The Village NEWS 24 March - 31 March 2021

THE VILLAGE

NEWS

24 MARCH 2021 YOUR FREE COPY #ALLOVEROVERBERG The next issue of The Village NEWS will be out on 31 March 2021.

www.thevillagenews.co.za

Proposal to upgrade R43 Writer Hedda Mittner

T

he Western Cape Department of Transport and Public Works (DTPW) is proposing to upgrade a portion of Trunk Road 28, Section 1 (also known as the R43) between Lynx Road in Vermont and Mimosa Street in Hermanus.

•

The relocation of various services and shifting of an existing 10 m services servitude to the north adjacent to the new road reserve; and

•

The dualling of the existing road over the Onrus River by constructing a new bridge next to the existing Onrus bridge.

The widening of the road is proposed to only be undertaken towards the northern side of the existing R43. The proposed project also entails works on various culverts along the road and the relocation and provision of new access roads to Amana / Paradise Park, Berghof Estate and Kidbrooke Place, as described below:

•

The existing access road to Amana / Paradise Park from the R43 would be closed. An alternative access road to Amana is proposed at the intersection of Onrus Main Road and Vermont Avenue.

With the closure of the existing Amana / Paradise Park access from the R43, the alternative access to Paradise Park would be via the existing Malmok Street.

•

The existing access road (Lobelia Street) to Berghof Estates from the R43 would be closed. A new access would be created and a new local access road would be provided via Erf RE/581.

•

The existing access road to Kidbrooke Place would be closed and relocated northwards to tie in with an existing unnamed road within the estate.

This section of road passes through the residential suburbs of Vermont and Onrus before it crosses the Onrus River, passes Sandbaai and then through Mount Pleasant, where it terminates at the Mimosa Street / Mountain Drive Intersection in Hermanus.

The road section consists of a single carriageway, except for an approximate 2.5 km section of road between the Onrus bridge and the Mimosa Street / Mountain Drive Intersection which is a dual carriageway.

The proposed project entails the following:

• The first MyRyde Hermanus event took place at Curro in Sandbaai on Saturday morning and consisted of four race categories – U10, Junior/Novice, Social and Racing (competitive).

Fifteen-year-old cyclist Luke Kavanagh from Curro Hermanus, who often participates and performs exceptionally well in cycling events, achieved the most laps in 50 minutes in the competitive race. Here he is doing a wheelie after crossing the finish line. Read more on P11.

PHOTO: Taylum Meyer

Dualling of the existing single carriageway road between Lynx Road and the Sandbaai intersection, with each carriageway consisting of two 3.7 m lanes, a 3.1 m outside shoulder and a 2.0 m sidewalk. There would also be a 5.0 m paved median between the two carriageways;

•

The provision of bus stops at major intersections and junctions;

•

The provision of appropriate stormwater channels along the kerbed sections and the widening of the road reserve width by 15 m to a minimum width of 45 m between Lynx Road and the Sandbaai intersection (would vary with topography);

•

The provision of dedicated turning lanes at main accesses, as appropriate;

Hello Hermanus ! You spoke. We listened. mobiFix are experts in smart device repairs of Apple, Samsung and Huawei brands including iPhones, iPads, Tablets to Macbooks, iMacs & Watches.

We also repair Windows laptops and gaming consoles.

Weekdays 9am-5pm 251 7th Street, Voëklip, Hermanus 021 914 1848 or 082 373 3020 www.mobifixsa.com/stores/hermanus/ hermanus@mobifixsa.com

The proposed works also entail a pavement reseal on the road section between the Sandbaai Main Road and Mimosa Street / Mountain Drive intersections. The duration of the construction phase would be approximately 24 months.

Continues on P 3

Approved repairer

2

www.thevillagenews.co.za

24 March 2021

What to expect from the 2021/’22 municipal draft budget T

he municipality’s preliminary draft budget for 2021/’22 , the adjustment budget for 2020/’21 and a high level feedback on the IDP delivery for the past three financial years (2017/’18 – 2019/’20) were presented at a well-attended Overstrand Municipal Advisory Forum (OMAF) meeting on Wednesday evening, 10 March.

The 4th and final review (2021/’22) of the current 5-year Integrated Development Plan (IDP) is currently in process. The draft IDP review, as well as the draft budget for the financial year of 2021/’22 will be open for public comment during April 2021. The documents will be available after they have served before Council at the end of March.

Overstrand Executive Mayor, Dudley Coetzee, presented the draft budget for 2021/’22 and referred to the catastrophic effect Covid-19 and the lockdown has had on everybody.

“The national lockdown introduced in March 2020 had a severe and

immediate impact on the economy – and all operations in the private and public sector, including the finances of municipalities, have been affected by it,” he said, adding that “conditions are expected to remain volatile for the foreseeable future”.

It is further projected that inflation for 2021 will reach 4% and increase to 4.5% during the next financial year. With this gloomy picture in mind, electricity remains a binding constraint on economic recovery, with power disruptions expected to continue.

In addition, the National Energy Regulator (NERSA) indicated that electricity costs for municipalities from Eskom will increase with 15.6%. (This will be adjusted according to the final position regarding tariff increases, which will be published by NERSA).

Given the recent announcements around renewable energy, the Mayor said: “We are currently talking to one or two renewable energy indepen-

dent power producers who can generate their own electricity in the Overstrand to see if we can purchase electricity from them to reduce our dependence on Eskom.”

He further stated that the National Treasury also encouraged municipalities to maintain tariff increases at levels that reflect an appropriate balance between the affordability to consumers, particularly poorer households, while ensuring the financial sustainability of the municipality.

“Against this background, the directive to the administration was to limit increases in tariffs of those services that we can control to 4% in the 2021/’22 draft budget.”

4% Tariff increase • It is proposed to increase property rates across the board by 4%. The rebate on property rates offered to persons over the age of 60 remains unchanged.

• Calculating the sewerage charge for water-borne sewerage on 70%

• •

•

of potable water consumed with a cap of 35 kℓ, remains the manner in which water-borne sewerage charges are to be levied.

The tariff for refuse removal increases by 4% to cover the costs of the service.

The tariff for sewerage services and water (including the 0 – 6kℓ of water) increases by 4% in this draft budget. This is still in line with the National Treasury directive that the level and structure of water tariffs are to be fully cost reflective.

At present, the cost of providing water is around R25.19 per kℓ excluding VAT. Sundry tariffs mostly increase by 4%, except in specific instances where either a 0% increase is proposed, or an increase related to actual cost recovery.

Salaries The proposed increase in the salary budget is 4.5% and notch increases, which average 1.9%, have also been budgeted for. “We are mindful of the fact that the Minister of Finance an-

nounced that public servants should only receive notch adjustments for the following three years,” the Mayor said.

He added that it should be noted that annual salary adjustments are still to be negotiated at National Bargaining Council level between the employer organisation (SALGA) and the respective unions. He confirmed that all staff vacancies are still frozen and may only be filled following a motivation to senior management.

According to Coetzee, this draft budget projects an accounting loss of R113m. “Should we succeed in containing salary increases to notch adjustments only, we will reduce our projected accounting deficit by R19.4m,” he said.

Mayor Coetzee concluded the evening by encouraging residents to download the documents, once available, in order to provide comments on the draft IDP and budget-related issues.

3

www.thevillagenews.co.za

24 March 2021

R43 upgrade: comment period now open From P 1 EFG Engineers was appointed by the DTPW to investigate and undertake the necessary planning and design studies for the dualling of Trunk Road 28, Section 1 between Vermont and Sandbaai.

As a scope extension, the periodic maintenance of the section between Sandbaai and Hermanus was included in the assignment, aimed at addressing various issues along the R43, such as traffic volumes in the high tourist seasons; pavement capacity constraints; and the provision of non-motorised facilities, public transport facilities and street lighting, and other ancillary works.

SLR Consulting was tasked with compiling a draft Basic Assessment Report (BAR) by EFG Engineers on behalf of the

DTPW, who appointed SLR as the independent Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP) to undertake the required Application for Environmental Authorisation (EA) and associated Basic Assessment (BA) process for the proposed project.

The BAR has been compiled to assess the potential environmental impacts of the proposed project and as a basis to inform Interested and Affected Parties (I&APs) of the proposed project and to obtain their feedback.

SLR released the draft BAR for a 30-day public and authority review period from 17 March to 20 April 2021. The full report is available for download at https://www.slrconsulting.com/ public-documents/R43-upgrade and a hard copy is available at the Mount Pleasant Library in Hermanus. For

additional info, contact Candice Sadan on csadan@slrconsulting.com.

For comments to be included in the final BAR to be submitted to the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (DEA&DP) it must reach SLR by no later than 20 April 2021. After the conclusion of the comment period, all comments received will be collated into a Comments and Responses Report and included in the final BAR, which will be prepared for submission to the DEA&DP for consideration of the application.

After DEA&DP has reached a decision, all registered I&APs will be notified of the outcome of the application and the reasons for the decision. A statutory Appeal Period in terms of the National Appeal Regulations, 2014 will follow the issuing of the decision.

Overstrand part of new energy project I n his Budget 2021 Address in the Provincial Parliament on 16 March, Western Cape Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities, David Maynier announced that R48.8 million would be spent over the medium term, and a further R20 million provided in the provincial reserves, for the Municipal Energy Resilience (MER) Project in the Western Cape.

blow that risks compromising economic recovery,” said Maynier.

Overstrand is among the six candidate municipalities participating in the first phase of the MER Project in this financial year, along with the Drakenstein, Mossel Bay, Saldanha Bay, Stellenbosch and Swartland municipalities.

The MER Project is spearheaded by the Green Economy unit at the Department of Economic Development and Tourism, which is working in collaboration with the Department of Local Government and Provincial Treasury to enable the development of energy projects and engage with municipalities on multiple fronts.

“We know that load shedding costs the economy about R75 million per stage, per day in the Western Cape.

When it comes to the economy, Covid-19 is a ‘left hook’, and load shedding is a ‘right hook’, which together often results in a knock-out

“Which is why we launched the threeyear MER Project last year to support municipalities to take advantage of the new energy regulations to generate, procure and sell their own power so that we can become more energy secure in the Western Cape.”

Eskom chief operating officer Jan Oberholzer recently announced that South Africans have many more months of load shedding lying ahead, with the country only likely to see an

increase in power reliability towards September. An even graver prediction came from Eskom chief executive André de Ruyter when he warned that the country faces another five years of load shedding due to a shortfall of 4 000MW. This shortfall could be reduced if more municipalities move off Eskom’s grid in favour of other power options.

However, Maynier said the procurement of energy at utility and municipal distribution scale, such as bulk energy purchases from Independent Power Producers (IPPs), under conditions of developing and evolving policies and regulations, is a complex and challenging task.

“Municipalities may not have the policies, plans, resources, funding, or procurement expertise to procure wholesale electricity from sources other than Eskom, specifically IPPs. Neither have all municipalities’

electricity distribution systems been technically evaluated to clarify their readiness to support new electricity generation and energy trading.”

To identify the candidate municipalities for the MER Project, a readiness evaluation was conducted to determine which municipalities were most equipped, and met the conditions required to take advantage of the energy regulations, to develop their own power generation projects and also procure power from IPPs. “Now that the candidate municipalities have been announced, we will be confirming willingness and commitment through a Memorandum of Understanding, and then working closely with them in the first phase of MER Project to identify pioneering energy projects and develop a roadmap to roll out the projects.

“This process will consider multiple

pioneering renewable energy technologies and scales, cost options, scale of investment required, location issues, risks, municipal readiness needs, infrastructure needs, timelines to get capacity onto the grid, transaction and procurement mechanisms and regulatory issues.”

Minister Maynier added that any learnings from projects implemented with the candidate municipalities would be applied to future projects in other municipalities.

While this project should enable municipalities to buffer residents and businesses from the impacts of load shedding, he said they would still continue to be connected to the national grid as “we won’t be able to meet 100% of energy demand through renewable energy at this stage. The MER Project is just another example of how we are working hard to become more energy resilient in the Western Cape.”

4

www.thevillagenews.co.za

24 March 2021

Anina Lee and her wonderful world Writer Elaine Davie

I

t’s called evolution,” laughs biochemist turned conservationist Dr Anina Lee, describing the extraordinary adaptive strategies a multitude of life forms, from tardigrades to fynbos, have developed over millennia to ensure their survival.

To followers of The Village NEWS, Anina will be no stranger. Week after week for four years she has unpacked a treasure trove of intriguing stories drawn directly from nature, making her one of our most popular contributors.

Readers will therefore be excited to know that on Tuesday this week she launched a new book, consisting of 30 of her favourite essays, appropriately titled What a Wonderful World!

An all-round local publication, it features detailed and lively watercolour Illustrations by Onrus artist, Margie Crossman and has been published

by David Hilton-Barber’s Footprint Press.

Not only will local readers have the pleasure of reading and re-reading the collection, or simply browsing through it to revel in the illustrations, but it will be the ideal gift for friends and family members further afield.

While Anina makes no bones about its educational intent, it will be as much fun for adults as for children.

Her easy, often humorous writing style clearly reflects Anina’s unflagging interest in her subjects.

Although she has a PhD in Biochemistry, she never allows that to stand in the way of an almost child-like joy in the surprises she continues to unearth in nature. “Many of the adaptations both animals and plants have developed are geared towards protecting their proteins and DNA, like the protective chemicals excreted by frogs. As a biochemist, that really intrigues me, but the challenge is to explain the science in layman’s

And then who should come into her life but Margie Crossman, Chairperson of the Hermanus Art Circle, who was not only an artist, but also had a background in biology, which meant she had an understanding of the anatomy of things. It turned out to be a match made in heaven.

language – to get away from scientific jargon.”

She quotes the brilliant scientist, Richard Feynman who she says expresses her feelings exactly: ‘I do science for the pleasure of finding things out’. “I usually know little or nothing about my topics beforehand and my greatest satisfaction is in doing the ‘finding out’, asking the questions my readers might want answered. I never stop being grateful to scientists who so generously share their knowledge and research results on the internet. If you have the time and the interest you can find almost anything there.

“Half the fun is deciding on a topic and it sometimes takes me two to three days of reading widely, watching TV documentaries and generally thrashing around until suddenly a spark ignites an idea and I’m off.” Anina usually chooses topics that are relevant to the Western Cape and the Overberg in particular.

Occasionally, though, she comes across something which is endemic to another part of the world entirely, but she finds so fascinating that she can’t resist writing about it, like the peacock spider from Australia.

“A major challenge, though, is to keep the story short enough for the space available without losing content and then to make the language accessible enough for lay readers. My training in academic writing was clearly not going to cut it, so I am truly indebted to the two great newspapermen who retired to Hermanus, Harvey Tyson and Rex Gibson, for their guidance.”

Although this was her debut as an illustrator, she took to it like a duck to water and eventually produced roughly 100 illustrations, devoting approximately three days to each. The result is a portfolio of watercolours depicting subjects as varied as plants, birds, butterflies, wasps, frogs, chameleons, beetles, cicadas, spiders, octopuses and leopards.

Although she had been turning the idea of a book around in her mind for some time, the person who gave her the push she needed was Professor Mike Bruton, who suggested she get going and find a publisher.

Which is what she did. Hermanus’s David Hilton-Barber agreed to take on the project for Footprint Press, and then she started casting around for an illustrator.

“Although I generally use photographs in my articles, it was just going to be too difficult, time-consuming and expensive to obtain copyright permission for an entire book. So what I was looking for was an illustrator with a scientific background who could also reflect the spirit of the book.”

So enthusiastic was she about the project that she was prepared to work on it pro bono, but fortunately Anina was able to obtain a sponsorship from the AVI Community Trust in Gansbaai on condition that the book would be used for educational purposes. This was also able to cover an honorarium for Margie, albeit a fraction of what the paintings were worth. Now that the job is done, she has informed Anina that she feels at a loose end and needs her to begin working on another book!

Anina bubbles with enthusiasm about each of the creatures she has written about. She clearly has a huge amount of respect for them and their will to survive. Her research extended way beyond the searches she carried out on the internet. “For example, when I was learning about the microscopic tardigrade,” she says, “I went hunting and actually found

some in mossy patches in Fernkloof.

Now I have moss growing in a bottle at home to see if they will reproduce there.

“One of the things I got particularly hot under the collar about was the hype that has grown up around the hoodia plant, which is alleged to facilitate weight loss. In fact most of it is absolute rubbish and there is little evidence that the commercial products claiming to contain hoodia, in fact do. People are so desperate to lose weight that they’ll believe anything.”

In the role she plays at Whale Coast Conservation (WCC), Anina has been deeply involved in the Chameleon Rescue project and she has decided to donate R50 for every book sold to help cover the costs incurred.

Although the team relies to a large extent on volunteers to assist with the rescue process, considerable costs are incurred in tracking, tracing, photographing and rehabilitating them. Get her started on that topic and it’s hard to stop her.

So, when you buy the beautiful book which will bring you hours of pleasure, you will have the added satisfaction of knowing that it will assist a very special cause. Copies are available at R260 a copy directly from the publishers at footprintpress.co.za/shop/. A number of Margie Crossman’s original paintings are also for sale at R800 each.

They can be seen in a digital brochure on the FynArts website, www. hermanusfynarts.co.za and purchased by emailing admin@fynarts. co.za or at the FynArts Gallery in the Harbour Road Courtyard.

Anina will also be giving an illustrated zoom talk on the book on Thursday 25th at 18:00. If you would like to participate please contact her at anina.wcc@gmail. com for a link.

24 March 2021

5

www.thevillagenews.co.za

We will fight them on the beaches Writer & Photographer Elaine Davie

T

here are relatively few people around today who remember the war years; others might even ask what war – World War I, World War II… the Boer War? To them, they are all equally distant, devoid of any real relevance. But for those born in the 1930s or the early ’40s, WWII was a lived experience.

Dates and names of battles may be significant when plotting the ebb and flow of conflict, but how ordinary people on the ground lived their lives and handled hardship day by day is the stuff of social history. Seldom reflected in academic accounts of the period, it is passed on by word of mouth from generation to generation; a reminder of resilience in a time of fear and confusion.

Although South African civilians were fortunate not to have been caught up directly in one of the theatres of war, life for the families of the men who had ‘joined up’ was anything but a bed of roses. On the one hand, they lived in a state of constant anxiety for the safety of their loved ones serving abroad, and on the other, they had to deal with rationing of everything from food to fuel. Many of them were forced to shuttle from pillar to post for somewhere safe and affordable to stay.

One such family, consisting of a mother and two small children, found themselves marooned in Hermanus in the early years of the war. That little girl, Elaine Alletson (now Jack) was about six years old when they arrived in the small fishing village to seek refuge with a friend of her parents, Miss Edith Rubery (known as Auntie Betty). Now 84, Elaine has some very clear memories of what their life was like here.

“My mother had arrived in Cape Town from RIGHT: Elaine and her little brother with a group of sailors during the war years in Hermanus.

BELOW: Elaine Jack with the cartoon drawn for her by ‘Don’ in 1942, after a traumatic episode with an octopus while swimming in a rock pool known by locals as ‘Klaasie’s Pool’.

Rugby, England about eight years earlier, where she had lived a very comfortable, privileged life,” she remembers. “In Cape Town she met and fell in love with my Welsh father, a teacher at Bishop’s School, and they were married. But when war broke out, he ‘joined up’ and was immediately sent ‘up north’ to Egypt, leaving her with me and my younger brother, Simon, to cope on our own.

“To be honest, I think my mother was probably totally unsuited to picking up the reins of single motherhood on a very small Air Force salary,” she continues. “The three of us moved from one end of the country to the other, totally rootless, until Auntie Betty, my brother’s godmother, invited us to stay with her in Hermanus.”

Auntie Betty owned and ran the Cypress Tree Tea Garden (now Burgundy Restaurant), living in a cottage at the back. “She was a huge part of our lives and although to a small girl she seemed quite formidable, she was kindness itself and I think a great source of support and comfort to my mother. I can remember her decorating an enormous tree in the backyard with Christmas lights. I seem to recall that it was meant to help the Tooth Fairy find her way after one of us children had lost a tooth,” she laughs.

Elaine also remembers a Red Cross fête at the Cypress Tree Tea Garden to raise funds for the war effort. Raffle tickets were 1 shilling each and to her mother’s horror, she won a calf. Sadly, the calf was quickly shunted off to the butcher who paid £1 for it. With this huge sum of money clutched in her hand she headed for the toy shop to buy a teddy for 19/6d, together with six, one-penny suckers.

After some time with Auntie Betty they were able to find a house of their own to rent ‘in the veld’ on the western perimeter of the village, from which she walked barefoot to school along a gravel

road. Nothing she did at school seemed to leave a lasting impression on her, however, except that she came last in the egg and spoon race and got nits in her hair! Because the house was near to where the New Harbour was being built, more alarmingly, rocks would regularly come hurtling through the air and land in their garden.

of all was my mother’s apparent inability to do blackouts properly. I was absolutely terrified that she might be taken to jail and I would be left with my little brother to manage by ourselves.”

“Of course,” comments Elaine, “in most respects, we led a pretty normal life for children of that era, climbing trees and falling out of them, swimming in a popular rock pool (known by the locals as Klaasie’s pool), where an octopus once grabbed my leg, and collecting wood in the veld for fires in the winter. But what made it different, and often scary, was that the war was never far from our thoughts and our lives.

Royal Navy officers were often around town and after Elaine’s traumatic episode with the octopus, an artist drew a cartoon for her, to diffuse her fears. In it he depicted himself, in uniform, being grabbed by a very congenial octopus, with a cigarette in one tentacle and a bottle of the good stuff in the other, while she, her mother, and little brother watched from a safe distance. The comical picture was signed ‘Don’ 1942, but she has no further clue as to his identity. Perhaps, she thinks, he might have been one of the ubiquitous naval officers.

“There were always tanks and other army vehicles in the town square and at night we would sometimes see the lights of German warships and submarines out at sea, but most frightening

If any reader is able to cast light on this mystery, or would like to share any of their own memories of this period with her, they can contact Elaine at elainefjack@gmail.com.

The Cypress Tree Tea Garden (now Burgundy Restaurant) was owned and run by Miss Edith Rubery (known as Auntie Betty) who invited Elaine’s mother and her two small children to come and stay with her during WWII in her little cottage behind the tea garden.

PHOTO: Old Harbour Museum

6

www.thevillagenews.co.za

FROM THE EDITOR

24 March 2021

Our wild, wonderful environment

Have a conversation with anybody in this region, a local or a visitor, and sooner or later someone is likely to say, “We’re/You’re so lucky to live in such a beautiful environment”.

around for longer than the blink of an eye, but the damage we do can last much longer.

Yes, we are indeed fortunate, and regular readers will know that The Village NEWS frequently draws attention to the efforts of so many of our residents to keep it that way.

We greatly admire the many volunteers who gladly offer up their time and energy to clear away alien vegetation so that the fynbos can re-emerge from its stranglehold, or to organise beach clean-ups; not to mention those who rush out at night, braving snakes and thorny bushes to save chameleons from falling victim to bulldozers.

At the same time, we believe it is necessary to point out instances of exploitation or desecration of our natural world. After all, we are not

As they say, extinction is forever.

NEWS The Village NEWS Team

De Waal Steyn

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

It’s all very well to become emotional about the destruction of wild places and their inhabitants, but if we do not take active measures to secure the fundamental rights of our fellow humans, we are sunk before we’ve

Already, many beautiful species of plants and animals, which have taken millennia to develop, are disappearing from the earth at an unprecedented rate.

begun.

If people are hungry, have nowhere safe to stay and no access to clean water or sanitation, why would they grant that privilege to animals?

We will go a long way if we understand that the welfare of our environment is inextricably tied to the welfare of our most vulnerable citizens.

Survival of the planet demands it.

This is the good NEWS

Phantom of another Opera

THE VILLAGE

PUBLISHING EDITOR

However, while many of us may throw ourselves wholeheartedly into saving the planet, let us not forget that human beings are an integral element of its life and as our numbers grow, seemingly out of control, competition for resources brings us into direct conflict with many of our fellow creatures.

But until we stop discarding plastic bottles and bags, fishing tackle and other pollutants in the ocean to tangle up and kill our rich diversity of marine life, and until we decide not to build roads or luxury estates in ecologically sensitive environments, we cannot be sure that the unique biodiversity of the area, or indeed humankind, will survive.

By Murray Stewart murray.stewart49@gmail.com

T

he For Fact’s Sake columns are – according to Google research and the Duck ’n Fiddle’s archives – sort of based in truth.

We’ve all heard tales about the Flying Dutchman, described as a fully rigged, three-masted Eastindiaman, which would suddenly materialise through the mist, then simply vanish a few minutes later.

Marco Polo claimed he saw it while rounding the Cape of Storms on his way to the East, but not unlike a certain unnamed ex-President, he was renowned for telling the most appalling porkies. So let’s dig deeper.

There seems to be a thread of truth in the yarns that were spun around this mystical ghost ship.

Hundreds of people claimed to have seen it, and although he’d never even been to Africa, let alone Cape Point, Wagner managed to write an opera about it – Der Vliegende Holländer. But more about him later.

On a steaming hot day in March 1939, Glencairn beach in False Bay was buzzing with sun worshippers catching the last summer rays, when out of the haze sailed a fully-rigged Eastindiaman – a ship last seen centuries ago around the Cape.

Everyone on the beach saw it – no question.

Hundreds of people who didn’t know each other, all recounted exactly the same image.

A newspaper article the next day reported that “...a ship with all her sails drawing well, although there was not a breath of wind at the time, appeared to be headed towards Muizenberg”.

a ravenous south-easter. It shredded the sails and buggered the rudder, and according to legend, Henny became increasingly frustrated and furious as all his navigational tricks failed against the raging gale.

Further round the bay, another sighting was recorded in the British South Africa Journal of 1939: “...dozens were watching the vessel which seemed hell-bent on self-destruction somewhere along the sands of Strandfontein beach. Just as the excitement reached a climax, however, the mystery ship simply vanished into thin air”.

Taking advantage of his vulnerable state of mind, the Devil persuaded him in a dream to defy God’s attempts to prevent him rounding the Cape, and the challenge was too enticing for an ego like Henny’s. Well, it would appear he took the wrong advice because retribution came swiftly as an Angel of the Lord commanded that “he should roam the sea forever... till God shall rend the sky”.

The descriptions everyone gave pointed unmistakably to a 17th century merchantman, long since out of production.

The ship would soon founder and slowly sink, but Captain Henny was bound by God to keep his vigil over his vessel until Doomsday, so he pops up now and again to let us know he’s still around.

Old records show that in 1680 a three-masted Dutch Eastindiaman, captained by Hendrik van der Decken set sail from Amsterdam for the Dutch East Indies settlement in Batavia.

The last sighting was off Mouille Point in Table Bay in 1942. Dozens of people watched it sail towards Robben Island, then suddenly vanish.

Not one of them, according to police reports, was stoned at the time so it must be true.

Now, Captain Henny was widely described as “a brash man of adventurous, fearless and reckless disposition, with few scruples and an unsavoury demeanour and reputation”. Not what you’d really want in your CV.

Anyway, back to Wagner and operas. Mark Twain claimed that “Wagner’s music is better than it sounds”, whatever that means. Veteran comedian Victor Borge said “when an opera star sings her head off, she usually improves her appearance”, which is a bit rude. But the composer Rossini lamented “how wonderful opera would be without the hysterical singers”, and that “Wagner has beautiful moments and awful quarter-hours”, which is even ruder.

But he was a skilled seaman, and the ship’s owners put their trust in him and his brash boasts in the Amsterdam pubs that he’d return with a fortune – come hell or high water. As it turned out he got both.

While approaching the Cape of Storms he came face-to-face with the razor-sharp teeth of

E: taylum@thevillagenews.co.za

Charé van der Walt MARKETING & SALES MANAGER T: 082 430 1974

FORECASTS: HERMANUS, OVERBERG

5 Proudly sponsored by Talisman Tool Hire Hermanus

LEGEND / KEY

Wed | 24 Mar

Thu | 25 Mar

Fri | 26 Mar

Sat | 27 Mar

Sun | 28 Mar

Mon | 29 Mar

Tue | 30 Mar

E: chare@thevillagenews.co.za

Wind

ADMIN & FINANCE

Sunrise/set

18°/21° Clear

19/26° Clear

17°/20° Partly Cloudy

19°/24° Clear

18°/20° Some Rain

17°/18° Some Rain

15°/22° Partly Cloudy

25km/h

25km/h

25km/h

25km/h

25km/h

25km/h

20km/h

06:50/18:49

06:50/18:47

06:51/18:46

06:51/18:46

06:52/18:44

06:53/18:43

06:53/18:42

E: admin@thevillagenews.co.za

www.issuu.com/dwaal

www.thevillagenews.co.za

Tides

De Bos Dam N/A Last week 84.59% Weekly Rainfall N/A Last week 12mm

HIGH LOW HIGH LOW

00:26 06:31 12:37 18:54

HIGH LOW HIGH LOW

01:11 07:19 13:23 19:34

HIGH LOW HIGH LOW

01:48 07:58 14:03 20:11

HIGH LOW HIGH LOW

02:24 08:36 14:41 20:47

HIGH LOW HIGH LOW

02:59 09:13 15:19 21:23

HIGH LOW HIGH LOW

03:35 09:51 15:57 22:22

HIGH LOW HIGH LOW

04:13 10:29 16:36 22:38

LOCKDOWN LEVEL:

LEV

COVID-19 DASHBOARD OVERSTRAND

7

www.thevillagenews.co.za

24 March 2021

1

EL

TOTAL CASES AS OF 20 MAR 2021:

OVERSTRAND TOTAL CASES: TOTAL (ACTIVE)

WORLD: 123 425 146 SOUTH AFRICA: 1 536 801 WESTERN CAPE: 278 663 (18.13% of cases in SA) OVERBERG: 13 286

• FISHERHAVEN: 45 (1) • GANSBAAI: 185 (1) • HAWSTON: 463 (4) • HERMANUS: 723 (4) • KLEINMOND: 677 (5)

• MT PLEASANT: 358 (0) • ONRUS: 205 (0) • SANDBAAI: 222 (4) • STANFORD: 380 (1) • VERMONT: 95 (0) • ZWELIHLE: 1 094 (3) TOTAL: 5 041 (24)

LAST WEEK'S TOTAL CASES: WORLD: 117 603 192 SOUTH AFRICA: 1 521 068 (16th in the world) WESTERN CAPE: 276 528 OVERBERG: 13 212 OVERSTRAND: 5 015

(8 MAR)

LET'S TALK The Village NEWS firmly believes in freedom of the press as well as the right of individuals to freely express themselves, as long as they don’t infringe upon the rights of others. The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors therefore do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of The Village NEWS. Letters may be shortened and/or edited for clarity and style.

Send your letters to dewaal@thevillagenews.co.za.

Where are our young, middle-class professional people?

This year is the 10th anniversary of Sparklekids and over the years we've seen quite a few engineers, teachers, nurses and lawyers, all from Zwelihle, graduating. All of them have since left Hermanus, probably never to return. How is this not a sure recipe for disaster in an area that is labelled as one of the most racially segregated in our country?

Our self-supporting, middle-class professional young people… all gone! How do we think we are going to have a future for ourselves and our children in this wonderful town if we keep it only for the privileged few, relying on whales and wines to buy us a few more years.Little Europe in Africa... Think again. And please bear with me for a few more seconds.

We have to find a way of authentically changing all of this, and what the past 10 years have taught me is that there is only one profession that can take a young person living in a shack to earning R20 000 p/m in four years, and that is obtaining a solid B-Education Degree.

This is why we started Hermanus Varsity. And this year is the first year that we have an intake of almost 30 educational students. Imagine if we could make Hermanus the destination of choice for young people who want to study and become great school teachers. Building life skills and coping mechanisms into this course to deal with this most important but demanding profession in an ever-changing world.

Imagine 500 or a thousand, 2 000 vibrant young people with sparkle in their eyes and hope in their hearts studying in the heart of Hermanus towards solid, life-changing careers and breaking the cruel grip of poverty forever. Stepping over the segregated lines of suspicion and geography and finding value in each other.

This is not a dream or a thumb suck of a naive old man. I know this, and have seen this over the past 10 years. If anyone out there has a better plan, please let me know.

Theo Krynauw, Sparklekids

Let’s Talk about Cliff Path extension Various letters have been written by eloquent writers expounding their theories on why the cliff path extension is ‘essential’ to Hermanus. My letter is not one of those; I am asking pertinent questions with an ethical flavour, to which I am hoping I will receive honest answers.

I addressed these questions to the Cliff Path Action Group (CPAG) directly during the initial phase of their investigation, as well as recently, to the Save our Shores group. I have received no reply from either party. I have no agenda, except for being born in Hermanus, at the Bay View Hotel (now Bay View apartments) and living there until my 20s.

My questions are: • Who, if anyone, from Hermanus appointed the Lakeside, Cape Town, firm of ASHA Consulting to investigate the extension of the cliff path? For what reason and why not a local firm?

• Does anyone advocating for the extension, live or have a home in the area which would be directly affected by the extension? Perhaps Mr M T Wessels of Eastcliff (Let’s Talk, 10 March 2021) could comment.

• What about the rights and birthright of those

who do live in the affected area? Their security and privacy will be compromised. Birthright, according to most sources, is who you were born to and the circumstances you were born into.

In today’s world, people with a political agenda like to describe anyone whose birthright allowed them to buy privacy and exclusivity as ‘privileged’ with a shameful connotation.

Yes, Sharing is Caring, but, ethically, only if you can be sure that everyone you are sharing with will care. Realistically, we know that while the majority will care there will be those who will use the easy access to do harm.

• Ethically, is it appropriate for this amount of money, even if it is IAP funded, to be spent on a non-essential project when there are people literally starving in Hermanus? Could this not be deemed a ‘privileged’ project?

I cannot believe that this project was initiated solely to benefit Hermanus; money is going to be made by someone. The alternative and more appropriate solution for current times would be employing a local shuttle service such as Tuk-Tuk to transport walkers between the two cut-off points.

Tired of Hypocrisy

Adhere to by-laws on Hermanus Cliff Path The Hermanus Cliff Path is part of Fernkloof Nature Reserve. It is a top attraction for tourists and locals alike.

It is the pride of Hermanus. It is up to all of us to take responsibility for making the cliff path experience as beautiful and special as possible – and the majority of users are justly proud of this wonderful asset and do their best to cherish it.

The cliff path falls under the by-laws of the

Overstrand municipality.

Unfortunately some people who do not follow the by-laws. Here are the main points of the by-laws: 1. Littering is not permitted. Rather take your litter home with you, or place it into a bin. Cigarette butts are not biodegradable, but toxic waste. Please dispose of them in a bin as well.

Do not dump household rubbish into the bins on the cliff path.

2. All dogs must be kept on a leash, without

exception.

3. Dog owners must pick up after their dogs, whether on the path or next to the path. Dog faeces is not fertilizer. It is harmful to fynbos, bad for the environment and is full of pathogens. Many dogs are treated with a systemic insecticide to kill ticks and fleas. This powerful insect poison is excreted unchanged in the dog’s poo and kills any insects in the surroundings, including dung beetles. Apart from the environmental harm done by dog poo, it is also disrespectful of other users of the cliff path if

the dog’s owner fails to remove it.

Signage will shortly appear on the cliff path to remind dog owners of their responsibilities under the by-laws. HPP officers will help to spread the message. Law enforcement officers will be deployed on the cliff path to enforce the by-laws. Let us all work together to look after our special environment and make the cliff path a truly wonderful experience for everyone who uses it.

Hermanus Cliff Path Management Group

WHAT’S ON

OVERBERG 25

THURSDAY

What a Wonderful World!

Whale Coast Conservation presents a Zoom chat with Anina Lee about her book What a Wonderful World! She will present more interesting stories and illustrations from the book, supplemented with video clips to bring the subjects alive. Mail anina.wcc@ gmail.com for the link to the Zoom presentation.

Virtual event | 18:00

26

FRIDAY

Kolwyntjie Teetuin Enjoy a sweet treat and tea or coffee at a nominal fee, and make new friends at the Onrus Care Centre, every Friday morning.

Onrus Dutch Reformed Church | 09:30 – 11:30

and nibbles. Book via www.thewineglass.guru or call 082 082 0007.

The Wine Glass, 2 Harbour Rd, Hermanus | 16:00 – 18:00 Bottomless Bubbles Fridays Start the weekend in style at the iconic Marine Hotel with bottomless bubbles from L’Ormarins and chef’s welcome canapés at R200 pp, every Friday. Booking is essential on 028 313 1000 or bookings@themarine. co.za.

The Marine | 17:00 – 19:00 Stanford Sunset Market Stanford's favourite, family-friendly, dog-friendly market brings local food, coffee, deli products, gifts, plants, fresh produce and live tunes to the heritage market square on the last Friday of the month. Pop in, meet new people, hook up with old friends, support local vendors, and take delicious food home for the whole weekend. Free entrance and plenty of free parking. Please wear a mask and follow Covid protocols of social distancing.

Stanford Market Square | 18:00 – 20:00 (in the event of rain, the venue will be at Birkenhead Brewery) Dutchies Jazz Evening Join Dutchies every last Friday of the month for fantastic live music.

Remember to reserve a table for your family and friends to avoid disappointment.

Dutchies at Grotto Beach |18:00 – 20:30

27 Wine Down Friday Celebrate that TGIF feeling at The Wine Glass at the end of a busy week!

Enjoy the vibe and get two for the price of one on selected wines, beers

SATURDAY

Hermanus Country Market A favourite among the locals. Young, old, two-legged and four-legged family members are all welcome. You’ll find wholesome goodies, home-made crafts, local produce, beers and wine, speciality foods, coffee and live music.

Next to Hermanus Cricket Field | 09:00 – 13:00

Stanford Saturday Morning Market Come and sample the artisanal delights on display, from home-made sheep and goats’ cheeses to woodfired ciabattas, pastries and pies, farm-fresh vegetables, free-range eggs, flowers, preserves and deli delights (including gluten-free, wheatfree and vegan goodies) to tantalise your taste buds! #Nomasksnoservice.

Stanford Hotel Stoep | 09:00 – 12:00 Gansbaai Farmers’ Market Specialising in fresh produce, homebaked foods, and crafts. Come and enjoy entertainment and refreshments at this popular kuierplek. For enquiries, contact 028 384 1439 or doulene@gansbaaitourism.co.za Kapokblom Street, opposite Gansbaai Tourism | 09:00 – 13:00 Craft Beer & Bratwurst Celebration Enjoy an afternoon of good vibes in The Courtyard with local craft beers, delicious bratwurst, live music, wine and cocktails. The Wine Glass’s full menu will also be available. Call 082 082 0007 to book.

The Wine Glass, 2 Harbour Rd, Hermanus | 13:00 – 18:00

28

SUNDAY

Klein River Cheese Autumn Equinox Brunch Feast Join chef Rickey Broekhoven for an al fresco, multi-course picnic brunch feast at this family-run farm to celebrate outdoor life. Guests will be guided to shaded picnic sites around the lawns or one of The Veranda’s tables to enjoy an unforgettable culinary experience, including a delectable picnic basket of fresh, local dishes and some of the best local wines. For the more energetic guests, the boules court and croquet lawns will be set up, while the kids have the run of the extensive playpark.

Bookings at R330 per adult and R130 per child (3–10yrs) can be made online at kleinrivercheese.co.za/shop/

FOOD FOREST tour WED 31 MARCH 15H30

“HEAL your brain & gut” Dr Julienne Fenwick Delicious & healthy BUFFET by Suné Eksteen

WINE TASTING by Bartho Eksteen SHOP ONLINE

BOOKINGS www.barthoeksteen.co.za +27 72 323 5060 | mana@hermanus.co.za

25 MAR – 4 APR 2021 Send your events to hedda@thevillagenews.co.za the-veranda/ The Veranda, Klein River Farmstead, Stanford | from 11:00

31

WEDNESDAY

Grape Expectations Join The Wine Glass for an evening of Luddite wines paired with a threecourse dinner. Limited seats available at R345pp. Call 082 082 0007 to book.

The Wine Glass, Harbour Rd, Hermanus | 18:30

1

THURSDAY

Beaumont Port Stomp Beaumont will be doing things slightly differently this year for this popular annual event, so instead of one big party (and a large gathering) in the evening, the port stomp will be offered all day long. Guests can come at any time during the day to join in some fabulous foot stomping and enjoy a gorgeous breakfast, brunch or lunch at the deli before or after the stomping. There will be music playing and food will be served from their a la carte menu. Bookings are essential.

Contact info@beaumont.co.za or 028 284 9195.

Beaumont Family Wines, Bot River | 10:00 – 15:00

2

FRIDAY

Easter Running Festival With single track sections, jeep track, some sand, some forest and lots of natural beauty, Honingklip farm is the ideal spot for a running festival on Easter weekend. Join in the Friday Sunset Run or opt for one of 3 Trail Runs (6km, 15km & 25km) on Fri or Sat. There will be music, wine tasting, Betty’s Barista coffee, craft beer and the Co-unity food truck on site, as well as an Easter egg hunt and pony rides for the little ones. Your entry includes the trail permit, timing and a medal. There will be prizes for each distance, male and female, as well as

lucky draws. Enter at raceday.co.za or contact japie@interactiveconcepts. co.za or 082 4433 033.

Honingklip Farm, R43 | from 07:00 (Fri & Sat)

Local expertise, national presence and international audience

VOËLKLIP

R6 450 000

MODERN DOUBLE-STOREY HOME SET ON A DOUBLE STAND

On the ground level, this gem offers a tastefully modern kitchen, an openplan dining room with plentiful natural light. Contemporary finishes as well as a lounge and spacious family room. Complete this inviting home.

Ansie Pogieter 081 270 6255 WEB: 2029418

HEMEL EN AARDE ESTATE

R7 995 000

ARCHITECTURAL SPLENDOUR IN HEMEL EN AARDE ESTATE Enhanced by the security estate in which it resides lies a family home where special features are the norm and not the exception. Greeted on entry by the impressive staircase to the main entertainment area, this 4 bedroom all en-suite home, is designed with entertainment and comfort in mind. From the wine cellar to the gym, from the indoor theatre to the braai room which leads to a wooden deck and another external braai.

Jenny Küsel 083 262 7578 WEB: 1567774

HERMANUS HEIGHTS

R5 300 000

SPACIOUS HOME WITH SPECTACULAR MOUNTAIN VIEWS

Nestled between the mountains above and the ocean below, this luxuriously spacious home offers sanctuary-style living. Geared for the larger family with 6 en-suite bedrooms and open-plan living areas.

Bhavinee Siepman 082 797 6233 WEB: 1809878

HERMANUS HEIGHTS

R7 200 000

VOËLKLIP

R4 800 000

DRAWING YOU IN WITH EVERY STEP

PEACEFUL HOME, WALKING DISTANCE FROM THE BEACH

If living close to nature, panoramic views and prolific birdlife ticks all the boxes then this remarkable family home is meant for you. Set high in the prestigious Hermanus Heights and bordering the Fernkloof Nature Reserve you can relish in the scenery. Open-plan living areas, warmed by a doublesided wood-burning fireplace, offer views of the ocean and the mountains. The enclosed patio overlooks the pool and entertainment area.

Retha Snyman van Heerden 082 456 7400 WEB: 1867660

Spacious double-storey 4 bedroom home with an indoor braai, bar and a patio area to enjoy delightful evenings with your family and friends plus an open-plan kitchen, dining and family area for entertainment.

Ansie Pogieter 081 270 6255 WEB: 2021469

Hermanus, Arabella and Kleinmond 16 Hope Street, cnr Dirkie Uys, Hermanus, 7200 +27 (0)21 205 7135 hermanus@fineandcountry.com

Park Lane Office 119/121 Park Lane, London, W1 +44 (0)207 079 1515 admin@fineandcountry.com

Regionally 15 offices throughout Western Cape Nationally 45 offices across South Africa Internationally Over 300 offices globally

www.fineandcountry.com

10

www.thevillagenews.co.za

24 March 2021

LOVE A LITTLE LOCAL

Why you should be drinking organic wine T

here is still some debate about whether or not organic wines can match the quality of other wines, particularly as some people take the view that for a wine to be truly great it must have some imperfections that allow it to establish a character all of its own. However, there are a number of benefits to drinking organic wine.

Not expensive When considering organic foods, a lot of customers are wary because of the idea that organic produce will be more expensive than its non-organic counterpart.

While this is true on some of the entry level wines, there are many organic wine options that are very affordable to the average wine enthusiast. Much like regular wines, organics are now available at a range of different prices.

No chemicals Organic items have become more popular in recent years due to the fact that there are strict restrictions on the chemicals that can be used in order for something to be deemed organic.

Not only does this mean that you won’t be exposed to any man-made chemicals when you drink the wine, but you will also be able to enjoy the many attributes that the vineyard offers to the whole package.

A lot of wine companies talk about the effect of the soil on their grapes, but when chemicals are used some of

this effect is naturally lost. With an organic wine, you are getting the wine exactly as nature intended it.

It places the goodness which the soil has to offer centre stage.

Because organic farming does not use destructive pesticides, herbicides and toxins, this winemaking style nurtures the land. Utilising the naturally occurring resources of the soil allows the authentic character to shine through in the wine. Nurturing the soil to abundant health allows it to release its nutrients into the vine and ultimately harvested into the wine on our table.

Harvesting by hand The use of machinery when harvesting grapes has allowed for increased efficiency and higher levels of production, but it also takes away from the craft of making high-quality wines in many respects. This means that only the best quality grapes go into the production of organic wines.

As such, the overall quality becomes much higher than some people would expect, as the winemaker has had the opportunity to be a little discerning about the grapes that they use.

More nutrients for your body Using fewer chemicals means fewer chemicals for you to consume.

WINE & DINE

Vitamins and minerals are an essential part of our diets, with many nutritional plans being based around ensuring that people get the right amounts of each in order to live a healthier lifestyle.

While the health benefits of red wine have long been known, many people underestimate just how healthy an organic wine truly is, as it allows the drinker to absorb all of the natural nutrients from the soil in which the vines were grown.

Reduce hangovers There are many causes of hangovers but many agree that there are three that affect people who suffer from hangovers. Firstly, there are many additives that are normally added during the production of wine which could trigger an allergic reaction, most of which are not found in organic wine.

The second culprit is sulphites: To prevent unnecessary hangover surprises, natural wines made without added sulphites is recommended. A healthier choice not only for asthmatics and people suffering from intolerances, but for everyone who takes care of their health.

Lower alcohol levels in organic wine also result in less dehydration and a lower likelihood of

a hangover.

Antioxidants The presence of resveratrol in red wine has long been associated with health benefits such as lowering cholesterol and reducing the risk of heart disease.

However, if the grapes used to produce the wine have come into contact with some man-made chemicals, such as chemical fertilisers, weed killers (herbicides), insecticides or other synthetic chemicals, the resveratrol they contain is reduced drastically.

Some figures claim that the grape can lose as much as 80% of the resveratrol that it contains in these situations, whereas those grown organically, get to keep it all.

This makes them a much healthier choice in the long run.

Some new studies even suggest that it could help fight cavities by preventing bacterial growth.

Eases depression One recent study suggests the anti-inflammatory properties of resveratrol could even help with treating depression. This news could be huge – maybe even leading more scientists to study the connection between natural anti-inflammatories and depression.

Cancer support We all know that drinking alcohol damages cells in the body but some research shows that resveratrol can actually attack and kill those damaged cells.

In a recent study, resveratrol in red wine counteracted the effects of alcohol, leading to a lower cancer rate. Anything that can help in cancer prevention is definitely worthwhile!

However, becoming an organic wine producer is no easy feat and Wine Village would like to salute our wine producers who have successfully embarked on this arduous journey.

If you are new to the world of organic wines, Paul du Toit and his dedicated team at the Wine Village have a great example of an everyday drinking red and white organic wine to get started on. And for those who are already an organic wine enthusiast, don’t miss out on Paul’s Organic selection.

Wine Village is open seven days a week at Hemel-enAarde Village, for tasting and sales. For more information, visit www.winevillage.co.za, contact 028 316 3988, or winevillage@hermanus. co.za.

24 March 2021

www.thevillagenews.co.za

New mobile and Mac repair specialists in Hermanus W e love Hermanus!” enthuses Wyndham Naude, who recently settled in Voëlklip with his wife Tanja after living in Cape Town for 10 years. Wyndham is a co-owner of mobiFix in Tyger Valley and a director of mobiFix South Africa, which has six branches, from Polokwane to Stellenbosch to Windhoek – and now also a drop & collect service in Hermanus.

Wyndham is very pleased to announce that mobiFix has now established a Drop & Collect Service for all your smart device repair needs, backed by their quality workmanship, prompt turn-around times and great lifetime warranties. Another plus is that mobiFix is a Santam authorised repair centre that can assist clients with their insurance claims.

going to busy shops and malls for safety reasons, which is why our mobiFix Drop & Collect Service presents a practical and convenient solution for residents of the Overstrand.”

“Tanja and I have spent so many holidays and weekends in Hermanus since childhood, and both our parents and other family members live in the area, so it really feels like home,” says Wyndham.

Since settling permanently in Hermanus, he has been travelling to his store in Tyger Valley at least three times per week. “This gave me the idea of extending our service to our beloved village and community of Hermanus,” says Wyndham.

“For several years now, we have been serving Overberg residents at our mobiFix Stores in Stellenbosch and Tyger Valley, but now we can save you the trip!”

mobiFix repairs all leading brands of smartphones, laptops and MacBooks, iPads and tablets, including Apple, Samsung, Huawei and more, even gaming consoles and controllers.

At a time when money is tight for most of us, it makes even more sense to have devices repaired rather than buying new ones. “It will not only save you money but also save the planet, as repairing your devices and making them last longer is better for the environment than recycling,” says Wyndham.

This service has become even more vital during the time of Covid, when many people have been cut off from their loved ones and rely on their devices to keep in contact. “More people are also working from home now,” says Wyndham, “and when your phone or laptop malfunctions, it is critical to have it repaired as soon as possible.

At the same time people are also trying to avoid

11

“We look forward to meeting you when the need arises and to being of great service to you!” (Ts & Cs apply).

Contact 021 914 1848 or 082 373 3020 or send an email to hermanus@ mobifixsa.com. The address for the Drop & Collect Service is 251 7th Street, Voëlklip.

Visit www.mobifixsa.com/ stores/hermanus/

- Hedda Mittner Proud new Hermanus residents Wyndham and Tanja Naude have established a convenient mobiFix Drop & Collect Service for Overstrand clients.

PHOTO: Hedda Mittner

12

www.thevillagenews.co.za

24 March 2021

MY SPORT

Cycling brings families together C ycling enthusiasts from Cape Town, Hermanus and surrounding areas participated in the first MyRyde Hermanus early on Saturday morning, hosted at Curro Hermanus in collaboration with Cycle 2 Ride. The event was based on Fun-O-Cross, a concept by MyRyde, which focuses on competitive family fun as well as making cycling more accessible to grow the love of riding in South Africa.

1 There were four different races participants could enter depending on their age and skill: U10, Junior/Novice (10+), Social (U16, U18, U20, 20 to 70+) and for the more competitive, Racing (U18, U20, 20 to 70+).

The 1km route through Curro’s school grounds was the same for all the races, but with varying lengths of time. The aim was for the cyclists to see how many laps they could do in their race’s allotted time frame.

The U10 race started at 8am and was 20 minutes long

with cyclists as young as 5 years taking part.

They followed a marshal (cycling enthusiast and co-founder of Cycle 2 Ride, Jaco Kotzé) along the route while parents, teachers and friends cheered them on. They could do as many laps as they wanted to in the allotted 20 minutes.

The next race for Juniors/Novices began at 8:30am for all age categories and was 30 minutes long, with the following race (Social) running at 40 minutes long. People of all ages joined the social race, with parents and children coming together to have a fun ride as a family. Jaco led by example as his wife and two children, and the whole Cycle 2 Ride team joined in the race.

side of school, and one could feel the tension and excitement in the air just before the race began. Spectators stood back as the riders sped off from the start line, almost knocking into one another in their haste to get ahead.

The race started off fast but the pace started to slow as the riders tired towards the end of the 50 minutes. The rider who achieved the most laps was 15-year-old cyclist Luke Kavanagh from Curro Hermanus, who often participates and performs exceptionally well in cycling events.

After each race, spot prizes were handed out to participants. Whether it is doing the most laps, crossing the line ahead of your friends, or finishing more laps than you have ever done before,

3

5

1 - Leani van Vuuren goes to all of her brother's cycling events to support him. Here she is with mom Anli. 2 - Adriaan Halgryn from Hermanus High was happy to participate in a cycling event now that Covid-19 restrictions have been eased. 3 - Lili Fani from Curro Hermanus joined in the 20-minute U10 race with her brother Luca and did very well.

4 - Albertus van Zyl from Hermanus High took part in the social race. Behind him is Sean Kavanagh from Curro Hermanus. 5 - There were four races participants could enter depending on age and skill: U10, Junior/Novice (10+), Social (U16, U18, U20, 20 to 70+) and for the more competitive, Racing (U18, U20, 20 to 70+).

PHOTOS: Taylum Meyer

The MyRyde events in collaboration with Cycle 2 Ride (which is supported by Curro) take place at designated school campuses throughout the year. Curro values the importance of a healthy lifestyle and cohesive family life, which made supporting Cycle 2 Ride an easy decision. They also offer coaching clinics at schools with high levels of interest as well as fun events and expeditions which families can participate in together.

Visit www.cycle2ride.co.za or www.myryde.life for more information.

– Taylum Meyer 4

The final race for the more competitive cyclists began at 10am and was 50 minutes long.

The participants consisted mostly of teenagers, many of whom already do cycling or mountain biking as a sport out-

2

MyRyde believes that winning is defined by the rider and not what position you place.

13

www.thevillagenews.co.za

24 March 2021 6

7

6 - The social race provided and opportunity for family members to ride together. 7 - The final race for the day was for the more competitive racers between the ages of 20 and 70 years old. 8 - Chanté Roux from Hermanus High really enjoyed her first cycling race on Saturday. 9 - Founder of Cycle 2 Ride, Jaco Kotze, coached young cyclists during the races on Saturday.

8

9

10

10 - Rossouw Hamman, a cyclist at Curro Hermanus, was one of the top finishers in the competitive race. 11 - Luca Fani from Curro Hermanus joined in the U10 race. 12 - Daniël van Vuuren from Curro Hermanus thoroughly enjoyed his race. 13 - Cyclists of all ages joined MyRyde Hermanus. 14 - Angelique Hamman from Curro Hermanus took part in the social race.

11

12

13

14

14

www.thevillagenews.co.za

24 March 2021

MY WELLNESS

A unique beauty lift – without a needle

By Lindi Prinsloo, owner of Refine Clinic

M

ost of us dream of looking younger without having to go under the knife, don’t we? As we age, our skin thins and produces less collagen, all of which combines to make our skin look older and more wrinkled.

Plasma Pen treatment is a brand-new treatment which works in lots of different ways: it tightens skin almost instantly, while also working underneath the skin to help it produce more collagen to give effects which last for years.

The Plasma treatment is changing the face (excuse the pun) of the lift. Why? It’s non-invasive – so no surgery – and offers an effective alternative to skin-tightening surgeries that guarantees immediate results.

These Plasma pens pioneered a movement in the field of beauty involving top researchers, and this revolutionary technology focuses on beauty excellence and empowering women to become the best versions of themselves the beneficial way.

Treatment takes roughly 45 minutes and downtime is minimal. This high-tech anti-ageing miracle weapon basically generates plasma

flashes that penetrate into the skin – without direct contact with the skin.

The plasma flash generates a tiny vaporisation point that contracts and tightens the skin and is minimally painful. There is a slight smell from the treatment (but nothing terrible) and the results are enough to encourage anyone to undergo the Plasma treatment.

The process stimulates the skin to promote new skin cell regeneration and recovery after the treatment usually takes up to 3–4 days, so doing the treatment on a Thursday with a Friday spent working from home, will see you back to work looking great on Monday morning.

After the treatment a small crust will form as part of the healing process and will automatically fall away within a few days. However, the final end result of the treatment may take up to 3 months.

What can be removed?

Fine lines, crow’s feet, eyebrow ptosis, nasal labial folds / laugh lines, marionette lines, smoker’s / kissing lines, neck lines, drooping / loose skin, moles, skin tags, pigmentation, age spots, liver spots, freckles, scars and stretch marks.

Refine also offer a complimentary post-Plasma treatment to support and intensify the results.

This treatment is usually done a month later to promote collagen and elastin production, and remove dead skin cells to tighten the skin even further.

How does this treatment work?

Electrical arcing has been used in medicine since the early 1900s for electrocoagulation, the destruction of tumours and more.

The Plasma Pen treatment is the infliction of a controlled, superficial burn to the epidermis, by a plasma plume which is emitted by a handheld device. A plasma plume is a very small electrical arc which is formed through ionisation of atmospheric gasses to stimulate instant contraction and tightening of the skin.

The plume is aimed at the skin, the plume evaporates and leaves a very small brown mark.

Each of these spots sublimates the superficial corneocytes without affecting the basal laminae and without causing bleeding and, more importantly, without causing any damage to the surrounding tissue and the layers beneath, i.e. the arc only reaches the epidermis and dermis.

Fibroblasts (most common cells of connective tissue) play a critical role in tissue repair – thus being essential for wound healing. The controlled damage process stimulates the fibroblasts to produce collagen as well as other fibres (elastin) which determine the laxity of the skin. This process makes the skin “heal” itself, resulting in a firmer more youthful appearance.

Carefully placed arc spots “pull” the skin tighter, improving the appearance of wrinkles, lifting sagging skin and improving scars. Different techniques using this device can also remove benign skin lesions, tattoos, liver spots etc. Results are cumulative, which means that you build upon the improvements already achieved after previous treatments. This provides an affordable means with little downtime to maintain a youthful appearance.

Strict infection control is necessary when having a Plasma treatment. We are creating a controlled burn, therefore it is classified as an open wound. And when choosing a clinic or therapist, always make sure that all hygiene protocols are in place.

This magic weapon has gained popularity all over the world as an anti-ageing and lifting treatment, changing faces one dot at a time.

www.thevillagenews.co.za

24 March 2021

15

Newly upgraded cemetery in Palmiet O

verstrand Executive Mayor, Dudley Coetzee, officially opened the Palmiet Cemetery in the Hangklip-Kleinmond area on Monday, 15 March. The cemetery will accommodate 820 new burial sites which will provide burial capacity for approximately the next eight years, based on the current rate of burials in the Kleinmond area.

In keeping with Covid-19 guidelines, the ribbon cutting ceremony was not open to the public. A few special guests, integral to the development of the cemetery, were present to celebrate the special occasion.

Ward 10 Councillor, Fanie Krige, delivered a heart-warming welcome and paid tribute to the late Mike Bartman, who played a major role in the realisation of this cemetery. His research led to the reopening of the former graveyard site at Palmiet, which was closed in 1999 after it became impossible to continue with burials due to the high-water table in the area.

“I remember many evenings where we met with the Proteadorp community in particular, to consider the different options available to us,” Cllr Krige said. The solution to the problem was to install a sub-soil drainage system with a berm and outlet structures for the subsoil system.

Krige expressed the hope that the cemetery will be able to provide a good backdrop for quiet reflection and serve as place of serenity, where one can collect one’s thoughts.

In his keynote speech, Overstrand Executive Mayor, Dudley Coetzee, also gave credit to the former Executive Mayor, the late Rudolph Smith, who agreed in 2017 to respond to the public outcry in Kleinmond to seek a local graveyard solution.

The Mayor reminded attendees about the

challenges Kleinmond experienced with burial sites since the only cemetery in Main Road reached its full capacity in 2009 and the local communities had to bury loved ones elsewhere in the Overstrand.

To resolve capacity challenges that may be experienced by other communities in the municipal area, the Municipality bought land for a regional graveyard at Karwyderskraal in 2013 that can provide for an estimated number of 17 000 burial sites.

“But it is so that people want to bury their loved ones closer to home,” the Mayor said.

Mayor Coetzee said funding was made available to install the sub-soil drainage system, to the amount of R2 304 937 in the 2018/’19, 2019/’20 and 2020/’21 financial years to complete the project. This includes the impact assessments, consultancy fees and the environmental applications and approvals, as well as fencing.

Although the project started in 2018/’19, the physical construction could only commence in November last year, after the completion of an Environmental Impact Assessment (the record of decision was only received in June 2020), and after the winter period.

The event concluded when the Mayor, Ward Committee members and municipal officials were taken on an inspection tour of the Palmiet Cemetery and its sub-soil drainage system.

Mayor Dudley Coetzee cut the ribbon at the official opening last week of the Palmiet Cemetery, just outside Kleinmond. From left are Mike Botha (Klein Berlyn), Andrew Martin (Local Football Association), Hilgard Muller (Rooi Els Ratepayers Association), Derek Adonis (Kleinmond Primary School), Grant Cohen (Cllr Ward 9), Municipal Manager Dean O’Neill , Melvin Jooste (Mooiuitsig), Mary Hull (Protea West), Charles Swartz (Integrated Fishing Forum), Mayor Dudley Coetzee, Fanie Krige (Cllr Ward 10), Bangikhaya Mantshinga (Backyard Dweller Association), Director of Community Servcies Roderick Williams, Susan Botha (Kleinmond Police Forum) and Desmond Lakey (Senior Manager: Kleinmond Administration).

16

www.thevillagenews.co.za

LOVE A LITTLE LOCAL

Local tennis star on the rise

R

oxy Bredenkamp is a young, passionate tennis player in Grade 6 at Hermanus Primary School who has been making a name for herself in the junior tennis community over the past few months.

In December 2020, Roxy placed second in the Growthpoint Super 8 and Winelands tournaments and went on to place top in her age group in singles at the Gauteng North Grand Prix in January this year. Roxy also won the doubles title with her younger sister Caelan at the same tournament, and later went on to take the win in both the singles and doubles at the Growthpoint Super 8 Gauteng North tournament that same month.

She has been named the number one U12 female singles player in South Africa after playing in the Boland Cavaliers trials for U13 girls, an older age group, and as a result of her accomplishments, she has received a full sponsorship from Wilson South Africa, starting 1 February – which is recognition indeed!

Roxy is a dedicated young lady who loves the game and she is always ready to go with a smile on her face. She gets up very early in the morning to warm up before a match, and often only gets back home after 5pm. In spite of her taxing schedule, you will find her on the tennis court most days practising when she isn’t at school, so as not to lose her rhythm before her next tournament.

Roxy is looking forward to taking part in the Free

State Growthpoint Super 8 tournament this year from 24 – 28 April, as she says she wants to play as many Super 8 tournaments as possible. She will also be playing in the Junior Nationals from 29 April – 3 May, which is by invitation only. Both of these tournaments will take place in Bloemfontein. Hermanus Primary and The Village NEWS would like to wish Roxy good luck for her future tournaments, and we look forwarding to hearing her results. It seems that for Roxy Bredenkamp, the sky is the limit!

– Neil Botha, Hermanus Primary

24 March 2021

17

www.thevillagenews.co.za

24 March 2021

MY PET

Walking with dogs

By Dr Hilldidge Beer

C

ity slickers pay thousands each month to sweat it out on treadmills at the gym but for those of us fortunate to live in a seaside village surrounded by glorious walking trails, cliff paths and dog-friendly beaches, exercise costs no more than a little time each day.

And if you’re a dog owner, you have an ever-willing exercise buddy who’s more than happy to walk whenever you mention the word. Exercise isn’t just good for our health, it’s essential for your dog’s health, too, and will save you a fortune on vet’s bills in the long run.

What you need • Harness/collar and lead Though you won’t need to spend a fortune on lycra gym outfits, your dog does need a comfortable harness or collar and lead. Before heading out, make sure the harness fits properly and doesn’t rub your dog’s skin. Broken skin is a bacteria magnet

and you don’t want to have to fork out Rands for expensive antibiotics.

Harnesses are best for brachycephalic dogs (those with flat faces and big eyes) like Pugs, French Bulldogs, Bulldogs and Pekingese as they don’t inhibit the dog’s airways the way collars can. Harnesses are also great for strong dogs that need handling.

If you’re not sure what to get for your dog, pop into your nearest EberVet Vetshop and ask for advice. The Vetshops have a wide range of harnesses, collars and leads for all shapes, size and breeds – from teacup Yorkies to Boerboels.

• Water Dogs dehydrate quickly in warm weather and heat stroke can be deadly. There is a range of small, collapsible bowls you can tuck into your pocket or rucksack which makes it much easier to share your water bottle with your dog. Ask your EberVet Vetshop for assistance.

• Poop bags Don’t contribute to cliff path poo; stock up on disposable, environmen-

tally-friendly poop bags that are light to carry. Vetshops also stock small, water-proof poop bag containers that can be attached to your dog’s lead or harness so you need never be without.

What to watch out for • Snakes As clever as our dogs are at all sorts of things, when it comes to snakes they’re just plain dumb. Most dogs can’t resist chasing snakes and the only way to avoid them being bitten is to keep them on a lead, or close to your side at all times. Watch the path for lazy puffadders – almost all snakebites in South Africa occur when snakes are stood on or handled.

Download the African Snakebite Institute’s brilliant app on your phone for quick identification.

• Heat Walk your dog in the early morning or late afternoon. Walking during the hottest part of the day puts your dog at risk of heatstroke which can be fatal. It can also leave your dog

with burned paw pads if you walk on tarmac or concrete.

• Your dog’s breed Brachycephalic breeds (those with flat faces) have difficulty breathing as their nasal passages are severely restricted. Avoid running a brachycephalic dog; rather take your Pug for a gentler walk. Monitor his breathing: if it becomes laboured and he is panting more than usual, it’s time to go home.

• Your dog’s age As much as we may not like the idea

of getting old, many of us don’t want our dogs to age either, especially if we’ve enjoyed an active lifestyle with them at our side. But, like humans, dogs suffer a range of age-related ailments as they age and these need to be considered when taking a senior dog out for exercise. Watch out for limping, reluctance to get up, stiffness and difficulty climbing stairs.

These are all signs of arthritis, which is a very common ailment in older dogs. The problem with pets is they don’t easily show they’re in pain; it’s up to you as mom or dad to figure it out.

18

www.thevillagenews.co.za

24 March 2021

MY ENVIRONMENT

The elusive caracal

By Dr Anina Lee

of Lynxes roughly 10 million years ago. In fact, the caracal’s closest relative is the African Golden Cat, followed by the Serval – another beautiful spotted cat.

Caracals stand just under half a metre tall and weigh between 10 and 15 kg. Caracals are the second largest predator in the Overberg after Cape Leopards.

O

n 25 February 2021, a caracal was fatally injured by a speeding motorist on the R43 near the Green House in Vermont. It was desperately sad and so unneces-

sary.

On his way to work, a member of the public spotted the caracal lying on the side of the road. He stopped to see if he could help. The cat tried to move away, but it stumbled into the bushes with great difficulty. It was evident that it was seriously hurt.

The caracal was sedated in the field by Dr Melinda Devenish from Village Vet Clinic, Eastcliff for transport to Onrus Veterinary Clinic. The caracal was a female. She was X-rayed and found to be critically injured. She had a cervical fracture, with damage to the spinal cord and severe lung contusions. After consultation between attending vets, the difficult decision was taken to euthanise her.

Her stomach was full of food, as evidenced by many prey bones seen on the X-ray. She had been a fine and successful hunter.

Meredith Thornton arranged for the caracal to be frozen overnight and transported to the Urban Caracal Project at UCT, where a necropsy will be performed. Meredith will take samples for corticosteroid analyses for her work with the Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria. The UCT team will take fur and whiskers for isotope analysis, check what is in the stomach, sample organs, check reproductive hormones and other chemical analyses.

At least the caracal’s death will not be totally in vain. But it was avoidable. The Overstrand is a place where we are still privileged to live close to nature. It is our responsibility to care for it. Wildlife will cross roads, especially at night. It is up to us to drive carefully, at a speed that makes it possible to avoid animals (and indeed people) on the road. A magnificent animal like a caracal is to be cherished.

This incident once again demonstrated the care, compassion and willingness to assist wildlife by our local veterinarians.

They are a special band of people.

Caracals (Caracal caracal) are beautiful cats, with reddish-tan coats and lighter undersides with red spots. The Afrikaans name ‘Rooikat’ is especially descriptive of the cats. They have beautifully patterned faces with markings of black and white.

They are sometimes called lynxes, but they are not true lynxes. The evolution of the Caracal branch of cats split from that

The most distinctive feature of a caracal is its ears. Each ear has 20 muscles that can move the ears independently to receive sounds from all around it. They act a bit like satellite dishes, focusing the sound waves towards the ears. The ears are dark in colour and proportionately large, with long black tufts at the tips. These hairy extensions are thought to improve hearing further. So prominent are the black tips that they were originally named for their ears. Caracal comes from the Turkish word ‘karakulak’, meaning ‘black ear’.

Since the name originated in Turkey, one would expect that caracals are found in the Middle East. So they are – as well as in Central Africa, South Africa, West Africa and Southwest Asia. Apparently, the saying “Putting the cat amongst the pigeons” stems from an old middle eastern practice of putting a caracal in an arena with a flock of pigeons and taking bets on how many the caracal can catch once it is released. It would have been many, as caracals are excellent hunters and can jump three metres straight up into the air to catch birds in mid-flight.

But despite their aerial prowess, caracals are mainly ambush predators and prefer to hunt by stealth and at night.

The nocturnal habit is partially to avoid humans – many of whom are intent on eradicating these beautiful creatures.

Farmlands are increasingly intruding on wildlife territory, reducing the numbers of their prey species. Caracals would usually hunt antelope such as young springbok, grysbok and duiker, and birds, rodents and even reptiles. But as human encroachment reduces their prey, caracals have to hunt farm animals to survive. It is easy to see how conflict with humans arises, even though the cats do not initiate the conflict.

Caracals are solitary cats, except during mating and when mothers raise their kittens. The average caracal litter is two kittens that stay with the mother for up to a year.

We don’t always see wildlife like these elusive cats but be assured they are around. The Urban Caracal Project in Cape Town has proved that with their remote camera monitoring projects.

Caracals are not formally protected in Africa, but that does not mean that we should not protect them – and all the other fantastic wildlife we are still privileged to have here in the Overberg. Every animal is an integral part of a delicate ecosystem. The loss of one part of that system can mean the loss of the whole. Let it not happen on our watch.

ABOVE: As human encroachment on wildlife territory reduces the caracal’s prey species, they often have to hunt farm animals to survive. PHOTO: Wikipedia LEFT: Caracals (Caracal caracal) are gorgeous cats, with reddish-tan coats and lighter undersides with red spots. They have beautifully patterned faces with markings of black and white.

PHOTO: National Geographic BELOW: A caracal mother and kitten.

The average caracal litter is two kittens that stay with the mother for up to a year.

PHOTO: HowStuffWorks

24 March 2021

www.thevillagenews.co.za

19

Diving into Sodwana Bay aspects of a dive.

By Jax Bath

L

ong before I ever thought I’d enjoy breathing under water, I’d heard that if it’s something you’d like to try, go and do it at Sodwana Bay. Sodwana is a scuba mecca, hosting over 30 000 divers a year (pre-Covid at least) and home to over 1 000 fish species.

The sea is sometimes described as a silent world, but it’s alive with song and sound. One of the fish caught up in the hustle and bustle is the Emperor Parrot Fish. They have incredible bite force and are believed to have some of the strongest teeth in the world – something that’s easy to believe when you hear them chomp down on a reef! They feed on the skeletons and polyps of corals and once feeding is done, excrete sand. It is believed that larger members of this group can add over 400kg of sand to our oceans a year, so we have them to thank for the beautiful tropical beaches we find ourselves enjoying when we take a holiday in places like Sodwana.

really watch it as it gently walked over the coral, crunching along the way as it fed.

Loggerhead Turtles are carnivores and eat things such as star fish and urchins. They can weigh nearly half a ton and are the second-largest turtle species after the Leatherback. These turtles travel astonishing distances, traversing thousands of kilometres in open ocean. Female Loggerheads nest on the beaches of Sodwana during turtle season, which makes this area a great place to encounter them. Our turtle encounter carried on for a breathtaking 10 minutes before we went off to explore the remainder of the reef.

Sodwana Bay boasts a system of tropical reefs whose names were given in relation to their distance from the launch site.

The reefs are believed to be thousands of years old and are the southern-most coral reefs in Africa. With just under 100 species of coral living on the remains of olden sand dunes, some dives here are considered to be amongst the best in the world.

I was lucky to do three dives in Sodwana, two on the two-mile reef at Coral Gardens and one dive at the five-mile reef on a dive site called Ribbon. The water was crystal clear on all three dives and we were lucky to have little to no current, which makes for a much easier dive.

My first dive at Coral Gardens saw us drop into the water just above the home of a Two-bar Clownfish family. After descending to the deep, this was the most welcome surprise.

Clownfish are famed for making their homes in anemones, immune to their stinging tentacles. The Clownfish find protection here, but they also protect and help nourish their home.

Sometimes they even see us divers as a threat, as was the case with one particularly brave fish which came over to ward me off.

I heeded his warning, finning off to ensure that Nemo’s cousin could relax once again and carry on with its day.

Sodwana’s reefs boasts an incredible diversity, so on most dives you’re likely to encounter thousands of individuals and a variety of species. Fusiliers, Dory Snapper and Humpback Snapper are just some of the fish that school and rule the water column.

When you peer upon the reef, you’ll see blennies and wrasse and damsel fish aplenty. Squirrel fish hide under overhangs and deeper down some brightly colored Groupers also keep to the shadows. The occasional Potato Bass dwarfs the other fish in the area whilst the Clown Triggerfish swims by with an electric display of colour.

Some fish on the reefs are highly territorial whilst others just pass through. Some create their own gardens to tend to whilst others change colour as they hunt, to disguise themselves from their prey. Every member of the reef has its role to play, and one of the most fascinating may be the Cleaner Wrasse, which makes sure hygiene standards are observed by fish. These little fish are a staple on coral reefs and can be seen in the mouths of their customers, which allow them to do their jobs without the threat of preying on them. I have seen them in the mouths of Moray Eels where they diligently go about their duties despite the reputation of their customers.

We found a couple of beautiful smaller sights to marvel at as we made our way down Ribbon, and it wasn’t until right at the end that an all too familiar silhouette broke the icy blue. A White-tip Reef Shark had decided to end its day-time nap and spend a bit of time patrolling the water column. These sharks are fairly small and very beautiful. They are also nocturnal, which made this shark’s patrol a real treat to behold.

White-tip Reef Sharks are excellent hunters who have adapted to reef living by being able to navigate crevices and flush out prey that other sharks are unable to reach. South Africa is about as far west as one might find them. These reef sharks prey on things such as Parrot Fish and Snapper, though the cutie that graced our dive didn’t seem all that interested in a hunt. After a good few minutes with this cartilaginous creature, we ascended from my last dive of the holiday, but certainly not my last dive at Sodwana. Though cold-water diving has stolen my heart, if you love the ocean, Sodwana is certainly a site to experience.

Until next week!

As one breathes rhythmically through a scuba regulator, there are moments of silence, and in these moments the true nature of the reef is revealed. As I finned away from the Clownfish, I slowed my breath and heard the incredible crackling of the reef. The sound is created by the thousands of fish and other creatures living in these under-water cities, and it’s one of my favourite

The highlights of my dives, however, were the mega fauna, including beautiful encounters with a large Loggerhead Turtle and a White-tip Reef Shark. Both encounters happened on my very last dive at Ribbon, where we had been down for all of 10 minutes when this beautiful turtle came around over the reef. It was extremely relaxed about our presence, carrying on with its day as if no divers were present. This provided the opportunity to

20

www.thevillagenews.co.za

24 March 2021

MOTORING

F

on cars

Compiled by John Floyd

Two shades of red for 2021, aimed at the future, not forgetting the past S

cuderia Ferrari Mission Winnow’s SF21 car that will race this season, was seen for the first time today and features a subtle livery that looks to the challenges of the future without forgetting the team’s roots and history.

“The rear end is reminiscent of the burgundy red of the very first Ferrari, the 125 S,” explained Team Principal Mattia Binotto.

“But as it moves gradually towards the cockpit area, it transforms into the modern red that we have used in most recent years. This season presents us with many challenges and through this livery, visually, we

reboot from our past and head into the future.”

The car. This car is the 67th to be built in Maranello to compete in the Formula 1 World Championship and is an evolution of last year’s SF1000, as dictated by the regulations, which require the use of the same chassis as in 2020, thus limiting the opportunities for change in many areas.

Therefore, the SF21 was developed in all the permitted areas, from the engine, which is completely new, to the aerodynamics and, at the rear end, which is where the two development tokens allowed in the regulations have been used.

Line-up. The SF21 mades its track debut in Bahrain on a Filming Day, for the purpose of acquiring film footage for team partners and media use.

The Scuderia’s youngest driver lineup since 1968, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, will both drive. When the first race of the season takes place on 28 March, the pairing’s average age will be 25 years and 3 days.

Technical specifications Ferrari SF21 • Power unit 065/6 • Capacity 1600 cc • Max RPM 15,000

• Supercharging Single turbo • Fuel flow 100 kg/hr max • Configuration V6 90° • Bore 80 mm • Stroke 53 mm • Valves 4 per cylinder • Injection 500 bar – direct ERS System • Configuration Hybrid energy recovery system via electrical Motor Generator Units • Battery pack Lithium-Ion batteries of minimum 20 kg weight • Battery pack max energy storage 4 MJ • MGU-K max power 120 kW (161 hp) • Max MGU-K RPM 50,000 • Max MGU-H RPM 125,000

Car • Overall weight including water, oil and driver: 752 kg • Chassis made from carbon fibre and honeycomb composite with halo protection device around the cockpit. • Bodywork and seat made from carbon fibre • Rear differential with hydraulic torque converter • Brembo carbon disc brakes, front and rear. Electronic brake-by-wire on rear brakes • Ferrari longitudinally-mounted gearbox with 8 forward gears and reverse • Push-rod front suspension, pull-rod rear suspension • 13” front and rear wheels

24 March 2021

www.thevillagenews.co.za

Uralkali Haas F1 Team U ralkali, one of the world’s largest potash fertilizer producers and exporters, will become the title partner of Haas F1Team in a multi-year agreement starting with the 2021 FIA Formula 1 World Championship.

mix for scoring some points at these races. It’s been a tough couple of seasons, but we’ve also got our eye on the bigger picture, in particular2022 and the implementation of the new regulations.”

Uralkali Haas F1 Team, as the team will now be known, has unveiled the livery of its new-look VF-21 race car to launch its partnership with Uralkali.

“I happily echo Mr. Haas’s comments, we are pleased to be partnered by Uralkali this season and beyond,” stated team Principal Guenther Steiner.

TheVF-21 debuted on the first day of pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit, Mazepin and Schumacher were on-hand to present the car. Pre-season testing was limited to three days both Mazepin and Schumacher featured behind the wheel on each day of testing.

“We approach a new season with a new title partner and two new drivers, it’s going to be an exciting year head–hopefully exciting only in a good way though. We face a year of learning with the drivers while technically we look ahead to the future. It’s no secret that the VF-21will not be developed as we focus our energies now on the 2022 car and, what we hope, will be a more level-playing field. We all know roughly where we expect to be this season in terms of the competition, but we must ensure we’re there to capitalize on opportunities when they present themselves.

“I’m very pleased to welcome Uralkali to Formula1 as title partner to Haas F1 Team,” said Gene Haas, chairman of Uralkali Haas F1 Team.

“We look forward to representing their brand throughout the season. It’s an exciting time for the team with Uralkali coming onboard and having Nikita Mazepin and Mick Schumacher driving for us. It’s definitely a case of all change but I’m hoping that we get back to being in the

"Time behind the wheel is short–so it’ll be a steep curve, but I’m personally looking forward to seeing their development as drivers and as team members within Uralkali Haas F1 Team.”

21

22

www.thevillagenews.co.za

24 March 2021

Local and international growth for JAC Motors T

he year 2020 will most probably be recorded in history as one of the most challenging years the world had to face – the human tragedy of the Covid-19 pandemic and the devastating impact on business across the globe. The automotive industry was not spared the subsequent effect of this pandemic, with some domestic markets experiencing extraordinary challenging trading conditions.

However, the JAC Motors Group, one of the rising stars in the automotive industry, has announced that its annual sales in the Chinese domestic market have grown to 453 000 units.

This sales performance is 7.6% higher YoY despite new-vehicle sales of the most prominent car market in the world declining by 1.4% YoY, mainly due to the impact of Covid-19.

Similarly, in South Africa, JAC Motors has maintained its market growth since its market inception in 2017 and consistently grew its sales over this period despite the decline of new-car sales of 2.8% and 21.9% in 2019 and 2020.

"Establishing and growing the JAC

Motors brand in South Africa has been extremely rewarding," says Karl-Heinz Göbel, CEO of JAC Motors South Africa. "Many results over this period exceeded my expectations by far. From local customer acceptance of our product range to the global introduction of the company's new N55EV electric truck, all characterise the makings of a successful automotive brand.

ferent countries on the continent.

The innovative, newly-launched N55EV is a thoroughly tested electric truck from JAC Motors, fitted with its latest onboard EV technology.

Starting with only ten dealers in 2017 and selling an average of 15 units per month, JAC Motors has grown its dealer footprint to 52 dealers countrywide, including 15 dealers selling and servicing its medium and heavy commercial truck ranges.

It is safe, reliable, comfortable, and economical and regarded as the perfect light truck option for logistic businesses.

Increased dealer footprint to cater to a bigger target audience In July 2017, JAC Motors introduced its pick-up and commercial range of trucks in the South African market, marking a significant breakthrough for the company, which entered the African market through Algeria in 2002. Since then, the company has steadily grown its African footprint and is currently exporting to 28 dif-

"From the time we introduced the JAC Motors brand to the South African motoring public, our biggest priorities have been the extension of our dealer network and the implementation of rigid after-sales service capabilities, including a five-year/150 000-kilometre manufacturer warranty," says Göbel.

"With the extension of our dealer network and product range, we are now selling three times more units per month through our inspired dealer group, which represents our brand at the grassroots level. We are pleased with our accomplishments over the last three-and-a-half years. We are especially proud of the enthusiasm of our dealers who have implemented our highly-acclaimed global after-sales programme aimed at supporting the mobility needs of our

customers in both the lifestyle- and commercial segments of the market," adds Göbel.

Versatile workhorse- and lifestyle double-cab bakkie range Before the Covid-19 lockdown hit South Africa last year, the company has extended its local product range by introducing the all-new T8 double-cab bakkie with its eye-catching design. The T8 bakkie, available in 4x2 and 4x4 guise, slots in above the T6 double-cab range and now leads the company's quest in the lifestyle segment of the local bakkie market from just over the R380 000 mark.

The all-new T8 pick-up is the most advanced pick-up ever to be developed by JAC Motors in China and is exported to more than 40 countries worldwide.

The T8 boasts a highly responsive 1.9-litre turbo-diesel power-plant paired to a six-speed manual transmission that effortlessly reigns in all the torque available throughout its powerband.

The contemporary styling of the allnew T8 complements its workhorse

aesthetic, with a striking appearance consisting of neat lines, design curves and a stylish front fascia, which make this newcomer to the JAC Motors' stable stand out from its competitors.

"The latest design elements from JAC Motors' international design centres in Italy and Japan give the new T8 a rugged appearance. With its attractive styling, good equipment level and high build quality, the new T8 is an outstanding offer in the lifestyle double-cab segment of the market," says Göbel.

In addition to the all-new T8 bakkie, two T6 Comfort double-cabs in 4x2 and 4x4 configuration complete JAC Motors' lifestyle bakkie range. The T6 is powered by a 1.9-litre turbo-diesel engine boasting advanced technology and driver comfort, which have lately become synonymous with modern-day lifestyle double-cabs.

"Our proven and reliable T6 double-cab range is available from just over R320 000, enabling us to extend our product offering to a considerably bigger group of prospective double-cab buyers," adds Göbel.

Continues on P23

From P22 Commercial truck range suitable for entrepreneurs and big fleets JAC Motors' commercial range of trucks starts with the X200 single and double-cab derivatives, fitted with 2.8-litre turbocharged diesel engines and load capacities of more than 1 000 kg. With an entry-level price-point of under R300 000 for the X200 single-cab, the good news for prospective owners is that this product is also available in tipper format, further increasing the versatility of this reliable hard worker.

"Our reliable 1.5-tonne X200 single-cab for small operators such as electricians and our 1.3-tonne double-cab workhorse that can safely transport workers to and from construction sites, are real favourites with entrepreneurs and big fleet owners," says Göbel.

The N-series range of trucks on offer

by JAC Motors locally comprises four different derivatives with loading capacities varying from three to six tonne, with entry-level pricing of just under R330 000 for the N56 3-tonne truck. The 3-tonne truck series fea-

23

www.thevillagenews.co.za

24 March 2021

tures the company's highly efficient 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine, and the 6-tonne truck is fitted with a durable, proven 3.8-litre Cummins turbo-diesel engine. The 6-tonne truck without the load bin is priced under R500 000 (VAT incl.), making it a strong contender in its category.

The JAC Motors' five-year manufacturer's warranty and three-year service plan for the 3-tonne trucks are standard. A two-year/unlimited-kilometre manufacturer's warranty is available to owners of the 6-tonne trucks.

"The reliability of JAC Motors' products is fantastic and serves as a primary motivator in our worldwide sales approach, with many customers and big transport fleets vowing for this incredible attribute," adds Göbel.

Focus on mobility needs with customer-centred After-Sales programme JAC Motors' products are globally known for their incredible value-offering, quality, reliability, and credentials as workhorses – supported by excellent after-sales service from its dealer network trained by

the Group's international technical experts.

JAC Motors has successfully established its global customer-centred management concept in South Africa to ensure consistently high customer satisfaction levels and ensure that customers' expectation levels for all their mobility needs are met.

"The consistent adherence, globally, to the JAC Motors' customer-centred management concept, has won the favour of customers and has received high praise from the media who have reviewed our products worldwide," concludes Göbel.

About Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Group Corporation Ltd. (JAC Motors) JAC Motors may be a relative newcomer to the South African market, yet the state-owned manufacturer is a giant in the Chinese auto industry for more than 50 years and a prolific producer of electric vehicles.

JAC Motors is unique among Chinese manufacturers in that it originally started out producing heavy-duty trucks and then moved into passen-

ger cars.

Today, JAC Motors produces sedans, pick-ups and trucks for left- and right-hand drive markets and has a marketing network covering more than 130 countries in South America, Africa, the Middle East, Central- and South-East Asia and Eastern Europe.

Despite the collapse of the global automotive market after the Covid-19 pandemic hit the world in early 2020, JAC Motors still exported nearly 50 000 vehicles to its international export markets. JAC Motors' pickups ranked third on the export list in the Chinese auto industry and have boosted the brand's growth, further enhancing its competitiveness in the international market.

Since the company entered the African market in 2002, it has exported more than 100 000 units to 28 African countries, including Algeria, Egypt, Nigeria, Kenya, Angola, Ghana, Ivory Coast, DR Congo, Mozambique, South Africa, and many other emerging markets.

JAC Motors' gains in the African market can be attributed to its emphasis

on product quality and localisation as well as its after-sales service programme.

Over the years, the JAC Group has made enormous research and development investments to promote technology continuously. Ranking among the leading innovative Chinese automotive enterprises, the Group obtained 681 new-invention patents during 2020, intending to accelerate the transformation of advanced technology into "continuous improvements" of the user experience.

Some of the pioneering new-energy technologies included in the company's stable are high-energy density NCM batteries, high-efficiency mute "three-in-one" electric-drive technology, as well as cost-effective heat pumps for air-conditioning.

Over the last 12 months, JAC Motors maintained a leading position in private battery electric vehicles' actual use. By the end of 2020, the company has promoted the application of more than 170 000 units of new-energy vehicles, with a cumulative mileage of 3.8 billion kilometres.

24

www.thevillagenews.co.za

24 March 2021

Powerful MC20 on snow T

he MC20 has never previously been seen unleashing its power on low-grip surfaces.

The new Maserati super sports car is currently engaged in a series of reliability tests (on road and track, in various driving conditions) and intensive cold-weather trials on the snow-covered roads of the Valtellina and at the Ghiacciodromo Livigno

(Sondrio), Italy’s most notable snow and ice circuit.

During its cold-weather mission, the super sports car was tested to evaluate engine cold starting, the low-temperature performance of its elastic components and the car’s handling on cold and low-grip asphalt surfaces. The test is also performed to verify correct functioning

of the Climate Control System in cold conditions; tests were also conducted on the battery, suspensions and brakes.

The extreme conditions have not stopped the new MC20; in fact, they have enhanced the opposing personalities of this car, born from the Brand’s racing DNA but designed for series production.

Williams Racing Livery for 2021

W

illiams Racing proudly launches its 2021 Formula One challenger, the Williams Mercedes FW43B, featuring a striking new livery for the season ahead.

The team’s new look captures the spirit of the team’s past, the present transformation and its drive to future ambitions as it heads into its first

full season of ownership under US based Investment company, Dorilton Capital.

Whilst evolutionary on the technical side due to the regulations, hence the designation FW43B as opposed to the FW44, the 2021 car will race with a dramatic new visual identity sporting a livery inspired by Williams’ all-conquering cars of the 1980s and

1990s, combining blues, white and yellow accents.

Speaking for the first time as CEO of Williams Racing, Jost Capito said: “Williams Racing is a sporting icon, and a team that has forged a reputation of success through sheer determination and grit intertwined with innovation, passionate and skilful

race-craft and an absolute desire to win. Highs and lows are typical in any long established sporting brand’s journey and historic success can be a strong motivator, but it cannot be relied upon to define future success in the modern era of Formula One. “Therefore, we have created a fresh new livery for the 2021 car; one that acknowledges our incredible

past and retains the spirit, drive and motivation that remains at the core of Williams’ DNA yet looks to the future and signposts our long-term ambition to return to the front of the grid. Whilst we are just starting out on this journey and there is still a lot of work to do, we are happy to see momentum in the right direction and look forward to continuing that progress on track this season.”

25

www.thevillagenews.co.za

24 March 2021

E-Class Coupé and Cabriolet get even more desirable

B

ack in 1991, Mercedes-Benz debuted an elegant cabriolet at the Frankfurt International Motor Show. A four-seater with a fabric top, it was initially known as the 300 CE-24, and revived a long tradition of four-door open-top vehicles in company’s brand history.

It was renamed the E-Class in 1993, launching a range that has become amongst the most emotionally appealing in the Mercedes-Benz stable.

Fast forward to 2021, and Mercedes-Benz has just launched a comprehensive facelift for its already stunning E-Class Coupé and Cabriolet.

Upgrades include a healthy facelift, with the front sections, in particular, being given a fresh look; a good dose of new technology, including the next generation of driving assistance systems and the MBUX infotainment system; and a range of electrified, more efficient, petrol and diesel engines.

“We have always made automotive dreams come true, and the E-Class Coupé and Cabriolet facelift take this to the next level. We have resharpened the brand identity and we are continuing to drive forward the revision of our entire E-Class family successively,” says Johannes Fritz, Co-CEO of Mercedes-Benz South Africa and Executive Director for Mercedes-Benz Cars.

“The emotive appeal of these two dream cars has been further reinforced by the model upgrade. The E-Class Cabriolet with the classic fabric top offers spaciousness and comfort on long journeys for up to four people, while the new E-Class Coupé combines the beauty and classic virtues of a grand tourer with state-of-the-art technology.”

South African customers will initially have two models available at launch.

The E200 offers a 2 litre four-cylinder engine that delivers 145 kW and 320 Nm of torque. This results in a 0-100 time of 7.5. The E300 has the same engine, which is tweaked to deliver 190 kW and 370 Nm, with a 0-100 time of 6.4 seconds.

Refined styling, inside and out The design modifications, particularly to the front sections of the E-Class Coupé and Cabriolet, bring added refinement, with flatter headlamps that feature all-LED technology. The ‘A-shape’ design of the new diamond radiator grille, which is standard on all versions, adds a particularly dynamic touch. South African models will feature the AMG line as standard for all Coupe and Cabriolet models.

A new highlight of the muscular rear section is the completely redesigned inner workings of the two-piece tail lights, featuring LED technology. The star module with integrated reversing camera is inset into the boot lid.

The interiors of the Coupé and Cabriolet combine contemporary style with sporty luxury.

The upper section of the dashboard appears to hover, resting on generously proportioned trim elements that flow through into the doors.

New-look trim options – open-pore grey ash wood and aluminium with light carbon-fibre grain – serve to enhance the interior.

The E-Class is fitted with an entirely new, intelligent steering wheel as part of the facelift. This is available as a leather steering wheel and in a super sports variant.

It is also equipped with the latest generation of the MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) multimedia system, which comes standard with two large 10.25-inch/26 cm high-resolution screens, arranged side by side for a sublime widescreen look. Two 12.3 inch/31.2 cm screens are optionally available.

Next generation driving assistance systems The new E-Class has the latest generation of Mercedes-Benz driving assistance systems, allowing the Coupé and Cabriolet to react quickly and intelligently if the driver is unable to do so. The hands-off detection feature of the steering wheel means that if the system detects that the driver does not have their hands on the steering wheel for a certain time,

a warning cascade is started, which finally activates Emergency Brake Assist if the driver continues to be inactive.

As standard, the E-Class comes with Active Brake Assist, which uses autonomous braking to prevent a collision or reduce its severity.

The system is also able to brake for stationary vehicles and crossing pedestrians at typical city speeds and even to prevent collisions.

URBAN GUARD: protection against crime In conjunction with the Mercedes me app, URBAN GUARD Vehicle Protection enables all-round monitoring of the parked vehicle. URBAN GUARD comprises an anti-theft alarm system, tow-away protection with visual and audible warning in the case of a detected change in position, an alarm siren, interior monitoring (triggers in the case of movements in the interior) as well as a preinstallation for theft and parking collision detection.

In the case of the latter, the vehicle sensors register when the parked and locked vehicle is bumped or towed, or when someone attempts to break into the vehicle. If the service is active, the driver receives detailed information via the Mercedes me App. By means of push notification, he finds out, for example, how severe and in which area of the vehicle the parking damage is. As soon as the vehicle is restarted, this information is also shown once on the media display.

Pretoria. Mercedes-AMG has unleashed its new E 53 4MATIC+ Coupé and Cabriolet to the South African market, delivering increased performance, edgier styling and an eye-catching interior filled with cutting-edge technology and upscale materials.

The new models stand out from their non-AMG counterparts with a characteristic grille and a host of exterior details. Inside, they show their pedigree with a new AMG Perfor-

mance steering wheel and the MBUX infotainment system with AMG-specific functions and displays.

with distinct appointments, luxurious materials and the current-generation MBUX infotainment system.

Under the bonnet, the electrified 3.0-litre engine with twin turbocharging via an exhaust gas turbocharger and an electric additional compressor generates an output of 320 kW and produces a peak torque of 520 Nm. This results in a 0-100km/h sprint time of 4.4 and 4.6 seconds respectively, with top speed governed to 250km/h (or 270 km/h, if the AMG Driver's Package is selected).

Visually, the two displays for the instrument cluster and multimedia displays blend beneath a shared glass cover to form the Widescreen Cockpit. With a fresh design and seamlessly integrated buttons, the new AMG Performance steering wheel creates an even closer link between human and machine.

“Our new Mercedes-AMG E 53 4MATIC+ models also offer a perfect synthesis of performance, elegance and comfort as a Coupé and Cabriolet. For lifestyle-oriented customer groups with discerning requirements in terms of performance and efficiency, both two-door models from Affalterbach are the perfect offerings,” said Johannes Fritz, Co-CEO of Mercedes-Benz South Africa and Executive Director for Mercedes-Benz Cars.

Completely restyled, striking front The design of the front view is completely new and reinforces the AMG family affiliation. The key feature is the AMG-specific radiator grille with twelve vertical louvres. The A-shaped design of the front, which becomes broader towards the bottom, and the flatter, sharper-cut all-LED headlamps create an especially powerful impression, with the similarity to the AMG GT sports car family evident.

Viewed from the side, the new 19-inch light-alloy wheels in the aerodynamically optimised 5-twin-spoke design catch the eye. As an option 20-inch light-alloy wheels in a 5-twinspoke design are available, with the optional AMG Night Package offering an even sportier appearance with outside mirror housings, window frames plus trim elements in the front and rear apron styled in high-gloss black.

Luxurious interior with specific displays The interior welcomes the occupants

An engine to enhance the AMG experience The 3.0-litre six-cylinder in-line engine is characterised by top-of-therange performance and intelligent electrification.

The engine is coupled with the AMG SPEEDSHIFT TCT 9G transmission, which impresses with extremely short shift times, fast response to shift paddle commands, a double-declutching function and multiple downshifts. It also features all-wheel drive, which combines optimal traction for dynamic driving fun with a high level of driving safety in all conditions: in the dry, in the wet or on a slippery surface.

The top speed of 250 km/h can be increased to 270 km/h with the AMG Driver‘s Package, while the brake system is optimally tuned for the power and performance of the E 53 models: the front axle features crossdrilled and internally vented 370 x 36 mm discs, with four-piston fixed callipers and AMG lettering, while the rear axle is fitted with internally vented 360 x 26 mm discs with single-piston floating callipers.

With the five Dynamic Select drive programs - Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Individual, the characteristics of the new Mercedes-AMG E53 4MATIC+ models can change from efficient and comfortable to very sporty at the touch of a finger.

The modes modify key parameters, such as the response of the engine, transmission, suspension and steering.

Continues on P26

26

www.thevillagenews.co.za

24 March 2021