The Village NEWS 09 Dec - 16 Dec 2020

THE VILLAGE

NEWS

9 DECEMBER 2020 YOUR FREE COPY #ALLOVEROVERBERG The next issue of The Village NEWS will be out on 16 December 2020.

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Roger and Pat de la Harpe, who recently relocated to Hermanus, took this striking landscape photograph while exploring the region. “The day was pretty gloomy and on the way home, just as we got to the turnoff to Rotary Way, the sun popped out from behind the clouds on the horizon. We shot up the hill just in time to capture some shots of a stunningly beautiful Hermanus, with Walker Bay and the Klein River Estuary in the background.� Check out their Facebook page (Roger and Pat de la Harpe Photography) and Instagram (@RogerdelaHarpe) and see many more of their travel, wildlife and conservation pics at www.rogerandpatdelaharpe.com.

PHOTO: Roger and Pat de la Harpe/Africa Imagery

A busy season lies ahead Writer De Waal Steyn

it easy to practise social distancing and not find yourself in large crowds.

W

ith the summer holidays suddenly upon us it seems as if the Overstrand can look forward to a bumper season, despite the Covid-19 pandemic. “Accommodation facilities across all our towns are reporting bookings for the whole of the extended holiday period that runs into late January,� said Frieda Lloyd, Tourism Manager of the Cape Whale Coast. The busiest time is expected after 16 December up to 15 January. “As per normal, we are expecting many visitors who want to make late bookings, as this has become a new trend. At this stage most of the available accommodation has already been booked, but there will still be a few options available. In addition, we are expecting large numbers of day visitors to our towns looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life across the mountain. Our towns all offer a wide variety of outdoor activities and events that make

“It is especially the smaller towns that are anticipated to draw more visitors than expected precisely because people want the space that will allow them to keep their distance from others,� Lloyd said.

Most of the restaurants in the area are also busy and many who are open during Christmas and New Year have already been fully booked for those days. According to restaurant owners they are happy with the number of people visiting their establishments. “It is no secret that all restaurants are under financial strain and we are therefore looking forward to the busy season. But at the same time, we need to be responsible in our actions when it comes to keeping our diners and staff healthy. We will stick to all the lockdown regulations. In order for us to comply, however, we need the cooperation of our diners. We urge the public to understand that we are limited in

Uitgesoekte voorraad, terwyl voorraad hou.

A total of 318 motorists were arrested in the province for driving under the influence of alcohol between 27 March and 1 December 2020. Of these, 103 cases were reported between 12 November and 1 December after the resumption of alcohol sales on 11 November.

This safety drive is a combined effort between

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The Western Cape Government has also said that it will crack down on traffic violations during the season, especially drunk driving.

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According to HPP there will be a focus on vagrancy, muggings, drunken behaviour, assault and robbery. Guards will also be directed to assist with enforcing lockdown regulations, especially the wearing of masks at all times, and social distancing.

The start of the season also will also see the launch of the Hermanus CBD Public Safety Initiative that will commence on Friday 11 December and remain in force until Saturday 23 January 2021.

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Lloyd asked residents, visitors, and businesses to strictly adhere to lockdown regulations. “This will be a summer season unlike any other we have had before. Not only will it be the first time since the lockdown started that our towns will be full of visitors, it will also be the first time holidaymakers will need to stick to the rules and regulations. We need to accept the new normal and make the best of it. Our whole region is dependent on tourism and we must do everything possible to prevent a resurgence of Covid-19 on our shores.�

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SAPS, Municipal Law Enforcement, Hermanus Public Protection (HPP), neighbourhood watch groups and private security companies. The aim of the initiative is to make the CBD and the Cliff Path (from the New Harbour to Grotto beach) a safe and nuisance-free environment for visitors.

the number of people we can allow, we must screen your temperature and when you are not at your table, you must please wear your mask,� said a CBD restaurant owner.

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9 December 2020

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9 December 2020

Fears of second wave as infection numbers rise Writer De Waal Steyn

F

ears of a second wave of Covid-19 infections are mounting as infection rates across the country keep on climbing.

In the Western Cape, new infections during the first week of December increased from 9 683 to 15 423 – an increase of 59.2%. In the Overberg district the numbers increased from 244 to 428, representing an increase of 75.4%, while in the Overstrand infections rose from 60 to 98 (63.3%).

Western Cape Premier Alan Winde said in a press release last week that the Overberg is seeing increases in all sub-districts. “Towns in the Overberg which are of concern are Swellendam, Cape Agulhas, Villiersdorp, Caledon, Bergsig and Grabouw. As we have seen during the first wave of infections, once community transmission is established within communities, the situation can quickly deteriorate if not brought under control soon,” he said.

Wilma Kamfer, Overberg District Director for the Department of Health, said we have seen a marked rise in active cases, and it is concerning. “Now is the time to assess our behaviour and our adherence to the lockdown rules. If we remain vigilant and follow the guidelines, we could still enjoy our festive season, but this onus is on each one of us,” she said.

“Reports from local surveillance teams indicate that attendance at a funeral, going to shopping centres and non-adherence to quarantine and isolation have led to quite a few people testing positive. We call on the citizens of each of these subdistricts and as a collective to do their part so we can bring the situation under control again. We all have a role to play through our own actions.

“As we enter summer and the tradi-

tional holiday season, there is a need to socialise and see other people.

Ensure you connect safely with others and stay as safe as possible when leaving your house by avoiding possible super-spreader events. When going out, always wear your mask and avoid crowded places, close-contact settings, and confined enclosed spaces with poor ventilation.

“Do not become complacent. Even when you feel safe between friends and family, you should continue to wear your mask and maintain a distance of at least 1.5 m from other people,” Kamfer said.

Last week Premier Winde said the provincial government is opposed to any blunt instrument, like a lockdown, being imposed on the province. He said provincial and local governments were considering their own localised interventions and restrictions to slow the spread of Covid-19 in line with their respective powers.

“The Western Cape is against lockdown being imposed on provinces and is in favour of targeted, and local interventions based on scientific evidence.”

He said one of the interventions that was needed was around gatherings, and especially those that take place indoors. The number of people permitted to gather indoors is currently 250; Winde said this was too high and needed to be reconsidered for specific hotspots.

According to him another challenge was limited policing resources, as the province redirects law enforcement teams to enforce regulations while crime continues. “We would also like to see more manpower sent down to local hotspots. In this instance, we need to use law enforcement and this is where national government can help with the deployment of extra police resources.”

While preparations for the holiday

season are in full swing across the province, it was reported that more and more tourists, both domestic and international, are making their way to the Western Cape.

To cope with the expected influx of tourists the Cape Town International Airport has introduced body temperature scanners, Covid-19 monitors who move around the airport helping with compliance, and antigen testing. All international travellers must arrive in the country with a negative PCR test not older than 72 hours. However, if for some reason a person arrives without this test or documentation, they will be taken to an isolation bay, where an antigen test will be administered. The test is quick to perform and results are available within 30 minutes.

Deon Cloete, general manager of Cape Town International Airport said: "We have a number of Covid-19 safety protocols in place which are strictly adhered to. Our aim is to ensure the safety of all airport users including our staff. We have seen a steady increase in passenger movement which is a good sign. We are committed to playing our part in making sure that people safely navigate the airport."

By following some simple protocols and safety tips you can ensure that you are able to navigate this festive season safely.

• Do not travel if you feel ill or are experiencing symptoms such as a sore throat, loss of taste or smell, body aches or fever.

• Always wear your mask whenever travelling – whether you are going through an airport, travelling by bus or in a taxi.

• While waiting in queues, ensure that there is 1.5 metres of space between you and any other person.

• Wash or sanitise your hands before boarding a bus, plane or taxi.

• If traveling by car, bus or taxi, ensure that the windows are open to allow fresh air to circulate.

PHOTOS: Cikiswa Vanga

SANTA spreads Christmas joy Father Christmas paid an early visit to the Hermanus Day Care Centre (CDC) in Swartdam Road on Friday 4 December. Every year a Christmas party for children affected by tuberculosis (TB) is organised by the Hermanus branch of the South African National Tuberculosis Association (SANTA).

In accordance with Covid-19 regulations this year’s festivities were held outside. For the picnic, attended by children and their mothers, SANTA donated fruit, cooldrinks, hotdogs and sweets.

SANTA chairperson Sue Holmes, who also coordinated the donation of presents, commented: “Every year

I am overwhelmed by the generosity of people. This year it enabled us to donate 93 beautifully wrapped presents towards this heart-warming cause of bringing a little joy to kids suffering from this disease that is still alarmingly prevalent in the Overstrand. Of these presents 35 went to the CDC kids, while children from other clinics in the Overstrand, Stanford (36), Gansbaai (9), Kleinmond (8) and Hawston (5), will also receive presents.”

Thembikosi Gxatwane, a cleaner at the CDC, was a very convincing Santa, while one of the older children, Muhle Gova, was responsible for decorating the Christmas tree.

– Colleen Naudé

Hermanus

Many things to plan

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Strongwomen against Gender-Based Violence

O

n Saturday 5 December, fourteen female athletes from Hermanus and Cape Town surrounds competed in the Women of Strength against Gender-Based Violence Social Strongwoman Exhibition at the Hemel & Aarde Craft Village. The aim of the event was to raise much needed awareness against the abuse of, and violence against, women and children – what has now been dubbed ‘South Africa's second pandemic’.

The event was organised by Michelle and Johan Kruger and included some of the strongest female athletes in the Western Cape, who regularly compete in events such as this, as well as newbies and amateurs. The athletes competed in two weight categories, namely under 75kg and over 75kg, and events included a Monster Truck Pull, Tractor Tyre Flip, Deadlift and more. As usual, athletes thrilled the crowd which had gathered to watch with some spectacular feats of strength.

The winners were as follows: Over 75kg:

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• 1st - Michelle Kruger (Hermanus) • Joint 2nd - Patty Pretorius and Olivia Adriaanse.

Under 75kg: • 1st - Alma Nel • 2nd - Patricia Boshoff (Hermanus) • 3rd - Tamara Paulse After the event was over, it was agreed by all that this event should have a permanent place on the annual calendar.

Michelle and Johan would like to thank their main sponsor, Autohaven for spending the whole morning at the event and for covering the cost of the medals, trophies and more.

They would also like to thank the Wine Village for sponsoring a prize and for the use of the venue and facilities; Hermanus Gas for the bakkie for the truck pull and gifts for the athletes; the numerous other local businesses that donated various prizes for the winners; and those who donated their time to assist on the day.

LEFT: Organiser of the event, and winner of the over 75kg category, Michelle Kruger with her first place medal and trophy.

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RIGHT: Patricia Boshoff (from Hermanus) placed second in the under 75kg category.

Riette Creighton from Hermanus (front), a participant and also personal trainer, with her support crew contributed so much energy and spirit to the day, taking the Orange the World theme against Gender-based Violence to heart!

Keeping you safe, securing your assets.

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9 December 2020

‘Nostalgia is priceless but at Romantiques it’s free’ M ost people are familiar with Romantiques, the one-of-akind vintage collectables store in Hermanus. The name itself carries a certain charm, recalling a time when the pace of life was slower, artefacts were made by hand and manners were altogether more refined. It conjures up things extravagant, wild and fantastic, as a visit to Romantiques itself bears out.

The story of Romantiques itself is a fascinating one. It was started in 2006 by a girl who needed work after school; friends joined and the shop grew and developed through the years. In 2010 Romantiques was recognised nationally in a feature in the Afrikaans newspaper, Rapport, and was also featured in many other renowned magazines as well as on Top Billing.

The shop soon outgrew its original premises and in 2011 moved to its current location at 14 Aberdeen Street.

From humble beginnings it has developed into a landmark shop in Hermanus, with customers travelling from far and wide to browse the wide selection

of stock available. The owners decided to sell more than a year ago already, but it took some time finding the right person who shared their passion and who would continue to respect the values and principles that have underpinned the business.

As from 1 January 2021 Romantiques will be operated by James Ludick, who will take ownership on 1 March. James, who settled in Hermanus 19 years ago, has been involved in a number of local enterprises and non-profit organisations. He brings to the business a passion for service as well as his experience in the field of internet marketing. While leaving the essence of the Romantiques experience unchanged, he will be introducing card facilities and online purchases, so important while travelling restrictions are in place. James is working with an experienced support team, as well as trained and dedicated staff.

Entering the premises, one is struck by the vast range of items on display and for sale, from military memorabilia to vintage toys, from china to period

clothing and everything in between.

Visitors who drop in for a quick visit usually end up spending hours browsing through the various sections, reliving past memories and admiring the craftsmanship of a bygone era. Tea and coffee are available on site and visitors can take their time to enjoy a slow stroll through history.

James sees Romantiques not just as a business selling antiques and collectables, but as a major attraction for Hermanus. In his own words, “Nostalgia is priceless but at Romantiques it’s free. It is more than a shop; it is a living museum in the very heart of Hermanus.”

James is confident that Romantiques will develop into a major attraction for locals and tourists alike, and he has plans to revitalise the intimate oldworld theatre, organise themed evening functions, host school tours and introduce genuine African artefacts.

“There are so many possibilities given the location and unique ambiance. I can’t wait to get started,” he says.

– Phillip Parsons

James Ludick is excited to be taking over as the new owner of Romantiques on 1 January – a business that he calls “a living museum in the heart of Hermanus.

PHOTOS: Hedda Mittner & Taylum Meyer

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9 December 2020

Art is alive and well in Hermanus

A

paving leading down Art Alley.

jolly assortment of art lovers, some with children and dogs, ventured out for the last Hermanus First Fridays (HFF) Artwalk of the year on Friday evening.

A joint venture that was initiated by Charmaine De Jongh Gelderblom, the five colours represent her gallery, Lembu, Eleven, Malcolm Bowling and SPACE Modern, and has totally transformed the alley. Jozua Rossouw of Rossouw Modern Galleries had another surprise in store for artwalkers – a third gallery right next to SPACE Modern named SPACE Curated.

Even though the HFF committee had decided to cancel the Night of a Thousand Drawings charity event that is held annually on the first Friday in December, the galleries were rather busy, especially at Warrington Place off Harbour Road, where a brand-new “carpet” had been painted on the

An eternal optimist, Jozua believes that the Hermanus CBD is alive with activ-

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ity and creativity. “We now have even more galleries – 22 in total – than pre-Covid, drawing art patrons from all over the country,” he says. “It is a humbling experience for me to have the opportunity of expanding during the pandemic and of assisting the economic recovery by adding additional space to develop the careers of emerging artists at this crucial time.”

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The former attorneys’ offices are now unrecognisable as Jozua has turned the space into a sophisticated gallery that forms the perfect background for well-curated exhibitions. The official opening will be on 17 December.

– Hedda Mittner 3

1. Warrington Place has been transformed by a new “carpet” leading down Art Alley.

2. Jozua Rossouw, Jenny Jackson and Andy Conder drinking a toast to the soft opening of SPACE Curated.

3. Jozua Rossouw (right) with Tertius van Dyk, one of the artists whose work is on display at the new SPACE Curated gallery in Warrington Place.

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4. Tineke Meiring, a member of the Hermanus Art Circle, is fond of using vibrant watercolours and ink to create simple but striking illustrations.

5. Pieter van Aswegen, Charmaine Beukes and Terry Kobus maintaining social distance at Originals Gallery.

6. Karen McKerron and her dog Jimmy in front of one of their favourite art pieces at Walker Bay Modern Art Gallery, ‘Night Fall’ by Patrick McCabe.

7. Leon Müller of Art Thirst Gallery with one of his beautiful animal portraits.

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PHOTOS: Hedda Mittner & Taylum Meyer

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8. Artwalkers came in all shapes and sizes on Friday.

9. Sue Parry from Onrus admiring the paintings and carpets in Charmaine De Jongh Gelderblom Gallery.

10. Elna and Mena from Pure South in Main Road. Pure South features the art, ceramics and fine crafts of enormously talented artists from Hermanus around South Africa.

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FROM THE EDITOR

9 December 2020

The new facts of life

Talking about the facts of life may not be the easiest of discussions, but it is a vital one.

In the same way reporting over the last 10 months on the Covid-19 pandemic has not been easy. While we have all gotten used to the basic implications of the global pandemic, it still remains a sensitive issue. The main reasons for this are the right to privacy of those who have become infected, a relentless stream of mis- and mal-information, and an ever-changing understanding of what the virus is, how it infects peo-

ple, what the symptoms are and what we can do to prevent infection.

While it is easy to access information on the virus by simply clicking on a website, the most important thing for any publication is to ensure that the information it publishes is credible and from reliable sources. In our endeavours to live up to this, we put in hours of research, checking, and double-checking each fact and source.

And although we make every effort to ensure accurate information, we all can be misled. Very few among us did not

NEWS WhatsApp or SMS your stories and photos to 083 700 3319 De Waal Steyn

E: dewaal@thevillagenews.co.za

Hedda Mittner

CONTENT EDITOR T: 083 645 3928

E: hedda@thevillagenews.co.za

Raphael da Silva ONLINE EDITOR T: 074 125 5854

E: raphael@thevillagenews.co.za

Elaine Davie

JOURNALIST T: 084 343 7500

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

E: taylum@thevillagenews.co.za

and what we must do if we become infected. To a large extent it became the focus of our very existence and we could barely speak of anything else.

But as the pandemic unfolded, we became increasingly aware of its dangers and the lasting side effects this devasting virus has – physically, emotionally, socially, and economically.

With time, however, the virus became a less important factor in our lives as we started returning to a semblance of our normal way of life. We appreciated every liberty that was returned to us as the lockdown restrictions relaxed.

As our understanding of the virus increased so did our reaction to it. We slowly became aware of how highly contagious it is, how it is spread

And while we are still grappling with the new normal and the festive spirit grows, we need to remember the hard

lessons we have been taught during the year. Social distancing, wearing masks, disinfecting surfaces and hands and avoiding large gatherings are among them. Simple, easy, and reliable things we must do to stop the spread of the virus – a new set of the facts of life.

Out of respect for each other, let’s stick to these rules and ensure that the rising curve is flattened as soon as possible.

This is the good NEWS – Ed.

Coloured roots and laughter lines

THE VILLAGE

PUBLISHING EDITOR T: 083 700 3319

initially, when we first became aware of the virus, think that it might just be a bad case of flu and that governments were overreacting.

By Murray Stewart murray.stewart49@gmail.com

that ‘from henceforth, the colour of the lawn shall be referred to as green’? And when was it decided that whispering turquoise sounded provocative enough to assign it its own shade?

Yellow sounds more like a greeting than a colour, and Pink, whether tickled or not requires an explanation, so we rummaged through the archives at the Explanation of Everything for answers.

T

he For Fact’s Sake columns are – according to Google and the Duck ’n Fiddle’s Explanation of Everything – based in truth.

Occasionally however, names and places have been changed to protect innocent people involved.

In modern English, most of the colour names are the result of dialectic influences or drunken/sloppy mispronunciations over the centuries. Yellow, for example, was used in Old English from 1590 but was spelt geolu. This was derived from the Old High German gelo, similar to the Middle Dutch, ghele.

Hue and kraai Those of us fortunate enough to have the gift of sight, take colours for granted. I can describe a painting I’d bought to Susan in Perth, and by using references like forest green, post-box red or navy blue, she’ll be able to envisage it in her mind’s eye.

The word orange dribbled into the English language pool around 1512, and is derived from the Persian narang which in turn comes from the ancient Sanskrit naranga. It described the colour of the fruit as far back as 400BCE, but oranges were unheard of in Europe until the 12th century, when Crusaders schlepped back pockets of them from the Holy Land.

But what if she was blind? How do you describe colours to someone born sightless? She’s been told that the sky is blue, but it is only an audio reference. Sadly, without the optical software to process colours, her mind’s eye would only ‘see’ in black and white, with fifty shades of grey in between – one for each colour she hears mentioned.

But for the sighted, colours and their various shades have different names which we learn from an early age. The colour overhead is blue, sky-blue, but there again, so is a police light. Post boxes are red, but so is blood. Snow is white, but so is Trump. And an orange is orange, but there again, dare I say, so too is Trump.

Now purple is quite interesting. In early Greek the word was porphyra, a term for the shellfish-derived dye used by garment makers. In Latin it was called purpura and entered Old English around the 10th century. Who could have thought that the gooey mucus excreted by the spiny dye-murex sea-snail would become the preserve of royalty, nobility and the clergy, nogal.

Well, this got us wondering. Who decreed

Green comes from the Proto-Indian-European

word greh, which literally meant ‘to grow’. It filtered through Northern Europe as grani in Old Saxon, grouni in Old High German and groene in Middle Dutch, among others. The Italians though – under pressure from the Pope and the Mafia – refused to cooperate and stuck with Latin variations of verdi.

As we all know, there are many more colours than just those in the rainbow. Sadly it would take the entire newspaper to discuss them all, so just Google Etymology/colours and astound everyone at the Crochet Club next week with your profound knowledge of the colour spectrum. Here’s how...

“Hi Sandra, that’s a beautiful lilac blouse.

(Thanks.) Do you know where the word lilac comes from?” (No.) Then the floor is yours.

It’s still rather baffling though, why some colours have alternative names which are bandied about by the hoity-toity arty-farty brigade. Life’s difficult enough as it is to worry about what cyan is, or cerise, or carnelian for that matter.

No laughing matter Sir Mick Jagger, whose face looks like it’s been slept in, was interviewed on TV, and was asked if he’d ever considered having a face-lift to eradicate his rather well-defined wrinkles and creases.

“They’re not wrinkles,” retorted Mick smugly, “they’re laughter lines!”

The perplexed interviewer paused... then shook her head. “Nothing can be that funny.”

Charé van der Walt MARKETING & SALES MANAGER T: 082 430 1974

E: chare@thevillagenews.co.za

HERMANUS: SEVEN-DAY WEATHER AND TIDE TABLE Wed | 9 Dec

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SALES REPRESENTATIVE & DESIGN T: 079 408 7722

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9 December 2020

LET'S TALK 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.

Send your letters to dewaal@thevillagenews.co.za.

Denying Covid will not make it go away I was truly shocked to find out how many people there are in Hermanus who insist on downplaying the dangers of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Some even flatly deny the threat with ridiculous arguments like: “They put Covid-19 down as the cause of death even when people die of other conditions” and “Most of these cases are not Covid at all, they are just the normal flu” or “They are just making up the numbers to frighten and intimidate us”.

Who exactly “they” are, even the deniers can’t say exactly. But calling it all a big conspiracy somehow explains everything. My guess is that

this attitude makes people feel better, less vulnerable and more in control. Powerful even. It’s obvious in the way they flout the rules and ridicule those who try to do the right thing. I had thought this is an attitude that is only rife in America, but no, it is alive and well right here in Hermanus.

person with no comorbidities who ended up on a ventilator in hospital for many weeks before his organs shut down and he passed away. Not from any other causes, or from the normal flu. No, from Covid-19. Deny it all you like, it’s a reality and it can kill you.

All I want to say to these people is that you will change your tune once you, or one of your loved ones, actually contracts this disease which “doesn’t really exist”. Three people close to me have had it, and suffered horribly. None of them have recovered fully. I also have a family member – a strong, fit and healthy

Which brings me to the other part that people don’t seem to get: it’s not just about you. It’s about the countless other, non-suspecting people you could unknowingly infect. By insisting on your right to socialise as you wish and to not wear a mask or keep your distance from others, you are putting everyone in danger. You

Delay in sending out Overstrand muni accounts Overstrand Municipality would like to advise its customers that there is a logistical delay in the posting of municipal accounts. As a result, ratepayers may be receiving their December 2020 statements late and in some cases even after the usual due date.

Ratepayers who did not receive their accounts before the account due date (the 20th of each month) are requested to pay their monthly average amount. Alternatively request a duplicate invoice of the accounts by contacting your closest Municipal Office, or sending an email to enquiries@overstrand.gov.za. Customers who have registered their email contact details will receive their account by email as per usual.

Overstrand Municipality would like to apologise to all its customers who have been affected by these delays, and thank them for their understanding and cooperation. Thanks

also go to those ratepayers who have been able and willing to keep up their account payments despite the many challenges.

Residents can settle their municipal accounts at food stores, via the Pay@ and Easy Pay systems, EFT and other online banking options that are available. If you would prefer to receive your monthly account via email, send a request to enquiries@ overstrand.gov.za.

Contact us: KLEINMOND: 33 5th Avenue, Kleinmond.

Tel 028 271 8400 HERMANUS: Magnolia Street, Hermanus.

Tel 028 313 8000/8111 STANFORD: 17 Queen Victoria Street, Stanford.

Tel 028 384 8500 GANSBAAI: Main Road, Gansbaai.

Tel 028 384 8300

are not immediately going to know if you have been exposed or potentially infected until it is too late. Why would you knowingly take this risk when there are a few simple rules in place that could prevent it? The question simply beggars belief.

to happen, and yet so many seem unable to commit to the few simple steps required to ensure that it does not happen. This makes no sense at all. What is it going to take for people to come to their senses and act in a rational manner?

And no, it’s not about living in constant fear of becoming infected.

Everyone wants to live as normally as possible – and we can all do that while taking the necessary precautions at the same time. If we don’t, a second wave after the holiday season is inevitable and then, once again, even harsher steps will need to be taken. Nobody wants that

It only takes a few to ignite a resurgence, for which everyone will have to suffer the consequences. Please, stop thinking only about yourself and spare a thought, for your fellow human beings, your neighbours, family and friends – and for the economic future of Hermanus.

Do the right thing

Thank you for supporting Enlighten As this year with its share of upheavals comes to an end, we want to thank our funders, friends and the Hermanus community for their loyal support and encouragement. Your contributions towards Enlighten Education Trust (EET) in countless ways are hugely appreciated.

In spite of the difficulties, the year also presented us with significant

opportunities and elevated the work of the Trust to a new level. In sharing our highs as well as our lows, I am extremely proud to be part of this community and grateful to the people we work with.

We invite you to enjoy our online portal – www.enlighteneducationtrust.org. Our latest Annual Report (2019–2020) clearly depicts the full

scope of our work.

May 2021 be a year of recovery and good tidings. The EET team will continue to implement educational initiatives where these are most needed and provide opportunities for those who have very few.

Magriet Peter Trust Manager

WHALE COAST RESTAURANTS TAKE SAFE EATS PLEDGE With the hard lockdown restrictions still fresh in our minds, and a real fear of a second wave of Covid-19 infections hitting the Overstrand, Whale Coast Tourism developed a Safe Eats Pledge stating eight operational measures that make restaurants safer and Covid-19 compliant. The pledge was rolled out in collaboration with hospitality expert, Vanessa Bisschop-Louw. Vanessa (on the left with Whale Coast Tourism Manager, Frieda Lloyd) has done safety and service excellence training with a number of local restaurants, specifically those on the Hermanus Waterfront and in Hemel-en-Aarde. The pledge is visible confirmation of efforts to contribute to the economic recovery of the restaurant industry, which has suffered great losses due to the lockdown.

PHOTO: Supplied

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www.thevillagenews.co.za

9 December 2020

WHAT'S COOKING

Warwick’s Chef School keeps cooking For Hermanus to lose a prime venue that had the capacity to host 100 guests is devastating.”

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arwick’s Chef School has over the years become an institution in Hermanus and among their alumni are many wellknown local chefs and restaurateurs who can be found at top destinations such as Gabriëlskloof, Spookfontein, Creation, CanD’s Kitchen and Burgundy.

“Our full-time course offers an international qualification and our graduates are working not only in Hermanus and Cape Town but all over the world. We are amazed about their wonderful culinary journeys and what they have achieved,” says Kevin Warwick, who founded the Chef School in 1991. “We are proud of all our students. This industry demands hard work and long hours, so true passion and dedication are vital to forging a successful career.”

Like most businesses, though, especially those in the hospitality industry, Kevin and his wife Sumien have had to face many challenges over the past few years, and even more so since the outbreak of the pandemic.

Despite these setbacks, Kevin, after almost 30 years in the business, is still passionate about training young chefs for the professional kitchen.

Apart from offering the full-time courses, the school also got involved with community learning projects and smaller, part-time courses.

“Due to the cost of ingredients, professional knives and other equipment, as well as the international examination fees, full-time culinary training can be costly,” says Kevin. “We wanted to also offer training opportunities to those who are not able to afford full-time chef training. This is why we approached the South African Chef Association to offer the National Youth Chef Training programme (NYCTP) as well as other learnership courses here in the Overstrand.”

The NYCTP diploma courses were rolled out during 2019 and 2020, with students placed at The Marine, The Wine Glass, Arabella Hotel, DeliCo and CandD’s Kitchen for industry practicals.

Some of them have already secured permanent jobs at these establishments. Other courses included the Fast Food Services learnership, as well as the Food Safety learnership offered through the Tourism & Business Institute of Southern Africa.

Early in 2019, the Warwicks decided to sell the Class Room Function Venue and to continue with hospitality training as their main focus. Unfortunately, due to the economic pressures that resulted from the Covid-19 lockdown regulations, the new owner was forced to permanently close the doors of this popular venue just a year later.

“A total of 40 students from our area completed this programme in July this year and did their industry practical training at the Ocean Basket, Spar, Food Lover’s Market, Arabella Hotel, Gateway Spar, Gansbaai Spar, CanD’s Kitchen and Standford Hills,” says Kevin. “Hats off to these students who had to train under very difficult circumstances during the lockdown period.

Despite this challenge, the students performed well and will be receiving their CATHSSETA certification soon.”

“It was truly sad to see a business that we built up over 10 years close its doors,” says Kevin. “We have many fond memories of hosting fantastic weddings, birthday celebrations, anniversaries and corporate functions over the years, as well as many regular events such as the annual Hermanus High Matric Dinner at the Class Room.

Warwick’s chef school is also a training partner of the Overstrand College and facilitates their Chef Assistant Course. With social distancing and other safety protocols in place, this part-time skills programme entails 12 lessons offered once a week and focuses on the basic kitchen fundamentals.

WINE & DINE

The chef school does not only focus on professional training. Children and adult social cooking classes are also available. During the December holiday season, Warwick’s will once again host their junior chef cooking programme for youngsters aged 10 – 13 years. The popular social cooking classes for adults are hosted on Saturday evenings, with participants cooking a delicious meal under Kevin’s guidance and then enjoying dinner afterwards with a glass of wine.

This is a great opportunity to learn new skills, make new friends and enjoy a great meal. Book in advance, as classes are kept to a maximum of 8 guests per session.

Although the chef school offers a range of different courses and activities, Kevin’s main focus and love is still the full-time culinary diploma courses, which will resume in 2021. These are offered at their campus in the Village Centre, Sandbaai where a limited number of students are accepted for the annual January and July intakes, ensuring personal attention at all times.

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The full-time international diploma programme runs over a period of one year and includes an industry placement at some of Hermanus’s prestigious establishments.

Students also enjoy the benefit of having professional industry chefs as guest lecturers and mentors. Graduates can consider many fields after completing their course at Warwick’s Chef School: working in restaurants/hotels, on cruise liners or private yachts, industrial catering, entrepreneurial opportunities, event catering, product development and test kitchens, speciality bakeries or delis, private home catering, food blogs, culinary lecturing,

food styling etc.

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The part-time international certificate programme runs once a week in the afternoons over a period of 9 months. This course is perfect for those who are currently working and unable to commit to a full-time course, or those who want to enter the industry as a junior chef. The programme is also offered to those taking a gap year, as well as to Grade 10 – 12 learners as an extra-mural activity. When completing their matric, these learners will already have an international qualification, enabling them to enrol for a diploma course.

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Warwick’s also offers a short International Food Safety course – essential for those wanting to work as food handlers on yachts and cruise liners. This 2-day course has been endorsed by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency, but it is perfect for everyone working with food to ensure safe working practices.

“At Warwick’s Chef School we’ll keep cooking!” says Kevin. “The hospitality industry had a very tough time during the national lockdown, but chefs and restaurateurs are innovative, creative and resilient and it was great to see how everyone worked together and created new dining concepts by thinking out of the box. Food and cooking is part of our everyday lives – and people will always want to eat and celebrate together.”

For a prospectus or more information, Warwick’s Chef School can be contacted on 083 978 3942 or info@warwickschefschool.co.za.

– Hedda Mittner

Hoy’s Koppie

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Voëlklip, 5 Stanford & Gansbaai

Onrus, Whale Coast Mall & Hemel-en-Aarde Valley

1 8 4 9

Village Square

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Market 6 7 11

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Hermanus Pieters se Fontein (The place our village was originally named after)

New Harbour

Old Harbour

Gearing’s Point

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www.thevillagenews.co.za

9 December 2020

MY ART

New exhibition by pioneering artist A

most unusual exhibition of salt and wax luminaries by artist and artisan chandler Gretha Quinlan opened at the FynArts Gallery on Thursday afternoon, simply entitled ‘Light’.

Previously based in Greyton, Gretha now lives in Riviersonderend and in this body of work, which comprises her fourth exhibition of salt and wax luminaries, she invites viewers to explore a world under the sea – the textures and geometrics of starfish, anemones and ancient artefacts found on the sea floor, all sprouting aquatic flowers. This world only truly comes to light when illuminated against the dark.

Each of these salt and wax luminaries holds a filler candle which can be replaced, while the outer shell is designed to last forever. In his opening address, local artist Jaco Sieberhagen described how Gretha goes about creating these other-worldly artworks. The pioneering

use of salt to create her moulds lends a unique texture to the final artwork.

When the mould for each artwork is complete she pours white cement in the mould for the base, and wax in the mould specifically built for the top section. The next step is to break the mould to reveal the object, making each artwork a once-off casting from each unique mould.

Another dimension is added to this exhibition by the display of Gretha’s photographs of the inside of each mould, taken before she pours in the cement or wax. Each photograph documents a beautiful cosmos that existed only a few moments before being destroyed by the casting process.

The ‘Light’ exhibition can be viewed during December at the FynArts Gallery, The Courtyard, 2 Harbour Rd, Hermanus.

RIGHT: Local artist Kosie Thiart, who runs the Art@Africa-Hermanus Gallery, was fascinated by Gretha Quinlan’s salt and wax luminaries at the opening of her exhibition in the FynArts Gallery. LEFT: Gretha (right) with FynArts Festival Director Mary Faure.

PHOTOS: Hedda Mittner

FynArts holiday programme FynArts is presenting a short entertainment programme during December that is uplifting, creative and fun for the whole family. The highlight is a music concert in honour of Beethoven’s birthday, followed by two workshops that are ideal for the holidays.

Please note that FynArts adheres to social distancing, mask-wearing and all other Covid-19 regulations.

Attendance is therefore limited and early booking is essential. All tickets are available at Webtickets, as well as via Chantel on 060 957 5371 or at the FynArts Gallery, The Courtyard, 2 Harbour Road, Hermanus.

1. A Festive Celebration presented

by Richard Cock and Friends Wednesday 16 December at 15:00 Dutch Reformed Church, Onrus.

Tickets R150 Richard Cock returns to Hermanus with Axolile Hoza (flute), Philippus

Hugo (piano), Tobias Kotze (baritone), Luvo Maranti (tenor), Lucia Di Blasio Scott (violin) and Stuart Scott (trombone). The concert will include a selection of festival favourites and readings appropriate to the season.

December 16 is Beethoven’s 250th birthday and the programme will also feature music by the great composer and anecdotes about him. There will be some carols but unfortunately no singing, in line with current regulations.

2. Make a Festive Wreath Yvette Steyn-Churchman Thursday 17 December 10:00 – 12:30 Dutch Reformed Church, Hermanus Tickets R300 (includes basic materials and light refreshments) What better way to celebrate the season than by making your own personalised festive wreath. Join this fun and creative workshop with florist, Yvette of Kelkiewyn in Caledon.

She will teach participants how to construct and decorate a fresh wreath using fynbos and other materials that are easily available.

These wreaths will dry over time and give pleasure beyond the season.

Further information about the workshop will be provided on sign up.

3. Become a Visual Storyteller Leanne Dryburgh and Peter Hassall Thursday 17 December 10:00 – 12:00 Venue TBA Tickets R300 It's holiday time which goes handin-hand with happy memories and taking many photos. But how good are they and what do you do with them?

Join Leanne and Peter of thephotowalkers.com for this unique workshop and learn to tell your family’s holiday

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story on your cellphone. This workshop is packed with a punch and will introduce a whole new way of capturing your beautiful memories, as well as how to store or print them.

All makes of cellphones welcome.

FynArts is planning further events for a limited programme in January which will include Artisan Breadmaking at the new Daan’s Bakery. Watch this space for updates!

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WHAT’S ON

9 DEC – 25 DEC 2020

OVERBERG 9

Wednesday

Summer Night Markets The Hermanus Country Market’s popular Summer Night Markets are back, every Wednesday evening.

Bring a blanket and enjoy cocktails, wines, craft beers, delicious eat-onsite foods, live music – and fresh air as far as the eye can see!

Next to Hermanus Cricket Field | 17:00 – 21:00

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Christmas Eve Feast at The Marine

Round up the family and join us for our Christmas Eve Dinner celebration!

Wednesday

R 985 per person half price for kids under 10

Whale Coast Conservation Zoom chat ‘The more you look the more you learn’ is the title of WCC’s Zoom chat with Jenny Parsons, a naturalist who lives in Pringle Bay – an area with an abundance of natural treasures.

Here Jenny loves to walk, look, learn and document what she sees in her fabulous photographs. To zoom in to the talk you can use the same link as for all WCC’s other talks, or contact anina.wcc@gmail.com to register.

The talk will also be livestreamed on Facebook.

Virtual event | 18:00

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Friday

Wine Down Friday Celebrate that TGIF feeling at The Wine Glass at the end of a busy week! Enjoy the vibe and get two for the price of one on selected wines, beers and nibbles. Book via www.thewineglass.guru or call 082 082 0007.

The Wine Glass, 2 Harbour Rd, Hermanus | 16:00 – 18:00 (Fri & Sat) Bottomless Bubbles Fridays Spend Friday evening in style at The Marine with bottomless bubbles from L’Ormarins and chef’s welcome canapés at R185 pp. Booking is essential on 028 313 1000 or bookings@themarine.co.za.

The Marine | 17: 00 – 18:00

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Saturday

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

Next to Hermanus Cricket Field | 09:00 – 13:00 Die Markie Saturdays in Hermanus is Markie Day! Come feast your eyes, palate and mood on what’s on offer... lots to eat and drink, washed down with live music in the background to keep your feet and fingers tapping, with Woefie lying at your feet. Meet up with friends and family, bump into old friends or add new ones to your

www.thevillagenews.co.za/whatson where members and visitors can get to know each other better, can learn more about the Conservancy and its activities, and can submit proposals and inputs on how the Conservancy can improve its operations. The guest speaker will be Meredith Thornton from Overberg Whales and Dolphins.

For more information contact Elrina on 084 350 4107.

Dutch Reformed Church, Pearly Beach | 10:00 Onrus River Homeowners Association All are welcome to attend ORHA’s annual general meeting. Remember to wear your masks.

De Wet Hall, Roos Street, Onrus | 17:30 for 18:00

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phone book. So mask-up and rockup! Here safe parking is a doddle and life is easy.

Hermanuspietersfontein Wine Cellar | 09:00 – 13:00

Stanford Saturday Morning Market Come and sample the artisanal delights on display, from home-made sheep and goats’ cheeses to woodfired ciabattas, pastries and pies, farm-fresh vegetables, free-range eggs, flowers, preserves and deli delights (including gluten-free, wheatfree and vegan goodies) to tantalise your taste buds! #Nomasksnoservice.

Stanford Hotel Stoep | 09:00 – 12:00 Gansbaai Farmers’ Market Specialising in organic, homemade and home-grown products such as fresh farm produce, oven-fresh bakes and pastries, local wines and craft beers, and indigenous plants and herbs. No plastic or polystyrene packaging; only eco-friendly wood, paper, glass and earthenware used to display goods. For enquiries, contact 028 384 1439 or doulene@gansbaaitourism.co.za Kapokblom Street, opposite Gansbaai Tourism | 09:00 – 14:00 Mussels & Beer Festival Enjoy awesome local craft beers and scrumptious mussels at this summer

celebration. Bubbly and oysters also available, along with live music, a full bar and open kitchen. Free entry!

Booking is essential as numbers will be limited. Contact 082 082 0007 or www.thewineglass.guru.

The Wine Glass, 2 Harbour Rd, Hermanus | from 12:00 Volmoed Christmas Picnic Experience the magical beauty of Volmoed while listening to Christmas carols performed by the Hermanus Choir and CRM Music Ministry band from Manenberg, including trumpets and saxophones! Bring your own picnic blanket, eats and drinks to this family-friendly event on a large open field (sorry, no pets). Buy a raffle ticket at only R10 to support the Volmoed staff and stand a chance to win great prizes. For more info contact the Volmoed office on 028 312 1282.

Volmoed Retreat, Hemel-en-Aarde | 17:00 – 20:00 Luna Paige Join Stellenbosch singer-songwriter Luna Paige for a special evening, filled with beautiful images, melodies, and thought-provoking lyrics.

Paige performs original songs in both English and Afrikaans. Tickets are R100 pp and bookings can be made on 060 692 2963 / 028 273 8310.

Hangklip Hotel, Pringle Bay | 20:30

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Sunday

OAK Unlock’d Overstrand Arts/Kunste presents its first live classical music concert since the start of lockdown. The

participating artists – Louna Stofberg (organ and piano), Winand Grundling (organ), Luvo Maranti (tenor), Maja van Dyk (viola), Samantha Durrant (violin), Pieter-Adriaan Stofberg (cello), Axolile Hoza (flute), Marlon van Rooyen (piano accompanist) and the Cantare Ensemble – will perform music by Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Roosenschoon, Franck, Massenet and Piazzolla. Tickets at R150 pp (and R60 for students) are available at the Tourism Office in Mitchell Street (Tel 028 312 2629). Covid protocols will be in place and masks must be worn at all times. For enquiries, contact René du Plooy on 082 940 4238.

Hermanus Dutch Reformed Church | 15:30

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Tuesday

Outdoor Cinema Enjoy a screening of Notting Hill at Benguela Cove Estate, the perfect place for date night or a night out with family or friends, watching one of your all-time favourite movies on the edge of the lagoon. The doors open at 16:30 and you’ll be entertained by live music by Liam Culbert until the movie starts shortly after sunset. R95 for adults and R75 for kids U12. Book online via benguelacove. co.za.

Benguela Cove Lagoon Wine Estate | from 16:30

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Thursday

Pearly Beach Bewarea Conservancy AGM This is the one event of the year

BRUNCH & BOTTOMLESS BUBBLES - EVERY SATURDAY & SUNDAY LIVE MUSIC TASTING ROOM | 12 +13 & 19 + 20 DECEMBER CHRISTMAS EVE/DAY - DINNER & LUNCH BOXING DAY - PIANO BEN & LUNCH NYE PARTY - LIVE 80'S TRIBUTE BAND & BRAAI EXTRAVAGANZA NY DAY - LIVE SALSA BAND, BRUNCH & BOTTOMLESS BUBBLES INDULGENT TASTINGS & SMALL PLATE WINE PAIRINGS GOURMET PICNICS - EVERY SATURDAY AND SUNDAY

Friday

Carols by Candlelight Hermanus Rotary Club will again host this annual highlight. Bring your own picnic basket, blanket and cushions.

Donations for Rotary’s charitable projects will be appreciated. In case of bad weather, the event will be held on Saturday 19 Dec. For more info contact Wynand Hamman on 082 783 0973.

Hermanus Old Harbour | 19:00

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Friday

Haes Farm Christmas Lunch Celebrate the festive season in style on Haes Farm where you are invited to enjoy a five-course Christmas lunch in the owners’ private home on this 40 ha fynbos estate. The lunch will include wine, sweets and a house-made gift, inspired by the owners’ favourite chefs – think Heston Blumenthal, Liam Tomlin and Neill Anthony. R1 275 pp. Only 14 seats available. To book, contact Steyn on 071 569 7993 or info@ haesfarm.com.

Haes Farm, Papiesvlei/Elim Road | from 12:00

Homeleigh Holiday Care Program 24-hour live-in care for 1-4 weeks, At a special rate from 15th Dec -15th Jan

For more information contact Hannelie Fourie on 083 381 5012

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www.thevillagenews.co.za

9 December 2020

MY HOME

By LB Vorster

Transfer duty or VAT?

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henever immovable property is being transferred from A to B (irrespective of whether the parties are individuals or legal entities), the transaction will be subject to taxation by SARS, either in the form of transfer duty or value added tax (VAT).

R44 250 + 8% of the value above R1 925 000 • 2 475 001 – 11 000 000 R88 250 + 11% of the value above R2 475 000 • 11 000 001 and above R1 026 000 + 13% of the value exceeding R11 000 000

1. At what rates are transfer duty and VAT calculated?

1.3. The current rate at which VAT is payable by individuals and legal entities, is 15%.

1.1. The former distinction between individual purchasers and legal entities as far as the transfer duty payable by a purchaser is concerned, no longer exists and all purchasers are subject to the same rates. If the purchase price is R1 000 000 (one million rand) or less, no transfer duty is payable.

1.2. From R1 000 001 (one million and one rand) upwards, the transfer duty is calculated as follows: • 1 000 001 – 1 375 000 3% of the value above R1 000 000 • 1 375 001 – 1 925 000 R11 250 + 6% of the value above R1 375 000 • 1 925 001 – 2 475 000

2. In what instances will transfer duty be payable and in which instances will VAT be payable?

2.1. Normally, and in the majority of cases, transfer duty will be payable as explained in 1 above.

‘output VAT’ will be payable on the sale thereof. In such a case no transfer duty will be payable. This is in line with the principle that a single taxable transaction can only be taxed once.

relevant transfer duty as part of the transfer costs. Nothing prevents the parties from stipulating in the deed of sale that the seller will be responsible for payment of transfer duty but it seldom, if ever, happens.

2.3. It thus follows that if the seller has never claimed VAT in respect of a property, he/she/it may choose to either treat the sale thereof as a VAT transaction or a transfer duty transaction.

3.2. As far as VAT is concerned, the VAT Act stipulates that the seller is responsible for payment thereof. In practice, the seller will merely add the relevant VAT to the price that is required for the property.

3. Who is responsible for payment of TD or VAT and when will either be payable?

Consequently, the purchaser normally ends up paying the VAT as part of the purchase price but in lieu thereof he/she/it does not have to pay any transfer duty.

2.2. The mere fact that a seller of immovable property is registered as a VAT vendor in terms of Section 23 of Act 89 of 1991 (the ‘VAT Act’) does not necessarily mean that the sale of his/her/its property will be subject to payment of VAT.

3.1. Our law does not prescribe whether the seller or the purchaser is responsible for payment of transfer duty. The only concern of SARS is that the relevant transfer duty is paid by one of the parties to a transaction within six months from date of last signature of the deed of sale (normally the date of acceptance by the seller of the Offer to Purchase).

Only if, for example, in the past the seller had claimed ‘input VAT’ in connection with the property,

However, the practice has developed that the purchaser of immovable property normally pays the

4. Is it possible to structure a sale transaction in such a way that neither transfer duty nor VAT will be payable?

Yes, it is possible, provided that: 4.1. the seller of immovable property is registered as a VAT vendor in terms of Section 23 of the VAT Act; and 4.2. the purchaser is similarly regis-

tered as a VAT vendor, or will at least be registered as such prior to the date of “supply” (transfer); and 4.3. the fixed property forms part of an enterprise that is being disposed of as a going and income-earning concern, together with the assets that are necessary for carrying on business.

The transaction will then attract VAT at a zero rate. Consequently, and whereas a single taxable transaction can only be taxed once, neither VAT nor transfer duty will be payable.

This is normally the case with guesthouses and commercial properties.

However, if a private property is exclusively being let as a holiday accommodation, or in terms of a long-term lease, it is also deemed

by SARS as an enterprise that is capable of being disposed of as a going concern.

The wording of the deed of sale will be of utmost importance and will have to clearly reflect the parties’ intention of qualifying the transaction as a zero-rated one.

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www.thevillagenews.co.za

9 December 2020

WIN YOUR LOAN BACK! TO ENTER, APPLY FOR AN AFFORDABLE CASHIES LOAN AGAINST YOUR SALARY. BE APPROVED AND STAND A CHANCE TO WIN YOUR LOAN BACK. We also offer a FREE credit report. Visit our Personal Finance Centre today!

Competition ends 31 December 2020. Winner will be notified telephonically on 3 February 2021! Valid ONLY at Cash Converters Hermanus.

Cash Converters Hermanus Astoria Village, 23 Long St Hermanus T: 010 590 6328

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hermanus@cashconverters.co.za

www.cashconverters.co.za

“Good days start at night” Karin 028 312 2616 083 261 6093

6 Adam Street Whale Park, Hermanus

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www.thevillagenews.co.za

9 December 2020

Blue Flag season now open O

n Monday 1 December the new 2020 season started after Grotto, Hawston, Kleinmond and Castle Beach were awarded the right to hoist the prestigious Blue Flag for the summer. Further recognition was given to Onrus Beach which received Pilot Blue Flag status for the second year.

The Blue Flag season will run from 1 December to 17 January 2021 for Hawston, Kleinmond and Castle Beach, while Grotto’s season will extend until 31 March 2021.

Lifeguards will be on duty daily from 09:00 until 18:00 for the duration of the Blue Flag season. Swim only where there are lifeguards on duty and where signs indicate that it's safe.

Beach wheelchairs are available for use at Grotto and Kleinmond during the Blue Flag season while lifeguards are on duty.

At the flag ceremony Overstrand Executive Mayor Dudley Coetzee thanked everyone for their different roles in ensuring that the quality and cleanliness of these beaches have been consistently maintained.

Grotto beach celebrates a remarkable

20 consecutive years on the programme – one of only two beaches in South Africa – whilst Hawston and Kleinmond Beaches have both enjoyed Blue Flag status for 15 years.

Castle Beach will be flying its flag for the second successive year.

Special recognition was given to environmental specialist, Leon Steyn, who worked in the Environmental Department for many years and retired five years ago. “It was he who drove the Blue Flag beach programme from the start,” Mayor Coetzee said and added that it was a great privilege to have him present at the raising of the Blue Flag ceremony.

Mayor Coetzee said it was going to be a long and difficult season and reminded residents and visitors alike to continue following the Covid-19 protocols by washing hands regularly, maintaining social distancing and wearing masks when interacting with other people – especially when it is difficult to maintain physical distance.

The Blue Flag programme offers many benefits: improved tourism facilities, enhanced management of coastal ecosystems, increased awareness of the coast and capacity building of coastal

municipalities. Much time has been invested in preparing facilities to receive visitors for the season.

At the Grotto beach ceremony, special recognition was given to retired environmental specialist, Leon Steyn, who was involved with the Blue Flag beach programme from the start. On his left is Overstrand Municipality’s horticulturist and Blue Flag coordinator Lauren Rainbird with the award to celebrate Grotto beach’s remarkable 20 consecutive years on the Blue Flag programme.

Mayor Coetzee pointed out that it is expensive to operate a Blue Flag beach, “but Overstrand makes this investment because we care about our residents and visitors and want to provide them with facilities of the highest quality”.

He thanked Overstrand horticulturist and Blue Flag coordinator, Lauren Rainbird, for her enthusiasm and dedication, and also the cleaning staff for their diligence and commitment in keeping the ablution blocks clean and tidy at all times. He further urged the community and ward committee members to contact the Area Manager’s office if they find anything out of place.

“We must all work together to retain our status at all our Blue Flag Beaches and hopefully add Onrus beach next year,” he said.

The Mayor concluded by saying that reservists will be deployed as law enforcement officers on the beaches during the holiday season. “You have undergone the necessary training, and I believe you are competent and equipped for this challenging task. “Remember, our Blue Flag beaches are our pride. Let’s make sure it stays that way.”

About the Blue Flag Overstrand Municipality is working closely with WESSA (Wildlife Environ-

mental Society of South Africa), the implementing partner of the Department of Tourism for the Blue Flag programme to improve the beaches and coastline.

To achieve this status, as many as 33 criteria, spanning over four areas of coastal management, must be maintained. The four areas are water quality, environmental education information, environmental management and safety services.

9 December 2020

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www.thevillagenews.co.za

MY WELLNESS

Getting back into Tip Toe shape W

hen Elvina April is in her salon, she’s in her happy place. During the initial levels of lockdown when she had to keep her doors closed, she says she missed her work, her clients and her “other home”.

Elvina April in her beauty salon, Tip Toe in Main Road, which recently celebrated its 2nd birthday.

“I had been looking forward to taking a holiday, but when the lockdown happened I soon became frustrated. I don’t really enjoy gardening or baking, and I realised you should be careful what you wish for!” she laughs. “I was so excited when I was able to open my salon again, because this is not just a job for me – it’s my passion. I love being here, connecting with people and sharing their life journeys; we empower and learn from each other…”

Tip Toe is indeed a tranquil and relaxing space, even though it’s situated on the busy Main Road. Once Elvina starts your treatment, you forget all about the world out there as you unburden yourself of life’s daily stresses and strains. She’s friendly, professional and easy to talk to. She’s also courageous, as is every entrepreneur in Hermanus who decides to strike out and open his/her own business. For Elvina, it has

been quite a long journey that brought her to this big decision.

When she first moved to Hermanus 30 years ago she was still in her teens and her first job was as a wine steward at the Windsor Hotel. About a year later she responded to an advert that led her to hairstylist Sandi Wurbach, who at that time had a salon at the Gateway Centre. “My

journey has been paved by angels who taught me and supported me,” says Elvina. Another “angel” was Ria Jordaan of Pamper Me, who sent the young Elvina on a beauty course in Cape Town.

“I found that I enjoyed nails more than hair,” she says. After seven years with Pamper Me, she decided to take the next step and set herself up as a nail technician at Rose Hair & Beauty. Here Elvina built up a loyal client base over 10 years. Along the way she also got married (and divorced) and had three children, now aged 29, 21 and 14.

It was one of her clients, Pat Campbell who told her about the premises in Main Road that had become available after Vodacom moved out. “She helped me with a loan and was very encouraging,” says Elvina. “She kept telling me,

‘You and do it!’ I truly am a blessed person as so many people have offered me support, often at the worst moments when I really didn’t know how I’d be able to carry on.”

Elvina says starting her own business was a big step but all went well in her first year. “The salon was doing great – and then came the lockdown.

Again, I was blessed to have a sympathetic landlord and although I had to face new challenges, I was very happy and relieved to celebrate our 2nd birthday last week. I’m confident that I’ll be able to survive this Covid-19 setback which has impacted not only me but all local businesses.”

Tip Toe offers a range of nail treatments, including Bio-Sculpture and Acrylic, and in the tranquil massage room at the back of the shop, Elvina’s colleague Angie Dube is ready to treat customers to anything from a quick 15-minute scalp massage to a 90-minute full body massage. Gift vouchers are also available.

You’ll find Tip Toe at 1 Windsor Lane, Main Road, Hermanus. Contact Elvina on 073 474 0332 or Angie on 083 592 8900.

– Hedda Mittner

Homeleigh Holiday Care Program 24-hour live-in care for 1-4 weeks, At a special rate from 15th Dec -15th Jan

For more information contact Hannelie Fourie on 083 381 5012

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9 December 2020

MY ENVIRONMENT

A Christmas gift from nature

By Dr Anina Lee

After going through 4 – 5 instar stages, they become mature larvae or caterpillars. The caterpillars look quite different from the instars. They are mostly green with white and yellow markings and black 'eyespots'.

The green caterpillars are relatively well hidden on citrus trees, but they have an additional defence mechanism. When a bird or other predator tries to catch it, the caterpillar rears up and uses blood pressure to squeeze out a forked, finger-like, orange-coloured organ called an 'osmeterium' from just behind its head.

I

am saddened by the rampant consumerism that is associated with Christmas. While supporting local businesses is a good thing when purchasing what you need, buying goods for the sake of buying is bad for the planet.

The biggest threats to Planet Earth are not only the burgeoning number of people on it but also the rate at which the wealthy consume resources. Thus the USA consumes more resources and causes more planetary pollution than India, although the USA has only 35% of the population of India.

What, you say, should I then give my grandchildren for Christmas?

In my view, the most precious gift we can bestow on children is to spend time with them – preferably in nature, away from the television, mobile phones and other devices.

The gift of knowledge and love of nature will last a lifetime. Exploring nature leaves almost no carbon footprint, nor drives resource consumption.

For example, gift your loved ones a boat trip to spot sharks, whales, dolphins or even a Mola mola in Walker Bay. Or book a guided fynbos walk with a tour guide or Botanical Society. Gift a spot on one of the many nature activities offered by Whale Coast Conservation: spotting chameleons at night, exploring the hidden wildlife on the beach, or walking through an ancient milkwood forest and learning about its ecology and history.

By gifting one of these activities with

The ‘Christmas Butterfly’, or Citrus Swallowtail Butterfly (Papilio demodocus) is a beautiful black and yellow butterfly that can be spotted in gardens around South Africa. As the name implies, the caterpillars are partial to the leaves of citrus trees.

PHOTO: naturebackin.com local organisations, you will support the vital work they do in environmental education and in caring for our local natural treasures. Talking about caring – why not join a Cliff Path alien hacking group or a coastal clean-up? Donate your time – and that of your nearest and dearest – to a good cause.

Our bookshops, gardens, parks and beaches have a wealth of fascinating things to explore. For example, here is a topic, appropriate to the festive season, that you can share with your loved ones – the beautiful ‘Christmas Butterfly’, or Citrus Swallowtail Butterfly (Papilio demodocus).

This lovely black and yellow butterfly can be spotted in gardens around South Africa. While the adult butterfly is a gorgeous visitor, some gardeners may not welcome the larvae, also known as caterpillars.

As the name implies, the caterpillars are partial to the leaves of citrus trees. I have a lemon tree in my garden and have waited expectantly – but in vain – for them to come and

feast. But if you are lucky enough to host these beauties on your lemon tree, do not despair when you see the tree stripped bare of leaves.

The butterfly and its tree host have evolved together in harmony, and the tree will simply sprout more leaves.

These butterfly larvae also eat plants in the carrot family, like dill, parsley and fennel.

The organ could be mistaken for a snake's tongue, and it also has a strong, pungent smell to deter the predator. Scientists believe that the smell is derived from chemicals in the oil glands of the leaves eaten by the caterpillar.

When the caterpillar has grown to its maximum size of about 45mm, it lassoes itself to a branch with a strong strand of silk and pupates – that is, it becomes a pupa. Over the next few weeks, an amazing transformation takes place inside the pupa, in which the larva changes into a butterfly.

The winged butterfly has a different diet, feeding mainly on flower nectar.

A butterfly's sole purpose in life is to

"go forth and multiply".

When a male Swallowtail spots a female, he will hover over her and emit a chemical called a pheromone to signal his desire to mate. If the female accepts him, mating will take place. In the process, the male transfers a 'nuptial gift' of sperm and protein (called a 'spermatophore') to the female. The spermatophore is then absorbed, and its nutrient (protein) contents are given to the female's eggs as a food source.

The male dies soon after, having fulfilled his destiny. The female flies off to find a suitable host plant for her eggs. She lays about a hundred eggs and then she, too, dies. Out of the hundred eggs, an average of two will survive to maturity, replacing the two parents in the population.

Thus is the balance in nature – eat and be eaten. This way animals keep a constant population that can be supported by the environment in which the species live.

You cannot give a better gift for Christmas than an adventure in nature, which may well inspire our loved ones to learn more about its marvels – and with understanding comes caring for the wondrous planet on which we live.

Butterflies are insects, so they go through a life cycle of different forms, known as 'metamorphosis'. The life cycle of the Citrus Swallowtail has been beautifully captured in a blog by naturebackin.com.

The female butterfly lays a single egg on many individual leaves of the host plant. When the tiny immature caterpillars (called 'instars') hatch, they are most vulnerable to predators like birds. So what better camouflage than to look like a bird dropping.

Larvae eat voraciously and grow rapidly. As they grow, they have to shed their outer cuticle (skin) in a process called moulting.

LEFT: The male Swallowtail dies shortly after mating, while the female flies off to find a suitable host plant for her eggs. She lays about 100 eggs and then she, too, dies. An average of only two eggs will survive to maturity, replacing the two parents in the population. PHOTO: naturebackin. com. RIGHT: The green caterpillars have a hidden defence mechanism. When a bird or other predator tries to catch it, the caterpillar rears up and uses blood pressure to squeeze out a forked, orange-coloured organ called an 'osmeterium' which looks like a snake’s tongue and has a strong, pungent smell to deter the predator. PHOTO: Jon Richfield, Wikimedia Commons

9 December 2020

www.thevillagenews.co.za

21

What lurks below By Jax Bath

T

his week’s ocean adventure found its home in the biodiversity hope spot of False Bay, which has been in the spotlight over the past few months due to the release of the critically acclaimed documentary, My Octopus Teacher.

The departure from Walker Bay was in part due to the windy conditions that we have experienced along the Whale Coast for the past week, but admittedly, mostly due to a dire need to scuba dive again for the first time since lockdown. It is my firm belief that every single person should try scuba diving at least once in their lives. It is the most awe-inspiring experience I have ever had, and after qualifying last year, it is safe to say that I am hooked for life. With a no-sea day to spare, I made my way over Sir Lowry’s in search of a sheltered spot to get into the water.

We’re lucky to live along a stretch of coast with well-defined bays, which can provide some reprieve from the wind, depending on what direction it’s blowing from. If you’re looking to explore, by boat, by foot or even with a snorkel, it’s best to find a stretch of sea buffered by some sort of landmark. De Kelders provides some great snorkelling at this time of year, sheltered from the South Easter, but looking to do some scuba dive, I made my way to False Bay.

There are multiple, stunning dive sites in this corner of the Atlantic. Giant kelp forests in the shallows give way to pinnacles covered in urchins and anemones in the deep. Shipwrecks boast cues from the past and a host of life, reminding us of nature’s ability to reclaim what we leave behind. Sea fans, seals and shy sharks are just some of the glorious creatures that one might encounter and with every dive, there is the thrill of not knowing what incredible sight may be just around the bend.

Due to the strong winds, my instructor Joe opted for our old faithful, Long Beach. This dive site is located in Simon’s Town and is in the unique position of being protected from almost every

wind direction. Despite the choppy surface water, the ocean below is an oasis of life. When I tell customers, friends and even other divers this, there is often a look of disbelief, given the frigid temperatures experienced in the area. When most people think “diving”, they think of the tropical oceans of the Maldives or Seychelles, with coral reefs and colorful fish.

My Octopus Teacher and the Sea Change Project have done the most wonderful job of dispelling the idea that cold water is any less vibrant and fascinating. This small group of people have started a movement spreading all over the world to encourage cold water swimming and diving. Once you’ve gotten over the cold, you will be met with an enchanting underwater world that keeps people coming back for more.

Our dive started along the sandy bottom, where one might spot clams and a whole host of other shelled creatures carrying around their homes. In this area, what we are really looking for is a whole host of discarded shells packed together, because this is indicative of a different sort of home. What you’re seeing in the photo below is not a jumble of shells but rather the shelter of an octopus lurking below.

We were lucky to encounter around seven of these crypto creatures, which fall into the class Cephalopoda. Cephalopods are sophisticated molluscs and if you haven’t watched it already, My Octopus Teacher will give you a sense of just how intelligent, and perhaps even sentient, these creatures are. When we stopped outside their homes on our dive, we would look at them in wonder and curiosity for a while, drawing some of them out of their homes. Interestingly, the younger octopus where a lot more skittish than their adult counterparts, expelling ink to confuse us about their whereabouts. Octopus are preyed upon by creatures such as seals and shy sharks, but humans also catch them for bait so these little ones are right to be wary.

Whilst making our way along the sandy bottom, we also encountered a lone compass jellyfish floating along. It’s always advised to keep a safe distance from jellies, but they are definitely a sight to behold as they float past effortlessly in the water column.

After exploring the sandy bottom, we made our way towards

the kelp forests, which hold an astounding amount of life as fish come here to shelter, bringing others to feed. Kelp forests form an integral part of the Benguela ecosystem, creating safe havens from the turbulent Atlantic Ocean.

The kelp attaches to the bottom via a holdfast and breaks the force of the waves. In these forests, a variety of fish species can be encountered such as Hottentots and Strepies. As we skirted the forests, we were treated to views of these fish going about their day, with the occasional Klipvis revealing itself as the kelp fronts moved with the wave action. This kelp line led us to an old shipwreck which had long been colonised by fish and seaweed alike.

The crevices and swim throughs created by sunken ships provide a different sort of safe zone to that of the forests and are always a hive of activity. Whilst investigating the wreck, I could not help but feel a sense of childlike glee at the thought of following in the steps of Ariel, the Little Mermaid, which is a childhood dream realised for so many young women entering the ocean.

Following our time here, we slowly made our way back to shore, finally able to talk about all that we had seen in 45 minutes of blissful submergence.

If your pet is holidaying in Hermanus, let us take care of his needs Our one-stop shops are owned by a veterinarian so you know you're getting the safest, premium-quality products including foods like Hill's, Royal Canin & VetsBrands, chews & hooves, toys, parasite control, washable beds & so much more.

Our team is professionally trained so you know you're getting the best advice

HERMANUS Whale Coast Mall (entrance 1) tel 028 3121453

ONRUS 2 Wybo Newmark Road tel 028 316 2904

HERMANUS Station Mall, Checkers Centre tel 028 312 3028

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9 December 2020

MOTORING

F

on cars

Compiled by John Floyd

BMW 4 Series Coupé Models available to the South African market: BMW 420i, BMW 420d (both in rear-wheel drive) and the M440i xDrive.

• The BMW 420i and 420d are offered in standard base or the M Sport package. The BMW M440i xDrive is offered as an M Performance vehicle.

• All model variants are standard with eight-speed Steptronic transmission with new Sprint function for instantaneous and dynamic acceleration manoeuvres. BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive is available for the BMW M440i.

• The new BMW 4 Series Coupé has a sharper character than its predecessor. A precisely optimised body structure and chassis technology ensure characteristic performance attributes.

Bespoke package of bracing elements increases body rigidity. Centre of gravity 21 millimetres lower, rear-axle track 23 millimetres wider than on the latest BMW 3 Series Sedan.

Weight-minimised body and chassis construction. Finely balanced 50 : 50 weight distribution. Targeted optimisation of aerodynamics and reduction in lift at the rear axle.

• Lift-related dampers with bespoke tuning fitted as standard. Optional M Sport suspension with even firmer set-up for dampers, mounts and anti-roll bars, plus additional body struts and variable sport steering.

Also available as options: • Adaptive M suspension with electronically controlled dampers, M Sport brakes with a choice of blue or red brake calipers, M Sport differential with fully variable locking function in the rear differential.

• Standalone body design clearly differentiated from the new BMW 3 Series with clean surfacing, a striking front end and signature coupé proportions.

• Prominent, vertical BMW kidney grille follows the tradition of legendary BMW coupés and reflects the

engine’s high cooling air requirement.

Stretched side window graphic, powerfully sculpted shoulders and flowing roofline exude athleticism and sporting elegance.

Professional includes features such as Steering and Lane Control Assistant with new Active Navigation and the automatic formation of emergency lane function.

• Standard LED headlights with extremely slim contours. Adaptive LED Headlights with BMW Laserlight available as an option. Stylishly darkened LED rear lights with eye-catching L-shaped light bars.

• New generation of BMW Head-Up Display offers 70 per cent larger projection surface. Innovative 3D visualisation of the surrounding area in the digital instrument cluster shows the driver the vehicle and its surroundings, as well as the activated assistance systems and the functions they can offer.

• Design and equipment lines with clear focus on driving dynamics. M Sport model available as alternative to standard specification. 19-inch M light-alloy wheels and sporty soundtrack for the interior. Extensive selection of M Performance Parts available immediately.

• New interior design centred on sporty driving experience. Driver-focused cockpit design, new display grouping with up to 10.25-inch Control Display and optional, fully digital 12.3-inch instrument cluster. Control panel with high-quality design on the centre console, new sports leather steering wheel and newly developed sports seats as standard, knee pads on the centre console optional. Two seats in the rear with defined individual-seat character.

• Significantly enhanced acoustic and thermal comfort compared to predecessor model. Windscreen with acoustic glass and new three-zone automatic climate control fitted as standard; tilting/sliding glass roof with transparent surface extended by 24 millimetres in length; ambient lighting with Welcome Light Carpet, Hi-Fi loudspeaker system and auxiliary heating controlled by smartphone or BMW Display Key available as options.

• Significantly wider range of driver assistance systems than for the predecessor model. Front collision warning with brake input and Lane Departure Warning with lane return by means of steering assistance are now standard, likewise Speed Limit Info. Optional Driving Assistant

• Park Distance Control with front and rear sensors as standard. Optional Parking Assistant for automated entry into and exit from parking spaces now includes reversing assistant.

Parking Assistant Plus also comes with Park View, Panorama View, 3D Top View and Remote 3D View. BMW Drive Recorder creates video up to 40 seconds in length of the car’s surroundings.

• BMW Operating System 7 enables individual and personalised screens on the Control Display and instrument cluster, plus use of the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant. Optimised interaction between vehicle occupants and the digital companion via new graphic on the Control Display. Intuitive, multimodal operation using the Control Display (touch control), iDrive Controller, steering wheel buttons, voice control and gesture control.

• New, cloud-based BMW Maps navigation system included as standard. Fast and precise calculation of routes and arrival times, updating of real-time traffic data at frequent intervals, free choice of words for selecting navigation destinations.

• Standard smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay and now also Android Auto, information can be viewed in Control Display, in the instrument cluster and in the optional Head-Up Display. Remote Software Upgrade enables over-the-air integration of improved vehicle functions and new digital services into the car.

MODEL

PETROL/DIESEL

STANDARD PACKAGE

M SPORT PACKAGE

BMW 420i

Petrol

R755 400

R800 800

BMW 420d

Diesel

R802 900

R848 300

BMW M440i

Petrol

N/A

R1 1174 500

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Hyundai’s Creta a fresh new face H

yundai’s Creta a fresh new face Hyundai has introduced a fresh new face in their local SUV range: the all-new Creta, with eye-catching styling, extensive features and driving capabilities that are bound to make it an even more popular choice in this very competitive segment of the South African car market.

The new Creta comes in five derivatives with two specification levels – Premium and Executive. A 1,5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, a 1,5-litre turbocharged diesel engine and a 1,4 turbocharged petrol engine are the power sources for the range. They are used in combination with a manual transmission, an Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) and a dual-clutch automatic transmission for the flagship Creta TGDI Executive.

The first-generation Creta was an immediate volume-seller in Hyundai's South African SUV range since its launch in 2017. After a slight mid-term facelift the following year, the new, second-generation Creta arrives on our shores at the end of 2020 with striking exterior looks that bears the styling DNA of its bigger SUV siblings – the Tucson and Santa Fe – as well as the smaller Venue.

All together 14 811 units of the first-generation Creta was sold in South Africa since its launch in 2017.

Not only the exterior, but also the spacious cabin of the new Creta received a complete redesign, which is slightly longer and wider than its predecessor. The neat, minimalistic facia of the new Creta's centre console and instrument panel is impressive and creates a tranquillity that adds to the enjoyment of the solid, smooth ride qualities of the vehicle.

Fresh new styling – inside and out The all-new Hyundai Creta is sure to be an eye-catcher on the road with its fresh new styling and the two-tone colour scheme for the flagship Executive Derivatives. It is a visibly larger car than its predecessor and the smoothly creased hood lines and a voluminous body-coloured bumper and big, bold new grille helps to make a dramatic first impression.

The headlights (halogen for the Premium derivative and LED for the Executives) take an unusual shape, with the daytime running lights above and on the side of the headlight cluster. Below them the bumper houses the indicator lights and fog lights (for the Executive derivatives).

Viewed from the side, the new Creta’s styling upgrade is impressive. It sports bold, almost square wheel arches that are accentuated by the design lines on the body panels above them. The 2-tone derivatives with their Lava-Orange-andblack and Polar-White-and-black colour themes are even more attractive as the black C-pillar and roof form a unit.

The taillights of the new Creta repeats the design lines of the front end of the vehicle, with reverse lights located in the tidy black bumper. The attractive 17-inch alloy wheels on the Executive derivatives complete the picture. The Premium derivative comes with 16-inch alloys. Seven body colours are available in the new Creta range: Galaxy Blue, Lava Orange, Phantom Black, Polar White, Red Mulberry, Titan Grey and Typhoon Silver.

On in the inside, the styling of the new Creta has also risen a few notches. It is clean, sometimes minimalistic, with

beautiful red accents on the leather seats and air vents. The steering wheel, with a flat bottom part, also sports red stitching in the leather cladding.

The cabin is spacious, also for rear passengers, who benefit from added comfort in the form of a centre arm rest with cup holders that fold out of the backrest for the middle seat in the rear bench. The driver seat’s height can be adjusted, and with the telescopic and height adjustment of the steering it creates a very comfortable driving position.

Seat trims are available in grey and black cloth for the Premium derivative; grey and black leather for the Executive versions; and black leather seat trim with red accents for the flagship Creta 1.4 TGDI Executive DCT. Convenience features A multifunction steering wheel with remote control buttons for the infotainment system, trip computer and cruise control and a wireless charging pad (in the Executive derivatives) are two of the many convenience features found in the new Hyundai Creta.

The button for the Bluetooth telephone connection on the steering wheel enables the driver to make calls using voice recognition. Furthermore, the Apple Carplay and androidauto connectivity of the infotainment system with its 8-inch touch screen enables the driver or passengers to select several functions through voice commands.

Apart from the infotainment USB connection in the centre console, the new Creta has an extra 12V power socket, as well as a USB charging socket and storage place in a very useful console for the rear passengers. This console also contains rear air vents for the Creta’s manual air conditioner.

Manoeuvring the new Creta in the city and in tight spaces is made easy with the rear park assist sensors and camera, which displays its view on the infotainment system’s screen.

New engines, Continuous Variable Transmission Three new engines are used in the allnew Creta range in South Africa: A naturally aspirated 4-cylinder engine with a 1 497 cc displacement; a turbodiesel 4-cylinder, with a 1 493 cc displacement; and a turbocharged petrol engine with a displacement of 1 353 cc.

The engines are mated in different combinations to either a 6-speed manual gearbox, a conventional 6-speed automatic transmission, a new 6-speed Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) that uses a chain belt and pulley system with an increased gear ration span, or a 7-speed Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT).

All derivatives are driven by the front wheels.

The 1,5-litre naturally aspirated engine powers the entry derivative, the Creta 1.5 Premium (six-speed manual transmission), and the Creta 1.5 Executive with the new IVT. This engine delivers 85 kW peak power at 6 300 r/min. and 144 Nm maximum torque at 4 500 r/min.

The new turbodiesel, which pushes out 85 kW peak power at 4 000 r/min. and 250 Nm maximum torque between 1 500 and 2 750 r/min., delivers power in the Creta 1.5 Executive Diesel, coupled with a 6-speed automatic transmission.

The new 1,4-litre turbocharged petrol engine is reserved for the flagship derivative – the Creta 1.4 TGDI Executive with the 7-speed DCT and a two-tone exterior colour finish. This engine delivers 103 kW peak power at 6 000 r/min., and 242 Nm maximum torque between 1 500 and 3 200 r/min.

Among other improvements, Hyundai has equipped the new 1,5-litre petrol engine with two injectors per cylinder and applies advanced valve timing, called Middle Position Lock CVVT, to improve efficiency.

In the case of the turbodiesel, the cylinder block’s weight has been trimmed by 5 kg and power output and fuel efficiency improved by a new fuel injection system.

Ride, handling and suspension A firm, yet comfortable ride makes a journey in the new Creta enjoyable – both on tar roads and gravel routes. The McPherson strut front suspension and coupled torsion beam axle (CTBA) for the rear wheels have been tuned to give the new Creta a solid, surefooted feeling on both road surfaces.

The CTBA, which includes trailing arms and carriers on which the rear wheels are mounted, offers improved compliance characteristics that are noticeable when the Creta encounters a mountain pass or a bumpy road.

Decreasing levels of noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) has also received attention through increased body rigidity along safety-critical structures with the expanded use of industrial-strength adhesives that augment spot welds.

Revisions to the engine mounts and redesigned intake/exhaust manifolds also played key roles in reducing NVH levels and lowering specifically acceleration noise.

Safety Front and side airbags for the driver and front passenger, and two curtain airbags that offer protection for rear passengers too are part of the new Creta Executive derivative’s safety package. Side and curtain airbags are not included in the Premium derivative. ISOFIX child seat attachments are standard in all derivatives, as well as 3-point inertia reel safety belts with pretensioners.

Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ensures control even in difficult road conditions, while a tyre pressure monitoring system gives early warning should a tyre run flat.

Another luxury safety feature is Hill-start Assist Control, which holds the car for a few seconds on an incline to pull away without roll-back.

Pricing The pricing of the new Creta range is: • Creta 1.5 Premium (manual) R 374 900 • Creta 1.5 Executive IVT R 429 900 • Creta 1.5 Executive IVT (2-tone) R 434 900 • Creta 1.5 Executive Diesel (automatic) R 469 900 • Creta 1.5 Executive Diesel (automatic) (2-tone) R 474 900 • Creta 1.4 TGDI Executive DCT (2-tone) R 484 900 All Cretas are sold with a 7-year / 200 000 km manufacturer’s warranty; 4-year / 60 000 km service plan; and roadside assistance for 7 years or 150 000 km.

9 December 2020

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9 December 2020

Hino helps farmers in need H ino trucks are playing a vital role in assisting farmers in need in the Vanwyksvlei region of the Northern Cape. This area has not had rain for eight years and at least 13 farms have been abandoned due to the worst drought in 50 years.

Many of the people living in this region are emerging farmers who do not have the resources to keep farming in long periods without rain so they are very grateful for the fodder the trucks are bringing to their

region.

Two of Hino SA’s driver trainers, Zenzele Mafokate and Joseph Peme, take turns to drive the Hino 700 2845 link combination with 56-ton GVM. Each trip to Vanwyksvlei takes about 18 hours, going via Kimberley. Both Hino SA and Hino East Rand contributed towards the running costs of these trips.

The key people arranging the transport and distribution of this

much-needed fodder are Nick Vlok, the former CEO of Digicore and Dominee Deon van der Walt, while Garth Middleditch, a key accounts executive at Hino East Rand, is involved in liaising the Hino involvement in this joint effort.

“We are very supportive of this project to help farmers in need and glad that this support extends to our dealers and customers,” commented Pieter Klerck, General Manager of Hino SA.

Nissan Terra expands SUV lineup Nissan have unveiled the all-new Nissan Terra 2021, in the Middle East.

Solidifying its strong presence in the SUV market, the tough yet sophisticated vehicle is planned for release in South and Sub-Saharan

Africa in the latter part of 2021.

The overall image is rugged and imposing, with added expressions of sophistication and technology.

However detailed specification and equipment levels will be communicated closer to the launch.

KIA Sorento Carbuyer ‘Car of the Year’ The new KIA Sorento has topped the tables in Carbuyer’s tenth annual Best Car Awards, picking up accolades for both ‘Best Large Family Car’ and overall ‘Car of the Year’. KIA’s flagship SUV follows in the successful footsteps of the e-Niro, Picanto and cee’d, all of which have collected honours at the Carbuyer Best Car Awards in previous years.

The Carbuyer Best Car Awards were livestreamed simultaneously on Wednesday, 25 November 2020 on the Carbuyer website and YouTube channel, which boasts over half a million subscribers. The awards ran through 19 different categories, crowning a winner for

each, before finally bestowing the award of overall ‘Car of the Year’ on the fourth-generation KIA Sorento, judged by the entire editorial team at Carbuyer.

Paul Philpott, President and CEO of KIA Motors (UK) Limited commented: “For the Sorento to win this award is an outstanding achievement, and one which fills our UK team and dealer partners with pride and encouragement. This vehicle embodies just how far we have come as a brand since entering the UK market nearly 30 years ago, offering high quality, efficient and desirable products to a growing customer base. The Sorento winning

ENROL ALL YEAR ROUND

this award is high praise indeed and credit that’s been duly earned.”

Richard Ingram, editor of Carbuyer. co.uk, said: “Our Best Large Family Car and our overall Car of the Year for 2021 has been awarded to what we consider the consummate all-rounder.

"The KIA Sorento is a versatile SUV that’s nipping at the heels of premium rivals, feeling luxurious and spacious in equal measure. Competition in this area of the market is fierce, but no other model comes close to the far-reaching talents of the fantastic Sorento. Congratulations to KIA on a well-deserved win.”

No school fee increase for 2021

• From 4 months to Grade 12 • Small class sizes • IEB examination • Indoor swimming pool • Hockey AstroTurf with floodlights Quality education for future leaders

Starting date for new academic year: 13 January 2021

tinka.s@curro.co.za | 028 316 4911

www.curro.co.za