The Village NEWS 26 Feb - 04 March 2020

26 FEBRUARY 2020

www.thevillagenews.co.za

THE VILLAGE

YOUR FREE COPY

NEWS #ALLOVEROVERBERG

These fishermen were catching bronze whaler sharks in full view of shark cage diving tourists on Wednesday last week.

Adjacent to them is a boat with a negotiator asking them to please cease fishing. In the close-up the carcass of a shark that was caught earlier can clearly be seen.

PHOTO: Marine Dynamics

Bronze shark fishing can sink cage diving industry Writer De Waal Steyn

T

he billion-rand shark cage diving industry in Gansbaai faces a bleak future if fishermen continue to catch bronze whaler sharks, despite shark cage diving operators paying hundreds of thousands of rands to fishermen not to catch these sharks, says Wilfred Chivell, owner of Marine Dynamics in Kleinbaai.

This issue came to a head on Wednesday 19 February when fishermen started catching

these sharks, also known as copper sharks or bronzies, in full view of shark cage diving tourists. The small population of bronze whaler sharks has provided great viewing opportunities for tourists and has ensured the viability of the shark cage diving industry during a time when great white shark sightings are more infrequent due to a variety of reasons.

“Because bronze whalers are not a protected species the Great White Shark Protection Foundation (GWSPF), a collective group of tourist operators, conservationists and shark scientists

in Kleinbaai, realised that the potential conflict between the non-consumptive tourist industry and the commercial and recreational shark fisheries could mean the death knell for their industry,” says Chivell.

“In a pro-active effort to avoid conflict, the GWSPF approached the then ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, to propose a small exclusion zone for the fishing of bronze whaler sharks. In a letter dated August 2019 minister Barbara Creecy, minister of the newly combined Department of the Environment,

Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF), indicated that she had instructed her department to commence with a multi-stakeholder meeting to discuss the proposal from GWSPF. Operators were hopeful that a compromise solution would be found, but this never happened.”

In October 2018 shark watch enthusiasts were most upset when a fisherman caught and killed a 100 kg copper shark next to where they were diving. In total four bronzies were caught and killed that morning.

Continues on P3

50% TOT

AF!

SOMER UITVERKOPING NOU AAN!

Village Square, Hermanus | 028 312 3411

Uitgesoekte voorraad. Voorraad beperk. Produkte op foto slegs aanduiding, nie noodwendig afgemerkte items

26 February 2020

3

www.thevillagenews.co.za

Schulphoek housing progress delayed Writer Raphael da Silva

G

overnment has committed itself to delivering housing opportunities on the Schulphoek site and we can no longer allow certain parts of the community to continue to delay the process, said Western Cape Minister of Human Settlements, Tertuis Simmers, at a meeting of the Greater Hermanus Stakeholders Forum (GHSF) on Sunday, 23 February.

Work on the development of a Better Living housing project has been in progress since April 2019 when a 10-member working group was established to engage on the design principles and formulate a draft development framework.

“Attempts to elect a Social Compact in Zwelihle,

whose duty it will be to represent the community during the development phase, have been frustrated by certain members of the community. Although there has been agreement all along in the GHSF meetings that a Better Living Model will be developed, we are now told by Zwelihle Renewal/Land Party that the area must rather be converted into serviced plots with electricity for people to build their own dwellings,” said Simmers.

“It’s time that our communities realise that when they make a commitment, we expect them to honour it. You can’t renege on your commitments; the current fiscal environment does not allow for it. Nor can I entertain structures or organisations who claim to talk on behalf of the majority but actually represent a minority view.

You do not have the legitimacy to talk on such a

platform. This is the reason why I want to engage with the broader community when I visit municipalities,” said the minister.

According to him, the way in which information is carried across to communities often leads to a distortion of the facts. “I will not stand for that because as a government we have come here with a clear view of where we are heading. Why is it that the message of the government is being distorted? Why is it that an entire community must be held to ransom just because certain individuals or structures can’t get their way?

I’m sick and tired of it because they are playing around with people’s lives,” added Simmers.

A planned meeting on Sunday afternoon between the minister and the community of Zwelihle was cancelled after toyi-toying and

chanting residents occupied the community hall and stage, making it impossible for him to speak.

According to the municipality’s housing demand database there are 3 445 people in Hermanus, 1 632 in Gansbaai, 689 in Stanford, 462 in Kleinmond and 571 in Hawston over the age of 35 years that are on the waiting list. These 6 799 or 61% of approximately 11 180 are given priority by government. The Schulphoek development plans for 7 500 housing opportunities, of which 50% will be reserved for the elderly, people with disabilities, child-headed households, those who have been on the waiting list the longest, and backyard dwellers. Some of the units will be reserved for young people between the ages of 18 – 35 to rent. The remaining units will be a combination of subsidised and open-market properties.

Urgent need for exclusion zone From P 1

A bronze whaler shark

According to Chivell, because no action has been forthcoming from the DEFF despite their numerous pleas, operators in Kleinbaai decided to resort to paying fishermen to stay out of the cage diving area, in an effort to keep the shark cage diving industry from imploding.

“Over the last three years operators have paid out close to R900 000 to fishermen in a desperate attempt to keep the industry afloat.

While we fully understand that fishermen can legally catch bronze whaler sharks, the minimal amount that they stand to lose by not fishing in the same area where we take our guests, cannot compare to the loss of an entire eco-tourism industry. If the capture and killing of these sharks continues in this small and specific area in which we operate, it will lead to companies closing and people losing their jobs.”

The fishermen in turn argue that the shark demersal long-line fishing operations off the South Africa coastline are depleting the stocks and in turn affecting their livelihoods. Shark operators agree that the long-line operations are impacting the entire ecosystem.

It also seems that, while local fishermen were happy to accept payment for not catching the sharks, fishermen from other parts learnt of the arrangement and are now trying to muscle in on the action and receive payment. This is not a feasible option as this, too, will in the long run be financially detrimental to the shark cage industry.

According to an insider, the bronze whaler

PHOTO: Hennie Otto, SharkWatchSA.com sharks are caught for their meat, which is exported to Australia where it is served as food, while the fins are exported to China for the shark fin soup industry. It is not against the law to export either the meat or the fins. In China shark fin soup is seen as a delicacy and a bowl of soup can sell for as much as R1 500, while dried shark fins can reach up to R10 000 per kilogram. The taste of a bowl of shark fin soup is normally derived from chicken and ham broth.

The shark fin, which has no taste, is added only for its texture. More than 73 million sharks are killed annually for their fins.

“If urgent steps are not taken to create an exclusion zone near Gansbaai for the catching of bronze whaler sharks, the industry will sink.

In Gansbaai the shark cage diving operators directly employ an estimated 250 people, and indirectly support more than 1 600 dependants.

There are nine operators in the area, and they

host over 85 000 tourists annually,” comments Chivell.

“Our companies invest millions in infrastructure and marketing that benefit the entire tourism industry in the Western Cape. We know that travellers base their decision on where to stay on the activities available in an area. Shark cage diving is one of those key activities.

“The government is spending millions on Operation Phakisa to develop the ocean economy.

Shark cage diving and boat-based whale watching are both non-consumptive industries. It is sad to think that we are sacrificing a billion-rand industry that plays a major role in employment and development in a small coastal town, for the sake of the probable R20 000 that shark fishermen will earn. We want the minister to declare an emergency exclusion zone before the stakeholder meeting is arranged so that we

can prevent any further losses,” he says.

Bronze whaler sharks are found in temperate waters and are usually seen in active groups.

Bronze whalers can grow up to 3.3m in length during their 25 to 30-year lifespan. They mature late, only able to reproduce at around 20 years of age, making them a vulnerable species.

They are considered near-threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

To further add to the woes of the shark cage industry, two orcas named Port and Starboard have not only been predating great white sharks but have now also, for the first time, started attacking bronze whaler sharks. At the beginning of the month the first case of orcas killing a bronze whaler shark for its liver and heart was reported. The incident took place in the Walker Bay area.

4

www.thevillagenews.co.za

26 February 2020

A history of the tourism economy of Hermanus Writer Dr Robin Lee

I

n 1896, two events occurred in Hermanus that began the long life of the town as a tourist destination – as it still is today.

The first event was the building of a Sanatorium in Marine Drive. Dr Hoffmann and his wife launched this initiative to provide care for patients suffering from respiratory diseases or seeking rest and recuperation in a healthy environment, such as Hermanus was known to be. In today’s terminology, they would be categorised as ‘wellness tourists’, and they make up a large part of all tourism.

The second event was a far-sighted observation by Walter MacFarlane, a first-generation descendant of a settler family. He saw a steady increase in people passing through Hermanus to do business in Stanford, Gansbaai and beyond. These trips involved at least one overnight stay, prompting McFarlane to make rooms in his own house available for rent. The positive response persuaded him to build the first hotel in Hermanus, the Victoria Hotel.

Hotels became the economic driver of development in Hermanus until the 1990s and still remain critical to the economy of the town. Many hotels followed the Victoria, and came on stream in roughly this order: Victoria Hotel (1896 – later Astoria); Central (1899 – also known as Neilson's); Masonic and Regent's Palace; Royal (1900); Marine (1902); Riviera (1904); Bay View (1921) Windsor (1930); Esplanade (1933); Cliff Lodge (1939); Ocean View (1940s); Birkenhead (1952). There were also the Stemmet Private Hotel, Windsor Lodge Hotel and Seahurst Hotel, for which I do not have firm opening dates.

Hotels boost a local economy in several ways. The hotel owner (or developer) invests capital in the town and creates jobs during the construction period. Permanent jobs of a low-skill nature are created by employment in the hotel. Tourists pay for their accommodation and spend more money in shops in the town. Tourists usually are better off than the locals, which encourages local shops to stock more expensive items, which then become available to local shoppers as well. Most tourists do not endanger the natural environment and are ‘smoke-free’ users of 3

1

the areas, as distinct from mining or manufacturing development.

But, there are certain potential negatives to tourism-led development.

Success depends on ideas about fashion preferences, and hotels can rapidly lose markets if some other destination becomes more fashionable. Local unrest or political trouble of any kind deters tourists, as do negative attitudes to tourists shown by the local population. In the 20th century, Hermanus was not affected by such events but has suffered from political protest in the 21st century.

Historically, Hermanus has had several unplanned boosts to its hotel economy just as difficulties were being experienced in the hotel business as a result of the Depression.

World War II saw many thousands of Allied troops flooding the town on leave, with occupancy of hotels regularly exceeding 100%. The Marine permanently made available five ‘beds’ under the billiard table for latecomers. And, in the 1990s, as angling declined, the southern right whales returned and Hermanus became the top land-based whale watching town in the world, with distinct benefits to the hotel industry.

Hermanus has also had an advantage arising from the hundreds of ‘holiday homes’ built in the town.

This is combined with what is called the ‘visiting friends and relatives’ (VFR) form of tourism when owners of holiday homes have members of the extended family on visits.

The first holiday home was built by Hendrik Cloete near the mouth of the Kleinivier, in 1794.

Since then, the number of holiday homes has continued to increase.

Early holiday homes were built near the village of Hermanuspietersfontein, and took off in Voëlklip in the 1920s. During that decade, a building construction family named Moore built dozens of cottages in the fishermen’s style for families that visited once or twice a year.

Large-scale development of holiday homes has several impacts on the local economy. Capital is invested in the building; jobs are created for low-skilled construction workers; local materials are bought; the owners pay ‘rates and taxes’ to the local authority; during holidays at the family home, tourists spend in local retail outlets. Recent research has shown

2

that holiday homeowners spend up to R7 000 during two weeks they are in residence, compared to R1 000 spent during the same time by conventional tourists.

The interests of tourists have changed over time, but Hermanus has been able to find ways to meet new demands. My analysis of tourism activities reveals six types of tourism over the 165 years of Hermanus history:

•

•

•

From the 1890s to 1930s and 2000 to 2020 – wellness and medical tourism: This class of tourists was generally well-off, and their spending had a positive effect on the local economy, disproportionate to their numbers.

A similar, but smaller version of this kind of tourism emerged in the early 21st century, with the opening of the Mediclinic and the Oncology Centre and the availability of medical specialists.

From 1900 to date – tourists seeking a physically active holiday: For these tourists, fishing, golf, bowls, sailing, hiking, mountain biking and other physical activities are paramount.

Hermanus has produced a large number of clubs and societies, such as the Hermanus Golf Club, Bowling Club and Angling Club, and invested in facilities to satisfy this class of holidaymaker. Today, adventure activities include shark cage diving, mountain biking, paragliding, kitesurfing and ‘extreme sports’.

From the early 1900s to date – those seeking a ‘back-to-na-

•

•

ture’ holiday: This group enjoys camping in a decent camping ground, cooking for themselves over an open fire, and generally being ‘outdoorsy’. Hermanus has not been so successful in catering to this group, and even the De Mond Caravan Park closed some years ago. Onrus does provide for these tourists, but the absence of these facilities in Hermanus is a gap in the Overstrand tourism strategy.

From the 1920s to date – wealthy people seeking complete leisure, preferably pampered, in classy surroundings, socialising with people of a similar upper class and willing to pay more for this: Most of this group stayed at one of the thirteen hotels operating in the period 1920 to 1960 when this class of holidaymaker flocked to Hermanus. Unfortunately, there are few statistics available, except for The Marine Hotel, which hosted guests ranging from British and European royalty and aristocracy to wealthy businesspeople, politicians and artists.

From the 1940s to date – families seeking an affordable holiday: Renting a holiday house or rooms in a home, close to the famous bathing beaches for children. There are records of families taking such holidays as early as 1902 when it took two days to get to Hermanus from Cape Town. Mr Sidney Gearing (after his retirement, Mayor of Hermanus) took this journey annually to his large family home in Marine Drive, regularly renting a house

1. Visitors playing golf in front of the Bay View Hotel.

2. The Riviera Hotel, circa 1910.

3. The Onrus Hotel, 1945.

4. A second storey was added to the Riviera Hotel in 1918 and next to it was the first bowling green in Hermanus.

PHOTOS: Old Harbour Museum

•

known as The Anchorage.

From the 1920s to date – travellers seeking an environmental experience, with the emphasis first on ‘wildflower’ (fynbos) viewing, and then extending to hiking in nature and whale watching. In modern terms, these are known as eco-tourists. Most analysts agree that this group is the wave of the future as they have so many positive impacts on the host locality, and generally very few negative impacts. Members of this group are usually older, more affluent and more aware of the damage they might cause to their surroundings. Often, they arrive in organised groups and are more likely to tell friends about their experience, thereby sustaining the flow of holidaymakers.

In conclusion, the tourist economy sustained the town for at least six decades during the 20th century and is still the primary source of revenue now.

Tourists have boosted the town’s wealth, but have created a skewed economy, heavily weighted towards a service economy rather than a productive one.

4

5

www.thevillagenews.co.za

26 February 2020

Local’s maths project adds up to success throughout the province. This was followed by requests from the North West Education Department for all its schools and from Gauteng for 1 000 schools.

Writer & photographer Elaine Davie

H

ermanus will soon be represented on the international stage in Paris when resident Tracey Butchart and two of her associates do a presentation on their ground-breaking Reflective Learning maths project.

The presentation will be given during Mobile Learning Week (MLW), the United Nations’ flagship event on digital technologies in education. This event has been organised by UNESCO for the past eight years. The 2020 conference will take place in Paris during the first week of March under the theme Artificial Intelligence and Inclusion.

MLW 2020 will provide a global platform to demonstrate promising applications and practices that leverage AI to advance inclusion and equity in education and to ensure that the AI revolution will not further widen digital divides, gender gaps and inequalities in access to quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all.

In low-income countries, only 44 students in the poorest quintile complete primary school for every 100 in the richest. Of the 44 students, only 23 complete lower secondary and 11 complete upper secondary school. “The disparities in access to quality learning opportunities further exacerbate the income divide in many societies, presenting a multigenerational vicious cycle of learning poverty and financial poverty,” says UNESCO. These are exactly the problems Tracey’s Reflective Learning programme is addressing, with remarkable success. Our own Minister of Basic Education recently invited Tracey to give a presentation to all the provincial Education MECs and Gauteng and KwaZulu Natal have both already indicated they would like to implement the programme. Expressions of interest have also been received from the Indian Government.

Tracey is over the moon about this invitation to attend the Paris conference. “Apart from the thrill of giving our own presentation, it will be a wonderful opportunity to attend some of the other stimulating inter-

Tracey began to feel as if the project was running away with her: she was writing all the materials herself and although teachers were taught how to use them, few were doing so effectively. But just as she was beginning to feel thoroughly disillusioned, she was approached by an Mpumalanga NGO, Uplands Outreach, in 2012. Like Penryn, Uplands is a private school in the Lowveld which reaches out to poorer schools to assist with teacher upskilling and learner enrichment programmes.

Tracey Butchart in her home study in Hermanus. national workshops and discussion groups,” she says.

Tracey believes that any child can master maths. The key is to focus on learning, rather than teaching – there is a difference. Another cornerstone concept is that maths, unlike most other subjects, is incremental in structure. If there is no solid foundation, the building will collapse.

Tracey’s life-long journey as a maths and science teacher has also been incremental, leading her step by step to the development of a very simple, yet ground-breaking approach to education and maths in particular. She had wanted to teach since she was a child, but when she arrived for her first job, expecting to teach biology, she was told that the school’s real need was for a maths and science teacher, take it or leave.

She took it… never anticipating the exciting journey of discovery that would lie ahead.

Fortunately, she was mentored by a senior teacher, later long-term Hermanus resident, Mary-Ann Evenhuis who encouraged her to explore creative, if unconventional ways of teaching science. However, she also noticed that in the maths department, the strugglers were receiving short shrift. The teachers tended to focus on the star pupils and the rest were left to flounder on until they dropped out of maths altogether. These were the children who challenged her.

After marrying husband, Duncan (the well-known environmental-

ist, author and artist), the couple moved to Nelspruit in Mpumalanga, where Tracey was appointed as the first high school teacher at Penryn College, a newly-established private school between Nelspruit and White River where she took on the portfolio of maths, science, design and technology in 1994.

When the outcomes-based curriculum was introduced in 2005, the headmaster, Roger Cameron challenged Tracey to give some thought to designing a formative assessment system in the classroom which placed the focus on learners.

They would be able to assess for themselves what they knew, what they didn’t know and what they needed to know, and to navigate a teacher-guided pathway to achieve the best possible results.

This concept so excited Tracey that she found a computer programmer who would be able to digitalise the tools she was writing. After a presentation on her science assessment programme at an IEB conference, 32 schools signed up to buy the software, and requests began streaming in for similar programmes for maths, accounting and English.

By this time the work had begun to take over her life and she left Penryn to focus exclusively on developing assessment tools for the Foundation, Intermediate and Senior educational phases. She was invited to give a presentation at a conference organised by the Western Cape Education Department which indicated that it would like to introduce her system

In Annual National Assessments (ANAs) for maths, Grade 9 learners in Mpumalanga schools had achieved an average of 9%! Tracey had always felt chilcren like this would benefit from a more personalised approach to learning maths, so when Uplands asked her to design an intervention for them, she jumped at the opportunity. Fifty Grade 9 learners were selected to undergo a baseline diagnostic assessment. These were the 'best' maths students in their respective schools and had indicated that they wanted to continue with maths in Grade 10.

The assessment results were shocking, yielding a 26% average. No pupil achieved more than 47% or was anywhere near Grade 9 level; most were somewhere between Grades 3 and 6 (five were even lower). Tracey asked to have these learners every Saturday morning for catch-up lessons. Her aim was to move away completely from rote learning to a state where the children could become independent and self-sustaining, capable of logical thinking and problem-solving.

After working with them on Saturday mornings for one year, they had caught up by 4 to 6 grade levels and were able to continue with the regular Uplands programme until they wrote matric three year later.

There had been a 98% retention rate over three years and 97% attendance. Two thirds achieved Bachelor passes, 10% achieved distinctions in maths (one was among the province’s top 10 achievers), all passed at diploma level and all achieved

three times the national average in maths. Most were granted university bursaries and went on to study pharmacy, medicine, law. Twelve chose education and, most exciting of all for Tracey, six have become specialist maths teachers.

Since moving to Hermanus in 2014 her work on maths assessment and learning has gone into orbit. Along with LightSwitch, a tech company in Cape Town, she founded Reflective Learning which uses sophisticated algorithms to enable learners to track back to the source of their maths problems. Self-administered diagnostics measure their functional grade level in maths, rather than which grade they are actually in.

Customised learning materials then enable individuals to progress from their functional grade level to their actual grade level, shoring up the foundations.

In particular, she has been working with 2 000 learners in Gauteng and the Eastern Cape who are being supported by the Telkom Foundation and are showing greatly improved results. “The transformative assessment process is built around the 81 key mathematical concepts each child has to learn incrementally from Foundation Phase to Grade 9”, she explains. “If you can’t count, you can’t add, and if you can’t add, you can’t multiply and so on… If you miss out on something along the way, you will simply fall further and further behind.” Accordingly, she has written online concept-building materials personalised for each learner, based on their diagnostic results for each of the 81 maths concepts from Foundation Phase to Grade 9.

Now working towards a doctorate, Tracey estimates that she has already written two thirds of the length of the Bible and is nowhere close to the finish line. With the maths programme almost completed, science is well on its way, to be followed by English next. In terms of world-wide educational development, Hermanus-based Tracey Butchart is up there with the leaders. And no country needs her skills more than ours.

Further information is available on www.reflectivelearning.co.za or YouTube https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=tB9947ye3I0&t=4s

6

www.thevillagenews.co.za

FROM THE EDITOR

26 February 2020

But as The Village NEWS expounds: if there is no good news, we must at least try to find the good in the news.

Let us stop the news from becoming bad There are no two ways about it, the world finds itself in a very precarious place. No matter where you turn, you are always likely to find a good dose of bad news just around the corner.

the globe to have you nervously scrolling past to look at pictures of cats. And yes, traditional print media is not innocent, although some still try to separate the wheat from the chaff.

If it is not world powers meddling in one another’s affairs, it is the latest corruption scandal or shocking crime statistic.

Open any of your social media accounts and BAM! there is enough bad news from across

In this day and age, with electronic communication able to spread around the globe in seconds, it is no wonder that many of us simply feel overloaded by information, oftentimes not knowing how to interpret it.

A prime example of this would be the threat facing the shark cage diving industry. This important sector of our local economy is under threat as the shark fishing industry wipes out the very sharks that draw tens of thousands of visitors to our shores every year. On the other hand, fishermen are simply trying to make a living from the ever-decreasing natural fish stock.

A double whammy of bad news indeed.

But while the truth of over-com-

mercialised fishing, rampant poaching and deplorable levels of pollution does not sit well with us, we must retell the facts in order to stop it from becoming worse news. By relaying the plight of the shark cage industry as well as that of the fishermen and thereby mobilising support to create a sustainable environment for both industries we are finding the good in the news.

We must alert those around us as well as the authorities of this shocking state of affairs and demand that our voices be heard, so that emergency solutions are put in place, rather than simply setting up yet another talk shop.

This is the good NEWS – Ed

The Bonfire of the Antiquities priceless relics to ensure they were catalogued and preserved for posterity. This they did with pick ’n shovel, sweat ’n tears and unbridled determination, and since then these treasures have been heavily guarded, with the custodianship ceremoniously handed down through generations of Glute’s bloodline.

By Murray Stewart stewart49@gmail.com Well, it’s taken a few months but we finally managed to drag the Duck ’n Fiddle into the 2020s, and for those unfamiliar with the history behind The Duck, here’s a quick catch-up.

During the Dark Ages (from the Roman Empire’s demise to the Renaissance), ancient manuscripts and invaluable sacred artefacts were scattered all across Europe and the Middle East, but without the foresight and metaphorical scrotum of one woman from Naples, all could have been lost forever.

Although strikingly beautiful, she was an imposing warrior – abnormally large and bulgingly buxom, with the unfortunate name of Glutinous Maximus, but it didn’t bother her one bit. That was behind her.

Glute, as the gals called her, together with a band of intrepid salvage-mongers, set about recovering these

This is where King Arthur pops up.

Glute, it turned out, was an ancestor from high up his family tree planted centuries before. But now that his grandmother had recently croaked from an overdose of herbal hallucinogenics, and his parents had been taken by crocodiles years before while on safari in Botswana, the stewardship of these scrolls and artefacts landed in his lap.

As a result, he established the first Duck ’n Fiddle, initially as a hostel for travellers through Sherwood Forest, but mainly as an archive for these priceless treasures, which he carefully catalogued and kept updated in the vaults beneath The Duck.

While quaffing sundowners one evening in the local shebeen, Arthur bumped into the eleven players from his village football team drinking around a huge round table, and after knighting them, commissioned them to guard those invaluable relics. (He

was the Twelfth Knight.)

When he snuffed it and ended up in Avalon, his brother became the steward of the archives – Bob of the Round Table. Tracing the trickle of his bloodline is messy, but our Bob got around a bit, and ended up spawning mini-Bobs with a barmaid while searching for the Holy Grail in the Scottish Highlands.

Well, the story goes that she bumped off Bob one night while he was fishing, and maintained the Loch Ness Monster had claimed him. As a result, her eldest son inherited the guardian duties, and through generations of schlepping the treasures between wars and various continents, the stewardship ended up in Southern Africa.

They were secretly stored in a location in Heaven’s Valley somewhere near the now famous Duck ’n Fiddle private resort and conference centre.

Anyway, enough about the history already. With today’s cutting- edge technology, stressing about preserving these ancient scrolls and treasures is over.

In the dark and dusty underground caverns and vaults, shelf after shelf of disintegrating scrolls and manu-

18°/21° Partly Cloudy

Thu | 27 Feb

19°/20° Cloudy

Fri | 28 Feb

Sat | 29 Feb

18°/22° Partly Cloudy

Anyway, as you can imagine, they had skip-loads of these dusty old scrolls to dump somewhere, and with our recycling plant recently uprooted, they decided (with sponsorship from a local gin distiller) to burn them all in a series of festive bonfires behind The Duck. Being the holiday season, it was a roaring success. Steve Hofmeyr nearly came.

The old ‘solid’ objects were just given away to local bric-a-brac shops seeing there were dozens of identical replicas. But here’s a tip: ancient scrolls, especially on papyrus if still available, make excellent kindling for a braai. Older the better.

Talisman Tool Hire

Sun | 1 Mar

17°/27° Clear

As for the ‘solids’ like statues, mummies, pottery and jewels, the purchase of a 3D printer proved invaluable. Within weeks they managed to reproduce all those old relics, and in fact made an extra dozen or so of each for resale. Believe me, you can’t tell the difference, so mum’s the word.

Proudly Sponsored By

WEEKLY WEATHER & DE BOS DAM LEVELS Wed | 26 Feb

scripts were photographed on the latest Apple iPhone, with the help of a fairly good camping torch. These parchments and scribblings on crumbling papyrus are now digitally captured forever in a cloud somewhere, so shelves and elves slide out as technology slides in.

18°/22° Clear

Mon | 2 Mar

20°/24° Partly Cloudy

22:58 04:53 10:53 17:01

High Low High Low

05:21 11:24 17:29 23:24

028 313 0144

Tue | 3 Mar

21°/28° Clear

Weekly Rainfall De Bos Dam This week 47.19% This week 8.4 mm Previous week Previous week 1 mm 49.36%

WEEKLY TIDE TABLES HIGH LOW HIGH LOW

Contact Us

Tides sourced by www.tide-forecast. com

High Low High Low

05:50 11:56 17:58 23:52

High Low High Low

06:20 12:30 18:29

High Low High Low

06:48 13:04 19:12 01:07

High Low High Low

07:33 14:01 20:13 02:00

High Low High Low

08:43 15:32 21:54

LET'S TALK Healthy and robust debate are crucial for democracy. The Village NEWS firmly believes in freedom of the press as well as the right of individuals to freely express themselves, as long as they don’t infringe upon the rights of others. The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors therefore do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of The Village NEWS. Letters may be shortened and/or edited for clarity and style. Enjoy our paper. Send your letters to dewaal@thevillagenews.co.za.

Do your bit to assist with baboon management The baboon monitoring programme recently implemented by Human Wildlife Solutions will clearly take some time to effect changes in the troops’ habits. This is a highly specialised approach to baboon management and has been successful in several areas of the Cape Peninsula for many years.

The fundamental issue, in the high-density suburban environment, remains poor refuse management.

For almost a year, the Hermanus Baboon Action Group (HBAG) has been campaigning regularly in the media, on the Hermanus Baboons website and Facebook page, as well as WhatsApp neighbourhood watch groups, for residents to take their domestic refuse management seriously.

7

www.thevillagenews.co.za

26 February 2020

Baboons adore sugary and starchy human-derived foods and domestic refuse bags and open bins provide easy access. HBAG appeals again to all residents, property management companies, letting agents, cleaning services and staff, and weekenders, to always secure their refuse bins with baboon-proof devices and to never put refuse bags anywhere on the pavement or the inside of any property. All refuse must be secured.

unacceptable. Please, this community must try harder!

Last weekend’s incident in Voëlklip took place on a property where the refuse bin was not secured. This property will remain an easy target for as long as the owners refuse to manage their refuse responsibly. Complaining about baboon raids when your own refuse is not managed properly, is

More info about baboon-proof locking devices can be found on www.hermanusbaboons.co.za under ‘Contacts’. Visit our facebook page @hermanusbaboons or check in with our website for regular updates.

It’s up to all of us. We all want the monitoring programme to work, but we all need to be participants, rather than observers. Report problem neighbours to Francois Pretorius at Overstrand Waste Management on 028 313 8092 or send an email to info@hermanusbaboons.co.za. The Baboon Hotline is 071 588 6540.

Free-range children, chickens and dogs While municipal officials are clucking around their colour-coded beaches and baboon problems, there are animals and children running riot in the middle of Church Street opposite the Beach Club. They emerge without warning from their land grab shacks and it's only a matter of time before a fatal collision occurs.

When packs of large dogs run in front of one's vehicle and start chewing the tyres, one is forced to stop. If one hoots, the shack inhabitants soon appear and the hostility is palpable.

When one is forced to open the car's window and explain in a reasonable, polite manner that their toddlers and "pets" are in danger, there is zero response.

Praying that the feral dogs will not be injured, one is forced to drive on

slowly, as, should they be run over, there is no chance that they will receive veterinarian care. One can only imagine the crying dog left to die a slow, agonising death. As for the children…

To all the useless leaders who allowed this shanty town to develop, I ask in the words of the late John Lennon: 'How do you sleep at night?' The Municipality receives rates payments from 324 Beach Club owners. Have they spent one cent on improving the situation? NO. Will they do so?

NO. Carry on playing with your colour charts and baboon monitoring as we are just, literally, thrown to the wolves. You should hang your heads in shame.

Cathy Gibson

PHOTO: David Wilson

Pat Redford, HBAG

Hermanus Botanical Society celebrates 60 years In 1960 Eric Jones founded the Hermanus Botanical Society (HBS) and in the preface to the book, Fernkloof Nature Reserve the late Mayor Rudolph Smith said: “The Overstrand Municipality commends the Society on this very special project and we trust this beautiful book will ensure that Fernkloof Nature Reserve (FNR) remains Hermanus’ number one tourist attraction”.

The FNR, which includes the Cliff Path and Hoy’s Koppie, is indeed a treasure. There is a growing body of evidence confirming that we need nature for our health and well-being.

As John Muir said, “Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wilderness is a necessity.”

As such, many tourists visit Hermanus because of its unique sense of place

and Hermanus remains one of the top destinations for eco-tourism. The Wildlife Trusts in England have indicated they would like to see nature high up on the political agenda and viewed in the same way as health, security and education. The Hermanus Botanical Society has endeavoured to do just this and credit must be paid to certain individuals:

have worked tirelessly to organise an annual Flower Festival where children from disadvantaged communities can come and enjoy interactions with nature. Stalls run by people from our diverse cultures together raise funds which all go to improving the facilities of the FNR and where the beauty of our fynbos is showcased for all to enjoy.

Di Marais the chairperson of the HBS, and her team have ensured under her tutelage that fit and disabled people can enjoy hiking and enjoy the splendour of the gardens from a wheel-chair. She has created an internationally-recognised herbarium that botanists view from all over the globe. Interesting talks are arranged and so many Hermanus residents continue to learn about this special place.

Anina Lee has been responsible for organising numerous workshops dealing with exciting aspects of nature and these have been shared at all the schools in Hermanus, Zwelihle, Gansbaai, Mount Pleasant and Hawston.

Mary Anne Verster and her team

I salute all these people and my birthday wish for the society is that it continues to flourish for many years to come as the hub of Hermanus’ ecotourism.

Kathie Buley

Photographic outing to De Kelders Members of the Hermanus Photographic Society went on an outing on Saturday 22 February to the Walker Bay Nature Reserve and De Kelders, which not only presented good photographic opportunities but also outdoor fun for the members, their family and friends.

After meeting up at De Kelders at 07:00 (those who were keen on capturing the sunrise were there even earlier, at 06:00), the group spent the morning in the Walker Bay Reserve, taking photographs, walking, swimming and exploring

the caves and rock pools. Above is Phil Sturgess, taking photographs from the rocks.

The Hermanus Photographic Society is affiliated to the Photographic Society of South Africa (PSSA). Members meet on the first Wednesday of every month at 19:00 at the Dutch Reformed Church, Hermanus.

For more information, visit www. hermanusphoto.co.za or contact Elizma Fourie on 082 499 5116 or info@hermanusphoto.co.za.

8

www.thevillagenews.co.za

26 February 2020

MY ENVIRONMENT

Does the coronavirus offer some hope for pangolins?

By Dr Anina Lee

If you believe that a picture is worth a 1 000 words, then you should follow our profile on Instagram – just search for @thevillagenews!

Throughout the week, our awardwinning resident photographer, Taylum Meyer, posts photographs and videos from events and news happening in the Overberg.

E

nvironmentalists noticed the irony in the news that the deadly, novel coronavirus pandemic that started in China in December 2019 had been traced to pangolins. After all, until the past few months, the pangolin was the world’s most trafficked and endangered mammal.

Pangolins are massively over-harvested for Chinese markets, an over-exploitation which is driving the animals to extinction across the world. Markets, such as the one in Wuhan where the epidemic originated, sell a vast smorgasbord of exotic animals for consumption – from live wolf pups and snakes, to bats and pangolins.

Now the pangolin has seemingly struck back.

Highly endangered pangolins appear to be vectors for the deadly viral strain. This has unleashed a global health emergency and resulted in a temporary national ban in China on the consumption and trade of wildlife products.

ABOVE: The novel coronavirus pandemic that started in China in December 2019 has been traced to pangolins which, until recently, were the world’s most trafficked and endangered mammal.

PHOTO: Getty Images BELOW: A coronavirus looks like a bouncy ball with tiny ‘spikes’ fused across its surface. It was named after these tiny spikes which, at high magnification, resemble a halo or corona.

PHOTO: American Society for Microbiology

Many conservationists have expressed the hope that the ban will be permanent. If so, pangolins may still save many of the world’s other endangered vertebrates – tigers, elephants, lions, rhinos, giraffes – and, dare we hope, wildcaught abalone.

We don’t want you only to follow us on Instagram though – The Village NEWS loves to follow you too! Especially if you're a local business.

We currently follow over 2 500 informative and inspiring Instagram profiles across the Overberg region... from chefs, to wine estates, restaurants, artists, musicians, sportsmen and more.

Tag us in your stories and posts, and mention us in commments so that we can feature you or a friend if we feel it would be something our followers would be interested in.

The new virus has had many names in a short time. The latest is COVID-19, not naming the virus, but the disease – Coronavirus Disease-19 (because it appeared in 2019). The DNA of a Coronavirus found in pangolins appears to offer a near-perfect match for the current outbreak of COVID-19, an acute respiratory disease that has killed hundreds.

At least 16 of 21 Malayan pangolins handed to a rescue centre by anti-smuggling authorities in March 2019 died. A study revealed that “most of the dead pangolins had a swollen lung which contained a frothy liquid, as well as the symptom of pulmonary fibrosis”. The symptoms are similar to those now displayed by infected humans.

Although the carrier species for COVID-19 has not been confirmed, bats are the probable “natural reservoir host”. Scientists have also traced the SARS and Ebola epidemics – both coronavirus members – to bats.

So if the new virus originated in bats, how did it manage to jump to humans, and where does the pangolin fit into the story?

Coronaviruses are not new. For example, the common flu is caused by a coronavirus. So let’s take a closer look at these viruses.

#thevillagenews #alloveroverberg www.pressreader.com www.issuu.com/dwaal 083 700 3319 theagency@thevillagenews.co.za

cleic Acid) as their genetic material, rather than DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid). RNA is a single strand of genetic material, whereas the DNA structure is the classic double-stranded helix.

If we look inside a coronavirus we will see that it consists of a capsule and membrane (with spikes growing from its surface) enclosing the coiled RNA. The RNA is a lot bigger than in other RNA viruses. When any organism replicates (multiplies) it has to copy its genetic material.

DNA copying is very precise, with many safety mechanisms that prevent it from making mistakes in the copying.

Not so RNA copying. It is much more prone to mistakes creeping in. And the longer the RNA strand, the more mistakes can happen. Mistakes represent mutations. Most mutations are harmful to the organism, but a very small number confer an advantage to the virus. Since viruses multiply extremely rapidly, these beneficial mutations can spread relatively quickly.

This is why so many new kinds of coronaviruses keep cropping up. It’s also why they are so hard to fight – it’s hard to hit a constantly changing target with vaccines and drugs.

A coronavirus looks like a bouncy ball with tiny ‘spikes’ fused across its surface. At high magnification, these little spikes resemble a halo or corona – hence the name coronavirus. It is the physical structure of these little glycoprotein spikes that determines whether a particular virus is able to attach to and invade a particular host cell.

There is a major difference between coronaviruses that cause a cold and those that cause a severe illness. The common cold virus primarily infects the upper respiratory tract (the nose and throat), whereas the virus that causes COVID-19 thrives in the lower respiratory tract (the lungs) and can lead to pneumonia.

Coronaviruses (like HIV) contain RNA (Ribonu-

That’s not all. Viruses have the ability to mix and

match their RNA. So a mutation or characteristic beneficial to one virus can be transferred to another virus should they end up in the same host. This is what possibly could have happened with COVID-19. The pathogenic bat virus cannot be transferred directly to humans, but it’s a different story if it should end up in the same animal with another virus that can. That animal was probably a pangolin. It’s quite possible that pangolins can ingest bat poo together with the termites on which they feed.

One researcher sums it up: “In general, bringing animals together in close proximity increases the chances of viruses crossing between animals and being able to share genetic information, thus creating viruses that can potentially threaten humans. In this case, it appears a pangolin virus and bat virus found themselves in the same animal, which led to a devastating recombination event, creating the pandemic strain. This may have happened in the wild, or where these animals were brought together in unnaturally close proximity.”

It is reported that every year, as many as 2.7 million wild pangolins are plucked from central Africa’s forests alone. Pangolin meat is popular as a high-end restaurant delicacy and, in 2019, in just two seizures, Singapore authorities confiscated 26 tons of scales that were destined for use in traditional Chinese medicines.

We can but hope that this unfortunate event in human health will at least favour the fortunes of the pangolin.

THE VILLAGE

EXPLORER

FOOD & WINE | EVENTS | ART | NATURE

World-class pianist comes to Stanford Writer Hedda Mittner

S

tanford Valley Guest Farm, in association with Sharon Young Events and Hermanuspietersfontein, is proud to present a solo piano concert by internationally acclaimed pianist, Melvyn Tan. Lovers of classical music will not want to miss this rare opportunity to see Tan in action as he provides an hour of ‘Romance and Passion’ with a programme of exquisite music, from Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata to Chopin’s 2 Scherzos Op 20 and 31, in the tranquil environment of the Stanford Valley Guest Farm.

PHOTO: Buskaid

Melvyn Tan was born in Singapore in 1956 and showed prodigious musical talent during childhood. At the age of 12, he travelled halfway across the world to England to study at the Yehudi Menuhin School, where his piano teachers – Nadia Boulanger, Vlado Perlemuter and Marcel Ciampi – sparked his lifelong passion for French music in general and the works of Debussy, Ravel and Messiaen in particular.

He furthered his studies at the Royal College of Music and in 1980, two years after enrolling, he took the brave – and forward-looking at the time – decision to specialise in fortepiano, an early form of the piano for which the great classical composers such as Haydn, Mozart, Chopin, Liszt, Brahms and the young Beethoven composed their music. During Beethoven's lifetime, the fortepiano began a period of steady evolution, culminating in the late 19th century with the modern grand. The earlier fortepiano became obsolete but was revived in the 20th century, following the rise of interest in historically-informed performance by pianists like Tan. This decision was rewarded by rapid professional progress over the following decade. Tan forged an enlightened artistic partnership with British conductor Sir Roger Norrington and the London Classical Players, intensified in 1987 during the course of a landmark tour of Europe, America, Canada, Australia and Japan. Capacity audiences attended their Beethoven Experience weekend at London’s South Bank Centre and subsequent international tour, during which Tan performed on Beethoven’s Broadwood fortepiano of 1817.

Exploration, insight and imagination are vital ingredients in Tan’s blend of artistic attributes.

His pioneering performances in the 1980s established his international reputation and he

PHOTO: Eoin Carey

Melvyn Tan performed a Mozart paino concerto at Buiskaid's 21st anniversary in Johannesburg in 2018 (above).

Acclaimed international pianist, Melvyn Tan (above), will perform a solo piano concert at Stanford Valley Guest Farm (right) on 21 March.

PHOTO: Travelground.com continues to cast fresh light on music conceived for the piano’s early and modern forms. Tan possesses a profound understanding of his instrument’s history, its technical evolution and musical development. His performances of piano masterworks, whether on a late 18th century fortepiano or today’s concert grand, penetrate the surface of interpretive traditions and received wisdom to reveal countless expressive nuances and rarely-heard tonal contrasts.

Acclaimed for the wit and poetry of his playing, Tan has also received ovations for his bold programming and exceptional ability to switch between fortepiano and modern piano, even in the same recital. His mature musicianship is informed by extensive knowledge of his instrument and its historic development, and his ability to apply lessons learned on pianos from the past to conjure

subtle new colours, fine details of articulation and delicate shadings from the modern concert instrument.

Tan’s four-decade career as recitalist, chamber musician and concerto soloist has taken him to many of the world’s leading concert halls, from the Amsterdam Concertgebouw and Vienna's Konzerthaus to New York’s Lincoln Center, and London’s Wigmore and Royal Festival Halls. He has performed at the festivals of Salzburg, Edinburgh, La Roque d’Anthéron, Bath’s Mozartfest and the City of London festival.

This will not be Tan’s first visit to South Africa. He is an enthusiastic and long-standing supporter of Buskaid, the charitable music project in Soweto, listed by Gramophone Magazine as one of the world’s ten most inspiring orchestras. On their

21st anniversary in 2018, Tan performed a Mozart piano concerto with them in Johannesburg’s Linder Auditorium, where his sparkling virtuosity literally brought the house down.

Tan’s concert at Stanford Valley Guest Farm will take place on Saturday 21 March. There will be two performances – one at 14:30 and the second one at 18:30. Tickets are R365 pp and can be booked at any Pick n Pay branch, the Hermanus Tourism Bureau or online at www.webtickets.co.za. For lunch or dinner reservations at Stanford Manor House restaurant or accommodation in one of Stanford Valley Guest Farm’s delightful cottages, contact 072 198 0862 or info@stanfordvalley.co.za.

Visit www.melvyntan.com / www.stanfordvalley. co.za

10 | FOOD & WINE

What's Cooking

26 February 2020

It’s good and clean and fresh By Hedda Mittner

I

t’s always gratifying to see a local business doing well. In the case of Emilia Knight’s Gallery Café and Deli, her growing popularity and the enthusiastic support she receives from locals and visitors alike, are well deserved, as a more passionate, dedicated and hard-working entrepreneur would be hard to find.

Key to Emilia’s success is her boundless energy and inspired creativity, which she attributes to the simple fact that she loves what she’s doing. As the only vegan/vegetarian eatery and deli in Hermanus, Emilia’s heavenly plantbased meals and treats have seduced her customers to embrace ‘clean eating’, which she says is “not a diet but a happy and healthy lifestyle”.

ABOVE LEFT: The delightful courtyard garden of The Gallery Café at Walker Bay Modern Art Gallery.

ABOVE: Emilia on her ebike which she recently acquired for her new delivery service.

Her innovative menu consists of what Emilia calls “simple, unadulterated, good-mood food”, with the focus on fresh, locally-sourced ingredients and the enjoyment of food in its most natural state. “When I opened in October 2018, people told me I was cuckoo,” Emilia remembers with a chuckle. “But I knew it was going to work. People have reacted so positively that the time was clearly ripe for a different approach.”

The Gallery Café’s reviews on TripAdvisor bear witness to the fact that Emilia is onto a good thing. “So impressed.

This is an experience! We all like eating nutritious healthy and tasty food. Emilia gets it right and in addition she is a warm, super-friendly host,” wrote a reviewer from Switzerland. “Our favourite place to eat in Hermanus! Beautiful location, delicious food and outstanding personal service from Emilia!” enthuses another.

One from the UK says, “The cutest deli in Hermanus with coffee and cake to die for! The cheesecake is in my opinion the best I’ve ever tasted – it really was that good,” while another, also from the UK, exclaims, “What a find… Absolutely fab!” Most of the reviews mention Emilia’s cheesecake, proclaiming it the “best cheesecake in recent memory!” and even “the best cheesecake in the world”.

What I especially enjoy about Emilia’s

“ The harmony between well executed food and a perfectly paired beer is unmistakable.”

LEFT: Emilia's son Scott serving a portion of her famous cheesecake. Scott has joined his mom as front of house, while his younger brother Oscar assists in the Deli.

PHOTOS: Hedda Mittner

approach is how she’s shown that healthy eating doesn’t have to be boring. Her food is not only innovative and delicious – it’s exciting, colourful and pretty. Who knew healthy eating could be this much fun? And forget about depriving yourself of wicked treats – Emilia serves plenty of those, too. “I’m a Libran and for me it’s all about balance,” she says. “I believe it’s healthy to live in contrast.”

In addition to her famous cheesecake, Emilia has perfected the art of creating croissants that are simply irresistible, ranging from orange and almond, marmite and cheese, homemade lemon curd and cream, to Turkish Delight croissants. The latter is made with rose geranium-infused almond paste and Lindt white chocolate, sprinkled with pistachios and rose petals. (Just writing about it is enough to make my mouth water.) And then there are her equally famous sourdough breads, which now

come in various colours, from black (charcoal) to blue (butterfly pea flower) to yellow (turmeric and pumpkin seed oil). There really does not seem to be any end to her creativity.

The Gallery Café, for those who have not discovered it yet, is situated behind the Walker Bay Modern Art Gallery in Main Road, and Emilia makes full use of the leafy courtyard, where customers can sit in the shade of a large Stinkwood tree, surrounded by beautiful artworks and with the gentle sounds of a water feature in the background.

teas and coffees, and a few lunch specials. Her business has grown organically as the demand increased, and her menu now offers a variety of breakfasts, sandwiches, platters, salads, sweets and treats, hot and cold drinks, smoothies and fresh juices. She has just received her liquour licence and is in the process of stocking up on local wines.

The cosy interior is filled with her personal touches, including crockery and vases from her home and odd pieces of upcycled furniture. The premises are also accessible from High Street, where the deli is located.

In November last year she opened the deli as an extension of The Gallery Café, where she and her team have to work in a tiny kitchen, so the extra space of the deli kitchen comes in very handy.

Emilia also utilises this space for her monthly plant-based food workshops.

Her latest venture is a delivery service by ebike, with Emelia herself doing the pedalling and personally delivering orders for breads, take-aways and picnic baskets to your doorstep.

Emilia started small, with a breakfast menu, freshly-baked pastries and cakes,

Emilia can be contacted on 076 837 4231.

4 BEERS, 4 BITES, R80.00 Experience the passion between Chef and Brew Master as they create these unique combinations of taste and flavour.

CHEF JO-ANNE. KARMENAADJIE RESTAURANT

From 10.30 at Die Markie, Saturday Morning Market Hermanuspieterfontein Cellar

FOOD & WINE | 11

26 February 2020

WINE & DINE

CALL TO BOOK. OPEN 24HRS Affordable transport door to door.

0846 885 885

WHAT’S ON

OVERBERG 26

Wednesday

Hunter and Aladdin. Allow yourself to be spirited away into a world of magical music and movies! This extra show has been added due to popular demand and a sell-out show on 28 February. Tickets at R300 pp are available at Computicket. For enquiries, contact 071 236 7508.

Hermanus Golf Club | 19:00

28 WCC Marine Night Join Whale Coast Conservation for a talk on marine life by guest speakers, Maryke Musson, Talitha Noble and Inge Adams of Two Oceans Aquarium. Be inspired as you learn about the most charismatic ocean ambassadors, teachers and storytellers that live in the oceans. For more information, contact 083 242 3295 or anina. wcc@gmail.com.

The Green House, R43 Vermont | 17:30

27

Thursday

Gansbaai Business Breakfast The Gansbaai Business Chamber will host a business breakfast which anyone is welcome to attend. R120 for members and R140 for nonmembers. Tickets are available (cash only) from Doulene Els, who can be contacted on 082 841 1670.

The Great White House, Gansbaai | 07:00 – 08:00 Dementia Support Group Hosted by Badisa and the Hermanus Senior Centre, the Dementia Support Group meets on the last Thursday of every month. Everyone is welcome.

For more information, contact 028 312 2515.

Grobbelaar Hall, Marine Drive, Hermanus | 10:00 Whalers Athletic Club Join the Whalers for their weekly time trials, every Thursday afternoon.

Runners and walkers of all ages are welcome. Choose between a 3 km, 5 km or 8 km route.

Meet at Hermanus Sports Club | 18:00 Think & Drink Join Stanford Conservation Trust’s fun quiz evening, every last Thursday of the month. Only R150 includes a delicious meal and a R50 donation to the trust for the upkeep of Stanford’s beautiful Wandelpad. Stanford Hills wines will be available at cellar-door prices to enjoy with your meal. Get friends and family together to form a team of 6–8 or join a table on the night. To book, contact Margie at memberssct@gmail.com.

The Tasting Room @ Stanford Hills Estate | 18:30 for 19:00 Rotary Club of Hermanus Visitors are welcome at Rotary’s weekly meetings, every Thursday.

Contact Frank on 082 870 1187 to confirm your attendance.

Mollergren Park, Main Road, Hermanus | 19:00 Andrew Young Concert & Buffet International, award-winning saxophonist Andrew Young will be performing, in his own inimitable style, themes and songs from his favourite movies, including Hollywood classics such as Casablanca, Sandpiper, Wizard of Oz, Nottinghill, Titanic, The Deer

as there is only one working ATM in Stanford.

Stanford Market Square | 18:00 – 20:00

Friday

Hermanus Hacking Group All volunteers are welcome to join in the clearing of invasive vegetation.

Meet every Friday morning at the beginning of Rotary Way. For more information contact Charlyn on 082 558 8731 or charlynvosloo@gmail. com Rotary Way | 06:15 for 06:30 – 08:30 Bhuki Café This is the last Friday when you’ll have the opportunity to ‘Buy a Cappuccino for your Valentino’ for only R15, including two biscuits. There is also the option of purchasing a coffee token anonymously at the library counter on any day of the week.

Simply provide the person’s contact details and the library staff will call them for you, so that they may collect and redeem their token. The funds generated will enable the library to buy new books.

Hermanus Library | 09:00 – 11:30 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

U3A Art Course Accomplished art professional, Stefan Hundt will present a talk on The Commercialisation of Art. Hundt is the head of the Sanlam Private Art Advisory Service, launched in 2010, and has been the curator of the Sanlam Art Collection since 1997. The collection now boasts a representative overview of South African art from the late 19th century to the present and in 2015 it was valued conservatively at R158 million.

Catholic Church Hall | 10:00 Stanford Sunset Market Join the locals for a jolly good time as the sun goes down. This much-loved, local and lekker outdoor market brings friends and family, good food and wine, live music, gifts, crafts, books and charities all together on the heritage village square. Locally-sourcing vendors who fly the eco-banner high are given preference and every effort is made to keep waste and non-recyclable rubbish to a minimum. Entrance is free and there is plenty of parking, seating and space for the children to run around and play. Bring your own take-away containers to reduce rubbish if you want to stock up on food goodies for the weekend. Please bring along cash

Super Seyan Comedy Show Come and enjoy one of South Africa’s funniest comedians, Siya Seya. His show, Super Seyan is the first in a new comedy series from Blue Sky called Laugh Out Your Lungs (LOYL).

This series is set to open the stage for many local, national and international comedians to perform and entertain audiences with their unique style of comedy. Contact 074 418 0543 to pre-book tickets at R100 pp or pay R120 at the door.

Zwelihle Community Hall | 19:00 Music Trivia Evening Benguela Cove’s entertaining quiz evenings with a musical flavour, hosted by the infamous Piano Ben, are back! Join in the fun every last Friday of the month and stand a chance of winning a case of Matilda’s Secret red wine. The entry fee is R35 pp, of which R10 will be donated to the Hermanus Night Shelter. Contact 087 357 0637 or info@benguelacove. co.za to book.

Benguela Cove Lagoon Wine Estate | 19:00

29

Saturday

Hemel-en-Aarde Marathon This 42.2 km marathon, organised by the Caledon Athletic Club, will set off from Caledon and follow the R320 through Hemel-en-Aarde to Hermanus. Participants will be bussed to Caledon from the Whale Coast Mall between 04:30 and 05:00. This new addition to the Western Cape Running calendar will also serve as a Two Oceans and Comrades qualifier.

Overberg High School | 06:00 – 12:00 (finishing at Whalehaven Winery, Hemel-en-Aarde Village) Hermanus parkrun Meet for the weekly 5 km timed walk or run, come rain or shine.

Run for your own enjoyment at your own pace. The route is dog friendly and children are most welcome.

There are also parkruns in Betty’s Bay (Harold Porter Botanical Garden) and Groeneweide (near Franskraal).

Register online at www.parkrun .co.za Camphill Road, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley | 08:00

26 FEB – 13 MAR www.thevillagenews.co.za/whatson walk in March. The event is open to everyone – men, women and children – and is hosted as a fundraiser for the 2020 L2L runner-up charity, Overstrand Hospice. Members of the community, keen walkers and businesses are encouraged to register and participate at a minimal fee of R100 per adult and R50 per child.

The 20 km route is from the nature reserve at De Kelders along the coast to Grotto Beach and the terrain will be mainly sandy beach and gravel path. Walkers will meet at Grotto to register from 05:45 (or at De Kelders from 07:15) and then be transported by bus to De Kelders at 06:45. For more info contact Suzette Botha on 028 312 4679 or fundraising@ overstrandhospice.org.za.

De Kelders Nature Reserve | 08:00 (walk starts) Hermanus Motorcycles Funduro Bring your family and friends and have an awesome time at the opening of the new Enduro and off-road trails in Karwyderskraal. A compressor, new tyres, lube, boerewors rolls, drinks and much more will be available at the Hermanus Motorcycles stand. The route is marked and there will be onsite marshals to assist. GPX file available. The Funduro costs R150 for adults and R100 for children. Day permits are R100 and annual permits R800. For more details or to book your spot, contact charl@ hermanusmotorcycles.co.za or 028 312 2340.

Karwyderskraal | 09:00 – 18:00 (registration at 08:00) Hermanus Country Market A favourite among the locals. Young, old, two-legged and four-legged family members are all welcome.

You’ll find wholesome goodies, home-made crafts, local produce, beers and wine, speciality foods, coffee and live music.

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

Die Markie Looking for koek? Vetkoek, pannekoek, soet koekies, sout koekies, lewer koekies? A peaceful place to while away Saturday mornings, glass of wine in hand, with Woefie lying at your feet? Olives, freshly shucked oysters and other nibbles made by real people? Served on real porcelain, using real cutlery, sipping wine from a real wine glass? Then you’ll want to hotfoot it across to Die Markie at Hermanuspietersfontein. Here safe parking is a doddle and life is easy.

Hermanuspietersfontein Wine Cellar | 09:00 – 13:00 Market in the Garden Hunt for treasures at this peaceful market set among the shady trees of a beautiful garden.

St Peter’s Church, Main Road, Hermanus | 09:00 – 13:00

L2L Official Practice Walk This is the final practice walk for all registered Lighthouse 2 Lighthouse walkers before the official

Stanford Saturday Morning Market Come and sample the artisanal delights on display, from home-made sheep and goats’ cheeses to cured

meats, farm-fresh vegetables and deli delights to tantalise your taste buds!

Stanford Hotel Stoep | 09:00 – 12:00 Junktique Market Come and browse at leisure for that special find, every last Saturday of the month (weather dependent).

If you have unwanted treasures to get rid of, then book your spot by contacting 028 341 0340 or office@ stanfordinfo.co.za.

Stanford Tourism Courtyard | 09:00 – 12:00

Gansbaai Farmers Market Specialising in organic, homemade and homegrown products such as fresh farm produce, oven-fresh bakes and pastries, local wines and craft beers, and indigenous plants and herbs. No plastic or polystyrene packaging; only eco-friendly wood, paper, glass and earthenware used to display goods. For enquiries, contact 028 384 1439 or doulene@gansbaaitourism.co.za Kapokblom Street, opposite Gansbaai Tourism | 09:00 – 14:00 Elgin Railway Market This bustling steampunk station market, where Art deco meets Victorian, is unlike any other in South Africa.

With more than 30 different stalls providing local wine, craft beer, arts & crafts and artisanal foods. Visitors can greet the steam train on the platform or view its arrival from the upstairs viewing deck. There’s live music throughout the weekend, and plenty of activities to keep children entertained, such as a jungle gym, roundabout, and even indoor and outdoor climbing walls. The market is open Saturdays and Sundays, and the coffee shop with free workspace is open during the week from 09:00 – 17:00.

Oak Avenue, Elgin | 09:00 – 17:00 (Sat & Sun)

MAD HATTER’S TEA PARTY

THE MARINE LEAP DAY, 29 FEB | R255pp 028 313 1000 bookings@themarine.co.za

Mad Hatter’s Leap Year Tea Party Join The Marine, in association with Carrol Boyes, for a high tea affair straight out of Alice in Wonderland.

There will be a special guest MC

and a Mad Hatter dress theme, with prizes for the smallest, largest and maddest hats. Tables will be adorned with beaded traditional African craft sculptures by Monkeybiz, Carrol Boyes’ charity beneficiary, and laden with scrumptious, chocolate-themed treats. After a refreshing welcome drink, high tea will be served and guests will get to play some fabulous party games, with great prizes to be won. Each guest will also go home with a surprise gift, rounding off a Leap Day to remember. The cost is R255 pp and bookings can be made by contacting 028 313 1000 or bookings@themarine.co.za The Marine Hotel | 13:30 for 14:00 Street Fashion Show Local designers will be bringing glitz and glamour to the CBD with a unique Street Fashion Show. Tickets are available from My Tailor in the Station Centre (opposite the Honey Shop in Mitchell Street) at R120 pp (R180 for VIP seats) and must be purchased before the event. Refreshments will be for sale. Contact Belinda on 083 229 6919.

In front of My Tailor, Mitchell Street, Hermanus | 18:00 – 20:30

Watershed Live Watershed, one of the most successful and well-loved bands ever to come out of South Africa, will be celebrating its 20-year career in 2020.

This multi-platinum selling band has released six studio albums along

with a greatest hits album, and has received two SAMA awards for best pop album and a SAMA nomination for best adult contemporary album in 2019. They are also multiple winners of SA`s best band award by People Magazine. Get your tickets to see Craig Hinds on keyboards, guitar and vocals, Howie Combrink on drums and guitar, Gideon Botes on electric guitar, Quintin Askes on bass and Paul McIver on acoustic guitar.

Food, beverages and Paul Cluver wines will be for sale (no BYO) or you could bring along your own picnic.

Tickets at R250 pp can be booked at Computicket.

Paul Cluver Amphitheatre, N2 Elgin Valley | 19:00 (gates open at 17:00)

Sat 29 Feb - Sun 1 Mar

duckitt@telkomsa.net Our Lady of Light Catholic Church, Hermanus | 19:00

3

Cancer and the AIDS epidemic In this week’s lecture of U3A Overberg’s course on cancer, Prof Patrick MacPhail looks at the association between viruses and so-called ‘AIDS defining cancers’ such as Kaposi Sarcoma, a rare form of skin cancer.

It was soon realised that these potential viral cancers were associated with the chronic immunodeficiency caused by AIDS which, even with modern antiretroviral treatment, was fertile ground for cancers of all kinds.

Prof MacPhail will also talk about how the HIV epidemic is progressing and what is being done to limit it and the cancers with which it is associated.

Catholic Church Hall | 10:00

5

Stanford MTB Classic Overberg MTB Events invite mountain bikers to gather for a weekend of spectacular riding through scenic farmlands and fynbos. This is an event where riders set their own personal goals, making everyone a winner. The route has been revamped and now boasts more single track, while STRAVA sections will be incorporated for racing snakes in need of a challenge, and prizes will be awarded to the overall winners of the Ladies’ and Men’s categories. The event is hosted by the historic Stanford Valley Guest Farm, which is the venue for the start and finish each day, and where you can relax afterwards with a burger and beer/wine. You can choose between the one-day or twoday options, and all entries include lunch. For more info and bookings, go to www.stanfordmtbclassic.co.za or entryninja.com. Alternatively contact Anneke Jacobs on 084 228 0414 or anneke@overbergmtbevents.co.za.

Stanford Valley Guest Farm | from 06:30

2

Monday

Cosmology Join the Hermanus Astronomy Centre (HAC) for a presentation on Black Holes, Tides and Spacetime; Stars in their Course - Orbital Mechanics; and What are Tides? Earth and Beyond. For more information, contact derek-

Tuesday

will kick off next week and teams of six brainy friends, family or colleagues are invited to sign up and join in the fun of trying to outwit their opponents. The participation fee is only R30 pp per evening, payable for the four-week duration of the tournament in advance when booking your team`s table. A quiz menu and specials on drinks will be available for participants. For more information and to book, contact stargazer4promotions@gmail.com or Janet on 082 456 8091 / Pieter 083 457 8235.

The Brewery, Hemel-en-Aarde Village | 18:30 (every Thursday evening in March)

prayer for love, peace and reconciliation. A different theme is chosen every year, and in 2020 the focus is on Zimbabwe, the writer country. This special day is an opportunity to pray and worship together with women of different ethnicities and cultures; to become aware that we are all connected to each other in the Lord and part of a worldwide community of Christians; to become aware of the burdens many people have to carry; and to challenge us to use our gifts and talents in the service of our community.

United Church, Hermanus | 09:30

7

Saturday

Thursday

Hermanus Bird Club outing Join the club for a day trip to Rooisand Nature Reserve. Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring your own snacks and refreshments. For enquiries, contact Ronnie Hazell on 082 372 4979.

Meet at the Onrus Trading Post | 07:30

SA vs France Wine Evening Enjoy a special wine evening at Creation where guests will have the opportunity to compare South African wines with French wines, hosted by international wine expert Remington Norman. The cost of the tasting is R500 pp and you can also pre-book a three-course dinner for R275 pp. To book, contact reservations@creationwines.com or 028 212 1107.

Creation Wines | 18:30

6 U3A Annual General Meeting The guest speaker at U3A Overberg’s AGM is John Matisonn, who will present a talk entitled Cyril’s Choices: What real job creation should look like.

Matisonn began political reporting at the Rand Daily Mail in 1974, and after stints on several South African newspapers, he was appointed National Public Radio’s correspondent in South Africa from 1986 to 1991. In the Mandela Administration he held a four-year presidential appointment as a Councillor on the Independent Broadcasting Authority. He is the author of two best-selling books – Gods, Lies, and Spies: finding South Africa’s future through its past (2015) and Cyril’s Choices: Lessons from 25 years of freedom in South Africa (2019).

Sandbaai Hall | 17:30 Whale Coast Wiz Quiz This popular annual quiz tournament

Friday

Women’s World Day of Prayer The Women’s Fellowship of the United Church invites the community to join them in this World Day of Prayer, which is observed around the globe as women link together and unite in

Genevieve Post-Harvest Proe Party Join bubbly-maker Melissa Nelsen for a festive harvest celebration, featuring a tasting of top-notch Cap Classique wines and a delicious sitdown harvest table feast. To book at R450 pp, send an email to melissa@ genevievemcc.co.za The Home of Genevieve MCC, Klein Botrivier Farm | 12:30 – 15:00

13

Friday

Occupational Health Conference The Overberg Occupational Health Group is an NPO with the aim of reaching employers, human resource managers, safety officers, farmers, medical and nursing practitioners and any person who is interested in the management of health risks in the workplace and the effect the Industry has on our environment.

The OOHG will be hosting a conference with interesting guest speakers who will present talks on a variety of topics, including wellness in the workplace, the excessive use of sick leave, the industrial impact on environmental health, the importance of workplace ergonomics, and occupational health management for farm workers. The cost of R300 pp will include snacks and refreshments, and CPD points are included for practitioners in medical occupations.

To book, contact sandrahanekom@ whalemail.co.za / 083 715 9219 or adurlouw@mweb.co.za / 083 302 8561.

Municipal Auditorium | 08:30 – 13:00

16 | ART 14

Art News

26 February 2020

A Retrospective of The Overberg

By Patrick Chapman

J

oshua Miles, long-established Baardskeerdersbos artist, now relocated to Prince Albert and off soon to Scotland for a year or three, is best known for his reduction woodcuts. This process (not unique but seldom employed by artists, perhaps because it leaves no room for error), provides a limited edition of prints and, unlike other forms of reproduction, makes it impossible to produce more than the originally planned number. Joshua usually produces an edition of 10 per picture.

His output is prolific and popular landscapes sell swiftly. Once an edition is sold out, there is no "running off a few more" – that is simply not possible with reduction prints.

However, most print artists do include in their run, a copy or two as Artist's Proofs – this custom comes from the various engraving processes where the printmaker, whether he be the artist himself or a specialised technician, wishes to see how his reverse design looks; he may run off an interim proof with, say, the main subject complete, but the background still to be etched or engraved.

Joshua runs off just two fully-com-

plete Artist's Proofs of each picture, signed and identified A/P, while the edition will be numbered from 1/10, i.e. the first of 10 prints. Now he is having a Retrospective Show, well, three separate shows actually, to offer a unique opportunity to acquire one of his artist's proofs. The other will be retained as his permanent archive which his wife, Angela, says will be a legacy for their son. Provided the artist does not have a reputation for being over-enthusiastic in the number of proofs he or she makes, collectors may prefer to acquire and pay a premium for them; and when the limited, numbered edition is sold out, this is a last chance to own a particular work.

In Hermanus we shall see his Overberg scenes, a landscape he knows well. Born in 1967, Joshua spent his early years in Swellendam before moving to the northern suburbs of Cape Town with his family. After completing high school he went on to study at the Michaelis School of Fine Art at the University of Cape Town where he received the Michaelis prize for best student in his final year. He spent many years painting with oils on canvas but his passion has always been reduction block printmaking.

He attributes this to the influences of his aunt, artist and art historian Elsa Miles, whom he used to watch from a young age doing woodcuts and then later studying under Cecil Skotnes at UCT.

Joshua Miles’s work is inspired by the play of light on the landscape, which brings out the in-between tones and greys that most would miss. His retrospective exhibition of Overberg scenes at the FynArts Gallery will be the first of three exhibitions, with the other two to be held in Prince Albert and Cape Town later in the year, featuring scenes from the Karoo and Cape Town.

Joshua is a master of the demanding technique of reduction prints. The base plate may be wood or lino but, as he will explain, the separate layers of colour need the register to be precise – a fraction out and the work becomes fuzzy. It must be a pleasure for him to paint a scene in oils in preparation for the later multiples which require such precision.

Joshua expects to continue to produce work in Scotland but also plans to return regularly to South Africa to look after his local market.

And who knows, when his son Frederick has completed his university studies, they may all come back to the scenes he has so attractively portrayed in his woodcuts on view.

The Overberg by Joshua Miles will be opened by Titia Ballot at the Fynarts Gallery on Thursday 27 February at 17:30 and the exhibition will run until 6 April. His Karoo scenes will be offered later in the year at another show in Prince Albert, and Cape Town subjects will feature at the third show in the SA Print Gallery in Woodstock around December/January.

Fynbos landscape exhibition Local artist Saniki Wessels lives and works in Betty’s Bay, where she is surrounded by the scenic beauty of nature.

Inspired by the mountains, fynbos, rocks and sea, her subject matter has evolved from women, children, flowers and shells to fynbos landscapes.

“In the process of compiling my compositions, I have learned so much about our fynbos and always write the names of the plants on the back of my canvases, both the scientific and common names,” says Saniki. “Most of my landscapes are large works (900 cm x 800 cm) in order to capture the expansive-

ness of these awe-inspiring scenes.”

Saniki has been working on this theme for three years and is now ready for a solo exhibition, which will open at Ecology Lifestyle Farm, home to PaardenKloof Estate Wines and an indigenous fynbos nursery, on the R43 near Botrivier on Saturday 28 March at 15:00. The exhibition will be opened by well-known Betty’s Bay artist, Louis van Heerden. RSVP: Saniki on 082 321 4444 or saniki@mweb.co.za / Ecology on 028 284 9809 or daphne@paardenkloof. co.za.

– Hedda Mittner

GET CASH BACK AND FREE MEMBER BENEFITS If you as the policy premium payer are claim-free for five consecutive years, you’ll get your fifth year’s premiums back in CASH*.

MEMBER BENEFITS* In the event of retrenchment, the policy premium payer receives a six-month premium holiday

PLUS FREE funeral benefits* provided by AVBOB Funeral Service

You get ALL this on top of your full policy pay-out – it’s all 100% FREE* to AVBOB members.

Contact AVBOB Hermanus on 028 312 1156. *Terms and conditions apply. Free funeral benefits only apply if AVBOB Funeral Service conducts the funeral.

AVBOB is an authorised financial services provider. AVBOB is a level 2 B-BBEE contributor. FSP 20656. www.AVBOB.co.za Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google LLC.

AVB-VIL-191127

A FREE basic funeral valued at R11 000, which includes the funeral arrangements, a specified coffin and hearse A R2 500 immediate cash payment for initial expenses FREE transport of the deceased within the borders of South Africa

17 NATURE | 15

26 February 2020

Buying into Hope for the future Writer & Photographer Elaine Davie

and, of course the Rooisand horses.

T

In order not to frighten any of them away or destroy their habitat, the clearing will, of course, need to be carried out with great care and circumspection.

he farm called De Draay was one of the properties owned by the pioneering Delport family of Ysterklip (The Village NEWS 15 January 2020). When Jack Delport sold the home farm, together with De Draay, about a decade ago, a portion was bought by the developers of Arabella Estate and a portion by the Cape Townbased New Property Ventures.

Sadly, the intervening years have not been kind to De Draay. Once a flourishing stock farm abutting the beautiful Bot River Estuary and well-watered by streams from the mountains, it has literally gone to seed. Over-run and throttled by a wilderness of water-guzzling alien vegetation, mainly Australian myrtle, port Jackson and pine, there is little or no evidence that it was ever a prosperous farm with rich grazing lands, interspersed with fynbos, dams and wetlands inhabited by several species of indigenous wildlife.

The good news is that the property, consisting of 78 ha above the R44 and 280 ha below the road has just changed hands once again and is now owned by a company called Ithemba Property and Agriculture (Pty) Ltd. Ithemba is also the new name of the farm. It means Hope.

Managing Director, Gareth Lawrence of Sandbaai, is very clear that hope is what the enterprise is all about – hope for the environment, hope for local employment and economic development and hope for the two tenants who have operated from the property for several years without security of tenure – the Overstrand Equestrian Centre and a small non-governmental orphanage which cares for newborn babies.

In past years, the farm was forced to endure the abuse of sand mining, both for building purposes and the production of glass. In these sections of the property the natural seed beds were completely destroyed and when the excavations were abandoned, the aliens took over on a massive

“Although we plan to carry a variety of livestock on the farm, starting with goats, which can help with the hacking programme, we also want to add more indigenous buck species to those already there. With a property as beautiful as this between mountain and estuary, we want to share it with both the local and tourist community as well. Using wood from the property, we’d like to put up a couple of bird hides, for example, and we’ll certainly maintain the existing cycling and horse trails.”

Gareth Lawrence in one of the few portions of the farm, Ithemba which is not overgrown by aliens.

scale. The Rooisand Road divides this property from that of Craig Saunders’ Wildlife Sanctuary and the difference in appearance between the cleared and the overgrown terrain is startling, to say the least.

In the estimation of conservationist, Gareth, the daunting task of clearing the property and re-establishing it as a working farm will take around five to eight years of hard labour and a minimum or R2 million to get rid of the aliens alone. “The only way to do it is to divide the farm into separate blocks and deal with them one by one,” he says. “In some cases, after removal of the aliens, it will mean reseeding it with cover crops and indigenous trees and shrubs to avoid wind erosion, and re-establishing the natural balance of the soil.

“We will also need to restore the dams, natural

streams and wetlands which have been clogged and sucked dry by the aliens. Real elbow grease is what it’s going to take; luckily I enjoy working hard in the outdoors. Actually, I feel as if everything I have done in my life has prepared me for this task.”

However, given the cost of this exercise, he emphasises that the farm will have to start generating an income within the next 18 months.

Gareth has a woodcutting and bulk supply business, so where practical he will harvest some of the pines for this purpose. Also on the plus side, having been left largely undisturbed for so many years, it is a bird lovers’ paradise (which includes a nesting pair of fish eagles), and a haven for a number of small antelope species, like duiker, ribbok and grysbok, not to mention a wealth of reptiles, like snakes and tortoises, as well as rare frogs species, a couple of rooikatte (caracal)

There is a particularly beautiful section of the property close to the water’s edge and shaded by old trees, where they would like to put up a few rustic, off-the-grid holiday cottages and perhaps even a small caravan park. They have not forgotten the orphanage and equestrian centre either and not only do they want to offer them greater security of tenure, but they would like to share their resources in helping them upgrade their infrastructure and extend their fundraising options.

“The thing is, we’d like as many people as possible to benefit from this development,” stresses Gareth. “We have a completely open door policy and are actively engaging with all our neighbours, including CapeNature, as well as all the relevant departments of the Overstrand Municipality.”

An environmental assessment will shortly be undertaken and public participation meetings are planned for the near future. As this will be a hugely expensive, yet at the same time inspirational enterprise, Gareth would like to invite anybody interested in becoming an equity partner to join them in this pilgrimage of Hope.

Email Gareth on: gareth@woodcutters.co.za

18 | NATURE 16

26 February 2020

Estuaries and wetlands - together we can preserve them Writer Klaus Schmitt

E

stuaries are one of the most important features of the South African coastline; they are tranquil areas of high productivity and play a vital role in the life cycles of many plants and animals – especially as a nursery for fish. Situated at the interface between fresh and marine waters, estuaries are among the most biologically productive ecosystems in the world and are of great ecological and economic importance.

These words were written by Dr Anina Lee in The Village NEWS of 30 October 2019. Friends of the Bot River Estuary and Environs (Botfriends) fully agree with this ecological appreciation of both estuaries and wetlands as high-value ecosystems.

The Bot River Estuary is the largest in the Overstrand. Its surroundings include large badly-degraded wetland areas. We are highly concerned about the conservation of these environmental assets. Among the most serious threats are the aggressive and rapid spread of invasive alien vegetation at the expense of the indigenous fynbos, and the pollution and drying up of the wetlands.

This is why the Botfriends have come up with community-driven activities in alien clearing and wetland preservation. About 30 ha have been cleared thus far with our private resources. Significant as this is, these efforts need to be scaled up urgently.

This is why the Botfriends have come up with a plan to deal with large parts of the area south of the R43, from Rooisand to Hawston.

This area once boasted high biodiversity and many wetlands. Alien invasion has dried up the wetlands and increased the fire risk. Several sections have been abandoned, including demarcated green areas. Efforts towards controlling the invasive species have been limited and have sometimes compounded rather than relieved the problems. If not eradicated properly, for example when infested areas are just mowed or clearing is not followed up, aliens regrow fast and suppress the fynbos vegetation more vigorously than before.

The Paddavlei near Hawston has changed from an open water body to a polluted swamp that is a quarter of its original size. In 2018, a fire in an alien-infested area adjacent to Fisherhaven could not be controlled even with helicopter support. It occurred

under gentle wind conditions. Higher wind could have caused a disaster similar to the great Betty’s Bay fire of 2019.

Rehabilitating The shore of the Bot River Estuary near the mouth. On the dune to the right, fynbos vegetathe wetlands tion has already recovered a year after alien clearing by Botfriends. The spot to the left in the will increase foreground was cleared a few months ago. To the left, the dense woody vegetation shows their wauncontrolled Port Jackson (Acacia saligna) and Australian Myrtle (Leptospermum laevigatum) ter-holding having suppressed the slower-growing fynbos.

PHOTO: Klaus Schmitt capacity and the inflow An area of about 3 000 ha has been off and flooding. The Botfriends Alien to the Bot River Estuary, a declared identified as a priority for further Clearing Project aims to (1) remove RAMSAR site. It will also enhance the clearing and a project proposal has alien plants in the Bot River enviwater quality through the wetlands’ been drawn up for submission to rons, (2) re-establish wetlands in the filtering function. In addition, these potential donors. Meanwhile we conwetlands fall within three biodiversity Bot River area and demarcate three biodiversity corridors, (3) reduce the tinue with our own limited resources, corridors between the estuary and fire risks to manageable proportions, aiming to involve more local roleplaythe mountains.

(4) contribute towards an environers and contributors, both private and communal. All contributions are mental management strategy for a Protected corridors allow free spread greater area that involves the relevant welcome, be it in the form of financial and movement of indigenous flora donations, fundraising ideas, labour, stakeholders. and fauna. Such ecosystem services advice or logistics. become ever more important, as While clearing areas in and around climate change is a reality and South Financial contributions to the alien Fisherhaven, Botfriends have tested Africa is a hotspot. Here warming clearing project will be tax-deductthe effectiveness and cost-efficienwill most likely be twice the global cy of different methods. Our team ible. For further info, please contact average, while rainfall will be scarcer can serve as the nucleus for further Michael Austin at botvlei@gmail. and more erratic, and other extreme expansion of a clearing workforce. com or visit www.botfriends.org.za. events will likely result in further run-

19 17

www.thevillagenews.co.za

26 February 2020

MY PET

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

HERMANUS

ONRUS

HERMANUS

CALEDON

Pick 'n Pay Centre Main Road 028 312 1453 Mon-Fri 9-18:00 Sat 9-14:00 Sun & p/h 10-13:00

2 Wybo Newmark Rd 028 316 2904 Mon-Fri 8.30-18:30 Sat 8.30-14:30 Sun & p/h 9-13:00

Checkers Centre, Station Mall cnr Royal & Lord Roberts Rd 028 312 3028 Mon-Fri 9-18:00 Sat 9-15:00 Sun & p/h 9-13:00

Shop 9, Victoria Mall 028 214 1112 Mon-Fri 9-18:00 Sat 9-14:00 Sun & p/h 10-13:00

EberVet Vetshops www.ebervet.com

Cats deserve more of our attention Writer Dr Hilldidge Beer

G

iven the number of cat videos and pictures shared across social media it’s hard to believe that cats are often neglected, even by the most loving owners, yet statistics show that dog owners are more likely to consult a vet for their pet than cat owners. Why? Dogs are easy; their emotions are on display for all to see. Happy, sad, sick, well … whatever they’re feeling you’ll know about it but when it comes to cats we’re often in the dark. Fiercely independent by nature cats are also masters of disguise, which means that when they’re ill you won’t know about it until the disease is far advanced. Their ancestors were hunters and a sick hunter quickly became prey, so they learned not to show signs of illness or infirmity.

more than a foothold in the door.

Cats are at risk of a host of ailments, including kidney disease, diabetes, dental disease and viruses like Feline Leukaemia and Feline Aids.

As a result, many people believe cats are ‘low maintenance’, don’t need much care and will happily fend for themselves. Sadly, that’s not true.

Cats need every bit as much care and attention as their doggy counterparts; in fact, you may need to be more vigilant when owning a cat simply to notice when they are ill.

Cats DO need company Many first-time cat owners believe it’s ok to leave a cat with a big bowl of food when they go away for a weekend, or to let a neighbour pop over to drop food in the cat’s bowl once a day. The truth is that cats relish company as much as dogs do and while they may not display their affection as easily as dogs, they will pine, develop behavioural issues (destroy furniture or fight with other pets) or wander if you’re not there.

Cats DO need medical care Surfing the net when your cat is

The only way to really determine your cat’s health status is to have him checked over by your vet, once a year before the age of 7 and at least twice a year thereafter.

off its food is not going to give you a proper diagnosis. According to US cat aficionado Dr Eric Garcia, the internet is rife with horrifically inaccurate cat health info. Because they’re so good at hiding symptoms of illness, by the time your cat has stopped eating or you notice that he is drinking huge amounts of water whatever is ailing him has

Vets use what is termed ‘signalment’ to help determine your cat’s health status; knowing your cat’s breed, gender and age can assist in ruling in, or out, a host of potential diagnoses and having you share as comprehensive a history as possible with your vet will also help.

Cats DO need to play In the wild, cats got their exercise from hunting, but domesticated cats have food provided for them and because the average cat sleeps about

80% of a normal day, they’re at risk of obesity and diabetes. Exercise is essential, and your cat needs you to help him exercise. There are a variety of catnip-stuffed mice, wind-up toys or tinkling balls that will get your cat off the sofa and charging around the lounge. Ask your nearest EberVet Vetshop to show you their selection.

If you have a young cat, cutting a few round holes in a cardboard box will provide hours of entertainment.

Cats DO need good nutrition If you want your cat to enjoy old age, good nutrition is essential. Rats and mice are not sufficient to keep your cat in good health. Choose an age-appropriate diet, that takes into account your cat’s physical health (dental issues, arthritis, kidneys).

Your vet or Vetshop can advise.

Cats, like dogs, are sentient beings in need of affection and attention.

Don’t neglect yours.

18 20

www.thevillagenews.co.za

26 February 2020

MY WELLNESS

The worst loser in the world Writer & Photographer Hedda Mittner

I

f anyone knows the uphill struggle of recovery after a traumatic brain injury, it’s Brandon Shaw. This courageous individual has spent the last ten years battling to overcome the obstacles that were the result of a freak accident at the age of 28, when he was in the prime of his youth.

A successful businessman with a passion for golf (he was well on his way to becoming a pro), Brandon was standing next to his car on the highway, having just pulled off on to the yellow line, when a motorist slammed into him at high speed. He was left with horrific injuries, including a broken neck and traumatic brain injuries that left him paralysed on his left side and blind in the right eye.

“I was in a coma for 11 weeks,” he tells me when we meet and sit down to enjoy a beer at the Hermanus Golf Club. “When I woke up, I was in a different body. I couldn’t talk, I couldn’t walk, my limbs were spastic…” These are obviously painful memories, but what strikes me the most is how often he smiles and how often he emphasises how grateful and blessed he feels. Yet he admits that it has been an arduous road that brought him to where he is today.

Brandon spent 10 months in hospital and many years in rehab and therapy, some of which still continues today. He’s had multiple surgeries, the last one as recently as last year, to improve the functioning of his left arm and hand. “Look, I can lift my arm now,” he demonstrates, “and I can open my hand.” He had to learn to crawl all over again before he could learn to walk.

But he was determined.

Easy it was not. Brandon admits that there was a time when he wanted to do nothing more than sit in a corner and cry. It was all just too difficult, too frustrating, too exhausting. “I felt drained and I had no energy,” he recalls. His fiancée had broken up with him (“I spent the day we had planned for our wedding strapped to a hospital bed”) and he felt guilty about the financial strain that his accident was putting on his parents.

“That’s when I started taking stimulants, just to feel alive and energised again.” Unfortunately he fell in with a bad crowd and his drug use escalated. “Drugs numbed the pain and helped me to forget,” he says simply.

After a few years, he realised that he was never going to get better this way and booked himself into rehab. “I’m the worst loser in the world,” he says with a big smile. “And I wanted to get better.

I didn’t want to go through life as a ‘disabled person’. That just wasn’t me.” He’s been clean ever since and has managed to turn his life around completely. Three years ago he settled in Hermanus, where he spends as much time as he can on the greens of the golf club and hopes to be opening his own business soon.

Although he is still troubled by his physical injuries, Brandon makes the most of the abilities he has worked so hard to regain. He is good with numbers, talks fluently and can articulate and communicate his feelings and experiences better than many an able-bodied person. More importantly, he is kind and compassionate, and determined to give back and help people who are living through the same struggles he’s faced and overcome.

Brandon Shaw at the Hermanus Golf Club. He will be playing in the Western Cape Disabled Golf team at the inter-provincials in Gauteng this week.

“I have no memories of my early childhood – they are just gone and I’ll never get them back.

And relationships can be difficult,” he says.

“Because of the injury to my frontal lobe, I can be over-sensitive and emotional, but I’ve learned to recognise it when I overreact and to keep it in check.” I find this rather difficult to believe, as our conversation is constantly interrupted by people walking past and greeting Brandon warmly; several stop for a friendly chat and to share a quick joke. He is undoubtedly a much-loved member of the Hermanus Golf Club!

“I’m just a decent guy who believes you should treat others as you would like them to treat you,” he says modestly. “Respect – for yourself and for others – is the most important thing.” He adds that he is much more patient now than he was before the accident. “Patience is something you have to learn.”

Brandon says he remembers clearly the first time he was asked to speak to someone who was on the difficult road to recovery after a traumatic brain injury. She not only told him how wonderful it was to talk to someone who understood

exactly what she was going through, but also asked him if he would please talk to her family to help them understand. “It was so gratifying to know that I had touched someone’s life – and it had cost me absolutely nothing,” says Brandon.

That encounter planted the seed for what was to become the Brain Chain Support Group, an NPO that aims to provide a safe space for support, sharing information and providing resources to people who have suffered a traumatic or acquired brain injury, and their families. “I am aware of the many ways in which I have been fortunate,” says Brandon. “I had a good medical aid and a family with the financial means to ensure that I received the best medical care and support possible. Many others are not that fortunate.”

The Brain Chain Support Group will meet on Thursday 4 March at Spescare in the Hermanus Medical Village in De Goede Street, Westcliff at 17:30. For enquiries or to RSVP, contact Brandon on 079 494 4065 or brandonshaw@ thebrainchain.co.za.

26 February 2020

21 19

www.thevillagenews.co.za

REACT Lions Sea Point Blind Navigators Rally T

he 20th REACT Lions Sea Point Blind Navigators Rally was held on Saturday 15 February in Cape Town. A total of 38 teams, consisting of a driver and a navigator, negotiated a secret route of about 125 km with six hidden time controls before returning to the Western Province Motor Clubhouse at the Killarney International Raceway.

André Joubert, a local from Sandbaai, and his blind partner, Natasha Kruger from Worcester, took part in what was their 15th REACT Rally together. They finished in first place for the second year running in their Ford Ranger, with just 100 penalty points incurred, proving that they make an excellent team and are a force to be reckoned with! André drove and Natasha navigated by using braille maps.

Blind Navigator Rallies were started in South Africa in the late 1940s/early 1950s when Graham Pitt (who was born blind) persuaded organisers of the Western Cape Regulatory Rally Championships to print the route schedules in braille so that he could compete with his wife, Cedie, driving.

The Sea Point Lions presented their first Blind Navigators Rally in 1967 and have continued to do so for the past 53 years. For the past 20 years the Sea Point Lions have enjoyed the support of REACT Marketing.

Round two will take place in Ceres on Saturday 18 April. Good luck to André and Natasha.

Source: wpmc.co.za/react-blind-navigators-rally-15-february-2020-review/ PHOTO: Patrick Vermaak

André Joubert (left) from Sandbaai and his partner, Natasha Kruger (middle) with Diane Sochen (Project Leader/ Lioness of the Sea Point Lions).

Celebrating a double leap-year birthday On Saturday, a couple from Hermanus will be celebrating a very special occasion which has only come around 11 times since they were born. That is because Arnold and Gwen Nepgen were both born on the same day – 29 February 1976, which was a leap year.

families had moved to the area. Although they were both in the same grade they didn't spend much time together until the start of high school, when they became sweethearts for the first time.

That means that although both are turning 44 this year, technically, Gwen and Arnold have only had 11 birthdays. “It’s never really bothered us. When it is not a leap year we celebrate our birthdays on 28 February,” says Gwen. "We treat every year’s birthday the exact same way, by celebrating the gift of life and loving each other."

As high school dating usually goes, however, they broke up and went their own ways after matriculating from Aliwal North High School.

For a few years they had no contact whatsoever, until they bumped into each other again when they were both 23 years old. Arnold was in his final year at Potchefstroom University, and this time round their relationship blossomed and soon they were married.

Gwen and Arnold, who many locals may recognise as the pharmacist and manager of Alex Grant Pharmacy in the Gateway Centre, met in Grade 3 in Aliwal North after both their

The Nepgens will be celebrating their birthdays this year by going away for a family weekend with their children Megan, Heinrich and Christiaan.

- Taylum Meyer

24 20

www.thevillagenews.co.za and developments, and the rise of shared, third spaces.

MY HOME

Signs that property market is stabilising

By Andrew Golding Chief Executive Pam Golding Property Group

D

espite the ongoing economic challenges faced by South Africa’s residential property market, including the reintroduction of load shedding, the residential property market is beginning to stabilise. Furthermore, we continue to see signs of green shoots. These are some of the trends and influences evident in the market at present and which we expect to prevail during 2020.

Available credit for buyers Having experienced a period of correction in regard to house prices, first-time and a mix of other home buyers are seeing the market in a positive light, further buoyed by financial institutions’ robust appetite for lending – in some instances even granting 100% bonds.

This is enabling more aspirant buyers to gain a foothold on the property ladder, particularly as there is currently good value to be had.

A young population of first-time buyers, which comprise a large sector of the South African market, is also fuelling rentals as well as property purchases.

Easing in the interest rate Coupled with this, it is hoped that the recent further reduction in the interest rate by 25bps will boost sentiment – a key driver of the market – and provide relief for indebted consumers.

Affordability and convenience With household finances under pressure for the foreseeable future, the focus for home buyers is likely to remain on affordability, value-formoney and cost-saving. For example, living close to the workplace and amenities in convenient key hubs and major centres, and a preference for lower operating costs (ie utilities) and less maintenance in sectional title apartments, as well as an increasing trend towards energyefficient features.

New developments With a growing number of young people looking for accommodation and with people of all ages and incomes showing an increasing preference for smaller, more conveniently located homes – and with the existing stock of homes predominantly freehold suburban houses – there is plenty of reason for ongoing developments. Developers are responding to this ‘youth bulge’ with a marked shift in new housing stock towards sectional title homes (although this is also a result of the shortage and cost of land) and mixed-use developments offering a live, work, play lifestyle close to places of work.

The recent introduction of micro-units in Cape Town CBD and surrounds is also a response to strong demand from first-time buyers who want a lock-up-and-go lifestyle and to enjoy downtown living. This has been a key driver behind the shift in housing in South Africa from freehold suburban homes to mixed-use precincts

EASY ON THE EYE. TOUGH TO GET THROUGH. 028 312 3215 Many security barriers look the same but they certainly don’t work the same. Call one of our professional consultants who will show you our range of security barriers with their unique design and patented locking systems, proven to be the strongest on the market.

Cnr. Mimosa & Steenbras, Hermanus Industrial www.windorsolutions.co.za | info@windorsolutions.co.za

Steady house price inflation While house price inflation was fairly muted last year (2.5% Jan – Dec 2019) according to the Pam Golding Residential Property Index), transaction volumes showed some growth last year. However, while we anticipate that house price inflation this year may be stronger than last year, it is unlikely to significantly exceed the prevailing inflation rate. So we anticipate another year of consolidation, with pockets of strength.

Accurate pricing is key Supply is also slowing in response to weak demand, with fewer new houses, and sellers keeping or removing homes from the market. Never before has accurate, market-related pricing been so critical in the conclusion of successful sales transactions.

Our research has shown that the higher a property is priced above its ‘selling zone’, namely the sweet spot where serious buyers are making offers, the longer the time it typically takes to sell and the higher the number of price adjustments are required to attract buyers, resulting in a lower selling price achieved for the property.

We also find that exclusive mandate properties sell in a shorter period of time. This is because the agent is able to work with the seller to judiciously manage the pricing strategy of the property, ensuring that its initial listing price is within that selling zone. This is not possible with an open mandate; because there are several agents involved in the transaction, one agent is not able to effectively manage the pricing strategy of the property.

High demand areas Following on from the above, this is definitely not a one-size-fits-all market; it has a host of nuances and factors at play in different regions and suburbs around the country. In some high

26 February 2020 demand areas or areas where there is tremendous value for money, well-priced homes are selling in days.

Pockets of solid activity are evident in all markets, for example, metros where demand is outstripping supply, including coastal markets and secondary coastal towns, but particularly frontline coastal property which has retained value, as well as commuter belts which have high appeal for those seeking a convenient live, work, play lifestyle.

Semigration This trend will continue, with areas such as Cape Town’s Atlantic Seaboard and City Bowl set to benefit most from Cape Town’s long-standing reputation as a prime global city, while semigration to the Garden Route, KZN and Boland in the Western Cape is ongoing. There are also signs that semigrants, who initially rented, are beginning to purchase homes, so while the semigration trend may have slowed to some extent, it is still having a positive impact on the property market in areas where they have relocated.

Tourism boost One of the factors we believe could prove a boost for South Africa’s economy and ultimately even provide positives for the property market is tourism, which is recovering after the drought, aided by an easing of visa restrictions and increasing numbers of direct flights.

Our beautiful country – and particularly our scenic Boland and Overberg regions – offer spectacular landscapes and coastlines, as well as vibrant cities and rural places of interest. With a reduced value of the rand, we could attract a significant increase in the number of visitors, which would help build entrepreneurial attractions, accommodation and other opportunities within the tourism industry.

Extract from a talk presented by Pam Golding Property Group at The Marine on 12 February.

25 21

www.thevillagenews.co.za

26 February 2020

Brothers join forces to ‘Build it’ Writer and Photographer Raphael da Silva

decades of experience, for leading and mentoring them.

hile many businesses in South Africa have been battening down the hatches during this current economic storm, local Hermanus and Gansbaai building and hardware supplier Build it has been investing for the future in exploring production, manufacturing and information technology, confident that calmer waters and blue skies are coming soon.

W

But, as Claydon points out, “My brother and I, we got our ‘BSc’ (behind shop counter) from the age of ten. We grew up in the Gansbaai shop.”

“If you get the right information, you make more informed decisions. I have seen the curve and the curve and we are about to break through that negative growth line,” says Dylan Burger who, along with his brother Claydon, manage the family businesses after taking over from their parents, Eddie and Silvana.

“We opened our doors on 4 March 2016 and immediately hit our stride.

It was just incredible. The first month, we exceeded where we needed to be. The year after that we grew the business by 100%. The second year we grew by 70%. And then we had the protests and my idea of how business worked, and how simple it seemed to be, changed dramatically because, all of a sudden, instead of focusing on growing turnover, it became about watching the bottomline,” recounts Dylan.

“It’s a seven-year cycle and in seven years we will have a dip again. Maybe it will be eight or nine years but this is just how things work. I have only been in business for five years so I have not been through a cycle yet and it is a learning process for me. But we are very lucky to have the people with us and for us,” adds Dylan, who credits their team, many of whom have

The construction and building sector is an indicator of how well the economy is doing, as it is one of the first to suffer when the economy takes a downturn, but also one of the first to pick up when it improves.

or six stores of his own who looked over our accounting system. It took a while but we managed to get all our figures right. Despite our turnover being down, we were still improving the business.”

“Our motto is this: Turnover is vanity, gross profit is sanity and your bottomline is the reality,” says Dylan.

As a result of focusing on running a better business by measuring the right indicators, not one of Build it’s 130 employees was retrenched despite having to close their doors in 2018 for three weeks.

“We knew if we kept the staff and the people that we had, and bit the bullet through the tough times we would come out on top on the other side.

And that is what has happened. We have passed the dip and things are really starting to improve. February has been an amazing month for us,” says Dylan.

“The energy that I have got from people in town and from the Build it Head Office in Durban is positive. I haven’t had many negative conversations,” says Claydon.

Turnover dropped by 20% in 2018 and a further 10% in 2019. “It got down to 30 – 40% at one point,” says Claydon.

“But”, adds Dylan, “we were very fortunate to meet an accountant with five

Meanwhile, just as the Hermanus store

Rub-A-Dub-Dub two men in a tub. Brothers, Dylan (left) and Claydon Burger in the new Hermanus Build it bathroom showroom. was getting going, Eddie decided that he was going to buy a sand mine in Gansbaai and a stone mine in Pearly Beach, where the stone is blasted, although processing takes place in Gansbaai. This has allowed the company to backwards integrate their business model so that they are actually producing some of the products they retail in their two stores.

“When we process the stone, we get a bi-product called crusher dust. You can make bricks and blocks from it, so we opened up a manufacturing plant as well in Gansbaai,” says Dylan.

Claydon is responsible for doing the books for all the businesses. “When I started, I really didn’t know what I was doing. I had studied financial accounting so I knew what a debit and

credit were and I could see what was happening. After meeting the accountant, I got very involved and I started learning how to actually do proper management reporting.”

In fact, Claydon has become so good at developing formulas to measure business performance that the two brothers have been asked by the Spar Group, the owners of Build it, to travel around the country to speak to other franchise owners.

“Our message to these retailers is that it is about measurement and that once you get the measurements right, it is about culture. That is really where the fun starts. To build a culture is not easy but if people have discipline, you can build a culture. With discipline comes mutual respect,” says Dylan.

AVBOB POLICYHOLDERS GET

FREE FUNERAL BENEFITS* PROVIDED BY AVBOB FUNERAL SERVICE

VISIT OUR WINDOR SHOWROOM IN HERMANUS TODAY!

WIND

R

SHUTTERS, BLINDS & AWNINGS

028 312 3214 Our dedicated team of expert consultants are waiting to show you our wide range of tailor-made products. For free expert advice, make sure you visit our showroom today.

After two years of your policy being in force you get:

A FREE basic funeral to the value of R11 000, which includes the funeral arrangements, a specified coffin and hearse A R2 500 immediate cash payment for initial expenses FREE transport of the deceased within the borders of South Africa You get ALL this on top of your full policy pay-out - It’s all 100% FREE* to AVBOB members.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

THERESA MAREE:

028 384 1618 082 829 4285

OR VISIT AVBOB GANSBAAI AT: Shutters

Blinds

Awnings

Cnr. Mimosa & Steenbras Street, Hermanus Industria www.windorsolutions.co.za | info@windorsolutions.co.za

Shop 20 on 62 Main Road Gansbaai 7220 *Terms and conditions apply. Free funeral benefits only apply if AVBOB Funeral Service conducts the funeral.

AVBOB is an authorised financial services provider. AVBOB is a level 2 B-BBEE contributor. FSP 20656. www.AVBOB.co.za

2141 - Public eye FREE FUNERAL BENEFITS ADVERT 1 (THERESA MAREE).indd 1

20/02/2020 14:16

26 22

www.thevillagenews.co.za

26 February 2020

MY SPORT

Hermanus Sevens a boon for Women’s Rugby Rugby Union (SARU), have indicated an increased investment in women’s rugby and I am looking forward to the start of this.”

By Tony O'Hagan

T

he Hermanus Women’s Sevens is the only tournament in South Africa exclusively focused on women’s rugby. The event was held on Saturday, 22 February at the Hermanus High School, with 11 senior and four U18 teams competing for a share of the R10 000 prize money. The tournament proved a great success, following the inaugural event last year.

The South African women’s ‘Blitzbokke’ took top honours, beating the Busy Bees team from Langa (Cape Town) by 36–0 in the final. The Boland Rebels and the Dolphins (Nyanga, CT) were the other semi finalists, while the Titans from Knysna won the plate event, beating the Boland Dames in the final. Ilse du Plesssis of the Boland Dames was voted Player of the Tournament.

This unique event was the brainchild of Thomas Chowles, Head Coach of Boland Women’s rugby, with the support of Michelle Bosch of Faircape, one of the sponsors. Congratulations to Thomas and Michelle for organising a most successful tournament.

There is a growing emphasis on women’s rugby worldwide in both the 15s and 7s formats of the game. In conversation with Paul Delport, Head Coach of the SA Women’s Sevens team, he raised a few concerns relating to the women’s game in South Africa. “We are a long way behind other nations,” he said. “The South African

South Africa has qualified for the Challenge Series which will be held in Stellenbosch on 28 – 29 March this year. This series was due to take place in Hong Kong but was moved due to the political unrest and the coronavirus.

This should be an advantage to our girls and the winner of this qualifier will join the other 11 teams competing for the premier World Women’s 7s Series. South Africa will be up against teams from Scotland, Belgium, Poland, Mexico, Columbia, Argentina, Japan, China, Kenya and Papua New Guinea.

If South Africa is victorious, Paul will need at least another 8 players to add to the 14 players contracted to SARU. This will be difficult in the current scenario because, as Paul says, “We have no sevens provincial tournaments, no academies to source talent.” Monies will need to be spent on structures and the right systems put in place.

“The talent is there and South Africa has many fine women athletes. We need investment in the women’s game,” he says.

Once the investment and structures are in place, there is no reason why our ladies won’t achieve the same success as our men. The Hermanus Sevens provides a platform for future stars and a successful example of development at grassroots level.

Well done to the organisers!

On the Greens

By Willem Lindeque, Operations Manager, Hermanus Golf Club Hello Golfers, this coming weekend we are hosting our Club Championships.

So just a notice to all golfers who want to play at Hermanus Golf Club this weekend: if you are not participating in the Club Champs, you will unfortunately not be able to play on either 29 February or 1 March. I’d also like to bring to our players’ attention some of the changes to the course markings and penalty areas, as well as local rules at Hermanus Golf Club.

Over the last few years we have planted quite a few trees and will continue to do so. In order to protect them, we request that if your ball ends up close to these trees, you drop away from them in order to make sure they are not harmed. These trees are marked with wooden stakes and some have wooden support frames. We will add a blue stake

Captain of the Blitzbokke, Zintle Mpupha (with the rugby ball) and her team.

to these young trees as well, to make sure they can be easily identified and that there is no confusion among golfers.

There will also be a red penalty area added between the 3rd and adjacent 6th fairways, like the one between the 3rd and 12th hole. Lastly, there will also be a change behind the 23rd green where there is currently a yellow penalty area along the property line. As this is the boundary of the golf course and we do not want golfers entering these properties, the stakes will be changed to white out-of-bounds stakes.

To assist with pace of play please play a provisional ball to prevent going back to replay your shot if it ends up being out of bounds. Many thanks for your cooperation. Happy golfing, and see you at the Club.

Golf results • Saturday 15 February 2020 Club Competition 4BBB Stableford East Course Winners - 1st Gavin Levick & Frans Esterhuyse - 48 pts, 2nd Danie vd Spuy & George Sauerman - 46 pts; South Course Winners: 1st Pippa Adams & Pauline Metcalfe - 51 pts, 2nd Prans Prins & Denis Joubert - 49 pts; North Course Winners: 1st Andre Gouws & John Clifford - 46 pts, 2nd Dave Johnson & John Atkinson - 43 pts C/I • Tuesday 18 February 2020 Ladies’ Competition 4BBB Stableford East Course Winners: 1st Terri Sulley, Yvonne Teixeira, Pippa Meyer & Kim Davies - 78 pts, 2nd Lynne Behagg, Cheryl Richardson, Jackie Clifford & Melinda Smith - 77 pts; South Course Winners: 1st Isolde Striene, Gina Buckmaster, Pier Blommaert & Kathy Bruyns - 79 pts, 2nd Liz Wride, Joan Geldenhuys, Annie Spratt & Elise Nykamp - 77 pts • Wednesday 19 Feb 2020 Men’s Competition 4BBB Stableford East Course Winners: 1st Gerrie du Plooy & Tony Runkell - 46 pts C/I; 2nd Colin Woodhatch & Brian Taylor - 46 pts C/O; South Course Winners: 1st Lucien Le Roux & Jan Swanepoel - 45 pts C/I, 2nd Peter Gray & Andre du Plessis - 45 pts C/O; North Course Winners: 1st Butch Zeederberg & Dave King - 49 pts, 2nd Sarel Ackerman & Chris Conroy - 44 pts

www.thevillagenews.co.za

26 February 2020

27 23

WP Bench Press Champs

O

n Saturday 22 February, the local powerlifting club, Brutal @ The Bar, run

by Johan and Michelle Kruger, hosted the Western Cape Bench Press Championships. This was combined with a development bench press competition for local and new lifters across the province. Mathew Browne, owner of ProActive Fitness made his gym available for this event. The turnout was excellent and lifters competed in age and weight categories.

Two new Western Cape bench press records were set by Master 2 lifter, Charles Johnson, who broke the record in his category and another in an Open category. A special mention also goes to Luke Hall, a local 22-year-old junior who trains at ProActive, who partici-

pated in the development competition and matched Charles with a mighty 180 kg. Many of the participating athletes qualified for the SA Bench Press Championships which will be held next month in Port Elizabeth.

The local community supported this event in an unprecedented way, with various people sponsoring a range of category prizes.

Everyone agreed that this event should now become a fixture in the Western Cape Powerlifting Federation’s calendar. Brutal @ The Bar would like to give special thanks to Food Lover’s Market, Quantum Coachworks, Oasis Water, The Wine Glass, Wilson Schneider Biokineticists, ProActive Fitness and all the individuals who donated so generously towards the event.

Luke Hall (22) pressed 180 kg in the development competition.

PHOTO: Taylum Meyer

The first team hockey girls at Hermanus High School received their new sponsored kit from Kia Hermanus on Thursday 20 February, which they can be seen wearing above. Kia Hermanus has been a sponsor at the school for the past eight years, for which the learners and staff are extremely grateful. Pictured with the first team girls are the Manager and Head of hockey, Mavis de Villiers (back row, middle), HHS principal Greg Hassenkamp (front row, third from left), Kia Hermanus owners Pauline and Sean Smith (front row, middle) and Coach Sonja Augustyn (front row, third from right).

PHOTO: Taylum Meyer

The Overberg BMX Club was proud to host the current South African BMX Elite Champion, Alex Limberg, and South African number 5, Wanga Moshani at their track in Hermanus on Sunday morning. The two champions spent the morning giving the young Overberg BMX riders tips and inspiration. This was the first time that Alex has visited our town and he was very impressed with the track, saying that it is a great track for youngsters and that he will definitely be visiting again! Here is Alex Limberg helping some of the youngsters from the Overberg BMX Club.

PHOTO: Birgitta Weaving The school zonal swimming trials were held on Friday 21 February at Curro Hermanus's indoor pool. Curro Hermanus, Hermanus High, Swellendam High, Grabouw High and De Villers Graaff High took part. They competed in individual medleys, butterfly, breaststroke, freestyle and backstroke races of different distances. There was also a relay race consisting of teams of four swimmers which each swam one lap in a different stroke. The results were as follows: Swellendam High School (first), Hermanus High School (second), De Villiers Graaff High School (third), Curro Hermanus High School (fourth) and Grabouw High School (fifth). The students with the best times will be representing the Overberg in the district swimming trials in March.

PHOTOS: Taylum Meyer

28 24

www.thevillagenews.co.za

26 February 2020

MY SPORT

Fun for all at Twilight Run

L

arge groups of families and friends enjoyed the sixth annual Twilight Fun Run, organised by Hermanus High School's PTA, through the fairways of the beautiful Hermanus Golf Club on a balmy summer’s evening on Friday.

The runners started at the Hermanus Country Market and made their way through the streets of Hermanus Heights before heading onto the golf course.

Mihlali Duba, a member of the matric council, was one of the marshals along the route.

Several of the runners were even lucky enough to see a herd of springbok run past them just as they approached the greens.

Whalers Results

The parents of the PTA were assisted by the 2020 matric council and law enforcement officers, who ensured that they were safe along the route and that everyone went the right way.

Several members of the Whalers Athletic Club participated in the annual Cape Peninsula Marathon on Sunday 16 February. Organised by Celtic Harriers Athletics Club in Partnership with Top Events, the marathon started in Main Road, Green Point at 05:15, while the half marathon started at the Bergvliet Sports Club at 07:00. The marathon route took runners on a course through Cape Town and the southern suburbs, where the marathon runners met up with the half-marathon runners and continued on through Muizenberg and Fish Hoek to the finish line at the Naval Sports Grounds in Simon’s Town.

At the end of the walk, all the participants received a medal and were invited to the field at the Cricket Club, where food and drink stalls were set up for hungry and thirsty runners. Live music added to the jovial atmosphere of a memorable evening.

Hermanus High would like to thank everyone involved for their support and assistance in making this event such a great success.

– Taylum Meyer

Sarah Marshall from Generation Schools Hermanus and her horse, Le Spinnaker, competed in the Core League Qualifiers from 6 – 8 February. Riders from all over the Overberg and Cape Winelands attended this first qualifier to compete for a chance to earn a spot in their region’s team, which will go to George in May. The top four riders from each level (in each province) will then go through to the SANESA National Championships later this year. Sarah and her horse did a fantastic job, placing in every class they competed in. They took part in multidisciplinary events which ran from Friday through to Sunday. Their results were as follows: Equitation (1st in Overberg, 2nd overall), Working Riding (1st in Overberg), Working Hunter (1st in Overberg, 3rd overall), Handy Hunter (1st in Overberg, 4th overall), In-Hand Utility (1st in Overberg, 1st overall), Show Jumping 1 (3rd in Overberg), Show Jumping 2 (1st in Overberg), Dressage (3rd in Overberg) and 70 cm Show Jumping (5th overall). Congratulations, Sarah, and good luck for your future competitions.

PHOTO: Supplied by Generation Hermanus

Cape Peninsula 42.2 km Marathon: Nyasha Mhindurwa Janhi (M) - 3:33:06, Richard Van Der Spuy (M) - 3:39:45, Annmarie Steyn (F) - 3:45:53, Christo Vlotman (M) - 3:46:21, Jeannie De Vynck (F) - 3:46:23, Johann Kotze (M) - 3:53:25, Michael Rolfe (M) - 4:09:37

Groups of families and friends of all ages enjoyed the Twilight Fun Run. PHOTOS: Taylum Meyer

Cape Peninsula 21 km Half Marathon: Emeth Stembele Mafentile (M) - 1:44:13, Les Hanna - 2:08:44, Julia Barlow (F) 2:19:34, Theresa Fenn (F) - 2:24:09, Elaine Cuffe (F) - 2:29:09