LOCKDOWN LEVEL:
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COVID-19 DASHBOARD OVERSTRAND
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www.thevillagenews.co.za
5 August 2020
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TOTAL CASES AS OF 3 AUGUST0:
OVERSTRAND BREAKDOWN OF CASES: TOTAL (ACTIVE)
WORLD: 18 354 493 SOUTH AFRICA: 511 485 WESTERN CAPE: 95 407 (18.65% of cases in SA) OVERBERG: 2 928
• FISHERHAVEN: 13 (3) • GANSBAAI: 243 (43) - 3 deaths • HAWSTON: 102 (14) - 1 death • HERMANUS: 143 (23) - 4 deaths • KLEINMOND: 85 (14) - 1 death
• MT PLEASANT: 127 (14) - 1 death • ONRUS: 50 (5) - 2 deaths • SANDBAAI: 27 (7) • STANFORD: 70 (6) - 2 deaths • VERMONT: 15 (1) • ZWELIHLE: 522 (41) - 5 deaths
TOTAL: 1 397 (171) - 18 deaths
LAST WEEK'S TOTAL CASES: WORLD: 16 535 241 SOUTH AFRICA: 445 433 (5th in the world) WESTERN CAPE: 91 180 OVERBERG: 2 751 OVERSTRAND: 1 334
(27 JULY)
LET'S TALK Healthy and robust debate are crucial for democracy. The Village NEWS firmly believes in freedom of the press as well as the right of individuals to freely express themselves, as long as they don’t infringe upon the rights of others. The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors therefore do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of The Village NEWS. Letters may be shortened and/or edited for clarity and style. Enjoy our paper. Send your letters to dewaal@thevillagenews.co.za.
Dear Mr President, we need your help Your country is tired, scared and most of all running out of hope that they will survive this struggle. I am sure you have received thousands of letters, all saying the same thing: your people need your help. They don't know what to do. What happens when the people dying of hunger become more than those dying of Covid-19? Will you then decide that we should be allowed to work? How do you suppose these South Africans will be able to live an honest, lawful life if you take away their only income, especially when they have families to feed? How many times have you had to look your family in the eye during this lockdown and tell them you don't know if you’ll be able to pay rent this month, or put food on the table? I understand that there are relief funds but Mr
President, have you tried applying for any of these funds? Have you spoken to anyone outside of your ministers and your inner circle about this disaster that is happening? Have you heard a single voice of any of your people crying out for help? How can you issue these irrational bans and regulations and say they are in our best interest, and not realise that they have left millions of South Africans unemployed, bankrupted, hopeless and hungry? Why should people be forced to resort to illegal activities as a source of income? Please Mr. President, I know like the rest of us you are tired of Covid-19. But it did not need to come to this – a country in ruins, our economy broken, the highest unemployment rate South Africa has ever seen. Please Mr President, let us work, let us live. Waistcoat
Why are ablution facilities still closed? As a fairly level-headed, logical individual, I’m confused as to why we’re now allowed to exercise and enjoy our beautiful outdoors as much as possible, yet the public toilets / ablutions are still locked and off limits? I walk regularly along our Hermanus Cliff Path or Onrus / Vermont Coastal Path and I’m wondering how joggers, dog walkers and families with children manage to plan their exercise routine to include a quick detoured sprint into one of the restaurants now open at the Old Harbour Waterfront, or cross their legs until they reach Dutchies at Grotto Beach? I was under the impression that most nature reserves and parks were recently opened to the public again – shouldn’t the public ablu-
tions also be? Those with bladder problems have surely had to resort to squatting in the bushes on emergency occasions since the beginning of Lockdown – enough is enough! Perplexed Hermanus Resident Response from Overstrand Municipality: All public ablution facilities at beaches are currently closed in compliance with the Level 3 lockdown regulations. Only about 50% of our Beaches and Parks employees are back at work due to the restriction on this department’s services. The municipality therefore does not have essential workers to clean and maintain these facilities and there is a risk of them being vandalised if they were to be open 24/7.
Gavin Turner: Goodbye, my friend On Thursday, 30 July 2020, Gavin Turner, one of our dearest friends slipped and fell to his death at Vogelgat Private Nature Reserve while photographing the Verreaux's Eagles. He was accompanied by close friends John and Erna Dry, who were familiar with the area and were experienced mountaineers. On realising that Gavin had fallen, Erna immediately raised the alarm by calling the Vogelgat office, while John climbed down the very dangerous cliffs to look for Gavin and stay with him until the rescue teams could get to them. When they arrived, Erna directed the way to follow down the gorge to find Gavin, but on their arrival, tragically, they found that he had already passed away.
Nineteen years ago Gavin and Cynthia Turner decided to move down from Gauteng to the Western Cape, and after looking around, they decided to settle in Onrus. From the outset, they realised that being Vaalies, they would have to reach out to make friends in their new home. Gavin joined the Whalers Athletic Club and they both joined the Photographic Society and the Hermanus Bird Club, and started a cycling group. They regularly attended the U3A presentations and their love of music saw them attending many music performances. They have always been very keen travellers, both overseas and through Africa. They have travelled from the Himalayas to Antarctica, from Alaska to New Zealand, and were still planning to cross over Afri-
ca, from Morocco to South Africa. When we moved to Onrus many years later, we became neighbours and very close friends, and we started travelling with them all over Southern Africa. Gavin and Cynthia are both excellent photographers and their love for birds have led them to every corner of Africa, where they could get pictures to add to their bird list, which was the reason for the walk in Vogelgat. When Gavin slipped and fell to his death, he was engaged in doing what he loved most – mountaineering, birding and photography. He was a gentle, kind person who was always prepared to help you, give advice and walk the extra mile with you. He was loved by all who knew him and will be sorely missed. Paul and Suzanne de Villiers
