7 August 2019

7 August 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 Printed by Group Editors

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He came, he cycled, he conquered…

Siphe Ncapayi of Plett’s famous Kwano Cycling Academy raises his bike in celebration after winning his age category in the London to Paris Race two Saturdays ago, with the City of Lights’ iconic Eiffel Tower bearing witness to his joy - turn to page 12 for the full story.

Meghan is missing p3

Be upright, man! p5

34K jobs lost... p7

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CXPRESS

NEWS & VIEWS

7 August 2019

Driving Miss Crazy

Taking Bob for a pizza and a pint yields culinary secrets of yore JEEVES shares his adventures as Garden Route chauffeur extraordinaire - in this instance, flashing back to Father’s Day 2019, and a 1970s prawn recipe HE phone buzzed, I glanced at the screen: unknown number. To answer, or not to answer? Curiosity triumphed. “Hi! I’m Sarah. Are you available for Father’s Day?� “Depends. What do you have in mind?�

She giggled.

Transpires she’s in Jozi; her dad has just relocated to Sedge, doesn’t know anyone, slipped in the shower, can’t drive - and can I take him out for lunch?

She’ll pay the bill, and give me a 50% tip.

No problem! I had no plans, as my son is in Israel and his mom in a hippy colony in the Baviaanskloof Wilderness area.

I meet Bob-on-a-Crutch and he’s made a reservation for lunch at a pizza pub - all he wants is a pizza and a pint. We choose

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the same: ham and avocado. I’d eaten here before, and requested that they NOT be smothered in cheddar this time‌ Ugh! Bob tells me about Sarah.

Single high-powered career girl earning monthly in the five zeros category. No particular man in her life - either can’t find one, or doesn’t want to.

But if she needs a man she’ll go to a bar with a friend, search around for a BMW key-ring, Rolex Oyster, set her sights on the lucky victim and move in for the kill!

Bob has low hopes of becoming a grandpa‌ The pizza shoveller arrives at the table. “How do you want your pizza?â€? “Normal base and toppings, but NO cheese over it please!â€? “No cheese?â€?

“Normal base - mozzarella, tomato puree, ham and avo on top, but only top the avo when the pizza is cooked, please.

That’s it!�

She squints at me like I’m twisted and waddles off to her clay oven. “You are persnickety,� mumbles Bob. “Isn’t it ‘pernickety’?�

Would you believe, turns out Bob and I had crossed paths in the 70s at Norman’s Grill in Doornfontein, Johannesburg, famous for its LM prawns. He was a trainee chef there, and the LM tiger prawns cost R1 each - a fortune back then!

I pumped him for the secret to their grilled prawns, the one with the sweet chilli sauce, and he relented.

At the door he tells the duty

manager: “That was the best pizza I’ve had in years. Thanks!�

Norman’s Grill LM Prawns • Large prawns - 4-6 per person • Butterfly and devein prawns, shell on • Dunk prawns in the marinade • Grill over coals, or panfry 3min per side • Serve with crispy bread and French-dressed green salad, tomato wedges, and thick red onion slices.

Marinade / Basting sauce 4 Tablespoons sunflower oil Juice from 2 lemons 2 Cloves crushed garlic 1 Tablespoon peri-peri sauce 150ml sweet chilli sauce 1 Teaspoon paprika • Mix all ingredients and refrigerate until required.

Enjoy - and buckle up! Jeeves, aka ‘The Knackered Chef’‌

Full schedule awaits U3A Plett members this August N Mondays this month, Dr Robert Bucholz continues his Brief History of London, taking U3A [University of the Third Age] Plett from Pepys to Dickens, whereas Wednesdays feature a varied programme of talks and screenings.

Says convenor Michael Lond: “We welcome back Dr Gwenith Penry who has spoken to us on previous occasions. She will tell us of her current research projects, one of which is in association with Dr Mark Brown - also a popular repeat speaker of U3A - of the Nature’s Valley Trust.

Dr Penry’s talk ‘Marine Con-

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servation in a Growing Blue Economy’ takes place at Formosa Garden Village (FGV) at 10am today, Wednesday August 7.

Says Penry: “I will talk about two of the main projects I am involved in at the moment. “They both deal with the economics of marine resources, which may sound boring, but they are related to marine tourism, and also the current spate of deadly entanglements of whales in a new exploratory fishery in South Africa. “Mark and I are leading a Marine Tourism Sustainability project, focusing on the whale

watching industry. This project is funded by the Nedbank Green Trust and we have a big team of staff and students collecting data on the biological, social, and economic aspects of marine tourism. “Concurrently, I am providing specialist advice to the Department of Environment Forestry and Fisheries on the current crisis regarding whale entanglements in octopus fishery gear.�

On Wednesday August 21, the much-postponed documentary on the Lipizzaners of Vienna, entitled The Dancing White Horses, will be screened

at FGV. These world famous stallions never fail to amaze their audiences, but even more wonderful is the story behind their breeding, training, and escape during WWII. “Dr Hilana Steyn will share her experiences on her most recent trip to the Southern Ocean and our monthly investigation of a masterpiece of art will be of Edouard Manet’s mysterious open-air lunch party at which the gentlemen are fully clothed and the ladies less so,� says Lond.

Contact him on 072 838 6949 or at damilo@mweb.co.za for additional information.

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NEWS & VIEWS

7 August 2019

CXPRESS

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Help family find Meghan: Stranger allegedly seen driving missing woman’s CX-car A funding initiative has been launched in an attempt to assist the family of a former Knysna resident who went missing near Ottery in Cape Town over the weekend, in their efforts to find her - YOLANDÉ STANDER reports ESTERN Cape police spokesman lieutenant colonel Andre Traut confirmed that Meghan Cremer, 30, was last seen leaving her home on a farm in Philippi just before 6:30pm on Saturday.

Alarm was made after she failed to return home and did not show up for work.

Cremer is 1.67m tall, weighs about 50kg, has blue eyes, and long hazel brown hair. She was wearing a green top and black tracksuit pants at the time she disappeared.

She was driving her white Toyota Auris with registration number CX29727.

There have been several social media posts about

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MISSING SINCE SATURDAY: Meghan Cremer was last seen by the friend she shares a home with on Rietvlei farm close to Philippi - Photo supplied

the car being spotted, including at a roadblock in Wynberg. It is believed that the vehicle was being driven by a stranger.

Another post suggested that the vehicle was spotted in the Grassy Park area.

It is understood that Cremer’s phone has been off since her disappearance.

Concerned family and friends, including her brother Paul Cremer, have since turned to social media in an attempt to find her. Paul pleaded on Facebook to contact him with any information that could lead to finding his sister.

In the meantime, friends have established a crowdfunding initiative to assist Cremer’s family in their time of need.

On www.gofundme.com friends appealed for donations to cover expenses,

including a private detective, posters and flyers, ad space, travel expenses for the family and any other expenses incurred during search efforts.

At the time of going to print just short of R29,000 had been raised.

Anyone with information that could assist the police in tracing Cremer can contact lieutenant colonel Gavin Sias on 082 469 7243 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.

Garden Route Media

PLETTENBERG BAY

Public urged to join neighbourhood watch groups for united front against crime and house robberies YolandĂŠ Stander

LETTENBERG Bay crime fighters have called on residents to step up in their fight against crime, following a spate of burglaries and theft over the past 10 days.

Plett Watch’s Lisa Nagel said there had been at least eight incidents during this period - and these were only the ones reported to her. “I’m certain there are more that I am not aware of. This is very concerning to say the least,� Nagel said.

She added that they were in the process of mapping and plotting all the burglaries in order to establish a pattern or trend and also to assist with identifying areas where they needed more patrols.

Nagel said in order to achieve this, there was a need for more dedicated patrollers in all areas. “We need eyes and ears

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out at all hours, and preferably overlapping. If less than half the members on our groups did an hour patrol per month at a set time, we would have 24/7 patrolling. “There are 744 hours in a 31-day month. We have more than double that number of people on our groups. All we ask is a couple of hours of your time once a month and we will have this town covered,�

Nagel said.

She added that, mostly, the presence of patrollers scared off criminals. “The hours from 6pm to 6am are crucial and would suit members who work fulltime or do not sleep much. During the day, housewives and retirees could take a drive around and keep an eye out for suspicious behaviour. “At the moment we have a maximum of 12 active volunteer patrollers trying

to cover all the hours in a month,� she said, adding that all residents should belong to neighbourhood watch groups. “The more members we have on groups, the more information we can get out to you regarding your area, and the more secure everyone will feel, knowing that you are aware of what is happening around you.�

Nagel said they also needed information with regards to burglaries and other crime in each area. “This will assist us with the mapping of ‘hot’ areas. We are not always informed, so it is difficult to get a true reflection of where, when, and how a crime has taken place. “The more information we receive, the more we are able to assist and try to ensure it does not happen again.�

Garden Route Media • Also see the Plett Ratepayers Association update on page 4.

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CXPRESS

7 August 2019

NEWS & VIEWS

Plett Ratepayers Association Update we think of Plettenberg Bay Guarding your home against the WHEN we visualise tranquillity, beauty and a carefree, safe environment. We sometimes forget we are staying in South Afcurrent spate of burglaries... rica, which is considered one of the most

Marius Venter

dangerous countries in the world, and then tend to relax and become complacent to the risk of crime in and around our town.

I am writing this article to encourage people to become more vigilant, and to be more observant around the home. Do an evaluation on your current security system and ensure your alarms and electric fencing are activated when you are not home and at night.

Make sure the equipment is in good working condition and up to date; do a test by pressing your panic button or activate your alarm to see if your response company calls you.

The past two months have seen an increase in general house robberies in Plett, where perpetrators enter properties through roofs and windows without burglar bars. Most targeted are unoccupied holiday homes and in several of these cases, the criminals went in with one goal: to get access to the safes and jewellery.

Sometimes safes are removed from the property so burglars can access the contents offsite. The criminals use sophisticated equipment and have no set time for executing the break-ins.

Lately, we have been called out to armed robberies between 8pm and 10pm, while families are relaxed and watching TV. A group of four armed assailants have recently been burglarising homes in Plett.

The group is well informed with specific details, which poses a lot of questions and is of great concern.

They know owners’ names and movements, the location of safes and how many weapons are inside - they even go as far as telling the owners which weapons they want from the safe when forced to open it. Their main target seems to be weapons, jewellery, and cash.

We have combined all our security resources to try and apprehend the group, but have not been successful so far. We are getting close, though…

We ask the public to remain vigilant; if you see a suspicious vehicle or people who look out of place, or if your alarm goes off or the dogs bark, don’t step outside of your home. If you feel unsafe, contact the Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association (PBCPA) call centre on 082 251 8134 - we will dispatch our team immediately to investigate.

Please read my full article at www. plettratepayers.co.za to find out more about preventing house burglaries, security measures, and home invasion techniques.

If you have any questions or need a security evaluation, please feel free to contact me on 083 408 1911. We will get professional people out to evaluate your current system and advise on what else could be offered to make your property safe.

• Marius Venter is a member of the Plett Ratepayers Association, and also intricately involved with the PBCPA. This is the first column of a Ratepayers Association series to feature monthly.

Prioritise safety of the fairer sex this Women’s Month RIME affects all sectors of South African society, but the fear of crime is often felt much more acutely by women.

Stats SA indicated that women felt more unsafe than men walking in their neighbourhoods alone both during the day and when it is dark. (www.statssa.gov.za).

This feeling of fear can be addressed to some extent by exercising basic safety principals and by being vigilant, according to Fidelity ADT Marketing and Communications manager Charnel Hattingh.

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Women’s Month, she says, is the perfect time to remind ladies of all ages of the following valuable safety tips: • Before leaving home, ensure a loved one or friend knows where you are going. If someone knows your whereabouts, they can check up on you to ensure you have arrived home safely. If anything occurs, these friends will know where to find you or where to start looking.

• If you are at a shopping mall, ATM or bank, remain alert of any suspicious individuals. Avoid dark and deserted ATMs, especially at night.

• When driving, ensure your doors are locked and remain vigilant, especially when stopping at traffic lights.

• Many people suggest placing your mobile phone in the boot (with your handbag). But if any incident occurs, there usually is not enough time to retrieve this from the boot. Rather, keep your phone close to you, but out of sight.

If it is not an emergency call or text message, don’t answer until you have safely arrived at your destination. Avoid anything that distracts your attention from the road.

• When arriving home, be on the lookout for any suspicious vehicles or people that might be lurking around your gate or front door. If you feel unsafe, rather circle the block again. Most security companies offer a home arrival service, where an armed response officer can meet you at your door to ensure your safety.

Keep relevant emergency numbers preprogrammed on your mobile phone. Having these numbers on speed dial is essential in an emergency, especially when you are in a state of shock.

“Ask your security company if they offer a mobile panic button service, perhaps as an app that can be downloaded onto your phone. If you find yourself in an emergency, your phone will serve as a beacon to locate you as soon as possible,” says Hattingh.

(See the advert on page 3 for additional information and contact details.)

NEWS & VIEWS

7 August 2019

CXPRESS

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‘Upright men’ such as Dr Saul significantly absent in South African politics Read CXPRESS online at www.cxpress.co.za

WANDISILE SEBEZO bemoans the fact that so few politicians in our suffering land see fit to put service above self ORTHEN Cape premier Dr Zamani Saul’s Sankarist approach to governance is the way to go. Admittedly, at first I had my doubts and frankly brushed off his actions as mere populist posturing. But eventually he has won over not only me, but South Africans across vast sectors.

Dr Saul is the fifth premier of the Northern Cape who rose to prominence by walking the talk of his inauguration promise: delivering clean governance by cutting irregular and wasteful expenditure in his administration.

Instead of buying luxury cars for his executive committee, Dr Saul has already bought 23 new ambulances - the first in a fleet of 63. He has refused blue lights for him-

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self and his exco; he has vowed to sell his official residence and redirect the funds for education projects in the province.

He has been called the ‘no blue lights premier’, an ‘activist premier’, and so on. But to some of us it’s befitting to call him ‘Sankarist’, taking our cue from the great Burkinabe revolutionary and president of Burkina Faso (1983-1987), Thomas Sankara.

Hailed as Africa’s Che Guevara, check out some of Sankara’s accomplishments during just four short years in office: • Vaccinated over 2.5-million children against meningitis, yellow fever and measles in just weeks; • Started a nationwide campaign that saw the literacy rate rising from 13%

in 1983 to 73% in 1987.

• Sold off the government fleet of Mercedes cars and made the Renault 5 (then the cheapest car in Burkina Faso) the official service car for ministers.

Sankara went further by reducing the salaries of all public officials, including his own. He took home $450 per month and limited his possessions to a car, four bikes, three guitars, a fridge, and a broken freezer.

The dude even wrote the new national anthem himself, and renamed the country from Upper Volta to Burkina Faso, meaning ‘Land of Upright Man’.

Such is the kind of servant leadership we desperately need. Having people like Dr Zamani Saul in the Northern Cape exemplify-

ing exactly that is a breath of fresh air in South Africa’s body politic.

Note that neither Thomas Sankara then nor Dr Saul now used austerity measures that include increasing tax or cutting government expenditure; rather, funds are redirected for better use. In my books that is most commendable.

Right about now, our situation is beyond bleak in a country where youth unemployment has risen from 39% to over 40%, while overall unemployment sits at 29% in the second quarter of 2019.

I’d say we need more of the Thomas Sankaras and Dr Zamani Sauls of this world - you know, upright men.

Sadly, there aren’t any in Plett.

Rangers recognised as key contributors to our province’s biodiversity

NATURE’S PR OFFICER: Friendly Natasha Goliath works in Limietberg Nature Reserve

ORLD Ranger Day (WRD) is celebrated annually on July 31 - an occasion when CapeNature paid tribute to the brave men and women who continue to risk their safety in order to protect the Western Cape’s natural heritage.

Rangers play a key operational role ensuring visitors access to natural spaces that are well maintained and safe for the public. This all happens alongside their other duties, including administrative work and interaction with respective conservation partners.

Rangers - sometimes also called environmental safety officers - often have to work in precarious cir-

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cumstances, where injury and even death can occur in the line of duty. Ranger Day serves to honour fallen rangers, as their peers acknowledge their legacy.

Said CapeNature CEO Dr Razeena Omar: “CapeNature could simply not fulfil its mandate of conserving biodiversity in the Western Cape without the hard work of our field rangers.

“We honour and commend them year round, but more so on July 31 when World Ranger Day is celebrated across the globe. Conserving land, protecting species, fighting invasive alien vegetation, managing fires and helping visitors to explore our reserves - it’s

GOING THE EXTRA MILE: Hilton Bock does his bit to conserve Knersvlakte Nature Reserve

all in day’s work for our rangers, who continue to go the extra mile.”

Dr Omar continued by saying that she was also very excited to see a growth in the number of women being employed in the traditionally maledominated field.

CapeNature has provided opportunities for rangers in the form of upskilling to further equip them with a wide range of skills, required in the conservation industry.

Rangers have access to a variety of short courses and workshops at the organisation to enhance their capabilities.

Said CapeNature director Dr Ernst Baard: “Our field rangers perform a val-

uable service in our effort to conserve, restore and manage the unique biodiversity and ecosystems of the Western Cape.

“Without their tireless and dedicated service, protected area management would not be what it is today. Their operational support has ameliorated our management of these areas, and we salute them on World Ranger Day.” • Garden Route National Park rangers celebrated WRD in the Tsitsikamma section of the park, and were joined by environmental monitors, stakeholders, and rangers from Mountain Zebra National Park. See details and photos at www.cxpress.co.za.

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CXPRESS

NEWS & VIEWS

7 August 2019

From PE to EU: Eskom Expo whizz kid heads to Germany OUNG scientist Brad Spies from Port Elizabeth recently departed for Germany to embark on a three-and-a-half year electronics/mechatronics apprenticeship at the Siemens Technical Academy in Berlin.

Spies was awarded the apprenticeship by innovative technology leader Siemens, after competing in the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists International Science Fair (ISF) last October.

The apprenticeship, set to commence this month, is worth R1-million and comes with a guaranteed job at Siemens in South Africa after completion.

Spies developed an affordable wind turbine that manipulates the wind to generate electrical energy. His research concluded that there was negative wind that opposed the turbine to spin and that 32 degrees was the best angle for the ramp for the most efficient manipulation of wind. Not only is his unit affordable and requires no electricity, it is also environmentally friendly.

Eskom Expo executive director Parthy Chetty said the event had created a platform for bright young minds to follow their passion in the sciences by doing research and innovation.

“The environment created by Expo promotes creativity and curiosity of the world

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we live in, while investing in our future scientists and innovators.

“For four decades, thousands of young scientists were inspired and supported though this national initiative, which now also carries the burden of producing scientists and engineers for the country, to engage in the fourth industrial revolution,” said Chetty.

The Siemens apprenticeship is an academic and vocational training programme, which affords the incumbent an opportunity to take part in a high-level training course.

Spies will learn valuable theory at the Siemens Professional Education Vocational School, and then put this knowledge into practice at the training centre in Berlin. He will also have the opportunity to work on some of the most advanced digital technologies in the engineering field.

Siemens Southern and Eastern Africa CEO Sabine Dall’Omo said investing in the future of young, African engineers and innovators was part of the group’s DNA. “Our continent can only prosper if we empower and develop our young engineers and those who can make a change in Africa, for Africa. This is a unique opportunity promoting both international and multicultural exposure while advancing the skills Siemens would require in the future,” said Dall’Omo. BRIGHT FUTURE: DF Malherbe High School matriculant Brad Spies scored the grand prize at Eskom Expo 2018 with his super-ingenious and cost-effective wind turbine, which won him a training opportunity of a lifetime, kicking off this month in arguably the European Union’s most scientifically advanced member state

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The Trust also offers learners a reading programme, assisting them to attain and maintain the standard required to ultimately pass matric.

Among the numerous beneficiaries of the Trust count LIFE Community Services - a Christian NGO working to confront the dilemmas and crises facing orphaned and vulnerable children today - and Emmaüs, which provides disabled adults with accommodation, food and therapeutic job opportunities irrespective of race, culture, sex or religious beliefs.

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BUSINESS

7 August 2019

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CXPRESS

Domestic workers first in firing line with 34,000 jobs lost in 2019 so far

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HE latest job data from Statistics South Africa paint a grim picture for employment prospects in the country. The Quarterly Labour Force Survey results for the second quarter of the year showed a massive jump in the South African unemployment rate to 29% - the highest point in 16 years.

The big leap was as a result of an increase of 455,000 more people who are unemployed versus an increase of 21,000 people who found employment during the quarter, the stats body said.

This means that of the 476,000 new people entering the workforce in SA in the second quarter, only 4% managed to find a job.

Across the different sectors in SA, private households were hardest hit by the poor second-quarter figures where 49,000 jobs were lost. Households have come under increasing pressure over the last few years, burdened by higher taxes, a higher cost of living, and the fallout of many of South Africa’s other ills (low growth, political uncertainty).

Households have invariably been forced to cut back on spending where they can, which has had a direct impact on domestic jobs.

This is highlighted further by Stats SA’s data on job types, the group reporting a second quarterly decline in domestic worker positions, where 19,000 domestic workers lost their jobs in the second quarter.

Added to the losses seen in the first quarter of the year (15,000 jobs lost), more than 34,000 domestic workers have now been put out of work in the first half of the year alone.

Domestic worker pay The decline in domestic worker jobs over this period is significant because it lines up with the introduction of the new National Minimum Wage (NMW) which came into effect on January 1 this year.

While the NMW is set at R20 per hour, domestic workers were one of three category exemptions, where the minimum was set at R15 per hour.

The NWM does not trump any minimum wages established by sectoral determina-

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tions, so the R16.03 per hour set for domestic workers working less than 27 hours per week in area A zones takes precedence over the national minimum wage.

The reality for domestic workers in South Africa is far worse, however, with data from the Household Affordability Index by the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice & Dignity Group, showing that domestic workers are some of the most vulnerable workers in the country, even with the introduction of the National Minimum Wage.

For domestic workers, the NMW rate is R15 per hour - but the wage laws allow for employers to apply for exemptions, which could reduce this by 10% to R13.50 an hour.

According to the group’s research, the cost of feeding a family of four in South Africa ranges from R1,276 per month for core foods, to R2,474 per month for a basic nutritionally complete basket of food.

With bigger families, prices can increase to as much as R4,236 per month for a family of seven. Under these conditions, a domestic worker would have to earn at minimum R27 per hour.

Households cutting back Instead of paying more, however, South African households are looking where they can cut back on their monthly spending and domestic workers are one of the services most likely to get the chop.

A recent household survey conducted by financial group Old Mutual found that 15% of SA households said they would cut back on domestic worker services to help save costs each month. While the figure is low compared to other ‘luxury’ items and services that people say they would cut out, 79% of all households surveyed said they do not have a domestic worker, or have cut this service.

Old Mutual’s survey showed an average 25% increase in households suffering major stress due to money issues in 2018/19, with lower income households under the most pressure.

Middle to upper-income families also showed higher levels of financial stress; 42% of respondents said they struggled to make ends meet each month, while 73% were constantly worried about having enough money.

Property area focus: Whale Rock Gardens Bea Armstrong

ONVENIENTLY situated close to town and within walking distance from the beach, ever-popular Whale Rock Gardens is the ideal spot whether upsizing, downsizing or buying an investment property whence to explore Plett and the Garden Route.

It is just a 10-minute meander by foot over a wetland’s boardwalk to the glorious Robberg Beach, a paradise on earth, with views to the right of Robberg Nature Reserve - a national heritage site, with rocks dating back 120-million years.

Whale Rock Gardens is a gated and accesscontrolled estate that is a mere five-minute drive down Longships to the Beacon Isle shops, and an eight-minute drive into Plett’s Main Street with an abundance of shops and restaurants.

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ROCK SOLID: Sotheby’s Plett agent Bea Armstrong shares her knowledge on Whale Rock Gardens

The Market Square and Plettenberg Mall is 10-15 minutes away, with big shops like Pick n Pay, Woolworths, Clicks, Mugg & Bean and Checkers, plus many boutique shops.

The Whale Rock Gardens estate boasts pristine gardens, gorgeous beautifully-maintained parks and dams, and a large sparkling pool. The area is particularly sought after for the superb natural surroundings, including a variety of indigenous fauna and flora.

This is Plett’s prime secure estate for those seeking smaller full-title homes set over one level, with recent sales from R2.2-million, and those looking for lock-up-and-go apartment options, currently available from R1,650,000.

In addition to the existing 32 apartments, more apartments are currently being built to cater for the demand.

Sales in this estate are evidence of its popularity, with 21 properties having been sold since 2018, leaving only six vacant stands left, the 88-stand estate is almost fully developed.

Also planned for the area is an upmarket 8,000m2 retail and commercial centre where you’ll have everything you need just a stone’s throw from home. Prepare for boutique shopping, dining, offices, a gym, spa, pharmacy, supermarket, and much more without having to drive.

Whale Rock Gardens offers peaceful seaside living and a perfect base from which to explore everything that Plett has to offer, from the host of outdoor adventure and leisure activities to the beautiful beaches.

• Bea Armstrong is an estate agent at Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty Plettenberg Bay and Whale Rock area specialist. Email her at bea.sir@plettenbergbay. com or call 082 940 6616.

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CXPRESS

INTERVAL

7 August 2019

Dad and son haircut HE morning of the big parade, a man and a little boy entered a barber shop together.

“Give me the full treatment please,” the man said. “I want to look good in the parade!”

After the man received a shave, manicure, and haircut, he placed the boy in the chair.

“I’m going to buy a new tie to wear for the

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Saying it my way

parade,” he said. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

When the boy’s haircut was done and the man still hadn’t returned, the barber said: “It looks like your daddy forgot all about you.”

“That wasn’t my daddy,” said the boy. “He just walked up, took me by the hand and said: ‘Come on, son, we’re gonna get a free haircut!’”

American actress, comedian, writer, producer, and playwright TINA FEY

The silent letter HEN I was in school, I used to ask a lot of questions.

One day I asked Ms Doris, our English teacher: “Why do we ignore some letters? ‘H’ like in hour, honest, honour, etc.?”

Ms Doris said: “We are not ignoring them. They are considered silent.”

During lunch break, Ms Doris gave me her packed

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lunch and asked me to heat it in the cafeteria.

I ate all the food and returned with her empty container.

“What happened?” Ms Doris asked. “I told you to go and HEAT my food and you are returning an empty container?”

“I’m sorry, Ms Doris,” I replied. “I thought the ‘H’ was silent.”

A non-swimming captain local laboratory employed a licensed boat captain to man its research vessel. Reportedly, the captain couldn’t swim.

A newcomer, learning of this, approached the

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captain about it.

“Is it true?” the newcomer asked incredulously. “You, a boat captain, can’t swim?”

“No, I can’t,” the captain replied. “Can pilots fly?”

Good luck up there…

HERE once was a funeral for a woman who had often screamed at her husband, drove her children half nuts, scrapped with the neighbours at the slightest opportunity, and even made their poor cat and dog crazy with her explosive temper.

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As the casket was lowered into the grave, a violent thunderstorm broke and the pastor’s benediction was drowned out by a blinding flash of lightning, followed by terrific thunder.

“Well, at least we know she got there all right,” commented her husband.

A total vote of confidence HE dean is hospitalised after a heart attack. As he is lying in his hospital bed reflecting on his brush with death, an attendant arrives with a fabulous bouquet of flowers.

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The dean asks the attendant to hand him the card accompanying the flowers and finds that it reads: “By a vote of 26 to three with two abstentions, the faculty wish you a speedy recovery.”

• Nothing is creepier than a bunch of adults being very quiet.

• ‘Blorft’ is an adjective I just made up that means completely overwhelmed but proceeding as if everything is fine and reacting to the stress with the torpor of a possum. I have been Blorft every day for the past seven years.

• Confidence is 10% work and 90% delusion.

• If you want to make

an audience laugh, you dress a man up like an old lady and push her down the stairs. If you want to make comedy writers laugh, you push an actual old lady down the stairs.

• What turning 40 means to me? I need to take my pants off as soon as I get home. I didn’t use to have to do that, but now I do.

• Say yes. You’ll figure it out afterward.

Two hostages WO music lovers were being held hostage and both were going to be shot. One of them was a country music lover and the other enjoyed all types of music.

Before they were shot the two hostages were

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asked for their final request before they died.

The country music lover said: “I would like to listen to ‘Achy Breaky Heart’ 50 times in a row.”

The other music lover replied: “Please, shoot me first!”

SOCIAL SCENE

7 August 2019

CXPRESS

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People, places & events GET CAUGHT IN A MOUSETRAP: The Bitou Amateur Theatrical Society (BATS) production of The Mousetrap by Agatha Christie opened yesterday with a gala evening, enjoyed by a capacity audience. The play is a murder mystery and prior to the curtain rising, the audience hears sounds of a grisly slaughter.

The action is set in the early 1950s and takes place in the sitting-room of Monkswell Manor, an English country house recently converted to a guesthouse, run by Mollie and Giles Ralston. A miscellany of guests arrive: the hyperactive young Christopher Wren; Mrs Boyle, a middle-aged woman with a critical eye; retired army officer Major Metcalf; Miss Casewell, an aloof woman with an offhand manner; and Mr Paravicini, a man of unknown provenance with an affected foreign accent. The guests are ill at ease with each other, and the atmosphere soon becomes uncongenial. Following a series of comings and goings, entrance and exits, heated conversations and profound disagreements, a gruesome murder is committed. Detective Sergeant Trotter begins a murder investigation that comes to an unexpected conclusion. The story-line develops as it gathers pace and makes for absorbing theatre. The melody of the nursery rhyme, Three Blind Mice, runs hauntingly as a leitmotif throughout the course of the action. The set is soundly constructed and realistic, the characters are portrayed well and the dialogue is enunciated convincingly. Pictured above are cast members, from left, Charl Dore, Gillian Reid, Leigh Dunn, Duncan Alexander, Tayler Morris, David Hall-Green - who also directs the production - Ingrid James, and Rodney Grosskopff. The Mousetrap runs until August 10 at St Peter’s Church hall in Plett. Tickets can be purchased at Barney’s Kiosk at The Market Square, or call 082 744 1884 / 044 533 3219. Proceeds from the play will be donated to Plett Animal Welfare Services. The BATS production received generous sponsorship from Woolworths Holdings Limited, Zandvliet Wine Estate, and Dalewood Fromage. - Timothy Twidle

CHEERS TO THE EXPERIMENT! Visiting American students volunteered on Madiba Day at New Beginnings orphanage in KwaNokuthula. From left at back are Alisha Hartley, Sabrine Poon, Jessica Guzman, Bartholomew Benoit, Alisha Washington, Katie Fishstrom, Chris Lo and Tracy Hinson, with Lindsay Rosenfeld, Evelyn Puma, and Casey Kim in front with some of the children. The organisation responsible for the young Yanks’ visit is called the Experiment in International Living and is based in Brattleboro, Vermont. They have been in operation for over 85 years, sending American high school students abroad for two to five-week programmes. The South African sponsor is Fadia Tofey of Cape Town Sun Tours.

Photo: LM Dunn

WHAT’S THE FUNATICS UP TO NOW? The Plett PhotoFUNatics had a slow start to July’s meetings but eventually got there, according to convenor Derek Rushton. “We were very happy to welcome Tamsyn Ring to her first session with us, which was hopefully not too traumatic, and glad to report that long-standing member Paul van Niekerk submitted his very first pics. ‘Clouds, Moody/Silhouettes and White’ were the themes for July, which inspired wonderfully imaginative work with amazing diversity.

Congratulations to Jenny Ponder (junior) and Carol Phillips (senior) for their Best of the Best pics. Both were on theme with a stunning silhouette sunset and beautiful studio shot in white.” Jenny says her dusky shot was taken at Mokala Game Reserve in the Northern Cape. Carol believes that, done correctly, white on white images can be really stunning. “But photographing a white object against a white background can be one of the most challenging still life shots to master. I called this one ‘Set Free’.”

Email derek_rushton@hotmail.com for details of club gatherings.

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CXPRESS

CLASSIFIEDS

7 August 2019

Paws

Plett Animal Welfare Service

ON THE SOAPBOX

7 August 2019

Letters to the Editor

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

CXPRESS

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Read CXPRESS online @ www.cxpress.co.za

Rates and fees increases most uncalled for in these trying economic times Via your CXPRESS newspaper, I would like to draw the public’s attention to what I consider a huge overcharge by Bitou Municipality.

I went to renew my trailer licence recently. Last year’s fee was R174, so I was shocked to find the 2019 rate has been pushed up to R252, which is R78 more than last year’s

trailer licence fee.

This is done in spite of a big downturn in our economy, so I would like to hear how the municipality can justify an increase of almost 70%.

Our rates have been increased to an extremely high extent for this small town, and this while there are lots of people battling out there. Many are

unable to even pay their children’s school fees.

So let’s find out why the municipality seems to be trying its best to smash the golden egg that feeds them. Let’s have answers.

Uptight Ratepayer, Plett (This letter, which was received over the weekend, was passed on to Communications manager Manfred van Rooyen on

Monday, and although no response had been received by our print deadline, we hope to shed some light on this issue in a near-future edition.

A quick correction to ‘Uptight Ratepayer’s maths is required, however: the R78 hike constitutes a 45% increase, rather than 70% as mentioned above. - Eds.)

Are we prepared for guerrilla warfare if terror groups were to breach our border?

For many years the insidious southwards movement, through Africa, of the Islamic State terror group has been held up in Nigeria and in Kenya.

Whether these groups are called Boko Haram in Nigeria or al-Shabaab in Kenya, they are all tentacles of the parent body, namely Islamic State.

Thus, I read with alarm that Islamic State ter-

ror activity has now leap-frogged the Equator, so to speak, and has claimed responsibility for attacks on the civilian population as well as on Christian groups in Northern Mozambique - this in spite of the presence of the Mozambican military in the area.

What would happen if such terror groups crossed our common bor-

der and entered South Africa? Would we be subjected to the abduction of school girls as has happened in Nigeria or the random shooting in shopping malls as has happened in Kenya?

Do the South African authorities have any sort of plan, should such an event happen?

Does our defence force have any idea or experi-

ence about combating, for example, guerrilla and/or urban warfare?

If any of the recent inept attempts of the army to control criminal gangsterism on the Cape Flats outside of Cape Town is anything to go by, we have a serious problem.

Do we as civilians need to be concerned? Sadly, I think that we do.

Kevin Meineke, Plett

Plett art milestone reached, thanks to the support of CXPRESS & Co I want to thank CXPRESS for contributing to the success of Plett Arts Festival 2019.

From what was meant to be a “limited arts festival” to keep the ball and momentum rolling after Plett Tourism cancelled the festival due to a lack of funding, this year’s event turned into the largest-ever visual arts festival that Plettenberg Bay has enjoyed to date!

A huge thank you is due to the team at CXPRESS for the support you gave to this community-driven effort.

Your backing of the artists and events which unfolded over the week kept people enthralled, intrigued, entertained, and begging for more.

Tourists, locals, and art-

UPFRONT: The cover of our June 19 edition featured Chip Snaddon, feature artist at an exhibition entitled New Art @ Old Nick, which was one of the anchor events of Plett Arts Festival 2019

ists were excited and motivated by the festival and the art adventure which was generated in a huge way by your newspaper.

You opened your heart

and your door and assisted everybody in creating a glorious “Celebration of Art”.

With limited time, no funds and only our

hearts, spirit, and love of art to drive us, we did it we created a festival that has set a milestone and a base to build on for future years.

It was a resounding success and it could not have been achieved without you. Yours in Art. Tracey Mae, Plett (It was our absolute pleasure and privilege, Tracey, and kudus to you and the Plett Arts Fest team for pulling it off with aplomb. Readers who may have been out of town at the time - the festival ran from June 21 to July 5 and thus missed all the arty action can catch up in issues leading up to that date, and specifically on pages 1, 5, 7, 10, and 11 of the June 19 edition at www.cxpress.co.za - Eds.)

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CXPRESS

SPORT & ADVENTURE

7 August 2019

Read CXPRESS online at www.cxpress.co.za

Young Kwano rider claims King of the Hill before finishing first in the City of Lights CXPRESS tracked down Kwano Cycling Academy co-founder Colin Shave for a chat after his recent return from Paris, where he shared in the joy of young protégé Siphe Ncapayi sprinting towards a category win in this year’s London to Paris Race

Storms River

TIN HOUSE Self-catering accommodation

PARIS PELOTON: Siphe, at right, is pure concentration as the head of the field embarks on the final home stretch, having left London two days before and riding in extreme heat as well as rain

ANY a Garden Route motorist has, over the past few years, spotted groups of red and blackclad youngsters cycling along our highways and byways, no matter what the weather or time of day.

But these riders so proudly displaying their slick Kwano Cycling Academy (KCA) branding are not only in it for the sports.

Established five years ago as general empowerment body for Bitou youth, the Academy sets out to enhance all facets of their members’ lives, with a heavy emphasis on formal education.

In April, CXPRESS reported on the incredible achievement of Siphe Ncapayi, 19, who made such an impression during the Cape Rouleur 2019 - a gruelling 500km stage race traversing the Western Cape’s Winelands - that he earned a sponsored trip to compete in this year’s London to Paris Race from July 25-28.

Event organisers HotChillee, along with the Buffalo Foundation and Western Cape Government, sponsored travel costs and entry fees for Siphe and two youngsters from the Mother City, who travelled with him to London for training preceding the event, and then the actual race that kicked off in London a fortnight ago.

“Until a month before flying to Europe, Siphe had never boarded an aeroplane before. His first flight was to Joburg to participate in the Joburg2C MTB race in June. Arriving in London was overwhelming, but he dealt with it really well,” says Colin, adding that Siphe is a quiet and unassuming young man.

A challenging day lay ahead when the start of the race coincided with the most brutal heat experienced in the UK for yonks,

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with temperatures in the high 30s as Siphe made his way to Dover, whence riders were ferried across the English Channel to Calais.

“But after a tough first day, Siphe won King of the Mountain on day two, which he also ended with a general win in his class. Then, during the third and final stage from Amiens to Paris, it started raining and the road became really slippery.

“Siphe came down quite hard, losing his glasses and water bottle in the process. But he recovered well and by the time the 400odd competitors raced to the finish line just off the Champs Elysees in Paris, he was the first under-23 rider home,” beams Colin.

Making this win even more glorious is the fact that it was only the third time in his life that Siphe raced on a road bike, the Rouleur and Knysna Cycle Tour races being the only other occasions when he did not compete on his trusty mountain bike.

In a note posted far and wide on social media, the determined young Plett resident thanks HotChillee “for giving me the best opportunity in my entire life”, and also thanks Colin and Ian Martin - a Joburgbased coach who supplies Siphe with remote training

programmes - “for pushing me over my limits to be a better cyclist”.

Siphe concludes: “I don’t have the words to explain my gratitude. Thanks to Kwano Cycling Academy and the Buffalo Foundation for all your help. I promise to always try my best.”

So what lies ahead for this promising KCA rider? Colin says the Academy will help him to pass the last subjects still necessary for Siphe to attain his matric certificate. Then he mentions Nicholas Dlamini: the 23-year-old Capetonian who now races for Dimension Data in Europe.

“Nicholas won the Rouleur, then London to Paris, about four years ago.

Working his way up from a low-income neighbourhood in the Cape to racing on a world stage, he is the one that our kids look at and say, ‘how do we get there?’

“He is now doing the big time, and his goal is to be part of the Dimension Data Tour de France team.

He has proven that it’s not an unattainable dream.”

Find out more about the excellent work that Colin and his colleagues are doing at #kwanocycling on Facebook, and visit https:// www.hotchillee.com/event/ the-london-paris-bike-ride/ for full results and photos.

WE’LL ALWAYS HAVE PARIS: Colin Shave congratulates Siphe after the quiet guy from Kwano beat all U23s to the finish line