The Village NEWS 28 November - 5 December 2017

NEWS NEWS

Village

The

Entrepreneurial winner 2017

Cape Whale Coast

28 Nov - 4 Dec 2017

FREE COPY

THE LAST STRAW

ALCOHOL & TEENS

PAGE 4

PAGE 7

Dump the plastic

EYE ON THE BALL

What to do?

Viva the Vivos

PAGE 28

COME ON SUMMER, COME ON You know that summer has finally arrived when the seasonal Summer Lounge opposite Dutchies on Grotto Beach opens for their annual Overstrand Summer Festival.

Guests attending the opening on Sunday 19 November were able to enjoy a magnificent sunset while sipping on wine and cocktails, and savouring delicate bites of sushi. See P 19 for the programme of events during December.

PHOTO: Bernard Jordaan

On your marks, get ready… shop!

De Waal Steyn

T

here is an air of expectation and excitement amongst residents in the whole region with the longawaited opening of the new Whale Coast Mall on Thursday 30 November.

The construction site has been a beehive of frenzied activity for the past two weeks with the smaller shops doing their shop fitting and stocking their

shelves. The heavy construction equipment of recent months was replaced with a fleet of literally hundreds of white bakkies and delivery vehicles as work continued every day late into the night.

As the excitement mounted amongst residents, social media platforms were awash with questions on what the final tenant mix is, what special instore offers there will be on the opening day – and the hotly debated issue of entertainment in the form of

cinemas. With the news sinking in that there will not be a traditional multiplex operated by either Ster Kinekor or NuMetro, an online petition was drawn up to request the developers to revisit the issue.

opening. “The theatre will not only screen select new releases, but will host live shows and corporate functions. What makes this unique is that it will offer not only movies but other forms of entertainment as well.”

But, says Mall Marketing Manager, Andrea van Rensburg, from mid-December, shoppers will no longer have to drive over the mountain to see a movie, when the highly anticipated multi-purpose cinema theatre will be

According to Andrea the mall will open its doors to the public for the first time on Thursday at 09:00. “With more than 85 stores, shoppers can expect massive opening specials across all categories, including groceries, home and décor,

health and beauty, arts and crafts and much, much more.

“It is expected that the mall will draw thousands of shoppers daily from all over the region after opening day and we expect this trend to continue through the high season,” she says. According to developers, Dorpstraat, it is expected that between 300 000 and 400 000 shoppers will visit the mall in its first year of operation.

The 34 000 m² has created

more than 560 temporary jobs during construction and it is expected that another 500 permanent jobs will be created once the mall is fully operational. The lower level of the mall is scheduled to open to the public by April 2018.

Since its inception it has taken Dorpstraat eight years to get the planning, environmental assessments and zoning done.

Construction lasted two years.

More on P 3

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28 November - 4 December 2017

WS E

The Team 6 Royal Street Hermanus

028 312 2234

Publishing Editor dewaal@thevillagenews.co.za

Content Editor

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

Design and Layout

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

THE

NEWS

OPINION Matters

A new era for our town The opening of the Whale Coast Mall this week marks a new era for Hermanus. The town has up to now been one of the few larger seaside resorts that did not have a mall.

While most everyone looks forward to the ease of a onestop destination for their monthly shopping, as well as access to national retail and value chains, a thought must be spared not only for our CBD but also our surrounding towns in the area.

The impact of malls on towns and CBDs has been a hot topic of discussion for a long time and the effects thereof can be seen in many towns along our coast. Malls have had an impact on the CBDs of all the towns they have been built in. So too, have they had an impact on many small neighbouring towns where residents are likely to make a day outing of their monthly shopping. This in turn leads to less spending in towns that can ill afford it.

We urge our readers to make a conscious decision to still support local enterprises, especially small businesses.

Yes, there are many special deals to be had at national stores, but it is the local enterprises that form the backbone of our economy.

Almost every cent you spend at a local store returns to our economy. Take the time to walk your own town and its CBD in the same way you will do window shopping in the mall.

It is also our earnest hope that all stakeholders in the revitalisation of the CBD will come together and plot the way forward. There are many short-term interventions that can be made to make our CBD not only more attractive to visitors but also to locals.

The conservation of the CBD should now be one of the primary focusses for everyone involved.

This is the GOOD News – Ed

WHERE TO FIND US

Office Administrator

Tania Hamman admin@thevillagenews.co.za

Marketing Manager

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

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The Village NEWS is published fortnightly and the next edition will be available on 5 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

Who speaks for us?

Following rapidly on the publication of the draft Integrated Management Plan (IMP) for Fernkloof cometh a further assault on our precious reserve - the Final Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the Hermanus CBD Bypass.

What it says in a nutshell is that the road through the Fernkloof Nature Reserve will have very little impact on the environment, when we all know it will have a huge impact on that part of the reserve and its biodiversity. The projected cost of the road is now around R200 million. Amazingly, it ascribes zero value to the land to be deproclaimed for the road (and all the other collateral damage, like moving the Eskom power lines) in the nature reserve.

Now I ask you, how can that land have no value? The reserve is not “Municipal land” as it is popularly described.

Fernkloof Nature Reserve was never given to the Municipality.

It belongs to the people of Hermanus and the Municipality is tasked with managing it on our behalf. It is not theirs to give away. Can the Provincial roads department claim it without compensation?

Probably. But not without a fight from those who hold Fernkloof and the seamless

Hermanus townscape dear.

Yet the EIA for the dreaded road has been going ahead on the assumption that the “Municipality” is in favour of it.

Really? On whose say-so?

In the Comments section of the EIA are two letters claiming that the Overstrand Municipality is in favour of the bypass.

The letters, dated 1 September 2017, come from the Director of Infrastructure and Planning, Mr Stephen Müller. The previous Mayor Nicolette BothaGuthrie and our democratically elected councillors have repeatedly stated that they cannot comment on the road because the matter of the road has not been brought to Council. If my understanding of democracy is correct, Mr Müller cannot speak on my behalf – only the democratically elected councillor for my ward can.

Actually the Council of the Overstrand has spoken in the form of the current (until 2021/2) Integrated Development Plan (IDP) that was approved by Council. The IDP clearly says in Chapter 2: Strategic Analysis for Ward 3: “An upgraded and Improved CBD Relief Road (between the Old Synagogue and The Deli to provide a Bypass function so that the existing Main Road can be de-proclaimed and the Relief Road proclaimed as the Provin-

cial Road.)… The Overstrand Transport Plan forecasts some future need that needs to be catered for – but not by a bypass through Fernkloof”. This analysis goes on to say: “CBD NB – Province has already budgeted for approximately R218 million. 50% should be diverted to the West of the CBD around Onrus & Sandbaai and 50% to this project.”

So! The Council has spoken, and spoken clearly. The Council says no CBD bypass; just upgrade the relief road, but first deal with the congestion at the Sandbaai intersection. Clearly a sensible stance.

You can speak for yourself.

Comments on the Bypass EIA or requests for (new) registrations should be sent no later than 11 December 2017. (You will find the details on P 6 of this issue.)

Your comments are critically important. This Bypass EIA is but the first phase of the Overstrand Department of Infrastructure and Planning’s plan to extend the bypass right through to the end of Voёlklip, cutting through the mountain above Hermanus Heights and through part of Fernkloof Village. You will find a map indicating the proposed road (Fig. 2) in the 2016 version of the Fernkloof management Plan, hidden under ‘Town Planning’ on the Overstrand website.

- Anina Lee, Whale Coast Conservation

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28 November - 4 December 2017

No consensus on management plan for Fernkloof Hedda Mittner

T

he extended deadline for comment on the draft Integrated Management Plan (IMP) for the Fernkloof Nature Reserve (FNR) expires on 30 November. According to Stephen Müller, Director of Overstrand Municipality’s (OM) Department of Infrastructure & Planning, they have received more than 400 letters, which will be taken under advisement over the coming weeks.

“All comments and recommendations will be summarised, with the department’s responses, before compiling the final draft IMP that will serve before Council for consideration, probably in Feb/March next year,” he said. “If any of the objections are deemed valid, the IMP will be amended accordingly before submission to Council. Only if drastic changes need to be made will there be another public participation process.”

Müller already indicated at a special meeting on 24 October that the size of the Potential Development Management Unit (PDMU) will be reconsidered, after several people objected to its size and location, which extends high up into the

mountains of the reserve. He also agreed to meet with the Fernkloof Advisory Board (FAB) on 10 November, together with OM’s environmental manager Liezl de Villiers and CapeNature representative Tjerck Hoekstra.

“The discussion at the meeting centred on this zoning issue and I confirmed that the size of the PDMU will be reduced. The other issue was the question of whether the correct legislation was applied in the drafting of the current IMP,” said Müller. He went on to say that all parties agreed that the draft IMP must comply with the applicable legislation.

But while the FAB has repeatedly insisted that FNR falls under the ambit of the Protected Areas Act (NEM:PAA), Müller said there is other legislation that also applies to Fernkloof. This includes the Spatial Planning Land Use Management Act (SPLUMA), the WC Provincial Land Use Planning Act (LUPA) and the Constitution, which requires universal access for all people, including the disabled and the elderly for whom it is not possible to go hiking in the reserve. Müller gave the assurance that “the final document will be thoroughly checked by our legal department”.

The FAB, along with other environmental bodies such as Whale Coast Conservation and the Hermanus Botanical Society, are of the opinion that the openended development proposed for the PDMU is in conflict with the purpose for which Fernkloof was proclaimed a nature reserve. The chair of FAB, Duncan Heard, says NEM:PAA clearly states that if there is a conflict with other legislation, the Protected Areas Act prevails and overrides all other legislation.

“In an area where the natural environment is so crucial to our local economy, and in particular in a protected area as fragile as Fernkloof, environmental legislation should be elevated above all else,” said Heard. “That does not mean that no development should ever be allowed in the reserve or that more access to the public should not be provided.

But then the basic resources, which are sorely lacking at the moment, should be in place first, including adequate funding and a dedicated staff component that is properly trained and capable of maintaining the facilities and managing the number of visitors.”

According to Heard, he is not against low-impact, non-intrusive

eco-tourism development that is undertaken with proper Environmental Impact Assessment and planning, provided that it falls within the capacity of the reserve’s resources and that the precautionary principle is followed.

“But more discussion is needed around these issues and the Municipality’s lack of engagement is most disappointing. The function of the FAB is to advise the OM, but the countless hours I have spent working on the draft IMP feel pointless when our advice is ignored and crucial parts are changed or omitted without consultation. It is as though the FAB has become completely irrelevant.”

Müller confirmed that he was not prepared to revisit every line of the draft IMP at the meeting, or to go back to the previous draft version, as suggested. “The FAB serves in an advisory capacity and does not have the power to dictate to the Municipality,” he said. “The current draft IMP includes considerable input from the FAB which was incorporated into the plan. The issues that they now object to should be put into writing, and their recommendations will be considered along with all the comments received during the two public comment periods.”

Get hooked on our new mall From P 1 Several roads leading to the mall have also been upgraded, including Bergsig Street, Schulphoek Road and Adam Street. Recent changes to the road infrastructure include a circle at the corner of Schulphoek Road and Adam Street next to Hermanus Toyota and the introduction of arrows on the traffic lights at the intersection of Schulphoek Road and the R43 next to CTM. Ample parking space has been created with some 1 400 parking bays, which include a staggering 73 bays for people with disabilities and 11 bays for mothers with young children.

“We know that this season the mall will be very busy. To make the shopping experience as pleasurable as possible we have made provision for well presented car guards with large lollipop-like signs that will show incoming traffic where there are parking spots available. This will allow shoppers to easily find parking without having to drive round and round in the parking lot,” says Andrea.

The mall’s normal trading hours will be Mondays to Thursdays: 09:00 to 18:00, Fridays: 09:00 to 19:00, Saturdays: 09:00 to 17:00, Sundays & Public Holidays: 09:00 to 15:00. Extended trading hours for the season will be announced shortly.

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28 November - 4 December 2017

Hermanus restaurants against Single Use Plastics Hedda Mittner

W

ho can forget the cringe-inducing video of a team of scientists rescuing a sea turtle off the coast of Costa Rica which had a plastic straw stuck up its nostril? The incident happened in 2015 and the video went viral, drawing global attention to the devastating consequences of plastic straw pollution on our oceans and marine life.

Invited to watch the video by Charmaine Beukes of White Shark Projects, the footage certainly had a huge impact on Shane Sauvage, the owner of La Pentola restaurant on Marine Drive, just a stone’s throw from the Old Harbour.

“It was an emotionally disturbing experience,” says Shane, “and the statistics are even more horrific.

Over 500 million plastic straws are used each day in the United States alone – enough to wrap around the earth’s circumference 2.5 times, every day! That’s 175 billion straws a year filtering into landfills and littering our waterways and oceans.”

In only the past twenty years, people have come to expect

plastic straws in every drink, in an example of extreme waste being generated for minimal convenience. These utterly useless, unnecessary and shortlived tools are then dropped into a garbage can with no further thought, instantly adding to the tsunami of plastic pollution generated every day.

In keeping with The Last Plastic Straw movement, which seeks to encourage individuals to push for change in restaurant protocol and practices in their local communities around the world, White Shark Projects initiated the Final Straw campaign a few months ago.

Shane and his good friend Paul Buckingham of LB Seafood Bistro at Village Square have now joined forces with Charmaine on behalf of the restaurant community in Hermanus, along with Fiona Matthes of Rethink Single Use Plastics, Hermanus; and Sheraine van Wyk of Whale Coast Conservation, who earlier this year won the Mayoral Trophy for her work in Environmental Conservation.

While Fiona has been systematically calling on every café, coffee shop, bistro and restaurant in Hermanus (the rest

have to phase out the plastic products they have in stock. “The aim is not to overwhelm busy business owners with too many dos and don’ts, but to introduce the concept steadily as their staff and customers become more aware of the problem and grasp the importance of change for the environment of the Cape Whale Coast.

CONSERVATION CRUSADERS: Sheraine van Wyk (Whale Coast Conservation), Fiona Matthes (Rethink Single Use Plastics) and Charmaine Beukes (White Shark Projects) with the ‘Plastic Straw Free Zone’ sticker that will be displayed at the entrance of restaurants and cafés that have taken the pledge to ban the use of plastic straws at their establishments. of the Whale Coast will follow), this group of conservation crusaders also had a sticker designed which will be displayed at the entrance of every establishment that takes the ‘no straw’ pledge.

Several restaurants in town have already collaborated with Whale Coast Conservation on the sponsoring of butt bins that were installed near their establishments for smokers. Now they are on a mission to turn their premises into plastic

straw-free zones. Apart from La Pentola and LB Seafood, local restaurants that are already on board include Burgundy, Coco’s, Rossi’s, The Beanery, CanD’s Kitchen, Dutchies, Fisherman’s Cottage, Barefoot Cook, Just Pure Bistro, Heritage Cottage, Piccolo’s, Greenways, Bientang’s Cave, Soul Café and the Windsor Hotel.

paper or corn starch straw. But ultimately the objective is to go completely plastic free, says Fiona. “Business owners are also encouraged to pledge their commitment to using ecofriendly products instead of single use plastics such as takeaway coffee cups, plastic water bottles, polystyrene take-away containers and single serving butter or jam containers. “

As an initial step, straws would not be given to patrons with their drinks, and if they request one, they would be offered a

Many of the restaurants and coffee shops are keen to take the pledge, says Fiona, but first

“More than 8 million metric tons of plastic ends up in our oceans every year,” says Fiona. “Plastic doesn’t degrade or go away – it just breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces which swirl around, being mistaken for food particles by numerous fish and other marine creatures. Every year a million seabirds die from entanglement or ingesting plastic and over 100 000 marine animals are tragically killed by choking on plastic litter. Harmful chemicals released from plastic debris cause untold harm to wildlife. There comes a time when one just has to say ‘enough is enough’.”

Any business owners who would like to pledge their support for the ‘no straw’ campaign, can contact Fiona on 082 373 6607 or fionamatthes@gmail.com. She is available to help with any queries and to offer advice on alternatives to plastic items.

28 November - 4 December 2017

The consequences of ‘development’: Unintended but inevitable Anina Lee

F

ernkloof Nature Reserve has been the hot topic of conversation and in the press for some time, and especially so since the publication of the draft IMP for the reserve.

Without consultation with the Fernkloof Advisory Board the Overstrand Department of Infrastructure and Planning published a draft Integrated Management Plan for Fernkloof that permits proposals for a whole slew of “developments” in the pristine reserve.

According to the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act (NEM:PAA) and its associated norms and standards, the reserve must be managed for the purpose for which it was created only and all unnecessary “human induced disturbance” should be avoided.

While the notion of “developments” that do not promote conservation is unacceptable, the real impact on the reserve will be in the building of such structures. We have seen minor construction work in the reserve by the Municipality itself that do not bode well for any structures built by outsiders. We can expect destruction of the fynbos veld on a frightening scale. Let’s look at what has already happened.

Baboon monitoring stations Human Wildlife Solutions was contracted to provide a solution to the human problem with baboons. There are four baboon monitoring stations on top of the mountain in Fernkloof that were built under the supervision of the Municipality. The stations themselves have a tiny footprint. However, the builders do not.

Vehicles were driven to the sites

5

through the fynbos to ferry materials and personnel. A rough estimate (based on information given by Dr Phil Richardson of Human Wildlife Solutions), is that a total of 1.2 km of tracks were made or remade.

Assuming two parallel wheel tracks totalling 0.5 m, the fynbos flattened in driving to the four sites is 600m² – that’s double the area that would trigger an EIA. These tracks are permanent as they will be used regularly to service the stations. Add to that the roughly 20 m² of fynbos destroyed to mix the concrete for each plinth, which represents another 80m² of permanent destruction.

The dried concrete left in the veld after the baboon monitoring stations were built on top of the mountain in Fernkloof.

Illustrating a lack of knowledge about fynbos, Dr Richardson describes the track to Station 3 as follows: The road to it is barely visible and also only about 80 - 100 m long.

This would be a new track but across short grass and little impact.

The fact is that the fynbos here is regenerating after the fire nearly two years ago and consists of many precious fynbos species and very little “grass”. To illustrate the point, a beautiful orchid was found growing between the tracks.

Bosco Quarry The Bosco quarry lies within the Reserve. When the Sandbaai berm was removed, the Municipality saw it as a convenient place to dump some of the soil. Dumping soil in a nature reserve is itself illegal, but the unintended consequence was the introduction of soil riddled with alien vegetation seeds.

The quarry, which had functioned as a beautiful wetland, inhabited by frogs and dragonflies, was destroyed and the ample water supply fed the explosion of Port Jackson and Pines in the reserve.

An example of the tracks that were made through the fynbos to ferry materials and personnel for the baboon monitoring stations.

The Gabion in the River In August 2016 Fernkloof staff expressed concern about a path in the reserve that had been undermined by recent flooding of the Fernkloof River. It was suggested that the bank could be shored up by placing gabions. Municipal workers decided that access on foot was inconvenient, so sent a bulldozer through the fynbos to make it easier .

These are all sad examples of the unintended – but inevitable – consequences of any development in a pristine reserve.

What about the developments proposed for Fernkloof?

The astronomy centre in Fernkloof is one of the

developments specifically mentioned in the Fernkloof IMP. The plans for the building at 295 m² sneaked in under the 300 m² that would trigger an EIA. But no provision is made for parking – another 295 m²?

And what about enough toilets for the bus loads of school children and tourists the proponents say will be visiting the astronomy centre?

Where will the water come from and where will the sewage go? Oops, another 295 m² dug up for the infrastructure? Soon there will be demands for a tea room and gift shop that will miraculously fit onto 295 m².

But the real impact on the fynbos will come from the

The devastation caused when the Municipality sent in bulldozers to access the Fernkloof River bank.

building activity itself – trampling, cement mixing, piling building supplies, trucks parking in the veld – say no more, you have all experienced it. Who has ever been successful in keeping a precious garden intact when builders are around? We all know the devastation any builders wreak in the process of building. The same goes for the proposed cable car. Once the hordes of people (who will be needed to make the cable car profitable) get to the top of the mountain, where will they go? Where will the rest rooms and other services be?

And what about a coffee shop? How will the building supplies and workers to build the top cable station get there? More tracks through the fynbos?

Colin J van Zyl (2005), writing in his PhD thesis about cultural and natural heritage and tourism says: The condition of the physical environment has become the number one issue of the new millennium. Tourism is much more sensitive and dependent upon the quality of the natural environment for its long term success than other sectors.

You bet – the people of Hermanus are also very sensitive when it comes to ‘our’ nature reserve. We do not trust people who sit in offices or builders who wreak destruction in the process of construction. If the municipality cannot protect Fernkloof from its own activities, who is going to protect it from developers?

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28 November - 4 December 2017

Northern alignment alternative of the Hermanus CBD Bypass (with proposed traffic circles)

Final environmental report on bypass De Waal Steyn

H

ot on the heels of the public outcry over the draft Integrated Management Plan for the Fernkloof Nature Reserve (FNR) comes the Final Environmental Impact Assessment IEIA) from consulting firm SRK for the building of a bypass road in Hermanus.

The issue of a bypass in town has long been a fiercely contested issue, with many residents and conservation entities questioning both the desirability and the need for such a road.

In short, the final EIA proposes that a 3 km long single carriage way (one lane in each direction) be built from the vicinity of the intersection between Main Road and Mountain Drive (near Gateway Centre) alongside Mountain Drive, running above the cemetery and the Sports Complex, then turning south in between the Cricket Club and Generation Schools, where it will meet Fairways Avenue before continuing between Eastcliff and the Golf Course and ending at a new circle in Main Road (near Eastcliff Spar).

This is called the northern alignment.

There is also an alternative to

this route (southern alignment) that runs in between Hermanus High School and the Sports Centre.

Because of the high cost of building an underpass for learners and the fact that the road will cut the school off from the Sports Centre, this is not the preferred option.

According to the report the lanes will be 3,7 m wide with a 1,8 m shoulder within a road reserve of 25 m. The proposed speed limit is 60 km/h and it is foreseen that a 3 m wide pedestrian walkway and cycle path will run alongside the road.

According to the report more than 500 comments were received during the four formal commenting periods of the last few years, with the vast majority of them being critical of the bypass.

The proposed route will have major impacts on both the Cricket Club and Generation Schools. With the proposed road cutting in to the cricket field they will be forced to move both their boundary and the pitch. This will have detrimental effects on their status as an accredited club that can host Boland matches.

The club also stands to lose large sponsorships for improvements on the clubhouse

and other infrastructure.

According to Jevron Epstein, Managing Director of Generation Schools, the proximity of the road will pose a high risk to learners, ranging from 18 months to 15 years, especially as the campus grows to accommodate the 15 to 18-year age phases, typically more mobile and independent learners who walk to school.

“The noise pollution will also disturb the learning environment of our children. The tranquil environment of the school location is a selling point to our parents and together with our Montessori philosophy provides the ideal learning environment which would be negatively impacted. The road will also create a physical barrier between the school and the Sports Centre which results in a risk due to our learners utilising the fields for sports and extra-mural activities,” says Jevron.

Bob Stanway of the Hermanus Ratepayers’ Association (HRA) says they are not yet able to properly evaluate and comment on any changes from the draft document because of the sheer volume of the documentation.

“We are working hard towards submitting our comments in

about two weeks’ time. We have however noted that the administration of the Municipality has submitted its written comments on the Draft EIA Report. The HRA is disappointed to note that it has said, among other things, that it supports the proposed northern bypass route; that the relief road (Royal Street) cannot be upgraded to fulfil the role of a bypass, and that public transport cannot be part of the solution. The HRA queries how the administration of the Municipality has a mandate to express such views, when Council has not yet even considered the issue,” says Bob. According to him the HRA would prefer to see the forecast future transport problem in and around the CBD solved by a combination of a significantly upgraded relief road together with substantially-improved public transport.

The report states that there is a preference for the northern alignment and that the Western Cape Department of Transport and Public Works (WCDTPW) and the Municipality support it. “SRK believes that sufficient information is available for the Western Cape Department Environmental

Affairs and Development Planning to take a decision regarding authorisation of the development”, states the report.

■ Comments on the Bypass EIA or requests for (new)

registrations should be sent no later than 11 December 2017 to: Jessica du Toit at SRK Consulting Email: jedutoit@srk.co.za Quote DEA&DP Reference Number: 16/3/1/2/E2/15/2124/14

The nitty gritty of some of the objections and the proposed measures to mitigate the impact is as follows: •

The road will require the clearing of important fynbos areas and affect portions of the FNR, thereby reducing the nature reserve.

The botanical impacts, notably the loss of up to 3,7 ha of vegetation and the fragmentation of small degraded portions of habitat is rated as low to very low. To reduce trampling and degradation during construction it is proposed that the site be fenced off.

•

There will be a loss of Red List plants and endemic species.

Implement a detailed search and rescue prior to construction, during spring and collect key species for growing in a nursery for reintroduction after construction.

•

Impact on properties, such as reduction in size or expropriation.

During the detailed design, attempt to align the road to minimise expropriation. Compensate affected landowners for expropriated land and structures that are impacted. Provide compensation as early as possible.

•

Reduction of access to the FNR. Retain access to formal walking paths on the road boundary.

•

Reduction in livelihoods from the closure of the Hermanus Country Market.

Encourage the market organiser and Municipality to secure a suitable alternative.

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28 November - 4 December 2017

Are our teens drinking too much?

The matric exams are finally over and during the upcoming weeks exuberant teenagers will be partying like there is no tomorrow. No one is denying that reaching the end of your school years is an important milestone – and a cause for celebration. But the extent to which drinking – and drugs – are involved in the partying is also cause for concern. LEIGH-ANNE HUNTER went to investigate.

M

any of us choose to raise our children in Hermanus because of its reputation as a “good, clean town”. But while it’s considered by parents to be a safe environment, it turns out that our town is not that different to metro areas such as Cape Town. Reckless behaviour by adolescents is, after all, a universal phenomenon.

I got a taste of this when I joined a group of local high school learners during the well-known and rather infamous 40 Days Party a few weeks ago. “All gloves are off,” one teen told me. “This is seen as a time when we can just let loose before the hard work begins.” Many of the teens were already drunk before the main venue opened at 9pm, after downing pre-drinks and the many shots on special at other venues in town.

But it is far from the truth to say that alcohol is reserved for matric parties and other special events such as New Year’s Eve. It seems to be a regular pattern wherever teens gather. The general consensus among numerous learners and educators I spoke with is that Grade 8 is when the binge drinking starts these days.

Exacerbating this problem is the fact that many venues in town do not ask for identification. Not that the teens see this as a problem. “Some use fake IDs – you can learn how to fake your ID on Wikipedia,” one teen told me.

Peer pressure appears to be a major factor. “It’s hard to say no when all your friends are doing it,” a matric student told me.

“Especially with social media today, alcohol is made to seem okay and if you don’t try it you’re not really living.”

So how much alcohol are our teenagers consuming? “Typically, you’ll find a small group of teens sharing about five bottles of vodka a night, as well as a couple of six-packs of beer,” a teenage boy

Hermanus teens, I would say we’re seeing about a 1:3 ratio of substance abuse, with the average teen using substances for a minimum of three times a week.”

told me. “Many places in town sell you alcohol mixed with energy drinks like Monster. The younger kids of 14, 15, typically order stuff that has high alcohol content so they can get drunk faster. Everyone starts with vodka, and then tequila and things like that. Big boxes of wine. Anything you can get hold of by spending as little as you can. As you get older, your tolerance improves so you drink more.”

This is quite alarming information, straight from the horse’s mouth, so to speak. While most of the teens I spoke to simply shrugged when I asked them if they saw any danger in this kind of behaviour, and while one could argue that experimenting with alcohol and drugs is a normal part of adolescent development, what seems to be concerning educators and experts is the alarming volume our teens are consuming, and the fact that they are getting started at a much younger age.

Principal of Hermanus High, Greg Hassenkamp says: “The amount of children who are binge drinking and socially using illegal substances is a concern to us. It is a problem.

It’s not healthy and it is, sadly, in many respects considered normal.”

How can this issue be addressed? “At the end of the day it’s

about establishing the correct values amongst children. It’s about parents taking responsibility. The school has no control over what happens at home and at unrelated nonschool activities. What we want to do is make parents aware and educate both them and their children so that they can make responsible decisions.

What concerns me about the binge drinking is it’s condoned by many parents to a certain extent. To have a house party and to have children under legal age consuming alcohol is often seen to be acceptable.”

Greg feels that the school is doing all they can through their Life Orientation programme which he says addresses substance abuse issues, as well as through school workshops that are offered to learners during the day and also for parents in the evenings. He adds, however, that these have been poorly supported by parents.

“It doesn’t seem to be an issue which is of particular concern amongst parents.”

And it’s not just alcohol. Cannabis (also known as ‘weed’ or ‘dagga’) is increasingly popular among our teens, and they told me that many are in contact with dealers. One learner said that a lot of teens come to her affluent Hermanus school when they are high and even bring ‘weed’ to school. “They’re not worried about being

caught. I think our school is in denial about what’s happening.

To protect their reputation they’d rather keep it a secret.”

But Vivienne Mitchley, Principal of Northcliff House College, believes we can’t continue keeping our heads in the sand.

Binge drinking is a millennial culture, she says. “Whatever the teens do is related to alcohol – and the frightening thing is that they are starting to use alcohol at a younger and younger age. And dagga is seen as a party treat. It’s popular because it seems to fit in with the laid-back surfer culture in Hermanus. It’s as cool to have a joint as it is to down shots, and the kids don’t see anything wrong with it.”

Vivienne says she’s learned that the dagga being bought by our teens is not only surprisingly easy to get hold of, but also of dubious quality. “To make it affordable and to get the kids hooked, the dagga is being mixed with things like pseudoephedrine, which you get in Sinutab. They take it to relax and, since many kids start smoking weed from as young as Grade 8, they have to keep doing it because they can’t sleep or have mood shifts.”

Vivienne says that in the last two years the use of cocaine has also grown and is readily available at the teens’ regular hangouts in town. “Among

Hermanus High has a substance abuse policy in place that provides clear guidelines, says Greg. “We do random searches on an ad hoc basis with the South African police, who come in with sniffer dogs and we go through the school. It’s not necessarily because we suspect anyone of anything; it’s more a case of hopefully prevention is better than cure.”

Transgressions are followed by corrective and, in dire circumstances, punitive action.

“If there’s a reason to suspect someone for the use of illegal substances, the South African Schools Act allows us to test them – urine samples are normally taken. You’d really have to go a long way down the line to get to the punitive state, though,” he adds, “as it’s really about helping someone who might have a problem with substance abuse.”

Dr Mark de la Rey is a clinical psychologist at Akeso Clinic’s Kenilworth treatment centre for Adolescents & Young Adults (KAYA) in Cape Town, which sees about 500 teens a year from both privileged and disadvantaged backgrounds, aged 12 to 18. Two of the main issues they deal with are alcohol and cannabis. Mark says the reasons for substance abuse among teenagers often involve underlying conditions such as depression and anxiety due to pressure at school and at home. “Often there’s a selfmedication process at play.”

Teens and experts that I interviewed listed things such as a lack of entertainment, boredom, experimentation, peer pressure, bullying, pressure to excel at school, and familial

problems at home. As one teen told me: “When I smoke weed I feel nothing, no stress, no anxiety.”

The question is: what are we doing in our on town to address the needs of our children and to provide a nurturing environment? How could we have let this go under the radar for so long? Vivienne’s view is that it’s a case of “it’s-not-my-child” syndrome.

“As parents we are too busy, so we see everything in the family superficially. We provide all the material things for our children, but not enough love, support and understanding. We have to open our eyes and deal with this issue. Be open about it and rather work with our children than against them.”

Wendy Colyn, circuit manager at Overberg Education District, formed the NGO, Sustainable Futures Trust, which is run by Ann Wright. Their Clive Prince Youth Treatment Programme is a precious local resource which offers awareness-building and treatment around substance abuse, working mainly with disadvantaged youth. However, Counsellor Xavier Clarke says: “We believe substance abuse happens everywhere but it’s just better masked in the more affluent communities because of the stigma attached.”

Worryingly there appears to be a strong criminal tie to substance use in Hermanus, linked, according to one source, to gangs in and around Mitchells Plain.

“Because of the perlemoen poaching, it’s a flowing market.

So you have runners for the abalone and runners for the drugs, with kingpins making sure that their supply is well-maintained.”

And in an environment of shame and silence, there is a ready market for predators – our children.

Isn’t it about time that we started protecting them?

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28 November - 4 December 2017

THE

NEWS

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

We need nature for our health and wellbeing Anina Lee’s articles The natural environment lifts the human spirit (The Village NEWS, 26 September – 2 October) and Fernkloof: A living classroom (14 – 27 November) together with Robin Lee’s comments on development in the article Keeping busy in Hermanus since 1860 (14 – 27 November) should, I think, be read and duly considered by the municipal officials responsible for the development of Ferkloof Nature Reserve. (I have copied them in on this letter and a response would be appreciated.)

In addition to the review, which Anina quotes, conducted at Stanford University and which looked at education and the environment, an additional study was conducted by The University of Derby with The Wildlife Trusts to try to measure the impact of a 30 Days Wild campaign, funded by the Wildlife Trusts charity (www.bbc.com/earth/story/) This involved a month-long nature challenge where people did “something wild” every day – not zip lining but something involving working with nature such as learning about pollinators of fynbos.

The evaluation of the study (published in the journal PLOS One) shows scientifically and

statistically how significant it is to engage with nature. It adds to a growing body of evidence confirming that we need nature for our health and wellbeing.

Whale Coast Conservation offers outdoor camps and outings which expose children to nature and its benefits.

Similarly the Hermanus Flower Festival enabled busloads of children to attend the festival and enjoy being part of a nature experience.

As I see it, the current draft Integrated Management Plan for Fernkloof, with its emphasis on development and not on promoting its sense of place as a biodiversity hotspot, will actually make it inaccessible to the residents of Hermanus who need it most i.e. those folk living in the nonleafy suburbs such as Zwelihle.

Fernkloof, as it is, offers an opportunity to children from these areas to enjoy what is their right. Coffee shops, conference centres, zip lining and such like will make it more remote.

On Sunday 12 November I was in Fernkloof and was happy to see a true demographic mix of Hermanus residents enjoying the facility; young men lying

on benches listening to traditional music, happy children’s voices enjoying a party, senior citizens playing boule, energetic folk heading up the mountain, mindful people enjoying a yoga session – harmony under an African blue sky and available to all.

The Wildlife Trusts in England have indicated they would like to see nature high up on the political agenda and viewed in the same way as health, security and education, and for businesses and corporations to make meaningful changes that protect natural resources.

Hermanus has a unique sense of place and we need those in power to care for and protect our environment and wild places for the enjoyment of all our local citizens.

It is my perspective that the present proposals by Municipal officials for the development of Fernkloof Nature Reserve are falling very short of these aspirations and they need to return to the drawing board to find ways of preserving this sense of place and utilising it in a way which will protect it but still enable all local citizens to benefit.

Kathie Buley , Eastcliff

Make sure your estate agent has a Fidelity Fund Certificate I have been the principal of an Estate Agency in the Overstrand area for 21 years and find the articles on Estate Agencies and Estate Agents in The Village NEWS interesting.

I would like to add that potential buyers and sellers should make sure that their Estate Agent is registered with the Estate Agency Affairs Board and

is in possession of a Fidelity Fund Certificate.

The agent must also have an EAAB Privy Seal Compliance Certification which verifies his or her qualifications.

An unregistered “Estate Agent” does not qualify for commission. Working with a registered professional also protects the consumer in transactions which in-

volve big sums of money.

I am aware of many unregistered individuals acting as Estate Agents country wide and also in the Overstrand area. It is the responsibility of a buyer or seller to make sure the agent is legitimate.

Deon Esterhuyse Principal Aida Onrus

Salutation and grateful thanks to Rotary Hermanus It is a well-known fact that the Rotarians of Hermanus are constantly involved with, and in, many charitable works and are always available for charity work. However, I would like to thank them for the magnificent work that is done through the medium of Mollergren Park, where housing is provided for the elderly amongst us, at a standard and in a manner that is of an extremely high quality.

Mollergren Park allows the residents to maintain a very high standard of life, while living out the latter years of their lives, in great comfort and ease. This is

in all probability one of Hermanus’ best-kept secrets, but I think it is high time that they were commended for their excellent maintenance of this lovely facility.

The homes and communal gardens are well looked after.

Each unit also has its own garden where residents are allowed the privilege of maintaining their own back and front yards and planting their favourite flowers and vegetables. All this creates a wonderful, peaceful and harmonious environment and I know I speak on behalf of

many of the residents when I say that we would be hard pressed to find a better retirement home than Mollergren Park.

It would be considered a great service if you would print this letter in the next edition of your lovely newspaper, so that the responsible parties will know and understand how greatly we at Mollergren Park appreciate their work.

Maurice and Margaret van Heerden, on behalf of the residents (totally unsolicited)

Vicious attacks uncalled for We, as a satisfied retired couple in Hermanus, refer to the letter Play the plants, not the man (The Village NEWS, 14 November) and other letters in the local press and on social media. We also took note of the personal attacks on the Director of Infrastructure & Planning, some of which may be considered vicious.

In this respect, we would like to suggest that the authors also ask themselves the following questions:

• Is Overstrand not the only Municipality in the droughtstricken Western Cape that is not experiencing water shortages?

• Are Overstrand’s water and sewerage treatment plants not among the best in the country?

• Has there not always been adequate power supply?

• How does the Municipality manage to keep up with services while all the towns in Overstrand have undergone rapid expansion in the past year?

They will realise that the answers are attributed to thorough long-term planning from the concerned director’s department over the past decade and longer, as often illustrated during OMAF and budget sessions.

We would therefore like to also ask the question if it’s fair to play the man rather than the ball, while words of appreciation and thanks would be more appropriate.

Anonymous

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28 November - 4 December 2017

What is to become of the Country Market?

For the past five years the Hermanus Country Market (HCM) has been engaging with the Herma-nus Sports Club (HSC) regarding the need for the market to relocate. The reason is that the present site is earmarked for a parking lot within the HSC design. During these five years various sites have been identified, but only one site is being offered as the best option according to HSC and the Overstrand Municipality – the 'new' site alongside BOSKO Church.

This site, as with the present market site, is also slap-bang in the middle of the proposed Bypass road.

Last week, I was asked to attend a meeting with the HSC (Tony O'Hagan, Pieter de Villiers and André van der Merwe) where I was told that according to Riaan Kuchar (OM) the bypass will not happen within a 10-year period, and on the strength of that statement, I should consider moving the market there. Two days later, all stakeholders and Interested and Affected Parties received the final EIA report from SRK, which seems to be confident that this road will be going ahead. It is completely absurd and

questionable that HSC and OM wish to have the market move directly into the path of the bypass and continue to push this as a viable option.

cation with HCM it was pointed out that there will be sufficient land/ opportunity to relocate the market within the HSC land.

On what authority is Riaan Kuchar able to state that the bypass will not be built within a 10-year period?

Why even propose that the market move to this 'new' site for this supposed ten year period and then move again once the bypass is built?

330: If relocation is required, a suitable location for the market will be discussed with the HSC, market organisers and the municipality during detailed design.

Given that the market operates four days a month, it is in no way financially able to facilitate such moves, especially as all infrastructure built will automatically belong to the HSC, which eliminates any opportunity for the HCM to recoup such investment if such finance were to be made available. I have sent letters to the HSC, as my landlords, to ask the same questions but have had no reply.

The following points are made in the latest EIA with regards to questions about the impact of the bypass on the market:

331: OM has provided assurances during meetings that the relocation of the market, if required, and continued viability of the market would be a high priority to the municipality. The municipality and HSC have indicated that they will work together to accommodate the market in close proximity to its current position.

Please could someone be so kind as to answer these questions and inform me of the way forward, as it is apparent that the market's existence is under serious threat and no credible feedback is being given by HSC or OM. I need to be able to give decent replies to the traders' and customers' questions.

328: In several rounds of communi-

Liza van Coppenhagen

The Overstrand Municipality was unable to provide official comment as the proposed bypass is a provincial project and OM is not in control of the processes. Riaan Kuchar, Senior Manager: Town Planning, responded as follows in his personal capacity: The EIA process is only now in the final EIA report phase. Once all the comments have been received, the provincial department may ask for additional studies to be done. There-after there is still an appeal period, all of which could delay the process and final approval.

Once approved, the alignment must be proclaimed. The road reserve needs to be subdivided and rezoned, which adds even more time delay.

Only after these steps have been taken can the bypass road be constructed.

This will only happen when the traffic flow warrants it, and these figures might only be reached in coming years. Then it is also a question of when this project will be budgeted for according to its priority in terms of other projects in the Western Cape. It is in this context, and based on my experience of such processes, that I said the bypass will not be built for the next 10 years.

Mayor on sick leave I wish to inform our wider Overstrand public that I have recently been diagnosed with a benign brain tumour, and will need to undergo a standard medical procedure soon. Consequently, I require time for healing and recovery and will be out of office for the rest of the year.

Although this diagnosis comes unexpectedly, I am receiving excellent medical assistance and I am positive about a full recovery. I ask that you keep me in your thoughts and prayers, and give your full support to those fulfilling duties in my absence.

Additionally, I will be out of town for my recovery process, and request that correspondence be directed to the Mayoral office at the Corporate head office, 1 Magnolia Street, Hermanus; or rsmith@overstrand.gov.za.

Ald Rudolph Smith

To some shoppers it’s the mall the merrier For those who missed my column a few months ago about regulations proposed by the Overstrand Mall Guardians (OMG) for the new mall, here’s a glance at some of the public feedback. The regulations were lumped into two categories: ‘Behavioral’ and ‘Sartorial’.

Under ‘Behavioral’, the original ‘No Whistling Clause’ banned casual whistling inside the mall.

Licenses for whistling (solo or duets) would be granted only with prior permission from the OMG. This got Fluiter Venter hot under the collar, compelling him to write to The Duck ’n Fiddle’s consumer complaints committee. This is his gripe in a nutshell.

Fluiter grew up next to Klippies Combrink’s olive farm in Heaven’s Valley, and over the years became a close friend and eventually estate manager.

Klippies, if you haven’t met him,

Wit’s End Murray Stewart thevillagemuze@gmail.com

has a serious stutter when sober. Attempts to complete a sentence only frustrate him and end in explosive cussing.

So he often whistles quietly to himself, even in company, to avoid frivolous small-talk. Fortunately, being naturally musical, Klippies can carry a tune and is actually very proficient.

Now Fluiter is no slouch musically either. He regularly fills in as church organist when Oom Fanie ‘Vlinkvingers’ Viljoen is babelaas, and has been surreptitiously whistling duets with Klippies since junior school. They’d often sit quietly under the oaks next to

the Restless River and practice. Starting modestly with tunes like Suikerbossie, Happy Birthday and Doe a Deer, they soon progressed to more intricate pieces when they expanded into a trio.

Sparky Snyman – local electrician and the only Death Metal guitarist in Heaven’s Valley – showed great interest in joining the duo. He’d mysteriously lost a couple of front teeth years ago and spoke with a whistle anyway, so with a bit of refining he was able to add depth and texture by creating a three-partharmony ensemble.

He also has the ability to produce a rhythmic vibrato – ‘bibbertoon’ – between his tongue and the gap in his snappers, which he claims “makes the audio-phonic experience more orchestral, even symphonic”. Soon they’d expanded their repertoire to include more adventurous numbers like Beethoven’s 5th, Bohemian Rhapsody and the Uzbekistani National Anthem.

Known as The Whale Whistlers, they were invited to perform at the FynArts Festival, various Mayors’ weddings and the annual Miss Perlemoen (Unshucked) Beauty Pageant in the Old Harbour. They even made a CD called The Whale Whistlers’ Greatest Hits Vol 1 in Druiwe du Toit’s wine cellar with its cathedral-like echo.

They’ve sold seven.

But now the OMG want to ban

them from the mall because they might attract a crowd, and crowds in malls are to be discouraged, apparently. Well, my advice to Fluiter and The Whistlers is to perform, and maybe even sell another CD outside in the car park, where whistlers, buskers, lawyers and pole-dancers have free rein.

Also under ‘Behavioral’, the OMG agreed cellphones are now allowed inside, but only for emergencies. No casual sexts, texts, tweets or whatsapps will be tolerated, especially among the teenage scourge known as Mall Dassies. They promote antisocial behavior, which could apparently go viral if left untreated.

On the ‘Sartorial’ front, concessions were made after numerous complaints. Instead of the suggested beige, colourful clothing may be

worn, but branded tops bearing harmful slogans promoting alcohol, cigarettes or banking will be removed at the entrances. It’s unclear whether the offenders would need to go topless, or home to change, but be warned.

Crocs, though, are still recommended for safety. As anticipated, floors were chosen to make the simple task of walking between shops a treacherous challenge. The more slippery the better. But fear not. We’ll find who approved this lunacy and they’ll be locked in a dark room for a week on a diet of bread ’n water pills, with Helmut Lotti singing Little Drummer Boy on repeat.

The question most frequently asked though refers to the mall’s logo. Why is there a pair of uneven boobs rising out of the sea behind the whale’s tail?

Whose are they?

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28 November - 4 December 2017

Welcome to life in the slow lane the largest and finest selection of South African wines under one roof, daily tastings and deli products.

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Your green fingers are sure to itch when you visit Walker Bay Nursery and meander among their inspiring range of plants and trees, gardening supplies and garden décor. For creative souls, there is also The Village Art Gallery, where the owner’s works can be viewed, alongside those of a small selection of South African artists.

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VILLAGE LANE

R43

SANDBAAI

Start the day with a cup of good coffee and a leisurely farmstyle breakfast or enjoy a delicious lunch at one of The Village’s excellent restaurants. Need to stock up on drinks for the holiday season? Look no further than the Wine Village for

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For those who are in need of some TLC or who want to look their best for the holiday season, Refine Anti-ageing & Laser Clinic, Studio Health and Allure Hair Couture are at your service.

R320 HEMEL-EN-AARDE HERMANUS

Situated at the gateway to the beautiful Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, just 2 km from the centre of Hermanus, The Village offers a haven of peace and tranquillity to locals and visitors alike. Turning into Village Lane, you will find ample free parking and an eclectic mix of businesses, shops and eateries that cater for your every need and preference.

CAPE TOWN

When seasonal madness descends on our town, with the fruitless search for parking, throngs of frazzled shoppers dashing about and those frustratingly long queues at the tills, the business owners in The Village will just smile and go about their business unruffled.

For all things home, take a stroll down to the spacious showroom of Beach Living, where you’ll find the epitome of quality, style and comfort in their customised furniture and décor accessories. Or pop over to Woodenways and find inspiration in their extensive ranges of handcrafted furniture for both indoors and outdoors.

HEMEL-EN-AARDE ESTATE

Four-star self-catering accommodation in peaceful surroundings, far from the madding crowd, is available at Hornbill House. Another option is the newly-established Hemel en Aarde Self Catering Accommodation at the end of Village Lane.

Sleep, eat, drink, paint, pamper, decorate, garden… that’s how we roll at The Village. Come and join us.

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Breakfast, Lunch, Coffee, Cakes & Gifts 028 316 2407 Hemel & Aarde Village

Hemel & Aarde Village • Hermanus 028 316 4587 | 072 236 4087 roberfam@vodamail.co.za www.villageartgallery.co.za

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ALLURE

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

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28 November - 4 December 2017

Marine Dynamics honoured on world stage

T

ourism operator and marine conservation role player Marine Dynamics received high honour at the recent prestigious World Responsible Tourism Awards (WRTA) in London.

The awards are presented annually at the World Travel Market London on 8 November, World Responsible Tourism Day, and is the biggest responsible tourism event globally.

The WRTA pay special attention to role players in the industry who are making a real difference, while fulfilling the United Nations’ sustainable development goals. The awards also recognise those leading the way to make tourism more sustainable while inspiring, challenging and raising the industry standard.

Marine Dynamics was awarded the Highly Commended accolade for its conservation and community efforts in front of an audience of some 600 key industry influencers and decision makers.

Marine Dynamics offers fivestar shark cage diving and whale watching/eco tours with sister company, Dyer Island Cruises, in the unique Dyer Island ecosystem of Gansbaai.

The companies have been Fair Trade Tourism certified since 2008 and are making a real difference in conservation and the community through their environmental project, the Dyer Island Conservation Trust.

Among the many ways in which Marine Dynamics contributes to marine conservation and social upliftment: by conducting invaluable research on marine species and the more than 20 scientific publications that have resulted from this; supporting African penguin conservation through a nest project and the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary (APSS) in Kleinbaai; reducing impacts across its tourism hub; and creating

Brenda du Toit of Marine Dynamics in Gansbaai with the Responsible Tourism Award they won at the World Responsible Tourism Awards in London. With her is Fiona Malan, Marketing Representative UK for Grootbos near Gansbaai, which won the award for Best Accommodation.

employment and supporting enterprise development.

The team of marine biologists and educators handle marine animal strandings; conduct beach clean ups; run a successful fishing line bin project; and educate dedicated groups of young learners for three years while reaching thousands of others through outreach programmes.

“The judges were impressed by this, its enterprise development programme and by the data which Marine Dynamics presents on its work with uni-

versities around the world and the scientific papers and student case studies which have been produced in recent years,” said Harold Goodwin, chair of the judges.

“To be recognised for our work on an international stage helps position South Africa as a competitive global destination with unique attractions, and supports Marine Dynamics in spreading the valuable message of marine conservation around the world,” said Wilfred Chivell, CEO of Marine Dynamics.

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28 November - 4 December 2017

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Friday 1 December

■ Bhuki Café: Friends of Hermanus Library will have their raffle draw during the last Bhuki Café of the year. We wish all our friends, supporters and volunteers a peaceful festive season and thank them for their wonderful support throughout the year. Bhuki will reopen on 19 January 208.

from live music, crafts and gifts, to delectable food and drinks, free train rides and a jumping castle for the kids. On the corner of Main and Harbour Roads, from 10:00 – 19:00.

Inge Leonard. At the Municipal Auditorium, at 19:00. Tickets are R120 pp. For bookings, call Joanie on 082 708 4045.

Monday 4 December ■ Cosmology: Join the Hermanus Astronomy

■ Onrus Markie: Join this friendly community market every first Saturday of the month. At the De Wet Hall in Roos Street, Onrus, from 09:00 – 12:00.

Centre for an in-house discussion on Quantum Mechanics. At the Catholic Church hall, at 19:00.

Contact pierre@hermanus.co.za

Wednesday 6 December ■ VREA Meeting: Everyone is welcome to attend the AGM of the Vermont Ratepayers and Environmental Association (VREA). The Chairperson of their OnVerWag Neighbourhood Watch will also be giving a short overview on the process of developing a Special Rating Area (SRA) which includes Vermont. At the De Wet Hall in Roos Street, Onrus, starting at 17:00 for 17:30.

Sunday 3 December ■ Sunday Crafters’ Market: Delicious foods and great gifts, including handmade soap and skin care products, jewellery and bonsai trees, are on offer on the first Sunday of the month. At the Afdaksrivier Nursery and Tango Coffee Shop, Karwyderskraal Road, from 10:00 – 14:30. For enquiries, call 082 679 7819.

■ OnVerWag Care Boot Sale: Find unexpected treasures and help OnVerWag to raise funds for the Onrus/Vermont Neighbourhood Watch at their monthly car boot sale. R100 per car boot to sell goods. Contact Michelle on 076 617 8203 or mnheks@hotmail.com to book. On the vacant plot between Aida and the Hire Centre in Van Blommestein Street, Onrus from 10:00 – 14:00.

■ Lemm’s Corner Market: Come and celebrate this popular Sunday market’s first birthday. The day will be filled with fun events for the whole family,

■ Ann Jangle Live: Don’t miss the return of

Ann Jangle and her band to Stanford Hills.

Prepaid tickets at R80 pp will be for sale at Stanford Tourism or from Andy Johnston, or at the door on the night at R120 pp. EFT payments: AJ Johnston, Plus Plan acc # 07815 4669, Branch code 050312 (Hermanus) ref Ann Jangle & your name. At The Tasting Room, Stanford Hills, from 19:00.

■ 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.

Sunday 10 December ■ 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.

■ Young Entrepreneur’s Market Day: A unique craft & food market, planned and organised by young people, for young people. The aim is to empower the local young entrepreneurs and give them the opportunity to create something and sell it to earn their own pocket money for the Christmas holidays. At The Last Resort on Blue Moon Farm near Stanford. For more for information contact Rachel Templer on 082 688 9261.

■ Jesse Jordan Band: This popular band will be performing at the Birkenhead Brewery and Resturant in Stanford, at 17:00. Call 028 341 0013 or 028 341 0183 for all the details.

■ 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.

mony will take place at Lemm’s Corner Market, with Father Christmas and his Elf paying a visit at 17:00.

The Christmas Lights will be switched on at 19:00.

Saturday 2 December

Every Saturday

■ Harbour Road Street Party: The quaint shops in this historic street will host their annual Street Party, offering a variety of snacks and drinks.

Harbour Road will be closed from 16:00.

■ Christmas Lights Ceremony: The annual cere-

■ Night of 1 000 Drawings: For the last Artwalk of the year, the art galleries in town will participate in the Night of 1 000 Drawings. A5 artworks will be sold at R100 each and the proceeds will go to three worthy charities in Hermanus. Stroll from gallery to gallery, choose your favourite artworks to purchase, and mingle with fellow art lovers, artists and gallery owners, from 17:00 – 20:00. (Find the map on P 14.)

REGULARS

■ Arno Carstens: Don’t miss this popular

musician’s performance, The Intimate Sessions, at Gecko Bar in the New Harbour. Doors open at 18:30 and the show starts at 20:00. Tickets are R150 pp. For bookings, contact 028 312 4665 or go to www.arnocarstens.com

■ 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. Midweek stay-over packages available for out-oftowners. Contact 021 844 0888 or events@southhill.co.za to book your seats.

Friday 8 December ■ Turning on the Christmas lights: This event promises to be fun for all children, who are welcome to attend free of charge. There will be a fancy dress competition and prizes to be won.

Father Christmas might even pay a visit! At Stanford Market Square, from 19:00 – 20:30.

Saturday 9 December ■ Christmas with the Divas: Rural Education SA presents Carmen Enslin and Trudie Leonard Prinsloo, with accompanist Olga Leonard and cellist

Thursday 14 & Friday 15 December ■ 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.

Tuesday 19 December ■ Christmas with Richard Cock: A very special concert in aid of Izibusiso Foster Home for abandoned babies and children. The evening concert is sold out and Richard Cock, who will be joined by tenor Siyabonga Maqungo, has agreed to an extra matinee performance. Wine and snacks will be served. The cost is R150 pp. To book, call the United Church office on 028 312 2717 or contact Sheila Lyle on 073 778 2777 or lyle@hermanus.co.za. At the United Church, Hermanus at 15:00.

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

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

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

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

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

Every Friday ■ 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

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

Village

EXPLORER EXPLORER The

FOOD • WINE • BOOKS

Celebrating the start of the festive season addition to the usual offering ranging from exclusive fine art and crafts, sculpture and ceramics to locally manufactured clothing, accessories, home décor, specialty foods, craft beers, a wine bar and live music, there will be christmas carols, a jumping castle and free train rides throughout the day for the kids.”

Hedda Mittner

T

he town centre of Hermanus will come alive this weekend with several festive events to kick off the holiday season.

The first of these is the Night of 1 000 Drawings that takes place during the Hermanus First Fridays (HFF) Artwalk on Friday 2 December from 17:00 – 20:00. For all those Artwalkers out there who have experienced the frustration of falling in love with an artwork they are unable to afford, this is your opportunity to buy a small work by your favourite artist at only R100 apiece.

In preparation for this event, local artists and members of the community with creative talent have been busy producing A5-sized artworks and donating them to the galleries in town. These artworks will be displayed at all the participating HFF galleries on Friday and you’ll be able to purchase as many as you like. The proceeds will be donated to three local charities – the National Sea Rescue Institute, Hermanus Waldorf School and Enlighten Education Trust.

According to Liz Coates, chair of the HFF committee, a record number of artworks were purchased by the public during last year’s Night of 1 000 Drawings, raising over R70 000 for charity. “This would not have been possible without the active participation of the Hermanus community,” says Liz, “and the HFF galleries are again inviting art lovers to enjoy this uplifting event and support three very worthy charities.”

Another much-anticipated event is the celebration of Lemm’s Corner Market’s first anniversary.

Jozua Rossouw, the organiser of Lemm’s Corner Market, at the launch in December last year.

Jozua with the cake made by Dunya Cake Delights to celebrate the opening of Lemm’s Corner Market.

Someone who has certainly seen our CBD change and develop over the years, is Jozua Rossouw, the owner of Rossouw Modern and SPACE art galleries in Harbour Road. “When I opened the doors of Rossouw Modern in 1995, it was the only art gallery in town,” he says. “With the increase in galleries and especially the popularity of the Hermanus First Fridays Artwalk, I felt it was time to revive the Lemm’s Corner Market and offer not only quality goods but also a social vibe that would attract people to the CBD.” The reinvented market, which trades on Sundays during the year and also on additional days during the peak seasons, will be celebrating its first birthday on Sunday 3 December, from 10:00 – 19:00. “ The day will be filled with fun events for the whole family,” says Jozua. “In

A limited number of stalls at the market will also be available, free of charge, to learners from Grade 1 to 12 and all funds made are for the pockets of these young entrepreneurs. Stall holders may sell anything they like and primary school entrants may be assisted by parents where necessary.

All tables and equipment needed must be provided and applicants are to register with Cllr Kari Brice before the event by contacting her on 083 650 4206 or karibrice@hermanus.co.za.

Sunday’s market will coincide with the Christmas Lights Celebration at Lemm’s Corner, which promises to be a jolly occasion indeed as Father Christmas and his elf will be paying a visit at 17:00 to share a sack of goodies with the children before the lights are switched on at 19:00.

To add to the festivities, Harbour Road will be closed to traffic from 16:00 for the annual Harbour Road Street Party, with drinks and snacks being served by the array of quaint shops, and their owners spilling out onto the pavements to join in the celebrations.

During the rest of the month, Lemm’s Corner Market will be trading on Sunday 10 December and daily, with live music, from 17 – 31 December. The market is situated on the corner of Main and Habour Roads. Follow them on Facebook for regular updates or contact Jozua Rossouw at market@sonicmail.co.za

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28 November - 4 December 2017

NEW LOOK The Art Shop in Mitchell Street, which has provided art and design materials to the considerable artist community in Hermanus since its establishment in 2003, closed for a week earlier this month while renovations were carried out. With the interior space opened up and reconfigured, the shop now feels much bigger and uncluttered. Its fresh new look has not gone unnoticed and owner Derek Goosen says, “our customers are loving it”. Derek, who took over the business in 2009, credits his “ladies”, shop manager Isabel Greyvenstein and her assistant Jolene Erasmus (above), for the shop’s transformation.

“They did all the hard work,” he says. Derek is based in Cape Town, where he owns The Village Brush & Canvas art shop in Claremont, and visits the Hermanus Art Shop weekly.

He is happy to leave it in Isabel’s capable hands – she has, after all, been there since the shop opened. “We have lovely customers with whom we have built up great relationships over the years,” she says. The shop stocks materials from all the famous brands such as Winsor & Newton, Reeves, Daler-Rowney, Georgian, Derwent, Lukas and proudly South African brands such as Dala and Zellen. “The renovation has motivated me to offer an even greater product range and level of service to our customers,” says Derek. To celebrate their new look, The Art Shop is offering fabulous deals on oil colours, brush sets, canvases, pads, easels and drawing media. Find The Art Shop at 13 Mitchell Street, Hermanus or call 028 312 3901.

PHOTO: Hedda Mittner

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28 November - 4 December 2017

Shopping for affordable art this Christmas Patrick Chapman

C

hristmas is coming and you are looking for something memorable for your nearest and dearest. It must not cost too much but it needs to show that you have given some thought to the gift.

So, no socks, no chocs, no toiletries, not even famous brands. What about art?

Art News Patric Chapman

In and around Harbour Road and down the lanes, there is an embarrassment of riches.

Check out Originals, Forty x 40, Kunskantoor and its associated neighbour, Novil which shows quirky art and collectibles. Alongside in the Courtyard is Geta Finlayson’s studio where she creates designer jewelry pieces in addition to her fine art.

I shall mention a few sources by name but look around – most places selling artworks have smaller, unique art items that might fit the bill.

Art supplies Let’s start with the Art Shop, a reliable Hermanus resource in Mitchell Street for paints, brushes, stretched canvases and indeed all that you could want, plus some things you haven’t even thought of. Give the painters for pleasure some art materials or even a gift voucher, and encourage creativity in the kids. To celebrate their recent revamp, the Art Shop is offering great special deals this month.

Art books Severely strapped for cash this year? Call at the SANTA bookshop in its new home at the top of Aberdeen Street and buy some splendid “pre-read” coffee table books on art – or cookery or wildlife or travel or hobbies – at peppercorn prices.

Ed Bredenkamp (above) and Ian Macdonald are the owners of Lembu Gallery in Harbour Road and FortyX40 Gallery in Warrington Place.

Liz Coates’ gallery, Pure South, is a treasure chest of art, ceramics and decorative items.

You might have to spend more on the wrapping paper than the gift. But hey, it’s Christmas. And speaking of wrapping paper, get brightly-coloured Hermanus Botanical Society sheets from the Nursery at Fernkloof Nature Reserve – where the brand-new Fernkloof handbook is also available. Or pop into The Book Cottage in Long Street, which has the book and wrapping paper in stock.

Gallery offerings The sophisticated perfume bottles and paperweights of David Reade, leading art blower, are available at Walker

Bay Galleries in a new section devoted to this glass artist of note. David, based in Worcester, did a stint with the late Shirley Cloete, doyenne of South African glass artists, and remembered by many Hermanus residents for her annual open days at her Morgenster studio in Somerset West. Examples of both artists are in the glass collection of the SA National Gallery.

Sarah Oktober with Geta Finlayson at her studio where she creates designer jewelry and fine artworks.

in the Lembu studio around the corner from the gallery, where you can watch the printing process using a library of handcarved painting blocks.

For the well-heeled Enough of the ‘affordable’, which means different things to different people. Someone thought the rediscovered Leonardo da Vinci work ‘Christ, Saviour of the World’ was fair value at $450 million. But that was New York, of course, at Christie’s. It is the most expensive artwork sold at auction to date.

Our Cape Town auction houses like Strauss & Co and Stephan Welz & Co tell me they have had a good year with live and online auctions. Likewise, Omni in Newlands which may be a new name to you. Ashbey’s still has its regular Thursday sales in Church Street in the heart of Cape Town.

Speaking of lanes, do not overlook High Street, where works by local artists Jenny Jackson (Gallery 19) and Leon Müller (Art Thirst) can be found, or Royal Lane off the Main Road where The Art Gallery has ceramics of style and imagination. On the main drag is our local treasure chest of art, ceramics and decorative items known as Pure South, curated knowledgeably by Liz Coates.

Night of 1 000 Drawings You are unlikely to find oil paintings, acrylics or even watercolours at prices that would qualify them as impulsebuy Christmas presents. But there is an opportunity from time to time to acquire a small original work on paper in A5 size and Friday 1 December is your chance for 2017.

Crafts The recently-formed joint venture of Creative Crafters, is nearby. Here, in a mundane Main Road shop, is a mini-souk staffed by the creators themselves, with Rene at the back creating her stained-glass pieces, Daniel Griffin’s firepots, Judy and her crystals and the talented Kali whose handprinted fabrics go around the world.

On this First Friday Artwalk in central Hermanus, galleries will display such works uniformly priced, regardless of the creator’s name or status, at R100. Unframed and mostly fresh out of the studio, they are a great chance to follow your taste (or your perception of your recipient’s taste) at an affordable price; and to benefit charity, too, for they are all donated.

Besides fine art, you will also find a wide range of crafts at Lembu Gallery in Harbour Road, including ceramics, glassware, basketware, African artifacts, jewelry and their signature hand-painted fabrics. These colourful table runners, cushion covers and wall hangings are all produced

The art galleries are an important part of our tourist offering. We can support them with our Christmas shopping rands and show that locals, too, appreciate them. Remember to tell people that you got your art pressies in Hermanus - ‘THE art destination of the Western Cape.’ Have a great Season!

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28 November - 4 December 2017

The annual Snor Jol hosted by the Fisherman’s Cottage in aid of Cansa’s Movember Foundation on Saturday evening was a roaring success. There was beer aplenty, toe-tapping music courtesy of The Rivertones, Ann Jangle and other live bands, as well as lots of raffle prizes. The aim was to raise at least R50 000 for this worthy cause. It was the fourth year that Fisherman’s owners Nicole and Anton Verhoogt (above) staged this popular event that was enthusiastically supported and enjoyed by local revellers.

PHOTOS: Taylum Meyer, Titanium Photography.

STUMBLING FOR A CAUSE There was a great turnout of enthusiastic stumblers at the annual Stanford Stumble on Saturday. Hosted by Stanford Hills estate, this charity event in aid of the Butterfly Foundation entailed a 3 km or 5 km fun run – or gentle meander – through the vineyards, with eight local wine farms providing “refreshment” along the way. Teams dressed up in the most outrageous outfits and there was live music by four talented bands to soothe the stumblers’ aching feet, along with food, wine, lucky draws and prizes for the best-dressed. Now in its sixth year, this popular charity event was a fun day out for the whole family in beautiful surroundings.

PHOTO: Francois du Preez

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28 November - 4 December 2017

Dutchies presents Overstrand Summer Festival

T

he Summer Lounge created by the owners of Dutchies on Grotto Beach, Joke, Just and their son Daan Gonggrijp, has proved to be a popular attraction during the summer months. This season the Dutchies Summer Lounge will again present the Overstrand Summer Festival, with a line-up of events that kicked off on 20 November with a photographic exhibition. Next up is a wooden sculpture exhibition that will run until 3 December.

The festival runs daily from 11:00 – 21:00. Other upcoming events on the programme include wine tastings from 4 – 10 December (Elgin and Botrivier region) and from 11 – 17 December (Hemel-enAarde Valley); a beer tasting from 18 – 24 December; and a musical showcase from 25 – 31 December. The Overstrand Summer Festival runs until 25 February, with more events on the programme for January and February – we’ll keep you posted.

Invited guests enjoyed feeling the sand between their toes while lounging comfortably and feasting on cocktails and sushi at the official opening of the Dutchies Summer Lounge for the 2017/2018 summer season.

Di Rattle, Joke Gonggrijp, James Rattle and Daan Gonggrijp.

Kim ‘Sharklady’ MacLean and Peter Barnett.

Leny Mens, Jan Stultiens, Frieda Lloyd, Tania Fourie and Len Huiding.

The Zwelihle Choir performed at the opening before Joke (left) addressed the guests and thanked everyone for their support.

Kari Brice and Verity Wallace.

PHOTOS: Hedda Mittner

The Dutchies Putt-Putt will open on 1 December, and the Summer Lounge will also host a New Year’s Eve Celebration.

Follow them on Facebook or call 028 314 1392 for all the details.

– Hedda Mittner

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28 November - 4 December 2017

Lots for moms and tots

K

idz Stuff is a toyshop the way they used to be. In an age of supermarket domination, the internet and the mounds of movie-linked pieces of cheap plastic, its survival seems a near miracle that has stood the test of time for 27 years.

Rozlin April and Theresa Fenn of Kidz Stuff.

New owners, Theresa and Chris Fenn, moved to Hermanus from Cape Town and are celebrating their new venture’s one-year anniversary this November. Forming a trio with assistant Rozlin April, Theresa says she they were lucky that when they took over the business, Rozlin agreed to stay on.

“She was a familiar face to customers and helped tremendously with the dos and don’ts when we opened our doors a year ago.”

Theresa’s husband Chris keeps the wheels turning, so to speak, with deliveries and the intricate assembly of new stock, while Theresa and Rozlin are front of house. They are both experienced with children and delight in their company. “We thank everyone for the warm welcome that we’ve received from the friendly customers we get to deal with daily. Hermanus is a phenomenal environment to be working and living in,” says Theresa.

The range of products Kidz Stuff stocks has expanded hugely to meet customer demand – from as young as new born to 10 years, with a special focus on finding products for children under 2 years.

“Sourcing new and exciting stock has been driven by requests from our customers,” says a delighted Theresa.

Kidz Stuff stocks educational toys, construction kits, games and collectable toys. They have an impressive Arts & Crafts section with ready-made kits that use several art mediums to create a beautiful finished product. Theresa has also gone the extra mile and met with various schools in the area looking for educational products that are in line with school curricula.

Popular brands include LEGO, Melissa & Doug, Sylvanian Families, Hasbro board games, Smart games and Castorland & RGS puzzles, to name but a few.

Among the familiar trade names you will find Barbie, Paw Patrol, My Little Pony, Peppa Pig, Hot Wheels and many more.

Their extensive range of popular board games include Scrabble, Catan, Ticket to Ride, Cluedo and multiple variations of Monopoly and some fun action-packed games like Pie

Face, Hungry Hippos and Speak Out, which are all great to get the family to spend some qua-lity time together, especially with the approaching holidays. They also have a selection of games in travel versions, so they are small enough to pack in your bag and still have fun wherever you are.

Kidz Stuff also sources from local SA suppliers, as Theresa has found that many tourists want to buy brands that are unique to South Africa. One such proudly South African product, now in stock, is BOEREPLAAS™, loosely described as a farming version of Monopoly. BOEREPLAAS is an educational family board game for 2 – 6 people where players learn about managing money, profit and loss, judicious purchases and farming – and it’s in Afrikaans.

■ This is your last chance to take advantage of great promotions which end on 30 November: Sylvanian Families – Spend R350 and enter the draw to win a City House with Lights.

LEGO – spend R350 or more and get 5% discount off your LEGO purchases.

Find Kidz Stuff at 16 Mitchell Street, Hermanus or call 028 312 4373. Visit www.kidzstuffhermanus.co.za – Rina de Wet

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28 November - 4 December 2017

With the South African economy growing at a slow pace and both consumer spending and consumer confidence at a low, should you diversify some of your portfolio offshore? How can you do this and is it a good idea to bring some of your savings back to South Africa when the rand hits lows against other currencies? DANIE OLIVIER of PSG Wealth Hermanus takes a look at the ‘whys’ and ‘hows” of offshore investing.

BROADENING YOUR HORIZONS Studies have found that for various reasons investors in both developed and emerging markets exhibit home bias: the tendency to allocate a disproportionately large percentage of one’s portfolio to domestic assets, relative to their weighting in the global market. SA contributes approximately 1% to global GDP. This is a staggeringly low number when considering exposing 100% of your capital to it!

The rationale behind taking your hard earned rands to foreign shores have not changed from an investment point of view. Below the “whys” and “hows” of offshore investing are explained.

WHY INVEST OFFSHORE? For South African investors, there are several benefits to investing outside the country’s borders:

■ Currency Hedge As a South African resident, you need to hedge against currency

depreciation: the rand has historically depreciated against developed market currencies at a rate of nearly 6% p.a. In dollar, pound or euro terms your money is being devalued even faster than you think. Many of our liabilities are priced in developed market currencies with the effect that being able to afford these things going forward becoming increasingly slim. Think German cars, travelling abroad, offshore education, electronics etc, etc.

■ Diversification Economist, Harry Markowitz, famously described diversification as “the only free lunch”.

Research has shown that diversifying across geographic regions, asset classes, industries, and currencies is an effective and efficient way to decrease portfolio volatility, and thereby improve risk-adjusted returns.

Sector and Industry Exposure Investing offshore enables you to gain exposure to sectors and industries that are very small or

non-existent in the domestic market. The technology sector in the United States, boasting the likes of IT giants Facebook, Apple and Google include companies that have no peers in South Africa.

HOW TO INVEST OFFSHORE?

■ Foreign-domiciled

investments The first option is to invest directly offshore in foreigndomiciled unit trust funds or stocks. When investing in such funds or stocks, you are required to convert your rands into the currency of your choice and make a deposit into a designated offshore bank account. The Reserve Bank allows taxpayers (over the age of 18) a R1m discretionary allowance per calendar year. This means that R1m can be expatriated without tax clearance - the R1m will however need to be registered with the Reserve Bank. Subject to SARS tax clearance, an additional maximum amount of R10m per person per year can be taken

offshore. Once the money is offshore, you may do with it as you please i.e. leave it in a bank account registered in your name or invest it in unit trust funds, stocks etc. An advantage of investing directly offshore is that when you sell your investment, you may choose to have the redeemed amount paid out to your offshore bank account (if you have one), rather than receive the proceeds in rands.

■ Foreign rand-denominated investments The second option is to invest indirectly offshore by means of rand-denominated unit trust funds that have mandates to invest in foreign assets. These unit trust funds are priced in rands, but your capital is invested offshore which gives you the global diversification and foreign currency exposure you’re after.

You don’t need SARS tax clearance to invest in these funds as your investment is made in rands.

The redeemed amount will be converted back into rands and

paid into your local bank account.

exposure to a broad range of global assets.

Another consideration is rand hedge stocks or offshore ETFs (exchange traded funds). If you have a stock broking account, you can simply redirect some of your capital to ETFs which invest offshore or rand hedge shares such as Naspers, Richemont, Sasol to name a few. Once again you are investing in rands and will be paid out in rands.

As a South African, serious about your financial wellbeing, you need to consider the offshore exposure of your total portfolio.

The optimal offshore allocation for your portfolio will ultimately depend on your unique circumstances and the long-term financial plan you’ve developed with your financial adviser.

So what should you consider?

Investing offshore should primarily be about global diversification, accessing different industries, interest rate and inflation regimes and stronger economies.

The perception that offshore investing is complicated and expensive persists. While it certainly can be both of these things, fortunately it needn’t be. There are options which provide investors with a simple, convenient and cost-effective means of gaining

NOTE: Always remember the prudent way is to consult your portfolio manager before investing.

Danie Olivier is a Wealth Manager at PSG Hermanus.

PSG Wealth Hermanus Portfolio Management and Stockbroking 028 312 1508 10 Magnolia Street www.psg.co.za/hermanus stockbrokers Send your financial questions to dewaal@thevillagenews.co.za

NAME:…………………………………..

TEL:……………………………………….

EMAIL:…………………………………..

FAVOURITE VW:…………………….

Just Add Colour ... Submit and Win We are a town brimming with artists and young creatives.

So we think it’s only befitting for us people’s cars people to call on all budding Picassos to help us colour our bus.

Then drop your entry into our promo box in our showroom.

The winning entry from our judges will win R1 000 in cash.

Rola VW will also donate R1 000 to your charity of choice. * We hope our promo helps spread a little joy this summer.

Rola VW Gateway Centre Hermanus 028 313 6084 www.vwhermanus.co.za * Ts & Cs apply

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28 November - 4 December 2017

Take your butt and bin it, don’t flick it

n an urgent effort to keep cigarette butts out of the environment, Overstrand Municipality and Whale Coast Conservation (WCC) want to change the habit of carelessly flicking the butt into the habit of carefully binning the butt. They’ve appealed to all residents and visitors to dispose of cigarette butts responsibly.

“If you are going to smoke, put your cigarette butts in the trash – don’t throw it out of the car window, or in the gutter, or on the lawn, or in a stream or the ocean,” is their plea.

According Rob Fryer, General Manager of WCC, 10 new bins were installed in the CBD last week. “The problem, however, is that of the four bins installed last month there is only one left. Two are completely missing and one was vandalised. A new, improved butt bin which is more secure

THE

NEWS

HELPING Hand

•

Sponsored by

•

Hermanus and made of a more durable plastic, will now be used.

made on the WCC Facebook page.

“Butt bins and doggy doo bins we erected on the Cliff Path have also been vandalised. At a cost of R450 per bin, excluding the labour it is becoming very expensive. We appeal to the public to contact us if they see anyone vandalising or removing the bins. We will follow up with Hermanus Public Protection to use the security cameras in bringing the culprits to book,” Rob says.

Eight Whale Coast Conservation butt bins were installed in the Hermanus CBD in 2016.

“We believe the butt bin helps to raise awareness of the problem and its use helps to make our environment a healthier place for us all.

Preliminary indications are that smokers have responded positively, making use of the receptacles,” says Rob.

According to him there are three bins left to be installed in the CBD. Suggestions as to where to install them, can be

The numbers: Currently, the estimated number of cigarette butts discarded annually in the

•

Hermanus CBD exceeds 28 million (equivalent to 14,3 ton) in an area of 0,25 km².

Since 2009, cigarette butts have consistently been the number one item collected at butt ‘hot spots’ in Hermanus, such as lookout points, viewing benches along the coast, outside restaurants and in plant boxes.

Eleven hot spots in Hermanus, covering 602 m², were monitored for two months and the

total number of butts collected was 22 736.

The dangers: “A commonly held misconception is that cigarette butts are biodegradable, but they’re not. The plastic in the filter can take up to 10 years to decompose. There are also chemicals in cigarette butts that are toxic to marine life,” Overstrand Municipality said in a media release.

• Cigarette butts are made of

• •

cellulose acetate which is a plastic slow to degrade.

The filters are designed to absorb gases and accumulate particulate smoke matter.

Cigarette butts are a toxic waste item.

Tobacco contains nicotine and tar but there are also potentially 1 400 additives that are mixed with the tobacco during manufacture – 50 of these additives are carcinogenic.

Toxins in the butts leach into the environment, particularly in water.

This causes wetland, river and marine ecosystem pollution which enters marine food chains and accumulates along the tropic levels.

Businesses and other organisations looking for permanent cigarette butt litter solutions can contact Anina Lee at 028 316 2527 or anina.wcc@gmail.com

28 November - 4 December 2017

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28 November - 4 December 2017

New centre aims to put an end to pain

ermanus now boasts an internationally accredited Pain Centre with the sole purpose of assisting especially those of us who endure chronic pain.

Local Orthopaedic Surgeon, Dr Pierre de Villiers, in August passed the examination of the World Institute of Pain (WIP) in Budapest, Hungary. “I have been practicing in Hermanus for the past 25 years and have seen the growing need for proper pain management in our town,” says Pierre.

The field of pain management is highly specialised and as a Fellow of the Interventional Pain Practitioner (FIPP) Pierre says he can assist to ease pain through a variety of methods ranging from medication to radio therapy.

“The education of doctors on pain management is relatively basic and because of that international institutions such as WIP were created. There is now no need anymore for anyone in our region to go over the mountain for treatment,” he says.

Since the World Health Orga-

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MY Health

pain? The answer is: “Yes, they do not feel pain!” says Pierre.

“But before you decide to take up the pen to debate this issue with me, let me explain; in all living organisms, if a stimulus strong enough to activate the nervous system, is applied, it will set off a physiological process known as nociception. On this will follow an automatic response to take evasive action, with the purpose to avoid damage or limiting further damage.

nization has declared it your human right to be treated for pain, there has been a resurgence of scientific interest and research into the diagnosing and especially the management of pain, be that acute, chronic or otherwise.

after FIPP accreditation. This qualification is recognized internationally as the examination results are vetted by the international auditing company Deloitte and is only offered at accredited examination sites,” says Pierre.

Several organizations worldwide are exploring the understanding of pain and especially the treatment thereof. The WIP, founded in 1993, encourages and empowers dedicated medical professionals to alleviate the burden of pain patients worldwide.

The International Association for the Study of Pain defines pain as an ‘unpleasant sensory and emotional sensation, associated with actual or potential tissue damage’. “Pain, we believe, is a sensation intended to teach us to stay out of harm’s way. We often learn this the hard way or we were taught by our parents that certain situations should be avoided, as they may cause harm. In this, we believe, we are different from other living creatures.”

“So, the fish you have caught with a hook will attempt to get away from the nociceptive stimulus. Your dog may even be conditioned to avoid nociceptive stimuli. Your own brain will also register the nociceptive stimulus, but the intensity of the stimulus will be ameliorated (exacerbated) by any of a variety of factors such as your cultural beliefs, your emotions, your perception of pain at the time of the injury, etc. “The result is what we call ‘pain’.

So, does that imply that other living creatures cannot feel

“Quite often, you can make rational decisions about pain: I

“To this end they have instituted a training program in diagnosing and treating the cause of pain conditions. At the end of the program a formal examination is conducted, culminating in awarding successful candidates a much sought-

am going to subject myself to this surgery, which I know, is painful, but I also know my shoulder will be much better afterwards.

“And therein, as far as nociception is concerned, lies a major difference between us and other creatures. All living creatures experience nociception, but the human brain additionally modifies the nociceptive stimulus through our emotions, and we feel pain,” says Pierre.

Interestingly, contrary to what you might think, if you are born with an inability to perceive pain, you are not better off; you will probably die prematurely, as you will fail to learn how to avoid situations that will cause harm.

Since time immemorial, man has sought remedies for pain.

We know from archeological excavations that the opium poppy was already available to man as a pain reliever some 5 000 years ago. Homer in 800 BC wrote in The Odyssey about Telemachus, who used opium to soothe his pain.

Pierre says even though pain is an everyday phenomenon, we find it difficult to convey to others exactly what pain is. “This is where the Hermanus Pain Center comes in. We offer an arsenal of treatment options.

One of the most common ailments we treat is back pain, for which we have new and innovative treatments including kyphoplasty, where a balloon device is introduced into the spine and inflated to expand the bone. The cavity created by the balloon is then filled with a bone cement mixture. Pain relief from this procedure is often immediate.”

A dedicated website for the Hermanus Pain Center is currently under construction and should be up and running before the end of 2017. It will allow patients to gather information about services offered, conditions that can be treated and will allow potential patients to make appointments.

In the meanwhile, patients can contact the Hermanus Pain Center on 028 313 0528 or send an email to knuckle1@telkomsa.net

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28 November - 4 December 2017

Beauty Academy wants to change lives Wilna Ruiters has come a long way since growing up on the Cape Flats. With a beauty course under the belt, she started her career at Dream Nails in Cavendish Square, Cape Town and soon she was travelling the world as a beauty therapist aboard luxury ocean liners and at exclusive Spa resorts. From Barbados to the Maldives, from Copenhagen to St Petersburg – she has seen it all.

Back in South Africa, Wilna worked at the Arabella Spa near Kleinmond for more than 10 years before deciding to take the plunge and open her own beauty school.

“I realised that I had the opportunity to change people’s lives irrevocably,” says Wilna. “So many young girls in this area who come from disadvantaged communities have bleak prospects. Even if they finish school, meaningful employment is difficult to find and they often end up pregnant and in an abusive relationship. I wanted to give these young women, caught up in unfortunate circumstances, a chance to turn their life around.”

Realising the importance of

Wilna Ruiters (right) with The NEWS’ marketing manager Rina de Wet at the recent Local Business Expo in Hermanus. getting a qualification without spending a fortune on tuition, Wilna’s ‘Beauty School of Excellence’ in Kleinmond offers a series of short and affordable part-time courses of between four and eight weeks.

port so that women from surrounding areas such as Bot River and Caledon will be able to attend classes. She will also advise students on bursary applications and payment options.

The full-time beauty course which covers all aspects of Skincare, Massage and Manicure/Pedicure offers six months of training, and includes transport and lunch daily, from Monday to Friday.

“You can’t concentrate on an empty stomach,” says Wilna.

She plans on involving members of the community to cook the lunches for an extra income and to arrange trans-

“After my students have qualified, I will help them to find jobs or paid internships to set them on their new career path in the exciting world of the beauty service industry.”

The next six-month course starts on 15 January 2018. So what are you waiting for? Visit www.beautysoe.co.za or contact Wilna on 082 544 4473 or info@beautysoe.co.za

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28 November - 4 December 2017

Caring for your home and securing rental income Hedda Mittner

T

he Cape Whale Coast, and Hermanus in particular, has become an increasingly popular destination for tourists and holiday makers.

Accommodation is at a premium, and many residents have joined the popular trend to ‘Airbnb’ their homes or sections thereof, while holiday home owners may opt to rent out their properties when not occupied by themselves.

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MY Home

Deciding that retirement is not for them and that they would rather be contributing to the local economy, Gerhard and Stuart started researching business opportunities. Finding a gap in the market for a comprehensive and customised property management service, they drew on their considerable experience and expertise to arrive at the concept behind CabinCare.

While this provides home owners with the opportunity to earn an extra income, it also presents many challenges that could become a big (and costly) headache when not managed properly. This is where CabinCare Customised Property Management comes into the picture, offering a wide range of tailormade solutions.

Owners Gerhard Stegmann and Stuart Cohen are both techno buffs who were based in Johannesburg, where they worked for international IT software companies for many years, before settling in Hermanus three months ago. “We always wanted to retire somewhere in the Western Cape,” says Stuart, “and we went on several recces before

realising that Hermanus was ideal – it’s neither a big city nor some far-flung dorp, it’s scenic and vibrant, and all the necessary amenities are here such as doctors and hospitals.”

Partners Gerhard Stegmann and Stuart Cohen in the C’est Ça Cottage (’That’s it’ in French) in Onrus, one of the stylishly appointed self-catering cottages managed by CabinCare.

“Having travelled extensively overseas during our corporate years, we have first-hand experience of international guests’ needs and expectations in terms of accommodation and related services,” says Stuart. “Having developed a solid understanding of what guests really want and appreciate when they are away from their home base, we gained a crystal clear vision of what we’d like to offer, whether business or vacation related, in order to ensure return visits. We know what works and what not.”

Between them Stuart and Gerhard, who have been together for 30 years, have also

managed a number of renovation and building projects, providing eagle-eye supervision and guidance in everything from the selection of service providers to project managing the process from start to finish. With a deepseated passion for customer excellence and quality service, they took the decision to focus on providing home and accommodation service experiences that are flexible and customised to the needs of homeowners and, where applicable, rental guests.

The three pillars of CabinCare Customised Property Management are: ■ Online property rental management For home owners who venture down the path of renting out rooms, cottages, lofts or any other section of their property, the first challenge they have is to decide which online rental portal to use. Whilst Airbnb is probably the most well-known one, there are many others that exist around the globe such as Booking.com, TripAdvisor, Lekkeslaap and its English cousin Travelground, Afristay (SA’s own Airbnb equivalent), SAVenues.com… and so the list continues.

“Whilst Airbnb is a company

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28 November - 4 December 2017 name, it has also become the de facto standard for the online rental ‘brand’ and the term is used generically,” says Stuart.

“People may say ‘I am going to Airbnb my property’, which does not necessarily mean that the Airbnb portal will be used versus the others that are available.”

So how does one decide which is the right portal to use?

Gerhard says this is a particular conundrum for people who are not tech-savvy. “Whilst there is a lot of common ground across the different competitors, there are some distinct differences and among the key criteria one should consider are visibility, commission, payment method and the flexibility of the portal.”

CabinCare will assist you in making the smartest decision by doing research into the local market and monitoring your choice closely to ensure a regular flow of guests that meet the profile you wish to attract. They will also advise you on how to make your property guestfriendly and how to ensure that it is suitably equipped and appealing by providing the quality expected by international guests.

Additional services include preand post-rental servicing and cleaning of the accommodation, creating accommodation guidelines, taking personal care of guests to ensure an enjoyable experience, restocking guest

supplies after each stay, and more.

■ Holiday home services Property management plays a vital role in ensuring a relaxed holiday experience. When holiday home owners are finally on their way for a short break or a long vacation, they often have to worry about what state their cherished home and garden will be in when they get there. Once they’ve arrived, they have to spend time on domestic activities such as cleaning the home, making beds and replenishing the grocery cupboard – the last thing you want to do when finally getting away from your home base.

This is where the CabinCare Property Management specialists come into play.

Imagine having a locally based service that you could call upon to handle a whole string of requirements so that you arrive at a home that is spotlessly clean, the grocery cupboard and refrigerator are stocked, fresh linen and towels are ready, the geysers are on, and all you have to do is unpack and take that first stroll down to the beach or the local eatery.

The same service is provided when the homeowner has let the property to guests, who will be welcomed and familiarised with the property and available amenities on arrival.

By facilitating the full spectrum

Landline: 028 316 3909 Stuart: 083 657 4102 Gerhard: 083 627 9846 www.cabincare.co.za

of holiday home owners’ or their guests’ needs, CabinCare will leave them with the maximum amount of time to chill out and start enjoying their valuable vacation time. Once your break is over there is also no need to worry about cleaning up everything, including washing the linen – you simply hand the keys over again and know that everything will be tidied up and in its right place after you have left.

This could include some muchneeded maintenance work which CabinCare can facilitate whilst you are back at your home base, supervising all the work that needs to be done.

Instead of having to deal with multiple service providers

remotely, you can have one point of contact to manage all aspects of your holiday home in your absence. This will leave you with peace of mind that at your next visit, all those maintenance worries will be parked in favour of enjoying the home in its refurbished state.

■ Home maintenance and project management The topic of home maintenance is often one which brings a wave of nausea over people when they finally face the moment where they have to do the necessary property repairs that usually get left too late, be it a permanent home or a holiday home that is left unoccupied

for long periods during the year. More often than not, prior experiences have left a very bad taste and owners just don’t see their way to having to deal with individuals or companies who constantly have to be summoned back on site to fix something that was not done properly in the first place.

Stuart says that even when key criteria are met in the selection of a service provider, the end result is often not what was promised, expected or delivered. So how to ensure a hassle-free experience?

According to Gerhard and Stuart it all comes down to supervision. “It’s really quite simple. If workers left on the

site to do a job are not being supervised properly and are not given the correct instruction and/or guidance, then the project is already set up for failure, be it building, electrical, plumbing, painting or landscaping.”

With considerable project management experience on maintenance and renovation projects, CabinCare will be there for you to supervise the entire process and do regular checkups on work-in-progress. This not only guarantees client satisfaction but also prevents the necessity of massive re-work.

Visit www.cabincare.co.za or send an email to info@cabincare.co.za

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28 November - 4 December 2017

A soccer success story in the making Olivia Schaffer

I

f enthusiasm and commitment are the key to success, then Vivo United Football Academy is on its way to a positive future.

Through soccer, coach Falcon Sauvage (20) of Voëlklip and the academy’s assistant coach Earl Maree (33) of Hawston have their sights set on improving the lives and the futures of local youngsters. Vaughn Crookes, a parent of one of the children, has also made a noteworthy contribution to the players and to the academy.

“Vivo is the Italian word for ‘alive’ – and that’s what we are,” explains Falcon. “We are aware of the many challenges ahead, but we are undeterred, and although we have limited resources we keep going,” he adds, explaining that the use of a playing field and goal posts are the priorities on their wish list.

He and Earl have hit brick walls in their constant endeavours to secure a field. Each week they have been forced to “pull strings” and make a temporary plan. “We

will not be discouraged,” says Earl emphatically. “When we see the improvement in the children’s techniques, their attitudes to the game and the effect it has had on their lives, we will continue to persevere.”

The Vivo club members have played eight matches to date; and chalked up four wins, one draw and three losses. Their opponents included Techno United, Themba Sporting, Hot Fire Football Club and Much Love United.

When no fields are available, the players are taken on a fitness run. “You know you are making a difference when an eight-year-old is crying from fatigue while running; you offer to help him, and he tells you he won’t give up. That’s commitment,” says Falcon, still moved by the child’s dedication.

The academy – a non-profit club (NPC) – was born in February this year, and although still in its infancy, Falcon and Earl are happy and surprised with the difference they have made to the players’ game skills. It was the community who pushed Falcon to start a club.

“He is a soccer enthusiast who had a stint at pro football, and he has children’s wellbeing at heart, so who better for the task?” asks Earl.

Starting with six players, the academy has grown to 50 members. “We have focused on drills, technique, fitness and rules,” says Falcon. “This core provides a sound platform. The lack of resources has been challenging for us as well as for the children, but through these hard times only the committed have stayed with us – and we have a group of very supportive parents as well.”

The latest exciting development was the arrival of soccer kit. Look out for the red and black colours and the La Pentola logo. The children have pulled together in fundraising drives but to date, the restaurant, owned by Falcon’s father Shane Sauvage, is the academy’s only official sponsor.

Falcon and Earl’s vision goes beyond football games. Apart from producing a top player or two, they plan to assist interested players in becoming coaches and referees. “And there’s also an opportunity for a

player to find a niche in the media – videographer, photographer, journalist,” explains Earl.

“The opportunities are endless, and we aim to create something that will sustain lives,” adds Falcon. On the part of the coaches, the children and their parents, there’s willingness aplenty; it’s sponsorship that is sorely needed.

For details on the academy and on sponsorship opportunities email Falcon: falcon.sauvage77@gmail.com Remember any donation to the value of R1 000 or more is tax deductible.

PHOTO: Olivia Schaffer Vivo United Football coaches Earl Maree and Falcon Sauvage (above). Below are Kai van der Riet (left) and Sibabalwe Matshoba (on the right) in action against the Hot Fire Club from Zwelihle.

PHOTO: Taylum Meyer

28 November - 4 December 2017

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Generation Schools Hermanus No big bangs bursaries for deserving learners over festive season E

ight excited learners – three present learners at Generation Schools Hermanus and five new learners from the Hermanus community – were awarded bursaries by the Generation Hermanus Trust last week. The trust was formed through the sale of Hermanus Private Pre- and Primary School to Generation Schools.

The academic bursaries, ranging from 30% to 100% bursaries, were awarded to: Judith Mhandu from Generation Schools Hermanus (6 – 9 phase); Alianna Isaacs from Hermanus Primary School and Zwivhuya Nemulodi from Bosko Christian School (9 – 12 phase); Gideon Pitzer and Kai van der Riet from Generation Schools Hermanus, Siziphiwe Ntlangingeshe from Lukhanyo Primary School, and Craig and Nicholas Mohr, home school learners up until now (12 – 15 phase).

Chrissune Kleinsmith, from Hawston Primary, was awarded a shared bursary from the Generation Hermanus Trust and from PSG Wealth, represented

by Hannes Smuts. The learners are looking forward to being part of the Generation Schools Hermanus community in 2018.

Overstrand Municipality would like to advise residents and visitors that the discharge of fireworks from any area (including your own backyard) is not permitted at any time in the Overstrand and especially not on New Year’s Eve!

During previous years, designated areas on beaches were approved where fireworks were permitted on New Year’s Eve between 23:00 and 01:00. However, due to the high fire risk and implementation of water restrictions within the jurisdiction, the stakes are simply too high.

We would also like to appeal to residents and visitors not to use so-called ‘Chinese lanterns’ as these pose a significant fire risk. The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) also asks people not to use sky lanterns as they float out to sea and are often reported as emergency flares which in turn cause Sea Rescue hours of fruitless searching. The discharge of any fire crackers or emergency flares for celebratory purposes are also prohibited in terms of the applicable by-laws of the Municipality.

In the front and middle rows are: Asanda Mapukata (secretary of Lukhanyo Primary School), Muchaneta Mhandu (whose daughter Judith was absent), Noxolo Ntlanghangeshe and her daughter Siziphiwe, with Mr Mzimkhulu Stuurman (teacher from Lukhanyo Primary) behind them, Alianna Isaacs with her parents Abigail and Larenzo, Zwivuhya Nemulodi and her mother Rendani Ndanganeni, Kai van der Riet, Chrissune Kleinsmith with her mom Abigail behind her, Gideon Pitzer with his mom Martienet behind him, and twins Craig and Nick Mohr. Back row: Stephen Geldenhuys and Barbara Hayn (Kai’s mother and her husband), Jevron Epstein (CEO Generation Schools), Hannes Smuts (PSG Wealth Management), Caronne Vermaak (Head of Generation Schools Hermanus), Di and Dave Mohr (parents of Craig and Nick).

PHOTO: Hedda Mittner

Fireworks also have a negative impact on animals, especially domestic pets. A human who is about to set off a large fire cracker can warn all those around them of the impending bang, and prepare everyone for the impact. However, explaining to a dog or cat that the glitter of a burning fuse will lead to a thunderous crack to which they should not respond, is impossible. Add to that the anatomy of animals’ ears which have been specifically designed to amplify sounds by turning the ears towards sounds, and you have a recipe for disaster when it comes to shooting off fireworks in the vicinity of animals.

Let us work together to make these festive season celebrations safe and happy for all.

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GET BOWLING Entries for the Hermanus Business League Bowls Tournament 2018 are now open. The tournament runs from 22 January to 2 February. This annual tournament is a highlight on the sport and social calendar of Hermanus. It is a fun and entertaining way not only for businesses to network, but also for team building and socialising. To enter, or for more information, contact RenĂŠe Fullard on 082 536 6444 or email renfullard@gmail.com

28 November - 4 December 2017 HOSPICE 600 CLUB DRAW Justin Dods from the Tulip Coffee Shop (cnr. Dirkie Uys and Hope Streets) was invited to draw the lucky numbers for the Overstrand Hospice 600 Club for November.

Overseeing the draw were Hospice Manager Fran Tong and Lynn Sillifant (standing) from Don Adams Auditors.

The winners are: First Sandra Thompson R5 000; second D L Muller R2 500; third E Salis R1 000. To become a member of the 600 Club and stand a chance to win a monthly cash prize, contact Norma Scott-Thompson on 028 312 4679.

PHOTO: Christine Tait

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28 November - 4 December 2017

Walker Bay Week, foul guinea fowl, and Zim reborn?

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reetings to one and all.

This week it’s not so much about what’s happening at the Club but what’s happening this week at the Club and more importantly what’s happening north of our borders.

Your pirate also has Zimbabwean roots and at last we may see some meaningful changes on the very near horizon. My friends in Zim have been socially media active, spreading the news on what is going on, and I must say I think they are all tremendously brave.

Zim is a wondrously, beautiful country with immense potential, but has been subject to unmentionable atrocities.

However, the Zimbabwean people are unbelievably resilient and hopefully now they have their chance to properly take on their role in Africa’s politics. I stand with you all, and I think the coming days, weeks and months are going to be a very interesting time. And of course what happens in Zim, will undoubtedly have an effect on us all.

Walker Bay Week This coming week is our main showcase tournament week of events and I will be putting a montage of pics together for the next issue, good luck to you all.

We start off with Walker Bay Warm-up on Wednesday for the guys, then we have Walker Bay Sundowner on Friday, a super nine-hole tournament which whets the appetite for the main event that happens the following day, The Walker Bay Classic. We have been ruining

The Putting Pirate Julian Shaw

this event for 35 years now and it is as packed as usual, with a field of 320 players. Well done to our General Manager Sharon Sleigh, for her tremendous effort in putting this together from start to finish.

Falling foul of the Guineas Now here’s a strange little story, and one which we have not encountered before at the Club. Part of our wildlife offering here are springbok, duiker, many types of birds and of course the guinea fowl.

They are small chicken-like birds that flock together, run after each other at high speed in a rather comical way, up and down the fairways, and also make quite a lot of noise, waking up and trying hard to put off unsuspecting golfers – but I have never known anything wild about them.

However, you should not underestimate these “African chickens” as we have had two people attacked by these very protective birds, scratching quite badly at their faces! So beware golfers, walkers and general busy bodies – these birds will strike, especially when their young are around.

Mother Nature can be quite a tough lady.

Christmas around the corner Just to end off with and to give you all a little wake-up

call, as I am writing this there are 35 days to Christmas! I just cannot believe how quickly it has come round again. I think it is something to do with getting older, and as a wise old half-Chinese friend of mine, Andrew Philip said, “Life is like a toilet roll, the nearer you get to the end the faster it goes!”

And with that in mind I thought in this issue I would let all the readers know what my little pirate ship looks like.

So this is a little pic of our shop, and just for the record, we sell all sorts of Christmas goodies – if you can’t decide we can also do the old favourite voucher trick. So to all the golfers out there, pop in and pick up a bargain!

Scores at a glance LADIES TUESDAYS 7 NOVEMBER Betterball stableford 48 players 1st P Streicher, A Hurtzig 45 points 2nd B Bergen, E Nykamp 44 points MENS WEDNESDAYS 8 NOVEMBER Betterball medal 128 players East course: Jan Cloete and John Makinson 62 South course: Johan Koekemoer and John Makinson 62 North course: Greg Donald and Clive Day 61 One two club by CP Terblanche, ball pool paid to 63 15 NOVEMBER Betterball bogey plus 119 players East course: Richard Franck and Peter Cawdry +8 South course: Eddie Burger and Clayton Burger +10 North course: Brian Taylor and Brent Hill +10 Ball pool paid to +8, 3 two clubs.

SATURDAY 11 NOVEMBER Alliance stableford East Course (Red) 1 – 18 1. Gawie Erasmus, Jan Swanepoel, Lucien le Roux and Chris Conroy – 94 pts North Course (Blue) 19 – 27 & 1 - 9 1. Kristian Borglin, Kicki Borglin, Deon Joubert & Ted le Gresley – C/1 95 pts South Course (Green) 10 – 18 & 19 – 27 1. Trevor Schouw, Gavin Levick, Willie Theron & Daan Döckel – 98 pts Ball pool paid to 90 points and there were 7 two clubs.

SATURDAY 18 NOVEMBER Betterball stableford 150 players East course winners: Frans Prins and Paul Vorster – 46 points South course winners: Biddy Schouw and Wendy Altona de Klerk – 46 points North course winners: Kim Davies and Val Vlok – 46 points 6 two clubs and the ball pool paid to 44

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28 November - 4 December 2017

MY Sport

Sporting humour to lift our spirits

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loom and doom prevailed in South African sporting circles after the recent record rugby defeat to Ireland, Bafana Bafana's failure to qualify for the 2018 Soccer World Cup and the loss of our bid to host the Rugby World Cup in 2023.

A little sporting humour to lift our spirits will not go amiss and these closet comics masquerading as sports personalities will hopefully raise a chuckle! There is no doubting their athletic prowess on the playing fields, but away from it, with microphones in their faces, things don't always go smoothly. Here are a few examples: Greg Norman (great Australian golfer): "I owe a lot to my parents, especially my mother and father." (Things must be a little different Down Under but what other parents do you have, Greg?)

George Best (legendary footballer): "I spent 90% of my money on women and drink. The rest I wasted." (Probably betting on the basketball team, New York Knicks.)

Mike Tyson (infamous boxer), when asked about retirement from boxing: "Fade into Bolivian, I guess." (Nice country, not really obscure though.)

Michael Jordan (basketball legend), on visit to Paris: "I enjoyed the Luge." (Art is clearly not your forté.)

David Beckham (celebrity footballer),

Offside Tony O’Hagan

After finishing mid-table in the Boland Premier League last season, the Hermanus cricket first eleven occupied joint top position after three rounds of this year's competition. Victories over Vredenburg/Saldanha (by 1 wicket), Victorians (by 100 runs), and Van der Stel (by 37 runs) secured the league leadership.

asked if he considered himself "volatile", his reply was: "I can play centre, on the right and occasionally on the left." (Volatile, versatile – one and the same!)

Ruud Gullit (Netherlands footballer) “We must have had 99% of the game, it was the other 3% that cost us."

(Great footballer but less successful as a manager – didn’t do well at maths either.)

Shaquille O'Neal (basketball great), asked if he had visited the Parthenon when in Greece, he answered: "I can't really remember the names of the clubs we went to." (Greek history not his forté.)

Ron Atkinson (English football manager): "Well, Clive, it's about the two M’s – movement and positioning."

(To his credit there are two M's in "movement".)

Murray Mexted (All Black rugby player and commentator), referring to All Black player, Rico Gear: "The 21-year-old who turned 22 a few

Hermanus cricket bowling them over

weeks ago." (No comment.)

Rod clears up what therapy is.)

Kevin Keegan (English footballer): “The Germans only have one player under 22 and he's 23.” (He and Mexted should get on well together.)

Muhammed Ali (boxing Legend): ''I've seen George Foreman shadow boxing and the shadow won." (Shadows have a wicked uppercut, Ali.)

Terry Venables (English footballer and coach): "If history is going to repeat itself, I should think we can expect the same again." (A safe assumption.)

Sporting personalities stir our emotions of joy and disappointment and some of them provide us with a touch of humour. With the state of our economy, we probably need a similar exercise to the one above, as our political leaders could provide us with volumes of comical relief.

Alex Rodrigues (baseball star, known as A-Rod): "Therapy can be a good thing, it can be therapeutic." (Glad A-

Some interesting match-ups lie ahead with Paarl, Paarl East and a mouth-watering game against Maties on 2 December in the 50 over format. The club welcomes all visitors, so why not "pop down" and enjoy the facilities on offer.

The Build It Business League is also in full swing with 45 games already completed. In the Open League, Function Hire top the table and Hermanus Towing are leading in the over 35 division.

Good luck to our cricketers and let’s hope they can continue "bowling them over" and "batting to the top of the order"!