The Village NEWS 19 Dec - 8 Jan

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What's in our night skies

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19 DECEMBER 2018

What's On Overberg

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Your best holiday reads

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#ALLOVEROVERBERG We’ve Got You Covered

Tread lightly on our beaches

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THE VILLAGE

NEWS

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Local children, Kamran Laing (8), Stefan Theart (8), Liné Maree (2), Monique Theart (4), Emaine Scott (6) and Jani Maree (6) enjoyed their first beach day of the school holidays at Voëlklip Beach on Saturday.

PHOTO: Taylum Meyer

Perfect solution waiting to happen Writer Raphael da Silva

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fter what can be described politically and economically as an annus horribilis in the history of Hermanus, there is light at the end of the tunnel.

“The more I listen, the more I think that Hermanus has a perfect solution waiting to happen, rather than a huge problem waiting to happen,” said Western Cape Premier Helen Zille after meeting with stakeholders on Saturday, 15 December.

This follows a protest march by Overstrand Unite (OU) on Friday, 7 De-

cember to demand, amongst other things, the resignation of Municipal Manager Coenie Groenewald and the dissolution of council.

After travelling to Hermanus during the strike to speak to the marchers, Zille agreed to meet with OU again on Saturday to discuss their grievances. After the meeting, seven resolutions were adopted together with an undertaking from the premier to visit Zwelihle and Mount Pleasant on Tuesday, 18 December to talk to disgruntled residents who are unhappy with service and housing deliver (Read more on P3).

According to Masizole Mnqasela,

Member of the Provincial Parliament for the Overstand, Saturday’s meeting took place in an environment where robust and divergent views were welcomed.

“The debate that ensued was unhindered and all the resolutions were agreed upon unanimously and, most importantly, in good faith. This will form the basis for our discussions in the next multi-stakeholder forum in the new year when the Premier will once again give specific feedback.

“It must be noted that in future, councillors, the Hermanus Business Chamber, Hermanus Ratepayers Association, the newly-formed Whale

Coast Business and Community Forum, Overstrand Unite, Zwelihle Renewal and Whale Coast Conservation, among others, will be invited to all meetings. Our main objective is to create an environment for cooperation, to encourage dialogue, and foster social cohesion,” he said.

With regards to the protests that rocked Hermanus this year and led to severe financial losses for businesses, Zille said: “The Constitution is very clear that no one has the right to protest violently, and no one has the right to undermine the rights of others, although they do have the right to protest and they do have a

right to present petitions and grievances.”

As for the allegations about poor delivery on housing she said: “Violence and problems always arise around the issue of those who don’t qualify, because those who do qualify have no problems. Nowhere in the world, I must be frank with you, can you move from one town to another and just occupy any site you like and demand a house and services.

"It can’t work like that. Otherwise, it’s complete chaos. These are personal choices and they have personal consequences.”

Continues on P3

19 December 2018

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Muni must be able to expropriate land From P 1 One of the main issues that was highlighted during the protests was the availability of land for future housing developments.

Western Cape Human Settlements MEC Bonginkosi Madikizela has indicated that Schulphoek near Sandbaai, one of the main areas of contention, may be expropriated with compensation. However, according to legislation, a municipality may not expropriate land after it has sold it.

In 2010 the Schulphoek land was sold to the developers Rabcav for R5,3 million cash and “facilitation fees” of R1 million. As part of the deal, Rabcav was tasked with installing bulk services to the value of R17,5 million. It has been reported that Rabcav has subsequently sold the land to Cape Metropolitan who are now demanding R45 million.

Zille, however, said that she would like to go to court to argue that the Overstrand Municipality should be able to expropriate the Schulphoek land since the development purpose for which the land was originally sold has never happened. “The provincial government has done careful calculations about the value of Schulphoek and we have concluded that we can pay R20 million, but that offer has been refused.”

She said according to legal opinion provinces have no expropriation powers. “The municipality and national government, however,

have expropriation powers. The current advice from the legal advisor is that the municipality originally sold the land, so it cannot expropriate it. That does not make legal sense to me because circumstances change. I would like to go to court and say that the municipality must be able to expropriate that property.”

Residents of Paradise Park on the edge of the Vermont salt pan should also hear what future steps will be taken in the week of 17 January.

Expropriation with compensation remains one of the options under consideration.

Zille said South Africa has 7 million registered personal taxpayers in South Africa, while there are 17 million people who receive grants every month. “There’s no other country in the world where the ratio of grant recipients and taxpayers is so skewed. For that reason, the priority is economic growth because if there isn’t economic growth, there are no taxes. If there are no taxes, government has no money.

“So, we need people who pay for services and who pay property rates, as there is no such thing as free services. Free is subsidised by somebody else. The critical thing in a municipality is to keep the balance between people who are subsidising and those who are subsidised. If the people who have been subsidising disappear, businesses will close down and there won’t be free anything at all. Therefore, we have to ensure that people with skills and capital want to stay here because that is the critical rates base you draw on for everything else," said Zille.

Seven resolutions agreed with Premier Zille Writer Raphael da Silva Seven resolutions were agreed upon at a meeting held on 15 December at the offices of the Overstrand Municipality between Overstrand Unite, Whale Coast Conservation, Western Cape Premier Helen Zille, Overstrand Executive Mayor Dudley Coetzee and MPP Mazizole Mnqasela.

In a press release sent by Mnqasela, he said that these resolutions are:

1. An independent, neutral, and impartial professional mediator will be appointed to facilitate engagements with all stakeholders in order to bring about a peaceful and lasting resolution of conflicts in Hermanus.

2. The establishment of an Ombudsman Office.

We will investigate the modalities of how it can best work, based on evidence-based systems.

This will be done in such a way that the office is completely impartial in conducting its business.

3. The Premier will come and do a presentation on the Conradie Better Living Model currently under way in Pinelands, Cape Town. She will also speak about a possible moratorium on sale of municipal public land on sites that are conducive for cross-subsidisation and diversification of housing opportunities.

4. Premier Helen Zille, MPP Masizole Mnqasela, and Mayor Dudley Coetzee planned to visit Zwelihle and Mount Pleasant on Tuesday, 18 December, to look at the instances of people (families) who have not moved into their homes despite being allocated a subsidy and being on the approved beneficiary list. There have been reports that these allegations are due in part to alleged corrupt practices. The aim of this visit was to get to the bottom of the

corruption allegations in the housing allocation system at the municipality.

5. The Premier will obtain a legal opinion on constituting a Municipal Planning Tribunal.

6. The Premier will further seek a legal opinion on the validity of the contract of the municipal manager as amended by Council in 2017.

7. The Premier will investigate the monitoring and evaluation systems put in place by the municipality for the performance management of the directors of the municipality.”

For a further update on Premier Zille’s visit on 18 December, visit www.thevillagenews. co.za or our Facebook site The Village NEWS.

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19 December 2018

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Refuse, recycling and roadblocks – what you should know

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Northcliff, houses in the CBD and Hermanus Industrial Area • FRIDAY: Hawston, Eastcliff, Hermanus Heights, Kwaaiwater.

RECYCLING Despite the fact that it has no active recycling programme at the moment, Overstrand Municipality is appealing to all residents and visitors to keep on recycling.

The refuse collection schedule for Hangklip-Kleinmond: MONDAY: Betty’s Bay, Pringle Bay, Rooi-Els, Kleinmond • TUESDAY: Proteadorp, Extension 6, Overhills, Mountain View.

All recyclables collected with household refuse will be dumped at the Karwyderskraal landfill site, but recyclables (cardboard, paper, glass and plastic) can be taken to Walker Bay Recycling at the new sorting depot in Argon Street, Sandbaai Industrial. Contact Jacques van Niekerk on 083 452 7465 for more information.

The refuse collection schedule for Stanford: TUESDAY: North of De Bruyn Street • THURSDAY: South of De Bruyn Street.

o ensure a pleasant and safe festive season for residents and visitors alike, please take note of the following information:

The Municipality is going ahead with the planning of a new recycling facility so that the full ‘clear plastic bag’ service for recyclable refuse can be made available again soon.

REFUSE COLLECTION Residents and businesses should take note that household refuse should only be placed outside on the pavement on the day of collection. If it is left on the sidewalk for days on end, it not only looks untidy but is often torn apart and could cause a health hazard.

The refuse collection schedule for Hermanus: MONDAY: Vermont, Fisherhaven, Voëlklip • TUESDAY: Onrus, Chanteclair, Berghof, Sandbaai, Hemel-en-Aarde • WEDNESDAY: Zwelihle, Mount Pleasant • THURSDAY: Westcliff,

The refuse collection schedule for Gansbaai: MONDAY: Pearly Beach • TUESDAY: De Kelders, Masakhane, Beverly Hills • WEDNESDAY: Franskraal • THURSDAY: Kleinbaai, Baardskeerdersbos • FRIDAY: Gansbaai, Perlemoen Bay, Masakhane, Beverly Hills.

EXPECT ROADBLOCKS Wear seatbelts, don’t drink and drive and obey all traffic rules – this is the message local authorities emphasised again this year ahead of the festive season.

Overstrand Municipality’s Traffic officials joined the Western Cape Department of Transport and Public Works (DTPW), the Theewaterskloof and Cape Agulhas municipalities, the South African Police Service Overberg Cluster, and all relevant emergency and disaster management services to launch the regional integrated traffic operational plan for the festive season in Caledon on 11 December.

With new in-vehicle technology, traffic officers in the Overberg District will be working around the clock to help create safer roads. These motor vehicles are fitted with new patrol radios, “officer in distress” activation, and a tracking system to perform a multitude of functions like live camera surveillance, automatic number plate recognition, and public transport operating licence monitoring.

Roadblocks in Overstrand will be unavoidable as “we are sending out a clear message: reckless drivers and chancers will face the consequences of their actions,” said Senior Superintendent of Traffic Services Xen Titus. He urged road users not to drive under the influence of alcohol.

“If you intend to consume alcohol, make alternative arrangements so that you will not have to get behind the wheel.”

Also remember not to leave items such as cell phones, wallets and other valuables in plain sight, unattended or on the seat next to you.

EMERGENCY NUMBERS • SAPS: 10111 from a Telkom line; 112 from a cell phone • Overstrand Municipality's 24-hour control room: 028 313 8111 / 8000 • Day-to-day law enforcement complaints: 028 313 8996 • Fire department: 028 312 2400

Your local Overberg IT support company Bring this advert in to receive a

DISCOUNT at our store!

Repairs | Software | OS Training | Servicing | Updates T: 082 454 8329 E: rbradshaw@vodamail.co.za A: 24 Green Mountain Estate, Sandbaai

HELP KEEP BABOONS WILD AND OUT OF TOWN: • Place refuse bags in baboon-proof bins or drop them at a transfer station; • Don’t leave food on display in your house or leave pet food outside; • Secure your property by making sure that your doors and windows are closed, or that bars have gaps of no wider than 6 cm; • If confronted by a baboon, remain calm and make sure it has an escape route; • Don’t try to snatch something back.

TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES ON 26 DECEMBER Hermanus is exptected to be particularly busy on Wednesday, 26 December, with the Summer Colour Run and the Summer Night Market at the Hermanus Country Market taking place in the vicinity of Hermanus High School at overlapping times.

Temporary road closures will impact some routes between 15:30 – 17:00: • Complete closure of Mountain Drive from Gateway Centre’s traffic lights up to the 3-way stop at Hoy’s Koppie where the road meets José Burman Drive; • Partial closure (one lane) of Marine Drive between Misty Wave Boutique Hotel and the Marine Hotel.

19 December 2018

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Community brings hope to pigs in need Writer Raphael da Silva

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ere it not for the charitable and selfless actions of residents and members of the municipal law enforcement task force, the suffering of some 200 pigs would have been prolonged.

What was supposed to be a well-intended project went horribly wrong after land that had been made available for the temporary shelter of pigs, turned into something worse than a pigsty.

While all the facts are not yet clear, The Village NEWS has been able to establish the following: 1.

2.

3.

Last week, after receiving a call from a concerned resident, The Village NEWS went to visit a piggery project located on Overstrand Municipality property in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. The site was supposed to be used for the temporary housing for 70 pigs from Zwelihle and Hawston, but nearly two years later it is still operating, with the majority of the approximately 200 animals suffering because of inhumane conditions due to a lack of food, water, shade, dry land and, in some cases, adequate space.

After the conditions at the site became known last week, several members of the public immediately volunteered to assist the animals by providing food, water and bales of hay. An online plea for help also immediately resulted in donations, with readers either sponsoring feed at discounted prices or donating cash.

Many of the animals were sick or had injuries.

A local vet who was alerted to their plight by concerned members of the community, went to the site to treat the animals. He has also written a report with a recommendation for the NSPCA, the National Council of SPCAs in South Africa, which is legally empowered by Parliament to take action. The case is now in the hands of the NSPCA.

4.

5.

In 2016 or early 2017, Zwelihle village farmers were asked to move an existing piggery to temporary municipal land. At the time, 70 pigs were moved to this site.

Since then, the project has grown and there are now between 12 and 17 farmers from Hawston and Zwelihle who are keeping pigs on the property.

In March last year a report was published on the conditions that the pigs were being kept in. A media report quoted Municipal Manager Coenie Groenewald as saying: “The aforesaid place of safety where the pigs are housed, is municipal land, but we are indemnified by the owners of the pigs of any responsibility."

Mention was also made of the fact that most of the owners were not visiting their pigs daily to feed and water them.

Concerns were raised about the welfare of the people who ate the pork after the pigs were slaughtered due to the chances of disease transmission.

At the time, the municipality said they would be giving notice to the farmers to vacate the property within a reasonable period of time. If they did not comply, legal steps would be taken.

In September 2018, the conditions were once again brought to the attention of the municipality, specifically Local Economic Development (LED).

It is expected that a meeting under the auspices of the NSPCA with all stakeholders, including the farmers, law enforcement, the police, and LED will be held soon to agree on the way forward.

GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY Tucked up in the hills of the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley is a small office, the half-constructed appearance of which belies the power of the team who work there. Home to a small team from municipal law enforcement headed by Assistant Chief Johan du Toit these officers have built a reputation over the years that goes beyond just carrying out their official duties. When word went out that help was needed, Johan and his team immediately sprang into action. Working after hours, without overtime, using their own resources, and often with very little sleep, these men organised and distributed feed for the distressed pigs. Coming in as early as 05:00 before their shift begins or even after finishing an overnight shift, the team have organised for bulldozers and trucks to clean the area, for sand to be brought in to provide dry relief land for the pigs to stand on and have assisted in watering the animals, along with other volunteers. They have even gone so far as to administer veterinary shots to the sick and injured animals.

When asked why his team gets involved, Johan modestly replies: “We like to help all in need. It’s just in my team’s nature.”

From left are Justen Maarman, Johan du Toit, Fronwen Marais, Rodwen Telling, Herchell Mert and Maison Camphor.

THE RIGHTS OF ANIMALS

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Freedom from thirst, hunger and malnutrition.

• Freedom to express normal behaviour.

• Freedom from discomfort.

• Freedom from fear and distress.

• Freedom from pain, injury or disease.

Source: National Council of SPCAs The SPCA is the only animal welfare organisation in South Africa regulated by an Act of Parliament (SPCA Act of 1993). SPCA Inspectors are empowered to enforce the Animals Protection Act of 1962, the Performing Animals Protection Act of 1935, and all other legislation related to the keeping, transportation, selling and use of animals.

Their key duties are to: • Rescue animals in need.

• Investigate cases of animal cruelty or abuse of animals.

• Act on complaints from the public.

• Proactively inspect the condition of domestic and other animals, including livestock, wildlife and exotic animals.

• Inspect the establishments in which animals are kept.

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Playing with the big boys Writer Tweet Gainsborough-Waring

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oëlklip husband and wife team Kevin Ovenstone and Els Vermeulen are into nature conservation in a BIG way. Els has a passion for Southern Right whales and as a marine mammal biologist conducts research and monitors the South African population of these mammoths of the deep off the Southern Cape coast.

Kevin, on the other hand, has recently returned from Asia where he has been championing the rights of elephants. He spent time in Laos and Thailand training mahouts and educating owners and other stakeholders about their welfare.

Elephants Born in South Africa, Kevin was brought up in Colorado in the US. After training as a paramedic, he moved back to South Africa and worked for Metro EMS in Cape Town.

In 2007 he became a ship’s medic on seismic survey vessels, which he did for six and a half years, taking him to oceans and seas around the world.

And it was while on a vessel in the Mediterranean that he met Els, who was working as a marine mammal consultant.

It was his love for horses that attracted Kevin to the evidence-based scientific training methods of Australian, Dr Andrew Mclean, so during an offshore stint he took time out to participate in a three-month student programme with Dr Mclean before returning to the ships. A year and a half later he and Els moved to the Australian Equine Behaviour Centre in Victoria, where he worked as a trainer for two years. During this time Els completed her PhD on bottle-nosed dolphins.

In 2014 when the couple moved back to Cape Town, Kevin set up a horse-training business, Equitation Science Africa. Els worked as Research Manager and a post-doctoral research fellow for the Whale Unit of the University of Pretoria’s Mammal Research Institute, based in Wynberg.

But Els was keen to experience life in a smaller rural town. Hermanus seemed the perfect place since it was close to the Southern Right whales, and well, Kevin could find horses pretty much anywhere. It was not long before Dr McLean came back into his life in the form of the Human Elephant Learning Programmes (H-elp) which he and Laurie Pond had founded in Australia in 2010.

Its aim is to improve the welfare of working elephants using humane, evidence-based training initiatives.

Training programmes held in various Asian countries had already sparked greater awareness around the need for better elephant training and care.

When Kevin became aware of this project, he realised that all that was needed was to adapt horse training to the size of the elephant.

“Elephants,” he says, “although much slower than horses in their movements, are pretty quick learners.” He

says one of the biggest challenges is to gain control of the trunk which almost has a life of its own, ending up in strange and sometimes embarrassing places!

This year the H-elp team, including Kevin, visited Laos where it went to the Mandalao Sanctuary and the Elephant Village near Luang Prabang.

Hands-on workshops were held and practical work including role-play took place in the mornings with visual presentations in the afternoons.

RIGHT: The H-elp training programme was not without challenges as many of the participants in Laos were illiterate and could not understand English.

Kevin captured this delightful moment of a young mahout lying on the back of his elephant while studying the handbook published in English and the local language.

It was Kevin’s task to demonstrate the techniques used for training the elephants and the mahouts were given a chance to show what their elephants could do. While they were mostly obedient, their response time to commands was an area which needed a lot of work.

Traditionally, in Asian countries, elephant training has often been brutal.

Elephants could be severely punished with a sharp stick called an ankus for not giving the correct response. Kevin says it is not unusual to see rescued elephants with injuries to their heads and bodies as a result of this. The new gentle way of training meant the animals would not have horrifying memories, which are known to resurface, sometimes resulting in serious injury to the offending mahout.

“Although elephants are part of Asian culture and have been working for centuries, there will always be controversy over issues like should they be free and should they be ridden,” says Kevin. “But through the work of H-elp we are doing our best to ensure that owners, trainers and other stakeholders follow the ‘Five Freedoms’ principles, as prescribed by the Animal Welfare Act.” These are: freedom from hunger and thirst; freedom from discomfort; freedom from pain, injury or disease; freedom to express normal behaviour and freedom from fear and distress.

The training programme was not without challenges as many of the participants were illiterate and could not understand English. Kevin recalled a delightful moment of a mahout lying on the back of his elephant while studying the handbook published in English and the local language.

As a result of previous training programmes the use of the sharp ankus was no longer allowed in Laos; in Thailand, however, there was still a bit of work to be done in improving the lot of the working elephant – something Kevin says he is looking forward to getting involved in.

Further information on this program can be obtained from: https://h-elp.org/ Southern Right Whales As we know, this has been a bumper year for whales along our coast.

As Els mentions, there seem to be strong correlations between numbers and weather events, for example in 2009/10 there was a strong El Nino when a big decrease in unaccompanied adults was noted. In 2014/15 a

MIDDLE: Kevin and Els inside the Whale House, the base from which she conducts her research on whales.

ABOVE: Kevin explaining the H-elp Training method to a mahout in Laos.

super El Nino coincided with a crash in the number of calves and the lowest-ever count of unaccompanied adults.

The El Nino phenomenon affects plankton which is eaten by krill which, in turn, are eaten by whales; thus, inadequate nutrition is thought to have adversely affected the calving intervals of the females, changing it from a three-year cycle to a four/fiveyear cycle. It is estimated that this year 40% of the South African female Southern Right population calved.

The huge number of calves this year could see lower numbers next year as a result of the longer calving intervals.

Looking to the future, Els says researchers are hoping to tag whales

next year to follow their movements more exactly – a costly process.

The ‘Adopt a Whale’ project has been launched not only to bring in much-needed funding but also to foster community involvement in the conservation of whales.

Els is a firm believer in bringing scientific research into the realm of ordinary people. To do this it has to be couched in non-scientific language. A children’s book about dolphins, Dolphins of the Bay was self-funded by Els and published while she was doing her PhD research on bottle-nosed dolphins in Argentina. Not only was the book a success with children, but it had a spinoff when politicians took heed of the conservation needs of dolphins.

Els has recently moved to a new base

in the Hermanus Whale House, where she not only continues her research but is also available to answer questions from locals and tourists about whales. The coast of South Africa, with over 30 species of cetaceans, is recognised as a global hotspot for cetacean diversity. It is this contrast and diversity of life which makes for an exciting research environment.

She hopes people will become more aware of the behaviour of these fascinating animals, the threats to the species and what can be done to protect them.

Visit us on www.thevillagenews.co.za for more stories.

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19 December 2018

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What is up there at night?

Writer Lia Labuschagne

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re you on holiday here in the Overstrand and looking up in the evenings at our lovely Southern night skies? Or do you live here and simply want to know more about what you are seeing at night?

No, you don’t have to buy expensive equipment to enjoy the experience.

All that you need are a few facts and a place to look up into the night sky without too many street or other lights blocking your view. At most, a good pair of binoculars will help you see more.

For the moment, let’s just enjoy the thought of a lazy, warm summer’s evening looking at the stars and some planets.

Fewer stars, meteors and even satellites will be visible on, or close to, nights when there is a full moon.

Full moon is on 22 December this month – and it also coincides with the December Solstice, when the sun would have reached its Southernmost position in the sky. It marks the first day of summer in the Southern Hemisphere. After 22 December, daylight time will grow slightly shorter every day.

It seems difficult to make out anything specific among the many stars, but with a little practice and a map, it becomes easier. We include the handy chart made available by the Iziko Planetarium. It shows the brightest stars as they appear at 21:00 in December – so, later in the night, things will look slightly different, because the stars slowly ‘revolve’ or move in the sky according to our perspective, to set in the West. Clearly, the lines on the map do not exist in the sky – but following them will help you find some of the objects.

At the moment the most clearly recognisable constellation is Orion, also known as the Hunter. Look for it slightly towards the East early in the evening. It is easy to recognise by the four bright stars forming its outline, but especially by the three bright central stars, also called the ‘belt’ of Orion. Many people in South Africa know these three stars as the ‘Three Kings’, possibly because it re-

minds them of the three kings of the Christmas story. Look closely and you will see, above the belt (because it is ‘upside down’ for us), three more stars that are called the sword of Orion.

Through binoculars or a small telescope you might see that the central ‘star’ is in fact something different – a beautiful nebulous area where many new stars are being born.

Orion moves higher throughout the night, and then slowly sinks into the west. Near it (towards the North) is the beautiful grouping called the Pleiades – also known as the Seven Sisters, isiLimela, or Subaru, as well as the bright, reddish star called Aldebaran, the so-called ‘eye’ of Taurus, the Bull.

Towards its East or Southeast is the brightest star in the heavens. It is called Sirius, or the ‘Dog Star’ and is the brightest star of the Canis Major (‘Greater Dog’) constellation. The names that humans have given to the constellations reflect what people in the past saw as ‘recognisable’ patterns – and many of them carry names relating to Greek mythology.

Sirius is actually relatively close to our sun – ‘only’ 6.8 light years away. That is why it shines so brightly for us.

While looking up, you might sometimes notice a shooting star. If it moves very quickly, it is likely to be a meteor – and closer to Christmas, it could be one of the meteors coming from the Ursids Meteor Shower. There are not many of them (only about 5 to 10 meteors per hour) produced by dust grains left behind by Comet Tuttle (first discovered in 1790). Early in January, the ‘shooting stars’ could be part of the Quadrantids Meteor Shower.

However, if you see an object that moves slowly and for quite a distance before it starts fading and then disappears, you may be looking at a satellite.

Early risers may see Venus before dawn. At the moment, it is a bright ‘morning star’ rising in the East around 03:00, and reddish Mars is visible high in the sky. In late January,

RIGHT: Orion with some names inserted.

PHOTO: Rogelio Bernal Andreo and NASA there will be a lovely sight just before sunrise when the two bright planets, Venus and Jupiter will appear to be almost on top of one another (22 January). Seen from here, they will rise in the East at around 02:30.

A little more challenging: Comet 46/P Wirtanen is visible throughout December from all over the world, because it is close to the Pleiades and Aldebaran. However, its path will cause it to dip below our horizon shortly after Christmas.

The Andromeda Galaxy is very far away – almost 2.5 million light years from us. However, it is huge and known as the ‘larger brother’ of our Milky Way. Look for it currently near the Great Square of Pegasus (our map shows where to find it). It is easily visible through binoculars, and many people can even see it with the naked eye as a ‘fuzzy blob’.

WISHING ALL OUR CUSTOMERS A BLESSED FESTIVE SEASON!

FABRIC • BEDDING • HOMEWARE CLOTHING • GIFTS • CARPETS HERMANUS FACTORY SHOP 62 MAIN ROAD, HERMANUS T 028 312 3265 • E hfshop.co.za

More information: • One place to look for more information about the 88 official constellations is www.assabfn.co.za/spacetides/constellations/orion. htm • Interested? Read more on local names for objects, visit https://assa.saao.ac.za/astronomy-in-south-africa/ethnoastronomy/ • More information about comets, satellites and others: https://heavens-above.com/main.aspx and www.spaceweather.com • Local astronomical society: www.hermanusastronomy.co.za

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HIT US WITH YOUR BEST SHOT WINNER

19 December 2018

PHOTO: Marius van Dyk

PHOTO: Waldo Uys

#AllOverOverberg Photo Competition We are asking you to "hit us with your best shot" once again in

PHOTO: Erika Nielsen

Congratulations to Waldo Uys (15) on his winning photograph of a man at the Hermanus Taxi Rank (left). He wins a breakfast for two at Groves Café.

Close behind him in second place is Erika Nielsen with her Cape Sugarbird (above), and Marnus van Dyk in third place with his smiling seals at the Hermanus New Harbour (above right).

Well done to all who entered – it was not easy to choose the winners!

PHOTO: Taylum Meyer

The Rotary Club of Hermanus held their 50th Carols by Candlelight on Saturday 15 December at the Old Harbour. The choir once again consisted of volunteers from the community, with local resident and renowned musical producer, Janine Neethling leading the choir.

This year they were joined by Dirk Weich, who added to the atmosphere of the evening with his trumpet. Hundreds of people, including visitors to Hermanus, filled every space available in front of the stage and joined in the singing of joyous Christmas carols.

our Sizzling Summer competition! Send your photos showing the beauty of the Overberg and its people to taylum@thevillagenews.co.za. Entries close 25 January 2019.

REQUIREMENTS: • Photographs should be at least 1 MB in size - smaller photos will not be entered • No over-editing • No more than five photographs per entrant will be accepted • Your name and surname must be included in the email as well as a short description of the photo (where it was taken, what is happening in the photo, etc.)

PHOTO: Jessica Pote

The annual NSRI Station 17's Family Day took place at the New Harbour on Sunday 16 December. Richard Lindeque (a training crew member at the station) arrived on a red and yellow "sleigh" (no reindeer required) and enthralled the children in his Santa guise. On his sleigh were gifts for the children, which were handed out at the station. Volunteers and their families were then treated to a spit-braai as a thank you from NSRI headquarters for their time and dedication throughout the year

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Bringing kindness to the Christmas table Writer Elaine Davie

O

n 25 December each year we commemorate the birth of the Prince of Peace, the man who owned nothing, but gave everything. And surely the essence of loving-kindness is sharing what we have with a stranger and expecting nothing in return.

Those of us who love Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol will recall how the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge is allowed a glimpse into the home of his impoverished clerk, Bob Cratchett as he and his family sit around a threadbare table and with good cheer share the little they have over Christmas dinner, while he, with an excess of worldly goods, remains alone and joyless in his avarice.

For over a decade now, Elvia Bury, together with many of the churches of Greater Hermanus, has undertaken a project that shares Christmas dinners with needy people through-

out the community. They believe that everyone has the right, at least at this special time of the year, to enjoy a good meal prepared with care and love. The churches invite their congregants to set an extra place at their Christmas tables and to share the food that guest would have enjoyed with a stranger.

Elvia Bury and Fikiswa Gxamesi, collaborators in the collection and distribution of Christmas dinners for the needy.

PHOTO: Taylum Meyer

The churches make sure they supply each of the needy people in their own congregations with a Christmas meal to enjoy on the Day of Goodwill, then donate the surplus to Mrs Bury’s project. All these meals, packed carefully into an ice cream container or similar, will be dropped off on 26 December at the palm tree at the Gateway Centre between 10:00 and 12:00.

“In addition to the dinners supplied by the churches,” says Elvia Bury, “several people in the town make very generous monetary donations which allow us to buy usually between 50 and 60 cooked chickens at a discounted price from Pick n Pay and some of the other supermarkets. But it’s not only tasty meat and vegetables we like to send to people, but anything else to make the dinner special – perhaps fruit, dessert, sweets..."

able to distribute several hundred packs each year, but the more we get, the more we can give.

If there are any private individuals who would like to participate in this project independently, we would be so grateful if they, too, could drop off their dinners at the Gateway Centre on the Day of Goodwill.

From there the containers will be transported to the Youth Café in Zwelihle where William Ntebe and Fikiswa Gxamesi will ensure that they are distributed throughout the region as far away as Karwyderskraal, Fisherhaven and the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley.

Most of the recipients are either elderly people living on their own or in institutions, the disabled, the homeless, or unemployed families.

“People in Hermanus are very generous,” says Elvia, “and we are usually

“Those who cannot provide a meal, but may want to make a financial contribution, are welcome to do so, on the same day, at the Gateway Centre. Also, if anyone knows of a particular person who should receive

Spreading the love Local residents Michael Raimondo and his fiancée, Justine du Toit, decided to bring some Christmas cheer to the Madina camp, a small informal settlement in Hawston, last week. The couple, who runs a small soup kitchen for this community every Thursday, turned it into a festive occasion by hosting a braai.

“It was a beautiful and humbling experience to spend a few hours with the community, sharing a meal and chatting about life,” says Michael.

Michael and Justine are the founders, along with two other partners, of Green Renaissance, a small company focusing on the production of wildlife and environmental documentary films.

The philosophy behind Green Renaissance is to promote a sustainable way of life in harmony with nature and to offer something meaningful to the world they live in.

They left each member of the community with a Bag of Love from the Eastcliff Spar, which they describe as “a wonderful project that

enables everyone to give something to those less privileged this festive season”.

The Bags of Love contain an assortment of basic food-stuffs such as rice, sugar, mealie meal, beans, tea bags, peanut butter, cooking oil and salt. They are provided by Bern van Niekerk, owner of Eastcliff Spar, who subsidises the Bags of Love to make them available at a special price of R185 each. Initiated by the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, the project is now in its 11th year, with the bags being distributed prior to Christmas across all our needy communities.

While doing their shopping, customers can simply request the cashier to add the cost of a Bag of Love and Spar’s personnel will pack the bag on your behalf.

For more information, contact Terry McCarthy on 083 2558614, Des Collins on 082 8241058 or Bruce Fraser on 083 2703230.

Michael Raimondo and Justine du Toit with the Madina community near Hawston (above) who were treated to a Christmas braai and a generous donation of Bags of Love (right).

a parcel, we would be pleased if they could give us the person’s name and address.”

So this year more than any other, let us lay aside our anger and despondency and make this a Christmas of kindness when no one is forgotten and the bounty of our town is shared amongst all.

Contact the United Church on 028 312 2717.

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19 December 2018

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LET’S TALK T: 028 312 2020 A: 8 Arum St, Hermanus Industrial

GAS DELIVERIES

Muni not as fraught with failures as Fryer makes out Mr Rob Fryer's letter "Civil unrest exposes failures of the municipality" (The Village News of 12 December) refers.

He makes various derogatory accusations against the Overstrand Municipality, but his ignorance of the law is glaringly obvious as will become clear when analysing but just one topic, namely the alleged irregular appointment of the municipal manager and senior managers(directors).

He quotes from the Municipal Systems Act that had already been amended in 2008 – 10 years ago. The term of office of a municipal manager since that date is "...for a fixed term of employment up to a maximum of five years, not exceeding a period ending one year after the election of the next council of the municipality." Not two years as stated by Mr Fryer.

Senior managers (directors) since 2008 do not have to be appointed on five-year fixed term contracts as claimed by Mr Fryer and the regulations covering the appointment of senior managers specifically refer to both fixed term and permanent contracts (Regulation 8(1)).

It is a blatant lie that the present municipal manager was appointed

Sandbaai – Cinderella of Hermanus beaches

and comprehensive legal prescriptions which are monitored by the Joint Audit and Performance Audit Committee and which committee includes highly qualified and very competent members of the public.

The Auditor-General also does a very comprehensive performance audit based on the performance management plan, the performance agreements and the Service Delivery and Budget Implementation Plan (SDBIP) as prescribed in the Municipal Finance Management Act.

until "retirement age" – his initial employment contract was concluded in accordance with the Systems Act for a term of probably less than five years and, on expiry of that term, for a further term of less than five years.

It is a further lie that he was appointed on 20 December 2010 as I was still the Municipal Manager at that stage and my own contract only expired at the end of December 2011.

Another lie is that it was on "own recommendation" of the officials. Prior to the 2010 meeting referred to there was a strategic planning workshop, facilitated by an external service provider, where it was agreed by the elected councillors (the directors having recused themselves at that stage) that directors would be appointed on a permanent basis as allowed for by the amended act.

All the volunteers work hard to ensure that all the donations are sorted, priced and displayed as quickly as

A big thank you for all the donations and please continue to remember Hospice whenever you do your spring cleaning. Volunteers are the lifeblood of Hospice and we’ll happily

Secondly, our kelp problem is really a concern for the holiday period so please can the guys that rake it up be more thorough in clearing the bathing area of this heap of kelp which is sometimes like an obstacle one has to struggle through to get to the water.

iday makers) who are just dumping big black bags of their household rubbish at the beach dustbins: You should feel ashamed of your tardiness as this affects the locals and their dogs and spoils an already very basic beachfront area.

Fourthly, Sandbaai beach was not mentioned in the list of beaches with lifeguards. Yes, we do have two very nice young men monitoring Sandbaai beach, thank you guys.

Thirdly, to the people (possibly hol-

Verna Watton, Sandbaai

One must in the light of the above exposition firstly question his "competence" as a self-professed legal expert and secondly whether he had a mandate from Whale Coast Conservation to so ignorantly enter a fray that clearly has very little to do with WCC. It appears as if Mr Fryer purposely wants to spread lies with the motive of harming relations between the municipality and the community at a time when bridges of understanding should be built.

It is another lie that the senior management team is not subject to performance evaluations. A quick search of the municipal website reveals that the 40-page performance management framework as it applies to all staff, but in particular to senior management does indeed exist, and was reviewed by Council as recently as 30 May 2018. Evaluations are done in accordance with this document

possible, so that customers will find something new at every visit to the shop. Our reliance on the generosity of our donors increases as the financial situation becomes tougher for us all.

Firstly, to the municipality: Thank you for the repair of one of our three beachfront benches – it really makes a big difference.

Clearly the management is not "accountable only to itself" as incorrectly stated by Mr Fryer.

Werner Zybrands

Hospice Shop says thanks The Hospice Shop is getting ready for the holiday season! The shop is stocked with clothing, books, bric-abrac, CDs and art work, all of which can be useful just before the holiday season. Come and browse and perhaps you'll find something special for someone special.

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. Enjoy our paper. The Editorial Team.

Overstrand Hospice 600 Club Draw

chat to anyone who would like to consider joining this enthusiastic band.

We pray for a peaceful Christmas and New Year holiday in the Overstrand region. May the goodwill of the season be experienced by all who live and visit this special place.

Petro Luttig Hospice Shop Manager

This month’s lucky draw was done on Monday 10 December, by two of the Hospice nursing Sisters, Sr. Saskia Schiel and Sr Annetjie Carstens.

Lynn Sillifant from Don Adams auditors monitored the proceedings.

Winners: 1st M E Kumleben; 2nd Mafia Bridge Club; 3rd Dr Hilary Schreuder.

Should you wish to join the 600 Club and support the Overstrand Hospice, please contact Norma Scott-Tomlin on 028 312 4679 or 600admin@overstrandhospice.com Facebook : Overstrand Hospice @OverstrandHospice

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19 December 2018

OPINION MATTERS Make this your New Year’s resolution As we come to the end of another year, it is always necessary to reflect on the past year and to start planning for the new one that lies ahead.

The Overstrand and all its residents have more reason than ever to reflect and plan. We have had a year unlike any that our region has ever experienced, and we can be assured that the new year will bring its own set of challenges. This is not necessarily a bad thing.

A Far Kraai

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As residents we have been confronted with different sets of realities and we have all been challenged in our thinking. Now that we have reached a point where a variety of groupings that represent our communities have been formed and the structures for positive and constructive dialogue are being created, the political situation will hopefully calm down.

We should, however, not be under any illusions as 2019 is an election year

and we can expect that politically motivated actions and a lot of propaganda will come our way. In the runup to the election we must keep calm heads and understand that as a constitutional democracy we must allow for all to have their say.

The right to exercise your constitutional rights should, however, not be confused with the right to slander people or groups, incite violence or undermine the rights of your fellow

citizens. To that end we all have a responsibility to ensure that our words and actions contribute to reconciliation and rebuilding the brand of our region to its former glory. Our survival depends on it.

As responsible citizens, all of us might want to make a resolution for the new year that we will respect one other, that we will work together to achieve the aims mentioned above and that we will all become ambassadors of peace.

The Village NEWS wishes all our readers and advertisers a blessed festive season. Let’s make the new year one that we can all be proud of.

This is the good NEWS - Ed

Beer Boeps and Bridezillas - Braaivleis and Binges… (Sung to “My Favourite Things”)

By Murray Stewart (old photo)

It’s the holidays, so expect a lot of swimming, hiking, wining ’n dining, cycling, diving and generally over-exerting. That’s what holidays are for, né?

Or, do none of the above, and just give your inner-sloth free rein to unashamedly couch-slouch and enjoy a good old goggle-box binge – whenever. Your choices are limitless, but beware!

Between watching various news and ‘educational’ programmes I, like everyone, channel-hop during adverts, and it’s difficult understanding how some shows manage to get past storyboard stage, never mind broadcast worldwide.

Yet, emanating from the septic sewers of showbiz, toxic fumes of insanity seep into our TV screens, spawning another bizarre reality/horror/nature/ program.

As mindless as Keeping up with the Kannemeyers, is the concept of observing the reactions of a few celebs on a couch watching a TV show,

which you can’t see. Mind-numbing to watch, but rather ingenious from a producer’s point of view.

Firstly, no need to build sets. A couch, coffee table, snacks and a recognisable face or two – that’s it. Secondly, current or ‘would-be’ celebs require the limelight for exposure. Hell, they’d probably even pay to get on the couch. So overheads are minimal, as I’m sure are their viewers, yet they manage to occupy hours of sponsored airtime.

Now, Don’t Tell the Bride is intended to be humourous, but is like watching Honest Donald and Theresa May dirty-dancing in Strictly Come Cringing. Anyway, the poor brides are left completely in the dark about their wedding-day plans – not the service, reception nor the venue – nothing.

The husbands (often beer-quaffing, crudely-tattooed yobs) get to organise everything all by themselves, and leaving men (even without tattoos) unsupervised for too long, can only end in disaster.

One wife-to-be, marrying an ice hockey jock, had never skated before. She only discovered her entire wedding was on ice (literally), when, arriving at the rink and emerging radiantly from her blacked-out limo, she was handed a pair of skates. She fell for the

love of her life all over again, though sadly, and for the wrong reason. But her fractured elbow didn’t inhibit her signing the divorce papers later in hospital.

Another oblivious bride, surrounded by a flutter of bridesmaids putting final touches to her haute couture dress and veil, halted the fussing to answer the doorbell. Unprepared for the impending cadenza, in strolled the instructor from a local skydiving company to check if he should fit the harness under or over her wedding dress, plus the safety procedures when she jumped. I wasn’t brave enough to watch any more.

For light entertainment one can marvel, briefly, at the Kung Fu ‘actors’ who all seem mad as a box of snakes, and continually shout/growl at each other whether they’re fighting or not, and to hell with the lip-synch.

“A penguin sells her body for stones, chimpanzees trade meat for sex, and the post-hibernation gathering of garter snakes becomes a frenzied orgy.” Bit rude, but that’s the description for ‘Friends with Benefits’ – on National Geographic nogal.

Gratuitous fornication on TV will surely get any Mother Grundy’s tanga in a twist, so rather flick to something fascinating, like Boer Soek ‘n Vrou, Bollywood Unplugged, or how to Pimp Your Pet. Riveting stuff, so don’t lose that remote!

There’s also a bouquet of barf-inducing Xmassy-themed movies, complete with twinkles, snow, happy tears and nauseating music. Kids used to watch them but now they’re playing quietly outside. On their phones.

The Latino sagas are another lipsynch mystery. They’re a combination of Dallas, National Velvet and Zorro, complete with dark, smouldering eyes and mandatory moustaches for the entire cast, who also manage to speak sometimes with their mouths closed.

Anyway, chuck in those other sloth-friendly offerings like Netflix or Showmax, and you have every reason to avoid venturing out and getting sunstroke, a virus, dehydrated or exhausted. So, to quote Caligula: “To binge or not to binge? No question!”

Just masking-tape the remote securely in one hand, kick off your crocs and binge… while you can.

The more intellectually inclined have other options.

Next time – how to get back into shape.

14

OPINION MATTERS Coastal public property belongs to all citizens Writer Jobre Stassen, Chair: Cliff Path Action Group

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the National Environmental Management: Integrated Coastal Management Act (NEM: ICMA) 24 of 2008. The best way to celebrate the anniversary is to implement the intentions of the act by completing the Cliff Path and creating access to Poole’s Bay.

19 December 2018

www.thevillagenews.co.za

and enjoy coastal public property.

It further states that no person may prevent access to coastal public property.

Poole’s Bay is where the path takes an abrupt turn away from the coastline, running for almost a kilometre along a narrow and dangerous sidewalk of the R43 regional road – a busy, noisy, air-polluted section.

Currently, however, access to the Poole’s Bay coastline is not free in the same way that access to Langbaai and Voëlklip is free, and Hermanus can no longer turn a blind eye to this situation. The public has been led to believe that the Poole’s Bay coastline is a restricted area for the exclusive use of 13 properties with property rights to the high-water mark.

The Coastal Management Act has been approved to address the wrongs of the past, making “coastal public property” – which includes the coastline – an asset belonging to all South Africans. Almost as though it had been written with Poole’s Bay in mind, the act grants every person the right of reasonable access to use

The current municipal management and homeowners need to take a proactive stance to change these perceptions and implement the requirements of the Coastal Management Act. Various tools exist under this act, and municipalities can use these to ensure that the intentions of the law are put into effect.

They include the power to designate strips of land as coastal-access land to secure public access to that coastal public property; and to ensure that – with each rezoning, subdivision or development approval of land, adjacent to coastal public property (such as the 13 properties at Poole’s Bay) – it makes adequate provision in the conditions of approval to secure public access to that coastal public property.

National and provincial policy documents have been developed to guide the transition process and promote public access to the coast. The Western Cape Government released a draft report at the end of September 2018, following a year-long study and assessment of the issues surrounding access to the extensive Overberg coastline, from Rooiels to Cape Infanta. Every metre of the coastline has been analysed.

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In this report, Poole’s Bay is highlighted as one of 10 sites in need of immediate resolution. It is referred to in the report as site “HER 12” and described thus: “This is a conflict area and the right of access for the public needs to be resolved.” The status of access to Poole’s Bay is recorded in the report as “nil”.

The results of the report are significant and have consequences. Action also needs to be taken against the Poole’s Bay area having been closed off for so many years with barbed wire and ‘private property, no trespassing’ notices, perpetuating the inequality of access to our seashore.

Since the release of the report, the Cliff Path Action Group (CPAG) has responded by initiating various meetings with CapeNature, and with the local and district municipalities.

Currently the legal and environmental requirements are being complied with to facilitate the completion of the Cliff Path. CPAG will ensure that the process to complete the Cliff Path does not tap into the strained

coffers of the Overstrand Municipality, choosing to raise money and to successfully create an example of a partnership between government and the private sector.

If Poole’s Bay weren’t in the middle of the 12 km Cliff Path and if it didn’t fulfil such a pivotal role, linking the beaches and neighbourhoods of Voëlklip, Eastcliff and Fernkloof with the historical town centre, it would have been less of an issue for the inhabitants of Hermanus. Given the iconic status of the Cliff Path as the number one tourist attraction in a town renowned as one of the best land-based, whale-watching sites in the world, working together to connect the Cliff Path is the best option for the future.

One seldom has the opportunity to make a difference – connecting the Cliff Path will leave a legacy and end a divisive phase in the history of Hermanus. Let's make this the last summer holiday where Poole’s Bay is not fully incorporated into the Hermanus landscape where it belongs.

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Pinot Noir Celebration Platinum win for 2014 Whalehaven Cabernet takes flight Taking into account the growing interest in South African Pinot Noir and the exciting increase in visitor numbers to one of South Africa’s most beautiful wine regions, the Hemel-en-Aarde, it is not surprising to see Pinot Noir from this region taking flight around the globe. Aptly, this year’s theme for the prestigious annual Pinot celebration is ‘On the Wings of Pinot Noir’ – a true reflection of the quality Pinot Noir wines produced in this cool-climate South African wine region.

T

he cool-climate Hemel-en-Aarde is world renowned for Pinot Noir of great purity and finesse and every year the producers join forces to celebrate their passion for this highly revered cultivar. The sixth Hemelen-Aarde Pinot Noir Celebration, sponsored

by Standard Bank Wealth & Investment and hosted on 25 & 26 January 2019, is a must for all Pinot lovers!

Participating Hemel-en-Aarde wineries include Ataraxia, Bosman Family Vineyards, Bouchard Finlayson, Creation, Domaine des Dieux, Hamilton Russell Vineyards, La Vierge, Newton Johnson, Restless River, Storm Wines, Sumaridge and Whalehaven.

This year South African wine legend Jan ‘Boland’ Coetzee and wine fundi Roland Peens will be the guest speakers. Apart from tasting the glorious Pinot Noir wines from the 12 Hemelen-Aarde wineries in flights of appellation, guests will be treated to delectably paired dishes created by celeb chefs Pete Goff-Wood, Franck Dangereux, Nic van Wyk and George Jardine, and a new addition to the programme in the form of a very cool wine auction.

The two-day celebration, starting on Friday 25 January at 10:30, will include vineyard safaris followed by a gourmet lunch hosted at Nidderdale Farm. For the first time guests will be treated to older vintage Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the Hemel-en-Aarde dating as far back as 2004.

As the weekend continues guests will be hosted at individual participating wineries on the Saturday between 10:00 and 12:30 to pair and compare international Pinot Noirs. The formal tasting from 13:30 to 16:00 will also be hosted in the magical setting of Nidderdale at the foot of the impressive Babylonstoren peak.

Here guests will be welcomed back to enjoy drinks and farm- style canapés followed by the tutored formal tasting from 13:30 to 16:00.

Wine impresario and Burgundy aficionado Remington Norman will open the formal tasting, titled ‘Taking Flight’. This tasting promises to be an interactive experience with the winemakers presenting their own wines, moderated

by Roland Peens, and will no doubt elicit lively discussion.

Other highlights will be the celebrity chefs’ dinner on Saturday evening titled ‘Set the Senses Soaring’, including a Hemel-en-Aarde Wine Bar and the grand finale being homemade gelato paired with Pinot Noir from the famous Don Gelato.

The exciting 2019 weekend programme is filled with surprises, offering guests the opportunity to explore and learn more about Pinot Noir, while enjoying and celebrating the exceptional wine, food and people of the Hemel-en-Aarde wine region.

Franc

The 2014 Whalehaven Cabernet Franc has been awarded Platinum at the prestigious 2018 Michelangelo Wine and Spirit Awards, a tribute to winemaker Reino Thiart’s skill in crafting a grape that makes up less than 1% of total South African vineyards.

In order to win a platinum award, a wine must receive 96 out of 100 points from 28 international judges. Only 36 platinums were awarded from the 2 225 entries this year. “It took me by surprise,” says Reino, who has been the winemaker at Whalehaven since 2007, adding modestly that, “I’m quite chuffed”.

Cabernet Franc, normally blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot to produce a Bordeaux-style wine, has been a part of the Whalehaven story since its establishment in 1995, a rarity at the time. However, despite Cabernet Franc plantings declining from nearly 1 000 hectares in 2008 to 835 in 2016, single variety bottlings are rapidly increasing. In 2005 there were 17, ten years later there were 78 wines and in 2016 the figure jumped dramatically to 147.

“We produce small volumes – 2 500 to 3 000 bottles. The 2014 production was 6 000 bottles,” says Reino. “For me, Cabernet Franc fits in between Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.

It has more structure than Merlot but is more feminine than Cabernet Sauvignon.”

planted in 2000 and it normally takes 12 to 14 years for the vines to reach their full potential.

This becomes abundantly clear when doing a vertical tasting of the 2011, 2012, 2013 and the award-winning 2014 vintage. The 2014 is definitely distinctive with its deeper, dark red colour.

“What makes this wine exceptional is the smoothness of the tannin structure while maintaining the integrity of the fruit. The dash of American oak that we use, alongside the soft treatment given by 2nd and 3rd fill French oak, results in an upfront palate sweetness which softens the overall finish of the wine, resulting in a more feminine expression of this cultivar,” says Reino.

Whalehaven winery is the third oldest wine producer in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley and has been wholly owned by the Bottega Family since 2003.

We've been awarded

PLATINUM

Reino says that these particular grapes come from just over a hectare of land that was

For more information visit www.hemelenaardewines.com Tickets can be booked at pinotnoircelebration.co.za Two options are available: Full Weekend Ticket @ R2 995 per person – An immersive Pinot Noir experience Celebrity Chef Gala Dinner with Hemel-enAarde Wine Bar @ R795 per person – Experience the grand finale.

Visit our new shop in the

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19 December 2018 | FOOD

New brewery opens its doors

A

t the recent opening of Hemel-en-Aarde Brewery, locals got a taste of what this new microbrewery, beer garden, taproom and brasserie restaurant has to offer.

Located at Hemel-en-Aarde Village, the brewery focuses on two beers that are crafted in-house – Hermanus Lager and Hermanus Pale Ale – and serves the kind of food that pairs well with beer, such as tasty ribs and burgers that are prepared on the kitchen’s wood-fired grill.

The premises are spacious and the interior smacks of minimalist sophistication, with an inviting beer garden where friends and families can relax while the children play in the garden. Other thirst quenchers on the menu include the Whale Crier’s, Mr. Brownstone, Pot Belge and Californicator, along with Hermanus Classic Dry Gin and Tonic.

The brewery is the brainchild of businessman Marc de Maudave Bestel, who partnered with Brian Brown to bring his vision of Hermanus as a destination for lovers and purveyors of quality beer to life.

Here at the Hemel-en-Aarde Brewery visitors can experience the craft of beer-brewing and the joys of consumption all in one place.

Open 7 days a week from 11:00 – 23:00.

Contact 078 8811 020 or info@hermanus. beer. Visit their Facebook page (Hemel-enAarde Brewery) or www.hermanus.beer

TOP: Partners Marc de Maudave Bestel and Brian Brown in the brewery.

ABOVE: Enjoying Hemel-en-Aarde Brewery’s opening night in the beer garden: Anika de Goede, Mia Cronje, Tristan Graham and Robyn Smith. Behind them are André Heyns and Stephan Pretorius.

PHOTOS: Hedda Mittner

19 December 2018 | FOOD

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19

A novel experience awaits at De Vette Mossel Writer & Photographer Hedda Mittner

D

e Vette Mossel is a restaurant like no other. Don’t expect starched table cloths and crystal glasses – or even crockery and cutlery. At De Vette Mossel Beach Seafood Restaurants you dine in true beach fashion, as the owners believe that the only way to enjoy seafood is with the sand under your feet – and who needs knives and forks if a mussel shell works just as well.

Grootbrak, Hartenbos and Parys each have a De Vette Mossel. And now, so does Hermanus. Located on the edge of the Klein River Estuary at Prawn Flats, Gustave and Charné du Bois welcomed guests at their soft opening last week.

The “restaurant” is a rustic structure covered with a tented roof and fitted with windows on the sea-side that can be opened or closed depending on the strength of the breeze. The other side is open and affords diners full view of the fire pit where all the seafood is prepared over open flames.

On the menu were nine courses that started with mussels, followed by snoek and patats (sweet potato), a seafood potjie, a meat potjie, catch of

the day, crayfish and prawns, calamari steak, melon and watermelon, and coffee and koeksisters.

The abundance was quite overwhelming, warranting a friendly warning from Gustave’s father, Niël du Bois, the founder of De Vette Mossel. “Remember to pace yourselves,” he cautioned his guests. “The idea is that you eat only enough to leave room for the next course of our rolling, nine-course buffet – that way you will get to taste a bit of everything.”

Unsurprisingly, your dining experience at De Vette Mossel can last up to three hours. It is more of a seafood orgy than a normal restaurant meal.

And I haven’t even mentioned the freshly-baked potbrood, which Niël described as the Jezebel of De Vette Mossel – and the main culprit when it comes to not making it through the whole menu. “Remember that you are here for seafood, not bread,” he chuckled.

Suffice it to say that the only way to tackle your De Vette Mossel experience is to come hungry. Very hungry.

Whereas at first I had thought that we were going to choose two (or maybe three) dishes from the menu, it turned out that we were going to be served everything! No orders are

placed and no bill is presented at the end of your meal; you pay a set price and then eat as much as you like – or can!

De Vette Mossel Hermanus has no bar and you take your own drinks along – with glasses and ice. You are welcome to take a whole cooler box as they don’t charge any corkage. It’s as informal an affair as visiting friends for a braai – except that the food is better and more abundant than anything your friends have ever dished up.

Booking is essential and can be done online for either an afternoon (12:00 – 15:00) or an evening session (18:30 – 24:00). Visit www. devettemosselhermanus.co.za to book and pay, or call 064 552 6627.

Gustave and Charné du Bois welcomed guests at the opening of De Vette Mossel Hermanus last week.

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www.thevillagenews.co.za

19 December 2018 | WINE

Guide to the Hemelen-Aarde Wine Route Writer Frieda Lloyd

T

he Walker Bay Wine District’s most important road, the Hemel-en-Aarde R320, winds its way through South Africa’s premium cool climate wine region. Not only does it offer visitors to the area the opportunity to experience world-renowned Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, but also some of our country’s best Sauvignon Blanc and Shiraz, as well as innovative blends.

The Hemel-en-Aarde region unites the passion and reputation of many wineries, each producing small volumes of uncompromising premium quality wines. With vineyards deriving maximum benefit from the high elevation and cool sea breezes, this region has become well known for its unique terroir and maritime climate, which continues to result in countless local and international accolades and awards for its wines.

You will be warmly welcomed at the tasting venues on the various wine estates along this route, with each of them offering visitors a memorable experience.

The wine route is reached by way of the Sandbaai traffic lights, where the R43 to Hermanus and the R320 to Caledon intersect. At the entrance to the wine route is The Village, where you will find the first two wineries, as well as an iconic wine shop, the Wine Village.

Wine Village is owned by Paul and Cathy du

Toit, who have built up one of the largest and most comprehensive collections of South African wine over the past 20 years. Together with their friendly and knowledgeable staff, the Du Toits will assist you in finding the right wines, as well as brandies, gins and spirits, to suit your taste and pocket. They also offer daily tastings and can deliver to your door worldwide.

The Wine Village is open 7 days a week, Monday to Friday from 09:00 – 18:00, Saturday from 09:00 – 17:00 and Sunday from 10:00 – 15:00.

They will be closed on Christmas Day. Call 028 316 3988 or email wineoffice@hermanus.co.za Whalehaven was named after the protective bay that shelters breeding Southern Right whales in the cool Cape winter months. Their wines are made with grapes from the Bottega family farm, Da Capa Vineyards in Somerset West, and their vineyards in Hemel-en-Aarde.

At their Wine Experience centre in The Village they offer interesting pairings – try the artisanal chocolate pairing or the jam pairing for something different. Booking is required on 028 316 1633. They are open for tasting and sales, Monday to Saturday from 10:00 – 17:00 and Sunday from 10:00 – 16:00. Closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Call 028 316 1633.

Hermanuspietersfontein, also at The Village a little further down Village Lane, is best known for its remarkable Sauvignon Blancs, Bordeaux

and Rhône-style blends, and its amusing Afrikaans wine names. The cellar’s Wine & Food Market every Saturday morning (‘Die Markie’) from 09:00 – 13:00 is a popular meeting place among the locals. The cellar is open for tasting and sales Monday – Friday 09:00 – 17:00, Saturday from 09:00 – 13:00 and Sunday from 10:00 – 13:00. They offer free wine tasting throughout the festive season, freshly brewed coffee, platters and burgers. Hermanuspietersfontein will be closed on 24 & 25 December, on 31 December and 1 January. Call 028 316 1875.

Southern Right produces a popular Sauvignon Blanc and Pinotage with labels depicting the Southern Right whale. A portion of the proceeds of the sales of these wines goes to the conservation of their namesake. The cellar is open from Monday – Friday, 09:00 – 17:00 and Saturday from 10:00 – 14:00. Closed on Sundays, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Call 028 312 1318.

Bartho Eksteen Wijnskool is situated opposite the entrance to Southern Right. Widely known as ‘Monsieur Sauvignon Blanc’, Bartho Eksteen and his family focus on wine training and education, wine production, tastings and sales. In addition to the wines produced under the Wijnskool label, the signature Bartho Eksteen range of seven wines includes the two flagship wines, Houtskool Sauvignon Blanc and Groepsdruk Rhône-style Blend. The Mill House tasting room is open for wine tasting Monday to Saturday from 10:00 – 16:00. Picnic boxes can be pre-ordered by calling 028 312 4612 or 072 323 5060.

Hamilton Russell Vineyards deserves credit for planting the first vines in the Hemel-enAarde Valley in 1975. The famed estate specialises in producing two acclaimed wines – Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Their elegant and highly individual wines are world-renowned and can be tasted on the stoep of their charming tasting room overlooking a dam. Open for wine tasting and sales, Monday to Friday 09:00 – 17:00 and Saturday 10:00 – 14:00. Closed on Sundays, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Taste five wines at R50 pp. Call 028 312 1791.

Bouchard Finlayson’s flagship wine is the Galpin Peak Pinot Noir, for which cellar master Peter Finlayson has won many awards. Other varieties include Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, a popular white blend and hearty reds. Charcuterie and cheese platters are available for a nibble between tastings or after a hike on the fynbos trails. There are three route options and energetic holiday hikers can choose between a guided or self-guided walk, but be sure to pre-book. The tasting room is open Monday to

Friday 09:30 – 17:00 and Saturday from 10:00 – 13:00. Closed on Sundays, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Call 028 312 3515.

La Vierge specialises in producing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from their grapes that are grown in Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge. The Restaurant and Champagne Verandah offer breath-taking views – ideal for a romantic sundowner and a game of boule. They are open 7 days a week for wine tasting from 10:00 – 17:00 (a selection of four wines at R30 pp), and the restaurant from 10:00 – 17:00. They will be closed on 25 December and 1 January, and after that they will be closed on Mondays. To make a booking call 028 313 2007.

Bosman Hermanus is the new venture of Bosman Family Vineyards in Wellington, where the descendants of Hermanus Bosman have been making hand-crafted wines for generations in their 260-year-old cellar on the farm. In 2012 they established their De Bos Handpicked Vineyards in Hemel-en-Aarde as a premium Fairtrade offering. At their tasting venue, the Frame House, visitors can taste five of their De Bos wines at R50 pp. A small menu, picnic baskets and hiking trails are also on offer. The Frame House is open from Tuesday to Saturday, 09:00 – 17:00 and Sundays from 10:00 – 16:00.

Closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Booking recommended; contact 076 472 9004 or taste@bosmanhermanus.com Sumaridge Estate Wines, owned by the Bellingham-Turner family, creates wonderfully balanced wines that age beautifully. The tasting room enjoys a picturesque setting and is open for wine tasting and sales 7 days a week, from 11:00 – 17:00. Delicious platters are available daily between 12:00 and 15:00, including a Tiny Taster’s Platter for kids, and can be enjoyed with a bottle of wine under the shady trees on the sprawling lawn, with a play area for the children, next to the dam. Vineyard and cellar tours by prior arrangement. Sumaridge will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Contact the tasting room on 028 312 1097.

At Newton Johnson Vineyards, the tasting room above the cellar is situated on the mountain slope with spectacular views of the valley and ocean beyond. Be sure to taste their Pinot Noir, which has been awarded 5 Platter stars multiple times over the years, and other award-winning wines crafted by husband-andwife winemaking team, Gordon and Nadia Newton Johnson. Open for wine tasting and sales Monday to Friday, 09:00 – 16:00 and Saturday from 10:00 – 14:00. Closed on Sundays.

The Restaurant at Newton Johnson is open from Wednesday to Sunday for lunch from

19 December 2018 | WINE

12:00 – 15:00, and during the summer season they are open on Friday and Saturday evenings for dinner between 18:00 – 20:00. They will be closed on 25 December and 1 January. Call 028 312 3862 (tasting room) or 021 200 2148 (restaurant) to book.

Restless River has some of the oldest Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay vineyards in Hemel-en-Aarde. Owners Craig and Anne Wessels handcraft site-expressive wines from vineyards farmed as naturally as possible to develop depth and complexity. Their highly acclaimed wines have their own distinctive personality and character, shaped each year by the conditions of that particular vintage. For a private tasting on the farm, contact 028 312 2881 or 082 650 3544.

Spookfontein enjoys a beautiful setting with some of the best views in the area. The attractive restaurant adjacent to the winery is under the ownership of Vaughan van Blerk and Francois Barnard of Harbour Rock. The cellar is run by winemaker Hannes Storm, who produces his highly acclaimed Storm Wines (Chardonnay and Pinot Noir), as well as the Spookfontein range. They are open for wine tasting 7 days a week from 10:00 – 16:30 (closing at 16:00 on Sunday). The Spookfontein Restaurant is open for lunch from Tuesday to Sunday, 12:00 – 16:00. They will be closed on 25 December and 1 January. Call 073 067 7936 to make a booking.

Further up the R320 is the final stretch of the

www.thevillagenews.co.za www.thevillagenews.co.za

Hermanus Wine Route – the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge. This is home to Ataraxia, Creation and Domaine des Dieux.

Ataraxia is a boutique wine estate producing a range of hand-crafted wines. Their Wine Lounge® which also houses a permanent art collection, is situated in a small chapel at the foot of the majestic Babylonstoren and affords spectacular views. Open Monday to Friday from 09:00 – 16:00, and Saturday from 10:00 – 16:00. Closed on Sundays, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Call 028 212 2007.

Creation produces an impressive portfolio of wines and offers informative vineyard and cellar tours, relaxed wine tasting and innovative food and wine pairings. The tasting room is open 7 days a week, and between 22 December and 5 January their extended hours from 09:30 – 19:00 will include Brunch Pairings from 09:30 – 11:30 and Food & Wine Pairings from 11:00 – 17:00. Be sure to book early. Closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Contact 028 212 1107 or reservations@creationwines.com The last wine farm on the Ridge, right next to Creation, is Domaine des Dieux. They produce a small range of award-winning wines and are best known for their highly acclaimed Cap Classiques. Over the holiday period their charming tasting room set among the vineyards is open 7 days a week from 10:00 – 17:00, for wine tasting and sales. Cheese boards can be ordered to enjoy with your tasting. Closed on 25 & 26 December, and 1 January. Call 028 313 2126.

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WHAT’S ON

OVERBERG HERMANUS Wednesday

Friday

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Hermanuspietersfontein Aand Markie Enjoy all your favourite foods and wines at Hermanuspietersfontein’s summer evening markets. Free entry, parking and wine tasting. Bring the whole family!

Hermanuspietersfontein Winery | 17:00 – 20:00 Hermanus Country Night Market The night markets are back for the festive season! Enjoy great food and local wines, craft beers and coffee.

You’ll also find beautiful and creative arts, crafts and gifts.

Next to Hermanus Cricket Field | 17:00 – 21:00

St Peter’s Christmas Carols Local residents and visitors are heartily welcome to join in this traditional Service of Nine Lessons, with many familiar and favourite carols, led by the choir and accompanied by the organ.

St Peter’s Church, Main Rd | 18:00 Critical Mass Everyone, young and old, is invited to join this social bike ride to celebrate cycling as a healthy and safe mode of transport. Meet at the Whale Garden.

Market Square | 19:00 Prime Circle Live Repeat performance. See Thursday 20 December

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Whalehaven Secret Santa Sale Don’t miss this mega-sale when, in the spirit of Christmas, special boxes of wine will be earmarked for massive savings of 50% off. The perfect opportunity to stock up for the festive season!

Whalehaven Winery | 12:00 – 17:00 Gingerbread House decorating competition Team up with your young ones and take up the challenge of turning a plain and simple gingerbread house into a sweet and colourful show house. The winner will receive a R300 voucher to enjoy at Die Markie on a Saturday morning. Due to popular demand, a second session has been added. For bookings, email anika@hpf1855.co.za Hermanuspietersfontein | 13:00 & 15:00 Prime Circle Live Catch this popular band, widely regarded as South African rock royalty, when they visit Hermanus on their Innocence Tour this summer.

Their performance will comprise a selection of all their songs, from the first album to the latest. There will be two performances – on Thursday and Friday evening. Tickets at R300 pp are available online at www.whalecoasttheatre.com.

Whale Coast Theatre | 20:00

Hermanus parkrun Meet for the weekly 5 km walk or run, come rain or shine. The route is dog and child friendly.

Camphill Road, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley | 08:00 Hermanus Country Market A favourite among the locals, young and old. 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 Hermanuspietersfontein Die Markie Where local and international foodies and wine lovers meet.

Hermanuspietersfontein wine cellar | 09:00 – 13:00

Sunday

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Secret Sunrise Celebrate the beauty of the rising sun while dancing and connecting to nature and one another. Wireless headphones will be provided for the hour. Youngsters are welcome and everyone is invited to come in their cheesiest Christmas attire. R120 pp, available from www.quicket.co.za.

For more info, contact capetown@secretsunrise.com.

Waterfront piazza | 06:30 Music in the Courtyard Enjoy Summer Tunes in The Courtyard with Takura Terry. Feast on oysters and bubbly, local wines, craft beer and tapas-style plates. For more info or to reserve a table, call 028 312 2553.

The Wine Glass, 2 Harbour Road | 12:00

NEW ‘

OnVerWag Public Accountability Meeting All members of the Onrus and Vermont communities are welcome to attend the meeting, followed by a Bring and Braai. Call Caroline on 082 554 0811.

Dutch Reformed Church, Onrus | 18:00

Thursday

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www.thevillagenews.co.za/whatson

EVE party

Saturday

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Hermanus parkrun See Saturday 22 December Hermanus Country Market See Saturday 22 December

THE WINE GLASS HERMANUS

Hermanuspietersfontein Die Markie See Saturday 22 December

Bookings: 028 312 2553 www.thewineglass.guru 2 Harbour Road, Hermanus

Market in the Garden See Saturday 22 December

Dinner & Dance R850 | Dance-Only R350 For more info

Classic Revival A highly energetic Cape Town fourpiece with a unique take on classic hits. For bookings, contact 028 312 4665.

Gecko Bar, New Harbour | 21:00

Jo Martin Live Enjoy the honest, heartfelt music of Jo Martin when he performs in Hermanus. For bookings, contact 028 312 4665.

Gecko Bar, New Harbour | 20:30

SUMMER ABUNDANCE

Ring in 2019 to the theme of Summer Abundance!

Enjoy all your favourite Markie foods and wines at Hermanuspietersfontein’s summer evening market. Free entry, parking and wine tasting. Bring the whole family!

Hermanuspietersfontein Winery | 17:00 – 20:00

Friday

31/12/2018

The #1 New Year’s Eve Destination

Hermanuspietersfontein Aand Markie

TheWineGlassHermanus

Bottomless Coffee Band Live

Saturday

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FinGlobal Fun Run Bring the whole family to join in the 22nd Onrus Fun Run, hosted by Whalers Athletics Club. Choose between the 6 km (R30) and 10 km (R50).

Medals for first 500 10 km finishers and first 300 6 km finishers. Prize money for the overall winners and category winners in the 10 km. Lots of spot prizes for both races. Entries: www.enteronline.co.za or on the day between 05:30 – 06:45.

Milkwood Restaurant, Onrus Beach | 07:00

Market in the Garden Hunt for treasures at this peaceful market set among the shady trees of a beautiful garden.

St Peter’s Church 09:00 – 13:00 Jo Black Live Soulful Afrikaans singer Jo Black and his orchestra will perform popular old hits as well as songs from his latest album. Tickets are R150 – R180 pp, available from Computicket.

Call 082 895 5093.

Sandbaai Hall | 20:00

Wednesday

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Summer Music Colour Run This annual family-friendly sporting festival includes a 5 km fun run, with three colour stations and two music stations to provide entertainment along the route. Each entrant receives a T-shirt and sachet of colour powder, and free entry to the festival zone with the colour burst, giant inflatable slide and dodgeball arena. R260 pp and children U10 enter free. Visit www.summerrun.co.za for all the details.

Hermanus High School | 16:00

Catch the Bottomless Coffee Band at Hermanus’ favourite late-night spot.

R150 pp. Call 028 313 2137 to book.

Soul Café | 19:00

Sunday Music in the Courtyard See Sunday 23 December

At Fine & Country we present property properly Fine & Country Hermanus, Arabella & Kleinmond 16 Hope Street, Hermanus, 7200 hermanus@fineandcountry.com | +27 (0)21 205 7135

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Kaleidoskoop onder die Sterre Don’t miss this performance by the Afrikaans band Kaleidoskoop from Stellenbosch. Delicious food stalls, Hermanuspietersfontein wines, craft beers and Mikro Coffee Co. Only 150 tickets are available at R140 pp. Doors open at 18:30 and the show starts at 19:30. Visit kaleidomusiek.co.za to book.

Hermanuspietersfontein Winery | 18:30

Thursday

03

AuldField Robin Auld & Wendy Oldfield present a night of vibey and uplifting tunes as the charismatic duo, AuldField. Featuring djembe, slide guitar, stompbox, looping and soulful vocals, they will be playing versions of their old hits along with more recent material.

Call 028 313 2137 to book.

Soul Café | 20:00

Friday

04

Hermanus First Fridays Join the 19 art galleries in the centre of town when they open their doors to the public after hours for the monthly HFF Artwalk. Stroll from gallery to gallery, sample some local wines and snacks, and marvel at the inspiring array of art and fine craft.

Hermanus CBD | 17:00 – 20:00 Watershed Live Catch Watershed, one of South Africa’s most successful and best loved bands when they perform in Hermanus. Tickets are R160 pp. Call 28 312 4665 to book.

Gecko Bar, New Harbour | 20:00

Sunday

06

Summer Seafood Braai Day Whalehaven and Hermanuspietersfontein, will be collaborating in a summer celebration. Enjoy delights from the ocean, including prawns, calamari, battered fish, fresh shucked oysters, abalone and creamy mussels paired with a selection of their wines.

Come rain or shine, local musicians Garner Nel & Matt Carstens will entertain guests under the tent at this family-friendly event.

Whalehaven Winery, Hemel-enAarde Village | 11:00 – 18:00

Afdaks Sunday Craft Market You will find unique handmade crafts, yummy food, craft beer, gin and wine, honey and olive oil on tap, kids’ entertainment and lots of parking at this family and pet-friendly (on leashes or in cages, please) market, every first Sunday of the month. For enquiries contact Lani on 082 679 7819, visit their Facebook page (Café Tango & Afdaksrivier Nursery) or www.afdaksrivier.co.za.

Café Tango at Afdaksrivier Nursery on the R43 | 10:00 – 14:30

KLEINMOND Saturday

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Kleinmond Market Free entry, ample parking, arts and crafts, food stalls, hand-made items by local vendors, live music and fun competitions – a great outing for the whole family. Contact Erna on 076 708 0818.

Mthimkhulu Village | 10:00 – 14:00

Saturday

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Kleinmond Market Every Saturday. See 22 December Valiant Swart Come and meet Afrikaans folk/rock singer Valiant Swart when he performs in Kleinmond.

Kleinmond Stoep Kafee | 19:00

BETTY'S BAY Saturday

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Carols by Candlelight

GREYTON Sunday

Wednesday

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Greyton Nature Reserve Hike Get up close and personal with the bountiful biodiversity of the Greyton Nature Reserve with Gantow Tours & Excursions. The 2 200 ha reserve is the third largest nature reserve in the Cape and boasts a wide variety of Fynbos with flowers year round. The cost is R180 pp (including entrance fee) and R60 for children U13. Booking is essential: 082 344 1096 or info@gantouwtouwtours.co.za. Get more details at www.gantouwtoursexcursions.co.za.

Greyton Nature Reserve | 07:30

STANFORD Friday

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Stanford Sunset Market The best outdoor evening market for local food, wine, beer, food, gifts, crafts and music. Plenty of space for the children to run around and play on the historic village green. Come and do some Christmas shopping while experiencing a taste of village life!

Market Square | 18:00 – 20:00

Saturday

22

Panthera Sunset Visits Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary invites you to visit their four-legged friends as they come alive after a long day of rest. R490 pp (only for people 16 years and older). All proceeds from ticket sales go towards creating a better life for the animals. www.pantheraafrica.com.

Panthera Africa | 17:30

Sunday

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Jeremy Loops Live

Don’t miss this outdoor performance in the natural splendour of Betty’s Bay’s botanical garden with South Africa’s popular Afro-operatic pop sensation, the Gugulethu Tenors.

Tickets are R80 for adults, R40 for children 6 – 18 years, and free entry for those under 6 years. No need to book upfront; tickets will be available at the entrance. Gates open at 18:00 and the concert starts at 19:00. Contact 028 272 9311 for more info.

Harold Porter Botanical Garden, Betty’s Bay 18:00

Saturday

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Emo Adams Live This popular entertainer will perform an open-air concert in beautiful surroundings. Tickets are R100 for adults, R50 for children 6 – 18 years, and free entry for those under 6 years.

No need to book upfront; tickets will be available at the entrance. Gates open at 18:00 and the concert starts at 19:00. Contact 028 272 9311 for more info.

Harold Porter Botanical Garden, Betty’s Bay | 18:00

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Stanford 6s This six-aside cricket tournament takes place on the Stanford Village Green every year. Think potjie competitions, music, craft beers, and gin and tonics on tap, blow-up pools, food trucks, family and fun. All proceeds are donated to charity and this year the beneficiary is The Butterfly Centre.

Village Green | 08:00 – 16:00

Thursday

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Blues, Rock & Roots Festival Featuring top musicians including AuldField, Albert Frost Trio, The Blues Broers and The Black Cat Bones. Tickets are R150 – R200 pp, available from www.webtickets.co.za. Children U12 enter free. Bring a picnic blanket, but please no alcohol to be brought in.

Beers, soft drinks, wine and food stalls on site. The Tasting Room Restaurant will be open for lunch trade as usual, and you can retain your seats for the duration of the performances. To secure your table in the restaurant bookings are essential on 072 639 6135.

Stanford Hills | 13:00

Saturday

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Panthera Sunset Visits Every Saturday. See 22 December

Wednesday

02

Sunset Concert Featuring Louise Carver and Ard Matthews, two of South Africa’s best singer / songwriters whose voices were meant to be heard together.

Bring your camping chairs and blankets and chill out after the Christmas / New Year mania. There will be a gin and tonic bar, food trucks with a variety of options and Stanford Hills wines. Gates open at 14:30pm and the show starts at 17:00. Tickets are R185 for adults and R95 for children.

Book via www.louisecarver.com.

Stanford Hills | 17:00

GANSBAAI Friday

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March for the Penguins Catch South Africa's breakout singer-songwriter, Jeremy Loops as he returns to the Western Cape after his recent world tour and Home is Gold tour in South Africa. Tickets are R250 for adults and R200 for children under 16. The doors open at 13:30 and the show starts at 17:30.

Stanford Hills | 17:30 Stanford Carols by Candlelight Please note that this will no longer be held in the Stanford NG ‘Toringkerk’ but instead in a beautiful garden.

Bring your picnic basket, candles, chairs and blankets and enjoy the tranquil setting from 19:00. Carols will be sung from about 20:00.

11 Moore Street | 19:30

Saturday

Farmer’s Market Organic, homemade and homegrown products such as fresh farm produce, bakes and pastries, local wines and craft beers, and indigenous plants and herbs. No plastic or polystyrene packaging, only eco-friendly. For enquiries, contact info@gansbaaitourism.co.za.

Kapokblom Street, opposite Gansbaai Tourism | 09:00 – 14:00

Sunday

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Carols by Candlelight Everyone is welcome to join in singing Christmas carols with ANZA. For more info call 082 498 6992.

Gansbaai Harbour | 19:00

Saturday

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Farmer’s Market Every Saturday. See 22 December Strandskloof 4X4 Challenge A fun-filled day for 4X4 lovers and the whole family. For more info call organiser Isabelle Fourie on 082 721 4381.

Strandskloof Caravan Park | 07:00 – 15:00

Monday

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Danger Point Half Marathon Join the Lions Club of Gansbaai for a half marathon through the beautiful fynbos coastal reserve and Gansbaai on a combination of tarred and gravel roads. Choose between the 21.1 km, the 10 km or 5 km fun run.

For more information contact Boats Van Staden on 072 789 3627 or boats@absamail.co.za.

Gansbaai Primary School | 07:00

ELIM Wednesday

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Black Oystercatcher Summer Festival from 26 – 30 December This five-day celebration of music, great food, cool-climate wines and craft beer. Bottomless Coffee Band will perform on 26 & 27 Dec (R150 pp), the Blues Broers and Back Pocket Band on 28 & 29 Dec (R150 pp) and Arno Carstens on 30 Dec (R200 pp).

Your ticket includes a branded wine glass. R75 for kids 4 – 18 years and kids U4 enter free. Bookings: www.webtickets.co.za.

Black Oystercatcher Wines | daily from 10:00

Friday Wear your penguin best for a 5 km fun walk/run/waddle in aid of African Penguin conservation. It's a scenic meander along the Kleinbaai coast all are welcome; friends, family, babies and dogs on leashes! Afterwards there will be refreshments, entertaining activities and several prizes. At 15:00 the penguins will be fed too.

Tickets via www.quicket.co.za. For more info, contact Brenda on 076 061 3114 or brenda@dict.org.za.

African Penguin & Seabird Sanctuary, Kleinbaai | 08:00

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Trail Run & Bubbly Breakfast The annual Strandveld Trail Run, followed by a Méthode Cap Classique breakfast, offers a 16 km scenic trail run, an 8 km vineyard run/walk with a 4.5 km shortcut too. Prizes will be awarded to the first three male and female finishers of the 16 km. R180 per adult and R90 per child; or R90 per adult and R40 per child without the breakfast. Contact 028 482 1902 or jackie@strandveld.co.za.

Strandveld Vineyards | 06:30

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www.thevillagenews.co.za

19 December 2018

Celebrating life’s moments with Bona Dea

L

ife consists of millions of little moments, with the occasional life-changing moments in between. We tend to live our lives looking forward to those grand moments that make us feel alive and help us to remember just how beautiful life is.

“At Bona Dea we refer to life’s special moments as frame-worthy events that deserve to be celebrated. It would be our pleasure to assist with these celebrations, from birth to retirement and every memorable moment in between,” says a beaming Rina de Wet, Bona Dea’s General Manager.

Bona Dea is a venue for all occasions. Rina and the events team will customise your special occasion to create a delightfully different and exclusive experience – from executive functions and team-building weekends to engagements, weddings and honeymoons, and from family reunions or special birthday celebrations to a luxury country escape with a handful of close friends.

Bona Dea Private Estate, hailed as one of the most romantic and dramatic locations in South Africa, is a unique wedding and function venue situated high on the mountain slopes in our breath-taking Hemel-en-Aarde (Heaven and Earth) Valley. With an array of exquisite reception rooms, framed by spectacular scenery that provides the ultimate backdrop for any celebration or corporate event, the Bona Dea experience is augmented by professional and personalised service excellence.

Now is the time to book your 2019 event. And who says that hot, sunny days are an essential ingredient for a dream wedding? There is something about winter that’s inherently romantic. Just think of all the unconventional ideas and themes you could have fun with – eggnog at the reception, a herbal tea station, vases filled with winter blooms, shawls and blankets tossed over guests’ seats, a warm and rustic colour theme, roaring log fires… the list of winter wonders is inexhaustible!

Other advantages of a winter wedding include special offers both at wedding venues and honeymoon destinations, and on top of that you will probably be able to pick your perfect date during the winter months instead of having to wait for your dream venue to become available during the peak summer months. Cooler weather also means that you don’t have to worry about your cake melting or your flowers wilting; everything stays fresher for longer, including the bride and groom!

Bona Dea offers a cosy indoor chapel, which offers a blank canvas for you to add your own décor preferences, be they old-world charm or modern simplicity. Then celebrate your newlywed status in the luxurious reception lounges of the stately Manor House with Cape heritage accents and the warmth of inviting fireplaces flickering in the background, before leading your guests into the magical Ballroom with its glittering fairy lights ceiling.

MEET THE TEAM At the back are Liza Vogel (Events Manager) and Bernadine Mostert (Office Administrator & PA); and in front Sonia Atkinson (Financial Manager), Jané Bosch (Event Planner & Co-ordinator) and Rina de Wet (General Manager).

"Hailed as one of the most romantic and dramatic locations in South Africa" Bona Dea’s talented events team would be delighted to receive you and your entourage at the Estate for a cup of tea and a guided tour, while familiarising themselves with your wedding ideas and requirements. The Estate offers a wide range of critical services on site, such as furniture and décor hire to make your event spectacular in every way. Bona Dea Private Estate is a “must see” venue that was awarded Best Wedding View at the 2017 TopVendor Wedding Awards.

For more information, contact 028 050 0370 or office@bonadea.co.za or visit www.bonadea.co.za

MOUNTAIN VILLA This luxurious and contemporary self-catering holiday villa on Bona Dea Estate provides an idyllic space in which to relax and unwind.

Win a limited SPECIAL OFFER on venue hire fees for 2019. To enter the competition SMS #TVNReader to 079 949 5918 with your name and email address. Terms and conditions apply.

19 December 2018 | ART

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Representatives of the charities that were the beneficiaries of the funds raised by The Night of a Thousand Drawings at the handover last week: At the back from left are Noël Dreyer of the Hawston Cadets, Alouise Lynch of the Overberg Crane Group, Ann Mapham and Alyson Guy of the Hermanus Art & History Project, Jeandre Marinier of the Hermanus Visual Art & Design Centre and Mzi Damesi of the Overstrand Whale Boxing Club. In front are Hannah Maree, Earnestine van Zeeburg and Michaela Lawrence (students of the Visual Art & Design Centre) and Thandile Bosman (one of Mzi’s top boxers).

PHOTO: Hedda Mittner

Night of a Thousand Drawings raises record amount

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epresentatives of the 19 Hermanus First Fridays art galleries in the CBD gathered last week for the handover of the funds raised by their annual Night of a Thousand Drawings charity artwalk that was held on Friday 7 December. The five beneficiaries were the Hermanus Visual Art & Design Centre, the Overstrand Whale Boxing Club, the Overberg Crane Group, the Hawston Cadet Group and the Hermanus Art & History Project.

their wallets and purses and purchased artworks as though their lives depended on it!”

According to the Hermanus First Fridays (HFF) committee, the event had been a great success. With the threat of rain, load shedding and the protest march, it was feared that the amount of R80 000 raised by last year’s event would not be reached.

The next HFF Artwalk will take place on Friday 4 January. Simply collect a map at any of the participating galleries and join the crowds of artwalkers making their way from gallery to gallery. This event has become a highlight on the Hermanus cultural and social calendar, affording art lovers the opportunity to not only meet the gallery owners and experience the abundance of artistic talent on display, but also to mingle, meet up with friends and enjoy a night out on the town.

– Hedda Mittner

“But Hermanus residents and visitors came out in large numbers,” said Ian Macdonald of Lembu and Forty X 40 galleries. “They unshackled

The amount raised not only exceeded that of last year but reached the tidy sum of R100 000, enabling a five-way split of R20 000 per charity.

The HFF committee members expressed their thanks to everyone who supported this worthy cause.

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19 December 2018 | BOOKS

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As a member of the renowned Flying Doctors Service, Dr. Anne Spoerry treated thousands of people across rural Kenya over the span of 50 years, earning herself the cherished nickname “Mama Daktari” (Mother Doctor). Yet few knew that what drove her from post-WWII Europe to Africa was her haunted past as a “doctor” in a Nazi concentration camp. In Full Flight explores the question of whether it is possible to rewrite one’s past by doing good in the present. By unravelling the incredible history of a complex woman who seeks healing in the soul of the African continent, this spellbinding biography takes readers on an extraordinary journey into a dramatic life punctuated by both courage and weakness and driven by a powerful need to atone.

– penguinrandomhouse.com

Who says you can't run away from your problems? Arthur Less is a failed novelist about to turn 50. When his ex-boyfriend becomes engaged to someone else and invites him to his wedding, he decides to skip town.

What could possibly go wrong?

Arthur will almost fall in love in Paris, almost fall to his death in Berlin, barely escape to a Moroccan ski chalet from a Saharan sandstorm, accidentally book himself as the (only) writer-in-residence at a Christian Retreat Centre in Southern India, and encounter, on a desert island in the Arabian Sea, the last person on Earth he wants to face. Despite all these mishaps, missteps and misunderstandings, Less, which won the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction is, above all, a love story.

- goodreads.com

In an isolated village in the mountains of Andalusia, a mysterious Frenchwoman begins work on a dangerous memoir. It is the story of a man she once loved in the Beirut of old, and a child taken from her in treason’s name. The woman is the keeper of the Kremlin’s most closely guarded secret – a mole that was inserted into the heart of the West and now stands on the doorstep of ultimate power. Only one man can unravel the conspiracy: Gabriel Allon, the legendary art restorer and assassin who serves as the chief of Israel’s secret intelligence service. His quest for the truth will lead him backward in time, to the 20th century’s greatest act of treason, and, finally, to a spellbinding climax that will leave readers breathless.

– goodreads.com

After a dramatic break-up with her boyfriend, Lucy’s sister in Los Angeles insists Lucy dog-sit for the summer.

Her home is a gorgeous glass cube on Venice Beach, but Lucy can find little relief from her anxiety — not in the Greek chorus of women in her love addiction therapy group, or in her frequent Tinder excursions. Then everything changes when Lucy becomes entranced by an eerily attractive swimmer while sitting alone on the rocks one night. But when Lucy learns the truth about his identity, their relationship and her understanding of what love should look like, take a very unexpected turn. The Pisces is a masterful blend of vivid realism and giddy fantasy, pairing hilarious frankness with pulse-racing eroticism.

– penguinrandomhouse.com

Penguin Random House

Penguin Random House

Harper Collins

Little Brown

Penguin Random House

Gripping holiday reads | Compiled by Hedda Mittner

A Russian spy during the Cold War, Oleg Gordievsky is the subject of celebrated author Ben McIntyre’s greatest spy story yet. The son of two KGB agents and the product of the best Soviet institutions, the savvy, sophisticated Gordievsky grew to see his nation's communism as both criminal and philistine. He took his first posting for Russian intelligence in 1968 and eventually became the Soviet Union's top man in London, but from 1973 on he was secretly working for MI6. For nearly a decade, Gordievsky helped the West turn the tables on the KGB, exposing Russian spies and helping to foil countless intelligence plots. But when the CIA grows obsessed with figuring out the identity of Britain's top-secret source, Gordievsky is doomed.

– amazon.com

19 December 2018 | BOOKS

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Cycling for the love of life tions followed to fuse his vertebrae in two places, which left him slightly less mobile than before. He was advised by his specialist to go on early retirement and take it easy. Clearly, he was talking to the wrong person!

Writer Hedda Mittner

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n Dwaalgedagtes op ‘n Fiets (‘Wandering thoughts on a bicycle’) Onrus resident Pieter Loots describes his extraordinary experiences while travelling thousands of kilometres by bicycle, with only his own thoughts to keep him company.

The book gives not only a day-by-day account of his two epic journeys – one from Kimberley to Langebaan and a year later, from Windhoek to Hermanus – but is interspersed with reminiscences about his life, his family and his career. In a frank and open-hearted manner he shares with the reader amusing anecdotes, philosophies, lessons learnt in the past, sage advice about old age, and poignant poems. Above all, it is about his love of life – and his love affair with cycling.

After an illustrious 37-year career in education, both in South Africa and the old South-West Africa – as a teacher, an inspector of schools and subject adviser – Pieter retired in 1993 and settled in Onrus with his wife, Ella. It’s hard to believe that his early retirement was due to health problems, as this 78-year-old is full of the joys of life and still cycles between 400 and 500 km every month.

He had always been a keen sports-

man, taking part in rugby, athletics, tennis and squash, while Ella played provincial netball. While living in South-West Africa, Pieter also took up hang gliding and, never one to do things by halves, soon earned his Springbok colours. When the couple returned to South Africa with their three children in 1980, they settled in Kimberley. With no mountains in the area from which to hang glide, Pieter took up jogging to stay fit.

Again, no half measures; soon he was running one marathon after another, including several Comrades and Two Oceans Marathons.

By 1985, now living in Wellington, Pieter was plagued by an old neck injury sustained during his rugbyplaying years, and his health troubles became acute after he injured his back by lifting a trailer. Two opera-

By this time the Loots family had already been spending their holidays in Onrus for many years and retired to their holiday home. Pieter and Ella took up bowls and before long they were both playing at provincial level. In order to stay fit for bowls, Pieter decided to give cycling a go and found that by making a slight adjustment to the handle bars, he could cycle without aggravating his neck and back.

He not only started cycling every day but completed 15 Cape Town Cycle Tours. His children are also keen cyclists and often accompany Pieter on hiking and cycling tours; last year they completed the Fish River Canyon for the seventh time. “I only walk and ride with doctors; it’s very safe,” jokes Pieter, referring to his son, Sirk, an orthopaedic surgeon in Cape Town who is “either in theatre or on a bicycle”.

In 2015, despite further health problems that necessitated two hip replacements, Pieter decided to tackle an epic journey, riding his bicycle from Kimberley to Langebaan – a distance of approximately 1 000 km, which he covered in an astonishing 11 days. Invigorated by the experi-

ence, which saw Ella following him in their motorhome and the couple camping out along the route, his adventurous spirit prompted another journey only a year later, when Pieter was 76 years old. This time her rode from Windhoek to Hermanus, covering 1 500 km in only 15 days.

Remarkably, he says he was none the worse for wear afterwards.

Back home, Pieter continues to cycle every day, often in the company of his friends and fellow-cyclists, Dirk Theron and Ferdie Marais. He says they would like to invite more cyclists to join them as there is safety in numbers. “We ride anything between 20 and 60 km at a calm pace of about 18 – 20 km/h,” he says. “The trick is to

be able to persevere.”

Pieter says since his two epic journeys, he has experienced neck pain almost daily, and there are times when his hands go numb, making it difficult to change gears. But while on those long journeys when he rode an average of 100 km per day, often in extreme weather conditions, he experienced no aches and pains and felt wonderful. “Your strongest muscle is located between your two ears,” he says, emphasising the importance of a positive attitude to life.

“There are a lot of older people out there who are capable of doing what I have done – they just don’t know it,” he says with a big smile.

Call Pieter on 082 871 1927 or email pieterloots40@gmail.com

Pieter Loots (second from right) with his son Sirk, son-in-law Craig, and daughters Soph and Eugenie.

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MY SCHOOL How to spend your money Financial Matters mindfully this festive season By Janet Hugo

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s the year ends and we start thinking about 2019, it’s usually a good time to consider the benefits of having a December spending strategy, so that January doesn’t start off as “Jan-u-worry”.

It is easy to overspend during the holidays, especially if you’ve been lucky enough to receive a bonus.

Another reason you may feel flush is that December salaries often arrive earlier than usual.

Sadly, this season can mean an increase in thefts and accidents. Be alert! Before the holidays get into full swing, review your short-term insurance and the value of your assets

that are insured. If you understate the value of your assets to your insurer or don’t keep a proper record of them, you might feel very let down by your insurer, should you need to claim. On the upside, you could be overpaying for an asset that has depreciated or even been sold. You may very well be able to reduce your insurance premiums. Any savings in your budget are a gift.

If you have been lucky enough to receive a bonus or another windfall, consider setting aside a portion for frivolous spending – enjoy spending this without guilt. And then, give yourself a real gift of some financial peace of mind.

Begin with your list of financial obligations, necessities and a realistic budget. There is never a better time than now to deal with debt. Anything you buy that doesn’t appreciate in value, is bad debt and a consumption

item. Clothing and spending on store cards are a perfect example of this, usually with interest rates above 20%; these cards are not your friend. This sort of credit (including credit cards) will feel like a horrible hangover in January when you begin to pay off the balance and meet your other obligations, like school fees and uniforms.

Gift yourself by paying off some debt or even putting some reserves aside this festive season. Even better, consider paying an extra instalment on your home loan, if you can. One additional bond repayment this December on a R1 000 000 debt, will result in being able to repay the loan in 16 years, with an interest saving of R289 000.

Yes, Christmas is traditionally the season of giving, but good family memories are worth a lot more than an extra toy that will be forgotten in

a few years. Playing games together, such as Thirty Seconds or Monopoly, makes wonderful memories that last a lifetime. Time spent with loved ones making gifts is also special: my family are making some Jamie Oliver short bread for friends and family.

Have a family meeting to agree how you will deal with gifting this Christmas. It could be that you only spend an agreed amount on the children.

Or agree to have a secret Santa, with each adult getting only one gift from someone in the group. This not only reduces the crazy spending but simplifies the shopping too. My personal favourite is to gift a charity on behalf of someone else. Instead of giving clients’ gifts this Christmas, Sterling Private Wealth has decided to donate money towards Meals on Wheels.

The other gift you could give yourself or a loved one, is a payment towards a tax-free savings account. Contri-

P P P

butions towards these accounts are limited to R33 000 per year, yet the proceeds are protected from Capital Gains Tax, which is currently as much as 18%. Any income earned on these investments, such as interest, is also free from income tax. If you allow the magic of compounding returns to work in your favour, this can be a generous gift.

As a child I was so proud of my post office savings book that my aunt started for me. In the end, the gift she gave me was far more than the value of the savings. She taught me the value of persistent work, disciplined savings, compounding returns and the benefit of patience.

I trust you will have a peaceful festive season and a very blessed 2019.

Visit us on www.thevillagenews.co.za for more stories.

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MY PET Keep your pets fit, not fat Writer Dr Hilldidge Beer

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he season of overindulgence is upon us, and as much as we might look forward to ditching the diet and packing in the Christmas pudding, the same should not be said for our pets. Sharing your festive season fare with your pet not only encourages begging but it is bad for its health and may mean costly vets’ fees in the future.

You may think you’re being cruel by denying your pet the bacon from your plate or a cream bun at tea time but obesity-related ailments will cause far more pain and suffering.

More than 50% of South Africa’s pets are overweight or obese, and that means a host of related health prob-

lems including diabetes, osteoarthritis, heart disease, kidney ailments and cruciate ligament injuries.

DON’T * Free-feed (leaving bowls of food out for your pet all day). Restrict food to meal times only twice a day. * Give in to begging. As hard as it is, put your pet in another room while you are at the dinner table if you can’t resist those melting brown eyes. If you’re worried your cat won’t love you if you hold back on treats, don’t.

Veterinary research has shown that cats on a diet actually increased their affectionate behaviour post-feeding, even though their food was restricted. Make sure every member of the family is on board and isn’t sneaking treats under the table. * Treat them with chocolate or mince pies. Chocolate and raisins are toxic to pets.

DO * Feed them the best quality pet food you can afford. Premium-quality pet foods (not the supermarket variety) are specially formulated to satisfy hunger so your pet will need less in his bowl. And they’re free of bulking agents so there’s less waste.

They also contain just the right amount of vitamins and minerals it needs for good health and are less likely to cause allergies. * Encourage exercise. Dogs should be walked at least once a day and all pets need the stimulation of playtime. EberVet Vetshops stock a wide range of leads and collars, harnesses and toys. Ask them for advice about fitting the collar or harness securely so your dog can’t run off. Make exercise fun. Like humans, pets are easily bored. Providing toys will get them moving more. Build obstacle courses in your garden; hurdles with

broomsticks, slalom with buckets, or provide climbing frames for cats. * Stock up on pet-friendly treats.

Ostrich chews, bones stuffed with peanut butter and catnip will keep your pets happy for hours. For added health benefits, EberVet Vetshops stock Vondi’s and Ricky Litchfield biscuit treats made from natural ingredients like rosehip, buchu and coconut oil, or try Hill’s Ideal Balance soft-baked or grain-free treats. * Have your pet checked by your vet. An annual checkup should alert you to weight-related ailments and your vet can prescribe a new eating plan. If your vet recommends a new

food, introduce it slowly by mixing it with your pet’s old food at first. If your pet refuses to eat its new food, pour on a little tuna or salmon oil or a low-fat gravy, or try heating it in the microwave for a few seconds to bring out the flavour.

And don’t expect to see changes immediately; chances are it took years for your pet to get this porky; shedding that weight will take time too.

Veterinarian Dr Hilldidge Beer is CEO of the EberVet Petcare Group, www.ebervet.com

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LIVING NATURE

Tread lightly on our beaches this season

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he Overstrand’s many pristine beaches will be a popular destination over the holiday period. However, our region is also affected by the problem of marine pollution which is currently receiving huge attention internationally – and it also threatens our marine life and coastal birds. This issue is usually far removed from the thoughts of most holiday makers, but it still needs to be highlighted.

PHOTO: Carin Malan

Many people believe that this problem is just too big, even though there are several things that each one of us can do to address this problem.

COMBAT PLASTIC POLLUTION One often finds plastic and other pollutants along the coastline. An international campaign that encourages beach goers to pick up at least five pieces of plastic every time they visit the beach has been shown to have a significantly positive impact in areas where it is implemented. This is something that each one of us can do – and the message spreads quickly.

Regular coastal cleanup campaigns are organised by local community and conservation organisations.

Find out if such actions are being organised in the area where you are enjoying your holiday and participate in them. These events also represent ideal opportunities to educate children about the conservation of the environment.

International researchers suggest that plastic bottles and shopping bags, straws and polystyrene cups are collected most often during coastal cleanup campaigns. The irony is that these products are only used once and then discarded. Each one of us can ask ourselves what alternative reusable products are available to be taken to the beach and to be used in our everyday lives. In this way we can make an immediate impact on the waste stream along the seashore.

COLLECT FISHING LINE Marine litter affects a variety of marine animals, notably turtles, seabirds and whales. Fishing line and other fishery-related products pose a major problem as marine creatures may become entangled in them and this can impede movement, thereby contributing to body parts being lost, drowning or starvation.

Entanglements off South Africa’s coastline have been reported in at least five species of mammals, two turtle species, six fish species and thirteen seabird species. Bird species most affected by entanglement are African Penguins, Cape Gannets, cormorants and gulls.

For these reasons the installation of fishing line bins was identified as one of six projects forming part of the BirdLife Overberg’s CleanMarine conservation campaign along the Overstrand coastline. Initiated by the Dyer Island Conservation Trust (DICT), these bins have now been put up at

ABOVE: BirdLife Overberg members are joined by volunteers on their regular CleanMarine coastal cleanups.

ABOVE RIGHT: An example of a fishing line bin.

BELOW: An African Black Oystercatcher on its nest.

PHOTO Anton Odendal

various sites along the Cape Whale Coast shoreline in collaboration with the Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA) division of BirdLife South Africa, DPI Plastics, and John Kieser of PLASTICS SA. Many examples of the success of these fishing line bins have already been illustrated. Members of the Great Brak River Conservancy have collected 540g of fishing line from such bins – this equals 2,16 km of fishing line. International marine volunteers at DICT emptied and fixed the fishing line bins along the beach at Die Plaat and collected 580g of fishing line!

We appeal to fishermen and anglers, as well as beach goers, community members and holiday makers to support this initiative by depositing fishing line into these bins. You can also report spots where significant amounts of fishing line are washing up along our shoreline, with GPS co-ordinates, to birding@overberg. co.za It has been shown that this problem can be addressed meaningfully – every little bit of fishing line collected contributes to the improvement of our beautiful coastline.

BELOW: A White-fronted Plover.

PHOTO Riaan Jacobs

BE CAREFUL OF BREEDING BIRDS African Black Oystercatcher (Swarttobie) and White-fronted Plover (Vaalstrandkiewiet) are the only two beach-breeding birds along the Overstrand coastline. Shorebirds nesting on the ground are very vulnerable to beach visitors and dogs during summer months when they breed.

A project forming part of BirdLife Overberg’s CleanMarine campaign aims at educating beach goers to stay clear of these nests. Warning signs alert beach goers to the presence of these nests.

The oystercatcher is a large black bird with pink legs and a bright orange bill. They have a global population of only 6 600. The plover is a small, well-camouflaged bird that always returns to the same nesting area and may pretend to be injured to distract perceived predators from their nest.

The numbers of these plovers have

declined by up to 60% over three decades.

Shore-nesting birds are very sensitive to threats entering their breeding territory. If one comes too close to the nest, they become agitated, stand up from the eggs, start running and even fly away. Your presence could also cause defensive behaviour, often attracting the attention of nearby predators to the nests and young.

Spending extensive time defending their territory while off the nest can also cause eggs to fail or the chicks to die due to heat exposure.

The breeding success of these two species is rapidly declining due to modification of beaches by human expansion and development. The success of each nest may therefore be critical to the survival of that species.

One should stay at least 30 m away from these nests and walk on the wet sand and not in the dunes when nests are present. Give these nesting birds some space and avoid designated nesting areas.

Also note that even well-trained dogs can be perceived as a threat during breeding season. Dogs should be leashed on beaches until the end of the breeding season in March.

Negotiations are currently underway with representatives of the local municipality in view of the possible development of a zoning system for dogs on beaches. This is being implemented very effectively in other municipal areas in the Western Cape Province.

Educational campaigns about conservation issues are being presented at several places along the South African coast during the holiday period. All of these actions are aimed at creating a better coastal environment and improving the tourism potential of our coastline.

For more information on BirdLife Overberg’s CleanMarine coastal conservation campaign contact Dr Anton Odendal on 082 550 3347 or birding@overberg.co.za or visit www.westerncapebirding.co.za.

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MY WELLNESS

Shed those shoes this summer!

Writer Tweet Gainsborough-Waring

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means eliminating all kinds of opportunities for children’s brains to grow new neural connections.

o bare or not to bare? Well, it seems there is plenty of evidence to support the notion that walking barefoot is beneficial, especially for children.

(In the case of the elderly, however, a correlation has been found between falling and walking barefoot, especially in the house, and is therefore not recommended.)

Rae Pica, a US education consultant and enthusiastic advocate for children going barefoot has been specialising in the development and education of the whole child since 1980.

Shed your shoes One of the nicest things we can do for ourselves is to kick off our shoes and liberate our feet. There’s not much that can beat this free treat in today’s world, especially if you have had a long day standing, run a gruelling marathon, or hiked a long trail.

According to Rae, children have been using shoes for physical activity for so long that it would seem as though we have forgotten that our feet have sentient qualities. “Young children feel a natural affinity for the ground that can be enhanced by removing all the barriers between it and the feet,” she says.

Research has shown that going barefoot is important for the development of the nervous system as well as optimal brain development. Your feet are one of the most nerve-rich parts of the human body, which means they contribute to the building of neural pathways in the brain.

Enclosing them in shoes, therefore,

Your feet are more than appendages at the end of your leg. Their different parts (toes, ball, sole, heel) can be more easily felt and used when bare.

The perception of feeling in these various parts is what helps us grip the floor and balance.

The nerves in the soles of your feet act as a network, communicating important information from the foot to the brain. As a result there is evidence to indicate that going barefoot not only strengthens the feet but improves body alignment.

Earthing Getting in touch with mother earth

through your feet allows you to reap the benefits of the earth’s electrical pulses on your body. The known benefits of earthing have to do with a reduction of free radicals that takes place in the body when it comes into contact with “free electrons”, whether from the earth or foods that have grown from the earth.

Free radicals are unstable atoms in your body that can cause degenerative damage to your cells. Evidence suggests that walking barefoot lowers free radical damage, stress, inflammation and pain.

Health concerns One common concern that keeps parents and teachers from setting children’s feet free, says Rae, is that kids will contract germs by going barefoot. “But our skin is designed to keep pathogens out. We’re much more likely to become ill from touching something with our hands, which are in contact with so many things during the course of a day. I’d hate to think we’d keep kids in gloves all day to prevent them from germs!”

She also points out that many podiatrists contend that shoes can be much more harmful to little feet than nakedness can. “Feet should be allowed to develop naturally, not conform to the shape of a shoe. Also,

shoes can often constrict movement of the feet, and can negatively impact on walking, balance, sensory development, and proprioception (the understanding of our body’s orientation in the space around us).”

Treat your feet The festive season is an excellent time to free your feet from the confines of closed shoes. Walking along the beach is a natural exfoliator and best of all, it’s free! Pair your walk with a reflexology treatment and you will be rewarding your hard-working feet with a well-deserved rest and pamper.

Reflexology applies pressure to a range of particular points on your hands, face and feet that reflects through your nervous system into the organs, glands, tissues and muscles of your body. According to Christian Pinkerton, advanced reflexologist and massage specialist at Prime Movement Studios and the Evolve Day Spa, this helps to improve the circulation

of blood and oxygen, amongst others, thus relieving stress and assisting in pain release.

As a footnote: don’t forget your feet the next time you have a shower.

Take a little time to give them a scrub, massage the individual toes, exfoliate the hard skin, and find a favourite moisturiser to help soften rough skin and add moisture. Remember that your feet are also exposed to the sun, so if you are wearing sandals or flipflops, apply sunblock.

"If you think about it, our feet play a pivotal role in our daily lives. They are our first contact with the ground in the morning and the last to leave the earth at the end of the day.”

Sources: www.raepica.com; www.draxe.com; www.consciouslifestylemag.com Visit us on www.thevillagenews.co.za for more stories.

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Hermanus Bucket List Club launched The launch of the brand-new Hermanus chapter of the Bucket List Club was celebrated recently at the Hermanus Golf Club with a talk by safari guide, filmmaker and author, Ian Thompson, on his seven favourite parks and reserves in Africa.

The Bucket List Club is a unique concept and residents and holidaymakers are invited to join. For an annual membership fee of R2 500, members will meet four times a year for events and talks as well as receive a monthly mailer. There will also be chapters in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. A total of R1 500 of the membership fee can be accumulated each year and used as a credit towards a future trip with Wildside Safari Company.

During the talk, Ian revealed that the South Luangwa National Park is his favourite. Known for its concentration of wildlife and pristine wilderness, South Luangwa National Park, located in eastern Zambia, was declared a national park in 1972 but was a protected game reserve for over 65 years before that.

It remains one of the world’s last unspoilt wildernesses and possibly the finest wildlife sanctuary in Africa, said Ian. At the talk R2 000 was also donated to the Overstand Hospice. For further information on The Bucket List Club, contact sharon@imergeconcepts.com or call 082 568 9949.

LEFT: John Ross-Smith, Chairperson of Overstrand Hospice, with organisers Ruth Mackenzie and Sharon Young, and Ian Thompson.

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19 December 2018

PHOTOS: Taylum Meyer

FASHION FOR AFRICA Ayanda's Clothing Range presented its first ever fashion show at the Municipal Auditorium on Friday 14 December. The clothing items were African-inspired with bold patterns and colours and were made by three different designers. 14 models of different ethnicities each modelled one item for the excited audience that attended the show in the banquet hall. In between, guest artists such as Spairo 'Tainment kept the audience entertained by performing poetry slam pieces and singing. The funds raised from the show will go towards creating the Shack Theatre in Zwelihle were children can go to learn drama, dancing, music, sewing,etc. Lead designer Ayanda Qonya can be seen here with his models. For more photos of the show, visit our Facebook page. Ayanda can be contacted on 066 132 9728.

KEEP YOUR WHEELS SHINY AND BRIGHT A group of friends recently decided to start their own business with the purpose of becoming financially more stable. After discussions with William Ntebe of the Zwelihle Youth Café, it was decided that they could run their car wash business from the Youth Café’s premises at the RDP Centre. Depending on the size of your vehicle, these energetic young men will clean your car, inside and outside, for as little as R40. For larger bakkies and mini-bus taxis they charge R80. Within only a few weeks the Zwelihle Youth Café Car Wash has elicited an enthusiastic response from their customers, with several singing their praises on social media. So look no further for outstanding service and a quality car wash from the five partners: Someleze Maqume, Likho Sikiti, Rimtshepile Letshoha, Mbuyiseli Liwani and Vuyisa Gambushe. Visit the Zwelihle Youth Café Market or enjoy some delicious cake and tea or coffee at the Rondavel Cafe? All this is happening from Monday to Saturday, 07:00 – 19:00.

You’ll find the Zwelihle Youth Cafe on the corner of Zuma and Mbeki Streets in Zwelihle. For more information, William can be contacted on 076 969 5830. To book a car wash, call 078 720 2064.

RDP SUMMER FUN PROGRAMME The RDP Centre in Zwelihle’s Summer Fun programme for children kicked off last week, with youngsters from Waldorf School, Zwelihle Primary, Lukhanyo Primary and Mt Pleasant Primary taking part in a range of activities from 13 – 21 December. The children not only had fun but also learnt new skills by participating in self-defense classes, tie dyeing, gardening and football. They also went on educational outings to places such as the Old Harbour Museum, SANSA, Vogelgat and Fick's Pool. Ward Councillor Michelle Sapepa organised the holiday programme with the help of Joke Gonggrijp of Dutchies and other volunteers.

In the photo taken at Waldorf on Thursday, there are a few of the 100 children who attended the Summer Fun programme with (from left, back) Fikiswa Gxamesi (Zwelihle Youth Café), Wouter de Wuilf (a student from the Netherlands), Councillor Michelle Sapepa (organiser), Joke Gonggrijp (owner of Dutchies), educator Molly Venter and artist Gillian Hahn (volunteers), Theo de Wet (educator) and Miranda Kruger (volunteer).

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Neighbourhood shopping takes on a whole new aspect Writer & Photographer Elaine Davie

Y

ou could describe it as a hybrid between a spaza shop and an old-style general dealer’s, but whatever you call it, to the owners, ‘It’s My Shop’. And there are currently nine ladies in Zwelihle and Hawston who own that label with pride.

We’ve received quite a lot of things from Joke’s friends in Holland as well as local people, but we’d like to have more input from overseas, as well as from Hermanus residents and even other towns in South Africa.”

The brainchild of Joke and Just Gonggrijp, the owners of Dutchies Restaurant at Grotto Beach, the It’s My Shop project was launched as a Non-Profit Organisation in 2016, with the aim of empowering local women who were struggling to support themselves and their families.

Anniek Roelofs, a student from The Netherlands who is spending four months here, agrees with Kunzi. “It’s a wonderful project and there are definitely opportunities to expand it in these communities, but we need to find a way of attracting more donations. That’s why I’m trying to develop a brand awareness and marketing strategy for the project. We are already very active on Facebook and Instagram but we need to pull all the pieces together.”

It’s a very simple concept: Hermanus residents donate items in good repair which they no longer want or need – this might include clothing, pieces of furniture, household linen and crockery, electrical appliances, literally anything that someone else might find useful.

These are sorted into packs of 25 or 50 items and sold to the ladies who have signed on for the project, for R10 per item (irrespective of what it is). They, in turn, add whatever mark-up they think is reasonable and sell the goods from their homes to customers in their neighbourhood.

Kunzi Gwigwiza is the project’s enthusiastic go-to guy. He liaises with the ladies, who let him know what their customers need, collects goods from donors, makes up the packs and distributes them to the shop owners.

A newcomer to the project will be given her first 50 items free of charge to get her business off the ground and after that she will pay for her stock.

Kunzi says the project has been a great success and he continually receives requests from other women to join the scheme. He is nothing if not ambitious.

“We’re aiming to establish 100 shops here,” he says. “There is enough demand for it, but the big problem is to find enough goods to supply the shop-keepers on a regular basis.

In addition to supplying the shop-keepers with stock, Kunzi and Anniek organise get-togethers for them to share their experiences and work out better ways of attracting customers. They also run training sessions for them on pricing, marketing and financial management. Most of the women operate their shops from their homes, where space is usually their biggest problem, while some go door to door in their neighbourhood and others sell at the market at Cash and Carry.

Petronella Esau of Hawston is one of the lucky ones. She has been with the project since the beginning, working from home at first, but now she is very happy to have her own little shop on one of the busiest roads in Hawston, which offers her more space to display her goods. Although she keeps a wide variety of stock, from clothing to household goods and furniture, it’s the household items, especially crockery, linen and curtains that sell best.

“A lot of my customers are newly-weds,” she explains. “They’re busy setting up their own homes, but they often can’t afford new things, so they come to me. They know I keep good-quality stock and it’s much cheaper to buy from me than to go

It's My Shop co-ordinator Kunzi Gwigwiza (far right) at Petronella Esau's shop in Hawston with Anniek Roelofs, Anna Chibanga, the proud Petronella herself, Nono Bebeza and her little girl, Zee. all the way into town by taxi. I know most of my customers very well – they’re regulars.”

The shop has made a huge difference in her life, she says. Because she has a disabled husband, she is the only bread-winner in the family. She has built up a steady clientele and this provides her with a useful income.

Most months she is able to order and sell two packs of 50 items each, depending on the season.

A more recent member of the group is Nono Bebeza who lives in Zwelihlle with her four-year-old daughter, Zee. She has been running her shop for six or seven months now and specialises in vintage and children’s clothing.

“I’m studying Events Management,” she says, “and the income from my shop, which I run from home, pays for my studies and also for part of my rent. I usually order two packs of 25 items a month and then I find a model who can show off the clothes to their best advantage and I invite my

customers around to see them. That works well, for adults’ and children’s clothes.” Via social media, she even has customers in Cape Town who buy vintage clothing from her.

Another shop owner who specialises in clothing is Anna Chibanga from Zimbabwe who also lives in Zwelihle. She was working until she was involved in an accident and lost an arm, and consequently, her job. She started her shop a year ago and as a mother of three children, it has been a life-saver. Not only does she run her business from home, but she also sells her goods at the market at Cash and Carry.

Over and above the income these entrepreneurial ladies generate, the project has allowed them to exercise control over their lives and take pride in the fact that they are doing it for themselves.

This is not about a handout; these women pay for their stock and are learning the ins and outs of manag-

ing cash flow, correct pricing and building excellent customer relations. As their small businesses grow, so too does their sense of selfworth.

The project also has a spinoff for the wider community, as Kunzi explains: “Our aim, apart from empowering the women, is to contribute to the overall welfare of the community, so we sponsor Hot Fire, a soccer club for children, as well as a crèche for disabled children in Zwelihle called Ithemba. The money the ladies pay us for their stock goes straight into these projects.”

So at this time of clearing out cupboards and making space for the New Year, It’s My Shop would be delighted to receive anything our readers might be wanting to get rid of.

Donations can be dropped off at Dutchies or Kunzi can be contacted on 066 069 3627 and he will come and collect them. Further information is available on Facebook and Instagram at Its My Shop Hermanus.

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MY HOME GAS INSTALLATIONS

T: 028 312 2020 A: 8 Arum St, Hermanus Industrial

The Waste Transformers launches at city mall The improper disposal of waste is one of the fastest growing risks to our planet and way of life. Rotting food leads to increases in methane gases as the food decomposes in landfills.

To address this, the City of Cape Town plans to start banning wet waste from its landfills from 2022.

The Waste Transformers from the Netherlands and South Africa’s own JSE-listed international property company Growthpoint Properties have united to help take on this challenge.

They are leveraging end-of-pipeline food waste from shopping malls and adopting a de-centralised approach to organic waste.

An on-site, anaerobic digester has been installed at Growthpoint’s N1 City Mall in Cape Town, which is processing the waste from the mall to generate clean methane. This methane is consumed by an internal combustion engine to produce green electricity and hot water for the

shopping centre. A fertiliser is also created, which will be used for the mall’s gardens.

It is an on-site, smart, green, transportation-free approach to realising zero-landfill that makes sense.

Gavin Jones, Growthpoint Properties Regional Retail Asset Manager, Western Cape, says, “Shopping centres can be big food waste generators, especially those with a significant selection of restaurants and grocery shops. This makes them excellent locations for waste-to-energy conversion. N1 City Mall is proud to lead this initiative for its environmentally conscious retailers and customers.”

Nardo Snyman of Growthpoint Properties says, “Organic waste is one of the last barriers to truly achieving Net Zero waste at a number of our properties. With rising levels of pollution in our country and our oceans, it is no longer a case of best practice

to re-purpose our waste but rather a necessity.

embark on this journey with a company of the stature of Growthpoint.”

We are excited about this initiative as it is aligned with our commitment to environmental responsibility and economic empowerment. The containerised, small-scale, on-site approach to transforming waste into energy holds great potential. This pilot project will focus on positive impacts and financial feasibility and, if successful, we would look to roll it out to other Growthpoint Properties by 2022.”

The Waste Transformers is a waste solution provider specialised in converting organic waste streams into energy while simultaneously transforming waste into new products.

The Waste Transformers specialise in a smart, high-impact approach to resource recovery and energy production that aims to power South Africa’s growth with good, green energy, generated locally, while simultaneously recovering assets from waste.

Lara van Druten, CEO of The Waste Transformers, comments, “This project demonstrates how companies can cooperate in a mutually inclusive way that generates energy for positive economic and social change.

Growthpoint is a leading international property company that provides space to thrive with innovative and sustainable property solutions. It is the largest South African primary listed real estate investment trust (REIT) and invests on three continents.

We are excited about the opportunity to transform an unused resource – waste – into new energy for South Africa. And, we are truly delighted to

It is included in the FTSE/JSE Top 40 Index, a constituent of the FTSE4Good Emerging Index and the FTSE/

JSE Responsible Investment Index.

The importance of “going green” is also becoming more important for homeowners. The recent drought, reintroduction of load shedding by Eskom and rapidly escalating costs of electricity and water have made energy- and resource-efficient homes increasingly appealing to home buyers, says Pam Golding Properties.

In a recent survey conducted among their real estate agents, 70% of respondents estimated that homes with ‘green’ features such as solar, grey water systems, rain water collection tanks, boreholes and waterwise gardens may command a price premium of approximately 5 to 10% above similar ‘non-green’ homes.

The participating agents also said they are experiencing heightened interest from buyers in the green properties of a home.

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A new dawn for Fine & Country

T

down over an extended period. That was quite a shock. But on the positive side, at least we can only go up from here,” he says.

“Our ethos is about professionalism and follow through in everything we do. Estate agents can no longer be bored housewives or has-been sales executives – all our property consultants are dedicated professionals, with knowledge of the sales and conveyancing process, and most importantly, with a real desire to turn your home into a bestseller," says Stephen de Stadler, managing director of Fine & Country Hermanus, Arabella and Kleinmond.

“I believe that the presence of F&C is very important for this area because of the fundamentals that we as a group believe in. The sale of a property is less about the bricks and mortar and so much more about the lifestyle we are promoting. Understanding the property from the seller’s perspective allows us to match it to the correct buyer. No more wasting endless time and allowing so many inappropriate buyers to come wander through your property. At F&C we offer a refreshing approach to selling exclusive properties.

According to Stephen he met up with Linda Erasmus, chief executive of F&C South Africa in Cape Town in March last year where she convinced him that he was the man for the job to acquire the F&C licence for Hermanus, Arabella and Kleinmond.

“In order to sell properties, we need sellers and buyers – absolutely logical. Most buyers today will approach us through the internet and social media channels. We thus make sure that our presentation of the property is geared to attract the correct buyer.

“If ever you want to meet someone who lives, sleeps, and dreams property, our boss lady, Linda is that person. Little did I know that literally a few weeks after I signed the licence agreement Hermanus would erupt, roads would be closed, and the property market would effectively shut

We spend an inordinate amount of time in ensuring our photography reflects the characteristics of the property to the best possible extent, and also ensure that the two or three paragraphs that we expect a potential buyer to read are captivating and exciting. At F&C we present property

he opening of the new Fine & Country office in Hermanus was celebrated in style on Friday 14 December by the new team who is looking to take the real estate industry in the region by storm.

Stephen de Stadler, managing director of Fine & Country Hermanus, Arabella and Kleinmond (left), with Linda Erasmus, chief executive of F&C South Africa and business partner Mark Mitchley at the opening of their new office in Hermanus.

PHOTO: Jessica Pote properly.

“We need to provide a national and international platform for maximum exposure. Apart from the 50 other offices in South Africa, our head office in Mayfair, London exhibits 40 metres of street frontage with interactive video screens which allows access to any UK-based buyer who walks past full access to all Fine & Country properties across the world. Just one example of why at Fine & Country we offer widespread exposure of prime residential properties,” he says.

In 1991 Stephen was approached

by a company called O’Riain Estates to become their financial manager.

They had just been bought out by Seeff Properties and over the course of the next five years he worked with the group and became the financial director of Seeff Property Services.

“During this time, I came to know someone whose destiny in life was to direct my future. He was a professional cricketer who I employed as my financial manager in Gauteng, and between captaining a provincial cricket team and producing some financial reports, he became a man who I am proud to call my friend.

Mark Mitchley is not only the licensee for F&C Sandton, but also my partner in this business. We are looking forward to taking the real estate industry in Hermanus and surrounds to new heights with the team of dedicated people who have joined us."

The agents include Stephanie Ferent, Jenny Küsel and Retha Snyman van Heerden.

Find Fine & Country at 16 Hope Street, Hermanus or give them a call on 082 441 0120.

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Eco-friendly housing Writer Jeannie De Vynck

O

ur decisions are often made based on how something affects us and our pockets.

We ask: How does this influence me?

What’s the return on my investment?

Especially when it comes to environmental issues, we can easily ignore them if they don’t have a direct impact on us now.

The common thread in reports on natural disasters, like the recent fires in California, is that these resulted from humans abusing the planet and triggering devastating climate change. Is this the “new normal”; is it too late to do something about it?

Rob Fryer of Whale Coast Conservation says: “If the current attitude persists, then we have gone too far.”

But through the work of men and women like Rob and his team, there is a groundswell of people who are changing their attitudes.

Building an eco-house is not going to solve the environmental crisis, but it can add to the solution. Moreover, here in South Africa we are facing an energy disaster with ongoing load-shedding and future energy shortfalls. We also live with the ever-present threat of water shortages.

It therefore makes sense to provide these for yourself.

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Take, for example, The Green House on the R43, home to Whale Coast Conservation, which is operating off-the-grid. Through the use of solar energy, water tanks and composting toilets, they are now independent of municipal services.

sive. This does not have to be the case, although the initial outlay can be pricey. Installing a full solar-power system can set you back R100 000, which is out of reach for most South Africans. So, if you can afford it, why would you want to spend this much?

Another local eco-friendly establishment is guest farm, Farm 215, outside Gansbaai which also uses solar power and rainwater harvesting. Farm 215 architect, Frederik Groos said: “With the abundance of sun, wind and a lot of tasty fresh water, sustainable architecture should not be a problem in theory. In reality though, it is an incredibly hard job to depart from the traditional pre-set solutions and still meet the expectations of the environmentally conscious, yet demanding traveller.”

“It adds value to your property, it provides energy security and it fulfils an obligation to our planet,” says Rob. “On a 20-year bond, you can cover this cost over time.”

Building eco-friendly houses goes beyond solar panels and water tanks and takes into account the whole process from architect to builder: site selection, plan layout, materials, energy choices and more. These apply to both new builds and renovations and it’s not as hard as one might think.

It all starts with careful planning.

Costs One of the first hurdles is the idea that eco-friendly building is expen-

At the other end of the scale, passive designing is a cost-effective way to heat/cool a house more naturally using orientation, wise material choices and good house planning. You will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save costs if you use a more natural approach.

Building Science 101: the site and the sun In building design, the sun is either your best friend or your worst enemy.

Any first-year architecture student will tell you that the first thing you do when visiting a new site is to find North. By simply orientating your house correctly, you already eliminate many heating and cooling problems.

In South Africa, you need to face your

house North.

The site’s landscaping features such as trees, slope, surrounding mountains, prevailing wind directions, etc. will also inform how you plan your house to maximise natural heating/ cooling.

In our sunny climate, shading our buildings is important. Well-designed roof overhangs can make a significant difference to the temperature in your rooms. There are many online calculators to help you work out how far an overhang should extend to keep the direct sun out in summer but let it in during winter when it is lower in the sky.

Another easy trick is to have a creeping plant, such as a vine, over a pergola. This will provide shade in summer and let in sun in winter when the leaves have fallen off.

Smart choices: heating, cooling and overall environmental impact Heating and cooling our houses can eat up resources, both in cost to our bank balances and cost to the environment. A clue to the best choices is looking at the local building methods and materials that have been used for thousands of years. They are climate appropriate and sustainable, so why reinvent the wheel?

Passive cooling and heating In hot, non-tropical climates, insulation and thermal mass are key. Thermal mass is important for keeping a house cool in summer and warm in winter. In summer, the high thermal mass materials, such as mud bricks,

absorb the heat during the day, keeping the interior cool, whilst at night the absorbed heat then radiates back into the rooms. During winter, these materials insulate against the cold.

Thatch roofs have a similar thermal effect. About 40% of heat is lost through the roof, so insulating your roof is important. By simply sealing your windows and door frames properly, you can reduce “air leakage” and thus heat loss in winter by 15-25%.

Good old fans and evaporative coolers are alternative options to air conditioning and they work well when combined with smart planning.

Solar chimneys and solar energy banks are a simple way to move the air through your home to heat/cool it passively.

Materials Choosing building materials is about more than just aesthetics, cost and convenience and extends to how the whole process of manufacturing, transport and construction affects the environment.

Material choice has a significant impact on the energy efficiency of a building. Consider these options: • Use natural materials found close to site which reduces transport costs and are climate appropriate.

• Have planted roofs which have good thermal properties and can even grow food.

• Use extenders in concrete, e.g. fly ash or slag to reduce the cement content (up to 34%) to

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offset the environmental damage of making Portland cement.

Use double-glazed glass: 87% of heat gain/loss is through glazing.

Use recycled or repurposed materials

Rethinking the default with alternative building methods In South Africa, brick is the default building material for houses and it can be a mind-shift to even consider an alternative, but in terms of energy efficiency and environmental concerns, there are other options worth looking into. Here are a few alternatives: Methods and materials that have high thermal values, are cost-effective and are locally sourced, such as: • Sandbag construction • Rammed earth • Adobe bricks (sand, clay and straw sun-dried bricks) • Cob (sand, clay and straw mixed, but not made into bricks) Repurposed materials, for example: • Shipping containers • Ecobricks • Concrete culverts Light steel frame construction • Using fibre cement board cladding with polyester-filled concrete in-between Power Efficiency is the buzzword when it comes to energy for our homes.

Solar power Solar energy is the go-to alternative energy option for domestic use,

especially when you consider the average 2 500 hours of sunshine we get every year in South Africa. Even on cloudy days, we can benefit from solar energy.

Solar power ticks the important boxes: it’s sustainable, renewable, has no carbon emissions and once the set-up costs are covered, it is a free source. Using solar energy frees you from the unreliable and environmentally harmful national electricity supply.

Another option is to have solar water heaters to supplement your geyser.

A heat pump works in the opposite way to a fridge and takes heat from its surroundings. It can help heat your water and your home.

Wind energy At the moment, generating energy from wind turbines on a small domestic scale is not very practical as they are maintenance-heavy and wind is erratic.

Water Globally, water supply is a problem if not a crisis. The recent drought in the Western Cape hopefully shook us from our slumber to see that we are living in a water-scarce area.

So, what can we as households do? For a start, we can reduce our dependency on municipal water. By harvesting rainwater with a water tank filled from our roof run-off, with a filter and purification pill, we can provide our own drinking water.

Water tanks can also be used for

watering our gardens. Our grey water can be captured and recycled to flush toilets and water gardens and there are various systems on the market that facilitate this.

Managing stormwater in our gardens through careful landscaping can prevent wasteful run-off and loss of topsoil, as does choosing water-wise plants.

Using waste Wet waste such as vegetable peelings and garden cuttings can be fed into worm bins and composting systems.

Appliances and utilities By making careful choices for your appliances and utilities, you can further reduce your overall household impact. For example, choose

GAS SUPPLIERS

a dual-flush toilet system, waterflow-restricted showerheads and low-voltage lighting.

A biodigester, that makes use of household organic waste and then provides methane gas to cook by, can be effective if a few households or an institution feed into it.

Why should you build in an eco-friendly way?

Building this way will require a mindset change, but each one of our seemingly small actions does affect the whole. Going “green” and off-the-grid is a challenge, especially in an urban environment, but it is not impossible, and we should all aim to do as much as we can to reduce the negative effects we are having on our environment.

T: 028 312 2020 A: 8 Arum Street, Hermanus Industrial

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MY SPORT Sporting facilities available to holiday makers Writer Tony O’Hagan

H

ermanus has no shortage of sporting facilities for those holiday makers who like to keep fit or who simply enjoy the great outdoors. Whether you’d like to play a leisurely round of golf or indulge in a more challenging activity, the town offers a range of sports for the whole family, from serious athletes to holiday adventure seekers.

Golf The Hermanus Golf Club has a 27hole golf course and is one of the most prestigious in the country. The course is in pristine condition and visitors will enjoy its magnificent layout.

Members' competitions take place on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons and, other than these reserved days, visitors are welcome to enjoy a round of golf in these beautiful surrounds.

The club is open throughout the festive season and only closed on Christmas Day. Bookings open one week prior to play. Visitors' fees for SA handicapped golfers (affiliated) are R540 and for non-handicapped SA golfers (non- affiliated) R790, for 18 holes of golf.

The popular 9-hole Twilight Special is open every day after 16:30 at a cost of R190, which includes a glass of wine, soft drink or a bottle of beer.

For bookings and further information contact 028 312 1954.

Tennis and Squash The Hermanus Tennis & Squash Club is situated on the corner of Main and Spence streets, near the municipal offices. The club has three squash courts and three all-weather tennis courts. There are a further six tennis courts available for use at the Hermanus Sports Club, near

the cricket field behind Hermanus High School. The facility is open every day. Visitors are welcome and the visitors’ fee for squash is R20 per person for a 45-minute session, and for tennis the fee is R25 per person for a one-hour session. Visitors are also welcome to join social squash on Mondays and Wednesdays from 16:45 to 19:00 for a fee of R30. Social tennis on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 14:00 to 17:00 is open to visitors at a fee of R40. The Harbour Rock Squash Tournament will be held on Saturday, 29 December and is open to visitors. Courts may be booked at the club or by phoning 076 545 9778.

Bowls The Hermanus Bowls Club is situated in Magnolia Street, near the municipal offices. The club has three greens, with club bowls open on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday afternoons. Visitors are welcome with "tabs in" at 13:30 at a fee of R30. The greens are also open on Fridays and Sundays and bowls are available, if required. There is a bowls outlet at the club, selling the necessary equipment and apparel. Bookings can be made at the club on 028 312 4073.

Mountain Biking Visitors can enjoy MTB trails through the scenic Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, across terrain that includes farm roads, jeep tracks and single tracks.

The route also winds through several wine estates, where a stop for refreshments is the order of the day. The MTB trails are designated by colour - green (6.5 km), blue (12.5 km), red (35 km), black (42 km) and long black (68 km).

The trail begins at Euodia Cycles in the Hemel-en-Aarde Village where the necessary permits can be obtained. Adults pay R60 and scholars R30 per day for permits. Euodia

Cycles is open from 09:00 – 17:00 on weekdays and from 09:00 – 13:00 on Saturdays. Permits are obtainable at all times outside the shop premises, where an honesty box system is in operation. All the necessary information is clearly displayed outside the main entrance to the shop. For further information visit www.hermanusadventures.co.za Sea Kayaking This is organised by Walker Bay Adventures and is an extremely popular, guided eco-marine tour. The kayaks leave from the Old Harbour three times daily at 08:00, 10:30 and 13:00.

Other than Christmas day, these tours are available throughout the festive season. The guided eco-marine tour is a 90-minute adventure at a cost of R400 per person. Enquires and bookings via Herman on 082 739 0159.

Running/Walking Whalers Athletic Club organises time trial fun runs on a Thursday evening at 18:00 and runners gather at the Hermanus Country Market area next to the cricket club. Runners and walkers set off on either a 3 km, 5 km or 8 km circuit (individual choice), which takes participants around the Eastcliff area. Visitors are welcome to join the group and enjoy the camaraderie that the club promotes.

An important date on the Whalers calendar is 22 December, as this is earmarked for the FinGlobal sponsored 6 km and 10 km fun run. The run starts from the parking area at Onrus beach (near Milkwood Restaurant) and holiday makers are welcome to participate. The starting time is 07:00 (10 km) and 07:15 (6 km).

The organisers will be available from 05:30 onwards. Entry fees are R50 for 10 km and R30 for 6 km. Participants can enter on the day or visit www.enteronline.co.za.

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The kings and queens of Kosie Pieters!

By Julian Shaw

G

reetings to you all for the last time this year and may I just wish you all a very merry Christmas and a fantastic NewYear. We at the club are getting nice and busy, with lots of returning faces and Christmas spirit abounding!

May I also take this opportunity to thank all the staff at Hermanus Golf Club. I travel around to many different golf clubs and I can assure you we are up there with the best, so pat yourselves on the back.

This past Sunday saw the last round of the very popular junior series tournament, the Kosie Pieters Championships. This is the brainchild of labour consultant Riaan Pieters, who early this year wanted to get a junior tournament running each month for the kids in the club and from the surrounding areas. The idea was to also provide a platform further down the line to expose juniors of all capacities to competitive golf, and if there were juniors who were unable to afford the costs, we would envisage assisting in this respect.

This initiative was very kindly sponsored

by FinGlobal and I am extremely happy to report that it was a terrific success.

Many thanks must also go to the visionary Hermanus Golf Club committee for their wholehearted support, with no charge for the juniors to play each month, and to our caterer Tullishe le Roux who provided the delicious food at a fraction of its normal cost.

Sunday was the last round of the Championships, which was an individual stableford. The juniors also knew that the top four would be getting a “fedex-style" cumulative prize, the top prize being a new set of fitted golf clubs to the value allowed by their amateur status. Very exciting indeed!

Until next year have a great one, play the course as you find it and ball as it lies!

Julz and the team.

Dave Johnston played a hole-in-one on the 24th. Here we see the man of the moment ringing the bell.

Congratulations, Dave!

Above are the top four in the Kosie Pieters Championships. First place went to George Botha (with the trophy) second place was tied between Gordon Shaw and Alric Rooi (standing on either side of George) and fourth spot went to Nicola Herbst (far left). Congratulations to you all.

HERMANUS GOLF CLUB WILL HAVE THE PLEASURE OF HOSTING THE GUYS FROM TAYLORMADE, WHO WILL BE SHOWING OFF THEIR TERRIFIC PRODUCT ON FRIDAY 21 AND SATURDAY 22 DECEMBER. ANYONE WANTING TO SEE AND HIT THEIR PRODUCT IS WELCOME!

Scores at a glance

ALL TOGETHER SATURDAY 8 DECEMBER Betterball Stableford 132 players East Course (Red) 1–18 1. Roydon Pybus & Roger Faircliff 43 C/I 2. Kristian Borglin & Kerstin Borglin 43 C/O South Course (Green) 10 – 27 1. Willie Theron & Daan Dockel 45 2. Pikkie Blommaert & Dave Johnston 44 North Course (Blue) 1–9 & 19–27 1. Chicken Basson & Morgan O’Kennedy 46 2. Shaun Smith & Simon O’Sullivan 45 CHRISTMAS MIXED Fourball Alliance Winners: East course - James Storbeck, Dave Sawtell, Caron Lee and Patti Smith 77 points South course - John Woodhouse, Bruce and Sarah Ravenhill, and

Joy Lorden 81 points North course - Christine Huber, Angela Heritage, Richard Jones and Etienne Roodt 81 points LADIES’ TUESDAY 4 Ball Alliance 92 players Winners: Arlene Ross Smith, Joy Lorden, Moira Stadler and Sue Atkinson 76 points C/I Runners-up: Nancy Blonerus, Janet Taylor, Celia Bromley, and Mary Evans 76 points C/O MEN’S WEDNESDAY Individual Stableford 137 players Winners: East course - Andre du Plessis 36 North course - Hoppie Nel 38 points South course - Gawie Erasmus 38 points Ball pool pays to 34 Best gross: Louis Bester 77

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MY SPORT

Record set at fishing league

L

egendary Hermanus fisherman Eugene le Roux won the 2018 Walker Bay Ski Boat fishing league, against stiff competition. His catch of roman on the last monthly outing in December saw him through.

In a promising development that turns back the clock, red steenbras seems to be making a comeback after having been over exploited in earlier years. Club anglers reported that several previously rare red steenbras were caught and released.

Club Chairman Walter Mapham who came second, congratulated Eugene and said: “Eugene is one of a few remaining Hermanus residents who has made a living from the sea. It is a privilege to have competed with and learnt from a fisherman of Eugene’s calibre."

However, an 8,7 kg specimen was kept and sets a new club record. Herman Botha’s beautiful 82 cm fish won him the prize for the biggest fish on the day. The club generally supports the principle of catch and release where fish are measured, photographed and released, with weights calculated from measurements.

Eugene is a founding member of the ski boat club and has been a professional fisherman all his life. He started his career in the late 1940s rowing out to sea with his fisherman father from the Old Harbour. Mapham reported that 6 boats and 18 anglers, of whom Eugene, at the age of 77, was the second oldest, took part in the December competition.

19 December 2018

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BELOW: Walter Mapham (right), chair of the Walker Bay Ski Boat Club, with Eugene le Roux who won the 2018 Walker Bay Ski Boat fishing league. Mapham was the runner-up in the competition.

RIGHT: Herman Botha with his record-breaking red steenbras that weighed in at 8,7 kg.

The ski boat club holds a competition on the second Saturday of every month. The club is based in the New Harbour and welcomes those with an interest in fishing, the environment or the fishing history of Hermanus.

For more information visit www.wbbsbc.co.za.

Cycling for a dream Stanley 'Butch' Webster and long-time friend Graham Wilson made the decision this year to cycle for charity from Durban to Cape Town (1 635 km) over the span of 32 days. On Saturday they stopped off in Hermanus en-route to their final destination.

From left are Wayne Bagley, Graham Wilson and Butch Webster with cyclists from the Hermanus Cycling Group Paul de Villiers, Paul Lewin and Jack Ackermann. The Hermanus cyclists rode with Wayne and Butch from Stanford to Hermanus.

smoking something," replied Graham, but joined Butch anyway in what became the Dream Cycle Foundation.

The two cyclists were joined on their trip by Wayne Bagley who drove behind them the entire way, warning motorists behind him to drive carefully due to cyclists on the road. Apart from The men (both 69 years old) have been friends an isolated incident, they never encountered road for 40 years, since they met at the Maritzberg Football Club. Both men became actively involved rage on their trip. They cycled through all kinds of weather and met many people from different in all kinds of sports after ending their ties with walks of life along the way. In some towns they football, including running and cycling. were welcomed with banners and crowds gathered to show their support.

"Running is extremely hard on the legs, whereas cycling is not," said Graham, who has been cycling The pair rode in support of the African Wildlife for close on 20 years. Butch, who was born in Foundation, Expro (support for ex-professionals) Johannesburg but now lives in Florida, USA only started cycling less than a year ago when he mes- and Relief Bed (beds for impoverished people and saged Graham and told him that he wanted to do disaster victims worldwide). For more photos and information on their story, visit the Dream Cycle a fundraising cycle for charity. "Do you think we Foundation Facebook page.

- Taylum Meyer can do it?" Butch asked Graham. "I think you are