Cx361

27 March 2013 #361

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

Welcome back...

... to this historic flyer, and to all our Easter visitors here’s wishing you happy holidays (See story on p2)

FREE

Blow for S-Cape business p3

Dylan for (future) president p7

Plett property news p10 & 11

Fun activities for all p18-20 Photo: Neal Stephenson

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CXPRESS

ISSUE 361

News & Views

March 27 - 2013

Classic visitor graces Plett airfield once more On March 18, a few lucky locals witnessed the return of a classic aircraft to Plett’s airfield – the Dakota used to be a regular visitor to town in the good old Air Cape days, and the blast from the past’s recent visit loosened memories of three longtime residents who didn’t care to be named, but copied CXPRESS on the below

LOOK WHAT LANDED IN PLETT! Neal Stephenson took the photo above of the Dakota upon its recent Plett visit, with his kids Kelly, 6, and Liam, 3, getting a close-up look of the beautifully restored plane; at left, the Air Cape Dak in Plett circa 1975 - Photo submitted by Derek Frielinghaus

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recall when my boet had a back operation in Port Elizabeth while at Grey boarding school. I jumped on the Dak here in Plett and landed in PE. I asked them what the take-off time was and how long I could stretch it, for they agreed I could walk straight through.

I then grabbed a taxi for the hospital which waited outside for me with the meter off (the driver said he wished his boet

A flying springbok?

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IRCRAFT enthusiast John Larter informed us that the Dakota visiting Plett belonged to Springbok Flying Safaris, which is based at Rand Airport in Joburg.

“Flippie Vermeulen pilots the plane – which is totally original and in an absolute pristine condition. They last landed in Plett, say, five years ago with a batch of American tourists.

“The company flies customers all over Africa, and because the Dak flies low and slow, it’s a phenomenal way to see the continent from the air,” says John.

Captain Flippie Vermeulen is a famous former SAA pilot and, apart from Springbok Flying Safaris, also owns Dakota Lodge Hotel. (Visit www. springbokclassicair.co.za for more information).

After arriving in Plett on March 18, the craft and its privileged passengers took off again around 9am on Tuesday morning, when many a local would have witnessed its low, slow fly-by over Robberg Beach.

would do something like that for him, so he would turn the meter off while waiting).

I came back, jumped in the taxi, rushed through airport check-in and straight onto the plane. The stewardess said she had told the pilot to wait five minutes if I arrived late, but that turned out to be unnecessary.

--Let’s face it, they were amazing machines - I recall how, one year, Tony and I had been flown down to Plett, courtesy of my old man who was at the Beacon Isle with wife number two or three (can’t remember).

We were waiting at the airport in order to fly home in bad, grey, windy weather, when

the only airport building was a corrugated iron shed, complete with crackling radio and large old-fashioned scale.

We heard the pilot, who radioed in asking for wind direction.

I’ll never forget the chap walking out of the hut, wetting his finger and pointing it up in the air! Whether this was for show or real I’ll never know.

Quite a few times we’d hear the Dak rumbling quite close by, then with engines revving again, he’d fly off because visibility was too bad. It was a mad scramble to PE! --There’s a lot to be said for the ‘good old days’. In the 70s I used to fly fairly regularly in the

Dak. I even asked Hennie (who ran Air Cape in Plett) to explain to the army why I was late, because the Dak was grounded due to bad weather. So I had three days less in the army.

I loved the way, when taking off, the first engine would start with a whining, then a belch of black smoke as the pistons caught and the prop started spinning.

On landing, the pilot (most times it was Father Christmas as he had a large white beard) would turn off one motor and we would waddle in like that...

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News & Views

March 27 - 2013

CXPRESS

ISSUE 361

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S-Cape suffers as McCain prepares to freeze food operations John Harvey

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HE closure of frozen-food giant McCain’s operations in George means that about 650 Southern Cape farm labourers and factory workers will have to seek alternative employment

by October this year.

As many as 45 local vegetable producers have contracts with McCain Foods and will be severely impacted as a result of the closure, according to farmers’ union Agri Western Cape.

The factory has received about 15’000 tons of raw product for the year up to June 30.

Economists have labelled the move as “devastating” for the region - not only because the SCape is losing an international brand, but because the 500 farm labourers are largely unskilled

and will not be able to be employed in other sectors.

The Food and Allied Workers Union (Fawu) also condemned the company’s action, saying it did not believe McCain had exhausted every possible option to protect workers and their families.

McCain managing director Louis Wolthers announced that the company would be centralising operations at its Springs factory, because the availability of cheaper products from China and Western Europe had put massive pressure on its Southern Cape branch.

McCain claimed that both vegetable processing plants in Springs and George operated below capacity.

Proteas benefit from fire

Leon Meyer took these day and night photos of a blaze on the western side of Keurbooms River from Monday to Friday last week. Those who worried that the fire burnt for too long without being extinguished can rest assured, as this was a controlled ecological burn and at no time posed a threat to residents or livestock. Henk Nieuwoudt of CapeNature in Plett explained that the vegetation in the area razed last week was already 16 years old, and due for a control-burn as the indicator species Protea neriifolia had become moribund, with no seed production taking place. ‘This species produces its first flowers aged four, with maximum production at 12 years old. The flowers are counted annually to ascertain the general state of the area’s fynbos and inform our decision on the best timing for these necessary ecological burns,’ he said.

“Various measures have been taken to reduce overhead costs, including the downsizing of the George plant in 2005, which regrettably failed to achieve the desired results,” Wolthers said.

“An investigation into the commercial viability of the George plant was implemented earlier this year, which indicated that the majority of crops processed in George could also be procured in the northern provinces and processed in Springs at competitive costs.”

He said consultative talks were still underway, but it was envisaged that the George factory – which processes sweet corn, broccoli and carrots – would be closed by October, following processing of the carrot crop.

“This will regrettably result in all existing permanent positions (41) and all seasonal positions (100) becoming redundant.

“Various alternatives have been investigated, including working short time, temporary lay-offs and ceasing the employment of temporary workers, but all have been rejected as they will not materially assist in reducing costs and capacity utilisation.”

Agri Western Cape spokesperson Portia Adams said given the difficulties already facing the region’s farming sector, the McCain closure would have a “massive” impact.

“The losses farmers will incur will be great. McCain was central to the economy of that region in respect of creating jobs,

and in the short and long term there will be negative effects on the agricultural sector.”

Fawu spokesperson Dominique Swart slammed McCain for not looking at all possible op-

tions to save the factory.

“This is a massive blow to the workers, and we can’t even imagine how many families will be affected. McCain has said import of produce has influ-

enced its decision. In that case we call on the government to intervene in terms of controlling these imports because jobs are being lost.”

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ISSUE 361

News & Views

March 27 - 2013

Public assistance required in rape cases T

HE alarming prevalence of gender-based violence has put South Africa in the spotlight once more, with global outcries following Anene Booysen’s horrific rape and murder, and the killing of model Reeva Steenkamp, ostensibly at the hand of her celebrity athlete boyfriend, Oscar Pistorius.

Avaaz.org is a global campaign network, now counting 20-million members globally, which aims to ensure that people’s views and values shape global decision-making (‘avaaz’ means ‘voice’ in many languages).

The site recently reported these chilling stats: in 2010, 56’000+ rapes were recorded at an average of 154 a day - and these are just the few women that report attacks to police.

With the conviction rate for perpetrators so low and the emotional toll so high, most survivors stay silent.

The Medical Research Council estimates that up to 3’600 rapes happen daily in this nation of close to 52-million people. Our culture of abuse means that for many, rape is not seen as a crime but rather a normal daily occurrence.

SA has the Sexual Offences Act, a national action plan, and various government departments focused on stopping assaults, but these struggle to have an impact in the face of a rampant culture of sexual violence and impunity that runs through communities, law enforcement, and the institutions supposed to protect women.

The Southern Cape is no different, and these three rape cases were recently reported by the

SAY NO TO ABUSE: Knysna DA members staged a protest in Memorial Square on Human Rights Day (March 21) to create awareness about gender-based violence – a sentiment well received by the many passers-by - Photo: Luna Swart

George SAPS Family violence, Child protection and Sexual offences (FCS) unit: • In the early hours of Monday March 11, a 24-year-old female accepted a ride with an unknown man in a grey vehicle. En route to KwaNokuthula, he stopped the car and allegedly raped her in an outside toilet. The victim claims that another unidentified male then approached the toilet and also raped her. Anyone with information must call W/ Officer KC Botha on 044 803 4618.

• Around midnight on Monday March 18, an 18-year-old

March 21 was Horse’s Rights Day in Karatara NSRI Wilderness coxswain GARTH DOMINY shares this rescue tale with a difference

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N Thursday March 21 around 6pm, the NSRI Wilderness duty crew received a report of a horse trapped on an island in the Hoogekraal River near Karatara.

The horse had collapsed from exhaustion and during attempts to rescue it from drowning, its owners and a veterinary surgeon became marooned on the small island about 1km upstream from the low-water bridge, with steep cliffs on either side.

The horse, called Firefly, had been missing for two days when owner Don Hartig found it in the river earlier that Thursday, battling to keep its head above water. It is suspected that she had wandered upriver and then tried to swim to safety but had ended up in deep water with

steep cliffs on either side and struggled to stay afloat.

Don had paddled to Firefly using a borrowed canoe and had tried desperately throughout the day to coax the animal to either swim downriver to safety or to climb onto the island.

This done, Don had ferried Dr Rolf Lambrecht of Knysna Vet Clinic to the island, where he sedated Firefly so she could regain some strength. Don’s wife, Carien, also paddled to the island to try and assist.

With fading light, they had become quite desperate so concerned friends called NSRI Wilderness, who towed the crafts Ugtgpfkrkv{ and Fkg" Uyctv" Vq/ dkg with full-scale swift water rescue and night kit to the lowwater bridge.

Here a meeting was held with the Hartigs’ friends and neighbours to determine the best course of action.

By coincidence, NSRI Wilderness volunteer Dr Torsten Henschell is a retired vet while fellow crew member Jacques de Bruyn served in the South African Defence Force Equestrian Unit, so these two were sent on an initial recce.

SANParks ranger and manager of Wilderness National Park Jonathan Britten, who knows the area very well, also joined the rescue mission.

On arrival at the overgrown island, the Hartigs and Lamprecht were in good spirits but exhausted. The 10-year-old mare, perched precariously close to the river, remained

collapsed but appeared to be regaining some strength.

A decision was made to ferry Carien and the vet, who had to attend to another emergency, to the low-water bridge, where Carien and the remaining NSRI crew put together a provisions pack in order for the Hartigs to stay on the island overnight.

Risk and safety factors were carefully assessed, the major concern being the possibility of Firefly getting up in the night, in a confined space, surrounded by deep water and with two people in close proximity.

Fortunately, just then Firefly managed to get up, unassisted.

She remained calm as Don gently spoke to her while holding the reins. This made the decision easier for them to rather

female on foot was approached by three unidentified men. They took the victim to a tent near the KwaNokuthula taxi rank, where one of the men allegedly raped her. Anyone with information must contact W/Officer Thembela Melane on 044 803 4618.

• On Saturday January 12 between 3am and 4am, a 16-yearold girl asked a man in a green or black BMW to take her home.

The victim fell asleep and when she woke up, the vehicle was parked next to a sports field in Pacaltsdorp. She realised that she had been raped while sleeping and fled to Beach Road, where she received assistance from a member of the public.

Anyone with information must call sergeant Emmerencia Prins on 044 803 4618.

stay the night.

Carien’s provisions included blankets for the cold night ahead, for themselves and the horse. Hay was packed and the NSRI crew added a torch and additional emergency space blankets. Friends and neighbours added flasks of hot coffee and rusks.

The final trip by rescue boat Ugtgpfkrkv{ left Carien and Don with Firefly, who was now munching away happily and calmly at her hay. Their charged cellphone had the NSRI emergency number on speed dial.

The sea rescue crew returned to base at 10pm.

The next morning, a shallow sand bar was spotted next to the island and Firefly was walked out. A path was then cut through undergrowth to walk her up to the pass and to safety.

By 2:15pm on March 22, Don and Carien reported that Firefly was grazing safely at home.

News & Views

March 27 - 2013

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Six-year Lagoon Bay saga concludes in appeals court John Harvey

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EVELOPERS of the R5billion Lagoon Bay lifestyle estate outside George have won their appeal, to have Western Cape Local Govern-

ment, Environmental Affairs & Development MEC Anton Bredell’s decision to prevent the development, overturned.

The ruling by the Supreme Court of Appeal on April 15 found that Bredell acted “un-

lawfully” and did not have the necessary authority to take this decision, as an application for rezoning lay with George Municipality and not the provincial government.

The appeal application was

George school gains media centre Words & photo: Bob Hopkin

REJOYCING: Deputy minister Mabudafhasi congratulates a pupil of Hibernia Primary after unveiling the plaque, with one of the many dignitaries present on the day in the background

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HANKS to the efforts of three of its pupils, Hibernia Primary School in George was awarded with a fully equipped media centre with 21 computers, an interactive board, and a cash prize of R6’000.

The official opening of the centre took place last week at a multi-themed event attended by the deputy minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, sponsors MTN, and a number of local dignitaries.

The competition entered by

pupils was one of many facets of Water Affairs’ 2020 Vision programme, intended to educate learners and their families to the importance of water conservation, hygiene and economy of use.

In this case the three - Gaillin Muller, Zinay Fry and KellyAnn de Koker - submitted a poem to the Baswa Le Meetse (BLM) section of the programme, which won them the award in 2011.

BLM sets out to include edu-

cation through drama, poetry, poster art and music.

Cellphone service suppliers MTN provided funding for the award and general manager of their charitable foundation Kusile Mtunzi reminded the meeting of the importance of water supply. “We are fighting wars over access to oil at the moment but the next war will be over availability of water,” she said.

Mtunzi added that MTN intended to continue its policy of supporting education projects, which had seen R120-million donated over the last five years.

The day’s keynote speaker, deputy minister Rejoice Mabudafhasi, emphasised the importance of various forms of education, as research had shown that young learners often passed learning on to their parents and other members of their family.

“Learners are the best educators and they are able to change the mind-set of their families and the entire community,” she said, adding that this was one of 1’000 schools included in the programme of which 40 had received media centres.

At the close of the event, Mabudafhasi unveiled a plaque commemorating the event beside the entrance to the media centre.

brought by the developers in early 2011.

The ruling ends the saga that has been ongoing since 2007, when Lagoon Bay’s application was approved by then Local Government MEC Tasneem Essop. This was followed by the same approval by her replacement, Pierre Uys, in 2009.

However, Bredell put a stop to the development in April 2011 after objections had been lodged by a small group of local residents and environmental lobbyists the Cape Windlass Environmental Action Group.

In the same year judge Bennie Griesel found that Bredell was

authorised to reject the development, but allowed leave to appeal.

Developer Dr Werner Roux had argued that the development had been through a thorough statutory process over the best part of a decade and had been met with approval for each decisive step along the way from all the authorities concerned.

The development on the farm Hoogekraal 238 envisages a gated community spanning some 65ha. It includes two golf courses, residential housing, a hotel, wellness centre and spa, and a private nature reserve.

Given that the land for the proposed development was zoned agriculture and forestry, Lagoon Bay had to secure approval for the project in four different phases: an amendment of the George and Environs Urban Structure Plan, an environmental impact assessment, rezoning and subdivision of the farm, and approval of building plans.

Roux said the developers were “relieved” by the judgment. “I cannot confirm yet what our plans will be from here, but hopefully this judgment is the end of our battle and we can move on,” he said.

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News & Views

March 27 - 2013

World Poetry Day celebrated in style by Bitou libraries Words & photos: Timothy Twidle

BLESS THEM! Leigh Dunn leads pupils of the Elsen class of Formosa Primary in singing the national anthem, Nkosi sikilel’e iAfrika, at the start of World Poetry Day celebrations in Bitou on March 19

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ORLD Poetry Day, which annually falls on March 21, was celebrated by Bitou’s libraries on March 19 at the Central Library in New Horizons with a programme of song, dance, theatre and, of course, poetry.

The event was organised by library staff under the leadership of Sfundo Seti and Bitou deputy mayor Adam van Rhyner, whose extrovert personality lent much to the afternoon of celebration, acted as MC. To kick off the festivities, award-winning teacher Leigh Dunn led pupils of Formosa Primary’s Elsen (Education for Learners with Special Educational Needs) class in singing the national anthem.

Stuart Palmer, Mncedisi Ncedani, and Siyabonga Zabo of Lunchbox Theatre staged Vjg" Ncuv"Ftqr - a sketch about water conservation - and a group of young people of Kranshoek’s Griqua community performed the Riel Dance, adding greatly to the day’s fun and laughter.

Most of the three-hour pro-

page 13) whose favourite poet is WH Auden. She accepted this title with grace and delight in front of the 200-strong crowd of learners, parents and poetry lovers in attendance.

MONA LISA SMILE: Naldine Hoffman was part of the Griqua group who danced a Riel to mark the occasion

gramme involved the recital of poetry by learners of educational establishments in Bitou.

The award for best delivery of a poem was shared between Thabisa Ngqentsu and Amanda Khamkham, and the prize for the best reading of a poem went to Thea Mbangi.

Bitou’s Poet of the Year was South Cape College student Yonela Saule (see the photo on

Knysna Library scores R5-million revamp

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HE Knysna Main Library is temporarily moving to Woodmill Walk Centre in Long Street while R5-million worth of extensions and upgrades to the existing building begin.

Closed from March 11-16 to accommodate the move, the facility re-opened for business in its temporary premises on the 18th.

Said municipal manager Lauren Waring: “We are very excited that extensions to this vital resource are finally getting underway - 15 schools are served by the library, and our children’s section in particular will benefit tremendously from the 460m² additions to the existing building.”

The extensions are funded by R4.4-million from the national Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG), with the remainder paid for by Knysna Municipality.

The Main Library will operate from Woodmill Walk (the old Edgars building) for an estimated 10 months until work on the Main Street building has been completed.

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused during this period of relocation and upgrades, and appeal to residents and regular library users to bear with us during this time.

“The end result will be a beautifully refurbished and extended building that will serve our community and its children for many years to come,” said Waring. The library’s telephone numbers remain the same (044 302 6544 / 6390 / 6308).

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March 27 - 2013

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Plett teen to represent SA at global conference of future leaders

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EVENTEEN-year-old Plettenberg Bay native Dylan Reddering - currently a matriculant at St Andrews College in Grahamstown - is one of only 20 South African youngsters chosen to represent his country at the 112th Global Young Leaders Conference in Washington DC in June.

Dylan will be one of a select few highly-motivated and accomplished students from more than 100 countries taking part in this unique ten-day symposium.

Offering candidates the opportunity to study while exploring significant power and cultural centres, the international conference develops their potential by providing new perspectives and a solid foundation for glob-

al leadership in the future.

In Washington and New York, Dylan will visit international embassies, take part in a Global Summit simulation at the United Nations headquarters, evaluate world trade and economics, and study the art of conflict resolution.

The standard of the conference is such that by successfully completing his assignments, Dylan could gain two credits for George Mason University in Washington – and these are transferable to most international universities, providing him with an excellent springboard for future studies.

Educator Bauke Snyman of St Andrew’s College, who first identified Dylan’s potential, describes the congenial teen-

ager as “a unique learner, with a brain both analytical and philosophical”.

“Dylan is highly creative and always looks at things objectively - and is not easily fazed by problems. He truly thinks out of the box,” says the proud teacher.

Dad Marty and mom Tania Reddering, both long-time Bay locals, are extremely proud of Dyl’s nomiwnation, saying they have always realised his brilliant potential and are thrilled that he has been offered this once in a lifetime opportunity.

But this break does not come gratis and Dylan now faces the challenge of raising R50’000 to cover all the costs involved. As the school does not offer scholarship, the innovative youngster, his family and friends are planning various fundraisers.

More details will appear in the local press but for now, diarise

NOT FAZED: Dylan Reddering cut his teeth schooling at Plett Primary and riding waves in all the bay’s best surf spots, and now this St Andrews matriculant - a talented musician to boot - has been chosen to represent SA’s young leaders in the States - Photos: Marty Reddering

Friday April 19 at Plett’s White House Theatre and book your ticket to experience a superb slide show set to music.

This visual feast will be followed by the cool tunes of

well-known local DJ Jazztrain.

Tickets at R150 per person are now on sale at The Old House Shop, or avoid disappointment by booking with Carol on 044 533 5655.

Any donations will also be gratefully received: Dylan Reddering, First National Bank Plett (branch code 250655), acc no 62209135541 - please use your NAME as reference.

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March 27 - 2013

Oakies take action to remedy Knysna’s rivers JANE HORN of Oakhill School in Knysna filed this eco-friendly report

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AKHILL has recently attained its Platinum EcoSchools status, which means that we have earned our flag for six consecutive years. The River Action Project is our next mission - an over-arching venture carried out in collaboration with Stepping Stones School, Sue Swain of Naturally Knysna, and other local partners.

This project entails the monitoring of rivers bordering our campus: Bricklebos River flows through Pledge Park, while the Monkey Hole River flows

down the west side of the Oakhill grounds. Both pass Stepping Stones on their way to the estuary.

We started with a mapping process, during which Grade 7 and 10 students took GPS readings of the rivers, which will be transferred onto topographical maps. Testing sites have been identified and the water will be professionally tested to detect pollution.

Graeme Barnhoorn of Sassenheim Estate shared an excellent treatment of pollution in rivers

JOYS OF MUD: Oakhill prep and Stepping Stones kids have a ball playing with clay, and that for a great environmental cause

that entails the use of Effective Micro-organisms (EM) when, on March 8, he and a co-worker demonstrated how to make mud balls using EM liquid, pine bark and Oakhill clay.

Prep children along with Stepping Stones staff and kids had great fun sourcing the clay and making the balls.

After ‘growing over the next 10 days, and once we had identified the polluted areas, the

balls were placed in the rivers during our Eco Day Experience on March 19.

The next step will be to re-test the water quality after a period of time to see if our interventions have worked. Finally, we will assess and address sources of pollution.

We are particularly excited about this project - especially since 2013 is the International Year of Water Co-operation.

Specials galore at botanical garden’s autumn sale

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ARDEN Route Botanical Gardens will be holding its annual autumn plant sale on April 5 & 6 - gates open at 8am on both days, and close at 4pm on the Friday and 2pm on the Saturday.

A wide range of indigenous trees and plants will be on sale from a number of nurseries, including succulents, aloes and herbs. Tree of the Year for 2013 is the Keurboom (Xktiknkc" qtqdqkfgu), so why not choose one of these beauties to brighten up you garden?

You can also buy botanical

books and there will be many specials on offer, while the tea garden team will ensure that visitors in need of refreshments are well catered for. Bank card facilities are available on site if you run out of cash.

The gardens are situated at 49 Caledon Street in George.

Entrance and parking is free, and the sale takes place under the trees on the events lawn near the gazebo (enter through the main gates and park on the lawn). Email Kristen at scherb @pixie.co.za or phone 044 874 1558 for further information.

News & Views

March 27 - 2013

ADVERTORIAL

SA expansion in the pipeline for commercial vehicle leaders

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AW International, China’s oldest and largest automotive manufacturer, can trace its roots back to 1953 when the first assembly plant was built.

Originally started as First Automobile Works, state intervention necessitated the restructuring of its business model and the China FAW Group Co Ltd was established in 2011.

Over the past five decades the FAW Group has evolved into one of the world’s largest producers of motor vehicles comprising of passenger cars and commercial vehicles.

The company has rapidly expanded globally, and presently vehicles are being exported to some 140 countries around the world, which is supported by modern production facilities in Pakistan, South Africa, Tanzania, Ukraine and Vietnam.

Over the years, the FAW Group has successfully formed alliances with a number of international automotive manufacturers. In 1991, the FAW Volkswagen Automobile Company was established and, during March 2002, FAW and Mazda Corporation signed a technical cooperative agreement for the production of the Mazda 6 sedan.

Then, in August 2002, the FAW Group and Toyota signed an agreement to establish a strategic and long-term cooperative relationship.

The FAW Group’s headquarters are in China’s north eastern city of Changchun, in Jilin Province.

Vehicles produced in Changchun include Jeifang light, medium and heavy trucks, Hongpoi luxury sedans, Besturn performance luxury sedans, VW Bora, cady MPV, Golf, Jetta, Magotan and Sagitar, as well as Audi A4 and A6L, Mazda 6 Sports sedan and sports wagon, and Toyota’s Land Cruiser 100 and Prius sedan.

The FAW Group’s total assets are currently valued at over $26.1-billion and the company employs in excess of 133’000 staff globally.

In 2011, FAW China ranked 165th on the Global Fortune 500 listing, with revenue of approximately $57-billion and profits in excess of $2.1-billion.

HCY"Uqwvj"Chtkec"*Rv{+"Nvf Over the past 19 years of being active in SA with manufacturing, assembly, retail sales, and parts and service, FAW SA has established itself as a force in the local commercial vehicle industry, and plans significant expansion and growth in the years to come.

400’000m² of land and is expected to manufacture 5’000 trucks and 30’000 passenger cars annually.

Initially the truck assembly facility will create 500 jobs, with a further 500 jobs foreseen when the passenger assembly plant is commissioned.

It is envisaged that the plant will be completed by end 2013, and that the first vehicles will roll off the new plant’s assembly line in the first quarter of next year.

FACE OF FAW: Well-known local Kenny Opperman is the sales representative for FAW on the Garden Route between Jeffrey’s and Mossel Bay

Within its 12’000m² factory in Spartan, Gauteng, trucks are assembled to specification in a 5’000m² site facility with spray booth and assembly section.

Also located on these premises is a parts warehouse of 1’800m², which supplies parts to the three Regional Service Centres in Gauteng, Durban and Cape Town. This warehouse also supplies parts to the rest of the dealer body, as well as directly to customers.

The Service Centre includes a fully equipped repair centre with innovative equipment and highly-trained technicians, able to competently service and repair all FAW trucks.

The FAW SA-owned facilities in Durban and Cape Town also boast high-tech Service Centres with all the necessary tooling, equipment and highly-trained technicians.

These locations each has its own dedicated warehouse that carries significant volumes of parts to supply to the Service Centre, and to dealers and customers within its region.

Following the decision to invest and build a state of the art manufacturing plant in the Eastern Cape area of Coega, the company is gearing up for this massive step forward.

The total investment of approximately R600-million is one of the most important and significant investments by a Chinese entity into SA, and has been financed by FAW China and the China - Africa Development Fund (CAD-Fund).

R200-million will finance construction of the plant, while the balance of funds will provide the working capital to staff, market and operate the factory, which will be on par with similar plants around the world.

The plant will be built on

Fgcngt"pgvyqtm" In order to be successful in the automotive industry, FAW SA understands how critically important it is to have a reliable and highly representative dealer network across the countries in which it competes.

Presently, FAW SA has a network comprising 18 dealers franchised for sales and after-sales across the region. Of these, FAW SA has representation in the important markets of Gauteng, Cape Town and Durban with company-owned dealerships.

Over and above this representation, there are additional after-sales agents appointed in 15 strategic points across the territory, providing service support to customers when needed.

Field service is also provided by trained staff in fully-equipped mobile field service vehicles.

In order to provide customers with peace of mind motoring across South Africa and Africa, FAW SA is in the process of expanding its dealer network representation footprint and is appointing suitably qualified dealers accordingly.

Simultaneously, a concerted effort is being made towards image enhancement as well as the implementation of valueadding standards and processes, with an intense focus on professionalism through technical, product knowledge and softskill training for dealer staff and FAW SA employees.

FAW SA is committed to offering vehicles engineered, developed and rigorously tested to meet the harsh operating conditions in Africa.

Along with this commitment comes the desired intention to continue expansion into the emerging markets of Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Zambia, Namibia and Angola, making FAW SA a major distribution hub for cars, trucks and parts for Africa.

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CXPRESS

ISSUE 361

Skills development deadline looms

T

HE annual skills reporting period ends on March 31, which means that there is still a brief window to evaluate last year’s Workforce Skills Plan (WSP) and to ensure that your

planned training has been implemented.

The deadline for submitting your Mandatory Grant Application is June 30. This includes your Annual Training Report,

Business

March 27 - 2013 which pertains to training performed during the 2012/13 period, as well as an indication of the people you plan to train in your WSP between April 1 and March 31 next year.

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Seeff Plett takes regional sweepstakes D

URING a gala function held recently at Fancourt Estate in George for all Seeff agents in the Eastern Cape and Garden Route, Plettenberg Bay once again won the majority of awards on offer.

These included the following: ß" Uqnkvcktg" Cejkgxgtu" qh" vjg" [gct - Alet Ollemans, Daniel van Renen and Paul Lewry ß" Rctvpgtujkr" Cejkgxgtu" qh"

vjg" [gct - Monty and Connie Peet ß" Cigpv" qh" vjg" [gct" *Tcpf" Xcnwg+" - Alet Ollemans, who also came third nationally ß"Cigpv"qh"vjg"[gct"*Wpkvu+ Daniel van Renen ß" Cigpvu" qh" vjg" [gct<" Rctv/ pgtujkr" *Wpkvu+ - Monty and Connie Peet ß"Vqr"Dtcpej"Cigpv - Daniel van Renen

ß"QQDC"Cyctf - Paul Lewry ß"Oquv"Uqng"Ocpfcvgu - Daniel van Renen ß"Vqr"Vgp"Cyctf - Dirk Green ß" Cfokpkuvtcvqt" Cyctf Chantelle Kretschmann Seeff Plett management congratulates all these agents for a sterling job of work during 2012. See the adverts on the front page and page 4 for further information.

TOP TEAM: All the award-winning agents are pictured here with Seeff Property Services chairman Samuel Seeff, fifth from left, and the Plettenberg Bay branch licensees Kevin & Linda Engelsman, at far left and third from left

Investor Focus

Malcolm Stewart – Portfolio Manager at Sanlam Private Investments Knysna

Notes on your Needs Analysis - Part III

H

AVING established your personal profile and then understanding the mechanics of your retirement or investment products, it is now important to ensure that you understand your current asset allocation.

It is possible to classify investment assets into various categories, with each category having a different risk profile while offering different returns and a variety of income streams.

Fixed interest assets offer an income stream that fluctuates with the term of the investment.

Money markets offer the shortest term - i.e. daily call is the norm - and currently the lowest income stream.

The capital is not on risk, unless funds are left for long periods during which they will be

devastated by inflation.

Then one gets the special or enhanced income funds. These generally hold a mixture of income-generating assets, e.g. property trusts, or long bonds issued either by the government or by big corporates.

Here the risk is marginally higher, but then so is the income generated. Bonds are at the top end of the risk scale in this fixed interest category. They are more volatile than equities but currently long term (10 years+) government bonds offer a yield of ±7.5%.

Capital may be at risk in this category for, as interest rates rise, the value of these long bonds declines.

Property trusts offer a consistent income stream that tends to

grow over time. Their capital values do fluctuate but not as much as equities or long bonds.

Yields vary with the quality of the underlying properties.

Big blue-chip property trusts, for example, yield ±6% while the small, lesser-known funds can offer as much as 9%.

Preference shares also offer a relatively consistent income stream. These are dividends and attract the new dividend tax of 15% while their rates vary with the fluctuations in prime. These instruments yield from 6-8% depending on the perceived quality of the issuer.

Equities, either in the form of a direct portfolio or in an equity-based unit trust, offer protection against the long-term risk of inflation. Their yield is low relative to most fixed interest investments, yielding from 2-6% depending on the market assessment of the company.

Offshore investments now play a far greater role in our retirement funding. Again, they should be classified using the above asset categories.

Only once you have separated your investments according to these categories will you fully appreciate the allocation of your current assets.

Your asset allocation is in fact the most important input into your retired investments.

It must apply across all of your products, i.e. your living annuity, retirement annuities, bank deposits, and any unit trusts you may hold.

Because of all the new and necessary regulations emanating from the FSB, many advisors would rather err on the side of conservatism. They are scared of being considered reckless and thus being sued for inappropriate investment advice.

Their fear often results in reduced exposure to inflationbeating investments - an error that will be severely felt later in your retirement.

This methodology will paint a picture that clearly illustrates your asset allocation, and will indicate the necessary actions to be taken.

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Business

March 27 - 2013

A UFO... in Plett?!

I

F you notice a small black unidentified flying object hovering overhead in local skies, chances are it’s the new quad-copter taking aerial imagery of properties controlled

by Steve Neufeld of Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty Plettenberg Bay. Hein Pretorius, owner and principal of the agency, said: “With ever-increasing levels of service required from estate agencies for sole mandates on premium properties, we decided to add aerial photography to our offerings - which already include slideshows, virtual and video tours.”

Neufeld added: “When I started in real estate, people joked about wanting ‘sky hooks’ for their cameras so that they could get the perfect photo. Fancy booms were created not long thereafter, but these were not exactly quick or easy to use.

“Technology has leapt forward since then. The QU4D is a remote-controlled helicopter with four rotors and the camera mounted underneath is the perfect tool to show your property to best effect. You get to see the building, the location, and the view all in one shot.”

Steve explained that remotecontrolled aircraft technology

developed rapidly. “Our selfstabilising QU4D can hover independently, fly as far as you can see, and return home in an emergency - for instance, when it goes out of sight.

“These days you can preprogramme flight paths so the drone flies and lands independently, or there’s the option to wear goggles allowing you to see what the camera on the drone sees, so that you can fly beyond eyesight range.”

Exciting possibilities thus exist for search and rescue operations when adding infra-red cameras and waterproof housings, enabling the drone to fly

Bright new premises for Bay Décor INVITATION TO BROWSE: You can’t miss the modern new showroom in Plett’s Piesang Valley Road – in the pic, owner Janet Pretorius, left, chats to manager Lynette Windvogel

B

AY Décor is a well-established furniture emporium that provides decorators and clients alike with professional advice and service, custom-built luxury furnishings, and accessories for the entire house - all under one roof.

Established in 1994, Bay Décor is situated in the heart of the Garden Route. Says Janet Pretorius: “Plett has all the natural essences of green forests, sun-bleached sands, blue seas and pastel skies. These factors influence us, and are reflected in displays in our modern and relaxed new showroom.”

Decorators and clients are invited to browse around at leisure, absorbing the large range of fabrics, curtaining and furniture in stock.

Owners Rob and Janet are sensitive to their clients’ needs and have, nearly a decade down the line, developed their talent for personal attention and professional advice to a fine art.

They also pride themselves in keeping abreast of the latest global trends, products and styles. So don’t miss out on the opportunity to please your senses with a visit to Bay Décor’s exciting new showroom on Piesang Valley Road.

Other novelties include the recently-acquired Terrace Living collection of outdoor furniture, and Janet reminds that they serve as local agents for Secu-

rashutter, “the ultimate in security shutters and blind designs”.

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CXPRESS a grid pattern at night in the rain, but Steve remarked that this technology was yet in its infancy and very expensive.

“Give it a few years and this will change. For now, it’s great fun to fly our QU4D - and very rewarding to see the results in

great aerial photographs.

“Many properties just cannot be photographed properly from the ground. Vacant land, for example, does not generally look great from the ground unless it has a spectacular view. But as soon as you get the camera in

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the air it’s a different story. You get to see the position of the site with the beautiful bay in the background.”

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ISSUE 361

SIBLING RIVALRY: Brothers Christopher, left, and Shaun O’Neill competed against each other in the second round of So You Think You Can Cook on a Cadac, in progress every Thursday evening at LM in Plett. In the 75 minutes allocated to contestants, Shaun prepared a starter of mussels and calamari in white wine and cream sauce, followed by an open steak sandwich and dessert of poached pears with stracciatella ice-cream. Christopher served up an opener of stuffed chicken thighs on asparagus with hollandaise sauce, followed

by Mozambique beer mussels and prawn stir-fry, and a dessert of deconstructed apple pie garnished with Amarula ice-cream. A panel of three judges declared Shaun to be the winner. - Timothy Twidle

Social Scene

March 27 - 2013

CHEF VS CHEF: At the third round of So You Think You Can Cook on a Cadac on March 14, Jason Ferreira, at right, went head to head with Chris Bosman, right, of La Cafeteria on Central Beach.

Chris prepared marinated and grilled prawns on a bed of Asian stir-fry noodles with mango and red onion salsa, pictured at right below. Jason - who locals will recognise as the friendly face of The Fish Monger at The Market in Main Street - cooked lamb with anchovies, grilled carrots and potato rostis, right. After intense deliberation by the judges, Jason’s effort landed him the night’s winning title.

Enjoying the evening’s culinary action were AnneMarie and Ad Vennix of The Netherlands, above, and Mandy and Torquil McNicol, below.

People, places & events Photos: Timothy Twidle

HARVEST FUN: Gloria Strack van Schyndel of Plettenvale Wines sent these pics taken during February’s pressing, and wrote: ‘We have just harvested the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes for our MCC and still wines - a great harvest with over 11 tons so far! The wines are produced here on the estate in our newly completed winery and cellar. We also vinified Sauvignon Blanc grapes from nearby Kraaiboskloof, and had huge fun in the process.’ The pic above shows Suzanne du Toit and advocate AnnaMarie de Vos, right, of Kraaiboskloof, with consultant winemaker Anton Smal, top left, and Mart Strack van Schyndel making merry while making wine - visit www.plettenvalewines.co.za for more information.

FIGHT THEM ON THE BEACHES: Central Beach was awash with blue and white on Sunday March 17, as local Nippers competed in Plett Surf Lifesaving’s club champs. Recorders and catchers worked along to select the town’s best performers, the kids pulling out all the stops in spite of freezing water temperatures. A food stall sold burgers, hot dogs, pancakes and other treats and proceeds of these sales will contribute towards the club’s participation at the Nippers nationals in Durban next month. We wish our young lifesavers the very best of luck – watch this space for news and results. In the pic, some junior Nippers show they’re ready to take on the rest of South Africa.

Photo: Glenn Murray Photography

Social Scene

March 27 - 2013

PUTTING FOR HOSPICE: The annual Simola Hospice Golf Tournament on March 15 was a roaring success yet again. Held for the eighth consecutive year at Simola Golf & Country Club, the event was hosted as always by John Bland, ably assisted by his wife Sonja, and raised an amazing amount of R93’500 for Knysna Hospice. The Blands’ contribution of sourcing prizes and encouraging players is pivotal to the success of the event, as is the support of main sponsors TaylorMade and Beyerskloof Wines. In the pic, Hospice representative Rob McGregor, centre, receives the fat cheque from John and Sonja, who shows off the tournament’s beautiful floating trophy. - Photo: Elle Photography

People, places & events PLETT LOCALS’ MERRY MARCH: Reinier Lombard of Skydive Plett and Annecke Young of Face Adrenalin, left, tied the knot on March 16, with The Grand serving as perfect venue for their wedding reception. At right, Pennypinchers Plett staffers Robyn Gannon and Ian Zondagh look chuffed as anything after getting married at St Peters Anglican Church. The March 2 ceremony was followed by a lush love party at Goose Valley golf estate – congratulations!

SPRING IN HIS STEP: Frederick Steyn was the lucky winner of ‘Spring Scene’ after participating in the Rotary Anns of Plettenberg Bay’s recent painting raffle. The pretty artwork

by Antonia Velissariou was donated by Mike Hardaker and ticket sales will benefit Kranshoek Kleuterskool, which is one of Anns member Gill Brown’s projects. Anns president Joy Robin thanks the community for participating, saying that the R10 tickets sold like hot cakes and enabled them to collect R2’000 for the local pre-primary school.

BITOU’S BEST: Yonela Saule holds the books she had won for being adjudged Bitou Poet of the Year during the celebration of World Poetry Day in New Horizons on March 19.

Read the full story on page 6.

Photo: Timothy Twidle

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NEW BROOMS AT B’S: Fransie and Gert van Zyl are the new owners of Plett’s iconic appliance store Barrowclough’s at The Market Square.

They will strive to continue the service excellence and friendly advice dished out by the Barrowclough’s team. Lots of new product ranges include the Scanpan brand as seen on the Australian ‘Master Chef’ series, and much more. We welcome the Van Zyls to Plett and wish them the very best in this new business venture – see the advert on page 17 for contact details.

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Let’s see your pets through YOUR eyes!

Competition

March 27 - 2013

Theme no. 8: THE LITTLE ONES... and the winners are: Start shooting NOW for the next theme - see the bottom of this page

DOG CATEGORY

Vivien Harpur from George

Over R20 000 worth of prizes to be won!

Sponsored by:

Lance Rothschild from Plett

This theme-based competition is open to all Garden Route residents. Your photographic abilities should not be a stumbling block - we will be looking at your ability to portray the personality of the animal you capture.

Follow the Challenge in CXPRESS and on the CXPRESS Garden Route Newspaper Facebook Page.

HOW THE CHALLENGE WORKS • The CXPRESS PICTURE YOUR PET CHALLENGE is a theme-based competition with the focus on domesticated animals. There are 10 themes and four categories (dogs, cats, birds, and other domesticated species), and a prize per theme for the winner in each category is announced in every alternate edition of CXPRESS. A grand prize winner in each category will be selected from the 10 theme winners at the end of the Challenge.

• A theme (see below) is announced at the onset of each Challenge. The judges select any of these themes at random at the start of each new Challenge, and readers then have two weeks to capture and submit photos that they consider best depict the theme.

• Winning entries with the judges’ observations are published in CXPRESS and on the CXPRESS Garden Route Newspaper Facebook Page.

THE PRIZES • Dog Category: Theme winners - A Rogz voucher and 3kg Propac veterinary food and toys valued at R400. Grand prize - An Axiss Dog-powered Scooter valued at R3 999.

• Cat Category: Theme winners - Hagen Catit Senses toy, cat accessories, and Nutrience veterinary super premium food valued at R350. Grand prize - Cat bed, scratching post, food & treats valued at R650.

• Bird Category: Theme winners - Daro pet supplies voucher and Petline voucher to the combined value of R400. Grand prize - Daro bird cage suited to bird size up to the value of R1 000.

• Other Domesticated Species: Theme winners - A R250 Pet Pool Warehouse voucher. Grand prize - A R500 Pet Pool Warehouse voucher.

• Each winner will also receive an A3 full colour print of their winning photo, courtesy of Kodak Express.

HOW TO ENTER • Submit no more than two entries per theme to editor@cxpress.co.za or post directly on the CXPRESS Garden Route Newspaper Facebook Page – a new EVENT will be created for each theme (please enter your photos on the wall of the EVENT and not on the page wall) - or deliver entries on CD at the CXPRESS office at 6 Park Lane, Plettenberg Bay. • Entries must be in Jpeg (.jpg) format and no larger than 400KB. • Provide your name, location, and contact details.

THE RULES • Only Garden Route residents may enter • All photos must be taken by the person whose name is submitted with the entries • Entries will only be accepted in electronic format • Entries that have no relation to the theme whatsoever will not be considered • No late entries will be accepted • For layout purposes, CXPRESS reserves the right to crop photos published in the paper • The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

THE THEMES (which the judges select at random) • Animal smiles • The little ones • Owner/pet look-alike • In relax mode • Feeding time • All eyes • Cuddles with the family • At play • A moment to remember • Funny pics with captions

CAT CATEGORY

Kittens must be one of God’s finest creations, and this little one is no exception. We love the colour scheme and the warmth this entry portrays - one can practically feel that soft, furry body! Congrats, Vivien.

Only the young and innocent sleep with such carefree abandon. Says Lance: “This is our gorgeous Golden Retriever, Buttercup, when she was little. She was a really sweet pup and is so happy living in Plett, particularly with our regular beach walks and all the friends she meets on these walks.” Be sure to thank daddy for your prizes, Buttercup!

OTHER CATEGORY

DOG CATEGORY

Adri Hurter from Plett

Because there are no entries in the Bird Category for this theme, we decided this little creature deserves the Daro and Petline vouchers as a special treat. Way past cute, the puppy also seems gutsy enough to engage in a staring contest with its master. Guess who won?

“The look describes it all,” says Adri. Well captured!

Rozelle Zamudio from Plett

As far as little ones go, this miniature horse takes the cake as a rather unusual pet. Seems it knows that the odd little cuddle is to be found indoors, where there’s no competition from other farm animals!

Nice one, Rozelle.

Visit the Events tab on the CXPRESS GARDEN ROUTE NEWSPAPER Facebook Page to view more entries.

ENTER NOW!

THEME NO. 9: ANIMAL SMILES DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES: 18 APRIL 2013 WINNER ANNOUNCED: 24 APRIL 2013

Examples

Interval

March 27 - 2013

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Read CXPRESS online @ www.cxpress.co.za

The Amish elevator

A

15-year-old Amish boy and his father were in a mall.

They were amazed by almost everything they saw, but especially by two shiny, silver walls that could move apart and then slide back together again.

The boy asked: “What is this, Father?”

The father (never having seen an elevator) responded: “Son, I have never seen anything like this in my life, I don’t know.”

While the boy and his father were watching with amazement, a plump old lady in a wheelchair rolled up towards the moving walls and pressed a button.

The walls opened, and the lady rolled right past them and into a small room. The walls then closed and the boy and his father watched as the small numbers above the walls lit up sequentially.

A gentle chuckle

D

OROTHY and Edna, two senior widows, are talking.

Dorothy: “That nice George Johnson asked me out for a date. I know you went out with him last week, and I wanted to talk with you about him before I give him my answer.”

Edna: “Well, I’ll tell you.

He shows up at my apartment punctually at 7pm, dressed like such a gentleman in a fine suit, and he brings me such beautiful flowers! Then he takes me downstairs. And what’s there?

A limousine, uniformed chauffeur and all.

“Then he takes me out for din-

ner - a marvelous dinner with lobster and champagne, dessert and after-dinner drinks.

“Then we go see a show. Let me tell you Dorothy, I enjoyed it so much I could have just died from the pleasure!

“So then we are coming back to my apartment and he turns into an ANIMAL. Completely crazy, he tears off my expensive new dress and has his way with me three times!”

Dorothy: “Goodness gracious! So you are telling me I shouldn’t go?”

Edna: “No, no, no... I’m just saying, wear an old dress.”

They continued to watch until it reached the last number and then the numbers began to light in the reverse order.

Finally, the walls opened up again and a gorgeous young lady stepped out.

The father, not taking his eyes off the young woman, said quietly to the boy: “Son, go get your mother.”

Skelmpie ‘N Man keer vroeër as verwag terug van ‘n sakereis.

Dit is na middernag en oppad vra die man die huurmotorbestuurder om ‘n getuie te wees. Hy vermoed sy vrou het ‘n verhouding met ‘n ander man en hy wil haar op heterdaad betrap.

Vir R200 stem die bestuurder in. Hulle arriveer stilletjies by die huis en saam sluip hulle die slaapkamer binne. Die man skakel die lig aan, ruk die duvet af en daar is sy vrou in die bed met ‘n ander man.

Die man rig ‘n pistool op die naakte man.

Die vrou skree: “Moenie skiet nie! Ek het gelieg toe ek jou vertel het dat ek baie geld geërf het. Dis hy wat betaal het vir die nuwe kar wat ek jou gegee het, die motorboot, jou Loftus seisoenkaartjie, die huis by die see, ons laaste vakansie - en hy betaal selfs ons maandelikse uitgawes.”

Die man skud sy kop, laat sak die pistool, kyk na die bestuurder en vra: “Wat sou jy doen?”

Die bestuurder antwoord: “Ek sal hom vinnig toegooi met daai duvet voordat hy verkoue kry!”

Now that I’m older, I’ve discovered…

• I started out with nothing, and I still have most of it.

• My wild oats are mostly enjoyed with prunes and allbran.

• I finally got my head together, and now my body is falling apart.

• Funny, I don’t remember being absent-minded.

• Funny, I don’t remember being absent-minded.

• If all is not lost, then where the heck is it?

• It was a whole lot easier to get older, than to get wiser.

• Some days you’re the top dog; some days you’re the fire hydrant.

• I wish the buck really did stop here; I sure could use a few of them.

• Kids in the back seat cause accidents.

• Accidents in the back seat cause kids.

• It’s hard to make a comeback when you haven’t been anywhere.

• The world only beats a path to your door when you’re in the bathroom.

• If God wanted me to touch my toes, he’d have put them on my knees.

• When I’m finally holding all the right cards, everyone wants to play chess.

• It’s not hard to meet expenses… they’re everywhere.

• These days, I spend a lot of time thinking about the hereafter… I go somewhere to get something, and then wonder what I’m ‘here after’.

• Funny, I don’t remember being absent-minded.

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ISSUE 361

Food & Wine

March 27 - 2013

PeeBee’s Wine Column

Words & Photo: Peter Bishop

On tasting a set of old Delheim wines I

was invited to present a tasting at the home of Dr John and Barbara Fassler in Stellenbosch, without being told what the wine, or the theme, was all about. Word was that I needed no preparation, as I “knew all the wines”. (I always prepare, or prefer to, no matter what I present.)

I went with Victor Sperling, who also didn’t know the theme - only to discover that Yvonne McDonald had taken a bevy of old Delheim red wines from her deceased husband’s cellar to see how they handled time.

Well, if I knew anything about wines it would be older Cape, and especially older Delheim, wines. Everything depends on the temperature of storing, at least to be constant and to be dark. The other factor is the cork being able to provide a proper grip. A leaky cork foretells sad stories.

A Philip Costandius 1990 Merlot was volatile but the 1992 Delheim Signe (made by Philip) Guild Auction Merlot had dignity.

Philip (1987-1998) favoured Merlot, often using it as a blend to provide accessibility. This came out in the 1996 Merlot, while the 2001 showed more fresh fruitiness. Victor said the current Merlot sells at under R100, but that it’s financial suicide to do that in Stellenbosch.

A high point was the Vera

SON OF SPATZ: Unbeknown to PeeBee, Victor Sperling – son of Delheim’s legendary founder – turned out to be the perfect companion for a Stellenbosch tasting

Cruz 1992 Shiraz with resounding structure, ripe prunes, spices and gripping tannins, whereas the 1982 Shiraz from old bush vines showed the greatness of that vintage.

Recently I have been enjoying some Pinotage and Shiraz of Delheim from the era 19942000 and have been so impressed. It was a surprise then that the 1982 Grand Reserve failed, but that could have been due to the temperature of storing.

Victor brought along his last bottle of 1981 Grand Reserve,

the maiden release. This wine commanded attention, so Bordeaux it is in character - truly a unique experience with lovely finishing acids and tannins...

But there be no more!

Memories of how great Cabernet Sauvignon were in those earlier decades came teeming back as we compared the Rustenberg 1984 (of Etienne le Riche) to the Delheim Cabernet Sauvignon 1984.

The oak was still dominating but the fruit of that vintage (1982 and 1984 were both stupendous) was being held together by these wood tannins. It was in fine condition with time still lying ahead.

Although not its main grape of concentration, a Delheim Pinotage has been produced since 1975. As said earlier, the triumphs are the older ones from the 1990s through to 2001. A Pinotage is at its best between 15 and 25 years old.

The Vera Cruz range comes from the top product of Vera Cruz, adjacent to Warwick and opposite Kanonkop - the Mulderbosch Bowl - regarded as the best soil area in the Cape.

The range was meant to present ‘the top’.

In 1998, a Noble Late Harvest, a Pinotage and a Shiraz bore that label, but since then it is only Syrah. These wines, from low-yielding 40 to 50-year-old bush vines, show what structure

is. The Vera Cruz Syrah and the Grand Reserve are the icons of Delheim. Age adds enchantment but know that these Syrah are big wines.

What interests me is the excellence of the 1983 vintage for white wines, especially Blanc Fumé (wooded Chenin Blanc).

Sadly Gewurztraminer and Weisser Riesling do not take to aging if the temperature is not 14 degrees or under.

Delheim has welcomed a new young winemaker Reg H, who before worked for Neil Ellis.

Reg has explored the traditional styles coming from the farm, and has set out to engineer change to bring Delheim to the forefront.

It is not nice for Stellenbosch wineries to hear the clamour from the Swartland that “Stellenbosch is too old hat”, as was said to me. But if the cap fits, ‘where’s it?’

My own opinion is that there are always changes and changes and changes, but sometimes one needs to go back to the past specifically to see what got lost along the way.

And that is why tasting older wines remains interesting.

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Savoury and sweet treats await at this unique boutique

T

HE Biltong Boutique officially opened its doors in Plett on March 2, its shop-front facing the sunny courtyard in Mellville’s Corner centre.

Owner Wilhelm Els believes that the provision of quality biltong to the public, especially after the recent negative publicity received by this popular delicacy, is of paramount importance.

“Our customers deserve to be served with top quality biltong and dry wors from only the best suppliers in South Africa and Namibia,” he says.

Biltong Boutique’s comprehensive range include Namibian beef and game biltong and dry wors; Klein Karoo International ostrich biltong, dry wors and patés; and the well-known Boesmanland biltong, dry wors, biltong sticks and powder.

Also look out for dry wors and various kinds of biltong - including bacon and game - from Greeff’s in Knysna.

And for the vegetarian with a savoury tooth, there’s mushroom biltong to die for.

STEP RIGHT IN: Wilhelm Els, right, believes we all deserve the best biltong available to mankind – the picture above shows some of his store’s delectable offerings

Apart from the above, the store stocks products like dates and raisons from Vredendal, Worcester’s most exclusive Green & Gold olive oil, Ouhuis Rooibostee (honey, ginger and plain) from Clanwilliam, and canned fruit and jams (e.g. green fig) from Laingsburg.

You will also find rusks from the popular local Mary Lin’s brand alongside Mellissa’s toffees, while services in the pipeline include biltong gift baskets or bouquets, snack boxes for functions, biltong stalls at events and more.

Adds Wilhelm: “A very high premium is placed on hygiene in the store, and this standard will be maintained at all cost.”

The friendly Biltong Boutique team looks forward to welcoming and serving known and new customers at this exciting store.

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Home & Health

March 27 - 2013

CXPRESS

ISSUE 361

17

Don’t let the Easter Bunny bring you heartburn

R

ESEARCH shows that at least 2.5-million South Africans experience heartburn daily. Over Easter, they may reach for their chests in discomfort more often than usual and the culprit, says a local pharmaceutical company, is chocolate.

“Few people are aware that chocolate is one of the top

causes of heartburn and that over-indulgence in Easter eggs can lead to painful bouts,” says Mariska Fouché of Pharma Dynamics.

Despite its name, heartburn has got nothing to do with your heart. “It’s a digestive rather than cardiac ailment that results when the lower oesophageal

sphincter (LOS), a tight muscle at the bottom of your oesophagus that acts like a valve, gets irritated or relaxed.

“The muscle prevents food from your stomach travelling back up your oesophagus by contracting. But sometimes it relaxes too soon and food mixed with strong stomach acids

This multi-talented artisan creates way beyond the beach theme

B

CUSTOM ART: Tinker Milner and his Beachyfide team love their work, be it built-in kitchens and cupboards, or free-standing pieces to suit every client’s unique taste

EACHYFIDE Custom Made Furniture - the name immediately conjures up images of casual, beach-style furniture. “But this is one misconception we would like to correct,” says the brains behind Beachyfide, Tinker Milner.

“When Beachyfide opened about 15 years ago, this was vjg style and everyone clambered to decorate their houses along the white-washed, beach furniture theme. But over the years, décor and interior styles have changed - and so has Beachyfide,” he says.

“Yes, we do still create casual beach furniture, but we now also cater for a vast array of other interior styles.”

Tinks and his family have been living in Plettenberg Bay for the past 33 years. His artistic and creative talents have taken him from professional signwriter to international fishinglure manufacturer and exporter and, finally, to a career as vastly diverse as creative furniture

manufacturer.

A brief chat reveals that Tinks loves nothing more than designing furniture to custom-fit each new client according to their individual and different tastes - from casual beachy furniture to intricately detailed French Provence-inspired pieces.

This multi-talented artisan is skilled in everything from built-in kitchens and cupboards to free-standing pieces to suit every room in the house.

So it’s no surprise that his workmanship has been featured on TV’s Vqr"Dknnkpi (Pezula Estate) and in Jqwug"cpf"Ngkuwtg magazine (Nature’s Valley), while his work at a Solar Beach house adorned the front page of Rtqrgtv{"Lwpevkqp.

Tinks has a hardworking and dedicated team who love what they do - which is evidenced by the good quality and workmanship of their products.

Together they create, construct, install and deliver furniture manufactured to the high-

squirt back up. That is why we refer to heartburn as acid reflux.

“Chocolate contains concentrations of theobromine, which occurs naturally in cocoa and slackens the LOS. It also contains serotonin - the ‘feel-good’ chemical that some say accounts for why we enjoy chocolate so much,” says Fouché.

A few immediate measures will help quell the pain. Stand up, as gravity helps keep the acid in your stomach. Then drink a glass of water to wash the acid and food back down your oesophagus.

“Antacids typically neutralise the pH-levels in the stomach, offering fast relief. But you run the risk of suffering again once the stomach acids return to previous levels, so this is not a long-term solution.

“Chronic sufferers should try eating supper two to three hours before going to bed so that acid levels have subsided by the time you lie down. Stick to smaller but more frequent meals to minimise the production of stomach acid.

“Try sleeping on your left side

est standards, their services also including beautiful paint techniques and finishes.

“Everything is done on site in our factory, and I personally oversee every process of production,” says Tinks.

The factory showroom in Hutchinson Street, Plett Industria, is open daily from Monday to Friday so if you are planning to build or renovate, it’s certainly worth a visit - and Tinks will be on hand to discuss your needs and visions.

Beachyfide also boasts a furniture showroom at Nolans in Piesang Valley Road, where an assortment of freestanding pieces can be viewed, or visit www.beachyfide.com to get an idea of what can be done.

Tinks has the last word: “All our furniture is custom-made so whatever colour, style, size or finish you would like we can do it!”

Ugg"vjg"cfxgtv"qp"vjku"rcig"hqt" cffkvkqpcn"kphqtocvkqp"cpf" eqpvcev"fgvcknu0

so that your stomach acids pool away from your LOS and raise the head of your bed by 10-

15cm, or sleep slightly propped up so that gravity helps keep acids in the stomach.”

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ISSUE 361

Big band legend returns to reveal Miller’s mystery B Gigi Lewis

ROADCASTING maestro Henry Holloway - winner of the Big Band Academy of America’s prestigious Golden Bandstand Award - has been true to his promise to return to the ‘hood!

Unable to address U3A Knysna members previously due to illness, he will indulge an eagerly-awaiting audience with a talk entitled ‘Glenn Miller: the Music and the Mystery’ - that will also include anecdotes of his colourful career - at Brenton Community Hall tomorrow (March 28).

Henry’s impact on the Ameri-

Holiday Activities

March 27 - 2013

can and South African music scene over the last 30 years, has earned him tributes from home and abroad. He has been lauded by dignitaries such as former president and Nobel Peace laureate FW de Klerk, who described his award as “a singular honour - not only for you, but for South Africa”.

Archbishop and fellow Nobel Peace laureate Desmond Tutu wrote: “I am thrilled that your large contribution to music has been recognised by the Big Band Academy of America.

You truly deserve the accolade.

God bless you.”

SWING IT: Henry Holloway

Henry became the first-ever non-American to receive the award and, to this day, remains one of just two non-Americans worldwide to be honoured thus.

His website www.henryhollo way.co.za tells the full story.

Entertainment Diary Dtqp|gu"cpf"Tqugu"cv" Dqum{"Fgnn Please remember to get your tickets for the exclusive Bronzes and Roses cocktail party to be held at the Bosky Dell rose garden on Saturday March 30 at 5:30pm from Lady Conyngham at aconyngham@telkomsa.net or on 044 533 5178.

Tickets cost R250 and allow entry in the raffle for the valuable Mctqq"Rtkpkc sculpture donated by Robert Leggat.

Entry for the public open days from Sunday March 31 to Tuesday April 2 (10am to 5pm) costs R30, and don’t miss the Easter egg hunt on Sunday the 31st at 4pm. All proceeds go to Plett Hospice.

Hkno"hwp"vq"dgpghkv" Rngvv‚u"cpkocnu Plett Animal Welfare Services has been given the premier slot on Friday April 5 to screen the widely acclaimed film Swctvgv" at the Market Square movie

house. The cast includes Maggie Smith, who also produced the film, at her very best.

Cheese and wine will be served at 7pm and the movie commences at 8pm. Tickets cost R100 and the proceeds will help PAWS with the basic health care of Bitou’s animals.

Call Michelle on 072 346 5103 to reserve your seat.

Tqugu"icnqtg Knysna Rose Society hosts its seventh annual Autumn Rose Show and Photo Challenge on April 12 & 13 at Knysna Mall.

Anyone who loves roses or grows roses is urged to come along and take part. Registration is on Friday the 12th from 7-10am, but early registration can be accommodated on Thursday the 11th from 6-7pm.

There will be a variety of classes to choose from, for all ages, from Novice and Junior Exhibitor to Retirement Homes, Guest Houses and Restaurants,

and even a prize for best Rose Bloom in a Bowl.

New to the show is a trophy donated to the Society by captain Eddy Kraus of the Potomac Rose Society in America. The American Rose Society visited Knysna last year and decided to sponsor a trophy for the HiLow Challenge Class 16.

There are lots of prizes to be won, and judging will be done by well-known rose judge Alta Nell who is coming all the way from Cape Town, and KRS president Stefanie Seydack.

As usual there will be a roserelated photographic section for all keen photographers and the Knysna Arts and Crafts Society will display their work.

Ludwig Tachner of Ludwig’s Roses is once again donating spectacular rose blooms of differing varieties to the show.

The full show schedule is available at www.knysnarose. co.za or contact Stefanie on 087 774 1138 for more information.

Holiday Activities

March 27 - 2013

SEDGEFIELD’S SLOW FESTIVAL: MARCH 29 - 31

What is a festival without a party?

A LL great festivals end with a party, and this year the Slow Festival in Sedgefield joins the ranks with an open-air live music concert in the park, featuring Wild Lettuce, Leroy Botha, Skye-Hye, Keezee, Jian Smith, and other top Garden Route talents.

“Bring your whole family, your dancing shoes, picnic blankets and baskets filled with scrumptious treats to enjoy

some great music as the sun sets over Sedgefield,” says organiser Jade Thomas.

The Sedgefield Lions Club is this year’s concert hosts and funds raised will be donated to Busy Bugz Nursery School and various Lions charity projects. The concert takes place at the club house on the Sedgefield Village Green on Sunday March 31 at 4pm.

Tickets can be bought at Busy

Bugz Nursery School or email liveurprosperity@yahoo.com with your ticket request.

Food and drinks will be available at the concert for those who don’t feel like preparing a picnic. Tickets cost R50 for adults, while children pay R35, and under-threes enter free.

See the full program at www. slowfestival.co.za or email Amanda Dixon at info@slowfestival.co.za for more information.

CALLING ALL DOGS: As part of the Slow Festival, man’s best friends will have their day during the Dog Walk (1.3km or 2.6km) and Show on Friday the 29th at the open area in front of Sedgemeer Park – registration takes place from 8:15 to 8:45 at the Simply Pets gazebo and the walk kicks off at 9am, with many a canine display and four-footed fun to follow after the walk

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Entertainment

March 27 - 2013

Young writers win big at Knysna Literary Festival

M

ORE than 160 entries in three languages were received from budding word-

smiths in Knysna, Sedgefield and Karatara for the Young Writers Competition that form-

ed part of the recently concluded Knysna Literary Festival.

This was well up on the 27 entries received last year and this time round Knysna Montessori took top honours, with Percy Mdala, Oakhill and Karatara schools also winning awards.

Guest speaker Shaka Sisulu, author of Dgeqokpi, urged young writers to follow their inner stories. “The story wants to be told,” he said. “Start with the story of your name, give life to your characters, and take the reader along with the story.

“That’s the power of writing.

And, remember, a story is real even if it isn’t true.”

Under the title Ngv"{qwt"Koci/ kpcvkqp" Vcmg" Hnkijv, the Young Writers’ Competition challenged junior learners aged six to 12 years to submit poems, and senior learners from 13 to matric to

FUTURE BARDS: Winners of the Young Writers Competition are pictured here with, from left at back, MC Gert Venter, Knysna Literary Festival founder Ling Dobson, and guest speaker Shaka Sisulu - Photo: Elle Redman

write a short story in English, Afrikaans or isiXhosa.

Knysna Montessori students Jasmin Knopp and Heather Me-

telerkamp took first and second prize respectively in the English short story category, with fellow student Messina Chant

winning with her Afrikaans short story entry.

First and second prize in isiXhosa went to Andisiwe Makwecana and Sbusiso Molosi, both of Percy Mdala, for their short story entries.

Oakhill’s Florence Watson won for best English poem, with Zinedine de Nil of Knysna Montessori in second place.

Laerskool Karatara produced the winning Afrikaans poet Rozelle Westraadt and runner up Geroline Botha.

Winners received wonderful prizes, including floating trophies, certificates, books, mp3 players and mini-computers.

The event was officiated by Knysna mayor Georlene Wolmarans and festival founder Ling Dobson, with Conrad Pezula GM Gert Venter as master of ceremonies.

Tshisa Talent’s open-mic sessions draw to a close

S

INCE September last year, Lunchbox Theatre through its Tshisa talent search has provided an open stage for Bitou artists to express their creativity. During 18 open-mic sessions and six showcases in Bitou’s diverse communities, 300+ artists grabbed the opportunity to share their talents on stage.

Says Lunchbox director Stuart Palmer: “During February and March, our final showcases were held in every community - to full houses in each case with the invited guest artists from our Tshisa Talent 2012 finals performing alongside selected open-mic artists.

“It has been an amazing jour-

ney and we thank all the artists who graced our stages, Go2 Plett and ShowMe Plett, Charmaine of Yjcv‚u"Pgy, Anja for the launch photos, and Trevor for the transportation.”

Stuart also thanked his team members - Ricky, Siya, Nko, Zaza and Nadia - for their tireless efforts and passion, and all the work put into this project.

“And last but not least, we are grateful to the audience members who came to support us.”

Tshisa Talent is enabled by funding from the National Arts Council and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport.

Other than live performances, this support also allows

FINAL BOW... FOR NOW: This dance troupe enjoys the ovations from a full house at Kranshoek community hall Photo: Sharyn Hodges – ShowMe/Plett

for training and development workshops, all of which culminate in the annual Tshisa Talent

final showcase.

Call Stuart on 083 423 0083 for more information.

On the Soapbox

March 27 - 2013

Letters to the Editor

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

Plett Airport - a flight of fancy It is seven long years since I first approached Bitou Municipality about Plett Airport.

“Don’t worry about a thing,” was the typical response, “we’re busy with it; top priority; just waiting for provincial approval; agreements signed; should have the first flights operative by the end of the year,” they assured me. Yeah, right - that was 2006!

CXPRESS

So, with the lack of an airport, and to illustrate the present tourist position, I bastardise the heart-breaking Vietnam Warera folk song, Yjgtg" jcxg" cnn" vjg" hnqygtu" iqpgA, as follows - dedicated to Bitou Municipality, March 2013: Yjgtg"jcxg"cnn"vjg"vqwtkuvu"iqpg Nqpi"vkog"eqokpi Yjgtg"jcxg"cnn"vjg"vqwtkuvu"iqpg

Power thieves rob us all

Nqpi"vkog"ciq Yjgtg"jcxg"cnn"vjg"vqwtkuvu"iqpg Hnqyp"gnugyjgtg"gxgt{"qpg Yjgp"yknn"yg"gxgt"ngctp Yjgp"yknn"yg"gxgt"ngctp000A" (The underlining is mine.)

Yes, without an airport we have, throughout recent years, seen less and less of the kind of tourist who would make Plett a better place for all, especially the jobless; a place without ‘To Let’ notices everywhere.

Have a look at Plett One on

Marine Drive, for example.

Go to Mellville’s Corner. How busy is the construction industry? Check into one of the large hotels between now and December. Closed up until November? Well I never!

If there is a lively Ratepayers Association and a working Tourist Association, perhaps the two bodies could find each other (not too difficult right now) and confront the municipality about finally resurrecting our airport.

How about it? Fancy a flight?

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Dissing George chicken law

Plett resident Roger Davis sent this pic and wrote: ‘Here is one of the many illegal electricity connections that Bitou council turns a blind eye to in Qolweni, right up against the N2. These illegal connections, which are rife in the sprawling squatter camps, are one of the many reasons why electricity is so expensive in our town - we are paying for their consumption with no limits on usage. Come on councillors, what is it going to take for you to act against these electricity thieves?’

Mr Greeff, you and your mother know that it is illegal to have chickens in town. (Visit www. cxpress.co.za and read ‘Screaming chickens ruffle feathers in George’ on the News & Views page of issue 360.) Why don’t you obey the law?

In your ‘defence’, I can see that you are trying to sidestep the real issue, which is that you and your mother have no respect for an old lady - somebody with a medical condition who needs her sleep. What pa-

thetic neighbours you must be!

I hope McCarthy makes your life a real hell. I read in another article that your mother is studying for her LLB-degree wow - and that she works at the George court.

What do people say about this? Why is George Municipality not enforcing the law?

Mr McCarthy, I feel for you and your family and hope those chickens disappear real soon.

K"Jcvg"Fkutgurgevhwn"Rgqrng." d{"gockn

Bitou lifeguard programme top notch Port Elizabeth resident ANDREW AUBIN recently addressed this letter to Bitou’s mayor and municipal manager – and we thought it warranted repeating here I have been a property owner in Plettenberg Bay from 1987 to date. Over this period I spend Christmas holidays and every second weekend, over the summer months, in Plett.

I have been involved in surf lifesaving for over 35 years and in this time have served in the capacity as club captain, chairman and president of Kings Beach Surf Lifesaving Club.

Having served on the executive committee of Lifesaving East Cape for the past 12 years, I have also been a member of the managing board of Lifesaving SA for the last three years.

I was an active competitor for over 20 years and helped put myself through university by working as a professional lifeguard. It is with this extensive

lifesaving background over a long period of time that I would like to commend Bitou Municipality on the professional manner in which the guarding of the beaches in and around Plettenberg Bay is handled.

What really impresses me is the level of commitment of the municipality and its beach management team to educate both the community and visiting tourists. In doing so, you have created a safe bathing environment, with the emphasis on preventative lifeguarding.

In addition to the above, especially over the last three or four years, I have observed the innovative use of signage and advertising to provide the public with relevant information to ensure safe bathing.

This advertising supports the appearance of lifeguards and ensures that lifeguard stations and equipment remain up to date and of the best.

I am led to believe that advertising has also resulted in creating funds for the maintenance and expansion of the programme, ensuring the continuous supply of new lifeguards from the previously disadvantaged communities drawn from surrounding areas.

What impresses me most about the model is that it has given members of the local community a life skill that will help them secure permanent employment, and which can also be used to achieve and provide quality lifeguarding in other communities.

I have noticed a commitment in keeping beach safety a priority within the local community, as well as the general quality and friendliness of your lifeguards, which makes each and every one of them ambassadors of Plettenberg Bay. The support Bitou Municipality has shown in maintaining well-trained, professional squads is laudable. When comparing your programme and results to others around the country, it must definitely rank as one of the most successful.

I am sure that with (lifeguard coach) Chas Fraser’s continued involvement and the municipality’s continued support, things can only go from strength to strength.

Cpftgy"Cwdkp."Rqtv"Gnk|cdgvj

ISSUE 361

Turn to page 23 for more readers’ letters...

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ISSUE 361

CXPRESS DISTRIBUTION Our 15 000 free copies are distributed to a multitude of outlets big and small between George and Tsitsikamma, covering all CBDs and tourist centres in these areas. Please phone 044 533 1004 on weekdays between 9am and 4pm with any distribution queries.

March 27 - 2013

Classifieds

On the Soapbox

March 27 - 2013

Letters to the Editor

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

Clean it up and keep it clean Several issues ago a stronglyworded letter appeared in CXPRESS, taking the municipality and ratepayers association to task for, among other things, the overgrown state of the Odlands

CXPRESS

Street pavement.

Within days, after years and years of neglect... ACTION! Big thanks go to whoever wrote that letter, and to CXPRESS for publishing it.

Now there is another old and ignored problem that I hope can be solved in the same way.

I am a homeowner in Whale Rock Heights, across from the so-called landfill site, which is 15m over the allowed height and has been an unmanaged dump for years.

Plastic flies all over the place, into our gardens, pools and along our fence line - a seemingly endless stream of windblown garbage.

As a result, we have seen our property become unsellable and millions wiped off property values in the estate.

So what have we done? We’ve complained. We’ve written letters. We’ve formed and served on monitoring committees.

We’ve taken part in public participation processes.

We have engaged the ward councillor and municipality, provincial authorities and the

responsible minister - even the premier of the province - and, of course, our ratepayers association. All we ever achieve is talk, talk, talk; excuses and more excuses and promises.

Before the 2009 election, we were told that if we voted DA and they took control of the province the matter would be prioritised and dealt with.

We did and they did.

Provincial minister Anton Bredell, whose department is in charge of enforcing the closure of Bitou’s landfill, responded with a disinterested letter that basically called the current situation a result of “bad planning, lack of expertise and management skills”.

I agree. We all agree. Poor management over years has unquestionably caused the problem, but nothing has been done to hold those responsible to account, or to rectify the nonmanagement situation - in fact, just the opposite.

Before the 2011 elections, we were again promised that if we voted DA and they won control of Bitou Municipality, the mat-

Thumb-suck property valuations vex On August 3 last year my property, a single residence within a small development near Keurbooms, was re-allocated from a share-block to a free-hold situation. It was assessed by Bitou Municipality to have a value of R795’500, on which amount my rates and taxes have been based.

Last month (February 18), I received a new General Valuation Notice, with a date of valuation given as ‘1 July 2012’. On this municipal form it states that

the same property has been valued by our municipal valuers at R2.3-million.

The property in question is on the open market for R850’000, including agent’s commission, but to date I have had no offers.

Obviously I am contesting the latest municipal valuation, but it makes one wonder how these qualified and, no doubt, highlypaid valuations officers arrive at such figures. Or are they just sucked out of the clouds?

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ter would be attended to.

We did and they did.

I have complained to mayor Booysen... with no results.

Solid waste management is a core municipal function. Bitou has spent millions on non-core functions, yet it hides behind a lack of resources to excuse the failure to perform its constitutional duty.

Since taking power in Bitou, the DA council has been blowing money on bodyguards at a rate of R150’000+ per month. If only a fraction of these amounts had been spent on managing the windblown garbage, you would not be reading this letter.

The money is undoubtedly there, but priorities are wrong and the will is absent. It seems that our politicians and officials either don’t care or don’t know what to do. Trusting it’s the latter rather than the former, I suggest a quick and easy solution as per Odlands.

Needed now, until such time as Bitou can lower height of the dump to a legal limit and close it down, is proper management.

At the risk of stating the obvious, it must ensure that the operator of the dump properly covers dumped garbage daily and, most importantly, recovers all uncontained plastic on and around the site as a matter of urgency. Then, please keep the area free of windblown garbage on an ongoing basis.

Bitou Municipality has umpteen people walking around chasing the odd bit of rubbish in the streets.

They get government grants to pay the wages. Use those people to clean the dump site once and for all and then keep it that way - simple, really.

The problem could be something of the past within weeks, if not days. Clean it up and keep it clean!

Fgurgtcvg"("Fkucrrqkpvgf." d{"gockn

ISSUE 361

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Read CXPRESS online @ www.cxpress.co.za

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ISSUE 361

Sport & Adventure

March 27 - 2013

Model flyers wow spectators in George

Words & photo: Bob Hopkin

HE normal tranquillity of Pacaltsdorp’s industrial area was abuzz with activity when the George Radio Flyers held their annual public open day Flyfest last weekend. Some 40 model aviators with 50-plus radio-controlled aircraft pulled in more than 200 spectators over the two-day event, which took place in ideal conditions.

Club chairman Piet Erasmus, explained that, in recent years, model flying has become increasingly sophisticated, with pre-assembled models for beginners being more affordable.

And for dedicated enthusiasts, models have become so large, detailed and fast that flying one from the ground is close to the experience of piloting a fullsize aircraft. Compared to the mid-20th century when model flying was a noisy, often dirty and sometimes dangerous activity, contemporary modelling has evolved to be a highly technical hobby.

“The irritating buzzing of small aircraft engines is also

tarred runways, aligned with the prevailing wind directions, from which to fly their models.

Fixed-wing propeller aircraft predominate - usually scale models of full-sized aircraft while helicopters and fast jets are the most challenging to fly to their full abilities.

One of the most sophisticated models on display was the scale French Eurocopter ‘Ecureuil’ of Andre Appelgryn. Self-starting, its detailed exterior includes lights for flights after dark.

Local model shop proprietor Brett Lynton expertly flew his 3m wingspan Extra 330L scale model aerobatic aircraft, and later thrilled the crowds with a breath-taking display of his jetpowered model.

The jet flight was a masterclass exhibition of accurate remote control as Brett made it perform loops and vertical climbs to about 2000ft, before a final fly-pass at 300kph just a couple of metres above the tarmac prompted spontaneous ovation from the audience.

T

FULL-THROTTLE FLIGHT: Pilot Brett Lynton with his large scale Extra 330 L aerobatic plane

now often replaced by virtual silence as high-power brushless electric motors provide the same performance as a combustion engine without annoying residents nearby,” he said.

George Model Flyers was established in the early 1980s and soon moved to a purpose-built miniature airstrip close to the George showgrounds, where its 50 members have the use of two

Enter the Games – it’s great for your health!

E

XCITEMENT is mounting for the Discovery Plett Easter Games, set to sweep the ‘hood’s best mountain bike tracks, running trails and paddling routes from Friday March 29 ‘till Monday April 1.

“We were thrilled to see so much local support across all fields at last year’s event,” says Daron Smit of organisers Nature Sport Company, adding that local participation is vital to the success of the Games.

“We look forward to seeing all the usual suspects there again this year, and some young bloods to give the old guard a run for their money.”

Smit also announced that an additional challenge is on offer for multi-sportos keen on tackling Saturday morning’s swim (8am), surfski race (9am) and mountain bike event (11am).

“Whether you want to do two or all three these events, each

will be separately timed in a biathlon or triathlon format with prizes on offer,” he said.

An added bonus to Discovery Vitality members is that you can earn Vitality points this Easter by entering any one of the Discovery events over the course of the four-day affair.

Says head of sponsorships, Jody Foster: “It is Discovery’s core purpose to encourage South Africans to live healthier lifestyles and participate in physical activity.

“The Plett Easter Games event is a perfect platform for participants to get active, have fun and take the positive steps towards healthier living.”

A Discovery Wellness Screening Centre will be set up at Central Beach from March 28, offering free screenings.

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Sport Shorts • Easter is polo season in Plett, and this Saturday (March 30) sees an exciting Finals Day at Kurland Estate, with picnic offerings for spectators and free gate entry. Call Alicia on 082 720 1345 and see the advert on page 19 for additional info.

• Plett riders performed well at

Arlington in PE on March 17 congrats go to Sarah Davies for completing her first 90cm, Melissa Davies on Lieutenant Sampson (1st - Junior 80cm), Jenny Pope on Prairie Pride (1st - Adult 90cm), and Emily Caithness on African Mirror for winning the Adult 1m event.

SWIM RUN CYCLE PADDLE...

Whether you’ve participated before or are a newbie to the fun of the Games, these images of locals enjoying last year’s event should get you off the couch and entering one or several of the vast array of sporting challenges on offer during this weekend’s Discovery Plett Easter Games – above, local surfski ace Steff le Roux prepares to take on the Pennypinchers Challenge 2012, and he’ll be back this year - Photos: Glenn Murray

Tight Lines

Graeme Pollard

Hake season around the corner

W

INTER is approaching fast so let’s make the most of the last bit of summer fishing to be had this Easter.

There has been some colder water around but it hasn’t had much effect on the bottom fishing. Good catches of silvers, pangas, red roman, gurnard and the odd red stumpnose have been recorded in the mid and shallow reefs.

Because of the colder water, leervis, bonito and katonkel have been scarce but with the

next round of warm current we expect these fish to be biting freely again, like they were just a few weeks ago. It’s also the start of the hake season, April normally being a good month to land this popular specimen for the pan.

So, enjoy your fish and chips and, who knows, the Easter Bunny might well pop in with some pud.

Ugg"vjg"Rngvv"Hkujkpi"Ejctvgtu" cfxgtv"dgnqy"hqt"oqtg" kphqtocvkqp0