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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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Mamma Mia!

Kathy de Kock - the only lady below not wearing black - celebrated a big birthday with girlfriends on the beach recently, setting a great example on how to have fun for moms and girlkind in general in the run-up to Mother’s Day on May 12 - turn to page 13 for ideas on spoils and special offers

Plett small boat harbour update

Locals cook it up

Free health check-ups

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p2 & 12

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Photo: Glenn Murray Photopraphy

8 May 2013 #364

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CXPRESS

ISSUE 364

News & Views

May 8 - 2013

Back these local braai masters in their quest for national fire-cooked fame Plett native Chris Kastern – who used to run Robberg Seafood Safari in Knysna for many years, while folks Karin and Chris are the familiar faces in charge of the iconic food emporium’s Plett branch – last week shared with CXPRESS news of the exciting venture he is about to embark on, along with George local Simon Good

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ILMING of the second season of South Africa’s first reality-based TV series, Wnvk/ ocvg" Dtcck" Ocuvgt, hosted by bush-cook guru Justin Bonello, commences this month. And great news for Garden Routers is that two guys with deep local roots count among the contestants vying for the title.

The fun and braaiing begins on the far northeast coast and for 60 days, teams will compete in a gruelling road trip traversing the length and breadth of South Africa, from the banks of the Kosi Estuary through Mpumalanga, Lesotho, the Free State, and Eastern and Northern Cape, before ending in the Cape winelands.

Chris and Simon are old school friends since their days at York High in George. With a team mantra of ‘Never listen to Simon’, their worst fear is wet wood. Quips Chris: “Now that Simon has learned to chop an onion, we might well have a chance to actually make it into the top three...

“Simon and I entered Wnvkocvg" Dtcck" Ocuvgt earlier this year and our team, named Smoke, Sweat & Tears, was selected as one of 15 to take part in the competition, which will be televised on SABC3 in September,” says Chris.

It has been a rollercoaster ride for these two who initially did not make it through the first audition in Cape Town. They tried again in PE, where they had to

VOTE FOR US! ‘Ultimate Braai Master’ contenders Simon Good and Chris Kastern, right, need your support as they contend for the coveted TV title – visit www.ultimatebraaimaster.co.za to vote - Photo: Smoke, Sweat & Tears Facebook page

pull out all the stops to prove that they were good enough.

Team Smoke, Sweat & Tears then made it through to the next audition round and, after an excruciating wait, was the last of the qualifying teams announced on SABC3’s morning show Gz/ rtguuq.

Chris, Tamryn and their boys Sebastian, 5, and Tristan, 3, settled in Fish Hoek a couple of years ago, where Chris works for the WWF-SASSI sustainable seafood programme. “Our boys are doing very well, loving school and the beaches - even if

the water is markedly colder than in Plett.

“I am apprehensive of leaving my family for two months, the youngsters growing up so quickly that I might well be faced with two different monsters upon my return! Tamryn has been hugely supportive of this endeavour and, suffice to say, I will miss her fiercely.”

Seafood sustainability has always been a passion of Chris, so it comes as no surprise that the team’s audition dishes included green-listed SA yellowfin tuna and local black mussels.

“These dishes also comprised tomatoes wrapped in Parma ham, a secret Seafood Safari mussel soup starter, sticky rabbit portions, rare fillet on asparagus with pea and parmesan salad, seared oriental tuna on an orange and leek salad, and red peppers stuffed with Danish feta and olives,” he explains.

“We ended with rum-soaked apple crumble and chocolatefilled doughnuts - all of this done on a wood braai. It was even more challenging as the wind was howling in PE!” Filming starts this month, and the public can now vote for their favourite teams by visiting www.ultimatebraaimaster. co.za and clicking on ‘Total Team Votes’ at top right of the webpage.

“Any support from the Garden Route would be much appreciated,” says Chris. “We sure are excited about this braai road-trip of a lifetime, and will try our best to do you proud!”

There has already been an upwelling of support for these brave locals, who have been honing their skills with chefs, butchers and fishmongers in the area, so please back this campaign by voting for them at the above website.

Social media junkies, please note that there is a Smoke, Sweat & Tears Facebook page to ‘like’, and you can also stay in the loop by following the team on Twitter at @SmokeSweatTears.

Globe-driving family traverses the Garden Route RGENTINIAN couple people, the entire family has to A Herman and Candelaria sleep in the car.

Zapp and their four children Although prepared to do that, Words & photo: Bob Hopkin

passed through the southern Cape last week en route to Egypt, as part of their non-stop freewheeling world tour.

Using a veteran 1928 Graham Paige car they bought originally for $4’000 (R37’000) the Zapps plan to tour every continent on earth, except Antarctica, during an open-ended, self-sufficient adventure.

Having left behind all their conventional possessions in Argentina they made a conscious decision to live their lives on the road. Kicking off in 2000 with a tour of their home country, the couple followed this with a drive to Alaska and then around Canada and the USA. After shipping their vehicle to Australia, they explored that country and New Zealand before sending it on to Asia,

TOUR FOR LIFE: Herman Zapp with his family’s home - a 1928 Graham Paige car

where they visited 13 countries, ending in India. From here the car was shipped to Durban to start their exploration of Africa.

Along the way they have produced a brood of four, each

born in a different country. The burgeoning family meant that Herman had to have the car lengthened to accommodate the children as, often in remote areas away from hospitable

Herman said that kind people frequently offer them the use of their homes.

“We estimate that, so far, we have stayed in over 2’000 homes of benevolent families.”

From KZN their Africa tour followed the coast south and they recently passed through Plett, George and Oudtshoorn before heading to Cape Town and on to Namibia. The entire African route is as yet undecided, but the Zapps’ ultimate continental destination is Egypt, from whence they will embark on the final leg through Europe.

According to Herman, time is a commodity they have plenty of. “With a cruising speed of 50km per hour, we don’t get anywhere in a hurry. We just enjoy the scenery, chill out and take life as it comes,” he said.

News & Views

May 8 - 2013

CXPRESS

Plett harbour hot potato now open for public input A Draft Scoping Report for the controversial Plett small boat harbour development has been submitted to the Department of Environmental Affairs, with the suggestion that it could have many economic benefits for the town - JOHN HARVEY reports

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CCORDING to Port Elizabeth environmental assessment practitioner Dr Mike Cohen, on behalf of project applicant Western Cape Marina Investments, the report sought to investigate potential impacts on the proposed sites for the R4-billion development, focusing on the Piesang estuary near Beacon Island Resort, which is touted as the preferred site.

“The economic impact assessment evaluated the balance between financial benefits and costs, and found that although the achieving of profits for some can come at an unacceptable cost to wider society, the overall balance is in favour of

the small boat harbour and marina project,” the report states.

Were the development to go ahead, in addition to the harbour it would include 482 residential units in eight separate buildings with heights ranging from three to seven floors, 17 bungalows along the Central Beach strip, a 100-room five-star hotel, a plaza, a yacht club, and retail and commercial space.

Local environment groups have already lodged strong objections to the development, saying intensive urbanisation of Central Beach will ruin the economy of the town’s central business district, destroy the safest swimming beach, and

spoil its natural beauty.

However, the scoping report has highlighted several factors of great financial benefit to the Bitou economy, in addition to creating hundreds of jobs for local residents.

“Civil engineering and construction components will take place over a period of three to four years and will result in an additional 968 jobs being created annually by the end of year one, with 459 being direct jobs. Of these, 420 will be for semi-skilled workers from the surrounding communities,” the report says.

“Approximately 70% of all the jobs will be within Bitou

Bitou rubbish finally hits the road Last month the day finally dawned that saw Plett’s first load of rubbish sent packing to Mossel Bay. Said Bitou Municipality’s Randall Bower: ‘We finally managed to get the approval from PetroSA to start transporting waste to Mossel Bay. The contractor went for induction last week and this first photo shows waste being containerised at the Robberg Landfill Site.’

It was expected that the contractor would hit the road as soon as the containers were brim-full, and hoped that this event hailed the start of the end of Bitou’s waste woes – CXPRESS will endeavour to keep you posted.

with a further 29% within the Western Cape. These employees could earn a total of R44million during year one, with R25-million being within Bitou and R17-million within the Western Cape.

That said, the report recognises that there are potential negative impacts on the estuary, many of which were brought to the attention of assessors by Plett residents.

“The construction phase of the proposed development, via intrusion impacts, could spark a decrease in tourists visiting Plett for much of the four-year duration of this phase.

“Many local businesses are very unlikely to be resilient enough, largely due to the town’s cyclical economy, to survive a medium-term decrease in the size of their markets.”

It further states that respondents from the less affluent areas of Plett sounded a stern warning that if foreign nationals many of whom reside in these

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areas - were to be employed as semi-skilled workers during the construction phase, conflict between locals and foreigners “would be inevitable”.

The report mentions the potential loss of habitat for fauna in the area during construction and operational phases, that construction vehicles and staff may disturb or kill fauna, and the potential loss of important estuarine habitats through dredging and reclaiming portions of the estuary to accommodate the harbour.

Cohen said all registered parties had been sent an electronic copy of the executive summary and had been invited to a public open day in Plett on Saturday May 18 to discuss the Draft Scoping Report.

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ISSUE 364

News & Views

May 8 - 2013

Anti-tolling activist calls local drivers to action John Harvey

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HE head of Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance (Outa), the body that has taken the government to task over etolling, has called on motorists using the Tsitsikamma toll road between Port Elizabeth and Cape Town to demand that alternative routes along this freeway be effectively reopened.

While the Bloukrans and Grootrivier passes have been used as alternative routes to the Garden Route and beyond for a decade, in recent years they have remained largely closed to the public, ostensibly for essential repairs.

Whereas previous law stated that a toll road must make provision for alternative routes, new legislation introduced in 2007 did away with this stipulation. However, questions are now being asked as to why the available roads have taken so long to repair and motorists are

being “forced” into paying the road levy, which for normal vehicles currently stands at R38.

There are also concerns that because the passes are very scenic, travellers are being robbed of the opportunity to drive them, thereby hurting the local economy. The Garden Route was recently named the sixth best coastal drive in the world by international travel website virtualtourist.com.

While Grootrivier Pass has officially been opened, motorists are still complaining that it is frequently closed.

“This state of affairs is shocking,” said Wayne Duvenage, who has been driving the campaign against e-tolling in Gauteng from the outset.

“I know that Outa is primarily involved with urban tolling, but the toll road situation throughout SA is completely unacceptable. I was actually in Plett a few weeks ago and really wanted to drive the alternative

FRUSTRATION SITE: Bloukrans Pass remains closed, ostensibly because no repairs have been done on its Eastern Cape side - Photo: Ewald Stander

routes, but couldn’t. There is no excuse that they have not been repaired for so many years.”

He said the Tsitsikamma toll road “definitely” earned more money than was needed for repairs. “Why is this not being done then? Clearly no one has the best interests of the community at heart. Toll prices keep increasing but that money is not being used for repairs, it’s just a money-making exercise.

“This of course is also damaging tourism along the Garden Route. Motorists travelling that route should start a campaign to make sure alternative routes are repaired. This committee must never give up.”

But Western Cape Transport spokesman Siphesihle Dube said his department had made the necessary repairs “on the Western Cape side” of Bloukrans Pass.

“It appears that repairs have not been made on the Eastern Cape side, and that is why the pass has not been opened,” he said. Eastern Cape Transport department spokesman Ncedo Kumbaca was unavailable for comment.

Duvenage’s call comes as the South African National Roads Agency recently declared it would go ahead with plans to construct at least two more toll roads in the Western Cape.

The DA has slammed the oranisation, saying it would rather encourage private sector investment in road construction through partnerships with local, provincial or national governments. - Ictfgp"Tqwvg"Ogfkc

Plett’s tourism wheels are turning anew

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XPRESS chatted to Peter Wallington, the man in charge of pulling together a renewed effort to get Plett Tourism operating at full throttle.

“We are engaging with festival organisers, marketing and concept suppliers, and have met with stakeholders in Plett, Knysna and Cape Town, both in

the private and public sectors,” said Peter, adding that a detailed plan for 2014/15 should be finalised later this month.

“A Plett brand strategy was developed as part of a tourism initiative by the previous administration, involving an inclusive process with the industry. The opinions of some 50

tourism operators informed the outcome of this strategy, which will be launched in stages as budget allows, and continue to be guided by the thoughts and actions of Plett role-players.

Email chairman@pletttourism.com with questions or suggestions, and see the advert at left for additional information.

News & Views

May 8 - 2013

CXPRESS

ISSUE 364

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Locally brewed Eco Atlas to wow nationally at Indaba Ever been to a restaurant or hotel and wondered what happens behind the scenes? Are your breakfast eggs free-range, or is that special bottle of red wine going to be recycled when you leave?

ECO-ETHICAL: The Table in Plett’s Main Street is one of the Garden Route pioneers creating positive change through environmentally-friendly choices – in the photo, Mirriam Matebese and Kyle Campbell point out the Eco Choices chart

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progressive new concept in conscious consumerism, born in the heartland of Plettenberg Bay, will pave the way by launching nationally at the Tourism Indaba in Durban from May 11-14.

Eco Atlas is an innovative online guide which puts the power of choice in your hands.

Pioneering here on the Garden Route and growing nationally, it enables you to make informed decisions about where to eat, where to stay and what to buy, based on eco-ethic practices.

Twenty simple eco-symbols, called Eco Choices, make it easy to see at a glance which establishments are recycling, serve sustainable fish or empower their staff, allowing you

to eco-sensibly decide which places, products and services to support, while a unique search function facilitates your sourcing of locally-produced and earth-friendly products.

Eco Atlas is the first of its kind in this country in that it provides consumers with both the socially and environmentally ethical achievements of places and services, and highlights businesses that are making a difference.

Any business can be listed as long as they meet at least one of the Eco Choice criteria - the website features accommodation, restaurants, outdoor activities, goods providers and schools, to mention a few.

Featured places benefit from a

write-up, photos, Google maps and the ability for visitors’ reviews. A great many people and places create positive change and walk the ethical talk, and Eco Atlas provides the map to pinpoint them.

Over 50 listings from Stormsriver to Cape Town already feature on the site, and some of the Garden Route pioneers include Ingwe Forest Adventures, Le Fournil, Hola Café, Sassui Skin Care, The Midweek Market, The Table, Rawganic, and Treehaven Lodge.

Says Eco Atlas founder Rhian Berning: “The emphasis at present is on building a reliable database, so there is no charge for being showcased on the website. If you want to change the world, start with your wallet and change the places you visit and support.

“We so often underestimate our power as consumers, but we are in fact extremely powerful.”

A 2012 study done by TripAdvisor stated that 71% of those surveyed would make environmentally friendly choices this year. But people need information to make those choices, so why not let Eco Atlas point you in the ethical direction?

Look out for the Eco Atlas sticker at the door of the next venue you visit, as it will list all the Eco Choices they make.

And if they don’t sport an Eco Atlas sticker, feel free to ask them why. Visit www.ecoatlas. co.za for more information.

Trust this crew to sustain our oceans OCEAN’S 11: At the Plett presentation were, standing from left, the SST team of Annerie Lamprecht, Laura Weston, Enathi Mqokeli, Desiree Schirlinger, Kathryn Hendry, Tony Ribbink and Given Makhutla, with ORCA members Chanel Hauvette, Ella Garrud, Ulrica Williams and Tony Lubner seated

Words & photo: Timothy Twidle

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N April 25, Plett was host to a talk by the Sustainable Seas Trust (SST) at Emily Moon River Lodge. Tony Lubner, chairman of Bitou-based Ocean Research Conservation Africa (ORCA), opened the evening by relating a few anecdotes about the vagaries of the behaviour of octopuses.

He then introduced SST director Tony Ribbink, who explained that SST is a charitable

NGO committed to reversing the degradation of the South African coastline by way of education and support.

A team of six SST members is presently touring the 3000km of SA’s coastline, visiting two cities and 13 towns that make use of the ocean and coast for commercial activity and recreation.

The 120-strong audience was shown an array of slide photos and a short film, which demonstrated the damage wrought to coral reefs by irresponsible actions and the many parts of lit-

toral zone of our national seaboard that have been stripped of molluscs and other marine life.

Further damage has been inflicted on a diversity of marine environments by overfishing and poaching.

Ribbink will be returning to Plettenberg Bay in a couple of months to conduct a workshop on the development of projects to reverse the harm already done to the oceans and improve the quality of the seas.

Visit www.sst.org.za for more information.

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ISSUE 364

News & Views

May 8 - 2013

Operation Imogene – the story of a dream come true IN conjunction with Born in Africa Netherlands, the Plettbased BIA team recently established a project called Dream in Africa, which invites all children in its care to share their

ultimate dream.

The project strives to fulfil one dream each month as chosen by the management team.

Explains the organisation’s Belinda Coram: “Our first dream-

come-true has its roots in another Born in Africa project called Sight for Life.

“Two years ago, we tested all 450 learners’ eyes, many of whom subsequently received

glasses. The serious cases were referred to specialists by Plett Optical owner Jan le Roux, who continues to be our Sight for Life examining partner.”

One such a case was Imogene Krigga, then 14, from Kurland Village in The Crags. Imogene was diagnosed with amblyopia - a vision disorder that affects a small but quite significant part of the population.

This affliction means that the eyes are not synchronised, so the burden of vision falls specifically on one eye. At some point, the brain shuts off the impaired eye, leaving the sufferer with vision in one eye only.

Amblyopia is treatable when it is detected early and remedied by an optometrist, but if not corrected by the time the child turns nine, it is probable that the brain will begin shutting down the vision of the impaired eye.

“The brain starts to ignore the vision and, once this has happened, cannot ‘unlearn’ it,” says Belinda, reiterating that early treatment of amblyopia is thus essential.

“Imogene was referred to the state specialist and after examining her, his diagnoses was that an operation would not make a significant improvement to her vision. We then visited optometrist Dr Roger Brink of Mossel Bay, who recommended that we proceed with the operation.

“Next up was an appointment with ophthalmic surgeon Dr Peter Harpur of Knysna. He was very keen to perform the operation - and became our hero in the process!

“He negotiated special rates with Knysna Private Hospital and with anaesthetist Dr Sarah Bayman.”

A fundraising campaign was immediately initiated and, thanks to Imogene’s Born in Africa godparents the Vanhaerents, Nicole du Preez, the Sabrina Love Foundation, and Rolf Sieper with his daughter Ines Steinberg of Germany, money for the operation was raised in record time.

Dr Harpur performed the surgery on April 22 - a day that Imogene Krigga, now 16, will remember for the rest of her life. In the early hours of that Tuesday morning, she woke her mother in a state of elation... She could suddenly see so much better!

After 16 years of battling with reading, not enjoying sports, and struggling with her school work, she can now see much more clearly.

Imogene visited Dr Harpur for her post op check-up and he confirmed that there has been a substantial improvement.

Born in Africa thanks everyone involved in making Imogene’s dream come true.

LIFE-CHANGING STUFF: Dr Peter Harpur of Knysna, above, was very keen to perform the operation on Imogene Krigga; below, BIA’s Belinda Coram checks on Imogene after the successful eye op

Take advantage of Rotary’s free health services from May 9-11

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HE Rotary Family Health Days (RFHD) is a signature programme of the Rotarians For Family Health & Aids Prevention Inc., which is initiated, coordinated and managed by Rotary International along with partner organisations.

RFHD is a comprehensive, holistic offering of free health care services over three days across SA for parents, children, grandparents and friends, and will be carried out at 180 sites across the country.

So from May 9-11, assisted by 4’000 Rotarians, Rotaractors and Interactors, the aim is to test and counsel 50’000 people for HIV, administer polio drops and measles vaccinations, test for TB, screen for diabetes and test blood pressure, deworm and provide vitamin A tablets to anyone in need of these services.

At various sites in SA, Rotarians will also be facilitating services such as dentistry, eye testing, cervical cancer smears, mammography screens, and hygiene education.

Says Plett Rotary’s David Pickering: “The objective is to

provide free health care to those who do not normally receive this service, and to pursue referral opportunities for conditions outside of those usually reported to the authorities.”

The Rotary Club of Plett and local Department of Health representatives will stage this event at Masizame (4911 Xipula Street) in KwaNokuthula for the benefit of residents from all over Bitou, including New Horizons, Qolweni, Bossiesgif, Wittedrift, The Crags, Covie, and Kranshoek.

Contact details to find out about RFHD venues in the rest of CX-country are as follows: • Mp{upc (Sinethemba Catholic church hall in Khayalethu, LoveLife centre in Concordia, or Knysna Sekondêr in Hornlee) • Ugfighkgnf (Masithandane in Smutsville) - Ian Huskisson at huskissn@mweb.co.za or on 083 681 7300 • Igqtig (Thembalethu community centre) - Diane Kershaw at icanfly@mweb.co.za or on 083 290 2306.

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HEALTH TOP-UP, NO CHARGE: Preparing for the Rotary Family Health Days taking place at KwaNokuthula’s Masizame Children’s Shelter from May 9-11 are, from left, Rotarian Keith Slade, Masizame’s Sonia Thomas, Rotarian Ate Bos, Masizame’s Monica Oosthuizen, Natasja Lottering of the Health Department, and Rotarian David Pickering

Notice Board The CX/Plett Equestrian team invites 12 to 16-year-olds to a teen dance party on Oc{"32"(710pm) at Knysna Angling Club.

There’ll be food for sale and a photo booth so join the fun and help raise funds so that promising local riders may attend the national school league finals later this year. Buy your R50 ticket asap as space is limited.

Call 084 843 3436 or email skydive@afrihost.co.za for info.

The 30-Hour Famine Youth Weekend takes place on Oc{" 32"("33, with funds raised distributed to Bitou charities. For more info or to donate, call André on 082 857 4129 or Taegan

on 071 298 0160.

Garden Route Botanical Gardens in George hosts a car-boot sale on Oc{" 33 from 9am to 1pm at R50 per car or stall contact Kristen on 044 8741558 or scherb@pixie.co.za to book.

On Oc{"33"at 7:30pm Wendy Oldfield launches her new album Uwrgtpqxc at Sedgefield Arms. Call Azelda on 081 325 8341 to book tickets.

Knysna Plett Concert Series presents violinist Hrachya Avanesyan and pianist Pieter Jacobs on Oc{" 42 at Knysna DRC hall at 7:30pm. Tickets at the door cost R100 and scholars pay R20.

Business

May 8 - 2013

CXPRESS

An overview of single residential Robberg Beachfront property Steve Neufeld – Sothebys International Realty Plett

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INCE 2000 property markets around the world including South Africa and Plettenberg Bay - have experienced some of the most interesting times in many decades.

Exponential growth saw properties gaining at double-digit figures yearly and in some places properties doubled in value over a 12 to 24 month period.

Along came the financial meltdown in 2008 and property prices plummeted by as much as 40% in a short period of time, leaving many people exposed to negative equity, with almost all banks having huge exposure to the downside.

The National Credit Act then kicked in and sought to regulate how banks lend to clients, in order to stop over-lending. All of

Investor Focus

this made for a very interesting period in property ownership.

This report deals only with properties on Robberg Beach, which are some of the most sought-after properties in South Africa. There is a limited supply and high demand, which naturally leads to higher values.

Not enough properties transfer there to make the statistics entirely reliable (about three per year on average), but at a quick glance, it appears that values have roughly doubled between 2000 and 2008, only to lose or stagnate in value until 2012, after which there has been a small upturn.

Three sales registered in 2012, ranging from R15.5-million for an older home on Beachy Head Drive to R23-million for a mod-

ern home in Solar Beach.

There are two sales for 2013 that have not registered yet, for R17.5-million and R18million respectively. Of particular interest is that the latter is the same property that sold for R15.5-million in 2012, so in just one year, the value increased by R2.5-million, representing a 16% increase over this 12-month period.

The highest price registered for a single residential home on Robberg Beachfront to date was R24.510-million (including VAT) in March 2011.

Hein Pretorius, principal of Sotheby’s International Realty, just sold a special residential property on the beachfront for R45-million - the highest beachfront price to date, but the land is much bigger than the average single residential proper-

Malcolm Stewart – Portfolio Manager at Sanlam Private Investments Knysna

Active investing, passive investing, and the benchmarking system UCH has been said about Even if he feels that resource flation are free of the shackles M the merits of owning an shares are overpriced, he cannot of the JSE Index and often suit actively managed unit trust sell them all. He may reduce the individual better. Dividend versus a passively managed Exchange Traded Fund (ETF, e.g. one of the Satrix products).

The ETF option is clearly the cheaper offering. Here the costs are rarely over 0.5% while unit trust costs can vary from 0.5% to a massive 1.8% if one includes performance fees.

Traditionally, the unit trust industry competed on performance. You rarely meet the fund manager and you will certainly not have a personal relationship with him/her. ETFs likewise compete on performance, but also on cost.

Another active investing alternative is to use a stockbroker and choose your personal portfolio. In this market there is a high element of trust - which may overshadow performance, depending on your personal mandate.

When trying to understand these investment choices, you should first consider the benchmark you wish to choose in order to measure the performance of your investment.

A unit trust manager who is locked into, say, the JSE All Share Index must always hold a large percentage of resources.

(At the peak of the boom, resources made up almost 50% of this index.) The greatest risk a fund manager would thus face is to be under-weight in terms of resources.

his exposure so as to be underweight, but his mandate prevents him from selling the lot of them - even if he is certain that their next major move will be down.

Consider that he did sell them all and was then proven wrong, he could be sued for deviating from his mandate.

This investment trap was evident during the IT boom in 2000, when IT shares were seriously overvalued and made up a disproportionate percentage of the JSE All Share Index. Similarly, resources currently make up ±35% of the index, versus 50% at their peak.

Passive funds or ETFs have the same risk. Billiton and BAT are massive international companies, each with huge market capitalisations. They dominate the JSE Index so exposure to them is mandatory in any fund, whether it is an ETF or a unit trust benchmarked to the JSE. This system of benchmarking will thus almost always insure that an investor is exposed to the biggest and possibly the most expensive (read: overvalued) shares in the market.

There is, however, a place for all of these investment vehicles provided they are properly managed. Unit trusts benchmarked as value funds have their place in seriously depressed markets; those benchmarked against in-

growth or dividend income funds are of great value to the retired investor.

ETFs can also be managed. In the current world of easier international investing and South Africa’s relaxed exchange controls, these investment tools can offer quality exposure to nearly all international markets.

It is in the field of personal portfolios that specific personal mandates can be set. The serious long-term investor can get exposure to the world’s best global companies like CocaCola or Volkswagen.

He can hold them over many years and see his value and his dividends grow over time. A retiree can stipulate his/her required income and the portfolio can hold a diversity of assets, e.g. property trusts and bonds, as well as shares.

Competition in the investment world is intensifying, so smaller personal portfolios are available. Good investment advisors will develop a sound and trusting bond with their clients and so allow you to sleep at night.

Remember, it’s not all about performance or cost, and trust should be your key thought.

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ty, and the zoning and building regulations are different.

Currently, single residential beachfront asking prices range between R20-million and R56million.

It is common practice for older homes to be demolished when sold and replaced with new bigger houses. Over the past couple of years approximately five new homes have been built. The figures above were taken from deeds information on March 11.

A number of sales are still in the registration process, so the picture will change somewhat.

Currently there are only two

properties for sale on the beachfront in Beachy Head Drive one of the last remaining older homes at R20-million, and a vacant erf for R26.5-million.

If you have been considering selling your property now is not a bad time to place it on

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the market, as there is very little supply and demand is on the rise for these properties.

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CXPRESS

People, places & events

ISSUE 364

Social Scene

May 8 - 2013

PLETT PRIMARY SHINES: At a recent ceremony held in George, Plettenberg Bay Primary School received five academic awards for Grade 3 and 6 literacy and numeracy results from the Western Cape Education Department, one of these being for Overall Excellence in Numeracy and Literacy.

Celebrating this amazing accomplishment with proud principal Hendrik Bester, second from right, are, from left, teachers Behrens (Gr 3), Du Plessis (HOD), Vos (Gr 3), deputy head Schnell, Dorfling (Gr 6), Fourie (HOD), Van Schie (Gr 3), Sierra (Gr 6), and Deal (Gr 6). The school has received nine academic awards from the WCED over the past five years – proof that its parents, pupils and teachers uphold the Plett Primary motto ‘Aim High’.

KEEPING IT TIDY: Conrad Pezula Resort & Spa team members celebrated Earth Day on April 22 by dedicating an afternoon to cleaning up Knysna's charming Noetzie Beach. Pictured with several bags of litter collected on the day are, in no particular order, Wilhelmina, Lutricia, Senovia, Theodora, Jessica, Lulama, Coanel, Jessica, Tebogo, Wezile and William.

SAYING ADIEU IN STYLE: Wittedrift High held its matric farewell at Bella Manga County House in Uplands on April 19, and proud mom Gaile Smith sent this pic of her daughter Danielle Chanté, in red, with Sadecka Aweries of Plett Secondary School, who accompanied Wittedrifter Marcelino Patterson to the elegant affair.

READERS’ PARADISE: Cathy Lewis from Bargain Books at Plett’s Market Square sent this pic and wrote: ‘The local folk love to know who won competitions and we give away so many prizes that I was hoping you would share this one with CXPRESS readers. Jeannette McIvor was the lucky winner of our last competition, and is pictured here receiving her free hamper of books worth R1’200.’

May 8 - 2013

CXPRESS

BRILLIANT MZ BROWN: Joburg-based diva in drag Shannin Brown, above, performed at Zanzibar in Knysna last Thursday, the show ‘Queens of Wonderland’ forming part of the successful Pink Loerie festival. The images at right and below show some of the fun had by CXPRESS contributor Gigi Lewis while roaming the town’s temporary pink streets. Knysna mayor Georlene Wolmarans, pictured at right, said the event brought in valuable money at a time when the tourism season was coming to a close. ‘This festival carries us through from Easter to the Oyster Festival in July, and therefore serves as a welcome boost to our economy. The Pink Loerie’s added arts theme places emphasis on another aspect for which Knysna and the Garden Route is very well-known, as the region has been the hub and inspiration for some of the country’s best artists and the creative flair displayed contributes to this artistic reputation.’ She wished the organisers well and welcomed visitors to Knysna during this time. - Yolandé Stander

People, places & events

TOAST OF HER TOWN: Bitou lass Louisa Harker, who won Plett’s Tshisa talent search a year ago, covered herself in glory at the 16th South African Championships of Performing Arts held in Rustenburg, North West, from April 6-14. Claiming the gospel and open vocal categories, she was adjudged the overall winner in the 25-30+ age range. Total entries to the championships topped a 1000 from all over the country and Louisa’s success has earned her a place in the team chosen to represent South Africa at the World Championship of Performing Arts in Los Angeles in July. Louisa draws inspiration from many gospel singers, including Shirley Caesar, Ntokozo Bambo and Benjamin Dube. ‘Music has always captivated me - I sing whether I am happy or sad,’ says Louisa, adding that she plans to record a gospel album later this year. The toast of New Horizons where she has lived for most of her life, all of Bitou congratulates Louisa on her splendid achievement.

Photo: Timothy Twidle

WILD RIDE: At left, Nadia Burger holds the photo of a rhino that she successfully bid for at the auction in support of RocknRide4Rhino, along with, from left, singer Jason Hartman, Dave Estment of Wild Imaging Trust, and celebrity auctioneer on the night, Francois Wolfaardt. The well-supported fundraiser was held at Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve on April 30 and was also attended

by Catherine and Ed Cox of Knysna, below. The next morning, Jason lead a motorcycle ride through Bitou joined by local bikers and many an eager passenger, who contributed towards RnR4R by paying R50 a ride.

Below left, he rubs shoulders with Bitou councillor Elaine Paulse. See page 12 for another report on Jason’s visit and click on www.rnr4r.org for additional information.

Photos: Timothy Twidle

ISSUE 364

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Photos: Gigi Lewis

Photo: Ewald Stander

Social Scene

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CXPRESS

ISSUE 364

Let’s see your pets through YOUR eyes!

Competition

May 8 - 2013

Example

ENTER NOW! THEME NO. 10: FUNNY PICS WITH CAPTIONS DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES: 16 MAY 2013 WINNER ANNOUNCED: 22 MAY 2013

Current Theme: FUNNY PICS WITH CAPTIONS A few of our favourite entries received so far...

Over R20 000 worth of prizes to be won!

Sponsored by:

"GREAT UNSOLVED CAT MYSTERIES." - William Ashurst

"SO NEAR, YET SO FAR!" - Sandy Braby

“GREYHOUND TWISTER - OK... BACK LEFT PAW ON THE RED DOT...

KEEP STILL!” - Steve Solomon

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

“PIGGYBACK-RIDE ANYONE? OR ARE YOU CHICKEN?” - Jeannine Stopforth

“I AM SOOOOO TIRED, BUT YOU MADE ME SOME NICE FOOD. NOW I CANNOT LIFT MY HEAD, I’M SO FULL!” - F van de Water

"DRINK OR SWIM." - Dominic Morel

‘MAYA, THE BURMESE: "I VANT TO BE ALONE!!!"’

- Kirsten Deacon "WHAT ME? NEVER DID A THING!" - Angelique van Zyl “CHARLIE AND SMUDGE ‘DANCING AND SINGING’.”

- Christy Strever

“THERE WAS A SPIDER. IT’S GONE NOW...”

- Mariska Brink

Visit the Events tab on the CXPRESS GARDEN ROUTE NEWSPAPER Facebook Page to view more entries - and submit your entries before 16 May!

“MY NAME IS TYSON. I AM FAST, BIG, STRONG, FEARLESS, CRUEL, BRUTAL. I HAVE NO MERCY...

BUT I LOVE MY MOMMY!” - Kobus van Wyk

Interval

May 8 - 2013

CXPRESS

ISSUE 364

Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit.

Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.

Y

OUNG King Arthur was ambushed and imprisoned by the monarch of a neighbouring kingdom.

The monarch could have killed him but was moved by Arthur’s youth and ideals. So, the monarch offered him his freedom, as long as he could answer a very difficult question.

Arthur would have a year to figure out the answer and, if, after a year, he still had no answer, he would be put to death.

The question? ‘What do women really want?’

Such a question would perplex even the most knowledgeable man, and to young Arthur, it seemed an impossible query.

But, since it was better than death, he accepted the monarch’s proposition to have an answer by year’s end.

He returned to his kingdom and began to poll everyone: the princess, the priests, the wise men and even the court jester.

King Arthur’s tale He spoke with everyone, but no one could give him a satisfactory answer.

Many people advised him to consult the oldest, ugliest woman in the land, for only she would have the answer.

But the price would be high, as the woman was famous throughout the kingdom for the exorbitant prices she charged.

The last day of the year arrived and Arthur had no choice but to talk to the old woman. She agreed to answer the question, but he would have to agree to her price first.

The old ugly woman wanted to marry Sir Lancelot, the most noble of the knights of the Round Table and Arthur’s closest friend!

Young Arthur was horrified.

She was hunchbacked and hideous, had only one tooth, smel-

led like sewage, made obscene noises, and then some...

He had never encountered such a repugnant creature in all his life.

He refused to force his friend to marry her and endure such a terrible burden. But Lancelot, learning of the proposal, spoke with Arthur.

He said nothing was too big a sacrifice compared to Arthur’s life and the preservation of the Round Table.

Hence, a wedding was proclaimed and the woman answered Arthur’s question thus: “What a woman really wants,” she said, “is to be in charge of her own life.”

Everyone in the kingdom instantly knew that the woman had uttered a great truth and that Arthur’s life would be spared.

And so it was, the neighbour-

Proofreading is a dying art…

• Man Kills Self Before Shooting Wife and Daughter *K"ecnngf"vjg"gfkvqtkcn"tqqo"cpf" cumgf" yjq" ytqvg" vjku0" Kv" vqqm" vyq"qt"vjtgg"tgcfkpiu"dghqtg"vjg" gfkvqt"tgcnkugf"vjcv"yjcv"jg"ycu" tgcfkpi" ycu" korquukdng#" Vjg{" rwv"kp"c"eqttgevkqp"vjg"pgzv"fc{0+"" • Something Went Wrong in Jet Crash, Expert Says *Pq."tgcnn{A"[c"vjkpmA+" • Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers *Pqy" vjcv‚u" vcmkpi" vjkpiu" c" dkv" hct#+" • Panda Mating Fails; Veterinarian Takes Over *Yjcv"c"iw{#+""" • Miners Refuse to Work after Death *Vjqug" iqqf/hqt/pqvjkpi" nc|{"

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ing monarch granted Arthur his freedom and Lancelot and the ugly woman had a wonderful wedding.

The honeymoon hour approached and Lancelot, steeling himself for a horrific experience, entered the bedroom.

But what a sight awaited him!

The most beautiful woman he had ever seen lay before him on the bed.

The astounded Lancelot asked what had happened.

The young beauty replied that since he had been so kind to her when she appeared ugly, she would henceforth be her horrible deformed self only half the time and the beautiful maiden the other half.

Which would he prefer - beautiful during the day, or throughout the night?

Lancelot pondered the predicament. During the day, a beautiful woman to show off to his friends, but at night, in the privacy of his castle, an old ugly woman?

Or, would he prefer having a hideous woman during the day, but by night a beautiful woman with whom to enjoy wondrous intimate moments?

Noble Lancelot said that he would allow HER to make the choice herself.

Upon hearing this, she announced that she would be beautiful all the time because he had respected her enough to let her be in charge of her own life.

Now… what is the moral to this story?

If you don’t let a woman have her own way, things are going to get ugly - VERY ugly!

Ai, Jannie!

J

ANNIE se ma sê vir Jannie om sy pa te bel en te vra hoe laat hy huis toe kom van gholf af.

Jannie bel en sê agterna vir sy ma: “Daar’s ‘n vrou wat sê hy kannie nou praat nie!”

Later kom Pappa by die huis en Mamma gee hom ‘n warm klap.

Pappa vra heel verbaas: “Wat de hel was dit voor?”

Mamma sê vir Jannie: “Sê PRESIES vir jou pa wat die vrou gesê het toe jy gebel het.”

Jannie: “The subscriber you have dialled is not available at present. Please try again later.”

11

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CXPRESS

ISSUE 364

Food & Wine

May 8 - 2013

Ms Westwood’s rabbit stew wins her that Cadac Words & photos: Timothy Twidle

T

HE final of Uq" [qw" Vjkpm" [qw" Ecp" Eqqm" qp" c" Ecfce - the popular gastronomic competition of which the second season kicked off on March 1 was held at LM in Plett on the night of Workers Day, May 1.

After eight heats in as many weeks and two semi-finals the previous week, the ultimate cook-off of the competition was contested by local lasses Bridget Jackson and Lauren Westwood.

After 90 minutes of concentrated culinary endeavour, Brid-

get presented a dish of rabbit in a red wine mushroom braise with blanched greens and Parmesan cheese, while Lauren prepared a rabbit red wine stew with roasted butternut cubes and green beans.

The judging panel of Tranette Dippenaar, Jon Belinsky and Karin Kastern pronounced Lauren to be the winner, which saw her walk off with the awesome sponsor’s prize of a Cadac Meridian 4 BBQ Unit, as well as a hamper of Rietvallei wines.

All four semi-finalists, includ-

ing Roger Hart and Torquil McNicol, received a cooler bag from Robberg Seafood Safari, two bottles of wine donated by The Plettenberg Hotel, and a bottle of Rietvallei Estate wine.

At the conclusion of the evening Lauren said she was over the moon to have won, as it had been “a tough contest and a real challenge”.

Luiz da Fonseca - owner of LM in Plett, which hosted the competition throughout and which was packed to capacity on the evening of the final

- raved about the fantastic support from so many people, saying it left him “speechless”.

The evening was graced by the presence of singer Jason Hartman, who is currently leading the 10’000km RocknRide4Rhi-

no tour through Southern Africa in support of nature conservation (read more about this on page 9 of this edition).

The affable celeb added fun to the final as he worked alongside the contestants, preparing

two dishes of cooked rabbit that were auctioned and raised R450 for his campaign. The 110 diners present contributed a whopping R4’000 to RnR4R, which was presented to Jason by Matuschka Sinclair.

MAYDAY! RABBIT MYSTERY... Contestants in the final cook-off received a mystery basket with rabbit as main ingredient, the picture at left showing the winning dish of rabbit red wine stew with roasted butternut cubes and green beans – pictured above are, from left, judge Tranette Dippenaar, winner Lauren Westwood, celeb chef for the evening Jason Hartman, LM in Plett owner Luiz da Fonseca, judges Jon Belinsky and Karin Kastern, and runner-up Bridget Jackson BIDDING FOR THE CAUSE: Mariette Hill holds the dish of cooked rabbit prepared by Jason Hartman, which she bought by auction for R250 in support of RocknRide4Rhino at the final of ‘So You Think You Can Cook on a Cadac’

Tasty treats and great wines add to Eight Bells offerings

E

IGHT Bells Mountain Inn nestles in the vicinity of Ruiterbos Valley at the foot of Robinson Pass, on the R328 between Mossel Bay (35km) and Oudtshoorn (50km).

Established more than 80 years ago, this charming inn is renowned for its friendly hospitality, superb service and range of recreational facilities amid magnificent mountain scenery.

Feel at home in a choice of 25 tastefully decorated ensuite bedrooms, family units, air-conditioned log cabins and thatched rondavels set in enchanting gardens.

Tasty teas and lunches are served on the garden terrace and a good wine list complements the Oak Room’s à la carte dinner menu. Reserve your Sunday lunch in this charming restaurant, or enjoy a meal on the patio outside.

Facilities include a sports and kids entertainment, horse riding, walking trails and birding, all on the 400-acre estate.

Eight Bells Mountain Inn is a gateway to explore the Garden Route and Little Karoo, and the region’s many natural wonders.

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PeeBee’s Wine Column

Peter Bishop

Pinot Noir – so different, but love them all

I

T is always exciting preparing for a blind tasting of Pinot Noir - especially where my friend Dr Alan Wolfson holidays in the Wilderness, bringing a London visitor along to scrutinise the progress made in SA now that the new Dijon clone vines have stabilised.

On the chosen night, the winner proved to be the Groote Post 2009, although many contenders were not opened. I wrote: ‘A beautiful grace and charm.

Black fruits. So young, it seems en premier. Classic, with a long finish. If not Burgundian, then made by a guy with a great grasp of Burgundy.’

Londoner Phil Marshland called it ‘a classic Burgundy’, as did my friend George Parkes.

We found it positive to taste a convincing Pinot Noir outside of Hermanus. Nick Pentz planted those vines in 1997, encouraged by Anthony Hamilton Russell. Lucas Wentzel made the wine.

The highly-honoured 5-star Chamonix Reserve 2011 strawberry, violet, marmite, ‘far out’ - had a mixed reception. It was bold and attractive, appealing to panel judges, but lacked refinement and subtlety.

Two wines from Robertson drew the mantle of charity, and Peter Finlayson’s Galpin Peak Tête de Cuvée 2007 had a mixed reaction, with a touch of volatility that made the wine fall apart and appear sharp.

At the last WineX show in Cape Town, I voted it as champion of the show. A possible reasoning is that the wine is put into new oak barrels and later transferred to other new barrels, thus needing additional bottle maturation.

A British Colombian Pinot

Noir, the Cedar Creek 2008, was a bit watery, like cream soda with awfully huge acids – in a screwcap, pqicn.

The experienced tasters took to Jan Boland Coetzee’s Vriesenhof 2007 Auction Pinot Noir, exclusively of Clone 777. Marmite, boiled sweets, shallots, spiciness, old socks – which meant the ‘French pong’ and hence Burgundian, but it was not.

It is significant that generally ‘tasters’ try to identify flavours with fruit, be it light, medium or dark berries, or cherries or plum. But all of the descriptors with Jan’s wine were of the herb, spice, earth line - a true compliment.

Another compelling wine was the 2005 Gevrey-Chambertin La Justine by Rene Bouvier.

Here the black cherries, almost kirsch, stood out. With great elegance, it also showed an underlying waxiness that disconcerted some.

A 1998 Nuit St Georges, the Clos de Porrets by Henri Gouges, though light had a great holding palate with good wood - a true Burgundian feeling, though again, the light fruits failed to create an exciting nose. The Henri Bourgeoisie Clos Henri 2008 from Marlborough of New Zealand was a bit one-dimensional - Belgian chocolate, accessible, but not rewarding.

Once again, Oak Valley Pinot Noir 2011 proved vibrant and seductive, an almost Christmas pudding taste and obviously Cape, obviously overplaying the lush fruit. The more minty, herbaceous, lettuce, tomato tastes of the Ondine 2010 did not make for a memorable but rather for a safe wine.

The 2005 Gevrey Chambertin La Justine of Rene Bouvier was so rich in berry flavours and packed with forest flor that most tasters spoke of the smell of rubber when the Buffalo Rally motorcycle bruisers do their wheelies.

I liked the impact of the wine, but not the leanness (the cork was faulty) of the Clos de Porrets Nuits St Georges 1998.

After that aberration, the Newton Johnson Family 5-star was under pressure. The fruit was lighter strawberry, though the colour was the most Burgundian of the night, but I loved the serious middle due to excellent balanced use of quality new oak.

We did not taste the latest Hamilton Russell 2010, which Anthony of the name claims as the finest made by winemaker Hannes Storm since his first harvest in 2004. I opened a Shannon Rockview Ridge 2011 Pinot Noir of Jamie Domnes very much the lighter strawberry taste, a true Burgundy colour and nose. So though the structure seemed light, the ability to develop was promising.

In other company I enjoyed a few 1996 Burgundians - the soft delicacy of the 1996 Gevrey Chambertin Grantet-Pansiot made from old vines, the Pommard Pezerolles Premier Cru of Louis Jadot, and the Clos Vougeot Vosne Romanee of Rene Engels with its classic cut.

As Jan Boland Coetzee says about Pinot Noir: “They are so different but I love them all.”

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Mother’s Day

May 8 - 2013

CXPRESS

Why I love my mother...

M

OM and Dad were watching TV when Mom said: “I’m tired, and it’s getting late. I think I’ll go to bed.”

She went to the kitchen to make sandwiches for the next day’s lunches, rinsed out the popcorn bowls, took meat out of the freezer for dinner the following evening, checked the cereal box levels, filled the sugar container and put spoons and bowls on the table.

She then put some wet clothes in the dryer, put a load of clothes into the washer, ironed a shirt and secured a loose button.

She picked up the game pieces left on the table, put the phone back on the charger and put the telephone book into the drawer. She watered the plants, emptied a rubbish bin and hung up a towel to dry.

Mom yawned and stretched and headed for the bedroom.

She stopped by the desk and wrote a note to the teacher, counted out some cash for an excursion, and pulled a text book out from its hiding spot under the chair.

She signed a birthday card for a friend, addressed and stamped the envelope and wrote a quick note for the grocery store. She put both near her purse.

Mom then washed her face with 3-in-1 cleanser, put on her night solution and agefighting moisturiser, brushed and flossed her teeth and filed her nails.

Dad called out: “I thought you were going to bed.”

“I’m on my way,” she said.

She put some water into the dog’s dish and put the cat outside, then made sure the doors were locked.

She looked in on each of the kids and turned out their bedside lamps and TVs, hung up a shirt, threw some dirty socks into the basket, and had a brief conversation with the one up still doing

homework.

In her own room, she set the alarm, laid out clothing for the next day, and straightened up the shoe rack. She added three things to her ‘six most important things to do’ list. She said her prayers, and visualised the accomplishment of her goals.

About that time, Dad turned off the TV and announced to no one in particular: “I’m going to bed.”

And he did… without another thought.

ISSUE 364

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CXPRESS

ISSUE 364

Read CXPRESS online @ www.cxpress.co.za

May 8 - 2013

Classifieds

On the Soapbox

May 8 - 2013

Letters to the Editor

CXPRESS

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

Ann’s quilt selected to shine in Nantes Ann Leach, a Plettenberg Bay resident for many years, has always been involved in quilting she was, in fact, responsible for the last quilting exhibition held here in 2011.

A magnificent quilt produced

by Ann was purchased by Kate Cumberland, who lived in Knysna for several years but has now returned to the United Kingdom. Kate had watched Ann making the quilt and, having fallen in love with it, she finally persuaded Ann to sell it to her before leaving to live overseas.

The creation in question is known as a Dear Jane Quilt, and the background to these quilts is rather interesting.

According to history, the first of these quilts was made by a northern lady for her fiancé who was fighting with the Yan-

LOCAL CRAFT ON WORLD STAGE: This photo of Ann Leach’s Dear Jane Quilt impressed the organisers of the Quiltmania exhibition in Nantes and gained Ann a spot to showcase her creation to the world

kees during the American Civil War (1861-1865).

I believe the fiancé was killed but, since then, it has become an iconic pattern for American quilts.

This year hailed the 150th anniversary of the Dear Jane, the

original of which is usually on display at the Bennington Museum in Vermont, USA. To mark the occasion, Quiltmania held an exhibition outside of Nantes in France from April 24-28 and the organisers arranged to have the original

quilt shipped from the States in order to display it in Nantes.

They also called for other Dear Jane Quilts made from the original pattern by quilters from all over the world.

A photograph had to be sent in and they then picked the best ones for the exhibition. And Ann’s quilt was chosen!

With 290 individual pieces, making the quilt was quite demanding - Ann made all of the 290 pieces by hand and then machined the squares together.

Made of variations of red materials, the quilt is jewel-like in appearance.

Kate and another quilting friend, Jenny Ross, went to the exhibition in France to witness Ann’s quilt showcased among the best in the world – what an honour!

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Whose backyard is it anyway?

Over the years, as more and more developers buy up prime land in Plett, access to our rivers and ocean is being denied to locals at an alarming rate.

Initially, eager developers make promises that they will not deny access to nature lovers. However, as time goes by, they seem to come to the erroneous conclusion that the seashores and riversides belong to them.

They then start making it as difficult and inconvenient as possible for people who have traditionally enjoyed free water activities to gain access.

Those who love the beaches of Plett have lost access along the Keurbooms coastline, as well as a number of former caravan parks sold to developers - and the trend is continuing.

Imagine the shock and anger when locals who enjoy fishing, braaiing and picnicking at Anath were suddenly confronted with a huge, prohibitive sign? This now makes access to the Bitou and Keurbooms rivers extremely difficult.

The Anath Peninsula is situated at the end of the prestigious Twin Rivers Estate. While most of the ‘rules’ on the unfriendly sign are already freely complied with by the nature lovers who frequent the peninsula, some of the prescriptions on the new signboard are dubious, to say the least.

Who takes their ID with them on a fishing trip or for a family picnic? Do the traditional fishermen have IDs and does everyone know what is meant by ‘decorum’? Who will objectively monitor levels of decorum?

Are the authors of the sign entitled to dictate when families, fishermen or picnickers are allowed to enjoy nature?

Can boaters no longer stop alongside the peninsula for a stroll on the riverside? Why are motorcyclists being discriminated against?

Why are the owners of the prestigious homes permitted to walk their dogs on the peninsula, yet no one else is allowed to? There are precious few places left for animal lovers to walk their dogs in Plett. Are these self-appointed lawmakers even allowed to deny access?

The sign is completely unconstitutional. The Integrated Coastal Management Act of SA “unequivocally vests ownership of coastal public property in the citizens of South Africa”.

The State remains, however, the trustee of coastal public property on behalf of the citizens of the republic. Coastal public property cannot be transferred, sold, attached or acquired by prescription, nor can

the rights over it be acquired by the use of the term “coastal public property”.

This is a result of the peoplecentred approach to coastal management that is promoted by the ICM Act, which states: “The intention of coastal public property is to prevent exclusive use of the coast by facilitating access to, and sustainable use of the productive coastal resources for the benefit of all South Africans.”

In other words, Anath Peninsula belongs to all South Africans, no matter what their financial status. Furthermore the Act states that “any person is allowed reasonable access to coastal public property, and is allowed to use and enjoy it on condition that they: • Do not negatively affect the rights of other users; • Do not hinder the State in performing its duties as custodian; and • Do not cause harm to the coastal environment.”

Are residents at Twin Rivers, by making up their own rules, negatively affecting the rights of other users? Are they hindering the State in performing their duties as custodian, i.e. rubbish collection via trucks? Are they causing harm to the coastal environment?

It is rumoured that certain Twin Rivers owners want to introduce springbok onto the peninsula. If this was permitted, would they attract poachers who would then impact on the environment negatively?

The Act states that “no fee may be charged for access to coastal public property without the permission of the minister”, and that a public participation process must be followed before the imposition of any fee.

How can the Twin Rivers management threaten to impose a fee that they will determine,

NOT ON OUR WATCH: The sign that has local waterfront users up in arms

without any public participation process if it does not belong to them? Anath Peninsula is one of the last places on the water that locals have to enjoy without paying the exorbitant fees preventing them to enjoy a rising number of our coastal delights with each passing year.

Maybe this is all a mistake and the sign was meant to be erected at the municipal tip?!

Let’s hear from those locals who have enjoyed this last little piece of paradise since time immemorial.

Htkgpf"qh"Cpcvj."d{"gockn Vjg"hqnnqykpi"tgurqpug"vq"vjg" cdqxg"ngvvgt."jgcfgf"flTgcuqpu" hqt"Vykp"Tkxgtu"cvvgorvkpi"vq" eqpvtqn"cevkxkv{"qp"flVjg"Vkr‚" *rtgxkqwun{"mpqyp"cu"Cpcvj+‚" ycu"tgegkxgf"d{"Okmg"Uejqnv|< The Tip is being seriously abused environmentally. Members of the public are squatting in the area with no formal water, electricity, or sewerage facilities. The Tip is also being used as a dumping ground for small water crafts, old tyres and large amounts of refuse left by the perpetrators.

The entire area is prone to regularly being submerged when we experience flooding and this washes all the waste and refuse into the river.

The Tip is being used as an illegal boat launching facility to the detriment of CapeNature, ignoring all requirements essential prior to launching - obviously to avoid paying the CapeNature launch fees, as well as possibly not being water-worthy according to regulations.

Illegal fishing and bait collection - e.g. pencil bait, which used to be plentiful but is now virtually extinct - also take place. The making of fires by visitors is problematic and has caused problems in the past.

Dogs are allowed to roam freely, chasing the last bit of wild life left, which has a negative effect on all fauna and flora.

Housebreakers and burglars gain access under the pretences of being fishermen, then loiter around and suss the place out before doing their job at night.

This practice has increased considerably, posing a serious security risk.

What Twin Rivers is trying to achieve in conjunction with the various relevant authorities, the property owners, and the citizens of Plett is to control the access, so as to protect the environment and remaining wild life - even more so, the indigenous animals to be reintroduced.

Certain members of Twin Rivers Estate will become qualified honorary nature wardens to assist in monitoring and controlling the rules of the reserve as well as the normal CapeNature rules. They will clean up the entire area, removing all illegal structures and all aliens, collecting refuse on a regular basis and generally keeping it tidy.

No visitors will remain overnight, no fires will be allowed, and no dogs belonging to the public will be allowed. The Twin Rivers security company will patrol and monitor all activities.

Twin Rivers is endeavouring, with the approval of the current property owners, to turn The Tip into a nature reserve where indigenous animals can roam. and certain of our bait areas and fish breeding areas can be rehabilitated and brought back to their original status quo As far as fees go, no fees are charged for traversing private property, nor the usage of private property in many instances, but depending of what it entails to preserve some of our nature before it is all destroyed, members of the public are prewarned of the possibility that at some stage in the future, a fee could be charged.

This will not happen before proper public participation has been called for, and all the legal issues have been addressed.

All law-abiding nature-loving people out there can be assured that The Tip will always be there for your enjoyment.

Please understand how important it is for us all to enable man and nature to live harmoniously together.

To ‘Friend of Anath’, please feel free to contact me and I will arrange for one of the members to take you for a cup of coffee and discuss any issues you may have – I can be contacted at mike@plettonline.com or on 082 449 6383.

ISSUE 364

15

16

CXPRESS

ISSUE 364

Sport & Adventure

May 8 - 2013

Garden Route crew’s skills benefit Tour de Tuli

S

INCE 2011, the one-of-akind Nedbank Tour de Tuli mountain bike event has been graced with a team of experienced Knysna and Plett event crew. The annual tour attracts 150 staff who provide the infrastructure for 350 riders, many of its participants representing both South African and global corporates.

These captains of commerce and industry have the pleasure of riding their mountain bikes for four days through some of the most exquisite wildlife and

wilderness regions in the Greater Mapungubwe Transfrontier Conservation Area, which traverses Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa.

The event also serves as major fundraiser for the highly successful Children in the Wilderness NPO, currently operating in seven countries on our continent and facilitating sustainable conservation through leadership development and education of rural African children.

Petrus Maree, Colin Wylie, and newcomer Oscar Butler

will join long-time Knysna local but now Joburg-based Chris Crewdson in the set up and running of all overnight camps on this year’s Botswana and SA legs of the tour.

Logistical challenges for this team abound, as the Tour de Tuli encompasses “off the map” areas with little or no access to the daily trappings of modern conveniences. Resources will be stretched to the limit by the consistent need to think on their feet in response to the changing

dynamics of the wilderness.

Says Chris: “There’s a couple of wild-card factors, like the local elephant population known to traverse the more remote Tour de Tuli camps and in the process, enjoying a game of impromptu soccer with many of the 500 dome tents erected in each of these overnight sites.

“A variety of inquisitive predators also keep us on our toes night and day – this is wild Africa at its best!

“Stringent ethics are endorsed

on this event, so not a trace of our brief interludes in these wilderness areas may remain, and every single item used or consumed has to be sourced from within the various countries and regions involved.”

Chris concludes that the Tour de Tuli is fortunate to attract an enthusiastic group of conservation-minded volunteers who embrace the core ethos of “treading lightly” and leaving these wilderness areas as pristine as nature made them.

Steph and Steel step up to the plate Plett multi-sportos Neal ‘Steel’ Stephenson, in front, and Steph le Roux are pictured here in the final throes of last month’s punishing PE2EL Challenge – a 250km surfski ordeal from Port Elizabeth to East London, which this year presented competitors with an even tougher trial than is normally the case.

Notwithstanding the weather conditions, which included surf so big that parts of the route had to be negotiated while carrying the boat over 20km of soft beach sand, the pair finished in an awesome second place.

Fellow Plett local and Olympian paddler Michele Eray’s blog features Neal’s blow by blow account of the race, which she introduces by saying that the event has had many names over the years but, regardless of the sponsor title, its real name has always been whispered among the seriously hardcore paddling fraternity as ‘The Challenge’...

Visit www.micheray.com for the full story.

Tight Lines

Graeme Pollard

Make hay while the May sun shines...

W

ITH water temperatures at around 18 degrees and the bay full of baitfish, we might well see the last rush of nice big garrick before they head off to the warmer waters of Kwa-Zulu Natal.

Red fish catches have been

good, featuring outsized silvers and pangas, and the red roman have also been biting steadily on the shallower reefs, a few sharks being hooked inbetween.

May month is normally the beginning of winter, which means

the cold water that brings in the hake can’t be too far off.

Until next time, cheers and tight lines!

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Visit www.childreninthewil derness.com/tour-de-tuli.html for more information.