6 June 2018

6 June 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

One year later

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The fires that swept through CX Country in June 2017 are being commemorated in Knysna and Plett and elsewhere on the Route where loss was suffered and lives are being rebuilt. Turn to page 3 and 4 to find out more.

CXPRESS celebrates 20 years Photo: Louisa Shneor

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Qolweni fire claims life, homes p3

Rogue dogs slaughter ‘pet’ flock p11

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CXPRESS

6 June 2018

Est. 1 June 1998

CXPRESS turns 20!

Last week CXPRESS celebrated its 20th year of sharing news, views, and a whole lot inbetween with readers along the Garden Route. The team wishes to give special thanks to the loyal advertisers and contributors who have made it all possible.

Herewith a few of our favourite covers published over the past 10 years... and counting!

082 251 8134

NEWS & VIEWS

NEWS & VIEWS

6 June 2018

CXPRESS

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Fires resulted in our towns being ‘plugged into network’ A year after the devastating Garden Route fires, the resident community has truly risen from the ashes - YOLANDÉ STANDER reports N Plett, one does not have to look far for the signs of revival, especially if you see the development among volunteer groups who have vowed to serve their community in any emergency.

“Certainly any anniversary is an occasion to reflect on the year past. This, being the first since the fires, we cannot in fairness compare it to any other 12-month period,” said Steve Ritky of the Plett South Fire Management Unit and chair of Bitou’s Associated FMUs. “One would hope that every person and organisation which could possibly learn and adapt will have done so, but hopefully we would be forgiven for being exceptionally proud in comparing this year to any other.”

FMU volunteers played a crucial role when the fires engulfed the area on June 7,

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seeing about 1,000 residents fleeing their homes and destroying about 30 homes in Plett. It claimed one firefighter’s life and another sustained serious injuries.

Following the fires, Plett FMUs set out to make big changes in order to better serve their communities.

Among these changes was setting up a non-profit company to ensure funding for their operations and setting up more units to deal with formerly neglected areas.

They also expanded their communications system by enlarging their radio network and made work of obtaining the necessary protective clothing for volunteer firefighters who previously had to make do with the bare minimum.

Thanks to funds raised, they also invested in necessary equipment and were

blessed by a major donation of protective clothing and further equipment from Switzerland.

Major headway had also been made in ensuring key training for volunteers to enable them to deal with emergency wildfire situations more effectively and safely.

“At the memorial service for our fallen brother Brad [Richards], I shot my mouth off about a legacy to him. It was a promise made by his crew at Plett South.

Among his brothers that are still active, this has been a major drive.

“It’s not done yet, but we have the basics of a model, with volunteers working under and alongside their fire department, equipped, trained and financed, which can be duplicated in any town across the country,” said Ritky.

Sunday’s Qolweni shack fire kills one, leaves 30 families destitute

On Sunday night June 3, Qolweni township in Plettenberg Bay suffered an immense blow when 18 shacks were raised to the ground in a fire that took the life of a 60-year-old man, who cannot be named until his next of kin have been informed. The man was caught by the flames and tragically died on the scene. By going to press, the cause of the fire was not established but it was estimated that 30 families had been affected. Bitou Municipality is cleaning the site and calls for assistance to help the bereft residents with clothes, blankets and any other goods. Donations can be dropped off at The Market on Main Street or at Muddy Pooches in Plett Industria, or call Gerrie van der Walt on 079 264 4349 if you can assist in any way. - Khaya Mbesi

Plett resident Sally Turner, who along with several other residents was instrumental in relief and support efforts, said if there was one thing the fires had shown it was that the people of Plett could work together.

This cooperation was so

effective that other towns have knocked on Plett’s door for advice.

Turner explained that when the fires broke out a support network was immediately established. Residents with different skill sets came together to assist in anything

from organising relief and logistics to medical assistance and counselling.

This network is still active and is able to respond to any emergency in Plett. “When Plett Rage came to town after the fires, volunteers were To Page 4

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NEWS & VIEWS

6 June 2018

New budget brings good tidings for Bitou’s poorest

Bitou’s 2018/19 budget was successfully passed and agreed to by all political parties with no opposition, even after continued political instability over the past few months - YOLANDÉ STANDER reports UDGET 2018/10 holds good news for the poor, as Bitou Municipality will spend about R35.8-million to subsidise around 4,600 indigent households.

ANC chief whip in Bitou Phakie Mbali said the basic water charge of R336.37

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would be charged after 25kL of water usage - in line with the municipality’s drought policy.

“We are also happy that indigent people will not be charged the basic charges, but rather per litre used after their free 6kL alloca-

tions,” Mbali said.

He added that Bitou would be introducing what has been dubbed Ama50/50 Discount to assist those who owe the municipality and cannot pay. (If you owe Bitou R1,000 and cannot pay in full, the municipal-

Knysna fires commemorated tomorrow year later after the devastating fires, Knysna Municipality will reflect on this tragedy by hosting a sculpture unveiling and commemoration ceremony on Thursday June 7, while also supporting the Garden Route Environmental Restoration Seminar, taking place in Brenton on Sea today and tomorrow.

Knysna mayor Eleanore Bouw-Spies will unveil a sculpture in front of the Knysna municipal Finance building in Queen Street.

She said: “The ceremony will be an elegant, simple and stately unveiling and commemoration aimed

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at honouring and paying tribute to those who lost their lives, homes and possessions, and all those who offered their assistance during and after the devastating fires that raged through Greater Knysna.

“I am delighted to announce that the sculpture is a local design generously supplied through the collaboration of Rodney Nel Management Services, Mosaic Village and Outdoor Market, and Glass Roots.

“This unique piece depicts the fires of 2017 and the rebuilding of Knysna. It is not just a statue, but the essence of perseverance, hope, alle-

giance and commitment. I encourage all residents to attend this ceremony in commemoration of what our town has gone through.”

The short programme scheduled to kick off at 3pm tomorrow will include a parade, SA national anthem sung by Shaza Greeff, unveiling, and closure song.

The Garden Route Environmental Restoration Seminar’s purpose is to revisit the devastation caused by the fires, reflect on the actions taken to address environmental restoration, and consider the challenges for avoiding such environmental tragedies in future.

Converge on Central Beach for fire commemoration ERRIE van der Walt - who has been instrumental in rallying volunteers during the fires and coordinating assistance drives ever since - has initiated a gathering on Plett’s Central Beach on June 7 at 4pm.

“Bring a candle to light and let’s remember Bradley Richards who lost his life for us. I am going to say thanks to each and every one who sacrificed so much,” he says.

Contact him on 079 264 4349 or gerrie70@gmail.com for additional information.

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ity will give you a 50% discount when you pay half, i.e. R500, in one payment.)

“On property rates we welcome the rebate for residential properties with values of up to R350,000. We also welcome the fact that through this budget the municipality may award 100% rebates on the assessment rates of rateable properties of certain classes such as welfare organisations performing charitable work.”

He said councillors understood the challenges of

the economy of the country and of the world. “The municipality is not immune to those challenges. It is on this fact that we welcome the policy changes to assist consumers who are unable to settle their outstanding debt in full, particularly those who earn between R3,500 and R10,000.”

Mbali added that the unemployment rate in Bitou was about 33.3%. “It is believed that it would therefore take the poor between 10 and 28 months to settle

their debt. The ANC/AUF government has called for a full report of the indigent debt and bad debt to be submitted to council for debate and possible write off.”

Bitou however called on all residents to continue paying their debt to enable continued service delivery.

“Currently the municipality takes 55 days to receive cash from its consumers which impacts on the payment of creditors who by the prescribed norm should be paid within 30 days.”

Our towns being ‘plugged into network’ From Page 3 ready to assist in providing support and worked like a well-oiled machine. The festival was incident-free.”

The team has also taken on a proactive role and has identified some of the town’s vulnerabilities, from fire to flood risks. These vulnerabilities have since been addressed and include the establishment of action plans should disaster strike.

Another role-player Marius Venter explained that following the fires authorities from Plettenberg Bay and other Garden Route towns have “plugged into the network”.

“For instance, if there is a crime in George, authori-

ties distribute the necessary information to the network and everyone lends a helping hand, whether spreading the word to be on the lookout for a suspicious vehicle or details about a suspect. This has proven successful in many instances,” Venter said.

This network of individuals also shone when it came to relief efforts. A central relief centre was set up and managed with precision, to such an extent that not only local victims were assisted, but also neighbouring towns in need. What was left was distributed among those in need, beyond the fires, in Bitou.

To continue assisting fire victims Venter, Turner and

Neville Peterson set up the Plett Fire Fund - a nonprofit organisation, audited to ensure transparency and have since raised about R600,000.

Some of these funds have been used to rebuild homes in Kranshoek where several residents lost not only their homes but all they owned.

Just short of a year later, on May 30, a further amount of about R300,000 was paid out to the organisation from the Bitou mayoral disaster fund.

The first home will be handed over to an affected family on Thursday June 7, the one-year anniversary of the fires.

Garden Route Media

We’re not victims but uplifted survivors LOUISA SHNEOR along with hubby Erez, below, shared these images and impressions to commemorate a year since the fire hit their farm

The unexpected. An orange inferno. Rubble. A lifetime’s accumulation in ashes. Looters. Help campaigns set up. Generosity. Awkwardness. Anonymous donors. Edgars Relief Centre.

Someone else’s shoes! Dogs with lung infections. Chainsaw crews on what’s left of our farm.

Positive messages scribbled in soot. Church group soup kitchens. Support of every description from the Plett community. Neighbourhood devastation. Swopping of stories and tools. Temporary accommodation and readjustment. Homelessness. Fire hero’s funeral. Heartache for loss of life.

Friends become industrial cleaners. Marshmallow rain tanks replaced. Priorities. Arguments.

Insomnia. Midnight longings for wedding and childhood photo albums. Relentless volunteers collect and distribute. Fynbos slowly rejuvenates. Controlled burns on Airport Road. Hopes for municipal financial assistance. Patience. Vulnerability. Insects reappear after a strangely snakefree summer. Gratitude gatherings. Sincerity and support. Appreciation. Rebuild. Overwhelmed. A better awareness of indigenous for us all. Nostalgia for sentimental items as we learn acceptance.

Breathe deep. Seasons pass. Challenges. Renewal. We thanks each and every Plett local who contributed in so many ways. We are not feeling like victims but uplifted fire survivors.

NEWS & VIEWS

6 June 2018

Let’s rid Thursdays of the scourge gets thrown away with no of single-use plastic further use, A local retailer UE Swain, executive director of BioWise, said the Waste Nothing Knysna programme is introducing a Pledge Day once a week on Thursdays to encourage residents to go single-use plastic free.

“The buck stops with users. More than 40% of plastic items are used just once, then tossed. Ultimately it is the user that has the final say - if enough of us refuse to use them, there will not be a market for single-use items and they will not be as readily available.

“So join us and starting with one day a week, say no to single-use plastic items.

These include, to name only a few culprits, plastic bags, plastic water and cold drink bottles, straws, take-

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away coffee cups and food containers (you can bring your own in both cases) and glad wrap - anything plastic that you use once, and then throw away.”

According to National Geographic, beyond what we’ve incinerated or recycled, a staggering 5.5-billion tons of plastic remain, taking centuries or more to break down.

“As they have aptly coined: ‘We made it, we depend on it, and now we’re drowning in it’,” said Swain, adding that it takes but one look at all the additional packaging of products, especially fresh produce at our local supermarkets.

“A trillion plastic bags are used worldwide every year.

You pay for it - up to 50c per bag - and often it just

ECOOTTOMAN: Three guesses what recycled materials were used to prop up this awesome ottoman?

Turn to page 9 to find out more, and visit WasteNothingKnysna on Facebook for more information on a schools competition currently on the go, and other bottle-brick challenges.

said although they provide boxes for people to pack their purchases in, they still sell a staggering 13,000 bags a month. Surely we can do better than that, Knysna!”

A waste hierarchy has been drawn up for people who want to start the journey to becoming free of single-use plastic.

“The first step is to refuse what you don’t need. Take your own bags. Ask yourself if you really need the additional plastic bags to put your fresh produce in.

Do I really need a straw?”

Swain said for the initiative to be a success, alternatives must be made available.

“We are working on a database of suppliers specifically in the greater Knysna area with alternative products for single use plastics.

“All local suppliers are urged to email BioWise to ensure your details are handy. These along with enquiries and suggestions can be sent to sue@biowise.org. za and visit WasteNothing Knysna on Facebook for more information.

“And please share what you are doing on Thursdays, we would love to receive feedback on what works for you,” concluded Swain.

Waste Nothing Knysna is a BioWise initiative sponsored by the National Lotteries Commission.

Plett ARTS Festival: June 25 to July 9

How woke are you? - Part I HE expression “stay woke” originates from African-American vernacular English. It was popularised in 2014 by the Black Lives Matter movement to promote awareness about racial and social injustice in America, but has since entered the lexicon as an expression that encompasses many different social issues, from labour to health to LGBT rights.

Simphiwe Dana is woke because most if not all her songs touch on social issues that affect ordinary people in modern South Africa.

Students that started the Fees Must Fall campaign are also woke, for they highlighted the hypocrisy of a system that not only commodified education, but also sought to treat unequal people equal.

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Rhodes Must Fall went even further by seeking to deconstruct the social makeup of a South Africa that still resembles its colonial past - for this reason, these students are woke.

The Plett ARTS Festival 2018 is promising to do just that by demonstrating social consciousness.

When seeing the line-up of this year’s Plett ARTS Fest one has to wonder: Just how woke are we?

Take Wezile Mgibe for instance, a visual artist from Port Elizabeth who will perform at this year’s Plett ARTS Fest. He’s all about live and visual art; “performance that interrogates notions of being oneself in a world constantly trying to make you someone else,” he says.

He addresses identity poli-

tics and affirming yourself whether as an artist or on being black, being a woman, or simply being queer in our rather intolerable society.

If you’ve seen Wezile’s work in Port Elizabeth before, you’ll know he invites us to have a dialogue about thought-provoking issues that relates to the politics of the self and calling us to have the courage to break away from barriers imposed on each of us, be it by the church, family, or society at large.

The 2018 Plett ARTS Festival is scheduled for June 25 to July 9 and tickets are available through Plett Tourism’s website and Quicket.

Visit www.pletttourism. com for more information and turn to page 9 for this week’s competition question and winner announcement.

CXPRESS

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CXPRESS

NEWS & VIEWS

6 June 2018

High-end blues on tap at Barnyard

PLAY IT, SON! High End Blues Band boasts seasoned musos and vocalist Beshara Ornellas, right

LETT’S Village Ecopreschool is delighted to host the widely-acclaimed High End Blues Band as main act for their 2018 Music Fundraiser on June 15, with singer, songwriter, composer and multi-instrumentalist Quinton Song as opening artist.

High End Blues comprise musicians seasoned specifically in the blues genre. Their sound has a distinctly Americana feel and the easy listening nature of their music is enhanced by the unusual range of instruments played.

They appeal to a musically-mature listening audience and pride themselves on innovative and complex instrumental fusion that gives them their unique tone and feel.

High End Blues vocalist Beshara Ornellas is a wellknown singer in Cape Town and the daughter of Dave Ornellas of Hawk fame the same band that featured Julian Laxton as lead guitarist in the late 1970s.

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Jazz Workshop guitar teacher James Kibby has played with Basil ‘Mannenberg’ Coetzee as well as Josh Hawks. Among his students count Riaan Smit of Crimson House and Gerald Clark.

Well-known South African blues guitarist Mark Buchanan played lead guitar for big names like Just Jinger, the Johnny Fourie Band, Max Normal and Closet Snare, as well as international singing celeb Nelly Furtado.

High End Blues perform regularly at Cape Town’s prestigious Barley Corn Club and Mark was introduced to Nelly by Barley Corn board member Pete van Heerden as “South Africa’s best blues guitarist”.

Ian Buchanan is a solid bass guitarist and has played with Mark in his various bands over the years, as has drummer Mark McDonald, whose association with Mark spans two decades.

Lance Allam started his

musical performing career with Bluegrass band Blacksmith, playing the fiddle and mandolin. In High End, he plays a blues-style violin and mandolin, as well as the harp and guitar when the mood takes him. He has performed with Blacksmith at the Knysna Celtic Festival on many occasions.

Rhythm and funk master James Kibby brings this element into the mix, perfectly complementing Mark’s jazzinfused blues and Lance’s Bluegrass background. The band has recently released their debut album entitled Live at Milestone.

This tight outfit of experienced musicians will knock your socks off and leave you gob-smacked when taking to the Plett Barnyard stage on June 15 from 6:30pm.

Be sure to get there early to secure great seats ‘coz this is gonna be a corker! Tickets at R140 are available at Peppermill Café, Ice Palazzo and Village Bookshop - call 079 505 6332 for details.

OPENING ACT: Combining an array of instruments from around the globe, Quinton Song, left, will take you on a mind-blowing and heart-opening journey of sound and musical expression. Having mastered the guitar and ukulele, he also plays exotics like the digeridoo and wind instruments including the flute, fujara, lekolilo, dudok, pennywhistle, kaval, and bansuri to create a world music experience filled with conscious and uplifting lyrics, creating each song in the moment. His music tours have taken him throughout South Africa, Ireland, India and Turkey.

Notice Board • Plett Surf Lifesaving Club holds its AGM on June 7 at 5:30pm at the Central Beach clubhouse.

All committee members are willing to stay on and are available for nomination again, with the excep-

tion of Nipper officer Chris Fermor and head coach Ettiene van Rensburg.

Email plettsurfclub@ gmail.com for nomination or proxy forms, or call Shameera on 083 304 5087 for further details.

• Cups and mugs now WANTED! If you have odd teacups, with or without saucers, and mugs without mates that may benefit Plett’s Differently-abled Awareness Campaign, call Rita on 082 560 2606.

BUSINESS

6 June 2018

Property in Plett is chalking up record performances STEVEN NEUFELD penned this overview of the Plett property market’s current state OTHEBY’S International Realty Plettenberg Bay has recorded an increase of 60% for the first quarter of 2018; 2017 was also a record year for the property market as a whole in the upmarket coastal resort town.

Total sales value was the highest ever documented, breaking the R1-billion mark for the second time in history, while total average prices were also the highest recorded to date at R2.3-million, though the number of sales were down by 14% from 2016.

Says Sotheby’s International Realty Plett broker principal Hein Pretorius: “Last year fared better than our initial predictions, and 2018 is greatly exceeding expectations so far. If it continues like this, we’re in for another record year.

“There is an optimistic mood in the market, driven partly by the continuing semigration trend and also due to the fact that Plett is still substantially cheaper than Cape Town.

“The building industry is doing well, with many renovations underway and lots of new homes being built. Demand continues to increase for gated estates and for vacant land in general.”

Entry level prices have increased substantially, with apartments at R800,000 and vacant land starting around R275,000.

The entry level for houses is around R1.8-million, though there are cheaper options in areas surrounding Plett. It is becoming increasingly difficult to find houses below R2-million.

The highest price achieved in residential

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sales in 2017 was shared by two Robberg beachfront properties that sold for R36-million each, one in Beachy Head Drive and one in Robberg Beach End estate at the end of Robberg Beach abutting the nature reserve.

Over the past few years, there has been a number of sales on Beachy Head close to and over R30million where houses were demolished to make way for new homes. So a new level for beachfront property has been established, entrenching Plett as one of the highest value property markets in Africa.

For apartments, De Meermin took the highest prices in both 2017 (R6.8million) and 2016 (R10.5million). The historical residential property record price of R50-million for a luxury coastal estate remains unchanged and has been held since 2006

by Hein Pretorius.

Areas surrounding Plett did not fare as well, remaining fairly flat in 2017.

In Wittedrift, five properties transferred in 2017 for an average of R658,000, including three houses at R800,000. Seven have transferred in 2018 so far at an average of R689,000.

In Keurbooms proper (main village), 11 properties transferred in 2017 for an average of R5.55million, four of which were vacant. Nature’s Valley saw averages of R4.4-million in 2017 with 11 registered properties.

According to the 2018 AfrAsia South Africa Wealth Report produced

by New World Wealth, Plettenberg Bay is the third-top location in the country for R20-mil-

lion+ homes, after Gauteng and Cape Town.

Outside of Cape Town, Beachy Head Drive is the most expensive road with land costing about R43,000/m2. The report went on to predict that Keurbooms and Nature’s Valley will be the next hotspots for homes over R20-million.

Interestingly, it also mentions that South Africa is second only to the USA for the highest number of residential estates in one country. In Plett, demand for property in gated estates has continued to increase over the past years.

Pretorius says: “I am very encouraged by the numbers for 2017 and 2018. Demand and supply are well balanced now, so all things being equal, the market is in a very healthy state and showing double-digit growth.

“There are not many places like Plett on the planet and when comparing prices to similar destinations in SA and the world, we still offer a major value proposition for buyers. There are some exciting developments like Plett Quarter, currently being marketed on behalf of Edge Properties, which offers a great investment opportunity.

“With 50% of the 39 units sold already this mixed-use lifestyle building on the seaside of Plett Main Street, with shops and restaurants onto the main street, a reception area for guest arrivals, and a communal pool on the top floor for residents, is set to be Plett’s next hot property. Apartments range from R2.2million to R8.9-million.

“The Quartet retirement estate offers retirees fabulous lifestyle options for the later years in life.

Beautiful two-bedroom free standing units or various sized hotel suites are available and fully serviced in stunning gardens with a full hotel offering in terms of dining, entertainment, and housekeeping.

“High care is available on site, making this one of the best final-stop spots in the region. I take my hat off to Three Cities hotel group founder Russell Stevens and his hotelier partners for developing this fantastic product.

I’m now looking forward to turning 60!”

The figures above were taken from deeds information on May 22. Sales are listed by date of sale, not transfer date, to provide a more accurate depiction. Rural property, sales below R100.000, known non-arm’s length transactions and duplications (e.g. when a developer buys numerous properties for a single price and each is listed at the full price, only the single figure is taken) are not included in the figures.

A number of sales are still in the registration process, so the picture will change in future, especially for the last year.

• This report was compiled by Steven Neufeld, manager principal of Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty Plett and Professional Valuer and Court Appointed Appraiser for SA Property Valuations. Contact him on 072 417 7731 or at steve.sir@plettenbergbay. com and see the advert on page 1 for listings.

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INTERVAL

6 June 2018

Loopy se chemiese oorlogvoering N die vroeë 1990s word ek vroeg een oggend wakker geklop deur een van my veewagters. Hy hou versigtig sy toegevoude bos hoed na my toe uit.

Toe ek die hoed oopmaak is daar ‘n baba muishondjie binne in.

So het ons avonture met Loopy begin. Sy was te dierbaar. Sy het as een van die gesin groot geword. ‘n Vriendelike, speelerige ou dingetjie. Die boerboel, Bruno, en die worshond, Chappies, was haar grootste maats.

Alhoewel baie mense my gewaarsku het oor die muishond se bekendste wapen, het ek oudergewoonte my agterwêreld aan hulle afgevee.

Loopy het nooit van haar chemiese arsenaal gebruik gemaak nie. Trouens, ek het gedink dat sy al vergeet het dat sy oor so iets beskik het. ‘n Goeie vriend van my, Dirk, het een Saterdagmiddag kom kuier. Dirk se grootste liefde was Red Heart Rum, gevolg deur vuurwapens.

Hy het ‘n ou haelgeweer, van die tipe wat nog hane gehad het, saamgebring.

Ons het op die geelhout riempiesbank op die stoep gesit. Loopy het oudergewoonte op haar kussing bo op die bank rustig gelê en slaap.

Dirk wou die haelgeweer uittoets met AAA patrone. Ek het hom gekeer en vir hom twee haelpatrone gegee waarvan die haelkorrels verwyder was.

Hy het die geweer gelaai, die hane teruggetrek en die sneller gedruk. Absoluut niks het gebeur nie.

Hy het dit drie of vier keer gedoen en die geweer wou nog steeds nie afgaan nie.

Ek het toe die huis ingegaan om vir ons vloeibare verversings te kry.

Terwyl ek weg was het Dirk weer die haelgeweer gelaai, die keer met die bokhael patrone. Ons het rustig gesels toe Dirk weer die haelgeweer optel, na die sinkdak mik en die sneller druk.

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Die resultaat: TOTALE CHAOS. Die feit dat hy die sinkdak moer toe geskiet het was die minste van ons probleme.

Dinge het daarna teen ligspoed gebeur. Loopy het met ‘n weersinswekkende kreet opgestyg, soos ‘n tol in die rondte gedraai en haar chemiese wapen in die oortreffende trap in werking gestel.

Mense, dit was verskriklik. Toe die eerste sarsie my tref, het ek onwillekeurig oor die stoepmuur geduik en die grond snoet eerste getref.

Bruno, die boerboel, het opgespring en tjankend teen die stoepmuur vasgehardloop. Hy het terselftertyd ‘n reuse aanval van jippoguts gekry.

Chappies, die worshond, het ‘n perfekte pirouette uitgevoer, gevolg deur ‘n agteroor bollemakiesie wat hom ‘n goue medalje op enige Olimpiese spele sou laat wen het.

Dirk het geskok opgespring, gegly op Bruno se poef, en die sementvloer met ‘n dowwe slag getref. Hy het toe blitsvinnig die trappe afgeseil.

Dirk, ek en die twee honde het in ‘n toestand van totale, absolute skok op die grasperk gestaan en probeer hergroepeer.

Mense, die persoon wat daardie stank op papier kan bewoord is nog nie gebore nie. Dit was onbeskryfbaar. Dit het geruik asof elke sweetgaatjie wat jy het in ‘n dooie rot verander het.

Ons het bewend van skok en ongeloof op die grasperk gestaan. Trane van verontwaardiging en selfbejammering het oor ons wange gerol.

Die honde het so gebewe en geruk dat ek enige

oomblik verwag het hul gaan beswyk. Hulle was te bang om genoeg asem te skep om te tjank.

My vrou het die deur oopgeruk en dadelik weer toegeslaan. Sy het twee oorpakke en ‘n blok seep deur die ruit in ons rigting geslinger en ons duidelik in kennis gestel dat ons nie die huis sou betree alvorens ons die stank afgewas het nie.

Op daardie stadium het Loopy, met haar kenmerkend oulike draffie, die trappe afgekom om te kom kyk waaroor die bohaai gaan.

Die honde het, vreesbevange en tjankend, stert tussen die bene, koers gekies skaapkraal toe. Dit was die eerste keer in my lewe dat ek gesien het dat ‘n boerboel net so vinnig, indien nie vinniger, as ‘n windhond kan beweeg.

Ek en Dirk het met ‘n spoed die ou akkerboom bestyg.

Loopy het gelukkig omgedraai en haar middagslapie op die bank gaan hervat.

Ons het toe, redelik haastig, na die sinkdam toe beweeg om die stank af te was. Dit was winter in Standerton. Die water was net-net bo vriesspunt.

Dit het ons geensins gepla nie. Ons het ingeduik en dadelik begin was.

Dit het nie baie gehelp nie. Ek dink dat ‘n rioolplaas soos Old Spice deo-

dorant in vergelyking met ons sou geruik het.

Die honde, wat redelik skrikkerig was vir water, het instinktief besef dat indien hulle wou oorleef, hulle ook sou moes bad.

Hulle het toe ook die dam-in gespring.

Nadat ons gewas en aangetrek het, wou ons die huis binnegaan. Die riller met wie ek op daardie stadium getroud was het volstrek geweier.

James, wat in die tuin gewerk het, het die klerasie wat ons ten tyde van die aanval aangehad het, op ‘n hoop gehark, met diesel deurweek en aan die brand gesteek.

Ons het toe maar besluit om in die skeerskuur te gaan slaap. Gewapen met ‘n sak stronke, ‘n swannie braaier, ‘n pak wors en ‘n bottel mampoer het ons onsself maar tuisgemaak in die stoor.

Dit was ‘n droewige en onvergeetlike nag. As die koue ons nie wakkergehou het nie was dit die stank of die honde se nagmerries oor die dag se gebeure.

Ons het vroeg die volgende oggend weer in die sinkdam gespring. Hierde keer het dit darem gehelp.

Loopy het, Goddank, tot haar afsterwe nooit weer haar chemiese wapentuig benut nie. Ek, Dirk en die honde het haar tot haar einde toe met nuwe respek - gekoppel aan doodse vrees - bejeën...

SOCIAL SCENE

6 June 2018

CXPRESS

People, places & events

WINNING WITH PLETT ARTS FEST: Plett Tourism and CXPRESS are offering five readers the chance of winning a set of Plett ARTS Festival Season Tickets (valued at R950 per ticket) as well as a couple of these incredibly cool Fidel-style festival caps, modelled above by Emily and Luck’z. They are available for sale at R100 from Plett Tourism’s office in Melville’s Corner. To win, simply answer the question: Which visual and performance artist from Port Elizabeth will feature during this year’s Plett ARTS Fest? Email your answer, name and contact details to esther@cxpress.co.za and watch this space in the editions leading up to festival kick-off on June 25 for winner announcements. Season tickets allow free access to a majority of events and activities owned by Plett Tourism (but excluding Plett Food Film Festival, which is presented by participating restaurants, and certain workshops, exhibitions and performances aligned to particular venues or artists).

The winner of our first set of tickets and caps is Tina van Reenen from Plett. Thanks for everyone else who entered - you’re welcome to try again this week and who knows, maybe this time your name gets drawn.

BOTTLE BRICK MAGIC: The ottoman pictured on page 5 was manufactured from bottle bricks, above, made by Knysna Primary students.Says Nicci Rousseau-Schmidt of Knysna’s Waste Nothing campaign: “So many people have asked what can be made from the bottle bricks, and this is just one of many truly original examples.”

Production of the piece was coordinated by the Waste Nothing team and physically made

by Southern Cape Master Upholsterers in Knysna. Pictured at top left, Ricardo Kleinbooi puts finishing touches to the ottoman. Visit WasteNothingKnysna on Facebook for more information.

MAKE FRIENDS IN HIGH PLACES: Overlooking the highway from its vantage point in Kwano’s U Save Centre, the newlyopened N2 Lounge hosted friends and invited VIPs for a cocktail or three last weekend. Owner Shaun Phillips and his partner Melony Paulsen - pictured above at left with some of their friendly staff - were on hand to welcome an array of business and social connections, including Bitou Ward 4 councillor Anne Windvogel, Eden District mayor Memory Booysen, Knysna speaker Georlene Wolmarans with her husband Daniel, councillor Titi Gambu and Knysna municipal CFO Mbulelo Memani, as well as Andile Mbali and James Sijama of Bitou Municipality, and a crowd of family and friends. A jorl was had by all and Shaun invites locals to come and check out his new pet project. Dress code is smart casual and N2 Lounge is open seven days a week, from 2-11pm weekdays and ‘till 2am on Fridays and Saturdays. Pictured at left are Liesl and Allister Bailey, with Titi Gambu and Sybil Harker at far left, and Georlene with Daniel and friends at top left.

WATER SAFETY JAMBOREE: The recent Rural Ocean Splash on Central Beach and at Poortjies Lagoon, initiated by Swimming SA and Eden Aquatics and facilitated in Plett by Adopt A Swimmer, was a roaring success and got Bitou great national exposure with a broadcast of the two-day programme on SABC’s Morning Live Slot. Well done to Louise and Peter Auersperg of Adopt A Swimmer and everyone else involved.

Visit www.cxpress.co.za for the full story and more photos.

TAE-BO IN KWANO: The Western Cape Department of Health hosted a wellness programme at KwaNokuthula stadium two Saturdays ago in partnership with Athi and Masi Tae Bo Academy from Knysna. Some adult residents joined the fun session, but mostly it was the children who attended in their droves. This healthy collaborative exercise will be repeated in two months’ time, according to organisers. - Khaya Mbesi

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6 June 2018

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ON THE SOAPBOX

6 June 2018

Letters to the Editor

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

Senseless slaughter puts the spotlight on responsible rearing of vicious dogs

BUTCHERED: Big Boy, at centre, was part of the Pierce family, the rest of the flock like pets on their property - pictured at right is a younger Butternut being bottle-fed by Sebastian

This is the trouble with keeping vicious dogs you can’t look after or train properly…

During the early hours of Tuesday morning May 29, two black pit bull-type dogs breached our farm fence and got into our sheep camp. We kept 15-20 sheep as grass cutters and pets - some of them were hand-raised by our children, and they had names and defining characters.

In particular, this letter is in remembrance of a fantastic and charismatic sheep named Big Boy or Norman, as some of our tenants called him. Our old ram was 10 years old but still strong. Now he is gone. Rest in peace, Big Boy. The dogs killed 90% of our flock, causing inju-

ries that we’ve never witnessed before: some still alive but with their faces eaten away; in one case the animal’s entire back leg was devoured. The rest were dead or dying.

The response on our WhatsApp group from neighbours and other concerned people was unbelievable, but it was already too late. With the help of the response guys - Erez Shneor, Rob Windsor, and Vernon Leonie - Plett Animal Welfare Service and Law Enforcement, we managed to capture the dogs. They were removed by the PAWS members.

Vet Brendan Tindall and his assistant from Robberg Vet were wonderful, professional and very supportive, but unfortunately had to euthanize

the majority of the flock.

They also tried in vain to save an unborn lamb that had to be cut from its dying mother’s stomach.

The five sheep that survived the attack were sewn up and treated by Brendan and his assistant. They are in bad shape but we are hoping they will survive.

The destruction and carnage was horrific: so much damage and death caused by only two dogs - dogs which clearly belonged to someone.

We tried to consider how we could have better protected our sheep, but they were in an enclosed camp, after all. Yes, the boundary fence on the far end of our farm was destroyed by the fire last year, and should have been replaced by now.

But no thanks are due to Bitou Municipality and the fire fund people, whose promises to help us with fencing more than eight months ago have never materialised.

We are very sad but we hope this tragedy (even though they were ‘only sheep’) makes people think about containing, training, and being responsible with vicious dogs. Thank you to everyone who assisted us.

The Pearce Family, Plett (Our hearts go out to Anthony, Sarah, and the kids. Their farm is located behind Plett Airport and readers familiar with the area who may have information on the dogs’ owner/s are requested to contact Anthony on 082 202 8899. - Eds.)

In memory of sunny Celia Watson The Plett Primary Class of 1989 would like to send our deepest condolences to Celia Watson’s family at this time.

Celia recently lost her battle with cancer, but she will be remembered for her infectious smile through all our years together at Plett Primary.

She was a wonderful, loving mother to her three beautiful children and fought hard to stay here with them.

We send our love to all whose lives she touched. - Mandy McNicol, Rhian Berning, Melissa Reitz, Lauren Foote and the Class of 89 (Pictured with Celia, at right in the middle row, and the rest of the class is teacher Shirley Behrens, who is still a Plett Primary stalwart. Many readers will know Celia’s mom Jenny from her service over the years at The Health Shop in Main Street, and who also lost her home to the fire a year ago.

We extend our profound sympathy to Jenny and all Celia’s kin. - Eds.)

Dr Renier Greyling will indeed be missed by many Thank you very much to Jeanne van der Gaast of Plettenberg Bay for the tribute she paid to the late Dr Renier Greyling (read ‘Mourning an excellent surgeon and great man’ on page 19 of the March 28 edition at www. cxpress.co.za).

As Jeanne said, Dr Greyling - an orthopaedic surgeon at George Provincial Hospital un-

til his recent untimely passing - will indeed be missed by many.

He was a very special person and had a huge respect for others. Illustrative of this is an incident that occurred some years ago in the area where I live out in the bundu, and which very much impressed me.

Remote as the area is, in this particular case

Dr Greyling took the trouble of personally telephoning one of the local farm workers to enquire whether he, the farm worker, would like to proceed with a booked laminectomy operation.

Dr Greyling had previously advised that in this particular case the operation could possibly have a very uncertain and perhaps even distinctly unfa-

vourable outcome.

To Dr Greyling’s pronounced relief, the person he telephoned told him that he had decided to forego the scheduled laminectomy operation.

To this day, he has never regretted having followed Dr Greyling’s advice and manages to cope with his difficult leg and back condition.

Herbert Bovey, Avontuur

CXPRESS

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SPORT & ADVENTURE

6 June 2018

Knysna Rotary golf weekend draws over 200 players HE Rotary Club of Knysna last Sunday completed its 19th successful annual Charity Golf Weekend. A record number of players converged on CX Country from all corners of SA and played 18 holes on each of the three days at Simola, Pezula, Goose Valley, and Knysna Golf Club.

A number of golfers also played at Pinnacle Point in Mossel Bay on Thursday May 24 - a welcome and spectacular stop on their

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merry way from Cape Town to Knysna.

Despite some very welcome rain on Thursday evening and light drizzle the following Friday morning, superb weather prevailed and availed breath-taking views of Knysna and Plett from the respective vantage points of all four participating courses.

The golfers, who numbered 219 and played a total of 682 rounds, all participated in a variety of events,

joining in the social evenings after hard days’ play and thoroughly enjoying the Garden Route hospitality.

Knysna Rotary thanks all the golfers who attended from far and wide as well as the sponsors, who deserve special mention for helping to make the event such a resounding success.

All funds raised from the weekend will benefit the many different charities supported by the Rotary Club of Knysna.

RAINBOW AS BACKDROP: This beautiful shot was taken at Simola, with other participating courses including Pezula, Goose Valley in Plett, and Knysna Golf Club - Photo: Elle Redman

ADVERTORIAL

Boni brothers take on the world - again!

OR the third consecutive year both Aligi, 13, and Galliano, 8, Boni have been chosen to represent SA in a martial arts world championship. On June 10, they will depart our shores with five other karateka from the Plett Martial Arts Academy to compete in the WUKF Karate World Championships in Dundee, Scotland from June 14-17.

Galliano and Aiden Trahms will then travel on to Orlando in the USA to compete in the ISKA Sports Martial Arts World Champs on July 6 and 7.

Galliano has taken the world by storm, already having six world titles behind his name and a Grand Champion trophy won at the 2016 ISKA World Champs at the tender age of six, thus becoming not only the youngest-ever SA participant, but the firstever South African to win this coveted trophy.

He also boasts 20 SA titles spanning three different federations namely ISKA, WUKF, and WJKA. His determination and commit-

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ment is exemplary, training six days a week leading up to the world champs.

Aligi, who himself has a world championship title and seven SA titles, has been an inspiration for his younger brother. Aligi started martial arts by chance when it was suggested by his occupational therapist that he took up karate to assist with his ADD condition.

With the dedication and guidance of his sensei and with tremendous determination and commitment, he has overcome the many obstacles endemic to this condition. The transformation has been remarkable - and little did he realise that he ignited a desire in his younger brother to begin practising karate at the age of four.

“Galliano’s success to date has been outstanding.

Apart from his many world and SA titles he has won a whopping 124 medals in various local, regional, provincial, national and international tournaments, 110 of these being gold!” says dad Roberto Boni.

“It is thus mind-boggling

ROLE-MODEL NO MORE: Galliano with the late shihan Phil Anderson

that these two karateka, who have always held the name of Plettenberg Bay high wherever they have competed, were not even considered for last month’s Mayoral Sports Awards.”

The award were presented to students ‘who have excelled over the past year in their various sporting disciplines’.

“When Bitou Municipality was questioned as to why they were not recognised, since the majority of awardees had accomplished far less, they had no explanation. The officials responsible were definitely left with egg on their faces!”

Galliano and Aiden will accomplish the unique feat of participating in both the WUKF and ISKA World Champs within the space of just over two weeks. Both boys are even more motivated to perform at their best after the tragic loss of their mentor and role-model, shihan Phil Anderson, who passed away suddenly on May 20.

We wish all the Plett karateka the very best of luck.

READY FOR ACTION: Sensei Elrie Bosman with brothers Aligi, right, and Galliano Boni on Central Beach