The Village News 20-26 March 2018

Village

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NEWS NEWS

Mayoral Entrepreneurial Winner

Cape Whale Coast

20 - 26 March 2018

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THE SUN SETS ON SUMMER Barbara Hayn and Stephen Geldenhuys from Hermanus recently enjoyed a fishing trip to Walker Bay Nature Reserve near Gansbaai.

After hours of patiently waiting for that one big bite, they were treated to a beautiful sunset over the ocean.

PHOTO: Taylum Meyer, Titanium Photography

‘Scourge of poaching will be broken’ De Waal Steyn

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e are under siege from poachers and we aim to change that,” said SAPS Overberg Cluster Commander, Brig. Donovan Heilbron.

This followed the dramatic arrest on 5 March of nine Fisheries

Control Officers of the Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) along with eight suspected abalone smuggling syndicate members in Gansbaai.

According to Heilbron the arrests were the first step in eradicating the scourge of abalone poaching and smuggling along the Cape Whale Coast. “In the coming months

the public will see dedicated actions against the poachers who continuously strip our coastline of this precious resource. We cannot divulge the details at this stage, but I can assure you that we are taking this very seriously.

“In fact, I have given direct orders to all the SAPS station commanders in the Overberg to personally take charge of

tips and information we receive from the public.”

ensure that everything goes according to plan.”

Heilbron said although the first action was undertaken in Gansbaai, the whole of the Overstrand will form part of the next phase of action against poachers. “Various units of the SAPS and other law enforcement entities will be part of this and we have several contingency plans in place to

At a public feedback meeting last week in Gansbaai, Capt.

Danie Rautenbach, Head of the SAPS Gansbaai Detective Branch, said the individuals arrested on 5 March will be prosecuted under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA). “This is very serious legislation and I can

assure the public that the evidence we have collected against the accused over the last four years is rock-solid. All the men arrested will be charged with racketeering, theft and corruption, amongst others.

“The investigation that led to the arrests were started in 2014 and various law enforcement agencies took part.

Read more on P 3

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20 - 26 March 2018

THE

NEWS

OPINION Matters

It is time to trust again The swoop on corrupt officials of the Department of Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) and suspected abalone smugglers by a team of law enforcement officials from various agencies has been in the making for more than four years, according to the SAPS. The fact that the investigation has gone on for such a long time shows the dedication and seriousness of our law enforcement agencies in their fight against the raping of our coastline.

Poaching has developed an international crime network which has led to an increase of drug use and gangsterism in many of our communities. As DAFF has failed to adequately allocate fishing quotas, many have had no choice but to resort to abalone poaching to put food on the table. Together with the failure to provide economic opportunities for our fishermen, this threatens to tear apart the social fabric of our communities.

It is, unfortunately, true that many members of the public have lost their trust in law enforcement to curb abalone poaching. At public meetings the past week in Gansbaai, instead of jubilation at the arrests and the planned clampdown on poachers, the mood was terse and stiff.

Public opinion that DAFF officials and the SAPS are reluctant to follow up on complaints held sway despite the assurance given to the contrary.

There were many objections from the public that poachers go about their daily business with impunity under the noses of law enforcement officials. To a large extent this opinion is true and there are countless examples to prove this.

But with the arrests earlier in the month a light breeze of change can be felt in the air.

There is a genuine sense of urgency in the promises by SAPS that over the next few months poachers will be held accountable for their actions.

Not only that, but the assurance given that all station commanders in the Overberg will personally oversee action in response to complaints is a mind shift away from the notion that anti-poaching actions are not the mandate of SAPS. As they say, actions speak louder than words, and the next few months will be the litmus test for our law enforcement agencies.

Maybe it is time for us as the public to start trusting in our law enforcement agencies and officers once again and give them the benefit of the doubt.

This is the good NEWS – Ed.

Ombudsman The press exists to serve society. Its freedom provides for independent scrutiny, and is essential to ensuring demo-cracy. It enables citizens to make informed judgments, a role that is recognised by the Constitution. The Village NEWS subscribes to the South African Press Code and thus to the South African Press Council and the South African Press Ombudsman. Should you feel our reportingis not fair, free or unbiased and without prejudice, or that serious errors have been made, you are welcome to lay a complaint with the Ombudsman. Reach him on 011 484 3612/8, e-mail pressombudsman.org.za or visit www.ombudsman.org.za

Sheila and her husband, the late Des Romburgh.

Long-time Hermanus resident passes away

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ell-known resident of 41 years, Des Romburgh, passed away on Monday 12 March at the age of 94.

performing branch of the group to top achiever out of 31 branches in the Eastern Cape, Free State and Western Cape.

Born in Cape Town in 1923, he joined the army when he was just 15 – having falsified his age in order to do so. He served in the Rand Light Infantry which was mobilised for World War II in June 1940.

This battalion gained fame in North Africa where it took part in many front line engagements and earned battle honours at Bardia, Gazala and El Alamein. Des served in each of these battles.

It did not take him long to become involved in the community after his arrival here in 1977. He was invited to join the Rotary Club and it was here that he and his wife, Sheila made many new friends.

Des is well remembered by local residents of many years’ standing for the pivotal role he played in building up what was Beunderman’s Hardware from a small shop in the middle of town to what later became Federated Timbers, and which today is known as Builders Express in the industrial area.

With his management skills he turned Federated Timbers around from being the under-

One of them was Graham Westcott, Rotary President at the time, who became the founding member of a much needed NSRI in Hermanus.

Des was one of the small team who built the first NSRI boat in Hermanus, the Florence Carter, every Wednesday night in Graham’s huge garage, and continued to be a member of the NSRI team for many years afterwards.

Always one to serve his community and as a lay minister of St. Peter’s Anglican Church for 20 years and church warden for 10 years, Des was instrumen-tal in setting up the Hermanus Frail Care Centre

SOFCA when the late Rev. Claude Mitchell realised the need for a place of care for the aged in Hermanus.

When he was chosen as President of the Hermanus Rotary Club in 1980/81 his project for the year was to build the Babbel en Krabbel Nursery School (now Hermanus Pre-Primary).

He achieved this with the help of his friends and colleagues in the building industry, who willingly donated building materials to this cause, enabling the total cost to Rotary being only R700. Des also served on both the Hermanus Primary and High School Committees.

Desmond will be missed by many in Hermanus and particularly by his wife Sheila, 5 children, 2 step-sons, 15 grandchildren and 11 greatgrandchildren.

A Memorial Service to commemorate the life of this long-time resident will be held at St. Peter’s Church on Saturday, 24 March at 11:00.

– Anne Philip

WHERE TO FIND US The Village NEWS is published weekly and the next edition will be available on 27 March.

The NEWS can be found at over 100 distribution points on the Cape Whale Coast, from Pringle Bay to Gansbaai.

Get your FREE copy from major retail stores such as Spar, Checkers and Pick n Pay, and at restaurants, tasting rooms, galleries and shopping centres. Should you wish to receive a copy, call us on 028 312 2234 or 083 228 7523 or pop into our office at 6 Royal Street, Hermanus.

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20 - 26 March 2018

Taking charge of criminal activity From P 1 “These agencies include SAPS, DAFF, SARS, SANDF, and Nature Conservation.”

Rautenbach said he understands that the public is frustrated because so little has been done to apprehend poachers in the water. “On a clear calm evening there are up to 1 000 poachers in the water stripping away at a limited resource.

Residents seeing this and reporting

it were left out in the cold because there was confusion as to which agency is responsible for dealing with the complaints.

the healthy apples know who the rotten ones are, and we are closing in on them too. Watch this space,” he said.

“Well, I can say that this is the mandate of SAPS. We will react to all complaints and if you are not happy with the reaction, you can talk directly to the station commanders and they will ensure that action is taken. Yes, we know that there are some rotten apples in the SAPS, as there were in DAFF. But

The case against the DAFF officials and suspected syndicate members was transferred to the Cape Town Regional Court where bail was opposed. A task team including members of the Hawks, DAFF Special Investigations Unit, and the Asset Forfeiture Unit conducted the swoop.

According to Rautenbach they are aware that the proceeds of poaching and smuggling are the main source of income for many families in the Overstrand.

“Because families will be left without an income we are expecting an increase in other crimes such as housebreaking. We have prepared for this and together with other law enforcement agencies and neighbourhood watches we will do our best to curb this.”

What does the Prevention of Organised Crime Act say?

T

he Act, also known as POCA, introduces laws that work against organised crime and gang activities, with a special focus on money-laundering and racketeering or illegal business activities.

Crimes related to gangs, moneylaundering or racketeering can be prosecuted in terms of this Act, even if the crime was committed before the Act came about, or if it was committed by a South African in another country.

When is a person guilty of racketeering?

A person who has any property which they know is linked to any illegal business activity is guilty of a racketeering offense. If a court finds that the person ought reasonably to have known that their property was being used in illegal activities, then that person is also considered guilty of a crime. This means that ignorance is no defence! During the prosecution of racketeering-related crimes, if the court thinks it is fair, it may hear evidence related to hearsay and/or previous convictions.

What is the punishment for racketeering?

If a regional court thinks that a criminal ought to be fined for more that R100 million, or be imprisoned for more than 30 years, then the court will stop proceedings and

hand the case over to the High Court. The punishment for racketeering-related crimes can be high.

Any person convicted of racketeering can get fined for up to R1 000 million or be imprisoned for life.

When is a person guilty of money-laundering?

A person who knows or ought to have known that they have acquired any property or proceeds derived from unlawful activity, or who can be linked to ill-gotten gains, can be found guilty of money-laundering. It is also an offence to acquire, use or own property which has been stolen or derived through any unlawful activity, and/or to help another person to benefit from unlawful activities.

When is a person guilty of a gang-related crime?

It is a crime to: • Wilfully aid any criminal activity carried out by a criminal gang; • Threaten to commit any act of violence by a criminal gang; • Threaten any person or persons with retaliation in response to an act or alleged act of violence; • Perform any act that contributes to a pattern of criminal

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gang activity; Incite or encourage any other person to take part in criminal gang activity; or Intentionally cause or encourage another person to join a criminal gang.

What is the punishment for gang-related crimes?

Inciting or encouraging another person to take part in gang activities or to join a gang warrants a fine or imprisonment for a period of up to 3 years. All the other gang-related crimes are punishable by fine or imprisonment of up to 6 years, except in cases where the offence is committed within 500 metres of a public or private school, at a time when classes are taking place.

Such an aggravating circumstance can result in the period of imprisonment being extended to 8 years.

What happens to the profits of crime?

Confiscation orders give the court the right to confiscate any illgotten gains, whereas restraint orders stop suspects from getting rid of any property or profits while they are being investigated.

Whenever a convicted person is found to have benefited from a

crime, the court may issue a confiscation order, instructing them to repay the State an appropriate amount, in addition to any punishment imposed for the offence. This confiscated amount cannot be more than the value of the proceeds of the crime.

During the case, the public prosecutor may make use of statements in writing under oath.

The defendant has the right to dispute this evidence by stating the grounds on which they object. If the defendant cannot dispute the evidence, then any allegation contained in the statements will be considered as conclusive proof in a court of law.

If it is found that a defendant did not have legitimate sources of income to explain their ownership of property, then that property will be considered as an illgotten gain. If the court puts a restraint order on a person’s property, that person cannot deal with the property in any way. This means they cannot sell the property, give it away or transfer ownership.

Source: Know Your Service Rights

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20 - 26 March 2018

The ins and outs of water World Water Day is celebrated across the globe each year on 22 March. This year the theme is Nature for Water and explores how we can use nature to overcome water challenges in the 21st century. With water being a much-debated issue in the Western Cape, DE WAAL STEYN had a look at some water facts and myths.

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nvironmental damage, together with climate change, is driving the water-related crises we see around the world. Floods, drought and water pollution are all made worse by degraded vegetation, soil, rivers and lakes. When we neglect our ecosystems, we make it harder to provide everyone with the water we need to survive and thrive.

According to UN-Water, which coordinates the United Nation’s water programmes, nature-based solutions have the potential to solve many of our water challenges. “We need to do so much more with ‘green’ infrastructure and harmonise it with ‘grey’ infrastructure wherever possible. Planting new forests, reconnecting rivers to floodplains, and restoring wetlands will rebalance the water cycle and improve human health and livelihoods,” says the organisation.

With the current water crisis in large areas of the country, many terms are bandied about and social media is awash with tips and advice on how to save water. Most commonly heard are the terms grey water and waste water.

According to Stephen Müller, Director of Infrastructure and Planning at the Municipality, waste water refers to all water from households that has been used. “Black water is all the water that has been contaminated by human matter. This includes sewerage, bath, shower and water used for washing hands. Water that was used for washing (dishes and laundry) is referred to as grey water.

drinking water available.

Many social media tips encourage people to use “grey water” in their gardens. This refers to household waste water collected into drums or tanks. But, warns Dr Eduard Hoffman, Chair of the Department of Soil Management at Stellenbosch University, this water is loaded with chemicals that cause salinity and will seriously harm garden soil., Garden plants die because of the high sodium and potassium levels.

“Dishwashing and laundry water can prevent plants from absorbing water. While plants may initially flourish or survive dry heat conditions, they will die when the soil becomes saline due to the buildup of salts,” he says.

“Household waste water received at water treatment works is treated until it is clean enough to be pumped back into a natural water system. In Hermanus this waste water is pumped back into the ocean at Schulphoek as the salts are not removed during the cleaning process.

According to him bath and shower water (without shampoo) is low risk.

Washing soaps and detergents have extra chemicals to dissolve fats and oils and are very risky to use in a garden. Many filters used in grey water tanks are totally insufficient to remove these chemicals.

Untreated water from natural sources such as rivers and dams is referred to as raw water and after basic filtration can be used, together with treated waste water, for irrigation.

Eduard explains that in saline soil, high sodium levels replace magnesium and calcium necessary for plant growth and absorption of water.

“Sandy soil is more susceptible to this as it becomes saline within weeks. A soil crust will form, preventing surface and tap water from penetrating the soil. The salts will then need to be leached out, which

According to Stephen five more steps of filtration, including reverse osmosis, can be applied to grey and waste water to create some of the cleanest

Sponge cities The Chinese Government has launched the ‘Sponge City’ initiative to improve water availability in urban settlements. By 2020, the 16 pilot cities will implement a range of measures, such as green roofs and walls, permeable pavements, and bioswales (constructed filtration channels) to capture water and divert it back into revitalised natural storage for irrigation and cleaning purposes during periods of drought.

The project’s objective is for 70% of rain water to be absorbed and reused through improved water permeation, retention and storage, purification and drainage, as well as water saving and reuse. is a lengthy and expensive process,” he says.

According to Stephen the Municipality does not recommend the use of household waste water for any other purpose than flushing toilets.

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• South African water facts: • South Africa is the 30th driest country in the world • At 490 mm South Africa’s annual rainfall is half that of the world’s average • 9% of rainwater flows into rivers and dams • 4% of rainwater recharges groundwater supplies • 60% of water is used for agriculture • 11,5% of water is used for domestic and urban demand • 10,5% is used for mining and industrial demand Climate and environment: • The number of people at risk from floods is projected to rise

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from 1.2 billion today to around 1.6 billion in 2050 – nearly 20% of the world’s population.

Around 1.8 billion people are affected by land degradation and desertification. At least 65% of forested land is in a degraded state.

An estimated 64 - 71% of natural wetlands have been lost since 1900 because of human activity.

Soil erosion from croplands carries away 25 to 40 billion tonnes of topsoil every year, significantly reducing crop yields and the soil’s ability to regulate water, carbon and nutrients. The runoff, containing large amounts of nitrogen and phosphorous, is also a major contributor to water pollution.

Water availability: • Around 1.9 billion people live in potentially severely water-scarce areas. By 2050, this could increase to around 3 billion people.

– unwater.com

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20 - 26 March 2018

History of Hermanus hotels: The Marine Part Three The third instalment on the history of this iconic landmark is an exclusive extract from the draft of a new book currently being written by DR ROBIN LEE of the Hermanus History Society. It is from the chapter on the role of hotels and hotel holidays in the socio-economic history of our town and focuses on the remarkable heritage of The Marine Hotel.

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uring the late seventies, The Marine was allowed to run down after a succession of managers were unable to keep up the standards of its glorious past. Its Swiss-born owner Werner Hinder, who had purchased the hotel in 1967, was glad to sell it to David Rawdon in 1980.

David Rawdon (1924 – 2010) bought The Marine in a dilapidated condition for the reported sum of R210 000. He commented at the time: “It was very run down and was operating as a boarding house.” However, he had successfully renovated and redecorated old hotels before – Rawdon’s Hotel in Natal (1954), the Lanzerac Hotel in Stellenbosch (1958), The Lord Milner in Matjiesfontein (1968), and the Drostdy in Swellendam (1977).

He spent four years planning and carrying out the renovations to The Marine.

Rawdon’s renovations at The Marine were comprehensive. The exterior of the building was not altered much, except for a curved wall that had been built on the south-west side which was squared off elegantly. But, inside, each bedroom was given a bathroom en-suite and several of the outbuildings and storerooms outside the dining room were demolished and a courtyard area built. An article in an architectural journal in April 1986 stated: “…almost the entire building was gutted, leaving the shell, and required structural walls… it involved more

GRAND OLD LADY The Marine continues its proud tradition and is today an internationally rated five-star establishment. rebuilding than anticipated.”

On completion in 1985, the hotel boasted a sea-themed hallway; dining room; pub; billiard room; card room; conference room; heated indoor wineglass-shape pool; a Jacuzzi; and 55 bedrooms and suites, all differently decorated.

Kitchens and other service areas were also modernised.

Rawdon insisted throughout that he aimed to create an affordable sea-side hotel and he never tried for a grading above two stars. Instead, he concentrated on a homely ambience, frequently moving among the guests, especially at meals. He did a good deal of cooking himself. One guest commented in writing about “the unforgettable Rawdon desserts buffet”. Rawdon brought a considerate and personal touch to the management of the hotel that drew in

visitors and residents for the next 12 years. He was also well respected by his staff.

Rawdon broke decisively with the long tradition of all-in hotel holidays. His hotel tariff applied to rooms only – guests were at liberty to take meals in the hotel or elsewhere. That is why, in 1986, the average price per night of a sea-facing suite for two people was R80. Not many guests that year would have chosen to eat breakfast outside the hotel, considering that the hotel’s menu consisted of fresh fruit, fruit juice, bread, eggs, gammon, sausage, fried tomato and fried potato, toast, tea and coffee – all for the bargain price of R5!

Rawdon also promoted the hotel as a venue for meetings of local organisations, for golf lunches and dinners, lunches with speakers, flower, cookery and cosmetic demonstrations,

The David Rawdon suite at The Marine.

PHOTO: Old Harbour Museum

birthdays, weddings and anniversaries, celebrations of national days, vintage car rallies, art exhibitions and oneperson dramatic performances.

He also made a feature of Sunday lunches which are fondly remembered by many living in Hermanus today.

In 1997, Rawdon agreed to sell The Marine to Elizabeth McGrath at a price a local paper speculated was about R15 million. The last Rawdon Sunday lunch was held on 22 February 1998. The menu was vintage Rawdon. David Rawdon died in 2010 at the age of 85.

Liz McGrath had very different plans for The Marine from those so successfully implemented by David Rawdon. In 2008 she recalled: “(The Marine) was another hotel I never meant to buy… (It) seemed so sad and tired… but lovely. I love old buildings and love to

restore them, and I suddenly decided it would be lovely to start over again.”

preserved in the dedicated David Rawdon Suite which is used as the honeymoon suite today.

Her longer-term plan for The Marine was very different to Rawdon’s, but the immediate task was the same: renovate the building so that it would express and contain her vision of the hotel. She spent much less time than Rawdon on the task, completing it in eight months. When The Marine Hotel opened again in October 1998, it comprised many allnew features.

Hermanus hotels suffered from frequent fires. Indeed, it may be that the two that did not experience a serious fire are the two hotels that survive today: The Marine and the Windsor. All the others suffered damage or destruction from fire: The Bay View (1940); Riviera (1944); Cliff Lodge (1944); Victoria (1953); Central (1953); Seahurst (1956); Birkenhead (1969); and Royal (1981). Thatched roofs had a lot to do with this, though some suspicious people have been known to use the words ‘insurance purposes’.

There was a hallway-reception area; a lounge; an orangery and bar; two restaurants; a courtyard with pool; a reading room; a shop; and 45 suites and rooms, all with en-suite facilities. Air-conditioning and underfloor heating were available in some areas, a new roof was built, and later a spa. The memory of David Rawdon is

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

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

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THE

NEWS

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

Young soccer stars in search of a field The Village NEWS printed an article recently about Vivo United Football Club. I would like to give a parent's perspective to your readers.

The children who are part of Vivo United FC come from all walks of life and from all areas of Hermanus. They are united by their passion for football.

They are a team, a real team with great respect for each other and a dedication to the sport that they love so much. They train twice a week, come rain or shine, but even with their incredible commitment it has been nothing but an uphill battle for the club.

For the last six months or so the kids have had no field to consistently train on. We have requested, begged and pleaded with every authority of any potential field, only to be turned down time and time again. The kids are aware of the situation but that has never stopped them from coming to football practice.

They spent many practice sessions just running around Hermanus as a group as there was nowhere for them to practice and even knowing that they wouldn't get to kick a ball on those days, they were there with

the same dedication, passion and commitment as always. All 50+ of them.

Last year was a disaster when we were told that we were no longer allowed to use the field which they had been practicing on. It took a few months (and many practices spent running) before another field was found.

We have now learned that they will no longer be allowed to use this field either and the football club has had to suspend all training until a solution can be found.

Such a large demographic of Hermanus have football as their first choice in sport, but this isn't catered for at Hermanus Primary School or at Hermanus High School. There is a great need for a private, Hermanus based club. These kids don't want to be rugby players or hockey players, they just want to do what they love and not a single adult in this town is prepared to do something which will allow that to happen.

various sports fields to come and watch the kids play in the hope that this might allow them to see how much talent these kids have and how much they deserve somewhere to practice, but no-one has taken me up on this offer. They are simply not interested. I am now asking anyone we previously approached for the use of their field to reconsider.

We are a large group of parents prepared to move mountains for these children and their fantastic coaches, who have given so much of themselves over this time. So many people helped to raise funds so that the club could purchase football kit; parents, family members, friends and strangers, but the kids have never had a chance to wear it.

When we were growing up we were taught that where there is a will, there is a way – and so we passed that wisdom on to our children. They have the will, we as the parents have the will, the coaches have the will. Who can help us find the way?

The talent that these kids have is incredible. I have personally asked authority figures of

Soccer Mom

‘Road hogs’ to blame for accidents on R43 I refer to the Facebook Poll as published in The Village NEWS dated 13 – 19 March. For the past 18 years I have been commuting on the R43 between Bot River and Hermanus, and would like to make the following observations: 1. The speed limit of 120 km/h is not the problem, rather it is the fact that vehicles of all shapes and sizes, from delivery trucks to the small ‘sardine cans’, abuse the law by travelling way in excess of the legal speed limit. However, adhering to the 120 km/h limit means constant subjection to flashing lights, vehicles travelling up your exhaust, or being cut off by frustrated drivers – common symptoms of road rage.

2. Travelling at these high speeds creates problems, which in an emergency, can easily lead to an accident as there is no room for any mistakes to be made, causing an out-of-control situation.

‘road hogs’. Some of the worst offences committed on a daily basis include overtaking on blind rises, crossing the double white lines at lib and failing to adhere to stop signs at road intersections.

3. Drivers of 4 x 4s tend to have a misguided attitude, believing that these particular vehicles were designed for Kyalami Race Track. They are some of the worst offenders who tend to think that they own the highway, driving vehicles specifically designed for rough and difficult roads.

I have driven in Europe, Australia, and the USA, and I am convinced we have the most undisciplined and inconsiderate drivers on the planet. Forget about the suggested changes to the speed limits but rather concentrate on the real problems as outlined in the above points. And let us make an effort to drive mindfully and with consideration for other road users.

4. Traffic officials occasionally set up roadblocks for inspection, concentrating on valid licence holders etc, instead of patrolling, fining or arresting

Noël Hunt

Trains finally come to Hermanus OK, not quite but close enough. Steven Green, a pilot for Emirates, was a Hermanus resident before starting his flying career and settling in Dubai. He also happens to be a train enthusiast and is currently working on a South African railway model. He decided to include the Hermanus station in his model lay-out – as it would have looked with an actual railway line and trains running through the station.

“On my last visit to Hermanus I took photographs of the station building and commissioned Albert Borgenstein in Johannesburg to

build me a model, as South African Railways specific models are very hard to come by and are a niche market,” wrote Steven to The Village NEWS. “However the station is an exact replica built in 1:87 scale which is the standard HO scale gauge for model trains.”

While the one of a kind station was commissioned by Steven, he built all the other decals and scenery himself. “The scenery is not 100% geographically correct, but the beauty of train modelling is that it's my layout and therefore my rules apply,” writes Steven. “So while the station is correct the rest is simply made to look as South African as

possible as well as filling the available space on the board.”

It has taken him about a year and a half to come this far, with many more improvements still planned.

Unfortunately if you wish to view the model you would have to travel to Dubai, so we are grateful that Steven sent us this picture of a scene we never thought we’d ever see!

Steven’s mother, Ingrid Green, has been living in Hermanus for 20 years and is chairperson of the South African Association of Retired Persons: Hermanus Chapter.

Pedestrians do not always have right of way Just goes to show, even with all my spiritual awakening, meditation and deep breathing, underneath it all, I am still a deeply flawed human being.

crazy person is about to mow them down. I won’t go so far as to say I am not a crazy person, but I did feel the need to make my point.

An altercation at the pedestrian traffic circle was sent my way to illustrate this last Friday morning.

It was a slow traffic day on a calm Friday morning, when I drove through the Woolies traffic circle, and was about to exit when I saw a pedestrian not even hesitate and boldly walk on through. So I carried on out of the circle and beat him to it, but in my rear-view mirror saw wild hand signs and yells directed at me. I decided to pull over and go and let the gentleman know that in fact I was correct and had an article to prove it.

As a car exiting a traffic circle, I am a bit smug in the knowledge that I have the right of way over a pedestrian crossing at the same time. After all Rudi Fraser, traffic chief, wrote an article about six months ago, explaining all this – which I promptly cut out and kept in my car to wave under the nose of any would-be offender yelling that they have right of way.

It makes sense – traffic circles are designed to keep the traffic flowing. So if pedestrians claim right of way, then cars all slam on brakes while exiting a circle, causing a pile up in the circle.

Pedestrians in fact, are required to give way to cars exiting a circle, and are allowed the right of way when cars enter a circle.

A bit confusing for mindless pedestrians who saunter across the road, no matter if some

Well, I had verbal abuse and foul language heaped upon me. Now I am a Taurean, and we really hate being wrong, especially when we are right.

Thus my shadow-self emerged and I retaliated with verbal abuse of my own, frothing at the mouth. Not one of my finer moments. Another lady walking by joined in the fray, yelling PEDESTRIANS ALWAYS HAVE THE RIGHT OF WAY! The gentleman proceeded to rip out his phone and take a

picture of the crazy lady (me), and my offending car. (It’s probably in this issue as well.)

Actually, I know the gentleman quite well but thankfully I don’t think he recognised me, as it was my day off and I looked like a slob with peak hat and sunglasses to boot.

With my nerves shot, I jumped back in the car, proceeded to practise my deep breathing while racing off to the traffic department to ask what in fact the law was. Rudi was on leave but his able sidekick André explained the problem.

“Yes, Rudi did put out an article, but alas most pedestrians are not educated and do saunter willynilly everywhere, and yes a circle does in fact give exiting cars the right of way.” But this is Hermanus and after all, we are the only town with pedestrian crossings at busy traffic circles, so no wonder no one gets it right…

So to the gentleman, I apologise for scaring you by not stopping and also by stooping to your level in the verbal abuse department – but you see, I am right after all.

Judy Miller (crazy woman driver)

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20 - 26 March 2018

Solution to traffic congestion is self-evident Regarding the ongoing debate, I hesitate to address, again, the problem of traffic flow in our town, because it appears that no-one is listening. It is selfevident that the major problem is the reduction of two lanes to one, just beyond the Gateway Centre, entering town. The solution appears to be equally self-evident, involving three relatively minor changes to Main Road.

The first is to remove the onstreet parking outside the police station and the Magistrate’s Court. Main Road can then accommodate two lanes all the way from the Gateway Centre to the traffic

island; there is adequate width and all it requires is new road markings.

The second change is to force traffic in the left lane to only enter Royal Street; this would require adequate signage and the creation of slip lane to bypass the island. This would enable a smooth flow of traffic into Royal Street. This change would, in turn, make it much easier to exit town via Royal Street, since motorists would only have to filter into one lane of traffic at the circle, instead of the present two.

The third necessary change is the removal of the pedestrian

crossings at the island; they are simply an accident waiting to happen as drivers are trying to focus on traffic ahead, traffic entering the circle from the right, while at the same time looking out for pedestrians coming from both right and left.

This may not solve all the problems, but it would go a long way to alleviating the present congested traffic flow.

Congratulations on an excellent publication, to which we now look forward every week.

Phillip Parsons, Onrus

Thanks to HPP for quick response Thursday morning started no differently from any other day; then a tall young male around 15 years old, came in to my shop and asked about books on whales. He was quickly followed by two other youngsters, who wandered around and acted as a distraction to the main event.

The tall lad asked if he could borrow one of the whale books.

We then directed him to the library. As they left, that gut instinct kicked in. We checked the USB flash-drives with film of Hermanus and its marine life.

The last one had gone!

My staff member Elsabé was off like the proverbial rocket along Main Road. When she returned, she said there was no sign of

them and thought they must have turned off and headed for the High Street.

I phoned HPP (Hermanus Public Protection) and within a few minutes, Jan arrived. We gave him a description of the group, and 10 minutes later the ADT van pulled up outside the shop. Jan was holding the memory stick which we confirmed was ours.

The young man in question was in the back of the van, and was offering to pay for it.

One of the ADT security guards brought the lad into the shop. I asked him which of the three had stolen it, and without hesitation, he said that he had.

I said we wouldn't be pressing charges this time as we simply wanted him to understand that stealing was unacceptable, and that next time we would not be so lenient. I told him how much he needed to pay. The cash was handed over. Then he turned to Elsabé who was standing at the till, and asked, "Could I have a receipt, please?" Not quite the ending we were expecting!

Thank you to HPP and ADT for being alert and responding so quickly. Because of their diligence, another crime victim may have been avoided.

Corinne Hendry, bookmark

OVERSTRAND HOSPICE GOLF DAY: On behalf of the Overstrand Hospice Board of Directors and staff we want to thank the 79 sponsors as well as all the individuals in our community sincerely for supporting the Overstrand Hospice Golf Day held on 11 March 2018. An amount of just over R100 000 was raised for Overstrand Hospice on the day and this would not have been possible without the continued and generous support of Hermanus businesses and individuals, including Coastal Flooring, Office National, Rola Volkswagen Hermanus, Sumaridge Estate Wines and Kia Motors. Our sincere thanks and appreciation to the Hermanus Golf Club as well as all the volunteers who selflessly donated their time and effort towards making this a successful and enjoyable event.

Suzette Botha, Overstrand Hospice

Water article ‘confusing’ The Overstrand Municipality is to be commended for their water supply planning, as described in The Village NEWS article of 13/3/2018. However, the following points are confusing.

The article states that at present Hermanus uses ± 10 million litres of water per week. It then advises that in February 2018 the daily water

demand was 10.22 million litres/day. Further Mr Stephen Müller states a further 1.5 million litres per unknown time period of ‘greywater’ is used for irrigation of sports fields and golf course. (This usage is 1.5 million liltres per day – ED) It is misleading to describe the above 1.5 million litres used for irrigation as ‘greywater’. As

far as I am aware this untreated water source is from the Fernkloof Reserve dams and this catchment area is free from fertiliser polluted run off, resulting in a better quality water than the farming area De Bos source.

The definition of ‘greywater’ is the relatively lean ‘water-water’ from households eg, baths, washing machines, showers etc.

N Weaving

Lie and deny - flattery makes the world go round While cross-checking current historical accounts with our archives at The Duck ’n Fiddle’s Explanation of Everything, various troubling bubbles belched up out of the boiling cauldron of fact versus fiction.

Over the centuries, facts – created by the hierarchy – were fed like sheep- fodder to the unwashed masses. These sheeple, being even more ignorant than their well-washed leaders, digested without question. Those who dared suggest otherwise were not appreciated – like Galileo – but more about him later.

Ancient manuscripts confirm the first person to realise the Earth wasn’t flat was Greek philosopher Anaximander around 560 B.C.E. He got it half right, claiming the Earth was cylindrical. By 350 B.C.E. the notion of a tube-like earth wasn’t really challenged, and

Wit’s End Murray Stewart thevillagemuze@gmail.com despite the absence of any scientific proof, it was generally accepted. Eighteen centuries passed before this was proved incorrect when a lone ship from Ferdinand Magellan’s expedition circumnavigated the globe. Sterling stuff, chaps.

When Columbus claimed the Earth was round, everyone thought it wasn’t. But during debates in the court of Queen Isabella, the shape was never the issue – it was the size. His opponents, who knew next to bugger-all anyway, claimed he couldn’t sail west from Europe and reach the Orient. As it turned out, they were correct.

His unexpected encounter

with an unknown continent on the way proved somewhat of a setback.

Later, the ‘discovery’ of this unknown continent came under the spotlight with the unearthing of the infamous Vinland Map, claiming the Vikings arrived long before Stoffel Columbus. An anonymous buyer paid $1 million for the Vinland Map, and donated it to Yale University. It was claimed to have been drawn around 1435 by a Swiss monk with a hair lip and a penchant for pole-dancing and needlework. Well, each to his own.

Anyway, by the time it was revealed as a fake, 10 000

people had bought copies at $150 each, which must have cheered the University up immensely.

Another false notion about this continent concerns the early colonists, some of whom believed the native Indians were direct descendants of one of the ten lost tribes of Israel. In London in 1650, Reverend Tom “Look Ma, no thumbs” Thorowgood published a book, Jews in America, in which he compared the similarities between Indians and Jews – like their customs and the language. Huh? Who laced his communion wine?

But of all of them, Galileo was regarded as a plural in the woodpile. Until then, the hierarchy claimed if the Earth moved, or if it indeed rotated on its own axis, birds would be blown away, clouds would be left behind and buildings

would collapse. According to the Roman Congregation’s decision against Galileo, it was also considered philosophically and theologically absurd, and a dangerous Breach of Faith. Aargh!

He’d obviously been on the Inquisition’s radar for a while because he was fired from lecturing at the University of Pisa for endorsing Aristotle’s long-held theory that a light and a heavy stone would hit the deck together when dropped from the same height.

Despite being correct, he recanted everything to escape smelling his own flesh roasting. But contrary to the ‘conventional wisdom’, he gained more followers than skeptics until photos from Sputnik brought the curtain down on the Flat Earth Society for good.

Anyway, enough about the shape of the Earth, but how about the shape the Earth is in?

Scandalous misconceptions, lies and denials aren’t confined to history. They’re still enthusiastically perpetrated by the world’s influential leaders. Despite overwhelming proof of indulging in international voter meddling and biological assassinations, flat denials from behind the newly installed Iron Curtain are believed by millions.

Across the Pacific, the leader of everyone except Hispanics, Africans, East Europeans, Asians and most Muslims, created over 2 000 ‘alternative facts’ in his first year as president and is somehow still in office. Hell – even our own ex-deceiver-inchief didn’t achieve that, and he was good.

Mother Earth was better off when it was flat, or at least cylindrical.

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20 - 26 March 2018

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Wednesday 21 March

Rewind. R50 pp. Book your table by contacting 028 313 2137 or soulcafehermanus@gmail.com.

From 18:00, at Soul Café.

Friday 23 – Sunday 25 March

■ Hermanus Bird Club: The guest speaker at the club’s monthly meeting is Christina Hagen, who will talk about New horizons for penguin conservation. For a donation, refreshments will be available after the talk. At Fernkloof Hall, at 18:30.

■ Greenpop Reforest Fest: A celebration of music, heart and soil! The Reforest Fest Friends Weekend is for people who would like to get their hands dirty and make a positive impact on the environment. As well as planting thousands of trees, fest goers will enjoy eco-talks, yoga, dance, live music by TouchWood, Chico Muya, Money for Bali, Nevau and much more. The cost of the Friends Weekend is R525 per adult and R220 per child up to 12 years. Get all the details and book your tickets at www.reforestfest.com.

At Platbos Forest Reserve.

Thursday 22 March

Saturday 24 March

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

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

Sunday 25 March

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

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

■ Human Evolution: Overberg U3A presents the last part of their lecture series on Human Evolution, entitled The discovery of Homo Naledi – Part 2 by Gert Claassen. In the Catholic Church Hall, at 10:00.

■ Soul Café: After two years of creating great memories, the entertainment continues every Friday evening with Soul Café’s resident band,

stance that covers most of the earth and engenders all that lives. Water enthralled audiences who attended UCT’s Summer School in January and is brought to you by SANTA as a fundraising event. Tickets at R100 pp are available from Sue Holmes (028 313 2458 / 082 762 5644) or Pat van Schoor (028 313 1958 / 082 897 8150). At the Municipal Auditorium, at 18:00.

Monday 26 March

■ Lemm’s Corner Market: This popular Sunday market offers exclusive fine arts and crafts, locally manufactured clothing, accessories, home décor, skincare and body products, as well as speciality foods, coffee, cakes, craft beers, a wine bar and live music.

On the corner of Main & Harbour Roads, from 10:00 – 15:00.

Friday 23 March ■ Hermanus Hacking Group: All volunteers are welcome to join in the clearing of invasive vegetation. Contact Charlyn Vosloo on 082 558 8731. Meet every Friday at the green reservoir off Mountain Drive, at 07:15 for 07:30.

■ Earth Hour Unplugged: OnVerWag invites the community to turn off their lights at home and enjoy an evening under the stars at their 2018 Open Mic event. There will be food and craft market stalls, lucky ticket draw, star gazing by Hermanus Astronomy Centre and much more to keep everyone entertained. Bring your family and friends, picnic blankets / chairs and cooler bags and join in the fun. Support this fundraising event by buying Lucky Tickets at R25 each before the draw. OnVerWag thanks all local businesses for generously donating prizes, and local musicians for their support.

All funds raised will go towards CCTV street cameras and the monitoring thereof in Onrus and Vermont. For more information or to get involved, contact admin@onverwag.org.za or call 082 554 0811. At Davies Pool, in front of the Onrus Campsite, from 17:00 to 22:00.

■ Hermanus parkrun: Meet for the weekly 5 km walk or run, come rain or shine. The route is dog friendly and children are most welcome. Set off from the Hermanus Forest on Camphill Road in Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, at 08:00.

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

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

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

■ Ballet: Retired South African ballet dancer, Prof Elizabeth Triegaardt will be the guest speaker at U3A’s short course on Ballet. She is professor emerita of UCT’s School of Dance and an honorary executive director of the Cape Town City Ballet. The topic of Prof Triegaardt’s talk is The History of the Cape Town Ballet Company. At the Catholic Church Hall, at 10:00.

■ Organ Recital: Overstrand Arts/Kunste (OAK) presents The 14 Stations of the Cross, a collection of works portraying the last days of Jesus on earth by means of creative and technical improvisations on the organ. The recital is accompanied by visual material as the talented organist Winand Grundling takes the listener on a musical journey of pain, grief, suffering and ultimately, joy. Winand has performed this production with great success in concert and at various South African Arts Festivals. Tickets are R140 (R60 for students), available from Hermanus Tourism on 028 312 2629 or at the door. For further enquiries contact René du Plooy on 082 940 4238. At the Dutch Reformed Church, Hermanus, at 15:30.

■ John Maytham on Water: CapeTalk afternoon drive-time host, John Maytham, will present a talk which is a literary celebration of water. Compiled by Cape Town poet and writer Finuala Dowling, Water draws on a range of authors from Shakespeare to VS Naipaul who have been inspired by this transparent sub-

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

Tuesday 27 March ■ Easter Music: U3A will present a programme of Easter Music by Johan Radloff. In the Catholic Church Hall, at 10:00.

Wednesday 28 March ■ Youthful Living: Do something different this Easter and learn skills that will last a lifetime by joining Dr Arien van der Merwe for a talk on Youthful Living. You’ll learn all about Beauty Without / Beauty Within, Beauty of Being, Natural Healthy Living, and Positive Ageing. Booking is essential on 012 362 2422 or info@drarien.co.za. R200 pp includes a glass of wine and snacks. Registration at 17:30 and the talk starts at 18:00. At The Classroom Restaurant at The Village.

Village

The

EXPLORER

NATURE • BOOKS • ART • FOOD • WINE Are our children feeling the sand between their toes?

Last Child in the Woods, an acclaimed book by Richard Louv, shows how our children have become increasingly alienated and distant from nature, why this matters, and what we can do to make a difference.

“Camping in the garden, riding bikes through the woods, climbing trees, collecting bugs, picking wildflowers, running through piles of autumn leaves...These are the things childhood memories are made of. But for a whole generation of today's children the pleasures of a free-range childhood are missing, and their indoor habits contribute to epidemic obesity, attention-deficit disorder, isolation and childhood depression.”

For many children in the Overstrand this is indeed true. Rapid urbanisation is happening even in the ’rural’ towns along the Whale Coast.

Many parents do not have the means, or indeed the knowledge, to guide their children to experience the natural world.

This is the huge gap Whale Coast Conservation (WCC) wishes to fill. It provides opportunities for youngsters to go on eco-adventures, ecocamps or holiday programmes with an environmental focus. But the numbers that can be accommodated are small.

So if one cannot take children to nature, one can attempt to bring nature to the children. The WCC schools expos are taken to 16 schools across the Overstrand. Wherever possible, the children are introduced to real life specimens.

Take for example the expo in the first term of 2018 that highlighted some creatures of the fynbos. One of the 5 displays comprising the expo showed a complete butterfly life cycle – from egg to caterpillar, to pupa and finally the adult butterfly. The daily demolition of a sprig of leaves illustrated the story of the “very hungry caterpillar” and its role in the life cycle of an insect – eating as much as possible. There was great excitement when the pupa started wriggling due to the butterfly’s attempt to break free – to assume its role in life of mating and flying to distant locations to spread the species.

The children were amazed to learn that each of these different forms of the insect contained exactly the same DNA and that turning gene expression on and off can lead to such different forms. Hence we have the term ‘metamorphosis’ meaning ‘different forms’.

The talk on spiders was another favourite with a real rain spider nest and a live rain spider – well, almost alive. It had been paralysed by a wasp with the intention of laying its egg on the ‘fresh’ larder, but in effect preserving it as the perfect expo specimen.

Mr Niel Pedro, Acting Headmaster of Gansbaai Primêr, said: “Children may remember what they learn in the classroom, but they will never forget what they learn in nature.”

– Anina Lee

‘A labour of love’ for the ocean Sarah Taylor

D

escribed in their new book as “beach bums par excellence”, respected academics and prolific authors George and Margo Branch, were in Gansbaai last week to launch a revised edition of their acclaimed Living Shores volume. The first edition of this much-loved book on marine and coastal habitats, flora and fauna was published in 1981 and reprinted nine times.

At the launch, Margo said there was a need to update the book because of the significant changes that had taken place in the world from an environmental point of view (climate change and the impact of coastal mining, for example) as well as in terms of the phenomenal strides made in computing, digital photography and satellite technology. As a result of satellite developments in particular, she said, oceanography and the way science is done have been completely revolutionised.

Satellite tagging, for example, has shown that a female Great White Shark, nicknamed Nicole, had travelled a phenomenal 22 000 km in less than nine months from near Dyer Island to south of Western Australia and back again. Temperature measurements from satellites also give a very clear indication of the levels of chlorophyll and phytoplankton in the ocean, and the movement of currents, which was not possible to determine so exactly previously. Margo noted what a learning curve it has been for them both, but one which they have wholeheartedly embraced.

George described the book as “the adventures of two marine biologists… a joint joy that I have shared with

Margo for many, many years”, and the couple, married for 49 years, shared with the audience their wonder for the ocean and the coast, from a macro to a micro level.

Margo explained how sea swallows (a sea slug or nudibranch) can eat bluebottles without being affected by the sting, which passes through their gut and comes to lie on the surface of the sea swallow, forming part of its own defences.

George shared his fascination for limpets, which are what first drew him to the wonder of rocky shores, noting that there are more species of limpets in South Africa than anywhere else on the planet. He explained some of the bizarre and complex behaviours of these tough creatures, detailing how some species survive by tending their own algae gardens, beating off creatures as large as an abalone to protect their gardens, which they weed, fertilise and even water at low tide.

The new edition, subtitled Interacting with southern Africa’s marine ecosystems, is a beautifully presented reference book for marine science students, teachers, academics, policymakers and laypeople alike.

Illustrated with stunning photographs sourced from George’s own collection as well as from fellow scientists and film-makers, and with explanatory graphics by Margo, the book contains a wealth of current information gleaned from more than 3 500 research papers and books.

The revamped text is detailed, authoritative and rich in fascinating facts as well as personal anecdotes, such as when, while diving off Mudge Point west of Hermanus, George encountered a surprisingly playful Cape clawless otter, which kept

peering into his mask and grabbing his leg.

He writes: “Only later did it dawn on me that I was in the heartland of perlemoen poaching, and this animal had probably learned that if it shadowed divers it would get a free meal when they shucked the abalone.”

Living Shores is divided into two parts, the first focusing on marine ecosystems (the surging sea, coastal geology – a completely new chapter, rocky beaches, estuaries, islands, kelp forests, coral reefs and the open ocean) while the second addresses the dynamics between humans and the marine environment (human development, overpopulation, sea harvesting, alien species, pollution, mining, climate change and marine protection).

At the launch, Wilfred Chivell, owner of Marine Dynamics, which hosted the event, said that “not many of us have the privilege to leave a legacy and to really change people’s lives”, adding that he wanted to thank the Branches for having changed his life “in many respects” through their work, publicising the incredible diversity and fragility of marine life and highlighting the importance of protecting it.

This 336-page edition of the classic Living Shores is a true “labour of love”, as the couple note in the preface. It is the perfect companion to the definitive field guide Two Oceans: A guide to the marine life of southern Africa – which covers over 1 400 species of marine life from southern Africa and is authored by George, Margo, CL Griffiths and LE Beckley.

• Living Shores is published by Struik Nature (an imprint of Penguin Random House South Africa). Recommended retail price is R450.

Back by popular demand

BLUE MOON BEACH Grotto Beach Hermanus Saturday 31 March 2018 18h30 - 20h00 • How often is once in a blue moon?

• Explore the night sky • Watch the wildlife feeding • Complimentary drink at Dutchies Adults R120, children R60, family of 4 R300 All proceeds to environmental education ·Booking essential: anina.wcc@gmail.com or WhatsApp 083 242 3295

Authors George and Margo Branch at the launch of the revised edition of their acclaimed Living Shores volume, held recently at Marine Dynamics near Gansbaai.

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HOMESCHOOLERS GIVE BHUKI A HAND: Young and old roll up their sleeves every Friday morning to help out at Hermanus Library’s Bhuki Café, run by the Friends of Hermanus Library (FOHL). Last week it was a group of homeschoolers and their moms who helped the volunteers to serve tea, coffee and treats to Bhuki’s regular supporters. The funds generated

by Bhuki enable the library to buy new titles for their shelves. From left are homeschooler Anthony Sabbe, Bhuki co-ordinator Aletta Horne, homeschooler Leah Sabbe, Sherileigh Lotter and little David, and volunteers Alta Stander and Peggy Moran. Join the FOHL every Friday between 09:00 and 12:00 at Hermanus Library and enjoy great conversation along with tea, coffee and delicious home-baked eats for only R20.

Hemingway at Cinema Café A movie may imitate the book it’s based on or choose to take flight with artistic licence.

Cracks did just that. The screen adaptation of this powerful novel moved Sheila Kohler’s narration from a drought-stricken South African veld set in the ‘60s to the lush green countryside of Ireland situated in a timeframe pushed back to the ‘30s.

The blurb describing Cracks, published in 1999 and chosen as one of the best books of the year, sums up the plot: “Powerfully erotic and atmospheric, a mesmerising and shocking story of teenage sexuality, longing and identity.”

Under the directorship of Jordan Scott – who hails from a family of film directors – this psychological drama unfolds in a dark story of obsession which takes place in an elite boarding school. Cracks is superbly portrayed by the emotional intensity of three beautiful actresses, each one captivating in her role: Eva Green of France, the English Juno Temple and Maria Valverde from Spain.

Patrick McGrath, British author of gothic

novels, writes of the book: “An utterly original, shimmeringly sensual vision.” This vision is superbly captured through Jordan Scott’s debut film made in 2009.

Sheila Kohler is a South African writer from Johannesburg. She currently lives in New York City and has written several acclaimed novels as well as a memoir, Once we were Sisters, published in 2017. The author of six novels, her writing has been compared to Hemingway’s deceptively simple style of prose. She has certainly excelled with Cracks.

This deeply moving story, powerfully dramatised on screen, takes us to a place where secrets are buried in a psyche of dark emotions – and true to life, there is a place where no crack can be erased.

- Beth Hunt Find Hemingways Bookshop in Harbour Road or call 028 312 2739. For DVD rentals, visit Cinema Café at the Station Centre or call 084 849 9897.

You can also book your movie online at www.cinemacafe.co.za

Hemingways Bookshop est. 1995

20 - 26 March 2018

BOOKS THE BOOK COLLECTOR ADDS TO THE MARINE’S COLLECTION When the owners of The Book Collector, Chris Steyn and Benadé Kruger, found a rare, original edition of Pleasant Journey – A Journey through Southern Africa featuring the best hotels, they immediately knew who they wanted to donate it to. Written by Victor de la Hurst and published in 1958, the book includes a section on Hermanus which features The Marine, describing it in glowing terms as follows: “… the rooms are full of comfort, both for body and eye, and the bedroom suites are fit for any aristocracy. Service in the dining-room is courteous and excellent; the food, both in preparation and presentation, I found to be as good as it is possible to provide.” The GM of The Marine, Jo Massie (pictured left), whose family has a long history with Hermanus, was pleasantly surprised by this unexpected gift. Jo was the GM at The Marine for a decade (2000 – 2010) before returning last year to take up the reins once again. “I’m loving being back in Hermanus,” she said, “and this book is a welcome addition to our library of historical books and photographs that illustrate the rich heritage of the hotel.”

PHOTO: Hedda Mittner

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8 - 17 June 2018

FynArts Gallery to open soon H

ermanus FynArts Festival Director Mary Faure is thrilled to announce that this home-grown festival takes another stride forward with the opening of the FynArts Gallery on Tuesday 27 March at 17:30 no 2, the Courtyard, Harbour Road.

“As far as we are aware, this will be the first arts festival to open its own gallery and promote the visual arts throughout the year,” says Mary.

Ticket sales will continue at Hermanus Tourism from where the ten days of the festival will be run.

“It gives us great pleasure to have this opportunity to recognise the support and contribution of the artists who have participated in the festival since its debut in 2013. Throughout the year a number of artists will be invited to take part in rotating exhibitions.”

This first exhibition will be opened by Jaco Sieberhagen and curated by Karen McKerron, who has also advised the FynArts committee on setting up the gallery. The exhibition will include works by the 2017 Festival Artist, Willie Bester, as well as Wilma Cruise, Hasan and Husein Essop, Marieke Prinsloo Rowe, Jaco Sieberhagen, Jean Theron Louw, Strijdom van der Merwe and Gavin Younge.

The second exhibition will be that of the 2018 Festival Artist, Kate Gottgens, who will present an exhibition of new paintings curated by Marilyn Martin in association with SMAC Gallery. This exhibition follows on from Kate’s recent solo exhibitions, Tired from Smiling at SMAC Gallery and The Meek at The Silo District, both in Cape Town.

Gottgens is among southern Africa's most accomplished painters, and her ability to

mystify the 'normal' and depict the ‘uncanny’ in her laconic paint application is widely recognised. Says Sean O’Toole, award-winning writer and critic, describes the artist as “a kind of flâneur – traipsing through the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town in search of imagery.

Portraying white middle-class life against a backdrop of a colonial past, her images revolve around the home, garden, backyards, highways and swimming pools.

“But the images of this vacuous culture ache with suburban malaise, ennui and an impending sense of doom. Her paintings undulate between withholding and revealing, offering glimpses of clarity that seem to drift in through a haze of memory. Exploiting the familiar vernacular of faded photographic printing and the saccharine feeling of a Technicolour film, she presents this imagery with irony, humour and a luminous sense of the marvellous.”

This solo exhibition will be opened by Marylin Martin on Saturday 9 June at 14:00. Times for walkabouts with the artist and curator will be announced in the near future.

“We look forward to the gallery becoming part of the popular monthly First Fridays Artwalk,” says Mary. “We also look forward to presenting stimulating and interesting exhibitions that will strengthen the FynArts brand; add to the development of Hermanus as a top arts destination; benefit our growing band of supporting artists; and contribute to the longterm sustainability of the festival.”

Tickets to the 2018 Hermanus FynArts Festival are available from the Hermanus Tourism Bureau in Mitchell Street or online at webtickets.co.za. Find the full programme at hermanusfynarts.co.za

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20 - 26 March 2018

New councillor steps up to the plate Elaine Davie

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harmaine Resandt is a go-getter; she knows what she wants and she is well on her way to achieving her goals. Yet, at the same time, she is a people person with a strong interest in community empowerment and development. On 8 March she became the Overstrand’s newest councillor, filling the proportional representative position left vacant with the untimely death of the former Executive Mayor, Rudolph Smith.

No stranger to the Council environment, Resandt was the Public Relations Officer in the office of the previous Mayor, Ald Nicolette Botha-Guthrie, and subsequently Communications Officer in the Municipality’s Administrative Department, responsible for, amongst others, its internal newsletter.

A Capetonian by birth and upbringing, she says she has always loved this part of the Cape and spent many happy hours hiking in the Kogelberg and fishing for crayfish with bamboo sticks.

Eventually, she and her husband, Rodrick, decided to buy a plot in Betty’s Bay and in 2015, took the major step of relocating there. Pro-

active by nature, she had not been in the area for very long before she began to look for a softball club to join.

to use as a building block for skills development of other kinds. I want to build links with NGOs and other organisations working in this area, where they can be taught computer skills, for example; the Municipality can’t do it all by itself.”

“I love softball and I’ve been playing since I was nine,” she smiles. To her disappointment, she discovered that none existed. “So I started one,” she says.

No sooner had she been appointed than she was asked to attend a consultative meeting with the Kleinmond community, arising out of the violent protests of 2017. “I was literally thrown in at the deep end,” she says. Nevertheless, she found it an interesting and challenging experience.

The Overstrand Titans Softball Team was launched with fewer than 10 members, none of whom could play softball.

Undeterred, she taught them how to play and the club has now grown to over 40 players.

“Most of the original members were young people, but by word of mouth, their aunties and cousins and mothers heard about it and joined. Even the grannies came to play – we call them our SASSA members!” she laughs.

Beyond softball, Resandt is passionate about the role that sport can play in community, and especially youth development. She is keen to resuscitate an organisation called the Hangklip/Kleinmond Sports Body, which is presently defunct.

“I would like to generate a very active programme, which includes all the popular sports, to give the local youth something positive to do with their lives and

Cllr Charmaine Resandt is putting her extensive experience in Communications and Public Relations to good use in her new role as Proportional Councillor for the Overstrand Municipality.

PHOTO: Hedda Mittner

newspaper about the gardeners who work for the Council.

“I just can’t tell you how excited and proud they were to see their stories and their names in print.

One of them even said he was going to frame it! I have a very strong sense of service to the community and that really gave me a kick.”

“Matters like the housing problem and the issue of a new cemetery were discussed and I can really understand the community’s standpoint and frustration, but there is no easy answer. The most important thing, though, is that we must keep communicating with each other and that way, we’ll find a win-win solution.”

When quizzed about her future plans, she is quick to answer that family (which includes her beloved pugs, Mugsy and Bugsy, who are also the mascots for the softball team) means everything to her.

Her husband, Rodrick has two businesses in the area, one involving recycling and another selling fishing accessories in Kleinmond harbour. They have a son, Kijl, who works on cruise liners and daughter, Jami is a designer for Woolworths in Cape Town. But they come home to Betty’s Bay as often as possible. “They were all terribly excited about my appointment as a Councillor,” she laughs.

Another of Charmaine’s passions is, indeed, communication. “I especially want to be able to give the voiceless an opportunity to tell their stories,” she explains, “and that’s why I love to write: to give them a mouthpiece.” She tells about a story she wrote in the Municipality’s internal

From a career point of view, she is firmly committed to the Overstrand and would like to see herself progressing to become a ward councillor and then, hopefully, a member of Mayco. With her open, service-driven, can-do approach, she clearly has much to offer our communities.

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20 - 26 March 2018

The ins and outs of investing in unit trusts The technical jargon involved in wealth planning can be quite overwhelming for potential investors and might even scare some of them away. WERNER GERBER, Assistant Portfolio Manager at PSG Wealth Hermanus answers some of the more often asked questions with regards to unit trust investments.

So, what is a unit trust and how does it work?

A collective investment scheme is commonly referred to as a “unit trust” and can be compared to a large pool in which many investors with similar investment goals invest their savings. This pool is called a “fund” and the fund is managed by an experienced investment specialist, called a fund manager. The fund manager uses the money within the fund to invest in growth assets (shares and property) and/or interestbearing assets (cash and bonds) or a combination thereof.

This pool is divided into equal units where each unit contains the same proportion of assets in the fund. These “units” have a price called a Net Asset Value (NAV): if you invest R1 000 in a fund with a NAV of R120 you will own 8.33 units. The price of the units can go up or down, depending on the value of the underlying assets in which the fund manager has invested and thus investors share in the fund’s gains, losses, income and expenses.

Each fund manager is given

authorisation to manage the funds in accordance with certain objectives and constraints. The fund manager aims to achieve the most attractive return within the stated mandate of the fund class.

How do I know which unit trust is right for me?

Your decision will depend on your investment objectives, investment horizon and the risk you are willing (and able) to accept i.e. how much return you want to earn and whether you are comfortable with ups and downs.

A wide variety of unit trusts are available in South Africa – in excess of 1 500 funds! Unit trusts are typically divided into four categories based on the geographical location of the assets within the fund: South African portfolios: Minimum of 70% of assets invested in South Africa, and maximum of 25% outside of South Africa plus an additional 5% in Africa excluding South Africa.

Worldwide portfolios: No limits on the split between domestic

and foreign assets.

Global portfolios: At least 80% of assets invested outside South Africa.

Regional portfolios: At least 80% of assets invested in a specific country or geographical region.

Unit trust are also designated according to the nature of the assets. There are three main categories of assets: shares/equity, interest-bearing assets and property/real estate. These three categories are reflected in four types of portfolios: Equity portfolios: Equity is a high-risk asset class. Funds are invested in growth stocks on the equity market. Investors should be comfortable with fluctuations in the stock market and should typically have an investment horizon of more than five years.

These funds typically produce the highest returns (above inflation) over the long term.

Interest-bearing portfolios: This is a lower risk asset class. The money is invested in fixed

deposits, bonds and other interest-bearing instruments.

These funds aim at protecting capital and maximizing income.

Investors should typically have an investment horizon of one year and longer.

Real Estate portfolios: Again, a higher risk asset class. Funds are invested in listed property assets.

These portfolios aim to provide investors with a steady source of income as well as growth of capital. An investment period of five years and longer is recommended.

Multi Asset portfolios: The money is invested in a combination of the abovementioned asset classes.

How/where can you invest in a unit trust and what is the minimum investment amount?

If you have the required financial know-how you can invest in a unit trust directly by completing an application form for the appropriate product that is usually available from the websites of the unit trust investment platforms/ administrators. Many investors will

however need a financial adviser to help them choose suitable funds based on their needs and objectives and to re-evaluate the selection on an annual basis.

Minimum investment amounts differ between product providers, but typically you are required to make a minimum investment of R500 a month or a single lump sum investment of R20 000 or more.

How much does it cost to invest?

There are mainly three types of fees that are applicable to unit trust investments, namely: Fund management fees: This is paid to the fund managers of the unit trusts for the management of the funds within the fund.

Administration fees: This refers to the administrative costs relating to the administration of financial products e.g. processing of instructions, communication, providing of statements.

Financial advisor fees: This is negotiated between you and your

adviser. Together these charges are known as the total investment charge (TIC). A well-constructed investment portfolio consists of various building blocks. In many cases unit trust are not used exclusively, but in conjunction with other investment products, e.g. share portfolios, to achieve the best investment outcome for your specific risk profile.

Note: The opinions expressed in this article are the opinions of the writer and not necessarily those of PSG. The information is provided as general information. It does not constitute financial, tax, legal or investment advice and the PSG Konsult Group of Companies does not guarantee its suitability or potential value. Since individual needs and risk profiles differ, we suggest you consult a qualified financial adviser, if needed. Send your investment questions to dewaal@thevillagenews.co.za

PSG Wealth Hermanus Portfolio Management and Stockbroking 028 312 1508 10 Magnolia Street www.psg.co.za/hermanus stockbrokers

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20 - 26 March 2018

Lip-smacking potjies for a good cause

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he United Church Hermanus is getting ready for their annual Corporate Potjiekos Competition to be held on Sunday, 14 April from 12:00 – 18:00. Last year’s event was a roaring success and organiser Jernald Kennedy says this year will be even bigger and better.

Any local business is welcome to join in the fun by entering a team and cooking up a storm while making use of the opportunity to engage with members of the public and promote their business offering at their stand with branded flags, brochures and other marketing material. The demarcated area for each stall is 3,5m x 3m and the cost is R500 per stall.

The Corporate Potjie Competition is a fund-raising event in aid of Hermanus Christian Academy. It will be hosted on the church grounds in Royal Street and entry is only R80 pp, so bring your friends and family along to support this worthy cause.

Your entry ticket will entitle you to one potjiekos meal of your choice (or two half portions if you can’t decide which potjie looks more irresistible), plus a koeksister and coffee to round off your meal. And if you get hungry while waiting for the cooks to complete their potjies, there will be a tuck shop selling cooldrinks, coffee and boerie rolls throughout the afternoon.

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HELPING Hand Sponsored by Hermanus

for at least 15 people. Ten portions will be sold and the remaining five (or more) will be for the hard-working members of the team. No more than four people per stand are allowed to be actively involved in preparing the potjie. Teams are required to use their own ingredients, but cooked rice will be provided.

The gates will open from 08:00 for teams to set up their stalls.

Gas or wood fires on containers are permitted and fire extinguishers will be at hand on the premises in case of any mishaps. Three well-known chefs/restauranteurs from Hermanus will be the judges of the potjies and the winners will be announced by late afternoon.

The judges will consider the following in reaching their decision: 80% of the overall evaluation will be on the quality, flavour and presentation of the potjie and 20% on the appearance of the stall, so businesses should make the most of advertising their business and ensure that they attract the most interest.

Live music throughout the day will add to the laid-back vibe and visitors are invited to bring their own chairs or blankets, crockery, cutlery, glasses and drinks.

There will be great prizes to be won by all participants and a lucky draw will decide who the five winners are of a whole lamb each. Lucky draw tickets are available from the United Church office and anyone who sells a booklet of 20 tickets will gain free entry to the event.

Each corporate team will cook their signature potjie, enough

This year’s charity of choice, the Hermanus Christian

Academy, is a registered NPO that is heavily dependent on donations and sponsorship.

The school was founded in the mid-nineties with the vision of providing a first-class education to the many children who would otherwise be unable to attain it. Since then the school has grown to over 100 learners in grades 0 – 7, staffed by Principal Dawn Pearmain, who’s been with the school for 14 years, six teachers and four support staff.

The learners’ education is based on the Accelerated Christian Education (ACE) method of teaching and because English is spoken throughout the school, candidates need to have a sufficient comprehension of the language before being admitted. Subjects include Mathematics, English, Literature, Afrikaans (from Grade 3), Natural and Animal Science and Social Studies.

When moving into secondary school, their learners are well equipped to deal with the subjects taught from Grade 8 onwards.

The Grade 3 - 4 class of Hermanus Christian Academy (HCA), which is the charity of choice for this year’s Corporate Potjiekos Competition hosted by the United Church.

Children from the class for 3 - 5 years enjoy playing outside during break.

ACE integrates the teaching of Biblical truth and the school’s philosophy of quiet discipline makes these learners polite and respectful.

For more information on how you and your business can get involved in this special event, contact Jernald Kennedy on 060 672 3624 or René Gräter on 082 927 1844.

– Hedda Mittner

The learners at HCA are happy, loving, polite and respectful children.

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20 - 26 March 2018

HEALTH & BEAUTY

20 - 26 March 2018

Your body’s secret signals

W

hat I love about the world of natural remedies and homeopathy is that it is so holistic and all-encompassing.

If you take a natural remedy, you know that you have the benefit that your body is recognising every single ingredient within it and using all those wonderful healing properties to the maximum. Every day our bodies send out signals to let us know it is doing well – or it sends out red flags when there are areas that need attention. Unfortunately for our bodies, we have become desensitised to these warning signals and have resorted to symptomatic treatment rather than tackling the problem at the source.

Although these symptoms are very diverse and could also have other causes, they are some of the more common ones and I mention them with the purpose of getting us to start thinking about the causes of the conditions as opposed to just the symptoms, as the cost of symptomatic treatment in South Africa is fast becoming too expensive to sustain.

So, in order to give your body a bit of a helping hand, here are some of the more everyday signals that are often overlooked: 1. Itchy and burning feet Often this is caused by an obvious condition such as Athletes foot. However, if you

Amanda Hofmeyr have received the all clear from your podiatrist then it could be time to look internally to your kidneys. If you ignore your kidneys for long enough and they struggle to perform their main duty, which is that of filtering toxins out of the blood, then the toxins simply move around the body and often end up in the feet. Luckily, to assist the kidneys and help them on the road to recovery, we can always sip on some dandelion tea or take a red clover tincture in support.

2. Eczema The skin acts as the body’s largest elimination organ, so when the body is working hard at eliminating toxins, the skin comes under attack. In order to reduce the attack on the skin we need to look at what we are putting not just on, but also in our bodies.

Often a food intolerance is caused by the body reacting to an allergen that it recognises as a toxin and goes into overdrive to eliminate. There is no overnight cure for this, so rather have a look at a restrictive diet to find out what the trigger is (a flare-up can happen as much as 72 hours after the food was ingested).

In the meantime, you can also make use of soothing natural products that could aid in helping to stop the itch.

3. Itchy throat, ears and mucus membranes The cause of these can also be located internally in the form of candida. Taking care of our gut is vitally important and the easiest way to get rid of candida is simply to starve it. It thrives on all the sugary, starchy and milky foods that we love to indulge in, so by removing this from our diet we are already on our way to halting further growth. Other aides for this is apple cider vinegar and also our very own, locally produced Silverions.

4. Breakouts on the chin Often we accept the fact that we are experiencing a breakout due to the fact that we snuck a piece of chocolate when no-one was watching, but in actual fact it is more often due to a change in hormones. If you find that the breakouts are occurring more often, then look at some natural remedies such as black cohosh or chaste berry to help calm down your hormones.

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20 - 26 March 2018

Tips on taking a home inventory for insurance

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o-one likes having to claim but having insurance for your household contents is vital. At the start of a new financial year, homeowners either applying for new household insurance or revising their existing insurance should take a comprehensive inventory of their possessions and keep track of the total value.

“Misfortune at home can be easier to tolerate if you know you’re properly insured for the actual cost of any damaged, lost or stolen items,” says Cornel Janse van Vuuren of RealNet, “but many owners struggle to value their goods appropriately, especially if they are inherited or second-hand items that they didn’t pay a lot for in the first place.

“However, it is very important to do so, because for insurance purposes you must estimate replacement values and let your premiums be calculated on those. The reason is that if the estimated value of an item is too low, the insurance company will most likely not cover the full replacement cost in the event of a claim.

“It is just as important, though, not to overvalue your belong-

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ings, or your insurance premiums will be unnecessarily high."

She says homeowners should also make sure they have physical records of ownership.

“It’s a good idea, when taking an inventory, to photograph or record a video of your belongings while describing each item you want to insure, then add model/serial numbers as well as the date of purchase and value of each item. Keeping the proof of purchase for any new belongings can also be a great help if you have to calculate the replacement value at a later stage.”

There are also many online tools today that will help you take an effective inventory and save it “in the cloud” for later. There are even mobile apps that will help value your items and automatically update to allow for inflation, such as Encircle for android phones and Belongings for iOS phones.

If you decide to print your inventory, Cornel says, you should keep a copy of it somewhere safe and easily accessible away from home, along with the valuation or

appraisal certificates for any expensive jewellery, artwork and other items that have to be individually specified. If you keep the inventory online, be sure to also add the model/ serial numbers of your items, a list of website links to their descriptions and current retail prices and scans of your valuation certificates.

“Taking your time is also key, especially if you’ve lived in your home for many years and accumulated a lot of belongings. You don’t want to discover only after a disaster that certain precious items were not insured because you overlooked them, or thought they were worth less than they were.”

At the very least, she adds, taking a thorough inventory and updating your insurance policy might make you realise that you are paying to insure things you don’t need or want anymore and that your home needs to be decluttered.

“However, it should also help to speed up your claim process following a burglary, fire, flood or storm, and reduce the stress associated with such situations.

For this reason, it’s worth doing it right.”

– realnet.co.za

LUCKY WINNERS The Overstrand Hospice 600 Club lucky draw was done on Wednesday 14 March, by the United Church Women's Union Executive Committee. From left are Don Adams (Auditor), Laraine van Niekerk, Denise Eady, Margaret Johannson, Carol Smith, Alma Abbott and Fran Tong (Overstrand Hospice Manager). The winners are: 1st Norma Perrins; 2nd - M E Kumleben; 3rd - Arlene Tyson. If you would like to support Overstrand Hospice through the 600 Club, please contact Norma on 028 312 4679 or 600admin@overstrandhospice.com

20 - 26 March 2018

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WALKING FOR A CAUSE The CANSA Relay for Life held at Hermanus High School on Saturday 17 March was an all-night event with a purple theme. The Violettas team joined in the fun to show their support for breast cancer survivors.

FIRST-CLASS RUGBY Hermanus High School’s first rugby team competed in the Boland Landbou Tournament in Paarl on Saturday 17 March. The matches were tough, but the team played extremely well, drawing 5-5 against Bellville and winning 10-5 against Porterville.

These happy children came with their parents from Hawston to join in the CANSA Relay for Life. The night was filled with music and dancing and even an intense aerobics session.

PHOTOS: Taylum Meyer - Titanium Photography

Lionel April from Hermanus High School tried to take down a player from the opposing team as more of his team mates ran to assist.

PHOTOS: Lynette van Tonder

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20 - 26 March 2018

Hermanus Netball seeking a hat trick

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he Hermanus Netball Club will defend their Overberg Super League title this season.

The Hermanus girls triumphed in 2016 and repeated their victory last season. The Club entered a second side in the lower league in 2017 and this team also emerged victorious.

The popularity of the game has resulted in the club entering a third team in the 2018 league.

The Club caters to everyone 16 years and older, and has a nice mix of players: from older learners to working moms.

Most players join because they love netball, says club captain Lizelle Munnik, and because they want to stay fit and healthy. “It also creates the opportunity to meet people and make new friends.”

The club is registered with Netball South Africa as well as

the Overberg Netball Federation and league games are played in Caledon on Saturdays. They also represent Hermanus at the annual Cape Town 10s tournament, a popular social sport and entertainment festival which celebrated its 10th anniversary last month.

This year, a total of 60 netball teams battled it out in four different divisions and the Hermanus teams – Team Grand Prix and Team Grand Prix Pro – competed in the Social 1 and Social 2 divisions.

Both teams made it to the semi-finals in their respective groups. The Grand Prix Pro team lost their semi-final match and were knocked out of the competition, while Team Grand Prix qualified for the plate final play-off and ended 3rd.

The Club hopes to compete in

the tournament for a fourth time in 2019.

Apart from successfully defending their Overberg Super League title in 2018, the Club would also like to create a mutually beneficial partnership with a permanent sponsor.

“This will lighten the financial burden on our players and assist us in developing the club and netball talent in the area. In return, we will advertise and promote this sponsor’s product with pride,” adds Lizelle.

The new netball courts that will be built at the Hermanus Sports Club during this year, will prove a boon to the Club.

The teams currently train at Hermanus Primary on Mondays and Thursdays, from 17:30 onwards.

– Tony O’Hagan

The Hermanus Netball Club triumphed in the 2016 and 2017 Overberg Super League and will be seeking a third title this season.

Benevolent Golf Day a hole in one for charity Hermanus Golf Club hosted the 17th Benevolent Golf Day on Friday 16 March. The winners of the morning field were visitors Lourens Viviers and his fourball. The winners of the afternoon field were locals Gerrie du Plooy, Marius Kleynhans, Emile Calitz and Audie van Noordwyk. Audie also played a hole in one on the fourth hole. This annual charity event that raises funds for the Hermanus Senior Centre, Huis Lettie Theron, SOFCA and Hermanus Hospital was a huge success and all the participants thoroughly enjoyed the day.

LEFT: In front are Mieke Tetley and Annarie Nel, with Ray Hartmann and Ria Eksteen behind them, manning the registration table dressed in fun, colourful attire.

ABOVE: A group of participants relaxing after the morning’s play at the Hermanus Benevolent Golf Day.

RIGHT: Don Munro and Gert Keuler ready for action and on their way to the putting green.

PHOTOS: Taylum Meyer Titanium Photography

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20 - 26 March 2018

The beauty that we call home

G

reetings to you all once more. This week I thought I would share a picture I took last week of our golf course early in the morning.

Sometimes we get so busy rushing around that we forget where we are and what we have.

So I hope you’ll stop to have a look at this view from our championship tee box on the 10th and take it all in before you carry on with your day.

Hospice mixed Last weekend we had the Overstrand Hospice Golf Day here at Hermanus Golf Club. It was a beautiful day and very well supported. I think Hospice is one of those organisations that you don’t really understand or give proper respect to while growing up, simply because you don’t think it has anything to do with you – until that terrible day dawns when you realise you need them and their incredible staff, many of them volunteers. I went through that traumatic experience with both my Mom and Dad, but Overstrand Hospice came into our lives, smoothed

The Putting Pirate Julian Shaw

Scores at a glance LADIES TUESDAYS 6 MARCH Betterball Stableford: 51 players Winners North Course: Petro Streicher and Pat van Renen - 46 points C/I; Winners South Course: Rici Hanekom and Emma Hayter - 45 points MEN’S WEDNESDAYS 7 MARCH 140 players in a Betterball Bogey Plus Winners East Course: Jan Swanepoel and Kosie Ganz +12 Winners South Course: Brian Taylor and Andrew Gunn +15 Winners North Course: Harold Snelson and Ian McAdam +12 Ball pool paid to +9 Best gross was Tyron Davidowitz 64 SATURDAY ALTOGETHER 10 MARCH 142 players: Betterball medal Winners East Course: Mike Wells and John Quincey - 59 Winners South Course: Fredrick Weber and Andre Neethling - 59 Winners North Course: David Botha and Hoffee Maree - 61 Ball pool paid to 63 and there were 7 two clubs.

Best Gross: Tyron Davidowitz 67 The attendance draw this week was sponsored by Lew Geffen Sothebys fellow member John Quincey and was won by John Makinson.

over what was probably one of the worst experiences of my adult life, and then left again without so much as leaving a bill, and all with a good word and an empathetic smile. So well done to Hospice and the

people involved, I doff my cap.

Upcoming Boland Seniors Here’s a nice heads up: next week we have a Boland tournament here, a 36 hole competition that really attracts

a lot of attention in the senior calendar. The Boland Seniors will be playing over two days, from 22 – 23 March. So if any of our more seasoned players have aspirations of grandeur, come and have a look at how

these old bullets play. I guarantee you will be both inspired and impressed!

This week I will leave you with a good piece of advice I heard in the shop. It doesn’t matter how

big your house is, or how much money you have, or if you wear expensive clothes, our graves will be the same size. Stay humble.

Until next week, have a great one, keep calm and go golfing.

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20 - 26 March 2018

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MY Sport

Sledging and aggro prevail on the pitch

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outh Africa's star bowler, Kagiso Rabada, has been suspended for South Africa's next two test matches against Australia, after being found guilty of a level 2 International Cricket Council (ICC) Code of Conduct violation, namely "inappropriate and deliberate contact with a player".

Offside Tony O’Hagan

It is ironic that this has reared its head against Australian opposition, as the Aussies are recognised as past masters of sledging. A string of Aussies have stamped their names on the sledging scoreboard.

These include Mervyn Hughes, the Waugh brothers, David Boon, Shane Warne, Glen McGrath, Dennis Lillee and Ian Healey, to name a few.

This happened in Australia's first innings of the second test when Rabada, while walking towards the slips, made contact with Australian Captain Steve Smith's shoulder, after dismissing him. Rabada received a second charge based on transgression of level 1 ICC Code of Conduct, being "language, actions or gestures which could provide an aggressive reaction from a batsman upon his or her dismissal".

This was after dismissing Aussie star batsman, David Warner.

Rabada has appealed the Level 2 finding and the ICC will appoint a Judicial Commissioner to hear the appeal. If successful, Rabada could still play in the final two tests.

Both captains have expressed views that test matches should always be a contest with the best players being available.

This opinion is supported by many past players who feel the laws have become more stringent over the last 2 – 3 years and in past years this would probably not have been

an issue. The introduction of the stump microphone has also alerted umpires and officials to indiscretions on the pitch.

Many memorable sledges are printed in cricket journals, including the following:

Kagiso Rabada, South Africa’s star bowler, has been suspended for two test matches during the Australian Cricket Tour.

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

We look forward to hearing from you.

Shane Warne to Daryll Cullinan: "I have waited two years for another chance to humiliate you." Cullinan's retort: "Looks like you spent it eating." This was at a time when Warne had gained excess weight and team mate Ian Healey made the comment that Warne's idea of a balanced diet is a cheeseburger in each hand.

Aussie Craig McDermott to Englishman Phil Tuffnell: “You've got to bat on this in a minute. Hospital food suit you?"

Shaun Pollock to Ricky Ponting, Aussie Captain, after he played and missed a few

deliveries: "The ball is red, round and weighs about 5 ounces."

Ponting, after dispatching the next ball out of the ground: "You know what it looks like, now fetch it."

Aussie Merv Hughes to Englishman Graham Gooch after struggling to make contact with the ball: "Would you like me to bowl a piano to you and see if you can play it?"

Aussie Rod Marsh to Englishnan Ian Botham: “How's your wife and my two kids doing?"

Botham: "My wife's fine but the kids are retarded."

The Aussies may be the sledging kings but they play the game hard and as South African legend, Barry Richards, once said, "The only time an Aussie walks is when his car runs out of petrol".

Sledging has for years been part of cricket, but there are limits, especially those of a personal nature. Many of the sledging quotes are not suitable for print, so a Code of Conduct needs to exist.

Rabada's celebrations after taking a wicket, especially an important one, need to be tempered. These actions impact on the younger generation who enjoy mimicking their heroes, which is not good for the game of cricket.