The Village NEWS 02 September - 09 September 2020

2 SEPTEMBER 2020

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The blooming, yellow canola fields along the N2 en-route to Greyton form a stark contrast with the snow-capped Riviersonderend Mountains in the background. Although spring has officially arrived, the Overberg will still experience chilly temperatures and more rain this week. PHOTO: David Wilson

Campaign to attract tourists Writer De Waal Steyn

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he tourism industry is hard at work to ensure that Tourism Month, celebrated every year during September, lives up to its name.

According to Western Cape Premier, Alan Winde, tourism is a key job creation sector in the Western Cape, responsible for thousands of jobs, and the impact of the lockdown regulations on this sector and the people it employs, has been severe.

“To promote domestic tourism in the province, the Western Cape Government and Wesgro launched the ‘We are Open’ campaign. This campaign highlights the best that the Western Cape has to offer, and showcases how the province can easily match experiences on offer elsewhere in the world,” he said.

Frieda Lloyd, Whale Coast Tourism Manager,

said the ‘We are Open’ campaigns for Gansbaai, Kleinmond and Stanford are underway, after the Hermanus campaign was launched some three weeks ago.

“Although we are seeing fewer tourists than shortly after the lockdown regulations were relaxed, we are still in a good position to offer tourists the best possible experience. We are aware that people are looking for places where social distancing is easy, while at the same time offering activities that can be enjoyed by the whole family. Of those the Whale Coast has an abundance, ranging from hiking to mountain biking, whale watching, and world-class restaurants and wineries.

“To assist in luring the local travel market to our shores, we have launched a ‘Discount for Locals’ campaign that makes family outings affordable for all,” said Lloyd.

Slightly further afield, Tuesday saw the reopen-

ing of the iconic Table Mountain Cableway and the Two Oceans Aquarium. Last week, a number of the museums affiliated to the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport received the go ahead to re-open their doors, among them, the Caledon Museum, the Huguenot Memorial in Franschhoek, and the Shipwreck Museum in Bredasdorp.

“These are all signs that the Western Cape is open for local travel and we look forward to welcoming visitors from across South Africa to our province. Thousands of jobs have been lost in the tourism sector and your support can help to save jobs now. If you can afford to, we call on you to visit a local tourism attraction, book a tour to experience a neighbourhood you've never visited, or enjoy a weekend away in our province,” said Winde. “You can also help to promote a local business by taking a photo at your favourite attraction, restaurant, or tourism establishment and share it on social media with the hashtag #WeAreOpen.”

At the launch of the ‘We are Open’ campaign, Western Cape Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities, David Maynier announced that the province was ready to open safely. “We are ready to start doing business again, and we are ready to start rebuilding our economy. The ‘We Are Open’ campaign builds on our efforts to support the tourism industry during the Covid-19 crisis, and importantly, is also one of the first of our immediate action steps towards economic recovery in the Western Cape.”

The ‘We Are Open’ campaign follows the ‘One Day’ campaign, a collaboration between Wesgro, the Western Cape Government and the City of Cape Town, which was launched during lockdown to support the tourism industry in the Western Cape and to also remind people that one day Cape Town and the Western Cape would again be open for them to explore and experience.

Continues on P3

We are back!

FRIDAY 4 SEPTEMBER FROM 16:00 – 19:00

• 18 Galleries • Paintings • Sculptures • Ceramics • Photography

We are starting a little earlier so there is still enough time to combine an evening of fine art with fine dining at a Hermanus restaurant before the curfew of 22:00.

Social distancing protocols will be followed and no snacks and wine will be served at the galleries. Wear your most creative face mask and stand a chance to win one of Terry Kobus’s artworks of masked icons or a bottle of bubbles in our BEST MASKS COMPETITION.

Hermanus First Fridays Artwalk

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Hermanus Tourism

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2 September 2020

International tourism next on the cards From P1 “For those living in South Africa, that day is now here, and our most beautiful regions in the Western Cape – the Cape West Coast, Cape Overberg, Cape Town, Cape Winelands, Garden Route, Klein Karoo and Cape Karoo – are open to explore safely,” said Maynier.

Maynier earlier said while the province was focused on the reopening of domestic travel, they would table a submission to national government concerning the opening of borders this week.

He said that the resumption of international travel was imperative to the province’s economy as a large proportion of tourists are foreigners.

“International tourists typically stay longer and spend more. We are in the process of compiling a submission, after which we will engage with them to open borders to provide for international travel. We do not have any certainty about a proposed (opening) date at this stage, but will be engaging with national government on this issue.”

It has been widely speculated that South Africa will only reopen its borders in 2021.

Outlining the detailed campaign

plan, Wesgro CEO, Tim Harris, said that “many people’s international holidays were cancelled due to the lockdown. But the Western Cape is full of experiences that match some of the world’s favourite destinations and we want to show people just how diverse and world-class it truly is. And so this digital campaign will highlight the world-class locations of Cape Town and the Western Cape where you will feel like you could be anywhere in the world.”

The campaign also includes a Kids Stay Free initiative to encourage families to take advantage of the offers for children to stay free at participating travel and accommodation partners across the Western Cape.

At a national level, Tourism Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane on Monday said with the domestic tourism sector allowed to resume operations under South Africa’s Level 2, the government’s next step would be to work towards the reopening of international travel, reported businesstech.co.za.

“With the risk of the virus spread on a downward trend, we are hopeful that the opening of our borders will happen sooner than we are expecting,” Kubayi-Ngubane said in a media briefing. “Again, I need to emphasise that the level of risk, as assessed by

the experts, will be the determinant of when this will happen.”

She added that the government remains focused on domestic tourism at present and that this will be the ‘first pillar’ upon which the country’s tourism recovery will be based. “We believe that domestic tourism, South Africans travelling and getting to know their own country, can drive market demand to unprecedented levels.

“During this Tourism Month, we will be driving our domestic tourism campaign, aimed at getting South

Africans to travel and explore the splendour of their country responsibly, under the guidance of the health and safety protocols.”

Kubayi-Ngubane said research shows that South Africans have clear preferences when it comes to travelling during lockdown:

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All travellers want attractions and tourism activities with strict adherence to the health and safety protocols; They are yearning to travel to escape the lockdown and discover previously undiscovered local

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attractions with renewed appreciation of local culture, history and nature; South Africans have been cooped up in their houses for too long and they are yearning for large open spaces and adventure; Domestic travellers are also looking for affordable travel packages that will allow them and their families and friends to have memorable experiences.

It is expected that Maynier and other tourism officials will visit Hermanus on Heritage Day, celebrated on 24 September.

Water restrictions lifted after good rain Writer De Waal Steyn

T

his is the wettest, coldest winter in years,” is a phrase bandied about by Overstrand residents every year as winter storms batter the coast, while the rest of the country is celebrating Spring Day. This year, the phrase is partly true. With pictures and videos of snow-covered mountains doing the rounds on social media over the weekend, residents grabbed for extra blankies as the cold and rain gripped our region. A total of 46 mm of rain was measured over the weekend.

This brought the rainfall total for the month to 149 mm, making this the wettest August since 2015 when 201

mm fell. The wettest August in the last 74 years was in 1986 when a whopping 211 mm was measured.

According to Johan Montgomery, viticulturist at Hamilton Russell Vineyards, a total of 210 mm was measured in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley during the month, making it the wettest August in the valley since 2013, when 245 mm was recorded.

The generous winter rain also helped the De Bos Dam rise from 36% at the beginning of June to 74% this week, prompting the Overstrand Municipality to lift the current water restrictions in the Greater Hermanus area from 1 September. It is the first time in four years that the De Bos dam has passed the 70%-mark.

Overstrand Executive Mayor, Dudley Coetzee, announced that the 30% concomitant restrictive tariffs would also be lifted on water used from this date on.

“The clause in the water services bylaw which requires that no irrigation take place between 9:00 and 17:00 daily will remain in force. It’s just good practice to limit evaporation during the generally warmest period of the day.

“When it comes to saving water and adhering to water restrictions, a municipality must have the buy-in from residents to stick to regulations. I would like to thank the residents for their support in adhering to the water restrictions,” the Mayor stated.

In as far as the cold is concerned, this year has not seen temperatures drop much lower than normal. Despite the Babylonstoren Mountain sporting a light covering of snow on Saturday, the coldest day of the month was measured on Friday 7 August when the mercury dropped to a bone-chilling 3˚C. The long-term average minimum temperature for August is 4.3˚C with the coldest August day clocking in at 2.7˚C on 2 August 1981.

According to Montgomery, in the 20odd years that he has been working in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, he has only seen the top of Babylonstoren covered in snow two or three times.

“It probably snows more often on the mountain but we just don’t see it because of the cloud cover or because it melts so fast.”

He said due to the high moisture content in the ground, the runoff of rainwater into the De Bos dam will be higher than normal.

The dams in the Western Cape Water Supply System which supply water to Cape Town, the Overberg, Boland and the West Coast, this weekend broke through the 90% level on average.

The Berg River dam stands at 100%, Upper Steenbras at 99%, Lower Steenbras at 98.8%, the Theewaterskloof dam at 87.9% and the Wemmershoek dam on 86.9%.

With thick layers of snow still covering mountain ranges across the province, it is expected that the runoff of water into the dams will continue for the next few weeks.

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2 September 2020

Dear Village NEWS Reader...

Become a VILLAGE INSIDER and help your proudly-local newspaper to continue bringing you the Good News every week.

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n the eve of our fifth birthday, we thank all our loyal readers for their unwavering support during the long, frustrating months of lockdown. Although our online readership has grown exponentially during this time, we have also been inundated with calls and messages from people who want to know where they can get access to a printed copy of our weekly newspaper.

It is clear that there is a huge demand for more copies of The Village NEWS to be printed and distributed each week, and our top priority now is to increase our print run. This is where you, our readers, come in. We need your help in order to continue spreading the Good News.

For over five years, The Village NEWS has been bringing you positive and uplifting news from the Overstrand.

Along this journey, our publishing editor, De Waal Steyn and our small team of journalists, columnists, photographers and designers have won numerous awards for the outstanding quality of the paper.

advertising all but dried up, because it was important to provide accurate and factual information during this time of crisis. We are here as the fourth estate to inform, enlighten and entertain our readers, offering insight into our community without fear or favour.

We do this in aid of our unique region, our communities and residents.

While many publications, in print and online, desperately search for ways in which to make a news business model work, The Village NEWS has from its inception held firm on two dictums: 1. We believe in good news. If the news is not good, we try to find the good in the news. We were told by our peers that good news will never work. Boy, did we prove them wrong!

2. You will never pay for news. There will never be a paywall on our electronic channels and we will never charge a cover price for our printed edition.

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I

n anticipation of Wednesday’s Council decision not to approve the construction of an astronomy facility on Rotary Way, the Hermanus Astronomy Centre (HAC) has developed an alternative proposal for an astronomy education display at Gearing’s Point, which has been approved by both the Ward 3 Committee and the municipality.

“We have been waiting for more than 18 months to receive final confirmation that the initial proposal to build an astronomy centre has been denied. Once we have received that in writing, we can go back to the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) with a revised application, together with a project plan and a budget, for the funding that was allocated for the centre,” said Pierre de Villiers of HAC. “The objective of the new plan is to convert the whale-watching viewing ring at Gearing’s Point into a self-guided Astronomy Education Centre by mounting more than 30 tablets of engraved engineered granite, measuring 600 mm wide by 800 mm high, on the inside of the existing ring wall. The tablets will be engraved with educational themes of an astronomical or geographical nature and will give a concise but comprehensive overview of current knowledge and insight.

“In addition, we want to upgrade the old trig beacon by adding an information plaque describing the history and the importance of trig beacons in land surveying, as well as adding a Shepherd’s Sundial around the top of the existing beacon base and four granite engraved vertical sundials just below the Shepherd’s Sundial facing north, east, south and west. Lastly, we want to add six cardinal

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The facility would have included a day-time astronomy centre with sundials and sun telescopes, as well as an amphitheatre and small kitchen.

Anina Lee of Whale Coast Conservation said they are delighted that the original proposal was not approved. “We cannot allow for development to take place within the FNR and the revised plan makes a lot more sense. The new plan has no impact on conservation and in principle we support it,” she said.

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Jenny Parsons from Pringle Bay captured this beautiful photo of a Spotted Eagle owlet while it was learning to fly in her garden. It took refuge below her deck once it was done practising for the day.

Orcas kill bronze whaler shark Writer De Waal Steyn

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wo Orcas named Port and Starboard are believed to be behind the first recorded carcass of a copper shark (also known as bronze whaler shark) last week in the Walker Bay area.

Port and Starboard made international headlines in May 2017 when they were linked to the killing of several great whites, as well as sevengill sharks in South Africa.

The carcass of the three-metre-long

bronze whaler shark was found on Wednesday, 5 February after it washed up on Grotto beach.

Resident Riekie Louw spotted the carcass on the beach and alerted The Village NEWS, which in turn contacted the Dyer Island Conservation Trust (DICT) team, who collected the dead shark.

“The female shark was torn open at the torso with its liver and heart completely removed. The previous day, Port and Starboard were observed in False Bay, 100 km west of Hermanus. This orca pair is con-

firmed to have predated on both sevengill and white shark species in this manner off the Western Cape coast, but this was the first copper shark carcass to be linked to them.

The pair is known to specifically tear open their shark prey to extract the large lipid rich liver and discard the body,” said Alison Towner, a DICT biologist.

“We can confirm the presumption of orca predation, as the injuries were similar to other shark species predated on by them. There were also raker marks (tooth impressions) of killer whales on the carcass.

“This behaviour is being observed more frequently in South Africa, causing ripple effects in certain shark species’ distributions, as well as potentially influencing the ecology of the Western Cape coastal areas, because of sharks avoiding their traditional aggregation sites for extended time periods,” said Towner.

Louw said she went for her daily walk on Grotto last Wednesday when she happened upon the carcass just 100m from the main beach. “When I took a closer look and saw the gaping hole, I immediately thought this must be an orca attack. I read the

stories in The Village NEWS in 2017 and remembered that these wounds looked exactly like the pictures I had seen. I instantly went back home to fetch my camera to take pictures in order to let the newspaper know,” she said.

It has been confirmed that the pod of orcas that were observed interacting with white sharks in Mossel Bay and Knysna during early November and February are not Port and Starboard, as their dorsal fins are different.

See picture on Page 5

on’t be alarmed. Be Prepared.” Those were the words of President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday as the country, and especially the Western Cape, braced itself for the predicted wave of new Coronavirus infections.

“More than half of all cases since the start of the outbreak were recorded in the last two weeks.

During this week, we can expect the total number of cases to pass the 50 000 mark. Sadly, we are also likely to record the 1 000th death from this devastating disease,” Ramaphosa said in his weekly letter to the nation.

“While these numbers are broadly in line with what the various models had projected, there is a big difference between looking at a graph on a piece of paper and seeing real people becoming infected, some getting ill and some dying.

“We can draw some comfort from the knowledge that the nationwide lockdown, in achieving the objective we had of delaying the spread of the virus, gave us time to prepare our health facilities and interventions for the expected spike in infections,” he said.

The president added that he’d spent last Friday in Cape Town to get a better sense of the work that was being done to manage the disease in the province that accounts for around twothirds of all confirmed cases.

“I am impressed with preparations, but even with the preparations that have been made, they will need more bed capacity as the disease reaches its peak. They need help from outside the province, including additional funding and health personnel,” Ramaphosa wrote in his letter.

On Monday the province had 32 048 confirmed cases. In the Overberg the number of infections stood at 262 and the Overstrand at 109. The Overberg also recorded its fifth COVID-19-related death.

Last week Premier Alan Winde announced that because of the testing backlog and short supply of test kits, the province would be changing tack in its testing approach by prioritising people at high risk of contracting the virus, those in hospital or seriously ill, those over 55 years old with COVID-19 symptoms, and those with comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension and cancer.

Victoria Young-Pugh of Victoria’s Pantry has moved from her premises in Long Street Arcade to Tulip Coffee Bar on the c/o Hope and Dirkie Uys Streets, where she now forms part of the Hope Street Market, along with Justin Dods and Megan McEwan of Tulip Coffee Roasters and Rickey Broekhoven of Maillard & Co. (Read more about these young entrepreneurs on P10) PHOTO: Taylum Meyer

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The Western Cape Government is also exploring the potential for a second 800-bed hospital at CTICC 2 to meet the bed numbers that its updated models anticipate will be required at the peak of infections.

clarity on the new provisions.

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“The regulations now enforce the mandatory wearing of a face mask, which includes a cloth face mask, homemade item, or another appropriate item that covers the nose and mouth, in public and in public places.

Any employer, manager or owner of a building used by the public to obtain goods or services, will be responsible if any person enters and remains onsite without wearing a mask. The penalty, should they not take all reasonable measures to ensure masks are worn, is a fine or imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or both such fine and imprisonment,” she said.

The president said these measures were necessary as the country remained under Level 3 of the risk-adjusted national lockdown. He said returning to higher levels would have a devastating impact on the economy.

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On Sunday the country recorded 12 048 new cases and an additional 108 deaths. At the weekend, the Western Cape had a total of 77 476 cases with the Overstrand standing at 1 071. Since the start of the local outbreak in March, some 4 080 people have died from COVID-19, with a quarter of all deaths reported in the last week. Sunday also saw 230 000 new cases of the virus recorded worldwide and South Africa moving into the 10th position in the list of countries with the most infections.

Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, on Monday gave more

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Writer De Waal Steyn

he government moved swiftly on Sunday night to gazette the renewed ban on alcohol sales and reinstatement of a night-time curfew minutes after these announcements were made by Pres Cyril Ramaphosa.

The new regulations also include a curfew between 21:00 and 04:00 and the legal requirement for citizens to wear face masks in public. Other changes see the taxi industry being allowed to operate at 100% capacity for short-distance travel. For long distances, the industry can operate at 70% capacity. The industry would also need to ensure compliance with the wearing of masks and sanitising passengers, as well as the opening of windows during travel.

Monday also saw the Hospital of Hope at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) admitting its first COVID-19 patients, exactly one month after work on the site first began. According to Winde, a total of 10 patients were admitted. “As the hospital is a new facility, additional beds will be activated in a phased manner until the entire hospital is fully operational. The temporary hospital is the biggest COVID-19 field hospital in Africa and will be staffed by over 900 people when all phases are operational.”

3. How do I know my VILLAGE INSIDER donation will only go towards the printing cost?

On a regular basis, The Village NEWS will report on the number of VILLAGE INSIDER members and how much has been received. We are committed to full transparency.

4. What about the rest of the costs of producing The Village NEWS? While it won’t be easy, we will continue to sell advertising to cover the remaining costs of producing The Village NEWS as best we can. What remains most important to us is being accessible to our readers and that our advertisers get the exposure they deserve.

5. Why 12 months?

Most economists believe that it will take at least a year before we can expect to see economic recovery. It may take longer but we will take it one step at a time and continuously innovate to overcome obstacles and ensure that positive community journalism in the Overberg survives.

To become a VILLAGE INSIDER contact Raphael da Silva on:

NEWS Unlike previous regulations that took a few days before being gazetted, government ensured that immediate meant immediate, catching several residents off-guard, with one remarking that despite the stormy conditions she had made an early morning trip just to see if all liquor stores were indeed closed on Monday morning.

They were.

The expected spike in infections mirror that of global trends that have seen new cases rising faster than ever worldwide, clocking up more than 100 000 a day over a seven-day average.

Authorities in 214 countries and territories have reported about 6.6 million cases and 391 000 deaths since China reported its first cases to the WHO in December.

2. Why does The Village NEWS focus on GOOD NEWS? While bad news travels fast, we believe that GOOD NEWS travels faster. There are plenty of publications that focus on ‘crime and grime’ but in a community that is so dependent on tourism and protecting its natural heritage, it is even more important to share the many positive stories about Hermanus, the Overstrand and the Overberg.

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THE VILLAGE

Be prepared for spike in Stricter regulations infections enforced D Writer De Waal Steyn

1. Why are you raising money just to increase your print run?

Within the Overstand, people love to have a physical newspaper in their hands, especially one that doesn’t smudge their hands! More importantly, having a physical newspaper ensures that we remain accessible to everyone. Many people do not have access to the internet or can’t afford data costs. Across the Overstrand there are also many retirement communities that look forward to their weekly copy of The Village NEWS, as it provides them with a form of entertainment and connection with the community. Schools receive the paper as well.

www.sacoronavirus.co.za • National hotline: 0800 029 999 • Provincial hotline: 021 928 4102 • Whatsapp "Hi" to 0600 123 456 Keep your distance

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On the positive side, South Africa’s case fatality rate of 1.5% is among the lowest in the world. This is compared to a global average case fatality rate of 4.4%.

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According to the municipality’s Department of Infrastructure and Planning, the reasons for not approving the centre on Rotary Way include non-compliance with the National Environmental Management: • Protected Areas Act; • the fact that the necessary due diligence on the impact on the Fernkloof Nature Reserve (FNR) was not done; • the impact on the road and parking facilities have not been adequately addressed; • the safety and security of the facility on an ongoing basis has not been addressed; • and the impact on the area surrounding the facility was not factored in to the motivation of the application.

The construction of an astronomy centre has been on the cards since 2009 when council first approved the facility. Subsequently, an official application for the construction was made in November 2015, after which it was incorporated into the FNR’s 2016 Integrated Management Plan. During the public participation process, more than 50 letters of objection were received. The original plan included a 288m² facility next to the existing parking area on Rotary Way.

10 JUNE 2020

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direction (solstices and equinoxes) sunrise and sunset viewing ‘V’-slots into the top of the ring wall,” said de Villiers, adding that “This type of activity is sure to draw not only school groups but also other tourists to the CBD.”

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New plans for astronomy centre Susan Skog enjoyed a scenic walk on Babilonstoring on the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge recently when she came across this beautiful king protea (Protea cynaroides). These proteas have the largest flower head in the genus and are also known as giant, honeypot or sugarbush protea.

PHOTO: Susan Skog

Welcome to the VILLAGE INSIDER family! Let’s keep independent positive community journalism alive in the Overberg!

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NEWS

We had come so far in a few short years, but without your help, the road back will be an uphill battle over the next 12 months. One of our strongest messages has always been to support local – and there has never been a more crucial time for all of us to stand together and turn this sentiment into a reality. As a truly local business, founded, owned and operated by locals, we thank you for becoming a VILLAGE INSIDER and joining us on our journey.

VILL GE Insider

Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown, The Village NEWS team committed to continue publishing each week despite the fact that businesses had to lock down and www.thevillagenews.co.za

Where other news organisations are searching for solutions, The Village NEWS is leading by example. By becoming a VILLAGE INSIDER and supporting us financially you are not paying for news but are assisting us in covering and sharing the stories of our communities. In order to do this, we have to increase our print run – the largest cost of publishing a news-

paper – to keep up with the demand for our unique brand of Good News.

Our aim is not to flood the market but only to ensure that each and every reader has easy access to their weekly copy of The Village NEWS. In order to satisfy the demand, we need to get back to our pre-Covid print run of 10 000 copies.

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All this has been provided to readers for FREE. Instead of charging a cover price, The Village NEWS has relied on the generosity of advertisers who are charged affordable rates to reach their target audience across the different platforms we offer and get the best results for their products and offerings. In return, we fully support community and environmental organisations, tourism initiatives and local businesses – the backbone of our economy – by writing about them and sharing their stories with our readers and users.

THE VILLAGE

While we regretted having to give up our lovely offices in Royal Street and we all now work from home, we are seeing these challenging times as an opportunity to embrace a new and exciting business model that is aimed at keeping our economy growing.

While giant media corporations with far more resources than a small, locally-owned newspaper like The Village NEWS have had to close their

Since starting out as a newspaper, we have established a strong presence on social media across various platforms with an ever-growing number of users upwards of 50 000, we have introduced a website that reaches readers in over 200 countries and territories around the world, and we have expanded our digital reach by publishing The Village NEWS on ISSUU, PressReader and Magzter, three of the largest global publishing platforms.

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doors due to the economic fall-out of the Covid-19 pandemic, our readers have expressed their amazement at, and their gratitude for, our ability to continue publishing and distributing weekly. We can assure you that it has not been easy! It has come at a cost, of course, and just like most other small businesses our revenue plunged dramatically, forcing us to cut down on our expenses, including salaries.

Frequently Asked Questions

T: 062 837 3122 or E: raphael@thevillagenews.co.za

“We have reintroduced the prohibition on the sale, transportation and dispensing of alcohol, because the risks associated with alcohol are far too high and we must limit the pressures on our health care system.

When there was an absolute prohibition on the sale of alcohol, the overall number of visits to trauma units in South Africa dropped from 42 700 to approximately 15 000 visits. Following the lifting of the prohibition on the sale, transportation and dispensing of liquor in Alert Level 3, health facilities have seen a substantial rise in alcohol-related trauma injuries and death, resulting in added strain on the capacity of health facilities,” according to Dlamini Zuma.

The minister also elaborated on some of the other regulations: Parks can now be used for exercising but beaches will remain closed. The prohibition of social gatherings such as visitation to families and friends stays in place, and no social gatherings other than funerals are permitted. Interprovincial travel will also again be subject to obtaining a permit.

The use of accommodation (such as hotels, bed and breakfasts, lodges) for leisure activities is prohibited. “At this stage we can only permit the use of such establishments for persons travelling for business purposes or where these facilities are used for quarantine or where there are remaining tourists. The establishments must also maintain a record of patrons,” she said.

Mike Fabricius from the Grootbos Foundation captured this beautiful photograph of a Boomslang hatchling on a Protea obtusifolia. Despite being one of the most venomous snakes in our region, this snake is thankfully very passive and reluctant to bite. Boomslang should be a welcomed guest to any garden, but are best left alone. The Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy, driven by the Grootbos Foundation, consists of 45 landowners from Stanford to Gansbaai and inland towards Baardskeerdersbos. The focus of the conservancy is research, conservation land-use practice and linking protected areas with an ecological corridor network for movement of wildlife, pollinators and seed dispersers.

PHOTO: Mike Fabricius

Banking Details Nedbank Hermanus 111 0744 218 Cheque Account Branch code: 196 005

3 Harbour Road, Hermanus | 028 313 2222

ONE WINNER! ONE PAINTING WORTH R46 000! @rossouwmodern @obertjongwe Join us in celebrating Rossouw Modern’s 25-year anniversary by entering our COMPETITION – and stand a chance to win this premium original oil painting, Walk the Dog II by Obert Jongwe.

JO NG WE

All you have to do is follow both Rossouw Modern Art Galleries and Obert Jongwe on Facebook and Instagram and like the competition post. Tell us why you would like to win this artwork and tag 5 friends in the comments section (one tag – one entry). The winner will be announced in mid-September.

RT E OB

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2 September 2020

Surfing the Overberg airwaves with Pieter With up to 80 people sharing a kitchen, he very quickly learnt the importance of teamwork. “I also learnt to work quickly and efficiently,” he says, “and to cater for a variety of events.

We could have up to seven weddings on the same day. You had to be at the top of your game for that kind of pressure.”

Writer Elaine Davie

L

isteners to local radio stations, first Whale Coast Fm and now Caledon Fm, will be familiar with the name and voice of Pieter van Aswegen, but perhaps not of what an adventurous life he has lived.

Right now, though, Caledon Fm is his main priority. He says people often ask, “You mean you have to go through to Caledon each time you present a programme?” Although this bilingual station has been running for some time in Caledon, it now has two other studios, one in Hermanus and one in Bredasdorp, as well as an OB (Outside Broadcast) travelling van, and it covers the whole of the Overberg. “To avoid this kind of confusion, we plan to change the name to the more generic Cfm,” explains Pieter, the station’s Programme Manager.

“The station’s focus is on community participation – ‘From the community, for the community’, so it’s essential that the whole region is able to identify with it. In fact, we view it as a powerful tool for selling this area and for emphasising ‘local is lekker’. In these difficult economic times, we also try to showcase individual businesses, especially those in the building where we have our studio, the Village Square.”

Encouragingly, Caledon Fm’s listenership is growing exponentially, both locally and world-wide, on their digital platform. According to recent independent figures they are reaching over 100 000 listeners in 206 countries, as well as 40 000 local listeners.

“I think my greatest challenge, as programme manager, and the one that gives me the greatest satisfaction,” comments Pieter, “is to ensure that each programme that goes out is of the highest quality, that the presenters – there are between 17 and 20 of them altogether – are the best available and that the programmes are varied and interesting. Just because it’s local doesn’t mean it can’t be professional.”

Music, in all its forms, is an essential component of all the programmes, as is audience participation, he tells me, and topics range from current affairs, to the arts, agriculture, law, and many more. Pieter himself presents a daily drive-time programme, ‘Overdrive Home Brew’, during which he interviews a variety of interesting locals, as well as a Sunday afternoon classical music programme. Also broadcasting from Hermanus, Annette Jahnel presents a weekly current affairs programme called ‘Future Perfect’ in which she discusses sometimes controversial topics like the Hermanus Bypass, education or the economics of the area.

On the other hand, Di Rattle’s programme, ‘Love Local Overberg’ is broadcast on a Saturday morning and focuses on entrepreneurial development, featuring inspirational stories from ordinary people who are making their small businesses work.

Janet Marshall’s ‘High Noon with the Marshall’ covers community-based women’s issues and those of the elderly. Raphael da Silva of The Village NEWS has a new travel programme called ‘Fly with Me’ which is proving to be very popular, as well as ‘The Village News Hour’ on Tuesdays at lunchtime.

Then, broadcasting from Bredasdorp,

Jan Greyling has two programmes, one covering legal matters and the other, agriculture and food production. A daily magazine programme broadcast from Caledon features a compendium of different topics. Of course, whether it’s broadcast from Caledon, Hermanus or Bredasdorp, the footprint covers the whole of the Overberg. As Pieter points out, there’s literally something for everyone.

But, of course, Pieter’s passion for new challenges started a long time ago.

Having grown up on a farm near Heidelberg in Gauteng, the oldest of six children, one thing he knew for sure – he didn’t want to be a farmer when he grew up. Although he hankered for the city lights, he is grateful for the many skills he learnt there, from fixing the tractor, to house painting and catering, most of which were to stand him in good stead in his future career.

He was dragooned by his family into enrolling at the Rand Afrikaans University (RAU) for a teaching degree.

By the second year, he knew this was definitely not for him, so he dropped out and registered for a chef’s course.

Almost immediately after qualifying he joined a company which provided a catering service for four universities, as well as corporate events and functions.

And when the pressure caught up with him, he decided to decamp to Belgium where for five years he was chef at a top Brussels restaurant. The next turning point in his life came unexpectedly one evening in 1994, when he and some friends attended a free outdoor concert in Brussels.

Miriam Makeba and Hugh Masekela were performing. He picks up the story: “Hearing them, I was suddenly so homesick that as Miriam ended Pata-pata, from the back of the crowd, I shouted, ‘Vrystaaaat!’.

“She invited me to come round to her dressing room and asked me what I was doing in Brussels. We chatted for a short while and then like a real grandmother, she gave me a big hug and told me to come back to South Africa.

So I did.” (From Brussels to Hoedspruit!

Excuse me?)

You would have thought he’d learnt what it was like to work under extreme pressure. Apparently not. The opportunity presented itself for him to establish his own restaurant and run a guesthouse there. Once more, he became chief cook and bottle washer, and everything else besides.

“It was only 40 km from Orpen Gate in the Kruger Park, so we were very busy; it was not a livelihood, it was an all-consuming lifestyle,” he remembers. “It was a beautiful part of the country, but the time came when it just became too much for me – burnout set in.”

This time he decided not to leave South Africa, but to move to the opposite end of it. “I thought I would like to be within a radius of 100 km from Cape Town and when I visited Hermanus, I knew this was where I belonged. It was love at first sight.

That was 23 years ago.” Because he

had always been interested in interior decorating, he got into the paint business, subsequently opening his own company called The Paintman, doing renovations and house painting, with a particular focus on special finishes like cement-crete and textured colour combinations.

“I always think of Beatle, John Lennon, who was once asked what he wanted to be when he grew up and he replied, ‘Happy’. And that’s what I wanted, too. I had an income now, but I had always been keen on the idea of getting into radio. When I was offered the opportunity at Whale Coast Fm, I decided to give it a go. I quickly discovered this is what gives me a real sense of fulfilment and satisfaction,” he confesses.

But being the workaholic he clearly is, he also runs an Airbnb in Sandbaai and has started an organisation called Stargazer Promotions which has arranged two open-air concerts, as well as the popular Whale Coast Whizz Quiz. As if he hasn’t got enough on his plate, he is currently Chairman of OAK (Overstrand Arts/Kunste), too.

“I’ve learnt that it’s all about balance,” he says. “I love bingeing on Netflix, or simply doing nothing, and I make time for that, too.”

But, of course, Pieter’s main aim at the moment is to take Caledon Fm to new heights. “Although most of us are just enthusiastic amateurs who give our time on a voluntary basis,” he adds, “the level of commitment as a team is fantastic. I love the great interaction we have with our listeners as well; it’s a real privilege and an indication of community involvement.” He also looks forward to implementing plans for future development.

So next time you tune in to this enthusiastic Renaissance Man, give a thought to how he manages to keep all the balls in the air at the same time and say a little prayer that he will not be leaving the Overstrand anytime soon.

Station programme details can be found on Caledonfm.co.za

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2 September 2020

- a quintessential ial Overberg experience

3

Family Wines

Writer & Photographer Hedda Mittner

B

eaumont Family Wines celebrated the opening of their new Zest@ Beaumont Deli by hosting an Open Day on Saturday, with guests coming from far and wide to enjoy this winemaking family’s trademark brand of country hospitality.

The extensive renovations at Beaumont Family Wines, located in the heart of the tiny hamlet of Botrivier on the historic Compagnes Drift Farm, started with the new tasting room adjacent to the original barrel cellar, which was completed last year. Next up was the deli, where Zest Catering now operates from an expansive and modern open kitchen, while providing both indoor and outdoor seating for guests.

The deli was ready to open at the end of March – and then the lockdown was announced. Untold frustrations followed as functions were cancelled and the selling and export of wine was banned during much of the lockdown.

So there was every reason to celebrate on Saturday and, despite the inclement weather, the Beaumont werf was a hive of activity throughout the day. The wheels of the beautifully restored 200-year-old watermill on the farm were turning, too, with visitors being treated to a demonstration of how Beaumont’s sought-after stone-ground flour is produced.

Beaumont Family Wines is home to the Bot River region’s oldest wine cellar, originally established in the mid-1700s by the Dutch East India Company. As a self-sustaining farm, Compagnes Drift supplied the garrison of soldiers stationed there, as well as travellers to the

interior with fresh produce. By the time Jayne and Raoul Beaumont bought the farm in 1973, however, it had for many decades fallen into disrepair and its restoration was a labour of love that has been passed on to the next generation.

In the early years, they set about planting fruit trees and replanting the vineyards. While Raoul concentrated on the management of the farm, Jayne revitalised the old cellar and started making small quantities of her own wine which she named after each of the three Beaumont children – the eldest, Sebastian, his sister Ariane, and laatlammetjie Lucien.

Raoul passed away in 2008 but Jayne still lives on the farm and is still making her own artisanal Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, while Sebastian and his wife Nici have taken over the full running of the farm and its endeavours.

Sebastian, whose passions include fishing and surfing, honed his skills in the 1 vineyards on the farm, working alongside Raoul. After studying viticulture and oenology he joined the family business in 1999, initially as viticulturist and assistant winemaker under the guidance of Jayne and winemaker Niels Verburg (who later founded Luddite Wines).

Five years later, in 2004, he completed his first vintage and took charge of the winemaking. He soon established a standing as a Chenin Blanc aficionado.

With eight 5-star Platter’s ratings for Beaumont’s wooded Chenin Blanc, named Hope Marguerite after his

grandmother, Sebastian has earned the nickname, ‘The Chenin Dude’.

His hands-on approach to winemaking is instinctive, believing that wine is made in the vineyards and that minimal intervention is needed. Ancient, low-yielding Chenin Blanc and Pinotage vines are honoured in the process, allowing Beaumont’s range of authen2 tic cool-climate wines to be a true expression of the Botrivier terroir.

Working at his side as a partner in the family business is Sebastian’s wife, Nici, a co-founder of Zest Catering who is involved with all things culinary, including the new Deli@Beaumont and catering for special events. Inspired by the seasons, ingredients for the deli’s daily offerings are sourced from local suppliers and the farm’s vegetable garden.

Beaumont Family Wines is a place of simplicity and charm, offering the quintessential Overberg experience.

The tasting room and the deli are now open six days a week – Monday to Friday from 09:00 – 16:00 and Saturday from 10:00 – 15:00, offering delicious and wholesome home-cooked meals and platters to enjoy with your wine tasting.

4

1. At Beaumont’s Open Day, winemaker Sebastian Beaumont treated guests to a tasting of several vintages of Beaumont’s classical wines.

2. Nici Beaumont in the new farm kitchen of Zest@Beaumont.

3 & 4. Visitors to Beaumont’s Open Day were fascinated by the workings of the fully restored 200-year-old watermill on the farm.

5

Don’t come without a basket, as there are plenty of irresistible treats and home meals that you’ll want to take home, along with a few cases of your favourite Beaumont wines.

To make a booking, call 028 284 9194 or info@beaumont.co.za. For more information, visit www.beaumont.co.za.

5. Andy Selfe, who was responsible for the painstaking process of restoring the mill over a period of four years, packages the freshly-ground whole-wheat flour.

6. The newly-opened Deli offers both indoor and outdoor seating and is now open six days a week.

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www.thevillagenews.co.za

2 September 2020

FROM THE EDITOR

Happy birthday to us!

The next edition of The Village NEWS will be available on 9 September 2020. The NEWS can be found at over 300 distribution points in the Overberg.

De Waal Steyn PUBLISHING EDITOR E: dewaal@thevillagenews.co.za T: 083 700 3319

Hedda Mittner

Five years ago, The Village NEWS published its first edition with the headline, All we need is a bit of magic, referring to the finishing touches being added to the Whale Festival preparations.

That headline was prophetic as far as the newspaper is concerned and the spark of magic has not left us. Over the past five years, we were fortunate enough to be awarded the Entrepreneur of the Year Award by the municipality in 2017; the following year we were crowned Newspaper of the Year by the Forum for Community Newspapers, and there have been several other accolades since then for

CONTENT EDITOR

ONLINE EDITOR E: raphael@thevillagenews.co.za T: 074 125 5854

Elaine Davie

By Murray Stewart murray.stewart49@gmail.com

A

rticles in the For Fact’s Sake columns are – according to Google and the Duck ’n Fiddle’s Explanation of Everything – based on facts. Occasionally though, names and places have been changed to protect innocent people involved.

The Mighty Atom

JOURNALIST E: elaine@thevillagenews.co.za T: 084 343 7500

Taylum Meyer PRODUCTION MANAGER, PHOTOGRAPHY & DESIGN E: taylum@thevillagenews.co.za T: 084 564 0779

Charé van der Walt MARKETING REPRESENTATIVE E: chare@thevillagenews.co.za T: 082 430 1974

Nickey Jackson

We were frequently told by our peers that a good news newspaper would never succeed, but we have bucked the trend and have proven that good, insightful journalism coupled with But we are certain we are on track eye-catching design is a winning to getting our groove back. This formula. week we have increased the number of printed copies by 1 000, due to And while all around us newspapers overwhelming demand. At the same are either closing down or radically time, our online presence is continuchanging their business models, ously expanding and for the first time we have decided to stay true to our this week we will be publishing addifounding principles of good news tional content in our online edition, and community first. Yes, Covid-19 starting off with exciting motoring has taken its toll, as with all other pages, courtesy of veteran motoring businesses. We have had to reduce journalist, John Floyd. More pages

will follow in the next few weeks.

As mentioned elsewhere, we are also launching our Village Insider programme this week. For the cost of two cups of coffee our readers will now be able to assist us in increasing our print run even further over the coming weeks. We invite everyone to become part of this initiative to keep the good news coming.

With the help of our readers and advertisers The Village NEWS is excited about tackling the next five years.

Bad news travels fast, good news travels faster.

This is the good NEWS – Ed

Tough as Nails and the Nordic Influence

E: hedda@thevillagenews.co.za T: 083 645 3928

Raphael da Silva

our staff numbers, we have been forced to close our offices for the time being and we have been publishing fewer pages and fewer copies than before.

writing and design.

We’ve all come across those ‘Strong Man’ contests on TV or in the papers, where huge brutes from around the world compete for the title of ‘The World’s Strongest Man’.

These raucously popular spectacles involving the regular vein-popping, sinew-snapping and tendon-tearing events, require various heavy objects to be lifted/pushed/thrown or pulled from one place to another.

The fastest/heaviest/furthest wins.

Judging by their expressions of excruciating pain, strain and anguish, the contestants certainly don’t look like they’re enjoying themselves.

One wonders why they keep doing it. Foolhardy flattery, or fame and fortune?

Well, above the Old Harbour, Hermanus hosted its own regional Strong Man competition, and among others, two Duck ’n Fiddle regulars, Druiwe du Toit and Klippies Combrink entered.

Growing up on adjacent farms in Heaven’s Valley, they were bred tough. They’d been throwing tractor tyres to each other like frisbees for years, and played touch rugby with a bag of cement. Together they could lift Sparky Snyman’s Mini right off the ground – no sweat. Hell, even their muscles had muscles, so this competition would be a walk in the park.

Sadly, being deemed far too drunk, they were disqualified in the preliminaries by the eventual winner Johan Kruger, and as a prize, he received life-long membership to the Duck ’n Fiddle’s new 18-hole virtual golf course and pole-dancing academy.

Anyway, going global and back in time, we notice a strong flow of Viking blood coursing through the veins of many World Champs. Perhaps the pristine Arctic waters give them those larger frames and bigger bulging muscles, making hurling boulders around a little bit easier. But the accolades must go to an extraordinary guy who earned a living as

the world’s strongest man around a hundred years ago – without being Scandinavian.

Meet Joseph Greenstein. He weighed around 68kg and stood 1.6m in his socks. He was born prematurely and underweight, and contracted TB aged 14. On both occasions doctors gave him little chance of survival, but the ‘Strong Man’ from the local circus took him under his wing and taught him the skills required to become extremely strong through diet, exercise and mind control. For the next few years he did just that, and excelled in the art of becoming physically and mentally tough.

By the time he was about 20, he’d earned a reputation as a wrestler, and his family emigrated from Poland to America where he married the lovely Leah. A jealous would-be suitor shot him between the eyes from 10 metres, and witnesses claim that the bullet actually flattened on impact, leaving Jo with only a superficial wound on his forehead. This incident kicked off his career as ‘The Mighty Atom’ – The World’s Strongest Man. His travelling show amazed people around the globe. He could change a

tyre with his bare hands, and prevent an aeroplane from taking off with a rope tied to his hair. He would hammer nails into wood – palm down – with only a hanky round his hand, and bend steel bars, not only lengthwise, but into spirals with sheer strength and willpower. He could tie horseshoes into knots, and also pulled a two-ton truck 30 metres with his teeth. I’m not making this up.

He maintained that the brain instructs us to stop when the pain threshold is reached, but this is when he would accelerate his pressure and ignore the negative signals. At his shows he sold his various health elixirs and potions well into his eighties and died in 1977 aged 84 – without a drop of Scandinavian blood in his veins.

The Nordic Influence As we know, the English language accumulated a lashing of many tongues from India through to Iceland, and here are some randomly chosen English words derived from the frozen Norse: mistake, mug, husband, rotten, fellow, knife, slaughter, happy, scant regret. Ladies, please don’t try this at home.

HERMANUS: SEVEN-DAY WEATHER AND TIDE TABLE Wed | 2 Sep

Thurs | 3 Sep

Fri | 4 Sep

Sat | 5 Sep

Sun | 6 Sep

Mon | 7 Sep

Tues | 8 Sep

14°/15° Rain

14°/16° Partly Cloudy

11°/17° Partly Cloudy

12°/13° Rain

8°/18° Partly Cloudy

11°/18° Clear

12°/16° Clear

MARKETING REPRESENTATIVE E: nickey@thevillagenews.co.za T: 079 408 7722

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Weekly Rainfall 51mm Last week 11mm

06:11 12:11 18:26 00:10 De Bos Dam 74.39% Last week 65.79%

LOCKDOWN LEVEL:

LEV

COVID-19 DASHBOARD OVERSTRAND

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2 September 2020

2

EL

TOTAL CASES AS OF 2 SEPTEMBER:

OVERSTRAND BREAKDOWN OF CASES: TOTAL (ACTIVE)

WORLD: 23 722 981 SOUTH AFRICA: 625 056 WESTERN CAPE: 105 093 (16.82% of cases in SA) OVERBERG: 3 410

• FISHERHAVEN: 14 (0) • GANSBAAI: 284 (5) - 5 deaths • HAWSTON: 119 (3) - 1 death • HERMANUS: 172 (5) - 4 deaths • KLEINMOND: 99 (2) - 2 deaths

• MT PLEASANT: 135 (1) - 2 deaths • ONRUS: 56 (1) - 3 deaths • SANDBAAI: 41 (4) • STANFORD: 101 (11) - 3 deaths • VERMONT: 21 (1) • ZWELIHLE: 557 (7) - 5 deaths

LAST WEEK'S TOTAL CASES:

TOTAL: 1 599 (40) - 25 deaths

WORLD: 23 722 981 SOUTH AFRICA: 609 773 (5th in the world) WESTERN CAPE: 102 615 OVERBERG: 3 328 OVERSTRAND: 1 568

(24 AUG)

LET'S TALK Healthy and robust debate are crucial for democracy. The Village NEWS firmly believes in freedom of the press as well as the right of individuals to freely express themselves, as long as they don’t infringe upon the rights of others.

The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors therefore do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of The Village NEWS. Letters may be shortened and/or edited for clarity and style.

Enjoy our paper. Send your letters to dewaal@thevillagenews.co.za.

Overstrand fire plan urgently needed The vegetation and trees on the greenbelt along Bass Road in Betty’s Bay are now 5 metres high and close to the road. There are many properties with explosive growths of vegetation in the three villages – Betty’s Bay, Pringle Bay and Rooiels – which constitute a very serious fire risk.

Fire is endemic. It is also the biggest threat we face. The cost of damages caused by the next big fire will be disastrous.

Local authorities and various bodies have devoted much-appreciated effort to organising fire-prevention plans. However, localised fire-fighting groups, fantastic as they are, have limited effect. Only the municipality has the resources and capabilities to extinguish any serious fire. Preparing in advance by supporting the various bodies engaged in preparing fire plans will be an investment yielding supreme returns. Therefore these efforts must receive our full support. Any fire should be reported immediately.

Fire planning presents a serious challenge. Residents should be encouraged specifically to remove excess vegetation and to assist all efforts aimed at limiting fire loss. Many residents are seriously nervous and the existence of a comprehensive fire-fighting plan will go a long way in reassuring the community.

The fire plan should have an action checklist, with the primary objective of facilitating a very rapid response to any fire. Many procedures and protocols already exist. However, there is a need to link them all together so as to minimise any delays.

In order to streamline the processes involved in extinguishing a blaze as fast as possible and minimising losses, it is essential to prepare an action plan in advance of a crisis. At present there is a sense of insufficient action!

It is as if we are simply waiting for the next fire – to be dealt with as it happens.

The actions required include effi-

cient communication with residents and access to information, such as which numbers they should call in case of an emergency. This information could be printed and widely distributed through various channels, such as the Betty’s Bay Ratepayers Association or Botanical Society newsletters, local retailers, security companies and other businesses, and public notice boards.

Those who have given thought to a fire plan should ensure that residents are able to obtain details, including of their emergency evacuation procedure. Maybe we can learn more by reviewing existing processes that are in place and asking questions such as how many fire engines are available; if there is justification for a dedicated Betty’s Bay fire engine and how it could be funded; if there is scope for mutual co-operation with other bodies regarding fire engines; or if there is any merit in a siren?

An instruction guide and a map

could be circulated showing the location of the fire hydrants. Other questions that could be addressed include whether it is practical for residents to connect their own hoses to fire hydrants? Should couplings be available? Should hoses be available? Where?

Another important issue is the identification of a command centre, for eg. the Crassula Hall, and the designation of emergency parking areas, for eg. Bass lake, and helicopter landing areas. With regard to fire-fighting capacity, we have to ensure that volunteer firefighters have adequate equipment. How can the volunteers be augmented? Can members of the police be trained as emergency fire fighters? How can we as residents cooperate with the local authorities and provide support for the firefighters?

The Fire Department has already identified hotspots. Can residents assist in this regard by reporting

Thank you for supporting food bank Relief.life, a registered NPO and the disaster management arm of Shofar Christian Church, would like to thank all the individuals and organisations who contributed to the food bank over the past five months.

With the start of level 2 of the lockdown we have stopped our relief effort but would like to thank everyone involved. The financial donations and food donations placed in designated trolleys at the various shopping centres enabled us to provide more

than 92 tons of food parcels, which amounted to more than 525 000 meals to those in need. In addition, food parcels were also donated and distributed in our community by Siya Kolisi, Bryan Habana and Landrover/ Jaguar.

A special thank you goes to Chief Lester Smith and his team from the Overstrand Municipality for their logistical support, and the countless man hours and resources they provided to ensure that food parcels reached the

various communities. Our gratitude also goes to Joan Pillay and Brian Lobb from Disaster Management for going the extra mile and always making a plan; to Councillors Ronald Nut and Lindele Ntsabo for overseeing the transparent distribution of the food parcels; to Angela Heslop from the Red Cross for their financial support; and Ann Wright from the Hermanus Rotary Club for their support and encouragement.

We’d also like to extend a very special

thank you to Zelda la Grange for her passion in facilitating and addressing the needs in our community. But most of all, thank you to the Hermanus community who gave so generously in a time of need, not only to us but also to other organisations like food4love, Pear Tree, various churches and other NGOs. We are proud to be part of this community. May God bless you!

Andries van der Merwe Relief.life

areas such as the greenbelt between Bass and Reed Roads, the spider gum forest on the R44, and overgrown properties? Guidelines in fuel load reduction (which have already been listed by Tim Attwell) should be made widely available and the municipality must enforce existing regulations regarding overgrown properties.

Residents need to be informed about the procedures and how they can obtain assistance from the municipality in transporting cut vegetation to the dump.

Basically, we need to prepare, in advance, for the certainty that the next devastating fire event is coming.

Everything must run like clockwork.

The community must embrace this combined effort in preparing for and fighting the next fire. Collective action is potent.

Peter Berrisford Betty’s Bay

Stating the facts The Village NEWS wishes to apologise to Mayor Dudley Coetzee for publishing the wrong date for the closure of comments on the Hermanus Bypass in his reply to a letter on 19 August 2020.

Shortly after his reply was sent to us, Coetzee phoned and corrected the date. Unfortunately, the file with the correct date was not saved properly before it was sent on to the production team.

We regret the error.

- Editor

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2 September 2020

LET'S TALK

Congratulations on excellent article I wish to congratulate you on an excellent newspaper. Specifically I wish to congratulate Dr Anina Lee on her recent article, The hype about Hoodia, which appeared in the 26 August edition of The Village NEWS. I am a retired medical scientist with a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and 21 years’ experience as a senior Lecturer/ Researcher in the Pharmacology Department of Stellenbosch University (1976 – 1997). I am also very much interested in medicinal plants indigenous to South Africa and was the first Chairman of the Indigenous Plant Use Forum (IPUF) (1992-1996) which was founded by the FRD. The professional depth, veracity, and ease of reading of Dr Lee’s article was a pleasure. I would make it required reading for all medical and pharmaceutical science students, as well as shop owners selling plant extracts.

The article raises a few important aspects, such as the following: Why did the CSIR license P57 to Phytopharm in the UK and not have it tested, for at least safety, in South Africa, and why have the clinical results on humans been kept secret up till now?

It cannot be argued that South Africa was not in a position to test a plant extract for safety. I have facts to prove this. I was the team leader of a research team at Stellenbosch Medical School, Department of Pharmacology, who tested an extract of the African Potato (Hypoxis hemerocallidea) for anti-cancer potential in human beings.

We obtained official permission from the MCC (called the SAHPRC today) to conduct Phase 1 and 2 clinical trials which included extensive safety tests.

(See: ‘A Phase 1 trial of Hypoxoside as an oral prodrug for cancer therapy – absence of toxicity’, B.J. Smit, C.F. Albrecht et al., SAMJ, 785, No.9, 1995, 865-870.). No evidence could be found that this treatment caused the cure of a single cancer patient and the research was eventually terminated after about 10 years and an expenditure of about R50 million in today’s money.

According to Dr Lee’s article, not a single scientific paper has been published on the safety aspects of Hoodia in humans, by the CSIR, Phytopharm, and Pfizer or Unilever (who obtained licences from the CSIR), all of whom studied the plant extracts or P57. Dr Lee mentions a recent publication

by Prof Carene Smith of Stellenbosch University, who tested Hoodia on so-called “fat rats”. She found that the plant extract did cause weight loss but this included muscle tissue as well as

WHAT’S ON

OVERBERG 3

Thursday

Whale Coast Conservation Webinar Join WCC for a Zoom talk with Bernard Coetzee, conservation scientist at the University of the Witwatersrand. The topic is Light Pollution: the dark side of keeping the lights on. For more info contact anina.wcc@ gmail.com.

Virtual event | 18:00 – 19:00

4

Friday

Hermanus First Fridays The popular HFF Artwalk returns this week! All the HFF galleries are open and art lovers are invited to browse and marvel at the inspiring array of art, fine craft, jewellery and photography on display. Please note that social distancing protocols will be followed, no snacks and wine will be served, and all artwalkers have to wear masks. Don your most creative mask and stand a chance to win

some fabulous prizes!

Hermanus CBD | 16:00 – 19:00

5

Saturday

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

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

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

Junktique Market One man’s junk is another man’s treasure. Pop in and give new life to a previously loved item. Treats and nibbles also available. R50 per stall. To book contact 028 341 0340 or book@ stanfordinfo.co.za.

Stanford Tourism Office Courtyard | 09:00 – 12:00

Onrus Markie This popular community market is back, every first Saturday of the month. Enjoy treats and browse the stalls offering home-made goodies, plants, arts and crafts. For enquiries, contact Charlotte on 079 494 4554.

De Wet Hall, Onrus | 09:00 – 12:00

Gansbaai Farmers Market Specialising in organic, homemade and home-grown products such as fresh farm produce, oven-fresh bakes and pastries, local wines and craft beers, and indigenous plants and herbs. Only eco-friendly wood, paper, glass and earthenware used to display goods. Contact 028 384 1439 or doulene@gansbaaitourism.co.za Kapokblom Street, opposite Gansbaai Tourism | 09:00 – 14:00

Stanford Saturday Morning Market Come and sample the artisanal delights on display, from home-made

fat tissue. Prof Carene described the results as “frightening” – according to Dr Lee. Prof Smith comments in a published paper as follows: “The role of the pregnane glycoside P57 – commonly accepted to be responsible for appetite suppression – has been questioned recently. Furthermore, a variety of physiological side-effects associated with consumption of the plant in extracted form questions its suitability for consumption. Although adverse effects have been described before, the relative abundance of nonpeer-reviewed data originating from patent documents and lay publication for advertising, which specifically only focus on beneficial outcomes, skews the view of the risk-benefit-balance.”

I believe the important lesson to be learnt from this fiasco is that the safety for humans of any indigenous South

African plant product being sold as a medicine, should be tested according to the specifications of the SAHPRC (South African Health Products Regulatory Authority).

In light of the fact that South Africa has not discovered and developed a single drug while there are about 10 000 drugs in the world today, as well as the fact that South Africa has about 23 000 indigenous plants of which it is estimated about 1 000 have medicinal potential, I believe the time has come for South Africa to seriously consider our magnificent plant kingdom as a potential source of new drugs with proven safety and efficacy.

This would stimulate the economy and create jobs, especially now that the gold mines are approaching the end of this lucrative source of wealth.

Dr Carl Albrecht

3 – 12 SEPTEMBER 2020 www.thevillagenews.co.za/whatson

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Tuesday

Cliff Path Geotrail Join Whale Coast Conservation for a Cliff Path walk with David Mourant, who will tell you all about the geological history of the rocks along our coast. This walk is suitable for children over 12. Adults R120 pp, children free.

Max 10 people per group. Contact anina.wcc@gmail.com to book.

Hermanus Cliff Path | 17:00

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Wednesday

Overberg Pop-in Market Join Afdaksrivier Nursery for their weekly Wednesday markets and get farm-fresh veggies, freshly-baked sourdough bread, microgreens, jams, delicious pies, scrumptious gluten-free cookies and other sweet treats and eat to take home. You’ll find the turn-off to Afdaksrivier at the red harvester on the R43 between Fisherhaven and Benguela Cove. For

more info call 082 673 4446 or 083 656 7063.

Afdaksrivier Nursery, Karwyderskraal | 09:30 – 14:00

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Wednesday

Baardskeerdersbos Art Route Visit the quirky hamlet of Baardskeerdersbos over this special weekend when the normally reclusive artists of this region open their homes and studios to visitors. Experience the notorious Bardskeerdersbos hospitality as you enjoy the peaceful setting and beautiful surroundings that have attracted a diverse cross-section of creatives working in the mediums of painting, printmaking, illustrating, sculpting, photography, jewellery, functional art, craft, land-art, ceramics, textile art and more. Contact Liz Van Der Berg on 083 306 8882 or contact@baardskeerdersbosartroute. co.za for more info.

Baardskeerdersbos | 10:00 – 17:00 (Saturday and Sunday)

2 September 2020

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www.thevillagenews.co.za

What if I fall? But what if you fly?

By Hélène Truter

M

any of us are teetering on that ledge.

And yes, of course, we can turn back to the familiar, possibly uninspiring place which drove us to exactly this point.

Covid-19 has brought hardship, but hopefully also some insight. We have been incredibly brave. We have been innovative. We have survived, because we are Superheroes. We've come this far, so please don't undo the past five months by falling back into that old comfort zone.

Challenge yourself with something that you've always wanted to do. Don't ever save anything for a special occasion – being alive is the special occasion. I didn't come up with that, wish I had. Another one of my heroes, Sir Richard Branson said something to the effect that if you’re offered an opportunity and you’re not sure you can do it, always say yes – and then figure out how to do it later.

A couple came to Hermanus for a December holiday. They popped in at all the cute specialty

shops as most Gautengers do – and shopped!

Because there's nothing as special up North.

The Jo’burg couple entered a small, pretty store selling... well, pretty stuff. No essential goods here. The woman turned to her husband: I love this place. He agreed. She: I love it so much I'm going to buy it. He did not see that one coming.

a new business venture.

So they did. They left their well-paying jobs, sold everything and moved to the land of whales and fynbos. They had absolutely no experience in retail. But they jumped. No one gave them a chance. But even postCovid, they're still flying – kinda.

At the moment it's more like running and hopping but they're airborne on occasion.

I've been Instagram-stalking (yes, it's a thing) a woman called Heike le Cordeur. She started out in IT. Good practical choice, right? If you want a secure future, go into IT or APP development (so the youngsters tell me). Corporate Heike was working long hours analysing IT systems.

This is not a unique tale. Recently a pilot and his pilot wife both lost their jobs (for obvious reasons). Double whammy. They couldn't fly.

Literally. Cast your mind back to April 2020. What were you doing? Probably binge-watching series and eating too much.

The pilot couple went food shopping, as one does when it's Level 5. Anything to get out of the house. They bumped into the owner of the establishment who told them that she was immigrating. They left the place with lunch and

Today they run a wholesale meat business. As one does when you're forced to start over. Last thing I heard they were rocking it. Why go back to flying a mechanical bird if you're flying all by yourself.

She, too, gave up this lucrative position and simply jumped! Picture a colour explosion, mind-bowing floral creations, hanging gardens.

And then times that by ten. Think of what is completely impossible to create with fresh flowers and this flower artist will prove you wrong. Beautifully so.

She inspires me; her flowers feed my soul.

She makes me feel like I'm flying. Due to the PHOTO: Jana Pretorius

lockdown, all weddings and functions were cancelled. Because of this, mere mortals like me got the chance to do a workshop with her.

I loved the workshop so much, I decided to bring it to Hermanus. (Yup, just like that woman who loved the shop and bought it.)

When someone gives you flowers, we often say: "Aw, you shouldn't have". No, I should've.

According to a scientific study, the joy of fresh flowers can uplift a person for up to three days. Fact. Flowers increase kindness. Fact. And here's an unexpected bonus: studies done with people over 55 proved that a gift of flowers improves mood, social behaviour and memory.

Fact. (Note to self: Up the flower budget.)

So accept those flowers, marvel at their beauty, bury your face in them, smell the roses, quite literally. And as we enter spring, nature reminds us that the whales and the Floral Kingdom never got the memo about the double C. (Covid and Corruption).

Now go and have fun with flowers. Let's fly!

PHOTOS: Linda van Dyk

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www.thevillagenews.co.za

2 September 2020

MY HOME

Will spring herald a change in the property market?

By Stephen de Stadler Managing Director Fine & Country Hermanus, Arabella and Kleinmond

A

s we come to the end of Women’s Month in South Africa, we need to on the one hand continue to pay homage to all the significant women in our lives, and on the other hand we also need to ensure that we continue to fight the ongoing gender-based violence in our country.

The end of August also means that spring is on the way. It does not exactly feel like that, with snow falling on Table Mountain, the Hottentots Holland Mountains and other ranges in the Western Cape. The amazing display of wildflowers in full bloom along the West Coast, however, is certainly evidence of the changing season.

During September we will also be getting back to a level of normality as the relaxed lockdown regulations allow the economy to open further and the country adapts to working in a new environment.

But what is happening in the residential property market? Does the change of season herald a change in the market?

Traditionally, the onset of spring has always predicted increased selling activity in the Western Cape. It is as if the long, cold, and wet winter days cause people to effectively hibernate, and then emerge with the sun and look for new beginnings. Estates agents would be looking forward to a busy period of listings, negotiations, and closures.

But this is not a normal spring. The whole world is emerging from a period of economic inactivity, the global scale of which has never been seen before. It is a brave economist who predicts the future with a great deal of assurance. But judging from what is happening in the international property markets, we should see a marked increase in activity, as the pent-up demand from an inactive lockdown period results in increased sales activity in the short term.

If the effect of historical reductions in the interest rates is anything to go by, we should also see increased activity. However, some noted property professionals in South Africa are indicating that much of this activity is taking part in pockets of interest, whether regional or price aligned. Said differently, there has not been a national increase in activity across all areas of the residential property market.

Your home is your most important asset, and usually your biggest expense. Your home is

also the asset that requires more emotional interaction when buying or selling, than is the case with any other possession.

Generally speaking, it would be safe to say that the last few months since the country went into lockdown have probably been the most difficult time that most South Africans have had to endure.

When one has been emotionally tested to the extent that so many of us have been, it is only natural that the first thing that comes to mind when life starts returning to a level of normality, is not necessarily the buying of a new home.

You may be asking yourself: Where is this all leading to? Prior to lockdown, the residential property market was generally a buyer’s market. On lockdown Level 2, as we move into spring, this situation is unlikely to change and the buyer’s market will remain for some time into the future. In addition, it is likely that even more homes will be put up for sale and buyers will become even stronger as the number of properties on the market increase.

Some of the positives resulting from the lockdown is that many companies have realised that working from home is a feasible option going forward, which could bode well for parts of the country that have not in the past been

seen as anything other than holiday or retirement destinations.

If you can work from home, the distance from your so-called head office is irrelevant, as long as you have the ability to connect with your colleagues and clients reliably and efficiently.

Lifestyle choices will thus become more relevant than travel distances.

We can already see the positive effect of this on the number of vehicles on the roads to and from major cities during the traditional rush hours. Admittedly many industries still have to return to full business activity, but it is likely that more people will continue to work from home in the future.

So, with apologies, the future is still unclear, but the buyer’s market will continue for the foreseeable future, with some areas benefiting more from lifestyle changes than others.

What is abundantly clear is that well-priced homes are selling, whereas overpriced homes will remain on the market until their prices are adjusted to align with buyers’ expectations.

The views expressed above are those of the writer in his personal capacity and may not necessarily reflect the views of Fine & Country as a national and international brand.

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2 September 2020

Alternative education to keep children off the streets Writer & Photographer Hardus Botha

A

djacent to Hoopland Academy in Kleine Street in the Stanford industrial area, iKhaya Youth Centre offers a mentorship programme for children who have dropped out of the mainstream schooling system. The facility is managed by the Fynbos Community Foundation, which was founded by Koos and Joanie Smith after they started the first rural private school, Fynbos Academy, on their farm, Langverwacht in Papiesvlei, a few kilometres outside Stanford.

Today the Rural Education South Africa (RESAS) branch, an initiative of the Fynbos Community Foundation, oversees Fynbos Academy at Papiesvlei, as well as Hoopland in Stanford and Blouvlei Academy in Wellington. It is a network of independent Christian schools that provide quality education for children in rural areas of the Western Cape. “It has sprung from our passion to invest in the needs of children in our local community by providing them with the quality education they deserve,” says Koos. “iKhaya is our latest initiative and the word means ‘home’ in Xhosa.

“Through this programme, we accommodate children who could

not complete their schooling in an alternative educational system that will take them off the streets, give them back their self-worth and assist them in entering the mainstream economy once they turn 18.”

Koos and Joanie’s fynbos export company, Langverwacht Fynbos, is the main sponsor for iKhaya Youth Centre, as well as the other schools involved. For the shortfall in finances, they depend on the community and private sector. Langverwacht Fynbos provides work for about 20 women, while adhering to all the Covid-19 safety protocols. iKhaya Youth Centre has a theoretical component as well as a practical component. The latter involves different areas: cafeteria, toys, solar energy, upholstery, mechanical work, arts and crafts, woodwork, electrical, bicycles and painting. Udo van Wyk, who was appointed manager at iKhaya at the beginning of August, says he’ll start with the theoretical part within the next week and is looking forward to working full time with the children.

A dualistic approach is followed at iKhaya in developing the youths’ skills and cultivating a sense of self-worth, while also creating practical solutions for homes in areas where people are living in poverty. The children are

very proud of what they create and through the process, they develop immensely as young adults. ​ Workshop manager, Amanda Arp and her two assistants, Virgill and Rico, are preparing all the woodwork for useful furniture in the form of ‘kits’. These sets are then taken next door to iKhaya, where the learners assemble them. The idea is to sell this furniture to local people at an affordable price.

Amanda worked at Pieter Deon Interiors for 10 years, starting as an apprentice and ending up as a production manager. She has no problem with manufacturing furniture on her own and can handle the tools better than any man!

Get involved Koos says the programme is still only in its foundational phase and many other ideas could still be incorporated. “Therefore this is an ideal opportunity for volunteers to engage with us and help expand our offering. If you have time available and a willing heart to serve then please get in touch with us, as we would love to hear from you,” he says.

Contact Koos on 082 456 8238 or admin@lvw-fynbos.co.za, or visit www.fynbosfoundation.org and www.ruraleducationsa.com for more information.

ABOVE: iKhaya Youth Centre offers a mentorship programme for children who have dropped out of the mainstream schooling system. From: Udo van Dyk (manager), Rico (workshop assistant), Amanda Arp (workshop manager) and Virgill (workshop assistant). BELOW: iKhaya Youth Centre learners are in the process of rebuilding an old ‘Vaaljapie’ tractor which will be displayed in the centre. Left at the back are Koos Smith and Emma du Toit (16), a teenager from France who helped her father, Johan du Toit, Communication Manager of the Fynbos Community Foundation, during the lockdown period in the centre.

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Join us at Ficks, 7 days a week, for your favourite pinchos, wine & cocktails. We also have a range of crispy flammkuche available as well as a delicious selection of desserts.

We are situated at 8 Marine Drive, Westcliff , overlooking the historic Ficks Tidal Pool. We have wheelchair access to the left side of the parking area.

Please visit our website to view our full menu.

EMAIL: info@ficks.co.za

TEL: 0283124082

2 September 2020

2 September 2020

www.thevillagenews.co.za

17

MY ART

FynArts ceramics exhibition opens A

t the opening of the FynArts Creative Collection ceramics exhibition on Saturday, curator Liz Coates said we in Hermanus were fortunate to be able to feed our souls and keep art alive. She thanked the 35 participating ceramic artists for jumping on board at such short notice, and Barbara Lindop for stepping in to open the exhibition at the last minute after Mardre Meyer, creative director of Source IBA, had to cancel due to a family emergency.

In her opening address, Barbara paid tribute to FynArts Festival Director, Mary Faure and her tireless team for persisting and ensuring that the FynArts Select programme continued, albeit mostly in a virtual format, throughout the lengthy lockdown. Describing the Creative Collection exhibition as “a cacophony of colour, ideas, ingenuity, purpose, skill and passion”, she said pottery has been an essential ingredient of hominids’ cultural life for centuries.

The earliest known pottery dates back to Mesopotamia in the 8th century BC, when it was made for functional purposes such as carrying, storing and cooling. Decorating these objects became an intrinsic part of the whole, suggesting that aesthetic appreciation is inherent in humanity. Until recently, however, ceramicists were considered as potters or crafters, and not artists.

“I am glad to have lived long enough to experience the reverence that now exists for these beautiful, handmade objects, lovingly created from a clear understanding of the fine balance

of science, craftsmanship, hard physical work, dedication, intuitive common sense, imagination, talent and luck,” said Barbara, adding that “I’m glad, too, that the terminology has changed.”

Ceramics – no longer ‘pottery’ – is now defined as comprising three major types: earthenware, stoneware and porcelain.

“The demanding and complex process of glazing is the greatest challenge for any artist to perfect, and here in these rooms, we can enjoy the successful outcome of the laborious process that is ceramic making,” said Barbara. The participating artists come from all over South Africa, including the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Cape Town and Johannesburg – and one from Hermanus. Local ceramicist Catherine Brennon is a well-known for her enchanting ‘dream boxes’ and was recently named the winner of the Western Cape regional ceramics competition.

The pieces on display – ranging in subject matter from nature, animals, and portraiture, to abstract symbolism – comprise a variety of expressive interpretations in each artist’s individual language. While some are witty and cheeky, others are charming and elegant, and others yet are haunting and contemplative. Together, this group exhibition is an explosion of ideas for all to enjoy.

The FynArts Creative Collection exhibition will run until 19 September. The Courtyard, 2 Harbour Road (right next to the FynArts Gallery, where Kunskantoor was before).

– Hedda Mittner

Cllr Kari Brice, FynArts Festival Director Mary Faure, curator Liz Coates and art consultant, author, curator and former gallery owner Barbara Lindop at the opening of the FynArts Creative Collection ceramics exhibition.

PHOTOS: Taylum Meyer

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www.thevillagenews.co.za

2 September 2020

MY WELLNESS Dr Arien van der Merwe is a medical doctor specialising in natural and mind-body medicine, herbal remedies, fat loss, stress management, workplace wellness and holistic health counselling.

Address: The Green Healing Space, 16 Hope St, Hermanus. Tel: 067 1166 111. Email: ermanus@DrArien.co.za. Website: www.DrArien.co.za

Youthful Living

Metabolic Syndrome, Weight Wobbles and Stress and by maintaining normal body weight.

re you low on energy? Do you wake up tired and stressed out every day? Are your clothes getting tighter and tighter?

You might have Metabolic Syndrome!

A

This includes a healthy, sustainable eating plan, based on low carbohydrates and high plant oils, nutriceuticals (food as medicine), well-researched herbal remedies and a gentle exercise programme (e.g. yoga, walking, swimming, dancing), combined with nutritional guidance, advice on dealing with sugar addiction and insulin resistance, stress management and relaxation training. This approach will go a long way in lowering the risk of this widespread health challenge.

What is Metabolic Syndrome?

Weight Wobbles

By 2010, 150 million people around the globe had been diagnosed with Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) and it is predicted that this figure will increase to 300 million by the year 2030.

Undetected MetS can lead to an increased risk of developing pre-diabetes, diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, depression, stroke and more.

Fat accumulation is the main cause of chronic inflammation in the body and may increase your health risks associated with all lifestyle diseases, including MetS, diabetes, heart disease, depression and more. Losing weight, especially fat weight, is not only about a better-looking body, but more importantly, about managing the health risks that can pose a serious threat to your health and wellbeing.

The purpose of the stress reaction is to ensure survival of the human (and other) species.

We know it as the classic fight-flight-freeze reaction. This is most effective for physical threats, but we also elicit this reaction to threats experienced in our own minds. The body goes into survival mode, signalling the need for protection – the best protection being fat deposits in our pantries (around the waist and abdomen) to use for insulation and fuel!

By Dr Arien van der Merwe

Common symptoms of MetS include:

• • • • • •

Increased waist circumference, with fat deposits around the abdomen. Often a simple muffin top can indicate the start of MetS, with as little as 5kg fat accumulation; Lipid profile imbalances: Increased triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, with low HDL cholesterol; Moderate to high blood pressure; Increased fasting insulin, indicating insulin resistance; Increased fasting glucose that may lead to diabetes; Genetic factors and stress levels are also contributing factors.

The most effective way to manage MetS and weight wobbles, is through lifestyle changes and an integrative, holistic medical approach.

Lifestyle changes that include healthier eating habits, combined with regular, moderate, enjoyable physical activity, and losing as little as 5 – 10% body fat, have shown phenomenal health benefits and are much more effective than any medication can ever be. Doctors constantly report that they successfully take patients off blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol lowering medications after the patients lost as little as 5kg of fat.

Losing fat weight can prevent and even reverse existing diabetes; lower blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride levels; and improve sleep apnoea and other sleep problems — along with helping you feel better about yourself, and increasing your energy levels. Around 90% of diabetes, 80% of heart disease and 60% of cancers are preventable with healthier lifestyles

Losing even a little weight can be especially beneficial for people who store their excess weight around their abdomen (apple shape), rather than their hips (pear shape). Fat stored around the waist and in the liver is more metabolically active, which makes it a high-risk trigger for heart disease, but is also easier to lose.

an important cause in all physical diseases and ailments. This is also the reason why longterm stress over many years will be visible as advanced ageing of the skin, with wrinkles at a younger age, as well as physical diseases like osteoarthritis, heart disease, menopause with severe symptoms, depression, metabolic syndrome, and even cancer.

The interplay of hormones during stress

The Stress Connection

Weight gain and difficulty in maintaining a healthy weight are common concerns in women over 35 years of age. Underlying stress from deeply-buried unconscious emotions play an important role, as do increased cortisol levels, insulin resistance and Metabolic Syndrome.

Overeating might be a way of trying to find nourishment for emotional needs through food, or may be due to an underlying need for protection and safety. The stress reaction to cold and hunger is a deeply ingrained, instinctive survival response, which some people have when internal, mostly unconscious, stress is experienced.

The increased stress metabolism leads to more free radical formation and oxidative stress, which causes renegade inflammation and accelerates the ageing process, as well as being

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Insulin: Essential to allow glucose to enter cells for energy and fuel usage. Fat and muscle cells may become resistant to insulin, leading to high blood glucose/sugar despite high insulin secretion, because the cells cannot use the glucose inside the cells for fuel. The high blood glucose then triggers fat production.

Cortisol: Stress hormone released from the adrenal glands during long-term stress. An increase in cortisol results in more insulin resistance and thyroid hormone resistance.

The many symptoms of high cortisol levels (which can ultimately lead to adrenal fatigue) include chronic distress (constantly feeling overwhelmed, anxious, worried), food cravings, disturbed sleep, depression, brain fog, low immune system functioning, muscle and bone density loss, stomach/peptic ulcer, and skin conditions like eczema and acne.

Thyroid hormones: T3 and T4 are required in every cell to regulate metabolism. Low or borderline levels may lead to lack of energy, weight gain, fatigue, hair loss, constipation, etc.

The effective way to address MetS, weight wobbles and stress is to consult with a holistic practitioner who will provide essential information, support and guidance on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle and adopt eating guidelines, combined with a fat-loss programme.

2 September 2020

www.thevillagenews.co.za

Jean Weight, a grade 12 learner at Curro Hermanus, has been selected as a team member to represent South Africa in the 2020 International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO). This prestigious event was to be hosted this year in St Petersburg, Russia, but due to the current pandemic, all teams will now participate in their home countries. The South African team (our top six high school mathematics learners) are set to write at the University of Cape Town on 21 and 22 September.

Jean first took an interest in math competitions when he was in Grade 7.

Since then, he has competed in every available math competition and attended training sessions and selection camps each year. His talent and commitment have been rewarded now with his selection for our national team.

Jean also competed in the 2020 International Cyberspace Math Competition, in which he achieved an Honorable Mention, finishing joint second amongst the South African participants.

To cap this, Jean recently won second place in the national Cum Laude Media Mathematics Competition for 2020. This is the largest online Afrikaans-medium math competition, with participation from high schools around the country. Jean scooped the silver, winning a cash prize of R15 000 for himself, and another R15 000 for his school, Curro Hermanus.

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2 September 2020

MY ENVIRONMENT

Lichen – a unique fungal organism

By Dr Anina Lee

O

n a beautiful early-spring day in Hermanus, I took a stroll on the famous Cliff Path. Being of a certain age and with more metal in my hips than I care to admit, I sat down on a convenient bench and tried a little whale-spotting. Since there did not appear to be cetaceans of any kind within view, my gaze drifted to the rocks forming the cliff along which the path meanders.

What fantastic shapes and colours meet the eye! The red lichens on many of the rocks are particularly noticeable. Why are they red and what exactly are lichens anyway?

To start, lichen is pronounced ‘liken’. Some people say lichen to rhyme with ‘kitchen’, but we don't really do that in South Africa.

What are lichens?

A lichen, or lichenised fungus, is actually two organisms functioning as a single, stable unit. Lichens are composed of a fungus, living in a close symbiotic relationship with an alga or a cyanobacterium.

What are the benefits of this

intimate relationship?

Fungi are incapable of photosynthesis because they lack the green pigment, chlorophyll. In other words, fungi cannot harvest light energy from the sun and generate their own food in the form of carbohydrates. Instead, they need to find an outside source of food or, in the case of lichens, a partner to make the food and share it with them.

Lichens come in many forms and colours. These are primarily dictated by what other organism the many different fungal species choose to form a relationship with – algae or cyanobacteria – and on the environment in which it grows.

In contrast, algae and cyanobacteria can photosynthesise, just like plants. The chloroplast with which plants make food for themselves is actually a cyanobacterium living within the plant's cells.

Is the relationship monogamous?

Usually, once a lichen association has been established, the fungal partner does not switch partners and they remain together, forever.

However, there is an exception.

So when a fungus links up with an alga (usually a green alga) or a cyanobacterium, to form lichen, it is providing itself with constant access to a source of nourishment.

One can think of the fungus ‘farming’ the alga or cyanobacterium for food. In return, the algae and cyanobacteria secure a protected environment. The fungus filaments almost ‘embrace’ the tiny food-producing partners and keep them safe from the elements.

One particular kind of fungus can form separate lichens with different photosynthetic organisms. In this specific case the fungus associates with a cyanobacterium in shady, humid conditions to create a small, shrub-like lichen. However, in drier or more exposed situations, the fungus associates instead with green algae to form large, flat lobes.

The significant advantage of this interdependent relationship is that, in the form of lichens, fungi, algae, and cyanobacteria can live in environments that they could not live in separately. The sun-drenched, windblown and salt-sprayed rocks on the Cliff Path are good examples of such an inhospitable environment.

A particular fungus can hook up with either one or the other – or both! But hook up it must; it cannot survive on its own.

When conditions change over time, you may see some individuals starting as cyanobacterial lichens and then suddenly building green lobes by associating with green algae. So, although lichen relationships are obligatory, it appears that the fungus partner is not above ditching one partner for another as circumstances dictate. They are, in fact, not always together forever.

WCC is delighted to resume their walks in nature as from September, kicking off with a repeat of the popular geotrail with David Mourant on Tuesday 8 September at 17:00. Walk from the western portion of the Hermanus Cliff Path to look at the amazing rocks and hear the explanation of how they were formed. Booking is essential as groups will be limited to 10 (with masks). Adults pay R120, children are free. For more information and to book, send an email to anina.wcc@gmail.com.

TOP: Red lichen on the sandstone cliffs along the Hermanus Cliff Path.

PHOTO: Anina Lee ABOVE LEFT & RIGHT: Lichens come in many forms and colours.

PHOTOS: Science Minus Details & The Economist

The next webinar in Whale Coast Conservation’s series Inspiring Stories of our Natural World is a Zoom chat with Bernard Coetzee about Light Pollution: the dark side of keeping the lights on, on Thursday 3 September at 18:00. Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/ register/9015926545433/WN_2Aiy4OMwRPS1I9iioP__WQ

22

www.thevillagenews.co.za

2 September 2020

MOTORING

Renault rolls out new Duster TechRoad derivative F

on cars

By John Floyd

W

ith over two million cars sold globally, this new Renault Duster TechRoad boasts attractive exterior styling with a very robust look, while the interior provides a comfortable and user-friendly cabin experience.

which is both versatile and comfortable for everyday driving, with the 4x4 derivative ready to challenge the outdoors with ease.

The Duster has proved to be extremely popular in the SA market with a remarkable 21 000+ units sold to date since its initial launch into the country back in 2013.

The new TechRoad builds on and reinforces the Duster’s existing strengths, but the renowned DNA of the Duster remains at the heart, providing an extremely capable SUV, which is tough, simple and reliable,

and a great value proposition.

The TechRoad displays the same strong DNA and enhanced genetics as the rest of the Duster range, with features specific to this particular model:

• •

Modern exterior styling exuding a robust off-roader look; Contemporary interior with distinct design accents within the cabin, superior quality finishes and a range of high-end equipment to ensure heightened comfort and superb driving pleasure;

•

• •

Smart features demonstrating next level technological advancement to facilitate everyday driving, inclusive of a Rear-View Camera; Striking 17” Diamond Cut wheels; Class-leading Ground Clearance of 210mm for all-terrain driving; Class-leading fuel consumption

•

from only 4.8L/100km; and Reassuring safety levels for all on board.

Watch out for our road impression of the new Renault offering in the coming weeks!

With new driving aids and equipment, the TechRoad is a genuine SUV

World Rally Championship back on track By John Floyd Following the long delay due to Covid-19, the World Rally Championship restarts on Friday 4 September in the northern European country of Estonia.

Rally Estonia will be the fourth round of the 2020 championship, following Monte Carlo, Sweden and Mexico, all held earlier this year, until the Mexican event was cut short due to the onset of the pandemic. Friday will be a

shakedown day, followed that evening by the first special stage of 1.28 km in the village of Abissaare. The 60 entrants will cover a total of 871.89 km, of which 232.64 km will make up the 17 special stages before the power-stage finish in the small town of Kambja on Sunday.

The rally has a shorter format than usual, lasting just three days, rather than the normal four.

Current championship leaders, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT will field current driver’s championship leader Sebastien Ogier, who is on 62 points with co-driver Julien Ingrassia, Elfyn Evans with

Scott Martin on 54 points and Kalle Rovanpera and Jonne Halttunen on 40 points. The team also heads the manufacturer’s title chase with 110 points.

Esapekka Lappi and co-driver Janne Ferm on 24 points, and finally Gus Greensmith with Elliot Edmondson on 2 points. The team’s manufacturer’s points sit at 65.

Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT comprises reigning World Driver’s Champion, Ott Tanak with Martin Jarveoja on 38 points, Thierry Neuville and Nicolas Gilsoul on 42 and Craig Breen and Paul Nagle with just 6 points. The team is second in the manufacturer’s log with 89 points. Teemu Suninen and Jarmo Lehtinen on 26 points head the M-Sport Ford WRT with teammates

This weekend’s rally will the first WRC event for Estonia as it becomes the 33rd country to host a round of the championship and it promises to be a titanic battle between the three works teams. With local man Tanak on home ground, he has to be the hot favourite, but don’t rule out Ogier who will be pushing his Yaris hard on the fast gravel roads.

LEFT: Reigning World Driver’s Champion Ott Tanak in action at the WRC in Mexico.

BOTTOM LEFT: Current driver’s championship leader Sebastien Ogier racing earlier this year in Sweden.

About the author Motoring journalist John Floyd originally hails from the United Kingdom, and settled permanently in South Africa in 1969 after marrying his South African sweetheart.

Cars are in his blood. His father owned a motor business where John spent many hours in the workshop during school holidays. At the age of six, he was already stripping and cleaning engines and by the time he was 10, he began assembling engines.

At 14, he inherited a pre-war Excelsior motorcycle which became a long-term restoration project, and motorcycling has always played a large part in his life.

Having purchased a workshop and home in Somerset West, it was not long before John became a member of the Somerset West Motor Club and began competing in

national and regional rallying. This led to writing rally reports and a weekly motoring column for the local newspaper.

He also became involved with other forms of media, including a two-hour motoring program, Drivingforce, every Friday night for 16 years on Radio Helderberg, scripting and narrating a 30-minute program on the SA Rally Championship, aired by eTV, as well as providing live commentary at motorsport events.

Over the decades, John covered both international and local vehicle launches, carried out road tests and reported on motorsport.

He has written for Business Day, Fleet Magazine, Cars.co.za, Wanted Magazine and District Mail, and was editor of Regis, a magazine for Ferrari and Maserati owners in SA. He is currently The Citizen newspaper’s Formula One journalist.