11 MARCH 2020
THE VILLAGE
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NEWS #ALLOVEROVERBERG
Who’s afraid of the big bad virus?
COVID-19 (and the social media frenzy), is infecting our minds, not our lungs.
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Muni investigates complaint Writer De Waal Steyn
W
e find no evidence to support the allegations of misconduct by the Municipal Manager, Coenie Groenewald, but in the interest of openness and transparency, and in the event that we may have overlooked anything, we recommend the appointment of a special investigator within 7 days, who will report back to the Mayor within 30 days.” This was the unanimous recommendation by all political parties at a special council meeting held on Monday afternoon, 9 March after an official complaint of misconduct was brought against Groenewald by resident Anton Kruger on 5 March. Kruger is the administrator of several public participation sites on Facebook and a member of a group calling itself LiberTAS (Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability). According to the complaint, in accordance with the municipality’s Unauthorised, Irregular or Fruitless and Wasteful Expenditure Policy, it is alleged that Groenewald “demonstrated poor judgement” in awarding a turnkey property development tender to the value of R600 million to construction group Asla Devco, after the tender had initially been awarded to M5 Developments by the municipality’s Tender Adjudication Committee in 2007.
After a long hike up the mountain in Vogelgat Nature Reserve, Waldo Uys and his companion were treated to this beautiful view of Hermanus near the hut they stayed in for the night. PHOTO: Waldo Uys
The complaint further states that ratepayers’ money was spent wastefully in defending this decision in the ensuing court cases in both the Cape High Court and the Supreme Court of Appeal, both of whom found against the decision made by Groenewald to award the tender to Asla. In addition, LiberTAS argues that the appeal emphasised “how bad Groenewald’s judgement was” and that it was only done to “clear his name” at the expense of ratepayers.
The group further demands to know how much money was spent on legal fees and that Groenewald should reimburse the municipality. In a statement that served before council, Groenewald said that after the tender had been awarded to M5, he found errors in the points awarded to both M5 and Asla in terms of the tender. When these were discovered he sought legal advice from senior council. The advice from Adv Eduard Fagan (SC), in short, stated that both companies should be made aware of the errors and each should be given the opportunity to make written representations regarding the findings. He also recommended that the scoring should be changed and that the tender should be awarded to Asla. Subsequent to Groenewald following the legal advice and awarding the tender to Asla, M5 proceeded with High Court action against the municipality to set aside the reallocation of the tender. In his judgement, Judge J le Grange found that the correction of the alleged scoring errors and the reallocation of the tender were “misconceived”. He ordered that the reallocation be set aside and that the tender be awarded to M5. After this judgement, the municipality took the case to the Supreme Court of Appeal where Judge LE Leach dismissed the appeal with costs. However, it transpired at Monday’s meeting that while the appeal was dismissed with costs, the municipality did not have to pay anything. “The appeal was made on the insistence of Asla and they undertook to pay all the legal costs, which they have duly done,” Mayor Dudley Coetzee said in the council meeting. On behalf of the DA, he confirmed that “We have found no evidence of any wrongdoing on the part of the municipal manager, who acted upon the legal advice he’d received.”
11 March 2020
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New sports facility for Hawston R
esidents of the Overstrand – and especially those of Ward 8 – will soon have access to a multi-purpose sports facility in Hawston.
The new facility will not only feature netball and/or tennis courts and change rooms, but also a cricket oval, two soccer fields (of which one will be synthetic turf ), a new tartan track to boost athletics, a golf driving range, a rugby field, as well as an indoor sports centre with clubhouse and pavilion. To improve traffic flow, an access road from Church Street will be created and the parking area will be upgraded. Spotlights were installed during a previous financial year and are already in use. The inception phase of the project started in 2012 and after years of waiting and planning, the development’s R55 million master plan, comprising three phases, is being rolled out. The R14 million for phase 1 and 2 was sourced through a MIG (Municipal Infrastructure Grant), provided by SRSA (Sport and Recreation South Africa) with the assistance of the Department of Cultural Affairs & Sport (DCAS). The remaining phases will be completed once funding has been obtained. Construction of the netball/tennis courts has already started and will be completed by the end of March 2020 as part of phase one. On Monday, 2 March, shovels hit the ground to kickstart phase 2. If all goes according to plan, the netball and tennis change rooms, a soccer field, the athletic track and rugby field will be completed by the end of June this year. The construction of the second soccer field will be rolled out during the 2020/2021 municipal financial year as part of phase 3.
They said it was wonderful that the younger generation would also be able to create their own memories on these fields, to teach their children and grandchildren about sport on the same fields that once saw them display their skills and attributes. Giving some background to the project, Dennis Hendriks, Overstrand’s Senior Manager of Engineering Services, emphasised the importance of this multi-purpose venue, which will be able to cater for various sporting events and tournaments, including athletics, throughout the whole Overberg District. He said that the existing Hawston sports grounds were and are being utilised by various sporting codes and institutions such as schools and crèches. “The rugby and cricket codes are well-established – the local rugby club ‘Hawston Skrik vir Niks’ competes in the super league and the cricket club plays in the South Boland first division. The soccer and netball teams play in the regional league,” he added. It is hoped that the sports facility will address a number of issues, including the creation of jobs during the various phases of its construction. Before introducing the Western Cape Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Anroux Marais, Overstrand Executive Mayor, Dudley Coetzee, acknowledged the hard work of the relevant departments within the municipality, the members of the community, as well as the Hawston Sports Committee who all worked tirelessly on the project, and who will continue working hard to host sporting events. “Let us use sport as a driver for positive change in our communities,” he added.
At the sod-turning ceremony proceedings started with a warm welcome from Deputy Mayor and Ward Councillor of Ward 8, Elnora Gillion. She paid tribute to Hawston’s sports clubs – Samrox, Rosebuds, Perseverance (with their white, black and red jerseys), Olympics and Gay Dolphins, to name but a few.
This sentiment was echoed by Minister Anroux Marais, who was visibly pleased to see eight new netball courts being built. “It is an exciting time for netball as we proactively prepare to host the 2023 Netball World Cup in the Western Cape. Tournaments of this nature significantly contribute to realising our vision of a socially inclusive and active province,” she said.
Rugby legends Cecil Marais, Ettie Gillion, Willem Morris and Frank Benjamin were there to relive memories of their great rugby days. The late Tim Figaji and the late Noël Dreyer, as well as John Abbai Figaji were honoured for their contributions on and off the rugby field.
Minister Marais said she could not wait to see the completion of phase two later in the year when the change rooms and athletic track are done. She added that the Hawston Sports Facility is set to boost economic activity in the region.
On the far right is Western Cape Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Anroux Marais, with Overstrand Executive Mayor Dudley Coetzee and Overstrand Deputy Mayor Elnora Gillion at the sod-turning ceremony of the Hawston Sports Facility on Monday, 2 March. With them are Brent Viviers, Element Consulting Engineers (far left), Overstrand’s project manager Dennis Hendriks, Overstrand’s Sport and Recreation Manager Ayanda Stali and Lucian Jacobs, chairman of the Hawston Sport and Recreation Committee.
How to detect water leaks If you receive a water bill that is unusually high, it may well be due to a leak. To check whether there is a leak on your property try the following: • Close all the taps in your house • Find your water meter • Your meter will have a row of numbers. • Check for movement of the numbers; if there is no visible movement then do the following: • Take a meter reading by writing down all the numbers on the meter dial • Advise all the people on the property not to use any water for at least one hour; this can also be done overnight (but remember not to flush the loo during the night) • Take a second reading; if the numbers have increased, then there is a leak. Should you suspect that the meter reading is
incorrect, you may ask your nearest municipal office to verify the readings against their financial records and request a copy of photographs taken of the meter readings over the past three months. In cases where consumers suspect that the meter itself may be faulty, the municipality will first have to rule out the possibility of any leakages. If the leakage is on the consumer’s side of the meter, they will be responsible for paying all outstanding fees as well as for repairing the leak. The municipality does offer customer assistance programmes to those consumers who have inadvertently experienced severe water losses. Another option for restricting your water consumption, is to request the municipality to cap usage by having a flow-restrictor meter installed.
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11 March 2020
The lighter side of Hermanus hotel holidays
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Generally, the owners and managers of Hermanus hotels kept quiet, orderly establishments. Their guests were mainly middle- to upper-middle-class individuals and families, not given to riotous nights. But sometimes events beyond their control occurred and resulted in a story that would go round the village. Then, it might be passed down verbally or recalled later and included in a memoir. This week, DR ROBIN LEE of the Hermanus History Society takes a look at a selection of these stories that give an insight into the tourist society of the time. The Viscount and the Lady: 1922 Vera, Lady Cathcart, was born Vera Fraser in Springbok in the north of the Cape Colony. Over the period 1914 to 1922, she had married her way up the British aristocracy. After her first husband, a British Army officer was killed in WWI, she married the Earl of Cathcart in 1916. A few years later she embarked on a passionate love affair with the young, married Viscount Uffington, who was to inherit the title of the Earl of Craven. Joey Luyt, whose husband P John Luyt was the owner of The Marine Hotel from 1915 – 1940, told the following story: In 1921, Vera met Viscount Uffington, eldest son of the Earl of Craven. Uffington had fought in the War, where he had lost a leg, and he was enjoying the gay social whirl of post-war London. There he met Vera, they fell in love, and eloped to Paris and then to Hermanus. When the two of them arrived in South Africa, they were both undischarged bankrupts. The Earl of Craven sent his son a regular remittance but refused to pay his debts unless he left Vera and returned home to his wife. Uffy, as everyone called him, was a gay and friendly young man, very popular in the village. He lived on credit until his remittance came at the end of the quarter, and then would go round and pay all his bills. After that, he would be virtually penniless again and would run up further credit accounts. After about a year his father died, and Uffy became the Earl of Craven. His financial position was no better, however, for his father had disinherited him. His mother, the Dowager Countess of Craven, was wealthy, for her mother had been an Amer4
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ican heiress, and she continued his remittances. Uffy and Vera gave lively parties, to which they invited almost the whole village. Uffy was inclined to drink too much. Vera did her best to prevent this and to tone down his high spirits somewhat. Uffy wanted to build a swimming pool in the dip of the cliffs below 'Roman Rock', the house they were renting. Unwisely, he decided to do the blasting himself. This was not very successful, but he did manage to shatter all the windows of the house! The noise of the explosion gave everyone a terrifying shock, and further blasting operations were forbidden. The prince and the pretty girl: 1924 In 1924, Prince Arthur of Connaught, a grandson of Queen Victoria and at the time the Governor-General of South Africa, was in Hermanus on an official visit to open the newly-revived golf club. A formal dance was held at The Marine Hotel that evening. Joey Luyt takes up the story: Prince Arthur had noticed Rosalie, a very pretty nineteen-year-old girl, who was staying at the Marine with her mother. "Who is that pretty girl in the green frock?" the Prince asked me. "Send your husband to fetch her. I want her presented to me." While John went off to fetch Rose, the Prince suggested that we walk out onto the stoep. John and Rose followed us outside, and Rose made her curtsy to His Royal Highness. Prince Arthur said to her: "Come over to the cottage with me, and we'll have a drink." John and I did not think this a good idea, but we did not dare to say so (for the Prince was not only royal but our Governor-General), so Rosalie had no choice but to walk over to Schoongezicht [the Luyts’ home, often put at the disposal of important visitors]. The following morning I got hold of Rose and asked her what had happened. She told me that on arrival at the house, the Prince had rung for a steward and had ordered whiskey. He asked her whether she would have some, but Rose naturally did not drink, so said she would prefer some orange squash. They sat and talked in the sitting room for a while until the Prince became amorous and tried to make a pass at her. "Oh," she exclaimed, in annoyance, "You're just like your uncle Teddy!" [a reference to King Edward VII, who was notorious for his affairs] and then was appalled at his impertinence.
1. The Marine Hotel became very popular in the 1920s and many wealthy and famous guests stayed there for their holidays. 2. Queen Victoria in her later years. At the time the Luyts’ friend was mistaken for the Queen, she had been dead for almost 30 years! 3. Viscount Uffington, who became known as ‘Uffy’ when he fled to Hermanus with his South African-born mistress, Lady Vera Cathcart, in order to escape the wrath of his father. 4. Prince Arthur of Connaught, a grandson of Queen Victoria who was serving as Governor-General of the Union of South Africa when he visited Hermanus in 1924. The Prince, however, only laughed.
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His advances frightened her though, and she asked for permission to retire, saying that she was tired, and was relieved when he let her go. Miss X and the Sergeant: 1928 One afternoon I [Joey Luyt] got an urgent phone call from Henry asking me to come out to the Riviera right away. One of the guests, a Miss X, had taken off all her clothes and was running up and down the Riviera Beach [now Grotto Beach] stark naked. She had been staying there for a week, also with a nurse, supposedly convalescing after an illness. In actual fact she had been to a mental home. I told Henry to fetch Sergeant Roux and his wife, and to ask the Sergeant to wear plain clothes, while I telephoned her family to say we were sending Miss X home. When the Sergeant, a most understanding man, arrived, I sent the nurse to Miss X (still capering around on the beach) with a wrap, to tell her that a very nice man had called to take her for a drive. Miss X was delighted with this, so we were able to persuade her to get dressed, while the nurse packed their things. She went off quite happily in the car, sitting next to the Sergeant, with Mrs Roux and the nurse. Miss X was a lovely girl. When young she was subject to periodic fits; on becoming engaged, her parents felt that the young man should be told of this. His parents made him break off the engagement. Miss X had had a complete mental breakdown, and had been in a home off and on for years. Say 'Hello' to the Queen: 1930 Once we took a small group of visitors and their children to picnic at The Waterfall, in a shallow kloof of the mountains opposite the lagoon. Ferns grew there and, in the spring, the Caledon bluebell, painted ladies and pypies. The ground we were picnicking on formed part of a small farm owned by an eccentric old man, who kept bees
and led a hermit-like existence. He did not like people trespassing on his property, as he maintained they disturbed the bees. As we sat there, he came towards us, waving a stick and shouting for us to get off his land. John went to meet him and told him that we had ventured to trespass on his ground as we had a very important personage with us, who was here on a visit incognito and who wanted to see the waterfall. He would remember Queen Victoria, John was sure. Would he care to be presented? Tay [an old family friend] was with us, a short, plump figure in an old-fashioned dress, with her white hair in a bun. She was somewhat flustered at being suddenly elevated to royal status, but the old man was delighted. He knew nothing about world affairs, never read the newspapers; England was a far-away country, ruled, as far as he was concerned, by a stern old matriarch. Everyone knew of Queen Victoria! Her Majesty, he said, was welcome to picnic on his grounds at any time!
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www.thevillagenews.co.za
11 March 2020
Who’s afraid of the big bad virus? Writer Elaine Davie
may be nature’s way of fighting back.
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In the meantime, we have been advised by everybody from the President to medical practitioners on the ground, to remain calm and simply to take sensible precautions. We have also been told by the Western Cape Department of Health that it has world-class systems and facilities in place, which have been tried and tested in the past, and it is doing everything possible to ensure that it is prepared for any scenario, with contact tracing teams trained and ready to respond when required.
lthough the Coronavirus or COVID-19 was first identified in Wuhan, China in December 2019, in the past couple of months it has spread at an escalating tempo to between 80 and 90 countries around the world. While, at first, the World Health Organisation (WHO) was reluctant to label it a pandemic, it has now done so. And with every passing day, as the number of infections climbed, the level of panic, fanned by social media and misleading information, took on increasingly hysterical proportions. However, we need to keep things in perspective. While it is undoubtedly a highly infectious strain of influenza, it is not a biblical plague. In fact, medical experts seem to agree that it is not, at this stage, as virulent as previous respiratory epidemics such as SARS or MERS; or, indeed, ebola or tuberculosis – even plain old everyday flu. Actually, the mortality rate of COVID -19 is comparatively low. By the end of last week over 100 000 cases had been confirmed worldwide, but only about 3 500 patients had died and these were mostly from amongst particularly vulnerable groups, like the elderly or patients with existing medical conditions, who succumbed to a resistant form of pneumonia. Another reality check: At the time of going to press, seven people in South Africa had been confirmed as positive. That’s seven positive – not dead – out of a population of over 50 million South Africans. (And how many people are murdered in this country every day, or killed on the roads?) When it has finally played itself out, analysts will probably conclude that the greatest victims were global trade and the international economy, which is already showing signs of morbidity. And because it’s an ill wind that blows nobody any good, we may see a decrease in or even a total cessation of illegal trading in wild animals from Africa, since that seems to have been the source of the disease in the first place. This
COVID-19 is spread in droplets. Sneezing and coughing may disperse the droplets directly from an infected person to the mucous membranes of another person (nose or eyes), or they may be picked up from a surface, like a table or a handrail or a seat. However, while we should remain aware of the latter possibility, obsessively wiping every surface in sight with a sanitiser, or abandoning the use of cash is simply one step too far. Another completely fallacious belief is that by wearing a face mask you can protect yourself from any droplets that might be flying around in the atmosphere. (In any case, even if you wanted to buy one, you would be hard pressed to find anything but empty shelves.) As it is, masks are only effective in preventing you from spreading the infection to others by sneezing or coughing, not the other way round. So what can you do to protect yourself and others from the virus? Here are a few dos and don’ts: • Wash your hands often with soap and water • Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands (easier said than done) • Avoid close physical contact with people who are sick • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and throw it away • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces • If you are mildly sick, keep yourself hydrated, stay at home and rest • If you develop symptoms of respiratory illness including cough, fever and shortness of breath
• •
within 14 days of travel to countries where the virus is known to be circulating, seek medical advice and care (the Western Cape Department of Health states that all medical practitioners, public or private, are fully prepared to conduct the test and treat the illness – the National Institute for Communicable Diseases is the only organisation that can analyse and confirm the presence of COVID-19) Avoid large crowds If you suspect you may have contracted COVID-19, contact a medical practitioner immediately, but do not sit in a crowded hospital, clinic, or surgery waiting room, potentially infecting other patients
Criteria for seeking medical intervention: • Acute respiratory illness with a sudden onset of at least one of the following: cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, fever (over 380C). • In the 14 days prior to onset of symptoms you were in contact with a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19 infection • You have recently travelled to countries with a severe, active presence of the virus, eg mainland China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Italy, Iran, etc • You are admitted to hospital with severe pneumonia of unknown origin. Remember this infection is caused by a virus, for which there is currently no preventive vaccine. It is not a bacterial disease, and antibiotic treatment will therefore not be effective, unless there is a secondary infection. And finally, please take note that if you haven’t been travelling or had close contact with anyone with a known infection, your chances of contracting the virus are VERY LOW. For more information, contact the helpline 0800 029 999 or visit westerncape.gov.za/department-of-health/coronavirus
Camphill hosts international conference The two Camphill Communities in Hermanus – Camphill School (established in 1952) and Camphill Farm Community (established in 1978) – are excited to announce that they have been selected as hosts of the International Camphill Dialogue 2020 Conference, taking place from 16 to 20 March 2020. This five-day conference (last hosted in Hermanus in 2005) will be attended by delegates from Camphills all around the world, the focus of which will be on Camphill values, specifically on how they are being implemented in the various international Camphill Communities today. One of the keynote speakers at the conference will be Christo Brand, who was Nelson Mandela’s warder during his incarceration both on Robben Island and at Pollsmoor prison in Cape Town. Christo’s values mirror those of Camphill in many ways, such as the fundamentals of respecting and accepting each human being, regardless of race, culture, political persuasion, sexual orientation or (dis) ability. Camphill, an international movement, is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year. Camphill was established in Aberdeen, Scotland, to work with those in need of special care and continues to provide for the educational and social needs of children and adults with a diverse range of disabilities.
UNDENIABLE
ELEGANCE
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The essence of Camphill is to provide an environment and way of life where children, young people and adults diagnosed with a learning or intellectual disability, can live and work together in a mutually supportive and safe community environment. Today, the worldwide Camphill Movement comprises in excess of 5 000 people, living and working together in over 100 Camphill Communities or settings, in 20 countries around the world Whilst members of the worldwide Camphill Movement operate independently, they all share a common ethos and values, an example of which is associative working. In an effort to continuously improve on how they work with those they care for and support, there are various forums and gatherings of Camphills around the world, at which knowledge and experiences are shared. The three-yearly Dialogue Conference is an example of such a gathering. For more information about the Camphill Dialogue Conference, contact either Jeanne-Marié Botha (Camphill School Hermanus principal) or Sam Hodson (executive manager of Camphill Farm Community Hermanus) via email: dialogue2020@camphill-hermanus.org.za. You can also find out more information about the 2020 conference on: https://camphilldialogue.org/
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www.thevillagenews.co.za
11 March 2020
FROM THE EDITOR
The next edition of The Village NEWS will be available on 18 March 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 hedda@thevillagenews.co.za
Raphael da Silva ONLINE EDITOR
Virus infecting our minds, not our lungs Visiting a large local health retailer last week, it was striking to see the large number of shoppers with every conceivable kind of disinfectant, handwash and face mask under an arm. It was clear that the constant barrage of news about the coronavirus, and the first confirmed cases in South Africa, had spurred many people on to start taking precautions against the possibility of infections – and rightly so. But following the almost to-theminute updates on the spread of the virus on news and social media sites, it is no wonder that hysteria is spreading faster than the virus.
Sugar & Spice
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
Invariably, however, the questions arise: Why are so many countries implementing quarantine mea-
out a compact mirror. I don’t like what I see (as I am wearing my glasses). Time for expert medical advice: Dr Google. By Hélène Truter
Elaine Davie
Taylum Meyer
Dr Samuel Veissière, an anthropologist and cognitive scientist from the McGill University, wrote in a recent article: “As a generic member of the human species, you have about the same odds of dying of the coronavirus as winning the lottery. Unless you are already in very poor health, are very old, or very young, the odds for you are much lower. Or next to nil.”
According to Dr Veissière, our minds like to jump to threatening headlines with big, alarming numbers. In the article, published on pshycologytoday.com, he says to understand this strange dynamic one must consider people’s blatant inability to make statistically correct inferences about actual risk in the midst of the current epidemic of catastrophising about COVID-19. The human propensity to ignore basic probability, and our mind’s fondness for attending to ‘salient’ information is well-documented. The negativity bias is one of the most potent of such pre-pro-
grammed mental interests: Any cue that contains information about potential dangers and threats will jump to mind easily, will be easier to remember, and easier to pass on. There is a clear evolutionary advantage to this trait: We are better off over-interpreting rather than under-interpreting danger. In most cases, these instant associations work well. Cues that signal the presence of pathogens tend to elicit automatic disgust responses, to help us avoid dangers. Over time, we’ve evolved the ability to react instantly to a range of visual and auditory cues that convey a high likelihood of pathogen presence. Therefore, most of us are grossed out by the presence of mice, rats, or bugs, or by the sound of sniffling. With this in mind, let our approach and reaction to the virus be measured, clear-headed and calm. This is the good NEWS - Ed
Eternal youth for sale
raphael@thevillagenews.co.za
SUB-EDITOR & JOURNALIST elaine@thevillagenews.co.za
In fact, this makes the coronavirus much worse than we think.
sures, shutting down their borders and schools for something that is less likely to happen to anyone than drowning or even being struck by lightning in one’s lifetime? Why are the stock-markets crashing, and why are conversations dominated by stories about what is essentially a new strand of mild to moderate flu?
“No, no, no. Don’t even think about it. Maybe you should watch Botched first,” I’m told. “Why? Do you watch Death Flight before you board a plane?” Exactly. I’m thinking of having work done. No, dear reader, not to my house. To my face. ‘n Hysbakkies (Afrikaans joke). Percy assures me I don’t need it. I remind him that he can’t see me properly because he can never find his glasses. It all started when a good-looking man complimented me: “You look great for an elderly lady.” I nearly choked on my cheese cake. Elderly? “How old do you think I am?” He guesses five years older than my actual age. Has he not heard of the polite thing to do? Lie, you idiot, lie. Ninety counts as elderly… I’m not even close! Just to make sure, I fish
I start scrolling, checking what a little nip ‘n tuck may cost. OMG! We’ll have to go without food for a year. How will our animals survive? But this is a big deal. I’m an actress. My face is my bread and butter. And since the advent of High Definition you can’t hide behind TV make-up. You see every pore, every wrinkle, even the wrinkles that aren’t there yet. I curse new technology. Yes, I’m vain. Yes, I want to look fantastic. And no, I’m not going to watch a programme about botched surgeries, okay? Mmm, maybe if I sell my car? A friend finds the solution. There’s this amazing doctor in Johannesburg. The prices on his website are way cheaper. As in a 20k difference. No snag. He has his own equipped theatre on the premises. Cuts out the middleman. Luckily I travel to Joburg often and I make an appointment. Can’t wait. Once he’s done no one will call me Tannie again.
The Doctor’s premises are hidden behind a huge black gate. That’s Joburg for you. As I pull in, I spot a car guard having a smoke. Immediately I’m uptight. There’s a huge gate, for goodness’ sake. You’re so not getting a tip. I fill in forms, I’m shown the facilities, the special aftercare treatments. I’m going to be gorgeous. Elderly se moer. The car guard enters, nods in my direction. Doctor is ready to see me now. What? That’s him? Dr Wrinkled Car Guard? Don’t judge. He’s probably an eccentric genius. He’s eccentric all right. He chews gum. With an open mouth. I’m openmouthed myself, but for different reasons. Close your mouth and keep an open mind. He rattles off medical terms, pokes and pulls my face, tells me how badly I need help. Apparently my nose is crooked. Really? I’ve never noticed. But now that you mention it... Oh, and I get a discount if I do all three procedures? I’m up for a bargain. With promises of a heartshaped face with a perfect sculpted jaw-line, he walks me out, tripping
over a scale. I am not making this up. I pay the exorbitant consultation fee, dying to hear what the special is. Apparently it’s a 10% discount. He scribbles down an amount. I notice his yellow fingers – and is that a dirty nail? Then I spot the amount. Oh, wow... I can actually afford this. Yay! Youth at a bargain price. I’ll be fine. He’ll scrub his nails, I’m sure. Besides they wear gloves and masks, right? I double-check the amount… Then I notice the extra noughts. Hang on, is that…? Yes, after the discount it’s just under a quarter of a million. WTF? Oh, and the theatre is available tomorrow, Grubby Fingers tells me. I’m not surprised, Doc. At that price I can fly myself to LA, have a face and bum lift, stay for a holiday and still have change left. Yes, I know there’s a lesson to be learnt. Not sure what it is yet, but I’ll get there. Maybe I should just dump my glasses and live in blissful ignorance. Bring it on, Percy. It’s time to watch some TV. Yes, you guessed it. I’m going to binge-watch a whole series of Botched. In HD nogal.
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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.
Why fix something that’s not broken? A big question looms over your report (BotSoc lease not renewed, 4 March) about the Overstrand Municipality’s decision to end the Fernkloof lease of the Hermanus Botanical Society (HBS), that marvellous, mainly retired group of oldies who guard and nurture our magnificent mountains with boundless energy and knowledge. Why? Why would a municipality, which by its own definition is under-resourced, want to wrest control from a group which provides a free community service to safeguard one of the Overstrand’s most important but deeply threatened endowments? Why would a municipality, which places so little importance on the environment that its management structure does not afford the area its own directorate, want to become shepherd all of a sudden? Staffing of the environmental department is under-resourced, both financially and in terms of human capital (numbers and knowledge), and the placement of this tiny group under the infrastructure directorate is a clear conflict of interest by any reading. Why would a municipality, which is failing the environment through its unwillingness to make speedy plans to offer sound recycling options, want to potter about in the fynbos? Why would a municipality with a housing crisis of severe and potentially violent proportions (note your Schulphoek story of the previous week) want to be in the business of tendering for tearooms in a nature reserve?
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Why would a municipality, which has failed to produce a forward-looking 21st century management plan for Fernkloof Nature Reserve (required under the environment Act and now long overdue) and which in its much-contested draft plan acknowledges its debt to “the invaluable expertise, knowledge, services and dedication to FNR” of the HBS, the Bird Club and Cliff Path Management Group (largely all the same people), want to alienate these valuable groups? Why would a municipality, which is unable to attach a simple business plan and budget (plan 101 surely) to its “Protected Area Management Plan”, think it could resource the replacement of the “invaluable expertise, knowledge, services and dedication” which runs to numerous doctorates (none on the muni team) and private funding of critical inputs like alien clearance, which the OM so visibly fails to achieve elsewhere? Why would a municipality, which boasted just fairly recently that Hermanus has water for a thousand years and now operates in water crisis mode with an alarmingly low dam level and endless burst pipes under our streets (which the road contractor must like), want to focus attention on something that’s not currently broken at all? And why would a municipality, which has boasted on the front page of this newspaper on numerous occasions about grand, detailed and imminent plans of multi-use developments at the rotting De Mond caravan park and a building shaped
like an ocean liner in the New Harbour – and then failed to deliver (with regard to the ship, thanks heavens!) on any of these within the announced timelines –think it can reverse this trend and deliver its outdated and discredited vision of “sustainable development” in FNR? Oh, and don’t forget about the elephant saga across the bay at Lamloch Farm: has that really gone away or will it arise still to shame us all globally as we corral wild elephants to our vanities? One can certainly ask why this crazed lust for development at the expense of the sizable endowments (mountain and marine) that underpin our very viability as a destination. Why on earth would you want to alienate the HBS? The grand 60-year-old society has some of its own very serious work to do in redefining itself for a unified Overstrand society. It is uniformly white, which is shameful, and many may wonder if the HBS likes plants more than people. I hope they can act on that challenge with vigour – and as a member maybe I need to fess up and be more proactive. But Mr Mayor, at the stroke of a pen you can restrain the hand of the municipal manager and infrastructure director and show yourself a 21st century citizen by sticking up for our environment, which is both a livelihood and shared future. And maybe you can ask some of these ‘why’ questions. We would listen avidly and support any bold move you make in this direction. Dale Lautenbach
Open letter to the municipality I am an honorary Life Member of the Hermanus Botanical Society (HBS) and have been a member for longer than any other living member. I was first involved with Fernkloof in 1957 when my twin brother and Dawie de Villiers (later my husband) and I helped to chop down pine trees where the HBS centre now is.
in Fernkloof. Eventually we had sufficient funds to proceed with the development of the botanical centre in Fernkloof. In fact, my father gave the opening address on that exciting occasion. My husband, who, at the beginning of his career in local government, was deputy town clerk to Charlie Sim, served on the Fernkloof Management Board.
My father, Judge Marius Diemont, was a family foundation member. He, at the instigation of Ion Williams, was very involved with the founding of one of the oldest and most active societies in Hermanus. I myself was a member of the HBS Committee from 1966 and was involved with all the planning and development of the society in the earlier days. I vividly remember the white flags that we planted along the mountain slopes where the first paths were constructed. I am very happy to tell you of the many early efforts that were made to protect the botanical wonderland of which Hermanus is the proud caretaker.
I hope that with this short resumé of my connection to the Society, you will hear and accept my comment about your proposed cancellation of the lease with HBS. I am horrified by the way in which you have set about what, unfortunately, appears to have a hidden agenda. Over 60 years many, many residents and visitors to this town have worked hard to create the magnificent Fernkloof Nature Reserve. Our Society also planned, paid for and maintained the now famous Cliff Path. I remember well how the mayor of the time, Gerry Spilhaus and Jan de Villiers (no relation) toiled for many months in the hot sun supervising the construction of the Cliff Path.
All the construction and development, including the start of the garden, all the paths and eventually the Cliff Path were the result of our hard work. Our main source of income was the Spring Flower Show, first held in the very new Birkenhead Hotel under the guidance of Mrs Carstens, and later in the Bay View Hotel. I was responsible for a number of Spring Flower Shows in the Anglican Church Hall.
After all these years an insensitive and unacceptable decision has been taken by you. Fernkloof is NOT the place for what you are planning. You have to appreciate the full significance of this precious space, not only to us but globally. I am not a ‘greenie’; however, this is a time when I cannot ignore the lack of sensitivity and the disastrous consequences that your planned action will have.
The Flower Show was our only source of income in those formative years. In this way, with the support of the Hermanus Municipality, funds were collected for a hall
I implore you to rethink this plan. There must be another way to resolve your needs. I am horrified! Margaret de Villiers
Well done to Hermanus Sports Club! This letter is long overdue. I met some friends from Cape Town for drinks at the new Hermanus Sports Club shortly after it opened. We were so impressed – the layout, state-of-the-art squash courts, numerous beautifully surfaced tennis courts, hockey pitch etc. There is plenty of parking and outstanding views of the mountains, with Walker Bay in the distance. What a location! Hats off to Tony O'Hagan, the club chairman, for his vision and patience in seeing this proj-
ect through, despite many challenges along the way. Tony and I go back a long way, having been members of the Northern Suburbs Tennis Club in Parkwood, Johannesburg in the 1960s and ‘70s. He was a highly-talented Springbok tennis player in our first team. Please, Hermies residents and your friends, try the new club. Their meals are extremely good value and excellent quality. Best of all, you don't have to be a member. The details are well advertised in The Village NEWS. Donald Bett
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11 March 2020
MY ENVIRONMENT
Hermanus water: Quo Vadis? By Dr Anina Lee
Give your event all the advertising it deserves. It’s FREE! Last year, 135 000 unique readers from 198 countries and territories visited The Village NEWS website (thevillagenews. co.za). So, if you are hosting an event and want to give it some additional free publicity, why don’t you advertise it on What’s On Overberg? It’s easy to use, mobile-friendly and you can even upload pictures!
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capacity audience of over 100 people attended a recent public talk at Whale Coast Conservation. They came to get the low-down on the water situation in Hermanus from Dylan Blake, principal geologist at Umvoto Africa, the consultants to the Overstrand Municipality on groundwater. We all know that De Bos Dam is not a reliable source of water. Climate change brings less rain and higher temperatures, and farmers in the valley abstract more and more water before it even reaches the dam. The health of the Onrus estuary depends on the release of a specified amount of water (the ecological reserve) from the dam, but in drought years this does not happen as the water has to be diverted for human use. The alien trees along the banks of the Onrus River suck up more water. This severely impacts the estuary, and its recreational use. With commendable foresight, the Overstrand Municipality started planning for groundwater extraction three decades ago. The idea was not entirely new, as a wellfield (i.e. a series of boreholes) was installed on the golf course in the 1950s, and supplied Hermanus in the 1960s – 1970s, until De Bos Dam was built. We now have three wellfields – at Gateway, Volmoed and Camphill – a total of 10 boreholes (soon to be 12), all tapping into the fractured Peninsula Aquifer of the Table Mountain Group (TMG). But what exactly are aquifers?
As an added boost, all events on the website also get shared to The Village NEWS - What’s On Overberg Facebook group (facebook.com/groups/ tvnwhatsonoverberg/) and may be selected to feature on the What’s On pages in The Village NEWS newspaper each week.
Aquifers like the Peninsula Aquifer are underground layers of rock or sediment that are saturated with water that comes to the surface through natural springs or can be brought to the surface by pumping. (There are other types of aquifers that are more like underground rivers, but these occur mainly in limestone.) Fractured hard rock aquifers are often associated with geological faults. These faults are caused by tectonic movements of the earth’s crust. The faults along SA’s west and south coasts were formed and/or re-activated when Gondwana broke up and the land masses between the plates were pulled apart, cracked and fractured. As a result, rocks were brecciated, broken and crushed along fault lines, resulting in permeable material. Hermanus has several fault lines. The most obvious ones are the Attakwaskloof Fault within the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley where the Volmoed and Camphill Wellfields are. The Fernkloof Faults are situated either side of Lemoenkop. The Hermanus Fault extends from Droëkloof through the town towards the sewage treatment works.
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GRAPHIC: www.nationalgeographic.org/media/aquifer-illo/ The Mount Pleasant/ Gateway Faults are splays off the Hermanus Fault where the Gateway Wellfield is located. Our aquifer water is contained in a layer of rock that can store water due to the fractured sandstone that allows surface water to flow into it. There it is confined by a layer of impermeable rock above it. By drilling through this confining layer we can access the water. Our major concern is, of course, that we should not extract more water from this aquifer than is replaced by precipitation. Drawing too much water could deplete groundwater levels and cause reductions in spring/seep discharge. Less water could have a potential impact on groundwater-dependent fynbos ecosystems in major aquifer recharge areas such as the Fernkloof Mountains. Drawdown of groundwater levels below sea level may allow the intrusion of sea water into the aquifer, with serious consequences. For this reason, groundwater levels are kept at a minimum of two metres above sea level at the Gateway Wellfield, ensuring no sea water intrusion can occur. In addition to the wellfield abstraction boreholes, there are several boreholes that monitor water levels and water quality, and will shut off all pumping if any problems are detected by the sophisticated telemetry monitoring system. The major aquifer recharge area in the Fernkloof Mountains is also regularly monitored, in terms of groundwater, hydrology and ecology. What about unregulated private boreholes? Private boreholes mostly tap into a shallower aquifer called the Nardouw Aquifer of the Table Mountain Group. It overlies the Peninsula Aquifer and pumping from it should not affect our municipal groundwater supply, as the two aquifers are separated by a thick, relatively impermeable aquitard unit. However, there is minimal control over how deep private boreholes
ABOVE: Fractured and brecciated quartzitic sandstone, typical of the Peninsula Aquifer. PHOTO: Dylan Blake RIGHT: Over 100 people attended a recent public talk at Whale Coast Conservation's Green House to get the low-down on the water situation in Hermanus. PHOTO: WCC
are sunk or how much water is extracted, so we don’t really know (although Nardouw Aquifer monitoring boreholes in the town suggest groundwater levels are currently stable). What everyone at the talk was most anxious to know was if we will have enough water to cope with the population growth in Hermanus. It is projected that our yield from De Bos Dam and Table Mountain Group (TMG) aquifers (maximum combined total of 6 million cubic metres per annum) will only be enough for about another 3 – 7 years (depending on whether low or high growth scenarios occur). Then additional water will need to be sourced from elsewhere. Theewaterskloof is a potential option. However, the dam itself is not reliable and has been described as ‘nothing more than a big evaporation pan’. Also, a large pipeline would have to be constructed. There is strong groundwater from the primary Stanford Aquifer; however a pipeline would also have to be built to pump water to Hermanus. Other regional TMG aquifer or surface water schemes within the Overberg region may potentially provide additional water. By the 2030s we will have to start reusing grey and brown water by purifying it to a potable standard and by the 2040s we will have to desalinate sea water, which will make water extremely costly and energy-dependent – and who knows where our energy will come from 20 years from now? This indicates the importance of using water sparingly, even during periods of elevated rainfall and no restrictions. Dylan Blake is an Associate and Principal Geologist at Umvoto Africa, who has worked on the TMG aquifers in the Hermanus region for almost 14 years. He is working towards an MSc on the TMG aquifers in the Steenbras and Nuweberg areas, as part of the City of Cape Town’s wellfield developments.
THE VILLAGE
EXPLORER FOOD & WINE | ART | EVENTS
Liquid gold of the Overberg Writer Tweet Gainsborough-Waring
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live trees thrive in the Mediterranean climate, which is why the Western Cape, with its mild winters and long, hot, dry summers is ideally suited to their cultivation. With the Overstrand’s recent designation as a Unesco Creative City of Gastronomy, finding a number of top olive oil producers in and around Hermanus came as no surprise, with some farms offering olive oil tastings. The first two olive trees in the Cape were planted by Jan van Riebeeck in 1661. In the early 20th century Ferdinando Costa, an Italian immigrant, started experimenting with olive cultivation. He began large-scale planting in Paarl in 1925 and, since the 1930s, the industry has grown rapidly, with more than 300 olive producers countrywide. Produced from quality cultivars, South African olive oils have regularly received awards at an international level. Like wine, a unique culture has evolved around olive oil that encompasses its production and of course the gastronomic and health aspects of the end product. Unlike wine, olive oil is best enjoyed fresh – straight from the press. After two years, olive oil will not improve. Like wine there are different cultivars. In South Africa the four most commonly used for both table olives and oil are Nocellara del Belice from Sicily, Kalamata from Greece, Manzanilla from Spain, and Mission from California.
Olives are harvested annually and the time taken for a tree to reach full production can be anything from 5 to 12 years. The colour of an olive indicates its ripeness. All olives start out green and become darker as they ripen. The best time to harvest is dictated by the cultivar.
ABOVE: Hans Evenhuis outside the olive barn at Hemelrand. ABOVE RIGHT: Adriaan Davids in the FS17 block at Gabriëlskloof. BELOW: Olive picking during harvest time.
The crème de la crème of this liquid gold is Extra Virgin Oil (EVOO). This is the highest grade and is obtained through cold extraction. EVOO does not come from a second extraction or press, and it has no additives or defects.
EVOO can be found in three different styles: delicate – used as a butter replacement; medium – great for salad dressings, pastry, pasta and sauces; and intense – best for roasting, basting and swirling into soup. Hamilton Russell Vineyards has 3 050 trees of Frantoio, South African Leccino and Mission cultivars. Their olives are grown in the traditional way without irrigation, resulting in low yields, both in terms of kilograms per tree and oil yield per kilogram. The olives are hand-picked at a specific stage of ripeness which results in a fresh, aromatic, full-flavoured oil with a peppery finish. The 2019 harvest was a good one. The main factors behind this were lower temperatures and rainfall during the winter period which gave the trees a good rest. Thereafter, conditions present during the flowering and fruit growth period resulted in an above-average yield, with a smaller fruit size that produced an intensely flavoured and structured olive oil. For further information call 028 312 3595. On a high ridge in Hemel-en-Aarde Valley sits Hemelrand, owned by olive growers Hans and Mary Ann Evenhuis. With 4 500 trees of four varieties, it is a relatively small retirementhobby operation driven more by passion than anything else.
PHOTO: Tweet Gainsborough-Waring PHOTO: Tweet Gainsborough-Waring PHOTOS: Gabriëlskloof
Among their clientèle are European visitors who make a point of coming to the valley to buy Hans's extra virgin olive oils, in particular his whole fresh lemon and his home-grown rosemary-infused olive oils. “They come for a can of the best,” he says. He truly lives the culture of the olive, offering a traditional barter system known in Italy as the frantoio, whereby other small producers make use of his processing equipment in return for a share of their oil. Hemelrand’s olive oils have received a number of awards, including gold and silver at the SA Olive Awards (a premier event on the South African olive industry's calendar). Hemelrand Olive Oil can be found on the farm (by appointment), at local markets, delis and farmstalls in and around Hermanus. It is also popular with local restaurateurs. But back to the olive culture: Hans says there is nothing better than dunking a piece of fresh bread in the newly processed liquid gold as it flows from the centrifuge. It is, however, a fickle crop; in 2019 Hans says he had a bumper crop, but this year there is not an olive to be seen. Among the reasons for this are that the winter cold spells were not cold enough for the development of the flowers and fruit-set, and the flowers that did develop were blown off by gale-force winds. Tastings at Hemelrand can be arranged by appointment only. Call 083 325 0587 or 028 314 0940.
Bernhard Heyns, the owner of Gabriëlskloof, planted 11 000 olive trees in the early 2000s. These trees have been nurtured over the years by Adriaan Davids, a man with a passion for olives, evidenced by the ‘trophy room’ where their olive oil awards are proudly displayed. Walking through a block of the cultivar, FS17, Adriaan emphasised the need for constant management to ensure tree health and an even spread of fruit across all the branches. Going the extra mile includes giving the trees a boost with organic food during winter and the flowering season. During the harvest the olives are kept as cool as possible and pressed on the day of harvest. Should temperatures rise during pressing, the process is immediately stopped and any remaining olives are put in a cold room until the temperature has stabilised to below 30°C. Continues on P 13
WHAT’S ON
11 – 28 MARCH
OVERBERG 11
Wednesday
SAARP Annual General Meeting The South African Association of Retired Persons (SAARP) Hermanus will be holding their AGM, which will include a talk by Dr Vic Hamilton Attwell on the intriguing topic, Light in the Marine Environment. For enquiries contact Sheila Craul on 072 324 7894. Sandbaai Hall | 09:30 for 10:00
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Thursday
Whalers Athletic Club Join the Whalers for their weekly time trials, every Thursday afternoon. Runners and walkers of all ages are welcome. Choose between a 3 km, 5 km or 8 km route. Meet at Hermanus Sports Club | 18:00
Whale Coast Wiz Quiz This popular annual quiz tournament kicks off this week and teams of six brainy friends, family members or colleagues are invited to sign up and join in the fun of trying to outwit their opponents. The participation fee is only R30 pp per evening, payable for the four-week duration of the tournament in advance when booking your team`s table. A quiz menu and specials on drinks will be available for participants. For more information and to book, contact stargazer4promotions@gmail.com or Janet on 082 456 8091 / Pieter 083 457 8235. The Brewery, Hemel-en-Aarde Village | 18:30
www.thevillagenews.co.za/whatson
Rotary Club of Hermanus Visitors are welcome at Rotary’s weekly meetings, every Thursday. Contact Frank on 082 870 1187 to confirm your attendance. Mollergren Park, Main Road, Hermanus | 19:00
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Friday
Hermanus Hacking Group All volunteers are welcome to join in the clearing of invasive vegetation. Meet every Friday morning at the beginning of Rotary Way. For more information contact Charlyn on 082 558 8731 or charlynvosloo@gmail.com Rotary Way | 06:15 for 06:30 – 08:30 Occupational Health Conference The Overberg Occupational Health Group (OOHG) will be hosting a conference with interesting guest speakers who will present talks on a variety of topics, including wellness in the workplace, the excessive use of sick leave, the industrial impact on environmental health, the importance of workplace ergonomics, and occupational health management for farm workers. The cost of R300 pp will include snacks and refreshments, and CPD points are included for practitioners in medical occupations. To book, contact sandrahanekom@ whalemail.co.za / 083 715 9219 or adurlouw@mweb.co.za / 083 302 8561. Municipal Auditorium | 08:30 – 13:00 Bhuki Café Everyone is welcome at Friends of the Library's Bhuki Cafe where a cup of tea or coffee and delicious eats will cost only R25, every Friday. Each cup helps to raise funds for new books. Hermanus Library | 09:00 – 11:30 Kolwyntjie Teetuin Enjoy a sweet treat and tea or coffee at a nominal fee, and make new friends at the Onrus Care Centre, every Friday morning. Onrus Dutch Reformed Church | 09:30 – 11:30 The Artistic and Commercial Value of Contemporary Art Presented by Emma Bedford, one of the most highly respected curators and writers in the field of contemporary African art, this lecture forms
part of U3A Overberg’s art course. In addition to collaborating with numerous contemporary artists such as Jane Alexander and William Kentridge on a series of major exhibitions at the Iziko South African National Gallery in Cape Town, Bedford has curated a number of art exhibitions in other parts of the world, such as the first one organised by the Forum for African Arts at the 49th Venice Biennale in 2001. She has published a number of books on contemporary South African art and was Senior Art Specialist at Strauss & Co from 2009 to 2015. She joined Aspire Art Auctions, a new auction house, in 2016, as partner and Fine Arts Specialist. Catholic Church Hall | 10:00
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lewer koekies? A peaceful place to while away Saturday mornings, glass of wine in hand, with Woefie lying at your feet? Olives, freshly shucked oysters and other nibbles made by real people? Served on real porcelain, using real cutlery, sipping wine from a real wine glass? Then you’ll want to hotfoot it across to Die Markie at Hermanuspietersfontein. Here safe parking is a doddle and life is easy. Hermanuspietersfontein Wine Cellar | 09:00 – 13:00 Market in the Garden Hunt for treasures at this peaceful market set among the shady trees of a beautiful garden. St Peter’s Church, Main Road, Hermanus | 09:00 – 13:00 Stanford Saturday Morning Market Come and sample the artisanal delights on display, from home-made sheep and goats’ cheeses to cured meats, farm-fresh vegetables and deli delights to tantalise your taste buds! Stanford Hotel Stoep | 09:00 – 12:00
Saturday
Hermanus parkrun Meet for the weekly 5 km timed walk or run, come rain or shine. Run for your own enjoyment at your own pace. The route is dog friendly and children are most welcome. There are also parkruns in Betty’s Bay (Harold Porter Botanical Garden) and Groeneweide (near Franskraal). Register online at www.parkrun.co.za Camphill Road, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley | 08:00
music throughout the weekend, and plenty of activities to keep children entertained, such as a jungle gym, roundabout, and even indoor and outdoor climbing walls. The market is open Saturdays and Sundays, and the coffee shop with free workspace is open during the week from 09:00 – 17:00. Oak Avenue, Elgin | 09:00 – 17:00 (Sat & Sun)
Hermanus Country Market A favourite among the locals. Young, old, two-legged and four-legged family members are all welcome. You’ll find wholesome goodies, home-made crafts, local produce, beers and wine, speciality foods, coffee and live music. Next to Hermanus Cricket Field | 09:00 – 13:00
Gansbaai Farmers Market Specialising in organic, homemade and homegrown products such as fresh farm produce, oven-fresh bakes and pastries, local wines and craft beers, and indigenous plants and herbs. No plastic or polystyrene packaging; only eco-friendly wood, paper, glass and earthenware used to display goods. For enquiries, contact 028 384 1439 or doulene@gansbaaitourism.co.za Kapokblom Street, opposite Gansbaai Tourism | 09:00 – 14:00
Die Markie Looking for koek? Vetkoek, pannekoek, soet koekies, sout koekies,
Elgin Railway Market This bustling steampunk station market, where Art deco meets Victorian, is unlike any other in South Africa. With more than 30 different stalls providing local wine, craft beer, arts & crafts and artisanal foods. Visitors can greet the steam train on the platform or view its arrival from the upstairs viewing deck. There’s live
Panthera Saturday Sunset Visits Come and enjoy the evening with your loved ones as the sun sets and the cats come alive after a long day of rest! Sunset is a magical time of day at Panthera Africa and you are invited to join in this unique experience. You may even hear and see the lions roar! Only for people 16 years and older. Pre-booking is essential as only 20 places are available. The cost is R490 pp. Every Saturday until 31 March. Panthera Africa is a non-profit company and all proceeds from ticket sales go towards the animals and creating a better life for them. For more info visit www.pantheraafrica. com Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary | 17:00 – 19:00
hermanus Country Market crafted roasted picked cooked Nestled under a family of bluegums at the foot of a mountain.
EVERY SATURDAY 9 am
- 1 pm
Sourced Locally Just For YOU !
We welcome all those far and wide to experience the warmth of our seaside village.
gps -3 4. 4 0 6 7 5 3, 1 9.2 4 3 6 9 8
CANSA Relay for Life Enter a team for a fun-filled overnight experience while raising funds for cancer education, care and support. There will be CANSA exhibits, local entertainment and luminaria bags for sale at R10 each. The cost is R600 for a team of 10 and R60 per extra person. Day visitors are welcome at R30 per adult and R10 per child. For more information contact Tersia on 028 316 3678 or Debbie on 079 977 1555 or debbiehull92@gmail.com. Mthimkhulu Village, 102 Main Rd, Kleinmond | 18:00 – 06:00 (Sunday morning)
(HAC) for their monthly meeting where Dr Gyula Józsa from the SA Radio Astronomy Observatory will be talking on MeerKAT and neutral hydrogen in galaxies. He will discuss the importance of the most abundant element in the universe in galaxy evolution and introduce the best telescope to observe it: MeerKAT. Finally, he will briefly discuss the near future of radio astronomy in South Africa. For enquiries, contact HAC Secretary Peter Harvey on 081 212 9481 or petermh@hermanus.co.za. Our Lady of Light Catholic Church, Hermanus | 19:00
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Sunday
Rosanthorn Trio Electric String Concert Overstrand Arts/Kunste (OAK) is proud to present the world’s first all-women electric string trio. The Rosanthorn Trio combines the talents of Carol Thorns (electric cello pioneer and SAMA nominee), Anjulie Nock (cellist and composer) and Kirsten Adams (electric violinist). With their strong on-stage presence, hauntingly beautiful music and regular media attention, the trio has quickly risen to become a popular choice for local and international corporate events and concert series. Do not miss this exciting concert! Tickets at R150 pp (R60 for students) are available from the Hermanus Tourism Bureau (Tel: 028 312 2629). For further enquiries contact René du Plooy on 082 940 4238. Municipal Auditorium | 15:30
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Monday
U3A Afrikaans lecture series David Meades, voormalige finansiële joernalis en makelaar, bied ‘n praatjie aan oor sy boek, Afrikanerkapitalisme: Van brandarm tot stinkryk. Saam met die sterwe van die ou Suid-Afrika het ook ‘Afrikaner Volkskapitalisme’ gesneuwel, wat veral gekenmerk is deur die einde van die eens magtige Sanlam en sy eweknie in die Noorde, Volkskas, wat vir dekades die dinamo van Afrikaner-sake aan die gang gehou. Terwyl Afrikaner-kapitalisme oor die laaste dekade of wat byna krampagtig gesoek het na nuwe suurstof om te kan oorleef, is daar stil-stil ’n grondslag gelê vir ’n nuwe geslag Afrikaner-kapitaliste. Hierdie boek bespreek die huidige ekonomiese klimaat op ’n interessante en toeganklike manier. Catholic Church Hall | 10:00
Tuesday
The Vietnam War U3A Overberg continues its 10-part documentary series on The Vietnam War, of which the first five episodes were shown during 2019. Episode 8 focuses on the period April 1969 – May 1970 and is entitled Sea of Fire. With morale plummeting in Vietnam, President Nixon begins withdrawing American troops. As news breaks of an unthinkable massacre committed by American soldiers, the public debates the rectitude of the war, while an incursion into Cambodia reignites anti-war protests with tragic consequences. Catholic Church Hall | 10:00
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and correlations between these men and their vision for this country. This well-researched, thought-provoking and entertaining production has played to audiences in Cape Town, Johannesburg and London, and is now presented in Hermanus as a fundraiser for the Catholic Church. Tickets at R300 pp include snacks and drinks and can be booked at Pick n Pay or online at www.webtickets. co.za, or by contacting Tony de Beer on 083 627 4238 or Nadja de Jager on 082 960 6950. Municipal Auditorium | 18:00
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Saturday
Melvyn Tan will perform a programme of exquisite music, from Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata to Chopin’s two Scherzos Op 20 & 31, in the tranquil environment of Stanford Valley Guest Farm. Tickets are R365 pp and can be booked at any Pick n Pay branch, Hermanus Tourism (Tel: 028 312 2629) or online at www.webtickets.co.za. For lunch or dinner reservations at Stanford Manor House restaurant or accommodation in one of Stanford Valley’s delightful guest cottages, contact 072 198 0862 or info@stanfordvalley.co.za. For more info on the concert, contact sharon@sharonyoung.events. Stanford Valley Guest Farm | 14:30 Watershed Live Watershed, one of the most successful and well-loved bands ever to come out of South Africa, are celebrating 20 years in the business. This multi-platinum selling band's has released six studio albums and one greatest hits album. Their first hit single, Indigo Girl (2000) is among several tracks from their debut album the band will be playing live, plus heaps of great new
Romance and Passion Internationally acclaimed pianist
songs. Bring your picnic blankets and chairs. Food and drinks will be available at the venue. Tickets at R200 pp (R120 for kids 6 – 16 years and free for U6) can be booked at www. quicket.co.za. Stanford Hills Estate | 17:00 (gates open at 15:00)
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Thursday
Resilience Training Workshop Dr Arien van der Merwe of Ariani Health Solutions and Arina Fyfer of AF-Consulting will present a workshop for business owners, employees in management positions, left brainers and anyone interested in acquiring the tools for self-development. The focus will be on finding creative solutions and developing optimal stress resilience that will enable you to face the challenges of modern leadership with strength, equanimity and clarity of purpose. The cost is R600 pp (or R500 pp for two friends/ colleagues) and bookings can be made by contacting Mariette on 067 116 6111 or info@af-consulting.co.za. Fernkloof Hall | 10:00 – 13:00
Wednesday
Hermanus Bird Club Monthly Meeting Join the club for their monthly meeting and a talk by one of its members, John Bowman, entitled Birding Challenges in the dry North West – Kgalagadi and Etosha. All guests are welcome. Wine will be available at a donation of R10 per glass. For more information, contact the Bird Club Chairperson, John Saunders, on 078 955 9785 or antares@hermanus.co.za. Fernkloof Hall | 18:00 for 18:30 Camera Basics Appreciation Class Join the Hermanus Photographic Society for a camera workshop on cellphone photography, which will explain the hidden techniques of your own cellphone camera and how to adjust the settings accordingly. For more details contact the Club President, Elizma Fourie on 82 499 5116 or info@hermanusphoto.co.za, or visit the website www.hermanusphoto. co.za. Hermanus Dutch Reformed Church | 19:00
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Friday
SHOWCASING THEIR PERFORMANCES IN HERMANUS 27 & 28 MARCH 2020 18H45 for 19H30
FRIDAY 27 MARCH
GALA EVENING Join us for canapés and wine before the performance while socialising and sharing
MATINEE SATURDAY 28 MARCH
15H00
Spending time with family, reminiscing and sharing the wonderful art of dance
SATURDAY 28 MARCH
19H30
Meet our world class dancers after the performance
GRAND FINALE
Ticket prices from R180 to R350 For more information contact JACQUIE on 082 570 9757 or CHERYL on 082 926 1946
HAC Monthly Meeting Join the Hermanus Astronomy Centre
My Father’s Coat This highly-acclaimed production by Michael Charton, a chartered accountant who gave up his career as a financial director to pursue his passion for storytelling, looks at the history of South Africa through the lives of five major roleplayers: Mzilikaze, Kruger, Rhodes, Smuts and Mandela. As he weaves his story, Charton finds links
Bookings at Hermanus Tourism / on-line @ www.webtickets.co.za
12 | FOOD & ART
From P 9 Freshness is key to a high quality EVOO, so as soon as the olives have been pressed the oil is tasted, in order to decide which cultivars will be used in the EVOO blend. Commenting on the forthcoming 2020 harvest, Adriaan said that the unusual climatic conditions of 2019 would see a lower yield from the trees, but that the end product could surprise. For information on Gabriëlskloof’s olive oil tastings, call 028 284 9865. Paul Swanepoel from Bot River has been growing olive trees for the past nine years. He planted the trees under the misconception that it would be an easy crop to grow, the idea being to regenerate land that had been mined for gravel. His initial crops have been good, some years giving him 48 tons of fruit. The olives go to Morgenster for processing and the quality of the oil is such that Morgenster buys the bulk of the oil from Paul for their award-winning EVOO. The remaining oil he keeps for home use, and for sale to those lucky enough to know about it. Give him a call, take your own container and indulge your taste buds in a quality oil from a small producer. He also has table olives kept in brine for a year, which are rapidly gaining in popularity. An added bonus when you visit is that you could see his magnificent breeding herd of Sable antelope. For more information call 071 325 2811. Other local producers of EVOO include: • Anysbos (Bot River) 082 601 1067 • Bakenshoogte (Bot River) 082 829 8747 / 028 284 9149 • Creation (Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge) 028 212 1107 Look out for a copy of the free Guide to Extra Virgin Olive Oil, now in its 8th edition and produced annually by Glynis van Rooyen (www. EVOOSA.co.za).
11 March 2020
Celebrate local at Backstage Café Writer Hedda Mittner Photographer Gillian Coetzee
B
ackstage Café & Grill will soon be celebrating its first birthday under the new ownership of Ewert and Claudia Venter, who recently also welcomed a new member to their family. Previously known as Soul Café, this popular establishment on the traffic circle in Main Road behind Woolworths turned out to be just what this young couple from Boksburg were looking for when they visited Hermanus in February last year. They concluded a deal with previous owner, Peter Kunz, which entailed a three-month handover period, and by the end of March they were back and settling into their new roles as business owners in a new town. They took over most of the staff and kept the existing menu while gradually introducing new dishes. The one thing they were clear about from the start, however, was that music would continue to be the soul of Backstage Café & Grill.
South Africa’s ‘bad boy’ of blues/rock, Jan Blohm, and everyone’s favourite cousin, Barry Hilton. With craft beer from Folk ‘n Goode on tap and a selection of premium wines from local cellars, the scene is set for an enjoyable night on the town in the company of family and friends. You might even get to rub shoulders with local legends! Whether it’s live entertainment you crave, or a hearty breakfast, a quick coffee on the fly or a light lunch enjoyed al fresco in the courtyard, Backstage Café & Grill has you covered. There is even a huge screen for live sport, and the venue is available for private functions seating up to 100 people. Upcoming performances not to be missed include two live shows by Jan Blohm on 27 & 28 March, starting at 19:00 (tickets from R150 pp); The Johns, featuring SA’s favourite ‘blues son’, Doc John on 3 April at 20:00 (R100 pp); and Barry Hilton’s Easter Comedy Special on 11 April at 19:00 (R150 pp). You’ll find Backstage Café & Grill at 181 Main Road, Hermanus. Contact 028 313 2137 or info@backstagecafe.co.za for bookings.
A year down the road, Backstage Café & Grill has a brand-new look, a rocking new menu and a line-up of live performances that will warm the heart of many a food and music lover. The South African theme is carried through from the décor, which includes rustic wooden tables and a private collection of paintings by the late Derrick Dickens, to the South African-inspired menu featuring all-time local favourites with a twist, such as Biltong Carbonara, Pap en Wors and a traditional Sunday roast. Patrons are invited to relax and experience local flavours, local art and local performers as the stage is set alight by the exceptional talents of resident artist, Ryno Velvet and the Rewind Band, and special guest performers the likes of
Artwalking our town
The weather could not have been better for an evening of strolling from gallery to gallery during this month’s Hermanus First Fridays Artwalk. At Jenny Jackson’s gallery/studio in High Street (above), she and neighbour Leon Müller of Art Thirst drank a toast to another successful event. Artwalkers also enjoyed refreshments at Pure South (above left), while Ian and Peta McAdam (below left) were fascinated by this chess set at Walker Bay Modern Art Gallery, sculpted by Darren Aiken and titled State Capture. At Art Thirst, local artwalker Toekie Oberholzer (left) admired Petrus Vijoen’s popular dog paintings. PHOTOS: Hedda Mittner
FOOD & WINE | 13
11 March 2020
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11 March 2020
The ABC of Property Transactions By LB Vorster
ransfer of the ownership of immovable property in South Africa has to be registered in the Deeds Office of the area in which a particular property is situated.
T
dealing bi-weekly with possible ways in which a Deed of Sale can be structured in order to ensure a streamlined and swift registration process.
The guidelines along which registration is to be effected by the transferring attorney/conveyancer, appointed by the seller, will to a large extent be contained in the Deed of Sale, i.e. the Offer to Purchase, once it has been accepted in writing by the owner/seller.
At the same time, it will be addressing important issues relating to the registration process that normally give rise to uncertainty and anxiety amongst contracting parties and/or their agents and in respect of which legal guidance is usually required.
It is of paramount importance that the Deed of Sale clearly and correctly reflects the parties’ true intentions, their rights and obligations, that any time frames are adequately described and that it complies with at least the basic principles of the law of contract.
These issues include, amongst others (but not limited to):
In the coming months, this column will be
• •
The correct citation of the person/s or entity/ies (company, close corporation or trust) in whose name a property has to be registered Whether VAT or transfer duty will be payable
• • • • • • • • • •
Requirements for zero-rated VAT transactions Various types of suspensive conditions The position of foreign sellers and buyers Calculation and payment of transfer costs (inclusive of transfer duty, if any) Compliance with the Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FICA) Issues relating to rates clearance certificates The time duration of the registration process and ways in which delays can be curbed Simple steps that can be taken in order to expedite the entire process The meaning and application of the socalled 72-hour clause Latent and patent defects and the effect, if any, of the Consumer Protection Act.
It is most certainly not the aim of the articles in this series to provide expert or specialised ad-
vice on complicated legal issues pertaining to property transactions. This is hardly the forum for that. Instead, every effort will be made to convey in simple terms what is generally required in order to register a transfer in the shortest possible time, with the least amount of stress, for the mutual benefit of each and every role player involved in the process, be it the seller, purchaser, estate agent, bond originator, financial institution, local authority, body corporate or attorney.
LB Vorster Attorneys 028 313 0136 lb@lbvorster.co.za Suite 25, Astoria Village Main Road, Hermanus
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11 March 2020
MY HOME
CCS expands their range of services T
here is no doubt that local businesses have been going through a tough time lately. And when the going gets tough, there is no point in continuing to do business as usual and blindly hoping that things will improve – as business owners, we all have to rise to the occasion and come up with innovative solutions.
“Now is the time to think out of the box,” say Nico and Marlene Swart, the owners of CCS Plant, Tool & Trailer Hire, who recently added Air Solutions to their range of services. Both agree that the keys to the success of their one-stop shop for hiring equipment over the past 13 years have been the loyal support of their customers and a reliable, responsible team that has developed over time. “With the economic downturn following the riots in Hermanus last year, we have been presented with new challenges, though” says Nico. While many businesses have closed their doors over the past 20 months, including Nico’s former neighbour in the Hermanus Industrial Area, Compressed Air, the Swarts have decided to diversify and expand. Realising there is now a gap in the market, Nico has invested in a brand-new air compressor, a machine that can be used for a variety of applications. In general, an air compressor can power a number
Reinier Matthee and Elzänne Swart with CCS’s brand-new air compressor. of useful air tools used for construction work or building, such as a jackhammer, air sanders, air impact wrenches, and grinders, to name a few. An air compressor can also be used to pump high-pressure air to fill gas cylinders, to supply divers, to help in powering pneumatic HVAC control systems, and to power pneumatic tools. Nico and Marlene have been happily settled in Hermanus since October 2006, when they took over CCS, a successful business which is now in its 30th year. Apart from their commitment to impeccable service, the Swarts consider themselves privileged to have this opportunity to provide work for local folk, while
educating them and imparting knowledge which ultimately helps them grow in confidence as well as in product and customer awareness. “It’s about empowering people and working as a team,” concludes Nico. “Most of the ‘players’ in our business have worked faithfully for the company for a decade or more.” Marlene, the company’s bookkeeper, adds: “It’s all about continuously striving for excellence.” CCS Plant, Tool & Trailer Hire and Air Solutions can be found at 4 Mimosa Street in the Hermanus Industrial Area. Contact 028 312 2280 or 079 492 5726.
Nico Swart with some of the reliable equipment that can be hired from CCS. PHOTO: Hedda Mittner
We offer both local and offshore investment opportunities because opportunity isn’t always where you are. Contact us for investment solutions tailored to your specific needs. Our services include: • Portfolio management • Stockbroking • Investments (local and offshore) • Financial planning PSG WEALTH HERMANUS PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT AND STOCKBROKING T +27 (28) 312 1508 | 10 Magnolia Street | www.psg.co.za/hermanusstockbrokers PSG Wealth Financial Planning (Pty) Ltd is an authorised financial services provider. FSP 728
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11 March 2020
MY WELLNESS
Getting to the root of it… By Lindi Prinsloo Refine Anti-ageing Clinic
H
air has always been one of the biggest sources of frustration among men and women, sometimes even causing panic! While some have long beautiful locks, others might have bald patches. Some end up with hairy upper lips and excessive hair growth in areas where they don’t wish to have hair at all, and others wish for more… This month the focus is on how we can help you with your hair concerns. Remove and Refine A woman’s hair is her crowning glory, or so the old expression goes. But while thick, healthy hair on your head is a badge of honour, it’s definitely an entirely different story when it’s growing from your chin. Excessive hair growth is a problem that can affect men, women and even children. What’s considered a ‘normal’ amount of body hair differs significantly across cultures and time, and often comes down to personal preference. It’s important to highlight the difference between ‘unwanted’ and ‘excessive’ hair, which are two different things. Generally, in women, hair growth is considered to be excessive when it’s coarse and dark, and appears above the lip and on the chin, chest, abdomen or back. This kind of excessive hair growth is known as hirsutism and is exclusive to women.
rary results and can be uncomfortable and time-consuming. Other, more permanent methods of treating excessive hair growth include laser hair removal, IPL and the all-new Epilfree hair removal system. Laser hair removal has come of age and is a fully developed procedure that can yield long-term permanent hair removal of the face and neck area. It is also successfully used on the body. At Refine we are committed to the latest technological innovations in this field and can offer a laser treatment for any skin type and hair colour, excluding grey or white. We can offer you safe, effective, well-researched, tried and tested treatments. The all-new Epilfree solution is based on a unique, scientifically-formulated combination of natural and safe synthetic ingredients (no chemicals) that inhibits and slows down the re-growth of unwanted body hair. This revolutionary hair removal treatment works in conjunction with a regular wax routine and is applied post-epilation. The Epilfree treatment goes to work on the empty hair follicles at the dermal layer of the skin. It is effective on all skin types and hair colours – even light hairs, where laser is not effective. If the hair is removed from the root, Epilfree will go to work and stunt cell division, thus slowing down the hair growth process.
In women, excessive hair growth is most often caused by an excess of male sex hormones (called androgens), or an increased sensitivity to them. The causes of hypertrichosis can include menopause, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), being overweight, certain medications, tumours, or even a medical condition such as Cushing’s Syndrome (or hypercortisolism).
Revive, Restore and Regrow Hair As anyone who has experienced an extremely good, or bad haircut will know, our hair is one of the chief features that defines us. Hair frames your face and distinguishes your appearance. Hair loss is certainly not an uncommon concern. Around 80% of men experience some degree of baldness after 50, while 40% of women will lose substantial amounts of hair after 40.
Whilst hirsutism and hypertrichosis can’t be cured, they can be effectively treated in a number of ways – the most common being shaving, plucking, threading, waxing and bleaching. However, these treatments achieve tempo-
Hair loss and thinning occurs when the hair follicle shrinks and weakens at the root of the hair shaft. While androgenetic alopecia (male-pattern and female-pattern baldness) is the most common cause of hair loss, other factors such
as diet, illness, severe emotional stress, medication and hormonal influences may also cause your hair to fall out. Fortunately, there is a natural, cutting-edge solution that aims at restoring the health of the hair follicle and regenerating it so as to regrow hair by using AQ Hair Complex. This complex is hormone-free, has no side-effects and is safe for both men and women. AQ contains human-derived growth factors which are stamped with microneedles into the scalp. A series of five sessions is recommended and the results are both sensational and long-lasting. As the hair takes time to grow, the best results are seen at 14 weeks. For those who seek more in-depth answers to the cause of their hair loss or thinning, a DNA TrichoTest may provide more answers and solutions.
The TrichoTest offers a once-in-a lifetime test that analyses your genetic factors and other characteristics that are relevant to hair loss/ thinning. The benefit? A full report with a description of your genetic characteristics – and a complete home-care treatment programme designed specifically for you, in order to achieve the best result. The test is recommended for patients who have a family history of hair balding or thinning, who want to understand how their genetics affect alopecia treatment and especially for those who have tried different treatments with little to no success. Refine Anti-ageing & Laser Clinic, Hemel-en-Aarde Village, Hermanus 028 316 1532 www.refineclinic.co.za
11 March 2020
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EASY ON THE EYE. TOUGH TO GET THROUGH. 028 312 3215 Many security barriers look the same but they certainly don’t work the same. Call one of our professional consultants who will show you our range of security barriers with their unique design and patented locking systems, proven to be the strongest on the market.
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11 March 2020
MY SPORT
On the Greens
By Willem Lindeque, Operations Manager, Hermanus Golf Club Hello Golfers, thank you to everyone who participated in our Club Championships on the weekend of 29 February – 1 March, and a special thanks to Wickus Niemand from Bright Ford and Bright Nissan Hermanus for their continued sponsorship. This is truly a big help for the club in hosting this annual event. Our thanks also go to Malcolm and the team from Golf Data for the great condition of the golf course. I am sure everyone will agree that the club continues to aspire to take our course
Golf results Saturday 29 February & Sunday 1 March 2020 Club Championships Ladies Silver division: Overall Best Gross and Club Champion: Lynne Behagg - 153; Runner-up Best Gross: Cheryl Richardson - 169; Overall Best Net: Jacqui Clifford - 147 net; Day 1 Best Gross: Lynne Behagg - 73; Day 1 Best Net: Ros Sparks - 76 net; Day 2 Best Gross: Liz Wride - 86; Day 2 Best Net: Janet Swarts - 73 net. Ladies Bronze division: Overall Best Gross and Bronze Division Champion: Pat van Reenen - 183; Overall Best Net: Deirdre McDermott 144 net; Day 1 Best Gross: Ingrid Krige - 96; Day 1 Best Net: Ellen Davies - 95 net; Day 2 Best Gross: Pat van Reenen - 87; Day 2 Best Net: Brigid Bergin - 68 net. Ladies Copper division: Overall Best Gross and Copper Division Cham-
to even greater heights. And, finally, congratulations to Lynne Behagg and Adrian Kuiper, who were crowned the 2020 Ladies’ and Men’s Club Champions. Well done!
From left are Albert Streicher (Club Captain), Adre Niemand and Wikus Niemand (Sponsors), Adrian Kuiper (Men’s Club Champion) & Lynne Behagg (Ladies’ Club Champion). PHOTO: Supplied pion: Kay Forman - 220; Overall Best Net: Val Beeken - 160 net; Day 1 Best Gross: Kay Forman - 117; Day 1 Best Net: Joan Geldenhuys - 83 net; Day 2 Best Gross: Wina Loubser - 112; Day 2 Best Net: Kit Wahan - 84 net. Seniors Trophy (over 60 years): Best overall net score: Deirdre McDermott - 144 net; Most Improved over 2 rounds: Lyndsay Henderson - improved by 16 strokes in round 2. Men’s Results: Club Champion: Adrian Kuiper 152; Runner-up: Anton Pieters - 155; 3rd Place: Dave Johnston - 156; Senior Division Champion (Over 50 years - 36 hole gross): Dirk van der Merwe - 158. B Division: Champion: Walter Pretorius - 168; Runner-up: André Gouws - 168; 3rd Place: Kristian Borglin - 170. A Division: Best Overall Net Winner: Dave Johnston - 147 net; Best Overall Net Runner-up: Albert Streicher - 149 net. B Division: Best B Division Net:
Walter Pretorius - 141 net; Best B Division Net Runner-up: Stephen van der Merwe - 148 net. C Division: Champion: Gert Kruger - 79 points; Runner-up: David Buckmaster - 73 points. Denis Kell Putting Trophy (1st Round only): Adrian Kuiper - 25 putts; A division Best Gross round 1: Jacques Retief - 73; A division Best Gross round 2: Desmond Sauls - 77; B division Best Gross round 1: John Taylor - 83; B division Best Gross round 2: Jaco de Vos - 83; A division Best Net round 1: David Romburgh - 73 net; A division Best Net round 2: Clayden Burger - 73 net; B division Best Net round 1: Richard Margets - 72 net; B division Best Net round 2: Peter Walton - 73 net; A division most improved 2nd round: Jan Cloete - 13 strokes better; B division most improved 2nd round: Lucas Steyn - 17 strokes better; C division most improved 2nd round: Gerrie du Plooy - 14 points better. Over-
all Best Net: (Over 65): GP le Roux - 155 net Tuesday 3 March Ladies’ Competition - 4BBB Stableford: East Course: 1st: Yvonne Teixeira & Niamh Casey - 44 pts; 2nd: Ros Sparks & Fran Thomas - 43 pts; 3rd: Jackie Clifford & Ines vd Plas - 42 pts C/I; 4th: Zenith Meiring & Cathy Bruyns - 42 pts C/O Wednesday 4 March Men’s Competition Combined Stableford East Course Winners: 1st: Adre Smit & David McKerchar - 73 pts ; 2nd: Kristian Borglin & Anders Larson - 72 pts. South Course Winners: 1st: David Botha & Gawie Erasmus - 78 pts; 2nd: Jan Cloete & David Romburgh - 69 pts C/I. North Course Winners: 1st: Metcalf Fick & Dave Sawtelle - 73 pts; 2nd: Peter Bennett & Audie van Noordwyk - 72 pts
South Boland cricket Ronan Meintjies from Generation Schools Hermanus was recently selected to join the U12 South Boland cricket team. Well done Ronan, we look forward to hearing more about your achievements!
Whalers Results The inaugural Hemel-en-Aarde Marathon was hosted on Saturday 29 February by the Caledon Athletics Club. The 42.2 km race started in very windy conditions at the Overberg High School in Caledon at 06:00. The route took the runners on a 7 km stretch in and around Caledon before heading out onto the R320 Hemel-en-Aarde road, where runners were treated to picturesque views of the wine farms and countryside of the valley. The undulating road took in Shaw’s Pass and some heavy climbs before hitting a harsh downhill and finishing at the Whalehaven winery in Hermanus. Whalers Athletic Club had a large turn-out for the event, and the results of its members were as follows: Phumlani Darren Kumbaca (M) - 2:58:31, Stephen Alberts (M) 3:14:23, Charles Malan (M) - 3:28:58, Sarah Gordon (F) - 3:32:00 (First lady, age category 50+), Nyasha Janhi (M) - 3:40:30, Jeannie De Vynck (F) - 3:42:16, Christo Vlotman (M) - 3:51:24, Johann Kotze (M) - 3:51:41, Michael Robey (M) - 3:58:18, Marelie Davel (F) - 3:58:42, David Hepburn-Brown (M) - 4:01:55, Marc Rolfe (M) - 4:08:58, Anton Monnig (M) - 4:09:44, Gareth Griffiths (M) - 4:11:40, Daniel Nel (M) - 4:14:38, André van Vuuren (M) - 4:17:06, Davy Louw (M) - 4:23:21, Dennis Lamminga (M) - 4:26:26, Gerrit Christiaan Oosthuizen (M) - 4:39:09, Sharon Sleigh (F) - 4:49:45, James Sleigh (M) - 4:49:46, Gavin Turner (M) - 4:52:01, Barney Louw (M) - 4:55:33, Matie Stander (M) - 5:07:11, Elaine Cuffe (F) - 5:10:33, Henning Ludeke (M) - 5:15:23, Karen Burman (F) - 5:23:21.
11 March 2020
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MY SPORT
Share your sport news with us! Send it to admin@thevillagenews.co.za and we will gladly consider it, whether it be competition results, a friendly rivalry, a once-off feat or a major tournament.
Saving SA cricket the ‘Jonty Rhodes Way’ By Tony O'Hagan
I
n a recent article published in SA Sports Trader, under the heading, Can Jonty Rhodes save the cricket market?, Trudi du Toit comments: “Retailers who are concerned about a drop in cricket sales, wonder if the game can be revived at school level.” Schools are indeed fielding fewer teams and those in the rural areas are not promoting the game as was done in past years when Ali Bacher was leading this initiative. In analysing our recent Protea T20 squad, this is borne out by the fact that all 16 members had attended traditional cricketing schools. Among these are names like King Edwards, Affies, Hilton, St Stithians, Paarl Boys, Glenwood and others. This is in contrast to our World Cup-winning Springbok rugby squad with a number of players having completed their studies at less privileged schools. So, what is Jonty’s plan? He saved many boundaries in his day and provided an energetic force on the cricket field. Can he do the same to save the cricket market? In the SA Sports Trader
article, Trudi du Toit goes on to say, “Rhodes is doing something positive to develop a potential new market.” During the first part of this year, “he started a pilot programme whereby 10 underprivileged schools in the Western Cape and Gauteng will benefit from the Jonty Rhodes Way (JR Way). The programme hopes to introduce 25 000 previously disadvantaged children to cricket by 2022 through an online platform, combined with school coaching and high performance camps”. Jonty is partnering with Ryan Maron, founder of the School of Cricket Excellence and an ex-Western Province cricketer. Maron, who is also a SA level 3 coach, is the Director of the project. They will be assisted by Jamie Rood and Mpho Sema, both with experience and an interest in community development. This initiative can only be of value to SA cricket. Earlier in the season, the Board of Cricket South Africa came under severe criticism for the way cricket was being administered, leading to a loss of sponsors and financial woes within the organisation. This lack of direction was also evident on the field of play, leading to negative results and a lack of interest from spectators. The restructuring of the Board with Jacques
Jonty Rhodes out-running Inzamam ul Haq in spectacular fashion at the Cricket World Cup in 1992.
Faul as CEO, Graeme Smith, Director of Cricket and new coaching staff under Mark Boucher, appears to have provided some hope for the future. The recent ODI series victory over Australia has also raised hopes of a brighter future. Transformation of cricket is evident at national, provincial and junior level but there is concern that the game is weighted towards urban playing fields and schools. The popularity of water polo at traditional schools is also detrimental to cricket at this level and there is a need to nurture talent from other sources. There must
be loads of talent out there in the rural schools waiting to be harvested – and this will be Jonty’s focus. I am sure he will have support from the new hierarchy of Cricket South Africa. There will certainly be no lack of energy when it comes to Jonty! Who will ever forget the energy he displayed in that famous run-out of Inzamam ul Haq at the 1992 Cricket World Cup. We wish the JR Way ‘happy hunting’ in their quest to unearth the talent that exists out there and provide a healthy future for South African cricket.
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11 March 2020
MY SCHOOL
Camphill School visits Hermanus High
C
amphill School Hermanus paid a visit to Hermanus High School on Friday 28 February.
children always look forward to having fun together.
Hermanus High had a fun day planned for the Camphill learners, but due to the heavy rain they had to make a new plan to keep them busy... they still had a great time, though! They painted faces and nails and even danced, and were later able to go outside to play. The visitors were also treated to a lunch organised by the Hermanus High Interact team. The high school invites Camphill to visit them every year and the
ABOVE: Megan Hassenkamp with Yomelela Mkhaphi on her back. LEFT: LandrĂŠ Bothma with Jaydon Gillion.
The Hermanus High Interact team with several of the Camphill learners.
PHOTOS: Carmen Kruger
Curro Hermanus learners, Abongile Matoti (Grade 7) and Mia Winter (Grade 12) did exceptionally well in their UNISA music exams. Both Abongile and Mia will appear on UNISA’s Roll of Honour for outstanding achievers. In order to be included in the list, a candidate must achieve a minimum of 90% for an exam. Abongile (on the right) passed the Grade 1 Piano exam with 93% and Grade 2 Theory with 96%. Mia (on the left) passed the Grade 4 Theory exam with 90%. Curro Hermanus congratulates both learners on their outstanding achievement. On Saturday 29 February, several athletes from Hermanus Primary, Curro Hermanus and Generation Schools Hermanus took part in the Boland Trials in Paarl. The following learners have been selected to represent the Western Cape at the SA Championships in Pietermaritzburg: Stella Meintjies from Generation Schools Hermanus (LEFT) and Eli Tobias-Meintjies and David Kriel from Curro Hermanus. The learners from Hermanus Primary who took part in the Boland Trials are Kayla Smith, Eljaron Geduld, Zoe van Asperern and Ruan Gerber. They are still waiting to see who will be joining the Western Cape team. Well done to all these learners!
Local expertise, national presence and international audience
R5 500 000 FINE & COUNTRY FEATURE VERMONT, HERMANUS, WESTERN CAPE Tranquil lifestyle creates happiness. Two homes on a double stand with magnificent mountain views. These two homes, on two stands covering a ± 2016sqm land area, create a much sought-after tranquil lifestyle that most only dream of. These two properties are set in a quiet lane and would be ideal for extended family gatherings. The ± 320sqm main house, offers spacious open-plan living areas with wooden floors, a pizza oven and a wood burning fireplace. The lounge and fireplace create a cosy, serene ambiance for winter days. The living areas lead out onto a covered braai patio. The spacious farm-style kitchen, dining area and scullery is in a league of its own. The four bedrooms, three bathrooms, double garage and an established garden with ample large olive trees completes the picture perfect. The ± 220sqm second home is designed for the extended family with an open-plan living area and kitchen that lead out onto a Lapa with a built-in braai and sparkling rock pool. The two bedrooms share a bathroom that has a polished, rustic look. The three spacious garages, storeroom and a carport with a bathroom, are additional bonus features for this home. Jenny Küsel 083 262 7578 Stephen De Stadler 082 441 0120 WEB: 1665628
Hermanus Office 16 Hope Street, Hermanus, 7200 + 27 (0)21 205 7135 hermanus@fineandcountry.com
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