The Village News 31 May 2016 by The Village NEWS

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NEWS The

31 May 2016

Cape Whale Coast

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Have your say about having your say In its effort to better public participation in local government matters and to provide a framework for engagement, the Overstrand Municipality has released a Draft Public Participation Policy that is now open for comment. According to the Municipality the Draft Public

Participation Policy is aimed at providing mechanisms, processes and procedures to facilitate effective public participation. “This will provide opportunities for the residents to gain direct access to information, participate in consultation and decision-making processes and to make meaningful contributions to the planning, design and implementation of programmes and projects that directly or indirectly

affect their lives,” says the Municipality.

officials to ‘inform’ the community.”

The draft states: “At the most basic level public participation is about communication between councilors, officials and the community. This is crucial to ensure that those who are outside the formal decisionmaking structures of local government are able to make any kind of contribution to local governance. It is for this reason that legislation usually requires councilors and

However, democratic decision-making is also about the community informing the Municipality of its issues and concerns to make decisionmaking more informed and responsive. According to the Municipality they use the following communication mechanisms to engage with the community: Municipal Bulletin (monthly newsletter), the municipal website

Offices of the Area Managers in Gansbaai, Stanford, Hermanus and Kleinmond clearly marked: Att. Coenie Groenewald (Public Participation). The Council will consider the Final Public Participation Policy together with all the comments and representations received during a special meeting which is scheduled to take place on 27 July 2016.

(www.overstrand.gov.za), local newspapers, SMS notifications, loud haling, pamphlets, campaigns which are topic specific, such as water conservation or recycling, the local radio station and social media (Facebook and Twitter). Have your say on or before 30 June 2016. Write to: P.O. Box 20, Hermanus 7200, Fax: 028 313 8030 - for att Coenie Groenewald. Comments can also be dropped off at the

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EXPLORER

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The Overstrand is an area where residents and interest groups play an important role in local government and where robust debate is not only tolerated but encouraged.

The

ART • WINE • FOOD

Birders in the Overberg and our international visitors previously had to travel to Hout Bay or Simon’s Bay to experience a pelagic birding trip to supplement that extremely important birding life-list. Great news is that the Dyer Island Conservation Trust (DICT) has undertaken several trial runs and is forthwith offering pelagic trips from Gansbaai. PHOTO: Ilse Bigalke

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The Village NEWS would like to publish your thoughts and concerns about issues that are important to you. All Letters to the Editor should be accompanied with the writer's name and contact details for verification. All letters are subject to editing for newspaper style and clarity, without changing the meaning of the content. Letters should be limited to about 300 words. We reserve the right not to publish all letters received. Send your letters to news@thehermanusnews. co.za The Village NEWS is published fortnightly and is available every second Tuesday (Tuesday is NEWS day!) at all major retail centres from Kleinmond to Gansbaai, including Hermanus Pick n Pay and the Village Square, the Tourism Offices, restaurants, coffee shops, art galleries, wine farms as well as various selected shops. If you are unable to find a copy, please contact us on 028 312 4424 / 083 700 3319 or visit us at our office at 6 Royal Street, Hermanus.

Just passing a comment… having just driven through a few of the major centres on the Garden Route over a few days, it was interesting to compare service and prices with Hermanus.

prices a poor second to Hermanus.

All served by pleasant nice people but when it came to

When asked about ‘winter specials’ and two for one

All corkage on wine high – the highest was R65 per bottle, and menu wine generally R130 and up.

etc. I was asked what language I’m speaking?! I saw lots of empty restaurants! Congratulations to Hermanus Tourism and Restaurants on working so hard to ensure feet through the door. Richard Tate

Congratulations to The NEWS I want to congratulate you on an interesting and well produced paper!

The Village NEWS is a great success - thank you so much. S Barton

We enjoy the fresh look, the local stories, and all the good news… for a change!

Elizabeth Embleton

We are still winners

A collective sigh of disappointment was heard on Wednesday night, 25 April when it was announced that Hermanus did not win the title of Town of the Year. A lot of individuals, organisations and businesses put in a lot of effort to garner support for our bid, but in the end it was Hentiesbaai in Namibia that triumphed. Irrespective of what the outcome was we thank all those who cast their votes and to all of those who worked tirelessly to get us into the final. Luckily, we as residents know that the Cape Whale Coast is one of the best places on earth to live. Testament to this are the hundreds of thousands of visitors who flock to our shores every year – those are the votes that count. Shortly Hermanus will also don its FynArts coat that showcases the best of the arts, food and wine. This year’s event promises to be the best ever and in the past four years it has fast become one of the best festivals and winter schools in the country. The FynArts committee who have worked day and night to bring this

Just had to write and tell you we think your paper is great. Good quality, good cross section of news. A professional job. Well done.

extravaganza to our doorstep should be proud of what they have achieved. Part of what makes the Whale Coast one of the most desirable places to live is also underscored by the fact that we have local government structures that ensure a high level of service delivery. In order to retain this level of service it is important for residents to continuously give their feedback to the Municipality. Dogs on or off their leashes, building regulations, baboons in our suburbs, the expansion and maintenance of infrastructure and importantly the Integrated Development Framework and the budget are just a few of the issues or bylaws that are regularly commented on by residents. But if these comments are not made in the right forums or through the correct channels it will be in vain. The Municipality has a duty to use the local media and other communication methods to inform residents. But residents have the responsibility to give feedback. Take the time to read and comment on the Draft Public Participation Policy. It is in the interest of democracy. That is the Good News. - Ed

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Hermanus restaurants are tops

Editorial Comment

Letters

31 May 2016

News You Can Use

6 Royal Street, Hermanus 028 312 4424 Publisher De Waal Steyn 083 700 3319 dewaal@ thehermanusnews.co.za

Content Editor Hedda Mittner 083 645 3928 hedda@hermanus.co.za

Ombudsman The press exists to serve society. Its freedom provides for independent scrutiny of the forces that shape society, and is essential to realising the promise of democracy. It enables citizens to make informed judgments on the issues of the day, a role whose centrality is recognised in the South African Constitution. The News of Hermanus subscribes to the South African Press Code and subsequently to the South African Press Council and the South African Press Ombudsman. Should you feel that our reporting was not free, fair or unbiased or that serious errors were made, you are welcome to lay a complaint with the Ombudsman. He can be reached on 011 484 3612/8, or via e-mail at p r e s s o m b u d s m a n @ ombudsman.org.za or visit www.presscouncil.org.za

DID YOU KNOW?

The ‘Vleikolkol’ (Berzelia lanuginosa) is a beautiful fynbos plant belonging to the family Bruniaceae. This family is endemic to the fynbos of the Western Cape – which means it occurs nowhere else in the world. As the common name implies, it is an evergreen shrub that grows in wet areas. The flowers are creamy white to yellow, and are pollinated by insects. After flowering, the white seeds stay on the shrub for a few years. Hence the species name lanuginosa, which is derived from the Latin, meaning wool. The Vleikolkol makes an excellent garden plant.

Marketing Kathy Mulock-Bentley 083 581 7219 kathy@chartwellsupport.co.za

Graphic Designer & Layout Artist Nickey Jackson 079 408 7722 nickey1094@gmail.com

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Take time to participate in participation

From Page 1 In order for effective government to take place and in the interest of transparency it is important for residents to also inform the Municipality of what their thoughts and suggestions are. Public participation is a process through which individuals and groups can exchange views and influence decision-making. In short, public participation is the democratic process of engaging people. The draft proposal states that the Council has the duty to encourage the involvement of the local community and to consult the community about the level, quality, range and impact of municipal services provided by the Municipality,

either directly or through another service provider. However, residents have the right to contribute to the decision-making processes of the Municipality and submit written or oral recommendations, representations and complaints to the Council, to be informed of decisions of the Council and to regular disclosure of the affairs of the Municipality, including its finances. The question is often asked as to how residents are represented at the Council. At present both the Ward Committee System and the Overstrand Municipal Advisory Forum (OMAF) form an integral part of the public participation system.

A Ward Committee consists of the councilor representing the ward who must also chair the committee, and not more than 10 other persons. The objective of a ward committee is to enhance participatory democracy in local government and must participate in the preparation, implementation and review of the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and the preparation of the budget and other strategic decisions of the Municipality relating to the provisions of municipal services.

the ward, inform the community on policies adopted by the Municipality, or of policies proposed for adoption and also determine what are the service delivery needs of the communities.

The Ward Councillor and the Ward Committee must hold quarterly public meetings to inform the community on progress made with the implementation of service delivery projects planned for

The forum is chaired by the Mayor and Deputy Mayor and consists of the representatives of all wards, all councillors of the Municipality and organisations which

Joy at last for new home owners On Tuesday, 24 May the Western Cape Minister of Human Settlements, Bonginkosi Madikizela and Executive Mayor of the Overstrand Municipality, Nicolette Botha-Guthrie handed over the keys to a group of proud new home owners of the Mount Pleasant and Swartdamweg Site A Housing Project in Hermanus. For 68-year old Jim Robertson, and his 73-year old wife Sebina, the event marked an end to a wait of almost two decades. An emotional Sebina said, “This is a dream come true. To have a proper roof over our heads and to know it really does belong to us, means so much.” A sentiment that was echoed by special needs beneficiary, Clara Mouries (67) who could barely contain her joy. “My prayers have been answered. After my stroke I struggled, but here I have a bathroom fitted with a rail; the ramp to my door also makes it easier to

get around. I’m so proud to have a decent house to call home,” said the visibly emotional Mouries. Having a house to pass down to their children, is what kept the hope of eventually receiving a Government-assisted home alive for long-time Hermanus dwellers, Maria and Daniel Alexander. “We’ve been on the Housing Allocation List for almost 30 years. Now the day has finally come that we can stand tall in front of our kids. This will ensure a much better and secure future for them.” Nicolette thanked the community, councillors, ward committees and social compact committees for their patience, support and trust in allowing the Department and Municipality to successfully deliver the housing project, through implementing

OMAF is a body representing civic society and interest groups serving the entire Overstrand. Bodies representing civic societies and interest groups that serve the Overstrand must apply for membership of OMAF. Such applications will be dealt with by the Mayor.

represent Overstrand-wide interests and are approved as such by OMAF. As a consultative forum, the public may attend OMAF and post questions, but ‘voting rights’ are reserved for elected representatives. The draft policy states that OMAF will be the official body with which the Municipality will liaise regarding matters affecting the entire Overstrand area. According to the proposal, petitions lodged by the local community will be received by the Municipality at a facility provided for the Municipality’s offices or by the Executive Mayor and the Municipal Manager and/or their delegates. Any petition must be in legible writing or

typed and clearly indicate the topic and the relevant department or official, where possible. “Overstrand Municipality strives to deliver quality services and promote development in our municipal area in a non-sexist, non-racial and non-discriminating manner. This is done by creating a climate of cooperative governance with meaningful partnerships with all stakeholders, especially the members of the general public. “The Municipality therefore promotes and encourage public participation as is provided for and governed by legislation,” states the draft proposal.

Watch out for the owls

agent Motlekar. “That we were able to not only yield 220 good quality Breaking New Ground (BNG) units, but have done so within the prescribed budget of R37.5 million and by the completion date of 31 March 2016, is testimony to the commitment and constructive working relationship between all the respective parties,” said Nicolette. In his address the Minister pointed out that prioritising the elderly and disabled is the Department’s primary focus, saying “Statesubsidised houses should be given to those people who’ve been on the Housing Allocation List for many years, the older folk and members of the community with special needs – they’re the ones we must concentrate our efforts on.”

On Friday night, 27 May there was a coordinated joint crime prevention operation in the whole Hermanus area. It was organised by Afriforum and carried out by SAPS, Law Enforcement, Traffic and neighbourhood watches. The Onrus Vermont Neighbourhood Watch Group (OnVerWag) seized the opportunity and organised a mass patrol action for Onrus and Vermont as part of the event. According to Abner Inghels of OnVerWag they had 36 patrollers on duty at static checkpoints and roving vehicle patrols from 20:00 to 02:00. Some patrollers also went on until later in the morning. “We want to thank all patrolling members who offered their time and resources, as well as OK Mini Market, Bella@Onrus and the Dutch Reformed Church who also supported us in this endeavour. This event again showed the commitment of our community against crime and what can be done if a community comes together,” he said. Please visit the OnVerWag Facebook page or website (www.onverwag.org.za) for more information or if you want to become a member.

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First shop in Hermanus goes plastic free environmental campaigner, Hayley McLellan, which has the vision of a plastic shopping bag-free South Africa. Rather flippantly labelled our “national flower”, these single-use plastic bags are most likely to end up either at a landfill site, in a stormwater drain, or in the ocean, where they cause untold harm to the environment and especially marine life. Mammals, fish and birds become entangled in discarded plastic products and floating plastic bags or particles thereof are often mistaken for food and ingested by marine animals such as turtles, whales and dolphins. In a town such as Hermanus, which relies heavily on marine eco-tourism, fishing and aquaculture, it goes without saying that preserving the health of our oceans should be a top priority.

Sue Raven in her plastic-free shop, Smart Toys

Wit’s End

By Murray Stewart

Smart Toys in The Station Centre is striving to set an example by recently becoming the first plastic bagfree shop in Hermanus. Owner Sue Raven says she was inspired by the article in The Village News, ‘Let’s Rethink the Bag’ (19 April 2016) to support Fiona Matthes, who is driving the Rethink the Bag campaign in Hermanus.

“I have always been ‘greenminded’, so this initiative appealed greatly to me”, says Sue. “If one person can make a difference, imagine what a difference we can all make together.” Phasing out plastic bags at Smart Toys, Sue used a R500 gift voucher she won from Pack n Bake in Hermanus to provide free brown bags to her

customers. She also stocks cloth bags and the latest reusable shopping bags manufactured by Fiona Matthes. Rethink the Bag is a nationwide campaign, initiated in 2010 by the Two Oceans Aquarium

“With approximately 30 million adult shoppers in South Africa, you can do the math and figure out how many bags we are buying each year,” says Hayley. “Now imagine what a difference we could make if we chose long-life bags instead!” Sue is thrilled with the bags she has bought from Fiona

for her shop. “They are made from very durable parachute material and last much longer than the re-usable bags imported from China. They fold up into just a small pouch, which is ideal to pop into one’s handbag or pocket when out shopping,” says Sue. “Most importantly, they are made locally and leave no carbon footprint. If any of your readers are willing and able to provide assistance to Fiona in the production of these bags, I can’t think of a worthier cause.” According to Fiona, providing employment for local people is one of aims of the ‘Rethink the Bag’ Hermanus campaign, but one of the problems she is facing is that each volunteer group has to be self-funding. “I would love to employ a group of local women to produce these re-usable bags, and to get informative leaflets printed on how to cut back on single-use plastics and plastic litter in general, but without some sort of sponsorship it’s just not possible.” At the moment Fiona employs one woman from the township to do the sewing and pays her out of her own pocket. “It would be wonderful if even half the households in the Overstrand

had just one of our local bags,” says Fiona. “But I want to get the project up and running in Hermanus before branching out to other areas in the Overstrand. “The Hermanus Tourism Office has taken some bags on consignment and a few other shops have shown interest in buying them – I only ask R14 per bag and the shops can add their mark-up. It’s a really good buy as these bags are well made and very strong, and they will last for years.” With World Plastic Bag Free Day coming up on 3 July, Fiona says she would like to encourage individuals and businesses to take the first step towards cutting out unnecessary plastic. Sue also issues a friendly challenge to other businesses and shops in the Overstrand to follow her suit and phase out plastic bags at their outlets. “Shops, schools, towns and even countries all over the world are banning plastic bags,” she says. “When I last visited the UK, shops were deducting a small percentage of their client’s shopping bill if they brought their own bags to the shops with them. We have to do all we can to save our beautiful environment and especially our oceans from plastic pollution.”

The horrors of adventure To beige or not to beige – that is the question. At what stage in life does our inner beigeness blossom, or are some folks just born beige? As we’ve already established, beige is the foundation of all colours – except white and black. Just add blue or red or yellow and subtract some of the beige, and we have a kaleidoscope of all the different colours we can see. But what of our other senses like sound, touch, taste and general wellbeing? Beige is a way of approaching life, and there are definite attributes to some of its symptoms. Elasticised waists in slacks for example, have three advantages. Firstly no fly, so the hassles with buttons and zips disappear, and anyway that top button gets further away as we get older. Secondly, they’re easy to slip on quickly in case of emergencies like a fire, an

intruder or the premature arrival of your lover’s spouse. Cuckoldees and cuckoldors should always have a spare pair handy. And thirdly, belts. Inordinate amounts of time can be spent deciding whether to choose the black, grey or brown one, never mind the money wasted on these items of indecision. Inevitably new holes have to be punched as we swell. Not so with the wonder of elastic. To fashion designers this style is known as flexi-boep. Other beige forms of clothing include shoes and hats. Shoes, like the pants, should be lace-free. Fluffy pantoffels around the house are the norm, but comfy slipons like Crocs (socks optional) are preferred when shopping. Beigers have every right to snigger at those high-heeled ladies whose vanity overrides practicality as they totter unsteadily about the malls in agony. These shoes create

ingrown toenails, slack calf muscles, torn hamstrings and occasionally incontinence. With sensible walking shoes – a cornerstone of beigeness – there’s also less chance of slipping and breaking bones on the highly polished floors. Architects who approve this type of tiling should be locked in a room for a week with Helmut Lotti’s greatest hits on a loop. Any self-respecting beiger knows that a sensible sunhat is vital. The chinstrap is optional, but a true beiger will always utilise it – even indoors – for comfort and reliability. They also know that a back-to-front baseball cap is hardly a sun shield, and serves no purpose apart from hiding an embarrassing neck tattoo. Few beigers have neck tattoos or do high-fives and fist-pumps. Sounds also define beigers. Vertical noises like drumbeats, shouting or hooters violate the tranquil

sanctity of Beigedom. Taxi drivers are not beige. Smoother, more horizontal sounds are preferred by your common or garden beiger. Depending on the age, musical preferences vary but are usually in pastel tones played at half-volume. Kenny G, the Barry Manilow of saxophones springs to mind. So do John Denver, Sade, The Carpenters and Johnny Mathis. Nothing too alarming like rap or hip-hop, thank you. Some even enjoy the Beatles though they prefer the Mantovani Orchestra versions. Kitsch is a form of art, like beige is a form of attitude. This exonerates beigers with a penchant for Tretchikoff, macramé and flying ducks. Crocheted doilies, lace curtains and china figurines are prolific. These, according to older beigers, will inevitably become collector’s items if the kids don’t want them – also inevitably.

Beigers are animals of habit. So what if you’re not hungry, it’s 7.15pm, which means eat dinner. Then it’s the 8 o’clock movie on TV, brush teeth (in or out of mouth) at 9.45, and in bed by 10. Simple, satisfying, predictable and no reason to deviate. Routine is a vital ingredient to a beiger’s overall wellbeing. This well-trodden path soon becomes a rut, and it’s more hassle to climb out of it than to just slide comfortably down its slippery slope. Some might call it the beige donga of despair, but sticking your head out over the top exposes you to all the horrors of reality like adventure, spontaneity or even other ruts. This is the uncomplicated comfort zone known as beige. So next time you see someone under a sensible sunhat (strapped) wearing elasticised pants and Crocs while foottapping to Neil Diamond, don’t snigger. It’s probably me.

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Hermanus Night Shelter becoming a reality At an open meeting of the Hermanus Night Shelter Association (HNSA) held at the United Church last week, chairperson Les Abbott was pleased to announce that he had signed the transfer documentation that morning for the purchase of a plot of land from the Overstrand Municipality on which the new Hermanus Night Shelter will be built.

DID YOU KNOW • 85% of all plastic is not recycled. • 8 Billion plastic shopping bags are sold annually in South Africa and most end up in landfills or in the ocean. • Single-use plastic shopping bags are commonly made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic, using nonrenewable resources such as crude oil, gas and coal. • A car could drive about 11 metres on the amount of petroleum used to make a single plastic bag. • Lightweight plastic bags are blown into trees and other plants and can be mistaken for food by animals. • Plastic bags break down, but they never biodegrade. As a result, any toxic additives they contain—including flame retardants, antimicrobials, and plasticizers—will be released into the environment. • Many of those toxins directly affect the endocrine systems of organisms, which control almost every cell in the body. • Plastic bags can last in landfill – an anaerobic environment – for up to 1 000 years. • 80% of marine debris is plastic. • Plastic products in the ocean can be mistaken for food and ingested by marine animals, killing whales, turtles, dolphins and seabirds.

The land is situated in Malva Street in Mount Pleasant (next to the Child Welfare offices) and measures 2 023m². The sale, which was approved by council last month, was made possible by donations raised by the Lighthouse 2 Lighthouse ladies. “We are very grateful for their support and now, after nine years, we can finally move forward,” said Les. The project now moves into a new phase which Les said was “out of his comfort zone”. As an architect with a busy practice, Les is calling on the community to pledge their support and drive the project forward. “Now that we have the land and I have completed the architectural plans, the focus is on fundraising for the construction of the new shelter. “The initial costs are estimated at a minimum of R2,1 million and I would like to see the building process kick off in two months’ time. Our aim is to have the new shelter completed by June next year – we simply cannot afford to wait out any more winters.” Les said the HNSA would be approaching big companies, government organisations and philanthropic trusts for sponsorship and donations. The night shelter will provide accommodation for up to 35 homeless people, with separate wings for men and women. Strict rules and criteria will apply and

A drawing of the proposed Hermanus Night Shelter in Mount Pleasant. arrivals will be tested for drugs and alcohol before being admitted from 5 pm. After spending the night, everyone has to leave the premises at 8am. The shelter will then be closed to shelter residents during the rest of the day and be available for other community purposes until it opens again at 5 pm. Les says that over the years, they as a committee, have become acquainted with many homeless people in Hermanus. “Sadly, five of them have died from exposure and illness on the street over the last four years.” Anyone who would like to become involved personally with this project and assist with fundraising, sponsorship, donations or in any other way, is welcome to contact Les on 083 232 6138. The HNSA is registered as an NPO and approved as a PBO by SARS, which means that any donations are tax-deductible.

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Open sea adventure for bird lovers By Ilse Bigalke Birders in the Overberg and our international visitors previously had to travel to Hout Bay or Simon’s Bay to experience a pelagic birding trip to supplement that extremely important birding life-list. Great news is that the Dyer Island Conservation Trust (DICT) has undertaken several trial runs and is forthwith offering pelagic trips from Gansbaai. This initiative is another arrow in the quiver of the multi award-winning nature conservationist Wilfred Chivell’s DICT, whose ecotourism partners also offer whale-watching, shark-cage diving and sea eco-tours. As is the case with its other endeavours, guests are pampered from beginning to end, as I experienced during the first trip for paying customers on 1 May. An outing such as this requires extensive planning. It is usually planned over two days or even two weekends, in case the weather plays up. Fishing trawler activity is determined beforehand by means of GPS and radar equipment and during our trip we set off from the Kleinbaai harbour in a south-westerly direction. The same on-board equipment is used to track trawlers at sea.

We left at approximately 07:00, just as the sun rose to the east. I was extremely thankful for having remembered to purchase motion sickness pills, since a recent cold front had caused choppy waters which had us holding on tightly to the rails. At 25 km (or 13 nautical miles) from the coast, just as excitement erupted due to the first sighting of a Shy Albatross, the first passenger became seasick. Judging from his body language, he probably experienced one of the worst days of his life. According to Hennie Otto, one of our skippers and a very capable bird guide, choppy seas are favourable for pelagic birding. An investment in motion sickness medication is therefore advisable, unless you are convinced you have sturdy sea legs! Thoughts about the Titanic inevitably surfaced while there was no land in sight and we were surrounded by the dark ocean, but Wilfred assured us that the sturdy Whale Whisperer would not let us down. This spacious boat is extremely comfortable and its observation deck is ideal for photographic purposes. At 37 nautical miles (some 70 km), pandemonium ensued.

We were nearing a fishing trawler and thousands of pelagic birds were gathered in its wake in anticipation of the harvest awaiting in the nets. One of the apex sightings was that of a Wandering Albatross, according to Wilfred their first of this species during a deep-sea excursion. Wilfred could not contain his excitement as he spotted a Black-bellied Storm-Petrel, another first for their expeditions. Most of the photographers were using the movement setting and the only audible

noise apart from the cacophony of chirping birds was a continuous and furious click, click, click-click-click. We were surrounded by some 20 species of pelagic birds and the heads of the observers swiveled to and fro like those of Wimbledon spectators. Species swarming in our immediate vicinity included Wandering, Indian Yellownosed, Shy and Blackbrowed Albatross; Pintado Petrel; Sooty, Cory’s, Great and Flesh-footed Shearwater; White-chinned, and Great-winged Petrel;

Southern and Northern Giant-Petrel; European, Wilson’s and Black-bellied Storm-Petrel, Parasitic Jaeger; Antarctic Prion; Arctic and Swift Tern; Cape Gannet and sub-Antarctic Skua. Our capable guides conveyed a lot of information to us, including that Skuas are regarded as the ocean’s hyenas and often scavenge food from Gannets and Storm-Petrels. They are also predators who will kill penguin chicks or eat penguin eggs at breeding colonies on islands. We also

learned that some 100 pelagic species occur along the nutrient-rich Cape coast. At the end of our trip, our total numbered a very respectable 27 species. Overberg is feather-friendly This initiative by the DICT will attract both local and international birders and contribute even further to establish the Overberg as a top birding destination. It is pure pelagic magic and an experience which definitely belongs on the bucket list. Reservations: Hennie Otto at hennie@sharkwatchsa.com

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Experiencing the soul of Antarctica

“This incredible trip has been a hugely enriching experience for me,” says Hermanus resident Joss Garrett, who recently returned from a voyage to Antarctica that was the fulfilment of a life-long ambition. “Antarctica has a soul. It is mind blowing. You can never appreciate the sheer magnitude of it in a picture. Everything is so overwhelming and enormous. The air is pristine and unpolluted; you can literally hear the silence. At other times, when the glaciers calve into the sea, the sound is as loud as the biggest clap of thunder you could imagine. The breakaway ice creates a swell that resembles a mini tsunami. Animal and bird calls, as well as ice movement is magnified tremendously against the deafening silence.” For as long as she can remember, Joss has had a fascination with and passion for Antarctica. She has read prolifically on it and always yearned to visit this wild, starkly beautiful continent, its South Pole 6 185 kilometres south of Hermanus. At minus 89.2 degrees Celsius, Antarctica is the record holder as the Earth’s coldest continent. It is nearly twice the size of Australia, contains 90% of the world’s ice and around 70% of its fresh water. This 14 million square kilometre blistering, white-blue, surreal world is as unforgiving as it is alluring. The iconic 1911-1912 race to reach the South Pole, between Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen and English naval officer, Robert Falcon Scott, continues to capture the world’s imagination as an undertaking of endeavour, fortitude and ultimate sacrifice. There’s no doubt that Antarctica is not for the faint hearted. Joss and her husband Fred retired to Hermanus in 2006. Joss has been a fundraising committee member of Station 17 Hermanus NSRI for eight years. She is the holder of a 5,3m rigid hull inflatable skipper’s licence and paints with watercolours as a hobby. Determined that her dream of visiting Antarctica would become a reality, she asked her husband if he would like to accompany her. His answer was no. “As this is your dream and it’s what you really want, I encourage you to go on your own and I will support you all the way,” he said. Joss chose not to opt for a passage on a passenger ship, as these are not ice breakers and “tend to sail away from the action”. Instead, she booked a berth on a Russian icebreaker, the Ocean Endeavour. With a length of 137 m, a draft of 5.6 and a cruising speed of 15 knots, the ship can push her way through broken pack ice and venture inside the Arctic Circle. Joss enthuses, “Passengers on this ship do not just look at the sea and scenery. There are zodiacs on board that enable one to land on the islands, as well as the Antarctic continent itself.” As there are no direct flights from Cape Town to Buenos Aires, at end January 2016, Joss flew

off on the first leg of her trip, to Johannesburg. From there, she caught a second plane to Sao Paolo in Brazil. Thereafter, a third plane took her to Buenos Aires, Argentina. Yet a fourth and smaller plane, then flew the four hours to take her to Ushuaia, the windswept resort town on Argentina’s Terra del Fuego archipelago, the southernmost tip of South America, nicknamed the ‘End of the World’. “Ushuaia is similar to Hermanus in many ways. It has a backdrop of mountains, a long narrow coastal area and snuggles between the mountains and the sea.” At age 68, Joss boarded the Ocean Endeavour and with the ship’s compass pointing south east, they headed out into the southern oceans for a fourteen day adventure. They came down through the Drake Passage, “the stretch of water between the most southerly tip of South America and the most northerly tip of the Antarctic peninsula. It is a place where not only high and strong winds blow most of the time, but where the ‘Circumpolar Current’ is squeezed through its narrowest gap.” A skipper in her own right, Joss recalls, “We were in about five to six metre swells that were coming in from the west. We however, were travelling south, so the ship was rolling to such an extent, that I even fell out of my bunk one night! In the ship’s dining room, honeycomb rubber mats acted as special table cloths, to enable cutlery and crockery to stick to it and prevent our flat-bottomed wine glasses from toppling over.” Joss says her fellow travellers came from all corners of the world. “The passengers on board were fascinating – all of them nature and adventure lovers, and seven of us were women travelling alone. The crew were Russian or Ukrainian and the passengers were every kind of nature ‘ologist’ you could think of! When we weren’t out in the zodiacs exploring, we were given lectures and slide shows on the Antarctic. There was no time to be lazy.” Once through the Drake Passage, the ship sailed across the Arctic Circle and south of

Adelaide Island. It then wound its way up to South Georgia and once again across the Drake Passage on their way back to Ushuaia. On the return voyage, the Ocean Endeavour sailed past an iceberg that was 27 kilometres long! Another interesting part of the journey was visiting Deception Island on South Georgia, home to a now derelict and defunct whaling station. The active volcano on the island, which last erupted 10 000 years ago, keeps rocks on the island warm to this day, melting the snow on it. Viewed from the exterior, the island is named for the narrow strip in the rocks that the ship must sail through to reveal an enormous inland island sea. “The snow on the Antarctic continent never melts, but continues to compact layer upon layer. The middle of Antarctica is under 3 kilometres of ice!” Joss was amazed by all the wildlife they saw on the trip. “Antarctica is the most abundant wildlife continent. There are whales, seals, penguins and other seabirds such as albatrosses, petrels, cormorants, gulls and more. We even saw killer whales!” Joss says the daily temperature ranged between 4 and 6 degrees Celsius and down to minus 10. “I dressed like an onion, in layer upon layer of clothing. As part of my travel deal, I was issued with a yellow parka that was windproof, waterproof and had a detachable anorak inside of it, which kept the cold out.” Joss reminisces in conclusion, that on trips in the zodiacs, they would pass ‘growlers’ in the water, which are smaller fragments of ice that take on the brilliant blue colour of the sea. Zodiac passengers would take a manageable size growler back to the ship, chip away small blocks of ice from it and put them in their drinks in the evening. “As some of these growlers were well over 100 years old, these were drinks to be remembered!” It rings true then, that “the only impossible journey, is the one you never begin”. - Kathy Mulock-Bentley

NEWS

GOOD

31 May 2016

Wednesday 1 June • OAK Film Show: The next movie to be screened by OAK (Overstrand Arts/Kunste) is Inception, directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Leonardo di Caprio, Ellen Page and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Tickets at the door: R45 (R30 for OAK members). Municipal Auditorium, 18:00. For enquiries, contact John Taylor on 079 392 7282 or René du Plooy on 082 940 4238.

• Lemm’s Corner Market: From 08:30, Main Road, Hermanus. Crafts, clothes, jewellery, bags, toys and art. • Hermanuspietersfontein Food & Wine Market: In the courtyard at HPF cellar, The Village, from 9:00-13:00. Where wine and food lovers both local and international meet.

Monday 6 June

• Hermanus Photographic Society: Meeting on the first Wednesday of every month, Dutch Reformed Church, Hermanus at 19:00. Prospective new members welcome. Contact info@hermanusphoto.co.za

• U3A Travel Series: ‘East African Game Parks’ by Gavin Turner. Catholic Church hall, 10:00. For more details call Graham Palmer on 028 314 1167.

Thursday 2 June

• Stanford Saturday Morning Market: The Stanford Hotel, 09:30-12:00. Farmers, crafters and hobbyists bring to you homemade and home-baked goodies.

Thursday 2 & 9 June • Rotary Club of Hermanus: Weekly meetings every Thursday at Mollergren Park, at 19:00. Visitors welcome. Contact Ian Wallace on 082 895 8738 or Metcalf Fick on 082 568 2193.

Friday 3 June • Bhuki Café: Enjoy tea, coffee and eats at the Hermanus Library, every Friday, 09:00-11:30. • ‘Kolwyntjie-Teetuin’: Senior citizens in the area are invited to enjoy a sweet treat and tea or coffee at the Service Centre (‘Dienssentrum’) of the Dutch Reformed Church, Onrus for only R30, between 09:30 and 11:30. • Know your Overstrand: U3A presents the third talk in this informative series at 10:00, Catholic Church hall. Stephen Müller, Director Infrastructure and Planning, Overstrand Municipality will outline current infrastructure projects and priorities for the future.

Saturday 4 June • Hermanus parkrun: Meet at Hermanus Forest in Camphill Road, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley at 08:00. Free timed 5 km walk or run come rain or shine. The route is dog friendly and children are most welcome.

Saturday 11 June • Hermanus parkrun: Meet at Hermanus Forest in Camphill Road, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley at 08:00. Free timed 5 km walk or run come rain or shine. The route is dog friendly and children are most welcome. • Lemm’s Corner Market: From 08:30, Main Road, Hermanus. Crafts, clothes, jewellery, bags, toys and art. • Hermanuspietersfontein Food & Wine Market: In the courtyard at HPF cellar, The Village, from 9:00-13:00. Where wine and food lovers both local and international meet.

Wednesday 8 June • The Hermanus Country Market: Next to the cricket field, Fairways Avenue, from 09:0013:00. Stunning food, fresh and wholesome goodies.

• Hermanus Bird Club: Monthly outing in Fernkloof Nature Reserve, led by Ronnie Hazel. Meet in the parking area of Fernkloof in front of the hall at 08:00. For more information contact chairperson Craig Holmes on 028 313 2458 / 083 227 9003.

• Marc Lottering: Stand-up comedian Marc Lottering has been at the top of his game for seventeen years, performing regularly to packed houses all over South Africa. Join Marc as he shares some of his favourite stories at the Caledon Hotel’s Swartberg Venue. Tickets cost R 120 per person and are available at the Caledon Hotel Reception or via Computicket. The show will kick off at 20:00 and the doors open at 19:30. Contact 028 214 5100.

• Swallow Park Market: Browse the new market at Swallow Park between 09:00 and 13:00. • Onrus Markie: Join this friendly neighbourhood market on the first Saturday of every month, from 09:00 – 12:00 at the De Wet Hall in Roos Street, Onrus. Call Ina van Rooyen on 083 451 6238 for more info. • St Peter’s Church Fête: The beautiful garden of St Peter’s Church in Main Road will be the venue for a mini fête to raise funds for the church. Stallholders of the weekly ‘Market in the Garden’ have agreed to make way just for this Saturday. Among the many attractions on offer will be tea, coffee and eats, two raffles, a jumping castle for the children, interesting bric-a-brac items, vintage jewellery, fresh produce and everyone's favourite home-baked cakes and loaves. Bottled jams, marmalades and beetroot will also be for sale at the Beacon Shop adjacent to the mini fete, as well as compost for your garden at R12 per bucket load – bring along your own container. The fete will kick off at 09:00 and continue until 13:00.

• Photography Chit-Chat: Join thephotowalkers.com for their monthly gettogether every second Wednesday of the month. The Studio, 17 Mimosa Street, Hermanus Industrial Area, at 19:00. RSVP: funtimes@thephotowalkers.com.

Friday 10 June • Bhuki Café: Enjoy tea, coffee and eats at the Hermanus Library, every Friday, 09:0011:30. • Know your Overstrand: U3A presents the third talk of this informative series at 10:00, Catholic Church hall. Wendy Colyn, District Manager for Grabouw and the Overstrand, WCDE, will give an overview of the schools in the area and explain funding norms, the curriculum and challenges to be met.

Friday 10 – Saturday 19 June

• The Hermanus Country Market: Next to the cricket field, Fairways Avenue, from 09:0013:00. Stunning food, fresh and wholesome goodies. • Market in the Garden: At St Peter’s Church in Main Road, 09:00-14:00. A wonderful market set amongst the trees in the heart of town. Join the St Peter’s Coffee Morning and enjoy a sweet treat for only R10 and a cup of coffee or tea for only R5. Sit down in the shady garden and enjoy the surrounds. • Stanford Saturday Morning Market: The Stanford Hotel, 09:30-12:00. Farmers, crafters and hobbyists bring to you homemade and home-baked goodies. • Swallow Park Market: Browse the new market at Swallow Park between 09:00 and 13:00.

Thursday 16 June

• Hermanus FynArts: This home-grown festival has become a highlight on the national arts calendar. As a fusion between an arts festival and a winter school, it offers not only fine art, sculpture and ceramics, but also photography, jewellery, music, literature, food, wine, vintage films, talks, workshops and demonstrations, spread over 10 festive days. Now in its fourth year, this unique festival offers a bumper programme of events and there is something for everyone to enjoy. Find the programme booklet at the Hermanus Tourism office in Mitchell Street or go to www.hermanufynarts.co.za for all the details. Bookings can be made via the website or at www.webtickets.co.za.

• Andre the Hilarious Hypnotist: Andre has performed to packed theatres for the past 21 years and has become a family favourite. He’ll be performing two shows in the Sandbaai Hall, at 14:00 (tickets R50 for adults and R30 for children under 15) and at 19:00 (PG 12), with tickets at R75 for adults and R50 for children between 12 and 15. Book with Ellie on 082 067 4085.

GOOD

NEWS

26 JANUARY 31 May 2016 2016

OAK donates cello to Strings Project The Enlighten Education Trust (EET) recently launched a Strings Project, initiated by the Alex Bury Trust, which offers violin lessons to a small group of learners. The vision for this project is to grow into a youth strings orchestra, for which additional string instruments would be needed.

also supports local talent in several ways, and decided to sponsor a cello for the Strings Project. On Friday night, 20 May, before the STRINGS TRIO recital performed in the Municipal Auditorium, OAK thought it fitting to present the cello to EET.

Overstrand Arts/Kunste (OAK) has for the past eight years offered concerts to the public here in Hermanus by bringing national and international musicians to perform. OAK

Louis van Heerden, Chairman of OAK, handed the cello to Alan Powell, Chairman of the Board of EET. Alan drew a parallel between the small

beginnings of this project and a small acorn which could grow into a big Oak tree. He in turn handed the cello to Ariana Isaacs, a Grade 3 learner from Hermanus Primary School, who will receive cello lessons at EET. Ariana will also be part of the first public performance of the Enlighten Strings Project, sponsored by OAK, which will take place during FynArts on Saturday 18 June in the Municipal Auditorium. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Rene du Plooy

NEWS

GOOD

31 May 2016

Tailor-made solutions for hospitality The economies of all the towns on the Cape Whale Coast are largely dependent on tourism, both local and international. And with economies growing and shrinking over the last few years the tourism market in South Africa can almost be described as a rollercoaster. “This trend not only has a direct impact on those involved in tourism but also on all the other businesses in town that are dependent on the income that is generated through tourism. This includes everyone from estate agents through to industrial businesses and motor dealers,” says Peter Kunz, director of Fish-i Hospitality Management Solutions International. “Since I started Fish-i almost 8 years ago we have been fortunate enough to assist a number of local, national and international role-players in the industry with strengthening and growing their businesses,” says Peter. Peter is an astute hospitality consultant with many years of experience. “I started my career as an aircraft engineer but somewhere along the way I realised that hospitality is in my blood. After working in hotel management in Cape Town I relocated to the UK

where I managed the Red Carnation Hotel. One day I realised that I miss South Africa dearly and on my return was appointed as the General Manager of The Marine. “Having grown up in Cape Town my appointment at The Marine was a homecoming of sorts although I must admit that before then I had never been to Hermanus. After four years I took up the position of General Manager at Grootbos near Gansbaai. The experience I gained both nationally and internationally gave me the opportunity to set out and start Fish-i,” says Peter. With 15 years of experience in hospitality management in Southern Africa, Fish-i comprises a large network of hospitality specialists, suppliers and training consultants to assist clients with any operational challenge they may face in their business, be it a restaurant, guest house, hotel, nature or game reserve. Their expertise lies in analysing clients’ needs, finding the right people for the job, setting up systems for day-to-day managing, administrating and skills training, and tailoring these

to extract the maximum potential from the client’s business and providing a solid foundation for growth and stability. Fish-i aims to strengthen and support businesses and assist them in gearing up for the future. Their services are like a lucky packet in that it is tailor made to suit a client’s specific needs. By transferring their experience to the industry and doing a thorough needs analysis, Peter and his team are able to give operational managers the tools they need to make their business a success and improve their footprint in the industry. “We look at specific destination type products where tourism to these destinations is seasonal and affected by a multitude of external factors. As these destinations become more popular on the world map, the challenges also become greater and one could find that the proverbial bubble eventually could burst unless each and every establishment, be it in food or accommodation, constantly aligns itself with specific standards that the consumer will always measure you against. “The question is, are

establishments doing this or are we simply looking at the next guy and copying what they do and hope for the best? After travelling extensively due to the nature of our business it was interesting to see how South African establishments for some reason undercut themselves against other establishments in African countries as well as worldwide where the service is mediocre to say the least against the products we offer in South Africa,” says Peter. “So, we tend to trade in this spiral of discounting to save our businesses while it has been proven that a 10% discount is simply giving away half your profits. We have seen how this culture has led to the degeneration of service and product offering and this is where the skin of the bubble becomes thinner and thinner. “Although the industry, on average, has been suffering, we have had anecdotal evidence of establishments that have weathered the storm by focusing on the domestic market and keeping their rates reasonable with a high standard service offering. Keeping rooms spotless and

Peter Kunz of Fish-i Hospitality Management Solutions being friendly and accommodating will not contribute to your expenses,” says Peter.

To find out more, contact Peter Kunz on 082 782 7046 or peter@fish-i.co.za.

Working together to boost our local economy Regular networking events, discussions on the issues that affect the local economy and the benefit of business assistance and development opportunities are but a few of the opportunities that the Hermanus Business Chamber (HBC) offers its members. Chamber CEO, Alta Pretorius, says they try to offer opportunities to businesses through not only their networking opportunities but also by representing local businesses at a high level and acting as their voice. “The Chamber has managed to attract top national role players to Hermanus to address our members, including Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davie, Premier Helen Zille, Economist Dawie Roodt and Western Cape Minister of Economic Opportunities Alan Winde. We strive to make your voice heard and bring you into contact with crucial role players and decision makers,” says Alta.

the economic potential of tourism growth, and regularly communicates with the Overstrand Municipality on economic issues."Much more can be achieved by working together," says Alta.

held a brainstorming session with Frieda Lloyd, Tourism Manager of the Cape Whale Coast, to discuss ways of working together in future and to attract more visitors to the area.

HBC President, Seth Anderson, says their mandate is to look after local business. “To that end we will also be focusing on economic and tourism growth particularly from Cape Town, as well as the Central Business District Safety and Central Business District Revitalisation.

"A greater awareness must be created of what Hermanus has to offer," says Frieda, "so that the tour buses don't just drive through, but linger and experience the wine route,

cuisine, adventures such as kayaking and tree-top sliding, as well as our beautiful Fernkloof Nature Reserve and Cliff Path. Business people and restaurants must also do their share to entice people to stay instead of moving through." According to Alta the Chamber proposes future meetings ranging from accountability in the

Overstrand: giving a platform to representatives from all political parties in the Overstrand to inform us of their plans and intentions regarding economic development – before the municipal election, the AGM where people will be coopted onto the Executive Committee, plus an address by the newly elected mayor after the municipal elections on 3 August.

There are also plans to hold a practical seminar on the use of social media, a morning seminar with presentations by the HBC, HRA, Overstrand Tourism and Local Economic Development Department. For more information contact Alta at 073 538 3685 / 028 315 1619 or ceo@hermanuschamber.co.za. Visit their website at www.hermanuschamber.co.za.

"The Chamber has been revitalized by appointing new executive committee members from various business sectors, and we are considering co-opting even more so that the portfolios will cover all the crucial business sectors which our members form part of."

After a highly successful Business Breakfast on 12 May at Fisherman’s Cottage the Chamber will host the next networking session on 14 July. During June the Chamber will also encourage businesses to participate in FynArts and act as hospitable tour guides towards visitors from afar.

Executive committee members are: Seth Anderson, Bobby von During, Bevan Newton Johnson, Jeanette du Toit, Rick Oosthuizen, Liza van Coppenhagen, Anton Verhoogt, Anneke Otto with CEO Alta Pretorius Seth chairs both the HBC and Hermanus Ratepayers’ Association (HRA), facilitating closer cooperation.

“The Chamber also focuses on

The Chamber also recently

Hermanus Business Chamber Executive Committee: Seated, l.to r: Bevan Newton-Johnson, Rick Oosthuizen, Frieda Lloyd (coopted from Overstrand Tourism), Lisa von Coppenhagen, Jeanette du Toit. Back: Anneke Otto, Bobby von During, Alta Pretorius and Seth Anderson (President) Absent: Anton Verhoogt.

EXPLORER

Village

The

ART • WINE • FOOD

FynArts festival artist: Louis Jansen van Vuuren

ART & WINE

31 MAY 2016

FynArts blends art and wine Hermanus is getting ready to roll out the red carpet for the fourth FynArts Festival, a home-grown cultural event like no other. As a fusion between an arts festival and a winter school, it offers not only fine art, sculpture and ceramics, but also photography, jewellery, music, literature, food, wine, vintage films, talks, workshops and demonstrations, spread over 10 festive days, from 10 – 19 June 2016. Going from strength to strength, this unique event is increasingly embraced by the whole community, with venues provided by local businesses, schools, accommodation establishments, community halls, places of worship, art galleries, wine cellars and even private homes scattered across Hermanus, from the vibrant CBD to the peaceful village of Onrus, the colourful township of Zwelihle and the scenic wine farms of the Hermanus Wine Route. During this year’s FynArts Festival, five wineries on the Hermanus Wine Route and one on the Bot River Wine Route will present exhibitions and strengthen the link between art and wine. Don’t forget to include the following wine farms on your FynArts itinerary. Benguela Cove will provide a scenic setting for three exhibitions at their tasting venue on the Bot River lagoon. Breaking Imagination: Deconstructing Countenance will feature the work of Jimmy Law, who focuses on creating larger-than-life, energetic and engaging portraits. His works touch on social issues

and the human condition, in particular issues such as guilt and innocence, vulnerability and fragility. There will also be an exhibition of works by Janko de Beer whose sculptures are inspired by the natural shapes and textures of dried-out bull kelp collected from various beaches around South Africa. His works are a unique mastery of motion, form and texture influenced by the precepts of contemporary futurism in sculpting. The third exhibition will also be displayed at the Benguela Manor House, featuring the designs of the finalists in the #BenguelaGlamour FynArts competition. The winning design, to be announced at the Gala Dinner at Benguela on 13 June, will be used to create limited edition wrapping tissue paper for Benguela Cove’s premium wines. Whalehaven Artisan Winery will host an exhibition of Exotic Atelier’s Timepiece Jewellery entitled Deconstructed Time at their tasting venue in The Village. These steampunk items deconstruct the various elements in watches and turn them into signature jewellery. The intricate inner workings and cogs of watch pieces have been cast in resin and clay, in silver backings to make beautiful necklaces and cufflinks. Bouchard Finlayson will once again host the popular Tollman Bouchard Finlayson Tondo Art Award 2016 competition. The

work of the 40 finalists in this year’s competition, with the theme ‘Terroir’ will be displayed on barrel heads in the Bouchard Finlayson wine cellar. These works are on sale for the duration of FynArts and will remain in an extended exhibition until November 2016. The prize giving ceremony and opening of the exhibition will take place on Friday 10 June at 12:00. La Vierge will present a craft exhibition entitled Contemporary Kapula at their tasting venue, featuring the bright and colourful designs created by the multi-skilled crafters from Kapula in Bredasdorp. The hand-painted ceramics and candles are made mainly by women employed by this family-run company which has been granted the status of ‘Guaranteed Member’ by the World Trade Fair Organisation for creating a positive and empowering work environment. Sumaridge Estate Wines will provide another first for FynArts, in collaboration with the Bellingham-Turner family – an art competition open to scholars (Grade 10 – 12) living along the Cape Whale Coast. A multimedium group exhibition of the work of the finalists in this competition, the Violet and Anne Bellingham Memorial Trophy, will be on display at the Sumaridge tasting venue. The winner and runner-up will be announced at the special Youth Day concert Peter and the Wolf, with Katlego Maboe and the Cape Town Philharmonic Youth

Orchestra, to be held at 14:00 on 16 June, in the Dutch Reformed Church in Onrus. The magnificent Creation landscape is the venue for a collection of sculptures by Gavin Risi. Constructed from copper and galvanised wire, the sculptures create a visual form that is in flux – an internal vision of form that is expressed outwardly in dancelike movements of creation. Wine Plus In addition to wine tastings at our local wineries, festival goers can partake in the specialised FynArts wine programme, Wine Plus, consisting of a series of tastings and talks presented at The Marine. This year the programme is an interesting blend of old and new, with once again a focus on the local, while brandy and bubbly tastings will add to the French thread of the festival. The series is curated by Melvyn Minnaar, a wine and arts writer, who has invited well-known personalities in the wine industry to present the various sessions, including Hannes Storm, Higgo Jacobs, John Loubser, Pieter Ferreira, Cathy van Zyl, Tim James and Winnie Bowman. Informative, not too technical, and framed by a fine selection to taste, each event of 45 minutes is a stand-alone that has proven popular since its inception two years ago. Patrons can buy either a single ticket for R130 or a series ticket for R700. Visit www.hermanusfynarts for all the details.

ART

31 MAY 2016

Local art galleries embrace FynArts Fifteen art galleries in Hermanus will each present a special exhibition for FynArts. Most are situated in the centre of town with one art gallery in the Hemel-en-Aarde Village and two in Onrus – one at The Mission’s House Gallery and one at the private studio of Tertia Knaap.

Rossouw Modern SPACE This year’s FynArts festival artist Louis Jansen van Vuuren will have a solo exhibition, curated by Marilyn Martin and entitled Hemel en Aarde / Ciel et Terre /Heaven and Earth at Rossouw Modern’s SPACE gallery in Warrington Arcade off Harbour Road. Cobalt blue serves as a thematic reference to this body of work which evokes that magical moment referred to by the French as l’heure bleue (‘blue hour’) – the period of twilight when the sun is a significant distance below the horizon and the residual, indirect sunlight takes on a predominantly blue colour. The exhibition will be opened by Marilyn Martin on Sunday 12 June at 12:00.

Rossouw Modern Gallery Rossouw Modern will host two solo exhibitions during FynArts, The Pen is Mightier than the Sword, featuring the most famous original drawings by Zapiro (Jonathan Shapiro) and Rogue, an exhibition of new works by Bastiaan van Stenis, at the gallery in Harbour Road. Zapiro’s satirical cartoons have appeared in many major South African daily publications, on the websites of the Mail & Guradian and the Sunday Times, and also in puppet form. He has received many awards, including the Courage in Editorial Cartooning Award in

2007. Bastiaan’s works were inspired by preserved shards of nature's provided specimens, mindfully chosen and used as innovative materials to depict his unspoken sentiments. These Bastiaan has mischievously and timelessly captured on canvas and in conserved monuments.

Abalone Art Gallery Abalone Art Gallery at The Courtyard, off Harbour Road, will be the venue for three exhibitions during FynArts. Displayed in Annex 1 will be the solo exhibition of Nel Erasmus entitled A French Connection – Abstraction into Motion, featuring works on canvas and paper with themes ranging from horses and birds to boats in movement. Nel lived in France from 1953 to 1955, where she absorbed influences of the abstract movement that flourished after WW II. Nel will be present at the opening of her exhibition and a catalogue will be available. Abstraction into Motion will be opened by Dawid Ras on Saturday 11 June at 12:00. Annex II will house another solo exhibition, by Judith Mason, entitled Undiscovered Animals: Drawings. Since her first exhibition in the early 1960s, Judith has left her mark on the South African art scene with her originality and vision, penetrating sensitivity and mastery of a broad range of contemporary techniques. In her drawings, Judith expresses a sense of total subjective involvement, using intimate lines with a powerful immediacy and an easy, graceful rhythm. Judith will be present at the opening and available for signing both the catalogue of the exhibition and copies of her book, The Mind’s Eye, which will be for sale. Mandie van der Spuy will open the exhibition, on Saturday 11 June, at 15:00. Abalone will also host a group exhibition of

sixteen contemporary artists entitled Visions and Illusions, reflecting a wide variety of media, techniques and styles in the Gallery and the Courtyard Sculpture Garden during FynArts. Artists taking part are Alta Botha, Lien Botha, Christoff Barnard, Kristin Hua Yang, Elzabe Laubscher, Louis van Heerden, Patrick Mautloa, André Naudé, Lynette ten Kroonden and Jeanette Unite; and sculpture by Gordon Froud, Shepherd Ndudzo, Carl Roberts, Anton Smit, Susanna Swart, Strijdom van der Merwe and Herman van Nazareth.

Originals Gallery Crossings is a joint exhibition by artists Terry Kobus and Danny Myburgh, who both work on up-cycled materials as they explore the circumstances of present-day migrants and refugees. Their work speaks of the fragile, transitory and often tragic lives of people displaced by war and persecution. Terry and Danny will be opening the exhibition at Originals Gallery in Harbour Road with an Artists’ Walkthrough on Saturday 11 June, at 14:00 where art lovers can meet the artists and discuss the concepts of their works in depth.

Lembu Monochrome is an exhibition of works by Ed Bredenkamp, at Lembu Gallery in Harbour Road. Best known for his vibrant ‘red elephant’ paintings, Ed here presents a series of drawings using earth-toned oil pencils on rice paper, working with the texture of the paper to create striking animal and human portraits.

Forty x 40 Gallery Local artist Christa Clark’s solo exhibition entitled Changing Faces will feature a collection of dramatic portraits. Using both

ART acrylics and oils, Christa relishes the journey of discovery in every new face. Find Forty x 40 at Warrington Arcade off Harbour Road.

Malcolm Bowling Gallery Natural selections in paint, pencil, clay and wood is an inspirational journey into the wild by three artists from different disciplines – Boniface Chikwenhere creates sculptures that reveal nature’s own handiwork using driftwood, found-wood and fossilized/petrified wood, Malcolm Bowling focuses primarily on painting wildlife and birds encompassing texture and realism, while Richard Pullen’s works document his explorations of surface texture. Malcolm Bowling Gallery is in Warrington Arcade off Harbour Road.

31 MAY 2016 paintings of Cape Dutch homesteads and vineyards, with the mountains in the background capturing an infinite range of shifting light and shade. Pure South Gallery in Main Road will also be the venue for a workshop presented by Renee Gerstner, Working with reclaimed wood, on Saturday 11 June, from 15:00-17:00.

Charmaine de Jongh Gelderblom Charmaine’s exhibition, Art with Passion, captures the intriguing sensuousness of colour. Known for her use of exciting and vibrant colours applied in bold brush strokes, Charmaine’s paintings reflect an abundance of energy and pure joy. Her gallery is in Main Road, Hermanus.

Hermanus Art Gallery

Walker Bay Art Gallery

Geta Finlayson will host Reflections: a multilayered exhibition of contemporary jewellery created out of reflecting materials (gold, silver and stones) displayed alongside jewellery and paintings that reflect the passing of time. Old pieces or parts of necklaces, bracelets or other items of jewellery are reworked into life necklaces designed to tell stories and hold precious memories. Find Hermanus Art Gallery in Harbour Road.

Walker Bay Art Gallery in Main Road will host two solo exhibitions, one by Thelmi Bekker and one by Florian Junge. Thelmi grew up in the Karoo and started painting as a teenager. Without any formal training, Thelmi uses simplistic symbolism to depict the spirituality of rural life on the farms and in the small towns of the Karoo.

Adèlé Claudia Fouché Gallery – the tunnel Integration – Nature is an interactive exhibition at the Adèlé Claudia Fouché Gallery in Astoria Walk, which promises to excite the viewer as it draws them in and invites them to participate playfully in the work. There will also be a captivating installation by sculptor, Nanette Ranger. The opening of Integration-Nature is on Friday 10 June, at 17:00.

Pure South The solo exhibition Art of Africa will feature works by Errol Norbury, who endorses the pioneering spirit of the early settlers in his

Florian, who was born in Germany and grew up in Southern Africa, transforms everyday articles into works of fine art by using predominantly reclaimed items that express and communicate an array of emotions. This exhibition of sculptures explores life, movement, action, and the natural world through the medium of welded steel. Next door at Walker Bay Modern, the Walter Battiss and Norman Catherine exhibition will focus on Norman’s collaboration with iconic South African artist Walter Battiss. Norman’s oevre spans painting, sculpture, printmaking and mixed media. The combination of dark cynicism and exuberant humour in his work, as well as his innovative use of everyday material, has secured his place at the forefront of contemporary South African art. There will also be a talk on Walter Battiss

presented by independent art advisor Warren Siebrits, at Walker Bay Art Gallery, on Wednesday 15 June at 15:00.

Whale Museum Theatre A group exhibition of selected works by members of the Hermanus Art Circle entitled Memories will be displayed in a ‘pop-up’ gallery at the Whale Museum. The works reflect the theme of ‘memories’, whether personal or collective; of recent or times long passed.

Daniël Kok Gallery Anastasia Sarantinou’s latest exhibition entitled Bedtime Stories showcases a variety of subjects mainly used as symbolism to portray fears, hopes, aspirations and dreams. At Daniël Kok Gallery, The Village.

Mission’s House Gallery This historic venue in Onrus has always tried to feature local, well-known, South African artists as well as supporting and promoting the unknown, up and coming youngsters. This year will be no different, and their FynArts exhibition, entitled Something Old, Something New, will feature a collection of rare works by Bill Davis, new pieces by Joshua Miles, as well as the works of other local artists such as David Clarke-Brown, Tineke Meijer and Weyers du Toit, who will be painting on site in the tea garden. Find Mission’s House Gallery in De Villiers Street, Onrus.

Studio of Tertia Knaap You are invited to view a recent installation entitled Tertia and Linky, In Dialogue – An Ode to Friendship, a tribute to the Dialogue with a Friend, where both artists’ work either share a canvas or separately enhance the other. At the studio of Tertia Knaap, 7 Riverside Lane, Onrus.

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PHOTOS: SHOOTING RANGE

ART

31 MAY 2016

The visual feast of FynArts Hermanus FynArts 2016 will present a smorgasbord of exhibitions, ranging from painting and sculpture to ceramics, photography, screen prints, embroideries, fibre art and jewellery.

Sculpture on the Cliffs Once again, the spectacular cliff tops will feature award-winning artists in an outdoor group exhibition of sculptures. Breaking with tradition, four sculptors who have previously exhibited during FynArts – Guy du Toit, Gordon Froud, Jaco Sieberhagen and Strijdom van der Merwe – were invited to each nominate one sculptor to take part in this exhibition. Joining them will be Wilma Cruise, George Holloway, Lionel Smit and Gavin Young. The Sculpture on the Cliffs exhibition will be opened by Melvyn Minnaar at 13:00 on Saturday 11 June, at Gearing’s Point, and remain in place for one year. In another new development, six artists who participated in the 2015 exhibition agreed that their work remain in Hermanus for a longer period. Explore the squares and alleyways to discover these sculptures in new locations.

Keiskamma Art Project The Keiskamma Art Project will exhibit embroideries in the Municipal Auditorium. Included are a series of embroideries depicting a Xhosa narrative that raises awareness of the plight of the Ground Hornbill (‘Entsikizi’), designed and created by Cebo Mvubu and seven assisting artists. The Ground Hornbill, which is in danger of extinction, is a charismatic icon of subSaharan Africa with both cultural and ecological importance. Based in the rural village of Hamburg near East London, the Keiskamma Art Project was started in 2000 to raise self-esteem and alleviate poverty among the local population. Under the directorship of Carol Hofmeyr, the Project has made many important art works, including the Keiskamma Tapestry - now hanging in Parliament in Cape Town - and the four-metre high Keiskamma Altarpiece, on loan during FynArts. Lucy Kemp of the Mabula Ground Hornbill Project and artist Cebo Mvubu will offer a walkabout on both Saturday and Sunday, 11 and 12 June, at the Municipal Auditorium at 14:00. There will also be a talk, presented by Carol Hofmeyr and the accompanying artists, on the development and work of the Keiskamma Art Project, at 10:00 on Sunday 12 June. In addition, they’ll be running a series of five workshops at the new Youth Café in Zwelihle, a project of William Ntebe and Fikiswa Gxamesi. At the end of the series of workshops a few of the items made by participants will be on display with the Keiskamma exhibition.

Ceramic exhibition The Windsor Hotel will again host an exciting and varied group exhibition, Forms of Expression 2. Thirty-one award-winning ceramicists will take part in this contemporary exhibition with a wide range of styles, techniques, forms and finishes, expressing the versatile characteristics of clay and porcelain. The work of all these artists are to be found in national and international private and/or corporate collections. Curated by Liz Coates, the exhibition will be opened by Dr Ralph Johnson on Saturday 11 June, at 10:30 at the Windsor Hotel.

Art of Thread This innovative exhibition of art works by thirty award-winning fibre artists will be on display at the Old Synagogue (and not at Fernkloof, as stated in the programme booklet). Fabric, paper, wool and silk are just some of the textiles and fibres – man-made and natural – that have been fused, layered, sewn or burnt to create these works of art. Art of Thread is curated by Dal Botha. A new exhibition, also at the Synagogue is Aftermath, a fibre art exhibition of meticulously crafted and emotionally charged works by Ingrid Piprek, about her experiences as a young girl in Germany toward the end of World War II. Using her recollections, her son Klaus Piprek wrote a book, Aftermath – Making Art from War, illustrated with photos of her emotive fibre art, which will be launched during the exhibition. Both Ingrid, now 84 years old, and Klaus will be at the exhibition on Saturday and Sunday, 18 & 19 June to answer questions and sign copies of the book.

Cap de bonne Esperance? This will be the first exhibition of screenprints presented by FynArts. Well-known screenprinter, Titia Ballot, will exhibit works at The Marine Hotel that include prints created for the 1988 tri-century celebration of the French Huguenot refugees’ arrival in South Africa. More recent works inspired by the plight of modern-day refugees will also be exhibited. Ballot has been invited to exhibit later this year at the 8th International Printmaking Biennial in Douro, Portugal.

Jewellery exhibition Also at The Marine Hotel, six independent goldsmiths will take part in a jewellery exhibition curated by Geta Finlayson and entitled Contrasts in metal and stone. These works, in a range of materials that include gold, silver, resin, plastic and a variety of stones, vary in style and concept. Ralph Walton Jewellery in the Hemel-enAarde Village will also host an exhibition entitled Inspired by Nature. The jewellery

pieces on display express the love that Ralph and Heidi Walton have for “the beautiful place we live in, for the sea, the shore, and their ever-changing form. We are inspired by the delicate engineer that is Nature, producing the most fantastic shapes, patterns, textures and colours.”

Dylan Lewis Sculpture Panels The latest wall-mounted relief works by Dylan Lewis, entitled Spoor, will be showcased at Birkenhead House in Voëlklip. This exhibition incorporates the tools and techniques Lewis has developed over the years and represents a full circle return to painting for the artist. Devoid of any identifiable subject matter, these abstract coloured panels are an expression of the ‘spoor’ of raw emotion into the surface of clay and can be linked to the artist’s lifelong fascination with wilderness.

Engaging with Art Meaningful Access Projects (MAP) is a group that offers art workshops for children with disabilities, and explores multi-sensory approaches to art appreciation through the combination of visits to exhibitions and related art and music workshops. An exhibition of works created by the children during MAP’s workshop at FynArts 2015, entitled Engaging with Art, will be on view at Camphill School from 15-19 June. The children had been inspired by Diane Victor and Gordon Froud’s exhibitions at last year’s FynArts, and their interaction with the artists. The Engaging with Art exhibition will be augmented by the children’s responses to this year’s exhibition by Louis Jansen van Vuuren, as well as to music and movement workshops that will also be offered at Camphill during FynArts. The 2016 artworks produced by the children are due to form part of an exhibition in the Iziko Annexe in Cape Town during the global Access Awareness month of October. This is Art beyond Sight, initiated by Art Education for the Blind and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York in 2002. MAP has been involved since its inception.

Zwelihle Another first for FynArts 2016 are two exhibitions at the Youth Café in Zwelihle. Through their own Eyes is a photographic exhibition of home life seen through the eyes of children living in Zwelihle. Also at the Youth Café is Improvised Seating, a collection of five ‘stools’, the work of awardwinning sculptor, Guy du Toit. The ‘stools’ are kiln-bricks stacked and then cast in bronze, crossing the boundary of art and function. Du Toit recently exhibited a similar collection at the Guggenheim in Bilboa, Spain.

Since Biga closed its doors at the beginning of May, their former premises have been a hive of activity as new owners Warwick and Anita Taylor transform the space into a light and airy dining establishment. The colour palette ranges from charcoal and dove grey to different shades of blue, which has created a new clean-cut and no-fuss modern look with a restful and relaxed ambience.

three-year diploma course in Culinary Art Principles through City & Guilds before paving his way through a number of five star hotels in southern Africa, including the Mount Nelson in Cape Town and the Michelangelo in Johannesburg. It is here that he met Anita who, at only 25, was the front office manager of this internationally renowned, 242 bedroom hotel in Sandton.

“It’s all about getting back to basics and supporting local,” says chef Warwick, whose exceptional skill in creating gastronomic delights had food and wine enthusiasts flocking in droves to Creation for the past two and a half years. The name of his new, eagerly anticipated restaurant is SOURCE, which refers to the produce and ingredients that form the basis of every dish.

With both of them dedicated to a life in hospitality, Warwick and Anita are a dream team. The couple later spent two years on the Channel Island of Jersey, where she headed up the international reservations team at the 291 bedroom Merton Hotel while Warwick worked as sous chef at the Pomme d’ Or Hotel and as Chef de Partie at the four star Longueville Manor. During their time in Jersey, they travelled to Europe and explored the culinary delights of the continent.

Restaurant News

By Hedda Mittner

31 MAY 2016

In order to serve good honest food, Warwick feels the focus should be more on the fresh, high quality source of the food rather than what you do with it on the plate. He says he’ll be supporting small local suppliers as far as possible and his wine list will focus on wines from the Overberg region, including wines from smaller, lesserknown producers. Warwick hails from KwaZuluNatal and studied environmental sciences before switching to all things culinary. He completed a

Back in Johannesburg, the couple decided to swop city life for the more relaxed lifestyle of the Fair Cape. Shortly after their wedding in October 2006, Warwick was appointed by the Arabella Western Cape Hotel & Spa, and the couple settled in Vermont. Warwick spent six years at Arabella, where he worked his way up from Sous Chef to Chef de Cuisine and ultimately to Executive Chef. He was also asked to assist Starwood Hotels with the

FOOD & WINE

PHOTO: SHOOTING RANGE PHOTOGRAPHY Warwick and Anita Taylor in the centre with their five-year-old twins James and Amy and their staff in front of their new restaurant, Source in Hemel-en-Aarde Village. opening of the Costa Navarino property in Greece, consisting of two 5 star hotels that together make up the largest luxury resort in Europe. In 2013 Warwick and Anita established a high-end catering and consulting company, Concepts in Flavour, and the kitchen at Creation was outsourced to him and his team, who developed the menu of heavenly food designed to complement Creation’s wines. But Warwick has had the goal of eventually running his own establishment since relocating to the Overstrand 10 years ago. When he ended his relationship with Creation, he and Anita started looking for the ideal venue from which to launch an edgy, original, qualityconsistent and value-formoney restaurant with opportunities for both retail and outside catering. While Warwick focuses on the day to day operational needs of the company, Anita utilises her skills in marketing, finance and human

resources to keep the wheels turning smoothly. What appealed to the Taylors about their new premises was firstly the abundance of space. “The architecture is great and the building has a lot of character,” says Warwick. “There are five different dining areas that are interlinked, including the lovely courtyard garden for sunny days and the main dining area with its woodburning fireplace for those chilly winter evenings. The first area as you enter will house the deli, which offers fresh bread, home-made pickles and preserves, and a lounge area where customers are welcome to relax on the old leather couches while reading the newspapers or paging through cookery books. We can accommodate up to 60 diners inside and about 30 outside, so there is ample space to accommodate private parties and functions, and even open up a dance floor.” Warwick is also thrilled with the restaurant’s custom-built,

wood-burning oven which is ideal for baking sourdough bread and preparing slowcooked meals such as lamb shank, braised brisket and pork belly. The kitchen is huge and well equipped, with a newly-planted herb and vegetable garden out back. Their menus are printed on recycled paper, clipped onto a bamboo board, and will change regularly according to the availability of fresh seasonal produce. Warwick still has the majority of his original team who worked with him at Creation, and he says they are “champing at the bit” to start cooking. He is also looking forward to welcoming a new addition to the team, talented chef Wander Bester who was previously in charge of the Conservatory Restaurant at Schoone Oordt, the acclaimed five star country house in Swellendam. Source will open on 1 June for breakfast and lunch from 09:00 – 17:00, and from 15 June they will also be open for dinner. Their website is under construction. Call 028 125 0025 to book.

FOOD & WINE Winter Specials

you to enjoy a two course fynbos-inspired lunch for R130 and browse the beautiful glassworks from Fanglastic Glass Art on display. Call 073 067 7936 to book.

Other good news is that, with winter approaching, many local restaurants have announced their new winter menus with fabulous winter specials. At the quaint Fisherman’s Cottage, chef Anton Verhoogt and his wife Nicole now offer what they call ‘lekker’ lunch specials that are priced between R50 and R80 and offer excellent value for money. They invite patrons to come and relax close to the cosy fire and enjoy a game of scrabble or backgammon whilst sipping on a creamy hot chocolate and indulging in their winter lunch meals. This is real comfort food, and menu options include a hearty Fisherman’s soup; smoor snoek and salsa; chicken, tomato and cinnamon stew; smoked pork belly with vegetables and mash; and beef curry and rice with roti. Served Tuesday to Friday between 12:00 and 15:00. Call 028 312 3642 to book.

promise interesting dishes, grand wines and wonderful company for an “all-round feelgood evening”. Watch this space for more information on these intimate evenings, as seats are limited. Lizette’s new winter trading hours are Monday to Thursday, from 16:00 and Friday to Sunday from 09:00 until late. The kitchen closes 21:30. Call 028 314 0308 to make a booking.

Winter offerings at The Marine include a traditional Sunday lunch at R125 pp every Sunday between 12:00 and 14:30, and a breakfast special at R95 pp daily between 07:00 and 10:30. Available until 31 July. Call 028 313 1000 to book. At Lemon Butta, now renamed LB Seafood Bistro on the Bay, you will find excellent winter special meals for only R100 pp, inclusive of a glass of wine. Take your pick from a line-up that includes West Coast sole, calamari tubes in ginger and chilli sauce, 200g flame-grilled rump steak, chicken or vegetable Thai curry, Swiss cheese burger, full portion California sushi rolls or the Bistro seafood platter. Available Monday to Sunday. Unbeatable value, and sea views too. Call 028 312 3611 to book. At Fusion their new winter specials include soup of the day for R25; 180g chicken or beef burger for R75, inclusive of a glass of wine or draught beer; chicken curry for R70 or fish and chips for R55. Another great option is the chicken curry for two plus a bottle of wine for R195, or the fish and chips for two plus a bottle of wine for R170. Fusion’s popular series of Quiz Nights will start again on 7 July, every Thursday evening from 18:00, and ends 8 weeks later on 25 August. They are almost fully booked, so if you’d like to join in the fun, get a group of friends together and sign up by calling 028 312 4277. News from Lizette’s Kitchen is that they are now offering a daily winter blackboard special in addition to their menu offering. They also have a happy hour from 16:00 – 18:00 if you’d like to pop in to their cosy bar for a toot. Throughout the coming months, chef and coowner Lizette Crabtree says they will also be hosting several food and wine events that

The Eatery will host a special FynArts food and wine pairing dinner on Friday 17 June. The 6 course dinner will be complemented with wines from Creation, and Julia Baillie from The Eatery and Dieter Odendaal from Creation will be on hand to explain the art of food and wine pairing and answer any questions. The evening will start at 18.30 with canapés and a glass of fine Creation wine, with the first course starting around 19:15. Tickets are R400; call 028 313 2970 to book your table.

Tamsin Koen of The Bistro at Just Pure says they will also be adding French treats to their daily special chalkboard lunches during FynArts, offering Bouillabaisse (as a starter or main), Coq au Vin served with crusty sourdough bread, Apple Tarte Tatin and Crème Brulee. To book a table, call 028 313 0060. Fabio’s Ristorante will add a scrumptious Cep mushroom soup to their menu for FynArts, served with delicious home-baked bread for only R50. They will also be recommending the FynArts wines to diners in support of the FynArts Development Fund. To make a booking for lunch or dinner, call 028 313 0531.

La Pentola has an excellent winter special that offers a two-course lunch for only R85, available 7 days a week. During FynArts, chef Shane Sauvage invites you to join him for a celebratory three-course food and wine pairing lunch prepared from his latest international award-winning book, Cape Fusion, on Wednesday 15 June at 12:30. He will relate the story of how the book came about and open the floor for questions. Tickets are R275 pp; book your table on 072 630 9767. At The Barefoot Cook, chef Mariclaire will host a special FynArts luncheon, offering a set menu of French-inspired dishes, on 17 & 18 June. Both sessions have been sold out, as have several other FynArts food and wine events, including the Gala Dinner at Benguela Cove and the FynArts Supper Club in the Grobbelaar Hall. Remember to book early for next year’s FynArts! Last but not least, remember to get your tickets for the FynArts cooking demonstrations at this year’s MacBrothers Pop-up Kitchen at the Whale Coast Hotel, where you’ll be able to catch some fine local and international chefs in action.

Cattle Baron offers a lunch buffet at only R84 pp (and R62 for pensioners), Wednesday to Friday between 12:00 and 15:00, as well as a Sunday lunch buffet at R129 pp. Their FynArts dish with a French flavour is Chateaubriand steak served with FynArts wine. Call 028 313 0384 to book. In addition to their farm-style breakfasts and traditional lunches, Die Plaaskombuis will be serving fancy French cake and coffee during FynArts, which makes it a convenient stopover for those taking a trip up the valley to visit the FynArts exhibitions at the wineries. Contact them on 028 312 1857. Also well worth a visit is ELL Ethical Eatery on the Spookfontein wine farm in Upper Hemelen-Aarde Valley where Norah Hudson invites

Included in the line-up are Warwick Taylor, hospitality consultant and owner/chef of Source; Jean Delport, executive chef of Benguela on Main; Executive chef Bertus Basson of Overture fame; Chef de Cuisine Gregory Czarnecki of Waterkloof Wine Estate; multiple award-winning hospitality consultant and chef Garth Stroebel; Michelin star chef Thierry Finet; Pastry chef Else-Marie SiebritsLenton of Royal Oke restaurant near Stanford; Olive Hamilton Russell; and the culinary team of Creation. See the FynArts programme booklet or visit www.hermanusfynarts.co.za for all the details.

Closures and openings Several restaurants in Hermanus and surrounding areas traditionally close for a well-deserved break during the quieter winter months. The good news is that Bientang’s Cave will re-open on 6 June after extensive renovations (hardly a quiet break!), just in time to welcome back the whales and celebrate FynArts. They will be open in the evenings during the festival, weather permitting, and patrons are advised to make a reservation. Call 028 312 3454.

FynArts Specials In keeping with the ‘French Connection’ theme of this year’s FynArts festival, Lizette’s Kitchen will offer one French dish during the festival from 10-19 June – a traditional French Hunter’s stew. Infused with allspice and smoky bacon, this rich, dark stew is braised for many hours in dark stout beer, and then served with slices of fresh Baguette to mop up the soothing flavours of winter.

A new winter treat from Savannah Café comes in the form of a traditional Sunday lunch menu at R110 pp for a two course meal. The menu will change weekly, so keep an eye on their Facebook page for details. Call 028 312 45 29 to book.

31 MAY 2016

Eat will also re-open on 8 June, with winter specials added to the menu by chef Connel and his team. Bookings on 028 316 2348. The Cycle Café in High Street will be closed for the month of June and during that time patrons will be able to enjoy their delicious coffee, cakes and sandwiches just across the road at Art Thirst Gallery. Owner Leon Müller, evidently a good neighbour, says they will simply be moving the Cycle Café’s coffee machine into his gallery kitchen, with seating provided on his front stoep and in his beautiful garden at the back of the gallery. Sounds like a case of ‘n Boer maak ‘n plan’ – and a jolly good plan if you ask me!

10 - 19 June 2016

GOOD

NEWS

26 JANUARY 31 May 2016 2016

“Iceberg… what iceberg?” - Ship’s Captain, The Titanic Just because our leaders cannot see it, doesn’t necessarily mean it isn’t there. South Africa has set a course with rampant corruption, cronyism and crippling nongovernance - that is cruising into a catastrophe that can sink the mother ship. In terms of economic theory, it’s a classic study in failed administration with us losing ground on every score. • Nationwide drought has left many South African farmers desperate. • The Rand is weak and fragile, while interest rate rises are hurting debtors.

profit," he told me. "If every single business leader in the world can adopt a problem or an issue, we would get on top of every single problem in this world." All you've got to do is one thing: "Pick an issue."

Six steps to economic reform Taking our cue from the master entrepreneur, SOLOBEAR has picked our issue. It’s well penned in a

Now critical to cut the fat and raise the growth. book by respected author and economist RW Johnson entitled “A looming crisis. How much longer does South Africa have?” In his book, Johnson sees six issues as an absolute necessity for

economic ‘reform’: 1. Labour market liberalisation – we implore our authorities to scrap ‘affirmative action’ and BEE policies that simply

drive investors away, both domestic and foreign. We need all hands on deck to reverse our labour force unemployment crisis. We desperately seek a move towards an inclusive and participative work force. 2. Relaxation of immigration rules for skilled foreigners – South Africa is lacking in skills, with shortages in information technology, engineering, energy sciences, medical and

• Our credit rating is floundering just a notch above ‘junk status’. • Our minerals are trading, but have long lost much of their shine. • Our electricity costs are of the highest anywhere in Africa. • Food and water resources remain a major concern for the poor.

• Most worrying, unemployment levels are dangerously high and still rising Not surprisingly, many of our senior folk just yearn for the good ol’ days when a cup of coffee and a muffin didn’t break the bank.

The iceberg cometh SOLOBEAR expresses sympathy with the aged and the poor – our hearts are bleeding too. Yet, despite all the economic hurdles that lie ahead, we are upbeat about our future. For the iceberg cometh and a change in regime is inevitable. It’s no longer a case of will it happen, but rather when. And with change comes a new order. We pray it ushers in new leadership with vision and a conscience – and respects the advice of our financial minister and economic advisers. The time is now to cut the fat and raise the growth. Recently in a one-on-one interview, Richard Branson was asked whether he thought embracing political topics is a must for senior executives today. His answer was pretty stark: Just being in business doesn't give you an excuse to divorce yourself from the world. "I think it's very sad if an entrepreneur or someone who is running a company thinks the only thing that matters is

more. Since our education system has failed to produce them, there is a pressing need to import these critical skills. Return to a balanced budget – where our exports can equal imports and reduce our trade deficit. We need to limit our dependence upon gold and other mineral resources. Our win-lose procurement policies with China have stifled local manufacturing. And South Africa desperately needs to grow its local food basket, geared for international exports. Large cuts in the public service salary budget – South Africa’s public debt is significant. Our government wage bill now equals a whopping 14% of GDP, higher than any other middle-income economy. And clearly our expansive bureaucratic bourgeoisie constitutes a significant national handicap. Frenetic feeding at the ‘state trough’ has to be trimmed. Ceasing to throw money away on loss-making stateowned enterprises – Significant and constant bailouts of our SOE are unsustainable: SAA, Eskom, Transnet, ACSA and other mismanaged state revenue guzzlers. Telkom continues to shed jobs to stay afloat, while SA Postal Services is seeking help from bank loans to the tune of R3.7 billion. Sharp improvement on educational standards - To produce a more skilled and work ready labour force equipped to handle the modern day, more techsavvy global business environment. SADTU oversees the demise of a once functional and results driven education system.

Unchecked chaos, corruption and crippling unionization has to be curtailed. So reform is possible. There is light at the end of the tunnel of doom. The dream of a better life for all is still in our hopes and prayers. Now is the time for our leadership to step up to the plate and make that dream a reality. “One small step for man…”

Rola VW Hermanus are proud supporters of SOLOBEAR. Pioneer you own Frontier. A youth art development initiative in the interests of Overstrand entrepreneurship.

My Home

GOOD

NEWS

26 JANUARY 31 May 2016 2016

Be smart with your home in retirement It is becoming increasingly common for people to want to age in place – that is, to continue living independently in their own homes as they grow older, instead of moving into retirement homes or care facilities – although in most cases this is not possible without certain upgrades to their homes. Fortunately, however, most of these alterations will serve to make a home safer and more comfortable to live in at any age or ability level, so owners can start putting, them in at any time and spread the cost over several years. One might want to start to think about ramps in place of stairs, for example, or a sturdy grab-bar in the shower, or some soft-touch taps. But even more exciting are the improvements now being made possible by home automation technology. Some of the best of these modern upgrades to facilitate ageing-in-place include the following: • Smart lights that ensure you can see to navigate your home safely at all times.

These lights can turn themselves on and off and can be programmed to run on a schedule or just turn on when you enter the room. You can even turn them on remotely using your phone – which is a great safety feature at any age. • Automated off switches for the stove, oven or other appliances. These work using sensors to determine if anyone is close to the appliance and turning it off if it remains unattended for too long. Anyone who gets easily distracted, has children or simply forgets to turn the oven off from time to time will definitely find value in this upgrade. • Smart home security, which has seen sophisticated systems being installed in many new houses. These can include cameras and sensors that you can monitor from anywhere using your smart devices, as well as lights and alarms. You can be notified of any intruders, notified if you’ve left a door open and some systems can even learn your daily routine or let your family in automatically.

• Medical emergency buttons. If you live alone at any age it can be difficult to handle a home emergency or get help quickly. Medical emergency buttons, which often come with your alarm system, will automatically call emergency services and often also prompt a call from a trained operator who can tell you what to do while you wait for help to arrive. You can also install an app on your smart phone that will

immediately send a message and/ or photos to friends or family members in the event of an emergency that notes your location and the time. • Smoke or fire alarm. This is a practical addition to any home to help keep your family and your belongings safe, and these days there are systems that will alert your security company and the fire department even if the fire starts while you are

asleep or away from home. • House-cleaning robot Lastly you may want to think about investing in a housecleaning “robot” in the nottoo-distant future. These machines can vacuum and wash floors, dust and polish things, and are becoming increasingly cost effective in terms of the time and money savings they generate. www.realnet.co.za

NEWS

GOOD

31 May 2016

Growing veggies and herbs in light shade There’s nothing like serving up fresh produce from your own garden, but many SA gardens put a premium on shade and don’t have much space offering the full sun that most vegetables and herbs require for optimum growth. This is generally understood to be six hours of direct sunlight a day, but the good news is that even a garden that receives as little as three hours of direct sun a day is not necessarily a lost cause when it comes to growing vegetables. A lot depends on the climate, the soil, and the kind of shade. While few, if any, edible plants will be productive in all-day solid shade, there are some vegetables that will grow if there is direct sun for at least part of the day, especially if there is also dappled shade or good indirect light for the balance of the day. To get more sunlight into your veggie patch, you can also thin out the canopies of nearby trees, cut off overhanging branches and reduce the height of shrubs so that they cast smaller shadows. For better growth, you should also improve the soil. Soil under trees tends to be harder, often because the soil is compacted by water dripping off the leaves. Bring in extra organic material to make the soil friable, and dig deeper than normal.

Consider whether you have dry shade or wet shade, which will also influence how plants grow there. Where there is wet shade, mix sand and a high proportion of organics into the soil to improve drainage. Vegetables don't like their roots to sit in cold, wet soil; this causes all sorts of problems, including damping off. The following edibles can grow with less than six hours of sun a day. Experiment with them to see what works best in your garden and focus on those types. It is really not worth wasting water, plant food and effort on nurturing vegetables that are not able to respond and give you a decent yield. Herbs: asparagus, celery (in temperate to hot areas), coriander (cilantro), fennel, lemon balm, mint, Jerusalem artichokes (semi shade under deciduous trees), oregano, parsley (in temperate to hot areas), rocket, rhubarb (grows tall and succulent in semishade, especially in hot areas), sorrel, salad burnet and watercress. Alliums: chives, garlic chives, garlic, onions and leeks (hot summers only – good under deciduous trees) Leafy vegetables: lettuce (in particular the cut-andcome-again varieties), kale, cabbage, oriental greens

(pak choi, tatsoi and mizuna), spinach (dappled light in hot areas) and ornamental chard (and other chard varieties that are more shade-tolerant than the common Fordhook Giant). Root vegetables: beetroot, carrots, potatoes, turnips and radishes grow better if they receive afternoon shade, especially in February, which

can be the hottest month of the year. In hot summers potatoes can be grown in dappled light under trees or pergolas. Fruiting vegetables: in very hot climates and during the hottest time of the year, capsicums (chillies and sweet peppers) do best with morning sun and afternoon shade. Generally, however, fruiting vegetables tend to

require more sun, because the fruit needs to be exposed to the sun to ripen. One strategy is to train squash and vine tomatoes upwards using a trellis so that the roots are in the shade while the top growth gets sun. When it comes to watering, areas that receive shade don't dry out as quickly and thus need less water. To

ensure that you don't overwater these areas, push a finger into the soil to test for moisture. Delay watering until the next day if it feels sufficiently moist. If you have an automatic irrigation system then make sure the shady area is on a different circuit to any area that is in full sun. www.thegardener.co.za

Easy peasy veggie treat COURGETTI - ALLA PUTTANESCA Puttanesca is an old school Italian recipe, which has seen a revival utilising a clever little kitchen tool called the Spiralizer - turning boring veggies like courgettes, carrots & sweet potatoes into a “saucy” meal. A low carb, sugar free, deliciously light and healthy meal. The sauce is tangy, rich, salty, fresh and requires minimal washing up. Can you imagine a better midnight snack? INGREDIENTS: To serve 2 you’ll need: • 3 courgettes (zucchini) • Anchovies • 2 cloves of garlic • Handful of capers • Handful of pitted black olives • Chilli - preferably fresh • Tin of tomatoes • Olive oil • Parmesan

METHOD: Add a generous glug of olive oil, enough to coat the bottom of your pan. Crush two cloves of garlic into the oil. Add three or four anchovies, capers and your tin of tomatoes. Let it all bubble away, stirring occasionally. Then set aside to cool. Using a spiralizer cut your courgettes into ribbons, add your sauce and a generous grating of proper Parmesan and enjoy! Recipe supplied by Goozi Cucina

My Pet

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26 JANUARY 31 May 2016 2016

Winter’s aching bones Like humans, many pets suffer arthritis as they age and this is particularly noticeable as the colder weather draws in. It is one of the most common ailments seen in older pets, causing changes in affected joints that can be extremely painful for a cat or dog. But it can also be particularly hard to spot in cats. Many arthritic cats simply become less active, a change in behaviour its owner may interpret as ‘normal’ for an older cat whereas the cat may be decreasing its activity level because he or she is in pain. Seven common signs of arthritis: * Limping You pet may limp or favour one or more of its legs. In some cases, the limp may seem worse when he or she gets up in the morning but becomes less noticeable as your pet moves around and ‘warms up’. * Difficulty moving Arthritic cats may suddenly stop jumping onto high areas they used to love and dogs might not want to go for a run, walk up or down stairs or jump into the car. This is your pet’s way of saying “I’m in pain”.

* Spinal issues Arthritis doesn’t only attack a pet’s legs but can also occur in the spine so look for abnormal posture, lameness in a hind leg or a neck that is sore to the touch. * Tiredness Your pet may tire more easily. Arthritic pets often spend more time sleeping or resting. * Irritability If a usually gentle-natured dog or cat suddenly starts snapping or biting when approached or handled it may indicate sore joints. * Muscle atrophy Arthritic pets often develop muscle atrophy or dying off of the muscle tissue due to inactivity and decreased use of the muscles. A pet with atrophied muscles will have a leg that looks thinner than the others. * Licking, chewing and biting Sometimes a pet will suddenly lick, chew or bite at a leg or area of the spine for no apparent reason. This may be an attempt to ease arthritic pain. How to treat arthritis Though it cannot be cured, there are various remedies and procedures that can help ease the pain for your pet:

* Supplementation: There are several joint supplements promoting healthy cartilage and joint health like VetsBrands Arthrofocus for younger dogs containing nutraceuticals and Omega 3 fatty acids to maximise cartilage regeneration and protection; ArthriJoint with pain-killing and antiinflammatory properties for end-stage joint disease in older dogs; GCS Cat, a flavoured gel high in glucosamine, chondroitin, Omega 3 oils and MSM; and Ricky Buchu Capsules providing pain relief from arthritis and dysplasia in dogs. * Exercise: Maintaining

mobility through reasonable, gentle exercise is important regardless of a dog’s age and the extent of the arthritis. Non-weight-bearing exercise like swimming is excellent if not contraindicated by other medical conditions. * Nutrition: Hills Canine Healthy Mobility in mini, medium and large breed is a specially formulated food containing increased levels of Omega-3 fatty acids, aimed at supporting active mobility, joint flexibility and ease of movement. The VetsBrands range also offers the nutraceutical addition of glucosamine as well as krill powder – the most

concentrated form of Omega-3 oil – supporting joints and aiding mobility in all dogs. * Medication: Few drugs are without possible side effects so discuss all treatment options with your vet first. Never, ever give your dog or cat human pain medication. Ibuprofen, for example, a popular human anti-inflammatory, is toxic to dogs and Panado can kill a cat. If you suspect your pet may be suffering from arthritis, consult your veterinarian or ask one of our friendly Vetshop consultants for assistance.

31 May 2016

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FynArts brings photopgraphy into focus With its natural scenic beauty, rich diversity of fauna and flora, and crisp unpolluted air, the Overstrand offers an abundance of opportunities for photographic enthusiasts. At this year’s FynArts Festival, an exciting photographic exhibition and two informative workshops will form part of the bumper programme of cultural events.

The Hermanus Photographic Society

The Hermanus Photographic Society was established almost 20 years ago by Dinkie Marais and John Annandale, and was originally known as the Walker Bay Photographic Society. Over the years the club, soon renamed The Hermanus Photographic Society, has grown its membership, numerous genres have been embraced and at present it has a healthy, enthusiastic following of mostly amateur photographers working in mainly digital, prints as well as audio visual photography.

During the FynArts Festival a number of these local photographers will be showing their work under the exhibition title It`s a Beautiful World in the Hermann Swart Hall, Dutch Reformed Church, Hermanus. The prints will cover various

genres of photography depicting these photographers’ individual interpretation of what they would consider a beautiful world. Audio visual presentations will also be on show and the public are invited to come and join them on this photographic journey. The aims and ambitions of the society is to encourage individuals, young and old, new and seasoned photographers to participate in their love of photography by offering monthly outings, workshops, competitions and discussions, to teach through sharing and encourage active participation in photography. The society meets every first Wednesday of the month (excluding January) at 19:00 at the DRC in Hermanus and all those interested in photography are welcome. For more information, visit www.hermanusphoto.co.za.

The Photowalkers

Thephotowalkers.com brings a refreshing practical learning experience to the camera owner by providing hands-on photographic tutoring on location by Leanne Dryburgh, Peter Hassall and other members of the South African Professional Photographers

(SAPP), an exclusive group of Accredited, full -time Professional Photographers with extensive knowledge and experience. Thephotowalkers.com offers a variety of tours across South Africa which include Six day Photo-Tours, Weekends Away, Weekend Workshops, daily photographic Township Tours, Seven-hour Photo-Workshops and three-hour Photo-Workshops. Join them for Photography Chit-Chat, an informal gettogether every second Wednesday of the month. During these meetings they have a theme, discuss various aspects of photography, have a little fun with equipment, and occasionally have guest speakers to tell you about their photographic journeys. During FynArts, thephotowalkers.com will offer two photography workshops. Having met many of the local ‘fynbos fundies’ from Hermanus, Leanne has become aware of how many photographers want to capture the beauty of flowers close up but are not sure how to do this. At the workshop, Master the Art of Macro Photography, presented by Leanne Dryburgh and Peter Hassall, you will

learn many tips on how to capture the true colour and beauty of the botanical world around us. All levels of skills are welcome. Meet at the entrance gate to Fernkloof Nature Reserve on Wednesday 15 June for the 3-hour workshop from 11:00 – 13:00. Low-light Photography, again presented by Leanne and Peter, is an educational Photowalk which won ‘Best Adventure’ award at the 2014 Cape Gateway Show. Capture the mystery of a milkwood forest at the end of the day with its long shadows and filtered light. As the sun sets, the forest will be illuminated by solar lights to create a Winter Wonderland, finishing off with a grand finale of ‘painting with light’. Piet se Bos is the canvas. Meet at Dutchies Restaurant on Grotto Beach on Thursday 16 June for the 2-hour workshop from 17:00 - 19:00. For more information, visit The Photo Shed on Market Square or take a look at their website www.thephotowalkers.com. Bookings for the photographic workshops can be done online at www.webtickets.co.za or via the website www.hermanusfynarts.co.za. You can also contact Leanne at 083 293 7208 or funtimes@thephotowalkers.com thephotowalkers.com

Gerhard Vosloo

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26 JANUARY 31 May 2016 2016

Lubeni keeps Masakhane connected Lubeni Sinoxolo was born and raised in the Eastern Cape, in a community where the concept of the Internet, is seldom understood. When he moved to Masakhane nearly 10 years ago, he was introduced to the internet and taught how to use computers in school. Despite utilising these tools in the classroom, he and his peers had no access to them outside of the classroom.

Mayor Nicolette Guthrie-Botha and Frik Rademan, CEO of Avbob, with dignatories at the hand-over of the trolley library.

Books on wheels for Fynbos Academy

The hand-over ceremony that took place at the school’s premises in Papiesvlei, Stanford was well supported and marked by the presence of Avbob’s Group CEO, Frik Rademan, Overstrand’s Mayor, Nicolette BothaGuthrie, as well as a number of education luminaries and interested community members. The generous donation came about after the Mayor informed Frik of the school’s need for books and educational aids following her

His passion for using computers and acquiring computer skills grew quickly and his mother bought him a laptop so that he could continue learning.

visit to the facility early last year.

“To date we’ve donated thousands of books and various educational aids to 31 schools, but the Fynbos Academy is the first to receive a Trolley Library brainchild of our Group Communication Manager, Marius du Plessis – aimed at assisting smaller schools like this,” says Frik. Nicolette says, “We as a community are indeed very thankful to valued supporters like Avbob for their significant role and contribution in aiding us with ensuring the literary needs of our communities.” Contact Annelize Zeelie at The Fynbos Academy on 074 333 4463 or annelize.zeelie@gmail.com

Lubeni, now 20 years old, was much more fortunate than most people in the township, who had little to no access to computers for school work and developing technical skills. Lubeni identified this problem and saw the opportunity to solve it by creating an Internet Café that would not only benefit students, like himself, but also the rest of the Maskhane community. As soon as this idea had been planted in his mind, he was determined to make this dream a reality and began to work diligently on a business plan. When a local teacher

To advertise in

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The learners and educators of The Fynbos Academy could barely contain their excitement at recently being gifted with a first-of-its-kind Trolley Library, filled with a variety of educational material, from benefactor Avbob.

The

contact Kathy on 083 581 7219

informed Lubeni of the Grootbos Foundation’s Careers, Employability, and Enterprise programme funded by Absa, he jumped at the opportunity to attend, eager to learn more about how to run and manage a successful business. “At the camp there were a lot of different people with different personalities,” says Lubeni. “Being able to work alongside these people helped me to gain more knowledge that I could apply to my own business ideas. I was able to learn all of the small details that go into running a small business and working with the

Grootbos Foundation helped me immensely.”

employable as well as to support his family.

Less than a year later, thanks to funding from Absa, Lubeni’s Internet Café is up and running in the Masakhane Township.

In the future, Lubeni wishes to return to his home in the Eastern Cape and work with local schools, teaching children how to use computers. He hopes to become a qualified computer educator and teach children for free.

Open every day from 8 am10 pm, Lubeni is at his Internet Café providing not only Internet to his customers, but also assisting them in advancing their own computer skills. His main objective in his business is to offer his community the opportunity to gain skills that can help them become more

Lubeni believes in the importance of giving back to your community and hopes to continue helping students, like himself, in gaining the skills necessary to become employable and inspire them to accomplish their goals.

31 May 2016

They care at Just Care Just Care is an organisation in Greater Hermanus that looks after the many children who are left unsupervised after the end of the school day. Left to their own devices, these children could run loose aimlessly without proper care, structured activities, guidance or supervision. Founded by Jacquie Rathfelder in memory of her father, John, it has been only through the financial help of friends of her family that Just Care even exists a year later. When Jacquie realised there was such a great need for aftercare services in our town, her mother was quick to

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agree to form the Rathfelder Charitable Trust with her in order to achieve her goal. Mr Hull, principal of Mount Pleasant Primary School, did not hesitate to offer his school as the venue for the project. Today there are eight volunteers who help by supervising homework, reading to the children, and teaching them crafts such as bead threading and how to grow their own vegetables to supplement their food intake. One of the goals is to instil a work ethic in the learners. Most of the boys wanted to

play sport and a dream come true is the establishment of a soccer team coached by a volunteer. The boys proudly showed off their new black uniforms with white trimming at the anniversary tea given to volunteers and members of the public on Wednesday 4 May at the school.

Winter market to help with building project Home-made delights. Warm, mouth-watering pancakes with cinnamon sugar and lemon juice. Old style jaffels, and curry and rice. And then a freshly made cappuccino to wash it all down.

Rev James Gray of the United Church opened the afternoon's proceedings explaining that his home language was English but that he would try out his Afrikaans to the best of his ability when he prayed for the safekeeping of these children. This was followed by a play which told the story of how children arrive at the care centre feeling sad and lonely, and how they are taken into the groups and made to feel welcome and happy.

These are just a few things patrons can expect this coming Saturday, 4 June at the AGS Hermanus church's winter market that is being held to help fund its building project.

Two cakes, large enough to feed the close on 100 children as well as volunteers and guests who attended the event, were cut by Claudine Rathfelder and songs were also sung in appreciation of the help every child receives at Just Care.

According to Theresa Maree, coordinator of the market, patrons can expect all the old favourites that one would find at a traditional “bazaar”.

Just Care is looking for more volunteers who are able to dedicate a few hours an afternoon to read to the children and to teach them crafts. Donations of unwanted toys in good condition as well as suitable children's story books, puzzles and board games will also be much appreciated. Contact Jacquie at jacquier@telkomsa.net or 082 570 9757 to find out more.

The idea for the market, which will be happening from 9:00 - 13:00 in the Sandbaai Hall, was born last year when a few ladies from the church started talking about ideas to help the church finish its building.

include Avbob, Gateway Spar, Romans Pizza, The Village NEWS and Budget Print as well as individual donators.

about R490 000 towards the project and we need another R500 000 so that we can move in and start using the facility,” De Wet says.

De Wet Joubert, pastor of AGS Hermanus, says the building project, which is next to the Sandbaai Hall, started in November 2014 and they have received many generous contributions from inside and outside the church. This includes donations of building equipment and material.

“The first phase of the project is the main hall which will serve as our place of worship. There are plans for a phase two which will be for an auditorium and phase three is for offices.”

“Although we know that times are tough, we want to continue building for cash as far as possible. We believe and want to show that God provides. “Last year we received

De Wet says other than being a place of worship, they also want to utilise the building in serving and uplifting the community. Those who are willing to sponsor or donate towards the Winter Market, or want to rent a stall can contact Theresa on 082 829 4285 or De Wet on 083 366 9036.

And what is a traditional market without its white elephant stall; all those unwanted house goods that you are waiting to get your hands on? The children are not left far behind as there will be a jumping castle, an array of games as well as candy floss and popcorn. Theresa says stalls are available at R200 each for those that want to sell their own produce and goods. There are also raffle tickets for prizes that include an original oil painting, a knitted baby blanket as well as R100 for guessing the amount of money in a bottle filled with coins. “The market would not have been possible if it were not for the hard work of the congregation and all the wonderful donations we have received,” says Theresa. Sponsors of the event

De Wet and Tinneke Joubert of AGS Hermanus

Sport

Sport written & compiled by: Tony O’Hagan

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A touch of French sport in Hermanus An enthusiastic and friendly group get together every second Sunday, weather permitting, to participate in a game of boule, traditionally held at the Fernkloof Nature Reserve. However, other venues are utilised from time to time and the last event was held on the lawns of the Hemelen-Aarde Estate Club House. The venue proved a resounding success and the next event is again scheduled at this location. Participants pay R20 to play, with prizes allocated in various categories. Although competitive, a fun afternoon is the order of the day. Boule (French for ‘ball’) games, broadly speaking are games involving rolling or throwing balls towards a target. The category includes such games as petanque (French), bocce (Italian), lawn bowling (England) and bowling

(USA). These games have a long history. As early as the 6th Century BC, the Greeks played a game tossing coins and stones. The game was modified by the ancient Romans to include a target. This version was introduced by the Roman soldiers to France and there, wooden balls were introduced. The game became commonly known as boules (‘balls’) and was played throughout Europe. In France, the game evolved into what today is known as petanque. The first petanque tournament was played in France in 1910 and this form of boules became the most popular among the French. Wooden balls covered with nails was the next innovation, and these were replaced by metal balls after World War I. Boules is now played world-

wide with some of the strongest players emanating from Madagascar and Thailand. The best-known International Tournament is held in Marseilles, attracting over 10 000 players and

150 000 spectators. Petanque is not currently an Olympic Sport despite overtures by the International Boules Federation, since 1985.

Maybe the bid for Olympic recognition will eventually come to fruition and one of our local players will "go for gold" in the not too distant future!

Boeresport for old and young at Sandbaai The Groenberg Jukskei Club was started in Hermanus in 1985 by Jan Smit. The club has around 30 members divided into pensioners and a younger group. The game is played next door to the Sandbaai Hall between August and April, although the pensioner's group play throughout the year, dependent on the weather. The Groenberg Club is one of five under the auspices of the Overberg Jukskei Federation. Players from the Overberg vie for places in the Western Cape team that participates at the Inter Provincial

Tournament held annually in Kroonstad. The Western Cape Provincial team comprises 3 teams of 4, in each of the mens, ladies and veteran categories. A game in jukskei is made up of 3 sets of 23 points each and the implement used is known as the "skei". The game is believed to have originated around 1743 in the Cape and developed by transport riders who travelled with ox wagons. They used wooden pins of the oxen yokes (“skeie”) to throw at a stick, which was planted in the

ground. Jukskei was also popular among the Voortrekkers but only became an organised sport in South Africa around 1939. The National Championships held in Kroonstad attracts participants, young and old, from all over South Africa as well as many spectators. So, one might say, that Boeresport is alive and well in the country. As an aside, our publisher, De Waal Steyn achieved Gauteng (Transvaal) colours in jukskei as a youngster.

Hermanus High School to build hockey astro turf After two years of planning Hermanus High School is very excited to announce that it will be commencing with the building of a hockey astro turf.

Due to a generous donation the school finds itself in a position to be able to proceed with this project. The astro turf will be situated on the property of the

Hermanus Sports Complex (HSC) and promises not only to be of benefit to the Hermanus schools but also to the Hermanus and Overberg communities

as a whole. The planning allows for the first phase of the building of the astro to be completed in time to allow the high school to play their inter-schools hockey

fixture (20 August) on the facility. As additional funds and assistance from the community become available subsequent phases of development will

take place. Hermanus High School would like to thank all those people who have contributed towards allowing this project to become a reality.

31 May 2016

Schools Dancers from Curro Hermanus participated at the Celebration of Dance Eisteddfod in Bellville last month. The dancers competed against studios from Cape Town and the surrounding suburbs. The dancers were adjudicated by die founder of the Theatre Dance Association, Dianne Fincham. Diploma 90-100%: Mignon van Zyl for Modern Solo; High Honours 85-90%: Erica Cowell, Anita Geldenhuys, Laura Mouton and Danielle Geldenhuys for Ballet Solo and Corlia Kleyn for Pre Am Hip Hop Solo; Honours 80-84%: Sylvia Boshoff and Mignon van Zyl for Ballet Solo, Ané Lourens for Pre Am Hip Hop Solo and Sarah Middleton for Modern Improvisation and Own Choreography; Highly Commended 70-79%: Amelia Mounton for Ballet Solo and Sarah Middleton for Ballet Solo and Novice Modern. Pictured are Amelia Mouton, Sarah Middleton, Ané Lourens, Migon van Zyl, Laura Mouton, Danielle Geldenhuys, Sylvia Boshoff and Anita Geldenhuys. Absent: Erica Cowell and Corlia Kleyn.

Luka Jasprica played in the WP Open Squash Tournament held in April in Rondebosch. He won three out of the five matches in the boys U/16 division, and achieved 7th place out of 32 players. Luka was invited to the Boland Invitational closed Ranking Trials held from 13 to 15 May in Paarl where he won all 4 matches and was ranked 4th in the Boland U/16 A Team. The next tournament will take place in Pretoria in the June holidays. Luka will play as the 4th ranked player and his results in this tournament will give him SA ranking position.

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Nadia van der Westhuizen played a hole-inone in the South African Sanlam Championship at Westlake from 24 to 27 April. She is part of the U/18 Boland Team who will play in Orkney in June against all the other provinces. Nadia is second in the Boland U/16 Team and she was one of only two players in the Western Cape chosen for the Training Squad in April.

Hawston Primary learners receive new uniforms Deputy Mayor of the Overstrand, Cllr Rudolph Smith, took time out of his busy schedule on 18 May to visit Hawston Primary School and see how his school uniform project has changed the lives of a group of approximately 30 children. Rudolph is funding this project from his own pocket and spent about R6 000 on school clothes and shoes because it is a cause close to his heart. “Our children are precious to me because they are the leaders of tomorrow,” says Rudolph. “Those whose parents cannot afford to buy new school clothes feel

‘different’ from the rest and it is important that they feel part of the school. It strengthens their self-esteem and sense of belonging.” With unemployment at around 23%, Rudolph says he wants to invest in the community and focus on projects that support those in need and prevent the children from becoming prey to bad influences. Getting them involved in sport and transforming the sports field into a community hub is another important project that he is working on. Hawston Primary has been

based in container classrooms and offices next to Hawston Secondary for over a year after vacating their premises, which are in dire need of constructive renovations. “Hopefully construction will start soon and we aim to be back in the proper school building by January 2017,” says Rudolph. Julius Swart, principal of Hawston Primary, is very grateful for Rudolph’s support. “He is a councillor that cares deeply for the community and is involved at grass roots level,” he says.

Julius Swart, Principal of Hawston Primary (back left) with Cllr Rudolph Smith (back second from right) and teachers and facilitators of the foundation phase class with the children who received new school clothes.