Stanford River Talk August

Volume 72 | AUGUST 2011 | Stanford’s monthly newspaper | R13.20

Karate takes Stanford madre’s kitchen ANNUAL BREAK FROM 15 AUGUST - 1 SEPTEMBER Robert Stanford Estate | R43 | Stanford | Tel: 028 341 0647 | THURSDAY - MONDAY, 8am to 4pm

editorial notes In the last weekend of July, Stanford was swarming with over a hundred karate-ka coming together to train for two days at the Winter Gasshuku (extended training session). Stanfordians and visitors were treated to the sight of crowds of children and adults dressed in their gis (pronounced gee), the traditional uniform. The atmosphere was electric.

Sensei Ronnie Knott of SA JKA Karate Overstrand, who is known to many in the village for his karate lessons and adult tae bo classes, organised Stanford as the venue. The great news is that the venue

worked so well, they will be returning in November for their Summer Gasshuku.

‘Stanford is the perfect setting,’ said Ronnie. ‘The town is safe and the Village Green a wonderful outside space to train; we used all the facilities at Hennie’s Pub and Grill and everything just flowed.’

The 2011/2012 Stanford River Talk Directory has finally been printed. You can get your free copy at several outlets in Stanford including Spar and the Municipality. We thank all the advertisers who supported us.

COVER PHOTOGRAPH: Rachael King joining the first class of the Gasshuku 2011 on the Village Green. Taken by Michelle Hardie.

KARATE IN STANFORD

Sleep over: Houmoed Dojo kids (from left to right) Vuyisile Ngqoshana, Organised and sharp: Sensei Ronnie Knott (5th Dan), Area Head of Vuyani Ngqoshana and Asandisiwe Mzanywa and far back Sisipho Overstrand, arranged Stanford as the venue for the Winter Gasshuku 2011.

Lifaba arriving in Stanford for Gasshuku.

On the green: The first class of the Gasshuhku 108 karate-ka in a circle with Sensei Rob taking the class.

Sempai Siyamthemba Qotyana (1st Dan) sorting the Tatami mats for training.

Siyamthemba is known by many Tae Bo enthusiasts as a formidable Tae Bo instructor. Attending one of his classes is not for the faint-hearted!

Young trainers: (from left to right) Uriyel and Meriah Dill with Asanele Bandeza.

STANFORD RIVER TALK 2

Time to chat: Karate VIPs Sensei Paul Lishman (left) Sensei Rob Ferrierre (8th Dan) and Sensei Kokkie Burger (right) get into the Stanford mood.

Getting ready: Stanford boys Thomas Vermaak (front) and Tristan Tomlinson.

letters to the editor

Please send your letters to ed@stanfordrivertalk.co.za or to PO Box 228 Stanford, 7210. 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.

Two cats cover

The photograph on last month’s cover of Stanford River Talk was taken by me at Liesje Cochrane’s home in Longmarket Street on 18 June 2006. I had seen these cats sitting there every afternoon for about four days soaking up the winter sun. On the fifth day I took my camera along and they were there again so I took the shot. It was entered in Stanfordinfo photo contest and then added to their library of photographs of Stanford.

Bryan Robertson

On the road

This is for the Stanford drivers out there who do not stop at stop signs.

Want to know how it’s done? Talk to Chris Du Toit, Bijance Hutton and Louis Rex. Congratulations guys for all passing your driving test the first time round!

A Good Samaritan – Mr Peacemaker Masiko Picture the following scene one Tuesday afternoon, 5 July, in Moore Street: A daughter has to get back urgently to Cape Town, but her car has a puncture. Her father is battling away trying to change the tyre! Her mother has rushed off to Stanford Motors for reinforcements! Municipality employee, Peacemaker Masiko (during his lunch break) is walking towards the human crisis. The father is now in the gutter re-adjusting the jack with the daughter looking on in despair – when – up pops the Peacemaker with a polite, ‘Can I help you sir?’ Well, within a few minutes Mr Masiko has changed the tyre and most importantly by his prompt and courteous action, peace between father and daughter was made!

Now how’s that for a good Samaritan deed!

Father, Stuart Anderson

Cait Hague

We need your help

Thank you to all donors who contribute so generously to our cause. However if you do hold a function in aid of Animal Welfare, please let us know before the event.

Sometimes our name gets used in vain!

To give you an idea of how funds are used, from May to July this year, Dr Olga Koorts, our local vet, performed 22 sterilizations, 26 vaccinations, 19 treatments and re-homed various cats and dogs . As we receive minimal funds from Overstrand Animal Control, your contributions are sorely needed.

Please continue to drop off used leads, collars, bedding and donations of pet food at the Stanford Veterinary Clinic so that we can assist underprivileged pets. I know this sounds like yet another begging letter but we do need help controlling the multiplying dogs and cats in Stanford.

You are invited to attend the AGM of the Stanford Animal Welfare Society on Monday 15 August at 1330 in the Conference room of the Stanford Hotel. We are always looking for willing volunteers to serve on our committee, work in the welfare shop and help fund-raise.

For banking details, contact Annie Ranger 028 3410 984 or ranger@reedcottage.co.za

Stop the rumour

There is a rumour in Stanford, Hermanus and even Gansbaai that Okkie Smuts Primary School will close its doors at the end of the year.

Apparently the school has financial problems and will not be able to operate in 2012.

I would like to invite the ‘worried people’ for a cup of tea to discuss the matter. My plea is that those who started the rumour to get their facts straight – a rumour causes many problems and puts myself, the governing body, the staff and other role players in a bad light.

In conclusion: Okkie Smuts Primary School will still be operational next year and the years thereafter.

Mr CM Delport, Principal

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.

Michelle Hardie - editor - ed@stanfordrivertalk.co.za, 079 2911 588 Sandra Slabbert - Layout - design@stanfordrivertalk.co.za, 079 523 8453 STANFORD RIVER TALK 3

letters to the editor

The spelling debate continues . . . but ENDETH HERE! – Editor

There is no god … of spelling I’m sure the lexicographers who compiled the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) are worthy people (Sins of the spell-check, July issue).

However, they are not prophets of some mysterious language god. The OED, while useful, is not a religious text and it should not be treated like one. The problem with dictionaries is that by the time they are in print they are out of date. Think about that before you fork out R500 for the latest one.

The issue of American spelling in South Africa has long sent English teachers and their cronies into fits of rage. But the world is not going to end because of a ‘z’ in organize or a missing ‘u’ in color. In the case of American-British spelling most people don’t look beyond the obvious changed character to the reason behind it. If they did they might be quite surprised to find that many (though not all) of the differences in American spelling have socio-political reasons, rather than the simple laziness so often assumed. After America gained independence from Britain a conscious effort was made to break from the habit of always doing things the British way.

This included not following British spelling. Do we here in South Africa not have just as much, if not more, reason to reject the tyranny of Britain? John Xavier Merriman is dead. Cecil John Rhodes is dead. We no longer have to accept the dictatorship of Britain. It is high time we asserted our independence in philosophy, habit and yes – spelling.

Last month a spelling error in SRT was brought to our attention. The author was right in pointing out that the words between quotation marks should not be tampered with. However, I hope that he does not really believe that bad spelling will cause the end of civilization as his letter seemed to indicate.

The very William Shakespeare (aka Willie Wikkelspies) referred to in the previous letter could not even decide how to spell his own name. There are at least 36 different spellings of Shakespeare, or Shackespere or Shackspeare recorded from his time.

Shakespeare, therefore, or Shakespear or Shakspere is not really a good example to use when promoting the idea of good spelling. It is not after all his spelling that has captivated audiences for centuries but his plots, his characters and his dialogues.

Hans Christian Anderson had such atrocious grammar and spelling that for years scholars thought he was dyslexic. He wasn’t. But bad spelling didn’t stop him from writing stories so powerful that even here in Africa they have become part of our collective consciousness.

We all know about the ugly duckling and the little mermaid.

Good spelling is all very well but it should not be used as the measure by which we judge a person’s intelligence, education, character or creativity. D.M. STANFORD RIVER TALK 4

Speling is ovreraetd I just thort I wood rite a shrot reposst to the rmablnigs ov the furstratd teacher in your previous Riva Tlak (‘Sins of the spell-check’, July issue), abowt the improtnace ov spelling. It iz a proven fcat that az lnog as the frist and lsat lettres of a word ar in the corekt order, tehn the word kan be understood.

The mrak of a storng and vibrant language iz the continued change ov its vokab – afta all, da Engilsh wee al speek now haz no rezemblans to wot was spoken or ritten

by Chaucer or evn Shakspeer. I think it iz a Gr8 idea that a language be aloud to develop and move with the tiems.

FOWRARD TO CHANGE! Neighm withhelld

Spewing forth over spelling

I

am immensely grateful to you, your excellent proof readers and your distinguished local linguist for providing me with further reading and references on my theme – that of spelling correctly according to current English standards that are trusted and accepted by the well known dictionaries and authorities (Sins of the spell-check, July issue). Much of the reference material suggested, while interesting and eruditely expressed by the academics, is esoteric except that which the notable Chomsky had to say ‘conventional orthography . . . is a near optimal system for the lexical representation of English words’.

My issue is that even if there are variant ways of spelling certain words in today’s world where probably more than a billion people communicate in English, why don’t we all agree on the English way, those of us who speak English and more importantly those of us who read and write the language in one form or another from learned articles, to making sure that the air ways are safe and without accidents and News items are well understood?

CU L8TR 4 T is hideous and is elitist to a special group of communicators with textual facilities not really because it is quicker but because one can be identified as a member of a gang, young people I suspect. I am aware that the English language is packed full of inconsistencies and traps but that is the charm of communicating and writing accurately in English to another English

speaking person. Stanford River Talk does this admirably and with good fortune we are all members of a much larger gang. All second and third English language speakers are another matter but in general my thesis to maintain correct spelling still stands firm.

I realise that some abbreviations have become part of our language and you will find them in a respected dictionary e.g. and ASAP being two classic examples. Ibid we all know is short for Ibidem which is Latin for ‘in the same place’ used often by writers and researchers to indicate that the reference has already been cited. As a mathematician I often used QED (quod erat demonstrandum) with great finality and aplomb in whatever I was saying with all the authority of a young man who was wet behind the ears and still had a lot to learn. I did look for SWALK in my 1985 Chambers but only true Geriatrics will be familiar with that Valentine solicitation. It has probably been replaced

by LOL. How ugly! I can just about accept the new age of ‘emoticons’ but my technical capacity escapes me as to how to do it on email. I will seek advice from the nearest five-year-old.

I am pleased that River Talk has allowed this ‘spelling’ debate to continue and has contributed definitively to it thus raising the discursive nature of our prestigious Overstrand publication. It suggests that the monthly magazine has in mind a slight shift towards less parochial matters (important in themselves hence we do enjoy all the Talk both informative and amusing contributions) towards the urgency of the mind, its thought processes and how they are universally presented.

While I have rehearsed many of the arguments for a ‘laissez-faire’ approach to free-for-all spelling (who cares?), I put it to the readers of SRT that a disciplined modus operandi to spelling is superior and all embracing in today’s world where it is essential to understand who is saying what to whom and why, where and when.

Slainte (Gaelic for aw ‘ra best) Andrew Herriot

J U LY

CRIME REPORT

news & updates

The following cases were reported Burglaries: business

0

Burglaries: residential

10

Common assault

10

Drug-related charges

8

Drunken driving

2

Serious assault

5

Theft

19

Cape Whale Coast DMO disbanded

SERGEANT R.J. GOUWS

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Stanford Animal Welfare Society AGM will be held on Monday 15 August 2011 at 13.30 at the Conference Centre, Stanford Hotel. All welcome. Call Annie Ranger on 028 3410 984.

Stanfordinfo AGM will be held on Wednesday 31 August at 18.30 at the Conference Centre, Stanford Hotel. Any motions/proposals, duly seconded, should be submitted to the Association’s office by 17:00 on August 15.

Call Steph on 028 3410 340.

At a meeting of the Cape Whale Coast DMO board held on 25 July the Overstrand’s Mayor, Nicolette Botha-Guthrie, announced that the municipality would not be renewing its Service Level Agreement with the DMO (Destination Marketing Organisation) when it expires at the end of August.

The plan is for the responsibilities previously delegated to the DMO to be taken inhouse. The Overstrand Municipality will continue with the recruitment process to find a specialist to manage regional marketing within the Department of Local Economic Development and Tourism. Ben Solomon will be the responsible councillor. The monthly financial allocation to the local tourism offices (LTO) will now come directly from the municipality.

Botha-Guthrie went on to indicate that an advisory board, including both the LTO’s and a group with the appropriate specialist skills

ELECTRICITY DEPOSIT An explanation and your options

T

he ability to meet all monthly cash commitments was the main consideration in Overstrand Municipality’s unanimous Council resolution on 28 June 2011 to adjust the electricity deposits of existing Overstrand clients from September onwards to bring them in line with those payable by new applicants, be they individuals or businesses.

In future, this adjustment will be effected on an annual basis to ensure that deposits are equivalent to the client’s two highest months of consumption. To accommodate consumers this increase will be paid off over a period of ten months or they can change over to pre-paid electricity meters. New customers or those who want to be reconnected after default payment have to pay a deposit of R3 300.

This move was unavoidable if the municipality wants to deal responsibly with its financial affairs, Municipal Manager Mr Werner Zybrands said in response to questions during the debate on the issue.

With the drastic hike in electricity rates, to the tune of 107 per cent over the past three years, the municipality

now finds itself in a position where the deposits at its disposal are simply not enough to guarantee its financial viability. In the current year, the ratio between cash on hand and fixed monthly obligations can drop to around 0,66:1, where the legal requisite is fixed at around 1,2:1.

During the budget process the municipality’s financial affairs were thoroughly considered and it was realised that its financial sustainability will be seriously affected if consumer’s electricity deposits are not adjusted every year.

Consumers should keep in mind that a deposit not only serves as a safeguard against defaulters. It also provides the municipality with the required capital to purchase the service which, in the case of electricity, ESKOM demands should be settled within 10 days from month-end.

This situation explains why deposits should be equivalent to two months’ consumption. In general, meters are read during the first week of the month, consumption is levied against a consumer’s account at the end of the same month and the final settlement date is the 20th of the next month. Consequently, by the time the (continued on page 22)

(marketing, events organisation, finance, general management etc.), would be formed.

She also assured the meeting that the industry and the LTO’s would be extensively consulted on structures and purpose.

Stanfordinfo believes that the anticipated changes will have a positive impact on its activities in that the uncertainty regarding the relationship between itself and the DMO has now been removed. The DMO had insisted that we sign a Memorandum of Understanding that would effectively have passed control of the Association to the DMO’s CEO. This we refused to do.

Although we shall be required to sign a service level agreement with the Overstrand Municipality, our office’s relationship with the new marketing manager will be one of liaison and co-operation, not of control.

Martin Ranger Acting Chairman, Stanfordinfo

Business Chamber speaks out

On 27 July the Hermanus Chamber of Commerce held an open discussion forum with the Municipal Manager Werner Zybrands and the chairman of Local Economic Development and Finances Councillor, Ben Solomon, at The Wine Village. More than 120 business owners attended, including members of the Gansbaai Business Chamber, and several Councillors.

‘People are bleeding. Life is tough, and business is suffering,’ said Henri Lerm, president of the Hermanus Chamber. ‘Some people in the area have to pay up to R500 000 increase in their electricity deposits. Small businesses are also suffering and simply can’t afford the unforeseen expense demanded from them.’

Solomon said the budget was reviewed by Provincial Government in April. ‘We were warned that we desperately have to find a way to generate income, since we were not financially stable. We went into caucus and discussed it at length before we decided to increase the electricity deposits, since they no longer meet the demands of the electricity we have to pay Eskom upfront.’

Solomon told the meeting that the electricity deposit plan was communicated properly, since it was published in the local newspapers and municipal newsletter which accompanied the electricity accounts. Zybrands and Solomon then had to field a barrage of questions from the floor.

Network session On 18 August the Hermanus Chamber will hold an informative networking session in the industrial area where the latest information regarding the true economic situation in the area will be revealed according to irrefutable audits. People present will also get the opportunity to introduce themselves and participate in the discussion on the way forward to try and alleviate the economic plight. It will take place at the We Sell Wine venue, c/o Mimosa & Steenbras streets at 17:30.

Snacks and drinks will be included, and the cost is R50 for members and R60 for non-members. Please RSVP to chamberceo@hermanus.co.za STANFORD RIVER TALK 5

Sheep dog trials

news & updates

The exceptionally beautiful July days we had during the weekend of the 2011 Montego Classic WP Sheepdog Championship brought in a good crowd who came to watch some of the best sheepdogs from around the country. The trials were held at Grootvlei farm, a new venue with a gentle slope on a lush pasture, making it perfect for visibility for both spectators and the dogs. The Dorper ewes that were used, worked well – they tested the dogs all the way. Any dog not taking control of its flock from the start battled to move them, a few dogs had to retire because of that!

There were some good runs during the two days, with some dogs scoring over 80 per cent. The Top Dog award went to Don owned by Faansie Basson from Swellendam.

NEIGHBOUR-HELP-NEIGHBOUR PROJECT The neighbour-helpneighbour group started in February 2009 with street gatherings in the Thembelihle area.

Volunteers from each street were trained to assist vulnerable women and children. Two members Jenny October and Cheryl-Lee Botha were also trained at FCW (Family in focus program) in parenting skills and they are now busy every day with parents and Warm sustenance: Jenny October, seen here their children between the with Jaydene Dreyer (back) and Carmen Lottering, ages of 2 – 7 years old. helping at the soup kitchen.

The neighbour-helpneighbour women help with projects like holiday programmes, Youth Day, Bags of love, 16 Days of Activism and Women’s Day projects. The needlework group, soup kitchen and the old-age project have grown out of the neighbour-help-neighbour project. Neighbour-help-neighbour project is a Badisa project and received the Badisa Award. Rayvon Joemath

Western Province Trial Winners: (from left to right) Faansie Basson with overall Top Dog, Don; Clare Taylor and Swift; Lynette Trollip with Lass; Sue Harris sitting with Lulu; and Pippa Philip with Fern.

Run for Funimfundo in Germany This is the third year that more than 100 children from Ehrenkirchen Primary School in the southwest of Germany, at the edge of the Black Forest, have run to raise money to support Food 4 Thought. I, Mechthild (Leo) Netzer, a retired teacher and former member of staff at the Ehrenkirchen Primary School, together with the headmaster, teachers and parents organised this fantastic event.

On 2 July, the weather was gorgeous and more than 100 children together with parents, grandparents, relatives and pet dogs, prepared themselves to run around the sports field.

A large crowd of spectators turned up and cheered the young athletes. The atmosphere was wonderful! The highlight was watching

SPECIALS * Kombat Snails 1kg R33.95 * Rapid Raiser 400g R5.95

STANFORD

* Twisty Tie Roll R10.95 * Vegetable Seedlings R0.90 each

Landscaping & irrigation services.

Mon - Fri, 7:30 - 17:00 • Sat, 8:00 - 14:00 Tel: (028) 3410 691 • Fax: (028) 341 0413

STANFORD RIVER TALK 6

Flower trough with tray 40cm R44.95 50cm R59.95 60cm R85.95

* Sudden Impact For Roses R9.95

DIY - PAINT - PLUMBING IRRIGATION - NURSERY - ATM

028 3410 691

the children running with their dogs and I can tell you the pets were as excited as the crowd who cheered on the runners. Bernhard and I put up boards with photographs of Funimundo, provided flyers about the pre-primary school, displayed examples of ‘Township Art’ and answered many questions about the project.

There was also a collection box at the table and people were encouraged to give small donations.

Bernhard and I will be back in Stanford in November and we are looking forward to telling the children and teachers of Funimfundo all about this great event and to once again involving ourselves with this great pre-school project in Stanford. Mechthild Netzer

Assorted Herbs 17cm R17.95

Herb Rocks R19.95 each

GROW A TREE FROM SEED BAG (Grow your own tree for Arbor day.) R52.95 Includes soil, tree seed and planing bag. Comes in a variety of indigenous tree species. Great as a gift in the colourful hessian carry bag.

news & updates

Stanford on air

Thanks go to the Stanford man (unfortunately we did not get his name) who phoned to inform us that Nokia were in the village to film an advert.

Apparently it will be on air from 8 August. Fame at last!

IN MEMORIAM

Etienne de l’Isle Ellenberger.

‘Inventor extraordinaire’ 19th February 1920 – 5th July 2011

Reader request A Stanford River Talk reader has asked us to introduce people who live on farms or small holdings around Stanford. We think this is a great idea and we are relying on your introductions.

Please email us on ed@stanfordrivertalk.co.za or phone 079 2911 588.

Best friends: Etienne Ellenberger with his beloved dog, Hoy.

Most of us saw Etienne riding down the middle of Queen Victoria Street on his ‘chorrie’ with Hoy, his beloved dog, trotting beside him – both of them completely unaware of the traffic around them.

His workshop was always littered with a thousand ongoing ‘projects’ – from solar panels (‘those up there on the shelf, my boy’) for water heating and power, to vanes for a wind turbine to drive the alternator. His latest project was to harness power from heating and expanding liquid ammonia. ‘Eskom needs me, my boy!’

Etienne’s interests were many and varied, as were his friends and acquaintances. Always ready with an offer of Mr P & P’s finest tea and a biscuit ‘darling girl’, he was generous to a fault and never forgot the needs of others.

We will miss your wit and our conversations about anything and everything, Etienne. We hope that the sun shines endlessly for you and the Angels play beautiful music for you up there. Till we meet again. Roger & Lucy Llewellyn

PLANTING TREES How a small initiative grew into a true community project

Y

ou may have noticed that some trees were recently planted in various public areas around Stanford: above the African Queen, next to the memorial benches overlooking the river, and along the wandelpad and slipway. This all began with a personal resolve last year to plant at least five trees every year for the benefit of everyone and for the future.

I began speaking to people, and all of a sudden the idea mushroomed! As a result we have just added 22 saplings to our community. Thanks are due to many people, and I give them with great respect, and delight. I feel honoured by the truly positive nature of a project which I ended up simply co-ordinating.

Thanks go to the following people and

organisations: the Municipality; David Abbott and Lucy Llewellyn for donating trees; Tony Jardine for manure and stakes; The Conservation Trust for labour; Bryan Robertson at the Overberg Agri for the gift of the tape to make the trees clearly visible, so that they won’t be harmed when mowing is being carried out.

Thanks also go to the Municipality for the promise of a tap and water so that we can take care of the saplings next summer. And finally, thanks in advance to the following people who have agreed to become foster parents next summer, to help get the trees off to a flying start: Lexi Lawson, Ralph Rosen, Mike Murray, Anna Tomlinson and family, Tracy Bednall and family, and Jan Troost and family.

Back to earth: Last month Tracy Paton, with the help of Stanford Conservation’s labourer Simon, planted 10 White Stinkwood trees on the embankment close to the African Queen.

Would you like to be involved in this delightful project? We badly need some more foster parents, so please contact me if you’ld like to help! All that is required of foster parents is watering the new saplings.

Finally, a thought: I can see no reason for the project to end here! In fact, more are being planned as I write this! Funds, trees and volunteers mean that we will be planting more in the near future. Perhaps you’d like to chat to your neighbours and friends, and start a similar endeavour in your street? If every household planted a single tree and took care of it, just imagine our village in 10 years’ time! PS: Do check with the municipality before you go digging up the sidewalks though! Tracy Paton

The first week of September is Arbour Week, and the aim is to plant at least 60 new trees by that date – keeping in mind that the idea is to create streetscapes, rather than individual trees planted at random.

In some cases invasive species such as the Syringa tree (the 5th most invasive tree in South Africa!) and Brazilian peppers will be cut down and replaced with more environmentally friendly trees.

There are even situations where some of our white Karee trees will unfortunately have to be removed due to storm damage. Once again these will be replaced with hardier and more appropriate trees. Anyone interested in organising their street, or part of a street, to establish a future streetscape and agreeing to look after the trees for at least three years, please phone Tracy on (028) 341 0042. Next month we’ll report on the progress, as well as on Basil’s forest down in Sillery Estate. Bea Whittaker STANFORD RIVER TALK 7

news & updates

ROTARY THIS MONTH

Back from the USA!

A trip of a lifetime for two Stanford students Johnwin’s story

Inspired: Beauty Nongusa and Johnwin Diedericks.

I

n the June issue, we reported that school-goers, Beauty Nongusa and Johnwin Diedericks, were off to the USA to attend a leadership course in Orlando, Florida, sponsored by the American Wand Foundation, after which they would spend a week in Knoxville with hosts Kathryn and Breese Johnson of Mosaic farm. Behind the scenes Kathryn and Rotary Club of Stanford worked at making this possible. After many hours of travel back and forth to Cape Town and emails flying across the world to fast-track an interview with the American Embassy for Beauty and Johnwin’s visas, they both boarded the flight bound for America.

At a welcome-back supper, kindly hosted by Debbie and Malcolm Bury, they shared their experiences with Rotary Club of Stanford members.

Johnwin talked about how kind the Americans were to him. ‘They asked me if I was hungry every hour!’ Beauty said that she loved the plane trip from Cape Town to Jo’burg, but found the rest of the plane trip to Altanta long and boring! They both expressed incredulity at how vast Altanta airport was. ‘We thought Jo’burg was big . . . but in Altanta we had to ask directions every second!’

They have both come home with renewed energy and the conviction to use their experiences positively in the community.

‘When Kathryn phoned me to say I had been chosen to go, the phone was shaking so hard in my hand! I couldn’t believe I was going. I had just been on a rugby tour to Argentina with my school and now I was going overseas again.

My roommates were from the Dominican Republic and spoke Spanish. They taught me how to say to a girl how beautiful she is in Spanish. There were many pretty girls there!

‘I was so inspired by the seven mind-sets I learnt about on the leadership course in order to live the ultimate life. They were as follows: everything is possible; passion first; we are connected; 100 % accountable; attitude of gratitude; live to give; and the time is now. My two favourite are: everything is possible and passion first. If you believe this then you will reach your dreams and live a happy and successful life.

‘I made a lot of friends across the world; my English improved and I enjoyed everything at Walt Disney World. It is just such a magical setting. I have come back a more confident person and I am eager to share these mind-sets with the teens of Stanford and surrounding areas. I want to thank everyone who was involved in making this trip possible and such a memorable experience for me.’

Beauty’s story

‘I could not believe it when the Rotary people told me I was chosen to go to USA. When they gave me the pamphlet showing me so many people (150) who were there last year, I was a little afraid. I was told I was going to stay for nine days in a hotel. When Cathie (Hornby) came to fetch me to do my passport I knew it was true! I could not sleep. I was so excited. My parents could not stop talking about this trip and they were excited too.

‘We took a plane from Cape Town to Jo’burg, then to Atlanta and on to Florida. We stayed in a beautiful hotel, The Contemporary Resort. There were three of us in a room. I was so happy to see so many people from different backgrounds and different nations. Now I have friends from London, Colombia and Chicago. Every morning after breakfast we went to lectures. The guides would take a group of us to the parks. I never dreamed that I would go to Disney World and see different animals from all over the world. This was the highlight.

‘I want to thank the people who made this dream come true; the people who helped with money; Kathryn from Mosaic; my parents for their prayers; three beautiful ladies Jeudi (Hunter), Cathie (Hornby) and Ansie (Reitsma), who were with me every step of the way and made sure I had everything; not forgetting Roland and Maryanne for lending me their camera and Mr Malcolm who brought me things on my last day before I left on the trip. Thank you all very much.’

IMPENDING VISIT Volunteers set to work in our village As we reported last month, Serve-a-village is an American organization with its roots deep in Africa – the current managers of this organization (www.serveavillage. org) three sisters, spent years in South Africa after their mother married a farmer from the North-West. The sisters, Christine Troger, Alissa Cozzens and Karinjo De Vore came to visit Stanford on the invitation of Kathryn Johnson of Mosaic Farm. Their visit inspired them to send their next group of volunteers (seven US volunteers aged from 25 – to mid- 30s) to our village. They will be here from 12 – 22 August.

STANFORD RIVER TALK 8

With their qualifications and a variety of service skills, these men and women bring their experience and time to help members of our community towards sustainable development. To support their efforts, we will need the loan of equipment like paint brushes, ladders, etc. as well as donations of paint, tile cement (and the tools to work with it) so that they can take on the tasks ear-marked for them throughout our community.

Think about offering a day or two from 15 – 19 August to help with the volunteers – they will be transported to the various

places where they are supposed to work but we need somebody to help ‘supervise’ their efforts and give support when necessary. It will not take up much of your time and you might enjoy yourself!

For loans of equipment, donations of materials and availability of your time, please call Ansie (082 320 0982) or Natalie (082 893 2282) for further information and arrangements.

We trust that the famous Stanford community spirit will make you all jump up to give a hand!

Rotary Club of Stanford

news & updates

The market is back

Stanford’s evening market is back on track and will start again on 26 August. The following one on 30 September is a big market as it coincides with Stanford’s Birding Fair.

The news is that Denise Inkson and I have handed over the market to Rina de Wet. She will be contacting you in future and keep you informed about the comings and goings with the market.

For those of you who do not know, Denise was diagnosed with bone marrow cancer after the last market in April. This was the main reason why we cancelled the May market, and subsequently decided not to have a market at the end of June and July. Denise has been

KLIM-OP IS OFF!

in hospital for most of the time since being diagnosed late in May. As she needs to be near her doctor, she will be selling her house in Stanford and moving to Somerset West.

Now my story: after starting the market – first as a Saturday morning market – in November 2005, I have decided that it is also time to hang up my market shoes. Rina has been very keen to take over . . . and new blood and fresh ideas are always good. A big thank you to all of you for your fantastic support over the years.

So, get yourselves ready for a spruced up market with some wonderful new ideas. See you all on 26 August!

Bea Whittaker

One of Mandela’s 67 minutes of goodwill in Stanford took the form of a joint effort by the municipality and the Stanford Conservation Trust (SCT) to cut down and eradicate the creeper, commonly known as ‘klim-op’ that is silently smothering the trees on our beautiful wandelpad along the river. The focus on 18 July was the milkwood Team players: Anka Esterhuizen is grove in the dip where somewhere in the tree while Royd Frith pulls Queen Victoria Street crosses the creeper. the Mill stream.

With Petronella Ferreira at the helm, the municipal staff helped the 27 volunteers who arrived with loppers, pangas and gloves to cut down and remove two huge truck-loads full of creeper, as well as other invasive species assisting the creeper to increase its strangle-hold on the milkwoods. It was a fun-filled morning with lots of community spirit – so much so that we even had Tarzan (Allan Youens) and Jane (Anka Esterhuizen) climbing into the trees to pull away the creeper!

The general feeling was that this type of hacking should take place on a regular basis; firstly because it is such fun and secondly because the creeper is a problem all along the river and only ‘mass action’ will help to bring it under control. Tony Coates, who initiated the project on behalf of the SCT, said that the next hacking morning will probably take place in September. Keep your eyes peeled for the announcement in next month’s River Talk, as well as on your e-mail. Bea Whittaker

Terroir driven wines Complimentary wine tasting, by appointment www.springfontein.co.za • marketing@springfontein.co.za • tel: +27 (0)28 3410 651 • after hrs 072 371 7546 • fax: +27 (0)28 341 0112 STANFORD RIVER TALK 9

sport talk

Privett wins Iron again

The Peninsula Iron Man comprises the Argus Cycle Tour, the Two Oceans Ultra-Marathon and the Berg River Canoe Marathon which all have to be completed in the same calendar year. The winner is the participant with the quickest combined time. This year Sean completed the Argus in 3h27, the Two Oceans in 5h18 and the four-day Berg River Canoe Marathon in 20h30.

As was the case last year, Sean was only able to take the lead in the last day of the Berg when he was able to make up 40 minutes on his nearest competitor. In the end his combined time 29h15 was six minutes faster than the runner up.

Horse camp

In the July holidays Laura Sterley arranged a Horse Camp for some of her riding students at Bagatelle Farm. At the end of the camp parents were invited to an in-hand class and a dressage test. Kirra Jardine won the in-hand with Sorbah and Mary Gordon won the dressage on Phoebe. A great time was had by all and lunch was even provided by Riaan and Shelley Lourens! There are plans to have an adult horse camp.

Watch this space . . .

STANFORD RIVER TALK 10

The Stanford Mountain Bike Race

The Stanford Mountain Bike Race will be on 3 September. The venue has moved to Oom Tat’s Pub, with food and refreshments available. The routes this year will be a 50km, 30 km and a short route for the kids. Look out for posters for more information.

Rugby clash

The weekend of 6 August will see Hermanus High School and Hawston Secondary go head to head in the FNB Classic Clash at Hermanus High School.

Stanford rugby players Tom Bednall, Johnwin Diedericks, Chris du Toit, Brandon Pieters, and Jurie Swart will have the opportunity to showcase their talent while representing Hermanus High School. For more information look at www.fnbclassicclashes.co.za.

Horse mad: (from left to right)

Kirra Jardine, Katie Gordon, Lydia Hardie and Mary Gordon and were the lucky riders who enjoyed two days of non-stop riding and entertainment. They want to thank Laura for the ‘awesome’ time they had at the farm and for staying for two nights at her house. Thanks also go to Jake Uys who judged the in-hand and dressage. Jake is a knowledgeable horseman with years of experience. He is trained in Western and dressage and gives adult classes.

If you have a business story you would like to share, please send it to ed@stanfordrivertalk.co.za

business talk

… It’s off to work we go!

Yes, those rumours that have been floating around the Village are true. One of Stanford’s most eminent citizens and life forces, Michael Thompson, is going to work in Cape Town.

As most of us know, whatever other delights Stanford holds for its citizens, making loads of loot is not one of them. Sadly, this means that Michael will once again only be seen in the village on weekends and for special occasions – and we will strive to ensure they are numerous and un-missable.

Michael has taken up a prestigious offer to join the Dogon Group in the City Bowl/ Atlantic Seaboard and will be relocating to his beloved Corgi Cottage for the time he spends in Cape Town.

As newcomers to Stanford, it is Michael who has been in the forefront of welcoming Annaliese and I here, and without his seamless hospitality and friendship it is quite possible we would not have settled on Stanford as our new home. Michael has been generous enough to allow me to partner with him at Michael Thompson Estates/ Eiendomme and it will be ‘business as usual’ at his offices. As a registered Estate Agent and Attorney I hope that I can assist those in Stanford, and live up to the gracious reputation that Michael has in Stanford.

I am sure I speak for many in Stanford when I say that we wish him well, and may he be so successful in his new venture that he can return to Stanford for good.

Stewart Alcock

Business as usual: Michael Thompson hands over the keys to Stewart Alcock.

the INSIDE story

S

Family affair: P.D. with his wife Helga and their baby Luca.

ince opening only one year ago, Pieter Deon interiors has quickly established itself as a benchmark for tasteful furniture and exquisite décor in the Overstrand area. Furniture maker and designer, P.D. Coetzer and his wife Helga are focused on their vision to supply the local market with a range of options: exclusive furniture that is trendy and elegant, and also a large range of affordable, functional furniture for everyday use.

The décor is sourced both locally and abroad, catering for fashionable international styles as well as supporting and promoting local artists and fresh designs from all over South Africa. They stock a huge selection of solid wood frames and have an ever expanding variety of crafts, the styles ranging from country to nautical.

Whether you are looking to furnish and decorate

your new beach house or revive an old country home, a visit to Pieter Deon interiors is a must.

First-time visitors are pleasantly surprised when they walk into the shop, situated on the main road in Gansbaai, at the entrance to the industrial area.

‘We are dedicated to offering quality furniture and beautiful décor at affordable prices, and to treating our clients to an inspiring, enjoyable shopping experience,’ says Helga. ‘We keep it exciting by constantly introducing innovative designs and fresh ideas, and clients come back regularly to see what is new on the floor.’

Pieter Deon interiors are open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm and Saturdays from 9am to 2pm.

Check out their website for news and products at www.pieterdeoninteriors.co.za or phone 082 309 4487 for more information.

Food for thought on being ‘green’

I

like to think of myself as a ‘Greenie’. By that I mean that I try, wherever possible, to place paper, cardboard, glass and plastics in containers that claim these products will be recycled. Whether it actually happens or not is beyond my control. But I tried. When it comes to greenhouse gases and stuff I say, ‘yes I don’t want to live in a polluted world as seen in the devastation of parts of Russia and

China.’ However the tax on carbon emissions is just a political move to bleed the taxpayer.

The volcano in Chile pumped more rubbish into the atmosphere than humanity has since time began. Smoky coal-fired power stations are ugly, filthy and great polluters but we have to face the facts. The only adequate known source of clean power comes from nuclear energy. Germany and other nations will soon realise that they have no choice but to erect more nuclear plants. In the past political pressures ensured that nuclear plants ran on uranium because the by-product can be refined into weapons-grade uranium.

If nuclear plants were designed to run on thorium (which I believe is fairly plentiful and therefore cheap) the by-product could not be used for weapons and it would only remain radio-active for about 200 years or less than

FINANCE MATTE RS half that of uranium. Not that we will notice the difference.

The costs of a new nuclear power station run into billions and there is little doubt that we are going to need them – all we have to do is pay.

My savings plan began about three months ago when I installed a geyser-controller, which I bought for R699. By reducing the maximum temperature and limiting the time the geyser is on we have experienced minimal inconvenience and initial results show a saving in the order of R120/month in mid-winter and before the July electricity rate increase. That equates to a pay-back period for this controller of about five months. That’s a good start!

The Old Boar STANFORD RIVER TALK 11

wine talk

Port and Starboard

C

olheita, Ruby and Tawny, which sound like girls’ names to me, refer to exactly the same thing. Vino do Porto, Porto… Port wine… yes, simply put, it is Port.

Port is rich in delicious flavour. It can be quite sweet (or dry) and has a high alcohol content of around 20 per cent. The latter being a most attractive cocooning characteristic, as chilly evenings remain a constant in our corner of the continent of Africa.

Ironically, at home in good old South Africa, wine that we produce in this style may not have the word Port on its label if it is produced for export to the EU countries.

Perhaps having its origin in conflict has perpetuated the philosophy to be picky?

I refer specifically to the conflict between the British and the French at the beginning of the 18th century – when the British Royal Navy blockaded the French ports. This of course brought to an immediate halt the export of

French wine, and simultaneously the need for the British to turn elsewhere for their tipple.

Enter their European allies. The Brits bought wine from the Portuguese, which was shipped in barrels and then bottled back home. For practical purposes i.e. to prevent the wine from spoiling, brandy was added to it. The increase in alcohol level stops fermentation, which results in larger amounts of residual sugar remaining in the product, compared to natural wine. Voila! We have sweet wine.

And although the wine was made in the Douro Valley of Portugal it had to be moved down river for storage, prior to shipping, to the cooler coastal climate of Oporto. Oporto of course later became known as Port. Aha! Eventually we will stop using Port on all labels in South Africa. I am confident that consumers will learn to associate Cape Ruby with the fruitiness and freshness that is derived from maturation in large vats for at least six months. Already Cape Tawny

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is distinguished by its character of dried fruit, nuts and dried orange peel aroma, which follows through ever so smoothly on the palate. And the girl’s name Colheita?

Colheita is Tawny Port of a single vintage that has been aged for at least ten years – a complex dame indeed.

I am far simpler. So, while it is recommended that both the dry and sweeter style (Lagrima) is served chilled, since it is often served with dessert after a meal or as an aperitif, I do not abide by these rules.

I agree that the character of Port makes it ideal to finish off a rich meal, which is why it is confined in some cases until Christmas or synonymous with the holiday season. But I don’t subscribe to that way of thinking either.

What’s your opinion?

Me? I savour it throughout the seasons.

However, I am pedantic on one point.

Port and ice … are as separate as port and starboard.

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nature talk

Well spotted

This one is for the twitchers in Stanford or for anyone else who is interested. An albino bird was spotted in Jill Fraser Halkett’s garden the other day. Our expert bird photographer in the village, Don MacIver, kindly came down to take photos of the friendly little Robin who was scavenging away enjoying morsels of food in the ground, quite unperturbed by its sudden rise to fame. Don was even complaining that it was too close to photograph with his long lens! Anton Odendal, BirdLife Overberg, who is an expert on almost every bird, says the correct term is semi-leucistic, not albino. So we now have a semi-leucistic Cape Robin enjoying our winter in the Cape! Who says exciting discoveries are not found in small villages?

Sarah James

NIGHT SKY

FROG OF THE MONTH Naas Terblanche is a frog fundi. Here he shares his knowledge of these extraordinary amphibians.

When Elsabe and I settled in Stanford six years ago I was amazed at how many different frogs one could hear on our farm. So far I have identified twelve species. (I will talk about one frog in every issue of River Talk over the next 12 months).

A SWARM OF ANCIENT STARS This time of year the centre of the galaxy is presenting. Rising before it is Scorpius with its distinctive curled tail, caught deep in the Milky Way. Use your binoculars and find the many star clusters and clouds in this region.

There are the two Open Clusters M6 and M7 near the sting in the tail.

These are two groups of a few hundred stars each. Compare these with M4, a Globular Cluster near the bright star Antares, one of the nearest to us at about 7000 light-years, and with at least 10,000 stars. You’ll see it as a fuzzy ball of stars. The largest in our galaxy is over in the south near the Southern Cross. Omega Centauri contains millions of stars.

It’s not well understood how Globular Clusters formed, but they are very old objects, not in the body of the galaxy, but rather surrounding it like a halo. Probably formed when our Galaxy formed, and some theories suggest that when a Galaxy starts forming it is Globular Clusters which are the first clustering of stars. Perhaps what we see are the remnants left over when the Galaxy formed, much like the Asteroids in our own Solar System.

By Fred Smith, astrophysicist

Know your African tree essences The Pock Ironwood Chionanthus foveolata

TREE OF INTUITION

The pock ironwood essence may enhance receptivity and intuition, bringing focus, clarity and perspective.

This essence may assist us with seeing the ‘bigger picture’ and with gaining a new perspective of the status quo. It is a wonderful essence for therapists and healers as well as those wanting to get in touch with their inner guidance. For further information about this tree essence, please visit www.africantreeessences.co.za.

Made in the traditions of the Bach Flower Remedies, the African Tree Essences are created from the flowers of the main tree species of Platbos – an ancient forest growing in the Uilenkraal Vallei between Gansbaai and Stanford. Known as vibrational remedies, the essences work primarily on the emotional, mental and spiritual bodies where they assist us to release thought patterns, beliefs or emotions that no longer serve us. In this way they can assist us to experience greater well-being and harmony in our lives. Unlike essential oils, flower essences are not aromatic and are safe to take internally. Essences enhance other forms of healing and can work well too on animals and plants.

Time to breed: Western Leopard Toad taken on Vaalvlei Farm in Stanford by Naas Terblanche.

Our first frog of the month is the Western Leopard toad (Amietophrynus panterinus).

The endangered Western Leopard toad only occurs in the Cape peninsula and the Hermanus, Agulhas area. We have a small population in Stanford. They prefer the sandy areas near the coast.

Western Leopard toad females reach a maximum size of 140mm (5.5 inches). Males are slightly smaller. They have striking symmetrical red-brown markings edged in black and yellow on their rough wart-like skin.

The Western Leopard toads spend their days hiding, and at night they come out to hunt for food in open areas. During the breeding season, which usually starts in August they make their way to the water. On their way to the water they are particularly vulnerable to being run over by vehicles.

When they arrive at the water the males start making their loud snoring calls to attract the females. The breeding season is short and hectic and only lasts for a week or two.

The females each lay 20 000 or more eggs in jelly-like strings. The metamorphosis from egg to tadpole and then to small perfect toad, lasts about ten weeks. The small toads then climb out of the water in thousands but very few survive the onslaught of predators and vehicles to become adults.

In our wine tasting room, on Vaalvlei Farm we have a permanent audio visual display on local frogs. You are welcome to come and see and listen to the Western Leopard toad and our other Stanford frogs.

Naas Terblanche www.vaalvlei.co.za

STANFORD RIVER TALK 13

Wonderful women In time to celebrate Women’s Day on 9 August, we asked a few Stanfordians about women who have touched their lives

Three women in my life

Granny

Teresa Herriot

Dierbare werkgewers

Cathryn Herriot

‘They scanned three generations. Number 1 was my Granny. She was inspirational. We lived with her. She was the dominant force in my childhood. She bought me my first piano. She instilled honesty and respect into my life and I faithfully accompanied her to church every Sunday. She was a role model even before the phrase was invented. I will always remember her saying when people came to our house in Macmerry, East Lothian, Scotland, ”Take your coat off and you will feel the benefit when you go back out”.

‘Number 2 was the opposite, my mother Teresa – an Italian beauty married into a strong Scottish family. She was meek yet strong. She was devoted to the whole extended Scottish family, a Cinderella in new surroundings. She was fun; always with a smile in a somewhat austere Presbyterian household. Right to the end she saw the best in people.

‘Number 3 is Cathryn, my wife, the rock in our family, the organiser, the generous giver and my soul mate. I am blessed every day to awake and find her there. At the moment she is in Dubai visiting her daughter ... well life is not perfect.’

Long live women. Andrew Herriot

‘Na my egskeiding het ek gesukkel om kop bo water te hou. Mevrou J Robertson het in daardie tyd my bygestaan met Penny Wilson kos, klere, geld en meubels. Nou staan Penny Wilson my by. Toe my huis afgbrand het, het sy en haar man Ian my gehelp om dit op te bou en aan my gegee wat ek nodig het. Ek is baie dankbaar. Annie Plaatjies

Valuable employers After I got divorced my life was difficult and Mrs J Robertson helped me with clothing, money, food and furniture. My current employer Penny Wilson supports me so much, especially after my house burned down. She and her husband Ian helped me to build it again. I am so grateful. Annie Plaatjies

The Mother of all mothers

Mother Teresa

STANFORD RIVER TALK 14

‘I could give the Oprah answer and say it was a teacher at school; but did they inspire my life or only a moment in my life? Then of course there are sisters, mothers, wives etc who all inspire at different times of life and encourage you to achieve and be a better human, but that would still not qualify as the woman who inspires me throughout my life, (sorry Sunshine).

‘Once in a person’s lifetime you meet someone, and you are inspired to change and tackle life with a new and enlightened perspective. My moment was in 1987 while doing my national service, and that woman was

Mother Teresa of Calcutta. So why does she inspire me?

She knew the purpose of her life. She knew where her strength came from. She could see past class, religion, cultural and language barriers and see a person. She understood the basic need of people wanting to be found worthy of love, and then treating them as the supreme creation of God; despite their circumstances and lot in life. Mother Teresa personified love; and her love manifested as compassion, respect, humility, and reverence for life and the Creator of Life through service.’ Bryan Robertson

Women of courage

THE HISTORY OF WOMEN’S DAY

Andrew Herriot is right. ‘Life is not perfect’. And it is the women who understand this more than others to whom I dedicate this piece.

I struggled to choose who to write about. I have known so many courageous women who have shaped peoples’ lives in some way, whether on a grand scale, or even just the lives of their immediate Making a difference: Empower families and friends. founder Khun Noi. However, I have provided two examples of these many inspirational women who don’t give up and continue to make a difference in the world.

The first woman is Khun Noi, founder of the Empower Foundation in Bangkok, Thailand. She has fought for the rights of sex workers in Thailand for many years, attempting to ensure safe working environments, to open the doors of opportunity and to increase awareness of these issues amongst the general public. See her website for more information: http://www. empowerfoundation.org/index_en.html And today I met a girl from Uralsk, Kazakhstan, who told me that when she was a little girl, she had dreamed of going to school but her parents considered it a waste of time and money.

Her friend had started school so this girl sneaked into school regardless and eventually her parents gave in and allowed her to study. She has just graduated from University.

Stanford swallow, Cath Croxton

On August 9, 1956, 20 000 women staged a march on the Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest against the proposed amendments to the Urban Areas Act (commonly known as the pass laws) of 1950. They left bundles of petitions containing more than 100 000 signatures at prime minister J.G. Strijdom’s office doors. Outside they stood silently for 30 minutes, many with their children on their backs. Those who were working for Whites as nannies were carrying their white charges with them. The women sang a protest song that was composed in honour of the occasion: Wathint’Abafazi Wathint’imbokodo! (Now you have touched the women, you have struck a rock). In the 54 years since, the phrase (or its latest incarnation: /you strike a woman, you strike a rock) has come to represent women’s courage and strength in South Africa.

(Extract from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

Stanford swallow, Cath Croxton, who is living in Kazakhstan, Central Asia, tells a little about Women’s Day in that part of the world International Women’s day in Kazakhstan is celebrated on 8 March. It is the day when men enthusiastically give thanks to the women in their life. Millions of dollars are spent on flowers, restaurants and theatres, and men often take over the running of the house for the day.

Interestingly the date originates from a strike of female garment workers in the US in 1908 but a few years later the newly formed Soviet Union took on the event as a way of highlighting women’s rights. It is still a massive annual event today.

Aron’s word

Bayethe Mzantsi ‘Hallo South Africans’ Speak out women. Give this nation direction.

Make 9 August 2011 a turning point.

I

would like to send a word of gratitude to all my column readers and supporters – another month and, here again, another column.

This month’s column is dedicated to the late ex-mayor of Overstrand Municipality, Theo ‘Thabo’ Beyleveldt. Long live his spirit, long live! Oh, what a loss to the Overstrand area but life goes on, people, and the spirit of humanity will never die.

August is Women’s month and this column is also dedicated to our women achievers in Stanford. I take my cap off to ‘Gogo’ Elma Hunter who knows how to put women’s empowerment into action. Miss Ntombo Jacob, please keep on producing those Doctors, Engineers, Advocates and our future leaders in the Food-4-Thought pre-school. I salute you Mama Petronella Ferreira – without

you in the Stanford Administration there wouldn’t be such an attractive design for the Thembelihle Taxi Rank; the hours you dedicate behind the scene for Stanford Development are amazing. Forward with the Stanford development, forward! And to all those I did not mention, your positive contribution in our area is vital, please don’t stop.

‘You strike a woman you strike a rock’ is a slogan which takes me back to those days of Apartheid when, on the 9 August 1956, 20 000 women protested at the Union Buildings in Pretoria against the carrying of a ‘pass’. Those women showed solidarity amongst themselves and it is what we need right now. Today women are not united against terrible women and child abuse. The women of today are silent although they are victims of almost daily

crime activities in our society.

I need to see more women going out saying, ‘You rape one of us, we’ll rip your little thing off’. Women you must not forget that you are the cornerstones of the democratic nation. In my culture we say, ‘A man is made a man by a Wife’. A head can’t function without a neck. The men can be the heads of this nation but heads without the base are like ornaments on the TV stand. Keep this in mind; a head without a neck is a painful headache, meaning simply that a man without God/Jesus’ name in his heart is nothing but trouble.

Speak out women. Give this nation direction. Make 9 August 2011 a turning point. Viva Women’s Day, Viva! You may send your comments to me at : 45465630@mylife.unisa.ac.za.

STANFORD RIVER TALK 15

garden talk

How to create a no-dig garden

By Suzanne-Francoise Rossouw

WHAT IS A NO-DIG GARDEN?

How does your garden grow?

This is a garden created above the soil which requires no digging when you plant. It is quick to construct and relatively inexpensive to start.

This method is mainly used to grow organic vegetables but it will work for almost any type of plant. Minimal maintenance is required, less water and fertilizer and you can construct the garden anywhere, in any size and shape or form. These gardens also help to conserve the natural environment in the soil and decrease the chance of soil erosion or the loss of precious topsoil.

WHAT YOU NEED

An area that receives 6-8 hours of sun in the day. This can be on any surface (grass, soil, paving or concrete), straw / lucerne, leaves, water, grass clippings, cardboard, newspaper, soil and compost mix, seaweed if available, earthworms, manure, used timber for building raised beds or old bricks, rocks will also work, garden tools, plants, willing helper.

STEP-BY-STEP CONSTRUCTION PLAN • Clear the area to be used and make sure that it is level. If your bed is being constructed on a solid surface it is important to put down gravel at the base to ensure proper drainage. Grassy or weed covered areas need to be cut back; leave the plant material to decompose at the base of your garden bed.

• Construct the sides of your bed with wood or bricks to keep the soil in place.

Do not make your plant bed too big as you will be compacting the soil when you walk on it. Try to make the bed just wide enough to reach comfortably to the middle from the side.

If you build more than one plant bed remember to leave space for a path.

• Start to cover the entire base with pieces of old cardboard and/or newspaper. Make the layer about half-a-centimetre thick to kill any weeds that might want to grow through from below. Wet the layer well, to the point of soaking. This will jump start the decomposition of STANFORD RIVER TALK 16

the material.

• Then cover with a tencentimetre-thick layer of straw or lucerne depending on what is available. Water lightly.

Next apply a twocentimetre-thick layer of manure (chicken, horse or cow). This will help speed up decomposition of other materials as it contains nitrogen that breaks down material rich in carbon.

• Add a second twentycentimetre-thick layer of straw or lucerne.

• Add a second twocentimetre-thick layer of manure. Water lightly.

• Lastly create a tencentimetre-thick layer of well decomposed old, but good quality compost or rich potting soil to plant your seedlings in.

If you do not have much compost or potting soil, create pockets in your layered construction and fill those with the growing medium. This will win some planting time while the rest of the material is busy decomposing. Some experts suggest that you prepare the raised beds at

the little nursery

•

• •

•

the beginning of autumn so they will be properly ready for use in spring.

The pocket concept just speeds up that process a bit.

If you have any earth worms, put them into the area. If not, they they will find their way naturally into your no-dig garden.

These worms assist in aerating the soil and breaking down organic material.

Plant your seedlings and water them well.

In summer place a relatively thick layer of mulch around your seedlings to keep moisture in and protect them against the scorching heat of the sun.

As your garden matures and delivers crops, top it up with more compost and mulching materials. Make sure to rotate your crops as the growing season moves along. As the beds age, you can start adding deeper rooting crops, but at the start you will have to use shallowly rooted plants.

It is 2011 and the key phrase in gardening style is sustainability. Garden styles, or so it seems to me anyway, are as permanent as a rose petal to the mother plant on a windy day. We (of the gardening fraternity) have waivered from the typical English Garden in the 1950s to Indigenous in the 1970s. In the former instance indigenous plants were generally not in vogue and were therefore plucked out and disposed of.

The focus at that time was on formality, neatly clipped hedges, colourful borders of flowers and ubiquitous rose trees.

The 1960s we remember as the era of patio gardening. Enthusiasts followed the concept of Californian landscaper Thomas Church: ‘The garden was a living space extension of the house’. At this time, being ‘in’ was being tuned into the style of informality, with flowing lines and curves being the centre point Enter the television medium in the 1970s and everyone from landscapers to gardeners of postage-stamp-sizegardens sat glued to the likes of Keith Kirsten on the telly. Indigenous plants were popular once more and low maintenance gardening is what we had to go for.

A four-year drought was the catalyst for South Africans to perceive the lasting value of so called ‘wild flowers’ lavender, strelitzias, palms and other plants that thrive in a dry environment. During this period, the 1980s, Margaret Roberts, a physiotherapist, shared her wealth of knowledge on herbs. Townhouse living was tops and dwarf cultivars were introduced to fit into the built-in-braai and paved-patio garden. The habit of redesigning our outside space to match our lifestyle changes may be the result of landscaping becoming an accredited profession at this time.

And the chopping and changing continued through formal Tuscan topiary in the 1990s to garden centres expanding their range to include irrigation equipment, florist equipment, outdoor furniture, a tearoom and a children’s play area.

Throughout all these trends we have come full circle. Sustainability is key. Perhaps as gardeners we should concentrate less on what is happening beyond our garden gate, and stay grounded.

food talk

Star of the plate It’s the time of year for this beautiful, vibrant, purple-red and most delicious of root vegetables

Shane Sauvage Executive Chef Patron La Vierge Restaurant

Yes, you guessed right – I’m referring to the beetroot. I can think of nothing more delicious than a side order of oven-roasted beetroot lightly flavoured with a touch of cinnamon stick and clove to add a hint of Moroccan flare.

Slow roasting this root is a fantastic way to retain its delicious texture and high nutritional content. Beetroot is high in vitamin B1, B2, B3, B5 ,B6, B9, calcium, iron, vitamin C, magnesium, potassium, zinc and phosphorus. As an incredible source of powerful antioxidants, it helps in maintaining healthy cardiovascular function. The juice has been proven to lower blood pressure which further aids in preventing cardiovascular problems.

Beetroot can be roasted with honey and a vanilla pod and served warm with chunks of Greek feta for a winter salad. Fresh beetroot leaves can be cooked in a similar way to spinach, as a healthy and delectable alternative.

Traditionally we have enjoyed beetroot boiled and dressed with white wine vinegar and olive oil. ‘Zoosh up’ this recipe using white balsamic vinegar and adding a few whole garlic cloves instead. Vegetarians, sliced beetroot on a pizza with almonds and avocado is divine! Try it.

So this season remember to add this beautiful, vibrant root to your diet. It’s good for you!

Restaurant & Champagne Verandah

RESTAURANT Lunch: Tues – Sun Dinner: Fri & Sat soups, salads, seafood, steaks, vegetarian dishes & in-house desserts

WEDDINGS • EVENTS & OUTSIDE CATERING Hemel-en-Aarde Valley • 028 313 2007 • restaurant@lavierge.co.za STANFORD RIVER TALK 17

arts & culture Going to the Grahamstown Festival

W

Art Exhibition

The Duck Pond Restaurant at Welmoed Winery in Stellenbosch, is hosting an exhibition of paintings, Nostalgia, by Sanette Upton (née Du Toit), to be opened

by Schalk Visser. Part of the proceeds will be donated to ‘Huis Horison’. The duration of the exhibition is September until mid-October.

Enquiries: info@duckpond

e enter the theatre together through the big open doors. I am looking around me and decide that watching the people here must be at least as entertaining as the show itself … behind me walks a lady with yellow beaded hair; on the other side of the hall I spot a group of monks from the local monastery; a lady with a huge pink felt hat smiles at my daughter and offers her a sweet; a grandmother with a little girl on her hand squeezing past and a teenage boy who was singing in the children’s choir from Soweto a few days ago sits right next to me.

There in the front row I can see the artist whose show I visited last night and I am intrigued by what he looks like in denim and a t-shirt compared to his attire of traditional clothing while he told us about his cultural heritage through dance, drumming and singing.

Deadline September edition – 20 August ADVERTISING: design@stanfordrivertalk.co.za or p 079 523 8453 EDITORIAL: ed@stanfordrivertalk.co.za or p 028 3410 333 STANFORD RIVER TALK 18

The lady next to me is humming a song into my ear and is telling me about a phenomenal acapella group called The Soil she visited in the morning. My mind is wandering and I am unsure if I should see the Philharmonic Orchestra or Ladysmith Black Mambaza tonight in the jazz venue which I enjoyed last year so much.

The lights go off and silence fills the room. Madam silk is entering the stage.

The production comes from Ireland and the circus artists who swirl through the air on ropes underlined by beautiful music and visually captivating projections are all women.

I love it. On our way back I’m still enchanted by the performances; my daughter says that it was boring and now she wants to go to the children’s tent to do some craft and watch the puppet show! I don’t think I will be able to convince her to

sit still for the epic Swan Lake performance this afternoon.

Pity … but I think I can soothe my disappointment with some delicious Hare Krishna food or some German roosties from the village green where the big flea market is located and visitors browse for little treats or some handmade crafts.

The annual Grahamstown National Arts Festival is an inspiring event and a feast for the senses … it’s worth a visit.

Regina Bröenner

Kiwinet creates bespoke mosquito nets that add elegance to any bedroom décor. Beautifully styled Suspended and Fitted Four-Posters are our speciality.

Special discount for Stanford Residents Contact us or pop in to 36 Daneel St. • Tel: 028-341 0209 Email: info@kiwinet.co.za • www.kiwinet.co.za

arts & culture

Whooping it up at the Art Café Herriot were at it again displaying their highly honed and rehearsed skills in jazz and swing. These two together with downloadable orchestrations whizzed through an astonishing number of songs and rhythms spread over six decades, from the early Cole Porter smooth sounds to the irrepressible rhythmical movements of Tom Jones and the ‘Hot July’ vibrations of Neil Diamond. People from Hermanus, Die Kelders, Johannesburg, Cape Having a jorl: (from left to right) Lainy Carpenter, Rina Town and our own loyal Stanford de Wet and Muriel Burl. supporters and rah-rah girls were feverishly entertained with swing here were amazing scenes at the Art music for the connoisseur and fed with the Cafe in Stanford on the evening of finest Art Café dishes served up on platters the 15 July. No, it wasn’t a geriatric of great variety by the chef Phillip and his streaker, nor was it a Scotsman buying a round of drinks that caused an explosive and team. This was washed down by the best Walker Bay Pinotage. That great sensuous frenetic crescendo of musical appreciation lady of Whale Radio 96 FM, Janet Marshall, and raw energy. Nay, nay. It was the third and her distinguished and knowledgeable jazz and swing nite to be held in what is jazz enthusiast, Paul Boshoff, were there to becoming a staunchly popular hub for compere and introduce to the learned the the au fait, indeed the au courant with many idiosyncrasies of the genre that gets syncopation and improvisation reaching the feet tapping and the hips swaying. double forte. John Hardie and Andrew

T

Jami Kastner on the eve of her third born was there and was heard commenting that she had not witnessed such fun amongst the local village populous in a long time. This wasn’t ‘South Africa’s got talent’ or Susie Boyle singing I Dreamed a Dream, with the deepest humility, it was better. Wow! What is it that causes the more mature group of thirty something’s upwardly mobile to assemble in unison and collectively work up a frenzy when Sex Bomb is played and sang by the momentous John Hardie for the nth time? Who knows, but it happened.

The latter song could hardly be ascribed to jazz as we know it, but it was offered as a genuine entreaty to accelerate and modulate the senses and believe you me the loyal and faithful could not be halted – there was no pause button. Led by the irrefutable Peter Younghusband, a galaxy of youthful energy overwhelmingly dominated the final hour of motion. More, more was the earnest cry. So, good people of Stanford and the Overstrand you will get more. Watch this space . . .

Klein River Cheese && Picnics

Hair By Belinda Tasting, Shop and Play-park: Weekdays 9-5 and Saturdays 9- 1

Picnic: Closed for winter - 7km outside Stanford on Route 326 T 028 341 0693 kleinriver@telkomsa.net • www.kleinrivercheese.co.za

weddings, up styles creative hair cutting

only available on cell: 072 329 7753 4 morton square, morton str. stanford

STANFORD RIVER TALK 19

OUT OF THE HAT Let’s put an end to this great big hadeda about nothing.

G

ather around, fellow Stanfordians, for we have a most vexing issue that must be honestly addressed. No, not the thorny question of whether or not old Ted wears a wig.

Hear ye, hear ye the hadedas?

I thought so. I have your undivided attention.

Well, I would if it were not for that unbearable racket assaulting you from above.

What are we to do? There is a Stanfordian of my close acquaintance who has no further use for her alarm clock. For, every morning just afore the sun peeks over the mountains, the fearsome shriek of the hadedas (birdus horriblis squawkae) blasts through her bedroom as they take wing from the trees on the lettuce farm side of the river, pausing only to drop their guts on the turrets and spires of Castle Herriot in Adderley Street before smugly flapping off over the R43 to wherever they go to infuriate others.

It is at this point that I should declare my love for birds. My heart skips a beat when a bird of iridescent hue alights on a nearby branch. Malachite sunbirds take my breath away. The beauty of Malachite kingfishers almost evokes tears of joy. If there were a ‘Malachite sparrow’ I’m certain I would decant extra seed onto my bird feeder.

When I lived in Durban, I had a large backgarden aviary and doted on my avian flock.

I’m not too modest to announce that I won awards for breeding rare species in captivity. I got up during the night to hand-feed barelyfeathered fledglings whose mothers had fallen off their perch.

Ah, Durban. Hadedaville. There, the Grand Order of the Unruly Squabble of Hadedas

STANFORD RIVER TALK 20

meet daily to assign 30 of their number to which it might belong. each rooftop just to ensure that no baby The ensuing din then causes 1,056 hadedas sleeps, no housewife watches The Bold and to fly off in search of another tree in which Beautiful unmolested, no dog grabs 40 winks to squat and examine their bums, a move on a hot and humid arvie. They are that evil. requiring them all to want to sit in exactly the But the prehistoric-looking, beady-eyed skysame spot on the very same branch. This, wailers did not bother me as much as they in turn, brings about a most unedifying rort do here in about which of Stanford. them got there first.

Why? Well, And, I must ask, In Durban one’s hearing is continuously it’s obvious. assaulted by the white-noise brrrmm why is it that when In Durban, one of them shows of several million electrical household one’s a bit of initiative appliances and the roar of a few hundred hearing is and flies off on its continuously VW Golfs being over-revved as hijackers own, perhaps to assaulted actually shop for hurtle home after another fruitful day’s work some food for its by the white-noise young instead of brrrmm of several million electrical household just sitting around arguing about it, do the appliances and the roar of a few hundred VW rest tag along, screeching to their cousins in Golfs being over-revved as hijackers hurtle Caledon about what they’re doing, where home after another fruitful day’s work. they’re going and why they’re doing it?

But in our little village, apart from the I’m sorry. They have to be stopped. And, I reassuring clanging of the church bells and can now cheerfully report, there is hope. As the very occasional roar from Hennie’s should an old journo who likes to scratch around the the Bulls manage to win (and I’m deliberately dark underbelly of Stanford, I am not talking not mentioning Mr Hutton’s parrots here, out from beneath my tail feathers when I say OK?), all is blissfully quiet. that the word in a certain dark corner of a Until, that is, one of the squillion hadedas certain public hostelry is that plans to hold a decides to peck at its behind. One would hadeda hunt are already well underway. hope that this seemingly minor event would I’m no fan of the propensity of the kilt-clad pass unnoticed. But, no, a hadeda attempting aristocracy to clear Scottish skies of the to prise free a flea from its nether regions relatively taciturn grouse but, in this instance, never fails to prompt an all-encompassing I wish all power to the elbows of our hadeda and ear-deafening inquisition from all of the hunters.

Fred Hatman other hadedas, presumably inquiring after * Please send your comments to further details such as the size of the flea, the fred@fredhatman.co.za exact position of it and the specific species to

history talk

By Phil Murray

To the bitter end SIR ROBERT STANFORD

P

PIET RETIEF

ietermaritzburg is a tough old gal. She is still characterised by beautiful red brick work flea markets in Alex Park, the Ghandi statue and umpteen excellent schools but she is also an example of how a colonial city can morph to fit into the new South Africa. Yes, the city centre is cluttered and dirty but the new street names seem to have stuck, and business is thriving. While hobnobbing around that last colonial outpost it occurred to me that both Maritzburg and Stanford are named after highly respected colonists who met with bitter ends.

Sir Robert Stanford was a British officer who bought the Kleyne Riviers Valley farm in the Overberg district. He was a progressive farmer who grew his wealth through grain

Phil Murray’s recent trip to Pietermaritzburg gets her thinking about Stanford farming, milling and delivering produce to Cape Town by sea. He, however, found himself between a rock and a hard place in 1849 when a British convict ship arrived in the Cape carrying Irish ‘rebels’. Locals did not want the Cape to become a penal colony and went on strike, refusing to deliver food to government institutions and hospitals. Stanford was still a British officer on half-pay, and in order to avoid possible martial law and loss of life, he sent muchneeded provisions to Cape Town. Of course, he was then seen as a traitor by the settlers, and the governor was tepid in his defence of Stanford. Stanford lost everything – friends, land, wealth and even the life of a sick daughter whom a doctor refused to treat. He died in Manchester at the age of 70 having

been betrayed, deceived and defeated by life.

Piet Retief and Gert Maritz were Voortrekker leaders. Retief negotiated a land settlement with King Dingaan, but when he was invited to the Royal Zulu Kraal for a farewell celebration Retief and his men were ‘tricked’ into leaving their guns outside as etiquette required. They were then surrounded by Zulu impis performing a traditional war dance. The impis danced closer and closer, and became more and more frenzied, until they slayed Retief and his men. This later led to the Battle of Blood River in which the Boers avenged Retief’s ‘brutal murder’.

You couldn’t make up two more dramatic stories from our unique South African history.

STANFORD RIVER TALK 21

AU G U S T T I D E TA B L E Sunrise Sunset

ELECTRICITY DEPOSIT

1 2 3 4 5 6

0737 0736 0735 0734 0733 0733

1804 1805 1805 1806 1807 1808

HIGH WATER time height 0408 1.79 0448 1.78 0529 1.73 0613 1.64 0701 1.51 0801 1.37

time 1629 1708 1750 1834 1924 2029

height 1.92 1.93 1.87 1.76 1.62 1.46

LOW WATER time height 1009 0.16 1047 0.19 1127 0.26 0007 0.34 0057 0.43 0156 0.53

time 2239 2322 ---1210 1259 1405

height 0.25 0.28 ---0.36 0.48 0.61

7 8 9 10 11 12 13

0732 0731 0730 0729 0728 0727 0726

1808 1809 1810 1810 1811 1812 1812

0926 1108 1229 0047 0141 0223 0258

1.26 1.25 1.33 1.37 1.45 1.52 1.58

2158 2333 ---1325 1408 1445 1517

1.34 1.32 ---1.43 1.54 1.63 1.70

0316 0453 0617 0717 0759 0835 0904

0.61 0.61 0.55 0.45 0.36 0.30 0.27

1540 1724 1842 1936 2017 2051 2122

0.68 0.66 0.56 0.45 0.37 0.31 0.29

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21

0725 0724 0723 0722 0721 0720 0718 0717

1813 1814 1814 1815 1816 1816 1817 1818

0330 0400 0429 0458 0526 0556 0628 0709

1.63 1.65 1.65 1.62 1.56 1.48 1.39 1.28

1548 1617 1646 1714 1743 1813 1848 1936

1.75 1.77 1.76 1.71 1.64 1.55 1.43 1.32

0932 0958 1024 1050 1117 1146 0025 0108

0.27 0.29 0.33 0.40 0.48 0.57 0.58 0.67

2151 2220 2249 2319 2351 ---1218 1301

0.29 0.31 0.36 0.42 0.50 ---0.67 0.77

22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29

0716 0715 0714 0713 0711 0710 0709 0707

1819 1819 1820 1821 1821 1822 1823 1824

0815 1022 1155 0009 0102 0146 0227 0307

1.18 1.15 1.25 1.33 1.46 1.59 1.71 1.80

2103 2254 ---1249 1331 1410 1447 1525

1.23 1.24 ---1.39 1.56 1.72 1.87 1.98

0211 0354 0531 0632 0717 0755 0831 0908

0.74 0.77 0.69 0.57 0.43 0.29 0.19 0.12

1422 1645 1808 1859 1942 2021 2059 2138

0.85 0.84 0.73 0.59 0.44 0.31 0.20 0.14

30 0706 1824 0346 1.85 1604 2.02 0945 0.10 2217 0.13 31 0705 1825 0426 1.84 1643 2.00 1023 0.13 2258 0.17 Information supplied by the Hydrographer, SA Navy © 2010. Not for navigational purposes.

The Hydrographer is not responsible for any transcription errors. The use of the provided information is entirely at the user’s own risk.

(continued from page 5)

municipality receives its first instalment, it has already delivered two months’ service and settled the account in full with ESKOM. Up until now consumers’ electricity deposits were only adjusted when they defaulted on payment. The deposits of those who paid their accounts as required were never adjusted and some of the accounts date from an era when deposits were not required.

To soften the blow for these consumers, the increased amount will be payable over a period of 10 months, commencing September 2011. Alternatively, residential consumers could switch to pre-paid meters.

In the new financial year, the costs associated with such a move will amount to R975 for installation and R346 in the form of a deposit. The latter will be deducted from the client’s existing deposit. The excess or deficit will be debited or credited to the client’s municipal account.

Based on experience, consumers with pre-paid metres have a tendency to monitor and manage their daily consumption of electricity far more effectively.

It is anticipated that clients would switch to prepaid meters en masse; for this reason the municipality has stocked up on 3 500 meters. Should clients apply for a conversion before the end of August, they will not be required to pay the increased deposit, even in cases where the prepaid metres cannot be installed immediately.

INLIGTINGSVERGADERING – ELEKTRISITEITSTARIEWE WOENSDAG 10 AUGUSTUS 2011 OM 16:30 STANFORD GEMEENSKAPSAAL (STOOR)

• • • •

Tyres & Exhaust Motor Car Service Centre Wheel Alignment Shocks, Brakes & CV Joints

U word vriendelik uitgenooi deur die verkose wyksraadslid vir Wyk 11, Mnr Dudley Coetzee, na ‘n inligtingsvergadering aangaande die verhoogde deposito en glyskale van elektrisiteitstariewe. Raadslid Ben Solomon, burgemeesterskomiteelid vir Finansies en Ekonomiese Ontwikkeling sal teenwoordig wees om die veranderinge te verduidelik. _____________________________________________ INFORMATION SESSION – ELECTRICITY TARIFFS WEDNESDAY 10 AUGUST 2011 AT 16:30 STANFORD COMMUNITY HALL (STOOR)

tel/fax: 028 341 0104 A/H: 072 369 8264 STANFORD RIVER TALK 22

You are cordially invited by Councillor Dudley Coetzee, elected ward councilor for Ward 11, to an information meeting regarding the increased electricity deposits and progressive sliding scale of electricity tariffs. Councillor Ben Solomon, executive committee member for Finances and Economic Development will be present to explain the changes.

carstairs, max & I

By Peter Younghusband

Tales of a tricky business

C

arstairs was not amused by a report in the Cape Times last week that a dog-owner whose dog barked longer than six minutes could be liable to a fine. It was one of several new municipal by-laws dreamed up by Cape Town’s municipality to deal with animal nuisances.

‘Good heavens! I wish they would not toy around with dangerous legislation of that sort. If the mandarins in Hermanus hear about it they will be copying it to us faster than you can think!’

I told him: ‘You’re absolutely right. In fact I have heard the Overberg Council is already working on it. And it’s a nasty by-law.

Because if you don’t see to the problem they could also impound your dog.’

Carstairs looked at Max, lying at our feet, and was visibly moved at the thought of our old bu-bu doing time in a dog-jail.

‘Well, how do you get round the problem?’ he demanded irritably. ‘Are we supposed to stand around with a stop-watch and give him six minutes of barking time every time he starts? Because as you well know sometimes he woofs in the middle of the

night, especially when there’s a full moon, and I have heard him yammer on for more than six minutes. Damned irritating and I can understand neighbours waking up and getting annoyed and calling the police.’

I had to agree. ‘I’ve heard you can have their vocal cords cut,’ I said helpfully.

‘No, to hell with that!’ he snapped.

We discussed the problem at length and decided that there wasn’t much we could do about Max’s barking at present short of keeping a sack tied over his head or taking turns at night on a shift basis ready to shout ‘shuddup!’ every time he started barking.

So, moving on, Carstairs said we needed to talk about the problem of poop, as there had also been talk about tightening up the penalties of failing to scoop up, catch or otherwise collect one’s dog poop on sidewalks (and /or the Market Square) at time of deposit thereon.

‘Now that’s a tricky business,’ said Carstairs, ‘ because it involves what one uses, how it’s done and what one puts it into.’ He told the story of Martin, who was walking our dogs, Max and Doon, on the

Market Square one morning and diligently gathered together a delivery of poop by Doon in a Pick n Pay plastic bag, and walking on, swinging the bag with the happiness of a job well done, when a kid on a bicycle swooped past and snatched the bag.

‘What downright criminal behaviour!’ I said. ‘And in full public view too. Did he report it to the police?’

‘No,’ replied Carstairs: ‘Martin is a thoughtful fellow and concluded that as the content of the bag was of little value and the thief was in for a surprise, there was not much point in taking the matter further and disturbing the tranquillity of the police and wasting the time of the courts. I tended to agree with him.’

STANFORD RIVER TALK 23

classifieds

Cosy cattery and kennel in lovely country atmosphere.

There is an HONESTY BOX at Stanfordinfo where you can pay for your classifieds. Please enclose the amount in an envelope.

SMALL ADS: R1 a word • BOXED ADS: R77 info@stanfordrivertalk.co.za • cell: 079 291 1588

Qualified dog trainer.

FOR SALE

A DSTV DECODER, (with Smart card) R300 p 028 3410 077.

A PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHER ( 4.5 kg) in perfect condition R200. p 028 3410 077.

CAR SEAT ages 0-1 year. Excellent condition built-in shade cover R600. p Caitlin 083 358 6365.

CAT SCRATCHING POST mounted on scratching box R150 p Caitlin 083 358 6365.

CONTENT OF 2 BEDROOM HOUSE and garden furniture availabe for viewing beginning August. p 028 3410 443 or 073 356 8499.

CONVECTIONAIRE Cooker / Dishwasher. Never been used. Ideal for downsizing / small apartment etc. Value R5 000, will be accept R2 500. p 028 384 0975.

METAL GATES 2 x 233 cm wide sold individually for R600 or together for R1 100. p Caitlin 083 358 6365.

Well balanced diets, love and care.

028 - 3410 961

VILLAGE LAUNDROMAT Washing • Tumble Drying • Ironing Dry Cleaning • Steam Cleaning • Carpets Mon – Fri 8.30am - 5pm 25 Queen Victoria st, Cell: 072 616 0976

FARMSCAPE farm and garden projects

ADULT HORSE RIDING CLASSES. p Jake Uys on 079 468 9060.

• indigenous landscaping • fynbos and waterwise gardens • tree planting and pruning • establishment of vegetable gardens and orchards • windbreaks and living firebreaks • alien clearing • irrigation • fencing • general maintenance

RELIABLE & HONEST PAINTER. No job too small. Contactable references p Wilson on 072 223 2511.

Alex 076 243 1955 alexchouler@gmail.com

PLASTIC 2-PART DOG KENNEL medium R400. p Caitlin 083 358 6365.

WOODEN COT 2 levels and 1 side removable R450. p Caitlin 083 358 6365.

OFFERING

Kinesiology For improving, restoring and maintaining health on a mental, emotional or physical level.

R300 for the first session (2 hrs), R250 for any session thereafter (90 min) Maaike Heger maaikeheger@gmail.com 072 683 5648

Suidsee Verkoeling Nuwe kontaknommer: Tel: 087 808 2175 Sakkie Myburgh: 083 771 0753 Alle huishoudelike herstelwerk

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

SOUTH COAST

SOLAR Solar and renewable energy specialists

John Hardie • 079 29 11611 john@southcoastsolar.co.za www.southcoastsolar.co.za

Insurance approved PIRB Registered and Licensed Plumbing contractors

Where to worship in Stanford

NG GEMEENTE STANFORD Sondae 9:30 in die kerkgebou. Office, tel 028 3410 966.

ST THOMAS ANGLICAN CHURCH Morton St, contact Father Joseph Gabriëls 028 3410588 First Sunday of the month 10:30 Communion (Afr).

Second Sunday of the month 10:30 Service (Afr) Third Sunday of the month 08:00 Communion (Eng) Fourth Sunday of the month 10:30 Service (Afr) FULL GOSPEL CHURCH OF GOD cnr Queen Victoria & Bezuidenhout St. 09:30 Sunday morning service. Pastor Johnny van der Schyff • 028 3410 422.

VG KERK (next to De Bron School) 10:00 Sunday morning. Maureen Diedericks 028 3410 691.

STANFORD UNITED CHURCH ST THOMAS CHURCH, Morton St. Inter-denominational.

English service at 6pm Sunday. Bible Study, 7pm Wednesday at 45 Queen Victoria St. Secretary Kerri Brokensha 028 341 0077.

STANFORD RIVER TALK 24

crossword

Set by Alberich, www.freecrosswords.net Entries for the crossword should be sent to Box 228, Stanford, 7210 by 20 August 2010.

STANFORD - RIVER WATER RESULTS

The treated sewerage outlet point into the Kleinriver is at the slipway at the end of Du Toit Street. The stream in the middle of town, starting in the dip in De Bruyn Street, is partly fed by the treated effluent from the waste water treatment works which gets complemented only in winter, by the overflow of the two dams in the middle of town. The two sampling points for the river are thus respectively known as under and above the treated sewerage outlet point.

Determinant (e. Coli) Under treated Above treated Standard Sewerage Outlet point Sewerage Outlet 0-130/100ml (Jetty next to erf 396) point (Bridge R43 to Hermanus) MAY

0

0

JUNE

0

0

ACROSS 1 Blooming tooth robber! You have the legal right to fine him (12) 9 Dostoyevsky’s Prince Myshkin gives one girl books (5) 10 Bursting in and bursting out, we hear (9) 11 Completed dub on soundtrack extraordinarily quickly (9) 12 Recent time lost makes one tardier (5) 13 Some metal boxes get returned, flattened at the edges (6) 15 Radioactive metal found in protein by one university microbiologist originally (8) 18 Composer who brought Spanish language to Italy? (8) 19 It helps produce groovy music (6) 22 Required by one sitting president at meeting (5) 24 Topless sex on Prague television initially bothered censor (9) 26 One who makes good money for his employers wouldn’t be welcome at Lord’s, perhaps (9) 27 Brad returns with a climber (5) 28 Repeatedly speak with East European corrupt dialect (6-6) DOWN 1 Bespectacled Corin somehow finds a S. American flower (7) 2 Brief moment for a lyricist? (5) 3 Give advance payment to South African province before delivery (9) 4 Non-Spanish speaker in America has to travel around to make a call (6) 5 Version of Christe eleison primarily for those with unorthodox creed (8) 6 Banish former huntsman out East (5) 7 Defective hearing result of putting one in the wind (8) 8 Worker is on the edge in Northern Ireland (6) 14 Reluctant Marion undressed for seducer (8) 16 Raised capital to support one theatre with production of Lear, among others (5,4) 17 Eskimo shaman finds English king in capital city, decapitated (8) 18 Commander in chief to the Queen has love for orator (6) 20 Leak incomplete cross-reference (7) 21 A mineral source extremely thin on the ground (6) 23 Dance graduate leaves cake (5) 25 A shortage? What a shame (5)

STANFORD - RETICULATED DRINKING WATER RESULTS

Escherichia coli (E.coli) – bacteria that is a normal inhabitant of the human intestine. Its presence in a sample indicates pollution from human faeces.

Total Coliform bacteria – is the name for all the bacteria that produce gas and acid from the fermentation of lactose and its presence in a sample indicates pollution from the intestines of both humans and animals.

Heterotrophic Plate Count – is a standard microbiological method used to determine the efficiency of operations to remove or destroy organisms, good and bad, during the treatment process.

DETERMINANT

MAY

JUNE

E. coli STANDARD (0/100ml)

0

0

Total Coliform bacteria STANDARD (10/100ml)

0

0

Heterotrophic Plate Count STANDARD (5000/100ml)

700

2980

what’s on in August?

WINE & WISDOM Thursday 4 August 7pm, R40 pp, Stanford Art Café. Contact Annie Ranger (028) 3410 984.

FNB CLASSIC RUGBY CLASH Hermanus High School vs Hawston Saturday 6 August. Hermanus High School.

STANFORD ANIMAL WELFARE SOCIETY AGM Monday 15 August 2011 at 13.30, Conference Centre, Stanford Hotel. All welcome.

Contact Annie Ranger 028 3410 984.

STANFORD SUNSET MARKET Friday 26 August, 6-8pm, Village Green. Contact Rina on 083 604 0808.

STANFORDINFO AGM Wednesday 31 August at 18:30. Conference Centre, Stanford Hotel.

weekly timetable

STANFORD MOUNTAIN BIKE RACE Saturday 3 September. More information to be announced.

Monday & Thursday, 5.15pm - 6pm, Pilates, The old Beauty Spot Studio, above Tops Bottle Store, Tracy: 082 441 8307.

Monday & Wednesday, 5pm, Canoeing, Slipway Church St, John Finch 028 341 0444, Jan Malan 082 452 9877.

Tuesday (5pm to 6pm) & Friday (9am to 10am), Tae Bo, Stanford Conference Centre, Ronnie 083 655 4521.

Tuesday 8:45 to 10am, Iyengar Yoga with Marianne, Studio @ Art Café.

Wednesday 9 to 10am, Nia Dancing with Nikki, Studio @ Art Café, Nikki 072 436 1497.

Thursday 8:45 to 10am, Vinyasa Yoga with Leli, Studio @ Art Café, Leli 082 3500 253.

Tuesday & Thursday, 4pm, Cycling, Meet at Caltex Garage, Dave Morrison 082 321 7996.

Wednesday, 6.30pm, Stanford Rotary Club Meeting, Art Café. Everyone welcome.

Friday, 5pm, Canoe Time Trials, Slipway Church St, John Finch 028 341 0444, Jan Malan 082 452 9877.

Saturday, 10am – 12pm, Stanford Saturday Morning Market, Art Gallery Courtyard from Enquiries call Art Café (028) 3410 591.

STANFORD RIVER TALK 25

local services & facilities List your business for just R11 a month (only R132/year).

Email: info@stanfordrivertalk.co.za or telephone 07929 11588.

ACCOMMODATION B’s Cottage De Klein Rivers Valley Galashiels Lodge Hadeda’s Guest Lodge LIGHT Cottage Melk & Heuning Morton Cottage Mosaic Farm Reed Cottage Riverside Accommodation Stanford Country Cottages Stanford River Lodge The Country Cottage Upton House

028 341 0430 028 341 0048 028 341 0181 082 498 4905 028 341 0683 028 341 0683 082 450 3970 028 313 2814 028 341 0984 082 614 6322 082 320 0982 028 341 0444 083 553 0663 079 777 5983

ESTATE AGENTS Michael Thompson Pam Golding Stanford Village Properties Graham & Swart FIREWOOD Walshacres

083 225 7367 028 341 0708 082 893 2282 072 111 9321 028 341 0641

028 384 8043 082 735 7153 082 658 0427 082 324 6799 028 341 0685 082 899 1172

HOUSE MANAGEMENT @ Your Service Stanford Country Cottages Village Laundromat

074 587 1380 082 320 0982 072 616 0976

028 341 0961 028 341 0961

PLUMBING John Hardie M–Electrical & Plumbing

079 291 1611 082 299 2739

PRINTING & PUBLISHING The Really Famous Publishing CC 079 291 1588

028 341 0685 082 898 4889

GARDENS & NURSERIES Green Futures Nursery Helen’s Garden Service Krige Tree Services Stanford Chippers Walshacres Willowdale Nursery

PETS & PET CARE Stanford Kennels Syringa Country Kennels

RESTAURANTS 1892 Stanford Spookhuis Art Café Stanford Gallery Evergrine Havercroft’s Madré’s Kitchen

028 313 2814 028 3410 591 028 341 0386 028 3410 603 028 341 0647

SECURITY JSK Wrought Iron Safe Security

083 591 9600 028 341 0801

SOLAR South Coast Solar

079 291 1611

TRUCKS & TRANSPORT Stanford Bricks

028 341 0685

WEDDING VENUES Beloftebos Galashiels Lodge Mosaic Farm Sir Robert Stanford Estate Stanford Hotel

028 341 0683 028 341 0181 028 313 2814 028 341 0647 082 781 1704

ALTERATIONS Caitlin’s Dressmaking

083 358 6365

ANTIQUES/FURNITURE Sir Robert Stanford

028 341 0048

ARCHITECTURE Maureen Wolters

082 450 3970

ARTS, CRAFTS & GIFTS Ons Winkel Stanford Galleries Traderoots

028 341 0647 028 341 0591 084 643 4504

BOOKS Sir Robert Stanford Stanford Galleries

028 341 0048 028 341 0591

IMMIGRATION SERVICES Assured Immigration Services 082 629 5442

CAR CARE PRO-FIT

072 369 8264

NEWSPAPER Stanford River Talk

079 291 1588

CONFERENCE CENTRE Mosaic Farm

028 313 2814

028 3410 693 073 318 5078 083 310 0952

Stanford Hills Estate

CONSTRUCTION Stanford Bricks

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES Klein River Picnics Platanna River Rat Boat Cruises

Sir Robert Stanford Estate Springfontein Wine Estate

028 341 0685

DRIVING SCHOOL Drive with Cait

083 358 6365

ELECTRICIAN H.C.D Electrical M–Electrical & Plumbing

079 182 8825 082 299 2739

HOME MAINTENANCE Stanford Country Cottages INTERIORS Kiwinet Maureen Wolters

028 341 0209 082 450 3970

WINE CELLAR & SALES Brunia Wines

Tel: 028 341 0965 • Cell: 082 320 0982 enquiries@stanfordcountrycottages.co.za www.stanfordcountrycottages.co.za

028 312 2225

SUPPLIED BY Jake Uys

RAINFALL STATISTICS

PEST CONTROL Overberg Pest Control

028 341 0432 082 783 7257 028 3410 647 028 341 0651 072 371 7546 028 3410 841

police: 028 3410 601 / 10177 ambulance: 10177 municipality: 028 341 8500 fire & rescue: 079 5077 326 overstrand emergency: 028 313 8000 / 313 8186

PAINTING AND DECORATING Chris 082 739 3627

Rural and river retreats in tranquil surroundings, Stanford Country Cottages are situated throughout the village and surrounding area. Perfect getaways from stressed city living, they offer a unique base from which to explore this magical village and the fascinating Cape Whale Coast & Overberg.

STANFORD RIVER TALK 26

082 320 0982

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

Jan

17

11.5

12

8.5

19

14

ave 13

Feb

22

39.5

25

11

17.5

20

22.5

March

14

49

27

20.5

20

26

26

April

45

70

21.5

27.6

30

56

41.6

May

78.5

45

31.5

55

66.5

83

59.6

June

45

75.5

50.5

106.3

91.5

88

76.13

July

137

102.5

76

97.5

43

56

85.3

Aug

65

66.5

71.5

89

46

67.6

Sept

27

49.8

74

88

35.5

54.8

Oct

61

73

39.5

92

50

63.1

Nov

41.5

89.5

91

31

57

62

Dec

20.5

37

35

6

40

27.7

Year

573.5

708.8

554.5

632.4

459

d r o f n a t S in s n io t a r b le e C

Leanne Robertson 3 August

Howard Krut 10 August

Matthew Erwee 4 August

Alice Bednall 13 August

Marianne Rossouw 5 August

Tracey Bednall 15 August

Ursula Pietersen 9 August

Joshua White 8 August

Cathryn Herriot 24 August

If there is a birthday coming up or special occasion you want to share with the village please email ed@stanfordrivertalk.co.za

Welcome to the village

The little hedgehog:

Baby Samuel James Kastner was born on 20 July weighing in at a healthy 3.4kg. Mom and baby are both doing great, although Jami now finds herself severely outnumbered with 4 boys in the house!

‘We moved to Stanford from Cape Town two and a half years ago and have been renting a cottage on Wildgarten Farm where we started a small bee keeping project and vegetable garden. We sell honey and surplus veggies and flowers at the Stanford Saturday market.

We also keep free range chickens, ducks and pigs. We sell, give away or trade our chickens, eggs and piglets.

We also do swarm removals around Stanford and Alex does landscape gardening. I do small catering jobs i.e. canapé parties and fine dining dinners. We will be moving to a cottage on Walshacres at the end of the month, on the mountain side next to the quarry.’ Tabby Robertshaw

Stanford New addition: Our beautiful

baby girl Ripley Layla was born at 00:12 on Wednesday 6th July. Proud parents Alex and Tabby from Wildgarten Farm, Stanford.

Architects & Planners Development Consultants Cell 082 8760492 Fax 086 7299 123 guywhittle@mweb.co.za

STANFORD RIVER TALK 27

stewart@alcock.co.za

MICHAEL THOMPSON

ESTATES

NEW RELEASE

EIENDOMME

SIMPLY STUNNING!

www.mtestates.co.za R1 595 000

RECENTLY BUILT; 2 BEDS PLUS A FLATLET. AWARD-WINNING GARDEN STYLISH & SECURE R 1 495 000

SOLE MANDATE R 2 900 000

2 Beds, 2 baths large living areas

Award-winning architect’s home

TO VIEW CALL STEWART 074 126 7770

*SPECIALS FOR AUGUST* For two friends, couples, mother and daughter or work colleagues, our team will treat both of you for an hour with a choice of any 2 of the treatments below, for only R200 each: Indian Head Massage • Hand and Foot Massage • Meridian Massage • Mini Pedicure • Mini Manicure • Mini Reflexology session We are now offering 100% NATURAL FACIALS with JUST PURE! Book a Just Pure facial and receive a FREE 20min back and neck massage.

Why not treat your feet with a sumptuous “strawberries and cream” paraffin mask and book for a full Pedi at our special price of R220.00 only!

18 HOPE STREET, HERMANUS • 028 313 0660 info@lafemmehermanus.co.za