously and says: “Because I’m the goal keeper!?”
Food & Wine
3 September 2014
CXPRESS
A fisherman’s notes on cooking... mainly fish
SA’s so-called haddock and gurnard (or hake) team up for Di’s fabulous fish pie ALASTAIR GRANT’S culinary journey takes him from the north of Scotland to SA
NOT NECESSARILY FOR THE POT: I loved fishing the upper Don with my son but knew that setting our sights on a bite for dinner might result in us nibbling on the bait
I
was once abandoned by my wife. Di decided to embark on a four-year Honours Degree in Edinburgh. We were very excited that she had been accepted but we were living in Aberdeen, which is much further north. I had to stay behind with my son, Graeme, who was at school at Hazlehead Academy in this northern Scottish city. We sometimes saw the aurora borealis displaying that glori-
ous light-show over the Arctic - we were that far north. So I learned to cook. The BBC Food programmes were my inspiration and particularly Fgnkc"Uokvj‚u"Eqqm/ gt{"Eqwtug. Her classic book was reprinted in 1981 for the sixth time, so I realised I was not alone. Best of all were her recipes for fish pies, baked fish, trout and salmon. Aberdeen has always been a great place for
Know your hake from your haddock
S
OME retail scams have become so timehonoured that they have acquired a respectability of their own. Those aren’t my words - I took them directly from an email I received recently from Capetonian Ernie Gay. He was talking about the South African tradition of passing off smoked, salted, coloured hake as haddock. And he’s right, of course. But somehow, the fish industry has been getting away with it for more than 30 years, and along the way, they’ve got the official nod to do so. Yes, both the Department of Health and the SA Bureau of Standards permit the industry to refer to the dolledup hake as haddock in large print on the front of their packs, as long as the word hake appears in the small print list of ingredients. It’s deception of course, but because no real haddock has been imported into this country for more than 30 years and because, well, only the odd foreigner who knows exactly what real haddock looks and tastes like, has complained, the practice has official sanction. When I asked I&J - part of the AVI group - to justify calling its product haddock when, in fact, it’s hake, I was sent an article written by the company’s former group technical manager,
Terry Bennett, on the issue. In it he explains how, in the 1960s, the industry first began experimenting with a local version of haddock because the imported real thing was expensive. They settled on smoked, salted hake, but because consumers at that time “did not know smoked salted hake”, and the idea was for this lookalike haddock to replace real haddock in South Africa, “it was agreed to call this new product Cape haddock, in order to inform the consumer what the product was like, but to distinguish it from the imported haddock”. Over time, Bennett continued, sales of the real, more expensive haddock dropped and no real haddock has been imported since the 70s, hence the word ‘Cape’ fell away and the hake passed off as ‘Cape haddock’ became known simply as ‘haddock’. And here’s the bit which I find truly fascinating as a justification: “The word haddock has therefore been derived historically by local consumer usage, and industry has followed this trend rather than industry leading the way.” Ah, right. So we consumers wanted to have smoked hake passed off as haddock, a fish found only in the North Atlantic, and the industry kindly obliged.
fish - since the city’s economy for hundreds of years was based on herrings (fondly called “silver darlings”) and cod. Two well-known smoked haddock products are Finnan haddie, which is coldsmoked, and Arbroath smokies, from further south in Angus. The haddock is a white fish related to cod.* In South Africa, ‘haddock’ is smoked, salted and coloured hake as produced by I&J. It’s called ‘haddock’ here for the time being - until it’s stopped by EEC regulators… see the box below. Salmon, sea trout and brown trout were also available from the two great rivers the Don and the Dee - which
U
SE a shallow baking dish to serve three or four people. You need two oven dishes for more than that, and double the quantities. Three or four potatoes mashed with a good knob of butter are used as a topping, so make this first and boil an egg for six minutes so that it can be sliced. Grease the baking dish with butter. Simmer some haddock and hake or gurnard fillets for five minutes in a little milk in a wide pot. Take them out when just cooked and place them in the dish. Break them up or flake the fish, making sure there are no bones. Now make a béchamel using the leftover milky liquid from the pan. You will need 200ml - not much more than a mug-full - for one dish. Then lay slices of boiled egg over the fish and carefully pour on the white sauce to cover them. Some of the
reach the North Sea within the city limits. On my lecturer’s salary some of these fresh-water fishes were not affordable unless we caught them ourselves. Graeme and I tried fishing the upper Don after school hours - not for the pot, mind you. Just to go fishing. I had long since learnt that if you fish for the pot, you can end up eating your bait, and trout flies are not edible. A flavoured white sauce was the first thing to learn for those warming recipes you need in Scotland. In my ignorance, I didn’t know that the original French version is called béchamel. For this sauce the milk is first flavoured by infusing
it at just below boiling point with some or all of these: a bay leaf, peppercorns, mace, celery, onion, and carrot slices. Then after 30 minutes, you can make the sauce with a butter and flour roux. When Di came back from her studies for her first weekend at home, she volunteered to cook dinner on the Saturday evening. We had some left-over roast chicken which would be nice in a whitesauce with mushrooms. This recipe was in her head, as she had been cooking it for 18 years and often made it. I saw the warmed milk being stirred into the flour and butter roux just like that, and was a bit surprised. “That’s not the way to make it!” just popped out of my mouth tactless husband that I am. She looked at me in as much surprise as mine. “Isn’t it? What have I done wrong?” I showed her the recipe in Delia Smith and she took it in with interest. Her method was learnt from her mother and she didn’t realise that
Di’s fish pie
GLORIOUS GURNARD: Gurnard is great for fish pie - nicely browned and ready for the table, above, and gurnard fillets with ‘haddock’, at right
onion slices from the sauce go in too. Now add the mashed potato in dollops. Use a fork to spread it on top and make
wavy patterns on it (because it’s seafood). Turn on the grill and place the dish below the flames, watching carefully not to
13 white sauce could have such good flavours. Her work-laden mother had little real interest in cooking. Once we were served baby potatoes cooked in their jackets with meat balls so the whole meal could have rolled off the plate. I stuck mine down with tomato ketchup. I must say there was nothing wrong with the ingredients the potatoes were excellent with butter, and the boiled cabbage we had for greens was fine. Di’s fish pie is much loved in our family and it’s a good choice for cold weather so I will share it with you. Her choice of fish is fresh gurnard fillets and smoked haddock in roughly equal quantities. ," Jcffqem" (Melanogrammus aeglefinus)"ku"c"ogodgt" qh"vjg"eqf"hcokn{."cpf"ku"hqwpf" qpn{" kp" vjg" pqtvjgtp"Cvncpvke" Qegcp."yjkng"jcmg"/"vjg"urg/ ekgu" Ogtnweekwu" rctcfqzwu1 ecrgpuku"/"nkxgu."cpf"ku"ecwijv." kp"vjg"uqwvjgtp"ycvgtu"yjgtg" kv"vjtkxgu0
scorch the potato black. When it’s nicely browned on top, it’s ready to serve. Baby peas go with this dish - you can even add them to the fish and cook them in and sliced fennel bulb cooked in butter would be nice. If you are on the Banting diet, go easy on the potato topping and take an extra portion of fish.
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CXPRESS
3 September 2014
Classifieds
On the Soapbox
3 September 2014
Letters to the Editor
Email: editor@cxpress.co.za - Fax: 044 533 0852 - PO Box 1449, Plett 6600
Good work - and a great new word
Super-fast Knysna police catch bike thief in 45 minutes flat! I would like to recognise several officers who helped recover my stolen bike last week. It was noticed missing from outside a business in Knysna almost immediately. We notified captain Coenie Muller of the K-9 unit, who in turn personally called all officers as they arrived in town simultaneously from various assignments. They combed the streets
Photo: Eva Spyridis
Do you believe in miracles? Well, I believe I just witnessed one and would like to share how impressed I am with the efficient and speedy roadworks that just took place along the N2, near Jukani. Within days the project was done, the road fixed. Believe it or not, in Germany this would have taken weeks, if not months! With that in mind, I came up with a new word: “African-efficiency.” Who would have thought...?!
CXPRESS
Gxc"*Igtocp"tgukfgpv"qh" Vjg"Etciu+ PS: And if you are interested in a photograph I took yesterday in front at The Market Square of one of Plett’s senior citizens, feel free to share it with your readers! *Iqqfpguu" itcekqwu" wu." Gxc."yjcv"c"tc{"qh"nkijv"{qw" ctg" kp" c" yqtnf" yjgtg" vjg" eqnngevkxg" qwvnqqm" ku" qhvgp" fctm" cpf" fktg0" Vjcpmu" hqt" ikxkpi"etgfkv"yjgtg"kv‚u"fwg." cpf"hqt"ocmkpi"uqog"nwem{" dwnnfqi‚u"fc{0"/"Gfu0+
and thanks to their fast action, my bike was found within 45 minutes of it going missing and the thief apprehended. I would like to thank captain Muller, constable Elgan Hoff and sergeant Lebohang Langeni of the K-9 unit, as well as constables Jason Buiners and Rodney Titus of the CPU for their quick response. Octvkpc"Pqtvjtwr/N{qpu." Mp{upc
Sign your support for Burmeister While long-time SAPS member, Johann Burmeister, was found not guilty of the theft of a laptop and to have been unfairly dismissed by a local Magistrate, justice has still not been served. His job has not been reinstated, his arrears in salary have not been paid and a public apology from the SAPS management in Knysna has not been forthcoming. Secondly, those SAPS members who were shown to have lied, acted to conceal, and committed other illegal
actions have still not had any action taken against them. Members of the Stand By Burmie Facebook group are asking Garden Route locals and all South Africans to sign a petition in this regard. If you believe that SAPS members should be held responsible for their actions, please sign and share this petition. Visit www. petitions24.com/justice_for_ burmeisters_sake to show your support. Mnccu"Vcoo{"Jcxgpic." Mp{upc
Why we should promote fracking The two letters under the banner ‘Fracking: are we forgetting how fragile our lifesustaining eco-systems are?’ in CXPRESS of August 20 refer. The Wolfaardts’ letter makes the following points: It refers to Halliburton and fracking fluid as a toxic substance. I referred in my original letter to rogue companies that operated 50 to 80 years ago (Halliburton was granted a licence to commence fracking in 1948) in the ill-regulated parts of the US. It is this legacy which is causing the pollution and health problems reported by David Brown. It does not apply to current fracking operations. The fracking industry is a work in progress and has come a long way. Take fracking fluid as example - it is a subject which requires more space than that available here. However, new technology abounds. Research by the National Energy Technological Laboratories in the United States has led to Green Fac which is biodegradable, nontoxic and non-polluting. It is prescribed as one of the best management practices for the shale gas industry. The letter states that little water is recycled during fracking and that most will remain in wells thereby polluting precious Karoo water. That water is most certainly precious. It is also predominantly contained in shallow aquifer zones 300m deep. Very little clean water (nonsaline) is beyond 1000m. The gas is to the order of
4000m deep. As to recycling, backwater or flow-back is estimated at up to 70% which, prior to modern fracking methods, were treated at waste treatment plants. More modern methods adopt self-contained systems at well sites, which are recycled to future injection wells. Incidentally, 130 water boreholes have already been hydrofracted in South Africa. As to creating jobs being an “emotive card” - it is indeed. For starters, it is by no means limited to the relatively minor activity at the well sites and thus rural Karoo. The job creation is through “all facets of the process”. As to numbers: obviously they are estimates - whether overly optimistic or closer to reality, is a matter of opinion. Undeniably, however, a fracking industry will produce not a few jobs at this critical stage in South Africa. It is agreed that we could go on for pages and pages on scientifically validated information. It depends on which side of the aisle you are sitting as to how you digest that information. The acerbic letter by Mr Kantey is another matter. His major, lengthy, point is apparently that we have a totalitarian (in the sense that they regard themselves as all-powerful), corrupt, dysfunctional government. We must consequently abandon the promotion of fracking. It is a non sequitur. That is precisely the reason we must promote the benefits
of fracking, which can be brought to the attention of the voting uninformed. The volume of a trickledown effect for state-owned capital is not a precise figure. As to the development of infrastructure (e.g. China) to actual financial largesse to the poor depends among other factors on the sticky fingers of corrupt officials. Nevertheless, judging by the storm over South Africa’s arms scandal and others, not all will be hidden from the public. There is a degree of transparency. Renewable energy sources is another hot potato. The Brookings Institution is a think tank that recently used a cost-benefit analysis of solar and wind-generated energy sources. In summary, it appears that solar is by far the most expensive way of reducing carbon emissions, with wind not far behind. These industries are as of now sustained by government subsidies - that is taxpayer money. New sources are certainly in the pipeline, from geothermal energy to capturing intermittent energy supplies to containing carbon emissions underground. These lie ahead of us. Presently, the most practical means of providing electrical energy with the least carbon emissions are gas-fired power plants. Prof Steyl determines that in SA at 24tcf (that is the lower end of estimates), shale gas will power 20GW combined cycle gas turbines generating 130,000GW/h of electricity
a year over 20 years. This is more than half our current electrical production. In addition, gas-fired power stations produce conservatively 50% less carbon emissions than coal-fired stations. Why the woes of frontier sciences such as pebble-bed nuclear development, Fukushima and the Mexican Gulf fiasco should be visited upon the modern fracking industry is not clear. Mr Kantey is of the view that I was being “offensive” in bringing up the perennial appeal of jobs. Presumably, I was not allowed to do so. He asks me to state the source of my reference to many thousands of jobs. More than one, he facetiously asks. Tony Twine, economist and principal analyst of Geqpq/ ogvtkz, has determined that if all the Karoo shale gas was exported it would still make a significant contribution to GDP, adding R200-billion and the establishment of 170,000 jobs. If none of the gas was exported the estimate is over 800,000 jobs. It is possible that Mr Kantey has tripped over his own red flag. Talk about being asinine. As to the ambit of benefits, both in job creation and to the economy the key, apart from appropriate regulation, is the size of the gas resource. That figure will not be known until exploration fracking concludes. Prof Laxman states: “This is about the value of information versus the price of ignorance.” Rgvgt"Gtcuowu."Rngvv
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Garden not dog latrine We love dogs, but we also like nice-looking gardens. I cannot understand that dog owners do not care about people’s property, especially if a lot of hard work and effort go into beautifying it to the benefit of the whole community. They also do not care about the beaches - dogs running all over the place, doing their thing wherever they want to, their owners not cleaning up after them. Our kids play in the same sand! We do like dogs, but this
situation is way out of hand. Owners, please clean up after your dogs. Rtqwf"ogodgt"qh"vjg" eqoowpkv{."Rngvv *EZRTGUU" ku" kp" rquuguukqp" qh"c"7/ogicd{vg"rjqvq"qh"vjg" qhhgpfkpi"gzetgvkqp"fgrqukvgf" qp" c" rtkuvkpg" itggp" ncyp0" Kh" {qw"tgcf"jgtg"cpf"vtwn{"ykuj" vq" nc{" g{gu" qp" vjku" kocig." rngcug" ugpf" cp" crrnkecvkqp" engctn{" octmgf" flFqi" Fqq‚" vq"RQ"Dqz"366;."Rngvv."8822" cpf"{qwt"tgswguv"yknn"dg"eqp/ ukfgtgf0"/"Gfu0+
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CXPRESS
Sport & Adventure
3 September 2014
Local boy Ben guns for tennis top 20
Ben Dugmore, 12, of Plettenberg Bay Tennis Academy has achieved a remarkable sports year so far. The young upcoming player who attends Greenwood Independent School recently won the PE Mini Series just part of the youngster’s impressive 2014. Ben is the number one junior in South Western Districts for his age group, and is currently ranked 47 in the country under 12 - and that was even before his latest tournament win. Ben has achieved this through his hard work, his dedication, and his drive to perform at his best. Keep an eye on this youngster as Ben’s next goal is breaking into the top 20 in South Africa. We all wish him well. Photo: Luke Olsen - assistant coach at Plett Tennis Academy
Hanlie steps out of her way for cancer taken on the 42km Otter victims on Heritage Day step Trail, and this is how you can
O
N September 24, Plett Athletics Club’s Hanlie Sinclair is tackling the Otter African Trail Run, her entry generously sponsored by Michelle Upton of Maverick Stretch Tents. And not only is this vet-
eran of many a long-distance race taking on the clock and the vagaries of SA’s worldfamous trail, she’ll also be using this year’s run to champion the fight against cancer. Hanlie decided to raise funds for Cansa with every
RS Tera sailing champs win Knysna-crafted tropies
James Hellstrom - here showing off the locallymanufactured trophies with sis Robyn, left, and mom-cumchampionship co-organiser Cathy Avierinos smiling on - is the new RS Tera Pro World Champion. Knysna Tourism CEO Greg Vogt said that one of the highlights of the recent event was the fact that the 12 unique trophies handed out at the prize giving ceremony were handcrafted in Knysna. The production of the trophies was managed by John Noble of Eden Community College and involved stainless steel company Botany, cabinet makers K&S, and beading specialists Novel. Noble describes the trophies as ‘original and fun’ with a design philosophy of ‘100% real, original and local’. The trophies have wooden bases, and a bead swivel for the stainless steel sail.
help her cause: • The biggest need in Bitou at the moment is providing nutritional shakes for cancer victims receiving chemotherapy (it costs R30 for eight meals) as well as diapers. • Hanlie aims to get a pledge of R10 for every one of the 7020 steps on the Otter Trail, so every step can feed one patient for a day! • You can sponsor R10 or R100 or R1000 or anything in-between or over and above, in the knowledge that your donation will go a long way to energise Hanlie and give invaluable assistance to many local cancer victims. You can deposit towards this Cansa cause at Absa (branch code 632005) acc no 906 241 6313 with Otter Special Events as reference. Email hanliesinclair@outlook.com for more information.
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