Village
NEWS The
23 August 2016
Cape Whale Coast
FREE COPY COUNTRY KALEIDOSCOPE
Long-time Stanford resident and avid photographer Annalize Mouton took this beautiful spring photo on 19 August, which has been marked as World Photo Day since 2010 in order to celebrate the 177-year-old journey of photography. “But according to many doomand-gloom prophets, this was also ‘definitely the end of the world’ due to planetary happenings!” says Annalize. “Apparently the weather stations have not heard about all this, as they are all still predicting the weather for the next couple of weeks… and here in Stanford, they say we’re going to have more sunny days than rainy days. So to celebrate life, I took my camera and car and went for a play session in the village and surrounding countryside of the Overberg with its rolling wheat and canola fields. This picture was taken a few kilometres out on the Jongensklip Road looking back towards the Klein River Mountains.” PHOTO: ANNALIZE MOUTON
Mayor promises support for growth De Waal Steyn “My tenure as mayor of the Overstrand will not be five years of talk. First we will talk, then we will find solutions to problems and identify growth areas and then it’s on to action,” said Rudolph Smith, newly elected Mayor of the Overstrand, at the AGM of the Hermanus Business Chamber on 19 August. “I will not hesitate to use my powers as
executive mayor to ensure that business in the Overstrand survives and thrives.”
ployment of 23% in our region, we need to support local business and start working together,” he said.
In a speech that was described as “music to our ears” by some members of the chamber, Rudolph said the days of an administration frustrating the potential for economic growth is over for good.
According to Rudolph, an official meeting between the municipality and the business sector is planned for September. “This meeting will give us the opportunity to look each other in the eye and find ways to stimulate business growth, attract new business to town and make it easier for existing
“ If we want to bring down the current level of unem-
business to operate. “I have given the officials until September to find ways in which we can cut down on red tape. The word ‘bylaw’ has become a bit of a swearword in town. But the bylaws were created by the residents. If there are bylaws that stand in the way of business development then we rewrite it, then serve it before council and change it,” said an emphatic Rudolph.
He added that close on 65% of residents of the Overstrand have elected the council into power. “That means that we not only have to fulfil our mandate but also show the residents that we work for them. The residents are the bosses, the council and the administration are the workers in their service. They pay our salaries.” Rudolph urged residents to take an active part in their
ward committees. “During the next few weeks, councillors will meet with residents via the ward committees. From there they will get a clear mandate from the residents of specific wards as to what they as a community want. “This input will inform the Integrated Development Plan that will guide the Overstrand over the next five years.” Continued on P3
Letters
The Village NEWS would like to publish your thoughts and concerns about issues that are important to you. All Letters to the Editor should be accompanied with the writer's name and contact details for verification. All letters are subject to editing for newspaper style and clarity, without changing the meaning of the content. Letters should be limited to about 300 words. We reserve the right not to publish all letters received. Send your letters to news@thehermanusnews. co.za
Ombudsman The press exists to serve society. Its freedom provides for independent scrutiny of the forces that shape society, and is essential to realising the promise of democracy. It enables citizens to make informed judgments on the issues of the day, a role whose centrality is recognised in the South African Constitution. The News of Hermanus subscribes to the South African Press Code and subsequently to the South African Press Council and the South African Press Ombudsman. Should you feel that our reporting was not free, fair or unbiased or that serious errors were made, you are welcome to lay a complaint with the Ombudsman, on 011 484 3612/8, or via e-mail at pressombuds man@ombudsman.org.za or visit www.presscouncil.org.za
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Local is not only lekker, it’s vital The message from our mayor that he will be doing everything in his power to not only ensure economic stability in the region, but also actively encourage growth, is truly good news. With tough economic circumstances worldwide and with damp economic predictions for growth in South Africa, it is vital for local governments to pursue all the possibilities to strengthen existing business and attract new investment.
It is of the utmost importance that local economic interests are protected and that all red tape be removed. It would be of great value to Hermanus if part of the plans to bolster economic growth include the upgrade of the CBD as proposed by the CBD Revitalisation Plan. With work starting sooner rather than later. Construction of the Whale Coast Mall is underway and steps need to be taken to ensure the survival of our CBD. Furthermore, support for
local business and entrepreneurs should be encouraged. If residents and the municipality do not spend their money locally, we will end up in the situation we see in so many other towns - unoccupied and derelict buildings being the order of the day. The plans to hold an open meeting between business and the municipality, as well as the establishment of a business advice council, will go a long way in support of our businesses.
Sofca - the good, the bad, and the simply fabulous I refer to the article on Sofca in the previous issue of The Village NEWS (“Facing tomorrow at Sofca”, 9 August 2016). It was great to see Sofca publicised. One claim that is untrue, however, is the shopping trips and picnics with the minibus - this has certainly not happened in the nine months I have been here. Hopefully this is to come about soon, although the bus is very old now. Fynbos Park residents use the Sofca
bus once a week at a very nominal charge, but Sofca residents do not enjoy this privilege at all. On a more positive note, the loving care shown to residents of Sofca, of which I am one, by the carers and general personnel, is unsurpassed, from the matron down to the nurses, kitchen staff, laundry workers and cleaners. They are a great “family” doing their best with the means available to provide
happiness to many in their twilight years. The Sofca annual fête in October is much looked forward to and will provide a wonderful opportunity for everyone to donate and share, thus helping this very worthwhile resting place and care centre to continue to be enjoyed by occupants now and in the future. Thank you. Pat Woodland Gibbon
Show your face, Mayor Smith As a regular reader of The Village NEWS, I congratulate you on producing a newspaper that provides news instead of a ton of supplemental advertising material plus dozens of photos of social events that are only enjoyed by those in the photo but are hardly newsworthy. The last edition
carried an interview with the new Overstrand mayor, Rudolph Smith. In this, Smith set out five things which he will set out to change. One of these was “Let the councillors be seen”. I have no argument with that objective, but I thought it was a little rich coming from
Thousands of rands of tests
and medications later, I finally solved the mystery myself - this after the vet suggested putting him down at only five years of age. The culprit was monosodium glutamate (MSG) and a host of other preservatives and additives found in tinned dog food, even vetendorsed brands. Since I switched him to a fresh meat and vegetable diet (admittedly tiresome to
Talisman Hire Hermanus, Hermanus Hardware, Kia Hermanus and the Animal Hospital have all made contributions towards worthy causes. We ask other businesses to follow suit. (Read more on P18 and 19).
To declare as fact that an all-powerful deity is the way to go for all that surrounds us, including ourselves, is a tall order - even more so if
one observes the minute speck mankind is in comparison to the universe of which we are part and of which little is known. However, I purport that all living matter on our globe and potentially elsewhere, took millions and millions of years, to mould into what it has become - a remarkable
These functions are not only to thank those who took care of us but also to raise much-needed funds for senior care. We ask our residents and businesses to support this worthy cause. (Read more on Page 3). That is the good news – Ed.
NEWS News You Can Use
6 Royal Street, Hermanus
Publisher De Waal Steyn 083 700 3319 dewaal@ thehermanusnews.co.za
A stark contrast from the ubiquitous former mayor, Nicolette Botha-Guthrie. My message to Mayor Smith is this: Please lead by example.
Content Editor Hedda Mittner 083 645 3928 hedda@hermanus.co.za
Max Leipold
cook) he hasn’t had a single seizure. I can only conclude it was preservatives or additives in tinned food that was responsible.
Marketing Kathy Mulock-Bentley 083 581 7219 kathy@chartwellsupport.co.za
The internet also points to myriad other possible triggers, so if your dog has epilepsy do a bit of research. Linda Lappchën
Graphic Design & Layout Nickey Jackson 079 408 7722 nickey1094@gmail.com
Belief kicks in when truth is scarce With respect, I feel a response to the letter headed “Evolutionary belief getting out of hand” (The Village NEWS, 9 August 2016) by Pieter Pelser is called for.
So also is Sterling Private Wealth making a huge contribution, not only in money, but in time and resources, to bring about The Village Ball and Senior Dance on 1 and 2 October.
a person who one saw very little of, if at all, in the run-up to the election.
Beware of dangers lurking in tinned dog food I read with interest, and some amusement, I must admit, your article on pets and green fever, “Green fever and your pets - beware of cannabis” (The Village NEWS, 9 August 2016). It brought to mind a five-year struggle I had with my border collie who suffered from grand mal epilepsy, sometimes up to five times a day.
But this is not a one-way street. Business in Hermanus must also give back to the community. This is evident in businesses supporting the Helping Hand column that is published in the first edition of The Village NEWS every month.
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chemical composition. Well, remarkable at least to our own simple minds. This cannot be seen as “spontaneous generation”. There is nothing instant in our creation. On the contrary, we are a chemical composition that formed over eons. Hendrikus Meevis
Party on, all us oldies
“Hip, hip, septuagenarians!” refers (The Village NEWS, 9 August 2016).
What a marvellous idea! Clyde Manson is certainly an imaginative and
generous character. If I am still on this mortal coil when I turn 80, and if I have the means to do so, I shall do the same. Thanks for the idea Clyde! Janet Wear
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NEWS ‘Lets talk’, says mayor
Continued from P1 “Although not all projects can be implemented immediately, we are not going to wait five years to start implementing them. Therefore it is important that communities identify their needs, as we need to work towards finding solutions for problems and make the plans that will lead us over the next five years. “Once we have these plans, I will consult with the councillors and officials and we will find solutions to problems. I have never been afraid to take decisions and that will not change now. If I have to take tough decisions in order to stimulate growth in our region, I will not hesitate to do so,” said Rudolph. He added that where necessary the provincial or national departments will be involved in assisting the promotion of growth. “It does not matter to me whether a province is DA or a government department is ANC. We have all been elected and we need to deliver to the electorate.” Rudolph invited residents to come and see him and reiterated his promise of an opendoor policy. “I am here to work for you. I want to get away from people sending impersonal e-mails and us answering in an equally impersonal way. Come in and talk, either with me or the councillors. “Let’s meet and put faces to the names. If you come to my office and I am available, I will see you immediately. There is absolutely no need to schedule meetings a month in advance because we are too busy to see each other.”
Is doggy doo killing our dung beetles? Whale Coast Conservation (WCC) received another much-needed donation last week in support of their Doggy Doo Bag Dispenser campaign when the Hermanus Animal Hospital sponsored three dispensers. One of them has now been installed at Onrus beach, bringing the number of sponsored bins to a total of twelve. Dog owners can now simply tear off a bag from the dispenser, pick up their dog’s mess and throw it in the rubbish bin. The objective is to have doggy doo dispensers installed all along the Cliff Path, at beaches, parks and other locations where people enjoy walking their dogs. And while the reluctance of many dog owners to clean up after their pets has been a talking point for many years, a related environmental issue that has recently come to light might give residents an added incentive to make use of those doggy doo bags. “It was brought to our attention by members of the Botanical Society (BotSoc) that there seem to be fewer dung beetles around and that many dead ones have been found along the coastal cliff path and walking trails in Fernkloof,” says Anina Lee, founder member of WCC. “This unusual phenomenon has been linked to a new systemic antiparasitic (flea-control) product for dogs that is not metabolised in the body and is excreted in active form in dogs’ faeces.” Anina says BotSoc’s Lee Burman has been in touch with local vet, Dr Sandy Waddingham of the Hermanus Animal Hospital, who confirms that the product is not broken down in the body and that the faeces of treated
The happy kind of scary, for Malcom at The NEWS and like to have fun. My idea of fun is playing a game of hockey with my mates and collectively wishing we hadn’t the next day. I have been playing hockey for the better part of a decade and it is some of the best fun I’ve ever had.
From a small quiet village in Zambia to the towering skyscrapers of the Johannesburg skyline, I’ve seen it all. I’m Malcolm Mulope and this is my challenge: To write a story about myself. The most terrifying thing outside of a Fear Factor episode. I was Born in Zambia, grew up in Johannesburg and now I am in an office in the beautiful coastal town of Hermanus, job shadowing at a newspaper. How did I get here? It started with the screeching of the intercom at my previous high school, Gansbaai Academia, followed by an announcement: “All learners who are interested in being
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part of our editorial team please meet up in the hall”. That one announcement sent me on a path of selfdiscovery. A path that led me towards who I am and where I will inevitably be. I joined the team at The Village NEWS for a day and learnt so much from them and from the experience. One of the most valuable lessons that I’ve learned is to be true to who I am and never stop achieving. Ever since I wrote my first article, I knew journalism is my calling and this is what I want to do for the rest of my life. I matriculated last year so I’m still only 19 years of age
Apart from working for the Grootbos Foundation as a hockey coach for the youngsters in Gansbaai, I also play for the Hermanus Hockey Club. Being part of such a diverse group of people is such a privilege. The love and support from a team is unparalleled. Next year I will hopefully attend Rhodes University as a student in Journalism. I have been accepted and I am awaiting news of a bursary that will enable me to make my dream a reality. But for today I am sitting in the offices of the best newspaper in the Overstrand. Being given the opportunity to observe what it takes to put together a newspaper and how much work it really is to be a journalist. It is a bit scary - the happy kind of scary.
dogs might be harmful to the environment. “I’ve been concerned about this for some time. It’s important to protect our pets from ticks and fleas and these new products are very effective, but something that works that well usually has side effects. And in this case it might very well be affecting the insect population, including dung beetles. Ongoing research is being done but in the meantime there are alternative products that pet owners could use that are more environmentally friendly,” says Sandy. Dr Di Marais of BotSoc agrees that more research is needed to prove a definite link between a particular product and the decrease in dung beetles observed in Fernkloof. However, they are considering stricter measures to prohibit dog walkers from using the paths higher up in the reserve and keeping them confined to the dog-friendly trails lower down. “Until we know more, many questions remain unanswered,” says Anina, “not only about the effect of the product on insects in the environment, but also on insect predators. In the meantime we urge dog owners to err on the side of caution and be extra vigilant in picking up after their dogs. After all, it’s the right thing to do.” - Hedda Mittner Have you lost a beloved canine companion who used to love walking with you on the Cliff Path? Would you like a way to commemorate this special partnership? There is space for a commemorative label on a limited number of the dispensers for doggy doo bags that are being installed by WCC. To raise funds, WCC will accept
Dr Sandy Waddingham of the Hermanus Animal Hospital next to the new doggy doo bag dispenser at Onrus Beach. the five highest bids for a bin with one of these special labels. Bids between R1 000 and R5 000 (or more) will be considered and the five highest bids received by 30 August will secure a bin with a sticker to remember a beloved pet. To support this worthwhile project, email anina.wcc@gmail.com
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23 August 2016
BiBi’s great adventure in the big city
Once upon a time in a village by the sea there lived a little girl called Maria. She was a very happy little girl and was deeply loved by her parents and grandparents. So much so that when she was only two years old her grandmother took little Maria on a huge magic carpet with long wings to visit a big city in the far, far away kingdom of Vietnam. She adored this funny place and enjoyed seeing all the new people and places. But best of all, they had the bestest-ever toys! Toys as far as the eye could see and the imagination could stretch. In particular, there was a very special softie toy in the shape of a fluffy bunny which she received as a present. Little Maria fell in love with this little bunny the moment she saw him. Holding him in her arms, she proudly announced his name as BiBi. From that moment on Maria and BiBi were inseparable. Even on the ride back on the magic carpet with the long wings BiBi took pride of place in Maria’s arms.
Wit’s End
By Murray Stewart
Back in the magical kingdom of Hermanus, Maria introduced BiBi to all her friends and to anyone who happened to cross her path. BiBi was so important that he even escorted Maria to Grandmother Sanmarie’s restaurant called Oskars, making sure that all the cakes were tasty and all the biscuits baked just right.
Then one day, Mom Lizanne, Dad Danie, Maria, and of course BiBi, went to a big city to visit some friends. Oh, it was lovely in this city, even if it had a strange mountain with a big flat top. There were lots of people and lots of cars, but this did not worry Maria or BiBi. They had the pleasure of visiting a large open park where there were lots of swings and slides and rides to keep both Maria and BiBi entertained for a long time. The pair played and played and played. Boy, did they ever have fun running and playing on the grass. But all the playing made Maria very tired and she was kind of glad when Mommy said it was time to go home. But, when Maria was ready to go to sleep she discovered to her horror that BiBi was nowhere in sight. Poor BiBi! He had been left all alone in the big city in the big park. Oh, how awful it was to imagine him all alone with the moon rising over the ocean and Maria nowhere to be seen. Maria cried her heart out. Her tears were bigger than those of a crocodile and Maria could not sleep for the worry. Luckily, Mommy had a brilliant plan and early the next day posters went up in the park and at the green grocers announcing BiBi’s disappearance. There was
even a reward offered! Maria was very brave but her little heart was shattered when they drove back to their house with no BiBi in tow. The days without BiBi were extra-long and the nights somehow seemed even darker. But then one morning, not long after word went out that BiBi had gone missing, Mommy received a call from a special lady who said that, not only had she found BiBi, but also Maria’s little purse that had been left in the park! This person did not even have a home of her own but she was nice enough to take care of BiBi. Mommy could not believe their luck and immediately asked the nice lady without a home to send a picture of BiBi. Lo and behold, soon there was a picture of BiBi. A knight in shining armour in the guise of a courier was immediately dispatched along with the reward. It didn’t take long before the gallant knight knocked on the door and, much to Maria’s delight, handed over a none-the-worse-for-wear BiBi. The joy that filled Maria’s heart could only be captured by taking a picture of the elated little girl and her beloved toy. In Hermanus they will live happily ever after. - De Waal Steyn
REUNITED There were no words to describe the joy when BiBi the bunny was returned to little Maria.
A certain señorita has her own ideas about rugby On the banks of the Restless River, the Duck 'n Fiddle is buzzing as usual. It has long been a favourite watering hole for the locals from Heaven’s Valley and the nearby town of Harmony and, being a weekend, the crowd is festively raucous. The inner sanctum of the original old pub though, is somewhat quieter. Local farmers Druiwe du Toit and Klippies Kombrink occupy their usual stools, as do Sparky and the Adams twins who live in the cottages behind The Duck. It’s late afternoon when Mitsy de la Cruz sidles into the pub for the first time. She recently bought an olive farm up the valley, but apart from the odd shopping expedition into town, she’s seldom spotted. Locals learned she was a dance teacher who immigrated from Mexico to set up a Spanish dance school on her farm.
Smooth as silk, she shimmies up to the bar between Druiwe and Sparky, the resident electrician. “Dos tequila pleeze” she purrs at Henrico, the barman, who knows his number ones from his number twos in most languages, and promptly fills two shot-glasses with the gulp of Mexico. "Lemoen und salt?" he asks, with his own stab at multilingualism. “No vegetable or mineral pleeze! It breaking the tasting," she smiles, and with that turns to Sparky and clinks his near-full beer glass. "Bottom ups?" Her eyes twinkle invitingly and Sparky is instantly smitten. Despite already being well oiled and leaking a bit, he manfully downs his glass. With enough beer muscles and spade work, he’s bound to get lucky. Before he can even find his spade
though, Mitsy turns to Druiwe. "Up the bottom?" she clinks innocently. ”Definitely!" he beams, less so. Between waves of nausea, Sparky has visions of hanging up his wire-cutters and marrying this exquisite product of the divine potter. Time to move. "So, you come to check the rugby?" he asks between burps. Such a beguiling icebreaker would surely get her juices going. "What rugby?" queries Mitsy, glancing at the curtain-raiser on the TV near the dartboard. "That? This game I don't understand…" Although only in the country for a few months, she’s watched a bit of rugby on TV, and is a tad confused about the rules. Both Sparky and Druiwe are experts, she
is assured, so she offers some suggestions, claiming these could vastly improve the game. As a born-and-bred Mexican, she can’t fathom why people would want to play with a ball with points at two ends. The bounce is unpredictable and can easily cause anxiety and frustration, which can lead to pushing and shoving sometimes even cussing. When they eventually manage to control the ball and are actually playing rugby, the ref invariably blows his whistle. This, she claims, seems to be a signal for everyone to start punching or wrestling. All well and good, but can’t they perhaps separate these two components - playing and fighting - and allow fighting only when the game stops - like for a penalty kick? Those not actually fighting can quaff a quick beer on the sideline if it’s hot. Fighters and quaffers should rotate to
avoid monotony. During lineouts she suggests the jumpers stand still so the thrower doesn’t miss them so much. Also, players should be allowed to abuse the ref much more, like in soccer. Whereas Druiwe has certain reservations about these improvements, Sparky sits mesmerised, drooling. If she suggests they play in thongs and flip-flops, he’ll agree. His visions of a life-long romance with this beauty are overpowering. Sadly, before she can suggest her improvements to cricket and Formula 1, national anthems strike up, and folks drift towards the TV. The Duck 'n Fiddle isn’t quite the same since Mitsy’s arrival. More farmers in Heaven’s Valley are learning the chacha, lambada and tango than anywhere else. Some are even pretty deft with castanets. Sparky sadly still splices cables on weekdays and leaks on weekends.
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Hermanus, we do not have a problem
Space Agency open day draws budding astronauts and scientists Aly Verbaan MANY a visitor to our town, and many a local, too, no doubt, has had pause for thought as they pass the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) sign at Gateway. What, they might wonder, is a space agency doing here in Hermanus, and what precisely is its function? Saturday 13 August’s community day certainly went some way to answering such questions, as some 100 adults and children alike flocked to check out the somewhat secretive site. But first: a bit of history. SANSA began life as the Hermanus Magnetic Observatory (HMO) in 1941, and was relaunched as SANSA under the Department of Trade and Industry in April 2011. But why here? By 1940 the developing suburban electric railway system in Cape Town was adversely affecting the geomagnetic field observations and it was necessary to relocate the observatory to a “magnetically clean” site. Perhaps Sir William Hoy is partly to thank for this intervention, as by the railwayman’s retirement in 1928 he had put paid to any plans to extend the railway service to Hermanus, in order to preserve the “fresh air”.
HELLO? Hirwa Nahayo (4) listens for much-hoped for extraterrestrial communication.
Children had a field day making rockets and planet models, and partaking in solar system activities, not to mention pummelling the jumping castle when the brain work overloaded those synapses. Whale Coast 96 FM was broadcasting live on the proceedings, and relieving the brain strain with radio hits in between sessions. Many visitors wondered why SANSA carries out much research in Antarctica: the reason is simple Antarctica is closest to outer space.
YOU CALLED? Samuel Maynard (5) provides the incoming response.
As explained by Dr Pieter Kotze (PhD Physics) of SANSA, Hermanus proved ideal as a site for the HMO because it was sufficiently remote from electrical disturbances and had been proven by a magnetic survey to be suitable in other aspects, too, for example, the “cleanliness” of the Table Mountain Sandstone geological substructure, which is nonmagnetic and contains no minerals that can be magnetised during a lightning strike. A talk presented by MD of SANSA Hermanus, Dr Lee-
Anne McKinnell, highlighted just how much NASA has been involved in the development of products we have come to depend upon, such as breast-cancer tumour detection, thermal products, memory foam, the Dustbuster, the Black and Decker cordless drill, and baby milk formula and freeze-dried products used for feeding astronauts in space. And, just to put that argument to rest, apparently Goodyear tyres really are the best since they were developed in conjunction with NASA and have tread that give rockets that extra traction.
Another much-asked question related to the ozone layer and whether there really is a scientifically proven hole in it above South Africa and Australia. Dr Pieter Kotze explained that there was no specific scientific evidence for this, but that due to less cloud cover in the southern hemisphere, we certainly suffer more sunburn than our northern hemisphere counterparts. SANSA has four directorates: earth observation, space operations, space science, and space engineering.
OUT OF THE BOX 3-D Namhla Sambakanya (12) with her ZA Cube-1.
Looks like we’ll live Climate change was another matter of concern for many, as well as “What will happen when the Earth’s polarity changes?” According to NASA, Earth’s polarity is not a constant. Geophysicists are pretty sure that the reason Earth has a magnetic field is because its solid iron core is surrounded by a fluid ocean of hot, liquid metal.
MOVING ON UP Ruan (4) and Karen Oosthuyse prepare for lift off. PHOTOS: ALY VERBAAN a project focusing on housing, primarily targeted at understanding the national dynamics of lowcost and informal settlement developments. The second research area is tailored to investigate national vegetation dynamics. Space Operations, that is, satellite navigation applications, such as in mining and agriculture, environmental and disaster management, surveys mapping, Earth sciences, aviation, transportation and education, are to be explored specifically for the benefit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). SANSA Space Science is host to the Space Weather Regional Warning Centre for Africa which operates as part of the International Space Environment Service (ISES). The Space Weather Centre provides an important service to the nation by monitoring the Sun and its activity to provide information, early warnings and forecasts on space weather conditions. The space weather products and services are required primarily for communication and navigation systems, in
the defence, aeronautics, navigation and communication sectors. SANSA Space Engineering will lead space system and sub-system development activities. Their efforts are aligned with South Africa’s strategic drive to become self-reliant with its own satellite system development capabilities, unique technologies and related skills to create a technology base for industry and promote initiatives in advanced manufacturing technology. The Goddard Space Flight Centre lists 2 271 man-made satellites currently in orbit around the Earth. Russia tops the list with 1 324 satellites, followed by the USA with 658. South Africa currently has two operational satellites in orbit - Sunsat Oscar 35 and SumbandilaSat - whilst a third is “out there” but not yet operational. For more information, visit www.sans.org.za. If you would like to find out more about the SANSA Space Science Directorate, join the team for a free tour on Wednesdays from 11:00 to 12:00. Contact 028 312 1196 for information.
The Earth Observation programme has identified two flagship projects that will spearhead the unit’s research directions in the foreseeable future. The first is
Ours is a dynamic planet. The flow of liquid iron in Earth’s core creates electric currents, which in turn create the magnetic field. So, while parts of Earth’s outer core are too deep for scientists to measure directly, we can infer movement in the core by observing changes in the magnetic field. The magnetic north pole has been creeping northward by more than 1 100 km since the early 19th century, when explorers first located it precisely. It is moving faster now, actually, as scientists estimate the pole is migrating northward about 64 km per year, as opposed to about 16 km. Doomsday hypotheses about a geomagnetic flip play up fears about incoming solar activity. This suggestion mistakenly assumes that a pole reversal would momentarily leave Earth without the magnetic field that protects us from solar flares and coronal mass ejections from the sun. But, while Earth’s magnetic field can indeed weaken and strengthen over time, there is no indication that it has ever disappeared completely. A weaker field would lead to a small increase in solar radiation, but nothing deadly. Moreover, even with a weakened magnetic field, Earth’s atmosphere also offers protection against the sun’s incoming particles. The science shows that magnetic pole reversal is a common occurrence that happens over millennia. There is nothing in the millions of years of geologic records to suggest that any of the doomsday scenarios connected to a pole reversal should be taken seriously. A reversal might, however, be good business for magnetic compass manufacturers.
ELEMENTARY, MY DEAR Sannie Espach and Annatjie Haumann try to make sense of ionospheric physics with Makhosi Dubazane (PhD) of SANSA.
CAFFEINE BOOST Prof Mervyn Dendy, Dr Pierre Cilliers and Pat Kenderdine discuss the future of planet Earth as we know it.
- www.nasa.gov
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Long live Ricardo, our brand-new Whale Crier
Frieda’s Footprints
Tourism News by Frieda Lloyd
A dilemma presented itself when our Whale Crier, Eric Davalala, resigned in July just when the whalewatching season typically kicks off. So, Hermanus Tourism were expecting whales but had no Whale Crier to trumpet their arrival and whereabouts. Fortunately deliverance arrived in the form of Ricardo Andrews, who was appointed to save the day, and he took up his mantle and his kelp horn - two weeks ago. Ricardo is our town’s sixth Whale Crier since the position’s inception in 1991, when a visitor walked into the then Hermanus Publicity Office and mentioned that the whales he had just spotted “must be the bestkept secret”. In response, the erstwhile owner of Kenjockity Guesthouse, Jim Wepener, asked family members to call the local radio station whenever whales were sighted. Later a position was created for an official Whale Crier. Pieter Claasen was first up, back in 1992. The outgoing Eric was our Whale Crier for five years before taking up a position at Waltons, but will continue to help out
THE WHALES ARE HERE! Ricardo Andrews is warming up to his new role as Hermanus’s Whale Crier. by presenting talks to whale-watching visitors. Ricardo is from Zwelihle and is the proud father of a fiveyear-old daughter. He matriculated at Hawston Secondary School and speaks three languages – English, Afrikaans and Xhosa – and with his marketing management qualification from Boland College, he
seems a perfect fit. Since he is new to this line of work, Eric and local photographer and guide, Dave de Beer, spent some time with Ricardo showing him the ropes. Now he can already be seen practising his skills on the many visitors who approach him with questions about the whales and other tourism-related
topics, and ask to pose with him for photos. Ricardo was well and truly thrown in at the deep end – he was obliged to do his first film interview within a week of starting his new role. South African Tourism is launching a new website, and Ricardo is to be in a video on it. He has also received his first request to welcome
dignitaries at special events: Kenny Podmore, Town Crier of Vancouver Island off Canada’s Pacific Coast, asked to meet Ricardo when he visits South Africa later this year. So, we can relax: Ricardo is ensuring that all our whale stories can again feature the unique sound of the Whale Crier blowing his kelp horn.
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Sleep Out to raise funds for new homeless shelter Fancy a night out on the street? Here’s your chance. The Hermanus Night Shelter Association (HNSA) is challenging individuals, organisations and businesses to take part in its Homeless Sleep Out on Friday 2 September. This is part of its fundraising campaign towards the construction of a shelter for homeless people in Hermanus. Participants can either enter themselves or sponsor someone else to accept the challenge.
Staff members of JUST CARE Aftercare at the Mount Pleasant Junior School were overjoyed to learn that they have been selected as the winning charity for the 2017 L2L Ladies Walk.
Lighthouse ladies just care The winning charity for funds raised during the 2017 Lighthouse 2 Lighthouse Ladies Walk is Just Care Aftercare in Mount Pleasant at the junior school.
and there were whoops and cheers and celebratory dancing in the aftercare hall as we unveiled the poster to announce Just Care Aftercare as the winning charity.”
Registration for next year’s L2L Walk opened on Wednesday 10 August. It was the first year that participants were also able to register on the L2L Facebook page. Janine Boshoff, L2L media and marketing manager said, “We were completely taken by surprise at the number of entries and all 80 places were taken by the end of our registration meeting that evening at the United Church hall.”
L2L Ladies Walk has set its fundraising target for next year at R450 000. The project that Just Care Aftercare presented to the walkers was the purchase of a transport vehicle for the 130 children who attend their aftercare service from Mondays to Fridays from 14:00 to 17:00. Their goal is to be able to drive the children to sport matches, to HAWS for pet education, to the library for reading classes, and other social outings.
All registered walkers who attended the meeting were able to listen to the top five shortlisted charities’ proposals, and heartstrings were pulled by the great need that exists within the Overberg community. “We were humbled by these volunteers who are trying to make a difference in the lives of others, and who give of their time, energy, love and expertise to help others less fortunate,” adds Janine. “Every registered walker was able to vote for their top two charities, and our registration officer was swamped with paperwork to compile all the information, correlate payments and count the votes. L2L Ladies Walk then asked a third party to audit the votes and confirm that the process was fair, democratic and transparent.” Janine says they paid a surprise visit to Just Care Aftercare last week under the guise of viewing their project and the premises they were operating from. “But then we surprised them with balloons and a colourful poster,
HNSA chairperson Les Abbott explains: “The idea of the Sleep Out is for residents to experience, for one night, what it is like to be homeless, with no warm bed waiting at home, and having to sleep outside. But it will also be great fun, and give people the opportunity to come together in the true community spirit of Hermanus, in aid of those less fortunate.” The venue is the parking area at Gateway Centre, starting at 18:00 and lasting through the night until 06:00 on Saturday morning. Braai facilities will be provided in a cordoned-off area, and braai packs of a chop, chicken thigh and a piece of boerewors can be purchased from Spar until it closes at 20:00. A coffee vendor will be on site and music will be provided by Yesterday’s Heroes to keep spirits up. Dress warmly and bring cooler boxes with drinks and food, along with braai spices, tongs and eating utensils. No luxury tents or mattresses are allowed – only cardboard boxes, blankets or sleeping bags.
Companies that sponsor participants or that contribute in the form of donations will qualify for mention on Whale Coast 96 FM, which is giving extensive coverage to the event. Get in on the action and challenge your friends, family and local businesses to take part – sponsorship amounts range from R1 000 for businesses, and R500, R200 or R100 for the public – whichever you can afford. Sponsorship forms can be obtained from the enquiry counter at Gateway Spar or completed on www.hermanusshelter.co.za. Deposits should be made directly into the HNSA bank account at: ABSA, account number 4081927061, Hermanus Branch Code 334812. Ref: Your/Company name. HNSA is a registered Public Benefit Organisation (PBO) with SARS and all donations are tax deductible. If you require a letter for SARS, email proof of payment with the subject line “Tax Letter” to nightshelterhermanus@gmail.com
Just Care Aftercare has already ensured the finances for the vehicle’s insurance and maintenance, and they have a licensed driver. So now it is time for every single one of the 80 registered walkers to start raising funds towards this goal by taking the initiative, gathering the support of friends and family and approaching businesses near and far.
Several successful sleep outs in aid of the homeless have been rolled out in major centres in South Africa since the major success of the CEO SleepOut in Johannesburg last year. This initiative, which was founded in Australia in 2006, saw 247 CEOs and business leaders trade their Porsches for the pavement as they spent the freezing night outdoors in Sandton. More than R26 million was raised, making it the largest sum ever raised by a single South African charity. This year’s CEO SleepOut was held on The Nelson Mandela Bridge, and the 2017 event is planned to take place on Robben Island.
23 August 2016
to 16:00, and Sunday from10:00 to 12:00. Visit www.greytoncreative.co.za for more. .
Wednesday 24 – Saturday 28 August • Benguela Cove Pop-Up Cinema: In honour of Women’s Month, Benguela Wine Estate is showing a line-up of movies with your favourite female leads. Take your daughter, mom or girlfriends and enjoy Black Swan on 24 August or Breakfast at Tiffany’s on 26 August, with showings at 15:00 and 19:00 on both days. Alice in Wonderland will be screened at 10:00 on Saturday 27, and The Devil wears Prada at 15:00. On Sunday 28 it’s the turn of Pocahontas at 10:00 and Dirty Dancing at 14:00. Ticket packages, starting at R50 (R40 for kids), include wine or juice and popcorn. To book, email movies@benguelacove.co.za
Saturday 27 August
• Beatles Concert: In “Get Back – A Tribute to the music of the Beatles”, award-winning British saxophonistAndrew Young takes the audience back to the life of the Beatles in Liverpool with the songs that have influenced him and a generation of musicians. Accompanied by Tony Drake on piano and keyboards, the programme includes music, film, pictures and anecdotes. At the Municipal Auditorium at 19:30. Tickets are R160 pp (R150 for groups of 10 or more) available from Computicket or at the door. Contact Andrew on 0861 915 8000.
Thursday 25 August
Friday 26 August • Sketchcrawl: The Country Sketchers will meet at Mossel River beach at 09:00. Any artists who are keen on plein air painting or sketching are welcome to join us on the last Friday of every month. Call Charmé Southey on 082 773 9125.
• Hermanus Senior Centre Bazaar at the Grobbelaar Hall is on from 09:30 to 14:00. Enjoy the tea garden, arts and crafts, boerie rolls, vetkoeke, curry and rice, cakes and desserts, pies and pancakes.
• Bhuki Café: Enjoy tea, coffee and eats at the Hermanus Library for only R20 (2 eats) or R30 (3 eats), every Friday between 09:00 and11:30. Today is also pancake day, pre-order by calling 028 313 8077.
Sat 27 August and Sat 3 September • Hermanus Parkrun: Meet at Hermanus Forest in Camphill Road, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley at 08:00. Free timed 5 km walk or run come rain or shine. The route is dog friendly and children are most welcome. • Lemm’s Corner Market: From 08:30, Main Road, Hermanus. Crafts, clothes, jewellery, bags, toys, art and more. • Hermanuspietersfontein Food & Wine Market: In the courtyard at the HPF cellar, The Village, from 10:00 to14:00. Where wine and food lovers both local and international meet.
• Stanford Saturday Morning Market: The Stanford Hotel, 09:30-12:00. Farmers, crafters and hobbyists bring to you homemade and home-baked goodies at great prices.
• Greyton Creative Art Festival: Educational and fun talks, walks, tours, demonstrations, workshops, art exhibitions, craft stalls, shows, movies, markets, dinners and tastings will be offered at various venues in the quaint village. Official opening of the festival is at 17:30 on Friday, after which Nic Rabinowitz will perform from 19:30 to 20:30. Saturday runs from at10:00
• Homeless Sleep-out: Rough it a little bit and support the Hermanus Night Shelter Association’s fundraising campaign towards building a night shelter for the homeless by taking part in this one night sleep-out challenge. It promises to be a fun-filled event with a communal braai, coffee vendor, fire baskets and music, from 18:00 until 06:00 on Saturday, at the Gateway Centre parking area. Sponsorship forms and payment details are on www.hermanusshelter.co.za • Bad Moms’ Party: Enjoy the mother of all parties at this ladies’ night out at the Gecko Bar from 20:00 to 22:30 – no men allowed, but they are welcome to join in the fun after 22:30. The headliner is artist Lize van der Walt, and a percentage of the ticket sales will go towards her expenses incurred after her burn accident. Tickets are R120 pp (includes a shooter and a T-shirt) and you must be a mom to attend. Tickets can be bought from Nikki at Trendy Tots, Janeke and Liezel at Anza Curtains, or Carol at Java Rock.
Friday 2 – Sunday 4 September
• The Hermanus Country Market: Next to the cricket field, Fairways Avenue, from 09:00 to13:00. Glorious food, fresh and wholesome goodies, plus arts and crafts. • Market in the Garden: St Peter’s Church in Main Road from 09:00 to13:00. A delightful market set amongst the trees in the heart of town. Join the St Peter’s Coffee Morning and enjoy a sweet treat for R10 and a cup of coffee or tea for R5.
Friday 26 – Sunday 28 August
• U3A Art and Society Course: Dr Keith Dietrich concludes this course with a talk on slavery entitled “Fragile Histories, Fugitive Lives”. He will reflect on the question of how a society can produce and value art, but at the same time practise the enslavement of other human beings. At the Catholic Church Hall at 10:00.
• Bot River Spring Festival: Experience the country hospitality of the close-knit winemaking community of Botrivier. Each of the 11 wine farms will be open from 10:00 until 16:00 on Saturday and Sunday. There will lots of wine tastings and live music to enjoy, as well as plenty of entertainment for the children. Tickets are available at www.quicket.co.za and a weekend pass costs R100 pp. For more information contact Melissa Nelsen at 083 302 6562 or melissa@genevievemcc.co.za
Saturday 3 September • Adventure Trail Run & Kids’ Duathlon: Pringle House Eco School on Hangklip Farm presents a fun Open Day for the whole family from 09:00. There will be two adventure trail runs of 13 to15 km and 7to 9 km, starting at 09:00; a Mini Duathlon for kids under six years old and a Kids Fun Duathlon for the older ones, starting at 11:30. Food stalls, coffee, jumping castle, paintball, pony rides, a petting zoo and more. Email pre-entries to amylotter@yahoo.com or enter on the morning from 08:00.
Friday 2 September • NSRI Fundraiser: Wicus van der Merwe will be performing at the Grobbelaar Hall at 20:00, with a pre-show by Jaco Tosen. Tickets are R100 pp. To book, call 082 483 5632.
• U3A Literary Anniversaries Course: A presentation on the famous Russian novel, “Crime and Punishment” by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. The talk will focus on the political, literary and social scene in 19th-Century Russia, followed by the next talk on 2 September, focusing on the novel. Both talks will be presented at the Catholic Church hall at 10:00.
Tuesday 30 August
• OAK Concert: Overstrand Arts/Kunste presents the Overberg Eisteddfod Winners’ Prestige Concert at the Municipal Auditorium at 19:00. Tickets are R40 pp (R10 for scholars). Book at Bellini Gallery in Village Square or call 028 312 4988 or 082 940 4238.
• U3A open meeting: Talk on “The Work of Maggie Laubscher” by Prof Muller Ballot, at 17:30 in the Municipal Auditorium.
• Kolwyntjie-Teetuin: Senior citizens are invited to enjoy a sweet treat and tea or coffee at the Service Centre of the Dutch Reformed Church in Onrus for only R30, every Friday between 09:30 and 11:30.
• Hermanus History Society Meeting: This members’ meeting will include refreshments and a presentation by Dr Robin Lee on the De Wets Huis Photographic Museum. Guests are welcome. At the Catholic Church hall at 15:30 for 16:00.
Wednesday 31 August
• Ons Teater: The movie “Risen” will be screened at the Dutch Reformed Church in Onrus, at 14:30. The only cost is a donation to the Service Centre. Call Marie Korf on 028 316 4018.
• 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.
earliest days when sailors kept notes or drew maps to record their voyages. At the Catholic Church hall, at 10:00.
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• Swallow Park Market: Browse the new market at Swallow Park between 09:00 and 13:00.
Monday 29 August
• U3A History of Maps Course: Rear Admiral Bernhard Teuteberg will present a talk on “Maritime Hydrographic Surveying and Charting” which follows the history of nautical surveying and charting since the
• De Hoop and Potberg MTB Challenge: Surrounded by the beauty of the Potberg and De Hoop nature reserves, this two-day MTB Challenge is a veritable feast for mountain bikers and nature lovers alike. The routes range from the challenging 75 km which requires a high level of fitness, to a 55 km option, or even the less strenuous 25 km route. Various accommodation options are available, from camping under the stars to sumptuous luxury, with five packages to choose from. For race queries contact 083 676 5681 or entries@gardenrouteevents.co.za; for accommodation or meal queries contact vnares@dehoopcollection.co.za
• Festival of Hope: Hermanus Staan Saam is hosting their third Festival of Hope at the Hermanus cricket grounds, from 10:00. Fun and entertainment, stalls, live music stage sponsored by Coca-Cola, a potjiekos competition, demonstrations, games and lucky draws. Help Hermanus Staan Saam to care for the needy all year long by making donations or sponsoring prizes and vouchers. Contact Tronel on 082 737 1226. • Wijnskool Spring Day: Celebrate the release of Bartho Eksteen’s Blom Rosé 2016 DOM MCC at Wijnskool Farm in Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, from 11:30. R200 pp includes a welcoming glass of Blom and a delicious lunch. Booking is essential as seats are limited. To make your booking, contact wijnskool@hermanus.co.za or 072 323 5060.
Saturday 3 - Sunday 4 September • Birds of Prey Workshop: BirdLife Overberg is hosting a two-day workshop presented by André Botha, manager of the to coincide with International Vulture Awareness Day. Community Hall, Mollergen Park. The cost is R500 pp. Reserve your spot with Helé Oosthuizen at 073 456 0393 or birding@southernartceramics.com
• Spring Celebration: Sir Robert Stanford Estate is celebrating the arrival of spring with free wine tasting, picnics at the dam and cocktails at the distillery. A petting zoo will keep the kids entertained while moms and dads enjoy lunch at The Royal Oke. CANSA will host a Shavathon, with all proceeds going towards those fighting cancer. For more info or to book, contact wines@robertstanfordestate.co.za or 028 341 0647.
Village
EXPLORER The
ART • WINE • FOOD
IMAGE: Lize van der Walt, The Art Gallery
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FOOD & WINE
19 APRIL 2016
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VILLAGE
NEWS News You Can Use
Phone Kathy on 083 581 7219
‘Afrikaners is plesierig’ Nita and Jadri Lotter have been living and farming on Vrede in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley for more than a quarter of a century. While Jadri was focused on their vegetable farming, Nita raised four children and regularly made farm-fresh goodies like rusks and preserves that they sold at markets along with their vegetables. That was until Nita came upon the idea to sell her goods directly from the farm, and converted an old cow shed into what is now Die Plaaskombuis (The Farm Kitchen). While Nita and her team have been treating locals and visitors alike to their own special brand of farm-style food and hospitality since 2012, Jadri has been quietly tending to his vineyards and the production of his own wine, aptly named Die Boersewyn (The Farmer’s Wine). Produced by acclaimed local winemaker Hannes Storm at the Spookfontein cellar, the 2015 vintage of Die Boersewyn was released earlier this month at Die Plaaskombuis. The range includes a Sauvignon Banc, wooded Chardonnay, Grenache Rosé and Red Blend (Shiraz, Mourverdré and Grenache). Says Jadri, “As a vegetable farmer I was unable to afford my own cellar, but I’ve always nurtured the dream of one day making my own wine. I started planting vines on the farm in 1996 and over the years I’ve supplied grapes to several local wine producers. I am very fortunate to have a winemaker of Hannes’s calibre now making our wine and I couldn’t be more proud.” Die Boersewyn features on Die Plaaskombuis’s wine list along with other local wines and can now be enjoyed with your meal of “boerekos” specialities such as
CHEERS Jadri and Nita Lötter at Die Plaaskombuis, now also the House of Die Boersewyn tomato bredie, bobotie, oxtail, lamb curry and offal. The extensive menu also offers breakfasts, light lunches and freshly baked sweet treats. Best of all, you can take a few bottles of your favourite Boersewyn home to savour in the company of friends and family. Die Plaaskombuis is on the R320 about five kilometres up the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. They are open daily from 08:30 until 16:30, and cater for functions big and small. The garden is a haven for children and the venue is ideal for family outings. Call 028 312 1857. - Hedda Mittner
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Local entrepreneurs keep it hot and sharp he’s looking forward to the new season. “My business is growing and there are so many advantages to being mobile – I can keep my overheads low and my staff component small. I love being part of this beautiful and dynamic town which offers so many opportunities.”
Hedda Mittner Two friends in Hermanus – the one a local boykie born and bred in Onrus and the other a recent import from Cape Town – have come up with an innovative way to establish their respective small businesses by going mobile and bringing their business straight to their customers.
Contact the Vanderbolt Coffee Company on 072 368 3991. Cutting Edge Sharpening knives might sound like a rather odd profession, but Bevan Pope of Cutting Edge Sharpening Services has proven that it entails a very specialised skill and provides a vital service to the restaurant industry.
Caffeine kick with Vanderbolt The cinky little three wheeled tuk-tuk of the Vanderbolt Coffee Company has become a familiar sight in Hermanus and surrounding areas over the last nine months and seems to be virtually omnipresent. While the semi-permanent spot of this voguish mobile coffee bar is at The Whale Garden on Market Square, fitting snugly between the market stalls and the Whale Museum, it can also be found wherever the action is, be it at school or sporting events, weddings or festivals. Vanderbolt coffee can now also be enjoyed at the popular Hermanuspietersfontein Food & Wine Market on Saturday mornings.
“Chefs are pedantic about their knives as they are essential tools of the trade,” says Bevan. “But it’s of no use spending large amounts of money on topend knives if you are not going to maintain them properly.” WHAT MORE DO YOU NEED? Theo van Niekerk knows coffee comes first - always.
Vanderbolt owner Theo van Niekerk, who owned a coffee shop cum deli in Cape Town called Tamboers Winkel for four years before relocating to Hermanus last year with his wife Amy and their now 18-month-old son Samuel, says they have been overwhelmed by the friendliness of the town. “It really is such a privilege to be living here,” says Theo. “Not only is it a breathtakingly beautiful place, but the people have been so welcoming and supportive.” Theo had managed several restaurants in Cape Town and was also a co-owner of Van Hunks in Kloof Street, but his interest in coffee only kicked in when he was running Tamboers Winkel, an intimate venue modelled on his “granny’s farm kitchen”. Initially he contemplated opening a restaurant in Hermanus but decided to get the feel of the town first. “Coffee is a clean, fresh product with a long shelf life,” says Theo, who has his own blend roasted. As soon as the family had settled in, he purchased his first mobile unit - a Piaggio three-wheeled scooter fitted with a coffee bar. “I first tested it out by dishing out free coffees at the Mossel River parking area,” says Theo, “but I soon found out that the battery died within half an hour and realised that I could only operate from where I had access to a power point. I also made some modifications to the coffee unit so that it can now accommodate two baristas when necessary.” Theo says the municipality proved very helpful and he got permission to install his mobile coffee kiosk at Voëlklip beach for the holiday season. He was “phenomenally busy” but trade came to an abrupt standstill after the holidays. Next he approached PSG opposite the Hermanus Primary School about parking on their premises and selling coffee to the parents dropping their children off at school. PSG were more than happy to accommodate him. “I now do the school run every morning from 07:00 – 08:30 before setting up at The Whale Garden for the rest of the day. I have two baristas – Henry is on duty at The Whale Garden where he has come to know all our regular customers who stop off for their coffee fix and a friendly chat, and Nyasha is at our new coffee bar at The Mission’s House Gallery in Onrus. I’ve now ordered two more vehicles so that I don’t have to move away from The Whale Garden when doing other events and functions.” Theo admits that the winter proved challenging, but
Bevan operates from the back of his van where he has installed a custom-designed knife sharpening unit he built up himself according to meticulous engineering standards. His packed schedule sees him travelling from restaurant to restaurant, where he collects the knives that are in need of a tune-up. The restaurant in question is provided with a full set of replacement knives while he works on theirs from the back of the van. In this way, Bevan can sharpen the knives of up to a dozen restaurants in one day. “The best thing about being mobile is that I’m not stuck in a shop or an office waiting for people to walk through the door,” says Bevan. “Instead I go to where I’m needed and bring my business to my customers – what could be more convenient than that?”
CAN-DO ATTITUDE Bevan Pope whets his knives until they’re as sharp as a tiger’s tooth.
Bevan’s hands-on approach can be traced back to his childhood, when he worked alongside his father on building renovation and woodwork restoration. He grew up in Onrus, in the historic family home of Mission’s House, which now houses The Mission’s House Gallery, run by Bevan’s mother Glenda and his sister Braelea, as well as a Vanderbolt coffee bar. After spending 13 years in the UK, Bevan returned to his roots in 2010 and went to work with his father. “My dad was always frustrated by blunt tools and used to sharpen them himself. I learnt a lot from him and soon decided to branch out on my own and focus on knife sharpening.” Knocking on restaurant doors, he offered free demonstrations and says it really wasn’t a hard sell. “The results spoke for themselves,” he says.
A BIT CLOSE? Anton Verhoogt of Fisherman’s Cottage challenges Bevan to a duel.
Bevan now services several Hermanus restaurants, including Burgundy, Lizette’s, Fisherman’s Cottage and Pear Tree, and also travels to Cape Town and the Winelands twice a month. He became friends with Theo when he serviced Van Hunks’s knives and later those of Tamboers Winkel. Among the top outof-town restaurants on his client list are Terroir, Foliage, Guardian Peak, Le Quartier Francais and Cellars Hohenort. He also services the knives in the private kitchens of prestigious clients such as Sol Kerzner and Raymond Ackerman. With his highly specialised knowledge and skills, Bevan has become quite the authority on knives and often lectures at chef schools on knife selection and maintenance. He has carved out a career for himself in a niche market where word-of-mouth is his most powerful marketing tool. “It’s been a fantastic journey and I have more work than I can cope with,” he says. “With a flexible time-table, no overheads and no staff problems, I think I have a winning formula!”
IT’S COFFEE O’CLOCK Henry the barista serves the early birds desperate for their fix.
Contact Cutting Edge Mobile Sharpening Service on 072 495 5444.
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Renzske Scholtz of Kunskantoor
ART
Reinet de Jager’s new gallery, Canvas of Life.
That First Fridays feeling Patrick Chapman If you are in or near Hermanus and it happens to be the first Friday of the month, you’re in luck. Because that’s when the art galleries in the centre of town stay open late, usually until 20:00 or so. They offer you a glass of wine, perhaps a snack, and certainly a chance to mingle with the Arterati of this town. Follow the orange bunting and balloons to your choice of the many galleries that present an Artwalk that does our town proud. When members of Hermanus Tourism’s arts portfolio were tasked some years ago with making art buzz in this neck of the woods, they came up with two novel projects – R, R & R (Recycle, Reuse & Reinvent), a wellreceived show at the Municipal Auditorium, and a Christmas window decoration competition. Next, they put their heads together to plan further and Hermanus First Fridays (HFF) was born. Derived from similar successful Artwalks elsewhere, it has taken hold with fresh themes each month. The next one is on 2 September - don’t miss it! It started with 11 sites, now grown to 18, so you probably won’t get round to all of them in one evening. The aim is to get feet over threshold, no hard sells, just a chance for people to see what’s on the gallery walls without feeling intimidated by the perceived mysteries of “art”. The newest galleries on the Artwalk are Kunskantoor and Canvas of Life.
Reinet de Jager, owner of Canvas of Life, is a professional artist and has been in and around Hermanus for some 20 years. Initially showing her work on Lemm’s Corner, she progressed to local galleries in town and later to Stellenbosch, Kleinmond and Stanford. Now she has her own place, tucked away behind Wine & Co in High Street. Expect to see a constantly changing show of her own works and guest artists from time to time. Renzske Scholtz of Kunskantoor graduated cum laude from Michaelis School of Fine Art and her résumé shows a wealth of experience in gallery management, photography, reviewing and curating. She opened her own Quirky Country Gallery in Greyton and built up a stable of professional artists there. Schooling her twin boys prompted the move to Hermanus and Renzske has established herself in The Courtyard off Harbour Road, where the long-standing Abalone Gallery and more recently, goldsmith Geta Finlayson, are situated. She has created a bright gallery with the works of seasoned contemporary artists and should not be missed on your Artwalk. Her art consultancy service is something new to Hermanus and she has a great deal to share. The Artwalks are a superb institution. Galleries may not always make sales on the night, but art-loving residents often return with guests, friends and family to see what they have seen and admired, and that’s where sales can magically happen. Oh, and there’s no doubt a glass or two of wine and a cheery vibe can achieve unplanned sales, even to seasoned art collectors. Viva Hermanus, art destination of the Western Cape, and its First Fridays!
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Marrying pottery and photography
Hedda Mittner Although they have only been in Hermanus for two years, Lawrance and Catherine Brennon have become familiar figures among the local art community and have immersed themselves in the vibrant art scene of our town. Living and working side by side in their respective art forms – Lawrance as a professional photographer and Catherine as a ceramic artist – the couple has been married for 25 years and enjoy a synergistic relationship that brings mutual inspiration and support. “We’ve put down firm roots in Hermanus,” says Lawrance. ”We have to pinch ourselves every day that we are living in such a wonderful place. There is a tangible energy field between the mountains and the sea which is very stimulating to us as artists. There is so much to explore and as yet we have only scratched the surface.” Lawrance and Catherine clearly appreciate living among the splendours of natural beauty, as their previous home was in the picturesque Southern Drakensberg village of Underberg in KwaZulu-Natal, where they ran their own studio and gallery for 12 years. The Underberg Studio became The Overberg Studio when they relocated to Hermanus in June 2014. “During our time in Underberg we’d both gone through an important process of selfdevelopment, gaining clarity of purpose and consolidating our work as artists,” says Lawrance. “But we felt the need for more stimulation and interaction with the public, which is exactly what we’ve found in Hermanus, with the added advantage of having access to medical facilities and being close to Cape Town.” Lawrance has been a professional free-lance photographer almost all his life and has a special love for wide format landscape photography. He has produced a large body of panoramic and pinhole images, and has also explored the Photogravure Intaglio process whereby an image is engraved onto a steel plate and pressed onto archival etching paper to reveal exquisite detail. Many of his works have been purchased by local and international collectors. More recently, Lawrance has focused on a custom art reproduction service to artists which entails photographing and printing high quality limited edition prints that preserve the tactile quality and colour accuracy of the original artwork.
ARTISTIC SYNERGY Catherine and Lawrance Brennon work side by side at The Overberg Studio The couple joke about how their chosen art forms are not always recognised as “real art”. Says Lawrance, ”I’ve heard people make the comment, ‘but it’s just a photograph’, and yet to an artist a camera is a tool in the same way that a brush is.” Catherine also remembers a time when someone saw her ceramic tableware and exclaimed that it was so beautiful “it’s almost art!” But they take it in their stride and are simply amused. “It’s an education process,” says Lawrance. “As an art form, photography is still in its infancy in South Africa, and lags far beyond Europe and the USA. But I’m encouraged to see that there have been more photographic exhibitions in the last few years and that photography as an art form is gaining more exposure.” With a National Diploma in Ceramics as well as a B.Tech Ceramics degree, Catherine has been a professional potter for almost 20 years. She works mainly in earthenware clay and utilises a number of different techniques such as Raku and smoke-firing. “Because I never use moulds and everything is handmade, it’s a time-consuming process,” she says. “I enjoy the tactile nature of clay but it presents many technical challenges and I often have to try various methods to achieve the effect I’m looking for.” Catherine is perhaps best known for her delicate lace-impressed ceramic bowls and tableware, but another recurring theme in her work is her mysterious dream boxes with whimsical titles such as ‘A little bird told me’,
‘A song for you’, ‘A window into another world’ and ‘Dreams of a childhood holiday’. These unique pieces come in various shapes and sizes, often in the form of a miniature house or bird cage with a roof-shaped lid, and are decorated with swirls of plant and animal imagery. Her preoccupation with boxes can be traced back to her childhood, says Catherine. “I was always interested in them and used to collect my dad’s cigar boxes to keep special things in. It had to do with the concept of something secret and hidden from view; of preserving objects that are deeply personal and have no monetary value, only heart value.” Catherine considers her dream boxes incomplete artworks until they have been filled with something precious and valuable to its owner – be it private mementoes, thoughts, hopes or dreams. “Your dream box can be anything you need it to be,” she says. Over the years Catherine has participated in several group exhibitions, including Hermanus FynArts 2015 and 2016, and has received several awards while participating in many Ceramics SA Regional and National exhibitions. Her work has been exhibited in the USA and UK, and can be found in galleries throughout South Africa, including Lembu and Forty x 40 in Hermanus. She also offers pottery classes from The Overberg Studio. To view Catherine and Lawrance’s work, contact them on 082 872 7830.
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My Home
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26 JANUARY 23 August 2016 2016
Does switching off really save you money? throughout the day.
Recently I attended a talk on geysers and was blown away when I heard that turning off your geyser actually doesn't save electricity and therefore actually doesn't save you money. Really? These were professionals talking but, still, I thought I'd turn to trusty Google to confirm whether this outlandish statement was the truth.
The factors that affect the energy consumption of your geyser are: • The type and condition of your geyser; • How much hot water you use; and • How often you use it. So the best ways to help your geyser conserve energy are the following:
Turns out they're right - in most cases anyway! For those of you who, like me, don't know much about the technical side of the ol’ geezer, here's the quick and dirty:
• Only use the hot tap when necessary washing hands, splashing your face etc. can be done with cold water only;
• Your geyser is like a big kettle. It has an element inside that heats the water up to a set temperature. • When a hot tap is turned on, hot water is released from the geyser and cold water rushes in to replace it. As the water temperature in the geyser has now decreased, the element kicks in to heat the water back up to the set temperature. • When no one is using hot water the temperature of the water should remain the same as no cold water is being let in.
• Use less hot water when you do use it - short showers or shallow baths rather than long showers and deep baths;
However, heat will "leak" out of the geyser into the surrounding area and the rate of the heat leak depends on the quality of your geyser's insulation. These heat leaks cause the water temperature inside the geyser to gradually decrease and the element kicks in to reheat the water
when necessary. So, the argument for turning your geyser off when you are not at home is that the element will not periodically kick in to heat up the water and, therefore, you'll use less electricity. But this doesn't take into
account that once switched off, the water in the geyser eventually cools down completely and, when switched on again, a huge amount of energy is required to heat the water back up to the set temperature. In most cases, more energy than if the element was periodically kicking in
• Turn your geyser off when going away for a few days - then it makes it worth it; • Ensure your geyser and water pipes are properly insulated - ensuring that heat leak is lessened. So there you have it. Happy geyser energy conserving! - Jennifer Paddock, Bizcommunity
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23 August 2016
Pick n Pay Hermanus surprised Hermanus Animal Welfare with a donation of 68 kilograms of dog food. Lenke Elferink, Kennel & Clinic Manager and two of the dogs were on hand to receive the generous donation from Candice Martin, Client Services Manager of Pick n Pay and her staff.
LITERATI Isabella Younghusband, Fiona Gray, Nicolette Botha-Guthrie, Delene Daneel, and Cheryl van Niekerk were amongst the crowd that thronged the reopening of SANTA’S bookshop in its new spot in Upper Aberdeen Street.
Sofca receives a helping hand from local businesses
This forms part of The Village NEWS’s Helping Hands column where the plight of local charitable organisations are highlighted every month.
The Society for Care of the Aged (Sofca) takes care of 55 elderly residents, most of them with serious dementia or Alzheimer’s. Gayle Smith, general manager, says it is a continuous struggle to ensure that Sofca is financially strong enough to continue with their work. “The expenses are enormous. Residents receive
three meals a day and there is also teatime three times daily with a treat such as a biscuit or a piece of cake – some of which is sponsored by the public. But there are many other expenses such as nappies, bedding and commodes, to mention but a few.” Apart from these expenses the building is undergoing a refurbishment. “We need to
create a warm and friendly environment for our residents. They need to not only feel loved and welcome but also spend their days in a pretty environment. “Many of the patients here spend most of their time indoors as they are too frail to venture outside. And then there are quite a few who very rarely if ever are visited
by their relatives. So, creating an atmosphere and environment that make our residents comfortable and relaxed is extremely important to us.” According to Gayle, the article in The Village NEWS has also prompted a resident to offer her services as a seamstress free of charge to help create products to sell at their upcoming fête on
To advertise in
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Both Talisman Hire and Kia have stepped up in the form of a financial contribution to assist Sofca in renovating their premises and creating a more pleasant environment for the residents.
News You Can Use
Phone Kathy on 083 581 7219
1 October. “We have a lot of material available and anyone who is interested in assisting us to create products would be more than welcome,” says Gayle.
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Have a ball for a good cause
How often do you get the opportunity to dress up in glittering evening wear, sit down to a sterling five star dinner and afterwards dance the night away like Cinderella at the ball? Well, it won’t be long now before you can do exactly that, right here in Hermanus, at a unique fundraising event in aid of the elderly – The Village Ball. So put a red circle around I October on your calendar and dust off those dance shoes! With so many elderly people living in Hermanus, many of whom are isolated from society and cut off from their families, it fell to one caring individual to become the driving force behind this event that is set to become a highlight on the Hermanus social calendar. She might be a money person, says Janet Hugo, director of Sterling Private Wealth in Hermanus, but even investments have a human component. “For me it’s really all about people and forging relationships.” Janet’s interest was piqued when she heard about a school in Canada that has
been hosting a senior dance annually for 28 years in a row. What makes this dance special is that it is hosted by the learners of the school and brings two generations that normally have little contact together in a social setting. Inspired by this compassionate initiative and the happiness it spreads in the community, Janet contacted the headmaster of Hermanus High School, Greg Hassenkamp, to collaborate with Sterling Wealth on this project. The school has agreed to let Janet have the venue for this year’s matric dance on Friday 30 September in the Sandbaai Hall, and for the rest of the weekend. The venue will already have been decorated at considerable expense, and instead of taking it all down the next day, the décor will remain in place for The Village Ball fundraiser on the Saturday night and The Village Senior Dance on the Sunday afternoon. Anyone who would like to take part in this happy occasion is invited to sponsor an elderly person to
the matinee dance on Sunday 2 October at the Sandbaai Hall. Tickets to The Village Senior Dance sell at R280 per person, including delicious food and live dance music, from 15:30 – 20:30. The main focus of the event is the opportunity for golden oldies to get out, to socialise and mingle with their peers and make new friends. It is also an opportunity for our youngsters to spend a fun afternoon with our senior citizens, strengthening the inter-generational bond between young and old. “It’s a wonderful way to reach out to the older generation of our community and to make them feel special and appreciated,” says Janet. To make this event possible, and raise funds for senior care, The Village Ball will be held the previous evening, on Saturday 1 October. This black tie and evening gown affair in the Sandbaai Hall will include a gourmet dinner prepared by a top chef, award-winning wines, great music and, of course, dancing. Tickets go for R580 per head and businesses in Hermanus are invited to
make up tables of ten. Those who would like to buy a ticket to The Village Ball and also sponsor a senior citizen for The Village Senior Dance, are encouraged to do so at the all-inclusive, discounted cost of R800. “The Village Ball will not only be a night to remember, but also a golden opportunity for the community to work together in making something special happen in our town,” says Janet. “It is unfortunate that the older and the younger generations no longer spend much time together. Everybody is so busy with work and school, and getting on with their lives, that grandparents are often only seen once or twice a year. The Village Senior Dance could go a long way towards bridging that gap and building a community spirit that includes the elderly. Let’s all take hands and make this happen!” Tickets are available from Marietjie Haman at the Sterling Private Wealth office in Mitchell Street. For more information, contact Marietjie on 0861 888 987.
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23 August 2016
What the flu? Or is it a cold?
by Dr John du Plessis (ENT) Hermanus Mediclinic Half the town has been down with colds or flu, and even though it seems to me that winter is on its way out, my wife Deirdre is adamant it’ll still be here till late November. And we know wives are always right. So, the bad news is cold and flu season is nowhere near over. We all know flu feels worse, while colds last longer, but the main difference is that more than 200 viruses can cause a cold, but only influenza virus types A, B and C cause flu. (Basically, it’s a cold if the symptoms are predominantly above the neck.) These viruses attach to our nasal mucosa, and it’s when
our sinuses swell up that bacteria moves in. And, of course, a cold does temporarily reduce our immunity and make us more susceptible to bacteria and the more virulent flu viruses. There is no point, besides lining your doctor’s pocket, in rushing off to a medico unless you have developed an infection. Because colds and flu are both caused by viruses, antibiotics are not useful. People who take antibiotics while suffering from a cold or flu often feel slightly better because antibiotics have a mild anti-inflammatory effect. But this benefit is far outweighed by the negative impact antibiotics have on
friendly bacteria that live in your digestive tract. So, if you really need help with pain management during a cold or flu, it’s better to take a small dose of paracetamol than it is to take antibiotics. Many think it’s time for antibiotics when the nasal discharge turns a nasty green or yellow, but this does not indicate a bacterial infection. The only indication of bacterial infection is how much time has elapsed. If symptoms persist longer than a week it often points to a superadded bacterial infection (superinfections are secondary bacteria that usually procreate while your body is fighting off a cold or flu). This is when antibiotics are called for.
A caveat: in my opinion antibiotics are overprescribed and we are creating a major problem for the future, with resistant bacteria becoming all the more prevalent and their treatment posing far more of a problem than if antibiotics are used more judiciously. (The time to see an ENT is if you are recurrently ill in spite of antibiotics.) So there’s no quick fix. The best you can do is keep warm (a so-called old wive’s tale that is one I believe to be true - that and chicken soup), take simple analgesics, but be wary of decongestants, particularly those containing pseudoephedrine, as these can cause severe side-effects to the
cardiovascular system, especially in the elderly. Decongestants can also interfere with blood pressure medication, beta blockers and antidepressants. Regarding other treatment, I question the rationale of general administration of flu vaccines and am not convinced there is sufficient reason for these to be so broadly administered, except to those whose immune systems are severely compromised or who have viral respiratory infections, for example people with underlying cardiac or lung disease. Some people believe high doses of vitamin C help, but I’m not convinced, and
there’s no scientific evidence to corroborate it. In addition, too much vitamin C can irritate the stomach. In terms of exercising, the rule of thumb is “above and below the clavicle” - if one has a runny nose but otherwise feels fine, exercise shouldn’t be an issue, but sore muscles and a fever usually mean a significant viraemia (the presence of viruses in the blood) and exercise is to be avoided as there is a risk of damaging the heart muscle. Having said all this, remember it is often said that if you treat flu aggressively you’ll get better in a week, but if you do nothing you’ll get better in seven days.
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#2 Find your life’s true purpose
This is the second in a series of SOLOBEAR success story content pages; part good news story, part enlightenment. Our debut article was entitled ‘To be a champion, learn from one - the art of copying the success of others.’ The primary message behind SUCCESS #1 was to build something of lasting excellence that stems from the heart. Those in the know say if you enjoy doing what you do, it will never be a burden. It’s not work. You just get up every morning and do your thing, and you keep doing your thing until you become really good at it. After a while, people begin to acknowledge what you’re doing and pay you handsomely for doing your thing. It’s like following your bliss to success.
To illustrate the guiding principle, we found this school teacher’s narrative…
SUCCESS #2 Find your life’s true purpose [Frances Gershon - CEO of US Toy Company & Constructive Playthings]: My father was a cantor, and he thoroughly loved performing in the synagogue and creating an aura of prayer among the congregants. He told me to choose an occupation (as he did) that I would enjoy and find personally fulfilling. I chose to become an early childhood teacher because I loved working with young children and making their first school experience a happy, positive one. I hope that I instilled in them a love of going to school in their early years. But after several years of
…and you’ll never have to work another day in your life. teaching, I realised that there was no store in the Kansas City area where I lived specialising in playthings and equipment to meet the needs of the fastgrowing child daycare business. I decided to fulfill that need.
children to develop mentally and physically, but will also be fun for them. I hope that I have made a worthwhile contribution to their lives by providing them with a selection of unique teaching tools for enjoyable learning.
After fifty years on the job every day, I still love coming to work at US Toy & Constructive Playthings. Helping to choose the best products for our catalogues and retail stores is most gratifying for me.
If young people of today can choose a profession or business that will give them such personal satisfaction, they will be successful, both monetarily and mentally.
I continually search for new and challenging items that will not only help young
So, our observation for SUCCESS #2 is to follow your bliss. Do something in life that you find personally satisfying.
So what is my bliss, you may well ask? Well here’s the thing. Every one of us is different. We think different. We have different needs and wants. We enjoy different things in life. So naturally, our definition of personal bliss is different. Some people are fortunate and find their true purpose at an early age – think Michael Jackson or Justin Bieber. But not everybody can be a musical popstar wiz kid in his early teens. Warren Buffet, the world’s ace multibillionaire investor, once admitted he only started making real money when he was 40 (but oh boy, he sure made up for being a late starter!) Some people change jobs six or seven times in their careers. Some people never find their bliss and continue going to work miserable every day. Others find real happiness in life only after
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they retire from their careers. The advice is to go out into the world and find what makes you happy. And always strive to take a job doing something you truly love to do. If it’s money you seek, it will come to you by the bucket, because if you love what you do, you’ll no doubt do it very well and folks who want the best will beat down your door to buy your product, or get your services, or employ you. So our observation for SUCCESS #2 is to follow your bliss. Do something in life that you find personally satisfying. Find your true purpose… and you will never have to work another day in your life!
Rola VW Hermanus are proud supporters of SOLOBEAR. Pioneer your own Frontier. A youth art development initiative in the interests of Overstrand entrepreneurship.
My Pet
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23 August 2016
Spring into action for your pet When drawing up your list of spring-cleaning chores don’t forget to include your pets. There’s no point washing carpets and clearing out cupboards if your dogs and cats are carrying parasites, or their beds are harbouring dirt and fur. Here’s our spring-cleaning to-do list for pets: 1. Ensure your pets’ vaccinations are up to date. Spring is puppy and kitten season and these little guys are most susceptible to highly contagious killer diseases like parvovirus and distemper. Vaccinate from the age of six to eight weeks (depending on the mother’s vaccination status). A second vaccination is required at 10-12 weeks, a third at 12-16 weeks and then once a year thereafter. And don’t neglect rabies, even if you live in an urban area. Annual rabies vaccinations are recommended.
Vetshops have a wide range of shampoos that are gentle on the skin, even for puppies.
2. Like humans, many pets suffer from seasonal allergies. If yours is prone to spring allergies ask your vet to prescribe the right medication and shampoos to bring relief. EberVet Vetshops stock Pro-Soothe for dogs with problem skin, Sebbaderm for serious skin conditions and Ricky Shampoo, an antiseptic, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial shampoo with Buchu that’s great for hotspots.
4. It’s as important to wash your pet’s beds and blankets regularly as it is to change your own bed linen. Or you could swap his or her winter bed for Wagworld’s K9 Camper, which has a durable, water-resistant canvas cover that can be hosed down and gently scrubbed with soap. Because it is water resistant it discourages fleas and other mites, and is great for wet dogs coming home from the beach.
3. Even if your dog doesn’t suffer allergies, as the weather warms he or she will need a bath. EberVet
5. Treat for ticks and fleas even if you can’t see them. Parasites love warmer weather and not
all are visible to the naked eye. Ticks bring deadly biliary so do take care to eliminate them. 6. Provide plenty of clean, cool water wherever you are. Pets are easily dehydrated in summer, especially if they’re hiking or running on the beach. 7. Up your exercise routine. There really is no excuse not to get out and about now that the weather is warmer and exercise will help keep your pet’s weight in check and guard against illnesses like arthritis and heart conditions. 8. Add a Revitaliser humidifier to your home. Simply fill with fresh water, add a few drops of Revitaliser aromatherapy
essential oil and plug in. It purifies the air and destroys bad odours so there’s no more doggy smell. 9. Protect your dog from nasty insect bites with Vital Protection’s new insecticide that can be safely sprayed onto all pet bedding, kennels, clothing, and even on the dog itself. One application will last on treated textiles for three months. 10.Your pets will shed their winter coats as soon as the weather warms so be sure to brush them regularly. Our favourite brushes include the Zoom Groom which attracts loose hair like a magnet, the Furminator, the Undercoat Rake
especially for Huskies and Malamutes, and Matt Combs which help ‘cut’ matted hair from the dog’s coat without leaving a bald spot. 11. If your home menagerie includes hamsters, guinea pigs or rabbits, don’t forget to give their cages and hutches a good spring clean too. We recommend F10SC is a good veterinary disinfectant that kills all germs, making it a good overall disinfectant to use. Replace bedding regularly. 12. Now is a good time to replace well-chewed toys and treats and grubby collars and leads. A clean pet is a happier, healthier pet, so spring into action now and summer’s yours to enjoy together.
Sport
Sport written & compiled by: Tony O’Hagan
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26 JANUARY 23 August 2016 2016 HERMANUS SPORTS CLUB
The best laid plans… could just happen
Hockey at the high school is ready to go live with its field’s refurbishment, and what an asset to both the school and the Hermanus Sports Club. It’s the first of many facets planned for this facility. The precinct is leased from the Overstrand Municipality by the Hermanus Sports Club, and many sports disciplines and facilities are envisaged benefiting from a state-of-the-art sports complex. Plans have been drawn up, and included in these are a clubhouse, a renovated cricket clubhouse, tennis and squash courts, netball and volleyball courts, plus badminton and basketball. Provision is also made in the plans for a restaurant, gym, sports shop, action sports venue, and accommodation for visiting
teams. Of significance, too, are plans for a muchneeded swimming pool. In addition, sports rehabilitation and disabled rehabilitation facilities at this centre will be welcomed by medical practitioners and users alike, here and from the surrounding areas. Currently, the Hermanus Sports Club has a handful of sub-lessees: the Hermanus Primary School (sports fields), the Hermanus High School (Astro Turf), the Hermanus Pigeon Club, the Hermanus Country Market, the Hermanus Old Boys Club and the Hermanus Cricket Club. The formidable challenge for the Hermanus Sports Club committee is to raise finance for this ambitious project. Some anticipated initial funding of the building of the clubhouse and tennis courts
The first game of hockey was played on the new Astro Turf during the annual derby between Hermanus High and Overberg High. has not yet come to fruition. A sports complex of this magnitude could well catapult our town into a much sought-after national
and international sports destination. It would attract sports events both locally and abroad, not to mention the knock-on effect of
tourism in general. Let’s hold thumbs for a windfall to make this aspiration a reality.
PARALYMPICS
The birth of the Olympics and the Paras
The hype of the Olympic Games is now behind us, and congratulations must go to our South African athletes who performed so admirably. Now it’s time to turn our attention to the Paralympic Games in Rio from 7 to 18 September. Prior to the advent of the Paralympics, disabled athletes participated in the Olympic Games. The first disabled competitor was the German American gymnast, George Eyser, who had an artificial leg and took part in the Games in St. Louis, USA in 1904. Károly Takács, a Hungarian, who was a right-arm amputee, competed in the pistol shooting event in the 1948 and 1952 Olympic Games. A Dane, Lis Hartel, who contracted polio, was a disabled athlete and won a silver medal in the equestrian dressage event in the 1952 Games. She accomplished
this against a field comprising entirely male athletes. The concept of an organised athletic day for disabled athletes was conceived by JewishGerman born Dr Ludwig Guttmann. He organised a sports competition for British World War II veterans with spinal cord injuries to coincide with the 1948 Olympics. These events were known as the International Wheelchair Games, and in 1952 the Dutch veterans joined the British, resulting in the first international competition of its kind. The first official Paralympic Games were held in Rome, in 1960, and were initially open only to wheel-chair athletes. The Paralympics in 1976 were opened to more disability classifications, and 1 800 athletes from 40
countries competed. Since the Seoul Olympics in 1988, the Paralympics have been held directly after the Olympic Games. In terms of the Winter Paralympics, the first of these were held in the same facilities as in 1992 Barcelona. The International Paralympic Committee has established ten disability categories, including, among others, physical, visual and intellectual impairments. Within these categories, athletes still need to be divided according to the level of impairment, thus enabling athletes to compete against those with similar levels of ability. At those first Paralympic Games in 1960, 400 athletes from 23 countries participated. At Rio this year, approximately 4 350 from
Lis Hartel was a disabled athlete who won a silver medal at the 1952 Olympic Games. 160 countries, including 1 650 women competed. There are 224 medal events
spread over 23 sporting disciplines. South Africa has 45 athletes taking part and
we look forward to many medals returning to our shores.
23 August 2016
Schools Congratulations, Hermies!
Hermanus High School celebrated its 75th birthday in style by beating rivals Overberg for the fourth year in a row at the annual sports derby on Saturday, 20 August. With thousands of supporters turning up to support their teams, the festive atmosphere reverberated throughout town with reunions and celebrations lasting well into the night. PHOTOS: De Waal Steyn
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