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Cape Whale Coast
5 - 11 December 2017
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Safety first for the Whale Coast De Waal Steyn
W
e will not allow criminals to mar our busiest season and we will do everything in our power to ensure the safety of visitors and residents alike,” says SAPS Overberg Cluster Commander, Brig. Donovan Heilbron.
To this end both a horse mounted SAPS unit as well as more than 30 officers of SAPS and the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) have been deployed on the Whale Coast under the auspices of Operation Phakisa. Lifesguards are now on duty from 09:00 to 18:00 every day at all the major beaches and lagoons on the Whale Coast, including Grotto East and West, Hawston, Voëlklip, Kammabaai, Onrus, Sandbaai, Langbaai, Kleinmond and Kleinmond lagoon, Palmiet, Betty’s Bay Main Beach, Silversands (Betty’s Bay), Pringle Bay Main Beach and Castle Beach. There are also lifeguards on duty at the public pools in Zwelihle and Mt Pleasant. Three local beaches – Grotto, Kleinmond and Hawston – once again boast Blue Flag status, while Castle Beach in Pearly Beach received pilot Blue Flag status. The blue flags serve as an indicator that the facilities concerned have met the relevant criteria that render them clean, safe and environmentally friendly. Lifesavers Rodrigo Majiet, JJ Johnson, Roger Natus, manager of Overstrand Community Lifesavers, and Eden Timm were excited to start their duties on 1 December.
“These are preventative measures to ensure that criminal elements do not think they have easy prey during the season,” Heilbron states. This follows a spate of armed
robberies on the cliff paths and beaches during the past week. In one incident a German couple were robbed of their belongings while they were admiring the view over the bay from a bench near The Marine Hotel. They were so traumatised that they returned home the same day. In another incident Tourism Manager Frieda Lloyd and two of her guests were robbed of their cellphones by a knife-wielding man on Brêkfis Bay in Vermont. “What happened to us was extremely traumatic and it has really brought the reality of crime home. But instead of the experience breaking me down, it has made me more determined than ever to ensure that the Whale Coast stays one of the safest regions for visitors. It has also taught me that we live in a wonderfully close-knit community. The amount of care we have received has been remarkable,” says Lloyd. More on P3
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5 - 11 December 2017
WS E
The Team 6 Royal Street Hermanus
028 312 2234
Publishing Editor
THE
NEWS
OPINION Matters
We refuse to be victims
dewaal@thevillagenews.co.za
It is never easy to talk about difficult subjects. But, as responsible citizens we must have the courage of our conviction to talk about issues that affect all of us.
Content Editor
This is the case in point with crime in our area, especially during the busy season. Every year opportunistic criminals roam our streets looking for easy victims. Every year the same tips are relayed to the public: lock your doors, keep your windows closed, do not carry any valuables with you. We cannot afford to scare tourists off. Indeed, a sad state of affairs.
Hedda Mittner 083 645 3928 hedda@thevillagenews.co.za
Design and Layout
Nickey Jackson 079 408 7722 nickey@thevillagenews.co.za
We cannot bury our heads in the sand about this issue. It is a very real and a very present danger. We need to be informed of what is happen-ing in our community and so too must tourists. Even if you are never a direct victim of crime, knowledge of what to do in an emergency might save someone else’s life if they were a victim.
The SAPS must be lauded for the extra effort they are putting in to help curb crime this season. It is indeed welcome news that more visible policing will be done and that especially poaching will be targeted. We also welcome HPP’s deployment of more guards on the Cliff Path. As a community we can offer a lot in the fight against crime by being informed of where crime hotspots are, knowing what to do in an emergency and informing other people of the dangers. It is also our responsibility to actively support our neighbourhood watches. If you see any suspicious people or activity, inform your neighbourhood watch, security company or the Police. Please become involved and help the Whale Coast stay the safe-haven we want it to be. In case of an emergency call: 028 313 8111. This is the GOOD News – Ed
WHERE TO FIND US
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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 12 December. 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
Happy happy holidays So, the schools have closed and everyone is looking to have fun. Whale Coast Conservation has organised some super activities to keep children happily occupied. What mom and dad will also be happy to know is that all the activities have educational themes, but the kids won’t even realise that they are being ‘educated’. For the past two years the ‘Fairy Forest’ has been ever so popular, so we are repeating it with a different twist. The theme this year is litter. The litter fairies will appear only to children who don’t litter and who sing the Milkwood song. So we will start the adventure doing a quick litter clean-up at the picnic area. Then we will walk through the dark forest with our lights and sing the Milkwood song to let the fairies know we are coming. They will show themselves by dressing up in waste material that they have collected on the beach and in the forest. Ordinarily we can’t see them, so this is a special occasion for us. There will be four Fairy Forest eco-adventures this month – on Tuesday 12 and Thursday
14 December, with two walks departing at 19:00 and 19:30 on both days; and Tuesday 19 and Thursday 21 December, departing at 19:30 and 20:00 on both days. The meeting place is the Grotto Beach parking area. Who doesn’t love pottering about on the beach at low tide? What fascinating creatures can we find in the rock pools, or washed up at the high water mark? The Beach Combers eco-adventure will explore the intertidal zone where we’ll look at sand mussels, black mussels, sea anemones, sea whelks and anything else we find. Be prepared to get wet. On Monday 11 December we’ll set out at 17:00 and on Monday 18 December at 09:00. Fernkloof Nature Reserve offers endless fun for families. Apart from the walks in the mountain to spot fynbos and its resident creatures, there are the ‘Three Dams’, only known to the locals. The lower rockfill dam is well protected from the southeaster in summer and offers a stunning alternative to the beach on a windy, hot summer’s day. The cool water is the
colour of iced tea. It really is just a ‘fynbos tea’ deriving its colour from the tannins in surrounding fynbos roots through which it had filtered. Take an old inner tube for maximum fun. But be aware there are no lifesavers and younger children must be supervised by adults. Whale Coast Conservation offers a different kind of fun in Fernkloof. Our ‘Amazing Holiday Challenge’ will have children hunting for clues in the gardens to find the answers to quiz questions and learning about some indigenous trees in the process. Stripes the Eco-Cat’s story will help them to find answers to some of the questions. Correct answers to all the quiz questions will carry a small reward and the lucky draw at the end will carry a lovely prize. The dates for the Fernkloof Fun eco-adventure are Friday 15 December and Friday 22 December, at 09:30 on both days. Booking is essential for all the adventures. Adults pay R100 and children R50. Contact Anina on anina.wcc@gmail.com or WhatsApp on 083 242 3295. - Anina Lee
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O
Overstrand keeps it green
verstrand Municipality recently took second place in the Western Cape 2017 Greenest Municipality Competition, while winning the categories for waste management, water conservation and water management, as well as biodiversity management. The overall competition was won by Swartland Municipality (Malmesbury) while Hessequa Municipality (Riversdal) came third. Overstrand has won the waste management category seven times in the last nine years and the water management category four times in the last five years. In his keynote address at the function held at the Lord Charles Hotel in Somerset West on 27 November, Anton Bredell, Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, said: “The Greenest Municipality Competition Awards celebrate the constant hard work which makes our towns function, the passion of officials who carry out work against challenging odds, and the spirit of co-operation and efforts to use our resources wisely for the benefit of all our citizens.” Along with scoring second place in the overall competition, Overstrand also secured prize money of R70 000. The competition is organised by the Western Cape Department of Environmental
The Overstrand delegation who received the Greenest Municipality trophies and certificates on behalf of the municipality (left to right): Mike Bartman, Deputy Director: Community Services; Johan van Taak, Manager: Solid Waste; Lauren Rainbird, Horticulturist and Blue Flag co-ordinator; and Hanré Blignaut, Deputy Director: Engineering Planning. Affairs and Development Planning and will henceforth be held every two years, with the next round set for 2019.
South Africa, the Overstrand is setting the bar for other municipalities regarding harvest potential of groundwater (aquifer systems).
On 29 November, a delegation from Rand Water in Johannesburg and the Water Research Commission paid a visit to Overstrand Municipality to learn more about adaptive water management and the successful utilisation of groundwater.
The specific purpose of the Preekstoel plant is to remove the very high iron and manganese content from the borehole water before it is blended with the treated surface water from the De Bos Dam. Preekstoel uses a unique bio-filtration system to remove manganese and iron content found in groundwater. This entails creating ideal
As Preekstoel Water Treatment Works (WTW) is a first of its kind in
conditions for specific iron and manganese bacteria to grow in the filter media. In the process of purification the bacteria consumes the iron and manganese in the water. The potential of hydrogen (pH) and the dissolved oxygen content are controlled to create the right conditions for the bacteria. The delegation was taken on a tour of the Preekstoel Waste Water Treatment Works expansion, and shown some of the municipality’s key projects, such as the Hermanus groundwater scheme.
Efforts made to keep criminals out From P 1 “From the police who came to take our statements, through to the medical personnel who ensured that we were okay and Jurie Steenekamp of Maxitec who immediately made two cell phones available for us,” adds Lloyd. According to Capt. Cilliers Truter, commander of Operation Phakisa, the aim of their deployment is to protect marine resources and to assist the local SAPS with investigations. “There have been many reports of poacher activity recently, but we have been able to stem the
tide to a large extent. We will ensure that during the season the beaches are safe areas for the public. For the first time ever, crayfish catches were also policed to ensure that those with permits stick to the correct size.” Truter says the unit has deep sea divers and a K9 unit on hand to help make life difficult for both poachers and other criminals. Members of the unit come from all over the Western Cape, including Mossel Bay, Paarl, Cape Town and George. According to Calvin Duncan of
Hermanus SAPS, the horsemounted unit did patrols on the Cliff Path during the weekend. “The aim is to create visible policing and to this end more guards from Hermanus Public Protection (HPP) will be deployed on the cliff paths. Local members of SAPS as well as the K9 unit will do regular foot patrols on the cliff paths and beaches. The security cameras in town will also focus on the cliff paths to help identify any perpetrators. “We want people to be aware that during the busy season there is a lot of opportunistic crime.
Especially people sitting on benches watching the sea and those walking on secluded beach areas are at risk. Items such as cell phones, wallets and other valuables should not be left unattended or in plain sight. Similarly, motorists should refrain from keeping anything of value on the seats where it is easily visible. “Rather, it is advised that items to that effect be stowed in the boot of your car. If you choose to go for a walk along the beach or cliff path, tell somebody where you're going and when to expect you back,” advises Duncan.
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5 - 11 December 2017
Mall fever, mall fever, we know how to do it ...
T
he new Whale Coast Mall was officially opened on Thursday morning, 30 November, with Overstrand Mayor Rudolph Smith, Overberg District Municipality Mayor Andries Franken, Theewaterskloof Mayor Christelle Vosloo, Overberg MP Masizole Mnqasela and developer Jannie Kruger of Dorpstraat cutting the ceremonial ribbon shortly before 08:00. The mall has created more than 500 job opportunities for locals and is expected to boost the economy of the Overberg. People were already queueing up outside and started pouring in as soon as the doors opened. Many were simply curious and came to get a taste of what’s on offer, while others immediately took advantage of the opening specials and enthusiastically filled their shopping bags. Busy trade continued over the weekend. The Village NEWS was there on opening day to chat to shop owners and shoppers and find out what their first impressions were of the mall. – Hedda Mittner PHOTOS: Taylum Meyer, Titanium Photography
EUGENE & CECILE LE ROUX: Eugene was born in Hermanus and has lived here all his life. His wife Cecile moved here when she was 21 and became a teacher at the old ‘Klipskool’. They think the mall is “a wonderful place” and that they’ll frequent it regularly. “I’m looking forward to doing all my clothes shopping here,” said Cecile. Eugene was more interested in all the places where he can enjoy breakfast or lunch while Cecile shops.
GIGS CELLIERS: Surf Zone Surf Shop has opened a second store at the mall, but owner Gigs Celliers says they’ll never close their original store in Main Road. He is optimistic that they’ll keep their clientele in town, including the many tourists who love their destination T-shirts, and that they’ll attract new customers to their store in the mall from areas to the west of town.
LUSANDA DYNANI: A Zwelihle resident since 2008, Lusanda visited the mall with her baby Siphosetu on opening day and said she’d received a warm welcome and a free branded bag. “We are very happy about the mall as it is within walking distance of Zwelihle and we can do all our Christmas shopping in one place.” Lusanda said she would be doing most of her shopping for groceries and clothing at the mall in future.
ANGELIQUE KLAUE: Angelique is the sales assistant at Montagu Dried Fruit and Nuts in the mall. This is their second store and they will not be closing their shop in town – in fact, that shop has just been renovated and re-opened a day after the mall’s grand opening.
BEN & ETNA PFEIFFER: Because they live in Vermont, Etna said she would probably do most of her grocery shopping at the mall because it was more convenient than travelling to town. Other stores she would frequent include Woolworths and Dischem. For his part, Ben said he was on a “scouting trip” and quipped that he was “exploring a new continent”. He was most interested in checking out the coffee shops and restaurants.
CHERYL VAN HUYSSTEEN & SIMONé HENCKERT: Rain, a homegrown South African body and bath-product brand based in Swellendam, has opened a new store in the mall. Beauty therapist Simoné van Huyssteen from the Milkwood Spa at Mosiac Private Sanctuary near Stanford says there will be a therapist at the store every day offering mini treatments along with their extensive range of hand-crafted products.
RONEL TUTT & BERNARD ISAACS: Bargain Books has closed its store in the Gateway Centre and relocated to the mall. They were very busy on opening day and did brisk business. “We are very happy with our new location and our new-look store,” said manager Ronel when she was able to catch a breath.
MARIAAN NAGLE & RUDI FOURIE: Hartlief Deli has opened a new store at the mall, conveniently situated at the main entrance. The deli was a beehive of activity and managers Mariaan Nagle and Rudi Fourie said they were “completely overwhelmed” on opening day. “For the large proportion of German residents and swallows in Hermanus, the deli is a dream come true,” said Mariaan.
WILLIAM & RIETTE LAING: William and Riette live in Port Owen on the West Coast but come to Hermanus on holiday at least once a year. “The mall was very necessary,” said William. “It’s convenient to have everything under one roof – and enough parking. That is something that is problematic in the CBD.” Riette agreed but added that “all we need now are movies - please! We are tired of having to travel more than an hour to a movie theatre.”
KARLI BEYERS & NICHOLA JORDAAN: Both Karli and Nichola were in matric last year. They said they would visit the mall to shop for clothing, but also said they and their friends were disappointed that neither Ster-Kinekor nor Nu Metro were interested in opening a multiplex cinema in Hermanus. “We were really looking forward to that,” they said.
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5 - 11 December 2017
Lighthouse ladies are a shining Blue flags flying light for senior citizens It’s official – three Overstrand beaches have been awarded the right to wave the prestigious Blue Flag for the summer.
Ceremonial events to herald in the Blue Flag season were held at Grotto, Hawston and Kleinmond beaches on Thursday, 30 November. The hoisted flags will also serve as an indicator to both locals and visitors that the facilities concerned have met the relevant criteria that render them clean, safe and environmentally friendly. Further recognition was also given to Castle beach in Pearly Beach which received Pilot Status.
Sarah Taylor
A
total of 120 intrepid and charitable hiking women are getting their act together again to do the 2018 Lighthouse 2 Lighthouse Ladies Walk (L2L) and are setting their sights on raising R500 000 for a good cause.
In addition, the Blue Flag Programme is designed to raise environmental awareness and to educate the community about the need to care for our coastline. The programme furthermore stipulates that water samples are taken at regular intervals and that an independent laboratory should be responsible for testing all sea water samples.
This will be the 13th official L2L walk, which was launched officially in 2006, and it covers almost 100km of pristine coastline from the lighthouses of Cape Agulhas to Danger Point near Gansbaai. After hiking between 19 and 28 km each day, the hikers are bussed to Die Damme resort bungalows for the night. The all-women walkers, each of whom pay R1 700 to take part (covering meals, accommodation and transport) need to raise a further R4 000 themselves for a jointly selected charity. What began as a walk to raise money for the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) – and during which R10 000 was raised by 23 friends – has grown to become a significant donor body in the Overstrand district and attracts local and international walkers from as far afield as Scotland and the Ukraine. L2L chairperson Janine Boshoff says it was registered as a non-profit organisation (NPO) in 2016 and, since 2006, it has raised R2,8 million for various local charities. “As the Lighthouse veterans say, this walk is primarily a fundraising activity. It’s about doing something for someone else, albeit often with some serious blisters to show for it!” says Janine.
The Municipality hails the award as a real feather in its tourism cap, since the Blue Flag is regarded by the World Tourism Organisation as the most coveted and respected international award that could be bestowed on top beaches, boats and marinas. Another requirement of the programme is that prospective participants have to submit their membership application for renewal on an annual basis. The Blue Flag reviewing panel moreover reserves the right to accept or withdraw membership should the qualifying criteria not be fulfilled.
The 2017 walk donated R549 690 to Just Care Aftercare in Mount Pleasant, which used it to build a new centre for 120 children, which will be opened on Tuesday, 6 December. The 2018 L2L walkers will be raising funds for the Hermanus Senior Centre in Hermanus for the training of more nursing staff to increase field services to the elderly and general improving their services to the public. The centre was selected from 18 registered charities that applied. The longest-walking, oldest and still active L2L participant, Les Clarke (76), says what the NPO has achieved is phenomenal and “it is by far the biggest private fundraiser Hermanus has ever had”. “Next year will be my 11th Lighthouse2Lighthouse walk. It is such a special bonding of
women. There is such good camaraderie. But it is more than that. We don’t just pay our money and walk. We’re doing this to help others and the actual walk is tough. What the women do for one another en route is really tough. I even saw one woman give her own shoes to another hiker who was battling,” says Les. Last year Les broke her arm after the first day lifting a suitcase but after a Hermanus doctor set it in plaster that same day, she was back for the rest of the hike. There is clearly no stopping these tough and caring women when they set their minds on something! Next year the walk takes place from March 1 to March 4. Within hours of opening the bookings in August this year, the 120 available places were
snapped up, but those wanting a small taste of the experience can join the three remaining practice walks. The next one will on 16 December from Grotto beach to Sopie’s Klip and back (12 km). A selected charity will also benefit from the longest practice walk – De Kelders to Grotto Beach, held in February – and in 2018 this will be the Hermanus Animal Welfare.
Speaking at the flag ceremony at Grotto beach, Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services, Cllr Andrew Komani, commended the stakeholders, partners and all contributors for ensuring Overstrand was able to attain the Blue Flag status another year running. “We place a very high value on the Blue Flag from an economic and tourism marketing point. Tourists are undoubtedly drawn to our beaches because of what the Blue Flag represents,” Komani added. “We therefore urge all residents and visitors to use these beaches and their facilities responsibly. Stay mindful of the conservation of our marine and coastal environments and keep the impact of your presence to a minimum,” he concluded. Grotto's Blue Flag status kicked in on 1 December and will remain effective till 31 March 2018. In the case of Hawston and Kleinmond, this status will come into effect on 15 December and remain in place till 15 January 2018.
For Janine, it’s a busy task she’s taken on to steer the logistics of the event and secure sponsors. “I am really looking forward to the walk itself and aim to have everything in place so it runs as smoothly as clockwork, as it has in the past.”
In South Africa, the programme is run by WESSA (the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa) in conjunction with participating municipal authorities. This year, 44 South African beaches were awarded Blue Flags, of which 28 received the title in the Western Cape. An additional 22 beaches across the three provinces have been given pilot status.
For more information, see http://lighthouse2lighthouse. co.za
Grotto beach has been part of this coveted award for 17 consecutive years, whilst Hawston and Kleinmond beaches have both enjoyed Blue Flag status for 12 years.
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The heyday of hotel holidays in Hermanus For over 100 years hotels have been an important part of Hermanus life, writes DR ROBIN LEE of the Hermanus History Society. The earliest hotels mainly catered for people travelling on business in the region. From about 1910 the hotels were increasingly oriented to visitors on holiday. The ‘hotel holiday’ market lasted through the 1920s to 1960s and this was the high point in the story of Hermanus hotels. In the 1920s and 1930s lords, ladies, senior politicians and wealthy business people frequented the best hotels. In the 1940s thousands of Allied troops stayed at Hermanus hotels during World War II. From 1960 fashions changed and guesthouses and B&Bs took over. There was also a boom in holiday housing. By the 1990s only two hotels remained: The Marine and the Windsor. Four more hotels have been built since then, but Hermanus will probably never see 13 hotels operating at once, as they did in the glory days of hotels in Hermanus. PHOTOS: Old Harbour Museum
1921: BAY VIEW HOTEL Watty MacFarlane bought the house Roskeen in Poole’s Bay (Eastcliff) belonging to the Morton family, in which they started a private school in 1896. After substantial changes, McFarlane opened it as a hotel. After a devastating fire in 1940, Musson acquired the ruined building and rebuilt it to open as Musson’s Bay View Hotel. It was second in popularity only to The Marine. The Musson family eventually sold the hotel which was demolished in 1985 when the present apartment block was built. 1895: The VICTORIA HOTEL was the first hotel in Hermanus, built by Walter MacFarlane who had been accommodating travellers at his house. It was destroyed by fire in 1953 and rebuilt by MacFarlane’s son, Watty, who re-opened it as the Astoria Hotel. After several owners, it was demolished in the 1970s and a shopping arcade called Astoria Village constructed, which is still in existence.
1900: The ROYAL HOTEL was built by the Allengensky family soon after they arrived from Greyton. The first Jewish wedding in Hermanus took place here in 1904. It was also frequented by fishermen as it was the nearest bar to the harbour. It survived a huge fire in 1953 but was burned down in 1981.
1925: The OCEAN VIEW HOTEL on Marine Drive was built by Watty MacFarlane, whose father Walter owned the hotel. It was demolished in 1970 and the apartments called Sea Village were built.
1895: The REGENT’S PALACE HOTEL (on the left in the photo) was originally built next to the Royal Hotel facing the Market Square and was known as the Central Hotel. It went through multiple changes in ownership. At one stage it was owned by a Mrs. Goodman, who changed the name to the Regent’s Palace, and then by a Mr. Nilsson who changed it again to Nilsson’s Central Hotel. It burned down in 1953.
1904: The RIVIERA HOTEL was built in about 1904 by Jack Poole of Poole’s Bay, and was acquired by the Luyt family in 1908. The Luyts added a second storey in 1918 as the hotel became popular with tourists wishing to escape warravaged Europe. John Luyt built the first bowling green in Hermanus at the Riviera Hotel and in 1929 established the first Bowls Club. The hotel suffered a damaging fire in 1944 and by 1950 had been rebuilt in a 20th century style. In the 1980s it was converted to sectional title ownership and in 1999 the building was sold and demolished. 1933: STEMMET’S PRIVATE HOTEL, later THE ESPLANADE HOTEL This hotel in Marine Drive was built by Johnny Stemmet. It was acquired by Henry Luyt in 1935 who refurbished it and opened it as the Esplanade. Under his ownership the hotel was operational until 1949, after which Luyt left to develop the Birkenhead Hotel in Voëlklip. In the 1970s it was demolished by Basil Clark-Brown and the present holiday flats were built.
1896: THE SANATORIUM, later the WINDSOR HOTEL. The Sanatorium was built by Benjamin Rainsford for Dr. Joshua Hoffman and operated as health care facility until 1930, when it was bought by David Allen. He refurbished the building and opened it as the Windsor Hotel. After eight more owners and many renovations, this hotel is still in operation (below).
1904: THE MARINE HOTEL was built by Walter MacFarlane and Valentine Beyers. Beyers soon bought out MacFarlane and arranged for his son-in-law, P John Luyt to manage it. Luyt leased the hotel in 1905 and bought it in 1915. Part of the deed of sale was that Beyers could live in the hotel for the rest of his life. It is the most famous hotel in Hermanus and was highly fashionable in the 1920s and 1930s. It has been refurbished several times and still welcomes visitors to Hermanus today (below).
1952: The BIRKENHEAD HOTEL was built by the Luyt family on a site overlooking Voëlklip beach. Before this, there was a house belonging to the van Blommestein family on the site. The Luyts incorporated this house into the hotel which became very famous as a holiday destination. A few years later there was a small fire in the hotel, but the damage was repaired and the hotel continued. It was sold in the late 1980s to a consortium which intended to build 32 sectional title apartments there. These never materialised and the site remained vacant until a boutique hotel known as Birkenhead House Hotel was built.
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Under the spreading Milkwood tree Anina Lee
H
ermanus is blessed with one of the rare remaining Milkwood forests in South Africa. In times past Milkwood forests covered the coast from the Cape Peninsula to northern KZN, where they flourished just behind the frontal dunes. This is, alas, exactly where we like to build our little houses by the sea. So over the years the Milkwoods have given way to coastal strip developments. I remember as a child playing under the Milkwood trees that covered the dunes in Klein Brakrivier. To protect their vulnerable ‘underbelly’ from the harsh salt-laden winds, the trees formed a thick canopy of waxy leaves that reached down to the ground. The gnarled, sprawling branches added a sense of wonder to this safe and protected underworld. We children followed the natural tunnels under the Milkwood canopy ‘roof’, up and down the undulations of the dunes, and slid on our tummies under low-hanging branches to the next vaulted ‘room’ in the deep shade. Here we listened to scary stories of the ‘bee-baaboetsieman’ who lived in the forest, as told by an older brother. We ran home very fast, not once looking back, when the sun set. Then in 1960 the bulldozers moved in. Every tree was uprooted, every dune flattened in the name of “development”. Ticky-tacky houses now cover the land where once there was magic. This is why our own Piet-se-Bos is one of the treasures of Hermanus. It is included in the Fernkloof Nature Reserve which gives it some protection. The Cliff Path Management Group has built boardwalks over some
“
I remember as a child playing under the Milkwood trees... the gnarled, sprawling branches added a sense of wonder to this safe and protected underworld
”
of the most vulnerable areas, to minimise the impact visitors have on the forest. But this is only partially effective.
Every summer holiday the cool, shady forest attracts huge numbers of holidaymakers, seeking refuge from the sun and wind on nearby Grotto Beach. The designated picnic area next to the forest gives little protection from the sun. It’s hard to imagine that it was once a lush wetland, alive with flowers and birds. In the middle of the last century the “swamp” was erroneously blamed for the polluted water that ran out onto Grotto Beach and the offending swamp was filled in. We now know that wetlands are in fact the best natural water purifiers. Piet-se-Bos provides the perfect picnic place. This is alas also the slow demise of the forest. Some of the trees in Piet-se-Bos are estimated to be around 1 000 years old, but regeneration is barely happening due to the annual trampling underfoot of the forest floor. Milkwoods propagate by both seeds and vegetative means. When a Milkwood grows old and falls over, a "new" tree sprouts from the fallen trunk.
It is as though the enormous, ancient tree is slowly walking through the forest. The delicate, pale-yellow flowers of the Milkwood are borne in clusters along the ends of the branches and they have an unusual, rather unpleasant smell. The smell attracts pollinators, thought to be tiny flies with feathery legs. Why the hairy legs, I don’t know – maybe to catch the pollen. The flowers are followed by juicy, dark purple fruit that is enjoyed by birds and baboons. Once peeled of their outer skin, they taste like grapes, I’m told. The milky latex, which gives the tree its common name, is a natural protection as it makes the leaves and the bark unpalatable to grazing animals. The forest once had another name. It was called “Governor General’s Forest” because the locals had been amazed that a British Governor General and his wife, the Earl and Countess of Buxton, had spent a holiday camping in the forest in 1914. How it got its present name and who on earth “Piet” was, no-one seems to know. This treasured forest is one of Hermanus’ favourite natural places. Let us keep it that way and not fall into a misguided ‘development’ trap. So we’ll be happy as can be, under the spreading Milkwood tree. During December Whale Coast Conservation will again lead educational expeditions through Piet-se-Bos. We’ll enter the dark, dark forest at dusk and wind our way along the paths by torchlight. All the children who helped to pick up litter in the picnic area before entering the forest will be able to see the litter fairies in the forest. Adults are also welcome but they may not see the fairies.
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NEWS
Send your letters to dewaal@thevillagenews.co.za
Official statement on Fernkloof plans The Administration of the Overstrand Municipality took note of recent debates in printed and social media as well as e-mails being forwarded from pillar to post regarding the Municipality’s proposed Draft Fernkloof Nature Reserve Integrated Management Plan (IMP). The IMP will, prior to it being submitted to the Provincial Authorities for final approval, be submitted to the Overstrand Council for consideration. The status of the IMP is that the Administration awaited comments from interested parties, with closing date 30 November 2017, on the content of the IMP. The comments, together with the input from the Administration, will be submitted to the Overstrand Council for consideration. The Administration also noted with dismay that certain individuals and organisations opted to react by means of vindictive attacks on the character and competencies of valued officials of this municipality rather than to submit their inputs on the content of the IMP itself. In their dubious endeavours to discredit certain
officials, it is broadcasted that there is growing public distrust in certain officials and accusations are also being made of alleged unlawful actions within the Administration.
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• In view of the aforementioned the Municipal Manager, as Head of the Administration and Accounting Officer of the Overstrand Municipality, wishes to ensure residents that the Administration of the Municipality is committed to accountable and ethical governance. As such corruption and fraud are not tolerated. Instead of mudslinging and faceless accusations, residents are encouraged to report instances of unethical and fraudulent conduct to the Administration of the Municipality or the Overstrand Council in any or all of the manners provided for in the: •
Code of Conduct for Municipal Staff Members as is contained in Schedule 2 of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, No. 32 of 2000;
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Overstrand Municipality’s Anti-Corruption and Fraud Prevention Plan; Overstrand Municipality’s Code of Ethics for Municipal Staff; Disciplinary Regulations for Senior Managers (Government Notice 344 promulgated in Government Gazette 34213 of 21 April 2011) read with Overstrand Municipality’s Standard Procedures for the Management of Allegations of Misconduct against Senior Managers or the Municipal manager in terms of Disciplinary Regulations; Municipal Regulations on Financial Misconduct Procedures and Criminal Proceedings (Government Notice 430 in Government Gazette 37682 of 30 May 2014); and Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, No. 12 of 2004.
Coenie Groenewald, Overstrand Municipal Manager
School worried about bypass Although Generation Schools understands the need for a bypass road in Hermanus, the Northern Option of this road will severely impact on our school. We are presently completing the build of our middle and high school plans, which were approved by the Municipality earlier this year. There is not enough space for the Northern Route of the by-pass road to be built between the Hermanus Cricket Club field and our new building, which is on our building line on the west side of our pro-perty. This will mean that either the cricket field will need to be moved further to the west or a section of our new building will be affected.
The new road will also cut across the front entrance of the school when moving to join Fairways Avenue, affecting the use of our new parking area and resulting in the complete change of the newly upgraded entrance of the school, around which our buildings have been planned and built. Not only will we be affected by the noise of the building of the new road, but also by the ongoing noise of the traffic on the new road right outside our middle and high school windows, not to mention the effect of air pollution. Our school utilises the Hermanus Cricket Club field for certain break times and
afternoon sport. This new road will deny easy and safe access for our learners to move from school to this area for outside activities. The proximity of the road to our school property is dangerously close. Large construction vehicles in the process of the build of the road, as well as fast travelling cars and trucks on the road once it is built, will have an impact on the safety of our learners playing outside. One of the beauties of our school lies in its tranquil surroundings. The large, busy bypass road will unfortunately change this for us. Caronne Vermaak, Head: Generation Schools Hermanus
First shopping day marred On Thursday when the mall opened its doors for the first time I went to do some shopping at around 16:00. I parked my car close to the entrance and spent about half an hour in the mall. On my return I found that the handle of my car’s (VW Polo) boot was skew. On closer inspection I saw that someone broke the lock to gain access to my boot. There were also several scratch marks where they forced the boot open. There was nothing in the boot, but the damage was done.
As there were no car guards on duty it was easy for them to break into my car. When I got home I immediately phoned centre management, but the phone just kept on ringing where after I left a voice message informing them of what happened. I have not had any reaction from them. I was really disappointed because we as residents were really looking forward to the mall opening. It would be difficult for me to return again. Elna Mentz
Andrea van Rensburg, marketing manager, responds: The Whale Coast Mall has security measures in place, just as at any shopping centre in South Africa. Unfortunately, opportunistic petty crime is a reality anywhere, so we urge our shoppers to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity immediately to our Centre Management or Security Officials. We at the Whale Coast Mall are thrilled to have had such a successful launch and wish to thank our community for their enthusiasm and support.
Take a stand against straws What a great initiative from our restaurants to ban the use of plastic straws. It is interesting to note how our communities have come together against singe use plastics, and cigarette butts for that matter. It is my sincere hope that other restaurants in Hermanus and in the Over-
berg will follow suit. I also think that restaurants need to rethink the little breath mints they offer with the bill. These also come wrapped in plastic and you don’t have to look very hard to see them fluttering in the wind on their way to our ocean.
I would also like to see cashiers at supermarkets not offering plastic bags by default but rather ask first if customers have their own bags. I would also like to thank Whale Coast Conservation for the passion with which they look after our area. Go Green
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When will parking system be fixed? Thanks for raising issue of teen drinking I really looked forward to the opening of the mall as I was led to believe that most of the traffic would flow there and parking in the CBD would be more readily available. Boy, was I wrong! It seems that the CBD is as busy as the mall. Driving through town you run into gridlock the likes of which you would expect in a big city! Now I do not know if there are simply more people who want to shop or if the tourist season started way early. What I do know is that when you are lucky enough to find a parking space in town your headache is far from over. We used to have an electronic parking system that worked all well and fine. You parked, you came back, were handed a slip
with the amount to be paid printed on it, and voila. But not anymore. Now you park, you are accosted by someone who hands you a scribbled note with a vague indication of what you owe written in a completely illegible way. And to top it off you are charged what the parking attendant imagines you should pay for the extreme privilege to have your car parked. I have been ‘quoted’ anything from R6 to R2 per hour. When questioned on what the exact tariff is the attendants normally have no answer to give. I also say I was ‘quoted’ as I, and many of my friends, have decided that this is simply unacceptable. I now do not pay for my parking and will continue to do so until the Municipality rectifies the problem.
I do understand that most of what we pay for parking goes to the unfortunate souls who do a thankless job. But to be so ill equipped by your employer and left to your own devices is not on. How on earth is the money audited at the end of the day? This surely does not make for a clean audit – something our town fathers rather pride themselves on. Just imagine the chaos in a few weeks when town is overrun by holidaymakers. How on earth are the parking attendants going to cope then? I can just see the highly unfriendly atmosphere these poor people will have to endure when those from up north start making a ruckus over what is a totally inept system. Ren Pieterse
As a single parent of two boys I read your article Are our teens drinking too much? (The Village NEWS, 28 Nov – 4 Dec) with great interest – and considerable dismay. When my eldest started high school, he was drinking with his friends within a year whenever they got together. I started dreading his requests to visit friends or go to parties, as I knew that alcohol would be involved. No matter how many times I tried to talk to him and attempted to educate him about alcohol use, he would just laugh at me and tell me that he was quite capable of handling himself. All I could do was preach moderation, as I knew I could never succeed in prohibiting alcohol altogether – it was available everywhere and all his friends were drinking. I found out that some of his
friends’ parents even gave teenagers alcohol at their homes and he was once taken out by a friend’s mother for cocktails when he was barely sixteen. What can parents do when drinking is such an accepted habit that children are taught it’s “harmless” and “normal”? I have searched for drunken teenagers on the beach after parties, terrified out of my mind that one of them could have accidentally drowned, and I have sat up all night with youngsters so poisoned by alcohol that they vomit nonstop for hours. But somehow they just keep doing it – because it’s impossible to get away from alcohol. I would have to lock my children up to keep them away from it! So what is a parent to do in this
pervasive culture of alcohol abuse? Do we just live in hope that one day they’ll learn how to behave more responsibly? At what point do you know there is a serious problem that needs intervention? I am so tired of being accused of “overreacting” that it was a huge relief to read that I am not imagining things. These are terrifying times in which to be raising children and I agree that the situation is no better in Hermanus than in the city. Thank you for having the courage to raise this contentious issue – it is about time that someone spoke out! You have a great newspaper and I congratulate you on the quality of the articles. Single mum, Vermont
The truth about the origin of the pyramids Hopping up and down in The Duck ’n Fiddle’s inbox was an email from a certain unnamed local doctor of history. He claims his information differs somewhat from various historical revelations contained in The Explanation of Every-thing – an archive of hitherto unknown facts suppressed for centuries by scribes, scientists, popes, kings and the Guptas. “Your claim,” he wrote, “that the Romans built the Alps to stop elephants invading from the north is only partly true. They just finished the job off – and not too well obviously, because the elephants got through anyway. “No,” he continued, “they were started centuries earlier by preViking northern tribes lead by Ulrich the Unwashed. His objective? Confine the Mafia-run pasta farmers down south to where they belonged – in Italy.”
Wit’s End Murray Stewart thevillagemuze@gmail.com
According to our Doc, the common-or-garden varietal of pasta (especially spaghetti) grown around Venice and Milan, was inferior to that cultivated in the north, and cross-contamination was a headache for those pastacrazy Danes. Ulrich’s annual cannelloni and macaroni harvests were eagerly anticipated by merchants, and distributed globally as far as Tasmania and Kraaifontein. “However,” he claimed, “there was growing resistance to the construction of the Alps by the Netherlanders. Earth used to build the mountains came from around there, and fairly
soon the Hollanders became disgruntled about living below sea level. So they halted construction and within a few years the dreaded spaghetti tentacles had spread north through the half-finished Alps, invading Europe completely and is still found in some restaurants today.” Well, thanks to the good doctor, the elves in the Duck ’n Fiddle’s Explanation of Everything archive are thrilled that a few dykes in our reservoir of knowledge have been plugged. The original records of this period were poorly written in Aramaic by a dyslexic taxi driver from Beirut.
This account became progressively blurred through subsequent translations into Tamil, then to Swahili, to Bulgarian, to Cockney Rhyming Slang, and finally into Rap by Snoop Dog. The Doc also confirmed another revelation. Deleted or hidden from conventional education systems, is the mystery surrounding who really built those pyramids. Apparently it all started way back, when a Greek bloke called Pythagoras invented the triangle. Prior to this, he’d invented other amazing things like the circle and pi equals 3.14 or something. Thanks to him, Greece had circles and pies long before the Egyptians or Europeans, and they used them very successfully. But the discovery of the triangle - with the square of the hypotenuse equaling
those other things - had the known world in a tizzy. Soon circles and triangles popped up everywhere. Stonehenge and the Colosseum adopted the circle, and obelisks were early, though unsuccessful attempts at understanding the triangle. But the Egyptians had other, grander ideas. They deduced that by leaning four triangles in towards each other, and securing them at the top, they wouldn’t fall over. By using a mixture of PPC cement and camel dung as mortar, they reckoned the structures could stand the test of time. Anyway, around then the Egyptians were constantly at war, either against the Hittites, the Missites, or the Israelites. Victory meant acquiring more slaves, and the latest conquest was Israel. Thousands of Jewish slaves were deployed
as manual labour, and the leaning triangles of Giza began in earnest and lasted years. While all this was going on, regular Egyptians carried on with their day-to-day lives – ploughing, potting, fishing or weaving – while the larnies lounged around on silk pillows in sumptuous palaces, eating fruit and drinking Muskadel. Apart from a few butch guys who wore miniskirts and brandished whips, the Gypos kept pretty much to themselves. Now this is where things get messy. Historians claim the Egyptians built the pyramids. Well, that’s poppycock. The good doctor confirms that the Greeks designed the pyramids and the Jews built them. Period. The Gypos did absolutely nothing - they just happened to be living there at the time. Good luck trying to convince teachers to teach that.
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5 - 11 December 2017
Nepali – shop. eat. sleep
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t’s always pleasing to see how oft-neglected back streets in the CBD come to life when innovative business people inject it with new energy. Between Dunya Cake Delights, Lifestyle Framing, The Ploughshed, Tulip Coffee Bar and now Nepali, that is exactly what is happening in Dirkie Uys Street, which offers all manner of temptation to attract customers. On a sunny day the red umbrellas providing shade in the pebbled garden of Nepali Café look most inviting – and you would be surprised at what else they offer besides good coffee, cakes, snacks and light meals that include traditional Nepalese and Indian dishes. The building is a bit like a maze, with one section leading to another – next to the café is a small gallery which leads to the Nepali shop and another shady patio on the other side of the building. In between is the self-catering accommodation, with two beautifully appointed bedrooms, a kitchen and bathroom. It is perfectly situated for visitors who want to be able to explore the town on foot. The shop is filled to the brim with colourful Nepalese crafts and curios as well as locally produced products. Here you’ll find everything from home décor (including linen, blankets, table cloths, cushion covers, carpets and curtains), to clothing and accessories
A shopper’s paradise with rare and affordable treasures awaits customers at Nepali.
(including bags, baskets, jewellery and pashminas). Almost everything in the shop is hand-made and the owners, Lisa and Gary Smith, have just returned from a trip to Nepal with plenty of new stock for the festive season.
When the premises in Dirkie Uys Street became available, they immediately saw the potential to combine their passion for all things Nepalese with a multipronged business that is encapsulated in the name ‘Nepali – Shop. Eat. Sleep’
Their love affair with Nepal started when Gary, who is an art director, worked on a BBC production in the Himalayas and since then Lisa has become equally inspired.
Find Nepali on the corner of Dirkie Uys and Hope Streets. Contact them on 072 731 4946 or Hermanus.nepali@gmail.com
Gary and Lisa Smith at Nepali’s self-catering accommodation.
- Hedda Mittner
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5 - 11 December 2017
Out invasive vegetation, out… Olivia Schaffer
A proposal has been made for the creation of a flower park on the open field next to the Hermanus Medical Village in Westcliff. According to the proposal that was tabled at a recent Ward 3 ward committee meeting the Westcliff Flower Park will a joint project between Hermanus Ratepayers Association (HRA) and Westcliff Residents Association (WRA), the Municipality and residents.
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here are those who care – and there are those who think they care…
Charlyn Vosloo of Voëlklip falls into the first category. Aggressively opposed to the encroachment of alien vegetation into the region’s natural fynbos, Charlyn formed a nonprofit organisation (NPO), and with helpers, volunteers and sponsors she has worked tirelessly in her efforts to ensure that our natural heritage reverts to its ecologically-sound, unspoilt status. It’s been a long road that started after the ‘big burn’ in 2008. Charlyn was a member of the local hiking club and through Belle Barker, an authority on fynbos, she learnt about the flora along the trails the group walked. Nine months after the fire she noted the prolific regrowth of alien vegetation and observed that it was not being eradicated. “No one was doing anything,” she says, still aggrieved at the lack of care, “so I took it upon myself to form a group of volunteers. It soon became evident that we were not even close to solving the problem, and that the challenge was too big for my pocket. That’s when I applied to form an NPO. It took two years for my application to be passed.” That was 2011. Today Charlyn is chairperson of the Hermanus Hacking Group (HHG). She is deeply grateful for the services of a dedicated committee; about 20 registered volunteers, as well as members of the Botanical Society who occasionally join the group; and 23 casual workers. Funding comes from the Overstrand Municipality and generous sponsors. “We had three years of backing from the Table Mountain Fund
Flower Garden planned for Westcliff
According to Bob Stanway of HRA the aim is to create an area for the use of patients and residents of the Medical Village, Huis Lettie Theron, Westcliff residents and the Hermanus community. “We will first get input from all interested and affected parties before we continue and decide on precisely what to include and also on an appropriate name for the park. For example, even at this early stage, suggestions have been made about a fynbos garden with paths and benches as well as the planting of large trees that can be used as shade for residents of Huis Lettie Theron and patients undergoing treatment at the Oncology Centre,” says Bob. Regardless of wind and rain, hackers are out for the good of our environment. one can see how sore the earth gets. After spray poisoning we would go out and rake up the fallen leaves to prevent contamination of the soil that results in lunar landscapes.”
Charlyn Vosloo gets to work on a small gum tree. but that came to an end earlier this year,” explains Charlyn, who encourages residents to support the cause. “Take Willie Loedolff,” she says. “At 90 years old he still helps HHG and I thank him profusely for his efforts in keeping the assets register up to date, engraving asset numbers on new tools, fixing broken equipment and for taking photographic records of the work we are achieving. Everyone can play a role,” she adds, optimistically. “Time-strapped residents could become sponsors and busi-ness owners should be aware that donations of more than R1 000 are acknowledged with a Tax Benefit
Receipt.” According to Charlyn, the group has an excellent success rate, and the recovery in the areas worked on is remark-able. In October this year HHG was allocated 15 ha above the Hermanus Country Market site. Here Port Jackson willow, pines, blue gums and some myrtle have encroached. When asked for a completion date, Charlyn confidently replied, “by January 2018… hopefully”. Charlyn explained that the HHG adopts a pull-it-outroots-and-all attitude. “I’ve noted regrowth after spray poisoning and controlled burning,” she says. “And there’s secondary poisoning as well –
The HHG is permitted to work in areas allocated by the municipality only, and concerned residents are warned that it is illegal to remove vegetation – alien or otherwise – unless authorised to do so. One may, however, eradicate alien vegetation on one’s own property. Ian Marais spent three years clearing all invasive plants on his 86 hectares in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. Once he’d got the task in hand, he encouraged farmers in the area to do likewise – and he offers any help they may need. “We have definitely made a difference,” he says. One example of the proof of this statement is the improved flow of the water in the Antjies River, a tributary of the Onrus River. For details on the HHG and how to become a sponsor/ volunteer, Charlyn can be contacted on 082 558 8731.
The property belongs to the Municipality and it is surrounded by the Hermanus Medical Village to the west; Flower Street to the north; Albertyn Street to the east and Church Street to the south. According to the proposal the property is relatively level with an area demarcated by rocks by the Hermanus Botanical Society (HBS) containing some very rare Kukumakranka (Gethyllis afra) fynbos bulb plants. There are a few established trees on the southern side together with a row of new trees alongside the boundary fence of the Hermanus Medical Village. The owners of the Medical Village have indicated that they are keen on the project and willing to contribute funds. Several individuals as well as the HRA have also said that they are willing to contribute funds for the project. Support for the project was also received from Hermanus Botanical Society, and the Municipality. Over the past few years, there have been proposals for the erection of various facilities, ranging from guest houses to living quarters for medical staff or a dementia and Alzheimer’s treatment centre on the land, according to town planner Riaan Kuchar. “There has, however, not been any formal applications for building on the land. Should we receive such an application there will still need to be several processes, such as zoning applications, that need to be completed before any building can start. An application for the creation of a Flower Garden would be welcomed by us,” he says. According to Bob it is envisaged that a representative working committee will need to be set up to guide and monitor the project. A public meeting will also be held to get as get as much input as possible on everyone’s needs, thoughts and ideas. “Ideally, the likes of a Landscape Architect on a pro bono basis should be brought on board to sketch up a plan based on the collective input as well as to develop an approximate budget. Securing budget would probably take a few months into 2018 and hard construction work could take place during the second or third quarters of 2018. Mid-2018 would also be an ideal time to start planting trees and plants to coincide with the rainy season,” he says.
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Wednesday 6 December
Sunday 10 December
■ Summer Night Markets: The Hermanus Country Market will host their special Summer Night Markets next to the cricket grounds. Every Wednesday from 6 Dec to 10 Jan 2018, from 17:00 – 21:00.
■ Fernkloof Holistic Faire: Enjoy a lovely day with family and friends at the Fernkloof Botanical Gardens. There will be a variety of tasty snacks and refreshments, practical gifts and artworks. Meet the therapists and discuss what’s on your mind. At Fernkloof, from 10:00 – 15:00. For further information contact Lucia on 028 316 5312 or 082 811 6061. ■ Lemm’s Corner Market: This popular Sunday market offers exclusive fine arts and crafts, locally manufactured clothing, accessories, home décor, speciality foods, a wine bar and live music. On the corner of Main and Harbour Roads, from 10:00 – 15:00.
■ Christmas function: The Hermanus Bird Club’s annual Christmas function will entail a social gathering with a bring-and-braai and a photographic competition. Photos will be judged in three categories - Best Bird Photo; Best Fun Photo; Catchiest Caption. Each member may enter up to three photos of wild birds in each category, mounted or printed on an A4-size sheet, with a written or typed caption. Entries must be handed in by 17:30 and judging will be from 18:00 to 18:30. At Fernkloof Hall. Contact Craig Holmes to reserve a place, on 028 313 2458 / 0832279003 or pcsholmes@telkomsa.net - for catering purposes. First come, first served as numbers will be limited.
Thursday 14 & Friday 15 December
REGULARS Every Saturday ■ 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.
Monday 11 December ■ South Hill Movie Night: Join South Hill
Vineyards in the beautiful Elgin Valley for their summer season of Movie Nights on the first Wednesday of every month. Sunset drinks from 18:00, main course supper at 19:00 and movie screening at 20:00. This month’s movie is Sing Street and the cost (incl supper) is R135 pp. Fully licensed bar, with dessert, tea and coffee optional. Mid-week stay-over packages available for out-of-towners. Contact 021 844 0888 or events@southhill.co.za to book your seats.
■ Beach Combers: Join Whale Coast Conservation on their eco-adventure for children to explore the intertidal zone. Be prepared to get wet. Meet at the Grotto beach parking area at low tide, at 17:00. Adults R100, children R50 or R250 for a family of four. Booking is essential; WhatsApp Anina on 083 242 3295 or send an email to anina.wcc@gmail.com
Monday 11 – Friday 15 December
Friday 8 December ■ Art exhibition: Opening of Art Unlimited, an exhibition of paintings presented by the Pieter Vermaak Art School, with Petrovna Metelerkamp as guest speaker. The exhibition can be viewed from 9 – 15 December, between 09:00 – 17:00. At the Municipal Auditorium, at 18:30.
Saturday 9 December
Saturday 16 December ■ Christmas Fun Camp: Do you love horses and
want to spend every day with them? Now you can! Join the Equestrian Centre Overstrand (ECO) at Rooisand farm near Kleinmond for a week of fun and games with all things horsey. For children 8 years and up. Contact 079 773 1003 or equestrian.centre.overstrand@gmail.com
Monday 11 December – Friday 5 January
■ Freshlyground in concert: Experience the vibrancy and energy of this multi award-winning South African Afro-fusion band in the open-air Hope@Paul Cluver Amphitheatre set among a towering Eucalyptus forest. Take your own blankets, cushions and a picnic (food is also available at the venue). No alcohol is permitted but you can purchase Paul Cluver wines, craft beer and cider at the venue. The gates open at 17:30 and seating is on a first come, first served basis. The show starts at 19:30. Tickets at R280 pp can be booked at Computicket or online at www. cluver.com ■ Ann Jangle Live at Stanford Hills: Enjoy the dark folksy blues, mixed with a bit of gypsy and bouncy swing, of Ann Jangle when she returns with her band to Stanford Hills for an outdoor performance in a most beautiful setting. Prepaid tickets are for sale at Stanford Tourism (028 341 0340) or from Andy Johnston (082 962 8500) at R80 pp, or at the door, on the night at R120 pp. At The Tasting Room, Stanford Hills, from 19:00. ■ Tribal Echo Benefit Concert: Kleinmond Child Welfare presents Tribal Echo in a fundraising concert to support autism. Limited tickets available at R50 for adults and R30 for children U12 (or R70 pp at the door). To book, contact Jerome on 072 209 2510 or Sherridan on 028 271 4044. At the Kleinmond Town Hall, Main Road, Kleinmond at 20:00.
■ Christmas Concert: Enjoy an unforgettable evening of celebrated arias with Siphamandla Yakupa (soprano), Violina Anguelov (mezzo soprano), Lukhanyo Moyake (tenor), and Christopher Duigan (piano) in the wonderful setting of the Bouchard Finlayson wine cellar. Wine and canapés will be served from 17:45 and the concert starts at 18:30. R250 pp. The concert is generously sponsored by the Lloys-Ellis family in aid of the Hermanus Cancer Fund. Bookings can be made online at Webtickets or at the Hermanus Tourism Bureau.
■ NG Kerk Kersmark: The Dutch Reformed Church Hermanus presents their annual Christmas Market. Come and buy your Christmas presents, something for the home or just for yourself. At the Grobbelaar Hall, daily from 09:00 – 18:00. Closed on Sundays and Christmas Day. Contact Mariet for more info on 071 520 4012.
Tuesday 12 December
■ Lomond Triathlon: Be part of this exclusive, inaugural off-road Triathlon at the perfect venue set between fynbos valleys, around vineyards and a large dam, with beautiful views. Bring family and friends to enjoy the day at Lomond; there is a shaded spectator area and a transition area with more than enough entertainment, food, wine and refreshments. The categories are Men’s, Ladies, Mixed or Family teams. Distances: Full Triathlon – 1,2 km swim, 30 km MTB, 12 km trail run (solo: R400 / team: R450 or R150 pp); Sprint Triathlon – 400 m swim, 15 km MTB, 6 km trail run (solo: R300 / team: R360 or R120 pp). This is a TSA-sanctioned event, so temporary day licenses apply for nonmembers. Registration and late entries at Lomond on 15 December from 17:00 – 19:00 and on 16 December from 06:30 – 08:00. Send an email to events@scuttle.co.za
■ Fairy Forest: Explore the magical Milkwood forest of Piet-se-Bos with Whale Coast Conservation. This eco-adventure for children will start with a quick clean-up at the picnic area before venturing into the dark forest to find the fairies. Meet at the Grotto beach parking area for the walk, either at 19:00 or the second walk at 19:30. Adults R100, children R50 or R250 for a family of four. Booking is essential; WhatsApp Anina on 083 242 3295 or send an email to anina.wcc@gmail.com
Wednesday 13 December ■ Year-end Braai: Leanne and Peter of thephotowalkers.com invite all their clients in the Overberg who have been on an Educational Photowalk with them or participated in their 52 Week Challenges, to join them for a year-end braai and social get-together with fellow photowalkers. Families are welcome too. Bring your own drinks. At 16:30. For more details and to confirm, call 083 293 7208 or email tours@thephotowalkers.com
■ 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. ■ 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 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 Monday, Wednesday & Friday ■ Walker Bay Walkers: Join this group of about 30 walkers who meet 3 times a week and do 3 different routes of 6 – 9 km. Meet every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 07:00 at the Hermanus Bowling Club. For more information call Lynn on 082 471 3637 or Angela on 082 445 8376.
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.
Every Friday
■ Karen Zoid Live: Hope@Paul Cluver presents Karen Zoid, the queen of South African Rock with her super-charged rock energy and unique ability to write gorgeous, delicately rendered songs. For only R330 you can experience this exclusive golden circle show in a beautiful open-air forest amphitheatre surrounded by towering Eucalyptus trees. The gates open at 17:30 and seating is on a first come, first served basis. The show starts at 19:30. Book at Computicket or online at www.cluver.com
■ 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
Village
EXPLORER EXPLORER The
FOOD • WINE • BOOKS
E
It’s summer time - let the fun beGIN!
ver feel like you could do with a little bit of Dutch courage during the festive season? Well, you are not alone. Luckily the solution is closer than you think.
Needing little to no convincing of the emotional benefits of a large ice-cold G & T, I present the GinRevolution Advent Calendar for 2017 – all of which is available at the Wine Village.
During the Raj when Dutch and British soldiers used quinine as a mosquito repellent, they realised the bitter tonic went down much easier with a dash of gin.
10 Days to Christmas: Southern Cross Pinotage Gin with Fitch & Leedes Pink Tonic 2 parts gin, 3 parts tonic & 1 part soda 6-10 frozen pink grapes
This dramatic improvement in taste led to copious amounts of mosquito repellent being taken and brought forth the term ‘Dutch courage’ – because who can’t face the woes of the world having had a decent gin & tonic.
8 Days to Christmas Six Dogs Blue Gin with Barker & Quin Tonic 2 parts gin, 2 parts tonic & 1 part soda 2-3 edible flowers & crushed ice
Having taken this elixir to England after the war, the gin & tonic became an English corner stone for several decades and has saved many a boring day.
6 Days to Christmas Cruxland with Swaan Cape Tonic 2 parts gin, 2 parts tonic & 1 part soda Lots of ice and a lounge chair
The revolution of gin has been in the lime light over the last decade, producing the most interesting and mouthwatering flavour combinations which inspired many a glorious gin & tonic sun sets. An important note to remember is to always serve your G & T in a large balloon glass. This opens the flavour and traps the aromas of the gin to give a better taste of the drink. It also offers space for plenty of ice and condiments in the glass, which add to the flavour while keeping the drink cool. Crucially though, the bowl shape is said to stop the ice cubes from melting quickly and diluting the drink. It is said that Michelin starred chefs in Spain used red wine glasses to drink gin and tonics as it meant the ice melted slower in their hot kitchens. Perfect for those long days in the kitchen cooking for the festive season.
4 days to Christmas A Mari with Fitch & Leeds Light 2 parts gin, 2 parts tonic & 2 parts soda Slice of pink grapefruit and a sprig of thyme 2 days to Christmas Triple Three Citrus Infused & Swaan Cape Tonic 2 parts gin, 2 parts tonic & 1 part Caperitif Thinly sliced kumquats and fresh mint
Christmas: Ginologist Spice Gin with Fitch & Leeds Tonic Make the jug 24 hrs before – mix sodas on the day ½ bottle of Ginologist Spice Gin, 250 ml Caperitif, 750 ml tonic, 250 ml soda 2 Star aniseed 5 Cardamom pods 2 Cinnamon sticks 8-10 Cloves On serving, add 1/2 a slice of orange to the goblet. Join the GinRevolution today by visiting the Wine Village at Hemel-enAarde Village. Contact 028 316 3988 or visit www.winevillage.co.za – Ulla du Toit
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BOOKS
What’s new in review
5 - 11 December 2017
The village bookshop with a city selection
presented by
Compiled by Hedda Mittner
From rural SA to international operatic stardom
P
Hutchinson London
Phaidon
With Dreams, Pretty Yende also refers to her very own fairytale life as “a dream come true”,
Pan Macmillan
Both of these arias portray young women dreaming of a future life of love and happi-
On Dreams, Yende is accompanied by conductor Giacomo Sagripanti (who won the ‘Young Conductor of the Year Award’ at the 2016 International Opera Awards in London) and the Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano Giuseppe Verdi. – classicalsource.com
Allen & Unwin (now in paperback)
Linda di Chamounix, and Ah! Je veux vivre from Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette.
Yende studied at the South African College of Music in Cape Town under Prof Virginia Davids, the first black woman to appear on opera stages during the apartheid years. She then joined the prestigious young artists’ programme at La Scala in Milan from which she graduated in 2011.
Her career flourished with extraordinary rapidity with her international breakthrough at the Metropolitan Opera at only 27. Invited with barely a month notice, Yende gained dazzling recognition for her role debut in Rossini’s Le Comte Ory starring opposite Juan Diego Flórez. Immediately afterwards she replaced an indisposed Cecilia Bartoli in the same role at the Theater an der Wien.
Vintage
The celebrated ‘mad scene’ from Lucia, a role which she will also perform in New York next season, was the starting point of her new recording Dreams. This album also includes O luce di quest’ anima from Donizetti’s
The recital also contains the coloratura showpiece Ombre légère from Meyerbeer’s Dinorah, in which a young woman believes she is talking to her own shadow, and the melancholy sleepwalking scene Ah, non credea mirarti from Bellini’s La sonnambula. Yende concludes with the passionate and tragic final scene from Bellini’s rarely-performed La straniera.
beginning at the age of only 16 in the small remote town of Piet Retief. Her life was transformed when she heard Delibes’ Flower Duet from Lakmé on a British Airways television advert. Although she knew nothing about opera at first, she was so seduced by the magical sound of the duet that she immediately determined to pursue her path as an opera singer.
IB Tauris
On stage Yende receives outstanding acclaim for her interpretation of some of the greatest roles of the bel canto and coloratura repertoire. When Pretty Yende sang the title role in Lucia di Lammermoor in Berlin and Paris last year, critics and audiences struggled each time to find superlatives to describe the beauty of her singing and the intensity of her acting.
ness, and it was with the latter that that she made history by becoming the first artist ever to win first prize in every category at the Belvedere Competition in 2009.
Sony Classical
retty Yende continues her meteoric rise through the world of opera. Her debut album A Journey received the Solo Recital Recording award at the 2017 International Opera Awards and critics were unanimous in showering praise on the beauty of Yende’s voice and the intelligence of her singing.
Our readers may be interested to know that not only is ‘the home of fine music’ a haven for music lovers, but also the many talented writers and thinkers in our literary town. This may have something to do with the author (and Book Cottage owner) John Morris’ own interests. Culture and Propaganda in World War II is a historical survey of the use of classical music in wartime Britain. It traces the extraordinary story of, among other things, how the British used Beethoven’s music for the purposes of cultural propaganda; in fact, his famous Fifth Symphony became a symbol of the ‘V for Victory’ campaign. Since everyone was required to “do their bit” for the war effort, even British composers and musicians contributed to efforts at cultural propaganda, or what we would nowadays call “soft power”. The book also talks to the values Britain was fighting for, and showcases some of the remarkable expressions of musical culture that emerged as a direct result. – Hedda Mittner
A deeply personal, intimate conversation about music and writing between the internationally acclaimed, best-selling author Haruki Murakami and the revered former conductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Seija Ozawa. Over the course of two years, they discuss everything from Brahms to Beethoven, from Leonard Bernstein to Glenn Gould, from Bartók to Mahler, and from pop-up orchestras to opera. They listen to and dissect recordings of some of their favorite performances, and Murakami questions Ozawa about his career conducting orchestras around the world. Culminating in Murakami’s ten-day visit to the banks of Lake Geneva to observe Ozawa’s retreat for young musicians, the book is interspersed with ruminations on record collecting, jazz clubs, orchestra halls, film scores, and much more. Absolutely on Music is an unprecedented glimpse into the minds of two maestros. – penguinrandomhouse.com
This is what we long for: the profound pleasure of being swept into vivid new worlds, peopled by characters so intriguing and real that we can't shake them, even long after the reading's done. In 1631, Sara de Vos is the first woman admitted as a master painter to the Guild of St. Luke's in Holland. 300 years later, only one work attributed to her is known to remain – a haunting winter scene which hangs over the bed of a wealthy descendant of the original owner. When celebrated art historian Ellie Shipley curates an exhibition of works by female Dutch painters, two versions of this painting threaten to arrive, one of which is a forgery she painted in her youth. Deftly bridging the historical and the contemporary, award-winning novelist Dominic Smith steers these three threads on a collision course as the novel grapples with the demands of the artistic life, showing how the deceits of the past can forge the present. – goodreads.com
The saga that has enthralled the millions of readers of The Pillars of the Earth and World Without End now continues with Ken Follett's magnificent, gripping A Column of Fire. Christmas 1558, and young Ned Willard returns home to Kingsbridge to find his world torn by religious hatred. Europe is in turmoil as high principles clash bloodily with friendship, loyalty and love, and Ned soon finds himself on the opposite side from the girl he longs to marry, Margery Fitzgerald. Then Elizabeth Tudor becomes queen and all of Europe turns against England. In Paris, the headstrong Mary Queen of Scots lies in wait with her supporters, scheming to get rid of the new queen. Over a turbulent half-century, the love between Ned and Margery seems doomed, as the battle pitches those who believe in tolerance and compromise against the tyrants who would impose their ideas on everyone else – no matter the cost. – panmacmillan.com
Best-selling author Robert Harris’ latest book takes the reader back to September 1938. Hitler is determined to start a war. Chamberlain is desperate to preserve the peace. The issue is to be decided in a city that will forever afterwards be notorious for what takes place there – Munich. As Chamberlain’s plane judders over the Channel and the Führer’s train steams relentlessly south from Berlin, two young men travel with secrets of their own. Hugh Legat is one of Chamberlain’s private secretaries; Paul Hartmann a German diplomat and member of the anti-Hitler resistance. Great friends at Oxford before Hitler came to power, they haven’t seen one another since they were last in Munich six years earlier. Now, as the future of Europe hangs in the balance, their paths are destined to cross again. When the stakes are this high, who are you willing to betray? Your friends, your family, your country or your conscience? – amazon.co.uk
Annie Leibovitz documents contemporary culture with an artist’s eye, wit and an uncanny ability to personalise even the most recognisable and widely known subjects. Her large and distinguished body of work includes some of the most admired portraits of our time. Portraits 2005 – 2016 is the third book in a series that covers distinct periods of her career, following the compilations Annie Leibovitz: Photographs, 1970 – 1991 and A Photographer’s Life, 1990 – 2005, which was a New York Times bestseller. There are over 150 subjects in this new book, capturing the most influential and compelling figures of the last decade, including Venus and Serena Williams, Donald and Melania Trump, Leonard Cohen, Meryl Streep, Cate Blanchett, Caitlyn Jenner, Barack Obama and Queen Elizabeth II. Text includes an afterword by Leibovitz, and essay by Alexander Fuller, and short biographical sketches of the subjects. – amazon.com
5 - 11 December 2017
Launch of The Lucky Bean Tree
T
he Book Collector extends a warm invitation to the launch of The Lucky Bean Tree by Sheila Pike at their new premises in the Royal Centre, 141 Main Road, Hermanus, on Saturday, 16 December at 12 noon. David Hilton-Barber, publisher of the book, will be in conversation with Patrick Chapman. This is a tongue-in-cheek, often hilarious account of the dysfunctional lives of a group of expatriates in Mozepwe, a fictitious former colony. Stella, the central character, wonders if she is the Scarlett O’Hara of Africa, as she juggles with her various roles as hostess, fashion designer, lover, secret agent and spy. Dumped two years ago by her husband Nic, a defeated colonel, 40-year-old Stella is now back at
young son she lost during the recent civil war.
46 Livingstone Avenue, home of her philanthropic father, sewing and cooking for the women of Premier Mpofu’s corrupt administration. As she works Stella reflects on her failed marriage, the lives of her parents and of her racist, oversexed in-laws. When she is at her lowest she remembers the
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BOOKS
Galloping inflation means extra work at the bridge club, last bastion of the ‘Ancient Britons’, where she falls in love with Dan and for several months life is bliss. Is she going to live happily ever after? No, Ephraim, who is preparing to oust Mpofu, needs her to spy for him. She is well placed for this but continually runs afoul of the Security Police. Then, to add to her burden, she adopts Aids orphans while her father offers shelter to one after another of his indigent friends – all that extra food and gin. Everything starts to go wrong when Dan disappears and Nic, stoned on marijuana, demands to be taken back. She is persuaded to help escaping mercenaries because, as a child she
toured the country with her dogooding mother and knows of back roads to evade the Police. Everything spirals out of control when she is witness to a massacre and Stella realises she must get away for a while. Safely in Britain, Dan reappears and offers Stella hope for a brighter future, but Nic is pleading for her to return and she feels the pull of Africa. What shall she do? About the author: Sheila Pike was educated in what was Salisbury (now Harare) and then at the University of Cape Town (BA Ed) where her only claim to fame was to be Rag Queen. Her career was in teaching and then in accounting. She has seldom lived in any one place for more than 8 – 10 years and now lives in Wales.
New library books available January 2018 ADLER-OLSEN, JUSSIE - The scarred woman ALLENDE, ISABEL - In the midst of winter BROWN, DAN - Origin LEE CHILD - The midnight line COLE, MARTINA - Damaged DEMILLE, NELSON - The Cuban affair FLYNN, VINCE - Enemy of the state GREEN, JOHN - Turtles all the way down GREGORY, PHILIPPA - The last Tudor GRISHAM, JOHN - The rooster bar HOFFMAN, ALICE - The rules of magic MANKELL, HENNING - After the fire PARK, TONY - The cull JAMES PATTERSON - Haunted PERRY, TASMINA - Pool house RILEY, LUCINDA - The pearl sister ROBB, J.D. - Secrets in death ROSE, KAREN - The edge of darkness VINCENZI, PENNY - A question of trust BRANSON, RICHARD - Finding my virginity The Friends of Hermanus Library (FOHL) hosted their final Bhuki Café on Friday 1 December and will reopen on 19 January 2018. FOHL wish all their friends, supporters and volunteers a peaceful festive season and thank them for their wonderful support throughout the year.
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5 - 11 December 2017
At Char’d a steak is no longer just a steak
ith the arrival of Char’d Grill & Wine Bar on the culinary scene in Hermanus, a steakhouse is no longer just a steakhouse. Forget about the standard fare of sirloin, rump or fillet, and the usual accompaniment of either mushroom, pepper or garlic sauce. At this bespoke establishment fronting Market Street at the Village Square, owner-chef Petri Hendriksz is introducing diners to the novel concept of New Wave steak cuts such as Flat Iron, Denver steak, Tri-Tip, Flank steak (apparently also known as a Jiffy steak)… while the sauces include rocket pesto butter, brandy and pink peppercorn jus, and something called Chimichurri Verde (apparently an Argentinian herb sauce). Add to that a wine bar with a twist, offering not only 75 premium, hand-picked wines but also craft spirits with a state-of-the-art atomiser that allows customers to get a whiff of the different flavours before making their selections. Craft Gin is, of course, the buzz word at the moment, but next up will be rum, then vodka… whatever the latest trends are. So what are local diners making of all this? Well, to start off with, the New Wave steaks and even the steam punk-themed interior are not that novel – they are part of a global trend in cities across Asia, Europe and the US. It’s just that few locals have ever experienced anything like it – and Petri’s thoughts were: why not Hermanus? “With Pear Tree (Petri’s other restaurant, also at Village Square) up and running smoothly, I needed a new challenge,” says this energetic entrepreneur, who is not one to do anything in half measures. “I saw a gap in the market for a top-end steak-house that follows the New Wave trend among artisan butchers of utilising as much of the carcass as possible. “While meat eaters have come
What’s Cooking RESTAURANT NEWS Hedda Mittner
to accept the view that a good steak has to be one of the traditionally tender and juicy cuts, these alternative cuts of beef are no longer flying under the radar and are presenting diners with a whole new dining experience – they are a cut above, with rich marbling and robust flavour. But we also serve the old-time classics such as sirloin and fillet,” adds Petri. Petri and his kitchen team, headed by chef Marc Burt, process the meat themselves and utilise everything, even rendering their own fat for cooking. Both dry-ageing and wet-ageing methods are used, with Petri favouring the former. “Although there is quite a bit of moisture loss, which decreases the yield and increases the cost, the benefit of this ageing process is intense concentration of flavour and tenderness.” Supporting local as far as possible is high on Petri’s priority list. “At Char’d we make use of local produce, from the beef to our vegetables and potatoes,” says Petri. (Which reminds me that I just have to mention those moorish triple cooked handcut fries). “We are proud of our dedicated suppliers who will go the extra mile to enable us to provide diners with a memorable experience through the quality of our food, service and ambience.” Said ambience is largely created by the interior design, which is quite something. With elements of industrial and steampunk design that incorporates vintage features with anachronistic modern technology, the overall effect is one of a sassy and sophisticated fantasy world. Unusual objects were sourced from second-hand shops and building yards, such as pressed ceiling tiles that were used to cover the walls, the vintage tractor seats that now take pride of place at the bar, retro copper pipes and taps,
re-cycled wood panelling and sleepers for the staircase. And then there is that customdesigned walk-in bar fridge, the staff’s leather aprons, the lighting, the menu “newspapers”… the attention to detail is quite staggering. The vision was Petri’s but he emphasises that it was a team effort and credits the support of various people, including his builder, Donovan Kennedy, wine merchant Wihan Brink, head chef Mark Burt, graphic designer Charise Steyn, photographer Gillian Coetzee and, last but certainly not least, his brother Jaco and parents Petrus and Estelle Hendriksz. Although Char’d definitely caters for the top end of the market and some of the steaks and wines are quite pricey (R395 for a 500 g Tomahawk and R770 for a bottle of Hermanuspietersfontein Arnoldus, for example), the menu is versatile and offers many other options, including substantial starters that are perfect for a light lunch, priced between R60 – R95, and wines by the glass such as Spookfontein Merlot at R35. There are also superb burgers at a pretty standard R135, served with those fab triple cooked chips I mentioned or sweet potato fries and tempura onion rings. One that caught my eye and looks particularly delicious is the smoked Jack Daniels pulled pork burger with a hint of orange, jalapeño and corn salsa. So far I’ve only tasted a starter – the braised short rib wonton fried ravioli with mustard cream and blue cheese, which I can safely say was one of the most sublime plates of food that have ever passed my lips. I will certainly be back for more! And for those of you who are eager to try out the gin bar, it’s Gintail evening every Wednesday with live entertainment. From this week onwards, Char’d will be open 7 days a week from 11:30 until late. Call 028 312 1986 to book.
5 - 11 December 2017
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5 - 11 December 2017 Daily until 24 December
■ Christmas trees: Buy a fresh pine tree top (alien) for Christmas and have fun decorating it. R60 each. From Antjies, Queen Victoria Street.
Wednesday 6 December ■ Graze Farmers Market: Reduce your carbon footprint and get your fresh veggies at Graze Slow Food Cafe. Always seasonal, always fresh. Stay for coffee and breakfast. From 09:00 – 12:00. Call Tabby & Alex on 076 243 1930.
Friday 8 December ■ Turning on the Christmas lights: This annual
event promises to be fun for all children, with a fancy dress competition and great prizes to be won. The categories are: U 6 years (Angels or Christmas Crackers), 6 – 8 years (Wise Men or Santa’s Helpers), and 9 – 12 years (Santas or Christmas trees). All children welcome at no charge. Father Christmas might even be paying a visit! On Stanford Market Square, from 19:00 – 20:30.
Good Guide Music courtesy of Andrew Herriot, with a special performance by The Ballerinas and The Barking Trio. Everyone is welcome and entry is only R20 for adults and R10 for pups. At Castle Herriot, Adderley Street, Stanford, from 18:00. Call Annie Ranger on 028 341 0984.
Saturday 9 December
■ Music on the Lawn: Eat, drink and be merry, all in aid of the Stanford Animal Welfare Society. There will be great food on sale; bring your own drinks, glasses, rugs, towels and swimming costumes.
■ Wendy Oldfield and Robyn Auld Live: These two top SA performers will combine a mix of djembe, soul vocals, harmonica, stompboard and African blues guitar stylings to create a fresh roots sound. Their uplifting collaboration produces stellar entertainment that will include their old hits along with their contemporary catalogue. Tickets at R100 are available from Stanford Tourism or at the door at R120. At The Tasting Room, Stanford Hills, at 19:00.
■ Candlelit Carols: The Stanford Dutch Reformed Church will host this festive event, with representatives of several community organisations lighting dedication candles. Popular singer Tommy Dell is the special guest artist. Everyone in the village and district is cordially invited. At the church, at 19:00.
Thursday 21 December
Sunday 17 December
■ Junktique Market: Is browsing through old
stuff one of your hobbies? 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. For more information contact 028 341 0340 or ask@stanfordinfo.co.za. At the Stanform Tourism Courtyard, from 09:00 – 12:00. The following Junktique Market will be on Saturday 16 December.
Saturday 16 December
which reminds of the fairs of yesteryear. Amble down the street among performers, musicians, vendors, a food and wine court, kiddies’ rides and an appearance by Father Christmas. Get your Christmas shopping all done at the fabulous Sunday Christmas Market while the Stanford Jazzfordians keep you entertained. Parking will be available on the Market Square and entry is free for all! Queen Victoria Street, Stanford, from 10:00 – 16:00.
■ Ann Jangle Live at Stanford Hills: Enjoy the dark folksy blues, mixed with a bit of gypsy and bouncy swing, of Ann Jangle when she returns with her band to Stanford Hills for an outdoor performance in a most beautiful setting. Prepaid tickets are for sale at the Stanford Tourism office (028 341 0340) or from Andy Johnston (082 962 8500) at R80 pp, or at the door, on the night at R120 pp. EFT payments: AJ Johnston, plus plan acc # 07815 4669 b/code 050312 (Hermanus) ref Ann Jangle & your name. At The Tasting Room, Stanford Hills, from 19:00.
■ Stanford Street Festival: The main street will be closed to traffic for this carnival style festival
■ Arno Carstens and friends: Arno needs no introduction and with his five piece band we reckon they will rock these Hills! Arno's performance includes hits from his career as front man of Springbok Nude Girls as well as from his career as a platinum selling, award-winning English and Afrikaans solo artist. Food stalls and cash bar available. Bring own blankets or chairs. Gates open at 15:00 and the show starts at 18:00, on the scenic lawns at The Tasting Room, Stanford Hills. Tickets from R75 – R150 available at www.webtickets.co.za
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5 - 11 December 2017
Panthera Africa rescues caged circus lioness
O
n Saturday 25 November, the lioness Baguira arrived safely at the Oliver Tambo International Airport after 65 hours travelling from Argentina and made the final leg of the journey to her forever home, Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary in Stanford near Hermanus. It was an emotional moment when this lioness, who had spent ten years of her life in small cages and on cement floors of enclosures, took her first step out of her transport crate and put her paw on the African grass in her brand-new spacious enclosure on Sunday. The team who had worked to move her back to the land of her ancestors, could not help feeling the overwhelming power of this moment as they saw Baguira slowly exploring her new home. Baguira, like so many other lions, was born in captivity. Six months after her birth in a zoo in Argentina, she was separated from her mother and given to a circus. She remained in a cage for eight years, travelling from town to town, and never leaving her cage because she was not part of the circus show. Two concerned citizens saw Baguira wasting away in a cage, malnourished and emaciated. Together with Jose Yapur, a specialist in exotic animals, they rescued Baguira in August 2015 and moved her to a temporary enclosure at a fish-farming station in El Cadillal, Tucuman. She received treatment and was dewormed. She was so starved, weighing a mere 80 kg, that even a small amount of food made her throw up. Eventually, with good care and nutrition, Baguira built up her strength
and health and her weight doubled to an adequate lion weight of 160 kg. During her recovery, the two citizens started negotiations to find a permanent home for Baguira. Attempts to move her to a sanctuary in Brazil and a wildlife conservation centre in Colorado, USA were both unsuccessful. While the search continued, Baguira had to be moved to another temporary home in 2016 because the neighbours at the fish-farming station were scared of her, especially in the evening when she became more vocal.
Baguira was born in captivity and was given to a circus when she was six months old, spending the next eight years in a cage. After an arduous process, Lizaene Cornwall and Cathrine S Nyquist from Panthera Africa big Cat Sanctuary near Stanford were finally able to offer her a new home.
Eventually the two citizens got in contact with Javier Goldschtein and Natasja de Winter in Argentina, who then approached Lizaene Cornwall and Cathrine S. Nyquist from Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary in Stanford, South Africa. Lizaene started applying for permits in January this year for Baguira’s transfer, which turned into an arduous and timeconsuming process. “It has been 11 months of per-severance and dedication; from processing documents, writing letters and emails, and making calls upon calls to the authorities both in South Africa and Argentina to overcome the hurdles we met,” says Lizaene. “Updates and pictures of Baguira were continuously sent through, which fuelled us with the stamina we needed until we got Baguira safely to Panthera Africa.” Once the paperwork was handed in and being processed, the logistics of the transfer had to be painstakenly planned to the last detail. A crate had to be
built in Argentina according to Baguira’s specifications, who now weighed 180 kg thanks to the excellent care of Jose Yapur, and also to the airline’s specifications. The cage needed iron bars covered with wooden plates and enough ventilation, as well as a tray that slides out underneath the crate to remove the animal’s waste. Baguira began her trip at San Pedro de Colalao, in the reserve of the Carlos Pellegrini Institute. The lioness seemed to know of her long journey ahead, as she calmly stepped into her transport crate and laid down. She was taken by truck to the international airport of Ezeiza, Buenos Aires where she flew to San Pablo International Airport in Brazil and then on to Oliver Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. She stayed in Johannesburg for a few hours until the specialised vet, Peter Caldwell, from Old Chapel Vet Clinic declared her fit to travel further. Once again she was loaded onto a truck but now it was for the final part of her journey – to her forever home at Panthera Africa. “The rescue would not have been possible without the extreme generosity of our donors,” says Cathrine. “This includes the fundraiser we had in April 2017 at White Water Farm, which Julie Walton, wife of vet Marc Walton, and Elzette Cyster-Human from Blueberry Monday initiated and organised, as well as the private individuals who gave us donations for this mission. A huge heartfelt thank you from the whole Panthera Africa pride, both two- and four-legged members – together we have made a miracle happen!”
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5 - 11 December 2017
Handcrafted jewellery meets the digital age Heidi comes from the wellknown Paul Cluver wine family and is the only one of five siblings not involved in the family business. Having met Ralph while training at Warwick’s Chef School, she worked in top-end restaurants in London and Franschhoek before they tied the knot. The couple then spent a year living in New Zealand before returning to Hermanus. They now have two children – their son Ross is 10 and daughter Julia is eight – and have pooled their talents to create a highly successful design studio producing bespoke jewellery that is sought after by numerous overseas and local collectors.
Hedda Mittner
A
s a well-established jeweller who has been practising for almost 20 years, Ralph Walton is intimately acquainted with the design process when it comes to creating a personalised piece of jewellery for a client. “As with any creative process, such as designing a house, for example, it can still happen that the finished product might not look exactly as the client had imagined it.” Which is why he is so excited about Ralph Walton Design’s latest acquisition – 3D CAD software for the jewellery industry that can produce a realistic rendering of individual jewellery designs down to the finest detail. “Previously, the only way to bring a design drawing to life was to send it ‘over the mountain’ for CAD imaging,” explains Ralph. “But now we can do it ourselves, and we can also offer this service to other local jewellers.” At his studio/shop in Hemel-enAarde Village, which is run by Ralph and his wife Heidi, he shows me how this programme works and the important role it plays in the design and manufacture process of handmade jewellery. Setting aside the intricate details of the seemingly endless design options, the programme basically enables a
Heidi and Ralph Walton at their design studio in The Village, which doubles as a workshop and a showroom. client to view a live rendering of their jewellery’s design, which can be tweaked and adjusted on the spot. “This gives the client an exact idea of what the piece will look like,” says Ralph, “without interfering with the designer’s creativity or the actual design process. It simply enhances the experience for both the designer and the client.” According to Ralph, the software is based on Rhino CAD, but is much faster. “It’s CAD on
‘speed’, ” he quips. “It also generates a quote which will guide the client in making decisions about various elements such as the materials and size. Once the client is happy with the design, we can manufacture a plastic version of the jewellery piece and the client can try it on to make sure it is exactly what they want. Because it’s so accurate, this programme not only cuts down on production time but guarantees customer satisfaction.” Ralph’s enthusiasm for the
world of jewellery can be traced back to when, after matriculating from Hermanus High School, he studied jewellery design at the Cape Town Technicon. After graduating he joined his father’s jewellery store in town, Condé, and started his own legacy by moving away from costume jewellery. Having restarted the workshop, he renamed the business Ralph Walton Design and dedicated himself to the creation of “serious” jewellery. His wife Heidi has been working by his side since 2002.
Order, balance and a modernist aesthetic form the basis of their work and the result is a range of distinctive, contemporary, precious metal and stone jewellery which includes oneoff pieces, commissions and production work. Silver, gold, platinum and palladium are their principle materials, although they also work in titanium and other mediums. They use fine gold for its purity and strong colour, creating contrast and tension against the coolness of brushed silver and the beauty of gem stones. These gorgeous sensual pieces are a rare mixture of precision and timelessness. “Serious” their jewellery may
be, but there is also an element of playfulness in the way they incorporate natural elements into some of their more affordable ranges such as the Spice Rack and Giraffi. The pendants of the Spice Rack necklaces are single coffee beans or spices such as star anise, cloves or cinnamon cast in silver. The Giraffi pendants are an assortment of wild animals, including elephants, giraffes and hares, which are hung on brightly coloured tubing to create bracelets that are not only fun but also interchangeable, durable and waterproof. Interacting with their clients remains one of the most rewarding aspects of their business, says Heidi. “It’s all about forming relationships and it’s very gratifying to see clients who return again and again. We are even beginning to see the second generation of loyal clients coming to our studio to shop for jewellery.” Ralph adds that even their children’s godparents are clients of Ralph Walton Design. There can be no doubt that this is a couple that eats, sleeps and lives jewellery! And if you’d like to impress a loved one with a forever present… Christmas is right around the corner. Just sayin’. Visit Ralph Walton Design at Shop 2A, Hemel-en-Aarde Village or contact 028 316 3851.
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5 - 11 December 2017
Landmark first group visit to completed MeerKAT
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hanks to Hermanus Astronomy Centre (HAC) member John Saunders’ dogged perseverance, 18 members of HAC were privileged to be the first group to visit the Square Kilometre Array’s (“SKA”) MeerKAT site since the completed installation of all 64 antennae on Friday 24 November. “All the participants who undertook the 660 km trip to Carnarvon to visit the biggest science experiment in the history of mankind were well prepared for the visit and understood the basic principles involved in this unique facility. However, the visit to the actual site rammed home a condensed and awesome perspective of the magnitude and complexity of the facility to leave an unforgettable memory in all participants’ minds,” says HAC’s Pierre de Villiers. The sensitivity of the antennae is best described by equating the switching on of a cellphone next to an antenna to switching on a lighthouse “bulb” next to a dark-adapted observer’s eyes – it would simply blind it. Differently stated the sensitivity of the completed SKA array, extending from its core 100 km
opaqueness).” MeerKAT has 64 x 13.5 m antennae, and each antenna has four receivers, the first two of which will be L- and UHFbands. MeerKAT will form part of the core of SKA1’s 197 antennae. This will be followed by SKA2 and SKA3, increasing the total number of antennae to 3 500 located at sites throughout Southern Africa. Each location is carefully designed to achieve optimum resolution and sensitivity.
The HAC group against the backdrop of the core region’s densely packed antenna. west of Carnarvon to Ghana and Mauritius, will be analogous to observing a candle on the moon. “As such all cellphones and DSLR cameras were prohibited. The tour guide noted that two of the visitors used hearing aids, which will be evaluated for admissibility in future, as will be the potential impact and therefore admissibility of pacemakers,” says Pierre.
Many of the events in the universe – including the formation of the first stars after the Big Bang – generate radio waves. The science of radio astronomy utilising intricate antenna systems such as MeerKAT was developed to observe and study these stellar phenomena. “KAT7 (Karoo Array Telescope) with 7 x 13 m single frequency antennae was essentially a
technology demonstrator to confirm that South Africa had the technology to construct an array of radio telescopes with an effective collection area of one square kilometre,” explains Pierre. “This is the area required to detect radiation from the era of recombination about 300 000 years after the Big Bang, when the universe had cooled sufficiently to become transparent (as opposed to its higher temperature
Each antenna will generate the equivalent of almost one DVD per second in data. On completion the SKA will generate double the world’s current internet traffic in data. HAC’s visit to SKA’s MeerKAT site also included the HERA facility. HERA is an array of 133 antennae measuring 14 m in diameter. It was designed to detect radio waves in the lowfrequency range of 100-200 MHz, which allows it to detect fluctuations in the emissions from neutral hydrogen in the Epoch of Re-ionisation before the first stars, galaxies and black holes were formed. “This will allow astronomers to
understand the formation and evolution of these very first luminous sources,” says Pierre. Once completed, HERA will observe the universe for a three-month period when the Milky Way does not flood the very faint sought signals, building a 3D map of the universe during this era. HERA is an American, British and South African collaboration. SKA South Africa provides site and logistical support and numerous SA universities (Wits, KZN, UCT, UWC, SU and DUST) are involved in the research and design of the project. It is notable that the antennae are constructed from plastic piping and chicken mesh by local unskilled labour, which was up-skilled to do the construction. Equally notable is the fact that if the three-month observation period is a success, it will be a likely candidate for a Nobel Prize, whereas failure will require a different approach to achieve the primary objective of the experiment. See www.ska.ac.za for more technical details.
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Night of 1 000 Drawings Artwalk The Hermanus First Fridays (HFF) Artwalk on 1 December took the form of the annual Night of 1 000 Drawings, with all the participating HFF galleries displaying the donated A5 artworks inside as well as outside their galleries along the Artwalk route. The artworks were for sale at R100 each and the proceeds from this charity event will go to three local charities – Hermanus NSRI, Hermanus Waldorf School and Enlighten Education Trust. The next HFF Artwalk will take place on Friday 5 January 2018. PHOTOS: Hedda Mittner and Taylum Meyer, Titanium Photography
Liz Coates, the owner of Pure South gallery and chair of the HFF committee, attracted many artwalkers with this colourful display on the pavement in front of her gallery in Main Road.
Donated A5 artworks lined the alley leading down Warrington Place to Forty X 40, Malcolm Bowling and SPACE galleries.
Terry Kobus and Roelof Coetzee welcomed artwalkers to Originals, their gallery in Harbour Road.
There was a festive vibe at The Courtyard off Harbour Road, home to Kunskantoor (which has relocated to the premises of Abalone Gallery after its closure at the end of November), Geta Finlayson Studio and Novil Gallery.
There was no shortage of wine at Geta Finlayson’s studio in The Courtyard. With Geta is husband Peter Finlayson of Bouchard Finlayson winery.
The artworks displayed at Leon Müller’s gallery in High Street, Art Thirst, sold briskly during the Night of 1 000 Drawings.
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Lemm’s Corner Market celebrated its first birthday in style on Sunday 3 December. The traders did brisk business all day as well-wishers arrived to join in the festivities, with plenty of food and drink, music, dancing and entertainment for the children. Father Christmas paid a surprise visit later in the afternoon and at 19:00 the lights in the “Christmas tree” were switched on by Deputy Mayor Dudley Coetzee, Councillor Kari Brice and market organiser Jozua Rossouw (above).
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Joining Jozua in the birthday celebrations on Sunday were Jo Nauta, Talita Engelbrecht, Sam van Rooyen, Glynis van Rooyen and Roger van Schie. PHOTOS: Taylum Meyer, Titanium Photography
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How pet food impacts your vet’s bills
here’s nothing quite as tempting as a superstore special, particularly at this time of year when cash flow is at a premium.
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MY Pet Dr Hilldidge Beer
Even the most dedicated pet owner may be tempted into buying a brand he or she has never tried before because of the price.
sees a veterinarian, drugs may be required too and this can be costly.
However, when it comes to dog food there are important longterm considerations. The ingredients in dog food, their formulation and manufacture, can impact a pet’s health. Inferior quality proteins and carbohydrates, for example, have been linked to allergies.
Another clue to the quality of the food you’re feeding your pet is its digestibility. The higher the quality of raw materials and the lower the fibre content, the smaller and firmer the stools - so less cleaning up of the back lawn and less wastage.
Veterinarians treat a significant number of pet allergies; changing the pet’s diet is routinely prescribed as part of a treatment plan but by the time your pet
How do I know what’s best for my pet? Protein is your primary consideration as inferior protein sources can lead to poor
muscle development and stunted growth and often play a role in early kidney failure, so what you feed your puppy from day one is vitally important. Dogs are carnivores: they need animal protein rather than plant-based proteins like soya. Poultry and oily fish proteins, like salmon, are superior to beef, for their high fat content provided the poultry source is good. Some economy brands include poultry carcasses sourced indiscriminately, with little thought given to their origin. Starch is another key
consideration. Rice is best. Maize is less digestible and supplies too much energy. This leads to obesity and early joint degeneration (more vets’ bills). It is also inclined to cause foodrelated allergies. Good oils like Omega 3 (an excellent source is krill powder) protect joints. Arthritis is a common ailment among older dogs. And, like humans, vitamins and minerals are essential ingredients in a good quality dog food.
The easiest way to ensure you’re making the best choice is to get advice from a trained professional. EberVet Vetshops, for example, are owned by a veterinarian and run by staff with special training in nutrition. You need to know when you walk through the door that the people selling you that dog food know what’s in it, how it enhances your dog’s health and where it is sourced. It’s also a good idea to ask your vet for a recommendation or to opt for a brand that is endorsed by a vet. VetsBrands, for example, is manufactured locally by South African veterinarian Dr Ockert Botha. “I believe it is critically important that a welltrained professional be the one to give scientifically based advice on the nutrition and or
treatment of your pets,” he says. That’s because trained professionals aren’t simply looking at the company’s bottom line; your pet’s health is their primary concern. The VetsBrands range of products is sold exclusively by Veterinarians and Vet owned Vet Shops. We believe it is critically important that a well trained professional such as your Veterinarian be the one to give scientifically based advice on the nutrition and or treatment of your horses or pets. This will ensure that all factors regarding your pets’ health is taken into account and that misleading or incorrect advice given by non-trained and nonqualified persons will never apply to the VetsBrands range of products.
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For the third year, the Hermanus High School Interact Club handed over Santa Shoeboxes to each of Camphill School’s 70 learners. The Interact Club have become truly special friends throughout the years and spend a lot of time with the Camphill learners during the year, partaking in friendly soccer games, picnics, a spring fun day and outreach programmes. The highlight of the year is when they receive their Santa Shoeboxes at Christmas time. Camphill School would like to thank Hermanus High for their valuable friendship and for always keeping the Camphill learners close to their hearts.
Ginger Keene was a well-known doctor in Hermanus, who started the WhaWha's group of golfers some 37 years ago. The group still plays regularly every Monday, and each year they compete for the Ginger Keene Summer Trophy. From left are Tony de Beer (organiser), Keith Paterson (winner), Richard Charton (runner-up) and Dave Shutte (organiser). PHOTO: William Gau
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‘Tis the season to be jolly – but not for your liver
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he time has come to forget about the pressing deadlines that have hopefully all been moved to next year, and take some time to relax on the beach, take a walk through Fernkloof or a drive up our beautiful wine valley. The festive season is also the time when the diet and exercise regimes are relaxed a bit and we tend to eat more often and more indulgently than during the rest of the year. Balancing food presents a challenge for the average South African household because, for us, food is an expression of hospitality and friendship – and we always feel that the more there is the better for everyone. You never just braai the lamb chops, you also add the boerewors, and the braai bread, the potato salad and the green salad. Even if you are Banting at the moment, and you manage to successfully banish the carbs, you are still eating way more than what you would for an average meal. Add to this the fryups that we have for breakfast and the ice-creams and treats
during the day – and soon you will find your day consumed by what there is to eat next.
Amanda Hofmeyr
Eating in this way has some devastating effects on the body and, more importantly, on one of your hardest working organs – the liver. I can hear you saying, hang on, surely it’s overindulging in alcohol that causes damage to the liver. Well, actually, it’s not only alchohol. While we are all familiar with the effects on the body after having had that extra glass of wine the previous night, many are not so familiar with the food hangover. Or maybe you are, but have never been able to correctly diagnose it. Yes, those feelings of bloating, lethargy, nausea, upset stomach and just generally feeling meh the morning after – that is your classic food hangover. So whilst the liver is a pretty amazing little organ that performs over 500 functions, here are just a couple of them to show how important it is to
keep this little fellow happy. Detoxification That’s right – you don’t have to detox. Your liver is doing it for you on a continuous basis. It takes all the harmful substances that you put into your body and transforms them into harmless products that you eliminate in your bile or urine. Processes and storage It also processes all the nutrients into usable substances for the body and releases them into the bloodstream as and when the body needs it. The liver also stores all of our fatsoluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) as well as Vitamin B12, Iron and Copper. Production and regulation Every day it produces around 1 000 mg of cholesterol which in turn is used to produce hormones and bile. The bile is all important when it comes to the digestion of fats and assists in the detox process. It is also responsible for maintaining and regulating the blood glucose level.
So now that it is evident that our liver is a little bit more important than we have always thought, what can we do to give it the assistance it needs over this festive season? • Try and eat as fresh as possible and avoid any toxic foods such as refined sugar and hydrogenated oils; • Drink raw vegetable juice – especially carrot and ginger juice for liver support; • Load up on foods high in potassium such as sweet potatoes, beet greens, bananas and spinach; • If you want to go the supplement route then your new best friends will be Milk Thistle, Dandelion and Turmeric. So this year, take a little extra care of the organ that works the hardest for you all year round and who knows, come January you might be able to start the year with a bit more energy and little less extra around the waist. Happy Holidays to everyone from The Village Health Shop!
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What you need to know about pricing your property
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ne of the biggest plagues in the property market is overpricing – and most experienced estate agents will caution sellers against it. Most sellers are also under the illusion that their property is worth more than the market is prepared to pay. Sellers expect the highest possible price for their property, buyers want to pay as little as possible and estate agents sit in the middle. If a seller wants the highest possible price for their property, a sole mandate is the only way to achieve this goal. The reason is that buyers compete to buy the property and the agent is under no pressure to take the first and best offer to the seller out of fear that other agents might sell the property first.
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occupation dates; and marketing.
process are issues that need careful consideration by sellers.
“Marketing is the only element an agent has control over. It is scary to see how many sellers appoint their estate agent based on the price the agent gave to the seller. In many instances agents create unrealistic expectations and sellers want to believe them.
Why correctly pricing your house is important This is the most important factor in a successful sale. Buyers buy a property by comparison. They will view six to eight properties and then decide which one provides the best value for money. Your property must be priced at a level that is competitive with other similar properties on the market, creating an impression of good value. In other words, don’t price your property, rather position your price in the market. Buyers will buy from bottom up in relation to the value the property offers. Know what is on the market (your competition) and price (position) accordingly.
Paul Kruger, Licensee Hermanus and Seeff National Director, says there are four reasons why properties don’t sell, with overpricing being the main reason. A seller can ask whatever they want for the property but eventually it is the buyers (market) who determine if they are prepared to pay the asking price.
“No overpriced property will sell! Not even by the best agent… Appoint your agent based on the marketing they can do and not based on the price the agent promises you or the commission you think you can save,” says Paul.
The other three reasons properties do not sell are: location/condition of the property; suspensive conditions such as financing, the sale being subject to the sale of another property and
The importance of correct pricing, the reasons for and expected consequences of overpricing, the steps for setting the price, and the role of the agent in the pricing
“Correct pricing increases advertising response, stimulates
buyer interest, compensates for property shortfalls and provides the seller with a negotiating advantage. By overpricing your property, you will attract buyers in a higher price range with higher expectations, leaving you with no realistic chance of selling your property,” says Paul. Reasons for overpricing Sellers' reasons for overpricing: • To ensure room for bargaining. The reality, however, is that educated buyers recognise a fair price and will be more likely to pay it. • The expectation of more money in order to buy a bigger home in a better neighbourhood. Your destination can never determine the price of your property - you cannot sell a VW Beatle to buy a Porsche. No buyer will pay extra for your upgrade or luxury. They will
pay a market-related price. Need money for transfer fees, bond costs or moving fees. A seller’s need for money has no effect on the property’s value. Need to recoup money to spend on improvements or alterations. Overcapitalisation is not a good investment.
Agents' reasons for accepting an overpriced mandate: • To buy the mandate. In other words, secure the mandate and deter competing estate agencies. • Free advertising for the agent – especially if it is on a busy road. • To use an overpriced property to find buyers for correctly priced properties. Setting the price In establishing a marketing price, agents do a comparative market analysis and the following is taken into consideration: - Similar properties for sale in the area; - Similar properties recently sold in the area; - Comparative withdrawn properties in the area (what buyers are not prepared to pay). Buyers in general do a much more thorough comparative market analysis of the proper-
ties in the area than sellers, who focus more on their needs or financial obligations in terms of their next property or lifestyle choice. Buyers establish the market value of properties in an area by comparing the property to all the others they have seen. “If the seller chooses not to put their home on the market at the suggested marketing price, but rather at the higher price indicated by the agent, the agent will usually comply. It is, however, advisable to reduce the price if there have not been any offers after three weeks. Sellers should not compare the price of their home to the listed prices of other homes in the area – but rather to the sold prices achieved,” according to Paul. Wrong pricing – expected results: “There is a direct correlation between the marketing time span and the price of a property, as a correctly priced property tends to attract the most buyers within the first four weeks. A property which is priced at about 10% above its real value can extend the marketing time beyond two to three months, whilst a property which is priced at about 15% above the market value can prolong the marketing period up to six months. Properties that are 20% or more above market value remain on the market for up to a year or more,” says Paul.
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Get your groove on this summer with the Music Colour Run
t’s time to get ready for the fourth annual Summer Music Colour Run on 30 December at 16:00 at the Hermanus Cricket Club. Everyone completing the untimed 5 km event is a winner and the prizes are being showered with colored powder and dancing to the best summer tunes along the route. You can walk, skip, run or dance the course - whatever takes your fancy! So, forget about your personal best and think more about having the time of your life! Get smashed from head to toe in organic food starch coloured powder, while you’re also dancing your way through dreamy foam clouds and experiencing thousands of perfect photo opportunities. We deliver experience. We create joy. We want the world to be a happier place. The Colour Run concept has been experienced by over 6 million runners worldwide in more than 35 countries. According to statistics over 60% of the participants are running a 5 km race for the first time and over
70% of the participants are women aged 18 – 40.
and the pursuit of creating happiness drives us every day.
Runners begin dressed in clean white T-shirts, and pass through three colour stations and two music stations, so there’s something happening every kilometre of the way.
Individuality – we live in a world of endless variety, and that’s an amazing thing. Whoever you are, whatever your story; we believe that you are fierce, strong and magical, and the events we produce celebrate that.
“The Summer Music Colour Run is a unique brand conceptualised to focus on the holiday and summer time. It combines, for the first time, the music element with a powder element, creating more excitement en route for everyone,” says race organiser Bianca le Roux. All the events are built on their three core beliefs Healthiness – while our events are all about having fun, we also want to help and encourage everyone who participates to lead a healthier lifestyle, both physically and mentally. Happiness – seeing just how many smiles we’ve been able to put on people’s faces over these past few years is an indescribable feeling – it really is our greatest achievement yet,
According to Bianca, as a forprofit event management company they are extremely lucky that they have the opportunity to partner with charities. “We want to shine a light on all their amazing work and also raise awareness of their cause. This year we are proudly supporting the local Hermanus based NPO, The Mentoring Project. Standard ticket prices are R240 per person and include your race number, a powder sachet, a tattoo, a T-shirt, a takealot coupon, a Travelstart discount voucher and entry into the Travelstart Win a Trip to Paris competition. For more information follow us on our facebook page @SummerRunZA or simply go to: www.summerrun.co.za
WIN 4 TICKETS FOR THE SUMMER RUN: To enter simply like the Summer Run Facebook page and leave a comment on why you think you deserve the tickets.
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SA JKA Overstrand held their 14th annual club championship at Curro Hermanus over the weekend. Karatekas ranging from as young as 4 years (dinky), juniors and seniors took part in their different divisions. Below is local karate star Mignon van Zyl in action.
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A classic week of birdies and bogeys
reetings once more from a tired pirate, what a week we have had! Our Walker Bay week was a huge success – congratulations to all the players and organisers.
The Putting Pirate Julian Shaw
The course was exceptional and a real pleasure to play. Well done to Golf Data and greens super Malcolm Bromley, and especially the boss, Sharon Sleigh. She is the one who really put everything together and as I also put my oar into organising the prizes I know the effort that goes into this week of events, so well done Sharon – it was a great week that went off without a hitch. I also really must mention the catering, which was excellent, and all our generous sponsors. A special thanks goes to our main sponsors, Lew Geffen Sothebys and PSG.
Walker Bay Sundowner This competition is a popular one and again we had a good full field for the afternoon. Although the weather was fine, it was definitely a tad on the windy side! In the end we had two winning scores on 22 points. Deon Horn took it on a count out, while Glyn Davies got the “Race to Oubaai” title as the best Sundowner player over the year. Well done to both of you. The 35th Walker Bay Classic This was the big one and what a day we had weather wise, perfect all day and hardly a breath of wind!
Walker Bay Classic winners Pierre Steyn, Barry Streicher, Vice Captain Albert Streicher (proudly holding his trophy), our GM Sharon Sleigh, and George Steyn.
Walker Bay Wednesday With super weather, greens running true and some lovely rain on Tuesday, we had 175 players in the field playing the same format as the big one on Saturday – alliance bogey plus. Winners on the East course were André Gouws, Marius Krause, Eddie Burger and Lieberman Louw, counted in on +17. Winners on the South course were Frans Prins, our Captain John Stergianos, Kowie Ganz and K van der Walt, counted in on +19. Then on the North course on +23 and the winners of the warm-up Wednesday trophy were Peter Sulley, Glyn Davies, Bill McGeachy and Tony
Behagg on a super score indeed!
We started promptly at 07:00 and had 324 players – a logistical challenge, but with our team of ladies booking in, Kari and Glynis and Margie checking handicaps, our marshals on the tees and myself on the mic, we got everyone out and playing on time. For such a big field we had remarkably little hassle, thanks to the team! Winning on the red course were Desmond Sauls, Devon Sauls, Clayton and his brother Dylan Burger on +23.
Winners of the Walker Bay Mixed, with our GM Sharon, are Ian Ross, Simon Upton, Lyndsay Henderson and Elize Nykamp.
Winning on the blue course on a count out and rather aptly, were Joe Lyon on his last Classic before moving to Oz, Mikki Milne fresh from a heart op (nice to see him back and playing), lefty Brian Taylor and
chief operating officer of the Sundowner, Izak Krige himself on +23. Then winning the green course on +26 and the Classic itself were Pierre Steyn, Barry Streicher, Vice Captain Albert Streicher, and George Steyn. I must say, this was the 13th Walker Bay Classic that I have been to and I think it was the best so far! Wow, what are we going to do next year to top that? The Walker Bay Mixed The mixed also had some super weather and is always a popular event. Winning this year was definitely experience. A favourite fourball and popular winners were Ian Ross, Simon Upton, Lyndsay Henderson and Elize Nykamp, counted in on 84 points from also a regular mixed fourball of Johan and Helaine Strydom, Werner Otto and Kira McCarthy. Well done to all. Last laugh This week I will leave you with two thoughts to ponder from my friend Daan Beukes. If a woman says “do what you want”, do not do what you want, stand still, do not blink, don’t even breathe, just play dead! And then for the educated, do you know there are more airplanes in the sea than submarines in the air?
I think my laughs get worse… Until next time, keep calm and go golfing!
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South African tennis needs urgent attention
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espite the euphoric efforts of Kevin Anderson in reaching the finals of the US Open this year, South African tennis is in the doldrums and it is "time to panic". Anderson resides in America and the South African Davis Cup team, ranked no. 41 in World tennis, is languishing in Group 2 of the Europe/Africa zone. Our Federation Cup ladies team, ranked no.44, is in the same zone as the men. This after winning the World Group of the Davis Cup in 1974 and being victorious in the Federation Cup premier division in 1972. The Mail & Guardian published an article appropriate to this topic as follows: In 1962, under the intimidating Berlin Wall, South Africa were trailing West Germany 2-0, after the opening day's singles of the Davis Cup tie. Gordon Forbes and Abe Segal were down in the opening set of the doubles and it appeared the team was hovering on the brink of a 3-0 defeat. The articulate and clearly disturbed Forbes turned towards his loquacious partner and proclaimed, "Abe, what do we do now?" Segal replied, "Forbsey, it's
Offside Tony O’Hagan
too soon to panic." Forbes and Segal won the doubles and South Africa won the reverse singles, completing a 3-2 triumph. Forbes became an acclaimed author with his classic collection of anecdotes in the compelling A Handful of Summers and wrote a second book titled Too Soon to Panic, recalling the epic comeback against Germany in 1962. In the 1960s and ‘70s the South African Open was considered by many as the "fifth major" with winners of the ilk of Rod Laver, Ken Rosewall, Roy Emerson and Manuel Santana, and ladies champions Magaret Court, Chris Evert and Billie Jean King – legends of the sport. Today, the event is non-existent, just a localised national event with no status. South Africa produced world-
class players such as Eric Sturgess (finalist French and US Open), Cliff Drysdale (finalist US Open), Sandra Reynolds (Wimbledon finals), Johan Kriek (twice winner of the Australian Open) and Kevin Curren (Wimbledon finals), and a host of other achievers in singles and doubles. Among the latter was Frew McMillan with 10 major wins in doubles and mixed doubles. South Africa has a proud record in tennis history but, contrary to golf, there are no budding champions on the horizon. Unfortunately, the structures in South African tennis are way behind the leading tennis nations. One only needs to see the strides made in tennis in the Eastern Bloc, Russia and the Far East to realise that the right programmes will bring results. Our climate is more favourable than these countries.
Questions arise around the development at grass roots, the establishment of academies, coaching skills, and marketing of the game. There is a need for sponsors to be found and more monies to be ploughed into tennis. We need icons for the young to aspire to, as there are in other sporting codes. We need to organise tournaments that have status and attract lead-ing players from abroad, but this requires finances and marketing expertise to attract sponsors. Golf has achieved this. It's a tragedy to see the demise of tennis. There appears to be a little progress being made, but we need urgent attention to the development of the game. It is definitely "a time to panic". Stellenbosch University and Tennis South Africa (TSA) announced the signature of a strategic partnership agreement, with the aim of developing a new worldclass national tennis centre at the University, on 29 November 2017. – Ed.
Abe Seagal won the Davis Cup doubles title with partner Gordon Forbes in Berlin in 1962.
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