9 december 2015

9 December 2015

Published every Wednesday by CXpress 2006 (Pty) Ltd - PO Box 1449, Plettenberg Bay 6600 - 6 Park Lane, Plettenberg Bay - Tel: 044 533 1004 - Fax: 044 533 0852 Email: editor@cxpress.co.za / advertising@cxpress.co.za Web page: www.cxpress.co.za Printed by Group Editors

FREE

Planet power The Family Palmer of Plettenberg Bay - mom Rhian of Eco Atlas fame, Lunchbox Theatre director dad Stuart, Anela and Zanda - took virtual action along with hundreds of thousands of likeminded earthlings who are speaking up on the planet’s behalf while COP21 is taking place in Paris - read the story on page 5

Accident results in slaughter chaos p3

True account of rage stabbing p4

Bitou council news update p9 - 12

10 000 FREE COPIES OF CXPRESS DISTRIBUTED ALONG THE GARDEN ROUTE EVERY WEDNESDAY

2

CXPRESS

NEWS & VIEWS

9 December 2015

Legal Alien: Recollections of the Bolhuis family’s immigration to SA - Part IV

Arriving in the Cape and setting foot on African soil Plett resident and part-time CXPRESS columnist HENK BOLHUIS continues the account of how his clan came to settle in South Africa - turn to page 2 of the past three editions at www.cxpress. co.za for the story so far AVING departed from Amsterdam with MS Randfontein on April 2, 1959, we were now finally on our way to the Union of South Africa. The trip would take 15 days, with brief stop-overs in Southampton in England and Las Palmas, capital of the Canary Islands, before arriving at our final destination: Cape Town.

Although in essence a freighter with a large cargo capacity like her older sister ships, MS Randfontein was specially redesigned to accommodate a large number of passengers - 289 in total.

It was also the first VNSM (Nederlandse Scheepvaart Maatschappij) vessel to be fully air-conditioned in all public places and cabins, and as such she became very popular with Dutch, English and South African travellers.

(MS Randfontein remained in service until mid1971, after which she was decommissioned, mainly because of falling passenger demand due to everincreasing air travel.)

The trip was relatively uneventful except for two occasions that, even now 56 years later, I remember as though they happened yesterday.

The first event occurred after only a few days, when we

H

BOOKING ESSENTIAL

reached the Gulf of Biscay off the French coast near Brest, just north of Spain.

Because of its relatively shallow waters and known for some of the fiercest weather conditions, especially during winter months, a number of ships had foundered in the past during a “Biscay Storm”.

Fortunately we did not come to any harm, but I do recall that for two or three days most passengers, myself included, were violently seasick and for most of the time confined to our cabins.

Even when I started feeling a bit better and longed for some supper, just seeing the soup in my plate slosh

VAST & ALIEN WATERFRONT: MS Randfontein berthed in Cape Town Harbour - Photo: www.ssmaritime.com/fontein-ships.htm

‘NEPTUNE’ EXPLAINED: US sailors and marines participate in a line-crossing ceremony aboard USS Blue Ridge as the ship passes the equator in May 2008 - it has been a long naval tradition to initiate ‘pollywogs’ (sailors who have never crossed) into the Kingdom of Neptune upon their first crossing Photo: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Line-crossing_ceremony

from one side to the other was enough to send me back to bed.

The second event was on the day we crossed the equator and King Neptune paid us a visit… Throughout the day, members of the ship’s crew entertained the passengers and all kinds of games were played on deck and in the swimming pool.

Apart from the entertainment we were also treated to a variety of outstanding seafood dishes and, to top it all, drinks were on the house.

During dinner on the evening of April 16, the captain of MS Randfontein announced that during the late morning of the next day we would be arriving at Cape Town.

Most of the passengers were on deck early the next morning after breakfast to catch a first glimpse of majestic Table Mountain, and soon thereafter we could see the city and our new country.

It was around noon on April 17, 1959 when, after the ship had berthed and we had said our goodbyes to other passengers and crew, we finally disembarked and for the first time set foot on African soil.

To be continued…

NEWS & VIEWS

9 December 2015

CXPRESS

Burning man mystery shocks Wilderness Mystery still surrounds the discovery of a charred corpse in a burning vehicle in Wilderness late last Friday night - NIKKI RIDLEY reports HOCKED passers-by discovered the Ford Territory SUV parked on the side of the road and engulfed in flames on Wa-

S

terside Road at about 10pm on the night of Friday December 4.

According to reports, the passers-by tried to put the

flames out, but the fire was too intense and they were unable to do so, even after flagging down other motorists to assist.

Sesona’s bench unveiled at Poortjies A solemn gathering on Monday afternoon served as final farewell to the Plett girl whose body was found in bushes near her Bossiesgif home exactly a year ago. A bench on Poortjies lagoon was dedicated to Sesona Bayibhile in the presence of her mother, Binie, and other family members and friends, municipal officials and members of the Green Hearts of Plett. Bitou mayor Memory Booysen did much to comfort the small crowd with his words of condolences, while reminding to treasure our children and know our neighbours. Station commander of Plett SAPS Col Michaels was joined by other police members, notably Inspector John Nomdoe, who was instrumental in securing a 21-year sentence for Sesona’s killer. School friends of the slain little girl sang her favourite song, ‘Sageus’, to start and end proceedings. The ceremony was part of Plett’s 16 Days of Activism campaign - find out more on page 9. - Photo: Esther de Villiers

Overturned livestock truck results in slaughter chaos on Plett N2

Nikki Ridley

N accident involving a livestock truck on the N2 alongside Plett’s Engen service station around midnight on Friday December 4 has become a topic of speculation and horror after the accident scene turned into mass slaughter, with people arriving on the scene to help themselves to sheep reportedly within minutes.

The incident occurred after a trailer from the truck allegedly detached and turned over, injuring and killing many, but not all the sheep being transported.

A witness on the scene has described what he saw on social media, describing the scene as “horrific”.

“There were injured and dying sheep… as well as a couple of small flocks, all over the N2. Police, fire brigade, all emergency services were on the scene and trying their best to do what they could. There were animals with broken legs, ears off, eyes hanging out, and scavengers chasing sheep all over the N2. I saw four guys

A

kill a sheep and load it into their vehicle.”

Other witnesses on the scene described scavenging chaos as cars “came from both directions, Kwano and Qolweni and also Wittedrift. Nice cars. BMWs. They were killing the sheep with knives, stabbing them and loading the animals into their boots.”

Emergency Services were faced with a rapidly increasing number of people arriving at the scene to butcher the injured and also apparently uninjured sheep, with a crowd of up to 100 people turning the N2 into an outdoor slaughterhouse.

Hedley Venter from Fire and Rescue said that emergency services faced a difficult and potentially hostile situation. “We attempted to do what we could to maintain control at the incident, which is difficult as our mandates and legislative functions, duties and responsibilities vary.

“Once the Senior (firefighter) had informed me he

couldn’t get the people away and that confrontation (could be) hostile as people had knives and machetes, I could not subject any Fire and Rescue member with a directive over their lives.

“The crew withdrew to a safe area and then returned back to the station.”

Venter added that he could not comment further on the incident, as it was a matter for law enforcement.

Further reports on social media have drawn attention to a terrible smell emanating from the ablutions area of Qolweni, where skins and animal parts have allegedly been thrown and left to rot, becoming infested with maggots.

No further comment from local authorities or law enforcement had been available by going to press. Plett SAPS did not respond to requests for an accident report. It is not yet known to whom the truck belonged or whether the driver or anyone else was injured in the incident.

Police and emergency services were quickly on the scene, however, and when the fire brigade managed to extinguish the blaze, the heavily charred remains of a man was discovered in the driver’s seat.

The vehicle carried GP plates, specifically from the Sandton area of Johannesburg, but the identity of the man is yet unknown.

SAPS spokesperson Captain Malcolm Pojie of the

Western Cape Media Centre said that there is no truth in the rumour that a bullet cartridge was found on the scene, nor that the vehicle was found burning near Fairy Knowe Hotel (but had possibly been seen near there earlier).

He further stated that the body was too badly burned to ascertain any details beyond the gender of the corpse.

“The body was too charred to confirm cause of death. An autopsy will be conducted, and we will have

3

to wait for the outcome of forensic and police investigations to establish any further details regarding the incident, the cause of the fire, or the identity and age of the victim.

“All we can say is that at this preliminary stage of the investigation no foul play is suspected and we have not yet been able to establish the man’s identity through the number plate, as the registered address is no longer valid.”

An investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the George Detectives branch on 044 803 4417.

4

CXPRESS

NEWS & VIEWS

9 December 2015

Crime head praises ‘heroic young man’ but demands accurate account of rage stabbing Nikki Ridley

HAIRMAN of the Plett Crime Prevention Association Bruce Richardson has voiced his praise for the courage showed by a Plett Rage stabbing victim, while emphasising that safety should still

C

come before recovery of stolen goods, in this case a snatched handbag.

Capetonian Daniel Thielke, 19, suffered stab wounds to his chest and arm after tackling a would-be thief in Plett’s industrial area in the early hours of Sunday November 29. Thielke and

a lady friend had just left VIP and were reportedly waiting for a taxi around 2:45am when she was accosted by a man who “came out of the bushes”.

Thielke tackled the assailant and then chased him when he got away, tackling him a second time and suf-

fering stab wounds in the scuffle. He retrieved the handbag and the assailant was detained by security and taken into custody.

Thielke was treated at the scene by the VIP medical unit and then taken to Plett Mediclinic. He was released on December 1.

News Briefs • The case against the George father, 51, who allegedly drugged and sexually assaulted his daughter’s friends during sleepovers at his home, was delayed yet again after the suspect’s lawyer failed to appear in the Thembalethu Regional Court on Monday.

The local businessman is facing more than 3,000 charges relating to sex crimes against seven of his 12-yearold daughter’s friends.

He was expected to plead, but his legal representative was not present as he was busy with another matter in Gauteng and therefore the case was postponed to January 14 - this after the matter was postponed the

man who allegedly hurt their children, just to find out that the matter would yet again be postponed.

“Nothing will undo what happened to my child, but we at least need this case to come to a close so that we can move on with our lives,” the young girl’s mother said.

ROAD TO RECOVERY: Joan Eysele, 92, was bumped off her mobility scooter in Knysna - read the story on page 4 of the December 2 edition at www.cxpress.co.za

previous week for plea negotiations to be completed.

One of the children’s mother said that these delays were very traumatic for them as it took a lot of courage to come to court and face the

• While the elderly Knysna woman who was knocked from her mobility scooter during an accident in the town’s main street just over a week ago is recovering from several injuries, one of her biggest fears is losing her independence.

For Loeriehof resident Joan Eysele, 92, her mobility scooter helped maintain

a sense of independence.

Last Saturday, Eysele was crossing the main road at the traffic lights near Zanzibar when the driver of a Volvo truck crashed into her scooter.

It is believed that the truck driver did not see her while crossing the road and when he turned left into the main road towards George, hit the scooter knocking Eysele off.

She sustained several injuries and needed stitches to her head. She tore the ligaments in her arm and shoulder, sprained her ankle and bruised her entire body.

Police spokesman Sergeant Chris Spies confirmed the incident.

- Yolandé Stander

The incident received widespread press in both regional and national publications. However, some of the reports have raised concerns due to over-emphasis on the sensationalist association between Plett Rage and the stabbing, rather than a youngster’s bravery and the unfortunate consequence he suffered.

Said Richardson: “This is not so much a story about a victim as presented by some media - to present him as victim is to totally underreport what he did - but a story about a hero injured when helping a lady in distress; someone who heroically went on to assist in apprehending a criminal.

“He could easily have stood back and done nothing, which we would have preferred (for safety reasons), but our preference does not affect the fact that this young man stood up for what is right.”

Richardson was keen to get accurate facts into the press regarding the location of the original bag-snatch, giving CXPRESS an “accurate account of what took place after interviewing all relevant parties”.

“On Sunday morning at about 2am, the young man accompanied by a lady de-

cided to get some fresh air and moved away from the security cordon up Truter Street towards Qolweni, to a point past the bakery/café where there is an open space to the left of the road.”

They were approached by a local who they thought would ask for money or some such “donation”, but as he reached them he suddenly snatched her handbag and tried to run off.

Thielke reacted by knocking him to the ground and pursuing him. This scuffle was witnessed by municipal law enforcement (MLE) officer Thomas. Assited

by Thielke, he arrested the man who was put in the back of the MLE van.

“It was then that he realised he was bleeding - he had not seen a knife - and that he had suffered two stab wounds to the chest and a slash to his one arm.

“He is to be applauded for what he did, but the most important issue is safety and one should never risk one’s life for property.”

Richardson visited Thielke in the mediclinic and said he looked well despite his pain. The perpetrator, a repeat offender from New Horizons, remains in custody. A case of robbery and assault has been opened.

NEWS & VIEWS

9 December 2015

The Pope: for the planet, it really is now or never

Rhian Berning

NE of the most, if not THE most important meeting of our time is happening in Paris as I write, having kicked off on November 30 and concluding on December 11.

The Climate Summit or COP21 is a gathering of 195 countries and leaders of state with the aim of signing a global binding agreement to sufficiently reduce carbon emissions (pollution from the burning of fossil fuels like oil and coal) to keep global warming below the 2°C threshold that scientists say is essential for the health of the planet.

This action is considered crucial if we are to head off the worst effects of climate change, such as severe flooding and droughts.

Here in South Africa, we are already experiencing a devastating drought in the north; on the Garden Route, we are extremely fortunate that the effects have resulted in more rain.

However, several islands are already losing land to sea level rise, or experiencing the onslaught of extreme storms, so their inhabitants are truly at the frontline of challenges posed by changes in global climate.

So, not only are the world leaders in Paris to bash out an internationally binding agreement - what has been

O

called “our last, best hope” - but there is also a huge representation of a global movement encompassing civil society, organisations, indigenous tribes and poorer nations braving that frontline storm. They are making their voices heard.

Pope Francis, for one, is listening and speaking up for those poorer nations who will be hardest hit by the changes in climate and extreme weather.

“It is now or never,” he said in Paris. “Every year the problems are getting worse. We are at the limits.

If I may use a strong word, I would say that we are at the limits of suicide.”

The lead-up to the summit saw the largest global climate march in history, with 785,000 people marching around the world, making sure their hope for climate action and a viable future was voiced.

Being Garden Routebased, I could not join the marches in Cape Town or Johannesburg and so my family along with thousands of others worldwide joined the action virtually.

If you, too, would like to call for solutions and send your support for a favourable outcome in Paris then click on https://www. climaterealityproject.org/ addyourvoice and post a

EARTH GIRL: When Plett native Rhian and her family could not join marches in the big centres, they joined thousands of others worldwide who took virtual action - and what better backdrop than their beautiful farm in Plettenberg Bay

photo, share an article, use a hash tag, sign a petition stand and be counted.

As Pope Francis says… it’s now or never. All our small actions combined could change the world and perhaps, one day, our children will thank us for it.

• Rhian Berning is the founder of Eco Atlas, a national website that empowers people and planet friendly choices, and runner up in the Mail & Guardian Greening the Future Awards 2015 - visit ecoatlas.co.za to find out more.

CXPRESS

5

6

CXPRESS

NEWS & VIEWS

9 December 2015

Give a little - or a whole lot - to help Celia help her charges EW Beginnings home of safety is a registered community-driven organisation with a mandate to help abandoned Bitou children while protecting them from abuse.

Based at 6 Ngcabanga Street in KwaNokuthula, the NPO currently houses 11 children aged seven to 14 years.

Says founder Celia Babalwa Buso: “At New Beginnings we believe that every child deserves normal living conditions, happiness, love and care. We are a small organisation and any form of assistance enables us to continue doing our best for the children in our care.”

Any kind of donation is welcomed, as the organisation is dependent on charity, receiving some contributions on a regular basis and others as once-off donations from individuals.

“Please give as little or as much as you can!” says Celia. “We thank our current donors for their generous support, which helps us to change lives - Woolworths, Robberg Fine Foods, McCain, Pick n Pay, The Pie

N

These youngsters graduated from Plett PrePrimary School recently.

Says sporadic CXPRESS correspondent Trevor Glen: ‘The Grade R class of 2015 looked thoroughly overwhelmed by the fact that they would soon be starting their primary schooling. Parents came out to see their kids being honoured for their academic achievements and it was smiles all night long… until the kids sang their goodbye song.

Teachers and parents all slowly started tearing up, as the performance was quite emotional. Here’s wishing all the best to these little future leaders.’

CHANGING LIVES: Celia Babalwa Buso with some of the kids in her care - your assistance could help her to continue providing a safe environment for these youngsters

Shop, Le Fournil, Clare’s Cakes, Uitsig and our individual donors. God bless you and merry Christmas to all your readers.”

Call Celia on 073 110 7014 or 044 533 6378 or email newbeginnings94@ gmail.com to find out how you can get involved.

Big school, here we come!

- Photo: Ray Friedman

SA’s Leading Enzymologists

PROMOTION

9 December 2015

CXPRESS

7

8

CXPRESS

BUSINESS

9 December 2015

A property overview of Nature’s Valley, where life is simply beautiful Steven Neufeld

INE properties transferred in Nature’s Valley during 2015, for an average selling price of R2.56-million.

As more sales are likely to register, we can expect a situation similar to 2014, which saw the number of units sold more than dou-

N

ble, while prices increased by 11% in comparison to 2013 - the first clear indication of a recovery since the national decline after 2007.

Nationally, the growth rate is declining, and decreasing affordability is putting a dampener on things, but increased ‘semigration’ to the

Western Cape is leading to higher demand, so the future is somewhat uncertain.

Nature’s Valley, however, generally performs better than the national market.

There are currently at least four Valley properties for sale, with asking prices ranging from R3.5-million

Investor Focus ANY retirees still hold RAs, while the younger members of our community use them to build their retirement nest eggs.

Actions by the Financial Services Board have cleaned up this vehicle to the extent that it is now a valuable and effective retirement savings tool. The new generation RAs in particular are admirably suited to many of the younger entrepreneurs in Plett and Knysna.

They do not attract any penalties, should you be forced to hold your payments, which helps those whose earnings drop out of season, or who change jobs,

ture’s Valley over the past 20 years has been well above the national average. The high prices and good investment characteristics are attributable to the scarcity of property (the village cannot expand beyond its valley!) and the high demand due to lifestyle and natural beauty.

There are not enough sales in Nature’s Valley to make the historical analy-

sis statistically significant, but an indication of rough trends can be gauged.

• Steven Neufeld is principal manager, professional associated valuer and appraiser of Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty Plettenberg Bay, and partner in SA Property Valuations. See the adverts on pages 1 and 5 for current listings.

Malcolm Stewart – Investment manager at Michaelides Parker Wealth Knysna & Plett

Relooking Retirement Annuities (RAs)

M

to R7.2-million.

The highest price reached to date was R7,605,000 in 2006 for a home on Nemesia Street, with 2014’s top price at R6.7-million for a house in St Andrews Avenue. This year did not see any higher prices paid, with the majority of sales falling between R2-million and R3-million.

The growth rate in Na-

or those who have an exceptional season and earn enough for an extraordinary payment.

There are no penalties either for stopping payments or for transferring the RA to another service provider/ investment advisor.

There is a tax saving when investing in an RA - why give your hard earned cash to the Receiver when it could be used to build your retirement nest egg?

Various investment choices are available. You can elect to place the funds in any balanced unit trust and thus rely on the chosen fund manager to steer in-

vestments within the fund during all phases of the investment cycle.

Or you can rely on your investment advisor to select particular funds and to continue managing the portfolio of unit trusts that make up the investment.

Investments within an RA attract no tax at all - a major advantage for all investors. Younger investors in particular can enjoy a lifetime of tax-free investments, no matter how their circumstances change.

There are three layers of cost to be considered.

Firstly, there is the investment management fee that

is charged by the unit trust manager into whose fund the RA is invested.

This fee can vary from 0.75% to a high of 1.5%, while some funds also charge a performance fee.

On average, an annual fee of 1% can be expected.

Then there is the administration fee charged by the RA administrator. (All RAs have to be administrated by registered managers to ensure that the funds keep to the rules as set out by the FSB.) On average, one can expect to pay 0.5%pa. Most administrators have a sliding scale so that the fees decline as your savings build up.

Finally, there is the fee

charged by your investment advisor. On average, this is 0.5%, however, some advisors charge an up-front fee of up to 3% and an annual fee of 1%. These fees are negotiable, and I would refuse to pay any up-front fee, or any annual fee over 0.5%pa.

Your savings will be ‘locked up until you are 55.

This helps you to resist the temptation of raiding your long-term savings. On retirement or on reaching the age of 55, you may convert the RA into a Living Annuity, using either unit trusts or direct share investments.

You are entitled to withdraw up to one-third of the funds to use at your discretion. You will, however,

then be taxed on all withdrawals from the fund.

RAs do not form part of your estate so, for older retirees, they can be left to your spouse or bequeathed to your kids. This is an interesting thought, for it could be used as a funding vehicle for your grandkids’ education. Far cheaper than a trust, it’s also much easier to set up. There are other aspects of an RA that should be discussed with an advisor, so I would recommend a visit to clarify any questions.

Malcolm has been in the investment industry for over 40 years. He has written this column for the last 17 years and is a specialist in managing retired wealth.

COUNCIL NEWS

9 December 2015

CXPRESS

9

10

CXPRESS

9 December 2015

COUNCIL NEWS

COUNCIL NEWS

9 December 2015

CXPRESS

11

12

CXPRESS

9 December 2015

COUNCIL NEWS

ENTERTAINMENT

9 December 2015

Fête ‘Fantastic 50’ with the talented Von Memerties for four fabulous reasons HE White House Theatre will open its doors to two magical performances on December 15 & 16.

Sandy Humphreys - the sister of SA entertainment veteran Ian von Memerty - has been instrumental in bringing this exciting and uplifting theatre to Plettenberg Bay and it’s a most remarkable achievement to confirm the celebrated Von Memerties for two nights on a Plett stage.

Ian is best known as presenter of the South African version of TV’s Strictly Come Dancing and as judge on SA’s Got Talent. He has received 15 National Theatre awards and his piano show A Handful of Keys has played to more than 400,000 people in over 400 performances.

Ian stars with his talented

T

wife Vivienne Lawrence and their two children in his latest show Fantastic 50: a Golden Theatrical Anniversary; a Celebration of Life and Triumph over Tragedy.

Vivienne was national ballroom dancing champion and is known as the Queen of the Dance; she is a delight to behold.

The costumes are fabulous. The show is brimming with humour, music and dance, and has been playing to capacity audiences throughout SA. So no local theatre lover can afford to miss its staging in Plett.

Behind this entertaining and inspirational show is the harrowing story of how this couple battled with their children’s rare and agonising genetic disease, mucopolysacchardiosis, which claimed the life of their be-

Entertainment Diary • Diarise Sunday December 13 for a Bazaar at Plett Bowling Club, where the entire family is sure to find lots of things to buy, eat, drink and enjoy - that’s apart from entertainment offered on the greens. The club has hosted several events in the past where not only bowlers but their families and the uninitiated have been bowled over by the team’s able catering and bar banter, and this Sunday will be no different with food (pizzas, braaied prego rolls etc.), fun (face-painting, tattoos, a treasure hunt), games (with prizes, e.g. bowls!) and shopping for visitors from 9am.

See the ad on page 20 for contact details.

• The next Boere Brocante will be held on Tuesday December 15 from 9am to 3pm at Ouland Royale on the Airport Road. Glassware, silver and china, vintage clothing, jewellery, textiles, collectible books and more will be on sale. Entry is R20 - call Marsja on 073 654 9476 for more information.

• St Boniface Catholic Church in Queen Street, Knysna, hosts a wonderful International Food Fair on December 16 from 4-8pm. Test your taste buds on delicious food from America, Africa, The Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, France and Italy. Frozen food and hampers on offer all are welcome!

loved eldest daughter.

During Vivienne’s pregnancy they discovered that their son, Oscar, was also a carrier. A suitable bonemarrow donor was eventually found for Oscar and although the disease affected his growth, he is a highly accomplished comedian and hip-hop dancer.

He will be performing in the show alongside his equally talented younger sister.

Tragedy struck this family again last year when Ian and Sandy’s brother died while awaiting a suitable lung donor, so they are no strangers to sorrow.

The four charities chosen

by Sandy to benefit from these two evenings have been selected with great care and all have a common purpose. “They comfort and succour all those who in this transitory life are in trouble, need, sickness, or any other adversity,” she says.

Grateful thanks are extended to Sandy Humphreys for inspiring the two fundraising nights, to The White House for staging them, and especially to the Von Memerty Family for waiving their fees.

Their generosity will be of incalculable benefit to the charitable organisations listed below, raising much needed funds and awareness. (See the advert on this page for contact details.)

Kids of Kurland This project has been paying for teachers of Kurland Village school children for the last 12 years when the pressing need for additional teachers was recognised, splitting the huge classes into smaller, more manage-

able units.

The five-member committee works tirelessly to raise funds to pay the salaries of extra staff and is most grateful to donors for their support. There is a pressing need for a part-time social worker and special-needs teacher due to the many social problems in the neglected village.

Email dafermor@telkomsa. net for details.

Organ Donor Foundation The role of the ODF is to educate and inform the public about organ donation and the urgent need for people to register as donors.

Any healthy person can be considered a possible donor and there is no cost involved in signing up as an organ/tissue donor.

An organ donor can save up to 50 lives and a tissue donor can help up to 50 people. Visit www.odf.org. za and the SA Bone Marrow Registry at www.sabmr. co.za for information or call 0800 12 10 82 to register.

The PlettAid Foundation - Hospice Plett Last month Hospice Plett rendered holistic palliative care to 133 people in their homes, operating in all Bitou communities. Contact Sister Cecily van Heerden on 079 501 1866 or 044 533 5616 or at plettaid@gmail. com for further details.

FAMSA A satellite of FAMSA was started in 2009 to serve all Bitou communities, and clients from all walks of life are assisted in a safe, confidential environment.

Contact Melani van der Westhuizen on 044 533 0515 or at plettenberg@ famsa.org.za for additional information.

CXPRESS

13

Read CXPRESS online @ www.cxpress.co.za

14

CXPRESS

9 December 2015 YOUNG ENTERTAINERS UNITE: What would any tourist destination be without local entertainment?

Tourists travel because they want to enjoy new sights, people, food and nature, and to experience SA entertainment. Entertaining visitors is a great opportunity for our youth, who have enormous inherent talent and long for a career in the performing arts. Thanks to the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Tshisa Talent in Plett has expanded its talent search to Knysna and the youngsters from both towns will perform together for the first time on December 12 at Chris Hani Hall in Knysna (R15).

Email info@tshisatalent.co.za with more ideas on young up and coming performers. In the pic, Mark David and Antonio Moos aka Animation Crew, auditioned for SA’s Got Talent via Tshisa Talent. - Photo: Anja Wiehl

SOCIAL SCENE

ON A HIGH: Greenwood’s Grade 7s jump for joy at the milestone of leaving junior school behind and in anticipation of the new academic challenges ahead - pictured from left are Oyama Thanda, Noah Chatz, Coryn von Willen, Nicholas Hill, Amanda Siwela, Sterling James, Norshya Sonjani, James Armstrong, Shannon Amoils, Ben Dugmore, Asiaher Namdoe and Cabe Upton - Photo: Lucinda Mudge

SPLASH IS BACK: The annual water festival presented by Knysna Rotary returns on December 19 & 20 with three fun-filled events. Now in its fourth year, Knysna Splash is an important fundraiser for Rotary, which donates all proceeds from the entry fees to local charities. This year’s focus is on the two most popular events - the Knysna Lagoon Mile swim and the Splash Quack Attack duck race - while introducing two new canoe events: a Family Fun Race, and the Splash 10km canoe race. Registration for the swim opens on the Saturday at 8am at Knysna Yacht Club (entry fee R130, and R75 for 10 and under). The Splash Quack Attack - as seen above, facilitated by Knysna Rotarians Mac Thorpe and Howard Waters at right - takes place on the 19th at 3pm. Find a good spot on the harbour walls at the Quays for this fun race of up to 1,000 ducks! Buy a numbered duck for R25 and watch it compete in the heats. The first duck home in the finals wins R2,500 with R1,000 for second place and R500 each for third, fourth and fifth places. Ducks will be on sale at Knysna Mall and the Waterfront on December 12, at the Waterfront practice on Friday the 18th from 3pm, and from 10am on the 19th. Find out about the Sunday’s Canoe Races and rest of the fun offerings at www. knysnaSPLASH.co.za or follow www.facebook.com/KnysnaSPLASH for regular updates.

People, places & events

SOCIAL SCENE

9 December 2015

Small Town Big Surprise!

Darnell Street, Storms River Village

A trip down Memory Lane and now... a Micro Brewery!

Bring the family for a memorable outing!

RAGING RESPONSIBLY WITH LII TEA: Nicola Zulch enjoys her first ‘legal cocktail’ - in this case a Long Island Ice Tea - at The Lookout Deck on the last Saturday of Rage, December 5 also being her 18th birthday. She said Jack Parow’s show was the best party by far, and this preference was agreed upon by her colleagues Jaco, left, and Stefan from Stellenberg High in Durbanville. Google Plett Rage 2015 for images of festivities over the years.

People, places & events ext. 267 SUCCESSFUL FIRST YOUTH SUMMIT: Knysna Municipality hosted the town’s inaugural Youth Summit on December 2 & 3 at Knysna Secondary School, themed ‘The Role of Knysna Youth in shaping a sustainable future’. The aim of the summit was to create a platform for the youth to address the challenges they faced in their day-to-day lives. It was also a good networking and exposure opportunity for the young people present. Knysna mayor Georlene Wolmarans spoke on the alarming concern of the country’s high rate of youth unemployment. ‘Census estimates show that more than 3.2-million young South Africans between the ages of 15 and 24 are neither employed nor engaged in education or job training. According to SA’s Labour Force Survey for the last quarter of 2013, two-thirds of all unemployed South Africans were under the age of 35. Under normal circumstances this is a wonderful age. You have a blank canvas and it is within your power to create the life you want for yourself. However, we know that our young people in South Africa are facing some staggering challenges.’

Discussions of the draft Youth Policy was also on the agenda. The municipality wants to build a credible youth structure that can work collaboratively with the Youth Desk in implementing policy and strategies.

This will be done by establishing a Youth Council in February 2016. At right, Rheenendal’s Percival Quina gives an inspiring address during the Youth Summit.

CXPRESS

15

16

CXPRESS

INTERVAL

9 December 2015

Wife: “Darling, shall I prepare curry or soup today?”

Husband: “First make it, we will name it later.”

Out of the mouths of babes…

Grade One teacher had 26 students in her class. She presented each child the first half of a well-known proverb and asked them to come up with the remainder of the proverb. It’s hard to believe these were actually done by first graders - their insight may surprise you: • Don’t change horses… until they stop running.

• Strike while the… bug is close.

• It’s always darkest before… daylight saving time.

• Never underestimate the power of…termites.

• You can lead a horse to water but… how?

• Don’t bite the hand that… looks dirty.

• No news is… impossible.

• A miss is as good as… Mr. • You can’t teach an old dog new… math.

• If you lie down with

A

dogs, you’ll… stink in the morning.

• Love all, trust… me.

• The pen is mightier than the… pigs.

• An idle mind is… the best way to relax.

• Where there’s smoke there’s… pollution.

• Happy the bride who… gets all the presents.

• A penny saved is… not much.

• Two’s company, three’s… the Musketeers.

• Don’t put off till tomorrow what… you put on to go to bed.

• Laugh and the whole world laughs with you, cry and… you have to blow your nose.

• There are none so blind as… Stevie Wonder.

• Children should be seen and not… spanked or grounded.

• If at first you don’t suc-

Next door “Dad I think the Smiths next door are angry at us.”

“Why is that?”

“They’re probably mad because our dog can retrieve the newspaper, and theirs can’t.”

“How could you possibly know that? We don’t even subscribe to the newspaper.”

“Yeah, that’s probably got something to do with it, too.”

An engineering doctor man passed out on the beach in Naples, Florida, for four hours, and got a horrible sunburn, specifically to the front of his legs above his knees.

He went to the hospital, and was promptly admitted after being diagnosed with second-degree burns.

With his skin already starting to blister, and the severe pain he was in, the

A

doctor prescribed continuous intravenous feeding with saline, electrolytes, a sedative, and a Viagra pill every four hours.

The nurse, who was rather astounded, asked: “What good will Viagra do for him, Doctor?”

The Doctor replied: “It won’t do anything for his condition, but it’ll keep the sheets off his legs.”

I know a guy who’s addicted to brake fluid, but he says he can stop any time.

ceed… get new batteries.

• You get out of something only what you… see in the picture on the box.

• When the blind lead the blind… get out of the way.

• A bird in the hand… is going to poop on you.

• Better late than… uhm, pregnant?

HOME & HEALTH

9 December 2015

CXPRESS

17

This guide makes instant veggie growers, with love from the moon and Mrs Boshoff HE Moonbloom gardening guide and calendar is an absolute musthave for anyone who loves to grow their own food or feels inspired to do so in the New Year. It’s practical, easy to use and is based on the ancient method of planting by the moon to increase plant strength, survival and yield.

It’s the brain child of Plett local and erstwhile CXPRESS designer Gaye Boshoff, who called recently to explain that she had started “self-publishing my little passion”.

Gaye lives on a farm in Harkerville where she not only grows her own vegetables, but harvests honey, raises free range chickens for eggs, and lives entirely off rainwater, not to mention running her graphic design hub and racing her two children to their next surfing meet!

She explains the inspiration behind Moonbloom thus: “Growing food in my vegetable garden is one of my little life pleasures.

Through the years I have planted my seedlings in sync with the cycles of the

T

BLOOMIN’ EASY: The very first Moonbloom guide’s vegetable icons are classified according to which plant is eaten when, offering a great way for setting tasks in its simple tear-off month-bymonth notepad format; below its creator, Gaye Boshoff

moon, something I believe has contributed to my successful harvests.

“Thus I had the urge to create Moonbloom, a simple planting guide, just to remind me when to plant throughout each month. I would love it to reach everyone, especially the folk in the cities, to show them that it’s not that difficult to have your own little veggie patch, and prove how easy it is to grow your own delicious organic food.

“Moon cycle planting can be looked at scientifically in terms of the role the force of gravity plays on water in the soil and although it plays a small part in a

plant’s life, every element on earth is significant.”

Moon cycle gardening is based on the theory of the gravitational pull on the Earth’s water.

When the moon is waxing or when the moon is growing brighter, the gravitational pull on our planet’s H2O grows stronger and this causes water in the soil to come to the surface where it is available for germinating seeds. Plants also benefit from the increased moonlight at night.

The third quarter, for example, is the best time to plant root vegetables like carrots, as at this time the moon is waning and the

soil’s water is drawn down, and in turn your carrot does too.

The Moonbloom yearly gardening guide is easy to read and soft on the eye, taking Gaye’s particular art talents into account.

Each month features vegetable and herb suggestions to suit all rainfall areas in South Africa and to maximise success.

It’s a great asset for anyone growing their own food or herbs or for planning small tasks on weekends, especially if you have a busy life, in this simple tear-off month-by-month notepad. Make your notes, put it on your fridge, or give it to your gardener.

The 2016 Moonbloom notepad features the moon cycles, of course, and the vegetable icons are classified according to which part of the plant is eaten - straightforward, simple and functional. Plus it is printed on recycled paper.

Moonbloom is available at Candylwood Book and Chocolate Shop in The Crags; at Village Bookshop and Ouland Nursery in Plett; at Health and Living in George and from selected garden centres nationwide.

You can also email gaye@ honeymoonfarm.co.za or visit www.honeymoonfarm. co.za for details, or visit www.ecoatlas.co.za or www. candylwood.co.za - but be sure to get your hands on next year’s Moonbloom guide as they are hot off the press and sure to make excellent Christmas presents.

The only pharmacy in Main Street

18

CXPRESS

9 December 2015

CLASSIFIEDS

ON THE SOAPBOX

9 December 2015

Letters to the Editor

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

Is it a fog horn, is it a flufftail, or is it a truck?!

PRETTY BIRDY, MIGHTY CALL: Never before have we had as many responses to a single two-paragraph query on our Letters page, most all singing the praises of the Buffspotted flufftail pictured here… We thank all our bird-loving readers for writing, and ta too to Comik for the comic relief!

The letter ‘Nights blighted by horn’ in your December 2 edition refers [read it on page 11 at www.cxpress.co.za].

Perhaps your reader should consult the local birdwatchers, as the sound may well be the call of a Buff-spotted flufftail. I’m not too sure of its range but it’s probably the culprit. If it is, tell your reader how fortunate he is.

Regarding publishing the unedited criticism of the grammar found in the latest edition… evil.

Vee Dench, Knysna --The complaint by the B&B in Poortjies of a hooter or fog horn could be the call of a bird called the Buff-spotted flufftail.

The call is a low, fog hornlike ‘dooooooo’, given mainly at night and on overcast days.

Its habitat is evergreen forests, coastal scrub, and well wooded gardens.

Maybe they should get the local ornithological expert in to confirm.

Allan Lautenbach, Knysna --In response to the query

regarding the intermittent sounding of a “fog horn”, I am pretty sure it is the Buff-spotted flufftail. It is a very shy bird, not often seen but does have the ability to keep calling right through the night.

I suggest your reader contacts Mike Bridgeford, who is chairman of BirdLife Plett, as I am sure he would love to find the bird’s location.

We have one on our farm near the airport and once we knew what it was, the call became a pleasure instead of an irritant!

Sue Windsor, Plett --The “hooter or fog horn” that you hear in Poortjies is most likely the call of a little bird called a Buffspotted flufftail - its call sounds just like a fog horn and it only calls at night or on overcast days.

Dawn Pearce, BirdLife Plett --Mr Scheffer wondered about a nightly horn.

The sound actually emanates from the big trucks applying their exhaust brakes down the hill.

‘Comik’, Plett

The letter by Clive Buirski in CXPRESS of December 2 refers [see p11 of that edition at www.cxpress.co.za].

The concept of chemtrails is a conspiracy theory, as explained on Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/Chemtrail_conspiracy_theory).

The effect of an aeroplane wing moving at high speed through damp air is to cause condensation trails (“contrails”), where the water vapour condenses into visible mist. Contrails are com-

posed primarily of water, in the form of ice crystals.

According to the chemtrail conspiracy theory, longlasting trails left in the sky by high-flying aircraft are chemical or biological agents deliberately sprayed for sinister purposes undisclosed to the general public.

There are no grounds to substantiate the insinuation that toxic substances are being dispersed into the local atmosphere.

Malcolm Osborne, Rondevlei

Wetlands more valuable than ever I read Robert Baudinet’s letter in CXPRESS of November 18 [turn to page 11 of that edition at www. cxpress.co.za and read ‘Put up a parking lot…’].

Concerned inhabitants of Plett have just, at great cost to themselves, managed to avert a ridiculous small harbour development. Now Mr Baudinet wants Bitou Municipality to change the wetlands into parking lots!

Visitors are attracted to Plett by its natural beauty.

Plett also boasts Blue Flag beaches - not one, but three!

It is really a natural paradise.

If it were not for the tireless input of the local environment forum along with Wessa and CapeNature, and the caring groups of people who week by week clean up our environment, I think things would look different.

We would have a concrete jungle right up to the beach, and lots of parking!

And Plett would look like every other place on earth that has been spoilt by the greed of a small sector of the population.

The municipality is not by law responsible to provide parking for restaurants.

Places are allowed to ex-

pand without any thought of the consequences, like parking, ablution accessibility, etc. I know in the countryside laws are often ignored or bent, but we won’t go there right now.

We are lucky to still have small wetlands; more should be made of them. Awareness of this will lead to appreciation and not complaints about lack of parking.

Bitou Municipality should be proud of its natural assets and could clean up the aliens and manmade rubbish. Then they can make lovely paths through the wetland, from below St Peters Church towards Lookout Beach, available all year round and not only once a year for a bike race.

It is not too late, as we still see the Turaco (loerie), Coucals and smaller birds as well as small reptiles on our daily walk there.

People could park on the open space below the municipal offices, where the market used to be, and walk down to the beach.

Wetlands are an asset and must be looked after.

Suzy Venter obo Cape West Coast Environmental Forum, by email

(which I have done), you will hear no such remark.

The origin of the story goes back years after the event when a comedian in the USA penned this little gem into his routine, and it gained great popularity and has circled the globe ever since, through the internet.

There have been some changes as the original story has Mrs Gorsky saying:

“Oral sex, you want oral sex, you will get oral sex when the kid next door walks on the moon!”

There is one interesting outcome from Armstrong’s historical statement (which clearly was well rehearsed before the event) in that in the original statement the two words “mankind” and “man” were edited slightly

by NASA in the official re-

cord, as the two words really mean the same thing.

I hope I have not spoilt a good story?

Dr JL Grant, Plett (Absolutely not, Doc. And like just about every other story that appears on our jokes page, its placement there should imply that the ‘facts’ are to be taken with anything from a pinch to a 1kg bag of salt… - Eds.)

19

Read CXPRESS online @ www.cxpress.co.za

Chemtrails a popular conspiracy theory

Armstrong’s Mr Gorsky never got lucky, man!

Your story in CXPRESS of December 2 is a very amusing one, but completely devoid of fact [see ‘Armstrong’s Good luck Mr Gorsky explained…’ on page 8 of that edition at www.cxpress.co.za]. Never let the facts get in the way of a good story!

If you listen to the original recording of Armstrong’s comments on the moon

CXPRESS

La Luna

20

CXPRESS

SPORT & ADVENTURE

9 December 2015

Surfers love a clean beach - and can score six brand new boards VER the past few years, Zigzag surfing magazine and Tuffy have partnered to present ‘Clean Your Beach’ - a six month campaign that encourages Zigzag readers to collect trash from their favourite beach and fill up as many Tuffy bags as possible.

As an added incentive, other than the stoke of keeping their surfing playground clean, every month for the duration of the campaign one lucky participant who has sent in evidence of a good enviro-deed gets rewarded with a brand new

O

surfboard, compliments of the project’s two other partners, Firewire and Share the Stoke Foundation.

Although any Tuffy bag will do, to make things easier Zigzag has included a Tuffy bag made out of 100% recycled plastic inside their latest issue (Vol. 39.8), which can be used to enter the competition.

Local entrant Luca Verbeeck, as part of his internship with the Environmental Unit at Eden District Municipality, organised a coastal clean-up along with kids from The Crags Pri-

ENTRY FROM CX COUNTRY: Brian Salter, right, along with one two-footed and three four-footed mates hit Kaaimans Beach, between Vic Bay and Wilderness, to clean up trash and stand a chance of winning one of six Firewire boards up for grabs

mary School.

He wrote along with his entry: “Ocean Conservancy sponsor many of these events around the world, and Plastic SA delivered two types of Tuffy bags for recycling waste and nonrecycling trash.”

Luca thanked the provincial Environmental Affairs team for providing lunch and goodies for the kids

who helped clean.

If you’d like to get involved and stand a chance to win a Firewire board, take a photo or video of your good enviro-deed and send evidence to comps@ zigzag.co.za along with info of when, where and why.

Visit www.zigzag.co.za/ clean-your-beach for more information and to view the entries so far.

Plettenberg Bay water polo players impress

On November 28, Plett Water Polo Club hosted teams from Glenwood, George Suid and Holy Cross. The games were played in a festive atmosphere and enjoyed by all competitors. Says the club’s Dave Harrow: ‘We are extremely proud of our Plett teams who won three of the six matches they competed in.’ Pictured from left are Levrone van Wijk, Aidan Riley, and Oli Harrow putting Glenwood under pressure; Ben Brink fending off a George Suid attack; and Emily Hume defending against Stella Carter-Johnson.

Photos: Eileen Covarr and Anne Hrabar