May 7 by CXpress

Photo: Ingrid Erlank

7 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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Vote with respect

From left, Adrian and Chiara Kuttel with friends Adrian Becker and Alessio Allegrucci are proud Capetonians who visited Knysna last week but travelled back home to vote, saying ‘we wish the rest of the country could see what has been achieved in the Mother City’ - read more opinions on pages 4 & 5. And oh, don’t forget that mothers rule the world, so spoil them silly this Sunday, ok?

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CXPRESS

News & Views

7 May 2014

A toast to 100 years for Missus Pris!

RISCILLA Anderson’s 100th birthday, held at Formosa Garden Village (FGV) in Plettenberg Bay, was a joyous occasion attended by friends and fam-

ily. Her brother’s daughter, Penny Edge – who calls her Pris, “as do all our family and most of her friends” – made a delightful speech to mark this significant celebration.

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Priscilla, youngest child of Augusta and Walter Grout was born on 16 April 1914 in Parkview, Johannesburg. She grew up in a happy environment and was spoilt by her two older brothers, Reg and Peter, both of whom she was very fond. She was educated at Parktown Girls High and afterwards worked as a secretary at the legal firm of Webber Wentzel, which she enjoyed. She was a keen and able tennis player and always enjoyed socialising which, in those days, consisted of tennis parties and dances at the Wanderers or Johannesburg Country Club. “She had a large circle of friends and, in fact, introduced her brother - my father, Peter - to my mother. She also introduced Laurie, David Locke’s father, to his mother, Sybil,” said Penny. In-between matchmaking, she met her future husband, Neville Griffin, who had two sons. During her marriage to Neville she travelled to his home country, New Zealand. He was a keen fisherman and while there, Pris bagged the trophy for the biggest marlin caught by a woman, which today is on display at Plett Angling Club. Neville sadly passed away and, so Pris was widowed in her early 40s. His sons have also sadly passed on.

Sometime afterwards, she was invited to a tennis party and while playing tennis, she fell and was helped to her feet by Douglas Anderson, who ultimately became her second husband. Douglas had two daughters, Trish and Liz, of whom Pris was very fond. He was a distinguished cricketer who played for Transvaal and was always respected as a real gentleman. They lived

in Houghton. The couple moved from Johannesburg to Formosa Garden Village about 30 years ago, making Pris the oldest and longest-standing resident there. Pris and Douglas enjoyed many happy years together in the Village and had a wide circle of friends. Sadly, Douglas passed away one month before his 100th birthday, a few years ago. RECORD-BREAKER: Priscilla Anderson is Formosa Garden Village’s oldest and longeststanding resident, having moved to this Plettenberg Bay retirement establishment with her late husband, Douglas Anderson, during August 1983

TAKING THE CAKE: The centenary celebration was attended by friends and family from near and far - here birthday girl ‘Pris’ cuts the cake, with Formosa Garden Village assistant manager Gerda Wentzel cheering her on

Pris was a keen gardener, a good home maker and loved entertaining. In later years, she enjoyed her bridge. She also travelled a bit with Douglas. She has been living in the Riley wing of FGV for the past few years, where she has been looked after extremely well by the matron, sisters and nurse, as well as the management and staff of the administration wing. Penny thanked all her carers and visitors on Pris’s behalf for seeing to her wellbeing, before drinking a toast on Aunt Pris’s good heath on her happy 100th birthday.

Hear David Hall-Green at next Historical Society meet

HOSE who attend the Van Plettenberg Historical Society’s next gathering, on Sunday May 11 at Plett Angling Club, will be riveted by local resident and pioneer of early South African television David Hall-

Green’s talk on ‘The Battle of Omdurman’. Always an excellent venue for meetings and functions of all kinds, the Angling Club is set on the western bank of the Keurbooms River and, apart from drink-

ing in the view, attendees will also be able to opt for a buffet lunch prepared by the club’s kitchen. Arrive at 10:30 for 11am – visitors pay R30 per person for the talk and members R20 (annual subscription is

R60 per member). Please phone Jacky le Roux on 082 490 9910 for reservations, and visit www.pletthistory. org or email info@pletthistory.org for more information on the Van Plettenberg Historical Society.

News & Views

7 May 2014

Cash courier bludgeoned outside Standard Bank MIKE KANTEY was in the wrong place at the right time on Monday morning...

was just on my way to perform some banking duties at Standard Bank in the Mellville’s Corner Upper Gallery when I was met by ambulances and police tape. According to eye-witness accounts, two bagmen from Melvilles Spar were carrying a substantial amount of cash upstairs to the bank when accosted around 11am by three armed men, who made good their escape via Marine Drive in a blue EC-registered car. One of the cash carriers was apparently pistol-whipped in full view of astounded wit-

nesses right outside the front door, before being stabilised by Medlife paramedics and carried off to an unnamed hospital. One witness, who did not wish to be identified, said that Standard Bank had recently removed the guard outside the doors to the bank and next to the ATM machines because “they could not afford it”. Similarly, the Mellville’s guards, who are normally extremely efficient and professional, were “elsewhere” at the time.

None of the key stakeholders - SAPS, Standard Bank, or Medlife - were available for comment at the time of going to press. ß" Rngvv" rqnkeg" ctg" wtigpvn{" nqqmkpi"hqt"c"hgocng"d{uvcpf/ gt"yjq"ucy"vjg"uwurgevu"igv/ vkpi" kpvq" c" dnwg" Pkuucp" Ugp/ vtc"ykvj"tgikuvtcvkqp"pwodgt" FIF" ;72" GE." yjkej" ycu" crrctgpvn{" rctmgf" dgjkpf" \cp|kdct." cpf" ycu" ncvgt" tg/ eqxgtgf"htqo"Ucnocem"Uvtggv0 Kv" ku" qh" wvoquv" korqtvcpeg" vjcv" vjg" ncf{" yjq" ucy" vjg" uwurgevu" eqpvcevu" Y1Q" Lqjp" Pqofqg"qp"266"723"3;77"qt" 294"45;"54:;0

No news on identity of body found off Stanley Island in Plett Yolande Stander

ATIONAL Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) volunteers recovered the body of a middle-aged man from the Keurbooms Lagoon at Stanley Island last week. Although the exact cause of death is still unknown, police received information that the man had drowned on Thursday, May 1.

Plettenberg Bay police spokesperson Lieutenant Marlene Pieterse said police were contacted by a visitor from Rondebosch in Cape Town who spotted the body at about 11:10am. “Information received suggests that the man had drowned,” Pieterse said. NSRI spokesman Craig Lambinon said local NSRI volunteers were requested by Plettenberg Bay police

to assist with recovering the body. “They assisted by launching a sea rescue craft to ferry police members to Stanley Island in the Keurbooms Lagoon, where the body was recovered by the police,” Lambinon said. Pieterse said the man’s identity was also still unknown, but that police estimated his age at about 40 years.

Former Knysna student gets 20 years behind bars in matricide case

ORMER Knysna High School pupil Phoenix Racing Cloud Theron could be called to testify against her boyfriend, Kyle Maspere, when he stands trial for allegedly murdering her entertainer mother last year. The 19-year-old was sentenced to 20 years behind bars, of which five were suspended, in the Western Cape High Court on Friday after entering a plea bargain admitting she had

helped Maspere kill her 39-year-old mother Rosemary Theron. In her plea bargain she stated that she would be willing to take the witness stand against Maspere. The pre-trial conference for Maspere, 18, and coaccused Godfrey Scheepers, 20 - who allegedly helped move the body and confessed to police about where the body was buried - has been set for May 23, after which the two will be

tried separately. In his confession Scheepers stated that on March 7 last year, Phoenix had hugged her mother after an argument before Maspere strangled her from behind. Theron’s body was found in a shallow grave at Strandfontein Pavilion in Cape Town in September last year, six months after Phoenix reported her mother missing. Ictfgp"Tqwvg"Ogfkc

CXPRESS

News & Views

7 May 2014

2014 ELECTIONS

Words & photos: Ingrid Erlank

Heed Tannie Evita’s call to ‘carry the rainbow beyond obstacles’

STEADY GROWTH: Rob and Shelley Stead from Gauteng are invested in this country and have every reason to vote

STYLING: Clementine Mbatani says many doors have opened for her and her family over the past 20 years

OPTIMISTIC: James Harris believes this generation will stand up against a government that doesn’t stimulate the economy

PART OF THE CHANGE: Bavi and Eben Whisgary will be casting their votes in Cape Town

HE big day is here! The right of all South Africans to draw their crosses in the first democratic elections 20 years ago was extremely hard-won. Today, May 7, the nation has its fifth opportunity to do so. After being bombarded for months with ads underlining the importance of voting ‘for the community’, ‘for the country’ and ‘for Madiba’, CXPRESS hit the streets of Knysna to find out if regular people are thwarted to do so. Did voting in the previous elections make a difference to their lives? Do they feel their ‘precious ballot’ is important enough, or is it pointless? Satirist and icon Pieter-Dirk Uys observed that a campaign encouraging South Africans to spoil their voting papers to avoid giving votes to the ANC is turning this precious gift into “a piece of political toilet paper”. He called voting the most selfish act we are allowed in a democracy: to vote for ourselves. “You are voting for your future, your life, your dream.” Uys encouraged all to take that vote. “It is the key to your door, to the rest of your life. If you don’t bother to open it, you will be left behind.” Overall, the community of Knysna seems to share his view. There are those who feel that “there is no door to open”, and if there was they “definitely are not the lucky ones that have a key”. A group of women fishing next to the Knysna Estuary were not prepared to engage or be named. Disillusioned and without “any hope for change” in their life-time, the women domestic workers all in their 40s - eventually shared some thoughts. “No-one needs our vote. We have been treated as unimportant from the day we were born and we still don’t have a place in this country or this town,” said the eldest of the group. Her friend

nudged her gently and added that they were just not black or white enough. This created bantering and laughter about their state in society, and the youngest of the group bitterly said: “We are born and bred in Knysna, but we will never be part of its future. Nothing has changed in our communities. “There is no work. Girls as young as 12 fall pregnant and the men are high on Tik. Mothers are lying drunk in the streets and the kids are hungry. We cross the bridge into town and the whites are sitting with filled trolleys drinking coffee at restaurants while we are at their homes cleaning up after them.” Another said: “I only got today off because I asked to be paid more because it is a holiday. Voting day is a holiday, so you will find me here fishing ... resting ... without pay.” “Yes,” said the eldest of the ‘People are confused. We don’t trust our government enough and we don’t trust the opposition enough. We want to vote, but do not know for whom.’ group, “we are here catching something for our dinner. Do you really think voting will change any of this?” Maria Solomons from Hornlee said if she voted it would be her fifth time. “The first time was very exciting. In the beginning I believed it will change my life. I kept on believing. Now I don’t know anymore. I’m not sure if I’ll vote again. I’m getting old now.” We ventured further alongside the fishing waters where we found Stephen Jantjies, a pensioner from the same community. “Yes, I will vote for the government,” he said. “They pay my pension. Who else will look after me?” Mariaan van der Linde, also enjoying a day out in Knysna, said she would always “hope and pray” for change. “The time has come for

RESIGNED: Being a pensioner Stephen Jantjies believes he is dependent on government to look after him

government to start looking after everyone. Corruption must end. Racism was only turned around. “Our government should be a government for all its people. I will vote for this dream to become a reality for all.” “My vote is my voice,” said Clementine Mbatani, proud Knysna resident, grandmother and SANParks employee, adding that the past 20 years had changed her life considerably. “It has opened doors to me. My grandchild is free to enjoy the opportunities that are abundant in this country. I’m proud to vote, and I believe in the future of this country and its people”. A very optimistic James Harris believes in “this era and the people of this era”. He said he believed there were enough reasonable South Africans who would stand up against a government whose policies did not stimulate the economy. “We all want mechanisms to be in place to give everyone the opportunity to prosper through individual initiative. We want to build relationships and create sound and healthy infrastructure. I do believe there are leaders out there that can achieve this. “I will vote and work and contribute wherever I can to make this happen. It is not too late,” he said. Two East London girls,

Pumla Maki and Thabisa Mlambo, plan to move to Knysna. They agreed that SA had moved considerably, but not nearly enough. “People out there are confused. We don’t trust our government enough and we don’t trust the opposition enough. We want to vote but do not know for whom.” Holidaymakers we spoke to all planned to be back at home in time to vote. Lynn Bornman said she and her husband made arrangements to vote in Cape Town before they came to Knysna. “We have every reason to vote - it is our responsibility to do so. This country is so worth it. I will never give up.” Rob Stead from Gauteng said while on holiday he stayed abreast of what political parties were up to. “There is a great tool available online where you can get insight into policies. “I’m invested in this country. My wife, Shelley, and I are raising our three sons here. We have every reason to vote.” Bavi and Eben Whisgary would be back in Cape Town to vote. “There are huge stumbling blocks. Everyone wants to see change and we want to be part of it,” the couple said. For Adrian Becker and Alessio Allegrucci it will be To page 5

News & Views

7 May 2014

CXPRESS

2014 ELECTIONS From page 4 their first time at the voting poll. Both are optimistic and look forward to making their cross. “We are the generation that only know democracy. We don’t have to have lived in apartheid to understand how far we have come,” said Allegrucci. “I am proud of this country and I think we can make it if we stay informed and active and use our democratic right to fight for what is right.” Chiara and Adrian Kuttel were optimistic that South Africans would again stand together and “make right what is wrong”. “If we can learn to respect one another and care for one another we will make better choices. We don’t have bank accounts in other countries. Everything we have is invested here. It is our privilege. “This country is our heritage and we want to protect it. We will keep on voting for change. We are proud of the change we see in Cape Town and we want this for the rest of South Africa.” It seems that Pieter-Dirk Uys’s birthday message to the nation might have been taken to heart by most. He called on South Africans to help carry the rainbow beyond obstacles. “Don’t boo. Just vote!”

Words & photos: Mike Kantey

Plett people unapologetic about their right to vote

S the elections are now upon us and most active parties’ campaigns have climaxed this past weekend, at the time of writing it seems appropriate to look back to the results of the General Elections in April 2009, before comparing with the actual results in June 2014. In 2009, the voting station at KwaNokuthula Hall recorded a whopping 1,273 votes for the ruling African National Congress (ANC), or 68.26% of the vote, at a time when the current mayor, Memory Booysen, was an ardent ANC supporter and highly popular in the township. At that time, the Congress of the People (COPE) had been as yet unruffled by leadership disputes and recorded a respectable 530 votes, while the Democratic Alliance (DA) recorded 19, Bantu Holomisa’s United Democratic Movement 12, and the Pan-Africanist Congress (PAC) 10 votes. At the station where I voted, the Plettenberg Bay Primary School next to the N2, the DA received an equally enthusiastic 1,546 votes, the ANC 114, COPE 87, the Freedom Front Plus (FF+) 42, and the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP)

40 votes. Given the balance of power between the two bastions of “separate development”, therefore, it is to the artificially created “Coloured” people that we must turn to find the swing vote - a kind of power that is very little appreciated by most commentators and policy wonks. In New Horizons (and similarly in Kranshoek), the ANC received 685 votes, COPE and the DA exactly the same 562 votes, and the Independent Democrats (now merged with the DA and ceasing to exist after May 7) 90 votes. It is no accident, therefore, that the DA rules Plettenberg Bay at local level with the blessing of COPE, but that - with the arrival of Agang and our then floor-crossing mayor - an entirely new dynamic might be visible when the votes are finally counted. Although serious doubts have been cast on the impartiality of the Independent Electoral Commission, the courts have granted a stay of execution, so even that result we’ll only know in June, if ever. In the meantime, a fast sample of local Plettenberg Bay residents revealed a colourful assortment of opinion.

ANOTHER UNIVERSE: Artist Jeandri Knight’s only concern is that the country doesn’t go up in flames

While local bank teller Sivuyile Ncanyula confessed that he was not “political” but wished that the elections would be “free and fair”, upmarket waiter Mso Majiya said that he did not “believe in this [national] leadership”. “We have a good story to tell, but they are not getting it right, but I will vote, for sure,” he said.

JOBS ARE KEY: Marthinus Borcherds from New Horizons reckons the DA will keep the Western Cape

Young, up-and-coming designer Jeandri Knight was less positive about her right to vote. “Politics is a load of rubbish,” she said. “As an artist, it doesn’t matter to me. As long as the country doesn’t blow up, I’m happy.” In that all-important New Horizons constituency, however, awning trader Marthi-

nus Borcherds was unapologetic. “The government must make an effort for new jobs,” he said, “but the DA will keep the Western Cape.” Given the fresh, new variety of opinion, then - a definite sign that many South African voters have reached political maturity - this will prove one of the most fascinating elections since 1974.

CXPRESS

News & Views

7 May 2014

What was your Argus time?

The first event and the invention of A and B Categories – Final With this year’s event still fresh in the memory of participants and cycling fans the world over, JOHN STEGMANN concludes his six-part account on the run-up to the first Argus Cycle Tour

ART 1 of this series asked why every participant is timed, and how that was done in the early days. The answers flow from the ideas touched on earlier and from my writing the rules and wanting them based on International Human Powered Vehicle Association rules: Tkfg" yjcvgxgt" ncpf" xgjkeng" {qw" ycpv" rtqxkfgf" vjcv" kv" ku" jwocp"rqygtgf"qpn{0 However, the essence of the event was to demonstrate to the Cape City Fathers that cyclists would appear if the

City agreed to provide a network of car-free and enjoyable paths for cycling. Official scepticism meant that we wanted the car-free use of the most scenic roads from the Castle to Camps Bay to prove our assertion and get that network built. Neither Bill nor I had ever cycled 100km, and many of us regarded this course as a great challenge. I was pleased when a handful of “racing cyclists” asked to ride, although this posed further difficulties. They were registered with the SA Cycling Federation and therefore restricted to SACF-sanctioned events and to bicycles as defined by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI). It was unreasonable to have every participant register with SACF and I wanted IHPVA rules to prevail. After lengthy discussions, Hugh Dale agreed to the suggestion that we might ride the same course on the same day under our separate rules, starting at different times. In order to decide the winner, the WP Pedal Power Association undertook to time everyone. Realising that if the registered cyclists left before us we’d never see them again, they left half an hour later in Category B. Rondebosch Rotarians agreed to help with the event and time-keeping by staffing the refreshment stations at Simonstown, Good Hope

Nature Reserve, Kommetjie, and Camps Bay. A batch of four tickets with their race number was issued to every participant with instructions to hand one to Rotarians at each check point.

Rotarians would record the time on the card. Days later we sat around Betty Goble’s kitchen table with an assortment of tickets to compile a list of the 500odd participants sorted by finishing time. Today, individual times and placings are popular features of the event. Lost in the mists of time are the network of cyclepaths and the fact that this was the world’s first event to combine UCI and IHPVA rules. 4236"´"Lqjp"Uvgiocpp

CYCLE ART: Artist Rudy Roth’s wonderful poster depicting the WPPPA logo as created by a formation of cyclists, including one or two with fairings and a recumbent - the small type, in Afrikaans and English, reads ‘104km ride for all cyclists organised by w.p. pedal power association in association with the cape heart foundation supported by the rotary club of rondebosch, ask your cycle dealer’

Tsitsikamma section of Garden Route National Park gets R17-million boost

HE Tsitsikamma Section of the Garden Route National Park (GRNP) has received a R17-million boost from the Expanded Public Infrastructure Programme (EPIP) to upgrade existing infrastructure. According to Tsitsikamma area manager Lesley-Ann Meyer, planned upgrades in the Park include 17 oceanettes overlooking the marine area, the administration office (reception area in Storms River), paving and road works for the Otter camp, and replacement of the entrance gate to Storms River. Meyer adds that visitors to the Park will not be inconvenienced when construction starts. “It is structured in such a way that visitors will have alternatives.” Tsitsikamma was declared a National Park in 1964, subsequent to a conference held in Seattle that encouraged a move to protect marine as well as terrestrial (forestry

and land) areas. The marine area was protected by the old National Parks Act until the 1980s, when it emerged that the area qualified as a Marine Protected Area (MPA) under the Marine Living Resources Act (1998). Tsitsikamma means ‘place of many waters’. Its MPA is split in two parts - the De Vasselot Section Controlled Zone and the Tsitsikamma No-Take Zone. A total of 202 species of fish, sharks and rays from 84 families have been recorded in the Tsitsikamma MPA alone, and 15 of these can be found on the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) red data list as either vulnerable or near-threatened, while many other fish species protected by the MPA are classified as over-exploited or collapsed in South Africa. It is home to one of the Garden Route’s big trees, a Yellowood that is nearly

1000 years old. Two of Tsitsikamma’s hiking trails, the Otter and the Dolphin trail, enjoy Green Flag status and were declared as such by a national hiking watchdog, the Hiking Organisation of South Africa. The Green Flag system ensures that hiking trails meet standards in terms of trail outlay, accommodation, facilities and service, as well as the conservation of natural resources. In turn, hikers are guaranteed that their expectations will be met and that they also receive value for money. Natures Valley Beach, also part of the National Park, has enjoyed Blue Flag status for several years in succession an indication that the beach meets all stringent environmental criteria required, including water quality standards, safety, and more. Ecnn"Pcpfk"Oiycfncodc" qp"266"524"7855"qt"29:"924" ;885"hqt"oqtg"kphqtocvkqp0

News & Views

7 May 2014

CXPRESS

West Coast fisherman traverses the Route on his 1800 kilometre Redemption Run

AMBERT’S Bay fisherman Marius Brown set out from the Grand Parade on April 20 to undertake a 1800km solo Redemption Run from Cape Town to Durban over 42 days, to raise awareness about the issue of absent fathers and how it negatively impacts the lives

which outlines a set of rights protecting children. Marius plans to complete his journey by running the Comrades Ultra Marathon from Pietermaritzburg to Durban on Sunday June 1. “This is an extraordinary effort of Marius, whose Redemption Run demonstrates his commitment to his family and his responsibility towards them.

of children and society. “Through personal experience I believe that fatherless and neglected children are more susceptible to crime and other social problems than those in stable homes,” says Marius. “Fathers need to take responsibility for their children

FOR THE CHILDREN: Marius Brown, second from left, kicked off his 1800km Redemption Run from Cape Town to Durban on April 20, cheered on by, from left, his son Jason, his adopted son Jake, extreme adventurer Braam Malherbe, and his daughter Manina

ON THE ROUTE: Marius Brown shakes on the next leg of his epic run with constable Marcel Prinsloo of George Flying Squad - the unit is responsible for ensuring that Marius gets from one destination to the next unscathed, if rather stiff and tired...

‘Taxi’ turned his life around

ARIUS Brown, 43, is a fisherman and father from Lambert’s Bay on the West Coast. On 13 January 1986, 15-year-old Marius watched his only brother drown, helplessly, in front of his own eyes. As the years passed by, Marius struggled to accept his brother’s death and suffered a tremendous sense of guilt for not being able to save his brother. Later in life, he got divorced and for Marius, the only escape was through alcohol - a dark time, as he watched his entire life fall apart. During the lowest point in

his life in 2008, something miraculous happened, which he saw as a turning point and is entirely grateful for. Well-known South African actor Ian Roberts and award-winning producer Barbara Snell offered him a role in their movie, Gxgt{ocp‚u"Vczk. During this time, Marius realised how he had deserted his own children and how he had not fulfilled any of the promises he had made to them. It was then he knew he had to break out of his state of self-pity and addiction to alcohol and turn his life around for the better.

and strive to keep their families together on a solid foundation of love.” A recovered alcoholic who himself grew up without a father, Marius became estranged from his own children following his divorce. But he was determined to redeem himself and rebuild his relationship with his son and daughter, whom he had abandoned. The Redemption Run represents the healing process between Marius and his kids. “Our society has become dysfunctional and communities have been taken hostage

by young people who are looking for a sense of belonging in gangs,” he says. Marius is being supported on his journey by extreme adventurer Braam Malherbe, who ran the SA coastline and Great Wall of China to raise money for Operation Smile. They arrived in George on May 1 and enjoyed a rest day in Storms River Village on Monday before hitting the road to Kareedouw yesterday. Along the way, Marius holds public meetings about Active Fatherhood and presents a Children’s Charter to the mayors of selected towns,

“I trust that other fathers - especially those absent by choice from playing an active role in the lives of their children - will understand the importance of their responsibilities and that these absent fathers will learn from Marius’s journey,” says councillor Raelene Arendse, Portfolio Chairperson for Social Development & Early Childhood Development.

CXPRESS

Interval

7 May 2014

Democracy must be something more than two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for dinner. - James Bovard, Civil Libertarian (1994)

You are proudly South African when… • You produce a R100 note instead of your driver’s licence when stopped by a traffic officer. • You can do your monthly shopping on the pavement. • You have to hire a security guard whenever you park your car. • You can count the national soccer team’s scores with no fingers. • To get free electricity you have to pay a connection fee of R750. • Hijacking cars is recognised as a profession. • You can pay your tuition fees by holding up a sign at a traffic light. • The petrol in your tank may be worth more than your car. • More people vote in a re-

ality TV show than in a national election. • People have the most wonderful names: Christmas, Goodwill, Pretty, Wednesday, Blessing, Brilliant, Gift, Precious, Innocence, and Given. • “Now now” can mean anything from a minute to a month. • You continue to wait after a traffic light has turned to green to make way for taxis that are travelling in the opposite direction. • Travelling at 120km per hour, you are the slowest vehicle on the highway. • You’re genuinely and pleasantly surprised whenever you find your car parked where you left it. • A bullet train is being in-

The meaning of ‘propaganda’

ATIEP was sitting reading the Ecrg"Ctiwu while his wife, Meraai, was busy in the kitchen. He called through to her: “Umcvvkg, there’s a word here in the paper I don’t understand. What does ‘propaganda’ mean?” She came in dusting the flour from her hands. “Propaganda means like this, Ga-

tiep,” she said, “I had three kids from my ggtuvg husband and two kids from my vyggfg husband. From you I have had pkmu… no kids. “You had no kids from your ggtuvg wife and no kids from your vyggfg"wife. Also no kids from me. “That shows you, Gatiep, that I’m a proper goose, but you’re not a propaganda.”

I smell with my little nose…

mother mole, father mole, and baby mole lived in a hole outside a farmhouse in the country. One day, the father mole poked his head out of the hole and said: “Mmm, I smell sausage!” The mother mole also poked her head out of the

hole and said: “Mmm, I smell pancakes!” The baby mole tried to poke his head out of the hole but couldn’t for the life of him get past the two bigger moles. Finally, giving up, he said: “The only thing I can smell is molasses!”

troduced, but we can’t fix potholes. • The last time you visited the coast you paid more in speeding fines and toll fees than you did for the entire holiday. • You paint your car’s registration on the roof. • You have to take your own linen with you if you are admitted to a government hospital. • You have to prove that you don’t need a loan in order to get one. • Prisoners go on strike. • You don’t stop at a red traffic light, in case somebody hijacks your car. • You consider it a good month if you only get mugged once. • Rwandan refugees start

leaving the country because the crime rate is too high. • The employees dance in front of the building to show how unhappy they are. • The SABC advertises and shows highlights of the programme you just finished watching. • You get cold easily. Anything below 16 degrees Celsius is Arctic weather. • You call a bathing suit a ‘swimming costume’. • You know what Rooibos tea is, even if you’ve never had any. • You can sing your national anthem in four languages, and you have no idea what it means in any of them. • You know someone who knows someone who has met Nelson Mandela.

I went to the zoo the other day. They only had one dog there it was a Shitzu...

Business

7 May 2014

Dodge the risks as cost of living soars

ONSUMERS are reeling from price pressures and will have to start spending strictly according to a budget, while treading cautiously to cover key financial risks, says head of Sanlam

Investor Focus

Growth Market Solutions Karin Muller, following the recent release of the latest Consumer Price Index. While consumer inflation edged up from 5.8% in January to 5.9% in February (just

under the SARB target ceiling of 6%), this might not be the experience of most people, given that inflation impact is based on each individual’s own budget and way of spending income. The reality of price increases is felt across the board, says Muller. “Not only are

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

Investment advice and your needs Ogfkecn"ckf analysis – Part I This is absolutely crucial -

EVERAL of the sad investment stories brought before the Ombudsman have a similar theme: their investment advisor has given inappropriate instruction. This occurs despite the fact that the office of the Financial Services Board insists on advisors doing an in-depth needs analysis before recommending any asset allocation. In a recent case, an advisor recommended to a retiree in his early 60s the acquisition of a set of aggressive equity unit trusts for his Living Annuity. The advisor had considered the need to ensure that his client’s income would keep abreast with inflation for at least 60 years. However, when the market suddenly took a short-term plunge, the client found his income sharply reduced. The Ombudsman found in favour of the client, because he had absolutely no other assets. He chastised the advisor for not executing a proper needs analysis, and thus giving inappropriate advice resulting in an asset allocation that was far too aggressive. That said, many financial advisors would rather err on the side of caution and use only balanced funds. It is this practice that Coronation

referred to as “reckless conservatism”, because inflation can devastate one’s income over a longer period. How do you ascertain that your financial advisor has truly done a comprehensive needs analysis? The following advice exercise - based on the old Investment Advice examination written by all stockbrokers who are members of the Institute of Stockbrokers - is a particularly sound investigation of one’s financial situation. The criteria that should be considered are as follows: Cig"/"Ot"82"{gctu."Otu"79{tu This is the first step in the analysis and it obviously relates to the inflation threat. At least 20 years of inflation must be anticipated. If the client is over 80, then clearly the inflation risk is less while a regular income is more important. If the client is in his mid-40s, then other financial needs come into focus, i.e. the need to educate children. Ejknftgp It is important that retirees establish whether their offspring are financially independent, and if they live outside of South Africa. (Will Granny need to visit them in Sydney?)

aged 60-80, the need for replacement surgery is a stark reality, while 40-year-olds may well be faced with large family medical bills. Jgcnvj For the elderly this is of primary importance, as failing health may result in frail-care expenses and many other costs not covered by medical aids. Younger families may have a multitude of ailments spread over time that could drain the coffers of a growing household. Jqog First and foremost to be factored in is the existence of a bond. Then one should obtain an educated guess, at the very least, of the home’s value. For retirees, this is often the asset of last resort, while the majority of younger families have a bond. Kpuwtcpeg For a growing family, this is essential and requires expert advice and guidance. (This exercise in needs analysis will continue in the next edition.) Ocneqno"jcu"dggp"kp"vjg" kpxguvogpv"kpfwuvt{"hqt"qxgt" 62"{gctu0"Jg"jcu"ytkvvgp" vjku"eqnwop"kp"EZRTGUU" hqt"vjg"ncuv"37"{gctu"cpf"ku" c"urgekcnkuv"kp"ocpcikpi" tgvktgf"ygcnvj0

An annual game plan is crucial to the success of your business

UST as a rugby team needs a proper game plan, successful business owners need an annual plan to guide their growth, focus on main priorities, track their progress and manage their resources this according to Plettenberg Bay-based Sanlam consultant Lyle Harker. Sanlam recently launched an e-book entitled Icog"Rncp" hqt"Uweeguu, which is specifically aimed at business owners and sets out a well-crafted framework needed to grow your business. Lyle says an annual game plan is critical to the success of any business. It allows you to move proactively towards defined objectives, rather than just reacting to business events. You can focus on priorities. You can embrace your

strengths and move away from your weaknesses. You can track your progress towards goals, measure results, and manage the business. A business game plan should not be confused with your original business plan, however. “Whereas your business plan got you into the game, a game plan keeps you in the game,” says Lyle. “Your game plan is the deciding factor between your business growing and succeeding, or not.” A game plan allows you to improve your business performance, exploit opportunities, and identify threats while continually improving your market-share, volume and profitability. “Your business truly is the sum of all its parts. If you

only focus on the big things like your financials, you will not be successful if, for instance, your website is out of date.” Lyle concludes that the best time to prepare your game plan is at the start of your fiscal year, but adds that other occasions calling for an immediate update include losing or acquiring a key account or client. The new Sanlam Icog" Rncp" hqt" Uweeguu e-book is available to business owners free of charge - visit www. sanlam.co.za/gameplan to download it. Ucpnco"ku"c"nkegpugf" hkpcpekcn"ugtxkegu"rtqxkfgt0" Rjqpg"N{ng"Jctmgt"qp" 29;":44";224"qt"2:3"573" 9226"cpf"ugg"vjg"cfxgtv" qp"vjku"rcig"hqt"cffkvkqpcn" kphqtocvkqp0

CXPRESS consumers still trying to absorb the 50 basis point interest rate increase announced in February, but we also have to manage our budgets to deal with a monthly consumer inflation increase of 1.1%, food, petrol and health insurance being main contributors to the upward pressure.” Muller says the CPI shows food and non-alcoholic beverages inflation increased to 5.4% from 3.5% just two months ago. Bread and cereal products increased by an average 1.8% month on month, with super maize meal up by 4% and white bread increasing by 2.6% month on month. Beyond this, the petrol price increased by 39c per litre in February, resulting in a 2.9% monthly increase. This takes annual petrol inflation to 14% for the past year, mainly as a result of a 20.4% increase in the oil price and 23.7% rand depreciation. According to Muller, health insurance fees, surveyed in February each year, carry a weight of 7.9% in the consumer basket and showed an average increase of 8.3%. She says tough economic times call for a disciplined approach to personal financial management, ensuring that families are not placed at unnecessary risk. “Families are dependent on breadwinners, so it is essential to prioritise life and disability cover.”

CXPRESS

Social Scene

7 May 2014 QUEENS OF THE UNIVERSE, UNITE! The picture of glittering glamour and great genes, in most cases, the lineup at left features, from left, current Mr Mardi Gras Mortimer van der Westhuizen, Mr Gay SA 2014 Werner de Waal, Miss Mardi Gras Victoria Styles, and international celebrity Mr Gay World Chris Olwage. The pics here were taken during the wellattended Saturday street parade. At right, Mr GSA poses for the camera with the Knysna Animal Welfare mascot, while Sheefa and Monique strike an elegant pose. Below left, the CXPRESS camera receives a friendly wave from Sue Brand. With her is DA councillor of Knysna’s Ward 10, Richard Dawson. Below, the Monkeyland crew, here flanking their faithful gorilla, created as big a stir as ever during the parade. - Gigi Lewis

People, places & events

GOLF FOR A GREAT CAUSE: The Seeff golf day held recently at Plettenberg Bay Country Club was a great success raising R26,000 for Reach for Recovery’s breast cancer cause. Seen with the winners, Rodney Gray and Colleen Robinson, at centre, are Seeff Plettenberg Bay licensee Linda Engelsman, left, and June Milburne-Pyle of Reach for Recovery. See the Seeff ads on pages 1 and 3 of this edition.

Photo: FinePlaces PR

THANKS FOR A FUN FUNDRAISER: The Rotary Club of Plettenberg Bay held its annual Golf Day at Plett Country Club recently. The event was extremely successful and greatly enjoyed by over 90 players and funds raised will be used for projects in the community. Much of the success on the day is due to the support received from local merchants, hotels and restaurants without whom the event would not be sustainable. In addition, the management and staff of the Country Club went out of their way to ensure the smooth running of the event. Rotary would like to thank the following sponsors and donors: ADT, PJ Victor Insurance Brokers, Sanlam Private Investments, Plett Medicine Depot, HDRS Attorneys, Pop it Inn Storage, Dealan Construction, Kurland Brick, Michael Rapp, Nolan’s Carpets, West Holmes Painting, Tim & Biffy Wiener, Theo Jager, Dulux, The Lookout Deck, PBCC Pro Shop, Cliffy Barnard, The Med Bistro Restaurant, Total BI, Plett Appliances, Mr Clean, The Fat Fish, Fat & Finn, Tenikwa, The Bell Tavern Belvidere, SAB Miller, The Plettenberg Hotel, Plett Handigas, Rice & Linen, Chas Everitt and Peter Bailey. In the photograph above are, from left, Rotarian Past President Dermot Stobart with two of the winners, Mike Stuart and Brian Madeley.

UNIQUE ART EXCURSION NOW IN SEDGEFIELD: South Africa’s first official Mosaic Tour launched in Sedgefield last month, and celebrating the occasion here are, from left, councillor Louise Hart, tour guide Philip, Petricia Pieterse, Jacky Weaver and Greg Vogt. The taxi pictured here is used to transport guests on the Mosaic Tour, and Philip is actually a trained artisan and expert craftsman who knows the artworks experienced during the tour on an intimate level. The unique excursion takes 90 minutes and costs R90 per person. Handson mosaic classes are also offered on Wednesdays, and are priced from R90 per adult and R65 per child. Phone Sedgefield Tourism on 044 343 2658, email sedgefield@ visitknysna.co.za or visit www.visitknysna. co.za for more information.

WHOLE BODY BENEFITS: The Plett Yang Style Tai Chi Group got together on Saturday April 26 to participate in World Tai Chi & Chi Gong Day. Says group member Jennie Anderson: ‘We are a small beginners group who meet from 8-9am on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays at St Peter’s Church hall. We are affiliated to the International Tai Chi Society and classes cover Elements and Form from Yang Style Tai Chi, as well as various Qi Gong Health exercises.’ Tai Chi is a martial art that promotes well-being through balanced posture and breathing ‘Whole Body’ is exercised and toned by relaxed movements. Call Jennie on 072 128 7424 to find out more.

Entertainment

7 May 2014

CXPRESS

Generous artists share secrets of their craft visitors were able to quaff a welcome glass of chilled white wine along the way and everybody enjoyed the glorious weather and spectacular scenery. All proceeds from the day, after deduction of costs, will benefit the Kids of Kurland Project - a charity that seeks

Words & photos: Timothy Twidle

HE first-ever Artists Open Studios day in Plettenberg Bay and surrounding areas, held on Sunday April 27, was a resounding success. The brainchild of Carol Levin, the occasion allowed visitors to call upon artists at work in their studios, to gain an understanding of how a work of art might be conceived, thought through, worked at and, finally, brought to fruition. All artists develop their own particular modus operandi over time and the seven who opened their studios on Freedom Day all reported a steady stream of callers throughout the day, with many callers eager to learn more about how a particular work of art was developed. The day kicked off in spectacular fashion with a bronze

JUST LOOKING IN: Artist Myfanwy Bekker, centre, shares a moment with Darren Lyon and Carmen Clews at her Lookout Centre studio in Plett

MOVING SPIRIT: Carol Levin, pictured in her Crags studio, was the inspiration of the Open Studios day in Plett and surrounds on April 27

Route ‘home away from home’ for Mr SA finalist

pour at the foundry of sculptor Robbie Leggat in Harkerville. Nigh on 100 people of all ages crowded into the studio and adjoining workshop, craning necks as they thrilled to the sight of molten metal being poured from a crucible into a number of prepared moulds. Thereafter, the day was taken up with a series of vis-

Bid without a sound at Knysna Car Show

IN HIS ELEMENT: Armand du Plessis puts his suave feet forward during a photo shoot at Views Boutique Hotel in Wilderness last month - and yes, that’s a Hilton Weiner suit… Photo: Peter Chan Photography

OBURGER Armand du Plessis, 25, may call Gauteng home, but his heart longs for the Wilderness while he pursues a law degree at Tuks. Setting him apart from your average Garden Route-loving legal eagle in the making is the fact that Armand is one of 50 finalists in this year’s Mr South Africa stakes. When R&R-ing down these parts last month, the ambitious and attractive Joburger dropped a line to CXPRESS in a bid to further his Mr South Africa campaign. “Why us?” we asked, all innocence. “Well,” responded Armand, “seeing that I’m very familiar with the area, having visited the family holiday home for more than two decades, I have seen and read CXPRESS many times before.” An obvious choice, then, Armand! “For the past 22 years, the Garden Route has been our holiday destination of choice – we visit your area and its beautiful beaches on a regular basis every year,” he explained. “My family owns a beach house in the Tsitsikamma

area, which we visit as often as is humanly possible. Originally from Gauteng Province, it is the ideal getaway from all the hustle and bustle of Johannesburg! “What makes this part of our country even more special - apart from the enormous amount of activities and beautiful surroundings the area has to offer - is the friendly people. “I started off the first day of 2014 with a Tree Top Canopy Tour in Storms River and plan to jump from the world’s tallest bungy bridge in the very near future. The Garden Route really is my home away from home.” You can find out more about Armand and the stiff competition he’s up against by visiting www. mrsa.co.za – read his reasons for wanting to be Mr South Africa and you’re sure to vote for him, but don’t delay, as the top 25 will be announced at the end of May. We wish wannabe-Garden Router Armand du Plessis all the best for his campaign, and hope he’ll be one of the 12 finalists strutting their stuff on the big night on December 12.

its to the places of work of Myfanwy Bekker in the heart of Plettenberg Bay town, David Kantey on the shores of Keurbooms Lagoon, Donné Rundle in Wittedrift, Charles & Carol Levin in The Crags, and Ruby Ovenstone in the lee of the Tsitsikamma Mountains. All of the artists were overly generous with their time and hospitality, for many

NYSNA is associated with nature rather than fast cars and petrol fumes, but all that changes in May, aka Speed Festival month. Thousands of car enthusiasts will descend on the town to enjoy a number of car-related, activities culminating in the Jaguar Simola Hillclimb from May 16-18. One of the events connected to the festival is the Knysna Motor Show on Sunday May 11. Hosted by the Garden Route Motor Club, this show is growing in popularity with last year’s attendance considerably up on the previous year. The organiser’s vision is to make it one of the mustattend events on the classic car calendar, while not forgetting the principal aim of improving the livelihood of the underprivileged people and animals in the area, as charities benefit annually from proceeds derived from the show. House of Classic & Sports Cars is proud to be a part of this aim and will be holding a Classic Car Auction where 10 classic, vintage, and sports cars will be offered to the highest bidder. The 6% bidder’s premium added to the sale price is given to the GRMC for do-

nation to charities of their choice. This year’s event will be a silent auction where boards are provided at the vehicles on offer, which will be available for viewing from 9:30am to 1pm. The auctioneer then visits each vehicle lot and records the highest offer which, if it reaches or exceeds the reserve price, means the vehicle is knocked down to the bidder concerned. If the highest offer is below reserve price, the auctioneer negotiates with the successful bidder and the seller with a view to concluding a sale. This is the only negotiation that will take place and no subsequent offers from other bidders will be considered. Cars submitted for this year’s auction include a 1935 DKW R5 Cabriolet, 1948 Chevrolet Fleetline, 1960 Opel Olympia Bakkie, 1928 Ford Model A Phaeton, 1930 Chevrolet Landau, 1947 Citroen Light 15, 1950 MG TD, 1958 Austin Healey Frogeye Sprite, 1926 Ford Model T Touring, 1965 Mercedes Benz 230S Fintail, 1968 Wolseley 1660 and 2003 Cobra Shelby. Xkukv"yyy0jqecue0eq0|c" cpf"ugg"vjg"cfxgtv"qp" vjg"dcem"rcig"hqt"hwtvjgt" kphqtocvkqp0

VROOM: Bikes and classic cars will share the stage at the weekend’s Knysna Car Show

to improve the education of children in the community of Kurland Village, located some 20km north-east of Plettenberg Bay. The day was greatly enjoyed by all and seems certain to become an annual event on the Plettenberg Bay art calendar.

CXPRESS

Woollen warmth makes it lekker to Come & Learn

OY Sachs had a plan: she needed 1,200 knitted squares. Not only did she achieve this goal, but exceeded it when her call to friends and clients of wool&more collectively created 1,300 squares that were dropped off at the shop in Plett’s CBD. And they’re still streaming in! As reported in CXPRESS of April 9, a multitude of able local and visiting ladies had been knitting squares during the past few weeks for Joy’s community project aimed at keeping small and vulnerable children warm this winter. More than 50 blankets were sewn together from

Home & Health

7 May 2014

the squares and new friends from near and far were made in the process. On the brilliant sunny morning of April 14, Joy was accompanied by Moyra Marais and Pauline Coubrough to hand the blankets over to Patricia Mbumba - the principal of the Come & Learn Crèche in Kurland Village. Two larger blankies were given to Patricia for her own two older children. Says Pauline: “It was a delight to listen to the children’s sing-along songs and experience the loving and care Patricia provides. Joy’s mission of love and care was accomplished.”

May 11 is spay day at Bossiesgif bicycle shed R ESIDENTS of Qolweni and Bossiesgif are next in line to benefit from one of the regular Plett Animal Welfare Services (PAWS) community spay days, scheduled for May 11. Says media liaison Marsja Hall-Green: “Once again, we are fortunate to have the services of about six local vets who will give up their precious free time to improve the health and welfare of our domestic animals. “During the last spay day in Kurland Village, these local heroes managed to spay and neuter in excess of 80 pets. This is by far the best way to prevent unwanted animals, thus contributing towards decreasing the incidence of abuse and neglect. “Although we still have a long way to go, we believe these interventions have al-

THAT’S WHAT FRIENDS DO: More than 80 pets were spayed and neutered during the previous spay day in Kurland Village

ready made a significant impact on the number of abandoned and neglected animals in Bitou.” All pet owners are urged to bring their dogs and cats to be sterilised FREE of

charge. Please bear in mind that this service is for people who cannot afford normal vet rates and not intended for those who want to score a freebie, so the PAWS team will review each case to en-

sure that the need is genuine. “We welcome the assistance of volunteers on the day to help process all arrivals and comfort the animals during their recovery. Any donations of towels and blankets will also be gratefully accepted please contact Di Butlin on 083 287 9917 if you can help. May’s spay day will take place at the Bicycle Shed Community Development Centre in Plett Industria on Sunday the 11th from 8:30am to 1pm. Make sure to arrive on time as this period will not be extended for latecomers. ß" Visit www.plett.paws. org.za or facebook.com/Plett Animal Welfare for more info, and call PAWS inspector Tracy van der Bijl on 083 287 9917 or Marie Gorton on 084 780 8626 if you would like to adopt one of the many pets in need of a happy home.

Passionate pansies and shrinking violas make for happy winter gardens MISSION ACCOMPLISHED: Come & Learn principal Patricia Mbumba, centre, and some of her little charges hug the blankies made especially for them by the wool&more ladies - at left is owner Joy Sachs, with Pauline Coubrough at right

HAT is the easiest way to tell the difference between pansies and violas? Their size, of course! As suggested by the expression “shrinking violet”, violas are the smaller of these two beauties - although it’s the Victorian meaning for viola, in reference to modesty, which gives a bit more context to origin of the idiom. Pansy, on the other hand, means ‘to think’ and is almost always referred to in the context of love, which is most appropriate given how gorgeous they are. When the colour starts draining out of your garden in the last month of autumn, you’ll find solace in the pretty faces of both pansies and violas. Pansies will withstand more severe cold than violas, thawing and bobbing around by mid-morning. Plant these floriferous little angels in either a sunny or partially shaded area but keep in mind that violas will perform better than pansies

do with more shade. Sometimes we’re blessed with a warmer winter than is naturally ideal and our pansies and violas are not too comfortable with the unwanted underfloor heating. If that happens, be sure to throw a nice thick blanket of mulch over the soil around them. Whether planting these

Paws

Plett Animal Welfare Service

splendid little faces in a bed, a border, a pot, in hanging baskets, in small or large groups, in one solid block of colour or a rainbow of gold, white, purple, red, black and orange, their presence will transform your garden into a happier place this coming winter. Iq"vq"yyy0nkhgkucictfgp0 eq0|c"hqt"oqtg"kphqtocvkqp0

BED, BORDER, POT OR BASKET? You’ll be spoilt for choice when deciding where to plant these floriferous beauties, but make sure your violas and pansies don’t suffer unwanted underfloor heating

Home & Health

7 May 2014

CXPRESS

All you need to know about the chronic complications of diabetes This article by DR GIOVANNI COCI deals with the various chronic complications of diabetes, except for eye complications, which will be reviewed by ophthalmologist Dr Dylan Joseph in CXPRESS of May 28

IABETIC patients and their families should be aware that diabetes may affect various organs of the body, causing a number of complications - particularly in patients who have been careless with their diabetic control and treatment. Conversely, diabetics who control their diabetes properly tend to suffer fewer complications and, if they do occur, are usually milder and develop later than in poorly controlled cases. Complications of diabetes can be acute (hypoglycaemia, hyperglycemia, acidosis) and chronic. In this article, I deal with the chronic complications. Many organs and systems can be affected by diabetes, but mainly the eyes, kidneys, cardiovascular system (heart and blood vessels), nervous system (peripheral nerves, autonomic and central nervous system), and feet. Eye complications of diabetes will be reviewed in a separate article by ophthalmologist Dr Dylan Joseph. Fkcdgvgu"cpf"vjg"mkfpg{u The small blood vessels of the kidneys may become partially blocked by diabetes. This may result in the kidneys losing their ability to function as filter and as a result, an excessive amount of protein is excreted in the urine. Diabetic kidney disease is often classified according to the amount of protein excreted per day, i.e. micro albuminuria (a urinary albumin loss of 30-300mg per day) and macro albuminuria (a urinary albumin excretion in excess of 300mg per day). Micro albuminuria is an early finding in diabetic kidney disease but it can herald the development of serious kidney problems as well as cardiovascular and other problems. The rate at which micro albuminuria increases is a good predictor of the rate at which renal failure and other severe complications of diabetes will develop. If diagnosed at an early stage, the progression of micro albuminuria can be halted and even reversed with proper diabetic control and medication usually used for hypertension (ACE inhibitors and ARBs). Macro albuminuria is seen in more advanced renal disease. Because of excessive loss of protein, the patient may develop oedema (swelling of the face and ankles). Macro albuminuria is often associated with significant impairment of renal function as well as cardiovascular problems and hypertension. The presence of micro and

FOOTNOTE: The most common diabetic neuropathies are seen most frequently in the nerves supplying the lower limbs and the feet - they may result in numbness, pins and needles, and pain which may be dull or very severe

macro albuminuria is a very important and serious finding which calls for strict sugarlevel control and management of diabetes, as well as renal education and counselling in terms of diet and other measures that can delay the progression of renal disease. Fkcdgvgu"cpf"vjg" ectfkqxcuewnct"u{uvgo Whereas small vessel disease is an important cause of kidney (and eye) complications in diabetes, disease of the large vessels causes cardiovascular problems. Heart disease is very common in diabetics, particularly Type 2 diabetics (previously referred to as maturity onset diabetics). To a large extent, this is due to the high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides associated with diabetes that result in a particularly severe form of atheroma (hardening and blockage) of the coronary arteries. Obesity, hypertension and genetic factors are other important causes of the increased prevalence of heart disease in diabetics. Hyperglycemia on its own is also associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular problems. The most common and severe form of heart disease in diabetics is coronary heart disease because the coronary arteries tend to become blocked, but hypertension and heart failure are also frequently seen. Besides the coronary arteries, other blood vessels can be affected by atheroma. These include the arteries of the legs which, when blocked, cause peripheral vascular disease. In its most severe form, this may result in gangrene and amputation. Blockage of the carotid arteries, which connect the heart to the brain, may cause a stroke. The importance of early diagnosis of arterial disease (by means of ECGs, stress ECGs, Doppler studies and angiography, when indicated) cannot be stressed enough.

Equally important is to treat the diabetes meticulously, aiming at strict sugar level controls. Coronary artery disease, hypertension and the hyperlipidaemias (high cholesterol and triglyceride levels) require aggressive treatment. Lifestyle modifications (weight loss, exercise, cessation of smoking, proper diet) are extremely important. Fkcdgvgu"cpf"vjg" pgtxqwu"u{uvgo Diabetes can affect the nervous system in several ways. Any of the nervous pathways anywhere in the body can be affected. When a nerve is affected by a pathological process it is called a neuropathy, of which diabetes is a common cause. Depending on the type of nerve affected, diabetic neuropathies are classified thus: • Sensory neuropathies These are the most common diabetic neuropathies. They are seen most frequently in the nerves supplying the lower limbs and the feet. They may result in numbness, pins and needles (paraesthesia) and pain which may be dull or very severe. Loss of sensation predisposes to the development of foot ulcers and gangrene. Many other nerves can be affected including the cranial, facial, and optic nerves. • Motor neuropathies These are relatively rare. They present with acute paralysis in any part of the body, depending on the motor nerve affected. They are usually confined to one particular nerve and hence are known as mononeuropathies. • Autonomic neuropathies The autonomic (involuntary) nervous system may also be affected by diabetes. The more common forms of autonomic neuropathies involve: a) The cardiovascular system causing a drop in blood pressure and dizziness when standing up. Occasionally dangerous disturbances of the heart rhythm can occur.

b) The gastrointestinal tract may result in delayed emptying of the stomach (gastro paresis) with nausea, vomiting after meals and a feeling of fullness. Diarrhoea can also occur. c) The urogenital system, i.e. bladder dysfunction with poor stream, incomplete emptying and retention. Sexual problems include erectile dysfunction in men. d) Sudomotor system, manifesting in anhidrosis (lack of sweating) or hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating). Gustatory sweating is the abnormal production of sweat over the face, neck and chest after eating, especially spicy foods. The symptoms of neuropathies can be quite disabling. Fortunately there are a number of drugs available to control these symptoms. They include certain types of antidepressant and anti-epileptic medication. Once again the most effective way of preventing or delaying the onset of neuropathies is good diabetic control.

In the majority of cases neuropathies can be diagnosed clinically. In some instances where there is an element of doubt, special tests such as nerve conduction studies are useful. Fkcdgvgu"cpf"vjg"hqqv Diabetic patients may develop severe infections of the feet as a result of a combination of factors. Neuropathic ulcers can develop as a result of loss of sensation due to a peripheral neuropathy. Poor circulation and an increased susceptibility to infections compound the problem and this may result in a severe infection which may cause gangrene of the foot. Because of diminished sensation the patient may not experience much pain and this may delay the diagnosis. Diabetic foot screening is very important in establishing the level of risk of developing foot ulceration. It should be part of the initial assessment of every newly diagnosed diabetic patient and should be repeated once a year. The patient should be given advice about basic foot care, i.e. check, wash and moisturise the feet daily, avoid walking barefoot and avoid DIY chiropody.

13 Diabetic patients should not cut their toenails, particularly if their eyesight is poor. This, as well as attention to corns and toenail deformities, should be done by a foot care specialist. This specialist will also advise the patient about the type of shoes that should be worn. In some cases, custom-made footwear may be required. When diabetic foot disease is diagnosed a multidisciplinary approach is necessary to deal effectively with the problem and minimise complications. In summary, we have looked at the more common chronic complications of diabetes. They can affect many organs and different parts of the body, but these diverse conditions have two things in common. They will develop more generally, at an earlier stage and in a more severe form if the diabetic control is poor. Conversely, they can be prevented or minimised by good diabetic control. Early diagnosis, usually as part of a screening programme followed by the appropriate treatment, can delay progression of the disease. Eqpvcev"Ft"Eqek"cv" rngvvrj{ukekcpBiockn0eqo" qt"qp"266"755"6693"qt"xkukv" jku"tqqou"cv"4C"Ogfyc{" Egpvtg"kp"Rngvv"/"cpf"ugg"vjg" cfxgtv"dgnqy"hqt"oqtg"kphq0

CXPRESS

Read CXPRESS online at www.cxpress.co.za

7 May 2014

Classifieds

On the Soapbox

7 May 2014

Letters to the Editor

CXPRESS

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

Abuse of parking bays reserved for disabled I thought I would contribute to the ongoing debate regarding the practice of able bodied people parking in bays reserved for the disabled. On a Saturday two weeks ago, I was leaving the Pick n Pay area of a busy Market Square shopping centre along with my wife a few minutes before 1pm. A small crowd had developed in front of the Happy Smoker shop. We noticed

a large bakkie parked in the disabled parking bay. My wife politely asked the driver to park somewhere else as the parking bay is reserved for people who genuinely need it. The driver’s reply was, and I quote, “I don’t care about the disabled”. By this stage a fair few people had developed an interest in the proceedings. I took the two photographs

below using my phone and if I am not mistaken the gentleman standing next to me also took some photographs and possibly some video footage. In the image showing the driver, he was busy saying to me “you are racist” as he reluctantly moved off. How upholding the rights of the disabled and taking a photograph makes me a racist is beyond my comprehension.

The driver of the vehicle is either so ignorant that he is unaware of the existence of these disabled parking bays, or he feels that he is above the law. Either way, I feel that he should be named and shamed. I unfortunately didn’t get the licence plate number, but I am sure that someone will be able to recognise him and his bakkie. Fkucrrqkpvgf."Rngvv

POLITICAL PARKING BAY? The driver of this bakkie used a disabled bay at The Market Square shopping centre to spread his pre-election message with a loudhailer on a busy Saturday morning

Open letter from Knysna’s ratepayers to mayor It would appear from the recent meetings held with your Mayoral Committee that the attendant administration is not functioning as it should. Your tape-recording of a recent meeting with us, without our knowledge, first demonstrated this. Then the chairman of the Knysna Ratepayers’ Association was invited to a ‘friendly meeting’ with yourself, only to find himself confronted

once again by your full Mayoral Committee. At this meeting you informed him that you did not wish to have the press present at meetings – this despite your pledge of open and transparent dealings. Our Ratepayers’ Association was then accused of being negative and not working together with you. We are not here to do your councillors’ and directors’ well remunerated work, but

No light at the end of the recycling tunnel I saw it happening again today on Boston Light Road, Plett: a municipal refuseremoval truck loading clearly-visible recycling material together with domestic refuse. It is now very obvious that Bitou Waste Management is unwilling or unable to train their personnel to distinguish between domestic refuse bags and recycling bags. Therefore, Bitou residents serious about recycling, beware! Do not place

your recycling bags outside together with your domestic refuse under any circumstances. Only place your recycling bags outside when you are sure the refuse truck is gone and won’t come back. Failure to do so will mean that your recycling efforts were in vain. This message is from a local resident, very concerned about our environment and rising cost of our refuse disposal. Ectkpi"hqt"Rngvv."d{"gockn

Personal attack over jet-ski issue uncalled for I write in response to the cowardly and uncalled for letter by ‘Free for All’ in CXPRESS of April 2. The anonymous author clearly does not know Dr Rob Hansen. Rob is a gentle, kind and caring person. He cares deeply about people and the environment. He is probably one of the

least materialistic people I know and does not deserve your sarcastic criticism. He’s a third-generation resident of Plett and he does not own a B&B. I know that the majority of Plett residents are opposed to jet-skis, so Rob does not stand alone on this issue. Lceswgnkpg"Dcuu."Rngvv"

will represent our members’ interests and concerns. We are committed to press for any matter which we believe to be in the interests of our community and will not be put off by what we see as obstruction in our efforts. At our first meeting in December, we pointed out that you and the Municipal Manager had warned complainants writing in the press that they could be sued by the municipality, but you did not recall it. This did not frighten off any malcontents, but united them to stand up to be counted. We have criticised the lack of oversight your councillors have shown over the awarding of tenders – some of them being grossly flawed. The ISDF debacle (see our website www.knysnaratepayers. co.za), the perceived waste of R250,000 on the five Jukes vehicles, and the R450,000 overpayment on the organogram come to mind. Then there is the additional expenditure on creating a public relations department (who waste ratepayers’ money on expensive self-praising adverts) and on hiring consultants, possibly because of incompetent employees, never mind the 5% increase you voted yourselves. Our concerns, apparently

regarded as complaints, are not being attended to despite some going back a year where the safety of kids is concerned. While we appreciate that there are some dedicated councillors, they are regrettably in the minority. Until you can motivate your team to produce results instead of ignoring matters, we shall continue to raise contentious issues. The Mayoral Committee requested that we limit problems to one or two at each meeting. As these are not being attended to, the list keeps growing. The refusal of a leading department head to meet with us, only two weeks after agreeing to it, shows contempt for those who in fact pay his colossal salary. Despite our efforts at pointing out problem areas, there has been no positive response on any matter referred to you in recent months and, unless there is positive action, we will have no alternative but to pass this letter to the press. Vjg"Ejcktocp"cpf" Eqookvvgg"/"Mp{upc" Tcvgrc{gtu‚"Cuuqekcvkqp *Cu" vjku" kuuwg" ygpv" vq" rtkpv." c" tgrtgugpvcvkxg" qh" MTC" cfxkugf" vjcv" c" tgurqpug" jcf" dggp" tgegkxgf" htqo" vjg" oc{qt." dwv" vjcv" kv" eqwnf" pqv" dg" kpenwfgf" jgtg" ›cu" kv" ycu" fktgevgf"qpn{"vq"wufi0"⁄"Gfu0+

CXPRESS

7 May 2014

Plett Surf Nippers kings of camaraderie at nationals L

AST week, Plett Surf Lifesaving Club returned from the Nipper National Championships in Port Elizabeth with more than a spring in their step, and a full ostrich rather than just one feather in their collective (skull)cap. This elation resulted from the fact that the Plett team attained its best-ever result in the club’s 20-odd-year history, only bending the knee to the country’s tradi-

tional historic rulers of the Nippers battle-beach, most of these based in the SA Lifesaving stronghold of Kwa-Zulu Natal. Mega-club Durban Surf retained the national title for the fourth consecutive year, and the jury’s still out about the exact points tally that would put Plett Surf in third or fourth overall position. But the end-result when finally announced will do little to alter the pride and

satisfaction that every Plett Nipper, Nipper parent, and Nipper coach relished when travelling back from King’s Beach after three days of giving it their all on the sand and in the surf. The championships started off in cool weather conditions on Saturday April 26, culminating in an afternoon of hotly-contested Flags heats and finals - often regarded as the most spectacular of Nippers disciplines. The next two days of long runs and beach sprints, bodyboarding and swimming, individual and relay races took place in a wide spectrum of climatic conditions. But the one factor that remained unchanged was the team spirit characterising the Plett Surf Nipper family. In the words of a representative from one of the big Cape clubs: “At our coaches’ meetings, we often refer to Plett Surf as epitomising what Nippers stand for, with unbelievable sportsmanship on and off the beach, and setting an unequalled example of camaraderie. “That’s the stuff that being a Nipper is all about.” BEACH LEADERS: At the top, club stalwarts Riaan and Raye hold the Plett Surf flag high - a trend continued by the full team throughout the champs, as attested by these images - Photos: Martin Hurwitz

Sport & Adventure