The Village NEWS 27 March - 2 April 2018

Village

The

NEWS NEWS

Mayoral Entrepreneurial Winner

27 March - 2 April 2018

Cape Whale Coast

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TREE OF LIFE

CONSERVATION

CONTAINER HOMES

Heritage is knowledge

What’s in it for us?

A greener way of living

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COUNTING DOWN With the cooler days of autumn welcoming Easter visitors to Hermanus, there are a few short weeks left to enjoy the Sculpture on the Cliffs exhibition at Gearing’s Point and the Old Harbour. One of the artworks is Counting Stones by Emma Willemse (left). New art installations will soon be erected for the 2018 Hermanus FynArts Festival from 18 - 17 June.

PHOTO: Taylum Meyer

Hermanus bypass hits a speed bump De Waal Steyn

T

he future of the proposed Bypass Road in Hermanus hangs in the balance after the Provincial Government rejected the Environmental Impact Report (EIR).

According to the Provincial Department of Environmental

Affairs and Development Planning (DEA&DP) the EIR was rejected as it does not “adequately address all the pertinent issues and will require further revision or additional information before further consideration will be given to it”.

Henri Fortuin, Director of Development Management for the DEA&DP, said the decision

was taken not to disqualify the Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP) at this time, but rather to allow them to revise or add additional information and resubmit the report.

“Should new information be submitted in the revised EIR it will be subject to a further round of public participation, during which additional

comments and objections can be added,” said Henri in a letter.

According to Whale Coast Conservation Manager (WCC), Rob Fryer, this follows a letter penned by him in December 2017, wherein he questions the objectivity of the companies involved in drafting the EIR. “Based on our experience

throughout the public participation process, WCC has no confidence that its comments or those of other credible interested and affected parties will be given the consideration they are due by the EAP,” stated Rob’s letter.

He said that the EAP has consistently failed to correctly represent the arguments made in written submissions by

WCC and other parties.

“We have submitted in writing that the EAP and the joint venture companies responsible for compiling the Traffic Impact Assessment are biased in favour of the by-pass as they stand to benefit financially from engineering contracts when the road is built.”

Read more on P3

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27 March - 2 April 2018

THE

NEWS

OPINION Matters

Lawlessness cannot be condoned After more than two decades of democracy South Africa is still plagued by numerous issues and challenges. One of these emotional issues is landownership and housing, which has led to much debate and political grandstanding over the past few months.

This weekend Hermanus bore the brunt of those who feel that they are entitled to free land.

After pegging off their plots on municipal land, they marched to the municipal offices demanding water and electricity. Municipal management and the SAPS made it abundantly clear to the protesters that land grabbing is against the law and that it will not tolerated.

Subsequently the land grabbers were removed from the plots by the Red Ants. In the wake of this, violent protests followed, similar to those we saw in August 2017 in Kleinmond.

Protesters were responsible for millions of rands worth of damage to both properties and vehicles, while shops were also looted, and an ATM vandalised.

For most of the weekend many residents in Zwelihle and Mount Pleasant were prisoners in their own homes.

It seems as if general lawlessness has become the order of the day the moment protests turn violent. While we fully support the right to protest, the blatant criminality that goes hand-in-hand with it is unaccept-

able. To see Law Enforcement vehicles overturned and burnt and to learn that a library was vandalised and all the brandnew computer equipment stolen leaves a bad taste in one’s mouth.

Funds needed to help lift recreational diving ban The Recreational Diving Action Group, campaigning for the legalisation of recreational diving from Gansbaai to Quoin Point, is raising funds to institute a court application to compel the Minister of the Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) to consider the community’s request that the diving ban be lifted.

Yes, there is frustration from those waiting for homes and land. Yes, there have been many empty promises in the past. Yes, it seems as if delivery of free housing for the poorest of the poor in the Overstrand is lagging behind formal housing.

But taking the law into your own hands or simply going on a rampage must be condemned in the strongest terms.

This follows a letter written by Webber Wentzel Attorneys of Cape Town on behalf of 13 local entities, including ratepayers associations, community leaders, the business chamber and several eco- and tourism organisations to DAFF in November 2016, requesting that the senseless prohibition be lifted in order to legalise recreational diving.

We urge the Municipality together with its Provincial and National counterparts to urgently enter into consultation with the communities of the Overstrand to find workable solutions to what is a disaster waiting to happen. We call on the community leaders to engage with residents and calm their fears and urge them to work together towards a brighter future.

“While the prohibition has failed conclusively to curb poaching, law-abiding residents and their families, as well as other holidaymakers and tourists, may still not partake in otherwise legal and innocent activities such as harvesting alikreukel, spear fishing, or diving for the sheer enjoyment thereof,” says Pieter de Villiers of the Recreational Diving Action Group.

It is hard to find a silver lining in this dark cloud of doom and gloom, but we saw a glimpse of light when concerned residents dropped off some food, drinks and sweets for law enforcement officers in Mount Pleasant on Sunday. This is the South Africa we want to see, and we can all be part of making this happen.

This is the good NEWS – Ed

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

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

“The tourist and holiday industries play an important role in the local economy, and visitors may rightfully expect to enjoy the full spectrum of sea holiday activities. Therefore, besides infringing on the rights of the residents of the area, the ban also has a detrimental effect on

the number of visitors, and a negative financial impact on the area,” he adds.

According to the interested parties, the ban is considered irrational and discriminatory, and therefore unconstitutional. The letter requested the minister to meet with a small representative delegation to motivate their request more fully in person.

After no answer and no progress, even after a further letter was sent in January 2018 requesting a response, the group is now considering the court application.

“The estimated legal costs to institute these legal proceedings (including advocates fees) is R95 000. A contribution of R250 each from 400 individuals would realise R100 000, which should cover the cost of the application,” says Pieter.

During 2008 the regulations for the Protection of Wild Abalone were amended to prohibit all diving activities within two nautical miles from the highwater mark, for the coastal strip from Gansbaai Harbour to Quoin Point, which includes the resorts/ towns of Gansbaai, Kleinbaai, Klipfonteyn, Franskraal, Uilkraalsmond, Pearly Beach and Buffelsjags. Several other coastal areas where abalone is also abundant were not included in the ban.

lone poaching and to facilitate the policing thereof. Over 10 years, however, it is glaringly apparent that it has had no limiting effect on poaching activities. Wellequipped poachers, usually in large numbers, enter the sea in broad daylight and in full view of both the public and law enforcers, with no consequences. Poaching has in fact for quite some time now increased dramatically.

Should you be in agreement, and are also in favour of the legal right to recreational diving being reinstated, you can assist by making a contribution to: Standard Bank, Cape Town branch 020 009 Account Name: Webber Wentzel Trust Account No: 070431353.

Reference: 2571756 (Diving Ban).

Send PoP to: amanda.jessen @webberwentzel.com “It is possible that after a court application to compel the Minister to consider the request to lift the diving ban, the Minister could deny our request. If the Minister does not provide good reasons for doing so, consideration could at that stage be given to instituting a court application to challenge the Minister's decision (a judicial review).

“We are hopeful that it will not be necessary and certainly will not do so without further communication and consultation with all relevant stakeholders, and careful consideration of the prospects of success and the further legal costs that would be incurred,” says Pieter.

The obvious intent of the amendment was to reduce aba-

WHERE TO FIND US The Village NEWS is published fortnightly and the next edition will be available on 3 April.

The NEWS can be found at over 100 distribution points on the Cape Whale Coast, from Pringle Bay to Gansbaai. Get your FREE copy from major retail stores such as Spar, Checkers and Pick n Pay, and at restaurants, tasting rooms, galleries and shopping centres. Should you wish to receive a copy, call us on 028 312 2234 or 083 228 7523 or pop into our office at 6 Royal Street, Hermanus.

Weather forecast for the next week & De Bos Dam level Tuesday 27 March

Wednesday 28March

Thursday 29 March

Friday 30 March

Saturday 31 March

15°C / 24°C

17°C / 21°C

18°C / 20°C

16°C / 19°C

18°C / 22°C

Partly cloudy

Partly cloudy

Partly cloudy

Cloudy

Partly cloudy

Sunday 1 April

Monday 2 April

18°C / 26°C

19°C / 20°C

Clear

Chance of rain

www.yr.no De Bos Dam Level

42.5 % full

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27 March - 2 April 2018

Earth Hour raises funds for camera project On Saturday 24 March OnVerWag (Onrus/Vermont Neighbourhood Watch) held their annual Unplugged Earth Hour fundraiser for their CCTV Camera Project. Despite the chill and light drizzle, many families and friends attended this special event at Davies Pool in Onrus, with the lights switched off from 20:30 to 21:30 in support of Earth Hour. There were several stalls selling delicious food and a selection of live music performances throughout the evening.

A chameleon hunt was also organised by Whale Coast Conservation and people were encouraged to join in the search for these elusive little reptiles whose natural habitat is threatened by development.

OnVerWag was grateful to have ADT sponsor the sound equipment for the live music at the Unplugged Earth Hour. Back from left are Donovan van der Westhuizen (ADT), Abner Inghels (OnVerWag Chairperson), Anne Droomer, Caroline Gabb, Joh-Marie Kannemeyer, Arnie Wieffering and Stephen Sergeant (OnVerWag members).

PHOTO: Taylum Meyer - Titanium Photography

Hermanus to Gansbaai upgrade to go ahead From P1 “The EAP has not been open to workable alternatives made by interested and affected parties as they have consistently dismissed the inputs as unavoidable, unimportant, irrelevant or not feasible. In particular, they have refused, without giving good reason other than to say it is not feasible, to address demands that a full and proper assessment must be done of upgrading the so-called relief road (Royal Street),” said Rob. The contention that the relief road cannot be brought up to the standard required by the Department of Transport and Public Works policy is not only incorrect, but is also inconsistent with the Western Cape Provincial Land Transport Framework which encourages creative situational accommodation of the needs of rural towns. The refusal to allow for the relief road alternative to be assessed objectively and comprehensively in the Environmental Impact Assessment is an illustration of how the EAP and the joint venture companies have

had a predetermined outcome in mind, according to Rob. Stephen Müller, Director of Infrastructure and Planning at the Municipality, said they will wait to receive the revised document once it is ready for public comment. “At this stage the only impact the dismissal of the EIR has on our plans is that it will in the longer term affect the regeneration of Hermanus Old Town as Main Road stays a provincial road for as long as it takes to build an alternative route.”

In short, the final EIA that was presented in December 2017 proposed that a 3 km long single carriage way (one lane in each direction) be built from the vicinity of the intersection between Main Road and Mountain Drive (near Gateway Centre) alongside Mountain Drive, running above the cemetery and the Sports Complex, then turning south in between the Cricket Club and Generation Schools, where it will meet Fairways Avenue before continuing between Eastcliff and the Golf

Course and ending at a new circle in Main Road (near Eastcliff Spar).

This is called the northern alignment.

There is also an alternative to this route (southern alignment) that runs in between Hermanus High School and the Sports Centre.

Because of the high cost of building an underpass for learners and the fact that the road will cut the school off from the Sports Centre, this is not the preferred option.

The report stated that the lanes will be 3,7 m wide with a 1,8 m shoulder within a road reserve of 25 m. The proposed speed limit is 60 km/h and it is foreseen that a 3 m wide pedestrian walkway and cycle path will run alongside the road.

According to the report more than 500 comments were received during the four formal commenting periods of the last few years, with the vast majority of them being critical of the bypass.

The proposed route will have major impacts on both the Cricket Club and Generation Schools. With the proposed road cutting in to the cricket field they will be forced to move both their boundary and the pitch. This will have detrimental effects on their status as an accredited club that can host Boland matches. The club also stands to lose large sponsorships for improvements on the clubhouse and other infrastructure.

Stephen Müller said that in the mean time the upgrading of the R43 between Hermanus and Gansbaai will commence this year.

According to the Western Cape budget a total of R255 million will be spent on the upgrade this year against a total cost of R683 million.

Stephen also indicated that the upgrade of the R43 between Fisherhaven and Sandbaai has been registered as a separate project by the Western Cape Government and it is expected that initial environmental Impact Assessments will begin in the next couple of years.

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27 March - 2 April 2018

Landgrabbers cause damage De Waal Steyn

A

group of land grabbers caused damage worth millions of rands on Friday and over the weekend after their protests for free land turned violent.

Reports were received of cars that were stoned, while a bus and a law enforcement vehicle were set alight. The municipal offices in Zwelihle were also damaged, together with shops and an ATM machine. The eviction company Red Ants was called in on Friday to clear the self-demarcated plots.

On Thursday afternoon, disgruntled Zwelihle residents started pegging out plots on a piece of vacant land earmarked for the development of a sports field and a children's play area.

On Friday morning the land grabbers marched to the municipal offices in town stating that they will not be removed from the land and that they expected the Municipality to supply them with water and electricity connections.

A spokesperson for the land grabbers, Masibulele Jimlongo, said that they are tired of waiting for housing and that they will wait no longer. “We are tired of the empty promises and tired of waiting. We want houses now and we have taken the land. We expect nothing more or less from the Municipality than supplying us with water and electricity.”

Municipal Manager Coenie Groenewald said that land grabbing will not be tolerated. "I told them it was illegal and said we must restore law and order. Even the president said that land grabbing cannot be allowed. The protest turned violent after the Red Ants started clearing the plots. Our people have dealt with it satisfactorily, and the situation will be monitored.”

Groenewald also stated that several housing projects are underway in the municipality and stressed that everything is being done to provide housing to those without

About 300 people marched to the Municipal offices on Friday demanding that they not be removed from their self-demarcated plots and that they must be supplied with water and electricity connections. property. According to municipal documents the housing projects that are underway include Site C1 in Zwelihle, Breaking New Ground in Stanford, Mount Pleasant Village, Mount Pleasant Heights and Fountainhill in Gansbaai.

The developments Site C1 and Mount Pleasant Village are known as GAP Housing and can be defined as the creation of housing opportunities by Government in partnership with the private sector for people earning a combined monthly income of between R3 501 and R18 000. These are the income earners who earn too much to get a free house from the Government and earn too little to get a bank bond.

To apply for GAP Housing and the FLISP (Finance Linked Individual Subsidy Programme) subsidy the household must have a combined income of between R3 501 and R15 000 per month. The beneficiary must be a South African citizen with a valid ID document or have a permanent residence permit with the proviso that preference will be given to families residing in the Overstrand area and to first-time homeowners.

Site C1: The development at Site C1 is

located next to Mariners Village and the Zwelihle Clinic in Swartdam Road and comprise the development of 150 houses to be completed in phases. The houses will all be 40 m² in size and will sell at approximately R435 000.

According to the Municipality 30 of the units will be made available to the lowest end of the affordable market (households earning between R9 000 and R12 000) and will sell at approximately R335 000. If the household qualifies for a FLISP subsidy the selling price would be lower as the government subsidy is payed over to the bank where the bond is held.

Mount Pleasant Village: This site is known as the sports field site and is located in Angelier Street next to the sports fields. It will comprise 22 houses that will be developed in phases.

The houses will vary in size from 43 m² to 82 m² and will be priced between R469 000 and R708 000.

Mount Pleasant Heights: This development will comprise 17 houses located in upper Mount Pleasant in Katjiepiering and Jasmyn Streets. Three different houses will be built and will range in size from 43 m² to 100 m², all with the possibility of adding future extensions. Selling

prices will start at R670 000 up to R1 259 000.

Fountainhill, Gansbaai: This site is located in Buitenkant Street near the industrial area in Gansbaai. It comprises 155 houses and will be developed in phases on the successful conclusion of deeds of sale. Prices range from R439 000 to R973 600 depending on the size of the plot and house. House sizes vary between 42 m² and 98 m², with a selection of 5 different styles.

Breaking New Ground, Stanford: This development will comprise the 770 serviced plots. In January the Municipality announced that 120 of these plots with emergency accommodation will be made available to residents of Paradise Park who might be evicted following a court order. The emergency structures will be a structure of a minimum of 24 m² with shared services.

The mandate of the Municipality to provide emergency accommodation only extends to people evicted from their houses by a court order and does not apply to backyard dwellers or those evicted by their landlords.

The Red Ants also removed illegal structures in Kleinmond on Friday.

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27 March - 2 April 2018

THE

NEWS

Let’s Talk

Change signage at traffic circles before accident happens

Send your letters to dewaal@thevillagenews.co.za

I was pleased to see the letter from Judy Miller on "Pedestrians do not always have right of way"! Judy is absolutely right – cars exiting the traffic circle have right of way over pedestrians wanting to cross.

Another simple (and cheap) alternative to the bypass And so the bypass conundrum remains alive and well and living in Hermanus, and the only winners are the consultants.

With building projects sprouting directly in the way of the latest proposal, viz. extentions to the Generation School, a housing complex named Fairways Close opposite the Eastcliff Village and one where the traffic circle was proposed to join the bypass to Main Road, we can safely suppose that the bypass proposal is dead. So where to now?

If the flow of traffic through Hermanus is such a life-ordeath issue, may I make an alternative suggestion which will be simple and reasonably cheap.

Introduce a system of oneway streets (Pretoria did that years ago and it is still in effect because it works better than most other ways). If Main Road were to become a one-way west from, say, the Eastcliff Village or the Marine traffic circle to Gateway, and Duiker Street in Northcliff were to become a one-way east flowing into Royal Street, also a one-

Yield signs at traffic circles cause dilemma Re: Pedestrians do not always have right of way, The Village NEWS, 20 – 26 March 2018.

I enjoyed reading this humorous letter by one of your readers with regards to the right of way at traffic circle exit points.

The traffic department’s confirmation that at circles exiting vehicles have right of way over adjacent pedestrian crossings makes sense and is logical. The problem however exists that at these traffic circle exit points there are prominent ‘Yield’ sings for exiting traffic to yield to

pedestrians crossing. This is obviously necessary as pedestrians could be crossing in the opposite direction.

To compound this dilemma many motorists deem it unnecessary to indicate they intend exiting the circle. To prevent this type of pedestrian Russian roulette, such crossings should be sited at a suitable distance from the traffic circle unless controlled by traffic lights.

N Weaving, Hermanus Heights

way, the capacity to bear traffic would probably almost double in no time.

Duiker is as wide as the present Main Road and with the demise of the municipal tennis courts and other buildings south of the municipal complex already planned, integrating Duiker into Royal opposite the taxi rank should be quite painless.

Could this restore our equanimity and bring peace to our town?

Gert Cloete, Voëlklip

Thanks to Renault I would like to express my thanks to the Renault dealership in Hermanus. They did not hesitate to assist me with a flat car battery at the Whale Coast Mall recently. Thank you to Nicole and her two colleagues.

Last but not least: Thank you to the angel that took me to my doctor’s appointment at 11:30. It was already stressful to go to the doctor for my cancer count and these dear people restored my faith in humanity.

E Du Toit, Bettysbaai

What is confusing the issue is that the road signs on approaching the exit indicate that motorists should ‘Yield to Pedestrians’.

These signs should be rotated 90 degrees to face the pedestrian and instead indicate ‘Yield to vehicles’ or whatever the correct terminology is.

Could the Traffic Department please investigate before we have an accident. There should be no ambiguity and "this is Hermanus...." is not an excuse.

On another matter, why are

vehicles allowed to park right up to a junction, obscuring the view of those wishing to cross the junction? This too creates a dangerous situation which could be avoided if no parking was allowed within 15m of a junction – as is the case in many countries.

Great local newspaper.

Dave Worrall, Westcliff

What about an indoor pool?

According to our local newspaper journalist Tony O’Hagan, the long awaited indoor solar-heated swimming pool has been put on hold once again (Hermanus Sports Club to commence construction, The NEWS, 13-19 March).

The Hermanus Sports Club plans to utilise newly available funds for the construction of 6 tennis courts (at least 2 to be floodlit), 4 squash courts, 2 netball courts and a club house. Why is there no indoor swimming pool? Why, when the second highest cause of accidental deaths of children is drowning! The statistics about fatal and near-fatal drownings are horrifying. The NSRI reported in 2016 that there are around 2 000 fatal

drownings in South Africa per annum (of which 600 are children younger than 16).

The municipal Olympic-size swimming pool in Hawston is effective only on warm summer days, probably three to four months of the year. Continuity all year round is of the utmost importance for any teaching and/or training programmes to be effective at any level. Not to mention exercise for our elderly with mobility problems and the vitally important therapeutic exercises for persons with disabilities.

Scheduled times could be arranged for schools to utilise an indoor pool (the aim being that every child in Grade 1

should be able to swim 4 different strokes, dive and be able to swim 25 metres). Times could also be slotted in for toddler classes and training programmes for advanced swimmers, as well as aqua aerobic classes, not to mention SA Life-saving programmes. The only facility for any child or in-dividual who wishes to swim competitively is in Somerset West – which is of little value to most.

My appeal to the Hermanus Sports Club is: Please rethink your options. The prevention of the fatal or near-fatal drowning of even one child is worth more than a club house, a floodlit tennis court, etc. – facilities that are already available.

Laura van Riet

In loving memory of Lindsay Light Lindsay was the Mission Delivery Chairperson, serving CANSA Relay for Life for the past four years. Her enthusiasm and passion were an inspiration to us all.

She enjoyed every moment of bringing the message of cancer risks across to the teams, either by staging a short drama, dance or fun activity everybody could participate in. There was no end to her creative ideas.

Lindsay wasn’t only a gifted lady, but served others to the extent that she sacrificed her own needs. Nothing was ever too much of an effort and she served with a joyful heart. Her gentleness, kindness as well as her trustworthiness will stay with us and be an inspiration to keep on serving undeterred.

May every person reading this tribute be inspired to choose to be involved in the CANSA

Relay, not only for the fun activities and entertainment taking place during the event, but also for the importance of raising awareness of cancer and to serve those affected in our community with a gentle spirit.

Let us therefore treasure one another every day, because tomorrow is not promised.

We honour you, Lindsay.

Your friends at the Committee

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27 March - 2 April 2018

New parking system in place for Hermanus Overstrand Municipality has awarded the tender for the provision of a parking management system for Hermanus’ central business district to AFRISERV (Pty) Ltd for a contract period ending 30 June 2020. This means that motorists will once again pay for parking in a bay under municipal control. Parking will cost R1 for 15 minutes, which means it will cost you R4 per hour.

The parking attendants are dressed in black, wear yellow safety bibs and all have electronic machines that print a slip indicating the time spent and paid for. Parking is paid for upfront to one of the marshals assigned to that parking area.

If you stay longer you can settle the outstanding amount with the parking attendant when you return to your vehicle.

Motorists will pay for parking between 08:30 and 16:00 on Mondays to Fridays, and 08:30 to 13:00 on Saturdays. Parking is free on Sundays and public holidays. After hours, when there are no parking attendants, fees do not apply. You do not have to pay local car guards (dressed in green, orange or yellow fluorescent safety vests) but can tip them for the time spent watching your car.

This is optional but gratefully accepted by those

less fortunate, trying to earn their keep.

Residents also have the option to obtain a permanent parking disk from AFRISERV at a cost of R300 per month. They are still in the process of finalising premises in the CBD, but are currently working from Unit 4, Dreamcatchers Building, 6 Gideon Van Wyk Crescent, Hermanus Industria.

Free parking is available at Hoy's Koppie (opposite Checkers), on the grounds of the NG Church and at Gearing’s Point. Parking fees levied by shopping centres such as Woolworths and Checkers on their own private land are determined by the operators of those centres as these are not municipal property.

Complaints regarding parking marshals can be directed to Muneeb Slamang (021 418 4000 or muneeb@afripark.co.za) or the site supervisor Fishani Nkhonjera (078 847 8120 or fishani@afrilandscapes.co.za) between 08:00 and 16:30.

Should you not have the relevant parking marshal’s name, quote the date and time and state the area.

Use these documents as proof of residence at Traffic Department An amendment to the National Road Traffic Act requires that motorists provide proof of residence when applying for and renewing motor vehicle or driver’s licences. To prevent unnecessary frustration, take note of which documents will be accepted as proof of address.

The document to be used as a proof of address must be less than 3 months old (in most cases) and contain the following details of the account holder: 1. Name or initials and surname; 2. The physical address (and/or postal address) the account holder used on the form when registering the account. If both the postal and physical address were filled in on the form the account holder must provide proof of BOTH. A list of valid FICA documents (less than three months old unless stated otherwise) that can be used to verify a physical residential address is detailed below: • A utility bill, such as water, electricity or rates.

The Municipality may accept a utility bill that are addressed to a post box number if it shows your name, erf/stand number, township and suburb; • A bank or financial statement;

• A municipal rates and taxes invoice; • A telephone account (landline or cell phone); • Official correspondence from the South African Revenue Services (SARS); • A retail account statement/invoice; • Where the person lives in any type of residence (eg. hostel/barracks) a letter from the administration department of such residence on an official letterhead; • Correspondence from a body corporate or share-block association; • Applicants who reside at an informal settlement or in a rural area must submit a letter with an official date stamp from the ward councillor or local tribal authority confirming the postal and residential address of the applicant; • A mortgage statement from a financial institution (less than 6 months old); • A copy of a signed lease agreement (less than 1 year old); • An official tax return/tax assessment (less than 1 year old); • A recent short-term insurance policy document or life insurance policy document or renewal letter (less than 1 year old); • A valid television licence document (less than 1 year old).

Fake News: from cave walls to the clouds “You shouldn’t believe everything you read in the newspaper.” This, we were led to believe, was attributed to a certain Willy Shakespeare who was spotted in England way back before they won the World Cup. While trying to get rid of his spots, he dabbled in the theatre, flitting about trying to stage what he called ‘plays’, which didn’t really catch on with the peasants though. But there’s one line about newspapers from Macbeth, which stood the test of time, despite his never having written it or it being used.

He stole the idea from an even older scribe called Moses. It was written slightly differently back then – both in format and language. Firstly, the format (papyrus scrolls), were in short supply at the time. Papyrus

Wit’s End Murray Stewart thevillagemuze@gmail.com

warn him not to believe everything he reads.

came from bull-rushes, but due to the infestation of frogs and locusts, harvesting was impossible and the printing presses ground to a halt.

left to attract readers, but the people preferred the hard copy, confirming the notion of not believing what they read on papyrus.

“Cast not your mind’s eye upon the lurid temptations of scrolls and papyrus, lest they perish to dust, with you in close pursuit.” In the end they edited out the newspaper and replaced it with a skull, which is difficult to rhyme with, so they ended up with a dagger.

A dagger? Cheer me up – no wonder he didn’t crack it.

Undeterred, the publishers (Nile Tribune) employed stonemasons to chisel the news onto slate slabs, which folks could pass around while shopping or fishing, and in so doing kept the spirit of free information alive.

Secondly, the quotation chiseled back then in stone by Big Mo actually read: “Believeth ye not in that which hath not been cast in stone by the mason’s hammer.” But this Shakespeare bloke thought he’d crib the concept and incorporate it into one of his socalled plays. Fortunately, it was edited from the scene where Banquo tells a paranoid Macbeth that the witches

These days you definitely shouldn’t believe what you read in some newspapers.

Even more dangerous is to believe what you read on social media, which replaced the ‘crime and grime’ tabloids for up-to-the-minute sensationalism. Being neither cast in stone nor written on papyrus/paper is curious enough, but being stored in the clouds is downright suspicious.

A few tabloids like Pyramid Press and The Cairo Chronicle used salacious headlines and what little papyrus they had

Bearing all this in mind, the arrival of the Easter weekend and how it all started has been well documented for centuries in various formats - from cave paintings and stone tablets through to printing presses and Facebook.

Easter was originally a Pagan celebration to the Spring Goddess Eostre, also known as Eastre, a symbol of new light, new beginnings and fertility.

Reinforcing the fertility aspect, she’s often depicted holding a rabbit and you know what they get up to.

Anyway, Germanic mythology maintains she healed a wounded bird by turning it into a rabbit. This for some reason was a good thing, because being still partially a bird, it showed its gratitude by laying eggs (new beginnings) as gifts.

So that is the link between rabbits and eggs which always had me flummoxed, and except for a few aspects has very little to do with the most chronicled advent of Easter, the resurrection.

The First Council of Nicaea in 325 C.E. decided to amalgamate all the spring festivities into one, after the first full moon of the March equinox. The resurrection – the rebirth – slotted perfectly into the notion of new beginnings and fertility.

You’ll also notice all Easter eggs worth their salt are hollow, and breaking them open signifies the removal of the stone from the entrance to reveal an empty tomb. So there. You can believe things you read in newspapers.

Oops, gotta go – bloody rabbits won’t leave my gnomes alone.

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27 March - 2 April 2018

Who do you think you are?

Elaine Davie

T

hose who enjoyed this popular TV series will remember the fascinating journeys undertaken by celebrities to different parts of their own country and even the world, in search of links to their past.

In this country, with its strong oral history tradition, you would think that pretty-well everyone would be aware of their family history. But, sadly, this is not so. The social upheavals that have characterised South Africa through the centuries, but particularly during the recent apartheid past, have often disconnected people from their roots, leaving them uncertain about who they are and where they belong.

People who don’t know where they come from find it difficult to develop a strong sense of self-worth or to imagine a meaningful future for themselves. That’s why a project which recently took place in Kleinmond had such a powerful effect on the eight young people in their late teens and early twenties who participated in it.

Selected by CapeNature at the beginning of 2018 to undertake a twoyear training programme to become local tour guides, these youngsters participated in a three-day workshop run by Joline Young, a social historian from Cape Town who undertakes walking tours of the Simons Town area, to trace their personal histories. The module was presented under the auspices of the Mthimkhulu Village Centre as part of its commitment to reach out to the wider community of Kleinmond. The aim was to help the students discover the role their families and communities played in the history of this area, so that they could transform the personal into the professional, highlighting for tourists not only the rich diversity of the region’s fauna and flora, but also its cultural heritage.

After the conclusion of this workshop, the process continued under the umbrella of the Narrative Foundation and its Director, Yvonne Sliep, professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of KwaZulu Natal. The project literally turned the lives of the participants upside

The team of young local tour guides from Kleinmond in front of the Tree of Life they created. The youngsters who so generously shared their experience with The Village NEWS are Stacey Arendse, Tylon Matinka, Cleonay Oliver, Sebastian Wentzel, Niklaas Baartman, Marchele Joemat, Adri Pretorius and Caydrey Jacobs. down. Each of them selected an aspect of the history of the area to explore and to share with the rest of the group. This involved probing the memories of the older people in the community as well as interrogating recorded history.

From the Khoi and the San who lived along the coast, to escaped slaves hiding in the caves of Hangklip, through the period of emancipation when many freed slaves settled in this area, for generations indigenous families had lived around Kleinmond harbour, dependent on the sea for a living.

However, during the apartheid years they were uprooted and moved to places like Proteadorp, Poppedorp, Blikkiesdorp (even the names of these settlements speak of a loss of dignity), where they still find themselves stranded today.

On a more personal level, one of the students looked at the history of sport in his community, particularly rugby; and another delved into the fascinating history of Mthimkhulu, the venue for the workshops, which used to be known as Die Joodse Kamp and was off-limits to the local people.

Who knew that there had been a prison at Pringle Bay and that a ferry crossing the Palmiet River was

used to reach it? One of the students discovered that, too.

They also found out that amongst the former inhabitants of the Kleinmond/Hangklip region, there had been both scoundrels and heroes and that sometimes good comes out of bad. So, for example, the former slaves who populated the area had been taught certain useful skills, like building and fishing, trades which many of their families still practice today.

It is clear that these learnings have enriched the lives of the students as they speak with pride about their personal histories. They say it has brought them closer to their families who have found it just as liberating to share their memories, both sad and happy, with their children, memories that many of them had never thought important enough to pass on, or had suppressed because they were too painful.

As a group, the students built a magnificently detailed Tree of Life, the roots symbolising the rich past they had discovered; the trunk, their education; the branches, their interests (sport, music, reading, etc); the leaves, their achievements

(passing matric, learning to read maps); and the blossoms, their hopes for Kleinmond and their own lives over a period of the next 2, 5 and 10 years. As a group, they named themselves the Kleinmond Dreamers 2028 and listed their dreams for Kleinmond over the next 10 years and how they, individually, could help to make them come true. Projecting into the future, they imagined being able to tell their grandchildren one day what contribution they had made to the welfare of their community.

Professor Sliep is thrilled with the commitment and level of participation of this group. “It has been phenomenal in this short period of time to see what impact this project has had on their sense of identity and self-confidence.” As one of the students sums it up: “It doesn’t matter what I do, I will take this pride in where I have come from with me. In the end, we are all heroes. From one generation to another, we are still here. We are survivors!”

For more information, contact Joline Young at simonstownwalkinghistory@gmail.com and Yvonne Sliep at admin@narrativefoundation.org

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27 March - 2 April 2018

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Wednesday 28 March

■ Hermanus Garden Club: Join the club on their outing to Grootbos Nursery near Gansbaai and enjoy tea on the way back in Stanford. For more information and enquiries, contact Sue on 028 314 0072. Meet at Fernkloof at 09:15 to consolidate transport.

■ Youthful Living: Do something different this Easter and learn skills that will last a lifetime by joining Dr Arien van der Merwe for a talk on Youthful Living. You’ll learn all about Beauty Without / Beauty Within, Beauty of Being, Natural Healthy Living, and Positive Ageing. Booking is essential by contacting info@drarien.co.za or 012 362 2422.

R200 pp includes a glass of wine and snacks.

Registration at 17:30 and the talk starts at 18:00.

At The Classroom Restaurant at The Village.

friendly and children are most welcome. Set off from the Hermanus Forest on Camphill Road in Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, at 08:00.

■ Onrus Markie: Enjoy this community market in the heart of Onrus, usually on the first Saturday of the month. This weekend there will be a special Easter Market on the 31st and another on 7 April.

At the De Wet Hall in Roos Street, Onrus, from 09:00 – 12:00.

■ Hermanus Country Market: A favourite among the locals, old and young. Four-legged family members are also welcome. You’ll find wholesome goodies, home-made crafts, local produce, beers and wine, speciality foods, coffee and live music. Next to the cricket field, Fairways Avenue, from 09:00 – 13:00.

■ Market in the Garden: Hunt for treasures at this peaceful market set among the shady trees of a beautiful garden. At St Peter’s Church in Main Road, Hermanus, from 09:00 – 13:00.

Friday 30 March ■ Hermanus Hacking Group: There will be no hacking on Good Friday.

■ Sketchcrawl: Join the Country Sketchers for their monthly sketching/painting outing. For more details contact Charme Southey on 082 773 9125.

Meet at 08:15 at Davies Pool on the western side of the Onrus Caravan Park.

■ Stanford Sunset Market: Stanford's favourite evening market is back. Food, wine, beer, gifts, live music and friendships - there is nowhere better to be on the last Friday of the month. At Stanford Market Square, from 18:00 – 20:00.

■ Ann Jangle Unplugged: Back by popular demand, at Stanford Hills at 20:30. More details on P 16.

Saturday 31 March ■ Hermanus parkrun: Meet for the weekly 5 km walk or run, come rain or shine. The route is dog

■ Baardskeerdersbos Art Route: Since 2008 a group of artists, who have pioneered a creative lifestyle in this quirky hamlet nestled between Elim and Gansbaai, have opened up their houses and studios to share their creativity with art lovers over two legendary weekends a year, in spring and autumn. This Easter weekend, the Baardskeerdersbos Art Route celebrates its 10th anniversary with exhibitions by resident artists as well as guest artists, and a host of special events ranging from workshops and demonstrations to informal talks, special meals and musical events dovetailing with art.

Get all the details at www.baardskeerdersbosartroute.co.za

31 March – 3 April ■ Hermanuspietersfontein Food & Wine Market: Where local and international foodies and wine lovers meet. You’ll find “real plates and real cutlery; real cups and real glasses; a real hangout for real people”. In the courtyard of Hermanuspietersfontein wine cellar at The Village, from 09:00 – 13:00.

■ Easy Street: Award-winning saxophonist Andrew Young and pianist Tony Drake are back with their own unique brand of easy listening, smooth jazz from Andrew’s new CD, Easy Street.

Tickets are R150 pp, available from Computicket or call 0861 915 8000. At the Municipal Auditorium, at 19:30 (doors open at 18:45).

Saturday 31 March – Sunday 1 April

■ Fiore Country Market: You will find a range of foods, local crafts, books, fresh fruit and much more at this country market hosted on the last Saturday of every month by the recently opened branch of Fiore Garden Centre & Coffee Shop in Bot River. Stands are free and in the event of rain the market is moved indoors. For more information, contact Debbie Randall on 028 284 9220. At Fiore in Bot River, from 09:00 – 14:00.

■ Stress Management Workshop: Join Dr Arien van der Merwe for a practical workshop on how to manage stress and look after your brain health with practical techniques and relaxation training, and herbal remedies to support the brain and nervous system. The cost is R450 pp and includes a cooking demo, refreshments on arrival and a goodie bag, followed by a wine tasting and snacks afterwards. Book now by contacting 012 362 2422 or info@drarien.co.za. At the Classroom Restaurant in The Village; registration at 14:30 and the workshop from 15:00 – 18:00.

■ Blue Moon Beach Adventure: Whale Coast Conservation will be repeating this eco-adventure due to popular demand. And yes, there is another blue moon, so how often is twice in a blue moon?

The cost of R120 for adults and R60 for children includes a free blue moon cocktail from Dutchies and all funds go towards nature conservation.

Booking essential: Call Anina on 083 242 3295 or email anina.wcc@gmail.com to book your spot.

At Grotto Beach, at 18:30.

■ Cape Winelands Photographic Tour: Join thephotowalkers.com for a four-day tour through the backroads of the picturesque Cape Winelands in Autumn. You will explore Tulbagh, Franschhoek and the beautiful Hemel-en-Aarde Valley with accredited South African professional photographers, learning all about landscapes and leading lines, colour, exposure, shutter speeds and aperture stops, architecture of old Cape Dutch buildings, depth of field in the vineyards, composition, and so much more!

Photographers of all skills level are welcome.

Space is limited so early booking is essential.

Get all the details at thephotowalkers.com/ winelands-31-march-3-april-2018/ or contact Leanne on 083 293 7208 or email tours@thephotowalkers.com. Departure at 09:30 on 31 March and return roughly at 16:00 on 3 April.

Sunday 1 April ■ Lemm’s Corner Market: This popular Sunday market offers exclusive fine arts and crafts, locally manufactured clothing, accessories, home décor, skincare and body products, as well as speciality foods, coffee, cakes, craft beers, a wine bar and live music.

On the corner of Main & Harbour Roads, from 10:00 – 15:00.

■ Händel’s Messiah: Overstrand Arts/Kunste (OAK) is proud to present a performance of Händel’s Messiah by the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra and Philharmonic Choir on Easter Sunday. This will be a first for Hermanus –

the City Hall in Cape Town is being refurbished this year and therefore the performance is coming to the Overstrand! Composed in 1741, and in only 24 days, Händel’s immortal oratorio is perhaps best remembered for its exuberant Hallelujah Chorus. This English oratorio unfolds over the course of three hours, setting liturgical texts that celebrate the prophecy, birth, death, resurrection and glorification of Jesus Christ. Unreserved tickets at R150 pp are available on www.quicket. co.za, from the Hermanus Tourism Office in Mitchell Street (tel: 028 312 2629) or at the door.

For further enquiries contact René du Plooy on 082 940 4238 or renedup@telkomsa.net. At the Dutch Reformed Church, Hermanus, at 15:00.

■ Watershed: Don’t miss this performance by South Africa’s leading acoustic rock group, at Stanford Hills, from 15:30 – 18:00. Find all the details on P 16.

Wednesday 4 April

■ Synergy 1+1=3: Ian von Memerty, ‘the king of versatility’ is joined by his wife, Vivienne, ‘the queen of dance’, as they explore their 26 years of life’s struggles and creative partnership to bring fresh insight into the Synergy that ignites when two people work as one. Recognised as one of South Africa’s most talented entertainers, Ian von Memerty is also well known as the presenter of the hit TV series Strictly Come Dancing and a judge on SA’s Got Talent. Come and enjoy the magical music and pianistic dynamite of this glamorous, dazzling show! The event is a fundraiser for Camphill School. Tickets at R160 pp (with a cash bar during interval) are available from Alex Grant Pharmacy, Onrus Pharmacy, Wine Village and Camphill School. Contact Genevieve Linney at the Camphill School office on 028 312 4949 or 082 715 7817. At the Sandbaai Hall, at 18:00.

■ Hermanus Photographic Society: Everyone, from the beginner to the advanced photographer is welcome to join the Hermanus Photographic Society (affiliated to the Photographic Society of South Africa) for their monthly meetings every second Wednesday of the month. The set subject for this month’s meeting is ‘Small Creatures’. The results of the society’s recent Abalone Farming Tour will be discussed, in addition to more contributions from their Audio Visual Group, and announcements of forthcoming planned interesting monthly outings, challenges and workshops. Get all the details on their website, www.hermanusphoto.co.za. In the Hermann Swart Hall of the Dutch Reformed Church, Hermanus, at 19:00.

Village

The

EXPLORER EXPLORER

FOOD • WINE • NATURE

In praise of chocolate ‘food of the gods’

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hocolate can be found in infinite guises, shapes and flavours, and remains a delectable treat that keeps us all sane and civilised. With Easter just around the corner, we are about to be tempted by a bounty of chocolate eggs and bunnies which most of us will be unable to resist. But don’t feel alone… whether you enjoy it yourself or use it as a bargaining tool – chocolate has not only been a temptation but a valued commodity throughout its 4 000 year history.

Evidence has been found that in the good old days – as far back as 1 900 BC – the Mesoamericans living in the Ancient Americas (round about where Southern Mexico is now) were enjoying the fruits of their native cacao trees. They fermented, roasted and ground the cacao beans into a paste which was then brewed with water and drank as a rather bitter beverage, with no sugar, no milk and no marshmallows – how boring. The best they could do was to add honey to sweeten it a bit, and spices such as vanilla and chilli to enhance the flavour.

During the Olmec, Mayan and Aztec civilisations that followed, cacao was believed to have aphrodisiac powers that endowed the drinker with vigour and strength. It was also found to enhance the mood – no surprise there.

It was deemed too special for mere ordinary mortals, and was exclusively reserved for rulers, nobles and warriors. Convinced that the cacao beans had magical or spiritual powers, the Mayans even worshipped a god of cacao and also used the beverage for medicinal purposes and for religious rituals of birth, marriage and death.

One could say that these beliefs are still practiced today by using

Cacao, sugar and spice – now that’s what Easter is all about.

Be my Bunny-Hunny 100 g chocolate of your choice 200 ml warm milk 100 ml Rum Cinnamon Nutmeg 2 Toasted marshmallows • • • •

Melt the chocolate Add warm milk and rum Add cinnamon to taste Add marshmallows and grate a pinch of nutmeg over • Enough for two – absolutely no need to share!

chocolate in the sacred rituals of Easter, birthday celebrations, Valentine’s Day, and also the most important ceremony of “The Apology”.

During the 14th century, when the Aztecs began to dominate Mesoamerica, cacao beans were so coveted that they were used as currency in trading and also included in the rations of Aztec soldiers. This prized symbol of luxury, wealth and power made its way to Europe in the 1500s by way of the Spanish conquistadors, and from the royal court of Spain it spread to France and the rest of the continent.

By the 17th century, it was a fashionable and highly popular drink throughout Europe because of its nutritious, medicinal and even aphrodisiac properties (it’s rumoured that Casanova was especially fond of the stuff – explains a lot). Colonial powers established cacao plantations in their equatorial territories to supply the huge demand for cacao, which was made more palatable by sweetening it with sugarcane. In America, chocolate was so valued during the Revolutionary War of 1775 – 1783, that it was once again included in soldiers’ rations and used in lieu of wages.

The transformation of cacao from a beverage to solidified chocolate is attributed to a Dutch chemist, Coenraad Johannes van Houten, who invented the cacao press in 1828. The creation of the first modern chocolate bar soon followed in 1847 and is credited to British chocolate company J.S. Fry & Sons.

Lindt & Sprüngli started as the Sprüngli family’s confectionary shop in Zürich in 1845 and after Rodolphe Lindt’s 1879 invention of the conching machine, which rotated and mixed chocolate to a smooth consistency, they bought the Lindt factory.

Conching and other advances allowed for the mass production of smooth, creamy milk chocolate with a velvety texture and superior taste, on factory assembly lines. Other family-owned companies that followed include Nestlé, Cadbury, Mars and Hershey, ushering in a chocolate boom in the late 1800s and early 1900s that continues to this day.

- Proudly brought to you by Wine Village

CHOCOLATE ESPRESSO EASTER CAKE

Ingredients 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 cups sugar (we like Muscovado) ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder 2 teaspoons baking powder 1½ teaspoons baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 3 teaspoon espresso powder 1 cup milk, buttermilk, almond, or coconut milk. ½ cup vegetable, canola oil, or melted coconut oil 2 large eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 cup boiling water Chocolate Buttercream for Frosting

together on medium speed until well combined.

• Reduce speed and carefully add boiling water to the cake batter until well combined.

• Distribute cake batter evenly between the two prepared cake pans.

• Bake for 35-40 minutes, until a toothpick or cake tester inserted in the centre of the chocolate cake comes out clean.

• Remove from the oven and allow to cool for about 10 minutes, remove from the pan and cool completely.

• Frost cake with Chocolate Buttercream Frosting.

Preheat oven to 180°C. Prepare two 9-inch cake pans by spraying with baking spray or buttering and lightly flouring.

For the Chocolate Buttercream 1½ cups butter, softened 1 cup unsweetened cocoa 5 cups confectioner's sugar ½ cup milk (start with less, then add to get the correct consistency) 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 teaspoon espresso powder

For the chocolate cake: • Add flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, salt and espresso powder to a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer.

• Whisk through to combine or, using your paddle attachment, stir through flour mixture until combined well.

• Add milk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla to flour mixture and mix

Notes The cake batter will be very thin after adding the boiling water.

This is correct and results in the most delicious and moist chocolate cake you've ever tasted!

12

27 March - 2 April 2018

Bona Dea Private Estate – Heaven on Earth

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ona Dea Private Estate is a picture perfect, luxurious wedding venue and conferencing destination proudly situated in an elevated position with endless uninterrupted views across the vineyards and mountains of the beautiful Hemel-en-Aarde Valley.

Against this dramatic backdrop, the Dendrobium House Venue Complex is set in a magnificently manicured garden, surrounded by terraced landscaping with natural water features. It is an impressive sight at any time of the day, and at night, the feature lighting that illuminates the surrounding trees adds an ethereal quality that turns Bona Dea into a magical wonderland.

The proud representative owner of this exclusive property, Robert Johnson, says it did not always look like this.

When he purchased the 28 ha property in 2008, there was a derelict house and three uninhabitable cottages – and not much else. No water, no sewerage, inadequate electricity, and rampant alien vegetation such as wattles and blue gums. What he and his former wife Diddi accomplished is nothing short of a miracle.

Their award-winning services include a sophisticated and dedicated wedding planning team capable of organising and coordinating weddings for up to 160 guests in the lavish ballroom. The entire Dendrobium House is for the wedding party and their guests’ exclusive and private use, with light and spacious indoor/outdoor spaces elegantly designed and decorated to perfection. The facilities were thoughtfully conceived with everything the discerning couple could wish for to create their bespoke wedding.

“We started by clearing the land, installing proper services, renovating the house and landscaping the extensive gardens,” reminisces Robert.

The property’s potential as a function venue was immediately apparent, prompting the Johnsons to build an entirely new, modern home at the top of the mountain for their private use and undertaking ambitious extensions to transform the original Cape Dutch-style house into a function venue. No expense was spared and Diddi’s experience

as an interior designer and master florist is evident in every room of the Dendrobium House Venue Complex.

“We knew that there has never been anything like this in the area,” says Robert, “and we wanted it to be a venue in a class of its own that would appeal to a sophisticated market and offer value for money.”

A new road almost 1 km long was built from the entrance and thousands of indigenous plants, shrubs and trees, many

of which had to be planted with the help of cranes, completely transformed the landscape. Completed in 2015, the new function venue is simply breath taking, attracting clients from all over the world.

As a Top 10 Cape Town Wedding Venue along the Cape Whale Coast and winner of the TWA Vendor Wedding Awards for Top Country Wedding Venue, this top-class establishment offers the ultimate destination venue for weddings, functions and conferences.

Bona Dea Private Estate also offers exceptional facilities for corporate functions, conferences, seminars, executive board meetings or even team building sessions, and gala dinners for up to 200 guests.

The venue is equipped with a data projector and screen, cordless microphones, free uncapped WiFi, power points for delegates, an emergency generator, ample parking and air conditioning. Every function is personalised to suit clients’ individual needs. The Estate offers a wide range of event-critical services on-site, such as co-ordination, creative styling, floristry and décor equipment and furniture hire

to ensure that your unique wedding or corporate event is memorable and spectacular.

The Dendrobium Wedding Venue includes a ballroom, cocktail bar lounge, separate dessert room, two luxurious cocktail lounges with woodburning fireplaces, an indoor chapel, pristine male/female and wheelchair-friendly bathrooms, a state-of-the-art kitchen, wrap-around patios, a treed garden terrace and, of course, those magnificent scenic views that form the ultimate background for wedding photographs.

The venue complex offers luxurious accommodation for six people in Dendrobium House, upstairs from the venue complex, which has three bedrooms and two beautifully appointed bathrooms. The nearby Olive Cottage offers a self-catering option for six people, with a lounge, dining room and kitchen, two bedrooms and two bathrooms upstairs, and a bedsitter downstairs with full en-suite bathroom and outside patio with braai area.

Visit www.bonadea.co.za or contact info@bonadea.co.za

13

27 March - 2 April 2018

Conservation: What's in it for us? value something and are prepared to pay to have it, then it has value.

Anina Lee

To do the same thing with nature, we just need a system that allows us to pay to experience it. One simple example is ecotourism. Ecotourism offers a way to make the beauty of nature pay for itself.

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he last male northern white rhino in the world, Sudan, has died. The 45-year-old rhino had suffered from age-related complications and was euthanised last week at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya.

Sudan had been part of an ambitious effort to save the subspecies from extinction, after decades of extermination by poachers. He was the last male northern white rhino born in Sudan (hence his name), the last of his kind to be born on earth in the wild.

We hear similar tales of woe all the time, from all around the world, about animals in danger of being wiped out in the wild. Whether it's tigers, elephants, pandas, California condors or African Penguins, much of the world's wildlife is under threat.

It's initially upsetting, and eventually just numbing.

Is it worth worrying about it all? Sure, it will be sad if there aren't any more cute pandas on the planet, but it's not like we depend on them. Besides, surely it's more important to take care of humans than to spend millions on preserving animals. What, in short, is the point of conservation?

On the face of it, there are plenty of reasons why we shouldn't bother to save endangered species. The most obvious is the staggering cost involved.

Species go extinct all the time anyway. As well as individual species dying out, there have been five mass extinctions that obliterated swathes of species. The most recent one, 65 million years ago, took out the dinosaurs. If extinction is a natural process that goes on even in the absence of humans, why should we stop it?

Sudan, the last male northen white rhino on the planet, died last week.

want to. Many of us love the natural world. We think animals are cute, majestic, or just plain fascinating. We love walking in our fynbos reserves or scuba-diving over a coral reef. Who doesn't think chameleons are awesome? Nature is beautiful, and that aesthetic value is a reason to keep it, just as we preserve artistic masterpieces.

But the fact that some of us find nature beautiful, by itself, is not enough. There needs to be a more practical reason to keep species around. The big leap forward came in the 1990s, when biologists started outlining all the ways animals and plants benefit us just by being there. These benefits, which most of us take for granted, are called "ecosystem services".

One answer is that species are now going extinct far faster than they used to. A recent study estimated that the extinction rate has increased a hundredfold over the last century, and humans seem to be to blame.

Some of these services are obvious.

For instance, there are plants and animals that we eat. Meanwhile, photosynthetic plankton in the sea, and green plants, provide us with the oxygen we breathe. These are quite direct, but sometimes the services provided can be more subtle. Pollinating insects like bumblebees are an obvious example. Many of our crop plants rely on these insects to produce seeds, and would not survive – let alone provide us with food – without them. This is why the decline in pollinating insects has provoked so much concern.

But beyond that, there's a simple reason to save species: because we

The scale of these ecosystem services, when you add them up,

turns out to be extraordinarily large. In 1997, ecologist Robert Costanza and his colleagues estimated that the biosphere provides services worth around $33 trillion a year – that’s R400 trillion a year. For comparison, they noted that the entire global economy at the time produced around R200 trillion a year.

Unchecked species loss would wipe 18% off global economic output by 2050.

Five years later, the team took the argument a step further by asking how much we would gain by conserving biodiversity. They concluded that the benefits would outweigh the costs by a factor of 100. In other words, conserving nature is a staggeringly good investment.

Many conservation groups now support putting a value on ecosystems. Take the idea that nature is beautiful and we should preserve it for its aesthetics and wonder. Our pleasure at the beauty of nature can now be thought of as an ecosystem service. Nature provides us with beauty.

If we value something and are prepared to pay to have it, then it has value. You may well ask how we can put a price on that. How do you objectively measure beauty?

Well, you can't, but that doesn't stop us deciding what it's worth.

We do it all the time with paintings, music and other forms of art. If we

But there is another way of looking at it. Let’s consider African Penguins.

They live in a marine environment. If we want to preserve the penguins, we also have to preserve the ecosystem they live in. They need fish to eat. So do people. If we don’t look after marine eco-systems, neither penguins nor humans will have fish to eat.

The penguins are part of a wider network of species, and it's difficult to separate them from it. Wiping out one of these species might not make much difference, or then again it might cause a chain reaction that alters the entire ecosystem. So if we decide to save a species, by extension we are also choosing to preserve the particular habitat they live in and the majority of the species that live alongside them.

Ecologists have amassed evidence that ecosystems with a wider range of species are more stable and resilient, and less prone to sudden die-backs. This has a startling implication. A tiny, obscure worm may not be doing anything that's obviously useful to humans, but it is probably supporting the ecosystem it lives in – and that ecosystem will be providing services.

Whether you put it in economic terms or not, science is telling us that ecosystems provide us with a host of things we can't do without, and that the more diverse each ecosystem is, the better.

So for our own good – both in terms of practical things like food and water, and less physical needs like beauty – we should protect them.

We can't take care of ourselves without also preserving nature, because we need it for so many things. In specific situations we might choose to favour one or the other, but overall we have to do both.

Source: www.bbc.com/earth

14

27 March - 2 April 2018

The way to history is through your stomach

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fter relating the story behind the heritage cottage of Burgundy Restaurant in the 27 February edition of The Village NEWS, I was prompted to find out more about the history of two other eateries that are housed in traditional fisherman’s cottages – Café 1904 and Fisherman’s Cottage. Both are situated in the historic area known as Fisherman’s Village, next to Lemm’s Corner in the heart of Hermanus Old Town.

In 1983 the Old Harbour Museum, proclaimed in 1972, managed to buy the entire area after much fundraising under the Curator Mr Oskar Prozesky.

Fisherman’s Village is now a heritage site owned by the Old Harbour Museum and the properties are leased to business owners.

Café 1904 The historical building next to Lemm’s Corner on Main Road where Café 1904 can be found was originally known as the Hamman house. This traditional fisherman’s cottage was one house, with an adjacent barn where the family’s horses and carts were kept. It has now been divided into two parts and houses two separate businesses – Café 1904 and Health@The Village Shop.

The building dates back to the turn of the 20th century and belonged to John Henry Hamman and his wife Eliza (née Moore), whose father Ephraim George Moore owned the land above the Old Harbour now known as Fisherman’s Village.

Legend has it that the mail bag for Hermanus was hung from one of the branches of the large Spider Gum tree at the back of the cottage before the first post office was opened. JH Hamman and Eliza’s son Percival (Percy), who grew up in this cottage, also became a well-known figure in Hermanus. Percy and his wife

What’s Cooking RESTAURANT NEWS Hedda Mittner Bessie’s daughter Adel still lives in Hermanus today.

In the 1980s the French wife of legendary Hermanus local Nicholas Dekker, Micheline, opened a shop in the one half of the Hamman house now occupied by Health@The Village Shop and named it Fruits of Earth. The Dekkers were farming at the time on Waterkop (near Gansbaai, now Bellavista) and as they both believed in natural medicine and the healing properties of plants and herbs, Fruits of Earth was the perfect precursor to the health shops that followed.

When Micheline sold her shop to Gay and Jeff Martin, the new owners changed the name to The Village Health Shop and added a wider range of health products, including shoes. After 15 years, the Martins sold the shop to the current owners, Hamish and Amanda Hofmeyr.

man’s Cottage. Café 1904 (the name refers to the year the Old Harbour wall was built) is celebrating its first anniversary under the Posts’ ownership this month and already they have built up a firm reputation for friendly service and excellent food.

Fisherman’s Cottage The history of the Hamman house is intrinsically linked to that of its neighbouring cottage, which has been operating as the Fisherman’s Cottage Restaurant for many years. The first record of registration is dated 1900 and the house seems to have had several owners, including one Peter Lefrate Groenewald, a fisherman.

According to his son, Lovey Groenewald, who was born in the cottage in 1916, the loft was utilised for the storing of dried fish, potatoes, onions and beans during the long winter months. Lovey died in 2002 at the age of 86.

The other part of the original Hamman house, believed to be the part where the horse carts were kept, has been operating as a restaurant under several different owners over the last decade. Now named Café 1904, it was purchased last year by Johan and Endria Post, who have thrown heart and soul into the business since relocating to Hermanus from Nelspruit.

In 1924 the Groenewalds sold the property to Gopal Doolah, who was the only Indian in Hermanus at the time and traded vegetables and fruit.

After Doolah’s death in 1928, the property changed hands several times. Over time it fell into disrepair and was eventually abandoned.

This intimate little restaurant has been lovingly renovated by its dedicated new owners, and they have given this little gem a new lease on life by refurbishing the kitchen and the interior dining area, while also extending the outdoor seating area backing on to the Fisher-

In 1976 Justus van der Spuy rented the one half of the old Hamman house now occupied

by Café 1904, where he opened a shop called Book & Art, which was run by his wife. Included in the lease was the derelict fisherman’s cottage directly behind the shop, which Justus

fixed up. He went on to open his Sanlam office in what is now the bar area and the rest of the building was used to run an antiques business.

Justus’s son, local resident Bruce van der Spuy, took over the lease and the antiques business after the death of his father in 1983. He later branched out into the curio trade and in 1991 he opened a tea room. Within two years he had appointed a chef and the menu expanded to five dishes, including a popular seafood potjie.

North west view down Harbour and Main Roads, circa 1912.

PHOTO: Old Harbour Museum

When the Hermanus Whale Festival started gaining momentum in the late ‘90s, the Fisherman’s Cottage became a music landmark, attracting many upcoming musicians such as Koos Kombuis and Karen Zoid.

In 2005 the restaurant was taken over by Garry Hermansen and his wife Ann, who shifted the focus from the bar and live music to quality food. They upgraded the kitchen and extended the dining area by enclosing the stoep. The Fisherman’s Cottage soon became a destination restaurant, famous for its unforgettable ambience and cuisine.

The restaurant changed hands again in 2010 when the Hermansens decided to retire and handed it over to Maurice Dourée. A master chef and restauranteur, Maurice hails from Belgium and had opened the first Ocean Basket in Hermanus. He went on to own various restaurants in town, including Momo, Paradiso and his current eatery, Brasserie South.

Today the current owners of the Fisherman’s Cottage, chef Anton Verhoogt and his wife Nicole, are continuing this historic restaurant’s proud tradition.

The Fisherman’s Cottage next to Lemm’s Corner.

Café 1904 and Health@The Village Shop in Main Road.

Below is the outside dining area of Café 1904 that backs on to the Fisherman’s Cottage.

27 March - 2 April 2018

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27 March - 2 April 2018 Wednesday 28 March

■ Graze Farmers Market: Reduce your carbon footprint and get your fresh, seasonal veggies from Graze, every Wednesday. Stay for coffee and breakfast. Call Tabby & Alex on 076 243 1930. At Graze Slow Food Café, from 09:00 – 12:00.

Thursday 29 March

Good Guide office@stanfordinfo.co.za. At The Tasting Room @ Stanford Hills, at 20:30 (after the Sunset Market).

previously loved items! For more information, call 028 341 340 or email book@stanfordinfo.co.za. In Stanford Tourism Courtyard, at 09:00.

Stanford Herfsfees 2018 is a unique village celebration featuring live music, food, wine, a produce and craft market, buskers, street performers, art projects and workshops – mixing it all up to create a truly Overberg carnival feel.

Saturday 31 March

■ Stanford Full Moon Walk: This is the second month of blue moons in Stanford. Walk along the tranquil Wandelpad just ahead of the real blue moon which will rise on 31 March. All are welcome; R30 for adults, R10 for kids, and dogs for free. A complimentary refreshment will be served at the end. Weather dependent so please call 028 341 0340 to confirm. Meet at Stanford Tourism Courtyard, at 17:30.

Friday 30 March

■ Great White MTB & Trail Run: A rare opportunity to explore the magnificent Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy trails. The event will be hosted by Lomond Wine Estate, with a choice between 3 Mountain Bike distances (15 km, 32 km & 52 km) and 3 Trail Run options (5 km, 12 km & 21 km). Online entries (www.entryninja.com) close on 28 March.

Registration and late entries at Lomond on Friday 30 March from 14:00 - 16:00, and on the Saturday at 08:00. Timing done by Live Time, so bring your SAS timing chip; alternatively you can rent one for R10 or buy one for R50 on the day. There will be ample shade, food, wine and entertainment for the whole family. For more information on the MTB routes, have a look at www.fynbos.co.za. At Lomond, from 08:00 – 15:00.

■ Kids Mural Art: Children are invited to paint a square to complete the mural behind the tourism office. Come and make your mark with legal graffiti while the grown-ups browse the Junktique Market. Paint, brushes, aprons and inspiration provided by local artist, Marian Binder Williams, who will oversee the creativity session. Wear an old T-shirt and bring a sunhat. R20 per child.

Young children should be accompanied by parents. Pop in any time between 09:00 – 12:00, at the Tourism Courtyard, Queen Victoria Street.

Sunday 1 April

■ Stanford Sunset Market: Food, wine, beer, gifts, live music and friendships - there is nowhere better to be on the last Friday of the month. On Stanford Market Square, from 18:00 – 20:00.

■ Ann Jangle Unplugged: The talented singer/songwriter is back by popular demand, live at Stanford Hills! Pre-booked tickets R80 pp or R120 pp at the door. Book at The Tasting Room or Stanford Info by contacting 028 341 0340 or

Stanford Hersfees

Friday 6 April At 17:00, a Mardi Gras-like community parade will wind its way through the village to the NG Kerk grounds, led by a Klopse troupe, the local trompoppie troupe and a choir.

At 20:30, the Vastrap! community concert featuring Tribal Echo and Mr Cat & The Jackal will take place in the church hall.

Saturday 7 April The Village Street Market will start trading on the stoep of the Stanford Hotel at 09:00 while stalls at the church grounds will start trading at 11:00.

Musicians, writers and artists will present a wide variety of workshops to share some of the skills that made them successful. The workshops are free but you still need a ticket.

Book online or get your ticket from the tourism office.

The Small Planet Kids Programme will entertain children with mask-making, drawing or playing while you sample what the festival has to offer.

■ Saturday Morning Market: For artisanal treats ranging from ciabattas, pies and eclairs to cold meats, sausages, veggies, sheep and goat cheeses, and even hand-spun fynbos-dyed wool.

Veggie or carni – there’s something for all palates.

Contact Caro on 082 448 0237. On Stanford Hotel stoep, from 09:00 – 12:00.

■ Stanford Junktique: Come and browse to your heart's content, and breathe new life into

■ Watershed April Road Tour: Enjoy South Africa’s leading acoustic rock group, with a string of platinum and gold albums and awards to its name, in beautiful surroundings. This live show by Craig Hinds (vocals, piano, acoustic guitar, harmonica), Gideon Botes (lead guitar, acoustic and mandolin), Howie Combrink (drums) and Paul McIver (guitars and vocals) will take Watershed’s popular and melodic pop songs to hauntingly beautiful and often hardrocking zones. Tickets at R150 pp are available at www.quicket.co.za. At Stanford Hills, from 15:30 – 18:00.

The Music Merry-Go-Round will start at 18:00. Five venues spread across the village will host six bands, all for one price. Make up your mind about who you want to see and move between the venues. All venues (except the NG Kerk) are licensed and will serve food. Pre-book at Webtickets, Pick n Pay or the Stanford Tourism Bureau.

Festivities will conclude at the Party Zone at 21:30.

For more information: 064 651 3053 / herfsfees67@gmail.com or visit the website: www.herfsfees.co.za

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27 March - 2 April 2018

A woman whose work is never done Western Cape Department of Safety. She will be attending the SAPS cluster meetings in Hermanus with Stanford SAPS station commander, Captain Winston Coetzee. Realising the need to develop the neglected young children roaming the streets, she is liaising with schools and organisations to assess what could be done. She is also looking into the training of her CPF executive.

Nelly Roodt

S

oft-spoken Chareen Volkwyn, recently elected as the Stanford Community Policing Forum chairperson, has hit the ground running in her new position.

Chareen (48) exudes femininity.

She loves to care. She started her career as a nurse precisely because of that. But raising two sons and night shift were not compatible. Switching then to the world of beauty and makeup, she opened a beauty clinic.

Come 2018, she put on another hat, a hard hat at that. Being CPF chairperson asks grit and tenacity. Immaculately dressed and groomed, this pretty woman has taken on the challenge without batting an eyelid.

List the issues that Stanford has faced since the beginning of the year, and Madame Chair has been there, listening, facilitating, calming frayed nerves.

First there was the looming tension about labour issues.

“I am delighted with my executive – from the first day of assuming my position, they have encouraged and advised me. I know we are going to be a wonderful team.”

Mr Siviwe Funo, Department of Home Affairs immigration officer, CPF Chairperson Chareen Volkwyn and Captain Winston Coetzee at a recent meeting with farmers from the Stanford area.

South African workers wanted answers regarding the position of illegal foreign nationals working in the area. Chareen attended meetings by the Department of Labour to be au fait with the do’s and don’ts of appointing workers from beyond South African borders.

Then followed the Imbizo in the local community hall in February. Residents from Stanford North attending vented their frustrations.

When the meeting became rowdy because some present would not give others a chance to speak, Chareen

JAMPA AND PEMA MOVE TO THEIR NEW HOME Panthera Africa was finally able to move Jampa and Pema, the 13-year-old brother and sister cheetahs, into their new enclosure at the big cat sanctuary near Stanford a few weeks ago. The owners of Panthera Africa, Cat Nyquist and Lizaene Cornwall, reported that the cheetahs gave their full cooperation and calmly walked into their crates for the big move, which was undertaken with the help of several volunteers. They wish to thank everyone who donated so generously towards this cause, especially eTravel for their donation of R30 000 towards Pema and Jampa’s relocation. The eTravel team recently visited Panthera Africa for their team-building excursion (above).

stood up. She calmly told them that what Stanfordians needed to respect was respect itself – and respect for each other.

Her diary is filling up for March, April, May… There will be consultations with the

On her aims she emphasises that the role of the CPF is to be the link between the community and the SAPS. “We are here to promote better understanding and cooperation between the two. I will do my utmost to achieve that.”

She mentions her esteem for Captain Coetzee. “He is there for the community. He makes his cellphone number available to everyone. He is out on

the streets patrolling with his members in the small hours of the morning. I will go the extra mile to support him and SAPS Stanford.”

It could very well be the story of her life: Chareen goes many extra miles for many people and causes.

She is the chairperson of the women’s group of her church.

Because she has a soft spot for the elderly, she is involved in the service centre that arranges functions and meals for them.

Friends and family know whose door to knock on when they are looking for a caterer. Party planning and table decorating bring out her artistic flair.

Despite her busy schedule, she is also studying again. She is studying Biblical Christian Counselling towards becoming a pastor and doing her honours degree this year.

“I manage it all because I am blessed with a supportive husband, William. If I arrive home after him in the evening, he’s quick to make me a mug of coffee and encourage me for the next busy day,” she smiles.

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27 March - 2 April 2018

Invest in a first of its kind estate in Caledon

T

he Overberg town of Caledon is ideally located in the countryside, surrounded by rolling hills and farmland, while the coastal town of Hermanus, the quaint village of Greyton and the historical town of Bredasdorp are only a short drive away.

Properties in the area offer outstanding value for money and, at only R665 000 for a twobedroom apartment in a secure complex, Kleine Swartberg Estate is perfect for the first-time buyer and young families, with no transfer duty applicable.

This Sectional Title opportunity, brought to you by the Skyward Group and marketed by Greeff

Christie’s International Real Estate, will host 112 apartments that epitomise efficient design and practicality, with double glazing window frames, tiled floors and a built-in oven.

CEO of Greeff Christie’s International Real Estate Mike Greeff believes that “Kleine Swartberg Estate offers a unique and exciting opportunity to those in the area, as well as prospective out-of-town buyers. With its efficient design and up-to-theminute finishes, this investment opportunity cannot be missed.”

The first of its kind, Kleine Swartberg Estate in Caledon is conveniently situated. Neighbouring the primary and

secondary school, close to the Caledon shopping mall, the Caledon Hotel, Casino & Spa, hospital and town centre, the estate is the perfect place to call home. With direct access to the N2, it is convenient for commuters who work in the surrounding towns such as Hermanus, Grabouw or the Strand. Cape Town International Airport is less than an hour’s drive away.

Caledon has a rich history and is world famous for its hot springs which were first discovered by the early Khoi-Khoi people long before Europeans arrived at the Cape. The curative chalybeate (iron rich) water of the area became renowned and in 1710, the first

grant was secured on condition that a building be erected for visitors to the springs. In 1892, a sample of the spring’s water was submitted to the Chicago World Fair, the greatest exhibition of the time, and awarded first prize as one of the world's top quality mineral waters.

Principals of Greeff Christie’s International Real Estate Winelands and Overberg, Reon and Jaco van der Merwe, believe that an offering such as this is unheard of. “These apartments in the Overberg are being sold at a fantastic price as it offers great value for money, an attractive purchase for investors looking to rent and a step on to the property ladder for prospective first-time buyers.”

Just 40,5 km from Hermanus, with travel time of about 25 minutes, it is a relaxing and scenic route through the beautiful Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. You can now afford to be the proud owner of a home in Kleine Swartberg Estate, and still be on time for work in Hermanus.

Weekends can be filled with exploring the surrounding country towns and wine farms, relaxing at the spa, or a day of shopping at the new Whale Coast Mall. And with the famous Hemel-en-Aarde wine route on your doorstep, there is no better spot to put down roots.

While living in this little part of

paradise is appealing to the buyer who wants to settle down, this development also offers exciting return on investment. The rental market in the Overberg remains vibrant and those who buy for investment purposes can expect a monthly rental of R6 000.

Units are sold from R665 000 including VAT, and there is no transfer duty applicable.

Completion is expected in December 2018.

For more information on Kleine Swartberg Estate, please contact Danie on 064 524 5213 or email danie.steyn@greeff.co.za

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27 March - 2 April 2018

Why Early Childhood Development is essential for a sustainable Hermanus

“

You can’t plant a tree in the desert and just expect it to grow and thrive... the same goes for our children

Hedda Mittner

A

s a world-class aquaculture facility and the biggest single employer in the Overstrand, Abagold has come a long way over the past 30 years. Today, under the leadership of Managing Director Tim Hedges, Abagold continues to be a trailblazer in its commitment not only to innovation and success in business but also in environmental and social responsibility.

The driving force behind the Abagold Development Trust, established in 2011 with the objective of developing and supporting the communities in Hermanus, where the majority of Abagold’s employees live and raise their children, is Human Resources Director LouAnne Lubbe, who joined Abagold in 2012.

Realising the need for providing the children from all our communities with a solid foundation, the trustees decided to direct the trust’s attention, focus and funds in 2018 towards Early Childhood Development (ECD).

Their aim with the establishment of the Abagold Early Childhood Development Programme & Centre is twopronged – firstly, to build a new ECD centre on the tract of land adjacent to Abagold’s head office for their employees’ children and those of other surrounding businesses, and secondly, for this Abagold ECD centre to act as a hub that actively provides educational and resource support to other ECD centres in Zwelihle and Mount Pleasant.

Making a positive impact on society is an issue that clearly lies close to Lou-Anne’s heart, but, while Abagold’s commitment is admirable, you may very well ask: why should I care about ECD in Hermanus, let

”

also of themselves and of other people, and can awaken a feeling of permanence and a sense of belonging.

The Abagold Development Trust needs to raise an additional R3.5 million for the construction of their ECD centre, to be built on a tract of land adjacent to the Abagold Head Office in Church Street. alone become involved and support this cause?

The answer is simple, says Lou-Anne. “We all love Hermanus, we enjoy living here and we want to see the town flourish. As such we have a moral obligation to make a systemic contribution that will ensure the sustainability of our communities – and the most important aspect of sustainability is education.

“We can’t always expect someone else to do it for us – we must do it. If we don’t have a strong and integrated society, crime and other social ills will only increase.”

The need for a solid foundation is based on the fact that the period up to eight years of age is of supreme importance for emotional, intellectual and social development, and that interventions at this stage can have a strong impact on the health and welfare of children that lasts well into adulthood.

“You can’t plant a tree in the desert and just expect it to grow and thrive,” says Lou-

Abagold Development Trust

Anne. “You have to prepare the soil, and nurture it with water and fertiliser until it is strong enough to survive. The same goes for our children.

The creation of a healthy and successful society starts with optimal childhood development which requires more than just a healthy environment – a child needs supportive experiences, nourishment, active stimulations and a safe world in which to flourish.”

While planning and fundraising for the new Abagold ECD Centre in Church Street continues, the trust will be rolling out the hub in close collaboration with the Department of Social Development and the Enlighten Education Trust. Needs analyses will be done at existing ECD centres in Zwelihle and Mount Pleasant to determine what improvements are required and how to implement them in order for these facilities to be registered with the department and qualify for government funding. Teacher training will be provided and partnerships will be formed with educators and parents by facilitating Positive Parenting

workshops at these ECD centres.

Lou-Anne feels this aspect is very important because “no one teaches you how to be a parent, which is a daunting task even under ideal circumstances”. In a community where adults are struggling with poverty, unemployment, substance abuse and violence, it is that much more difficult and the children experience a lack of positive role models.

Lou-Anne would like to invite everyone in the community, from the elders to the unemployed, to get involved with this vital project by assisting with maintenance work, administration and accountng, mentoring, teaching or simply telling stories to the children.

“Our vision is for an environment where bias is overcome and everyone’s cultural identity is respected. The ECD centres will not only be bilingual and racially integrated but also eco-friendly,” says Lou-Anne. “We live in a scenic but sensitive environment and we have to educate our

children to care for it by creating a consciousness of the dangers threatening the environment and the need to nurture, respect and sustain all life on our planet.” Which is why environmental education will be project-based and form part of the ECD curriculum.

“Our vision is in line with UNESCO’s document on ‘Early childhood education for a sustainable society’, in which it states that the children of today are the leaders of tomorrow, and that a sustainable society can only be achieved if the next generation of citizens has been exposed to the study of nature, and has developed a deep understanding of the interdependence between human beings and their environment,” says Lou-Anne.

In addition to project-based nature studies, emphasis will also be placed on transformation and recycling. According to UNESCO, teaching children that abandoned or discarded items are not necessarily useless and can be given new meaning deepens their understanding of the value and dignity not only of objects but

The design of the new Abagold ECD Centre embraces green technology and among the ecofriendly elements that will be introduced are the use of refurbished containers for the class-rooms, the incorporation of recycled building materials, the installation of rainwater tanks and solar heating, and the establishment of a vegetable garden. The centre will include a dedicated donor wall, where each donor gets a wooden block that they can brand and decorate themselves.

Any contribution to this project is tax deductible and donors will have the assurance that every cent is put to good use and not wasted on the trust’s administration costs, as they are all covered by Abagold.

To assist the Abagold Development Trust in turning their vision into a reality, contact Lou-Anne Lubbe on 028 313 0253 or louanne@abagold.co.za.

Banking details: Abagold Development Trust, ABSA Bank, Acc no: 4077341994, Branch code: 632005 To obtain a Donations Tax Certificate, please email your proof of payment to philip@abagold and copy in louanne@abagold.co.za

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27 March - 2 April 2018

A new chapter for Northcliff House College Hedda Mittner

G

erhard Coetzee is a ball of energy, a nononsense man who is not afraid to roll up his sleeves and jump in to get things done.

This energy is serving him well as the new principal of Northcliff House College, having taken over the reins from Vivienne Mitchley, the founder principal of this unique, independent, co-educational school. Vivienne is now chief curriculum developer for the ACAPS class while also teaching Design and Visual Art. Northcliff House College (NHC) started with five learners in 2000, in the garage of Vivienne’s house in Northcliff – hence the name. Offering the same education as mainstream WCED schools, NHC distinguished itself as an institution that embraced inclusivity by admitting a broad spectrum of learners, including those that do not fit into the mainstream mould.

By 2005 the school had moved to premises in Westcliff with 43 learners; a few years later they were based in Sandbaai with almost 100 learners. Every time

they moved, they soon outgrew their new premises as the school continued to grow.

In 2012, when Curro Hermanus bought out the Overstrand Learning Academy, NHC was able to take over their premises in Berghof. And it is here that Gerhard is determined to build on NHC’s proud tradition.

The school currently has 170 learners from Grade R – 12 who are experiencing firsthand what inclusivity really means. “Understanding and respect towards different cultures, religions and academic abilities is part of the ethos of the school,” says Gerhard. “Our classes are small – no more than 15 learners per class – and our staff is able to diversify and teach on different levels in order to ensure individualised education.”

Surprisingly, considering his passion for education and the youth, Gerhard has not always been a teacher. He did start out as one, having studied for a BSc degree, followed by B Ed Honours in Biology and Educational Psychology. After enrolling for basic army training (he was part of the last compulsory intake in

with diverse educational needs, the school has developed its own teaching material, within the framework of the CAPS curriculum, and employs an in-house remedial teacher. “Many of our learners would have fallen through the cracks in mainstream schools, because their parents couldn’t find an ideal educational environment that meets their children’s needs,” says Gerhard.

Grhard Coetzee is the new principal of Northcliff House College in Berghof, Onrus.

1992) he taught at Riviersonderend High School for three years before exchanging the classroom for the life of a businessman.

After relocating with his family to Hermanus, Gerhard owned an antique shop and worked as a property consultant before being approached for a position at Hermanus High School. There he taught Grade

8 and 9 Mathematics for three years before joining NHC. “Teaching is not a job,” he says, “It’s a calling.” Finally, he was back where he belongs – in the classroom, teaching Natural Science to Grade 8 and 9, as well as Physical Science, Life Sciences and Math Literacy to Grades 10 – 12.

To accommodate learners

At NHC, they are prepared to accommodate learners who experience all manner of challenges – from high achievers to those with learning difficulties. The school works in collaboration with the parents and Gerhard stresses that their involvement and support is paramount to the school’s success.

“It’s not about ‘fixing’ children – it’s about unlocking their potential,” he says emphatically. Which is why Gerhard gets annoyed when people refer to ‘problem children’. “To see them improve and go on to achieve their goals is extremely gratifying. We are no different to any mainstream school, except that we embody true inclusivity,” he says.

So how will things change under his leadership? “My management style might be a bit different to Vivienne’s,” he laughs, “but our goals are the same. I work with a great team and each of them loves their chosen field and is willing to go the extra mile. I expect people to think out of the box; if you come with a problem, bring a solution with. I’m also very team-driven and believe that by working together we can accomplish so much more.

“The main challenge remains the sustainability of the school,” he continues. “Financial stress is ever present and we are heavily dependent on subsidies and donations. The other problem is adequate space for the school to continue growing.”

Looking back over the years and considering the substantial obstacles they have overcome in the past, I have no doubt that the school will not only persevere but continue to flourish.

For more information, visit www.northcliffhouse.co.za or call 028 316 4437 to make an appointment to visit the school in Berghof Drive, Berghof, Onrus.

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27 March - 2 April 2018

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27 March - 2 April 2018

Winter sports under way Hermanus High School played their first winter sports day of the season against Huguenot College on Saturday 24 March. The day turned out to be cold and wet and many of the games were very tough, but this did not stop our teams from playing their best.

Hermanus High School’s 1st teams did very well – the hockey boys and girls drew their games, the netball girls won 26 -18 and the rugby boys won 24 -17.

Zulene van Niekerk (captain and goal attack of the 1st Team Netball) takes a shot at the goal to put Hermanus High School even further into the lead against Huguenot College.

PHOTO: Taylum Meyer, Titanium Photography

Emerging goalkeeper Jemma Metcalf making yet another save for the 1st Team Girls Hockey.

PHOTO: Mavis de Villiers

Hermanus High School learner Hanru van Vreden scored a try for the 1st Rugby Team in their match against Huguenot College.

PHOTO: Lynette van Tonder

SUPERB CONDITIONS FOR BOLAND SENIORS: The Boland Seniors Golf Tournament, an amateur tournament for the over-50s, was hosted at the Hermanus Golf Club last week. A strong field of 79 players from both near and far competed in the event. Play was conducted over 36 holes and the format was stroke play. Thursday’s weather was fine but windy – however, this did not deter the players and after day one Steven Johnston from Ruimsig Golf Club in Gauteng took the lead with a super 2 under par gross 70. Friday was truly one of Hermanus’ wonder days: warm and no wind. Our course conditions dried out and this lead to quicker greens.

Francois le Roux from De Zalze Golf Club (centre) added another one under par to his one under par on day 1 to clinch the title for the third successive year. Congratulations indeed. Second place was shared by André van Dyk (left) and overnight leader Stephen Johnston (right), who were just a single stroke behind. Exceptional standards from exceptional golfers! When asked about his victory, Francois didn’t hesitate to say that it was the course in the finest condition he has played on in the last 10 years. High praise indeed! Well done to all the organisers of the tournament and for Hermanus Golf Club for a great hosting.

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27 March - 2 April 2018

Don’t be fooled by cooler weather

M

any pet owners mistakenly believe that come autumn, fleas go to sleep and worms burrow in their beds but these nasty critters are, in fact, active and potentially infecting your pets with deadly diseases all year round.

THE

NEWS

Do’s and don’ts for your pet in winter

MY Pet

With winter just around the corner and temperatures already dropping our pets need special treatment during this time of year. Here’s a list of common sense do’s and don’ts for a happy four paw during winter.

Dr Hilldidge Beer

Don’t leave your pet in the car for extended periods. Although they may be out of the elements, just as a car acts as an oven in summer, in winter it can trap cold air, effectively acting as a fridge.

But I can’t see them Comb your dog’s coat. What do you see? Absolutely no evidence of fleas, right? No visible evidence perhaps, but only adult fleas can be seen with the naked eye and they make up just 5% of a flea infestation. That means there may well be fleas and you just can’t see them.

When it comes to ticks, urban and suburban pet owners make the common error of believing their pets won’t get tick bite fever because their dogs and cats don’t play in long grass but these tiny carriers of deadly biliary are most certainly not restricted to rural farms.

Biliary, which is caused by a parasite transmitted via the yellow dog tick, kills more dogs in South Africa than any other disease. The tick most commonly attaches on the neck and shoulders of animals, but also loves under arms, the groin, ears and under the tail. Clinical signs of biliary infection take up to 14 days to appear and your dog will never develop immunity. Once infected, your dog can fall ill from this disease again and again.

As with ticks and fleas, pets also carry several kinds of worms, some of them deadly, yet only two types (tapeworm and

Do ensure your pet has adequate shelter. If your dog lives indoors, make sure their sleeping area is away from draughts, and preferably not on a cold tile floor – unless their beds are elevated. If your pets are very old or very young, only allow them outside for short periods of time.

Don’t neglect your pet’s grooming needs. Keeping their coats clean, shiny and well brushed will aid in protection against the cold. It’s also not a good idea to bathe your dog in the middle of winter and then allow them outside without being completely dry first.

Do check the pads of your pet’s paws. Skin that is red or inflamed, has little cracks or cuts can be painful and can lead to frostbite. Also check their tails and ears, and try to clean their paws off after a walk. roundworm) are commonly seen with the unaided eye.

Some cause few or no symptoms.

Worm eggs or larvae can lie dormant in the pet’s body and may be activated only in times of stress or, in the case of roundworms and hook-worms, in the later stages of pregnancy when they activate and infest the soon-to-be-born puppies and kittens.

With a tapeworm infestation you may notice white, grain-like segments similar to rice under your pet’s tail. If your pet is continuously licking at the tail or dragging the hind-quarters, tapeworm infest-ation is likely.

With roundworms, pets usually

present with a swollen belly, dull coat and vomiting.

Fighting back Your best defence against all of these nasties is regular, targeted protection.

There are several topical and oral tick and flea medications available from EberVet Vetshops or your veterinarian.

Some must be administered monthly while others last up to eight months; some are chewable, others are administered via a dropper on the back of the neck.

It is essential that you discuss options with your Vetshop or veterinarian as products are specific to species and lifestage.

Anti-flea medication meant for dogs can kill a cat.

You’ll need to deworm puppies and kittens every 2 weeks until the age of 3 months then once a month until the age of 6 months. For pets 6 months and older, every 3 months.

Vaccinate Equally important are annual vaccinations. They protect against those highlycontagious killer diseases like distemper, parvovirus and rabies. Rabies vaccinations are required by law.

Many of the illnesses discussed above are transmittable to humans; prevention is always preferable to cure.

Dr Hilldidge Beer is CEO of the EberVet Petcare Group and EberVet Vetshops, www.ebervet.com

Don’t give them the same freedom to run through or swim in dams or rivers. As well as being extremely cold, water levels rise in winter and can flow more strongly and hide submerged objects.

Do increase your pet’s daily food allowance if they are outside dogs as generally they will require more calories to burn to keep themselves warm and maintain their body temperature.

Also ensure they have sufficient fresh drinking water. But also bear in mind that dogs who are less active in winter, possibly need less food. If you are unsure, check with your vet.

This one is just common sense, don’t allow your pet to roam off the leash or allow them out of your property.

Thunderstorms can be frightening for pets and they might run away or get lost.

Do invest in a jersey or jacket for smaller and/or shorthaired breeds. They will need the additional warmth. These are available from most pet stores and vet shops.

Don’t leave your pets unattended in front of heaters or fireplaces.

Do check with your vet whether you need to increase doses of medication for certain conditions such as arthritis that can be affected by cold weather.

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27 March - 2 April 2018

Kudu Cosmetica – sharing nature’s secrets Phil Murray

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tanford might be the last place where you expect to find someone hard at work, measuring, stirring, blending and transforming oils into a high-end cosmetic line called Kudu Cosmetica. But here she is – Angelica Wessel, whose first motivation was to make fragrance-free, natural products for sensitive skin for her own personal use.

MY Health

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and started researching the powerful and amazing healing botanicals found in Southern Africa, experimenting with different ingredients to hydrate, firm and tone my skin. That is how the Kudu Cosmetica range was born.”

This endeavour has since grown into an organic skincare range that has been laboratory tested and is now ready for the local and international markets.

The first Kudu product Angelica developed, while she was pregnant with her third son, was the Body Toning Oil. Since then her range has expanded to include a wonder product called Squalane, which is derived from olives. It is absorbed quickly into the skin, leaving no oily film, and is one of the ingredients in the Kudu Cosmetica Serum, a product Angelica says she cannot live without.

Angelica has not always lived in Stanford. She is originally from Sweden, where she worked as a fashion stylist, but made South Africa her home 14 years ago.

After meeting her artist husband in Cape Town, the couple swopped city life for the rural village of Stanford, where they live with their three sons, all firmly rooted in South African soil. Her strong attraction to Africa is clear in the Kudu Cosmetica brand and marketing, and the ingredients she uses are sourced from all over Southern Africa.

Angelica says her journey started on a visit to northern Mozambique, where she was introduced to Moringa oil and became interested in African botanical extracts. “I discovered

Angelica Wessel, the founder of Kudu Cosmetica.

“My husband also uses it. And you don’t need to use much as the oils are pure, and go a long way. I believe in building up my skin so that it becomes a strong, healthy, natural protective barrier as it should be. Cosmetic products should not strip this away. And of course, we should always be careful of the sun,” says Angelica.

She has also developed a face masque powder which is activated with water or honey, and is currently working on extending the range to include a natural peel product, as well as a product for hyperpigmentation. All Kudu Cosmetica products are fragrance and essential oil free, as, contrary to belief, it is these fragrances and oils that sometimes irritate and damage sensitive skin.

Angelica says the name of her business was inspired by an old African children’s fable about a kudu. “On a journey, the kudu learns all the secrets of nature from the tree of life which he is able to share with the other animals and save the kingdom. Nature has so many amazing secrets when it comes to skincare and as we are focused on natural ingredients, I thought the name and story really suited my products.”

While the name and ingredients are purely African, Angelica’s Scandinavian heritage is evident in the minimalist design of the Kudu

brand. I ask her what’s next for Kudu Cosmetica. “Skincare is a very exciting and competitive market place. I want to extend the range, and set up a local outlet. At the moment, you can order products from the website. We now have our full export licence and our first shipment is bound for Paris this month. We have also been invited to a trade show in New York specialising in skin care. I expect hard work and have high hopes for Kudu Cosmetica this year.”

Angelica is excited to introduce her range to South Africans.

Keep your eyes peeled for this local product which has already been featured in British Vogue, Tatler and Editeur Plus and challenge your beliefs that cosmetic products should be owned by large multinational companies. Africa already has everything we need; Angelica has discovered this!

For more information, visit www.kuducosmetica.com or contact Angelica on 073 854 2153 or connect@kuducosmetica.com

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27 March - 2 April 2018

Hermanus High School Matric Dinner Hermanus High School hosted their annual Matric Dinner at The Classroom in Hemel-en-Aarde Village on Friday 23 March. This annual event is an important milestone for the learners who arrived at the venue dressed to the nines. Some of the school’s teachers as well as the principal were also in attendance. A three course meal was served by the dads of learners who had volunteered to waiter for the evening – an occasion that was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

From left are the beautiful girls Lismari Strauss, Donné van Schoor, Yzane Oelofsen, Jeanne Wessels, Jeanette van Romburg, Inge Kuchar and Tume Bester in front of The Classroom in Hemel-en-Aarde Village, the venue for the school's annual Matric Dinner.

PHOTO: Roeleen Wessels

Back from left are Rigardt Schulenburg, Tayla Gordon, Hannah Sturm, Matthew Smith and Tino-Benn Lerm.

In front are Jeraldo Veldtman and Aphelele Madaka.

PHOTOS: Taylum Meyer, Titanium Photography

Pedre Labuschagne, Matthew Erwee and J’hanco Botha looked smart in their suits at Hermanus High School’s annual Matric Dinner at the Classroom.

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27 March - 2 April 2018

Container homes – taking green living to a new level Hedda Mittner

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here was great excitement recently in the Westcliff neighbourhood when friends, family and neighbours of Mariclaire and Burt Day gathered on the pavement to witness the delivery of two shipping containers, which were hoisted into the air and placed into position by a huge crane.

This tricky operation was part of a long-term project of the Days to create a new home on their Westcliff stand that is built entirely with three 12 x 2,5 metre shipping containers. One is on the ground and forms the central part of the house, while two more containers are on the upper level, one on each side at acute angles to form a U-shape.

The two wings of the house had to be hoisted onto steel pillars.

Mariclaire, who was the owner of the popular eatery, The Barefoot Cook, for ten years before selling the business last year, stresses that there is still a lot of work to be done before the project will be completed – but the 3D architectural images gives one the full picture.

Husband Burt, who is an offshore diver, has already constructed a wooden deck wrapped around a milkwood tree and Mariclaire has done a good job of establishing a garden.

The next steps will include building the upper storey walkway to connect the two wings, and a large upper deck with a floating swimming pool.

NEWS

MY Home

Creating homes from used shipping containers is a worldwide trend that is gathering momentum, due to its many practical and financial advantages. Not only is it more affordable than a brick-andmortar home and faster to complete; it’s also eco-friendly and leaves a much smaller footprint.

The containers come in two sizes of either 6 or 12 m long and can be converted to clients’ specifications by using them as modular blocks that are joined or stacked in a multitude of ways – the only limitation is your creative imagination.

So how did the Days go about it? Mariclaire says they first contracted an architectural firm to draw up the plans, which were then submitted to the Overstrand Municipality and the Heritage & Aesthetics Committee for approval.

Next they were referred to a company that specialises in container conversions, and their three containers were then modified to the architectural specs – windows and doors were added, the walls were insulated, floor coverings were laid down, and kitchen and bathrooms installed.

Various types of cladding can be added to the exterior walls to create the look you want.

All internal plumbing and electrical works are prepared in the container company’s factory for easy on-site con-

nection. There is also the possibility of installing alternative energy supplies including solar panels, solar geysers and/or rainwater harvesting systems for off-grid living – an option that the Days have fully embraced.

If a site is level and compacted, full concrete foundations are not necessary and the containers can be installed on concrete footings alone, which means that there is a substantial saving on labour costs and water usage during construction.

There is no long waiting period for materials as there are hundreds of containers just waiting to be upcycled and repurposed; in addition they are portable and can be delivered to nearly any location. They are a good investment too as they require minimum maintenance – container homes are strong and durable and can withstand even the most severe weather conditions. And at the end of the day, if you have to move, you can up and take your home with you to your new location!

With the growing market for container homes, the Days have started a new business, aptly named Day Dreamers, to manage container home projects for clients who are inspired to live “greener”.

For more information, contact Day Dreamers on 028 312 4965, send an email to daydreamers@whalemail.co.za or call Mariclaire on 083 208 9522 or Burt on 084 813 6366.

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27 March - 2 April 2018

Walkerbay Xtreme promises some serious off-road fun

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he HI-TEC Walkerbay Xtreme (WBX), a four-day adventure sports festival in Hermanus, has added even more variety and off-road fun to its events line-up for 2018.

The event, which returns to the Whale Capital for a third time between 27 and 30 April 2018, now includes a mountain bike challenge with three exciting routes to choose from. Some of the trails will take you where riders in the Absa Cape Epic have gone before.

“Hermanus has some of the most beautiful MTB trails in the Western Cape and we believe the Valley Xtreme MTB Challenge will add great value to an event like the HI-TEC Walkerbay Xtreme,” says Paul du Toit, manager of the MTB challenge.

“We were honoured to present the 2017 Absa Cape Epic over 200km of our trails. The riders enjoyed some pristine jeep tracks, taxing single trails and awesome views of the magnificent Walker Bay and Hemel-enAarde Valley, and now we can offer participants in the WBX the same.”

The Valley Xtreme MTB Challenge caters for serious as well as casual riders and families, with a 15km urban assault trail suitable for young riders and newcomers. The 27km is taxing but not too technical, while the 55km route is well-balanced with moderate difficulty. The two longer routes will take riders through vineyards and on beautiful river single tracks,

mountain trails and farm roads.

“If you love mountain biking, this is your chance to explore one of the hidden gems of Hermanus,” adds Paul.

“The Walkerbay Xtreme is an awesome sports event with great sponsors and the place to enjoy some exciting outdoor activities as a family or watch some of our best athletes competing in a variety of events.”

There will be spectator points on well-known wine estates Sumaridge and Newton Johnson.

Rick Oosthuyzen, one of the organisers of the WBX, is very excited about this new addition to the events line-up.

“The WBX wants to offer something for everyone – runners, cyclists, multisport athletes, adventure seekers, fitness enthusiasts and families – and the Valley Xtreme MTB Challenge not only adds to the scope of the event but also gives riders the exceptional privilege of covering some of the same trails as participants in the Cape Epic.”

There is also the added bonus of a R20 000 prize purse for riders competing in both the Valley Xtreme MTB Challenge on 28 April and the Urban Xtreme MTB Criterium Race on 29 April. The criterium circuit race combines a short track race with technical obstacles and urban flavour.

The event features a number of elimination rounds, cul-

ENTRIES ARE OPEN: Visit www.walkerbayxtreme.com or email entries@walkerbayxtreme.com minating in an exciting finale.

More off-road fun Other off-road events include an off-road triathlon and the Blue Mountain trail runs (17km and 10km) on expanded trail routes along the Kleinrivier Mountains. While it’s not the most technically challenging route, you need to be fit to run the 17km route. The 10km route is a new addition in 2018, aiming to encourage beginner trail runners to experience the scenic routes around Hermanus.

#FindYourXtreme as a family at the 2018 WBX The HI-TEC Walkerbay Xtreme (WBX) has expanded its extensive offering of sporting events to ensure that there is an event for every member of the family, including a junior triathlon and special treasure hunt for the young ones.

The HI-TEC Walk-a-Bay Treasure Hunt is aimed at children younger than 10. Participants will receive a treasure map with clues following a route of approximately 1.5km and focusing on the importance of nature and conservation. Each family will receive a HI-TEC goody bag.

The junior triathlon will consist of a 150m swim, 5km cycle and 2km run and is for

youths aged 8 -13 years.

“Triathlon is one of the fastestgrowing sports in the world and junior triathlons are a vital part of this trend. We want to encourage participants to enter as families and enjoy some quality family time in our beautiful region while participating in an iconic, one-of-akind, world-class adventure festival,” says Rick Oosthuyzen, one of the organisers of the HI-TEC Walkerbay Xtreme.

Besides the Walk-a-Bay Treasure Hunt and junior triathlon, the WBX also includes shorter distances in the mountain bike challenge, cliff path run and open water

swimming event, as well as a Marine Mile dash. These options are ideal for younger or recreational athletes who want to find their own extreme at the WBX.

Old favourites and new challenges With 12 disciplines to choose from, the Walkerbay Xtreme offers something for everyone – from adventure seekers, professional athletes and fitness fanatics to the recreational outdoor enthusiast and active family looking for a new challenge and a fun-filled sporting holiday in one of SA’s favourite adventure sport hotspots.

27-30 April: Big 6 Xtreme (street mile, 27km MTB Challenge, Swim-Run-Jump Challenge, sprint triathlon, open water swim and 17km trail run); Entry fee: R1200

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Challenge – 13:00; Entry fee: R250 Blue Water Xtreme SUP Challenge – 15:00; Entry fees: R100 – R150 Urban Xtreme MTB Criterium – 16:00; Entry fee: R250

29 April: • Walkerbay Xtreme Sprint Triathlon – 08:00; Entry fee: R400 • Open Water Xtreme Swim Challenge – 13:00; Entry fees: R200 – R300 • Walkerbay Xtreme Off-road Triathlon – 16:00; Entry fee: R500

27 April: Marine Mile – 18:00; Entry fee: R100 28 April: • Valley Xtreme MTB Challenge – 07:00; Entry fees: R200 – R350 • Cliffpath Xtreme Run – 08:30; Entry fees: R75 – R200 • Tough Mother Xtreme X-Fitness Challenge – 10:00; Entry fee: R200 per team • Sea & Sand Xtreme Swim-Run-Jump

The MTB challenge offers three distances: 55km, 27km and 15km, with the shorter route suitable for younger riders and newcomers.

Runners can choose between 5.7km, 12.6km or 18.1km in the cliff path run and besides the 2.5km open water swim, a shorter distance of 600m has also been added to the event mix. The Marine Mile offers special category prizes for runners younger than 13 as well as runners aged 14 to 18.

ADVENTURE | RUNNING | MTB | 3 TRIATHLONS | SUP | SURFSKI TRIAL RUN | X-FIT CHALLENGE | STREET MILE | THE BIG 6 SPORT SWIMMING CHALLENGE #FindYourExtreme

SPEED STRENGTH STAMINA SKILL

27 - 30 April 2018

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30 April: • Blue Mountain Xtreme Trail Runs – 08:00; Entry fees: R200 – R250 • Walkerbay Xtreme Junior Triathlon – 08:00; Entry fee: R300 • HI-TEC Walk-A-Bay Treasure Hunt – 08:30; Entry fee: R50 per child under 10 • Old Harbour Xtreme Surfski Challenge – 10:00; Entry fees: R150 – R350

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27 March - 2 April 2018

Overberg rugby stars on the move

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io Aplon, Petrus du Plessis and Leolin Zas, all schooled in the Overberg region, are now plying their trade with new clubs or franchises.

Offside Tony O’Hagan

The 35-year-old ex-Stormers star Gio Aplon, who played 17 tests for the Springboks, has been contracted to French club, Grenoble, since 2014.

prop forward played for leading English club Saracens for 7 years before moving to another English club, London Irish, last year.

He is now reported to be joining Japanese club, Toyota Verblitz, soon to be coached by Jake White, the Springbok World Cup winning coach.

Du Plessis is a qualified physiotherapist, having graduated from Salford University.

This multi-talented sportsman is also an actor and made his acting debut in London Fields as Marmaduke's carer, alongside Billy Bob Thornton and Theo James. He also joined the cast of Gatwick Gangsters in 2014. A prop forward with an acting career – quite unique!

Aplon, nicknamed "Appels", was born in Hawston and attended Hawston Secondary. This "pocket dynamo", known for his blistering speed, is still making waves in the rugby world.

Petrus du Plessis (36) was born in Hermanus and matriculated at Hermanus High School. This

Leolin Zas, just 22 years old, has left the Stormers to join

the Sharks for the 2018 Super Rugby season. This speedster is capable of playing wing, centre or fullback.

A former pupil of Hermanus High School, Zas had a frustrating year with the Stormers last year, breaking his leg at the start of the season.

This injury kept him out of rugby until recently so he will be keen to get some game time and his career back on track.

HERMANUS BOWLERS EXCEL AT CHAMPIONSHIP The Bowls SA Inter District championship was played from 12 – 16 March 2018. Five of our Hermanus Bowling Club members were in the Senior Men’s Boland team that played in Durban and won a bronze medal – Peter Quinn, Keith Kruth, Paul Naylor, Tommie van Niekerk and Riaan Pienaar (as manager). The Ladies Open Inter District competition was played in Oudtshoorn and won by the Boland A team – front row: Gail Lotz, Gladys Bradley (manager), Anneke Thorpe (Hermanus) and Lesley Beviss-Challinor; back row: Ezile Fourie, Dale Gentle, Anneke Snyman, Engela Lambrechts and Louise Roediger (Hermanus). Congratulations to all the Hermanus bowlers!

SPORT NEWS? Share your sport news, results or photos with us! It has never been easier. Just send the information or image to admin@thevillagenews.co.za and we will gladly consider it. Competition results, a friendly rivalry, a funny anecdote, a onceoff feat or a major improvement – all news is welcome. We would like to feature our community’s major sport stars as well as its unsung sport heroes – just let us know. We look forward to hearing from you.

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27 March - 2 April 2018

Our seniors are winners of Benevolent Golf Day

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reetings to all once more.

Last week the weather gave us some super golfing days, one of which was our annual Benevolent Golf Day. This is the one day in the year that the Hermanus Golf Club donates every cent charged to play golf to these charities. The four charities that benefit are SOFCA, Huis Lettie Theron, Hermanus Hospital and Hermanus Senior Centre.

This year’s organiser, Ilze PetersCloete was extremely happy with the turnout and reported that we managed to raise close on R160 000. This is a tremendous amount of money and will go a long way to improving the lives of some of our most vulnerable citizens.

Congratulations to our winners of the day, Emile Calitz, Gerrie du Plooy, Audie van Noordwyk and Marius Kleynhans, who managed a whopping 89 points. And, as I say so often… but wait there’s more! Audie van Noordwyk managed a lone effort on the 4th hole and popped in a hole in one! Well done Audie, this was his second ace and, as it always is, ever so sweet!

The Putting Pirate

LADIES TUESDAYS 13 MARCH Fourball Alliance - 71 players - Winners East Course: Carol Rotherham, Isolde Streine, Rowena Austin, Pepe Lesley - 81 points.

Julian Shaw

Ilze sent the following message: It was a festival of a day! A big thank you to the Hermanus Golf Club for donating the course to us, it is in such a beautiful condition, we thank the green-keepers and staff. This day would not have been possible if we didn’t have the wonderful sponsors of prizes, the friends giving donations, the businesses being so kind to sponsor many of the holes, the friendly Golf Club staff, The Hospitality Group making all the food, and then a big “shout out” to all the players – THANK YOU! Caddy Championships Last weekend saw our caddies taking to the fairways for their annual 36 hole Championships, a great tournament again run

by Edelweiss du Plessis. This year there were 12 players and our champion was none other than James Mehlweni. James has recently taken up a post in the pro shop and is excited to

Scores at a glance

be applying for his apprenticeship for the Professional Golfers Association. Well done to all.

Well done, Tyron Davidowitz Tyron Davidowitz has been a keen golfer for many years and has become a well-known name at Hermanus Golf Club.

He is our current Club Champion for the 3rd year in a row.

Tyron has aspirations of playing the world’s golf tours and probably dreams of donning the green jacket and raising the old claret jug! I have been a PGA Professional for over 25 years, have played the tour myself in the 90s and know what it’s like inside the ropes – yet, this week, in my view, Tyron took a couple of steps closer to that goal. He managed to shoot a 64 and a 63 gross around our course, which in itself doesn’t sound significant but anyone

MEN’S WEDNESDAYS 14 MARCH 139 players in an Alliance Bogey Plus - Winners East Course: Chris Conroy, Jan Swanepoel, Lucien Le Roux, Kobie Ganz +20. Winners South Course: Albert Streicher, Paul Vorster, Shaun Smith, Jake White +25. Winners North Course: John Stergianos, Werner Otto, Willem Joubert, Danie Calitz +18. Ball pool paid to +17. Best gross was Tyron Davidowitz - 70 SATURDAY ALTOGETHER 17 MARCH 123 players - Individual Stableford - Winner East Course: John Taylor - 36; Winner South Course: Lance Nel - 44; Winner North Course: Jan Swanepoel - 38; Ball pool paid to 35 and there were 3 two clubs.

who can shoot these numbers is knocking at the door. Keep going Tyron – and keep being the lovely youngster that you are!

Last giggle This week it’s back to the church notices we go, seen on church notice boards. “At the evening service tonight the sermon topic will be ‘What is hell?’ – come early and listen to our choir.” Another reads: “Low self-esteem support group will meet Thursday 7pm – please use the back door.”

Until next week have fun, and go golfing!

Audie van Noordwyk celebrating his ace.

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27 March - 2 April 2018

MY Sport

Three Whalers awarded SAMA national colours

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hree Whalers athletes – Monica Nel, Zelda Erasmus and Norman Hough – have been awarded their national colours by South African Masters Athletics (SAMA) thanks to excellent performances throughout 2017. This is the first time that three Whalers have been awarded national colours in one season. The awards ceremony will take place during the SAMA Championships in Bloemfontein from 26 to 28 April.

Athletes must participate regularly for two subsequent years and achieve the required standard twice in one event or once in two different events.

These colours are awarded in 5-year age groups. If an athlete happens to qualify in subsequent years it is called a re-award but it must be in an older age group, explains masters athlete Leo Benning.

1.26m represents a percentage of 84.14%. Zelda Erasmus (W65) threw the heavy weight 12.51m for a percentage of 75.84%. Norman Hough (M70) also excelled in the heavy weight where he threw the weight 15.96m for a percentage of 79.88%. As Norman was awarded national colours a number of years ago, this is a re-award.

Monica Nel (W59) achieved her best performance in the high jump where her height of

The next WMA (World Masters Athletics) Championships are scheduled for Malaga, Spain,

from 4 - 16 September 2018.

Any member of the Whalers Club and any member of any club in South Africa may participate and there is no entrance qualification. However, athletes have to pay all the expenses themselves. All persons 35 and older may participate.

More details about masters athletics is available from Leo Benning at: leobenning@lantic.net or 028 316 4960 or 071 014 2723.

Zelda Erasmus, Norman Hough and Monica Nel have been awarded their national colours by South African Masters Athletics.

DRIVING FORCE Hermanus High School Rugby 1st Team met with Wikus Niemand and his wife Adré from Ford Hermanus on Thursday 22 March to receive their new kit for the season. Ford graciously sponsored each player a tog bag, a hoodie, a warm-up shirt, a golf shirt, a pair of shorts and a match top. This handover of the kit came just in time for one of their first home games of the season against Huguenot College on Saturday 24 March. Back from left: Keanu Esau, Ruben Jordaan, Earl Bruintjies, Tiaan Hechter, Tascoe Porter, JW Human, Tanner van Tonder, Donovan Brits, Lythan Rudolph, William Thorpe, Aiden Wildschut. Middle: Lionel April, Ethan Muller, Tiaan van der Westhuizen, Jamal Lehman, Matthew Smith, Marco Muller, Dillon Maree, SJ Heroldt, Aiden May, Enrico Luiz.

Front: Milton Prodehl (coach), Wikus Niemand (Ford Hermanus), Rigardt Schulenburg (vice-captain), Greg Hassenkamp (principal), Aphelele Madaka (captain), Adré Niemand (Ford Hermanus) and Graham Bellingan (coach).

PHOTO: Taylum Meyer, Titanium Photography