6 May 2015
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
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Vroom to Knysna! Don’t miss the 2015 Knysna Motor Show this Saturday - turn to the back page for the full report
Devon’s life-saving stint - p2 Beware: Mothers now targeted - p3 Meet our cluster’s new top commander - p5
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CXPRESS
News & Views
6 May 2015
Proud mom the ‘last to hear’ of son’s nonchalant life-saving stint
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HE photographs on this page went viral last week as soon as Milly Adams from Knysna posted them on Facebook, after wit-
nessing a life being saved, sans fanfare whatsoever, in the waves at Buffalo Bay on Freedom Day. The brave rescuer? Grade
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8 Oakhill student Devon Dodd, 14 - a keen surfer, kite-boarder, and provincial hockey player - who was surfing the waves on April 27 when noticing that someone was in deep trouble. Raved Milly on social media: “Devon Dodd SAVED this man from being pulled further into sea on Monday! It appeared the man could not swim and panicked when a current started to pull him out. “Devon paddled out towards the man on his surfboard and threw out the leash but the man disappeared under the water. He then jumped off and pulled the man onto the board and took him to safety. I am very impressed at how calm you stayed, Devon - great job!” Tracking down proud mom Jacqui Dodd at the family’s beautiful farm on Karatara River outside Sedgefield, she chuckled: “I think I was the last to hear about it.” Dev didn’t think of mentioning anything to his parents, taking the incident in his happy go lucky stride. But when Milly sent her photos to his mom, Jacqui heard it from the horse’s mouth. “The man had disappeared under the surface, and when Dev reached him he had to dive down to try getting his head above water as soon as possible. Once breathing he clung to the board until they were out of danger and even when it was shallow enough to stand, he wouldn’t let go.” So Devon showed him that it was safe to release his grip; only then did he realise that his ordeal was over. And all the while Milly was snapping away to produce this series of pictures.
Hats off to you, Dev - your mom, dad Rick and sis Robyn all think you rock, as do your mates and the many net-
surfers who have been reading about your selfless deed. No one thought to ask the saved man’s name but, sir, if
perhaps you’re reading here, at least you’ll now know who that smiling knight on the white board was.
DEV ONE, RIP CURRENT ZIP: The pics from the top show Devon Dodd reaching the submerged man before hauling him up to hang onto his surfboard and showing him the way to salvation
SERVICE WITH A SMILE: Safe in shallow waters, Dev flashes his characteristic grin while relief washes over the unidentified near-drowning victim’s face Photos: Milly Adams 071 484 0375 / milly@adamstribe.org
Look for the special Mother’s Day adverts in this edition and spoil your mom this Sunday!
News & Views
6 May 2015
CXPRESS
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Mothers with toddlers the perfect target for Plett’s opportunistic pickpockets Several Plettenberg Bay residents have fallen victim to pickpockets over recent weeks prompting a warning from authorities to be vigilant - YOLANDÉ STANDER reports
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CCORDING to recent crime reports, three residents were targeted by pickpockets over the past week and several items were stolen, including a camera, a cellphone and money. Another resident was pickpocketed in April while shopping with her toddler. Otto Olivier from Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association (PBCPA) said he was aware of the recent spate in thefts, and added that the criminals were not professional pickpockets, but were capitalising on residents’ “slackness”. He said CCTV footage of the recent incidents revealed that the theft victims had either left their possessions unattended or had not been paying attention. “We see people leaving their expensive cameras in their trolleys and then walking away to look at prices of goods on the shelves. An opportunistic criminal would walk by and take the camera without any problem,” Olivier said. He added another problem was that residents failed to close their handbags while shopping. “We often see open bags and it doesn’t take much to grab something out of the bag without the owner knowing anything about it. We also see people placing expensive phones in their bags’ side pockets - pockets that don’t have zips. So criminals can easily grab it.” Olivier added that in some cases these opportunistic criminals targeted distracted shoppers for example a mother with a toddler. He said a criminal would
rarely walk up to his or her target, unzip a handbag, rummage through the bag, grab a wallet and disappear. “The risk of being detected is far too great.” Olivier said at restaurants patrons were also making it easy for criminals to steal. “They leave their phones on the table and their bags in reach of any passer-by. All the criminal has to do is walk by once to scope out the situation and then a second time to grab the items. “We don’t have professional pickpockets in Plett, but we are creating professionals through our behaviour. I think the biggest problem we have here is slackness, because we believe we live in a safe town. “Another is sticking to routine religiously, making it easy for criminals to know our every move. And thirdly, we have a false sense of security.” Pickpocket experts believe there are ways to keep your belongings safe and this includes not hanging one’s purse on a chair in a restaurant, but keeping it close and within view. For men it is also advised to place your wallet in the front pocket of your pants instead of the back pocket. Experts also warn to be wary of people trying to distract you and strangers approaching you or touching you for any reason. Another tip is not to carry expensive belongings with you to the shops if not necessary and never set any valuable items idly down, but rather keep these tucked away. Ictfgp"Tqwvg"Ogfkc
DON’T BE SLACK ABOUT PERSONAL SECURITY: Back pockets for wallets work in the favour of observant thieves, while valuables sticking out of ladies’ handbags present great opportunities for pickpockets - Photos: Ewald Stander
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CXPRESS
News & Views
6 May 2015
Bitou scoops two housing awards, first time round!
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ITOU Municipality entered two categories in the Govan Mbeki Housing Awards and, remarkable for a first-time entrant, walked
away with both prestigious trophies at the gala event on Friday April 24, hosted by Western Cape MEC for Human Settlements Bonginkosi
Madikizela in Cape Town. The awards programme acknowledges outstanding performance in both service delivery and financial ac-
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countability, said Madikizela, and was only possible through the contributions and efforts of municipalities, contractors, developers and other stakeholders in the human settlements delivery chain. Plett’s ‘powers that be’ scooped top awards in the categories of Best Woman Contractor and Best Integrated Residential Development Programme. In her application for the ‘Best Woman’ award, owner of Ukhana Projects Francina le Roux remembered her “humble beginnings” and the amount of “very hard work” required to get the business off the ground. “As a wife, mother, businesswoman, and entrepreneur I know all too well about the daily challenges and responsibilities which we all have to face in our strides to build a better future for the next generation. “But,” she continued, “I believe that I have now reached a level where I can be considered as a strong candidate for this award.” And indeed she was, when announced the winning woman contractor. “My consistency and determination worked well along with guidance from Bitou Municipality,” she said after receiving her award. “Our council is at the forefront in terms of participating in the upliftment of our communities, and this combination has now paid off.” Stated Mark Fourie - Bitou’s manager of Housing, Beaches, Parks and Amenities - in his application for Best Integrated Residential Development Programme: “In spite of all the challenges since commencement of the programme in 1995, it is fantastic to see how the area has developed and how integrated the various communities are.” Once scoring top honours in the Best Integrated Residential Development Programme category, Fourie said: “It is certainly a project to be proud of, and proud we are indeed of winning this award!” MEC Madikizela extended his heartfelt congratulations to all the winners.
TOPS IN THE PROVINCE: Ukhana Projects owner and Best Woman Contractor award winner Francina le Roux, above, photographed alongside Bitou mayor Memory Booysen during last month’s house handover in KwaNokuthula and Bossiesgif/Qolweni, when Western Cape Human Settlements MEC Bonginkosi Madikizela - pictured at right with Bukelwa Gagela in front of her new home - was on hand to congratulate the municipality on its housing work while urging the beneficiaries to take great care of their new abodes
ON A HOUSE HIGH: High density units as pictured above were handed over last month in Plett’s Ward 3, Bossiesgif batches of houses, pending on completion, will be delivered to beneficiaries as part of a combined project consisting of 584
Govan Mbeki’s vision acknowledged The awards programme was named after Govan Mbeki in 2006, based on his vision of the preservation of human dignity and the role he played in the provision of human settlements for all. According to a press statement, this vision goes hand in hand with the partnering of the various spheres of government and all stakeholders in order to continue building a nation free of inequality and to recognise and celebrate excellence in the delivery of quality sustainable human settlements to its beneficiaries.
German hunk crowned Mr Gay World in Knysna
Upon CXPRESS enquiry, Knysna Municipality Communications officer Chumisa Kalawe said that the Pink Loerie Mardi Gras had tradionally played a significant role in boosting the town’s economy, especially in the tourism sector. ‘This weekend’s event was profitable and the Mr Gay World Finale was quite a feather in Knysna’s cap. It once again reinforced Knysna’s popularity as a prime destination, and the international and national exposure for the town has benefited the local economy on a variety of levels.’ The photos above feature the newly elected Mr Gay World Klaus Burkart, a 21-year-old German milk technician from Wangen im Allgäu, who beat 20 other hopefuls to the coveted crown on Saturday night. See more pics on page 9.
News & Views
6 May 2015
CXPRESS
New top cop appointed for George
LEADING BY EXAMPLE: Major General Oswald Reddy is the new Cluster Commander after promotion of his predecessor
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ESTERN Cape SAPS introduced its new commander for an expanded George Cluster, effective from April 1, last week. He replaces Major General Thembisile Patekile, who has been promoted to acting Western Cape police commissioner. The new man in charge, Major General Oswald Reddy, is a self-proclaimed ‘career cop’ with 33 years’ service in the force, rising through the ranks from constable to major general with some tough postings, including Dobsonville in Soweto, and innercity Joburg’s Hillbrow Station under his belt.
He gave a frank explanation of his priorities after having already spent time analysing the crime patterns of the Southern Cape. “My first and obvious priority is to continue to reduce crime levels, eliminate corruption with a zero-tolerance approach, and to improve the local forces’ service delivery. “Although we have considerable powers as police men and women, we have to always remember that we are, above all, public servants,” he told members of the media and SAPS on April 28. He explained his view that policing is not an art but a
science, saying that a holistic approach to crime prevention and resolution worked best. Using enhanced intelligence gathering, a close partnership with the community and local government, and understanding the unique situations of every one of the 13 police stations under his control was key, he said, for effective policing. According to Reddy, the old style of ‘command and control’ top down supervision is obsolete and a participative leading by example is more effective. “I believe that commanders should become leaders rather than supervisors and encourage collaboration between the sectors under their control as well as building relationships with the community,” he said. “Without over-simplifying the situation in the Southern Cape, the majority of local crime is driven by the need to fund drug and alcohol habits. “Regionally, we have to recognise that this area is also a major transit route for contraband between Gauteng and the Eastern Cape to Cape Town via the N1 and N2 routes. For the latter, the acquisition of intelligence on goods movements and effective road blocks is vital,” he concluded.
Stability and resources key in policing
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AST month, after the bomb burst of four of the province’s top SAPS brass arrested for gangsterism et al, W-Cape Minister of Community Safety Dan Plato released a statement that read, inter alia: “It is critical that National Police Commissioner Riah Phiyega ensures the suspension process of senior SAPS officials - including Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Arno Lamoer, who faces a litany of serious criminal charges such as corruption, money laundering and racketeering - is concluded swiftly and does not nega-
tively affect the functioning of policing in the province.” He welcomed the urgency with which Phiyega consulted with Premier Helen Zille and himself but cautioned that “the same sense of urgency is required when it comes to ensuring both stability and sufficient resources for the SAPS in the province, particularly at a provincial management level”. Plato continued: “The loss of four senior SAPS officials in the province must not result in increased responsibilities for other management personnel who are already thinly stretched. These four
posts must also not remain vacant for an extended period of time. “The Western Cape SAPS already face shortages of officers on the ground and we cannot afford to have this problem exacerbated at management level. “I hope this disciplinary process will send a clear message to the rest of the SAPS that no one is above the law. We cannot tolerate any form of corruption or criminality, especially from members of the police who are expected to fight crime in communities and ensure criminals are brought to book.”
5 Words & photo: Bob Hopkin
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CXPRESS
News & Views
6 May 2015
Greenwood welcomes its multitalented Headmaster Perkins
L Good luck to our four netball champs who made it through KPS selections and are now going to SWD trials on May 9 - Kathryn Brown, Emma Roode, Katarina Behr and Johandrie Peens.
The Grade 4s designed pamphlets promoting local businesses and places of interests as complete guides for tourists visiting the area. Some truly fantastic and informative designs were produced, complete with maps, entrance fees and other key information - great learning exercise. In the pic from left are Liam Nomdoe, Ava Booyens and Crystal Beutler.
Mrs Wood from Australia has been teaching students how to read music notes and compose their own songs photographed here with Mrs du Plessis class. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with our pupils, your time and effort has been greatly appreciated!
UKE Perkins has joined Greenwood Independent School in Plettenberg Bay as principal, having moved from Pietermaritzburg where he was head of St Nicholas. Prior to that, he served as deputy headmaster at Educare Tzaneen in Limpopo Province. Luke has taught in three countries: Zimbabwe, England and South Africa, although he is originally from Johannesburg, where he graduated from Wits University with an Honours degree in Industrial Psychology. He completed further postgraduate studies at Pretoria University, gaining another Honours degree in Wildlife Management and followed by a Masters on the same subject. Luke’s first job was teaching A-level Biology at Hillcrest College in Zimbabwe and since then, he has taught Biology and Science at various schools, both secondary and primary. He married Cornelia in 1997 and they have three dogs and two cats. Other interests in Luke’s wide range of likes include music - he plays the piano and sport - mainly running and swimming. He coaches hockey, has completed five of Limpopo’s famous Eben-
SPORTY PERKY PIANIST: Parents and friends of Greenwood will get to meet principal Luke Perkins a keen runner and swimmer who plays the piano and has taught in three different countries - during a function at the school tonight
ezer Miles and one Midmar Mile, as well as various halfmarathons and marathons. Luke loves the outdoors and hiking, so Plett is the perfect environment for him, with a regular hike on Robberg quickly becoming a firm favourite. He has also joined Plett Athletics Club and plans to tackle the Knysna Forest half-marathon in July. ‘Mr Perkins’ to Greenwood students, Luke believes education should be fun but that it has become hampered by
red tape. He wants teachers free to follow their passion in the classroom and draw out individual children’s interests as much as possible. “Of course there are academic programmes to be followed,” he says, “but I feel these must be adapted to the school’s needs, and not the other way round.” • A cheese and wine function for parents to meet Luke Perkins will be hosted at the school tonight. Look out for pics in CXPRESS of May 13.
Geliefde dominee neem afskeid van Eden
The top five paintings that have been submitted to the Knysna Arts Event Eisteddfod 2015 - well done to Delight Ngwenya, Kathryn Brown, Sarah Lund, Sebastian Pearce and Danni-May Nel.
A huge THANK YOU to Park Avenue Stationers for sponsoring the school with two new guillotines. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.
Die Gereformeerde Kerk Eden het op Sondag 26 April afskeid geneem van Ds Emile Naudé en sy vrou, Sanet - hierdie gemeente se leraarspaar sedert 2009. Ds Naudé het die beroep aanvaar wat hy van die Gereformeerde Kerk Boksburg-Suid ontvang het. In sy afskeidspreek het Ds Naudé as teksvers Lukas 22 vers 61 aangehaal - ‘Die Here het omgedraai…’ - en gesê hy dat ons hieruit drie dinge kan leer: ‘Jesus neem die inisiatief in ons verlossing, Jesus konfronteer, en Jesus bring berou oor ons sonde. Dit is die pad wat hy met ons loop as hy omdraai.’ Na die erediens is ‘n geskenk aan die Naudés oorhandig - ‘n treffende afskeidsboodskap geskryf deur ouderling Andries Klopper en gelees deur JP van der Walt is gemonteer en geraam. Op die foto wys JP, links, die geraamde boodskap aan die gemeente, met Ds Emile en Sanet Naudé wat toekyk.
PLETT PRIMARY PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY:
Business
6 May 2015
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CXPRESS
Go the long haul for happiness and wealth Endurance athletes are best placed to be successful investors, according to a successful marathon runner cum CEO
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HE attributes required to train for and complete an ultra-distance like the Comrades marathon or Old Mutual joBerg2c are remarkably similar to those required to achieve your financial planning goals. “It’s not such a giant leap,” says Old Mutual Wealth CEO (and Comrades plus joBerg2c finisher) Andrew Bradley. “You start by setting goals - this is true for both endurance events and investing.” With long-term goals, say finishing Comrades in time to earn a silver medal, a runner needs to look at the time available to achieve that goal. If it’s just finishing the Comrades before cut-off, then the parameters involved will differ. “Are you saving for an overseas trip or for retirement?” asks Bradley. “Depending on what you want, you need to know and understand what you are working
towards and how much time you have.” After the goals comes a plan. A solid strategy for an event like the Old Mutual joBerg2c will cover everything from nutrition to base training to hill work and some rest. “To achieve investment goals, you need to do exactly the same thing,” says Bradley. “If it is retirement you are aiming for, make sure you have thought about what kind of retirement you are planning to live and how much that will cost you.” Without the specifics - be it for an endurance event or an investment - you are simply guessing and hoping for the best outcome. “Like any goal that is vague, this is when unwanted surprises happen and that usually brings disappointment - missing a race cut-off or perhaps not finishing at all,” he says. Of course, not everything goes according to plan in
life. Illness, travel, work commitments or bad sessions can dampen your enthusiasm when you’re training for an event and make you lose faith. “When you set out on an investment path, you will experience the same frustrations and doubts,” says Bradley. “Do not succumb to them. Keep going. The investment markets are not predictable in the short term. “However, they are remarkably reliable over the long term - just like a scientifically designed training programme.” He adds that you can harness the power of investment markets just like you will benefit from sticking to a training plan. Research carried out by Old Mutual shows that endurance athletes who are familiar with the principles of setting goals and planning to meet these accordingly find it easier to apply similar strategies to their investments. MONEY MAKES YOU HAPPY... and being happy makes you money, so keep running and cycling like this joyful participant of this year’s Old Mutual joBerg2c, which concluded last Saturday Photo: EmGatland.com
Investor Focus
Malcolm Stewart – Investment manager at Michaelides Parker Wealth Knysna & Plett
Floating on a cushion of cash!
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VER the last five to seven years, central banks have tussled with the problems of the Great Recession. With the recession came problems of unemployment and the threat of deflation. To counter these problems and threats, they poured money into global economies. It started in the USA with their “quantitative easing” accompanied by extremely low interest rates. The European Central Bank (ECB) followed suit, while in Japan and China very similar measures are currently in place. In fact, almost half of the world’s central banks are currently engaged in some form of monetary stimulation. These measures have created a massive cushion of cash, much of which has found its way into asset prices, i.e. global bonds and equities. Bond valuations are at century-high levels - you are charged a fee for holding cash in Switzerland while, globally, you are effectively forced not to hold cash! This is a unique situation and in the bond markets one will eventually see a great
deal of pain when the liquidity finally dries up. We live in a world where cash is more plentiful than investment opportunities. This surplus is lifting asset prices, but asset prices cannot decouple from the growth of the global economy forever. Prices on the JSE are no exception; most of our top 40 (which do not really represent South Africa Inc…) are trading at P/Es in excess of 20, with some way above that level. No cautious investor will put funds into equities at these levels. There are opportunities within the greater JSE, but these must be supported by careful research. However, the global cash cushion does not look like it’s going to disappear for at least the next 18 months when the ECB begins to pull in its horns. With our new and more relaxed exchange controls, and the benefits of technology, South Africans are able to access markets around the world. We are able to access markets that are still reasonably or, in fact, under-priced.
Some of the winners that are still receiving the benefits of this cash glut can be found in Euroland. These are mature economies, properly regulated with many wellmanaged companies. Access to them can be through direct equity portfolios (of which many are now available), unit trusts or ETFs. One can easily export funds through our banks, or invest in “asset swap” unit trusts. On the JSE, one can purchase Euro stocks ETFs without any restrictions. They charge very low fees and can be sold or purchased through any stockbroker or on some of the quality ETF specialist websites. However, remember that ultimately new investment and earnings growth must accelerate to replace the “cushion of cash” effect, or else investors will have to brace themselves for a period of very low returns. Ocneqno"jcu"dggp"kp"vjg" kpxguvogpv"kpfwuvt{"hqt"qxgt" 62"{gctu0"Jg"jcu"ytkvvgp" vjku"eqnwop"kp"EZRTGUU" hqt"vjg"ncuv"38"{gctu"cpf"ku" c"urgekcnkuv"kp"ocpcikpi" tgvktgf"ygcnvj0
“There is also one additional factor that gives endurance athletes an advantage: you have a huge number of endorphins running through your body and are subse-
quently a lot happier than most people,” says Bradley. “Happier people are also much better investors than unhappy people. This disproves the theory that mon-
ey makes you happy. Being happy makes you money, so keep cycling and running!” Visit www.joberg2c.co.za or www.dogreatthings.co.za for further information.
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CXPRESS
Interval
6 May 2015
I used to be indecisive. Now I’m not so sure.
Donkey debt crisis... Beroemdes in Suid Afrika
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OHNNY bought a donkey from a farmer for R500. The farmer agreed to deliver the donkey the next day. The next day he drove up and said: Sorry son, but I have some bad news. The donkey’s died.” Johnny replied: “Well then just give me my money back.” The farmer said: “Can’t do that. I’ve already spent it.” Johnny said: “Ok then, just bring me the dead donkey.” The farmer asked: “What are you going to do with it?” Johnny said: “I’m going to raffle him off.”
The farmer said: “You can’t raffle a dead donkey!” Johnny said: “Sure I can. Watch me. I just won’t tell anybody it’s dead.” A month later, the farmer met up with Johnny and asked: “What happened with that dead donkey?” Johnny replied: “I raffled him off. I sold 500 tickets at R10 each and made a profit of R4,500.” The farmer said: “Didn’t anyone complain?” Johnny said: “Just the guy who won. So I gave him his R10 back.”
Secret to longevity
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woman walked up to a little old man rocking in a chair on his porch. “I couldn’t help noticing how happy you look,” she said. “What’s your secret for a long happy life?” “I smoke three packs of
cigarettes a day,” he said. “I also drink a case of whiskey a week, eat fatty foods, and never exercise.” “That’s amazing,” said the woman. “How old are you?” “Twenty-six,” he replied.
Big surprise in the woods
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OUDREAUX and Thibodeaux were friends. One day, Boudreaux saw Thibodeaux driving a brand new Ford. He asked: “Thibodeaux, where did you get that new truck? You don’t have a job.” Thibodeaux said: “You know Mrs Patty? She’s been sweet on me for quite some
time. Today, she took me out into the woods in this here truck. She got out of the truck, took off all her clothes and said, ‘Thibodeaux, take exactly what you want’. So I took the truck.” Boudreaux replied: “Well, that’s good for you, Thibodeaux, because her clothes would never fit you.”
The gambling dame
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woman was losing at the roulette wheel. When she was down to her last R100, she asked the fellow next to her for a good number. “Why don’t you play your age?” he suggested. The woman agreed, and put her money on the table.
The next thing the guy who gave the good advice knew, the woman had fainted and fallen to the floor. He rushed right over. “Did she win?” he asked. “No,” replied the attendant. “She put R100 on 33 and 46 came in.
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HARLIZE Theron is nie die enigste Hollywood-ster met familie in Suid-Afrika nie. Na jare in die geheim het dit nou bekend geword dat die akteur Brad Pitt nog vier ander broers het. En hulle woon almal in Suid-Afrika. Die oudste broer is ‘n boer in die Vrystaat en sy naam is
Mielie Pitt. Die tweede oudste broer werk in Brakpan as ‘n mg/ ejcpke en sy naam is Tap Pitt. Die derde oudste broer is ‘n vlieënier en sy naam is Kock Pitt. Die vierde boet is heeltemal van koers af en skreeu blykbaar vir die Blou Bulle. Sy naam is Stu Pitt.
HOLY CRAP I’M BATMAN!
Social Scene
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CXPRESS Photo: Leigh Dunn
6 May 2015
TWO DAYS OF JOYOUS OCCASIONS: Aubrey Davids, 71, who worked at Standard Bank in Plett for many years, reached the impressive 50th wedding anniversary milestone with his wife Hester on April 24. The couple celebrated this great occasion with friends and family at Plett Ski Boat Club on Hester’s 70th birthday, Saturday April 25. Double congratulations to you both, dear Davids!
Photos: Gigi Lewis
EAT YOUR HEART OUT, GAY PARIS: At the top, Knysna mayor Georlene Wolmarans and former councillor Richard Dawson are surrounded by the sultry and sexy Mr Gay World contestants during a photo shoot in the council chambers last Thursday. The other pics were captured by Gigi Lewis and show some of the sights during Saturday’s street parade. (Also see Mr Gay World winner story on page 4.)
Photos: Glenn Murray Photography
ALL SENSES PLEASED: A diverse crowd enjoyed CXPRESS contributor Glenn Murray’s photographic slide show ‘Opposing views and different directions - Israel through my eyes’ at Lederles on April 23, Glenn’s striking images and interesting address on his recent trip complemented by scrumptious eats prepared by the Family Lederle. Visit www. gmurrayphoto.co.za to find out more.
STARRING IN PLETT TOURISM KIT: Above, the Harkerville Stars from KwaNokuthula show off their snazzy new kit sponsored by Plett Tourism on April 25 in Kurland Village. They lost 2-1 to the Black Stars home team but proceeded to make an excellent Saturday of it at the ‘hood’s best restaurant.
People, places & events
Photos: Tiffany Barrett - showme.co.za/plett
BELLY DANCERS CONVERGE ON BITOU: World Belly Dance Day is celebrated around the globe, with international participants coming to Plett for the first time for this occasion on May 9. Taking place at the Whitehouse Theatre from 7pm, the event will showcase five Garden Route studios from Knysna, Plett, Mossel Bay and George. Dancers of all levels will share the stage performing a wide variety of styles including Tribal, Lebanese and Egyptian. Belly dancing dates back over 7,000 years, with images on the walls of Egyptian pyramids depicting this art. The dance was then exclusively for women who taught young girls about all things feminine and led them into womanhood. Only in the early 1900s did belly dancing reach the international stage when troupes toured Europe and the US. Tickets are available at The Old House Shop at R100 (children pay R50) and all proceeds benefit Tshisa Talent.
Photos: Mandy & Laurika & Murray
‘THE BOSS’ STRIKES THE BIG FIVE-OH: One of Plett’s favourite and kindest and coolest sons, Ettiene van Rensburg - pictured at top right with belle Laurika - turned 50 on May 3, and fêted that fact with at least 100 of his closest friends on Saturday night at The Table. Normally CXPRESS gets inundated with megs worth of crisp images of occasions not half as auspicious, but in Ett’s case everyone was too busy having a good time to pay much attention to posing or shooting. So these few cellphone pics are all we can offer as reminders of a most memorable night, not least of which was the speech by ‘CJ’ aka Mark Carter-Johnson, pulling a PW above... What fun, thanks Ett!
Wednesday 6th May May 2015 2015
Partly tly l sunny, sun unny ny breezy and cool
17° Lo 9°
Precipitation: 41% Thunderstorm: 20% Sunrise: 7:05AM Sunset: 5:41PM Wind: W 24km/h Gusts: 35km/hww
Classifieds
6 May 2015
Thursday
7th May May 2015 2015
Sunny to partly cloudy
Friday
8st May May 2015 2015
Pleasant and warmer
Saturday
9th May 9t ayy 2015 0 5
Sunday
10thh May 10t May 2015 2015
Monday
11thh May 11t May 2015 2015
M Mostly l sunny and beautiiful
Sunshine and nice
Plenty l off sunshine hi
22° Lo 14°
27° Lo 13°
Precipitation: 3% Thunderstorm: 1% Sunrise: 7:08AM Sunset: 5:38PM Wind: WNW 15km/h Gusts: 28km/h
20° Lo 12°
25° Lo 14°
22° Lo 14°
Precipitation: 0% Thunderstorm: 0% Sunrise: 7:06AM Sunset: 5:40PM Wind: E 20km/h Gusts: 43km/h
Precipitation:0% Thunderstorm: 0% Sunrise: 7:07AM Sunset: 5:39PM Wind: NNW 7km/h Gusts: 13km/h
Precipitation: 0% Thunderstorm: 0% Sunrise: 7:07AM Sunset: 5:38PM Wind: W 20km/h Gusts: 30km/h
Precipitation: 0% Thunderstorm: 0% Sunrise: 7:09AM Sunset: 5:37PM Wind: ENE 11km/h Gusts: 26km/h
Tuesday
12thh May 12t May 2015 2015
Timess of clouds and sun
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Precipitation: 5% Thunderstorm: 0% Sunrise: 7:10AM Sunset: 5:36PM Wind: W 18km/h Gusts: 37 km/h
May 2015
CXPRESS
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On the Soapbox
6 May 2015
Letters to the Editor
Email: editor@cxpress.co.za - Fax: 044 533 0852 - PO Box 1449, Plett 6600
The power of a clean audit - it could even ‘power’ our town! Congratulations to the mayor, his council and staff for the clean audit of Bitou accounts. To be in the top 15% of all the municipalities in the country is an excellent achievement! Do give us more municipal news - there must be projects we should know about. A clean audit means: • That our money has not been stolen or used wastefully; • That the municipality is well run; • That Bitou’s credit rating goes up, making it easier to borrow from banks and the government; • That the interest rate on loans decreases as we are a safer bet; • That projects can be fund-
ed and carried out to the benefit of all. A project which I hope will be considered and implemented is the supply of solar power to reduce Bitou’s reliance on Eskom. How about covering the sealed dump with solar panels and feeding the power into the town grid? The dump can never be built on, but the owner of the land would surely welcome ongoing income and we would follow the example already set by the City of Cape Town, of using our own electricity in place of Eskom’s. The government is keen on all manner of clean energy systems and I urge our Council to explore such a project. Rgvgt"Uvtcvvgp."Rngvv
Wittedrift Tug of War boys and girls excel, but now they need your bladeless boots
PULLING THEIR WEIGHT: The girls and boys of Wittedrift performed exceptionally well in a huge field at the SA Junior League held in Worcester recently - the pic features its mixed team, that finished fifth nationally
An article in your previous edition [see ‘Canon and Pennies make ‘em sport-smart...’ on page 16 of the April 29 edition at www.cxpress. co.za] prompted me to say a few words about a sport that is not always acknowledged or getting due credit. For four years in a row, I have seen dedication, blood, sweat and tears from a committed team of boys and girls who have given their utmost and achieved so much. Tug of War is a sport practised by hundreds of schools in and around South Africa. Over the weekend of March 26-28, a few Wittedrift boys and girls took part in an epic battle at HTS Drostdy in Worcester, competing against over 195 other teams in the SA Junior League. Under the leadership of Pieter Coetzee, Kassie Share and Marica Wentzel, they did Plett very proud with a sixth place (480kg Girls Final), a fifth place (520kg Mixed Team Division A) and an exception fourth place in the 520kg Division A category.
CXPRESS
Many of the other schools had A, B, and C teams and some were represented by as many as eight teams. Wittedrift has only the nine boys and nine girls who make up all three of its teams. Four of our girls have now been chosen for U/23 trials and need all the encouragement and support they can get. At the moment, one of our main goals is to find them the right shoes. They participate in leather boots that must now be replaced by rollerblade boots so if you have any lying around with broken wheels, please let us know. New ones will be great but it will be a shame, as the wheels have to come off. Lastly, a BIG thank you to the parents who support their children and believe in them. N{pp‚g"Mcrr."Rngvv *Yjcv"c"hgcv#"Kh"cp{qpg"ecp" jgnr"ykvj"fqpcvkqpu"qh"qnf"qt" pgy"tqnngt"dncfgu"qt"lwuv"vjg" dncfgnguu"dqqvu."rngcug"eqp/ vcev"N{pp‚g"cv"n{pp0g0mcrrB nkxg0eqo"qt"qp"283"656"8:::" 1"266"757";:;20"/"Gfu0+
Has anyone found my beloved handbag?
DISTINCTIVE DESIGN: This is what the stolen bag looks like, with ‘Radley’ embossed into the leather it may be interesting to see where it surfaces and, apart from my vested interest in trying to recover the bag, it may be helpful in identifying the thieves
We were asleep in the Solar Beach house of friends when burglars entered in the early hours of Monday morning April 20. I heard them rummaging through my belongings before they moved upstairs to go through my friend’s luggage. I did not move for what seemed like an eternity and then crawled up the stairs to alert my friend, who was fast asleep and blissfully unaware of what had happened. We called ADT, who were extremely helpful and supportive, then and throughout the balance of our stay. We also called the police, who opened a case. The thieves stole my handbag, jewellery and various electronic items before they fled. Luckily we suffered no physical harm. On reflection, we were naïve in not being more security conscious and now realise that the crime we experience upcountry is also evident in Plett. My purse was found by a lady who lives by the vlei
across the boardwalk and who kindly ascertained my cellphone number after looking at the contents strewn around. I will be forever grateful to her, as my ID and drivers licence and all my credit cards were there and it would have been an enormously time consuming exercise to replace them all. Fortunately, the thieves had only taken the cash and had left the rest of the contents of the purse. As a long shot, the bag may also have been abandoned and found by someone jogging or walking their dogs. I did have a look around the area on collecting my things but the bush is quite thick. My hope is that someone may come across my cross-shoulder black Radley bag - which I loved, as it was so useful and was bought on a special trip to visit my son in London over five years ago. I have loved it ever since. I know it is only a bag, but one I cannot replace here, and I am unlikely to have another chance to go to the UK. The bag is made in England and while not worth a great deal, I hope to have the good fortune to have someone find it and, after having read this little note, might return it to me. Apart from that awful incident we had a lovely week - the days were beautiful and we walked from Solar Beach to Robberg, Solar to Beacon Isle and right around Lookout, which I can’t believe has come back and is looking better than ever. I’ve always had a soft spot for Plett. Please call me on 084 787 1919 if you have found my bag. Cppg"Rqvvgt."Lqdwti
La Luna
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CXPRESS
Sport & Adventure
6 May 2015
SETTING NEW SHOW-STOPPING STANDARDS
Many good reasons why Saturday’s Knysna Motor Show should not be missed
P
ETER Pretorius, chairman of the Garden Route Motor Club, invites readers to come and experience the original art of the automobile and motorcycle on Saturday May 9 at the Knysna High School sports grounds in Waterfront Drive. Gates are open from 9:30am to 4pm and entry is R30 (under-18s enter free). Over and above all the fantastic veteran/vintage cars, the old and modern classic cars, the educational and motor-related stands, and the respective franchise dealer new cars on display, a strong focus will be the amazing display of vintage and classic motorcycles, as well as unusual custom motorcycles. Including road and race bikes, these are but a few of the exciting examples: • A 1928 Norton CS1 that has taken part in several Durban to Johannesburg Commemorative rallies, finishing seventh in this year’s event. The CS1 is significant in that it was Norton’s first design of an overhead camshaft engine. • A collection of three 1984 Yamaha RZ500 two-stroke motorcycles - road-going replicas of the YZR500 raced by Kenny Roberts in the 1983 Grand Prix championships. Relatively few of these were manufactured between 1984 and 1986 and have now become sought after by collectors, so having three of these bikes on show is exceptional. • An immaculately prepared 1969 triumph Bonneville T120R that has been successfully raced in regional, national and historic events since 1981. The motorcycle has just undergone its third rebuild. • A 1954 Jawa Z15 500cc racing motorcycle of which only three exist worldwide. This motorcycle, raced in South Africa by Paddy Driver in the late 50s, was acquired by its present owner in pieces in 1973. It has since been meticulously restored and rebuilt to original specification. Along with the above-mentioned motorcycles, awesome examples of Ducati, MV Augusta, BMW, BSA, Honda, Harley Davidson and many more will be on display. Motor Show-goers will also have the opportunity to
DREAM MACHINE: One of only three 1954 Jawa Z15 500cc racing motorcycles that still exist worldwide, this baby was raced in South Africa by Paddy Driver in the late 50s BONNIE BONEY: This 1969 Triumph Bonneville T120R has been successfully raced in regional, national and historic events since 1981 - have a closer look at it on the Knysna High School grounds this weekend ONE OF TWO BLUES: This 2009 Dodge Viper American Club Racer is one of only 450 ever built, and is one of only two worldwide coloured Viper Blue
vote for the best motorcycle on display. Allsound Security has sponsored a floating trophy and a prize for the owner of the winning motorcycle. “To add further excitement to the day, two very interesting cars will be exhibited alongside the vast range of two and four-wheelers,” enthuses Peter. “The first is a 2009 Dodge Viper ACR - or American Club Racer. They only built 450 of these cars of which only about 40 were ‘Hardcore’, and this is one of them. “These cars are extremely rare. They held the Nürburgring track record of seven minutes 12 seconds and remain the fastest production car around there. This is one of two in the world in Viper Blue and road legal.” The second, says Peter, is a true “barn find” that’s now almost fully restored. The South African-made Davdon Spe-
cial coupé convertible, a oneof type and neglected for 68 years, is now back on the road." The car is based on a Triumph T3 chassis and engine, its body handcrafted with unique features being electric windows and a hard-top roof that folds into the boot. A true piece of SA motoring history brought back to life, it’s an absolute must-see. “The Knysna Motor Show is a fun-filled day for the whole family, not just us petrolheads,” chuckles Peter. “Dancing girls from Uné’s Dance Academy will rock and roll over the lunch period, there’ll be kids’ entertainment and a variety of food stalls along with Knysna’s own Mitchell’s brews, so come and enjoy our motor show with a difference in a special country-style.” Contact Peter Pretorius on 082 321 4724 or at peterp@ afrihost.co.za for more info.
Veteran Plett tennis coach shines in the Cape David Olsen, the head coach and founder of Plettenberg Bay Tennis Academy, participated in the senior interprovincial tennis tournament held from April 12-17. He represented South Western Districts, where he played at number one and two for this respected age group. David won four out of five of his singles matches, only losing to Western Province. The team went on to finish second in the country - an exceptional achievement for a small region against the rest of SA’s provinces. Says assistant coach at the Academy, Luke Olsen: ‘David has been coaching in Plett for over 25 years. His experience has not only created a number of top juniors in the country but he has also been a role model for myself and every child he has coached. We are all very proud of his achievements.’