Hermanus News 10 November 2015

NEWS

Hermanus

The

News You Can Use

Issue 6

10 NOVEMBER 2015

FREE COPY

Wasps endanger pines p5 Team RECM’s Erik Kleinhans and James Reid ended their racing season on a high note on Sunday 8 November in Onrus by claiming gold at the FNB Wines2Whales (W2W) Three Day Mountain Bike (MTB) Stage Race. Robyn de Groot and Jennie Stenerhag of Team Ascendis Health claimed victory in the women’s race.

The inaugural W2W race took place in November 2009 and attracted 300 participants. By 2010 word of the race had gotten out and a field of 1 100 riders signed up to be part of the second year’s experience. This year 1 300 riders took part in each of the three events that took place during the past week.

Photo: Volume Photography

18 Arum Street Hermanus Tel 028 312 3704 Email sales1@fordhermanus.co.za

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Plans are afoot to find ways to curb the baboon problem in Hermanus after the recent termination of the baboonmonitoring programme. This might include a special levy for residents in the areas that are most affected by the baboons, reports MEGAN SMITH. There are three distinct troops that are active in and around Hermanus – the Fernkloof troop that is very active and account for 95% of the problems, the Vogelgat troop that ventures into Voëlklip as far as the OK Minimart and is responsible for the remaining 5% of problems and the Hamilton Russel troop that mainly keeps to the mountain above Eastcliff and Hermanus Heights.

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Trouble in our paradise According to Liezl Bezuidenhoud, head of environmental management services at the Overstrand Municipality, the best solution for residents of areas affected by baboons is to consider the establishment of a special rates area. “This means residents in those areas pay extra with regards to rates and taxes so that a dedicated baboon-monitoring group can be re-established and maintained.”

According to reports the baboon troops have reverted to their old ways after the termination of the monitoringprogramme at the end of August. In some instances young baboons are being taught by their elders how to crawl through trellis doors.

The baboon-monitoring programme was created by the Department of Environmental Affairs in co-operation with the Working for the Coast Programme.

However, the funding that the municipality receives from Working for the Coast may no longer be used for the baboon-monitoring programme. The funds are earmarked only for the maintenance and management of coastal regions.

According to Liezl, Pringle Bay also suffers from problems with baboons and residents have agreed on a process where they will fund their own baboon-monitoring programme.

Michael Henn, senior field ranger and former head of the baboon-monitoring programme, says since 2004 the baboons have been monitored and all aspects of their lives studied. “During this time the animals were taught to act in a certain way, to travel certain routes avoiding houses and so forth. But the troops have reverted back to their old routines without the surveillance of the monitors.”

“They are very clever animals. The ten odd years spent with them means that the troop had grown to know each monitor, who in turn named members of the troop according to markings, rank and personality. There is for instance Kosie who is the current alpha male of the Vogelgat troop which consists of roughly 20 individuals. The monitors had a lot of love and passion for what they did.

During the baboon monitors’ time of operation they managed to bring baboon related incidents down to zero,” says Michael.

According to Liezl the current baboon fences were fully upgraded and work well. “We certainly need to fine-tune the waste management systems and we truly believe that monitoring is effective and the best way forward. This has to be a community effort in order to get it off the ground again. We have hopes of tagging and collaring the individuals to further study them and of course track and curb their movements.” Ward 3 councillor Kari Brice says that a group of residents has come together to put forward proposals for the funding of a baboon monitoring group.

The proposals will be presented to mayor Nicolette BothaGuthrie for review.

More on p. 4

Dave Smith

The fridge who came in from the cold…

Rambler

As part of our continued efforts to bring you News You Can Use this is the first in an occasional and hopefully instructive series examining the effects of household appliances on our daily lives. We today take a look at the simple fridge.

In addition to its more mundane uses in kitchens throughout the world, the fridge has also for many years formed a major part of our musical heritage. Simon and Garfunkel were particularly prolific in this vein with “The 59th.

Street Fridge Song (Feeling Groovy)” and the haunting “Fridge Over Troubled Waters”. Even the late Michael Jackson tried to get in on the trend with his monster hit “Chiller”. More recently US rappers Ice T and Vanilla Ice

attempted to get on the bandwagon but the latter in particular with “Ice Ice Baby” found it “too cold, too cold”.

And on a more technical level, the height, shape and construction of the fridge on your guitar or violin can make an enormous difference to its playing characteristics. A guitar with an unduly high fridge built into it is not the easiest of instruments to play.

The world of literature is littered with examples of how deeply the fridge has affected our lives with writers such as Beryl Bainfridge and the poet Samsung Taylor Coldfridge, classic novels like Hardy’s “The Mayor who Cast a Fridge” and the romantic “Fridges of Madison County”.

Even theologian and philosopher Malcolm Muggafridge did not escape its influence.

It has also starred in many movies, particularly, it seems, war movies. Both “The Fridge On the River Kwai” and “A Fridge Too Far” spring to

Our responsibility to conserve

But nature also has its own ways. This week we report on the baboons returning to their old ways and at times getting into homes and causing havoc. We also report on the Sirex wasp attacking pines in town and the parking lot at Grotto East that was damaged earlier in the year by the Klein River breaching into the ocean.

Gansbaai’s award for Best International Destination for Responsible Tourism should serve as an example for all the towns on the Cape Whale Coast.

That is the good news.

ED

Publisher De Waal Steyn 083 700 3319 dewaal@thehermanusnews.co.za Content Manager Megan Smith 082 411 1343 smalltowntiger@gmail.com Marketing De Waal Steyn 083 700 3319 dewaal@thehermanusnews.co.za Graphic Designer & Layout Artist Nickey Jackson 079 408 7722 nickey1094@gmail.com

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In the sporting world, you will need a strong and well-constructed fridge to be a decent snooker or pool player and Chelsea FC, of course, play their home games at Stamford Fridge which is just round the corner from Harrods of Knightsfridge.

If you have problems with your teeth, your

OPEN DAILY 08:00 - 17:00 7 DAYS A WEEK

Our very own parkrun that recently started has drawn many a positive comment about the beauty of the route meandering through the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. And so too the annual W2W event that concluded in Onrus. The beauty of our region and the privilege to ride on our now world-famous trails this year drew close on 4 000 riders.

As residents we need to not only work together to achieve this, but each and every one of us needs to take responsibility to ensure the conservation of our natural assets. Hermanus has some of the most unique fauna and flora in the world. A lot is being done by many people to conserve it. However we all need to be intimately involved in those processes.

The appliance has also worked its way into the leisure time of the millions from all over the world who get together to play a hand or two of Contract Fridge in one of its variants such as Duplicate Fridge or the slightly more daring Rubber Fridge. This pastime has spawned daily Fridge columns in thousands of newspapers and magazines which can usually be found adjacent to their sister column, Chest.

Betty Blue Bistro 126 Main Road Hermanus Tel: 028 125 0037 Fax: 086 461 7400 info@bettyblue.co.za

In Hermanus we are fortunate to live close to nature. Although we sometimes do not appreciate it, nature forms part of our day-today lives. We swim in the ocean, we walk on the beach, the Cliff Paths or in the mountains.

Our region’s fauna and flora are one of our most important assets and we need to do as much as possible to conserve and maintain it.

mind as fine examples of the genre. “Frigid Jones’ Diary”, however, seemed to miss the point. None of these starred Jeff Fridges but he has played many cool parts in other films.

FICA now a prerequisite to register/license vehicles

dentist may need to install one or more fridges into your mouth and, knowing the cost of dentistry these days, you may need to take out a fridging loan to help you pay for the treatment.

But it is in the building field that this common appliance has had the most impact. Cities have used it to great effect to generate tourism and kudos. The iconic Sydney Harbour Fridge is one of the most successful examples as is San Francisco’s Golden Gate Fridge.

Unfortunately, London Fridge is falling down and The Forth Fridge in Scotland is still the subject of a never-ending painting job.

South Africa was a late entrant into this contest and it is only relatively recently that The Nelson Mandela Fridge was opened to the public.

Next time it will be the turn of the spin-dryer. For now, either this article has been of use to you or you can just treat it as water under the fridge.

New traders start at Market Square Although there is still no word on when the court case between the municipality and the former traders at the Market square stalls will be heard, some of the new traders have taken occupation of their stalls and will begin trading.

According to Arrie de Klerk who won the tender for the management of the stalls above the Old Harbour in May this year, ten traders have been able to move into their stalls. “The traders include Barry Hilton’s My Cousins and Nou gaan ons braai ranges, The Photowalkers owned by local photographer and photo guide Leanne Dryburgh, and some curio and clothing vendors.

The new management of the stalls went awry in August this year with problems ranging from complaints about the new rentals, to traders refusing to vacate and legal actions to have the illegal traders removed from the premises.

The launch of the new market has been postponed from 1 August to when the former traders have been removed.

But, says Arrie, although it is not the start he wanted, things are slowly but surely falling into place. “We would like to see the court case being heard as soon as possible as I would like to take full control of the market and turn it into the kind of market it is supposed to be.”

As from 1 November 2015, everyone who wishes to register or license a vehicle will first have to comply with the provisions of the Financial Intelligence Centre Act, Act 38 of 2001.

• In the case of a business, the CK documents or the BRNC with the proxy or representative’s ID, valid South African passport or TRAFFIC register will be acceptable.

According to Arrie the vision for the market stalls is to create a business hub in the centre of town that will become not only a tourist attraction but also attract locals back to the CBD.

In other words, Overstrand’s Traffic Department will be unable to conclude any transactions relating to the registration or licensing of vehicles unless FICA has been verified on the eNaTIS system.

PROOF OF RESIDENCE: • In the case of an individual, a utility bill (your municipal account) together with any statement (not older than 3 months) from a retail store, a cell phone service provider or the likes will be acceptable.

“The days of cheap, mass produced, imported flea market products being on offer is over for good. The new stalls will only offer South African made products with an emphasis on wares that are locally produced.”

Accordingly, everyone who wishes to register or license a vehicle will be required to duly complete a so-called NCP form and to submit necessary proof of identity and residence.

The NCP form (which is the short title for the form relating to a notification of change of address or particulars of a person or organisation) is comprised of two parts and will require all affected parties to submit (a) proof of identity and (b) proof of residence.

• If that municipal account (the utility bill) has not been issued in your name, for instance where you are renting a property, the owner of the property must submit a sworn statement that you do, in fact, live there.

Likewise, in instances where you reside in an informal or rural settlement, you will need a sworn statement from your ward councillor or municipality to confirm your residential address.

PROOF OF IDENTITY: • In the case of an individual, a South African ID document, valid South African passport or TRAFFIC register will be acceptable.

Should you need assistance in this regard or require any clarification, please feel free to contact Dieter Reichert on 028 313 5033 or Patrick Africa on 028 313 8166.

According to him more than 20 of the former traders are still trading from their stalls. “As soon as they have vacated the premises the rest of the traders on my list will be able to move in.”

Other stalls that will open include fresh produce such as vegetables, fruit, nuts, olive oil and jams, biscuits and rusks, soaps and body lotions, plants, herbs and spices, art and jewellery, oysters, children’s clothes, soft toys and animal outfits, biltong and deli foods, fynbos and flowers, and smoothies and fresh juices.

The Hermanus Tourism Info Kiosk will stay in its present position.

Ombudsman

The press exists to serve society. Its freedom provides for independent scrutiny of the forces that shape society, and is essential to realising the promise of democracy.

It enables citizens to make informed judgments on the issues of the day, a role whose centrality is recognised in the South African Constitution.

The News of Hermanus subscribes to the South African Press Code and subsequently to the South African Press Council and the South African Press Ombudsman.

Should you feel that our reporting was not free, fair or unbiased or that serious errors were made, you are welcome to lay a complaint with the Ombudsman, Joe Thloloe.

He can be reached on 011 484 3612/8, or via e-mail at pressombudsman@ombudsman.org.za or visit www.presscouncil.org.za

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LAND EN SEE UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP One of the oldest independent sports shops in Hermanus, Land en See Sports, has changed hands.

The new owners, Jacques and Karen Nell, have owned a home in Hermanus for the past 15 years.

During this time they were stationed in Kenya but have now returned to pursue their interests in this new venture. The shop was previously owned by Joe and Karen de Bruyn for the past 10 years.

We wish Jacques and Karen success and good trading in the years ahead.

Aluminium Security & Timber Shutters

21A Mimosa Street, Hermanus Industria

Tel: (028) 312-3767 Email: sales@premiershutters.co.za Website: www.premiershuttersandfires.co.za

Stolen Toffie reunited with family “Our prayers were answered,” says Gwen Nepgen after their beloved Jack Russell puppy, Toffie was returned to them after being stolen.

“Toffie is 6 months old and we were so pleased that she was finally house trained and happy to be outside in our secure, fenced-in property situated in Sandbaai. On Saturday 24 October we as a family headed out for the morning, and upon our return we noticed that the gate was open and that Toffie was nowhere to be seen.”

“Our daughter, Megan, and sons Heinrich and Christiaan hopped on their bicycles to search for her, while my husband, Arnold, and I drove around the neighbourhood searching for her, but to no avail,” says Gwen.

“Steven then told the man that he must get into the car and show him exactly where the dog was. The man who bought her handed her over and we were reunited with Toffie. She was very hungry but otherwise unharmed,” says a relieved Gwen.

a bakkie reportedly picked him up.

According to the owner the dognappers tried to sell the dog in Gansbaai.

According to Danica Palvie of Rescued Animal Drive there has been a huge increase of dogs being stolen, especially in the Overstrand in the past few months.

• Neuter all male dogs and spay all female dogs.

• Microchip your pets, both cats and dogs.

• Make sure that your yard is secure and that your pet cannot escape.

• If an individual makes a comment

• According to reports a Yorkshire terrier went missing on Saturday 31 October after

Here are a few tips to assure the safety of your pets:

about your dog in the street do not give them your pet’s name or any other further details.

• If you are going away for a holiday or weekend make sure that you hire a pet sitter who stays in your house with your pet or place them in a kennel for that period.

• Dogs such as pitbulls, staffies and bull terriers appear on the red list of dogs more commonly stolen.

• Remind your children and domestic staff about the dangers surrounding your pets.

The family visited the Hermanus Animal Welfare on Monday to see if she was there, but she was not. On Thursday afternoon there was an anonymous tip from a resident stating that she’d noticed an individual walking the dog, using his belt as a leash.

The suspect happened to walk past residents who were outside with their dogs. According to Gwen the man made idle chitchat with the residents and when they asked him if the dog was stolen he replied no and then gave his wife’s work address and went on his merry way.

“We managed to reach the suspect’s wife and asked to see her at their home under the guise of doing business with her. The police checked the property but the individual denied any knowledge of the dog.”

W.O. Steven Koen from the Hermanus police station made a second visit to the suspect’s house, whereupon the person then admitted that he had taken Toffie and sold her to a man in Zwelihle for R30.

HAPPY REUNION Arnold with Tofie and W.O. Steven Koen.

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We love and hate them their natural territory. A friend of mine actually mimicked a baboon that came on to her property. She had her small child with her, and growled and grunted at the baboon until it left.

It is the natural order and not at all about shunning them.”

According to Liezl Bezuidenhoud, head of environmental management services at the Overstrand Municipality, baboons are naturally low-land feeding animals and in Hermanus many residential areas fall on these boundary lines. The troop will gradually make their way down from the mountain, sometimes from the taller trees at the Hermanus Golf Club, venture out to feed and then return to these areas in the evening. During the day splinter groups might form, where the alpha male and females head out and the remaining females are then tasked with teaching and caring for the youngsters.

Elouise Day “I think it’s wrong how some people throw stones or shoot them with paint ball guns to scare them away. We are the ones who moved into their habitat. We should take the proper precautions to use the proper bins as well as keep doors and windows closed. “

Natalie Bailey Flynn “I personally love watching the baboons, especially when they bring their babies along.

Yes, they are destructive, bending and breaking gutters, causing roof tiles to shift and as a result causing leakages, not to mention that they turn the bins over and make a mess.

However, that being said I do not believe they should be shot at or hurt. My biggest concern is that one of them will hurt my dogs, but we just try bringing the dogs inside when they come and also take precautions so that they don't get into the house.”

Tehilla Luttig “They got through the burglar bars at my parents’ house when they were away. A neighbour called so I went to investigate. A troop of about 20 baboons were in their house destroying everything. The destruction they caused was quite scary. However, up until now they have lived quite peacefully side by side. I was shocked when I phoned the municipality to ask what I should do about it. They told me it is my problem, not theirs anymore. We are moving to Voëlklip soon and I am excited but also nervous about our baby and our dog. I would love to know how to keep us all safe!”

But what have locals to say about the baboons?

Matthew Muir “We love our baboons and often catch a bus load of tourists piling out frantically to take photos of a troop crossing 7th Street, Voëlklip.

We also notice the tourists taking many selfies with the few baboon-crossing warning signs down our Main Road. This gives our neighbourhood a sense that nature is still very much alive and kicking in these parts. We have had three instances where they have come in through an open door, walked up casually to the fruit bowl and helped themselves – nothing serious and one really cannot blame them. Our dogs are a major deterrent. “

Megan James “We need to find a way to show the baboons that we are still the dominant species when it comes to our homes and we will protect our territory no matter what, just as they would in

Leigh-Ann Leicher van Dyk “I stay in Voëlklip and today they trashed our garbage bags. Luckily, we do keep our windows closed during the day. We have had to deal with them being in the house in the past as well. The problem is they get into the municipal bins, so the only way to keep them away would be to drop your garbage off daily at a drop site in the Main Road.”

Nastassha Kloppers “I live in Voëlklip and it is a problem when they become destructive, but when you drive down 6th Street and you see the little ones playing in the trees you realise what beautiful animals they are!”

Until a clear way forward is established, be vigilant and keep the following in mind:

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• It is illegal to hunt and kill baboons.

• Do not keep compost heaps, fruit trees or feed birds.

• Keep doors and windows locked.

• Keep food off counter tops; a bowl full of fruit out in the open is an easy, tasty treat.

• Keep your rubbish in the baboon-proof bins.

• Stand your ground and be assertive if you do come across one in your house.

• Baboons can get through cat and dog doors. There are devices that you can attach to your pet’s collar so that only they may enter and exit through the door.

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Aliens threatening our pine trees The beautiful pine trees that not only adorn Hermanus but provide shade in the hot summer months are under serious threat from an alien wood wasp that has already been responsible for the death of at least four mature trees.

“Over the past 2 months we have noticed that a big, important shade-giving pine tree as well as a few other smaller pines at the Hermanus Country Market have slowly started to die. It is sad as the large tree is more than 40 years old and along with the others had to be removed as they had become safety hazards,” says Liza van Coppenhagen, manager of the market.

The trees were all affected by the Sirex wasp, an invasive alien insect species.

And it seems as if these invasive aliens are now attacking pine trees on the grounds of the Hermanus Golf Club that have a number of pine trees along the course. According to the club a number of trees have started to show signs of dying.

Liza says photos of the trees at the Hermanus Country Market were sent to Duncan Clews from the Camphill Farm Community who passed on the information to an arborist, who in turn confirmed that is was a Sirex wasp.

According to Bernard Slippers, a professor at the department of genetics at the University of Pretoria and a leading researcher in the tree protection co-operative programme, the Sirex wasp is a “wood wasp” that is native to southern Europe and parts of north Africa and Eurasia.

“The species was first introduced to South Africa in 1994 and they only infest pine trees,” says Bernard.

“The wasps lay their eggs in the wood of trees.

The females have a specialized 'drill' or ovipositor with which she can drill through the bark of a pine tree, to lay her eggs. When the wasp drills into the wood she not only introduces her eggs but also a fungus and a type of plant venom.

“The venom does the initial damage to the tree and weakens its defences. Then the fungus can establish itself more easily. The degradation of the wood by the fungus disrupts the water flow and internal integrity of the wood, without which the tree cannot survive,” he says.

The wasp and fungus live in a mutualistic symbiosis (where both partners benefit). The degradation of the wood by the fungus is essential for the larvae to develop in the wood, according to Bernard.

“The larvae take a year to grow to adulthood in the tree before they tunnel out to find fresh trees to infest. They carry the fungus with them, so the benefit to the fungus is that it gets distributed, and inoculated into the wood of other trees,” he says.

The wasp has the ability to detect weaker trees with lower defences, mostly through volatiles that the tree releases. The wasp also tests the water potential in the wood with her ovipositor, according to Bernard.

According to the website of the Institute for Commercial Forestry Research (www.icfr.ukzn.ac.za) South African pine and soft wood forestry boasts 720 000 hectares of timber, of which one third has been affected.

Furthermore, the website reports that Sirex wasps are gradually making their way to the north of the country, spreading through to the Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces.

In 2002 the South African Sirex Control Programme was started with the objective of developing strategies to manage Sirex populations throughout the country by reducing the numbers to a figure that is manageable, thus reducing the risk to the commercial pine plantations.

Bernard says two of its natural enemies have been introduced as biological control agents.

These include a parasitic wasp, which lays its egg in the hole left by Sirex and then feeds on the Sirex larvae. The other is a parasitic

nematode, or small worm, that infects the eggs of the Sirex female and renders them sterile.

These are actively used and released throughout South Africa to control the wasps.

Fernkloof Nature Reserve, is not considered a problem.

“The only loss when one of these pines die is aesthetical. And of course the financial loss of having the dead tree removed. But it creates the opportunity for residents to plant indigenous trees in the place of the pines,” says Anina.

Megan Smith

According to Anina Lee, Communications Manager of Whale Coast Conservation, pine trees in Hermanus are considered to be aliens and the loss of these trees, especially in the

Many Araucaria heterophylla - the Norfolk Island Pine - stand proud and tall all along the coastline of Hermanus.

It is native to Norfolk Island, some 1 600 km east of Australia and was discovered by Captain Cook in 1774. He suggested to the British government that the trees could be of great economic value as they reached diameters of one meter and heights in excess of 50 meters.

It was hoped that they could provide ships masts so ending dependency on supplies from the Baltic which were under threat as a result of the Napoleonic Wars.

But in spite of being felled in great quantities by convicts working under horrific conditions, the pines proved deceptive, the wood not being resilient enough for spars and useless for anything other than firewood and crude building. It was described as "short-grained, wanting in resin, more like beech than Norway Pine and snapped like a carrot."

Although of little economic value, its role as an ornamental is assured, due to its attractive symmetrical habit and its ability to thrive in the face of fierce, salt-laden winds. Seed of Norfolk Island Pine is invariably sterile.

Hermanus Pharmacies/Clinics Emergency after hours tel: 028 312 4039

Hermanus Pharmacy/Clinic 145 Main Road, Hermanus

Tel: 028 312 4039

Alex Grant Pharmacy/Clinic

A. Stewart Pharmacy Pick n Pay Centre, Hermanus

Gateway Centre, Hermanus

brenda@hermanuspharmacy.co.za Hours: Mondays-Fridays 08:00 - 18:30 Saturdays: 08:00 - 13:00 & 18:30 - 19:30 Sundays & Public Holidays 10:00 - 12:00 & 18:30 - 19:30

Tel: 028 312 4847

ingrid@alexgrantpharmacy.co.za Hours: Mondays-Fridays 08:00 - 17:30 Saturdays: 08:00 - 13:00

Tel: 028 312 1410

arnold@aspharmacy.co.za Hours: Mondays-Fridays 08:30 - 18:00 Saturdays: 08:30 - 14:00 Sundays & Public Holidays 10:00 - 12:00

Hermanus Pharmacy and clinic - the place for all reasons

The Hermanus Pharmacy, situated right in the centre of town at 145 Main Road, has built an enviable reputation as a superior health care services provider over the past 28 years.

Owner pharmacist Brenda Kotzé ascribes this to an uncompromising culture of total customer care in her pharmacy. “We are fully committed to provide the exceptional customer experience at the Hermanus Pharmacy and Clinic. Apart from our dedicated service and healthcare advice, we carry substantial stock of prescription, over-the-counter and homeopathic medicines, perfumes and other beauty, slimming and toiletry products and an assortment of gift options. In addition to our clinic services, we also offer experienced advice on our vast range of sports supplements.”

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Hermanus Pharmacy is open on weekdays from 08:00 to 18:30, Saturdays from 08:00 to 13:00, Sundays from 18:30 to 19:30 and on public holidays from 10:00 to 12:00 and 18:30 to 19:30. It

At your service: Jessica Coetzee, Hettie Ferreira, Amanda Philander and Faith Mnyanzeli.

also offers a 24 hour call out service for emergencies on telephone number 028 312 4039. The clinic at Hermanus Pharmacy is open on weekdays from 09:00 to 15:00 and clinic

sister Suzaan can be contacted directly on 071 656 7090.The Hermanus Pharmacy is on Facebook and also offers delivery services to customers in the greater Hermanus area.

Here to help: Claudia van der Westhuizen, Alyssa January, Cheryl Loader and Estelle Venter-Duffin.

Behind the counter: Zigi Franz, Adri van Zijl, Suzaan Di Giannatale, Brenda Kotzé and PhilipBen Kotzé. (Absent: Dawn Whiting and Melanie Stansfield)

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Campaigns set to ring in Christmas cheer for the needy This festive season the hearts of thousands of less privileged families in the Overstrand will be warmed by the generosity of residents participating in the annual Santa Shoebox Project and the Bags of Love Campaign.

years to the point where a total of 1 700 bags were filled and distributed to famlies identified in Hermanus, Zwelihle, Mount Pleasant, Hawston, Stanford and Gansbaai during the 2014 campaign.

The Santa Shoebox Project originated in Cape Town in 2006 and has grown in leaps and bounds, starting with only 180 boxes and now topping more than 100 000 boxes. With Giving for Good as this year’s theme, the heartwarming Santa Shoebox Project was launched on 1 September to take up the challenge of collecting 100 000 festive season gifts for children from vulnerable social backgrounds.

This number is expected to increase exponentially this year with an appeal once again being put to the business sector, churches, NGOs, municipal staff and individuals to donate to this worthy cause.

The Bags of Love Christmas 2015 campaign was launched by mayor Nicolette Botha-Guthrie, at a ceremony held at the Overstrand Municipality office.

Soon after taking office in 2010, the mayor became the patron of the campaign which marks its tenth anniversary this year.

The endeavour takes place annually and is aimed at distributing bags made up of essential grocery items, supplemented by additional Christmas treats, to needy families in our communities.

Interest and support has grown steadily over the

Jonny Lipman, Lorrainne Henning and Lance Gruss dropped off Santa Shoeboxes from Aïda Hermanus.

The mayor has further posed a challenge to businesses and interested parties to meet or better the number of bags donated by their peers.

Botha-Guthrie said, “Let us up the ante this year.

For instance if I donate 5 bags, I will challenge my fellow councillors to either meet that amount or to better it. I urge all those who can, to do the same. In this way we can meet the needs of even more families in dire straits and hopefully this Christmas won’t be as bleak for them. Come on Overstrand, let us all do our bit and bring some early Christmas cheer to those in need.”

The bags are filled at a cost of R121 and are available, ready packed, at Spar in Eastcliff, Kleinmond and Gansbaai.

Pierre Roberts of Ford Hermanus dropped off 10 parcels for Santa Shoebox. With him is Sandy Fairclough.

Uitkyk will welcome first residents in 2016 The two sites are central to the residential area of Mount Pleasant and are within walking distance of several businesses and shops. The housing structures are at various stages of development and will be completed by April 2016. The total project costs for the 220 houses amounts to more than R25 million.

Mayor Nicolette Botha-Guthrie said the project is running on schedule and the quality of

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workmanship is above standard. According to her the continued efforts of all the role players have helped reduce the backlog of the housing demand database and meeting the needs of the communities.

Bonginkosi commended the municipality on the good progress being made in the delivery of housing in the region. However, he pointed out that government will not be able to provide free housing indefinitely and its strategic objective is to promote partnerships with the business and banking sector in the Western Cape in order to help alleviate the housing need.

“We need our people to make a financial contribution towards their homes.

We’ll therefore be working very closely with the banks to ensure carefully constructed mortgage packages that cater for the lower income brackets become available to more people,” he said.

The launch ceremony concluded with the mayor advising that after consultation with the community the “cemetery site” will soon be renamed to the more palatable “Uitkyk”.

Given the beautiful view that its residents will enjoy, it could be said that “Uitkyk” is a far better descriptor and a more fitting name.

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The new housing project next to the cemetery in Mount Pleasant was recently officially launched by provincial minister of human settlements Bonginkosi Madikizela.

Cays stands the test of time “My husband Kor Streicher wanted to buy me a car when we sold our house, but I said leave the car and buy me a clothing store instead!” laughs Petro Streicher, as she relates the story of how she became the third owner of Cays, the clothing store located in Victoria Square just off Long Street that she has been running for more than 32 years.

Petro was born in Robertson in the 1950s, and after leaving school she set upon working for Barry Handelshuis, a big general dealer. She explains that she was a jack-of-all-trades, working wherever she was needed. During this time she got married to Kor and they have been together happily for the last 44 years.

to the one David Hasselhoff drove. On the way I saw the sign that the store was for sale and to enquire within. Least to say when we got to the dealership I was thinking of the store and not about a possible new car. I cannot remember when, but I bumped into the then owner, who said we should talk business.”

Kor and Petro made the move to Hermanus in 1972 and she worked for A Stewart Pharmacy until her first son, Jansen, was born. “I’m proud to say that all three of my boys, Jansen, Devan and Tiaan were born in Hermanus.”

According to Petro there are clients who visit the shop from all over the world. Many people

Cays, along with Niel du Toit and Spyros Jewellers are the oldest shops in town.

According to Petro the store in its various guises is more than 70 years old and was originally located in Caledon. When Petro bought Cays it was situated in Main Road, next to what was then the Astoria Hotel. She relocated the shop to its current location 24 years ago.

There is a rich tradition that surrounds Cays. A client in her mid-seventies remembers that when she was about 17 years old her mom used to shop at the store. According to Petro she now too shops at Cays.

Petro breezes through the store, knowing where to stop when it comes to the woman’s size and shape, as well as colours that compliment her skin tone. At the counter there are no fancy scanners or till machines. Petro whips out a calculator and a small note pad, briefly jots down the cost, folds the items and tucks the handwritten receipt into the bag.

“My sons were so caught up with the old TV series Knight Rider and when we decided to sell the house Kor said, “Let us take a walk to the dealership to see if they don’t have a similar car

“I love Cays,” says Petro. “I have a passion for people and finery. That’s me in a nutshell!”

Megan Smith

Afriforum Overstrand Branch presented vital first aid and safety training on 5 and 6 November for the OnrusVermont, Fisherhaven and Sandbaai Neighborhood Watch Groups as well as the Hermanus High School. Riaan Coetzee from Fortis, an external contractor, presented self defense training. Jan-Piet Cooks from Afriforum head office in Pretoria presented First Aid and neighbourhood watch training. The training was presented to all participants free of charge, and paid for by the Overstrand Afriforum branch. A total of 130 people attended the courses during the 2 days. Elmarie van Dalen, chairperson of the Overstrand Afriforum Branch says over the next 2 years they would like to mobilize the community to enable them to be independently and primarily be responsible for their own safety.

SOD TURING: Mayor Nicolette Botha-Guthrie and members of the Onrus Rate-payers Association gathered at Davies Pool in Onrus on Saturday, 7 November to announce the official start of the development of the outdoor gym that will be erected on the grass terrain by the tidal pool. The outdoor gym will be completed and ready for use as of 1 December 2015.

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I am reminded by Petro that my grandmother, Susan Day, loved the store and would come in almost every second day to either shop or chat. Petro says: “I adored her so much. What a wonderful woman she was.”

There is a true passion and honouring of the past that is visible in the way Petro deals with the influx of customers that are swinging by as we conclude the interview. Each woman is lovingly greeted by name, dates are made for tea and cake and inquiries are exchanged regarding friends, family and business.

The store itself speaks of a time gone by. Petro hastily pulls out a box and rummages through it.

“Here, here,” she says and whips out an age stained batch of papers. One reflects a receipt from the store dated 1972, another is a calendar bearing the original name Gay’s & J. Esquire, and the date 1968.

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also come into the store and ask just to look around as it reminds them of loved ones who regularly shopped at the ladies’ outfitter.

Image: Afriforum

We service ANY make or model vehicle OLDER THAN 5 YEARS Phone to make an appointment to have your ly vehicle serviced at the on unbelievable price of

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The heart of abalone

“In 1984 my dad, Dr Pierre Hugo, a veterinarian based in Hermanus, began experimenting with breeding abalone in tanks on land,” says Johan Hugo, the founder of Heart of Abalone. “The first hatchery was started by him and based in the Old Harbour. I remember how, as a child, my brother and I carried buckets of sea water up to the tanks. All sorts of things were scavenged from the kitchen to see what the perlemoen loved to eat.”

Johan made the move to establish Heart of Abalone after a career change as Abagold’s Head of Finance, the company that his dad established in 1995. Heart of Abalone is a tourism company that provides and specialises in abalone tours celebrating one of the most loved ocean gems and the achievements of Abagold. Johan says that Heart of Abalone has a formal arrangement with Abagold and Mean Sea Level (currently involved with construction of the first wave energy convertor in South Africa) to allow tour groups to pass through their facilities.

Heart of Abalone is located at one of Abagold’s farms in the New Harbour and its venue sits neatly perched amongst the large technical infrastructure which supports the 40 000 odd baskets that house approximately 10 000 000 abalone at any given time. The Alcatraz-like security measures now make more sense to me. Upon arrival you are greeted by a beautifully equipped Heart Shed which forms the base and starting point of all three tours available to the public. Large infographic boards reflect how abalone stock was depleted over the years, the many steps there are in raising abalone, and the lifespan and growth rate of this unique creature.

The abalone pressed up against the large display tank inside the venue seems innocent enough. Johan explains what the creature actually looks like, referring to a close-up “selfie” of the snail. Cute it will never be, with its odd shaped mouth and googly eyes.

Anzel du Plessis, who is keen to share her extensive knowledge of the farm and perlemoen with visitors, conducts the guided tours Monday through to Saturday at 11am and 3pm.

The technical tour lets you delve even deeper, and affords mechanic and techno enthusiasts a chance to view all the pumps, engines, infrastructure and renewable energy projects

by Mean Sea Level.

As an optional extra, guests can savour a tasting after the tour. This includes abalone prepared three ways. The three elements of the tasting are an abalone carpaccio dressed with an olive oil infused black sea-weed caviar, an abalone ceviche dressed with fresh micro leaves, dashi (natural salty flavour), black pepper, black sesame seeds and olive oil.

Lastly, the Abalone pearls are served; this is a

Anzel du Plessis shows visitors all the various aspects of abalone farming. small whole abalone served Asian style with a Chinese sticky juice of reduced duck feet and pork knuckle.

According to Johan the Heart Shed also boasts a shop where visitors can buy polished shells, abalone pearls, perlemoen inspired jewellery

by Ralph Walton Jewellery Design, recipes and canned abalone.

“I am passionate about tourism, conservation and sustainability. I would like to see our footprint grow; more people visiting is our main challenge at this stage. People do not necessarily search for abalone tours in Hermanus as they are not aware of it – they are more familiar with our other marine life such as the great whites and whales.

“We work hard with Cape Town and Hermanus Tourism, as well as accommodation establishments across the Overstrand. School groups of all ages are most welcome; a small bucket filled with food is given to them so that they too can be part of the feeding of the perlemoen.”

Johan has also made contact with DAFF (Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries) and logged a formal application with them requesting that they give him permission to re-seed fertilised larvae and/or spats (baby abalone) back into the sea.

“This is obviously something that needs to be controlled and regulated and I envisage

working closely with them to reach a point where this is possible. DAFF’s initial response is very positive and I trust that in due course they will share my ‘heart’ for creating a conservation effort for this endangered species.”

Megan Smith Tours Monday to Saturday: 11am and 3pm Abalone tour: R100 (35 minutes) Farm tour: R150 (1 hour and 20 minutes) Technical tour: R150 (1 hour and 20 minutes) Special tasting: R150 To book Call: 083 556 3428 Email: info@heartofabalone.co.za Website: www.heartofabalone.com

Die lekkerste biltong en droëwors in die Overberg!

028 313 1032 Swartdamweg Industriële gebied

Ma-Don 08:00 - 17:30 / Vry 08:00 - 18:00 Sat 08:00 - 14:00 / Son 09:00 - 12:00

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Tel: 028 316 2348 Closed Mondays Open Tues to Sat from 11:30 to late and Sun 11:30 to 15:00 Sections 4 - 6 Hemel-en-Aarde Village

We also cater for all functions, including weddings, birthday parties, baby showers & year-end functions.

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The abalone tour focuses on the history, life cycle and farming industry. The farm tour allows you to truly experience firsthand the farming industry by navigating your way through the labyrinth of tanks, all while sporting a fabulous pair of white gum boots to meet with safety and bio security standards. See the day-to-day running of the abalone industry and how basic feeding and care is given to the newborns right through to, as Johan says, “oumas” (brood stock).

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anything. The only restrictions are that they must be an A5 size and that the artists must be willing to donate them. All the collected artworks will be distributed between the 15 participating galleries and on the evening of the event they will be displayed and available for purchase at R100 each.

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WEDNESDAY 11 NOVEMBER FILM: LADIES IN LAVENDER

All proceeds of the sales will go to local charities.

Screening takes place in the Onrus Theatre at the Onrus Dutch Reformked Church at 14:30.

Entrance fee is a donation. Contact Marie on 083 457 1896.

Estate. The Adventure Weekend will include both solo format day and night events with the most amazing scenery as a backdrop.

Participants can enter to swim either 600m or 2km in the salt-water lagoon. There will also be a night cycle race of either 9km or 36km that curls between the vineyards. It is a fast, nontechnical route with very little elevation. The same route is used for the 5.5km and 9km night or day single track trail run. Spectators can enjoy the event from the Benguela Cove Boathouse on the day and watch as participants compete in this beautiful setting.

Wine by the glass will be available at the club house as well as beers and soft drinks.

Participants and spectators can relax after the events by indulging in a chocolate or cheese and wine pairing. Enter online at www.trisport.co.za before 17 November 2015.

For additional information go to www.benguelacove.co.za.

WEDNESDAY 11, 18 & 25 NOVEMBER SOUTH HILL SUPPER MOVIE EVENINGS

South Hill wine estate in Elgin hosts a supper & movie evening every Wednesday at their tasting room/restaurant. Drinks are served from 18:30, followed by supper at 19:00 and the movie starts at 20:00 on a big screen with surround sound. On 11 November you can watch Spare Parts starring Jamie Lee Curtis, on 18 November they will be screening McFarland USA starring Kevin Costner and on 25 November you can catch Woman in Gold starring Helen Mirren. The all-inclusive cost is R135 pp. Out-oftowners can enjoy South Hill’s mid-week stayover package which includes the Wednesday supper and movie, overnight accommodation and a farm-style breakfast from R600 per head sharing. Contact events@southhill.co.za for more information.

THURSDAY 12 NOVEMBER U3A OPEN MEETING

Speaker: Prof Andreas van Wyk, former rector of the University of Stellenbosch and director general of the department of constitutional development and planning. The topic is From the Magna Carta to Codesa and the time of Zuma. Talk starts at 17:00 in the municipal auditorium. Admission fee R10. Contact Barbara Pretorius on 028 312 1438.

Anyone who knows that in their heart and soul there is a great artist bursting to get out should take this opportunity and get busy. Produce some masterpieces, see them displayed and know that your efforts will produce a double reward. Someone’s walls will be adorned with your artwork and a worthy charity will be R100 better off.

Artworks must be handed in at any of the 15 galleries that take part in the Hermanus First FridayS Artwalk by December 1.

GENERAL FRIDAYS

• Hermanus Hacking Group meets at the reservoir above Gateway Centre at 06:15 and works until 08:30. All volunteers welcome.

Contact Carlyn Vosloo 082 558 8731.

• Kolwyntjie-teagarden at the Service Centre at the Dutch Reformed Church in Onrus.

Phone 083 457 1896.

• Bridge at the De Wet Hall in Onrus from 09:00 17:00. Queries 028 316 3522.

• Art at the De Wet Hall in Onrus from 09:00 12:00. Queries 028 316 3522.

• See you at the Hermanus Library Bhuki Café, for tea, coffee, eats and a chat.

SATURDAYS

• Hermanus Country Market from 09:00 - 13:00 at the Cricket Grounds.

• Hermanuspietersfontein market from 09:00 13:00.

• Market in the Garden at St Peter’s Church from 09:00-13:00.

SATURDAY 28 NOVEMBER 16:00 THE STANFORD STUMBLE

Stanford Hills will once again be hosting this popular event, so remember to pre-register your teams to ensure smooth sailing on the day.

This is a fun-filled day for the whole family that includes the legendary Fun Run through the vineyards, loads of food and drinks, and live music by Gerrie Fourie as well as Out of Order, a Cape Town-based band. Remember to dress up for the Fun Run – there are great prizes to be won.

Winemakers Peter Kastner and Bartho Eksteen will run the auction, which always draws plenty of laughter, and all proceeds will go to the Butterfly Foundation. The event kicks off at 16:00, with registration from 15:00. You can also pre-enter by sending an email to info@butterflyfoundation.co.za.

Tickets are R80 for adults and R40 for children under 16. This year sees the official public launch of the Stanford Wine Route on Friday 27 November, and all the members will also have their wines available for tasting and sales at the Stanford Stumble the next day.

Oskars Village Square Market Street 028 312 3873

C00-EEE Café @ Pennypinchers Gateway Centre 028 32 1131

Paradiso Village Square Piazza 028 313 1153

Rossi’s Italian Restaurant

Running Rabbit Eastcliff Shopping Centre 028 312 1515

SATURDAY 5 DECEMBER BARRY HILTON LIVE!

SATURDAY 21 NOVEMBER NIANELL

Multi award-winning singer/songwriter Nianell will perform a one-night exclusive show at the Sandbaai Hall at 18:30 for 19:00. Tickets are R180 pp and can be booked on 060 898 0887 or at ticket@outlook.com. Please note that no tickets will be sold at the door.

FRIDAY 27 & SATURDAY 28 NOVEMBER BENGUELA ADVENTURE WEEKEND

Benguela Cove will be hosting their first multidiscipline two-day event in association with TriSport at the Benguela Cove Lagoon Wine GOOD

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South African comedy legend Barry Hilton will be performing at The Caledon Casino Hotel, Spa & Entertainment’s Swartberg venue at 20:00. His new show, Barry Hilton Live, is guaranteed to thrill both die-hard fans and first timers. Doors open at 19:30. Tickets cost R 100 per person and are available at the Caledon Hotel Reception or via Computicket. For more information, contact 028 214 5100.

Europa Village Square Waterfront Piazza 028 312 4377

FRIDAY 4 DECEMBER NIGHT OF A 1 000 DRAWINGS

The art galleries in Hermanus will host the second Hermanus Night of a 1000 Drawings on December 4. This event is a celebration of art based on the concept that all should enjoy the indulgence of purchasing artwork – even if it is modest in terms of size and price.

Anyone who wishes to enter are more than welcome to do so. The artworks can be executed with anything and can be of

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Gansbaai takes gold Founded in 2004 by Responsible Travel, the awards are a global search for and celebration of the most inspiring and enduring responsible tourism experiences in the world. Over the past 10 years more than 14 500 nominations from the public have been received, and after a rigorous a judging process awards have been given to 394 people and organisations.

According to Responsible Travel the reasons for naming Gansbaai as the winner in this category included the fact that just two hours from Cape Town, Gansbaai is home to a cluster of responsible tourism businesses - and these businesses have come together, cooperating with each other and the local authority to make Gansbaai a better place to live for local people. The judges were impressed by how much more the businesses, which include Grootbos and Dyer Island (both previous winners of the Responsible Tourism Awards) have been able to achieve by working together and with local government.

“The Best Destination category is for those destinations that put their unique community and environment at the heart of exciting and

memorable tourism experiences; places which use tourism to make better places for people to live in and better places for people to visit.

Whether a village, town, city, region or country, the Best Destination category is looking for places that inspire and promote responsible holiday experiences that celebrate and protect the best of their destination,” says Responsible Travel.

According to them Gansbaai is like an oyster that the local fishermen have opened only to discover a pearl inside. “But they then go on to share it with all the world. Gansbaai has transformed itself from fishing village to one of South Africa's most exciting and communityfocussed adventure hubs, a process that has been led by the Gansbaai Tourism Association.

The association is one of South Africa's most proactive and passionate clusters of tourism businesses, from fishermen to fynbos conservationists.

“The wholly committed members of the Gansbaai Tourism Association have been putting this coastal community and biodiverse natural heritage on the map for the last twenty years. With a small fishing village at its core, the Gansbaai group keeps growing and growing.

Many of the tourism business members are Fair Trade Tourism certified, and all are committed to protecting the natural environment, preserving heritage, improving the quality of life

FYNBOS GARDENS Landscaping, Maintenance, Irrigation & Nursery

of local people, and strengthening the local economy. Shark cage diving, kayaking, responsible whale watching, horse riding, fynbos safaris, and hiking are just a few of the holidays experiences to be had in this area that used to be just a quiet fishing village,” says Responsible Travel.

Exemplary businesses include Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, one of the first members of the prestigious Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy and the Dyer Island Conservation Trust founded in 2006 by Marine Dynamics and Dyer Island Cruises to fund conservation studies into the African penguin and great white sharks. The trust has also opened the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary for rehabilitation of injured, oiled and diseased seabirds.

“Gansbaai will always be about community, however, and the Gansbaai Tourism Association has been particularly active in social development through the Dibanisa Football Foundation and Growing the Futures programme creating employment in horticulture. Tourism grows, crops grow and communities grow in Gansbaai. With many new pearls just waiting to be discovered,” says Responsible Travel.

The Grootbos Private Nature Reserve received a silver award for Best for Poverty Reduction.

This prestigious 5 star nature reserve and eco

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Apart from a fundamental commitment to the fact that conservation can't happen without community support, Grootbos has the long term alleviation of poverty and the empowerment of the people living in the Walker Bay region at the core of everything they do. Which is why they set up the Grootbos Foundation in 2003, supported by funds raised through the business, but also through donations.

One of the projects funded by Grootbos is a Football Foundation, which isn't surprising, given that Grootbos gets the fact that breaking poverty cycles is all about skills. Teaching them, sharingthemandrewardingthem.Whetherthey are football coaching skills, animal husbandry, kitchen gardening, organic farming, hospitality, or training to be qualified nature guides, skills are empowering. Grootbos employees are actively encouraged to train in other areas within the company, to move up and manage their skills ambitiously. Grootbos strives to source as many products and services locally as possible, but when you are working in a region where unemployment levels are over 30%, this is not easy. So, they are training and teaching, mentoring and motivating, so that local businesses will grow, and poverty will shrink.

Grotto parking lot to stay closed this season Although the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has been completed to restore the parking area at Grotto East, work on this project will not commencethisyear.

Nurseries: 15 Mimosa Street, Industrial area 7 Dirkie Uys Street, CBD, Hermanus Tel: 028-313 1763 www.fynbosgardens.com

resort near Gansbaai is tied in with the local communities in ways that guests often won't even know about.

According to Penelope Aplon, environment officer at the Overstand Municipality, the EIA has been sent to the Department of Environmental Affairs for comment and approval. “The department now has 60 days to comment on or approve the assessment in which we have proposed to build a slope from the parking lot to the beach," she says.

According to Penelope the proposal to build a slope using ground and covering it with grass will have the least environmental impact on the area. The parking area was closed off earlier this year after the lagoon breached and

eroded apart of the lot.

“Before we can start with construction we need the approval of the department and then we will havetoseekfundingfromthemunicipalityforthe project. That means that construction will not start before the festive season and the parking lot will remain closed for cars,” Penelope says. She addsthatvisitorstoGrottoEastarestillwelcometo make use of the braai facilities, but no cars will be allowed. The area will remain blocked off to prevent cars from entering. “The repair of the parking lot is a high priority for us as the current situation does pose a health and safety risk. We do, however, need to take into consideration all the various aspects relating to the construction work. It is unclear if the Klein River will continue to breach on the western side thus impacting on the parking lot,” she says.

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Gansbaai did the Cape Whale Coast proud by being named the Best Destination for Responsible Tourism in the 2015 World Responsible Tourism Awards held in London on 4 November.

A fishing tale - "This one did not get away” Sport compiled by: Tony O’Hagan

Richard Tate, chair of the Fly Fishing Club, Brian Bain, secretary and treasurer, and outgoing chair, John Leppan.

Fly fishing club lures younger members Contrary to popular belief Hermanus boasts one of the largest fly fishing clubs in the country.

With 140 members the club is in good stead with a healthy increase in younger members and in club activities, it was revealed at the club’s 36th general meeting that was held recently.

The four dams in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley have recently been well stocked with rainbow trout and good fly fishing is expected in the months ahead.

families spend an enjoyable morning getting a taste for the sport and savoring the goodies that come off the braai.

It is a popular event for both members and guests and non-members are welcome to attend. It is a worthwhile experience to introduce one to the art and skill of fly fishing, while enjoying the surrounds of one of South Africa's most breathtaking valleys.

The dams cater for everybody and with the surrounding beauty of the valley it makes for pleasurable fishing experience.

The club has a friendly and welcoming ambiance, with members willing to assist newcomers who wish to be introduced to the sport.

A highlight on the fly fishing calendar is the open day which is held in April each year and

For further enquiries regarding membership and activities contact Cornel on 028 313 0914.

Answers To Sports Quiz 27th October

1. Which South African Premier league soccer team has the nickname '' The Clever Boys"?

Answer: Bidvest Wits 2. Who was the referee who awarded Australia a controversial penalty in their victory over Scotland at the Rugby World Cup? Answer: Craig Joubert 3. Which city is host to the Australian Open Tennis Champioships?

Answer: Melbourne 4. Who won the Mens British Open golf championships this year?

Answer: Zach Johnson 5. Who won the 2015 Tour De France cycling event and where was he born?

Answer: Chris Froome, born in Kenya Well done to Arlene Ehrenberg, Walter Rossouw and Andries Steenkamp for getting all the answers right.

Sports Quiz No. 4 Here is a taste of our sports quiz which will be a sponsored corner in the weeks ahead with prizes for our readers. In the meantime try your hand at the following questions. submit your name, telephone number and answers via email to dewaal@thehermanusnews.co.za 1. Who was the referee in the recent final of the Rugby World Cup? 2. Which South Afrcan swimmer won gold medals in the butterfly event at both the latest Olympics and Commonwealth Games?

3. Who is the coach for Ajax Cape Town Football club?

4. Who won the recent Swiss Indoor tennis title and how many times has he wonthis event?

5. Who is the current World Heavyweight boxing champion, holding the IBF, WBA and WBO titles?

See answers in our next edition.

We hear many fishing stories about "the one that got away" but this one comes via David Leppan, a doyen of Hermanus society and well known in the property industry. Thanks also to the Old Harbour Museum for allowing us access to the material and to David for relating this fascinating and historic anecdote.

It describes a Homeric struggle to land a great white shark from the rocks in Hermanus by a fisherman named Bill Selkirk who was born in Kimberley in 1883. He was an interesting character who owned Old Harbour House in the 1920s and a man who slept and dreamt fishing off the Hermanus cliffs.

He also owned a fishing tackle shop and his exploits put Hermanus on the map as a fisherman’s paradise. In June 1928 he landed a monster great white shark off the rocks in front of Old Harbour House. He fought the shark for close on 6 hours and in the course of this was led by the shark from Gearing's Point to The Marine Hotel and back to the Old Harbour, where he eventually landed the shark.

The shark weighed in at 2 176lb (987kg) and was 13ft 13inch (4m) in length with a girth of 8ft 9 inch (2,71m). To this day, the largest fish caught on rod and reel worldwide. It had such

acclaim internationally that an artist painted a water colour picture of the event which was printed in colour, on a double page spread in the London Illustrated News on 14th July, 1928.

The Old Harbour Museum has a room dedicated to Bill Selkirk where the painting, photos, the shark’s jaw and the single centrepin reel and cane rod are displayed. An enlarged painting of Selkirk's historic catch can be seen in the reception of Hermanus Property Sales in Main Road and is well worth viewing.

Sources: Old Harbour Museum and David Leppan, Principal of Hermanus Property Sales.

Is Hermanus associated with Robinson Crusoe?

The story of Selkirk goes a little further. His grandfather, Alexander Selkirk, is believed to be the real live Robinson Crusoe. Although, due to different time lines, this is refuted by some historians, many historical writings indicate that Daniel Defoe's inspiration for the tale of Robinson Crusoe was based on the adventure of Alexander Selkirk. Selkirk was a Scottish sailor who was marooned on an uninhabited island - Mas a Tierrain in the Juan Fernandez Islands off the Chilean coast.

From his life on this island, the saga of Robison Crusoe was purportedly written.

The Hermanus parkrun is off to a flying start with 190 participants taking part in the first ever run on 31 October and a further 177 taking part on 7 November. The parkrun takes place every Saturday at 08:00 at the Overstrand Training Institute’s site in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. Anyone is welcome to take part, including parents with prams and those with pets. For more information visit www.parkrun.co.za.

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Artwalk a success story The Hermanus First Fridays (HFF) Artwalk on 6 November was again a resounding success with locals and visitors strolling the fifteen art galleries in town to admire the works on display, meet some of the resident artists and mingle with fellow art lovers.

This initiative of the Arts portfolio of Hermanus Tourism started just over a year ago and has grown into a popular monthly event highlighting the vibrant art scene in Hermanus.

The theme of this month’s HFF was ‘Time to Mo Up!’ in honour of MOvember, the month set aside to highlight awareness of men’s health issues, particularly prostate and testicular cancer, by using the symbol of a moustache.

Also on hand to entertain the artwalkers was magician Marcel Oudejans who put in an appearance at the galleries. Next month’s HFF will see the galleries host the second Night of a 1,000 Drawings, when A5-sized artworks will be for sale at R100 each in aid of charity. Anyone who wants to participate must drop off their artworks at any of the 15 art galleries in town before 1 December.

Ed Bredenkamp and Ian Mac Donaldfrom Lembu Studio and Gallery in Harbour Road were proud to display a range of artworks at their new additional premises, Forty x 40 Gallery, in Warrington Place.

Gathered at Bellini Gallery in Village Square were Gerda Geyser, Mariaan Beyleveldt, Willie van Wyk, Annemarie and Danie du Plooy, and Pieter Geyser.

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Local sculptor Jaco Sieberhagen and his wife Sugnét admiring artworks by Christiaan Diedricks at Rossouw Modern’s SPACE Gallery in Warrington Place.

Jovial artwalkers gathered at Terry Kobus’s Originals Gallery.