The Village NEWS 06 May - 13 May 2020

6 MAY 2020

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Time to support local Writer De Waal Steyn

W

ith certain businesses permitted to open their doors under the Level 4 lockdown regulations, thousands of workers in the Overstrand have been returning to work over the past few days and there has been a marked uptick in shopping activity in the region’s towns.

Many restaurants, offering delivery services, reported good support from the community (Read more on P4) and most retailers said there has been a noticeable increase in the number of people visiting shops.

And while this economic activity is but a drop in the ocean of our total economy, government has warned that it will keep a tight leash on both employers and customers.

Speaking at a news conference on Sunday 3 May, Minister of Employment and Labour Thulas Nxesi said returning to work did not mean it was “business as usual”, adding that he had issued a directive that sets out the measures that employers must take to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 in workplaces "and these, we must emphasise, are minimum measures”. (Read more on P2) The raft of measures, some more sensible than others, must be implemented by businesses before they can reopen and, as the minister said, “failure to take the necessary measures to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 may result in criminal prosecution,” putting even more pressure on already anxious business owners.

ABOVE: Alexander Michael Jackson is a four-year-old learner at Generation Schools Hermanus. On Friday morning 1 May, the first day of Level 4 lockdown, Alexander rode out on his bicycle a little ahead of his dad, who was walking, on their way to Jan Rabie’s Pool in Onrus. When Michael came around the corner he saw his son, just standing in the parking lot, taking in the beautiful sunrise. After his first time out in over a month, Michael said little Alexander was sad that he had to return home for the rest of the day. To follow Alexander’s adventures, find him on Facebook under ‘The life of Alexander Jackson’. CIRCLE: Alexander wants to be just like his dad and insists on wearing the same colour mask (black) as him when they go out for their morning exercise.

PHOTOS: Michael Jackson

Frieda Lloyd, Tourism Manager of the Cape Whale Coast, said in her estimation less than 30% of the region’s businesses fall in the category of those who are now allowed to trade. “With the wine, tourism and much of the construction industries still firmly under lockdown, it still tough going out there, especially for small businesses.

“What we have seen is that business owners have a desire to trade and several informal businesses, such as making cloth face masks or doing deliveries, have sprung up. While this is a good thing, we are all eagerly awaiting the time when other businesses can also come into operation,” said Lloyd.

Gideon Serfontein, chair of the Hermanus Business Chamber, said they welcome the opportunity for some businesses to resume trading. “We recognise the importance of this first step and look forward to further steps towards economic recovery. It is imperative for all of us to work together and support local businesses more than ever before.”

Clinton Lerm, chair of the Whale Coast Business & Community Forum, said the number of businesses allowed to trade is still not enough. “With tourism not likely to be able to trade until at least December, we are sure that many business owners would not be able to open their doors again. In addition, the relief measures by government are simply not enough to help businesses stay afloat.

“The best advice I have now, is for owners to take this time to work on strategies that will enable them to operate successfully once they reopen. There is no doubt that the business landscape will never be the same again and we have to adapt,” said Lerm.

But while the outlook for businesses remains grim, there was at least some good news for residents: the municipality announced that while beaches remain closed to the public, those living within in 5 km radius from the Fernkloof, Kleinmond and Rooiels nature reserves may make use of them for walking or jogging.

“The public may use the nature reserves during the time allocated for outdoor exercise for activities that the reserves have been declared for, but needs to ensure that they wear their face masks at all times and adhere to the strict social distancing measures. The Fernkloof Gardens will stay closed during Level 4,” the municipality said in a press release.

Several posts declaring that children are not allowed in shops have been doing the rounds on social media. According to Brig Donovan Heilbron, SAPS Cluster Commander for the Overberg, there is no regulation that enforces this. “Shop owners have the right to decide who may enter their stores, but there has been no directive from SAPS to shop owners saying that children are not allowed to be with their parents while shopping for essential supplies,” he said.

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6 May 2020

Plans underway to reopen public schools Writer De Waal Steyn

T

he big question of when and how the 2020 academic school year will resume has been partially answered by Basic Education Minister, Angie Motshekga’s announcement last week.

Regarding the ‘when’, she said schools would reopen in phases, starting on 1 June with the Grade 7 and Grade 12 classes. However, the details of the ‘how’ remain to be seen, as the minister also stressed that the reopening of schools will be subject to the implementation of strict hygiene and social distancing protocols.

According to Motshekga, the final call will be made in conjunction with the National Command Council.

Until such time, teachers, learners and their parents in the Overstrand are trying their utmost to ensure that schooling in some form continues from home.

Hermanus High School Principal, Greg Hassenkamp said that during the lockdown the school has opted to implement distance learning. “This has required supplying all our pupils with the necessary resources and assistance to continue with the school's educational programme despite the fact that the pupils are at home.

“One of the obstacles experienced in the roll-out of the distance learning programme is the lack of data and

wi-fi for a number of our learners. We would like to thank three companies who have come to our aid and made it possible for us to supply all our Grade 9 to 12 learners with data.

ValueChainSolutions, FinGlobal and Mack’s Petroleum are making a huge difference in the lives of our learners, and the value of their contribution and continued support for the school will never be able to be measured,” Hassenkamp said.

In addition, Food Lover’s Hermanus and an anonymous donor are also sponsoring data for the 2020 matriculants and teachers at Qhayiya Secondary School in Zwelihle.

According to government, the following is proposed for the adjusted school calendar for 2020: • Office-based staff to return to work on 4 May. This is in line with the directive from the Department of Public Service and Administration; • School management teams should return to work on 11 May to ensure that all preparations at the schools are done prior to the return of learners; • Teachers return to work on 18 May to prepare for the remaining curriculum; and • Grade 12 and Grade 7 learners go back to school on 1 June.

Before announcing the proposed school calendar, Motshekga stressed that risk assessments in each province, district and school would inform

decisions to reopen institutions.

She reiterated that the Department of Basic Education’s (DBE) primary concern was the health and safety of all pupils and, as such, staunch social distancing measures would be implemented in schools.

Safety measures contained in the plans include: • Physical distances in classrooms must be maintained, with not more than 2 learners at a desk; • Screening of learners and educators will be done at the reopening of schools; • Temperature checks will be administered, and learners or staff members who present with raised temperatures will be considered for isolation and testing; • No hugging or handshaking; • Direct contact must be avoided; • Cloth masks to be worn by learners and teachers at all times; • No mass public events. All sports matches, choral practices and festivals, eisteddfods are not permitted; • Extra classes should be arranged in small groups that maintain social distancing; • Classrooms must be sanitised prior to the start of every school day; • Learners must sanitise their hands on entering classrooms; • The movement of learners must be limited between classes; and • No clustering of desks in classrooms.

• In conjunction with the Depart-

• • •

ment of Transport, all buses transporting learners must be sanitised prior to the start of all trips; Everybody to sanitise hands on entering of buses; The distance between learners in the buses must be managed; and The wearing of masks throughout the school day, starting before boarding transport, is compulsory.

During her address, Motshekga noted that, because of the disruptive nature of lockdown, exams initially scheduled to take place in May and June have been postponed until November 2020. The exams were due to be written by more than 350 000, mainly part-time candidates.

The minister said: “Due to the lockdown, we have not been able to complete our preparations, which include the printing and distribution of questions papers, the appointment of invigilators, markers, and the general readiness of marking centres.

“The examinations will, therefore, be merged with the November examinations. We estimate that 1,1 million candidates will sit for the end-of-year matric examinations in this merged format, which includes the Amended Senior Certificate and National Senior Certificate. A new timetable for the merged examinations will be communicated urgently, as part of preparing the system for the biggest matric examination ever seen in the country.”

According to Motshekga, the depart-

ment is acutely aware of the virus’ disruptive, and potentially dangerous, impact on the nation’s education system. “We serve more than 13 million learners and the anxiety that has resulted from the major problems we experienced is highly understandable. Our guiding principle is ensuring safety, protecting lives and lowering the infection rate,” she said.

Motshekga added that, following the announcement of the national lockdown, the Council of Education Ministers agreed to focus on a catchup programme, and double their efforts towards the promotion of learning and teaching in homes; and towards the preparation of a catchup programme for when the children go back to school.

“The department has used 123 radio stations, and six different television channels to assist learners. The initiative was put in place as an intervention to bring curriculum lessons to households across the country to assist learners as schools remain closed.”

Motshekga urged parents to continue paying school fees as this has a direct impact on the ability of the schools to pay the salaries of teachers appointed by the governing bodies.

The Level 4 rules for getting back to work Writer De Waal Steyn With several businesses getting the green light to start operating again under Level 4 restrictions, Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi last week gazetted official workplace rules.

The regulations, which include general injunctions to minimise the number of workers through shift rotation and remote working, are immediately in force and will remain so until South Africa's national state of disaster is called off. Companies are called upon to "minimise contact between workers as well as between workers and members of the public".

All businesses that are trading must comply with the regulations and the practical implementation thereof or they may face fines, or worse. Companies with fewer than 10 employees face a much less onerous set of rules than their bigger counterparts. And those with more than 500 employees have their own special requirements. For instance, large companies must submit a written risk assessment and accompanying policy to the department of labour.

Small companies, meanwhile, have only eight real rules to follow: • Employees must either be 1.5 metres apart or have physical barriers between them.

• Those showing symptoms of COVID-19 may not be allowed to work.

• The employer must phone the national COVID-19 hotline in case of trouble.

• Employees must have cloth masks.

• Everyone must have access to soap and water, and sanitiser that can be used on hands and the surfaces of workstations.

• Employees must be made to wash and sanitise.

• •

They must also disinfect workstations regularly.

Companies must "take any other measures indicated by a risk assessment".

Employers are also responsible for physical distancing (or social distancing) and must use queue systems or something similar to keep people apart, including in canteens and toilets. Measures "may include dividing the workforce into groups or staggering breaktimes to avoid the concentration of workers in common areas".

Companies must screen workers when they report for work – for "any of the observable symptoms associated with COVID-19", listed as: • fever • cough • sore throat • redness of eyes • difficulty breathing The regulations do not specify what level of medical training is required for the person or people doing the screening, but other parts of the rules require self-reporting by employees, with employers only responsible for impressing on workers that they must report symptoms.

Companies are now obliged to report to both the Department of Health and the Department of Employment and Labour if an employee is diagnosed with COVID-19. They must then investigate the cause of infection, "including any control failure" in the workplace.

If an employee shows symptoms while at work, it is now the duty of the employer to provide an FFP1 surgical mask and transport the employee "in a manner that does not place other workers or members of the public at risk". The company

is also responsible for ensuring the worker is then tested.

who are 60 years or older; and staff with comorbidities who will be required to stay at home or work from home; Arrangements for staff in terms of sanitary and social distancing measures and facilities at the entrance and exit to the workplace; Arrangements for customers or members of the public, including sanitisation and social distancing measures.

While certain forms of shared electronics can be used if sanitised regularly, fingerprint identification systems are not allowed, unless they can be made "COVID-19-proof". Also, only paper towels are allowed and "the use of fabric towelling is prohibited".

•

According to the regulations, each employee must get at least two cloth face masks free of charge, for use both at work and while commuting. "An employer must make appropriate arrangements for the washing, drying and ironing of cloth masks". Those masks must comply with the brand-new SA government guidelines for face masks. (Read more on P9)

Companies must keep a copy of their plan around for inspection and must have a designated COVID-19 compliance officer under the general regulations. The regulations state that all employees should, prior to commencing work, complete a travel history report and employee health disclosure, and such documents must be kept on file.

Businesses now also have a template for COVID-19 workplace plans, which reads: A COVID-ready Workplace Plan must be developed prior to the reopening of an enterprise employing persons or serving the public.

All employees should regularly wash their hands with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds and dry with the paper towel provided. Used paper towels must be discarded in a separate bin. Employees should also sanitise their hands regularly with alcohol- based hand sanitiser, with an alcohol content of at least 70%, after contact with any person or after contact with frequently-touched surfaces.

For small businesses the plan can be basic, reflecting the size of the business, while for medium and larger businesses, a more detailed written plan should be developed, given the larger numbers of persons at the workplace.

The plan for medium and large businesses (10 employees and more) must include the following: • The date the business will open and the hours of opening; • The timetable setting out the phased returnto-work of employees, to enable appropriate measures to be taken to avoid and reduce the spread of the virus in the workplace; • The steps taken to get the workplace COVID-19 ready; • A list of staff who can work from home; staff

•

Employees must ensure that all equipment, stationery, and tools are thoroughly cleaned and sanitised after using them and no handshakes or other physical contact is allowed between employees or employees and clients. Where possible, employees should wear their face masks or other facial protective equipment and are not allowed to take it off.

For a complete return to work toolkit, visit www.neasa.co.za.

Sources: Business Insider, NEASA

www.thevillagenews.co.za

6 May 2020

What about the flu vaccine?

Writer Lia Labuschagne

E

very winter, influenza strikes. The influenza vaccinations differ from year to year to target the specific virus. This year, with COVID-19 dominating the headlines, the demand for influenza vaccination injections rose dramatically. This has been one of the reasons for shortages in the country.

Despite the fact that large pharmacy chains had ordered large numbers of doses, they did not receive enough.

By the time the lockdown was implemented, most local pharmacies had also run out – and so had the rooms of general practitioners. The result is that people who normally get vaccinated annually have suddenly found they cannot be inoculated.

Unfortunately, no additional doses will be made and imported this year. Dr Marais explains: “Flu vaccines take approximately six months to manufacture. For the 2020 flu season, Sanofi has to confirm orders with both public and private sectors in the second half of 2019 in order to supply in 2020. We have been able to service the orders received in 2019. When the demand for flu vaccines increased sharply in February/March, the production cycle for this year’s flu vaccine was already completed.”

He adds that the production facilities are now manufacturing at capacity to supply the northern hemisphere with flu vaccines in time for their next flu season later this year. “Even if we were able to start manufacturing more, the long manufacturing timelines would mean the doses would only be available towards the end of the flu season or even afterwards.”

The Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize, commented already late in March that “South Africa has received a very limited stock of flu vaccines, which are pre-ordered a year in advance. At the time the country (both public and private sectors) placed its orders, we had not anticipated this COVID-19 pandemic. This means that as it stands, our flu vaccines are understocked.”

So how to protect myself and my family?

He added that government had engaged with the pharmaceutical industry, and “it became clear that the distribution of this vaccine has to be rationalised and prioritised. We have therefore taken a decision that health workers in the country will be given priority in receiving the flu vaccine. This is precipitated by the fact that the country cannot afford to have them sick, especially as the flu season approaches.”

This is especially true for high-risk groups such as pregnant women and the elderly,” says Dr Marais.

Why the shortage?

Both Dr Lieze Morkel, a well-known local GP and Ms Karlien Venter, owner of Albertyn Pharmacy, have confirmed that they received less than the number of doses they had ordered and have no more to vaccinate individuals. They have tried everything, but find themselves unable to supply influenza vaccines to the people on their long waiting lists as “there simply are no more units to be found”.

Asked to explain why there is such a shortage and why more doses could not be imported, Dr Thinus Marais, who is the local Medical Head: Africa & IFPM MCO of Sanofi Pasteur, the French company that manufactures and distributes the vaccines, says: “The number of vaccines supplied to the South African public and private sectors was in line with the demand and supply from previous years. Historically, South Africa utilises approximately 2 million doses of flu vaccines annually.”

“It is important to note that getting the flu vaccine does not protect you against COVID-19 infection.

However, it does protect you from the risk of co-infection – that is, contracting COVID-19 and influenza during the winter months which could result in severe illness.

While it seems to be too late for this year, people should remember to put their names on the list for flu shots in time, especially for future influenza epidemics. But more importantly, how can we protect ourselves and our families against influenza this winter? The answer is that the measures now in place to prevent us from contracting and spreading COVID-19 are very similar to those that will protect us from influenza.

Regular hand washing, cough hygiene and isolating ourselves if we are symptomatic, as recommended for many years by leading authorities such as the WHO, CDC and locally our own NICD, are effective in preventing not only COVID-19 but also other respiratory illnesses such as influenza.

“It is therefore crucial that we adhere to these recommendations to curb the spread of these viruses during this winter season,” says Dr Marais.

Furthermore, there is some uncertainty about the seriousness of this year’s influenza virus. “As the northern hemisphere is coming towards the end of its flu season, we usually look to its surveillance data to get clues on what the southern hemisphere’s season may look like. But the current COVID-19 pandemic has made it very difficult to draw any conclusions at the moment on the type of flu season South Africa is heading into.”

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Festivalgoers can look forward to a ‘reimagined’ FynArts Writer Hedda Mittner Since announcing the cancellation of FynArts 2020 in its usual form on 27 March, Festival Director Mary Faure and the FynArts committee have continued to work tirelessly behind the scenes with performers, artists and other partners to develop creative ways of conceptualising this popular festival within the constraints imposed by the COVID-19 lockdown.

“We’ll be launching the programme for Hermanus FynArts Select 2020 as soon as possible – a programme of selected virtual events, both recorded and livestreamed, which will be offered during the festival dates of 5 – 16 June. As soon as possible after that, we’re also looking at presenting a few stimulating and uplifting FynArts Select weekends at a later stage. Many of the events that are not possible to bring to the festival this year, for logistical and other reasons, will be included in the 2021 programme.”

The other good news, says Mary, is that all the planned exhibitions will go ahead and that the artists are hard at work during the lockdown. If necessary, this will be in a limited and virtual format during the festival dates, with the actual exhibitions taking place during FynArts Select weekends as soon as the country has moved down to Level 1 of the lockdown. “In the meantime we will keep in touch and bring you news of the artists, performers and presenters on this year’s excellent programme.”

While more information about the dates and content of these events will follow once the future is a little clearer, Mary is also delighted to announce that the 2020 Tollman Bouchard Finlayson Art Award and exhibition will go ahead this year when South Africa has reached Level 1 of the lockdown.

“This decision has been made possible by the support and kindness of our loyal and generous sponsors who have once again graciously offered their private cellar as the exhibition venue for this year,” says Mary.

“We are deeply grateful.”

The theme for the 2020 competition, Biomimicry, is both topical and relevant as it encourages artists to think about what we can learn – or maybe should have learnt –

from nature to solve human challenges. This timeous topic, with a focus on sustainability, resilience and regeneration, was chosen

by Peter Finlayson. “Throughout history artists have interrogated national and global events and provided comment, insight and interpretation through their art,” says Mary. “Biomimicry is proving to be the ideal theme as we all work our way through, and try to make sense of, this global pandemic.”

In previous years, the exhibition of the finalists’ tondo artworks has always taken place in the working wine cellar at Bouchard Finlayson and has remained open until the end of September, when the barrels are filled with the new season’s wine.

“The timing for the exhibition could no longer be guaranteed due to the logistical implications of social distancing and uncertainty around how long this restriction would remain in place. It would therefore be premature for us to set a date for both the submission of entries and judging, but we will keep everyone updated as South Africa moves down through Levels 4 to 1,” says Mary. “In the very unlikely event that Level 1 is not reached this year the theme, Biomimicry, will remain for 2021.”

Mary expresses her deepest gratitude to the loyal support of all the FynArts sponsors who have made FynArts possible over the past seven years, and especially the Tollman Bouchard Finlayson Art Award and Strauss & Co Series of Talks. Pioneer Freight is the new sponsor for Sculpture on the Cliffs. “We particularly wish to thank Pioneer Freight, who, in their first year of partnering with us, will continue as the headline sponsor of this major exhibition despite this very uncertain time,” says Mary.

“Last but not least I’d like to thank and acknowledge our excellent artists, musicians, speakers and presenters who, even at this time of great hardship for so many, have agreed to move onward and upward together with FynArts. We look forward to welcoming festivalgoers to the FynArts Select 2020 line-up of exhibitions and virtual events.”

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www.thevillagenews.co.za

What's Cooking

6 May 2020

Level 4 brings meals on wheels

By Hedda Mittner

R

estaurants, coffee shops and wine bars were among the first businesses to be affected by the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions. “The struggle is real,” as one restauranteur says.

Even before the announcement of the initial 21day lockdown, our local restaurants had been battling to cope with the shortened opening hours and fewer customers, which meant less income for the business and also fewer shifts – and less wages – for their staff.

“It has been a very frustrating time for us,” says Emilia Knight of The Gallery Café & Deli, “which is why I was so grateful to be able to get back to work.” With the Level 4 lockdown regulations that came into effect on Friday 1 May, allowing for the delivery of meals, Emilia is one of several restaurant owners who immediately kicked into gear. “I’ve had an amazing response,” she says.

Emilia does all the deliveries herself, often on her bicycle, and her loyal customers are overjoyed to once again be able to enjoy her delicious, freshly-baked breads, croissants and other pastries. “They also order store cupboard items, ready-made meals such as soups, salads and sarmies, or one of my Weekend Boxes that

are filled with goodness to last you the whole weekend.” For the next two weeks Emilia is not charging a delivery fee, but only asks for an old blanket or towel that she will donate to HAWS. You’ll find Emilia’s menu on Facebook (The Gallery Café & Deli Food Store) and orders can be sent via WhatsApp to 076 837 4231.

At VB’s in Sandbaai, Theo van Niekerk is also driving around, doing his own deliveries. “I’ve been quite busy,” he laughs. “People have been so supportive.” He says he’s been given him a “fighting chance” of keeping his doors open by loyal customers purchasing vouchers during the lockdown. “It has enabled me to pay my staff a portion of their salaries and to get new stock for deliveries.” For now, VB’s is only offering pizzas and delivery to Sandbaai is free; for anywhere else the fee is R45. Check out the menu on their Facebook page (VB’s Restaurant) and place your order via WhatsApp on 072 368 3991 (do not call the landline).

packs and braai packs, complete with basting and seasoning. Find all the details on his Facebook page (Char’d Hermanus) and call 028 312 1986 to place your order.

Other establishments in town that are doing home deliveries include The Eatery, where Rebecca Matthysen offers a full menu and ready-made family meals. Check out her Facebook page (The Eatery Hermanus) and order via WhatsApp on 082 261 9442 to find out what they have in stock and ready to go – otherwise, you can order your desired dish two days in advance. Rebecca does all the deliveries herself and when she’s not busy in The Eatery’s kitchen, she assists Food4Love in providing food for the neediest members of our communities during the lockdown.

The owner of Char’d and Pear Tree, Petri Hendriksz, also says the first few days of doing deliveries have gone well. “We have to all stand together and stay positive,” he says. Petri’s new home delivery menu features his signature burgers (and a veggie burger on Mondays), pork belly, hake and calamari, and chicken wings, with sides and something sweet.

Rossi’s is back with a delivery menu featuring some of their most popular pizzas and pasta dishes. The delivery fee is R40 per order (Voëlklip to Westcliff ) between 16:00 and 19:00 daily. Call 028 312 2848 to order. Dutchies and Ficks have also reopened for home deliveries to the CBD, Eastcliff and Voëlklip only, between 11:00 and 19:00. You’ll find their menus on their Facebook pages (Dutchies @ Grotto Beach Hermanus / Ficks) and can contact 028 312 4082 or info@ficks.co.za / 028 314 1392 or info@ dutchies.co.za to place your orders.

“We have contracted people to do the deliveries, such as tour operators, who would otherwise not have any work or income at the moment,” he says. “The delivery fee goes straight to them.” Petri is also selling burger

If you’re in the Onrus area and miss hanging out at your favourite neighbourhood restaurant, both Karmenaadjie and Molteno’s are open for home deliveries. “We are beyond excited to bring a bit of Karmenaadjie joy to the homes of

ESSENTIAL SERVICES – WHAT'S COOKING

our loyal customers,” says Jo-Anne Oertel, who can be contacted on 028 316 2967 or 071 683 6408 for orders. You’ll find the menu on their Facebook page (Karmenaadjie). Molteno’s is offering their full menu (Moltenos on Facebook), including their popular Sunday lunch, with free deliveries in Onrus and Vermont.

The Brewery in Hemel-en-Aarde has a new fast food menu offering their classic pizzas (gluten-free base available), flame-grilled burgers, ribs, pork belly, Portuguese chicken, hake, calamari and curries. Order via WhatsApp on 082 366 2398 or call 028 316 4626 and you’ll get a 1.5L Coke with every delivery order over R250.

Follow them on Facebook (The Brewery Hemelen-Aarde) for the menu and current specials, such as half-price pizza.

The B’stro at La Vierge has a new home delivery menu with B’s legendary steaks, ribs, calamari, chicken, bobotie and yes, Bruce’s Ultimate Onion and other side dishes. They deliver from Vermont to Voëlklip, every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday between 16:30 and 18:00, as well as this Sunday for Mother’s Day. Check out the menu on Facebook (Bistro at La Vierge) and call 082 560 2600 to place your order.

The Village NEWS has created a Facebook page – Restaurant Deliveries Overstrand Level 4 – in order to assist our local restaurants. You can get all the details there and we encourage our readers to make full use of their home delivery services. Remember, it is more important than ever to support local!

‘Gesondheid’ to our local wine producers Writer Elaine Davie

N

ever has the local wine industry been in greater need of a toast to its good health. And never before has the South African Treasury been in greater need of the foreign currency it could be earning for the country during this State of Disaster.

In a presentation to Parliament’s Finance and Appropriations Committee on 30 April, the SARS Commissioner, Edward Kieswetter announced that in the first 29 days of April, it had lost just under R300 million in revenue from the government’s inexplicable ban on the export of wine during its hard lockdown. When the export of beer, spirits and cigarettes are added to the mix, R1.7million has been sacrificed – in one month.

Given the fact that no other country has clamped down on either the consumption or production of alcohol during the world-wide fight against COVID-19, this capricious decision by the South African government defies comprehension. Furthermore, Its tendency to flip-flop continuously between yes you can, no you can’t, has made it impossible for wine producers to guarantee foreign clients on- time delivery.

And, as if that weren’t bad enough, during the past five weeks the sale and transportation of wine to the local market has been completely prohibited. Indeed, even before lockdown came into effect, there was a period when no alcohol could be sold or consumed after 18:00, which started the downhill slide for producers.

In a region where the wine industry is a major contributor to its prosperity, providing permanent employment to hundreds of people and casual employment to thousands more, down on the ground, this has had a devastating effect on individual lives.

We spoke to a number of local wine producers to find out what impact it has had on them and their employ-

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www.thevillagenews.co.za

6 May 2020

ees; we also wanted to know how the lifting of the ban on exports from this week on would affect them, and how they viewed the future. Some of those we spoke to have been in the business for many years, while some are relative newcomers; some are major exporters, some focus mainly on the local market.

One thing they all had in common, though, was the understanding that it was going to take a lot of courage and a harder, smarter work ethic than ever before to survive this catastrophe. It would mean thinking out of the box, sometimes reinventing their business strategy. Carolyn Martin of Creation Wines put it this way: “We are in the cocoon stage of a complete metamorphosis. When this is all over, there will be a new Creation.”

Market share between export and internal consumption varied between 50/50 to 20/80%. Now that the export ban has been lifted, both Sebastian Beaumont of Beaumont Wines and Bevan Newton Johnson of Newton Johnson Wine Estate will be dispatching their first consignment of export wines to Cape Town harbour on Monday 4 May. As Bevan says, the greatest challenge may well be to get through whatever roadblocks they may encounter on the way. “We’ve got all the necessary permits, of course, but who knows whether the police manning the road blocks have been informed of the new regulations?” The other factor is whether the port, which has been operating on a reduced staff complement, will be able to handle the increased workload.

Sebastian, Bevan and Carolyn all pay tribute to the loyalty of their overseas clients, with some of whom they have been doing business for many years.

Fortunately, their countries have also experienced pandemic-related challenges and they are prepared to cut them a bit of slack, but, as Carolyn says, they too have a supply line to satisfy and if the chain is broken, the system collapses. In some cases, non-delivery from South Africa has resulted in a producer from another

PHOTO: Creation Wines

country being brought in to fill the gap. Sebastian agrees and says that countries like Sweden and Canada, where wine exports are controlled by government, products are purchased on tender and if suppliers default on deliveries, they are automatically removed from the procurement list.

PHOTO: Tasha Seccombe

Because most of their clients pay on a 60–90 day basis, they are still receiving payment for orders delivered before lockdown, but Sebastian estimates that the real cash flow crunch for many will come round about June/July this year as a result of no sales having taken place during the past five weeks.

The clampdown on local sales has delivered to the industry its deadliest body blow, however. Since most of the producers have their own tasting rooms and restaurants, which rely to a considerable extent on local and international tourism, it has been a triple whammy for them. Not only can’t they sell to outside restaurants and retail outlets, but they can’t trade from their own in-house facilities either, and even if they could, where would their customers come from?

They are still able to market their products online, but they cannot deliver orders. Most producers are offering discounts to private online buyers, especially if they are willing to pay upfront, with delivery after the ban is lifted. This is the aspect that Carolyn finds most difficult to accept.

“It simply makes no sense to me,” she says, “and for some, it could be the difference between survival and closure.”

What most of them find particularly stressful is the uncertainty of the situation, the chopping and changing of regulations by government and the constantly moving ground beneath their feet. Bernhard Heyns of Gabriëlskloof is expecting no meaningful changes in under a year, with 18 months the more likely scenario. “I’m generally optimistic, but it’s going to be very tough for the foreseeable future,” he says.

The 2020 harvest season was still underway when South Africa went into lockdown on 27 March. TOP: JC Martin in the Creation Cellar.

ABOVE: Harvest time at Garbriëlskloof.

Difficult as their situation is, they are unanimous in their support for the restaurant and accommodation sectors, whose position, they say, is far worse than theirs. As Anthony Hamilton Russell is quoted as saying, "At least – unlike our unfortunate colleagues in the restaurant business – a sale lost today is not a sale lost forever. We still have the wine, and it will sell later if we can't sell it at present.

Financing the delayed receipt of sales revenue is, however, a deep concern for many."

There is universal agreement among all the winemakers we spoke to that their workers should enjoy their utmost support. As Holly Bellingham Turner comments: “Our people are as important as our terroir in the production of our premium wines.

If we are to weather the storm, we must do everything we can to take good care of them.” So far, they have all managed to retain their permanent staff, sometimes with a salary cut, and are using this opportunity to further upskill them. Depending on what happens in the future, they may, however, be forced to reduce

ESSENTIAL SERVICES – WHAT'S COOKING

the number of seasonal workers they would normally employ later in the year.

In the meantime, many of them are assisting with food parcels for the needy communities from which they draw their casual workers. Carolyn has been particularly active in assisting the municipality’s Disaster Management team with supplier contacts and opportunities to acquire goods at reduced prices, as well as keeping the Pebbles ECD project afloat and developing a larger vegetable garden there. “The important message this pandemic has sent us, both as businesses and as a community is to become more sustainable; we need to deepen communications, facilitate connectivity and understand that we will only survive if we all pull together.”

Bernhard Heyns expresses a similar sentiment: “All we can do in these times of uncertainty is to look after ourselves, look after our people and look after our product. This will help us pull through.”

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FROM THE EDITOR

We will not give up The next edition of The Village NEWS will be available on 13 May 2020. The NEWS can be found at over 300 distribution points in the Overberg.

028 312 2234

6 Royal Street, Hermanus

De Waal Steyn

PUBLISHING EDITOR dewaal@thevillagenews.co.za

Hedda Mittner

CONTENT EDITOR

On Sunday 3 May, World Press Freedom Day was celebrated in muted tones as media organisations worldwide are fighting for their survival.

On the home front it was a shock to learn of the demise of the seemingly indestructible Jane Raphaely magazine empire, Associated Media Publishing, robbing South Africa of a large part of its magazine industry.

At the same time, many prominent newspaper houses are teetering on the brink and it may be an appropriate time to consider two of its primary threats: The Coronavirus pandemic, with the resultant loss in advertising income, and fake news.

Any reputable news organisation has an important role to play –

hedda@thevillagenews.co.za

Raphael da Silva ONLINE EDITOR

Sugar & Spice

raphael@thevillagenews.co.za

Taylum Meyer PHOTOGRAPHER & PRODUCTION MANAGER taylum@thevillagenews.co.za

Alta Pretorius MARKETING MANAGER alta@thevillagenews.co.za

Charé van der Walt MARKETING REPRESENTATIVE chare@thevillagenews.co.za

Tania Hamman

ADMIN & FINANCE admin@thevillagenews.co.za

We have seen audiences soar as citizens seek information on health issues and the economy.

In addition, journalists must guard against another even more insidious pandemic: disinformation, otherwise known as fake or false news that is often mixed with real facts, making it more difficult to recognise.

Lies cost lives in a global pandemic and put everyone at risk. In this

public opinion.”

regard we will continue with our efforts to stamp out fake news. To err is human, and we all sometimes make mistakes, but premeditated disinformation is criminal.

The website www.real411.org.za has been set up by Media Monitoring Africa to warn the public about incidents of false information and to offer a channel for lodging complaints.

As it points out, “Facts mingled with half-truths and untruths erodes trust and harms our democracy by obstructing the ability of citizens to make informed decisions. It can create or deepen tensions in society with fabricated stories posing as serious journalism with the consequence of potentially influencing

Although we are faced with serious financial difficulties, we will continue to fight for our local economy and promote local businesses when they are allowed to trade. We are solely dependent on the advertising income from local businesses and we vow to fight hand in hand with our advertisers and readers to systematically restore our region’s economy.

To this end we will continue to hold those responsible for our future to account and unceasingly endeavour to clarify the often changing, and sometimes ridiculous, regulations holding our economy at ransom.

This is the good NEWS - Ed

The highs and lows of Quarantimes

T

little light... but I have to get outside for the long-awaited three hours of exercise. I stumble about in the dark… where's that headlamp that we used during load-shedding? Nevermind, time is of the essence and I'm so scared of breaking the 9 o'clock curfew and ending up with all the other naughty people who've been arrested – 17 000, I hear. Way more than the current COVID-19 infections.

the beach. Damn, I missed a business opportunity. Ice cream van? Nope, too cold. And it's non-essential food.

Combi selling chicken wings? Not allowed. Or is it? I can't sell it, but I can deliver. So you can place an order at my van and I can drop it off at your house? I'll have to ask the grumpy Tannie first. The one who, by the way, was not wearing a mask at the press conference.

Among her ludicrous utterances was the suggestion that unemployed hairdressers go onto YouTube and do online lessons in hairdressing.

Hell yes, Madame Minister, why did we not think of that? They're bound to make millions. Here's a YouTube tutorial for you – one that I will gladly present: the art of public speaking, the art of reaching the public, the art of making sense.

I reach the gate, all masked up. My dog looks at me. Mom, what's going on? You're not allowed to go out.

Dogs are not allowed to go out. We're not allowed to do anything. Especially not have fun! No, we can Bella, and we'd better move it because I can already spot hundreds of like-minded prisoners who are escaping. We are way more than a hundred panicky walkers, joggers, cyclists. Am I the only one who's wearing a mask? I'm sure this is a thing. An illegal thing.

No gatherings of 50 people allowed, or is it 10? I can't keep up.

Nee, man. I'm confused. Someone on Facebook asked if she may start showering now or is it still down to only washing your hands. I kid you not.

1 MAY 2020: The alarm wakes me at 06:00. It's pitch dark. So little time, so

Anyway, the paths are clogged up.

This is like a busy December day at

Seeing as my time outside is severely limited, I plan to make the most of

Elaine Davie SUB-EDITOR & JOURNALIST elaine@thevillagenews.co.za

particularly covering the pandemic.

Journalists are designated essential workers and we are on the frontline telling stories of the spread and containment of the virus, the impact the virus is having on people’s daily lives, holding to account those in authority and educating the public on minimising the risk of infection.

By Hélène Truter he day before the end of Lockdown Level 5 was a day of uncertainty and total confusion.

Brought about by a woman who has suddenly become the new Queen of the Mishoop. A woman with the charm of a concentration camp commander.

Today is the first day of the #newnormal. What the hell is that even supposed to mean? Okay, let's start with the masks. That is one of the few things that I really like (#newfashiontrend). I'm a girl, right. And I like pretty. Not to mention the fact that I have a pretty warped sense of humour (#onlywaytosurvivethisinsanetime).

it. I plan to dress up. Big time. I can't go out at night, can't go to concerts.

But I can dress up for supermarket outings. And for when I'm in my shop.

We don't wear the same outfit every day, so why would we wear the same mask every day? I've had a whole range made. I had five weeks to kill, remember. I want my mask to put a smile on your face. Here are a few that I will be wearing: ‘Keep your social distance. DRINK ALONE’; #we've. got.this; WTF - Way Too Fabulous (nearly got you there). And my own personal favourite: JOU MA SE HOES (impossible to translate).

I'm working on a few others: ‘Gimme all your groceries!’; ‘Shopping is for the brave’; ‘This mask prevents me from eating everything in sight’; ‘My husband says I talk too much’. And then I have masks that match my outfits. My one mask features the most beautiful set of lips. You can look like the person you've always wanted to be. You save on lipstick. Men don't have to shave. Double chin? What double chin? This is just getting better. GESUNDHEID!

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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.

Pets poisoned in Paradise Park His dog had also consumed some of the poison but fortunately, due to the quick treatment by a local vet, the dog was saved. However, the dog is still very ill and the vet was able to determine that the poison used was a toxic garden insecticide.

liable for a fine and/or imprisonment.

We have previously put out an appeal to the residents of Paradise Park to come forward with any information in this regard which could lead to the arrest of the perpetrator. We are again calling on the residents to do so.

This heinous act of cruelty cannot be allowed to continue. It’s sad enough losing a beloved pet, but when this is due to the inhumane behaviour of others, it is totally unacceptable.

This is not the first time cats living in Paradise Park have been poisoned.

Under the Animal Protection Act No. 71 of 1962, if a person is found guilty of such an offence, he/she will be

HAWS has previously informed the residents of Paradise Park that if there are feral cats in the area, to please let us know and we will arrange to have these cats trapped.

It is with a heavy heart that I learnt from a resident of Paradise Park that his cat had died from poisoning last week.

HERMANUS ANIMAL WELFARE SOCIETY In the past, we have also sterilised many cats so there is no need to resort to poisoning these animals. I am not suggesting that the resident’s cat that died was feral or unsterilized; on the contrary. I am merely bringing to the attention of residents the type of service HAWS is able to offer.

I will end off with the words of Mahatma Gandhi: “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way in which its animals are treated. Life is as precious to us as it is for an animal.”

Pamela Quinn HAWS Chairperson

Ode to exercise What a celebration! What a street carnival! What neighbourly goodwill!

That was Friday 1 May 2020 in my suburb. Not because it was May Day, not because the sun was shining and autumn was in the air. No, it was mass exercise time!

And worth every moment of dragging myself unwilling from my bed on such a chilly morning and such an unseemly hour. When I put on my dog’s leash, his face said it all: “Have you flipped your lid? Haven’t you been telling me for the last five weeks that we’re not allowed to go for walks?”

As we passed through the gates of our complex, he grew even more perplexed. But when I said, “Yes, we can, let’s go,” my usually dour elderly Scotsman took off like a rocket, straining at the leash, dragging me, blinking in the sunlight, with him.

But the initial hop, skip and jump was soon modified as the fresh scents came wafting from every bush and lamp post we passed. “Oh what bliss, oh how I’ve missed reading these fresh, delicious pee-mails. It feels as if every dog I’ve ever known has left a

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message just for me.”

We took the long route round the suburb and indeed it did seem as if every dog we had ever seen or heard was pounding the streets with its owner. Not only dog walkers had taken possession of the roads, but a young jogger passed by pushing her baby in its pram, power walkers, speed cyclists, dawdling riders, an old lady in her walking frame, children hopping up and down around their parents, or riding their bikes, everybody smiling (even if their mouths were covered), everybody saying hello, waving, keeping their distance.

And oh, the autumn flowers in beautiful gardens, the smell of freshly-cut grass, the mountains looking newborn and radiant… Would there ever be such a morning again!?

And then, our house in sight, the dragging footsteps, the regretful

Participate in talks via Zoom W

ith restrictions on physical meetings likely to stay in place for the foreseeable future, many people are missing the interesting talks and presentations offered regularly by Whale Coast Conservation and U3A Overberg.

to start introducing online lectures.

U3A Overberg kicked off their Zoom presentations last week with The Spanish Flu Epidemic by Phil Harries-Jones and this week’s lecture was on The History and Reconstruction of Rwanda - Land of a 1000 Hills by John Bristow.

Both these organisations have therefore decided to make it possible for their members to participate via Zoom.

“From the feedback we have received, these sessions were very successful and most members seemed enthusiastic that this should continue,” says Gert Claassen of U3A. “We know that some had a few technical problems and that the internet capacity was problematic in some areas.

But, as we all become comfortable with the new technology, this will probably become a routine activity in our lives.

“You may have read that there are questions around the security of Zoom meetings, but we will take precautions and we won't share any environmental secrets on the platform. Breaches in security arise when the meeting URL link is shared indiscriminately.

We will therefore ask you to register for each talk and the meeting link will be sent only to those members who registered,” says Anina Lee of WCC. “Some of our members may have attended a Zoom meeting with U3A, so you will be familiar with the programme. Those members who would like to do a dummy run to test it, can send an email to anina. wcc@gmail.com with ‘Test run’ in the subject line and I will set up a practice meeting for you.”

backward glance – but at least the prospect of being able to do it all over again tomorrow, and breakfast waiting. If it had been the intention of the powers that be to restrict the number of outdoor exercisers to a minimum at such an early hour on chilly, pre-winter mornings, they failed miserably. ‘Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!’ seemed to be ringing in the air.

– Elaine Davie

WCC’s first Zoom meeting will be on Thursday 7 May at 12:00 (noon). The speaker is Jenny Cullinan and her topic is For the Love of Bees. To register for the talk on Thursday, contact anina. wcc@gmail.com and instructions on how to join the meeting will then be sent to you. On the day before the talk, the link will be sent to all those who have registered.

The COVID-19 lockdown regulations also forced U3A Overberg to suspend all lectures and meetings for the foreseeable future. However, Zoom technology has made their lectures and conferences accessible to anyone with a computer and internet connection, prompting them

“The U3A Committee is therefore pleased to announce that we will continue with regular presentations – initially every Monday at 12:00. We have decided on 12:00 because it appears that there is less activity on the internet at that time.

The frequency may increase as we progress.”

The next U3A Zoom talk will be presented on Monday 11 May

by Letitia Snyman and the topic is Wordsworth: A Revolutionary genius who still speaks to us today. Since there are more than 600 U3A members and the Zoom only allows 99 participants per session, you will have to register separately for each session.

If you wish to participate in either or both presentations, send an email to gc2441@gmail. com and the access codes will be emailed to you on the Friday prior to the presentation.

IMPORTANT TIP: Log in a few minutes prior to the scheduled starting time and turn OFF your microphone and video camera.

- Hedda Mittner

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MY HOME

The post-lockdown property market

By Stephen de Stadler Managing Director Fine & Country Hermanus, Arabella and Kleinmond

A

t the time of writing this column, we are in our first week of Level 4 lockdown.

Being released from the confines of our homes for a three-hour daily exercise routine was met with joyous abandon on the first morning.

Unfortunately, many people also forgot the cardinal rules associated with Level 4, including social distancing, the use of cloth face masks, and effective sanitation and hygiene at all times. I sincerely hope that all those enthusiastic runners, walkers and cyclists who chose to exercise in groups and without face masks will be more compliant in future, as the last thing we need is a return to full lockdown.

Now let us consider what is happening to the real estate market. As the regulations currently stand, commercial real estate agencies may begin operating from Level 3, whereas residential real estate may only begin operating at Level

2. For an industry that contributes between 4 – 5% of our annual gross domestic product, and is able to apply the cardinal rules as referred to above, these restrictions do seem rather harsh.

in the ability of the country to show economic growth over the next few years. As a big part of that economic growth, it is important for the real estate industry to get back to business.

I fully agree that no show days should be held until this entire pandemic has been eradicated or bought under control, but viewing by appointment can be effectively and efficiently implemented. By using disposable gloves and face masks, washing and/or sanitising hands, and maintaining social distancing between buyers and sellers, this will not pose any greater risk than visiting the local supermarket. Delaying the start of the normal process of selling and buying homes could have a more negative impact on the property cycle than is ultimately necessary.

Any seller of property at this time should be asking themselves the following key questions: • Do I really need to sell?

• What price do I need to fetch?

• Which agency will be able to assist me the best?

In my last column I spoke about the downgrade

by Moody’s of the South African Sovereign to non-investment grade, albeit to the first level of what is also known as junk bond status. During this period of lockdown, Fitch Ratings has also downgraded the Sovereign to the 2nd tier of junk bond, and Standard and Poor’s has just downgraded the Sovereign again to the 3rd tier of non-investment grade. All these downgrades are taking place because of a lack of confidence

The first question is essential, because the best advice any estate agent can give a prospective seller is to rather list a property when it’s a sellers’ market. No one knows when the next sellers’ market will arise, but we do know it is not going to happen in the short (1 year) to medium (up to 3 years) term. I will gladly be proven wrong in this regard in the future because it will imply that we are seeing tremendous economic growth in our country!

If the seller does want to sell in the current market, the second question is essential in any sales environment. A buyer and a seller have to agree on a price in order to conclude a transaction.

The price a buyer is prepared to pay is normally based on a review of the area, the price of

ESSENTIAL SERVICES – WE ARE OPEN

typical homes that are available for sale in that area, as well as an understanding of what has previously sold. If the price the seller needs is not within the accepted buying range, then the seller needs to either reconsider the asking price, or take the house off the market.

The third question is going to become even more relevant post-lockdown. The agency that is going to best assist you as the seller, is one that is able to show you an appropriate valuation or marketing range, based on some sort of statistical analysis. The best estate agent is not the one that offers to market your house at any price. At this time, the weakened value of the Rand as compared to most of the significant foreign currencies means that our homes are less costly in converted foreign currency than they were before. The best agency may thus be one that has the ability to tap into an international market of potential buyers.

Here’s hoping that we’ll return to some level of normality in the not-too-distant future.

The views expressed above are those of the writer in his personal capacity and may not necessarily reflect the views of Fine & Country as a national and international brand.

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Covering up is part of the new normal Writer Hedda Mittner

W

ith the wearing of cloth face masks now mandatory for everyone leaving their homes during the current Level 4 lockdown, many more people of all ages will be looking for well-made, comfortable, washable and durable fabric / cloth face masks.

The guidelines from the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition for fabric / cloth face masks for general public use recommend these non-medical masks only as part of a broader strategy to curb the spread of COVID-19. Such masks are not a replacement for other recommended precautionary measures and should always be used in combination with handwashing, not touching one’s face, coughing or sneezing into a tissue or elbow and keeping a proper social distance of at least 1.5m from other people.

The shortage of medical-grade masks globally and in South Africa means that members of the general public should not use these critical resources at the expense of the frontline health workers. And although there has been much debate globally about the degree of protection that the use of cloth / fabric face masks can offer non-health care professionals, the evidence indicates that if the fabrics and filters are chosen suitably and are designed to fit users accordingly, these masks can play an important role in helping to reduce community transmission of the Coronavirus.

There are many organisations, small businesses and individuals who are manufacturing fabric / cloth masks, but not all of them conform to the guidelines and their performance varies greatly with regard to the shape and fit of the mask, as well as the structural properties of the fabric and the number of layers.

What should you look out for when buying a cloth / fabric face mask?

•

•

•

•

The objective of a fabric face mask is to act as a physical barrier to extremely small droplets generally upwards of 5 microns in size secreted during talking, sneezing or coughing.

Masks must be breathable. A mask that prevents one from breathing easily can lead to oxygen deprivation and also promote risky behaviour like the need to touch the face and adjust the mask during wear.

Masks must be designed to fit properly and be comfortable to wear. The style and design should follow closely the contours of the face especially around the nose bridge and under the chin to reduce leakage out and into the mask.

Tests have shown that at least two layers of fabric are sufficient for balancing performance and com-

ESSENTIAL SERVICES – WELLNESS

•

•

•

•

fort. An increase in the number of layers will improve the barrier efficiency, but have the opposite effect on breathability.

Using three layers, it is recommended that the middle layer be made from a non-woven (or similar) fabric with strong filtering capability (barrier efficiency), with the accompanying inner and outer layers providing comfort, structure, and some additional protection.

Ideally this middle layer (filter) should be inserted into the mask (or removed) via an ‘envelope’ style design to allow for improved cleaning and easy replacement filters when worn out.

The design should provide clear markings or features that help the wearer to distinguish between the inner layer and outer layer of the mask in order to prevent wearers from placing the wrong side against their faces.

The inner layer must be soft and

•

•

feel pleasant against the skin, not least of all because irritation could cause wearers to fiddle with them or even take them off. The fabric should not cause an uncomfortable build-up of heat or moisture, and should not shed lint – with loose particles that can be inhaled – when washed.

The elastic bands or cloth tiestraps that hold the mask in place by attaching it either around the ears or head, should ensure a snug fit and make for comfortable wear.

The design should not require that the wearer touches the front of the mask at all when putting it on and taking it off.

The mask should be durable, and cleaning and disinfection of all the components should be easy to carry out at home. All masks should be accompanied by instructions clearly explaining how it should be worn and cared for, and what the expected lifespan of the product is.

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Dancers accepted for Summer School of Excellence 2021

Adrė Kleyn (left, Hermanus High) and Veronique Botha (right, Hermanus High), Grade 10 Dance Studies learners at Marina's Dance Education Centre, have just received the news that they have been accepted to attend the American Academy of Ballet: Summer School of Excellence at the Adelphi University from July – August 2021. Both girls auditioned in March and have been awarded scholarships. The American Academy of Ballet (AAB) is a distinguished faculty and several teachers have coached world-famous dancers. Many dancers return each year and some have attended for eight years. Well done on this extraordinary achievement!

PHOTOS: Supplied

ESSENTIAL SERVICES – WE ARE OPEN

6 May 2020

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MY SPORT

The highest paid World Rugby players By Tony O'Hagan

T

he perception that, in order to maintain the sporting spirit of the game, rugby had to be played by amateurs, endured for over a century.

Although professionalism was already creeping into the game by the 1980s, it was not until 1995, fired by the success of that year’s World Cup, that media moguls started throwing serious money at the sport and the IRB declared Rugby Union professional.

Handré The 1995 World Cup Pollard – and especially when PHOTO: AP South Africa's first black president, Nelson Mandela handed the victorious white South African captain, Francois Pienaar the trophy – is widely regarded as the moment when the world really fell in love with Rugby Union.

Today, Springbok fly-half, Handré Pollard and former All Black fullback, Charles Piutau are the highest paid rugby players. Both are earning £1million (± R23million) per annum, excluding endorsements and bonuses. The suspension of competitions due to COVID-19 will obviously affect the bonus portion of their total earnings.

The world’s top earners, with annual salary in brackets, are: 1. Handré Pollard (£1million) was a star performer for the Springboks in the recent World Cup triumph in Japan. He has made 48 appearances for the green and gold and was the leading point scorer at the event. The 26-year-old pivot was born in Somerset West and matriculated at Paarl Gymnasium, which has been a conveyor belt in rolling out Springbok rugby players. Pollard has signed a contract with Top 14 French club, Montpellier.

2. Charles Piutau (£1million), who was born in Tonga, played for the Auckland Blues and made

17 appearances for the All Blacks before signing a contract with English club, Wasps. He then appeared for Ulster in Ireland before being lured by Bristol Bears in England, his current club.

3. Eben Etzebeth (£830 000), under contract with Top14 French club, Toulon is third on the salaries list. Via his performances at the World Cup, Etzebeth has appeared in 85 tests for South Africa, 11 as Cap-

tain. This 28-year-old lock forward is a giant in stature (6’8”).

He matriculated at Tygerberg High School and played a leading role for both Western Province and the Stormers.

4. Maro Itoje (£820 000) was born in England to Nigerian parents. Itoje plays at lock forward for England and leading English club, Saracens. He represented the British and Irish Lions on the tour to New Zealand in 2017.

5. Owen Farrell (£750 000), England Rugby Union captain, plays for Saracens club in England and was a member of the British and Irish Lions in New Zealand. He plays at fly-half and centre. He comes from a family steeped in rugby. His father, Andy Farrell, played rugby league and rugby union for England, was assistant coach for England and the British Lions, and is currently Head Coach of the Irish team.

6. Steven Luatua (£650 000) played 15 tests at lock or flank for the All Blacks. He is contracted to Bristol Bears in England.

7. Dan Biggar (£600 000) is the Welsh fly-half and has played 83 tests for his country. He plays in the Premiership for English club, Northampton Saints.

8. Nicolas Sanchez (£580 000) is the Argentine star fly-half with 77 international caps. He has represented a number of French clubs, first Bordeaux, then Toulon and now Stade Francais.

9. Morgan Parra (£580 000) is a scrum-half who

has made 71 appearances for France. He has also played at fly-half on occasion and is a key player for French club, Clermont.

10. Michael Hooper (£575 000) is the inspirational Australian captain and the only player in the top 10 not playing in the English or French club competitions. He captains the Sydney-based team, the Waratahs.

Faf de Klerk is the third South African on the top 20 salary list, coming in at No.15, with an annual pay package of £500 000 (± R12million). This “pocket rocket” Springbok scrum-half plays in the English Premiership for Sale Sharks, a Manchester-based club.

Fly-halves dominate the top salaries with eight number 10s in the top 20. These include the four listed above, plus Johnny Sexton Eben Etzebeth PHOTO: BBC

Springbok players, Handré Pollard and Eben Etzebeth are two of the highest paid rugby players in the world.

Leinster (12th), Finn Russell - Racing 92 (13th), Beauden Barrett - Auckland (14th) and Paddy Jackson - London Irish (19th). Pollard earns almost double the salaries of Barrett and Sexton, both ex-World Rugby Players of the Year and each earning in the region of £530 000 per annum. Perhaps remaining and playing in their home countries may explain this discrepancy between their salaries and the higher pay on offer at French clubs.

Rugby Union entered the professional era in 1995 and is therefore still young when compared to other sporting disciplines such as soccer, golf, tennis, boxing and Formula 1. Add to this the traditional American sporting codes and the rugby players’ salaries above pale in comparison. However, rugby players in the not too distant past would have given their eyeteeth for this kind of money!

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www.thevillagenews.co.za

6 May 2020

MY ENVIRONMENT

Dazzling, dancing peacock spiders

By Anina Lee

I

n this series of articles in the Village NEWS, I try to describe interesting facts about flora and fauna of the Western Cape. However, in the time of COVID-19 we need a little colour in our lives, and hence have borrowed some cuties from Australia.

Adorable, colourful, fascinating – all words you wouldn’t expect to be linked to spiders. But yes, though these spiders have been around for so long, their tiny stature has made them unnoticed until recently, when they were captured on film executing a remarkable little dance to impress the ladies. They are 3 called peacock spiders.

So far these brightly-coloured spiders (Genus Maratus)) have only been found in Australia. They captivate even the most arachnophobic person. The male spiders’ flamboyant courtship displays feature technicolour bodies and dancemoves that are the envy of any ‘animé’ choreographer (search for "Peacock Spider 7 (MaraMaratus speciosus)"" on YouTube to see these dance moves).

You won’t easily see peacock spiders in nature.

These miniature spiders measure less than 5mm in size – the size of a grain of rice. To the naked eye they look like little brown hopping grains of sand. Yes, they are jumping spiders, formally classified in the family Salticidae.

‘Salties’ don’t spin webs. They catch their prey by jumping on them. They are fierce and feisty for their size and can prey on insects (and other spiders) three or four times their size.

Jürgen Otto (peacockspiderman)

so the latter were relatively easy to spot in the course of his work. With a passion for macro photography, Jürgen soon spent every spare hour photographing these incredibly colourful spiders. And, in the age of social media, they soon became an internet sensation.

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Jürgen was responsible for describing most of the 85 known species of peacock spiders, but other scientists are now also contributing to the increasing list of new species.

Joseph Schubert, a young scientist working at Museums Victoria, recently identified seven new species.

He described them as “tiny little furry kittens, each with their own personality”. Since these spiders became famous, many citizen-scientists are sending their observations to experts like Joseph for identification. He named his personal favourite Maratus constellatus because it reminded him of van Gogh’s 'Starry Night’.

How are the rainbow colours produced?

As is the case with bird feathers and butterfly wings, the colours are produced by iridescence – in other words, different wavelengths of light are reflected from microscopic structures.

One species of peacock spider – the rainbow peacock spider (Maratus robinsoni) robinsoni – is particularly impressive. It has an intense rainbow iridescent signal in the males' courtship displays to the females.

To figure out just how the spiders produce their incredible shimmer, a team of biologists, physicists and engineers came together to study the scales on the spider’s abdomen that produce the impressive colour. Using techniques like electron and light microscopy, imaging scatterometry and optical modelling, the team created micro-3D models of the scales to test how they worked.

It was only in the last decade or so with the advent of macro photography that peacock spiders’ super cuteness and iridescent colours have fascinated the media. If one person could be dubbed the ‘father’ of peacock spider photography it is Jürgen Otto, a Sydney-based biologist working on agricultural mites for the Australian Department of Agriculture.

They found that the rainbow colour is produced by a specialised scale shaped like an airplane wing. Parallel ridges on top of the scale act as tiny diffraction gratings, able to divide visible light into its component colours. A slight curvature of the scale allows light to pass over more ridges, separating the light into the colours of the rainbow even more effectively than if the scales were flat.

Mites are even smaller than peacock spiders,

Dr Radwanul Hasan Siddique, co-author of this

research, says: "As an engineer, what I found fascinating about these spiders’ structural colours is how these long-evolved complex structures can still outperform human engineering… Even with high-end fabrication techniques, we could not replicate the exact structures. I wonder how the spiders assemble these fancy structural patterns in the first place!"

Why did peacock spiders evolve such diversity of shape and colours? Most females mate with a single male, and thus they need to choose their partner very wisely. There is something about colourful, elaborate patterns that appeals to a female. If a male does not measure up to her high standards he will most likely get eaten.

1. A young scientist from Museums Victoria recently identified seven new species of peacock spiders. He named his personal favourite Maratus constellatus because it reminded him of van Gogh’s ‘Starry Night’.

PHOTO: Joseph Schubert

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Sexual selection Traits that evolve because they help an organism to be chosen as a mate, and thus a better chance to reproduce, is called sexual selection.

This is different from natural selection, where a trait evolves because it helps an organism to survive. Natural and sexual selection are often in conflict: perhaps a colourful peacock spider has a better chance of seducing a female, but it is also more visible to its predators.

A male peacock spider would apparently rather die than be rejected by a female.

Jürgen Otto, a Sydney-based biologist with a passion for macro photography, has spent many hours photographing these incredibly cute and colourful peacock spiders: 2. Maratus Volans 3. Maratus pardus 4. Maratus mungaich 5. Maratus bubo PHOTOS: Jürgen Otto

For more fascinating information, go to YouTube and search "Spider Dances For His Life!! | Life Story | BBC".

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6. Maratus neptunus PHOTO: Michael Doe

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