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12 February 2014 #383

Published fortnightly by CXpress (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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Kiss me!

Members of Knysna’s Knuffel Klub (‘hugging club’) - here with guests from Holland - have tremendous fun at their Friday Montessori Market meetings. When photographer Gigi Lewis asked how she could become part of the gang, the answer was ‘you just have to kiss one of us’. She did and is now a fully-fledged member!

Spread the love on Valentine’s Day! p12 & 13

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News & Views

February 12 - 2014

People Around Town

Rev Brian Bird - bringing people

together ‘so that they may all be one’ GIGI LEWIS interviews interesting Garden Route residents and visitors that happen to cross her path

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HAT prayer of Jesus to His Father resounded throughout my interview with Brian Bird, and in his own words is what shaped his life and that of his devoted wife, Gillian - “a rock of strength” during their nearly 50-year marriage.

Brian was born in Port Elizabeth and matriculated at Grey High in 1955. Encouraged by interaction with a church youth group, he first became a lay preacher and later a lay pastor in the Methodist Church.

He spent three years at Rhodes and obtained his BA (Divinity) degree in 1964.

Two years later, he was ordained at Fort Beaufort and invited to Heidelberg in the Transvaal where he spent four “very happy years”.

By this time (during the apartheid-era) Brian became involved in the Charismatic Movement and his desire to reach out across the barriers of different denominational backgrounds, prejudice and inter-racial misunderstanding, led to his resignation and return to PE in 1971.

The thread of dismantling these barriers ran through his numerous contributions to the Gxgpkpi" Rquv, in his column ‘Religion Today’.

He had the courage in those political dark days to submit thought-provoking theological metaphors, with headings such as ‘Clothed in His glory, not in our own’ and ‘SA is in need of revival’.

Always on the lookout for new ways of helping the less fortunate, Brian teamed up with six PE individuals to form The Vital Link, a facility which provided spiritual guidance for alcoholics, addicts and society drop-outs who would meet and voice their problems on Saturday nights in a coffee bar.

This successful interaction was backed by the SA National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependency.

A new chapter began for

Brian in 1975 when he was ordained as priest of the Anglican Church by Rt Revd Bruce Evans, Bishop of PE. Brian continued his ministry with the fellowship and began his work at St John’s Church in Walmer.

During the 80s, he met four white political activists, the Watson brothers, who had been coaching rugby in black townships, prohibited during apartheid under the Group Areas Act. Brian recalls: “When the Watson brothers told me I needed some education and took me into a township, it burst the bubble I had lived in for so long, like many other white South Africans.

“We had been indoctrinated with the belief that commu-

multi-cultural church aptly named Sakhisizwe (isiXhosa: build the nation).

On one occasion, Brian addressed the white members in his congregation: “Today, I am not giving a service but ask you to look at the shacks outside. I want each of you to go with a black colleague into a different shack and tell us what you found out and make a list of what is most needed.”

When they returned, they all had at the top of their list: Education. Their unanimous opinion was that THAT was the only way to get out of the hell hole.

In 1989, while Brian and Sicelo were working together on the educational upliftment in deprived townships,

COMMON CAUSE: A photo of Brian Bird and Sicelo Duze that appeared in the ‘Evening Post’ of February 11, 1992

nism was our biggest threat, but I realised then that not communism but apartheid was our biggest threat.”

He subsequently published a booklet, utterly disliked by the authorities, entitled ‘Did You Know That?’ “It opened a can of worms I could not get rid of,” he muses.

“As an eye-opener, I started to take white people into a township in PE, with a black guide who would talk to them about its history.”

He befriended Sicelo Duze, a pastor in Kwazakhele, who had previously been working with Youth for Christ.

With common frustrations and a common vision, they started taking services in the township together on Sundays in a small non-racial,

they coordinated with business funding a winter school during the June holidays.

The course served as academic support programme for 100 matrics from disadvantaged areas, who were coached in maths, science, English, biology and study skills. Feedback was so positive that another course was planned for that September for 300 pupils.

The result of the courses had not gone unnoticed. In 1991, the Diakonos Trust of which Brian and Sicelo were coordinators, acquired the North End Gray Primary School in PE which had stood vacant for some time.

The derelict buildings were given to the trust free of charge, under the proviso

PEOPLE FIRST: Rev Brian Bird at his house in Knysna

that the trust be registered as an educational institution and the building be used for educational purposes only.

The school was renamed the Enthembeni Enrichment Centre and became a full-time school in 1994. It has 1’000 pupils and boasts a 100% overall matric pass rate for more than a decade.

After some time in Ireland, Brian and Gillian retired to Knysna in 2008. “I couldn’t suddenly just twiddle my thumbs, so I offered my services to Knysna Correctional Services and helped run a pilot project to teach inmates entrepreneurial and business skills once or twice a week.

“With the donation of four brand-new computers and a printer by Knysna Rotary, I was able to teach the inmates computer skills they never knew they could learn.

“I was touched by the fact that I was mostly regarded as a father figure and had to encourage them to believe they could indeed learn this skill,” he says, concluding that, as he has left, he is anxious to find someone who can replace him to provide certificates for these people.

Are you, dear reader, perhaps up to the task? Visit www.churchinknysna.org for more information.

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News & Views

February 12 - 2014

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Brutal murder rocks Storms River community John Harvey

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HE small community of Storms River Village has been rocked by the brutal murder of a woman who only moved to the area a few months ago.

The abandoned body of Ina Marincowitz, 59, was discovered after theft of her vehicle was reported at 9pm on Monday January 27, leading investigators to look for two men alleged to have committed the crimes.

That same night, a 33-yearold man was arrested on the N2 near Coldstream after a policeman on patrol noted a suspicious vehicle moving from left to right over the road.

“The patrol car tried to stop the car but the latter began to speed up,” said police spokesman W/O Basil Seekoei.

“The vehicle overturned and the driver fled the scene. One suspect sustained injuries and was taken to Kareedouw Hospital. Upon further investigation it was found that the vehicle belonged to a 59-year-old woman from Storms River.

“While her house was abandoned, it is believed Marincowitz was abducted and her body dumped along the N2, about 5km from

where the suspects overturned the car. It was found in the bush with bruises on the upper body and face.”

The other suspect, a 32-year-old man, was caught along the N2 on the night of January 28.

“The suspect was hitchhiking when he was offered a lift by a motorist. The driver recognised him as one of the suspects police were looking for in connection with the murder of Marincowitz,” said Seekoei.

“He took the suspect to Storms River Police Station where he was detained at about 20:45. The suspect sustained injuries allegedly when the vehicle was crashed the night before. He was taken to Kareedouw Hospital for medical attention but was sent back to the Storms River cells.”

Both men have been remanded in custody and have not yet been asked to plead to the murder and theft charges.

Ellen Prinsloo, who had sold her house to Marincowitz, was shocked that such a murder could have taken place in the village.

“I gave Ina assurances that this was a very safe place to live. My 34-year-old daughter stayed in a flat on the

property with her two beautiful children, and they used to walk to the shop at night,” she said.

“I didn’t know Ina well, but the people in the community said she was very well liked and had a wonderful person-

ality. I am so sorry this has happened.”

She said prior to her move from the house, in which she lived for four years, she had begun to notice a change in the local children.

“They were swearing a

lot and there was alcohol around. I told some residents that this is not how kids should be brought up.”

Local businessman Rhemus Grobbelaar said both men were known to the community as heavy drug users.

“I think the lady had only moved from Cape Town a month ago. These guys did a lot of drugs. There are a lot of drugs around at the moment, and that could have been the motive for the robbery and attack,” he said.

George cops continue crackdown on drugs

TAG AND RELEASE: Members of the Tactical Response Team guard three suspects who were attempting to leave the area of the drug bust - they were later released

Words & photo: Bob Hopkin

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N February 4, George police forces undertook a spectacular, if rather unsuccessful, narcotics operation in the centre of the city.

Thanks to information

from undercover informants, a combined force of some 50 regular police, Public Order Police, Flying Squad and the Tactical Response Team raided a group of shops on the corner of Cradock and Market streets in a bid to ap-

prehend alleged drug dealers and confiscate drug stashes in the area.

The shops - including a general store, restaurant, sports bar and jewellery exchange were surrounded, closed and searched with the assistance

of drug sniffer dogs.

According to captain Bernadine Steyn of SAPS Communications, the area adjacent to the main George taxi rank is notorious for general criminal activity and in particular the peddling of various kinds of drugs.

Using police vehicles to close off vehicular exits from the area, heavily protected TRT officers sealed off the premises while the searches took place.

Early on, three fleeing suspects were detained on the street before being released for lack of evidence.

After an extensive search, two small bags of Tik (Crystal Methamphetamine) were found concealed in the base of a chair at the back of the building. Although several people were questioned, no one was arrested during the course of the operation.

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February 12 - 2014

Promotion

News & Views

February 12 - 2014

Flights twixt Plett and big cities back on the cards Yolandé Stander

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IRECT flights between Plettenberg Bay, Johannesburg and Cape Town are a reality for the first time in years after research revealed the increasing number of local businesspeople juggling time to reach these cities.

CemAir - an established aircraft owner and operator accredited by the SA Air Service Licensing Council recently announced its plan for flights between Plett, OR

Tambo in Joburg, and Cape Town International Airport from March 28.

“This is part of a trial phase until January next year. In the meantime, we will continue our market research to gauge the demand and might well offer more frequent flights in future, depending on the interest,” said marketing manager for CemAir Nicolene Myburgh.

Currently, these flights are scheduled for Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Huge financial injection bodes well for Bitou

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AJOR infrastructure development is on the cards for Plett over the next three years after the Western Cape government revealed it will be investing more than R470-million in town.

Plett has become the third fastest growing i.t.o. population growth in SA - a trend which has put a lot pressure on the town’s infrastructure.

Therefore the investment, which will include 30 projects ranging from clinics and schools to sewage systems, is a huge relief to Bitou Municipality as well as its residents.

MEC of Finance, Economic Development & Tourism Alan Winde confirmed during meetings with councillors and other role-players during their Masisebenze visit to Bitou, that government would be investing R472-million in the area from April this year.

His spokesman Bronwynne Jooste said various projects had been identified including libraries, taxi routes and streetlights, and would fall under a number of government departments.

“The Transport and Public Works Department will be responsible for 13 projects, the Health Department five, Local Government eight,

Cultural Affairs three, and Water Affairs one,” she said.

Bitou municipal spokesman James Sijama said the injection could not have come at a better time.

“It is well known that Plett is the fastest growing town in the province and this puts a lot of pressure on our roads, electricity supply and water resources.”

He added that a portion of the investment would go towards building two new schools in Kranshoek and KwaNokuthula during the next financial year.

Sijama said the spin-offs from the injection would also lead to more investment from the private sector, thus creating more jobs for local entrepreneurs.

Plett Business Chamber chairman Barries Ferreira agreed that the investment would boost employment.

“Any job creation, upliftment and development, if it is sustainable, is welcome in Plett,” Ferreira said.

“Not only will this alleviate the pressure on our infrastructure, but the spin-offs will help boost the economy.

We just hope that the contracts go to local businesses and that our local labour force is used.” /"[qncpfg"Uvcpfgt

CemAir runs a five day per week scheduled service between various towns, e.g.

Margate on the KZN South Coast and Joburg.

“When we did our survey for Margate in October last year, we realised that there are a lot of people who have homes in the coastal areas, but live in Gauteng. Many of them hardly ever go there anymore due to the long travel hours and inconvenience,” said Myburgh.

“We have the equipment in terms of aircraft to make smaller areas more accessible, giving people a chance to break away more frequently, or travel for business more conveniently.

“We await a response from the mayor’s office for an appointment to discuss how CemAir will be able to assist in uplifting the community.”

The company operates domestically and internationally on a scheduled and nonscheduled basis and owns a fleet of 10 Beechcraft 1900 twin turbo-propeller aircraft, and three Canadair CRJ regional jets. Its other services run between OR Tambo and Sishen in the Northern Cape, and Lephalale in Limpopo.

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News & Views

February 12 - 2014

Notice Board

ARE YER DANCING YET? Don’t be shy (or worse, boring!) join the Plett Music Fest organisers for a fun night with Cape Town’s fabulous seven-piece Swing Setters on Saturday February 15 from 8pm onwards

• Plett Music Festival is around the corner, and this Kids of Kurland fundraiser promises to be awesome -

and then some! The fabulous Valentine’s weekend line-up includes superstar saxophonist Andrew Young on Febru-

ary 13 (8pm), the dynamic duo of electric cellist Carol Thorns and harpist Shelley Frost on the 14th (8pm), and the accomplished Rick van Heerden Jazz Quartet on Sunday the 16th at 2pm. But if you dig to boogie, do NOT miss out on Saturday night’s gig, when Cape Town outfit The Swing Setters heat up the Whitehouse dance-floor.

The courtyard opens at 7pm with Martin Wolfaardt jazzing it up, and the band starts at 8pm. A pass for all four

shows is available at a reduced price - book at www. plettmusicfest.co.za or buy tickets at The Old House Shop, or call Ann Fermor on 082 452 8764 for details.

• Book now for two fundraising concerts by the acclaimed Cape Town Youth Choir, led by Leon Starker.

First up is the James Thomas Memorial Concert at St Thomas Methodist Church in Plett on February 22 at 6:30pm - a performance dedicated to the memory of

the choir’s late chairman, who was the only South African to perish in the Al Shabaah attack on Westgate Mall in Nairobi. Buy tickets at R100 at the info kiosk at Market Square, or book at plettinfo@telkomsa.net or on 044 533 3219.

The second concert is at Bosky Dell off the Plett N2 on Sunday February 23 at 11:30am, generously hosted by the Gilberts in their beautiful new conservatory, followed by a scrumptious brunch in the garden pavilion. Tickets at R180 are available from Lady Co-

nyngham at aconyngham@ telkomsa.net or on 044 533 5178. Proceeds from both these concerts will benefit the Plettaid Foundation.

• The Cape Craft & Design Institute is running free, two-day workshops in Garden Route towns during February, introducing participants to biomimicry thinking - getting inspiration from nature to solve human problems. Workshops take place in Knysna on February 17 & 18, and in Plett on the 19th & 20th. Email craig.carbutt@ccdi.org.za or call 083 205 0269 to find out more.

News & Views

February 12 - 2014

Premier visits Garden Route Words & photo: Yolandé Stander

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S part of the DA’s election campaign, party leader Helen Zille visited Eden recently to share some of the party’s successes since taking control of the Western Cape five years ago.

Her first stop was Knysna Yacht Club, where she told supporters and ratepayers: “We have the lowest unemployment rate in the country.” She also highlighted that the province had the highest access to water and sanitation in SA, and that 78% of the budget was redistributed among the poor.

Supporters made it clear that they believed the party’s achievements were more than just “statistics on paper” as they had seen tangible improvements since 2009.

Said former ANC member and Concordia resident, Magdalena Moos: “There is still room for improvement,

JOINT EFFORT: Helen Zille thanked Knysna supporters for helping the W-Cape government effect positive change in communities throughout the province

but here in our communities the DA has made a noticeable difference.” She named a township crèche and programme for the elderly as examples, saying that “these things give people hope”.

DA supporter Dee Holle-

ly said the party’s growing support in the region was not surprising, as “the ANC is creating havoc in this country and doing things that are totally unacceptable”.

Zille also visited a number of housing projects like Touwsranten near Wilderness. Other stops included Rosedale, Thembalethu and Great-Brak. In Kwanonqaba near Mossel Bay, she met with 200-300 residents.

“We are really happy with the work the government is doing in our area,” resident Niklaas Booisen said, but added that unemployment remained a problem, quoting a rate of “about 40%”.

“People often say to me that the government doesn’t do anything for them, but when I ask if they have a house, water, electricity, they say yes. I then point out that all of this was made possible by the government,” Zille said.

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Nedbank kits out Murray High students Thursday January 30 was a joyous day for learners at Murray High in KwaNokuthula, Plett, when Nedbank donated 50 uniforms, stationery and soccer kit to the school. Proceedings included a performance by the school choir in the presence of education VIPs, and a key note address by school founder Rosemary Murray. In the pic with some of the children are, from left, Bitou mayor Memory Booysen, W-Cape Education MEC Donald Grant, Murray High principal Dr Gerhard Botes, and Joshua Pule of the Nedbank Foundation.

Scholars from the East mar Western W-Cape system in Grades R, Cape curriculum 1 and 10, thus affecting enJohn Harvey

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HE Eden & Central Karoo District has the second highest number of Eastern Cape pupils enrolled at Western Cape schools in the province.

While W-Cape premier Helen Zille’s description of Eastern Cape pupils as “refugees” angered many commentators in 2012, statistics compiled by the WC Education Department show that since 2010, 80.2% (105 850) of the 122’378 learners that

have arrived in the province, hail from the Eastern Cape.

Outside of the Cape Town metro, which schools the majority of these pupils, Eden and Central Karoo has the highest number (8%) followed by the Cape Winelands (7%), Overberg (4%) and West Coast (3%).

Releasing the stats last week, provincial Education MEC Donald Grant said the majority of pupils from the E-Cape were entering the

rolment in both primary and high schools.

“At the start of every school year, learners arrive unexpectedly from the Eastern Cape seeking enrolment in W-Cape schools,” he said.

“This not only puts pressure on our education officials to assist with the placement of these late learners, but also disrupts teaching and learning time and the flow of the curriculum in the classroom.”

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Business

February 12 - 2014

In anticipation of Gordhan’s Budget...

Stuart Murray

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AM Golding Properties chief executive Dr Andrew Golding believes it is quite possible that Finance minister Pravin Gordhan may introduce some tax relief in the National Budget, which will help counter the effects of higher mortgage bond repayments.

“Looking at the residential market overall, sales price growth in 2013 reached its highest peak since 2009 and prospects for house value growth this year are encouraging, if modest,” says Dr Golding.

“A knock-on effect of higher interest rates might well create a degree of house

price inflation.

“Of note among overall market trends has been a revival in the market for holiday homes which experienced unexpected good sales from mid-November 2013 to mid-January 2014.

“Underpinning the market buoyancy is the fact that both the buying and rental markets are experiencing significant supply shortages, particularly among those in the middle income range,” says Dr Golding.

Crrgcn"hqt"dw{/vq/ngv" kpxguvqtu An important aspect for both markets is whether rental

Investor Focus LL market watchers are well aware that the Fed’s ‘tapering’ exercise triggered the current rout in emerging markets, as well as the sell-off in developed markets. The Fed used, among other tools, reduced interest rates and the injection of funds into the US economy to prevent a recession in the States.

As always happens, there is a leakage of these financial steroids into global capital markets. Income-driven investors sought the higher yields available in emerging markets. This drove the bull market in both bonds and equities to such a degree that they became expensive and seriously overvalued.

We are all aware of the search for high dividendpaying shares. We even saw a proliferation of high dividend unit trusts, and a strong growth in new listings in the property trust sector.

Clearly that party has come to a brutal end. The capital

fewer stress-related sales, and marginally easier credit criteria imposed by the mortgage lending banks.

Nevertheless, consumer debt remains a worry and growth in disposable income is slowing. Furthermore, as Gill Marcus points out, the outlook for the economy is bleak. GDP growth this year might just manage 2%.

Industry minister Rob Davies welcomes a weaker rand. It helps boost exports, mainly in the mining sector, and thus goes some way to alleviate our negative balance of payments. However, currency devaluation is an easy way out and no substitute for productivity.

• Stuart Murray is cofounder and former editor of Hkpcpeg"Yggm.

Malcolm Stewart – Portfolio Manager at Sanlam Private Investments Knysna

The Great Sell-off

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yields are reaching an attractive level for aspirant buyto-let investors.

Michelle Dickens, managing director of TPN Credit Bureau, which with First National Bank produces a national average rental yield index, believes this has begun to occur.

Says Dickens: “The positive thing is that the attractiveness appears once again to be improving on both scores (yield and costs). In addition to the mild increase in yields tenants have become more reliable payers as the economic recession of 2008/9 has faded.”

Other factors contributing to the improving residential market outlook include greater affordability, particularly at the lower levels,

flows into emerging economies in many cases disguised underlying economic weaknesses, now resulting in a sell-off of nearly all emerging market currencies.

These economic weaknesses also resulted in political turmoil in many new democracies, as the poorest of the poor in those countries were the first to feel the pain of growing inflation and extended unemployment.

There is, however, another side to the story. During the period after the Great Depression, global companies went through serious pain.

They became “lean and mean” or, in other words, they became more efficient.

Excess labour was retrenched, unprofitable subsidiaries were sold off and many poor product lines were discontinued. At the same time, excess cash was hoarded to provide a buffer during the Great Depression.

All that was needed was a recovery in turnover to solve

their ills. US unemployment was well above their acceptable level, while inflation was non-existent.

There is another side, too, to the current sell-off. The Fed is prepared to reduce the steroids only because they see signs of traction in the US economy. A few years ago, we remember Bernanke talking about the “green shoots”. Well, we now have a solid recovery developing in the US. So what we foresee after this sell-off is that corporate growth, growing employment and improved sales will replace the false liquidity, or steroids, that have driven the bull market of the last five years.

This is very important, as it places the markets on a more solid and fundamental foundation. They will no longer be dependent on political or economic policies that are notoriously impossible to anticipate.

The transition to this better market will be rocky, for when the tapering is over

we will see the fear in rising interest rates. The bad news of tapering and rising interest rates will be balanced by growing company profits.

It is impossible to time these moves. One must set a fundamental value on companies, and when they reach that value one can consider re-entering the market. The sell-off presents an opportunity for those with cash to invest, to pick up bargains.

Those who are already invested should not panic out at the bottom, but should hold on to their shares through the turmoil. The longer term will show accelerated growth, better profits and growing dividends.

If you have invested wisely, then your dividend flow will not be affected by the volatility, and the share prices will eventually recover.

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February 12 - 2014

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February 12 - 2014

If a man speaks his mind in a forest, but no woman hears him, is he still wrong?

Here’s how to feel really special

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EELING sad?

Buy a pair of socks online. Why? Because someone is going to take time out of their life to package them.

Someone else is going to drive them a few hundred kilometres.

They might even end up on a plane and fly across the

country or around the world.

And this will be done in rain or snow, on good days or bad days.

And then remember all this effort and work people are doing is because you just ordered a pair of socks online.

If that doesn’t make you feel special, I don’t know what will.

Just booked a table for Valentine’s Day for me and the wife. Bound to end in tears, though - she’s not very good at snooker.

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Watch and learn...

HE children were lined up in the cafeteria of a Catholic school for lunch.

At the head of the table was a large pile of apples.

The nun made a note, saying: ‘Take only one. God is watching’, and posted it on

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the apple tray.

Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies.

One child whispered to another: “Take all you want.

God is watching the apples.”

Grandma’s remedies

grandma passes on her knowledge to her grandchild from her personal experiences: “To improve my digestion I drink beer, for loss of appetite I drink white wine, for low blood pressure I drink red

wine, and if I have a cold I drink whisky.”

“And when do you drink water, grandma?” asks the youngster.

“Oh, I’ve never had such a serious illness!” grandma replies.

A quick cure for hiccups

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man goes into a chemist and asks the pharmacist if he can give him something for the hiccups.

The pharmacist promptly reaches out and slaps the man’s face.

“What the heck did you do that for?!” the man screams.

“Well, you don’t have the hiccups anymore do you?”

The man says: “No I don’t, you idiot - but my wife outside in the car still does!”

Social Scene

February 12 - 2014

People, places & events

BRIGHT FUTURES FURTHERED: Bitou mayor Memory Booysen awarded 43 bursaries to deserving students during a prestigious event on January 24. Some of the students were already at tertiary level, but could not afford fees for 2014. Funds were raised during the annual Mayoral Golf Day, held specifically for the purpose of empowering local youth. According to Siphiwe Dladla of the mayor’s office, everyone who applied for a bursary was accepted. On the night, cllr Booysen thanked every individual and business that contributed and said it was one of the most valuable ways to give back to the leaders of the future. In the pic, NMMU Foundation Education student Danielle Chanté Smith is congratulated by the mayor with proud mom Gaile looking on.

FISH WERE JUMPING... Derek Frielinghaus sent this pic of granddaughter Becky McNicol, left, with fish washed out on Central Beach. He wrote: ‘After having red tide since midDecember, the water temperature suddenly dropped from around 24°C to 8°C on February 1, stunning thousands of fish.

I’ve only seen it happen once before, during the 70s.’ Ben Joubert of Wilderness took the pic at right of buddy Pericles Bougdis at Buffels Bay, and said fish like this big grunter practically jumped out of the ocean. Locals left the beach with armfuls for the frying pan. A SANParks statement on Monday advised that the red tide had degraded and that it was ‘safe to use water in Knysna estuary’ after scientists found no evidence of toxicity. Although greatly reduced in Knysna, red tide was still evident in Tsitsikamma and surrounds but no incidents of resultant human illness had been reported to the authorities.

GOING GREEN PAYS: Congrats to Knysna Montessori School for winning big in a countrywide competition after collecting vast numbers of empty Omo and Skip Liquid bottles over a threemonth period. Attracting entries from 501 schools, the campaign formed part of an educational drive by Unilever to make kids environmentally responsible.

Each winning school received R25’000 worth of equipment towards upgrading their facilities, and nominated a needy school of their choice to receive an additional R25’000 for equipment or an upgrade. In the pic, from left, are Expresso breakfast TV presenter Ewan Strydom, Omo Schools representative Liana Ramos, Maranatha Playschool owner Cynthia Marawa, and Knysna Montessori principal Sonia Heaton. Visit www.omoauto.co.za to find out more.

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Valentine’s

February 12 - 2014

Food for thought this Valentine’s Day...

• “If you love two people at the same time, choose the second one, because if you really loved the first one you wouldn’t have fallen for the second.”

- Johnny Depp • “What most people need to learn in life is how to love people and use things, instead of using people and loving things.”

- Author unknown • “As we grow up, we learn that even the one person that wasn’t supposed to ever let us down, probably

will. You’ll have your heart broken and you’ll break others’ hearts. You’ll fight with your best friends or maybe even fall in love with them, and you’ll cry because time is flying by.

So take too many pictures, laugh too much, forgive freely, and love like you’ve never been hurt.

Life comes with no guarantees, no time-outs, no second chances. You just have to live life to the fullest, tell someone what they mean to you and

tell someone off, speak out, dance in the pouring rain, hold someone’s hand, comfort a friend, fall asleep watching the sun come up, stay up late, be a flirt, and smile until your face hurts.

Don’t be afraid to take chances or fall in love and, most of all, live in the moment because every second you spend angry or upset is a second of happiness you can never get back.”

- Author unknown

• “Live without pretending, love without depending, listen without defending, speak without offending, give without expecting.”

- Nazira • “You cannot stop loving or wanting to love because when it’s right, it’s the best thing in the world. When you are in a relationship and it’s good, even if nothing else in your life is right, you feel that your whole world is complete.”

- Keith Sweat

Valentine’s

February 12 - 2014

CXPRESS

ISSUE 383

13

14

CXPRESS

ISSUE 383

February 12 - 2014

Classifieds

On the Soapbox

February 12 - 2014

Letters to the Editor

CXPRESS

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

Take a long walk and a deep breath, here on Earth For the past few nights I have made a point of walking down to the Knysna estuary to enjoy the wonderful spectacle of phosphorescence, courtesy of the red tide.

Last night I took my kayak out and marvelled at it all.

Tiny pipefish were dancing across the glassy surface of the estuary leaving little dots of green light as they bounced along, mullet left trails through the water like shooting stars and blobs of green luminescence appeared each time some startled fish broke surface.

Several evenings ago I cy-

cled with one of my sons up at Diepwalle and we took a walk to the beautiful kalander (Outeniqua yellowwood) at Velbroeksdraai - it is one of my favourite trees. We were surrounded by silence.

Then came the fireflies, weaving their magic through the qpfgtdqu!

Stand on the hillside above the Keurbooms estuary in the late afternoon and soak up the sight of the graceful curve of Plettenberg Bay’s shoreline as it recedes toward Keurboomstrand and the Tsitsikamma coast.

This feast for the eyes is

THIS... A high-resolution panoramic image of the Martian landscape courtesy of NASA’s website

topped by the backdrop of the Tsitsikamma Mountains.

There can be few other bays as beautiful on our planet.

Yet I read that young Tarn Alcock, who grew up in this paradise, would like to go to Mars! Tarn has, no doubt, been following the exploits of the Curiosity Rover which landed on Mars in early August 2012.

NASA’s website (www. nasa.gov) regularly displays high-resolution panoramic photos of the Martian landscapes. Does Tarn REALLY want to live there?

Carbon dioxide comprises

95.3% of the Martian atmosphere; it supports no life as we know it, and it is also a cold place which can be exceedingly windy.

Furthermore, judging by what we see in the images streamed back to Earth, it all looks rather boring.

Admittedly, the science behind Curiosity is impressive, and I find the exploration of space just as exciting as Tarn does. But I would strongly advise him to enjoy a long and happy life here on Earth - and what better place to spend it than Plett?

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OR THIS? One of the many faces of the beautiful Keurbooms estuary

Disabled stickers - convenience or necessity?

The letter ‘Think before you run, walk or wheelie to moan on social media’ on page 15 of your January 29 edition refers. As a person confined to a wheelchair, I’d like to join in the debate.

Firstly, well done to Lance Rothschild. ‘Person with Disability’ admits that the disability sticker is hers and not her husband’s. She stayed in the vehicle while he “quickly ran into the Kwikspar”.

If I had R1 for every time I’d heard that excuse I’d be sitting pretty. The disabled bay offenders are always running in here or there, their time so much more important than those forced to wait for disabled parking space as a result.

What she fails to realise is that because she stayed in the car, she had no need to use the disabled bay. Her able-bodied husband, who could park anywhere, used the bay to “quickly run in...”.

It is no wonder that three people confronted her husband that day. Leaving a disabled person with a sticker in the car is not an excuse for

able-bodied persons to use a disabled bay.

Lance and three others understood that, but clearly not ‘Person with Disability’.

Determining eligibility for a disabled sticker relies for the most part on the medical practitioner.

In its guidance notes, SARS states: “‘Disability’ means a moderate to severe limitation of a person’s ability to function or perform daily activities as a result of a physical impairment, if (a) the limitation has lasted or has a prognosis of lasting more than a year; and (b) is diagnosed by a duly registered medical practitioner in accordance with criteria prescribed by the Commissioner.”

The diagnostic criteria provided are: “A person is regarded as a person with a disability if his or her impairment is to such an extent that he or she (a) is unable to walk, for example, a wheelchair user; (b) is only able to walk with the use of assistive devices, for example callipers, crutches, walking frames and other such

devices; (c) is able to walk without the use of assistive devices but with a degree of difficulty, for example, persons with Cerebral Palsy, Polio, etc. (that is, requires inordinate amount of time to walk).

Disabled bays are wider than standard bays. The reason is not to provide convenient parking close to key shops, but to enable those in wheelchairs and those needing assistive devices to get their mobility aid next to their door without damaging an adjacent vehicle.

Those using mobility aids need to be able to fully open their doors - impossible in normal bays.

From my observation, the majority of those with a disability sticker are able to use a normal bay if a disabled one is not available. Those in wheelchairs or using assistive devices can’t.

Interestingly, when the UK recently overhauled its system of disability grants and required a physical assessment test to prove disability, half of those receiving the grant gave it up rather than

Is there a smokescreen over Plett?

As a resident of Plett, I have watched the ongoing debacle over the waterfront development.

In my humble opinion, the presentation to the public was ill-conceived and unprofessional, with very little consideration to town plan-

ning or research done.

Therefore, I would like to pose a couple of questions: • Who received payment and, if so, how much?

• Can the ratepayers of Plett expect some recompense for a failed project proposal?

I would suggest some of

this money be used to initiate a competition open to the public, artists, contractors and even scholars, to put forward proposals, which would be far more acceptable to all concerned.

I also invite input from those political parties vying for

take a test.

One is left wondering about the abuse of disabled stickers... convenience or necessity?

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Stickers pertain to drivers, not passengers I would like to comment on the letter from ‘Person with Disability’. I grew up with a father who lost his right leg underground in 1938. I was 18 months old at the time, so I know what disability is.

To me, disabled parking bays should be ONLY for drivers that are disabled.

Should the passenger be disabled, the driver must assist the disabled passenger to disembark.

I have seen vehicles with disabled stickers in bays reserved for the disabled, parked there by perfectly fit and healthy drivers. Is this right?

Ngqp"Pcwfê."d{"gockn our votes, to ascertain how they foresee the future of Plett. I think most forwardthinking people would agree on a need for some kind of promenade development.

Invite the people of Plett to become involved, and do not allow our future to be dictated by big business.

Tqd"Iqwnf."d{"gockn

ISSUE 383

15

Brief oor Booysen se kar verdag op soveel vlakke Clive Ruiters se brief in CXPRESS van 29 Januarie (waarin Bitou burgemeester Memory Booysen oor die kole gehaal word oor sy ampsmotor) het betrekking.

My vriend die burgemeester van Bitou – nes enige ander burger van demokratiese Suid-Afrika – werk vir ‘n salaris. Soos u sekerlik weet, Mnr Ruiters, synde self ‘n salaristrekker, is dit sodanige werker se reg om sy verdienste na goeddunke te spandeer.

Namate mens die suksesleer klim, en jou inkomste dus dienooreenkomstig vermeerder, probeer mens tog jou eie lewensomstandighede verbeter, of hoe?

En vervoer, synde een van die mens se mees basiese behoeftes, is seker hoog op enigeëen se prioriteitslys.

Uself het tog eens op ‘n tyd slegs u voete as vervoermiddel gehad, maar u salaris het u in staat gestel om die situasie tot u eie voordeel te verander.

Die burgemeester is al amper drie jaar in sy amp, en sekerlik het sy finansiële posisie sodanig verbeter dat hy sy lewensstandaard kon opgradeer.

Sover my kennis strek was daar nog nie ‘n sweempie van enige onregmatige optrede deur Bitou se eerste burger nie, so om hom met menere

Mvimbi en Zuma te vergelyk is soos om appels met pere te vergelyk.

Dit ruik na ‘n lamlendige poging om Mnr Booysen se integriteit onder verdenking te plaas.

Die vergelyking met Zuma en Mvimbi verwar my in terme van waar u sentimente nou eintlik lê.

Tender u dalk vir ‘n nuwe politieke tuiste, in lig van die moles in u politieke huis?

Ek dink nie enigeiemand met meer as twee breinselle neem u suggestie ernstig op nie. Voordat u weer u nek uitsteek om iemand se karakter aan te val, vergewis uself eers van die feite. U tydsberekening lyk tourens uiters verdag.

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16

CXPRESS

ISSUE 383

Sport & Adventure

February 12 - 2014

Plett’s awesome couple Edwards crowned kings of the Hobie 16 world! ...with daughter and dad Dodds hot on their heels

C

ONGRATULATIONS to Crags locals William and Lucinda Edwards for winning the 2014 Hobie 16 Masters World Championships held in Jervis Bay, Australia, last month.

Well done, too, to their friends and fellow sailors, Blaine and Roxanne Dodds, for finishing in second place. (Visit www.cxpress. co.za and click on the Sports page of issue 362 - ‘Plett’s sailors supreme bring Hobie 16 trophy back where it belongs’ tells the full story on East London natives Edward and Blaine’s longstanding sailing friendship.)

In third place behind Bitou’s proud champs was the Brazilian team of Claudio Teixeira and Bruno Reis, and the event’s official website describes race conditions as “winds blowing a consistent 24 knots with gusts of up to 35 knots from the SSE”.

Its press release continues, inter alia: “Husband and wife team William and Lucinda Edwards from South Africa had a brilliant start, putting them in the lead which they held throughout a very taxing race contending with the gusts as well as some fierce competition from the rest of the field.

“After the race, boats returned to shore, rain squalls and gusts of wind up to 35 knots continued for hours after which the race committee signalled AP over A flags concluding the day’s racing and crowning the South Africans new Hobie 16 Masters World Champions.” ," Ugeqpfu" dghqtg" rtkpv."

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Substitution entries for Cape Argus now open

T

HE official substitution process for the 2014 Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour opened on February 3. This means that those cyclists still keen to ride, but who missed the cut-off in September 2013, now have a chance to secure a spot in this year’s event.

Entries for the 2014 Cycle Tour closed in record time and many cycling enthusiasts missed out on one of the 35’000 available spots.

The substitution process allows those who have entered but no longer wish to participate the chance to transfer entries to those who want to.

Substitution entries close on February 21 and a fee of R180 is applicable to all.

Cyclists should complete an online substitution application by visiting www.cycletour.co.za/index.php/enter/ substitutions/ and following the instructions.

Withdrawing entrants may request that substitute entrants refund their entry fee.

Organisers will send a confirmation letter to the substitution entrant within five working days of receiving the consent letter and substitution entrants will be notified of their race number and start time by February 28.

Contact the Cycle Tour Race Office on 086 184 6464 for more information.

MASTER SAILORS: Celebrating their world championship victory straight after the race, top, and at the prize-giving, above, are from left Choice Properties founders Lucinda & William Edwards, and Blaine & Roxanne Dodds