May 28

28 May 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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C’mon everybody!

Grab your blue suede shoes, don your 50s-60s outfit and LET’S ROCK N ROLL at this year’s Elvis Festival from Friday May 30 to Sunday June 1 in Storms River Village - turn to page 11 for the full programme... see you there!

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CXPRESS

News & Views

28 May 2014

Driving Miss Crazy

Driving Miss Karoo - the adventures of English Joan and Irish Abigail - Part II JEEVES shares memories of his adventures as Garden Route chaffeur extraordinaire" - we take up the tale where, after a successful planning session, the attractive tourists are now ready to go road-trippin’

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thought occurred to me as I opened the driver’s door for Joan to climb in.

“Joan! Am I a passenger for the ride, the driver, guide, or what?”

“All of it! Perhaps more,” she added, flicking her left eye-brow up and down several times. She continued, with a smile: “You do ‘Out of Africa’ roads, and we do ‘Out of Europe’ ones!”

I bit my lip to keep a straight face.

“Well. In that case, could I borrow the car’s hand-book, just to acquaint myself with

all the bells and whistles?” I asked, staring into the Range Rover’s cockpit, where an array of buttons, knobs, switches, dials and inconsequential technical and electronic gadgetry filled the area surrounding the ‘pilot’.

“Don’t be so silly, Ronald,” (my new name), “it really is quite simple. I’ll show you before we leave.”

We met on the departure date at their Whale Rock holiday rent - a Tuscan style villa the size of which had to contain a 200m² gymnasium, ballroom, indoor swimming

pool, snooker room, theatre, pub, and at least 10 bedrooms!

‘Crikey!’ I pondered, ‘I hope the accommodation I’ve booked us in will be OK... Tuff. We’re in Africa.’

As I was to discover, I needn’t have worried.

These girls were world travellers, with little expectations. They just wanted to have fun, enjoy the journey, and soak up the indigenous vibe. They were appreciative of everything, no matter what - even a puncture was a positive happening.

doors were all open, with at least three staff members flitting about loading it with camp chairs, picnic baskets, cooler boxes and suitcases.

‘Looks like we’re off on a Cape-to-Cairo trip,’ I thought.

The route I’d chosen for Joan and Abigail for this particular Karoo excursion was Plett - Uniondale - De Rust - Prince Albert - Calitzdorp, and back.

I watched Joan closely as she drove and pointed out all the various electric switches and buttons, and their uses.

“This one’s for road conditions, traction; this for clearance, depending on terrain,” and so on.

At the end of the tar above Wittedrift (where we stopped to buy ngmmgt" yqtu and chops), I was offered the wheel. Nothing to it really, just different.

It’s a lovely drive, through forests, past small farming communities, the road twisting up and down the mountains, sharp hair-pin bends, over little stone bridges and

There we turned left, and after 10km, right on the N9 towards Graaff Reinet, and 6km later left onto a dirt road wending its way along the base of the Kammanassieberg to Dysselsdorp.

It’s a good gravel road, the first 30km in a valley following the path of a river named after the mountains, or vice versa. We stopped for a breather under a tree next to a small church hall, which offered outside ablutions.

Abigail slipped a R50-note under the locked door, and off we drove. The countryside was becoming Karooish, with hills and dales, not just flat.

Joan loved denigrating her friend’s Irish roots: “Ronald. Have you heard the one where Joe says to Paddy, ‘you should close your curtains when you make love to your wife in the afternoon, you know? You had the whole street in stitches of laughter yesterday.

‘Well,’ said Paddy, ‘the joke’s on them - I wasn’t even at home yesterday afternoon!’” Abigail lunged out and thumped her friend on the arm. Shrieks of laughter and chiding. I struggled to keep the RR on course on the narrow farm road.

We passed the township of Dysselsdorp, where a few years ago, the DA counsellor/mayor crossed the floor

the plains to the mountains in the east, reminding me very much of the area around San Jose in America.

We then back-tracked a kilometre, turning onto a dirt road towards the Cango Caves. After a short distance on the right was Oudemuragie, our over-night stop.

It’s a farm next to a river, with groomed gardens surrounding a rambling homestead, large grazing paddocks, adjoining the foothills of the Swartberg range of mountains.

There are a few selfcatering cottages on the hills, but we had a three-bedroom house to ourselves. There are lots of splendid hiking trails and in winter, the snow covers the slopes near the farm, with good fishing in a big dam in the kloof above the farm, the lady of the house informed us.

“Let’s have a barbie!” exclaimed Joan, so I lit a fire, filled up their glasses with the rest of the bottle of Chardonnay, and cracked a quart of lager to clear my throat

BLACK BEAUTY: The good cheer and beautiful landscape were enhanced by the service of our ‘carriage’: a Range Rover v8 sport, top, with every bell and whistle imaginable – under the hood, above left, and, at right, the cabin with white leather ‘nogal’

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

It gave them the chance to stretch their legs, take photos, have a cup of coffee, study the wild flowers, plants and insects; find a suitable bush; and splash their feet in a nearby stream... while I battled about with tools, wheels and tyres the size of which you’ve never seen on a ‘car’, only comparable to one of those on Sebastian Vettel’s Red Bull F1!

I didn’t have to jack The Beast up manually - it did it all by itself. Push the right button, and up she goes. A piston protruded from underneath the car, lowered to the ground, and ‘hey presto!’

The car lifted, and the offending wheel was airborne.

A particularly nifty extra, ‘specially on a vehicle weighing about 3 tons!)

The Black Beauty was parked in the courtyard next to the main entrance to the manor. The car boot and

through the Prince Alfred’s Pass, built by Bain.

Down into little gullies and over small streams we went. When we stopped at one, there was a track off to the left, which we followed, past a derelict grove of ancient citrus trees, grass fields and ruins of an old dwelling.

Remnants of some long gone adventurer’s dashed dream of a successful farming operation?

We parked under the shade of an enormous avocado tree.

Out came the salmon and cucumber, on rye, paired with a glass of chilled unwooded chardonnay... Bliss.

Onwards, past a trout farm with guest cottages and out came stories of salmon fishing in Scottish rivers.

Through Avontuur, apricotfarming district, we finally linked up with the tar road from Port Elizabeth to George, the R62.

to the ANC, and a by-election was to be held. Being a DA seat, Helen Zille and her new partner in the party, Patricia de Lille, went there to drum up support... the ANC won.

Just goes to show.

First wine farm stop was Domain Doornkraal, 13km before De Rust. Here they offer red and white Jerepigo and Muscadel. The walls of the showroom, once the lounge of the old farmhouse, were adorned with pictures of an English Royal visit before the last war.

Very old cars and wagons featured in the photos, the transport of the day - a bit of history which the girls absorbed with great interest.

De Rust is quant - a few coffee shops, a pub, Chinese shop, estate agents, a petrol station, lots of B&Bs, and cute Victorian cottages lining the side roads to the top of a hill, with a view across

from the dust.

We watched the sun set behind the mountains, all shades of red, yellow, blue and purple. It suddenly became very nippy, so we got a roaring fire going in the house, while the ladies laid the table, made a salad, and a potato bake.

They weren’t fans of the dqgtgyqtu - “Give me good old pork bangers any day,” declared one of them. The inch-thick loin chops, pink in the middle, were to die for; accompanied by a David Frost (the golfer) smooth red wine (Shiraz/Cinsaut/ Cabernet Sauvignon), which the girls had discovered and fallen in love with.

A few tales around the fire in the cosy candle-lit room, a nice hot bath, and to bed, with warm dreams of a lovely day spent.

Dwemng"wr#"/"Lggxgu" To be continued...

News & Views

28 May 2014

The problem with the pachyderms...

CXPRESS reporter

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XPRESS has been inundated with letters bemoaning the plight of baby elephants in an Eastern Cape sanctuary after footage of wardens torturing young elephants went viral during the past fortnight.

A May 19 News24 report stated that animal cruelty charges have been laid against Elephants of Eden (EoE), its directors and management, and quotes National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) inspector Wendy Wilson, who said that the charges were necessitated “after the NSPCA received horrific footage depicting the cruel and abusive training methods employed to control and train baby and young elephants”.

“The elephants show signs of crippling injuries with severely swollen legs and feet, debilitating abscesses, and wounds resulting from the abusive use of ropes, chains, and bull hooks,” said Wilson, adding that the footage was taken on the premises of EoE and claiming that it was owned “by the same entity that owns the Knysna Elephant Park”.

Not quite as clear as the cruelty described, is the fact that footage hails from an incident which happened at

EoE during 2008, while little attention is given to the events leading up to the horrendous episode, the sacking shortly thereafter of staff responsible for the torture, or the relationship between the Eastern Cape and Knysna sanctuaries.

No mention is made of the negotiations, business intricacies or legal procedures that have since taken place between the owners of KEP ‘This is an extremely serious situation, and we want to be fair by gathering the facts before deciding our stance’ and EoE, either.

The only official word on the subject received recently

by CXPRESS was a statement released by Knysna Tourism on Monday. It reads, inter alia: “This week it came to the attention of Knysna Tourism that the Knysna Elephant Park, their directors and management, are under investigation for alleged animal cruelty, in terms of the Animals Protection Act, 71 of 1962 for cruelty to elephants.

“Knysna Elephant Park, part of the Elephants of Eden

group before it moved from the Eastern Cape to Knysna, offers visitors a range of experiences with elephants.”

Knysna Tourism marketing manager Johan van Schalkwyk said he was personally shocked and saddened at the allegations, and together with the Knysna Tourism board of directors was consulting with the Provincial and National authorities, including the Department of Environmental Affairs, the National Council of SPCAs and Wesgro, on the way forward.

“It is absolutely horrible to see images and video footage of such extreme animal cruelty. As the marketing agency for Knysna, we simply will not tolerate unlawful members, and will act swiftly within our code of conduct and membership rules.”

Van Schalkwyk concluded: “This is an extremely serious situation, and we want to be fair by gathering the facts before deciding our stance.”

This take is in line with the current stance of CXPRESS - we will follow the matter closely and report official findings as they unfold, but caution readers against overreaction against specific individuals or organisations before all facts have been revealed.

Crime and court shorts Igqtig"pgiqvkcvqt" owtfgtgf In a May 26 statement by W-Cape Transport & Public Works MEC Donald Grant, the killing of the George Integrated Public Transport Network (GIPTN) negotiator was condemned. It read, inter alia: “Yesterday was a tragic day for George and for the whole of SA. Tom Queba, a leader in the George taxi industry and chief negotiator with Government, was shot and killed.

“Over the past eight years, we have been working with the George taxi industry to develop a public transport system that will see George transformed. The GIPTN will go ahead as planned, and no act of violence or intimidation will prevent us from fulfilling its mandate.

“We remember Mr Queba for the strong, principled and committed leader that he was - a visionary individual who sought the transformation of George and the greater SA public transport sector.

“He had an important role to play in the future system and his early death is a great loss. Our condolences go to his family and loved ones.”

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The Organised Crime Unit is looking for members of the public who could help solve a murder that occurred on the N2 highway near Thembalethu last weekend.

On May 25 at about 9am, a white Quantum minibus was noticed parked next to the N2 (direction Thembalethu) by officers on patrol in an SAPS vehicle. Upon closer inspection, they found a man with a gunshot wound to the head in the driver’s seat.

The man was taken to a local hospital where he passed away later, and circumstances surrounding the incident are still unknown.

(Captain Steyn confirmed that the deceased was indeed Tom Queba, and requested that anyone with information contact investigating officer W/O Neville Olckers on 044 802 1600.)

Tcrg"qh"89/{gct/qnf" kpxguvkicvgf The Family violence, Child protection & Sexual offences (FCS) unit based in George is requesting the assistance of the public in a housebreaking with the intent to rape incident that occurred in Bitou.

On the evening of May 23, the 67-year-old female victim returned to her house and went to bed. At about 2:45am she was awoken by the suspect, who allegedly threat-

ened her with a knife after which he raped her.

The suspect, whose identity is not known, fled the scene through a window. Anyone with information is requested to contact investigating officer Constable Ann Janse on 044 803 4618.

Ftg{gtu‚"cvvcemgt"ugpvgpegf On April 10 last year, Viv and Gerald Dreyer were asleep in their house in Cutty Sark Avenue, Plett, when they heard a noise. Viv went downstairs and walked in on an intruder in their study.

The man proceeded to violently attack the couple, both of whom received medical treatment for serious injuries sustained in the attack.

Bulelani Appolis, 23, of Qolweni was arrested after investigation by Plett detectives and appeared in Knysna Regional Court last month, also for another incident of housebreaking.

The suspect pleaded guilty on both charges. Magistrate Fourie was presiding, with Karin Barnard as State Prosecutor and Advocate Fivas representing the accused.

Appolis was sentenced to 18 years imprisonment on each charge and will spend 36 years behind bars. Fourie praised W/O John Nomdoe for the proper police work done in both cases.

CXPRESS

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CXPRESS

News & Views

28 May 2014

Rheenendal rape victim’s injuries ‘worst ever seen’ by forensic pathologist

Yolandé Stander

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ITTLE Rosaline Philander’s last moments were most likely filled with agony and terror after she was brutally raped and stabbed in Rheenendal last year.

During the trial against her alleged murderer and rapist, Ewald Booysen, it was revealed in the Circuit High Court in Knysna last week that her injuries had been

very severe and that she could have lived for 15 minutes after the wounds were inflicted, before bleeding out.

Booysen was arrested after the petite nine-year-old’s body was discovered in a wooded area in Rheenendal on August 31 last year.

According to police the girl had wounds on her neck, but forensic tests later revealed

that she had also been raped.

Witnesses said Rosaline had been playing with friends in Gousblom Street when she was allegedly approached

by Booysen, who lured her away with a promise of fish and chips at a nearby shop.

Residents later spotted Booysen without the girl.

Booysen pleaded not guilty on all three charges against

him - rape, murder and kidnapping - and in his plea explanation admitted that he had approached Rosaline, but that she “out of her own free will” followed him.

He further admitted that he had been under heavy influence of alcohol and when the little girl complained about his drinking and told him that she wanted to go home, he

Call 0800 21 47 64 to root out fraud and corruption

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AKING a firm stance against corruption and fraud in the municipal environment, Knysna Council recently approved a recommendation to enter into a partnership with Eden District Municipality to establish an anti-fraud and corruption hotline.

Mayor Georlene Wolma-

rans said the establishment of the hotline would give the general public the opportunity to report suspicions of fraud, theft and corruption anonymously. “They will be able to communicate openly and without fear of intimidation or victimisation as all cases will be treated confidentially.”

She said the hotline is externally accredited to the forensic audit and investigation firm KPMG and will be called the KPMG Ethics Line. Calls to the hotline are free from any Telkom line.

“It will be manned by KPMG personnel 24 hours a day, seven days a week

and calls are fielded by experienced call centre agents versed in all 11 official languages. All reported information will immediately be captured onto a call sheet and transmitted directly to a designated person appointed by KPMG.” Wolmarans added that callers should provide as much

strangled her until her “arms went limp” and left her there next to a river.

He denied stabbing her or raping her and said when he left her, he did not know whether she was still alive or just unconscious.

Several witnesses said they saw him on the day of the murder with blood stains on his clothing. He allegedly

information as possible for the effective investigation of allegations.

“They will be provided with a reference number and will be able to track the progress. We have various measures in place already, including an email address to report suspicious activities.”

Email whistle-blower@ knysna.gov.za or call the hotline on 0800 21 47 64.

told local resident Clifford Sass that the blood was from slaughtering a cow the previous day.

It was, however, later revealed that the blood found on his clothes matched that of the young victim.

Forensic pathologist Mariette Hurst testified last week that there had been no signs of strangulation, but two wounds to her neck as well as severe vaginal injuries - the worst Hurst had ever seen.

No semen was found, but Hurst said this could have been washed away with the heavy bleeding. She further said the girl was found lying face-down, and not on her back as Booysen suggested in his plea explanation.

She was also fully clothed, but Hurst said that Rosaline had to have been dressed by someone after the incident as she would have been in too severe pain to have been able to do it herself.

Final heads of argument were delivered on Monday and judgment is expected on Thursday May 29.

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Removal of Knysna’s English oaks necessitated by bugs, disease and old age

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UNICIPAL appointed contractors recently began removing some of Knysna’s beloved English oak trees in and around the CBD. These trees have been synonymous with Knysna for many years.

The removal of the trees is expected to take about three weeks and residents should

expect traffic delays and detours where felling occurs.

“We acknowledge that our decision to remove these trees will be questioned by some residents, but we wish to assure you that Council debated the issue and came to the conclusion that there was no other alternative,” said municipal manager Lauren

Waring.

Knysna’s manager of Parks consulted with some horticulture experts on the subject before any felling commenced.

The last 20 years has seen a deterioration of the trees due to age and growing conditions. Most of the oaks have recently been infected

by an ambrosia beetle or a stem borer, and a pathogen which causes the trees to die within a short timeframe.

Normally, it is not essential for all diseased trees to be removed completely, as sometimes an ailing tree can be saved with the right treatment. Unfortunately, there is no known cure against this

infection when the trees are mature.

With winter approaching, any tree that is diseased and dying will shed more branches and can more easily come down in a storm, being a potential danger to persons and property.

Looking ahead, the Council will initiate a planting plan

for replacement trees. These trees will be of species more suitable as street trees for Knysna and also for future generations to enjoy.

“This approach enabled Council to exercise its duty of taking care of the environment and ensuring that Knysna is a place where people and nature prosper.”

News & Views

28 May 2014

CXPRESS

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There’s nothing fishy about this ‘whole new kind of Plett feeling’ CINDY WILSON-TROLLOP - the brain behind a brand new event showcasing the best of music, art and drama that promises to take the ‘hood by storm in July - tells more about its Food Film Festival component

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HANCES are you’ve never seen anything quite like the award-winning documentary Eqqmkpi" Jku/ vqt{ by Slovak director Peter Kerekes, featuring personal accounts by cooks who fed various armies in 20th century wars.

German black-bread bakers in WW II are juxtaposed with opposing Russian army blinimakers. French cooks strive to make the best Coq au Vin

in Algeria - while the soldiers are made to eat theirs at the hand of the enemy.

And in European field kitchens, the fare is blown to smithereens by mortar fire.

The cooks without exception are undistracted from their mission to feed the armies.

This is the opening salvo in the Plett Food Film Festival, taking place from July 10-12 at The Whitehouse Theatre as part of Plett MAD.

This Music, Arts & Drama festival celebrates cultural, creative and thought-provoking expression - a whole new kind of Plett feeling.

Charming, gentle, and wholesome, Fcpekpi" ykvj" Jqtpgf" Ncfkgu from The Netherlands informs on why cows with horns, and free of vaccines and antibiotics, are the happiest cows and produce the best cheese.

Uggfu" qh" Vkog is the story

BBC pilot now FFF entry

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XPRESS used the pic below of Maggie Ubsdell, showing off a Nile Perch she caught in Lake

Victoria, on our Social pages in January last year.

So we were most interested to learn, according

JEWEL OF THE LAKE: The one that didn’t get away, Plett Food Film Fest entrant Maggie Ubsdell caught this Nile Perch in Lake Victoria while running a restaurant close to Kampala in Uganda

to the latest Plett Tourism mailer where the picture popped up again, that this multi-talented local filmmaker and chef submitted an entry for the Plett Food Film Festival.

Explains Mags: “The pilot we’re entering for the FFF was a concept pitched to BBC by Fast Fish Films some years ago, to promote tourism in Plett by showcasing its diverse people.

“It was done in cahoots with SA’s first TV chef, Paul Deans - the perfect partner in crime for this Fast Fish initiative, the production of which could also hit the road to cover other towns and cities.”

Other than saying that Paul will be “performing his famous Wheelbarrow Chicken on the night,” Maggie wasn’t going to let much more cat out of the bag. So, you’ll have to wait for a shorter Plett MAD countdown to find out more about the exciting Food Film Festival line-up...

Do you have a BIG idea to benefit Knysna?

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NYSNA Creative Heads Consortium and the municipality on Monday announced the first round of the ISDF Big Idea Schools Competition, which seeks to involve local high school learners in the Integrated Strategic Development Framework process and ultimately in the development of the town they live in.

“Knysna has an established track record as an innovative community that welcomes new ideas,” said municipal manager Lauren Waring.

“This competition presents us with a unique opportunity to tap into the significant pool of talent of our local youth.

“The competition will allow us to focus on challenges that affect a population much larger than our traditional stakeholders - challenges

facing our usually underrepresented youth as we rethink our approach to creating a town where people and nature prosper.

“We anticipate that these efforts will benefit the community at large. As a town, we endeavour to fulfil the best solutions to serve our communities and to ensure a thriving future.”

The schools competition aims to increase the youth’s understanding of conservation and the sustainable utilisation of ecosystems, as well as to encourage them to become part of the mainstream economy of the town.

Groups are invited to submit proposals for interventions specific to the following topics: • What would you do if you had unlimited funds to im-

prove the greater Knysna for the benefit of all?

• What intervention being implemented in any place in the world would benefit and have the best impact on all the people of the greater Knysna?

• How can we use the lagoon, fynbos and forest to improve the lives of all the people of Knysna?

The competition, open to all high schools within the Knysna area, is sponsored by the Texas A&M University.

The best three group proposals stand a chance of winning R25,000 each.

Innovations from the competition will add to the ISDF’s already extensive programmes. Registration closes on June 20 at noon - visit www.isdf.co.za for competition rules and further details.

of one man’s mission to preserve all the seeds of our world for the next generation, in a frozen vault in the outer Scandinavian reaches, and in the process breaching tribal conflict in Peru.

Watch this space for details of the two gala evening presentations, where Lktq"Ftgcou" qh" Uwujk and Vjg" Nwpejdqz will be screened, accompanied by themed presentations from two of South Africa’s celebrated chefs.

Plett’s very own filmmaker, foodie and fisherwoman, Maggie Ubsdell has submitted a local cooking film starring chef and inveterate raconteur Paul Deans.

The final selections are still being made for a total of nine films over the three days.

Bookings will open in early June on www.quicket.com, or get your tickets at the Plett Tourism office in Mellville’s Corner.

Food Film festivals happen

around the world - the Amsterdam Food Film Festival, The Film & Cook Festival in Madrid, and the New York Food Film Festival, to name a few - and Ikasi Media and Plett Tourism are thrilled to present the first of its kind in Africa.

For three days, we will indulge our senses in all things culinary, tantalising our palates and feasting our eyes.

We look forward to seeing you at The Whitehouse.

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CXPRESS

News & Views

28 May 2014

Oh, to have a new species of fabulous fynbos bear your very name!

PRETTY LITTLE THING: The new species of Fabacea Psoralea that may well go a long way to gain Protected Environment status for the Robberg Coastal Corridor

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N April 17, Robberg Coastal Corridor Landowners Association (RCC LA) chairperson Chris von Christierson was the bearer of brilliant nature news.

His email headed ‘New fynbos species Ruqtcngc" xcpdgtmgncg officially identified on RCC’ and addressed to Association members and other local nature fundis read, inter alia: “I am pleased to advise the exciting news that Professor Charles Stirton has now confirmed the Ruqtcngc identified by Nicky van Berkel on Fynbos Nature Reserve is indeed a new species.

“I think this is an important development and ask you all to spread the word in the interest of promoting support for the establishment of the Robberg Coastal Corridor as a Protected Environment.”

The mailer further advised of the prof’s suggestion that a botanical inventory of the RCC - a 16km strip of land between Robberg and Harkerville, which forms part of the Eden to Addo Corridors - be undertaken.

Explains Von Christierson: “The Association has been campaigning to have the area declared a Protected Environment, and we hope that the discovery of Ruq/ tcngc" xcpdgtmgncg will help our cause.”

Possibly only existing in a few local coastal locations, this rare and previously undescribed species of the family Hcdcegcg gained the moniker Ruqtcngc"xcpdgtmg/ ncg after Nicky van Berkel, who was instrumental in its discovery and identification.

Stirton - who is based in Bath in the UK, and is an Honorary Research Associate of UCT’s Botany Department - visited Bitou in February, accompanied by Prof Muthama Muasya and PhD student Abubaker Bello.

Fynbos makes up the tiniest floral kingdom in the world and is found in a rim along the SA’s southernmost reaches, never further than 200km from the ocean.

Our conservation of fynbos is critical to its survival, as many species are specialists, some but occurring on a few hectares and nowhere else.

Encouragingly, 20% of this kingdom is officially conserved, but its sheer diversi-

ty means that much remains unprotected yet.

“The Robberg Coastal Corridor is an important preserved piece of coastal vegetation,” said Stirton.

“Even normal plants such as Xktiknkcu do strange things here - a combination of salty sea breeze spray, quartz substrate, local nutrition and wind shear.

“I fully support your campaign to get the Robberg Coastal Corridor declared a Protected Environment.”

Uc{u"Pkem{"xcp"Dgtmgn000 When I first photographed the Ruqtcngc in August 2011

BOTANISTS UNITE IN BITOU: From left, Professors Muthama Muasya and Charles Stirton, with PhD student Abubaker Bello, during their visit to the Robberg Coastal Corridor in February

while on a Mountain Club of South Africa hike, I had no idea it was something special, only a species I had not seen before.

I returned to the area in 2012 with the Outramps (a section of CREW - Custodians of Rare and Endangered Wildflowers) and took a lot more photos.

These I posted onto iSpot where they caught the eye of Prof Charles Stirton, who asked me to make some further observations and to collect herbarium specimens.

In February this year he visited the reserve and confirmed it was a new species.

I am honoured and somewhat over-awed that he decided to attach my name to the plant.

FULL BLOOM: This photo of the newlynamed beauty was taken in October last year, when the plant was in flower Photos: Nicky van Berkel

A dream of connecting Eden’s eles with their Addo kin

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HE 400km Eden to Addo Great Corridor Hike from Knysna to Addo Elephant National Park is set to become one of the world’s iconic hikes if its founder, Joan Berning, has her way.

What started as a conservation project to raise money to connect three mega reserves Garden Route National Park, the Baviaanskloof World Heritage Site, and Addo Elephant National Park - has become a pilgrimage for conservationists, photographers, botanists and adventure enthusiasts.

“We have a national treasure that competes with the best hikes worldwide,” says Berning.

Besides spectacular mountain scenery, hikers experience five biomes (Fynbos, forest, thicket, succulent karoo, and nama karoo) and some of the wildest areas in South Africa.

In just one of the biomes, the fynbos consists of 9,000 species - of which 6,192 are found nowhere else.

Richard Cowling, Professor of Botany at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, is thrilled by the diversity of the area: “Nowhere else in the world would you find such a diversity of biomes in such a small area, and nowhere would you find such high phylogenetic diversity of plants, crudely indicated by the large number of genera.

“In this spectacular area one can find growing side by side, a cycad - whose origin goes back hundreds of millions of years - and a minute, succulent haworthia still in the throes of speciation.

Yours is a truly remarkable and wholly irreplaceable corridor,” he says.

The hike explores remote areas where the last truly free elephants, black rhino, buck,

leopard and buffalo still roam without fences to hamper their movements, while establishing conservation corridors between the parks to enable the free migration of many species.

“I have a dream that perhaps one day the secretive Garden of Eden elephant/s may once again connect with their kin in Addo Elephant National Park, and our hikers are part of that dream, walking on paths where thousands of elephants once trod just 200 years ago.

“Man has destroyed large herds of not only elephants, but also buffalo, eland, zebra the Cape lion, and more in this special area - and still continues to do so by slaughtering leopard, jackal, black eagle and more. We are using the hike to raise awareness about conservation issues,” says Berning.

Since its inception, the

Eden to Addo Corridor Initiative has achieved incredible conservation milestones.

Says Berning: “We are working with farmers and conservation bodies to create vital conservation corridors and we have fundraised to transform the Keurbooms River Catchment, within the Keurbooms Corridor, back to its natural state by clearing thousands of hectares of invasive alien plants.”

All funds raised through the hikes go towards these crucial conservation projects.

Besides the 400km Eden to Addo Great Corridor Hike, there are several shorter sixday hikes that cover part of the route.

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News & Views

28 May 2014

CXPRESS

Bay student best in the world... again!

SALLY PLOKHOOY from Bay College in Plett could hardly wait to share this news with CXPRESS readers after the official Cambridge results announcement earlier this month

H

ACADEMIC ACE: Amy-Rose Westcott, at right in black, is the second Bay College student in as many years to score top Maths marks in the world - with her to celebrate this triumph is headmaster David Butler and buddies, from left at back, Megan Mostert, Claire Potgieter, Mikayla Badenhorst and Linda Hansen, with Meggan van Willen and Jesse Wildeman in front

W

ITH a cast of close to 50 students and a fabulous band including the likes of professionals such as Lizanne Helberg and Cewan Korsten, Oakhill College’s Performing Arts Department recently wowed its audience with the tongue-in-cheek, humorous and heartrending production Dtqcfyc{"Dnwg.

This mad revue of love, fantasy and playing cards invited the audience into a realm of make-believe inhabited by mystical creatures, fairy godmothers and the obligatory wicked witch... or three!

Two would-be heroes stumbled, plodded and waded their way through the enchanted musical forest. On the way they tumbled down the standard rabbit hole, met some highly suspicious characters and, of course, discovered that fairy tales really do come true!

The revue follows on from former Oakhill music teacher Olga Schoeman’s original brainchild, Owuke"kp"vjg"Dnwg.

However, the Performing Arts Department changed the format this year to create a vehicle that would allow the opportunity to shine for as many of the College actors, dancers, singers and musicians as possible.

With a focus on Broadway and West End show tunes, the Department strove to give the pupils partaking in the show more scope - and so Owuke"kp"vjg"Dnwg"became Dtqcfyc{"Dnwg.

The Performing Arts squad consists of Carika Rademan - new Head of Music at the College and an experienced musical director; Robyn Humphries - a new member of the English and History faculty at Oakhill and an experienced dancer and choreographer of musical theatre; and Leanna Dreyer - the Dramatic Arts teacher at Oakhill.

OW many of us can call ourselves world-beaters? Amy-Rose Westcott, a graduate of Plett Primary and Bay College, got the highest marks in the world in the Cambridge International AS Mathematics exam in November 2013.

There are over 10,000 Cambridge schools in more than 100 countries around the world and there were over 350,000 entries for the AS exams last year - so attaining the highest marks for Maths globally is a truly astonishing achievement.

Perhaps this is a result of the small classes and individual attention that combine as Bay College trademark?

While we are all congratulating Amy-Rose on the superlative Maths achievement, let’s not forget that she got distinctions for every single subject she wrote.

Oakhill’s Broadway Blue blows ‘em away

BROAD APPEAL: A mad revue of love, fantasy and playing cards, Oakhill’s ‘Broadway Blue’ invited its audience into a realm of make-believe inhabited by mystical creatures, while incorporating well-loved Broadway and West End show tunes - in the pics above from left are Gabriella Zwarts looking suave in a sailor’s hat, and bunny-eared Nicholas Thomson, with elegant dancers Jessica Frost and Ross Hunter below

Amy-Rose is now studying at NMMU in Port Elizabeth where she has won the prestigious Vice-chancellor’s Award. We will no doubt hear more of her achievements.

And spare a thought for her mother, Julie, who drove her to school and back from Coldstream in the Tsitsikamma for 12 years!

Amy-Rose follows in the footsteps of Kurt Coetzer, another Bay College student who achieved the same dis-

7 tinction in 2012. It is quite possible that no school in the world has ever equalled Bay College’s feat of producing the top Maths scholar in the Cambridge world two years in a row.

Kurt is currently at Stellenbosch University, where he is studying Engineering.

Bay College Maths teacher Susan Donald has the last word: “This is a rigorous course with very tough exams and it takes students of remarkable ability to succeed so well.”

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8

CXPRESS

Interval

28 May 2014

I didn’t sleep very well last night. So this morning I mixed my coffee with a Monster energy drink... I was halfway to work when I realised I forgot my car!

Contemporary philosophers • I’m not a paranoid, deranged millionaire. I’m a billionaire. /"Jqyctf"Jwijgu • A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kickboxing. /"Goq" Rjknkru • We are here on earth to do good unto others. What the others are here for, I have no idea. /"YJ"Cwfgp • As I hurtled through space, one thought kept crossing my mind - every part of this rocket was supplied by the lowest bidder. /"Lqjp"Ingpp • When the white missionaries came to Africa, they had the Bible and we had the land. They said ‘Let us pray’.

We closed our eyes. When we opened them we had the Bible and they had the land. /"Fguoqpf"Vwvw • America is the only country where a significant proportion of the population believes that professional wrestling is real, but the moon landing was faked. /" Fcxkf"Ngvvgtocp • The only reason they say ‘Women and children first’ is

My fietsie

Sex after surgery...

A

recent article in a daily newspaper reported that a woman, Anne Maynard, has sued a provincial hospital, saying that after her husband had surgery there, he had lost all interest in sex.

A hospital spokesman replied: “Mr Maynard was admitted for cataract surgery. All we did was correct his eyesight.”

My GPS Ek het ook geval voor die aanslag van die fikse manne en besluit om te begin oefen. So nou’t ek vir my ook ‘n fietsie gekry om saam met hulle te ry.

to test the strength of the lifeboats. /"Lgcp"Mgtt • I’ve been married to a communist and a fascist, and neither would take out the garbage. /"\uc"\uc"Icdqt • You know you’re a red-

neck if your home has wheels and your car doesn’t. /" Lghh" Hqzyqtvj{ • When a man opens a car door for his wife, it’s either a new car or a new wife. /" Rtkpeg"Rjknkr • Wood burns faster when you have to cut and chop it yourself. /"Jcttkuqp"Hqtf • The best cure for sea sickness is to sit under a tree. /" Urkmg"Oknnkicp • Lawyers believe a man is innocent until proven broke. /"Tqdkp"Jcnn • Kill one man and you’re a murderer, kill a million and you’re a conqueror. /" Lgcp" Tquvcpf • Having more money doesn’t make you happier. I have 50-million dollars, but I’m just as happy as when I had 48-million. /" Ctpqnf" Uejyct|gpgiigt • If life were fair, Elvis would still be alive today and all the impersonators would be dead. /"Lqjpp{"Ectuqp • I don’t believe in astrology. I am a Sagittarius and we’re very sceptical. /" Yct/ tgp"Vcpvwo • Hollywood must be the only place on earth where you can be fired by a man wearing a Hawaiian shirt and a baseball cap. /"Uvgxg"Octvkp • The first piece of luggage on the carousel never belongs to anyone. /"Igqtig"Tqdgtvu • If God had intended us to fly he would have made it easier to get to the airport. /" Lqpcvjcp"Ykpvgtu

Question: Are there too many immigrants in Britain?

17% said: “Yes.” 11% said: “No.” 72% said: “I am not understanding the question, please.”

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Business

28 May 2014

CXPRESS

Winter-proof your home before cold weather causes havoc on your bank balance

W

ITH winter upon us, now is the time to give your home a little love and attention so that you are prepared for the colder months and costs don’t unnecessarily soar and plough a hole in your pocket.

Says head of New Business & Sales at FNB Housing Finance Abel Mngadi: “With winter on the doorstep, we should be aware that properties are vulnerable to attack from the outside elements.

Investor Focus

“Ideally, you should take care of your property before winter arrives. Fortunately, there are a number of practical ways to winter-proof your home and save costs at the same time.”

It’s advisable to do an assessment of the outside structure of your house - this includes walls, windows, doors, floors and roofs. Have a proper look around and what needs to be repaired, sealed or insulated.

Gutters and drains should also be cleaned of leaves and debris on a regular basis. Overflowing gutters and drains could drench walls and cause damage to your house.

“Electricity is one of the biggest culprits when it comes to winter costs. There are a number of measures you can put in place to bring your electricity bill down, and proper insulation of your home is one of them,” says

Mngadi.

He suggests making sure your home is insulated correctly so that heat is not lost unnecessarily.

And insulation isn’t just for cold climates - if your home is insulated correctly, it will keep your home cooler in summer as well as keep it warm in winter.

Mngadi says that energyefficiency is one of the most practical ways to save, and suggests investigating al-

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

Investment advice and your Needs Analysis - Final

T

HIS is the final article in the Needs Analysis series, and aims to encapsulate all of the factors that a retiree should consider in establishing his/her retirement plan.

1. The assets must be arranged so as to provide for a sustainable income stream that is protected from inflation for ±20 years (considering their age).

2. It should be as tax-efficient as possible.

Eqoogpvu 1. All RAs and Living Annuities (LAs) have been combined into a single instrument which reduces the costs. The withdrawals are held at 2.5% pa. This is the minimum and allows for tax free growth within the LA. The R200,000 pa is fully taxable in the name of the husband. The actual tax rate can be stipulated by the retiree.

In this case, I have provided for a tax rate of 20% (this has not been specifically calculated). He will thus receive a net income of R160,000 pa or R13,300 pm from his LA. 2. At age 65, we are possibly subject to all sorts of health ailments, and Mrs X will need to have some assets in her own name to sustain herself should Mr X have a sudden heart attack or a fatal accident.

Thus he has transferred R2.5m into her name in case this kind of tragic need arises.

This will also help to reduce their tax liability.

3. Mr X’s share portfolio holds only ordinary equities and preference shares, all of which pay dividends. These are taxed at source at a rate of 15%. I have assumed that his final income of R80,000 reflected above is after the 15% deduction.

4. Mrs X has no other income so she can earn a high level of interest income before any tax liability arises.

Her portfolio will hold a spread of property trusts yielding ±8%, as well as a small percentage of shares in well-established high dividend paying companies. This should result in her paying zero tax.

This will generate an income of ±R34,000 pm, and will allow for a little extra.

The funds in the two share portfolios are freely and easily available should a sudden emergency occur, or to buy a new second car in the future.

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ternative methods to bring down the cost of electricity.

A project by FNB Housing Finance in Cosmo City uses sustainable systems, which has brought down the costs of electricity for affordable housing significantly.

The system makes use of solar water heaters and insulation fitted into the foundations, which results in the walls and ceilings keeping the temperature self-con-

9 trolled.

Have your geyser inspected or serviced before winter starts, as it is one of the biggest contributors to electricity bills.

“There are a few ways to save on your geyser bill during winter, which include switching it off during the day, wrapping it in a blanket, or insulating it so that warmth is not lost,” says Mngadi.

“The month before winter is the ideal time to get your house in order, so that climatic factors don’t cause havoc on your bank balance.”

Want to sell?

Don’t get cold feet now!

R

AIN or shine, cold weather or hot, the home sales just keep rolling on at the moment, with show days drawing flocks of prospective buyers and many properties attracting multiple offers.

“However,” says Berry Everitt, MD of the Chas Everitt International property group, “there is one big spanner in the works, and that is not having enough stock to sell.

“A quick survey among our agents recently revealed that in the most popular areas there has been a decline of up to 60% recently in saleable inventory - with the properties that were available having either been sold or withdrawn from the market.”

But, he says, those sellers who are backing out currently in the belief that rising demand among buyers will enable them to get a much higher price six months or a year from now, are making a big mistake.

Writing in the latest Rtqr/ gtv{" Ukiprquvu newsletter, Everitt says: “The truth is that while there is no shortage of buyers at the moment, and that well-priced properties are selling faster than at any time in the past five years, there are several factors in play now that mitigate against any really significant price increases in the coming months.

“And all of these have to do with the fact that interest

rates are widely expected to rise over the next few months - the Reserve Bank’s most recent decision to keep them static notwithstanding.”

For one thing, he says, rising interest rates mean declining affordability, because they raise the proportion of income that prospective home buyers have to put towards paying off their debts.

“This means they can only qualify for smaller home loans and become extremely value conscious and willing to negotiate hard to pay lower prices.”

Secondly, whenever interest rates start going up, the banks get more wary about granting credit, and more conservative in their valuations of the properties on which they are being asked to grant loans.

“And once again, this translates into downward pressure on home prices, and a dwindling supply of buyers.”

Consequently, says Everitt, the best advice for home sellers at the moment is to stay in the market, take professional advice on pricing their properties correctly and make the most of the current still-strong demand to achieve a swift sale - “bearing in mind that this will put them in a good position to secure a loan for their own next purchase”.

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CXPRESS

Social Scene

28 May 2014

ENJOYING EVERY MOMENT: Wimpy Plett 1 Stop was recently declared winner of the famous fast-food restaurant group’s regional campaign, for being the best franchise between Riversdale and East London congrats! Wimpy Plett has been in town for 10 years and in the photo, owners Neil & Rie Uys, flanked by manager John Cordier at left and assistant manager Frieda Hartnick proudly show off the winning trophy, along with staff and Famous Brands franchise manager for the Eastern Cape Marlette Bezuidenhout, at centre in the back.

They thank everyone in Plettenberg Bay for their support during the past decade.

Photo: Watty Watson

SOOTHE YOUR SOUL: Benjamin Bushakevitz, above, and the Eden Guitar Ensemble serve as main musical drawcard at Still Waters - Music for the Soul on Friday night May 30. This excellent affair of finger-licking snacks and a wide variety of music by local musos and for a most worthy local cause is sure to entertain, with brothers David and Mike Kantey in the house and young musical stars from Plett and Knysna on the agenda, too. The Grand is supplying the food and stunning venue, and all funds raised will benefit Adopt a Swimmer, which teaches needy Bitou kids the essential skill of swimming. So be there on Friday at 6pm for 6:30 - tickets at R160 include a finger supper and the bar is open for business. Call Jane on 072 385 4610 or Louise on 082 452 2248 for additional information.

People, places & events SHAWN PHILLIPS CLOSES FOR THEM... Ambient Bliss comprises two long-time musical brethren. Ben Badenhorst and Martin Wolfaardt, left, have been collaborating for the better part of a decade. Ben’s guitar virtuosity and restless creativity, evident in his array of albums including a seminal reworking of the Zulu walking music tradition ‘Modern Maskanda’, combines with Martin’s lyrical approach to the piano as heard on his much-lauded jazz release ‘Offshore - Incident’ (call 072 996 5828 or visit www. facebook.com/ambientbliss for more information). The result is by turns hypnotic and enthralling, and you can see them at The Barn on Saturday night May 31, when along with fellow local outfit Tongue n Groove they open for 70s folk legend Shawn Phillips, inset. Book your table online at www.thebarns. co.za or pick up tickets at R100pp from Peppermill Café in The Crags or Ice Palazzo in Plett’s Main Street. The evening of live music, wholesome homemade soup and bread, and a free wine tasting serves as fundraiser for The Crags Eco School and the show starts at 8pm (doors open at 7pm).

GONE CHOPIN: At the Knysna-Plett Concert Series performance held in Knysna on the evening of May 19, featuring Italian pianist Antonio Pompa-Baldi playing mostly works by Chopin and Liszt were, above from left, Knysna residents Francis Blitz, Judy Steele, Rod Still, Ann Blitz and Brian Steele. At left in the pic rigth is fellow Knysna local Dave Macintosh, along with Plett residents Roxanne Sayer and David & Marsja HallGreen. - Timothy Twidle

Photos: Lucinda Mudge

CARING FOR EARTH IS MOST FASHIONABLE: Greenwood Independent School children dressed up in earth-friendly threads made from recycled objects for a Green Gear Fashion Show recently.

The resourceful Plett school also boasts its very own Mrs Greenbody, who spearheads the awareness of environmental issues that ensures its students know all about caring for our precious planet.

Victoria Burnett from Eco Schools served as guest judge (no easy task!) during the show and the occasion also saw Greenwood being awarded Platinum Eco Schools Status for the third year in a row. Well done on the green front, Greenwood! Above from left Phoebe Leger, Zosia Covarr, Tallulah Crerar, Jasper Truman-Baker and Lwahluma Mpondwana show off their fashion sense, with super-model Shannon Amoils at left.

Entertainment

28 May 2014

CXPRESS

11

Expecting sister inspires Knysna artist’s study of human energy in water

WOMB WITHIN A WOMB: A mother to be with her unborn child, contentedly floating inside her while she is suspended in her own metaphorical womb - the swimming pool that became Alix Carmichele’s canvas

Renowned photographer ALIX CARMICHELE is exhibiting her work for the first time in more than a decade, at Knysna Fine Art from June 6 onwards - below, she explains the driving force behind this much-awaited addition to her awe-inspiring oeuvre

W

HETHER it be a deep fresh lake, a river running through it, or our magnificent oceans, water is both friend and foe and central to the human story.

The archetypal meaning of water in our dreams is that is provides life but can also harbour mysterious perils and therefore has an emotional representation.

About the artist

A

LIX Carmichele returned to SA after studying photography in London and began the long process of establishing herself in this field, polishing and refining her technique by learning all the tricks of the trade from various experienced professionals.

Extensive travel throughout Africa and many other exotic locations in the world has further inspired and imbued her work with a unique quality. With a seemingly effortless gift for composition, she manages to entice the viewer into a direct experience with her subject matter.

Much of her work is created digitally and her long experience with practical darkroom theory is ap-

plied to enhance this new media. She also makes use of square medium format manual cameras and still shoots on and processes her own film.

This is Carmichele’s first exhibition since she won her precedent setting court case against the South African State in 2003.

Ancient Greek philosophers believed that water was one of the four classical elements, along with fire, air and earth, regarding it as the basic substance of the universe.

In literature, water is the symbol for purification, and the study of water in art has often been depicted as a stylised symbol. In other times, it was represented in a more realistic way, but regardless of the case, water always determined the overall mood of an image.

Female water deities have received particular interest from artists - an interest which has evolved into an obsession of creating images of women bathing.

In my 20 years of being a photographer, I have found that the hardest image to make is of a pregnant woman.

It’s almost impossible to show her body in a flattering way, especially as she nears her full term.

When my sister became pregnant, I wanted to capture her glowing essence, but felt that shooting her in a studio or on dry land, so to speak, wasn’t going to cut it for either one of us.

- Photo: Alix Carmichele

I started to wonder about our first nine months in the womb and how we lived there submersed in amniotic fluid, how comfortable and safe we were, automatically breathing in and out, alive.

This led me to create my first water image of her at seven months pregnant submerged in what isn’t our natural element.

Philosophically and emotionally, water can mean many things to us - it is the life force that nourishes us, yet we are not equipped to inhabit it permanently.

I wanted to create an impression of her with her unborn child, he contentedly floating inside her while she is suspended in her own metaphorical womb, my canvass, the swimming pool.

The gravity of her sevenmonth pregnancy was carried by the water allowing me to capture an exquisite rendition

of a pregnant woman.

I wanted to know more about other people’s energy in water so I recruited some friends and the results were very interesting.

Each independent study reveals how comfortable or uncomfortable people are in water, as well as the turbulence or energy they

create, when asked to do a simple turn.

I welcome you to come and experience my interpretation of a study of human energy in water! Call 082 566 7849 or email imagemaker@mweb. co.za to find out more, or visit http://instagram.com/ alix_carmichele and see the ad on this page for more info.

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CXPRESS

Home & Health

28 May 2014

Dumb things people do at art expos

booth, blocking a large section of the entrance, taking dozens and dozens of photos.

As I have stated before, dealers participate in shows in order to sell their works, not to create a photo-op. And if that dealer is kind enough to let you photograph a work, please make it quick.

Going to the fair to buy some art for your home? Be fair!

This article was gleaned from arttimes.co.za and provides an entertaining guide for potential art or antique buyers, penned by New Yorker HOWARD REHS …

O

UR gallery started participating in art and antique shows more than 25 years ago, and over that time, I have witnessed some astounding behaviour from people visiting our booth.

Fqp‚v"vqwej"vjg"ctvyqtm People seem to like touching the art. At a Baltimore show I was amazed, and shocked, as I watched a man bend down to look at a painting and proceed to run his fingers across the entire canvas.

Let me say this in the most polite way: the paintings in dealers’ booths are their property and unless they give you permission to touch them, don’t!

Personally, I do not want to see your fingers on my paintings so, until you own it, please do not touch it. Not only is it inappropriate, but if you also happen to damage the piece, are you ready to write a check?

Fqp‚v"dg"c"Dtqejwtg"Jqi These are people who walk

into booths and take every piece of free printed material the gallery has (some take multiple copies) - and the worst part is that most of these people never look at the works on display.

Some of them even wheel around little carts to hold all their spoils.

I have always wondered what people do with all of the material they collect. Decoupage? Wallpaper the living room? Frame and hang the images? Sell them at a local flea market? Someone has to let me know.

Here is something those ‘collectors’ need to keep in mind: all of that printed material costs the gallery money and each gallery only brings a limited supply to any particular show, so please don’t become a brochure hog.

And if you must take the items, at least spend a few moments looking at the original works hanging on the walls - at least the dealer will feel there might be a reason why you took the brochures.

Fqp‚v"dg"c"Ejckt"Jqi These are people who have no interest in the works being shown, but take a seat in someone’s booth and sit there for an awfully long time (I have seen people sit in booths for over an hour).

In addition, many of them see nothing wrong with talking on their cellphones the entire time they are seated.

Sorry, but that is just rude.

That booth is the dealer’s place of business.

If you need to take a break, most shows offer public areas where you can sit, rest, and even talk on your phone.

In addition, I do not want to overhear intimate details of your or your friend’s personal life, especially in such a confined space.

Fqp‚v"dg"c"Urceg"Jqi These are people who block the entire front of your booth in order to stop and talk to friends (and I have seen people stand in front of a booth for 30 minutes or more).

Again, please have a little

courtesy for the dealer. Not only do the booths cost a great deal of money, but we are also only there for a short period of time. If you need to catch up with old friends, find one of the public spaces in the show.

Fqp‚v"vt{"rkvejkpi"c"ucng I know that many people who work in art-related industries think that going to a show is a great opportunity to see a whole group of dealers in one location - and that is correct.

But what you should remember is that the dealers have spent a lot of time and money to prepare for the show and want to spend their time talking with potential buyers and current clients. If you are going to stop by, then make it a quick hello. Most of us do not want to spend 20 or 30 minutes (during the show hours) listening to a sales pitch.

Fqp‚v"vcmg"rjqvqu"ykvjqwv" rgtokuukqp While some dealers do not

DEALER DE LUX: Howard Rehs has been observing the behaviour of buyers and other animals at art expos worldwide...

mind people taking photos of their works, others do. Do not assume that you can walk into someone’s booth and photograph the works on display. It is important to ask before you start snapping away.

And if they do give you permission, make it quick. I normally have no problem with people photographing our works, though I often wonder what they are going to do with the images.

At a recent show, a woman stopped by our booth and asked if she could photograph one of our works. I told her ‘no problem’. Well, the next thing I know, five women are standing in our

Eqttcn"{qwt"ejknftgp Before I get into this one, please keep in mind that I love children and have some of my own. However, it is particularly important when visiting an art or antique expo that you keep a tight hold on your youngsters.

Many times I have watched a toddler start running for a painting that is sitting on the floor, only to be scooped up moments before impact.

In addition, try not letting your children bring toys that they may throw or swing. I have seen kids playing with yo-yos or dragging their favourite toy behind them on a long string. I can tell you that is a recipe for disaster and maybe an unwanted expense. ß"Howard Rehs is the director of Rehs Galleries and Rehs Contemporary Galleries in New York City - visit www.rehs.com to find out more (this article originally appeared at www.artantiques-design.com - read other interesting articles on the subject at www.theepoch times.com).

Bring your best seconds to the market on Saturday The Market on Plett’s Main Street has an amazing array of art, craft and pretty things - like the Shell Shack goodies pictured here - as well as food and beverage offerings from around the world, its latest addition being barista extraordinaire Babette’s ‘Stir It Up’ supreme coffee shack.

But you may well have something in your own home or garage that could contribute to the range of goods for sale. So diarise Saturday May 31 from 10am to 3pm, when The Market will host a Yard Sale of good-condition second-hand stuff. Bring along all those unwanted items that have cluttered your home for too long.

Someone is sure to regard it as a bargain of the century and you’ll walk away with a slightly fuller wallet.

Only R100, or 10% of your turnover, will go to The Market, for providing a sales area in this vibrant and central local hangout. Call Janine from 8am to 12:30 weekdays on 044 533 2805 or 082 533 9470 to book your space.

Paws

Plett Animal Welfare Service

Home & Health

28 May 2014

13

CXPRESS

Spotlight on diabetes-related eye afflictions

D

IABETES occurs when the body doesn’t produce enough of the hormone insulin, or because the insulin that is produced has a reduced effect. Insulin regulates the way our bodies use the food we have eaten.

If you have diabetes, your body cannot cope in the usual way with sugar and other carbohydrates that you consume.

Some children have diabetes, but developing the disease is much more common later in life. Diabetes can cause complications that affect different parts of your body, including the eyes. The two main types of diabetes mellitus are known as Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

This article explains how diabetes may affect your eyes and provides information on how your eyes should be monitored, how eye conditions are treated, and the help at hand when your sight changes.

V{rg"3"Fkcdgvgu - This type of diabetes commonly occurs before the age of 30 and is the result of the body producing little or no insulin.

Type 1 diabetes is primarily controlled by insulin injections, so is sometimes called insulin-dependent diabetes.

V{rg"4"Fkcdgvgu - This type of diabetes commonly occurs after the age of 40. In this type of diabetes the body does produce some insulin, but the amount is either not sufficient or the body is not able to make proper use of it.

Type 2 diabetes is generally controlled by diet, exercise and/or tablets. Although some in this group will use insulin injections, it is sometimes referred to as non-insulin dependent diabetes.

Cpvgtkqt"ugiogpv" gzcokpcvkqp"qh"vjg"g{g Fkcdgvgu"cpf"{qwt"g{g If you have diabetes, it is important to visit your ophthalmologist for regular eye exams so as to avoid eye problems. High blood sugar (glucose) increases the risk of diabetic eye ailments - in fact, diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in adults aged 20 to 74.

If you have eye problems and diabetes, do not buy a new pair of glasses as soon as you notice you have blurred vision. It could just be a temporary eye problem that develops rapidly with diabetes and is caused by high bloodsugar levels.

High blood sugar in diabetes causes the lens of the eye to swell, which changes your ability to see. To correct this kind of eye problem, you need to get your blood sugar back into the target range (90-130 milligrams per decilitre or mg/dL before meals, and less than 180mg/dL one to two hours after a meal).

It may take as long as three months after your blood sugar is controlled for your vision to fully return to normal.

Blurred vision can also be a symptom of more serious diabetes-related eye problems.

The three major afflictions that people with diabetes may develop and should be aware of are cataracts, glaucoma, and retinopathy.

Ecvctcevu"cpf"fkcdgvgu A cataract is a clouding or fogging of the normally clear lens of the eye. The lens is what allows us to see and focus on an image just like a camera. Although anyone can get cataracts, people with diabetes develop these at an earlier age than most, and the condition progresses more rapidly than in people without diabetes.

If you have a cataract, there is a cloudy area in the lens of your eye that results in the inability to focus light, and your vision is impaired.

Symptoms of this eye problem in diabetes include blurred or glared vision.

During cataract surgery, the cloudy lens is removed or cleaned out and replaced by a clear man-made lens.

Incweqoc"cpf"fkcdgvgu When fluid inside the eye does not drain properly from a build-up of pressure inside the eye, it results in another diabetes-related eye problem called glaucoma. The pressure damages nerves and the vessels in the eye, causing changes in vision.

Treatment of open-angle glaucoma - the most common form - requires lowering the eye’s pressure by increasing the drainage of aqueous humor or decreasing the production of the fluid. Medication can accomplish both of these goals.

With open-angle glaucoma, there may be no symptoms of this eye problem at all until the disease is very advanced and there is significant vision loss. In its less common form, symptoms can include headaches, eye aches or pain, blurred vision, watering eyes, halos around lights, and loss

of vision.

Treatment of this problem can include special eye drops, laser procedures, medicine, or surgery. Surgery and laser treatment are directed at improving the eye’s aqueous drainage. You can prevent serious eye problems in diabetes by getting an annual glaucoma screening from your eye doctor.

Fkcdgvke"tgvkpqrcvj{ The retina is a group of specialised cells that convert light as it enters though the lens into images. The eye nerve or optic nerve transmits visual info to the brain.

Diabetic retinopathy is one of the vascular (blood-vessel related) complications related to diabetes.

This diabetic eye problem is due to damage of small vessels and is called a microvascular complication.

Kidney disease and nerve damage due to diabetes are also micro-vascular complications. Large blood vessel damage (also called macrovascular complications) includes complications like heart disease and stroke.

The micro-vascular complications have, in numerous studies, been shown to be related to high blood-sugar levels. You can reduce your risk of these problems by improving your blood sugar control.

Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in industrialised nations. The duration of diabetes is the single most important risk for developing retinopathy. So the longer you have diabetes, the greater the risk of this very serious eye problem. If retinopathy is not found early or is not treated, it can lead to blindness.

People with Type 1 diabetes rarely develop retinopathy before puberty. In adults with Type 1 diabetes, it is also rare to see retinopathy before five years’ duration of diabetes.

The risks of retinal damage increase with progressive duration of diabetes. Intensive control of blood sugar levels will reduce your risks of developing retinopathy.

The DCCT, a large study of people with Type 1 diabetes, showed that people with diabetes who achieved tight control of their blood sugars with either an insulin pump or multiple daily injections of insulin were 50-75% less likely to develop retinopathy, nephropathy (kidney disease), or nerve damage (all micro-vascular complications).

People with Type 2 diabetes usually have signs of eye problems when diabetes is diagnosed. In this case, control of blood sugar, blood pressure, and blood cholesterol play an important role in slowing the progress of retinopathy and other eye problems.

V{rgu"qh"tgvkpqrcvj{"kp" fkcdgvgu • Background retinopathy.

Sometimes, when blood-ves-

sel damage exists but there is no vision problem, it is called background retinopathy. It’s important to carefully manage your diabetes at this stage to prevent this situation from progressing to more serious eye disease.

• Maculopathy. In maculopathy, the person has developed damage in a critical area called the macula. Because this occurs in an area that is critical to vision, this type of eye problem can significantly reduce vision.

‘Blurred vision can be a symptom of more serious diabetes-related eye problems’

• Proliferative retinopathy.

New blood vessels start to grow in the back of the eye.

Because retinopathy is a micro-vascular complication of diabetes (a disease of small vessels), this type of retinopathy develops because of an increasing lack of oxygen to the eye from vascular disease. Vessels in the eye are thinned and occluded and start remodelling.

Here, it is important to address the risks factors that can worsen the occluded vessels. Smoking cessation, high blood pressure control, cholesterol management,

and blood-sugar control must take place in order to stop the progression of new vessels from forming in the eye.

These are fragile vessels that can bleed and eventually cause a clot to form in the eye, which scars and could cause detachment of the retina. This can lead to potential irreversible vision loss.

Treatment of diabetic retinopathy may involve laser procedures or surgery. In a study of people with diabetes with early retinopathy, laser therapy to burn the fragile vessel has resulted in a 50% reduction of blindness.

To prevent retinopathy with diabetes, ensure your eye doctor screen your eyes annually. Women with diabetes who later become pregnant should have a comprehensive eye exam during the first trimester and close follow-up with an eye doctor during the rest of their pregnancy to avoid serious eye problems with diabetes.

This recommendation does not apply to women who develop gestational diabetes, since they are not at risk of retinopathy.

Rtgxgpvkpi"fkcdgvgu/tgncvgf" g{g"rtqdngou" The following is a preventative eye-care guideline for people with diabetes:

Dr Dylan Joseph

• People with Type 1 diabetes should have a dilated eye exam by an ophthalmologist or optometrist within three to five years after diagnosis.

• People with Type 2 diabetes should have a dilated eye exam by an ophthalmologist or optometrist shortly after diagnosis.

• Annual eye exams should be done with both Type 1 and 2 diabetes by an ophthalmologist or optometrist, and more frequently if necessary.

• When considering pregnancy, women with a history of diabetes should have an eye exam prior and during pregnancy. This does not pertain to women with gestational diabetes.

• To prevent eye problems in diabetes, you should control your blood sugar and control high blood pressure.

Yjgp"vq"eqpvcev"{qwt"fqevqt" If you have diabetes, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs: • Black spots in your vision • Flashes of light • ‘Holes’ in your vision • Blurred vision.

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14

CXPRESS

28 May 2014

Classifieds

On the Soapbox

28 May 2014

Letters to the Editor

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

We also have our own Johnny Clegg stories to tell!

The story on page 5 of the previous edition dredged up memories from readers far and wide – in the first instance here below, from CXPRESS contributor and Knysna photographer extraordinaire GIGI LEWIS, while the author of the second letter prefers to remain anonymous...

Your Johnny Clegg front cover photo [in CXPRESS of May 21] worked better than any of my racing car photographs!

My daughter, Angela, once saw him (and Bongani, sob) in a concert in Neuss, Germany and was allowed back-stage, because she was born in Johannesburg.

Every band member including Johnny signed the back of her T-shirt but, unfortunately, when Angie visited a close friend of ours days later, the ‘kind’

CXPRESS

German housewife washed all her clothes - including the priceless autographed T-shirt.

How’s THAT?!

--I know the story of Michael Jackson cancelling his show because of a Johnny Clegg concert, having been told it by a French friend who is an avid music fan and love Le Zoulou Blanc.

In Paris, both Johnny and Michael Jackson wanted to sing in Parc des Princes on the same night.

The French newspaper Ng"

Dkgp" Rwdnke" put it to the vote of their readers: Did they wish to see the black person who wants to be white or the white person who wants to be black?

The vote was unanimous Le Zoulou Blanc!

And now, whenever I walk into the night club O’Reginal, Regine the owner immediately plays either Johnny Clegg or Paul Simon and Ladysmith Black Mambazo, and I have to gumboot dance in the middle of the dance floor!

Thanks for your support as we bid John farewell To Chris, Saskia, Christine, St Peter’s Church, and all the incredibly supportive locals and friends who came from far and wide to pay their respects to a remarkable and wonderful member of our family... thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Johnny will be sorely missed but never forgotten. We will also never forget the love and support shown to us by all who knew him.

Sincere thanks to every one of you.

Lqjp"Hqtuvgt‚u"hcokn{."

Rngvv

A happy hello from magnificent South Africa...

Plett reader ‘Dr Joe’ was in contact recently, asking if CXPRESS would be interested in publishing a letter sent from an ex-South African living in New York to a mutual friend, an ex-South African living in Sydney... ‘Of course yes,’ we said, as we’re all for interesting personal accounts that report favourably on what our country has to offer tourists - enjoy the read!

I’ve been pinching myself for days now just to make sure I am really here... my lifelong dream coming true. I started a travelogue to you all on the third day here and now it is the day I am going home and I still haven’t got to it.

Jenni and I have been on the run from dawn to dusk and beyond every day, it’s all been exhilarating, exciting and SO much fun!

After a bad start, where my luggage didn’t arrive with me and I had to wear the same clothes for just on three days (thank goodness I had a spare pair of undies in my hand bag) it finally arrived after it had been on a trip to Dubai and back to Cape Town, with half the contents gone.

I was furious, but we overcame it all and decided it wasn’t worth letting it spoil our holiday... I’ll deal with Qantas on that matter when I arrive home.

To break it down briefly: Ecrg"Vqyp Our first three days here in South Africa were spent at the magnificent Cape Grace Hotel, right on the Waterfront - an absolutely stunning place and they looked after us like we were queens.

The city is really beautiful, amazing mountains surrounding the city and water lapping at its shores. Table Mountain is the centre of the city and it just magnificent soaring up into the sky, sometimes shrouded in cloud, which they call the tablecloth over the top.

We did bus tours and saw from one end to the other. We had a tour to the magnificent Cape of Good Hope... what an amazing place.

We took the cable car right

to the top of the world, it seemed like, the views magnificent, and then down to the bottom to the famous sign Cape of Good Hope noting the most Southern point in Africa, where the waters of the Atlantic lapped at our feet. The craggy cliffs soaring up and the magnificent views were just awesome.

We shopped (lots), went to some amazing restaurants - the food is so cheap here I can’t believe it. We were at the best restaurant in Cape Town, had lobster, prawns, wine and all the trimmings, and the total bill came to $90!

The service from everyone here is something to learn from, it’s like nothing I’ve ever experienced - I feel we have a lot to learn in that respect at home.

Rwodc"Icog"Tgugtxg We flew from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth, where we were met by one of the Pumba rangers - a warm and welcoming fellow. After an hour’s drive through some beautiful countryside, we arrived at the Reserve.

Jenni and I were bubbling over with excitement, I couldn’t believe we were there! It had been raining and the roads were sloppy, but it was great fun in the big Land Rover vehicle.

After about five minutes down the road, we were met by a troupe of baboons – huge, almost as big as a small man - then along came a family of warthog, some huge with big tusks and tiny little babies. My eyes were out on sticks!

Then we saw many, many impalas, they are just so pretty, and it just kept going on and we hadn’t even arrived at

the camp yet.

Pumba is just the most fabulous place, the accommodation ‘par excellence’.

We had a two-bedroom suite, furnished in the most beautiful African way. There was a big pot-belly fire in the middle of the room, a huge deck with our own pool... I could go on forever.

Each day we rose at 6am to make our first run on the game drive, of which we had two daily, at 7am and 3:30pm. Oh, I can’t begin to explain how fabulous each and every one was.

We saw the lot: a pride of white lions with three eightmonth-old cubs, hippo, rhino, the biggest family of elephants (the patriarch was twice the size of our truck, and they had a 19-day-old baby with them), so many varieties of antelope, amazing giraffes - the list goes on and on.

Every day, around every corner, jumped out another lot of animals. To see them in their own environment, so close up - as in inches from the truck - is something you can’t put down on paper, memories forever.

We had a great group of people there with us, only about 12, and had the most magnificent dinners together going over four days.

Jen and I became breakfasttime alcoholics as each morning, halfway through the safari, we stopped for coffee laced with Amarula (which is just like Baileys) and warm freshly made muffins, which we enjoyed watching over the plains and mountains of the reserve, often times with little warthogs running by.

Pinching myself again that

it all really happened.

All too soon it was time to leave there. I have taken so many wonderful, happy and awesome memories from there, which will stay with me forever.

Ecrg"Vqyp"*Rctv"KK+ We flew in and were picked up by the people from our next magnificent hotel, The Cellars Hohenort in Constantia ... OMG what a place!

The hotel is situated on nine acres of gardens, amazingly graceful and stunning. It’s on the other side of Table Mountain, offering a totally different sight of the mountain.

We then had a tour to the wineries of Stellenbosch. I wish I could explain it all to you, but its beauty is just so hard to pass on.

You’ve all got to come and have a look and you’ll know just what I mean.

The weather has been picture-perfect for us the whole time. Amazing restaurants here with award-winning chefs - boy, have we had wonderful food and wine!

We spent our last day at the V&A Waterfront, scouring the little shops at the markets, listening to the music, watching African dancers and marching bands. The atmosphere was just fantastic and burned into my brain.

Well, time to finish this off - I am leaving in a few hours so Jen and I are off to explore the gardens, have a coffee together and reminisce about our adventures and time together. Sad to be leaving her, me flying off to Sydney and she to New York - polar opposites of the world. Bye from beautiful South Africa.

I can’t wait to come back!

Nqvu"qh"nqxg."Jgngp

15

Is bullying our kids like bullying baby elephants?

I was shocked when I read how over 200 girls had been kidnapped from their school in Nigeria, and marched through difficult bush to a camp who knows where.

They were probably chained, and beaten and even raped - this bullying in its most vicious form, where all rights have been removed and the wills broken of these young girls, where they are no longer standing on the edge of a beautiful life, but doomed to drudgery, slavery and inhuman treatment.

Will we allow this to happen to them, will we allow this to happen to our children? Who will protect and rescue them?

This horrible and dreadful thing has been repeated right here in Plett, not with school girls, but with baby elephants. I have read and heard that a local park has a number of new baby elephants which they are bullying into submission, breaking their wills in the most inhuman way.

These little elephants are being bullied, beaten with cattle-hooks, electric prods, chained and stretched until they no longer can feel the pain because their legs, feet and bodies are so swollen and bruised they don’t know

what is normal.

Will we allow this to happen to these dear creatures, will we allow this to happen to our own animals? Who will protect and rescue them?

I believe this calls for action, to stand up and make our voices heard, to join the throng who are calling for the release of the school girls, to stand up and demand release of these baby elephants into a sanctuary where they may be healed and treated well.

I call for an investigation into the park’s methods of handling elephants. One of the elephants bravely took charge and killed the handler last year. Was he bullying and abusing the elephant?

Let us make our voices heard and keep Plettenberg Bay pristine from such disgraceful behaviour.

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16

CXPRESS

Sport & Adventure

28 May 2014

Car Month post mortem bodes well for future of Knysna’s top motor town bid Garden Route Motor Club chairman PETER PRETORIUS sent out a blanket thumbs-up email to sponsors and participants and other contributors to this month’s Knysna Car Show, facts and figures of which we thought apt to repeat here - and we also congratulate everyone involved in the super-successful Knysna Hillclimb 2014

CLASSIC! The amount of cars on display at this year’s Knysna Car Show totalled 350, with an estimated public attendance of 2500-3000 people and gate-takings of R67,000 Photo: Alwyn Coetzee - alwyncoetzeesailing@gmail.com

W

HAT a fantastic car show it was and all of us can be proud of what has been achieved.

My sincere thanks go out to all of you who kindly offered up your time to assist with the setting out of the field on the Friday and with the marshalling on the Sunday.

Both these activities received high praise from participants and stall holders - a job well done and one which other car show organisers don’t get right.

Special thanks must go to Don Forsyth who for many years developed the field layout and coordinated the setting out of the field. Regrettably, Don has decided

that it should be the turn of someone else to take over this activity under his guidance this year.

In stepped Cedric Parker, who voluntarily accepted the responsibility and immediately developed Don’s hardcopy layout into a ‘cad’ format. This was no easy task, but with many hours in front of the computer an electronic plan was developed, giving us the flexibility to make changes relatively easy as the plan was being developed. To Cedric, many thanks for your special effort.

A special mention and thanks must also go to Lionel and Graham Yendall for the specific roles they played in

developing the layout and coordinating the field marshals.

Lionel has already written a thank you note and I can only add my appreciation.

It is the joint effort of GRMC and MG members that have greatly assisted in making this a great show. It was a team effort and I feel proud of the achievement.

Final financials have not yet been wrapped-up but indications are that the results will be better than last year.

Now that the dust has settled, having also been involved with duty at the Jaguar Simola Hillclimb, I am

busy finalising all the items after the Car Show. From all accounts and comments received from participants and the public, the Garden Route Motor Club’s vision of creating a well organised display of fantastic and interesting cars in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere was achieved.

Comments were received stating “the best ever car show”, “fantastic in all respects”, “interesting cars on display”, “will definitely be back next year,” etc.

The Garden Route Motor Club certainly is delighted with the high quality, variety and number of cars and motorcycles and motor trade stands that were displayed.

It was all made possible through your participation and we must say a very big thanks to you for supporting the event.

The standard of the car show has again been lifted from previous years and we are now firmly on the journey to make this a really premier event in SA. We will continue to make this car show one of a personal invitation and adding to the variety and quality of cars and motorcycles on display.

Our objective remains quality and not necessary volume, with the number of cars and motorcycles restricted to between 250 and 300.

This year’s car show was also exceptional in that it coincided with the International MG Indaba held in Knysna.

The 160 MGs, covering all model derivatives, were a wonderful display and added another element to the show.

The total cars on display were 350. We were also very happy with the public attendance and the motor trade related stands. It is estimate that about 2500-3000 people attended and the gate takings totalled R67,000.

A large portion of these funds will go to charity, with the main beneficiaries being Knysna Hospice and Animal Welfare, the e-Pap Feeding Scheme and other charities.

Besides all the fellowship enjoyed by us petrol-heads, the aim of the show is also to showcase the latest vehicle models and trade-related items that are available to the public. We must congratulate you on the professional and colourful display and trust that the interest in your products was to your satisfaction.

Feel free to share any ideas of where and how we can improve the car show, as this is very important for our future development. Your participation is greatly appreciated and we look forward to welcoming you back next year.

Gockn"Rgvgt"cv"rgvgtrB grygd0eq0|c"hqt"oqtg"kphq0

Everyone a winner at RECM 200!

O

NE lucky amateur rider in next month’s RECM Knysna 200 mountain bike race could walk away R30,000 richer - and raise an additional R20,000 for sports development - without even stepping onto the winners’ podium, organisers have announced.

Race director Patric Mosterd said the three-day Knysna race, which starts on June 6, would offer a lucky draw prize of unit trusts to the abovementioned value, courtesy of the title sponsor.

“We introduced this raffle last year and it was incredibly well received,” claimed Mosterd.

“This event is specifically aimed at those riders who aren’t racing snakes; those of us who have regular jobs and families and can’t spend hours on our bikes every day.

“While we do have some awesome prizes lined up for the pros, these are the people we want to acknowledge and reward for coming.”

With an exclusive field of just 350 participants, he said the chances of claiming the unit trusts were great, as

only entrants who purchased raffle tickets stood a chance of winning.

“That’s not bad odds – even if you’re not a gambling man.”

Mosterd said limited places were still available for the 200km race, which offers three days of manageable riding through the magnificent Knysna forests.

“Many of these pristine trails are only open to the RECM Knysna 200 riders, specifically since our number of entries is so limited, so it really is a one-of-a-kind experience.”

He said this year’s highlight would be the introduction of timed 2km downhill enduro sections on each stage.

“These form a race within the race, giving the not-sopro riders a gap to feature on the podium.”

As part of the investment initiative, Mosterd said that Knysna Sport School would receive R20 000 worth of unit trusts, as well as the proceeds from the ticket sales, which cost R200 each.

“The school is an incredibly deserving organisation,

as the work they do with local underprivileged children is unprecedented,” said Mosterd.

“Obviously, it was their involvement in development cycling that got us interested initially but it is just one of many sporting disciplines that these children would not usually be exposed to.”

He said giving back to the community was an integral part of the sponsors’ and organisers’ approach to the event and that the unit trusts provided another sustainable investment avenue for the beneficiary.

“If we want to continue living in this wonderful country of ours, we believe there is no other way than to try and help those less privileged – at grassroots level. The school is actively involved in this on a daily basis and currently relies solely on private funding.”

The winner of the unit trusts will be announced in an attendance-only draw during the final lunch at Sirocco restaurant on Thesen Islands on Sunday June 8.

Visit www.recmknysna200. co.za for more info.