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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Daylight robbery in Plett Main Street
Fire evacuees include three four-legged friends
Toni Mould’s marvellous year on the trike track
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Hello spring!
Photo: Brendon Morris
7 September 2016
Bali Mokonyane and Hannah Morris, right, enjoy the first sunny day of spring at Plett’s Central Beach on Sunday. Follow events and happenings using the #plett on Instagram and Twitter, and see news of the upcoming Sasfin Wine & Bubbly Fest on page 5.
10 000 FREE COPIES OF CXPRESS DISTRIBUTED ALONG THE GARDEN ROUTE EVERY WEDNESDAY
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CXPRESS
7 September 2016
Jogging Down Memory Lane
NEWS & VIEWS Derek Frielinghaus
Do you remember those times - the places and people? EADING your interesting report of the rescue of three British tourists by two local surfers and the NSRI in the August 17 issue of CXPRESS, it struck me how extraordinary it is that our London air-raid siren situated on Signal Hill in Plett is still saving British lives, 77 years down the line. So here is a brief history on this unique method of alerting the unpaid volunteers of Plett NSRI to come to the aid of people in distress.
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Plett’s Sea Rescue Siren The siren originated from a building somewhere in London in 1939 and was used to warn Londoners of a bombing attack during WW11. Llewellyn Gillespie was a Plett NSRI crewman for a short while, and was employed by the Post Office to operate the manual telephone exchange. He was most useful in a call-out, as I would phone and briefly tell him where the casualty was, and he would call the crew by plugging in the manual cable to all crew members whose numbers he knew off by heart. This was before the siren. When we started NSRI in 1970, we were in the age of manual telephone exchange and these people who worked on the telephone exchange, under the circumstances, helped us beyond the call of duty. Often if there was an experienced operator, we only needed to make one call to the telephone exchange and he would then call out the crew from a list provided. In most cases, they already knew where everybody was, or whether they were not in town at the time. But lives were often at stake and we needed a better system. Should we use rockets like our British counterparts? There were no such things as cell
phones or bleepers - that was to come much later. After an unsuccessful rescue in about 1975 (because the rescue boat arrived too late), we realised that we needed to improve our response time. So began the think tank on how to do this. The municipal town electrical engineer of Plett at the time was Frank Redford, who used to work for the Borough of London. He said he knew there were plenty of air-raid sirens stored in London, left over from the Second World War Blitz. His friend still worked there, so Frank wrote to his ex-colleague in London to enquire. The upshot was that the City of London donated a siren and three months later, courtesy of Safmarine, it travelled the ocean to Cape Town and then on to Plettenberg Bay. When it was first used in the mid-70s, there were still a number of people around who had experienced the London Blitz and the wail of sirens. Until these residents became accustomed to our NSRI siren, they would involuntary duck and cringe when the Plett siren was set off. In the 80s, using a different pitch, it was also used to call out the fire brigade, whereas a continuous wail for five minutes was calling out the civil defence (although this was only used once for a massive fire). The WW11 London air-raid siren is still today an important tool when a life-threatening situation occurs. This siren is coupled with modern technology ensuring a very quick response by the crew, who all rush from whatever work they are busy with down to the beach. So important is the response that the crews’ bleepers are tested daily at noon, and the siren every Friday at noon.
WAS IT WORLD OR UNIVERSE, AND WHICH YEAR? The finalists of a major international beauty pageant visited Plettenberg Bay in about 1988, and these photos show the NRSI crew of the day taking the beauties out to sea for a cruise. It was quite a squeeze but none of the crew complained. Does anyone know why they visited Plett? Could you confirm what year it was, and if it was Miss Universe or Miss World finalists who visited? If these images ring a bell, email your reminiscences to haus@mweb.co.za (with or without your name), or drop it off in hard copy at the CXPRESS office at 6 Park Lane in Plettenberg Bay CBD.
Burning rock from Mars lands on Garden Route beach?
This colourful boulder - the size of a rugby ball - was discovered by John Mulder while metal-detecting on a Garden Route beach recently. Says John: “The colours are the result of progressive oxidation of trace metals contained in the sedimentary rock. This phenomenon was named after Raphael Eduard Liesegang, a German photographer and chemist who theorised the process by which such colour bands are developed.” According to Wikipedia, Liesegang (November 1, 1869 - November 13, 1947) was not the first person to observe the effect, but they bear his name since he devoted so much time to researching them. John thanks local geologist David Scott for assisting with identification, and Erasmus Panel Beaters, who applied a protective coat to the boulder.
NEWS & VIEWS
7 September 2016
CXPRESS
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Brazen foursome rob Main Street store in broad daylight before failed hijack attempt Crime fighters had their hands full on Friday when four armed men robbed a Plettenberg Bay clothing store and one of the suspects subsequently attempted to hijack a motorist - YOLANDÉ STANDER reports UST before 12pm on Friday September 2, four men believed to have been armed with pistols stormed the Markhams store in Plett’s Main Street and forced all employees and shoppers to lie on the floor. Police spokesman Captain Marlene Pieterse said the men then proceeded to rob those in the store of their cellphones. “One of the suspects then took the manager to the
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back of the store, where he demanded she handed over the store’s cash to him,� Pieterse said. When she told him that she did not have cash, he allegedly assaulted her with his weapon and tied her hands behind her back before taking her to the store’s safe. “The safe was empty.� Pieterse said when the men realised there was no money in the safe, they
took the money in the cash register as well as items of clothing and several bags. “They also took money and cellphones from customers who were already inside the shop, who came to pay their accounts.� Three of the suspects then fled the scene in a silver Toyota Run X with a CX-number plate. The fourth suspect fled towards Anchor Street and at about 12:20pm allegedly
attempted to hijack a motorist in front of the Bitou municipal building. Pieterse said the victim however realised that the weapon the suspect had been carrying was a toy pistol. “The motorist then overpowered his assailant.�
Municipal spokesman Manfred van Rooyen said the attempted hijacking was also thwarted by the swift reaction of security personnel of Bitou mayor Peter Lobese. “Police and Bitou municipal law enforcement also
responded and apprehended the suspect. Stolen items in the possession of the suspect were recovered,� Van Rooyen said. Pieterse confirmed the arrest and said the 36-yearold suspect would appear in the local magistrates court.
Lynn Schroeder Motors
www.bmw-lynn schroedermotors .co.za
LOOT LOST EN ROUTE: Some of the items stolen from the Markhams store were found in the street in front of the municipal buildings after the attempted hijacking - Photo: Supplied
News Briefs Spring Day attack in Buffalo Bay A woman was attacked at her home near Buffalo Bay on Thursday September 1 and it is alleged that the assailant is on the loose with a fire-arm stolen off the premises. Said Sergeant Chris Spies of Knysna SAPS Corporate Communications: “The Knysna Detective Branch is investigating a case of house robbery.� According to the police report, it is “alleged that the 63-year-old victim was watching a movie on her iPad when she observed a man inside her house. He threatened her and took a cellular phone, jewellery, and iPad before he fled from the scene.� The woman left the property after the attack to stay
with friends. But a neighbour of the survivor claims that when she returned to her home on Sunday September 4, following the attack, she discovered that her firearm had been taken, and that her car keys were also stolen. Police had not yet responded to requests for information about the missing firearm at the time of going to print. No arrests have been made yet and anyone who may have information about the incident has been asked to contact the investigation officer, Warrant Officer Reginus Quine, on 044 302 6652. - Candice Ludick Knysna municipal manager suspended pending disciplinary process At a special Council meet-
ing held on Tuesday August 30, Knysna Council resolved to suspend municipal manager Grant Easton pending disciplinary proceedings against him. The suspension follows consideration by Council of the outcome of an investigation that was conducted by an independent investigator following complaints of serious misconduct against Easton. Knysna mayor Eleanore Bouw-Spies said this process would not be played out in the media and requested the public to let the process run its course. The Council also decided that in order to protect the interests of all parties involved, including the municipal manager, no further details will be made public at this stage.
LUXURY ON DISPLAY. BMW SHOWCASE. Visitors to the Knysna Mall are set to discover a world of luxury at the Lynn Schroeder Motors showcase. From 1 September, we will present a selection PG PVS 蜑OFTU WFIJDMFT BOE HJWF NPUPSJOH FOUIVTJBTUT B HMJNQTF BU UIF MBUFTU JO luxury. Naturally, our team will be on hand to discuss the latest deals and assist XJUI UFTU ESJWF CPPLJOHT The showcase will take place every weekday from 10:00 – 14:00 at the entrance nearest Spar.
Lynn Schroeder Motors (MB[F 4USFFU (FPSHF Tel. 044 801 7900 www.bmw-lynnschroedermotors.co.za
Sheer Driving Pleasure
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CXPRESS
NEWS & VIEWS
7 September 2016
How one small step by local government could inspire a giant leap for democracy This is the last of a four-part series by IAN DEWAR - researcher, innovator and technologist turned avid transformation activist through his experience with the RDP Forum of Greater Plettenberg Bay (turn to p4 of the previous three editions at www.cxpress.co.za for the preceding instalments on Madiba’s hidden legacy) ISTINCT in recorded history are patterns which show that the pace of humanity’s evolution has increased in accordance with advances in communication, mobility, and law. From carving in stone we progressed to using paper, telephony, radio, and fibre-optics as our means of communication. From walking we progressed to using animals, boats, motorised vehicles, ships and aircraft as our means of mobility. Similarly in law, we have progressed from the earliest law of Sumer to the ‘democratic’ law of Greece, the civil and republican law of Rome, the centralised-state law of Europe, the constitutional law of the USA, and the global law of the
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United Nations. Seen in this light, it would seem that the progress of humanity over time is an incredible evolutionary achievement. So it would be if it weren’t for the poverty, unspeakable atrocities and devastated eco-systems it has left in its wake, and continues to manifest. Given this extremely conflicted inheritance, how do we progress from here? Albert Einstein once professed: “You cannot fix a problem with the same consciousness that created it. You have to learn to see the world anew.” Providentially, what Madiba’s legal revolution has in fact provided us is the new ‘bottom-up’ law for inspiring the ‘ecological consciousness’ neces-
sary to build South Africa anew. The most serious dilemma of them all, however, is that the trust and respect he inspired in people on the ground was lost when his RDP (Reconstruction and Development Programme) was abandoned. The retrograde to topdown politics and its labyrinth of institutional conflicts-of-interest ended all possibility of achieving the ‘democratisation of state and society’ explicit in Madiba’s RDP vision. Before it was abandoned, however, the RDP forums of Plett/Bitou created a system of selforganisation that was a ‘shoe-in’ for the participative system envisaged in the Municipal Systems Act. This remarkable
achievement happened through the application of one fundamental rule. No member of an RDP executive could sit on the executive of another body at the same time. Ergo, no conflict could arise. The zero-conflict partition this rule established enabled a network of trust and respect to form that rekindled the spirit of ‘Ubuntu’ - that most ancient soul of human ‘community’. The final pertinent question is, therefore: when is local government going to establish the equivalent zero-conflict partition between executive political government and statutory ward governance? Doing so would honour Madiba’s heartfelt wish for an institutional ‘RDP of the soul’.
NEWS & VIEWS
7 September 2016
CXPRESS
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Rescue expert tells of dramatic evacuation amid raging fires CXPRESS chatted to Drew Scott, who heads up the Mountain Search and Rescue unit for the Garden Route and as such has seen a whole lot of action in the line of duty - but last week’s fires presented a rather unique evacuation emergency, including not only two toddlers, but also a cat and two family pooches
OUTTA THERE! The rescue crew and residents after their safe evacuation are, from left, captain Graham Archibald of AMS, Drew Scott with Scrappy, Diane Rogers, Daniel and Daniella Rogers with their kids Kiara, 4, and Kian, 2, Etienne Steyn and his son Etienne Jr, Pauline and Lloyd Mostert, and AMS external load operator Theo Schiller with AMS landing zone support Yolandi Laing in front
HERE was no means of escape for two families and proprietors of the farms Jakkalskraal and Takamma, in the mountainous area west of Palmiet River. The family Mostert mother Pauline and sons Lloyd, Sheldon, and Bernard - had recently sold Takamma to Etienne Steyn, who was visiting with his son, Etienne Jnr. “Takamma is in a bit of a valley, and by late Tuesday afternoon we could see the fire approaching Jakkals-
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kraal, which is positioned higher up. “By the early morning hours of Wednesday Diane Rogers, her son Daniel, his wife Daniella, and their two young children had come to our place to await rescue,” says Pauline. Daniel had been talking to “literally everyone in the business” about their plight as the fire drew nearer, so they knew that help from the sky was at hand. By 2:30am, when Daniel realised the fire was about
HOIST ME UP, STAFFIE: Three rotations were done to fly the trapped residents to safety in The Crags - the final flip saw Daniel and the staffie in a rope bag, and Drew with a dachshund in a jump bag, being hoisted up to the helicopter
to block off their last remaining exit, the Rogers clan made their way to Takamma, situated about 2.5km to their north. “Ironically, there’s an airstrip on the Rogers farm, but the fire was too close to allow its use as heli pad,” explains Drew, who was picked up by Air Mercy Service (AMS) captain Graham Archibald and his crew of two around 7am on Wednesday. “What we didn’t know was that there would be nowhere to land at Takamma, but we had prepared a hoist and several harnesses if that was indeed the case.” Upon arrival, Drew was lowered over a flat area close to the house and started kitting everyone up, clipping them in and briefing them about the procedure. Sheldon and Bernard, however, insisted on staying to fight the fire. Pauline says it was very scary to be hoisted up to the helicopter, especially when she started going into a spin. But once safely deposited in The Crags, everyone had only praise for their able rescuers. “My farm is toasted from one end to the other, the main house burnt to ashes and lots of collateral damage like kilometres of piping melted away. We lost all of our bees save three hives,” says Daniel, but adds that the farm should be liveable enough for his family’s return within a week. Like everyone involved including the family pets that survived the hoist and flight unscathed - he has the highest regard for their rescuers. “None of the crew would consider accepting any kind of contribution for their priceless service.”
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NEWS & VIEWS
7 September 2016
New eco-preschool for Plett N January 2017, The Village Eco-preschool, situated in the beautiful gardens of Old Nick Village, will open its doors to children aged two to six years. Montessori and Waldorf schools have attracted many learners worldwide for their unique approach to education. Some believe the philosophies have no common thread but founders of The Village Eco-preschool, Inge Bassett and May Donegan, believe both methodologies share many basic principles, and it is these principles that will form the ethos of the new preschool. Inge, former principal of Greenwood Primary and The Crags Eco-preschool, is currently working with both educational philosophies and she finds that combining the two is a solution to providing true holistic education for young children. In our progressively builtup world in which nature deprivation is gaining increased attention, the growing need to give young children improved access to environmental education and natural environments, coupled with the fact that both educators are interested in combining two of the most forward-thinking educational philosophies, moti-
MAKING OUR WORLD A BETTER PLACE: Founders of The Village Ecopreschool believe in creating a change in attitude towards our environment from an early age
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vated Inge and May to join forces and start The Village Eco-preschool. They are both on a mission to heighten the awareness of environmental and social consciousness in young learners, saying: “If we want our world to be a better place we have to start with creating a change in attitude towards our environment from an early age.” Their learning programme will keep children in touch with nature through themes, outings and community projects focussing on current ecological issues that demonstrate an awareness of the environment. The Village Eco-preschool children will spend time outdoors working in the vegetable garden, harvesting rain water and recycling waste for use in art projects. The toddler class - a cosy, homely, beautiful space will serve as a play area for two to three-year-olds, while the preschool class will offer a comprehensive Grade R
programme for learners preparing for primary school. The school will offer an aftercare programme as well as adventure, art and craft clubs. Inge and May explain the work at hand thus: The vision “Providing our children with an education that will make them independent, confident and positive citizens who will actively contribute to a changing society.” The mission “To create a context in which artistic activity is accorded as much educational value as science, and both are imbued - in the widest possible sense - with an acute awareness of the spiritual world and the natural environment. “We look forward to nurturing your children through nature at The Village Eco-preschool.” Applications for 2017 are now open. Call 072 605 8573 or 079 505 6332 for more info and see the advert on page 7 for further details.
BUSINESS
7 September 2016
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‘Good times for whites over,’ predicts economist ERIOUS investment was needed in the education and skills base of young girls if poor black African and Coloured communities were hoping to improve their living standards, said chief economist at the Efficient Group Dawie Roodt on August 17. Speaking at the University of Stellenbosch Business School (USB), Roodt also noted that white South Africans were facing a bleak future. “The group is doing excellent at the moment because of their high level of qualifications, their low unemployment rate and the fact that they have few dependants,” he said. “But they are ageing.” This means the “good times” for whites are over, and the only way in which the situation can be
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Investor Focus
turned around is through an increase in population numbers - but that would need a generation or two before it will make an impact. Roodt said the Indian community was almost better-placed than whites, and their outlook over the next two decades seemed more promising than that of whites. ‘The only way in which the situation can be turned around is through an increase in population numbers’ “This group certainly has a bright future, based on their demographics: well-qualified, fewer dependants, and a high involvement in the labour market.” Given this picture, Roodt ques-
tioned why the Indian community should receive “special treatment” by benefitting from black economic empowerment. While the outlook for black Africans had somewhat improved in terms of better qualifications, higher income and lower dependency numbers, the picture remained bleak for particularly the Coloured community in all three aspects. Roodt however regarded this racial breakdown as artificial, explaining that he only used it to illustrate the living standards landscape as painted by available statistics. “The group that truly needs to be supported and empowered is the poor in general and those with low skills levels - in particular poor black African and Coloured girls who have a major impact on
their communities,” he said. Roodt used the following variables for his research: how many dependants form part of a specific racial group
Malcolm Stewart – Investment manager at Michaelides Parker Wealth Knysna & Plett
Which investment strategies to pursue? O say that the current investment climate is creating fear and uncertainty in the minds of many retired investors is an understatement. We see a titanic succession battle within our own ruling party. I am sure that many of the charges, counter charges, verbal attacks, and aggressive statements are symptoms of this battle. This uncertainty is reflected in statements by the rating agencies, and in the unpredictable behaviour of the Rand. Then we have words of wisdom from Fed Chairlady Yellen, who is warning of interest rate hikes in the US. This causes the mighty US Dollar to keep changing trends on an almost monthly basis. The problems in Euroland and the UK are now well documented, with the final outcome from the Brexit vote yet seen to be in the distant future.
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Who is to be the next US president? Who will be running Germany and France in 18 months’ time? Oil appears to have stabilised, although many of the oil-rich nations are starting to seriously erode their reserves. They could even become distressed sellers! In the midst of all of this, global investors seem to have put China and emerging markets on the backburner. So what is the best strategy for retired money? Firstly, all of the above could be described as “noise” and is best ignored. But this is easier said than done. So a good holding in cash will probably assist in reducing your stress levels. Then we must remember that companies survive and will ultimately grow as the business cycle turns and the noise abates. Thus, shareholdings (either directly or in unit trusts) in sound
companies that supply essential goods or services will be rewarding in the longer term. A strategy for the Rand is more difficult; most importantly, do not panic when it tanks. I doubt if we will see the R30/$ that some commentators are shouting. It is probably already discounting a country downgrade. Moving into a portfolio/unit trust of global companies that are defensive (dealing in essential consumables) is not a bad idea. Finally, one must remember the old investment saying: “The difference between a good company and a good investment is the price you pay.” • Malcolm has been in the investment industry for nearly 50 years. He has written this column in CXPRESS for the last 18 years and is a specialist in managing retired wealth.
www.thevillage-ecopreschool.co.za info@thevillage-ecopreschool.co.za
INGE 072 605 8573 MAY 079 505 6332
(both in terms of the aged and the young), the unemployment rate existing in a group, and the levels of qualification that a group holds.
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INTERVAL
7 September 2016
Why engineers don’t write recipe books ECIPE for Chocolate Chip Cookies: Ingredients 1) 532.35cm3 gluten 2) 4.9cm3 Na HCO3 3) 4.9cm3 refined halite 4) 236.6cm3 partially hydrogenated tallow triglyceride 5) 177.45cm3 crystalline C12H22O11 6) 177.45cm3 unrefined C12H22O11 7) 4.9cm3 methyl ether of protocatechuic aldehyde 8) Two calcium carbonate-encapsulated avian
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albumen-coated protein 9) 473.2cm3 obroma cacao 10) 236.6cm3 de-encapsulated legume meats (sieve size #10) Method • To a 2-L jacketed round reactor vessel (reactor #1) with an overall heat transfer coefficient of about 100 Btu/F-ft2-hr, add ingredients one, two and three with constant agitation. • In a second 2-L reactor vessel with a radial flow impeller operating at
100rpm, add ingredients four, five, six, and seven until the mixture is homogenous. • To reactor #2, add ingredient eight, followed by three equal volumes of the homogenous mixture in reactor #1. • Additionally, add ingredient nine and ten slowly, with constant agitation. Care must be taken at this point in the reaction to control any temperature rise that may be the result of an exothermic reaction.
• Using a screw extrude attached to a #4 nodulizer, place the mixture piece-meal on a 316SS sheet (300 x 600mm). • Heat in a 460K oven for a period of time that is in agreement with Frank & Johnston’s first order rate expression (see JACOS, 21, 55), or until golden brown. • Once the reaction is complete, place the sheet on a 25ºC heat-transfer table, allowing the product to come to equilibrium.
Men’s Help Line advice “HELLO, you have reached the Men’s Help Line. My name is Bob. How can I help you? “Hi, Bob, I really need your advice on a serious problem. “I have suspected for some time now that my wife has been cheating on me. You know, just the usual signs. The phone rings and when I answer, the caller hangs up. “Plus, she goes out with ‘the girls’ a lot. I usually try to stay awake to look out for her when she comes home, but I always
fall asleep. “Anyway, last night at about midnight, I woke up and she was not home. So I hid in the garage behind my boat and waited for her. “When she came home, she got out of someone’s car, buttoning her blouse. “It was at that moment, while crouched behind the boat, that I noticed a hairline crack in the outboard motor mounting bracket. “Is that something I can weld, or do I need to replace the whole bracket?” Chris
They’re biting today... “THE poor old fool,” thought the gentleman as he watched an old man trying to fish in a puddle of water outside the local bar that he always frequented. So, the gentleman decided to invite the old fel-
low inside for a drink. As they sipped their whiskeys, the gentleman thought he’d humour the old man and asked: “So how many have you caught so far?” The old man replied: “You’re the eighth today.”
Ek is ‘n dame en ek is kosbaar. Kyk wat is als binne-in my! Silwer in’ie hare. Goud in’ie tanne. Yster in’ie are. Stene in’ie niere. Kalsuim in’ie knieë Lood in’ie voete. En SEKSIE nog daarby: Die bo-seksie hang or’ie onder-seksie Dan nog die oulike man wat my soggens wakker maak… Arthur Ritis. Is die lewe nie ‘n fees nie?
7 September 2016
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Photo: Timothy Twidle
SOCIAL SCENE
TOURISM PLAYERS RUB SHOULDERS: At the Annual General Meeting of Plett Tourism held on Wednesday August 31 at The White House were, above from left, Sylvia Mtshamba, Rochelle Plank, Kenneth Magaga of Bitou Boxing Academy and Qolweni Cultural Village, and Plett Tourism board member Noksie Kolwapi. Visit www.plett-tourism.co.za to find out more about the AGM and upcoming events - like Sunday September 11’s Barefoot Bowls Day, which serves as important fundraiser for Plett Surf Lifesaving Club. Hosted by Plettenberg Bay Bowling Club in Challenge Drive, it promises to offer even more sporting cheer on the greens than last year’s inaugural event, with great food and prizes and lots of fun for the kids, too. See the advert on page 12 for details and book your team today.
FINAL TRIBUTE TO FAB LADIES: KwaNokuthula youth made a point of appreciating the farer gender during the closing of Women’s Month at the Full Gospel Church on Sunday August 28. Says FGC youth choir leader Vuyolwethu Vice: “Our theme for the month was ‘Fear not the Woman of Noble Character’, and apart from the joyous singing, a group of Phakamisani Primary dancers joined us on the day to pay tribute to our amazing FGC ladies.”
People, places & events INSPIRED BY JAZZ AT MUSE: Internationally acclaimed jazz collaboration Skyjack will visit Knysna for one show only on September 13 at MUSE Fusion Food as part of their National Album Launch Tour. Skyjack consists of three South Africans - all of them Standard Bank Young Artist Award winners - Shane Cooper on double bass, Kyle Shepherd on piano, and Kesivan Naidoo on drums. They are joined by sought-after Swiss jazz musicians Marc Stucki on tenor sax and Andreas Tschopp on trombone. Each of them contributes to the group as a composer, creating a wide palette of sound that draws from various cultural influences. Tickets cost R150 excluding dinner, or R275 including a set menu for the evening from MUSE Fusion Food. It is an intimate venue with limited space so book now to secure your seat. Contact Candice on 071 686 6864 or email playon@ candiceludick. com for more information. - Photo:
Wine Evenings at The Plettenberg 2016 Join us at Seafood at The Plettenberg for these exciting upcoming events Wine Evening with Vergelegen Wine Estate 30 September 2016 5-course dinner, inclusive of paired wines R390pp
Wine Evening with Weltevrede Wine Estate 28 October 2016 5-course dinner, inclusive of paired wines R390pp Make a night of it and stay with us at The Plettenberg with these special rates R1750 per person in a Luxury Double Room R2400 per person in a Luxury Double with Sea View Room (Includes accommodation, dinner & breakfast)
Reservations Essential Contact Antelize at 044 533 2030 or antelize@plettenberg.co.za
Reto Andreoli
www.collectionmcgrath.com/food-wine/restaurant-seafood-at-the-plettenberg
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7 September 2016
Handyman on call - NO job too big or small. Call 082 492 4417 or 072 724 6590
CLASSIFIEDS
ON THE SOAPBOX
7 September 2016
Letters to the Editor
Email: editor@cxpress.co.za - Fax: 044 533 0852 - PO Box 1449, Plett 6600
CXPRESS
Read CXPRESS online at www.cxpress.co.za
What’s cooking in Bitou’s DA branch? Dear editors, we appreciate you keeping us informed on Bitou’s election results, since the DA has appeared to stop communicating now that our votes have been cast. Can you please tell us voters what the outcome of the DA’s alleged legal challenge was? What exactly is the basis of the challenge? When will the matter be heard, if at all? And if it has already been heard, what exactly was the outcome? We were advised that
one of the DA councillors resigned before the inauguration already. What was the reason for his resignation? Weeks have passed since the resignation, yet the DA has not advised its supporters who the replacement councillor is. Who is the replacement councillor and, if none has been appointed, why not? And when will that be done? It is rumoured that a second DA councillor has indicated that he is considering resigning. Is
Bitou community vets fix Frikkie for good
Tina van Reenen of Marine Way Animal Hospital, who is one of the instructors at Plett’s aqua aerobics club that convenes on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings at the heated pool off Plett’s Airport Road, shared this photo of ‘Frikkie the Aqua Dog’ and wrote: “We took this picture while he was slowly waking up after his operation on Friday - his manhood was removed, he was vaccinated and dewormed, all of this enabled by Bitou CVC who also assisted his owner. No doubt we will see him bouncing around the aqua pool again next Monday!” Visit the Bitou CVC charity shop behind Pep Stores in Plett CBD and take note that pooh bags are available from the shop as well as Marine Way Animal Hospital at R20 a roll.
Your great-heartedness has upped our output! The Home for Hope soup kitchen and aftercare would like to thank all those people and companies that supported this initiative after a plea in CXPRESS [read it on page 6 of the August 3 edition at www.cxpress. co.za] - your generosity is appreciated by all the children we are feeding. Thanks to a local bakery who has offered us bread on a regular and continual basis, we are able to now give the children bread with their soup. Due to your big-heartedness, we have stepped up our feeding from two days a week to three. The soup kitchen will now be providing meals on a Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Our aim is to feed the children five times a week and for this we beg for your continuous support. If 20 more people sign monthly stop orders for as little as R50 a month, we will achieve our goal immediately.
If you prefer to donate vegetables and stampmielies, these items will be collected at your place and time of convenience. Please consider the little ones who go to school on empty stomachs, unable to concentrate because of the distraction of hunger. Home for Hope soup kitchen is a non-profit organisation registered with the Department of Social Development. I take the liberty once again of including our banking details in the hope of finding another 20 people or businesses who would be willing to assist. Account name: Home for Hope soup kitchen and aftercare, FNB Plettenberg Bay (branch code 210514 or swift code FIRNZAJJ for international donors), account number 62615965201. For more information, please contact me at raynesa@icon.co.za or on 082 447 3812. Neill Rayne, Plett
there any truth to this? If so, who is the councillor and what are the reasons? ‘Just Another Mushroom’, Plett
(Dear JAM, we will endeavour to procure answers to your pressing questions from the local DA branch. - Eds.)
Where have the whales gone? Up to 10 years ago, starting early June it was a common sight to see whales all along Plett’s beaches, from the Waves at Keurbooms to Lookout Beach (where they gathered in pods just off the river mouth), Main and Robberg Beach. But every year since then their sightings have
diminished and this year by end-August, only one whale was seen off Main Beach. Could anybody please enlighten us on what’s going on? Our suspicion is as follows: UWANNA CWAILS? GO2TOKIO FISHMARKET… The Metal Detect Team, Plett
Celia never turns a child away, but is in dire need Last year you included some information about the New Beginnings home of safety, love and support that is run by Celia, who turns no child away. Upon seeing your article, we phoned Celia and decided that we would like to help her where we can. This will be our second year that we put Christmas boxes together for her little ones, but they need a bit more than gifts for Christmas. We have made a plan to assist with building products that she needs - but she needs so much more, and we want to help getting the word out there. We phoned Celia last Monday and finally got through, as her phone was broken. She says her heart is heavy but she is doing what she can. She is tired and needs help. As a mother of two boys, I can only imagine her struggles with 10+ children. She needs help in the form of once-off donations and donations throughout the year, both monetary and items from her wish list. But most of all, she needs helpers to assist her with the children, because at this moment she has only one helper, who is paid by someone to assist her for three days a week. Celia still believes that
she is blessed and remains happy, but it worries her that she can’t get to everything without assistance. The children are getting older and need more supervision and guidance. I am not sure if you are able to share her plight again. We need to help our neighbours stand together and make a difference. We are able to assist where we can, but we are not able to do it all. We need to make sure these children have their shelter, filled with the love that Celia is known for giving. As a mother, she needs to make sure she is strong enough to carry on. We are happy to have a donation bin held in our shop for items like clothing, blankets, etc. Alternatively, her banking details are there for donations. Your help to share this information and Celia’s requirements for these children is desperately needed. She is a good honest woman, but she is now in dire need of support. Robyn Zondach, Plett (If you read here and are in a position to contribute, please email Robyn at rzondagh@pennypinchers. co.za or pop in at Pennypinchers Plett with your donations. - Eds.)
La Luna
Tsitsikamma residents’ generosity makes a difference The responses from Storms River residents to the appeal for donations for Claudia and her three young children was most heart-warming [read ‘We are counting on your kindness to help rebuild Claudia’s life’ on p11 of the July 27 edition at www.cxpress.co.za]. The joy caused by all the donated items cannot be measured directly but the response from the family has shown how apprecia-
tive they are of your generosity, and their lives will be much easier in the months and years that lie ahead. We even received donations from as far afield as Plettenberg Bay and, surprisingly enough, there were very few items duplicated, which was most welcome. Thank you once again for your generosity in times of need. Bob Reed, Storms River Village
SHOP 19 • FLORINA PLACE MAIN STREET • PLETTENBERG BAY
CHARMAINE 072 657 0156 ANDREW 073 233 9733
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CXPRESS
SPORT & ADVENTURE
7 September 2016
Top of the log, but Toni’s dream is to cycle overseas XPRESS caught up again recently with Toni Mould - the daughter of Plett restaurateurs Marianne and Dave Mould - who started taking the paracycling world by storm shortly after taking up the sport in 2013. This year has seen Toni’s hard work on the trike pay off more than ever before, starting with Nationals in February. Says Toni: “As I am the only woman in the T1 class, I won double gold for the time trial - in which I was very glad to attain a personal best - as well as the road race.” By end-February, a letter from Cycling SA invited her to be part of the national squad for the SA leg of the World Cup in Pietermaritzburg during May. “I did not make the team for the two overseas legs this year, as the focus was on the Rio squad,” she explains. “Pietermaritzburg’s rainy and cold weather was a big factor for all riders, as we have problems with our muscles, balance and so on. None of my overseas competitors came out to South Africa, which meant I had to ride against the clock and other classes, who were naturally stronger than me due to my disability being worse. “In the time trial I just missed gold, based on a factor system between classes. As a result of finishing first but without a medal in both my races, I received full UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) points and was then placed first on their world rankings. “Because SA is such a long haul from Europe, the UCI gave riders who competed in Pietermaritzburg double points - which meant my competitors had to win both the remainder of the World Cups in Europe, of which three legs were held this year, to draw even with me on points.” Toni took a break in her
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BACKED BY JC: Her cycling mentor JC van der Walt gives Toni a hug after her doublegold at this year’s Nationals
ALL THE BEST: Toni sees off cycling buddy Roxy Burns, right, and javelin/discuss coach Karin le Roux on their way to Rio’s Paralympics at Cape Town Airport on Friday - Photo: Karin Burns
training from mid-May to July, but kept a close eye on how the rest of the season would play out. “As it turns out, none of my competitors did both remaining World Cups and at the end of July I received notification that I had won the World Cup series for 2016! I’m on top of the UCI log, but will drop down the rankings after Rio’s Paralympics. But I hope to remain in the top three or five come December 31.” Now back in training for 2017, Toni has her eye on the Nationals held in Paarl during February and way beyond. “I really want to go overseas to do the World Cup legs there next year, gaining experience against other cyclists in my class. But for that I need sponsorship, as someone will need to accompany me to help with daily tasks and cope with travel in general.
“The World Champs are in Pietermaritzburg next September for the first time ever, so I really want to try and make that squad.” Toni lives and trains in Stellenbosch, where she has started the NPO Bridging Abilities in a bid to use sport and recreation camps and rehabilitation to improve quality of life by providing people with disabilities with opportunities to develop themselves physically, socially, emotionally and intellectually. Go to www.bridgingabi lities.co.za or email toni. mould@gmail.com for additional information, and find out more about Toni’s life, challenges and accomplishments at https://toni km.wordpress.com/. Finally, turn to page 12 of our March 11, 2015 edition and page 7 of our December 17, 2014 edition at www. cxpress.co.za for previous coverage of Toni’s successes.