5 July 2017 by CXpress

5 July 2017 Photo: Vanessa Brouwer

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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Show time! CX Country is the place to be these winter holidays - we welcome our visitors. There’s a plethora of activities on offer, with Knysna’s Oyster Fest around the corner and Plett Arts Festival in full swing, its entertaining line-up brimming with fun for the entire family. Talking about fab families: pictured here with grand dame Jill Kirkland is husband Mike Wells, and daughter Robyn with hubby Matthew Brouckaert - an awesome foursome, each with an interesting story to tell. Read one of these on page 10…

10 000 FREE COPIES OF CXPRESS DISTRIBUTED ALONG THE GARDEN ROUTE EVERY WEDNESDAY

CXPRESS

NEWS & VIEWS

5 July 2017

Garden Route Biosphere guiding principles will ‘manifest in a community-upwards manner’ Errol Finkelstein - Chairman: Garden Route Biosphere Reserve

HE South African Biosphere fraternity was abuzz in mid-June when the country’s ninth Biosphere application was fully approved, creating recognition by UNESCO of the new Garden Route Biosphere Reserve. Many people are asking: “What is a Biosphere, and why should we be interested in it?” Well, Biospheres attempt to address one of the most complex issues we face today: How do we maintain the health of natural systems while meeting the growing needs of communities? Biosphere Reserves bring together communities in dialogue to create solutions such that the environment and development can co-exist successfully. We endeavour to create sustainable environments of economic development. Research, education and the exchange of information are strong supporting elements. And we are always looking to expand the core protected parks and reserves in our Garden Route Biosphere, partnering with leading projects of that nature in the area. For example, in CX Country,

we have been approached to be supportive of the process towards the possible declaration by Bitou Municipality of the Lookout Nature Reserve. This offers not only environmental and security benefits, but also an opportunity to train local folk in conservation, administration, business basics, and the like. We seek volunteer mentors and those who would be involved in these kinds of project from George through to the Gamtoos just outside Port Elizabeth. A theme that runs through most Biosphere programmes and projects is ways to add to training, skills improvement, capacity, or straight-forward job creation, both being key goals. As the chairman of Kogelberg Biosphere observes: “You cannot teach people who are hungry about environmental matters.” The blue and green economies offer much to the people of the Garden Route and the Biosphere is specifically set up to facilitate developments, always in partnership with the communities and local governments. Local organisations such as estuary forums, environmental forums, landscape initiatives, ratepayers associations, agricultural organisations, and many others are all part of the broader Biosphere Reserve fraternity and are very welcome at

CANYON

all times. Participation in its organisational and project work is the very essence of it, and the Biosphere is managed by a board of volunteer, honorary directors. Although government at all levels are stakeholders in our Garden Route Reserve Biosphere, as are bodies such as SANParks and CapeNature, the Biosphere itself is independent of them all.

Its guiding principles as set out above manifest from grassroots, in a community-upwards manner. Involvement via public participation, portfolio activities, projects, governance and administration are opportunities open to all. For more info or to volunteer to assist, please email ADMIN @gardenroutebiosphere.org. za or write to PO Box 426, Plettenberg Bay, 6600.

Our Coastal Heritage When hearing the good Garden Route Biosphere news, Plettenberg Bay resident PETER STRATTEN dug up this poem he wrote back in June 2007 - he thanks Ken Wilson, whose ‘Treasures of Britain’ inspired him to pen these lines about our coastal heritage

O’er Outeniqua ranges Down ole Bains’s pass Who first will spy Formosa Bay That nothing can surpass Long white beach around the bay Robberg at the end A fishing rock A roller’s sway To crash and spray upsend Cave half hidden on a hill Tea-brown river’s draw * A midden old Shells in the fill And artefacts galore Oystercatchers on the beach Terns upon the wing Kingfisher’s perch Fish eagles screech Lagoon where whimbrels sing Forests deep that woodsmen knew A moss covered wall And mountain trails With hikers few And baboon’s sudden call Tortoise on a sand dune ridge Lion-ant’s little hole

The swallows’ nests Beneath the bridge And hummocks made by mole Fynbos slope in winter time Mountain peak in snow An arum proud The smell of thyme And heather’s bloom on show Winter whales just off the shore Pansy shell at dawn A dolphin’s leap An otter’s spoor A windswept beach forlorn Storm winds blow with fearsome roar Equinoxal tide The flooded mouth The ripped out shore With wreckage on the side Coastal treasures do engage The passions of our heart Our soul’s delight Our heritage Preserve them every part *A draw is a land basin that water drains into or through.

NEWS & VIEWS

5 July 2017

CXPRESS

Court sickened by details of what child porn victims had to endure Gasps echoed through the Knysna Regional Court on Friday as horrific details about the thousands of images found in the possession of a Plettenberg Bay computer engineer was revealed when sentencing in the matter, which has been dragging on for more than two years, got underway - YOLANDÉ STANDER reports ILLIAM Beale, 39, in February pleaded guilty to about 19,000 charges of possession of child pornography after his high-profile arrest in January 2015. He was the first South African to have been arrested as part of Operation Cloud 9 - an operation involving South African and Belgian police - which is responsible for cracking down on an international child pornography network. The ring is linked to a cyber meeting space for paedophiles whose fetishes seem to be the sexual abuse of babies and young children. Some of the images found included the torture and murder of babies as young as only a few days old. When Beale was arrested police found sections of files containing thousands of videos and violent assaults as well as internet addresses of more than 300 alleged paedophiles. As sentencing proceedings started on Friday, Magistrate Eugenia Jacobs said that because of the sensitive nature of the images in question, these could not be discussed in an open court. She therefore, with the relevant role-players, viewed a “sample” of the images in her chambers. She said these could be divided into various categories and included images of infants, toddlers, and teenagers and varied in acts from the bondage and rape of babies to other deviant sexual acts being performed on children.

PENSIVE PAEDOPHILE: William Beale, who was arrested after police found images of child pornography in his possession, has appeared in court several times over the past two years Photo: Supplied

Even the categories of these crimes depicted in the images are too horrific to publish. “We are shocked to the core hearing the horrific details of what the victims in those images had to endure. It is absolutely sickening,” said Women and Men Against Child Abuse Western Cape spokesperson Joanne Barrett. Among the others who gathered in the gallery were representatives of local anti-child abuse organisation The Green Hearts, who said they were disappointed that the case had been post-

poned once again. Among the witnesses who testified as part of sentencing proceedings was George clinical psychologist Tjaart van der Walt, who was called in mitigation of sentence. Van der Walt testified that Beale had suffered severe abuse - sexual, physical, and psychological - as a child and that this was a contributing factor to developing deviant sexual interests. He added that after consulting with Beale, it became apparent that he suffered from several disorders including paedophilia and, among others, strong antisocial behavioural traits. Van der Walt said while there was no cure for paedophilia and no “best practice” treatment for it, research had shown that “hands-off online” offenders - which did not include physical abuse of children - had a low likelihood of reoffending or developing their behaviour into “contact” crimes. He also testified that, to his knowledge, there was no evidence that Beale had groomed any child for abuse and that his viewing of child pornography was like an addiction. “He admitted that he would often binge watch for up to eight hours at a time,” Van der Walt said. Van der Walt added that while there was no treatment available for someone like Beale, there were programmes that he could participate in to address the behaviour. He noted that if Beale

would undergo the same treatment, the outcome would be the same whether he was imprisoned or placed under correctional supervision. A correctional services report handed in as evidence during court proceedings on Friday suggested that Beale

was a candidate for correctional supervision, however prosecutor Gerda Marx pointed out that there was no monitoring programme in place in terms of Beale’s online activity. Correctional supervision only comprises several visits, including to the convict-

ed person’s home and work. The matter was postponed to October 4 for the continuation of sentencing when the state is expected to cross-examine Van der Walt and call another expert witness. • Also see the Green Hearts report on page 4.

CXPRESS

NEWS & VIEWS

5 July 2017

Child pornography still slips under the radar comes sentencing time Anti-child abuse support group THE GREEN HEARTS submitted this information pertaining to the case of William Beale - also see the report on page 3 N January 2015, William Beale was arrested for the possession and distribution of child pornography after a sustained effort by international police to trace his IP address on the ‘dark net’. Thanks to the vigilance of a Belgian police officer, Beale was traced and the net closed around him. The international police affirmed that this was, by far, the most horrific example of child abuse that they had ever encountered. It is alleged that these images and videos depicted the savage abuse of babies - some still in nappies - and included murder and rape. Possession and distribution of child pornography falls under the Films and Publications Act in South African Law at present, although the Department of Justice is developing a discussion paper and workshops will soon be held to address this issue. The Green Hearts submitted their proposals regarding the meagre sentences

during 2016 and await our invitation to attend the forthcoming workshops. But, what does this Act actually say about the possession and distribution of Child Pornography? Is it illegal to download child pornography from the internet? According to the Film and Publication Board, the internet is the medium of choice for the distribution of images of child pornography and child abuse. If child pornography is downloaded from the internet, section 27(1)(a)(i) and (ii) of the Films and Publications Act of 1996 (‘the Act’) come into play and the perpetrator can be charged with two offences in respect of each downloaded image: • Unlawful possession of child pornography; and • Creation of child pornography. Transmission via the internet occurs by means of binary language and downloading, which is usually the action of ‘pointing and clicking’, creates from the

digital source an analogue picture. Each picture downloaded amounts to a separate creation. Thus, 10 pictures downloaded would support 10 counts of possession and 10 counts of creation. If these images are transmitted to another device, the perpetrator can also be charged under section 24B(1)(iii) and (iv), with the following additional offenc-

es, namely: • Assisting in obtaining access to child pornography; and • Making available, exporting or distributing child pornography. Such a perpetrator may face a maximum of 10 years imprisonment on each count. Failure to report knowledge of child pornography images is also an offence in terms of sec-

tion 27(1)(b) of the Act, which carries a maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment. William Beale was found guilty on 18,644 charges of child pornography and one of possession of a prohibited substance after an initial count of over 170,000 images were found in his possession. The courts are meting out harsher sentences for child

abuse and rape, but child pornography still slips under the radar more often than not, unless there is proof that the accused was involved in the manufacture or abuse of the child or children. We will continue to fight this scourge with all our resources until the laws in South Africa uphold Section 28 of the Constitution where the rights of all children are enshrined.

Body of of 66-year-old George resident discovered EORGE police has started an investigation into the death of the 66-year-old Donald Haasbroek after his body was found by co-workers on the farm Dagbreek, situated in the Geelhoutboom area near Blanco in George. Preliminary investigation indicates that the deceased did not turn up for work on

the evening of June 29, or the following morning. As a result, the foreman enquired about his whereabouts from his wife who had left for Cape Town on a school choir excursion. She gave permission to enter her house in search of the deceased. On Friday the 30th at 11:50am, the body of the deceased was found in the

bathroom, lying on his back. “Even though a murder docket was opened to investigate the circumstances of death, it was hoped that the outcome of an autopsy done on July 3 would advise as to the route the investigation will take,” said SAPS Southern Cape spokesman captain Malcolm Pojie. “Currently all possibilities

Eden appoints asbestos expert specialist has been appointed by Eden District Municipality (Eden DM) to evaluate all structures damaged in the recent fires, to identify materials containing asbestos. The assessment started

late last month and includes the inspection of about 650 structures to enable the appointment of a registered service provider to collect, handle, transport, and dispose of the asbestos containing material at a licensed

hazardous waste site. All asbestos is hazardous and can potentially pose a risk to human health. The most common asbestoscontaining material is asbestos cement products used for roofing material,

and clues are being pursued in terms of the investigation. “In respect of a request from the family, we will not disclose the nature of wounds the deceased might have had suffered,” he said. Theft and burglary had been ruled out as the house was found in sound order without any sign of forced entry or loss of valuables. ceiling and floor tiles, insulation and water pipes, tanks and gutters. If any asbestos-containing material or asbestos contamination are suspected, it must be reported to Morton Hubbe at morton@ edendm.gov.za or Johan Gie on 044 693 0006.

NEWS & VIEWS

5 July 2017

Eden District thanks its brave fire fighters DEN District Municipality chose the last day of a tragic month to appreciate and honour the courageous men and women who were deployed to fight the horrific fires that devastated Knysna and some parts of Plettenberg Bay during the first weeks of June. Most Eden councillors and district mayor Memory Booysen attended a ceremony at the Eden DM Fire Station in George last Friday, when all members of Eden’s Disaster Management team, along with full time and voluntary fire fighters, were presented with commemorative med-

als and certificates for a job well done. Eden Disaster Management head Gerhard Otto pointed out that, while these recent fires were the most publicised because of their intensity and devastation, the 2017 “fire season” in fact began in December 2016. “Due to the drought and generally hotter conditions, we have experienced a spate of fires throughout the Southern Cape and, as a result, our staff have had no real home lives for most of the year. “However, it makes me very proud when our brave men and women are seen

rushing towards a fire while everyone else is trying to get away,” Otto said. Apart from presenting the personal awards, mayor Booysen committed to improve the working conditions for staff at Eden Fire Station. Even though the staff have apparently been reluctant to complain, the ‘On Duty’ rest area’s condition is well below acceptable. Both Booysen and Eden municipal manager Monde Stratu undertook to find the funds to upgrade the rest and recreation spot with new beds, televisions, food preparation equipment and other comfort-related items,

SNUFF THEM BLAZES OUT: One of Eden’s fire fighters, Lewellyn Levendal, displays his commemorative medal during the ceremony of appreciateion attended by Eden councillors and district mayor Memory Booysen

which drew a cheer of approval from all present. Although the recent fires have attracted local and international attention for the damage and loss of life, the professional way in which both district and municipal authorities responded and coordinated activities has been praised at national level. As a result, a series of consultative seminars will be held in Gauteng and attended by about 10 persons selected countrywide for their knowledge and competence in disaster management. Eden’s Gerhard Otto has been selected to be a

member of this group. The intention is to draw up guidelines for future coordination between overlapping authorities and

Words & photos: Bob Hopkin

across areas to optimise effectiveness. When complete, in about March 2018, these strategies will be applied nationally.

TOUGH GUYS FOR A TOUGH JOB: Standing guard ready for the next alert are 24 of Eden’s finest

! Get ready for BUCO’s n i w

Celebration!

• Algoa FM Hit Mobile broadcasting live • Power tool demos by Makita • Boerie rolls from Weber • Fired up pizzas • Lucky draws BUCO Plett is throwing you a Contractors and DIYers party on Saturday, 8 July 2017! That’s right, Algoa FM Hit Mobile will be broadcasting in store! With loads on offer like power tool demonstrations by Makita Power Tools and lucky draws! You can be sure to have yourself a good time!

BUCO plettenberg bay Fearless volunteers honoured by Bitou mayor

CXPRESS

BUCO South Africa

www.buco.co.za

Corner N2 & Rietvlei Road, Plettenberg Bay

Tel: 044 501 3800 Fax: 044 501 3850

PLE SO TTEN UT BE H RG AF B RIC AY A

VETERINARY PHYSIOTHERAPY COURSE

In a second round of public thanks for the Bitou firefighting crews and the many volunteers who took part in the disaster response, Bitou Municipality arranged a Thanksgiving Parade through Main Street on the morning of Saturday July 1 - inviting them, with their respective fire and response vehicles, to take part along with appreciative members of the public. As per the previous weekend’s mass bike ride, the parade culminated once again at LM in Plett, where the honourees lined up for the issuing of certificates acknowledging their roles and contribution and where they were addressed by Bitou mayor Peter Lobese. Members of Bitou Fire Department and Law Enforcement attended in uniform, but all volunteers and FMUs were honoured. Trying to get self-effacing fire-fighting crews to pose for group photos is akin to herding cats, but CXPRESS managed to get one of the uniformed heroes (and heroines) thanks to the man-in-the-middle: chief Law Enforcement officer Siyasanga Vandala. - Nikki Ridley

PRINCIPAL: PROF SYBRAND V.D. BERG VICE PRINCIPAL: MARINETTE TEELING M.D.: RONEL VAN DER SIJDE TEL: 044 533 9513

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CXPRESS

NEWS & VIEWS

5 July 2017

Technology and sustainability at heart of Knysna’s container-home project R Candice Ludick

EBUILDING the Garden Route following the devastating fires that plagued the region in June has provided an opportunity to use more sustainable building practices as the future of this area is reimagined. Container homes are set to become a “big thing” as many find their insurance pay-outs somewhat shy of what they had imagined, while the pressing need for a roof over their heads remain a stark reality. Eden ReCo Team (www. facebook.com/EdenRecCo Team/) has commissioned the construction of a twobedroomed container home that will become a show house for middle-income

earners. The construction is a collaboration between Black Oyster Capital and Chris Mulder Associates Incorporated. This show house can easily be replicated. Containers have the capacity to expand rapidly and effectively while fittings and finishes can be modified to suit the requirements of low, middle and high-income brackets. Internationally, repurposing shipping containers into housing has proven to be an effective means of providing affordable housing fast while minimising environmental costs associated with traditional building methods. In a water-stressed area, the advantage of building methods that require minimal water is obvious. The collaboration for the Eden

ReCo Team house will employ the latest technology with respect to insulation, fire resistance, and environmentally friendly materials. “Personally, I find this project very exciting. Even though I am not in the business of building homes, I always dreamed of being involved in a container-home project,” said Geoff Brown of Black Oyster Capital. “The use of creative technology and sustainable solutions is where my heart lies. I am super excited about showcasing a way to create a more durable future. “From the ashes of this disaster, Knysna has provided me with an opportunity to grow as an entrepreneur while serving the needs of the greater community,” said Brown.

Plett hailed as One Household One vegetable production and Hectare pioneers currently boasts 14 benefi-

SPINACH PATCH PLEDGE: Bitou mayor Peter Lobese and Rural Development deputy minister Candith Mashego-Dlamini with Umyezo Garden’s healthy greens as backdrop

ITOU was the first municipality this year to implement the One Household One Hectare programme an initiative of department of Rural Development and Land Reform - and celebrated this feat with a launch function at KwaNokuthula Primary on June 29. During the event attended by small farmers from various communities throughout the municipal area, deputy minister of Rural Development and Land Reform Candith MashegoDlamini lauded Bitou for being the first to use its land in support of her department’s programme for 2017.

After mayor Peter Lobese’s office approached the national Rural Development department in this regard, the plan was taken to the municipal council and once approved, Bitou proceeded to enter into an agreement with the department to set the project in motion. Mayor Lobese recently donated R50,000 from his grant-in-aid coffers to support Umyezo Eden Garden Cooperative. Registered on May 31, the garden is currently operating on 3ha of land availed by Bitou Municipality on Erf 407/437 in KwaNokuthula. The garden specialises in

ciaries that include elderly men and women as well as people with disabilities. Deputy minister Mashego Dlamini pledged her support of Umyezo in the form of garden tools, while also promising to purchase a tractor, plough, and portable water pump for the garden, with an irrigation system to boot. The One Household One Hectare programme aims to create many opportunities for the Plett people while assisting in poverty eradication. Unemployment will be addressed as the programme will provide skills training for residents, grow the agricultural sector and so contribute to economic growth (farming current contributes 4% of Bitou’s GDP). Finally, mayor Lobese said he planned to identify more land to be made available for the project, mentioning specifically communities of The Crags, Harkerville, Krans hoek, Green Valley, and Qolweni/Bossiesgif. Call Yedwa Mayila on 073 801 9343 for details.

BUSINESS

5 July 2017

CXPRESS

An overview of the Plettenberg Bay property market

Un’avventura italiana! (‘an Italian adventure’)

Steven Neufeld

LETT broke the R1billion mark for the first time in history in 2016. This is more than double the 2011 low of R453-million, from where it has increased at a remarkable 18% per annum. The number of sales each year has also been steadily increasing at 11% per annum since the 2008 crash, but is still lower than the 600 to 800 sales during the boom period around 2002 to 2006; 2016 saw 517 property sales. Average prices have remained relatively unchanged over the past 10 years. Averages increased by about 3% per annum over this period, but inflation negates this trend. Looking further back to 20 years, we see a 10% increase per annum; 2016 saw a slight decrease in the average price of freehold properties, but this can be attributed to a renewed interest in vacant land, which naturally brings the average down. The property market appears to be doing well in 2017, but perhaps not as well as the record of 2016. The semigration trend of South Africans moving to the Western Cape continues, but estate agents report that sales volumes have slowed slightly. The entry level for apartments is R650,000 and vacant land starts at about R200,000. Entry level for houses is around R1.5million, though there are cheaper options in areas surrounding Plett. Says Sotheby’s International Realty Plett broker principal Hein Pretorius:

“Both 2015 and 2016 were record years for us and although 2017 is going well, it is a bit harder than before as stock levels are declining. We still have stock of vacant land, however, and it’s interesting to note that demand has increased in spite of high building costs. “I think this is partly due to declining prices in this sector reaching affordability levels. The recent tragic fires will no doubt have a considerable effect for many years to come, but we will have to wait and see exactly what the effect is and how it plays out. “We have a few new retirement developments in Plett, one of the most exciting of these being Quartet Hotel and Garden Suites with its life right ownership. Quartet offers exceptional service and care, together with excellent quality houses and apartments in landscaped gardens. Studio apartments go for R1-million, one-bedroom apartments are R2-million and twobedroom, two-bathroom free-standing houses cost R2.75-million, with prices including VAT.” The highest price achieved in residential sales last year was for a large upmarket beachfront home in Whale Rock Beach at R32-million. In 2017, the highest price so far is R36-million for another beachfront mansion in Robberg Beach End right at the end of Robberg Beach next to Robberg Nature Reserve. According to the New World Wealth SA 2016 re-

port, Plett’s mansions on unspoilt beaches are the most expensive houses in South Africa outside of Cape Town, and the coastal holiday town comes in third after Cape Town and Joburg for number of homes above R20-million. “Plett is one of very few locations in South Africa where there is appetite for property that falls in the super-luxury bracket,” says Pretorius. “The record price so far for residential property was R50-million for a luxury coastal estate I sold in 2006, but since then there has been a number of sales on Beachy Head Drive close to and over R30-million where houses were demolished to make way for new homes, so you never know what the future holds. “One of those properties, the Castle on the Cliff, is currently on the market for R75-million and it looks set to break Plett’s previous records. The majestic rural villa perch on its clifftop on a 66-hectare estate near Robberg Nature Reserve commands sweeping views of the ocean and is a stone’s throw from some of South Africa’s most scenic hiking trails. “It comes complete with a large sea-filtered rock pool, a private lake, and a prehistoric cave. This expansive natural wonderland was home to indigenous tribes thousands of years ago and various artefacts have been found on site. These belong to the estate and are included in the sale.” All towns surrounding

Plett also appear to be increasing in value on average. In Keurbooms proper (main town), six properties transferred in 2016 for an average of R6.65-million. The Wittedrift market strengthened considerably as 11 properties transferred for an average of R975,000 each in 2016. Nature’s Valley saw averages of R2.9-million (11 properties) in 2015, R4.5-million (seven properties) in 2016, and over R4-million so far in 2017 (four properties), which is a big jump upwards. Likefor-like, Nature’s Valley is one of the best performing suburbs in SA. Figures were taken from deeds information on June 26. Sales are listed by date of sale, not transfer date, to provide a more accurate depiction. Rural property, sales below R100, 000, known non-arm’s length transactions and duplications (e.g. when a developer buys numerous properties for a single price and each is listed at the full price, only the single figure is taken) are not included in the figures. A number of sales are still in the registration process, so the picture will change, especially for the last year. • Steven Neufeld is manager principal of Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty Plett and Professional Valuer and Court Appointed Appraiser for SA Property Valuations. Contact him on 044 533 2529 or at steve.sir@plettenbergbay. com and see the advert on the cover for listings.

BUON VIAGGIO: Elbie and Hein during the prize handover

LBIE Pama, property consultant at Sotheby’s International Realty Plett, has won a trip of her choice to the value of R35,000. She achieved this by reaching a predetermined commission amount for the last fiscal year. Elbie allocated the funds towards a family trip with husband Perino and youngest son Ben to Italy, where they will meet up with their oldest son Josh who is already travelling nearby. Said Hein Pretorius, owner broker of Sotheby’s Plett: “It is with great pleasure that I presented this prize to Elbie.

She had a great year that included a number of high value properties. “Elbie’s determination and self-motivation have contributed tremendously to her success. Her friendliness, honesty and integrity make her an asset to both buyers and sellers, which is part of the reason she has such a loyal clientele. I hope to be able to award this prize to her again next year.” Elbie said, before her July 2 departure to Italy: “I am incredibly grateful for and excited about the trip! We are going to explore Lake Como, the Alps and Milan.”

CXPRESS

INTERVAL

5 July 2017

Major life-changing errors… young monk arrives at the monastery. He is assigned to helping the other monks in copying the old canons and laws of the church, by hand. He notices, however, that all of the monks are copy-

ing from copies, not from the original manuscript. So, the new monk goes to the old abbot to question this, pointing out that if someone made even a small error in the first copy, it would never be picked

A senior’s perspective on Facebook OR those of my generation who do not, and cannot, comprehend why Facebook exists: I am trying to make friends outside of Facebook while applying the same principles. Therefore, every day I walk down the street and tell passers-by what I have eaten, how I feel at the moment, what I have done the night before, what I will do later, and with whom. I give them pictures of my family, my dog, of me

gardening, taking things apart in the garage, watering the lawn, standing in front of landmarks, driving around town, having lunch, and doing what anybody and everybody does every day. I also listen to their conversations, give them the ‘thumbs up’ and tell them I like them. And it works just like Facebook. I already have four people following me: two police officers, a private investigator, and a psychiatrist.

up. In fact, that error would be continued in all of the subsequent copies. The head monk says: “We have been copying from the copies for centuries, but you make a good point, my son.” He goes down into the dark caves underneath the monastery where the original manuscripts are held as archives in a locked vault that hasn’t been opened for hundreds of years.

Hours go by and nobody sees the old abbot. So, the young monk gets worried and goes down to look for him. He finds the abbot banging his head against a wall and wailing: “We missed the R! We missed the R! We missed the bloody R!” The abbot’s forehead is all bruised and he is crying uncontrollably. The young monk asks: “What’s wrong, Father?” With a choking voice, the old abbot replies: “The word was ‘celebRate’!”

It’s all in a dog’s name HREE dogs meet on a street corner. The first is a beautiful black poodle with a big blue ribbon around its neck, and it says: “My name is Fifi, spelled F-I-F-I.” The second, a pretty

white poodle with a red satin ribbon around its neck, says: “My name is Mimi, spelled M-I-M-I.” The third is a dirty old mutt, and it says: “My name is Fido, spelled P-H-Y-D-E-A-U-X.”

Weight gain motivation ANTING to lose weight, a woman placed a picture of a shapely, pinup model on her refrigerator to remind her of her goal. The reminder worked

like a charm as the woman discovered that she had lost 5kg in the first month of using this method. The downside to this was that her husband ended up gaining 7kg.

A patient sobs: “Doctor, I feel like a pair of curtains!” The doctor replies: “Well pull yourself together, man!”

One very tough exam ATHER: “Son, today is your exam. If you fail, that’s it - don’t ever call me your father again. Got it?” Son: “Okay, Dad. I’ll do

my best!” After the exam… Father: “So, how was the exam?” Son: “Sorry, Sir, do I know you?”

Hierdie is Wagter, ‘n ag-weke-oue Duitse Herdershond wat ek as ‘n verrassing vir my man as verjaarsdaggeskenk gekoop het. Ongelukkig het ons nou uitgevind Wagter gee my man hooikoors, so nou soek ek ‘n nuwe huis vir hom. Hy is 60 jaar oud, ‘n aantreklike, hardwerkende man wat kan kook en graag help met enige huiswerkies.

HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES

5 July 2017

CXPRESS

ENTERTAINMENT

5 July 2017

Of red carpets, Jill Kirkland, and British Imperialism Plett resident, and master of many an art, ROBYN BROUCKAERT reminisces about the time ‘Katrina’ hit the Salisbury screens HILE singing at Wits University’s Great Hall in folksy protest, my mom is discovered by filmmakers Jans Rautenbach and Emil Nofal. They are to make a film about a South African coloured woman who falls in love with a white priest who is unaware that she is coloured. They want my mother to play the role of the coloured woman. They will use make-up to colour her skin darker. So my mom goes off to the Cape to film, and leaves us all in the care of Mrs Tucker, who stands bowlegged and wide and appears to grow out of the ground. She is whitehaired and unkind, and has an ongoing wrestle with the gear stick that is attached to the steering column of my mother’s Taunus station wagon. --1970, Salisbury, Rhodesia. We are first in line as the aircraft doors open. Our mother waves at the crowd below, my brothers and I a few steps be-

BOOKING ESSENTIAL

La Luna

hind, dressed smartly in pale shades of beige. I wear white bobby socks, and my hair is long and glossy. We trail after our mother as she smiles at the flashing cameras that follow us along the red carpet. The film that has kept our mother away from us, is finally released. Our mother is Jill Kirkland, and we have flown to Rhodesia for the premier of Katrina. We stay at a hotel in the middle of noisy Salisbury while our mother gallivants to receptions and parties. She wears her Elzbieta Rosenwerth gown of soft green raw silk that comes with a thick belt, sequined like bright jewels. We hardly notice she is gone; our eyes are glued to the in-room television set. We don’t have TV in South Africa. Our mother takes us to a matinee show of Katrina. We have not seen the film yet, so she warns us not to get upset; it’s only a story, after all. But by

the end I am undone. She kissed a man that was not my father, she walked into the sea and drowned herself. I can tell they are amused by my blotched eyes, my broken heart. I growl at the cameras on the way out. On our last day in Salisbury my mom drags me to a live guest appearance on a television show. They want her to sing, and she wants my support. But I am mutely embarrassed by the sight of my square face on the TV monitor, and barely participate at all. We take a slow train to Bulawayo, stopping at sunset in a small village whose carvers sell wooden walking sticks through the train windows. We buy peanuts in rolled down brown paper packets. I am excited by the red earth, by the smell of wood burning stoves. I could stay here, I think. This cautious joy I feel is happiness. We arrive at our distant cousin, Aunty Robin’s farm, to hear that one of

the ridgebacks has been killed by a leopard. This is shocking news, and we’re told to keep a sharp look-out. We come across an angry troop of gorillas one afternoon. We are separated by a river, but we are forced to retrace our steps; the sight of the dogs has caused the disturbance. Always the dogs. Aunty Robin is my ally and respite against the demands of my brothers and cousins to play cricket, to swim in the dam. I help her bake and she teaches me to play the castanets. Every day she asks if I have washed my face, and every day I say yes. But I seldom wash my face… • Katrina is the opening movie at the Plett Food & Film on July 10 at The White House Theatre. As part of the night’s entertainment, Robyn Brouckaert will sing folk melodies from the film accompanied by guitar and the clarinet. See page 11 for the full Plett Arts Festival programme, and turn to page 13 for images.

An ill-fated misadventure: The Silkworm Settlers of Gouna Forest CCORDING to the official sign-board at the still-standing San Ambroso Church in the Gouna Forest above Knysna, during the late 19th Century, 32 Italian families were recruited from Treviso in Northern Italy with the help of the British Consul in Turin, prompted by Henry Barrington of Portland Manor. (Interesting reading in this regard is the VPHS Bulletin, vol.3, no.5 of September 1989, extracted from a Catholic Newsletter of 1891.) The families were promised new homes, proper mulberry trees, and a shed for the manufacture of silk; seeking to escape the miseries back home, they very hopefully arrived in Knysna on the SS Natal on May 3, 1881. Imagine their horror

when they found nothing but tents and the wrong (wild) mulberry trees after a gruelling three-week journey by ox-cart into the deep forests. The full story is told in the late Dalene Matthee’s novel Moerbeibos (The Mulberry Forest - 1985). A direct descendant of these ill-fated settlers, Rayno Sciocatti (pronounced “Shokatti”), will speak about this sad story on behalf of the Van Plettenberg History Society on Sunday July 9. Arrive at Plettenberg Bay Angling Club on the Keurbooms River (entrance opposite Forever Resort campsite on the N2 direction PE) at 10:30 for 11am. Entry costs R30 per person and subscriptions are R70 per member. Call Mike Kantey on 072 628 5131 with queries.

BRIEF HISTORY OF GRIEF: The sign-board at the San Ambroso Chapel Museum

FOREST FORTRESS OF FAITH: The interior and exterior of San Ambroso Church in the Gouna Forest

HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES

5 July 2017

CXPRESS

SOCIAL SCENE

5 July 2017

People, places & events

TIMBER FEST RELAUNCH HAS #KNYSNARISES AS CORE: Len du Plessis, left, of Garden Route National Park addressed an interested audience on the environmental impact of the recent fires during the media launch last Friday of the Knysna Timber Festival 2017, which will go ahead as planned from September 29 to October 1 this year. And it will take place as usual at its traditional venue of Timber Village, despite the fact that the Village was burned to the ground earlier this month. Event organisers The Knysna Timber Initiative regard this year’s Festival as an important milestone during which members of the industry can meet and help one another in restarting and re-growing the Garden Route’s hard-hit timber economy. “Everyone was affected by the fires, and everyone’s rebuilding with a strong spirit of community,” said Initiative chairperson Morné Smith. “The timber industry provides jobs and incomes for thousands of people in the region, and the Festival is an opportunity to showcase the deep level of skills - and the high quality of the products - for which Knysna has become famous,” he said. Please email Picca de Bruin at info@timberfestival.co.za for more information.

Photos: Timothy Twidle

At the opening night of the Plett Fringe Festival on June 29 at The White House Theatre were, below, Venetia Joubert and Heidi Bebington, right. At left, Martin Sibiya of KwaNokuthula is flanked by Stephen Louw, left, and Badronicia Botha, both of Kranshoek - all three are instructors of the Plett Pioneers Field Band. Captured during the second Fringe Fest night on Friday the 30th were, above at back from left, Suzie Ovenstone and Rob Pretorius with Alex and Martin Hurwitz; seated from left are Janet Pretorius, Mia Sacks, Micaela Pretorius and Daniela Sacks. The Sacks lasses hail from Cape Town.

The only pharmacy in Main Street

Photo: Martin Hurwitz

RAISING HEROES: This strapping pair was captured during last Saturday’s parade in Plett Main Street, when Bitou mayor Peter Lobese thanked and awarded with certificates of appreciation the many volunteers who contributed to battling the recent blazes in and around Plett. Find out more on page 5.

SOCIAL SCENE

People, places & events

MOVIE ROYALTY BACK IN THE DAY: Robyn Brouckaert of Plett shared these photos of the time when her mother, Jill Kirkland, starred in the movie â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Katrinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; (read the story on page 10). Above, the party descends the stairs of their plane after landing in Salisbury in 1970 - filmmaker Emil Nofal is at back, with actor Joe Stewardson directly behind Jill. The newspaper cuttings below show Robyn with Jill and brothers Michael, Peter-John, and Timothy during the movie-launch tour to then Rhodesia; at the bottom, Robyn and Jill pose for a photograph taken at Windlestone Farm in Joburg that accompanied a feature article on Jill juggling motherhood and moviestardom...

5 July 2017

CXPRESS

Paws

Plett Animal Welfare Service

5 July 2017

CLASSIFIEDS

ON THE SOAPBOX

5 July 2017

Letters to the Editor

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

Mass ride unites Plett and raises mega funds As organisers, we express our sincere appreciation for your support of the motorcycle mass ride on Sunday June 25, when funds were being collected under the #SoundstheCall banner (part of Plett People’s Purse).

The success of this event would not have been possible without backing by businesses like CXPRESS, the bikers who participated, and the Plett community in attendance. We thank the following people and organisations

Shoot the owner, not the dog (or the messenger!)

in particular: Mason’s Packaging, Robberg Seafood, Checkers, Plett Traffic (Jerry Swiegers, Sean Ganga, Dalene and all other staff), Plett Fire Brigade and various FMUs. A BIG shout out goes to Luiz of LM for cooking and hosting, to Sam Hartman for the amazing music, Denise (aka Mrs Pico’s) McNamara and Garth, John Wilschut for the signage, Donovan and Alex for driving the support vehicle, and Mark from Scorpion Manufacturing for the badges. Thank you to Martin Hurwitz and all the other

kind and generous people and organisations who so willingly donated products and time. Santa du Toit, Calvin Forbes, and Dorothy Prinsloo, Plett (And congrats to you as organisers for an incredible fundraising drive that saw over 250 motorcyclists attending from CX Country as well as PE, Mossel Bay, Oudtshoorn and neighbouring towns. The sale of badges and stickers combined with meals sold at LM meant a total of R21,000 could be donated to the Plett People’s Purse. Well done! - Eds.)

Happy to see Henk; sad to hear that Beryl’s gone

Derek Frielinghaus of Plett writes: “I saw this sign at a restaurant in the Drakensberg recently. Perhaps if Bitou took a similar attitude to dog owners, the problems of dogs on the beaches would go away?”

Taking Flight Kranshoek resident KAYLIN KIETAS, 18, penned these words after CX Country’s recent fire disaster By messages received ringing and vibrating through your hands, alerts were sent out, telling us to get ready: a storm is on its way. A rush went through our hearts as we were forwarding messages warning friends and loved ones, making sure they knew to get ready. It was the new buzz on Weather news: “Western Cape about to experience a storm.” Our first instinct was to be safe and to protect ourselves and as many as we could, getting shelter for the homeless so that they didn’t sleep in the storm. We expected wind, rain, hail, even snow - but what came our way, we didn’t prepare for. She came like a thief in the night, wanting to steal all of our belongings, filled with anger she moved from one point to another: a tsunami opening her mouth, taking a bite out of anything in her way. The result of her anger filled the sky, causing a big darkness to fall over her prey. Like a lion’s roar, the sound she made bringing fear into their hearts, taking what belongs to them - all they have worked for, for many years. Trapped inside her arms, she spread the flames around her prey - not to spread love, but wanting to choke the life out of

those not knowing which way to go. She knew that she was winning. Men dressed with light were fighting something stronger than themselves, having no mercy for her. Even though they lost some of their own, they never gave up: victory they were seeking, and victory they received. As we walk past what she took away, we see pieces of memory, of what used to be someone’s childhood home where a little girl or boy took their first step or spoke their first word. But even though that is taken away from them, new adventures await, new memories to be made. While we mourn the lives of those lost - they left the earth in peace, as they fought for what was theirs - we celebrate those spared, for God has a plan for your life. Although green grass and beautiful buildings were turned into piles of ash, hope is not to be lost. What’s coming is even greater than before; communities finding unity is just a small portion of what is yet to come. Knysna and Plett will be like a mother giving birth to greatness, an eagle taking flight and soaring with the wind, moving in unity, peace and victory. For that which came to destroy, gave us a new beginning.

It was a surprise to see Henk Bolhuis’s name in your publication, in fact it was “uncanny” a word Henk enjoys. In 1982, we went with a group of Pretoria people to Israel and met Henk. I heard that he subsequently settled in Knysna. We trust that he and family are safe after your recent tragic fires, and send our best wishes to your community. Craig Hounsom St John’s United, Pietermaritzburg --Cubby Carter Johnson and Beryl (née Phillp) with two of their kids came to see us in the

States in the 70s, and I had the good luck to visit them in Cape Town in 1983. I was sorry to hear she is gone. Please give our best to her whole family. Eric Doughty Ogdensburg, Wisconsin (Find Beryl’s obituary on page 2 of the March 15 edition at www.cxpress.co.za and turn to page 2 of the past 10 editions to read Henk’s Australian Travelogue. A former Plettenberg Bay resident indeed, Henk resides with wife Rentia in Still Bay of late. Watch this space for an account of his experience during the Knysna fires. - Eds.)

Proper fire rehab will create a great many jobs We write to strongly support all items in Helen’s letter, especially the appointment of an Environmental Officer [read ‘Open letter to Bitou mayor about our fire future’ on page 15 of the June 28 edition at www. cxpress.co.za]. With private enterprise invited to participate, surely charcoal manufacture using felled alien wattle should be possible,

as well as pole sales, etc. This, added to the clearing for fire prevention and improved water flow in streams, would provide a great many jobs. We encourage Bitou Council to hire the appropriate expertise and apply for funds as quickly as possible - go for it, Mr Mayor! Yours with high hopes… Peter and Nancy Stratten, Plett

Everyone’s a winner... ‘The Dementia Test’ in your June 21 edition refers [turn to page 8 of that edition at www.cxpress.co.za]. For those not too demented by your test, here’s a riddle.

Can you solve it? 11 was a racehorse, 22 was 12. When 1111 race, 22112. Not too difficult, I hope (and that’s a clue…) John Johnson, by email

CXPRESS

SPORT & ADVENTURE

5 July 2017

Read CXPRESS online @ www.cxpress.co.za

Pros and amateurs to bout it out in Oyster Fest boxing extravaganza PORTS of a great many disciplines form part of each year’s Knysna Oyster Festival line-up, and apart from the deluge of cyclists, trail runners, paddlers, swimmers, and multi-sports athletes descending on the town from all corners of the country at this time of year, there is also a focus on regional sport activities. Not only do team sports like rugby and netball fall into this category but, says Bitou Boxing Association (BBA) chairman Kenneth Magaga, many of his young and not so young charges will also make an Oyster appearance in the square ring again. “Our regional sport council invited us to be part of this year’s festival. Through the efforts of a promoter from Cape Town and sponsorship by Knysna Municipality and Eden District, we’re hoping to ensure that boxing will become and remain a fulltime part of the festival in future,” said Magaga. Regional amateurs as well as national boxers have been invited by festival coordinators to take part in the July 15 event atop Total Sports at Knysna Mall. “We hope to see four of our professional boxers and 10 of Bitou’s amateurs participating. This means five of our juniors and five seniors in amateur division alone,” he said. He added that management of the local boxing association has its sights set on winning regional champs within the Ama-

BUCO Plettenberg Bay

Corner N2 & Rietvlei Road, Plettenberg Bay Tel: 044 501 3800 Fax: 044 501 3850

GOD’S GIFT TO BOXING: World Boxing Federation African champ Siphosethu ‘Gift’ Ncisana will fight Philippine’s Pedro Jr Taduran in the event’s main-attraction

teur division, and thus see the festival tournament as a very timeous warm-up session to this end. The boxing action starts at 6pm, with a line-up that includes Garden Route boxers as well as those hailing from the Eastern Cape towns of Port Elizabeth and Grahamstown, and fighters representing Malawi and Tanzania. And, says organiser David Faas, there will even be a one female bout to entertain pugilists and other sports fans in the crowd on

the night. But the evening’s highlight is set to be the main fight set to take place around 9pm, when WBF Africa champ Siphosethu ‘Gift’ Ncisana from Nelson Mandela Bay take on Pedro Jr Taduran from the Philippines in a 10-round international bout in the Minimum Fly division. Tickets cost R100 and children pay R50 - contact David Faas on 084 353 9704 or at davidfaas@yahoo.com for additional information.