5 September 2018

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5 September 2018

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

From the deep

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This magnificent creature is one of two whales that washed up at Swartvlei Beach east of Sedgefield in as many months. The Sperm Whale pictured below was delivered by the ocean early morning on August 31. See the report on page 3.

Why is ghost fishing so scary? - p5 A charity auction to die for! - p6 & 7 Riding wild in the old Transkei - p12 Photo: Mark Dixon

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CXPRESS

NEWS & VIEWS

5 September 2018

Memories of a young South African embroiled in the season. Weekly Rep meant 60s British repertory theatre rehearsing the next play durELEBRATED TV and theatre personality David Hall-Green will present a talk on “Rep�, as it has been known for scores of years - the hard-knocks training ground of many famous (and not so famous) actors - at Plett Angling Club on Thursday September 13. Although, for obvious reasons, the vast majority of Rep actors have been British, a few South Africans took the plunge into unfamiliar waters abroad, the likes of which included Patrick Mynhardt, Estelle Kohler, Syd James, and Lawrence Harvey. As some of our wiser readers would know, Syd James became one of the leading lights of the “Carry On� team, whereas Lawrence Harvey had a distinguished career as a leading actor on screen. Weekly Rep involved joining a theatre company for either a summer or a winter season of roughly 20 weeks, and performing a new play every week. Explains David: “This was very different from Repertoire Theatre, where four or five plays are repeated throughout

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PRESS REPEAT: Plettenberg Bay resident David Hall-Green during his British Rep days, long before pioneering television broadcasting in South Africa

ing the day while performing the current play each night and then going home to study the script for the next morning’s rehearsal.� After David started in British Rep at the age of 21 in 1960, he worked and toured with various theatrical companies throughout the 1960s. The Van Plettenberg Historical Society (VPHS) invites readers to attend its September 13 gathering, when David will share some of his often hilarious anecdotes, liberally illustrated with personal photographs, theatre programmes, and posters that recall a longgone era: the showbiz scene of more than half a century ago. Plett Angling Club is located on the banks of Keurbooms River and the talk is scheduled at 5:30 for 6pm. Entry fee is R30 per person and VPHS subscriptions are R70 per member. “Seats are limited and unreserved, so come early if you want to be sure of a good spot,� says VPHS stalwart Mike Kantey. Phone him on 072 628 5131 and see the advert on page 4 for further information.

Notice Board • Join Plett’s Cansa warriors at Delia’s @ Market Square on September 8 at 9:30 for 10am. Saturday’s Cuppa for Cansa costs R150 per person and promises to be lots of fun for a most deserving cause. Call Hanlie on 082 688 3151 or email athiart@cansa.org.za for further details.

at 6:30pm, please call 044 533 4147 to book a table of six at R100 per person. This is a fundraiser for Muddy Pooches, so please bring along a bag or tin of dog food. There are many great raffle and lucky draw prizes to be won. Email barryricketts48@hotmail.com for additional information.

• If you would like to take part at Plett Ski-boat Club’s next Trivia Quiz on September 13

• The annual spring show hosted by the Orchid Society of the Southern Cape will be

held in George next week. A wonderful display of blooming orchids will welcome you to the Presbyterian Church hall in Caledon Street, just behind the George Library, from September 13-15. Orchid Society members will do nine individual displays using the theme ‘Wonderful World of Orchids’, while focussing on educating the public with regards to orchids. Admission is R10 for adults,

and children under 12 enter free. Raffle tickets will be sold at the door with this year’s prize a blooming standardsized Cymbidium with at least two spikes on it. Opening times are 9am to 5pm on Thursday and Friday, and 9am to 2pm on Saturday, allowing working people to pop into the show after businesses close. Phone Brian on 082 855 9176 or Sue on 076 457 6540 with any queries.

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NEWS & VIEWS

5 September 2018

CXPRESS

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Petty thieves and suspected drug peddlers nabbed, but Asanda Ncobo remains missing since March Plett crime fighters have had their hands full over the past few weeks with incidents ranging from theft to drug busts - YOLANDÉ STANDER reports LETTENBERG Bay Crime Prevention Association (PBCPA) operations head Otto Olivier said local police, the Plett Rapid Response team, and Plett K9 unit responded to information about drug possession on Monday. The teams swooped on a property in Wittedrift where they found various narcotics and drug-user tools. A suspect was arrested and police are investigating the matter. In a separate incident on Monday, PBCPA members responded to an alert about intruders inside premises in Seawitch Avenue at 8:30am. Olivier said two suspects were spotted walking up Marine Way after being

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identified from CCTV footage captured when they entered the property. They were apprehended but later released, since the owner did not want to lay charges as nothing had been stolen. During another incident four stolen rental bicycles were recovered over the weekend - this as a result of the vigilance of local security officers. Smhart Security operations manager Tubby Will said some of their response officers spotted four youngsters running while carrying four bicycles up the Odland hill. The fact that the bikes had been tied together with a coded chain lock seemed highly suspicious. “When I stopped my ve-

hicle in front of them, they threw the bicycles down and fled. While response officers Mark and Charl chased after them, I requested assistance,” Will said. Plett Security, the Plett Rapid Response team, and members of the Plett Watch group responded. Will said Smhart Security officers apprehended two of the young suspects. “A third youngster was caught when he was spotted jumping out from a bush. The suspects were handed over to the police.” The bicycles were confirmed stolen and handed back to the owners. In the meantime, Plettenberg Bay police have called on the public for assistance

in tracing a young woman who has been missing since March this year. Spokesman captain Marlene Pieterse said 29-yearold Asanda Ncobo went missing from Magato Street in The Crags east of Plett on March 3. She said that, on the day, Ncobo was left at home while her sister went to work. “When her sister arrived home after work, she could not find Ncobo,” Pieterse said. The sister enquired about Ncobo’s whereabouts from neighbours who confirmed that she had been spotted at a petrol station in The Crags during the course of the day. “She has not been seen

since. At the time of her disappearance she was wearing a brown top and a pair of beige trousers.” Pieterse said anyone with information that could help tracing the missing person should call the investigating officer, detective constable Makholwa Mthazi, on 044 501 1936 or 044 501 1941. • Neighbourhood watch members have also distributed a warning about a recent trend. Lisa Nagel of Plett Watch said a security stakeholders meeting on Monday revealed an increase in the number of local burglaries where criminals gain access through the roofs of houses. She said the criminals did this in order to cut wires be-

tween the radio signal and alarm box, thus rendering the alarm system useless. Security experts are urging residents to have a PIR (passive infrared) sensor installed in the ceiling to pick up movement in that area before wires can be cut. Two of these incidents happened over the weekend and led to major losses. Safety tips that have been circulated include ensuring that exterior lighting illuminates the roof. Residents have been urged, too, to secure ladders or other objects that could be used to access roofs. It is also advised to cut down or trim trees that provide entry to rooftops and balconies. Garden Route Media

No answers yet as to cause of deep-sea behemoth’s death T is remarkable that in the past two months no less than two whales have washed up on Swartvlei Beach east of Sedgefield. Even more remarkable is the fact that they were found just a few hundred meters apart. The latest was a Sperm Whale - a rare event, since the previous time a like goliath washed up on the SA coast was eight years ago. Sperm Whales belong to the toothed whale family and are well known for hunting giant squid at great depths. The lower jaw appears disproportionately smaller than the upper jaw and has evenly-spaced conical teeth to grip squid and other prey. Consuming around 900kg of prey per day they dive between 300m and 1,200m deep, though they have been recorded at depths of 2,000m. Averaging 45min per dive, they can spend up to 90min diving. The male Sperm Whale that washed up on Swart-

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vlei was 16.37m long, and had 36 teeth in its lower jaw, with abdominal blubber of 17.3cm thick. It appeared to have been dead for at least a few days, but showed no signs of predation or scavenging. Due to the rarity of this species, many researchers arrived to monitor the carcass and take samples. SMART (Stranded Marine Animal Rescue Team) volunteers from Mossel Bay helped with crowd control, while Danielle Conry and Frikkie van der Vyver from the Plett Stranding Network were assisted by Wayne Meyer from CapeNature in measurements and sampling. A crucial part of the sampling was securing the teeth from the lower jaw for analysis before trophy and muti collectors could appropriate them. To this end Wayne, assisted by SANParks Rangers, used a chainsaw to remove the lower jaw. The prospect of muti col-

WHALE TALES AND ENTRAILS: Dr Stephanie Plon uses a sieve to collect stomach contents while Frikkie van der Vyver makes a larger incision in the stomach; the whale washed onto its left side, making it impossible to view the blow hole

lectors taking samples was confirmed when two spectators were overheard planning a night visit at low tide to harvest all the teeth and tail. These were possibly the same people who previously removed the Humpback’s tail. While there is no conclusive answer yet to what caused the death of the Sperm Whale, disease, injury from mating conflict, or poor nutrition are top possible reasons. Late Sunday morning the

much-awaited autopsy of the carcass got underway. Joining the research team were Dr Stephanie Plon from NMU and Dr Greg Hofmeyr from Bayworld, who visited briefly while en route to Cape Town. Once a sufficient abdominal opening was made, better sampling of the stomach was possible. In all, approximately 7 litres of squid beaks were collected (a volumetric estimate is used as it was not possible to weigh the sample while

on the beach). The stomach lining had a growth and tissue samples were taken to determine if it was an ulcer or a tumour. In addition to the squid beaks, about 5 litres of fishing rope was recovered from the stomach. Sperm Whales are remarkable hunters - the largest contemporary predators on the planet. They hunt primarily squid in depths up to 2,000m. When checking the size of the squid beaks, the bulk of them were from small individuals with a few from medium-sized squid, and one beak from a squid of approximately 1.5m, depending on species. Considering the dexterity, rapid and nimble movements of squid, especially the smaller ones, it is remarkable to contemplate a 16m Sperm Whale having the agility and stealth to approach and catch squid. Yet from the beaks in the stomach, it did so successfully. The research of Sperm Whales is by nature difficult

Words & photo: Mark Dixon

and except for behavioural observations often relies on studying dead specimens that have washed up, making this an incredibly valuable opportunity. In terms of the death of this specimen, it is too early to conclude that one particular aspect was the cause of death. While there was rope present in the stomach, it hadn’t prevented the whale from eating and digesting its prey. Histology tests will have to be done to determine what the growth in its stomach is, and what its possible cause. Additional tests of tissue samples will also indicate any chemical accumulation. Danielle and Frikkie continued sampling at low tide on Monday, and special thanks are due to SANParks rangers Thembile Mpongoza and Nelson Tyhali for assisting tirelessly throughout the weekend. • Visit www.gardenroute trail.wordpress.com for additional information and a vast array of images.

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CXPRESS

NEWS & VIEWS

5 September 2018

Is there light at the end of tourism tunnel? TIMOTHY TWIDLE reports on Plett Tourism’s annual meeting which took place last week HE annual general meeting of Plett Tourism (PT) was held on Thursday August 30 at The White House Theatre. After welcoming those present, PT board member Tony Lubner said: “It has been a frustrating but an interesting year.� PT chairman Peter Wallington proceeded to provide an overview of tourism in Plettenberg Bay in recent years. Most significantly, the number of tourism-related events held in the town and environs, year on year, has risen from 27 in 2014 to 110 in 2017 - a fourfold increase. Over the same period, tourism funding by Bitou Municipality has declined from R4.5-million per annum in 2010 to R4million in 2017, and has fallen again this year to R3.2-million. Wallington went on to explain how the weekly PT newsletter, sent to 7,000 users, as well as a concerted programme of social media posts on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube,

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and Instagram had raised awareness and interest in Plettenberg Bay as a destination of choice for tourist-related activities. Two of the most successful events developed in recent years have been the Wine and Bubbly Festival and Plett Arts Festival. When the meeting was opened to questions from the floor, the integrity and future of Plett Tourism was immediately raised as a topic of concern. Both Wallington and Lubner referred to the proposed tourism bylaw put forward by Bitou Municipality in May, and which had elicited an outcry in the town. At the time, Joanne Barrett - who organised a petition against the proposed bylaw that garnered 10,000 signatures told the local press: “This bylaw was drafted without any input from Plett Tourism or the Plett Accommodation Association, both with substantial numbers.� She added that tourism was the lifeblood of

TRUE TO THE TOURISM CAUSE: Pictured during the AGM were, from left, Bitou councillor Dave Swart, Tony Lubner, and Tourism chairman Peter Wallington

Plett and tampering with this vital economic driver could spell disaster. “But in fact,� said Lubner last week, “that proposed bylaw was possibly the best thing that has ever happened to tourism in Plettenberg Bay.� He described the intensive discussions, meetings, and brain-storming sessions that took place in the ensuing months among all parties interested in the future and growth of tourism in Plett - such that it would appear a solution is now in sight. “We are seeing light at the end of the tunnel,� said Wallington. At this stage is envisaged the formation of a board to play an intermediary role. It is to comprise four members of Bitou Municipality and four independent members, with expertise in the fields of architecture/

design, marketing, business/commerce, and environmental care. This board would review PT’s programme of action and ensure proper reporting, examine the development of new tourism ventures, and make recommendations for the appropriate funding to Bitou’s council, for implementation by PT. The three bodies would interact and work together in the best interests of all and, most importantly, for the benefit of tourism. A revised tourism bylaw that should enhance tourism in Plett, is likely to be finalised and published within the coming weeks. The meeting was well attended and concluded on a positive note. Said Lubner, in closing: “With goodwill and intent, together we can move mountains.�

WIDE OPEN FOR DISCUSSION: Tony Lubner listens to a question from the floor during last week’s well-attended Plett Tourism AGM - Photos: Timothy Twidle

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NEWS & VIEWS

5 September 2018

Sea fishing for sport or for the pot - here’s the catch‌

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CXPRESS

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Correspondent BOB HOPKIN learnt from marine biologist Mark Dixon why the cumulative effects of ocean fishing are decimating our seas HE inexorable growth of the human population and its desire to consume protein has led, among many other developments, to the massive expansion of commercial ocean fishing. From the first recorded example in medieval northern Europe where herring fishermen sold to their neighbours the spare catch they couldn’t eat, to the factory ships of today, the desire for fresh or frozen fish seems insatiable. Sadly, the relatively invisible effects of this exploitation - along with unfortunate side effects of recreational and fishingfor-the-pot practices - have led to a situation where the oceans may never recover. At a recent talk in Wilderness, marine biologist Mark Dixon referred to the problem as “the collateral damage at the end of the line�. In addition to the wellpublicised depletion and extinction of some species by over-fishing, the phenomenon of negli-

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TRAWLING FOR SCRAP: Mark Dixon with some of the debris recovered from a dive off Sedgefield, using the floating bucket system to collect snagged fishing tackle at Gericke’s Point - Photo: Amanda Dixon

gence, known as ‘ghost fishing’ refers to the situation where fishing paraphernalia is lost overboard or abandoned on the shore, leading to an inadvertent further depletion of fish stocks. As Mark explained, huge nets or long lines from commercial fishing boats can be lost by becoming snagged on rocks and then have to be cut free. Shore-bound sports or subsistence fishermen likewise lose lines, hooks, and sinkers to snagging on seaweed or rocks.

This problem has become so severe that scientists in developed countries have begun to quantify the issue in order to instigate mitigating legislation. They recently published figures indicating that for the average annual of some 650,000 marine animals killed, up to 640,000 tons of equipment was lost, including 150,000 crab pots in Canada alone. This equipment continues to ghost fish after it is lost, because the bait is still taken. Fish are caught but never retrieved, and then

become bait themselves once dead, so the process becomes self-supporting until finally the equipment biodegrades - if only after a very long time. Likewise, smaller equipment lost inshore continues to catch fish long after it has been abandoned. Sadly, there is little being done to ameliorate the problem, other than fishing equipment suppliers being pressured to produce easily biodegradable items. Mark’s mission is to raise awareness of this issue locally and to encourage South Africans to fish responsibly. He has initiated the Strandloper Project which will see him and other environmentally-aware colleagues trekking the coastline from the Garden Route to KZN to clear abandoned shore fishing material and plastics while publicising the threats to the seas and shores of the southern oceans. Visit www.ghostfishing. org\uk for more info.

Giant yellowwood saved in dramatic transplant Words & photos: Jon van den Heever

N a major operation last week, an 8m-tall yellowwood tree was removed from the grounds of the mosque in Seawitch Avenue in central Plett and taken to its new home on a smallholding in Piesang River Valley. Requiring space for building improvements to the mosque, a permit for the yellowwood to be removed/destroyed was obtained from the Depart-

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ment of Forestry (DAFF), but when Charles Reitz of Reitz Tree Care was approached for the takedown, he proposed instead that the 50-year-old tree be relocated and transplanted to ensure its preservation. Yellowwoods - historically harvested in vast numbers for their beautiful wood, and more recently threatened by the impact of coastal development are a protected species. “Trees are often only protected until urban sprawl take precedent,�

said Charles. “And to arrange the removal of a tree of this size, it is vital to have the cooperation of all involved. “In this case, Saleem Maree and others at the mosque were very patient and accommodating while arrangements for the removal were made.� Charles consulted his long-time colleague and expert forester, Kasey Voges of Trees SA, for the tree’s preparation and crane truck arrangements. “Great skill and care go

into preparing a root ball for the transportation of a living tree,� Charles explained, “especially one of this size.� In a precision operation, the massive tree was hoisted onto a crane truck and taken to its new home in Piesang Valley, where it was successfully manoeuvred into a prepared hole. For the transplant to succeed the tree is fed, staked - to ensure it doesn’t collapse before the root system has taken hold - and watered regularly.

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HAVING A ROOT BALL: It took a massive joint effort by Reitz Tree Care and Trees SA to save the life of a magnificent 50-year-old yellowwood tree initially doomed to destruction

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CXPRESS

5 September 2018

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PROMOTION

PROMOTION

5 September 2018

CXPRESS

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5 September 2018

INTERVAL

Veterinarian scam small coastal town veterinarian was known for his wry humour. But he surpassed himself one summer’s day when a woman, who was visiting town, brought a dog to him after an encounter with a porcupine. After almost an hour of prying, pulling, cutting and stitching, the vet returned the dog to its owner, who asked how much

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she owed. “$150 dollars, ma’am,” he answered. “That is simply outrageous!” she shouted. “That’s what’s wrong with you people - you’re forever trying to overcharge us summer visitors. What do you do in winter, when there’s no one here to overcharge?” “Well, ma’am, that’d be raising porcupines.”

All those anchors AYS the old salt of a sea captain, testing his new recruit: “Suppose that a sudden storm springs up on your starboard side. What would you do?” “Throw out an anchor, sir,” says the new sailor. “And what would you do if another storm sprang up aft?” “I’ll throw out another anchor, sir,” the raw re-

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cruit replies. “Now,” says the captain, “a storm springs up forward of the ship. What would you do this time?” “Throw out another anchor, Captain.” “Hold on, hold on. Where are you getting all these anchors from?” “From the same place you’re getting your storms, sir,” replied the new recruit.

Met die petrolprys wat nou so styg, raak al die “Please Call Me’s” nou “Please Fetch Me’s”!

Microsoft analogy HERE was once a young man who professed his desire to become a great writer. When asked to define ‘great’, he said: “I want to write stuff the whole world will read, stuff

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people will react to on a truly emotional level, stuff that will make them scream, cry, howl in pain and anger!” This young man now works for Microsoft, writing error messages…

Holding down a job... young man was a very slow worker and subsequently found it difficult to hold down a job. After a visit to the employment office, he was offered work at the local zoo. When he arrived for his first day, the keeper, aware of his reputation, told him to take care of the tortoise section.

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Later, the keeper dropped by to see how the young man was doing and found him standing by an empty enclosure with the gate open. “Where are the tortoises?” he asked. “I can’t believe it,” said the new employee, “I just opened the door and whoosh, they were gone!”

Guy on a train guy sat next to me on the train, pulled out a photo of his wife and said: “She’s beautiful, isn’t she?” I said: “If you think she’s

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beautiful, you should see my girlfriend, mate!” He asked: “Why? Is she a stunner?” I replied: “No, she’s an optician.”

Ek gooi deesdae so twee Viagras in my dieseltank. Dit doen niks vir performance nie, maar ten minste bly die naald so bietjie langer bo...

NEWS & VIEWS

5 September 2018

Knysna lass wins Sasol Signatures 2018 with fire-inspired work of art

TRACE... AMBIENCE... ARTIFACTS... this is how Jessica Kapp summarises her work in three independent words - and much artistic freedom awaits this rising star after last week’s announcement that her installation piece titled Mapping Time was declared winner of this year’s Sasol New Signatures

HE Stellenbosch-based artist Jessica Storm Kapp, 22, was last week announced as winner of the Sasol New Signatures Art Competition - South Africa’s longest-running competition of its kind. Jessica claimed the coveted award for her rammed earth columns and embedded object installation piece titled Mapping Time. The work investigates whether fine art can evoke multisensory experiences of home through the use of retrieved objects and materials. These objects have value because of the site from which they were taken, as

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well as their intrinsic value as traces of dwelling reconstructing fragments of retrieved objects and materials in an attempt to illustrate concepts such as loss, trace, place attachment and reflection. Being a collector of things, the action of retrieval and the histories attached to found objects are central themes in Jessica’s investigations into home, following last year’s fires in Knysna and Plett. “There was damage to the outside of our house when the fires hit last June. Our decks, pool, water tanks, and the entire forest sur-

rounding our house were burnt to the ground along with the houses of our closest neighbours, I lost my apiary but our house remained standing,” says Jessica. “We moved to Knysna when I was five years old - my family still live there, and they love it. I was born in Port Elizabeth, but completed pre-primary and primary school in Knysna.” She attended York High for her Grade 8 and 9 years, and then changed schools to complete the rest of her high school career in Grahamstown at DSG. She is currently completing her undergraduate degree in Fine Art at Stellenbosch University. Through various printmaking techniques, photography, sculpture and installation, Jessica strives to create immersive moments in which viewers can experience the essence of a place through their multiple senses. As the winner of Sasol New Signatures, Jessica walks away with a cash prize of R100,000 and the opportunity to have a solo exhibition at Pretoria Art Museum in 2019. Visit www.sasolsignatures. co.za for more information.

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5 September 2018

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ON THE SOAPBOX

5 September 2018

Letters to the Editor

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

Dolphins in the sky hail second coming then, Creative Lighting’s storebut no glow for Rob’s art today man, who lives near the The letter by ‘Bene Lux’ [read it on page 11 of the August 29 edition at www.cxpress.co.za] re-

garding Plett’s “dark dolphin” brought to mind an amusing incident that occurred shortly before Rob-

Dolphin at risk, day or night!

Illuminating what we have all lovingly come to know as the Dolphin Circle may not just be essential for evening users of the road; it seems that the driver of the truck pictured here risked taking it with him during broad daylight! - Vivienne, Plett

bie Leggat’s magnificent sculpture was installed at the Dolphin Circle. Then owner of Creative Lighting, Dave Harrow, had been discussing apt illumination of the sculpture with Robbie. They met one evening at the Leggat farm off Plett Airport Road, where the sculpture was cast, to try out various lighting options. Robbie had the model outside on the lawn (NB: The sky at the time was a pea-soup fog of note) and as the first spotlight was lit, its beam magnified and projected the shadows of the dolphins onto the dense cloud cover - which were soon awash with dolphins! Each armed with a spotlight, like two naughty schoolboys, Robbie and Dave had great fun waving their spotlights to make the dolphins’ shadows dance all over the thick clouds. The following morning

farm where Robbie created the dolphin model, arrived at work with breaking news… “The strangest thing happened last night,” he said. “There were dolphins all over the sky. I think it was an omen that the second coming is imminent!” A street party was held on the night the dolphin sculpture was unveiled. The spotlights selected by Robbie and Dave to illuminate the sculpture had been installed and were in use for many years. Glow Lighting Design donated lights to Bitou Municipality in 2015 for the illumination of the dolphin sculpture. With top-quality LED fittings, the lights were compliant with all the necessary regulations governing the illumination of traffic circles. Unfortunately (inexplicably?), these lights were never installed. Barbara Harrow, Plett

Every story has two sides, with perception and perspective each playing its part... Dear Wandisile Sebezo, you said you did not want to write and neither do I [in reference to ‘Cry, the beloved country, still…’ on page 11 of the August 29 edition at www.cxpress.co.za]. But, because you implored white people - as being the racists of our land - to discuss the situation, I will try to state my case. I am a white Afrikaansspeaking 77-year-old omie. As a kid and later in life, I have always had friends from the black community. Try not to be so harsh on yourself and other people. Try to remember that every case has two sides the one of perception of us as observers and then the perspective of the case. Most of the whites grew up to respect and maintain certain principles: you shall never cause damage to any infrastructure; you must always try to build; have respect for the lives of other people. Sorry to say but here lies the crux of our differences. It is that we as a mixed nation have this immense cultural gap. Whites cannot condone the actions, present and past, by people ‘demonstrating’.

Just look at the burnt light masts and damaged road surface at the entrance of our town. Maybe stupid Adam vented his relief. I also thinks he is out of line. Something that really bothers me is the feeling of inferiority expressed by yourself, for instance the reference to Ashwin “felt undermined and small” and your own testimony, “I avoid all white spaces”. Wandisile, where are all these white spaces? Apartheid, my friend, has been gone for 24 years already. My advice is to get rid of that complex and rather concentrate on narrowing the cultural gap. Comic, Plett --Dear Wandisile Sebezo, it has been a long time since any letter has touched me as yours had. I am not in the corporate environment - as you seemingly are - and cannot answer you as eloquently as I would choose, but I’d like to give it a go. I’m interested to know how you know so much about Adam Catzavelos and his family. I’m interested to know if you are a parent of an adult. I am

interested to know if you know any average people at all, or if you only know wonderfully mature, clever people like yourself who have no faults. In my limited experience as a human and parent of a teenager, I would like to ask: “Who do you think you are?” Who are you to judge all white people by the actions of a few people who should know better? Of course Adam acted like an idiot, but how dare you include myself and his family in your selfish rant. How do you know what Adam’s parents taught him? How dare you? As for what white people are so afraid of… are you kidding me? Who shouts ‘Kiss a Boer?’ at every opportunity, is implicated in murder, corruption and more - and gets away with it? Do I have to give you more examples? Are we supposed to feel safe - is anyone supposed to feel safe? People of all colour are raped, tortured, and murdered every day. Our property is not safe (ask anyone in Kwano) but our beloved (not!) gov-

ernment turns a blind eye. Why do you become tense when you enter the elevator with a person of a different colour? I don’t; should I? My smiles are genuine; why not yours? Should restaurants rather not employ black waiters, and how would black people currently in the culinary industry feel about it? Read your letter again and tell me honestly that you are not racist yourself. Yes, I do cry. I cry because our previous dispensation made some terrible mistakes. I cry because our beloved country with so much potential is being stolen blind by our current government every day, making our poor people poorer. I cry because I am a lover of all people, and just because you are not in a place or space to see the love, does not mean that it does not exist. Your letter hurts. White people are not all bad and black people are not all saints. Let me tell you: in my heart I’m alive and proud, and in your heart you are dead. Do you like me judging you? No one does. Mother of Men, Plett

Enter now to win a night at Sky Villa The Different-Abled Awareness Campaign competition runs ‘till early September. Grand prize is a night’s stay for two at Sky Villa Boutique Hotel with dinner and breakfast included. Just answer the question: ‘What does being differently-abled mean to you?’ then email your answer, name, and town of origin to winwithskyvilla@gmail.com to enter.

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SPORT & ADVENTURE

5 September 2018

Plett riders go wild traversing old Transkei’s most challenging biking route Plett animal rights champion TINA VAN REENEN tells of a most memorable outdoors adventure experienced by ardent local mountainbikers recently

HE Imana Wild Ride is a well-known, exceptional four-day mountain bike event, frequented by adrenaline junkies and boffins of the biking fraternity and covering a distance of 212km from Morgans Bay to Umngazi. Over the last 20 years Imana Products and the race organisers have been dedicated to improving the lives of the community and have established a feeding scheme. They are currently completing the final stages of a Grade 12 school building - a wonderful accolade to the spirit of ubuntu and one which the community is extremely proud of. And so it was with great anticipation that our group of pedantic pedal pushers jumped at the chance of completing the route in the allotted four days, but at a more realistic pace. Each day was a fresh challenge testing nerves, skills and strengths of man, woman and bike, as the terrain constantly changed from hard beach sand (a magic experience at low tide) to cloying soft sludge (at high tide). Wheel-snagging single track and impossibly steep climbs were followed inevitably by the downward plummet over teeth-rattling rocks, dongas and grassland. The river crossings proved to be a great source of amusement and terror in equal quantities - depending on the depth and strength of the current. A cliff crossing on day four was the final hurdle before paddling the last stretch of beach to the welcome sight of Umngazi Bungalows, where a hot shower and a feast of food awaited. Despite all the challenges, nothing could take away

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weekend of

family fun at kurland 21 – 23 SEPTEMBER | 09:00  17:00

Kurland Eventing • The Kurland Cup • ='2ধ2+ ,!16-329,-69 l m • 8 =-ÂŁ 3<2;!-2 -0' ÂŁ!99-$ • ='2ধ2+ 8!-ÂŁ <2V 3 '2;'8 ;,' ;8!-ÂŁ 8<2 6ÂŁ'!9' +3 ;3 >>>W'2;8@ধ$0';9W2'; 38 $32;!$; !1'9 32 082 925 7885 38 '1!-ÂŁ 1<&&@(33;|83@9;32(!819W$3WA!W • 33& ;!ÂŁÂŁ9 • -$2-$9 g 330 @3<8 +3<81'; 6-$2-$ 23>R • -&9 2;'8;!-21'2; • 396-;!ÂŁ-;@ 3<2+'9 • !80'; { 1<$, 138'

Š Gerhard+GPhotography

Season 2018 presents:

WILD WAYS: The famous Imana MTB race route was completed by a large contingent of Plett Pedal Pushers, including Penny and Buster McKenzie, Jane and John Donald, Jackie and Sean O’Connol, Tina van Reenen, Hilary and Brian Bailey, and Andrew and Jo Beveridge, along with Shazzi and John from KZN and team leader Steve, between August 10 and 13

WHAT GOES DOWN, MUST COME UP: The Pedal Pushers do just that on a grassy incline with a spectacular beach backdrop

YOU’RE ON YOUR OWN: Tina freewheels towards the worldfamous Hole in the Wall, dwarfed by the magnificent natural surrounds that characterise the Eastern Cape landscape

from the remarkable beauty experienced when chasing the tides at first light and being chased by the storm at day’s end; of rainbows, mountaintop vistas,

shaded riverbanks and the sheer exhilaration of each day’s achievements. We can’t wait to try it again... but next time I’m going to train harder!

Dolphins host rugby tournament on Spring Day

Contact Inky Dresner on 083 297 7981 or Shari Dickinson on 082 490 6317

Dolphins Rugby Club hosted a tournament on their Kranshoek home turf on Saturday September 1. Pictured clock-wise from top left are the Dolphins team alongside competitors Storms River United; Ashron May of the Dolphins preparing to take a free kick; and local fans - from left are Leigh-Ann May, Anthea Moodie, and Marochelle Uys, with little Lathum-Lee and Kayleigh May in front - enjoying the rugby action on a bright and sunny Spring Day in Bitou - Timothy Twidle

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