Peoples Post False Bay Edition 17-05-2011

Your Pizza Hero ITALIAN WOOD FIRED PIZZERIA WE ONLY DO PIZZA, THE OLD FASHIONED WAY!

STORES OPEN IN

Sunnyacres Centre, Kommetjie Rd, Sunnydale (Foodzone) Tel: 021 785 2669 7-Eleven Centre, Cnr Gill & Main Rd, Muizenberg Tel: 021 709 0590

E-mail: post@peoplespost.co.za

Tuesday 17 May 2011

Tel: 021 713 9440 Fax: 021 713 9481

BIRD’S EYE VIEW: A man admires the view of Tokai from just below Old Boyes Drive on Saturday 15 May.

Photo: Gerhard Slabber

Children accused of setting homeless man alight ANDRE BAKKES

A

GROUP of children allegedly tried to set alight a homeless man living under a bridge in Ocean View last Sunday, 8 May. The badly burnt 40-year-old man is currently in a stable condition in Tygerberg Hospital.

Pat Franck, chairperson of the Far South Community Policing Forum Cluster, says she personally visited the site underneath the bridge where the incident had allegedly occurred.

Franck saw remnants of a burnt red jersey in the hole the man slept in, near the Seven Sisters council flats.

“The three children, aged between eight and 14, were apparently ‘out having fun’

when they saw a blanket under the bridge and set it alight,” she says.

Aside from visiting the site, Franck’s information about the incident is based on what a community member told her.

She did not know whether the children knew that there was someone sleeping underneath the blanket.

“A lot of the homeless in the area walk around sniffing glue, so the man was probably passed out.”

She describes the bridge over the waterway as “so low that the man had to dig away some of the terrain just to have a place to sleep”.

What concerns her, though, is that the authorities have apparently not been notified.

“I was so upset I couldn’t even sleep.

“Why wasn’t a case opened?” she asks.

People’s Post contacted Warrant Officer Nkosikho Mzuku, Warrant Officer Tanya Lesch and Captain Stephen Knapp – all spokespeople for the police in the Far South – and all denied that a case regarding the homeless man had been opened at their respective police stations of Ocean View, Hout Bay or Muizenberg.

When Mzuku was asked on whom the onus was to report such an incident, he said that the person who contacted the ambulance should also have phoned the police.

“It’s a human life! What if he died? Also,

who is counselling the children? I’m worried about them,” Franck says.

A resident who wants to remain anonymous, but also claims to know what happened at the bridge that evening, says a police vehicle picked up the victim and took him to Tygerberg Hospital.

She was hesitant to reveal anything else, because the case involves minors and according to her is under investigation.

“Some police were recently at the house of one of the children who was involved,” she says.

None of the police officers People’s Post spoke to have any knowledge of this visit.

Tygerberg Hospital spokesperson, Laetitia Pienaar, confirmed that a man was admitted on Sunday 8 May with burns to 45% of his body.

NEWS

Page 2 People’s Post False Bay

These three ladies enjoyed a memora­ ble Mother’s Day lunch at Boulders Beach Lodge and Restaurant, after Carolynne Franklin (centre) won the People’s Post read­ er’s competition, in which a R500 gift voucher was given away. The SMS com­ petition was run two weeks before Moth­ er’s Day, and attract­ ed a sizeable field of entries – but it was to Carolynne’s de­ light that the prize fell to her. From the left are Rosemary Borden, Carolynne Franklin and Sheila Robinson. Carolynne comments: “Awesome service, sub­ lime food and lovely location for a special day. We were even presented with lovely long­stemmed roses for Mother’s Day – thank you!”

Photo: Supplied

Older persons forum launched NEARLY 80 elderly people from community organisations and clubs in Fish Hoek, Masiphumelele and Ocean View have agreed to form an older persons’ district forum.

The decision was made at a meeting in the Fish Hoek Civic Centre on 11 May. The forum will keep them informed of what is happening in the field of ageing, raise their concerns and allow them to network.

The gathering was arranged by the Western Cape Older Persons Forum (WCOPF), and chaired by WCOPF board member, Phumla Ndaba, who translated all the proceedings into Xhosa. Speakers included Desiree Mentor, from the City council, who outlined the benefits available to older people, including rebates on rates and other services for those with an income of less than R7 000, as well as Dial-a-Ride.

There is an older persons sector in the Forum of Ward 69, where an older persons’ forum could become involved and could raise issues. The meeting was told of a Social Services plan to open an office in Fish Hoek when it finds a suitable building.

It will cover the area from St James to Cape Point, and from Fish Hoek to Noordhoek and Kommetjie.

Iris Williams, who will supervise the office, told the meeting that only one club in the area is subsidised by the Department of Social Development and none of the old age homes receive subsidies.

Initially there will be three social workers, one auxiliary social worker and one development worker in the office. Currently Williams is operating from Wynberg and can be reached on (021) 710-9800. There are two emergency beds available at homes in Plumstead.

The audience responded positively to the input of Sister Sheila Williams, from False Bay Hospital, who acknowledged that older people have a problem at the hospital with long waiting times. She urged the audience: “Come to me if you have a waiting problem.”

The distribution of chronic medication is still difficult for some, but one of the homes at the meeting volunteered to help with this.

Terminal care is not available at the hospital, and patients are referred to Living Hope in Kommetjie for in-patient or home-based care. The audience thanked False Bay Hospital for being well-run, and for providing fruit and sandwiches to out-patients.

Sandy Lovick, of Living Hope, explained that they cover a wider area than Fish Hoek Valley and care for other patient groups besides the elderly.

Their community support groups assist people on chronic medication, including high blood pressure. Their home-based carers make home visits and give bed-baths and change dressings. Their in-patient unit in Kommetjie offers respite care, convalescence and terminal care, and takes referrals from several hospitals as space permits.

CPF confusion

The CPF executive consists of Pastor Sam April, the chairperson, Joan Orgill, secretary, René Francklin, assistant secretary and Pat Francke, treasurer and cluster chairperson.

The position of vice-chairperson is currently vacant. For more information, phone Francklin on (021) 783-4444.

THE Ocean View Community Police Forum (CPF) says Klaas Present, candidate for the ANC in the coming municipal elections, is not a member of the CPF executive.

Find out more about Christianity THE King of Kings Baptist Church is starting a new alpha course on Wednesday 18 May. This course is for new Christians and those who are interested in finding out more about

Christianity.

The launch and dinner talk will start at 18:30 in the church. Please RSVP to Jo Sharples, or email jo@59.co.za for further information.

Love the wetland

May from 17:00 at St Andrew’s Church, 73 Glen Road, Glencairn. There is no membership fee.

The qualification to be a member of Geese is to have a passion for the Glencairn Wetland.

Phone (021) 782-6400.

THE Glencairn Educational Environment Support Enthusiasts (Geese) organisation will host its annual general meeting on Sunday 22

OPEN DAY

Dido Valley Housing Project The City of Cape Town has arranged an open day at the Simon’s Town Town Hall to inform the public of the town planning and environmental process and progress pertaining to the Dido Valley Housing Project.

Date: Saturday 28 May 2011 Time: 11:00 – 17:00 Venue: Simon’s Town Town Hall

ACHMAT EBRAHIM CITY MANAGER

Tuesday 17 May 2011

Parking lot in the dock DALEEN FOUCHÉ

N

oordhoek residents are again caught in the debate of the Noordhoek Farm Village parking lot after the Noordhoek Environmental Action Group (NEAG) lodged an application in the Cape High Court to have the trustees of the Old Cape Village held in contempt of court.

In 2008, the Old Cape Village trustees – which include Jeremy Wiley THE ISSUE: The disputed parking lot at the Noordhoek Farm Vil­ and a former co-trustee lage.

Photo: Supplied – were ordered by the Cape High Court to demolish a parking lot But Wiley says the DEADP received the apat the bottom of Noordhoek Farm Village un- plication – and acknowledged it. “Surpriless they gained the relevant permission for singly, in March 2011, the DEADP informed the car park. the trust’s environmental consultant that The car park, built in 2007, is in violation such an application was not required.” of the land’s current zoning scheme condiNoordhoek residents who have voiced tions. During the rezoning of the property in their support for the Old Cape Village Trust 1993, a title deed condition was inserted to and the parking area insist that the parking the effect that the privately owned erf 453 is essential to keep people from parking on was to be used as “open space for public pur- the dangerous Noordhoek Main Road. Resiposes”. dents furthermore ask why the parking area The property is owned by the Old Cape Vil- is an environmental area if it poses no negalage Trust. It was rezoned as open space by tive environmental threats. the responsible authority at the time.

Glenn Ashton, member of the NEAG execThe Noordhoek Environmental Action utive committee, says he cannot speak on beGroup (NEAG), which lodged the original half of NEAG, but only speaks in his personal complaint with the High Court, filed an affi- capacity. He denies that there is any form of davit in the High Court again in December vendetta involved in the legal action.

2010, asking for the trustees to be held in conAshton says the original issue was a land tempt of court, since the parking lot had not use issue, and is inherently an environmenbeen demolished. The case will be heard in tal issue. the High Court on 9 June.

He says the trust “bulldozed” a public open Wiley, however, says that after the Cape space for parking.

High Court ruling in February 2008, the trusHe says the trust is continually expanding tees “took the advice” of Judge Dennis Davis, the Noordhoek Farm Village, which creates who made the order that the parking lot be a bigger need for parking. Neither Ashton, demolished, and applied to the Western Cape nor Cathy Sales, a member of the NEAG execpremier for approval. utive committee, would give further com“The premier’s office delegated the matter ment, because they regarded the matter as to the Department of Public Works and sub judice.

Transport for action,” says Wiley.

Wiley says he is a “law-abiding citizen and The trust gained approval for the parking if after exhausting all legal avenues, the lot from the Department of Public Works in judge rules against the trust, the trust will August 2008, which Wiley considers “legal abide by the final ruling of a court”. and binding”.

Gareth Griffiths, a freelance copy writer But NEAG maintained that approval for and editorial professional, who has been emthe parking lot is needed from the Depart- ployed by Wiley, says he has gained a personment of Environmental Affairs and Develop- al interest in this parking lot dispute. ment Planning. Wiley says that an applicaHe says before the trust turned the disputtion for approval of the parking lot was sub- ed erf into a parking lot, it was overgrown mitted to the Department of Environmental with invasive alien plants. But now, he says Affairs and Development Planning (DEADP) the area “looks great”. He says that besides in January 2011, “after extensive investiga- the parking bays, there is also a nursery and tion” and on the advice of environmental and a small earthworm composting business on town planning consultants. the erf. Griffiths believes that this dispute is The Department, however, told People’s not only a legal dispute, but also a communiPost that it had not received an application. ty dispute.

“The Department of Environmental Af“My impression is that this issue runs fairs and Development Planning can confirm deeper. Why is this such a big issue?” that no relevant applications have been reWiley says that Noordhoek residents have ceived in terms of the Land Use Planning Or- shown “overwhelming” support for both the dinance (LUPO) and the Removal of Restric- trust and the parking lot. “The trust hopes tions Act for this particular case. The De- that sanity will prevail and that NEAG will partment is aware of the current legal be persuaded to withdraw its ill-considered proceedings and intends filing papers short- contempt of court application before what ly therein,” says spokesperson Aziel Ganger- will undoubtedly be a very expensive and undine. necessary legal battle,” says Wiley.

Monthly boot sale THE St John the Evangelist’s monthly car boot sale will take place on Saturday 28 May, from 07:00 to 13:00 at a new venue. The venue is the St Brendan’s Catholic Church on the

corner of Longboat and Corvette streets in Sun Valley.

The organisers apologise for cancelling the April sale, due to a funeral at the St John the Evangelist Church. For more information, phone Maggi-Mae on (021) 782-9263 or email her on mvidas@mweb.co.za.

Neighbourhood watch meets THE Sun Valley Neighbourhood Watch’s monthly meeting will take place on Tuesday 24 May at 19:00. The venue is the St Peter’s

Church in Nelson Road, Fish Hoek. The guest speaker will be Councillor Felicity Purchase. Phone 071 638 1511.

NEWS

Tuesday 17 May 2011

People’s Post False Bay Page 3

Neden is Citizen of the Year

HEAVENLY VISTA: The sun breaks gently through the clouds onto the surface of the ocean at Long Beach in this photo­ graph tak­ en on Sun­ day 8 May. Photo: Verne

Jess

Muizenberg’s last bank shuts up shop DALEEN FOUCHÉ

M

UIZENBERG’S only bank service centre, the Standard Bank next to the Checkers off Main Road, is closing, leaving Muizenberg without a single walk-in bank.

Ross Linstrom, spokesperson for Standard Bank, says Standard Bank’s representation in certain areas in the Western Cape will be reduced after an intensive review process.

“As part of Standard Bank’s ongoing review of business operations and cost structures, the decision has been made to close two affected service centres,” says Linstrom.

Both the Muizenberg and V&A Waterfront Standard Bank Service Centres will be closed. The banks will close at the end of May. Linstrom says an intensive communication process has been initiated to minimise the impact on both staff and customers.

“Customers may continue to transact and do their banking at the nearest service centres or points of representation in the area.

“All of our customers’ banking and account details will remain unaffected.”

He says Standard Bank will try to

accommodate all affected employees within the group. “Employees have also been encouraged to review all opportunities within the group to expand their knowledge and grow professionally within the group. Where appropriate, employees will be reimbursed for any extra travel expenses they may incur,” says Linstrom.

Dave D’Alton, an ex-manager of Standard Bank and the DA election candidate for Ward 64, says Standard Bank is “making a big mistake”.

“The banks in general do not have their customers’ interest at heart, but rather their own profit,” says D’Alton.

D’Alton, who retired from the banking industry, says this will force Muizenberg residents to do their banking in Fish Hoek or at the Blue Route Mall.

“Standard Bank is serving their own interest and not the interest of the community,” says D’Alton.

“This move will be to the detriment of Muizenberg,” he says.

Gerald Musikanth, chairperson of False Bay Tourism and Business Association (FBTBA), says he received a small, blue pamphlet to inform him of the bank’s decision to close its Muizenberg branch.

He says by the time residents were informed of the closure, the decision was “cast in stone” and no reason for

the closure was provided.

Muzikanth says the closure of the Standard Bank branch will have a negative effect on businesses and will make life very difficult for pensioners, especially those without transport.“It will be expensive and time consuming for customers to visit Blue Route Mall for their banking needs,” says Muzikanth.

He explains that Absa bank used to have a small “agency” in Muizenberg, but says it closed when the woman who ran the agency, retired.

Peter Wright, member of the Muizenberg Improvement District (MID) executive committee and a Muizenberg business owner, says the First National Bank closed in 2009.

Wright says he is “disappointed” that the Standard Bank is closing its Muizenberg branch, because Muizenberg is finally “getting itself together”.

He says, as a business owner, it is “inconvenient” for him to travel to Blue Route Mall to do his banking.

“That branch only has two tellers,” he says.

Wright says if another bank, such as Capitec, would open a service centre in Muizenberg, he would move his business to that bank.

SIMON’S TOWN and Glencairn community activist, Geoff Neden, was named the Simon’s Town Civic Association’s Citizen of the Year last week.

The association says Neden was a major player in the formation of the Glencairn Action Group (GAG), and a driving force in its efforts to prevent unsuitable development in the valley.

His knowledge and patient research of planning regulations ensured “considerable success” in lobbying on behalf of the community, and made GAG a respected lobbying group.

“His expertise in this field has also made an invaluable contribution to both the Simon’s Town Civic Association and Far South Peninsula Com-

RECOGNITION: Geoff Neden (left) accepts the Simon’s Town Citizen of the Year 2011 award from Simon’s Town Civic Association chair­ person, Arné Söderlund.

Photo: Cilla Bromley

Correction IN the article “Treknetters agree to throw back small fish”, (People’s Post, 9 May), the sentence “He says treknet fishermen only catch along a 10km stretch of False Bay, which has a 116km coastline” was attributed to Dr Ken Hutchings. The information, however, was given to People’s Post by Patrick Stacey, chief fisheries inspector for the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in False Bay. People’s Post apologises for this error.

Karen

To Advertise contact

Approved by

We Install/Upgrade/Maintain Electronic security

FALSE BAY Welcomes you to their

Sunday Services

Weight Loss Challenge “What do you have to lose?”

08h30, 10h15 & 18h30 Sunday School 08h30

Minister Ronnie Cawood Further enquiries phone Church Office Mon. – Fri. 08h30 – 15h00 Telephone: 021 782 1569

no hair 220211 1AIZ0Q

Sunday School Grade 0 – 12 All children welcome Creche/Mother's room available.

Tel 021 782-1569

He has risen, our Redeemer lives so we can face all our tomorrows.

Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Cor.15:57

Independent Electronic Security ADT, Chubb, YMA, Scarborough Security

021 713 9440 083 456 9594

FISH HOEK METHODIST CHURCH

munity Forum, ensuring that his property vigilance and activism has spread well beyond the Greater Simon’s Town area,” an association statement reads.

In addition to his involvement in civic issues, he had a long record of selfless service to community safety, both at neighbourhood watch and at Community Police Forum Subforum level.

The highly effective Googlegroup he set up “and tirelessly managed” took communication of community concerns and issues to a new level.

“No one person has made as big a contribution to the neighbourhood watch efforts in ensuring a safe and secure local environment,” the association said, adding that he was a worthy recipient of the award.

Alarms/Outdoor beams/ Intercoms/CCTV/Gate motors/ Locksmith

Tel / Fax: 782-2661 e-mail: security@mach1.co.za • PSIRA: 1346048

12 Weeks Weeks of Fun Fun & Personal Personal Coaching CASH PRIZES Weigh-ins & Measuring Full Body Evaluation Eating & Exercise guide

CALL NOW TO BOOK YOUR PLACE Contact: Loraine Graham 083 962 7443 or 021 789 1222 WLC@healthwellness.co.za

1 Security Solution

NEWS

Page 4 People’s Post False Bay

TEAM WORK: The Cape Point Route “team or­ ange” at their stand. At the back, from left: Peter Haarhof (Cape Photo Company) and Pieter Gelden­ huys (PG Tops).

In the front, from left: Barbara Elshove­ Schmidt and Sally Grierson from Cape Point Route.

All the fun at Indaba 2011 THE tourism trade show, Indaba 2011, held in Durban, has come and gone in a mad flurry of visual displays, stand set-ups, meetings, talking, activity, noise, networking, selling and fun – which is exactly what Cape Point Route (CPR) went to Indaba to achieve.

The organisers’ unaudited figures show that 11 205 people passed through the exhibition turnstiles.

The indaba took place from Saturday 7 May until Tuesday 10 May. Indaba 2011 focused on post-soccer World Cup interest in South Africa, and the trends showed innovations in digital competitiveness on a global scale, as well as a celebration of creative innovation and the people and the passion of the country.

Destination promotion and packaging were sought after by international operators, and Cape Point Route worked strongly on this aspect of promotion, with packages set up to teach tour operators how to package the area as a minimum three-day destination and not a Peninsula day-trip.

“Getting the tour operators to re-sell their traditional day tours with interesting alternatives and activities was well received,” says Barbara Elshove-Schmidt of Cape Point Route. “The impact of highlighting the south Peninsula in a bold, effective collective is working, with international visitors returning to the Cape Point Route stand for more information, particularly the Brazilian tour

operators.”

Sally Grierson, of Cape Point Route, says: “Getting your message across quickly is imperative. Strong visual representation, eyecatching display, clear concise information and a good ‘elevator pitch’ are crucial to capturing attention and achieving a sale.”

Cape Point Route hosts a wine evening every year – and Indaba 2011 was no exception.

One of the drawcards was the quality of the wine, which was sponsored entirely by Cape Point Vineyards. Snacks and platters were sponsored by Pick n Pay Fish Hoek, and prizes worth R70 000 were given away in various weekend packages in the area.

These prizes become educational as tour operators experience the area personally to sell the region to their clients. ElshoveSchmidt added: “I am so proud of the Cape Point Route group – working as a team for the region is critical and every participant was out there showcasing this beautiful destination in which we live and work, and, most importantly, turning those contacts into business.” Peter Haarhof, of Cape Photo Company, attending his first Indaba, says: “It was phenomenal for me. I strongly believe that if you are in tourism and you do not attend, you are losing out big time, and Barbara and Sally are so experienced in the industry that they help you through the process, which could have been overwhelming as a newcomer.”

Be a ‘blind buddy’ for a day MELISSA LE ROUX

EVERY year, on the last Friday of May, the League of the Friends of the Blind (Lofob) hosts a “Blind Buddy Day” to create awareness of blind and partially-sighted people.

This year “Blind Buddy Day” falls on Friday 27 May, and people are asked to wear Lofob’s “Blind Buddy” sticker to express solidarity and support for blind people. The Lofob centre in Klip Road, Grassy Park, was established in 1933, and strives towards giving blind individuals a chance to live independently.

The first “Blind Buddy Day” was held in 2008, when people from all over Cape Town were encouraged to experience what it is like to be blind for a day. On the day, participants are encouraged to wear dark glasses, or to wear a blindfold at home or at the office.

9:;< 1=> ?@ A=> ?.@@ !"# %&' (## )*%+ !"##$ *%,,#&( -#*.&' +*#(# /%+#(

“Blind Buddy” stickers can be obtained from the Lofob centre at R10, and proceeds raised will go towards Lofob.

The centre asks that people encourage their colleagues, family, friends, communities, and those “who dare to wear cool shades all day long”.

Companies, schools, institutions and faith congregations can raise further awareness of “Blind Buddy Day”, and the value of sight, by participating in activities such as working with dark glasses, hosting an awareness of blindness programme, arranging a cafeteria lunch where everybody wears a blindfold, or coming up with an exciting theme depicting blindness, or by simply wearing the sticker.

For more information, or to place an order, contact Lofob on (021) 705-3753 or email info@lofob.org.za.

Got the best food in town?

BE PART PART OF OUR

RESTAURANT FEATURE on 31 May 2011

• 0!12

+*# 3144 5%",1(

• 6!!' %&'

2%3+( !& (%4#

• 71",.&/ 5%(+4# 3!2 +*# 8.'( • 62## *#%4+* (52##&.&/ +#(+( &"'!( )*!+ , )- ./0..

1)+2' 34(' 5 67! *"('8 5 67! 6+

Booking deadline: 26 MAY Material deadline: 27 MAY

TO ADVERTISE IN THE RESTAURANT RESTAURANT FEATURE FEATURE CONTACT CONT ACT

021 713 713 9443

Tuesday 17 May 2011

Bailey’s Cottage tenant responds to accusations ‘No special treatment’ for Peter Mdlalose ANDRE BAKKES

T

HE new tenant of the historically significant Bailey’s Cottage, Peter Mdlalose, revealed recently that the costs for renovating the property will be paid by the national Department of Public Works (DPW).

Mdlalose took time out of his busy schedule to accompany People’s Post to the historical cottage and speak about the media frenzy which has erupted ever since it became public that his business plan has been accepted by the DPW, and that he is currently renting it for just R533 per month.

Sir Abe Bailey originally built the seaside angling cottage on an old fort used as a gun battery, GOING FOR A SONG: Peter Mdlalose is currently renting Bai­ which appeared on a map drawn ley’s Cottage in Muizenberg for just R553 a month. in 1802.

Photo: Andre Bakkes He got permission to build it in the 1920s, but when the Second World War DPW prevents him from changing the strucbroke out it was used as an observation post. ture of the seaside cottage, which is situated Mdlalose, a highly successful businessman near St James Station. with some high-profile contacts, brushed The fate of the cottage, has nonetheless, aside comments that he acquired the lease worried community members and historical through underhand dealings. societies.

Many have tendered for the use of the Local ward councillor, Demetri Qually, building since it fell into disrepair, but to no raised some questions with the DPW recentavail. ly, but has not received any response to date.

“I still don’t have any electricity, so it “We’re happy that the cottage will be used, proves that I don’t get any special treatment,” but it is important that all the parties inhe reasons. volved are sensitive to its history,” insists Mdlalose has been paying for renovations Qually. so far, but he says that when the property has A community member, who wishes to stay been assessed, the DPW will take into consid- anonymous asked some pertinent questions: eration how much he has spent on the cottage “What is the timespan of the lease? Is there before determining a permanent rental fee. an optional renewal clause?”

“I hired someone to, amongst other things, Mdlalose responds to these by saying that replace all the windows, mow the lawn and the lease is valid for a decade and that there paint the walls – just to make it livable.” is a renewal clause. George Hill, the chairperHe says he has spent about R50 000 on the son of the Muizenberg Historical Conservaproperty so far. It has fallen into a state of tion Society, is particularly perplexed with disrepair since the turn of the century and how the lease was awarded. has housed the odd vagrant in its recent past.

“At no stage has our society been apAccording to Mdlalose, the grass was proached to provide input on the historical waist-high in some places and graffiti blind- status of the cottage within the built heritage ed one to what was once a lovely cottage. of the area, or on possible uses for it. Nor, as The historical significance of the national far as I know, has there been consultation monument pales in comparison to the histo- with other interest groups in Muizenberg,” ry of the immediate surroundings of the cot- he elaborates. tage, according to Mdlalose.

The society has always regarded Bailey’s “Let’s make it clear from the start – it’s all Cottage as a historical icon that forms part about the Battle of Muizenberg,” explains of the Muizenberg Historical Mile, stretching Mdlalose. from the Muizenberg Station to Rhodes CotHe is aware that the tiny cottage has tage. housed people like Cecil John Rhodes and “We have, over the years, written letters of more recently, Nelson Mandela, but he says intervention (to the DPW) trying to prevent that people should instead focus on what hap- the cottage from falling into disrepair, and pened there in 1795. have also indicated that we would welcome “We wouldn’t have spoken English in this sole or joint custodianship. country had the Dutch defeated the British The cottage has been a matter of concern at Muizenberg,” he elaborates. for many years.”

One of the many recent ventures of MdlaWhen the society heard that the lease had lose was a tourism company based in Cape been signed they were “completely surTown. He used to take tourists on site-seeing prised”. tours of False Bay, and made a point of stopAn opportunity to use the cottage as a meping at the memorial plaque of the Battle of morial to its previous owner, Sir Abe Bailey, Muizenberg, which is situated right opposite appears to have been temporarily lost, as has Bailey’s Cottage. its status within the Historical Mile, accordHe wants to bring in some of this history ing to Hill. into the cottage, which he plans to turn into He insists, however, that they will contina guesthouse. ue to probe for answers.

Mdlalose also wants to build a coffee shop The DPW has not responded to media queon the property in the near future, but the ries to date.

Vlei for all THE Zandvlei Trust’s annual general meeting takes place on Wednesday 18 May at 18:30 for 19:00 at the Imperial

Yacht Club, Promenade Road, Lakeside.

Louise Stafford will be talking on “Invasive Species Management in the City of Cape Town, with emphasis on Aquatic Weed manage-

ment, early detection, the Seven Rapid Responses programme and the Invasive Species policy”. Refreshments will be served. For more information, call David Muller on 072 986 5311.

NEWS

Muizenberg’s last bank shuts up shop DALEEN FOUCHÉ

M

UIZENBERG’S only bank service centre, the Standard Bank next to the Checkers off Main Road, is closing, leaving Muizenberg without a single walk-in bank.

Ross Linstrom, spokesperson for Standard Bank, says Standard Bank’s representation in certain areas in the Western Cape will be reduced after an intensive review process.

“As part of Standard Bank’s ongoing review of business operations and cost structures, the decision has been made to close two affected service centres,” says Linstrom.

Both the Muizenberg and V&A Waterfront Standard Bank Service Centres will be closed. The banks will close at the end of May. Linstrom says an intensive communication process has been initiated to minimise the impact on both staff and customers.

“Customers may continue to transact and do their banking at the nearest service centres or points of representation in the area.

“All of our customers’ banking and account details will remain unaffected.”

He says Standard Bank will try to accommodate all affected employees within the group. “Employees have also been encouraged to review all opportunities within the group to expand their knowledge and grow professionally within the group. Where appropriate, employees will be reimbursed for any extra travel expenses they may incur,” says Linstrom.

Dave D’Alton, an ex-manager of Standard Bank and the DA election candidate for Ward 64, says Standard Bank is “making a big mistake”.

“The banks in general do not have their customers’ interest at heart, but rather their

own profit,” says D’Alton.

D’Alton, who retired from the banking industry, says this will force Muizenberg residents to do their banking in Fish Hoek or at the Blue Route Mall.

“Standard Bank is serving their own interest and not the interest of the community,” says D’Alton. “This move will be to the detriment of Muizenberg,” he says.

Gerald Musikanth, chairperson of False Bay Tourism and Business Association (FBTBA), says he received a small, blue pamphlet to inform him of the bank’s decision to close its Muizenberg branch.

He says by the time residents were informed of the closure, the decision was “cast in stone” and no reason for the closure was provided.

Muzikanth says the closure of the Standard Bank branch will have a negative effect on businesses and will make life very difficult for pensioners, especially those without transport.“It will be expensive and time consuming for customers to visit Blue Route Mall for their banking needs,” says Muzikanth.

He explains that Absa bank used to have a small “agency” in Muizenberg, but says it closed when the woman who ran the agency, retired.

Peter Wright, member of the Muizenberg Improvement District (MID) executive committee and a Muizenberg business owner, says the First National Bank closed in 2009.

Wright says he is “disappointed” that the Standard Bank is closing its Muizenberg branch, because Muizenberg is finally “getting itself together”.

He says, as a business owner, it is “inconvenient” for him to travel to Blue Route Mall to do his banking. “That branch only has two tellers,” he says.

Wright says if another bank, such as Capitec, would open a service centre in Muizenberg, he would move his business to that bank.

People’s Post False Bay Page 5

Woman attacked in Zandvlei DALEEN FOUCHÉ

A WOMAN doing conservation work on birds in the Zandvlei Nature Reserve was attacked by a man (18) on Friday 13 May at 10:00.

The Lakeside resident was working below Promenade Road when she was attacked by a man who attempted to stab her with a pair of scissors. According to Mountain Men Security Services, who responded to the emergency call, the suspect then took a hammer that was in the woman’s possession and tried to hit her with it.

The suspect again tried to stab the woman with the scissors, but the woman retaliated and bit him on the arm, which caused the suspect to flee. The woman phoned the Mountain Men, who responded to the call and chased the suspect through the Zandvlei Reserve. Members of the Mountain Men’s Canine Unit and Tactical Trackers were deployed. They managed to track and then find

the suspect hiding in a thicket. The suspect was arrested and handed over to the Muizenberg police. The suspect appeared in the Simon’s Town Magistrate yesterday. People’s Post could not determine the outcome by time of going to print. . A badly-decomposed body of an unidentified male was found on Fish Hoek Beach on Thursday morning 12 May at 06:00.

Warrant Officer Peter Middelton, from Fish Hoek police, says the police are investigating all cases of missing persons and drownings.

“It is very difficult to identify a body if it has been in the water for a while.” Middelton says the body did not have any clothing on.

Middleton says that an inquest docket has been opened. This is the third body to wash up on the False Bay Coast this week. On Sunday 8 May the bodies of a man (50) and a woman (20), washed up at the Wolfgat Nature Reserve. (“Two drown at Wolfgat Nature Reserve”, People’s Post, 10 May).

Bush Pub

LARGE 2x2m SCREEN FOR ALL SPORT EVENTS

SATURDAY 21 till late

Cozy winter log fires (day & night) Good Vibes, Good Food, Good Times

Sports Bar & Beer Garden 27 Lekkerwater Rd, Sunnydale (off Kommetjie road) Bar menu available Bring & Braai can be arranged anytime

LIVE MUSIC

Tuesday 17 May 2011

Tues 17 & Fri 20

Sunday 22

TRANS with Live Greg Bring Live PARTY on Music & Keyboard n Braai 70sMusic &80s Rock Karaoke8pm till late from 1 pm 3-7pm R30 entrance

8pm till late

TO BOOK OUR VENUE FOR YOUR PRIVATE/CORPORATE FUNCTIONS CALL ADRIAN 021 7853374

KAPS Please call KAPS

072 277 1056 TAMSIN rescued +- 1 yr old

female, very sweet nature, socialised, needs company and exercise

SAMMY +- 3yr old Female, very

affectionate, delightful nature, to loving home

Colette

We bring our dogs to you!!

NEWS

Page 6 People’s Post False Bay

Tuesday 17 May 2011

Hope for a brighter future SOME people would go to the ends of the earth to alleviate the pain of others.

They don’t get the praise they deserve, but they don’t expect it either. Without them, the world would be a much poorer place.

The organisation known as Living Hope has helped thousands of people since it first opened its doors 10 years ago.

In some circles it is known as a hospice, but in actuality it is much more. It consists of four ministries – Living Grace, Living Right, Living Way and Living Care – each performing a vital role in the upliftment of communities in Ocean View, Masiphumelele, Fish Hoek, Red Hill and Capricorn.

Living Grace is a ministry in Muizenberg, which acts as a safe haven for the homeless.

It is not a shelter, as such, but a place where the needy can store their belongings in a locker, eat a breakfast and lunch, or just take a quick shower.

There is also a Substance Abuse Recovery Programme, which gives people a hand-up (onto their feet) instead of a hand-out.

Living Right is divided into three sections.

The first consists of health counsellors who come from the community they work in.

They help with health-related inquiries and also educate people on chronic diseases and the importance of knowing their HIV

“

status The second section consists of support group facilitators, who meet people on a weekly basis and help them work through their life issues.

There are just 18 facilitators and 63 group meetings a week.

The third section comprises of life skills educators, who teach children from a young age different life skills.

The Living Right ministry is, in essence, all about prevention.

Living Way is the economic empowerment branch, where they teach “hard” and “soft” skills (how to make something and how to be employable respectively), as well as enterprise development (how to build small businesses).

Finally, Living Care is made up of home based carers who go out and care for people in their own homes.

Many of these patients are too weak to leave their home, so these carers go the extra mile to help them cope with health related issues.

All in all, everything one needs to know about Living Hope is in the name: It propagates hope.

Explore what Living Hope is all about at its Open Day on 21 May at the centre in Capri.

They will showcase some of the beautiful crafts their dedicated volunteers have made.

On can also take a tour of the facility so that one can see what makes Living Hope sucj a special place.

It In some circles it is known as a hospice, but in actuality it is much more

”

Beautiful sounds at Masque CAPE TOWN trio, Russell Davies, Shirley Sutherland and John Walton will wow the audience with their unique blend of sounds at the Masque Theatre on 22 May. “Euphony” (meaning beautiful sounds) features Davies on the euphonium, Sutherland on vocals and Walton on the piano. Their music crosses a broad range of musical genres, from classical and sacred to stage and screen. The rich, mellow, lyrical tone of Davies on the euphonium offers a wonderful counterpoint to the “soaring virtuosity” of Sutherland’s soprano voice – all held together by the “improvisational genius and musicality” of Walton on piano. All three artists have performed at a very high level over many years.

There will be two shows on Sunday 22 May, the first starts at 15:00 and the second at 17:00.

Tickets cost R60, but Theatre Club members pay R50. To book, phone Masque Theatre Bookings on (021) 788-1898 during office hours.

INNOCENCE: Underprivileged children find hope

Photos: Supplied

EDUCATIONAL: Skills for tomorrow.

Thursday 19 May Fish Hoek: The Fish Hoek Writers’ Circle will be holding its workshop at 19:30. However, due to the minor hall at the Civic Centre being unavailable, contact Sybil on (021) 7823271 or Karen on (021) 785-5811 for information on the venue.

Saturday 21 May Muizenberg: “Alibi”, adapted from the novel of Agatha Christie, will be running until Saturday 21 May at the Masque Theatre. To book contact (021) 788-1898 (office hours).

Fish Hoek: The “In the Mood” Dance Club will be hosting its next monthly dance at the Fish Hoek Civic Centre at 20:00. Dress smart/casual. Attendees to bring along own XYZ. The cost for members is R15, and nonmembers pay R20. Booking is essential, contact (021) 686-3448.

Sunday 22 May

NURTURING: Living Hope is a safe haven for the frail.

REPLENISHING: Living Hope provides sustenance for the body, mind and spirit.

Enjoy some great Jazz in front of the fireplace with Alan Cameron on keyboard and Chris Tokolan on saxophone

Sunday BE A BLIND BUDDY JOIN FELLOW SOUTH AFRICAN ON FRIDAY 27 MAY 2011 AS WE SHOW SOLIDARITY WITH THE BLIND COMMUNITY DISPLAY YOUR BUDDY STICKER AND SPORT YOUR SUNGLASSES ON THE LAST FRIDAY OF MAY AT WORK OR AT PLAY TEL: 021 705 3753 TO GET YOUR STICKER NOW SUPPORTED BY

Jazz

at the Red Herring Every Sunday from 1-4 pm Phone for details or view the menu on our website www.theredherring.co.za

Booking essential - call 0217891783

Muizenberg: Shirley Sutherland, Russell Davies and John Walton, will be appearing in “Euphony” at the Masque Theatre at 15:00 and again at 18:00. The programme comprises a unique version of sounds from classical to ballads and more. Tickets cost R60 and R50. To book contact (021) 788-1898.

The best of the blues at Muizenberg’s Melting Pot TWO of the best young blues bands in the Western Cape will be appearing head-tohead for the first time at the Melting Pot Social Club in Muizenberg.

It will take place today at 20:00.

Sixgun Gospel, a fresh, young six-piece newly arrived from the small towns of the Eastern Cape, will be joined by Jeremiah Brimstone Band, veterans of the local folk music scene.

Both bands have earned acclaim on the local scene for revitalising the rich history of country, blues, folk and bluegrass with a fierce youthful energy.

Jeremiah Brimstone Band was praised in Cape Town’s Live Music Guide for insightful, fire-filled and delicate music of the sort not heard often enough.

Sixgun Gospel will be debuting new material at the Melting Pot, after winning several awards in the Southern Suburb’s annual Barleycorn Songwriters’ Competition.

Entry costs R30 per person.

For more information, contact Murray Hunter on 072 672 5468 or via email on muz.hunter@gmail.com.

NEWS

Tuesday 17 May 2011

People’s Post False Bay Page 7

Shop cut out of school deal DALEEN FOUCHÉ

THE small surf shop, Cutback, initially tasked with selling the new design Fish Hoek school uniforms, will no longer be doing so.

A statement from the governing body for Fish Hoek High and Primary school and Cutback cite “fundamental errors”, made by the schools in the “commissioning of the new uniform supply chain” as a reason for the change of plan. The school uniforms will now be sold from the Fish Hoek Primary School premises, from a shop that will be run by the Booth Sports Trust, a nonprofit organisation (NPO).

The governing body of both Fish Hoek High and Primary Schools decided earlier this year to award the tender for selling the new uniforms to Cutback, a surf shop in Valley Land, Fish Hoek, and not to AP Jones, which has been selling the uniforms for over 50 years.

A new design had been approved for the school uniform. Gavin Fish, principal of Fish Hoek High School previously said the old uniforms will be phased out over two years. (“Company cut off as school moves with times”, People’s Post, 1 February).

Cutback has, since the tender was awarded, moved its shop to bigger premises in Valley Land, to accommodate the sale of the new school uniforms.

Neil van Blerk, chairperson of the Fish Hoek schools’ governing body, says he would prefer not to “go into the details” of why Cutback will no longer sell the uniforms.

Van Blerk, however, admitted that the governing body did make “mistakes”.

“We possibly did not do enough homework on the matter,” says Van Blerk.

Van Blerk says the schools will take over all contracts Cutback has with the various manufacturers.

The schools will also reimburse the shop for stock already purchased, and will also contribute towards the shop’s higher rental costs since its relocation.

Kevin Greyling, who owns Cutback with his wife, says they have come to an agreement with the schools and are “happy” with the agreement.

Van Blerk says the new school shop will not aim to make a profit.

A temporary shop will be set up on the primary school premises, where parents can buy items that have been acquired by Cutback, but Van Blerk says the “bulk” of the stock will only be available at a later stage.

He says parents will be kept informed of when the stock will be available.

Various manufacturers are being used for the school uniform which are chosen by the supplier.

Van Blerk, however, says the school will oversee the choice of manufacturers to ensure that parents get the best price and quality.

PRICKLY FELLA: This lost porcupine was spotted along Fish Hoek Beach in front of the Galley Restau­ rant on Tuesday morning 3 May. It proceeded to the rocks below Jager’s Walk, where it looked for some­ where to hide. The SPCA was informed about the animal.

Photo: Andy Dunlop

Handmade crafts on display THE South Peninsula Handcraft Centre presents an exhibition, called the Wonder Emporium, from Wednesday 25 until Saturday 28 May. The hours are from 09:00 – 17:00 on Wednesday to Friday, and from 09:00 until

15:00 on Saturday at the Fish Hoek Civic Centre in Recreation Road.

The entrance fee is R5 for adults and R3 for children. Refreshments and handmade articles will be on sale.

Contact Dianne Osborne 072 141 7003.

Find out more about Christianity THE King of Kings Baptist Church is starting a new alpha course on Wednesday 18 May. This course is for new Christians and those who are interested in finding out

more about Christianity.

The launch and dinner talk will start at 18:30 in the church. Please RSVP to Jo Sharples, or email jo@59.co.za for further information.

Fish Hoek food fair THE Bay Primary School will hosting a food fair on Friday 27 May at the school in Tenth Avenue, Fish Hoek, from 18:00 to 21:00.

The theme of the fair is “Flavours of the World” and Greek, Indian, Chinese, Ital-

ian, American and South African food will be on sale.

For further information, contact Fi on (021) 782-2065, email secretary@bayprimary.co.za or visit www.bayprimary.co.za.

Cancer action group meets THE Prostate Cancer Support Action group meets in the auditorium of the Constantiaberg Medi-Clinic in Burnham Road, Plum-

stead, at 18:00 on Tuesday 17 May. For further information on the event contact 073 560 3067.

Members of FBVEMS hand over goods to ward councillor, Felicity Purchase, and members of the Masiphumelele community.

Photo: Supplied

Volunteers go the extra mile VOLUNTEERS of an ambulance service based in the Far South have responded to the great need of the fire-ravaged Masiphumelele community by donating important items such as blankets and clothes.

False Bay Volunteer EMS (FBVEMS) received a call just after midnight that informed them of a fire in Masiphumelele. In the hours thereafter, they assisted members of the community and transported numer-

ous patients to False Bay Hospital and a severely burnt patient to Tygerberg Hospital’s burns unit. The volunteers eventually booked off at 11:00 the next morning. The sheer devastation did, however, inspire them to assist members of the public by collecting some clothing, blankets, food and even a fridge, from the general public.

These donations would undoubtedly help those affected rebuild their lives.

NEWS

Page 8 People’s Post False Bay

Tuesday 17 May 2011

IEC ready for elections VERNA VAN DIEMEN

THE Independent Electoral Commission says it is more than ready for the local government elections tomorrow.

The Western Province Provincial Results and Operation Centre (PROC) is one of 10 such centres, nine provincial and one national.

The commission made the announcement at the official launch of the PROC on Wednesday.

The PROC will be the nerve centre for operations, where all of the votes from the 1 570 voting stations across the Western Province will be brought together.

More than 16 000 staff members have been trained for the elections.

It is expected that the overall results of the elections will be made known by Friday at noon.

Speaking at the event at the Proteaville Recreation Centre in Bellville South, IEC chief electoral officer, Pansy Tlakula, said: “This has been a difficult journey. Never have we ever had to print and reprint ballot papers as many times, and this is the longest ballot papers ever in the history of the elections.

“We have been in and out of court almost all the time. We were in the Constitutional Court up to yesterday to disqualify a party (the Inkatha Freedom Party) from the elections because they had not met

“

the deadline.”

The IEC successfully appealed against a Constitutional Court decision granted in favour of the IFP because they were unable to deliver its candidate nomination documents to the local office of the commission.

Tlakula wished all the parties well.

“All the best, may the best party win.

We are here to ensure that the party that wins does so with dignity and the party that loses does so with dignity too,” she said.

Granville Abrahams, IEC manager for Electoral Matters, said that operations at the centre will take place in full view of parties, commentators and the media, who will be able to view scanned result slips, which tally the number of votes from voting stations, as they trickle into the centre.

“The votes will not be counted at PROC, but at the voting stations. As the result slips arrive here, we will do our own verification, it will be scanned and will then be available for all to see,” he said.

Various TV and radio stations will broadcast live from the event.

Courtney Sampson, IEC provincial electoral officer, says staffing issues, voting stations and the uncertainty of how people will behave on the day are only some of the concerns.

“How well the staff is trained, is

All the best, may the best party win

”

crucial. The biggest challenge is that we will be handing the whole process over to people we have never met and do not know on elections day.”

Sampson says the IEC is always reminded of the economic challenges facing the country.

“Some of the staff have never had banking accounts, and by the time we pay them the bank has already closed it.”

When preparing a venue for a temporary voting station, the IEC has to ensure that they have adequate security and temporary electrical fencing.

“Often after the ground has been levelled for a temporary station, we will come back the next day to find that people have settled on the land,” says Sampson.

“Sections of two roads in Khayelitsha will be closed because the temporary voting station is positioned almost on the road and there is a real possibility that someone could get knocked down,” he said.

The centre will also have a group of trained professionals who will help with conflict resolution issues on the day of the elections.

“We request that parties and the members play fair. Let us not lose our humanity. The worse you make another politician look, the worse you make politicians look in general, and in the end the person you are bad-mouthing will get more sympathy from the people.”

NERVE CENTRE: Independent Elec­ toral Commission chief electoral of­ ficer, Pansy Tlakula, addresses guests at the opening of the IEC’s Provincial Results and Operation Centre.

Photo: Verna van Diemen

Your new councillor’s responsibilities Ward representatives to face a host of tasks to match their pay cheques TAMMY PETERSEN

THE smiling face you make your cross next to tomorrow will be the person you will be entrusting to represent you for the next five years.

Ward councillors are responsible for representing and serving people in a specific ward and sit in council on behalf of their constituents.

This representative, who is elected by a specific geographically-defined ward within a municipality, is expected to make sure that concerns related to his or her ward are represented at local government level.

According to the Institute for Democracy in Africa (Idasa), the ward councillor should be in touch with the key issues in the area, understand the problems and difficulties facing the community and monitor development and service delivery. Ward councillors are expected to hold regular public meetings.

People can take their municipal problems to the councillor, who should deal with these in an appropriate way, such as taking it up with council officials.

Councillors are expected to be in close contact with their constituencies on the ground and to keep council informed of the real experiences and views of the residents within the municipality, Idasa continues. Citizens do not have a vote on council, but are meant to influence their ward councillors to represent their views on any topic that affects them.

The organisation says every council will be involved in various planning and policy-making processes, and specific

programmes or projects that are being implemented.

The council will also conduct information campaigns on issues affecting the community. Ward councillors, in particular, need to communicate these activities to the public in the interests of increasing transparency and promoting public involvement in these activities.

In committees, caucuses and council meetings, the ward councillor should act as a spokesperson for the people in the ward. The councillor makes sure that voters are consulted and kept informed about council decisions, development and budget plans that affect them.

During the last financial year, the average ward councillor earned R29 057 a month. A councillor is also allowed to hold down a private job as the ward councillor position is considered a part-time one.

Dirk Smit, the Speaker for the City of Cape Town, explains that the political parties the councillors represent are responsible for performance appraisals.

“However, a councillor faces dismissal if they miss three council meetings consecutively, whether they are portfolio committee meetings, full council meetings or subcouncil meetings,” he says.

Councillors are also prohibited from involvement in tender processes, the distribution of council-related job opportunities, and from standing in the way of the implementation of instructions from council. Smit says councillors are given training in computer literacy, council policies and capacity building before they take up their positions.

Do’s and don’ts for voters ONCE you receive your ballot, be sure to check that the back is stamped.

This is just one of the pointers given to voters who will be heading to the polls tomorrow (Wednesday).

The Independent Electoral Commission advises voters to ensure that an official stamp is on the reverse side of the ballot as those without it will be counted as a spoiled ballot.

It further advises that you: . Ensure that you have registered at a voting station in your residential area. Those who are unsure of whether they are eligible to vote can visit www.elections.org.za and click on the “Am I Registered?” tab or SMS your ID number to 32810. . Vote only at the voting station at which you are registered.

Be sure to have your ID document or temporary identification certificate with you as without it, you will not be permitted to cast your vote. After you have been cleared to make your mark, your name is taken off the voters roll, your ID is stamped and your thumbnail is inked. . Don’t allow anyone to influence your decision or force you to change it. Casting your vote should be done with discretion.

Therefore, after you have voted, fold the ballot paper and place it in the ballot box. . Do not take your decision to vote lightly. If you are not sure about the political parties standing for nomination, go to the IEC website, www.iec.org.za, to learn more. . Make use of the special facilities available for the physically disabled or visually impaired which are available at voting stations. The presiding officer can assist you in casting your vote or you can bring somebody along to assist you. There should be observers present to ensure an honest and fair vote. . If you are still uncertain about voting

procedures, speak to the presiding officer at your voting station for guidance. . Note that voting stations open at 07:00 and close at 19:00. You can vote as long as you are inside the boundary of the voting station at 19:00. . Be patient. Election officials will allow disabled, pregnant, infirm or elderly voters to move to the front of the queue. . Anyone with a disability can choose someone who is over 18 to assist them. This person cannot be a political party agent. . Anyone who is unable to read or write can only be assisted by the Presiding Officer. Two party agents must also be present. . No weapons are allowed in the voting station and the police may search you.

Also, political parties stopped their broadcast campaigning and advertisements at 07:00 yesterday morning, as according to the Electronic Communications Act, no party advertisements may be broadcast 48 hours before voting starts.

No further campaigning will be done, as Monday (yesterday) was also a special voting day for people who registered for this, such as those who would be unable to vote at their voting station on election day or those who are physically infirm or disabled.

Political meetings, marches, demonstrations and events ended at midnight on Sunday.

LEADER

Tuesday 17 May 2011

People’s Post False Bay Page 9

Your vote, your right TOMORROW (Wednesday, 18 May) South Africans will make their way to the polls again to elect the men and women who will serve as their local leaders for the next five years.

The Independent Electorate Commission (IEC) was “satisfied” with the voter registration turn-out during February and March.

Despite the buzz around the elections, younger people and the disillusioned in particular feel their vote won’t make a difference, and so have turned their backs on their constitutional right to vote.

But the irony is that voter disillusionment, which in turn leads to voter apathy, only serves to perpetuate the cycle. Indifference leads to only one place: back to square one.

Local government elections have the power to change the political landscape within a municipality.

The calibre of your local ward councillor means the difference between a better quality of life, or contending with mounting frustration.

This candidate will be the first point of call when dealing with your municipality, further highlighting the importance of steering clear of incompetence or self-serving agendas.

Whether your gripe is the basic provision of housing, that the road nearest to your home must be periodically cleaned, that speed bumps and street lighting must be installed, or that active law enforcement must be deployed in hot-spots, your vote ensures the efficiency of service delivery.

It is true that in South Africa, casting your vote holds even greater meaning due to our country’s past, and for some casting their ballot means honouring those who fought for all South Africans to be on an equal footing.

Tomorrow, enjoy the experience and right so many fought to gain, and make sure your vote is a well-considered one.

Scientific opportunities lost TONY ROBINSON

DOES the name Michael Thackeray mean anything to you?

He was in Cape Town recently to attend a conference at the International Convention Centre and hardly anybody noticed.

There were no pictures in the papers and no radio interviews, yet Thackeray should be as famous as the late Professor Chris Barnard. Certainly his gifts to the world have touched millions more lives.

Like Barnard, Dr Thackeray is a UCT graduate, but his field was chemistry. He developed the lithium-ion battery that powers your cellphone and your laptop, and when you buy an electric car one day, his battery will drive the motor.

So Thackery has changed the world, yet we don’t know very much about him. Perhaps the reason is that it is a rather embarrassing story.

Generally Professor John

Goodenough is credited with the invention of the lithiumion battery, but it was Thackeray and his team at the CSIR in Pretoria who were responsible for its development.

They still hold most of the patents, 28 of them in Thackeray’s name.

Those scientists were the world leaders in battery research. Then, in 1994, our new government, all bright-eyed, bushy-tailed and flushed with success at the polls, closed down the battery research unit.

It was the dumbest decision since the old Soviet Union rejected transistors and put its faith and its electronic future in good old glass vacuum tube valves.

You might say that hindsight is always right, but the early cellphones and laptops were already on the market, and the need for smaller, more efficient batteries was not difficult to identify. It was also clear that the battery research was world-class. This was certainly recognised by leading

research institutes all over the world, and they grabbed the scientists.

Thackeray is now one of the top men at the Argonne National Laboratory in the United States.

Pause for a moment and think where this country would have been if funds squandered on the pebble bed nuclear reactor had been used to create a lithium-ion battery industry.

It is worth reminding ourselves that it was Thackeray’s battery that made it possible to convert the early “brick” cellphones into the wonderful, multi-purpose gadgets they are today.

More important, however, is that the old CSIR team made the electric car a practical proposition, and here another Pretoria man comes into the picture – Elon Musk. He is just 39, but has already been described as the greatest innovator in the motor industry since Henry Ford. His Tesla electric sports cars, powered by about 7 000 small lithium-ion batter-

ies, have a range of nearly 400km, and the latest ones accelerate from nought to 100km/h in 3,7 seconds. He has made and sold 1 500 of them, and both Mercedes and Toyota have invested in his California industry.

And the CSIR? Two years ago they started a battery technology centre to support the development of the local Joule electric car, but how can they replace the expertise that was lost in 1994?

LETTERS

Page 10 People’s Post False Bay

Tuesday 17 May 2011

MCSI objects to political opportunism That looks a lot like a park JOHN CANNAN is clearly suffering memory loss in his comment in the letter published 10 May (“That parking lot”, People’s Post, 10 May).

There was nothing rural nor communityfriendly about the area of the Noordhoek Farm Village now referred to as “the parking lot”.

It was in fact an overgrown area of alien vegetation that no member of the public used.

My family and I have been residents and ratepayers in Noordhoek since early 1974, and we have lived opposite “that parking lot” for 23 years – so who better to testify to that fact than us, i.e. that it is now more like “that parking park” – safe, usable, attractive and providing a much-needed alternative to dangerous parking along a tourist route.

As a long-time resident of Noordhoek himself, John Cannan’s memory should remind him that the first users of this lot were individual horse owners, including members of my own and his family, and he must recall that it was I who actually paid a team of workers for the alien felling and plotclearing operations many years ago, turning the overgrown plot into a teaching arena for local horse-riders.

Sadly, it eventually became a dust bowl, and the riders had to stop using it.

After that, the aliens returned, and the plot went into a further period of decline whilst a few individuals tried their hands at vegetable farming, without success.

At one stage the aliens and weeds were so dense that it was dangerous and difficult to walk through the area without being covered in burrs.

And I clearly recall the horror when, many years ago, a decomposing body of an unidentified murdered woman was found amongst the bush.

John Cannan and NEAG should remember these things before making empty statements about the rights of the community.

Not one of them have ever had the courtesy to ask the opinion of the ratepaying property owners most affected – that is, those who live directly across the road from “that car park”.

One issue, for example, is the storm water. They have no conception of the difficulties we endured prior to Jeremy Wiley’s personal and financial input into resolving numerous problems for his neighbours, and neither have they bothered to ask us.

I, for one, am immensely grateful to Jeremy Wiley for creating this people-friendly and environmentally-sensitive “parking PARK”.

It is not a lot, but more like a park.

Jeremy went to immense trouble to include beautiful indigenous garden beds, and spared no expense researching and planting huge (expensive) indigenous trees throughout the parking area, which attracts many birds.

As a family, we and many of our neighbours can now enjoy our walk from our homes through the parking park over to the Farm Village, instead of being forced to walk along the dangerous Chapman’s Peak Drive Main Road.

The question that should be asked is: What are we going to do as ordinary, environment-loving citizens of Noordhoek, about the disgraceful legal battle that NEAG are waging against our Farm Village?

Are we going to sit by and let a perfectly decent individual and friend be shamed with a criminal record?

That is, after all, what NEAG is trying to do – besides trying to put people out of work and creating a need to encourage even more dangerous parking along Chapman’s Peak, which incidentally impacts on the peace and privacy of all neighbouring properties.

This, I guess, is immaterial to those rather self-righteous and elitist members of those objecting so blindly and callously.

RAGNHILD (RONI) FINLAY Noordhoek

A personal vendetta?

THE Noordhoek Environmental Action Group (NEAG) and the Noordhoek Conservancy are effectively saying that Jeremy Wiley has reneged on his promise to the community of the early 90s (“That parking lot”, People’s Post, 10 May).

It is, however, the same old voices who are making this accusation, and they, in no way, represent the modern face of dynamic Noordhoek, which nonetheless retains its rural character – with or without the efforts of these two small, self-appointed community organisations.

Do NEAG or the Conservancy represent the face of present-day Noordhoek? I think not.

The support for Jeremy Wiley’s parking area is obvious by the support his business

has received from the local community.

The two community organisations named need to reassess their roles in terms of the new character of Noordhoek and do some soul searching.

Perhaps they need to open their doors and admit new leaders who genuinely reflect the wishes and aspirations of Noordhoek and its community.

Otherwise they should think seriously about disbanding.

It is crass to even consider for a moment that this ongoing parking issue is about the environment.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

I know a personal vendetta when I see one.

CHAS Noordhoek

Revealing slip of the tongue THE report on the Masiphumelele fire (“Wrangle as Masi recovers from fire”, Peoples Post, 10 May), refers.

All the current political bandstanding and hype can get very boring and predictable at times, but can also provide interesting insight.

Our one mayoral candidate takes issue by stating that “there was no attempt to get helicopters to ‘fire bomb’ the area given the access problems”.

Surely someone hoping to lead our City should be aware that helicopters cannot op-

erate in that role at night, as they are more likely to add to the problem and endanger lives? In this particular case, to ‘fire bomb’ the already flaming area would also certainly not help – or was he thinking of the wealthier suburbs where council (not DA or any other party) officials would no doubt ensure water to put these fire bombs out?

Personally, I would prefer the helicopters to continue “water bombing” fires as they normally do.

ARNÉ SÖDERLUND Glencairn

THE Muizenberg Community Safety Initiative (MCSI) objects strongly to the opportunistic way in which ANC candidate Trevor Wells for Ward 64 has used two photographs taken at an event organised by the MCSI in his election campaign. On 9 April, the MCSI organised a successful “Spot-in and Fix-it” walkabout. Wells joined the group along the way, and has used two pictures taken of him with other MCSI members in an ANC pamphlet distributed widely, seeking support for the 18 May elections.

Wells had nothing to do with the organisation of the walkabout, and has not played an active role or contributed to the work of the MCSI in any way.

While individual members of the MCSI of course have their own political convictions and affiliations, we wish to emphasise that the MCSI (and all neighbourhood watches) are constituted as a-political organisations without affiliation to any political party.

Therefore we did not (and would never) give permission to any political party to use photographs of our events in this politicised way.

We object to the MCSI’s credibility and contribution in the community being undermined by association with a specific political party.

We have communicated this objection to Wells personally – but have had no response.

MCSI COMMITTEE

TREVOR WELLS, ANC CANDIDATE FOR WARD 64 RESPONDS: IT should be pointed out to begin with, that I am not creeping out of the woodwork as far as Community Safety is concerned. I am not doing a Helen Zille and pitching up at some neighbourhood march to obtain publicity.

It is a great pity that the once inclusive and effective Muizenberg Neighbourhood Watch, which Michael Klein of the Tenants Association and I established for the specific purpose of involving law abiding refugees in some say in their own affairs, has deteriorated into being managed by what appears to be an exclusive cartel of property owners who have the cheek to tell me that I must ask their permission to use a photograph pointing out lack of service delivery in the ward of the very neighbourhood watch that I established. I have merely used the photographs to illustrate the advantages outlined in the five-year plan of action for the ward.

Those interested in the contents of the pamphlet can view it at trevorwells.co.za.

What is it that the writer disapproves of?

Her committee members know very well that I have personally, as the chair of the Community Police Forum, delivered Bambanani winter patrol jackets to her doorstep without requiring that the recipients be ANC members. . Letter shortened. -Ed

Do something, Metrorail TO Metrorail What’s wrong with you?

What are you thinking?

How can you, during peak hours, have trains on the Simon’s Town to Cape Town and vice versa; put three Metro carriages

Whale of a tail THIS is a letter of appreciation to the many stakeholders as well as the hundreds of folk and parents who collected and parcelled up plastic bottle caps of every description for the life size Southern Right Whale tail art project at Muizenberg Junior School. This phase of the project is completed and the overwhelming response to the challenge is beyond belief.

In this regard some caps were shipped from Hawaii and the USA! The focus now is on sourcing funds from the Corporate sector to add to the cash raised by the raffle to help pay for the skeleton which will be an impressive professional sculpture signed off by an Engineer. The plastic caps collected will be punched with two holes and sewn onto shade cloth in a random pattern which will in turn be fitted

and four metro plus carriages, when you Should know by now that majority of the people travel Third class.

Not even animals are boxed in like this So please do something about it.

MAGGIE

tightly over the steel structure. An estimated 45 000 caps will be used. Once the funding gap has been closed a new date for the unveiling of the tail and raffle draw will be announced and the challenge to the tail at Tussing Elementary School in Ohio, USA will be complete and the twinning process will begin. The vertical whale tail which symbolises a distressed whale that has swam out of a sea polluted with plastic will kick-start three long term programmes viz: an educational programme on whales and dolphins, a conservation programme and a business/tourism programme. It will also initiate the sculpting of another whale tail by a school somewhere in the world.

The various stakeholders involved, both here and in the USA and Hawaii, look forward to working with the community as each programme unfolds.

ALAN LINDNER Project manager

Private hospital can share grounds I WAS glad to hear that at last a private hospital is to be built in the Far South.

However, what would have made much better financial and service delivery sense would be to locate it in the extensive and unused grounds of False Bay Hospital.

This would allow services, facilities and resources to be used by both those who could afford to pay, and those who could not.

Manchester Royal Infirmary in the

United Kingdom has a private wing which subsidises the National Health side by sharing the operating theatres, doctors and specialists.

Why can’t the same be done here?

This would give all patients the care they deserve, with the choice of a government or private facility, whilst utilising the resources fully, and all in one place.

LYNN MOSS Fish Hoek

Remove the little beggars WHY are the little beggars around the ice cream bar still being tolerated (at least for a half a year or longer)? Who is in charge of the car guards anyway? Because it is obvious to me that they are involved (probably their own kids). In that case these car guards must be replaced, otherwise it will

be going on and on, as the kids probably get much more money than the guards will ever get themselves. This must be something for the Muizenberg Improvement District (MID) to go after, I think.

HELLEN Muizenberg

Tuesday 17 May 2011

LETTERS

Housing issues . Why not build the same structures for Masiphumelele that they built in Mountain View? It was good enough for Ocean View, where there are no fires. Freda . I’ve been on a housing waiting list for 15 years, I’ve applied for a plot but the City told me I don’t earn enough money to buy a plot.

Now I’ve applied for a home at the Mountain View project, and council told me that I earn too much money. What am I to do? Must I squat or is there anyone out there who can help me? I need a roof over my head. O.V. What is going on? . What kind of place do we live in if it is acceptable for young children to set fire to someone sleeping under a bridge? Ocean View skrik wakker! We need to sort ourselves out.

That parking lot . The antics at the Noordhoek Farm Village parking are a circus. The developer needs to be given a medal for putting up with the rubbish of Naughty NEAG and Cowardly Conservancy. Rich . Does NEAG stand for “Nuclear Experimental Group”? I suppose they want the parking area to build a small nuclear reactor to supplement Eskom’s supply to the south.

Dave Treknet fishermen . Stacey, stop blowing hot air, and do your job! You are never there and neither are your staff when a net is pulled. They rarely see what has come out of the ocean. We all know it’s illegal! Do your work, even at Kalk Bay. H Mentor, you also need to abide by the rules. . What a joke, treknetters to throw back small fish! It does not help when all the little fish have been crushed or had the last bit of oxygen squeezed out of their tiny lungs by all the other poor fish trapped in the net. Spin us another, trek-jokers. Pat H In response . The restoration of the old cable way in Simon’s Town could have a good tourism potential. Pat H . Thank you for the article about the old Serina kaolin mine. Anette, Sun Valley . In response to Roy’s comment on a certain petrol station which is always “dry” when the petrol price is rising: every time I have tried filling up at that service station on the morning of the day before the price is set to rise (i.e. midnight), the garage in question is out of petrol. I have tried to establish the name of the station, but there is no apparent signage indicating its name. But it is more or less opposite the Checker’s shopping centre in Muizenberg. I have also made the conscious decision of never using them again.

The Westlake BP Service station never seems to have that problem and I would therefore rather support them. Norman . Garages do not run out of petrol on purpose. They would never regain the lost sales, and certainly would not make sufficient profit on the old fuel to compensate for the large loss of sales on price increase day.

Baboons . Excellent idea, Pierre Nel, to introduce leopards to keep the baboons under control.

It may well also have a positive effect on the growing dog problem. Piet . If the Cape Leopard was brought back to the peninsula, the “bunny huggers” of the Cape would be very upset, even if one were killed. They have no clue about the need to keep animal numbers down! Mark . What a great idea it is to control baboons with leopards. . Pierre Nel and Robin Castell, these are not original thoughts but let’s do it! Angela FHT . Well said Robin Castell! Pack up the baboons and ship the whole lot off to the Karoo or some other uninhabited area. No more problems for us! Everybody will be happy.

Janel . Perhaps Robin Castell should join Shell and the others who want to frack the Karoo.

Terry Winship, Kommetjie . To Robin Castell, who says we should send baboons to the Karoo: who do you think

lives in the Karoo, humans or baboons? Mckenzie . I think Robin Castell should be bused off and deposited in the centre of the Karoo! The baboons have been living here way longer than us humans. Learn to live with then or move away.

Longbeach Mall . The market at Long Beach has been set up at Sun Valley Pick n Pay, where you can get your bread, condiments, cheeses, smoked fish and hanging baskets as well as olives. It’s great every Saturday. .Longbeach Mall sucks! Look at the amazing West Coast Mall – it has a nice variety of shops! Obviously a lot more thought and planning was involved there. .Hope the new improved Longbeach Mall will have a retailer to replace Pick n Pay with their bad service and rude staff. Pick n Pay in other malls are worse. HH General . I reported to the City dumping on a open field in Ocean View. That was more than a month ago. Nothing was done. Please come and clean the field in Capricorn Road. AD . What happened to respect, obedience, discipline, honesty and good work ethics among the majority of today’s students and youth?

Maybe corporal punishment and compulsory military conscription should be reintroduced, which would create a different mindset and positive outlook on life in general.

Smiley . I have had it with people waking me and all the dogs in area at 05:00 and going through my bin. They slash the bags and spread rubbish everywhere – all over the street. What makes my blood boil is when they destroy my recycling and mix it all up with the rubbish, then they still have cheek to get aggressive with you. . To the young lady driving a silver Audi 2-litre with the black soft top – in excess of the speed limit, and who then proceeded to throw her cigarette out on Ou Kaapse Weg on Tuesday at 13:05. Yes, I was hooting at you!

Be ashamed, very ashamed! Nicky, Simon’s Town . On Sunday 1 May, I took a photograph in St James of a paddleskier who was surrounded by dolphins. I hope this person reads this message as I am sure that he would like to have the photograph. My number is (021) 788-5056. . Can someone in the Valley please teach the busker outside Fish Hoek Pick n Pay some new songs? He’s been singing the same ones since November. . Are there any other single young mums in the Valley who would like to start a group, or is there one I can join? Anon . Why do people bother the seals at Kalk Bay harbour even though there is a sign up which forbids it? Where are the authorities who should be fining individuals? . Julius says the wit ou stole all our land and they didn’t pay for it. He says that lucrative game farms have flourished in common criminals’ hands. So as soon as he and our blessed brother “saint” Zuma get to heaven (one of these days?), I suggest they look up the spirit of our other very great and brave warrior, (the late) Nduna Kakula Dingaan, and just check their facts by quietly asking him as to what happened at his famous signing of the deed of sale ceremony way back in 1836. Godfrey . People please be vigilant, criminals have unique ways of entering your property because they want to see what things look like.

One of their methods is when they run in your place with a story that their boyfriend wants to assault them. . Could somebody please tell me why the drivers of Correctional Service vehicles are allowed to use their sirens to get motorists to move out of their way? . Just curious why People’s Post doesn’t advertise the vehicle registration number when it gets texted as part of the SMS.Wendy Abrahams [We cannot publish registration numbers provided in SMSes because it cannot be guaranteed that the owner of the vehicle is guilty of the reported offence. -Ed] . Cosatu and the ANC own big shares in the national lottery, which is by law illegal.

Are they above the law? . I am sick of re-sealed letters coming in the post damaged.

What a lot of tripe! Sticky fingers more likely! Shame on you! Maggie

THE Queen of England’s official birthday does not coincide with the day she was born.

The Queen celebrates her actual birthday on 21 April, but the country official-

ly celebrates it in June. It has been celebrated in the United Kingdom with the Queen’s Birthday Parade, which includes Trooping the Colour ceremonies, since 1748. (www.wiki­ pedia.org)

Your SMSes

People’s Post False Bay Page 11

IS HE YOURS?: This stray male dog was found on a gravel path leading from Glencairn Station to­ wards Simon’s Town. The dog is black, with white mark­ ings on his chest, the tips of his paws and on his hind legs. He was wearing a leather collar and a choke chain, but there is no dog tag or chip. If this is your dog, or you know who he belongs to, contact Fish Hoek Vet – where is being housed temporarily as TEARS does not have accommoda­ tion at this point – on (021) 782­1279/5878.

Seek out the wise ones I READ the local papers and I see people attacking each other. For every reason, we first attack. For small petty differences we attack. We attack each other, we do not stop to think that ours is not a better way but just another way.

We do not stop to show compassion, forgiveness, understanding. We attack nature, the animals, the trees. If we don’t like it we seek to destroy it.

Then I see politicians attacking each other, with hate in their hearts, anger in their hearts.

Attack in their minds.

This will surely bring destruction to all, no matter what your vote is.

I see politicians who are corrupt and not held responsible for their actions, politicians inciting hate, politicians amassing power and money for their own greed.

Now how are we going to stop this when we ourselves are creating it?

Because we ourselves are thinking like this.

I see that soon it will be too late to change events because we have pushed them too far and it will be destruction that will wipe away the fears and hate and the tears.

Do you really want this for your children? Your children’s children?

Our very lives are a reflection of who we believe we are, so if it is not as you would like it to be then know first that it is you that made it so and it is only you that can

make it change.

When enough people have made a change and brought down the fortress we built around ourselves, embraced our divinity, our oneness, our truth that we and all our world is our own self looking right back at us, then the effect on those remaining in fear and hate and attack will be so strong that they too will join the army of the shining ones and if they choose to lead then it will be as one and not as one apart.

So my African friends look for the wise ones amongst you, that must surely be there, and follow them.

Let the power hungry, the loud and the angry, the carriers of bling, the 4x4 and the BMW ones, the big house ones, let them alone that they may see that what they have, you do not need.

For in truth, God needs no trinkets of gold and silver from people to prove their worth.

For in God you need nothing that God cannot supply.

This is Africa and the ancient spirits of this magnificent land are still here waiting for the time when Africans will see their truth and stand as one with all of mankind. Not apart.

My prayer is that I may stand with you one day, not far from now, and see only our magnificence.

MARTYN JOHN TAYLOR Glencairn Letter shortened. -Ed.

Not a good spot for a leopard Pierre Nel, with your leopard plan To lose the odd child or pet And cull baboons even if only a few, What about being humane?

Should they arm us with shotguns As there are plenty of chicken runs The mountains and the valleys Would suit said idealistic ways But to pick on baboons with leopards?

Why not some lions and cheetahs too?

And close off the Peninsula for hunting game.

I could not bear to visualise, The rip and screams of those precious lives.

And therefore I suggest an even better plan People and the predators, beasts vs man! Save the baboons from misguided ire And please don’t fight fire with fire . . This letter is a response to the letter “Let leopards control baboons”, People’s Post, 10 May. CILLY JIBES Fish Hoek

Tony should honour his roots I WHOLEHEARTEDLY agreed with Hilary Jacobs on Tuesday 26 April and Ulric Conradie on Tuesday 3 May regarding their respective statements about fracking in the Karoo.

If Tony Robinson is from the Karoo, as he claims in your issue Tuesday 12 April, he must have heard of the poem “Heimwee,” the first verse of which reads as follows: “My hart verlang na die stilte Van die wye wuivende veld,

Ver van die stadsgeluide En die klinkende klank van geld.”

JRL van Bruggen composed this poem.

He grew up in Johannesburg and much of his work is escapism from city life. As a “Karookind”, this poem describes the Karoo to me.

Therefore, I say let us fight for the unspoilt beauty of the Karoo and against rampant mammonism.

BARBARA SALTER Simon’s Town

People's Post Page 12

Phone: 021 713 9440 | Fax: 021 713 9481

5 Levels Up, up and away ANDRE BAKKES

T

HERE is a new local band on the scene, and they’re apparently the bee’s knees, the cat’s pyjamas and the kipper’s knickers all in one.

This new Capetonian band, known as “5 Levels Up”, will be performing at the Grahamstown National Arts Festival from 30 June to 9 July, so the sky is seemingly the limit.

According to band member, Deon Olck- FLYING HIGH: 5 Levels Up’s Wesley Dwyer, Rudi Abrahams, Meliza ers, they’ve even set Arendse, Mark Samuels, Deon Olckers and Braide Opubu.Photo: Supplied their sights on winning a Grammy Award in five years time! musicians, and it’s hard to find a bunch of He says it with a smile on his face, but the people as passionate as the ‘5 Levels Up’ band is certainly not lacking in the determi- members. nation department.

“As things always go, there are darker pe“We also want to travel and get people to riods and happier ones. We have been able listen to our sound and appreciate what we to work through all the darker ones, because are trying to produce. We aim to make the of our passion and determination. The muaudience smile and send them on an emo- sic industry will allow those who work hard tional journey,” says Olckers confidently. enough to be successful.”

The band was started last November, and When asked whether they perform their it has apparently already built up quite a fol- own music and how it can be classified, he lowing. replies: “We write our own songs, to which It consists of manager Rudi Abrahams, the crowd has responded well, but we also who also plays the bass guitar, drummer do a lot of covers.

Mark Samuels, lead singer and backing vo- “We obviously don’t want to label and limit calist Meliza Arendse, pianist Braide Op- ourselves at this stage, since we are still exubo, percussionist Bernard Hendricks, syn- ploring our sound, but it is a mixture of funk thesiser player, Wesley Dwyer, and Olckers, and fusion with a jazzy feel to it.” who is one of the lead singers and songwritTheir very first performance even boasted ers. a gospel theme, because they played at a new Olckers elaborates: “Rudi and Mark start- church in Kensington. ed the band, which originally had five memThe band’s first commercial performance bers – hence the name. Some have left and was at Zula Sound Bar in Long Street, and others have joined, so with seven we are re- they have frequented it ever since. ally two levels up, but we decided to ignore Their last performance there was apparthis technical aspect.” ently “a real power show”, and the audience The life of a rock star is no easy ride, and went wild during their final, and probably they practise up to three times a week at most popular song, “Bad Girls”.

Salty Dogs Studios in Woodstock. Most of Reading about a band is, however, a far the band members have day jobs as well. cry from watching them play, so make a “Music is our passion,” insists Olckers. point of going to Zula Sound Bar on 26 May “I’ve worked with very good and very bad at 21:30. Tickets cost R30 per person.

Taking music back in time THE Cape Consort – a group of six singers and two basso continuo players – is a new local ensemble committed to performances of mostly early music.

Cellist and composer, Hans Huyssen, and harpsichordist Andrew Cruickshank, who have been collaborating for years, have joined forces with Lente Louw and Antoinette Blyth (sopranos), Nick de Jager, Nico Holtzhausen and Lance Phillip (tenors) and Charles Ainslie (bass-baritone).

The group will explore and present early vocal repertoires that rarely feature in local concert pro- BRING BACK THE PAST: The Cape Consort will expose grammes. listeners to top quality early music.

Photo: Supplied Following their warmly-received renditions of madrigals from Monteverdi’s corner of Buitengracht and Somerset roads, Book 6, the next series of concerts in May in Cape Town at 20:00. will feature Monteverdi’s six-part Vesper On Saturday 21 May at 19:30 the ensemble settings, performed in churches in Kom- will perform at the Lutheran Church at 26 metjie, Franschhoek, Cape Town and Stel- Hofmeyr Street, Stellenbosch. lenbosch.

Tickets, which can be purchased at the For June, an all-Purcell programme is door, are R90. Pensioners and students pay planned, in collaboration with the Cape R60.

Gamba Consort.

For more information, contact Andrew on On Friday 20 May, the group will perform 082 494 1398 or Lente on 084 277 5070. at St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, at the

Tuesday 17 May 2011

FEELING MZANSI: Mzansi Productions, known for its cutting­ edge dance produc­ tions and high stand­ ard of performance, will present two shows at Artscape from 8 to 12 June, “Somebody To Love: A Dance Celebration to the Music of Queen” and “Sproetjies”. This will be the company’s second visit to the Mother City. “Some­ body To Love: A Dance Celebration to the Mu­ sic of Queen” takes place from 8 to 11 June at 20:15 and on 11 and 12 June at 15:00. “Sproetjies” runs on 8 and 9 June at 10:30 and tickets for both shows cost between R60 and R155 via Computicket or (021) 421­7695.

David Kramer’s ‘Breyani’ returns DAVID KRAMER’S “Breyani” returns to the Baxter Theatre for 10 performances only from Wednesday 18 May until Sunday 29 May due to public demand.

In “Breyani”, Kramer celebrates rhythms, instrumentation, vocal styling and language to create music that is un- HOT AND SPICY: Charlie Rhode, Elspeth Davids and Gammie Lakay star in mistakably and David Kramer’s “Breyani”, which returns to the Baxter Theatre for 10 per­ uniquely from the formances only.

Photo: Jesse Kramer Cape.

Audience enthusiasm and rave reviews genFrom the stages of musical theatre and Maerated sold-out houses during the Baxter run lay Choir competitions, Loukmaan Adams in December last year. David Kramer is a mu- sings and beats the ghoema drum, and comsician and songwriter with a passion for ex- pleting the stellar line-up are the much-loved ploring the roots of Cape Afrikaans folk music. Sonskyn Sisters, Ruth Hector and Elspeth In this show, a 10-piece band includes the Davids, who have an opportunity to show off well-known jazz keyboard player, Camillo their fine vocal talents.

Lombard, who plays piano accordion.

Kramer keeps the pot simmering throughThe incredibly versatile Gammie Lakay, out, taking the audience on a journey that exwho has played on numerous Kramer record- plores the individual flavours of music unique ings, is on acoustic lead guitar, as well as to this part of the world. showing off his skills as a moppie vocalist.

“Breyani” was originally commissioned by Don-veno Prins, who wowed audiences in the Suidoosterfees in 2009, and then performed “The Kramer Petersen Songbook” and “3 Wis- at the KKNK in 2010, where Kramer received er Men”, plays saxophone. a Kanna award for his “exceptional contribuBanjo virtuoso, Nielen Prinsloo, joined tion to a contemporary music production”.

“Breyani” for the first time in December and Performances run nightly from Wednesdays former member of DNA Strings, Jacques to Sundays, with 10% discounts available for Steyn, plays mandolin and bass. Veterans of senior citizens, students and block bookings of klopse bands, Howard Links and Charlie 10 or more.

Rhode on banjo, mandolin, and guitar, take the There will be two matinee performances at moppie, the vastrap, the ghoemaliedjie and the 16:00 on Sunday 22 May and Sunday 29 May. tiekiedraai to new heights.

Tickets cost from R90 to R135 via Computicket.

Comic take on technology IN a world of smart phones, smart cars and ern technology – married life, dating, men vs now smart shopping cards, there seems to be women, parenting, kids, how airbags are not more confusion and more a solution, general so“apps” that claim to help us cial commentary on life get through this confusion and the world we live of everyday life. in, to solving a centuStand-up comedian Mark ries-old mystery within Palmer brings you “iCONthe first 10 minutes of FUSED” – his new one-man the show – Palmer will stand-up comedy show – talk about everything. that will show you that life Tickets are R65 per is meant to be confusing, person, with a two-forand no amount of “apps” the-price-of-one special will change this. on 17, 19, 24 and 26 May. “iCONFUSED” is not All shows begin at about clearing up the confu20:30. sion; it’s about making you For dinner reservalaugh out loud at it. It’s comtions before the show, edy with no harmful side-ef- iFUNNY: Mark Palmer promises to call (021) 424-1194. fects – no vulgarity, no cring- leave his audience in stitches.Photo: Sup­ Bookings can also be ing, no embarrassing situa- plied made on (021) 424-1194, tions and absolutely no by visiting www.onrequirements to download anything to protect broadway.co.za or at any Computicket you from its contents. From the perils of mod- branch.

PROPERTY

Tuesday 17 May 2011

People’s Post False Bay Page 13

THE

PROPERTY POST The Consumer Protection Act and the property market

Along with Tony Webb, Lorraine Webb is a lo­ cal licensee owner of Fine & Country in Fish Hoek.

Photo: Supplied

Along with Lorraine Webb, Tony Webb is a lo­ cal licensee owner of Fine & Country in Fish Hoek.

Photo: Supplied

Fine & Country grows PROPERTY GROUP Fine & Country South Africa has welcomed a number of new licensees into the fold in recent months.

This is according to Linda Erasmus, CEO of Fine & Country SA, who says that despite lacklustre trading conditions, the group has held fast and even expanded its footprint – a feat she attributes to the group’s ability to provide top-notch customer service and strong licensee support.

First established in 2002 in the UK, Fine & Country has over 600 offices worldwide. In 2009 and 2010 The Fine & Country Group won the “Best International Real Estate Agency Marketing” title.

Lorraine and Tony Webb have been the local licensee owners in Fish Hoek since May 2008, and have built the brand based on providing excellent customer service and great marketing opportunities.

Lorraine won the national award at the end of 2010 for “Best Property Presentation”.

Erasmus says: “We are fortunate that we have a direct link into our UK office and benefit from both exposure in the Fine & Country International publications, and can showcase our own properties via Fine & Country’s international showroom in Park Lane, London.

“Being a licensee operation provides the freedom to initiate opportunities, and we can tailor the client needs, be it a buyer or seller, to suit the client.”

Since they have held the licence, Tony and Lorraine have encountered significant change in the industry; the global recession, the move towards making the industry and its representatives more professional, and the introduction of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA).

“It is a satisfying feeling to know that all the staff at Fine & Country False Bay have either completed their study requirements or are currently studying towards the professional property examinations,” said Erasmus.

“The introduction of the CPA has been fully embraced by Fine & Country. It is important that consumers are protected against unfair business practices, and can make informed choices. This Act will make South Africans among the best-protected consumers in the world.”

The marketing has been upgraded; the forms have been amended to take on board the requirements of the Act, and staff have attended a number of courses on understanding and implementing the Act. Talk to Tony Webb on (021) 782-5934 if you have any property-related queries.

THE much-anticipated Consumer Protection Act (CPA) came into operation last month and three major areas of concern for estate agents are the wording of advertising and contract documents, possible disputes over the disclosure of defects and how the right of the buyer and seller to “cool off” will be interpreted.

The Engel & Völkers Fish Hoek team of Dawn Visser, Inge Kaul and Glenn Brown have undertaken extensive consultation with the legal fraternity in this regard, and are equipped to assist and advise both buyers and sellers.

In order to ensure clear and precise interpretation, Engel & Volkers South Peninsula has revised mandate proposals and Agreements of Sale.

Although the “Voetstoets” law still

stands as common South African law, the seller will now be required to complete a detailed disclosure document which would then be included in the sale agreement and signed off by the buyer.

Sellers, when signing a mandate, must be made aware of the fact that they have a five-day cooling off period resulting from direct marketing by the agency.

Sellers must be informed of their rights in terms of the CPA with regard to the cancellation of the mandate and required notice period of penalties.

Should anybody require further clarity with regard to the Consumer Protection Act when buying or selling a property, feel free to contact Engel & Völkers’ Fish Hoek agents at (021) 782-0006 or email fishhoek@engelvoelkers.com.

PROPERTIES FOR SALE

YOU TALK TO US, WE TALK TO THE WORLD.

Capri • Beautiful Plot Dawn 082 593 2028 ZAR 475 000 Inge 083 300 9454 Web ID: ENV39939

Fish Hoek • Perfectly Situated Dawn 082 593 2028 ZAR 1,295 million Inge 083 300 9454 Web ID: ENV43074

Fish Hoek • Sea and Valley Views Glenn Brown ZAR 2,195 million 083 444 9376 Web ID: ENV43074

Fish Hoek • Terrific Sea Views Dawn 082 593 2028 ZAR 2,395 million Inge 083 300 9454 Web ID: ENV42620

Fish Hoek • It’s a Lifestyle Glenn Brown ZAR 2,695 million 083 444 9376 Web ID: ENV36490

Fish Hoek • Perfect Location Dawn 082 593 2028 ZAR 4,8 million Inge 083 300 9454 Web ID: ENV34760

Engel & Völkers Fish Hoek, 3A Green Parrot Place, Recreation Rd, Fish Hoek 7975 • Tel: 021 782 0006 • Fax: 021 782 0014 Email: Fishhoek@engelvoelkers.com • Web: www.engelvoelkers.com

Fine & Country Fish Hoek Telephone: 021 782 5934 Fax: 021 782 6800 Email: liezlrademan@fineandcountry.com Address: 90 Main Road, Fish Hoek, 7975

Creative and intelligent marketing of individual and country property

Fish Hoek

R 895,000

Pretty cottage in central location. This cute two bedroom cottage in central location is absolutely ideal for the couple who can fix it up to todays standards. it has plenty of room to expand and a single garage. Lorraine Webb 082 675 0725 Web ref: 104705

Kommetjie

R1,299,000

Set in secure .estate, this home has three beds, two baths (mes), family/tv room, kitchen/diner, patio, braai area, pool and garden.

Excellent security and dbl garage. Walking distance to beach and village centre. Chris Banham 083 625 3855 Web ref: 69706

Sunnydale

R 950,000

Love entertaining? Two receptions, two beds, two baths, large garden, entertainment patio, Indoor/outdoor braai. Double garage & parking behind automated gate.

Sylvia Lombard 082 496 7300 Web ref: 81152

Fish Hoek

R1.350,000

Super value in early Avenues. Sunny and bright, maintenance free face brick, with family accommodation and a short walk to the beach. Garden, entertainment patio and single garage.

Lorraine Webb 082 675 0725 Web ref: 104704

... 600 offices globally

Fish Hoek

R995,000

A rare find in upper Avenues. A true renovators dream! Original hard wood floors & spacious rooms with good flow. Lounge/dining room. Three bedrooms, family bathroom & staff accommodation.

Single garage. Lorraine Webb 082 675 0725 Web ref: 105514

Fish Hoek

R1,495,000

Sunny family home,well located,good views & condition. 3 beds (feature master-suite), 2 baths, wood kitchen, dining, scullery, . spacious lounge, patio & pool. Enclosed garden, garage & offstreet parking. Chris Banham 083 625 3855 Web ref: 93862

The Lakes

R 1,275,000

Immaculate lock up ‘n go in 24hr manned security estate. Open plan lounge/dining room, 2 beds and studio loft with garage and parking. Lovely neat & manageable garden and ideal for holiday and retirement. Lorraine Webb 082 675 0725 Web ref: 92492

PROPERTY LETTING We are looking for new rental properties in Fish Hoek, Noordhoek, Kommetjie & Glencairn.

For further info, please contact Tony Webb at 021 782 5934.

GENERAL

Page 14 People’s Post False Bay

Tuesday 17 May 2011

Business venture spreads wings

021 405 1118 • 0860 11 69 19

www.kalahariads.com

WENDY

108

Money/Loans

83

10

Found (Free) READING GLASSES found on Cricket Fields at Silverglades on 11 May. Ph 021-785 2515 or 073 311 3835

Antiques and Arts

CHINA CHINA

We want to buy any old china.

Any old thing. Phone 021 788 1823

PERSONAL 104

Building and Construction Personal AIRPORT TRANSFERS TRIPS AND TOURS (AfricanThemeTours 021 782 3724/083 392 279 6 DIVORCES R3 000 Renette Rauch Attorneys 021 418 1337/8 or e-mail: renette.rauch@attorneys.l aw.za

HERBALIST SPECIALIST­ DR SUUNA Troubled Marriage, lost lovers. Doctor has spiritual and traditional power & check up.

Retreat Rd. Opposite St. Mary's church, Retreat.

( 079 538 7218

ALL BUILDING plans drawn up and submitted to council.

(021 701 6276 082 863 9133

DESIGNS & RENOVATIONS

Undertake all building work and extentions to existing houses, and all front boundary walls. All building prices are reasonable.

(021 701 6276/082 863 913 3

LOANS No ITC. Same day payout. Fax 086 666 4811 or call 071 512 1923

115

Moving and Storage

1143

Home Improvement Interior CARPET & upholstery cleaning.

Quick dry, work done personally. ( Russ 021 786 4837

GARAGE DOORS & automation.

076 523 0306

021 697 3530

166

• NO DEPOSIT • BLACKLISTED WELCOME • FAX: 021 696 5397

Houses to Let CAPRI/NOORDHOEK- 3 Bed, d/garage, d/carport, indoor braairoom, undercover patio.Avail 01June2011.

R8 000p/m which incl.

R300 for water.(082 836 0635/021 78 3 3978/08 3 505 1084

FR E E BRICKS PLASTIC LINING

A.B.K. PLUMBERS: , Specialize in valves & geysers ,Work done personally & guaranteed. ,Leaking roofs also undertaken. ( Arnie 071 202 7744/ 021 785 7690

171

Flats to Let

WELCOME GLEN

Furn 1 b/r flat, with carport and patio. No pets. R2 700 p/m incl w&e. Ph 083 462 8014

Hygiene & Bug’s ‘R’ Us (Registered PCO & Member of SAPCA)

Guaranteed Effective PEST CONTROL

Ants

Crickets

BUSINESS

Spiders

Lice

Rodents, Bedbugs, Bird Removal & Proofing

For a FREE Quotation Call

FINANCIAL FREEDOM SMS FREEDOM to 34008

400

Vacancies Wanted CHAR malawian- Avail 01 June 2011. Good ref.(073 360 7716

Let BONDPRO FINANCE use your PROPERTY to consolidate your debt even if you are under administration/debt review. Property REMAINS in your name.

SMS “Debt” to 076 716 6191 or call 021 880 6000

Cockroaches

“They Bug You We Bug Them!”

194

per week

HOME OWNER

Fleas

JOBS

from

R40

DELIVERY IN CT

Plumbers

Business Opportunities

105

WAREHOUSE

PROPERTY

Clear your debt by calling SCM Debt Clearance 021­788 4485 24/hrs: 078 221 0193

MINI MOVES by Johan.

Telefax 021 782 5749 / 073 973 7212

GENERAL SERVICES

22

ARE YOU IN DEBT?

WENDY 250510

FOR SALE

no hair 220211 1AIZ0Q

FAMILY NOTICES

Bond10.05.11

The proposed business complemented the existing Pennypinchers business in the Western Cape and as a result, Pennypinchers Longbeach invested in 50% of the new venture, with Crystal Williams and Archie Kota investing the balance of the capital.

Crystal and Archie now run a business that supplies all the Pennypinchers stores in the Western Cape with bulk sand and stone.

The products are delivered

either to the stores for resale to their customers in smaller quantities, or direct to their customers’ sites in truck loads of 10m³, 6m³ or 3m³.

There has been such good support from the Pennypinchers stores that the duo has just acquired a third truck to enable them to meet the growing needs of the company.

The quarries and sand mines open at 07:00, and to make sure they are first to be loaded, Kota leaves home before 05:00 every day to dispatch his drivers.

He often only finishes after 19:00 at night.

When asked whether it was worth the extra time and hard work, both partners said: “It is good to be working for ourselves and the more work we put in, the more we will earn, so we don’t mind the hours.”

* Bellville - 021 949 5915 * Cape Town - 021 425 2363 * Claremont - 021 674 5327 * Goodwood - 021 591 5209 * Paarl - 021 872 4083 * Table View - 021 556 5601 * Kraaifontein - 021 987 6798

DR KB-OSAMA Stop wasting time going up and down with no results.

Pay after job is done.

16 years experience in helping with problems.

Financial * Marriage * Business * Promotion * Work and many more.

Challenge all the people who took your money with no result . . .

Cell: 073 803 5987 Strictly appointment Gatesville

Dr KB OSAMA 10.05.11

IN OCTOBER 2007, two employees of Pennypinchers Longbeach decided to go into a business for their own account and approached Jeremy Bagshaw, owner of Pennypinchers Longbeach, for assistance with their business plan and financing of the venture.

NEWS

Tuesday 17 May 2011

People’s Post False Bay Page 15

Here’s an award, but no money CITY HONOURS NSRI – BUT NOT WITH MONEY LIAM MOSES

T

HE National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) has expressed its surprise and frustration at not receiving funding from the City of Cape Town.

HAPPINESS IS: Mogamed Jacobs in his element at Beespens.

Photo: Andre Bakkes

Fishing for meaning ANDRE BAKKES

M

OGAMED JACOBS looks down the deserted beach and finds comfort in his solitude.

He chooses a spot which seems identical to the next, unpacks his fishing gear and prepares for a 10-hour shift of some serious unwinding.

It is 05:30 on a rainy Tuesday morning, but the 36-year-old Mitchell’s Plain resident glows with content.

This is, after all, doing what he loves most – fishing at Beespens near Strandfontein.

“I’ve been coming here three times a week for about 20 years,” he smiles.

Every time his face lights up, he resembles a man who is at complete peace with the world, a man who has discovered the very essence of happiness.

He fishes about 10 hours a day and three times a week, so there is plenty of time to contemplate the meaning of life. “Sometimes I sit here the whole day and fail to catch anything,” he continues.

“I will sit in a world of my own and forget about all my problems.

One learns how to deal with these as well.

Even if the fish don’t bite, I will start thinking rationally about various situations. Sometimes you will get an idea, quickly pick up your stuff and leave so that you can go and implement it.”

Jacobs was born in Bonteheuwel, a place he describes as being “a little rough around the edges”.

His father taught him everything he knows about fishing, and he has been implementing these skills from a young age.

“It kept me out of trouble,” he winks.

This is one of the main reasons he wants his 13-year-old son, Tashreeq, to join him on his fishing excursions when he can.

“Unfortunately he isn’t too keen ... but

“

I was the same when I was young. After some time I gave it a try, and as soon as that first fish bit, I was hooked for life.”

Ever since then he has pulled out some real beauties, the biggest being an 11 kg kabeljou. He has caught a few sharks as well, which is apparently quite common.

“A battle with a shark can drag you towards the water with quite a force. It could take up to three hours to finally get it out of the water!”

When listening to the excitement in his voice while he explains the thrill of the hustle, it becomes obvious that the serene wait is trumped by the big catch.

And when that happens it is not only Jacobs who celebrates, but his whole neighbourhood.

“If I catch many, or a big one, then I distribute it among those who are hungry. There are days when my neighbours would eagerly await my return and hope to benefit with a fish or two.”

Jacobs insists, however, that a day without any fish is far from a failure, since the main reason behind his hobby is to relax and drift away in the breeze.

Jacobs doesn’t pretend to know the answers to the meaning of life, but a lifetime on the beach has taught him one important lesson.

“The secret is that one must work hard in everything one does, whether it be a job or a relationship.

“If you manage this, then you will show people your unique value.”

French playwright, Marcel Pagnol, once said: “The reason people find it so hard to be happy is that they always see the past better than it was, the present worse than it is, and the future less resolved than it will be.”

For the smiling Jacobs, the past, present and future represents just one thing – fishing.

I will sit in a world of my own

”

Learn more about Grabouw THE Cape Natural History Club has arranged a coach trip to the Grabouw area, where a Cob house village, a local anthropologist and a ceramicist will be visited on 29 May. It has also been arranged for the group to

lunch at a former jail and a visit to a local garden.

Cost is R220 per person, including transport, guiding, lunch, and fruit juice. Please call Eleanor on (021) 762-1779 or visit www.capenaturalhistoryclub.co.za.

The circus is coming to town THE South African National Circus in Hartleyvale, Observatory, features trapeze artists, acrobats, clowns and contortionists.

Shows are being held on Friday 27 May

at 19:30, and on Saturday 28 May at 15:00 and 19:30. Tickets cost R30 for adults and R20 for children.

Parking will be available on Liesbeek Parkway. To book, phone (021) 692-4287.

The NSRI has eight bases within the city, dotting the coastline from Melkbos to Gordon’s Bay, operating 24 hours a day and all year round.

The organisation was recently awarded a civic honour by the City for its rescue and education efforts.

And according to Ian Wienburg, CEO of the NSRI, the award made the lack of funding even more evident.

“The Cape Town council don’t give us anything, and it happens to be the area that has more rescue bases than any other area,” says Wienburg.

“What is surprising is that they’ve just given us a medal and commendation at their awards day.

“So they do know about us and recognise us, but they don’t give us funding.”

The NSRI has received funding from the City irregularly in the past and the last donation – R10 000 to the Strandfontein base – was received in May 2009.

The organisation has also had an ongoing claim for regular aid since 2006.

Merial Bartlett, NSRI marketing director, says that the City has still not decided whether to fund the organisation or not.

“The documentation for the claim was done in 2006, and it was supposed to be considered by the council,” says Bartlett.

“And it just keeps getting knocked off every year. Each year we renew the documentation and do the claim again. The reply always just says ‘regrettably this was not addressed at this meeting’.”

Wienburg says that several other smaller municipalities, in the Western Cape and other provinces, fund NSRI bases in their areas.

Station 6 in Port Elizabeth received R150 000, station 5 in Durban received R174 000, Station 15 and 34 in Mossel Bay and Yzerfontein respectively received R30 000 each, and station 17 in Hermanus received R100 000.

The NSRI is a non-profit organisation which was started in 1967, after the drowning of 17 fishermen the previous year highlighted the need for a sea rescue service.

Currently, no other organisation, government or private, has the capability to do the same work as the NSRI. The South African Maritime Safety Author-

ity (SAMSA) is responsible for all safety at sea, both in South African waters and further away, but does not have ability to perform its own rescues.

Instead, SAMSA uses the NSRI, government organisations like the Navy or Airforce and private companies to conduct rescues.

The NSRI’s running costs are in excess of R25 million a year, even though the 980 skilled volunteers, who are on standby day and night, do not get paid.

Wienburg says the major costs of the NSRI are equipment and fuel.

According to the NSRI’s annual financial statements for the 2010 financial year, the organisation’s national spending included R18 million to suppliers; around R2,5 million on refurbishing buildings; R1,2 million on the upkeep of vehicles, and over R7,3 million on servicing boats.

Richard Bosman, the executive director of Safety and Security for the City, says that funding the NSRI is not the responsibility of local government.

“Although praiseworthy, the function of the NSRI is not allocated to local government,” said Bosman.

“Furthermore, it is the responsibility of national government to detect, locate and rescue people in maritime distress situations. The NSRI provides this particular assistance for national government.”

Bosman says the NSRI receives funding from the national Department of Transport and the Western Cape Provincial Government.

In 2010 the Department of Transport granted 1,4 million to the NSRI and R300 000 was received from the Western Cape Department of Disaster Management in August that year.

However, Wienburg says the national and provincial funding only makes up a small percentage of the NSRI’s financial requirements.

“Those grants are divided amongst all the rescue bases in South Africa, including the inland ones. The government grant doesn’t even cover 2,5 % of our operating budget.”

He says the NSRI relies largely on donations from the private sector and generous individuals.

When asked by People’s Post if the NSRI would be able to function without donations from the private sector, Wienburg answered: “not a chance”.

According to Bosman, the City is currently considering an application for funding by the NSRI. Bosman says the full council needs to support the application in order for funding to be granted.

Dining with Bobs for Good A SOCIETY charity dinner will be hosted on Thursday 9 June at 18:30 at the premium Cape Town Restaurant, 221 Waterfront.

The evening will showcase the Bobs for Good Foundation, and feature an auction of premium and desirable items which have been donated by local businesses. All proceeds from the auction will go towards the foundation.

DJ Lady M will be playing on arrival to set the mood. Paul Snodgrass will welcome and entertain guests throughout the evening and educate them about the Bobs for Good Foundation, and the importance of the charity. A professional auctioneer will be auctioning 17 to 20 premium and high-end items.

All proceeds will be going directly to the Bobs for Good Foundation.

Guests will be served a delicious threecourse meal, with a complementary glass of wine and will be further enticed by amazing packages from 15 on Orange Hotel and Suntra Spa, as well as shark cage diving and Huey rides experiences.

Tickets, costing R350, will be pre-sold via Webtickets and through the organisers.

The Bobs for Good Foundation was born out of the need to restore dignity and pride to South Africa’s neediest learners by giving them the gift of hope – a pair of quality, leather and locally-made school shoes to care for and call their own.

The organisation was founded by former Springbok captain, Bob Skinstad, and his lifelong friend, Ron Rutland.

For more information, or to book, visit www.bobsforgoodfoundation.org.

See beautiful Egypt with new eyes “MORE than Words and Images” is the title of an illustrated lecture by Gillian Russell, founder member of The Egyptian Society of South Africa, as well as “Egypt through My Lens”, by master photographer Günther Komnick, at The Egyptian Society of South Africa on Tuesday 24 May at 19:30 at St. George’s

Grammar School, Mowbray.

Members get in free, while non-members pay R20.

Booking is not necessary.

There is secure parking in the school grounds.

Phone (021) 557-5082.

THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE HAPPEN ON BAYSIDE!

O g R in b m All maintenance, EpC lu alterations, contracts, Perfection and honesty is our legacy

Today and everyday

on Fish Hoek Beach

GREAT VENUE GREAT MENU GREAT VALUE

People's Post Page 16

No job too big or too small

Phone: 021 713 9440 | Fax: 021 713 9481

blocked drains, burst pipes, geysers: valves, thermostats, elements.

David 083 678 6228

Tuesday 17 May 2011

View from the beach PAUL BOTHA

BUNDLED: DHL Stormers flyhalf, Peter Grant, tries to get out of a tackle from Craig Clarke and Stephen Donald of the Chiefs in his team’s 30­23 loss in Hamilton, New Zealand on Saturday morning.

Photo: Getty Images

Bracing for Blues blitz TASMIN CUPIDO

MAINTAINING momentum and a rocksolid defence have been two of the characteristics the DHL Stormers has prided themselves on the entire Super Rugby season.

Yet it was these two characteristics that were absent in the team’s 30-23 loss at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton, New Zealand, on Saturday morning.

During the first half, a try by captain, Schalk Burger, and a moment of individual brilliance by winger, Gio Aplon, ensured that the men from the Cape built on a lead which was also maintained by two conversions and two penalties from the boot of flyhalf, Peter Grant.

The team suffered their second consecutive loss in the competition to the Chiefs, after taking a convincing 20-3 lead into half time.

And the sudden change in the match came when Aplon, the hero in the first half, was sent to the sin-bin after an off-the-ball tug on a Chiefs player on attack. This action also led to a penalty try being awarded to the home side.

During the second-half, the men in navyblue-and-white looked nothing like the team that has been playing the Cape on fire this season.

Missing tackles, dropping the ball during crucial attacks and giving away vital penalties in kickable positions all led to the final result.

And head coach, Allister Coetzee, will be

hoping his charges can get back to winning ways and extend their one-point lead on the South African conference log, when they take on the Blues at Auckland’s Eden Park on Friday morning.

The Blues, who are currently first on the New Zealand conference log and second on the combined log, are coming off a 37-31 loss against the overall log leaders, the Queensland Reds.

Over the years, the Blues have been known to play exciting, enterprising and running rugby – they are not afraid to play high-risk rugby or conceding the odd try due to their style of play.

The likes of Rene Ranger, Jarred Payne, Luke McAlister and Alby Mathewson have impressed this season and should be watched carefully when on attack.

The experience of captain and hooker, Keven Mealamu, and lock forward, Ali Williams, has kept a relatively young forward pack fighting until the end.

The Stormers should be looking to target Blues’ flyhalf, Stephen Brett, whose placekicking and kicking from hand has been unimpressive throughout the season. Dominating up front and in the line-out should be another priority for the Cape side, while setting up phases should tire a Blues defence which has come under criticism on several occasions.

For the Stormers, the fitness and availability of Jaque Fourie was yet to be confirmed for the clash, but should Fourie not have recovered from a hip injury, another Springbok, Juan de Jongh, is likely to take his place.

STARTING with contest news this week, Matthew Bromley produced the best result by a Far South surfer in the Billabong SA Surfing Championships which was completed at Seal Point on Cape St Francis on Sunday 15 May. Competing for Western Province, the lanky 19-year from Kommetjie reached the final of Junior Men u/20 and went on to place third overall in the rippable one metre waves that peeled down the point for four successive days.

Still on Bromley, unconfirmed reports suggest that he has qualified as one of the top three men in the trials for the 2011 SA National Team that will represent the country in the Billabong ISA World Surfing Games in Panama later this year. This would indeed be a notable achievement for Bromley whose talent in large and small surf certainly deserves the recognition.

Others to fly the flag at Seal Point for WP included Kommetjie’s Dave Richards, seventh in Open Men, Tanika Hoffman, fifth Junior Women and Tarryn Chudleigh sixth Open Women, along with Max Armstrong from Scarborough, who placed eighth in the Junior Men. Jarred Veldhuis from Kommetjie was placed in seventh in the Junior Men while competing for Eastern Province.

Meanwhile Kommetjie surfers Mikey February and the Brand brothers, Davey

and Benji, are in the national junior surfing team that jetted off to Peru on Monday to represent South Africa in the Quiksilver ISA World Junior Championships which feature more than 250 surfers from 30 countries.

February and Davey Brand, both 18, are earning their fourth consecutive caps while Benji Brand, 15, is representing SA for the first time.

The team will take on New Zealand in the customary SANZ Challenge later this week as a warm up for what is billed the ‘World’s Biggest Junior Surfing Event’.

The ISA event runs from Saturday 21 until Sunday 29 May. The New Balance WP Longboard team is also gearing up for the SA Championships which will be staged in Durban next week from Monday 23 until Sunday 29 May. Captained by Thomas Kleynhans, the WP crew is looking forward to once again bringing home a bucket full of individual medals and to successfully defending the inter-provincial trophy for the umpteenth time. For the girls out there, take a look at the recently created website www.surfsisters.co.za for tips on where to find the best surfing conditions in various wind directions. Designed and maintained by long-time local surfing ‘wahine’ Bernie Shelley and a couple of colleagues, the website performs a valuable reference point and forum for female surfers and guys are welcome to visit too.

Fish Hoek off target FISH HOEK AFC experienced mixed fortunes in the senior and junior competitions of the LFA Cape Town Tygerberg at the weekend. The Fish Hoek first team beat Camps Bay 5-1, the over-35s beat Everton United 3-0, the under-17Bs beat Queens Park 3-0, the under-11Bs beat Rygersdal 2-1 and the women’s team beat Bothasig 2-1 to secure the only successes.

Other scores:

Under-17A Under-15A Under-15B Under-15C Under-13A Under-13B Under-13C Under-13D Under-11A Under-11C

0 0 1 4 2 0 1 3 0 1

Bothasig 1 FC Cape Town 8 Table View 4 Wynberg-St John’s 5 Camps Bay 2 Wynberg-St John’s 1 De Beers 3 Meadowridge 4 Table View 2 FC Cape Town 4

Covering your community news, local celebrity stories, sports, educational matters, community projects and a whole lot more.

OVER 317 000 COPIES DELIVERED TO YOUR DOOR EVERY TUESDAY

“ Te l l i n g i t a s i t i s ”