8 March 2017 by CXpress

Photo: Nikki Ridley

8 March 2017

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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‘Real live’ spaceman welcomed in Eden

Concerns over Beacon Way development

Aftermath...

A few days after the fire that raged through Plett last week, Stuart Palmer surveys what’s left of his family’s kitchen. Faced with the need for a speedy evacuation since their only way out was towards the approaching flames, the Palmers including two children aged 9 and 7 - escaped with their most precious possessions: their pets and their lives. But almost everything else was lost. Turn to page 4 for the full story.

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NEWS & VIEWS

8 March 2017

Space flight of three-plus decades ago prompts like-minded astronauts to protect our planet Eden District welcomed a real live cosmonaut during its Water and Climate Symposium on February 28 flight-and-space junkie BOB HOPKIN was there to bask in his glory retired Romanian cosmonaut was the celebrity among a group of eminent environmental scientists who visited Eden District Municipality’s Disaster Management Centre recently. Doctor Dumitru-Dorin Prunariu is a veteran of a week-long orbiting journey in May 1981 aboard the Russian Soyuz 40 rocket and the Salyut 6 space laboratory. The group of 12 scientists, drawn mainly from Europe, was in SA to attend a symposium on climate resilience and sustainable water use in Africa at the University of the Free State. Subsequently, they are visiting various locations in the country to study and assist local conservation and disaster management efforts. The event was hosted by Eden Disaster Management manager Gerhard Otto, who gave an overview of the specific risks to the population and environment of the area. Otto pointed out that historical records show the main areas of concern are drought, flooding, bush and informal settlement fires, animal diseases, and degradation of the environment. In addition, the resident population has doubled during the last 15 years, rainfall has become irregular, and Knysna and Plettenberg Bay are at high risk of water shortages due to the lack of storage dams. Doctor Prunariu shared

HAPPY ON EARTH: Eden’s Gerhard Otto is flanked by symposium host professor Andries Jordaan, left, and cosmonaut Dr Prunariu during the Eden presentation - Photo: Bob Hopkin

some insights into his experiences in space and the motivation for his involvement in the conservation movement. “My flight into space took just nine minutes to accelerate us to the 28,000km per hour necessary to achieve a stable orbit, and our eventual docking with the Sallut space lab. After becoming accustomed to the weightless environment, we had a chance to assess our reaction to being in space. “In my case, I summed up my feelings as being a combination of power and vulnerability - powerful, because we

as human beings had achieved the technology to place men into orbit, but vulnerable because we also knew that at any time a random piece of space debris could hit and depressurise our craft, which would have been the end,” he said. Prunariu added that, even with the naked eye, they could see aspects of the surface of Earth and the oceans, which revealed far more than they had known before. “After landing safely, I was changed forever and I and other like-minded astronauts and cosmonauts were affected by

the vision of the finite nature of our planet and the need to preserve its resources for future generations. “We subsequently founded the Association of Space Explorers, now numbering over 400 members from 36 countries, whose aims are to work with various agencies, including the United Nations, to help preserve the planet and also protect it from extra-terrestrial threats.” Prunariu and his colleagues from the symposium are travelling on to Cape Town to complete their presentations before returning home.

Nutshell CV of Romanian spaceman turned environmentalist

BEFORE BEING ‘CHANGED FOREVER’: Cosmonauts Leonid Popov, left, and Dumitru-Dorin Prunariu during an interview preceding their launch into space - Photo: Wikipedia

OSMONAUT DumitruDorin Prunariu holds a degree in Aerospace Engineering and was the 103rd human being in outer space. He participated in the Soviet Union’s Intercosmos programme and completed an eight-day mission on board Soyuz 40 and Salyut 6 space laboratory, where he and Leo-

OH BLAST: A Soyuz TMA-05M rocket launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan in 2012 - Photo: NASA/Carla Cioffi

nid Popov carried out scientific experiments in the fields of astrophysics, space radiation, space technology, space medicine, and biology. The visit to George formed part of an environmental scientist delegation’s tour of SA from February 25 to March 2, its primary focus being in the field of Disaster Management.

NEWS & VIEWS

8 March 2017

CXPRESS

Safety a major concern at new Plett shopping centre Well-known Plettenberg Bay architect Roberto Boni has voiced a long list of concerns regarding the development generally referred to as ‘the Shoprite centre’ currently under excavation next to Plett Primary School - NIKKI RIDLEY reports LTHOUGH formal objections include aesthetics, among others, the sharing of the narrow twolane access road is of paramount concern, says Boni, who also serves as member of the School Governing Body (SGB). In an email to the mayor dated January 27, and supplied to CXPRESS due to alleged lack of response from Bitou Municipality, Boni wrote: “The safety of our children is, first and foremost, the responsibility of a Governing Body and we thus strongly object to the fact that articulated and large delivery vehicles will have access to a road which is utilised by all parents and pupils entering and exiting the school. “Many children walk along this road to and from school. It is inconceivable that a professional developer or municipal official can even contemplate allowing such vehicles to utilise a road such as this, which is frequented by small kids. “The developer has undertaken to only allow deliveries outside peak periods. We all know that this will never work.” Other objections and points raised include general safety concerns and points regarding further traffic congestion in an already congested intersec-

tion at the entrance to the school, Boni stating that “the introduction of additional traffic and more specifically in the form of articulated and large delivery vehicles will only exacerbate an already unmanageable situation”. “Be that as it may, the main objection is the fact that approval has been given for delivery vehicles to share the same servitude road as parents, pupils and staff alike. “Whoever approved this obviously did not apply their mind, whatsoever. We have subsequently contacted both the Western Cape Education Department and the Federation of SA Schools in order to assist us in stopping this development from proceeding in its current format. “The school principal and I had a meeting with the mayor and then acting town manager. We were promised a follow-up meeting during the next week, in order to see if we could come to a solution. That was on January 24.” At the time Boni sent CXPRESS details of the concerns, he said: “To date we have not heard a word.” However, on being asked telephonically to respond to these objections, Adél Stander of Bitou’s Planning department stated

that a meeting to address these concerns had been set up for the coming week. Regarding the aesthetics, Boni stated: “As a professional architect I was invited to a meeting with fellow professionals to comment on the aesthetics of the proposed development. “There was a unanimous consensus that the design, in its present format, does in no way contribute to the aesthetic appearance of Plett, especially as it is at one of the two major entrances of our town. “It basically looks like a huge warehouse at the entrance to one of the premier resorts in South Africa. We all agreed that a redesign needed to be done to make the building look more attractive. “It is interesting that Checkers was going to be the anchor tenant with a 3,500m2 Blue Line store at the proposed Lighthouse Square development, which had been planned at the end of Longships. “Unfortunately the developer, RMB, pulled out, inexplicably, at the last minute,” Boni said. He concluded: “It is ludicrous that another development such as this has been allowed to be built in this position. From a town planning point of view, it is a HUGE mistake.”

Horse dies in Knysna ambulance crash N ambulance from Plett EMS was written off following a collision with a horse at the Springveld intersection on the N2 outside Knysna on Saturday February 25. Both the driver and the patient being transported from KwaNokuthula to Knysna Hospital survived, but the horse did not. EMS spokesperson Robert Daniels said that the

animal ran onto the road from the right, directly into the path of the ambulance. “The driver was injured and the patient on board also sustained injuries as a result of the impact.” Drivers have reported that the Springveld area is known for frequent incidents involving livestock. One motorist commented that she regularly had to call the traffic department

to notify them of livestock roaming freely on the N2. She said she had personally been involved in a crash with a cow, and had witnessed many serious accidents in the vicinity. Knysna’s acting MM Johnny Douglas said motorists should report loose animals on the N2 to 044 302 8911. The animal will be impounded and owners fined. - Candice Ludick

BIGGER THAN YOU THOUGHT? Plans for the shopping centre awaiting construction opposite The Market Square in Plett’s Beacon Way, access to which are causing many parents of learners at the adjacent primary school to be concerned over its effects on congestion and general safety

CXPRESS

NEWS & VIEWS

8 March 2017

Rural heart of Plett reduced to ashes in hours Photo: Stuart Brink Films

BETWEEN FIRE AND WATER ON FEBRUARY 28: An aerial panorama taken after the raging fire that swept through the farmland outside of Plett shows the extent of the burn area - an image made even more dramatic through comparison to the size of the Keurbooms lagoon. Turn to page 11 for letters on the fire - and visit the gallery at www.cxpress.co.za for more images.

A miraculous save... HE intense fire that ripped through Wittedrift and down the valley toward the N2 at Old Nick on Tuesday February 28, caused extensive devastation and the loss of homes. However, more was saved than lost, thanks to the efforts of the fire crews and the many brave souls and home-owners who put their lives on the line to fight the inferno. Tales of heroism abound, including the ‘against-allodds’ save of the Rae’s home on the Wittedrift road, thanks in large part to the courageous efforts of three members of the Plett South Fire Management Unit (FMU) and neighbour Aubrey Martin. Firefighter Steve Ritky gave a detailed account of the crew’s successful mission in severe conditions. “We were at the top

HEART-WARMING MEETING: From left are Plett South FMU fire-fighters Ian Barnard, Steve Myburgh, Steve Ritky, neighbour Aubrey Martin, and very grateful home-owner Peter Rae - Photo: Nikki Ridley

HEART-WRENCHING LOSS: Stuart Palmer took this tragic image after the fire had swept down the ridge from its flare-up origin point at the old Plett Timber Mill, through farms, forest and fynbos, through their house and on down the valley. According to many, the fire moved ‘faster than a man can run’, leaving charred destruction in its wake… and the burning remains of a home far beyond saving by the time it could be accessed.

of Wittedrift road when the call came in about a house in danger further down from where we were - having just put a water hose into two bakkies that came up the road with smouldering paintwork and melting load beds. “We drove through the thick smoke and found the over 100m long steep driveway leading to the side of the house.” Rae said that by the time they got down the driveway, the fire was about 25m away from the house and approaching fast, with flames more than 10m high. He went on to say that they had to climb up burning hot steel pillars to get onto the upper level of the house to wet the roof and timber deck, getting “engulfed in a steam ball” when the water bomber plane dumped 3,000 litres

A devastating loss... HOUGH thankfully no-one was injured in the February 28 inferno, some were not spared heart-wrenching loss. Rhian Berning and Stuart Palmer lost their home and all of its contents in last Tuesday’s bushfire. Rhian told how she had just collected her kids from school and taken them to swim when she received a call from her mother, who lives on a neighbouring property. “She said I needed to get home quickly, that there was ‘big smoke’ and it was going over our house. “There was no smoke when I left home to pick up my children, nothing! “We got home as soon as we could, and then it was into racing mode “My mom was already at the house leaving with the dogs in her car, so we grabbed the hamsters, cats, goldfish, photo albums, baby books - things we couldn’t replace. We still couldn’t see flames then, but there was a lot of smoke. “My neighbour, Herman Nieuwoudt, came to help, loading gas bottles into the car, but just as we

were loading the last bottle, one of the cats escaped and hid under a pipe under the garage. “The kids were really scared by then, so Herman took them to my mom, leaving just me and our gardener to wet the house, find the cat and grab more stuff. I still had no idea then how close the flames were. “Then our friends, Jantie and Christiaan Oosthuizen, arrived as did Stuart. I just managed to get hold of the cat, grabbing it by its tail as it tried to run into the forest, and we only just got out in time. “I’d seen the flames come over the hill on the way down; I knew how close they were,” said Stuart. “We tried watering down the roof more, and removing gutters, but we didn’t have much time.” The fire moved at such speed that Rhian thought it may have gone right over their house, but last hopes were soon dashed. Singed walls alone still stand. The fire also burnt right up to the walls of Rhian’s parents’ and other houses in the vicinity. Incredible support

Nikki Ridley

of water on the front of the house and garden. “Fortunately, we saw him coming and all hit the deck. Being soaked ourselves was a plus.” It wasn’t long before the men were completely surrounded by the flames, desperately wetting the house from back to front with two hoses, while effectively trapped. “In minutes, visibility dropped to a metre at best, heat was intense, breathing a challenge,” said Ritky. “There was no chance of reversing up the driveway to get crew and cars off the property. We fought back with attitudes any father would be proud to see, and language no mother would want to hear! The whole episode lasted about 30 minutes... a life-time.” Aside from some light singeing on the deck beams, the house is com-

pletely undamaged. A very relieved Peter Rae explained that although he and his wife have used the house for holidays for the past few years, they were due to move in permanently that week. Rae has extended his heartfelt thanks to the crew who saved their home. “My wife and I are hugely indebted to these fire-fighters. We were overseas at the time and to arrive here the next day and find our home standing and intact was a massive relief. “The men from the Plett South unit did a phenomenal job, as did the pilot who dropped water in exactly the right spot. “We’d also like to say a big thank-you to all our friends and neighbours who were also on the scene to help. The community spirit was awesome.”

“The support from close friends, family and people we don’t even know has been overwhelming,” said Stuart. “We have had so many offers of help - cash, vouchers, food - Chris and Saskia gave us their house to stay in. The support has been amazing, with so many giving anonymously. “We want to express our gratitude hugely. It has been so uplifting knowing that that support is there.” He added that a friend in the States also immediately set up a crowdfunding site to help them rebuild their lives (https:// w w w. j u s t g iv i n g . c o m / crowdfunding/Stu-Rhi). A final word from Rhian Rhian stated emphatical-

ly that we need to wake up to the reality that Bitou is experiencing a drought. She also pointed out the irony that their property burned despite the absence of alien vegetation on it - while aliens left on other properties in the area fueled the fire. “While it is part of the natural cycle for fynbos to burn every 20 years or so the alien vegetation like wattle, pine, and blue gum that is spreading out of control on much of our natural land plays a huge factor in making these fires harder to contain, more difficult for firemen to access and, as we have personally experienced, far more devastating.”

RAISING FUNDS: Photographer Jade Holing sent CXPRESS this image, stating that he will be selling “10 limited, signed prints, 420mm x 594mm, unframed @ R5k each (postage not included) to help raise funds for Stuart and Rhian”. Jade can be contacted on 082 533 0685.

NEWS & VIEWS

8 March 2017

Wheelchair Foundation donation will positively impact Bitou patients’ lives

GIFTS ON WHEELS: Photographed after the handover by Rotary International’s Wheelchair Foundation founders are Plett Rotary president Patrick Leary and Rotarian David Pickering, at left and right respectively in the back row, Lady Annabelle Conyngham, standing third from right, Rotarians Wes and Ethne Papenfus, at left, and some of the PlettAid nursing staff and caregivers

N Monday February 27, Alan Drewit along with Milton and Elaine Frary - all members of Rotary International working with the Wheelchair Foundation of Great Britain and Ireland - donated three wheelchairs, bought by The Rotary Club of Plettenberg Bay from the Wheelchair Foundation, to The PlettAid Foundation/Hospice Plett at the Foundation headquarters on Hillview Farm in KwaNokuthula. The Wheelchair Foundation UK is a charity started by Milton Frary in 2003, to be run by Rotarians for

Rotarians, and under trusteeship of Rotarians. Since its inception 14,000 wheelchairs have been delivered to organisations within South Africa. The primary aim is to supply brand new wheelchairs to those in need, free of charge. The organisation helps to start up workshops and provide physiotherapy training, while also sourcing other club projects for Rotary members for discussion and implementation. All the main funding arises through Rotary Clubs in Great Britain, and to date 32,000 wheel-

‘FERRARIS’ FOR HOSPICE PLETT: These brand new and beautifully branded wheelchairs are sure to add much ease to the lives of Bitou recipients

chairs have been distributed in 29 countries - an astonishing figure, especially when one considers how positively these veritable ‘Ferraris of wheelchairs’ must have impacted on so many lives. Said sister Cecily van Heerden: “On behalf of the PlettAid Foundation and Hospice Plett, we are absolutely delighted to receive these wheelchairs. They will immediately be put to constructive use within the needy communities of Bitou, thereby transforming a few of our patients’ lives.”

CXPRESS

8 March 2017

SCHOOL NEWS

BUSINESS

8 March 2017

Here’s your best shot at raising financially smart children YPE ‘teaching children about money’ into a search engine and most of the information you’ll find makes the point that it’s seldom too early to start. From a much earlier age than most parents think possible, children have the capacity to soak up financial lessons such as understanding the value of things, saving towards something rather than immediate gratification, and that money must be earned. Games such as playing shop or even old-fashioned marbles, where the coloured glass balls are the currency, can teach children important financial lessons. Unfortunately, other than the informal market of the playground where marbles or Stikeez substitute for cash, most schools don’t formally teach young children ‘money’ or financial principles - it’s largely left up to parents. What are the lessons you should be teaching your children? DirectAxis marketing head Marlies Kappers says most of the literature touches on seven broad principles. Do you need it? Something that you can do early on is to help children differentiate between wants and needs. Trapped in the supermarket aisle of death leading to the tills, we’ve all seen children, or worse, experienced our own children,

whining because parents won’t give in to incessant demands for sweets. Rather than telling children you’re not buying them something ‘because we can’t afford it’, explain that you’re choosing not to spend your hardearned money in that way. It’s even better if you can say why: ‘I’m saving some money so we can go to the movies together in the school holidays’. Understand the value of money Games such as shopshop, where children ‘buy’ differently priced items with loose change or even marbles, are a good way of starting to teach young children the value of money. As they get a bit older you can take the lessons to the real world and ask them to help you do price comparisons between items in the supermarket. Explain why you make the choices you do. For example, it may seem more expensive to buy a larger bag of rice or potatoes, but it’s cheaper than buying two smaller bags. Using price-comparison apps such as pricecheck (www.pricecheck.co.za), you can get older children involved in researching where you can get an item at the best price. You control your pocket money There’s no hard-and-fast rule about when to start paying pocket money, but there seems to be a gener-

al consensus that around age six is a good time. Pocket money is an important step in teaching children financial responsibility. If you give them some money every time they want something, they may struggle to grasp the value of money and the basics of budgeting later in life. Initially, pay children pocket money once a week. As they get older, you can make this once a fortnight and later once a month. This will teach them to make it last. Money is earned Building on the lesson about understanding the value of money, children must be taught that pocket money is earned, not given. They can earn it for doing household chores such as making their bed, tidying their room or feeding a family pet. As they get older and receive more pocket money, so their responsibilities should increase. Learn to save The accepted rule of thumb is that you should save 10% of what you earn. You can encourage younger children to put away some of their pocket money in a piggy bank each week. As they get older, open a bank account and suggest they try save some pocket money and also any additional income they may get, such as birthday money or income from part-time-jobs.

Money management Teach children to manage their money from the outset. If they want a toy, gadget or fashion accessory, explain how they will need to save for it, possibly sacrificing other treats. Help them keep a record of earnings and expenditure in a book or on a spreadsheet. When you pay pocket money, look at the previous month and explain what they did well or how they might better have spent or saved their money. If they do want to buy a big-ticket item such as a bicycle or surfboard and you lend them the money, getting them to pay it back in instalments over a given period will teach them how to manage debt. Let them learn lessons Suggest or advise, but don’t dictate how children should spend their money. Don’t be disappointed when they make mistakes. The biggest lesson they’ll learn is when they splurge on something and later realise that it was a waste of money. When they do, don’t bail them out. Let them make their own plan to supplement their income by doing more chores or getting a part-time job. Teaching children about money and how to manage it are valuable life-lessons that they will be able to keep applying long after they’ve left home and have families of their own.

CXPRESS

INTERVAL

8 March 2017

A bricklayer’s accident report... in detail HIS bricklayer’s accident report is a true story. Had he died, he’d have received a Darwin Award, for sure...

Dear Sir, I am writing in response to your request for additional information in Block Three of the accident report form. I put ‘poor planning’ as the cause of my accident. You asked for a fuller explanation, and I trust the following details will be sufficient: I am a bricklayer by trade. On the day of the accident, I was working alone on the roof of a new six-storey building. When I completed my work, I found I had some bricks left over which, when weighed later, were found to be slightly in excess of 227kg. Rather than carry the bricks down by hand, I decided to lower them in a barrel by using a pulley, which was attached to the side of the building on the sixth floor. Securing the rope at ground I went up to the roof, swung the barrel

out and loaded the bricks into it. Then I went down and untied the rope, holding it tightly to ensure a slow descent of the bricks. You will note in Block 11 of the accident report form that I weigh 62kg. Due to my surprise at being jerked off the ground so suddenly, I lost my presence of mind and forgot to let go of the rope. Needless to say, I proceeded at a rapid rate up the side of the building. In the vicinity of the third floor, I met the barrel - which was now proceeding downward at an equally impressive speed. This explains the fractured skull, minor abrasions and the broken collar bone, as listed in Section Three of the accident report form. Slowed only slightly, I continued my rapid ascent, not stopping until the fingers of my right hand were two knuckles deep into the pulley. Fortunately, by this time I had regained my presence of mind and was able to hold tightly to the

Order! Order! drunkard was brought to court. Just before the trial, there was a commotion in the gallery. The judge pounded the gravel on his table

and shouted: “Order! Order!” The drunkard immediately responded: “Thank you, your Honour, I’ll have a Scotch and soda.”

Sign of doom ahead EAN is the vicar of a Protestant parish in Western Newfoundland, and Patrick is the priest at a Roman Catholic Church across the road. One day they are seen together, erecting a sign which says: ‘The End is Near… Turn Yourself Around Now… Before it is Too Late’. As a vehicle speeds by, the driver leans out the window and yells: “Leave

people alone, you religious nutters - we don’t need your lectures!” From around the next curve, they hear the screeching of tyres and a big splash. Shaking his head, Father Patrick says to the vicar: “Dat’s da terd one dis morning.” “Yaa,” Sean agrees, “do ya tink maybe da sign should just say ‘Bridge Washed Out!’”

rope, in spite of beginning to experience pain. At approximately the same time, however, the barrel of bricks hit the ground and the bottom fell out of the barrel. Now devoid of the weight of the bricks, that barrel weighed approximately 23kg. I refer you again to my weight… As you can imagine, I began a rapid descent down the side of the building. In the vicinity of the third floor, I met the barrel coming up. This accounts for the two fractured ankles, broken tooth, and several lacerations of my legs

and lower body. Here my luck began to change slightly. The encounter with the barrel seemed to slow me enough to lessen my injuries when I fell into the pile of bricks and, fortunately, only three vertebrae were cracked. I am sorry to report, however, as I lay there on the pile of bricks in pain, unable to move, I again lost my composure and presence of mind and let go of the rope and I lay there watching the empty barrel begin its journey back down onto me. This explains the two broken legs. I hope this answers your inquiry.

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SOCIAL SCENE

8 March 2017

CXPRESS

SEVEN DECADES OF WEDDED BLISS: On February 6, long-term Plettenberg Bay residents Cyril and Jean Rist celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary with a gathering of family and friends at Formosa Garden Village. The following weekend, unbeknown to the couple, their children and other loved ones had organised a special celebratory luncheon to commemorate this marriage milestone. All of their children, four of their seven grandchildren and eight of their 10 great grandchildren, as well as Jeanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 98-year-old sister Francis were able to attend. To make things even more festive, the lavish lunch coincided with Jeanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 92nd birthday. It was a wonderful celebration and the highlight of it all was when the couple received a congratulatory letter from HRH Queen Elizabeth II. Says Chris Rist, who kindly furnished CXPRESS with these pics: â&#x20AC;&#x153;They have been the most incredible role models, and are loved and admired by the whole family.â&#x20AC;? At left, a delighted Cyril and Jean read their congratulatory card from the queen. Below, they are pictured with some members of their happy family.

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CXPRESS

CLASSIFIEDS

8 March 2017

R59

2017/18 Provincial Budget We are spending money where it will be the most effective and sustainable. We are delivering public value by spending money in a sustainable way and spending where it will make the most impact.

R591.570 million

R2.107 billion

towards Environmental Affairs and Development Planning

towards Social Development

R795.179 million towards Agriculture

billion

R427.345 million towards Economic Development and Tourism

R2.536 billion

budget

R20.630 billion

R249.206 million

towards Education

R7.427 billion

of which R8.6 billion will be spent on infrastructure led growth and job creation.

towards Transport and Public Works

R21.680 billion towards Health

towards Human Settlements

towards Local Government

R725.049 million towards Cultural Affairs and Sport

R302.056 million towards Community Safety

www.westerncape.gov.za www.facebook.com/WesternCapeGovernment @WesternCapeGov

Better Budget, Better Future, BETTER TOGETHER.

ON THE SOAPBOX

8 March 2017

Letters to the Editor

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

Sharing a miracle: the power of prayer On my birthday last Tuesday, fires were raging all around Plettenberg Bay and most disconcertingly in the vicinity of Formosa Garden Village, where my parents, Ivan and Jean Baker, reside. That evening, my mother phoned to tell me that they might need to spend the night in one of my retreat cottages, as they may be evacuated from Formosa since the fires were dangerously close to their retirement village. My guests had arrived for a special birthday supper, and we went onto

the veranda to look at the smoke on the horizon. We had been talking about the power of prayer. I suggested that we prayed for God’s intervention to stop the fire causing more damage to people, animals, and property. There was a strong wind blowing a big cloud of smoke towards Plett at the time. We formed a circle which included two priests, Father Lawrence Mubiru from the Catholic Church and Father Mark Marais from the Anglican Church, as well as a Cath-

olic nun, Sister Veronica Dingi from Zimbabwe who is currently here on retreat. Father Lawrence proceeded to pray. After our prayers, we opened our eyes and looked towards the fire. The wind visibly changed direction and the cloud of smoke started blowing away from Plett. It was so noticeable that one of my guests said his eyes became like saucers as he watched this “miracle of the power of prayer”. The son of one of my guests, who also lives at Formosa Garden Village,

is assistant volunteer firefighter and local chiropractor Bryce Taverner. The next day he asked Bryce about the fire. His son said: “If the wind had not changed direction, the fire would have started burning Formosa Garden Village.” My friend asked him what time this had happened, and he replied “at 7:45pm” - exactly when we prayed. This is no coincidence; it is a visible demonstration of the power of prayer to invoke the power of God. Leela Verity, Plett

Tears of gratitude flow over firefighters’ heroics I am a resident of Formosa Garden Village and I have just been watching, in floods of tears, as a helicopter belonging to, I do not know - put out a fire just below our complex in about 30 minutes. Whoever you are, Sir, I applaud you and also the little white plane that circled overhead,

CXPRESS

the whole time keeping an eye on things. What would we do without heroes like you? As I write this [on Sunday February 26] I see another huge fire raging beyond New Horizons and hope that that fire will also soon be put out. Thank you, and all the brave people like you. Jenny Stevenson, Plett

Fire captured from Lookout

Steve from Plett shared this pic and wrote: “One supposes that there must be many images of the destructive veld fire doing the rounds, but thought you might like to take a look at this. The long exposure (digital) was taken while resting my camera on the car roof. It was taken across the lagoon from the whale tail, above Lookout Beach, at around 7:30pm last Tuesday. Some years ago, when Bossiesgif burnt down, I submitted an image taken from the industrial area, which you published. If you can use this one, by all means, do... From your local on-fire photographer!”

STRIKING CONTRAST: Jenny captured this image of the fire from the gardens of Formosa Garden Village

Fire makes Plettenberg Bay community stand together On behalf of the residents of Formosa Garden Village, we would like to express our gratitude for all the assistance during the devastating fire that surrounded our beautiful home during the evening of Tuesday February 28. Our in-house fire team, along with volunteers and Bitou Fire Department, managed to keep the fire at bay and Formosa Garden Village safe. Our admin and kitchen staff manned the office phones, restoring calm to very worried residents and their families, and of-

fered sandwiches, coffee and tea to the residents and firefighters throughout the evening. No residents were hurt and no property damaged. We thank one and all in the Plett community who offered accommodation to our residents, should the need arise for homes to be evacuated. On that night, we saw a devastating fire, but we also saw a community stand together, making us proud to be part of such a wonderful town. Formosa Garden Village management, Plett

Thoughts on recycling and the recent fire monster

Plett reader John Larter shared these pics and wrote: “Above is an image of rubbish waiting for collection in Robberg Road and I could not help noticing all the cardboard boxes. Obviously some people in Plett are not bothered or have never heard of recycling. The pic at right was taken at 6:15 on February 28, and the two fronts can easily be seen. At the time, I overheard somebody nearby who was in radio contact with the water bomber pilots that this had now become a monster.”

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CXPRESS

SPORT & ADVENTURE

8 March 2017

Everest climber talks on scaling the heights in sport M

TOP OF THE WORLD: Mountaineering ace Deshun Deysel celebrates reaching a summit during one of her climbing expeditions, at left, and as motivational speaker she will deliver a keynote address at the Provincial Sports Conference to be hosted by NMMU in George on March 10 and 11 - Photos: Supplied

Decade of cricket celebrated with SWD Sedgers finals Pioneers Cricket Club will be competing in SWD’s Sedgers Promotional League Finals on March 11 at the Recreational Grounds in Oudtshoorn, where they’ve been matched against Mayflower CC from Great Brak River. Pioneers is in its 10th year of existence and there is no better way to celebrate this milestone than with Saturday’s participation. Says the club’s Juan Windvogel: “We are very proud of the achievement as it is an historic event for Plett, having its longest-running cricket club progress to this level of the competition. The first ball will be bowled at 10am. It’s a really big day for our team and we will need all the support possible!” Readers, regard that as an open invitation to go cheer for these local sportsmen. Email pioneercricket@gmail.com or call club management on 084 798 5544 for additional information.

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KAROO VIEW

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O U N TA I N E E R I N G ace and motivational speaker Deshun Deysel will share her experiences from a lifetime of challenges as one of the keynote speakers at the Western Cape’s Provincial Conference on Sport in George next weekend. The conference will be hosted by NMMU on March 10 and 11 to explore the contribution sport can make to society, emphasising the development of youth and building community participation. Its theme ‘Olympism’ reviewing the province’s contribution to last year’s Rio Games and how the Olympics impact on sport and its development. The first black South African woman to climb Mount Everest, the 46-year-old Deysel who grew up in Uitenhage and now lives in Johannesburg - has forged a career in motivational speaking while also managing to satisfy her mountain climbing craving. As a novice, she was not able to summit the mountain in the 1996 expedition, but she described being part of the first South African team to plant the country’s democratic flag on top of Everest as “a dream come true”. After the Everest expedition, Deysel found herself increasingly driven to explore other mountain climbing avenues. This saw her undertake 14 expeditions on five continents, providing invaluable experience which she now imparts to others as part of her company, Deshun Deysel and Associates. She will use the sports conference in George to specifically focus on goal-setting and how competitors can handle tough situations. “I will address the issue of sticking to goals and trusting the process,” said Deysel. “I will deal with how impatient people can sometimes be in the pursuit of a goal and how this can, ultimately, cause them to give up and fail.” She said one of the chief lessons she learnt from her mountaineering career was the importance of looking after your body. “You have to have an intimate understanding of your body’s needs and learn to listen to it. “Too many athletes push themselves so hard that they suffer unnecessary injuries that take a long time to recover. Sometimes you’ve got to go slow in order to go fast.” Deysel quoted the late Nelson Mandela as she reflected

on the role of sport in creating a healthy lifestyle, developing the country’s youth and unifying the community. “As Nelson Mandela once said, ‘sport has the power to change the world and the power to unify people in a way that little else does’. “Through my work with the Laureus Foundation [visit www.laureus.com], I have seen how sport can make a positive impact, raising people out of poverty, creating understanding between differing factions and creating hope, and even wealth.” Deysel said her own story was evidence that a township kid with a dream and a willingness to work hard could rise above tough circumstances and become a positive role model for others. In the days of apartheid, Deysel was refused entry to the SA Mountain Club, but she did not let this hold her back in making her mountaineering dreams become a reality. She believes the Olympic Games are a significant factor in providing inspiration for the country’s budding sports stars. “I always notice how there’s an upsurge of running, cycling and other sports codes during events like the Olympics and the Tour de France,” she said. “Without these occasions, people have nothing to aim for or aspire to. The Olympics create role models and legends, like runner Wayde van Niekerk and swimmer Natalie du Toit. “The Games play a vital role in showcasing the power of human potential in a sporting context and it is an excellent motivator to live a healthy, positive life.” Deysel said she also believed that participation was vital and that sporting enthusiasts should not become fixated with always winning. “As a country, we have become lovers of the number one. No one acknowledges the silver and the bronze, yet they worked as hard to get into that particular race or game. “If our athletes know that we’ve got their back, then they may go out with more confidence. We must find ways to celebrate all outstanding athletes and not just the ones who win. “This last point is vital in building self-esteem, not just in our athletes, but also in the youth who want to participate, yet are worried about how their failure might be received.”