6 November 2019
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 p Printed byy Groupp Editors
Expressions of joy
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These young ladies are some of the many beneficiaries of projects initiated by Knysna ward councillors to better the lives of their constituents, in this case a play park in Karatara - turn to page 5 for the full story. For more expressions of glee, check out page 9 for images of locals celebrating the Springboks’ historic World Cup Rugby victory last Saturday.
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CXPRESS
NEWS & VIEWS
6 November 2019
20 Years of conservation in Plett - the developing role of Nature’s Valley Trust OCTOR Mark Brown will address members of the Van Plettenberg Historical Society and friends on Thursday November 14 at Formosa Garden Village - a presentation that promises to provide insight into the world of this foremost ornithologist, scholar, and tourism champion. Mark is renowned locally for his tireless toils on all aspects of conservation, but he is perhaps best known in Plettenberg Bay for his efforts
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to raise awareness and protect the fragile breeding grounds of our shorebirds. As Nature’s Valley Trust approaches its 20th anniversary, Mark will be speaking about how this non-profit organisation has evolved over the years to become the environmentally switched on powerhouse it is today. Programme Director of Nature’s Valley Trust, Mark also holds a position as honorary researcher at the School of Life
HERE, LITTLE BIRDY: Doctor Mark Brown is perhaps best known in Plett for his efforts to raise awareness and protect the fragile breeding grounds of our shorebirds - and you can meet him at Formosa Garden Village next Thursday
Sciences attached to the University of KwaZulu-Natal. He has published over 80 scientific publications, was a contributing author to Roberts Birds of Southern Africa (the seventh edition), and has presented research papers at national and international conferences. After being a member of staff at the University of KwaZulu-Natal for over 12 years, while volunteering with several prominent conservation NGOs, Mark stepped across the gap and moved full-time into the NGO environment. He currently sits on the board of directors of Plettenberg Bay Tourism, and is an associate editor for Journal Ostrich (African Journal of Ornithology). Mark has won numerous national and international awards for his research and conservation work. He has cosupervised over 30 postgraduate students, and is passionate about mentoring young conservationists. Save the date to meet Mark at Formosa Garden Village in Ferdinand Street on Thursday November 14. Tickets are R30 per head (all welcome) and doors open at 5:30 for a prompt start at 6pm. Email info@pletthistory.org for more info and see the ad on page 4.
Notice Board • The annual Plett Open Garden Day on November 9 raises funds for Plett Animal Welfare Service (PAWS). Ouland Royale is the central hub with the ever-popular PAWS Plant and Cake Sale. Gardens featured include Hum Bee Flora Farm, Wiehahn Garden at Robberg Beach End, Gaechter Garden
at 15 Christina Street, and Allen Garden at 6 The Tides. Maps to the gardens can be collected from Barney’s Info Kiosk at The Market Square. Tickets, available at the gardens, are R100 to allow access to all four venues. Call Marsja on 073 645 9476/044 533 4578 for details.
• Acclaimed SA muso Dave Ledbetter and maestro Martin Wolfaardt kick off their Beautiful Rebellion tour in Plett at 5pm on Sunday November 10 at Stofpad Playhouse. Contact Candice on 060 715 3607 or at playon@candiceludick.com for bookings and details of other shows.
OBITUARY
CHRISTOPHER JOHN MORRIS: 3 April 1940 27 October 2019
Accountant of yore joins beloved in the great beyond HRIS Morris passed away on Sunday October 27 at Formosa Garden Village. He has been a resident of Plett since 1965, when he settled in town with his young bride, June. They first lived in the flats above Main Street (now Flashbacks). The couple then raised their children in the rural outskirts of Plett while he was the accountant at the local Barclays Bank. He and June retired in 1996 to a peaceful life on their smallholding south of Plett Airport Road. Chris is survived by his three children Wendy, Brendon and Lynell, and has now joined his beloved wife, June, in the afterlife. His memorial service will be held at St Thomas Methodist Church on Friday November 8 at 10am.
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NEWS & VIEWS
6 November 2019
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CXPRESS
Continued surveillance yields R17-million drug haul Thanks to the cooperation between local crime fighters, burglary and drug-smuggling suspects were arrested in Plettenberg Bay and millions of rands worth of drugs confiscated during a high action pursuit - YOLANDÉ STANDER reports CCORDING to Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association (PBCPA) operations head Otto Olivier the Plett Security tactical response unit had been working closely with Plett police, following up leads on a gang of suspects allegedly involved in several Garden Route burglaries where gaining access to properties through roofs were the modus operandi.
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Olivier said one of the vehicles identified in the investigation was spotted entering Bitou from the Eastern Cape last week. The same vehicle, with four suspects, was spotted by one of the unit’s members moving out of KwaNokuthula yesterday. “The member followed the car and on his alert, detectives mobilised to intercept. A high-speed chase ensued
when the suspects unfortunately spotted the tail in Longships and the vehicle was lost in Qolweni,” Olivier said. The tactical response unit and detectives however flooded the area and one of the suspects was seen jumping from the vehicle and running towards houses in the area. “Detectives quickly secured the car for evidence
while the rest gave chase. One suspect was spotted jumping a wall and in his attempt to get away he fired a shot at the tactical unit member who fired back. “There was a children’s day care centre nearby so the chase was halted to not place the children or residents at risk.” The suspect was later arrested while hid-
ing in a house. “Ongoing surveillance was done [as the other suspects are not Plett locals] from key points at areas where we knew they might be lying low. At about 9pm last night the team observed bags being loaded from one car to another in KwaNokuthula before speeding off in the direction of Knysna.” Olivier said during a chase, several inter-town crime-fighting partners assisted when a police officer
managed to stop the vehicle at Nekkies. The three suspects were placed under arrest and more than 7kg of high-quality dagga was found in the vehicle. Last week a further 145kg of dagga was also confiscated and suspects arrested near the Tsitsikamma Toll Plaza. The PBCPA’s Marius Venter said the street value of the combined busts came to just short of R17-million. Garden Route Media
Oyisa Mgqwanci’s people won’t give up A march to Knysna Police Station in the Main Road momentarily disrupted traffic on Saturday morning, when the community of Joodsekamp and surrounds confronted local SAPS members over the fact that there has been no breakthrough yet in the search for 11-year-old Oyisa Mgqwanci, who was last seen on October 5. Said one of the demonstrators: “We don’t feel that the police did enough to find Oyisa. She lives in White Location and goes to school at Chris Nissen, where she is a brilliant learner. It is heartbreaking. I can’t even begin to imagine what her mother has experienced in the past three weeks. She simply never made it to the shop, which is a few minutes away from her house.” Anyone with information must phone sergeant Dlambule of George FCS unit on 082 335 1200 or Cheryl Britz of Knysna CPF on 082 574 9657. Read ‘Decomposed body discovered in Joodsekamp bushes’ on page 3 of the October 30 edition at www.cxpress.co.za for additional information.
Sedgefield scamster off the hook once more… Talia Day ‘till Knysna court date dawns ARIANNE Roux, 32, was released on October 23 after spending four months behind bars. She was arrested at her Sedgefield home in June for allegedly defrauding more than 13 people of over R70,000 through her company Eden Events. Roux was denied bail in Thembalethu Magistrate’s Court, mainly due to the diligent and determined efforts of the investigating officer, detective Lindinkosi Yoko. Yoko worked on several complainants’ cases for months before appearing at Roux’s bail hearing with the hard evidence needed, travelling more than 6,000km in a few days to gather statements and dockets. People from all over SA,
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scammed by Roux into buying holiday accommodation, had been part of a WhatsApp group to compare notes and share their stories. Their reactions were less than delighted with the scamster’s release. “She must sit! She is a born liar!” one of the victims, Estelle Ciaglia from Bellville, told CXPRESS. Roux was released with a R10,000 fine or six months’ imprisonment suspended for four years after pleading guilty to one case of theft of R2,000 which she had since paid back to the complainant. She still has seven cases of fraud open against her, which will be heard in Knysna Magistrate’s Court, as the offences were alleged-
ly perpetrated in Sedgefield, and could thus not be tried in a different regional court. “But she will face them. I will be working closely with the investigating officer from that side [Knysna] to make sure that happens,” Yoko explained. She has previously faced three cases in Knysna Magistrate’s Court, but these were struck off the roll for unknown reasons. She received no criminal record in the process. When the remaining cases are heard in Knysna at a date to be confirmed, it is hoped that Roux will face the full force of the law for her actions against innocent South Africans, whose only sin was wanting to have a good old Garden Route holiday.
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CXPRESS
NEWS & VIEWS
6 November 2019
Plett repeats Blue Flag feat with eight sites awarded Read CXPRESS online @ www.cxpress.co.za
Plettenberg Bay is proudly flying the Blue Flag on six of its beaches, making it the town with not only the second-most beaches in the Western Cape with this prestigious title, but also claiming second place countrywide - YOLANDÉ STANDER reports
PRISTINE COASTAL PRIDE: Keurboomstrand received Blue Flag status for the ninth consecutive time this year Photo: Ewald Stander
LETT received Blue Flag status for its beaches last week and was only runner up to major city centre Cape Town, which managed to secure 10 sites. The small coastal town also outshone other major centres including Nelson Mandela Bay, which only managed three Blue Flag sites and KwaZulu-Natal’s Ray Nkonyeni, which received five awards. The International Blue Flag awards were presented to 137 sites in the Southern Hemisphere for the upcoming Blue Flag season, including 96 beaches, 19 marinas, and 22 boats. As of 2018, the Blue Flag flies over 3,783
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beaches, 698 marinas, and 77 boats around the world. The Western Cape has achieved the highest number of Blue Flag sites, with 30 beaches, 12 boats, and seven Blue Flag marinas. Plett’s Blue Flag beaches this year include for the 11th consecutive time Robberg 5; for a ninth time Keurboomstrand, for the eighth year Nature’s Valley; for a sixth time Lookout Beach; for a fourth year The Dunes, and Singing Kettle Beach for a third consecutive year. Local operator Offshore Adventures added to the awards after both their vessels, the Robberg Express and Oceanic Ex-
press, received Blue Flag accreditation. Over and above the Blue Flag awards, Plettenberg Bay was, for the 10th consecutive year, nominated for the World Travel Awards as Africa’s leading beach destination. This international travel awards programme was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward, and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry. “It’s exciting times for Plett’s beaches. As a world-class destination, it is important that our beaches remain pristine and safe for visitors. We are very proud of the recognition that goes with
these two accolades,” said Plett Tourism spokesperson Patty Butterworth. “We would also like to share this excitement with some of the other key role-players involved, namely the Bitou Municipality beach development team, our marine activities, and our conservation entities who are committed to the upkeep of our most valuable assets.” This year only one Knysna beach received Blue Flag status: Brenton-onSea. The area’s Buffalo Beach, which received the award last year, was only given pilot status this season. Thesen Islands also received Blue Flag status in the marina category.
Plett Ratepayers Association Update
The hidden costs of NOT recycling
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HE Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs recently sent Bitou Municipality a notice that we must reduce all types of waste (solid, bulky, and recyclable) transported to the PetroSA landfill site in Mossel Bay, or face a hefty fine and possible litigation. Council has recently approved an initiative to minimise our waste, and also proposed the cleaning up of massive accumulations of illegal dumping sites within the residential areas of all seven wards of Bitou Municipality. But be aware that the cleaning up of years of illegal dumping sites, educating people to recycle, and sorting recyclables out of household garbage carry a huge cost. Recent council reports allocated an additional R6.5-million for sorting garbage and removing il-
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legal dumpsites in Bitou that is over and above the budgeted costs. An indication of just how much we spend on garbage disposal every year is illustrated by the fact that just on unbudgeted plant hire to deal with garbage, an additional R37-million had to be spent last year. But what exactly it was spent on has not been adequately explained to us yet. A study from Aurecon Consultants on waste minimisation shows that 40% of recyclable materials land in household black bags. More than half of the R6.5-million mentioned above will be spent on taking that 40% out of the garbage stream. The blame for that cannot be laid at the door of the municipality, because it is squarely in each individual’s control how they
deal with garbage generated in their home. Because people don’t recycle, we face fines and people now have to be hired to clean up the bulky waste (discarded stoves, timber, surfboards, etc.), pulling recyclables out of our household garbage bags. Yellow recycle bags are available at no charge from the Community Services office on Flying Cloud Street next to the NG Kerk. Although recycle bins are no longer placed around Plettenberg Bay because of the mess created around them, a recycling service picks it up from your street the day after your normal garbage collection. The Keep Plett Clean group, which I also represent, has worked hard to not only clean up our streets, but also educate people about the value
Maxine Brett
of recycling. It’s a mindset that needs to start with our children and be taught in our schools. We thank Allison Bryant and her team for all that they do. Thanks are also due to Rhian Berning from Renewable Plett for the many programmes she is initiating, along with the other local organisations addressing the problem with helpful initiatives. But there is much to be done in the home and especially businesses. The current path is simply not sustainable. So please, all residents of Bitou, do your part and RECYCLE! The cost of NOT recycling is burying us. • Avid recycler Maxine Brett is tasked with Roads at Plett Ratepayers Association, but also wears her other ‘Keep Plett Clean’ hat with gusto.
NEWS & VIEWS
6 November 2019
CXPRESS
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Knysna’s residents to benefit greatly from councillors’ 2019/20 ward projects NYSNA ward councillors are allocated a budget to spend on projects within their wards, at their discretion, each financial year. According to municipal manager Dr Sitembele Vatala, a lot has already been achieved during the 2019/20 financial year. “Our priority, first and foremost, is to serve our community,� he said. “While there are many bigger picture issues at hand, what often makes the most difference to a person’s daily life is enhancing their immediate environment. That is what these ward allocations of R350,000 per ward are for.� Councillor Levael Davis is having speedbumps placed in Rooikrans, Witbooi, and Fynbos streets in Ward 1. Additional speed bumps will be built in Slangepark and Beverly Hills, and the outdoor gym will be fenced. In Ward 2, councillor Cathy Weideman plans on installing palisade fencing and upgrading the Protea Hall and Golden Movement building in Karatara. Ward 3 councillor Mnce-
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disi Skosana will have retaining walls constructed in Nekkies and Dam-seBos, access ramps in Hlalani, and a walkway from the R339 (Uniondale Road). Councillor Sithembele Ngqezu of Ward 4 plans the installation of standpipes and the electrification of informal areas within his ward. Ward 5 councillor Hilton Stroebel will see access ramps built in Bloekom, Protea, Fern and Geelhout streets. Floodlights will be installed at the outdoor gym, a walkway constructed from Watson to Bloekom Street, and he will purchase furniture for Rheenendal’s Youth Centre. In Ward 6, councillor Elrick van Aswegen’s planned five-a-side synthetic football field is a multi-year project. Councillor Mandla Matiwane is installing an access ramp and gabions in Ward 7. In Ward 8, councillor Thando Matika will have walkways with handrails installed, as well as floodlights at the outdoor gym. The balance of both their allocations will go towards
electrification projects within their respective wards. Security cameras will be installed at Knoetzie in Ward 9. Councillor Peter Myers aims to spend his allocation for Ward 10 on security cameras in Knysna’s central business district and the eradication of invasive alien plants. Another five-a-side synthetic soccer field, also a multi-year project, is planned for Ward 11. “This totals a crucial spend of over R3.85-million,� Vatala said. “Knysna Municipality works tirelessly at making Greater Knysna an inclusive, innovative and inspired place to live and work in for all our residents. “Since there are several bigger issues, this spending on ward-specific projects is included in our 2019/20 Budget, which means that it does not reduce funds available to other, more important projects. “But I believe that this relatively small spend per ward returns a whole lot more on that investment when considering how it affects Knysna’s bigger picture.�
Come play with Player or bid on memorabilia EMBERS of the Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association (PBCPA) this week paid tribute to a world golfing icon with firm roots in Plett, for furthering one of their most important fundraising drives this coming weekend. “We are immensely grateful that Gary Player agreed to host our Golf Day Fundraiser on November 8 at Goose Valley Golf Club,â€? said PBCPA media liaison William Ashurst. “One of the highlights of the day is Mr Player’s oneon-one golf clinic at the driving range, whereafter he will be at the 11th Hole to hit the drive at R100 a go.â€? Take note of this order of events and arrange your Friday accordingly: • 10-11am - Golf clinic at range with Gary Player • 11am-12:15pm - Checkin at pro shop • 12:30pm Shotgun start • 5:30-6pm Refreshments in restaurant after golf • 6pm onwards Prize-giving and Gary Player Memorabilia Auction. A sneak preview of memorabilia will be available, and
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silent offers will be accepted before the auction commences. Get a load of these incredible collectors’ items: The Grand Slam - Player won the US Open in 1965 at the age of 29 and became one of only five players alongside Ben Hogan, Gene Sarazen, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods to win the Grand Slam. He is also the only individual in the sport to claim the Grand Slam on both the Regular as well as the Senior Tour. This signed piece captures images of Player’s major championship victories, the Masters, the Open, the PGA Championship, and The US Open in 1965. The Majors - This signed piece captures Player with all his major championship trophies on the regular tour. The Black Knight has won three Masters (1961, 1974 and 1978), three British Opens (1959, 1968 and 1974), two PGA Championships (1962 & 1972), and the US Open (1965). The Black Knight’s Final Masters - This signed piece captures Player, a
three-time Masters Champion who in 2009 made his record-breaking 52nd and final Masters appearance. The Black Knight went on to win three Masters titles (1961, 1974 and 1978). Gary Player Hole-in-One - Player became the oldest player to record a hole-inone at the Masters Par 3 Contest in 2016 at the age 80. Gary Player Par Saver Wedge - Player is rated as one of the best bunker players in the history of the game. On offer is a signed Gary Player Par Saver Wedge. Masters Flag - A flag signed by Player from the popular Par 3 Contest in 2011. This tournament has become hugely popular among both players and spectators. Jack Nicklaus Golf Club - On offer is a driver signed by Jack Nicklaus, known as the Golden Bear. He went on to win six Masters, five PGA Championships, four US Opens and three Open Championships for a record 18 major championships. Email summerdreams mag@gmail.com for additional information.
MAKING LIFE BETTER: Ward 7’s footbridge is one of the past projects realised by ward councillors and their beneficiaries
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CXPRESS
NEWS & VIEWS
6 November 2019
An opportunigy to help out and win big this Disability Awareness Month N the eve of November’s Disability Awareness Month, the United Nations SecretaryGeneral said: “Let us reaffirm our commitment to work together for a better world that is inclusive, equitable and sustainable for everyone - where the rights of people with disabilities are fully realised.” So here on the Garden Route, let’s make our fabulous towns truly accessible and mobility-friendly for local residents, and attractive destinations for differently-abled holidaymakers. You can help doing this by buying into November’s 50/50 Lottery, with tickets at R50 each. Your contribution could win you an enviable Christmas bonus, as the winning ticket holder receives 50% of the takings for ticket sales. The other 50% goes to a fund managed by the Differently-abled Awareness Campaign, to make life easier for disabled members of our communities. Consider this: each of us is differently-abled in some way, so we will all benefit from easier accessibility and mobility. Buy your lucky tickets from Barny’s Info Kiosk at The Market Square or call Julie on 072 407 7643,
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Barry Ricketts on 072 890 6238, or Rita Hardaker on 082 560 2606. Involve your family, friends, colleagues and employees, or share the cost of one ticket, e.g. five people pay R10 each so those five names own a single ticket. And if that ticket wins, the prize money is shared between those five people. All bought tickets go into safe-keeping ready for the draw, which takes place on Saturday November 30
after an inaugural ‘Day 4 Disability’ bowling event at Plettenberg Bay Bowling Club on Challenge Drive. Come watch differentlyabled bowlers in action alongside some abled-bods, and be there at 4:30pm to witness the draw for the winner of the 50/50 Lottery. Remember, becoming disabled can happen to anyone of us at any moment, so let’s get involved and buy some tickets. Good health and good luck to us all!
SPREADING THE WORD: Julie Deferville and Knysna-based Protea Disabled bowler Chris Patton last week delivered a talk to Sedgefield players about disability bowls while promoting all the events planned for the month ahead
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BUSINESS
6 November 2019
7
CXPRESS
The Red Clyde remembered - and how it pertains to SA today
INANCE minister Tito Mboweni came out punching as he delivered his midterm budget last week. But in throwing a left and a right at the country’s bloated civil service, and heavyweight and under-performing state-owned, amusingly named, enterprises, with their big salaries, perks and lack of deliverance, he has taken on a tough opponent. I have my doubts as to whether he and his cabinet colleagues can put them on the canvas. Our powerful trade unions are already marshalling the troops; there is serious dissension in the civil servant ranks - particularly in the heavily-indebted provincial and local municipalities. For the EFF, here is a further opportunity to organise the masses. Massed labour protest is no laughing matter. Everyone suffers. I grew up in Glasgow, Scotland, in the late 1930s - an era of hunger marches, social disruption, and poverty spawned from inequality and deprivation. Socialism held hands uneasily with communism; trade unionism blossomed. The workers struck and the bosses hit back. Families suffered and infanticide became common. It was a class war on a terrifying scale. The powerful Boilermakers’ Union, holding sway in the all-important shipyards had, I recall, its own war cry: “We bury our own dead.� Such was the Red Clyde. I mention this early part of my boyhood not because it is worthy of note, but that the dire current political and economic situation here in my adopted country reminds me of those days. My father, an engineer, who was a staunch socialist, had taken part in workers’ protest marches down to England. He disliked the cant of communism. But rights for the working classes - a decent pay for a good day’s work - were as important to him as his membership of Glasgow Rangers Football Supporters’ Club. Fortunately for me he had that deepset Scottish regard for education and as a result, one of Scotland’s finest classical schools, Hutchesons, endured my presence until it could send me further up the line. These boyhood to young manhood days have long been in memory’s shadow. But social imbalance - here in South Africa and the resultant upswelling of angry protest against what is perceived to be a grabas-grab-can political hierarchy, which has led to widespread deprivation and growing protest, rings alarm bells. The mid-term budget clearly indicates what we know. South Africa is a failing state. It has been plundered and looted on one hand while woefully allowing its once admirable infrastructure to slide into disre-
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status, expects this figure to top 70% if the government doesn’t stop supporting SOEs. But government is, quite literally, between a rock and a hard place. However, harder times are coming. The unions, the EFF - even the ANC stalwarts - are not likely to grasp the austerity straw. Looking ahead, this is the most worrying thing about the current impasse.
And, sadly, it reminds of my Red Clyde, and the ferocity of the anger of organised labour when the chips are down. • Stuart Murray (stuartmurray758@gmail. com) is a former senior assistant editor of Financial Mail and co-founder, editor, and CEO of Finance Week. He is retired and lives in Plettenberg Bay.
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SERIOUS WORK AHEAD: Finance Minister Tito Mboweni’s mid-term budget clearly indicates that South Africa is a failing state
pair. It has a bloated and over-remunerated public service. Mboweni has taken steps to curtail the spending spree at government level and a dysfunctional number of what we now call stateowned enterprises (SOEs), such as Eskom. The government wage bill alone accounts for 46% of gross tax revenue (2019/20) of R1.36-trillion. A recent Treasury review shows that 29,000 public servants (plus MPs and provincial executives) earn more than R1-million a year. For the sixth year in a row, SARS has been unable to meet the Treasury’s estimated revenue collection; the shortfall is expected to be R53-billion for the 2019/20 financial year - a very big number. Apart from anything else, it indicates the sharp slide in economic growth, earnings and public spending. VAT inflow is expected to drop R12.1-billion and company tax by R10.6-billion. Meanwhile, government continues to bailout Eskom, which has debt of R460billion and no means by which to repay it. Currently, South Africa’s debt-to-GDP is higher than its comparable countries. Eskom handouts will push debt-to-GDP from the 2019/20 budgeted figure of 56.2% to 64.9% in 2020/21 and 68.5% in 2021. Even Moody’s, the only ratings agency which has kept South Africa out of “junk�
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INTERVAL
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Hilarious answers… • I went to my doctor with hearing problems. He asked: “Can you describe the symptoms?” I said: “Homer is the big dude and Marge has blue hair...” • A large woman put on a dress and asks her husband if the dress makes her look different. Her husband replies: “You’re asking the wrong person, I saw you before you put it on.” • Survey question: Are there too many immigrants in Britain? 17% said Yes; 11% said No; 72% said “I am not understanding the question please”. • Many moons ago, Arnold Schwarzenegger was asked if he wanted to upgrade to Windows 7. He replied: “I still love Vista, baby.” • What did the number Zero (0) say to the number Eight (8)? “Nice belt!” • Who sells a product cheaper… a manufacturer or a distributor? The storehouse security guard. • A bookseller conducting a market survey asks a woman: “Which book has helped you most in your life?” The woman replies: “My husband’s cheque book.” • What steps should you take if you ever come across a dangerous animal in the wilderness? Very large ones. • Saw a lad standing on one leg at an ATM. Confused, I asked him what he was doing. He said he was just checking his balance… • Which country’s capital has the fastest-growing population? Ireland. Every day it’s Dublin! • Waiter: “How do you like your steak, sir?” Sir: “Like winning an argument with my wife.” Waiter: “Rare it is, then.” • I went to my local bookshop and asked the lady working there: “Where is the self-help section?”
She replied: “That would defeat the purpose.” • Mikey: “I ate a submarine sandwich for lunch and I think I’m going to be sick.” Mother: “What makes you say that?” Mikey: “It’s starting to surface.” • What do you call a sleepwalking nun? A roamin’ Catholic. • ”I’m sorry,” said the flower shop clerk, “we don’t have potted geraniums. Could you use African violets instead?” “No, it was geraniums my wife told me to water while she was gone,” replied the customer sadly. • What starts with an ‘O’ and ends with ‘nions’ and sometimes make you cry? Opinions. • Julia’s mother asked her: “Why are you feeding birdseed to the cat?” “Because,” Julia answered, “that’s where my canary is.” • One morning my wife asked our four-year-old son what he wanted for breakfast. “Soup,” he said. “Son, we don’t eat soup for breakfast. We eat soup for lunch. So what would you like for breakfast?” “Lunch,” he replied. • A man said to his doctor: “Doc, I keep having visions of the future.” “When did these start?” asked his doctor. “Next Thursday.” • A wife comes downstairs before a dinner date with her husband. “Do I look fat in this dress?” she asks. “Do I look dumb in this shirt?” her husband replies. • Husband: “What would you like for your birthday, darling?” Wife: “Frankly, I’d like a divorce.” Husband: “Yikes! I wasn’t planning on spending that much!” • What do you say to your sister when she’s crying? “Are you having a crisis?” • Me: “I taught my dog to play chess.” My friend: “He must be
very smart?” Me: “Not really, I beat him two games out of three!” • A man walked up to the counter of an autopart store. “Excuse me,” he said, “I’d like to get a new gas cap for my Uno.” “Sure,” the clerk replied. “Sounds like a fair exchange to me.” • Joe: “I don’t even know what the cloning machine does?” Mike: “Well, that makes two of us.” • What do you get if you cross a parrot with a centipede? A walkie-talkie.
• A man walks up to a librarian and asks: “Do you have any books on Pavlov’s dogs and Schrödinger’s cat?” The librarian responds: “It rings a bell, but I’m not sure if it’s here or not.” • First grade teacher: “There are two words I don’t allow in my class. One is ‘gross’ and the other is ‘cool’.” Rachel: “Yeah? So, what are the words?” • What do you call a hippie’s wife? Mississippi. • How do you make R2million in Plett within a year? Arrive with R4-million…
SOCIAL SCENE
6 November 2019
CXPRESS
SIYA, RASSIE, AND ALL OUR BOKS ROCK! No lengthy descriptions are required to express the joy felt throughout CX Country, South Africa, and the world when the Springboks won Rugby World Cup 2019 last Saturday. Thanks are due to everyone who shared their photos of this most memorable occasion with CXPRESS.
People, places & events SPOTLIGHT ON FIELA: Seeing that ‘Fiela se Kind’ was shot largely in the Knysna forest and surrounds, a special premier of the flick was screened at The Moorings on Tuesday October 29, the occasion serving as official opening event of the inaugural Knysna Film Festival. Among those in attendance were Plett locals, above from left, Jean Sparg, actress Lika Berning of Ikasi Media, and Bitou Amateur Theatrical Society members Leigh Dunn and Gillian Reid. Guests were treated to cocktails and canapés, and also received exclusive Fiela memorabilia - coffee mugs, pencil cases, bookmarks, stickers and brochures - to celebrate this one of a kind Knysna event. At right, Uschi Schultz, Hilda Saaiers and Sylvia Nelson enjoy some popcorn before the screening of ‘Fiela se Kind’. At far right, international actress and vegan activist Shannon Elizabeth is pictured with her canine companion, Peanut. - Photos: Candice Ludick BOWLING 4 BOOBS: During October’s breast cancer commemorations, the folk at Plettenberg Bay Bowling Club hoped they could also contribute to the cause, similar to events like the annual Cancer Walk held on October 25. This they did by hosting a Bowling 4 Boobs event on October 29 as part of the Business League competition which started on October 1 and concluded last night. Says the club’s Derek Rushton: “The League runs for six Tuesdays and attracts 42 teams, mainly businesses in our special town, so we thought this would be an ideal vehicle for the cancer drive - and we weren’t wrong. All players dressed for the occasion and over R6,000 was raised for the fight against cancer. Part of the cash raised was from our wonderful club members, and we thank all businesses who supported the evening.” Hats off to Robberg Fine Foods, Helen Melon Properties, The Investment Shop, Clare’s Cakes, Delia’s, Thyme & Again, The Table, Nineteen89, The Deli Factory, The Chocolate Café, and Ouland Royale. Derek is pictured at top right with Phillip Prosser, Melissa Jansen van Rensburg, and Helen Ward. Pictured at right are Stephen Richie, Sally Searle and Simon Revington.
MAS QUE NADA MEETS IPI TOMBI: A visiting group of Brazilian tourists came to share some of the Lunchbox Theatre After-school Activities Programme (ASAP) magic on October 22, and joined in as Amanda Valela’s traditional African dance class entertained them. CXPRESS readers from all over the Route can also witness this group and many others, including performers of hip hop, gum boot-dancing and drama, at Lunchbox Theatre’s annual ASAP Showcase at KwaNokuthula Primary School on November 9 at 2pm. Visit www.lunchbox.org.za for additional information.
La Luna
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CLASSIFIEDS
ON THE SOAPBOX
6 November 2019
Letters to the Editor
Email: editor@cxpress.co.za - Fax: 044 533 0852 - PO Box 1449, Plett 6600
Transport minister has some explaining to do over grounded national air fleet Statistics show us that it is safer to be flying in an aeroplane at a speed of 800km/h at an altitude of 3km than to be travelling in a motor vehicle at 80km/h on one of our national highways. The good safety record of civil aviation is only due
to the strict observance of prescribed regulations for aeroplanes both in flight and on the ground. Thus, it is with great alarm that we read of the grounding of several South African Airways flights due to shoddy, unqualified and incomplete
Yield to the right?!
This motorist did not even look or slow down when he entered the circle from Challenge Drive, and if I had been driving in the same unsafe, manner, we would have had a collision. - Dashcam Diaries, Plett
Our crane families are styling!
CXPRESS of September 18 featured a magnificent cover image of blue cranes visiting our neighbourhood, with a report by BirdLife Plett chair Bruce Ward-Smith inside (read it on page 5 of that edition at www.cxpress.co.za). Bruce over the past couple of weeks shared these photos to show how well the feathered family is doing, and how rapidly the chicks are growing. Thanks, Bruce! Email bwardsmith@ mweb.co.za to find out more about local birders’ activities.
maintenance performed at SAA maintenance depots. How is this allowed to happen? Why are the lives of hundreds of passengers put at risk? Who is responsible for such a terrible break with protocol? Surely, heads must roll and be seen to roll or will the ANC sweep this under the carpet? For Transport minister Fikile Mbalula to say that “plane groundings are normal in the avia-
tion industry”, although basically correct, is missing the point all together. The question he should be answering is why SAA planes were grounded, and explain how and why slipshod maintenance was allowed in the first place. Fortunately, the one good to come out of this was that the SA Civil Aviation Authority had the will and the gumption to act. Kevin Meineke, Plett
What’s cooking at national park’s eatery? Three years ago the Storms River section of Garden Route National Park had a major fire which destroyed its restaurant. I had heard that a few plans were submitted for consideration with a view to build a replacement restaurant on the burnt out site. One of these plans submitted was from an architect who suggested the new building took the shape on a ship wreck. The design was brilliant and reasonably easy to construct. I stand to be corrected, but I believe none of the
submitted plans were considered and that a new building has never been constructed. The restaurant now operates out of a makeshift tent. Is that true and could CXPRESS shed any light on this? What are the future plans? It would be interesting to know, as the Storms River camp is extremely popular with our overseas tourists. G Button, Plett (This letter was forwarded to the restaurant in question and SANParks for a response but none was received by going to print. - Eds)
South African Communist Party calls for action in Bitou A suggestion by the Plettenberg Bay Ratepayers Association [PBRPA], that Bitou Local Municipality is “captured”, smells of a rat and we lack no intelligence to have foreseen from afar that it has serious political undertones. The narrow-minded bourgeoisies in the form of PBRPA is predominantly made up of a white privileged membership, who participated in the Zuma Must Fall campaigns waged against the former president - a direct fight to discredit black excellence. Calling Bitou Municipality “captured” is a narrative that is used to mobilise and raise an alarm to communities to revolt against the ANC-led coalition. History has no blank pages: between 2007 and 2009 there were riots that claimed the life of an innocent black child. White monopoly capitalists in Plettenberg Bay were alleged to have funded black on black violence, to destabilise and render their then ANC-led local government ungovernable - and this only took place in black communities.
Advocate Lonwabo Ngoqo was municipal manager at the time and was purged by the DA/ Cope Coalition after they took power in 2011. The SACP Lizo Nkonki District does not condone corruption, maladministration, or nepotism in any municipality, particularly those that are led by the African National Congress. We condemn the “swart gevaar” strategy and tactics used by PBRPA, and they must stop subjecting advocate Ngoqo to a trial of public opinion. Allow the process that was initiated by the Western Cape MEC for Local Government, EA&DP Anton Bredell to take its course. We are aware that PBRPA would be contesting in the 2021 local government elections by supporting independent candidates across Bitou. This is electioneering to lay foundation for their plan. As a vanguard party of the workers, the poor and downtrodden, we call upon not only the branches of the SACP in Plett but the rank and file of residents of Bitou to ex-
press their disapproval of undermining and interference in legal processes and to be vigilant, mobilise and plan for action to defend black excellence and the ANC-led coalition. All our members in Bitou Sub-district must attend the report-back meeting at Piesang Valley Community Hall on November 5 as invited. Langa Langa (SACP Lizo Nkonki District secretary) and Thembela Mhlana (district chairperson), by email (Contrary to the above, PBRPA commented that during a recent rally to celebrate its foundation 98 years ago, SACP national leadership called on all sectors of society, regardless of their politics, to stand up to “parasitic” state capture and corruption. “All South Africans who hate state capture and corruption: let’s come together and say enough is enough,” said the party’s secretary general Blade Nzimande, adding that the difficulties faced today “is largely because of the billions of rands stolen through state capture”. He said good public serv-
ants should be supported because they are being killed, maimed and harassed as they stand up to corruption, especially in local government. “We are going all out to organise all South Africans who want peace to come together to defend this democracy against theft and corruption,” said Nzimande, who is also Higher Education minister. He said the SACP would inform allies COSATU and the ANC of its meetings to fight corruption, but would never seek permission from them on this issue. He took a swipe at the EFF saying the opposition party is only targeting Public Enterprises minister Pravin Gordhan because he is trampling on EFF supporters. He poked fun at the party’s “Louis Vuitton overalls” which are “very expensive”. He said people who never fought a single battle “like to talk about war”. Messrs Langa and Mhlana can be contacted on 082 598 9232 or 078 879 2678 respectively for further information. We will report on last night’s meeting in the next edition. - Eds.)
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SPORT & ADVENTURE
6 November 2019
Here’s holding thumbs that Plett’s Italian Ninja will bring home some Inca gold… N Friday, Galliano Boni - aka the Italian Ninja - departs Plett to represent South Africa at the 22nd edition of the FSK South American Karate & Kobudo Championships held in Catamarca, Argentina, from November 15-17. On Galliano’s return from the WUKF and WJKA World Championships in July, he received an invitation from the Federacion Sudamericana de Karate-Do (FSK) to participate in the South American All Styles Championships. “The invitation came as a complete surprise - and then we needed to decide if he could attend or not,” says dad Roberto Boni, adding that Galliano had just competed in two world championship tournaments, which required months of hard training. The youngster was given the choice, knowing that he would have to put in the extra hours for another three long months. Once he had made up his mind that he would participate, two hurdles lay ahead. First, permission had to be obtained from the Education department for Galliano to be absent from school during his exams; secondly, finances for yet another international tournament had to be secured.
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NOT TAKING STICK: Galliano Boni, pictured here with sensei Elrie Bosman, has a myriad of international titles under his belt, and will for the first time compete in a Kobudo - literally meaning ‘ancient martial way’ and referring to the weapons art of the Okinawan people Championship in Argentina later this month
Due to Galliano’s exemplary marks at school he was given permission by both Plett Primary and the department to attend the championships, both acknowledging the honour of being invited to such a prestigious event. “The second obstacle was not as easy! We needed to find sponsorships for the second time in a year and understandably this was quite a challenge,” explains Roberto. But with the decision made, it was hoped everything else would fall into place. Then, on the day after the flights were paid for, disaster struck. “The school called to tell me that Galliano had fallen and hurt his forearm. I immediately took
him to the doctor and off for x-rays.” The news could not have been worse: fracture. Everything was put on hold for four weeks until the cast came off on the eve of the NMA/ISKA South African Championships in Stellenbosch. It was decided that Galliano would not fight and so risk further injury. He participated in the kata divisions and, albeit still in some pain, he managed to win three SA titles for Kata, Traditional Weapons, and Creative Kata. Fortunately, the fracture had healed sufficiently for him to return to full-time training by early October. Apart from karate, Galliano will be participating in the first-ever Kobudo
Championship, where he will contend in two divisions: Short Weapons with his Sia Kata, and Long Weapons with Bo Kata - which he only started learning a few days before breaking his arm. The trip to Argentina will also be a special occasion for Roberto, who was an AFS Exchange student in Tucuman just six months after the Falklands War ended in 1982, and thus lived through some historic times. “Although I’ve been back since, it will be a privilege to take Galliano to meet my friends and host family, and to show him where I went to school and played rugby,” smiles Roberto. Tucuman is famous for a particularly scrappy rugby match between the Springboks and Los Pumas, which became notoriously known as the Battle of Tucuman… At the tender age of nine, Galliano has attended six world championship tournaments, won one World Grand Champion trophy, eight world titles, five silver and four bronze medals. He has 33 South African titles to his name and here’s hoping he’ll return from Argentina with some South American silver (or is that gold...?)-ware.
Knysna win means double delight for Dlamini Nobuhle Dlamini claimed her second consecutive Vodacom Origins of Golf victory when winning the final tournament of the series by three shots at the Simola Golf and Country Estate last week. She closed with a oneunder-par 71 to win on level par 144, adding to her victory in the Selborne tournament in October. “Winning two out of two is great. And I’ve won on two totally different golf courses, which is good for the confidence,” said Dlamini, who joins Casandra Hall as the only Sunshine Ladies Tour professionals to have won twice in the Vodacom Origins series this year. Photo: Tyrone Winfield
Storms River
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