The Village NEWS 4 Dec - 11 Dec 2019 by The Village NEWS

4 DECEMBER 2019

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NEWS Recycling efforts go to waste

Recycling efforts in Hermanus have ground to a halt once again after Walker Bay Recycling closed their doors indefinitely.

Poaching declared a priority crime Writer De Waal Steyn

he fight against the scourge of illegal abalone poaching will be intensified after it was announced in the Western Cape Parliament last week that the South African Police Service (SAPS) would be reclassifying abalone poaching as a serious priority crime. Although more than 400 suspects were arrested for the crime over the past year and police confiscated abalone worth at least R130 million in the Western Cape, natural stock of this delicacy keeps on dwindling as poachers brazenly ply their trade daily, in full view of the public. The Democratic Alliance’s spokesperson on Environmental Affairs, Andricus van der Westhuizen said: “I’m glad that SAPS is finally taking this matter seriously in our ongoing fight to curb abalone poaching. This environmental crime is a concern as abalone extinction could have disastrous consequences for the entire country. The reclassification of this dire criminal activity in our province is a step in the right direction towards protecting the Western Cape’s delicate marine environment and our precious ocean resources,” he said. Environmentalists and the fishing communities along the Cape Whale Coast have cautiously welcomed the news that abalone poaching would be reclassified as a serious priority crime to be investigated by the SAPS Organised Crime Unit.

Community Against Abalone Poaching spokesperson Danie Keet said: “It’s an extremely good development in the fight against abalone poaching. It’s something we’ve been fighting for, for three or four years. “Recently, we saw a large-scale operation along our coast by several law-enforcement agencies, including SAPS and the SANDF. This operation proved to be a great deterrent for the poachers. Our concern is that if the operation stops, the poachers will return. But at the same time, it proves poaching can be policed effectively and the resource can be protected,” said Keet. The move to reclassify poaching as a serious priority crime follows a report by the Western Cape Police Ombudsman, Johan Brand, in October, in which he found that SAPS had a duty to assist in the fight against poaching. The report made the following recommendations with reference to abalone poaching: • Ensure that organised projects regarding poaching are initiated and investigated by the Organised Crime Unit of SAPS. Abalone poaching should be classified as organised crime in terms of Section 16 of the South African Police Service Act, Act 68 of 1995. • Establish an Environmental Court in consultation with the National Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development. • Ensure that the National Integrated Strategy to Combat Wildlife Trafficking

STANFORD STUMBLE Kaylin Miller and Daniel Boshier enjoy a cool drink after a hot walk through the beautiful Stanford Hills property in aid of The Butterfuly Centre on Saturday. See more on P 22. PHOTO: Taylum Meyer

(NISCWT) be urgently submitted to National Cabinet for approval; and • Categorise abalone poaching as a serious crime, in line with rhino poaching. The risk of abalone extinction is a real threat to the oceans of the Western Cape. It will have a knock-on effect on the aquatic environment, and the province’s ocean economy

from which most of South Africa’s marine stock is sourced.

in our ongoing fight to protect our province’s oceans.

Van der Westhuizen said this environmental crime was a pressing concern as abalone extinction could have disastrous consequences for the entire country. “I will be monitoring this crime reclassification closely to ensure that law enforcement follows through on its commitments

“The DA in the Western Cape remains committed to protecting our natural environments, ensuring that our resources are used sustainably and that the unique beauty of our province and its fauna and flora are preserved for generations to come,” he said.

4 December 2019

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Waste recycling grinds to a halt again Writer De Waal Steyn

t seems as if residents will be left with no choice but to send their recycling, together with their other waste, to the Karwyderskraal landfill site. This follows the announcement last week by Walker Bay Recycling (WBR) that it will close its doors indefinitely, just over a year after opening.

All recycling came to a grinding halt after the original WBR company’s premises in Swartdam Road were destroyed by rampaging protesters last year. After the destruction of the recycle centre and the municipal waste transfer station, WBR was bought by new investors in October 2018 and shortly after moved to their new premises in the industrial area. In an open letter WBR said the decision to close its doors was largely because it has received no assistance from the municipality. “The aim of this operation was for WBR to collect recyclable materials from the Hermanus dumpsite, as well as in Hermanus and the surrounding areas, and after suitable sorting and baling, would sell these products on the open market,” the letter by WBR management stated. According to the company it was running at a loss of R180 000 per month and this loss could not be sustained. “We are urging the municipality to assist in various ways, for example, with subsidies in order to keep the current employees.” Shortly after the letter from WBR was made public residents took to social media to voice their concern about the closing of WBR and the lack of a recycling facility for the town. A petition to demand that, as a matter of urgency, the Overstrand Municipality reintroduce a recycling service had garnered more than 1 700 votes by Tuesday morning. The petition states: “We live in an age when more and more people are aware of the impact on the environment of landfill and excessive waste, when more and more people are conscious of reducing their own contribution to this problem and are attempting to reduce it. It is a disgrace that an area such as ours, which depends so much on its natural environment to attract both residents and tourists, should not be capable of offering such a facility to help protect it. “The facility is there for the asking and the lack of action on the part of the municipality displays an appalling lack of either capability and/or will. Please forget the red tape and get off your backsides.” Following the outcry from residents, the municipality said in a statement that it has been unable to offer any assistance to Walker Bay Recycling,

“due to the fact that they are a private company operating from private property, and do not have any contract or agreement with the municipality for the recycling of waste”. Municipal `Manager, Coenie Groenewald, said it would be at least another year before a new Material Recovery Facility (MRF) would be up and running. “WBR was informed from our first meeting with them that the municipality is unable to offer any sort of support to them due to legislative constraints. They would have to wait until the new MRF has been constructed, and then they can tender along with everyone else for the operation of the facility,” Groenewald said. He added that, as the municipality works with public funds, it cannot support or subsidise any private company without the necessary procedures being followed. “During the course of the year numerous meetings have been held with WBR. The municipality discussed the following issues that they had during the year: • The construction of the new municipal MRF and the proposed tender that will follow for an operator; • The reasons why a short-term tender could not be invited for the collection and recycling of the clear bags; • Access to municipal clear bags (for residential recycling) and why we cannot collect and deliver the recyclables to them, as well as why they cannot collect from the kerb in terms of the Waste Bylaw, and • The fact that we cannot offer them any financial assistance or incentive for recycling the waste as we have no contract with them to provide the service on behalf of the municipality. “The representatives of WBR appeared to have a good understanding of the municipality’s point of view during all deliberations between the parties,” Groenewald said. “In addition to this, the drop in the rate per ton paid for recyclables has had a major effect on the financial viability of WBR as well as all other waste recyclers in South Africa. The paper industry is in a very bad place at the moment. The market value for cardboard, for example, stood at around R1 500 per ton at the beginning of the year. By the beginning of November, it was at around R400 per ton; by the middle of the month at R200 per ton and now it is R100 per ton,” Groenewald said. “At the Western Cape Recycling Action Group meeting held in November in Kraaifontein, attendees were informed that 35 small recycling contractors were on the brink of closing down due to unfavourable market conditions. In

TOP: Some 40 families will be affected by the closure of the Walker Bay Recycling plant. ABOVE AND RIGHT: A resident left this black bag over the weekend on the parking space at the municipal offices of Coenie Groenewald, Municipal Manager. A note attached to it read: ‘Recycled refuse: where to now?’ addition, Mpact Recycling announced that they would stop recycling polyethylene terephthalate (PET) at their Wadeville plant,” he added. The consent-use applications for the new MRF and public drop-off facilities, as well as the chipping site have been submitted to the Town Planning Department and the public has until 24 January 2020 to comment on the applications. The building plans have also been submitted for approval. “The MRF and drop-off facilities will be situated in Schulphoek Road, next to the Hermanus Sewerage Treatment Works, and the chipping facility will be situated next to the Law Enforcement premises in Hemel-en-Aarde, along the Camphill Road. The tender preparation for the construction of the facilities is almost complete and the tender will be advertised in January 2020. “It is envisaged that the construction should be completed by December 2020 if no unforeseen delays occur. Only once the facility is operational will the municipality be in a position to resume the supply and collection of the clear bags and their delivery to the new MRF operator,” said

Groenewald. According to the municipality, in spite of all the negative comments and complaints, residents can rest assured that it remains committed to the recycling process which is an effective way to save natural resources and lowers waste products sent to landfill sites. In a statement the municipality appealed to residents to think carefully before simply throwing items into the rubbish bin. “Please reduce and re-use household waste and try to leave as small a carbon footprint as possible – even though all waste collected is currently being dropped off at the Karwyderskraal landfill site.” Each household can place either one wheelie bin or four black bags with domestic refuse on the sidewalk for removal, with the proviso that only one bag may contain garden waste. Please remember that refuse may only be placed on the sidewalk on the day of collection. In baboonaffected areas only refuse in baboon-proof bins may be put out for collection.

www.thevillagenews.co.za

4 December 2019

Caledon FM and The NEWS form partnership Writer Raphael da Silva

ith the establishment of a joint broadcasting studio at Village Square, in the heart of Hermanus, Caledon FM, soon to be rebranded CFM, and The Village NEWS have established a partnership that will allow for the creation of an Overberg-wide news and media organisation.

CALEDON FM FACTS

“Taking The Village NEWS to the airwaves was the next logical step towards building a good news Overberg community media and information organisation. CFM was a natural partner given the size of their listenership and the extent of their broadcasting area,” says De Waal Steyn, publishing editor of The Village NEWS.

“Just like The Village NEWS focuses on good news, CFM is there to make people feel good. I think that there is a lot of good news happening in the Overberg, so it is great that we have the same vision,” says Hannes Smal, the founder of the radio station. The new broadcasting studio will be located upstairs in the centre opposite Ocean Basket. Here visitors will be able to watch the DJs through the glass walls, have free access to the internet, request their favourite songs to be played, and read current and past editions of The Village NEWS. Since its establishment in 2015, CFM has grown to become the number one radio station in the Overberg and the only one that broadcasts in all four municipalities, with a sizeable overseas live-streaming listenership.

Mission: To inform, educate, entertain and to be good company

Languages: • Afrikaans (80%) • English (20%)

Listeners: • 20 000 plus unique online live streaming listeners • 24 000 – 38 000 on-air listeners during the week

Broadcasting Footprint: • Caledon • Bredasdorp • Napier • Grabouw

NEW LOGO DESIGN: Ilana van der Merwe

The Village Square, as part of the partnership, has given the space for free. “A CFM radio studio for the Village Square is great exposure and will bring more feet to the Central Business District. It’s going to be great to have somebody as well established as CFM in the centre of town. All the tenants love the idea,” says Kijl Resandt, the marketing manager for Village Square. Every Tuesday at noon, The Village NEWS Hour, hosted by the online editor, Raphael da Silva, takes listeners through the main stories of the upcoming newspaper, with interviews and music. The show is then rebroadcast at 18:00 on Tuesday and again on Sunday. • Elim • Villiersdorp • Caledon • Hermanus • Gansbaai • Stanford • Protem • Middleton • Tesselaarsdal

Debbie Watson, acting general manager, and Hannes Smal, the founder of Caledon FM entertained the Saturday market crowd at Hermanuspietersfontein recently.

Overberg District Municipality. Licence renewed for another 5 years to 2025.

• Kleinmond • Swellendam History: Began internet streaming broadcasting on 31 March 2015. ICASA broadcast licence issued 14 May 2015. The licence allows for broadcasting anywhere in the

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4 December 2019

Blue Flags hoisted in Overstrand T

mental Society of South Africa) to improve its beachfronts and coastline. Blue Flag status is an international accreditation and municipalities must apply annually to renew the status of their beaches. Blue Flag beaches must adhere to strict criteria, spanning over four areas of coastal management. The four areas are: water quality, environmental education, environmental management and safety.

he beginning of the Blue Flag beach season in the Overstrand started on 1 December after Grotto, Hawston, Kleinmond and Castle Beach were declared open for the summer. The flag-hoisting ceremony was attended by various stakeholders and officials who are all extremely proud that the municipality retained this status, as it is international confirmation that the Overstrand is a quality holiday destination. Residents and holidaymakers alike can revel in the waves with the knowledge that they are safe and will have the best amenities at their disposal. Blue Flag status will last until 15 January for Hawston and Kleinmond. In the case of Castle beach in Pearly Beach, received Blue Flag beach status for the first time ever, the Blue Flag will fly until 11 January. Grotto’s Blue Flag status will remain in effect until 31 March. Onrus Beach has been granted pilot Blue Flag

At the hoisting of the Blue Flag in Kleinmond on Friday were (back, from left) lifesavers Rodrigo Majiet, Law Enforcement Officer Reginald Smith, Kleinmond Area Manager Desmond Lakey, Ward 10 and Ward 9 Councillors Fanie Krige and Grant Cohen, Kleinmond Blue Flag supervisor Dencil Arendse and Councillor Charmaine Resandt. In front are lifesavers Niezaamoedien Trollip, Mlondi Jula , Nhlanhla Maphumulo, Raziel Henkeman and Riyaad Isaacs. status for the first time and water sampling will be done between 1 December and 15 January. During these periods, lifesaving and security

Good and clean and fresh tra-la-la Fed up with the bad odours coming from your wheelie bin, which has become a breeding place for germs and flies? Then it’s time to contact Whale Coast Bin Cleaning, a new business operating from Sandbaai, where owners Johan and Leentjie van Schalkwyk have had a family holiday home for many years. “When we lived in Durbanville we regularly used a bin-cleaning service, but we realised that there was nothing of the kind here in Hermanus,” says Leentjie. Using only eco-friendly, bio-degradable products, Johan and his team will come to your premises and in no time your bin will be jet-washed and disinfected, leaving it clean, fresh and germ-free. The dirty water is then recycled, reducing wastage of this precious resource. For only R70 per month, your bin will be cleaned every two weeks, and for

R120 per month it will be done weekly. For two or more bins, special rates apply, so the more bins the lower the cost, making this a great deal for residential and business complexes. “People don’t realise how unhygienic their bins become if they are not cleaned regularly,” says Johan, “and trying to do it yourself is a messy and wasteful business.” Whale Coast Bin Cleaning can be contacted on 061 752 1423 or wcbc2020@gmail.com. For the new year, they plan to also offer restaurants the extra service of having their fat traps cleaned.

The Whale Coast Bin Cleaning team: From left are Johan van Schalkwyk, Michelle Blom, JD Blom, Frank Matiya and Tichaona Murairwa. PHOTO: Hedda Mittner

services will be fully operational daily from 09:00 – 18:00 on all the beaches. The municipality is working closely with WESSA (Wildlife and Environ-

This is the 19th time that Grotto Beach has received Blue Flag status, while Hawston and Kleinmond received it for the 14th time. People living with disabilities can make use of the beach wheelchairs at Grotto and Kleinmond. Dog owners making use of Overstrand’s beaches that earned Blueflag status must respect the Blue Flag requirements for this period. Pet owners are also requested not to bury dog poop in the sand or throw it out to sea, but to pick it up and dispose thereof in an appropriate and hygienic manner.

Why choose Whale Coast Bin Cleaning to clean your bin? • We come to you • No more hassles • Eliminates diseases and germs • No more bad odours • Aﬀordable • We are eco-friendly

Bins are left good...

Guidelines for Fernkloof With thousands of holidaymakers on their way to spend the festive season in the Overstrand, Fernkloof Nature Reserve will also experience a spike in visitors’ numbers. While everyone is encouraged to enjoy this natural gem in the heart of Hermanus, please remain respectful of the following guidelines: Dogs are allowed on the Blue Route, as well as in the botanical garden, but only if they are on leads. Please make sure to keep dogs on the designated trails only, respect the rules, and be considerate of other dog owners and nature reserve

users by keeping dogs on-leash and under control at all times. Dogs are also welcome on the Cliff Path if leashed. Cliff Path brochures are available from the visitors’ centre in the reserve. Entrance Fee: No charge Opening times: 06:00 to 19:00 Parking: Cars can be parked in the garden area and at the visitors’ centre 500m further on at the end of the tarred road Toilets: In the gardens and at the visitors’ centre Restaurant: NO restaurant or café facilities

...fresh...

...and clean tralalalaaa

Prices for one bin per month: Every second week cleaning R70.00 Every week cleaning: R120.00 Special rates for restaurants and two or more bins. Call 061 752 1423 or email us at wcbc2020@gmail.com

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FROM THE EDITOR

A wasted recycling opportunity Once upon a time and not so long ago, the Overstrand had a deserved reputation as one of the municipalities with the highest rates of recycling in South Africa. When both the recycling and waste transfer plants were destroyed last year, our recycling reputation went from hero to zero.

to open up a new recycling centre in the Hermanus Industrial Area. The Municipality, in the meantime, went ahead with plans for a new Material Recovery Facility (MRF) and drop-off facilities to be constructed in Schulphoek Road, next to the Hermanus Sewerage Treatment Works.

Walker Bay Recycling (WBR), a private company, bravely stepped in

Until the MRF has been built, Walker Bay Recycling is unable to bene-

A Far Kraai

4 December 2019

fit from any sort of support, the municipality says, due to legislative constraints. What a wasted (pun very definitely intended) opportunity! It is a sad day when a business is forced to close as it has a big impact on all the employees and their families. But in the instance of WBR the impact is felt by the whole community. If ever there was an opportunity to cut some bureaucratic red tape and look to create a “win-win” situation, this would be it. After all, in the end, it is the taxes that are paying for the MRF and drop-off facilities. It is residents’ monthly taxes that pay for garbage collection. In other words, the source of money is the same. Us! We have a wealth of knowledge about recycling and public-private

partnerships in the Overstrand that can assist in creating a unique new business model to the benefit of the whole community. It is unfortunate that the rate per ton paid for recyclables has dropped considerably and this has had a major impact on the financial viability of WBR. This is the nature of markets. Prices move all the time. But this doesn’t mean that our recycling efforts should be affected. Oil prices go down. Does this mean that we should not promote solar? In the end, the focus needs to be on regaining the Overstrand’s reputation. By being creative and seeking solutions, even temporary ones, a positive outcome can be found. This is the good NEWS - Ed

Don’t kraai for me, concertina concentrated on his concertina and, being naturally musical, soon became regarded as ‘Die Krismiswurm Koning van die Overstrand’.

By Murray Stewart thevillagemuze@gmail.com

Klippies Combrink learnt the concertina while growing up on the family olive farm. Pa, like Oupa before him had earned the reputation of having the hottest boereorkes in Heaven’s Valley, and over the years the Combrink Combo played in all the coastal towns dotting the curve of Walker Bay. Being a family affair, various members were obliged to learn different instruments. Pa played bass and called the tunes, while Ma steadied the boat on drums. His two older sisters played guitars and keyboards better than he did, so choices were limited. He tried his hand at the donkielonge (accordion) and was pretty sharp, but in the end chose the krismiswurm (concertina) because it was lighter and had more gees (more soul). Initially they all sang harmony, but this vocal quintet soon became a quartet due to Klippies, who stuttered. Adding random syllables to the vocals would throw the others out, and they’d often grind to an embarrassing halt and have to start again. So he

As time passed, so did Pa. Ma, now deep into her eighties and losing it a bit, stubbornly turned every song into a waltz, and his sisters had recently found husbands and fled. Klippies’ kids were appalled at the thought of joining the band, so the final curtain came down on the Combrink Combo. Apart from being an olive farmer though, he kept his fingers nimble by ‘guesting’ for various bands at functions and cultural events like the annual Miss Shucked Perlemoen Pageant in the Old Harbour. Anyway, he was asked by the local dominee if he would please play at a funeral. A harmless and homeless old man who’d lived in the hills above the Restless River had passed away, and was being buried at noon on a remote farm further up Heaven’s Valley. Klippies accepted immediately. He’d seen this old guy over the years and felt honoured and humbled to dignify a pauper’s burial with a farewell lament or two. The krismiswurm was the perfect instrument for a funeral and he relished

After numerous enquiries as to what has happened to A Far Kraai, Murray and the editorial team of The Village NEWS have selected a number of his earlier columns to re-run this December and add some mirth to the festive season. Murray is currently taking a much deserved break and his new series, For Fact’s Sake, will launch in January. the idea of dragging out Hier kom die Bokke and Bohemian Rhapsody as soulfully as possible. He’d learnt that the further apart the hands were, the more tragic and mournful the wheeze and bibbertoon (vibrato) sounded. Ideal for sad occasions. He glanced at the time. Eleven o’clock. He was given directions, but he’d never been to that neck of the woods before, and with his stutter – which usually induced cussing and blaspheming – asking directions usually ended in bloodshed. It was time to go in case he got lost. Turns out he not only got lost, but had a puncture as well and only arrived at the grave well after noon. He was mortified. The dominee and hearse were nowhere to be seen. Any mourners had also gone. Only the digging crew was left and they were eating lunch under a nearby tree. He waved across at them and approached the grave. The coffin was already half covered

with sand, but he could see enough to feel a bond with the departed. Out there on that desolate hillside Klippies became as one with his concertina, and together they sucked in and wheezed out the most gut-wrenching sounds a dead pauper could wish for. With tears streaming down his face he segued asthmatically from one melancholy lament to the next. The workers put their lunch aside and slowly approached. For the next ten minutes emotions overflowed as Klippies squeezed condolences out of every quivering quaver his krismiswurm could offer. They all sobbed openly. Eventually, overcome and heavyhearted, Klippies turned and trudged slowly back towards his bakkie. “Never seen anything like that,” he overheard one of the diggers say between sobs, “and I’ve been putting in septic tanks for twenty years.”

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Fun in the sun by gum

LET'S TALK Healthy and robust debate are crucial for democracy. The Village NEWS firmly believes in freedom of the press as well as the right of individuals to freely express themselves, as long as they don’t infringe upon the rights of others. The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors therefore do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of The Village NEWS. Letters may be shortened and/or edited for clarity and style. Enjoy our paper. Send your letters to dewaal@thevillagenews.co.za

More musical Maties in Onrus Inspired by the memory-evoking article in The Village NEWS of 27 November about Onrus resident Nell Naudé, who was Intervarsity pianist in 1950, I thought you might find it interesting that Onrus is home to yet another Matie Intervarsity pianist (1963), as well as the cheerleader of that year.

When the sing-song season started I was ready, with the Intervarsity songs firmly in my head, and eventually a supporter nominated me as Intervarsity pianist. At an early sing-song practice, in much the same way as was the case with Nell Naudé, aspiring pianists had to compete for the “crown”.

As a resident of the Stellenbosch University manskoshuis, Eendrag, during 1963, I occasionally entertained a few fellow students, playing the piano after suppers.

Part of the competition was to play a solo — the student crowd on Coetzenburg pavilion would shout Solo! Solo! Solo! and then it was performance time, putting in all you’ve got, in an effort to gain the audience’s favour.

When Intervarsity approached, my room-mate suggested that I should enter for the selection of Intervarsity pianist. At that stage I did not know any Intervarsity songs, and didn’t take the suggestion seriously. But I was spurred on by one or two supporters who took me through a crash course in the melodies of the most popular songs and, of course, the University Song.

Some Village NEWS readers may remember the popular American Hall of Fame pianist by the name of Floyd Cramer, famous for his much-imitated slip-note style. Probably his greatest hits were Last Date, Sweetie Baby and On the Rebound (worth a google).

the right oomph to stir the audience’s emotions. And, quite probably, the two songs were indeed the heroes in my being selected as Intervarsity pianist for 1963, as my ability, as a self-taught pianist, certainly didn’t earn the honour on its own. At the time it was reported in Die Burger that I was the first male Intervarsity pianist of Stellenbosch University – apparently debatable, according to some content in the Nell Naudé story. The cheerleader was another Onrus resident, Krynauw du Toit, married to a member of the Stellenbosch University Choir of a few years later, Cecilia Smit, later Jacobs. It seems as if Onrus has all the necessary sing-song ingredients to raise voices in singing what was, without a doubt, the most popular Intervarsity song, M-A-T-I-E spells Matie!

For my solo, I chose to play Sweetie Baby and On the Rebound – two rather “gutsy” songs, which I thought had

Etienne von Wielligh

Urgent notice for payments Overstrand Municipality appeals to all ratepayers to make sure they switch their payment details from the old Absa account to the new Nedbank account.Ratepayers who pay accounts via the internet are urged to update their beneficiary details and to use the new, correct bank account details when paying their monthly municipal account. Legislation compels a municipality to renew the tender for banking every five years. Nedbank was awarded the tender as they met all the tender requirements, including banking fees. The correct account number for Overstrand Municipal Account Payments is Nedbank Account No. 1190136899. This account is solely

www.thevillagenews.co.za

4 December 2019

for the payment of monthly municipal accounts. The payment must include your 12-numerical digit account number as the reference. The correct account number for Overstrand Traffic Fine Accounts is Nedbank Account Number 1190137186. This account is solely for the payment of Overstrand Municipality traffic fines and the payment must include the 10 to 16 alpha-numerical digit reference number indicated on the fine. Please note that the “/” must not be included in the reference number. The correct account number for Overstrand Primary Account is Nedbank Account Number 1190136678. This account is for the payment of fees such as licence

renewal, building plans, new water and electricity connections, boat launching, town planning etc. Clients are requested to obtain a reference number from the municipality before depositing money in these instances.

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The south-easter buffeting Cape Town and the Overberg heralds the arrival of the summer season with full force. The festive lights have been turned on in Hermanus, Boney M is giving it stick on the retail store Tannoy systems and vehicles are being put through their final services and checks before heading off on holiday travels. So, it’s sunshine and smiles all around. Well, for those fortunate enough it is. Spare a thought for those who will be lonely this season and those who are missing their loved ones. The ones that are ill in bed and those who do all the holiday meals and housework while others laze around like lumps of lard. Then there are the champs who work flat out throughout the season looking after the ill and frail, the NSRI and lifeguards saving lives, restaurant staff working thankless hours, medical response units and the fire brigade on 24-hour call, and so many more. As much as this can be the season of delight, it is also renowned as a season for the blues. Have you noticed how, at this time of the year, the least likely morph into Cruella de Vils on the roads, seemingly determined to gain a mere metre on the road in front of you? What could be so terribly important that it requires

putting others’ lives at risk? We also have to brace ourselves for the trolley shin-bashing brigade and the hypnotic frisson of watching SUVs vying for the same parking space. Not to mention the sun-kissed Brady Bunch who walk abreast down the pavement rending one haplessly into the gutter… It’s certainly a season of polar emotions, requiring a healthy dose of good humour. So, how do we as a community approach the coming weeks? Well, for one, kindness, compassion and some good old-fashioned manners go a very long way. Just do it because you can and regard a thank you as a sensory treat. To keep your head safe under the parapet, avoid confrontation like the plague. Warmly welcome our visitors to this beautiful area – it is a privilege to have them here with us. Can you imagine the level of infectious joy we could bring if every one of us made just one summer season treat box with some tasty goodies to share with our neighbours or those who would normally do without. It’s the thought that counts, not the contents. Keep the cheer going! I for one am really looking forward to the coming weeks. Work or not, there is a wonderful buzz in town and it’s darn good to see people enjoying themselves and having some fun. Fun is all too rare a commodity these days – let’s give it the room it deserves and let our children see our example of the true spirit of ubuntu. Peter Pan

The correct account number for Onrus Caravan Park Payments is Nedbank Account Number 1190137674. This account is solely for the payment of camping fees for the Onrus Caravan Park and the payment reference must include the booking number. NEDBANK: Type of account: Current Account Universal Branch Code: 198765 Branch: Inland Garden Route SWIFT Code: NEDSZAJJ

The seasoned adage that ‘the older you get, the faster the years fly by’ rings true, particularly at this time of the year. It’s as much a time of reflection and gratitude, as it is a period brimming with anticipation for that long-awaited summer break.

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David Wilson of the Hermanus Photographic Society got this fantastic panorama shot of the more than 20 windsurfers enjoying themselves on the Klein River Lagoon at Grotto Beach on Monday afternoon. Email your photos to taylum@thevillagenews.co.za.

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4 December 2019

www.thevillagenews.co.za

MY ENVIRONMENT

Myrmecochory – What do ants have to do with seed dispersal? By Dr Anina Lee

#alloveroverberg All over the Overberg, The Village NEWS covers the many beautiful towns, villages and hamlets with interesting articles. Greyton is one of these quaint villages, nestling peacefully in a hollow of the majestic Riviersonderend Mountain range. Go online to read some of these stories about Greyton and its many wonderful residents

Richard and his chocolate factory thevillagenews.co.za/richard-and-his-chocolate-factory/ What kind of magic does it take to turn a young South African accountant into a chocolatier? Greyton’s Richard von Geusau would be the one to ask.

Greyton Genadendal offers classics for all thevillagenews.co.za/greyton-genadendal-offers-classics-for-all/ Every year when the vineyards turn to gold and the chilly evenings draw in, like homing pigeons, lovers of good music know that it is time to head for the Greyton Genadendal ‘Classics for All’ Festival. Handfuls of talent: Greyton’s modest master craftswoman thevillagenews.co.za/handfuls-of-talent-greytons-modest-master-craftswoman/ When Sharon Peddie, Greyton’s talented chef/woodcarver/goldsmith was a little girl, her accountant father whose hobby was carpentry, let her help him at his bench, so she grew up with a chisel in one hand and a hammer in the other. Later, she added a metal saw and an egg whisk. Creativity flows through her fingertips. www.pressreader.com www.issuu.com/dwaal

083 700 3319 theagency@thevillagenews.co.za

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hat a magnificent word! It’s a word not even my addled memory forgets because I say it over and over just for the sound of it. Why, you may ask, is myrmecochory even in my vocabulary? Not so strange. It means “carried by ants” and hence the dispersal of seeds and fruits by ants. Many plants employ this method of spreading their seeds, most notably fynbos plants in the protea family. I cannot possibly describe this interesting phenomenon better than Peter Slingsby: Myrmecochory (literally ‘ant borne’) is a process by which certain plants ensure the survival of their species after a fire. The seeds or fruits of literally hundreds of fynbos plants have a fleshy covering or attachment that acts as an ‘elaiosome’ or ant-attractant. When the seeds fall to the ground certain ant species, especially ants of the genus Anoplolepis (Pugnacious ants) rush to the seeds, attracted by pheromone-imitating scents. The ants sink their jaws into the soft, fleshy covering and tug the seeds into their nests, where the sweet-tasting reward is consumed. The hard, smooth nuts that are left cannot be gripped by the ants’ tiny mandibles, and so remain buried in their nests, safe from fire and animal predators. The seeds’ longevity is also enhanced by the anti-bacterial and fungicidal substances which the ants secrete to keep their crowded nests healthy. The fruits of Mimetes, Leucospermum, Paranomus and several other Proteaceous genera, all the Buchus or Rutaceae, many legumes and scores of other genera are involved in this important ecological process. The re-emergence of Mimetes stokoei, thought to be extinct for nearly 50 years, dramatically demonstrates the success of myrmecochory, especially for large-seeded plants. The seed does not have to travel at all; it drops straight to the ground and is buried by ants within a few minutes in the same optimal soil as its parent. These

plants need to produce fewer seeds, because the chance of successful regeneration after fire is much less random. There is a safe underground seed store and not all the seeds germinate after each fire. A very short interval between two fires may have no effect. Finally, we now know that such seeds can remain viable for long periods – probably a century or longer. Tiny populations of rare species can survive in specialised habitats, apparently indefinitely – which is good news for the future of fynbos diversity.

Mimetes stokoei illustrates the critical importance of myrmecochory. The species was thought to be extinct in the wild but ‘miraculously’ appeared again after a fire. The seeds had been safely stored underground by ants until conditions were right for germination. But there is a big problem lurking underground. Invasive ants such as the Argentine ant – Linepithema humile – massively disrupt these processes. They not only completely displace most of the indigenous ants involved in myrmecochory, but they don’t bury the affected seeds. They merely eat the elaiosomes off, leaving the seed above ground and unprotected, at the mercy of rodents, birds and fire. How do we recognise this invader? Argentine ants are small, shiny, dark brown ants about 2.5 mm long. They are the guys that invade our houses and move in single file along ant tracks in huge numbers. They are the ant species most commonly found around human habitation. As the name suggests, Argentine ants come from Argentina. They probably reached Cape Town in 1900 during the South African War in a shipment of fodder imported from Argentina by the British army to feed their horses. They have now spread around the world and live on all continents except Antarctica. Preliminary studies suggest that if the spread of these ants into wild habitats is not checked, the future of thousands of fynbos plant species could be at risk. Myrmecochory is the sole survival strategy employed by the majority of our showy and iconic Proteaceae, and many other fynbos families too. What can we do to help? Firstly we have to get to know our ants to be able to distinguish indigenous from alien invasive species. Citizen-science projects could add enormously to our understanding of the extent of invasions.

1. Argentine ant (Linepithema humile). GRAPHIC: Peter Slingsby 2. Extremely rare Mimetes stokoei. PHOTO: antsofthecape.blogspot.com 3. Small pugnacious ant (Anoplolepis steingroeverii) with seed of Mimetes cucullatus. GRAPHIC: Peter Slingsby It is possible to poison Argentine ant colonies without affecting the surrounding species. An “ant trap” can be made that is so constructed that only the small Argentine ants can get into the trap where food laced with ant poison is located. They carry the poison back to the nest to feed the queens (yes, many queens in one colony), thereby poisoning the queens that lay the eggs. So on your next foray into the veld, observe the ants and what they do there. It could be either good or very bad. Sources: www.antsofthecape.blogspot.com Veld and Flora December 2014 Vol 100 (4) http://planet.botany.uwc.ac.za/

whale coast

CONSERVTION ensuring wonders never cease

WITH WHALE COAST CONSERVATION 10,11 & 12 December 2019 Environmental Education Room Grotto Pavilion (next to car park) Open 09:30 - 13:00 Guided Educational Walkabouts @ 10:00 and 11:30 All welcome, entry FREE

THE VILLAGE

EXPLORER

FOOD & WINE | EVENTS | ART | TOURISM

Creation's love letter to summer So what can you expect? Well, to titillate the taste buds there is a welcoming glass of Creation Sauvignon Blanc. This is followed by the scrumptious Old Harbour beer bread with accompaniments of Creation Extra-Virgin Olive Oil, parsley butter, goat’s milk cheese and celery salt, paired with the Creation Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon.

Writer Hedda Mittner Photographer Taylum Meyer

visit to the Creation Tasting Room in Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge always entails a few surprises, be it a new wine, a new seasonal menu or new artworks in the delightful fynbos garden. Never one to rest on her laurels, Creation’s Carolyn Martin remains at the forefront of innovation, constantly shaping the multi award-winning Creation brand with passion, skill and dedication. This summer visitors will be tempted by two new innovations – the launch of their first Creation gins and a new summer pairing menu named ‘Love Letter to Summer’. “The possibilities of what to drink with what you eat are fascinating. And so are the choices of an uplifting drink after one’s meal. Although gin is often enjoyed as an aperitif we also love drinking it as a refreshing pick-me-up after the meal – especially on a warm summer’s night,” says Carolyn. The two gins – Creation Chardonnay Gin and Creation Pinot Noir Gin – are beautifully crafted in collaboration with Triple Three Distillery. Only the purest gin, small batch-distilled with extracts of the finest quality Italian juniper and local botanicals, is matured in second-fill Chardonnay or Pinot Noir barrels. The result is nothing less than what you would expect when a master distiller and a multiple award-winning winemaker merge their considerable skills – pure magic.

Next on the menu is Langekloof Trout Nigiri, which was inspired by an internship of one of Creation’s chefs, Charl van Wyk, in Haarlem, Netherlands at a Japanese-Peruvian restaurant, Maita. Served with avocado, soy mayonnaise, coriander and lime, the finesse of this dish is matched by the finesse of the Creation Estate Chardonnay.

Chef Charl van Wyk PHOTO: Karen Winter

For their new summer menu, designed to showcase their wines along with all their local suppliers’ products, Carolyn and the Creation team decided to move away from the traditional festive season menu and rather create a lovely, light, six-course taste adventure that is indeed a ‘Love Letter to Summer’. Artfully paired with award-winning Creation wines, each of these dishes serves to highlight the food-friendly, versatile nature of a specific cultivar or blend – bringing pleasure to the palate and joy to the table. “We want our guests to sample and enjoy all that is good in the Overberg and Overstrand region,” says Carolyn, adding that Creation’s unique food and wine pairing experiences have a positive impact on our local economy and our local community.

For the main course the team has chosen marinated springbok loin with a beautiful mix of berries, served with goat’s milk cheese and beetroot. The gorgeous flavours are celebrated with the Creation Reserve Pinot Noir, the ultimate summer red. This is followed by a sun-dried tomato Bratzeli, a thin Swiss cookie imprinted with traditional patterns, which is served with the Creation Syrah Grenache. The dessert of raspberry, sorrel, meringue, rosewater and cardamom is the epitome of summer and perfect to elevate the crispness of the cool-climate Creation Grenache Noir, Viognier Rosé. The award-winning Creation Reserve Chardonnay completes the experience, delightfully paired with local artisanal cheese, honeycomb, and apricot and coconut gel. And then, of course, there is always the gin to round off your

visit, or alternatively a coffee with melt-in-themouth sweet treats. Add to the lovingly constructed menu the warm welcome and scenic beauty awaiting you at Creation and a trip to this Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge wine estate near Hermanus really becomes a must on everyone’s itinerary this season. The Creation Tasting Room offers no less than seven pairing options – from the Love Letter to Summer to their Paradoxical Wine & Chocolate Pairing and the exciting 10:00 Brunch Pairing. “We look forward to sharing the love of wine and food pairing with you this summer and as the festive season is almost upon us, we hope to lift your soul and create a sense of wellbeing,” concludes Carolyn. Booking is essential as the Tasting Room is very busy during the festive season. Contact 028 212 1107 or info@creationwines.com

10 | FOOD & WINE

4 December 2019

Die Biltong Ou en sy Ma Writer & Photographer Hedda Mittner

his biltong business can be traced back all the way to 1963 when we first started making biltong on the farm,” says Mariaan Beyleveldt, the widow of past Overstrand Mayor Theo Beyleveldt and now the proud co-owner, with their son Jaco, of the biltong shop at the Village Square called ‘Die Biltong Ou’. Mariaan grew up on a farm in the Free State, where her father farmed with sheep and cattle near the small town of Verkeerdevlei. She was the only girl, with four brothers, the youngest of whom later took over the family farm. Interestingly, it turns out that Mariaan’s late husband was not the only mayor in her life – her grandfather was the mayor of Verkeerdevlei for many years and also owned the Algemene Handelaar (general dealership) in the town. “We grew up on boerekos and that’s the way I still cook today,” says Mariaan. “Every winter we slaughtered a cow and I learnt to make biltong and droëwors (dried sausage) when I was still a child.” She met Theo while still in school and later pursued a career in nursing while he became a professional soldier. They were married in 1972 and over the years lived at several military bases while raising their three children – Bloemfontein, Pretoria, Zeerust, Lohatla and even Madrid, Spain (where

Jaco was born) – until Theo retired as brigadier-general after 34 years of distinguished service and they relocated to Durbanville in 1999. Here Jaco, who had just finished matric in Lohatla the previous year, completed a diploma course in restaurant management at the Durbanville College, before joining the army. After a few years he realised this was not his true calling and he left the army to study farm management at Boland College. He gained valuable experience by working for leading companies in the agricultural sector such as Freshmark, procuring fresh fruit and vegetables for the Shoprite Group, and the BKB Agricultural Co-operative. When Jaco’s father died in 2011, he decided to move closer to Hermanus, where his parents had been living since 2003. “We always wanted to live in the Cape,” says Mariaan, “but Durbanville was still too far from the sea. We started driving up and down the west and south coast and when we visited Hermanus, we both agreed that it was the best place for us. Shortly after we moved here, Theo became involved in politics as a ward councillor and when the DA achieved an outright majority in the 2006 local government election, he became the Mayor.” As for Jaco, he ended up working at a protea farm near Stanford for a while, before devoting all his energy

Christmas on the Lagoon Christmas Market at MOSAIC Saturday December 7, 2019, 11:30am-5:00pm (Gallery will be at MOSAIC through mid-January) Location: 1892 Spookhuis at MOSAIC Wortelgat Road, on the Hermanus Lagoon, Stanford

Join us for a family day! Country platters and grilled skewers will be served at Lagoon Cafe’ Wine from Springfontein Wine Estate - Belgium Beer on tap - DIY gin station. Accommodation at MOSAIC Cottages Beautiful selection of art, gifts and décor Tracy Algar Art - Handbags by UGLEE - Inkomo Nguni hide rugs - Ardmore Jewelry by Beryl Dingemans - Old book collections - Christmas décor Contact: Simone 082 817 2077 or 028 313 2814 admin@MosaicSouthAfrica.com www.MosaicSouthAfrica.com

to organising professional hunting tours. In his spare time, he made biltong and droëwors – according to his grandparents’ recipe, of course – and started supplying restaurants and other hospitality venues. From 2015, he ran a biltong stall on Market Square with his mom, where he made quite a name for himself as die biltong ou (the biltong guy) – hence the name of their new shop, which they opened earlier this year. Located in the alley that connects Main Road to the Village Square, Die Biltong Ou stocks an extensive collection of biltong and dried sausage that Jaco cures and dries himself – mainly beef but also venison, such as kudu and blouwildebeest – and other curiosities such as Cabanossis, Billie chips and Soutstokke. Mariaan bakes all the shop’s cookies (with the quaint name, Die Biltong Ou se Ma se Koekies) such as Goggakoekies, Pepperment Tjoko’s and Strawberry Rocky Roads. On the blackboard you’ll find the day’s specials, home-made by Mariaan, which make for a tasty take-away lunch. Die Biltong Ou also supplies his products, including bacon and boerewors, to restaurants and retailers. Orders can be placed by contacting 083 686 1157 or biltong@overberghunting.co.za. You can also visit their website at diebiltongou.co.za or their Facebook page.

Jaco Beyleveldt, (aka die biltong ou) with shop assistant Kim Bishop and his mom, Mariaan Beyleveldt, in their shop where they sell 100% local biltong with an authentic, South African flavour.

The word Biltong is derived from the Dutch words ‘bil’ (meat or rump) and ‘tong’ (strip), so essentially Biltong means strip of beef. Dried meat has been around for centuries and its history can be traced back to different cultures around the world. What we know today as ‘biltong’ was first created by the indigenous people of Southern Africa over 400 years ago. When the European settlers arrived, they introduced a more sophisticated curing process that involved vinegar and spices such as pepper and coriander. These were available in abundance as the French Huguenots produced wine and vinegar from their grape crops and the then Cape Colony was the halfway stop for seafarers plying the spice routes of the East. Biltong came to play an important part in the migration of the pioneering Dutch settlers (Voortrekkers) during their trek north, and later during the Anglo-Boer War. Since then, it has become an integral part of South African culture, with various family recipes handed down for generations.

FOOD & WINE | 11

4 December 2019

WINE & DINE

Street food comes to Hermanus Writer & Photographer Raphael da Silva

lley Market, an exciting new street food venture, is set to open on 5 December at the Village Square in Hermanus. Designed to offer visitors and residents an “on-the-go” eating opportunity in the heart of the Central Business District (CBD) from 07:30 to 19:00 every day, Alley Market will have 16 stalls offering a range of dishes and alcoholic drinks. “I think that Alley Market is going to be an added attraction for tourists and the CBD in general. We need to push forward in terms of broadening what Hermanus offers. There is so much potential in Hermanus Old Town and the Village Square is the heartbeat of the area. "We are very excited to have the new attraction up and running,’ says Kijl Resandt, the Marketing Manager of Village Square.

The Brewery at the Hemel-en-Aarde Village has teamed up with Woodstock Breweries in Cape Town to offer craft beers, a gin bar and pizzas. Fusion Restaurant, already present at Village Square, will be doing burgers while Ghanaian, Jojo Banson, will bring the exotic tastes of West Africa with a selection of dishes such as Red Red, Kelewele, Waakye, Yam Croquettes and Jollof Rice. “He is going to be a very colourful character and he is going to do very well,” remarks Kijl who adds that sushi, coffee, waffles, fish and chips, ice cream and curries will also be on offer. But Kijl sees Alley Market as an opportunity to set an example. “We are going green. We need fresh thinking going forward. With us being a whale-watching destination, by the sea, we should set an example and be the benchmark for going green,” he says.

Alley Market get its finishing touches before the opening on 5 December.

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OVERBERG 4

Wednesday

Summer Night Markets The popular Hermanus Country Market kicks off their new season of Summer Night Markets, which will be on Wednesday evenings: 4, 11 & 18 December; and 1 & 8 January. Hermanus Country Market | 17:00 – 21:00 Hermanus Photographic Society The club’s final meeting of the year, which will also function as its Christmas Party, will not be held as usual at the Dutch Reformed Church but at Puzzles Bar and Grill. This meeting will include the regular, but this time live, judging of the last photographic competition of the year with the set subject of ‘Festive greeting cards’. The non-meal portion of the event will still be open to guests so please feel free to come along. For more information, contact Elizma Fourie on 082 499 5116 or info@hermanusphoto.co.za Puzzles Bar & Grill, 25 High Street, Hermanus (opposite Woolworths) | 19:00

Thursday

Hermanus Bird Club Monthly Walk Join the club for a day trip to De Mond Nature Reserve near Bredasdorp. This is a fantastic place for shore birds and waders. Your guides will be Ronnie Hazell and Chris Cheetham. Please bring your own picnic lunch and refreshments. For any enquiries, contact John Saunders on 078 955 9785. Meet at Fernkloof Nature Reserve | 07:00 SANSA Holiday Programme Bring your little ones to have some fun learning about robotics and chemistry. The programme caters for ages 6 – 8 years on 5 Dec and 9 – 12 years on Friday 6 Dec. Book your space now by contacting SANSA on 028 312 1196 or events@sansa.org.za. South African National Space Agency, Hospital St, Hermanus | 09:00 – 12:00 (Thu & Fri)

Spider Survey Join Whale Coast Conservation and Dr Vic Hamilton-Attwell for an eco-adventure to learn more about the spiders in the Fernkloof Nature Reserve. The cost is R120 per adult

and R60 per child. All proceeds go towards environmental education. Booking is essential. Contact Anina Lee on 083 242 3295 or anina.wcc@ gmail.com. Fernkloof Nature Reserve | 17:30 Rotary Club of Hermanus Visitors are welcome at Rotary’s weekly meetings, every Thursday. Contact Frank on 082 870 1187 to confirm your attendance. The last meeting of the year will be on 12 December. Mollergren Park, Main Road, Hermanus | 19:00

Friday

Wine Down Friday Join Hermanus’s trendiest wine bar for their 2-for-1 special every Friday afternoon. Buy a glass of any of their lifestyle wines, beers or bubblies (MCC), or a tapas dish of dates and bacon, and get the second one free. A great way to wind down your week and ease into the weekend! The Wine Glass, 2 Harbour Rd | 16:00 - 18:00 Night of a thousand Drawings This month the Hermanus First Fridays Artwalk galleries will host the annual Night of a Thousand Drawings. A wide range of donated A5 size artworks will be for sale at R100 each, in aid of local charities. See the map on P 14 and stroll from gallery to gallery on this special night when everyone can afford to buy an artwork. Hermanus CBD 17:00 – 20:00 Hermanus Sports Clubhouse Opening Everyone is welcome to join The Clubhouse Restaurant & Bar for their kicking-off party and see what it has to offer. Tickets at R100 pp include a meal of calamari, fish or a hamburger with chips. BYO drinks. Tickets are available at the Hermanus Sports Club, or contact info@hermanussport.co.za or 073 054 2598. Hermanus Sports Club (next to the Cricket Club), Jose Burman Street | 19:00 – late

Saturday

Race2Stanford Don’t miss out on the third edition of this half-iron distance race. The Race2Stanford Triathlon features a 1.9 km ocean swim in the Hermanus New Harbour, a 90 km cycle through the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, and a 21 km run in and around scenic Stanford Village. A 7 km fun run option at 09:30 has also been added so that everyone can enjoy the day, whether you are a runner, triathlete or just want to experience the beautiful route around the historic town. Enjoy the Farmer’s Market at the finish on

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HERMANUS

4 – 17 DECEMBER 2019 www.thevillagenews.co.za/whatson real people? Served on real porcelain, using real cutlery, sipping wine from a real wine glass? Then you’ll want to hotfoot it across to Die Markie at Hermanuspietersfontein. Here safe parking is a doddle and life is easy. Hermanuspietersfontein Wine Cellar | 09:00 – 13:00

the Village Green with local artisanal foods, beer and wine. For more details and to enter, go to electricink. co.za/race-2-stanford/ Hermanus New Harbour | 07:30 Tesselaarsdalfees Enjoy three days of activities and entertainment at the Tesselaarsdal festival from 6 – 8 December. The festivities on the Saturday will kick off with an MTB Fun Ride. Choose between the 40 km (R150 entry fee) or the 13 km (R50) on single track, jeep track and farm roads. Enter online at www.entryninja.com or at the venue on the day. For more information contact Johan Van Zyl on 082 881 0255. Tesselaarsdal Main Road | from 07:30 BirdLife Overberg Coastal Clean-up Under the auspices of their CleanMarine initiative, BirdLife Overberg’s monthly coastal clean-up will be along the third section of the Hoek van de Berg Nature Reserve. This will be done in collaboration with the Oceans Conservancy, Plastics SA and the People n Planet campaign of Pick n Pay. Please support this effort in support of the war against plastics in our oceans. Bags, gloves and refreshments will be provided. RSVP: Elaine at mwjasser@mweb.co.za or sms/ WhatsApp at 082 455 8402. Meet in the parking area in front of the OK Mini Market in Onrus | 08:00 Hermanus parkrun Meet for the weekly 5 km timed walk or run, come rain or shine. Run for your own enjoyment at your own pace. The route is dog friendly and children are most welcome. Camphill Road, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley | 08:00 Betty’s Bay parkrun Join this free weekly 5 km timed run (or walk) where it’s only you against the clock. The whole family is welcome. Grab a post-run coffee in the Red Disa restaurant with fellow parkrunners. Harold Porter Botanical Garden | 08:00

Civvio Vine to Valley Trail Run Ignite your passion for the great outdoors and discover your inner trail runner. This month’s V2V Trail Run Series will be hosted by Hermanuspietersfontein, offering a scenic 5 km, 10 km and 18 km route. The cost is R120 for adults, R70 for kids 10 – 18 years, and free for kids U10. Your entry includes a medal for your madness and there are loads of prizes up for grabs. Tickets are available at www.quicket.co.za Hermanuspietersfontein Wines, Hemel-en-Aarde Village | 08:30 – 12:00 Elgin Railway Market This bustling steampunk station market, where Art Deco meets Victorian, is unlike any other in South Africa, with more than 30 different stalls providing local wine, craft beer, arts & crafts and artisanal foods. Visitors can greet the steam train on the platform or view its arrival from the upstairs viewing deck. There’s live music throughout the weekend, and plenty of activities to keep children entertained, such as a jungle gym, roundabout, and even indoor and outdoor climbing walls. The market is open Saturdays and Sundays, and the coffee shop with free workspace is open during the week from 09:00 – 17:00. Oak Avenue, Elgin | 09:00 – 17:00 (Sat & Sun)

Stanford Saturday Morning Market Come and sample the artisanal delights on display, from home-made sheep and goats’ cheeses to cured meats, farm-fresh vegetables and deli delights to tantalise your taste buds! Stanford Hotel Stoep | 09:00 – 12:00 Onrus Markie Support your local artists at this friendly community market. Handcrafted and homebaked goods especially for you! De Wet Hall, Roos Street, Onrus | 09:00 – 12:00 Gansbaai Farmers Market Specialising in organic, homemade and homegrown products such as fresh farm produce, oven-fresh bakes and pastries, local wines and craft beers, and indigenous plants and herbs. No plastic or polystyrene packaging; only eco-friendly wood, paper, glass and earthenware used to display goods. For enquiries, contact 028 384 1439 or doulene@gansbaaitourism.co.za Kapokblom Street, opposite Gansbaai Tourism | 09:00 – 14:00

Hermanus Country Market A favourite among the locals. Young, old, two-legged and four-legged family members are all welcome. You’ll find wholesome goodies, homemade crafts, local produce, beers and wine, speciality foods, coffee and live music. Next to Hermanus Cricket Field | 09:00 – 13:00

Groeneweide parkrun Bring the whole family (dogs on leashes are welcome) and enjoy this free, timed 5 km run/walk. Register online at www.parkrun.co.za Groeneweide, Franskraal | 08:00 Hawston Sea Festival This family-friendly festive event takes place annually on the first Saturday of December, with the focus on seafood, music, shows and stalls. Hawston Camping Site | 08:00 – 16:00

Market in the Garden Hunt for treasures at this peaceful market set among the shady trees of a beautiful garden. St Peter’s Church, Main Road, Hermanus | 09:00 – 13:00

Die Markie Looking for koek? Vetkoek, pannekoek, soet koekies, sout koekies, lewer koekies? A peaceful place to while away Saturday mornings, glass of wine in hand, with Woefie lying at your feet? Olives, freshly shucked oysters and other nibbles made by

Market to Market Experience Hermanus and see how the locals live by joining the ChillGuru bus and cruising from market to market. Your ticket (R150 for adults and R80 for children U18) includes a round trip to the Hermanus Country Market and Die Markie at Hermanuspietersfontein, with a free coffee or drink and a tasty homemade something to nibble on, followed by a free lifestyle wine tasting at The Wine Glass. To make a booking, call 082 700 4163. Departing from Lemm’s Corner | 09:30

Cobbles

Cladding

Coping

Pavers

Landscaping

Tiles

for them. For more info visit www. pantheraafrica.com Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary | 17:30 – 19:30

BMXtreme Showdown Join the Overberg BMX Club for a great day of racing. All ages and bikes are welcome. In addition to the BMX race, there will also be a Big Air demo and competition and a Bunny Hop competition, with great prizes to be won. Enter via the Overberg BMX Club Facebook page at R100 pp. For enquiries, contact 079 606 1995. BMX Track, Hermanus Sports Club | 09:00 (practice run) & 10:00 (race starts)

Andrew Young Unwrapped Have yourself a merry little Christmas with saxophonist Andrew Young and pianist Tony Drake who will be unwrapping a feast of songs for an evening of pure entertainment with their own unique brand of smooth, easy-listening jazz. These award-winning, world-class musicians will take you on a musical journey ranging from traditional gospel songs to the Christmas classics. To get into the spirit of the holidays, guests can enjoy a glass of wine or Gluhwein and a mince pie before the concert. Tickets at R150 pp are available from Computicket. Visit www.andrewyoung.net. Municipal Auditorium | 19:00

Penguin Palooza Everyone is invited to join the 4th annual Penguin Palooza in collaboration with CapeNature to support the conservation of the endangered African penguin. This family-friendly day will start on the beach with the release of seabird patients that were either rehabilitated or hand-reared at the SANCCOB Table View centre. After this heart-warming occasion, the rest of the day will include conservation exhibitions, a community market, educational activities, lucky draws and food on sale at On the Edge Restaurant. The first 50 enter free of charge and a nominal fee to enter the reserve will be charged thereafter. For more information, call 021 557 6155 or email info@sanccob.co.za. Stony Point Nature Reserve, Betty’s Bay | 10:00 – 14:00

Carols by Candlelight at Benguela Enjoy an unforgettable evening of Christmas carols with the talented Handevat Music Project in this stunning lagoon setting. The Handevat NPO is a group of professional, graduate musicians and educators who work in the underprivileged communities of Kleinmond. Come and support this joyful fundraiser, with all proceeds from ticket sales going to Handevat. Tickets at R100 for adults and R50 for children U12 are available at Benguela Cove, Checkers or Shoprite. Delicious gourmet hotdogs, cold drinks and bottles of wine will be available throughout the show from the food trucks. For more information, contact 087 357 0637 or info@benguelacove.co.za. Benguela Cove Lagoon Wine Estate |19:00 – 21:00

Christmas Market at Mosaic Enjoy a great family day out at this scenic destination on the edge of the Klein River Estuary. The Christmas Market offers an inspiring selection of art, jewellery, crafts, gifts and Christmas décor. Country platters, Springfontein wines, Belgian beer and a gin bar will be available. Contact 082 817 2077 / 028 313 2814 or admin@MosaicSouthAfrica.com for more details. Spookhuis at Mosaic Farm, Wortelgat Rd, Stanford | 11:30 – 17:00

Craig Lucas Live The super-talented hitmaker, Craig Lucas from Elsies River in Cape Town is a graduate in Economics and Politics at UCT, but despite a promising career ahead of him, The Voice SA Season 2 winner has always secretly loved singing. Tickets to his show are R100 pp, available via Computicket or at the Caledon Hotel reception. Swartberg Venue, Caledon Hotel, Spa & Casino | 20:00 (doors open at 19:30)

Book talk Carol Gibbs, the author of All things bright and broken, will be giving a talk and signing copies of her book, published by Jacana Media. Long listed for the 2019 Barry Ronge Sunday Times Literary Awards, this autobiographical novel tells the story of a dysfunctional family and has been described as “raw, funny and extremely moving”. Andante Antique Shop, The Yard, Harbour Road, Kleinmond | 15:30 Panthera Africa Sunset Visits Come and enjoy the evening with your loved ones as the sun sets and the cats come alive after a long day of rest! Sunset is a magical time of day at Panthera Africa and you may even hear and see the lions roar! Only for people 16 years and older. Pre-booking is essential as only 20 places are available. The cost is R490 pp. Every Saturday until 31 March. Panthera Africa is a non-profit company and all proceeds from ticket sales go towards the animals and creating a better life

Monday

Kleinmond Night Market Come and celebrate the opening of the annual Kleinmond Kersmark with this special Night Market. There will be music, arts and crafts, gifts, food and drinks for young and old. For more info, contact 082 303 1466. Kleinmond Primary School Hall | 18:00 – 21:00

Tuesday

Kleinmond Kersmark / Christmas Market Do all your Christmas shopping in one place while enjoying the many eats and treats available. Bring the whole family! The market will be open daily from 10 – 23 December. Monday – Saturday 09:00 – 18:00; Sundays and 24 December 09:00 – 14:00. For more information, contact 082 303 1466. Kleinmond Primary School Hall | from 09:00 (10 – 23 Dec)

Wednesday

Christmas with Richard Cock Richard Cock is back, this time with one of his protegés, tenor Siyabonga Maqungo, who sings in the Berlin Opera, and violinist Lucia di Blasio Scott. The programme will be a wonderful mix of Christmas music, familiar tenor arias and music for violin by the ever-popular Fritz Kreisler, interspersed with entertaining readings by Richard Cock. Two concerts in aid of Izibusiso Place of Safety in Zwelihle will be performed and tickets at R230 pp (incl. wine and snacks) can be booked at the Hermanus Tourism Bureau or online at www.webtickets.co.za. United Church Hermanus | 15:00 & 19:00

Sunday

GIG STARTS 8.30–11PM Jannie du Toit Christmas Concert Join Jannie du Toit (guitar and vocals), with Chanie Jonker (piano and accordion) and Susan Mouton (cello) for Die eggo in jou oë. This performance in aid of Huis Lettie Theron will include Christmas carols. Tickets at R100 pp are available from Huis

Thursday

Robin Lee Book Launch Robin Lee of the Hermanus History Society will be in conversation with former Mayor, Nicolette Johnson about his new book, For Keeps: Articles on Hermanus history – worth keeping. Copies of the book as well as two other books by Robin Lee, will be for sale at the venue. Refreshments will be served and all are welcome. Catholic Church Hall | 16:30 Westcliff Residents Association AGM The annual general meeting of the WRA will be an opportunity for Westcliff residents to be informed about the challenges and achievements of the past year, and what the WRA is planning for next year. Everyone is welcome to attend and pose questions on topical issues. Contact Jan Cilliers on 082 896 0517. Municipal Auditorium Banquet Hall | 17:30 Radio Kalahari Orkes By die Hangklip check 'n mens in… en nie weer uit nie. RKO se musiek strek van 'n diep gewortelde plek, wat Ghoema-, Latyns- en Africanamusiek aanneem, insluitend enigiets anders wat langs die grondpad te vinde is. Vir kaartjies kontak 060 692 2963 of 028 273 8310. The Hangklip Hotel, Pringle Bay | 19:30 Bryan Adams Tribute Show With a line-up including Clint Falconer from Dan Patlansky band, Jason Oosthuizen from Van Coke Kartel, Lost&Found and now OOOTH, Dave Callaghan and Henry Grundling as frontman, this killer band line-up will bring all your favourite Bryan Adams songs back to life. Young and old, new and veteran fans will enjoy the ultimate night of rock 'n roll featuring some of the greatest hits from this rock star's career over the last few decades. Tickets are R150 pp. Book on 028 313 2137 or info@backstagecafe. co.za Backstage Cafe & Grill, 181 Main Rd, Hermanus | 20:00

L2L Practice Walk Join the Lighthouse 2 Lighthouse Ladies for a three-hour practice walk along the coast, mostly on hard sand at low tide, to Sopies Klip and back. Dress up in red, green and white to show your festive spirit! Meet at Grotto Beach parking lot | 08:00

OnVerWag Car Boot Sale One man’s junk is another man's treasure. Come and browse the OnverWag Car Boot Sale to find bargains galore. Book your boot for only R100; the proceeds go to the OnVerWag Neighbourhood Watch. For more info, call Adelaide on 083 399 8201. Van Blommestein Rd (on open field next to AIDA), Onrus | 10:00 – 14:00

Lettie Theron. Call 028 312 3721. Municipal Auditorium | 19:00

Friday

Our Favourite Things Market This unique Overberg market will be packed to the rafters with all things handmade, homemade, delicious and fresh – all in one beautiful location! You’ll find the perfect festive season gifts, plus you get to shop with a glass of Madame Lucy MCC in one hand and the sounds of a French accordion wafting through the air. Delectable food options will range from classic Gabriëlskloof Restaurant bistro fare at its best, to healthy salads and wraps, fresh Saldanha oysters, steaming hot Paella, Greek-style souvlaki, honest-to-goodness cured meats, and sweet treats – and much, much more! Four-legged friends and children are welcome. Entrance on Saturday and Sunday is free, but Friday night is dedicated to reservations for tables at R100 pp. Call 028 284 9865 to book. Gabrielskloof Wine Estate | 17:00 – 21:00

Thursday

Onrus Ratepayers Association AGM The Onrus community is warmly invited to attend the annual general meeting of ORRA. Caroline Gabb on 082 554 0811 for more info. De Wet Hall, Onrus | 17:30 for 18:00

Christopher Duigan Piano Recital You are invited to an iconic piano recital on an exceptional Faziolo Grand Piano, by the internationally acclaimed pianist Christopher Duigan in the magical cellar of the Bouchard Finlayson boutique wine estate. Christopher will play music from Handel, Liszt, Chopin and Rachmaninov, together with a selection of modern and contemporary music. This annual event, generously sponsored by the Lloys Ellis Family, Bouchard Finlayson and Ian Burgess of Simpson Pianos, is in aid of the Hermanus Cancer Fund. Tickets at R250 pp are available from www. webtickets.co.za. There will be two performances – on 17 and 18 December. Pre-concert wines and canapés will be served from 17:45 and the concert starts at 18:30. Bouchard Finlayson Wine Estate, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley | 18:30 (Tues & Wed)

POP-UP IN HERMANUS 17 December 2019 66 Luyt St, Eastcliff 10:00 – 16:00

Last minute best Christmas shopping JULIA ALBU - MY AFRICAN CONQUEST - UR BEST HOLIDAY READ BIZOUS - lovely Indian cotton dresses, tops, tablecloths WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS BULLARUM SOUTH AFRICA CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS JEWELLERY INDALO AND SALT - SOOOOPA CLOTHING FOR MEN LIZ WOODS renowned CHRISTMAS CAKES BEST MINCE PIES EVERRRRR DELISH COFFEE VINO BEER AND WHO KNOWS WHAT ELSE!!

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16 | ART 14

4 December 2019 1

THIS FRIDAY 5 - 8 PM

NIGHT OF A THOUSAND DRAWINGS An evening walk through the art galleries of Hermanus

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21

Originals Gallery 083 259 8869 Lembu Gallery 028 313 2741 Studio G 072 730 4916 Rossouw Modern 028 313 2222 Gallery De Jongh Gelderblom 076 733 6936 Forty x 40 Gallery 028 313 2741 Malcolm Bowling Art 076 122 0218 Rossouw Modern SPACE 028 313 2222 Kunskantoor 082 879 2274 FynArts Gallery 060 957 5371 Geta Finlayson Art Studio 082 772 5949 The stART 082 333 3354 Makiwa Modern 028 312 2699 The Art Gallery 060 676 8652 Pure South 028 312 1899 Walker Bay Modern Art 028 125 0156 Gallery 19 072 270 1883 Art Thirst 072 682 6590 Photographic Society Pop Up Gallery every First Friday @ Foto First Hermanus Art Circle Pop Up Gallery every First Friday Lize Art Gallery 076 155 9015

Hunt down treasures in aid of charity The chosen charities for this year’s Night of a Thousand Drawings are:

Stroll through the village, savour a glass of wine from one of our local vineyards and enjoy the astonishing range of donated A5-size artworks which will be for sale at

1. The Siyazama Service Centre for the Aged in Zwelihle. 2. The FynArts Music Project, and outreach programme for pre-school and primary school children and teachers, facilitated by Axolile Hoza, the artistic director of the Handevat Music Project in Kleinmond. 3. The Hermanus Homeless Shelter currently under construction in Mount Pleasant. 4. The Hermanus Visual Art & Design Centre.

R100 each. ‘First Friday’ in Hermanus is our part of a worldwide initiative to make art and art galleries more accessible to the public. On the First Friday of every month, the twenty-one art galleries in the centre of Hermanus remain open until 8pm

3 On Friday 6 December, Hermanus First Fridays (HFF) Artwalk supporters will again take to the streets and alleys of the Old Town to enjoy the last Artwalk of the year. As has become tradition, the December Artwalk will take the form of The Night of a Thousand Drawings, when A5-sized artworks will be for sale at R100 each. This much anticipated annual event is based on the concept that we should all enjoy the indulgence of purchasing artwork – even if modest in terms of size and price. Not only is this an opportunity to track down artworks by your favourite artists but also to stock up on Christmas gifts. It’s a bit like going on a treasure hunt as you never know what you might find – and that is part of the joy of The Night of a Thousand Drawings. The artworks have all been donated to the HFF galleries by artists from far and wide, both professional and amateur, including 4

Hermanus First Fridays Artwalk @FFHermanus

Hermanus Tourism

school children. The collected A5-sized artworks have now been divided among the participating galleries, which will display them in various ways on the evening of the Artwalk, mostly by hanging them from “washing lines”. These artworks, ranging from paintings and drawings to sketches and illustrations, could be done in oils, watercolours, pastels, inks, pencil or charcoal, and include landscapes, seascapes, portraits, abstracts and still lifes; the only stipulation was that they must be sized A5 and the artists had to be willing to donate them. All the proceeds from the sales of these artworks will be donated to local charities. This year the funds raised by The Night of a Thousand Drawings will be divided between the FynArts Music Project, Hermanus Visual Art & Design Centre, Hermanus Night Shelter and Siyazama Service Centre for the Aged. – Hedda Mittner

ART | 17 15

4 December 2019

Art beyond the orange curtain By Patrick Chapman

urray for the galleries in the centre of Hermanus which hang out their orange lanterns on First Fridays to guide art lovers to the buzzing art hub and to get feet over the thresholds with lures of special exhibitions, wine and snacks. These evenings are well supported and fun. (The next one, on 6 December, is the annual Night of a 1 000 Drawings – not to be missed!) But what about the outlying areas? I took a look at the art scene from Rooiels to Stanford to see what else was available. Well, gentle readers, prepare yourselves for a shock. When we say, Hermanus is THE art destination of the Western Cape, we mean the centre of Hermanus itself. Like the cheek-by-jowl shoe shops in the Golden Acre in Cape Town or the spice emporiums in Durban Market, the galleries have at last seen the strength in unity and do joint marketing. Most of the industry’s just-under-the-surface concerns have long disappeared as they have seen the benefit of collaboration. One gallery owner, now departed, was steadfast in her initial refusal to be “on the same page” as art galleries that also sold ladies’ fashions, indigenous trinkets or, heaven forbid, coffee and croissants! Well, the success of First Fridays soon got her on board. My visit to the outlying areas of the Overstrand in search of art was a little disheartening. I saw nothing in Rooiels. In Pringle Bay the Pringle Bay Art Gallery was not to be found but it is in fact incorporated in La Galerie, a restaurant with art of the Rooiels-Kleinmond area (closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays). They are opening a seasonal show of local artists on the evening of Friday 6 December. I did spot a notice advertising ‘Reflections on the Overstrand’, a group show of works by seven artists, opening on 30 November (running until April) at Bistro 365, Central Avenue, Pringle Bay. Betty’s Bay yielded the art and décor shop,

Lize joins HFF Artwalk

Silversands Antiques, but you will need your pathfinder’s badge to locate it. Try the little one-way lane, downhill, after the Caltex garage and you may end up in a parking area outside The Village Centre where Silversands is located. They show small artworks by local painters and a variety of décor items. Don’t overlook John the Potter in Betty’s Bay (easily found as it is located right on Clarence Drive). He is recovering from a serious car accident and is throwing again. In support, his wife Louise is partnering with a friend and relaunching the business under ‘John the Potter’s Flying Circus’ so it should, with that quirky name, be worth a visit. Kleinmond has an attractive, long-standing gallery in its own Harbour Road. Run by Desiree van Zyl, it shows a good selection of professional artists as well as some art ceramicist. And there is another serious ceramist, Corinne de Haas, whose works are showcased in The Potter’s Gallery just up the road. Corinne has become well known for her contemporary crockery and several of South Africa’s top restaurants are among her clients, including Creation in Hemel-en-Aarde. Benguela Cove Wine Estate is hosting sculptor Anton Smit’s work, looking splendid en plein air, a term usually applied to painting out of doors, but Anton’s work relishes space. Several other established artists are in the gallery itself and in the complex. Passing on, we come to Onrus, once known as an artists’ village, now alas with no functioning galleries at all after Glenda Pope closed her Mission’s House Art Gallery & Framery. Just off the intersection of Van Blommestein and Viljoen Streets is The Framery, previously owned by Marlene Oberholzer, now under new management.

ABOVE: Lize working in her studio at the back of the Barefoot Cook Restaurant. LEFT: Lize with the owner/chef of the Barefoot Cook, Anton Verhoogt. PHOTOS: Hedda Mittner Lize Art Gallery in Aberdeen Street is the 21st gallery to join the Hermanus First Fridays (HFF) Artwalk, just in time for the Night of a Thousand Drawings on Friday 6 December. Located in the traditional fisherman’s cottage in Aberdeen Street that is home to the Barefoot Cook Restaurant, this attractive gallery might be just the place to end off your Artwalk with a scrumptious meal, especially on a summer’s evening when you can sit outside in the delightful courtyard garden. Local artist Lize Smit, who struck out on her own after leaving The Art Gallery last year, opened her new gallery in the Barefoot Cook in April and hasn’t looked back since. In fact,

this collaboration with Anton Verhoogt, owner/chef of the Barefoot Cook, is working so well that Lize has also moved her studio to the premises. “I have sold out so much of my stock that I am now working round the clock to produce new works,” she says. Lize Art Gallery is currently running a pre-season special of 25% off selected original artworks until 20 December, which will be the opening day of her new solo summer exhibition. You’ll find the gallery (and the Barefoot Cook) at 12 Aberdeen Street and the opening hours are Monday to Friday from 10:00 – 16:00 and Saturdays from 10:00 – 14:00. Lize can be contacted on 076 155 9015 and the Barefoot Cook on 028 312 4681.

Lawrance Brennon

East of Hermanus, Stanford has no more galleries but has recently hosted a pop-up show by seven artists, entitled ‘Broken’. The group, who got together for the Tulbagh Art Fest a month or two ago, style themselves as the Overstrand Artist Collective. I was impressed by the diversity and quality of the work which has “a deeply personal perspective whilst simultaneously addressing our greater environmental context”. I have urged the organisers to bring the exhibit to Hermanus.

Fine Art Printing and Photography If you are a photographer who requires high quality prints, or an artist demanding faithful reproductions of original artworks, I would like to offer my custom photography and printing service. Whether the originals are watercolours, oils, pencil drawings, mixed media or digital photographs, the nal prints will faithfully portray the artist’s intent and vision. A wide choice of materials is available including archival canvas, cotton paper and ne art matte paper. Pigment inks ensure image stability and a print lifespan well in excess of 50 years.

Lawrance Brennon with local artist and gallery owner, Ed Bredenkamp.

To discuss your printing requirements and see samples contact Lawrance on 082 872 7830

Ideal gifts for the artist in your family IRIS ART MATERIAL STORAGE TROLLEY

WOODEN A-FRAME STUDIO EASEL

ABOVE: The Anton Smit Sculpture Park & Art Gallery at Benguela Cove is well worth a visit.

13 Mitchell Street Hermanus

DERWENT CARRY-ALL BAG CRETACOLOR WOLF BOX SPECIAL EDITION

LEFT: The Potter’s Gallery in Kleinmond has an impressive collection of cutting-edge, functional ceramics.

028 312 3901

DERWENT INKTENSE PENCIL 24 WRAP SET

SAKURA KOI WATERCOLOUR SETS

18 | TOURISM 16

4 December 2019

Putting Home Grown on the map Writer Elaine Davie

t would be difficult to imagine two people more passionate about their home environment, or more determined to both protect and share it with others, than a Kleinmond mother and daughter team with big dreams. They are Leticia and Louzanne Andreae and, appropriately, they are about to launch a new tourism initiative called Home Grown. There was never any doubt that Leticia and her husband would retire to Kleinmond; her connection with the town goes back several generations. So after returning to this familiar and much-loved environment three years ago, it took little effort to persuade their daughter, a qualified game ranger and tour guide, as well as a passionate equestrian, to join them. And it didn’t take long for the two of them to put their heads together to dream up a tour company with a difference. It seemed to them that for too long the primary focus of the Whale Coast tourism industry had been on Hermanus, leaving the small towns to its west feeling a bit like Cinderella at the ball. Yet, between Bot River and Rooiels, hidden in clear sight in the Kogelberg Biosphere is a treasure trove of riches, all of it just waiting to be re-discovered. An entrepreneur in her own right, Leticia has taken on the role of marketer and administrator and Louzanne will be contributing her vast experience as a tour guide to the operational aspect of the business. BELOW: On any of the hiking trails in the Kogelberg, vistas like this can be seen around every corner.

ABOVE: Cookies from Louzanne before the horse trail begins. RIGHT: The Home Grown team: Sheldon Els, marine guide; Leticia Andreae and her daughter Louzanne, horse trails specialists. “Responsible tourism and environmental education are absolutely central to our philosophy,” says Leticia. “It’s all about giving visitors an upclose-and-personal taste of what it’s like to live here, surrounded by all this incredible beauty. Whether it’s on foot, on horseback or in snorkelling gear, we want to offer them an unforgettable journey of discovery in the company of informed and professional guides.” Home Grown will be officially launched this Thursday, but already these enterprising women have started introducing visitors to the joys of the region. Their main focus will be on organising unique adventure activities and because environmental education is so important to them, they are also planning to organise children’s birthday parties with a twist. Backpacks stuffed with party goodies, the children will be taken on a hike and given a cool environmental experience like snake handling (with play-play snakes), or identifying edible plants, followed by ‘old school’ fun in the form of Boeresports. Another option for children would be a horse trail pony party. For adults, the choices are endless, with a focus on the path less travelled. Another member of the Home Grown team is Sheldon Els, a young guide from Betty’s Bay who will take guests snorkelling in kelp forests along this magical coastline or give them a lesson in surfing. Of course a visit to the penguins at Stony Point goes without saying. In addition to the wealth

of marine life, the diversity and riches of bird life in this area would make bird watching tours another obvious option, as would floral tours.

happy to collaborate with others in the local tourism industry, as long as they share similar values.

“Our philosophy is ‘local is lekker’,” adds Leticia, “and bearing in mind that surveys have shown that one of the things foreign tourists enjoy most is getting to know the locals, we are hoping to take them to homes in Proteadorp here in Kleinmond, to enjoy a traditional meal like snoek and patats or bobotie with the family. The residents of this area are real people, warm, relaxed and funny, proud of their heritage – definitely worth getting to know.”

Another thing they agree on is their long-term desire to identify local youngsters who can be trained as tour guides. There is a real opportunity for income generation and job creation here, they point out, and nobody can be as passionate about promoting their environment to visitors as the young people who have been born and bred here.

And talking of food, gourmet picnic baskets will be a feature of most of their hikes and trails. “We’re all foodies in our family, you see,” laughs Louzanne, “so this simply had to be part of our package. Naturally all our ingredients will be absolutely fresh and locally sourced, each taste sensation designed to complement one of the magnificent wines of the region. This also fits in very well with the naming of the Overstrand as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy.” One of the things Louzanne is happiest about, though, is that she will get to lead horse trails. “I have been riding since I was a small child,” she says, “for about 23 years, in fact, including horse trails in the Waterberg and Mozambique. Since I’ve been here I’ve been very excited to slot in with Heaven and Earth Horse Trails on the Karwyderskraal Road.” One thing she and her mother both emphasise is that they are

“What we’re aiming to do is attract visitors for a bespoke weekend adventure”, says Louzanne. “There is excellent accommodation available at all price levels and we would be able to offer them a wonderfully diverse package of activities which would give them a real feel for this lovely, but undervalued section of the Western Cape. “The Kogelberg Biosphere is so incredibly special and an increase in tourism will be an important generator of income for the region. We’re absolutely clear, though, that it must be sustainable, eco-friendly tourism with a minimum of disturbance and no damage at all to the natural environment. We love this home of ours and we want nothing more than to share the love.” Home Grown can be contacted on 082 899 3354 or leticia@homegrownsa.co.za, or visit www.homegrownsa.co.za

19 17

www.thevillagenews.co.za

4 December 2019

Interior design trend forecast for 2020 Prepare for a few surprises and some quirky twists...

By Sarah Donnelly Overberg Interiors

expensive options as they compete for this space, which is great for us as consumers. But wait, velvet may have a rival in the 2020 fashion stakes in the form of corduroy. Pinterest has spotted a 507% increase in searches for corduroy, so it may well be the new home fabric for upholstery.

s we approach the next decade in design, we look to both the future and the past to conceive new products and methods. Decor trends for 2020 are all about personality and character, whether yours be vibrant or subdued… In 2020 we can do both with equal style.

Feminine shapes Softer, more feminine shapes are creating impact on interiors in 2020 and contrast perfectly with raw materials such as concrete and brass. Look out for curved lines and silhouettes in everything, from vases to floor lamps and seating.

The colour controversy Each year the Pantone Institute releases their eagerly awaited colour of the year, which sets the tone for trends in both design and fashion. Their 2019 announcement of ‘Living Coral’ caused quite a stir in environmental circles when two Melbourne-based creatives pronounced it insensitive and suggested ‘Bleached Coral’ for 2020. Bleached Coral does not depict the bright colours of living coral but is a very light blue, which showcases the colour of dying coral due to climate change. With over 45% of the coral on the Great Barrier Reef having died over the past three years, this controversy in the design world is highlighting how much danger the world’s largest coral reef system is in. Ignoring the eco fuss, early predictions are betting on ‘Flame Scarlet’, a fiery red as Pantone’s actual 2020 colour. An African twist Africa goes global in the next decade, with patterns and colour combinations inspired by the African continent. For colourways, think Moroccan deep blues, burnt orange sunsets, the aqua waters of Mozambique and jungle greens of Uganda. In fact, ethnic elements are infinite

Stanford

Amanda Geldenhuys 084 911 2016 Bedrooms: 3 | Baths: 3 | Garages: 1

Paulette v.d. Bosch 082 349 8265 Bedrooms: 4 | Baths: 2 | Garages: 3

In the world of interiors, we will be seeing the biophilic design trend becoming more and more popular in 2020 and beyond. It’s all about

Bedrooms: 4 | Baths: 4 | Garages: 2

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Maximalism If in recent years we have witnessed the prevalence of minimalism in interior design, by 2020 we will be surprised by creative, bold and fun interiors. Major 2019 design fairs have anticipated vibrant colour spaces, enriched with unlikely mixtures of patterns, materials and shapes, complemented by striking design pieces. Fabrics Velvet will continue to reign in 2020 and is an easy way to add opulence to any space. The fabric houses are bringing out progressively more velvets in different colourways and less

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Hennie Cloete 083 388 8431 Bedrooms: 3 | Baths: 2 | Garages: 2

Mari-Lize Crouzer 076 581 4257 Vacant land: size 902 m²

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R4 250 000

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Anmar Marais 082 563 9910 Web Ref: CWSC-1396

Do come and visit us at our new shop at Unit 1, The Trading Post, Onrus. We have the latest décor items and fabrics, beautiful jewellery and stylish gifting for the festive season. Call 079 880 4211 for an appointment.

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R2 295 000 Sandbaai

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Magical marble Marble has always been a noble material. With its striking veins and endless colour and pattern choices, it’s easy to find a suitable marble slab for your interior. Whether a small vase or a whole marble wall, it will add impact and timelessness to your interior. Even investing in a small piece made of marble can add value to your home.

R535 000 Hermanus

R3 150 000 Pearly Beach

Ronette Rosseau 083 393 1556

R1 080 000 Kleinmond

Linda Woolnough 082 737 2549 Web Ref: CWSC-4840

weaving our ecosystem into our surroundings. In practice, this means paying attention to the introduction of natural light into spaces, bringing a great deal of greenery into your home, using natural materials and fabrics, as well as water features and open spaces.

Web Ref: CWSC-4052

R795 000 Sandbaai

Web Ref: CWSC-4925

R12 000 000 Fisherhaven

Cheryl van Deventer 083 469 1585 Web Ref: CWSC-4960

The Biophilia buzz Biophilia literally refers to a love of nature. It stems from the theory that human beings are innately drawn towards nature.

R5 350 000 Hermanus

Web Ref: CWSC-4793

Vermont

Animal lovers’ paradise Animals will be omnipresent next year. Expect to see birds, monkeys, elephants and dogs on fabrics and accessories. In fact, in 2020 design has literally gone to the dogs, with homeowners creating custom dog-wash stations and built-in dog beds that fit into the bottom shelf of media units or bedroom cupboards.

R4 500 000 De Kelders

Web Ref: CWSC-4957

Hermanus

and can easily be incorporated into a myriad of interior trends in 2020, making this style great fun to play with.

Painted parquet Another cool decor idea revealed by the Pinterest trend research, is painting parquet floors with bold colours and mosaic patterns. The number of people looking for this on Pinterest has increased by 1 276% in the past year and it’s certainly an interesting new idea to try in 2020.

R3 850 000

Suzanne Beukes 074 944 5534 Web Ref: CWSC-4665

Bedrooms: 6 | Baths: 3 | Garages: 2

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4 December 2019

MY HOME

Communication key to a successful build By Stuart Cohen CabinCare Property Management & Project Specialists

n many of my building-related articles during the course of this year, I have made mention of a number of elements that lead to a better understanding of the building process and which, hopefully, will result in less stress. More often than not, when things do go off plan it is due to the most important factor of all – lack of communication. Besides the fact that communication is our daily means of making sense of what is going on around us, it is astounding how small things can escalate into huge problems if communication is not clear or properly understood. At the start of any building process, clarity of communication is critical, as it largely involves the owner and the architect engaging with each other at a very detailed level to produce a plan that becomes the foundation for the rest of the process. Ideas are

shared, preferences discussed, practicalities considered and likes and dislikes negotiated. These discussions are generally vigorous, sometimes bordering on challenging when different opinions are tested. In the end however, once compromises have been made and decisions agreed, the next step in the process can begin. And this is where caution is advised. Once an architectural plan has been finalised, the next round of conversation is with potential builders who will hopefully have a clear understanding of structural needs, based on the architect’s plan. At this stage you will need to factor in budgets for the dreaded ‘PC List’ (Provisional Costs) which represents all the costs outside of the physical build itself e.g. flooring, tiles, light fittings, shower doors and panels, sanitary ware, security and home automation systems, air-conditioning, balustrades, swimming pool, fireplace, solar installations; the list is endless, but clear communication is critical in order to get a detailed quote. So many iterations and choices will be made at this stage that we would

recommend regular written communication between all parties involved to ensure that there is no misunderstanding. If this is not in place, you will feel the impact at a later stage when budgets get tested – and they always do. One key consideration is that if you are building in an estate with defined building and design guidelines, make sure that your architect and builder are fully au fait with these as there is nothing worse than having to rework something at a later stage which does not comply with these stipulations. As part of the negotiating process, make sure that you fully understand the builder’s contract before signing it, and particularly how the payment plan will work. In larger builds, the generally-accepted method is a monthly draw based on work completed in the previous month, which ties back to the agreed quotation. If a builder proposes a hefty deposit and weekly draws, then we would suggest that you be very cautious, as it is often in cases like this that horror stories of lost deposits and vanishing

Once you have selected a builder (and hopefully have chosen one that has a track record, which you can verify with site visits and satisfied customers), communication needs to be formalised, documented and maintained.

lection of finishes. The less you have to compromise, the happier you will be with the end result. The level of detail you have to manage increases at the same rate as your funds decrease as a result of payments made to the builder and sub-contractors. Many builders are not admin-focused so the onus does fall on the owner to make detailed notes of everything and to keep tabs on the status of any items raised as concerns.

Our recommendation is to have weekly site meetings with the builder/project manager to identify any problems that may crop up during the build. Any concerns or issues coming out of these meetings must be documented and shared with all parties to avoid unnecessary or unpleasant comebacks at a later stage.

Once you get to the finishing stages of your build, you will find that everyone’s nightmare is the dreaded ‘snag list’ which, depending on the builder (be prepared for the infamous Hermanus disclaimer, ‘weather dependent’), could result in a protracted and frustrating extension of timelines.

As many builders are notoriously bad at written communication, make sure you cover yourself as misunderstandings happen very easily when messaging is only verbal.

Make sure that you have negotiated an acceptable retention of funds, as trying to get service providers back on site once the last of the budget has been paid out can be more than a battle. Credible builders will walk the snag-list journey with their clients, as protracted as it may be. Others may not be that willing, so be aware of the potential pitfalls.

builders emerge. It goes without saying that this contract must be documented and if in any doubt, get a legal-sanity check on it.

The further you go with the build, the more critical this communication becomes, as it will start impacting on all your personal choices and the se-

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4 December 2019

Frequently asked questions about fibre R

esidents and businesses that have registered for a fibre optic connection with service provider Lightstruck can expect a visit from their sales team shortly. The team, who will be in the Hermanus area until 20 December, will also be available to register new users or answer any questions you may have.

The Lightstruck sales team who will be in Hermanus until 20 December are: Ashton Williams (right), Nathan Wyngaard, Tania Wyngaard, Gerard Pieterse and Rohan Pieterse. picture – the connection speeds seldom break through the 4 Mbps mark.

Hannes Pieterse, CEO of Lightstruck, says the uptake in town has been phenomenal and the company is already busy with their roll-out plans to other suburbs outside of the CBD.

Fibre connections start at 20 Mbps, which is three times faster than usual, and the speeds continue all the way up to 1 000 Mbps. This helps especially when using your connection for video streaming services such as Netflix and Showmax or voice calls.

Here are answers to the most frequently asked questions consumers have. What are the benefits of fibre? Firstly, users only have to use one service provider for all their connectivity needs, be it for the internet, video streaming or voice calls. Compared to normal copper wire or WiFi speeds, fibre is significantly faster. Copper connection is a former generation technology and is not nearly as reliable as fibre. Fibre internet consists of very thin glass strands, as opposed to copper wires, for faster data transfer. There is no comparison between copper and fibre as fibre is superior on all levels. As Lightstruck is an infrastructure provider and the network it built is an open access one, most

What about my current telephone number? All current Telkom telephone numbers, including 028-numbers, can be switched to a fibre network via a process called porting. of the current internet providers in Hermanus have access to the Lightstruck network. This means that the service providers rent the network space from Lightstruck at the same price and they decide what the sell-on price to the consumer will be. This creates an open market and offers wider choice and better rates to consumers.

Does fibre offer better quality? At present most internet users struggle with connection speed. Normal connection speeds in Hermanus are around 5 megabits per second (Mbps). While downloading – that is surfing the internet or streaming video – connection speeds vary between 3 and 5 Mbps, while for uploading – that is when you send an email or a

If you want to switch your phone calls to VOIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) all the local service providers that offer access to the Lightstruck network can assist you to port your number onto the new network. You can also get access to new telephone numbers.

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MY WELLNESS Youthful Living

4 December 2019

Dr Arien van der Merwe is a medical doctor specialising in natural medicine, herbal remedies, stress management and holistic health counselling. Address: Arundel Medical Rooms, c/o Church & Arundel St, Hermanus. Website: www.DrArien.co.za

Tips for a stress-less holiday

By Dr Arien van der Merwe

•

his time of year comes with mixed feelings, whether you’re celebrating Christmas, Kwanza, Chanukah, the Summer or Winter Solstice, a family holiday, or simply the end of another calendar year, looking forward to a well-deserved break. There are excitement and expectations galore, but certainly also some negative stress: feeling overwhelmed, pressured, dreading the pending loneliness many of us feel, experiencing a sense of obligation, anxiety about finding gifts, crowded stores, financial worry, not having enough time, family dysfunction, and so on. Our main challenge is that we sometimes have unreasonably high expectations of our holidays, especially the year-end one! This holiday has to fulfil a year’s worth of neglecting our work-life balance and be the complete rebalance, rejuvenation, rest and recovery period! We look forward to relaxing and enjoying simple pleasures, to having renewed willpower and energy to take on the New Year. Why then do we often feel tired, pressured and even exhausted after a wonderful holiday? You simply don’t have the energy to go back to work and you don’t even want to start thinking about the next 12 months! Many people experience this feeling – it is the holiday blues, a general and well-known phenomenon. You can do something to prevent this! In my experience, there are more requests for

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• Dr Arien van der Merwe is looking forward to continuing her medical practice, which specialises in natural, holistic, integrative and functional medicine, at her new premises in Hope Street, next to Fine & Country. Dr Arien, who is also an author, facilitator and public speaker, has become known as the kruiedokter (herbal doctor) of Hermanus, as she enjoys nothing more than educating people on the healing properties of herbs and spices that can improve our health and wellbeing. She calls her new rooms the ‘Green Healing Space’ from where she’ll be offering health counselling, weight control, stress management and workplace wellness. The Green Healing Space can be found at 16 Hope Street (c/o Hope & Dirkie Uys St). Contact 067 1166 111 or Hermanus@DrArien.co.za. For more info visit www.DrArien.co.za stress management consultations and workshops between January and March than any other months of the year. Stress-induced symptoms such as high blood pressure, eczema, asthma, chronic fatigue syndrome and insomnia also increase during January and February. There are various stress factors that can contribute to these symptoms: the holiday that you’d been looking forward to for so long didn’t meet your expectations, old family problems may have led to confrontations, you are under financial pressure with accounts that still need to be paid, and back at work you are greeted by administrative duties, including hundreds of emails that you need to catch up with, and

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•

your freedom is restricted again while your irritation with your co-workers are showing up as the mirror reflections of your suppressed and denied issues. Holidays and a new year mean change! Any change – good or bad – creates distress. The last week before your holiday is usually just a blur as you try to get everything done and organised. Stress-less tips for the holidays and the New Year • Try to eat healthy on your holiday: lots of fruits, vegetables, fresh fish, nuts and seeds, fresh water and herbal teas (steep freshly grated ginger root, chamomile, rooibos and hibiscus flowers in boiling water, let it cool down, add raw honey, mint leaves, fresh cherries or strawberries, lemon slices and lots of ice) to drink. • Most people stop taking their supplements during the holidays. Remember to take supplements like vitamin-B complex (for the nervous system), antioxidants to neutralise the holiday’s over indulgence, Gingko biloba (for concentration), valerian and chamomile tea (to help calm you down), milk thistle (for detoxification and to help the liver rejuvenate) and calcium, magnesium and essential fatty acids (for everything else!). • Make a commitment to stick to your exercise programme, adapted to the holidays: try more yoga, swimming, dancing or walking. • Enjoy ‘me’ time every day – we are human-beings and not human-doings. Give yourself some time out for introspection and being alone, especially outside in nature, to focus on your soul centre. Take these

•

moments to experience the here and now (the present moment) and to appreciate it. Set your values, beliefs, goals and priorities and find out what is important to you, what makes your heart sing. Keep a dream diary next to your bed (over the holiday period and when you are back at work). Practise forgiveness, gratitude and bless all those around you, regardless of what you think or perceive they ever did, or are doing, to you. This will make you feel lighter and happier. Treat yourself to a relaxing bath (choose aromatherapy oils such as lavender, sandalwood, ylang-ylang, orange blossom, chamomile and neroli) or a deep tissue massage. Care for yourself with a natural UV-protection moisturiser or tanning lotion applied to a smooth, well-scrubbed body, deep facial cleanses and facial masks made of finely chopped cucumber, yoghurt and lemon juice. A short relaxation exercise to tune in, and become calm and peaceful, turning your attention away from outside things, people and situations that upset you: • Sit quietly in a chair, bare feet on the floor, arms and hands relaxed • Tense the muscles in your feet. Then relax them. Do the same with your lower legs, then upper legs, then buttocks, tummy, chest, hands, neck, head and face • Take your attention to your breathing. Make it deep and slow. Count to 4 or 5 as you breathe in. Hold your breath for 2 to 3 counts. Then sigh your breath out while you count for 5, 6 or 7. Carry on doing this for 2 to 3 minutes • If your mind becomes filled with thoughts, simply let the thoughts flow by like clouds in the sky, and keep on bringing your attention back to your breathing • After 2, 3 or even 5 to10 minutes, become aware of your body, slowly open your eyes, stretch and carry on with your day as usual, feeling calmer and more relaxed than before you did the exercise. Do this every the morning and evening, and whenever you feel upset, tired or stressed If your family (including the children) become too demanding, or you feel resentful about cleaning and cooking, it is time for a family pow-wow to explain gently, yet assertively, how you feel. Create a chore schedule where everybody is responsible for certain duties/tasks (making coffee in the morning, washing the dishes etc.), or taking turns with meals.

This will ensure a happy time of connecting with yourself, close and extended family, and friends. Be realistic: use the holidays to be yourself. Enjoy every day as it comes without expectations. Relax!

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4 December 2019

Renosterveld campaign needs your support T

he Hermanus district is known for its pristine Fynbos landscapes. But did you know that the largest connected stretch of Renosterveld left on the planet, is found in the Overberg. Renosterveld is a Critically Endangered habitat – and because of habitat transformation and agricultural practices, today only 5% remains. It’s part of the Cape Floral Kingdom, although it’s not as well known.

12 beds for visiting scholars. According to the ORCT’s Director, Dr Odette Curtis-Scott, it’s vital to encourage children to connect with nature. “We need to start reaching out to children in this landscape, and beyond it, to create awareness about threatened ecosystems across the globe. And this is an example of such an ecosystem – which despite its severe fragmentation still holds immense diversity.”

Haarwegskloof Renosterveld Reserve is a 500-hectare reserve in the Overberg that is owned by the WWF South Africa, and is managed by the Overberg Renosterveld Conservation Trust (ORCT). Aside from being part of the most contiguous stretch of Renosterveld globally, with many rare and endemic species, this reserve is also a place of learning for students.

Already schools in the Overberg have shown great interest in supporting this endeavour, encouraging their children to learn about Renosterveld.

The ORCT is now running a fundraising campaign on BackABuddy to support this. Odette says, “It’s been a dream of the Trust to instil environmental awareness among the youth. We know this is the only way to ensure Renosterveld and the rest of our threatened natural world can be protected by – and for – future generations.” The deadline for the BackABuddy crowdfunding campaign is 24 December 2019. To get involved, please visit: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/champion/project/ renosterveld

It is home to the only Renosterveld Research Centre in the world, which has already provided research opportunities to 12 post-graduate students. The centre is an old, derelict farmhouse that was converted following a successful crowdfunding campaign. Now the Overberg Renosterveld Conservation Trust is extending this learning space – to also reach school children. The plan? To convert an old shed on Haarwegskloof into a learning hub for school groups and other visitors. It will be a place to learn and teach – with a common room for scholars, and a kitchen area to cater for these groups. It will also include

The Hermanus Pro-Musica Choir recently held a charity concert at Onrus Manor in aid of Overberg Wildfire Volunteers (OWV). Here Marina de Beer (centre) of Onrus Manor, who also sings in the choir, and fundraiser Elize Snyman (right) hand over the proceeds of the concert to Bernardus Groenewald, the founder of OWV. A total of R2 700 was raised, which will come in handy for this non-profit organisation which was founded in order to assist our local fire and rescue responders. “We saw that the resources of the Overberg District Municipality and Overstrand Municipality were stretched to maximum capacity due to the ongoing wildfires that devastate the region far and wide,” says Bernardus. Anyone can apply to become a member of OWV. No former training or experience is required (although it would be a bonus) as all training is provided in-house, ensuring that their members have the necessary skills and knowledge to be ready when called to action. Visit them on Facebook or overbergwildfirevolunteers.co.za or contact 064 987 4986.

Renosterveld is a Critically Endangered habitat that forms part of the Cape Floral Kingdom. Only 5% remains today. BOTTOM LEFT: The farm shed that the Overberg Renosterveld Conservation Trust wants to convert into a learning hub for visitors.

CEM Youth held their first gathering recently, during which around 100 teenagers from different local churches took part in a volleyball tournament at Grotto Beach. The competition was a lot of fun, with the group of grade 11s (above) winning the tournament by a narrow margin. After all the action, the group went to Shofar for boerewors rolls and worship. The next CEM Youth get-together will be held in February. Any teenager is welcome to join via their church or as individuals. Contact the Dutch Reformed Church in Onrus (Anton – 072 477 3185), Shofar Hermanus (Hendrik & Tabita – 082 386 6045), AGS Sandbaai (Dennis – 063 124 2870), Christ Church (Tom – 079 607 7797) or Every Nation (Jonathan – 060 618 6577). PHOTO: Roeleen Wessels

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4 December 2019

Summer Fun Adventure camp for local children Writer Jasper Seidel

he Sluyter Foundation, with the help of volunteer students from the Netherlands, will be hosting the second edition of the Summer Fun Adventure Camp at the Waldorf School in Sandbaai. Starting on Thursday 5 December, the camp will give children from our local communities the opportunity to enjoy the best first week of their summer holiday. The emphasis of the Summer Fun Adventure will be on fun, but why can fun not go hand in hand with education? Sara van Dinther, one of the volunteer students who will lead the Adventure Camp, says: “Learning about empowerment through activi-

ties such as art, dancing and self-defense, is the ideal way of making the children understand that they are all part of the Hermanus community. By dividing them into groups of different genders and cultural backgrounds, this camp will help to depolarise our different communities.” Children from any school are more than welcome to attend the event at a cost of only R10 for a full week of summer fun. This is made possible through an all-volunteer system and donations in money or kind. On a daily basis every child will receive a healthy breakfast, a warm lunch and a snack as well as being taken on outings accompanied by the volunteers. Besides the Summer Fun Adventure, the Sluyter Foundation is working to-

RIGHT: Children make puppets during the 2018 Summer Fun Adventure camp. BOTTOM RIGHT: Exploring the Hermanus coastline. PHOTOS: Wouter Dewulf

gether with different partners such as Abagold, Whale Coast Conservation, HAWS, Ficks, Sharklady and Vogelgat in order to give children from Mount Pleasant, Waldorf, Lukhanyo and Zwelihle primary schools an experience to never forget. The Summer Fun Adventure Camp will take place at the Waldorf School from 5 to 13 December, culminating in a concert, prizegiving and Christmas party. The Sluyter Foundation is still looking for more donations and volunteers. For more on the Summer Fun Adventure Camp, contact 072 279 7082 or WhatsApp to 0316 3728 9624 or send an email to thesummerfunadventure@gmail.com

Stumbling for The Butterfly Centre Stanford Hills hosted its annual Stanford Stumble in aid of The Butterfly Centre on Saturday 30 November. The Stumble entailed a rather hilarious meander through the vineyards in the late afternoon, with refreshment stops along the walk. The participants were asked to come in fancy dress and there were some very impressive costumes, including two girls who were dressed as bags of jelly beans, a pirate, a Santa Claus, a butterfly, and two men dressed in

traditional German lederhosen. Along the way, the Stumblers were also given a tour of the new building that is being constructed on the farm for The Butterfly Centre, which caters to children who do not fit into the mainstream schooling environment. The centre was founded by Jami Kastner of Stanford Hills, and moving from their rented premises in Stanford to the farm will allow the children to learn more skills outside of the classroom, while providing a less

disruptive space for learning. As the 2020 beneficiary of the Lighthouse 2 Lighthouse Ladies Walk, the Butterfly Centre will be completed with the donation of funds raised during next year’s charity walk. Back at The Tasting Room after the walk, everyone could relax on the sprawling lawn and enjoy the cold beer, wine, food, live music and entertainment on offer. – Taylum Meyer 2

1. Jami Kastner of Stanford Hills with L2L Chair Ronelle van Zyl and Lee-Anne Wasserfall of The Butterfly Centre. 2. Pieter Kastner of Stanford Hills rocks a whacky costume. 3. Pieter Kastner Sr (from JHB) and Charmaine and Pieter Kruger (from Knysna) in their homemade outfits. 4. Amelia Hofmeyr (3) loved dancing to the music. 3

OVERSTRAND MUNISIPALITEIT AANSUIWERINGSBEGROTING 2019/2020 (NASIONALE EN PROVINSIALE AANSUIWERINGSBEDRAE, 2019) EN HERSIENE DIENSLEWERING- EN BEGROTINGSIMPLEMENTERINGSPLAN (DBIP) VIR 2019/20

OVERSTRAND MUNICIPALITY ADJUSTMENTS BUDGET 2019/2020 (NATIONAL AND PROVINCIAL ADJUSTED ESTIMATES, 2019) AND REVISED SERVICE DELIVERY AND BUDGET IMPLEMENTATION PLAN (SDBIP) FOR 2019/20

Kennis geskied hiermee ingevolge artikel 21A van die Wet op Plaaslike Regering: Munisipale Stelsels, 2000 (Wet 32 van 2000) dat die Raad ‘n Aansuiwerings-begroting vir 2019/20 (Nasionale en Provisiale Aansuiweringsbedrae, 2019) en ‘n Gewysigde DBIP vir 2019/20 op 27 November 2019 goedgekeur het ingevolge artikel 28(2)(b) en 54(1)(c) van die Wet op Plaaslike Regering: Munisipale Finansiële Bestuur, 2003 (Wet 56 van 2003).

Notice is hereby given in terms of Section 21A of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, 2000 (Act 32 of 2000) that Council approved an Adjustments Budget (National and Provincial adjusted estimates, 2019) for 2019/20 and a revised SDBIP for 2019/20 on 27 November 2019 in terms of Section 28(2)(b) and 54(1)(c) of the Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act, 2003 (Act 56 of 2003).

Afskrifte van bovermelde dokumente sal gedurende kantoorure by die kantore van die Areabestuurders in Gansbaai, Stanford, Hermanus en Kleinmond, in alle openbare biblioteke in die Overstrand, die Korporatiewe Hoofkantoor van die munisipaliteit te Hermanus en op die munisipale webwerf by www.overstrand.gov.za vir die publiek, ter insae wees.

Copies of the aforementioned documents are available for public perusal during normal office hours at the offices of the Area Managers in Gansbaai, Stanford, Hermanus and Kleinmond, in all the public libraries in the Overstrand, the Corporate Head Office of the municipality in Hermanus and on the municipality’s website at www.overstrand.gov.za

CC Groenewald MUNISIPALE BESTUURDER Overstrand Munisipaliteit Posbus 20 HERMANUS, 7200 Kennisgewing nr. 175/2019

CC Groenewald MUNICIPAL MANAGER Overstrand Municipality P O Box 20 HERMANUS, 7200 Notice No. 175/2019

UMASIPALA WASE-OVERSTRAND UHLAHLOLWABIWOMALI OLUHLENGAHLENGISIWEYO LOMNYAKA WAMA 2019/2020 (UHLENGA-HLENGISO LOQIKELELO LOWAMA 2019 LUKAZWELONKE NOLWEPHONDO LWENTSHONA-KOLONI) KUNYE NESICWANGCISO SOKUSEBENZA KOHLAHLOLWABIWOMALI ESIHLAZIYIWEYO SONIKEZELOZINKONZO SONYAKA- 2019/20 Esi sisaziso ngokomhlathi wama-21A woMthetho wooMasipala: Iinkqubo Zolawulo zikaMasipala, ka-2000 (uMthetho 32 ka-2000) sokuba iBhunga lamkele uHlahlolwabiwo-mali oluhlengahlengisiweyo (uqikelelo oluhlengahlengisiweyo lukazwelonke kunye nolwentshonakoloni, lomnyaka-wama 2019) kunye ne SDBIP ehlaziyiweyo yowama 2019/20 ngomhla we 27 kaNovemba wama 2019 ngokomhlathi we- 28(2)(b) nowe-54(1)(c) womThetho wooMasipala: uLawulo lweeMali zikaMasipala, wowama-2003 (Umthetho 56 ka 2003) Iikopi zala maxwebhu achazwe apha ngentla ziza kufumaneka ngexesha lomsebenzi kwiiofisi zabalawuli eGansbaai, eStanford, eHermanus naseKleinmond, kuwo onke amathala eencwadi eOverstrand, kwi-ofisi enguNdlunkulu kamasipala waseHermanus nakwiwebhusayithi kamasipala www.overstrand.gov.za ukwenzela ukuba uluntu luwafunde lunike izimvo zalo. CC Groenewald UMPHATHI KAMASIPALA Umasipala iOverstrand Ibhokisi yePosi 20 HERMANUS, 7200 Inombolo yesaziso. 175/2019

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4 December 2019

MY SPORT

Share your sport news with us! Send it to admin@thevillagenews.co.za and we will gladly consider it, whether it be competition results, a friendly rivalry, a once-off feat or a major tournament.

Proteas fall from a lofty perch By Tony O'Hagan

n 2012, the South African cricket team, known as the Proteas, were the first in the history of the game to be ranked top of the World rankings in all three formats of the game (Test, ODI and T20). In the latest 2019 rankings, the Proteas are 4th in both Test and T20 rankings and 5th in the ODI (One Day) format. Recent poor performances in the World Cup and a disastrous tour of India have increased the pressure on the players and Cricket South Africa (CSA) administrators, to get their house in order, both on and off the pitch. At the recent ICC World Cup, South Africa finished 7th among the 10 participating nations and the recent tour of India ended with a series white wash and a loss by an innings in two of the three tests. Our cricketers will have to up their game if they want to challenge a strong all round English side which will be visiting our shores this month. England will play an SA Invitational team and an SA A-team prior to the first test against South Africa at Centurion Park in Pretoria on 26 December. The stakes for the test series is increased in

that the series will form part of the inaugural 2019/2021 ICC World Test Championships. The schedule for the England visit includes 4 tests, 3 ODIs and 3 T20s. Immediately after the English visit, the team from Down Under will arrive to contest 3 ODIs and 3 T20s. These Aussies will be out to seek revenge after the disgrace of the sandpaper ball tampering which cast shame on Australian cricket. After the euphoria of the Springbok World Cup triumph, cricket supporters will be looking for an upsurge in our cricket performances. After the Springbok victory and the Proteas’ misfortunes, quips abounded on social media, among them, "Rassie, how well versed are you on cricket?” referring to the Bok coach’s successful upliftment of the Springbok team from a similar position that cricket now finds itself in. This rise in Springbok fortunes under Rassie took place over a period of less than two years. Hopes were raised when West Indian international and former assistant coach of the English team, Otis Gibson was appointed head coach of the Proteas. After a successful initial period,

Gibson and his coaching staff took the fall after the demise of our team at the World Cup. Then, in August this year, a "new dawn" for SA Cricket was announced with the interim appointment of Enoch Nkwe (left), coach of the Lions (left) franchise, as team manager of the Proteas. The idea was that the team manager would fulfil a similar role to that of an English Premier League football manager. He would have far-reaching powers, including the appointment of his support coaching staff. A successful tenure with a provincial franchise does not necessarily translate into a successful national coach. Nkwe was at the helm during the disastrous tour of a cricket-crazy India where pitches and the whole ambiance were vastly different to South African conditions. A question that springs to mind is why someone like Mark Boucher was overlooked for the position. He has all the credentials in that he is familiar with playing conditions in all cricketing countries, having starred as a Proteas wick-

et-keeper/batsman in the international cricket arena. He has also had a successful coaching career with the Pretoria Titan's franchise. Another Protea international who could add value to the coaching staff is Neil Mckenzie, former Proteas batting coach and batting consultant to Bangladesh during the recent World Cup. Both these players have similar careers to that of Rassie Erasmus. They played at international level over a period of time and have successful coaching credentials. Writing on a similar topic in the Daily Maverick, legendary cricket journalist, Colin Bryden reports as follows: "CSA itself is running at a financial loss, sponsors are in short supply and there is a deepening rift between the governing body and the SA Cricketers' Association (SACA), which represents the country's players." In the article, Bryden describes "the friction between CSA and SACA" as "toxic". He goes on to write, "SACA has taken CSA to court over its plans to restructure domestic cricket and it's failing to adhere to the agreement to consult with them." This environment and the recent poor performances of the team do not bode well for the incoming tours which are around the corner. We have done wonders in creating a winning formula for South African rugby. Maybe Cricket South Africa needs to take a leaf out of the rugby book and follow the same route.

Walker Bay Classic another great success The 37th Walker Bay Classic, generously sponsored by PSG Wealth, was hosted by Hermanus Golf Club on Saturday, 23 November. This weekend of golf is one of the most sought-after tournaments in the Western Cape and the annual showcase event of the Hermanus Golf Club. As always, the Walker Bay Classic, drawing golfers from all over the country, offered highly competitive golf, lots of fun and awesome priz-

es. A total of 324 players played on the Saturday and 132 players took part in the Walker Bay Classic Mixed on the Sunday. The Overall winners of the Walker Bay Classic were: Ettiene Roodt, Geoff Els, John Ruddy and Hugo Vermeulen on +24. Andrew Thompson, Julia Thompson, Richard Stuart and Louie Stuart were counted in to win the Walker Bay Classic Mixed with 80 points.

ABOVE: The Walker Bay Classic Mixed winners were Louie Stuart, Lynne Behagg (Lady Captain) Andrew Thompson, Julia Thompson, Richard Stuart and Sharon Sleigh (General Manager). LEFT: From left are the winners of the Walker Bay Classic: Ettiene Roodt, Sharon Sleigh (HGC General Manager), Geoff Els, Andrew Thompson (Vice Captain), Hugo Vermeulen and John Ruddy.

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4 December 2019

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Thanks to the initiative of history teacher, Mrs Elsa Nel, Hermanus High School recently had the privilege of hosting 14 of their past learners (1956 – 1972) for a reunion. They shared their old photographs and many interesting stories of years gone by. 1. Mr John Nigrini (Matric 1969) next to a photograph of him as the drum-major of the school’s marching band. In the photo on the left John is sitting right next to past principal (1962 – 1984), Mr JF de Villiers. 2. Mrs Nida Potgieter (nee de Villiers) who wrote matric in 1969, was the daughter of the principal, Mr JF de Villiers, who was responsible for realising the dream of a new high school in 1975. She is pointing to herself as a drum majorette taking part in a procession by the school down Harbour Road during the 1969 Hermanus Spring Festival. 3. Mrs Linda Groenewald (nee Rossouw) points to the photo where she was named the school’s first Victrix Ludorum in 1966 – 1967.

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INTERACT CHRISTMAS PARTY AT CAMPHILL On Monday 25 November the learners and teachers of Hermanus High School’s Interact Club had their annual Christmas party at Camphill School. This heart-warming event was another Interact highlight of the year, with the learners treating the Camphill children to a puppet show, singing and cupcakes. In addition, every Camphill learner was presented with a Santa Shoebox by none other than Santa himself (aka Gerphan Louw). “The Interact learners has been making Santa Shoeboxes for our children for five years now and we truly value their generosity and friendship,” said Genevieve Linney of Camphill School.

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The Village NEWS 4 Dec - 11 Dec 2019

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