6 april

6 April 2016

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

The winning float in the Anything that Floats event, held on the Swartvlei lagoon during this year’s Slow Festival, belonged to the extended Roos family posing as the Flintstones. Turn to page 6 and 9 for more festival news.

Photo: Des Scholtz

Them stones

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Charity shop robbed again - p3

ATM syndicates hit Plett - p4 & 5

Social media can get you fired - p7

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CXPRESS

NEWS & VIEWS

6 April 2016

Driving Miss Crazy - Part II

Car-part negotiating skills perfected - ain’t that just grand!

JEEVES shares his adventures as Garden Route chauffeur extraordinaire...

O, not long after assisting a distressed damsel with a replacement windscreen [read all about it on page 2 of the March 30 edition at www.cxpress.co.za], my phone rang; it was a friend of hers who had a car problem and had been referred, and could I perhaps oblige, too?

We arranged to meet, and on handing me the keys to her 2004 German saloon car, she explained that a grinding/grating noise emanated from under the bonnet when the engine got hot.

She had taken it to one privately-owned garage who said the noise was coming from the block, and that they would have to open up to investigate.

She had then gone to an-

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other for a second opinion, and after some head scratching, their diagnosis was a thrust bearing in the clutch department - they might have to drop the engine to access this, and it could then be a six to eight hour job, they warned.

Then she was off to another, who referred her to a gearbox replacement outfit...

Driving the car around for half an hour until it reached proper operating temperature, the rattling sound began; it worsened when the vehicle was stationary and my foot was down on the clutch pedal.

I decided to pop in to the workshop of an owner-mechanic who I had previously used for bigger, expensive

jobs like cam-belt replacement. His work was good and his rates reasonable.

He stood over the screeching engine with me behind the wheel.

“OK... rev it up to 1500... now, clutch in... release... push again!” The noise level increased with each downward thrust on the pedal.

He disappeared into the workshop, emerging moments later with a stethoscope around his neck.

‘Crickey,’ I thought, ‘Dr Mo (short for motor)!’

All he needed now was a white coat (instead of grease-stained blue overalls) to look the part. I should have taken a pic!

“Start up!” He plugged the scope into his ears and proceeded to prod the circular piece against various parts of the engine.

I thought I should be pushing the accelerator in and out - like the breathing exercise at the GP as he listens to your chest.

“OK that’s it. Turn off!

Ja (pause), it’s definitely in the gearbox. But I can’t tell you what the actual problem is until we open it up.”

“Thanks, Boet. I’ll let you know,” and off I drove, back to the lady with the news.

--A week later, she was on the phone again.

“I’ve taken it in, and he tells me it needs a new flung wheel, or fling, or flying, or fly-in wheel... or something. And he can only get it from the agent at a cost of R10,300!” There was a sob in her voice.

“OK. Let me get on the phone and I’ll see what I can find out.”

“Thank you so much.”

I was sure I heard a kisssound down the ear-piece.

--Over the phone, the cost of the fly wheel from the dealer was R10,300 - less 15% plus VAT = R9,980 net.

Boet’s workshop price from the same agent was R9,900 - less 10% (which he was happy to pass on to me) plus VAT. This equates to a total of R10,157. He sounded completely flummoxed!

An Uncle in the Auto business gave me the names of a couple of motor spare outlets I could contact, who dealt in ‘non original’ car spares.

Calls to their branches in

THE CAR: A grinding grating noise emanated from under the bonnet when this car’s engine heated up

DIRTY ROTTEN FLY WHEEL! Before, left, and after the darn thing was cleaned…

THE BOX WITH NEW FLY WHEEL: The only difference between the two products was that the car’s logo was stamped on the one to the manufacturer

George, and many questions later, revealed the following: Only two companies in Germany made the fly wheel.

They supplied both the manufacturer and the ‘after market’ with the same part; the only difference was the car’s logo was stamped on the one to the manufacturer - otherwise, identical!

The wheel cost R3,078 from the one spares shop and R3,320 from the other, plus a R50 courier fee.

On receipt of the news, she was over the moon and gave the go-ahead.

Boet, too, was flabbergasted as he’d been dealing with the company that supplied the part for zonks, and wasn’t aware that it was in their product range.

(I don’t know whose fault that is... ) A week later he rang me and said: “I’ve got a grand for you!”

“Huh?” “A man brought in his car, also needing a fly wheel.

It costs R14,800 from the dealership, and R4,500 from that company in George, so I added on a grand for myself, and one for you!

“The man is delighted it only cost him R6,500! So it’s a win, win all around, thanks to you!”

Jaaa, Boet.

‘Till next time... Buckleup! - Jeeves.

NEWS & VIEWS

6 April 2016

CXPRESS

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Charity shop targeted by burglars for the second time in less than a month Plett police have appealed to the public for assistance after a series of business burglaries in the town’s industrial area over the past two weeks – YOLANDE STANDER reports NE of these burglaries took place at the Plettenberg Bay Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) charity shop last Wednesday. This was the second time in less than a month that the shop became the

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target of criminals.

Plett police spokesman Lieutenant Marlene Pieterse said in most cases the suspects gained access by forcing security gates open.

In the case of the charity shop, the burglars man-

aged to enter the building in Hutchinson Road by creating an opening in the shop’s roof. They managed to get away with among other items, the shop’s cash register, a laptop and several smaller electronic items in-

Knysna’s director of town planning resigns IRECTOR for Town Planning and Development Mike MaughanBrown handed in his resignation with two months’ notice to Knysna’s municipal manager, Grant Easton, on March 30.

“Although we have received demands to disclose the reasons for his resignation, this matter is a private one between employee and employer. His confidential letter has been placed in his personnel file with Human Resources,” said Knysna mayor Georlene Wolmarans. “We are under no obligation to share the content

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RESIGNED: Mike MaughanBrown will leave his post at the end of May

with anyone.

“Mike Maughan-Brown has been a loyal and valued public servant to all Knysna residents during his time with the municipality. He has been an asset, often going beyond the call of duty.”

The mayor added: “I would also like to take this opportunity to clarify certain assertions made about the availability of municipal manager Grant Easton last week. He was on leave to celebrate the graduation of one of his children, which is why all relevant matters were handled by the acting municipal manager.”

Yet another child sex offender granted bail LETT children’s rights activists are following a new case involving sex crimes against children after the suspect was released only on warning.

The 21-year-old man appeared in the Plettenberg Bay Magistrate’s Court last week for the first time since he was granted bail on March 9.

During his bail application it came to light that on February 16 this year, the young suspect allegedly lured three girls – aged nine, 10 and 11 – away from a dam they were swimming in in Ladywood before sexually assaulting them.

He allegedly told the girls he would show them where

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to find grapes and led them to nearby ruins where he forced them to undress themselves, sit on top of him and “massage” him.

One of the girls claims she became frightened and managed to run away, while one of the boys who had swum with them raised the alarm.

The boy informed one of the girls’ mothers, who in turn contacted police. The suspect was arrested on February 21.

On March 9, he was released on warning as he was not considered a flight risk.

This decision was slammed by local anti-child abuse groups who have been campaigning for sex

crimes against children to be seen in a more serious light by courts.

On March 30, the suspect briefly took his place in the dock, but the matter was postponed to May 5 for further consultation with the children.

Activists have vowed to keep an eye on the matter. Green Hearts spokesman Yvette Wilschut said that children’s rights were enshrined in the Constitution and that incidents like these showed that courts were not upholding it.

“We need to make sure our voices are heard, otherwise we are failing the children of this country,” Wilschut said.

- Yolandé Stander

cluding kettles and watches.

When the shop was burgled on March 9, the suspects gained access by breaking open a door and security gate at the side of the building. They then managed to get away with thousands of rands worth of electronic equipment including computers, televisions, and other high-value household items.

Shop founder Roger Davis said that the break-ins were not only about the loss of goods – which are donated to them by the residents and visitors – but the loss of future income. The shop raises funds to cover the running costs of PAWS, which has expenses in excess

WORRIED ABOUT FUTURE INCOME: Founder of the PAWS Charity Shop Roger Davis calculates his losses after two burglaries Photo: Ewald Stander

of R50,000 each month.

“During the other breakins the suspects also stole several computers, compressors, and other valuables,” Pieterse said. She added that all the businesses that had been hit, had alarm systems installed.

“But at the times the alarm companies had arrived, the suspects had already left,” Pieterse said.

She added that police were investigating several cases of business burglaries, but that no arrests had been made.

She appealed to the community that if anyone had any information about the break-ins to contact the investigating officer, detective sergeant Heinrich van Wyk on 044 501 1936 or 076 565 0959.

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Plett ATMs giveth and syndicates taketh away N CXPRESS of March 2, a letter by Plett residents Irme and Walter Hammel described how their overseas visitors were scammed at the Standard Bank ATM situated at the Market Square on a Sunday morning.

“While our visitor’s card was in the machine a welldressed guy came to offer his help. He must have noted her pin number, withdrew her card covered with his own in a totally different colour, and lingered around making our friend think the machine had swallowed her card.

“In the time it took to phone her bank’s hotline, he managed to draw five times the approved daily amount of money with several transactions,” the Hammels wrote, and questioned the presence of security and a camera at this ATM. In response, CXPRESS received a request from Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association (PBCPA) chairman Bruce Richardson for the Hammels to make contact with him in order for them to assist in this matter.

“We would like to proffer some guidance to ensure we do not have any more of these incidents in the future,” Richardson said.

Irme Hammel made contact, but also admitted that “we thought just to let it be. But we have spoken to Standard Bank and opened a case at the local police”.

She went on the say that they heard about two more cases the day before; this time at Nedbank’s ATM. “The other incident [read the letter on page 5] was also on a Sunday (March 6) at Mellville’s Corner. Our friends, a couple, were in the process of drawing money when somebody tried to reach over them to help.

“Our friends cancelled the transaction and went to Market Square. Here, another helpful soul tried to interfere in the same way.

“Clearly there is a group of specialised criminals on the prowl? Maybe you can take the matter up with the banks, shopping centres, and police to organise more security?”

At this stage Richardson and his team had already jumped into action.

“I and some of the Plett Watch team spent some hours on Sunday monitoring all the ATMs in conjunction with the police, and I will be seeking meetings with all the bank managers to discuss placing security guards seven days of the week.

“Although they had as yet not done anything, we did intercept a group from the Eastern Cape hanging around the ABSA ATM.

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“They departed when we arrived, but I suspect they may be the group responsible for these interceptions. I took their vehicle details as they moved off and passed these on to the police, who are now looking out for them,” Richardson said.

He added that he was sure this is an out of town group who is networked with a gang that is able to provide the expertise to obtain details and copy cards of those intercepted at ATMs. “Our local criminals are comparatively unsophisticated and don’t have the capacity to commit such crimes.”

On March 11, a crime alert was sent out by Bitou Crime Wise alerting the public that they had now had the third theft of cards at an ATM in as many days.

“We believe there may be a syndicate in town who is finding it easy pickings owing to the fact that only Nedbank has a security guard outside the bank monitoring their ATMs.

‘Our local criminals are comparatively unsophisticated and don’t have the capacity to commit such crimes’ “We urge customers of other banks, and particularly FNB, to complain to their banks about the lack of security at their ATMs. “We will be seeking meetings with managers of the affected banks to urge them to up their security,” the release read.

Then, on March 17, a report by Gareth van Zyl published on Fin24 - titled ‘Well-dressed ATM crooks target Cape Town tourists’, caught the right eyes.

There was mention of “smartly dressed, wellspoken fraudsters lurking around Cape Town ATMs, scamming tourists out of thousands of rands in a complex syndicate”.

The report states: “The syndicate operates in a group of between four to six fraudsters and their modus operandi includes dropping high-value cash notes on the floor to distract tourists “The syndicate has targeted more than one ATM on a daily basis this year, and each fraudster performs a different role such as watching tourists enter PINs or stealing cards.”

Richardson noted that the Hammels described a single coloured gentleman in each of their incidents, which differs from the description in the Fin24 report, but the group he intercepted outside ABSA on that Sunday had the appearance of the Cape Town-type perpetra-

tor – well dressed and well presented.

He said the detailed information supplied by the visitors of the Hammels was very useful.

“We now know what type of individual to look out for. We have already approached ABSA and as we collect information, we will be approaching the other banks in order to encourage them to improve their security. All four banks in town have had incidents.”

He added: “I would like to applaud Irme and Walter for being street wise and coping so well with the approaches made to them. I must confess to having had a chuckle when contemplating the surprised look that must have been on the face of the criminal when he received a slap for his efforts!

“They are also correct in their observation that Sunday is not a day upon which to use an ATM, as even banks that have security guards do not have guards on duty on a Sunday, and in the light of the fact that the banks are closed, the areas around the banks are largely deserted.”

Richardson concluded by saying: “We need to carry out an intensive an educational campaign on this issue so that anyone approaching an ATM is on guard. We have to rid our town of this scam.”

It is important that incidents such as these are reported promptly to intercept criminals and have them arrested. The PBCPA helpline (082 251 8134) is monitored 24/7 by intelligent and able people who will rapidly activate a response to your need.

This is a free voluntary service comprising the police, Municipal Law Enforcement, five security companies, and Plett Watch neighbourhood watch together with other neighbourhood watches.

If you see suspicious people hanging around an ATM, please report your observations to the PBCPA. This is not a solely South African crime – it is prevalent throughout the world, and when approaching or using an ATM anywhere in the world one should never allow anyone to approach you - and if they do, you should immediately tell them you do not need help, request that they stand back, cancel your transaction, and move away.

Finally, if there are people ‘hanging around’ an ATM, one should not approach the ATM until they have moved off.

• Read the ‘German visitors scammed’ letter as well as an update from the PBCPA on page 5.

NEWS & VIEWS

6 April 2016

German visitors scammed at Plett ATM We are regular holidaymakers in this beautiful place of Plettenberg Bay and have been enjoying another lovely holiday.

However we had to experience two incidents of scamming at the ATMs of Nedbank on one single day, within 20 minutes!

On Sunday March 6, we decided to go to town at about 4pm and draw some money at the ATM at Mellville’s Corner.

We chose the Nedbank next to Clicks, and my husband started entering the code and proceeded.

However, nothing happened. We just heard the machine counting, but no lid opened with the money. So he cancelled the process and started all over again.

We realised that a coloured man was standing next to my husband and telling us something that we did not understand.

I asked him quite firmly what he meant, and then he said: “You must press the button”, and pointed out to the cancel button.

We had done that already and my husband had removed his card without getting any money.

As the situation seamed rather suspect, we left the place immediately and went to our car.

We then drove to the Market Square to try to draw some money from the Nedbank there.

My husband started entering the code; I stood right next to him and observed the surroundings.

As he proceeded, I noticed another coloured man approaching us, smiling and holding a card in his hand as if he intended to draw some money at the Standard Bank ATM next to the Nedbank ATM. He stopped and watched us for an instant and all of a sudden reached out with his right hand be-

tween the arm of my husband and me, and pressed the cancel button.

In a spontaneous reaction, I immediately covered the card slot with my right hand and slapped the man in his stomach with my left arm swearing and shouting at him.

He was quite surprised by this reaction of two ‘elderly people’, and that left my husband time to pull the card under my hand out of the slot.

Fortunately, the transaction had been cancelled, so that no money had been dispensed. We immediately went to our car and left the place.

On that day we learnt that it is not a good idea to draw money on a Sunday, as there are hardly any people around, which makes it very easy for criminals to act without fear of being hindered.

These incidents seem to increase in number and should make the banks as well as the police consider and establish better protection for clients at the ATMs, and thus make it impossible for criminal gangs to commit these crimes.

Would it not be an aim to comply with a slogan, like for instance: “No tolerance to crime, safety for bank clients in Plettenberg Bay.”?

Ursula & Rolf Neuhaus Erolzheim, a small village in the South of Germany (Ursula and Rolf added that they had already left Plett and returned to Germany, but that they will be back next year in January 2017 for another eight weeks. We wish to ensure the Erolzheims that their bad experience in our town is currently receiving all the attention it should.

We look forward to a letter on your 2017 visit to our town – and hope that it will end on a positive note… – Eds.)

CXPRESS

Visitor’s card cloned at local restaurant

DON’T LOSE SIGHT OF YOUR CARDS: In this case, attempts were made to use the cloned card as far afield as Zimbabwe

INCE these ATM incidents, Richardson also received a report of a foreign visitor having his credit card cloned at a popular local restaurant.

“We are in touch with him and have the offending waitron’s name from the victim’s card slip. Unfortunately, he has since left his employment, but in conjunction with the police we will continue to look for him.”

The victim confessed to being aware of the necessity of keeping a close eye on one’s credit card whilst a transaction is being processed, but he had just arrived, was tired, and had a moment during which he was not paying attention and that is all that is needed for an incident to occur.

“One needs to be aware that perpetrators target potential victims who they feel are not paying attention. Fortunately, the incident ended well as the visitor’s bankers immediately picked up that something was wrong and no transactions were honoured.

“Attempts were made to use the card as far afield as Zimbabwe, which again demonstrates that this is part of a professional syndicate,” Richardson said.

“As the PBCPA we really urge that residents and visitors keep a constant eye on their cards from the moment the card is handed over to the moment that it is safely back in their possession.

“If there is any suggestion that the card is not

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working and the assistant needs to go and fetch another machine or the card is dirty and needs to be wiped against the assistant’s clothing, immediately recover the card and call the manager.

“Likewise always be very guarded when entering a PIN number and make sure that no one is watching. If in any doubt at any time, terminate the transaction and call the manager.

“One should be particularly on guard at restaurants, as it is usually a social, carefree occasion when alcoholic beverages are often involved and there is a propensity for one’s concentration to lapse, as in the reported case,” Richardson concluded.

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CXPRESS

NEWS & VIEWS

6 April 2016

Turkish delighted with Sedgefield This year, drawing on a long-seated tradition of cultural exchange, Sedgefield was honoured to be selected by a Cittaslow delegation of six individuals from the Turkish Slow Town of Halfeti to attend our very own Slow Festival IX Turkish delegates from the Cittaslow town of Halfeti were officially welcomed to Sedgefield on March 24 at the opening ceremony of the seventh Slow Festival by Knysna mayor Georlene Wolmerans.

While researching international Slow Festivals, Nihat Özdal - who coordinated the trip to South Africa - chose two remarkable festivals to attend with the prospect of building international relations between towns and villages which embrace the Cittaslow ethos.

His research led him to a choice of a South Korean Slow Festival and the Sedgefield Slow Festival to initiate his plan of international collaboration for tourism, slow food, and crafts embodied by all three towns.

“It was with great honour that the Sedgefield Slow Festival was able to host the Turkish delegation, and we look forward to growing the relationship with a reciprocal visit,” said festival organiser Amanda Dixon.

While in the Garden Route, the delegation had a whirlwind itinerary.

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TURKISH RUB: Well-known, retired international chef Colin Capon looking on as Alper Yellice prepares a traditional Turkish spicy meat rub - see more festival images on page 9

They arrived in Sedgefield to attend the opening of the Slow Festival on Thursday evening. On Friday, they toured the region and had a game safari.

On Saturday, they set up a stall on the Slow Festival Village Green with a collection of inlaid crafts and travel info for their town.

The highlight, however, was the culinary delights of speciality dried fruit from their town along with aromatic and spicy food prepared by Tamer Özgül, their slow food convivium chef from Halfeti.

On Sunday, they bid their goodbyes to the committee before they had to speed off to catch their flight home.

Back home after the brief, but full trip, Slowfood representative Nihat Özdal’s impressions were as follows: “Sedgefield Slow Fest is one of the most special and unique festivals in the world. We hope your town organises this festival for many more years with its natural beauty and inhabitants’ warm welcome.

“Let’s meet in Sanlıurfa to cook together as soon as possible!” he concluded.

BUSINESS

6 April 2016

CXPRESS

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Shooting yourself in the foot with social media OCIAL media has become a powerful communication tool, but using it can have far-reaching consequences. This has been illustrated by media reports earlier this year involving employees fired or suspended for allegedly making racist comments on social media platforms.

But can employees be dismissed for expressing their personal opinions outside the workplace and outside of working hours?

The widely publicised cases of Chris Hart, Penny Sparrow, and Gareth Cliff illustrate how powerful social media can be - so powerful that the expression of their ‘private’ opinions can impact negatively on their employment relationship.

Economist Chris Hart allegedly tweeted that 25 years after apartheid ended, the

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victims are increasing, along with a sense of entitlement and hatred towards minorities. He was suspended by Standard Bank pending an enquiry into the matter.

Penny Sparrow allegedly referred to black beachgoers as ‘monkeys’ on Facebook.

Two of her previous employers reportedly felt the repercussions of the incident when they were approached, and in one case even being accused of being racist.

Gareth Cliff of TV’s Idols supposedly tweeted, with reference to Sparrow, that ‘people do not understand free speech’. M-Net ended his contract.

One might question why the employers in the Hart and Cliff cases reacted so severely. Would their reaction have been as severe if the ‘private’ opinions of their employees had not

been expressed and spread via social media?

There have been several cases where employees were dismissed for making derogatory statements about their employers on social media.

One example is the CCMA case of Sedick and another vs Krisray (Pty) Ltd, where the commissioner made the following comment: “If employees wish their opinions to remain private, they should refrain from posting them on the internet.”

But if a person makes a comment on Facebook, Twitter or other platforms, that is not directed against the employer, what does it have to do with the employer? As we have seen, there is a much stronger link than one might think!

The majority of our waking hours are spent at the service of our employers.

Know the risks in signing as surety UST because you’re in the fortunate financial position of being able to sign surety for someone doesn’t mean you should necessarily do so, says Shaun Rademeyer, CEO of BetterLife Home Loans.

“You could be asked to stand surety for a friend, a relative or an adult child to help them buy their first home and you may feel that it would be a kind thing to do, but you should be very cautious,” he says.

“Signing surety basically means that you are using your good credit rating for someone else’s benefit - and undertaking to extend your credit on their behalf too

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if necessary. If they default on their debt, the lender will be looking to you for all the missing funds, so you are in effect signing a deal that says you are a co-borrower.”

However, he says, there are ways to reduce some of the liability that this implies, bearing in mind that signing as surety for someone is essentially a business deal and should be treated that way. These include: • Obtaining a full credit record from the person who is asking you to stand surety for them, so you can gauge whether they are good at managing their money and paying their debts on time.

If their record is not good,

your risk will be higher.

• Establishing how your own credit record will be impacted. If you sign surety on a loan it will need to be disclosed when you apply for any new credit yourself - and it could result in you being turned down.

• Establishing how much your ‘partner’ is able to put down as a deposit. Your risk will be lower if they have a chunk of their own money at stake.

• Getting a qualified attorney to draw up a proper contract detailing the terms of your agreement.

• Defining your exposure.

Does the surety cover all costs associated with the

All employees are to some extent representative of the organisation they work for.

From an outsider’s point of view, a person is associated with whom he or she works for, even if the views he or she espouses on social media are his or her own even more so if it is made known who the employer or former employer is.

The extent of the association between the person and the employer is affected by matters such as the nature of the organisation, the organisation’s public profile, and the employee’s position within the organisation. In some cases the association is glaringly obvious, even without it being stated (e.g.

Hart and Cliff).

So how should employees know whether their employer might object to what they share on social media?

property including property rates, municipal services and insurance, or just the home loan repayments?

• Putting a time limit on the surety. It should terminate when the home loan balance is reduced to a certain amount, for example.

• Defining what will happen if and when the property is sold. Will you be entitled to a percentage of the profit? Will you have to pay part of the estate agent’s commission?

And finally, says Rademeyer, you should insist on upto-date copies of all financial documentation relating to the property, including home loan statements, municipal bills, and invoices for repairs and improvements.

What should employers do?

In order to avoid confusion, employers should be clear about where they stand on matters that may have an impact on the employment relationship, including the use of social media.

The organisation’s values should be clearly stated in its policies. These should be elaborated upon in rules or standards of conduct expected of employees.

An employer could, for example, implement a social media policy with rules that prohibit employees from acting in a way that is racist or promotes racial intolerance, religious intolerance, sexism or other forms of discrimination in the workplace or outside of it.

The rule should caution employees against expressing such opinions in the workplace or elsewhere

in the public domain, including social media. The rule should further state the possible consequences, namely that a transgression will lead to disciplinary action with dismissal as a possible outcome.

In deciding on an appropriate penalty, we are brought back to the consequences or potential consequences of the employee’s transgression. Causing disharmony in the workplace is bad enough, but the consequences could be worse.

For example, if a senior employee of a high-profile company expresses ‘private’ opinions on social media that are highly offensive, this may be incompatible with the company’s values.

It could also seriously taint the company’s public image.

Dismissal may then be an appropriate penalty.

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CXPRESS

INTERVAL

6 April 2016

A grammar freak of a wife sends a text to her husband: “You are as useless as ‘ueue’ in the word Queue.

What men say and what they really mean...

• “Can I help with dinner?”

Translated: “Why isn’t it already on the table?”

• “Uh huh”, “Sure honey”, or “Yes, dear”.

Translated: Absolutely nothing. It’s a conditioned response.

• “It would take too long to explain.”

Translated: “I have no idea how it works.”

• “I was listening to you. It’s just that I have things on my mind.”

Translated: “I was wondering if that redhead over there is wearing a bra.”

• “Take a break honey, you’re working too hard.”

Translated: “I can’t hear the game over the vacuum cleaner.”

• “That’s interesting, dear.”

Translated: “Are you still talking?”

• “You know how bad my memory is.”

Translated: “I remember the theme song to ‘Friends’, the address of the first girl I ever kissed, and the vehicle registration numbers of every car I’ve ever owned, but I forgot your birthday.”

• “I was just thinking about you, and got you these roses.”

Translated: “The girl selling them on the corner was a real babe.”

• “Oh, don’t fuss - I just cut myself, it’s no big deal.”

Translated: “I have actually severed a limb, but will bleed to death before I admit I’m hurt.”

• “I can’t find it.”

Translated: “It didn’t fall into my outstretched hands, so I’m completely clueless.”

• “What did I do this time?”

Translated: “What did you

A patient runs into his psychiatrist’s office and says: “Doc, I think I’m a tipi, no I think I’m a wigwam, no I think I’m a tipi, no I think I’m a wigwam, no I think I’m a tipi, no I think I’m a wigwam!”

The psychiatrist looks at him and says: “You’re too tents.”

The overqualified sons father in conversation with his neighbour, says: “My first son has a degree in economics, my second son has an MBA, the third has a PhD, and my fourth son is a thief.”

A

“Why can’t you throw the fourth son out of your house?” the neighbour asks.

The father replies: “He is the only one earning money. The rest are unemployed.”

catch me at?”

• “I heard you.”

Translated: “I haven’t the foggiest clue what you just said, and am hoping desperately that I can fake it well enough so that you don’t spend the next three days yelling at me.”

• “You know I could never love anyone else.”

Translated: “I am used to the way you yell at me, and realise it could be worse.”

• “You look terrific.”

Translated: “Oh, please don’t try on one more outfit, I’m starving.”

• “I’m not lost. I know exactly where we are.”

Translated: “No one will ever see us alive again.”

Shopping with the wife... it’s fun, they say

SOCIAL SCENE

6 April 2016

CXPRESS

VISITORS JUST LOVED OUR LOCAL HARVEST: A group of friends – far left from left are Jo Pretorius, Juané Pretorius, and Adri Solomon - all residents of Pretoria, enjoyed the Harkerville Saturday Market in Plett on March 26. In the pic at left, the Hall family – in the back row from left are Lauren, Brian, Stephen, and Logan Hall, and at front from left are Carol, Courtney, and Devon Hall - all of Humewood, Port Elizabeth, enjoyed breakfast under the oak tree. In the pic below left, Lorna Green, second from left, enjoyed taking friends - from left Joan Baker, Tarka Harford, and Laska Harford - all of Somerset West to the market.

Photos: Timothy Twidle

9

EASTER WELL SPENT: These bonnie beauties from Bloemfontein - from left are Yani, Talia, Liecshen, Danielle, and Jana – were captured whilst enjoying supper at the Knysna Waterfront with their parents (on the next table). They were going back to Bloemies on Easter Sunday, which probably meant they were looking for Easter eggs on their way home. - Photo: Gigi Lewis

LITFEST BREAKS RECORDS: This year’s Knysna Literary Festival, presented by Pam Golding Properties, was the most successful event to date, says founder Ling Dobson. ‘We had the highest attendances on record, with most events sold out before the date, and some selling out within hours of tickets going on sale.’ The festival opened with the Qhawe Children’s Theatre followed by the Young Writer’s Awards Ceremony and a poetry workshop for local schools with Finuala Dowling. Pictured here with Ling is Pete Goffe-Wood, who’s Look n Cook at Kilzers Kitchen was a sold-out event. Ling thanked fellow sponsors Sasfin and BASA (Business and Arts SA), the businesses and publishers that supported the event, and her Pam Golding Knysna team for volunteering every year to assist and ensure that the festival is a success.

Photo: Mark Dixon

Photo: Mark Dixon

People, places & events

Photo: Mark Dixon

TURKISH VISITORS AND SLOW FEST HOSTS: Standing from left are Tina Booysen and Nikki Jones (Slow Fest committee members), Amanda Dixon (Slow Fest owner and organiser), Ümran Bilim (Şanlıurfa Metropolitan Municipality chief supervisor), Georlene Wolmarans (Knysna mayor), Aysel Göncü (Haliliye Municipality vice president), Louise Hart (councellor Sedgefield), Nihat Özdal (Halfeti City council president, Slowfood Convivium leader), Greg Vogt (Knysna & Partners CEO) - seated from left are Tamer Özgül (Halfeti Slow Food cook), Burak Küçükyüce (Halfeti Slow Food instructor), Belinda Hobson (Knysna & Partners, Sedgefield office manager), and Alper Yellice (Food Technology teacher, Halfeti Slow Food member). See the article on page 6.

SLOW FEST SHOWCASED THE BEST SEDGEFIELD HAS TO OFFER: Sundays during the Sedgefield Slow Festival have become synonymous with two core beach activities, namely the Sand Sculpture Challenge, above, and the Easter Bunny Beach Egg Dash, below. Both events are conducted in aid of raising funds for the local Sedgefield Station 23 NSRI. At each Slow Festival, the Sedgefield crew of NSRI assists in outdoors events with incidents and marshaling assistance while remaining on high alert for any marine emergencies in the region. The beach activities started off with the varied themed Sand Sculpture Challenge, after which families arrived to eagerly await the arrival of the Easter Bunny. Exhausted from his international bounding across time zones, the Easter Bunny was graciously driven along the length and breadth of the beach distributing Easter eggs on the station 23 quad bike by the NSRI’s Warren Page, below. Eager egg collectors lined up in height categories before being set off at a sprint to recover as many eggs as possible. Funds for NSRI were raised through an entrance fee for the Sand Sculpture Challenge and donations for the Easter Egg Dash. This year both events managed to raise over R1,500 for the NSRI. All in all it would seem that the Festival - by Sedgefielders, for Sedgefielders (and visitors national and international, of course) - continues to grow from strength to strength and is something that the whole village community can be proud of. In the pic below at left, Mark Dixon hands R1,535 to NSRI from funds raised on the Sand Sculpture Challenge and Beach Fling events.

In the pic at left, every one of the 19 contestants in the Pili Pili SUP challenge completed the race - some for the first time ever on a Stand Up Paddle board - all with big smiles and high fives. Here’s to Slow Festival 2017, see you there!

Photos: Amanda Dixon

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CXPRESS

6 April 2016

CLASSIFIEDS

ON THE SOAPBOX

6 April 2016

Letters to the Editor

CXPRESS

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

Central business district of Plettenberg Bay a right mess

A most peculiar traffic fine… but beware!

The Knysna Traffic Department served me with a notice saying I had been caught on one of their speed monitoring cameras on the N2 between Assegaai Road and Plover Street at the Kruisfontein turn off, and my car (CX3448) was doing 83kph.

This is very surprising as my car, a 2000 Peugeot 406 with that registration number, is standing at my other home in Sandton and has not been in Plettenberg Bay or Knysna since 2000.

I have another car at my house in Plettenberg Bay, which has a postal address.

The photo on the notice shows a car with a roof carrier – none of my cars have roof carriers. The photo also does not show any reg-

istration number.

The department then took a lucky dip - which backfired on them - and picked one out of three cars that never goes to Plett.

Why they sent the notice to my Sandton address and not to my Plett address, I don’t know.

I believe this could be a way of collecting small fines by attaching incorrect registration numbers and false photos and sending out false claims to unsuspecting people.

This letter could be used to warn Plettenberg Bay people of this often used camera box to trap you as you approach Knysna.

PS: I have sent the Traffic Department a similar letter.

CT Fenton, Sandton

On your selfish attitudes...

As I wander in town, having coffee, I increasingly hear the refrain: when are all the swallows and tourists going to leave so that we can go back to the peace and quiet of Plett?

I find this an incredibly selfish attitude. Are they concerned about the restaurants and businesses that rely on these visitors to survive?

Do they care about the fiscal drought that these businesses go through for six months of the year?

Do they care for those people who lose the income for being laid off during this period?

While not wishing Plettenberg Bay to become like Hermanus, the

more we can attract visitors for a longer period, the better off Plett becomes in every way.

And the longer they stay, the better.

On that subject, I would like to congratulate the Plett Tourist Association for the incredible job they have done (for very little money) in putting Plett back as a tourist destination.

I hope they will be allowed to continue their fantastic input into making Plett the vibrant town it should be.

Sadly, success produces envy, and envy produces predators - and I hope the rumours I hear are not true…

Paul Deans, Plett

A footnote further to Peter Bishop’s Grand Reserve tale After the Food & Wine page in last week’s CXPRESS was finalised, our esteemed wine guru, Peter Bishop, penned this update on recent events at Delheim (read the story on page 12 of the March 30 edition at www.cxpress.co.za)

RUBBLE ROUSED: Builder’s rubble and rubbish in flower pots are some of the factors contributing to a neglected Plettenberg Bay main drag

These photographs were taken in Kloof Street and Main Street in the central business district of Plettenberg Bay, and show how in recent months the main thoroughfare of the town has become littered with builder’s rubble, heaps of spoil overgrown with weeds, cigarette ends, detritus, plastic and a miscellany of waste, such that the town centre now has a shabby, untidy and

neglected appearance, that leaves a great deal to be desired.

An earnest entreaty is made to Bitou Municipality to please take an interest and become actively involved in the upkeep, cleanliness and proper maintenance of the centre of Plettenberg Bay so that the town can present itself in a smart and tidy fashion to the world.

TR Twidle, Plett

The cruel fires of February destroyed 90% of the pine forests above the Driesprong farm of Delheim. This was one of the biggest private pine plantations in the country.

Spatz Sperling had planted the forest nearly 50 years ago, only to have the fire of 2002 decimate it. He valiantly replanted in the interests of the next generation.

His son, Victor, in the same spirit decided not to replant but, within two months, has created a 32km cycle route. Cyclists can apply to Delheim for a permit.

It’s great that the vision lives on, even though Spatz is confined to a wheelchair after a fall. Those hills are alive - even more so when the recent Cape Epic went through Delheim.

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Farewell from Lou The time has come to say farewell to Knysna and surrounding areas.

It has been an immense privilege to have spent almost 11 years in this exciting town, working for a wonderful organisation and meeting so many amazing people.

The years had several challenges - some serious, others less so, some work related, and others private.

However, looking back, the positive experiences by far outweigh the negative.

To all those who supported me over these years and helped me to do the best I could at FAMSA Knysna, my sincerest appreciation.

To all the medical practitioners who took care of Albert and me, with so much efficiency and care thank you so much.

To all the wonderful people we met while staying in Belvidere, Hillcrest and Newton Street - thank you for your kindness and friendship.

To all the people of Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, Sedgefield and surrounding areas who we had contact with - you have left a lasting warmth in our hearts.

We wish you well and may you all be blessed.

With love, Albert & Lou van der Merwe, Knysna

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CXPRESS

SPORT & ADVENTURE

6 April 2016

Pennypinchers adventure weekend a huge success

Mayoral Easter Sport Tournament winners WENTY-SIX football teams, nine netball teams, and six rugby teams participated in the Mayoral Easter Sport Tournament that started on Friday March 25 and ended with the finals on Sunday March 27 at the New Horizons sportfield in Plettenberg Bay. Mayor Memory Booysen officiated at the prizegiving ceremony on Sunday and handed over the medals and trophies to all the winners for the three sporting codes, along with cash prizes.

The winners are the followings: Soccer • Winner: Plett Saints FC • Runner up: Young Pirates FC • Semi-finalist: Black Stars FC • Semifinalist: Oriented Birds.

Netball • Winner: Dolphins Netball Club • Runner up: Kwano Netball • Third Place: Early Birds Netball Club.

Rugby • Winner: Jaguars Rugby Club • Runner up: Bitou Rugby Club • Semi-finalist: Plett United Rugby Club • Semi-finalist: Cape Arrows Rugby Club.

None of the teams left empty handed, as every participating team was awarded with a nominal cash prize for having entered the tournament.

The success of the May-

T

The Pennypinchers Adventure Easter Weekend was once again a roaring success with athletes young and old, novice and professional all taking part in a series of trail runs, mountain bike rides, and surf ski paddling. The big winners being local conservation organisations and charities with about R12,500 being donated and put back into local communities over the weekend (this excludes the R16,000 from The Nature Sport Golf Day which was donated to the Adopt a Swimmer Programme) Visit www. muddyfoot.co.za for full results.

Photos: Glenn Murray Photography

Paws

Plett Animal Welfare Service

oral Easter Sport Tournament again confirms the important role sport can play in building social cohesion and in particular in addressing various social ills of crime, drugs, and gangsterism; through getting especially young people involved in sport.

A festive spirit prevailed throughout the weekend amongst both spectators and the participating sport clubs - even amidst the stiff competition as teams tried their best to walk away with the laurels.

The presence of soccer stars from Sundowns and Supersport, along with talent scouts for all the disciplines, has proven to be among the highlights of the tournament.

Officials from the SWD region refereed and officiated for the duration of the tournament.

Mayor Booysen has expressed his appreciation with a well-planned event that has exceeded all expectations.

He thanks the organising team comprising support officials in the mayoral office, the sport development officer in the Department: Community Services, as well as the members and executive committee of the Bitou Sport Council, for commitment, dedication and hard work, in delivering an excellent sport tournament.