The Village NEWS 1 - 14 August 2017

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NEWS NEWS The

1-14 August 2017

Cape Whale Coast

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PHOTO: Jax Bath - www.WhaleWatchSA.com

Whale Coast welcomes large number of whales De Waal Steyn

R

esidents of the Cape Whale Coast have reason to jump for joy after an aerial survey has confirmed double the number of whales in our waters compared to last year.

According to Dr Els Vermeulen, Research Manager of the Whale

Unit of the University of Pretoria (UP), a total of 109 unaccompanied whales (those that are seen without an associated calf ) and 64 mothercalf pairs were counted during an aerial survey in July.

“This brings the total whale count to 237 compared to last year's annual count that showed the lowest number in the last 20 years. In 2016, we counted only 9 unaccompa-

nied whales and 55 mothercalf pairs, giving us a total of 119 Southern Right Whales.

All calves that were counted in July were in the De Hoop area while 24 unaccompanied whales were counted in Walker Bay.” Els was appointed in April this year as Research Manager and post-doctoral research fellow, meaning that she is responsible for the annual Southern

Right Whale counts, identifications and associated data analysis. The research unit holds the longest standing database on any marine mammal in the world after the annual whale counts were started by the late Prof Peter Best in the early 1970s.

“From the aerial surveys, we have noticed a decrease in unaccompanied whales since 2009. For mother-calf pairs we

had a peak in 2014 but noticed a strong decrease in sightings along our coasts since 2015. The annual surveys are done between Nature's Valley and Muizenberg.

However, due to the low count last year we extended our survey area up to Lambert's Bay to see if the whales were on the West Coast... but with no success,” says Els.

for the decrease in sightings remain speculative, but it seems to be happening on a global scale. In Argentina and Brazil, they have observed the same trend in recent years, as well as Australia although there it seems to be a year off, as whale sightings decreased in 2014 and 2015 and the whales seem to have increased in numbers again in 2016.

She explains that the reasons

Read more on P 3

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The Team 6 Royal Street Hermanus

028 050 1319

Publishing Editor dewaal@thevillagenews.co.za

Content Editor

Hedda Mittner 083 645 3928 hedda@thevillagenews.co.za

Design and Layout

Nickey Jackson 079 408 7722 nickey@thevillagenews.co.za

THE

NEWS

OPINION Matters

SRAs are a good idea for Whale Coast The plans that are afoot to create Special Ratings Areas (SRAs) in the Overstrand area is indeed good news for our towns (Read more on Page 7).

Members of both taxpayer and resident associations are increasingly driving the establishment of Special Rated Areas in all areas of the country.

With our towns heavily dependent on tourism it is important for our communities to invest in the safeguarding of our natural resources as well as maintaining high levels of safety and security.

In terms of SRA agreements municipalities are also obligated to maintain existing service levels after an SRA is established. In an area where we already have excellent service delivery this is indeed a plus.

Further to creating better environments these structures also allow for property values to be improved. The City of Cape Town currently has more than 35 approved and fully operational SRAs, resulting in massive improvement districts in both

residential and commercial areas. Muizenberg and Sea Point are just two examples where property owners previously plagued with drugrelated problems, have seen massive improvements as a direct result of SRA intervention.

According to the experts, areas where SRAs have been implemented reap the benefits from the installation of CCTV cameras, patrol vehicles, and environmental protection and upgrading.

What would however be important to keep in mind during the implementation processes in our areas is the management of cooperation should more than one SRA area be created. There would be little sense in acquiring the infrastructure for security cameras and control rooms for areas if they are not connected to one other. One of the main issues in effectively combatting crime is the constant flow of information. The same could be said in terms of managing wild animals in the area.

This is the GOOD News – Ed.

WHERE TO FIND US

Office Administrator

Tania Hamman admin@thevillagenews.co.za

Marketing Manager

Rina de Wet 083 604 0808 rina@thevillagenews.co.za

The Village NEWS is published fortnightly and the next edition will be available on 15 August. The NEWS can be found at over 100 distribution points on the Cape Whale Coast, from Kleinmond to Gansbaai.

Get your FREE copy from major retail stores such as Spar, Checkers and Pick n Pay, and at restaurants, tasting rooms, galleries and shopping centres. Should you wish to receive a copy, call us on 028 050 1319 or 083 700 3319 or pop into our office at 6 Royal Street, Hermanus.

Ombudsman The press exists to serve society. Its freedom provides for independent scrutiny, and is essential to ensuring demo-cracy. It enables citizens to make informed judgments, a role that is recognised by the Constitution. The Village NEWS subscribes to the South African Press Code and thus to the South African Press Council and the South African Press Ombudsman. Should you feel our reporting is not fair, free or unbiased and without prejudice, or that serious errors have been made, you are welcome to lay a complaint with the Ombudsman.

Reach him on 011 484 3612/8, e-mail pressombudsman.org.za or visit www.ombudsman.org.za

Digging those dung beetles Several people have remarked that they don’t see many dung beetles on the Hermanus Cliff Path these days. These industrious little insects were quite a feature of the cliff path, rolling away dog dung to bury it. Is it perhaps an indication that more dog owners are picking up after their pets and making use of Whale Coast Conservation’s doggy doo bag dispensers?

Dung beetles use the buried dung as a brood ball.

They lay their eggs in the soft dung, which then provides food for the emerging larvae. But how do the dung beetles know where to find their food? Prof Jeremy Midgley recently attracted a lot of media attention with his team’s research on dung beetles and a devious reed. So we decided to ASK THE EXPERT. WCC: Prof Midgley, please tell us what all the excitement was about – not just in scientific circles, but also among lay people.

JM: As you mentioned, dung beetles find their food – which is dung – by its pungent smell. Once found, dung beetles then roll and bury dung balls or dung pellets to later eat or to lay eggs in. But in the De Hoop Nature Reserve large restios called Ceratocaryum argenteum have managed to dupe dung beetles into rolling and burying their seeds.

These seeds look and smell like dung pellets, so this is a classic case of plants deceiving animals.

WCC: Do the restios’ seed dupe the beetles through sight or smell or both?

JM: These seeds are the same rounded shape and brown colour as a dung pellet from local antelope like bontebok and eland. Fresh seeds are really stinky and the scent profile of the dung of these herbivores and that of the seeds is remarkably complex, yet very similar. So the seed resembles an antelope dropping both in appearance and smell.

WCC: How did you discover this remarkable activity in the dung beetles?

JM: We attached luminescent threads to some Ceratocarym argenteum seeds and record what happens. Within minutes of putting seeds out after recent rains, dung beetles arrived and rapidly rolled and buried the seeds. Dung beetles

typically eat soft dung, mostly as developing larvae inside a dung ball but also, to a lesser degree, as adults. The hard seeds of Ceratocaryum argenteum are therefore inedible to dung beetles and thus there is no reward for the dung beetles that disperse these seeds.

WCC: Surely this pointless activity is detrimental to the dung beetles?

JM: Our research shows the deception is not that costly to the beetles as they do not lay eggs on the seeds. When they try to lay eggs in the hard seeds, they realise something is wrong and they leave.

WCC: This is an amazing case of evolution in the shape and chemistry of the seed. It must have great survival benefits for the restios concerned.

JM: The benefit to the plant of being buried by dung beetles is very significant because large seeds do not easily get buried passively. Large seeds left on the soil surface would then be prone to incineration in veld fires that typically burn through fynbos about every 10 to 20 years. The seeds would also be prone to desiccation as they wait for post-fire conditions in which to germinate and establish. So burial is crucial.

WCC: What are the evolutionary implications of this fascinating research?

JM: This discovery has several implications. This is probably the best example globally of deception in plant seed dispersal. The evolution of dung beetle deception in a fynbos plant implies the long term presence of dung and thus the presence of large herbivores. Fynbos is generally considered to be unpalatable and therefore that large herbivores would be absent. In contrast, our results suggest the sustained presence of dung.

– Anina Lee

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Keeping an eye on our whales From P 1 “So as this seems to have been a trend in the general Atlantic and Pacific Oceans (and thus not a pure South African issue) it is most likely that something happened in the Southern Ocean that inhibited the whales from migrating towards our shores and those of Argentina, Brazil and Australia,” says Els. “Perhaps it could have been a strong effect of El Nino, in which the Atlantic reacted a year later than the Pacific. What specifically happened we don't know, nor do we know what the effect of this will be on the population, such as: did the calves that were born last year survive the Southern Ocean?

“It is important to remember that whales calve every 3 years. This means that any effect on the population will not show for another 2 years. However, we are expecting a serious increase in numbers again as the whales that had calves in 2014 (in the peak year) should be calving again this year along our shores. Also, El Nino has died down for the moment, so we are guessing that numbers should go up again,” says Els. According to her from this year on, she decided to conduct monthly aerial surveys in order to follow the increase in numbers along the shore after these "odd" years and to ensure that they conduct their large annual photo-identification survey at the right time of year, as perhaps with the changes in the past year the peak in whale presence may have changed as well.

“Although we fly our large annual survey at the end of September with a helicopter and over a large stretch of coastline, due to financial limitations, monthly counts are only conducted between Hawston and St Sebas-

PHOTO: Jax Bath - www.WhaleWatchSA.com tian Bay at De Hoop using a gyrocopter. This allows us to include the two main areas with the highest expected numbers.

“Many people have speculated about the negative effect of whale watching boats on the whales and have argued that this must be the reason for the decrease in sightings. I want to clarify that this is not the case, as it is clearly a global issue that we are addressing with our international colleagues.

“Another assumption often heard is that whales choose to be in De Hoop and St Sebastian Bay because there is low boat traffic. This is purely due to a habitat preference of the whales for sandy beaches, non-steep slopes, low currents and limited wind... all aspects they can find along the shores of certain areas of De Hoop and St Sebastian Bay, as well as at Die Plaat in Walker Bay. There is plenty of coastline without boat traffic, yet whales have had a specific choice for those three areas ever since we started our surveys in the early 1970s,” says Els.

To keep the public informed a Whale Unit Facebook page has been created facebook.com/MRIWhaleUnit. You can also visit www.up.ac.za/whale-unit

■ The global Southern Right Whale population decreased from an estimated 70 000 – 80 000 animals in the 1770s to about 300 - 400 when the population received international legal protection in 1935.

■ This was because of open-boat whaling initially and then modern whaling thereafter. Pirate whaling by the Soviets continued into the 1960s but since then the species has made a steady recovery globally.

■ The world population is currently estimated at about 15 000 individuals, 5 000 of which occur in South African waters. Due to the work done on the aerial survey, almost 2 000 recognisable individuals are represented in the South African photo ID catalogue.

How green is our Municipality?

The Overstrand Municipality has been shortlisted for the 2017 National Arbor City Awards hosted by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF).

management, especially in the townships and new settlement areas,” says Lauren.

According to the Municipality’s horticulturist, Lauren Rainbird, this prestigious competition is aimed at encouraging Municipalities to green areas in their towns and promote environmental conservation and develop-ment, thereby securing a healthy living environment for residents in all areas.

The awards is a partnership between DAFF, the Institute for Environment and Recreation Management (IERM) and Total South Africa as the main sponsor. The competition further encourages Municipalities to create awareness on the importance of green landscapes and provides a platform for identifying challenges facing Municipalities in greening their environment.

“It provides incentives and rewards to Municipalities that are doing their best in terms of greening and landscape

According to Lauren the first phase of the evaluation is done based on a portfolio of evidence received from the participating

Municipalities after which a first shortlist is drawn up by the adjudicators. The shortlisted Municipalities are then further evaluated by a visit from a panel of judges where the Municipality is given the opportunity to do a 45-minute presentation on their initiatives followed by a site visit.

“We expect a visit by the judges in the next week or two and they will be shown the Uitkyk and Mswe Village projects in Mount Pleasant and Zwelihle,” says Lauren.

This is the 15th year the competition will be held. Last year the Alfred Duma Municipality in Ladysmith in KwaZulu-Natal was the winner in the Local Municipality category.

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Tackling the problem of plastic waste

“

In the last 10 years, we have produced more plastic than during the whole of the last century

By Sarah Taylor

U

nless you’ve had your head deep in the sand, you’ll know that plastic waste has become a global problem of significant magnitude. In the last 10 years, we have produced more plastic than during the whole of the last century.

The impact of plastic waste on the environment A phenomenal eight million metric tons of mismanaged plastic waste is estimated to have been dumped into the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans in 2010, impacting significantly on marine animals, such as sea turtles, whales and birds.

These creatures become entangled in derelict fishing gear or ingest plastic or microplastic, mistaking it for food. Microplastics are small pieces of plastic, such as polyethelene or polypropylene microbeads, which are added to toothpastes and facial scrubs, or are the result of larger pieces of plastic breaking down, including artificial fibres such as polyester.

”

Overstrand Muncipality, the first municipality in the country to do so. Nevertheless, she noted that local researchers had found microplastics in the stomachs of marine animals in the area.

CRUSADERS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT From left are Johan van Taak, Overstrand Municipality solid waste manager; Tarron Dry, Overstrand assistant project manager; Liezl de Villiers, Overstrand senior environmental manager; Pierre de Villiers, CapeNature manager of marine protected areas, islands and estuaries; Martin Matlebyane, United States Embassy environment, science and technology specialist; Dr Jenna Jambeck, associate professor of environmental engineering at the University of Georgia, US; Amy Bell-Mulaudzi, public affairs specialist at the US Consulate General; and Dr Tony Ribbink of the Sustainable Seas Trust.

PHOTOS: Sarah Taylor Africa as a regional leader in addressing marine debris through building scientific research and promoting capacity building.

Other impacts of plastic marine debris include reduced tourism due to fouled beaches and increased costs of maintaining clean beaches. While some of this waste sinks to the bottom of the ocean, the remainder floats, creating huge ‘plastic patches’ or gyres in the ocean.

Plastic waste expert visits the Overstrand The Overstrand Municipality recently welcomed US plastic waste expert, Dr Jenna Jambeck, who spent just over a week in South Africa meeting environmental leaders, local government officials, academics and members of the public in the three coastal provinces: KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape and the Western Cape.

Her visit was part of the US Embassy’s support of South

Jambeck, an associate professor of environmental engineering at the University of Georgia, also participated in the African Marine Waste Network Conference in Port Elizabeth organised by the Sustainable Seas Trust and aimed at drafting a panAfrican marine pollution strategy.

PLASTIC WASTE ON A PLATE Dr Jenna Jambeck of the University of Georgia eyes out the plastic sushi made by Whale Coast Conservation and proffered by Overstrand Municipality assistant project manager Tarron Dry.

In a filled-to-capacity public lecture on the ‘Impacts of Marine Waste’ held at the Hermanus Civic Auditorium on 17 July, Jambeck said that the majority of the waste that ends up in the oceans comes from the land, largely as a result of either inadequately managed refuse by municipalities or littering by members of the public.

Jambeck, however, praised the recycling initiative of the

The findings of scientific research On 20 July, Jambeck and a team of researchers published their findings in the journal Science Advances, which showed that “Humans have created 8.3 billion metric tons of plastics since large-scale production of synthetic materials began in the early 1950s, and most of it now resides in landfills or the natural environment.”

This same team of researchers led a 2015 study, published in the journal Science, which calculated that eight million tons of plastic entered the oceans in 2010. Jambeck has made it her mission to find ways not only to research the extent of plastic waste in the oceans, but also to remedy the situation.

“While my research involves looking at the contamination of the sea, I am also looking at what is happening on the land and trying to find out how we can come together to solve this global problem. Plastic is different to other materials because it does not biodegrade: it just weathers and fragments into smaller pieces of microplastic.”

What is the solution?

She noted five steps to dealing with the problem: reducing plastic production by reducing the public demand for plastic or by industry leading this move;

developing innovative ‘green’ materials and product designs; reducing waste generation with reusable items and a sharing/ collaborative economy; improving global waste management; and improving litter capture.

She noted that a global ban was needed on microbeads and, since this public lecture was held, a small victory was made with the British government banning microbeads.

The Marine Debris Tracker Jambeck has co-developed a citizen-based mobile app for litter and marine waste data collection and mapping called Marine Debris Tracker, which aims to collect “global standardised data at a scale, speed and efficiency that was not previously possible”. To date the app and the associated citizen science programme have documented the location of over one million litter and marine debris items removed from the environment throughout the world.

“There has been a lack of data on waste management and we are hoping to change that with the Marine Debris Tracker…

What we have found is that many rapidly developing economies don’t have the infrastructure to deal with the solid waste emerging from their development… While there are people behind these numbers (of the amount of waste generated) there are also people behind the solutions,” said Jambeck.

“And with this app, when you have the data, you can use it to explore upstream solutions to the problems. This app is a tool that individuals can use to take their data to municipalities, for example, to start a conversation about a particular waste issue.

“Individual actions matter, local decisions matter and, taken collectively, we can all make a difference,” said Jambeck.

■ Marine Debris Tracker can be downloaded for Apple and Android devices.

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Fick’s Pool: Past, present and future

oday, Fick’s Pool is one of the lesser-known historical sites in Hermanus. Probably not one in twenty of our own residents knows what or where it is. But it has been in existence for nearly 90 years and has provided exercise, thrills and teenage romance for thousands, writes DR ROBIN LEE of the Hermanus History Society.

Fick’s Pool is situated below Marine Drive where the formal houses on the sea side of the road come to an end. Look out for a tarred parking area next to a substantial thatched residence. At this point the ground drops away quite sharply towards the ocean and Fick’s Pool comprises a narrow inlet from the open sea to a sheltered cove.

taking shy peeks at the opposite sex.

It was showing off and innocent flirting with the exciting uncertainties of romance. It was where the boys challenged each other to what seemed to us then, death-defying dives from the top of the cliff just outside the sea wall of the pool… Fikkie’s Pool was an idyll. … And the site of tragedy

This is one of the oldest parts of Hermanus. In 1854, while Hermanuspietersfontein was still the official name of the area and the first settler families had not yet left Herries Bay, the first twelve sites for houses were put up for sale by the Municipality just above Fick’s Pool at £1. 4 shillings each.

PHOTO: Hedda Mittner

In the early 1930s a concrete wall was built across the opening of the cove, creating a tidal swimming pool. Waves break with considerable force into the pool and scour out sand and water that has stood for too long. As a result swimming in the pool is a very refreshing experience. At present it is seriously under-utilised.

Who was Mr Fick?

There are two different explanations of how Fick’s Pool came into existence and who it was named after. Some accounts attribute it to Mr J J Fick, who was the principal of the only government school in Hermanus during the 1920s and early 1930s. Known as the ‘Klipskool’, it was situated at the foot of Klipkop, which we now call Hoy’s Koppie. Mr J J Fick lived in a house on one of the sites above the inlet, then named the ‘gat’.

It was the time of the Great Depression and times were tough economically. There was little money available to provide entertainment for pupils during weekends and holidays. Children from families living in Mossel River and Voëlklip had access to several beaches (Langbaai, Voelklip, Kammabaai and Grotto) and could entertain themselves. But there was not much to do in the town itself, except hanging around the Old Harbour, then known as ‘Visbaai’, watching the fishermen and getting into bad habits.

We know that the Oblowitz family, which owned a prosperous general dealers store at the corner of Main and Harbour Roads, actually sold up and returned to Cape Town because their only son, Sidney could not be prevented from playing truant and hanging around with suspect companions at Visbaai. Sidney reveals this himself in a remarkable set of television

Fick’s Pool, then (above) and now (top). interviews he gave at the age of 95 in 2010.

Mr Fick petitioned the Council to create a swimming pool in front of his house. This involved considerable blasting of the rocky cliffs and the removal of a large pointed rock that would have been in the middle of the pool. Then the concrete wall was built and, a little later, basic wooden changing facilities were added. These were painted white and were erected on the north side of the pool. They can be seen in old photographs and were attractive in themselves, unlike the unattractive face-brick building to be seen there now.

It seemed a good thing to name the pool after the man who had motivated its construction and so ‘Fick’s Pool’ came into existence, probably in 1933. It was an immediate hit with schoolchildren.

The other Mr Fick The second explanation is more prosaic, but contains more verifiable data. Another family with the name of Fick had been

PHOTO: Old Harbour Museum, Hermanus

living in the Caledon area since at least the 1870s, according to Mr ‘Lampie’ Fick, the present owner of the farm Weltevreden and former Cabinet Minister.

Documents exist proving that his ancestor Josias Servaas Fick served as Field Cornet for the Caledon ward from 1870 to 1885.

There is further documentary evidence that on 16 August 1889 an erf (plot) in Hermanus, adjacent to the twelve previously sold, was granted on a quitrent basis to the same Josias Fick. The erf extended from the northern end the pool, across Marine Drive (which had not yet been built) and all the way to Church Street, enabling the family to keep chickens, a cow and sheep.

Josias Servaas Fick began to spend more time at this holiday home and got into the habit of going for a morning swim each day. He apparently also successfully persuaded others to join him and soon people were referring to “Fick se Gat”. This was later changed to the socially more acceptable ‘Fick se Poel’ and then anglicised into “Fick’s Pool”.

The summer haunt of 1940s teenagers…

Either way, by the mid-1930s young people were enjoying themselves at Fick’s Pool, using the term of endearment “Fikkie’s Pool”.

Numerous photographs show numbers of people using the facilities, but the best written description I can find refers to Fick’s Pool in the 1940s. It was written in 2003 by Una Graven, a grandchild of Christiaan Warrington, of the original settler families.

It is part of a contribution she made to S J du Toit’s Hermanus Stories III: When we were approaching our teenage years, Fikkie’s Pool was our summer haunt. The beaches of Voëlklip and the New Beach as we called the Grotto Beach then, were out of our reach as none of us had any means of transport… Fikkie’s Pool was where it all happened splashing in the tidal pool, being frightened when the high tide swept over the retaining wall, clambering over the large rocks and spreading a towel on the warm stone, to lie for hours with the glow of sun on your back. It was giggling and gossiping and

Another story linked to Fick’s Pool is tragic and concerns the death of a member of the same original settler family, the Warringtons. On a New Year’s Day in the late 1920s Joe Warrington persuaded Skipper van Dyk, Tommy Montgomery and a couple of other men to go after a school of sardines just off Fick’s Pool. Unfortunately, a whale became interested in the boat and eventually capsized it. Arderne Tredgold describes the resultant events in this way: Joe Warrington was fishing, as the custom was, with his lines tied to his big toes. He was thrown out of the boat, the lines must have twisted round his feet so that he could not swim and he was drowned. The others managed to cling to the boat.

They were not very far from the shore but it would have been dangerous to swim to the rocks (around Fick’s Pool) with the waves breaking over them. They shouted for help but most of the village was resting after New Year’s celebrations and one or two who did hear them thought that someone was playing a New Year joke.

The men were eventually rescued but Joe Warrington’s body was washed up some days later near the harbour. His feet had been severed by his lines.

General Jan Smuts Fick’s Pool has yet another claim to fame. It was used frequently by General Jan Smuts. Smuts often visited Hermanus, staying in The Sanatorium, his sister being married to the owner and medical practitioner, Dr Joshua Hoffmann.

Smuts started his daily routine with a swim in Fick’s Pool, followed by breakfast, working during the morning, rest in the early afternoon and then a brisk walk to the top of the mountain behind Northcliff before dinner.

For a relatively obscure site Fick’s Pool has a lot of history attached to it. There is no doubt that it deserves to be more widely known and appreciated in Hermanus.

For more information visit www.hermanus-historysociety.co.za

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THE

NEWS Thanks for the laugh!

I thought Murray Stewart's column on the mall, Mall Dassies and Mal Anties Beware (Wit’s End, The Village NEWS, 18 July 2017) was very funny! I sent it to my family in Joburg who all frequent shopping malls ad nauseam and they thought it was hilarious. Thanks for the laugh!

Judy Miller

Baboons moving into Onrus I am a resident of Onrus. The baboons are coming here now and upsetting the dogs and getting bolder, making us feel like we don’t belong here. We have to watch our windows and doors as well.

Are they moving away from town or are their numbers increasing? What would be the solution to getting them away from our properties?

Margie Lewis

Let’s Talk

Send your letters to dewaal@thevillagenews.co.za

Set the CBD free again The past few weeks have literally been like Christmas in July for people going to the CBD – no car guards in sight collecting money for parking!

I believe this unexpected turn of events is because the previous tender for the management of the parking system has lapsed and the Municipality still needs to award a new tender.

I understand the system that was in place was not a revenue stream for the Municipality but rather a job creation system. On all accounts that must be lauded as the unemployment figures in our country are nothing short of criminal.

But at the same time, we need to remind ourselves that the system since its inception has been far from well run. With an ongoing turnover of staff, that were at the best of times poorly trained, the imagined

system of helpful guards assisting visitors with queries and directing people in the right direction never reached fruition. At best the system created short-term employment for a few frustrated people battling the harsh weather and irate motorists.

As with all tenders the Municipality is not under any obligation to award a tender to anyone. So, this begs the question, why not do exactly that? With an estimated 30% of the people doing their shopping in the CBD currently expected to move their custom to the newly-built mall in November, why not return to free parking in the CBD? Can the Municipality not rather use the money created by the payment system to assist any of the many training facilities in our area that create much needed long-term employment?

Ken Parker

Leave the baboons alone Most of the damage resulting from break-ins in Voëlklip and Hermanus is caused by humans and not baboons.

Maybe we should be doing more to prevent this, instead of crying murder about the poor baboons.

When last, if ever, has a

baboon attacked anyone in Hermanus? By the way, a troop of baboons chased through my house years ago and caused considerable damage, but since then I’ve ensured that it doesn’t happen again. Leave the baboons alone!

Maybe it’s also high time that the municipality stops wasting our money on illconsidered schemes to keep the baboons out of Voëlklip.

Izak Kenney Hermanus Heights

Help to give the gift of sound As a grateful recipient of two cochlear implants, I’d like to share this information regarding a friend who is well known to many in the Hermanus community and who desperately needs a cochlear implant.

Sue Raven ran the Bumps & Babes mom and tots group at the United Church for 10 years from 2003 until 2013, and opened Smart Toys in 2012.

Sue has also served on the Hermanus Primary and High School PTAs since 2004. A mother of three boys, Sue has also been a Sunday school teacher at the United and Shofar churches.

What many people don't realise is that Sue is profoundly deaf.

Having been born with a 65% hearing loss, she has now lost 90% of her hearing in her left ear and 95% of her hearing in her right ear. She was recently told that her hearing aids will

donated a considerable amount.

As a profoundly deaf person myself, who recently received cochlear implants, I can vouch for the amazing miracle of hearing that these implants can give.

very soon not be of any use to her, which was devastating news.

However, the good news is that Sue has been assessed by the Tygerberg Cochlear Implant Unit and has been approved as a candidate for a cochlear implant in her right ear. Discovery Medical Aid will pay R207 000 of the R297 000 cost, but Sue needs to raise the shortfall of R90 000 by the end of August. Sue's family members and friends have

If anyone is able to help Sue regain the gift of sound and have a new lease of life, please can you donate into a bank account that was specifically opened for this purpose. No amount is too small – every little bit helps!

FNB Hermanus (Branch 200-412), Account name: SM Raven (Savings, NOT cheque), Account number: 74709127473 Ref: CI – (your name if so wished) Thank you so much!

Tracey le Roux Sandbaai

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Onrus and Vermont start process to create Special Ratings Area approval from residential zones, and 51% from businesses, as determined by the bylaw and policy document.

Although the bylaw has not been passed by Council yet the public participation period for it has ended and it is expected to serve before Council soon,” adds Abner.

De Waal Steyn

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lans have been put in motion to create a Special Ratings Area (SRA) in Onrus and Vermont (Ward 13) to afford the suburbs the opportunity to fund amongst others, the installation of security cameras and the running of a control room, the improvement of policing in the area, the improvement of water quality in the Onrus Lagoon and better management of the greenbelt areas.

“An SRA is a mechanism through which the Municipality can collect a special levy from property owners in a specific area for the upgrading or improvement of the area. It provides a formal structure with which to finance the ‘top up’ or enhancement of municipal services.

These services do not replace the services of the Municipality, but rather complement and supplement them,” says Abner Inghels, Chair of the SRA Steering Committee.

According to Abner, who is also Chair of OnVerWag (the Onrus Vermont Neighbourhood Watch) the first step towards securing an SRA is a Perception Survey that was sent to residents on

Sunday. “The purpose of the survey is to confirm that the SRA is viable and to identify what the community as a collective feel the priorities are.

Once the results are in, the Municipality will conduct a community vote, where every property ratepayer and property owner will have a say in whether the SRA goes ahead.”

Abner explains that the SRA will allow for a small increase in

the property rates to be used towards top-up services provided by the Municipality, in particular the services as prioritised by the results of the Perception Survey. “We need to reach at least 25% of the community via email, social media and random face-to-face interviews. The higher the number, the better our understanding will be of the community’s needs. Other issues that can also be added to the list of services include

the transfer station and streetlights.

“Onrus has 2 017 residential properties, 115 business/ commercial properties and 403 vacant stands. Vermont has 1 292 residential and 20 business properties as well as 308 vacant stands. Therefore, we need at least 900 home owners and 300 others (tenants, businesses, holiday makers etc) to complete the survey. We must receive a 60%

He says the importance of the survey cannot be stressed enough. “It is an opportunity for us to have a degree of control over the upliftment of our own community. We appeal to all members of the Onrus/Vermont community to please take the 10 minutes necessary to complete the survey. This is your chance to have your voice heard. We have set ourselves a completion deadline for the end of August so that the vote can still happen this year and the SRA be included in the budget for the 2018 financial year. If we miss this opportunity it will set us back another year, which would mean the SRA won’t be formed until July 2019.”

Local professional Marie Verhave of Research Projects has been appointed to manage the survey. The data capturing will also be done independently by a professional data capturing company and the

survey will be audited by the Municipality to ensure that the results are a true reflection of the way the community perceives the area.

Abner says they hope most of the responses to the survey will be completed online, although a number of hard copies are available. “We will be available to discuss or assist with the completion of the survey at the Onrus Markie at the De Wet Hall in Roos Street on 5 August between 09:00 and 12:00.

“Cape Town has 36 SRAs in urban areas, and they have been instrumental in transforming places like Muizenberg and Epping. Other areas in the Overstrand are also looking to set up SRAs and we are thankful to the Municipality for their support and guidance so far,” he says.

The members of the steering committee are: Abner Inghels, Eddie Holloway, Theo Agenbag, Duncan Heard, Anne Droomer, Michiel De Kock and Caroline Gabb. More volunteers are needed to give full representation of the various groups in the community.

For more information call Marie on 083 6505 591 or email onrus.vermont.sra@gmail.com

Flintstone to Mercury – the beat goes on Wit’s End

The Duck ’n Fiddle’s inbox was awash with ewails from music enthusiasts complaining that I hadn’t completed our musical journey over the years up to the modern day. Eaton Rachett from Westcliff was particularly miffed.

“Your July 4 column on music, Fred Flintstone to Freddy Mercury, left a lot to be desired – like a second half. You didn’t explain why music changed after the orchestras and big bands, to where it is now. How can my children learn the finer art of music appreciation with only half the story? It’s like buying a pair of jeans with only one leg”, he claimed. (Maybe I’ve just been lucky.)

“Now,” he continued, “our oldest son of 12 has become morose and withdrawn and refuses to eat anything till he finds out why it sounds different. He’s on a drip, but it’d be nice to find

Murray Stewart thevillagemuze@gmail.com

out anyway.”

Well, Mr Rachett, if the truth be told, we ran out of space. But with your family’s well-being in mind, it would be churlish not to assist. Drips are expensive, so here goes…

crowds (for e.g. Woodstock v City Hall). The accountants didn’t even have to sharpen their pencils. Those big bands and orchestras were slowly relegated to novelty status, and small bands – the moneyspinners – were encouraged.

As previously mentioned, olden-day troubadours often gathered to form music ‘groups’, which eventually swelled into big bands, orchestras and choirs. The bigger the band though, the more expensive it was to run, and small bands were pulling in big crowds while big orchestras only small

However, the small bands had to create a big noise – like orchestras did – so the peasants at the back could also hear. Cleverly, they started by using the old concept all kids have experimented with – two jam tins with a long string – except much, much bigger. A single dustbin on stage could

have fifty strings coming out of it to fifty jam tins in the audience.

Though effective, this method was obviously limiting. The more dustbins on stage and jam tins out there, the more the strings got tangled, often resulting in riots, murder, or worse. Fortunately though, a couple of nerds unknowingly saved the day.

Tom Edison and his sidekick Benny Franklin both played flute in the Washington Bright Sparks Orchestra, but on days off they loved to tinker about in their little workshop inventing things other people hadn’t.

One day, while casually chatting and winding copper wire around some magnets – as flautists do – they were shocked to discover, and soon perfected, the first practical method of gene-

rating electric currents down wires.

Once they found out that sound also carried down these wires, all hell broke loose. Soon microphones and amplifiers were the rage. No more clearing up hundreds of jam tins and miles of string after concerts.

Next was to somehow capture those sounds so others could hear them later. This grew from the humble ‘wire’ recorder through phonographs, vinyl discs, reel-to-reel tapes, cassettes and CDs, until now you can record/download twenty albums onto a thing the size of a wart.

Anyway, up until the sixties songs were written by full-time songwriters, and record execs would carefully choose which singer sang what. Writers

composed – singers just sang.

But soon computers made it simple to record your own stuff, and if you could play the keyboards, you could create your own backing tracks from the amazing sounds available in the software. Big band musicians and singers – now virtually jobless – started making their own recordings and if a record scout heard dollar signs, they’d get a recording contract.

And so a new breed of musician was born – the singer/songwriter.

But nowadays, anyone with a computer can, and does, churn out whatever they want and post it online – free. No more cleverdick record execs deciding what’s good or bad anymore.

That, Mr Rachett and son, is why music sounds like it does today.

Food for thought, maybe?

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L2L helps Just Care build their dream J

ust Care Aftercare took a big step towards the realisation of their dream of having their own centre in Mount Pleasant with a festive ground-breaking ceremony on Friday.

It is on this parcel of land in Malva Street, leased from the Municipality, that the Just Care trustees hope to erect a building which will accommodate the approximately 120 primary school children in their care.

As the winning charity of the Lighthouse 2 Lighthouse Ladies Walk 2017, Just Care Aftercare was the recipient of a generous donation of just under R550 000.

Janeske Brits of Detail Design has provided the architectural plans for the centre free of charge and Build It Hermanus is covering the cost of the land clearing.

Jacquie Rathfelder, Just Care founder and trustee, says the centre will not belong to them and will be owned by the community. The proposed double storey building will have a reception area, canteen and library downstairs, with classrooms upstairs and a garden where the children can play. The adjacent field will also be used for sports. The land is situated opposite Hermanus Child Welfare and next to the site purchased by the Hermanus Night Shelter Association for the construction of a shelter.

Just Care Aftercare was founded two years ago by Jacquie in memory of her father, John,

Due to the overwhelming number of applicants, registration for the 2018 Lighthouse 2 Lighthouse Ladies Walk will now take place via e-mail and NOT at the Registration meeting.

GROUNDBREAKING From left are Clayden Burger (Build It), Sheila Milton (Overstrand Hospice), Jacqui Rathfelder (Just Care founder & trustee), Kathleen Saunders (Just Care trustee), Ald Nicolette Botha-Guthrie (Just Care patron), Denise Ashfield (Just Care supporter), Les Clark (L2L veteran), Silvana, Dylan and Eddie Burger (Build It), and Janine Boshoff (L2L chairperson).

A digital image of the new Just Care centre by Detail Design, who sponsored the architectural design plans.

The Just Care children from Mount Pleasant Primary School celebrated the ground-breaking on Friday with singing, dancing and a braai.

who had been a teacher for 25 years, and provides supervised care to over a hundred children after school hours.

Situated at the Mount Pleasant Primary School, this facility not only assists children with their school work, but also offers arts and crafts, sports and other stimulating activities, as well as a cooked lunch and early dinner. It is a safe haven for the many children whose parents work full time and who were previously left to their own devices after school hours, without proper care, structured activities, guidance or supervision.

“We are very grateful to Lighthouse 2 Lighthouse and all our other supporters, including Abagold and Checkers,” says Jacquie. “We still need more funds and expertise, such as an engineer, for the project and anyone who would like to get involved or donate materials is welcome to contact me on 082 570 9757.”

- Hedda Mittner

Requests for an entry form can be sent to registration@lighthouse2lighthouse.co.za on the morning of 6 September 2017 at 08:00. The new policy is: One e-mail – one entry form – one walker – one deposit. No group entries will be accepted.

This will assist the Registrar in controlling the number of entries. Registered walkers are invited to attend the Registration Evening to view the presentations of the short-listed charities and vote for their charity of choice.

It is still a very important meeting, though NOT to gain entry for the Walk.

Registration fee The registration fee for the 2018 Walk is R 1 750 per walker (non-refundable) and includes the following: ■ 3 nights’ accommodation at Die Dam Holiday resort, including breakfast and dinner ■ Transport from Hermanus by bus, to and from Die Dam Holiday resort, and to each day’s start and stop points during the 4 day walk ■ Carry bag for 1st time walkers ■ Donation towards runner-up charity for the Official Practice Walk ■ Entry fees for National Parks during 4 day walk Fundraising prerequisite Each registered walker commits to raising as much funds as possible towards realising the proposed project of the Charity of Choice. Each walker attending The Charity Selection meeting in September will be able to cast her vote for the charity she deems most worthy.

The L2L Ladies Walk sets the group of walkers a target each year. The amount to strive for during the 2018 Walk is R500 000. Each walker is responsible for raising a minimum amount of funds to contribute towards the set goal, which is R 4 000.

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Shining as bright as the sun

O

ur country commemorates Women’s Month in August as a tribute to the thousands of women who marched to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956 in protest against the extension of Pass Laws to women. Since that day, which is celebrated annually as Women’s Day, significant progress has been made in empowering women from all walks of life in the political, public, educational and scientific spheres. LEIGH-ANNE HUNTER tracked down one such pioneer at Hermanus’s very own South African National Space Agency who left her star-struck.

I’ve often said how much I love my job because I get to see the most extraordinary things. Picture this: I am standing in a room with huge plasma screens showing real-time images of a distant ball of boiling gas: our Sun.

the community about the impact space weather has, and why the government should invest in it.

Places like the US and Europe have well-established programmes. In the UK, extreme space weather is considered a national risk disaster on the same scale as an earthquake.”

With me is Dr Rendani Nndanganeni, a space physics researcher, and in Africa, a pioneer in her field – studying the impact of space weather on the aviation sector.

Nndanganeni says that historically, some of the biggest solar storms have occurred in the solar minimum period. “So we still need to be on high-alert even when the Sun is less active.” She doesn’t want to perpetuate fearmongering, but rather – to echo something famed physicist Marie Curie once said – to facilitate greater understanding.

Last year the 31-year-old from Venda relocated to Hermanus to take up a research post at the Space Science Programme, a unit of the South African National Space Agency (SANSA).

What is interesting, I think, is that humanity is starting to see itself as part of a wider cosmos, although Nndanganeni says her field of research equates to a mere cosmic speck. “I only study the space between the Sun and the Earth, which is just one astronomical unit (AU).” That’s quite enough – one AU equals about 150 million km! “This work certainly has broadened my perspective,” she says, smiling.

Nndanganeni, who has a quiet but commanding presence, peers at me over her square glasses. One of our planet’s bright stars, she obtained her PhD in space science at age 30 and has been published in top scientific journals. I think she must have noticed my blank expression because after talking about “Kindexes” and “CMEs”, she says: “Sorry, there’s a lot of jargon.” She explains it so that my Neanderthal brain can understand it…

“The Sun has an 11-year solar activity cycle, during which it reaches periods of maximum and minimum activity – referred to as solar maximum and solar minimum.

Currently the Sun is in solar minimum and as you can see it is not very active right now.” Nndanganeni points at one of the solar images, which are projected from a US satellite.

This Space Weather Regional Warning Centre is one of 17 such centres around the world and the only one in Africa which operates under the International Space Environment Service. Here Nndanganeni keeps a close eye on the Sun and studies complicated graphs measuring things like solar wind speed and the intensity of geomagnetic storms.

She continues: “When the Sun is in solar maximum, there will be more activity so you’ll see a greater number of sunspots or a phenomenon called coronal holes.” Highspeed solar winds streaming from these huge holes in the Sun’s corona may cause geomagnetic storms on Earth.

FACTS & STATS ■ 1 000 km per second… The speed that strong solar winds can travel.

■ 8 minutes… The time it takes for a solar flare’s electromagnetic energy to reach Earth.

■ 1859… The year of one of the largest geomagnetic storms in history.

Dubbed the “Carrington Event”, it knocked out telegraph systems throughout Europe and North America.

Other “solar events” include things like coronal mass ejections – an enormous eruption of matter, the biggest of which can be hundreds of times larger than the Earth. Not to worry. Earth’s magnetic field protects humans and other life forms. But the same can’t be said for our technology.

navigation systems – that Nndanganeni is focusing on.

“Electromagnetic radiation emitted during solar events increases the ionisation in the ionosphere.” To explain this (because I am blonde), Nndanganeni says we have to take a walk…

Space weather can affect everything from satellite and High Frequency (HF) radio communication, to GPS systems and the power grid. It’s for this reason that SANSA sends daily predictions of space-weather conditions to our defense force and maritime industry.

Once outside, she shows me an instrument called an ionosonde, which looks a bit like a cellphone tower. It is used to capture data about conditions in the ionosphere, a region of the Earth’s atmosphere that affects radio communication. When there’s a high density of ions, it’s kind of like trying to communicate with my husband when he’s watching a soccer game. “You send the signal out but you’re not getting

However, it’s space weather’s impact on the aviation sector – specifically, communication and

anything back.” And to think that whenever I flew in an airplane I was just worried about turbulence on Earth.

Nndanganeni’s research looks at understanding the underlying causes and impact of space weather on the aviation sector to provide decision-makers and roleplayers with the correct information to address these issues.

She’s under a tight deadline, as the International Civil Aviation Organisation has mandated that space-weather information be included in flight plans from 2018.

“Space weather affects technology so it affects everyone, especially when you look at the interdependence of the system. There’s still much work to be done to educate

Nndanganeni is also studying the health impact of radiation on aircrew. “Will airline travellers one day wear electronic dosimeters to monitor their exposure to cosmic radiation?” is among the food for thought I’m left chewing on after our discussion.

It seems clichéd to ask her what it’s like to be a female in this field. I wouldn’t ask a male what it’s like to be a male scientist. But Nndanganeni is open about the issue. “It’s not easy, but it is doable with hard work.” Through participating in SANSA’s education and outreach programmes, she hopes to encourage other women to join what she says continues to be a maledominated field.

“I think I was just stubborn and determined to do something I am passionate about. I tell girl students that if they pass Maths and Science well, it opens doors to many exciting career opportunities.”

Nndanganeni has an eight-year-old daughter and – when she’s not studying the effects of cataclysmic solar storms – enjoys gardening. “It relaxes me.”

Visit www.sansa.org.za

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THE

NEWS

Good Guide

REGULARS Every Monday ■ Classic Monday Bridge Club: Duplicate Bridge, every Monday at 13:00, at Fernkloof Hall.

To join the club, contact Riekie on 072 230 9179.

Every Monday, Wednesday & Friday the Kalfiefees office next to the De Wet Hall in Roos Street, Onrus. Tickets are available from Computicket or online at www.kalfiefeeshermanus.co.za

■ Business Gym: Connect with business owners and professionals, members of the media and business chambers / organisations, gain new ideas and make new friends at this Winter Warmer Evening hosted by the Business Gym. R120 pp includes a special wine tasting, soups, breads and other treats. At Benguela Cove Tasting Room, at 16:30. Contact sylvia@thebusinessgym.co.za

■ Oh yes, she can: Councillor Moira Opperman will host an event dedicated to young girls and women who are battling with diets, eating disorders, depression and lack of well-being. The event will include a music concert and the launch of a Helpline. The speaker is Sonia Mildner, a life couch, natural health advisor, personal fitness trainer and colon hydrotherapist. At the Municipal Auditorium, at 15:00 for 15:30. Entry is R25 and there will be finger foods on sale. Booking is essential; call 071 420 8364.

■ Lemm’s Corner Market: This popular Sunday

■ Hermanus Photographic Society: Monthly

■ Butterfly Foundation Fundraising Evening:

Thursday 10 August

Wednesday 2 August

meetings on the first Wednesday of every month.

Anyone with an interest in photography, whether a prospective member or visitor, is welcome to attend. At the Hermann Swart Hall in the Hermanus Dutch Reformed Church, at 19:00. Visit www.hermanusphoto.co.za for more info or contact info@hermanusphoto.co.za

Friday 4 August ■ Bhuki Café: It’s Pancake Day at the Hermanus Library’s Bhuki Café. Keep the use of polystyrene to a minimum by bringing your own container and get your pancakes at R5 each – or R6 each if the container is supplied by the Friends of Hermanus Library. Advance orders can be ordered on 028 313 8077.

■ Politics, the Pill and Pop Music: Session 1 of U3A’s series on the 1960s. Did London really swing?

Or was politics the same old, same old? This course is about a decade long ago, it is nostalgic and it has a lot of music and videos hunted down across the farflung tundra of the internet. Impromptu dancing is encouraged. Presented by Dr Robin Lee. At the Catholic Church hall, at 10:00.

Saturday 5 August ■ Onrus Market: Join this community market in the heart of Onrus, every first Saturday of the month. From 09:00 – 12:00, at the De Wet Hall in Roos Street, Onrus.

■ Communication - Winning the Argument: Ladies, couples counsellor Tehilla Luttig will be sharing some therapeutic insights over coffee at The Marine Hotel, at 09:00. No charge. Book now by contacting tehillaluttig@protonmail.com

■ Deon Meyer Book Launch: Join bookmark and international bestselling author Deon Meyer for the launch of his latest novel Fever. Make sure you don’t miss out! RSVP to books@hermanus.co.za or 028 312 2000. At bookmark, 171 Main Rd, Hermanus, at 11:00.

Benguela Cove Lagoon Wine Estate will host an evening of fine wining and dining to raise funds towards building a school for children with special needs in Stanford. With live music by the popular five-piece band Rewind and an auction. Limited to 80 seats and booking is essential. At Benguela Cove Manor House, at 18:00. Contact Bianca on 082 075 7477 or Stanford Hills on 072 639 6135.

Monday 7 August ■ Great Railway Journeys: Part 2 of this U3A series is about The Kalka-Shimla Railway in India, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Presented

by Gert Claassen. At the Catholic Church hall, at 10:00.

■ Cosmology: Join the Hermanus Astronomy Centre for a presentation on Particle Physics for Non-Physicists: A Tour of the Microcosmos by Prof Steven Pollock, Professor of Physics at the University of Colorado. At the Catholic Church hall, at 19:00. For more info, contact Pierre Hugo at pierre@hermanus.co.za

Tuesday 8 August ■ Music and propaganda during WWII in Germany: U3A hosts the second part of this DVD series entitled The Berlin Philharmonic and the Third Reich. Members R10; Visitors R25. At the Catholic Church hall, at 10:00.

Wednesday 9 – Sunday 13 August ■ Kalfiefees: A five day feast of top-notch

entertainment from a variety of South Africa’s most talented actors and singers, who will be performing at several venues in Onrus and Hermanus. With comedy, drama, children’s shows, music productions, an art exhibition, a special Woman’s Day celebration and Actuality Debate, there is something for all tastes and ages. The Kalfiefees 2017 programme booklet is available from the Hermanus Tourism Bureau, Checkers or

market will be back from its winter break for a special long weekend of trading. Fabulous fine arts and crafts, gourmet eats, craft beers and wine bar. On the corner of Main and Harbour Roads, from 10:00 – 15:00.

■ Book Launch: Join The Book Cottage and Quivertree Publications for the launch of the Book Club Cookbook Eat your Words and a bookish conversation with Louise Gelderblom and Ann Donald. At The Book Cottage in Long Street, Hermanus, at 17:00. RSVP: 028 313 0834 or bookcottage@whalemail.co.za

Friday 11 August ■ Politics, the Pill and Pop Music: Session 2 of U3A’s series on the 1960s. Was 1963 really an annus mirabilis? How did the Beatles get started? This course is about a decade long ago, it is nostalgic and it has a lot of music and videos hunted down across the far-flung tundra of the internet.

Impromptu dancing is encouraged. Presented by Dr Robin Lee, at the Catholic Church hall, at 10:00.

Friday 11 & Saturday 12 August ■ Hermanus Wine & Food Festival: Wine Village hosts the 19th Wine & Food Festival at Curro School in Sandbaai. Don’t miss out on this annual highlight that showcases the premium wines of over 50 producers from Elgin to Elim. Gourmet food, craft beers, children’s entertainment and much more! Get all the details on P 13.

Monday 14 August ■ Great Railway Journeys: The third part of this U3A series is about the Three Mile High Andes Railway. Running from Peru to Bolivia, it is the highest railway in the world and includes 66 tunnels and 61 bridges. Presented by Gert Claassen. At the Catholic Church hall, at 10:00.

■ Astrophotography: Join the Hermanus

Astronomy Centre for a presentation on The Use of Nebulosity. At Deon Krige’s home, at 19:00.

Contact deonk@telkomsa.net

■ Walker Bay Walkers: Join this group of about 30 walkers who meet 3 times a week and do 3 different routes of 6 – 9 km. Meet every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 07:30 at the Hermanus Bowling Club. For more information call Lynn on 082 471 3637 or Angela on 082 445 8376.

Every Thursday ■ Rotary Club of Hermanus: Weekly meetings every Thursday at Mollergren Park, at 19:00.

Visitors welcome. Contact Ian Wallace on 082 895 8738 or Metcalf Fick on 082 568 2193.

Every Friday ■ Hermanus Hacking Group: Meet at the green reservoir off Mountain Drive, close to the Gateway intersection, at 07:15 for 07:30 until 09:30 every Friday. All volunteers welcome.

Contact Charlyn Vosloo on 082 558 8731 or mcvosloo@mweb.co.za ■ ‘Kolwyntjie-Teetuin’: Everyone in the area is invited to enjoy a sweet treat and tea or coffee at the Onrus Care Centre (‘Dienssentrum’) of the Dutch Reformed Church, Onrus for only R30, every Friday between 09:30 and 11:30.

■ Bhuki Café: Enjoy tea, coffee and eats for only R20 (2 eats) or R30 (3 eats) to support the Friends of Hermanus Library, every Friday from 09:00 - 11:30.

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

■ Hermanuspietersfontein Food & Wine Market: In the courtyard at HPF cellar, The Village, from 09:00-14:00. Where wine and food lovers both local and international meet.

■ The Hermanus Country Market: A favourite among the locals, young and old. Fresh local produce, wholesome goodies, and home-made crafts. Next to the cricket field, Fairways Avenue, from 09:00-13:00.

■ Market in the Garden: Set among the trees in the heart of town, at St Peter’s Church in Main Road, from 09:00-13:00.

Village

EXPLORER EXPLORER The

FOOD • WINE • ART

Kalfiefees brings top talent to town

A

variety of South Africa’s most talented actors and singers will bring five days of topnotch entertainment to our town from 9 – 13 August. Make sure you book your tickets timeously so that you can enjoy this cultural feast from the front row.

Originally an Afrikaans language festival, the Hermanus Times Kalfiefees has grown to include several English productions and offers something for every age and taste – from theatre and music productions to children’s shows and an art exhibition.

The festivities will kick off with a Woman’s Day Celebration on Wednesday 9 August at 11:00 at The Classroom Restaurant, in the company of actor Hykie Berg, singer Marno van der Merwe and MC Paul du Toit. A delectable lunch courtesy of Warwick’s Chef School will be served and there are great prizes to be won. The event will also include a live auction of local artist Jaco Sieberhagen’s sculpture, The Whale Caller, which formed part of this year’s FynArts exhibition, Sculpture on the Cliffs.

The popular Kalfiefees Art Exhibition in the banquet hall of the Municipal Auditorium will also be opened on Wednesday morning at 10:00, and

in the afternoon there is a fun puppet theatre, Jan en die Boontjierank, presented by local talent from Story Team, directed by Celeste Loristen and Marhette van Huyssteen.

The gala opening night on Thursday 10 August will feature the young music sensation Refentse Morake, the winner of four Ghoema awards this year. Don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy Refentse’s beautiful voice and celebrate the start of the 2017 Kalfiefees with its committee members and sponsors at the Sandbaai Hall at 19:00.

With seven comedy shows, there will be no shortage of humour to chase away the winter blues, including the ever-popular Marion Holm’s Ag, ek val sommer met die Holm in die huis, the hilarious Nik Rabinowitz’s Fortyfied, De Klerk Oelofse’s Strooijonker and the evergreen Tobie Cronjé’s Ooms with Gerben Kamper. Other wellknown actors who will star in a variety of dramas include Sandra Prinsloo in Moedertaal, Frank Opperman in Hond, Wessel Pretorius in Die Ontelbare 48 and Jenna Dunster in Immortal.

The music programme for this year’s festival offers a not-to-be-missed

opportunity to experience an inspiring range of music shows, from Leon Gropp’s solo performance Rooidag, which comprises newly composed music set to the poems of NP van Wyk Louw, to Koos van der Merwe’s Droom, Martha, Droom, to the inimitable Radio Kalahari Orkes, to the ever-popular Coenie de Villiers and the Stellenbosch Libertas Choir’s Kaap, Mzansi & Beyond.

The guest speaker at this year’s Actuality Debate at the Municipal Auditorium is well-known political commentator Dr Piet Croucamp and the theme is The ANC’s leadership conference in 2017: The factions, the fights and outcomes for our democracy. The presentation will start at 09:00 for 09:30 and should leave the audience with much food for thought.

The festival also affords local talent an opportunity to strut their stuff.

Elenoré Wessels’ drama students from Hermanus High School will make their debut with a production titled Drought on Saturday 12 August at 19:00 at the De Wet Hall in Onrus, while Seabreeze Production’s group of experienced actors from Hawston will stage Die Buite-egtelike Ouma under the direction of Ray Schoombee on Wednesday 10 August at

20:00, also in the De Wet Hall.

The Kuiertent next to the Kalfiefees office in Onrus will provide a warm and cosy venue throughout the festival for those festivalgoers who need some fortification (there will be food and drink for sale) and a chance to socialise between shows.

The Kalfiefees programme will for the second year running also include a sporting event – the Wildekrans Rotary MTB Adventure, organised and managed by the Rotary Club of Hermanus in conjunction with Wildekrans Wine Estate. Find more details on P 27.

Hurry up and get hold of the Kalfiefees 2017 programme booklet at the Hermanus Tourism Bureau, the Checkers centre or the Kalfiefees office next to the De Wet Hall in Roos Street, Onrus. Tickets are available from Computicket or at the door an hour before the start of the performances – but don’t take a chance as some of the shows are already sold out.

You can also find all the details and make your bookings online at www.kalfiefees-hermanus.co.za – Hedda Mittner

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Get ‘in the pink’ for Women’s Day

he Marine Hotel in Hermanus will be hosting a special all-day Women’s Day Pink High Tea in celebration of the courage, strength and accomplishments of women on Wednesday 9 August, from 10:00 – 17:00.

Why not treat that special woman in your life – be it a daughter, sister, friend, mother or grandmother – and enjoy this special day of decadence at Hermanus’s ‘grand old lady’.

Guests are invited to sip a glass of pink bubbly and enjoy a delicious high tea, comprising traditional treats and enticing pink-shaded contemporary eats, whilst relaxing in the hotel’s sophisticated Sun Lounge.

In addition to the High Tea, the venue will also be hosting wine tasting throughout the day with Sumaridge Wine Estate.

Jewellery by Protea Diamonds

Stylish couple Gisèle Ngele Amba and Louis Mbanda Mofondo dressed in garments from Gisèle’s clothing range, Africa Molato Gisele.

Shebeen Chic

will be on display and any guests purchasing diamond jewellery on the day to the value of R5 000 will receive a R500 discount voucher for The Marine Boutique. They will also be eligible to win a set of Protea Diamond earrings to the value of R15 000.

The cost of the Women’s Day Pink High Tea is R150 pp. Make your booking on 028 313 1000 or send an email to bookings@themarine.co.za

Mortimer Lee, Megan Warre and Jacques Brummer enjoyed a welcome cup of umqombothi.

PHOTOS: Rina de Wet

A Shebeen Chic Party, organised by Stargazer Promotions as a fundraiser for the Overstrand Training Institute (OTI), was held on Saturday 22 July at the Enlighten Education Trust Centre. The dress code was Retro Shebeen Chic and guests were transported to the heart of Sophiatown by the fabulous Sisanda Live Band and loads of yummy township cuisine, local wine and craft beer.

Stargazer Promotions is an all-inclusive event management company owned by Janet Marshall and Pieter van Aswegen.

They can be contacted on 082 456 8091 or 083 457 8235 or email stargazer4promotions@gmail.com

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Cheers to Hermanus Wine & Food Festival Wine Village Hermanus will host the 19th Hermanus Food & Wine Festival at Curro Hermanus Private School on Friday 11 and Saturday 12 August. When it comes to festivals the Hermanus Wine & Food Festival is one of the best. It has consistently been rated as one of South Africa’s Top Ten Wine Festivals – and with good reason.

Wine Village applies 19 years of festival experience to warm the hearts and lift the spirits of those in pursuit of the finer things in life. This festival ensures that there is a great deal to look forward to as winter wraps up. Where else can you find such a vast collection of South Africa’s finest wines, craft beers, artisanal gin and of course the quintessential bubbly stand? All in one venue and presented by the people responsible for the creation of these fine products.

Join in this fine wine celebration and purchase your ticket online at Computicket. Prices range from R50 for entry to the Festival Arena to R170 for the full package which includes a tasting glass and access to the Wine Hall.

WINE TASTING HALL ■ Over 50 premium wine producers showcasing more than 250 wines.

■ Winemakers offering tastings of their latest vintages and special releases.

■ Introductions to new producers.

■ Participating producers include Hamilton Russell Vineyards, Beaumont Family Wines, Bouchard Finlayson, Creation, Lomond, Newton Johnson, Sumaridge, The Giant Periwinkle, Raka, Strandveld Vineyards, Paul Cluver and Domaine des Dieux, to name but a few.

■ All festival wines available at cellar door prices with great discounts and free shipping in the Overberg. A great chance to stock up your home cellar.

FOOD & ENTERTAINMENT MARQUEE ■ Live music performances.

■ The most sought-after gourmet

food marquees with a lip-smacking range of delectable food and deli products offered by local restaurants, food stalls and food trucks.

■ Ample space to sit down and relax or lounge around with friends and make memories.

FESTIVAL LOUNGE ■ 8 brew masters presenting more than 30 craft beers and ciders.

■ The Gin-Avaria where South Africa’s most innovative and exotic gins will be introduced by the passionate micro-distillers who inspired them.

■ The on-site Wine Village shop where you can order your favourite drinks to take home or conveniently have delivered to your doorstep.

■ Funky performances by popular local musicians such as Ryno Velvet and Willim Welsyn.

KIDDIES CORNER ■ A safe environment for children with a dedicated team to keep them entertained with a jumping castle and various other games.

■ The children can have a fun time while Mom and Dad enjoy all the festival has to offer.

WINE VILLAGE HERMANUS – THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE SELECTION OF SOUTH AFRICAN WINES ■ Wine Village is situated at the entrance to Hemel-en-Aarde winegrowing region, known for its magnificent scenery, the beauty of Babilonstoring and Kleinrivier Mountains, the unique quality of its terroir and maritime climate – and its premium wines. It is here that Wine Village opened its doors almost two decades ago.

■ Wine Village is renowned for its dedicated staff and daily wine tastings available seven days a week.

■ The Wine Village team is at hand before, during and after the Festival to answer any questions.

■ The Wine Village delivers door to door across South Africa and the globe.

For more information or stall enquiries contact Ulla at wineoffice@hermanus.co.za or call Wine Village Hermanus on 028 316 3988. Visit www.winevillage.co.za We love seeing how much you enjoy the festival and our wines and welcome you to share festival images with us. Our festival hashtag is #winefest2017 #localislekker and you can follow us on: Instagram - @hermanuswinevillage; Twitter - @winevillage; Facebook – winevillagehermanus; Pinterest winevillage

TICKET GIVE-AWAY Stand a chance to win a FREE ticket for VIP access to the Hermanus Wine & Food Festival by answering these three easy questions: 1. Who is the main sponsor?

2. How old is the festival?

3. Where will it take place?

Email your answers and contact details to wineoffice@hermanus.co.za Competition closes on 9 August.

SAFE JOURNEY HOME WITH PERCY TOURS The Wine Village deeply cares about the safety of festival goers and have once again entrusted the duties of transporting visitors to Percy Tours. Contact Percy to book your designated driver on 072 062 8500 or travel@percytours.com

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A FINE WINE TIME Peter Finlayson, Chris Albrecht and the Bouchard Finlayson team welcomed invited guests to this iconic winery’s homestead in Hemel-en-Aarde Valley last week to thank them for their continued support this year. The guests were treated to a tasting of selected award-winning wines and an array of scrumptious canapés in the elegant private cellar. The Bouchard Finlayson team includes Francois le Riche (General and Financial Manager), Mortimer Lee (Viticulturist & Farm Manager), Nelis Uys (Assistant Winemaker), Karen Davison (PR & Marketing Manager), Lizette Kühn (Sales & Marketing Manager) and Chris Albrecht (Winemaker).

PHOTO: Rina de Wet

Tagine of chicken with preserved lemons and olives Eunice Rademeyer of Goozi Kitchenshop in Hermanus loaned this flavourful chicken tagine recipe from the illustrious Claudia Roden for her Arabesque cooking demo on 28 July, which focused on how to use saffron.

that can hold all the chicken pieces in one layer, heat the oil and put in the onions.

Sauté, stirring over low heat, until they soften, then stir in the garlic, saffron and ginger.

“The only thing people know about saffron is that it is supposed to be the most expensive spice – and believe me, that fact is not what makes it so special!” she says. “This recipe by one of my all-time favorite recipe book authors is inspired by the tastes of Morocco and brings together warm spices with chicken, lemon and olives for a wholesome meal.”

Put in the chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and pour in about 300 ml water.

Simmer, covered, turning the pieces over a few times and adding a little more water if it becomes too dry. Lift out the breasts after about 20 minutes and put them to one side.

Continue to cook the remaining pieces for another 25 minutes or so, after which time return the breasts to the pan.

Serves 4 - Easy Ingredients 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 2 onions, grated or chopped very finely 2-3 garlic cloves, crushed ½ tsp crushed saffron threads or saffron powder ¼-½ tsp ground ginger 1 chicken, jointed salt and black pepper Juice of ½ lemon 2 tbsp chopped coriander 2 tbsp chopped parsley Peel of 1 large or 2 small preserved lemons 12-16 green or violet olives

Stir into the sauce the lemon juice, the chopped coriander and parsley, the preserved lemon peel cut into quarters or strips, and the olives. Simmer, uncovered, for 5-10 minutes, until the reduced sauce is thick and unctuous. If there is too much liquid, lift out the chicken pieces and keep them on one side while you reduce the sauce further, then return the chicken to the pan and heat through.

Instructions In a wide casserole or heavy-bottomed pan

Present the chicken on a serving dish with the olives and lemon peel on top of the meat.

– Eunice Rademeyer Source: Arabesque

By Claudia Roden

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Always keep your home ‘sale ready’

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t may sound unnecessarily pessimistic, but in times of economic upheaval, one of the best precautions homeowners can take against financial disaster is to keep their property in sale-ready condition.

That’s the word from Cornel Janse van Vuuren, Principal of RealNet Hermanus, who notes: “Ratings downgrades, slow economic growth and rising prices are bad enough when you are employed, but they can also result in people losing their jobs or getting into so much debt that they can no longer afford their bond repayments and have to try to sell their homes before they get repossessed.

“Of course, the banks all have ‘assisted sale’ programmes for people who find themselves in this situation but by that stage it is too late for most owners to start thinking about repairs or improvements that could increase the sale value of their property.”

And if that is the case, she says, it is likely that they will get less than they had hoped for, while the few who did take the longer view and kept their homes in good condition before they fell behind will find that they sell

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relatively easily and at a better price.

“What is more, homeowners who make a monthly or annual investment in maintenance and upkeep will save money in the long run, even if they have no need or plan to sell. Repairing the damage done to paintwork, ceilings and carpets after a geyser burst, for example, is likely to cost much more than the timely replacement of an ageing geyser, before it bursts.”

Similarly, says Cornel, progressive painting of say, the exterior of the house one year, the interior the next, the garage and outbuildings and the surrounding wall in following years will avoid the major cost of a big paint job all at once. Carried out in stages, it can probably also be paid for from current income rather than savings.

“All plumbing and electrical systems should also be regularly checked. Homeowners should

property group 028 316 3657

scan all visible water pipes for cracks, leaks or severe rusting and repair dripping taps and leaking cisterns. A dose of drain cleaner will usually clear sluggish drains and a visual inspection of the geyser will ensure it is intact and undamaged.”

She says that on the electrical side, owners should check the distribution box and fuses for any signs of scorching and check all visible cabling for worn insulation and signs of shorting or exposed wires.

“Check the wall plugs and switches, and remove all ‘temporary’ installations with trailing wires and extension cords that could become a fire hazard.

Don’t overload plugs and tidy up tangled connections behind TVs, music centres and computers.

“Then on the exterior of the house, clearing the gutters should be a regular task.

Overflows can damage paint,

plaster and brickwork and a blockage can cause the gutter system to collapse. Owners should also check for wind and storm damage to the roof, loose tiles, gaps in the flashing and damage around chimneys.

“Tree branches and shrubbery should be kept well clear of telephone and electricity cables, window putty should be checked for damage and window frames and doors should be regularly sanded and painted or varnished.”

Cornel says that if owners can keep to a regular maintenance schedule’ they will usually find that any repairs needed are small tasks that they can handle themselves and thus make further savings.

“However, if outside contractors do need to be called in, it always pays to get competitive quotes, and to check references from previous customers before you give the goahead for the work to be done.”

Visit www.realnet.co.za

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Denis Helfrich 083 285 6474 Res Donovan 082 490 9203 Phillippa Pearson 073 441 2503 Anli Jacobs 082 934 5012 Driftwood Court, 6 Jimmy Smith Street, Sandbaai

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www.beach-house-properties.co.za

Home is where the Beach House is

he co-principals of Beach House Properties, Denis Helfrich and Res Donovan, have both been active in the property industry in Hermanus for over 24 years. As colleagues and besties, they have worked side by side for 19 years and founded Beach House Properties back in 2004.

Their offices were located in the quaint heritage cottage on Mitchell Square, where Provenance is today.

Now, after several years of working from home, Denis and Res have opened a brand-new office in Driftwood Court in Sandbaai, from where they continue to offer their considerable knowledge, expertise and experience to both buyers and sellers.

“We have been in the business

long enough to know the property industry inside out,” says Denis. “And we know each other just as well,” adds Res. “I often know what Denis is going to say before he even says it!”

With their partnership underpinned by a strong adherence to ethics, their client base has been built through word of mouth and repeat business. “We are sticklers for doing things the right way,” says Denis, “and we are committed to achieving the best deal possible for both buyers and sellers.”

The most important aspect of their business is forging a trusting relationship with their clients. “Buying and selling is a stressful process,” says Res. “It is important to be supportive and guide

clients through the process.”

At the sunny and welcoming Beach House Properties premises, Denis and Res have been joined by intern agent Phillippa Pearson. Their area of operation includes Hermanus, Sandbaai, Onrus and Vermont.

Representing them in the Agulhas area is experienced agent Anli Jacobs, who covers the whole region from Bredasdorp and Napier to Struisbaai and Arniston.

Find Beach House Properties at Driftwood Court, 6 Jimmy Smith Street, Sandbaai. Visit www.beach-houseproperties.co.za or call Denis on 083 285 6474, or Res on 082 490 9203.

- Hedda Mittner

THE BEACH HOUSE PROPERTIES TEAM: from left are Phillippa Pearson, Denis Helfrich, Anli Jacobs and Res Donovan.

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Celebrating Business Excellence

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ow fit is your business?

Do you own your business or does your business own you? What are the mistakes that are common to business start-ups that fail? If you are a business owner and you are not sure about the answers to these questions, it might be time to call on the Business Gym for a workout.

Which is exactly what four local business owners did. Gerard Luck, Alex Forsythe, Greg Hamber and Tanya Tiefenthaler recently graduated from the Business Owner’s MBO (Marketing & Business Optimisation) Course initiated by Sylvia Malinowski and Chris van Rooyen of The Business Gym.

This dynamic duo have made it their mission to power small and medium businesses by offering training to improve their marketing and business management skills.

Estate on Wednesday 2 August from 16:30.

The unique MBO course is designed to give business owners a realistic perspective on what it takes to own and grow a business into one that creates financial freedom.

This Winter Warmer event offers the ideal opportunity to connect with other business owners and professionals from Hermanus and surrounds, members of the media and business chambers / organisations, to gain new ideas, make new friends and be inspired.

These courageous Hermanus entrepreneurs have endured 6 weekly sessions of business input and are set to receive their accolades and certificates at an open function for all business owners to be held at Benguela Cove Lagoon Wine

Send an email to chris@thebusinessgym.co.za or sylvia@thebusinessgym.co.za to enjoy a cosy evening of excellent wine and hot food with people who are serious about growing their businesses.

HERMANUS ENTREPRENEURS From left are Sylvia Malinowski of The Business Gym with Gerard Luck of Luck & Co Interior Design, Alex Forsythe and Greg Hamber of Just Chilling Air Conditioning & Refrigeration, and Tanya Tiefenthaler of I Love Hermanus. On the right is Chris van Rooyen of The Business Gym.

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Ability House – a place of love, light and joy

he Overstrand is blessed with generous and charitable men and women who dedicate themselves to alleviating suffering and extending a helping hand to those in need. One such special person is Alda du Plooy, whose involvement with the Overberg Wheelchair Association has seen this NPO change the lives of hundreds of people living with disabilities.

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HELPING Hand Sponsored by Hermanus

Originally from Johannesburg, Alda’s first love was the sea and she spent 10 years living in the Bahamas working as a diving instructor.

Four years ago she returned to South Africa and made her way to Hermanus, where she started The Little Shop, where she trained and employed crafters who made an impressive array of wire crafts.

Having joined the Overberg Wheelchair Association, the next step was to bring skills training to people living with disabilities. With funding received from the Department of Social Development, she was able to initiate an outreach programme and protective workshops that led to the creation of LOVE.Ability – a project that has brought light, love and hope to those whose prospects had seemed bleak and hopeless.

Alda du Plooy (in the centre at the back) with a group of LOVE.Ability’s crafters and some of the natural handcrafted products they produce (left) which can be purchased from Ability House at St Andrews Church in Church Street, Hawston. Orders for personalised gifts can also be placed directly with Alda on 073 231 7445.

Today LOVE.Ability is a thriving community of craftspeople with a variety of disabilities who work from a vibrant studio named Ability House in Hawston under the auspices of the Overberg Wheelchair Association. Here this group of courageous entrepreneurs produce a range of handcrafted organic products that include LOVE.ability soaps and room mists manufactured from locally grown olive oil,

lavender and rain water.

Another group is dedicated to their quirky range of paper maché items made entirely from recycled materials, such as the highly popular piggy banks. The ceramic section makes personalised badges, pins and mugs with anything from names, quotes, logos or emblems on them.

Other handmade gifts include fairy lights, mosaic products, garden accessories, and slip

cast items. These products are on sale every Saturday at the Overberg Wheelchair Association’s stall at the Hermanus Country Market and are stocked by various retail outlets in the Overstrand, including Superplants, Elements, One Love and Wine Village.

Orders for personalised gifts or party décor (they make fabulous pinatas for children’s parties!) can also be placed directly with Alda. Workshops for adults and children are

hosted regularly at the studio and are supported by both disabled and able-bodied members of the community.

As product manager Alda says their vision is to create an enabling environment that makes it possible for people with disabilities to generate an income, live independently and participate fully in their communities. “Our members are assessed individually so that each one can be engaged

in making products at their own pace and according to their unique abilities. It is also important that the work is not boring and repetitive but artistic, stimulating and joyful – and that is what’s reflected in the end products, which are all made with love, care and pride. For us, the emphasis is not on disability but on ability – hence the name Ability House.”

– Hedda Mittner

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MY HEALTH

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Hot tips for keeping colds and flu at bay

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ur towns are once again filled with people sniffling, sneezing and coughing due to what seems to be a rather virulent cold and flu strain, leaving Granny’s trusted trio of ginger, lemon and honey unable to cope.

And while it is the most common illness, it is not caused by wet hair, stress, a change in temperature, cold feet or bad weather. The fact of the matter is that when the weather forecast is at a low, so are our immune systems, making us more susceptible to colds and flu.

According to Brenda Kotze of the Hermanus Pharmacy, there are a few basic steps you can take to improve your chances of staying healthy or to speed up your recovery if you are already sick.

“Boost your immune system, not only with vitamins and minerals, but also with immune boosters like Echinacea, garlic or the new glucan. While vitamin C should be part of your flu season regimen, there’s another nutrient that can help curb cold symptoms fast. Studies show that Zinc, which can be found in pumpkin seeds, spinach, oysters, nuts, and beans, can help shorten the duration of a cold. Zinc should be taken on an ongoing basis throughout the year,” Brenda advises.

There are a number of other effective natural

preventative measures to combat colds and flu.

These include keeping up with your exercise regimen as burning some calories can reduce your risk of catching a cold. Research shows that people who exercise in moderation report fewer colds. However, don’t sacrifice sleep to exercise; getting enough sleep is a key component to a flu-free winter. Try for at least seven hours of sleep a night and take a 20minute power nap if you’re falling short.

One of the easiest ways to contract the flu virus is touching contaminated objects and then putting your fingers near your mouth and eyes.

Some contamination hot spots are phones, computers, super market trolleys and desks Wash your hands regularly, with soap and water to eliminate re-infection.

Eating foods high in antioxidants such as fruit and vegetables will boost your overall health and help protect you from the flu and other viruses and infections all year. The antiinflammatory properties in nutrient-dense foods such as dark, leafy greens, salmon and sweet potatoes help build up your immune system’s defenses.

Avoid sugar and processed foods, which dramatically decrease immune function.

Starting your day with a smoothie full of healthy fats and a good protein powder is also a good idea.

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‘Massage is not a luxury, it is a necessity’

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f there is anyone who appreciates the miracle that is the human body, it is Christian Pinkerton, a dancer and touch therapist under whose caring hands many a Hermanus resident is rediscovering the joys of movement without pain.

With his deep understanding of the way our bodies work and move, Christian’s Miracle Massage Services offers 18 different forms of therapy, including Swedish Massage, Hot Stone Massage, Remedial Sports Massage, Reflexology and Balinese Scalp Massage. His rooms are at the Overberg Skin & Body Clinic, but he also offers a mobile service and is able to treat clients in the comfort of their own homes.

The human body with its interconnected systems is a marvel of biochemical engineering and it is this advanced design that enables us to move. But with today’s unhealthy, sedentary and stressful way of life, many of us neglect to take care of our bodies and properly maintain the level of movement that is so essential to our health and wellbeing.

Christian discovered the joy of movement relatively late in life – through dance. He was busy studying law when he started

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training with the Joburg Ballet Company (then the South African Ballet Theatre). “It was like taking a breath of air for the first time,” he says. “I totally immersed myself in dance and soaked it up like a sponge.”

Having started so late in life, Christian had to put in a massive amount of work, but he remained focused and there was no stopping him.

“Ballet completely reshaped my body,” he says. “I was amazed to find out how little we really use our bodies – and how many different ways there are to give artistic expression through movement.”

Christian went on to dance full-time for several years, and was part of the South African team that competed at the 2015 Dance World Cup in Rumania.

“Because of my age, my range was limited and my dance training went hand-in-hand with remedial massage which helped me to increase my

range,” he says. “Just like a car that needs to be serviced and maintained, the body needs therapy to function optimally.”

On his website, he quotes Dr Tiffany Field, Director of the Touch Institute at the University of Miami: “Massage has had a positive effect on every medical condition we’ve looked at.”

Happily settled in Hermanus since the beginning of this year, Joburg boykie Christian says our town fits him like a glove. “While on holiday in Hermanus in January, I remember sitting on a rock at Sievers Punt and realising that I’d fallen in love with this beautiful, vibrant town. I feel very much at home here – Hermanus has a real sense of community and I’ve formed solid friendships. Joburg has become a very stressful place where you just survive but you do not live.”

As a Massage Specialist and Advanced Reflexologist, Christian has worked as part of therapy teams on

“

Just like a car that needs to be serviced and maintained, the body needs therapy to function optimally

professional sporting events and dance productions, as well as elite Spa’s such as the Saxon Hotel & Spa. Clients are referred to him by doctors, chiropractors and physiotherapists, and he provides specialised treatment to dancers and sportsmen and women.

”

Here in Hermanus he works with several hotels, guest houses and spa’s and says that while he enjoys treating visitors, it is most gratifying to work with local residents on a long-term basis, which allows for the setting of goals and monitoring his clients’ progress.

So why is massage such a necessity in our lives?

“Massage Therapy allows the body to heal itself, lower blood pressure, increase circulation and lymph flow, relax muscles, improve range of motion and flexibility and increase endorphins,” says Christian. “Weight loss and cellular regeneration from touch therapy visibly slow

down the process of visual aging. Remedial massage stimulates weak inactive muscles and accelerates recovery from injuries or strenuous exercise.”

“The success of Remedial Massage is built on trust, expertise and a personal touch that always puts the health and well-being of the client first and foremost.”

Christian emphasises that every client is unique and deserves a unique experience that is tailor-made for them.

Get in touch with Christian on 079 995 3800 to make a booking.

– Hedda Mittner

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MY HOME

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MY HOME

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Timeless furniture for modern living

he spacious showroom of Woodenways Hermanus in Hemel-en-Aarde Village is a treasure trove of interior design, offering a wonderful space to wander through and find inspiration in the extensive ranges of handcrafted furniture on display. Not only will you be welcomed with a freshly brewed cup of coffee, but the kids are welcome too – there is a television and Playstation to keep them occupied while you browse.

Owned by Seugnet Martin and managed by Lilani Radley, who are both young mothers, this welcoming space is where private clients, decorators and architects will find complete furniture solutions for private homes, businesses and accommodation establishments.

you will find everything from bedside cabinets, dressers and desks to dining room tables and chairs. In collaboration with Nakara Tannery in Namibia, and Hertex Fabrics, Woodenways also offers you the best there is in soft furnishing.

Find the Woodenways Hermanus showroom at 15 Village Lane, Hemel-en-Aarde Village (next to Hermanuspietersfontein).

Inspired by nature, Woodenways succeeds in creating furniture pieces that everyone can relate to. Their styles range from classical to contemporary, country chic and even minimalistic – all with your utmost comfort in mind. And because everything is handcrafted from natural materials, no two pieces are exactly the same.

Made from a range of beautiful, sustainable timber such as Oak, Mahogany, Kiaat and Sapele,

The manager of Woodenways Hermanus, Lilani Radley, and owner Seugnet Martin welcome visitors to the spacious Woodenways showroom in The Village.

enthusiasm for their products, their professional service, attention to detail and focus on customer care make a visit to Woodenways an enjoyable and inspirational experience.

Their trademark is their wide range of couches and occasional chairs, covered in the latest fashionable fabrics or finest Nakara leather such as Eland, Kudu and Gemsbok – unique pieces of furniture that are guaranteed to be loved for years to come.

“We might be the new kids on the block,” says Seugnet, “but we take pride in our business, our customer relations and also our after-sales service.”

Woodenways has four branches, of which Hermanus was the latest one to open in 2015. The other three showrooms are in Bethal, which is also their distribution centre, Pretoria and Nelspruit.

Woodenways is also the very proud sole distributor in South Africa for 4Seasons Outdoor Furniture, imported from Europe and known as the world’s finest garden and patio furniture. Innovative design and quality finishing distinguish these stylish and durable pieces, which have UV protection in the weave of their fabric and a 15-year guarantee on their aluminium frames.

“Although Woodenways is still a relatively small business, we have made a big impact on the industry,” continues Seugnet.

“I was delighted to open a Woodenways showroom in Hermanus as we are not really city people and we prefer this intimate location in Hemel-enAarde Village to an impersonal shopping mall. Hermanus is a very artistic town with a strong sense of community and we fit in well here.”

The primary goal of Woodenways is to make stylish living accessible. They stock furnishings and accessories for the whole house, including beds, scatter cushions, lamps and paintings. Seugnet and Lilani’s

Woodenways is open Monday – Friday from 09:00 – 17:00 and on Saturdays from 09:00 – 13:00. Call 028 050 0589.

– Hedda Mittner

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Family business celebrates 20 years in Hermanus

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in Middelburg where Stephan’s grandfather, S J Herholdt (Faan), opened The French Hairdressing Salon.

“We offer more than 80 years of generational experience in the retail business,” says Stephan.

“Excellent client service coupled with advice and prices you can trust form the cornerstone of our business.

By 1930 he’d added radios and watches which he sold from the salon’s premises, and soon he was also stocking other household appliances. The business expanded so rapidly that he gave up hairdressing and focused entirely on retailing. The business was relocated to bigger premises and eventually Faan was able to erect his own building, which by 1957 had expanded to occupy a whole complex which still exists in Middelburg today.

tephan Herholdt’s family business, which comprises Top Carpets & Floors and S Herholdt Furnishers, both situated in Kort Street in the Hermanus Industrial Area, celebrates its 20th birthday this month. A remarkable milestone in itself, this local business has been in the same family for an astonishing 87 years and continues a proud legacy dating back almost a century.

“At S Herholdt Furnishers we stock only established, wellknown brands like Whirlpool, Bosch, Samsung, Defy, SMEG, Hisense, Siemens, Cloud Nine, Rest Assured and more, while Top Carpets & Floors prides itself on adopting international best practices and keeping abreast of global trends in floor covering.”

Both stores will be offering unbeatable specials during their birthday month this August.

Stephan and his family – wife Hannalé and teenagers SJ and Gretha – have been in Hermanus for close on two decades, but the roots of their family business are firmly planted in the Karoo. To trace its origins, we have to rewind to the late 1920s

When Faan Herholdt died in 1961 at the age of only 52, he left a thriving business to his family. His son Piet Herholdt (Stephan’s father) took over the reins and opened branches in Colesberg, Burgersdorp, Cradock, Humansdorp, De Aar, Graaff-Reinet and Beaufort West. Stephan’s brother Piet Jnr joined the family business in 1984 and later took over as chief executive of the S J Herholdt Group.

As Piet Jnr’s younger brother, Stephan joined the Group in 1994. He had studied at Stellenbosch Uninversity and the Cape Technikon before joining the Middelburg branch.

“Here I learnt everything I could

about the business, from selling and buying to stock control and administration,” he says.

In 1995 Stephan opened a branch in Port Elizabeth which traded under the Top Carpets brand and focused exclusively on carpets. Two years later he took over a small Top Carpets business in the Hermanus CBD which soon relocated to the Gateway Centre. His decision to diversify by adding a range of beds and bedding saw the business outgrowing even those premises and in 2003 a new building in the Industrial Area, measuring some 500 square metres, was purchased.

Five years ago Stephan purchased a second building just a few metres down the road. Between the two stores, Top Carpets & Floors and S Herholdt Furnishers, he offers an extensive range of contemporary home furniture, electrical and audio appliances, blinds and floor coverings.

They also offer steam cleaning services to private homes, hotels and guesthouses.

THE S HERHOLDT TEAM: From left are the owner Stephan Herholdt, Nadine Breedt (sales), Jaco van der Westhuizen (sales) and Rita Leeuwner (admin).

“The success of my business rests on three things: Honesty, Credibility and Responsibility,” says Stephan, who is known to clients for his willingness to always go the extra mile.

– Hedda Mittner

TOP CARPETS & FLOORS: Owner Stephan Herholdt with his sales team Charlotte Lötter and Gustav Louw.

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Wildekrans hosts family mountain bike event Mountain bike enthusiasts will be thrilled to hear that preparations for the second Wildekrans Rotary Mountain Bike Adventure are well under way and that participants can expect an even bigger and better ride than last year.

The MTB Adventure is a fund-raising project of the Hermanus Rotary Club and is staged as part of the popular annual Kalfiefees.

Considered to be more of a fun ride than a competitive one, the event will take place on Saturday 12 August at Wildekrans Wine Estate in Bot River.

The main sponsor for the second year is Isipani Construction, building contractors and property developers from Paarl responsible for the construction of the new Whale Coast Mall that will be opening its doors in November.

Passionate and seasoned mountain biker Braam

Gericke from Wildekrans Wine Estate, who is in charge of the con-struction of the track, says they have come up with a track this year that partici-pants will find not only easier but also more entertaining.

There will be three trails of 50, 30 and 10 km respectively, meandering through some of the estate’s vineyards and offering the most spectacular scenic vistas of the Overberg. The entry fee for the 50 km is R250, the 30 km is R200 and the 10km will set you back R50.

Participants can enter online at www.racetec.co.za and late entries will be received on Friday 11 August between 16:00 and 19:30 at the Kalfiefees marquee next to the De Wet Hall in Roos Street, Onrus, or on the morning of the event from 06:00.

For any queries, Alex van der Sluys can be contacted on 082 807 6800 or Sandra Lotz on 082 924 7254.

You don't have to be on a high to win at Bridge

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ocal resident Mike Brownlee has published a book on contract bridge titled A Bridge to Light Openers. The book explains the merits of the Losing Trick Count (LTC), as opposed to the more conventional High Card Points (HCP) system. With the latter the bridge player counts points while the LTC system is based on counting losing cards.

Mike Brownlee's book is based on F Dudley Courtenay's concept of the LTC system, published in1935. Brownlee's book expands and explains in detail the advantages of this method. He believes the system enables novices to be up and running more quickly than if taught via the more conventional means of counting points.

Other than the ease of learning bridge, Brownlee's experience of the LTC method suggests that opening hands occur almost twice as often as they do to average point counters.

The HCP system is more extensively used by the bridge fraternity and Brownlee has found it difficult to convert friends to his way of thinking.

However, he has had interesting consequences playing one style but backing it up with another and in the latter part of the book he describes his experience of playing a hybrid of HCP and LTC hand assessment, a process which has allowed easy communication with most players and partners.

Mike Brownlee is an enthusiastic and competent bridge player who grew up in a household where bridge was a popular past time.

He learnt the rudiments of the game at an early age and his passion was enhanced later on when a lunch hour rubber of bridge became the order of the day in his workplace.

Brownlee’s book is an adventure in learning the concept of the Losing Trick Count and an interesting read for bridge players. The book is available at the SANTA book shop or via Mike on 028 314 1289 at a cost of R195.

Readers who buy the book can enjoy four one-hour bridge lessons with Mike at no charge. Sound like a good opportunity for aspiring bridge players.

Local resident Mike Brownlee has published a book on contract bridge titled A Bridge to Light Openers.

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THE

NEWS

1 - 14 Agusut 2017

MY Sport

Strong South African ties in English Cricket

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ver the years cricketers, either born here or with South African connections, have represented England in the various formats of the game. The current test series and recent T20 matches are no exception.

English test opener Keaton Jennings was born in Johannesburg and educated at King Edward VII School. Keaton's father Ray was a leading South African wicket keeper during the suspension of South Africa in the apartheid era. Ray also coached both the Proteas and SA Under 19 teams.

Although born in England, Dawid played for Boland in the 2005/6 season and his father, also Dawid, played cricket for Western Province B and Northern Transvaal B.

Offside Tony O’Hagan

Allan Lamb, born here and schooled at Wynberg Boy's High, played 79 tests for England between 1972 and 1982. He also captained England in 3 test matches. Another set of brothers, Chris and Robin Smith, both born in Durban, played cricket for England. Chris played 8 tests and Robin 62 tests for England.

Since 2004, the winner of a test series between South Africa and England is awarded the Basil D'Oliviera Trophy. Due to South Africa's segregated sports policy during the years of apartheid, D'Oliviera emigrated to England and made his debut in 1966, at the age of 34. He played 44 tests for his adopted country.

Joe Root, the current England test captain, attended St Andrews School in Bloemfontein during 2009. He follows in the footsteps of recent England cricket captains, Kevin Pietersen (2008) and Andrew Strauss (2009 – 2012). Pietersen was born in Pietermaritzburg and Strauss in Johannesburg. Of the last four England captains, only Alistair Cook has no ties with South Africa.

D'Oliviera, known as "Dolly" was selected for the England squad to tour South Africa in 1968 but the tour was cancelled due to objections by the South African authorities because D'Oliviera had been classified as “coloured”. The incident was known as The D'Oliviera Affair and led to world-wide opposition. South African cricket was isolated and barred from test cricket from 1971 – 1990.

In the recent T20 series in England, Dawid Malan was voted Man of the Match in the third T20 match with a top score of 78.

During this time a number of South African cricketers earned England test caps. Among them were the Greig brothers,

Tony (1972) and Ian (1982). Tony captained England from 1975 to 1977, before helping Kerry Packer start World Series Cricket. Ian played 2 tests for England in 1982.

More recently, Cape Town-born Jonathan Trott and Durban-born Nick Compton both represented England. Jonathan played 52 tests between 2009 and 2015 and Compton, grandson of the legendary Dennis Compton, featured in 16 tests between 2012 and 2016.

When the England cricket team toured South Africa in 2009, four of the squad were born in South Africa, namely Andrew Strauss (Captain), Kevin Pietersen, Jonathan Trott and Matt Prior.

The joke doing the rounds at the time went as follows: "Where are the England players staying in South Africa?" The answer: "At home!"

There are around 40 South African-born cricketers playing county cricket in England. The lure of the pound and in some instances, the transformation quota system, may well see a further drain on our cricket resources. We could see more South Africans playing for countries abroad where we already have representation, not only in England, but also in the Netherlands and New Zealand.

SPORT NEWS?

Joe Root, the current England test captain.

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