June 4th

4 June 2014

Published every Wednesday by CXpress 2006 (Pty) Ltd - PO Box 1449, Plettenberg Bay 6600 - 6 Park Lane, Plettenberg Bay - Tel: 044 533 1004 - Fax: 044 533 0852 Email: editor@cxpress.co.za / advertising@cxpress.co.za Web page: www.cxpress.co.za Printed by Group Editors

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Sixteen years later ...OUR READERS STILL HAVE THEIR SAY - like Fanie Jonker, who dug up his copy of our very first edition, dated 1 June 1998, and submitted this ‘selfie’ that also features his Scotty, Bella - turn to page 5 for the story...

10 000 FREE COPIES OF CXPRESS DISTRIBUTED ALONG THE GARDEN ROUTE EVERY WEDNESDAY

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CXPRESS

Columns

4 June 2014

Driving Miss Crazy

Driving Miss Karoo - the adventures of English Joan and Irish Abigail - Part III JEEVES shares memories of his adventures as Garden Route chaffeur extraordinaire"- we pick up the story on day number two of the attractive tourists’ Little Karoo road trip with one night down and two to go...

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Our 10 000 free copies are distributed every Wednesday to a multitude of outlets along the Garden Route, with emphasis on Knysna and Plett and drop-offs at *Sedgefield Tourism *Caltex StarMart in Wilderness *Lynn Schroeder, Build It and other select outlets in George *Storms River Village and Bridge in Tsitsikamma - phone 044 533 1004 (o/h) with distribution queries.

If you’ve missed out on a hard copy, read the electronic version online at www.cxpress.co.za

ARLY next morning, the foothills of the Swartberg Mountains adjoining Oudemuragie Farm beckoned us to go for a brisk walk in the crisp air - up to the dam with beautiful views of the farm, its cottages, paddocks, and the valley below.

Back at the cottage, I rustled up a quick breakfast of scrambled eggs, the rest of the smoked salmon-trout from the day before, a few capers on the side, red onion rings, a dollop of sour cream sprinkled with dill, and toasted rye.

The eggs I just cracked into a glass bowl, added a splash of cream and milk seasoned with salt and ground pepper, and popped it over a pot of boiling water on the stove.

The only other ingredient required is patience while stirring, waiting for the eggs to form. Chopped chives into the egg at the end and voila, breakfast fit for a king!

Before we left, Joan and I hosed the car down to clean it of dust we had gathered the day before. I explained that this was going to be a wasted exercise since we would traverse dirt roads each day.

“Well then we’ll just have to wash it down each morning I don’t want us to look like a 4x4 in Tokyo, where they aerosol mud spray on their cars every Monday morning to show off where they had, or rather had not, been over the weekend.”

As we departed, the owner of the farm jogged up a nearby koppie where she unfolded a white sheet and stood there waving it madly above her head for at least five minutes, until we had disappeared from view.

We could have gone straight on down the dirt road towards the Cango Caves, but I elected to go back to De Rust and take the Meiringspoort road that follows the Groot Rivier as it cuts its way through the mountains, the road crossing it about 25 times.

There are some pristinely kept parking areas along the way, with braai facilities and ablutions should one wish to make a stop. We parked off at one of these where you can picnic under shady trees.

It is sign-posted ‘Waterfall’, and the waterfall in question, with rock pools to boot, is reached after an easy 300-metre walk.

This is the N12, which eventually reaches Beaufort West, and 30km further we came to a dirt road turning off to the left, Prince Albert

50km away.

This route would give the ladies a feel for the vastness of the country, as it’s pretty desolate. It reminded me of a trip in a Range Rover back in the 70s on a dirt road in Kenya near Lake Naivasha, where the car filled with dust.

It became known as the ‘Dust Rover’, and we discovered the only way to keep the dust out at that time was to close all the windows and turn on the air-con full blast.

Prince Albert is a particularly attractive country village, with a hotel, B&Bs, and restaurants. We arrived at our lodge mid-afternoon, and then walked the main street looking at all the fun local

ing a couple of bottles of Cab Sauv 2012 for our collection, it was back on the road again.

Swartberg Pass is one of the most spectacular of South African mountain passes, climbing over the mountain range in wide loops and reaching a height of 1,500m.

The ladies were quite fascinated by the brilliantly coloured and fiercely twisted rock strata.

At the top commenced the decent; ahead lay a magnificent view of the Cango Valley, with agricultural fields and fynbos forming a rural patchwork amid the foothills of the Swartberg.

At the foot of the pass we turned right onto a dirt road along the Grootfontein Valley to Calitzdorp - a gem of a drive. The little village of Kruisrivier comprises about six houses, a coffee shop, and a gallery next to an old but fashionably renovated Karoo farmhouse which is painted white all over, inside and out.

We passed The Retreat at Grootfontein - a must do stay over, but we were pressed for time - it was 3pm. You cross

Karoo plains, and over to the 180-degree view of the mountains, from west to east.

Had a quick shower, butterflied a beef fillet and stuffed it with avocado and feta, rolled it in prosciutto slices, securing it with toothpicks for the braai later with baked potato, garden fresh salad and a bot or two of quality red.

At 5:30pm we trundled across to the NG Kerk to listen to Noel-Jean giving his usual organ recital but alas, he had left town for GraaffReinet. (Joan and Abigail had heard him already in Knysna, where he played a few times at St Georges Church back in March - he is one of the top organists in the country.)

The perfect ending to the perfect day - a glass of local ruby port under the Karoo stars...

“Ronald,” proffered Joan,

ON TOP: This sign indicates the summit of the Swartberg Pass before starting the descent

RURAL PATCHWORK: The view from the pass gave the tourists a good feel for the country’s vast and beautiful landscapes

craft shops.

Our lodge had a pub where one mingled with other interesting guests - a horse breeder from Colesberg, a few Capetonians, an environmental lawyer doing research on the effect of wind farms on the ecology.

The following day, we stopped in at a cheese factory and filled up with all sorts of yummy types to enjoy with the wine tastes that lay ahead.

Before heading off to Swartberg Pass, we drove along a tar road into the arid Prince Albert Valley back towards De Rust, where we’d heard there was a new wine to be sampled, made from organic grapes.

The farm Fernskloof, where we were warmly welcomed and given the full A to Zee on organic viticulture, has been in the family for six generations. So after acquir-

a little stream to get there, and it’s an old farm manor house, with cottages to stay.

Highly rated by TripAdvisor and the AA, it has its own water, solar electricity and wind generators feeding a bank of heavy-duty batteries. Highlights are the walks and dinner at night, all guests seated at a huge dining table.

We were expected at the Peter Bayley Estate along the valley - speciality, white and red Port. Quick tastings at the Withoek Cellar of Du’SwaRoo wines, and lovely Cabernet Sauvignon-Shiraz to go with our cheeses.

Very good Cape Vintagestyle Port was to follow, as well as their own Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadel and Tawny Port. By now we were all hick-upping!

I had booked two of the Spekboom cottages in Calitzdorp overlooking the Little

“Paddy and Mick were having a Guinness at the local pub. Paddy said: ‘I’m ready for a holiday. Only, this year I’m going to do it a little different. “‘Three years ago it was Spain, and Mary got pregnant. Two years ago Italy, and she got pregnant. Last year it was Majorca, pregnant again!’

“Mick pipes up: ‘So what are you going to do this year?’ Paddy replies: ‘This time I’ll take her with me.’”

Abigail leapt out of her chair and Joan, anticipating her move, was already running for the house - laughter and shrieks from the bedroom, where the two were wrestling on the bed like two little girls.

Tgogodgt"vq"mggr"nghv."rcuu" tkijv"cpf000"Dwemng"wr#" /"Lggxgu To be continued...

News & Views

4 June 2014

CXPRESS

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Rheenendal ‘can start healing’ after Rosaline killer gets double-life Words & photo: Yolandé Stander

IN DENIAL: Ewald Booysen in the dock after receiving a life sentence each for rape and murder – although he apologised for what had happened to Rosaline, he remained adamant that he did not commit the crimes

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AMILY and friends of nine-year-old Rosaline Philander, who was brutally raped and murdered in Rheenendal last year, are satisfied with the double life sentence her killer was handed on Friday.

“Although it doesn’t bring my little girl back, justice has been served,” her father Derrek Marneville said.

This sentiment was echoed by her kin in court when the gallery erupted in applause after Judge James Yekiso delivered judgment in the Circuit High Court in Knysna.

Ewald Booysen, 32, was handed a life sentence each for rape and murder, as well as 10 years for kidnapping.

His sentences will be served concurrently.

The petite little girl’s murder sent shockwaves through the close-knit Rheenendal community after her body was found in a wooded area on August 31. She was stabbed twice in the neck and violently raped.

According to earlier testimony, Booysen lured the girl away from where she was playing with friends near her home by promising her food and R10.

He pleaded not guilty on all charges and said Rosaline had followed him to the shop “out of her own free will”.

Booysen, who told the court that he consumed a few litres of alcohol before Rosaline was murdered, did however admit that he strangled the girl during an alcohol-fuelled rage when she confronted him about his drinking.

He further stated that, after she had fallen to the ground, he left her there not knowing if she was alive.

Forensic pathologist Mariette Hurst ruled his version of events out after finding no signs of strangulation. Booysen was spotted without Rosaline later that day, and several witnesses saw him with blood-soaked clothes.

Although Booysen claimed the blood was from slaughtering a cow, forensic tests revealed the blood matched ‘I miss my little girl terribly. She was such a good daughter. I still see her running down the road doing cartwheels on her way back from the shop’

that of the victim.

In mitigation, Booysen took the stand and told the court that he had grown up in an abusive home where his father assaulted his mother.

Although he apologised for what had happened to Rosaline, he remained adamant that he did not commit the crimes.

Marneville also took the stand, pleading for life imprisonment of the man who killed his daughter.

“I miss my little girl terribly. She was such a good daughter. I still see her running down the road doing cartwheels on her way back from the shop.

“She was so quick. If you sent her to the shop to buy something she would be back before you knew it,” Marneville said.

He added that he rarely slept and that he still had nightmares about the day his daughter was killed.

“The day I saw her coffin in the hearse, the day of her funeral, I didn’t feel human… I still don’t.”

Booysen, who has a previous conviction of rape, was released in 2010 after serving about nine years of a 15-

year sentence. He also denied committing this crime.

Yekiso made it clear that the crimes relating to Rosaline were very serious and that Booysen, who is related to the girl’s mother, abused his role as a family member by luring her away from her friends, knowing that he would harm her.

“Although he asked for the

community’s forgiveness, he showed no signs of remorse and is still adamant that he is not guilty,” Yekiso said.

He added that he could therefore not deviate from the prescribed life sentence for rape and murder.

Knysna mayor Georlene Wolmarans, who was in the gallery on Friday, said she and the community were satisfied with the sentence.

“The judge sent out a clear message that child rape and

murder will not be tolerated,” Wolmarans said.

Chairman of Rheenendal neighbourhood watch Clifford Sass said he was very happy with the sentence.

“We waited a long time for this and the judge really did an outstanding job. Now we can start healing as a community,” Sass said.

Yekiso thanked the police for their hard work and thorough investigation of this case. - Ictfgp"Tqwvg"Ogfkc

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CXPRESS

News & Views

4 June 2014

Knysna Elephant Park responds to abuse allegations

The owners of Knysna Elephant Park on Monday June 2 released a statement, excerpts of which appear here, in reply to recent allegations of elephant abuse circulated in the national media

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HERE is a long and complex history to this issue and reasons for the allegations cannot be understood without insight into the past - the following facts need to be highlighted: • This case occurred in 2008, at Elephants of Eden (EOE) in the Eastern Cape, and not at Knysna Elephant Park (KEP).

• Wounds depicted are not related to the training methods depicted in the photos - which were taken halfway through treatment administered by KEP. • The NSPCA was refused entry to KEP in 2013 and 2014. This refusal is not related to images in the media.

In 2008, three bull elephants were sold to Gerhard van Rooyen of Indalu Safaris in Mossel Bay. EOE undertook to teach van Rooyen’s brother, Sias, the techniques and methods used in proper and humane elephant handling on the farm in Alexandria in the Eastern Cape.

Van Rooyen’s handlers were also at EOE working with Sias and the elephants so that they could form a bond between handler and elephant, thereby keeping continuity for the small herd that would be housed at Indalu.

In 2008 at EOE, two elephants killed a trainer after he broke protocol and entered their outdoor camp on his own. Shortly thereafter, still during 2008 and when the manager was on four-day leave, some of the handlers in an act of “retribution” hit the elephants that had killed their co-worker at EOE. The elephants became bruised and lacerated from these beatings.

KEP owner Lisette Withers was called from Knysna to EOE to investigate. The two elephants were immediately

HAPPY AND HEALTHY: This is Gambo today one of the elephants that were abused as seen in the photos distributed on social media and elsewhere in the national press

moved to KEP for care and treatment and were nursed back to good health.

Withers called the necessary hearings and dismissed the two guilty staff from her employment.

Other members of the staff who were there at the time of the beating were employed

by Van Rooyen and are still employed at Indalu.

Elephants belonging to Indalu remained at EOE, until they moved to Indalu in 2012. Three females, who had bonded with the males, were also relocated.

Van Rooyen has not yet paid for the three females despite promises that he would do so. Currently, KEP has applied to court to have their

three elephant cows returned from Indalu. However, KEP does not want to break the bond that has been forged between the six elephants at Indalu and is seeking a court order for all six elephants to move together.

Van Rooyen or his associates have presented twisted facts to the media and to the NSPCA and it appears that this may have been done in an attempt to oppose KEP’s legal proceedings to have the six elephants transferred from Indalu.

Withers has not been charged with abuse as of May 30.

EOE no longer exists and KEP does not, and never has, condoned the use of cruel methods to train elephants.

Wanton destruction of ancient creatures horrifies David Scott emailed this disconcerting image on Sunday June 1, and wrote: ‘These two sharks were found lying side by side on Plett’s Hobie Beach around 8am this morning, with signs of fishing activity nearby. The larger (1.2m) had a hook in its mouth and a metre of line with sinker still attached. The smaller one had a large hook just inside its mouth, as is visible in the picture. Both could easily have been removed and the sharks released, rather than being destroyed. These animals, which in primitive form first appeared 420-million years ago and evolved into the successful species of today, surely do not deserve this treatment. All who passed were horrified at the sight.’

News & Views

4 June 2014

Sixteen could not be sweeter if we’d tried...

WELL-READ ALL ROUND: This photograph shows our second-ever edition, CXPRESS of 15 June 1998, pored over by a bevy of Kranshoek locals and captured by the late Julian Furman - and if you know anyone who appears in the pic, or recognise yourself in there, be sure to drop us a line at editor@cxpress.co.za for a chat about those early days in CX history

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HEN the new era of our weekly editions dawned on March 12 this year, the CXPRESS editorial staff ended the day by swinging past Plett’s Skiboat Club on Central Beach, a pack of hot-off-the-press papers in hand.

While dishing them out, regular patron Fanie Jonker and his wife, Pauline, stopped us in our tracks to share a tale that was at the same time heart-warming and inspirational in terms of the task that lay ahead.

“We still have a copy of your first edition on the first of June 1998,” said Fanie, “which we kept because it came out on the same day we arrived in Plettenberg Bay to stay.”

Piped up Pauline: “And we’ve hardly missed an issue since! We have seen you grow from a black and white 12-pager to the bumper editions of 10 years on, so we’re really happy to hear that you have upped the frequency from fortnightly to weekly.”

It is with great gratitude that we can report this same sentiment being echoed by our readers and advertisers alike, and we thank you all profusely for sticking by us through thick and thin through the trials and tribulations of producing a free community newspaper when the world economy crashed and our seasonal towns had to pull out all the stops to keep small businesses afloat.

But the future has never

shined brighter and the CXPRESS team looks forward to the next 16-odd years of bringing you the best read on the Route. Thank YOU! PS: When chatting to the Jonkers on Sunday June 1, we heard of this exchange earlier that morning.

Pauline: “So, it’s the first of June today.”

Fanie: “So what?”

Pauline: “Date doesn’t ring a bell, does it?”

Fanie: “It’s a pretty Sunday in Plett like so many others.”

Pauline: “It’s the day we met 45 years ago, Fanie!”

Is there anything left for us to say? The Jonkers’ romantic milestone renders our 16-year anniversary all the more auspicious - congrats!

THE ART OF THE PERFECT SELFIE: We had to chuckle, when Fanie arrived at the CXPRESS office with the unsolicited ‘selfie surprise’, at his account of how it took up most of the morning to shoot a useable photo or three - what with the wind blowing the paper this way and that, either rendering the front page invisible or threatening to sweep that treasured first edition off into the ocean... Ag thanks for the trouble, Fanie, your efforts at shooting the perfect selfie made for an excellent front page image!

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CXPRESS

News & Views

4 June 2014

Nature’s child off to Arizona to learn and share... and rub shoulders with Obama!

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month or so ago, the Nature’s Valley Trust Facebook page carried some very exciting news: NVT Conservation Education director Cindy-Lee Cloete, 26, was selected to participate in a six-week academic training programme at Arizona State University in Phoenix, as part of the Young African Leadership Initiative.

And as added bonus, participants will get to meet USA president Barack Obama, as the course culminates in a three-day summit on African Leadership, Youth Empowerment and Capacity Development led by the States’ first citizen.

The statement continued: “The programme is restricted to 500 sub-Saharan Africa participants, and we are so proud Cindy got selected!

Not only that, but she was also chosen as one of 100 participants to stay on for an additional two months, doing an experiential learning

IN HER ELEMENT: Cindy-Lee Cloete, pictured here with some eager participants on Day 3 of the NVT Easter holiday programme, guided those in attendance in exploring the rocky shores at Nature’s Valley

placement with a prominent American NGO. “After heading back, Cindy will get further support, and can apply for seed funding to cover a programme back at NVT. Well done Cindy - we can’t wait to see what lessons you bring back to us.”

Trust director Dr Mark

Brown and her Nature’s Valley colleagues’ excitement is, not surprisingly, triply evident when chatting to the bubbly young environmentalist, who leaves for the Cape on Friday to spend some time with her family before flying out to Phoenix on June 13.

Humpbacks join quest to make Plett best Hope Spot in the universe

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HE Plett Hope Spot committee hosted a vibrant public meeting on May 26 at Denron Community Development Centre.

Prof Tony Ribbink of the Sustainable Seas Trust (SST), the organisation facilitating SA’s Hope Spots, announced that the Plett campaign would be officially launched by SST patron, Dr Sylvia Earle, on December 8.

Hope Spots are special marine conservation areas that ignite public support and develop sustainable education and conservation programmes. It requires a collective effort from government, academia, business, civil society, clubs, schools, societies, sports groups and families.

Said Ribbink: “The future is in our hands and it is up to us to harness the power of people in this sweet spot of time to take care of the blue heart of the planet.”

The benefits of establishing a Hope Spot in Plett are multi-fold, as it will support existing government efforts to conserve the natural heritage; promote economic growth and business development; highlight existing

JUMP FOR JOY: Fewer than 1000 Humpback dolphins remain in SA waters and Plett is one of the places these mammals frequent, as seen regularly from shore and boat Photo: Dr Gwenith Penry

and encourage new academic research opportunities; promote citizen science; offer robust educational and awareness programmes, and help develop pride in all about the wonders of Plett.

Dr Gwenith Penry offered a presentation based on her ongoing post-doctoral research on SA’s Secretive Giants the South African Bryde’s whale, Dcncgpqrvgtc" gfgpk.

Plett is fortunate to be home to the genetically isolated and small population (a few hundred) of SA’s largest resident predator.

Mike Bridgeford of BirdLife Plettenberg Bay pointed out that Plett hosted 50% of the endemic birds found in South Africa and was also

home to one of the largest sea-breeding colonies.

Avitourism is currently the fastest growing form of nature-based tourism worldwide and the organisation’s aim for the year is to encourage an Avitourism Route and establish an Important Birding Area in Plett, combined with the Tsitsikamma.

The organisation also offers citizen science projects and partners in education programmes in the area - key factors in terms of the Hope Spot criteria.

The Orca Foundation listed a number of reasons why they were in favour of Plett becoming an international Hope Spot: • Being a biodiversity hot-

“The reality of this amazing journey only sunk in two weeks ago, during our Predeparture Orientation and the interview for my visa in Johannesburg, where I also met all the other participants from South Africa.

“I feel really privileged and honoured to have been selected, and for being the only environmentalist from our country. I feel a great sense of responsibility to adequately represent not only South Africa, but the Garden Route and our green community,” said Cindy-Lee on Monday.

“I hope to gain valuable skills in civic engagement, community and volunteer activism, and leadership training, and expect that our excursion to the Grand Canyon will definitely be a highlight during my time in Arizona second to meeting President Obama, of course!”

CXPRESS congratulates Cindy-Lee for being selected and we wish her an enriching and fun sojourn in the States - watch this space for news of her stay and read the letter on page 15 for more information on this inspirational youngster’s sterling work in the Valley and beyond.

spot means sustained fish populations, which means increased numbers of whales, sharks, dolphins, seals, penguins, gannets, etc.

• The extension of existing Marine Protected Areas.

• More research opportunities and conservation efforts.

• Exposing the world to environmental education and eco-tourism.

• Receiving international funding for NGOs. • Promoting and providing a holistic approach to sustainable economic development through conservation and tourism.

In closing, Nature’s Valley Trust (NVT) Programme Director and Plett Hope Spot chairperson Dr Mark Brown revealed the local campaign’s new logos, featuring the iconic Humpback dolphin Uqwuc" ejkpgpuku1rnwodgc.

Currently there are fewer than 1000 left in SA and there is considerable concern over the future of this species.

Plett is one of the places that Humpback dolphins frequent and they can be seen regularly from shore and boat.

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News & Views

4 June 2014

CXPRESS

June 5 is World Environment Day

Reduce, reuse and recycle this Environment Month and beyond

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ORLD Environment Day (WED), the United Nation’s vehicle in promoting the importance of looking after the planet, takes place annually on June 5.

The Institute of Waste Management of SA (IWMSA) supports the views of the UN and its plight to reduce factors contributing to climate change. The growing environmental impact landfill sites have in South Africa needs to be addressed and every citizen can help reduce their environmental footprint.

This year’s theme for WED

is Small Island Developing States and the growing impact climate change has on the world’s islands.

In a statement by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, he mentions that all countries are urged to do their part in setting the planet on a sustainable path and to address climate change.

The most recent National Waste Information Baseline Report indicates that South Africa generated approximately 108-million tonnes of waste in 2011, with 98-million tonnes disposed of at

landfills. Only 10% of all waste generated was recycled during that year.

Landfill gas is a general term that describes the gas produced during the microbial degradation of organic waste in a landfill.

Landfills are among the biggest producers of methane, a gas which is 21 times worse than carbon dioxide in terms of its so-called greenhouse effect and is a contributing factor to climate change.

According to the Greenhouse Gas Inventory for SA, conducted from 2000 to 2010

Lots of reasons to celebrate our seas Dr Mark Brown

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ORLD Oceans Day, this year falling on June 8, was started unofficially in 1992, but became recognised by the United Nations in 2008. Since then, it has been coordinated internationally by The Ocean Project (theoceanproject. org) and the World Ocean Network (www.worldoceannetwork.org) with increasing success and global participation each year.

The Plett Hope Spot committee has organised some exciting events to help celebrate our magnificent oceans, and to raise funds for the Hope Spot initiative.

We kick off on Saturday June 7 with a marine-theme art auction, where some fabulous art in a range of mediums, from both well-known

and up and coming Plett artists will be auctioned.

This includes some sculptures, paintings and photographs of marine animals and seascapes.

The top entries from a marine art competition run in six local schools will also be under the hammer. Join us for wine and art at Plett Angling Club at 6pm for 6:30. Entry is R50, which includes a glass of great local wine.

On Sunday the 8th, activities for old and young alike kick off with a beach cleanup on Plett’s main beach at 9am, followed by a sandcastle competition for the kids and social volleyball for the adults, both at 10:30 on Central Beach.

Then for the big one: a reef dive clean-up hosted by Pro Dive Plett at 11am. Pro Dive will provide netted bags for

the debris to be put in and participants must be certified divers (bring your proof along with you) and have their own gloves to use for safety purposes.

Two groups of divers will go out consecutively and the dive will last approximately 45 minutes. There will be awesome prizes for the most debris collected and for the weirdest item collected off the reef!

This is a great opportunity for locals and visitors to celebrate our wonderful Bay and its amazing treasures on World Ocean Day, while at the same time getting to know a bit more about the Plett Hope Spot initiative.

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Paddle Out for Sharks this Sunday

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ORLD Oceans Day is an international event, when people celebrate and honour the world’s oceans (www.worldoceansday.org), and this year’s Paddle Out for Sharks events will coincide with this occasion.

Paddle-outs will be held in multiple venues, including

Scottburgh, Durban, Shelley Beach, Port Alfred, Port St Johns, Port Elizabeth, Knysna, Mossel Bay, Hermanus, and Cape Town, while events are also scheduled for Ponta do Ouro in Mozambique, and venues in Australia and the Seychelles.

Paddle Out for Sharks was

established in 2012 as a community platform and annual event to bring attention to the plight of sharks and other marine life caught in nets.

Visit www.facebook.com/ paddleout4sharks?fref=ts or email amanda.barratt@ gmail.com for information on local venues and events.

and published in 2014, the total greenhouse gas emissions from solid waste disposal on land increased with 72.3% over a 10-year period from 2000 to 2010.

“Although the use of biogas from landfills to produce electricity is a good alternative to methane emissions in the environment, it should not be used to advocate land-filling as the best waste

treatment option, since the present day trend is towards waste minimisation rather than towards waste disposal,” explains IWMSA president Dr Suzan Oelofse.

“There are a number of ways citizens can proactively contribute to landfill waste minimisation. Firstly, people can start minimising organic waste generation.

“Food waste is one example of organic waste that can be minimised by recycling the packaging, giving away leftover food to the less fortunate and saving food before it spoils, for example making a hearty soup from leftovers.

“Secondly, you can compost organic waste, which

7 is preferred over landfilling as it is an aerobic process that only releases CO2 and not methane as is the case at landfills.

“Thirdly, alternative technologies for organic waste management can be adopted, which include anaerobic digestion where waste decomposes in a controlled environment. The gas can then be collected and used as an energy source or converted to electricity.

“Alternatively the gas can be flared off (burned) to convert methane to CO2, which is less harmful to the environment,” concludes Oelofse.

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CXPRESS

Interval

4 June 2014

All my life I thought air was free... until I bought a bag of chips.

Men acting their age

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group of mates, aged 40, discussed where they should meet for a reunion lunch.

Finally, it was agreed that they would meet at Wetherspoons in St Helens because the waitresses were pretty and wore mini-skirts.

Ten years later, at age 50, the friends once again discussed where they should meet for lunch.

Finally, it was agreed that they would meet at Wetherspoons in St Helens because the food and service were good and the beer on tap was excellent.

Ten years later, at age 60, the friends again discussed where they should meet for lunch.

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Finally, it was agreed that they would meet at Wetherspoons in St Helens because they could dine in peace and quiet and it was good value for money.

Ten years later, at age 70, the friends discussed where they should meet for lunch.

Finally, it was agreed that they would meet at Wetherspoons in St Helens because the restaurant was wheelchair accessible and had a toilet for the disabled.

Ten years later, at age 80, the friends discussed where they should meet for lunch.

Finally, it was agreed that they would meet at Wetherspoons in St Helens because none of them had ever been there before.

No time for tears

funeral service is being held for a woman who has just passed away.

At the end of the service, the pall bearers are carrying the casket out when they accidentally bump into a wall, jarring the casket.

They hear a faint moan.

They open the casket and find that the woman is ac-

tually alive!

She lives for 10 more years, and then dies.

Once again, a ceremony is held, and at the end of it, the pall bearers are again carrying out the casket.

As they carry the casket towards the door, the husband cries out: “Watch out for that wall!”

Side effects of alcohol… and their remedies!

Symptom: Cold and humid feet Cause: Your glass is being held at an incorrect angle you are pouring the drink on your feet.

Ewtg<"Ocpqgwxtg"{qwt"incuu" wpvkn"vjg"qrgp"gpf"ku"hcekpi" wryctf0 Symptom: The wall facing you is full of lights Cause: You’re lying on the floor.

Ewtg<"Rqukvkqp"{qwt"dqf{"cv" c";2/fgitgg"cping"vq" vjg"hnqqt0 Symptom: The floor looks blurry Cause: You’re looking through an empty glass.

Ewtg<"Swkemn{"tghknn" {qwt"incuu# Symptom: The floor is moving Cause: You’re being

dragged away.

Ewtg<"Cv"ngcuv"cum"yjgtg" vjg{‚tg"vcmkpi"{qw0 Symptom: You hear echoes every time someone speaks Cause: You have your glass on your ear and trying to drink from it.

Ewtg<"Uvqr"ocmkpi"c"hqqn" qh"{qwtugnh0 Symptom: Your dad and all your brothers are looking funny Cause: You’re in the wrong house.

Ewtg<"Cum"kh"vjg{"ecp"rqkpv" {qw"vq"{qwt"jqwug0 Symptom: The room is shaking a lot, everyone is dressed in white and the music is very repetitive Cause: You’re in an ambulance.

Ewtg<"Fqp‚v"oqxg0"Ngv"vjg" rtqhguukqpcnu"fq"vjgkt"lqd0

On the Internet you can be anything you want.

It’s strange that so many people choose to be stupid.

Business

4 June 2014

Online resource helps graduates land and keep - their first jobs

A

free new online resource is set to change the landscape for post-qualification jobseekers. The World of Work, created by the Independent Institute of Education (IIE), has been designed specifically to help SA’s graduates bridge the gap between studies and work, assisting them to perform optimally when entering the workplace for the first time.

Accessible via www.the worldofwork.co.za, the site helps prospective and current students, graduates and young workers navigate the various aspects of preparing for, searching for, and impressing in their first jobs.

Although a product of the IIE, South Africa’s largest

Investor Focus

and most accredited private higher education provider, the resource is available free to all of the country’s young people, regardless of academic affiliation.

“It is not unusual for employers to decry the ill-preparedness of young people for the working world,” says IIE director Dr Felicity Coughlan.

“The World of Work seeks to address the issues facing both jobseekers and employers by ensuring that young people are prepared for the application and interview process, but also prepared to deliver their best and display proper work ethic from the word go.”

The five main areas of fo-

cus are Preparation, Presentation, Pay, Impressing, and Promotion.

Preparation looks at issues of deciding what to study, and doing the right things while studying to bolster your post-study chances.

Presentation considers aspects such as CVs, and the job application and interview process.

Pay mulls issues such as expectations versus opportunity, and budgeting.

Impressing looks at putting your best foot forward in your first job, and Promotion helps in getting ready to take your career to the next level.

“The IIE places huge emphasis on the work-preparedness of our graduates via our

9

CXPRESS

work-integrated learning approach, as there is often a gap between graduate skills and attributes and employer expectations.

“Because we know that young people need all the help they can get, we decided to broaden our offering to include online advice, assistance and thought leadership from recruiters, academics and young people who have successfully made the transition,” says Coughlan.

“The job market in South Africa is highly competitive, and it is not unusual for young people to search for a long time before landing their first job.

“In addition to receiving advice from recruiters and

employers about what they look for when making appointments, The World of Work also shares advice and success stories from students and job-hunters’ peers about how they made things work.”

She reiterates that submissions from all are welcomed, and could be submitted via the ‘Share your experience’ button on the website.

“Additionally, if you have any burning issues you want us to address, we would love

to hear from you,” she says.

“It is incumbent on both the public and the private sector to work together to improve the economic landscape of the country as a whole, and to improve the preparedness of graduates for the workplace.

“We believe that the common sense advice and insights of The World of Work could go some way to help all of SA’s graduates focus on the next steps.”

Visit www.theworldofwork. co.za, www.facebook.com/ pages/The-World-of-Work/ or via @theworldofwork for additional information.

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

Taking a look at fundamentals that affect markets

T

HERE are many questions being asked against the backdrop of the JSE All Share Index hitting new highs almost daily. The same applies to Wall Street, with the S&P 500 also soaring to new heights.

It is at times like these that we must reflect on some of the many fundamentals that affect markets, as well as the psychological factors that impact on investors.

Investors are most complacent when they have been most successful. A long bull market breeds such complacency.

We have now passed the fifth anniversary of the present bull market, which commenced in March 2009.

In this period, South Africa’s JSE All Share index and the global World Index denominated in US$ have both appreciated by 135% The actions of Central Banks have promoted a stable financial environment that has allowed investors to make a lot of money. It is

difficult to predict how and when the current financial boom will come to an end.

The longer the upward movement in prices, the greater the risks of some unexpected event which brings what seems to be an inexorable bull market to a sudden end.

A glance at P/E ratios may give a clue as to the level of exuberance inherent in equity markets. (P/E ratio is the price of a share divided by the earnings or profit earned per share - the higher the P/E, the more expensive the share. A P/E of 10 implies that it will take 10 years of accumulated profits to equal the share price.)

The long-term average P/E for the JSE All Share Index is ±15.5. It is currently at ±18.4, which indicates a degree of overvaluation.

Profits for the next two years, however, are expected to improve so that, should prices remain unchanged, then the P/E ratio for 2015 could correct back to a rea-

sonable 13.2, and in 2016 revert to a P/E of 11.4.

The industrial index (JSE IND25) is currently trading at a roaring P/E of 21.7, correcting to 13 only in 2016. It is important to note that 67% of this index is made up as follows: SA Brew 17.6%, Richemont 16.8%, Naspers 15%, MTN 12.8%, and Bats 5.9%.

All of these companies have little to do with the South African economy, and earn most of their profits globally.

This level of exuberance is thus driven by global momentum, fuelled by zero interest rates and a recovering ‘developed world’.

On the other hand, the JSE Fin15 index is currently trading at a P/E of only 13.7 and, all things being equal, will decline to a startling 9.5 by 2016. The top companies in this index are as follows: Standard Bank 16.6%, Old Mutual 16.45%, Sanlam 10.81%, First Rand 10.48% and Investec 5.1%.

The profits of these companies are in the main sourced in South Africa, and they probably reflect how cheap our domestic shares are.

But it is worth a word of caution as history tells us that in most cases the whole market follows the leaders down in a bear market.

It is thus very clear that new investors should be cautious when entering the market. It also guides us towards the cheaper domestic shares.

Momentum-driven markets are notoriously difficult to predict - we are certainly experiencing one in the global giants listed on the JSE. Severe caution is absolutely necessary in this sector, while a degree of profit-taking may be deemed a sound idea, switching to the domestics.

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Sasfin Financial Advisory Services PERSONALISED PORTFOLIOS • Investment Planning • Retirement Planning • Estate Planning • Risk Planning

KNYSNA

For further information Tel: 044 382 3336 Cell: 083 250 9632 E-mail: denis.pule@sasfin.com a partner beyond expectations E-mail: glynis@sasfinco.co.za Sasfin Financial Advisory Services (Pty) Limited Postal Address Reg No. 1997/010810/07 PO Box 845, Knysna, 6570 www.sasfin.com info@sasfin.com Physical Address 1 Quayside Office Park, 3 Gordon Street, Knysna, 6571

10

CXPRESS

4 June 2014

SHAKED & RATTLED! The Elvis Festival that shook up the little village of Storms River last weekend was enjoyed by many a fan - some of whom made a real effort to dress up for the occasion, like the four groupies above - while others like Wayne Friedman and friends, top left, just ‘came in peace’ to enjoy the tunes. Tony de King, at right, entertained the crowds with his special sense of humour alongside charismatic Elvis impersonator Lionel Hunt, while Shaky Russell and his band ensured some serious dancing way into the night with his ‘Walking in Memphis Show’. Said the organisers: ‘We hope to see you all again next year!’

Social Scene

Photos: Watty Watson

People, places & events HOT TOPS FOR WINTER: Beautiful beanies knitted by June Rissik of St Peter’s Church were given to the children of Little Flower Crèche in KwaNokuthula

by Ann Holmes and Pauline Coubrough recently. At the same time, a blanket made from knitted squares - part of the wool&more project - as well as a cheque donated by Bright Futures in the United Kingdom were handed over to the principal, Abigail pictured here with a group of the children in her care.

LEGEND, LIVE: Folk super-hero of the 70s Shawn Phillips in action during The Crags Eco Pre-primary fundraiser at The Barn on Saturday May 31. - Photo: Glenn Murray LICENCED TO SELL: Seeff recently held their annual National Convention and 50th Anniversary celebration at Arabella Golf and Country Estate near Hermanus. At the award ceremony, Seeff Plettenberg Bay was awarded the Licensee of the Year for 2013 in its division for the second consecutive year - ‘just reward for being the leading realtor in Plettenberg Bay’, according to licensees Kevin & Linda Engelsman, showing off their plaque and certificate in the pic.

They received the award from a foursome of Seeffs - from left are Samuel, Simone, Lawrence and Carmella.

Congratulations!

Social Scene

4 June 2014

CXPRESS

11

BOTH IDOLS IN THEIR OWN RIGHT: Formosa Primary had a successful Idols event at the new school hall last month. In the photo, organisers Tracy Roman and Leigh Dunn, right, flank winners Shaan Louw and Rushane Davids, both in Grade 7. The judges, led by Tshisa Talent celebrity Louisa Harker, decided on a draw as these two Idols were just too equally talented. The school thanks Medlife, deputy mayor Adam van Rhyner, Larry Damons of Plett Tourism, and Evangeline Koeberg for supporting the event, as well as Christy Strever for the pretty photos. - Photo: Christy Strever Photography

People, places & events

MUSIC FOR SWIM FUNDS: The recital of jazz, blues, contemporary and classical music that served as fundraiser for Adopt a Swimmer held at The Grand in Plett on May 30, was well attended and graced with the presence of Bitou mayor Memory Booysen, pictured above with, from left, Hannah Fermor, Kathy Smith and Andy Fermor, right. Michael Kantey was an engaging MC for the evening and his brother David Kantey, right, one of the evening’s engaging performers, along with the Eden Guitar Ensemble, the duo of Nicole Beyes and Leonard Wright, and the brothers Tetani - pictured at the top with Jane Donald are, from left, Bongile, Mkhanyiseli, and Siyavuya.

Photos: Timothy Twidle

WIN WITH PLETT PRIMARY ON DAD’S DAY: Send us your favourite fatherson/father-daughter selfie, like the fun examples above, and stand a chance to win a winter warmer hamper to the value of R500! Entries via email only to pr@plettprimary.co.za - closing date is Friday June 13. The winner will be announced, and the winning selfie published, in CXPRESS of June 18.

ROOFS OVER HEADS RAKE IN AWARDS: Knysna Municipality was announced winner in the category Best Enhanced People’s Housing Process Project and achieved the second runner up position in the category Upgrading of Informal Settlements Project for its Vision 2002 project, at the 2014 Govan Mbeki Human Settlements Awards ceremony held in Cape Town on May 27. This is the third time Knysna Municipality receives this highly prestigious acknowledgement since the inception of the awards in 2008. The contractors were unable to attend the official function in Cape Town and received their awards at last week’s council meeting. From left are Planning & Development director Mike Maughan-Brown, Knysna mayor Georlene Wolmarans, Youth Contractor winner Bevan Plaatjies, Integrated Human Settlements manager Mawethu Penxa and Thelma Kameni, who was runner up in the Best Provincial Woman Contractor category.

12

CXPRESS

Food & Wine

4 June - 2014

PeeBee’s Wine Column

Peter Bishop

A Beau among the Big Boys...

E

ARLY in the New Year, I reflected that some Shiraz are so over-extracted, yet they go down so smoothly, only to leave traces in one’s knees and a fall-asleep mode in the head.

But I determined that I would give Shiraz one more chance. I’d just had a ghastly experience where even the host woke up with a cracker.

I took a Beau Joubert Shiraz 2010 to a blind tasting where any cultivar of any style of any country could be presented, that also offered the Vergelegen Reserve Shiraz

2007, the Boschkloof 2010 Shiraz and their Winemakers Guild Shiraz of 2007.

It was a Beau among the big boys. I record what I wrote: “Great clarity and sheen. Soft red cherries and long gentle follow-through. Indicative of the softer Shiraz that is becoming the vogue.”

Being the first wine we tasted, we scored it 17 out of 20, because of its clarity, cleanness, great fresh lingering cherry nose and accessibility.

We agreed on it being a Cape Shiraz, and rather young.

Sure the Vergelegen Re-

Fab food!

K

ATHY de Kock, Trevor Steyn and Mika Venter have combined their shared love of good food to form Down To Earth Natural/Organic Restaurant at Plett River House just off the N2.

“Our aim is to bring you fabulous, fresh food that is locally and ethically sourced from small businesses - and we will eventually grow everything that we need ourselves,” explains Kathy.

“Being healthy is very important to us, so whatever we can’t make from scratch - which isn’t much - is sure to contain only the best ingredients and products, with no genetically modified items or preserved with dangerous chemicals.

“We wish to share our vision and the peacefulness that comes with living in the country with our customers and provide them with the many sensory delights we have to offer.”

Join Down To Earth for any occasion, big or small - a birthday party, Sunday lunch, intimate anniversary or even just for tea or a quick take-away coffee.

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IT’S ALL TOO BEAUTIFUL: Andrew Hilliard, managing director of Beau Joubert, drinks in the atmosphere against a backdrop of exquisite views - the photo at left shows the 2010 Shiraz, which is characterised by great clarity and sheen

serve 2007 and the Guild wine hit 19+, and the gap between accessibility and size was evident.

Over the last two decades, at every of the too many Wine Award Shows with multiple judges, Shiraz has won the most top accolades.

This either says something of the wine or of the assessor.

The assessor, with 70-plus wines to be tasted, does not swallow. The main reliance is on the nose with a lot of spitting, but no swallowing.

So has the wine really been ‘assessed’?

Secondly, the panel judges dearly wish they would be invited to judge for the next show, so they listen to the Chairman, who in one year might call for “big, structured compelling” Shiraz.

In another, the call would be for the white peppers of the Rhone, and yet again, he/ she could decide that consumers prefer the soft and accessible, and then... boom, crash. Those who depend on medals start crying.

It is all a question of chosen style. To some it is making a wine for their established market, and Beau Joubert has a good following in the US. Nevertheless, a winemaker should be prepared to push

the barriers, and challenge the cutting edge.

Nearly 40 years ago, when I started tasting, I would put one Shiraz in a flight of seven Cabernet Sauvignon when the latter was undoubtedly King, and the labels were Montagne, Kanonkop, Blaauwklippen, Rustenberg, Delheim, and Bertrams.

Invariably the Shiraz won, not because it was a better wine, but because it was more full and it swallowed more smoothly. But it was only at 3am the next morning that one learnt what Shiraz could do, as one searched for the Vitamin C. Of course, the Shiraz of those days were Vergenoegd, Diemersdal, Bertrams and, later, Zandvliet.

I have never visited Beau Joubert, but will do so, as it nestles at Polkadraai surrounded by Jordan Winery, Reyneke and De Morgenson, with views of False Bay and the Stellenbosch Mountains.

It had been granted by Simon van der Stel in 1695, and passed a century later to the Joubert family for five generations. Current owners is an American syndicate.

The Beau Joubert Shiraz that I tasted is from eightyear-old vines at 200m above

Culinary art in Dorp of Calitzport

T

HE Calitzdorp Port & Wine Festival takes place on June 14 & 15 - the Youth Day long weekend so if you’ve nothing planned yet, take a drive to the Klein Karoo for this purpose.

A firm favourite among Southern Cape locals and diehard Cape Port enthusiasts, this year’s festival also offers much on the culinary front, with demonstrations by celebrity chef François Ferreira,

Mqmmgfqqt‚u Toinette du Toit, and Eric Labuschagne of Yummy Brownie fame.

The dining experience of the Secret Suppers will see guests treated to a fine dining evening, while the Calitzdorp Station will host wine tastings, a vintage tractor and car display, a food market, and children’s entertainment.

Visit www.portwinefesti val.co.za or call 044 213 3775 for more information.

sea level on decomposed granite and loam soils.

Winemaker Christian Kuun describes the wine as “fullbodied, Rhone-styled, flaunting white pepper, cloves and an array of spices with opulent dark currants and plums, soft, ripe, smooth tannins and an excellently balanced acid”.

It is not always viable to go

by Platter ratings as it is too easy for the good judges not to taste EACH year, or just to visit the farm, and taste minimalistically instead of sitting a whole evening with the wine over a meal.

If the establishment does not have a reputation, then it is harder to change a threestar to a four-star than it is for a promising young cricketer to make the Bok team.

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Home & Health

4 June 2014

13

CXPRESS

Christy’s ‘crop’ gains national first for online fundraising C

ANSA recently announced facts and figures of this year’s Shavathon, and Plett lass Christy Strever came out tops in the Corporate Online Fundraising category – yep, that’s a national number one!

Having been intricately involved in the establishment of ShowMe Plett, Christy is a very familiar face in Plett and surrounds, having been out there with her camera shooting great pics of local events for years.

CXPRESS first heard that

her beautiful mane was to come under the scissors and shaver via an electronic announcement with the heading ‘Crop Christy’.

She wrote: “The challenge is on! ShowMe wants to raise R25,000 before March 9 and I will have my head shaved in public.”

Great prizes were offered in three categories: “1. How many shaves will it take before all my hair is gone? 2.

How much do you think it will weigh. 3. How long do you think my hair will be?”

SHORT FOR CANSA: Christy Strever lost her locks for the Shavathon cause, but gained great recognition for her winning fundraising campaign - in the pic, she is flanked by Shavathon veterans Charles and Merle Hagerman

Boost your immune system to beat the bug

W

INTER is here and the influenza virus is starting to make the rounds with its usual vigour, so it’s important to keep your immune system strong and healthy.

“A few simple measures can boost your immune system and help prevent you getting the common cold, sinusitis or even the dreaded flu bug,” advises Dr Neville Wellington, a general practitioner at Medicross Kenilworth in the Cape.

Here are a few valuable tips from Dr Wellington and Natasha Conrad, Pharmacy Manager at Netcare Sunninghill Hospital, to help you stay healthy and boost your immune system as the weather turns colder: • Get vaccinated with the latest influenza vaccine.

Each year, new vaccination formulations are developed based on the latest influenza strains. The vaccination is made up of a chemically inactivated virus, which enables the body to get to know

and store the ‘shape’ of the virus so that when you are exposed to the actual virus, the body is armed to fight it.

• Regularly using a saline nasal spray could be most effective when those troublesome sniffles and sneezes start. Use the spray four to six times a day when you feel a cold or sinusitis starting to creep up on you.

• Eat healthy and nutritious meals, including generous portions of fruit and vegetables, protein for cellular repair and foods containing healthy fats and oils such as fish, nuts and avocados.

• Keep yourself hydrated by drinking lots of water and fluids.

• Consider taking a multivitamin. Vitamin and mineral supplements, particularly those containing zinc and vitamin C, will help boost your immune system and help you fight off colds and flu.

• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitiser

to help prevent the spread of germs.

• Avoid close contact with sick people. Germs are spread through close contact as well as the air and can enter your system via your eyes, nose and mouth.

Try and keep your distance from people who are sick and wash your hands immediately if you have had physical contact with them.

• Quit smoking. Smoking impacts your body’s ability to absorb many essential vitamins and minerals and drains it of these vital nutrients, especially vitamin C. Ask your doctor for advice on how to quit smoking and also think about taking a vitamin C supplement.

If you fall ill with a cold or the flu, Dr Wellington has the following advice: • Prevent the further spread of harmful germs by coughing or sneezing into your bended elbow and blowing your nose into a tissue and not a handkerchief. Dispose of the tissue immediately into a dustbin.

• Get enough rest. While getting enough sleep is good for your health in general, as it helps keep your immune system strong, you should also stay at home and rest if you have cold or flu-like symptoms. This will give your body the chance to fight the virus and will also prevent spreading the virus

to others, such as colleagues at the office.

• Treating flu with antibiotics is not advisable as flu is caused by a virus and antibiotics are only effective against bacteria. Secondary infections, such as bronchitis or pneumonia, respond well to antibiotics.

• Take paracetamol to help alleviate your symptoms and discomfort. Consult your doctor if you are concerned about your condition.

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Local businesses joined Christy’s campaign to offer excellent incentives for locals and out of town friends to contribute to the Cansa cause, e.g. tandem dives from Skydive Plett, bungy jumps from Face Adrenalin, and excursions with Pro Dive Plett.

Many locals will remember with a smile the fun Shavathon event at The Table in March, with lots of other heads being sprayed and shaved by Cansa champs Merle and Charles Hagerman. And when the online campaign deadline arrived by midnight on March 31, Christy had raised even more than the planned R25k.

Said the Cansa statement: “ShowMe Plett raised an amount of R13,130 via 25 donors and an additional R15,370 off-line, making a total of R28,500 in funds

raised for Shavathon via Cansa’s WC Southern Cape Klein Karoo fundraising project.

“A special prize was awarded to Christy Strever in recognition of the excellent promotion of her corporate online project for ShowMe Plett via print and social media platforms.”

Well, Plett couldn’t be prouder. Many congrats to Christy for contributing so significantly to such an important cause. Every cent raised via annual Shavathon events throughout the country helps Cansa’s efforts to educate South Africans about screening for and reducing your cancer risk, while also enabling care and support to those affected by cancer.

• Visit vimeo.com/8866 1258 to check the Darren Chatz video of Christy’s March 9 shave.

Final facts & figures

I

NDIVIDUAL Online Fundraising Activists brought in R76,420 via their online project pages and a further amount of R42,341 in terms of general online donations was received from the public.

Corporate Online Fundraising Activists brought in R20,620 via their online project pages and a further

amount of R33,060 in terms of general online donations was received from the public.

Bail Out Fee Online Fundraising Activists brought in R1,620 via their online project page and a further amount of R4,050 in terms of general bail-out fees was received from the public.

14

CXPRESS

Read CXPRESS online @ www.cxpress.co.za

4 June 2014

Classifieds

On the Soapbox

4 June 2014

Letters to the Editor

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

A tribute to two environmental champions in our midst An avid and ancient - no, wise! - CXPRESS reader who we will identify only as DOMINEE VAN’IE DERGE sent this letter lauding a duo of inimitable nature warriors who ply their trade in Bitou, and we couldn’t think of a better edition to include it than this paper, published on the eve of World Environment Day

SUPER MOM: Julie Carlisle with her family, above - from left are James, Frank and Nic - and with her MBA supervisor, Dr MacDonald Kanyangale, at right

I know this is the kind of news you like covering, so would like to tell you more about two local ladies churning out a string of extremely successful achievements worthy of mention and being brought to the public eye.

Both are guilty of being ordinary people doing exceptional things, but keeping it pretty much under the radar.

Both are also actively involved in the environmental conservation field, with their common ground happening to be the Nature’s Valley Trust (NVT), although their times of service didn’t overlap at all.

First up is Julie Carlisle of Eco Vive in Wittedrift. Now, you’ll know that I’m far too much of a gentleman to ever ask or divulge a woman’s age but, if I had to testify in court, I would put it to you that I remember attending her 50th birthday bash last year. You can do the maths.

I know that, way back in time, after her schooling, Jules attended Wits for a while and then completed a pianoteaching diploma before moving to Botswana, where she worked with Gareth Patterson for four years.

She worked on environmental documentaries in Jo-

hannesburg and then moved to Hluhluwe-Umfolozi in KZN where, among a lot of things and while living in the Zululand bush, she worked with game capture, looking after animals like rhino and antelope in the bomas.

This is also where she met hubby Frank. (Now there’s a character whose formal and informal exploits one could write a book about!)

Frank and Julie moved to Plett in 2002, where she took the senior (and then only) full-time position with the fledgling Nature’s Valley Trust. She did a massive amount to get this going as the only permanent full-time employee in the area, while reporting to non-resident Board of Directors who owned property in Nature’s.

She grew the organisation’s profile and activities, appointing its first student trainee-intern, Martine Mouton, while also doing a few part-time/distance learning certificate courses in environmental conservation via Rhodes and other institutions.

Having got NVT to a certain stage, and with her two sons getting to the age when they needed more attention and support, Julie resigned her post - although still remain-

We found a home (or three) for Lulu!

After placing a photo and description of a spirited little female dog found in Nature’s Valley by Beefy Mance in CXPRESS of May 21 (visit www.cxpress.co.za and click on page 4 of that edition), we received the following response...

Not a peep out of Lulu’s owner after your article on page 4, but we were grateful for the exposure anyway. Obviously someone out there knows about her, but must have deliberately dumped her in the valley.

We’re most happy to say that we found a home for

CXPRESS

her in the valley - plus another two in local residents who came forward to say they would take her as a result of your article.

Thanks - you and your paper are tops for compassion when it comes to free media for animals.

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ing on as director, a position held to this day - and worked with Frank in his rapidly expanding business Bhejane 4x4 Tours.

She now also headed up the Plett Environmental Forum, which involved lots of scrutinising of development proposals, related environmental legislation, examination and investigations of transgressions, etc., until forming her own consultancy, Eco Vive.

In the past few years, Julie has done lots of consulting and proposals, the paramount one possibly being the raising of a heap of funding to rejuvenate the Bitou River wetlands between the Wittedrift Road and N2 Bridge.

This has a linked community involvement condition, so apart from ongoing negotiations with land owners regarding the macro plan to attain consolidate ‘go forward’ agreements, she’s also been intensely involved with setting up community-based revenue producing programmes with residents of Wittedrift’s Green Valley.

Having registered the Bitou Valley Foundation, she is now working on the Plett Birding Route.

Then some perverse thinking led her into believing that her job, her projects, and her family didn’t quite constitute enough on her plate, so she launched herself into a block release MBA in 2011 - and did exceptionally well.

Oh yes, apart from all the above, plus the rest, Jules surfs in her spare time, while also having to distance manage the activities of their two boys, now boarders at Grey in Port Elizabeth.

Once Jules left NVT, Daniel Cloete, packing a BSc and with some years with SANParks to his credit, was appointed in her place.

Daniel left the Trust - and the Valley - when he was awarded the Fitzsimmons Scholarship to attend UCT, where he recently successfully concluded his MSc. It was

during his time that Martine, also now qualified, moved on and a young cyclone called Cindy-Lee Cloete was appointed in her place.

So I reckon Cindy-Lee has been here around some four and half years now. She’s originally from Springbok and also a conservation student who did some of her early practical in Cape Town, where she attended Cape Peninsula University of Technology.

It has to be mentioned that the Northern Cape native was Afrikaans to the bone and although she managed getting along in English, she now had to do most of her work in this language.

Her massive amount of energy and willingness stood her in outstanding stead and although she lacked the depth of experience at the time, she proved not only willing to grab every opportunity thrown her way, but also extremely capable of taking on the accountability and responsibility that accompanied her position.

I certainly noticed how, within a very short time, Cindy-Lee became extremely confident in making public addresses in both her mother tongue and in English.

She more than proved her capabilities and ability to run independently so when Daniel departed for UCT, and while the Trust recruited and then had to wait some eight to 10 months for his replacement (Dr Mark Brown), Cindy-Lee did an outstanding job of keeping NVT on the go without dropping momentum.

I’ve lost track of all the additional courses she’s done while she’s been here, but know that one involved heading to Cape Town on a regular basis over two years for block input in the Activate Change programme for which the NVT directors nominated her.

This involvement saw her selected for exchanges to Malawi last year, to Kenya earlier this year, and now Cindy-Lee has a three-month stint in the USA ahead. This is no small acknowledgement, as she has been selected from thousands of hopefuls for the Obama Presidential African Leaders Award [read more on page 6].

I must also add that CindyLee also took up leisure time running but, as is typical of everything she does, threw herself into competitive trail running - with great success - almost as soon as she managed to learn to tie her shoelaces. *Ujqqq." yg‚tg" dtgcvjnguu" htqo" lwuv" tgcfkpi" vjku#" Ygnn" fqpg"cpf"fqgv"|q"xqqtv."Lwnkg" cpf"Ekpf{/Ngg"/"vjg"fljqqf"ku" owej" tkejgt" hqt" {qwt" rtgu/ gpeg" jgtg0" Gockn" geqxkxgB oygd0eq0|c" qt" ekpf{nggB pcvwtguxcnng{vtwuv0eq0|c" hqt" oqtg" kphqtocvkqp" qp" gkvjgt" qticpkucvkqp0"/"Gfu0+

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CXPRESS

It’s Boxing Day in Bitou this Saturday!

A

N SWD boxing tournament hosted by Plett’s Ex-Convicts Association (ECA) in partnership with Bitou Boxing Academy (BBA) will take the Piesang Valley Hall by storm on June 7 from 10am-10pm. Admission is R10 and the bouts will start after words of welcome

Sport & Adventure

4 June 2014

by Bitou mayor Memory Booysen and other VIPs. ECA chair Kenneth Magaga says about 60 boxers in Junior to Senior Amateur categories will take part, and that BBA was selected to host the event because of its sterling performance in SWD tournaments over the past three months.

Kranshoek soccer kids get new ‘strip’

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HEN recent newcomer residents in Plett, Amanda and Howard Allum, learned of the plight of the young kids’ football teams up at Kranshoek, they thought they might be able to give them a helping hand.

Says Howard: “Without a proper strip, the two enthusiastic junior teams of New Orlando Football Club were unable to play in the local league.

“Despite giving up all his free time to run the training their coach, David Luiters, could go no further if the boys had no team strip.

Something had to be done.”

Howard and Amanda made an appeal on their Facebook page and, thanks to the generosity of UK friends and family, managed to find a sponsor for each member of the 13/14-year-old team.

Adds Amanda: “And when Kymzus Media of London got to hear about it, they sponsored the entire 15/16-year-old team, too.”

Howard designed a new logo, the kit was purchased from Crawford’s Sports, and Amanda saw to it that all the sponsors’ names were embroidered on each shirt.

“The next job will be to find sponsors for new boots and shin pads to replace the odd assortment of footwear currently worn,” explains Howard. “They may not be able

to win all their matches yet, but they’ll certainly manage to win a prize for the smartest team in the league!”

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LOOKIN’ GOOD! The 15/6-year-old team of New Orlando FC in Kranshoek wearing kit sponsored by Kymzus Media of London, along with dedicated coach David Luiters; below, individual members of the 13/4-year-old team show off their new shirts, each bearing the name of its individual sponsor - from the top are Renaldo Classen, Germaine Jacobs, Zavian Olifant, Cheslin Jordaan, and Gaywen Jordaan

Strip = kit = uniform

I

N association football, as in a number of sports, kit refers to the standard equipment and attire worn by players.

The terms “kit”, “strip” and, in North-American English, “uniform” are used interchangeably.

The sport’s Laws of the Game specify the minimum kit which a player must use, and also prohibit the use of anything that is dangerous to either the player or to any other participant.

Individual tournaments may stipulate further restrictions, such as regulating the size of logos displayed on shirts and stating that, in the event of a match between teams with identical or similar colours, the away team must change to different coloured attire.

Footballers generally wear identifying numbers on the backs of their shirts. Originally a team of players wore numbers from 1 to 11, corresponding roughly to their playing positions, but at professional level this has generally been superseded by squad numbering, whereby each player in a squad is allocated a fixed number for the duration of a season.

Football kit has evolved significantly and with the rise of advertising in the 20th century, sponsors’ logos began to appear on shirts, and replica strips were made available for fans to purchase, generating significant amounts of revenue for clubs. /"Ykmkrgfkc