The Village NEWS 14 November

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Entrepreneurial winner 2017

14 - 27 November 2017

Cape Whale Coast

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PHOTO: Martin Etsebeth

Whale Coast braced for a bumper season De Waal Steyn

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he Cape Whale Coast (CWC) is set to have one if its busiest seasons yet with an abundance of holidaymakers, including large numbers of international tourists, already in our towns, says CWC Tourism Manage, Frieda Lloyd.

“A lot of work has been done during the last year to market the area in Europe and it is paying dividends as we have

seen a lot of German, French and Italian visitors during the last few weeks. Walking past the restaurants and tourism spots in town one overhears a multitude of different languages being spoken,” she says.

International tourists see South Africa as a reasonably priced destination and view the Whale Coast as especially attractive because of the wide variety of activities, ranging from food and wine to adventure and art, that are on offer. Frieda says the increase in direct flights

between Euro-pean cities and Cape Town is annually adding an extra 600 000 seats and more than R3 billion in spend to the Western Cape economy.

Direct flights between Cologne in Germany and Cape Town also started last week.

“Many of these tourists travel beyond the boundaries of the Peninsula to towns like Franschhoek and Hermanus.

For that very reason we are talking to Franschhoek Tourism to find ways in which we can strengthen the tourism route

between these two iconic towns.”

In addition to the international tourists, larger numbers of local holidaymakers from all over the country are expected to descend on our towns during the first weeks of December. “There is basically no accom-modation left during the peak season in any of our towns. The relative safety, laid-back atmos-phere, warm temperatures and the Blue Flag beaches and boats, all add to the attractive-ness of our region to holiday-makers.

“There are very few places where everything is still so personal as here. On wine farms you will meet the winemakers, in restaurants you will meet the chefs, and at art galleries and studios you can see the artists in action. This is a truly special and unique characteristic of our region. It is also undeniable that the fact that we have ample water will attribute to the number of people visiting our shores this year.”

Of course, the new Whale Coast Mall opening its doors at

the end of the month will also attract thousands of day visitors from all over the region.

According to Frieda several new trends in tourism have also been identified. “Sustainable tourism has become an ever-increasing drawcard for both international and local visitors. The fact that we as a community work together to enhance the sustainability of our region adds a great deal. The importance of the international recognition we receive for this cannot be underestimated.”

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14 - 27 November 2017

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The Team 6 Royal Street Hermanus

028 312 2234

THE

NEWS

OPINION Matters

Be local, spend local Publishing Editor dewaal@thevillagenews.co.za

Content Editor

Hedda Mittner 083 645 3928 hedda@thevillagenews.co.za

Design and Layout

Nickey Jackson 079 408 7722 nickey@thevillagenews.co.za

The news that the Whale Coast can look forward to a bumper season is indeed good news for our local economy.

With much uncertainty in both the local and international economies, a crippling drought in the Western Cape, increasing fuel and food prices and consumer confidence at lows comparable to that of the late 1980s, every cent that is spent locally is important.

As a community each one of us needs to take the conscious decision to make spending locally a priority.

Through this you will be supporting local enterprises and create much-needed jobs. In a recent survey by the Institute for Race Relations the number one concern amongst South Africans was not crime or the appropriation of land without compensation, as some would have us believe, but rather unemployment.

In a region with so much potential to create new and exciting business opportunities, we need to help create a vibrant economy so that our

region can flourish. It is interesting to note some of the changes in the tourism industry in our region. With more and more international tourists visiting our shores, there is a constant growth in adventure as well as equine tour-ism. People love to interact with nature and it seems horses are playing a larger role than ever before.

Also, voluntourism, where people become involved in conservation activities, is gaining popularity in our region, as showcased by the Panthera Big Cat Sanctuary and the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary. This is further underscored by our region gaining increasing recognition as a sustainable tourism destination.

In this regard both Grootbos and Marine Dynamics must be lauded for recently receiving awards at the World Travel Market Sustainable Tourism Awards held in London. Marine Dynamics also recently won the prestigious Eco-Tourism Award at the Skål World Congress in India.

That is the GOOD News – ED

WHERE TO FIND US

Office Administrator

Tania Hamman admin@thevillagenews.co.za

Marketing Manager

Rina de Wet 083 604 0808 rina@thevillagenews.co.za

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The Village NEWS is published fortnightly and the next edition will be available on 28 November. The NEWS can be found at over 100 distribution points on the Cape Whale Coast, from Pringle Bay to Gansbaai. Get your FREE copy from major retail stores such as Spar, Checkers and Pick n Pay, and at restaurants, tasting rooms, galleries and shopping centres. Should you wish to receive a copy, call us on 028 312 2234 or 083 228 7523 or pop into our office at 6 Royal Street, Hermanus.

Ombudsman The press exists to serve society. Its freedom provides for independent scrutiny, and is essential to ensuring democracy. It enables citizens to make informed judgments, a role that is recognised by the Constitution. The Village NEWS subscribes to the South African Press Code and thus to the South African Press Council and the South African Press Ombudsman. Should you feel our reportingis not fair, free or unbiased and without prejudice, or that serious errors have been made, you are welcome to lay a complaint with the O m b u d s m a n . R e a c h h i m o n 0 11 4 8 4 3 6 1 2 / 8 , e - m a i l pressombudsman.org.za or visit www.ombudsman.org.za

Fernkloof: A living classroom?

Fernkloof Nature Reserve is a biodiversity hotspot. It is also a much loved living classroom where school children, university students, botanical and horticultural groups and tourists, both local and international, come to learn about our fynbos.

Final year biology students from the University of Exeter have been visiting Fernkloof every year for the past 10 years and declare it to be the highlight of their university studies.

Just one of several group guides told me that he guides over 250 botanical enthusiasts per year from as far afield as the UK, Europe, Kenia, Canada and the USA. The world-class herbarium, maintained by the Hermanus Botanical Society, boasts over 4 000 pressed specimens for study.

There are over 200 glowing comments about Fernkloof in the visitors’ book in the last two months. Examples are from GB: Thanks for all the work to make it so accessible and informative; from Tasmania: Praise be to God! Wonderful!; Switzerland: Great!

A treasure!; Sweden: Wonderful!

Breath-taking! And we are not yet in the holiday season when a lot more people will be inspired and have their breath taken away by the unspoilt beauty of this botanical gem in our midst.

School children love to be shown that a protea bloom is actually a whole bunch of flowers and that the flowers start out as males and then become females. The male pollen presenters develop first and pollinators like sugarbirds

are dusted with pollen as they feed on the flower’s nectar or insects attracted by the nectar.

The birds then flit to an older flower where the pollen presenter has transformed into a female ‘style’, there to deposit the pollen to fertilise the flower.

My favourite nature journalist, George Monbiot, wrote: If children lose contact with nature they won't fight for it. Without a feel for the texture and function of the natural world, without an intensity of engagement almost impossible in the absence of real experience, people will not devote their lives to its protection.

Fernkloof provides such intense engagement with fynbos ecology – the adaptation to poor soils and fire and the sometimes unexpected pollinators that have adapted over millions of years to pollinate different species. For example, over many decades botanists wondered how a species of Erica with a very long-tubed flower that grows in Fernkloof and adjacent Vogelgat could have a suitable pollinator – until Giorgio Lombardi, warden of Vogelgat Nature Reserve, showed that it had an intimate relationship with a very longtongued fly.

Visitors are fascinated by a species of Restio that has evolved to produce seeds that smell and look like eland droppings. They dupe dung beetles into rolling them away and burying them – where they are safely ‘planted’ until ready to germinate.

We love the ‘waboom’, a protea with magnificent green-white

flowers. It has such fire-resistant bark that it can survive the fiercest fire to re-sprout new life.

The surviving wood is so hard the early settlers used it to make wagon brake blocks.

Who would have thought that nature produces its own sunblock in the red anthocyanin pigments seen in new leaves and on the sun-facing edges of protea leaves?

Fynbos is best appreciated on foot, walking along the 60 km of paths that zig-zag through the reserve in easy gradients. The thrill of reaching the top of the mountain, or the form and colour of flowers, the song of the birds and dappled shade of the riverine forests is what tourists come for.

That is why we should protect a place like Fernkloof. It is too precious to use for any other purpose than that for which it was proclaimed – namely the conservation of the natural flora and fauna found there.

Over decades governments and municipalities have appreciated the value of a living classroom like Fernkloof and passed legislation to protect such nature reserves (e.g. National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act). Fernkloof Nature Reserve is protected by this legislation. We must make sure that the legislation is followed in the spirit of its intentions.

Fernkloof has no need of extra attractions. It has enough of its own for everyone.

- Anina Lee Whale Coast Conservation

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Despite tough times we will survive, says Justice Malala

hen more than 1 000 people show up at the launch of a book about the excesses and large-scale corruption by our president and his henchmen, then you have to know that people are worried about the state of our nation. And with reason.”

This was the message from Justice Malala, one of South Africa’s most well-known political analysts and journalists on Thursday at the PSG Wealth Hermanus Annual Investor Presentation held at the Hermanus Golf Club, attended by more than 200 people. He was referring to the launch of Jacques Pauw’s book “The President’s Keepers” the previous evening in Hyde Park.

“The importance of what is happening in our country can be seen in the fact that a person like me is invited to an investor’s meeting of a successful financial institution such as PSG to talk about politics. It shows the direct impact everyday politics has on our economic situation.”

According to him South Africans are worried about two things.

Firstly, the rhetorical noise made by politicians and secondly the decline of our most important institutions, such as the South African Revenue Service (SARS), the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and parastatals such as Eskom.

“People become worried when they hear the noise made by politicians such as Julius Malema.

There is a lot of talk about radical economic transformation and the redistribution of land without compensation. I think it is important to remember that this is mere opportunistic and populist rhetoric employed by those who want to make political gains. In the runup to the ANC elective conference in December and the general election in 2019 there will be a lot of noise from a lot of politicians. In short, the noise made by politicians on stage can be largely ignored,” said Malala.

He prefers using the state of the

country’s institutions as a barometer of the country’s wellbeing and there are some red lights flickering.

“As little as five years ago SARS was one of the finest institutions in the country. As a matter of fact, it was so efficient people were paying their taxes with a smile on their face. Today SARS is a hollowed-out version of its former self and many people have lost faith in the institution.

When institutions like SARS and the NPA do not work for the people, people have reason to worry.

According to him the runup to the ANC’s elective conference has reached its peak with Cyril Ramaphosa and Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma emerging as the two presidential hopefuls.

In his opinion, the election of Ramaphosa with his more centrist and conservative views will have a calming effect on the country and its economy, while

victory for Dlamini-Zuma will most probably have dire effects for the country with the economy being further downgraded by international rating agencies. However, it could also lead to the stalwarts of the ANC breaking away and starting their own party, further strengthening our democracy.

“With business confidence at the same levels as during the late 1980s, civil society cannot afford to let our political system, economy and institutions be further undermined. As has happened in the recent past it is time for civil society to stand up and say, ‘not in my name’.

“These are tough times. But we must believe in our country. We must believe in the fact that we are good people. We must not let bad things happen in our name. We will come through this. We have a messy and noisy democracy, but it is our democracy.”

– De Waal Steyn

Hyundai supports local community There is no need to go ‘over the mountain’ for a sweet deal on a Hyundai. And if you are a resident, the deal has just become a little sweeter. Hyundai Hermanus, in conjunction with The Village NEWS, are proud to announce an incredible deal aimed especially at locals. “Every month we will put up at least one vehicle that will be sold at dealer cost, amounting to a substantial saving. To show our support for the local economy this deal will only be available to residents of the Overstrand. Come and have a look at what is on offer on the special ramp we have erected for this promotion at the dealership. There will also be a very special surprise for everyone who buys one of these vehicles,” says Branch Manager, Johann Grobbelaar. As brand ambassadors for this special deal, The Village NEWS team of De Waal Steyn and Hedda Mittner was recently presented by Johann with the keys to a sparkling Hyundai i10 to zip around in. Keep your eyes peeled on The Village NEWS in the coming months for more details on this special local deal.

De Waal Steyn and Hedda Mittner of The Village NEWS with Hyundai Hermanus Branch Manager Johann Grobbelaar at the handover of the Hyundai i10.

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Keeping busy in Hermanus since 1860 The business sector forms a large and vigorous part of Hermanus. Today some 800 businesses are listed in the Greater Hermanus area under approximately 60 categories ranging from accommodation to ziplining. DR ROBIN LEE of the Hermanus History Society gives an overview of how we got to where we are today.

H

ermanus’ economy appears to have changed quite smoothly from subsistence to capitalist in the 1890s. Fishing was a subsistence, almost feudal activity.

But capitalists appeared from among the residents, thinking of ways in which they could create demand, as well as ways to respond to it. Economic growth was driven by entrepreneurial activity to stimulate demand.

Demand stimulated products and services, which then brought further economic growth.

My research has shown that, from earliest days, businesspeople promoted the town energetically. They launched initiatives that were specifically designed to bring people to the town, to keep them here for as long as possible, and, when they had to leave, to lure them back again – in fact what our tourism economy continues to do today.

For instance, John Luyt, owner of the Marine Hotel from 1904 to 1940, increased the attraction of Hermanus as an angling destination by securing worldwide coverage of Bill Selkirk’s world record great white shark catch in 1922. He was able to get premium coverage in London and New York, having previously made sure there was a good photographic record of the event at the time that it happened.

He followed this up by creating an Angling Club, members of which received instruction from Selkirk himself. Hotel guests were automatically honorary members of the Angling Club for the duration of their stay. Luyt set up Bill Selkirk in a shop near the Marine Hotel, where the famous shark fisherman sold equipment that he personally recommended. The Angling Club became a tourist attraction in its own right.

Angling must be understood as the form of fishing practised by the wealthy, when all the work is actually done by a ‘ghillie’, but it was acceptable for the angler to boast at dinner about ‘the fish I caught’. This was a prospect greatly desired by the rich and eagerly copied by the ‘nouveau riche’ who came to Hermanus in the first quarter of the 20th century.

As one might expect, the first genuinely commercial activity to be recorded in the town is a boatbuilding and boat-repair workshop, set up by John Louis or Swede as he was known, in the 1860s. His premises were where the Burgundy Restaurant is now.

There is general agreement that the first commercial retail enterprise was a small general dealer’s shop that was opened in the early 1860s

by Ephraim George Moore from Stanford. Moore approached James and Elizabeth Warrington with a proposal to establish a shop, either next to (or actually in) the Warrington’s house in Marine Drive, which was just above ‘Visbaai’ (the Old Harbour).

THEN AND NOW The Balcony Building on the corner of Main Road and St Peter’s Lane housed the Balcony Tea Room and a chemist which later became the Alex Grand Pharmacy until 2006. There was also a roller skating rink that was used for village meetings and dances during the season. The main part of the building is now home to the Hermanus Factory Shop.

The shop was established under the supervision of Mrs Warrington (born Henn). Within a short time the colonial government nominated the shop as the first Post Office in Hermanuspietersfontein and a daughter of the family, Miss Maria Elizabeth Warrington became the first Postmistress of Hermanuspietersfontein.

The first commercial retail enterprise in Hermanuspietersfontein, in the early 1860s, was the Warringtons’ General Dealer shop which doubled as the first post office and later became the Princess Café.

Early commercial development naturally took place in Main Road and Harbour Road. Jacob Oblowitz was the first to trade at Lemm’s Corner, opening his shop in 1904, but he did not own any of the plots on which the general dealer’s store and his own little house were built.

Smaller general dealer’s stores came and went, including Bekker’s Store, situated a little out of town at the corner of Main and Stemmet Roads in Eastcliff, Slabbert’s Grocery Shop in Church Street, and the Outspan Store which later became Strati’s Superette in Paterson Street.

Of some interest is the appearance of cafés, amongst them the Royal, Princess, Park, Uitkyk, Goldfish and Haman’s Cafés. They catered for a clientele buying soft drinks, icecream and sweets. These also became gathering points for different age cohorts of holidaymakers and town youth and are among the shops best remembered by older residents.

Lemm’s Stores on the corner of Main and Harbour Roads was opened by Jacob Oblowitz in 1904, but was later demolished. It is still known as Lemm’s Corner.

The Riviera Hotel in Voëlklip, circa 1920. Hermanus became very fashionable in the mid-thirties and hotels dominated the business economy. The Riviera was only one of 13 hotels in operation after World War II. It was demolished in 1999.

PHOTOS: Old Harbour Museum and Hermanus History Society

Enterprises also sprang up to supply the cafés. Johnny Stemmet started a successful mineral water factory behind the Warrington house in Marine Drive. He later moved it to the yard of the Esplanade Hotel before selling it to Eric Westcott, who relocated it to Mitchell Street, where abundant pure water was available from the underground spring there.

Catering to a more mature market than the cafés was the Cypress Tree Tea Room, opened in 1928 by Miss Edith Rubery on the site of Swede’s boat-building business. Also for adults was the Balcony Tea Room, situated on the first floor of the Balcony Building on the corner of Main Road and St. Peter’s Lane. The building was designed to provide offices to let. The Balcony Building also housed a roller-skating rink and was used for village meetings, as well as dances during the season.

As access to transport improved, the

Kraal Rock Tea Gardens in Eastcliff, managed by Mr and Mrs Ling became popular. Overberg author S J du Toit reports that Mr Ling was responsible for the very many Norfolk Island pine trees in Hermanus.

On a trip to Cape Town to get supplies he came across a huge pile of saplings for sale. He bought a truckload and sold the saplings off individually in Hermanus at 1/6 (15 cents) each.

A number of features make the commercial development of Hermanus relatively unique. The natural beauty of the environment brought to town visitors who were richer and higher in social status than visitors to other towns of similar size, stimulating demand for better accommodation and a higher quality of goods in the shops. They also prompted the Municipality into improving services, such as providing ‘wasbakkies’ at points where clear water was available and instituting a tanker service to deliver clear water to larger establishments.

Hotels dominated the business economy in early Hermanus. Soon after World War II there were thirteen hotels operating, of which only The Marine and the Windsor remain.

Hotels provided income to the owners, created employment and benefitted shops in the town through spending by guests. There are many more entrepreneurial activities known to me that require further research. The pharmaceutical, medical and caring sectors deserve an article of their own.

However, from the start, the basic challenge of town planning in Hermanus was experienced. The principal ‘product’ Hermanus has to sell is its sense of place, which draws many different types of visitor. But, how do you intelligently increase the attraction of the environment without actually destroying it by overdevelopment and thus negating what brought people in the first place? We are nowhere near answering that question, as can be seen in the present proposals by Municipal officials for the development of their own Fernkloof Nature Reserve.

Visit www.hermanus-historysociety.co.za or contact Dr Robin Lee at robinlee@hermanus.co.za

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Promising future for Onrus River Estuary The lagoon becomes a hot topic of discussion every year during the high season in December and January, with beachgoers often being advised not to swim in the lagoon due to high concentrations of enterococci bacteria. Natural bacterial growth is common this time of year due to increased water temperatures. This natural growth occurs in all estuary systems and should not be mistaken for pollution incidents or sewage spills. Low water levels and high temperatures all lead to algal and bacterial growth that can be harmful to humans.

Olivia Schaffer

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concerned community’s year-long perseverance to ensure a healthy, sustainable environment for themselves and for future generations has resulted in a positive outcome for Onrus.

Spearheading the residents’ determined efforts was Dr Peter van Niekerk, a retired water engineer and an involved campaigner, whose tireless endeavours resulted in the Onrus River Estuary Forum (OREF) becoming official, late last month. All parties signed the Constitution and Code of Conduct, and Van Niekerk was voted chairman of the forum that was shaped under the auspices of the Overstrand Municipality, in accordance with the National Integrated Coastal Management Act. The reason for the formation of the OREF – established to serve as an advisory body to oversee the implementation of the Onrus Estuarine Management Plan – is to ensure that the Onrus Estuary is a healthy and functioning ecosystem with good water quality, safe for recreational purposes.

The Onrus River rises in the Babilonstoring Mountains and flows 16kms through the Hemel

The OREF Committee consists of: (back left) Anton Kruger, Caroline Gabb, Rob Fryer, Andrew Greeff and (front seated from left) Paul de Villiers, Vice Chair, Peter Van Niekerk, Chair, and Jan Janse van Rensburg, Secretary. Not present were: John Loftie-Eaton, Treasurer, Peter Viljoen and Jo Campbell. en Aarde Valley before crossing the narrow coastal plain to flow into the sea through the Onrus Estuary. The catchment area is within the Fynbos Biome but, with urban development; invasive alien vegetation; and agriculture, most of this vicinity has been transformed. The river course is heavily overgrown, in places

with invasive alien vegetation – and pressure on the Onrus River system and estuary is expected to increase.

During peak seasons surfers flock to the spacious Onrus Beach – and the Onrus Lagoon, as it is commonly called, is ideal for young children who can splash around in the

shallow, calm water. Swimming and canoeing, however, are somewhat restricted because of concerns about poor water quality. A jewel in the crown of the local beach facilities, the intention is to effectively manage the estuary for safe use today – and for the benefit of tomorrow’s nature lovers.

“The OREF is going to be a benchmark for the functioning of other estuary forums,” says Rob Fryer, general manager of Whale Coast Conservation. “Our secretary is a lawyer who is ensuring the constitution is sound. I, therefore, have great hopes that we have set the standard for the way other forums will be shaped.”

Rob explains that the Klein River Estuary, and Bot River Estuary that is linked to the Kleinmond River Estuary, were within the top ten of ecological importance in South Africa and that they, as well as the Uilkraal River Estuary, had draft estuary plans and estuary forums. “The Onrus

River Estuary is insignificant in national terms so there is no funding for estuarine work here,” he says, adding that it was the Over-strand Municipality and Onrus’ Lagoon Preservation Trust that helped fund drawing up the draft estuary management plan.

And this is just the first step.

“The OREF is now applying to become a non-profit organisation (NPO) and a registered public benefit organisation so it will be able to fundraise under Section 18A of the Income Tax Act,” says Rob. The OREF platform is a partnership that comprises civil society and all local, district, and provincial government agencies involved in the management of the Onrus Estuary. Residents are represented by local community organisations, comprising Whale Coast Conservation, Onrus Lagoon Preservation Trust, Whale Coast Waveriders, the Onrus and the Vermont ratepayers, OnVerWag and local business, as well as Ward 13 committee members.

“The success of our Onrus project is testament to a caring, concerned society,” concludes Fryer.

Other estuaries in the region include Rooi Els, Pringle Bay, Betty’s Bay and the Palmiet.

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Aldo’s story of courage, determination and faith Walter Mapham

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ast week Aldo Scheun caught Wahoo while on holiday in Mauritius. But this is not just about fish. It is about a young man raised in Hermanus whose story is an inspiration to all of us. It is about an intrinsic determination to be positive, about faith and the support of family and friends. It is about what the courage to dream can achieve.

In a 2006 tragedy that shocked the whole of Hermanus, Aldo was seriously wounded as an innocent bystander in a Hermanus restaurant shooting. This “drug syndicate shootout” left him paralysed with C6/C7 injuries. It meant 6 months in ICU and the rest of his life in a wheelchair. It was a setback that cut short his career and prospects as a commercial diver. A setback that would have driven most of us to despair.

Aldo Scheun with his father Boet and two charter boat operators in Mauritius with their catch. own boat and goes fishing when the weather permits. He has been secretary of the Ski Boat Club for the past three years, is actively involved in the financial management of BS Divers and runs an accommodation business.

evaluate your place in the world.”

At that time the world was at Aldo’s feet. He was an outstanding young diver set to join his father’s business and follow in his footsteps as a professional diver and businessman. At this time Hermanus would have seemed like a wonderful place and the prospect of a life of excitement and physical adventure was something most young men dream of.

The accident was a shattering blow for Aldo and his family.

Most of us can only imagine the impact of this trauma.

He has also involved himself in the Hermanus community where he counsels and assists paraplegics in the Overstrand.

He has worked as a Hospice Companion, with the Overberg Wheelchair Association and the Association of People with Disabilities (APD).

Aldo’s favourite quote: “Those who have a 'why' to live, can bear with almost any 'how'.”

(Viktor E. Frankl). I asked Aldo what is his why? He replied: “There is just one life, your outlook determines if you are going to enjoy it or not. You can improve your future; the past is just experience.” I asked what gives him strength, and he said: “For me it is my faith, the support of family and friends and a determination to see the positive in every situation.”

Since the disaster Aldo has been rebuilding his life. He continued with his studies through Unisa. In 2010 he completed a BA (psychology) degree and in 2012 BA Hons (Psychology) – both Cum Laude. He is currently working towards a Masters’ degree in psychology. He has learnt to drive a specially equipped car, skippers his

There are lessons for us all in how Aldo has managed to meet the challenges of rebuilding his life after the disaster 11 years ago. “The hardest thing was the first year after the accident,” says Aldo, “when a person must adapt to what you can and cannot do. You also have to try to work out who you are, what your dreams are, and to re-

Aldo’s story serves as an inspiration to all of us. We can be proud of our young neighbour and what he, with the support of his parents Boet and Elize, has achieved. It is wonderful to watch BS Divers in the New Harbour build their reputation as a world class commercial dive school and to be aware that there is more to it than meets the eye.

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Local pilot builds one-of-a-kind barge Olivia Schaffer

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spirit of adventure was the driving force behind entrepreneur Dave Austin, better known as the owner of African Wings, accepting the challenge to build a barge sturdy enough to transport building material and equipment from the mainland to an island in the western section of Botswana’s Okavango Delta.

“It was a mammoth task,” says Dave, in retrospect. “I attribute our success in pulling it off to my father, Neville, who designed the vessel, and to Charl Henn who worked tirelessly for 10 weeks, sometimes through the night, to complete the project on time. Charl has an incredible work ethic – without him we would never have made it. And, in his day, my dad was a technical design engineer, so he was well qualified for this assignment.”

It was Grant Truthe, a family friend living in Botswana, who referred Dave to Kudu Safaris,

a German outfit that is building two camps in the delta – namely Setari Camp (meaning tree in Setswana) and the smaller, Kala Camp (meaning branch in Setswana). Once the camps are complete – which should be in May/June next year – the barge will be used to transport guests from the mainland to the islands, and for safari cruises.

“It’s built of steel,” explains Dave, “but it has been protected with an industrial coating, and it will be in alkaline waters, so it won’t rust. An upper deck can be attached which means it will be able to serve as a pleasure and sight-seeing vessel.”

allows for two vehicles or a tractor and trailed grader. At 9,5 metres long, 2,7 metres wide and 5 metres high it is an impressive-looking barge.

The barge was tested for the first time on the lagoon near Fisherhaven with a 10-ton load simulated by filling three large tanks with water. It passed the test with flying colours and the barge has since also passed its acceptance tests in the waters of the Okavango Delta.

The barge is flat-bottomed and has a 115hp Mercury, four-stroke engine. It’s slow but ideal to manoeuvre effortlessly through the delta.

It weighs four tons, can carry eight tons comfortably, and has a 20-ton displacement.

There is six tons of floatation under the deck and the bow is hinged to enable vehicles to be driven on to it. Space

The 10 metres long and 2,7 metres wide vessel made of steel was so big a larger truck had to be found to transport it to Botswana where it is now fully operational and after construction of the camps it will be converted to a passenger vessel with an upper observation deck.

Dave says the barge is the largest vessel of its kind that has been built in Hermanus.

“Not only was it a first for us, but also for our town. Hopefully this will lead to similar projects in future.”

Dave who owns African Wings - and takes visitors to the region on scenic and whalewatching flights - is an aircraft engineer by trade. He gleaned his boat-building skills from a stint on the Zambezi where he initiated river safaris, and he got into steelworks when he settled in Hermanus. So, although not kitted to work on such a big project, he had the expertise. “We had to make up much of the equipment we required,” he explains.

One such ‘self-made’ apparatus was the trailer used to transport the barge to Fisherhaven for testing. “I fell upon an abandoned eight-ton farm truck that was big enough for

our purpose,” says Dave. “It was stuck in bushes. I cut it out, removed the body and turned the chassis into a trailer.

Here I would like to add my thanks to the Hermanus traffic police who helped with traffic control during the transportation of the barge – they were extremely obliging and cooperative.”

And what will become of the trailer? “Who knows?” asks Dave.

“Perhaps a logging company may need it – or I could get another commission to build a barge!”

The driver from the company commissioned to transport the barge to Botswana, was in awe of the load and, after much deliberation, had to get a larger vehicle for the task.

“I’m thankful to report that ours has been a success story,” said Dave with a smile of relief. “The vessel is working as planned, in the delta.”

What’s next for Dave? He is a visionary, so there are many projects and ideas under his wings.

Biggest and best VAC celebrates 5th birthday The annual Hermanus VAC, a celebration for youngsters who have just completed their matric exams, is celebrating its 5th year with one of the biggest festivals yet.

“We are pulling out all the stops this year with a line-up of artists the likes of which the town has never seen. They include Kyle Watson, Chunda Munki and the ever-popular Jack Parrow,” says organiser Alan de Kock.

“We have truly been blessed with the VAC establishing itself not only as one of the premium student festivals in the country but also with tremendous growth, which will see more than 6 000 kids celebrating the end of their school days this year from 1 to 8 December. As a

last four years and we intend to keep it that way.

matter of fact, by the end of October almost 98% of the tickets were sold out,” says a proud Alan.

“Last year the shuttle vehicles clocked more than 7 000 km during the week shuttling people between Voëlklip and town. The action will kick off every day at 18:00 until 02:00 in the morning.”

“Since its inception the festival has been positively supported by the local community and the Municipality. In celebration of five successful years we are doing everything better and bigger than before.

“As per usual the main event will be hosted at See & Sand as it not only offers a beautiful environment that is well suited to our needs, but it is also secluded enough that the concert goers can really enjoy themselves. This year, however, we will have a second exclusive venue at Mock Turtle at the Village Square.”

Jack Parrow is among the line-up of artists who will be performing at the Hermanus VAC from 1 – 8 December.

To ensure the safety of the young festivalgoers several trained security guards will be on hand and a special free shuttle service between See & Sand and the CBD will be available to all VACers during the evenings.

“Ids will be checked at the entrance to every venue as there is a strict 18 and older only regulation,” says Alan. “Bouncers will ensure everyone behaves themselves and no under-age children try to slip in. We’ve not had one serious incident in the

According to Alan, the See & Sand venue will offer a proper stage, replete with light shows, LED panels, smoke effects, CO² canisters and lasers, as well as the opportunity to angle the speakers away from town towards the Klein River Lagoon as to minimise any loud noise late at night.

Alan says youngsters from all over the country come to Her-

manus to celebrate the end of their school career. “Matrics from as far afield as Namibia and Johannesburg have already booked their spots together with those from George, Mossel Bay and of course Cape Town and surrounds.”

Alan says he is very proud of the fact that the festival supports the local economy. “For me as a local entrepreneur it is important that the VAC not only creates a safe environment for matriculants to come and enjoy themselves, but that the youngsters also spend thousands of rands at local shops and restaurants. Some of them in the last few years have spent up to R20 000 each during their stay.”

– De Waal Steyn

8

14 - 27 November 2017

THE

NEWS

Let’s Talk Send your letters to dewaal@thevillagenews.co.za

Developments need scrutiny The recent meeting on the Fernkloof Nature Reserve (FNR) involved Stephen Müller’s presentation of the OM’s Infrastructure and Planning Department’s latest draft Integrated Management Plan (IMP) for the reserve, and a subsequent very lengthy Q & A session.

Müller’s presentation focused on varied suggested develop-ments in areas of the existing reserve, and some penetration into the remainder; a major aim was to attract more, and more varied people.

The Q & A session heard a welter of criticism of the draft. The common thread in these was that the reserve should remain a nature reserve – as it is; furthermore, that as such it was one of Hermanus’s major attractions.

One useful product of the meeting was that the Planning Department would talk, as it is required to do, to the Fernkloof Advisory Board, a body set up by the Municipality to advise the OM on Fernkloof matters.

Stephen Müller said the

Municipality would extend the time for written comment, although there was no commitment to take regard of anything said or written.

The differences, the philosophical differences between the two sides in this issue are so great that one wonders where any compromise may be found.

It appears that with this issue, as with others such as the bypass – development of the De Mond site is now another – neither Councillors nor the Council are prepared to interact with appropriate structures, or the people of Hermanus before a proposal is submitted to them by Municipal officials.

No one doubts the manner in which officials carry out their function – the way in which the geo-hydrological research carried out by UMVOTO on underground water has been pursued to prove resources is a classic example.

Yet surely major developments should be under wider scrutiny at an early stage. It is incredibly

frustrating to find it otherwise on such issues: that sense of frustration was palpable at the FNR meeting.

Despite what has been done, water may well be our future Achilles heel. Robin Richards has made the point elsewhere that “the hydraulic density of population has been exceeded in Cape Town… and that if Hermanus continues to grow at its current rate it too will exceed HDP in the not very distant future”. The more so if the present low rainfall level continues to be other than part of a shortterm cycle. I feel unease, given that more than 40 percent of our current water usage comes from underground – a finite resource.

There are many who do not believe that Hermanus’s economic future lies in encouraging yet more development.

My hope is that the Municipality’s main concern will be infrastructure consolidation; the economy will look after itself.

John Truswell, Voëlklip

Play the plants, not the man I am perturbed by the recent brouhaha regarding the proposed developments in the Fernkloof Nature Reserve (FNR).

While I clearly understand the opposition to unchecked development in a pristine reserve, I cannot fathom the outright contempt shown by some members of the public towards municipal officials and councillors. In rugby there is a saying: play the ball, not the man.

Is it too much to ask for some common decency when debating issues that are important to us all? Reading some of the posts and comments on social media I was aghast at what I saw. It is one thing to have an opinion. It is a completely different matter if you are plain rude and dismissive as it distracts from any valid point you make. The people who work with these matters are competent and well-respected members of our society and

should be treated as such, even if you think they are wrong.

While many of the proposed developments are not suitable for the FNR, I do think that a tea garden and some development at the three dams will not go amiss. And as far as I remember the much-anticipated Astronomy Centre was a fait accompli, or did I miss something?

Nature and Rugby Lover

Bypass is necessary to deal with increase in traffic The previous letters published in The Village NEWS on the subject of the proposed bypass road refers: It should be understood that the bypass is necessary. The Province would not spend money on this rather expensive road on a whim. It should also be understood that our popular town is built on a relatively narrow stretch of land between mountains and the sea, so its proposed routing is very limited. To take the points as raised in these letters: 1. To widen the main feeder road from inland towards the town centre would only move the problem down to where one can go no further, that is the roundabout at the Dutch Reformed Church building opposite the Magistrates Court.

That is already struggling to cope with traffic, especially going westwards from the Royal Street Ring Road at many times of the day. The circle is not big enough, although when originally planned all three roundabouts (DRC, Checkers and The Marine) were

designed to full-size Provincial standards (a la Voëlklip), but they were curtailed in size.

2. As a result of the extention of Mountain Drive to the Gateway traffic lights a lot of traffic now turns off there which never used to. A sign of what is to come with the proposed bypass.

3. A suggested pedestrian bridge over the Main Road: this is presumably the pedestrian crossing and traffic lights linking north and south Mount Pleasant. Is your correspondent suggesting that people (including older people) have to climb more than 5 metres up just so that they can travel uninterrupted from the CTM traffic lights to the Gateway lights!?

Remember these basics: Motorists are not sacrosanct because they are surrounded by a ton of metal, and motorists are only pedestrians in disguise.

4. Where does the “only” 7% of traffic through to and beyond Hermanus come from? If it

was a survey, when was it carried out, what time(s) of day, what days of the week, what time of year? Are they reliable surveys? I have lived on both 7th Street in Voëlklip (the main road to the east of town) and the Main Road from Gateway into town and of the 19 years that I have lived in Hermanus the increase in traffic has been great!

5. Some relief will become available when the bridge is built over the river leading to the Onrus Lagoon, thus extending Bergsig Street running through from Vermont, Onrus, Sandbaai, Mount Pleasant, Zwelihle into the Industrial Estate adjacent to Swartdam Road.

6. The inevitable growth of Stanford, Gansbaai, Franskraal, Pearly Beach et al will make this a very busy through route.

I am pleased to live in a Municipality and Province that thinks ahead and not one that can only react to a crisis.

Dave Jones, Sandbaai

Has bylaw gone to the dogs?

There have been several reports on social media the last few months where people and dogs were attacked on the Cliff Paths and beaches by unleashed dogs. The situation has become almost as bad as the dog poop littering the beautiful areas where we walk our dogs.

As an avid dog walker my dogs are always on their leashes except when we visit Grotto East near the lagoon where it seems the norm is that dogs are allowed to run free. Not that this area is not without its problems with dogs attacking each other.

The other day I overheard a very heated discussion between two people on Grotto

East where the one was arguing that it is against the law to have your dog off a leash anywhere. The dog walker’s defence was that he read that the Municipality has changed the law and that dogs off leashes were allowed in some areas.

bylaw? I cannot find any further information on it and phoning the Municipality to find out led to a dead-end. It has been almost two years and people are confused.

I could vaguely remember reading something similar in your newspaper and lo and behold after searching through The Village NEWS online there it was. In February of 2016 the Municipality proposed that the bylaw be changed to allow dogs off leashes at certain times and at certain places.

Several enquiries to the Municipality during the last 18 months have been left unanswered as to when the proposed changes will serve before council. The only feedback has been that the number of comments received from the public was so overwhelming that it would take some time to incorporate it into the proposed changes. We will keep on trying to find clarity as to if and when the proposed changes will serve before council. - ED

My question is what happened to the proposed change in the

Pet Walker, Eastcliff

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14 - 27 November 2017

Municipality is falling short of responsibility towards ratepayers We are a group of concerned Ratepayers and have read with great interest letters from ‘Baboon Victim’ and ‘Padmaker’, whom we are sure, are concealing their identities to avoid bullying repercussions from Overstrand Municipality (OM), who appear to have totally forgotten why the municipality is there. I would remind them that it is to protect and further the interests of the Overstrand Ratepayers who fund their activities. We are not aware of many baboons who pay rates.

The OM environmental policy is totally confusing. On the one hand, they fully support groups of wild creatures that play havoc in the community, whilst on the other hand they are endeavouring to destroy Fernkloof which is a great bota-nical, national, and local asset.

We have been made aware of a number of incidents where the Municipality is falling signifi-

cantly short of its responsibility to support the ratepayers. We are told that recently an elderly couple approached OM for their assistance in controlling a neighbour who in the course of building activities had significantly compromised their security. Their approach was rudely and aggressively rebuffed, and furthermore they were issued with Notices of Prosecution for illegal additions to their own property, all of which had been approved and in one case was legally constructed 30 years ago – ten years prior to them purchasing the property.

In a further incident reported to us, a ratepayer approached the Municipality to investigate the application that her employee had made for Municipal Housing more than 12 months ago. She was aggressively informed that no such application had ever been made and that the employee should

apply again and be placed at the bottom of the list. When asked about any age restriction which could be applied, she was informed that the Provincial Regulation is that the applicant must be older than 40, but special consideration could be given in certain circumstances, which would not be defined.

These are just some of the instances that we are aware of, and urge the public to come forward to Let’s Talk and let us know just what these municipal employees are getting away with. We are sure there are many of you out there.

Corruption is not just the situation where money or gifts change hands – it is also the gross misuse of powers which have been granted in good faith by the Overstrand ratepayers, who have now become the victims.

Concerned Ratepayers

DOG WALKERS UNITE Come on Hermanus – there must be so many dog loving people in town who have some spare time! Hermanus Animal Welfare is always looking for volunteers to walk their small and big dogs and get them out of the kennels for some mental stimulation. Even 15 minutes makes a big difference in their lives. There is a new open area at the back of the HAWS kennels making it easier. Any morning between 09:00 and 11:30, even if you only manage an hour it would be so appreciated. Don your walking shoes and grotty clothes and help our few dedicated regulars, who include Wendy HarrisJones, Caroline Davis and Jeanette Schumalian, shown here with their canine friends.

Volunteers can call Caroline on 084 851 8409, or the HAWS office on 028 3121281 – or just show up, please!

– Judy Miller

The Cliff Path Whale Trail – sanity at last Great news for those who enjoy a tipple or two. Or three. The wonderful folks at Shard Hospitality And Tourism (SHAT) – developers of the fourteenstory Shard development behind Curro School – have unveiled the latest in their regeneration plans for Hermanus. And what a thrill it will be.

As we all know, liquids inside bottles are often the reason why people drive their cars into each other, so together with the Traffic Department, SHAT has proposed a brilliant solution. The project is being co-funded by local wine farmers and beer brewers to increase their turnover dramatically, while appearing to keep a bloodshot eye on social responsibilities.

The motivation for the project came from residents’ ongoing gripes concerning the cliff path.

These are three-fold.

Wit’s End Murray Stewart thevillagemuze@gmail.com

Firstly: security. It is unsafe to jog alone during the day, and downright lunacy to take a moonlit stroll. Lighting, if any, is poor – ideal for any self-respecting mugger with a bit of patience and a good torch. The surrounding milkwoods and fynbos create perfect escape routes, but the suggestion to remove them entirely proved unpopular – even among nonjoggers.

Secondly: dogs. Canine cuddlers understandably enjoy taking their extended families for a sunset stroll along the cliff path. It’s the perfect way to unwind the

day, and if there’s no one watching, your furry little bedwarmer can happily deposit dollops of unspeakable horror along the way without you having to poop-scoop. As a result, miniature shrines paying homage to Epol, Dogmore and Pedigree decorate the mundane grey concrete strip. Precious few owners carry poop bags, and when confronted, some get aggressive when pinned down and robustly bodysearched.

Thirdly, seafront residents from POEP (Privileged Owners of Eastcliff Properties) are dead against continuing the

cliff path from town to Grotto Beach. No way do they want peasants and foreigners strolling past the bottom of their gardens discarding fastfood wrappers and cooldrink tins at random, never mind the dog-ends.

These problems – perceived or real – are overcome by the innovative proposal from SHAT, and enthusiastically approved by local authorities.

Stand by Hermanus, for the birth of… The Whale Trail.

This mammoth undertaking involves replacing the cliff path with a narrow-gauge train-track from Onrus Lagoon right through to Grotto Beach.

A quaint, scaled-down version of a beautiful old-fashioned steam locomotive – toot-toot and all – will pull eight retrostyled carriages similar to those seen in cowboy movies.

Between the two terminals there’ll be ten stops, each with

minibus shuttle services into the suburbs, into town, to The Mall, Gateway Centre, Zwelihle, Fernkloof, Church or the Golf Club among others.

Recently evicted stall owners from the Market Square have been granted licenses to open spaza shops or sell their craftwork at these ten stop-offs.

What a bonus.

The Whale Trail passengers will have a cliff-top view over the bay, and apart from this becoming a whale-spotting tourist attraction, locals will benefit enormously because cars will now be needed for emergencies only. This will reduce traffic jams, carbon emissions, speeding fines and parking tickets.

The smooth movement between regions will be highly convenient for everyone, day and night. Onrus housewives will have a variety of shopping stop-offs, POEPs from Eastcliff

can pop across to The Village to replenish their wine cellars, and for labourers or artisans from Zwelihle and Mount Pleasant, there’ll be easy access to construction sites up or down the line.

But the marinated cherry on top is the social responsibility initiative. Those forlorn creatures we always see at dinner parties and weddings – the designated drivers – will become extinct.

No more nursing one tepid tipple for the whole miserable occasion any more. And why?

Because everyone will come and go by train and shuttle, so folks can happily drink whatever they like and later stagger quietly home from the nearest drop-off point without jeopardising the lives of others. Few people die from staggering into each other.

Dedicated tipplers are obviously delighted. Hail The Whale Trail.

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Wednesday 15 November

■ Hermanus Bird Club: The club’s monthly meet will commence with a wine station at 18:30, followed by a talk on Birds in the Scottish Highlands and Islands by guest speaker John Saunders, at 19:00. At the Fernkloof Hall. All are welcome.

Monday 20 November ■ Overberg Quilters: The Overberg Quilters' Guild will be having their year-end meeting at 09:00 at the De Wet Hall, Roos Street, Onrus.

Friday 17 November ■ 500th Anniversary of the Reformation: U3A Overberg hosts guest speaker Dr Allan Maker, who will present the fourth and final part of The Faces of the Reformation. This session will highlight Calvin and the major results of the Reformation movement. At the Catholic Church hall, at 10:00.

■ Zulu Pop-up Dinner: Join Janine van der Nest and host Wessels van Vuuren at Caffe Blu for a pop-up dinner inspired by heritage flavours. The menu will include Kreefstert Kerrie and Ouma se kaaskoek. Book your spot by calling Janine on 073 367 6371.

Fri 17 November - Sun 19 November ■ Greyton Art Walk: The quaint Overberg village of Greyton will host art exhibitions, an art walk, art treasure hunt, art market and music. A Children’s Art Competition will run concurrently with the Art Walk; call organiser Marianne on 076 034 5994. For more info on the Art Walk, contact Chris at greytonartwalk@gmail.com

Saturday 18 November

■ Race2Stanford Triathlon: The R2S Triathlon is an exciting new event to be launched this year and will include a harbour swim in Hermanus, a 90 km cycle race past the vineyards of the Hemel-enAarde Valley and rolling fields of the Caledon region, finishing with a 21 km run through the heritage village of Stanford. There will be a Finishline Festival on the Stanford Market Square from 10:00 - 21:00, with food trucks, local beers and wines, live music and commentary, river cruises, and lucky draws. For more information, contact ask@stanfordinfo.co.za

■ Stanford Stumble: See P 16 for all the information on this fun annual event that will be held at Stanford Hills Estate in aid of the Butterfly Foundation.

■ Snor Jol Beer Festival: The Fisherman’s Cottage will host their annual Snor Jol for the Movember Foundation. Come and enjoy great food, the best local craft beers, and live music performances. Buy a raffle ticket to win fabulous prizes and help raise funds for CANSA Onrus.

Entry is free. At Fisherman’s Cottage on Lemm’s Corner, from 17:00. Call 028 312 3642.

Sunday 26 November

■ Blue Planet: Join U3A Overberg for the fifth part of this six-week BBC DVD series of 50 minutes each with David Attenborough. Blue Planet took five years to make and the photography is generally judged to be the best ever recorded. The fifth part in the series is entitled Frozen Seas. At the Catholic Church hall, at 10:00.

■ Hermanus Pre-Primary Picnic: A fun day for the whole family. There will be cakes, ice-cream, homemade sweets, free Bugz train rides and other kids’ entertainment, and music by Takura Terry. R120 per adult and R50 per child includes picnic basics. Tickets on sale at the school office or contact Sheraleen on 028 313 1025. At Fernkloof Botanical Gardens, from 11:30.

■ Hermanus Astronomy Centre: At HAC’s monthly meeting Amore Nel will present The Mystery of the Black Aurora. At the Catholic Church hall, at 19:00. Contact hermanus.astronomy@gmail.com

■ Business Chamber Year-End: Join the

Friday 24 November

■ Overberg Toy Run: Bring softie toys for the less fortunate to hand over to the riders as they depart from Wimpy in Main Road at 09:00 on their annual charity drive to Stanford. Find more details on the festivities that will take place on Stanford Market Square on P 16.

Monday 27 November ■ Blue Planet: Join U3A Overberg for the final part of this six-week BBC DVD series of 50 minutes each with David Attenborough. Blue Planet reveals the complete natural history of the oceans that cover 70% of our planet – from its familiar shores to the mysteries of its deepest seas. The series took five years to make and the photography is generally judged to be the best ever recorded. The sixth part in the series is entitled Coasts. At the Catholic Church hall, at 10:00.

Tuesday 28 November 2017

■ Hermanus Botanical Society: BotSoc will present a talk by guest speaker Rosalind Spears on Coleton Fishacre garden in the Devon Valley, which has interesting Gilbert and Sullivan connections. At the Fernkloof Hall, at 17:30.

■ Saxophone & Clarinet Concert: Overstrand Arts / Kunste (OAK) is proud to present a concert by the 2017 Unisa Scholarship Competition winner, Cameron Williams. This talented young saxophonist and clarinettist is a member of the 2017 South African National Youth Symphony Orchestra and was also the winner of the 2016 National Youth Music Competition. Cameron will be accompanied on the piano by well-known pianist, Elna van der Merwe. At the Municipal Auditorium, at 15:30.

Tickets are R140 pp (R60 for students). Book at the Hermanus Tourism Bureau on 028 312 2629. For enquiries, call René du Plooy on 082 940 4238.

■ Coastal Cleanup: Join BirdLife Overberg for a coastal cleanup at Hoek van die Berg. Bring your garden gloves and meet up at Brekfis Bay in Vermont, at 10:00. For more info contact Elaine on 082 455 8402 or send an email to mwjasser@mweb.co.za

■ YOGA: Body bounce, flow and spring sessions for adults and children who want to improve flexibility, energy and strength. Bring a mat or towel. The cost is R50 per session. At Fernkloof Nature Reserve, every Saturday, at 07:45. Contact Nicholas on 082 437 9776.

■ Hermanus parkrun: Meet at Hermanus Forest in Camphill Road, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley at 08:00.

Free timed 5 km walk or run, come rain or shine.

The route is dog friendly and children are most welcome.

■ Hermanuspietersfontein Food & Wine Market: In the courtyard at HPF cellar, The Village, from 09:00-14:00. Where wine and food lovers both local and international meet.

■ Market in the Garden: Set among the trees in the heart of town, at St Peter’s Church in Main Road, from 09:00-13:00.

Every Sunday ■ Lemm’s Corner Market: This popular Sunday market offers exclusive fine arts and crafts, locally manufactured clothing, accessories and home décor, as well as delicious specialty foods, craft beers and a wine bar. On the corner of Main and Harbour Road, Hermanus, from 10:00 – 15:00.

Every Monday ■ Classic Monday Bridge Club: Duplicate Bridge, every Monday at 13:00, at Fernkloof Hall.

To join the club, contact Riekie on 072 230 9179.

Every Thursday ■ Rotary Club of Hermanus: Weekly meetings every Thursday at Mollergren Park, at 19:00.

Visitors welcome. Contact Ian Wallace on 082 895 8738 or Metcalf Fick on 082 568 2193.

■ Creative Notions Sewing Club: Whether you'd like to learn how to sew or are an average stitcher experiencing some sewing challenges, bring your sewing machine, together with your item and attend a session or two with an expert tutor, combined with a mug of delicious filter coffee. Any time between 09:00 - 13:00, at Creative Notions, 23 Long Street, Hermanus. The cost is R100 pp and booking is essential; contact 028 312 2182.

Sunday 19 November

Saturday 25 November

Every Saturday

■ The Hermanus Country Market: A favourite among the locals, young and old. Fresh local produce, wholesome goodies, and home-made crafts. Next to the cricket field, Fairways Avenue, from 09:00-13:00.

Thursday 23 November Hermanus Business Chamber (HBC) by taking a break and relaxing in a beautiful setting with good food, wine and company. There will be networking opportunities and Lucky Draw prizes – if you’d like to donate a prize, contact CEO Alta Pretorius on 073 538 3685. Creative canapés will be served with a delicious glass of wine – the first one is free and the rest cash bar. At La Vierge in Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, from 18:00 – 20:00. The cost of the year-end evening is R150 for members and R170 for nonmembers. Bank details: Hermanus Business Chamber, Standard Bank Hermanus, branch code: 050312, Account no: 082257833. Use your company’s name as reference and email proof of payment to ceo@hermanuschamber.co.za

REGULARS

Every Friday ■ Nudibranchs and the Art of Underwater Photography: Whale Coast Conservation hosts underwater photographer Kate Jonker, who will share and discuss some of her favourite photos of the colourful and fascinating creatures that live on the reefs in False Bay – from tiny, colourful nudibranchs (sea slugs) to quirky fish and cunning cephalopods. She will also discuss some of the techniques she uses and be available to answer any questions you might have with regards to underwater photography. At The Green House, R43, Vermont, at 17:30. R20 donation towards nature conservation. Call 028 316 2527.

Send your events information to hedda@thevillagenews.co.za

■ Hermanus Hacking Group: Meet at the green reservoir off Mountain Drive, close to the Gateway intersection, at 07:15 for 07:30 until 09:30 every Friday. All volunteers welcome.

Contact Charlyn Vosloo on 082 558 8731 or mcvosloo@mweb.co.za ■ ‘Kolwyntjie-Teetuin’: Everyone in the area is invited to enjoy a sweet treat and tea or coffee at the Onrus Care Centre (‘Dienssentrum’) of the Dutch Reformed Church, Onrus for only R30, every Friday between 09:30 and 11:30.

■ Bhuki Café: Enjoy tea, coffee and eats for only R20 (2 eats) or R30 (3 eats) to support the Friends of Hermanus Library, every Friday from 09:00 11:30.

Village

EXPLORER EXPLORER The

FOOD • WINE • BOOKS

Local wines shine with Five Star Platter’s awards

W

ith over 3 000 grape farms and just short of 600 cellars, the dynamic South African wine scene is captured in the annual Platter’s by Diners Club South African Wine Guide. The 2018 guide was launched in Cape Town on Friday 3 November at The Table Bay Hotel with industry representatives, media and consumers eager to hear about the country’s top performing wine producers and wines.

The 2018 Platter’s announcements brought much celebration to a number of Cape South Coast wineries. A scoop for the Overberg is the inaugural Fortified Dessert Wine of the Year category which was presented to Beaumont Family Wines Starboard. This Bot River winner was the first announcement for the evening and saw winemaker Sebastian Beaumont, surprised but very proud, stepping up to receive the award. Sebastian continued this winning streak with Beaumont’s Chenin blanc, Hope Marguerite 2016, also taking Five Stars.

Of special significance for the Hemel-enAarde wine region was the performance of our local Pinot noirs. Only four Pinot noir wines were awarded Five Stars and two of them were from Hemel-en-Aarde - Bouchard Finlayson Galpin Peak Pinot Noir 2015 and Creation The Art of Pinot Noir 2016.

Bouchard Finlayson Galpin Peak Pinot Noir is no stranger to accolades and earlier this year the same vintage received international recognition when it won a gold medal and a regional trophy in the 2017 International Wine Challenge in the UK. Under the leadership of Peter Finlayson, the founder and cellar master of Bouchard Finlayson, the estate has been a pioneer in the production of Pinot noir in the South African market since 1991.

Winemaker Chris Albrecht, who has been with Bouchard Finlayson for seven

Wine News Frieda Lloyd

vintages, says Pinot noir carries the crown of being the most terroirexpressive of all grape varieties. “We are fortunate in that the Hemel-enAarde Valley represents that unique combination of soil and climate that exists in only a handful of places, providing the exact balance for the perfect expression of this elusive grape.”

Creation The Art of Pinot Noir 2016 was crafted by the co-owner and cellar master of Creation, Jean-Claude (JC) Martin, whose wife Carolyn, co-owner and marketing director of Creation, is Peter Finlayson’s niece (Carolyn’s father is Peter’s brother Walter Finlayson of Glen Carlou fame).

While the Creation Art of Pinot Noir can be described as the ‘Pinnacle of Pinot’, the estate also boasts an enviable track record for its Estate and Reserve Pinot Noir. Renowned British author and wine columnist, Jamie Goode, recently scored the 2015 Creation Reserve Pinot Noir 92 and the 2015 Creation Art of Pinot Noir an even more impressive 95. The authoritative Tim Atkin MW also gave the 2015 Creation Art of Pinot Noir a 95point rating.

Locally winery Hermanuspietersfontein has long been associated with the production of premium Sauvignon blanc wines from grapes cultivated on their Sondagskloof farm. They stood their ground on this front, with winemaker Wilhelm Pienaar collecting Hermanuspietersfontein’s third Platter’s Five Star award for Kat met die Hout Been 2015. This blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon is now exclusively available at The Wine Village for tastings and sales.

JC is originally from Switzerland, where the couple were living until they decided to settle permanently in Hermanus in 2004. In fact, the story goes that, while the young couple were visiting Peter and his wife Geta in Voëlklip during a holiday in 2002, it was Peter who showed JC the virgin land on Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge which he considered suitable for vineyards.

What JC found on this small farm were the ideal conditions for the successful cultivation of a wide range of cultivars, including, of course, Pinot noir. And thus Creation was born.

Other local winners were winemakers Chris and Suzaan Alheit, who collected full marks for their Alheit La Colline 2016 which was produced in the Hemelrand cellar of Hans and Mary Ann Evenhuis.

The limited-release Creation The Art of Pinot Noir was launched in 2013 and since then it has performed exceptionally well, locally and abroad. “We’re delighted with this significant accolade coming from what must be South Africa’s most influential wine guide. It certainly bolsters the estate’s proud track record for Pinot,” says Carolyn.

Another local link to the 38th edition of the Platter’s Guide comes via the publisher, Jean-Pierre Rossouw.

Jean-Pierre is no stranger to our region as he is based in the Overstrand and when not working on the annual publication of the wine guide he can be found in the Walker Bay surf.

JC Martin of Creation Wines, with Chris Albrecht and Peter Finlayson of Bouchard Finlayson, are delighted with the performance of their Pinot noir wines in the new Platter's by Diners Club South African Wine Guide. Creation The Art of Pinot Noir 2016 and Bouchard Finlayson Galpin Peak Pinot Noir 2015 were two of only four Pinot noirs nationally that were awarded the coveted Five Star status by this definitive guide to South African wine.

The publisher of the 2018 Platter’s Wine Guide, JP Rossouw and winemaker Sebastian Beaumont, who received Five Stars for Beaumont’s Chenin blanc, Hope Marguerite 2016 and Fortified Dessert Wine of the Year for Beaumont Family Wines Starboard.

Winemaker Wilhelm Pienaar of Hermanuspietersfontein with this winery’s Five Star Sauvignon blanc wine, Kat met die Hout Been 2015, awarded for the third time.

PHOTOS: Frieda Lloyd

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BOOKS

What’s new in review

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The village bookshop with a city selection

presented by

New copies of The President’s Keepers expected this week So why this book? Perhaps it is because it finally expresses what we’ve all been feeling for too long. It joins a growing list of publications that have been released over the past couple of years that really get into the subject of Zuma’s presidency.

t’s not an exaggeration to say that investigative journalist Jacques Pauw’s latest book, The President’s Keepers – Those keeping Zuma in Power and out of Prison, hailed as the biggest political exposé to hit South Africa, has “gone viral”, as the popular saying goes.

It’s a rarity in South African publishing, with coverage now extending across the world.

According to NB Publishers, it is a global bestseller on Amazon and the fastest-selling book in South Africa since official Nielsen data began in 2004.

Pan Macmillan

Simon & Schuster

Penguin Random House

Theologian, academic and author Prof John de Gruchy (right) launched his latest book The end is not yet at The Book Cottage on 31 October. After a lively discussion led by John Morris, the owner of The Book Cottage, those attending the event had the opportunity to have their copies of the book signed, and to enjoy wine and canapés while mingling with fellow book lovers.

PHOTO: Hedda Mittner

Virgin

In a press release last week, NB Publishers expressed their gratitude for the many offers from civil-society groups for help, as well as the upwelling of support from the South African public. Perhaps this book will go a long way to inspire the changes that we anticipate.

– John Morris

Human & Rosseau

But we are happy to report that the publisher has rushed to print more to meet the demand and that we have been promised a new shipment this week.

While Pauw has received numerous death threats and a criminal investigation by the State Security Agency (SSA) is underway after NB Publishers refused to have the book removed from circulation, they have vowed to defend their author against any legal action.

Penguin Random House

Topping the local best-seller list, with ten times as many copies sold as the next hit, it comes as no surprise that at The Book Cottage we sold out in hours.

Susan Booysen’s Dominance and Decline: the ANC in the Time of Zuma was the first, launched at The Book Cottage two years ago. Then there was When Zuma Goes by Ralph Mathekga – what Justice Malala has called “an urgent and necessary book” – and of course The Republic of Gupta: A Story of State Capture, in which Pieter-Louis Myburgh investigates how the Guptas infiltrated power, bringing a new angle to the story of what has

now become a crisis of public confidence.

The undisputed master of the spy thriller returns with a riveting new book. The narrator is Peter Guillam, staunch colleague and disciple of George Smiley of the British Secret Service, who has retired to his family farmstead on the coast of Brittany when his past comes back to claim him. He is summoned to London, where Intelligence operations during the Cold War are to be scrutinised by a generation with no memory of the Cold War and no patience with its justifications. Somebody must be made to pay for innocent blood once spilt in the name of the greater good. Interweaving past with present, John le Carré has spun a single plot as ingenious and thrilling as the two predecessors on which it looks back: The Spy Who Came in from the Cold and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.

“Wie sou kon dink dat ’n stem soos myne ooit gehoor sal word?

Waar sal so ’n klank in elk geval vandaan kom?” Só begin hierdie aangrypende outobiografiese roman van Ryk Hattingh – sy eerste boek na ‘n stilte van 19 jaar. Ryk, wat naam gemaak het in SuidAfrika as ‘n bekroonde skrywer, dramaturg en joernalis, is onlangs oorlede, skaars 10 dae nadat Huilboek die grootste fiksietoekenning in Suid-Afrika, die kykNET-Rapport-prys vir Afrikaanse romans, verower het. Huilboek is ‘n kragtoer wat afspeel tussen die skrywer se lewe in NieuSeeland sedert hy met sy gesin na daardie land geëmigreer het in 1997, en die verlede van sy kinderjare in die 1960’s aan die Oosrand. Dis ‘n roerende herinneringsroman wat uiteindelik sê – hier is ek. En dís wie ek geword het…

Twenty years after his iconic memoir Losing My Virginity - the outrageous tale of how he built Virgin from a student magazine into one of the greatest brands in history - Richard Branson is back with the rest of the story. In this memoir, the world’s ultimate entrepreneur gives an intimate account of his never-ending quest to push boundaries, break rules and seek new frontiers. But this is also the story of Branson’s evolution from hotshot entrepreneur to passionate philanthropist and public servant, and his personal quest to become a better son, husband, father, and “grand-dude”. Featuring a supporting cast that includes everyone from Bill Gates to Kate Moss, Nelson Mandela to Barack Obama, it is the gripping account of a man who will never stop reaching for the stars.

The Pearl Sister is the fourth book in the number one international bestselling Seven Sisters series by Lucinda Riley. CeCe D’Aplièse has never felt she fitted in anywhere.

Following the death of her father, the elusive billionaire Pa Salt – socalled by the six daughters he adopted from around the globe and named after the Seven Sisters star cluster – she finds herself at breaking point. Dropping out of art college, she decides to flee England and discover her past; the only clues she has are a blackand-white photograph and the name of a woman pioneer who lived in Australia over 100 years ago. With help from those she meets on her journey, CeCe begins to believe that this wild, vast continent could offer her something she never thought possible: a sense of belonging, and a home…

In #1 New York Times bestselling author Philippa Gregory’s last novel in the Plantagenet and Tudor series, she turns her attention to Lady Jane Grey and her two sisters, Katherine and Mary, who were cousins to Queen Elizabeth I. Due to the greedy grab for power by the girls’ father, Jane Grey supplanted King Henry VIII’s daughter as his rightful heir. But, tragically, she was queen of England for only nine days before being locked in the tower and sent to die on the scaffold. Her two sisters also faced imprisonment and death sentences for treason when they married for love without first gaining the permission of the queen. This is the fascinating story of three idiosyncratic Tudor girls who each dared to defy the most powerful Tudor woman of all.

Hierdie tweede volume volg op die ongelooflike sukses van die eerste Hoe verklaar jy dit? om Suid-Afrikaners se nuuskierigheid oor die wêreld verder te prikkel en bevredig. Saamgestel deur Danny Fourie, bring hierdie boek weer ’n gerf van die interessantste vrae en antwoorde byeen wat deur RSG se kundige medewerkers in die gewilde radioprogram behandel is. Dit les ons dors na inligting en kennis en help die leser om die wêreld om ons minder vreemd te maak. Hier sal jy die antwoorde vind op fassinerende vrae waaroor ons almal al vaagweg gewonder het, soos: Waarom brand die son nie uit nie? Hoekom traan ’n mens se oë as jy uie sny? Hoe werk die Richter-skaal? Wie en wat is die Florisbadmens? Wat bepaal links- en regshandigheid? Van al die soogdiere is ons die enigste wat lewenslank nuuskierig bly!

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BOOKS

The Edinburgh International Book Festival

s we started our descent to Edinburgh airport, the pilot announced we would be arriving in 11 degrees, strong gales and torrential rain.

Welcome to summer in Scotland, I thought.

The Edinburgh International Book Festival takes place in the last two weeks of August in marquees in Charlotte Square, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the largest festival of its kind in the world, and encompasses cultural and political talks, running concurrently with its Children's Festival.

This year there were about 1 000 speakers from over 55 countries. Events ranged from writing workshops and panel discussions to talks and performances by international writers, poets, playwrights, musicians, illustrators, historians and philosophers.

Speakers included Howard Jacobson, Zadie Smith, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Paul Auster, Ian Rankin and the Man Booker Prize winner, Paul Beatty.

Colson Whitehead, winner of the 2017 Pulitzer Prize in Fiction for The Underground Railroad,

made his first appearance at the Festival.

I had spent hours wading through the programme selecting my favourites. I started with Charley Boorman, well known for his motorbike journeys. He was talking about the Long Way Back which describes his recovery from a near-fatal accident in Portugal. He was in a wheelchair for nine months, and whilst venturing on an illadvised trial jaunt on a Vespa, broke his hip!

Charley had discarded his crutches not long before the Festival, and still walked with a limp due to the 1cm difference in leg lengths. Needless to say, insanity prevailed, and he has just completed a trip on the famous Triumph bike from Cape Town to Victoria Falls!

Other riveting literary encounters included William Dalrymple, the Scottish(!) historian, writer, broadcaster and critic who has won many awards for his books. The most recent, Koh-i-Noor, is a saga of loot, murder, torture and colonial greed associated with the world’s most controversial diamonds.

Martin Gayford’s A History of Pictures, written with David Hockney, explores our long love affair with pictures from all media and millenia. Their book addresses important questions such as why shadows exist mainly in Western art, why the Mona Lisa is considered beautiful, and how you create movement in a still picture.

There is currently a plethora of books on the brain and surgeons, neuro and otherwise. Henry Marsh, a retired Senior Consultant neurosurgeon from the London teaching hospital, St George’s, shared his lifetime of exhilarating highs and devastating lows, as described in his books Do No Harm and Admissions. A pioneer of neurosurgical advances, Henry spearheaded the practice of ‘awake craniotomy’ i.e. operating on patients while conscious. He reflected with humility and refreshing honesty, interwoven with a dry sense of humour, on what 40 years spent handling the human brain had taught him.

Victoria Hislop, author of The Island, The Return, The Thread etc. had her session chaired by her old friend James Runcie,

son of the late Archbishop of Canterbury and author of The Grantchester Mysteries.

Victoria has a deep affinity with Greece and its people, having enjoyed a 40-year love affair with the country.

Her new novel, Cartes Postales from Greece, is a story of love, loss and redemption, with the culture and beauty of Greece at the heart of its narrative.

Ben Mcintyre, the author of books such as Spy Among Friends and Operation Mincemeat, talked about his latest, SAS Rogue Heroes. His knowledge of the SAS is extensive and he is not afraid to expose, name and shame.

As the last night of the Festival arrived we were standing on a rooftop to watch the fiery festival finale with one of the largest fireworks displays in the world, 400 000 of them. It was choreographed to live orchestral music and set against the backdrop of the Castle. Magnificent. This is also how I sum up my two weeks of culture, stimulation, and, excluding the weather, the Scottish capital!

– Corinne Hendry

The owner of bookmark, Corinne Hendry, with accidentprone author and adventurer Charley Boorman at the Edinburgh International Book Festival.

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FOOD & WINE

14 - 27 November 2017

Enjoy the fruits of our valley and ocean

he restaurant offering in Hermanus and surrounding areas continues to present diners with more options than ever before. It is a vibrant industry driven by talented and energetic chefs and restauranteurs, who not only take advantage of the surrounding natural beauty of the region, but also the local produce to be found in our ocean and valley.

What’s Cooking RESTAURANT NEWS Hedda Mittner

Rickey was Eric’s sous-chef at The Restaurant at Newton Johnson for three years, and says he was very pleased to return to Hermanus. He clearly feels at home in the openconcept kitchen, which has been revamped and refitted, most notably with a state-ofthe-art Josper charcoal oven.

The restaurant’s seating area has also been extended and a function venue added, both flooded with natural light and views galore.

This is great news for our visitors, especially seasoned tourists who don’t come here to experience international cuisines, but would rather enjoy an authentic, local offering of food and wine.

THE RESTAURANT at NEWTON JOHNSON With views to match their heavenly wines, the familyowned Newton Johnson winery in Hemel-en-Aarde Valley has long been a must-stop on any wine tour of our valley. The intimate restaurant adjacent to the tasting venue has also attracted diners ever since it started out as the appropriately named ‘Heaven’ restaurant, and was later elevated to Top 10 Eat Out status when run as a fine dining establishment by the highly acclaimed chef Eric Bulpitt.

After Eric’s departure at the end of last year to open a new restaurant in the Paarl Valley, the Newton Johnsons decided to take back ownership of their restaurant and appointed Theo van Niekerk to manage it. While Theo is most familiar in Hermanus for his Vanderbolt Coffee Company, he also managed a number of restaurants in Cape Town before moving to Hermanus, including as co-owner of Van Hunks and owner of a coffee shop / deli called Tamboers Winkel.

Theo’s good friend, chef Anton Verhoogt, who owns the Fisherman’s Cottage and Barefoot Cook in Hermanus, helped him to set up The Restaurant at Newton Johnson and develop a new menu just in time for last year’s festive season. A few months later, in

March this year, he was joined by talented young chef Rickey Broekhoven who, at only 26, has already worked with renowned chefs such as Bertus Basson at Overture and Christiaan Campbell at Delaire Graff.

What better combination than experts in wine, food and coffee? With Bevan Newton Johnson, Rickey Broekhoven and Theo van Niekerk, that’s what you will get at The Restaurant at Newton Johnson.

Chef Rickey Broekhoven puts the finishing touches to a dish at the pass.

The new General Manager of The Marine, Jo Massie, with Executive Head Chef Tronette Dippenaar, who has taken over the reins at Origins Restaurant.

Here Rickey continues Eric’s habit of foraging for ingredients by regularly picking edibles both along the coastline and in the forests of this fertile valley. When you find ingredients such as mushrooms, pine tips and wild herbs in your dish, it adds a lovely touch to picture Rickey picking them by hand early that same morning.

“Hermanus offers the same excellence to visitors as culinary hotspots such as Franschhoek, but what people come here for is also the more relaxed vibe which is unique to this part of the world,” says Rickey. Which is why the Newton Johnson family has decided to adopt a more flexible approach in their restaurant and offer a more varied dining experience.

The small menu of roughly three starters, four mains and three desserts changes regularly according to the availability of seasonal ingredients.

Each dish is beautifully prepared and presented, with options ranging from fresh farm salads and pork croquettes with sauerkraut and apple purée, to pan-seared yellowtail with celeriac, tosazu and beach herbs, and Chalmat sirloin with globe artichoke and sheep sorrel.

The side dish of hand-cut fries and roasted garlic aioli is to die for, not to mention the delectable desserts and cheese platter with fresh sourdough bread and preserves. You will find the perfect wine to pair with your meal among the extensive range of premium Newton Johnson wines, and artisanal beers and ciders.

The Restaurant at Newton Johnson is open from Wednesday to Sunday for lunch from 12:00 – 15:00, and during the summer season from November until February, they are open on Friday and Saturday evenings for dinner between 18:00 – 20:00. Diners have a choice between a two course (R300) or three course (R350) dinner, which includes a welcoming glass of Newton Johnson wine and canapés.

On the last Friday of the month they offer a Wagyu Burger and Folk & Goode craft beer or a glass of wine at R150. Booking is essential on 021 200 2148.

ORIGINS RESTAURANT Back in Hermanus, another restaurant that has adapted its menu is Origins at The Marine. New chef Tronette Dippenaar and her team took over the kitchen after the departure of Grant Parker and his wife Annemie, who was the general manager.

In her place I found Jo Massie, whose association with The Collection goes back 20 years when she first met Liz McGrath, and includes tenures at the Cellars Hohenort and The Marine, where she’d been the GM from 2000 until 2010.

“I’m loving being back in Hermanus,” she told me with a warm smile.

Tronette, a charming downto-earth boeremeisie, albeit one with a most sophisticated palate, has been working for The Collection since 2008.

She originally hails from Robertson, where she grew up on her family’s fruit farm. After studying at Tygerberg Hotel School, she gained experience

at L’Agulhas Country House and a 5 star Relais & Châteaux property in Scotland. On her return to South Africa, she was appointed by The Marine following an interview conducted by none other than Jo, who was the GM at the time.

There is clearly a warm relationship between these two women, who are both delighted to be working together again.

After three years at The Marine, Tronette transferred to The Plettenberg, where she became head chef before moving on to the Lord Milner Hotel in Matjiesfontein. She returned to The Marine earlier this year and took over as executive head chef from Grant Parker a few months ago.

While the mission of Origins remains telling the story of our region’s unique culture and cuisine on every plate, Tronette has set about to simplify the menu. Whereas before it was divided into sections such as ‘Small Plates’, ‘Hunted’ and ‘Gathered’, she has reverted to the more conventional format of starters, mains and desserts.

The emphasis however is still on local and seasonal produce, and apart from the à la carte menu, there is a selection of daily blackboard specials that include mouth-watering options such as Fresh West Coast Oysters; Smoked Salmon Trout with rooibos and lemon mayonnaise and crispy capers; and Karoo Lamb Frikkadels with chakalaka, peppadew and halloumi.

There are still people out there who think the restaurant is only for hotel guests, but, on the contrary, members of the public are more than welcome to enjoy lunch or dinner at Origins, and to relax at the bar or outside on the patio overlooking the ocean. If you haven’t done that, it’s about time you treated yourself! With its rich history spanning almost a century, The Marine is not only gracious and elegant – it’s also a most welcoming venue for all to enjoy.

Call 028 313 1000 to book.

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14 - 27 November 2017 Saturday 25 November

Good Guide Every Wednesday

Saturday 18 November

■ Graze Farmers Market: Reduce your carbon footprint and get your fresh veggies at Graze Slow Food Café. Always seasonal, always fresh. Stay for coffee and breakfast. From 09:00 – 12:00. Contact Tabby & Alex on 076 243 1930.

Every Saturday ■ Saturday Morning Market: Stanford market is

laden with tantalising home-made delights, including cakes, fudge, rusks, pies, goat and cow milk cheeses, wood-fired ciabattas, farm vegetables, herbs, preserves, sausages and meats, as well as pickles, jams and sauces. On the Stanford Hotel Stoep, from 09:00 – 12:00. Contact Caro on 082 448 0237.

Thursday 16 November ■ Welcome to Stanford: Join the Stanford Ratepayers Association (SRA) for a ‘Welcome to Stanford’ evening hosted at The Tasting Room on Stanford Hills wine estate. The evening is focused on introducing new residents who have moved to Stanford over the past 12 months or so, to what makes Stanford tick. Representatives from Community and Special Interest groups have been invited to showcase the variety of interests and activities available in Stanford. At The Tasting Room, at 16:00. If you are a newbie to Stanford and would like to attend, please contact Lyn Pullen (Chair of SRA) on 060 966 9000.

■ Stanford Junktique: Do you love the discovery of a real treasure from amongst the bric a brac? Then the Stanford Junktique is for you. You might even find something you didn't know you needed. At the Stanford Tourism Courtyard, from 09:00 – 12:00. For more information contact 028 341 0340 or ask@stanfordinfo.co.za

■ Race2Stanford Triathlon: The exciting R2S Triathlon will be launched this year and includes a 1,9 km harbour swim in Hermanus, a 90 km cycle race past the vineyards of the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley and rolling fields of the Caledon region, finishing with a 21 km run through the heritage village of Stanford. The Finish-line Festival on Stanford Market Square will feature food trucks, local beers and wines, live music and commentary, river cruises, and lucky draws. Support the triathletes as they come into Stanford. At the Market Square, from 10:00 – 21:00. For more information, contact ask@stanfordinfo.co.za

Friday 24 November ■ Stanford Sunset Market: Stanford's favourite evening market is back, with great food, wine, beer, gifts, live music and friendships - there is nowhere better to be on the last Friday of the month. Stanford Market Square, from 18:00 – 20:00.

■ Stanford Stumble: This awesome day out for the whole family entails a gentle meander (or a run, if you are that way inclined) through the vineyards, with teams encouraged to dress in the most outrageous outfits. There are two routes of 3 km and 5 km to choose from, eight wine stations, food stalls, beer stalls, and live music featuring four bands. All proceeds in aid of the Butterfly Foundation to support their plans of building a new school. Tickets available at R130 for adults, R50 for children 13 – 18 years, and children U12 enter free. Great team-building or corporate year-end event; why not challenge other businesses? There is no better fun run to be had in the Overstrand! At Stanford Hills Estate, from 16:00. Tickets available through the Stanford Stumble website or www.tixsa.co.za. For more information, contact info@coastlineevents.co.za

Stanford, ending at Market Square. Departure times: Hermanus Wimpy at 09:00, Caledon Wimpy at 10:00, Gansbaai Wimpy at 8:30, and Bredasdorp Wimpy at 10:00. Dirt bikers and scooters to meet at Van Brakelstoor at 10:30 to join the mass ride.

Monday 27 November ■ Stanford Thanksgiving: This local version of the traditional American thanksgiving feast is all about family and community togetherness – and an opportunity for foodies to shine and pull out all the stops. Think roast turkey, mash, greens, corn, and a variety of side dishes... Tickets are R120 per adult and R65 for kids under 12. At Coffee Corner, from 17:00 – 20:00. All proceeds go to the Okkie Smuts Koshuis and Overstrand Hospice (in memory of Jill Smith), while any food left over will be used to make soup for the Rotary Soup Kitchen. To book, do an EFT to ML Chancey, Capitec Savings Acc no.

1431876540 (Branch 470010). Reference: Your surname and THANKS.

Saturday 2 December ■ Young Entrepreneurs Market Day: A fun and friendly craft & food market planned and organised by young people, for young people. The aim is to empower the local young entrepreneurs and give them the opportunity to create something and sell it to earn their own pocket money for the Christmas holidays. At The Last Resort on Blue Moon Farm, from 10:00 – 14:00. For more for information contact Rachel Templer on 082 688 9261.

Sunday 26 November ■ Overberg Toy Run: Riders will gather all over the Overberg area and join a mass ride to Stanford for a day of live music, great food and cold drinks.

Ample tents as well as seating will be provided.

Please bring toys for the less fortunate and make the festive season a little more special for them.

Riders will leave Hermanus to join Caledon, and Gansbaai to join Bredasdorp before coming together and mass riding into the village of

■ Jesse Jordan Band: Join Birkenhead Brewery & Restaurant for a day of great food, beer, wine and live music by the Jesse Jordan Band. From 17:00. For more information contact 028 341 0013.

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Is it gin o’clock yet?

f you’d asked for a G&T 10 years ago, a lukewarm tumbler would be plonked before you, doused in tonic water, along with a sorry-looking excuse for a lemon. How things have changed! Today gin is the latest tipple to follow in craft beer’s footsteps, and a craft gin craze seems to be happening the world over. With every passing month, it seems to gather momentum – more and more beautiful bottles arrive on the shelves to tempt us, and several new types of tonic compete for our custom.

Paul du Toit, owner of the Wine Village in Hermanus, presented a tutored gin tasting, aptly named The Gin Revolution, at Stanford Valley Guest Farm on 4 November. With his entertaining sense of humour, Paul mastered a light-hearted yet educational tasting of six local gins, while divulging secrets on how to taste and serve craft gin.

The Gin Revolution was followed by a fun “mixing” and mingling session where everyone crafted their own cocktails

Gin lovers Lizanda Lucas, Paula van Niekerk and Audrey Jordan with Rina de Wet of The Village NEWS and tutor Paul du Toit of Wine Village at the recent Gin Revolution tasting hosted at Stanford Valley Guest Farm. (gintails) before indulging in a delicious two-course meal in the Manor House Restaurant.

So what exactly is gin? It is a neutral-tasting spirit made from grain, then re-distilled with botanicals and a noticeable juniper flavour. It’s this distinct aroma that sets gin apart from its close cousin, vodka. From liquorice and citrus flavours to nutmeg and even fynbos, each gin distillery has its own secret recipe and

technique to give their gin its infusion of natural botanicals, its own depth of flavour, character and story.

Paul is more often associated with wine, but he has a life-long passion for, and considerable knowledge of gin. The Wine Village hosts daily wine tastings, but if you feel like something different you can also do a gin tasting, brandy tasting or whisky tasting.

– Rina de Wet

New zest for an old favourite With the departure of The Royal Oke’s owners, Daniel and ElseMarie Denton, this countrystyle restaurant on the Sir Robert Stanford Estate has undergone a zesty revamp worthy of its new name, The Zesty Lemon. New owner Carmen Kruger describes it as “a restaurant born of a passion for the beauty of food, life and the love of people”.

Carmen hails from Krugersdorp and studied Consumer Science at the University of Pretoria, specialising in Interior Merchandise. After graduating she worked at Weylandts and was involved in food and catering in her spare time. Her foodie break came when she was offered an opportunity as event catering manager at a function venue on a farm in Pretoria which specialised in children's parties. “My big dream was always to have my own business one day,” says Carmen, “and now that dream has come true.”

The Zesty Lemon is a childfriendly venue that serves stylish comfort food to families in a serene farm setting. They

Guests were invited to an Open Day at The Zesty Lemon a day before the official opening on 5 November, enjoying a variety of savoury and sweet platters on the shady patio and under the trees around the dam, with Pappa Jer’s soothing sounds in the background. Enjoying this idyllic day with Carmen (second from left) were Retha Fourie, Cynthia Hilton, Lizanda Lucas and Paula van Niekerk. are open from Thursday to Monday, 09:00 – 16:00, and the venue is also available for birthdays, high teas, small weddings and year-end functions. Once a month they will offer a Sunday Harvest

Table as well as monthly food themed evenings on Friday and Saturday. For more information or to make a booking, call 028 341 0647.

– Rina de Wet

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Everyone knows your name at PnP Hermanus

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ayne Castle has become a familiar face on the shop floor of Pick n Pay Hermanus at the Ipic Centre in Main Road since he took over as manager three and a half years ago. “I love my job and interacting with our customers and assisting them with any problems. To me customer satisfaction is the highest priority.”

The PnP store in the Ipic Centre in Main Road has undergone a revamp just in time for the busy festive season ahead and their new Christmas merchandise arrives this week, with all your gifting favourites ranging from braai accessories and homeware to cosmetics, toys and DVDs. Not to mention delicious treats for the festive table to suit every budget, style and meal.

The Christmas season is a special time of year in Hermanus, but with family and friends descending, it can also be a challenging one. Wayne and his staff will be there to assist you with all your shopping needs and a wrapping station will be set up at the store where you can conve-

to welcome her every time she comes in.

niently have your purchased gifts wrapped. And with their new online service, shopping will be made easy even when you cannot make it to the store or prefer to avoid the crowds.

“But working in a community we also love giving back. Apart from the regular donations we make to charitable organisations we also offer that little personal touch.

“By simply logging on at pnp.co.za and registering on the Pick n Pay Online system, customers in Hermanus can shop for any of the more than 13 000 products in the comfort of their own home or office, and we will deliver your shopping to you at the time of your choosing for only R80,” says Wayne.

The online shopping service is easily accessible from any computer and there is an app available for shopping on your smartphone. Payment is done through a secure payment system and customers can use either a debit or a credit card, and Smart Shopper loyalty cards can be linked to your online account.

“Online shopping now affords us the opportunity to offer a new level of service and convenience, especially in a town like Hermanus that is

Pick n Pay manager Wayne Castle in the revamped store in the IPIC Centre where preparations are underway for the busy Christmas season ahead. PHOTO: Hedda Mittner growing fast and becomes really busy during peak holiday periods.”

Friendly, modest and hardworking, Wayne has worked his way through the corporate system at Pick n Pay since he started as a petrol attendant at a PnP Hyper in Ottery 17 years ago. “A manager saw my potential and I have worked

my way up from there through the ranks to assistant manager at various stores in Cape Town and now as manager of the Hermanus store.

“I must admit that I have worked at many of our stores but I have never experienced such a welcoming feeling of community anywhere else. In Hermanus everyone knows

your name and we know our customers. There are so many longstanding customers that have become our friends.

“There is for instance one lady who does her shopping first thing every Sunday morning at exactly the same time – like clockwork. For the last three years she has used the same parking spot and it is a delight

“A few weeks back one of our regular clients who has lost most of her eyesight lamented the fact that her children were unable to come and visit on Mother’s Day. By asking a few questions I could figure out where she lived and I was happy to deliver a cake and flowers to her house on Mother’s Day, much to the surprise of her and her husband.

“It is those small things in a community that make us more than businesses and customers, it makes us a family.”

Wayne says it is not possible to own a business in Hermanus and not want to give back to the community. “Our people are so warm and caring that giving back becomes one of the biggest pleasures. This really is an awesome town to live in!”

- De Waal Steyn

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14 - 27 November 2017

Combat stress in the run-up to Christmas

o the end of the year is rapidly approaching, with the promise of sun, sand, family and relaxation. However, in order to get there, we still need to get through the last six weeks of the school and work year.

This is probably the most stressful time of the year and if you had to ask anyone what they want, I’m sure everyone would concur a little more time to do it all.

It is during this time of the year that we could all do with a little extra support to ensure that we can cope with all the demands that are coming our way – and it’s a little more achievable than we think.

But in order to combat the effect that stress has on our body, we first need to understand what it is and what it does to us and our bodies.

Stress is a natural physical and mental reaction to everyday life experiences. When we

Amanda Hofmeyr experience stress our brain’s little control tower, the hypothalamus, fires out a signal to the rest of the body to activate the cortisol and adrenaline release. This prepares your body to be able to tackle difficult situations.

Your heart starts to race, your breath quickens and your muscles prepare to fight whatever threatening situation is presenting itself.

This response is designed to protect you from potential dangerous conditions out there. The problem is that, especially during this time of the year, those stress responses continue to fire on an ongoing basis and that is when we approach a burnout

and a whole list of conditions kicks in such as headaches, muscle tension, insomnia, depression, heartburn, hypertension, hyperglycaemia and a weakened immune system.

Now I know that everyone right now has looked at the list and has identified at least one of the conditions that is familiar to them. There are however a couple of ways in which you can take charge this year and not allow it to completely take over and burn out before the family even arrive.

Just breathe...

It sounds like very simple advice and it is. When we are

in a stressful situation and our responses are firing we place our body in an acidic state which is ideal for diseases to grab hold of us. By simply focussing on breathing deeply we can lower our blood pressure, slow our heartbeat, and stabilise our pH. This is because 70% of our toxins and acids inside our body are removed through the lungs.

Get moving...

The sun is rising a bit earlier and setting later, thereby slowly bringing about the promise of those long summer days that Hermanus is renowned for. This is also the perfect opportunity for you to make use of this extra bit of sunlight to get some exercise in.

Just a ten to twenty minute brisk walk can significantly reduce stress. As a bonus those feel-good hormones, endorphins, can really help with getting some shut-eye at night, which is when your body resets itself and actively

works at getting rid of the acids.

Hydrate...

Drinking water is infinitely more important for our bodies that we realise. If our bodies are dehydrated and our organs are struggling for hydration to perform its functions it also triggers the stress reaction in the body.

Drink slow amounts of water throughout the day to continuously hydrate the body instead of trying to get your quota in all in one go.

Unfortunately tea, coffee and other drinks do not count as water.

Eat Clean...

This is definitely the time to eat more alkalining vegetables and avoid inflammatory foods such as sugar, refined carbohydrates and preservatives. Right now your body needs as much nourishment as you can give it and if you have little time to devout to eating then rather make what you eat count. We are blessed

in the Overberg to be surrounded by farmers that are dedicated to producing organic.

Supplement...

If you still need that extra boost to just help your body cope then there are some natural supplements that can help you to cope. Rhodiola Rosea is an adaptogen herb that increases athletic performance, lowers cortisol and fights depression and improves brain function and as an extra bonus it also increases fat burning potential.

A green tea extract can help to combat the various health problems caused by stress due to its high anti-inflammatory properties. In addition to all of these a good nutritional supplement can go a long way to ensure that your body receive the nourishment that it so craves.

So this year round, sit back, relax and take control of your stress and show it who is in control.

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Aesthetic trends for men – it’s Brotox!

t’s Movember and boy, do we have a surprise for our men folk! Working in the world of Aesthetics we are often asked if we ever see men. Well, we certainly do and it would appear that the numbers are growing, primarily due to treatments that are continually improving, to provide better results with reduced discomfort and downtime.

For years, male patient volumes hovered around 5% of all aesthetic patients, but those days are gone, as the number of men visiting aesthetic clinics and seeking anti-aging procedures has been spiking (12%) in recent years. Besides a desire to look more attractive to potential partners, this increase is driven by several factors, including the fact that many men are not retiring quite as early in life and have to compete with younger men in the workplace.

Body contouring technologies are appealing to men as they want procedures that are more about definition rather than just fat reduction.

These non-invasive devices are utilised to get really defined, toned and enhanced bodies. As opposed to women who want to be slimmer, men want to

look healthier.

Energy-based hair removal, which offers significant benefits over waxing and other methods, has established itself as an indispensable part of many consumers’ beauty regimen and a mainstay of many aesthetic practices. Refine Anti-Aging Clinic specialises in hair removal, utilising a state-ofthe-art laser machine.

Facial contouring with fillers is becoming a big trend, driven mainly by the new millennial generation. Male beauty is all about being chiseled, with well-defined cheekbones, a strong chin, and a square and straight jawline. Just as with women, men may lose volume in the lower jaw as they age. By placing dermal filler in certain places along the jawline, it is possible to contour a sleek strong jaw. Botox injections to relax facial muscles and lessen wrinkles continue to be ever popular.

The aging male face is different from a woman’s. The loss of subcutaneous fatty tissue with age, produces more pronounced expression lines due to thicker skin and more prominent facial musculature, and the usually conspicuous volume loss makes men appear older than their age when compared to women.

Thread lifting achieves results close to that of a surgical face-lift. PDO-type threads, or even better the Silhouette Soft threads are coming back into favour, reflecting improved

technology and effectiveness.

After a touch of local anaesthetic, fine threads are inserted into the skin in a fan shape. These threads stimulate collagen production and lead to lifting and tightening of the skin.

Skin rejuvenation appeals to all age groups. Energy-based fractional laser technology, in which a fraction of the target area is treated while healthy surrounding structures help

the treated areas heal, remains a gold standard.

Hair restoration is another extremely popular therapy among men. Hair transplantation procedures have grown less invasive, with more and more treatments conforming to the male ideal of less pain and downtime. An innovative, minimally invasive robotic approach is used in the best Hair Restoration clinics.

Many physicians have also

begun combining plateletrich plasma (PRP) treatments with micro-needling as a successful hair regrowth strategy. With this method a patient’s PRP is injected into the scalp to naturally stimulate hair growth. PRP involves drawing samples of blood from the patient, spinning it to separate white cells from red, and then using the white cells, platelets and plasma in a treatment. Platelets contain phenomenal growth factors and “super foods” for hair cells.

As an adjunct to aesthetic procedures, an effective skincare regimen can help to maintain and enhance the effects of in-office procedures, as well as alleviate side effects.

Physician-dispensed brands are commonly used among clients of anti-aging treatments. These topicals can offer better results in a shorter period of time than pharmacy or department store brands. An extensive range of medical grade skincare products are available at Refine.

So whether you are looking to chisel your features, lose unwanted hair or just maintain those good looks, Dr Emett and Refine Clinic can offer a wide variety of treatments for men.

Contact us for a complimentary consultation and we can advise which treatments will benefit you most.

- Dr Michelle Emett, Medical Aesthetics Hermanus

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14 - 27 November 2017

How antibiotic resistance is a danger to your pets

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ne of medical science’s greatest discoveries, antibiotics, has become one of the biggest threats to human and animal health worldwide.

That’s because we’re overusing them. “The world urgently needs to change the way it prescribes and uses antibiotics,” warns the World Health Organisation (WHO). “Even if new medicines are developed, without behaviour change, antibiotic resistance will remain a major threat.”

Antibiotic resistance leads to longer hospital stays, higher medical costs and increased mortality.

How does antibiotic resistance occur?

When we overuse or misuse antibiotics, the bacteria we’re meant to be killing mutate and develop resistance. Resistance has flourished in recent years because of:

Never use expired antibiotics.

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Never give your pet antibiotics meant for another pet or for humans.

Dr Hilldidge Beer

• the over-prescription of antibiotics by veterinarians and medical practitioners • over-the-counter use of antibiotics globally • patients and pet owners demanding antibiotics for every ailment • an escalation in the use of antibiotics in the feed and water of food-producing animals It isn’t necessarily high doses of antibiotics that lead to resistance but rather the length of time that the bacteria are exposed to the antibiotic. The South African Veterinary Association points out that there is a greater chance of

resistance developing the more an antibiotic is used and over longer periods of time.

Antibiotics and your pet If you suspect your pet is ill, don’t self-administer drugs. A proper veterinary diagnosis is essential before medication is given.

If your vet prescribes antibiotics, use according to veterinary instructions. Some medication must be administered once a day, some twice a day, some only once a week. It is essential to stick to the frequency as prescribed to avoid resistance developing.

Always use the correct dosage. If your pet needs one pill every day for five days, don’t be tempted to give it five pills at once or three if you have missed a couple of days.

This also encourages bacterial resistance.

Always finish the full course of antibiotics. If you stop using the antibiotic because your pet appears to have recovered and is no longer in need of the drug, his/her risk of antibiotic resistance increases and the drug may not work the next time he/she needs it.

Don't stop giving your pet its pills until the full course of antibiotics is finished.

Keep your pet healthy 1. Your best weapon against antibiotic resistance is to keep your pet’s annual vaccinations up to date. Vaccinations help protect your pet against those diseases that might require antibiotics.

2. Feed your pet the most nutritious food you can afford.

Good nutrition is a powerful weapon against disease.

3. Ensure your pet has an annual veterinary checkup.

The earlier an illness is detected, the easier it is to treat.

4. Practice good hygiene.

Poor hygiene spreads disease.

Keep kennels and bedding clean, ensure your pet’s play area is hygienic (use that poop

scoop) and keep parasites under control through regular application of tick and flea medication. Bear in mind that fleas cannot always be seen with the naked eye and that ticks hide between toes and in ears; regular application of anti-parasite medication is essential.

Antibiotics should be reserved for pets who truly need them.

Keeping your pet healthy helps him/her maintain natural resistance against disease.

Veterinarian Dr Hilldidge Beer is the CEO of the EberVet Petcare Group and of EberVet Vetshops

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Spread the love this Christmas season

he Hermanus conference of Saint Vincent de Paul is hoping, with the help of the Overstrand community, to add a bit of Christmas cheer to the poorest of the poor in the community by providing the needy with a Bag of Love.

The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul is a worldwide charity run

by Catholic lay people and the bags will be distributed prior to Christmas across all deserving communities. The number available for distribution will depend on the generosity of the people of the Overstrand, says Terry McCarthy of Saint Vincent de Paul.

The campaign was initiated by Des Collins 10 years ago and Overstrand Executive Mayor Rudolph Smith has again pledged his support for this year’s campaign by being its patron. The 2017 Bag of Love campaign was launched at the Mayor’s office on 1 November, with the generous support from not only the Municipality, but also Rotary, various church groups, Eastcliff Spar and a host of individual donors.

Bern van Niekerk, owner of Eastcliff Spar, has generously agreed to subsidise the Bags of Love at a special price of R165 each. Each bag is filled with basic food stuffs such as rice, sugar, mealie meal, beans, tea bags, peanut butter, cooking oil and salt, and can be purchased

Eastcliff SPAR Manager Christopher van Niekerk and owner Bern van Niekerk, with Overstrand Cllr Elnora Gillion and St Vincent de Paul’s Terry McCarthy and Des Collins at the launch of the 2017 Bag of Love campaign. at Eastcliff Spar. While doing their shopping, customers can simply request the cashier to add the cost of a Bag of Love and Spar’s personnel will pack the bag on your behalf.

Customers are also welcome to add extra treats to the bags.

Alternatively, individuals or businesses can participate by donating money directly into the following bank account: SVP-Bags of Love, ABSA Bank, Hermanus Branch, Account number 925 114 2278. All funds donated will be used to make up bags which will be distributed by Saint Vincent de Paul to those in need in the community.

Interest has grown steadily over the years to the point where more than 1 000 bags were filled and distributed during the 2016 campaign.

This year, the organisers aspire to increase the number of bags distributed even more and have appealed to the public, business, churches and concerned parties to donate to this worthy drive.

For more information on the campaign, contact the convenors Terry McCarthy on 083 255 8614, Des Collins on 082 824 1058 or Bruce Fraser on 083 270 3230.

– Hedda Mittner

Spayathon treats 74 animals during outreach Following on the spayathon held in Mdumbi in the Eastern Cape in August, the latest one was held locally in Zwelihle earlier this month.

Two of the highlights for this combined Hermanus Animal Hospital (HAH) and Hermanus Animal Welfare Society (HAWS) outreach were that the State Veterinarian for the area from Port St Johns to Umtata, Dr Tinashe Chimatira, and the manager of the Umtata SPCA, Monde Magawu made the effort to join the Hermanus team and strengthen the bonds made in the Mdumbi project.

Although the funds raised for the Zwelihle spayathon only amounted to R9 000, it was added to the R18 000 left over from the Mdumbi outreach to cover the cost of this project.

Approximately 74 dogs were treated or spayed in the six hours allocated to the operations. The day started off very busy with veterinarians operating non-stop at their stations in the Zwelihle Community Hall, but as lunch time approached the rush subsided.

Nathan Adams cradles his sleeping puppy while he poses with a friendly dog, aka HAWS educator, Tanya Cohen.

PHOTO: Glynis van Rooyen

Children who brought their well-cared-for dogs in for spaying or neutering were encouraged to watch the operations and also be entertained and educated in animal care.

Both HAH and HAWS would like to thank Talk 2 for printing the advertising flyers and Dutchies, Lizette’s, B’s at La Vierge, Harbour Rock, Checkers, Pick n Pay and OK Mini-Mart in Onrus for the food and refreshments they provided.

Thanks also goes to all the volunteers and people who donated cash to the project.

Veterinarians were disappointed that they were unable to reach the animals most in need of their help and hope they will be able to target these dogs during the next outreach

programme some time next year.

- Avis Macintyre

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14 - 27 November 2017

How to calculate what your estate agent’s worth

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ne of the most important decisions you have to make when selling your house, and often the most contentious, is how much to pay your agent.

For most of us, the knee-jerk reaction is “as little as possible”.

But let’s think about that: If you needed brain surgery, you wouldn’t choose your brain surgeon based on price, would you? You would choose him or her on their technical expertise, and that’s the way it should be with any service provider.

Remember, effectively marketing your property so that you get as many potential buyers as you can, and effectively negotiating the best possible selling price, is what this is all about. A saving in brokerage is meaningless if it is accompanied by an unsuccessful marketing campaign or a lower selling price.

Watch out for agents who are happy to work for too little! In service industries you almost always get what you pay for.

Low commission rates almost always mean less marketing (to save money) or a less skilled or desperate agent. New business models are built around

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attorneys trying to enter the industry advertising lower commission, but the lower commission is only applicable when you make use of that specific attorney’s property transport services. Neither of which is to your advantage.

Ask the hard questions: If an agent from an estate agency is prepared to work for a low commission, try to establish why. It may be that: ■ Whilst the agency is strong, this agent may be weak.

■ They may be doing it to regain lost market share, but there may be a relevant reason, to do with their service and their results, as to why they lost market share in the first place.

■ They may have ulterior motives. Maybe they’re hoping that other stock

they are carrying will appear cheap compared to your property, so they can use your property to sell other stock.

■ Maybe your property is prominently positioned, so they are hoping to get good publicity from your property, which is good for their brand-building even if they don’t sell your property.

■ It might be that the agent tries to “buy” your mandate to secure other services.

■ Finally, it may be that they are just bad negotiators and if that’s the case, how are they ever going to defend your asking price to a buyer if they can’t defend their commission rate to you?

■ If an estate agent dis` counts his/her commission

before he/she even started with the marketing of your property, how on earth will he/she be able to protect your asking price? If the agent is not even good at negotiating their own income, why would they try to protect your most valuable asset’s asking price?

There is always a reason and it’s almost never to your advantage. So, my advice to you is: 1. Focus on the quality of the service, not the price of the service. Follow the method I have explained in my first editorial to evaluate the various agents and select the one that you think is best.

2. Get a sense of what the average time is for the agent to sell their sole mandate and open mandates. If it takes three

months longer for a discounted agency to sell a property, the cost of holding the property (maintenance and taxes), the time value of money, your frustrations and uncertainty, will quickly be absorbed and the discount you thought you are going to save will cost you more.

3. Try to determine what is the agency Listing Price vs Selling Price ratios. If the full-service agent is able to achieve only 5% more on the listing price, you will be able to realise more on the net sale price than the 3% or less you are trying to save on commission.

4. It is also important to ask what percentage of properties are sold at less than asking price and what percentage of properties sold are sole mandates.

Once you know which agent you want, negotiate the best deal you can with him or her. What is the best deal that you can do? Agents will generally want to earn as close to 7,5% plus VAT as they can. The more successful the agent, the more

comprehensive the marketing reach and services of the agency, and the less likely he or she will be to compromise.

The South African model is “No Sale – No Pay”. If you followed my advice in my first editorial, you will have chosen your agent based on service and you will have determined the price that you want to achieve for your property from a comparative market analysis (CMA).

So, here’s my final advice: Motivate the top agent and agency that you have chosen by remunerating them appropriately if they achieve the price you want. If they don’t achieve that price, you can always negotiate the commission rate downward (you may even want to incentivise them to exceed that price!).

Spend money to make money – it’s demonstrably in your best interests, and remember, you only pay on success.

Good luck with the marketing of your property. It’s easy and fun – as long as you do it right!

Paul Kruger – Principal Seeff Hermanus

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14 - 27 November 2017

Great performance by Hermanus High’s equestrians

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ive learners from Hermanus High School represented the Western Province equestrian team at the SANESA South African Championships in Johannesburg during the October school holiday. The five equestrians from the school were awarded 15 team rosettes – Mari Mari Carstens (5), Pippa Grobler (5), Sophia Byleveld (3), Wilmarie Coetzee (3) and Mikayla Martinengo (2). Mari Carstens also won a gold medal – one of the four medals achieved by WP. At the final SANESA WP individual prize giving that was held in Villiersdorp on 28 October, these talented young

ladies also took away several prizes. Mari received 3 gold and 2 silver medals, as well as 3 trophies for the best performer in her class during the year. At the National Championships she was elected as Equestrian of the Year.

Mikayla won 1 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze medal, Pippa won 3 gold medals and 2 silver, as well as 3 trophies for best performer in her class during the year, while Wilmarie received 1 gold and 1 bronze medal, and Sophia 1 gold. The five learners also received the school trophy for the highest marks achieved during the year in Category G.

Nanja Naudé, another equestrian from the school, represented the WP team at the SANESA Western Mounted Games. She achieved 1st place in the Level 2 High Schools Division, 5th place in the Open Division for Speed Barrels, and 5th place in the Level 2 High Schools Division for Singles.

WP ended in 3rd place overall in the Level 2 High Schools Division.

On the photo, from left, are Pippa Grobler, Sophia Byleveld, Mikayla Martinengo, Mari Carstens, Wilmarie Coetzee and Nanja Naudé.

Congratulations on your proud achievements!

The Student Leaders of Hermanus Primary, under the guidance of Head Girl, Megan Hassenkamp, handed over nearly 1 000 second hand reading books to Enlighten Trust to add to their library. All the pupils of Hermanus Primary School brought their second-hand reading books to school over a two-week period. Accepting the books on behalf of Enlighten Trust is Elmine Boonzaaier and some of the children who visit the Enlighten Trust Library in the afternoons. Handing over the books are (back row): Chanelle Maritz, Megan Hassenkamp, Aimee de Vynck, Chiara Lanuti and Luke Romburgh. In front are Jarred Bonorchis, Nicol Snyman, Lennard Fauël and Werner Els.

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Three learners from Curro Hermanus were invited to the SANESA Overberg High Schools prize giving for equestrians. From left are Nikita Roxburgh, Nadja Jasprica and Robyn Helmbold, who achieved trophies for the highest points achieved in the High Schools Division. Overall the girls received 7 Gold medals, 5 Silver, 1 Bronze and 5 Trophies.

14 - 27 November 2017

CURRO HERMANUS’S TOP 5 PRIMARY SCHOOL LEARNERS Curro Hermanus is very proud of their Top 5 primary school academic performers for 2017. Congratulations to each of these dedicated learners. From left, in front, are: Joshua du Toit, Lukas Winter, Frank Swingler, Connor Lewis, and Abongile Matoti. Second row: Khareece Maree, Zarah de Witt, Mignon van Zyl, Meghan Stapelberg, Pippa Achterberg, and Dian van Rhyn. Third row: Deborah MarÊ, Annabella Gozalo, Mr Johannes Mouton (executive head), Daniel Cornell, and Alex Swingler.

Back row: Franchesca Gozalo, Liya Hiestermann, Ra'ees de Witt, Vaishali Dhoolab and Joshua Grindley-Ferris.

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The tale of the putter and the hole-in-none

reetings once more to you all. I do hope this finds you in great health and raring to get going on the golf course. I must say I played last Saturday and the course is really coming on well – we finished our spring maintenance programme not long ago and already the greens are running at 9 on the Stimp and are getting smoother by the day.

This week we have some sad news: our head marshal Oom Piet has finally decided to hang up his marshal badge and spend some quality time with his lovely wife. Piet has been with us for 18 years and has really been part of the furniture here at HGC. The staff and committee held a farewell for Piet last week and the members said their goodbyes on Saturday.

The Putting Pirate Julian Shaw

the ladies play betterball in the morning and foursomes in the afternoon, then add up the scores of the team. The overall winners are: Tommie McLennan Team Prize Winning Team: Westlake A1 & A2 Score 166: Tessa Granger & Michelle Grundy; Di Pickford & Bronwyn Gray Runner-Up Team: Paarl A1 & A2 Score 164: Saretha Maritz &

Annemie du Toit; Paula Bester & Sandra Clift Enid Metcalf Salver Best Couple All Day: Somerset West A: Denise Codrington & Megan O’Grady Score 86 Runner-up Couple All Day: K D Mowbray A1: Lorraine Smit & June Watson Score 85 Well done to Westlake, an excellent score indeed. The top Hermanus team was the A1 and A2 pairings of Lynne Behagg and Cheryl Richardson,

I personally think Piet should write an article or a book about his experiences – he really has a few interesting tales to tell!

Anyway, from our side, Oom Piet, it has been a privilege to work with you and I wish you a really lovely retirement.

Fantastic Daysh Cup Then at the weekend we had our annual premier ladies tournament, The Daysh Cup. This year marks the 69th running of the cup. The weather again played along, with a pleasant 21 degrees and a light wind. We had 136 ladies from all over the province with 18 Golf Clubs participating. This event is always a great affair and well supported.

The format is always an interesting one as it is a team event –

and Jackie Clifford and Rusty Demmer, on 157, so not far behind. Well tried, ladies.

ICM at Bredasdorp With the Daysh cup running at home the guys all went for the second leg of the ICM cup at Bredasdorp. This year, after all the swashbuckling and concentration, it ended in a tie! But due to the fact that Hermanus had edged out the chaps from Bredasdorp on the first leg here at home, the Cup stays with Hermanus. Well done to all who took part and showed great spirit.

Rest In Peace, Stoffel Krause Now for a piece of very sad news. Oom Stoffel Krause, longtime member at HGC, died this past week after a brief battle with cancer. He was one of our real gentlemen members; he always had a good word to say and we shall all miss him terribly. Stoffel, we salute you and may you Rest In Peace, sir.

A tale of a great hole in one... nearly This week we end off with a tale from one of our “quieter” members, Richard (Bulldog) Charton and his group of merry golfers.

Richard and his fourball were playing the 21st when there was a hold-up on the tee. So they chatted to the fourball in front and watched them tee off and play the hole. One of the golfers however came back onto the green and adjusted the flag before vacating the green. Richard swished a 9 iron and caught it absolutely perfectly; they all watched in awe as it homed in on the hole like a laser-guided scud missile.

It landed and disappeared from view as the green is slightly elevated.

Was this the day, was this the one time he would get the magical perfect fluke?

In heightened anticipation they

walked up to the green and as they got there they noticed the ball a few inches from the hole, a pitchmark just before and... a putter jammed in the hole. Not any putter, but Richard’s very own putter. The ball had been blocked from going in the hole.

One of Richard’s “friends” had secretly swiped his putter on the tee and played a joke on him by putting his own putter in the hole – and that, ladies and gentlemen, is how Richard the Bulldog prevented his own hole in one! And to make matters worse Richard was insured for R10 000 for a hole in one. When Richard confronted the fourball in front obviously a little less than impressed, all was quiet, until one clever golfer pointed out he had actually hit his own equipment and under the rules of golf must be penalised too! Hard luck, Richard, but what a great story!

Until next time, have fun, keep calm and go golfing.

Scores at a glance LADIES TUESDAYS 24 OCTOBER BETTER BALL STABLEFORD 48 PLAYERS 1st Pauline Metcalf and Sue Atkinson 48 points C/1 2nd Lyndsay Henderson and Ines van der Plas 48 points C/0 31 OCTOBER MEDAL AND PUTTS 41 PLAYERS Silver division: 1st Terri Sulley 82; Best gross Lynne Behagg; Bronze division R. Hanekom 92

Our head marshal Oom Piet has finally decided to hang up his marshal badge and spend some quality time with his lovely wife.

MEN’S WEDNESDAY 1 NOVEMBER BETTERBALL STABLEFORD East course: Ernie Blommaert and Audie van Noordwyk 48 C/1 South course: Jannie Englebrecht and

Albert Streicher 47 East course: Faan Pretorius and Ian Pansegrouw 45 SATURDAY’S 28 OCTOBER 4BBB BOGEY PLUS East Course: Toni Upton & Ant Upton +12 North Course: Jacquie Clifford & Albert Streicher +11 South Course: Pete Gray & Richard Jones +11 SUNDAY MIXED 5 NOVEMBER Winners Dave, Kathy, Shaun Johnston and Gina Buckmaster 88 points C/1 Half sheep draw this month was once again sponsored by Food Lovers Market and was won by the old pro himself Terry Westbrook, good on you!!!

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Young Guns offer bright future

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number of young South African cricketers are "knocking on the door" to take over the mantle of our more experienced players. The 2019 Cricket World Cup to be held in England and Wales, will probably be the swansong of the likes of AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis, Hashim Amla and others in the Protea squad. Some of the future stars in the 24 years and under age group include: Quinton de Kock This 24-year-old is a product of King Edward VII School in Johannesburg. Quinton is considered by many as the best wicket keeper / batsman in the world and is compared to the legendary Adam Gilchrist of Australia.

Already a veteran of 88 ODIs and 24 test matches, he has scored a total of 16 centuries in these two formats of the game. Here's a real talent!

Kagiso Rabada Kagiso, nicknamed KG, is 22 years old and was educated at St. Stithians College in Johannesburg. He is an established member of the Protea cricket team and made his debut at the age of 19. He has already taken 102 wickets in 22 test matches. He is also no slouch with the bat. This

Offside Tony O’Hagan

speedster will spearhead the Protea attack and has the makings of a good all-rounder.

Hermanus Sports Club to receive additional funding The Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport has allocated a grant to the Hermanus Sports Club (HSC) in the amount of R1,171 million. These monies will be paid to the HSC via the Overstrand Municipality to be used for facilities at the Helga Eichenauer Astro hockey field.

more who employed Andile's mother as a domestic worker.

He is considered a fast/medium bowler and more than capable batter.

Aiden Markram Nicknamed "Pup", Aiden captained the victorious SA under 19 team at ICC under 19 World Cup in 2014. He is 23 years of age and made his debut for the Proteas in the recent series against Bangladesh. He narrowly missed out on a maiden test century on debut, but completed the feat in the second test of the series.

Aiden is a highly accomplished batting all-rounder and has leadership skills.

Wiaan Mulder Another product of St. Stithians College, this 19-year-old has gone from school uniform to Protea kit! This time last year he was in matric and captain of the SA under 19 team. An allrounder, Wiaan, made his debut in the recent T20 against Bangladesh. He is a future Jacques Kallis with proven ability as a batsman and medium / fast bowler.

latter already making his mark in the SA A-team. Also in this squad are a number of young guns, just 17 years old. These include Thando Ntini (son of Makhaya), Gerald Coetzee, Fraser Jones and Jacob Miltz.

Andile Phehlukwayo At 21 years of age, Andile has represented the Proteas in all three formats of the game, namely test, ODI, and T20. He was awarded a bursary to Glenwood High for field hockey and later introduced to cricket by his guardian, Rosemary Dis-

There are a number of talented youngsters in the SA Emerging Cricket team, while the recently selected Protea under 19 squad to play England at the end of this month is brimful of exciting prospects. These include Raynard van Tonder (Captain) and Matthew Breetzke, the

The Proteas are sitting quite pretty on the ICC rankings, with the test team (2nd after India), ODI (1st), T20 (6th). The future looks bright with the many young cricketers on the horizon. Maybe one day that elusive World Cup will be filled with Protea bubbly!

Quinton de Kock

A successful presentation made by Hermanus High School to the department resulted in the allocation of the funds. Highly impressed by the facility, representatives of the department felt that it could form the nucleus for hockey in the Overberg and further afield.

The Overstrand Municipality has already approved funding

SPORT NEWS?

of R7,6 million to the HSC which is earmarked for the construction of 6 tennis courts, 4 squash courts, 2 netball courts and a clubhouse. Work on this and the additions to the hockey field are scheduled to commence in the New Year.

The addition of these facilities, as well as the existing cricket club and astroturf hockey field, make this an attractive venue with further projects being worked towards in the future.

The ambition of the Hermanus Sports Club is to create a Mecca of sport which will attract sporting teams, sports coaches and enthusiasts from South Africa and abroad. The new additions will kick-start these aspirations.

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