The Village NEWS 29 Jan - 5 Feb 2020

YOUR FREE COPY

THE VILLAGE

NEWS #ALLOVEROVERBERG

www.thevillagenews.co.za

Welcome rain brings relief Writer De Waal Steyn

T

he generous rain that has fallen in the Overstrand over the past few weeks has prompted the municipality to relax water restrictions, even though the level of the De Bos dam is still only at 50% of its capacity.

At a council meeting on 22 January, Mayor Dudley Coetzee said: “Over the past number of days Hermanus has been blessed with rain in excess of 85mm, which has raised the level of the De Bos dam to above 50%. Water is still flowing strongly across the weir into the dam and we predict that the dam level will continue to rise.”

According to the municipality, the Greater Hermanus area will revert to Level 2 water restrictions as of 1 February 2020.

“With level 2 water restrictions, the first increment of the approved water restriction tariffs is still applicable, which entails a 30% tariff increase on usage above 6 kl per month for household consumption, as well as all other usage.

Relaxation of the water restriction tariffs will be considered when the De Bos dam level reaches 70%,” the municipality said in a statement.

Other administrative areas within the Overstrand are not affected by these measures since they still have sufficient water resources. These measures apply to the administrative area of Hermanus only, in other words to all residential areas from Benguela Cove through Fisherhaven to Voëlklip.

According to municipal Director of Infrastructure and Planning, Stephen Müller the decision last year to tighten water restrictions from Level 2 to Level 3 was taken while the level of the De Bos dam was at 45% and decreasing.

Celino Pieterson, a Grade 12 learner at Hermanus High School, carries teacher Maryke Henn across the finish line at the end of the relay race between the staff and past pupils of Hermanus High at the interhouse athletics day on Friday. See more pictures on P 23 and P 24. PHOTO: Taylum Meyer

Uitgesoekte voorraad. Voorraad beperk.

“Shortly after the restrictions came into effect, we received unseasonal rain and the level of the dam started rising. Coupled with

the fact that the daily water consumption during the peak season was lower than in previous years, we took the decision to ease water restrictions.”

Müller said in addition to the rainfall there have also been numerous requests from residents to allow them to water their gardens at least once a week with a hosepipe.

“Many older residents who have lovingly tended gardens no longer have the ability to water their gardens with buckets or watering cans, and because of the Level 3 restrictions these gardens were withering away. We also took these requests into consideration when we decided to relax the restrictions,” said Müller.

He added that it is anticipated that the two new boreholes that were drilled near the Gateway Centre will start supplying water soon. “If everything goes according to plan, the first borehole will come online by the end of March and the second by the end of April. While boreholes play an increasingly important role in our water supply, at least 70% of our potable water still comes from the De Bos dam.”

Hanré Blignaut, Deputy Director, Engineering Planning at the municipality, said they will consider easing the Level 2 water restrictions only when the level of the De Bos dam reaches 70%.

“We monitor the level of the dam on an ongoing basis and regularly check on the flow of water into the system,” said Blignaut.

"We are aware of claims that less water is flowing into the dam because of an increase in water usage and dams higher up in the catchment area. To this end we have requested the Breede-Gouritz Catchment Management Agency, which manages the water resources in the area to do an audit on water usage in the Onrus catchment area.

This will enable us to better manage this scarce resource.”

Continues on P3

Village Square, Hermanus | 028 312 3411

29 JANUARY 2020

3

www.thevillagenews.co.za

29 January 2020

Water restrictions Schulphoek sale has relaxed to level 2 been concluded PHOTO: Dual Adventure Biking

T

he stage is set for the building of a Better Living Model housing project on the Schulphoek land after it was confirmed that the sale of the land has been concluded and it was registered in the name of the Overstrand Municipality in December.

From P 1 Several Hermanus residents have also questioned whether the municipal boreholes have influenced the water table of wellpoints in residential areas.

A reader of The Village NEWS, Monica Hugo of Northcliff, said that although the municipality had stated that the new boreholes at the top of Duiker Street would not affect private wellpoints, it seemed as if this was not the case.

“I have been a resident of Northcliff for more than 26 years and even during severe droughts wellpoints have never dried up, as is the case now. In the past, gardens used to stay lush and green during summer and even in times of drought. But now one can see gardens wilting because of a lack of water and wellpoints and boreholes are drying up,” said Hugo.

Blignaut said that the borehole at the top of Duiker Street is not in use yet and therefore can have no influence on wellpoints or boreholes in the suburb.

Here are the amended level 2 water restrictions for Hermanus: • The use of irrigation systems and hosepipes is allowed when watering gardens, but remember, only for one hour per day, once a week; • The day per week is determined in accordance with street numbers.

For residents with even numbers, it is Wednesdays ONLY, and for those with uneven numbers, Tuesdays ONLY; • Please water gardens before 09:00 or after 17:00 on any of these days; • The washing of vehicles and hard surfaces with a hose pipe using municipal water is still not allowed. Vehicles may only be washed using a bucket; • Swimming pools may be filled with municipal water.

“Municipal boreholes extract water from deep within the Peninsula Aquifer, which is separated by three impermeable ground formations from the lower aquifer that is used by domestic boreholes and wellpoints.

“Research done on the water levels of several boreholes over the past 20 years indicates that the lower aquifers are not connected to the Peninsula Aquifer in any way. Thus, the boreholes near Gateway will have no influence on domestic boreholes.

The reverse is also true: extraction from the lower aquifers will have no impact on the aquifer from which the municipality extracts water,” said Blignaut.

According to him, below average rainfall was recorded over the past five years in Hermanus, something that has never occurred before. This leads to the lower aquifers drying up sooner during the hotter summer season.

“In addition, due to the protracted drought in the Western Cape and specifically in Hermanus, more private boreholes and wellpoints have been sunk, which has put more pressure than ever before on the lower aquifers. While private boreholes do not need to be licensed by the Department of Water and Sanitation, we urge users to remember that this water resource is finite and that it also needs to be used sparingly, especially during the dry season,” said Blignaut.

Levels of the major dams supplying Cape Town, Winelands, West Coast and the Overberg:

• • • • • • •

De Bos: Theewaterskloof: Berg River: Wemmershoek: Steenbras Lower: Steenbras Upper: Voëlvlei:

50.7% 65.2% 86.2% 73.9% 79.1% 99,7% 74.1%

It was reported in September 2019 that a sale agreement was reached with the previous owners to buy back the controversial piece of land at a price of R31.7 million. The land was originally sold by the municipality to developers in 2010 for R23.2 million.

According to municipal Director of Infrastructure and Planning, Stephen Müller, the municipality and the provincial government are busy setting a land availability agreement in place the terms of which the provincial Department of Human Settlements will erect a Better Living Model housing project.

Talks on the creation of at least 7 500 housing opportunities have been ongoing since 2018 when a Stakeholder’s Forum was created by then Western Cape Premier Helen Zille.

land in Mount Pleasant that will allow for housing opportunities.

How the rest of the budget will be spent, however, remains unclear. In September it was reported that the money needed to be spent by 31 March 2020, before the start of the new financial cycle. Queries for details on the allocation of the budget were referred to the municipality. Whether money from this budget was used to pay for the Schulphoek land is also unclear.

“At this point we are not at liberty to disclose the detail without consulting the local authority. The department was not involved in the previous sale and the current price was determined according to processes that took into account all other relevant factors. Any further queries relating to the 2010 sale should be directed to the municipality,” Martin said in a statement.

In September last year it was reported that the Schulphoek development would be a catalytic provincial project. This means that in effect the municipality will be the custodian of the land, but the provincial government will manage the project.

The bulk infrastructure will remain an asset of the municipality.

Masizole Mnqasela, convenor of the Stakeholders’ Forum and the Democratic Alliance’s Overstrand representative, said the project to build a Better Living Model housing development will go ahead as planned. “It was agreed by all members of the Stakeholders’ Forum in 2019 that the development would go ahead. The principle of the delivery plan stays in place. This means that we want to ensure that everyone has a roof over their heads or are at least the beneficiaries of a piece of land. But this must be done within the confines of the law.”

Also, a 10-member working group was established and has been meeting since April 2019 to engage on the design principles and to formulate a draft development framework. A draft implementation plan has been crafted and a decision has been taken to put this into practice on the southern point of the site, which is unoccupied and already has development rights.

On the question of how the land can be registered in the name of the municipality after it was widely reported that a local authority may not buy back land it has previously sold, Martin said the municipality bought back the land for human settlement development (housing) purposes and not for basic municipal services, and therefore it was allowed within the framework of the law.

The initial plan was to start with the development on 1 April, but according to Marcellino Martin, spokesperson for Tertius Simmers, Western Cape Minister for Human Settlements, the start of the project has been delayed.

Mnqasela said the provincial Department of Human Settlements would meet soon with representatives of the municipality to finalise the operational plan and to discuss the way forward for the establishment of a Social Compact for the Schulphoek area.

Attempts to elect a Social Compact, consisting of members representing the Zwelihle community, were unsuccessful at the end of last year after the meeting had been disrupted.

“The department will, however, continue with the project pursuant to Section 26 of the Constitution, which mandates the state to take reasonable legislative and other measures within its available resources to achieve the progressive realisation of the right to adequate housing,” said Martin.

He said an allocation of R109 million was made by the Human Settlements Department in its amendment budget in November 2019. Of this, R600 000 was earmarked for housing opportunities in Mount Pleasant. Müller said this money was received and is being used for the rezoning of several parcels of

According to Mnqasela it is estimated that around 2 000 shacks have been erected on the Schulphoek land. “This means that there are many newcomers to the area and although it is our intention to ensure the equitable distribution of housing opportunities, we have to follow the law governing these issues. For this to happen we need the community to become part of the governance process by supporting the creation of a Social Compact,” he said.

4

www.thevillagenews.co.za

29 January 2020

Local builders up in arms Writer Raphael da Silva

T

alks between the Whale Coast Contractors Association (WCCA) and the Department of Labour have broken down over the role of the Building Industry Bargaining Council (BIBC).

During a meeting on Monday, 27 January at the offices of the municipality, the contractors refused to continue with discussions unless both the Minister of Labour, Thulas Nxesi, and his Director-General, Thobile Lamati, were present.

“Where we are now is that we have been lied to. So I am promising one thing here. I am not going to be part of negotiations that are based on lies. We made it clear that we can only be part of the next meeting if the Director-General and the Minister of Labour and Employment are here,” said the Democratic Alliance’s Overstrand representative, Masizole Mnqasela, who chairs the committee mediating between the WCCA, BIBC and the Department of Labour. Mnqasela is also the Speaker of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament.

Overstrand Deputy Mayor, Elnora Gillion, echoed Mnqasela’s words and added that after two years of fruitless discussions, she also needed to take a stand. “I have experienced nothing but arrogance from the Department of Labour and BIBC. I have sent numerous emails to the minister regarding this issue, to no avail.”

Members of the WCCA have a number of grievances against the BIBC. They argue that

although the BIBC may have sufficient support within its demarcated geographic area, particularly Cape Town, this support does not extend to the Overstrand. They believe that they should be given the opportunity to opt out of the BIBC collective agreement.

According to the WCCA, the local building environment is completely different to Cape Town and so the same rules and wage levels should not apply.

With the building industry in the doldrums for the past two years, those projects and jobs that do come up are extremely competitive. Contractors, many of whom have been in business for decades, complain that adhering to the BIBC wage regulations and deductions prices them out of the market against companies that should be following the mandated guidelines but are not.

down to R208.15.

Contractors also complain that the BIBC has been overly aggressive in fining companies for non-compliance, particularly in the Overstrand, and is threatening to sell property, stock and vehicles in order to collect these fines.

The jurisdiction of the BIBC Cape of Good Hope covers an area of approximately 4 000 km², extending from Pearly Beach in the Overstrand along the Hottentots Holland mountains to Riebeeck West and westwards to Yzerfontein, including the entire Peninsula.

For example, according to the BIBC regulations for the Overstrand, the minimum daily wage for a labourer for nine hours of work (the maximum daily hours allowed before overtime), is R259.11.

According to its website, the BIBC is a sector and area-specific bargaining council created in terms of the Labour Relations Act. This act makes provision for employer and employee representative organisations within an industry or area to enter into collective agreements covering “any areas of mutual interest” and, if they are sufficiently representative of the industry, the parties can approach the Minister of Labour to gazette these agreements and extend them to bind non-parties as well.

The employer is further required to pay towards a holiday fund (R18.31), bonus fund (R14.46), pension or provident fund (R18.89) and a sick fund (R2.95). On top of this is a mandatory medical aid contribution of R33.25. This brings the total daily cost for a labourer to R346.97.

The collective agreement is generally negotiated between the parties every three years and once signed, is gazetted by the minister with effect from 1 November of the applicable year.

The latest collective agreement was gazetted on November 22, 2019.

A deduction of R17.71 is supposed to be made from a labourer’s wage by the employer for a pension or provident fund and R33.25 for medical aid. This brings the daily take-home wage

Thereafter, all persons engaged in the building industry within the demarcated area of the BIBC are legally obliged to comply with the terms of the collective agreement, whether they were

signatories to the agreement or not. In fact, the minister signs a specific declaration to extend the collective agreement to non-parties.

Although the BIBC is a creature of statute, it is not sponsored by the state and is funded by levies paid equally by employers and employees, states the website.

According to the BIBC it has four essential functions: • To offer a forum to negotiate a collective agreement between employer and employee representative organisations on an annual basis; • To administer the collective agreement entered into between employer and employee representative bodies in the building industry. The agreement covers standard terms and conditions of employment, such as rates of pay, benefits, holidays etc; • To resolve labour disputes in the building industry rather than referring them to the CCMA; • To administer social benefit funds for employees (e.g. retirement, medical aid, sick pay and holiday pay).

According to the BIBC, it represents approximately 2 800 employers and 40 000 employees active in the building industry in its area.

R150 PER PERSON

CASINO, HOTEL, SPA AND ENTERTAINMENT

www.thevillagenews.co.za

29 January 2020

5

Is it fish or is it fowl?

Writer Elaine Davie

I

t can walk – sort of – but it cannot fly; instead, it can dive up to 100m under water. The penguin is a remarkable animal, perfectly adapted for its important role in the marine eco-system.

Yet, in the case of the African Penguin which inhabits our oceans, its numbers have plummeted to such an extent that it is now on the endangered species list.

Globally, there are 18 penguin species, many of them threatened. Indeed, worldwide, they are the most threatened species after albatrosses and petrels. And if the African Penguin is to escape extinction, then the seven protected colonies in the Western and Eastern Cape – Dassen, Robben and Dyer Islands, together with Boulders and Stony Point in the former, and Bird and St Croix Islands in the latter – must continue to play a critical role.

During the first half of the 20th century, there were literally millions of penguins in the country’s various breeding colonies, but in the 1950s large-scale commercial harvesting of eggs and guano dealt a first blow to the numbers. By the mid- to late-1990s when the Department of Fisheries started undertaking regular surveys, it became clear that their source of food had become seriously depleted. Now each of the colonies is lucky if it can boast more than 1 000 breeding pairs. Penguins are not generalised feeders; they rely exclusively on pelagic fish like anchovies and sardines for population sustainability.

According to Dr Alistair McInnes, penguin specialist at BirdLife Africa, there are several reasons for the decline in pelagic fish numbers, including altered water temperatures, which have resulted in the populations migrating further east. At the same time, commercial fishing activity increased, which meant that the West Coast colonies were hit with a double whammy. Fortunately, there is not a great deal of purse seine fishing (gill net fishing) in our waters, which presents the additional danger of penguins getting entangled in the nets.

In an attempt to slow down the decline in penguin numbers, a study was initiated by the government in 2008, which has just reached its conclusion. “The idea was to introduce a spatial management plan for fishers in the waters surrounding Robben and Dassen Islands in the Western Cape and Bird and St Croix Islands in the Eastern Cape,” explains McInnes.

“It was based on a schedule of alternate closed and open fishing cycles of three years each,

within a radius of 20 km from each of these colonies, giving the fish stocks time to recover. I’m happy to say that compliance has been pretty good amongst commercial fishing companies and most of the vessels also now have a monitoring system on board which makes it possible to track their movements.”

The final report which is being moderated by an international panel of experts is expected to show positive results and make recommendations for further implementation. At this point, it seems that the South Coast colonies are far more stable than those on the West Coast which have been devastated in recent years. The African penguin habitat stretches from Angola to Port Alfred and thanks to a certain amount of regulation by the South African authorities, we still have a number of viable populations, whereas on the Namibian coast, they have all but disappeared.

Because the protected colonies in South Africa are so crucial to the survival of the species, BirdLife Africa is also presently trying to establish a new colony. “One of my colleagues, Christina Hagen is working on the project at De Hoop Nature Reserve,” Alistair says. “We know there are fish out there, but one of the key requirements for establishing a viable population is protecting the animals from predation – by leopards, caracals, genets, mongooses – so our first priority has been to fence the entire area. Now Christina has started putting out penguin decoys and broadcasting penguin calls to attract the birds.”

Another intervention is undertaken by SANCCOB on an ongoing basis. As researcher Dr Lauren Waller explains, “We admit between 80 and 200 eggs a year for artificial incubation. These eggs are rescued by conservationists largely because they have been laid in unsafe areas, like the car park at Stony Point, for example. About 70% of them are successfully incubated and hatched at our Chick Rearing Unit and after about three months, when they have lost most of their chicken fluff, are able to swim and are waterproof, they can be released back into the wild.

All of them carry transponders and we are able to track their activities as they fledge, become adults and start to breed themselves, thus adding to the population size.”

C OMF OR T &

ST YLE

ABOVE: The Stony Point Reserve in Betty's Bay plays a critical role in the conservation of the African Penguin.

PHOTO: CapeNature RIGHT: African Penguins are monogamous and both parents take turns incubating and feeding their chicks, usually two.

PHOTO: Jessica Kemper But, other than the fact that they are such cute and iconic little creatures, why is it so important for them not to become extinct? Well, according to Alistair, they are an important indicator species in the Benguela Upwelling System. “A sharp decline in penguin numbers, as we have seen, points to the fact that there is something seriously amiss in this part of the ocean, which will have an impact on other species, too. They are brilliant swimmers and foragers and cover huge distances to find food, but if there is none available within their range, they lose condition, may defer breeding and fewer of their chicks may survive.”

Because pelagic fish are generally found near the ocean floor, penguins have a special skill, particularly if they are hunting in groups, which is to herd the fish into ball-shaped schools, guiding them to the surface of the sea, where they can be preyed on by other seabirds and larger fish as well. Their disappearance would therefore also affect the sustainability of other species.

Of course, they hold huge tourism potential with concomitant economic benefits for us as well. In a recent calculation it was found that the Boulders colony in Simons Town attracts approximately half a million visitors a year, generating US$2 million in revenue and creating 885 direct and indirect jobs, with a total economic benefit to the country of R311 million per annum. With this in mind, CapeNature is currently planning a major refurbishment and expansion of its facilities at Stony Point, including extending its

educational component, to create greater awareness amongst both adults and children.

Indeed, there is much to learn from the fascinating lifecycle of penguins, like the fact that they are monogamous and mother and father take turns incubating and feeding their chicks, usually two. Each year the adults also go through a major moulting process, called the catastrophic moult, during which, for a period of three weeks they remain on land and eat nothing at all. “As you can imagine,” says Lauren, “they are at their most vulnerable during this time when literally all their feathers must be replaced with new ones. It is only once these new feathers are completely waterproof, that they can head back to sea again.

“Then for four to five weeks they are hyperphagic, meaning they eat much more than they usually do to replace their lost energy reserves.

In fact, they can increase their body weight by about 40% during this time. These are truly remarkable little creatures and the world would definitely be the poorer without them, which is why I’m happy that so many of our NGOs, university academics, commercial fisheries and government departments are all collaborating to ensure their survival. “ For more information, Dr Alistair McInnes can be contacted on alistair.mcinnes@birdlife.org. za and Dr Lauren Waller on lauren@sanccob. co.za or visit the websites www.birdlife.org.za and www.sanccob.co.za

6

www.thevillagenews.co.za

29 January 2020

FROM THE EDITOR

Get down to business and ban plastic With all the firefighting, both literally in Australia and figuratively elsewhere in the world today, readers may have missed a game-changing announcement last week in the environmental fight to protect this planet and halt global warming.

China, one of the world's largest users of plastic, unveiled a plan to reduce single-use plastics. Non-degradable bags will be banned in major cities by the end of 2020 and in all cities and towns by 2022.

Restaurants must stop using plastic straws by the end of 2020 and

government plays catch-up on the policy front.

order of prevalence, they are:

reduce the use of single-use plastic items by 30%.

This is big news and begs the question of why South Africa, which touts its natural beauty as a key tourism drawcard, hasn’t done the same thing. The government only announced in July 2019 that it would start a review of the policy on single-use plastics.

A recent study by the University of Cape Town shows that there are 10 common problem plastics found along South Africa’s coastline. In

Shopping bags, coffee cups and coffee cup lids, straws, water bottles, earbuds, lollipop sticks, drinking spouts on sports drinks, individual sweet wrappers, fragments of cups, and takeaway food packaging containers and food trays made from polystyrene.

Already a number of restaurants, shops, takeaways and supermarkets have taken positive and commendable steps to use only degradable straws and takeaway containers, to put groceries in paper bags and to forego coffee cup lids.

Closer to home in the Overberg where beaches are an integral part of our economy and quality of life, we must ask ourselves what more we can do while the South African

With local suppliers already selling biodegradable packaging, there is every incentive for companies to make the switch. Every bit helps.

This is the good NEWS - Ed

Continental drifts, sweet teeth and militant windmills

For Fact’s Sake By Murray Stewart

thevillagemuze@gmail.com

Family dinner gatherings can be awkward, so fill those embarrassing silences and astound your disapproving in-laws with facts guaranteed to garner admiring glances and perhaps even a mention in their will.

Land Ahoy!

Of the earth’s seven continents, none has been ‘discovered’ as often as North America. Oddly enough, an eighth continent has recently revealed itself, but more about that later.

After the last Ice Age – about 12 000 years ago – communists from Russia strolled overland (where the Bering Strait is today) to Alaska for a braai. As the ice melted, the sea rose between the continents, and they were stuck, so Green Cards or not, they must therefore have been the first to ‘discover’ and inhabit North America.

In 800 BCE, the Phoenician navigator Hanno was reported to have sailed to a land ’thirty days westward from Gibraltar’. Recent research has revealed that five Chinese ships crossed the

Pacific to California/Mexico in 459 CE. There’s also evidence that Irish monks, escaping the pagan Teutonic tribes invading Western Europe, landed near today’s Washington nearly 900 years before Columbus was born.

About 400 years later, Nordic explorers gave Greenland a swerve and carried on to Labrador where expedition leader Lief Ericson found wild grapes growing and called it Vinland. Only 200 years later (1170 CE), a Welsh prince, Madoc Gwynedd was exiled and sailed across the Atlantic to land near Mobile Bay, where the ruins of three medieval Welsh-style fortresses still stand today in Tennessee.

Around then, The Knights Templar also left signs and treasures all over Nova Scotia and surrounds. Finally, in 1492 Columbus crossed the ocean and donned the ‘discoverer’s’ crown, which most Americans prefer. Bugger the facts.

Anyway, recently an eighth continent was discovered – Zealandia. When Pangaea’s outer crust split apart, a chunk twice the size of Greenland drifted off to the right of Australia, stretching from below New Zealand to opposite the Great Barrier Reef up north. After the Ice Age, the low-lying areas eventually became submerged and only the higher ground remains

– the islands of New Zealand, New Caledonia and Vanuatu. Geography books in Australasian schools are already updated to include Zealandia as the eighth continent.

The Origins of...

Berserk: Viking warriors used an extra weapon in their rampages across Northern Europe – loud, manic, uncontrollable rage. People fled in terror from these fur-clad hordes which they described as ‘berserkers’.

The Norse for ‘clad in bear skin’ is berserk.

Checkmate: In chess, the winning move, checkmate, comes from the Persian phrase shah mat meaning ‘the king is dead’.

Booze: The Dutch word for being drunk was ‘buizen’. By the 1500s, buizing had been adopted into English and evolved into boozing/booze.

Hooligan: The Houlihans were an obnoxious Irish clan living in South London in the 1890s. They were renowned for their uncouth, raucous behaviour, and their name – mispronounced as the stories spread – became a noun and an adjective.

Jargon: Politicians and lawyers flaunting their presumptuous jargon

might like to know that the word comes from the old French – gargon, meaning the ‘twittering/cacophony of bird noises’.

Tip: On leaving, customers at the 18th century English tea/coffee houses were invited to drop coins into a box for the staff, bearing the words, ‘To Insure Promptness’ – ergo TIP. Crusaders During ancient and medieval times, most Europeans didn’t have much to look forward to on the pudding trolley. Apart from berries and fruit, honey was the only available sweetener back then, but without enough bees to go around, only the well-healed could entertain a sweet tooth.

Around then, a slight disagreement with the folks in the Middle East resulted in convoys of Crusaders being dispatched to defend the Holy Land.

When they returned, they brought back a couple of useful items they’d retrieved from the east.

Sugar was one, and in the 12th century it was first introduced in bulk to Western Europe. The other was the windmill which must have cheered up Don Quixote, because now he had something meaningful to rage against apart from those pesky dykes.

Proudly Sponsored By

WEEKLY WEATHER & DE BOS DAM LEVELS

Talisman Tool Hire

Wed | 29 Jan

Thu | 30 Jan

Fri | 31 Jan

Sat | 1 Jan

Sun | 2 Jan

Mon | 3 Jan

Tue | 4 Jan

20°/22° Partly Cloudy

20°/27° Clear

20°/22° Cloudy

20°/21° Partly Cloudy

20°/23° Clear

21°/28° Clear

18°/27° Some Rain

De Bos Dam 50.68%

WEEKLY TIDE TABLES High Low High Low

05:49 11:59 17:56 00:01

High Low High Low

06:20 12:32 18:28

High Low High Low

Contact Us

028 313 0144

Weekly Rainfall 10 mm Tides sourced by www.tide-forecast.com

06:53 13:10 19:06 01:07

High Low High Low

07:33 13:57 19:55 01:54

High Low High Low

08:26 15:05 21:12 03:08

High Low High Low

09:46 16:38 10:57 04:51

High Low High Low

11:18 18:02 00:21

7

www.thevillagenews.co.za

29 January 2020

LET'S TALK

In times of crisis ordinary people turn to the trivial In Hermanus a debate is raging around unleashed dogs. I present my analysis of this highly emotive and divisive issue to the editor of The Village NEWS: In times of crisis and significant despair, people are most traumatised by their own sense of helplessness – their inability to “make things right”. To counter this trauma, they will focus on small and trivial issues as the source of all the trouble. Anything small and trivial enough to be under their control will suffice.

Through manipulation of this thing and the resultant feeling of power and authority, their sense of helplessness is at least starting to be diluted.

Of course, as an outside observer, it is clear that this is futile without any impact, but there will be no way to convince the perpetrator(s) of this.

I think it is fair to say that in South Africa, our own sense of despair and helplessness has grown and grown over the past decade and for many of us it is reaching fever pitch. In the community of Hermanus, this sense may even be elevated, due to repeated protest actions over the past few years, as well as land occupation(s), environmental and economic destruction as a result of these, and of course, the general lawlessness as reflected by massive ongoing poaching.

Ordinary folk in Hermanus have been searching and struggling to find any issue through which they can express their anger, “put things right” and “save our dear town”.

It seems to me that this issue has now been identified: dogs running around unleashed. And it is being attacked with a fervour that is typical of a traumatised mob on a crusade. Suddenly it is a scientific (sic) fact that: • Unleashed dogs are the biggest danger facing anyone venturing into public spaces. Pathways and nature walks are off-limits due to the danger posed by dogs running around wildly.

• Criminal activity on these walks is nothing compared to the danger posed by free-running dogs. In fact,

•

•

•

it is now a criminal activity to allow your dog(s) to run free.

Dog poo on the cliff paths and the beaches is the single biggest contribution to pollution and environmental destruction that our beloved town is facing. It may even be the cause of climate change?

The same dogs running around with abandon are threatening our precious (and endangered) wildlife, like breeding black oystercatchers, other birds, dassies etc.

The Blue Flag status of our beaches is threatened by unleashed dogs and dog poo – thus they pose a significant economic threat to all and sundry as well.

So, this is the issue that many ordinary folks have identified as the root cause of all our troubles and problems in Hermanus. And this is the one issue that must be set right, then everything will be OK; things will revert to “normal” and our town and our way of life will have been saved.

Not everybody agrees with this – indeed many think this sets us on the path to a cynical, bureaucratic and pet-unfriendly Hermanus that is very different to the town and lifestyle we love – and the debate has been raging on social media since around October last year.

Once one understands why people are so psyched by this (according to my own simplified analysis above), one realises the futility of the debate. One also realises that in their own minds (most) people caught up in this fervour are doing so for the “greater good” – so could one really convince them of the contrary? The obvious answer is: No! I believe it is more constructive for us to focus on the real drivers behind this issue. And throughout the debate on social media, the key question has often been asked: who is pushing this agenda so hard and why? The answer is clear. This issue has been relentlessly driven and the debate stoked by the Overstrand Municipality (OM) – or at least the political apparatchiks behind OM. The stoking of this debate is witnessed in:

Sign up for

FIBRE

from R495.00

www.hermanusfibre.co.za

Now live in areas: Berg-en-See | Hemel-en-Aarde Estate | Hermanus Heights

8 9

•

•

•

•

The posting of notices on social media virtually daily about the bylaw prohibiting free-running dogs anywhere on public property.

Every time such a notice is posted, strong reaction (from both sides) is evoked and the debate just starts over again.

Posts that proclaim the environmental damage caused by free-running dogs posted equally often. As I stated previously, this is the new science.

The reintroduction of dog licences (a relic from the ‘70s) – carefully timed at the height of the debate – to manage and control this scourge in our society.

OM acknowledging its inability to enforce the legislated fines but indicating that errant dogs will be removed from their owners and may be “liquidated”.

Why is OM pushing this so hard? It is an easy and convenient way for the apparatchiks to divert attention away from their own massive failings over the past few years; failings which ironically have directly contributed (and still contribute today) to the very sense of helplessness and trauma parts of our society are experiencing. The strategy seems to be that by giving those parts of the community something to celebrate and crow about – that will take the heat off us.

To my fellow dog lovers and owners who are clearly baffled, frustrated and indeed angered by this machination, my advice is this: let us ignore it and above all not participate (anymore) in the debate. Never mind how much it is stoked and provoked (and it will be!), let us do what our fellow citizens in Zwelihle, Mount Pleasant or Hawston are doing: ignore it and treat it as the joke and idiocy it really is.

But, let us also hit back at the apparatchiks and refocus our minds and the debate on the real issues and threats facing our town and community, and how we are going to solve those – without the apparatchiks of course!

Tian Claassens Letter shortened – Ed

5

7

3 4 6 5

9 4 6 8

3 2 1 9

Dog licence fiasco At first when I read the article in News24 I thought it had to be fake news – an April Fool`s joke, printed by accident a few months prematurely – until I read it again in The Village NEWS, as well as the Overstrand Herald.

Why dig out of the dusty, obsolete archives only the old dog licence requirement? Bicycles also had to be licenced in those days, so include cyclists as well. And while you are at it, seeing that it appears to be silly season, why not go the whole hog

7

and require licences for cats, caged birds, hamsters, rabbits, white mice and rats, fish in tanks, etc.

I agree with the need for dog control at public beaches in season and do not find fault with those regulations.

I am aware that unfortunately there are some inconsiderate, irresponsible dog owners, but they need to be dealt with on their own. You don`t fine every car owner should someone else commit a traffic offence.

Johan du Preez, Betty`s Bay

Still searching for my car…

I asked at the management office the first week the Whale Coast Mall opened if it might not be a good idea to have some markings in the parking area to help customers locate their vehicles.

end of each row as an economical option and they said they would consider it. It is quite amazing how many people you see wandering around looking for their vehicles. It was obviously going to be a problem.

Pat, Fisherhaven

l suggested painting letters at the

8 4 5

8 1 6

The Overstrand Hospice 600 Club draw was done on Thursday, 23 January 2020 by Liz Human, Hospice volunteer and life coach. Liz is holding ‘Mr Boji’ (this little fellow is a CDR Frosty Seniors adoptee) and with them are Sr Wilma Barnes and Lynn Sillifant from Don Adams Auditors. What a great way to start the New Year for our winners: 1st K Mulock-Bentley; 2nd R J Beardsall 3rd P Bagnall. For only R50 a month you can join the club and support Overstrand Hospice in the work they do in the community. There are monthly cash prizes up for grabs every month. Contact Norma Scott-Tomlin on 028 312 4679 or 600admin@overstrandhospice.org.za for more information or visit the Hospice office at 10 Hope Street, Hermanus.

1 5

2 3

7 9

2

9 7 7 2 1 5 8 6 2 4 4 6

5 9 3

6 2 3

9

9 6

8

www.thevillagenews.co.za

29 January 2020

MY ENVIRONMENT

The Village NEWS is proud of its partnership with Daily Maverick which allows us to republish articles from their website, dailymaverick.co.za, that are of interest to Overberg residents.

If you go down to the beach today… you’re in for a big surprise

By Dr Anina Lee

With over 1.5 million unique users a month on its website, Daily Maverick is the foremost purveyor of South African news.

Go online to thevillagenews.co.za and search the titles in bold below to read a few of their popular articles.

E

veryone who lives in or visits Hermanus knows Grotto Beach. It is famous for its sparkling blue water (albeit a tad chilly), an unspoilt golden beach stretching all the way to Gansbaai, and the occasional whale spy-hopping, lob-tailing, and even breaching just off-shore.

If you take a stroll along the tide line, you will still find a few shells – but not so many these days. The beach is perhaps a bit too pristine.

Where are the multitudes of interesting sea shells, the hermit crabs and the little plovers?

Even the kelp is moved off the blue flag swimming beach.

What should you do if you’re depressed but can’t afford therapy?

You might be surprised to know that the leading cause of disability worldwide isn’t a communicable disease, heart disease or back pain: it’s depression. Depression is extremely common, in both rich countries and poor countries.

But have you ever looked to see what lurks under the sand? A wide open sandy beach like Grotto is a dangerous place if you are a small animal. Gulls, mongooses, crabs and other predators have their beady eyes on you. Hot, drying sun, harsh winds, changing tides and pounding waves are your enemies. So hide, little fellow, hide.

What creatures hide in the sand and what do they eat?

A feature of our coastline is the kelp forests that form a habitat for many marine creatures. Kelp is a primary producer in this ecosystem. It contains chlorophyll and therefore can use the sun’s energy to photosynthesise and produce sugars and other nutrients for aquatic life, including abalone. During high seas, kelp is washed up on our pristine beaches, where it rots in the sun.

Making South African extra virgin olive oil, from grove to factory floor Most of South Africa’s olive groves are owned by just 11 growers, who each have more than 50 hectares of trees. TGIFood goes behind the scenes to see how this luxurious liquid is made on a large scale.

SA Youth to Cyril Ramaphosa: South Africa is out of touch with Climate Crisis reality As we write this, South Africa is in the grip of a devastating drought. Farmers are committing suicide; more than 30,000 farming jobs have been lost. Towns across South Africa are running out of water. Food security is threatened, leaving our people less resilient.

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

However, the stink of rotting stranded kelp is a temporary problem. It is soon solved by a myriad of little creatures that are hidden in the sand above the high water mark.

Beach hoppers (Talorchestia capensis) are commonly termed ‘beach fleas’. They are actually air-breathing marine crustaceans with modified gills and are related to shrimps. They are not only champion jumpers but have prodigious appetites. Adults daily consume 60% and juveniles 100% of their body weight. They annually rid the beach of up to 1.8 tons dry weight per metre of sand or 53% of rotting kelp!

For protection against desiccation and predatory birds, beach hoppers live in burrows on the high shore during daylight hours. When the moon rises to provide them with the necessary coordinates for navigation, they scramble down the beach as a task force of up to 25 000 per square metre. After attacking the kelp all night for its sugars, they set new coordinates by the rising sun and return to base. They have a builtin navigation system synchronised to the position of the sun and the moon over their beach.

If they are moved to a beach with a different orientation they will scramble the wrong way.

Sand lice (Tylos capensis), also called ‘pill bugs’, are also good at cleaning up seaweed debris on beaches. Like the beach hoppers their lives are controlled by the tides and the dark of night.

‘Sand lice’ emerge from their burrows only after dark and only at low tide. They progressively delay their nightly appearance by 50 minutes each day, to coincide with low tidal periods. When these low tides begin to occur after dawn, the sand lice reset their biological clocks to emerge

at the next low tide after dusk. Amazingly, sand lice continue this rhythm even in laboratories when there are no environmental influences.

My firm favourites of the sandy beach live in the intertidal zone – the part of the beach that is sometimes under water and sometimes dry. It is a very challenging place to live and find food.

Plough snails (Bullia sp.) also have rhythms of activity. Plough snails move up and down with the tide, using their large ‘foot’ as a sail with the waves. They stop exactly where the waves drop the food they carry – and the snails detect it by smell and swarm all over it. Their favourite food is dead jellyfish and bluebottles. Their sense of smell or ‘chemodetection’ is their superpower.

They attack the food using a proboscis (trunk) to slurp up the food. Hand-feeding Bullia snails is surprisingly exciting.

We are all familiar with the shells of white or sand mussels (Donax sp.) that wash up on the beach. In order to feed, sand mussels extend two siphons above the sand to find food in the water that washes over them. One siphon, with a frilled edge to keep out sand grains, draws in food-laden water and then passes it through the gills where the food is filtered out. The filtered water is expelled through the second siphon.

It may seem hard to believe, but these mussels, especially young ones, also move up and down the beach with the tide. They come out of the sand and the waves of the rising tide roll them half-way up the beach, where they once more dig in. When the tide starts to go out, they hitch a ride with a wave down the beach and wait for the next tide.

Our challenge is to find some mussels and watch them filter-feeding. Digging will be required.

So, if you go down to Grotto Beach with Whale Coast Conservation on Tuesday 4 February at 17:30 you’re in for a big surprise.

Booking is essential as numbers are limited.

Tickets are R120 for adults and R60 for children. Mail anina.wcc@gmail.com to secure a place. Children are especially welcome.

ABOVE: Beach hoppers (Talorchestia capensis), commonly known as ‘beach fleas’ and Sand lice (Tylos capensis) are good at cleaning up seaweed debris on beaches.

PHOTO: iSpot Nature BELOW: Donax sand mussels move up and down the beach with the tide to feed.

PHOTO: WCC BOTTOM: The favourite food of plough snails such as this Bullia digitalis is dead jellyfish and bluebottles.

PHOTO: commons.wikimedia.org

THE VILLAGE

EXPLORER

FOOD & WINE | EVENTS | NATURE | HISTORY

Unwinding under Pinot skies Writer Hedda Mittner

I

t was a wonderful way to kick off the new year and the 2020 harvest! That is how Cape Whale Coast Tourism Manager, Frieda Lloyd, summed up the seventh Hemelen-Aarde Pinot Noir Celebration, entitled ‘Under Pinot Skies’ which was presented by the Hemel-en-Aarde Winegrowers’ Association this weekend. The event was, by all accounts, a roaring success.

“The format of the event was a little different this year, showcasing not only our iconic Pinot Noir wines, but also the wider spectrum of culinary delights that are grown and produced in our region, such as olive oil, artisanal bread and craft beer. It also provided an opportunity for our local chefs to demonstrate their culinary skills and talents.

In that sense, the Pinot Noir Celebration was perfectly in line with the Overstrand’s Unesco designation as a Creative City of Gastronomy,” said Frieda.

Creation, Kevin Grant of Ataraxia, Megan Parnell of Domaine des Dieux and Christo Kotze of La Vierge.

At each venue, the guests were taken on a journey from soil to glass by the passionate and inspired winemakers, viticulturists and guest speakers, ending with a tutored tasting of the appellation’s most current vintage Pinot Noir. The harvest tables that were laid out for lunch provided a feast of local produce to sustain guests on their extended wine-tasting adventure. The atmosphere was re1 laxed and informal as guests enthusiastically shared their mutual love of Pinot Noir in picturesque surroundings.

The two-day event culminated in the ‘Taste of Hemel-en-Aarde’ dinner at Nidderdale on Saturday evening 25 January, where guests were welcomed by a magical enclave of oak trees festooned with fairy lights, open fires, food stations, wine bars and live music. Along with guest chef, Jason Lilley from Jason’s Bakery, several local chefs cooked up a delicious array of dishes, including Rickey PHOTO: Karen Winter Broekhoven from Newton Johnson, Petri Photography Hendriksz from Char’d and Pear Tree, and the culinary team from Creation. The evening’s enterKicking off on Friday 24 January, guests from all tainment also included an exclusive Hemel-en-Aarde charity over South Africa and overseas, including the UK, Canada, auction with one-of-a-kind lots of rare wines.

Germany and Italy, were welcomed to Nidderdale Farm with bubbly and oysters, followed by a presentation of Hemel“The Hemel-en-Aarde Winegrowers’ Association did a en-Aarde Pinot Noir wines, including older vintages and fabulous job of hosting a home-grown event that is spotselections from private cellars. on when it comes to the global tourism trend of offering visitors an authentic, personal and interactive experience,” The wine safari on Saturday saw guests divided into three said Frieda. “It goes to show that we are not only known as a groups for an exciting excursion up the valley to explore whale-watching destination and that there is so much more and celebrate our iconic Pinot Noir, and the proprietors to enjoy in the region.” and winemakers behind them. After meeting for a quick breakfast at Whalehaven, the groups were bussed to each of the three Hemel-en-Aarde wine appellations for 2 staggered sessions that were hosted at La Vierge, Restless River and Creation. Each of these venues hosted a group of guests at 10:00, at 12:30 (including lunch) and at 15:00.

At La Vierge, they were welcomed by Anthony Hamilton Russell of Hamilton Russell Vineyards and Peter Finlayson of Bouchard Finlayson, representing the Hemelen-Aarde Valley appellation; at Restless River their hosts were winemakers Natasha Williams of Bosman Hermanus, Walter Pretorius of Sumaridge, Gordon Newton Johnson of Newton Johnson Wines, and Craig Wessels of Restless River, representing the Upper Hemel-enAarde Valley; and at Creation they were introduced to the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge appellation by JC Martin of

3

PHOTO: Taylum Meyer

4 PHOTO: Karen Winter Photography PHOTO: Taylum Meyer

4

5

PHOTO: Karen Winter Photography

6

PHOTO: Karen Winter Photography

1. Guests enjoying a tutored tasting at Creation Wines.

2. Ria de Olim, Jackie and Deanna Rodokanakis from Joburg.

3. The two-day Pinot Noir Festival culminated in a 'Taste of Hemelen-Aarde' dinner at Nidderdale Farm on Saturday evening.

4. Peter Finlayson and Anthony Hamilton Russell with wine aficionado Roland Peens of Wine Cellar.

5. The harvest table at Restless River.

6. Di Rattle serving Old Harbour Beer on tap.

PORTUGUESE/MEDITERRANEAN CUISINE & HAND CRAFTED SPIRITS Try delicious food pairing with our Award Winning Hand Crafted Spirits, distilled in the restored old copper kettle from the Sir Robert Stanford Estate

028 341 0012 • 076 320 3092 • 32 Kleine street, Industrial Area, Stanford (off the R43)

10 | FOOD & WINE

29 January 2020

New owner for Onrus locals’ ‘happy place’ H eartbeat Café has been a much-loved part of the Onrus social scene over the past few years. Situated on the corner of Van Blommestein Street and Old Main Road, it is a favourite spot for locals to meet for breakfast or a light lunch, or just drop in for coffee and cake. Customers especially enjoy sitting outside and watching the unhurried world of Onrus go by.

Indulge in Origins’ unique summer menu Origins at The Marine’s summer menu, developed by Executive Chef Tronette Dippenaar, offers traditional favourites with an Asian twist that can be enjoyed at this elegant yet laid-back venue perched on the cliffs overlooking Walker Bay. If you haven’t sampled it this season, why not start with a leisurely stroll along the Cliff Path before indulging in the generous fare, with a bottle of wine from one of our award-winning local wineries.

Choose from a range of starters and salads to kick off your meal – try the traditional bouillabaisse seafood soup, fragrant steamed mussels, poke bowls with Norwegian salmon and South Atlantic tuna, or the signature Origins Salad: pears, Overberg Gruberg cheese, walnuts, celery, bacon bits and croutons dressed in wholegrain mustard vinaigrette. The wild mushroom and broccoli potato gnocchi, served with Parmesan, mushroom cream and pine nuts, is an option for vegetarians.

Complete your meal with the rich flavours that Origins' desserts are renowned for – opt for the much-loved Origins Mess (butterscotch and hazelnut ice cream complemented by meringue, orange caramel, peanut chocolate and orange dust), an upside-down Elgin apple tart (served with citrus and honey ice cream, rooibos caramel sauce and toasted almonds), dark chocolate soufflé, rooibos lemon semifreddo, or tonka panna cotta (complete with raspberry sorbet, pecan brittle and berry-coconut tapioca).

Owned by a bundle of energy called Sulet Joubert, this charming little corner eatery/deli has now come to the end of what Sulet calls its “wonderful, crazy, beautiful journey”. As from 1 February, Heartbeat Café will have a new owner when Sulet hands over the baton to Retha van Loggerenberg. “Heartbeat will get a new name and a new look, but I can assure all my loyal customers that it will remain the same happy, community café – the “heartbeat” of Onrus,” says Sulet.

“I am eternally grateful to all our loyal customers, many of whom have become part of the Heartbeat family, and to my hardworking team, as I could never have done this without them.

Heartbeat Café played a vital part in my life at a time when I needed to find ‘community’ again,

but now it is time for a new adventure. I wish Retha all the best and am looking forward to visiting and enjoying the café from the other side of the counter!”

Retha, who hails from North West and settled in Onrus three and a half years ago, says she used to own a coffee shop many years ago in Brits called Vivaldi’s. She was a regular customer of the Heartbeat Café and told Sulet that if she ever wanted to sell, she should speak to her first.

With the deal now signed and sealed, Retha has been joined by her son, Jaco, who is all fired up to help his mom put her own stamp on her new business.

Without giving too much away, Retha mentions that the name will change to Zest Café and that she’ll be redoing the décor and bringing in more yellow. “The look and feel may change but it will still be the locals’ happy place,” she says.

Other changes will include the addition of some healthy, light meals and vegetarian options to the menu, but have no fear, the decadent treats will still be there. In fact, rumour has it that Retha is a champion baker and that her milktart will knock your socks off.

– Hedda Mittner

No meal is complete without some fine local cheeses (like Cremazola Gorgonzola and La Petit France Camembert), accompanied by green grape chutney, beetroot and red onion preserve, and pineapple and peppadew compote.

For bookings, contact 028 313 1000 or bookings@themarine.co.za

Main courses feature some delectable concoctions, such as the grilled Springbok loin with creamy Parmesan risotto, wild mushrooms, pearl onions, red cabbage and sultana chutney; the tender roasted Overberg rack of lamb with capsicum couscous, aubergine purée, pearly onions and warm lamb vinaigrette; or the justifiably famous Walker Bay fish curry – locally sourced fish and shellfish seasoned with Thai spices, coconut, and onion and ginger pickle, and served on a bed of fragrant sticky rice.

The sustainable Origins seafood platter to share is also worth writing home about – grilled prawns, steamed mussels, pan-seared line fish and calamari are accompanied by savoury rice, triple-cooked chips and a fresh garden salad with a choice of sauces.

Sulet Joubert and her team in front of Heartbeat Café with its new owner. At the back, from left are Velecia Laverlot, Maria Schippers, Trudene Hanekom, Jaco van Loggerenberg and his mom, Retha. In front are Asiphe Mvela, Sulet Joubert and Anne Droomer.

PHOTO: Hedda Mittner

FOOD & WINE | 11

29 January 2020

AN Y 2 LARGE ONE TOPPING PIZZAS

WINE & DINE

ONLY

99

AN Y 2 LARGE ONE TOPPING PIZZAS

ONLY

139.90

15 JAN - 29 FEB 2020 * Ts & Cs Apply C/O Main Road & R43, Sandbaai Convenience Centre, Sandbaai Hermanus 028 150 0041

THE CLUB HOUSE IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

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

0846 885 885

½

MON:

Burgers

TUE:

Calamari or Hake

WED:

300g Sirloin Steak

THU:

Calamari or Hake

PRICE FRI:

300g Sirloin Steak

½ PRICE SPECIALS AVAILABLE EVERY DAY FROM 17:00 - CLOSE

BEER ON TAP HAPPY HOUR ½ PRICE BETWEEN 17:00 - 19:00 (FRIDAYS ONLY)

LIGHT LUNCH SPECIAL 13:00 - 16:00 TOASTIE & COOL DRINK R50 CHIPS & COOL DRINK R30 (300ml CANS)

AVAILABLE FOR EVENTS | GROUP BOOKINGS BRAAI FACILITIES | KIDS PARTIES TRADING HOURS: Mon - Sat: 12:00 - 21:00 José Burman Avenue, Hermanus (next to Cricket Club) Contact: Judy or Eric 076 545 9778 or Paul 072 505 1387

WHAT’S ON

OVERBERG 29

29 JAN – 6 FEB www.thevillagenews.co.za/whatson

Wednesday

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 Market Square. Locally-sourcing vendors who fly the eco-banner high are given preference and very 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 as there is only one working ATM in Stanford.

Stanford Market Square | 18:00 – 20:00

Wetlands Talk Johan Rothmann will be the guest speaker at a meeting hosted by the Kleinmond Nature Conservation Society in celebration of World Wetlands Day. The topic of his talk and video is Ramsar Wetlands in Southern Africa.

Johan will share interesting information about all the Ramsar wetlands he has visited and documented. All are welcome. For enquiries, contact 083 251 6039.

Reformed Church, 13th Ave, Kleinmond | 17:00 Onrus-Vermont SRA Public Meeting All property owners in the Onrus-Vermont area are requested to attend this meeting, where all attendees will be updated on the relevant information pertaining to the OVSRA Steering Committee’s application to the municipality for the establishment of the Onrus-Vermont Special Ratings Area. The practical implications of the proposed SRA will also be discussed.

Enquiries may be directed to onrus. vermont.sra@gmail.com.

Dutch Reformed Church, Berg St, Onrus | 18:00

30

Thursday

Dog Zoning Public Participation Meeting Overstrand Municipality invites all residents to attend this public meeting facilitated by the Nature’s Valley Trust to discuss the proposed dog beach zones. The trial zones will be implemented on beaches in Hermanus, Gansbaai and Kleinmond, and meetings will be held in all three

1

areas on 30 January.

Kleinmond Library Boardroom | 09:00 - 11:00 Gansbaai Council Chambers | 09:00 - 11:00 Fernkloof Hall, Hermanus | 13:00 - 15:00 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. Your fabulous quiz masters for the evening are Mike and Roz Howlett. Stan ford 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

31

at a nominal fee, and make new friends at the Onrus Care Centre, every Friday morning.

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

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 Everyone is welcome at Friends of the Library's Bhuki Cafe where a cup of tea or coffee and delicious eats will cost only R25, every Friday. Each cup helps to raise funds for new books.

Hermanus Library | 09:00 – 11:30 Kolwyntjie Teetuin Enjoy a sweet treat and tea or coffee

Great Railway Journeys U3A Overberg continues its popular series on the magic of the railways.

The title of this week’s session is Oneway Ticket to Siberia.

Catholic Church Hall | 10:00 Wine Down Friday Join Hermanus’s trendiest wine bar for their 2-for-1 special every Friday afternoon. Buy a glass of any of their lifestyle wines, beers or bubblies (MCC), or a tapas dish of dates and bacon, and get the second one free.

A great way to wind down your week and ease into the weekend!

The Wine Glass, 2 Harbour Rd | 16:00 - 18:00

Saturday

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 Kleinmond Beach Clean-up In celebration of World Wetlands Day, the public is invited to join the Kleinmond Nature Conservation Society for a lagoon and beach cleanup. Recycling bags will be provided but bring your own gloves where possible. For enquiries, contact 082 908 9825 Meet at the footbridge to Kleinmond Main Beach | 08:30 – 10:00

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

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, homemade crafts, local produce, beers and wine, speciality foods, coffee and live music.

Next to Hermanus Cricket Field | 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

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)

4

Elvis Blue Popular musician and songwriter, Elvis Blue, is set to sweep his audience along on a journey that is both personal and entertaining. With his unique blend of charisma and authenticity, Elvis Blue is considered one of the most successful artists in South Africa. He’ll be offering the perfect blend of his well-known top hits and new music at this magical forest venue. Picnics are welcome but no BYO alcohol. Food, beverages and Paul Cluver wines will be on sale.

Tickets at R200 pp are available from Computicket. (In the event of rain and/or adverse weather, the performances will move to De Rust Futura Hall on the estate premises and no refunds will be given.) Visit www.cluver. com for further details.

Paul Cluver Amphitheatre | 19:00 (Gates open from 16:30) Back to the Past Dance till you drop to the tune of 45 dance songs from the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s. The music videos will be displayed on the big screen of The Brewery stage as you party the night away. Tickets at only R50 pp can be booked via www.quicket. co.za.

The Brewery, Hemel-en-Aarde Village | 20:00

2 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 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

UNLIMITED

KILOMETRE

5 YEAR WARRANTY W WA RRANTY

The health of plants Healthy plants constitute the foundation for all life on earth, making up the oxygen we breathe and over 80% of the food we eat. Plant health is of paramount importance if the international community is to guarantee plant resources for a food-secure world based on stable and sustainable ecosystems. With this in mind, the General Assembly of the United Nations declared 2020 as the International Year of Plant Health. In support of this, U3A is hosting a series of talks.

This week’s topic is The polyphagous shot hole borer: a threat to urban, agricultural and natural systems, presented by Dr Francois Roets.

Catholic Church Hall | 10:00

3

Monday

Understanding Japan U3A Overberg presents a new 4-week DVD series on the Cultural History of Japan. Presented by Prof Ravina of the Emory University in the USA, the series discusses many fascinating aspects of the cultural traditions and important historical events that influenced the cultural evolution of this island nation. The week’s session will cover the emergence of the centralised Ritsuryo State and aspects of the Japanese language.

Catholic Church Hall | 10:00

Grotto Beach Eco-adventure Have you ever wondered what lurks in the sand under our feet and what cleaning services these creatures provide? You’re in for a big surprise when you join Whale Coast Conservation for this beach adventure. R120 for adults and R60 for children. All proceeds go towards environmental education. Booking is essential as groups are limited. Contact 083 242 3295 or anina.wcc@gmail.com.

Grotto Beach | 17:30 – 19:00

6

Sunday

Doing life with Mandela The inspirational Christo Brand, author of Doing Life with Mandela, will share his stories about the time he spent with Mandela on Robben Island. At R350 pp, your ticket will include a meal comprising some of Mandela’s favourite dishes. For more info and bookings, contact Jacquie at justcare@whalemail.co.za or 082 570 9757. This event will help to raise funds for Just Care Aftercare.

Hermanus Golf Club | 19:00

Tuesday

Cosmology Join the Hermanus Astronomy Centre for a presentation on Black Holes, Tides and Spacetime, including The Art of Experiment and Escape Velocity, Energy, and Rotation. For more information, contact derekduckitt@ telkomsa.net.

Our Lady of Light Catholic Church, Lord Roberts St, Hermanus | 19:00

Thursday

Celebrate healthy living The Green Healing Space of Dr Arien van der Merwe will be hosting a celebration of healthy living in conjunction with her neighbours on the ‘Green Block’: Tulip Coffee Bar & Bistro, Fine & Country, The Brow Zone and Go Green. Healthy living should be fun, so come and find out what the Green Block is all about, while mingling and enjoying some snacks and drinks.

The Green Healing Space, c/o Hope & Dirkie Uys St, Hermanus | 17:00 – 18:00

16 | NATURE 14

29 January 2020

Latest feedback on baboon management F

ollowing on the formulation and finalisation of its Strategic Baboon Management Plan, Overstrand Municipality appointed Human Wildlife Solutions (HWS) as a specialised service provider to manage and control baboons in the area.

For starters, HWS has been monitoring the Voëlklip troop in Hermanus and the Pringle Bay troop since the beginning of November 2019. In their report submitted at the end of the year, HWS claimed that both the Voëlklip and the Pringle Bay troops were kept out of the towns for over 98% of the time.

Based on their observations, HWS also found that the Pringle Bay troop was probably more habituated to humans and had largely been kept out of town for the past few years with the aid of rangers employed by the local residents’ association.

Their conclusion was that Pringle Bay’s baboons are more used to feeding out of town and, therefore, respond to management

much better than the Voëlklip troop, which has not been managed for many years and is addicted to human-derived foods.

“Given that there is still a good abundance of fynbos forage available to both these troops of baboons on the mountains and valleys around town, they should be encouraged to continue feeding there without coming to town for a fix of sugar,” project manager Dr Phil Richardson said.

“Here the residents of the urban areas can play a huge role in baboon management.

Removing sweet-smelling fruit from their fruit trees before they ripen, closing doors and windows and securing waste so that it cannot be easily opened or torn apart will all reduce the rewards if the baboons do come to town.

If there are no rewards readily available within the urban area, most baboons would rather not be paintballed or subjected to the scares of the virtual fence and stay out of town 100% of the time.

Baboon hotline: • The dedicated hotline number for reporting baboons in the Voëlkip area is 071 588 6540 • The Pringle Bay Baboon Hotline number is 079 431 5956 When to call: • To report baboons in the urban areas • To report baboons on your property • To report injuries of baboons • To report incidents of feeding or harming baboons Give details of: • Your name and address • The specific address or location where you last saw the baboon(s) • The number of baboons seen • What the baboons were doing (e.g. foraging on the side of the road/ raiding a bin/ entering a house) • Take note if you see any ear tags or collars on the baboon(s), and what colour the ear tag is • Whether the baboon is in the house/ garden or in the road Additional useful information: • Try to note if it was a male or female baboon • If the baboon raided a house, note whether there were people in the house or not • Describe how the baboon got into the house • If you can no longer see the baboon, how long ago did you see it (timeframe) – please try to report baboons in the urban area immediately • If you are reporting an injury, try to assess whether the baboon is an adult or a juvenile and what body part is injured and whether the behaviour of the baboon appears normal (or not) • If you are reporting a feeding or harming incident, please try to take a video of the incident and gather as much information as you can, pictures of the person(s) and/or vehicle(s) involved, time, date and place. This information will be passed on to CapeNature to investigate.

When NOT to call the hotline numbers: • To complain about municipal issues and to make queries about baboon management. Please contact the Municipality’s environmental management services on 028 316 8249.

New series on ‘The seven ages of Hermanus’ “As far as I know, there is no chronological history of Hermanus available. There are many ‘histories’ on specific subjects and lots of ‘stories’ about people and events. But, no history in the good, old-fashioned sense,” says local historian, Dr Robin Lee. This is the gap that Dr Lee is trying to fill. He has written a new series of articles on ‘The seven ages of Hermanus’, which will be published over the coming months in The Village NEWS. The first article appears on page 15.

“My research has led me to define seven phases of our history, and I will try to explain each of these in a separate article. I will also tell how one ‘age’ links to another to make a joined-up story,” he says. Here is an outline of the series and the topics to be discussed in the articles: Article One: The history of the Hermanus area 100 000 BCE to 1 600 CE: starts with Klip Kop Cave on Hoy’s Koppie, describes the life of early humans, and deals with the San and Khoekhoen.

Article Two: The history of our area under the Dutch East India Company from 1652 to 1795: deals with the Trekboers pushing forward the boundaries of the Cape settlement, the allocation of farms in what will become the Overstrand and the first house built in Hermanus.

Article Three: Rule by the British from 1795 to 1910: deals with consequences of the Anglicisation policy, changes in forms of land ownership, the Cape as a colony, the introduction of a capitalist economy, and the population mix of early Hermanus.

Article Four: Hermanus the fishing village, 1855 to 1950: starts with the establishment of Hermanuspietersfontein, analyses the growth of the fishing industry, describes notable personalities involved, ‘serial over-fishing’ and the demise of fisheries.

Article Five: The growth of tourism from 1900 to 1970: describes the growth of the hotel industry in Hermanus, with lots of personalities and incidents, the nature and growth of holiday homes and the realisation that tourism is the town’s economic base.

Article Six: The apartheid era: the imposition of a nationalist ideology on a seaside resort, 1950 to 1994: close focus on Hermanus, how laws were applied, and the attitudes of townspeople and consequences of segregation, still with us today.

Article Seven: Hermanus in 2020: analysis of the town’s economy today, how this affects the population of Hermanus, the rise of the retirement population, first signs of the genuine local productive economy in abalone farming and wine estates. What tourism strategy should we follow in the future?

HISTORY | 17 15

29 January 2020

Klip Kop Cave – home to early humans in Hermanus Writer Dr Robin Lee

2

1

T

he Overstrand coastline is full of caves.

This is because the entire coast and even mountains now kilometres inland were under the sea for millions of years. The Table Mountain Sandstone deposits, which predominate in this area, had many weak spots, and scouring action by the sea and from rivers flowing toward the sea, created the caves.

Then, sea levels gradually dropped and the caves were exposed. Some, such as Klipgat Cave at Die Kelders are still on the coast, but others were left considerable distances inland.

Humans used the caves for shelter during and after the Early Stone Age. Klip Kop Cave is approximately one kilometre inland, about half way up Hoy’s Koppie. You can reach it easily from the south and west sides, along the paths laid out on the koppie. Artefacts from the cave were dated from 70 000 to 100 000 years ago.

PHOTO: mycape.co.za

1. Hoy's Koppie forms part of the Fernkloof Nature Reserve and can be reached by way of paths laid out on both the south and west sides.

3

2. Klip Kop Cave on Hoy's Koppie provided shelter to humans as far back as 100 000 years ago.

The cave was professionally excavated in 1925 and 1935, and the prominent Hermanus figure WH (Meester) Paterson collected many artefacts between the excavations. He turned these over to Dr AJH Goodwin, who conducted the second of the ‘digs’. The objects show that humans inhabiting the cave had a single mode of life and all remains date from the same period.

The cave-dwellers ate mainly shellfish, fish, and other marine life. Quantities of broken shells littered the floor of the cave. However, only a few are shaped for human use. Mostly, the inhabitants threw away the shells after the contents had been eaten. There were also a few animal bones, but quite a wide variety – eland, other smaller buck, tortoise shell, ostrich shell, and duiker. But the numbers found are tiny in comparison to ordinary marine remains. The leader of the first dig commented: The small quantity of animal remains makes me wonder whether there was any scarcity of animals at this place, or were the people just too lazy to hunt?

A single human skeleton was found in the cave and seems to be an ordinary burial, as the body does not show any marks of violence.

There is little evidence of occupation of the cave by groups known to live in this area during the interglacial period we are still experiencing, and it may be that sea levels rose and covered the cave. For a time, during the last Ice Age, the fall in sea levels left Walker Bay dry and exposed to the sunlight. The sea-bed dried and sand blew inland. The cave was buried by blown sand and was in that state when European settlers first came across it.

4

PHOTO: loertoer.wordpress

3. The entrance to Hoy's Koppie from Magnolia Street.

PHOTO: Hermanus History Society But, around 1870 a ‘poor-white’ or coloured family cleared the cave and lived in it. They also built a wall dividing the cave into two rooms and painted the cave walls. Some remains were probably lost at this stage.

After the 1935 excavation, the remains were analysed and the relevant authority decided that no purpose would be served by further work. The cave was cleaned out and eventually became part of the Fernkloof Nature Reserve.

The cave has suffered much wear and tear over time. It has recently been used by vagrants and by schoolchildren seeking to escape the supervision of parents and teachers. Vandals have painted on the walls and drinking parties were held inside.

Eventually, the Municipality provided security for the cave. A barrier was built across the entrance, without obscuring any aspect of the cave. In the 2000s a motion detector was installed, with a line-of-sight link to the Municipal Law Enforcement department without alerting the invaders. The presence of the sensor appears to have had a positive effect.

However, we have to use our imaginations to see the cave at sea level and providing our ancestors with a place of refuge and safety as long as 100 000 years ago.

PHOTO: atom.drisa.co.za

Millennia after the early humans had departed, a new people appeared in the Overstrand. They were the San people, first called “Bushmen” by the settlers. They seem to have moved from territory to the north, perhaps pushed out by other, more organised tribes. The San were nomadic hunter-gatherers, with minimum possessions, but they left vivid evidence of their presence through rock art, such as can be seen at Philipskop, near Stanford.

The San used the caves along the coast for occasional shelter. This is not the case with the next group of people to play a part in the prehistory of our area. These were the “Hottentots”, a word used by Europeans in an inaccurate imitation of the language the new arrivals spoke.

Names for the group have changed over time, as more is learnt about them. At the moment, they are known as Khoenkoen and were a pastoralist society, with large herds of cattle that were their most valuable possession. They had probably moved south under pressure from the Bantu-speaking peoples journeying south from their origins nearer to central Africa.

The Khoenkoen settled in large numbers in the area now known as the Overstrand, with the senior chief living in a large ‘kraal’ near Caledon. Smaller kraals existed under sub-chiefs, including one near the Bot River. The name of the river is said to refer to a place of contact 5

4 & 5. An old photograph of Hermanus taken from Hoy's Koppie, next a more recent one. of Europeans with the Khoenkoen, where the whites bartered small implements and jewellery for butter (botter in Dutch, shortened to Bot). In the 17th century, this clan was headed by a chief named Klaas by the Dutch. His people played a role in the rescue of several ship-wrecked parties trying to reach the Cape.

There was intermittent fighting between the San and Khoenkoen, and also between the latter and white Trekboers. After conflicts like this, men and women of the San and Khoenkoen sought shelter with white settlers. Over time, they drifted into a form of indentured worker status.

A decisive event occurred in 1713, when an epidemic of smallpox resulted in the deaths of large numbers of the Khoenkoen, and the clan structure of their society broke down. Survivors drifted into the service of whites. We cannot over-estimate the importance of the epidemic.

It depopulated the land that would become the Overberg and ended any armed resistance to Trekboers being granted farms in the area.

Among these was the farm Mosselrivier on which a settlement called Hermanuspietersfontein would be established in the next century.

The birth of our town was peaceful and tensions between what would come to be called ‘races’ was never experienced.

PHOTO: ftlodgesa.co.za

16 18

www.thevillagenews.co.za

29 January 2020

Focus on road safety on R43 Overstrand Traffic officers have been deployed to help direct learners crossing the busy R43 at Hawston in the mornings from 07:00 and in the afternoons.

Xen Titus, Senior Superintendent: Traffic Services asks motorists to please make a deliberate point of slowing down when driving on this stretch of the R43. "This is particularly important close to school opening and closing times," he urged.

The upgrading of the intersection at George Viljoen Street and the R43 has been part of the planning of the

new housing extension at Hawston since 2010. In 2015 the Department of Transport approved this intersection as the access point for the new development to and from the R43.

The long-term plan includes the construction of a split-level interchange at this intersection. The initial cost estimate was R88 million. The purpose of the underpass is to connect lower and upper Hawston and to provide mobility on the R43. This will only become feasible once the remainder of the land on the mountain side is developed.

The planned scope of the road upgrade includes left and right turning lanes in both directions, traffic lights, an island and a pedestrian crossing for the short to medium term. The total cost of construction of the short to medium term solution is R7 million.

Approval for this approach was received in February 2018. Detailed designs for the intersection were first submitted to the Department in March 2018. The Department requested various changes which were submitted. To date final approval of the design has not been granted by the Department of Transport.

PHOTO: Overstrand Municipality

Hermanus High School had their annual fundraiser with the help of Checkers Hermanus last year. The fundraiser, organised by the PTA, required all the children in the school to sell tickets for R10 each.

The winner was awarded with a two-minute trolley run at Checkers in the Hermanus Station Centre. The draw was done at the end of last year and Julie Toerien was announced as the winner. Her daughter, Amber, did the two-minute run on her behalf. The school would like to thank Checkers Hermanus for their generosity and support over the past three years.

LEFT: Hannalé Herholdt (PTA), Julie and Amber Toerien, and Stephann Pretorius (Checkers branch manager).

RIGHT: Amber Toerien runs down the first aisle as the two-minute timer starts to count down.

PHOTOS: Taylum Meyer

HERMANUS / NORTHCLIFF

R2 495 000

NORTH FACING HOME

BOT RIVER

R10 500 000

139 HA LIFESTYLE FARM

• Excellent location • Original Oregon pine floors • Within walking distance to schools • 2 Bedrooms & 2 bathrooms • Open plan kitchen, dining & family room • Fully walled garden with 2 water tanks

• 5 Cottages for eco-tourism and short stay rental • 125 Ha Nature reserve • 450m River frontage

Web Ref: 1306265

Web Ref: 1295076

GANSBAAI / PERLEMOENBAAI

Alecia 083 359 3643 R1 425 000

SPLINTERNUUT!!

• Lekker leefhuis: Groot oopplan Leefarea & Kombuis

• Lekker onderdak Agterstoep plus dubbel m/huis. 3 kante omhein.

• En suite Hoof Slaapkamer (met stort) • ± 300 Meter stapafstand van oseaan • 2 Verdere Slaapkamers & vol Badk (bad & Stort) • Ook stapafstand van Stanfords Cove

Web Ref: 1276736

Johann 082 926 2066

• Registered water rights • Main homestead offers 4 bedrooms • 2 old chicken sheds used for storage

Derek 082 414 4024

HERMANUS / WESTCLIFF

R1 195 000

UPMARKET LIVING in sunny Westcliff • Spacious living area • 2 spacious bedrooms • Modern top-class kitchen • 2 beautiful bathrooms

Web Ref: 1315182

• Covered balcony with braai, stunning views • Lock-up garage

Marietta 082 569 6967

R5 850 000

HERMANUS / FERNKLOOF

4-BEDROOM HOME WITH 1-BEDROOM FLAT

• • • •

Modern home on 1055 m² corner plot • Flat: own entr, bedr, bathr, lounge, kitchen Spacious open plan living areas lead to large porch with a built-in braai Both kitchens have caesarstone tops and includes fridge/freezer and gas stove/ oven All bedrooms have french doors to patios • Double garage, alarm systems, irrigation

Hannelie 082 557 9358

Web Ref: 1314884 BETTYS BAY

HOUSE FOR SALE

• Beautiful open plan • 4 Bedrooms • 4 Bathrooms

Web Ref: 1315669

R1 850 000

• • •

Mountain views Bay windows and fireplace Walking distance to Rondevlei

Sinta 072 656 2150

19 17

www.thevillagenews.co.za

29 January 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

Out with the old, in with the new for several months. If you don’t use parasite control don’t be surprised if your pet (and your family) ends up with worms or your home has a nasty flea infestation. And biliary (caused by ticks) can be deadly to dogs.

Writer Dr Hilldidge Beer

N

ew Year’s resolutions may be Old School, but there’s a lot to be said for dumping bad habits and welcoming bright, shiny, healthy new ones at the beginning of a new year, especially when it comes to our pets. Here are ours: DUMP Dirty beds Dirty beds harbour parasites like ticks and fleas, even if you’ve applied parasite control directly to your dog or cat. There’s nothing more a flea likes than to sneak in somewhere warm and dark, and the folds in an old bed create the perfect hiding place. Ticks and fleas cause biliary and tapeworm; tapeworm can affect your whole family. Throw out that dirty dog bed and replace with a new one.

Worn collars Too few pet owners appreciate how easy it is for frayed collars and leads to snap. Imagine the nightmare if your dog gets away from you while crossing a busy road. Old collars also harbour bacteria which can cause skin irritation and infection.

Check leads and collars and if you’re replacing, consider adding a tag.

Tags with fun quotes and logos can

Exercise This is a resolution almost every human on the planet breaks within the first week of the new year. But maybe with your dog at your side, you won’t.

Use your dog’s need for exercise as personal motivation. Exercise not only keeps your dog’s weight under control and strengthens his bones and muscles, it also keeps his mind engaged so boredom (and destructive behaviour) are kept at bay.

be personalised with your contact details in minutes at any EberVet Vetshop.

Broken toys A toy may be your pet’s only companion while you’re at work but if it’s worn or broken it could harm their teeth or cause gum infection.

Table snacking Feeding your dog or cat from the table puts them at risk as many

human foods are toxic to pets, like chocolate, grapes, onions and the sweetener xylitol which is used to sweeten everything from cookies to toothpaste. Stick to pet-friendly snacks instead, like ostrich sinews or tuna-flavoured cat biscuits. You can keep a stash in the freezer.

WELCOME Your pet’s health calendar Draw up a list of health essentials every pet needs, like an annual

A new diet As pets age their dietary needs change. What’s good for a young, active cat or dog is most certainly not suited to the ageing tabby or lazy Lab who sleeps all day.

checkup, vaccinations, sterilisation and dental cleaning and book those appointments with your vet.

Prevention is always healthier – and a whole lot cheaper – than cure.

To protect your pet’s heart, kidneys, liver and joints chat with your vet about your pet’s dietary needs.

Nutrition plays an enormous role in longevity; and investing in good nutrition saves significantly on vet’s bills too.

Parasite control It’s so easy these days to protect your pet against ticks, fleas and worms. There are a host of medications available, from chewables to collars and spot-ons. Some last

Ertjiesvlei Basaar

Services

(NG Kerk Hermanus)

2 February nd

Saterdag, 8 Februarie 2020 om 09:30 by die Ertjiesvleisaal

08:30 Ken Jackson 10:00 James Gray 09:45 Lighthouse Kids meet in the Lighthouse Gen-Z meet in the Upper Room

Hemel-en-Aarde Vallei

Celebrate Celebrate Recovery Braaivleis, Potjiekos, Boerewors rolletjies, Vars plaasgroente, Heerlike gebak en Teikenskiet

KOM GENIET 'N LEKKER PLAAS-BASAAR Bring 'n stoel saam!

Teetuin en groente vanaf 09:00

A safe place to experience healing from HURTS, HANGUPS & HABITS. Wednesdays 18:00 – 21:00 Venue: United Church Hermanus 028 312 2717 | www.uchermanus.com Cnr. Royal St. & Lord Roberts Rd. (Opposite Checkers in town)

ESTATE NOTICE

ESTATE NOTICE

In the estate of the late MARIUS LOUWRENS, Identity Number 5306285133084, who died at Hermanus on 19 July 2018.

MASTER’S REFERENCE: 012633/2018 The First and Final Liquidation and Distribution Account in the abovementioned estate will lie for inspection at the office of the Master, Cape Town and a copy thereof at the office of the Magistrate, Hermanus for a period of 21 (twenty one) days reckoned from Friday 31 January 2020.

In the estate of the late PIETER DANIEL DE WET, Identity Number 2611105016085, who died at Hermanus on 24 October 2013.

MASTER’S REFERENCE: 16338/2013 The amended First and Final Liquidation and Distribution Account in the abovementioned estate will lie for inspection at the office of the Master, Cape Town and a copy thereof at the office of the Magistrate, Hermanus for a period of 21 (twenty one) days reckoned from Friday 31 January 2020.

J Pieterse, agent for the Executors, Hermanus Accounting CC, 20 Hope Street, Hermanus, 7200

J Pieterse, agent for the Executors, Hermanus Accounting CC, 20 Hope Street, Hermanus, 7200

20 18

www.thevillagenews.co.za

29 January 2020

MY WELLNESS

‘The shortest distance between two people is a smile’ T

his simple quote by Mark Twain is taken rather seriously at Dr Linda Riddell’s diverse dental practice in Hermanus which, in addition to general dentistry services, also offers cosmetic dentistry and facial aesthetics.

This is indeed the place where all your smiles come true!

Dr Riddell graduated from the University of Pretoria in 1993 and had her own practice in the UK for 11 years. Combining her considerable experience with the latest equipment and techniques, she opened her Dental Studio @ Hermanus in 2012. The latest addition to her team is Dr Ina Odendaal, who graduated from the University of the Western Cape in 2018 and completed her year of community service in Clanwilliam last year.

“Dr Odendaal’s young energy is an asset to my practice,” says Dr Riddell, who is in turn described by Ina as her “mentor” and an “excellent teacher”. They share a special interest in cosmetic dentistry and Ina will be devoting part of the next two years to the completion of a post-graduate diploma in aesthetics, which she feels is playing a larger role in dentistry than ever before. “Everyone deserves a good smile,” she says, revealing her own set of flawless pearly whites. “It’s essential to every person’s self-esteem.”

Dental assistants Ashlé Sias and Jeanne-Mari Bothma, and dental receptionist, Estelle Marx, complete this tight-knit group. Ashlé and Jeanne-Mari were at school together and graduated from Hermanus High in the same year,

A • • • • • • •

while multi-tasker Estelle hails from Montagu and has been with the practice for three years.

The services offered by Dental Studio @ Hermanus include amalgam- and metal-free dentistry (you can also have all your old fillings replaced for a better, visually appealing result), ceramic crowns, Edelweiss veneers, teeth whitening, and a smile make-over with Digital Smile Design (DSD), one of the leading procedures in dental technology that will give you the smile you deserve.

Linda says teeth whitening has also become one of the most popular cosmetic dental procedures because it can greatly improve your smile, giving your whole face a healthier and younger appearance and improving self-esteem. Various options are available, from in-office whitening to home bleaching, or a combination of the two.

Dental implants are also done, which entails a titanium post (like a tooth root) being surgically positioned into the jawbone beneath the gum line, enabling the dentist to mount a crown onto the post. In the case of implants, the patient needs healthy gums and adequate bone to support the implant.

When it comes to facial aesthetics, Linda says: “We understand that teeth play a very important role in you appearance but it is only part of the story. Dental Facial Aesthetics involves improving the aesthetics of the teeth, as well as the immediate areas which surround the mouth, to create facial harmony along with

Healthy Smile is a Beautiful Smile

Cosmetic Dentistry Digital Smile Design Tooth Whitening Veneers Implants Orthodontics Facial Aesthetics

Dr. Linda Riddell & Dr. Ina Odendaal Tel: 028 312 2219 9 College Street Hermanus (Opposite Overberg Computers)

1st Floor, Arundel Medical Place C/o Church and Arundel Street, Hermanus olivia@hermanushearing.co.za

Battling with

HEARING LOSS? Call: 028 313 1723

The team at Dental Studio @ Hermanus who are ready to take care of all your dental, health and beauty needs: (from left) Jeanne-Mari Bothma (dental assistant), Dr Ina Odendaal, Dr Linda Riddell, Estelle Marx (dental receptionist) and Ashlé Sias (dental assistant).

PHOTO: Hedda Mittner a great smile. The ultimate goal is to create a more youthful and overall good-looking appearance.”

Facial aesthetics procedures include anti-wrinkle treatments with Botulinum Toxin (for forehead, frown and brow lift, crow’s feet, gummy smile, drooping of the corner of the mouth); Dermal Fillers (cheek augmentation, nose, chin); PDO Threads (V-lift, eyes and neck lift); the removal of spider veins on the face with radio frequency; skin rejuvenation with a Derma Pen

55 Main Road, Hermanus

DR MICKEY FAUËL & DR HANRE ZEELIE WE OFFER ALL TYPES OF DENTISTRY INCLUDING IMPLANTS DONE DAILY BY DR MICKEY FAUËL ORAL HYGIENIST | BLEACHING DENTURE LAB ON SITE VISITING ORTHODONTIST DR D MURPHY

Tel: 028 312 1213 Emergency 084 791 3721 Nood Mon - Fri 08:00 - 17:00 mcfauel@mweb.co.za | jpzeelie@telkomsa.net www.tooth-implant.co.za | www.whalesmile.co.za www.hermanusdentalstudio.co.za

Vampire Facial or PRP (uses platelet-rich plasma from the patient) or a combination of Derma Pen and Mesotheraphy; chemical peels; and laser treatment (hair removal and pigmentation, tattoo and vascular lesion removals).

Dental Studio @ Hermanus can be found at 9 College Road (c/o College Rd & Mitchell St), Hermanus. Contact 028 312 2219 or info@ dentalstudiohermanus.co.za. Operating hours: 08:30 – 17:30.

- Hedda Mittner

21 19

www.thevillagenews.co.za

29 January 2020

When you go, go green A

service offering since we first got into the funeral business over a hundred years ago, and it shall remain one of our most fundamental business values for the future. Against this backdrop, it is important that we find and introduce safe, environmentally-friendly, cost-effective and socially-acceptable alternatives to burials and flame-based cremation.”

s people are becoming more conscious of the environment, and the impact they have on it, so too does the issue of how we send off our loved ones after death in an environmentally friendly manner.

“And for that reason, we have seen over the last few months more and more people opting for the brandnew aquamation method as a green alternative to traditional flame-based cremation,” says Theresa Maree of AVBOB Hermanus.

This follows the mutual assurance society’s recent introduction of the alkaline hydrolysis process, the first of its kind in Africa, at its Maitland agency in Cape Town.

Alkaline hydrolysis, known as aquamation, is a planet-friendly alternative process that involves placing the body in a stainless-steel vessel and then using heat, pressure, and water with a high alkaline level to reduce the body to its basic elements. Our bodies are made up of about 63% water to begin with – and only the inorganic minerals remain.

The country’s first aquamation facility was taken into operation in Maitland in Cape Town in November last year. been the market leader in the funeral industry and, as such, the society realised many years ago that they must provide alternatives to conventional burials and flame-based cremation to the people of South Africa.

The result comprises a benign sterile liquid, which is disposed of through the municipal wastewater system, with the remaining bone minerals processed into a fine powder.

“Over recent years, people have become more aware of the fact that municipal cemeteries are running out of burial space in many of the major metropolitan areas. At the same time,

According to AVBOB CEO Frik Rademan, the company has always

people in general have become more conscious of the negative environmental impact from the burning of fossil fuels. With this in mind, AVBOB, as a responsible corporate citizen, started looking at various ways to mitigate the space problem and reduce our carbon footprint.”

The introduction of aquamation to South Africa has been in the making for six years, and involved intensive

research, including visits to facilities in the United States, consultations with stakeholders, and strategic planning.

Rademan says the introduction of the new technology also had to take into consideration the rich diversity of cultures, religious practices and social norms of society. “The provision of a dignified send-off for loved ones is something that has been part of our

The benefits offered by aquamation are: • A gentle, supportive process that uses the serene element of water, rather than flame; • A natural biomimicry process with no direct emissions of harmful greenhouse gases or mercury; • A saving of over 90% energy compared to flame cremation; • Very limited burning of fossil fuels; • 20%-30% more ash remains are returned to the family; • Virtually zero impact on water usage; • All the remains are 100% safe to handle and are pathogen- and disease-free. Alkaline hydrolysis is a proven sterilisation process.

The powdered ash remains can be kept in an urn or may be buried or scattered in a special place of the family’s choosing.

The group said the cost of the Aquamation process is on par with that of flame-based cremation. For more information, contact Theresa Maree on 028 312 1156/7.

Brigadoon Village Dementia Assisted Living and Care Contact Elseline 082 459 0550

Where anything is possible

SUIT HIRE

Quality, style and affordability! iinfo@brigadoongroup.com nfo@brigadoongroup.com | w ww.brigadoongroup.com www.brigadoongroup.com B rigadoon V illage, 330 0W allers W ay, B etty’s B ay Brigadoon Village, Wallers Way, Betty’s Bay

Celebr ate the month of lov e ALLURE

HAIR COUTURE

T: 028 316 3845 E: allurehaircouture@gmail.com A: Unit 5, Hemel-en-Aarde Village H: Mon - Fri 8am - 5 pm | Sat 8am - 1 pm

Helderberg Village Walk, Main Road, Somerset West

Tel - 071 484 9156

24 20

www.thevillagenews.co.za

29 January 2020

MY HOME

Airbnb – The Good, the Bad & the Ugly By Stuart Cohen CabinCare Property Management & Project Specialists

are those house-proud hosts who love to welcome guests to their properties and go the extra mile in terms of décor, bathroom supplies, basic kitchen supplies (after all, this is self-catering) and the best quality in terms of linen, beds, pillows and other amenities that guarantee their guests’ comfort. These efforts are more than appreciated by guests.

W

elcome to 2020 and the wonderful world of Airbnb.

Or so many people think.

The holiday season was abuzz with guests from around the world and as people love to share their experiences of the homes they rented, some very interesting stories were told – a number of which left me somewhat aghast, amused and perplexed.

The stories once again highlighted the fact that if homeowners are going to list their properties on Airbnb or the other portals, there are some absolute minimum standards that must be met in order to get good reviews and ratings and thereby be positioned higher up on the platforms when people search for accommodation.

There is no doubt that there were many new visitors in town and the word is certainly spreading globally about what great places Hermanus and the Overberg are to visit. Some visitors even made their bookings

for December 2020 based on how amazing they felt their Overberg experience was.

Some homeowners surpassed the minimum Airbnb standards by a mile and others clung to the belief that they could “make a quick buck” and tried their luck by offering less than the minimum expected by guests. As expected, the approach of the latter backfired and, in some instances, the guest reviews were so bad that owners had no option but to delist their properties with a wistful “this Airbnb thing didn’t work for us”.

So what is really at play here? As a host myself for client properties, it is amazing what a difference there is between owners who are serious about this income-generating option versus those who see it as nothing more than a way to make money.

Some guests who were paying anywhere between R2 000 and R3 000 per night were met with properties that literally provided the bare minimum or less.

In many cases there was a lack of basic amenities, such as an iron and ironing board, bath mats, a dish drying rack, spare dishcloths, a big garbage bin, and enough dining table chairs for the minimum number of guests. With not a floor rug or carpet in sight, not a picture on the walls and only enough cutlery and crockery for one meal, only one towel per guest and beds and pillows that would not even provide well-heeled campers with a comfortable night’s rest, some guests were in for a bleak experience and in some instances a ruined holiday.

At the opposite end of the spectrum

This profile of owner fully understands that you have to make some kind of investment to bring a property up to spec in order to get good reviews and regular bookings, within reason. They maintain their properties and ensure that their guests will want for nothing during their stay.

These are people who understand that at least a bath towel and a hand towel should be available, in addition to a full set of spare linen and towels when bookings exceed seven days.

Needless to say, the reviews these hosts receive at departure are so positive that they elicit an immediate booking for a future date.

Airbnb hosts are well acquainted with the phrase “expect the unexpected”, as unforeseen glitches can happen even in the best-prepared circum-

stances. From glass breaking to electrical blowouts and large appliances packing up, to septic tanks overflowing, this season had its surprises for many a host – and the run-around to attend to these issues on behalf of guests and owners is not for the faint-hearted. Fortunately, Hermanus has some incredible service providers who once again jumped in over the public holidays and throughout the season to help hosts deal with unexpected crises.

One of the most amusing stories for me, however, was when a guest at one of the properties complained about the fact that there was nowhere to sit outside where it wasn’t windy. This is, after all, a town that attracts wind from all sides and if you are lucky to find a space outdoors where there is no wind, enjoy it in the moment, for it won’t last long!

Here’s hoping that those out there who want to be serious participants in our hospitality industry do so by providing accommodation and amenities at the level that will make guests want to return, rather than leaving with a bad taste in their mouths.

Protecting what you love

“Good days start at night”

• Retractable Security Doors • Roller Shutter Doors • Cottage Pane Bars • Aluminium Roller Shutters • Swing Gates • Fencing • Louvre Security Shutters • We service the entire Overberg region

028 312 2616 6 Adam Street Whale Park Hermanus

FREE delivery in Hermanus Please call today 061 752 1423 or email us at wcbc2020@gmail.com

Visit our shop for quality and affordable beds

Hyundai

CTM

Toyota

Contact Henry Klopper on 084 551 3695 or email overberg@defendoor.co.za Visit us at www.defendoor.co.za to find out why we're the best.

VISIT OUR WINDOR SHOWROOM IN HERMANUS! 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!

SECURING HOMES IN THE OVERBERG REGION SINCE 2001

WIND

R

CALL OUR TEAM TODAY

SHADE

& STEEL SOLUTIONS

028 312 3214 WhatsApp:

066 253 4279 SHUTTERS

BLINDS

AWNINGS

www.windorsolutions.co.za | info@windorsolutions.co.za

Cnr. Mimosa & Steenbras Street, Hermanus Industria, 7200

André Koekemoer 083 676 0119 Office 028 312 1650

Carports, shade sails and patio roll-up blinds.

Gates and steel roofs.

Any sewn product from PVC, canvas or shade cloth. andre@shadeandsteel.co.za | www.shadeandsteel.co.za Visit our facebook page @shadeandsteel

21 25

www.thevillagenews.co.za

29 January 2020

Celebrating a decade of educational services in Hermanus T

he Hermanus Math and Reading Centre was envisioned by Murison and Rhoda Kotzé upon their return from teaching in South Korea and Taiwan.

In May 2009 the couple identified the need for an education centre in Hermanus and decided to open a math and reading facility that would address the various numeracy and literacy needs of school-going learners in the area.

Their initial focus was on providing lessons in mathematics, English, Afrikaans, spelling, phonics, and reading with comprehension. Now, 10 years later, their current teaching portfolio also includes science and accounting, short courses in study skills, as well as parenting and teaching skills through the Love & Logic® institute.

During those early days, the education centre quickly expanded from operating from a double garage at the Overberg Therapy Centre, to their current premises in Mitchell Street, where they have nine teachers consulting for them on a weekly basis.

The education centre has helped over

a thousand learners improve their marks, confidence and skills during the past decade.

Initially starting out as part of a franchise, Murison and Rhoda decided after a number of years to part ways and follow their own holistic vision for education.

They share a strategic dream of positioning themselves in education in a way that enables them to make a difference where it is most needed – by implementing sound mathematical and language skills. Their individualised teaching approach and methodologies place them a cut above the rest, as they believe they need to be the change they wish to see in the world!

M&R also offers three-day short courses in junior and senior study skills which are presented during the school holidays. Learners are taught how to study smart, not hard.

These specific courses are all about teaching practical and do-able methods to improve studying. While learners have loads of fun learning how to study, they also have the opportunity to learn more about themselves,

Rhoda Kotzé of the Hermanus Math & Reading Centre believes learning should be fun. their strengths and weaknesses, their learning styles and how not to procrastinate!

Another well-received course offered at M&R is Parenting with Love & Logic®. By teaching valuable skills and tools to all parents, this course provides much-needed support to

HEMEL-EN-AARDE ESTATE You get an immaculate 3 bed home, study, garage, lovely living areas off openplan kitchen, BRAAI ROOM/SUN LOUNGE, FULLY FURNISHED AND EQUIPPED, on a quiet cul-de-sac close to Club House.

ALL FOR ONLY R2 000 pm payable for Levy and Municipal services.

Preference for a home based person. Duties are to walk 2 dogs daily, and enjoy company of 2 students on occasional week-end and varsity holidays - both delightful and fastidious young brother and sister.

Six months lease, available immediately, renewable from 1st August.

Phone Lynda Leppan Cell 082 411 3366

the community of Hermanus because it takes a village to raise a child. Eight groups of parents have successfully completed the course since the launch in 2016. The next stepping stone for M&R is to make a difference in the teaching community through presenting a teaching course. All local teachers wanting to put the

fun back in teaching are welcome to attend this course.

Visit www.m-n-r.co.za to read what parents and students are saying about the centre. As part of their 10year celebration campaign, M&R is offering a 10% discount on enrolment fees when you quote #itaddsup.

NOTICE In the intestate estate of the late MARTHA JOHANNA HENDRIKA FOWLER (Identity No.: 530805 0106 08 9), married in community of property to John Martin Fowler, of 44 Schneider Street, Sandbaai, Western Cape, who died on 27 March 2014 at Worcester, Western Cape.

Master’s Reference No.: 5526/2018 The FIRST AND FINAL LIQUIDATION AND DISTRIBUTION ACCOUNT in the above estate will lie for inspection at the offices of the Master of the High Court (Western Cape Division) and the Hermanus Magistrates Court for a period of 21 (twenty-one) days reckoned from date of publication hereof.

Dated at Claremont on this the 16 th day of JANUARY 2020.

Address: 2 nd Floor, Buchanan Chambers, STBB| SMITH TABATA BUCHANAN BOYES Cnr Warwick Street & Pearce Road, Claremont Attorneys for Executor

OPEN DAY

Please join us for our open day for the whole campus.

Date: Tuesday, 4 February 2020 Times: 09:00 (short presentation in restaurant with a campus visit afterwards) 18:00 (presentation in school hall)

Contact us to order your Personalised Rubber Stamps We offer a 24 hour service

Unit 5-6 Wederpark, Bergsig Road, Sandbaai Industrial (next to Lenvalco) 028 312 3788 tĞ ŚŝƌĞ Ă ǁŝĚĞ ǀĂƌŝĞƚLJ donnellytoolhire@gmail.com ŽĨ ƚŽƉ ƋƵĂůŝƚLJ ƚŽŽůƐ Business hours: ĂŶĚ ĞƋƵŝƉŵĞŶƚ Ăƚ Monday to Friday 07.00 – 17.00 ĐŽŵƉĞƟƟǀĞ ƉƌŝĐĞƐ Saturday 08.00 – 14.00

PC hardware & software repairs & service | Supplier of Microsoft software | CCTV | Wifi | Network optimisation

22 26

www.thevillagenews.co.za

MY SPORT

29 January 2020

Share your sport news with us! Send it to admin@thevillagenews.co.za and we will gladly consider it, whether it be competition results, a friendly rivalry, a once-off feat or a major tournament.

Cricketing brothers keep it in the family South Africa. In the early part of the 20th century, the Tapscott brothers, George and Lionel, represented South Africa. George played one test in 1913 and Lionel made two test appearances in 1925.

By Tony O'Hagan

The first post-World War II brothers to don the green and gold were the two Pitheys, Tony and younger brother David. The Pithey brothers were born in Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) and played for that country when Rhodesia took part in the South African provincial competitions. Tony (1957–’65, 17 tests) was a top order batsman and David, (1963–’67, 8 tests) a spin bowler and lower order batter.

H

ow often does it happen that three cricketing brothers make centuries on the same day in a first class match? I would think the odds are pretty high, but the three Malan siblings – Pieter, Janneman and André – recently claimed their place in the annals of cricket by achieving this rare feat in a first class match contested between Western Province and North West at Newlands.

Pieter, playing for Western Province, completed a ‘not out’ century on the last day of the match, while both André and Janneman made centuries for North West as they chased down the WP total on the final day.

Protea opening batsman, Pieter Malan joined his younger brother, Janneman, in the international cricketing arena when he made his test debut against England in the second test played at Newlands earlier this month.

Janneman made his T20 debut for the Proteas against Pakistan in February 2019 and the third brother, André is also a first class cricketer.

Pieter and Janneman, although not at test level, join a list of famous brothers who have repre-

Pieter and Janneman Malan sented South Africa at international level. Going as far back as the 19th century, Bernard Tancred (1899, 2 tests) and his brother, Vincent (1899, 1 test) represented South Africa against England.

The third brother, Louis Tancred earned his colours between 1902 and 1913 in 14 tests (3 as captain). The Tancreds are the only example of three brothers who have played test cricket for

The Pithey brothers played in the same era as another famous brother pairing, Peter and Graeme Pollock. The Pitheys and Pollocks formed part of Trevor Goddard’s Springbok team that toured Australia in 1963/’64. It was the first time that two pairs of brothers represented a country in the same test match.

Peter (1961–’70, 28 tests) and Graeme Pollock (1963–’70, 23 tests) were ranked 3rd in an alltime greatest brother list by Rob Lancaster in an Australian cricket publication.

The top two spots on his list were Steve and Mark Waugh, followed by Ian and Greg Chappell. He ranked Zimbabweans, Andy and Grant Flower 4th on the list. Graeme Pollock was voted South Africa's Cricketer of the 20th Century and the Pollock cricket dynasty was further

On the Greens

We are already seeing an increase in foreign visitors, many of whom return annually, and I’d like to extend a warm welcome to all our visitors from abroad.

We had the pleasure of hosting European tour golfer, Toby Tree last week. He shot a very

casual 64 in the competition. I hope that your good golf continues for 2020 and we wish you all the best.

Before the turn of the century, Peter and Gary Kirsten made their entry into South African cricket records. The two Kirstens are half-brothers and for that reason were not considered for Lancaster's greatest brother ranking. Peter (1992–’94, 12 tests) and Gary (1993–2004, 101 tests, 185 ODIs) played a major role in South Africa's re-introduction to the International arena. Gary also made his name as a highly-regarded cricket coach. He guided India to World Cup glory in 2011, before assuming national coaching duties for South Africa between 2011 and 2013.

More recent cricketing brothers include Albie Morkel (2004–’15, 1 test, 50 ODIs) and younger brother, Morné (2006–’18, 86 tests, 117 ODIs).

The brothers Morkel played many internationals together in the shorter format of the game, but the one test Albie played did not include his brother.

If we take the Malan brothers as a yardstick when we include the shorter games (ODIs and T20s), as opposed to test participation only, my feeling is that we will see more brothers in tandem at international level. The shorter formats are playing a more significant part throughout the world of cricket and will increase participation by siblings in international cricket.

Golf results

By Willem Lindeque

Nearing the end of the first month of 2020, the year is already in full swing. While the rain has obviously disrupted some players’ golfing plans over the past week, I am sure all of you will agree that we needed this rain desperately.

enhanced by Peter's son, Shaun, a legend in his own right. I'm sure the Pollocks would top a greatest cricketing family ranking!

ners, play your shot when you are ready to do so rather than waiting. You will see that this saves you quite a bit of time on your game.

I want to encourage everyone this week to play ready golf. Ready golf can be quite simply explained as playing your stroke when it is ready and safe to do so. Time is often wasted as players wait for one another to play, so why not try this the next time you go and play a round of golf. The players play in order from the teeing ground.

With this simple change to the norm, we can assist the world of golf in its endeavour to speed up the game. Also, please remember to repair your pitch marks and fill in your divots to maintain the pristine condition of our golf course. Your assistance with this would be greatly appreciated.

Then, keeping an eye on your playing part-

Happy golfing and see you at the club.

Saturday 18 January Club Competition 4BBB Bogey Plus: East Course Winner: John Reynell & Peter Gibson +8; South Course Winner: Stephen & Dirk van der Merwe +10; North Course Winner: Brenden Senekal & Gavin Brown +11 Tuesday 21 January Ladies' Competition 4BBB Stableford: South Course Winner: Issy Jordan & Annemarie Eksteen 45 pts; North Course Winner: Fran Thomas & Elise Nykamp 44 pts Wednesday 22 January Men’s Competition Combined Stableford: East Course Winner: Shaun Smith & David Romburgh 76 pts; South Course Winner: Raymond Calitz & Fareed Desai 75 pts C/I; North Course Winner: Izak Krige & Sarel Ackerman 74 pts.

OVERSTRAND MUNISIPALITEIT ERF 10347, LANGSTRAAT 17, NORTHCLIFF, HERMANUS: AANSOEK OM VERGUNNINGSGEBRUIK: PLAN ACTIVE NAMENS E.R SCHIMMER EN B.U RIEDELSHEIMER

OVERSTRAND MUNICIPALITY ERF 10347, 17 LONG STREET, NORTHCLIFF, HERMANUS: APPLICATION FOR CONSENT USE: PLAN ACTIVE ON BEHALF OF E.R SCHIMMER AND B.U RIEDELSHEIMER

UMASIPALA WASE-OVERSTRAND ISIZA ESINGU-ERF 10347, 17 LONG STREET, NORTHCLIFF, HERMANUS: ISAZISO NGOKUVUNYELWA UKUSEBENZISA: NGABAKWAPLAN ACTIVE EGAMENI LIKA-E.R SCHIMMER NO-B.U RIEDELSHEIMER

Kennis word hiermee gegee in terme van Artikel 47 van die Overstrand Munisipaliteit Verordening vir Munisipale Grondgebruiksbeplanning 2015 (Verordening) dat ʼn aansoek ontvang is vir vergunningsgebruik ingevolge Artikel 16(2)(o) vir die gebruik van bogenoemde eiendom vir ʼn nagklub en plek van vermaaklikheid wat opvoerings en musiek konserte insluit.

Notice is hereby given in terms of Section 47 of the Overstrand Municipality By-Law on Municipal Land Use Planning, 2015 (By-Law) that an application has been received for consent use in terms of Section 16(2)(o) to utilize the above-mentioned property for a nightclub and place of entertainment, which includes live shows and music concerts.

Kukhutshwe isaziso esimayela nemiba yeSolotya lama47 nguMasipala wase-Overstrand ngoMthethwana ongezicwangciso Zokusetyenziswa koMhlaba kaMasipala ku2015 (Umthetwhana) esithi kufunyenwe isicelo esifakwe malunga nokucela ukuvunyelwa kokusetyenziswa kwendawo ngokweSolotya le-16(2)(o) esicela ukusetyenziswa esi siza nomhlaba ongentla ube yindawo yendibano ebusuku (inight club) kunye nendawo yokuzonwabisa equka imiboniso yamaqela kunye neekonsathi zomculo.

Besonderhede aangaande die voorstel lê ter insae gedurende weeksdae tussen 08:00 and 16:30 by die Departement: Stadsbeplanning te Patersonstraat 16, Hermanus.

Details regarding the proposal is available for inspection during weekdays between 08:00 and 16:30 at the Department : Town Planning at 16 Paterson Street, Hermanus.

Enige kommentaar moet skriftelik wees ingevolge die bepalings van Artikels 51 en 52 van die Verordening en die Munisipaliteit (Patersonstraat 16, Hermanus / (f) 028 313 2093 / (e) loretta@overstrand.gov.za) bereik voor of op 6 Maart 2020, met u naam, adres, kontakbesonderhede, belang in die aansoek, en die redes vir kommentaar. Telefoniese navrae kan gerig word aan die Stadsbeplanner, Mev. H van der Stoep by 028 313 8900. Die Munisipaliteit mag weier om kommentare te aanvaar na die sluitingsdatum. Enige persoon wat nie kan lees of skryf nie kan die Departement Stadsbeplanning besoek waar hul deur ‘n munisipale amptenaar bygestaan sal word ten einde hul kommentaar te formuleer.

Any comments must be in writing in terms of the provisions of Sections 51 and 52 of the By-law and reach the Municipality (16 Paterson Street, Hermanus / (f) 028 313 2093 / (e) loretta@overstrand.gov.za) on or before 6 March 2020, quoting your name, address, contact details, interest in the application and reasons for comment. Telephonic enquiries can be made to the Town Planner, Mrs. H van der Stoep at 028 313 8900. The Municipality may refuse to accept comment received after the closing date. Any person who cannot read or write may visit the Town Planning Department where a municipal official will assist them in order to formalize their comment.

Munisipale Bestuurder, Overstrand Munisipaliteit, Posbus 20, HERMANUS, 7200 Munisipale Kennisgewing Nr. 6/2020

Municipal Manager, Overstrand Municipality, P.O. Box 20, HERMANUS, 7200 Municipal Notice No. 6/2020

Iinkcukacha ezipheleleyo ehambelana nesi sisphakamiso ziyafumaneka phakathi evekini ukuze zihlolwe kwixesha eliphakathi kwentsimbi ye-08:00 neye16:30 kwiSebe: Izicwangciso ngeDolophu kwa16 Paterson Street, Hermanus.

Naziphi na izimvo ezibhaliweyo ngokwemiba yezibonelelo zeCandelo lama-51 nama 52 oMthethwana kufuneka zifike kuMasipala (16 Paterson Street, Hermanus / (f) 028 313 2093 / (e) loretta@overstrand.gov.za) ngomhla okanye ngaphambi komhla 6 uMatshi 2020 uchaze igama lakho, idilesi, iinkcukacha ofumaneka kuzo, umdla wakho kwesi sicelo nezizathu zokuhlomla. Imibuzo ngefoni ingabuzwa kuMphathi weDolophu, uMnu. H van der Stoep at 028 313 8900. Umasipala angala ukwamkela izimvo ezifakwe emva komhla wokuvala. Nabani na ongakwaziyo ukufunda nokubhala angandwendwela Isebe Lezicwangciso ZeDolophu apho igosa likaMasipala liza kumnceda afake izimvo zakhe ngokusemthethweni.

UMlawuli kaMasipala, Overstrand Municipality, P.O. Box 20, HERMANUS, 7200 Inothisi kaMasipala Nombolo. 6/2020

27 23

www.thevillagenews.co.za

29 January 2020

Schools show their spirit on sports day

5

2

6 1

G

eneration Schools Hermanus and Hermanus Primary School had their interhouse athletics day on Friday 24 January.

4

Hermanus Primary School was separated into three teams who then chose their own themes: the red team (Rio Carnival), the yellow team (Ancient Egypt) and the blue team (Dallas Cowboys). Each team decorated their part of the pavilion and the cheerleaders dressed up according to their themes. Before the day's events kicked off, they entertained spectators with a dance performance. The school will announce the winners of their sports day on Friday 31 January.

3

The participants in the Generation Hermanus sports day were also divided into red, yellow and blue teams.

The event however is non-competitive and no overall winner was announced.

1. The red team chose the theme 'Red Rio Carnival' and donned colourful outfits with feathers and pom-poms.

2. Wren Seccombe and Ella Opperman from Generation Schools Hermanus enjoyed their 100m race.

3. This local pug showed her support for her owner in the yellow team at the Generation Schools athletics day.

4. Learners from the blue team at Hermanus Primary sang along to their cheerleaders' entertaining performance.

5. Amy Taylor from Generation Schools Hermanus urges on her teammates in the red team.

6. Generation's new sports coach, Johan Nothling, ran in the parent/ staff relay race.

7. The yellow team at HPS chose the theme 'Ancient Egypt' for athletics day.

8. The young learners at Hermanus Primary gave it their all in the 100m races.

9. Madden Joshua, Lourens de Necker, Finnegan McComas and Jack Hilton from Generation compete against one another in a closely-contended 100m race.

PHOTOS: Taylum Meyer

9

7

8

OVERSTRAND MUNISIPALITY ANNUAL REPORT 2018/19

OVERSTRAND MUNICIPALITEIT JAARVERSLAG 2018/19

UMASIPALA WASE-OVERSTRAND INGXELO YONYAKA 2018/19

Notice is herewith given in terms of section 127(5)(a)(i) of the Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act, 2003 (Act 56 of 2003) that the Annual Report of the Municipality for the 2018/19 financial year has been tabled in Council on Wednesday, 22 January 2020.

Kennis geskied hiermee ingevolge artikel 127(5) (a) (i) van die Wet op Plaaslike Regering: Munisipale Finansiële Bestuur, 2003 (Wet 56 van 2003) dat die Munisipaliteit se Jaarverslag ten opsigte van die 2018/19 finansiële jaar op Woensdag, 22 Januarie 2020 in die Raad ter tafel gelê is.

Kwenziwa isaziso ngokwesahluko se 127(5)(a)(i)somthetho wezo Masipala wolawulo mali, ka 2003 (Umthetho 56 ka 2003) ukuba Ingxelo Yonyaka ka 2018/19 iyeya fakwa kumhlangano we Bhunga ngo LwesiThathu umhla we, 22 Janywari 2020.

The local community is in terms of section 127(5)(a)(ii) of the above-mentioned Act invited to submit representations in connection with the Annual Report to the Municipality by submitting such representations on or before 28 February 2020 to the Municipal Manager (for attention: Ms R Louw) at the undermentioned address or fax number.

The Council will consider the Annual Report together with all the comments and representations received during a meeting which is scheduled to take place on 25 March 2020. This meeting will be open to the public.

Die plaaslike gemeenskap word ingevolge artikel 127(5) (a) (ii) van bogemelde wet uitgenooi om vertoë met betrekking tot die Jaarverslag aan die munisipaliteit voor te lê deur hul vertoë voor of op 28 Februarie 2020 te rig aan die Munisipale Bestuurder (vir aandag Me R. Louw) by onderstaande adres of faksnommer.

Kumenywa abahlali ngokwesahluko 127(5)(a)(ii) salomthetho ungentla ukuba bafake izimvo zabo malunga nalengxelo yonyaka ku Masipala ngokuthumela imbhalelwano phambi okanye ngomhla we 28 Febhuwari 2020 ku Mphathi ka Masipala (isiya ku Nksz. R Louw) kule dilesi nenombolo ingezantsi.

Die Raad sal die Jaarsverslag tydens ‘n vergadering wat op 25 Maart 2020 gehou staan te word tesame met alle kommentaar of vertoë wat ontvang is oorweeg. Hierdie vergadering is oop vir die publiek.

Ibhunga lizakuyihlalela Lengxelo Yonyaka kwakunye nezimvo ezithe zathunyelwa kumhlangano oyakube ubanjwe ngomhla we 25 ka Matshi 2020. Lomhlagano uyokube uvulekile kubahlali.

The Annual Report will be available for perusal during office hours at the offices of the Area Managers in Gansbaai, Stanford, Hermanus and Kleinmond, in all the public libraries in the Overstrand, the Corporate Head Office of the municipality in Hermanus and on the municipality’s website at www.overstrand.gov.za.

Die Jaarverslag is gedurende kantoorure ter insae by die kantore van die Areasbestuurders in Gansbaai, Stanford, Hermanus en Kleinmond, in alle openbare biblioteke in die Overstrand, die Korporatiewe Hoofkantoor van die munisipaliteit in Hermanus en op die munisipaliteit se webwerf by www.overstrand.gov.za.

Lengxelo Yonyaka izakuba khona kwi ofisi Zabaphathi bengingqi e-Gansbaai, Stanford, Hermanus nase Klenmond, nakuwo wonke amathala encwadi e Overstrand, kwi Ofisi eziphezulu zikaMasipala e-Hermanus na kuledilesi kamasipala www.overstand.gov.za.

Persons who cannot write can visit the Area Managers in Gansbaai, Stanford, Hermanus and Kleinmond during office hours where such persons will be assisted to transcribe their comments or representations.

Persone wat nie kan skryf nie kan gedurende kantoorure by die onderskeie Areabestuurders in Gansbaai, Stanford, Hermanus of Kleinmond besoek aflê waar daardie persone gehelp sal word om hul kommentaar of vertoë op skrif te stel.

C GROENEWALD MUNICIPAL MANAGER

C GROENEWALD MUNISIPALE BESTUURDER

Overstrand Municipality PO Box 20 HERMANUS 7200 Notice number: 09/2020

Overstrand Munisipaliteit Posbus 20 HERMANUS 7200 Kennisgewingnommer: 09/2020

Fax number: (028) 313 8030

Abantu abangakwaziyo ukubhala bangandwendwela aba Phathi be Ngingqi e-Gansbaai, Stanford, Hermanus nase Kleinmond ngamaxesha omsebenzi apho lomtu anokufumana uncedo ekubhaleni ezakhe izimvo.

C GROENEWALD Umphathi Kamasipala

Faksnommer: 028 313 8030

Umasipala weOverstrand PO Box 20 Hermanus 7200 Inombolo yesaziso: 09 /2020

inombolo ye feksi: (028) 313 8030

28