11 October 2017

Photo: Anja Wiehl

11 October 2017

Published every Wednesday by CXpress 2006 (Pty) Ltd - PO Box 1449, Plettenberg Bay 6600 - 6 Park Lane, Plettenberg Bay - Tel: 044 533 1004 - Fax: 044 533 0852 Email: editor@cxpress.co.za / advertising@cxpress.co.za Web page: www.cxpress.co.za Printed by Group Editors

FREE

The Route’s alive with Voices p2

Plett son conquers Channel p5

Cheers to Pioneers p12

Trailblazers unite!

Plett trail veterans Ria Mattheus, in black, and Charmaine Meyer, behind her, along with two fellow friends-on-the-trot were part of a healthy contingent of trailies that delighted in Sunday’s 10km Robberg Xpress and its baby sibling, the 5km Shy Shark, in perfect running conditions. Sponsored by Kurlandbrik and supported by CapeNature, the podium was once again topped by Knysna Marathon Club’s friendly racing snake Melikhaya Msizi - turn to page 9 for more pics of the race and of Saturday’s successful Tour de Plett.

the bedroom shop furniture & linen emporium

10 000 FREE COPIES OF CXPRESS DISTRIBUTED ALONG THE GARDEN ROUTE EVERY WEDNESDAY

2

CXPRESS

NEWS & VIEWS

11 October 2017

Stellar cast of musicians to combine talents for this Hospice purpose.

Holdcroft (cello), Handri Loots weekend’s Hospice cause for“They are coming to support (flute), Magda de Vries (maOICES for Hospice is a global musical event held every two years on the second Saturday in October, and celebrates World Hospice and Palliative Care Day. The concept of simultaneous concerts as a means of raising money and drawing attention to the work of Hospice globally was enthusiastically embraced and has grown from one UK event in 1991 to 312 performances in over 40 countries.

Locally, two concerts have been organised; Sunday’s Plett show has been sold out since last week, but by going to press there were still tickets available for the Knysna show on Saturday.

Explains PlettAid Foundation/Hospice Plett chairperson lady Annabelle Conyngham:

V

“Through the auspices of Anneke Lamont, we are incredibly fortunate to have Richard Cock as the conductor for both performances.

“Richard needs no introduction to music aficionados - he is a national treasure! Broadway medleys were specifically chosen by him in the context of the audiences where they will be performed and, more importantly, because he loves conducting them.”

But his presence is just one of many attractions that will ensure both the Knysna and Plett concerts offer a unique experience.

Concert coordinator Anneke Lamont has gathered musicians with whom she has performed during her stellar career as concert pianist for the Voices

this event and we shall have the privilege of listening to preeminent musicians playing together, supported by a choir comprising almost a hundred singers, along with celebrated tenor Nicholas Nicolaidis and soprano Talita Laubscher,” says Annabelle.

The music has been carefully selected for voices from various choirs by Anneke along with Jill Kirkland, and will include medleys from Oklahoma, The Sound of Music, and Les Miserables.

The massed choirs of Knysna, Sedgefield, and Plett will perform compositions by, among others, John Rutter, Leonard Cohen, and Annie Lennox.

Other musicians involved include violinists Zanta Hofmeyer and Jacques Fourie, Elmarie van der Vyver (viola), Peta-Ann

rimba), Olga Schoeman (harp), Joe Danesley (saxophone), Phil Golson (trombone), and Nici Coleman on trumpet.

“Plett and Knysna/Sedgefield Hospice are most proud to be the beneficiaries of this high profile event and we give grateful thanks to all the musicians and choristers involved, and especially to Anneke and Jill for their indefatigable weekly choir practices,” says Annabelle, adding that tickets holders must bring their own cushions for comfortable enjoyment of this superlative musical experience.

Entry costs R220 and the show at Knysna DRC starts at 4pm on Saturday. Call Lynne on 083 252 8994 for information. Voluntary donations will be gratefully received.

You saw them on TV, now catch them at The Barnyard in Plett REUNITED: From left are The Voice SA Season 2 winner Craig Lucas, runnerup Josh Ansley, and ‘Queen of Hearts’ Caroline Grace

HE producers of popular M-Net vocal talent search The Voice SA created a roadshow after popular demand dictated that the nation has not quite seen enough of the past season’s favourite acts - and The Crags in Plett is one of the stops on their itinerary during

T

the last weekend of this month.

The touring five-some include The Voice SA Season 2 winner Craig Lucas, runner-up Josh Ansley, Caroline ‘Queen of Hearts’ Grace, and four-chair turner Armand Joubert, with funnyman Johan ‘Fatman’ Brummer as host.

This 90-minute show, which makes its Plett stop on October 28, will take you through the season’s highlights, its lows, and everything in-between. So book now to relive your favourite moments from The Voice Season 2, and to enjoy new music from The Voice

SA Reunited.

Doors open at 6:30 and the show starts at 8pm. Tickets cost a mere R150 and can be bought online at www.barnyardplett. co.za or from Barney’s Info Kiosk at The Market Square.

Call Jeanne on 079 876 0406 for more information.

Win with The Barnyard and CXPRESS One lucky CXPRESS reader stands a chance to win a set of double tickets to the value of R300. Give us the real name of The Voice Reunited host ‘Fatman’ - email your answer to barnyardplett@gmail.com for Jeanne’s attention, along with your name and contact details, by Monday October 23. The winner will be announced in CXPRESS of October 25.

Jeffreys Bay 22 Jeffreys Street 042 293 1040

FOLLOW US ON FB, TWITTER & PINTEREST

TRY TER ANY US WE WILL BET PRICE ADVERTISED

Norman Incliner Impala Cherry Leather L/U

R8 395

Rialto Incliner Triumph Blue/ Brown Fabric

R5 395

Alford Queen Bed Set No-Turn Technology

Bambino Double Bed Set SABS Approved

R4 295

R2 995 Go & Play Bluetooth Speaker 8Hours Battery Life

Plettenberg Bay 1 Robberg Road 044 533 1456

Xtreme Bluetooth Speaker Available in Various colours

32” LED TV USB 2.0

R2 495

49” UHD Curved LED TV 2017 New Release

R4 395

R3 995

Defy 8KG Top Loader A+ Energy Rating

Bosch 12 Plate Setting Dishwasher A+ Energy Rating

1200 Deluxe Braai + Cowl Mild Steele Finish

57cm Original Kettle Braai 15 Year Warrantee

R2 995

R3 995

R8 995

R1 895

R10 795

10% Discount on ALL Lounge Suites *Excluding Advertised Lines HURRY, While Stocks Last | Terms & Conditions Apply 15X8DR0M-KG051017

NEWS & VIEWS

11 October 2017

Dead air as Communications minister fails to show at Bitou youth expo The invitation to a Youth Outreach Programme hosted by national minister of Communications Ayanda Dlodlo was accepted by a large number of local youngsters, eager to meet the department’s top official and take up the offer of finding out from the horse’s mouth about opportunities awaiting in the media and communications sector KHAYA MBESI reports

NO COMMENT: Ayanda Dlodlo’s Communications department liaison could not be reached for an explanation as to why the minister did not arrive in Plett on Monday as planned

HRONGS of young people poured into KwaNokuthula’s Simunye Community Centre around 9am on October 9 to listen to Communications minister Ayanda Dlodlo on the subject of what her department offered in the line of career opportunities.

The event was well organised with pop-up banners and marketing material abounding, but many of the visitors were unpleasantly surprised to learn that the minister was not in attendance.

Entities aligned to Dlodlo’s department that were represented on the day included the Films and Publications Board, ICASA

T

(Independent Communications Authority of SA), and the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA).

A powerful speaker, MDDA chairperson Phelisa Nkomo presented a resounding talk to encourage Bitou youngsters to stand up for themselves.

“You must not allow poverty to control you. Stand up and fight every day of your life. If you get a chance to go to school, use it. Don’t trash life’s opportunities as they are shrinking on a daily basis,” said Nkomo.

“Believe in yourselves and if you can’t do something alone, hook up with others and fight to succeed.

Life is expensive but it’s not impossible to start a community radio station or a community newspaper.”

She advised young entrepreneurs to do ample research if they wanted to succeed in delivering a successful pitch or proposal.

“If you want to market ideas to sponsors or big companies, you must be very well prepared. Working hard is the only way to go.”

Many young people were disappointed that the minister was not around.

Pamela Mdela, 30, said: “I was waiting to hear what the minister had to say. I have not been working for a long time but I just got a job and was looking forward to get her advice.

Andiswa Nogqala, 28, said: “I am not working.

I received in-service training at the municipality but since it ended, I have not been employed. I was hoping to get a lot of information, so I am disappointed that the minister did not come as promised.”

• Communications spokesman Xolani Mbali was not available for comment by our going to press.

Public works wage higher than quoted EDWA Nicotee Mayila from Bitou Municipality’s Communication department advised that certain claims quoted by Khaya Mbesi in last week’s edition were incorrect [read ‘Housing, jobs, and crime addressed by Bitou mayor face to face’ on page 3 of the October 4 edition at www.cxpress.co.za].

“Firstly let me express a word of thanks for publishing the article as you

Y

assist us on reaching out to the masses - we really appreciate your efforts and that also applies to the reporter, Khaya Mbesi.

“However we would like correct information about the EPWP (Expanded Public Works Programme) wage, which in the article is said to be R120 per day.

In actual fact this wage is R180 per day - a standard that the mayor is hoping even the private sector

could maintain to eradicate poverty in our town.

“The overall report for the IDP Mayoral Imbizo, which started on September 19 and concludes on October 12, will be submitted to CXPRESS by Friday morning. In the interim, please inform your readers that the programme did not only take place in Bossiesgif/Qolweni, but in all Bitou wards and communities.”

CXPRESS

Read CXPRESS online @ www.cxpress.co.za

3

4

CXPRESS

Read CXPRESS online @ www.cxpress.co.za

NEWS & VIEWS

11 October 2017

No agreement between experts over Beale’s reoffend risk Sentencing in the infamous Plettenberg Bay baby pornography case is expected to conclude before the end of the year, just short of three years after the matter surfaced YOLANDÉ STANDER reports ESTIMONY of expert witnesses, who were called for sentencing purposes, concluded in the Knysna Regional Court on Friday.

The matter - which involves William Beale, 39, who pleaded guilty to just short of 19,000 charges of child pornography in February this year - was however postponed to October 23 for heads of argument to be delivered by the state and defence.

Magistrate Eugenia Jacobs indicated that she would most likely deliver sentencing on November 7.

During sentencing proceedings on Wednesday and Friday last week, expert witnesses Tjaart van der Walt - a clinical psychologist called by the defence - and Colonel

T

Bronwynn Stollarz - a psychologist with the police investigative psychology unit - took the stand.

During his testimony Van der Walt said Beale was not likely to reoffend, pegging this risk at between 0% and about 7.5%.

Stollarz however testified that the risk was more significant than Van der Walt claimed. She testified that there were several factors present with Beale, which hiked his risk of reoffending.

These include his paedophilic disorder, antisocial personality traits, substance abuse, difficulty forming successful sexual relationships with partners, and his criminal history.

Beale was convicted on a drug possession charge

earlier in life and was found in possession of dagga during his arrest in 2015.

Stollarz also testified that a concern for her was Beale’s attempts to minimise his involvement in the matter.

She explained that, according to Beale, the child pornography images he had viewed had more to do with his interest in the “dark web� and the challenge of accessing “locked files�.

She added that he further minimised his involvement by reporting to her that the child pornography formed only a small percentage of the images he collected.

Beale was the first South African to have been arrested as part of Op-

eration Cloud 9, which involved cooperation between South African and Belgian police responsible for cracking down on an international child pornography ring linked to a cyber meeting space for paedophiles whose fetishes seem to be the sexual abuse of babies.

Some of the images found included the torture and murder of babies as young as only a few days old.

Beale pleaded guilty to about 18,644 charges of possession of child pornography in February this year, following his arrest by international police in January 2015. He was subsequently released on R10,000 bail and relocated to Kimberley to live with his brother and his family.

PE joins rest of planet in march against animal trade

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

On October 7, Port Elizabeth joined cities all over the world where marches were held to unite in one voice under the ‘Global March for Elephants, Rhinos and Lions’ banner, to draw attention to the crisis facing these species and to call for an end to the ivory, rhino horn, and lion bone trades. This annual march is the biggest international event to save our planet’s vanishing wildlife. Poaching of elephants and rhinos has surged to unprecedented levels in recent years, fuelled by the demand for ivory and rhino horn from mainly China and Vietnam. An elephant is brutally killed every 15 minutes that’s around 100 every day and an annual toll of 35,000-50,000. A rhino is poached every 9-11 hours, with an estimated 24,000 left in the world. Over 1,000 rhinos were poached last year alone, compared to just 13 in 2007. If the rate of killing continues to rise, rhinos too will face extinction within the decade. Each day at least two or three hand-reared tamed lions are killed in canned hunts in SA. Almost 8,000 predators are currently being held in cages or confined areas, and none of this has anything to do with conservation. If we don’t act now, that number could well be over 12,000 within the next few years. In Port Elizabeth, the march was facilitated by the Blood Lions crew and called for urgent concerted action to save these highly intelligent, emotionally sentient, socially complex species who have roamed the earth for millions of years.

Visit www.bloodlions.com for additional information. - Photos: Brendan Leigh photography

NEWS & VIEWS

11 October 2017

CXPRESS

5

English Channel dream comes true for Madswimmer Emil Berning CHANNEL GIANTS: Swimming through the shipping lanes, Emil was surrounded by navy frigates on manoeuvres, channel ferries and many other colossal craft

MIL Berning, 50, is the eldest son of Rev Pam and Keith Berning of Plettenberg Bay. After matriculating at Grey High School in Port Elizabeth, he graduated in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Cape Town.

Currently Emil is MD of a high-tech company in Johannesburg. So what made him decide to brave the English Channel… sans boat or engine, under his own personal steam?!

Explains Pam: “Emil has always been a good longdistance swimmer in inland and sea waters and is a member of Madswimmers a group of like-minded aqua athletes who raise money for charities by raking in sponsorships for each swim.

“These charities are mainly specialist children’s hospitals and schools throughout the continent, but particularly in South Africa.

Some of Emil’s recent long-distance forays include a 34km swim from Zanzibar Island to the Tanzanian mainland. In this case, the beneficiary was a Tanzanian children’s cancer hospital; the length of Sterkfontein Dam brought in another beneficiary, and a swim across the Dead Sea yet another.

Emil traverses Midmar Dam eight times during the annual Midmar Mile weekend, which takes place north of Pietermaritzburg each February, in order to maximise on charity benefit. He also regularly swims to and from Robben Island when on business in Cape Town.

A year ago, Madswimmers raised $3-million for children’s charities, including the training of young disabled swimmers.

E

NO CROW’S FLIGHT: Although the English Channel is 33.3km broad at its narrowest point in the Straight of Dover, changing tides makes it rather circuitous - as demonstrated by the red dots indicating Emil’s route

Emil trains by swimming 7km every morning before going to work, and more on weekends to keep fit.

“But his iconic swim goal has always been to swim the English Channel to France,” says Pam. “Realising this dream was planned for August this year, but during a swim in the Cape in July, he cracked some ribs and could not train for six weeks.”

Then, late on Saturday night September 16, Emil received a call from the boat pilot associated with the Channel Swimming Association (CSA) to say that there was a channel-swim slot available on Tuesday the 19th.

Flights, transport, a support boat and crew, and the feeds he would require were organised swiftly, and Emil arrived in Dover on the Monday morning in time for a quick swim to test the waters, as it were.

Early on Tuesday morning, wearing only a speedo and cap, Emil started his iconic Channel swim, leaving the English shore from Samphire Hoe between Folkestone and Dover at 9am aiming for Cap Gris Nez on the French coast.

Water temperature hovered around 17 degrees Celsius, with swells of at least one metre and variable wind conditions.

Taking food and liquids every 40 minutes and swimming through the shipping lanes surrounded by navy frigates on manoeuvres, channel ferries and many other craft, Emil reached French turf after 12 hours and 53 minutes.

“The last two hours were swum in pitch darkness and he knew he had reached France only when his hands

FULL HOUSE: Keith and Pam Berning are flanked by their children on the occasion of their 50th wedding anniversary in 2015 - from left are daughter Pam and sons Paul, Deon, and Emil

caught the sand off the beach. Pictures of these final swimming hours showed but a tiny green light, which was an LED mounted on his cap!” recounts Pam. Keith and Pam were able to monitor Emil’s progress throughout the day by satellite tracking and by receiving commentaries and pictures through Facebook from the support boat.

The route from England to France is quite circuitous because of the changing tides. The direct route is about 21 miles.

Emil’s world-class performance is confirmed when one considers that since the year 1875 only 1,477 solo swimmers, registered with CSA, in the world have completed the channel swim successfully, with an average swim time of 14-16 hours.

Some Channel challengers take up to 20 hours to complete the swim, and many starters give up after two to six hours for a variety of reasons. Only about 740 relay teams (comprising three to six members) registered with CSA have completed the swim.

“An observer was on the support boat to confirm the swim and landing,” explains Pam. “Since there is no welcoming party on the French beach, one finishes alone in the dark, walks up the beach, shouts hurrah and swims back to the boat for the return trip to Dover by 3am.”

The Bernings are incredibly and understandably proud of Emil’s achievement, whose name now appears on a pillar in the White Horse Pub in Dover among those of other brave souls who successfully swam the English Channel.

BERNING’S PRIDE: Emil on arrival back at OR Tambo - according to mom Pam, it was extremely exciting to follow his Channel swim through satellite tracking, “and as very proud parents, we wanted to share our joy with all your readers”

EVEN QUEEN’S BEST MUST EAT: Emil - who won the Queen Scout Award in Port Elizabeth, where he was a keen Scout in his youth - is shown here during one of the hourly topups with food and liquids during his recent Channel swim

6

CXPRESS

11 October 2017

NEWS & VIEWS

York High hostel’s top four hail from… three guesses where?

Recently announced head students of York High School’s hostel have something significant in common - head girl and boy Megan Harvey and Marley Ford are flanked above by deputies Siya Mpambani and Jessica Phillips, and all of them are former Plett Primary students. Is it something in the water or did these cool young leaders get an excellent headstart in their home town? Many congrats to the awesome foursome and their parents for doing Plett proud. Photo: Louisa Schneor

Schools in the Western Cape now use technology to drive inclusivity EARLY 60% of South African children cannot effectively read in any language (including their home languages) by the end of Grade 4. Nearly 80% of Grade 6 mathematics teachers do not understand the content they are teaching, and in most schools less than half of the official curriculum is being covered during the year.

It’s clear that new approaches and partnerships are required to begin moving our education system in a positive direction.

The Western Cape Education Department, together with its strategic partners, is pioneering new approaches to education, combining technology with teaching as a way to involve the province’s schools in preparing their learners for the future.

The Western Cape Government has identified seven key interventions, or ‘game changers’, that are most likely to improve opportunities for its citizens. eLearning is one of these game changers, and the province is currently rolling out the infrastructure to make this vision a reality.

“Technology provides excellent opportunities for improving access to quality education in all communities,” says Debbie Schäfer, MEC for Education in the W-Cape. “Our vision is to use eLearning to improve literacy and numeracy, and to ensure that our learn-

N

ers are better prepared for the 21st century.”

The Western Cape has already rolled out broadband connectivity, including Wi-Fi access, to nearly 2,000 schools throughout the province. The Department of Education is now working with schools and partners to lay foundations for eLearning in the province over the three years from 2016 to 2019.

“A major benefit of eLearning will be equipping learners for life after school, whether it be stepping into the world of work or further education at universities or colleges. Improving digital access contributes to ensuring best education resources and support,” explains Schäfer.

“We are committed to improving education for all our children and have already implemented a wide range of initiatives to improve access to quality education in poor communities, and hike up performance in underperforming schools.”

“Inclusiveness benefits independent schools as well, where learners require exposure to important cultural and economic realities, and to the demands of the 21st century” says EduWeek* director Tanya Jackman. “eLearning is a great mechanism for broadening their experience of the world and the country around them.” * EduWeek is the foremost future-focussed education conference on the African continent, and the recently concluded EduWeek Cape Town featured over 80 speakers, 70 exhibitors and 1,500+ visitors. The two-day exhibition and conference catered to professionals from across the education sector including early childhood development, primary and high schools, TVETs and universities. Themes for 2017 were technology, maths and science, digital content, safety and security, and inclusive education.

• Visit www.educationweek.co.za to find out more.

BUSINESS

11 October 2017

CXPRESS

7

Now or never - addressing the South African skills gap ‘not ready’, according to the report.

Progression MD Tarryn Mason says if corporate South Africa does not invest more of its time, energy, and resources into L&D, the skills gap will continue to widen and hinder the progress of companies and the country.

“The results of the report indicate that many South African corporates are taking a more reactive approach to skills development. We need to be implementing sustainable strategies that will provide long-term results.

“It is clear that corporates can no longer rely on government to bridge the skills gap. For corporates to remain profitable and competitive, they need to ensure that the relevant skills required in their industries are being taught to their future workforces.”

Mason adds: “An ideal way to do this is to identify individuals in their pre-tertiary education stage and map out career paths that align with the needs of the organisation.

“By identifying and coaching these individuals early in their development, not only will businesses reduce the skills deficit in their or-

ganisations, but will ensure they do not have to compete with other large corporates in the race to snatch up the limited and in-demand university graduates.

“Learnerships can also play a significant role in bridging the skills gap in South Africa. Empowering and developing individuals through NQF-accredited

learning programmes is a valuable and effective way to upskill the workforce and, in turn, give the economy the boost it needs.

In addition, learnerships

also provide organisations with valuable points for their B-BBEE scorecard,” concludes Mason.

• Visit www.progression. co.za for more information.

Tips to avoid bank-card fraud S banks continue working tirelessly to implement measures to combat card fraud, customers are urged to always be extra vigilant and take advantage of the security measures available to them when transacting.

Ryan Prozesky, CEO of Value Banking Solutions at FNB, says fraudsters go to extreme measures to trick customers out of hard-earned cash.

“As the old adage says ‘an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure’ - don’t wait until you become a victim of fraud to familiarise yourself with important measures to keep your bank cards safe,” he adds.

A

• Review your account statements on a regular basis and query disputed transactions with your bank immediately.

• Do not send emails that quote your card number and expiry date.

• Ensure that you get your own card back after every purchase.

• Never write down your PIN or disclose it to anyone.

• Report lost and stolen cards immediately.

• Never let your card out of your sight when making payments.

• Your card is not transferable. Only the person whose name appears on the front of the card is authorised to use it.

• If you have debit,

cheque, and credit cards, don’t choose the same PIN for them all.

• Always ensure that the amount reflecting on the Point of Sale device is the correct purchase amount before entering your PIN. • Keep your transaction slips and check them against your statement to spot any suspicious transactions and query them immediately.

• Never accept help from strangers when using an ATM. • Use one hand to shield the other hand while keying in the PIN. • Should your card be retained by an ATM, contact your bank and block your card before you leave

Gerhard van Huyssteen is your LOCAL registered Debt Counsellor (NCRDC#778)

Cell: 071 332 2341 Tel: 044 533 2805 Email: plett101@gmail.com

the ATM. • You can temporarily block and unblock cards using the FNB Banking App if you suspect you’ve lost a card.

• Store your bank’s call centre number on your cellphone so that you have it handy should you need to stop your card.

• Subscribe to your bank’s SMS notification services; this will inform you of any transactional activity on your account.

“Taking time to review these tips annually and keeping up to date with the latest fraud schemes can give you peace of mind when transacting on your card,” concludes Prozesky.

Local registered counsellor for REAL debt counselling and COMPLETE peace of mind.

Phone today for a FREE consultation with no obligations.

Advertorial

WE DON’T JUST BUILD ROADS, WE BUILD SAFE ROADS. SANRAL continually strives to live up to its slogan: building South Africa through better roads. Apart from building and maintaining our roads, the agency invests heavily in road safety education. No matter how carefully roads are designed and engineered, it is absolutely vital that road users are aware of their road behaviours. Knowing how to use a road can mean the difference between life and death.

About a third of South Africa’s schools are located within 5km of the national road network managed by SANRAL. With this in mind, the agency has partnered with various education authorities to provide our country’s learners with appropriate road safety information.

9G JQRG VQ KP WGPEG CVVKVWFGU UWH EKGPVN[ VQ TGUWNV KP UCHGT road behaviour. SANRAL equips teachers with suitable aids to provide a practical learning environment for children ranging from Grades R to six. SANRAL is developing new educational material that will address different ages and circumstances in the communities along the national road network. So far, the agency’s initiatives have reached over 1 940 schools and more than 14 000 teachers have received training and learning materials nationwide.

Recently, Cabinet approved the 2016-2030 National Road Safety Strategy, which SANRAL helped develop. We design and build roads that are safe, which plays a huge role in reducing the number of fatalities on our country’s roads. +P VJG PCPEKCN [GCT GPFKPI /CTEJ 5#04#. DTQMG ITQWPF QP C PWODGT QH CIUJKR RTQLGEVU WRITCFKPI TQCFU VJCV YGTG KP FKTG PGGF QH C UCHGV[ OCMGQXGT 6JGUG RTQLGEVU include: r • • r

/QNQVQ 4QCF WRITCFG The N2 Wild Coast Road The Polokwane ring road 6JG /WUKPC TKPI TQCF

The implementation of these has resulted in economic growth CPF VJG ETGCVKQP QH LQD QRRQTVWPKVKGU HQT EQOOWPKV[ OGODGTU who reside along these roads. Vehicle crashes cannot be averted altogether, but through our awareness campaigns, SANRAL can limit the damage.

We are committed to promoting road safety not only through engineering safer roads, but also educating road users.

/QNQVQ 4QCF WRITCFG RTQLGEV

SANRAL’s awareness campaign – ChekiCoast - has taken on a life of its own. ChekiCoast is a social platform aimed at saving lives. The more recent campaign, called ChekiCoast Save a Life, RCTVPGTGF YKVJ KP WGPEGTU VQ GORJCUKUG road safety messages and promote responsible behaviour among road users.

The campaign has garnered great support and resonates with the youth. &WTKPI 5#04#. KORNGOGPVGF a number of infrastructure changes and improvements to create a safer environment for all road users (including pedestrians).

These are as follows: Location of project

Focus of work

N2 York Street Interchange to )CTFGP 4QWVG /CNN George, WC

Pedestrian walkways with cameras and lighting to KPETGCUG UCHGV[ /GUJ HGPEG to prevent pedestrians crossing the highway.

N1 at Botlokwa, LP

Construction of narrow diamond interchange with pedestrian overpasses, good lighting and fencing to prevent illegal crossing

N2 Pacaltsdorp Interchange, George, WC

Road widening to dual carriageway with turning lanes.

Interchange bridge widened.

New sidewalks and pedestrian bridge construction.

Our national roads agency is constantly striving to save lives and improve the living conditions of communities that live alongside the national road network. SANRAL strongly believes that more can be achieved when people are made aware of their surroundings and the importance of their behaviour on the roads. Together, we can save many more lives and educate many more people by keeping the road safety conversation alive.

SANRAL. Beyond roads. www.sanral.co.za

@sanral_za

@sanral_za

www.facebook.com/sanralza/

An agency of the Department of Transport.

&09)46-28 )

HE critical skills gap in South Africa is of growing concern in many industries. It is surprising therefore that employers are not investing more significantly in Learning and Development (L&D).

According to the annual Deloitte Human Capital Trends Report, only 28% of South African employers say they are helping employees build skills. About 30% of companies say they do not have clear career paths for employees within their organisations.

This is in stark contrast to the statistics of other countries. The report indicates that globally, 83% of executives have identified L&D as crucial. In response to this, many organisations have started to help employees with continuous L&D to overcome the critical skills gap in various industries.

Assisting employees to grow their skills set and to prosper in the workplace is a top priority for many.

In addition, the report shows that locally only 58% of organisations described themselves as being prepared when it comes to how employers manage careers and deliver learning and development. This positions South Africa as

T

8

CXPRESS

INTERVAL

11 October 2017

South African English... let it not be said we’re not unique! - Part II • It says something about the English that they have no word for ‘jol’. Probably the dictionary compilers regard it as slang, but it’s widely used for ‘Going out on the town; kicking up your heels, enjoying yourself’. Curiously, the word ‘Yule’ in Yuletide is related to ‘jol’ and derived from Old English.

So somewhere along the line, the English forgot how to ‘jol’.

• How do you explain the passion of ‘lekker’?

“Wow last night was a ‘lekker jol’.

• We’ve yet to meet a South African over the age of two who doesn’t use the word ‘muti’.

Translation is impossible - ‘witches potion’ is about the nearest. It needs an extended cultural historical explanation. Between ‘muti’ and the pedantic ‘medication’, there’s simply no contest.

• And of course, ‘kak en betaal’, just says it all, doesn’t it? A bland English translation would be ‘cough and pay up’, or ‘breathe and pay’. But it just doesn’t cut it, does it?

Not by a long drop.

• Other words that come to mind: ‘jou bliksem’, ‘wag ‘n bietjie’, ‘nie so haastig nie’, ‘just now’, ‘sakkie-sakkie music’, ‘ou swaer’, ‘ja-nee’, and ‘poephol’.

• ‘Dudu’ - telling your infant to ‘go to bed’ is just not the same as ‘go dudu now, my baby’.

• ‘Mislik’ - such a ‘lekker’ word. “Why are you so mislik, you little skelm?”

• Which brings us to ‘skelm’ - sure, you do get ‘baddies’, but that doesn’t have the same sneaky connotation of a proper skelm, does it?

• ‘Loskop’ is another favourite. The English just don’t understand “Sorry, I forgot - I’m such a loskop!”

Cocky answers traffic officer got out of his car as the teenager he stopped for speeding rolled down his window.

“I’ve been waiting for you all day,” the traffic officer said.

The young lad replied: “Well I got here as fast as I could.”

--The traffic officer approached the driver: “When I saw you driving down the road, I guessed 55 at least.”

The lady driver looked at the officer and replied: “You’re wrong, officer, it’s only my hat that makes me look

A

that old.”

--A truck driver was cruising along when a sign came up that read: “Low Bridge Ahead”.

Before the truck driver realised it, the bridge was directly ahead and he got stuck under it.

Cars were backed up for miles. Finally, a police car arrived.

The policeman got out of his car and walked to the truck’s cab and said to the driver: “Got stuck, eh?”

The driver replied: “No, I was delivering this bridge and ran out of diesel.”

“Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted.”

- Albert Einstein

SOCIAL SCENE

11 October 2017

BEING BOND IN BITOU: The Plett Secondary School matric farewell was held on the evening of Thursday September 28 at Piesang Valley community hall - and what a fancy affair it was, with tons of glitz and glamour and fast cars. At left from left, Rivaldo Hendricks, Marcus van Beulen, Tyreke Windvogel and Darryn Cunningham pose with Darryn’s Ferrari, which he kindly availed for the occasion. At right, Shanelle ‘Shenzy’ Windvogel flaunts her beautiful dress on the special night. Proud mum Debbie, daddy Robin and sister Kella said: “After all the stress and running around, it all paid off in the end - a big thank you to everyone who ensured that the farewell was such fun.”

Visit the gallery at www.cxpress.co.za to see more pics of pretty Plett Sec matrics.

CXPRESS

9

Photos: Martin Hurwitz

WHAT A TERRIFIC TOUR! These images show some of the many happy faces during and after Saturday’s most successful Tour de Plett. In perfect cycling climes, a full field of cyclists competed in routes of various distances, with the Family Fun Ride especially well attended by many local and visiting riders of all ages, shapes and sizes.

Title gunner Dylan Rebello was most annoyed when forced to pull out after trouble with his front wheel, which saw fellow pros Waylon Woolcock and HB Kruger crossing the finish line a second apart, at 3:14:18 and 3:14:19 respectively. Third to finish among the marathon men was Shaun-Nick Bester, with Robyn de Groot the first lady home. Visit www.tourdeplett.co.za for full results and more images.

XPRESS IMPRESSIONS: Everyone interviewed by CXPRESS after completing Sunday’s trail run on Robberg, be it the 5km or 10km races, concurred that this highly-technical track must be one of the most scenic ones on the planet. Images here show the start, pics of happy competitors on the route, and the top three finishers of the 10km trail run at right - winner Melikhaya Msizi is flanked by Wouter Frezenberg (2nd) and Steph le Roux (3rd) at right. - Photos: Anja Wiehl

LUCKY 13 FOR LOVING SILINGILIS: Mbulelo and Nokhayalethu Silingili celebrated their 13th wedding anniversary in grand style in KwaNokuthula last Saturday, along with their three children. The official celebration kicked off at Kwano’s Old Apostolic Church, where members of the congregation, invited residents, neighbours and friends arrived with gifts for the couple. Mr Silingile said their parents were a positive influence on their harmonious union. “I want to follow their success. The church has also had a positive effect on allowing our marriage to succeed. Only death will see us part, as promised during our wedding in 2004.” Mr Silingili praised his wife for her good manners and respect. Mrs Silingili said it was not always easy for marriages to survive. “Our parents are our great inspiration and my sister-in-law Ntomboxolo has been a great support. It has been my prayer for us to celebrate this day.” Ntomboxolo Silingili, pictured at left above with her husband, added with a smile: “We have always looked up to our parents - our greatest motivators. They have been through a lot but they never gave up.” - Khaya Mbesi

10

CXPRESS

11 October 2017

Paws

Plett Animal Welfare Service

CLASSIFIEDS

ON THE SOAPBOX

11 October 2017

Letters to the Editor

Email: editor@cxpress.co.za - Fax: 044 533 0852 - PO Box 1449, Plett 6600

Nog geen baas vir liewe Bernie nie...

NEEM MY AAN, ASSEBLIEF? Bernie is oorspanne omdat hy reeds nege maande lank wag vir ‘n gesin om hom in hul huis en harte te verwelkom

Baie, baie dankie - namens almal by Plett Animal Welfare Services (PAWS) - dat julle die Bernie storie so prominent geplaas het [lees ‘HELP! Bernie is in deep trouble…’ op bladsy 6 van die 4 Oktober uitgawe by www.cxpress.co.za].

Ek is bevrees daar is nog geen lig aan die einde van Bernie se donker tonnel nie. Ons hoop het opgevlam toe ‘n plaaslike

inwoner laas week met hom kennis gemaak het by die PAWS hokke, waar hy nou reeds vir nege maande versorg word.

Maar ongelukkig het sy ‘n klein tuintjie en sal ook nie gereeld met hom kan gaan stap nie.

Hy is ‘n energieke, lewendige hond en sy het ‘n meer bedeesde troeteldier in gedagte gehad. Bernie benodig ‘n gesin met

kinders en ‘n groter tuin.

Ons het nog geen verdere belang gehad nie, maar my kollegas sal terugvoerig gee sodra daar ‘n goeie huis vir hierdie spesiale dier gevind is - aanhouer wen!

Ons is baie dankbaar teenoor CXPRESS vir jul voortdurende hulp en ondersteuning wanneer Bitou se diere dit die meeste benodig.

Marsja Hall-Green, Plet

How astrology can save the planet from mankind The astrological zodiac can be split into four elements, namely Fire, Earth, Air, and Water. All aspects of fire can be traced back to the sun - indeed, the ancients had some reason for venerating or worshipping the sun.

Had they known it, trees - and by extension coal - could have been venerated in the same way, since sunlight is necessary for photosynthesis which eventually gave mankind trees and then coal.

In today’s environment direct conversion of the sun’s rays into electricity is feasible, as is currently being tested in Pofadder.

(It has been in the Guptas’ interest, however, to suppress anything that does not involve coal…)

Trees needed Mother Earth to sustain them as well as Air and Water, which the ancients believed came from the heavens. It is only recently that mankind came to the belief that ‘heaven’ was a single noun, and that carbon dioxide from the air was required for photosynthesis.

We now know that the consumption of carbon dioxide must keep pace with the consumption of oxygen; more and more these days, this is a result of the activity of mankind.

That the effects of carbon dioxide are more damaging to the planet than the abstraction of oxygen is due to the fact that until now, carbon dioxide could be called a trace gas in the atmosphere while oxygen makes up about a fifth of the air

we breathe.

The increase in population has not only brought about this imbalance in the atmosphere (which incidentally has caused an imbalance in the oceans), but has also resulted indirectly in the proliferation of plastic on most beaches of the world, and of the poaching of perlemoen (gangs in the Cape make this big business), elephant ivory, and rhino horn.

Poaching has only been made possible to the extent that it is at present by the deviation from communism of the two great powers that make up BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, SA).

Both Stalin and Mao gave communism a bad name and the reaction to their oppression has given way to oligarchs in Russia and a middle class in China clamouring for ivory and rhino horn.

Eradication of these negative effects of mankind’s inhumanity to the planet lays directly at the door of the impoverished people of Southern Africa.

One needs to go back to Fire, Earth, Air, and mainly Water to find the answer. A lot of the ‘contraband’ leaves the shores of Southern Africa in container ships, which cannot be searched by customs in the normal way - although Kruger Park, for one, is investigating ways of labelling, for example, rhinos.

The cheapest answer may be to extend this beyond the shores of South

Africa and label in some way the elephants that are being horribly hunted further north, so that if the ivory (and perhaps rhino horn) does get loaded on a container ship, then some remote detecting device could be used to confiscate the ivory.

The coast represents a boundary between Earth and Water and is ideal for the collection of plastic an operation that should be under the auspices of the SADC (Southern African Development Community).

The balance between air and water and that between oxygen and carbon dioxide can only be placed into equilibrium if the rate of photosynthesis in the oceans is increased quite considerably.

This is only feasible through cooperation by all SADC members, together with the scientific community by establishing conditions whereby zooplankton may proliferate. Being at the bottom

of the food chain, their proliferation would assist the fishing industry by fish farming on the continental shelf.

One reaches full circle (of the zodiac) by considering Fire and Water (perhaps involving Air, too?) towards the prevention of runaway fires, as well as eradicating drought south of the tropics.

Runaway fires are best spotted from the air and nowadays drones are being used for a growing variety of purposes, including spying or spotting. Once a fire is spotted, then other drones could be used in the present manner of helicopters and other aircraft to douse the flames.

When the drones are idle, they could be used to pick up water from the River Congo (which has enough water to service the whole of Africa south of the Congo) and dump it in any reservoir less than 35% full.

Dr Dennis Ring, Plett

Lord Mayor meets the couple Camp - but where, why, who, what?!

Down these creepy passes…

Just out of the Seweweekspoort Pass and heading over the scary Bosluiskloof Pass down to Gamkaskloof Dam, a surprise awaits at the roadside. Just before you get to the Benz in the road, you come across this abandoned Boer-Made-Wagon. Obviously it didn’t make the grade.

Not a match for the Merc, even with its four-barrelled carbs, huge fuel tanks, ironwood disselboom and a rag top! - ‘Roads Scholar’, Knysna

Derek Frielinghaus of Plett emailed this photo, with ‘Lord Mayor of London visits Plett in 1967’ in the subject line - enough to pique the interest of anyone with a shred of historic curiosity. Also significant was the fact that this visit happened half a century ago, give or take half a month if believing the marked date of September 15. So we decided to get our foremost Google researcher on the job of ascertaining if, indeed, this VIP graced the bay with his presence and whether, as surmised by Derek, the photo was taken at the Longstone Drive home of then Plett mayor Jack Camp and his better half. Well, we’re sad to report that said expert could but dig up the name of London’s LM at the time, but added that “Sir Gilbert Inglefield looked nothing like the guy in the pic – and anyway, it appears the couple Camp went to London, not vice versa!” Now, dear readers, we beseech you to share with us any information that you may have of the said visitation, and confirmation of the English office bearer pictured above. Email editor@ cxpress.co.za if you can enlighten us on the subject…

CXPRESS

11

12

CXPRESS

SPORT & ADVENTURE

11 October 2017

Meet some of Plettenberg Bay’s most pioneering sportsmen All Plett Pioneers players are serious about community building through cricket, but are also competent enough to have progressed from nowhere on the map to Premier League status in the course of just one decade

GIVE THAT TEAM A HAND: The boys leave the field in full regalia after beating the competition with five wickets in Oudtshoorn recently

LETT Pioneers Cricket Club (PPCC) was established in May 2007 - the first Plettenberg Bay team to be registered with the South Western Districts Cricket Board, and also the first to compete in the SWDCB’s Promotional League.

The New Horizons-based club was subsequently registered as an affiliate of the SWD Cricketing Board in July of that year.

But various obstacles faced its founders, in particular infrastructure support, as cricket facilities were only available at schools and not at municipal sports grounds.

Explains chairman Juan Windvogel: “We were fortunate to build and manage sound relationships with local schools like Formosa and Plett Primary, while Wittedrift High has facilitated our practice sessions and matches over the years.”

In 2013 the SWDCB sponsored synthetic pitches at New Horizons and Kranshoek sports grounds, enabling the Pioneers to introduce the game of cricket to local communities directly. Practice sessions could also start at Plett Secondary, due to the installation of new cricket

P

nets at the school.

This significantly contributed to the motivation, involvement and interest from residents and learners alike.

“Our feeder system is Bitou schools and we pride ourselves in the fact that our club has over the years consisted of players from all over Plett. Our values and vision have drawn different races but black players in particular.

“This in turn agrees and conforms to the promotion of the game to black African communities, as per SWD Cricket’s mission and goals,” explains Windvogel.

In terms of SWD Cricket, the Pioneers are young and small when compared to others within their league. But they have always performed admirably, competitively and above expectation, albeit with the minimum of funds at their disposal.

“In our second season we reached the Promotional League final, but unfortunately lost to the better team. Recently, however, in our 10th season of existence, we competed in the Sedgars SWD Promotional League - and were crowned champions of the 2016/17 season!”

TOP SPOT REACHED: Carlos Koeberg, at centre in front row, holds the trophy aloft while his team members show off their medals after winning the Sedgars Promo League

This is a remarkable achievement for the club, the New Horizon Community and the whole of Bitou, especially since PPCC has now gained promotion to the SWD Cricket Premier League Competition for the 2017/18 season.

The club is thus compelled to register a second team that will compete in the SWDC Reserve League Competition. And as SWD strongly promotes women’s cricket, the club is also looking into the feasibility of forming a female team as part of its strategic plan.

“As a small independent club with limited funds and resources, we are always forced to seek assistance from local government and businesses to overcome our challenges and ensure sustainability,” says Windvogel.

Call him on 084 798 5544 or club secretary Mornay Stuurman on 076 093 5627, or email pio neercricket@gmail.com if your business would like to get involved, and check out the Plettenberg Bay Pioneers Cricket Club Facebook page for updates.

The future A turf cricket facility and nets are to be constructed at New Horizon Sports

EXPERIENCED SKIPPER: Team captain Brendon Louw, who has earned various accolades over the years and has represented SWD from a very young age, will lead Pioneers CC this season - a Plett local, Brendon’s parents live in New Horizons

Field. The club is always looking to expand its player base through various recruitment strategies, including coaching clinics, and is also welcoming anyone that would like to get involved with umpiring, scoring, coaching and administration.

All home games are to be played at Plett Primary School and fixtures for the start of the season include: October 15 Ramblers B v Pioneers B, October 21 George v Pioneers and Pioneers B vs Pacaltsdorp B, and Oct 28 NMU Madibaz George vs Pioneers.

Bowling side goes under to let golfers take the cup two-day competition called The Guzunder Cup (the trophy is an enamel potty, from there the name as it “goes under” the bed…) was recently concluded in Plettenberg Bay. Explains co-organiser Derek Rushton: “It consists of 18 holes of Ryder Cup format - that is six holes single, six holes Better Ball and six holes foursomes - played on the Plett Country Club course, and then 24 ends of bowls at the Plettenberg Bay Bowling Club.”

When it was time for this year’s Guzunder Cup finals played on September 29, it was a hard-won tussle between the Country Club golfers and the

A

POTTY WINNERS 2017: Pictured here are 13 of the 16 winning Putters members, the four teams consisting of Billy Grainger, Tony Taylor, Gerry Schultz, and Dave Brown; Therese Prigge, Wendy Becker, Darell Philips, and Heather Bianchi; Mike Stuart, Ron Scott Brown, Brian Madeley, and Dave Harrow; and Dermot Stobart, Mike Pearce, Albert Boni, and John Bluitt

bowlers, with the points difference a mere 31-29 after 18 holes of golf and 24 ends of bowls.

“There was some mention of the stringent handicaps imposed on the bowlers, but hopefully

the end result was indicative of the many hours spent getting them right!” chuckles Derek.

“Very well done, The Putters - you squeaked it.

I do believe the difference was that they poached Tony Taylor but that’s only my opinion…”

He conveys heartfelt gratitude to everyone involved in making this year’s competition yet another great success: the ladies who made delicious salads; Helen Ward of Helen Melon Properties for the prizes; Greg Phillips for a great golf day, meal and prize; Billy and Heather for their invaluable contribution and prizes; and Richard for his work behind the scenes.