9 October 2019
Published every Wednesday by CXpress 2006 (Pty) Ltd - PO Box 1449, Plettenberg Bay 6600 - 6 Park Lane, Plettenberg Bay - Tel: 044 533 1004 - Fax: 044 533 0852 Email: editor@cxpress.co.za / advertising@cxpress.co.za Web page: www.cxpress.co.za Printed by Group Editors
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What a night! Plett Dinner Club held its premier Great Gatsby event at Ouland Royale last Saturday, and these lovely lasses were but a few of the shining stars in attendance. All monies generated by the Seeff raffle held on the night will benefit the Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association to ensure that ‘Plett - it’s a Feeling’ prevails. See more photos on page 9, and if you’ve missed this chance to support the PBCPA, turn to page 2 to find out about their next unique fundraiser, featuring golfing royalty Gary Player.
Photo: Elle Redman - www.ellephoto.co.za
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CXPRESS
NEWS & VIEWS
9 October 2019
Don’t miss this golden opportunity to rub shoulders with Gary Player Come and join the Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association (PBCPA) and Gary Player on Friday November 8 at Goose Valley - Gary Player’s signature golf course in Plett - for an entertaining, educational and fun golf day with lots of great prizes to boot OUTH African golfer Gary Player has won 167 tournaments over seven decades and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974. During this career, he won nine major championships on the regular tour and nine on the champions tour. At the age of 29, Player won the 1965 US Open and became the only non-American to win all four majors in a career, known as the career grand slam. At the time, he was the youngest player to do this, though Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods subsequently broke this record. Player became the third golfer in history to win the career grand slam, following Ben Hogan and Gene Sarazen, and only Nicklaus and Woods have performed the feat since. A word from PBCPA chair Bruce Richardson Plettenberg Bay is one of the most unique gems on this planet and certainly one of the most sought-after places in South Africa to visit or reside in. One factor that has impacted enormously on its continued success as a highly desirable holiday and invest-
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TEAM PLAYER: Gary and Vivienne Player - who has been his firmest supporter from before they got married in 1957
ment destination, is the low level of crime - violent crime in particular - making Plett a safe haven for all. For approximately nine years, the PBCPA has made a major contribution in ensuring that Plett remains a safe place in which hard-working members of society are able to flourish, prosper and live secure lives, while being a difficult environment for criminals to operate in. The PBCPA is a voluntary association that constitutes
an umbrella organisation under which committed organisations and individuals work together and contribute their energy and resources towards ensuring that Plett remains the safe and secure paradise that we love and appreciate. In order to be effective, these endeavours cost a significant amount of money to fund both equipment and operational expenses and it is appropriate that members of the community who are the beneficiaries of all the
hard work, make a contribution towards meeting these expenses. As part of the endeavours to raise funds, ongoing fundraising activities like the Gary Player golf day are necessary. All funds go towards training, cameras, radio fees, dedicated vehicles and many other initiatives to ensure the continued success of the PBCPA. Among many other operational resources, the PBCPA runs a 24/7 all-emergencies hotline, and a scan at the local press and social media reflects how busy and committed these volunteers are on a daily basis. The PBCPA is also actively involved in crime prevention in the form of anti-drug abuse campaigns, criminal rehabilitation, and projects to educate our future leaders and reverse the moral decay of society by restoring trust and honesty. I dread to think what Plett would be like today were it not for the PBCPA. • The PBCPA Gary Player Golf Day on November 8 will have a Betterball Stableford format with shotgun start at 12:30. Green fees are R490 per player (including snacks) and can be booked only through the pro shop on 044 533 5082 or at bookings@goosevalleygolfclub.com - book in teams or individually. You can sponsor a hole, donate prizes, or book a one-on-one golf clinic with Gary Player (only eight slots). Raffle tickets can be bought at the pro shop or at LM in Plett.
Notice Board • This year, Plett Animal Welfare Service will be hosting its popular 4 X PAWS Dog Walk at a different time to see if even more participants can be attracted. All Plett pooches (and their owners) are invited to join PAWS on Friday for a late afternoon walk from
Longstone Park, along Beachy Head Drive and back. The PAWS walk is the one event of the year when our best friends are in charge, as they socialise, bark, sniff and meet other critters. With great prizes on offer for various categories, your dog will not for-
give you if you miss this walk! Bring some wine and join the PAWS team for a boerie roll afterwards. Registration is from 5:30pm and entry is R40 per dog or R100 for three or more pooches. • Knysna Plett Concert Series presents pianist Luis Magal-
hães on October 21. Luis is a true cosmopolitan, travelling the world performing with the best orchestras, both as a solo musician and with other artists. Catch him at Knysna DRC hall at 7:30pm. Tickets are sold at the door from 6:45pm (adults R150, scholars R50).
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NEWS & VIEWS
9 October 2019
CXPRESS
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Public assistance requested after Knysna girl is reported missing HE George Family violence Child protection and Sexual offences (FCS) unit is asking members of the public to assist them with the tracing of 11-yearold Oyisa Mgqwanci, who was last seen at the Joodsekamp settlement in Knysna on Saturday October 5. Investigation into the dis-
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appearance of the girl indicates that she went with friends on the said day, but never returned home. She was dressed in a blue shirt and blue jeans at the time of her disappearance. Said Southern Cape police spokesman captain Malcolm Pojie: “A search party was established, which con-
sisted of members of the local police, a trained police search-and-rescue dog attached to the SAPS K9 unit, along with Knysna Community Police Forum and members of the community.” According to an officer attached to George FCS, the search party convened once again in Knysna on Tues-
W-Cape Human Settlements minister revisits Bitou to engage on housing issues
FACING THE MUSIC: Pictured at the table on Sunday are, from left, minister Tertius Simmers, Esais Pieterse of the regional Human Settlements department, Stakeholder Relations manager Mbongi Gubuza, and Bitou Ward 4 councillor Anne Windvogel
Ludumo Tede
ESTERN Cape Human Settlements minister Tertius Simmers spent almost two hours in a meeting with community members of Qolweni and New Horizons on Sunday October 6. Wearing their coolest heads, all parties engaged in talks on how human settlement delivery would be accelerated. The minister gave clarity on the department’s plan to tackle the housing challenges facing these communities. He also corrected what he termed as “inaccurate information” disseminated to residents regarding temporary homes in the area called Minnaar land, in Bossiesgif and Ebenezer. The meeting was attended by leaders of both communities, as well as Bitou Ward 2 and Ward 4 councillors Dave Swart and Anne Windvogel. However, representatives of the South African Human Rights Com-
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OUTCOME ALL GOOD: Minister Simmers, third from right, embraces community members and councillors in attendance at Sunday’s meeting
mission and senior members of Bitou Municipality were not present as expected by the provincial posse. Minister Simmers explained that the proposed date of the meeting was October 9, but it was later proposed that the 6th would be more appropriate for all involved. Apparently the date was not suitable for Bitou senior officials because of “prior commitments that could not be cancelled at such short notice”. During the meeting the minister refuted claims that his department has allocated a R3-million budget for 169 temporary homes on Minnaar land, and that 400 temporary homes would be erected on the Ebenezer site. He explained the current plans, budget and timelines for both sites. “I would like to clearly state that R3-million for the erection of Temporary Residential Units (TRAs) was never allocated, but formed
part of a draft business plan that hasn’t been adopted. The erection of 400 TRAs on the Ebenezer site is not on the plan. “In excess of 1,470 opportunities are planned for the Ebenezer site, where assessment impacts were completed by September 30. I’d like to request the Bitou Council to discuss and approve the construction plans, as we want to start with construction by February 2020,” said Simmers. “Furthermore, we will construct 36 houses in Qolweni/ Bossiesgif on Minnaar land at a cost of R5.5-million. Official communication will be sent to Bitou Municipality on Monday October 7. These houses, which were requested by the municipality, must be completed by end March 2020,” he said. There were no signs of unhappiness from either communities regarding the department’s plan; instead, optimism prevailed when everyone left the meeting.
day morning at 9am, but no trace of the girl had been found by going to press. Anyone with information that could assist the police with the whereabouts of the girl is requested to contact the investigation officer, sergeant Ludwe Dlambulo, on 082 335 1200 or 044 302 6677. All information will be dealt with confidentially.
MISSING SINCE SATURDAY: Oyisa Mgqwanci, 11, was last seen with friends in Knysna’s Joodsekamp informal settlement on October 5
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No bail - asked or granted - for man accused of Sandisiwe Mona’s murder The community breathed a sigh of relief when the man accused of murdering a Plettenberg Bay teenager abandoned his bail bid on Friday - YOLANDÉ STANDER reports
Update on ‘currently former’ mayor Willemse versus his former DA party members N October 2, DA constituency head for Knysna Dr Dion George released a statement entitled ‘A new beginning for the DA in Knysna’, on the subject of the party having finally succeeded at ousting Knysna mayor Mark Willemse. It read, inter alia: “The Democratic Alliance formally advised Mr Mark Willemse that his application to be re-admitted as a member of the DA and objection lodged was, after consideration of same, refused. “The reason for the cessation of his membership was due to the outcome of a vote of no confidence in him by his caucus. We have advised the Municipal Manager, Dr Vatala, and
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NOT ON OUR WATCH: Concerned residents marched from KwaNokuthula to the court building in New Horizons, where they met up with children’s rights activists, in an attempt to see bail denied for the man accused of murdering Sandisiwe Mona - Photo: Yolandé Stander
HE man accused of murdering Sandisiwe Mona, 56-year-old Motseki Palasi, appeared in the Plettenberg Bay Magistrate’s Court on Friday to apply for bail, but indicated that he would no longer continue with the process - this while a group of residents marched from KwaNokuthula to the court building, where they met up with children’s rights activists, in an attempt to see bail denied in the matter. A petition against his release, which garnered more
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NEWS & VIEWS
9 October 2019
than 7,200 signatures, was also handed to the investigating officer in the matter. Palasi was arrested last month after the remains of the 17-year-old KwaNokuthula resident was discovered in Ladywood in August. Sandisiwe went missing between 6am on April 8 and 2pm on April 13. Police said initial information revealed that her grandmother left her at their home in KwaNokuthula while she attended a funeral. On her return, she discovered that the girl had gone missing.
A search party was established by the KwaNokuthula police but eventually called off after no positive outcome. Her remains were found on August 5 by a passer-by walking his dog in Ladywood. DNA confirmed her identity. According to police, Palasi was the last person seen with the girl before she was murdered. He also voluntarily pointed out the crime scene. The matter was postponed until October 18 and the accused was remanded in custody.
he has indicated that he will proceed to action all internal processes.” George continued that the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) would consequently declare a by-election to fill the vacant seat. “Former councillor Willemse is no longer the mayor of Knysna or a councillor of the municipality. As a direct result the mayoral committee has automatically dissolved,” George concluded, adding that this situation “signals a new beginning for Knysna and a renewed focus on the need to deliver services to all residents”. In the light of press reports during the past week claiming that Willemse would contest the situation
on grounds of the termination of his mayoral reign being “unlawful”, CXPRESS queried the latest state of affairs on Tuesday. Knysna Municipality spokesperson Christopher Bezuidenhout responded that Willemse had indeed been dethroned through the DA’s efforts. “Mr Willemse is not the mayor any longer. The municipal manager informed the IEC yesterday (October 7) of the vacancy,” said Bezuidenhout. “He is, however, taking the matter to court, but that is a separate matter. If indeed he were to win the case, he would have to be reappointed. If not, a by-election will take place within 90 days.”
NSRI Pink Rescue Buoy saves Joburgers from death by drowning ONDAY afternoon on Plett’s Robberg 5 Beach could have ended in tragedy if an alert passer-by didn’t hand the NSRI Pink Rescue Buoy stationed there to a Joburg man set on saving his wife from drowning. Plett NSRI volunteers were alerted of a drowning in progress around 5:40pm on October 7 and when arriving on the scene found three Joburgers - a father and son, and an adult female - being
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treated on the beach for nonfatal drowning symptoms. Said station commander Marc Rodgers: “It appears that the father and son got into difficulty in the surf. A husband and his wife, on holiday in Plett with the father and son, apparently intervened, the wife launching into the surf to try and assist.” However, the lady was caught in rip currents and if it weren’t for the fact that
the rescue buoy was handed to her husband, who entered the surf and rescued her, their Plett holiday could have worked out much differently for all the visitors involved. “The father and son were also able to get out of the water onto the beach,” said Rodgers, adding that Medlife ambulance services transported the trio to hospital. All three were released after being treated for nonfatal drowning symptoms.
What would you be prepared to give up to save our ailing planet from going to pot? In a stinging speech to the UN general assembly, teenage Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg told governments that ‘you are still not mature enough to tell it like it is; you are failing us, but the young people are starting to understand your betrayal’ - PAUL DEANS asks what these Earth-loving teens are prepared to give up… NE cannot let the speech made by that 16-year-old Swedish nightingale at the United Nations, well coached as it was, go unchallenged. The screaming of ‘How Dare You?’ at the present generation should have been replaced by ‘What Are You Going To Give Up?’ Are you prepared to walk to school instead of being driven by mommy? Are you prepared to spend you holidays in your own country instead of burning of the atmosphere with jet exhausts? Are you prepared to give up the vegetables and fruit flown in from all over the world and eat local seasonal produce? Are you prepared to give up flying to weddings in Rome, Greece, Spain and all those exotic places beloved of your generation and stay home? Are you prepared to shiver to save
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the use of carbon fuels? Are you prepared to cut down your time on the energy-burning gadgets you spend your lives on? Are you prepared to stop flying to useless environmental conferences all over the world, wasting the same resources that you are trying to save? Are you prepared to stop wearing clothes for a month, chucking them into the tip because fashion and colour dictates? Are you prepared to stop blaming governments - many of whom have been aware of this crisis for years, because they have been trying to serve your demands for energy-sucking devices and a ‘better’ way of life? The balance of nature is by catastrophe. Flood follows drought; volcanoes spew more into the atmosphere than we ever do. Krakatoa’s toxic clouds darkened the earth for
three years. Iceland’s volcanoes caused famine and starvation in Europe. The Thames froze over for 10 years in the 1600s. Greenland got its name because cereals grew there in the 1300s. Don’t think it is over: man proposes, nature disposes. The plague on the planet is humanity and Nature has been trying to get rid of us since she realised her mistake. Pray for the sake of this planet that she succeeds. The ability to change is within each of us, not in marches in the streets, holding the wasting conferences, rehashing the same tired old words. We are the ones to stop using plastics, to clean up our planet and help nature restore itself. It is up to us, every single individual. And if the money spent on arms were spent on reforestation, the game would be over.
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9 October 2019
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Contractor teams gear up for the fight against invasive alien plants HE wildfire disasters that swept through the Southern Cape in 2017 and 2018 triggered a secondary environmental disaster in the shape of aggressive growth and regrowth of invasive alien plants - this according to Cobus Meiring of the Southern Cape Landowners Initiative (SCLI). “Already reeling from loss of life, loss of thousands of hectares of grazing, hundreds of kilometres of fencing and irrigation equipment and infrastructure destroyed, landowners now also have to battle an aggressive onslaught of invasive alien plant growth, stimulated by the fires and fuelled by favourable rainy conditions throughout the winter. “Compounding matters even further, and to great associated cost to affected
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landowners, is a clampdown from government on owners who allowed their land to become infested with invasive alien plants.” Invasive alien plant infestation was one of the main drivers of the intense wildfire disasters and is now compelling landowners to take action and clear their land of invasive biomass to prevent a recurrence of the tragic events, says Meiring. “The upside for Southern Cape landowners is that there are a number of trained and equipped contractor teams available that specialise in the control and eradication of invasive alien plants. Well versed in dealing with invasive alien plants, these contractors can be contacted directly so landowners can obtain quotations for them to do
the work,” he says. Earlier, SCLI presented a skills-training workshop for small-scale and emerging contractors who are involved in invasive alien plant clearing and control operations on the Garden Route. The workshop was hosted in Knysna on September 19. These days, the Department of Environmental Affairs insists that affected landowners must become compliant in terms of environmental legislation and develop Invasive Alien Plant (IAP) control plans for their properties. These control plans reflect which invasive plant species are present on the land, how old they are, in what densities they occur, and how to clear and control them. Meiring emphasises the importance of drawing up IAP
control plans. “Perhaps more importantly, the plans provide landowners with prioritisation options and corresponding costing schedules, enabling them to deal with invasive alien plants within their means and budget.” SCLI is currently assisting landowners affected by the fires, as well as those situated along the Great Brak, Kaaimans, Touw, Goukamma and Knysna rivers with the development of IAP control plans free of charge. Contact Cobus on 083 626 7619 or at cobus@natural bridge.co.za for details.
KNOW YOUR ALIENS: The Southern Cape Landowners Initiative presented a skills-training workshop for small-scale and emerging contractors on invasive alien plant clearing and control operations in Knysna recently - Photo: SCLI
SECUREHOME®
Are sharks dangerous, or in danger?
CATCH HIM IN ACTION: Find out about Enrico Gennari’s shark mission in Wilderness next week
HARKS tend to be at or near the top of the food chain and play an important role in regulating numbers of the prey animals on which they feed. But they are facing man-made threats, and their removal from the ecosystem can have drastic and unpredictable consequences. Find out more during a fascinating talk by worldrenowned marine researcher Dr Enrico Gennari on Wednesday October 16. Director of Research at Oceans Research in Mossel Bay, Dr Gennari has been studying the movement of large sharks using active and passive acoustic telemetry. His work includes the biology, population dynamics, and ecology of sharks, marine mammals, and bony fish. His research has been
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significant to a point of having shaped the current multipronged shark conservation approach along the South Cape Coast. Dr Gennari’s revelations on shark conservation will be presented by the Wilderness Ratepayers and Residents Association at 6pm for 6:30pm next Wednesday at Wilderness Hotel (opposite the village green). Entry is R10 for WRRA members and R20 for non-members. • Enrico Gennari was born in Rome in 1977. Aged six, he proclaimed he was going to study the great white shark. His university career culminated in a master’s degree in Natural Science at the University of Rome in 2004. He worked as a dive master in Ustica, near Sicily, and then for nine months dur-
ing 2005 gained insights into many shark characteristics, like the night-time predatory behaviour of the white shark, as can be seen in the National Geographic documentary Sharkville. He enrolled at Rhodes University for his PhD on the thermo physio-ecology of the white shark. At the same time he co-created the Mossel Bay-based institue Oceans Research. At present Gennari is researching for his PhD studies in Mossel Bay trying to disclose the secrets behind the endothermic ability of the great white shark. As member of Oceans Research, Gennari initiated an internship programme that allows students from around the globe to gain many practical shark research skills. - Wikipedia
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NEWS & VIEWS
9 October 2019
New Horizons Clinic guides local youngsters on future careers HE future holds opportunities but also responsibilities. That was the take-home message during New Horizons clinic’s annual open day held on September 19. Learners from Plettenberg Bay Secondary School had the opportunity to hear firsthand from a range of professionals what their work entailed, and what subjects were needed to study towards the different careers. In attendance were an actuary, doctor, nurse, dietician, engineer, pastor, veterinarian nurse, pharmacist and fireman, to name a few. “We see the effects that unemployment and lack of direction in life has on our youth - teenage pregnancies, drug abuse and many more,” said New Horizons Clinic operational manager Elna Appelo. “We are thankful that other stakeholders such as the Knysna Drug and Alcohol Centre, and members of the Youth Crime Prevention Desk were also in attendance to assist our youngsters with information about where to get support. She expressed hope that the event was valuable to the youth and that they
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HOW DO WE HELP OUR PETS? Laurenzo Damons and Ronaldo Seffier showed interest in the veterinarian field
HUNGRY FOR INFORMATION: Bevedine Gouda, Raekisha Pretorius, and Bryoni Davids were excited to learn more about the different career opportunities
had a better idea of what they wanted to do after school. “And now they also know where to turn to should they have any health problems or con-
cerns,” Appelo concluded. The New Horizons Clinic team thanks all the stakeholders who were instrumental in making this day a success.
BUSINESS
9 October 2019
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Property opportunities for entrepreneurs in a slow economy Rick de Sousa
T the end of August, president Cyril Ramaphosa told Japanese business delegates at the South Africa-Japan Business Forum in Yokohama that he was going to create an “entrepreneurial state”. He added that the government would be making it a priority to ensure all support measures for business were in place. These are welcome comments because entrepreneurs are a national asset. However, in the absence of real structural reforms, the rand and investor confidence remain weak. While these realities continue to impact on property valuations, it does not mean that the sector is without its opportunities. One such opportunity often overlooked is the premises where the business is located. Given the low growth in the property sector in recent years, few entrepreneurs think of property as a financial opportunity, but nothing could be further from the truth. Let’s be clear. We are not
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talking about the listed property sector, where companies are at the mercy of shareholders who chase short-term profits at any cost. This approach is partly to blame for the poor performance of the sector in recent times. We are speaking about property in the form of bricks and mortar. A stock can implode. A solid property, in a good area, that is well run and maintained and supports a going concern, will stand the test of time. Most businesses - whether in services, manufacturing or even the rental market - operate out of a property. Some business models are 100% reliant on the actual property. So, in an environment where there are very attractive opportunities in a property buyers’ market, what is holding back businesspeople with solid track records and business nous? As many an entrepreneur will tell you, gaining access to commercial property finance can sometimes be a massively onerous and distracting exercise. Issues include red
tape, burdensome conditions imposed by those with market dominance, and a shortage of liquidity because of the general state of the economy. However, there are also innovative alternatives available that can have a massive impact on the prosperity of the business. These include interestonly terms, where the property owner only services the interest portion of the loan and not the debt portion. This frees up a substantial cash amount every month that can be reinvested into the business. In addition, all the growth in the value of the property belongs to the entrepreneur when the building is finally sold. Another consideration is the turnaround time to arrive at a finance decision. Many providers take months to provide loan applicants with a decision, but there are also those businesses who understand the entrepreneurial mind-set and can provide a loan decision in principle within days. It may appear nostalgic or idealistic, but some-
times an entrepreneurial mind-set and businessfriendly environment is one where the red tape is dumped, and deals in principle are done with eye contact, over a handshake and in a short turnaround time. One must never confuse this old-school ethos with a lowering of standards. Sustainable business should always be built on the back of solid research, due diligence and an honest and accountable track record. Commercial property finance is no different. However, agility and innovation in empowering entrepreneurs will certainly have a bigger impact on individual businesses and the economy than the current status quo. By adopting an innovative approach to owning their own premises, entrepreneurs may unlock the value that makes the difference to help their businesses survive and thrive. • Rick de Sousa is the Commercial Property Finance Executive at Fedgroup - view more info at www.fedgroup.co.za.
Artificial intelligence transforming the security industry RTIFICIAL intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic, fictional concept. “The truth is we are living the future now,” says Charnel Hattingh, marketing and communications manager at Fidelity ADT. She says we are living in the fourth industrial revolution, digitisation, and the security industry is embracing digital transformation. “We are seeing disruptors in our industry, so driving innovation is key,” she says. But how is AI changing the security industry? Hattingh says security companies are using AI and Internet of Things (IoT) in a variety of creative ways. For example,
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in 2017 Fidelity ADT partnered with an international leader in its field to bring SecureConnect to the market. “This is an alarm system with connected features like smart plugs and switches, cameras and an app. It uses geolocation to determine if you are home or not and AI to suggest when you should arm your alarm if you are away from home. “The system learns your behaviour over time. This includes when you arm and disarm your alarm, which doors you use and even how long they stay open. After a couple of weeks of learning, the system will notify you of any unusual behaviour,
such as doors left open or forgetting to arm the alarm,” she says. Along with that Fidelity ADT designed, built, and patented an IoT communicator that collects alarm information from your alarm panel, including all alarm signals, AC failures and battery discharge rates. “We have a learning algorithm that will determine when your battery will fail based on discharge rates. “This gives us the ability to pro-actively replace your battery before it fails, ensuring continuance of service. We currently have over 12,000 of these communicators deployed countrywide,”
says Hattingh. AI is also being used in community CCTV (closed-circuit television) projects. “Cameras are being deployed in communities that have the ability to learn what certain vehicles, people or behaviour looks like and can notify the contact centre if there is unusual behaviour. This increases our ability to respond pro-actively and we have already seen great results with this system. “I think we are only in our infancy with AI and IoT and we have a lot to learn, but I cannot dispute that AI will have a significant role in security going forward,” Hattingh concludes.
Read CXPRESS online at www.cxpress.co.za
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INTERVAL
9 October 2019
Talia on Toast
Parent life... Garden Route local TALIA DAY is a mom with two kids, a Viking, and three jobs (online teacher, reporter, and novelist). Her dream is to brighten someone’s day and to make people aware of the fact that their tribulations are not singular, since we all share in the craziness that is life and parenthood. PAWN number one: “Mommy, I love you!” Repeat constantly at five-minute intervals during the day and night. She even comes to our bed at the deadest hour, gently prods me awake while the Viking snores away, oblivious to the creepy little goldenhaired waif who is 0.04 seconds away from giving me heart failure. Tap, tap, tap… She whispers in my ear: “Mommy… mommy… mommy… I love you.” Her creepy little hauntyou voice trickles into my ear. I peel my ice cold carcass off the roof, which is where it conveniently located itself from REM sleep, to instant alertness. Not the best way to wake up. Later on that day, I am innocently sitting writing an article on my laptop, my eyes are like sandpaper over tar, and the coffee is definitely government issue, because it’s not working. The children are suspiciously quiet, but my sleep-addled brain does not quite equate the silence with danger, and I enjoy the fact that I can actually process thought. Tip, tip, tip, tap… I type away, then suddenly out of nowhere it feels as though my brain has been pulled through my big toe with barbed wire. “Eina! Jou ma se plaasdiere!” I have no idea why the evoking of my mother came out in Afrikaans, but it did. My big toe is on fire, throbbing like a drunk man’s nose, and there at the other end of the
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couch, holding hairs between thumb and forefinger is my very innocentlooking first spawn. “Leave my toe hairs alone!” I beg her, like a prisoner pleading for release from the interrogation room. “But they’re soooooo long,” she purrs at me, with an evil grin on her face that no four-yearold should ever have in their repertoire of facial expressions. “I just want to arrange them into a plait.” And she grabs another handful - at this point, anyone would think my feet look like hobbits’ feet, all hairy and dirty and stuff, but they are not. They are big, ok fine. And they do have toe hairs. And I do walk around barefoot… Oh dear deity! I really am a hobbit. Her blue eyes are seriously checking out the other foot, and her chubby little hand slowly rises to extricate my poor golden curlies from their home. She is like a member of the Red Ants. Absolutely no mercy for the squatters, those hairs. Just pluck them out! The day arrives when my revenge is sweet. Now, first spawn and I have been truly cursed with a mane full of golden locks. My hair hangs past my shoulders and it is brushed every three days on washing day. On this day it curls into ringlets, and I look like a cherubic angel. The other two days in my washing cycle, I look like I stuck my finger in a plug socket. It’s curly, messy, and I am too tired
to even try and get it into some semblance of order. Curly hair does not do orderly. And it does not enjoy being brushed, or attempts at taming it, at all. First spawn’s hair is slightly curlier than mine. Shame. People of all kinds strangers, friends, family, policemen, cashiers, teachers, fellow parents, you name it - stop, and, oh yes they do! - they touch our hair, amid comments of its voracious beauty, and angelic qualities. Cringe. Anyway, I have fallen off the tangent of my revengeful ways. Now, with first spawn gleefully hoarding my toe hairs in her sacred space, she is probably making a voodoo doll with it. I plan the ultimate way to get her back. It is hair brushing day. Hee-heehee-hee. Now, hair brushing day in our family usually requires copious amounts of wine for me, and bribery of juice and death for first spawn. But not today, I creep into her room the hair brush tucked into the back of my skirt, like an undercover gangster, and without further ado, before she can smell the sickeningly sweet hair detangling conditioner, I have
her pinned to the floor, her legs flailing like a starfish, her chubby little arms pinned under my thighs, and she is screaming like she has been told it is time to turn off her movie. I am carefully (well with a little bit of a tug, tug) attempting to de-birdsnest her hair. My levels of concentration are at their utmost, and I am completely drawn into the situation, when out of nowhere, my big toe explodes again! “Eina jou ma se plaaspartytjie!” Second spawn has laid her freshly sharpened teeth knee-deep into my big toe. First spawn rolls out from under me, laughing so hard she is choking. Second spawn is eyeing my toe like an ice cream, and she opens her mouth for another chew. “She bit you! Hahahahaha! She bit you…” first spawn squeals. Silence, as we both attempt to regain control of ourselves. I am trying my best not to piddle my panties, whilst wheezing for air. “Mom, you brushed my hair so hard, my brain exploded.” • And with that, I say: Adieu to you! Thank you so much for reading my crazy column.
How do you comfort an English teacher? You say: “They’re, there, their.”
SOCIAL SCENE
9 October 2019
CXPRESS
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FUN(DRAISING) EVENING AT OULAND ROYALE: Members of Plett Dinner Club held a fun 1930s Great Gatsby fundraiser at Ouland Royale on Saturday evening, at the conclusion of Photo: www.ellephoto.co.za a glorious sunny spring day. Money raised at the dinner - a whopping R16,600 - was donated to the Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association (PBCPA), who does wonderful work in maintaining law and order in the town and environs. Plett Dinner Club was founded in March 2018 and dines out twice a month for charity. Said chairperson, Rob Bokelmann: “We have some 200 members and we always dine for a reason, not for a season! To date, we have raised approximately R100,000 for various charities, such as those that assist with the upbringing of deprived children, in cases of gender abuse, and in fighting crime. With regard to membership, we have a policy of inclusion and anybody is free to join the club, irrespective of their creed, culture, ethnic heritage or background.” The Great Gatsby evening was a great success, the attire and finery sported by everyone in attendance the very essence of sartorial splendour, and a grand old time was had by all. Pictured below from left are Darron Chatz, Rob Bokelmann, Elena Moretti, Byron Braun, Megan Harris and Casandra Kelly. The Ouland staff also dressed for success - below right from left are Lenny Mesele, Lawrenzo Williams, Nicolene Jones and Ziggy Kana. Above from left are Martin and Merléne Wyatt and Niels and Margret Hendriks. - Timothy Twidle
People, places & events
DISTRICT MAYOR TIES THE KNOT: Plett local and mayor of Garden Route District Municipality Memory Booysen wed his long-time sweetheart Thandi Sibhengile on September 28 at Kay and Monty Vineyards during a festive occasion attended by 120 family members and close friends. This celebration was followed by a traditional wedding affair on Sunday the 29th, during a more intimate ceremony that paid tribute to the bride’s Eastern Cape roots, at Memory’s KwaNokuthula abode. The lovely bride was born in Hankey and is the youngest of five. We wish the couple years of health and happiness. Photo: Vinthi Neufeld
THAT’S JUST GRAND: The ladies and lads pictured above and at right were some of the group of Plett Secondary School matrics who celebrated their farewell at The Grand on Lookout Beach on Friday October 4. Both the youngsters and their teachers in attendance pulled out all the stops to look dashing on this auspicious occasion. Plett Sec has a Grade 12 group of 66 learners this year, all of whom will end their school careers on Friday before starting their final exams in two weeks’ time. We wish them the very best of luck.
LOOK OUT FOR THIS TERRIFIC TRIO: Pictured during their most recent ‘can shake’ to raise funds for an exciting trip to Dubai in December are, from left, Marita Gerber, Alexis Jacobs, and Johandrie Peens - the latter two being Grade 10 students at Wittedrift High School, and former WHS student Marita currently playing for the Dolphins Netball Club in Plett. Seasoned local trainer Jolanda Peens was selected as coach of the Blue Sapphire netball team to represent the Youth Sport Academy Invitational side in the International Dubai Netball tournament scheduled from December 5-7, and says it’s a great honour for her to take along three Plett players. Readers are now asked to contribute to costs for the tour, which sits around R28,500 per individual - this includes airfare, hotel accommodation, food and drinks, kit, etc. “Any financial aid that can be offered to the players will be of great help to give them the necessary backing to participate at the tournament,” says Jolanda. On top of the above, the four Plett ladies also have to travel from the bay to Bloem, where they will join the rest of the touring party, and finally will have to spring for flights home from Joburg to George. Anyone with extra air-miles or cash they would like to contribute is welcome to email jolandapeens@ absamail.co.za or call 071 220 6241 for additional information and bank details. In the meantime, please support the ladies’ ongoing pancakebaking, can-shaking and other fundraising efforts.
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CXPRESS
CLASSIFIEDS
9 October 2019
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ON THE SOAPBOX
9 October 2019
Letters to the Editor
Email: editor@cxpress.co.za - Fax: 044 533 0852 - PO Box 1449, Plett 6600
CemAir hou ons steeds aan ‘n lyntjie... Hiermee wil ek graag ‘n ope brief rig aan CemAir om asseblief na vore te tree en hul stilswye te verbreek na maande wat ek en my gade aan ‘n lyntjie gehou is, na ‘n vlugbespreking wat ons aanvanklik gedurende Oktober 2018 gemaak het. Die vlug na Johannesburg was veronderstel om op 31 Januarie dié jaar plaas te vind. Alle vlugte is toe gedurende Januarie opgeskort en talle beloftes van terugbetaling binne agt weke aangekondig.
Na meer as agt maande en verskeie e-posse en onbeantwoorde telefoonoproepe, het die sogenaamde onderneming en beloftes van CemAir net mooi dadels opgelewer. Dit blyk nou uit die sosiale media dat vele andere passasiers ook gestrand gelaat is deur CemAir en in dieselfde bootjie as ons verkeer. Van tyd tot tyd word daar met groot bravade aangekondig dat CemAir weer hul vlugte gaan hervat, maar gerieflikheidshalwe swyg die
Finally, at the top of the world!
Plett reader Theo Marais shared this photo and wrote: “I am pictured here with our daughter, Adriana, at the top of Formosa Peak. After many years of wondering how to get up there - and return - we were so lucky that Wednesday October 2 dawned bright and clear after days of rain, and that we had a guide who had scaled the peak before. We were treated to an amazing view from George to Cape St Francis, with Plett the main attraction. And the return is a much more relaxed 2.5hour trek, albeit ending with wobbly legs!” (Longtime readers may remember the interview CXPRESS had with the brilliant daughter of Theo and Marie-Anna Marais - who, at the time, had just relocated to Plett - on Adriana’s involvement in the Mars I project. - Eds.)
maatskappy soos die graf oor hul verpligtinge teenoor hul afvlerk passasiers, naamlik die verontregtes. Ek wil dus hiermee ‘n beroep doen op CemAir en hul nooi om na vore te tree en hul wetlike en morele verantwoordelikheid in die gesig te staar en ‘n behoorlike antwoord aan passasiers te verskaf oor vluggelde wat nie terugbetaal word nie. Ek is oortuig daarvan en wil die mening uitspreek dat vele ander voornemende passasiers in die
toekoms twee keer sal besin oor enige van CemAir se sogenaamde dienste. CemAir word nou ‘n goue geleentheid gebied om die saak in die reine te bring en sodoende ontslae te raak van al die laste wat hul aanboord gehad het. Of verkies die maatskappy eerder die roete van stilswye? IJ Yzel, Plet (Hierdie brief is aan CemAir gestuur vir kommentaar, maar geen antwoord is ontvang teen drukdag nie. - Reds.)
Don’t consider a shop-bought disabled parking sticker Further to our letter regarding the heartless abuse of disabled parking bays by those who are able-bodied, and also on how to get the necessary stickers so as not to get fined [read ‘Expect a fine if no disabled sticker displayed’ on page 11 of the September 18 edition at www.cxpress.co.za], some more clarification. I had a call from a lady who questioned the legality of disabled wheelchair signs printed on cardboard, usually in white on a blue background, hanging from rear-view mirrors above dashboards. According to Bitou Traffic Department, those hanging cards are only acceptable if they have been obtained from other areas and the number on the card is the same as the vehicle’s registration. In our
area, only the disabled parking sticker on your windscreen is acceptable. So for those of you who take a chance and think that a store-bought hanging sign without a reference number will be OK, forget it. Our local traffic officers will not hesitate in putting a fine notification under the windscreen wiper of the offending vehicle. I suggest that if you do have one of those hanging cards which you obtained elsewhere, or one that is dated, you should take it to the local traffic department and ask whether it is acceptable - rather safe than sorry. For those who are differently-abled and have a genuine need to park in a disabled bay, life should get a little easier from now on. We are watching! Rita Hardaker, Plett
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CXPRESS
SPORT & ADVENTURE
9 October 2019
Seeff Tour de Plett 2019 offers once a year exploration of unchartered tracks ATURDAY October 12 sees the ninth edition of the Tour de Plett. After a few years under the custodianship of Kwano Cycling Academy founder Colin Shave and his team, Muddy Foot Adventures has now picked up the reins. According to new race organiser James Stewart, the opportunity of taking over
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this race was too good to turn down despite the challenges of not having a major sponsor. A good combination of Stewart’s passion for this particular event and his involvement with Kwano Academy sealed the leap-of-faith deal. With title sponsor Seeff Plettenberg Bay throwing the race a lifeline, plan-
ning got underway to take what was already a great race and then enhance the overall experience for riders and their families. Stewart says it’s been a case of “keep what has worked and look for improvements in other areas”. “The biggest challenge for me has been to attract both local and out of town
riders to come and tackle any one of the three races on offer - 16km, 45km, or 70km. We live in a veritable mountain biking heaven with large tracts of land available for riders to obtain permits and explore. “We have worked hard with 19 very special landowners to put together a series of routes that can only
be ridden on race day once a year. In doing so, we have uncovered some gems that will be revealed on Saturday,” says Stewart. Keurbooms Lagoon Caravan Park is playing host to the start and finish, with loads of eats and drinks for participants and spectators. Riders will be able to enjoy a hot shower or a
When the going gets tough, the trailies get going HE Kurlandbrik Robberg Xpress Trail Run on Sunday September 29 was mired during its lead-up in severe weather forecasts of biblical proportions. Faced with a meteorologist’s certainty of strong winds, wild seas and wet, slimy rocks, the likelihood of the race being cancelled due to safety concerns was high. Fortunately for all, Mother Nature took an extended Sunday morning siesta, and runners were blessed with almost - and I stress almost - perfect running conditions: light to non-existent winds, grey skies, and mediumheight cloud cover releasing intermittent drizzle. The biggest hazard? Slippery rocks and boardwalks, most notably on the “wild” south side and the island. A field just short of 70 seasoned and not-so-seasoned runners lined up for the two races: the 10km Robberg Xpress and the 5km Shy Shark trail runs. With such slippery conditions, organisers Plett Athletics Club rightly expected times to be well short of
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ALL SMILES: The 10km Open Female winner Carla Collins, second from right, receives her prize loot from Byron Momsen, flanked by fellow podium finishers Monica and Claudine, right
IMPERMEABLE: Plett Athletics Club star Sivuyile Qole blitzed the slippery and technical 10km trail in 49:25 - faster that some of the ‘dry’ run times attained on Robberg during previous years’ races
dip in the lagoon, and the venue’s relaxed atmosphere is sure to create a memorable all-round experience. Registration takes place on Friday October 11 from 4-8pm at Keurbooms Lagoon Caravan Park. On Saturday the 12th, late entries and registration will be accepted from 7-8am only (extra R50 per entry on long rides). The 70km ride starts at 8:30am, 45km at 9am, and 16km at 9:15am, while the 3.5km kids fun ride will start at 10am. Visit www.tourdeplett. co.za to enter online.
Byron Momsen
previous races… though clearly no-one mentioned it to the category winners! The 10km Open Male winner Sivuyile Qole finished in a stunning time of 49:25, faster that previous winning times… in the dry! Open Female winner Carla Collins also raced home in a hugely respectable time of 1:07:28. In the 5km race, first and second Open Male places were split by a solitary second, Jason Swemmer just pipping Rivaldo Camphor back to the car park finish line in a time of 29:32. Rivaldo also finished as winner of the 5km Youth Mixed category. Andrea Collins took the honours in the 5km Open Female category in a time of 33:50. To add to a morning of top-class trail running, runners and spectators alike were treated to breaching whales south of the car park viewpoint, and great white sharks were spotted on at least three occasion. This version of the Robberg Xpress was run as a sustainable initiative, with no single-use plastic on
FAMILY AFFAIR: A fair amount of out-of-town trailies joined the local fray of Robberg racers, including nine-year-old Josh and dad ‘Prof’ Wayne from Hout Bay who did the 5km route Photos: www.twentytwelve.co.za
site, while all entrants received a small, plant-in-pot spekboom instead of the typical runner’s medal. Congratulations to all the participants, winners and podium finishers for their part in a memorable event, and of course to Kurlandbrik, our long-standing sponsor. See you all on the ‘berg next year! Visit www.cxpress.co.za for more images and email byron.momsen@gmail. com to find out more about Plett Athletics Club.
Ellen does Plettenberg Bay and Lifesaving ‘Springboks’ proud on Durban beach LLEN Kleinsmidt of Kranshoek was selected to represent the youth team of South Africa at the International Surf Rescue Championships held in Durban on September 28 and 29 and October 2. Team SA competed against Australia, New Zealand, Spain and the USA. Ellen gained confidence in the pool and ocean thanks to Adopt a Swimmer founder Louise Auersperg and has been a member of Plett Surf Lifesaving Club’s Nippers development team since the age of 12. The opportunity of being part of these initiatives resulted from her involvement in the Born in Africa project since Grade 2. A student at Kranshoek Primary at the time, her exceptional talent and perseverance in different sporting disciplines convinced the Born in Africa team to support her in pursuing a career in sports. She now
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Storms River
TIN HOUSE Self-catering accommodation
attends Outeniqua High School in George, where she is a member of the school’s athletics and netball teams. Says Born in Africa director Isabelle Brink: “Ellen is an extremely motivated and hard-working young woman who fights for what she wants. Year after year she has won gold medals for flags and sprint at Nippers national championships, so
GO GETTER: Seventeenyear-old Ellen Kleinsmidt impressed by gaining podium positions in the flags and beach sprints against an international field of U19s
now it was time to take on the bigger fish.” All the hard work preparing herself for this international competition paid off as she obtained third place in sprint as well as second place in flags on all three days of the event - and that while she is a 17-year-old competing in the U19 category. Thanks are due to everyone who has supported Ellen over the years and contributed towards her trip to Durban: Toralf Nordbotten, Plett Surf Lifesaving Club, Hilton Nagel, Face Adrenalin, Tony Lubner, Pierre Dreyer, Andrew and Lyndall Hill, Plett Water Polo Club, Robberg Fine Foods and Wayne Craig, Beacon Isle KwikSpar and Tops, The Table restaurant, Ocean Safaris Plett, Vinthi Neufeld, Kranshoek Dolphins RC, Born in Africa, Delina Kleinsmidt, and everyone who bought raffle tickets to enable her participation in KZN.