The Village NEWS 10 April - 16 April

Village

The

NEWS NEWS

Mayoral Entrepreneurial Winner

10 - 16 April 2018

Cape Whale Coast

FREE COPY

GENERATION

HISTORICAL HOMES

LES HANNA

New Varsity coming

Rayfraden

Two Oceans champion

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Locals and visitors enjoyed the last days of the Easter school holidays this weekend with sunny days, but nighttime temperatures are dropping and autumn is definitely in the air. This beautiful landscape photograph was taken from the Old Harbour towards Piet se Klip and Bientang’s Cave.

PHOTO: Kürt Krause, MAKU Visuals

Hermanus on a journey to service excellence De Waal Steyn

S

ervice excellence will come under the spotlight over the next few months when the Western Cape Department of Economic Development & Tourism in conjunction with Whale Coast Tourism launches the Journey to Service

Excellence (J2SE) in Hermanus on 19 April.

Our region is well-known as one of the top tourist destinations throughout the world and the J2SE programme is specifically aimed at elevating service standards on the Cape Whale Coast.

This programme is open to all

businesses in Hermanus, both tourism and non-tourism related, and will endeavour to build a culture of service excellence in organisations.

According to Tourism Manager Frieda Lloyd the J2SE programme has three components. “The first is a leadership workshop for business managers to create a mutual

foundation for service excellence and to evaluate whether service levels comply, and if not, how to improve.

Secondly several workshops will be held for employees to sharpen and develop their levels of service delivery.

Thirdly there will be a competition where residents and visitors to the area can nominate their Service Heroes, who

will then stand the chance to win cash prizes.

“The J2SE programme will culminate in a prestigious awards ceremony later in the year that will be attended by Minister of Economic Opportunities Alan Winde. The awards will also include the annual Mayoral Awards and The Village NEWS Service

Excellence Awards,” says Frieda.

During this time The Village NEWS will also host the second Cape Whale Coast Local Business Expo.

According to her the aim is to bring local service levels at all businesses in line with those in other parts of the world.

Read more on P 3

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10 - 16 April 2018

THE

NEWS

OPINION Matters

Amazing opportunities on our doorstep may go to the bathroom.

The news that Hermanus will soon be home to a Varsity offering a wide variety of postmatric qualifications is indeed good news.

The Generation International College will be a huge contributor to the local economy of the Overstrand, not only through the training it will provide but also through its internship programme that will assist students with on the job training, and the innovative approach through which private equity funds will be made available to students to start their own businesses.

Generation has already proven this model through the establishment of a business where all their school furniture is produced and supplied by a company run by students.

In an ever-increasing competitive economic environment our children need all the assistance they can get. The days of qualifying in our selected field of study, entering the job market and concluding your career after decades of service with a pension and a golden wrist watch are long gone.

It is too often that matric students are sent into the world to make their mark as economically active individuals a few weeks after they still needed to raise their hands and ask if they

Nowadays young people entering the job market with the aim of making a success need to have a wide range of knowledge ranging from computer literacy to business management. The possibility of training our youth on home soil while at the same time empowering them through actual work experience will lead to new ventures opening their doors and bolstering the local economy.

To further underscore the principle that we need to be on the cutting edge is the launch of the Journey to Excellence Programme in just over a week’s time.

The ability for all local businesses to offer world-class customer service is of the utmost importance if we want to stay one of the top holiday destinations in the country.

We urge all our readers to make use of this opportunity to not only train themselves but also their staff at no cost. The value this will add to our business community is immeasurable and its impact will be felt long into the future.

The Cape Whale Coast is awash with opportunities. Let’s work together to make them realities.

This is the Good NEWS - Ed

Ombudsman The press exists to serve society. Its freedom provides for independent scrutiny, and is essential to ensuring democracy. It enables citizens to make informed judgments, a role that is recognised by the Constitution. The Village NEWS subscribes to the South African Press Code and thus to the South African Press Council and the South African Press Ombudsman. Should you feel our reporting is not fair, free or unbiased and without prejudice, or that serious errors have been made, you are welcome to lay a complaint with the Ombudsman.

Reach him on 011 484 3612/8, e-mail pressombudsman.org.za or visit www.ombudsman.org.za

Fighting the wave of plastic waste Pinkey Ngewu (pictured above) of the Dyer Island Conservation Trust (DICT) made waves at the recent Volkswagen Nelson Mandela Bay Surf Pro event held in Port Elizabeth from 31 March – 2 April. As one of DICT’s long-standing partners in ocean and marine life protection, Volkswagen South Africa created the wave from recycled plastic bottles and waste to highlight the ocean’s plastic waste crisis and to encourage spectators to think differently about plastic pollution and recycling practices.

The partnership with DICT falls under the company’s Volkswagen for Good initiatives. To drive their message home, Volkswagen and DICT also joined spectators and participants in a group Clean-the-Beach initiative to help ensure the beach was cleared of any trash caused by the event. They also held an ocean awareness talk with the local children who participated in Surfing South Africa’s CSI surf classes on the final day of the event.

The Nelson Mandela Bay Surf Pro was the first of six events in the City Surf Series 2018, supported by Volkswagen. At the event younger spectators were given insightful lessons on how to make better use of plastic trash. For a small donation to DICT, children could play, craft and take home plastic ocean creatures recycled out of the very plastic that threatens the ocean’s well-being.

Apart from throwing their weight behind the conservation of our oceans and marine life, Volkswagen supports the City Surf Series to help drive local surfing and surfers forward. The event gives them the chance to score accredited World Surfing League (WSL) Qualifying Series points, the log that leads to a spot on the WSL’s Championship Tour.

WHERE TO FIND US The Village NEWS is published weekly and the next edition will be available on 17 April. The NEWS can be found at over 100 distribution points on the Cape Whale Coast, from Pringle Bay to Gansbaai. Get your FREE copy from major retail stores such as Spar, Checkers and Pick n Pay, and at restaurants, tasting rooms, galleries and shopping centres. Should you wish to receive a copy, call us on 028 312 2234 or 083 228 7523 or pop into our office at 6 Royal Street, Hermanus.

Weather forecast for the next week & De Bos Dam level Tuesday 10 April

Wednesday 11 April

17°C / 21°C

16°C / 24°C

Partly cloudy

Clear

Thursday 12 April

17°C / 23°C Clear

Friday 13 April

Saturday 14 April

18°C / 20°C

17°C / 22°C

Partly cloudy

Clear

Sunday 15 April

16°C / 26°C Clear

www.yr.no

Monday 16 April

18°C / 25°C Clear

De Bos Dam Level

41.7 % full

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10 - 16 April 2018

Education for a new generation

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n a first for the Overstrand region, Generation Schools Hermanus will launch a tertiary education arm from January 2019.

According to Jevron Epstein, Managing Director of Generation Schools, the Hermanus campus will now be able to cater for students from the age of 18 months straight through to the end of their tertiary qualifications.

“We are very excited about the opportunity to be able to offer all of our teaching on one campus, from preschool right through to a degree or diploma. We like to view our school as having one entrance door with multiple exits, be it further studies or employment.

“We currently offer the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE), Advanced Level and Advanced Subsidiary Level assessments through Cambridge Assessment International Education. In January the launch of our Varsity will enable us to offer various new tertiary qualifications in a completely unique way,” says Jevron.

The new campus of Generation Schools and International College in Hermanus.

This is achieved by the support of UK Universities offering their degrees through our educational framework. What makes us unique is that these studies can be completed on campus or through distance-based learning anywhere in the world,” says Jevron.

According to him Generation Schools offers two forms of qualifications, namely academic and career.

“Career qualifications will fall within our Varsity - Generation International College (GIC). Students will be eligible for enrolment from the age of 16 years where they can study to obtain diplomas, degrees and postgraduate level qualifications.

“The focus within our Varsity will, however, not be focused solely on the qualifications, but also on internships. Generation Schools in cooperation with The Village NEWS will look to place around 100 interns per month in different organisations. These internships will create a 60/40 split between academic work and on the job experience. This split will be the key to creating work experience and well-rounded students, which is the true purpose of education,” he says.

“We will offer N4, 5 and 6 qualifications in business studies, finance and accounting, IT and computing, hotel and hospitality, sales and marketing, leadership and team work and distance-based degrees.

Through the academic and career qualifications the internships will create a varsity eco-system which is practical in nature. “This hands-on approach encompasses our school's philosophy from the

Montessori pedagogical viewpoint up until the abstract application of academics in our Middle, High and Tertiary studies.

“With this model we will be able to not only create continuity within businesses in the Overberg region, but allow for our students to be placed into employment through a three to four-year internship and job experience creation through GIC. This will in turn lead to a situation where young, qualified people will stay in the region and become either gainfully employed or start their own businesses locally rather than moving to big cities seeking their fortunes.

“This form of continuity and community-based education is the real vision of 21st century education – a practical, simple and logical form of education. Generation Schools is not solely focused on the business side. We will also house a state of the art fine arts environment, a fully-fledged science lab to run scientific studies, a computer lab

for research, coding, exploration and much more, including virtual and augmented reality.”

“With being the first of its kind tertiary-based education service provider in the Overberg Region, we would like the opportunity to not only offer further studies but to also offer gainful employment. Our institutions will have private equity funds available for students that have completed qualifications through our organisations.

“We will mentor and use this funding to aid students in starting their own businesses. This venture capital fund will be owned by the individual starting the business in partnership with the Varsity itself.

The equity fund will be managed by our Business Study students within our Varsity, creating a sustainable organisation and finance model for future businesses in the Overberg Region,” he says.

Registration for GIC will start in August this year.

Join the launch of J2SE programme From P 1 “I am very excited about this opportunity that the Provincial Government is bringing to our shores.

It will enable local businesses to align themselves with international standards and set the bar higher for service delivery. This will add a new dimension in our marketing of the region as truly one of the best and friendliest places to visit in South Africa.

“All the training will be provided free of charge and the training sessions will be open to all managers and employees of any business in Hermanus. Some of the training modules that will be covered include marketing in tourism, quality assurance, customer service and delivery, and monitoring and evaluation techniques. The added bonus is that all of these training modules are aligned to the SABS Standard on

Service Excellence (SANS 1197).”

The training will take place between June and August and takes the form of a 4-day training programme over two weeks, with the first two modules covered over two days and the next two modules covered over two days the following week.

The launch of the J2SE programme will be hosted by the Her-

manus Business Chamber at The Marine Hotel on 19 April at 11:00.

The launch will include a brunch and booking is essential. The cost is R150 for Chamber members and R170 for non-members.

To book your seat contact Alta Pretorius on 028 3151619 or ceo@hermanuschamber.co.za.

Bank details: Hermanus Business Chamber, Standard Bank, Acc no 082257833, ref your name.

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10 - 16 April 2018

‘We say thank you for the music’ Elaine Davie

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he joy of making music, listening to music and moving to music is so absolutely fundamental to the human condition that ABBA put their finger on it when they sang, “Without a song or a dance what are we?”

The words of this popular song might as well be the theme song of the 40 or more pupils of the Handevat (Holding Hands) Music Project in Kleinmond.

Founded in 2013 by the wellknown musician and music teacher, Stefné van Dyk, it followed a similar music development project in Caledon, which she ran with great success under the auspices of the University of Stellenbosch.

Unfortunately many children, or indeed adults, in our underprivileged communities have been starved of the opportunity to participate in this creative activity. As Stefné comments: “We recognise the importance of connecting with the natural abilities and understanding (the foreknowledge of music) already in them. I want to touch the music in their hearts, then I can add the concepts and symbolism necessary for being ‘musically literate’, which is necessary for classical music training.”

She bemoans the fact that by starting with the technicalities, teachers often smother the joy in the heart of the learner; those can come later, she feels. “Most of all, learning to play a musical instrument should be fun; it should give you pleasure.”

And that’s why she likes to start children on the marimba, where there are very few technical barriers between innate talent and actual music making. Her Handevat Marimba band has made waves locally and across the province, winning Gold and Cum Laude prizes at eisteddfods and other competitions; even, several times, the overall winner’s prize. Many of these band members have become ‘serious’ music students, passing theory and practical exams and becoming proficient in several other musical instruments.

Stefné is assisted by two other highly-qualified and experienced teachers, Debbie Bierman (piano and violin) and Debi Best (clarinet and saxophone).

Her daughter, Maya, now a professional viola player, is coarranger and -facilitator for the marimba band. The students of the project (currently between

Stefné van Dyk conducts her Handevat Music Project at Kleinmond Primary, where between 40 and 50 children are taught various instruments.

40 and 50 children and 10 adults) therefore have a choice of marimba, djembe, recorder, piano, guitar, saxophone, clarinet and voice tuition.

Apart from her regular teachers, Stefné believes in exposing the learners to other professional musicians whenever possible, in order to widen their horizons and stimulate their love of music.

Last year, for example, the marimba band participated in a very exciting international skype music concert between Utrecht (Netherlands) and Jakarta (Indonesia), giving the learners a fascinating insight into the music of other countries.

The most important thing of all, though, believes Stefné, is what music does for the soul and for the brain. Neuroscientists have proven that playing and even listening to music has a major impact on brain development. As one expert described it: “It’s like fireworks going off in the brain.” Others agree that playing an instrument activates regions in all four of the cortex’s lobes; it increases the IQ, and the cerebral cortex of a concert pianist is enlarged by 30%.

Even pre-schoolers, after only a short period of key-board lessons, show a dramatic improvement in spatial reasoning. And then there are other factors, like developing an attitude of self-discipline

and commitment, selfconfidence, teamwork, timekeeping. These qualities are all fostered by the study of music.

Stefné mentions one recent example of these benefits. She had a young intellectuallyimpaired learner who had a beautiful voice. Stefné started giving her singing lessons, which she enjoyed so much that they went on to recorder training. Towards the end of last year her school teacher called Stefné aside to tell her that for the first time, this little girl had written the same exams as the rest of the class and not only had she coped, but she had done better than most of her classmates. They could only put this down to her involvement with music!

“None of this would have been possible,” enthuses Stefné, “without the support of the Principal of Kleinmond Primary, Mr Brikkels, who knew about my community work in Caledon, and offered me a classroom in his school for my music project. He appreciates the value of music for his learners and has encouraged as many of them as possible to participate. I am so grateful to him.”

But, of course, as the name suggests, the Handevat project is not just about teaching children to make music; it is about using music to bring people together in a community like Kleinmond, to share, to get to know each other and to work towards a common

goal. So it’s not only the children of Kleinmond Primary who attend her classes, it’s children from other schools, as well as home-schoolers.

And it’s not just bringing children and music together; it’s reaching out to their parents; it’s helping the children to get study bursaries; it’s arranging for them to go for dental check-ups; it’s acting as a catalyst for community development. Stefné endorses Nelson Mandela’s sentiments: Music will be the salvation of our people.

This dynamo of energy and enthusiasm doesn’t let much get in her way. Music is her passion, not just for her own enjoyment, but to share with others, especially children.

However, she acknowledges that it is not an inexpensive activity – instruments, for example are very costly – and the pupils pay either nothing at all, or a minimal amount.

She was, therefore, overwhelmed with gratitude when Handevat recently won a prize from Bible Media (Wellington), in collaboration with the Cordis Trust, in the category that acknowledges those who make an exceptional contribution to the community. At the prize-giving ceremony on 23 March Stefné received a charter of recognition for her wonderful work and a muchneeded donation of R5 000.

Stefné van Dyk can be contacted on 082 923 2723.

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Historic holiday homes of Hermanus – Rayfraden Dr Robin Lee

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ne of Hermanus’s interesting holiday homes is located at 232 Main Road in Eastcliff, about 300 meters to the east of the present Eastcliff Centre.

It is on the ocean side of Main Road with a high hedge along what is now a very busy part of the road to Voëlklip.

The Main Road makes a sharp bend at this point and drivers need to take care to negotiate “Swingler’s Corner” as the bend was known in earlier days. The builders and first owners of the house were the Swingler family who were prominent in Hermanus and Onrus from the 1930s to the early 2000s.

The Swinglers’ interest in Hermanus started in the early 1930s when George Swingler began investing in property in the town. He was the City Electrical Engineer of Cape Town for more than 25 years and later General Manager of the Electricity Supply Commission (Escom), the predecessor to Eskom. He married Janie Delbridge whose family were prominent in the residential construction industry.

PHOTO: Martin Etsebeth Rayfraden today (above) and shortly after it was constructed by the Swingler family in the early 1930s (below).

The holiday home they built was designed by George’s father-inlaw’s brother, an architect named William John Delbridge. The construction of the house was personally supervised by George’s fatherin-law.

The Swingler family had a tradition of naming their residences and while living in Cape Town had combined syllables from their children’s names to create the name of “Radnor” for their home.

They followed a similar process in Hermanus. George and Janie named the house “Rayfraden”, referring to their three sons Raymond, Frank and Denys.

Unfortunately, they did not have a long tenure of the house. In 1940, George was seconded into the armed forces by the South African government and transferred to New York where he “filled a vital role in the procurement of war

PHOTO: Old Harbour Museum

supplies” for the country. He returned to South Africa in 1943, but was already suffering from hypertension and died in 1946.

Rayfraden was then sold to the Hersov family for £17 000. It is still owned by the Hersovs.

in 1966 he joined the staff of the Hermanus Municipality as a property valuer. Later in life he and his wife were involved in the development of the Lakeview Chalets on the eastern side of Voëlklip. He died in 2006.

The Swingler name continued in the Hermanus area for many years after the sale of the house. Frank Swingler settled permanently in Onrus in 1951 where he ran a general dealer’s shop and worked as a building contractor. He was universally known as ‘Tubby’ and

The house has a second name, given variously in different documents as ‘Stonehenge’ and ‘Stonehage’. I cannot confirm this.

The Municipality’s Conservation Report of 2009 describes the property as follows: Finest surviving example of a grand Her-

manus seaside villa and garden setting in the town. An example of architectural excellence, constructed by a recognized master.

The authors report that the architect is ‘unknown’, but as we saw above it was William John Delbridge.

The author welcomes any comments or additional information about the extract.

He can be contacted at robinlee@hermanus.co.za and all contributions will be acknowledged.

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THE

NEWS

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

Setting the record straight Congratulations to De Waal Steyn on his sterling coverage of the recent unrest in Zwelihle and the background to the causes of the protest action.

Without detracting from your excellent reporting of the facts, and the careful sidestepping of the minefield of “fake news” on

social media, I would just like to point out that Leslie Viljoen of Rabcav had nothing to do with the Village Square – it was indeed Harry Viljoen, former Springbok rugby coach.

I was the agent back in the day through whom Harry

bought the stand in 1992.

After extensive changes to the old garages on the property, the Village Square was opened in December 1994.

This is not fake news! All the best and keep up the good work.

Jan Cilliers

Readers’ feedback on our last issue Well written letter, Barbara (Let us stop feeding hate, The Village NEWS, 3 – 9 April). I am sure that the nasty comments from the whites are from a small percentage of our community (I like to believe that).

We really have to understand that we are and have been very, very privileged.

STOP FEEDING HATE! Linda Southey Thanks for your good coverage and even-handed analysis of the recent protest action.

Lots of food for thought. I

enjoyed Barbara's lengthy letter headed Let us stop feeding hate. I just wonder why she didn't put her full name to it? I believe letters should not be published under pseudonyms unless there is compelling reason.

Patrick Chapman COMMENTS ON FACEBOOK: An excellent piece of investigative journalism giving insight to a complex situation.

I think your newspaper is real, wonderfully positive and

informative. Better than any local paper I have met anywhere else! Keep it up please.

Cathy Brennon Congratulations to the Village NEWS on their strong coverage of the recent local unrest. Came out streets ahead of 'the other paper'.

Mark Lane-Jones The only paper to read in Hermanus. High quality throughout.

Errol van Staden

CPF keeps lines of communication open In the week following the protest action in Hermanus much has been written about communication during the unrest and the spreading of false rumours on social media. The Hermanus Community Policing Forum (CPF) responds as follows: The official channel of communication during the recent unrest was the CPF, who were on duty in the JOC (Joint Operation Centre) for 15 hours on Monday, for most of Tuesday, and a period on Wednesday as the situation normalised.

The role of a CPF is exactly that, to be the link between SAPS and the community, and if ever there was an active role our CPF could play, by the Sunday evening, we realised this was it.

During the next three days we spent hours in the JOC and sent out a series of WhatsApp and Facebook messages that came directly from the Commanders in the Operations Room. The JOC is the hub where everything gets coordinated between SAPS, the Public Order Police, Law Enforcement, Traffic and all emergency services.

It was humbling and reassuring to observe how our forces managed the tense, at times critical, situation. The telephone rang off the hook, with hundreds of calls coming in from the public, all asking similar questions: was the R43 open; was it safe to go to work; was it safe to stay at work; should they lock up their business; should they fetch their children from school?

The CPF, sitting and watching, tried to disseminate the information the community needed

and, by so doing, take some pressure off the switchboard.

Our WhatsApp updates were shared via CPF members, JOCOM members, neighbourhood watch and security group networks, as well as other people that sent in requests to be included as the day went on, including a crew from a French TV station.

We shared our updates with representatives of these various groups, and the idea was that they would then share the updates with their networks to reach as many people as possible. We also reached thousands via our Hermanus CPF Facebook page. Our messages had a notable effect in calming and reassuring the community, as the phone lines quietened immediately following updates.

We tried to keep the messages as clear, concise and considered as possible. We were addressing various sectors of the community, and in the sea of chaos and false rumours that were spreading out of control on social media, we tried to provide a safe harbour where people knew they were receiving official, correct information that they could trust.

We haven’t ever had to do anything like this before, and we might have made some mistakes, but we learnt a huge amount and can assure you that, if ever there is a next time, we are ready and more experienced in handling such an exercise in the future.

We appeal to all groups within the community to become part of our network by joining the CPF. All community organisations and institutions that have a constitution are encouraged

to join. We are compiling a more comprehensive data base, so that in future we can reach all community groups. We appeal to all other groups and clubs, e.g. sports clubs like cycling, boxing, running, walking – all groups that have community membership or networks – to please send us their administrator contact details so that we can add them to our emergency communication database. This will enable us, if ever we need to again, to share information directly from SAPS with as many sectors of the community as possible.

We would like to take this opportunity to applaud SAPS and all their partners for the efficient way they dealt with the situation.

We thank them for their transparency in allowing a member of the CPF, an ordinary member of the community, to sit in and observe them operating while they were under pressure. There were no fatalities, the unrest was contained well, and the R43 remained open through it all.

Our SAPS and Law Enforcement members, assisted by officers from all over the province, dug deep and did what they needed to do to keep things in our town from getting out of control. We salute them!

A big thank you on behalf of our forces for all the community support they received. The food and refreshments were of enormous assistance, and were greatly appreciated.

Join the CPF today to ensure that you are part of our network for any future eventuality. Contact us on hermanuscpf@gmail.com for more information.

Caroline Gabb, Hermanus CPF PRO

Unsporting behavior - The Umpire Strikes Back Over a year ago we explored the origins of some of the world’s more ridiculous sports, and since then we’ve received updates from the four corners of the globe – if globes actually have corners.

Wit’s End Murray Stewart thevillagemuze@gmail.com

“Dear Mr Fiddle,” she wrote, “I thought you might mention an unusual sport we enjoy in my hometown near Omsk on the Irtysh River. We call it Szcwrybirvsk, which I know is as challenging to say as it is to play, but it’s a variation on shinkicking.”

robust sport of shin-kicking originated in England in the early 17th century. Due to rugby, cricket and formalised footy only arriving much later, the peasants created their own sports and contests to keep inter-village rivalry flourishing. Shin-kicking, for some obscure reason caught on bigly, and is still alive and kicking today. It basically involves two contestants grabbing each other by the shoulders and kicking the shins out of each other until one hits the deck bleeding and fractured, and is declared the loser. Sounds enticing.

Now, for the unenlightened, the

“But our version has a few dif-

Some are even stranger than bog-snorkeling, or telephonepole-chucking (Scotland) mentioned in the Fète worse than death column last year. For example, Katja Kokov from Kazakhstan emailed The Duck ’n Fiddle with a contribution from her neck of the woods.

ferences,” continued Katja in perfect Russian. “Firstly, we have three contestants which makes betting more interesting. Secondly, before each game, contestants must gargle and swallow down a full tumbler of local vodka, and keep it down. (Vodka – not the tumbler). This makes them become wobbly, creating a festive atmosphere of light-hearted fun for the youngsters, and a distraction from the blood and gore.”

These are, after all, family outings.

“Thirdly – and even more exciting – the contestants are blindfolded, which creates

many ‘swing-and-a-miss’ situations and the crowd chants Szcwrybirvsk! Szcwrybirvsk! each time, which means ‘swing-and-a-miss’ in our local Kazakh dialect.”

Well, thanks for that Katja. One can only hope – with boots flying blindly in all directions at once – the contestants would wear some form of sporran or cricket-box to protect the wedding vegetables being unintentionally puréed.

Horace Cope from Dildo in Newfoundland (for real – Google it) also emailed us.

Apparently their toe-wrestling contests in the vestry after Sunday Mass are so popular, tickets are sold out by Tuesday choir practice.

“It is similar to arm-wrestling, but with interlocking big toes,” he explained. “Contestants lie flat on their backs with their

hands behind their heads and the soles of their right feet touching. While the knees may be elevated, shoulders, buns and heels must remain in contact with the floor at all times.”

He lists certain other rules: Feet must be relatively clean with no open sores or visible rashes, and obviously a size 6 can’t wrestle a size 10. Also, being a family occasion, and not to frighten the children, men are requested not to wear short shorts during combat. Gate money and the vicar’s bucket shop profits (prophets?) help sponsor a team to the annual interprovincial crunch-off in Winnipeg.

These days though, ‘sport’ has taken a turn for the worse. The wildly popular e-sports have the bookies laughing all the way to the e-bank. A contest

for example, requires two or more supple-wristed nerds to simulate racing in the Monaco Grand Prix while sitting in armchairs in front of virtual reality screens. Sometimes it’s a war game, where they have to murder each other in the most barbaric ways, while herds of fellow nerds howl blood-curdling encouragement from the packed auditoria.

‘Thunder Thumbs’, a wellpimpled dweet of sixteen from Glasgow won seven of the nine virtual Grands Prix last year, and was crowned king in the Game of Thumbs category. Despite doing little else than manipulate his digits and clench his buns spasmodically, his father was over the moon. “That’s my boy!” he gushed with unbridled pride, “what an athlete!”

Athlete? Jou ma se athlete. Give that man a ball.

Village

The

EXPLORER EXPLORER

FOOD • WINE • ART • NATURE

From vine to wine – the older the better?

O

ld vines reflect the mysteries and wonder of the vastness of our South African landscape – our harsh climate, old and sometimes fragile soils, and our complex culture.

They have survived and grown for decades under the gruelling South African sun, and endured the cold winter rains and howling Cape winds.

The majestic beauty of the vines lies in their strange, wondrous and often beautiful shapes. The irregular, weatherworn look of the wood presents like a work of art.

These vines produce delicate grapes that deliver a powerful punch. Viticulturist Rosa Kruger is an old vine champion who discovered the depth, elegance and complexity of these wines in the early 90s. She began a viticultural treasure hunt, backed by Johann Rupert, which led her down a path of wonderous discovery. She explored the South African winelands and found herself in the scorching Swartland region, where the lost treasures of this area’s neglected vines were found.

The question is whether we should preserve these survivors or whether it is too impractical. Due to their low yield, keeping these vines can be uneconomic. The reward is often in the wine itself rather than profits or, sadly enough, just breaking even. The solution lies in creating awareness of the superior quality of these old vine grapes and increasing the price, thus preventing winegrowers from uprooting the old vines in order to plant more lucrative varietals.

According to Rosa Kruger, they simply make better wine. Like the vines, which have spent decades under the South African skies, the wines produced from them have a unique

character and intensity, showcasing a diversity in weight, mouth feel and texture. Old vines form a chapter in the South African history and have a significant role to play in honouring our wine heritage.

So what exactly is it about old vines that results in exceptional wines?

Their longevity alone seems to be the key to producing wines with a unique complexity and effortless concentration. These vines have a better established root system and are naturally in balance with their surroundings. As a vine ages and the size of its grape clusters decrease, the vine can channel all its energy towards these bunches, resulting in improved quality and complexity of fruit. The wines produced from old vines are a truer expression of the vineyard site specifically and better quality in general.

While wineries like Boekenhoutskloof, Kaapzicht, Kanonkop and Ken Forrester have been making wines from old vines for a while already, rebellious and creative winemakers gained access to these gems and were able to apply an artistic approach in order to make innovative old vine wines.

Whether or not they knew it, L’Ormarins, Eben Sadie, Adi Badenhorst, Chris Alheit, Andrea Mullineux and others were leading the way to raising the image of South African wines locally and on the international market.

Wines made from very old vineyards have been huge drivers in changing the international perception of South African wine production, so they play a disproportionately important role in its future.

What makes it an ‘old vine?’

• Vines that are 35 years of age or older

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PHOTO: wosa.co.za

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The majority of ‘old vines’ are bush vines, meaning that they aren’t trellised and often resemble bushes that are close to the ground.

They most often grow in dry lands, which means that the roots must dig deeper into the soil in search of water. The theory behind dry land farming is that established root systems are well adapted to the landscape. This translates into a unique texture and complexity in the wine and therefor a truer expression of terroir.

In South Africa, most old vine wines are made from Chenin blanc, but it can be any variety.

South Africa has 39 varieties on its list of old vineyards. The biggest varietal is Chenin blanc at 52%, with Cinsault and Pinotage at 5%, Palomino at 4% and Sauvignon blanc, Semillon, Shiraz and Tinta Barocca next in the rankings.

There are currently 2 621 hectares of old vineyards located in the Breedekloof, Klein Karoo, Northern Cape, Olifantsriver, Paarl, Robertson, Stellenbosch, Worcester and Swartland.

Try the following wines and taste the legacy of South African Old Vines: Mullineux & Leeu, Paul Cluver Wines, Beaumont Family Wines, David & Nadia Sadie, Fairview, Rust en Vrede Estate, Bellingham The Bernard Series, Kaapzicht, Warwick Estate, Botanica, Ken Forrester, Chevallerie Filia, AA Badenhorst, Gabriëlskloof Wines, Thorne & Daughters, Reyneke Organic Wines, Alheit Vineyards and many, many more – most of which are available at the Wine Village.

- Ulla du Toit, Wine Village

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10 - 16 April 2018

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Monday 16 April

Good Guide

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■ In the Footsteps of Shackleton: The Hermanus History Society presents a talk by Viv James, whose father, Reginald James, joined Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Imperial Transantarctic Expedition as physicist at the last minute in 1914. Viv will talk about his father’s trip with references to his father’s notes, diaries and photographs. Refreshments will be served at 15:30 and the 90-minute presentation commences at 16:00, in the Catholic Church Hall.

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Wednesday 11 April

■ SAARP monthly club meeting: The guest speaker at the South African Association of Retired Persons (SAARP) Hermanus Social Club meeting is Traffic Chief Rudi Fraser whose presentation is titled The Role of Law Enforcement in the Overstrand. For further information contact Ingrid Green on 028 316 2390 or 082 081 6889.

In the Sandbaai Hall, from 09:30 – 11:45.

economic strategist, agricultural trendsetter, humanitarian and philanthropist. Presented by Graham Palmer, the first lecture will examine Merensky’s achievements and discoveries. In the Catholic Church Hall, at 10:00.

Saturday 14 April

■ Hermanus Country Market: A favourite among the locals, old and young. Four-legged family members are also welcome. You’ll find wholesome goodies, home-made crafts, local produce, beers and wine, speciality foods, coffee and live music. Next to the cricket field, Fairways Avenue, from 09:00 – 13:00.

Thursday 12 April

■ Rotary Club of Hermanus: Visitors are welcome to join in Rotary’s weekly meetings.

Contact Ian Wallace on 082 895 8738 or Metcalf Fick on 082 568 2193. Every Thursday at 19:00, at Mollergren Park.

Friday 13 April ■ Hermanus Hacking Group: All volunteers are welcome to join in the clearing of invasive vegetation. Contact Charlyn Vosloo at 082 558 8731 or mcvosloo@mweb.co.za. Meet every Friday at the beginning of Fernkloof Drive near Bosko, at 06:45 for 07:00.

■ Bhuki Café: Join the Friends of Hermanus Library for tea, coffee and eats for only R20 and help to raise funds for the library. Every Friday from 09:00 – 11:30, at Hermanus Library.

■ BirdLife Overberg Coastal Cleanup: Are you concerned about the impact of plastics and other marine debris on our oceans and shoreline? Do you care about the detrimental impact that this has on our coastal birds and other marine creatures? Then you can make a real difference by taking part in BirdLife Overberg’s monthly Coastal Cleanup along the coastal path from the Jan Rabie tidal pool to Brêkfis Bay in Vermont. All ages welcome – if you don’t like bending down you can complete the forms of litter collected. Wear appropriate walking shoes and bring a backpack with something to drink and eat, your sun hat and sun screen. Rubbish bags will be supplied for collecting the trash. Contact Elaine at mwjasser@mweb.co.za or sms 082 455 8402, or Helé at birding@southernartceramics.com or sms 073 456 0393. Meet at the parking area of the Onrus Trading Post at 08:00. The cleanup should be done by 11:00.

■ Hermanus Astronomy Centre: Join HAC for a presentation entitled If you wish to make an apple from scratch you must first invent the Universe by Dr Sean February. For more information call 081 212 9481 or email petermh@hermanus.co.za In the Catholic Church Hall, at 19:00.u

Tuesday 17 April

■ Hermanuspietersfontein Food & Wine Market: Where local and international foodies and wine lovers meet. You’ll find “real plates and real cutlery; real cups and real glasses; a real hangout for real people”. In the courtyard of Hermanuspietersfontein wine cellar at The Village, from 09:00 – 13:00.

■ Talk on African Penguins: Whale Coast Conservation’s guest speaker Dr Lauren Waller will present a talk on African Penguins, entitled Do they have a future? No booking required. Call Anina on 083 242 3295 for more information.

At The Green House on the R43, Vermont, from 17:30 – 18:30.

Thursday 19 April ■ Market in the Garden: Hunt for treasures at this peaceful market set among the shady trees of a beautiful garden. At St Peter’s Church in Main Road, Hermanus, from 09:00 – 13:00.

■ Kolwyntjie Teetuin: Everyone in the area is welcome to enjoy a sweet treat and tea or coffee at a nominal fee, and make new friends at the Onrus Care Centre (Dienssentrum). At the Onrus Dutch Reformed Church, every Friday between 09:30 and 11:30.

Sunday 15 April

■ Hermanus parkrun: Meet for the weekly 5 km walk or run, come rain or shine. The route is dog friendly and children are most welcome.

Set off from the Hermanus Forest on Camphill Road in Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, at 08:00.

■ Hans Merensky’s Achievements and Discoveries: U3A Overberg is presenting a new course of two lectures on Hans Merensky and the South African Platinum Industry. Born the son of a well-known German missionary in the old Transvaal and trained as a geologist in Germany before returning to the country of his birth, Merensky (1871 – 1952) was not only a ‘wizard geologist’ but also an extremely far-sighted

■ Classic Bridge Club: The club gets together weekly for Duplicate Bridge. To join, contact Riekie on 072 230 9179. At Fernkloof Hall, every Monday at 13:00.

■ Kwas, Kelk, Klets & Kuier: The Dutch Reformed Church Stanford is presenting a funfilled KKK&K function in the form of a sociable light lunch during which the presenters, Alwena van der Vyver and Kevin Hector, will set your creative spirit free... and you will take your own artwork home. Contact Ida at the church office on 028 341 0966 for tickets. At the Dutch Reformed Church, Stanford, from 09:00 – 12:00.

■ Lemm’s Corner Market: This popular Sunday market offers exclusive fine arts and crafts, locally manufactured clothing, accessories, home décor, skincare and body products, as well as speciality foods, coffee, cakes, craft beers, a wine bar and live music. On the corner of Main & Harbour Roads, from 10:00 – 15:00.

■ Service Excellence Project Launch: You are cordially invited by the Hermanus Business Chamber to the launch of the Journey to Service Excellence – a project of the Western Cape Department of Economic Development & Tourism, in association with Overstrand Municipality and Tourism, The Village NEWS and Whale Coast FM. The aim is to encourage a culture of Service Excellence in Hermanus, and reward Service Heroes who go the extra mile to offer an excellent service in their field. Cash prizes will be handed over to the winners during a Gala Awards Ceremony later this year

by DEDAT Minister Alan Winde. The cost to attend the presentation and enjoy a delicious brunch is R150 for Chamber members and R170 for non-members. Booking is essential as space is limited. Contact Alta Pretorius at ceo@hermanuschamber.co.za or 028 3151619. At The Marine, from 11:00 – 13:00.

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MY Environment

10 - 16 April 2018

Help to protect our The fight for Fernkloof African Black Oystercatchers is not over BirdLife South Africa has chosen the near-endemic African Black Oystercatcher (Haematopus moquini) as Bird of the Year for 2018.

PHOTO: mountainviewmanor.co.za

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wo weeks ago the press was able to bring good news for individuals and organisations like Whale Coast Conservation (WCC) that oppose the Hermanus Bypass Road (The Village NEWS 27 March: Hermanus bypass hits a speed bump). Opposition to the proposed road has also come from the Hermanus Botanical Society, Hermanus Ratepayers, CapeNature, Vogelgat Nature Reserve and the Fernkloof Action Group.

What was not mentioned in the press was that the opposition stemmed mainly from the fact that both the alternatives proposed in the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) were in support of the road being built through the protected Fernkloof Nature Reserve – popularly known as the “Jewel of Hermanus”.

However, the proposed roads were not described like this.

Instead, the two alternative routes were described as “alongside Mountain Drive” and “abutting Mountain Drive”.

Unless you are a knowledgeable resident of Hermanus, it would escape notice that these words are euphemisms for “through a large area of vulnerable fynbos habitat in a protected nature reserve”.

Prompted by a letter from WCC

General Manager Rob Fryer, the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (DEA&DP) examined the EIR and found that the report exhibited clear bias towards a predetermined outcome (viz. a road running through Fernkloof ), while rejecting potentially workable alternatives out of hand. The Department also found that two aspects of the process followed by the consultants were deficient. These were a flawed public participation process and inadequate explanation for the rejection of many submissions on alternatives.

Stephen Müller, Overstrand Director of Infrastructure and Planning is quoted in the press as saying “…it will in the longer term affect the regeneration of Hermanus Old Town …” This is not correct. The Hermanus CBD Revitalisation plan, as accepted by the Municipality, does not depend on a bypass being built.

Why is it assumed that it’s fine to regard a piece of precious and pristine fynbos as ‘open space’ that can be used for infrastructure such as the construction of a road?

This brings me back to the reasons for the need to protect nature. Yes, it provides

ecosystem services in the form of water, clean air, beauty and many others. But, most importantly it is of huge economic benefit in the form of tourism.

A new tourism report by Stats SA shows the sector is of vital importance to South Africa’s economy, and an important employer. The so-called ‘Tourism Satellite Account for South Africa’ pulled together diverse data to build up a full picture of the sector: “The tourism sector directly contributed 2, 9 percent to South African gross domestic product (GDP) in 2016”, according to the Stats SA report.

“This makes the tourism sector a larger contributor than agriculture…” “[Tourism] outperformed other key industries in terms of job creation, adding just over 40 000 net new jobs to the economy over the five-year period from 2012 to 2016.”

If nature is such an important generator of income and jobs how can it be regarded as worthless by proponents of its “expropriation without compensation” to build a road?

The charismatic African Black Oystercatcher with its black plumage and striking red legs, beak and eyes, is a modernday conservation success story. Its population has dramatically increased over the last few decades, leading to its regional red listing status being down-graded from Near Threatened in 2000 to Least Concern in 2015.

DID YOU KNOW? Despite their name, African Black Oystercatchers do not eat oysters but prefer mussels and other bivalves, limpets, polychaetes (worms), whelks and crustaceans.

Although numbers are on the rise, with the current population estimated to be some 6 700 individuals, the African Black Oystercatcher still faces some challenges, especially where it breeds in or near urban centres.

With a restricted distribution that ranges from Angola in the west to Mozambique in the east, this iconic species are slow breeders and are dependent on ongoing conservation efforts to ensure that their population continues to increase. The biggest threats include continued habitat loss due to coastal development, and disturbance of breeding birds by beach visitors and their dogs.

A proactive intervention and awareness programme by the Nature’s Valley Trust, in col-

laboration with BirdLife South Africa, is addressing some of these issues alongside BirdLife Overberg, which recently launched several projects aimed at protecting our coastline and estuaries.

Because Black Oystercatchers are long-lived (with a life span of up to 29 years), they take several years to reach maturity and fledge only 1 to 2 chicks a year, leading to a low fledgling survival rate. 80% of African Black Oystercatchers are found outside of protected areas, where they are sensitive to disturbance and vulnerable to encroaching development of our coastline. Their peak breeding season coincides with the greatest influx of summer holidaymakers between October and April, when the stress placed on coastal ecosystems is the highest.

Breeding pairs are monogamous and will stay together for up to 20 years. They only breed on the coastlines of Namibia and South Africa, preferring rocky, sandy and mixed substrate coastlines, returning to the same site to build their nest year after year.

Nests are bare scraped in sand or shallow indentations in rocks above the high-water mark. African Black Oystercatchers are solitary nesters

- Anina Lee Whale Coast Conservation

PHOTO: Carin Malan, BirdLife Overberg

that do not nest in colonies such as gulls and cormorants, offering less protection.

One or two eggs are laid and both parents incubate the eggs for 27 – 39 days, taking turns to feed the chicks – one forages for food while the other closely guards the chicks. They fledge at 35 – 40 days and leave the parents’ territory after 2 – 6 months. Juveniles migrate to nursery areas in Namibia and Angola for 2 – 3 years before returning.

Threats to their survival include: • Dogs off-leash chasing the birds off their nests and trampling eggs or killing chicks; • Illegal vehicles on beaches driving over their nests; • Development that degrades or destroys roosting and breeding sites; • Pollution that includes toxins poisoning the water, and plastic litter and fishing line that entangle birds; and • Human disturbance when beachgoers chase birds off their nests, leaving the eggs to overheat in the sun or in danger of being eaten by predators.

A series of educational tools and lesson plans are available for download at birdlife.org.za/events/bird-ofthe-year

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10 - 16 April 2018

New owners for Heritage Cottage

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eritage Cottage on Marine Drive is a little gem in the midst of our fast developing town – one of the oldest original fisherman’s cottages built in Hermanus.

While I’m eternally grateful that it has survived, unlike so many others that have been lost to the developer’s bulldozer, it seems to be struggling to find its place in the sun which it so richly deserves.

For the past few years the premises, originally named Mon Desir, has been operating as a restaurant under different management. Most recently it was Chef Warwick Taylor, who is also the owner of Source in Hemelen-Aarde Village, who transformed Mon Desir into an elegant fine dining restaurant which he named, simply and aptly, Heritage Cottage. Ideally situated in close proximity to several guesthouses along Marine Drive, Heritage Cottage also served breakfast and lunch and their clientele included tourists as well as locals.

After building up a successful establishment in a short period of time with Chef Dean van Huyssteen and his team, Warwick handed over the reins to new owners Maxzell and Christo van Jaarsveldt last month.

“We’re not fixing anything that’s not broken,” says Maxzell, and adds that they will continue with Warwick’s carefully designed menus. They have also retained most of the staff and it’s business as usual at Heritage Cottage. “We wish them all the best in taking the restaurant forward,” says Warwick.

In time this young couple hopes to put their own stamp on the business, emphasising that they would like to cater more for the locals by offering

What’s Cooking RESTAURANT NEWS Hedda Mittner

The neglected heritage cottage, Mon Desir on Marine Drive before it was renovated. On the left is the rondawel house that was demolished to make way for the Misty Waves Boutique Hotel.

Mon Desir now operates as the Heritage Cottage restaurant.

The new owners of Heritage Cottage, Christo and Maxzell van Jaarsveldt.

early bird breakfasts, lunch specials, dinner and a cocktail bar. While businessman Christo will commute to Cape Town on a regular basis, Maxzell says he’s a real foodie and spends his evenings in the restaurant kitchen. Maxzell’s personality is perfectly suited to her role as front of house manager, enabling her to put the skills she gained while working at the prestigious Delaire Graff estate near Stellenbosch to good use.

Having grown up in Hermanus, Maxzell says she is delighted to be back. Hubby Christo has also succumbed to the relaxed lifestyle and says on the days he travels to Cape Town he can’t wait to get out of the city and back to Hermanus. They are appreciative of the heritage status of the restaurant and showed me an article about Mon Desir written years ago by the late SJ du Toit, which was published in the historical publication, The Cape Odyssey. It gives some interesting information about this quaint heritage cottage built in the traditional fisherman’s style of the late 19th century.

According to the article, the first plots in Hermanuspietersfontein were surveyed on crown land in 1854. At the time, the whole area from the Old Harbour to Swartdam Road was covered in Milkwood trees. The first of these plots on which a house was built was next to the Grobbelaar Hall. It was bought by pioneer settler Michael Henn who went on to build what is believed to have been the first home in the fledgling village.

It is not clear who originally

built the cottage named Mon Desir, but according to SJ du Toit it was bought by the family of Flip du Toit from Worcester, who owned the house for at least 100 years. The Du Toits were one of many families from Worcester who built holiday cottages in Hermanus and spent their summers at the ocean, resulting in the town being known as Worcester-onSea. The original fountain after which the town was named is situated directly opposite Mon Desir and in 1938 it was the historic meeting place of the Dirkie Uys wagon in the Voortrekker Centenary commemorations. At first Plot 3, where Mon Desir stands, stretched all the way from Marine Drive to Church Street, but the property was later subdivided. In 2003 the property, which comprised the old cottage and another house higher up on the plot consisting of three rondawels, was bought by Henri and Maxi Lerm.

While the rondawels were demolished to make way for their new hotel development, Misty Waves, the Lerms realised the importance of the heritage cottage and worked hand in hand with the local heritage committee in renovating Mon Desir and preserving its original character and features.

The Van Jaarsveldts are now tasked with ensuring that Heritage Cottage takes its rightful place as a culinary destination where visitors and locals alike can enjoy the unique character of this historical site along with their meal. The restaurant is open daily from 07:00 – 22:00 and bookings can be made on 028 312 2859.

10 - 16 April 2018

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10 - 16 April 2018

New estate a first-time buyer’s dream

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search for their first home a nightmare instead of the exciting experience it should be.

Finding a modern, well located and ideally priced property has become virtually impossible, making the first time buyer’s

Enter Kleine Swartberg Estate, offering a solution to this increasing predicament.

Situated on the picturesque mountain slopes of Caledon a mere 40 km scenic drive from Hermanus, Kleine Swartberg is a first of its kind Security Estate in the area and is

ith the price of property increasing at a rate of knots, many first-time-buyers are struggling to find affordable and desirable property that would allow them to enter the property market as homeowners.

conveniently located in close proximity to the primary and secondary school , the Caledon mall, Hotel, Spa and Casino, hospital and town centre.

With direct access to the N2, commuting to work has never been easier or more scenic.

Each apartment in the Kleine Swartberg Estate offers two modern bedrooms, bathroom,

kitchen and living area with up to the minute finishes.

With an opportunity this great, "why not hang your picture on your own wall?" say the Principals of Greeff Christie’s Winelands, Reon van der Merwe and Jaco van der Merwe. The secure estate also offers singletons or young families peace of mind in terms of safety and security.

In association with Betterbond this could be your opportunity to buy your own apartment and pay less than the average rental price in Hermanus.

month as well as a projected monthly levy of R550. A combined household income of roughly R20 000 per month should qualify you for a bond in this amount.

Priced at only R665 000 including transfer cost, Kleine Swartberg is perfect for the first-time buyer. At this price you would be looking at a monthly bond repayment of approximately R6 000 per

Considering its fantastic location and pricing, Kleine Swartberg could be the answer to many housing woes.

One thing is for sure, it is a rare opportunity not to be missed.

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10 - 16 April 2018 PHOTO: McGregor Tourism

PHOTO: Tim Wege

McGregor – Valley of wine and roses Jacqueline Dowling

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he sign outside Robertson reads: McGregor 20 km. They call it The Road to Nowhere – and we decide to investigate. What we find is a mountain village: gentle, unspoilt and strongly reminiscent of a bygone era, practically unchanged since Victorian times and one of the most perfectly preserved thatched Cape vernacular villages in the country.

This is McGregor, just off Route 62, a bit longer if you take the N2 Stormsvlei route, but worth a visit in every possible way. It was the first of many visits, and a place we return to, time after time.

Originally named Lady Grey after the wife of Cape governor Sir George Grey, the Dutch Reformed community decided to honour their beloved pastor Rev Andrew McGregor; McGregor it became and remains so to this day. A cottage, McGregor House, was built to save him the long horseback trek from Robertson each Sunday. He came, and stayed. Today the cottage is

part of our young family, fully restored in traditional style.

ladies at a garden party.

Like Brigadoon, it appears out of the morning mist when early sunbeams filter through crisp mountain air, whitewashed cottages pushing out of the shadows and slowly coming to life. For an artist, or writer, the atmosphere is perfect.

Dodging flouncing guinea fowl, we discover the pop-up market and are spoilt for choice. Trestles of fresh organic produce, herbs and craft olives, breads and wood fired pottery... Under a shady tree we meet young Anna and her 11-year-old brother Thomas who have spent a productive evening baking and decorating a cascade of cupcakes, all of which disappear within minutes. Thomas the Magician has set up his own stall and is demonstrating his latest Magic School cutting-edge tricks. “You should be at Covent Garden,” remarks a visitor and promptly deposits R5 in his hat.

Saturday. High summer and, this time, we have come for a family wedding. Grapes, olive groves, stone-channelled leiwater chuckling as it leads into orchards and gardens.

The day is hot, floppy-hat hot; bougainvillea in brilliant colours shades broekielace stoeps. Roses tumble across walls and gardens in gay abandon; huge blooms in full summer dress, like Edwardian

The wedding takes place at a local guesthouse. Bales of straw surround a terrace paved with apricot and peach pips, jacarandas and cassias in full bloom, leaving a carpet of mauve and yellow blossoms under the trees. Vows taken – a simple and loving ceremony. Music supplied by The McGregor Unistars in their maroon jackets and highly polished brass instru-

McGregor is a village synonymous with art, pottery, poetry, wine, roses, donkeys, eccentricity – and the perfect place to restore shattered city nerves and karma, while enjoying a weekend's cycling or one of the several annual cultural events.

PHOTO: McGregor Tourism

ments. All totally local and quite beautiful in its simplicity.

As evening falls, apricot clouds drift in a soft blue sky. Tables are set among the vines with little candles lighting the way under a full moon. A perfect night for a wedding feast. No sounds other than that of roosting birds and cicadas.

Such peace and simplicity is hard to find in a busy world.

One needs to get off the beaten track and explore. Which is what we do on the following days.

Having decided against the challenging hike down Boesmanskloof to Greyton, from the end of The Road to Nowhere (originally planned to continue to Greyton, but the council ran out of money – or something – so it just stops!), we opt instead for one of the more moderate cycle trails of which there are seven – not all moderate.

Maps supplied, we set off for a 3-hour cycle, and aren't disappointed. The views of neighbouring valleys, orchards hanging heavy with fruit and olives ready for

harvest, grapes ripe for the plucking and terraces with leiwater channels winding through the vineyards. More jacarandas, their flowers popping under our tyres, red cannas and a feast of wineries – one of which, Springfield, has a family of rare black springbok on their land.

Time to explore the village.

We choose the Temenos Retreat for lunch. In Greek it means ‘a sacred place’. A place of healing where everyone is welcome. The gardens are quite beautiful with private places to meditate and be at peace.

The restaurant, Tebaldi's (would you guess that the owner has a background in opera?), is the original house dating back to 1856. Its clay floor tiles are warm and glowing, the vine-shaded

patio overlooks the gardens and this is where we settle for a gentle couple of hours accompanied by a bottle of local Lord's Méthode Cap Classique, aromatic bobotie and sambals, and a general chill-out in the peace of Zen. There is so much to do in McGregor, and one needs time and many visits. The winter Poetry in McGregor festival is in its sixth year – wine warm evenings around a log fire with poetry and poets; the annual book fair in aid of Eseltjiesrus donkey sanctuary which started ten years ago with two rescued donkeys and has grown and grown; a Food and Wine Weekend each year, MTB trails, hiking, visiting Rhebokskraal Olive Estate, The Millstone Pottery where wood firing is used for their renowned stoneware; artists' galleries… the choice is infinite.

Useful information: McGregor Tourism: MTB Trails: Eseltjiesrus: Millstone Pottery: Temenos Retreat:

info@tourismmcgregor.co.za www.tourismmcgregor.co.za njsviljoen@gmail.com info@donkeysanctuary.co.za www.millstonepottery.co.za www.temenos.org.za

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10 - 16 April 2018

New exhibitions on display for Artwalkers

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he Hermanus First Fridays Artwalk on 6 April coincided with the opening of a solo exhibition, In Limbo, by Arend Louw at Rossouw Modern SPACE Gallery.

Arend’s works depict typical landscapes and scenes of everyday life in rural towns in the Western Cape such as Aurora, Redelinghuys, Suurbraak, Caledon and Stanford.

In each painting his signature palette captures the natural light that casts long shadows and brings out the rich atmos-

phere of forgotten or ignored places. In Limbo refers to the transitional – that fleeting moment between two stages that Arend manages to capture on canvas.

Art lovers were entranced by this exhibition and the works were selling at a brisk pace.

This exhibition will run until 22 April.

Another popular destination during the Artwalk was The Courtyard, where the FynArts Gallery opened on 4 April and formed part of the Artwalk for the first time on Friday.

Situated between Kunskantoor and Novil on the one side and the Geta Finlayson Studio on the other, the Fyn-Arts Gallery currently hosts a joint exhibition that includes works by the 2017 Festival Artist, Willie Bester, as well as Wilma Cruise, Hasan and Husein Essop, Marieke Prinsloo Rowe, Jean Theron Louw, Strijdom van der Merwe, Gavin Younge, Jaco Sieberhagen and Titia Ballot.

The gallery’s next exhibition will be that of the 2018 Festival Artist, Kate Gottgens.

The administrative coordinator of FynArts, Chantel Louskitt (left) and festival director Mary Faure (right) with local artist Jaco Sieberhagen next to one of his artworks currently on exhibit at the new FynArts Gallery in The Courtyard off Harbour Road.

Artist Arend Louw with Jozua Rossouw at Rossouw Modern SPACE Gallery, where Arend’s solo exhibition, In Limbo, opened on Friday.

PHOTOS: Hedda Mittner

Frandi Wiid and Suzaan Caldwell at Novil gallery, which has joined forces with Kunskantoor, owned by Suzaan’s sister Renzske Scholtz. The space previously occupied by Abalone Gallery has been completely transformed by the sisters’ selection of quirky and colourful modern art.

Colourful display of sounds and sights at the Herfsfees On 6 and 7 April, Herfsfees made its exciting debut in Stanford. The festival saw the launch of a programme that aims to introduce artists to the local community. The vibrant festival was put together by an energetic team of five organisers, three of whom are parents at Generation Schools Hermanus. “It was a resounding success! We had so much enthusiasm and support from the community and it was great to see visitors of all ethnicities and persuasions celebrating together,” said Carel Kuschke, one of the organisers. The festival had much on offer and kicked off on Friday afternoon with a Mardi Gras street parade with members of the Kaapse Klopse, a choir and the Flywheelers. Other highlights included a community concert featuring Tribal Echo and Mr Cat & The Jackal, a variety of free community workshops and the Music Merry-Go-Round on Saturday featuring six bands.

Stanford teenagers who chose to participate in the parade were decked out in colourful clothes and whimsical hats.

Apart from the music supplied by the Kaapse Klopse for the parade, spectators were very amused by the two performers leading the group with spins, splits and over-the-top facial expressions.

PHOTOS: Taylum Meyer

Children from the local community were excited to get all dressed up and take part in the Mardi Gras during the Stanford Herfsfees on Friday.

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10 - 16 April 2018

Wishing Hospice safe travels KIA Motors Hermanus recently delivered a brand-new KIA Picanto 1.2 Style Auto to Overstrand Hospice for their staff members to use when they visit patients.

At the handover were, from left, Overstrand Hospice’s Fran Tong (general manager), Alan Toombs (director), Fransil Kotze (social worker) and Sister Esmé Potgieter (patient care manager), who was handed the keys to their new vehicle

by Sean Smith, dealer principal of KIA Motors Hermanus.

The new vehicle was purchased with a Lotto grant from the National Lotteries

Support HAWS Lockdown Volunteers of the Hermanus Animal Welfare Society (HAWS) gathered at the Hermanus Country Market on Saturday to get sponsorships for the shelter’s upcoming ‘Lockdown’ event from the 20-22 April at the kennels.

Nine volunteers will be locked in at the HAWS property for 48 hours where they will spend some much needed quality time with the cats and dogs. The funds raised at this event will be used to assist HAWS in caring for the many animals in need. The public is invited to visit them

on Saturday 21 April between 09:00 and 16:00 where cake and coffee will be served.

The volunteers received a lot of support from the community at the market on Saturday, with organiser Liza van Coppenhagen giving them a space for their stall and Alex from Fantasy Faces painting a unique animal ‘face’ on each of the volunteers.

Approximately R9 000 was collected from the generous public who were eager to sponsor the volunteers.

The volunteers will be at the Country Market again on Saturday 14 April for those who missed them last weekend and would like to support this worthy cause. Donations can also be made via EFT to: Hermanus Animal Welfare Standard Bank; Acc no 082 2263 310; Reference: Lockdown-Events On the right are Hildegard and Bianca du Plessis, Sara Jones, Irene Saunders, Tanya Cohen and René Dewar.

PHOTO: Taylum Meyer

Commission and will be put to good use, as Overstrand Hospice cares for terminally ill patients all the way from Rooi Els to Pearly Beach. Their multidisciplinary team, including four professional nurses and a social worker, deliver palliative home care and cover a distance of roughly 2 000 km every month to visit their patients and their families at home.

In March this year alone, 69 patients and 64 loved ones of patients received care from Overstrand Hospice and 140 home visits were made. All services are

provided free of charge, despite the average cost of caring for one patient amounting to R19 765.

Therefore the Hospice Shop, voluntary charitable donations, bequests, and the Hospice 600 Club form an important source of income.

The KIA Motors Hermanus team said: “We wish Overstrand Hospice many miles of wonderful experiences and memories that will be cherished for a lifetime. We trust that you will thoroughly enjoy your vehicle.”

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10 - 16 April 2018

The Joy Diemont Memorial Garden – a joy forever Elaine Davie

M

argaret de Villiers is not only a worldrenowned creator of delicate botanical paintings of the unique plants of the Western Cape, she has also been the builder and nurturer of a beautiful garden for the enjoyment of the people of Hermanus, as well as visitors to the town.

THE

NEWS

MY Home

Having grown up in Bishop’s Court, Cape Town, adjacent to the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, plants and gardens have been a formative aspect of her life for as long as she can remember. Add to that the fact that her parents had a holiday house on the seafront above the Voëlklip beach which was surrounded by coastal fynbos, and her love affair with these plants was guaranteed for life.

When Margaret and her husband, Dawie came to live in Hermanus in the mid-1960s, they built a small house on the opposite side of 10th Street to her parents’ holiday home.

Alongside their property was a commonage, covered in a wild tangle of bracken. One day, as Margaret emerged from her house to collect her toddler who was playing outside, she was horrified to see a puff adder heading in the same direction from out of the bracken.

There and then, she decided that something had to be done.

She obtained permission from the Municipality where Dawie was Deputy Town Clerk, to clear the site and to plant a garden there. And that was the beginning of a lifelong commitment to what became a public space, a garden to delight the many locals and visitors who passed by. At her own expense, she

The Joy Diemont Memorial Garden on 10th Street in Voëlklip was a commonage consisting of a wild tangle of bracken before Margaret de Villiers turned it into a lush indigenous garden. It was named after Margaret’s mother after she passed away in 1976.

Margaret de Villiers next to the Boekenhout that was one of the first trees she planted in the garden more than half a century ago.

PHOTOS: Hedda Mittner

grassed the large plot and planted masses of indigenous trees – yellowwoods, ficus varietals, milkwoods, acacias and many others, as well as a multitude of fynbos species, including proteas, watsonias, ericas and restios. The property also featured a vlei, which was preserved as a wetland with its own indigenous plant species and fauna. At that time, Voëlklip was still so sparsely populated that small buck would come down to the garden at night.

The Town Council provided water for the property at a reduced rate.

After about eight years in Hermanus, Dawie accepted a job with the Cape Town Municipality and Margaret appointed a gardener who had been involved in the laying out of Fernkloof to look after the garden. They returned whenever they could for weekends and holidays to keep an eye on it. In 1976 her mother passed away and Margaret obtained permission from the Municipality to name the garden after her. “The Municipality very kindly delivered a large rock to the garden, which carries a memorial plaque with my mother, Joy Diemont’s name on it,” adds Margaret.

When she and Dawie returned to Hermanus in 1991, she once again took on the care of the garden herself and was truly grateful when 15 households in the neighbourhood offered to chip in to help cover the employment of a garden service and to assist with its general upkeep. She also appreciates the fact that the Municipality now charges nothing for the water used for the garden, cuts the grass and removes refuse on a regular basis.

In the 52 years of its existence, the garden has matured, the trees have powered their way skywards and it has, in many ways, taken on the aspect of an arboretum. It has become a green lung in what is now a built-up suburb and continues to delight all who pass by. Two of the challenges they have had to face have been the presence and removal of vagrants from time to time and the habit holiday-makers have of parking their cars in the garden under the trees.

“I’m so pleased,” says Margaret, “that the Municipality has now agreed to erect a low wooden fence around the perimeter to stop this from happening in the future.” She regrets the fact that the wooden benches under the trees have rotted away with time and funding is not available to replace them. However, she is happy that children still play in the garden and sometimes families can be seen enjoying a picnic on the lawns in the summer.

As Rumer Godden, the novelist, once remarked, ‘A garden isn’t meant to be useful. It’s for joy!’

And, in every sense of the word, that is exactly what this garden is, a tribute to one woman’s determination to create and preserve a thing of beauty for future generations to enjoy.

Margaret de Villiers, Vicky Thomas and Lynda Wet, all highly decorated botanical artists from the Overstrand, have been invited to show their work at an exhibition of around 40 South African botanical artists which opens at the Everard Read Gallery in Johannesburg on 17 May. This is one leg of a global exhibition in which 25 countries will be participating.

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10 - 16 April 2018

Edian hits the right notes at the KKNK that they will invite him to the KKNK to perform at one of their venues. “Well, it took four years before that happened, but it has been worth the wait.

With this year’s invitation I had the opportunity to meet with other artists who gave me invaluable advice as well as the opportunity to meet with executives of record labels. In addition, my music reached a wider audience and quite a few local radio stations took a copy of my promotional CD with them to play to their listeners. The moment I realised I was playing in front of more than 1 300 people and they were all looking at and listening to me is indescribable. I had a lump in my throat and realised the rest of my life has begun.”

De Waal Steyn

L

ocal singer and songwriter Edian Barnard held the Overstrand’s name high this year as he performed for the third time at the Klein Karoo Nationale Kunstefees (KKNK) in Oudtshoorn recently.

“This has been my biggest KKNK yet as I had the opportunity to do six shows on the Radio Sonder Grense (RSG) Stage and at their tent. It is the first time that I performed in a venue that was paid for. This might seem strange, but it is a barometer of your rise to success. Normally, when you are still completely unknown, as I was on my previous visits, you perform in venues where there is no entrance fee. Your first steps to recognition are performing at a paid venue and having your own CD,” says an elated Edian.

He says it has not been an easy journey in more than one respect. Four years ago, he made three recordings of songs that he sent to RSG in the hope

Local singer and songwriter Edian Barnard on the RSG stage at the KKNK. His hit single Tiekie Ma-Yo Yo was a big hit with the more than 1 300 people who watched his performance.

Edian has already reached success with his single Tiekie Ma-Yo Yo that was in the number one spot for three weeks on All Time Radio and he says he is hard at work recording his first solo-album entitled My pen en solitude. His other songs include Vlerke aan my drome and Psalm 23, Die weg na my menswees.

“Life is not just about money, it is about the circumstances you find yourself in and how you can help other people. I have learnt that your whole world can come tumbling down and then out of the blue angels come along and help you by placing a new world under your feet,” he says, referring to his long struggle with alcoholism.

“I was always the drunk guy next to the braai playing my guitar and singing. But there came a time in my life when I lost everything because I could only think about where my next drink will come from.

After 17 years of being caught in that rut, I realised I needed to pull myself together and that I needed help in doing so.

Since that day I have made steady progress and that is what I try to reflect in my music. It is my way of making reparations, saying I am sorry to those I have wronged and also a record of my progress.”

Edian, who was born in Cape Town and matriculated in Rawsonville in the Breedekloof, says his biggest dream is

to be signed by a record label and to become a full-time musician. “But I understand that this is a long and difficult road and therefore I still have a day job at Mr Spike in Hermanus.”

According to him he draws much of his inspiration from the songs of Koos du Plessis, Leonard Cohen and Jan Blom.

“Jan is a true inspiration for me as he has also walked the road of addiction and rehabilitation.

It is not an easy road, but it is one I want to travel. I find that Afrikaans, being my home language, is the easiest to write in as it has words that have the power to express what I feel deep down in my soul. But that said, I am also busy with a few English songs.”

Edian says he has had calls from as far afield as Gauteng and the Eastern Cape for shows and that he is gearing up to start a tour. “But first I need to complete my CD and for the time being I can be seen locally at the Bluebuck Bar this Friday night.”

Contact Edian on 072 331 1615.

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10 - 16 April 2018

HPF, where slouch ‘n sip is all in a day’s work!

Hermanuspietersfontein has created an innovative Container Lounge for visitors to the cellar while the construction of their brand-new tasting room takes place. Locals were invited last week to join in the demo-lition of the old tasting room and were handed hammers to start breaking down the old walls. The new Container Lounge is a fully functional tasting room with a beautiful viewing deck on top where you can sip wine while watching the builders at work or stare off into the distance at the ocean.

Gerrie Heyneke of Hermanuspietersfontein (left) with Hennie Henn from Henncorp Construction stand in front of the soon-to-be updated tasting room after guests had been invited to write messages on the wall.

Tania Fourie of The Global Challenge was happy at a chance to leave her mark on the Hermanuspietersfontein tasting room wall.

PHOTOS: Taylum Meyer

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10 - 16 April 2018

South Africa's proud record at the Commonwealth Games

T

he Commonwealth Games were first held in 1930 in Hamilton, Canada. Since then the event has taken place every four years, with the exception of the years during the Second World War. The latest and 19th edition is being held at Gold Coast City in Australia from 4 to 15 April, with 71 participating countries, over 5 000 athletes, 275 events and 19 sports.

Offside Tony O’Hagan

The Hermanus Fly Fishing Club will host its annual Open Day on Sunday, 15 April at the Zuiderkruis dam.

The dam is situated about 15 km up the Hemel-enAarde Valley on the R320 to Caledon. Look out for a sign on the right.

11 countries sent 400 athletes to take part in 6 sports and 50 events. Previous editions were known as the British Empire Games and thereafter the British Empire and Commonwealth Games and now, as the Commonwealth Games. There are 53 members of the Commonwealth of Nations, but 71 teams compete as a number of dependent countries compete under their own flag, for example, the United Kingdom is represented by the four home unions, all competing in their own right.

South Africa are 6th in the alltime tally of medals with an overall total of 280 medals (92 Gold, 92 Silver and 96 Bronze).

The highest medal tally of 46 at a single games was achieved in 2002 at Manchester and the most Golds (16) in 1954 at Vancouver. In 1961, due to the Apartheid era, South Africa withdrew from the Commonwealth and our standings on the medal table is all the more meritorious as we have competed in 12 of the 19 Commonwealth Games.

All welcome to enjoy fly fishing open day

Caster Semenya was the flagbearer for Team SA at the opening of the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast City, Australia on 4 April. She is the favourite to win the 800 m and 1 500 m races.

PHOTO: William West, AFP This year, Team SA have sent a contingent of 196 athletes (108 men, 88 women) who are currently competing in 17 sports on the Gold Coast.

Most Team SA competitors per sporting discipline are 29 athletes, 26 rugby sevens, 25 swimmers and 17 bowlers.

The main contributors to our medal tally in the last games

held in Glasgow were in the sports of swimming and bowls, two disciplines in which the Aussies are expected to excel on home soil. Let's hope our Commonwealth participants can emulate the Proteas and put one over the home nation and other Commonwealth competitors by bagging a medal tally of note!

SPORT NEWS? Share your sport news, results or photos with us! It has never been easier. Just send the information or image to admin@thevillagenews.co.za and we will gladly consider it. Competition results, a friendly rivalry, a funny anecdote, a once-off feat or a major improvement – all news is welcome. We would like to feature our community’s major sport stars as well as its unsung sport heroes – just let us know. We look forward to hearing from you.

The Club invites members, non-members and friends to bring their families and enjoy a fun-filled day at the dam. The Open Day has proved to be a highlight on the fly fishing calendar and there is no charge for anyone wishing to fish or just relax and enjoy the dam and its beautiful surrounds.

Bring some chairs and a cooler box with food and beverages and watch the fishermen plying their passion.

The fishing commences at

08:00 and concludes at 12 noon. This will be followed by a braai and prize giving. The Club will manage the braai, with wood provided, so bring what needs to go on the braai and relax next to the tranquil beauty of the dam.

Please note that only fly fishing rods are permitted and no dogs are allowed.

Last year's winner was Ian Oliver, so we await to see if he does the double or if there will be a new champion. The trout are caught on a catch and release basis and the day promises to be a wonderful experience for both participants and spectators.

Let's hope the trout can be lured – recent fishing experiences suggest the fishermen could have a successful morning.

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10 - 16 April 2018

THE

NEWS

MY Sport

Les (71) led the pack at this year’s Two Oceans and do at least one race a month and over the last 46 years I have taken part in literally hundreds of races.”

De Waal Steyn

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unning is such an integral part of my life that if I should ever stop doing it I will honestly feel lost,” says Les Hanna from Onrus, who won the category for men over the age of 70 at this year’s Two Oceans Half Marathon.

According to him he is neither a jogger nor a racer. “Prof Tim Noakes said there are three stages of running. First you start jogging for any number of reasons and that makes you a jogger. Then you start becoming more serious and competitive and you join a club where winning and times are important to you. That makes you a racer. The third stage is when you become a runner.

That is someone like me for whom running has become a way of life,” relates Les.

Les, who has been the chair of the Whalers Athletics Club for the past 15 years, smiles as he concedes that he was however beaten to the finish line by 36 seconds by the 72-year-old Veronica van Niekerk from Elgin. Les completed the half marathon in a time of 02:03:14.

“Veronica, who has completed 18 Two Oceans Ultra Marathons and 4 Half Marathons, is a legend in the marathon world and I have never been able to beat her,” he says.

But Les himself has become a familiar sight at races held across the Western Cape. “I try

Les Hanna from Onrus who won the category for men over the age of 70 at this year’s Two Oceans Half Marathon.

Asking him what his training and dietary regimen is for keeping in such good shape, Les just smiles and says: “Why would I want to do that? Yes, I train three times a week and I do stretching exercises for 30 minutes every day, but I do not follow a specific diet.

That’s for the serious guys. I am just someone who enjoys

my running and does it because it is so much fun. After more than four decades I have never attempted an ultramarathon. The longest route I have ever run was 30 km and I vowed never to run that far again.”

Les, a born Capetonian who spent most of his 37-year long career at Transnet in Kimberley, does take his stretching seriously. “In 2010 I developed serious back problems and could not run for more than a year.

One day I was given a book that was published in 1974 with some stretching exercises in it and I started doing these exercises immediately. Ever since I have not had one problem with my back, so I can attest that stretching exercises like Pilates do work.” Pilates was created in the 1920s by the physical trainer Joseph Pilates (1880 – 1967) for the purpose of rehabilitation of many of the soldiers wounded in the First World War. Les is one of a large group of

Whalers runners who completed this year’s Two Oceans, including the 73-year-old Gavin Turner who competed in his 21st Ultra Marathon. Gavin was lucky enough to complete the 56 km run with 23 seconds left on the clock before the 7-hour cut-off time.

The fastest Whaler in the Ultra Marathon was Martin Jansen (27) with a time of 04:07:15, while Frank Gillion (60) completed the Half Marathon in 01:38:33.

According to Les, anyone who is interested in joining the Whalers every Thursday at 18:00 for their time trials at the cricket club is more than welcome to come along. “Despite its name the time trials are not as competitive as it sounds, and we do it for the fun. You can run it or walk it, it doesn’t matter. What matters is that you become part of a group of people who are looking after their health.”

For more information Les can be reached on 083 525 2468 or lesgeorgehanna@hotmail.com