R20
NOVEMBER 2018 VOLUME 158
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ON THE COVER CHANCEY FAMILY Turn to page 10 for the full story.
Email: ed@stanfordrivertalk.co.za or lorraine@stanfordrivertalk.co.za Phone: 082 886 2424
Please send your letters to ed@stanfordrivertalk.co.za Try to keep letters as short as possible (100 words or less) and supply your name and address. Anonymous letters will not be published. The editor reserves the right to edit, amend, abridge or reject any letter. THANK YOU TO OUR TEAM OF CONTRIBUTORS! ART DIRECTOR - LAUREN DE SOUSA
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EDITORS NOTE
READERS LETTER
By Lorraine Lines
"A day above grass is a good day A day with grass is a good day too” DM
Dear Dante and Cliff (Ruben's Art Gallery),
Recently the Western Cape High Court declared legislation criminalising the use, possession and cultivation of dagga unconstitutional. The Constitutional Court ruled that the use & cultivation of dagga for personal use is now legal.
Very many thanks for thinking of the SCORE Swop Shop when distributing items for local charities. Our team of sorters will be delighted to open the mystery bags and be able to make the contents available to the customers at the next session of the Swop Shop, which will take place at the Store Yard at the Community Hall in Bezuidenhout Street Extension.
Even though it’s now legal many may still need to expand their mind and go beyond indoctrination of big pharma – these companies have considerable influence over governments and indeed the medical field. All this time they’ve been capitalising on the criminalisation of a natural medicine, one they could not patent, one that turns out to be direct competition…… an effective cheaper alternative now possible in every home….
Our motto of ‘nothing for nothing’ means that people attending the Swop Shop will have put in their effort to collect recyclables to exchange for the tickets. Children are learning the value of their effort and also enjoying being able to choose toys, stationery, books, clothing etc. for themselves – a novel experience for most of them. Mostly mothers shop at the Swop Shop and they too are well pleased with household goods and toiletry items. Yours sincerely, Elma Hunter ELMA HUNTER (MRS) Co-ordinator
The Cannabis Can
Fights certain types of cancer Helps regulate seizures – find Charlotte’s Web online for a truly heartwarming story of a beautiful little girl plagued by seizures Helps ease pain Is effective in treating nausea Helps to treat depression – no less than 10 neurological drugs currently contain synthetic cannabis Is showing promise in treating autism and controlling of mood swings Studies show that it can assist in halting progression of Alzheimers & Parkinsons Please do some research – you may be amazed at what you will find…….
Lorraine x
Remembrance Day Lest We Forget Theres a place in my heart where all my memories stay, far from all the worries and cares of day to day... and if my life was ended my last wish would be that in your heart there is a place for my memories...
DM
Let’s build together WHERE TO FIND US GATEWAY CENTRE • HERMANUS • TEL +27 28 312 1131 • FAX +27 28 312 1980 www.buco.co.za Editorial Contributions & Disclaimer Editorial contributions are welcome and should include top quality photos where relevant. Articles will be printed under the contributor‘s name or an accepted nom-de-plume if the full name and address is provided. All contributions are voluntary and not paid for. The editor reserves the right to edit, amend, abridge or reject any article. Opinions of contributors do not necessarily reflect those of the editor. Copyright All material in this issue is copyrighted, and belongs to The Really Famous Publishing CC unless otherwise indicated. No part of the material may be reproduced without prior permission. Published and printed by The Really Famous Publishing CC. The Really Famous Publishing Company T/A Stanford River Talk has made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information within this publication was correct at time of print. The Really Famous Publishing Company T/A Stanford River Talk does not assume and hereby disclaims any liability to any party for any loss, damage, or disruption caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from accident, negligence, or any other cause.
STANFORD RIVER TALK 3
NEWS AND UPDATES
cpf NEWS NOTICE OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE STANFORD COMMUNITY POLICE FORUM All CPF Affiliated organisations are invited to attend the AGM on Thursday, 22 November, 2018 at 6 p.m. in the Municipality Board Room AGENDA
. Station Commander's Report . Chairperson's Report . . Financial Report . Election of additional rnembers (Affiliated organisations only are permitted to vote)
WE SALUTE YOU, STANFORD SAPS In a recent Western Cape policing assessment, SAPS Stanford was rated 7th out of all 159 police stations in the province on performance. Its Detective Branch was rated 3rd. The police: population ratio in the SAPS Stanford precinct is 1: 206, according figures released by the Department of Community Safety. However, this ratio will worsen in the near future as provision has been made for a housing scheme to accommodate more that 700 people in Stanford South. This will place an even bigger burden on SAPS Stanford. Station Commander Captain Winston Coetzee and police members reporting to him deserve acknowledgement and will need all possible cooperation from Stanfordians in future.
Vintage Crafts Est 1957
A collection of beautiful hand-crafted pieces Available in Stanford 082 886 2424
IN THE LINE OF DUTY Constable Fernando Damon of SAPS Stanford was on foot and on his way to report for duty on 7 October when he apprehended a suspect breaking into a vehicle parked on premises situated in De Bruyn Street. Damon found stolen property in the possession of the suspect and arrested him on the spot. The suspect is a notorious repeat offender. The investigating officer will oppose bail on the suspect’s first court appearance in court. The station management is proud of the member’s swift action.
JOKE OF THE MONTH! A boy asks his father, "Dad, are bugs good to eat?" "That's disgusting. Don't talk about things like that over dinner," the dad replies. After dinner the father asks, "Now, son, what did you want to ask me?" "Oh, nothing," the boy says. "There was a bug in your soup, but now it’s gone."
RECIPE OF THE MONTH MADE WITH OVERBERG
A beautiful Shakshuka breakfast with Klein River Overberg. This creamy, mature cheese adds rich, robust flavours to the dish. To view this recipe and more, visit our website on www.kleinrivercheese.co.za
028 341 0693 Klein River Cheese Farmstead, R326, 7km outside Stanford
STANFORD RIVER TALK 4
NEWS AND UPDATES by Nelly Roodt
FIRST AID-COURSE FOR DOGS: Enriching Learning Curve "After working with Malcom for 19 years, I do know quite a bit about caring for dogs. However, attending a first-aid course for dogs has been a delightful learning curve for me," says Neil Plaatjies. Neil, an assistant at Syringa Kennels, attended a first-aid course for dogs at Es La Vida – a privately-owned animal rescue haven between Stanford and Gansbaai – on Saturday 13 October. The course was presented by Susan Holdsworth, a former paramedic and author, who compiled her first training manual on first-aid for dogs in 2010. It was approved by Onderstepoort. She then set to work on a more comprehensive one and is now busy with a colouring book on the topic for children. She presents courses throughout the Western Cape and was approached by Es la Vida to present a course there. Neil was astounded by the comprehensiveness of the course. "I believe I will now be able to contribute more at Syringa." Es la Vida was established a year ago. It offers dog-friendly facilities... including a dog-park for safe off-leash running; a dog training facility, and a friendly and relaxed dog agility course. The dog-specific facilities have been established with the aim of helping
dogs and humans learn to understand each other better, where both can learn to ‘unlearn’ previous bad habits and replace with better habits, and where both can come together in a safe environment, to have fun, strengthen bonds of love, and learn tools and techniques that help both human and dog become better versions of themselves. The sanctuary also offers a safe haven for horses and donkeys in distress; with committed and dedicated volunteers and veterinary assistance through whose aid, the equines will be rehabilitated and rehomed.
LEGAL TALK by Stewart Alcock
DRINKING ON THE JOB
But as a responsible employer what do you do about an employee who turns up for work drunk (or on drugs)? Apart from safety concerns (important in all businesses, absolutely critical in some), the mix of alcohol and employees is a toxic recipe for reduced productivity, poor work performance, absenteeism, loss of earnings, low staff morale, poor employee health, and bad public relations.
• The employee pleaded guilty at the enquiry but claimed to have an alcohol dependency problem. He was dismissed for failing to adhere to company policies and procedures, the employer’s disciplinary code providing for summary dismissal for even a first offence of this nature. Critical factors were the employee’s failure to produce any medical evidence in support of his claim to have a dependency problem, and the fact that he had not, as required by company policy, raised the alleged problem with his employer before being caught. • The employee took the matter to the CCMA, which found that the dismissal was unfair on the basis that the disciplinary hearing should have been adjourned for investigation into the possibility of rehabilitation. • On review, however, the Labour Court found the dismissal to have been fair in all the circumstances. The Court stressed the employee’s knowledge of the zero tolerance policy, the importance of safety in the workplace, the fact that incapacity was not an issue at the hearing (not having been raised by the employee), and the lack in any event of any proof of alcohol-related incapacity.
A CASE IN POINT
Employers: Incapacity or Misconduct?
A recent Labour Court decision illustrates the legal position (what follows is of necessity a summary of the applicable principles only – take specific advice on your particular circumstances). • An employer had in place an Alcohol and Drug Dependence Code requiring employees with a dependency problem to seek assistance from the employer, and a zero tolerance policy towards alcohol-related misconduct. The Code stressed the necessity of safety in the workplace (in this case a diamond processing business). • A senior employee with full knowledge of the zero tolerance policy reported for work whilst intoxicated and a disciplinary enquiry was duly convened.
• Alcoholism and drug abuse are regarded as being forms of “incapacity” in our law, requiring that counselling and rehabilitation be considered before dismissal or disciplinary action. It is therefore essential always to distinguish between cases of “misconduct” and cases of “incapacity”. Have in place an alcohol and drug dependency code with clear procedures for reporting of problems and provision of assistance, together with disciplinary policies appropriate to your business. • Make sure that all your employees are aware of, and confirm knowledge of, these policies and codes. • If an employee is found to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs at work, proceed by way of either disability procedures or a disciplinary enquiry for misconduct as appropriate. Take advice in doubt!
The “Silly Season” is upon us, and as always alcohol will play a big part in many of the festivities.
BOOK TALK
ALL THINGS BRIGHT AND BROKEN AN AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL NOVEL BY CAROL GIBBS
F
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Carol Gibbs lives in a nineteenth-century barn in the village of Greyton in the Western Cape. Her passions include travel, storytelling, history, art and all things old. She has been involved in the world of art and antiques for more than forty years. Her paintings and three dimensional art are inspired by childhood memories, social concerns and historical events. She has two children and four grandchildren.
rank McCourt’s Angela’s Ashes meets Chris van Wyk’s Shirley, Goodness & Mercy in this debut autobiographical novel. Meet Colleen, the third-born child of parents who share a chaotic relationship. Set against the backdrop of Cape Town in the 1940s – a time of innocence, social graces, the Queen’s visit and sports heroes – this is Colleen’s journey, seen through her eyes and told in her voice. It is a time of religious fervour, baptisms, conversions and Sunday school picnics. Apartheid can’t be escaped and is experienced by the children, who are bemused and confused by the awed and unjust system. The pages are crowded by a host of odd characters, at once lovable, eccentric and troubled. There’s Aunty Bubbles who teaches the children to jitterbug and Uncle Nicholas who speaks the Queen’s English and plays a trumpet in the Royal Navy Band. There’s Aunty Beryl, who carries a Chihuahua around in her handbag, and a midwife and homeundertaker named Two-Coffee-One-Milk. But not all is rosy in this richly peopled world, and our hearts tear a little as we see the abuse unfold and in inflict its damage on this little girl. There is a human thread recognisable to anyone who has ever been in a co-dependent relationship, been abused, grown up poor or had an alcoholic father, which gives this book universal appeal. The text is rich in imagery and vivid detail. Sharp, insightful, and abundant in measured humour, it will resonate with many.
Easy
SUDOKU The puzzle consists of a 9 x 9 grid containing given clues in various places. The object is to fill all empty squares so that the numbers 1 – 9 appear exactly once in each row, column and irregular shaped box. SOLUTIONS ON PAGE 11 By www.1sudoku.com
STANFORD RIVER TALK 6
PRAISE FOR THE BOOK “Like a rediscovered box of haberdashery remnants – ribbon shreds and lace. Frayed cotton, stretched elastic – the nostalgia here evokes a conflicting assortment of emotions. Tender, touching and troubling all at the same time. A poignant reminder of the impact of parenting on a person’s psyche – for better and for worse.”– Nancy Richards “This story of a dysfunctional family, a debut novel told in the first person by a deeply perceptive and compassionate writer new to the South African market, is raw, unintentionally funny and extremely moving. It is a totally satisfying read and a fine achievement.”– Pamela Jooste, author of Dance with a Poor Man’s Daughter “Lionel Trilling said: ‘Of this time, of that place, of some parentage, what does it matter?’ It matters. This book could only have come from a specific time, place and parentage and it is one not much written of. Carol brings everything in her phenomenal memory back with crystal clarity.”– Lesley Beake, author of Song of Be
Medium
swop shop The SCORE Swop Shop has had a busy year in that two containers were donated, positioned, fitted out and the exteriors decorated, resulting in a totally new look Swop Shop set in a walled yard at Die Stoor, with access to the Ou Krale park which has a childrens’ play park as well as toilets, trees and grass for Swop Shop customers to enjoy. We thank all those involved in setting up the new Swop Shop – many hours put in by Tony, Francois, Charl and local painters. The Team are very proud of the facility and customers are enjoying the situation too. The first session in new premises was on Monday 11th May 2018. Thank you too to the Overstrand Municipality for enabling and consenting to the Swop Shop having access to the present site. A document of consent is being agreed upon. A special thanks to the Visual Arts Group led by Regina Broenner for their efforts over 3 days for Stanford’s Mandela Day celebrations from 16th to 18th July. These days saw children and adults painting, dancing, listening to music and assisting Sheraine van Wyk of Whale Coast Conservation clean up the waterway of the Willem Appel dam near the Swop Shop. Local Stanfordians have also been very generous in their donations of goods to the SCORE Swop Shop. Success at the Junktique Market has brought in a small steady amount of petty cash which is much appreciated.
GANSBAAI ADDRESS 29 Main road, Gansbaai
Popular items on sale at the Swop Shop are soap, deodorant, sanitary pads and toothpaste as well as all the exciting things for children – a unique experience for most of the children to be able to choose and pay for goods including toys and games, which they would like to have. Children’s funky clothes and shoes are also available, depending on donations, but are snapped up by eager youngsters. Mothers and grandmothers are well pleased by the clothes and household goods on offer. An arrangement with Sr Benita at the Stanford Clinic is working well, with sanitary pads, disposable or re-usable washable, being available for 10 girls who are on regular medications, in exchange for Swop Shop tickets. Valuable feedback from Sr Benita is also used to assist special needs and carefully monitored on our behalf. Reading books have been donated by Enlighten Trust and Brian of READ and our Stationery Team keep the school supplies well stocked thanks to generous donors. The Volunteer Team have put in many hours of sorting and pricing, packing out marked goods, selling at the Junktique and at Swop Shop sessions. For this they are to be thanked, for without their energy, dedication and enthusiasm the Swop Shop would not be the success it is. We have learnt to be very flexible, laugh a lot and flow around difficulties and generally the team seem to enjoy the sessions by welcoming the unexpected. The fact that the Swop Shop is under the auspices of Stanford Conservation Trust is also an important factor. Thank you too for all the help given by members of SCT.
SCORE SWOP SHOP WISH LIST
IDENTIFIED NEEDS Apart from school supplies, requests have been made for the following items to be available from the Swop Shop:
Soap Deodorant, Panties Toothpaste, Wash Cloths, Sanitary Towels Girls Underwear School Socks
CONTACT (T) 028 384 0637 (F) 028 384 0455 (E) gansbaai@arrienel.co.za HOURS Monday – Friday 08:00 - 17:30 Sunday 10:00 - 12:00 Public holidays 09:00 - 13:00
You are more than welcome to contact me: Mobile: 082 892 9507 Landline: 028 341-0372 Yours faithfully
Elma Hunter
SCORE co-ordinator
EMERGENCY CONTACT 082 496 4577 CALL OUT FEES APPLY FOR AFTER HOURS
FREE DELIVERY TO STANFORD MONDAY TO SATURDAY
Call Anni in Stanford 071 534 0468
ALL DELIVERIES AFTER 15:00 DURING THE WEEK PLEASE NOTE: CUT OFF FOR SAME DAY DELIVERY IS 14H30
STANFORD RIVER TALK 7
SCHOOL TALK By Janine Pedro DIE BRON PRIMARY
All local schools are invited to send news and photographs each month.
The Frog Prince On Thursday 13th September Grades 1 – 3 delighted all of us with their production of the Frog Prince with lively music and fantastic acting. The performance was bright and colourful and represented all the hard work of the pupils, staff and volunteers to create a memorable occasion. It was lovely to share it with the parents and families who came to support the children. Grade 1 and 2 performed some wonderful dances to the music of Whitney Houston and Callum Scott and the Grade 3 acted and danced beautifully. A special thanks to Ms. Gibson and her team of teachers for preparing the children, costumes and props for the performance. Thanks to all the staff of Die Bron for the support on the night, it was very successful. Well done children you were excellent.
Let's Draw the line Kick TB and HIV Western Cape Government Health Department Thank you to the team who came out and encouraged the learners to be safe and know the symptoms of TB and HIV. The learners joined in on the stage acting and dancing. The teachers even joined in too. What a high energy way to start the morning.
STANFORD RIVER TALK 8
Holiday Program #DieBronPrimary On behalf of our school and parents Thank You Regina and Rachel for sharing your energy, talents and time.
SCHOOL TALK DIE BRON PRIMARY
OKKIE SMUTS
Mini Cricket Match
Our U/8 and U/9 teams played against Hawston Primary on the market square. Both teams played well and it is so refreshing to see how the children from both schools enjoyed the match today.
Provincial Visual Art Opening Gala Celebration: Grade R- 9 On Saturday 15th September, Delvino Kapot was invited to Art is my First Language Gala in Stellenbosch, having won the regional competition. The event was full of learners showing off their exceptional work. Our Provincial Minster of Education, Ms. Debbie Schäfer, addressed the audience offering words of praise and encouragement to all the children who had taken part. Awards were presented by Dr Peter Beets and Mr Haroon Mahomed to all the learners and teachers and very excitingly Hemel Besem was also there to celebrate their success. We are incredibly proud as a school to have had a piece of work that represents the exceptional work that our children have produced with the help and support of Regina, Nicole and the Grootbos Foundation Artists as part of the arts programme at the school. We are also pleased that as a school Regina is continuing to organise artists to come in and work with our children to give them the best opportunities in art. It was especially lovely to have Mr Pedro in attendance to support Delvino and to see the results of a project that he and Mrs. Maree agreed to be run in our school.
Pictured: Delvino Kapot accepting his award at the Art is my First Language Gala in Stellenbosch
Poetry under the milkwoods
The little African village.
Little River Xhosa Festival At the conclusion of each term, Little River holds a festival at which the children showcase some of their term’s work to the parents. The festival took place on the last day of the third term, in Stanford's beautiful Milkwood Grove. Yummy In their study this term, of house building around Honey the world, the children made miniature African huts from clay and for the festival they created a miniature African village amongst the trees. They presented poems about house building and songs they had learnt in English and Afrikaans. The highlight was the performance of a specially written play based on an African legend which included the singing of a Xhosa song which was written just for the play. In keeping with the theme everyone shared a Xhosa meal of Umngqusho (samp and beans) and Amasi (sour milk) with fresh honeycomb for dessert. A truly wonderful African experience in a magical setting!
STANFORD RIVER TALK 9
It Really Does Take a Village BY MATT AND JENNIE CHANCEY
‘HOW DID YOU END UP CHOOSING TO LIVE IN STANFORD?’ In the nearly five years we were resident in the village, this was the question we were most often asked, closely followed by the usual ‘are those all your kids?’, ‘You know how that happens, right?’, and, finally, ‘Are you going to have any more???’* Although there is the long version of the story of our arrival into the village, we settled on the shorter: “We didn’t choose Stanford; Stanford chose us.” But after a while, we began wondering why people kept asking the question in the first place. Our thought was “Why would any rational human being not want to live in Stanford?” We would ask ourselves that question when our dirt-covered, barefooted, free-range kids would arrive home for supper, after a day climbing trees, jumping on a neighbor’s trampoline, playing with friends, and just being free. We would ask ourselves that question after eating a Zodwa’s Special at Graze on Saturday morning, or a steak at Stanford Hotel on Saturday evening, or taking the kids for ice cream at Don Gelato’s, or cheesecake at Coffee Corner, or enjoying a long, boozy lunch at Havercroft’s on a Sunday afternoon in the spring. We would ask ourselves that question after another child’s birthday party, where the adults had just as much fun as the kids, or whilst sipping wine at the Friday Night Market on the green, or when we sang carols with neighbors at church during Christmas, or listened to our 14-yearold daughter sing (barefooted, of course) with the Strummers at Stanford Republic. We could go on and on, but you already know this yourself, because you all have your own reasons for living in Stanford. In 1996, then First Lady Hillary Clinton published a book called It Takes a Village. The title was based on the African proverb ‘It takes a village to raise a child’. At the time, many Americans (including us) sneered at the notion that we, as very independent people, needed any help at anything— especially raising our own kids. Americans are very self- reliant people in general, and we take pride in our ability to stand alone, pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps and so on. Moreover, many of us didn’t like the insinuation politicians like Clinton made that somehow other people’s kids are our responsibility... not just personally, but corporately, through broad, sweeping social programs, funded by compulsory taxation. Having worked in the humanitarian field for a long time, we never liked the notion of being generous with other people’s money. We prefer love to be very personal, joyful and voluntary. STANFORD RIVER TALK 10
But in hindsight, we must admit our political prejudice blinded us to some of the real truths Clinton’s book conveyed—for instance, children need community. They need to experience the wonderful perspective other friends and families provide. One of the chapters in Clinton’s book was called ‘No family is an Island’. Looking back, we can see times where we thought of community as just that: an island archipelago where we could pick and choose which ones to visit—and which ones to ignore or bypass. But that is not community. The latin root of community is communis, which means ‘common, public, shared by all or many’. It is the opposite of picking and choosing. It means being inclusive. It means accepting others—not because we are all the same, but precisely because we’re not. We all know love is not always easy. In fact, often the way we know love is real is when it is not easy. When Jesus sat with His twelve disciples at the Last Supper before His crucifixion, He broke bread and gave it to all—including Judas, whom He knew would betray him, and Peter, who would deny Him only hours later. In other words, Jesus was not picky. This was His community. One of Jesus’ instructions to His disciples was to imitate Him. So if Jesus can sup with the very people who would betray Him, how much more should we break bread with our own friends and neighbors? It is not a coincidence that this last supper became a sacrament in the Christian religion—a sacrament often referred to as Communion. And this kind of communion is what has made Stanford so special for us. Stanford helped teach us the meaning of community. This is the ‘village’ which has helped raise our children (and been a tonic for parents as well). Stanford is not a place. Because of this communion, Stanford is more of a liturgy. It is the communion of friends and neighbors. This kind of community cannot be produced by a government program. It cannot be legislated. It cannot be a social obligation. It can only come from joyful, giving hearts. Your hearts... and ours. On behalf of all the Chanceys (including Mimi) thank you for giving your hearts to us. And thank you for receiving ours. Wherever you are, you will always have them.
*FYI, our standard response to the first was 'Nope, we left four others at home’, and the second ‘Yes, we know how this happens. Do you need some pointers?’ And the third: ‘Are you kidding? Thirteen would be socially irresponsible!’
SUDOKU
LIVING SOUNDTRACK by Andrew Herriot
YET ANOTHER BOOK ON JAZZ OR JUST AN ODE
H
aving convinced myself that I can construct more than two words in the form of a readable and meaningful sentence on jazz, I set about the mammoth task of simply writing a book about the stuff!! After all I have been collecting, pursuing, playing and listening to and indeed trying to understand the jazz genre for the best part of six decades (I don't suffer from 'nottage*'). Now that I have 'graduated' into my twilight years of my lifeaffirming 'incompleteness' what is there to lose, I mused. I had become fascinated with melodies and lyrics. As I was researching all previous 'stuff', written communications and notes to/from my associates in music and in particular my close musos the JazzFordians, I came across an 'Ode" which only I could have written because the poetry (lyrics??) is so juvenile and simplistic: Ode to a JazzFordian, His Own Oeuvre
My thoughts these days are all about jazz Energy style and all that pizzazz Harmonies, melodies and improvisation But what about syncopation I think keys, tempo and measures The keyboard, the timbre are all such treasures I can only hope that swing and blues Will win the day and never lose Now, it's up to me and my call To fast-track my jazz book and have a ball Right, crack open the wine That is a good sign But, no what about another book reference Stop. That could lead to unacceptable temperance If the rhythm is right Then fight the good fight I can't believe I've written these lines Please let me play like Earl Hines Chords, sevenths and scales Too many blue notes and what if it fails Do I need a four bar repeat Or should I accept defeat It's already a good bet
Don't give up the day job just yet I must have been in a comma when I wrote that because I honestly do not remember penning it but it surely was me because it talks about key clues "writing a book", "quaffing wine", "admiring Earl Hines" and a dead giveaway "keep practising and maybe do better". My plan was to write about musicians and their music over a period of time that made sense hence three centuries, an encyclopaedia! Makes sense, yes? I read, bought, listened, downloaded, embraced everything about the jazz genre that I could savour. I wanted interaction between book and reader hence an e-Guide using platforms such as YouTube. With the right formula, it is quite astounding how a structure can evolve. My book started to take shape - I had already written 36 articles for Stanford River Talk and with my library of 40 jazz books and my very large collection of CDs, the ideas simply developed. After a year of intense writing I had an early hard edition consisting of 235 pages of carefully referenced texts plus a soft CD covering 365 artistes over a period from 1865-2015 all digitally linked (1800 sites) to the internet illustrating the journey of the genre from ragtime, to blues through the swing era encompassing bop and many other free styles. This undertaking was made digitally possible with the expert assistance of one of my JazzFordians - how apt, thanks to K. This treasure for the jazz aficionados is available. Christmas? And after Xmas my writing will morph towards a monthly treatise on Lyricists' own oeuvre.* - the collective noun for 'stuff' you throw away BUT later you realise you needed that stuff.
Were you able to complete the puzzle? See if you can complete next months 9x9 Sudoku puzzle. By www.1sudoku.com
EASY
Medium
SPOT THE DIFFERENCE Can you Spot the difference?
STANFORD RIVER TALK 11
SOAPBOX by Martin Ranger
A fraction of my age A
s I welcomed some guests into our cottage I asked their daughter her name. She replied that it was Emily. ‘And how old are you, Emily?’ ‘Seven and three-quarters’ she proudly responded - as if I’d asked the size of her hat. It was particularly important for Emily that I understood that she was nearly eight – an age that surely approaches the foothills of the mountains that are the double-digit years. I remember being eight – and anticipating the pleasures and privileges that were to come. Senior school and long trousers; being able to enter a pub – and the ultimate: a driver’s license! Certainly by twenty-one I was hoping, not so much for the key of the door, but for Kia the car. And so the years passed, the number of birthday cards reducing inversely to the accumulating years. Around my late twenties I was visited by an insurance salesman, his glowing halo of
success and prosperity reinforced by a sharp Man-About-Town suit and matching grey shoes. (Later I realised that the suit was probably polyester and the shoes shiny polyurethane.) He promised investment rewards of Fort Knoxian proportions in return for a humble R100 per month investment. ‘He promised investment rewards of Fort Knoxian proportions…’ The years drifted by – and whilst they were marked by family dramas and achievements - birthdays seemed to have little individual significance. That is until the words ‘retirement planning’ cropped up in the lexicon. Suddenly old Grey Shoes’ forecast, when related to current rand values, seemed more Fort Bragg than Knox. Sixty approached at an everincreasing pace; will my pension be enough – and will it last? By now the insurance salesman had been replaced by a ‘financial planner’, someone who produced thirty-page booklets
and talked of the pitfalls/advantages (?) of quantitive easing. She showed me columns of my growing age versus eroding investments, both in a race to extinction at the bottom of the page. Miss Moneypenny – who I swear was not a day over nineteen – thought she was reassuring me when she pointed out that the cross-over point of those two columns will not occur until I’m eighty-three – why, that’s eons away, she implied. And then it arrived – my Sixtieth. Decisions need to be made, strategies implemented. Where to live - Darling or Stanford? What about my wheels – sensible Honda or rebellious Harley? And how shall I spend those leisure years? Will I be active, enjoying golf, gym and gardening? Or will I take the opportunity to catch up on the volumes of worthwhile literature than I have ignored in favour of an instant hit from Connolly or Kellerman. And there are no fractions in my age, nothing so precise; I morphed from being late sixties to early seventies. On the plus side young women now smile at me in genuine greeting, free from any concerns about sending the wrong message since they know my mating-game boots have long since been replaced by purple Crocs. Recently, while doing some online research into car rental rates, one site asked about my age, so I clicked on the box and a drop-down appeared: ‘Under 25? - Over 25? -Senior?’ As soon as I clicked the latter another box informed me that certain franchise holders may require a higher deposit or greater insurance cover. OR MAY NOT offer a vehicle at all! I called the company’s help-line and was informed by another Emily, I didn’t ask her age - that if I produced a claim-free record from my current insurer a vehicle would be arranged. Emily thought my concerns were very amusing. Apparently she believes it’s only laughs when it’s Hertz. TTFN.
AFRICAN HORSE COMPANY
Guided multi-day trails & outrides along the whale coast & through unspoilt nature reserves. +27 (0) 82 667 9232 omstables@telkomsa.net www.africanhorseco.com
VET TALK by Dr Olga Koorts
Hello from the Star Literacy Programme
Volunteer Mary had a special follow up lesson with her Star children. The previous week Libusise and Sibulele had read the story “Picnic time”. For the follow up lesson sandwiches were prepared and they all went for a picnic! And a little later….. Mary and Sibulele found out they shared the same birthday. Here is Sibulele blowing out their shared birthday candles.
RUB A DUB, DOG IN A TUB
Owners frequently ask us the question of how often they should bath their dogs. My usual answer is that they should be bathed as little as possible. Unfortunately it is not that straight forward as the “as possible” part differs from dog to dog.
Pictured Left to Right: Libusise and Yolisa on their picnic and Sibulele blowing out his birthday candles with his friend Siphenkosi. STAR LITERACY PROGRAMME
“Love of Reading Love of Books" starlit@hermanus.co.za
These are a few things that might influence Fido’s bathing routine. The condition of his skin is, medically speaking, the most important of these. Dogs with allergies or other conditions affecting their skin might need more frequent bathing in medicated or specific shampoos. The second factor to consider is coat type. Longer hair may trap dust and dirt while shorter coats are less likely to get dirty quickly. Finally your dog’s daily routine will determine how often you need to bath them. Indoor dogs stay cleaner for longer than outdoor or farm dogs, younger dogs are more likely to dig or play in dirt and then of course there are those members of the family that just cannot resist rolling in anything smelly. A general rule of thumb is a bath every 3 months and not more frequently than once a fortnight. Over bathing may cause irritation and dryness of the skin as well as poor hair growth as it depletes the skin of natural oils. Luke warm water is ideal and always use a suitable dog shampoo rather than a human one which could disrupt the pH balance of your dog’s skin and lead to bacterial or fungal overgrowth. And for those times when it is just too cold or you don’t have enough hands to bath a big dog there are some simple solutions. Waterless shampoo or cleansing wipes remove dirt and leaves Fluffy smelling fresh as do doggy deodorant or a bit of baby powder. Regular brushing also goes a long way to remove dirt from a dog’s coat. Remember that a pooch that smells all the time might have a medical condition that requires a visit to your vet and treatment rather than more frequent bathing. STANFORD RIVER TALK 13
B
aboons both fascinate and enrage us. On their arrival in the Cape, Jan van Riebeek and his men encountered baboons, describing them as ‘half animal, half human’. Little wonder with a fully-grown male measuring up to 1.8 m in height when upright, with long arms, forward-looking eyes and the ability to run 50 km/hr or faster. The newcomers’ appreciation of these creatures was however dampened by the damage they did to the colony food gardens. This mix of friendship and hostility between humans and baboons has given rise to truths, half-truths, and ripe material for overactive imaginations. Few animals have made such an impression on South African folklore and literature. Accounts describe the close bonds that have developed between humans and baboons, and yet in previous times, authorities were known to pay money to those handing in a baboon scalp and tail, and few farmers were without a ‘yard baboon’ on a chain. Today, humans continue to be in constant battle with baboons, shooting, trapping, poisoning and using them for laboratory experimentation. Studies on the Cape or Chacma baboon show troop sizes to vary from 6 to 85, with each troop requiring a territory of between 320 and 3500 ha of pristine fynbos. Although largely confined to the fynbos, they regularly forage for shellfish from the coast and large volumes of seeds from the aggressive alien Acacia cyclops (red-eyed or coastal wattle). Their tendency to diversify their habitat, coupled with frequent intrusions into residential areas, indicates their need for larger ranges of fynbos and their struggle with the rapid destruction of their natural habitat. Like people, baboons choose the
Graphic representation of how baboon troops all over the Cape Peninsula have vanished from the area. - Image taken from 'Baboons at Risk' STANFORD RIVER TALK 14
path of least resistance. Why walk for hours, rolling heavy rocks over to find sufficient nutritious food, when it is easy to get food from humans? In their search for the juiciest bits, a troop of omnivorous baboons can destroy a large crop, vegetable garden or the contents of a house. A friend described how baboons removed every flower from his protea plants in search for a particular caterpillar. Given that he had protected his plants from these insects, the baboons left hungry and he was left with less income. For at least the past twenty years, residents of Voëlklip in Hermanus have faced ongoing battle with baboons. Many approaches have been taken to chase away an intruding troop. A recent attempt that made use of a sound barrier worked temporarily, until another troop entered the area. Under human persecution, baboons have been known to grow bolder and more aggressive. A Saudi-Arabian newspaper reported an incredible story. Three days after a motorist ran over and killed a baboon, the troop took revenge. Recognising the returning motorist’s vehicle near the scene of the accident, the troop stoned it, shattering the windscreen. Whether or not this story is true as claimed, we vastly underestimate the intelligence of baboons, a view reflected in Eugene Marais’ The Soul of the Ape (1969) and My Friends the Baboons (1971). Baboons learn quickly and adapt and survive in widely varying conditions, including heavy persecution. Baboons learn to distinguish people by whether they are harmless or dangerous. They avoid those individuals felt to be dangerous, while ignoring those who are not threatening. Even when Marais dressed up as his “harmless” wife, hiding a gun beneath his dress, the baboons disappeared, their exceptional eyesight enabling them to look past his disguise. Living in such large groups, baboons develop very complex social structures dominated by and arranged around the females. All troop females are related to one another in some way. The young of the most senior female are higher in the hierarchy than any other females. There is constant assertion of hierarchical position, with subservience indicated by a ‘fear grin’, alongside the animated lifting of the sole of the foot and pointing it backwards while raising the tail vertically. Despite males possessing enormous canines and being double the size of females, their position in the troop is dependent on the female with which they have a relationship, and it may take several months to establish a relationship with a female. Without this however, a male baboon will not be accepted by the troop. It is estimated the primates were already in existence whilst the dinosaurs were in demise, although in the form of insect-eating bush-baby type mammals. Rito Miljo, founder of Care, the baboon rehabilitation centre near Phalaborwa implored: “Must we wait until a species is on the brink of extinction before we wake up?”. The disturbing reduction in baboon numbers due to human persecution, habitat destruction and the as high as 80% juvenile mortality rate, could lead to extinction. It is hard to plead the cause of baboons with those who have suffered significant loss as a result of their plundering. Recognising baboons as our most closely related primate in southern Africa, we face the challenge of finding ingenious ways to prevent baboon problems, while proactively building awareness and a major mind-shift towards a willingness to live alongside these intelligent social animals.
STANFORD WATER RESULTS
by Clive Pearce RIVER WATER: DETERMINANT (E.COLI)
RETICULATED DRINKING WATER RESULTS
MONTH
E. coli Standard (0/100ml)
Supplied by OverstrandRIVER MunicipalityTALK
Total Coliform bacteria (only
Heterotrophic Plate Count (only
Under treatment sewerage outlet point (Jetty next to erf 396)
Above treated sewerage outlet point (bridge on R43 to Hermanus)
0
387
2419
<10/100ml)
<1000/100ml)
April 2017
0
0
May 2017
0
0
0
2419
2419
June 2017
0
0
110
2419
2419 687
July 2017
0
0
0
770
August 2017
0
5
8
261
197
228
727
September 2017
0
0
0
October 2017
0
0
0
13
12 n/a 1986
November 2017
0
1
0
n/a
December 2017
0
0
0
127
January 2018
0
0
0
28
15
870
1120
February 2018
0
0
0
March 2018
0
0
0
April 2018
0
2
May 2018
0
4
2419
2419
19
2419
2419
1
20
261 50
June 2018
0
0
0
40
July 2018
0
0
0
72
23
August 2018
0
0
0
137
226
September 2018
0
0
0
155
44
RAINFALL (mm) Supplied by Seymour Paterson 2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
AVG
JAN
19
14
35
37
104
23.4
22.4
94.1
18.1
35.6
FEB
17.5
20
16
16
17
18.2
23.1
17
29
20.2
MARCH
20
26
28.5
29
25
14
64.7
9.8
30
31.9
APRIL
30
56
53.3
54
48
13.3
35.3
31.6
36.7
47.7
JUNE
91.5
88
86
84
139
160
101
98.8
51.4
55.9
HELP US BUILD A SCHOOL
JULY
43
56
103
33
91
109.5
143.8
69.8
84.5
101.8
AUG
46
74
125
234
41
52.4
73.9
93.9
70
90.4
# D I F F E R E N T N OT L E S S
SEPT
35.5
25.5
73
60.5
42
42.2
66
21.7
124.5
93.3
OCT
50
25
111.5
62
36
23.7
34.5
42.4
69.5
57.1
NOV
57
42
26
212
43
49.5
7
74.8
DEC
40
23.5
6
5
13
15.7
12.7
12.5
YEAR
459
533
708
881.5
629
554.6
602.4
578.7
The Butterfly Centre aims to create a space where children from all walks of life can have access to therapies which can help them to live their best lives. Make a Donation to: Account Name: The Butterfly Centre Bank: ABSA Account Number: 9320569373 Branch: Hermanus Branch Code: 632005 Swift Number: ABSAZAJJ
CLASSIFIEDS There is an HONESTY BOX at Stanford Tourism where you can pay for your classifieds. Please enclose the amount in an envelope or ed@stanfordrivertalk.co.za or call 081 750 4006 (SMALL ADS: R1 a word)
STANFORD RIVER TALK 15
maddie Chancey 1 November
Bonolo Tsoane 2 November
Aron Templer 3 November
Nadia van der Vyver 5 November
Lisanda Zaawula 5 November
Shafick Williams 5 November
Jolamu Nicolas 7 November
Tabby Robertshaw 7 November
gaynor Bailey 7 November
Bea Whittaker 8 November
If your birthday or a special occasion is coming up, please email: ed@stanfordrivertalk.co.za or send an sms 082 081 886 750 2424 4006
STANFORD RIVER TALK 16 20
Liam Bailey 9 November
Callum Smith 10 November
Ntomboxolo Jacob 13 November
Aron gcotyelwa 14 November
Piet Human 17 November
Sandile Apolosi 27 November
Anka Esterhuizen 21 November
Barbara morton 27 November
Amelia de Villiers 14 November
Tanita Apolisi 16 November
Felicity Beukes 21 November
Jeremy Revett 25 November
Bryn Templer 28 November
Nozipho Ngwenya 29 November
margo Carstens 30 November
17 STANFORD RIVER TALK 21
LIST YOUR BUSINESS FOR JUST R16.50 A MONTH ACCOMMODATION A Pinot Noir Cottage A Stanford Country Cottage Beloftebos Cottages De Kleine Rivers Valey House Morton Cottage Mosaic Farm Oom Pietjie se Huisie Reiersvlei Stanford River Lodge The Country Cottage Villa on the Bay Walshacres Riverside
082 456 8091 082 320 0982 082 391 5331 028 341 0048 082 450 3970 028 313 2814 073 156 9997 082 213 0512 028 341 0444 083 553 0663 082 336 1573 082 614 6322
ACTIVITIES Boat River Cruises Lady Stanford 028 341 0358 ANTIQUES & BOOKS Home of Sir Robert Stanford 028 341 0048 ARCHITECTURE Grant Anderson Maureen Wolters Gregg Goddard BUILDING Stanford Bricks
072 364 3694 082 450 3970 082 783 9737 028 341 0685
(ONLY R198/YEAR)
ELECTRICIAN HCD Electrical DISTILLERY Fynbos Distillery
LOCAL SERVICES AND FACILITIES
084 769 1053
ESTATE AGENTS Pam Golding Stanford Village Properties Seeff FUNERALS Nashca Funerals HOTEL Stanford Hotel
076 320 3092
028 341 0358 083 310 0952
PETS & PET CARE Stanford Kennels Syringa Country Kennels
028 341 0961 028 341 0961
PLUMBING 028 341 0708 PlumbTec 082 893 2282 072 111 9321 RESTAURANTS 082 851 9452 1892 Stanford Spookhuis Birkenhead Galley 028 341 0134 ROOF REPAIRS Overberg Roof Repair 082 781 1704
082 609 0809 028 313 2814 028 341 0013 079 881 4422 028 341 0033
HOUSE CLEANING SERVICE Fresh Cleaning Services 061 734 1030
TELEVISION/DSTV Rod Dacre Television
HOUSE MANAGEMENT Stanford Country Cottages
082 320 0982
VINTAGE ACCESSORIES & DECOR Lace 082 781 1704
INTERIORS Kiwinet Maureen Wolters
028 341 0209 082 450 3970
WEDDING VENUES Mosaic Farm Villa on the Bay
LEGAL Alcock & Associates Attorneys 074 126 7770
BUILDING PLANS Jan Biernacki
072 546 1567
CONFERENCE CENTRE Mosaic Farm
028 313 2814
MASSAGE & HEALTH Stanford Health Practice
082 481 8285
083 339 1641
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES Klein River Picnics
028 3410 693
COUNSELLING Lana Ackermann
Lady Stanford Boat Cruises River Rat Boat Cruises
073 160 4495
028 313 2814 082 336 1573
WINE CELLAR & SALES Stanford Hills Estate 028 3410 841 Sir Robert Stanford Wine Estate 028 341 0441 WOOD Walshacres Farm
028 341 0685 082 898 4889
WEEKLY TIMETABLE Monday 08:30 Pilates, 083 339 1641, Lana, NG Church Hall Monday 17:00 Running Time Trials, corner Adderley and Longmarket, last Monday of each month at Stanford Hills Estate. Monday & Wednesday Canoeing, Slipway Church St, John Finch 028 341 0444, Jan Malan 082 452 9877 Tuesday 08:30 – 10:00 Iyengar Yoga, Birkenhead Brewery, Marianne 082 2919 638. Tuesday 17:30 & Friday 08:30 Maitri Yoga, Tasha Saha, 076 968 8608. Tuesday & Thursday 17:00 – 18:00 Tae Bo, Okkie Smuts School Hall, Ronnie 083 655 4521. Tuesday & Thursday 17:30 Cycling, cnr de Bruin & Moore Streets, Sunday 08:00 Caltex Garage David Morrison 082 321 7996, John Finch 082 378 1935. Wednesday 16:00 & Saturday 09:00 Canoe Club Training. Time Trial notices will appear from August 2017. Chris Wolf 083 455 3605 Wednesday, 18:30, Rotary Stanford Club Meeting, Graze. Everyone welcome. Lana 082 216 4398. Thursday 18:30 – 21:30 Heal Your Life® Evening Group Sessions, 071 382 9033 Thursday 08:30 Pilates, 083 339 1641, Lana, NG Church Hall Thursday 09:00 – 10:15 Yoga, Leli 082 350 0253 Friday 09:00 Yoga, 084 685 2641, Viv von der Heyden, 23 Quick Street. Fridays: 19:00 – 20:00 (effective 1 July 2018) Alcoholics Anonymous, has moved to United Church Hermanus (opposite Checkers). Call Amanda 072 878 7687 or Gerard 076 541 7196 Saturday 09:00 Canoe Club Training. Time Trial notices will appear from August 2017. Chris Wolf 083 455 3605
WORSHIP IN STANFORD THRONE OF GRACE INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES Community Hall Stanford Wednesday evening 6pm – 8pm Sunday 10am – 1pm Apostle Fortune Mugabe 063 840 0664
ST THOMAS ANGLICAN CHURCH
STANFORD UNITED CHURCH
Morton St, Father Joseph Gabriëls 028 3410588 1st Sunday 10:30 Communion (Afr) 2nd Sunday 10:30 Service (Afr) 3rd Sunday 08:00 Communion (Eng) 4th Sunday 10:30 Service (Afr)
Interdenominational * English Municipal Boardroom (near Post boxes) 6pm Sunday Bible Study: 7pm Tuesday night All welcome. Venue changes weekly. Phone for enquiries: Jan Troost 072 345 9057 Mary Troost 084 643 4504
FULL GOSPEL CHURCH OF GOD cnr Queen Victoria & Bezuidenhout St. 09:30 Sunday service Pastor Johnny van der Schyff 028 3410 422 STANFORD RIVER TALK 18
NG GEMEENTE STANFORD Sondae 9:00 in die kerkgebou Office tel 028 3410 966
VG KERK (next to De Bron School) 10:00 Sunday morning Maureen Diedericks 028 3410 691
CONTEMPORARY & COLLECTABLE ART 2 Queen Victoria Street, Stanford
Cliff Raubenheimer co-owner of Ruben Art Gallery, specializes in South African collectable and investment art. He manages a large portfolio, sources excellent investment pieces and offers opportunities to a large database of clients. Stanford Gallery does not hold these Old Masters locally but these particular artworks are marketed exclusively on request only, thus maintaining their exclusivity. Cliff also offers the services of consultancy if you need your art to be valued and authenticated.
Contact: Cliff 083 770 0529 | Email: studior43@gmail.com
Advertising Media
Broadscope Production Services Marketing
Design
CONTACT: Lorraine 082 886 2424 | lorraine@standfordrivertalk.co.za STANFORD RIVER TALK 19
7am -Â8pm