Cx373

25 September 2013 #373

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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Bloomin’ clever The Crags Eco-Preschool celebrated National Recycling Day on September 20 by creating spring flowers from recycled plastic milk bottles and tops. Standing from left are Thomas, Chilli, and Sbonga, with Jasper, Iyla, and Amalia seated in front. Their innovative project will be on display at Plett’s Midweek Market, which celebrates its first year of business today – turn to page 14 for details.

Jack Lugg’s art lives on p5

Happy 100, Mrs Berman! p15

Lightfoot smokes Otter p19

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CXPRESS

ISSUE 373

News & Views

September 25 - 2013

Whose beach is it anyway?

Nature’s Valley Trust programme director DR MARK BROWN explains why dogs and breeding birds just don’t mix

H

AVING now lived in Plett for nearly a year, I’ve come to realise there are two types of people here - those who like dogs on beaches, and those who don’t. The issue appears to polarise the community to quite some extent.

The latter faction complain about piles of dog doo not picked up by owners that kids invariably dig up or stand in; the former seems unaware of what the fuss is all about.

In the pro camp there are two further distinctions: dog owners who abide by the rules by keeping dogs on leashes where required and picking up doggie doo. The second camp feels that long-time resident status gives them the right to ignore the rules.

I too am a doggie person, having become the owner of a PAWS pup eight months ago.

She goes to the beach with me, mostly stays on a leash, and I always pick up after her. So why then do I have a gripe about dogs on beaches?

One of the many great things about Plett is our wonderful aggregation of breeding seabirds.

Our Kelp Gull colony on Keurbooms Peninsula seems to be the second biggest land-based colony of the species in SA. This should do us proud, considering that most seabird species globally are threatened to some extent. Apart from the gulls, other significant species are also breeding on the colony.

African Black Oystercatchers are an IUCN Red List species (i.e. near threatened), its numbers steadily increasing only since the ban on beach driving in the 1990s. It has been a conservation success story, but we need to ensure Plett’s population is taken care of.

We also have a few pairs of the SA Red Data Book-listed Caspian Tern breeding here - a real feather in our cap, if you’ll excuse the pun. A number of other species like White-fronted Plovers, Egyptian Geese, Water Thick-knees, Sacred Ibis and African Spoonbill share this breeding area with the seabirds.

Two recent experiences indicate the extent of the problem.

Early in August, a BirdLife Plett team joined a CapeNature ranger to take part in the National CWAC count, run summer and winter across South A frica by members of the public who count water birds on all our major water bodies.

This magnificent project has run for over 20 years, and the Keurbooms has been counted methodically twice a year since 1995. Minke Witteveen - an MSc student of mine studying Kelp Gulls in Plett - joined us for the count.

Nearing the colony, someone

observed all the gulls airborne and raucous. As we came to the river mouth, three dogs bounded out of the colony, all off leashes. The ranger, spurred on by all us indignant birders, decided to chat to the owner.

I accompanied him in catching up to the dog owner who clearly snubbed the rules. Initially, the lady tried to ignore the official, who politely enquired why her dogs were off leashes. She then said it was fine as they were on the beach.

While talking, two of the dogs were bounding after gulls in the colony. When this - and the fact that she had walked past several

A frustrating and pointless 30-minute conversation ensued where the owner kept saying he was “conservation oriented” but loves walking his dogs on the beach and it is cruel to keep them on leashes - “dogs have their place too”.

Agreed, but not on a protected bird breeding colony. Conservation oriented? Think again.

Ok, so why the big fuss? Because our recklessness about birds has SERIOUS ramifications for Plett.

We all know the story about bird breeding: Boy meets girl, boy puffs himself up to look better than the next boy and

DON’T COME CLOSER! The Kelp Gull colony on Keurbooms Peninsula is the second biggest land-based colony in SA

signs indicating dogs had to be on leashes - was pointed out to her, she harshly replied that the dog wasn’t hers.

Not your dog? What about that one in the colony there? No answer. By now she was hastening away from us, ignoring further polite queries. She turned around and called the dog (the one that wasn’t hers) and it bounded up happily to her.

The worst part was the shocking treatment of a conservation official. I am convinced her behaviour would have been different if a white official came along. I was shocked and utterly embarrassed, but the ranger went on to tell us this sort of thing happened all the time.

I had two foreign visitors with me that day, a PhD student from the Czech Republic and a British volunteer, and this was their first-hand experience of what affluent white folk in Plett think of conservation and conservation officials.

The second incident was experienced by Minke on Lookout Beach a few days later.

While out marking nest scrapes, she noticed a large black dog chasing birds in the Lookout colony. The owner was not concerned so she decided to engage and hopefully educate him on the issue.

convinces girl that he is the guy for her. After a bit of action a nest scrape is made and boom, the pair is locked in for the season and eggs are laid in a small scrape in the ground.

When the ground happens to be on Keurbooms Peninsula or Lookout Beach, conditions can be harsh: Soil temperature in summer exceeds 50 degrees and eggs overheat quickly if not constantly incubated. Eggs are incubated during the day to be cooled, not warmed.

Even when they hatch, chicks take a week or two to thermoregulate (control their own body temperature) independently, and so still need to be brooded by the parents.

The crux is that, when dogs disturb the birds off their nests, the eggs or chicks experience conditions detrimental to their survival. Past research shows that in such conditions, an egg exposed for as little as 5min in the middle of the day will die.

“So what if a few gulls peg?” you say. Fair enough, it’s not as if we don’t have enough of them. But what about the Oystercatchers and Caspian Terns?

They are far more sensitive to disturbance - one of the reasons they are both threatened.

With Lookout Beach back for the summer, the birds that bred

there last year when it was an island will have their work cut out for them. But considerate dog owners can make a difference by keeping their dogs on leashes and out of the colony.

And even if Lookout should now be a write-off, Keurbooms is really where we can make a difference. Last month, Caspian Tern and Egyptian Goose nests both failed and with the rate of dog disturbance witnessed, it is safe to assume this has played a significant role.

To this end, a Dutch student has joined my research team for five months to help assess the effects of human and dog disturbance on gull and Oystercatcher breeding success.

Her work will help us determine the size of barrier zone required to ensure our beach activities don’t negatively influence these birds.

So what’s so important about protecting these birds anyway?

As mentioned, two of them are red data species, which means they have legal protection and individuals whose dogs directly cause deaths of chicks could theoretically be prosecuted.

More importantly, having these species breeding in the Keurbooms estuary has prevented some development in the past, and will only do so in the future if they are still there.

BirdLife Plett, Nature’s Valley Trust and the Bitou Valley Foundation are all represented on a recently formed conservation group affiliated to BirdLife SA. One of our main tasks is collecting data to apply for an extension to the Important Bird Area (IBA) in our region, which currently ends just before the Groot River Estuary.

The IBA Programme works to conserve sites critical for the long-term survival of bird species that are globally threatened, have a restricted range, or are restricted to specific biomes/vegetation types. South Africa has 101 global IBAs and 21 regional IBAs. The aim, for the next two years, is to collect data needed to recommend the IBA be extended all the way to Robberg.

Formal IBA status for areas like Robberg, Keurbooms Lagoon and the Bitou wetlands will go a long way to staving off the constant threat of development conservationists in Plett are fighting.

A development like the small boat harbour would be much harder to get approved if the area had formal conservation status. These birds harassed by dogs could be the saviours required to keep our beaches and estuaries as they are…

Letting your dog off the leash at Keurbooms Peninsular can and should be equated to giving a gun to a poacher and dropping him off at a rhino reserve.

It really is serious, and the responsibility really does lie with each one of us. Will you, dog owner, do your bit to keep Plett’s environment intact?

News & Views

September 25 - 2013

CXPRESS

Cross-Cape police scoop R4.5-million worth of illegal goods A

joint and integrated crossborder crime prevention operation between the provincial offices of the Western, Northern and Eastern Cape police proved particularly fruitful when the final tally of arrests and confiscated goods were made last Saturday.

Says George-based SAPS spokesperson captain Malcolm Pojie: “Between September 16 and 23, attempts by the South African Police Service to monitor the main entrance and exit routes between provinces to eradicate the flow of illegal goods from one region to another yielded success following the confiscation of drugs, counterfeit and other goods to an estimated value of about R4.5million.”

This combined force included members of all SAPS units, provincial and local municipal traffic departments, the National Customs and Revenue Service (NCRS - formerly SABS), the Department of Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries, nature conservation and Home Affairs immigration officers, health inspectors, and representatives of Eskom, Telkom and Transnet.

All actions were coordinated from a Joint Operational Centre established in the Beaufort West police station at the beginning of the operation.

“We arrested 288 suspects in an area covering most of the border posts between the three provinces,” says Pojie.

Of these, 34 arrests were made for drug-related offences and

GREEN FEVER AVERTED: Parcels of concealed dagga, above, recovered from underneath and inside the panels of a bakkie, below, travelling from the Eastern Cape to Cape Town

the rest for the possession of stolen goods, dealing in liquor without a licence, burglaries, business robberies, and minor offences.

Police also confiscated 409kg of dagga to the estimated value of R1.2-million, and 111g of tik to the value of R2’000.

During the five-day period, 34 second-hand and other shops were inspected as well as 18 scrap metal premises, while 1’188 vehicles and 1’855 people were searched; 237 fines totalling R62’200 were issued for traffic violations and other moving offences.

The first big scoop of the operation took place when observant SAPS members at a roadblock near Aberdeen pulled over a Toyota bakkie en route to Cape Town from the Eastern Cape on September 16 at approximately 7am.

A search ensued during which stacks of dagga in plastic bags were found underneath the ve-

hicle, weighing in at 198kg with an estimated value of R277’200.

The bakkie’s three male occupants - aged 25, 32 and 37, and all hailing from Philippi near Cape Town - were arrested and charged with illegally dealing in drugs in the Beaufort West magistrate’s court on September 18.

They were remanded in custody and the matter was postponed to September 25 pending further investigation.

Later that same day, members found boxes filled with 2’660 bundles of khat to the estimated value of R133’000 at a vehicle check point near Beaufort West.

A 29-year-old man was arrested for the illegal possession of these drugs and his trailer was confiscated.

Consequent to information received, a sting operation was held in Bellville that evening which led to the arrest of a Somalian national who was to receive the consignment.

The suspect is expected to appear in the Bellville magistrate’s court soon on a charge of possession of illegal drugs.

Operations with the support of brand holders and the NCRS resulted in the confiscation of

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counterfeit and sub-standard goods - mainly clothing, toys and cellphones - to the value of R3.09-million.

These confiscations were done after visits to shops in George, Beaufort West, Oudtshoorn and Ladismith.

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ISSUE 373

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Deadline looms for beach horse-riding objections

W

E note with incredulity the ‘Notice of Intent’ to allow horse-riding on Keurbooms Beach published on September 6.

This is a sad follow-up to the manoeuvrings by certain municipal officials to push through a horse-riding trail between April and September this year.

It was put on hold due to public outcry, but obviously the wishes of a select few horsetrail operators are far more important to our municipality than the views of the rate-paying Keurbooms community, environmental concerns, or plain common sense.

Keurbooms Beach is not fit for horse riding. Here are just a few of the many reasons, as verified by CapeNature: • Conflict with other beach users • Interference with birdlife • Damage to the environment due to inconsiderate/inexperienced riders • Health and safety risks due to the high density of humans and their dogs in the area • The tidal range and narrowness of the beach • Inadequate access for horses and emergency services over steep dunes and through protected fynbos.

We also note that Bitou Municipality has failed to follow due process:

News & Views

September 25 - 2013

• The local community has not been allowed input into the creation of the Management Plan (MP) document or involvement on the proposed management body. This is unconstitutional as a full Public Participation Process is a citizen’s right in such a situation • The MP was not available in the Central Library on the specified date (Sept 6) but only on the 10th • The MP was prepared without any Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) or the appointment of an independent Environmental Control Officer - a legal requirement if no EIA is carried out • CapeNature has rejected

the proposal and refused to give support and act on the proposed management body despite the MP clearly indicating their involvement • The MP is poorly prepared, full of practical shortfalls and heavily biased towards the horse operators.

If horse-riding were allowed, picture the scene at Tsokwane retirement village - the identified access point to the beach as a procession of horses are unloaded and mingle with elderly people. (The proposal outlines six operators, bringing up to six horses each twice a day, seven days a week plus an option for more horses for unspecified ‘special events’).

Then picture the horses crushing fragile dunes, disturbing wildlife, messing the beach and sharing a space with the thousands of fishermen, residents, visitors, children and pets who visit the beach and occupy the multitude of complexes along this stretch of coastline.

There will be conflict and irrevocable damage to the environment and people. The Keurbooms community, who have invested billions into their properties, will not allow this madcap destructive scheme to take place on its doorstep.

If the aim of Bitou Municipality is to endanger the environment, cause health and safety hazards to beach users, alienate itself from the Keurbooms community and get involved in another long-running legal battle, it is certainly going the right way about it.

We appeal to the mayor to put an end to this nonsense once and for all as, at the end of the day, Bitou Municipality will be accountable. Please lodge your objections to rbrakfesi@plett. gov.za before October 6.

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Tsitsikamma’s ‘white elephant’ John Harvey

T

HE Tsitsikamma Homeowners Association will be seeking a new developer for the prime Tsitsikamma Coastal Golf Estate following the liquidation of owners African Continental Development Corporation (ACDC).

The ruling in the North Gauteng High Court on August 22 that the company be liquidated comes after years of complaints by the association that ACDC had not honoured its agreement and allowed the estate to become a white elephant.

There are 96 members of the association who all own stands on the estate.

Golf estate manager and Homeowners Association representative Greg Pearson has welcomed the liquidation as something that had been sought for some time.

“For close on four years there has been no further development on the estate, leaving the home owners in a position where they are unable to, even if they wanted, start building due to inadequate infrastructure,” he said.

“Two years ago the association made a decision to pressurise the developer into further development with a time table acceptable and agreed with the association or face the prospect of liquidation.”

Pearson said three liquidators have already been appointed.

“Part of the process will be to find a new investor to replace

ACDC and continue with the development.”

While Pearson said the value of the estate would have to be established by the liquidators, he estimated about R270-million had been spent on it prior to ACDC taking ownership.

ACDC is owned by the Dockrat family, who earlier this year were the centre of ultimately unsubstantiated claims in a Fck/ n{"Ocxgtkem report that they had used the estate as an al Qaeda terrorist training camp.

The website was forced to apologise and withdraw the article, when no evidence of the allegations was found.

Indications that the future of the estate was in jeopardy due to ACDC’s precarious financial state already came in June, when golf club member Rudy van Buuren was compensated his 2009 membership fees after a default judgment in the Humansdorp Magistrates Court.

Magistrate Floris van Zyl found that maintenance of the golf course had not taken place.

ACDC said many golf estates were suffering due to the tough economic climate.

“Ironically history has shown that not a single golf estate along the entire Garden Route has been completed by the original developer, and we are no exception,” Pearson said.

ACDC legal representative Nazir Kathrada referred queries to one of the liquidators, Shirish Kalian, who did not respond.

News & Views

September 25 - 2013

OBITUARY

CXPRESS Timothy Twidle

Jack Lugg - an artist of his time J

BENEVOLENT ART LEGEND: This recent photo of Jack Lugg appears at www.jackluggartgallery.co.za – visit the website for an overview of his incredible body of work

ACK Lugg, one of SA’s most renowned and best known artists, died on Monday September 16 in Plettenberg Bay at the age of 89.

Both painter and sculptor, his work was abstract, modern and cutting edge. His career spanned more than seven decades and his first exhibition was held in 1941, when he was just 17.

He studied under one of SA’s most eminent artists, Walter Battiss, and while in Paris, received instruction from the great Henri Matisse - equal in rank to Pablo Picasso, Paul Cézanne and Vincent van Gogh.

Jack Lugg was born in Pretoria in 1924 and attended Pretoria Boys High. During World War II, he served with the South African forces in Egypt and Italy. He studied at Durban School of Art from 1946 to 1948 and was then awarded a scholarship that enabled him to study further in England and France.

It was during this time, at the famous École des Beaux Arts, that Jack Lugg learnt under the tutelage of Matisse.

Back in SA, he taught for a year at Rhodes University in Grahamstown before moving to the Technical College in East London, where he was head of the School of Art for 35 years, from 1953 until 1988.

In the course of 69 years, Jack Lugg held 72 exhibitions at galleries in Europe, North America and South Africa, as well as completing numerous commissions for murals and sculptures.

He leaves a legacy of a vast body of work and an unflagging enthusiasm for fine art.

Away from the studio he enjoyed gardening, reading and classical music.

In 1966, Jack married Rosemary ‘Rose’ Cooke, who gave him love and support throughout his career. In 1988, they moved to Knysna and became well known in the town.

For the past three years they have resided at Formosa Garden Village in Plettenberg Bay. Jack Lugg is survived by his wife, Rose, children Hugh, Linton and Pippa, and seven grandchildren.

ISSUE 373

“The least of things with a meaning is worth more in life than the greatest of things without it.”

- Carl Gustav Jung

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ISSUE 373

Read CXPRESS online @ www.cxpress.co.za

September 25 - 2013

News & Views

Prepare for a pink drive this October Pink Trees for Pauline is an NPO proclaiming life during and after cancer. Founder Carol-ann van Jaarsveld lost her mom and grandmother, both called Pauline, to cancer and serves on the board of directors along with breast cancer survivor Adri van Nieuwenhuizen and educational psychologist Dr Pam Kerr. Together they challenge towns all over the country to take part in this first of its kind fundraising process and so make a difference in their own communities. The basic plan is to sell thousands of metres of pink fabric to wrap around as many trees as possible throughout October, raising funds and awareness that will ultimately improve the lives of cancer victims and their loved ones. Friday October 18 will see the programme culminate in a national fundraiser in all participating towns. Many Garden Route towns have already embraced the challenge and in Plett, where the ‘pinking’ has already begun, the project is steered by the ladies and gent pictured here – at back from left are Michelle, Roni, Gerda and Dax Holding of Mungo Design, who kindly came on board as fabric sponsor, with Alda and Hanlie in front. Buy your pink fabric and T-shirts designed for the purpose at the CBD’s Old House Shop, at the Pam Golding offices on Central Beach (below Spur), and Mungo Design at Old Nick Village. Watch this space for more news leading up to October 18 or contact Hanlie (082 688 3152, hanliesinclair@outlook.com) or Alda (082 334 4204, aldamills@gmail.com) if you’d like to get involved.

Flying high with Born in Africa

BIA’s ‘Dream in Africa’ programme ensured that the collective wish of five young ladies came true on September 11. Carey-Ann, Sharlene, Zodwa, AmberJayde and Miekylia all dreamt of flying in an airplane and seeing the world from up high. Plettenberg Bay pilot Anthony Harris - pictured at left with a beaming Sharlene - kindly helped sponsoring their dream, taking each girl for a flight over Robberg and surrounds. Says BIA’s Belinda Coram: ‘As an NGO working in disadvantaged areas to provide social, educational and life-skill support to school-going children, we have seen first-hand the uplifting effect and positive change in thinking brought about when dreams come true. We thank those who continue supporting this cause - together we make a real difference!’ If you would like to help, email info@borninafrica.org or visit BorninAfricaVzw on Facebook.

News & Views

September 25 - 2013

CXPRESS

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Teens and parents, here’s how to save power

A

couple of homegrown Bay College students, Josie and Suné, have come up with a novel way for teenagers and parents to both save, and make money - all by saving electricity. And they are taking this idea far, as teens from all over the world are checking it out!

Added to their success they have just reached the semifinals for a National Award Programme for creative energy saving ideas. It all works like this: Teens make a deal with their

parents to cut down on the family’s electricity usage. In exchange they get half of the savings as extra pocket money.

Participants retrieve past electricity bills to estimate an average monthly usage and meter reading. Then the teen does the rest.

It works best if they have access to the meter and can get an accurate monthly reading as some months Eskom works on an estimate rather than an actual figure. Over a number of months the savings will show.

Josie and Suné have set up a Facebook page full of useful tips, facts and ideas for enterprising teens to follow in order to achieve maximum savings and maximum pocket money.

It’s definitely worth visiting www.facebook.com/TeenEnergy - ‘Share’ and ‘Like’ the page to show your support - or follow them on Twitter at https:// twitter.com/Teen_Energy.

They are doing this project as part of the WESSA/Eskom Energy and Sustainability Programme. Check it out!

Plett musos shine at international fest

P

LETT Pioneers Field Band (PPFB) participated in the second Annual International Marimba and Steelpan Festival (IMSF) last month, registering as ‘Small Open Ensemble’ and

entering four of the competition categories.

This prestigious event, supported by Education Africa, St Benedict’s College and the High Commission of Trinidad

HONOURED: Members of the PPFB ensemble were formally congratulated on September 16 by Bitou deputy mayor Adam van Rhyner, at centre back, and cllr Wayne Craig, at right – at left in the back row are Tony Lubner of the Field Band Foundation and Bitou 10 Foundation CEO Kim Weyer

Password...?

P

LETT reader Roger Davis shared the following advice: “I was sent an email recently regarding a child in America who, upon leaving school, was approached by a stranger who said that her mother had been taken to hospital and that he had been sent to pick her up.

“The child looked at him and asked, ‘what’s the ‘password?’

With that, the stranger quickly sped off in his car and the child reported the incident to one of her teachers. That single question had possibly saved her life.

“It is such a simple thing for children and parents to agree on a password. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if every child and every parent in SA were more aware of the possibility of abduction and implemented this easy but effective counter measure?” *Pq" fqwdv." Tqigt" /" pqy" ngv‚u"" cnn"urtgcf"vjg"yqtf0"/"Gfu0+

and Tobago, was attended by participants from all nine SA provinces as well as Swaziland, Lesotho, Zim, France and Germany. Imagine more than 200 marimbas and steelpans, 72 institutions, 197 performances and 1400 participants at one amazing event!

The three esteemed music adjudicators were Andy Narell, Alex Jacobowitz and SA music legend Pops Mohamed. An IMSF patron, Narell is arguably the greatest solo steelpannist in the world, and classical marimba artist Jacobowitz shared his vast experience of an international perform.

Mohamed has amazing knowledge of all things African and especially in the field of the continent’s music, and is a multi-instrumental performer with vast local and international experience.

PPFB scored top spots in two of the four categories, with a second place for their Uvtkevn{" Encuukecn performance of JS Bach’s Okpwgv"kp"I, and a third for their Kp"Vjg"Okz interpreta-

TEEN POWER: This is one of the photos posted on the girls’ Facebook page, with the introduction ‘We are two teens who would like to make a difference by helping other teens to get more pocket money while saving the earth’

tion of Miriam Makeba’s famous Rjcvc"Rjcvc.

To top it all, they also received the award for Best Overall Steelpan Performance, sponsored by IMSF patron Harry Partap – the high commissioner of Trinidad and Tobago.

The band thanks major sponsors Bitou Municipality, Ocean Blue, Hunter Hotels, The Grand, and Three Cities for making participation a reality, and extends gratitude to the following IMSF event sponsors who assisted with the trip budget: Bitou 10 Foundation, Education Africa, Dagbreek Eggs, and The Grand.

Your combined support has gone a long way to help the Field Band Foundation and Plett Pioneers Field Band enhance their effort to ‘create opportunities for the development of life skills in Plett youth through the mediums of music and dance’.

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ISSUE 373

Business

September 25 - 2013

SA increasingly the destination of choice for homebuyers from Africa and abroad The recent official launch of the Pam Golding Properties Plettenberg Bay office on Central Beach has positioned the PGP brand along with the three Knysna offices - CBD, Leisure Isle and Thesen Islands - strategically in place for tourists this coming season

P

ROPELLED into the global spotlight and often described as ‘the world in one country’ during the 2010 Soccer World Cup, South Africa retains its fascination as international destination, as borne out by the growing number of tourists visiting our shores.

A reflection of the vast array

of contrasting scenic locations across the length and breadth of the country is the broad range of residential properties available for homebuyers to suit their each and every individual desire and requirement.

“It’s no wonder that many international visitors, including and increasingly so from the

African continent, find our way of life and our residential properties so appealing, whether to relocate here for permanent residence which includes retirement, for use during several months of the year as leisure homes, or for investment,” says Dr Andrew Golding, CE of the PGP group.

On the Garden Route, the PGP Knysna team reports a number of sales to international buyers. These include a property on Leisure Isle sold for R2.4million and home on Thesen Islands sold for R9.8-million, both of these to UK buyers.

A home in Pezula Private Estate sold for R5.6-million and vacant land for R14-million to buyers from Switzerland and the USA respectively.

The PGP website receives an average of 2’000 visits per day from potential international

buyers alone, while global enquiries stream in through the group’s association with UK property giant Savills, which has some 500 offices in the UK

and Ireland, the United States, Europe, Asia, Australasia, India and the Middle East.

Says Charles Weston-Baker, UK-based Savills international residential director: “For many years we have enjoyed a fruitful association with Pam Golding Properties, combining their exceptional depth of local mar-

WORLD-CLASS: The local PGP team with franchisee and principal Ling Dobson at centre in front

SWISS ABODE: This home in Pezula Private Estate in Knysna was sold for R5.6-million by Pam Golding Properties to a buyer from Switzerland who is relocating to South Africa

ket knowledge and coverage in South Africa and Africa with the worldwide reach of Savills.

“Having undergone dynamic growth in recent years the Savills brand, with its distinctive yellow and red logo, now holds a powerful global position, therefore offering further comfort to international buyers looking to invest in residential property in South Africa and Africa through PGP.” Adds Dr Golding: “Those who do acquire property here often choose to stay for long periods at a time or invest in commercial businesses, bringing direct foreign investment into the country through increased employment opportunities, improvements to properties, or their own consumer spend.

“We find an increasingly broad spread of countries around the globe represented in those international buyers who purchase property through us, with UK purchasers traditionally the most prevalent.

“The balance is an interesting mix that includes African countries like Zimbabwe, Zambia and Namibia, and European countries like Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal and Switzerland.

“Asian buyers have hailed from Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, India and Indonesia, while other nationalities represented have included the United States, New Zealand, South America and even the island of Barbados. Over the past 12 months, we’ve sold properties to buyers from about 45 different countries around the globe.”

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Knysna - where small business cooks!

S

OUTH Africa lags behind other developing countries in promoting early-stage entrepreneurial activity, but Knysna Municipality and Nedbank have formed a powerful partnership that is tackling this issue headon and nurturing local businesses for long-term growth.

By providing targeted support and training to qualifying applicants, the project unlocks economic potential within the district and exploits opportunities.

Eugene Lewis is an artist with his business Tribal Africa specialising in handcrafted ceramics. He is one of eight entrepreneurs who graduated through Phase 1 of the project.

“I always wanted to start my own business but it was difficult working on my own, I had

no space and no kiln to bake and it was very expensive. After entering the Incubator Project, I received funding from Nedbank and then things went much better - I could work on my own terms, in my own space and I even give art classes,” he says.

“Research has shown that successful completion of an SMME incubator programme dramatically increases the longterm survival rate of that business compared to one that has not,” says municipal manager Lauren Waring.

“We are immensely grateful to Nedbank for their willingness to provide continued financial assistance to our entrepreneurs. In addition to getting 51 SMMEs up and running since 2010, the businesses themselv-

es have been enabled to employ 200 others, which in turn feed at least 800 individuals in the greater Knysna area,” she says.

Deliah Bouw has completed Phase 2 of the project and runs her catering, house cleaning and hiring business called Eden Hawk Trading Enterprises from her home. “I was retrenched and applied for the Incubator Project. I found the training very good and the funding enabled me to make cakes and sell them and buy a fridge. This is one of the best things that could have happened to me,” she says.

“Projects such as these are excellent examples of how local government and business can work together to the benefit of the community and the town,” says Waring.

Eden entrepreneurs inspired

Words & photo: Bob Hopkin

G

EORGE Municipality took a novel approach to promoting new businesses during a recent week-long series of workshops in high unemployment areas in the S-Cape.

Dubbed Entrepreneur Week, classes in nine locations gave potential business people the chance to develop formative ideas on marketing their products or services to become economically active. The initiative was part of a training programme encompassing all municipalities within Eden district.

While each municipality adapted the programme to its unique prevailing circumstances, the general theme encouraged individuals to become self-employed rather than unemployed or dependant on another business.

George’s Economic Development manager Carli BundingVenter said that, while this has become an annual event, George’s approach this year was revised to be more effective.

“In the past we have rented a hall, invited exhibitors such as

FULL OF IDEAS: Ryno Malan, left, and Jonathan Golieman from Touwsranten present their business proposals

banks and existing businesses and hoped that potential entrepreneurs would come along and learn something to their advantage. However, we realised that this was not as effective as it should be, so we decided to go to the people rather than wait for them to come to us.”

Participants were split into focus groups to brainstorm ideas that they felt could develop into viable businesses.

Individuals with ideas deemed worth pursuing were then offered assistance and advice and in-

vited to present their fledgling products or services during free Market Days that will be open to the public in each of the remaining months of this year.

Concluded Bunding-Venter: “We have had about 300 attendees and we realise that not all will succeed, but if at least 10 new businesses accomplish something, then we will be satisfied with our efforts.

“The most important thing is to help people realise that being active and productive can change their lives.”

Promotion

September 25 - 2013

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Social Scene

September 25 - 2013

Photos: Desmond Scholtz

NOT SO VERY EVIL: The three-day Dr Evil Classic attracted many a fun-loving mountainbiker to the beautiful hills and dales surrounding Plett last weekend. Pictured above is women’s winner Jane Seggie, with legendary MTB course creator Leon Evans looking much less evil than expected as he rubs shoulders with young Wittedrift fans in the pic at right. Visit www.drevilclassic.com for full results and more images.

People, places & events CLASSIC ART AT OUBAAI: Marittie de Villiers – pictured here with a Picasso at the Peggy Guggenheim Museum in Venice, Italy recently – currently exhibits her extraordinary art at the Hyatt Regency Oubaai.

De Villiers’ talent has been an integral part of the art at the hotel and a highlight for art lovers visiting the Southern Cape.

Photo: Ray Friedman

HERE, KITTY KITTY... Charming their large audience at the DRC hall on August 30 were the talented kids of Plett Pre-primary School, with costumes and a set and songs to die for. Well done to the teachers and parent who helped make this year’s concert such a success. In the pic, white kitty - aka Alex Arwin Selfe - and three black ‘uns show their moves.

Photos: www.ellephoto.co.za

JOINING FORCES: Plettenberg Bay is where SA property doyenne Pam Golding grew up building sandcastles on the beach - the place where so many South African and international visitors dream about staying, be it as permanent residents or owning a holiday house. So it was with great pride and joy that PGP was relaunched in its new digs at 1 Milkwood Centre on September 9, marking an amalgamated Knysna/Plett franchise with Ling Dobson as franchisee and principal. Making small talk with big local legend Barry Stroebel in the pic above is Pam Golding training manager Michelle Keegan. AT left, Ling prepares to cut the roof-wetting cake with PGP group CE, Andrew Golding. Read more about these styling property experts on pages 8 and 9 of this edition.

YOU IN THE MARKET FOR X-BOX? The Market on Plett’s Main Street recently acquired an X-Box to add to its array of cool entertainment, eating and shopping offerings. It’s not only kids – at top left are Mandla, left, and Oli – who enjoy the fun, but teens and adults love battling it out in this virtual world. All the usual dining options are available, from Asian to French, fusion to good ol’ English fish & chips, as well as fresh produce from The Fish Monger & Pantry. And apart from the art, crafts and accessories stalls, you can swing past for a haircut or tattoo or henna body paint, thanks to Mechelle, at centre above. Live music (Pete the Greek on Thursdays and John Craig this Friday) and sports broadcasts and the best coffee for miles complete The Market picture – see you there!

Social Scene

September 25 - 2013

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ISSUE 373

DECADE OF CARING: Pinelands Crèche in Kranshoek recently celebrated its 10th anniversary by opening a brand new Grade R centre. Seen here cutting the ribbon at the official opening are, from left, principal patron Tony Bloom of the UK, Western Cape Education MEC Donald Grant, and Pinelands’ operational director Gienie Arendse.

- Christine Mason

People, places & events

WE ARE SAILING: If regular readers are wondering why Malcolm Stewart’s CXPRESS column of the past 15 years, Investor Focus, does not grace the pages of this edition, here’s the answer... Malcolm sent us this pic taken with his five grandsons (no granddaughters), two of whom live in Sydney and three in Joburg, and wrote: ‘My greatest birthday present was to have my family together, particularly the five boys. You can see their names on the back of their t- shirts!

The best place to celebrate my 70th was on a yacht in Turkey - we are currently 30 miles east of Marmaris. My birthday was in March but we had to take school holidays into account. Please apologies to my readers, I will be home, and back to reality, next week.’

PERSPECTIVE: At the Plett launch of ‘The Long View Getting Beyond the Drama of South Africa’s Headlines’ on the evening of September 18, author JP Landman shows the book to Jane Schulz of The Village Bookshop, where the well-attended function was held. - Photo: Timothy Twidle

TREKNET NOW ON KYKNET: A fresh comedy drama based on the popular comic strip ‘Treknet’ and set in a small fishing community has recently been produced for KykNET

by Penguin Films. The strip, which has featured monthly in CXPRESS since April 2008, was created by Gavin Thomson and Dave Gomersall, and the comedy will be broadcast under the same name from October 7 every Monday night at 8pm.

‘Treknet’ is about Boet Pieterse (Jody Abrahams) and John Smith (Leon Kruger) who are friends and fishermen. They live together in Kalk Bay in a little fisherman’s house that belongs to Boet and fish every day to sustain their lazy lifestyle. A collection of zany supporting characters make up the fishing community’s funny residents. Find out more on Facebook at The Official Treknet Fan Page, and check out the latest strip on page 16 of this edition.

NEW-GENERATION KNYSNA: Pat Mulder, left, of Knysna Creative Heads Consortium and mayor Georlene Wolmarans opened the ISDF Connection Café at Knysna Library in Woodmill Lane on September 9 to launch the community interaction phase of the town’s new-generation Integrated Strategic Development Framework. Knysna is the first municipality in South Africa to initiate the new-generation ISDF, deemed far more extensive than the former Integrated Spatial Frameworks that in the past mainly focussed on development borders and zoning.

Phone 044 382 6732 or email info@ knysnacreativeheads.co.za to find out more.

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Entertainment

September 25 - 2013

Catch the B10F Performing Arts Showcase next month

O

VER 1000 children have participated in drama, dance, and music classes offered weekly at 10 Bitou schools since 2011.

Besides helping children to realise talents and develop skills, participation in the arts stimulates their imagination, unleashes creativity and inspires innovation. The after-school performing arts classes build character, enhance self-esteem, and develop important life skills such as teamwork and leadership, goal setting, creative problem solving and critical thinking skills.

Music and movement stimulate and develop the brain and enhance mental and physical health and academic perfor-

mance. The arts are not just ‘talents’ of a few; they are ‘intelligences’ worth developing in all children.

Says Bitou 10 Foundation CEO Kim Weyer: “This year we would like to bring learners from all Bitou schools together to celebrate the talent and diversity of our children and youth with a wider audience.

“The Foundation is thrilled with the enthusiastic support received from all the Bitou schools as they recognise what a wonderful opportunity this is for their learners.”

The first Bitou 10 Performing Arts Showcase will be held on Saturday October 26 at a venue yet to be confirmed, and tickets will be available at participating

schools from October 1.

“Performances will include the latest play by the awardwinning drama group from Murray High School who, we are very proud to announce, has made it through to the finals of the Eden Drama Festival for the second time,” says Kim. The award-winning choirs of Formosa Primary and Greenwood Independent School will be performing together for the first time, while a variety of African music and dance by Phakamisani learners will be staged along with Latin and ballroom dancers from Plettenberg Bay Secondary School and Kranshoek, Wittedrift and The Crags primary schools, accompanied by the Plett Pioneers

Field Band.

Surprise items will be performed by groups from Wittedrift High and Plett Primary.

Readers are urged to show their support by attending the Arts Showcase, making a donation, providing sponsorship or volunteering services.

Help with transport and snacks for participants and other production costs would also be appreciated.

“This is the first time all Bitou schools have an opportunity to work together in producing something that we can all be proud of,” says Wittedrift headmaster Andre Bouwer. “We are very excited to share the talent, passion and energy of these children with you, Bitou!”

Call 044 533 6466 or email ceo@bitou10foundation.co.za if you would like to get involved.

COMING SOON...

A remarkable story told by a family of raconteurs

L

ONG-TIME readers of this publication will be familiar with the legendary Jack Mudd and his wild stories of animals and travels and adventurous pursuits all over the vast African continent.

Two publications – Jgtg‚u" Owff" kp" {qwt" G{g (2002) and K‚o"Cntkijv." Lcem (2004) – followed Jack’s CXPRESS features and served to introduce his brilliant bush tales to a much wider audience.

So it was with delight that last week we heard, from the horse’s mouth, of a brand new book about to roll of the presses. Collaborator rather than author this time round, Jack still had a significant hand in Cpf" pqv" vq" [kgnf - the core of which was first penned by Penelope Matthews in the 1960s.

And with input from several of Jack’s family members, it has now finally seen the light.

In its foreword, Val Thomas writes, inter alia: ‘Like Jack, they have a keen insight into humanity with a wonderful turn of phrase, enabling them to spin

HISTORY BROUGHT TO LIFE: This book is a must-read for those interested in southern African history from 1860 to the 1930s, its intriguing stories centred on a remarkable family

a yarn that holds one’s interest to the end.

‘The story was told firstly by Penelope Matthews, daughter of the character Leila, whose ancestors landed off a shipwrecked vessel in Port Natal in terrifying circumstances. The original manuscript has been supplemented with intriguing, in-depth details from many other blood relatives, including

Leila’s father, Theo.

‘His contributions with regard to the events of the Anglo-Boer War, the siege of Ladysmith, and about early Johannesburg are fascinating and moving, as he describes the human tragedies and joys against an accurately recorded background of those tumultuous times.

‘But it was Jack himself, with his unusual levels of energy and

enthusiasm, and an eye for a story-line, who took the workin-progress manuscript with its hand-written annotations and created this treasure trove for the world to read.

‘With a guiding hand from book-publishing consultant Mike Kantey, they gathered some extraordinary photos and commissioned original sketches, bringing the pages to life.

‘For anyone interested in southern African history from 1860 to the 1930s, with events from Cape Town to Lusaka, this intertwining set of intriguing stories centred on a remarkable family is well told in the vernacular of its time.’

Cpf" pqv" vq" [kgnf" is ready for distribution to good bookshops by month’s end – in Garden Route terms, that means the usual suspects of PNA Plett, The Heath (N2 between Knysna and Plett), Knysna Book Exchange, De Gratia in Sedgefield, and so on.

Phone Jack on 083 379 6313 or Mike on 072 628 5131 for info on your nearest outlet.

Holiday Activities

September 25 - 2013

Entertainment Diary • Dawid’s Return is a talk by Patricia Glyn that takes place at Plett Primary at 5:30 for 6pm tonight (Sept 25). Tickets are available at the door and online (a minimum donation of R100, which is tax deductible as all proceeds go to the Khomani Heritage Preservation and Eden To Addo). Patricia and her team of photographers and filmmakers have brought back thousands of photos and hours of footage, the best of which have been selected to illustrate her talk about this grand adventure.

Contact Jenny Gardy on 072 227 5393 for more information.

• Knysna Plett concert series presents the Peter Martens String Quartet on September 30. Cellist Peter Martens is

FIBRE ART BEAST: ‘Buffel’

by Minda du Plessis is one of the works on display at ‘Inhibitions’, an exhibition of fibre art by local and South African artists at Pink Haus Gallery in Groot Brak until October 17 - call Vivienne on 082 730 1001 for details

director of the Stellenbosch Chamber Music Festival and artistic administrator of the Stellenbosch Conservatorium.

He is accompanied by David Juritz - one of the most versatile violinists currently working in the UK - along with violinist Suzanne Martens (lecturer in violin and chamber music at Stellenbosch University and guest concert master of the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra), and Karin Gaertner, who has been principle violinist in the Cape Town Symphony Orchestra for a number of year. The concert takes place at Knysna DRC hall in Fitchat Street at 7:30pm. Tickets (adults R100, scholars R20) are available at the door from 6:45pm.

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Food & Wine

September 25 - 2013

Zinzi at Tsala among South Africa’s top restaurants Zinzi manager Sally-Ann Grinter, right, and executive chef Antoinette Meyer celebrate the latest award raked in by this esteemed local restaurant, which is located at Tsala Treetop Lodge and part of the Hunter Hotels group.

CEO Ian Hunter informed us last week of the fact that Zinzi - also a stalwart of the annual CXPRESS Culinary Awards - again featured among the American Express Top SA Restaurants that was announced in Sandton on September 16. In an article entitled ‘Western Cape comes out smoking in culinary war’ (www.timeslive. co.za), Andile Ndlovu writes that our province is SA’s leader in the food stakes, ‘but avoid Mpumalanga and the Eastern Cape if you’re looking for fine cuisine’. Broken down into the Cape Peninsula, Winelands, Garden Route and Oudtshoorn, 42 W-Cape restaurants made the list, including Aubergine, Nobu, 96 Winery Road, Reuben’s, Su Casa, The Orchid Room and Serendipity in Wilderness.

The contest, first introduced to SA in 1999, honours creative restaurants that offer quality cuisine. Service, wine list, décor, ambience and American Express card acceptance are among the criteria. Many congratulations to Ian and his team on flying the Garden Route food flag high. See the advert on page 13 for contact details.

Midweek Market celebrates first birthday

T

HE Midweek Market at Old Nick Village celebrates its first successful year of trading today (September 25). Starting off as a handful of dedicated stallholders, they have grown into an established midweek grocery shopping destination.

Their ethos is providing Plett with fresh, healthy, naturallygrown produce, ethical meat products and homemade deliciousness that warm the heart and please the wallet. It’s all about shaking the hand that feeds you, healthy living and a self-sustaining economy.

Everyone is invited to the market’s first birthday party, which kicks off at 1pm with a puppet show by Lunchbox Theatre, and a real teddy bears picnic hosted

by Greenwood Primary (R25).

There’s face-painting and a children’s art exhibition adjudicated by Margie Ford, recycled spring flower decorations by The Crags Eco-School and a fun family photo booth by Avo Photography.

There are two outrageously awesome raffles (draw at 5:30pm) and a free Italian cooking class (3pm), while

demos on green living take place throughout the day. Last but perhaps best is the PAWS Mega Boot Sale with kids’ toys, books, clothes, furniture, jewellery, embroidery kits, art, frames, games, and good quality bric-a-brac for sale, all in aid of Bitou’s animals.

There is so much STUFF in

the world that buying secondhand makes economic and environmental sense - and it’s fun!

Join this entertaining day in celebration of spring and birthdays and living in Plettenberg Bay – call 072 216 3488 or 082 508 5557 for details and see the advert on this page for additional information.

WE ARE ONE! Some of the dedicated stallholders who have combined their efforts to establish the market at Old Nick as Plett’s favourite midweek grocery shopping destination

The Plettenberg: restyled and reopened!

T

HE Plettenberg Hotel - which reopened its doors on September 20, and celebrates this fact with a function for clients and invited guests today - has been busy over the winter months with renovations, in particular to the hotel’s lavish reception areas.

The team is now under the stewardship of new GM Annemie Parker and all services will continue as before. Food lovers will be glad to hear that this includes top restaurant SeaFood at The Plettenberg, which successfully established itself last year.

And with summer almost here, be sure to head to Sand bar for a cocktail after that walk on the newly returned Lookout Beach Ugg" vjg" cfxgtvu" qp" vjku" rcig"cpf"qp"rcig"350

Home & Health

September 25 - 2013

CXPRESS

This home is sure to be happy...

Richfest is a particularly pleasant Swiss tradition during which the owners of a new house give thanks to the builders and all those involved in the construction work.

It is celebrated when the walls of the house and the roof struts have been built.

A wreath with ribbons known as a tkejvmtcp|, tkejv/ mtqpg or tkejvdcwo - is raised up onto the roof. The head carpenter recites a poem known as the Tkejvurtwej or \koogt/ ocpuurtwej in which he thanks the client on behalf of all the labourers for work, wages and bread, and asks for God’s blessing to be upon the house.

The client drinks a toast of

schnapps, or sometimes wine or sparkling wine, and after the poem throws the glass from the roof. The empty glass must break on the ground and brings good fortune and blessings onto the new house.

The client then hammers in the last nail and thanks the workers by presenting a spread of schnitzel, bratwurst, pork knuckle or other savoury dishes washed down with beer.

Friends, helpers, neighbours and relatives are also invited along to the Richtfest.

Needless to say, the Uplanders and workers had a great time and we all wish Anna-Barbara and Res many happy years in their new house.

Long-life Lya turns 100 years young!

wise words: “I don’t live in the past, but I have wonderful memories.” CXPRESS wishes Lya Berman a truly happy 100th birthday and excellent health for the rest of her life.

Ft"Ikqxcppk"Eqek‚u"tqqou"cv" Ogfkenkpke"Rngvvgpdgti"Dc{"ecp" dg"tgcejgf"qp"266"755"66930

Words & photos: William Ashurst

U

PLANDERS were treated to a magnificent feast last month when Bitou locals AnnaBarbara Hofer-Vifian and Res Kammer invited all their neighbours to a Richtfest in celebration of their new abode.

Situated at the top of Uplands, the timber home has spectacular views from Port Elizabeth to Knysna. Kurland Hotel did the catering and all workers and friends enjoyed a culinary feast fit for a king.

FESTIVE BLESSING: AnnaBarbara HoferVifian attaches the ‘richtkranz’ to the timber home’s roof crest with Delarey Ferreira of T&B Log homes assisting her to complete the joyous task

L

YA Berman had been planning her centennial birthday party on September 25 for some time when, on July 26, she suffered a severe heart attack.

She was rushed to the Mediclinic Plettenberg Bay and placed under the care of specialist physician Dr Giovanni Coci.

After two days, her condition stabilised and she was transferred to the coronary unit at Mossel Bay, where she successfully underwent further treatment.

We went along with Dr Coci to visit Mrs Berman at her home after she was discharged from hospital.

She extended her thanks to all the medical and nursing staff who looked after her during her illness and made it possible for her to go ahead with arranging the celebrations for this important milestone.

Dr Coci is very pleased with her recovery and said that she is an ideal patient with a strong will and love of life.

Mrs Berman has a long history with Plettenberg Bay, having regularly holidayed here since 1960, before relocating to the town 15 years ago.

To celebrate this momentous occasion, she is hosting a birthday lunch for 70 of her friends and relatives - including some who will be travelling from the USA - on September 29.

Mrs Berman left us with these

LOVING LIFE: Dr Giovanni Coci and Lya Berman - who he describes as an ‘ideal patient’ - smile for the camera during the run-up to her 100th birthday bash at the end of this month

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It’s World Retina Week so get your eyes tested Free vision screening (by appointment) is available from Spec-Savers this week - see their advert on page 5.

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Interval

September 25 - 2013

I contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle. - Winston Churchill

A

Putting the new teacher to the test...

former sergeant in the Marine Corps took a new job as a high school teacher. However, just before the school year started, he injured his back.

He was required to wear a plaster cast around the upper part of his body. Fortunately, the cast fitted under his shirt and wasn’t noticeable.

On the first day of class, he found himself assigned to the toughest students in the school.

The smart punks, having already heard the new teacher was a former Marine, were leery of him and he knew they would be testing his discipline in the classroom.

So, walking confidently into the rowdy classroom, the new teacher opened the window

Hilariously true • The reason women don’t play football is because 11 of them would never wear the same outfit in public.

• We spend the first 12 months of our children’s lives teaching them to walk and talk and the next 12 telling them to sit down and shut up.

• What I don’t like about office Christmas parties is looking for a job the next day.

• Tranquilisers will only work if you follow the advice on the bottle: Keep Away From Children.

• The reason the golf pro tells you to keep your head down is so you can’t see him laughing.

• You know you’re old if they have discontinued your blood type.

• A smile is a curve that sets everything straight.

wide and sat down at his desk.

When a strong breeze made his tie flap, he picked up a stapler

and stapled the tie to his chest.

Dead silence… the rest of the year went very smoothly.

CHECK IT OUT! The Treknet TV show starts on KykNET on Monday October 7 at 8pm! Visit the ‘Official Treknet Fan Page’ on Facebook, and turn to page 11 for further details.

Parking woes

I

pulled into the crowded parking lot at the local shopping centre and rolled down the car windows a little to make sure my Labrador Retriever puppy had fresh air.

She was stretched full-out on the back seat and I wanted to impress upon her that she must remain there.

I walked backwards to the pavement, pointing my finger at the car and saying emphatically: “Now you stay. Do you hear me? Stay! Stay!”

The driver of a nearby car, a young blonde, gave me a funny look and said: “Why don’t you just put the handbrake on?”

Die towenaar

D

IS die seuntjie se eerste dag op skool en die juffrou vra wat se werk doen sy pa.

Seuntjie: “My pa is ‘n towe-

naar, juffrou. Hy saag mense in die helfte.”

Juffrou: “Hoe kry hy dit reg?”

Seuntjie: “Ek weet nie, juffrou, maar op hierdie dorp het ek vyf half boeties en drie half sussies.”

On the Soapbox

September 25 - 2013

Letters to the Editor

CXPRESS

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

Battle of strawberry fields on George farm I have been to the Redberry Farm for the first time recently with the good intention of picking some strawberries and spending more money at the restaurant and farm stall.

However, the experience and customer service has been absolutely shocking. Quite frankly, I do not recommend that families support such a rude place.

On entering, I bought a container for R25 to pick my own strawberries. The two ladies at the cashier were unfriendly and did not bother to explain how it worked and where I had to go.

When I found the strawberry field I was escorted by two farm workers and told not to eat any strawberries. For the duration of my picking experience I was watched by a farmworker who literally followed me through every row.

I found this quite amusing but continued my picking experience. When my little bucket was three-quarters full the farmworker came right up to me and said: “It’s full now.” I replied: “Surely seeing that I’ve just paid R25 for a little bucket of strawberries, I can fill it up properly?”

She said I could only fill it with berries up to just under the rim and then promptly called the supervisor, who told me the same thing. I couldn’t believe I had to argue with three farm workers on filling a little bucket of berries! So I asked them whether they wanted people to come back or not.

She insisted I took out some of the berries in my (paid for) container but I refused.

She then called the farm manager (via radio) who arrived like a sheriff with another radio in his hand. I asked him what all this commotion was about and whether they believed that they treated their customers in a

ence. Is this supposed to be a place where tourists and locals enjoy their free time and spend money? If I’d had a positive experience, I would have surely become a regular and spent hundreds of rands in their restaurant and farm stall in future.

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MMMMM...

Fresh organic strawberries can be handpicked at Redberry Farm, but patrons are requested not to munch ‘em in the fields

friendly way.

He replied: “Madam, we have to run a business here and if everyone picked so much we wouldn’t make any money.”

I said I had little time for this nonsense and that their attitude kept tourists away - the worst public relations for a hospitality business.

After all, for R25 I might as well have gone to a supermarket and bought my berries there!

I couldn’t believe my ears when he then decided to call the farm owner via radio.

The farm manager said: “Tell the lady she must buy another bucket as it cannot be so full.”

I had to laugh out loud. I gave the manager five strawberries and said: “Here you go, take your five strawberries and be happy.”

What an unpleasant experi-

Vjg"ocpcigogpv"qh"Tgfdgtt{" Hcto"rtqxkfgf"vjku"tgurqpug< We are very sorry to hear that a first-time visitor had such a bad experience. Just like every other business, our farm has rules and regulations that each patron needs to adhere to.

We have to enforce these rules to protect the business and to ensure a fair experience for all patrons.

One of the rules in the picking fields is that no one may eat in the fields, to ensure that people do not eat/pick more than the value that they have paid for, and for hygiene reasons.

When people eat in the field they drop the leftover green calyx part of the strawberry on the ground and this is very unhygienic. Our picking field is as organic as possible and we need to ensure hygiene so that germs are not spread and pests are not attracted to the field.

When we ask people not to eat in the field, we do not feel that it is necessary to explain this reason as it would take a lot of time to give each and every group this long explanation. We simply ask them to adhere to the rules set out.

Green mamba rears head in Bitou I would like to make road users aware of how Bitou Traffic now hides its mobile speed cameras. The box pictured conceals a camera and is placed in different locations on Robberg Road.

The Prosecuting Guidelines for Speed Measuring Equipment (Dec 2012), available on-line, states: ‘If the automatic operations of the camera are not in a secured housing then the SME must be under the constant supervision of a traffic officer.’ If this is a moveable box then how can it be secure? Is this legal?

- L Smith, by email

Last word on ‘kamikaze cyclist’ I feel compelled to write a response to the letter entitled ‘Kamikaze cyclist endangers lives’ (read it at www.cxpress.co.za - click on the Letters page of issue 371).

As a fellow cyclist I need to point out that, although we make every effort to stay well inside the yellow shoulder of the road, there are many times within the 60-100km training rides along the N2, when we are obliged to avoid glass and tyre debris lying in the road.

Interestingly enough, we share this same route with many other car and truck drivers without incident.

Having said that, this letter is obviously not aimed at the cyclists as a group, but is a personal vendetta and I am disappointed that CXPRESS did not recognise it as such.

I know things are quiet around August and news is somewhat scant but seriously, how can “kamikaze” and “little wrinkled lady” be considered in the same sentence? Not to mention the unnecessary, venomous diatribe about jumping off bridges, putting pipes in cars, etc.

I suggest that Uvwppgf" d{" *{qwt" qypA+" Uvwrkfkv{‚u energies would be better served on improving your driving skills.

And shame on you for picking on little ladies!

Lceswk"Q‚Eqppgnn."d{"gockn flUvwppgf"d{"Uvwrkfkv{‚"jcu" rtqxkfgf"vjku"tgurqpug"vq"vyq" ngvvgtu"qh"eqoogpv"kpenwfgf" kp"EZRTGUU"qh"Ugrvgodgt"33" *xkukv"yyy0ezrtguu0eq0|c"cpf" enkem"qp"vjg"Ngvvgtu"rcig"qh" kuuwg"594+< I can assure you that my letter was not a personal attack or vendetta on the lady cyclist.

I don’t know who she is, as I don’t live in Plett but I commute past most mornings.

I have observed this “competent and well-respected cyclist” on numerous occasions - not once or twice but seven or more times - exhibiting the same reckless behaviour. Oh, and no: my windows are not tinted, and the 4x4 is white.

In response to the second letter: Are you sure you’d checked your facts before submitting it for print? “Upon approaching a slower moving vehicle, a motorist should slow down and only overtake when it is safe to do so.” I have never heard anything as ridiculous in my life.

So you are driving at, say, 100km per hour on the N2; you see a cyclist on the yellow line or in your lane; you slow down to 5km per hour and wait for her to stop talking and wake up to the dangers of cycling on a national road; you finally pass her and carry on with your journey…? I don’t think so!

Secondly, a bicycle may be considered a vehicle, but I’m afraid it does not require a roadworthy certificate, and cyclists do not pay licence fees entitling them to equal rights when negotiating national roads built for motorised vehicles. *Yg"jgtgykvj"eqpenwfg"vjku"fg/ dcvg"qp"vjg"rcigu"qh"EZRTGUU." dwv" pqv" dghqtg" pqvkpi" qwt" dg/ owugf" wodtcig" cv" vjg" uwiigu/ vkqp"vjcv"vjg"qtkikpcn"ngvvgt"ycu" rwtrqugn{" rtkpvgf" cu" rctv" qh" c" rgtuqpcn"xgpfgvvc0"Qrkpkqpu"gz/ rtguugf"qp"vjgug"rcigu"ctg"pqv" vjqug"qh"vjg"gfkvqtu"qt"uvchh"dwv" yg"hggn"uvtqpin{"cdqwv"qwt"tqng" cu"xgjkeng"hqt"urtgcfkpi"vjg"fk/ xgtug"xkgyu"qh"qwt"gxgt/itqykpi" tgcfgtujkr"vq"cnn"eqtpgtu"qh"vjg" Ictfgp"Tqwvg0"/"Gfu0+

Regarding the staff in the shop: we do have a customer survey where we ask customers to rate their experience. Here they have the opportunity to mention the service that they have received.

The people who receive the survey are those who sign their name to receive news and updates from Redberry Farm. If a customer selects ‘no’ for this card, we do not send them the survey. This helps us to keep a tab on the service.

For the past few months we have had very good responses from patrons and have addressed any issues that have been brought to our attention.

The employee who worked in the field has had many customer compliments. She radioed the farm manager after the letter writer told her that she had a right to eat in the fields as she had paid R25.

She also then went on to overfill her container and disregarded numerous requests not to do so. We take note of the comment about the employee following in the rows, as we do not encourage this from our employees.

It is unfortunate that this patron feels she had such bad service and we would like to apologise on behalf of the business that she felt unwelcome.

From an ownership perspective we want every patron to feel welcome, but this is within the constraints of abiding by the rules of the establishment.

These ‘guards’ no asset to any town Earlier this month I paid a visit to Plett, part business part pleasure - it has been a while since my last stopover.

Immediately after having parked in Main Street, two ‘car guards’ of most unacceptable attire and manner approached me from out of nowhere. I had to leave the car where it was and set upon doing things quickly.

On returning to the car, it was difficult to actually open the car door because of the stance of the guard (now only one).

I then drove down to the beautiful lookout point, as it was such a lovely day. Here the same thing happened: a man smelling highly of alcohol came right up to the car.

So I cut my stay short and decided to go down and view the ‘new’ Lookout Beach from the bottom of the hill. No sooner had I climbed out of the car when another ‘car guard’ appeared from nowhere and informed me he had just started his duty. Feeling most uncom-

fortable, I left.

I recall reading in the newspaper that Plett has done away with these so-called car guards so why, may I ask, are they still around? With season approaching, I really feel the correct department needs to address this issue once again Car guards are certainly not an asset to Plett, or any town for that matter, and one really needs to attend to this extremely aggravating and unpleasant practice. After all, it’s really just a glorified form of begging.

Eqpegtpgf."Mp{upc *Vjku"ku"vjg"worvggpvj"ngvvgt"qp" vjg" uwdlgev" tgegkxgf" cpf" rtkpv/ gf" d{" EZRTGUU" ⁄" xkukv" yyy0 ezrtguu0eq0|c" cpf" enkem" qp" vjg" Pgyu" (" Xkgyu" rcigu" qh" kuuwgu" 592" cpf" 593" hqt" dcemitqwpf0" Qrkpkqpu"cpf"uwiiguvkqpu"jcxg" dggp"tqnnkpi"kp"dwv"uvknn"yg"uggo" pq"pgctgt"c"uqnwvkqp"vjcv"yqwnf" ocmg" xkukvqtu" vq" Rngvv‚u" rwdnke" rncegu" hggn" nguu" kpvkokfcvgf" d{" uqog" qh" vjg" rgqrng" rqukpi" cu" ect"iwctfu000"⁄"Gfu0+

ISSUE 373

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Save Plett head campaigner says it best I commend Basil van Rooyen for his excellent letter in CXPRESS of September 11 (click on the Letters page of issue 372 at www.cxpress.co.za), setting out some of the reasons why the proposed small boat harbour should be opposed and how in the long run, it will NOT produce a significant number of job opportunities.

Mr van Rooyen quite rightly points to Thesen Islands harbour development which, although very attractive, is empty for most of the year - devoid of patrons or activity, so providing little employment.

Another unfortunate example would be the harbour at Cape St. Francis, which is deserted

for most of the year.

Mr van Rooyen expresses all this very well and I believe his letter deserves reprinting.

I would like to add that it would be helpful if CXPRESS could establish a system whereby readers could comment directly to various articles appearing in the paper or on line.

Iknnkcp"Umggp/OeMgg." d{"gockn *Qwt"dtcpf"pgy"ygdukvg"hgcvwt/ kpi" oclqt" kpvgtcevkqp1hggfdcem" qrrqtvwpkvkgu" ku" pgctkpi" eqo/ rngvkqp" /" ycvej" vjku" urceg" hqt" fgvcknu#" Cpf" hqt" oqtg" pgyu" qp" vjg" Ucxg" Rngvv" Cnnkcpeg." yjkej" ku"ejcktgf"d{"Dcukn"xcp"Tqq{gp." rngcug"vwtp"vq"rcig"6"qh"vjku"gfk/ vkqp0"/"Gfu0+

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CXPRESS

ISSUE 373

September 25 - 2013

Classifieds

Sport & Adventure

September 25 - 2013

CXPRESS

Englishman makes light of Otter record R

ICKY Lightfoot and Ruby Muir won the men’s and women’s races respectively in Sunday’s Otter African Trail Run. World champion and Salomon team athlete Lightfoot became the first international runner to claim victory in this race, breaking the 4:40:15 record set by Ryan Sandes in a time of 4:15:27.

He dominated the race from the start, leaving big name locals Iain Don Wauchope, Kane Reilly, AJ Calitz, Michael Bailey, Lucky Mia and Stuart Marais to fight it out for the remaining podium positions.

Last year’s Retto winner, Don Wauchope, used the penultimate climb to move past Reilly, Mia, SA champ Tsabang Madiba and Calitz, taking him from sixth position at Andre Hut to claim second overall in a time of 4:24:33. Calitz finished third in a time of 4:27:03, so all three podium positions beat the previous course record.

The women’s race was a more closely contested concern than results suggested, although New Zealand trail champ Muir

FLEET OF FOOT: Ricky Lightfoot claimed victory in recordshattering time at the fifth annual Grail of Trail

LOCAL HEROS: From left, Melikhaya Msizi, Steph le Roux, and Vic Gugushe flew the Garden Route contenders’ flag high - Photos: Glenn Murray

lead the women’s race from early on and finished in a time of 4:55:34.

SA favourite Landie Greyling opted for a more conservative start on the technical rocks but was never far off the pace. Failing to close down the break in the final minutes, she finished second in 4:58:57. Nicolette Griffioen was delighted to finish third in a time of 05:24:57.

Now in its fifth year the Otter, organised by Magnetic South and presented by Salomon and GU, has established itself as the benchmark event for marathon distance trail running in South Africa and is on the bucket list of most SA endurance athletes.

The fact that the five-day hiking trail is off limits to trail runners for 363 days a year gives the event the allure of forbidden fruit and creates a level playing field on which trail athletes can measure themselves.

With almost 3000m of vertical ascent and the infamous Bloukrans River mouth crossing, the ‘Grail of Trail’ is a relentlessly technical race worthy of its reputation. Visit www.theotter. co.za for full results and all the images.

ISSUE 373

19

Read CXPRESS online @ www.cxpress.co.za

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CXPRESS

ISSUE 373

Sport & Adventure

September 25 - 2013

No holds barred in super bowls battle...

I

N a bid to raise the status of the game, Knysna Bowling Club has developed a unique competition format modelled on golf’s Ryder Cup. The competition seeks to establish whether there is any truth to the rumour that Knysna bowlers are far superior to those in surrounding towns.

This legend stems from the

fact that Knysna folk believe they receive added inspiration and skills from the awesome natural beauty that surrounds them in the form of water, mountains, and forests inhabited by elephants.

The two bowling clubs in Knysna will combine their strengths and compete under the banner of The Principality

Plett Adventure Bike Week to benefit all L OCAL motorcyclists have a new event to look forward to and although still seven months away, the Plett Adventure Bike Week from April 26 to May 4 2014 is worth diarising and getting very excited about.

Located conveniently close to some of the best riding terrain in SA - Baviaanskloof, and passes like Prince Alfred, Montagu and Swartberg, to name but a few - Plett is the ideal base for this event.

Plett Adventure Bike Week welcomes all riders and all brands of adventure bikes. The nerve-centre of the event will be an exhibition area where vendors and manufacturers will exhibit and sell their adventurebiking offerings, while serving as a rendezvous point for riders about to embark on one of the area’s many scenic routes.

Says the brain behind Bike Week, Lance Rothschild: “We have had a very encouraging response from the major manufacturers, who have indicated

that they will be on-site to exhibit their latest models.”

Plett Tourism chair Peter Wallington shares his positive sentiments: “We’re excited to introduce a new event to our tourism calendar, and believe that Plett Adventure Bike Week will attract a large number of people to our beautiful area.”

The week will offer an excellent opportunity for clubs to host annual gatherings, and for individual riders to gather and enjoy the company of likeminded individuals.

Most importantly, Plett Adventure Bike Week will afford riders the chance to enjoy their bikes in the terrain for which they were designed.

A website is already in process and details will be announced in due course. A Facebook Group has been started (Plett Adventure Bike Week) and a Twitter stream @PlettAdvBikeWk. For more details, contact Lance at pabw@opportunate.co.za or on 082 443 1530.

of Knysna, while players from Sedgefield and Plettenberg Bay will form the opposition and be identified as players from The Rest of the Region.

Each club will be required to select only their very best players to compete for the prestigious PT Super Bowls Cup, as the competition has been made possible by generous sponsorship from Personal Trust International - a company that supports the sport of bowls throughout the Cape.

Following on the format of the Ryder Cup, each team will have a captain who determines which players will be selected to form the strongest possible combination to compete for gold in the various formats of the game.

Players will be selected based on their ability to compete ag-

gressively in the four formats - singles, pairs, trips and fours.

The game might appear simple to the uninitiated, yet vastly different skills are required for every person/position in a team - each of which consists of a lead, a second, a third and a skip when playing fours.

The inaugural event takes place at Knysna Bowling Club in Rawson Street on Thursday September 26 from 9am ‘till late. Members of the public are invited to come and enjoy a hot cuppa or cool drink and support their teams in the quest to be the first champion of champions.

This event will be held annually and will be extended to other parts of country as it gains in popularity. As with all major tournaments, funds will also be raised for a local charity.

Leolin staan g’n terug vir SA se beste!

Leolin Petersen, 7, van Plettenbergbaai is ‘n baie talentvolle gimnas met hope potensiaal. Sy het begin met gimnastiek op driejarige ouderdom en op vyf aan haar eerste kompetisie deelgeneem. Op 26 Mei 2012 het sy haar SWD kleure verwerf vir Artisties en Trampolien, en op 6 September is sy gekies om die Wes-Kaap te verteenwoordig in Dubbel-Mini en Euro-Tramp. Die sluiting van die plaaslike gimnastiekklub beteken sy moet deesdae twee keer per week George toe ry vir oefeninge en as gevolg van die geweldige finasiële implikasie hiervan moes sy ongelukkig Artisties laat vaar. Sy is nou ongeveer een jaar by die George klub en het Vrydag 20 September na Pretoria vertrek vir die SA Kampioenskappe. Trotse moeder Helen Bezuidenhout bedank die volgende persone en instansies vir hul hulp en bystand: Mnr en Mev Terry, Maria Pienaar, Mellviles Spar, Sishle Candani, Maureen Sullivan en Louis Verloop. Die foto hierbo is geneem tydens Leolin se deelname in Oudtshoorn vroeër die maand.