THE VILLAGE
NEWS
20 JANUARY 2021 YOUR FREE COPY #ALLOVEROVERBERG The next issue of The Village NEWS will be out on 27 January 2021.
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Klaradyn Stemmet and Andree Frates (left) delivered chicken burgers to the Hermanus Mediclinic, Hermanus Provincial Hospital and Spescare on Friday. Gerhard Joubert (Hospital General Manager), Marco Coert (Porter) and Wynne Pietersen (HR Manager) from the Hermanus Mediclinic came out to receive the burgers in the parking lot. The burgers were made by volunteers from the 'Help Hermanus Hospitals' group, which was founded recently by Klaradyn to support our hospitals’ exhausted healthcare workers. Read more on P12 & 13. PHOTO: Taylum Meyer
Opening of schools postponed Writer Hedda Mittner
to cope with the current demands”.
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Mhaule said new dates for the reopening of private schools would vary depending on the calendar they follow. For public schools and private schools which follow the same calendar, the new dates are as follows: School management teams will report for duty on 25 January, teachers will follow on 1 February, and pupils will return on 15 February.
he National Department of Basic Education’s announcement last week that the reopening of schools countrywide has been postponed until 15 February, was met with mixed reaction from parents and educators. “Given the pressure experienced by the health system in the past few weeks, occasioned by increased Covid-19 infections which have led to a second wave, the Council of Education Ministers in conjunction with the National Coronavirus Command Council and Cabinet has taken the decision to delay the reopening of both public and private schools by two weeks,” said Deputy Basic Education Minister Reginah Mhaule at a press briefing on Friday.
Some private schools such as Curro Hermanus already welcomed learners back on Wednesday 13 January. The department cannot legally direct private schools and Curro spokesperson Mari Lategan was quoted in the press as saying, “The choice, at this stage and as far as we are aware, is 100% that of the independent school. Nothing to the contrary has been gazetted as yet.”
“This includes private schools that have already opened. They will need to postpone their opening to a later date. This is to provide relief to the health system which is already struggling
Generation Schools Hermanus also referred to their autonomy as a private school and announced on Friday that they would begin the 2021 academic year on 25 January. “We are
committed to upholding and adhering to the Covid-related procedures and protocols. Keeping our students, educators and parents safe is our primary focus,” the school stated, adding that the Generations group was cognisant that each family has unique needs. Therefore both Generations and Curro provide distance learning options for those who decide not to send their children back to school until 15 February. Hermanus High School’s Deputy Principal, Graham Bellinghan said on Monday that, despite the logistical challenges this postponement will bring, the school agrees that it will be safer for both educators and pupils at this time. “The second wave is happening at the beginning of the year, which is fortunate in a way because there are no exams taking place and there is an emphasis on project work during the first term.” Bellinghan added that the school was waiting for directives from the department on how exactly the reopening of schools on 15 February will be implemented and when the different grades will be phased in.
“There is no question that in many areas hospitals are overloaded because of the number of Covid-19 cases, and the situation we face is a difficult one,” said Provincial Minister of Education Debbie Schäfer. “However, it is not clear that a two-week delay will find us in a vastly different situation to the current one. We would have preferred a differentiated approach, as not all provinces are affected the same or at the same time. “We are very concerned about the effect of another delay on the long-term education of our learners and on parents who are trying to work.” The WCED’s Director for Communication, Bronagh Hammond, said there was still a need for clarity on several matters, including the grades returning, the National School Nutrition Programme, comorbidities and others. “We await the publishing of the amended directions, which will determine how we move forward as a province in managing the opening of schools.”
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20 January 2021
Making Hermanus famous again By Hélène Truter
F
inally! After four years of negotiations, the third series of Swartwater will hit our TV screens on Tuesday 19 January on SABC 2 (DSTV 192) at 19:30. If you've missed the first episode, you can catch it on Youtube in two weeks’ time. The first series of Swartwater (2013) made a clean sweep at the SAFTAs, winning seven awards including best TV series. Swartwater is a fictitious coastal village in the Overberg. The series follows the lives of a Johannesburg couple who move to Swartwater, after the main character accidentally shoots and kills his baby son. Since I live here, it was only natural that I write a TV series based in Hermanus, dealing with local issues. After 52 episodes (series 1 and 2) I was done, satisfied that the story had come full circle. And I moved on to other projects.
(currently available on Showmax) which had to completely stop production during lockdown, I was well aware of the risks. We were determined to come up with a great story in spite of Covid. 'n Boer maak 'n plan.
Filming on Overstrand beaches
The highlight for me was to show off my beautiful hometown to the Johannesburg crew who were truly in awe of everything Hermanus has to offer. Thankfully, we managed to film the beach scenes before the latest Level 3 restrictions came into effect.
During adjusted Level 3 lockdown our beaches are closed for recreational purposes. However, the Overstrand Municipality has announced that filming, classified as a commercial activity, is allowed on beaches (including hotspot areas).
In a nutshell, Swartwater is a love story, mixed with intrigue, tension and a smattering of comedy. The dialogue is authentic and unique to each character. I'm grateful to Tessa January from Hawston for her invaluable help with the local Afrikaans dialect. Can't understand Afrikaans? No problem. Swartwater has built up a sizeable English viewership as the show is subtitled.
However, the viewers weren't done – not by a long shot – and a third series was commissioned.
With so many channels available to the viewer, a new TV series needs to be exceptional to be watched. Swartwater is unashamedly South African with universal themes. The third series has a lighter feel to it, suitable for the whole family. For those of you who may have missed the first two series, rest assured, it has been written with new viewers in mind.
Sandra Vaughan (Kleinmond resident and writer of the blockbuster Semi-Soet) and I started writing Swartwater 3 just before lockdown, and as the pandemic intensified I had to constantly rewrite and adapt, keeping in mind that we would have to film passionate love scenes while adhering to strict Covid protocols. Interesting challenge indeed. Since I'd been on the writing team of Inconceivable
In a sense we're fortunate to have a captive audience because of the curfew. However, you need to be convinced to switch from your current channel (whether it's kykNET, BBC or Netflix) to SABC 2 (DSTV 192) which is totally free, by the way. Even if it's just to spot Kammabaai or Piet se klip. Hopefully the story will keep you hooked and you'll join the inhabitants of Swartwater every Tuesday night at 19:30.
An application for a filming permit should be submitted to the Overstrand Municipality’s area management offices.
ABOVE: Local resident and owner of Amulet, Hélène Truter was the main scriptwriter of Swartwater and also stars in the series. BELOW: A scene for Swartwater 3 with actors Keenan Arrison and Antoinette Louw being filmed at Kammabaai.
A Covid-protocol plan must accompany the application and strict measures must be maintained to safeguard the filming crew and all involved. The Overstrand filming permit is aligned to processes of other coastal municipalities. Overberg Film Studio’s Petro van Dyk has offered to assist film crews with the process of obtaining a film permit. She can be contacted on 079 807 9726.
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20 January 2021
Getting a head start with hats Writer & Photographer Elaine Davie
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wenty three-year-old Madodana Cita, known to everyone as Mardee, grew up with a passion for art in a small rural village in the Whittlesea district of the Eastern Cape. “At the school I attended,” he laughs, “no one had heard of a subject like art, but one thing I knew for sure, I wanted to be an artist; I have a God-given talent.” Mardee had no idea how he was going to achieve his goal, but instinctively felt it would probably be a good idea to go somewhere where there were other artists from whom he could learn. So he packed his bag, took the wood carvings he had been making and headed for sprawling Khayalitsha in the Western Cape. Fortunately for Mardee, and for us, a friend in Cape Town told him about this place, Hermanus, the home of many artists, where the Whale Festival would soon take place and he might find a market for his work. This sounded promising, so Mardee set off for the town, turning over in his mind how he could stand out from the crowd and market his wares more effectively. He came up with the startling idea of turning himself into a walking work of art. So, painting his clothes, his shoes and his hat in eye-popping designs, he strode out boldly on the bustling streets of Hermanus. And noticed he certainly was. Not only did he sell his carvings, but he was directed to the Youth Café in Zwelihle where it was suggested he might meet other artists and perhaps even find a place to continue his work. That was in October 2019. Even more striking than his sartorial excesses, were Mardee’s sunny smile, his energy, infectious enthusiasm, and passion for art. Soon he was able to set up a small studio at the RDP House, where, with the help of Angela Heslop, he started experimenting with pottery-making. In addition, he became a familiar figure at all the art galleries in town, studying the various genres of art on display and sometimes meeting the artists. Indeed, it was at the opening of one such exhibition that he serendipitously met someone who was to become a life-changing mentor
and friend. The contact was precipitated by one of the painted hats he continued to make and wear. “His straw hat was so stunningly original, I absolutely fell in love with it,” relates Hermanus art lover, Lillian Lloys Ellis, “so I asked him if I could buy it from him.” And that was the beginning of an all-out adventure for the two of them. “It’s been like a miracle, really,” continues Lillian. “Everyone who saw my hat wanted to buy it, too. So I contacted Mardee and asked if he had thought of producing these head-turning hats on a more ambitious scale, to sell. With his usual enthusiasm, he embraced the idea and that’s how Mardee’s wearable art came into being.” Each hat designed by Mardee is unique. At first he thought he would keep a record of the designs and repeat them. “But I just got bored with that, so each one is an original work of art, signed by me. I mainly base the designs on Ndebele art, because I like the shapes and bright colours, but now I’m starting to introduce other ethnic designs. One of my latest hats is a combination of Ndebele and Basotho designs.” Lillian was able to source panama-style hats in white and beige made from recycled woven paper (yes, paper), porous enough to absorb the acrylic paint used by Mardee. They also discovered that the paint was more durable if a white base coat was applied first. The hat manufacturers’ label indicated that the material was water resistant and this was unintentionally put to the test when one day Lillian’s hat flew into the sea. Fearing the worst, she fished it out of the water, left it in the sun to dry and it was as good as new! When Mardee had accumulated enough painted hats, Lillian organised an open day at
Book to join us for one of our culinary delights. We look forward to safely welcoming you at The Marine. Marine Eggs Benedict - R 145 pp
Freshly Baked English Muffin topped with streaky bacon, poached eggs and a silky hollandaise sauce. Cold Pressed Fruit Juice. Tea or Bottomless Filter Coffee.
Roasting Sundays - R 195 pp
Roast Beef, Crispy Potatoes, Seasonal Vegetables, Yorkshire Pudding, Roasting Juices. Malva Pudding served with Vanilla Crème Anglaise and Vanilla Bean Ice Cream.
Fish & Chips Friday - R 135 pp
BBk now!
ABOVE: Each of Mardee’s stylish hats is a unique work of art which can either be worn or, in a display on the wall of a room, feature as a focal point. LEFT: Mardee Cita and Lillian Lloys Ellis are super-excited about the success of Mardee’s Wearable Art hats, which are turning heads wherever they go.
sneakers he first painted for the Whale Festival are also still causing a buzz and he has begun to paint bespoke designs on clients’ own foot wear, preferably on canvas or leather.
Ficks Restaurant to test public response. They were also displayed at the FynArts Gallery and Intethe Gallery. Despite Covid and its impact on tourism, the hats have flown off their hooks so fast since November that Mardee started losing hope of keeping up with demand. Then into his life came three young helpers (one of them still in high school). Lwandiso Mhlanyana, Lwandiso Tunakale and Sibahle Gupta jumped at the chance of becoming involved in this project, so after Mardee has drawn the designs on the hats, they apply the base coat and then help him with the final acrylic coat. All the income derived from the sale of the hats is ploughed back into the purchase of new materials and remuneration for Mardee and his helpers. The hats they source are presently all the same size, so if purchasers are afraid they will not fit them, they are welcome to buy their own hat and bring it to Mardee to be decorated. The
At the same time, they are exploring the future development of the project. Lillian has a sister in Rome who makes and sells her own upmarket bags combining African design with Italian flair and they are hoping to add Mardee’s Hats to her product range. There is also the possibility of an outlet in London. In Hermanus, Lillian would love to establish an open-fronted studio in the CBD, where visitors can watch young emerging artists at work and buy directly from them. Unfortunately, all the premises she has investigated cost too much to rent. She is hoping that someone might come to the fore to contribute space for this worthwhile project. For now, Mardee is riding the wave of excitement. He recently participated in the FynArts bollard-painting project and regularly helps out its gallery. “I just love art, all art, and I want to try every kind of medium, but for now, I’m focusing on my hats and shoes.” For those who would like to stay ahead of the trend, Mardee’s hats are available at the new Intethe Gallery at 3 High Street (in the old Savannah Café building), Station Square.
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FROM THE EDITOR
20 January 2021
Medical staff need our support
The Covid-19 pandemic is hitting closer to home than ever before as the number of infections and deaths grows by the day. Barely a day goes by without seeing a social media post from someone who has tested positive or someone in our community that has died. Just last week we reported that the number of local infections showed a decline. Barely two days later there was another surge in new cases, making it almost impossible to predict whether we have reached the peak of the sec-
ond wave or not. Medical personnel relate stories of countless residents and visitors needing Covid-19 tests over the holiday season. One said it felt at times as if the line of those waiting to be tested would never end. The most horrifying aspect was that the majority of those tested had indeed contracted the virus. Of serious concern to health workers is the number of people who continue to socialise and go about their normal daily business even though they feel ill.
NEWS WhatsApp or SMS your stories and photos to 083 700 3319
PUBLISHING EDITOR T: 083 700 3319
E: dewaal@thevillagenews.co.za
Hedda Mittner
CONTENT EDITOR T: 083 645 3928
E: hedda@thevillagenews.co.za
Raphael da Silva ONLINE EDITOR T: 074 125 5854
E: raphael@thevillagenews.co.za
Elaine Davie
JOURNALIST T: 084 343 7500
E: elaine@thevillagenews.co.za Taylum Meyer PRODUCTION MANAGER, PHOTOGRAPHY & DESIGN T: 084 564 0779
E: taylum@thevillagenews.co.za
Charé van der Walt MARKETING & SALES MANAGER T: 082 430 1974
It is with great joy and pride that we see the numerous undertakings by our residents and local businesses to assist especially hospital staff with food and treats. The Overstrand has proven itself to be a community with a big heart and this time around is no exception. But whether we decide to give time, money, or resources to help the brave men and women who battle the virus in our hospitals, we must always be mindful that the biggest gift of all would be for us to stay healthy.
It is difficult for us to understand the pressure our frontline medical staff are currently experiencing. Many of them have been in the eye of the storm since last year and with the dramatic increase in infected people requiring hospitalisation, they need as much support as they can get.
the lockdown regulations aimed at stopping the spread to the letter of the law. Yes, there are some regulations that simply do not make sense, nor do they meaningfully contribute towards flattening the curve. But the basics of wearing a mask, sanitising your hands, practising social distancing, and reducing your interaction with other people have proven to be effective. Let this be the biggest contribution we make to our medical staff. This is the good NEWS – Ed.
We urge all our readers to follow
Repairing the ozone and Spell-check 2.0
THE VILLAGE
De Waal Steyn
The regulations regarding self-isolation are clear. If you have been in contact with someone who has tested positive or if you show any symptoms, you must immediately isolate yourself and have a test done as soon as possible.
By Murray Stewart murray.stewart49@gmail.com
T
he For Fact’s Sake columns are – according to Google and The Duck ’n Fiddle’s Explanation of Everything – based in truth. Occasionally however, some names and places have been changed to protect innocent people involved. Blown in the wind We’re all aware that various products we consume, have ‘powdered’ versions of themselves. We have powdered eggs, powdered milk, jelly powder, gravy powder, and of course the wildly popular powdered wine. But, over the last decade, scientists and dietitians have created an organic, vegetable-based formula going as powdered meat – a somewhat coarse, granular compound ideal for hamburgers, horrogs, worsrolle and curries. Just add water, create your own shape of patty or sausage, and let it set/harden before cooking. Quick, convenient and animal-friendly. Their mission, however, wasn’t to put abattoirs and butchers out of business for humane reasons, but rather to help repair the ozone layer. Methane expelled by livestock is a major contributor to this problem. By radically reducing the amount of cattle on the planet, they reckon that the greenhouse effect would dwindle and disappear over a few decades. Apart from rising up and destroying the ozone
layer, some methane stays hovering just above ground level – a highly combustible, invisible killer.
than the cows. Food for thought, nè?
As we all know, cows are the world champions at expelling gas. Large herds are particularly dangerous. A ranch-hand in Kansas learnt this lesson too late when he lit a cigarette with cows all around him. The air simply exploded in a blinding flash, and he was dead in seconds. At the funeral his boss delivered the eulogy and tried to lighten the mood with a wise-crack. “I told him that smoking would kill him one day.” Nobody laughed though.
Last year we discussed how the words through, tough and thorough were spelt similarly but sounded vastly different. English, like many other languages is a fruit salad of multiple influences, adopted and incorporated over many years. The spelling therefore often pertains to the original language.
Alternate Spelling
This got a bloke called Ben Dover from New Zealand all fired up, because he emailed me a single word, and bearing in mind the strange English spelling of words, asked me if I could work out what it was.
Anyway, vegetarians and vegans are delighted not only for the plight of the ozone layer, but that the slaughter of animals would be curtailed. This triggered off another group of scientists – probably ordinary carnivores – who did their own survey, and came up with some interesting data.
The word is ghoughphtheightteeau, and he claims it is something we come across every day – nothing cryptic or mysterious at all. Well, needless to say I was none the wiser after days of pondering and head-scratching, so I emailed Ben and after pleading and eventually bribing him, he finally gave me his formula. This is what he wrote:
As any dietician will confirm, the consumption of fresh fruit and veggies generates a build-up of gas. Cows are the living proof. The study also revealed that vegans and vegetarians expel 20% more gas than non-veggies.
GH stands for P as in hiccough. OUGH stands for O as in dough. PHTH stands for T as in phthisis EIGH stands for A as in neighbour TTE stands for T as in gazette EAU stands for O as in plateau
Quite how they managed to arrive at that figure I find somewhat disturbing, but nonetheless they were then able to calculate that if the 7.8 billion people around the world all switched from eating flesh to munching veggies, that extra 20% increase in their personal output – multiplied by 7.8 billion similar outlets – would do more harm to the ozone layer
Therefore, according to Ben, this is a legitimate way to spell potato, and to be honest, he’s probably right. It’s just a lot easier not to.
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Hermanus history and powered flight – Part 1 Writer Dr Robin Lee
H
ermanus, everyone agrees, is a seaside town. The names tell you that: the Old Harbour, the New Harbour, Voëlklip Beach, Harbour Road, Poole's Bay, Kwaaiwater, the Klein River and Onrus lagoons – the list goes on. Yet for well over a hundred years, Hermanus has had a surprisingly extensive history of contact with powered flight and aircraft. It all started just 13 years after the Wright Brothers achieved the first 12 seconds of powered flight by human beings on 17 December 1903. In 1916, eighteen-year-old Henry Luyt, son of P John Luyt, the owner of The Marine and Riviera Hotels in Hermanus, left school and went off to join the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) in England to fight in WWI. He received three months training and flew sorties over the German lines for a month or so, before being shot down by anti-aircraft fire. Fortunately, his plane landed upside down on an unoccupied enemy trench in Belgium, and he survived. He released himself from the upside-down position in which he had come to rest, evaded capture and returned to his work in the RFC. In 1919, he returned to Hermanus, where his father persuaded him not to fly again – instead, he bought Henry a sports car that Henry named
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20 January 2021
The Red Devil, and drove at high speeds around the Overberg and all the way to Cape Town. Henry remained friendly with a circle of young men who did own planes, and, for most of the 1920s, they regularly flew to Hermanus during the 'season' (December and January), landed on Grotto Beach and then took astonished holidaymakers up for what were called 'flips' over Walker Bay and inland to the mountains. The area known as 'Die Plaat', on the western side of the Klein River mouth was regarded as the first 'airstrip' in Hermanus. The South African Air Force was established in 1920, based at Zwartkop, with another base at Youngsfield near Cape Town. Closely involved in this development was Major-General Kenneth van der Spuy (1892 – 1991), a resident of Stellenbosch. He and his wife, famous horticulturist Una van der Spuy, were frequent visitors to The Marine Hotel in Hermanus, though he does not seem to have flown to the town or patrolled the area from the air – after all, he was on holiday.
RIGHT: The famous aircraft designer and British aeroplane manufacturer, Sir Thomas Sopwith owned extensive property in Voëlklip, including a farm called Onderberg up against the mountain in the vicinity of First Street.
Later, van der Spuy became friendly with Sir Thomas Sopwith, perhaps the most famous aircraft designer and British aeroplane manufacturer in the 20th century. Sopwith owned extensive property in Voëlklip later in the century, notably a farm called Onderberg, up against the mountain in the vicinity of First Street. Henry Luyt's passion for planes got another boost in 1932 when the famous British female flyer Amy Johnson stayed at The Marine Hotel. She had just flown solo from London to Cape Town in a women's record time and was the darling of all the media. She had previously flown solo from London to Australia, also in record time and been awarded the title CBE (Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) by King George V. In 1936, she would repeat her flight from London to Cape Town, breaking the men's record as well as her own, but did not come to Hermanus that time. Sadly, she was to die in controversial circumstances in the early years of WWII. On a routine flight from the north of England to Oxford, her plane was seen way off course over the Thames Estuary, where she was observed to parachute down into the freezing water and disappear. Her body was never found, but some personal items confirmed that she had died there. In the early 1940s, the Royal Air Force established a flying boat base on the Bot River Estuary. Many sorties were flown against German U-boat operations along the South African East Coast using the famous Catalina flying boats. South African radar installations supported the Catalinas from Betty's Bay and other locations. Many of the RAF pilots stayed at the old Onrus Hotel during those years and were involved with the social life of Hermanus. Three are known to have married local women after the War and settled in Hermanus.
Amy Johnson stayed at The Marine in 1932 after she’d flown solo from London to Cape Town in a women's record time.
Professor André van Zyl
Dental Implant Clinic Hermanus Specialist in Oral Medicine and Periodontics Dental implant surgery Cosmetic gum surgery Gum disease treatment Oral disease diagnosis and treatment Cone Beam CT scanning
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During World War II Hermanus was the preferred leave destination of thousands of Allied servicemen passing through Cape Town on their way to various battlefields in Africa, the Middle East and the Far East. On 5 November 1944, two pilots from the SAAF caused an uproar in the town. Berdine Luyt was there to record the incident:
Oral Health versus Covid It is natural to be afraid to visit any clinic during this terrible pandemic. However, to neglect your health because of this, is not acceptable. At the start of the pandemic we instituted the strictest possible infection control measures. This was necessary to protect our patients, to give them the assurance that we were taking the Covid virus very serious, and of course to protect ourselves. I have however noticed that some patients would rather cancel and postpone treatment than risk visiting any dental clinic. This is unwise if it involves sores in the mouth – or any mucosal lesion within the oral cavity. Worldwide we are seeing
cancer diagnosis and treatment being neglected due to Covid fears. People are dying because of this. This is also true for Oral Cancer. Over the past 9 months I have diagnosed many patients with life-threatening diseases, including oral cancer. Had they postponed due to Covid, some would not have survived, as the oral cancer would have become too large for successful removal, or it could have spread to distant sites in the body. If in doubt about the infection control protocol at any practice, ask questions – you are entitled to reassurances in this regard. Many systemic diseases may become symptomatic in the oral cavity before
CIRCLE: Henry Luyt, the son of P John Luyt, owner of The Marine and Riviera Hotels in Hermanus, had a passion for planes and served as a pilot with the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) in England during WWI.
We seem to have had the entire personnel of Young's Field here at one time or another during the last few weeks; mostly restive young boys waiting to go up north. There were four SAAF pilots here last week, and they spent most of their time acting as escorts for Connie [Berdine's youngest sister] and Betty van Rhyn (our cousin, here on holiday). They left on Wednesday and promised to "shoot up" the hotel on their next coastal patrol. The next morning at about ten o'clock we heard planes zooming over the hotel, and we ran outside to see what was happening. There were two SAAF planes flying low over the roof, apparently with every intention of landing on the balcony. It was very exciting and a wonderful display of low flying and split-second control. All the visitors ran outside to watch, the indoors staff were having pleasurable palpitations at the upstairs windows, and the garden staff (who had been peacefully weeding the lawns) were lying flat on the ground with their arms over their heads and moaning. Connie and Betty stood on the edge of the cliff, dancing with excitement and waving coloured scarves. The planes flew level with the cliff then, and Dennis (one of the pilots) showed a green and red light as he said he would. Then the planes turned and flew right out to sea. Making for opposite ends of the bay, they banked and came straight at the hotel and each other at terrific speed. We held our breaths in horror and waited for the crash, but at the last split second the one plane curved sharply sideways and upwards and the other, below it, missed the hotel roof by about an inch… It was marvellous flying but nerve-wracking to watch.
it presents elsewhere in the body. One example is Leukaemia, which may cause a specific type of gum inflammation, and another is Crohn’s disease. Anaemia is also commonly diagnosed through the oral presentation. Any sore in the mouth that does not heal within two weeks should be examined in detail. Too often I hear “I thought it was a sharp/broken tooth irritating my tongue”, only to find out it was in fact an Oral Cancer. Do not neglect your oral or general health due to the fear of Covid. We give the assurance that all possible measures are taken in our clinic to safeguard you from infection. Between patients the examination room is sanitized completely. We have air-filters to remove bacteria, fungi as well as viruses. We take your oral health very seriously – you should too.
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LOCKDOWN LEVEL:
LEV
COVID-19 DASHBOARD OVERSTRAND
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3
EL
TOTAL CASES AS OF 18 JAN 2021:
OVERSTRAND BREAKDOWN OF CASES: TOTAL (ACTIVE)
WORLD: 95 571 959 SOUTH AFRICA: 1 337 926 WESTERN CAPE: 254 498 (19.02% of cases in SA) OVERBERG: 12 200
• FISHERHAVEN: 34 (4) • GANSBAAI: 160 (33) • HAWSTON: 384 (78) • HERMANUS: 661 (148) • KLEINMOND: 623 (81)
So long, Nickey T he Village NEWS team was sad to say good-bye to our graphic designer and sales representative, Nickey Jackson, who has left the paper to pursue a new career opportunity. Nickey is a true local; apart from three years in the Strand, she has called Hermanus home since 1983. She worked at the Hermanus Times for 19 years and got to know De Waal Steyn when he was appointed editor and later publisher/editor. “When De Waal approached me about joining his venture to start his own newspaper in 2015,
I immediately said ‘yes, please’! We started small, with fortnightly editions, and the first one hit the streets in September 2015. From there the newspaper just grew and grew and within two years we were publishing weekly editions. I worked my fingers to the bone at all hours but it was teamwork that made the dream work. "Along the way we had a lot of fun and it was all so worth it, especially when we won numerous awards, including 2017 Independent Newspaper of the Year at the FCJ Awards.
20 January 2021 • MT PLEASANT: 324 (46) • ONRUS: 176 (37) • SANDBAAI: 194 (46) • STANFORD: 342 (74) • VERMONT: 80 (20) • ZWELIHLE: 1 037 (99) TOTAL: 4 572 (759)
LAST WEEK'S TOTAL CASES:
(11 JAN)
WORLD: 90 862 330 SOUTH AFRICA: 1 231 597 (15th in the world) WESTERN CAPE: 240 233 OVERBERG: 10 731 (324 deaths) OVERSTRAND: 4 157 (92 deaths) 19 JUNE 2019
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“Although Covid-19 has had a big impact on the newspaper’s revenue, being a part of The Village NEWS has been one of the greatest accomplishments of my life and I have no doubt that the publication is here to stay.” The Village NEWS team thanks Nickey for her dedication, loyalty and hard work, and wishes her all the best in her future endeavours. You will be sorely missed, Nickey!
9 10 19
The politics o
Restaurant Fick's Pool for What FynArts dished up BOOKS to broa your horizon den New therapy centre for child ren
This captiva ting image of the iconic Harbour of Old Hermanus was taken by a visitor on a chilly winter's day last week. PHOTO: Robin Malherbe
f poaching
A decade of debilitating mismanagem the Western ent of South Cape Africa’s fisheri long and ongoi deep into the arms of es sector under Chinese ng investigation former Presid by JOHN GROB transnational organised ent Jacob Zuma rom a cottage crime, seemi LER. industry 10 has driven the ngly for politic years ago, the abalone transnational illicit al purposes. crime. Both This was establ abalone industry in has grown into -for-drugs trade and the Chinese the local syndicat a multi-billion ished by an vertically-integr dollar compon 18-monthated busines money by preferen e launder their ent of internat s model by exploitin organise ional ce via
F
g South Africa’s tide conditio d crime, with properties, bought via front ns that render South Affragile race politics, rica’s most notoriou all shellfish poisono is. name of other companies or in the s gangs now gang, that now us – is relatives and controlling the rules the Cape touches abalone in the bay, no-one sometimes very cheaply poaching and es from within beachThe Numbe because it will Chinese triads nine the deepest you killed, he rs get non-linear fashion. , as payments in a the confines of the prison warns. On the white-sa into Hong Kong international trade system. The nded beaches by using an 28s run the jail system – craggy bays ancient trade-based and The various from Cape Agulhasand Neither ever financial settleme abalone years, also the over the past few Cape Columb get caught and to system known nt Western Cape’s have been divided -bearing areas ine, the word deeply embedd appear as “Chinese abalone-for-dru illicit is that The Number Flying ed in South Money” or fei gs racket. Numbers’ associat up among The s, the prison-b Africa and China, with qian (Mandar ased gang of the 26s, 27s es, but ultimate in) or fei political contacts ch’ien (Canton all answer to and reaching into ly, ese). Poaching of the 28s as all charge. On certain 28s, are now in the highest the risk slow-gro ing echelons spendtime of power in days, whateve wing behind bars, mollusc, prized both South comes out of This financia r sooner or later. in the Far East Africa the China. None l system is what buttery taste, for its lobster, periwink sea – abalone, of this is really and mately identifie ultiis now domina So just call me news, but the extent le s the abalone gangs of young ted by Jason, the former a former poacher – belongs to them, to which local drugs racket and black divers poacher grins international and as Chinese organise explains. who descend in broad from crime d beard and oversize beneath the daylight and integrate abalone has been able to large number When the “swart d cap. Like and drugs into s on the craggy in eryone else, a to strip out whateve he doesn’t want evbeaches tide, in referenc gety” – the black named when to be e to the anaerob r abalone they can find without talking about ic red South the 28s, Africa’s most much as a finger. the police lifting as feared prison Continues on
LET'S TALK
HRA supports Market It was with great sadness that we learned of Liza Van Coppenhagen’s decision to close the Hermanus Country Market. For a very long time the Market has been one our main attractions, catering to both locals and visitors from far flung destinations. It has been a venue where friends have gathered and where new friendships have been made. Local people have been able to make a living by displaying their wares and showcasing their talents. In many respects the Market has epitomised what local community based tourism should look like. Whilst we understand the reasons which have
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informed Liza’s decision, there is a part of all of us which seeks to preserve and maintain what the Market has come to mean to Hermanus.We are hopeful that the discussions currently underway with important stakeholders who are attempting to salvage the situation will bear fruit. The Hermanus Ratepayers Association is committed to assisting in any way it can to preserve the Market. We are hopeful that good sense and pragmatism will prevail and that we will all soon be able to get the show back on the road. Brian Wridgway Chairman, Hermanus Ratepayers Association
Wind causes damage to sculpture The sculptures at Gearing’s Point that form part of this annual FynArts outdoor exhibition have to withstand fierce weather conditions over many months. Extra steps are therefore taken during installation to ensure they endure. For example, the base of ‘Freedom Tree’ by artist Karin Lijnes (at the far end of the Gearing’s Point parking area) was sunk into the ground and weighted by 900 kg of concrete. Although it was designed to withstand up to 110 km/h winds, the 1,5 m stainless steel cables were cut by the wind speed and friction within 24 hours and had
to be reinstalled with even hardier cables and connectors. Over the past few months, however, the fierce winds on the cliff top have again proved too strong for the wire supports and one of the birds hanging from the mobile fell off recently. FynArts Festival Director Mary Faure is asking anyone who might have seen the missing bird or picked it up, to please contact her on 084 600 7958. All the birds, the front of which depict bird-like forms in ceramic while the steel backs create a flat silhouette with a red
X, have now been removed for repair. The red X refers to the Red Data Book of Birds and the distinction between the two different sides of the birds creates a gap or pause meant to draw attention to the disconnect between humans and nature. Through the motion of the wind and continuous rotation individually as well as around the main axis, the birds are moving between the two states of invisibility and visibility, presence and absence. “We are hoping to have the beautiful mobile up again within the next few weeks,” says Mary.
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WHAT'S COOKING
Bringing fresh, seasonal flavour to your table S
oil-focused, bug-friendly and sustainable farming is the hallmark of Cape Food Farm, where organic vegetables, fruit and flowers are grown on the 200 ha Du Bois farm near Papiesvlei, between Stanford and Elim. This is where Steve and Karien Buys have been living and farming for the past 20 odd years, cherishing the rural Overberg landscape, clean air and fresh spring water.
biology.
According to Steve, he searched a long time for this pocket of virgin land, which was perfectly suited to their ideal of growing organic, nutrient-dense vegetables in a sustainable way. The focus is on the soil, and not the plants, explains Steve, because good soil produces healthy plants. Sustaining and feeding the soil as well as the organisms that live in it is at the root of more nutrition and flavour.
The other good news is that this organic produce is not going to cost you more, as it is delivered straight from the farm to your door. More than 50 different vegetables are grown on the farm, as well as 18 different herbs, fresh fruit and berries, a variety of pulses and edible seeds, and handpicked flowers. Other pantry products that are available to order include herb pestos handmade on the farm, and free-range eggs and non-irradiated fynbos honey from neighbouring farms. Everything your body needs to thrive and supply you with clean energy!
“So many chronic illnesses that have developed over the past 60 years can be linked to industrial-agricultural supply systems,” says Steve, adding that their mission is to grow food with healing properties – food as medicine – and to protect the planet at the same time. “Our veggies are fed natural organic food and clear mountain spring water in a pollution-free environment. Hulle smaak so lekker want hulle eet so lekker!” But what is it that makes Cape Food Farm’s produce more nutritional – medicinal, even? This is clearly Steve’s favourite subject, as he explains that soil is alive and that certain methods of farming, including the use of herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, and inorganic fertilisers kill off part of the natural symbioses that exist within the plant
PHOTOS: Taylum Meyer
“We understand the important role that insects play, and that pests and disease are not the cause of a failing crop but rather symptoms of plants that were never healthy to start with. The stronger, healthier, and more complete the plant becomes, the more resistant it is to disease and pests. It is at this point that your food truly becomes medicine.”
The produce is freshly harvested, washed and packed for delivery in the packing shed on the farm, ready to be personally delivered every week for an extra fee of only R45 to the following areas – Hermanus, Benguela, Arabella and Kleinmond (Fridays), Stanford, Baardskeerdersbos, Gansbaai, Franskraal and Pearly Beach (Thursdays), Napier and Bredasdorp (Wednesdays) and Struisbaai and L'Agulhas (Tuesdays). Simply go to capefoodfarm.co.za to place your order by 10:00 the previous day and specify your home/office address at the checkout. Have a basket or box ready to receive your delivery. – Hedda Mittner
20 January 2021
20 January 2021
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MY WELLNESS
Albertyn
Reaching out to local hospitals Writer Tweet Gainsborough-Waring
H
Klaradyn’s first-hand knowledge of Covid-19 put
Vir vriendelike diens! caring for you
deliveries to Hermanus Mediclinic, Hermanus Provincial Hospital, Spescare and EMR have included 350 boerewors rolls which were prepared by Spar (Gateway), a selection of pre-packed meals, snacks and sweet treats from Checkers, 350 homemade crunchies prepared by Raynee and Hollianne Dixon-Warren, and a huge donation of apples from HK Abagold.
The transformation came about in response to an appeal from Klaradyn on the Hiking and Outdoor WhatsApp group for contributions to make up 170 food parcels to take to the local hospitals daily for the next week, as a show of appreciation to the medical staff and cleaners, all of whom are working under extreme pressure to cope with the current peak of Covid-19 infections. She explained the aim was to get items wholesale or directly from the producer to make up these packs.
By the end of the evening (just over a week ago) it became clear another group needed to be formed. This led to the creation of the Help Hermanus Hospitals (HHH) Facebook group to provide a platform on which the community could pledge, assist and show appreciation for everything the medical and hospital staff were doing.
Tel: 028 271 4666 Fax: 028 271 4665 WhatsApp: 079 387 2650 Email: albertyn@netactive.co.za
Cycling buddies Dennis Lamminga, Jerome Parfitt, Stefan van Niekerk and Shaun Haman prepared 350 chicken burgers on Friday for Hermanus Mediclinic, Hermanus Provincial Hospital and Spescare. ABSENT: Rowan Everts PHOTO: Andree Frates
appy hikers from the Hermanus Hiking and Outdoor Facebook group led by the inspirational Klaradyn Stemmet, have evolved into a band of happy helpers.
Within 25 minutes group members had responded with donations and offers of support in varying forms, from making sandwiches or doing deliveries to being a stand-in cleaner or porter if required.
20 January 2021
her quest to support those at the frontline on a more personal level.
day, added to which she was so fatigued she could not move from her bed until 2 January.
It was about five days before Christmas last year that she started battling with what she at first thought were the usual summertime allergies, but when this normally super-fit woman started feeling tired when hiking up hills, she knew there could be more to this. She consulted her doctor, who treated her initially for bronchitis, but she was also sent for a Covid-19 test which came back positive.
Klaradyn says it was only after having contracted Covid-19 herself, and nearly losing her mom to this dreadful illness that she truly understood what medical staff and frontline workers were dealing with. The experience made her want to do something that would make a positive difference to the lives of those who are working under huge pressure to battle this disease at the coalface.
Ten days of hell followed. Headaches, chest pains and difficulty breathing were the order of the
Hermanus businesses and individuals took up the challenge with alacrity and in the past week
It was all hands on deck on Friday as volunteers came together to braai, make and deliver 350 chicken and cheese burgers to Hermanus Mediclinic, Hermanus Provincial Hospital and Spescare Hermanus. Klaradyn (black and white dress) started 'Help Hermanus Hospitals' after contracting COVID-19 and nearly losing her mom to the illness. LEFT: Marene Burger and Klaradyn Stemmet. RIGHT: Elaine Haman, Werner de Vries and Klaradyn. PHOTOS: Andree Frates
In addition, Shaun Haman and members of his local cycling group pulled out all the stops to prepare 350 chicken burgers. Andree Frates, whose husband was being treated in ICU, sourced the chicken fillets from Kekkel & Kraai, and volunteers buttered the rolls and wrapped the burgers. Then there were 350 egg sandwiches filled with free-range eggs from Solitaire and made up by Marietjie Dalbock and her team at Wonderland Lifestyle Nursery. Klaradyn and all those involved send out a huge vote of thanks to the many individuals and businesses for their support, as well as the volunteers who gave their time to help with preparing and delivering, and the Curro Hermanus Parents Committee who donated to the initiative – having the funds to make it happen has been a major contributor to the success of the project.
www.thevillagenews.co.za
20 January 2021
Rowan Everts, Jerome Parfitt, Dennis Lamminga, Shaun and Ethan Haman, and Stefan van Niekerk marinated and braaied 350 chicken patties in moustaches and leis on Friday for Hermanus Mediclinic, Hermanus Provincial Hospital and Spescare. PHOTO: Elaine Haman
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Local businesses and individuals made monetary donations, sponsored goods, or offer goods at a reduced rate to help Klaradyn and her team create snacks and meals for healthcare workers. PHOTOS: Andree Frates
The medical staff are all struggling at the moment as some of them are sick and others need to fill in their shifts for them.
Thus far food deliveries to our frontline workers have included 350 boerewors rolls; a selection of pre-packed meals, snacks and sweet treats; 350 homemade crunchies; apples; 350 chicken and cheese burgers; and 350 egg sandwiches. Plans are in motion ahead for this week's meals and snacks.
PHOTO: Taylum Meyer
PHOTO: Andree Frates
Elise Krama, Housekeeper at Hermanus Provincial Hospital, accepted burgers and apples from Klaradyn on behalf of her colleagues.
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20 January 2021
Adopt a Ward to support medical staff T
he Stanford community has also pulled together to support exhausted health workers at the local Stanford Clinic, the Hermanus Provincial Hospital and Hermanus Mediclinic. Health workers are under tremendous pressure, having to navigate high numbers of infected patients while experiencing a critical shortage of hospital beds and a growing loss of staff as more doctors and nurses are testing positive for Covid-19 and falling ill. On Tuesday 12 January, village volunteers delivered bunches of fresh flowers, baked goodies and messages of thanks to the clinic and both hospitals. “We want to ensure that these hardworking people know how much we appreciate their sacrifices.
We stand behind them and are ready to assist them in any way we can,” said Tracey Anderson of Stanford Tourism, on behalf of the greater community.
The village has also launched an Adopt a Ward campaign, which entails supporting one ward at one hospital for the next two to four weeks. “We’ll be supporting the staff of the Mediclinic Emergency Room, as this was our first point of communication where we realised the level of utter desperation,” says Tracey. “Our aim is to provide the working staff on the ward with a nutritious meal per shift, and chicken soup for those staff members who’ve fallen sick and are in isolation on their own. “We would like to do more, but the needs are too big for us as private in-
dividuals to be able to help everyone. We are hoping to spark interest and invite other communities, organisations and businesses to adopt more wards at both hospitals.”
Critical units under pressure are Intensive Care, the Covid wards and theatres. Ambulance personnel are also working long shifts with little time to eat or sleep. They will appreciate any token of support, however small. To adopt a ward, please contact Dr Stefanie Perold of Hermanus Hospital on 028 313 5200, or Wynne Pietersen of Hermanus Mediclinic on 028 313 0168. The coordinator of the Adopt a Ward campaign in Stanford is Lizelle Henegan, who can be contacted via email at lizellehenegan@hotmail.com.
Estelle Van Der Westhuizen (Patient Safety and IPC Manager) and Gerhard Joubert (Hospital General Manager) of Hermanus Mediclinic with the flowers that were donated by the community of Stanford.
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20 January 2021
MY HOME Let's Talk Law
Think twice before you slice the ‘PIE’ being unable to meet their monthly rental payments.
By Jonathan de Jager & Matt Pretorius
I
n simpler times, landlords and tenants could rely on the provisions of the Prevention of Illegal Eviction (PIE) Act to enforce rights. However, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the inauguration of the Disaster Management Act (DMA) was triggered, bringing with it an array of provisions and restrictions that are unfamiliar to many.
One of the most prevailing effects of the pandemic is the drastic need for eviction orders, as millions have lost their jobs, thus resulting in increasing financial pressures and many people
According to article 37(1) of Government Notice No. R. 1423 of 29 December 2020, “A person may not be evicted from his or her land or home or have his or her place of residence demolished for the duration of the national state of disaster unless a competent court has granted an order authorising the eviction or demolition.” So what does this mean? This means that for as long as we are under a national state of disaster, no individual (tenant) may be evicted or removed from his/her land, home or place of residence by conventional legal means without a competent court specifically authorising such an eviction. The criteria that the court will examine and utilise is fairly simple: the eviction
must be found to be “just and equitable”. In times like this, where uncertainty plagues our everyday lives, the one thing you can be sure of is your position in the law and your rights. The question as to whether an eviction could possibly be deemed as “just and equitable” remains within the discretion of the judge
or magistrate. The merits can be discussed with an attorney who could advise on the reasonable prospects of success. If you find yourself in either position, as landlord or tenant, please visit our website at www. dejagerattorneys.com or contact us at info@ dejagerattorneys.com for more information.
028 050 1022 / 064 747 0345 jonathan@dejagerattorneys.com www.dejagerattorneys.com De Jager Attorneys Hermanus Office 4, Co.Unity, 18 Royal Street Hermanus 7200
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20 January 2021
MY PET
Ticks – beware complacency By Dr Hilldidge Beer
I
have a large garden and my dog never goes into the veld.” “We stick to the coastal paths for our walks.” “I check my dogs for ticks every day and pull them off when I see them.” These are just some of the justifications pet owners use for not applying parasite control to their pets, yet every one of these actions is dangerously misguided and puts their pets at risk of a fatal disease. For their size, ticks carry a deadly punch. A single bite from the smallest tick can kill your dog. The diseases ticks carry By far the most infectious in South Africa is biliary. Also known as tick bite fever or ‘bosluiskoors’, it is caused by a tiny parasite (Babesia canis) which is introduced into the body by a tick bite. This parasite then enters and destroys red blood cells. Biliary in dogs has a lot in common with malaria in humans.
Symptoms including listlessness and lethargy, a loss of appetite and a high temperature. Yellow faeces, brown or bloody urine and pale gums (white or yellow) are usually signs of advanced disease. The very sudden and severe form of biliary causes death within a few hours. Ehrlichiosis is carried by the brown dog tick. Signs of ehrlichiosis can be divided into three stages: acute (early disease), sub-clinical (no outward signs of disease), and clinical or chronic (long-standing infection). In the acute phase, infected dogs may have fever, swollen lymph nodes, respiratory distress, weight loss, bleeding disorders (spontaneous haemorrhage or bleeding), and occasionally, neurological disturbances (they may seem unsteady or develop meningitis). This stage may last two to four weeks and some dogs may eliminate the infection or head in to the sub-clinical phase. In the sub-clinical phase there are no
babesiosis from a tick but not from a dog. Treatment and prevention Veterinary treatment for these diseases is expensive and the prognosis for recovery is not always good. Dogs that contract these diseases suffer a great deal. However, prevention is possible and the ONLY way to properly protect your dog is by applying parasite control – regularly and all year round.
outward signs of disease and owners are unaware of the infection. Dogs that are infected sub-clinically may eliminate the organisms or may progress to the next stage, clinical ehrlichiosis when anaemia, bleeding episodes, lameness, eye problems (including haemorrhage into the eyes or blindness), neurological problems, and swollen limbs can occur. Dogs experiencing severe anaemia or bleeding may require a blood transfusion. However, this does nothing to treat the underlying disease. The prognosis for recovery at this stage is slight. Babesiosis is carried by multiple tick species and there is evidence of direct animal-to-animal transmission. Babesia may also be transmitted to unborn puppies in the uterus of their mothers.
Dogs infected with babesiosis may present with a wide variety of clinical signs ranging in severity from a sudden collapse with systemic shock, to a subtle and slowly progressing infection with no apparent clinical signs. Dogs typically present with the acute, severe form of babesiosis. Symptoms include abnormally dark urine, fever, weakness, pale mucous membranes, depression, swollen lymph nodes, and an enlarged spleen. The prognosis for a dog diagnosed with babesiosis is guarded, depending on what body systems are affected at the time of diagnosis. However, dogs that survive often remain sub-clinically infected, meaning that the disease can reoccur at any time. Humans can contract ehrlichiosis and
Many pet owners make the mistake of believing that ticks are a summer pest only; this is not true. It is also not enough to pull the ticks off when you see them; all it takes is a single bite for the parasite to be transmitted into your dog’s blood stream. Parasite preventives come in a wide range of applications and strengths – from spot-ons to chews and collars that last anything from one to eight months. However, it is important to choose the right preventive for your pet as some are toxic to cats, lactating bitches and puppies and kittens. Ask your EberVet Vetshop team to help you choose the right one and keep your dog (and cat) safe from these deadly (costly) diseases. – Veterinarian Dr Hilldidge Beer is the CEO of the EberVet Petcare Group and EberVet Vetshops
20 January 2021
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MY ENVIRONMENT
Diving with seals in Hout Bay Last Sunday’s dive number two saw us spending 30 blissful minutes being totally bombarded by playful Cape Fur Seals. When you’re under the water with them, they will swim at you with their larger-than-life eyes with enlarged pupils and stare into your soul before darting away in a dash.
By Jax Bath
These pinnipeds will tug at your fins and give you a love nip or two on the head. They formed little gangs in front of us and would take turns chasing each other before swooping in and checking out the humans once again.
S
ince the announcement of the return of Level 3 Covid-19 regulations, ocean access has been severely restricted apart from a few exceptions. Fishing and tourism operations have been lucky enough to be allowed to continue operating, which is why this week’s oceanic adventure takes place in Hout Bay.
Hout Bay is also home to Duiker Island, a large colony of Cape Fur Seals and the second dive site of that day. The Cape Fur Seal is endemic to South Africa and Namibia and can be found on islands, outcrops and land colonies in places not often frequented by people. Despite their reputation as pests, these pinnipeds are exceptionally intelligent and have lots of character, much like that of a Labrador puppy!
Last week, before curfew was pushed back an hour earlier, I hit the road at 6am from Gansbaai, making my way towards the west. My destination was Hout Bay Harbour, the meeting point for some boat-based scuba diving which is still allowed under the current regulations, with strict hygiene protocols! Gear in my dive box and armed with a GoPro, I was elated to be getting into the Atlantic again. I arrived around half an hour before the meet and watched as the fog enveloped the mountains before burning off to reveal a beautiful summer’s day.
The little ones are particularly naughty, gaping at GoPros and showing off the not so pearly whites of an apex ocean predator. Typically, blowing lots of bubbles can increase the social distance between you and a seal if you need it to, but this was one of the best experiences of my life so I let them show me who’s boss in their underwater world.
Despite their adorable appearance, these pinnipeds are fierce and are able to make quick work of octopus, rays and even small sharks. They can stay under the water for up to 8 minutes at a time and have the ability to collapse their lungs to aid their diving, taking them down a few hundred metres at most, though they don’t always dive to such depths. Our first dive of the day took place on the Maori Wreck in 9-degree water, much to the discontent of my fingers and GoPro casing. My GoPro made its dissatisfaction clear by seizing up at the very beginning of the dive, making it impossible to take any photos, which is why I would now recommend any diver to switch their GoPro on before getting into the water to avoid finding their buttons jammed and unusable. The dive yielded a few large lobsters, a gigantic octopus and a Cuttle Fish, but it was nothing compared to the excitement that followed on our second dive.
On this day, we were with them on scuba at a depth of around 10 metres, although the sightings are just as incredible at the surface. Hout Bay is home to two seal snorkeling operators, which gives everyone the opportunity to enjoy this most wondrous experience.
At 9am, my dive school arrived and we began suiting up and setting up our gear for the day ahead. If you ever learn to scuba dive, it’s of utmost importance that you learn to do this yourself; after all, you’re the one relying on the system once you’re under the water. After finishing our set ups and having everything checked by our trusty instructors, we loaded the boat and set out into the bay.
This took place at Duiker Island, where hundreds of Cape Fur Seals and occasionally an Elephant Seal called Buffel like to hang out in the water. On land, Cape Fur Seals are quite shy and when approached by humans, will often jump into the water as their first defense. In the water however, they seem to know that us humans are not nearly as capable, and reward our clumsy ways by giving us the show of a lifetime and playing with us under the water!
Scuba dives and snorkeling experiences in the area typically last 30 – 40 minutes, and I would highly recommend trying one or both at least once in your life. To be eye to eye with these curious creatures in their home environment will give you a perspective that you’re unlikely to ever gain from peering at them off the edge of the boat. That’s all for this week’s ocean story. We’ll be returning to the Seychelles next week for some turtle talk.
Much like the Cape Whale Coast, Hout Bay is an incredibly scenic place to go to sea, with the mountains and sharp peaks providing a breathtaking backdrop. Despite only being 2 – 3 hours from the Overstrand, the ocean is vastly different here. These cooler waters attract a variety of life not often found in Walker Bay, such as the acrobatic Dusky Dolphin and the endemic Heaviside Dolphin. This is also the area in which Humpback Whales form super aggregations of hundreds of animals who come together to feed off our coast, a phenomenon only recently discovered.
Did you like this article? Then remember to keep an eye out for Jax's weekly editorials in our online newspaper by going to www.issuu.com/dwaal.
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20 January 2021
MY ENVIRONMENT
Solifuge – the legendary ‘baardskeerder’ By Dr Anina Lee
PHOTO: African Snakebite Institute
structures) of various lengths, some up to 50mm, resembling shiny red hair. These setae are thought to be tactile sensors. Another Afrikaans nickname for these colourful creatures is ‘rooiman’ (red man), which led to the English corruption ‘Roman’ or ‘Red Roman’. Yet another common name is ‘Jerrymunglum’, the origin of which I have been unable to find out.
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f I were to write a script for a horror movie, I would not have to invent the ‘alien’ that threatens the world. I would simply blow up a solifuge to 20 times its size. A two-metre solifuge would scare the living daylights out of me – and I dare say most other people. Nature has already invented the stuff of nightmares, but because they are mostly small and probably harmless, we don’t live in constant fear for our lives. So what is a solifuge? Solifuges are arachnids – eight-legged creatures – as are spiders. They have many different names. The Afrikaans name ‘baardskeerder’ refers to the urban legend that they shave beards and other hair while the subject is asleep. Not so – their mouthparts are not made to cut hair. The myth probably arose from the fact that female solifuges do collect shed animal hair to line their nests. Most solifuge species are nocturnal, but those that hunt during the day are generally bright reddish-brown, covered with setae (hair-like
The diurnal solifuge species that hunt during the day are very averse to sunlight. The name Solifuge is derived from the Latin ‘fugere’ (to flee; fly; run away) and ‘sol’ (sun). This habit of escaping the sun is responsible for freaking out many people who encounter them, especially in hot desert areas. The shadow we cast is oh so attractive to a solifuge, which will run towards that shadow. Run away and he will run after you – or rather after your shadow. And no matter how fast you run, you cannot outrun him. It’s not for nothing that they are nicknamed the ‘Kalahari Ferrari’. A person who is not familiar with this habit and the fact that they are harmless could miss a heartbeat or two. It must be one of the few wild creatures that appears to ‘attack’. Solifuges may look like they have ten legs, but the first pair of appendages is the pedipalps. These are very strong and are used for various functions such as drinking, mating, climbing and catching. A most unusual feature enables the solifuge to catch prey. The unique suctorial organs on the tips of the pedipalps ‘suck’ onto
PHOTO: André De Kesel
LEFT: The solifuge’s Afrikaans name ‘baardskeerder’ refers to the urban legend that they shave beards and other hair while the subject is asleep. RIGHT: The unique suctorial organs on the tips of the pedipalps are a most unusual feature that enables the solifuge to catch prey. CIRCLE: Most solifuge species are nocturnal, but those that hunt during the day are generally bright reddish-brown, covered with red setae (hair-like structures) of various lengths. PHOTO: Smithsonian Magazine
the target and bring it back to the chelicerae (mouthparts). In this respect, a pedipalp functions a bit like a chameleon’s tongue.
and small mammals including the bat-eared fox, small-spotted genet, Cape fox, African civet and black-backed jackal..
The chelicera is the most awesome of the solifuge features. The mouthpart is big – fearsomely big compared to the body – and prominent. There are two parts to the chelicera that work a bit like our jaws. The lower ‘jaw’ moves up and down, and the upper one is fixed, like our own. Both parts are armed with cheliceral teeth for crushing prey. Prey consists of insects, spiders, scorpions, reptiles and small birds.
Solifuge males have an enviable seduction technique. First, the male seeks out a female. Using the suctorial organ on a pedipalp, he rips the female from her hideout. He then uses his pedipalps to caress her into a passive state and massages her abdomen with his chelicerae while he deposits a spermatophore (sperm package) in her genital opening.
Some solifuges sit in the shade and ambush their prey. Others run their prey down. Once they catch the prey, they eat it while it is still alive with vigorous ripping and cutting actions of the powerful jaws. Solifuges are not venomous, despite their fearsome-looking jaws. Solifuges are themselves eaten by raptors, owls
Following mating, up to 200 eggs are produced, which hatch within about four weeks. The first stage of development is a larva. The larva moults into a solifuge nymph, which then passes through 9–10 instars before maturity. The adults live for only about a year. There’s certainly a lot of living packed into such a short life in the ‘bos’ at Baardskeerdersbos.
VALUATION DAY IN HERMANUS South African Art
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Silver
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Oriental works of art
Monday 25 January 2021 The Marine Hotel, Marine Drive Strictly by appointment. Please call 021 683 6560. Strauss & Co are currently inviting consignments of Art and Decorative Arts for their March 2021 Marquee auction. www.straussart.co.za Erik Laubscher, Farm Landscape (detail), R 400 000 - 600 000
