Cx362

10 April 2013 #362

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

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Meet the remarkable Henry Holloway p2

Storms River tender shocker p3

Hobie trophy back ‘home’ p16

LET’S GET

Silly!

Turn to page 13 to find out what clowns Annabel Morgan and Nadia Woodward are up to as part of the family theatre offerings staged in Knysna and Plett this weekend

Photo: Niklas Zimmer

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CXPRESS

ISSUE 362

News & Views

April 10 - 2013

People Around Town

Henry Holloway – the King of Swing

who took America by storm

GIGI LEWIS interviews interesting Garden Route residents and visitors that happen to cross her path

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OR nearly 40 years, SAborn Henry Holloway has been entertaining thousands of music lovers with his radio broadcasts and productions of music programmes, mainly in the fields of big band swing, vocal and mainstream jazz.

Born in Zebediela in the former Northern Transvaal, Henry grew up in Vereeniging with his older brother, Alf, and went to Germiston High School.

His father died when he was eight and his mother had to work hard to make ends meet.

In early 1974, Henry approached then deputy head of SABC English Service Stephen O’Reilly, proposing a radio series on Glenn Miller. He got the job, which started his meteoric broadcasting career, and pulled off the first of his popular Oknngt"Ocike series.

His comprehensive knowledge of the subject sustained two further series, one in 1984 and, during 2004-6, another 115 half-hour programmes under the same title, for which he scooped the world record for longest-running radio series on a single musician or orchestra.

His 60 one-hour programmes on legendary Les Brown and many other series on America’s who’s who of jazz legends earned him the admiration of American big band swing buffs.

Small wonder that in March 2003 in Los Angeles, Henry became the first-ever non-American in history to receive the Big Band Academy of America’s prestigious Golden Bandstand Award - an honour previously bestowed on the likes of Frank Sinatra, Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman and Duke Ellington, to name but four of the 50-odd Americans acclaimed thus.

Accolades for this outstanding achievement reached Henry from all corners of the globe (visit www.cxpress.co.za and see ‘Big band legend returns to reveal Miller’s mystery’ on the Entertainment page of issue 361).

Henry was the catalyst behind the ‘Fred Shaw Theory’ - the most plausible explanation to date of major Glenn Miller’s mysterious disappearance on December 15, 1944 (click on www.henryholloway.co.za for the full story).

Two fascinating women played a significant part in Henry’s life - firstly Eve Boswell, who gained fame as a singer in England in the 50s and 60s. When she performed in Joburg in ‘76, Henry met and married her.

Their marriage lasted for

nine exhilarating years, during which they toured the USA and UK several times. Says Henry: “I will always laud Eve’s singing as being in the world’s top league.”

In 1986, Henry married his present wife, best known to radio listeners as Marilyn Vester.

She became the golden girl of Radio SA for editing and presenting Yqocp‚u" Yqtnf, and later as the station’s principal broadcaster. She interviewed some of the world’s most celebrated people, including Liz Taylor, Richard Burton, Liberace and sir Tim Rice.

Henry, who now lives with Marilyn in Caledon, has been broadcasting his stylish series Uykpi." Ukpi" cpf" Cnn" Vjcv" Lc|| for nearly 30 years. It is his longest run so far and echoes the title of his autobiography to be published later this year.

CX: Apart from the Golden Bandstand Award, what were the biggest moments in your professional career?

HH: There were many but some stand out prominently. In 1999, the National Academy for Recording Arts and Sciences invited me to a special event in Beverly Hills. Les Brown had just been nominated for the Iwkppguu" Dqqm" qh" Tgeqtfu for leading his Band of Renown for 60 years.

A special celebration was organised to pay tribute to Les and a thousand invited American music VIPs filled Beverly Wilshire Hotel’s ballroom to capacity. Steve Allan, distinguished all-round genius on the American music and TV scene was master of ceremonies that evening, and had invited me to sit at his table.

At the very beginning of the

AND BARBS MAKES THREE: Henry, left, and Johnny Desmond, male lead in ‘Funny Girl’, at his Los Angeles home with Streisand peeping out in-between their shoulders

CXPRESS was fortunate to get an exclusive interview with Henry when he visited Knysna recently: CX: Which of your music legend friends have you met personally while in the USA? HH: They are really too numerous to mention. But in 2004, I lectured on two luxury cruise liners on the subjects of ‘Glenn Miller’, ‘The Other Big Bands’ and ‘My Legendary Music Friends’.

The latter included friends (some sadly no longer with us) such as Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman, Henry and Ginny Mancini, Buddy de Franco, Les Brown, Paul Tanner, Teddy Wilson, Doris Day and Peanuts Hucko, who I brought to SA in 1982 and 1984. But the list is by no means complete.

CX: Do you play a musical instrument?

HH: No, I don’t but I was a good singer as a youngster and I regret not having continued singing. Privately I still do but my voice is not as strong as it used to be.

evening’s programme, Steve said from the podium: “First of all I’d like to welcome a man who has come 10’000 miles from South Africa to be here tonight. He has broadcast Les Brown’s music, and that of Les’ peers, on his radio programmes for the past 25 years, internationally... Mr Henry Holloway.”

One thousand music VIPs applauded for what seemed to me like a very long time!

In May 2009, I was asked by the president of the Glenn Miller Birthplace Society to be the grand marshal during their annual festival in Clarinda, Iowa.

It was a great honour as that task had never before been offered to any non-American.

In a motorcade lead by four of Glenn Miller’s close family members, I was the only one to wave to the crowd from a horsedrawn carriage.

Just a week before that intriguing honour, Henry Mancini’s wife, Ginny, had invited 20 guests, many of them music legends, to a sophisticated sitdown dinner at her fabulous

AFFABLE CELEB: This pic was taken when Henry addressed Knysna U3A last month

penthouse on Wilshire Boulevard, in my honour.

One of the guests, Julie Andrews (‘Mrs Edwards’), was unable to attend and had to cancel because of her husband’s illness. She sent a beautiful photograph of herself, inscribed to me, and a hand-written apology to Ginny.

CX: If you had not become such an iconic entertainer and aficionado on the radio, what other profession would you have chosen?

HH: Singing. Yes, a singing career would have been my other choice.

CX: What music did you listen to as a youth?

HH: I grew up with the tunes of Glenn Miller, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby and all the great performers of the Golden Age of swing and jazz. When I was young, my friends and I used to go to Phillip’s Café in Vereeniging to have a milkshake and play the jukebox.

CX: Did your parents influence your love of music?

HH: Memories of my father are very vague as he died when I was eight. My mother played the church organ, so I probably inherited her love for music.

CX: What are your aspirations for the future?

HH: I hope the good Lord spares me long enough so that I can finish my book and continue my broadcasts.

CX: What citation best describes your frame of mind.

HH: Without a doubt the theme song of my programme, Nkhg"ku"pqvjkpi"ykvjqwv"owuke.

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News & Views

April 10 - 2013

CXPRESS

ISSUE 362

3

Tsitsikamma community reels as SANParks cans tree top tours The community of Storms River Village has been dealt a major blow as one of the town’s biggest employers will soon be forced to end operations after 15 years, leaving more than 90 families without income - YOLANDÉ STANDER reports

RED TAPE: Stormsriver Adventures “may apply” when the land on which they have been operating since 2001 goes out on tender until then over 90 locals, and their families, will live in fear of losing their jobs

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CO-adventure company Stormsriver Adventures and its Tsitsikamma Canopy Tour operation - involved in fighting poverty and uplifting the community since it was established in 1998 - have been told by South African National Parks (SANParks) that their concessionaire contract would no longer be extended and that they would have to vacate the land by June 30. The property on which they operate is stateowned land.

SANParks did not divulge any details about the future of the project other than that it would be in their interest to continue with a similar operation.

Stormsriver Adventures, wellknown for its canopy tours and other adventure activities, have over the years created 43 direct and more than 50 indirect jobs, in a community plagued by poverty and unemployment.

When the contract ends in just short of three months, all these locals will be unemployed.

Garden Route National Park general manager Jill Bunding Venter said Stormsriver Adventures’ concessionaire contract had expired in 2010 already and had been extended annually while SANParks was in the process of registering the project with National Treasury in terms of section 16 of the Public Fi-

nance Management Act. This process has now been completed, which means that SANParks can now manage the tender process.

“Stormsriver Adventures had been aware of and had been consulted with extensively via this process,” said Bunding Venter.

She added that the land would now go out on tender and was subject to a public participation process to comply with National Treasury regulations. “The tender will be advertised and anyone, including Stormsriver Adventures, may apply.”

Bunding Venter said it was in the interest of SANParks to continue to provide access to current and additional activities in the area.

But Stormsriver Adventures staff members are reeling, as the company has played a massive role in poverty alleviation - not only through creating jobs, but through various other charity projects.

Over the past decade Stormsriver Adventures has spent about R3-million on skills development in the eco-adventure tourism field. They also run a school feeding scheme through which they provide 220 primary school children with a meal four times a week.

Other community initiatives

include clothing distribution, HIV/Aids awareness, small business development, support of local crafters, and animal welfare. They also do their bit for the environment and run a recycling initiative.

The company ploughs about 60% of their annual turnover back into the community and has received many accolades for its work, including multiple responsible tourism awards.

Owner Ashley Wentworth said it was a very emotional week after informing his employees - who he describes as “family” - about the decision by SANParks.

“Stormsriver Adventures is currently in discussions with SANParks regarding legal issues surrounding intellectual and property rights of the Tsitsikamma Canopy Tour,” said Wentworth.

He added that Stormsriver Adventures had only been allowed to operate the canopy tours on an annual license permit basis since (this part of the businesses) first opening in 2001.

“This license has not been renewed by SANParks and the parties are in discussions around the basis for a formal tender process that will allow the operator a long-term operating permit for the business.”

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CXPRESS

ISSUE 362

News & Views

April 10 - 2013

HUGE CASH REWARD

R40 000 offered to put axe attackers in jail

F

AMILY and friends of the couple who were savagely attacked in their home in Die Vleie near Wilderness by four axe-wielding men on the evening of March 9 have offered a R40’000 reward to anyone who can supply information that will lead to the arrest and conviction of the attackers.

Dr Jack Thorne, 81, and his wife Mariëtta, 73, were attack-

ed in their home in Langvlei between Sedgefield and Wilderness at about 23:30pm after they had retired for the night.

The men smashed two safety glass windows and immediately started beating the Thornes with the back of an axe and a piece of wood while also kicking and punching them mercilessly.

Mariëtta managed to escape after the men left her room

when she passed out after a heavy blow to the forehead.

When she came to, all four men were in her husband’s room attacking him and attempting to strangle him with an electric cord.

She fled the house in her bloodied and torn pyjamas and ran barefoot to the neighbours for help. It is believed that when the attackers realised she had

gone missing, they left in a hurry. Her escape could have been the deciding factor that saved the couple’s lives.

The criminals made off with approximately R2’000, some

jewellery and a new Nokia cellphone. The Thornes spent a week in hospital and Dr Thorne suffered permanent and very painful damage to his chest.

No arrests have been made.

Anyone with information can contact detective sergeant John Boezak in George on 044 803 4714, or the couple’s daughter, Ilse Schoonraad, on 082 724 0402.

News Briefs Ugctej"hqt"okuukpi"Igqtig" 94/{gct/qnf"eqpvkpwgu" Captain Malcolm Pojie of the SCape Media Centre advised on April 5 that efforts to find Rose Everts from 28 Buick Street in Conville - who was reported missing on March 29 - seemed to be unsuccessful after almost a week of searching for her.

Information reveals that Everts was last seen in Woltemade Street in Rosemore, engaging in conversation with another person. She was dressed in a purple dress with a floral theme, red jersey with black stripes, light purple coloured bandana (mqrfqgm), and a pair of black takkies with purple and white socks. Her hair is styled as per the ID photo at right.

Please phone the investigation officers W/O Freddie Muller or constable Piet Faniso on 079 893 9927 if you have any information in this regard.

Rngvv"etkog"wrfcvg Last week the team at Plett Security reported that a couple

MISSING: Rose Everts

walking on Hobie Beach was attacked around 9pm on April 2.

After the man was stabbed, the attackers demanded keys to the couple’s Toyota bakkie, which was parked at the Hobie Beach parking area. “These culprits’ main focus was to steal the bakkie,” says Plett Security’s Otto Olivier, adding that the man was admitted to hospital.

Members of the Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association (PBCPA) were notified to

keep an eye open for the stolen vehicle, which was recovered by the SAPS where the thieves had abandoned it on the Wittedrift road.

The SAPS opened an investigation, but an incident this serious again emphasised the importance of Plett’s CCTV system which currently awaits approval and funding before this much-needed service can be put into action.

“Surely we can’t be surprised by the Hobie Beach incident,” said a PBCPA member to CXPRESS, “because we know our beaches are not safe. We have had numerous incidents in the past to prove it.

“When foreign tourists were attacked at Poortjies they did not even bother to report the incidents to the SAPS and refused to be taken to the station, saying they were too disillusioned.

CCTV is the only viable option to make our beaches safe.”

Call the PBCPA on 082 251 8134 should you spot suspicious people or activities.

News & Views

April 10 - 2013

The wonders of Garden Route nature

CXPRESS

ISSUE 362

5

Metal detectors to the rescue again!

These clouds ain’t nobody’s fool Keen photographer Justine Edwards shared this beauty, above, she shot from her home at the top of Brenton Hill overlooking the lagoon and sea, and wrote: ‘Look at the interesting weather we had over Knysna on April 1 - the cloud formation was spectacular! The photo was merged together with eight single photos to form the total image as the cloud formation SO deserved a complete picture. The photo was edited only in terms of colour and contrast to show the detail of the cloud formation – no other manipulation was applied. Isn’t it beautiful beyond words?’

So will it close again...?

That’s the question Glenn Murray asked when sending us this photo, at left, of Keurbooms River mouth at Lookout in Plett (as opposed to the second mouth which broke through further down the riverbank in August last year), taken during spring low tide at 10am on March 11. ‘The water was ankle-deep at the time, so does that mean this mouth will soon be closed again?’ Jury’s out, Glenn, but one thing’s for sure: Lookout Beach in its current state is fast regaining its status as the favourite bathing spot of those in the know.

LOST AND FOUND: A relieved Shirley Magubane hugs Erica Mulder, left, in the BI’s foyer after the Metal Detect Team located the grateful Joburg visitor’s dazzling diamond ring, inset, on Central Beach in the black of night

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UESDAY March 26 was a perfect day for the beach the sun was out and the waves were huge.

Shirley Magubane and her husband, Patrick, on holiday from Joburg, were enjoying the best of Plett’s excellent outdoors... until a huge wave knocked her over. When back on her feet, Shirley realised that she had lost her beautiful diamond ring.

Fortunately, the Magubanes were advised that there’s hope yet so John and Erica Mulder, aka Plettenberg Bay’s Metal Detect Team, received a call to help find the ring.

“But,” says John, “at 2pm the tide was high and the sea was rough, so after an hour of fruitless probing in the surf, we decided to conduct a follow-up search at 8pm, when it would be low tide.”

At last, after another two hours of searching in pitch darkness apart from the lightning flashes streaking the Plett night skies during that evening’s spectacular electric storm - the Mulders eventually found the ring in the vicinity of the two black mooring posts adjacent to Beacon Island Hotel.

Once again the determination, perseverance and ‘never-saylose’ attitude of the now famous Metal Detect Team brought great relief and happiness to everyone involved.

Call them on 044 533 2117 or e-mail lostringfinders@gmail. com when in need of their specialised services.

(Visit www.cxpress.co.za and type ‘John Mulder’ or ‘Metal Detect Team’ into the Search block to read about previous finds reported on in CXPRESS over the years.)

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CXPRESS

ISSUE 362

News & Views

April 10 - 2013

Leisure and home buyers returning to Plett, says Pam Golding Properties

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N enduringly popular holiday destination, the coastal town of Plettenberg Bay is attracting increasing interest among home buyers, particularly in the leisure homes market, reports Ling Dobson - Pam Golding Properties (PGP) area principal in Knysna, who has now acquired the franchise rights for PGP in Plett.

“In recent months there’s been a marked increase in interest and sales activity in Plett, mainly in the R1.5-million to R2.5million price bracket. Currently, the average asking price for an apartment is in the region of R1.5-million to R1.7-million, and between R4.5-million and R5-million for houses.

Dobson says over the past few months there has been a notable rise in the volume of properties sold in Plett. “Positive news

is that a number of developers are looking at various options to build retirement villages, while the development of a new apartment complex just off the N2 to Knysna aims to cater for government employees such as police, teachers and nurses.

“There is also talk of a small boat harbour project which is envisaged to house fishing boats, pleasure cruises, boutique retail stores, eateries and accommodation which will include residential apartments and possibly a hotel.

“If this project goes ahead it will create work for local builders, plumbers and electricians, helping boost Plettenberg Bay’s local economy.

“Discussions are taking place in regard to upgrading the existing airport situated about 5km outside Plett in order to accom-

modate smaller passenger-carrying planes. If this project goes ahead, it will make the area even more accessible to out of town visitors and home buyers, including those seeking leisure homes.”

Comments Dr Andrew Golding, CE of the Pam Golding Property group: “With a strong background as a highly successful sales agent and as our area principal in Knysna, Ling Dobson brings her entrepreneurial skills and extensive experience to Plettenberg Bay - an area which is poised to undergo resurgence in its residential property market.”

With a growing number of permanent residents, which currently comprises about 2025% of the total, homeowners in Plett include successful business people and the well-heeled who, together with their families and friends, spend holidays in the area or even relocate permanently and commute on business as required. Numbers are reportedly also growing at the local primary school.

Says Dobson: “While it’s true that there too many properties for sale at present, asking prices are reaching more affordable and realistic levels. Over the recent December/January holiday season, vacant land sales in one secure estate realised in the region of R10-million, with approximately 30 stands sold.

“I believe we are beginning to see the end of forced sales and the start of normalisation of the market.

“An example of what is achievable is a home purchased for R1.7-million about a year ago, which sold for R2.85-million in November 2012. A fair amount of work was done on the house, but it achieved a very good return for the seller.”

Properties in Plett range from vacant land in a secure estate priced at R160’000 to beachfront homes for R25-million.

Apartments are priced from ±R550’000 to R17-million for those in a prime beachfront lo-

cation, and houses from R1.4million up to R26-million for a beachfront dwelling.

Dobson says the most popular price bracket is between R1.5million and R2-million for three-bedroom, two-bathroom homes, among buyers looking for a slower paced and more appealing lifestyle.

There is also an increase in demand from investors seeking mostly upmarket holiday homes, mainly among Cape Town buyers, followed closely

by Johannesburg and Pretoria purchasers.

“We believe that Brackenridge Private Estate is about to take off, particularly as there seems to be a growing trend towards secure, private estates.

With a total of 280 properties in the estate, some 15-20% of these have been developed, with 19 homes in the process of being built and some 20 plans recently submitted to the homeowners’ association.

Here PGP is marketing vacant land priced from R450’000 to R1.8-million, with the average price in the region of R650’000 to R750’000. Homes range from R2.9-million to R10-million, with an average asking price of R4-million.”

Dobson says waterfront properties are becoming very scarce.

In Beachy Head, a few top-end homes sold recently at prices between R18-million and R25million. Properties set slightly back from the water on the other side of the road are available from R5-million.

In regard to vacant land on the beachfront, stands of 800900m² are fetching in excess of R3-million from Plett through to Keurbooms.

“The best value for money available at present is a bank assisted sale – a home now listed with the bank at R1.75-million, having been on the market for a considerable length of time at R2.5-million. It does need some work but with minimal spend this home could be transformed into something special.

GRAND GEORGIAN: Sold by Pam Golding Properties for R10.5million, this mansion (originally a rectory) is a reminder of life in years gone by when Plettenberg Bay was just a small fishing village and the timeless architecture has been restored to its original grand style while the addition to the side of the house complements the Cape Georgian design perfectly, providing spacious entertainment areas - with five en suite bedrooms and situated within walking distance of town, the property also has superb views over the bay

SPACE TO PLAY: With spectacular sea views, six en suite bedrooms, splash pool and a very spacious wooden deck for entertaining, this home in Plett’s upper Robberg area is marketed by Pam Golding Properties at R3.2-million

“Another property, with four bedrooms and three bathrooms, offers a generous-sized home on a green belt and just a stroll from the beach, with an asking price of R3.39-million.”

PGP is also marketing a sixbedroom, six-bathroom home in an up and coming part of Plett, with scenic sea views and a huge wooden deck for entertaining and splash pool, at R3.2-million.

Plett is a popular venue for the annual Matric Rage festival, which generates signifi-

cant income for the town with the added benefit of exposing the appeal of the area to school leavers starting out in life.

Adds Dobson: “This is positive for the town’s future growth, and it’s also a fact that some of those who today own holiday homes here used to visit Plett on holiday as children.”

For further information, contact Pam Golding Properties on 044 382 5574 or email ling. dobson@pamgolding.co.za – see the advert on page 9 for additional information.

Plett Aquatics project puts children’s safety first N March 28, the Plett Ocean Blue, Rogers Jeweland wish to pursue swimming this NGO, and a safer future inO community quite literallery, Colleen Nel, The Happy as a sport, every opportunity deed for the kids it will serve. ly jumped in to swim as many Shop, High Street Chemist; The towards this end will be supEmail mentongareth@gmail. lengths as possible in one hour, in the process raising funds and officially launching the nonprofit organisation, Adopt a Swimmer.

After a long eight-month wait, the initiative was officially registered as NPO at the highest database level on March 20.

And eight days later, a brilliantly supported Swimmathon showed the people of Plett’s commitment to developing swimming skills for all Bitou’s children.

From the teeny tod aged two, to a 66-year-old visiting friend, young and old swam their hearts out - and, with category prizes up for grabs, the competition was tight.

Thanks go to prize sponsors Tree House Lodge, Monkeyland, Adventureland, Tenikwa,

Grand Cafe; Picardi Industrial; Ruby Soul; Prêt e Porte; Bramon, Steers, Plett Sports and the Piesang Valley Gym & Pool.

The Plett Aquatics team of Gareth Menton and Louise Auersperg has, during the past three years, realised that nearly 80% of local youngsters are unable to swim, largely due to the cost of swimming lessons.

Now Adopt a Swimmer will afford kids of all backgrounds the opportunity to develop this essential life skill, while pursuing an aggressive sponsorship and fundraising programme to underpin the strategic direction set for its operation.

Says Louise: “Our primary focus is on financing children who cannot afford swimming lessons. But what’s more, if any of these kids show promise

ported by Adopt a Swimmer.”

A bright future lies ahead for

com or louiseaue@gmail.com for further information.

Photo: Eve Puttergill

SWIMMINGLY: Young and old participated in the recent Plett Aquatics Swimmathon to launch a commendable new community initiative and raise funds towards its cause – in the photo above, instructor Louise Auersperg encourages the day’s youngest swimmer, two-year-old Jamie; below, Femke takes a real big breath of air during her Swimmathon campaign Photo: Glenn Murray Photography

Business

April 10 - 2013

CXPRESS

CXNet Business Directory

Business convenience comes to Eden

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VER wondered why the internet is not delivering as a marketing medium? According to Google, internet marketing reaches approximately 2-3%.

In sharp contrast to this is the potential of reaching up to 100% of the population via cellphone (source statistics on request).

Good news is that CXNet SMS Directory has now launched its service in Knysna, Plettenberg Bay and Sedgefield.

CXNet offers an easily accessible SMS-based directory, listing your business address and contact details, which are then sent to potential clients who SMS their query to 43366.

Any cellphone user can simply SMS the word ‘Find’ followed by the specific enterprise of interest and the area, e.g.

‘Find Fruit & Veg Knysna’, to receive instant information about the business or service via a return SMS. The CXNet SMS Directory is available on all service networks and will also allow businesses to advertise directly to people with specific needs.

As it is a standard rate shortcode, clients are charged at their normal service providers’ contract or pre-paid rates for the SMS. Free and bundle SMSs do not apply.

This service is sure to boost and develop business in Plett, Knysna and Sedgefield as well as their surrounding areas which will be added to the CXNet Directory within the next few months, so penetrating an ever-expanding market.

The first phase includes a free listing option, allowing consumers to enquire about the basic information of specific businesses that are listed in the directory.

In the second phase, consumers can consult the directory with more general queries using keywords to indicate the type of service or business sought, e.g.

by SMSing the words ‘Find garden service Knysna’ to 43366, the cellphone user will receive, via return SMS, contact details of a garden service provider in Knysna. This will be charged at standard SMS rates.

An added benefit to business owners who subscribe to the referral service is that they will also receive a copy of the search details and the cellphone num-

Business 101

ber of the person who made the enquiry, thus enabling business folk to establish direct contact with users.

To ensure that your business is listed in the CXNet SMS Directory, send an SMS starting with the word ‘Find’ and followed by your business name to 43366. When you receive your business contact details, check that the information is correct.

If your business is not listed, simply send your business card to info@cxnet.co.za.

If you want your business listing to be keyword-enabled or to register for the referral service, SMS ‘Find Agent’ to 43366 and a CXNet consultant will contact you. For further information, please give Lauren a call on 044 382 2379.

Jeremy Andrews - CA (SA)

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Here is how it can be done: Simply Accounting is a copyright product that allows us to load electronic versions of your bank statements, enter a few allocation numbers and perhaps a few journals. This process then provides you with current financial statements, giving you the exact data you need to monitor your business.

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Although we still believe in old fashioned person-to-person meetings, the use of IT tools such as cloud technology to instantly share data with selected remote users, along with the

clever application of electronic data to rapidly produce useful information, is fast becoming an essential fact of modern business life.

Give us a call to learn more about these positive changes in business technology.

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Malcolm Stewart – Portfolio Manager at Sanlam Private Investments Knysna

Your needs analysis – Part IV: The final decision

Y

OU have now reached the stage where there is a thorough understanding of your personal needs, the technical structure of the investment tools that you hold, and your existing asset allocation.

Your financial advisor will take all this information into account when making recommendations regarding your personal retirement investments.

A successful retirement plan will provide you with a consistent income stream that at least keeps pace with inflation. Remember that over 20 years of retirement, your budget will double, at best. Inflation is the greatest threat to retirees in their sixties.

Of course, if you make it to your eighties, then the inflationary threat decreases.

The current increase in regulation by the FSB is clearly a good thing, but it also has an unfortunate side effect. Financial advisors are continuously

taking flak for dishing out inappropriate investment advice and are thus terrified of being sued for recklessness.

They therefore tend to act in a very conservative manner - in fact, this is now being called “reckless conservatism” as money market/income funds attract a far higher percentage of most retirement plans, exposing the retiree to the ravages of long-term inflation.

I once met a client who had retired 20 years earlier with R1million to fund his retirement.

Two decades ago, a million bucks was a lot of money. He carefully protected this capital, keeping it in his bank’s money market, and using various fixed deposit products. He is now well over 80 and destitute.

For retirement purposes, one can divide assets into two broad classes: those that provide a growing income stream and those that offer what is essentially a flat income stream. The

real risk a retiree faces is that of paying too high a price for either of these two classes.

Equities and property trusts offer a growing income stream, while money market/income funds tend to offer a flat income stream. In a climate of rising interest rates these latter funds could offer some protection against inflation over the short term.

The professional investment advisor will create an asset mix using equities, property trusts and income funds that suit your personal needs. A young retiree will clearly require a far higher allocation of growth assets, varying between 40% and 60% depending on your wealth, budget, and age.

As you get older, there should be a gradual switch away from equities into flat income assets.

It is very important to select the correct equities. They should be in mature companies with strong balance sheets and a

sound record of paying consistent growing dividends. These equities should yield ±4% and property trusts no less than 6%.

Few of the income funds yield not much more than this percentage (and remember not to confuse a return of 9% with a yield of 6%).

It pays for retirees to consult with their advisors at least twice a year and to monitor the performance and price of their holdings. It allows your advisor to reassess your investment and to keep up to date with your changing circumstances.

Don’t wait for him to phone you. Rather take responsibility for your own assets, as it will pay you throughout your retirement and allow you to sleep better at night.

Ocneqno"jcu"dggp"kp"vjg" kpxguvogpv"kpfwuvt{"hqt"qxgt" 62"{gctu0"Jg"jcu"ytkvvgp"vjku" eqnwop"kp"EZRTGUU"hqt"vjg" ncuv"36"{gctu"cpf"ku"c"urgekcnkuv" kp"ocpcikpi"tgvktgf"ygcnvj0

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Knysna launches new customer care SMS service

A

CCORDING to municipal manager Lauren Waring, the new SMS service (to the number 44453) launched by Knysna Municipality is aimed at improving overall customer care, but does not replace normal fault reporting procedures.

“Residents are still requested to report all queries to the relevant departments. Please do not use this number to report emergencies as they will not be picked up outside of office hours.

“The customer care SMS is there to report when queries are not attended to within the time frames set out by the municipality’s service charter - a section of the Customer Care Policy and available on the municipal website.

“It indicates how long a member of the public can expect to wait for certain services to be attended to, e.g. reported pipe bursts receive priority while the required time to attend to the fixing of a street lamp is between seven and 10 days from having been reported at the correct department.

“We hope the SMS line will make it easier, especially for persons who do not have access to other electronic com-

munication mechanisms such as email,” said Waring.

The SMS will generate an email, which will be channelled to the municipality’s customer relations department. Clients are asked to provide a name and details of the complaint or query in the SMS to ensure the most efficient follow-up and feedback.

The 44453 line can also be used to commend the good service of specific departments or individuals, who may then be acknowledged for their good work and service.

Reporting of faults and queries must still be directed to: • Switchboard 044 302 6300 • Fire and Rescue (all hours) 044 302 8911 • Water and Sewerage leaks (office hours) 044 302 1601 • Electricity (office hours) 044 384 0422 • Account queries (office hours) 044 302 7720/1 • Sedgefield (office hours) 044 343 1640 • All after-hours reports 044 302 8911.

If complaints have already been reported to the correct department and have not been responded to within the required time period, SMS 44453 (normal SMS rates apply), email customer@knysna.gov.za or telephone 044 302 6410.

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CXPRESS

ISSUE 362

Social Scene

April 10 - 2013

PAINTING PLETT BRIGHT GREEN! On March 28, Born in Africa celebrated the 10th anniversary of the founding of the organisation - which provides support and guidance to school-going children and young adults from disadvantaged areas in Bitou - with a march from Plett CBD to Piesang Valley community hall, where the festivities culminated in entertainment for the kids and a reception for invited guests. Above, BIA director Isabelle de Smul-Brink enjoys the street parade and at right Bitou mayor Memory Booysen sports his chain of office for the auspicious occasion. At left, the full Born in Africa contingent posed for a group pic once the march had reached its final destination in the Piesang Valley.

Photos: Timothy Twidle

ULTIMATE PRIZE: Shell Ultra Cities countrywide ran a competition from December 3 to January 31 in which 30 Polo Vivos were given away across SA. The Polos were on display at all Shell Ultra Cities during the period of the competition and to enter, customers had to simply make a purchase in any Select Store, mark name and contacts details on the till slip and deposit the slip into a competition box placed inside each store. Shell Ultra City Plett on behalf of all Shell sites on the Garden Route congratulates Cuan Edick of George - pictured here with daughter KateLynne when receiving his brand new car from Rob Hohls, left, of South Cape Service Centre - on winning the fantastic prize of a brand new VW Polo Vivo.

B & B UNITED: Cliff Bebington and Lynne Blignaut tied the knot at the Plett Methodist Church chapel on March 23 and treated their friends to a delightful reception at the Lookout Deck.

JACK BEATS BLACK... At the fifth round of So You Think You Can Cook on a Cadac, held at LM in Plett on March 28, Steve Black and Bridget Jackson sallied forth unto the skirmish of the spatulas.

Steve expertly cooked Thai pork with roast apples and wasabi mash, while Bridget prepared a starter of seared tuna with soya honey ginger and a main course of rack of lamb with salsa verde, roast baby beetroot and grilled asparagus. After the marks came in, Bridget was declared the winner by the thinnest slice of Parma ham margins.

Photo: Timothy Twidle

PLETT 2 WED, LONDON 2 LIVE: Amelia Nel, only daughter of professor Corrie and Lydia Nel of Plettenberg Bay, married Dr Andrew Clegg, son of Alan and Ann Clegg of Cornwall in the UK during a beautiful ceremony at Wadrift Estate on February 23. The wedding was attended by friends from Ireland, London and Stellenbosch and the happy couple Clegg will reside in London.

Photo: Chris van Niekerk Photography

People, places & events FAME SAFE FOR THREE YEARS: On March 13, the South African Golf Hall of Fame & Museum at Hyatt Regency Oubaai hit a massive hole in one when it was announced that it had secured one of the world’s leading brands, Mercedes Benz, as premier sponsor for three years. Enjoying the gala event where the good news was fêted are, from left, Knysna mayor Georlene Wolmarans, general Bantu Holomisa, and George councillor Iona Kritzinger.

BLACK FOR BEAUTY: Hanlie Sinclair, second from left, hosted an enjoyable product launch in Plett when introducing the Elixir skincare range to a full house of 64 beautiful ladies, all clad in black, at Kumnandi on March 14. Proceeds of ticket sales were in aid of Cansacare Plett and apart from contributing to this great cause, attendees tried out the brilliant natural beauty product while dining out buffet-style on a feast prepared by Andrie Combrink. An informative talk by dermatologist Dr Sian Hartshorne and lots of lucky draws completed the evening’s offerings, and Hanlie thanks the good doc, Events & Tents, Le Fournil, The Health Hub, Body Curvez, and The Treatment Room for making the function memorable. In the pic with Hanlie are, from left, Dee Minikin and June Milburn-Pyle of Cansacare, and Dr Hartshorne at right. For more information on this proud South African product, call Hanlie on 082 688 3152.

Social Scene

April 10 - 2013

CXPRESS

ISSUE 362

9

Photo: Glenn Murray Photography

Photo: Anja Wiehl

Photo: Glenn Murray Photography

GREAT FUN HAD: The good vibes started when Discovery’s Jody Foster, pictured at far left with local star biker Kevin Evans, pledged three years of support for Plett’s Easter Games during a lavish launch at The Fat Fish, and concluded four days later after runners battled it out over 10km in the streets of KwaNokuthula. Standout moments in-between included Dawid Mocke, left, claiming the Saturday’s surf-ski race, while the Plett Surf Nippers - some of whom are pictured above - enjoyed marshalling the MTB and Kwano races to raise funds for their nationals campaign. Come wind or rain, kids of all ages weren’t deterred from Easter egg hunts on the beach or braving the Cairnbrogie trails (also see report on back page). Visit Nature Sport Company’s Facebook page for full results and photos.

Plett Easter Games

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ISSUE 362

Let’s see your pets through YOUR eyes!

Competition

April 10 - 2013

ENTER NOW!

Examples

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

Current Theme: ANIMAL SMILES

A few of our favourite entries received so far...

Over R20 000 worth of prizes to be won!

Sponsored by:

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

SUBMITTED BY: From top left to right - Liana Hildebrand, Estelle Zamudio, Christy Strever, Justine Edwards, June Jocelyn, Barbara Mould, Dave Lodge, Claire Everard, Joelandi Boshoff, Jeannine Stopforth, and Wilma Pieterse

Visit the Events tab on the CXPRESS GARDEN ROUTE NEWSPAPER Facebook Page to view more entries - and please submit your entry before April 18!

Interval

April 10 - 2013

A

T the end of the tax year, the SARS office sent an inspector to audit the books of a local hospital.

While the SARS agent was checking the books, he turned to the CFO of the hospital and said: “I notice you buy a lot of bandages. What do you do with the end of the roll when there’s too little left to be of any use?”

“Good question,” noted the CFO. “We save them up and send them back to the bandage company and every once in a while, they send us a free roll.”

The audit “Oh,” replied the auditor, somewhat disappointed that his unusual question had a practical answer. But on he went, in his obnoxious way: “What about all these plaster purchases?

What do you do with what’s left over after setting a cast on a patient?”

“Ah, yes,” replied the CFO, realising that the inspector was trying to trap him with an unanswerable question.

“We save it and send it back to the manufacturer and every so often they will send us a free bag of plaster.”

“I see,” said the auditor, thinking how he could fluster the know-it-all CFO. “Well,” he went on, “what do you do with all the remains from the circumcision surgeries?”

“Here, too, we do not waste,” answered the CFO. “What we do is save all the little foreskins and send them to the SARS office, and about once a year, they send us a complete dick.”

Who’s your daddy?

The following are all genuine replies that American women have written on Child Support Agency forms in the section for listing ‘Father’s details,’ - or putting it another way ‘Who’s your baby’s daddy?’

• Regarding the identity of the father of my twins. Makeeshia was fathered by Maclearndon McKiley. I am unsure as to the identity of the father of Marlinda, but I believe that she was conceived on the same night.

• I do not know the name of the father of my little girl. She was conceived at a party at 3600 East Grand Boulevard where I slept with a man I met that night.

I do remember that the sex was so good that I fainted. If you do manage to track down the father, can you please send me his

phone number? Thanks...

• I don’t know the identity of the father of my daughter. He drives a BMW that now has a hole made by my stiletto in one of the door panels. Perhaps you can contact BMW service stations in this area and see if he’s had it replaced.

• I cannot tell you the name of Alleshia’s dad as he informs me that to do so would blow his cover and that would have cataclysmic implications for the economy. I am torn between doing right by you and right by the

The best sermon ever man went to church one day A and afterwards he stopped to shake the preacher’s hand.

He said: “Preacher, I’ll tell you, that was a damned fine sermon.

Damned good!”

The preacher said: “Thank you,

Sir, but I’d rather you didn’t use profanity.”

The man replied: “I was so damned impressed with that sermon I put R5’000 in the offering plate!”

The preacher said: “No shit?”

country. Please advise.

• I do not know who the father of my child was as they all look the same to me.

• Tyrone Hairston is the father of child A. If you do catch up with him, can you axe him what he did with my AC/DC CDs? Child B who was also borned at the same time… well, I don’t have a clue.

• From the dates it seems that my daughter was conceived at Disney World. Maybe it really is the Magic Kingdom.

• So much about that night is a blur. The only thing I remember for sure is Delia Smith did a program about eggs earlier in the evening. If I had stayed in and watched more TV rather than going to the party at 8956 Miller Ave, mine might have remained unfertilized.

• I am unsure as to the identity of the father of my baby, after all, like when you eat a can of beans you can’t be sure which one made you fart.

CXPRESS

After 40 years of marriage…

A

married couple in their early 60s celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in a quiet, romantic little restaurant.

Suddenly, a tiny yet beautiful fairy appeared on their table.

She said: “For being such an exemplary married couple and for being loving to each other for all this time, I will grant you each a wish.”

The wife answered: “Oh, I want to travel around the world with my darling husband!”

The fairy waved her magic wand and... poof! Two tickets for the Queen Mary II appeared in her hands.

The husband thought for a moment: “Well, this is all very romantic, but an opportunity like this will never come again.

I’m sorry my love, but my wish is to have a wife 30 years younger than me.”

The wife and the fairy were deeply disappointed, but a wish is a wish. So the fairy waved her magic wand and... poof! The husband became 92 years old.

Another day at the office Kh"{qw‚tg"nkmg"og."vjgtg" jcxg"dggp"eqwpvnguu"vkogu" yjgp"{qw"vjqwijv"vjcv" yqtm"yqwnf"ftkxg"{qw" kpucpg0"Pgzv"vkog"vjcv" hggnkpi"eqogu."vt{"vjgug" ukorng"vgejpkswgu< • Page yourself over the office intercom.

• Find out where your boss shops and buy exactly the same outfits. Always wear them one day after your boss does. (This is especially effective if your boss is a different gender to you.)

• Put up mosquito netting around your cubicle.

• Use your email like an office Facebook. Send an e-mail to the rest of the company telling them exactly what you’re up to. For example: “Just spent time in the bathroom and you’re not gonna believe what I did…”

• Put your garbage bin on your desk. Label it ‘IN’.

ISSUE 362

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CXPRESS

ISSUE 362

Home & Health

April 10 - 2013

Don’t miss this chance to ogle the ‘hood’s prettiest abodes Later this month a handful of Knysna homeowners will, for the second year running, open their fine-looking homes to the public - and that for a great cause

F

OLLOWING an extremely successful event in 2012, Knysna-Sedgefield Hospice and sponsors Seeff are once again presenting Beautiful Homes of Knysna. Funds raised through this event contribute towards financing the vital care and assistance rendered by Hospice to local terminally ill patients.

This year, visitors can look forward to viewing homes in modern, classic, contemporary, colonial maritime, French country and traditional styles.

Situated on The Heads, its casual but elegant décor enhanced by magnificent views of the lagoon and mountains, is a beautiful eclectic vintage home. The treasures here have obviously been collected over many years and combine to create an interesting, inviting living space.

Just down the road on Leisure Isle is a French country-style holiday home. Built in 2005 on the site of the charming Owl’s Cottage, it features many elements that reflect both the design and the owners’ individual tastes.

On Thesen Islands, visitors can view three very different homes. One of the original abodes built on the islands was designed by Wilhelm Lochner and completed early in 2004.

The open plan interior flows

effortlessly through wide open doors onto a wooden deck just a step away from the water. Obviously designed for outdoor living, the house blends in perfectly with the surrounding indigenous garden.

Another home on Thesen Islands is Dgcej"Jqwug. Although conforming to the maritime architecture of all the houses on the islands, the interior is bright, colourful and somewhat whimsical. Beautiful handmade quilting and embroidery by the owner is evident throughout.

Mp{upc"Igo is the third Thesen home on view. It too is situated on the water’s edge, but the décor here is traditional with soft, muted colours throughout.

Wide doors open onto a wooden deck with a plunge pool.

A unique feature of this home is the well-appointed guest apartment, which has both a private entrance and access to the house.

Situated just off the lagoon road is a magnificent home, built in the 1930s. It stands in a lush garden hidden from view by 100-year-old yellowwood trees and, recently renovated, is a true blend of old and new.

Traditional features have been sensitively retained while fresh décor - including a stunning open-plan kitchen - has created a modern family home.

At Uitzicht, overlooking Buf-

CASUAL ELEGANCE: Its Heads situation affords spectacular views from this eclectic vintage home

BEST OF DÉCOR DREAMS: This modern farmhouse at Uitzicht dynamically mixes materials and textures to create a living space at one with its natural environment

falo Bay, is the contemporarystyle home Dgnng" Tgxgtkg.

Glass, wood and a dynamic mix of materials and textures create a living space that is at one with its natural environment.

Minimalist décor serves to enhance the beautiful views from large windows on both sides of the house and the garden, designed by Kathy of Khulani Landscapers, blends in seam-

New era for victim support services AMSA Knysna has been Famsa by the SAPS when apF heavily involved in the Vicplicable and other services Workshops for tim Support Programme that linked to the previous regime operates at various local police stations, including Plettenberg Bay, KwaNokuthula and outlying areas.

In conjunction with SAPS management it was decided to implement a change in this structure, so Famsa withdrew its activities at these police stations, in line with SAPS protocol, at the end of March.

Services will now be rendered by dedicated SAPS members with the assistance of trained volunteers while Famsa will expand its profile as the leading provider of trauma support - including crisis and trauma intervention, debriefing and counselling - in the area.

Clients are still referred to

will continue and expand, e.g.

Famsa support services at the Knysna court, mediation, counselling, training of volunteers, etc. The service cooperation between the SAPS and Famsa is thus due to continue.

Says Knysna SAPS communications officer Sharon Damons: “We have built a strong relationship with Famsa over many years and highly appreciate their valuable contribution to the SAPS Victim Support Programme, and the services rendered in line with this project.”

She added that the SAPS will continue to work with Famsa and other role-players to ensure that victims of crime receive service of the highest quality.

personal growth

T

WO workshops will be presented in Plett on April 16 & 17 as part of Famsa’s counselling training for 2013, exploring subjects like self-actualisation, dealing with change, the cycle of loss, and values.

This course is perfect for individuals interested in becoming lay counsellors for Famsa, existing counsellors wanting to refresh their skills, and members of the public keen on promoting personal growth.

Please call 044 533 0515 to book your seat.

lessly with surrounding indigenous vegetation.

It is here, in the indigenous garden of this distinctive home, that visitors will be able to rest a while, admire the views and enjoy a cup of tea and a scone for a mere R20.

Just along the road, set high above the ocean in Brentonon-Sea, is a breath-taking and modern home. Completed in 2012, it was designed by Hennie Burger and decorated by the owner, with perfect symmetry between the flowing design and modern décor - and through its glass walls, one can see forever!

Back by popular demand, Beautiful Homes of Knysna affords another opportunity to visit some of the town’s most gorgeous residences while making a meaningful contribution to Hospice.

The homes will be open for one day only, on Sunday April 21, from 10am to 4pm. Tickets cost R80 per person and are available from Knysna Hospice (Bond House in Wilson Street), the Hospice Shop in Sedgefield, Seeff Knysna and Plettenberg Bay, and Leisure Isle Antiques.

As only a limited number are available, all tickets should be purchased and paid for before the event, and each ticket grants access to all eight homes.

For more information contact Knysna Hospice on 044 384 0593 or Laura on 083 448 1934.

Entertainment

April 10 - 2013

CXPRESS

ISSUE 362

13

Family feast of theatre hits Knysna and Plett this weekend

A

SSITEJ SA, in collaboration with Lunchbox Theatre, is hosting a Family Season

of Performances on the Garden Route until Sunday April 14.

The South African centre of

From Zim with love... and pining for Plett!

P

LETT architect Alastair Grant shared this delightful poem with CXPRESS, and wrote: “My cousin Peter Jarvis is a poet who has had his work published. He hails from Zimbabwe and worked as a volunteer teacher for VSO in Caprivi and Botswana, so his work usually has an African flavour.”

Peter’s work has appeared in Rqgvt{" Ueqvncpf, and he was runner-up in last year’s James Kirkup Open Memorial Poetry Competition.

He told us that there is a

new collection of poems in the pipeline, and added: “I wish I could email myself to Plett right now and sit on the deck at Keurbooms River mouth with Al and Di guzzling peri-peri chicken livers, washed down with a bottle of Pinotage.

“This could be followed by a gentle saunter along Robberg Beach and an evening on the Grants’ deck setting the world to rights!”

Well, dear cousins, we hope you get together in Plett in the very near future.

Country Cousins Jku"ykhg‚u"eqwpvt{"eqwukpu"jcxg"eqog"vq"uvc{0 Orjq"jcu"dqwijv"uqog"ogcv"hqt"vjgkt"ogcn"vqpkijv"/ Dguv"ngcp"okpeg"/"5ndu"rgpeknngf"qp"vjg"dci0 Dwv"hktuv"Orjq"jcu"qxgtvkog"vq"fq nqcfkpi"uvcorgf"oknngv"hqt"vqoqttqy‚u"vtckp0 Jg"cumu"Vjgdq"vq"fgnkxgt"vjg"ogcv0 Swkvg"ncvg"Orjq"ycnmu"jqog"vq"Mckuquk"/ pq"eqqmkpi"uognnu"ygtg"ychvkpi"vqyctfu"jko0 *Jku"ykhg"cpf"vjqug"eqwukpu"jcxg"yqnhgf"vjg"hqqf0+ Orjq‚u"hktuv"gpswkt{"ku"cdqwv"vjg"ogcn0 Fkf"{qw"igv"vjg"ogcvA"Yjcv"jcrrgpgf"ykvj"kvA Jgt"nqqm"ku"qff0"Ujg"vwtpu"vq"jgt"eqwukpu< Yjkng"yg"ygtg"ejcvvkpi."vjg"ecv"cvg"kv0 Orjq"ecppqv"dgnkgxg"vjku0"Jg"hkpfu"vjg"ecv0 Pgxgt"dghqtg"jcu"kv"fqpg"uwej"c"vjkpi0 Jg"nkhvu"vjg"ecv"qpvq"vjg"mkvejgp"uecngu0 Vjtgg"rqwpfu0"Kv"ygkiju"vjtgg"rqwpfu"gzcevn{0 Kh"vjku"ku"vjg"ecv."vjgp"yjgtg"ku"vjg"ogcvA Qt."kh"vjku"ku"vjg"ogcv."vjgp"yjgtg"ku"vjg"ecvA

the International Association of Theatre for Children and Young People (now in more than 85 countries across the globe) recently received a Naledi Executive Director’s Award for its work in promoting and supporting the growth of theatre for young audiences countrywide.

Performances will take place at Plett’s White House Theatre and in Knysna at the Old Movie House, both venues boasting ample parking and food on sale for the peckish.

With grateful thanks to sponsors DCAS, Distell and the Arts & Culture Trust, the ASSITEJ crew looks forward to entertaining Plett and Knysna audiences with the following shows: flMkvejgp"Hcdngu"kp"c"Eqqmkg" Lct‚"d{"Dcdc"[cic"Vjgcvtg *72okp"6-"{gctu"pqp/xgtdcn+ This Silver Ovation Award winner was created by Danish performer Jori Snell. In a not quite ordinary kitchen, a girl transforms kitchen tools and ingredients into imaginary friends and creatures of her own fantasy.

‘Intelligent theatre for kids’ Ctiwu; ‘Magical, wondrous and whimsical’ - Ecrg"Vkogu; “Better than TV!” - Luke, 5. flIgv"Mtcmgp#‚"d{"Lqp"Mggx{." fktgevgf"d{"Mko"Mgthqqv" *72okp"32-"Gpinkuj" rj{ukecn"vjgcvtg+ In a small fishing community along the West Coast, Jay and his Oupa try their best to make a living from the sea. But you need slips of paper and signatures to get at the dwindling fish and perlemoen, while police in caspirs and Marine Patrol watch the waters. Despite the dangers Oupa takes Jay out with him one night to pull perlies off the rocks. Bam! Searchlights!

HEAD BENDER: ‘Kitchen Fables in a Cookie Jar’ stars Danish performer Jori Snell – see the advert below for all show times - Photo: Niklas Zimmer

They’re caught red-handed. But before the authorities can arrest them properly something under the water yanks them away.

Suddenly Jay and Oupa in their tiny boat are being towed out to sea… When they finally stop, they are drifting in the middle of the ocean, without land in sight. And that’s when things get strange… flHkuj{"Hnkrrgtu‚"d{" Etgcvkxg"Dgcpu" *72okp"6-"pqp/xgtdcn+ Winner of the Musho Festival Audience Award 2013, Hkuj{" Hnkrrgtu sets out to explore the clown as storyteller. An interactive, spontaneous and playful show, it tells the story of a little boy who finds a lost penguin on his doorstep. Come and explore

the shores of your imagination as they set off on an adventure in search of home, only to find it within each other. This story of an unusual and delightful friendship is told by the two silly clowns on our front cover. flVjg"Ncuv"Ftqr‚"d{" Nwpejdqz"Vjgcvtg *52okp"ujqy"52okp"yqtmujqr" 8/36"{gctu"Gpi1Cht+ Water is a hot topic. As one of our most vital resources it is essential for us all to understand why it is so important and how to conserve it. The story starts in the year 2060 and we have just found the last drop of fresh water. There are no more trees, no fruit or vegetables, we can no longer build houses and everyone is suffering. Something

must be done! Join Neptune and his younger brother Triton as they try to save us all from this terrible drought. flVjg"Yjcng"Ujqy‚"d{" Nwpejdqz"Vjgcvtg" *67okp"8/36"Gpi1Cht+" Focusing on whales, this highenergy physical theatre show explores the comparisons between whales and humans and lets us in on some of the secrets of these mysterious creatures of the deep. The wondering whale watchers are on a quest to be like whales as they swirl their audience into an exciting adventure of juggling to catch food, bubbling underwater music and receiving e-whales from a whale called Wonder. Through this fun adventure for the whole family, the whale watchers discover a new way forward for the relationship between whales and people. “Your show has seen the most delightful use of hard-hitting conservation ethics with music, humour and direct interaction with the children.” ORCA Foundation All shows cost R20 per child under-12 and R40 per adult, and each offers a unique opportunity for Knysna and Plettenberg Bay audiences to access high quality theatre for children, youth and families. ASSITEJ SA believes that good theatre for kids is good theatre for adults too, and aims to see families growing up and growing together through theatre.

The crew is engaging with local schools during the week, but the main activity in both towns takes place over the weekend – don’t miss it! Contact info@as sitej.org.za or 021 822 0070/1/2 and see the advert below for more information.

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CXPRESS

ISSUE 362

Read CXPRESS online @ www.cxpress.co.za

April 10 - 2013

Classifieds

On the Soapbox

April 10 - 2013

Letters to the Editor

CXPRESS

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

Local crime reaches frightening proportions Long-term rental specialist Derek Frielinghaus, principal of Haus Rentals in Plettenberg Bay, forwarded the below letter to CXPRESS as cautionary note - especially for the attention of those readers not yet facing the reality of crime on the Garden Route, traditionally regarded as exempt or at least removed from big-city threats I have been concerned with security at the property leased from you, with crime being on the increase. In the past year we have had seven car break-ins and two burglaries.

Apart from numerous ac-

counts of people on the property late at night, who have set off beams or have been chased away by the Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association (they are fantastic!), the same man has also on two occasions come to my Trellidor while I have been at home cleaning on a Saturday morning.

Where he gained entry I have no clue, but each time I have told him to leave, and notified the security company.

I have just returned from Cape Town where my car was stolen - an awful experience - so I had to borrow a car.

At 3:15pm on Thursday the 14th, I walked out of my house to find four gangster-looking young males with steel poles smashing the back windscreen of the car I had borrowed.

They saw me but I had already turned around and bolted into X’s house, where I called the police - who took 15 minutes to get to the scene. It was a frightening experience.

Then, on the night of Sunday the 17th, Y’s friend’s vehicle was also broken into in the driveway.

I am on edge and feel completely vulnerable after this past incident, and have realised I’m taking a huge risk living in a house that has clearly been targeted.

I have been house-sitting for some close family friends for the past week and am trying to think what exactly I can do apart from just being paranoid.

The only option seems finding a safer environment to live in.

The circumstances are beyond my control and the fact is that no car is safe in the driveway.

I really don’t want to move but have found somewhere to stay temporarily until I find another flat. Safety is paramount. I’m buying another car but can’t park it anywhere safe - which sounds ridiculous, but a reality due to the track record.

I think eight car break-ins are quite enough and it seems silly to continue in this way.

I have never known the crime to be so bad in Plett and think I would feel safer if we weren’t just two girls on the property.

Y does not want to move as her dog makes her feel safe, but the guys who watch also know that,

when she leaves with the dog, I’m there alone!

The vulnerability I’m experiencing is no way of life and I’m the only one that can change the situation... by removing myself.

I would like to terminate my lease immediately due to these circumstances. It does not suit me to move but I can’t keep on gambling with my life. We all need to change our thinking about crime and take responsibility to ensure our safety.

If you know of any secure flats/cottages I could move into asap it would be brilliant, but I need secure parking and a safe entrance. I hope you can understand where I’m coming from and that we can resolve this.

Derek concludes: “This is the second tenant in six months who feels she has to move out immediately, regardless of lease conditions. The crime in Plett has reached a level that necessitates the reporting of every single incident, so everyone could be made aware of how rampant crime in our town really is.”

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Dakota feature unearths memories CXPRESS of March 27 featured a photo of a refurbished Dakota on its front cover and, inside, stories by long-time Plett locals who remembered well the days when Air Cape did its daily ‘milk run’ from the Mother City via Oudtshoorn, George and Plett to PE, returning on the same route (visit www.cxpress.co.za and click on People & Places of issue 361) – the below letters were received from readers who cherish their own recollections of those days

Neal Stephenson’s pic, above, of the Dakota DC 3 on your cover (and page 2)... hell, now that has bought back memories!

We used to fly to Cape Town from Plett with stops in George and Oudtshoorn with Air Cape in the late 1960s and 1970s.

When you climbed on board, it felt like you were climbing a mountain to get to your seat, due to the angle of the plane while it was parked on the apron.

Hennie Reddering always saw to it that we had a good seat on the plane - even if the plane was “full”, she made a plan to find us a seat. I can remember her being a true Jack of all trades at the airport - checking us in, talking to the pilots as they descended, sorting out the staff to

attend to the luggage being offloaded, etc., etc.

When you went to see friends and family off, you watched the plane head west down the runway and disappear from sight over the hill as it taxied.

And then there was a huge cloud of dust and you knew that the throttles had been opened and the plane was heading back towards us down the runway gaining speed, horizontal now and about to take off.

The runway is of course different now, but what memories!

Igqtig"Rctmgu."Mp{upc --I have a few happy memories of the days when Air Cape flights landed regularly at Plett.

‘Father Christmas’ once got the

Dakota stuck in a sandy patch which had been undermined by dune mole-rats, so he passed a shovel to a strong-looking male passenger and asked him to start digging. In those days, there was no tarred runway or hard-standing for planes.

I was, on another occasion, standing at the gate to the runway with a small group of people and a large black Labrador dog watching the plane taxi towards us across the grass.

As the Dakota stopped to allow passengers to disembark, an airport attendant pushed a flight of steps on wheels up to the aircraft. Once in position he went up to help the hostess to open the heavy door.

But just as he got to the top he noticed the black dog charging up the steps behind him, so he bailed off in fright and landed heavily in the sand. When the hostess finally got the door open, she was met by an excited black dog and not the usual black face.

The dog pushed past her and entered the cabin to retrieve his master. They were the first to come down the steps, followed by the other disembarking passengers. The attendant standing by looked rather sheepish.

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ISSUE 362

15

16

CXPRESS

ISSUE 362

Sport & Adventure

April 10 - 2013

Plett’s sailors supreme bring Hobie 16 trophy back where it belongs

H

USBAND and wife team William and Lucinda Edwards have just won the Hobie 16 nationals, held in Port Elizabeth from March 21-24. This means that the coveted trophy, claimed by Cape Town sailors

for the past two years, is now safely back in Plett.

‘Back’ because, between William and fellow Plett local Blaine Dodds, they have won the top national title for 21 years in a row, Blaine boasting the greater share of wins but William’s team being responsible for the latest triumph.

William and Blaine have dominated the Hobie 16 circuit conclusively for decades. Both brought up in East London, they started off competing against one another mainly on Hobie 14s. But since relocating to Plett independently during the 70s and 80s, they have moved on to Hobie 16s and Tigers.

An ace sailor in her own right, Lucinda is William’s top crew choice while Blaine sails with his daughter, Roxanne.

And the family connection doesn’t end there, since sons Peter-Blaine Dodds and Douglas Edwards are roped in as crew when the dads compete on Hobie Tigers.

Says Lucinda: “The nationals turned out to be a light-wind regatta with lots of technical sailing. With 41 entries, the competition was on right from the start and the initial races saw each of our Plett sailors getting first and second spots.”

Blaine’s fourth place the next

day gave William the edge, but it remained imperative for him to keep ahead of Blaine on the final day, or at least to ensure that his old friend cum rival did not gain too many positions on him.

All went well with a good lead for William - until the bridge officer decided to fit in a last race… Now the pressure was really on.

William was sailing the perfect regatta, however, remaining calm and focused throughout and so ensuring that his winning streak prevailed and top honours gained. Blaine and Roxanne finished in second place, followed by PE sailors Andrew and Angie Ward.

Knysna was also done proud with the performance of local Richard Ayres and his crew Philippa McLaren in fourth place, while Knysna’s Declan Nurse teamed up with the Edwards’ daughter Pippy to finish in a commendable eighth position.

CXPRESS reported on Pippy’s bright sailing career re-

cently, and with this latest performance the young Collegiate student has proven that she’s following in her talented parents’ footsteps for sure (visit www.cxpress.co.za and see ‘Sports Shorts’ in issue 358).

The Knysna contingent was completed by the husband and wife team of Don and Tracey Brink. So the Route’s sailors did a sterling job indeed, and they thank Sebago Shoes and The Boardwalk for sponsoring

this successful event.

Next up for Plett’s top teams is the Hobie Tiger nationals in Langebaan, while the Hobie 16 world champs take place in Australia early next year.

Good luck!

BATTLE OF ALGOA BAY: William and Lucinda Edwards on the Hikers Cabin boat with orange and white sails, and Blaine and Roxanne Dodds on the Robberg Seafood boat with white and blue sails, took top honours at the recent Hobie 16 nationals in PE

Adventure extremes for Pennypinchers Easter Games races P LETT’S Discovery Easter Games event saw sportos converge on the town’s most scenic mountain bike tracks and running trails, braving stormy seas and golfing it up at Plett Country Club from March 29 to April 1.

The Pennypinchers adventure racing team was responsible for three of these races, kicking off on Easter Friday with the Cairnbrogie trail run and a mountain bike race that same evening, followed by the Saturday’s surfski events.

Day one’s partly cloudy weather made for perfect running conditions and just short of 200 athletes competed over various distances on routes that included new sections of single track.

The 15km route traversed parts of Kranshoek past the Aard Moeders - the symbolic start of the Eden to Addo biodiversity corridor. This initiative, along with the Plett Surf Nippers, will benefit from funds raised during the Cairnbrogie events.

Melikhaya Msizi showed his class again and won the race in a time of 1hr2min. This delighted race director James Stewart, who said he was tired of runners finishing in under an

hour and thus ensured that the new routes ended with a bit of a sting in the tail.

The ladies race was won by Crags local Kerry Scott who slowly worked her way through the field to a well-deserved first place.

As the last runners completed their race, the Pennys AR team crew set about clearing the run route to mark the MTB route with 300 signs and 100 glow tubes in an effort to ensure none of the night-bikers would get lost on the 4.5km loop.

Fires and gas heaters were on hand to keep riders warm, plus Spur burgers grilled on the spot by owner Hilton Nagel. It took a couple of laps for riders to settle and hone their tactics to try sneak in one last lap before the two-hour cut off. Winners in the different categories were Ted and James Morawski, Andrew and Mel Damp, and Steve ‘Shebeen’ Burnett with team mate Ian Wolmarans. Riders were rewarded with handmade trophies and goodies from The Bike Shop.

Rain and a gale force easterly greeted participants in the Saturday’s Pennypinchers Easter Surf Ski Challenge, with a rough swell of 2-3m to boot.

With safety top priority, a lap course of 3km was designed by course director Neal ‘Steel’ Stephenson, so the long course competitors would do six laps and the short coursers, three.

Patrick from Enrico’s Fishing Safaris was on hand to make sure the TV crew got frontrow seats to the action, while Neal manned the NSRI Rescue Runners, which was kept busy hauling in locals Kyle Harris and Chris de Villiers who holed

their boat beyond the Blinders and sank.

Dawid Mocke won the men’s race for the second year in a row, with local Olympian Michelle Eray taking the ladies long-course title. Fellow Plett paddler Wojtek Orzechowski won the short course (no lady finishers).

Visit pennypinchersarteam. blogspot.com for full results, and turn to page 9 for more Easter Games photos.

GOOD TO GO: Pennypinchers AR Team members holler their approval after testing the 4.5km loop for the Cairnbrogie Nite Mountainbike Relay - Photo: Glenn Murray Photography

Tight Lines

Graeme Pollard

Nature’s delivers the goods

Y

IP, you can feel that there is a change of season with a nip in the air, and although we have had some chilly water of late it hasn’t made much of a difference to fishing in the bay.

At last, the first of the hake has made an appearance in the deeper water together with a couple of nice gurnard. Red romans and santers have been

scarce but good-sized silvers and pangas have been boated off Nature’s Valley of late.

Warmer water will see reef fish coming back on the bite, so let’s hope that happens sooner rather than later.

Cheers and tight lines.

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