April 9th

9 April 2014

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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Foam attack!

Photo: Lizelle Joubert

Plett reader Paul Pretorius shared this photo taken by his daughter, Lizelle Joubert, on March 30 at Robberg Point and featuring his wife Marié’s daughter, Janine Pritchard, warding off a wall of bubbles – read more about this healthy foam phenomenon on page 5

Focus on short-staffed force - p3

Knysna radio crew off to Jozi - p7

Bitou budget: all the facts - p8-11

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CXPRESS

Columns

9 April 2014

Driving Miss Crazy

It was a dark and windy night... Final JEEVES shares his adventures as Garden Route chauffeur extraordinaire...The scene is Dar es Salaam in the mid-60s at the height of the Cold War. We ended the last episode as Uncle Ambassador saw off a mysterious character called Schmidt, who took off in a Cessna as dawn brightened the African sky….

D like us on

RIVING along on the way back to the West German ambassador’s residence, Uncle proceeded to reveal to me the lead up to the cloak and dagger events of the last three hours in the early morning darkness.

“Do you promise to say nothing of tonight, to nobody?”

Sworn to secrecy!

He spluttered on in broken English, minced with a few German words in between the gist of the whole affair follows.

The Ambassador answered a phone call received at 2am.

“Ja?” “Schmidt here. Ist der phone ge-tapped?”

“Nicht zu mein knowledge.”

“Kannst you meet me schnell at ze Inter Konti in Parkplatz? Ist a matter von extreme urgent! Please.”

“Jawohl, 15 minutes, DKW auto. Will flicken ze lights shree times.”

Click...

(I was baffled: how could an Ambassador be sent to a country to rub shoulders with other embassy staff and consulates and make inroads and representations, without having a good command of a language commonly used - English, or French, whatever the case?

But then, in the 60s most Germans and Europeans could not speak English even today, Angela Merkel struggles; Putin too, as do French President Hollande.)

That’s when I was awakened

and summonsed to drive for Uncle Ambassador.

Schmidt had come over with a colleague to the mainland from Zanzibar, for a long weekend pause. He was from East Germany, an engineer working on a water project on the spice island - all a matter of foreign aid, with the East trying to out-do the West, and vice-versa.

Wherever East Germans went, from the Berlin Wall to abroad, they had to be in a group, minimum two people.

The idea being, one would

ded his head in agreement.

They left arm in arm, all giggles in anticipation of what was to come. In the hotel lift, Schmidt gave his lady $50 and told her to go, as he was tired. She should go home, not back to the dance floor upstairs, as this would cramp his buddy’s style.

She understood, somewhat forlorn. He slipped her another 20 dollars, and she smiled. In the lobby he went to a public telephone cubicle and called the West German Ambassador’s residence.

Could the Ambassador meet him outside in 15min?

He then rushed to his room where he proceeded to ruffle the bed, jumping on it, threw off the blanket and sheet, and punched his fist into the pillows. He spat on the sheet

‘Wherever East Germans went, from the Berlin Wall to abroad, they had to be in a group, minimum two people - one would keep an eye on the other, and prevent him from defecting’ keep an eye on the other, and prevent him (somehow) from defecting, should the occasion arise.

So our man Schmidt had been in the hotel night club with his comrade, where for the princely sum of $50 the door-man had organised two pretty, young local girls to join them.

They danced, drank, flirted and were thoroughly enjoying their ‘leave’.

Schmidt turned to his Kamerad and said with a wink: “I’m taking her to our room.

OK? Give me an hour, and then I’ll leave the room so you can come down.

“Give me until 3 o’clock, and you can have it ‘till 4am when I shall return. Gut?” His colleague gave a wry smile, winked back and nod-

in the centre of the bed.

He put on the bedside light, lit two cigarettes which he left to burn in an ashtray, removed his watch and placed it on the bedside table. He stripped, leaving his trunks on the floor next to the bed, throwing the rest of his clothes onto a chair.

In the bathroom he ran a shower, wet two bath towels, which he threw onto the floor and returned to the bedroom where he got dressed in other clothes.

He grabbed a bathrobe and slippers, left some loose change, his passport and wallet on the dresser, after removing most of the cash, and looked back into the room, satisfied it looked as if it had been well used, and fled the scene.

Throwing the robe and slippers into a dustbin in the stairwell, he left the hotel through a fire-door exit, where he met us in the shadows of the front lawn and car park.

He wished to defect to the West. Back at the residence, his photo was taken and was given a new passport, of unknown origin, as well as cash in dollars, Deutsche Marks and East African shillings.

The Ambassador phoned Mr Pratt, who ran a small air safari business, and who had been briefed that a situation might arise whereby his services would be required by the Ambassador at any time, at very short notice.

This was the moment.

If all went according to plan, Pratt would fly his passenger to Mombasa where they were to meet a German consular aid. He would then spend a few weeks lying low at a shack on Diani Beach, swimming, fishing, snorkelling and growing a beard.

From there, he would fly to Nairobi and catch a Lufthansa flight to Frankfurt and start a new life.

If you should per chance read this article, Herr Schmidt, it was I that drove the car from the Inter-Conti, to the Embassy Residence and then the airfield, where you fled Tanzania, on that ‘dark and windy night’!

THE END Until our next encounter…

Belt-up! /"Lggxgu

News & Views

9 April 2014

CXPRESS

Free for all as thieves outnumber understaffed police Yolandé Stander

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HE ability of Plettenberg Bay police to affectively deal with crime has been placed under the spotlight recently after KwaNokuthula police failed to assist the community and local security personnel in searching for suspects who had fled a housebreaking scene near Roodefontein last week.

The alarm system of a Roodefontein home was triggered during the early evening on Monday March 31, and when a local resident - and key holder of the property - responded, he spotted

suspects fleeing the scene.

Otto Olivier from Plett Security said the suspects fled through a bushy area towards KwaNokuthula with a television and other items.

ADT Security responded to the alarm activation and requested the assistance of the Plett Crime Prevention Association, and Plett Security provided support. The assistance of KwaNokuthula police were also requested.

A thermal camera was used to survey the area, but no activity was picked up and after two hours the search was

called off.

Olivier said during this period police had failed to assist in searching for the suspects or to visit the scene, despite various calls made to the station.

He added that this was unacceptable as it not only tarnished the community’s view of local police, but was also a setback for crime prevention.

“It is critical to respond quickly as it boosts the chances of apprehending the suspects while they are fleeing the scene,” Olivier said.

“This incident highlights

Fuel thieves nabbed by super cop Maritz

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LETT Community Police Forum chair Bruce Richardson provided the following priority crime stats for March, as compared to the same time last year: • Contact crimes -2.1% • Property crimes -16.7% • Other crimes -20.4% • Police initiated arrests (e.g. drug busts) +10.3% Richardson also reported on an “insidious crime that only appeared a few weeks back” in the form of fuel thieved from cars, with incidents tak-

ing place in broad daylight, in low pedestrian traffic areas where vehicles are left for extended periods of time.

Victims suffered huge financial expenses not only because of the fuel lost, but also to repair the damage to their vehicles. But then in stepped W/O Nicky Maritz, whose diligent investigations led to the arrest of two alleged petrol thieves after catching them red-handed.

Said Otto Olivier of Plett Security: “Our super cop and

SAPS Sector 4 manager followed up various leads and tracked the activities of a white Nissan CG-registration bakkie, and two suspects were arrested on the scene while they were busy stealing petrol.

“Our heartiest gratitude for getting these vandals and criminals off the streets of our town.”

He reminded readers to report any suspicious activity immediately to the PBCPA on 082 251 8134.

the shortage of police officers not only in the area, but nationally.”

He said that this was not the first time KwaNokuthula police failed to respond timeously to a call for assistance.

“There is only one vehicle for the entire KwaNokuthula and Kranshoek area. This is a vast area and officers have to go through Plett to reach Kranshoek. This is not ideal and affects response times dramatically.

“Kranshoek should actually

fall under Plett police, but if such a strategy is implemented, it will put pressure on Plett police. What we need is more police members.

“It is the police’s job to address crime, but unfortunately the police force is not big enough to deal with all the crime, and that is why the community - through bodies such as the Community Policing Forum - and security companies play such an important role.”

He said the involvement of the public in crime prevention not only ensured the police had less cases to deal

3 with, but also boosted police morale. “If the police see successes, they are more motivated.”

S-Cape police spokesperson Captain Bernadine Steyn confirmed the housebreaking incident on March 31, and said they saw the allegation “in a serious light”.

“We therefore request the complainant to make an appointment with the station commander of the KwaNokuthula police station and to provide him or her with a statement that will enable us to investigate the allegation,” Steyn said.

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News & Views

9 April 2014

Big bird checks out Plett dawn

A South African Air Force BK 117 helicopter stands in silhouette against the dawn in Plettenberg Bay on Saturday March 29, prior to its assistance in training exercises with volunteers of NSRI Station 14. The day’s action has been beautifully captured in a short video by Stuart Brink Films, compiled from collective GoPro footage shot during the training exercise, and Stuart thanks additional cameramen Ross Badenhorst, Matthew Spurrier and Ollie Oliver - click on http:// vimeo.com/stuartbrinkfilms/nsrichoppermar2014 to check it out. Station commander Deon Truter said the session served as standard training for pilots from SAAF Squadron 15 based in Port Elizabeth and under the helm of Major Swart, while it was also an excellent opportunity for several new NSRI volunteers to experience chopper-assisted rescue simulations first-hand.

Photo: Timothy Twidle

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Red Bridge to be closed for five months from Monday

ED Bridge, which is located on the western side of Knysna, supports the main raw water pipeline that conveys in excess of 80% of the town’s potable water consumption.

Formerly carrying road traffic to and from the west to Knysna, the structure was handed to the municipality when the present bridge on the N2 was built.

The bridge is a metal structure and urgently requires corroded elements to be replaced, while the entire structure must also be corrosion protected. For this purpose, a cage will be constructed around the structure and the bridge cleaned by abrasive blast cleaning.

The cage will reduce noise pollution and contain the abrasive material and rust flakes, preventing it from polluting the environment.

Special air compressors will be used to reduce noise pollution and special measures

taken to contain dust pollution as far as possible.

Specialist contractor Messrs Southey Contracting has been appointed by the municipality to carry out the work, along with Messrs Aurecon as lead consultant, Messrs Sharples Environmental Services as environmental control, and Messrs OHS Consultants as safety

agent.

Due to the nature of the proposed work and the fact that the bridge is a single lane structure, closure of the bridge to the public is unavoidable. The final date for reopening will be subject to completion of the works, which could be affected by weather conditions and unexpected delays.

DON’T GO THERE... Essential refurbishment of ‘Rooibrug’ means the bridge will be closed from Monday April 14 until at least September 5

News & Views

9 April 2014

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If the foam is white, our ocean’s alright P

MAGICAL: When strong tidal movements churn up the ocean floor, it creates tiny air bubbles that carry minute organic substances to the shore - view more images on the galleries page at www. cxpress. co.za Photos: Lizelle Joubert

Satellite tags to shed new light on the state of our dolphin nation

PLEASED TO MEET YOU! Fin recognition enables researchers to identify known individuals like this bottlenose dolphin, and determine seasonal distribution patterns and abundance estimates - Photo: Alejandra Vargas

Dr Stephen Kirkman & Alejandra Vargas

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N the coming weeks, researchers working on a collaborative project between the Ocean & Coasts branch of the Department of Environmental Affairs and Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) will be seeking to satellite-tag eight Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Vwtukqru" cfwpewu) in Plett waters.

It has been estimated previously that several thousand of these animals utilise the bay at various times of the year, and the project aims to understand whether these numbers are increasing or declining.

It will also assess the genetic diversity of the population, while determining spatial and temporal movement patterns

and habitat utilisation with a view to identifying critical areas, potential threats, and the relevance of the local marine protected area network for their conservation.

Fin recognition, based on images of individuals taken during regular boat-based surveys, forms a significant part of the project - being able to identify and re-sight known individuals and groups of individuals assists with determining seasonal distribution patterns and obtaining abundance estimates.

Aerial counts of animals will also be used to determine numbers and distribution in the study area. But satellite tracking of individuals can provide researchers with valuable information about the feeding and migratory behaviours of the animals over larger distances, in remote

areas or at night time - data otherwise unobtainable.

For these reasons, satellite tracking has become a valuable and often essential tool in ecological studies of highly mobile and wide-ranging marine top predators, including many dolphin species.

In this regard, the tagging protocol that will be applied during the study has received formal animal ethics clearance from the Research Ethics Committee of NMMU, and strict guidelines will be followed.

Ultimately, the goal of the study is not only improving our understanding of the ecology of this inshore dolphin species in the area, but producing science-based recommendations for more effective conservation management, e.g. spatial management to prevent threats in a critical feeding area currently unprotected. ß" Cnglcpftc" Xcticu" *FXO+" ku" c" RjF" ecpfkfcvg" cv" PO/ OW‚u" Fgrctvogpv" qh" \qqn/ qi{0" Ft" Uvgrjgp" Mktmocp" ku" tgugctej" uwrgtxkuqt" hqt" vjg" fqnrjkp" cpf" ugcn" rtqlgev" kp" Rngvvgpdgti" Dc{" cpf" ku" cv/ vcejgf" vq" vjg" Fktgevqtcvg" Dkqfkxgtukv{"cpf"Eqcuvcn"Tg/ ugctej"cv"vjg"Qegcp"("Eqcuvu" dtcpej"qh"vjg"Fgrctvogpv"qh" Gpxktqpogpvcn"Chhcktu0"Gockn" Cnglcpftc" cv" cngBgctvjeqn/ ngevkxg0pgv"hqt"hwtvjgt"kphq0

LETTENBERG Bay is currently experiencing a most interesting natural phenomenon that makes its beaches look as if someone has added a particularly effective brand of bubble bath to the seawater.

Large amounts of white, fluffy foam, observed on Robberg Peninsula and various beaches, are carried in from the sea on churning waves. But what is the cause, and should beachgoers be worried?

Fortunately, this is a completely natural process and most often the sign of a healthy ecosystem.

The ocean produces a constant supply of decaying organic matter - plant life, fish, seaweed excretions, algae,

microscopic organisms and other proteins and fats - that sinks down to the ocean floor.

When strong tidal movements churn up the ocean floor, it creates tiny air bubbles that carry these minute organic substances to the shore.

Once the current reaches the shore, waves cause the air bubbles to pop to the surface, forming foam as the sticky mass crashes onto the shore.

The life cycle is completed when microscopic organisms, sea lice, and birds come to feast on the bounty that is hidden inside the foam.

When the foam is white, it is usually an indication that it is not harmful, but in some cases foam contains pollutants such as oil, fertilizers and toxins produced by algal

Chrissie Cloete

blooms.

Harmful algae blooms deplete the oxygen content of water, causing large die-offs of marine life, and increasing the amount of organic waste that can contribute to greater amounts of sea foam.

In this case, the foam shows different colours ranging from slimy green to brown.

Fortunately, the foam we see on our beaches now is all part of a healthy, natural process and, in the short time that it is here, makes for wonderful and interesting photo opportunities. ß"Ejtkuukg"Enqgvg"ku"cp"Gp/ xktqpogpvcn" Dkqnqikuv" cpf" htggncpeg" pcvwtg" eqpugtxc/ vkqp"eqpuwnvcpv"⁄"eqpvcev"jgt" qp"ze0enqgvgBiockn0eqo"hqt" cffkvkqpcn"kphqtocvkqp0

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News & Views

9 April 2014

What was your Argus time?

Power demand and population: Exponential growth - Part II JOHN STEGMANN jogs his memory in this six-part account on the run-up to the first Argus Cycle Tour

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N my father’s time (he was born in Pretoria just over a century ago), the market square and famous Metro Cycle Works in the beautiful Lewis & Marks building would have looked very much like the picture at right on auction day.

Pretoria was planned in 1859 with streets wide enough for a wagon with a full span of 16 oxen to make a U-turn. In those days you got around town either by walking, cycling, on horseback/cart, or by ox wagon.

So a bicycle - from Pennyfarthings (high-wheelers) to the Starley rear-diver safety bicycle - that didn’t need stabling, grooming or feeding, was a great boon for person-

AUCTION DAY: Pretoria circa 1900 - in those days you got around town either by walking, cycling, on horseback or ox wagon

al transport. Pretoria had five bicycle shops.

The streets had furrows for water diverted from the Apies River and the low traffic speeds and densities meant that roads were shared by pedestrians. Arterial roads, e.g. to Johannesburg, were lined with tall eucalypts to provide shade for travellers - man and beast.

However, roads for cycling were not always ideal.

Wagon and carriage wheels left grooves in muddy roads and those vehicles were not deterred by sharp stones.

While steam trains mercifully spelled the end of longdistance ox wagon transport, the next new mode of transport in Pretoria was electri-

cally-powered trams.

In other towns (PE, Kimberley, Cape Town) rails were used for double-decker omnibuses drawn by one or two horses. Almost exactly a century ago the first cars began arriving in Pretoria.

Kirkness Brickfields, that supplied bricks for UCT’s first buildings, had a fleet of steam-powered wagons with solid rubber tyres to deliver bricks to the railhead.

Pretoria’s population was a shade over 100,000 and wealthy families were about to acquire cars. A century later, its 2.5-million people each aspires to having that own set of high-speed ‘wheels’, oblivious of the power and space required.

To be continued...

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Club 100 launches Kwano Cycling Academy Colin Shave - Club 100 Plettenberg Bay

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N February 15, Club 100 Cycling in Plettenberg Bay, in cooperation with the headmaster at Murray High School in KwaNokuthula, launched the Kwano Cycling Academy (KCA) with students from the school.

A multi-phased plan to expand the Academy is based

on the vision to identify, coach and nurture young cycling talent while maintaining strong connections to formal education by providing an environment that combines cycling and education, thus producing highly employable graduates.

Thanks to the generous donations of bikes and basic equipment from Club 100 members and many friends,

MORE THAN THE RIDE: Club 100’s plan with the Kwano Academy is to nurture young cycling talent and provide an environment that combines cycling and education to produce highly employable graduates

we were able to start with 10 students. There has been tremendous interest among the youngsters and the only limitation on participants is the number of bikes.

Currently, the students have two training session a week in the Harkerville Forest, where they receive skills training from several Club 100 members. They also learn about basic maintenance and take responsibility for keeping their bikes properly serviced.

The student’s enthusiasm and dedication has been contagious. Their skills are improving in leaps and bounds and the entire group are already successfully riding single-track and tackling increasingly complicated technical challenges.

The next step is to set training programmes focused on endurance to prepare them to participate in local races.

Several students have already shown tremendous progress and, as a result and in order to set a benchmark, we are preparing three or four of them for participation in the following local races:

• Crtkn"34 Tsitsikamma MTB Challenge (42km) • Crtkn"3:" Pennypinchers Night Race • Crtkn" 3; Plett Easter Games MTB Race 50km (free entry to KCA on April 18 & 19).

Thanks are due to a number of people who have helped getting the Academy up and running. Andrew van Blommestein, Paul Owen, Peter Green, Mike Brierley, and Freddy Phillips have spent hours fetching, carrying and coaching the students.

Daan & Ronel van der Sijde have allowed us to store the bikes at the farm until we find a permanent storage solution, and Sean Gannon of Pennypinchers sponsored our SANParks annual tags.

Christiaan Smit is sponsoring Cape Pine Trail Passes, while the team at The Bike Shop supports us with basic maintenance.

Currently, the only funding received by the Academy is 100% of the profit on sales of V-bars (energy bars available at The Bike Shop and Knysna Cycleworx) but we will be a major beneficiary of the Tour de Plett MTB

TAKING CARE: Students of the newly-established Kwano Academy do not only acquire riding skills, but are also taught the basics of maintenance and looking after their bikes

race on June 28 this year.

We are in the process of registering a non-profit company to ensure the appropriate level of governance for the administration of donations, but readers interested in contributing to the success of the Academy have several options available to them: • Corporate sponsorship - we aim to partner with a sponsor who shares the vision.

• Funding - contributions are needed to maintain and develop the Academy.

• Bicycles - bikes or funds to acquire bikes… we have stu-

dents waiting.

• Helmets - medium/large.

• Kit - any cycling clothing in reasonable condition, particularly Club kit and winter gear, medium/large.

• Spares - tubes, tyres, saddle bags, multi tools, camelbacks, etc.

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News & Views

9 April 2014

CXPRESS

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From the pen of the brain behind Knysna’s wordsmith bash LING DOBSON, franchisee and principal of Pam Golding in Knysna and Plett, is also the initiator of the Knysna Literary Festival, launched in 2010 - she shares these words with CXPRESS readers after yet another extremely successful event which was held from March 18 to 23

A

T first I would like to thank Sasha Campbell for her dedicated and passionate support and assistance, without which we would just not have the same successful festival. And huge

thanks go to the sponsors who made this all possible.

Thank you to all the publishers and the dynamic authors who travelled down to Knysna to regale us with their rich and well publicised

thoughts.

We have in a small way been able to again support our two charities, e’Pap and TSiBA, who in turn are dedicated to building our youngsters to become leaders in our

Knysna FM crew packing for awards evening in Sandton

Words & photo: Timothy Twidle

WORKING THE MAGIC: Roy Taylor on air in the studio of KNYSNA 97.0 FM

K

NYSNA 97.0 FM Radio has been nominated as finalist in the annual MTN Radio Awards in the On-Air Packaging category, which adjudicates station identification jingles, stings and stabs.

Qualities that are considered include the nature of voice-overs, the clarity of verbal delivery, suitably to the overall presentation of the station, the crafting of inserts, as well as quality, creativity, presentation, value and the technical quality of production.

The station’s fillers have been done by Knysna resident Patrick Willis and Briony Sparg, the daughter of station manager Ralph Sparg, who will be attending the awards banquet at Sandton

Convention Centre in Johannesburg on the evening of Saturday April 12.

Last year, 63 stations throughout the country submitted some 1,200 nominations. A thousand people attended the gala banquet and there were 85 winners on the night. The event was sponsored by 12 companies.

The objective of the MTN Radio Awards is to ensure that radio remains one of South Africa’s foremost means of communication, by way of recognising individuals and organisations that combine talent, hard work and skill.

This year will be the fifth occasion upon which the contest has been held, and chief executive officer of the

MTN Radio Awards Lance Rothschild lives in Plettenberg Bay. “The overall quality of the entries was excellent and competition at the top of the categories was extremely close,” Rothschild said of this year’s awards.

“One thing that has been noticed and even commented on by the various adjudicators is the standard of radio in South Africa, which is outstanding and most certainly on a par with some of the best radio offerings elsewhere in the world.

“I certainly believe that the MTN Radio Awards have contributed to an increased focus on excellence and have raised the overall standard of the industry.”

SOUL-BARER, DREAM-SHARER: The Rev. Frank Chikane, centre, poses with students at the TSiBA Karatara Campus - Photo: Elle Photography

communities.

I was inspired and in awe of the poems and short stories, the maturity and the depth of thought that went into writing by our young writers (please visit our website at www.knysnaliteraryfestival. co.za to read these).

We received a record number of entries! John van der Ruit’s books should be inspiration as to the heights that they can achieve.

I felt privileged to listen to Reverend Frank Chikane.

In his talk to the TSiBA students at their campus in Karatara, he bared his soul and shared his dream for a positive enriched future in our country that we should all strive for and participate to make happen.

Vusi Pikoli added to this and gave me hope that corruption can be halted.

I enjoyed Tim Plewman’s hilarious take on ‘Fitness for Old Farts’ and enjoyed

watching the audience’s reaction to Jassey and Casey’s frivolous reviews on their books.

For the first time, we hosted a very successful international writer, Ysra Sigurdardottir - the bestselling and award-winning Icelandic crime author.

I sat riveted to my seat listening to Alan Weyer’s knowledge of our rich Eastern Cape history, which we were never exposed to at school.

All this made us realise just how important it is to work towards the extermination of

corruption and greed whether it is at government level, or in the wild saving our rhinos.

We have a rich and wonderful country.

The Delicious Word Journey’s experience seemed to again have topped the charts. Guests enjoyed Pezula Private Estate’s beautiful homes hosted by Tim Noakes, Vusi Pikoli and Patricia Glyn, along with good food and wine.

I look forward to use this successful platform to launch our thinking and planning for 2015’s Knysna Literary Festival.

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Business

9 April 2014

New owners plan fresh start for Wilderness icon The new management of Wilderness Karos Resort and Hotel chatted to BOB HOPKIN about their plans for the future

PRAGMATIC: Part of the new Wilderness Hotel management group, from left, Hennie Muller, trustee and maintenance manager Rudy Bosch, and Roelof Kritzinger - Photo: Bob Hopkin

A

FTER a troubled past involving staff strikes, several recent changes of ownership and hefty accumulated debts, the historic Wilderness Hotel in the centre of the village looks set for a brighter future.

The hotel stands on the site of the first house built there in 1877 and the original hotel opened in 1921. After being sold at auction last year for R13-million and following refurbishment by the new owners, the hotel welcomed its first clients in three years on Sunday March 30.

Chairman of the purchasing consortium, C Shell 172

Investor Focus

(Pty), Hennie Muller said that the first guests would be 400 young rugby players who would fill the premises to capacity for a week.

“This is very welcome but for the balance of the winter we will have just 65 of our 158 rooms available for regular clients. Our approach is not to repeat the mistakes of the past, manage the hotel in a balanced and pragmatic manner, strive to cover our overheads initially and then gradually restore all the facilities,” said Muller.

Finance manager Roelof Kritzinger said the new owners intended the hotel to

regain its status as the heart of the village.

“We know that the hotel used to be very popular with visitors but also played a role in the lives of the residents.

Our sporting facilities, health spa, gymnasium and restaurants all drew support from Wilderness people and usually, when a meeting place was needed, it was the venue of choice - and this is what we would like to rebuild.”

Muller added that a Special General Meeting of all shareholders would take place in the next few weeks, followed by an official re-opening function in mid-2014.

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

A closer look at growth prospects

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LOBAL investors are still expecting a USled economic recovery that will eventually pull the rest of the world out of the doldrums. This view is probably correct, although inclement weather in the States has probably delayed the onset by at least six months.

As their heavy winter storms turn to spring (also known as ‘the mud season’ in Vermont), we await data showing that things have turned for the better.

While most investment professionals agree that global growth will accelerate quite strongly over the next two years, it is expected that most of this growth will occur in developed economies, with the emerging market economies lagging behind.

The main culprit in the slower growth team is China, which may well battle to reach its 7.5% growth target by as much as 1% below.

American personal balance sheets have recovered, while unemployment has gradually

declined. Inflation is still low, and this has allowed the Fed to continue adopting a dovish stance.

The Fed must now walk a delicate tightrope, balancing US economic growth with the “normalisation” of money supply, and more important interest rates. Markets are beginning to discount the end of tapering and the start of a rising interest rate cycle.

Europe is showing encouraging signs of resilience.

Economic momentum is picking up despite the uncertainties of both the Ukraine and China.

Unemployment is still particularly uneven throughout the region, and with very low inflation it is most probable that the ECB (European Central Bank) could start a Quantitative Easing programme similar to the one that was used in the USA. The outlook for Japan this year is one of volatility. The first quarter showed good progress, however the impact of tax hikes is yet to be seen.

These could obviously prove to be negative in the short term, but may result in further monetary easing in the latter part of the year with markets having a serious rollercoaster ride.

Our South African economy continues to languish in the doldrums. But there is a real probability that the weaker Rand has a J-curve effect with the initial price increases, costly imports being replaced with growing exports, and possibly some degree of import substitution.

Markets thought the global arena are certainly reinforcing this positive scenario, so subject to any further black swan events, i.e. the Ukraine saga, we should see accelerating growth and relatively strong equity markets.

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Promotion

9 April 2014

CXPRESS

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CXPRESS

Interval

9 April 2014

“In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing. The next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.”

- Theodore Roosevelt

A non-partisan joke that can be enjoyed by all parties!

W

HILE walking down the street one day a member of parliament is hit by a truck and tragically dies on the spot. His soul arrives in Heaven and is met at the entrance by St Peter.

“Welcome to Heaven,” says St Peter. “Before you settle in, there is a problem. We seldom see a high official such as yourself around these parts, so we’re not quite sure of what to do with you.”

“No problem, just let me into Heaven,” says the MP. “Well, I’d like to, but I have orders from higher up. These orders say that you’ll have to spend one day in Hell and one day in Heaven. Then you must choose where you are going to spend eternity.”

“Really, I’ve made up my mind. I want to be in Heaven,” says the MP. “I’m sorry, but we have to follow the rules.”

And with that, St. Peter escorts the MP to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to Hell.

The doors open and he finds himself in the middle of a lovely green golf course. In the distance is a clubhouse,

and standing in front of it are a lot of his friends and politicians who had worked with him when he was alive.

Everyone is very happy and in evening dress. They run up to greet him, shake his hand, and reminisce about the good times they had while getting rich at the expense of the people.

They play a friendly game of golf and then go into to the clubhouse where they dine on lobster, caviar, foie gras and champagne.

Also present is the Devil who really is a very friendly and nice guy, and who has a good time dancing and telling jokes.

They are having such a good time, that before he realises it, it is time to go.

Everyone gives him a hearty farewell and waves while the elevator rises… it goes up, up, up and the door reopens on Heaven where St Peter is waiting for him.

“Now it’s time to visit Heaven.”

So, the next 24 hours pass with the MP joining a group of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing

Hey man, I’m a panda!

A

panda walks into a bar, sits down and orders a sandwich.

He eats the sandwich, pulls out a gun and shoots the waiter dead.

As the panda stands up to go, the bartender shouts: “Hey! Where are you going? You just shot my waiter and you didn’t pay for your sandwich!”

The panda yells back at the bartender: “Hey man, I’m a PANDA - go and look it up!”

The bartender opens his dictionary and sees the following definition for panda: ‘A tree dwelling marsupial of Asian origin, characterised by distinct black and white colouring.

Eats shoots and leaves’.

the harp and singing.

They have a good time and, before he realises it, the 24 hours have gone by and St Peter returns.

“Well, then, you’ve spent a day in Hell and another in Heaven. Now choose your eternity.”

The MP reflects for a minute, then answers: “Well, I would never have said it before, I mean Heaven has been delightful, but I think I would be better off in Hell.”

So St Peter escorts the MP to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to Hell.

When the doors open, he finds himself in the middle of a barren land covered

with waste and garbage.

He sees all his friends: dressed in rags, picking up trash and putting it into black bags as more and more of the filthy stuff falls from above.

The smiling Devil comes over to him and puts his arm around the MP’s shoulder in a welcoming gesture.

“I don’t understand it,” stammers the MP. “Yesterday, when I was here, there was a golf course and clubhouse, we ate lobster and caviar, drank champagne and danced and had a great time.

Now there’s just a wasteland full of garbage, and my friends look miserable.

“What happened?”

The devil looks at him with a smile and says: “Aah yes, you see, yesterday we were campaigning, but today you voted.

Women are unique

A

husband’s call to his wife: “Honey, a car hit me while I was out of the office. Paula brought me to the hospital. They have been doing tests and taking X-rays.

“The blow to my head was very strong but, for-

tunately, it seems that it did not cause any serious injury. I have three broken ribs, a compound fracture of the left leg and they may have to amputate the right foot.”

His wife’s response: “So, who is Paula?”

Some people just need a sympathetic pat...

On the head...

With a hammer.

Social Scene

9 April 2014

VROUENS VERENIG - TE PRAGTIG: Op 15 Maart het hierdie dames gasvrou gespeel vir die jaarlikse Gereformeerde Vroue Saamtrek van die Suid-Kaap Streek. Dr Stella Potgieter van die Noordwes Universiteit was gasspeker en die tema was Trauma onder Suid-Afrikaners. Die geleentheid is gehou by die pragtige Ouland Royale, en die dames het die mooigoed tema behoorlik aangegryp - agter van links staan Maryke Etsebeth, Alta Jordaan, Chrissie Fick, Trudie Scheepers, Irene Kruger, Joyce Espach, Berendien Oosthuizen, Ronel Pieterse en Magdeld van Zyl, met Sanet Naude, Bets Fourie, Beulah de Bruyn en Delina Lombaard in die voorste gestoeltes. Neem Kennis dat die gemeente op 19 April ‘n Lang-tafel ete met gaskunstenaars Neil Krog of clavier en bariton Christopher Vale by Ouland Royale aanbied.

Kaartjies is R170 en beskikbaar by Irma by 044 533 0161 of 084 850 0029.

CATCH YOUNG CHINGYUN IN KNYSNA TONIGHT: Knysna Plett Concert Series presents pianist Ching-Yun Hu this evening at the DR Church Hall in Fitchat Street at 7:30pm. Born in Taipei, Ching-Yun made her concerto debut aged 13 with the Poland Capella Cracoriensis Chamber Orchestra. She moved to the USA when she was 14 and continued her studies at the Juilliard School PreCollege Division, earning her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree from that school. Recent recital performances have been in the UK, USA, Brazil and Taiwan.

Tickets cost R120 (scholars R30) and doors open at 6:45pm - view www.classicsa.co.za for future concert details.

CXPRESS

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NEW BACKING FOR CULTURAL HUB: On Wednesday April 2, Oakhurst Insurance and George Arts Theatre announced their new partnership, which involves the renovation and rebranding of the theatre. The change marks a significant milestone in the theatre’s history, while at the same time positioning this local cultural hub for the future. Pictured here to celebrate the occasion are, from left, Oakhurst Insurance managing director Peter Grindlay, George Society of Arts chairperson Heather Stead, Oakhurst Insurance CEO Brad Hogan, and project manager Lindsay Hogan.

People, places & events

MEDAL-HEAVY: Students of Wes&el’s Martial Arts Academy recently participated at the SWD Sport Martial Arts Classic held in Mossel Bay, tackling everything from traditional karate kata and kumite, to sport martial arts points fighting, continuous fighting, tile breaking, high kicking, and grappling, doing sensei Elrie Bosman of the Plett Goju Ryu Karate-do School very proud. Two of the students, Aiden Trahms and Nadine Patterson, used this event as training for their upcoming ISKA World Sport Martial Arts Championships in Florida, USA, during July. If you would like to contribute towards the funds needed for them to travel to the States, contact Elrie on 071 103 8012 or at wesselsmartialarts@gmail. com for more info. Showing off the jewellery hard won in Mossel Bay are, from left, Nadine (Kata silver, Kumite silver, MMA Light silver, Breaking Tiles bronze, High Kicking gold, Extreme Kicking gold, Tag Team Fighting silver), Noah Chatz (Kumite gold, Tag Team Fighting bronze), Lozja Pisonic (Kumite silver), Aiden (Kumite gold, Kata gold) and Benjamin Roode (Kata silver, Kumite gold, Tag Team Fighting bronze).

UNIQUE KIND OF LOCAL SUPPORT: Two concerts in Plett this weekend warrant your attention and patronage. First up is the Lunchbox production of a mini extravaganza called ‘Unique!’ which is staged at the Piesang Valley Hall on Friday April 11 from 7-9pm.

Tickets are only R30 and can be obtained from The Old House Shop, at the door or via the Tshisa Talent Agency Facebook page. Part of the stellar cast will be Heinrich van Wyk, winner of the Song category in last year’s Tshisa Talent Finals and pictured above with, from left, judges Jayne Burden, Elvis Blue and Louisa Harker. Then, on Saturday April 12, catch the impressive duo of Dr Brad Liebl and Sylvia Schulman, at Plett Community Church in a show presented by Plett Music Academy. Tickets cost R100 per adult and R40 per scholar and are available from The Market Square info kiosk or from Adele on 082 697 1991. PS: Free master classes are being offered to vocalists and pianists on Sunday April 13 – call Adele to book your place.

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CXPRESS

Food & Wine

9 April - 2014

PeeBee’s Wine Column

Words & Photo: Peter Bishop

The Swartland Revolution - Part III And in the other corner, we have Stellenbosch ...

A

TTENDING a WOSA symposium in 2012, I was shocked by references to Stellenbosch as “old men” and to “unsuitable grapes”.

These deprecations came out in the asides, but just enough to irk, and to drop hints.

The Swartland Movement has well deserved its success and has broken through to the

responding consumer. It has identified not just the grapes (Rhone varieties) but also the style of winemaking down to the restrained use of oak.

The men who made Stellenbosch might now be older than 40, but their pioneering and initiatives were huge.

Four decades ago, a flurry of events emerged.

Spatz Sperling of Delheim, now aged 83 and out of action with Parkinson’s, teamed with Frans Malan and Neil Joubert to initiate the Stellenbosch Wine Route.

Other regions opened later.

It matches Table Mountain and Cape Point as mammoth tourist attraction.

Frans Malan was more rebellious to the industry leaders than any young Turk could ever be today.

He took the lead in planting the new varietal whites that were meant to replace Cape Riesling, Chenin Blanc and Clairette Blanche, and made it his dream to be the first producer to earn Superior rating for Gewurztraminer, Weisser Riesling, Bukettraube, Morio Muscat - even Colombard, if he could.

He went on to do so, too, in 1982… for Chardonnay that proved to be Auxerrois!

In 1969, the Government had earmarked Groot Constantia (purchased in 1961) as a museum and as a centre of research. This latter focus moved to Nietvoorbij in 1976 as part of a 75-year plan to determine what grapes on what rootstocks were most suitable in what regions.

They brought in cuttings of improved clones of the established reds either from France or from farms in the Cape that showed specific features, e.g. the fruity feature of Middelvlei Cabernet Sauvignon.

By 1980 the first releases of Merlot (one clone had been smuggled in by individuals) and Cabernet Franc were released. The Grenache and Grenache Blanc were to be planted in the Swartland. The sought-after varieties were Weisser Riesling, new clones of Sauvignon Blanc, Gewürztraminer, Bukettraube, and a variety of Muscats.

Frans Malan was very generous in donating a dozen or two of any of these new wines for Nietvoorbij’s 75year study that was to be culled by the new government in 1998. In no way was Chenin Blanc ignored, but experiments were made to see how wines like Chenin and Colombard would feature as dry or off-dry.

There was paltry demand for Huxelrebe, Erlihane or Fernao Pires, but Ruby Cabernet (from California) was planted in warm areas.

The Wine of Origin Legislation emphasised regions, and not terroir or site, as in 2014. It emphasised vintage, because in any sophisticated market, vintage differences were significant, and remains the primary vehicle whereby greatness can emerge.

The big producers, even Nederburg selected, did not print vintage dates. In fact, vintages were blended so that some guy going to a hotel in the middle of the Karoo would not detect ‘difference’ as he would have regarded that as a fault.

It emphasised cultivar (variety) as opposed to blends that had been the fashion.

Red blends were to continue firstly with Rustenberg Red and Alto Rouge (Cabernet Sauvignon and Cinsaut with occasional touches of Shiraz and Tinta Barocca).

Then it was on to the great success of the Cape Bordeaux Blends: Meerlust Rubicon, Overgaauw Tria Corda, Welgemeend and Delheim Grand Reserve, at the cusp of 1980.

They all used small new

French Oak barrels - the vanilla taste was catchy.

Cabernet Sauvignon blended successfully with Shiraz at Rust en Vrede, but a decade later the Pinotage Association was formed (1993) where 30-70% of the component had to be Pinotage.

The sad thing is that these blends all used the best Cabernet Sauvignon. The Shiraz-based often had a touch of Merlot, just as in the last decade many Cape Bordeaux sneak in some Shiraz to hoist the mid-palate.

The word Cape Blend that ought to have been Cabernet Sauvignon, with Cinsaut, Tinta Barocca, and Shiraz (the grapes that had been used to make ‘Cape’ Port in the 1950s and 1960s) was grabbed by the Pinotage blenders.

It was 1973 when Jan Boland Coetzee - who turned 69 in January but can certainly not be labelled as ‘old’ - produced the first Kanonkop Cabernet Sauvignon from grapes that he had planted at the estate.

He regards the 1976 as one of his greats of all time.

Jan, who identifies with the Swartland Movement in that his son-in-law is Adi Baden-

TWO GREATS FROM ’82: It was a very good year for Cabernet Sauvignon at Meerlust and Stellenryck

horst, and that he owns vines up the West Coast and in that he produces a Grenache, is still a champion of Cabernet Sauvignon, as he is a disciple of Pinot Noir, the grape that is becoming the flagholder of Hemel-en-Aarde.

Nevertheless, the responding consumer of those days rushed to the Stellenbosch Young Wine Show - until all categories of whites were won by Riebeek West wines.

How ominous, but it had producers culling that show from their diaries.

The Stellenbosch Food & Wine Show developed almost by default and is still going. In those days it was the case that wines were less expensive on the farm than in the store, but these days the stores have a horrible grip as they sell bottles and not wine. And yet the Stellenbosch farms are expected to stay on show.

Cabernet was King in the glory days of 1982-1989.

The 1982 is still supreme Alto, Meerlust, Stellenryck, Blaauwklippen, Rustenberg, Kanonkop, Bertrams, Vergenoegd and Delheim.

Sadly, modern consumers don’t know these still-great wines that appealed to the responding consumers of Cape Town - but more so to that bevy of opinion makers in Johannesburg: BJ Lankwarden, Peter Devereux, Vaughn Johnson and a young Michael Fridjhon.

The challenge to Stellenbosch is to recreate the Cabernet Sauvignon of 1982 and 1984 and be seen to be regarding Cabernet Sauvignon as King, and not just as a good blender.

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We all scream for ice cream!

In CXPRESS of March 26, the Social page featured news of an art competition challenging four teams of Knysna high school students to come up with the best table design for then soon to be opened Charlie’s Ice Cream Parlour. Teams from Oakhill, Knysna High, Knysna Secondary and Percy Mdala gathered on March 28 at Chaplin’s Bistro in Woodmill Lane to paint their designs.

Voting for the best table was facilitated by Facebook and the winner announced on April 5, which was also the official launch of Charlie’s. Knysna High’s Tenita Nell, Taisha Botha, Chanelle Johanneson and Aryel Woodcock took the honours and collected great prizes for their trouble. In the pic from left are Deon Hannes Engelbrecht, Taisha, Patty from Deckle Edge (that sponsored R1500 worth of art supplies along with Prime Art), Knysna High art teacher Ria du Plessis, Tenita, Jenny (co-owner of Charlie’s and Chaplin’s), and Channelle. - Photo: Danni Wallace - 082 403 9385

Home & Health

9 April 2014

CXPRESS

Wool & More crew knits away to keep Kurland kids cosy

Words & photo: Pauline Coubrough

A STITCH IN TIME: Moyra Marais, left, wife of the Rector of St Peter’s, Rev Dr Mark Marais, with Joy Sachs in her Wool & More shop in Plettenberg Bay

I

T seems that news these days is always bad news.

We hear and read of shootings, bombings, murder, corruption and all kinds of misdoings by the human species. This often leads us to wonder what had happened to the good of the hu-

man spirit on Planet Earth.

But amazingly, there is still an enormous amount of loving kindness going around - not only caring for other humans, but also caring for animals and the environment in general.

People, regardless of race

or creed, still reach out to the poor and to animals in need and, especially, to innocent little children.

Joy Sachs of Wool & More in Gibb Street, Plettenberg Bay, is one such a special human being.

She recently encouraged a

few of us to assist in knitting squares, with the aim of accumulating 1,200 of these and then sewing them together into blankets for the Come and Learn Crèche in Kurland Village.

Joy has now received the wanted quota of contributions but squares, knitted by local ladies and visitors from all over the word, are still streaming in.

Now she has the enormous task of seeing to it that these are stitched into blankets 25 squares make up a small blanket, i.e. readers can do the math...

You might wonder why we’re doing it. Surely it would be much easier to buy warm blankets at one of the local stores and provide the crèche with these machinemanufactured goods?

No, I’m afraid it could never be the same. Because each stitch is knitted with love, and all the squares are sewn together with so much affection, kindness and compassion that it would, if it could be standing on its own, keep at least one small child warm.

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How safe is your allergic child at school?

Sending your young child off to school can be a daunting experience, but when that child has allergies, your worries can be compounded

A

recent survey by Pharma Dynamics, a generic pharmaceutical company specialising in allergies that involved 800 learners aged 10-18 and teachers from private, government and Model C schools across the country, found that none of the students nor the teachers knew what to do in case of a severe allergic attack that would put a child’s life at risk.

According to international studies the incidence of anaphylaxis (a serious allergic reaction that is rapid in onset and may even cause death) is on the increase.

Figures are scant for South

Allergy facts and figures • About 30% of South Africans suffer from nasal allergies (15,894,000) and an estimated 6% of the population, or 3,178,800, suffer from true food allergies.

• Anaphylaxis symptoms include difficulty in breathing, swelling of the throat/tongue, rapid pulse, nausea and vomiting.

• The effectiveness of adrenaline can be diminished if there is a delay in administering it, if an insufficient dose is given, or if the medication has expired.

Africa, but a Western Capebased allergy clinic - which started a registry last September - already reported 90 cases in the region alone.

Pharma Dynamics spokesperson Mariska van Aswegen says more and more cases are being reported worldwide of children dying or suffering multiple heart attacks at school following a major allergic attack.

“Almost all of these cases are accidental. It’s as simple as a teacher offering a child a treat for good behaviour, without knowing about the child’s nut allergy or realising that the treat contains nuts or that it has been made in a factory where nuts are also handled.

“It isn’t only nuts you have to watch out for,” she remarks. “Children can have anaphylactic reactions to milk, eggs, soy, fish, wheat, certain insect stings and bites

and even some medication.

“Some are so sensitive that the mere residue left on a toy from someone having eaten the allergen can send them to hospital with a reaction.

“It is essential, when your child has a serious and lifethreatening condition like this, to have a plan in place way ahead of time.

“In most cases, if an anaphylactic attack occurs and is treated quickly with appropriate medication such as an adrenaline auto-injector (a medical device used to deliver a measured dose of adrenaline), the outcomes are good. But there are still too many cases that end up in tragedy,” says Van Aswegen.

To keep your child safe at school Van Aswegen offers the following advice: • Ensure your child’s school is fully aware of his or her allergies.

• Provide the school with

emergency contact information and clear procedures for handling medical issues.

• Explain the early warning signs of an allergic attack to your child’s teachers so they can be alert.

• Provide the school with multiple adrenaline auto-injectors to use in case of anaphylaxis and be sure to check the expiry date. Teachers should also be shown how to administer the medication regularly.

• Be sure that your child fully understands his or her allergies and knows what they can and cannot eat or be exposed to.

• Send special snacks and treats your child can eat so he or she doesn’t feel left out on special occasions.

• Also consider getting a medical bracelet for your child to wear to school.

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CXPRESS

Read CXPRESS online at www.cxpress.co.za

9 April 2014

Classifieds

On the Soapbox

9 April 2014

Letters to the Editor

Much graver issues than horses pertain to Keurbooms Estuary We appreciated the letter on the legality or not of horse riding on Keurbooms Beach [visit the Letters page of the March 26 edition at www. cxpress.co.za] and it puts into perspective some facts about Bitou Municipality.

We have these new council employees in town (and a new DA suite of political appointees), some of whom have not lived here for very long and yet are bullying their way around on issues that suit their friends and affiliates.

It is amazing that the horse riding issue, which has only arisen in the last few months and which Bitou is pushing hard, has taken so much of the council’s energy and time. And yet, they cannot find the time or interest to attend Estuary Management Forum meetings, attended by DEA&DP, CapeNature, Plett residents, the Environmental Forum, DAFF, Water Affairs, Eden District, and more.

Bitou Council is now over two years late regarding the adoption of by-laws for the estuary - one of the main environmental assets of Plettenberg Bay. As a result, the estuary continues to be abused on a number of fronts - abstraction, illegal baiting, illegal fishing, reckless behaviour, alien growth, illegal boating, sewerage pollution, etc.

But horse riding on beaches is important, so do we assume it’s by-laws for buddies that take priority?

It must be said that in the event of someone being badly injured, or worse, killed on the river, then it must surely be a consideration that, had the by-laws been in place and enforced, and this could have been avoided, then Bitou Council, by virtue of its negligence in this matter, must be held responsible.

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Do you care about the planet… really?!

A Knysna reader sent this photo, taken of the Eastern Head at 8:46pm on Saturday March 29, with the comment: ‘Nice to know that Knysna’s upmarket residents keep a check on their consumption habits!’ Earth Hour is observed annually throughout the world, when cities and towns around the globe switch off lights and appliances for awareness of global warming and other environmental issues. A Knysna Municipal press release on March 26, entitled ‘A symbolic hour of darkness to honour the earth’, called on all Knysna communities to switch off their lights and all electrical appliances from 8:30 to 9:30pm ‘as a symbolic gesture to show our commitment to taking positive actions for our planet’.

The municipality planned to show support for the cause by switching off electricity to several of the main municipal buildings and offices during Earth Hour, and municipal manager Lauren Waring encouraged all citizens of Knysna to ‘make the efforts beyond the hour by implementing ongoing practices to reduce our impact on the planet’. Visit South Africa’s Earth Hour website at www.wwf.org.za to find out how you can get involved in protecting the planet.

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CXPRESS

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

Bright is his favourite colour...

Plett reader Alastair Grant sent this pretty photo he had taken at Keurbooms Beach on Human Rights Day (March 21), and wrote: ‘I’ve no idea who they were – but the shirt colour is right!’

State of gravel road linking Plett with N2 will deter flyers The article in CXPRESS of March 26 concerning the airport road in Plettenberg Bay was educational [visit www.cxpress.co.za and read ‘Plett airport runway now up to scratch, but what about roadway?’ on page 4 of that edition].

However, while the plight of cyclists is very real, I would like to raise my concern about that whole stretch of road connecting Plett with

the N2 via the airport road.

It is a disgrace, to say the least, that it can even be classified as a road. Not only is it a huge safety risk for any motorist who is forced to use that stretch of dirt, but no vehicle can handle that level of abuse.

Requests to the local municipality to repair this excuse for a road have been falling on deaf ears.

People making use of the

flight to Plettenberg Bay Airport, and wanting to go towards the N2, would be better off flying to George and travelling from there to Plett or Knysna.

The time lost trying to navigate that corrugated potholed piece of gravel could easily be made up by rather using the N2 from George - it’s safer and much less stressful. So why fly to Plett to end one’s safe journey by being exposed to a trip on this road?

I am a frequent visitor to Plett and was very excited to hear about the direct flights, but considering the state of that road, would rather go via George to Harkerville.

One would think that the Western Cape, being an example of competent governing (so they say) would take note of the ongoing complaints by local motorists, who have no other choice than to use this road for daily travels.

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CXPRESS

Sport & Adventure

9 April 2014

Never before has Easter seen this much sporting action

CROSSING BOUNDARIES: Athletes from any sporting discipline can - and should! - take on the CrossFit team challenge scheduled for Central Beach during the Discovery Plett Easter Games

P

LETT Easter Games 2014 continues its evolution towards finding the balance of sports and entertainment that can really benefit the town of Plettenberg Bay. Once again the Pennypinchers Adventure Racing Team, Discovery and Nature Sport Company have partnered to bring you the ultimate Easter weekend, jam-packed with action ensuring there’s something for everyone.

The weekend is a multisport athlete’s dream, kicking off on April 18 with the Pennypinchers Cairnbrogie trail runs catering for the whole family.

The 17km run has unbelievable single track, views and a couple of climbs to challenge the Cape’s best

trail runners and with a total of R10,000 in prize money, event organisers are expecting a strong field.

For the social runners, there is the 12km race that includes the best parts of all the routes and, to keep the whole family focused, there is a 5km fun run and a 1.5km pram-friendly Spur Kids Adventure Trail.

The Penny’s Team will then reset markers and light fires and glow-tubes in preparation for one of the most funfilled events of the weekend: The Pennypinchers Nite MTB Relay.

Relay teams of two will have to complete as many of the 5km laps in the dark in two hours as possible. There

will be food and refreshments on sale and a great spectator vibe.

Friday also sees the Discovery Golf Challenge taking place at Plett Country Club as well as the first heats of

the inaugural CrossFit Plett Challenge heats, on Central Beach.

This is the first multi-discipline sporting challenge of its kind to be held in Plett and the event has been designed for both serious CrossFitters and those who have never tried it before. Any athlete from any sporting discipline will be able to participate in this epic team challenge.

All the action moves down to Central Beach for the remainder of the weekend and Saturday April 19 will see the continuation of the CrossFit Plett Challenge heats as well as a fun Tag Rugby tournament for both adults and children, and the ever-popular Beacon Isle Mile Surf Swim.

It is also occasion for the seventh Pennypinchers Easter Surfski Challenge - a race

drawing the best of Eastern and Western Cape paddlers together in a duel over 20km.

With the Surf Ski Doubles, CrossFit Plett Challenge and Tag Rugby finals rounding off the day, Central Beach will be the place to be.

Sunday April 20 sees the riding of the Discovery Mountain Bike Challenge with two routes (20km and 52km) accommodating different fitness levels, and a sandcastle-building competition, facilitated by Greenwood School, also happening at Central Beach.

So get active and have some fun this Easter in Plettenberg Bay. With amazing sponsors on board and fantastic prizes up for grabs, this year’s Plett Easter Games is going to be bigger and better than ever and organisers are looking forward to seeing you there.

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Family sailing is the Hobie way of life Words & photo: June Dodds

T

HE Boardwalk Hobie 16 Nationals took place in Port Elizabeth from March 20-23, with no sailing on the first day, due to strong winds.

Current Hobie 16 Masters world champs and Plett locals William and Lucinda Edwards dominated the first

SO YOU WIN AGAIN... From left are Blaine & Roxanne Dodds, and Phillippa, Douglas, Lucinda & William Edwards during their victorious stint at the Hobie 16 Nationals in PE

few races of the second day, with good friends and arch rivals Blaine and Roxanne Dodds (Hobie 16 Master runners up), close behind.

Day three greeted the competitors with shifty conditions and choppy seas. Four races were sailed in winds from 8-20 knots with the last race of the day completed as the wind increased to over 25 knots.

Blaine and Roxanne managed to draw level with William and Lucinda on 12 points each, for first position.

Competing, too were the Edwards’ son and daughter team Douglas and Phillippa (who also sailed in the Hobie 16 World Champs in Australia) - a real family occasion. Brother and sis managed to keep up with their parents and the Dodds team, even overtaking them on various legs of the races.

Douglas and Phillippa were consistently in the top ten positions, making sure that they put pressure on

Mom and Dad. On the last day, Blaine and Roxanne Dodds sailed a faultless race, pipping Team Edwards to the post. This means that Blaine has now managed to win the Hobie 14 and Hobie 16 Nationals in the same year - an awesome accomplishment!

The next big event for the Edwards and Dodds is the Hobie Tiger Nationals in Langebaan at the end of this month.

Hkpcn"rqukvkqpu 1. Father and daughter Blaine & Roxanne Dodds (has won this 16 times) 2. Husband and wife William & Lucinda Edwards 3. Mother and son Belinda & Ryan Hayward 4. Father and daughter Robert & Alexa Archibald 5. Siblings Douglas & Phillippa Edwards RU<" Cnn" vjg" vqr" vgcou" uckn" ykvj"hcokn{"ogodgtu0"Vjku"ku" vtwg"vq"vjg"Jqdkg"yc{"qh"nkhg." k0g0"kpxqnxkpi"{qwt"nqxgf"qpgu" kp"vjg"urqtv"{qw"nqxg0