THE VILLAGE
NEWS
17 MARCH 2021 YOUR FREE COPY #ALLOVEROVERBERG The next issue of The Village NEWS will be out on 24 March 2021.
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World-first for Walker Bay! Extreme endurance athlete swims from Hermanus to Gansbaai Writer & Photographer Sarah Taylor
S
outh African musician and extreme open-water swimmer Carina Bruwer on Friday, 12 March 2021 became the first person to swim across Walker Bay, from Hermanus to Gansbaai, a distance of almost 20 km, in a time of six hours and 36 minutes. The epic Atlantic Ocean charity challenge from the Hermanus Old Harbour to Stanford's Cove, De Kelders, was live-streamed on Youtube (search for Carina completes world-first 21km across Walker Bay, in support of struggling artists), eliciting at the time of going to press more than R60 000 in donations (including offline donations) for the Tribuo Fund, a private non-profit fund to support performing arts freelancers who have lost their source of income due to the Covid-19 restrictions. More donations have been pledged to the cause of this awe-inspiring mother of three. The Capetonian musician and entertainment industry entrepreneur herself has been hard hit by the
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pandemic, due to effective live-performance lockdown. “There have been no earning opportunities within the performing arts, the industry I’ve loved working in for the past 20 years. It has truly been a case of sink or swim,” said Carina, who has performed around the world with SAMA Award-winning instrumental group Sterling EQ and other musical acts.
income. The performing arts industry finds itself in devastatingly distressed times. Our artists need a helping hand to keep their heads above water. Therefore, our partnership with Carina makes perfect sense.” Carina has raised close to R700 000 plus more than R2 million in media value for
“Artists were one of the groups instantly affected by lockdown and Covid-19 restrictions,” said Tribuo founding member and CEO of NATi, Cornelia Faasen. “Artists seldom have safety nets PHOTO: Guido of savings, Schwarz insurance or pensions. They work from one production or event to the next. For many of them, the major arts festivals are their primary and most consistent source of
various charities through her swims in the past few years. Speaking the day after the Walker Bay event, Carina said she was so grateful for all the support she received to pull off the extreme swim: “It really was so special. I won’t forget this one!” The event drew a flurry of media attention, including regional and national print and broadcasting coverage. The swim support team of local volunteers included local extreme sportsman, adventure tourism operator and swim buddy Herman de Vries, who swam with Carina at different intervals, for a total of 7.5 km. Local goodwill was in strong evidence with the support crew of volunteers drawn from the Hermanus and Gansbaai areas. This
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community team effort, assembled days before the extreme challenge, included two vessels (a swim support boat and a media boat), skippers and crew, multiple vehicles and drivers, two medics (on and offshore), shark spotters from the South African Shark Conservancy, a live-streaming team, on-the-go social media reporter, as well as a professional stills photographer and an eNCA cameraman. Local skippers Rick Kuisis, owner of the boat @ Work from Gansbaai, and Björn van Dűring of Blade from Hermanus sped into action after hearing about the event on Wednesday afternoon. Hermanus musician Takura Terry was on hand at the launch, thanks to Cape Whale Coast tourism manager Frieda Lloyd, who arranged for him to perform at the start of the event from the Old Harbour soon after 08:00. "It was an incredibly charged moment," said Herman. "As Carina was putting on sunscreen to go into the water, the tears were pouring down her face as she was overcome with emotion." Continues on P5
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1 - Capetonian Carina Bruwer during her #SwimForArts charity challenge across Walker Bay. 2 -Volunteers from Hermanus and Gansbaai jumped in to help Carina in her world-first swim across Walker Bay, which included two boats and crew, swim buddy Herman de Vries, shark spotters, medics and a media-streaming crew. Pictured here are livestreamer and assistant skipper Glynn Channer with the Hermanus-based vessel Blade and crew in the background. 3 - Carina made the crossing from Hermanus Old Harbour in 6 hours and 36 minutes, emerging chilled but happy upon arriving at Stanford’s Cove, De Kelders. PHOTO: Indra Kuschke
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Locals jump in to pull off event From P1 Carina is no stranger to firsts and in February 2020 became the first woman to swim across Nelson Mandela Bay. She has also crossed the English Channel, False Bay and the Straits of Gibraltar, and swam to Robben Island. She says she has been keen to tackle Walker Bay for a while. “Walker Bay has been at the back of my mind for years,” said Carina. “It is such a beautiful and geographically interesting bay, which is still unchartered from an open-water-swimming point of view.” Herman met Carina recently through a mutual friend, and they started talking about the challenge. The Overberg action man, who is competing in the SA Champs Triathlon in Bloemfontein this weekend, said: “It has been an incredible experience to swim with Carina. She doesn't normally take other swimmers with her when she undertakes such challenges so this was a very special opportunity.” Carina said the event was organised with local assistance very spontaneously to take advantage of the limited ideal conditions along the coastline, which were vital to make the crossing possible. The ultra-distance swim had to be completed in warm water, with sea temperatures of 18 degrees C and above, and preferably calm conditions. That window came on Friday morning last week, the first calm day after the area had been hit by a strong westerly wind, with just a small swell and a light northerly to westerly breeze. Herman helped to identify the window of opportunity and then, rapidly, to assemble the crew to ensure that the event ran safely and smoothly.
stamina and will power. For me, 80% of the effort I put into an extreme event is mental, and 20% one's ability and how one feels on the day,” said Herman. Open-water swimming is not for the faint-hearted. The rules of the international open-water swimming community stipulate, among many others, that participants may wear only a swimming costume, cap and goggles (no wetsuit or fins); support crew may not touch the participant but the swimmer is allowed to stop at certain intervals, treading water, while the support boat throws them much-needed fuel in the form of refreshments. Snacks, including bananas and energy bars, as well as water and energy drinks, were thrown to Carina from the swim-support boat Blade, and the crew diligently retrieved the bottles and wrappers with a net. "I want to use this world first to highlight a cause that is extremely important and very close to my heart,” she said of the musicians’ fund. Around the halfway mark, during a break, she called out to the boat crews, asking if they had heard how much money had been raised so far. When they responded "R20 000 then", she called back with astounding vigour: "That's not enough, we need more!" before heading off into the cool blue waters.
25 percent,” said Carina. “It was busy and very powerful and against me from the beginning. Without it, I could have cut an hour-and-a-half off my time. But I am happy with my performance as it was an uncharted swim and the current was unexpected and probably exacerbated by the spring tide." As Carina emerged from the water, after nearly seven hours, shivering and blue-lipped at Stanford's Cove, De Kelders she was warmly welcomed by old friend Fred de Pauw, who had in 2003 assisted her with swim support around Danger Point. She was shaken to the core when she arrived on shore at Stanford's Cove, chosen as the safest exit along the coast, but within an hour or so of warming up, the Mzansi wonder woman was almost back to normal. "Women are mentally tougher than men and have a lot of endurance and stamina, while men are mostly fueled on testosterone!" joked Herman. As part of the media crew on board @ Work, I witnessed first-hand Carina’s incredible ability. Her pace barely slackened the entire time and she swam like a machine, at 15 minutes/ km, said Herman, compared to 17–18 minutes against the current.
So what's next for the passionate ocean swim-adventurer? Carina is certainly eyeing out the next bay to conquer. "Hmm..." she mulls. "Maybe Plettenberg Bay, or False Bay, which is the most epic swim in Africa at 35km. I haven't done False Bay in a long time.” Carina is grateful to everyone involved in making the event a success, saying she was awed by how people came on board to contribute positively to a cause so close to her heart, through financial contributions or event logistics. "I hope I can make a difference," she said. "I am very glad I have done this." Words of congratulation have flowed in from around the world on Carina’s social media platforms. Speaking to the Village NEWS, Fred said: “That woman is powerful, one of the strongest mentally-adaptive people that I have ever met. The fact that she managed to complete this achievement is incredible, and that local goodwill helped pull it off is wonderful too. In our community, we bend over backwards to help people. We have an amazing community that helped pull off this world first.” The Tribuo donations page can be found at https://www.tribuo.co.za/tribuo-fund-donations/.
Walker Bay's splendours were definitely on offer and the two swimmers were at times in the very close company of curious seals, which swam around and under them, as well as penguins, Bryde's whales and a large pod of dolphins nearby. Carina wore an electronic shark deterrent but these majestic beasts fortunately did not put in an appearance this time.
On Friday, the sea temperature was on average 18.5 degrees C and from April the average temperature in the bay is likely to drop below 16.
"With hindsight, I could have done it differently. Been more organised. Had more funding for the support crew. Leaving from the Old Harbour in Hermanus instead of the New Harbour meant battling additional current,” said Carina, “but we were under pressure with the conditions.”
"It is amazing what Carina has done with this swim. I've done a lot of open-water swims but never anything of this magnitude. She is one tough lady; a true pioneer with incredible
While the wind and the sea were calm, Carina had to battle strong underwater currents in her effort to cross the bay. "I was happy with my speed, but the current held me back about
CIRCLE: Carina with swim buddy Herman de Vries, local extreme sportsman and adventure tourism operator. PHOTO: Sarah Taylor ABOVE: Cape Town musician and crowned open-water swimmer, Carina Bruwer with local musicians Zander Barnard, Takura Terry and Chad Hendriks who saw her off on her marathon swim from the Old Harbour on Friday morning. PHOTO: Frieda Lloyd
Gum Disease – Treatment overview Tooth decay is treated by removal and the placing of a filling or a crown/cap. Once the decay is removed, the treatment is the filling, which will last a few years to decades. Gum disease, on the other hand, is treated very differently. Gum disease is not a once-off treatment and consists of three very different but equally important phases. The 1st phase consists of a professional deep cleaning under local anaesthesia. The 2nd phase, which is the most important, is the effective daily brushing and interdental cleaning by the patient for the rest of their lives. If this is not done, the treatment will fail – guaranteed. The 3rd phase is the maintenance phase, which consists of re-assessments
done at 3 – 12 month intervals. The intervals are determined by how well the patient cleans and also by the aggressiveness of the disease. The more aggressive, the shorter the intervals. The better the daily cleaning, the longer the intervals. Aggressive periodontitis is seen in patients who have a familial/genetic history making them susceptible. Smoking is another important risk factor that may increase the risk of aggressive periodontitis. If you go through a period of a few weeks to months where you do not clean very effectively, you will not develop decay, and no harm done if you start cleaning effectively again. However, with periodontitis, you cannot afford a lapse in effective cleaning as the bacteria
will in a few weeks again be deep below your gum, and you cannot remove them from there. The maintenance phase is very important, to help you stay focused on effective daily cleaning and to help remove the bacteria that you may have missed. Gum disease treatment therefore requires a mind shift in how you approach your oral health or you will not beat this disease. Dental implants also develop gum/bone disease, but this is more complex. Bacteria may accumulate inside some implants, thereby causing gum disease. Effective treatment will require regular servicing of the implants to remove the bacteria and place anti-bacterial substances inside the implants.
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FROM THE EDITOR
17 March 2021
A house built on a rock
In a time of unprecedented uncertainty, when nothing is guaranteed, especially longevity, many of us are searching for an anchor, a sense of stability and continuity. Instead of trying to peer into a murky future, maybe we should hang our faith on the past. It’s said that history is written by the victor, but there is a much more powerful personal and social history that binds us strongly together, one that has been handed down by word of mouth from one generation to the other. Like a safety net, it links seem-
ingly disparate individuals together in an understanding of what it takes to survive, physically, emotionally and spiritually. As most South Africans celebrate the Cradle of Humankind, we in the Overberg take pride in the presence along this coastline of pre-historic ancestors. If any people lived lives of uncertainty and danger, it was they, and almost certainly, if they had not sustained strong interpersonal and inter-generational bonds, they would not have survived and we wouldn’t be here today, worrying
NEWS MEET THE TEAM De Waal Steyn
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Hedda Mittner
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Raphael da Silva ONLINE EDITOR T: 074 125 5854
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Charé van der Walt MARKETING & SALES MANAGER T: 082 430 1974
Which brings us to the concept of legacy – not once-in-a-lifetime achievements by individual game-changers, but the ordinary day-to-day legacy of ordinary individuals, passed on from one generation to the next in stories.
In the Overstrand we are lucky to have had the history of our area well documented by insightful historians, its wealth guarded by museums for posterity. One of our most successful recent initiatives, however, has been the living tapestry project which attempted to chronicle the various communities’ journeys within the wider context of this region.
They tell of the small achievements, failures and victories of our forefathers and mothers, the moments of joy and sorrow and most important of all, the values by which they lived. Their ability to survive the perils
It demonstrated more than anything else how, together, our individual histories, our struggles, conflicts and victories have given this community the strength and confidence to overcome its present trials. After all, we have been built on tried and tested foundations and in the linking of our diverse stories, we become a new community with new stories to tell.
Its success lay in the platform it provided for individuals to share their
This is the good NEWS
One man’s poison… another man’s passion?
THE VILLAGE
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family memories with one another and to catch a glimpse of the pattern formed by intertwining stories.
of their world, is our hope for the future.
about our future.
By Murray Stewart murray.stewart49@gmail.com
P
urple haze all in my brain… acting funny, but I don’t know why… Excuse me while I kiss the sky. - Jimi Hendrix
Well, Jimi wasn’t the only musician who may have experienced the effects of assorted ‘mind-benders’ during their lifetimes. From presidents and empresses to hunter-gatherers and pole-dancers, people from all walks of life have been influenced by various forms of mind alteration over thousands of years. The ancient Greek for ‘herbs’ was pharmakon, usually with a prefix or suffix indicating which healed and which killed. We can only wonder what the Oracle of Delphi was inhaling because it obviously worked but, sadly, the ingredients have never been revealed. Perhaps Ozzy Osbourne knows. Happy plants, deadly berries and laughing weeds are how the ancient world referred to various herbs, roots and pips. Some, taken in the right dosage, would relieve pain or give you an upper, while others could create a serious downer – like six feet down. Opium was a big hit for two reasons. Firstly, you were unlikely to croak because you’d usually pass out before overdosing – unlike its deadly derivative, heroin. Secondly, as a hallucinogenic, your Ground Control to Major Tom could transport you anywhere – through a purple haze perhaps, to play with Lucy in the Sky with Diapers, or maybe even see God.
Other plants were more deadly, more of a poison than an uplifter – like henbane, hemlock, mandrake and belladonna. They were easy to overdose on, so a swift meeting with the Good Lord was usually guaranteed.
Apart from the poppy and its various derivatives like morphine, heroin and codeine, other indigenous plants have featured as stimulants and mood-enhancers around the world since the Flintoffs.
Together with a few animal organs and dollops of disgusting gruel, some of these herbs were apparently sprinkled into the witches’ brew in Macbeth, because ever since that Shakespeare bloke drank some, he never quite mastered the art of spelling again, and retired penniless to a hamlet in Denmark. (Unverified)
Hoodia – a succulent fleshy cactus – was munched by Khoi-San hunters as a potent appetite suppressant and energy booster – like Coke. They’d chase a gemsbok tirelessly for days through the bush, but quite what they did once they’d killed it – seeing they weren’t at all hungry – remains perplexing.
In 1659, Giulia Tofana gained notoriety throughout Naples and Rome as a Mafia-style assassin and part-time wedding planner. She was handsomely paid – under the table of course – by disgruntled, socialite wives to ‘remove’ unwanted hubbies without suspicious fingers being pointed at them.
Cocoa leaves, as we all know, are what they make Peruvian Dancing Powder from. But indigenous jungle dwellers and their kids happily chew these leaves constantly – have done for centuries – and from an early age they all develop into accomplished line dancers.
Jolly Giulia would concoct her own deadly potion which was odourless, colourless and tasteless, and during a banquet or garden party, it was slipped surreptitiously into the wine/juice/beer of the soon-to-be late husband.
Apart from chemically created concoctions, the most common drug after nicotine is cannabis – medicinal or recreational – and I hear there are a few plants growing here in South Africa. Skandaal!
It became known as Aqua Tofana (contact Ed for recipe), and nobody knew exactly who the next widow-in-waiting would be, but it must have curtailed some philandering husbands from indulging in any extra-marital leg-overing.
Magic mushrooms – an hallucinogenic apparently – also pop up now and again, and folks with garden gnomes claim they often come to life. Keep the gate closed. But has anyone heard of malpitte – mad pips? Popular in the ‘70s among troepies on the border to avoid going bosbef*k (battle fatigue). What the heck is it? Please contact the editor with useful information – for medical research purposes only, of course.
Now, kissing your darling under mistletoe is all well and good but don’t let them munch any of those pretty little berries. It could be the last time they get kissed. By you or anyone else for that matter.
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R 6 950 000 FINE & COUNTRY FEATURE HERMANUS HEIGHTS, HERMANUS, WESTERN CAPE
A stylish residence with sea views and set against the mountain in a tranquil cul-de-sac location This luxurious family home comes complete with a spacious lounge, a dining room, a well-fitted kitchen with granite countertops, a delightful sunroom, his and hers study that could be converted back to bedrooms and a sunny master bedroom on the one level. The next level boasts its own entertainment area, a kitchen and 2 en-suite bedrooms. An ideal arrangement for those wanting to accommodate children and grand-kids over the holidays. The lower level houses a wine cellar, a storeroom and a triple garage. The property is situated in the upper levels of Hermanus Heights and offers uninterrupted panoramic vistas over Voëlklip Beach up to Hoy’s Koppie. The back of the property borders on the green belt and while enjoying your morning coffee you can relish in the birdsong, Proteas, Fynbos, tortoises and other delightful sights offered by the Fernkloof Nature Reserve. Retha Snyman van Heerden 082 456 7400 Stephen de Stadler 082 441 0120 WEB 1520536
R 4 800 000 FINE & COUNTRY FEATURE VOËLKLIP, HERMANUS, WESTERN CAPE
Peaceful home, walking distance from the beach with spectacular mountain views Come find your spacious double-storey home with an indoor braai, bar and patio area to enjoy delightful evenings with your family and friends. A lovely kitchen with an open-plan dining and family area for entertainment. 2 Bedrooms share a bathroom on the ground level. On the 1st floor, an amazing spacious en-suite main bedroom offers magnificent mountain views. The 4th bedroom with a lounge and balcony complete this level. The outside games room with a bathroom can easily be converted into a flatlet. The garden is a low maintenance and there is a single garage with parking for 2 cars on the outside. Situated close to Voëlklip Beach, Grotto Beach and Kammabaai, with superb sunrises and sunsets plus ocean and mountain backdrops. Hermanus is known worldwide for its scenic whale spots, top restaurants, excellent hospitals, local wine producers, and is always striving to be one of the best holiday destinations, nurturing the ambiance of a fisherman’s village. Ansie Potgieter 081 270 6255 Stephen de Stadler 082 441 0120 WEB 2021469
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WHAT’S ON
OVERBERG 18
THURSDAY
La Pentola Food & Wine Pairing Join Chef Shane Sauvage and Neethlingshof Wines for a delectable four-course dinner expertly paired with four wines. Booking is essential at R350 pp. Call 028 313 1685. La Pentola, Marine Drive, Hermanus | from 18:30
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FRIDAY
Wine Down Friday Celebrate that TGIF feeling at The Wine Glass at the end of a busy week! Enjoy the vibe and get two for the price of one on selected wines, beers and nibbles. Book via www.thewineglass.guru or call 082 082 0007. The Wine Glass, 2 Harbour Rd, Hermanus | 16:00 – 18:00 Bottomless Bubbles Fridays Start the weekend in style at the iconic Marine Hotel with bottomless bubbles from L’Ormarins and chef’s welcome canapés at R200 pp, every Friday. Booking is essential on 028 313 1000 or bookings@themarine. co.za. The Marine | 17:00 – 19:00 Bottomless Coffee Band Book your tickets now to enjoy a live performance by this popular band at your favourite seafront restaurant. Limited tickets at R150 pp. Call 028 312 2800. Burgundy Restaurant | 19:00
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SATURDAY
MyRyde Put your skills to the test over an exciting course including various terrains, from gravel roads to grass and sand. MyRyde is not only an event for young riders from the age of 8 years across all ability levels, but for the whole family. Bonus: If you enter for a race category, you can also join the social race as a family at no additional cost. Coaching will be available before the first race kicks off, for anyone interested. There
will also be face painting, boerewors rolls, coffee and snacks on sale. Register at www.myryde.life. Curro Hermanus, Sandbaai | registration from 07:00 (first race starts at 08:00) Hermanus Country Market A favourite among the locals. Young, old, two-legged and four-legged family members are all welcome. You’ll find wholesome goodies, home-made crafts, local produce, beers and wine, speciality foods, coffee and live music. Next to Hermanus Cricket Field | 09:00 – 13:00 Stanford Saturday Morning Market Come and sample the artisanal delights on display, from home-made sheep and goats’ cheeses to woodfired ciabattas, pastries and pies, farmfresh vegetables, free-range eggs, flowers, preserves and deli delights (including gluten-free, wheat-free and vegan goodies) to tantalise your taste buds! #Nomasksnoservice. Stanford Hotel Stoep | 09:00 – 12:00 Gansbaai Farmers’ Market Specialising in fresh produce, homebaked foods, and crafts. Come and enjoy entertainment and refreshments at this popular kuierplek. For enquiries, contact 028 384 1439 or doulene@gansbaaitourism.co.za Kapokblom Street, opposite Gansbaai Tourism | 09:00 – 13:00 Lomond Harvest Festival Enjoy live music and a picnic next to the dam on this picturesque wine farm near Gansbaai. (No entrance fee but book your picnic spot to avoid disappointment.) For more serious wine lovers there will be a Masterclass Wine Tasting presented by the winemaker in the Milkwood Forest at R250 pp (incl. a harvest table) on Sat and Sun. The theme on Sat is Soil & Sauvignon and on Sun it’s the Art of Blending. Booking is essential. Contact info@lomond.co.za or WhatsApp 082 908 0099. Lomond Wine Farm | 10:00 – 16:00 (Sat & Sun)
Craft Beer & Bratwurst Celebration Enjoy an afternoon of good vibes in The Courtyard with local craft beers, delicious bratwurst, live music, wine and cocktails. The Wine Glass’s full menu will also be available. Call 082 082 0007 to book. The Wine Glass, 2 Harbour Rd, Hermanus | 13:00 – 18:00 Gansbaai Coastal Cleanup Everyone is welcome at Gansbaai Tourism’s first coastal cleanup of 2021. All bags, data sheets, pencils, gloves, etc. will be provided, but bring along something to drink to keep you hydrated. All Covid-19 protocols will be observed. To RSVP, contact Doulene on 082 841 1670 / 028 384 1439 or doulene@gansbaaitourism.co.za. Anyone with a bakkie willing to transport the collections and any companies or individuals who would like to sponsor these clean-up events should please also contact Doulene. Meet at Strandveld Museum | 13:00
22
MONDAY
Human Rights Trail Run Celebrate your human right to run (or walk)! Choose between a 5km and 10km route (no loops) on this beautiful wine estate in the Bot River Valley. Everyone will be timed and receive a medal. Stay for breakfast afterwards and enjoy a free wine tasting (over 18s only). There will be prizes for the top three men and the top three women in both the short and the long routes, plus lucky draws and prizes for the best Instagram pictures of your run. Tickets are R120 per person. Enter at raceday.co.za or contact Japie Swanepoel on 082 4433 033. Wildekrans Wine Estate | 07:00 OnVerWag AGM All residents are welcome at the annual general meeting of the Onrus-Vermont Neighbourhood Watch. Please contact theowl@onverwag. org.za for more information. Dutch Reformed Church, Berg St, Onrus | 14:00
18 MAR - 4 APR 2021 Send your events to hedda@thevillagenews.co.za
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TUESDAY
What a Wonderful World! Whale Coast Conservation, Footprint Press and Hermanus FynArts invite you to the launch of Anina Lee’s book, What a wonderful world! and an exhibition of the book’s original illustrations. The book comprises essays by Anina about flora and fauna, all previously published in The Village NEWS, to raise funds for WCC’s chameleon rescue project. (To purchase the book and help save the chameleons you can also go directly to the publisher's website at footprintpress. co.za/product/what-a-wonderfulworld/) FynArts Gallery, The Courtyard | 17:30
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FRIDAY
What a Wonderful World! Whale Coast Conservation, Footprint Press and Hermanus FynArts invite you to the launch of Anina Lee’s book, What a wonderful world! and an exhibition of the book’s original illustrations. The book comprises essays by Anina about flora and fauna, all previously published in The Village NEWS, to raise funds for WCC’s chameleon rescue project. (To purchase the book and help save the chameleons you can also go directly to the publisher's website at footprintpress.co.za/product/what-a-wonderful-world/) FynArts Gallery, The Courtyard | 17:30
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egg hunt and pony rides for the little ones. Your entry includes the trail permit, timing and a medal. There will be prizes for each distance, male and female, as well as lucky draws. Online entries only at entryninja. com/events/76525-easter-festival. For enquiries, contact japie@interactiveconcepts.co.za or 082 4433 033. Honingklip Farm, R43 | from 07:00 (Fri – Sun)
FRIDAY
Easter Running Festival With single track sections, jeep track, some sand, some forest and lots of natural beauty, Honingklip farm is the ideal spot for a running festival over three days on Easter weekend. Join in the Friday Sunset Run or opt for one of 3 Trail Runs (6km, 15km & 25km) on Sat & Sun. There will be music, wine tasting, Betty’s Barista coffee, craft beer and the Co-unity food truck on site, as well as an Easter
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SUNDAY
Easter Sunday Cello & Piano Concert Overstrand Arts/Kunste (OAK) is proud to bring the Karlsruhe Concert Duo of cellist Reinhard Armleder and pianist Dagmar Hartmann to Hermanus. Originally scheduled for Feb 2020 but cancelled due to the pandemic, the Duo is at last able to travel from Germany and will play two concerts on Easter Sunday. They will present works by Beethoven, Schumann, Chopin, Fauré, Rachmaninov and Gershwin. Limited seats are available. Tickets are R150 and reservations can be made by contacting OAK secretary René on renedup@telkomsa.net or 082 940 42387. All covid protocols will apply and patrons must please wear masks. Dutch Reformed Church, Hermanus | 12:00 & 15:30 (two concerts)
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17 March 2021
LOVE A LITTLE LOCAL
Swing into Harbour Road Another new addition to this popular destination is the Swing In Coffee Shoppe right at the bottom of Harbour Road, owned and run by Madelein Kruger and Kevin Pereira. Although she has a background in education and loved working with children, Madelein’s other passion has always been working with food. Despite having no culinary training, she went on to open a restaurant and coffee shop called Die Koei, which she ran whilst teaching Grade 12 at an all-boys school in Vereeniging. Die Koei grew from strength to strength thanks to Madelein’s creative and delicious dishes, and 16 years after opening, she sold the restaurant to move to Nelspruit, where she continued teaching. It didn’t take long before she decided to open a new restaurant there with the help of her daughter, Cristelle Kriel, called The Farmstall which (no surprises here) also enjoyed years of success before the mother and daughter team moved to the Overstrand. For their new venture in Kleinmond, Madelein contacted her longtime friend, Kevin, and asked him if he would consider becoming a partner in a new restaurant. Kevin immediately jumped on board and Swing In opened its doors in
November last year. Kevin joined them a short while later in December after moving from the North West to run the business side of Swing In, so that Cristelle and Madelein could focus on food and hospitality. Swing In is playfully decorated and was named after the suspended table-and-swing-seat set, which now sits just in front of the restaurant’s doors, thought up by Madelein and made by Cristelle’s fiancé in Betty’s Bay. The restaurant uses the same unique menu that Madelein created for The Farmstall, and one of the most popular items on the menu are the Moerse Messy Milkshakes which were created by Cristelle in Nelspruit, when she wasn’t busy breaking national swimming records and competing for the Springboks. The milkshakes are everything their name says they are – moerse and messy – making consuming them quite the experience. Swing In also offers milkshakes which are spiked with liquor for those who are looking for a bit of a kick. Swing In is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and all meals are served by friendly staff, and you will be sure to find something on the menu for the whole family to enjoy. For breakfast there are a variety of options to choose from, including a traditional full breakfast, omelettes and French toast, as well as a Breakfast Pizza and Pancake Breakfast for those wanting to try something new. The lunch and dinner menu offers the Moerse Burger (the size of a dinner plate!), the Pizza
PHOTO: Supplied
I
f you have not yet paid a visit to Harbour Road in Kleinmond, you are missing out. Right at the waterfront, Harbour Road is lined with colourful buildings occupied by a wide variety of interesting businesses. One can easily spend hours exploring and enjoying the restaurants, cafés, galleries, shops and now also a tattoo studio which recently opened (read more on P9).
ABOVE: Owners of SWING IN Coffee Shoppe, Kevin Pereira and Madelein Kruger with the Plankie Platter. BELOW: The Moerse Messy Strawberry Milkshake comes with a doughnut, cream, marshmallows and strawberry. PHOTO: Taylum Meyer
Burger (which is exactly what it sounds like), seafood, pizzas, savoury pancakes, chicken schnitzel, lasagne, bunny chow, wraps, toasted sandwiches and platters – including a new one called the Plankie Platter which comes with ten different finger food items and two glasses of wine. Madelein is also currently working on adding gluten-free and vegan/vegetarian options to their menu, along with some other exciting developments. Swing In is open Mon to Wed 09:00 – 18:00, Thurs & Fri 09:00 – 20:00, Sat 09:00 – 22:00 and Sun 09:00 – 18:00. You can follow them on Facebook and will find them at 18 Harbour Road in Kleinmond (right at the waterfront in between Meating and Gringo’s). Madelein and Kevin also own Le Rêve bed and breakfast just 200m from the restaurant where a night’s stay includes a breakfast at Swing In. They can be contacted on 066 255 5369. – Taylum Meyer
WINE & DINE WINE TASTINGS & LUNCHES ‘farm to table’ meals PICNICS OPEN AIR OPEN events Mon - Sat 10am - 4pm SHOP ONLINE
www.barthoeksteen.co.za +27 72 323 5060 | mana@hermanus.co.za
17 March 2021
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ABOVE LEFT: The Moerse Messy Peanut Butter & Banana Milkshake comes with a muffin, cream, marshmallows and dried banana. PHOTO: Taylum Meyer. ABOVE MIDDLE: Choose from a variety of breakfast goodies to fill your plate at Swing In’s Breakfast Buffet on a Saturday and Sunday morning. The price includes a cappuccino and a small fruit juice. PHOTO: Taylum Meyer. ABOVE RIGHT: If you have a big appetite, you should add the Moerse Burger and Moerse Messy Milkshake to your bucket list. PHOTO: Swing In Coffee Shoppe
LEFT & ABOVE: Swing In was named after the suspended table-and-swing-seat set that Madelein had specially made for the restaurant. PHOTO: Taylum Meyer
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MY HOME
www.thevillagenews.co.za
17 March 2021
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17 March 2021
LOVE A LITTLE LOCAL
More to it than meets the eye Writer Elaine Davie Photographer Taylum Meyer
W
hat? A tattoo studio in Kleinmond? Are you kidding? Yes. And no. Not hiding down some back alley either, but in full public view in Harbour Road, in between the restaurants and coffee shops. And guess what, after the first shock, most residents have embraced the newcomers and even furtively beaten a pathway to their door for a piercing, permanent make-up, perhaps even daringly, a tattoo… or just to check the place out for themselves. What they will have seen is a neat, attractively-decorated, professional-looking venue run by friendly husband-and-wife team Quintin Erasmus and chef, Ilizse du Toit. Like many others in the beauty and restaurant business, they are economic casualties of Covid-19. Quintin, who has been a qualified tattooist for the past 12 years had to close his studio in the Northern Suburbs of Cape Town as a result of lockdown. At more or less the same time, the restaurant which Ilizse was managing, also shut its doors for good. But what brought them to Kleinmond? After all, it’s not exactly the centre of surf- or counter-culture, which one might stereotypically associate with tattoos. “Actually,” says Ilizse, “that is a complete misconception. Tattooing is growing in popularity around the world amongst all ages and cultures, not just for beautification, but to hide skin blemishes, or scars. I’ve even got a small tattoo on my inner wrist identifying me as an organ donor.” But back to Kleinmond. When their livelihoods were falling apart in Cape
Town, Ilizse”s mother, who lives in Keinmond invited them and their two little boys, aged eight and ten, to come and live with her until they were able to get back on their feet. It wasn’t long before they had all fallen in love with the town.
ABOVE: Quintin touching up an old tattoo for a client.
“The two boys loved their new school and with granny and the beach close by, it would have been hard to drag them away again,” laughs Ilizse. “Quintin and I also felt it was a place where we could lead a healthy, less rushed life and could grow spiritually.”
LEFT: Husband-and-wife team Quintin Erasmus and Ilizse du Toit in front of their tattoo studio in Harbour Road, Kleinmond.
So they decided to establish a tattoo studio, without unrealistic expectations of how it might turn out, but simply because Quintin has a passion for the art, dating back to his childhood in Pretoria. “I had been drawing since I was little,” he explains, “and one day when I saw a programme on TV about tattooing, I knew straightaway that was what I wanted to do with my life.” To get started, he cannibalized his brother’s remote-controlled car to make his first tattoo machine and began to experiment on his friends and members of the family, until he left school and could attend the Tattoo Academy in Waverley, Pretoria. “Since then, I’ve just carried on learning, going into the history of the art (it goes back a long way – most indigenous communities around the world have practised tattooing) and developing new skills. A lot of people don’t realise that there are different techniques available, depending on the type and location of the tattoo. Along with new techniques, have come more effective tools and inks as well, and I like to move with the times and improve the quality of work I produce,” he says. So in October 2020, they took the
which indicates that they follow all the necessary requirements regarding the disposal of medical waste.
plunge, opened their new shop, Tattoo Elite, and waited to see what would happen. While there was a certain amount of initial suspicion amongst locals, on the whole they didn’t encounter major opposition. “One day a police woman arrived at our front door,” laughs Quintin, “and we thought, ‘Oh, what now?’ She explained that someone had come to the Police Station to ask if they could shut us down, so she had come to check out what we were up to. Not only was she unable to find a reason to shut us down, but she came back later to have a tattoo done.” Quintin and Ilisz are very grateful that in the short time they have been in Kleinmond, they have been able to establish a solid following of locals from all population and age groups (their oldest client was a lady of 78); there is also no limitation on pigment
or skin type. “Once they have had one tattoo,” says Quintin, “many of them are hooked and they come back for more. We have a huge portfolio of designs, some more traditional and ‘old school’ and others more trendy. Clients can also bring images of their own for me to copy, but of course, what I enjoy most is to have the freedom of expression to create my own designs.” During the December holidays they were extremely busy, with Quintin focusing on tattoos while Ilisza, abandoning her cooking utensils for now, handled all the piercings. Both are adamant that they consider medical protocols absolutely essential in their work and apart from taking every precaution in terms of the sterilisation of their instruments, they also have a medical waste certificate,
A tattoo can be completed in as short a time as an hour or two, or it might take up to two days. While pain levels are always a concern for potential clients, Quinton explains that tattooing is done into the skin, not through it, which means there is no bleeding. Discomfort, rather than pain is what most people seem to experience and the healing and settling process takes between three and six weeks. If a client has scars or any chronic medical condition, like porphyria or a skin disease, a letter from their doctor is required. Quotes for clients are determined by the size and complexity of the procedure. Believe it or not, these days in the Western Cape you can even apply for a loan from a financial institution for a tattoo, so if it has always been your ambition to have a dragon crawling up your spine, cost is no excuse. Further information about Quintin and Ilisza’s tattoo studio is available on the Tattoo Elite Facebook page. They can be contacted on tattooelitestudio@gmail.com or 071 223 9485.
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MY WELLNESS
Albertyn
Understanding and managing anxiety A
nxiety tends to carry negative connotations, even though it is a completely normal emotion that we all feel every now and then. Which poses the question: what is the real purpose of anxiety? It can be said that all our emotions serve us in one way or another, so perhaps feeling anxious is our bodies’ way of checking if we are prepared for any level of danger that might occur. However, many people enjoy the experience of fear and anxiety when they participate in all sorts of activities, such as rollercoaster rides and sky diving. The interesting paradox here is the fact that there are so many people spending thousands on therapy and medication to mitigate the feeling of anxiety, yet also spending money for the sole purpose of experiencing this feeling. So, if common anxiety and fear are not inherently bad emotions, what makes it such a negative experience? The challenge comes in when we don’t know how to get off the rollercoaster ride within ourselves; when the feeling is experienced unintentionally. In order to make sense of this paradox, we need to know what the possible causes of anxiety are. Anxiety manifests in a variety of ways and can have multiple triggers for different people; however, the event itself is seldom what causes our experience of anxious feelings. The thoughts that go along with anxiety are generally future-oriented – we worry about our health, relationships, success and other outcomes. We can even mistakenly believe that
our anxious thoughts are helpful in preventing these undesired outcomes, but anxiety feeds itself – we worry a little, we get stuck in our anxious thoughts and we end up worrying even more. Then we experience more of the bodily changes that go along with anxiety. These can be intense and can easily be mistaken for other illnesses, which may explain why people with anxiety tend to go to the doctor more often than others. Good news, though. There are many ways, supported by research, to reduce and manage anxiety, perhaps making anxiety more “treatable” than any other mental health challenges. So what could we do when we’re right in the middle of an anxiety attack and need a fast-acting anxiety stopper? Firstly, we all know about breathing into a paper bag to stop anxiety and even panic in its tracks. But why is this so effective? There are a few reasons: Each emotion that we experience has a recipe that we need to follow in order to produce it in our bodies. First, you have to focus on very specific things and you need to visualise how things are going wrong for you. It is a well-established idea that your mind does not really understand the difference between things that you visualise and events that are actually taking place. This is why you can watch a movie and experience almost all the emotions of the events on the screen – even while knowing consciously that nothing is real and the projections on the screen are not even of real people. In the same way, when you imagine an event in the future where things are going right or where things are going
17 March 2021
wrong, you will feel the emotions that go with that. The second component is self-talk. What are you saying to yourself? What are the questions that you are asking yourself? Are you asking questions such as: What can go wrong? What will people say if I fail? Or are you asking what can I learn, what if I succeed or how will I grow from this experience? In order to feel anxious, there are certain bodily actions you need to take: you have to go into tunnel vision to truly experience anxiety, and you have to take fast and shallow breaths. Deep diaphragmatic breaths would make it very difficult to experience anxiety. Another component is the experience of anxiety itself. People who frequently experience anxiety may also have a fear of feeling anxious and that fear could set up a thinking loop that makes it all much worse. Disrupting any of these internal actions will make it a lot harder to experience anxiety. When building your anti-anxiety action plan, it’s good to keep a couple of things in mind: • Everyone benefits from different strategies. Just because research has shown such-and-such strategy reduces anxiety, doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll be the right fit for you. You’re the best judge of how something is making you feel. • We benefit more from strategies that we will stick to. Even the most effective strategy won’t help you unless you’re willing to do it. That’s why creating an effective anti-anxiety action plan is all about finding things that work for you and that you like doing. • Try as many strategies as you can. By
Tel: 028 271 4666 Fax: 028 271 4665 WhatsApp: 079 387 2650 Email: albertyn@netactive.co.za
Vir vriendelike diens! caring for you
having a greater number of tools in our toolkit, we can more easily reduce anxiety in a greater variety of situations and circumstances. Tools to manage anxiety could include: 1. Keeping a journal to record the thoughts, emotions, physical sensations and behaviours that arise when we’re anxious. This can help us gain more awareness about, and perhaps a greater sense of control over, our anxiety 2. Breathing exercises can help you relax, and is one of the best ways to lower stress in the body. This is because when you breathe deeply, it sends a message to your brain to calm down and relax. 3. Regular cardiovascular and weight training exercise is a good way to increase parasympathetic activity (and feelings of relaxation) in the longer term. 4. Eating foods that are naturally rich in magnesium and zinc, foods like salmon which are high in omega-3 fatty acids and foods like sauerkraut or kefir, which are high in probiotics, appear to help reduce anxiety. 5. Limiting your intake of caffeine and opting instead for herbal tea, or decaf or dandelion coffee instead of regular coffee. 6. Listening to calming music can lower your levels of the stress hormone, cortisol after experiencing something that arouses anxiety. 7. Anxiety not only makes it hard to sleep, but a lack of sleep can also contribute to more anxiety, creating a cycle that’s hard to stop. So it’s super important to do whatever you can to get a good night’s rest, including exercising earlier in the day, not drinking caffeine after lunch (or not at all) and turning off TVs, computers and smartphones at
least half an hour before bed. 8. While anxiety is often characterised by a desire to avoid the things that induce fear, mindfulness is, in some ways, the opposite. It involves turning toward our emotions or the things that cause our emotions with focused awareness and compassionate acceptance. It involves noticing what is happening all around us and inside our bodies in a non-judgmental way. 9. Combat anxiety with joy and gratitude, by focusing more on positive things. By deliberately focusing attention away from the negative things and onto positive and neutral things, we may be able to reduce anxiety and the bodily responses that go along with it. 10. Put a stop to rumination, when you just keep replaying the same thing over and over again in your mind. You probably know these thoughts aren’t helpful, but they just keep going on a loop, leading you to get anxious about something in the past that you have no control over. One of the most effective ways to stop rumination cycles is to distract your mind with solving an unrelated problem. Finally, a considerable amount of research has found that confronting your fears (often with the help of a coach or psychologist) is a highly effective way to reduce them. For example, if we’re afraid of heights, going to a high (but safe) place and staying there until our anxiety subsides teaches the body and mind not to be afraid. Confronting chronic anxieties is a bit more complex, but can still be helpful. Depending on the severity of your symptoms of anxiety and how much they are interfering with your life, getting professional help can be the best solution. - By Ferdi Appelgryn, C Beyond Health
17 March 2021
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Be kind and support our children Liza van Coppenhagen and Asiphe Mbuku in front of the newly-opened Hermanus Child & Family Services charity shop, Be Kind. PHOTO: Hedda Mittner
H
aving hung up her Country Market hat, Liza van Coppenhagen recently donned a new one with the opening of a charity shop for Hermanus Child & Family Services (HCFS) in Victoria Square named ‘Be Kind’, right next to the Eatery and opposite Hemingways. The shop is crammed with second-hand goods, ranging from books and bric-a-brac to clothing, linen, toys and stationery. The focus, however, is clearly on babies and young children. There are cots and car seats, baby clothes and shoes, blankies and softie toys. “We’ve had amazing support from the public,” says Liza, “and more donations arrive every day. That keeps the shop interesting as you never
know what you’ll find here – and the goods are so well-priced that they just fly off the shelves!” Raising funds for Hermanus Child & Family Services (formerly Child Welfare) is a cause close to Liza’s heart and she was approached by board member, Claire Hugo, to get the shop off the ground. “I’m just the facilitator here,” says Liza, “and Asiphe Mbuku is the one who will eventually be managing the shop.” Nineteenyear-old Asiphe, who matriculated last year, has herself been cared for and protected by HCFS during her childhood and is now ready to brave the adult world on her own. Please ‘be kind’ and support this very special shop by dropping off
any second-hand goods that you are no longer using, or call Liza on 072 883 3894 to arrange for collection. It could be anything from kitchenware to furniture, clothes, toys or baby equipment. HCFS is a non-profit organisation registered with the Department of Social Development and mandated to provide child protection services in the area from Swartdam Road to the edge of Hawston. The purpose of HCFS is to promote the safety and well-being of children around Hermanus within families and the broader community through different programmes aimed at child protection intervention, child abuse prevention, and early childhood development. – Hedda Mittner
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17 March 2021
MY ENVIRONMENT
Bat-eared fox – daddy daycare By Dr Anina Lee
I
love bat-eared foxes (Otocyon megalotis). They are adorable-looking, they control termite numbers, they are monogamous, and the father cares for the kids. Let me elaborate. The bat-eared fox is the only living species of the genus Otocyon. They are neither dogs (Genus Canis) nor true foxes (Genus Vulpes). The generic name Otocyon is derived from the Greek words otus for ear and cyon for dog, while the specific name megalotis comes from the Greek words mega for large and otus for ear.
Bat-eared foxes occur only in Africa, in two distinct regions with two different subspecies. Subspecies Otocyon megalotis virgatus occurs in East Africa, from Sudan down to Tanzania.
predators like lions, caracal and jackals. In winter, they may hunt during the day as well. These cute little canids are relatively small – no more than 3–5 kg and less than half a metre tall. They have thick grey coats, and tails, legs and faces are black. The most remarkable features are the huge ears – black on the outside and whitish inside. These ears are used to regulate the body temperature (a bit like an elephant), but most importantly, they are used to locate prey. Their prey consists predominantly (80–90%) of harvester termites, but they will also eat other insects, arachnids, lizards and fruit. This makes them the only genuinely insectivorous canid. Bat-eared foxes have up to 50 small sharp teeth, which is more than typical mammals but perfect for eating insects. Using their big ears, these little foxes can accurately locate any insects rustling in the grass and even moving underground. Then they use their specially adapted claws to dig up their prey.
Otocyon megalotis megalotis appears in the southern part of Africa, ranging from Angola through Namibia and Botswana and all the way to the Cape Peninsula and Cape Agulhas in South Africa.
What I find most interesting about these bat-eared beauties is their mating and social behaviour. They are very social animals, sometimes foraging in large groups, without competing for food. They form monogamous pairs that are rarely unfaithful.
Bat-eared foxes are adapted to arid or semi-arid environments. They are commonly found in grasslands, and the drier regions of the savannas, preferring bare ground and areas where the grass is kept short by grazing ungulates. They are mainly nocturnal, thus avoiding day-time
A couple produces a litter of up to six pups in an underground den, either dug themselves or adapted from someone else’s old burrow. The mother suckles the pups for quite a long time – more than twice as long as dog or cat mothers. This is because bat-eared foxes do not
regurgitate half-digested food for the young, which are entirely reliant on milk until they can forage for themselves. If the mother is to produce so much milk for the kids, she has to be away from the den for long periods to forage for herself – and dad had better mind the kids while she is away. Bat-eared foxes are among the 10% or so of mammals that regularly provide paternal care to their young. Dads in this species are so dedicated that they spend even more time than females near their home dens. These furry fathers play a role in nearly every aspect of child-rearing: grooming the cubs’ fur, engaging them in play and teaching them to stalk terrestrial insects with their bat-wing-shaped ears. There is a high correlation between the time fathers spend with their offspring and their survival rate. In this species, fathers matter. While paternal care is quite rare among animals, one thing is clear: the likelihood of paternal care is much higher in monogamous animals. Nearly 60% of mammals who choose long-term mates have males caring for their young. That makes sense – pair-bonding increases the certainty of the paternity of the female’s offspring, so there is a greater incentive for the male to invest his time in daycare! If the investment that fox fathers make in their offspring is so advantageous for the kids, how much more so is it for human fathers. Not only does it benefit the children, but invested fathers are just so foxy.
The bat-eared fox (Otocyon megalotis) is an adorable-looking little canid that is neither dog nor true fox. The most remarkable feature is their huge ears. PHOTO: Shadows of Africa Bat-eared foxes form monogamous pairs and the fathers play a role in nearly every aspect of child-rearing. They spend even more time than females near their home dens providing daddy daycare. PHOTO: Critter Science
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The right whale to watch and protect By Jax Bath
being used by whales to locate each other. This is particularly true when a naughty calf has wondered off on its own, only to find that their other is nowhere to be seen. It’s always special to watch as the mother manages to find and reunite with her little one.
whale into the oceanic world.
T
his week’s ocean story is a deeper dive into Walker Bay’s favourite seasonal celebrity, the Southern Right Whale. These charismatic creatures make their way from Sub Antarctic regions in the winter months, gracing our shores between June and December, although the occasional straggler can be found earlier on in the year. These whales are hard to confuse with any other whale in our waters. Their skin is for the most part all black and where most whales have a dorsal fin, you will find none on the back of a Southern Right Whale. Perhaps most distinctive are the rough white patches on their heads. These patches have by some been known as rock gardens, but the real name for the patches are callosities. Like the callus that forms on our hands, the callosity is a rough, thick patch of skin. The whales are born with it and after birth, these patches will become covered in cyamids (or whale lice), which have travelled from mother whale onto the baby. After some time, barnacles will also attach to the face, giving the callosity its chalky white coloration. Each whale is born with a unique pattern of these rough patches which science uses to identify the whales as individuals. Not only is their appearance unique from the other whale species of the area but their blow is also somewhat unusual, as their two blowholes open up to form a V-shape blow as they exhale.
These blows can often be seen from shore, with the whales making their way into exceptionally shallow waters in our area! Sometimes on the whale watching vessels, we see them in only around 4m of water, with the whales hanging out so close to shore that the boats aren’t able to make their way into the surf. Luckily for us, however, many Southern Right Whales are curious by nature and will often take it upon themselves to come in for a closer inspection of our vessel. In past years, there have been whales in the shallows who have clocked the boat from a few hundred metres away and then proceeded to breach towards us through the swell, before eventually settling in to have a look at us.
Like all mammals, whales love their babies and when they’re small, prefer not to be too far away. Once from the rocks of De Kelders, I watched as a baby frolicked in a shallow channel a little too precarious for mother to want to navigate. As baby played, mom swam up and down in the deepest stretch she could find, making her impatience clear as she pushed herself through the water in the hopes of grabbing her baby’s attention. For over 40 minutes baby continued to ignore her, as her movements became more pronounced, before finally rejoining the cow. At this age and with these sorts of behaviors, I always compare the little ones to our boundary-pushing human toddlers.
For centuries, humans have been privy to the movements of these large whales. Today it is for us to whale watch them and gain a deeper understanding of their secret lives. Up until about the last century, however, this was because these whales were seen as a commodity or fish stock to be exploited. We once used whale oil to light up our cities, which seems unbelievable these days now that humans have gained a greater appreciation of these sentient beings that grace our shores. Whales are however not out of the woods just yet, with climate change, ship strikes, rope entanglement and increased underwater noise pollution impacting their daily lives. Despite this, great research is being done to help us better understand these threats and mitigate them. What was once the right whale to hunt has now become the right whale to watch and protect, an ongoing conservation story for the ages.
The calves are born in our waters and are fattened up here before the long migration back down south. Whale milk is extremely rich in fat, helping the babies to grow up to 3cm in a single day. They spend the first few months of life drinking, learning the ropes of being a baby whale and occasionally working on their mother’s nerves. When they’re very small, much like us, they’re not very active and are very dependent on mom but as they grow, they begin to learn to breach and use flippers and tail fins, creating one of the finest wildlife-watching spectacles off the South African coastline.
They sometimes circle boats, popping up at various intervals to the delight of all on board. Their eyesight is not their primary sense, but when they’re as close as this they’re definitely checking us out, though their excellent underwater hearing is most likely what alerted them to our presence in the first place.
Once they are big enough, mother whale will lead them to the feeding grounds where they will eventually part ways after about a year together. They will learn to feed on krill and copepods, opening their mouths wide to trap these tiny creatures in the baleen in their mouths. Baleen is the system with which they feed, with over 100 cartilage plates in their mouth forming a hairy-looking sieve that allows these gentle giants to feed on small, nutrient-rich prey.
Sound travels much faster under the water than it does above it, and whales have learned to use this to their advantage. When the whales breach, they use the force of 60 tons to create a right old racket under the water, and we sometimes see this
Mother whale is also feeding as much as she can, after living off her own body fat during her time in our waters. Baleen whales have chosen this incredible life of feast and famine, and after some years, mother whale will do it all again to bring another
Until next week!
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17 March 2021
MOTORING
F
on cars
Compiled by John Floyd
Alpine F1 Team launches 2021 campaign A
lpine F1 Team officially heralded its new era today by virtually launching its first ever entry into the FIA Formula 1 World Championship. This year’s competitor, the A521, boasts a striking livery of blue, white and red which is synonymous to Alpine’s heritage and pedigree in
motorsports. The car will be powered by the Renault E-Tech 20B 1.6L V6 engine power unit, designed and developed in Viry-Châtillon, marking 45 years of unbroken F1 activity for the French car manufacturer. The A521 is an evolution of the R.S.20, which competed in the 2020 championship. In line with the reg-
ulatory changes agreed last year in response to the global pandemic, the main structural elements of the A521 are a carry-over from last season. However, we have developed and improved every part that has not been homologated, especially the back of the car where additional changes to the Aerodynamic regulations were
imposed by the FIA. Luca De Meo, CEO Groupe Renault: “It is a true joy to see the powerful, vibrant Alpine name on a Formula One car. New colours, new managing team, ambitious plans: it’s a new beginning, building on a 40-year history.
We’ll combine Alpine’s values of authenticity, elegance and audacity with our in-house engineering & chassis expertise. That’s the beauty of racing as a works team in Formula 1. "We will compete against the biggest names, for spectacular car races made and followed by cheering enthusiasts. I can’t wait for the season to start.”
Land Rover Defender crowned Supreme Winner T
he Land Rover Defender has been named Supreme Winner Women’s World Car of the Year 2021. The triumph is the first time a Land Rover has won the top prize at the awards and is the latest in a series of international honours for the most capable Land Rover ever made. Defender remains true to the pioneering spirit that has been a Land Rover hallmark for over 70 years and redefines adventure for the 21st century. Iconic in name, shape and capability, it is available in a choice of body designs and can be personalised with a choice of four Accessory Packs to help owners make more of their world. The Women’s World Car of the Year (WWCOTY) awards are the only car awards in the world with a jury comprised exclusively of woman, with 50 motoring journalists from 38 countries on five continents recognising the best new models available. New Defender was named Best Medium SUV 2021 at the awards before being awarded – to coincide with International Women’s Day – the headline WWCOTY prize. Nick Collins, Executive Director, Vehicle Programmes, Jaguar Land
Rover said: “This is a huge honour for the whole team and a reward for the hard work that has gone into creating such a capable vehicle. Defender has won more than 50 international awards already, which tells us that our original vision for a 21st century Defender was the right one. New Defender combines an unmistakable silhouette with stateof-the-art technology in a design that respects its heritage and delivers authentic Land Rover capability. The result is a family of 4x4s that lives up to the Defender name with an efficient plug-in hybrid powertrain and our potent new Defender V8.” Marta García, Executive President Women’s World Car of the Year said, “The legend has been updated. The Land Rover Defender is no longer just a SUV to cross the Amazon or go into the desert. Its latest reinvention invites you to travel by road in the same comfort as a luxury saloon. For this reason, and for its technology and comfort it has been chosen as the Best Car of the Year by the Women's World Car of the Year.” The stripped-back personality of the original Defender has been embraced inside, with the emphasis on simplicity and practicality. Defender 110 offers five, six or 5+2 seating con-
figurations, while the 90 is capable of accommodating six occupants in a vehicle the length of a compact family hatchback. Defender’s breadth of capability raises the threshold for off-road ruggedness and on-road comfort. Underpinned by Land Rover’s strong D7x aluminium platform – the brand’s stiffest ever body structure – advanced all-terrain technologies and state-of-the-art powertrains deliver unstoppable capability. Its carefully honed handling delivers a rewarding drive and first-class long-haul comfort across all terrains, and the experts at Euro NCAP have given Defender a maximum fivestar safety rating. A choice of advanced Ingenium petrol and cleaner diesel engines ensure Defender has the power, control and efficiency for any environment, while a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) powertrain provides silent EV-only progress of up to 43km*. In addition, a powerful supercharged petrol V8 new levels of performance and driver engagement to the Defender family. State-of-the art technology ensures Defender delivers 21st century connectivity. Its next-generation
Electrical Vehicle Architecture (EVA2) works in conjunction with Software Over the Air (SOTA) to ensure Defender is always connected and always up to date. Intuitive Pivi Pro infotainment features a simple menu structure and allows the most commonly used functions to be accessed directly from the home screen, while the easily customised layouts require 50 per cent fewer inputs than before. The Defender family now encompasses the Defender 90 and Defender 110, while the new 386kW Defender V8 combines characteristic Land Rover capability with incredible performance and bespoke chassis settings
for heightened driver engagement. Since its launch, Defender has won more than 50 global accolades, including Top Gear’s 2020 Car of the Year, Motortrend’s 2021 SUV of the year and Autocar’s Best SUV 2020. *All fuel consumption and CO2 data quoted above relates to Official EU-WLTP TEL Combined Test Figures for five-seat derivatives. The figures provided are as a result of official manufacturer’s tests in accordance with EU legislation. For comparison purposes only. Real world figures may differ. CO2 and fuel economy figures may vary according to factors such as driving styles, environmental conditions, load and accessories.
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www.thevillagenews.co.za
17 March 2021
Maserati celebrates the A6G 2000
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tarting from Maserati’s roots to plan its future: the values of exclusivity, unique design and 100% Italian DNA of cars of the past are renewed today in the models that mark the Brand’s New Era.
It is in this spirit that Maserati celebrates the 70th anniversary of the A6G 2000. The first A6G 2000, a car representative of the A6 series, built by Maserati from 1947 to 1956 and named in homage to Alfieri Maserati (hence the letter A) with a 6 indicating the engine type (straight 6) was delivered exactly 70 years ago, in February 1951.
The new model was the replacement for the A6 1500 series sports car, and its name referenced the cast iron (or “ghisa”) of its crankcase (“G”) and its engine displacement of 2,000 cc. The need to increase power output in response to the general trend in the Italian market of demanding higher-performing cars, partly as a result of the country's improving economic conditions, led Maserati to convert the A6GCS two-litre engine to fully exploit the potential of the A6’s chassis. The increase in displacement compared to the previous A6 model was
achieved through precision engineering work on the bore and stroke of the straight 6. The upgraded engine, with displacement of 1,954.3 cc, achieved a power output of 90 to 100 horsepower depending on the final setup, enabling a top speed of 180 km/h, a clear manifesto of Maserati cars’ quality sports spirit. The 1950 Turin Motor Show provided the backdrop for the impressive launch of the A6G 2000, which Maserati presented in two versions: a 4-seater, 2-door sedan by Pininfarina, and a convertible designed by Pietro
Frua. Sixteen of these cars were assembled in 1950 and 1951: nine with bodywork by Pininfarina, and five convertibles and a coupé by Pietro Frua. Alfredo Vignale produced just one car, a two-tone A6G 2000 coupé, with his signature sporty stylistic features. Rear-wheel drive, a gearbox with four speeds plus reverse and a dry-mounted single disc clutch completed the characteristics of the new A6G 2000, together with the independent wheel front suspensions and rear suspensions comprising rigid axle with leaf springs. Hydraulically operated drum
brakes on all four wheels and solid steel or spoked wheels completed the carefully chosen blend of craftsmanship and technological innovation, which made this car, built for the few, an icon on the motoring scene of the time. Uniqueness, sportiness and Italian construction are all central to Maserati’s DNA and are still visible today in the new models that will characterise the coming years, with state-of-theart technological solutions. Innovative by nature, Maserati plans its future by keeping faith with its past.
17 March 2021
www.thevillagenews.co.za
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Mercedes-AMG F1 W12 E Performance Chassis • Monocoque: Moulded carbon fibre and honeycomb composite structure • Bodywork: Carbon fibre composite including engine cover, sidepods, floor, nose, front wing and rear wing • Safety Structures: Cockpit survival cell incorporating impact-resistant construction and penetration panels, front impact structure, prescribed side impact structures, integrated rear impact structure, front and rear roll structures, titanium driver protection structure (halo) • Front Suspension: Carbon fibre wishbone
and pushrod-activated torsion springs and rockers • Rear Suspension: Carbon fibre wishbone and pullrod-activated inboard springs & dampers • Wheels: OZ forged magnesium • Tyres: Pirelli • Brake System: Carbone Industries Carbon / Carbon discs and pads with rear brake-by-wire • Brake Calipers: Brembo • Steering: Power-assisted rack and pinion Transmission • Gearbox: Eight speed forward, one reverse unit with carbon fibre maincase
Power Unit Specification • Type: Mercedes-AMG F1 M12 E Performance Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) • Capacity: 1.6 litres • Cylinders: Six • Bank Angle: 90 • No of Valves: 24
• Max rpm ICE: 15,000 rpm • Max Fuel Flow Rate: 100 kg/hour (above 10,500 rpm) • Fuel Injection: High-pressure direct injection (max 500 bar, one injector/cylinder) • Pressure Charging: Single-stage compressor and exhaust turbine on a common shaft • Max rpm Exhaust Turbine: 125,000 rpm
Nissan Rogue, Maxima, Altima and Sentra earn top safety rankings from IIHS T
he 2021 Nissan Rogue, Maxima1 and Altima provide the highest level of occupant safety according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)2, each being awarded the organization’s TOP SAFETY PICK+ designation this week. The 2021 Nissan Sentra earned a TOP SAFETY PICK award, when equipped with specific headlights.
360 as standard equipment. Nissan Safety Shield® 360 is a comprehensive system of cameras, radar technology and sonar that works to monitor in front, behind and beside the vehicle as it drives, and can step in to help keep the driver and occupants safe. Both the Rogue and Sentra5 offer the most standard safety features in their respective classes.
crashworthiness tests — driver- and passenger-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraints. Award winners must be available with front crash prevention that earns a superior or advanced rating in both vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian evaluations.
All four models feature Nissan Safety Shield®
Both awards require good ratings in all six IIHS
Additionally, TOP SAFETY PICK winners must be
available with good or acceptable headlights. The “plus” designation is given to models that have good or acceptable headlights across all trim levels and packages. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is an independent, nonprofit scientific and educational organization dedicated to reducing the losses — deaths, injuries and property damage — from motor vehicle crashes.
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www.thevillagenews.co.za
17 March 2021
Toyota Urban Cruiser U
shering in the next instalment in Toyota’s passenger car expansion strategy, is the new Urban Cruiser. Conceived as a fun, affordable and compact crossover vehicle, the Urban Cruiser has been designed to play in the city during weekdays, while taking you to your next adventure on the weekend.
In addition, the Urban Cruiser is the second product of the Toyota-Suzuki alliance (following the Starlet), building upon the core model architecture, while bringing Toyota’s comprehensive dealer support, customer service and parts’ supply network to the party. Exterior Styling The Urban Cruiser features rugged urban styling replete with a raised stance, textured side- and wheel-arch mouldings and bumper guards. The front features a large radiator grille with two horizontal slats and centrally-mounted Toyota insignia – these are flanked by chrome accent strips and LED projector headlamps (standard across the range). An aggressive front bumper design features high-mounted fog lamps with a prominent contour line separating the upper and lower sections. The lower apron is finished in matte black with a silver bumper guard adding the finishing touch. The side profile continues the ‘squared-off’ look, with short overhangs that are further accentuated by the black wheel mouldings flowing into the lower bumper sections. Roof rails (where fitted) and a roof spoiler add to the ‘urban aesthetics’. Moving to the rear, large rectangular
taillights are complemented by a large tailgate garnish embossed with “Urban Cruiser”. Echoing the front, the lower apron is finished in textured black with a silver ‘diffuser’ section. Interior Styling The cabin offers a comfortable space characterised by excellent ergonomics and optimised exterior visibility. The upper fascia houses the large touchscreen infotainment system and ventilation outlets with an elegant piano-black frame. The lower section incorporates the climate control switchgear, a storage compartment and power/USB outlets. A sporty 3-spoke steering wheel (leather-sheathed for the Xr model) with metallic inserts and steering switches provides classic control. The twin-hooded instrument binnacle features easy-to-read elliptical gauges and a centrally-mounted Multi-Information Display (MID). A unique feature is the silver trim inserts with 3D cubeshaped motif, which lend an element of brightness to the dashboard and door panels. The black fabric seats feature a honeycomb pattern, with the rest of the interior finished off in hard-wearing black, featuring a textured pattern. Large door pockets, glove compartment and additional oddment binnacles provide convenient storage spaces. Weight, Dimensions & Capacities The Urban Cruiser was designed around the ‘compact on the outside, spacious on the inside’ mantra. The vehicle makes use of a relatively short overall length of 3995mm (making parking manoeuvres a breeze), combined with a wider and taller body-
shape to create a compact yet solid stance. The large rear tailgate has been designed to accommodate a large aperture – to make loading items easier. In addition, the luggage capacity of 328 litres can further be expanded by the folding rear seats. A class-leading towing capacity of 400 kg unbraked and 1100kg braked, ramps up the utility factor. Engine & Transmission The Urban Cruiser is powered by 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine delivering 77 kW and 138 Nm – providing fuss-free motoring. Fuel consumption is registered at a frugal 6.2 litres per 100km, while CO2 emissions fall within the 145 to 147 g/km range. Top speed is 170 km/h. Buyers have the option of a 5-speed manual transmission or 4-speed automatic (depending on grade chosen) - all driving the front wheels. Suspension & Chassis A traditional McPherson strut front suspension layout has been adopted, with a Torsion Beam design in the rear aiding packaging as well as manufacturing costs. The vehicle is fitted with 16-inch wheels - steel versions on the entry model and alloy for the rest – which in turn are shod with either 205-60-R16 or 215-60-R16 tyres. Grade Strategy & Specification A three-grade strategy has been adopted, using the now-familiar Toyota grade names Xi, Xs and Xr. The entry-level Xi model features keyless-entry with push start, electric windows all round, air-conditioning,
tilt-adjustable steering, power-adjustable mirrors, LED headlamps and LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL). Rear Park Distance Control (PDC) offers drivers additional peace of mind. The aforementioned touchscreen infotainment system features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, allowing users seamless smartphone connectivity. With this functionality, occupants can access and display Google Maps, Waze and Apple Maps for navigational duty while also streaming their favourite music from apps such as Apple Music, Spotify, SoundCloud and JOOX. Text and messaging-service messages can be read out to the user, with speech-to-text functionality ensuring safe communication while driving. Bluetooth, Aux and USB inputs are also catered for. The mid-tier Xs model adds alloy wheels, roof rails, body-coloured door handles, power-retractable mirrors and rear window wiper with demister function. On the inside, the Xs offers auto air-conditioning (climate control) and reverse camera, a secondary glove compartment, rear armrest and 60:40 split backrest. Serving as the flagship of the range, the Xr inherits LED fog lamps, automatic headlights, cruise control, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, rain-sensing wipers, dual 12-volt power outlets, front armrest, leather steering wheel and the inclusion of two tweeter speakers. The convenience factor is also amplified by glove box illumination, a cooled storage compartment, map reading and front foot well lights, as well as luggage compartment illumination.
Safety & Security The safety and security specs include ABS and EBD, side protection beams, driver and passenger airbags and ISOFIX. An alarm and immobilser system is also included on all models. Toyota Connect & MyToyota App All Urban Cruiser models are also equipped with the Toyota Connect telematics system which includes an in-car Wi-Fi hotspot and complimentary 15Gb data. Once linked to their profile, customers can manage their vehicle via the MyToyota App. This intuitive app allows on-demand service bookings, vehicle information and history, tracking data as well as Toyota Connect data recharge services and much more. As communicated in November 2020, Toyota Connect now also provides access to the MyEntertainment suite of e-services. This includes Videoplay (Video streaming) and MyMuze (Music streaming) services, that offer Toyota customers an improved ownership experience with enhanced connectivity and added-value. Model line-up & Pricing Urban Cruiser 1.5 Xi MT – R 247 900 Urban Cruiser 1.5 Xs MT – R 267 800 Urban Cruiser 1.5 Xs AT – R 289 000 Urban Cruiser 1.5 Xr MT – R 294 500 Urban Cruiser 1.5 Xr AT – R 315 700 Warranty & Maintenance All Urban Cruiser models are sold with a 3-services/45 000 km service plan. A 3-year/100 000 km warranty is also provided. Service intervals are pegged at 12 months/15 000 km. Customers can purchase an additional service plan and warranty options via the extensive dealer network of 220.
