5 June 2019 by CXpress

5 June 2019

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 @ p / advertising@cxpress.co.za g@ p Web page: p g www.cxpress.co.za p Printed byy Groupp Editors

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NEWS & VIEWS

5 June 2019

New cabinet guard takes the parade, but will it be marching at the same old pace?

Stuart Murray

HAT frequently uttered phrase - plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose - comes to mind now that president Ramaphosa has appointed his (relatively) new cabinet. The governing party has set out on a fresh course, soothing the malcontents, rallying support among the converted, ready to rejuvenate a looted nation, and steadfastly punish those who have pillaged the country and brought the economy to its knees. This political metamorphosis is hailed as a “new don” - sorry, “dawn”... Can this vision be realised, or will it be a case of good intentions miring in the mud of greed and selfishness? Will reality be, as Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr’s 1849 epigram avers, the more things change, the more they stay the same? Sadly, an understandable current of cynicism swirls amid the thinking public - and, unfortunately, among international investment advisers. Given the overwhelming preponderance of party-political influence and acceptance, which overshadows and suffocates individual efforts - as many political analysts have pointed out - can even the most energetic and visionary chief executive outmanoeuvre such hurdles? The malady extends through central and provincial governments down through the country’s municipalities, and it embraces straightforward theft, money laundering, misappropriation, fake audits, “ghost” employees, inflated salaries and perks, and straightforward maladministration. Clean audits from government departments, provinces,

AT THE HEAD: President Cyril Ramaphosa announced his new cabinet on May 29

and municipalities are scarcer than free beer. Last year alone, irregular expenditure by state-owned enterprises (SOEs) “wasted” more than R28-billion. Interestingly, the departments of education, health, and public health had the poorest results of all sectors. Over the years, much has been made of our “bloated” cabinet. Prior to the general election, there was great anticipation that this would not only be trimmed down substantially from 35 ministers (plus 37 deputies) but that, overall, Ramaphosa’s team would not be a “crony cabinet”. Alas, the hesitation in fielding the team and the resultant addition of “kingmaker” David Mabuza as deputy president, has rather dulled the euphoria. According to Dirk Kotze, political science professor at Unisa, the delay in appointing the new cabinet was due to the oversight powers of the ANC’s integrity commission and the

office of the public protector. A powerful body consisting of ANC veterans and chaired by former Robben Island prisoner George Mashamba, the commission has made unfavourable pronouncements against prospective cabinet members - including David Mabuza, Ramaphosa’s main backer for the presidency. The ANC’s highest decisionmaking body, the National Executive Committee, had earlier branded 22 people on the ANC’s 2019 parliamentary candidate’s list as being suspect, including Mabuza and Gwede Mantashe. Another potential stumbling block was public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane, who had recommended that Ramaphosa take disciplinary action against Pravin Gordhan for behaving illegally by approving an early retirement agreement with SARS’s Ivan Pillay. Gordhan is challenging the public protector’s report in court. Only a court judgment can set aside the allegation. The president has already indicated that he intends to tighten up his administration, at least at the central level. All cabinet ministers and deputies must now sign “performance agreements” which, he says, will be evaluated regularly. Will this oversight mechanism, however, be extended to the rest of the country’s administrators - provincial and local - where the bulk of maladministration lies? Moreover, will we, the public, be given sight of the ministerial scorecards? Somehow I doubt it... There has been some welcome belt-tightening within government departments.

Trade and Industry now holds hands with Economic Development, while Higher Education and Training joins Science and Technology. Environmental Affairs teams up with Forestry and Fisheries. Incidentally, the latter portfolio will be headed by Barbara Creecy, political scientist and long-time anti-apartheid activist and card-carrying ANC loyalist. Sports and Recreation merges with Arts and Culture, which I suppose makes some sense. There are some interesting leavers. Trade and Industry minister Rob Davies retires, while nowyou-see-him, now-you-don’t Derek Hanekom vacates the Tourism chair. Jeff Radebe surprisingly, given his family connection, and Mildred Oliphant no longer have the Labour portfolio. Altogether eight ministers lost their portfolios. From an economic aspect, there has been relatively little reaction in the global milieu. As I write, we still await reaction from the major ratings agencies - in particular Moody’s, the only agency to still have South Africa as an “investment grade” borrower. However, the Reserve Bank has warned that the staggering “bailouts” chalked up for state-owned companies put our investment grade at risk, suggesting that this could lead to some R22-billion in forced outflow of capital. That would certainly deaden the celebrations. • Stuart Murray (stuart mur ray758@gmail.com) is a former senior assistant editor of Financial Mail and co-founder, editor, and CEO of Finance Week. He is retired and lives in Plettenberg Bay.

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NEWS & VIEWS

5 June 2019

CXPRESS

DA now official opposition after botched attempt to oust Knysna mayor NYSNA mayor Mark Willemse survived a motion of no confidence brought by seven of his own DA caucus last week. The motion was voted on during a council meeting last Thursday which saw a large contingent of Willemse supporters not only gather outside the Knysna municipal building in Clyde Street, but also in the council chamber gallery. The motion was led by DA councillor Michelle Wasserman who in a statement said that the action stemmed from among others Willemse’s election as mayor after he voted with the ANC to oust former mayor Eleanore Bouw-

Spies last year. She said that he was not “properly approved to do so” by the DA constitution which states that a public representative may not vote in a way that does not comply with how the caucus agreed to vote. Wasserman also claimed that Willemse had not shown political leadership and was not providing strategic direction to the Knysna Municipality’s administration. She further said that Willemse had lost credibility amongst councillors, officials, and members of the public who “perceive him as being unable to make his own decisions”.

Following a secret ballot, the results revealed that there were 12 votes to seven cast in his favour. One ballot was spoiled. This means that councillors of opposition parties supported Willemse in retaining his position as mayor. During the same council meeting the local ANC brought a motion of no confidence against speaker Georlene Wolmarans. This motion succeeded after 11 votes were cast in support of the motion, seven against it and two spoiled ballots were counted. The just-ousted Wolmarans was then nominated once again for the position, while the ANC nominated

councillor Titi Gambu. Gambu was elected speaker after 11 votes were cast in her support, eight against her and two spoiled ballots. In the meantime, DA Western Cape provincial leader Bonginkosi Madikizela responded in a statement saying that the DA had been left with “no option other than to assume an opposition role within the municipality” following Willemse’s support from the ANC during the motion. “This was a difficult decision, but necessary in the best interest of the town. In the process, the ANC opted to institute a simultaneous motion of no confidence in the DA speaker, which was supported by the ANC and other opposition parties,” Madikizela said.

He added that the party would pursue all avenues within the DA’s constitution to hold both councillor Peter Myers, who has been openly in support of Willemse, and Willemse himself to account. “Despite the DA’s best efforts to implement its manifesto and the will of the voters, we have been met by two of our own councillors who refuse to uphold the party’s internal rules and regulations. “The actions of Willemse is a disregard and in violation of the DA’s internal processes. They are a law unto themselves and risk ungovernability in Knysna, which sets a dangerous precedent that must be dealt with swiftly.” Garden Route Media

MOTION FAILED: Michelle Wasserman’s claims that mayor Mark Willemse has no credibility and can’t make his own decisions were not enough to convince a majority of his incompetence to lead Knysna

‘No collusion, just fulfilling my promise’ - Knysna mayor ARK Willemse responded at length to Michelle Wasserman’s allegations, including that he was confident current priorities of the municipality did not conflict with DA manifesto outcomes. About allegations of not adhering to DA rules he said, inter alia, that the DA had internal discipli-

nary processes. “I was initially charged when I supported the motion of no confidence against Bouw-Spies, but finally absolved by the DA federal legal council of any wrongdoing. Ironically, the caucus has not obtained approval from the DA federal executive for the motion of no confidence that they

have submitted against me, which is in breach of the DA constitution.” In the same statement, Willemse further said it was public knowledge that on June 6 last year, he voted with his conscience to remove Bouw-Spies as mayor, after many meetings and discussions with many of his constituents.

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“This was possible because since being voted in as councillor for Ward 9, I actively participated in discussions with bodies such as the Leisure Island Ratepayers Association, Heads Ratepayers Association, Thesen Body Corporate, residents of Costa Sarda, and Brackenhill, to name only a few, who expressed unhappiness

about the state of our town and then mayor. “Never did I divulge how I was going to vote until the time of the vote… no collusion or dishonesty, just using my right and fulfilling my promise to my constituents to vote with my conscience, as I swore under oath to do in terms of the constitution of our country.”

VOTED WITH CONSCIENCE: Knysna mayor Mark Willemse has survived last Thursday’s attempt at ousting him from the first-citizen’s seat

CXPRESS

5 June 2019

PROMOTION

NEWS & VIEWS

5 June 2019

CXPRESS

No running out of puff for George ‘No Tobacco Day’ marchers Correspondent BOB HOPKIN reports on the Garden Route District Municipality’s inaugural anti-smoking march HE annual May 31 ‘No Tobacco Day’, created by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 1987, was supported locally by a silent protest march through George on Friday, organised by Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM). Despite the universally-accepted truth that smoking is extremely bad for your health, tobacco growers and, more significantly, the major interna-

SYMBOLIC: A monument to the folly of addiction to smoking - Photos: Bob Hopkin

DETERMINED: GRDM officials, from left, Clive Africa, councillor Khayalethu Lose, and municipal manager Monde Stratu emphasise the dangers of smoking

tional cigarette manufacturers continue to resist the pressure to discontinue their products for the public good. GRDM Community Services manager Clive Africa said: “Terror diseases like Ebola grab the publicity, but the ongoing fatalities from smoking are still underestimated, with little decline in smoking in spite of the adverse publicity. In South Africa, 44,000 people die every year from smoking-related diseases.” The WHO has confirmed that, worldwide, more than 7-million people die from smoking-related diseases each year, including 890,000 innocent victims who inhaled others’ second-hand smoke. Despite restrictions and

bans on public advertising, sales of cigarettes globally reached 6.5-trillion in 2018, equating to consumption of 18-billion “cancer sticks” daily. In the USA alone, turnover of the big tobacco companies last year was $125-billion, illustrating why the psychological battle to wean smokers away from the habit is a high-stakes game. The recent growth of less toxic vapour and tobacco heating products (THP) is helping but at just $18-billion turnover in 2017, has a long way to go. Although abstaining is the logical choice, years of smoking, addiction to nicotine, family habits, and peer pressure continue to drive the demand. Global-

ly, governments condemn the use of cigarettes while remaining grateful for the substantial contribution to the fiscus from taxes on tobacco products. Stubborn Freedom of Choice activists in the USA have resisted what they call the “vilification” of smokers by events such as the Great American Smoke Out, where dedicated smokers gather to enjoy what they term “the pleasures of fine tobacco products”. Advertising has also been a battleground between legislators and major tobacco companies, one instance being “macho” themes such as the cowboy image Marlboro Man used for more than 50 years. Male-dominated sporting events including Formula 1 have long been sponsored by the tobacco industry and, even after an advertising ban in that sport, Ferrari, ingeniously added a tobacco brand barcode on the rear of their cars in subtle contravention of the rules. It is hoped that the 100odd marchers through George helped increase awareness of the dangers of this unfortunate habit.

Read CXPRESS online at www.cxpress.co.za

CXPRESS

NEWS & VIEWS

5 June 2019

Bitou campus of South Cape College forges ahead Words & photos: Timothy Twidle

ITUATED near KwaNokuthula, the Bitou campus of South Cape College provides technical and vocational education and training (TVET) - and this local facility of learning continues to grow and expand. TVET is recognised internationally and applies to certain post-school educational institutes. Previously known as FET (Further Education and Training), TVET colleges offer a range of courses and training programmes developed in response to the skills required by commercial organisations and employers. At present, 550 students are enrolled at the Bitou campus - an increase of 44.7% from the 380 students in training just 12 months ago. Threeyear courses, divided into attendance at lectures and practical instruction, are available in Business Studies, Hospitality and Catering, Management Assistance, Tourism and Human Resources Management. At the conclusion of a course, successful students are awarded a National Diploma from the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). There

are also National Certificate Vocational (NCV) courses in Office Administration and Tourism. Courses in Public Management and Human Resources Management will be on offer, by way of distance learning, from 2020. Says South Cape TVET College Bitou campus head Chumani Webber: “We need the business community to come on board to assist with the practical training of students. An example that is working well, is the employment of student teachers at schools.” The college is currently in the process of negotiating with Bitou Municipality for the transfer of ownership of the land - some seven hectares - and the buildings, to allow the establishment of a fully-fledged campus with accommodation hostels, improved lecture facilities, and additional courses. There are currently 50 TVET colleges in South Africa, funded by the DHET. South Cape College, currently having 6,000 students undertaking studies, was launched in 2006 with campuses in George, Mossel Bay and Oudtshoorn. Since then campuses have been added at Plettenberg Bay, Riversdale and Beaufort West.

KITCHEN CONFIDENT: South Cape TVET College Bitou campus head Chumani Webber in the training kitchen used in the Hospitality and Catering course

Mrs Murray makes the case for education

Rosemary Murray, who has rendered sterling service in the cause of education in Plettenberg Bay over the course of the past 28 years, was instrumental in the establishment of the Bitou Campus of South Cape College (SCC) in 2007, along with Thomas Nqolo, a senior manager of Bitou Municipality at the time, who provided invaluable support and assistance. During 2004, Rosemary arranged and administered 10-week courses in bricklaying, plumbing, and electrical wiring. These were later augmented by longer courses in business administration, project management and first aid, all of which paved the way for an SCC campus in Bitou. Murray High School in KwaNokuthula, which opened in August 1999, is named in honour of Rosemary Murray, who was untiring in her efforts and application in the founding of the school. “The school has made a real difference to the lives of many people. A good education is essential, as it opens up opportunities for young people and enhances the quality of their lives. It has been a privilege to have been involved with efforts to improve the quality of education in the communities of Bitou and in doing so, I have experienced personal growth and development,” she said.

LOVE OF LEARNING: SCC staffer Zahidah Spies, right, connects with students during a lecture

Notice Board • Today (June 5), U3A Plett presents Dr Mark Brown of Nature’s Valley Trust for a talk on how birds deal with climate change. On June 12, Vivienne Brooks’s talk on flyer Victor Smith, Open Cockpit over Africa, is sure to entertain. Contact Michael Lond on 072 838 6949 for the full schedule of

events taking place at Formosa Garden Village. • Diarise a fascinating talk by world-renowned marine researcher Dr Enrico Gennari, presented by the Wilderness Ratepayers and Residents Association at 6pm on June 12 at Wilderness Hotel. Entry is R10 for members and R20 for non-

members. Call John Miller on 084 959 4243 for details. • Plett Surf Lifesaving Club is holding its AGM on June 13 at 5:30pm at the clubhouse on Central Beach. All current committee members are available for re-nomination. Email Shameera at plettsurfclub@ gmail.com for details.

NEWS & VIEWS

5 June 2019

CXPRESS

#Together We Can: Update on Plett Oceans Day Challenge S the 2019 Plett Oceans Day Challenge draws to a close, it has been heartening to witness its remarkable success. So far, a total of 54 of Plettenberg Bay’s restaurants, coffee shops and take-away outlets have pledged to do all they can to eliminate from their establishments at least two, if not all three, of the following items: plastic straws, individuallywrapped after-dinner sweets, and polystyrene take-away containers. Local businesses unable to attend the initial Plett Oceans Day Challenge workshop [read the report on page 5 of the April 24 edition at www.cxpress.co.za] were approached in person over the

course of last month and supplied with an original booklet listing alternatives, solutions, and a wide range of contacts for suppliers of eco-packaging. Many a grateful thanks were whispered to the three fabulous interns from Nature’s Valley Trust (NVT) who compiled the booklet, for instantly reducing much of the time-consuming legwork involved in sourcing the necessary suppliers and items. The response from owners was unquestionably positive and many establishments are already well on their way to making the necessary changes. A fair bit of confusion still exists over the question

of some of the bio straws and their ability to biodegrade without the aid of an industrial facility. The fact remains that, should some of the newly-touted eco-straws land up in the sea, it could literally take months before they truly disintegrate. Better alternatives do exist and compostable trumps biodegradable every time. More importantly, some of our habits are simply so ingrained that all that is required is a mind shift, not an alternative product. Eliminating the offending item all together is undoubtedly first prize. As a community, we should be incredibly proud of and motivated by these Plett business owners and their

Property area focus: Robberg Beachfront OBBERG Beachfront is one of the highest property value locations in Africa. The front of Beachy Head Drive has traditionally been the destination of choice in Plett, but newer areas further up the beach appear to have caught up. There are about 111 properties that are directly on the beachfront, and very limited opportunity to increase this amount. There have been six sales between R32million and R36-million since 2015, most of which were land value with large exclusive homes being built thereafter. Purchasers clearly see value when they are willing to invest R50-million plus here. On the back side of Beachy Head, where there is only the road in front of properties which is similar to the beachfront the highest price to date is a home bought for R24-million. In 1630, a Portuguese carrack, the São Gonçalo, tragically shipwrecked in Bahia Formosa (‘beautiful bay’), today known as Plettenberg Bay. The few survivors found themselves stranded in a paradise teeming with game, fish, shellfish, fowl, honey, forests, fertile soil, rivers, and fresh-water springs. Good relations were established with the local Khoisan nation and a bartering system emerged. After a year they left the 5km stretch of pristine beach in two small cobbled-together boats with their remaining treasure, risking life and limb to make their way home. Little did they realise that they were leaving behind the greatest treasure of all. The sands of time is covering the tragic wreck of the

São Gonçalo. Now, five centuries later, you have the opportunity to purchase part of the treasure that was left behind: a magnificent piece of land on the world-renowned Robberg Beach in a brand-new eco-estate that will rival the world’s best: Duin en See. With 14 sites of ±1,000m2, various views, prices to suit different budgets, a few beachfront opportunities, a 4.28-hectare estate with 184m of coastline, this is an opportunity not to be missed. Most of the estate is private nature reserve and the number of sites has deliberately been limited to protect the stunning natural environment. The architectural ethos is to “touch the earth as lightly as possible” with two pivotal principles of contextual appropriateness and sustainability. Architectural guidelines for buildings guarantee harmony with design and aesthetics, and the environmental management plan ensures harmony with the pristine indigenous fauna and flora. A truly ecologically-sensitive estate, the architectural aesthetic is essentially a contemporary interpretation of the beach bungalow. The estate has municipal water and sewerage but is off-the-grid in terms of electricity, which will be generated through solar power. The roads are constructed with eco pavers, giving the estate a relaxed and rural feeling. Maximum size of dwellings is restricted to 720m2 per site. The estate is at the end of a quiet cul de sac, yet within five minutes’ drive to all amenities. There are incredible views of the bay, beach, and ocean on all the sea-facing

stands and scenic views of the vlei on the back properties. This estate is fenced, access controlled with the gatehouse currently under construction and has direct beach access at multiple points. Rules are pet-friendly to responsible owners. Says Hein Pretorius, owner-broker at Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty Plett: “Considering other beachfront sales, these sites are great value for money and offer, in my opinion, a better lifestyle. “Last year, just a few plots were released and two sold; one for R9.2-million and a back site for R3.335-million. Five of the 14 sites are spoken for.” Pretorius adds that, of the remaining nine, six beachfront erven are currently available and priced from R11.5-million to R27.6-million including VAT (i.e. no transfer duty). Watch this space as the cheaper back plots will be released in future. “These newly-released sites are a bargain and will be an excellent investment. They should sell quickly. I believe in this estate - so much so that I have personally invested in a plot on which my wife and I plan to build our dream home here. “I predict that this will become one of the most sought-after beachfront estates in Plett due to its low density and the natural beauty of the site. It has a wonderful atmosphere. Easy access to town is also a plus, compared to estates further along Robberg Beach,” he concludes. • Hein is owner-broker at Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty Plettenberg Bay and a beachfront area specialist. Contact him at hein.sir@pletten bergbay.com, and see the advert on the cover for the current listing.

unhesitating commitment to do what is right, as opposed to what is convenient or cheap. Says Plett Oceans Day Challenge initiator Nicola Ash: “Our journey to a plastic-free Plett has gained momentum one pledge at a time. Thank you so much for your continued support.” Be nice to our beach on Saturday Celebrate Oceans Day along with all partners from the

Plett Oceans Day Challenge at the annual NVT beach cleanup on Lookout Beach from 9am on Saturday June 8. The cleanup one of eight to come - has been sponsored by Pick n Pay, with compostable refuse bags supplied by SOS. • Contact Nicola Ash at The Fat Fish on 044 533 4740 or Rhian Berning from Renew Able Plett at rhian@ecoatlas.co.za for more information regarding the Plett Ocean’s Day Challenge, or to receive a copy of the booklet.

Knysna O Day: stop filth at source ELEBRATE Oceans Day in Knysna with Sahara Thagunna (What the Bag), Sue Swain (BioWise), Layla Staegemann, and Jill Reid on Saturday from 9:3011:30am, and then join them

for a Waste Nothing clean-up of the river and estuary. Since all rivers empty into the ocean, this venture hopes to catch filth closer to the source. Email Sahara at infowhatthe bag@gmail.com to RSVP.

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CXPRESS

INTERVAL

5 June 2019

Ungratefulness N a very exclusive private school near California’s Silicon Valley, a third-grade teacher was lecturing her upper highclass students about the less fortunate. She asked them each to write an essay about a poor family in the area. One young girl’s pa-

“Can I have a plastic bag, please?”

per began: “Once upon a time there was a poor family. The father was poor. The mother was poor. The children were poor. The nannies were poor. The pool man was poor. The personal trainer was poor. The gardeners were poor. This was a very poor family.”

Marrying a golfer N a beautiful sunny Saturday afternoon my buddy and I stand on the first tee of our favourite golf course. He has just pulled out his driver when a young woman in a wedding dress runs up

to him, in tears. She slaps him in the face, turns, and runs away. My buddy turns to me and calmly says: “I don’t know what her problem is. I distinctly told her ‘only if it rains’.”

A visit to the barber balding man went into a barber’s shop and asked how much it would be for a haircut. “For you? R120,” said the barber. “R120! That’s crazy!”

exclaimed the man. “I’ve hardly got any hair. How can it be that expensive?” The barber explained: “It’s R50 for the actual cut and R70 for the search fee.”

One exhausted prisoner NN visits her husband in prison. Before leaving, she tells a corrections officer: “You shouldn’t make my husband work like that. He’s exhausted!” The officer laughs, say-

ing: “Are you kidding? He just eats and sleeps and stays in his cell!” “That’s not true!” Ann shouts. “He just told me he has been digging a tunnel for months!”

The noisy classroom HILE visiting a country school, the chairman of the Board Of Education became provoked at the noise the unruly students were making in the next room. Angrily, he opened the door and grabbed one of the taller boys who

seemed to be doing most of the talking. He dragged the boy to the next room and stood him in the corner. A few minutes later, a small boy stuck his head in the room and pleaded: “Please, sir, may we have our teacher back?”

Taking an aptitude test OB meets Bill at their local bar after work and is looking down in the dumps. “What’s wrong now, Bob?” asks Bill. Bob replies: “They called in a management team and

gave everyone in the office an aptitude test to see what they were best suited for.” “So what’s the problem with that?” asks Bill. Bob sighs: “Well, it seems I’m best suited for unemployment.”

“Oh, it’s already inside.”

Don’t worry about it OTHER of a rather chubby boy: “I’m afraid our son has decided to take up acting.” Father: “What’s so bad about that?” Mother: “Well, he’s got-

ten so big that whenever he appears in a school play, he crashes right through the floor.” Father: “Don’t worry about it. It’s just a stage he’s going through.”

Ja, well no fine… motorist was mailed a picture of his car speeding through an automated radar. A R1,000 speeding ticket was also included.

Being cute, the motorist sent the police department a photo of 10 R100 notes. The police responded with another mailed photo… of handcuffs.

SOCIAL SCENE

5 June 2019

CXPRESS

People, places & events

Photo: Gigi Lewis

CAPTIVE AUDIENCE: When the Jesse Clegg Band performed in Knysna on Sunday - pictured from left at left above are Louis Malherbe II, Jesse Clegg, Thato ‘Jakes’ Modise and Erick Gerber in front of a full house, lit by cellphone lights, after their sold-out performance at Blend - the kids at right formed part of a particularly captivated audience. Local music promoters Better Live had tongues wagging and WhatsApp messages flying with the announcement that Clegg would return to the town for a fourth time, on this occasion presenting a special acoustic show. With an opening by Garden Route songstress Brighitte Deister, and 90 minutes of entertainment by Jesse and his band, the sold-out gig was lauded as one of the most enjoyable ever undertaken by organisers Dominic Morel and Jackie Barham. Jesse said although it was coincidence that Knysna had been the final venue of the last few tours, the shows - and the people of Knysna - were among his favourites for its intimate gigs, and the best way to finish after weeks on the road. The Jesse Clegg Band will be back in the ‘hood on Sunday January 5, so remember to save the date. 100 YEARS OF SEA RESCUE SERVICE: The NSRI’s 52nd Annual General Meeting and awards evening was held on Friday May 31 at uShaka Marine World in Durban - the highlight of the Sea Rescue year, when crew and members of the public are honoured for contributions in the categories of bravery, special service, station awards, and long service awards (20 to 45 years). Several CX Country inhabitants received the latter, including Chris van Staden (30 years) and George Parkes (35 years) of Station 12 in Knysna. Plett NSRI crew honoured on the night were, from left, Marty Reddering (45 years), Deon Truter (30 years) and Brian Brink (25 years). Brian also received an Honorary Life Membership Award - many congrats! The combined service term of these three local heroes totals a round century so, as claimed by the poster behind them: dinosaurs roam KwaZulu Natal, indeed…

POP-UP MUSEUMS FOR ALL: The Rotary Club of Knysna last month handed 15 sets of posters - each of which forms a ‘pop-up museum’ about Knysna’s timber heritage - to representatives of the town’s libraries and high schools. The poster series was developed by Martin Hatchuel (writer) and Jo Hugo (graphic designer) using original and archival photos. The first set of A1-sized posters, printed on museum-quality canvas and stretched on wooden frames, hangs in the Parkes Shop in the Millwood House complex of Knysna Museum. The schools and libraries received laminated, A3sized reprints of these posters. Readers can visit Parkes Shop or access the web pages under knysnamuseums.co.za. Pictured from left during the Parkes Shop handover are, from left Xola Frans (Knysna Municipality), Latoya Baba (Percy Mdala Interact Club), Philip Caveney (Knysna Historical Society), Megan Hunter (Knysna High Interact Club), Herb Hunter (Knysna Rotary), and Brandmore Sandile Mngcitha (Percy Mdala Interact Club). Maggie Laubser, Janie R400 000 – 600 000

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CXPRESS

CLASSIFIEDS

5 June 2019

005-417 NPO

Paws

Plett Animal Welfare Service

ON THE SOAPBOX

5 June 2019

Letters to the Editor

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

Be aware of the petrol pump tricksters Have you fallen prey to the latest “petrol pump con”? It operates like this: the petrol attendant sells R200 worth of fuel for cash payment and pockets the cash without resetting the petrol pump

to zero. The next unsuspecting motorist arrives to fill up, but does not check that the petrol pump has been reset. Voila! The motorist is charged for the previous

Capturing nature in a flash!

R200 worth of fuel, in addition to the fuel with which his tank was filled. Clever… Check that the petrol pump is zeroed before filling up. The attendants tend to target the larger vehicles such as SUVs. I have almost fallen prey to this con three times,

but fortunately, I got out of my vehicle to check the pump each time. Only then did the attendant set the pump to zero. A friend of mine was a victim, though, and was charged for more litres of fuel than the capacity of his vehicle’s tank. Beware! ‘Observant’, by email

Why only quote one councillor?

Richard McBride shared this pic and wrote: “I am certain CXPRESS receives loads of pictures from around Plett. Well this one was shot last Thursday at sunrise - it literally lasted less than a minute. I took it with an iPhone, so anyone with a smart phone can capture the natural happenings in Plettenberg Bay!”

Your article on ‘Who will steer Knysna after Wasserman and Willemse factions clash at May 30 council meeting?’ [read it on page 3 of the May 29 edition at www.cxpress. co.za] only quotes Wasserman and accordingly only presents one side of the story. What about Willemse’s

Aan my vriend, Andre Bouwer... Ek skryf vir jou want ek weet jy het nie altyd vir my geluister nie of jy kon my nie altyd hoor nie, want ouer word is nie vir sissies nie. Ek weet waar my brief gaan eindig maar ek weet nie waar om te begin nie. Ons het so ‘n lang pad saamgeloop, ‘n pad vol hoogte- en laagtepunte. Kom ons begin toe jy, June en die drie klein dogtertjies in Wittedrift aangekom het. Jou aanstelling as hoof van Wittedrift Hoërskool was soos ‘n vars briesie. Skielik was hier iemand vol lewenslus en entoesiasme. Elke dag het iets nuuts opgeduik. Somtyds het ek gedink dat ons jou in die kantoor moet toesluit sodat ons net ‘n bietjie tot rus kon kom. Nooit wil ek egter enige ervaring wat ons saam deurgemaak het vir enigeiets anders verruil nie. Vir jou was die skool, leerlinge en jou “drie froggies” - Bianca, Daneel en Sally - alles in jou lewe. Jou pad het met duisende kinders gekruis en op elkeen het jy ‘n positiewe invloed gehad. Somtyds het ek gedink dat jy ‘n té goeie mens is, want jy het nooit opgegee op enige kind nie, ongeag die feit dat hulle jou soms baie teleurgestel het. Ons het sulke wonderlike toere meegemaak. Van die hoogtepunte was die rugbytoere na die Oos-Kaap en toutrekkampioenskappe in Kimberley. Jy het ons laat hardloop na Kaapstad en asof dit nie genoeg was nie, moes ons draf- en fietsry na Beitbrug. Ek onthou hoe Asie met die fiets in die sloot ingery het en so die fiets afgeskryf het net om te erken: “Meneer, ek kannie fietsry nie.”

Die toere na Malawi, Mosambiek en Zimbabwe was ‘n belewenis, en die ervaring toe van die kinders in die Malawimeer gedoop is, onvergeetbaar. Met ons volgende toer na Malawi was jy baie siek maar omdat jy nie die kinders in die steek wou laat nie, wou jy nie die groep verlaat nie en het jy amper by die dood omgedraai. “Luister na goeie raad” was nie deel van jou woordeskat nie - en jy was so hardkoppig soos jy vertel het jou moeder was. Hoe jy dit reggekry het om so baie kinders te laat “bungy jump” sou net jy weet, maar ook net jy kon so iets reël. Ek onthou hoe Lourens Jooste onder die bus vasgepen was, ek en jy amper bokveld toe tydens een Malawi toer, toe die bus op ons afgepeil het. Toe lystraf nie meer in die skole toegepas mag word nie en detensie net ‘n mors van tyd vir sommige seuns was, het jy besluit dat jy die seuns op ‘n Vrydagmiddag vir fietsryuitstappies sou neem. Dit was vir die seuns ‘n baie erger straf as detensie want jy het seker gemaak dat hulle meer opdraendes as reguitpaaie gery het. Ek onthou hoe jy en jou gesin by die skool wou kamp gedurende ‘n Desembervakansie en die tentpale nie by die tent gepas het nie, hoe julle skoolopvoerings in Plettenbergbaai se skoolsaal aangebied het terwyl julle gekamp het, en hoe jul ingespring het om te help by die karavaanpark terwyl die studente ingestoom het vir goedkoop verblyf tydens hul vakansie in ons mooi dorp. Jy het ook besluit dat jy vir die kinders wat akademies gesukkel het

slimpille (Smarties) sou gee sodat hulle punte kon verbeter en ek het altyd gewonder vir hoeveel kinders dit sielkundig gehelp het! Ek wil ook dankie sê omdat jy my hond Tuppence toegelaat het om deel te neem aan skool aktiwiteite. Elke oggend was hy deel van die opening in die personeelkamer, hy kon al my klasse bywoon, en smiddae was hy by tydens sport oefening. Ek onthou hoe hy tougetrek het saam met die kinders of deel was van die sokkersspan. Of hoe hy op jou sitplek gaan sit het vir die personeelfoto aan die einde van die jaar. Jy was laat en hy het tydelik waargeneem, al was dit net vir die foto. Presies dieselfde toneel het hom die volgende jaar afgespeel en so is Tuppence verewig in die skool se fotoalbum. Jy het saam met my getreur toe hy oorlede is. En wat van die dag toe jy vir Tannie Henna op die motorfiets gelaai het en oor die rugbyveld gevat het vir ‘n “spin”? Die gille en woorde wat vanaf die fiets gekom het, sal ek liewers nie herhaal nie en ek glo sy het 10 jaar ouer geword daai dag! Ek wil jou bedank vir wat jy vir my drie seuns beteken het. Al drie is deur jou hande en die invloed wat jy op hul lewens gehad het sal hulle nooit vergeet nie. Daarom praat hulle nog met groot dankbaarheid, lof en deernis van jou. Lank gelede was daar ‘n swemkompetisie vanaf Robberg na die hoofstrand. Aangesien jy nie die beste vryslagswemmer was nie, het jy besluit om rugslag te swem - sekerlik die enigste swemmer wat dit ooit reggekry

statement, Myers’s rebuttal of Wasserman’s statement, and the Knysna Ratepayers Association’s statement? Christopher Gould, Knysna (We hope to have set the record straight with this edition’s report, Mr Gould turn to page 3 if you happen to have missed it. - Eds.) net. Ek wonder wat die haaie van die onderstebo swemmer gedink het! Wanneer jy my gebel het, het jy graag gesê: “Hello Uncle Peter, how are you? Phone me so that we can go for a breakfast or just a cup of coffee.” Maar wanneer ek jou teruggebel het, het dit soos volg geklink: “I am sorry, I am not available but if you leave your name and number, I shall come back to you.” Ons koffiekuiers sal nie weer plaasvind nie en ek gaan dit baie mis. Ek wil afsluit deur te sê dat ons jou gemis het by Neeltjie se troue laas Saterdag. Dit was ‘n feetjiemooie troue en sy het pragtig gelyk. Sy het voorwaar ‘n man gekry wat baie lief is vir haar en haar mooi sal behandel. Terwyl die seremonie plaasgevind het, het ‘n renoster met haar kalfie verbygestap en ‘n trop olifante in die agtergrond het nuuskierig nadergestaan. Die onthaal was ‘n pragtige geleentheid en alhoewel jy dit nie kon bywoon nie was jy in almal se gedagtes. Vandag het ons finaal van jou afskeid geneem - soos dit hoort, by jou geliefde skool. Dit was so ‘n mooi diens wat deur jou oud-kollega en goeie vriend, Peter Grobler waargeneem is. Daar was soveel oudleerlinge en ouers en ander bekendes wat kom afskeid neem het. Jy was die beste! Rus in vrede, my vriend. Pieter Coetzee, Plet (Andre Bouwer se roudiens op Donderdag 30 Mei by Wittedrift Hoër was inderdaad ‘n saamtrek van honderde plaaslike vriende en familie van ‘n besondere geliefde man. Lees meer oor André op die voorblad en bladsy 6 van die 29 Mei uitgawe by www.cxpress. co.za - Red.)

CXPRESS

SPORT & ADVENTURE

5 June 2019

Fit Plett teens to show what they’re made of in Mallorca LETT CrossFit Fuel Your Fire coach Tanja Kruger has reason to be proud of two boys and one girl in her care for qualifying to show their mettle on a world stage next month. All three Plett-based youngsters recently made it to the final of The Comp: Teen Edition, hosted by CrossFit Spain in Palma de Mallorca on July 5 and 6. The competition started with an online qualifier, where athletes had to make their way through two gruelling workouts to determine the top 10 boys and girls per age category in the world. During the finals, now just a month away, the top contenders in each division (1415, 16-17, and 18-21 years) will battle it out for international glory. “CrossFit is a sport that tests strength, speed, agility and all facets of fitness by using Olympic weightlifting, gymnastics, running, swimming, cycling, cardiovascular endurance and much more,” explains Kruger. “It is celebrated during thousands of competitions worldwide annually, culminating in the CrossFit Games where the fittest man and woman on Earth are crowned. The Teen Edition is a stepping stone for

“We are budgeting on R20,000 per athlete for flights, accommodation and training, including training from South African national weightlifting coach Pieter Pretorius, as well as swimming and running coaches. They will also be assisted with biokinetics and nutrition, and receive training in Spain for a week before the competition.” She says they will be more than willing to add any corporate branding to the athlete’s T-shirts, and to endorse

TOP FIT: Nic, Lia, and Michael have what it takes to compete against CrossFit athletes from around the world, and their trip could benefit your business or brand on the same grand scale Photo: Ewald Stander

our local stars to make their way to the CrossFit Games in the next few years.” Meet the contenders… Michael Kruger, 15, has had an amazing season so far. During the Worldwide Open he was declared SA’s fittest teen, and also won the National Teen Champs. He has been invited to The Comp in fourth place overall and is looking to snag a podium finish at the final. Nic Blignaut, 14, has moved through the ranks at breakneck pace this year. With only three months of CrossFit behind him, he has claimed eighth position in SA in the Worldwide

Open and fourth place in the National Teen Champs. He has been invited to The Comp in sixth place overall. Lia Perks, 14, joined the CrossFit Fuel Your Fire tribe four months ago. She was eighth in the Worldwide Open and finished second in the National Teen Champs. She has been invited to The Comp as a wildcard entry. “Because of the short notice of the final invitation, we have had no time to budget for the trip to Spain,” says Kruger, adding that sponsorships or donations towards these athletes’ expenses will now be gratefully received.

Storms River

TIN HOUSE Self-catering accommodation

any supplement, clothing, accessory or sponsored gear. All funds will be held in a special account set up for the athletes and managed by Kruger in her capacity as head coach and chaperone to the competition. She concludes: “These teens - Lia and Michael being Greenwood Bay College students while Nic is home schooled - train a solid three to four hours per day, while also attending school and writing exams. They also watch their

nutrition and are serious about getting enough sleep, which is hard for teenagers in general. “They are unbelievably driven and dedicated to their sport, as well as being plain old-fashioned good and wholesome kids. They deserve to be recognised for their achievements and with sponsors, they could go really very far. I am incredibly proud of them.” Call 083 415 5558 or email tanja@fuelyourfire.co.za if you can assist in any way.

Young martial arts masters aim for international glory again HREE of Plett’s top karateka are gearing up once again to battle it out against the best in the world of martial arts. Lojza Pisonic and brothers Aligi and Galliano Boni will be in pursuit of gold medals when leaving our shores on June 11 as part of the SA national team to compete in the ISKA World Sports Martial Arts Championships, and the eighth WUKF World Karate and Kobudo Championships respectively. The WUKF Champs are held in Bratislava, Slovakia from June 20-24, while Orlando’s ISKA Champs takes place in the States from July 4-6. Galliano - the youngest of the trio at nine years - will be returning to SA on July 4 to represent SA at the seventh WJKA World Championships in Uitenhage on July 5 and 6. In light of the strenuous month ahead, the boys who have been training constantly since the beginning of the year. All three have tasted success at previous world championships, having represented their country annually since 2016, and all have attained world champ titles - Lojza and Aligi one title apiece, and Galliano boasting an amazing seven world champ crowns. This Plett Primary student was also the first and youngest South African to ever win the coveted Grand Champion trophy at the 2016 Night of Champions in Orlando, as televised live on ESPN. Apart from the WUKF Karate Champs in Slovakia, Galliano will also be the first South African to compete in the first-ever WUKF Kobudo World Champs at the same venue. Kobudo means ‘ancient martial way’ and refers to the weapons art of the Okinawan people. Galliano has been training every week in Mossel Bay with Sensei Kobus Klue in preparation for these championships. Currently the ISKA world champ in traditional weapons, he will also represent SA at the WJKA World Champion-

PODIUM CHASERS: Sensei Elrie Bosman is flanked by Aligi Boni, 14, at left, and Lojza Pisonic, 16, with nine-year-old Galliano Boni - the first and only South African to compete at the WUKF Kobudo World Championships - in front

ships in the kumite (freestyle fighting) division. Vigorous training aside, the boys have also been attending various tournaments throughout the country, the SASKA SA Champs in Pretoria and SCKO Sunshine Coast Open in Port Elizabeth being the biggest. In fact, Lojza was awarded his Protea colours after competing at the 2018 ISKA SA Champs in Stellenbosch last October, and has continued doing his town and team proud ever since.

Their instructor, sensei Elrie Bosman, has been finetuning the boys’ katas and as always, providing invaluable input to perfect their art. Says proud dad Roberto Boni: “Their success can largely be attributed to Elrie’s constant and dedicated input. Her students regularly scale podiums, no matter where in the world they participate.” We wish the boys the best of luck and trust they will keep Plett firmly on the martial arts world map.

Knysna and Plett karateka impress in Jozi

At the SA JKA (Japan Karate Association) National Tournament hosted in Johannesburg on May 24 and 25, a team of 11 students from Knysna and Plett represented the Western Province and returned home with a whole lot of championship medals. As awesome an achievement was attained by one of their instructors, Knysna resident John Peach - pictured at left - when he was awarded his 5th Dan (Godan) certificate at the same event. Rank examinations in SA take place under the auspices of the JKA International black belt panel, and Sensei John has 45 years of karate experience. With John from left are Minesh Thandryan, Lua Alves, Gabriella Kennedy, Sherquille Jaftha, Jordyn Orpen, Luke Levin, and Whinny Orpen (absent: Connor Cox, Eli de Clerq, Sebastian Claassen and Luca Lutolf), with coach Natasha McKelvin at right.