5 november

5 November 2014

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

Fully aware

Ameera Gani rides Cacharel, a Falabella that belongs to young Zachary Meggersee, who spent the entire day making his beloved companion beautiful for last Friday’s Cansa awareness event on Central Beach - turn to page 9 to find out more

FREE

F-word flying on N2 p3

To park or not...? p11

Rooting for Mr Riley

Photo: Sharyn Hodges - ShowMe Plett

p12

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

2

CXPRESS

News & Views

5 November 2014

A brief history of Knysna’s First National Bank building This snippet with its heritage slant reached CXPRESS via Knysna Tourism, and was penned by legendary local historian MARGARET PARKES

T

HE building that today serves as premises for First National Bank’s Knysna branch was erected on land controlled by the British Navy, on which the village of Melville was established, and was built sometime around 1860 as a private residence.

It was at one time used as a private home and shop by Sarah Atkinson (born Rex), whereafter the Charles Thes-

en family bought the property in 1876 and lived there.

The National Bank, later renamed Barclay’s Bank (DCO) and much later First National Bank (FNB), opened its Knysna branch here in 1919, initially renting the building until purchasing the property in 1950.

The small wooden entrance door in Main Street led to the bank manager’s residence,

upstairs. It has been altered over the years with the upper floor converted into banking offices. The corner gable was added around 1951.

Interestingly, when Knysna’s Main Street was widened in 1986, elephant bones were found under the front steps!

Pop in the Knysna Tourism Visitor Information Centre in Main Street or call 044 382 5510 for more information.

MANY FACES AND FACADES: The Knysna First National Bank building, above, in Main Street served as private residence, at right, before being used as banking offices nearly a century ago Photos: Millwood House Museum

K Our 10 000 free copies are distributed every Wednesday to a multitude of outlets along the Garden Route, with emphasis on Knysna and Plett and drop-offs at *Sedgefield Tourism *Caltex StarMart in Wilderness *Lynn Schroeder, Build It and other select outlets in George *Storms River Village and Bridge in Tsitsikamma - phone 044 533 1004 (o/h) with distribution queries.

If you’ve missed out on a hard copy, read the electronic version online at www.cxpress.co.za

Join the ‘Hi’ Society for good old information and fascinating talks

NYSNA Historical Society has its roots in the Friends of Millwood House an association founded in the early 1970s, to preserve and protect historical records and artefacts of old Knysna.

The Historical Society was formally established in 1993, when Millwood House Museum was handed over into the care of Knysna Municipality.

While retaining its close association with the Museums of Knysna, the Society’s aims have been widened to include the protection of the heritage buildings and historic sites of Knysna.

It also hosts presentations by experts on matters of historical interest and member group outings to places of historical and heritage interest (typi-

cally six events per annum), while encouraging and assisting local historical research amongst its 140+ members.

Current annual fees are: • Family membership - R50 • Single membership - R40 • Student membership - R10 Contact membership secretary Cathie Garner on 083 291 7967 or at cathie.garner@ arup.com for further details.

Remembrance Sunday November 9 Poppy Day, in memory of all the soldiers who gave their lives in war, inspired this poem

by Plett reader PAUL DEANS

1914 – 1918 In the evening light the poppies glow Blowing crimson in the blood of those who lie below Saddest fertilizer the earth has known Buried cares of hope and vanity The rain of tears of those left behind untouching them Dust of the pomp and power of imperial lies To be the feast of rats and blown flies Who gave those fools the right?

Stripping them from hearth and homes No dignity in their end Just valueless words and bits of tin Uncaring of their rotting bones Has sacrifice not taught us the gift of what they gave?

Leaving the flush of poppies And the lonely wind across their graves

News & Views

5 November 2014

CXPRESS

3

Drivers told to ‘F-off’ when enquiring about roadwork delays around Plett The N2 roadworks outside Plettenberg Bay have left motorists fuming after a series of long waiting periods and alleged abuse by workers - YOLANDÉ STANDER filed this report

S

EVERAL motorists claim they have fallen victim to abuse by workers around the stop/go control points on the N2 after enquiring about waiting periods of up to an hour - despite signs indicating an estimated 10-minute holdup.

Plett resident Vossie Vorster said about a week ago he was travelling home from

Knysna after work when he had to wait at a stop/go near KwaNokuthula.

“It was 4:29pm and there were about 20 cars ahead of me. To kill some time, I usually count the cars being let through from the other side of the stop/go, so that is what I did. I counted 197 vehicles and 48 minutes went by before we started moving

‘The group of men behind them then started chanting F-off, F-off, F-off and showed me the middle finger’

PLAYING THE WAITING GAME: One of the stop/go control points on the N2 between Plett and Knysna that indicates an estimated 10-minute waiting period

again,” Vorster said.

At the turnoff to KwaNokuthula, Vorster saw a few men standing next to the road and decided to pull over to ask about the hold-up.

“They looked like they were managers at the site.

Between 20 and 40 workers stood behind them. By then it was 5:30pm already.

I asked them very politely who was in charge as the situation was chaotic.

“Before I could finish my sentence, one man interrupted me and told me that I couldn’t stop there and that I should F-off. The group of men behind them then started chanting F-off, F-off, F-

off and showed me the middle finger.”

Vorster said he became worried and pulled away, but his ordeal was far from over. He then saw a bakkie travelling along the side of the road.

“The bakkie had signage on it indicating that it was being used for traffic control.

When I asked the driver who was in charge of the roadworks’ traffic regulations, he too shouted F-off to me.”

Vorster reported the incidents to local authorities, but was informed that the contractors denied the incident. “They said they only shouted ‘hamba’.”

Gawie Pretorius, who was on his way to Jeffrey’s Bay from Knysna, said he too witnessed motorists suffering abuse at the hands of workers.

“I was about seventh or eighth in line at the stop/ go last Friday and we stood there about 50 minutes, even though the sign indicates a waiting period of about 10 minutes.

“It was only after about 200 cars passed, that we were allowed to continue on our journey,” Pretorius said.

While waiting to move, Pretorius saw two men getting out of a vehicle, which was being used to tow a VW

Golf on a trailer, and move towards one of the workers regulating traffic.

“I don’t know exactly what happened, but I could see that they were having words.

When we got to the control area, we heard a group of workers shouting F-off to the men and giving them the middle finger.

“They were also so chuffed about their actions that they were giving each other highfives.”

Pretorius said his mother was with him in the car at the time. “She said she was so glad she wasn’t travelling alone as the entire situation became very tense.”

Sanral’s communications team indicated that they had received complaints about incidents around the Plettenberg Bay roadworks on the N2 and that they were investigating the matter.

4

CXPRESS

O

N November 3, George SAPS requested the public’s assistance in a car theft investigation after a bronze Ford Laser with registration number CA 934503 was reported stolen.

“The complainant handed her car over to a person for repairs on April 12. He undertook to take her vehicle from George to a mechanic workshop in Cape Town but she never heard from him again and her vehicle was never returned,” said captain Bernadine Steyn.

It is believed that Johan Jansen could assist with the

News & Views

5 November 2014

News Briefs investigation, but there is a possibility that he could be in Colorado Park, Cape Town.

Anyone with information is requested to contact the investigating officer constable Jeremy Petersen on 044 803 4768 or 078 786 6683.

Okpqtu"tgrqtvgfn{"tcrgf"kp" Mjc{gngvjw."MycPqmwvjwnc The Family violence, Child protection & Sexual offences unit (FCS) based in George is requesting the pulbic’s assistance in the investigation

of a rape that occurred in the bushes near Khayelethu on October 27.

At about 9am, the five-yearold victim was walking from her aunt’s house to her mother’s house in Khayelethu when the suspect approached her. He told the victim to walk with him and when she did, he took her to bushes and allegedly raped her.

The identity of the suspect is not known but at the time of the incident, he was wearing white tackies, blue jeans and a blue T-shirt. Anyone with information is requested to contact sergeant Mandisa Songwiqi on 044 803 4618.

Earlier last week, George FCS informed the press of another investigation into the rape of a five-year-old child, this time allegedly occurring in KwaNokuthula, Plett, on September 21 at around 4pm.

“Information reveals that the victim was complaining to her guardian of pain in her private parts when drying herself with a towel after a bath. Further investigation revealed blood stains on her underwear.

“The victim then admitted that she was hurt by a man while playing at a house in Cuba Street. The house was visited by the investigation officer but there was no trace of the suspect,” said investi-

gating officer constable Delores Witbooi.

Anyone with information on the description or whereabouts of the suspect is requested to call her on 044 803 4618 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111. All information will be regarded as confidential.

Mp{upc"FC‚u"rtqrqugf" ucnct{"htgg|g"kp"nkodq" wpvkn"Fgegodgt" A statement shared by Knysna deputy mayor and Finance Committee chair Esmé Edge last month announced that President Zuma would shortly promulgate salary increases for councillors and that, for this purpose, an amount of approximately R300,000 had to be budgeted by Knysna Municipality in line with previous years’ increases, which have averaged around 5%.

“At a recent caucus meeting, Knysna’s Democratic Alliance councillors unanimously agreed that it would be totally inappropriate to increase the pay of councillors at a time when there are so many greater needs within the town,” said the statement.

“Accordingly, mayor Georlene Wolmarans will propose to Council, once the promulgation has been gazetted and the item serves before Council, that the DA councillors reject any proposed increases

and freeze salaries at their current level.”

Mayor Wolmarans concluded: “We believe it is more important to spend this money to improve the quality of life of Knysna residents and, therefore, will direct this budget saving to servicing areas that need it most.”

The DA called upon opposition parties to support this proposal.

When speaking to cllr Edge last week to hear the latest news in this regard, she said that there had “unfortunately” been no updates to share.

“The president has not announced or promulgated any increases yet, as this is usually done by early December each year”.

CXPRESS will keep you informed on this matter. The deputy mayor’s office can be reached on 044 302 6423 with queries in this regard.

Rngvvgpdgti"Dc{"Uocnn"Dqcv" Jctdqwt"wrfcvg Western Cape Marina Investments (Pty) Ltd submitted an application to the W-Cape Government’s Department of Environmental Affairs & Development Planning (DEADP) to extend the lapsing period contemplated in terms of Regulation 67 of GN no R543 for a further two years.

DEADP has turned the ap-

plication down due to the applicant’s inability to substantiate fully why they did not comply with legislative requirements as communicated to them by the department.

The applicant was further informed that if they wished to proceed with the proposed development, they had to submit a new application in terms of the EIA regulations promulgated under the National Environmental Management Act, 1998.

Dkvqw"Owpkekrcnkv{"xgtuwu" Nqpycdq"Piqsq In the matter between Bitou and former municipal manager Lonwabo Ngoqo, the municipality brought a review application in the Labour Court in Cape Town, the purpose of which was to have the arbitration award by the South African Local Municipality Bargaining Council, in favour of Ngoqo, set aside.

The verdict in this application was handed down on October 24, when the Labour Court ruled in favour of Bitou Municipality.

The award made to Ngoqo was set aside and the court further ruled that the matter be arbitrated fg"pqxq by another arbitrator.

Email municipal manager Allan Paulse at mm@plett. gov.za or call Bitou Municipality on 044 501 3000 and visit www.bitou.gov.za for additional information.

News & Views

5 November 2014

CXPRESS

5

‘Sevens wonders’ revealed to keep Blitzbokke playing in Madiba Bay CXPRESS was delighted to take advantage of an invitation to savour the splendours of our easterly neighbour from the Port Elizabeth-based bidders tasked with ensuring that the IRB Sevens Rugby World Series returns to Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium for many years to come

ACTION-PACKED PRESS ‘CONFERENCE’: At the top, some of the group pose with paddles before our CrissCross Adventures cruise down Sunday’s River, with Ectour CEO Jonker Fourie crouched in front; one of the lazy Addo lions; crossing the river by raft en route to Adrenalin Addo’s double zipline adventure

A

S our previous edition hit the streets, a CXPRESS delegation joined the ranks of media representatives ranging from an SABC TV crew to Friendly City radio rats and newspaper

folk from as far afield as Grahamstown’s century-plus old Itqeqvv‚u" Ockn for the first half of a two-day media excursion in and around Addo National Elephant Park.

On hand to add sporting

lustre to the evening’s entertainment were three of South Africa’s current Sevens players: skipper Frankie Horne, George native Branco du Preez, and young skyscraper Philip Snyman.

SA Rugby Union heavyweights from the Big Smoke, the likes of senior manager Khaya Mayedwa, completed the contingent of those set on keeping the festive and tourism-friendly tournament in PE for another four-year stint.

First stop, though, was Adrenalin Addo (www.adrenalin add.co.za), where a swoosh down the country’s longest double zipline ensured our appetites were whet for dinner with ‘the boys’ in the park’s main camp.

Later, Addo ranger Headman entertained our party to weird and wonderful facts on the park’s inhabitants during a night drive that produced, but minutes after setting off, the sight of two male lions lounging metres away from the road, too stuffed from their recent dinner to be bugged by an open Landy-ful of gawking ‘tourists’.

Awesome accommodation at Avoca, an exploration of Sunday’s River with its nigh 500 feathery inhabitants, and lunch at Crossways Village completed our 24 hours of treats. Watch this space to find out why it is imperative that you diarise December’s IRB 7s feast in PE on December 13 & 14.

• Visit www.facebook.com/ TheBlitzBokke and www. irbsevens.com for more news on the tournament. This year’s entertainment in PE includes top DJs and bands and the vibe promises to be a solid 48 hours of ‘rock the party’. Whatever you do, diarise those dates and book your seat via Computicket.

6

CXPRESS

News & Views

5 November 2014

Kranshoek kids get lessons on life, animals... and everything!

THE ART OF LEARNING: Apart from instruction on planting vegetables and making that into a profitable business, youth week activities taught the kids about sewing and recycling, drawing and the art of crafts, and an outing to Plett’s wildlife sanctuaries emphasised the importance of caring for animals of all shapes and sizes - Photos: Hyson Kilani

T

HE Community Development Centre (CDC) in Kranshoek held a youth week last month, filled with equal portions of life skills development and social fun.

Says volunteering facilitator Hyson Kilani: “It was also a way to keep youngsters busy and away from getting up to mischief in their free time during school holidays.”

Taking place from October 6-10, about 130 children took part in the educational activities on offer, which developed their skills in numerous ways.

Art class students were taught to make their own crafts from anything they could find at home, with strong emphasis on learning to recycle whatever material could be reused.

There were also classes on needlework for both girls and boys - interesting, because many people think that only girl-kind should sew. “But,”

smiles Hyson, “during our Kranshoek event, everything was inclusive and equal.”

Many youngsters forget to eat healthy foods, so instructions on planting their own vegetables and looking after these formed part of the week’s activities.

“They were taught the importance of healthy living as well as how to become entrepreneurs from their own gardens - skills that will always come in handy, no matter how old you are.”

Those kids too small for these activities were not turn-

ed away, but received hand-art and drawing classes, which they thoroughly enjoyed. “It was amazing watching them while they coloured in their pictures!” he enthuses.

To end off their special week, the kids were spoiled with a most edutaining outing to Monkeyland, Birds of Eden and Jukani.

“It is important for the young ones to learn about endangered species and how pqv to treat animals,” concludes Hyson. “They really enjoyed themselves and are already looking forward to next year’s youth week.”

Frieda Jansen, on behalf of the Kranshoek CDC committee, expressed her heartfelt thanks to Trevor Jansen, Events & Tents (Amanda), Royston Farms, Pika Bus Services and Monkeyland/Birds of Eden (Lara) for making the event such a great success.

Grade R educators empowered to do ‘most important job in the country’

F

ORTY-SIX Grade R educators from over 20 preschools and schools from The Crags to Kranshoek recently completed a nine-module course offered by the Bitou 10 Education and Development Foundation (B10F).

Participants enjoyed the practical and interactive workshops designed and presented by occupational therapists Michelle Luyt and Nicole MacDonald, human movement specialist Madeleen Janse van Vuuren, and Kindermusik educator and therapist Cindy-Lee Schmidt.

The aim of this course was equipping Grade R educators to develop children’s gross and fine motor skills, visual perception and visual motor integration (hand-eye coordination). These are all important building blocks for learning that kids should master before they start school.

The educators who attended gained new insights into early childhood development and how children learn most effectively.

Said Plett Christian School Grade R educator Liz Hall: “The course was very practical and thoughtfully laid out.”

Patience Mabongo of the Operation Upgrade ECD Project concurred: “I am doing more practical outdoor activities to develop gross motor skills and the children are enjoying it.”

MAKING THE GRADE: Educators who successfully completed the Grade R training course offered by the Bitou 10 Foundation concurred that the experience has vastly enhanced their teaching skills

The occupational therapists empowered these educators to spot any potential learning barriers and stressed the importance of early intervention and referral for children experiencing challenges in any part of their development.

Assisting children to overcome these at Grade R level can potentially save children years of frustration and difficulty with learning.

“This course made me realise the huge responsibility we as Grade R educators have to identify any problems or difficulties,” added Hall.

B10F is equipping teachers to make a difference in the lives of Grade R children not only for this year, but also for every year thereafter. Beneficiaries of this Grade R educator include the 46 attendees of the recent course, as well as

the 1000-odd Grade 1 learners taught by them each year.

“We are sincerely grateful to Murray & Roberts and Vesco Plastics for their generous donation toward educator training that made this course possible,” said B10F CEO Kim Weyer.

At the certificate ceremony on October 15, Vesco Plastics founder Alain Leger said: “They (the educators) are doing the most important job in the country.”

Western Cape Education and heads of department at local schools have requested that the course be offered to Bitou’s Grade 1 teachers, too.

Call 044 533 6466 or email admin@bitou10foundation. co.za if you would like to contribute towards educator training and development or learner support in Bitou.

Business

5 November 2014

CXPRESS

7

Remember the Constitution we all embraced?

W

E, the people of South Africa, recognise the injustices of our past; honour those who suffered for justice and freedom in our land; respect those who have worked to build and develop our country; and believe that South Africa belongs to all who live in it, united in our diversity.

‘All’ in our constitution means our vulnerable children, too, and that is why Plettenberg Bay’s Lunchbox Theatre team was absolutely

Investor Focus

delighted when the National Lotteries Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF) allocated finance to stage their show about children’s rights, called Knhc<" vjg" Kpjgtkvcpeg, to 20 schools.

Says Shanette Elliott of Lunchbox: “Every child who hears the messages we convey about social and environmental rights becomes an ambassador, which bodes well for the future of South Africa.

“We thank the Fund for helping us make a difference

to the lives of our children as we educate them about the inheritance bequeathed from those who went before them.

We are honoured to be part of the development of our future leaders.”

The NLDTF relies on funds from proceeds of the National Lottery and aims for these grants to make a difference to the lives of all South Africans, especially the more vulnerable, and is dedicated to improving the sustainability of the beneficiary organi-

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

More on markets, rifle-shots and shotguns

I

T has been six years since the collapse of Lehman Brothers in the US. This event marked the tipping point for the global economy to slide into the Great Recession, which promised to be worse than the last Great Depression in the 1920s.

Total meltdown was prevented by the introduction of near-zero interest rates and the injection of massive liquidity into the global economy.

Countries like the US and the UK took advantage of this low-cost funding and have restored their economic growth path by instituting structural reforms and reducing their fiscal deficits, and will easily survive the next phase of rising interest rates and gradual declining liquidity.

Many emerging economies, ours included, were beneficiaries of the demand for yield by global investors. We saw seven years of incredible markets in both equities and bonds.

Few of these emerging economies used these low rates to reduce their budget deficits, or to institute any structural reforms (South Africa did institute tax breaks for young job seekers), and are now embarking on infrastructural investments.

In contrast, SA’s fiscal deficit has moved from a budget surplus to a budget deficit – worryingly so, because this

trend was not caused by infrastructure investments but by a massive growth in government expenditure on services (read: wage bill).

During this period, private businesses reduced their number of employees from ±7.7-million down to ±6.4-million, while the government sector increased employees from ±1.7-million to 2.2-million.

During this same period, we saw the end of the massive Chinese demand for raw materials. This is reflected by the decline in the price of iron ore from ±$190 per ton to the current $80 per ton.

This massive drop is mirrored by the drop in the thermal coal price and, to a lesser extent, in the declining gold price.

The final straw in our economic slide was the devastating labour action seen on the platinum mines and the current threat of civil servant wage action. This could make the 11-week Post Office strike appear tame.

Most of these facts are probably built into current market prices, and none of them create a surprise. We now expect slow economic growth, we expect a bad civil servant strike, and we also expect to pay higher taxes next year as government is forced to reduce its budget deficit.

Finally, we expect interest

rates to continue rising.

So what should be the correct investment strategy?

Many share prices are already discounting a poor economy. Some will be stuck in the morass of bad debts and low growth for quite a while, whereas others will find innovative ways to overcome this sluggish growth.

They may diversify into other countries; they may mechanise; they may create new and attractive products.

Inflation and higher taxes will further erode investor returns. Equities thus remain my preferred asset class.

However, it will be important to select those innovative companies or funds that have a good stock-picking record.

Broadly based unit trusts or ETFs could prove disappointing, while those that are both bold and clever will perform.

Poor markets do not last forever, but the next few years could prove to be very boring for market “generalists”.

A personal portfolio of carefully selected shares, using what I call a “rifle-shot” approach rather than a “shotgun” approach, could well be the answer.

Ocneqno"jcu"dggp"kp"vjg" kpxguvogpv"kpfwuvt{"hqt"qxgt" 62"{gctu0"Jg"jcu"ytkvvgp" vjku"eqnwop"kp"EZRTGUU" hqt"vjg"ncuv"38"{gctu"cpf"ku" c"urgekcnkuv"kp"ocpcikpi" tgvktgf"ygcnvj0

BIG KIDS PLAY FOR LITTLE KIDS: Claire Oosthuizen, right, cannot believe that the baddie played

by Mncedisi Ncedani, left, is serious when he threatens the ‘children’ - in the centre from left are Nkosinathi Xipula, Nomzamo Maga and Siyabulela Matyhila - in ‘Ilfa’, a play about children’s rights - Photo: Anja Wiehl - Smile Photography

sations it funds.

It currently has in the region of R2-billion annually to distribute to registered non-profit organisations in the fields of charities, arts, culture &

national heritage, and sport & recreation that meet the advertised qualifying criteria.

The NLDTF places emphasis on areas of greatest need and greatest potential so that

all South Africans can gain from and contribute to South African’s development.

Visit www.lunchbox.org.za to see a short movie clip on what they do and why.

8

CXPRESS

Interval

5 November 2014

Q: You know why women love shoes?

A: Because no matter how much they eat, the shoes always fit.

The preacher’s pay A preacher’s wife was expecting a baby so he went to the congregation and asked for a raise.

After much consideration and discussion, they passed a rule that whenever the preacher’s family expanded, so would his pay cheque.

After six children, this started to get expensive and the congregation decided to hold another meeting to discuss the preacher’s salary.

There was much yelling and bickering about how much the

clergyman’s additional children were costing the church.

Finally, the preacher got up and spoke to the crowd: “Children are a gift from God,” he said.

Silence fell on the congregation...

In the back of the room, a little old lady stood up and in her frail voice said: “Rain is also a gift from God, but when we get too much, we wear raincoats.”

And the congregation said: “Amen!”

‘N Predikant kollekteer vir die sending. Hy klop by ‘n boer aan, maar dié sê: “Dominee, ek gee vir die weduwees en die wese, vir die diens van barmhartigheid, vir die boufonds en nog ‘n klomp ander goed, maar ek gee nie vir die sending nie.”

“Hoe dan so, broer?” vra die dominee.

“Dominee, ek gee nie vir mense wat skole afbrand, winkels plunder en onskuldige mense doodmaak nie.

Jammer.”

Onverrigtersake is die predikant toe daar weg.

‘n Paar dae later skakel die boer hom. “Dominee, ek het weer oor die saak gedink, ek bedoel nou oor die kollekte vir die sending en het besluit om tog maar ‘n bydrae te maak.”

“Baie dankie, broer.”

“Ja, ek het besluit om een os en vier skape te gee.”

“Wat ‘n pragtige gebaar van welwillendheid, broer,” sê die predikant dankbaar. “Wanneer kan ons dit kom haal?”

“Hulle het dit laasnag al kom haal, dominee.” sê die boer. “Dominee moet dit net deur die boeke sit.”

Only in the fairest Cape!

gonna be upset!

So ietsie vir die lagspiere PaNE is day just after sunset “Aw, come on,” the farmer

Flashing an alligator

A

New York boy was being led through the swamps of Louisiana by his cousin.

“Is it true that an alligator

won’t attack you if you carry a flashlight?” he asked.

The cousin smirked and replied: “Depends on how fast ya carry the flashlight.”

You don’t realise how many people you dislike until you have to name a baby...

O

a farm boy named Willis accidentally overturned his wagon-load of corn. A farmer who lived nearby heard the noise.

“Hey Willis!” the farmer yelled, “forget your troubles.

Come in with us. Then I’ll help you get the wagon up in the morning.”

“That’s mighty nice of you,” Willis answered, “but I don’t think Pa would like me to.”

insisted.

“Well, okay,” the boy finally agreed, and added, “but Pa won’t like it.”

After a hearty dinner, Willis thanked his host, and said: “I feel a lot better now, but I know Pa is going to be real upset.”

“Don’t be foolish!” the farmer said with a smile. “By the way, where is he?”

“Under the wagon.”

Social Scene

5 November 2014

CXPRESS

9

People, places & events

TAKE ME TO YOUR LEADER! Wittedrift High recently announced their newly elected leaders for the 2015 academic year. Congratulations to deputy head girl Caitlin Olsen, seated left, head girl Saaniya Yacoob, deputy head boy Sinawo Dubayi, standing left and head boy Ashaylin Sebastian. ‘Our prefects in general and our four leaders in particular, play a very important role at our school and I’m looking forward to liaise and work with them next year. They have already come up with creative, new ideas and are keen to serve our school and community,’ said principal Jeremy Marallich.

GLORIOUS FOOD ON TREASURE ISLE: At the Leisure Isle Festival in Knysna on November 1 & 2, above from left, Lilian Boya, Mama Persello and Kayleigh Keller of Mama Persello’s Restaurant cooked many a good breakfast, lunch and snack for visitors to the event. At right, Knysna Tourism development manager Glendyrr Fick enjoys the festivities with her son Guildo.

Photos: Timothy Twidle

Photos: Timothy Twidle

APT SPOT FOR ‘ALL TRADES’ LAUNCH: Jack Mudd signs a copy of ‘Jack of All Trades’ for Barbara de Bruin at the launch of the book, held on the evening of Tuesday October 28 at Plett Angling Club. Mike Kantey of Waterpress Publishing took care of the project management, editing, design and layout of the book, which can be obtained from good Garden Route bookshops.

Email jack.mudd@gmail. com for more information.

- Timothy Twidle

GETTING WISE ABOUT WATER: The NSRI’s WaterWise instructor for Eden, Liza Wigley, visited two schools in CX Country recently. Says Liza: ‘Summer’s upon us, and I am trying to get into as many schools as possible before the December holidays, to make children aware of the dangers of rip currents and numbers to call in case of emergency, while showing them how to help a friend in trouble without getting into trouble themselves.’

In the pic from left Aseza Sophila, 12, and Sinuyisiwe Maqundeni, 13, from Thembelitsha Primary in Knysna, demonstrate how to pull a friend out of the water using a pair of pants.

ENCORE, ENCORE! At the penultimate Knysna-Plett Concert of the year held on the evening of Monday October 27 were Knysna locals, from left, Louise Kingwill, Helen Cellier, Aurora Baehr, Lize Wagenaar and Patrick Cellier. The concert featured a superlative performance of works by Robert Schumann, Ludwig van Beethoven and Edvard Grieg by pianist Anastasya Terenkova and Georgi Anichenko on cello - the duo received a five-minute standing ovation from a capacity audience and played two encores. At the top, Penny Rathbone of the Knysna Music Society is flanked by new committee members Marisa Raffinetti and Keith Hollis.

Photos: Sharyn Hodges ShowMe Plett

GIRL - AND BOY - POWER IN PINK: The people of Plettenberg Bay rocked up en masse to support the pink cause last Friday, with 370 friends registering for the Big Walk for Cansa and so contributing to the whopping total of R10,000+ raised for local cancer victims and their families. And if you’ve missed out on the actual event, there’s still a few branded Ts, caps and buffs left at Plett Sports, the sale of which will further the cause some more. Visit showme.co.za/plett/ to see many more beautiful photos taken on the day.

10

CXPRESS

Read CXPRESS online at www.cxpress.co.za

5 November 2014

Classifieds

On the Soapbox

5 November 2014

Letters to the Editor

CXPRESS

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

11

Read CXPRESS online @ www.cxpress.co.za

Keurbooms rumbling over proposed parking lot This letter about a proposed parking lot and free shuttle-service in Keurboomstrand also appears on the Facebook page Preserve Our Plett (POP) - a response provided by restaurateur Enrico Iacopini’s attorneys is included I would like to draw attention to the proposed parking lot and free back-to-back shuttle service that has been proposed to Bitou Municipality by Enrico Iacopini, wellknown restaurateur in Keurboomstrand.

The proposal had been drawn up by his lawyers before we got to hear about it, and was given to the municipality in early September, after we had found out about it.

It is unfortunate that Mr Iacopini drew up his proposal for the car park without considering that the neighbouring properties to the field might object, or at least should be told about it.

In any case, his way of doing things did not take them into consideration. There were no Public Participation meetings, no talk of Environmental Impact Studies (EIA) - in fact, the Keurbooms Property Owners Association (KPOA) knew nothing about it when we approached them for information regarding this development end August, after we had been ‘tipped off’.

It needs to be understood that this field is zoned agricultural; part of it is classified wetland and that classification was accepted by Bitou Municipality in 2013 (Keurbooms LASP 2013).

It falls within the Outeniqua Sensitive Coastal Area Extension (OSCAE), and the Coastal Protection Zone (CPZ). It is situated within 5km of Keurbooms River Nature Reserve and within 10km of Garden Route National Park - and as such it is protected in terms of the Environmental Law of South Africa.

Unfortunately, Bitou Municipality does not have anyone in the chair of Environment Officer - incredible in this tourist area where people travel purposely to enjoy our outstanding natural beauty.

Temporary head of Strategic Services Chris Schliemann has suggested that a “departure” from due process can possibly be made in order to hasten the creation of the parking and shuttle service facility, which would allow bush-cutting and “filling in of potholes” - neither of which activities are allowed without a public participation process and an EIA. When the neighbouring property owners discovered that

this proposal had been drawn up without their knowledge, they called for a meeting to be held at the municipal offices, to bring the proposal into the public realm.

Mr Iacopini and his lawyers handed the proposal to Chris Schliemann and Leonard Jonas for their consideration.

A subsequent meeting was held at Ristorante Enrico, attended by Milkwood Glen Resort chairman Dr Nick Frootko, KPOA chair Kerry Shurmann, Julie Carlisle and Dr Robbie Robson representing Plettenberg Bay Community Environment Forum (PBCEF), Graham Reid from Arch Rock Resort, and Keurboomstrand resident Pieter Lüttich.

The outcome of this meeting was twofold: it highlighted the need to move forward with alternative parking ideas (which were proposed and accepted by all at this meeting), and it clarified that the use of the field is not acceptable to residents along the P394 (over 1,000 people have homes along this road).

It is acknowledged by all that Keurbooms Village has natural geographical constraints. All residents who have homes or land here have always been aware of these and they bought into the village because of these constraints. It is a quiet little village, and that is what they envisaged for their holidays, lifestyle and retirement.

It also needs to be acknowledged that when Ristorante Enrico took a lease on the restaurant property 10 years ago, it was capable of seating perhaps half the number that can now be accommodated.

Increased seating at a popular venue year after year has now brought the situation to a head; in peak season, it is possible for the restaurant to feed over 1,000 mouths a day (translating that into cars at three people/car equals 333 cars per day). This does not even take hikers, fishermen, and beachgoers into account.

It has been well-researched that traffic congestion and parking problems have never really been overcome in the longer term by creating more parking and more roads.

What happens is that the numbers of people and vehicles using the new facilities increase rapidly to take up the

newly-created space.

In Keurboomstrand this principle will also apply: more holiday accommodation will be created for visitors, and the restaurant will continue to expand.

Required now is a public meeting - the one that should rightly have been held before Mr Iacopini took it upon himself to devise and draw up a proposal that suits himself and very few others.

At this meeting, projected planning of the village must be realistically considered along with all of its geographical constraints that have attracted residents there in the first place.

Perhaps the time has come to consider that such a large and popular restaurant, able to cater for 1,000+ people per day, is not really feasible under the circumstances, or at least should introduce a booking system.

To date, Mr Iacopini has declined to drop his proposal, and to our knowledge no formal applications have yet been made.

We hope that the owners of the field (The Roux Family Trust), in light of the public protest, will refuse the use of their property for this parking lot and shuttle-service.

Jgngp"Owfig."Rngvv Vjg"hqnnqykpi"tgurqpug"ycu" tgegkxgf"htqo"Yknnkg"Uokvj"qh" Rcwn"Lqtfccp"Cvvqtpg{u< We refer to the above matter and confirm that we act herein on behalf of Mr Enrico Iacopini. Firstly, the letter under reply contains numerous half-truths and errors of fact.

At the end of the 2013/14 season, Mr Iacopini approached Bitou Municipality with regards to his concerns surrounding the traffic congestion in Keurboomstrand village, specifically w.r.t. the lack of parking in the area.

The municipality then undertook to seek a solution to the problem. We pause to state that traffic congestion in the village is not a problem unique to Mr Iacopini, but affects each and every inhabitant of the area, including holidaymakers.

After several months passed with no progress being made, Mr Iacopini approached members of the Keurbooms Property Owners Association’s committee to discuss

his concerns with them.

Our client then discussed with Bitou Municipality the possibility of providing a temporary parking for the 2014/15 seasonal period on Portion 91 of farm no. 304 Matjesfontein.

He would further provide a shuttle to transport people from the parking area to the Keurboomstrand Village, free of charge.

The above option was put forward solely in an attempt to address the traffic congestion in Keurboomstrand and was to be to the benefit of the general public and not just for patrons of Ristorante Enrico’s.

Our client takes extreme exception to Mrs Mudge’s allegations of underhandedness and attempts to circumvent due process. To date the only action taken to further the proposed temporary parking was a written enquiry, in the form of a letter, submitted to Bitou Municipality to serve as starting point with regards to testing the waters.

The public participation process, in which is included the environmental assessments, only becomes relevant once a formal application is submitted. Any formal application will then be advertised in local newspapers in order to request comments from the public.

We again reiterate that no formal application for the granting of consent for a temporary parking area has been submitted. Mr Iacopini is currently actively working with the relevant Associations and Committees to explore alternative solutions to the problem and will continue to do so until a viable solution is found.

With respect, this is a situation where the cart has been put before the horse, and we urge the public to first avail themselves of all the facts herein.

Est. 1984

12

CXPRESS

Sport & Adventure

5 November 2014

Plett angler to captain Proteas at Big Game Fishing worlds in Brazil

P

LETT resident Mike Riley has been selected as captain of the Protea Fishing Team to represent South Africa in the 23rd World Championship Big Game Fishing Trolling, scheduled to be held in Vitoria, Brazil from November 22-29.

The other three members of the Proteas team are Danie Visser from Mpumalanga, and Gautengers Jaco Hendriksz and Janes Wasserman.

This is Riley’s second Proteas cap - last year, he was a member of the team that fin-

ished in second place at the EFSA (European Federation of Sea Anglers) championships, hosted in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. [See page 20 of the December 4, 2013 edition at www.cxpress.co.za for our report on this event.]

A member of Plett Ski Boat Club for the past 32 years, Riley is delighted at being nominated as team captain.

“I am extremely honoured to be representing my country on this prestigious stage,” he said after the announcement. “I have received tre-

mendous encouragement and support from many people.

“However, it is important that I acknowledge John Pledger - president of SASCOC, a friend, and one of my most positive supporters - and Ted Horn together with Big Team, without whose sponsorship and mentorship I would not have achieved this personal career highlight.

“We are looking forward to the competition and to proudly representing South Africa.

We hope that the fishing is going to be excellent and that

Knysna Sport School players drive and putt for their mayor

Knysna mayor Georlene Wolmarans’ Annual Charity Golf Day in aid of her Social Relief & Bursary Fund took place on Friday October 24 at Simola Country Club. This year she invited development players from Knysna Sport School to represent the official mayoral team - with her in the pic from left are Allistair Markgraaff, Tiaan Kleinbooi, and Sydwill Galant.

Double silvers for Plett’s excellent SWD biathletes Plettenberg Bay Primary star performer Gustav Schlechter, left, and Wittedrift High multi-sport athlete Dylan van Wyk represented SWD in the boys U/13 and U/19 age groups respectively during the last weekend in October at the Eastern Province Interprovincial Biathlon Champs. They competed against EP, Border and Free State, Gustav completing a 1,200m run and 100m swim to score 2,129 points and Dylan tackling a 2,000m run and 100m swim totalling 2,186 points. Their sterling performances meant they both brought home silver medals - congrats!

we can bring home some of the prizes,” said Riley.

The championship is open to all classes of tackle and is an all-release competition. All catches are recorded by electronic equipment and points are awarded according to species caught.

Here’s wishing our proud Plett captain and his team the best of luck.

LOOKING FORWARD TO GOOD FISHING: Plett Ski Boat Club stalwart Mike Riley is honoured to captain the Proteas team heading for South America this month