16 August 2017

16 August 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

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Colourful visitors Carol Ca C arro ol Phillips Phil Ph illi lli lips sh has as s as spent pentt h hours o rs rs p photographing ho h oto tog grrap a hi hi g so hing some ome off tthe ome he h eb beautiful e tif ea if l b birds ird ir ds sc currently rre r nt ntl visiting the gardens of Plettenberg Bay - a true sign that Mother Nature is smiling upon our steadily recovering towns. Turn to pages 8 and 9 to find local service providers ready to assist homeowners who suffered damage to their properties during the recent fires, and read more about Carol’s birds on page 4.

Knysna fires were man-made - p3 Our ambulance saved lives - p5

Photos: Carol Phillips

The significance of ‘A.I.’ - p11

the bedroom shop furniture & linen emporium

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

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CXPRESS

NEWS & VIEWS

16 August 2017

Love in the time of fire To enter we must write the address of a house that no longer exists ‘You have 20 minutes and you can take 10 books’ On your marks get set go We scan the shelves with half glazed eyes Fellow fire refugees and friends are my comfort And my competition As we hunter gather together again To refill the abyss of all we have lost.

We are achingly grateful For all we have been gifted Humbled to have our very own free bookstore But where to begin?

If you could only take 10 books to a desert island What books would they be?

If you could fill your home with just 10 books What books would they be?

I try to remain practical, cookbooks and plant books And reference books you refer to again and again.

Are novels regarded as singleuse items Like the exiled plastic straw?

But when I finally venture

towards the novels, Titles and authors that sat so comfortably on my now burnt shelves, Swim into view And a tear slides from my eye These were my people, my mentors, my guides Standing guard on the bookshelf Guardians of my mind DH Lawrence and Dickens and Emily Bronte You spoke to me and through me and touched me And changed me Your presence on my shelves was an extension of my self A nest of words, a web of wisdom to hold and nourish my children Words that formed me, now absorbed through their pores By osmosis Later they could have gleaned the shelves For titles that drew them and books that spoke to them.

But that is all gone.

Now I find myself hunter gathering for new guardians of the bookshelves And they will never be what they were

Rhian Berning

There is no replay on my history To have again what I had collected and inherited Over all my years on Earth.

Then a familiar book cover catches my eye And stilts my reverie.

Gabriel Garcia Marquez One of my favourite storytellers and word weavers For his ability to entwine magic and reality so seamlessly And open new windows in his readers’ minds.

Love in the Time of Cholera One of my most loved books But I read the title from memory The book is old, And the title has been rubbed off from years of use I clutch it to me To take it to a home that still needs to be built To find its place on a bookshelf that exists only in my mind That one day my children, After having read the words visible on the bookshelf Until they become a song they know in their head Will be enticed to open this one.

Or not.

Either way I have a chance to give this book in my hands a new title Seeing it no longer has one.

Love in the Time of Fire Because in the end everything can burn, Except love.

• The author, as indicated, is overwhelmed with gratitude to Bargain Books and the Knysna Literary Festival for the opportunity given to all fire survivors to start their book collections again. The community has been so incredibly nurturing and she hopes this piece gives a window into the inner journey the fire survivors face on a daily basis.

Exhibitor bookings now open for 2017 Knysna Timber Festival HE Knysna Timber Initiative has invited exhibitors to book their stands early for this year’s Knysna Timber Festival from September 29 to October 1.

The event will go ahead at its traditional venue at Timber Village, which is currently being rebuilt after having been destroyed in the fires.

“We’re hoping that suppliers and businesses that use timber will come up with creative ideas to showcase the value of wood to us all - both as the Garden Route rebuilds, and in the economy in general,” said festival manager Picca de Bruin.

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“With additional space available this year, we’ve got room for things like mock-ups - the partially-built wall of a timberframe house, for example - which illustrate timber’s versatility.”

De Bruin said the organisers hoped that suppliers of heavy machinery - plantation equipment, tractors, mills, pole strippers, and so on - will take the opportunity to show their products to the market.

“This year’s Festival is going to be even more important than ever because it’ll be the first opportunity after the fires for everyone in the industry to meet up, and

share creative new ways of restarting and re-growing the Garden Route’s timber economy.”

Space will be available in both indoor (well, in-marquee) and outdoor exhibitions and demonstrations areas for timber growers, timber merchants, timber buyers, wood millers, tool suppliers, furniture manufacturers, boat builders, architects, designers, decorators, builders, and hobbyists.

This year’s Festival will be presented with the help of Sanlam, the programme including talks, presentations, and films about wood and working with wood -

with activities for children and adults alike, and with a happy entertainment area with live music, a beer tent, and a children’s play space.

“One of the highlights for many of us will be seeing Knysna’s new Wood-Mizer LT20B Diesel portable sawmill in operation for the first time,” said De Bruin.

Stands are selling fast so email info@timberfestival.co.za to make sure that your company is on show as #KnysnaRises at the 2017 Knysna Timber Festival. Visit www.timberfestival. co.za for details.

NEWS & VIEWS

16 August 2017

CXPRESS

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Evidence after forensic sleuthing finds that Knysna fires were man-made The Knysna fires appear to have been started by humans, according to the findings of a forensic report released on August 14 - CANDICE LUDICK reports OLLOWING an extensive investigation

by Knysna Fire chief Clinton Manuel the evidence gathered overwhelmingly indicates that the wildfires which swept the region on June 7 and the days that followed originated in Elandskraal and Kruisfontein.

According to Manuel, three fires were reported on the morning of June 7, namely Kruisfontein at 3:30am,

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Lancewood at 4:15am, and Elandskraal at 6:15am.

Although the Elandskraal fire was reported last, it appears to have started first.

An analysis of the wind speeds and directions in conjunction with eye-witness photographs of the smoulder show how this fire most probably spread, igniting a multitude of blazes, including Lancewood, in its wake.

Despite rumours abound-

ing since the start of the blaze, there is no evidence of arson. Now that the probable cause has been shown to be man-made, the matter will be handed over to the SAPS for investigation.

According to Manuel, the extreme weather conditions that were prevalent at the time meant that one small spark was enough to ignite the massive inferno.

With the drought there was

Disaster damage costs pushing R500-million E are trying to rehabilitate not only residents’ lives but also the environment. These were the words of Knysna mayor Eleanore Bouw-Spies when addressing the media prior to the release of the report

by Knysna Fire chief Clinton Manuel on Monday.

An 18-24 month, and possibly longer, reconstruction programme is currently underway and has been since two weeks after the June 7 fires. A building control desk has been established to handle the demolitions and Knysna is working with national, provincial and district authorities to fasttrack the process.

Bouw-Spies said lessons learned included that fire safety was a priority in an

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area such as Knysna.

“Nature is an integral part of our town,” she said.

She acknowledged that alien vegetation had been a major contributor to the blaze. “Some of the biggest culprits for the intensity of the fire were invasive plant material. Knysna Municipality plans to use that exact material to build labourintensive, cost-effective fire resistant housing,” she said.

She also pointed out that the now barren slopes susceptible to erosion were being fitted with geo-textiles to mitigate the potential landslide damage in case of heavy rains.

Municipal manager Kam Chetty told the media that mitigation issues, reconstruction and resilience-building

were at the top of the municipality’s agenda. He stressed the importance of adapting to the changing environment in terms of fire safety and water conservation.

According to Chetty, cost estimates to repair damage to Knysna alone are as follows: Health R1.256million; Agriculture R40million; Human Settlements R44.920-million; Local Government in excess of R91.5-million; Environmental Affairs R134.89-million.

The office of Western Cape premier Helen Zille has set up the Garden Route Rebuild Initiative to support the rebuilding of this region, for which preliminary estimates to address the infrastructure of disaster damage totals R496.3-million.

Mandrax bust takes R43.3k worth of drugs off our streets

Yolandé Stander

LETT police recently confiscated thousands of rands worth of drugs.

Spokesman captain Marlene Pieterse said a 32-yearold foreign national allegedly dealing in Mandrax was also arrested.

“Police acted on a tip-off from the community and arrested the man for allegedly dealing in drugs on August 2 at about 09:30am,” Pieterse said. She said he was arrested while allegedly

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on his way to Qolweni to deliver drugs.

“Police noticed the man and searched him. They found 30 sealed packs of Mandrax tablets in his possession.” She added that they also received information which led them to his house in Kwanokuthula where more drugs were found.

“Police carried out a search of the home and found 838 sealed packs of Mandrax tablets in the house. The

drugs have an estimated street value of R43,300; they were confiscated.”

Station Commander colonel Nolan Michaels praised the community for helping police in their fight against the illegal drug trade and congratulated officers for the effective way in which they acted on the information that led to the successful arrest of the suspect, thus ridding the streets of drugs worth thousands of rands.

plentiful fuel for the fire and coupled with the strong winds and berg-wind conditions, the stage was perfectly set for a wildfire.

Evidence used in compiling the forensic report included aerial photographs, eye-witness accounts, site visits and reports by Dr Vosloo and W Sternsdorff, as well as emails and photographs by Elandskraal resident Richie Morris.

The first email from Morris indicates that the fire in Elandskraal was already smouldering on May 10 and was still smouldering by

July 12, the suspected cause being an underground fire, as no flames were visible at this stage.

Contrary to initial reports that the area in which the fire is suspected to have originated was inaccessible, Manuel’s investigation showed that there were indeed clear access paths, while evidence of broken ceramics indicated human activity.

He also discovered a stack of firewood and some pine cones, despite there being no pine trees in this area - more evidence of a man-made fire started here at some point.

The Kruisfontein fire was also man-made, according to Manuel. He said there was evidence that someone had been living in the bush just below Dam-se-Bos. Manuel reiterated that the report had been conducted with scientific rigour in collaboration with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and that the origin had been ascertained with a high degree of probability and corroborated by evidence to be caused by human activity.

Visit www.knysna.gov.za for additional information.

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Notice Board

It’s Happy Hour for Garden Route’s sugar and sunbirds This edition’s cover photographer Carol Phillips provides some background to her stunning bird pics: “These images were all captured in Plett’s Longships Road. I am a hobby photographer and have, a year ago, retired to this beautiful town. My husband is a keen birder so identifies the birds for me. There are 21 species of sunbird in South Africa - two of which are endemic. They are wonderfully charismatic little birds to see in your garden, and the southern double-collared sunbird, malachite sunbird, and dusky sunbird are all common urban garden residents in SA. Sunbirds and sugarbirds feed largely on nectar, although they will also take insects. Sunbirds like a place to bathe and have been known to dart through sprinkler systems, so some kind of water source is bound to lure them in for a dip. You can also supplement your sunbirds’ sweet addiction by hanging a nectar-feeder filled with a sugar solution. Be sure to clean the feeder regularly and do not use artificial red dyes. The tree fuchsia (Halleria lucida) is the ultimate tree for sunbirds. The crimson trumpet-shaped blooms hold a cocktail of nectar, which means it’s Happy Hour for sunbirds from May to December.

Bees and insects are known to also enjoy the tree’s fruit.”

The photos below depict a malachite sunbird (the brilliant green bird), a Cape sugarbird (with its long, flowing tail) and greater double-collared sunbirds in action.

NEWS & VIEWS

16 August 2017

STRIKING A NERVE: Plett station commander Colonel Nolan Michaels was among the large local SAPS contingent participating in last Saturday’s march; above posters bearing anti-abuse messages proclaimed, inter alia, that ‘real men don’t rape’ Photos: William Ashurst

• Police are investigating the circumstances around the death of a Plettenberg Bay man after he was attacked by a pit pull on a farm in Kranshoek.

Police spokesman Captain Marlene Pieterse said KwaNokuthula police had opened an inquest docket after the attack and were investigating the matter.

Pieterse said the 58-yearold man, Dawid Loff, had reported for duty at his employer’s farm on Tuesday

August 1, when the incident occurred.

She added that the incident happened at Jakkalskraal close to Kranshoek at about 9am. Loff was busy building a house on the property and entered the owner’s yard when reporting for duty that morning.

“It is believed that the dog was tied up on the property when he arrived, but managed to break loose from its chains and attacked the worker,” Pieterse said.

Pieterse went on to say that Loff sustained open wounds to his neck and scratch marks on his back during the attack. “He died on the scene.”

Plettenberg Bay Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) inspector Tracy van der Byl confirmed that the owner of the dog brought the animal to a vet following the attack to have it euthanased. She said that the owner did so of his own accord.

- Yolandé Stander / Garden

Route Media • A march protesting violence against women and children was organised by Sergeant Mvuyisi Tukani of Plett SAPS. The crowd gathered in Qolweni at 10am on Saturday August 12 before heading to the school hall in Ladywood, where Plett station commander Colonel Nolan Michaels and other SAPS officers, as well as speakers from Famsa Plett, addressed the crowd.

Truckload of workers injured during U-turn

A man was seriously injured and 20 others were taken to hospital when a truck overturned in Plettenberg Bay yesterday morning. Police confirmed that the accident happened around 7am on August 15 in Longstone Drive, when the driver of a Toyota truck made a U-turn. The vehicle overturned while he was doing the manoeuvre. There were 35 workers on the truck and all fell off. About 20 were transported to various hospitals and the injured to a building site in Beachy Head Road. Only one worker sustained serious injuries. Police are investigating a case of reckless and negligent driving. - Garden Route Media

‘Ladies first’ the theme at women’s gathering in George CXPRESS correspondent BOB HOPKIN braved an encounter with some 80 militant George ladies to report on a Women’s Day celebration ALE pride and the masculine contribution to family life and security took a pounding last Friday when the Women’s Month of August gave a group of outspoken women the chance to redress the balance at a gathering in George Museum.

Addressed by local councillors and Western Cape Cultural Affairs and Sport minister Anroux Marais, the overwhelming theme was the major role played by wives and partners to family and offspring development.

Local councillor Liza Strubel took a rather Luddite approach in ignoring the positives of 24/7 television and the ubiquitous

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smartphone by declaring that the two had “stolen our family time together” and that it was “time to take back and get a balance in our lives” while discounting the educational and communicative benefits of the devices.

On a more positive note, she also pointed out that the hypothetical “glass ceiling” to female career advancement had been shattered locally, as her research indicated that female employment in local government had now reached 55.6% in George and 74% in Eden municipalities.

Keynote speaker Marais pointed out that prominent women in society were usu-

ally judged to be that way by their wealth or by their positions in government or private industry.

In contrast, she chose to highlight the home builders who, often single and occasionally abused by their partners, still managed to raise a family, getting their children fed and off to school in the morning, then holding down a job through the day, only to return home to cook a meal, help with homework, and put them to bed - and then be ready to repeat the process the next day.

In summation she said: “Not only are they the mothers of the nation, but if you truly consider all that

FORCEFUL: Minister Anroux Marais praises the vital role that women play in society

a woman is, you will come to understand that she gives birth to characters of excellence, cultured minds, conquering attitudes, and celebrated spirits.”

NEWS & VIEWS

16 August 2017

CXPRESS

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No more collecting of corpses with Paddy and Roger behind the wheel Plett Sea Rescue stalwart DEREK FRIELINGHAUS shared this interesting bit of 1980s history ‘that is probably already forgotten’ of our NSRI volunteers’ contribution to society URING the 70s and early 80s, one of the major setbacks to an emergency in the bay was that the ambulance had to be called from Knysna Hospital to drive over to Plett; the shortest possible time it took to get here was 30 minutes.

After one incident at Sea Rescue, the ambulance arrived after some time - only to collect a corpse.

The local doctors at the time - Peter Berning, Willie Straus, and Bernie Bernard - were only too aware of this shortcoming. After said incident, it was ascer-

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tained that there was a vehicle available for Plett, but no one to man it.

Two local NSRI crewmen, Paddy Covarr and Roger Holmes, volunteered to make themselves available as ambulance drivers.

The ambulance, which duly arrived, was very similar to the one in the picture here, but sported a single red flashing light and frosted side windows. It was equipped with one bottle of oxygen and a small suitcase containing some basic First Aid items.

Their training at the time

was a very basic First Aid course given to all the crewmen of Plett NSRI by the local town building inspector, Nick Prinsloo.

According to the procedure decided upon, Roger and Paddy were called out by any of the town’s doctors. This was easier said than done, however, as Plett had only just evolved from the manual telephone exchange to automatic.

Roger and Paddy therefore always had to leave a phone number where they could be contacted.

The ambulance was used

to transport casualties from Plett to Knysna, George, PE and even Cape Town.

As is still the case, their family life was always disrupted over Christmas and New Year - just the time when families want to be together, but also the time when other families could be in trouble.

The service continued for a number of years until Plett grew to a size that warranted the appointment of a fulltime professional. But, as we have seen during the recent fires, NSRI crew members are involved in a variety of

DEAD RINGER: The car pictured here is the same colour and model as the ambulance that serviced Plett five or so decades ago - if sans red light and frosted side windows

community services ranging from fire, floods, pet and animal rescues, their main function being rescuing people in distress.

What must be remembered in this day and age is that they were back then, and still are, totally unpaid volunteers.

The very last case involv-

ing our ambulance was one of a couple suffering from mushroom poisoning, and in a critical condition. But gladly there was a happy outcome. Thanks to the quick response of the ambulance service, they were delivered to Knysna Hospital in time for the treatment to be successful.

Local sea rescuers and fundraisers awarded SRI celebrated its 50th Annual General Meeting and awards evening in Cape Town recently. This is the occasion each year when Sea Rescue honours the contributions of its volunteers under the following categories: founder members, gal-

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FUND FUNDIS: The Alric Simpson Trophy was awarded to Station 14 Plettenberg Bay for the efforts of its fundraising committee - here, chairman David Haysom, left, receives the award from Ronnie Stein

lantry, special service, station awards, and long service awards from 20 to 50 years.

Quite a few accolades came the way of Garden Route-based NSRI stations and volunteers including, most notably, Station 23 Wilderness winning the Best RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat Station) of the Year award, and Station 14’s well-earned Alric Simpson Trophy that recognised the Plettenberg Bay fundraising committee for a remarkable contribution over

four decades.

“Station 14 boasts a proud tradition of securing funding for each one of their assets, as well as their running costs and rescue-base refurbishments from local sponsors and donors,” said MC Martin Bayly on the night.

“In fact, they have banked a surplus of R3-million, which accrues interest and is ring-fenced for future projects. This is an outstanding achievement that shows great dedication and passion.”

Special Service Awards included ‘Directors Thanks’ to Mike Elliot on the occasion of his standing down as Operations Board Member for NSRI Region 3 (Eden District), and to Hennie Niehaus for his service as Station Commander of Wilderness Station 23.

Three Knysna Station 12 crew received 25-year service awards: Neville Eustice, Rein Hofmeyr, and Dr Berend Maarsingh - that’s a combined 75 years of selfless Sea Rescue service!

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NEWS & VIEWS

16 August 2017

New project will produce delicious treats en route to financial independence An adventurous and exciting new Born in Africa project is being launched at The Market Square on Saturday August 19 BOUT 50 young learners of the Born in Africa (BIA) programme have decided to tackle a new challenge - that being to accept co-responsibility for certain financial costs in their pursuit of academic excellence, sporting prowess, and cultural perfection.

One of the important principles BIA endeavours to instil in children in their care is that “handouts” are not an option in life. What we need, we work for.

Yet equally as important as instilling this value is providing them with the opportunity of not only developing this attitude in life, but also of making it practically possible to generate the money.

Retired headmaster of Wittedrift High School André Bouwer and BIA programme coordinator cum guidance councillor Belinda Coram decided to take it upon themselves to work with the above mentioned young people in pursuance of this challenge.

“Starting this Saturday at 9am, we are going to bake

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and sell pancakes next to Ruby’s Kisses flower shop at the entrance to Pick n Pay,” says André.

“Ruby is a strong supporter of our project, and we thank The Market Square’s centre management for having generously allocated one Saturday per month for us to sell our goods.”

Whatever profits are made during a morning will be equally divided among the children working that day - but only after a 10% deduction has been ploughed back into growing this little “business”.

Important to note, the children will not receive the money in cash after the morning’s work, but all monies will be deposited into a “trust” account held

by BIA, yet allocated by name to each participant.

In this manner, the children will be building their savings accounts to be used for various needs and opportunities such as participation at provincial sports meetings, laptops for tertiary studies, and even matric farewell gowns

for that special occasion in their lives.

Not only will the children be trained in the full process of preparing the batter, baking the pancakes and presenting them for sale, but they will also learn an array of business skills - marketing, selling, stock control, keeping financial records, as well as important imperatives when growing a business.

“We really believe this project will enable our young people to grow financially independent, thus helping to alleviate the financial burden on their families as they need to spend their hard-earned money on so many other necessities.

“We have not doubt that we can rely on the support of our people in Plettenberg Bay, and we look forward to seeing you at our first stall on Saturday August 19!”

Just imagine… while feasting on a delicious pancake, you will be assisting a child to become financially mature and hopefully, eventually, independent. Go get ‘em!

Nine years down the line, this troupe aims for 10/10 - a win-win for all T’S nine years this month since Lunchbox Theatre came into being - and this Plett-based organisation is alive and well indeed.

“We’ve reached a milestone of nearly 130,000 shows and I am so proud of my team!” enthuses actor and founder Stuart Palmer.

Not least of his able crew’s accomplishments is the fact that their every socially important or environmentally crucial message spreads directly into a variety of communities on the Garden Route and beyond.

Nearly 31,000 youngsters have been taught about marine life and protected areas; nearly 15,000 kids have learnt about the loving care of domestic animals; nearly 7,000 lucky children have accompanied Lunchbox actors on the Great Eden to Addo Adventure and were plied with priceless information on wild animals and biodiversity.

Nearly 8,000 little ones now know that children do have rights and can say no. Nearly 12,000 potential nature lovers understand of late the importance of preserving indigenous trees and plants.

A huge difference will be made in waste management and application of ‘The 3 Rs’ by the nearly 7,000

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FULL MARKS IN THEIR SIGHTS: From left at back are Gaillene Isaks and Amanda Valela, with Nkosinathi Xipula, Stuart Palmer, Mncedisi Ncedani, and Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi in front Photo: Vinthi Neufeld

Waste Warriors educated by means of the ‘What a Waste’ show.

A huge number of South African family members are affected by HIV/Aids, yet only about 12,000 young people have seen the Lunchbox show that explains how to avoid and manage this scourge.

But maybe most crucial right now is to improve on the 35,000 Water Heroes currently on board, so that more water can be saved as directed by the production entitled ‘The Last Drop’.

Lunchbox Theatre also

supports important afterschool activities programmes - with life-altering consequences for local scholars.

Says Stuart: “With the support of so many over the past nine years, we are probably scoring 9/10. If those who care about the issues we address could find it in their hearts to bequeath a small monthly donation to their favourite cause, we are sure to reach 10/10 - a winwin for everyone!”

• Visit www.lunchbox. org.za and follow the easy steps to support this essential cause.

INTERVAL

16 August 2017

CXPRESS

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It’s probably okay, Dad

A Wise advice from a great philosopher Keep this philosophy in mind the next time you hear, or are about to repeat, a rumour…

N ancient Greece (469 - 399 BC), Socrates was widely lauded for his wisdom. One day the great philosopher came upon an acquaintance, who ran up to him excitedly and said: “Socrates, do you know what I just heard about one of your students...?”

“Wait a moment,” Socrates replied, “before you tell me, I’d like you to pass a little test. It’s called ‘The Test of Three’.”

“The Test of Three?”

“That’s correct,” Socrates continued, “before you talk to me about my

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Yesterday, my wife ran away with my best friend, Mike.

Since when is Mike your best friend?

student, let’s take a moment to test what you’re going to say.

“The first test is Truth.

Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is true?”

“No,” the man replied, “actually I just heard about it.”

“All right,” said Socrates, “so you don’t really know if it’s true or not.

Now let’s try the second test, the test of Goodness.

“Is what you are about to tell me about my student something good?”

“No, on the contrary...”

“So,” Socrates continued, “you want to tell me something bad about him even though you’re not certain it’s true?”

The man shrugged, a little embarrassed.

Socrates continued: “You may still pass though because there is a third test - the filter of Usefulness.

“Is what you want to tell me about my student going to be useful to me?”

“No, not really...”

“Well,” concluded Socrates, “if what you want to tell me is neither true nor good or even useful, why tell it to me at all?”

The man was defeated and ashamed and said no more. This is the reason Socrates was a great philosopher and held in such high esteem.

It also explains why Socrates never found out that Plato was having an affair with his wife.

Oh, have a heart…

N elderly patient needed a heart transplant and discussed his options with his doctor.

The doctor said: “We have three possible donors; tell me which one you want to use. One is a young, healthy athlete who died in an automobile accident.

“The second is a middleaged businessman who never drank or smoked

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and who died in his private plane.

“The third is a lawyer who just died after practising law for 30 years.”

“I’ll take the lawyer’s heart,” said the patient.

After a successful transplant, the doctor asked the patient why he had chosen the donor he did.

“It was easy,” the patient replied. “I wanted a heart that hadn’t been used.”

Don’t say it, spell it Y husband and I often spell words so that our small children won’t understand what we’re saying.

I didn’t realise what a habit this had become until one day when my husband and I were at the grocery store in the soup aisle.

M Since yesterday.

An aggressive young woman banged into our cart, then nudged me over, blocking my access to the soup.

Annoyed, I looked at my husband and said: “Boy is she r-u-d-e!”

“Yeah honey,” he replied, “but I’ll bet she can s-p-e-l-l.”

I’m still ahead Y wife and I were comparing notes the other day.

“I have a higher IQ, did better at university, and make more money than you,” she pointed out.

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“Yeah, but when you step back and look at the big picture, I’m still ahead,” I said.

She looked mystified: “How do you figure?”

“I married better,” I said.

What snakes talk about…

WO snakes are walking down the street.

“Oh man, I have to ask you something,” the little one says.

“What is it?”

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“Are we dangerous?

You know, venomous?”

The other snake says: “Of course we are. Why?” “Because I’ve just bitten myself!”

man in a hurry, taking his eight-year-old son to school, made a turn at a red light where it was prohibited.

“Uh-oh, I just made an ille-

gal turn.” the man said.

“Aw, Dad, it’s probably okay,” his son said. “The police car right behind us just did the same thing.”

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16 August 2017

The Garden Route Rebuild initiative is on a roll...

HE Garden Route Rebuild (GRR) initiative has recorded significant progress since its establishment three weeks ago. Minister of Economic Opportunities Alan Winde last week released an update on the work of the GRR. The following has been achieved so far: • Both Knysna and Bitou Municipalities have indicated that they would waive building-related fees for owners of properties that were destroyed. Properties are in the process of being re-valued as vacant plots (which will result in lower property rates bills).

• A physical verification of destroyed businesses in Knysna was 98% complete by August 7, and an audit of available business space for affected businesses has commenced in Knysna.

• A GIS database has been created which identifies owners of private land who need to reduce their fire risk, and this will form the basis for engagement with these owners.

• The National Disaster Management Centre has classified this disaster as a provincial fire disaster. Province will therefore gazette the declaration of a provincial fire disaster in the near future.

This means that more resources will become available to assist in the rebuilding process, and procurement processes can be fast-tracked.

• An additional 90 Working on Fire (WoF) personnel have been deployed to stabilise slopes that are vulnerable to mudslides. Another 45 people will be recruited from the Knysna area to assist with “hydrosealing”, which is when fertiliser and seeds

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are sprayed onto burnt ground. This is all in addition to the existing 45 WoF personnel who have been working on reducing the fire risk in the area.

• 388 People were provided with a wide range of government services on July 26 and 27 in Knysna, including assistance with obtaining IDs and birth certificates from Home Affairs, social assistance from the Department of Social Development, and assistance with grant applications to SASSA. • All destroyed properties that have asbestos have been identified, and Knysna has provided a list of accredited asbestos removal companies. The process of obtaining demolition certificates will include a requirement that owners of asbestos-identified properties must demonstrate that the asbestos is safely removed.

• Owing to the high cost of asbestos removal, an application for emergency funding has been submitted to the National Disaster Management Centre. An emergency funding application for fire reduction and erosion mitigation has also been submitted.

Illegal dumping is a concern in both Bitou and Knysna municipal areas. Readers are urged to report illegal dumping in Knysna on 081 556 9374, and in Bitou on 0861 24 8686.

In the coming weeks, a more comprehensive application for disaster funding will be submitted, and this will encompass all damaged public infrastructure.

The following steps were planned for the next two weeks: • Knysna and Bitou will finalise the requirements for the submission of building plans. They are considering how best to deal with the building regulations that were introduced in 2011 (if these new regulations were strictly applied, it could require extensive re-design of previous building plans and lengthen the approvals process).

Both municipalities are committed to making the rebuilding process as smooth and inexpensive as possible while adhering to the principle of “building back better”.

• The Department of Social Development will complete an assessment of the needs of the 2,000 households affected by the fire by contacting each household.

• A list of Frequently Asked Questions on access to social services and on building plan processes will be made available to the public.

• Knysna Municipality will facilitate a meeting between the Department of Labour and businesses who have or will soon retrench workers. This is to explain the Training Layoff Scheme, which can provide training and financial support to workers who may be temporarily retrenched.

PROMOTION

On point, off grid

Per client requirements, the impressive three-bedroom, 400m² family holiday home pictured above was built off the grid with water supply from a borehole powered by a solar panel. Electricity is generated via solar photovoltaic panels, which charge a battery bank with power converted to 220V by a 3KvA inverter. An energy-efficient pressure pump was installed with a slow start-up and shut-down control system.

Water is heated using gas, which also powers the stove and oven. All lighting is energy-efficient LED lights and household appliances are all AAA-rated. Its timber frame and log profile cladding tread lightly on its surroundings while paying tribute to the earthy landscape of Boschhoek Mountain Estate. Exposed timber roof trusses lend volume to the space while smoothed plastered interior walls and modern flooring contrast with the exterior log profile and combined rustic elements.

The home faces eastwards, optimising on orientation and maximising expansive views. It won the Gold Institute for Timber Construction SA award in the Structures Larger than 220m2 category at the Institute’s past annual awards. Visit www. ecologhomes.co.za for details.

PROMOTION

16 August 2017

CXPRESS

Plant cheerfully pretty petunias and daisies now

FLOWERING INFERNO: Petunias, above, proliferate in containers, window boxes or beds, while the Creeping Daisy or Madeliefie, below, produces masses of flowers from spring all the way through to late autumn

HEN planting petunias, whether in containers, window boxes or beds, placing them along a north-facing wall is preferable, as it will trap a lot of heat and light. These are a prime growing position for petunias and will encourage them to flower throughout winter and spring - for up to five months!

While your soil needn’t be particularly rich to grow good petunias, it must drain well.

After planting, water regularly until the seedlings are established. Once settled, the secret behind successful petunias is to allow the soil to dry slightly out before watering again.

This is important as the drying out cycle encourages them to flower more profusely and keeps pathogens at bay.

Chrysanthemum paludosum, also known as Creeping Daisy or Madeliefie, produces masses of flowers from spring all the way through to late autumn.

Their creeping nature makes them excellent specimens for hanging baskets, containers and window boxes, but they’re also just as comfortable growing over an empty bed, as capably as dedicated ground covers do.

This fast-growing cutie grows easily to about 25cm tall and 30cm wide, so give your seedlings enough room to spread when planting.

Being moderately frost hardy they can be planted all year round in slightly warmer areas but their one nemesis is strong winds, so be sure to place them in a protected space if living in one of our windier provinces.

They should get a deep heavy watering once a week so not a good choice for drought stricken areas. Plant in full sun, pinch back growing tips to encourage a more compact and floriferous plant, and don’t be shy to prune them right back once they’ve finished blooming.

• Supplied by the Bedding Plant Growers Association - visit www.lifeisagarden.co.za for more information.

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BUCO Plettenberg Bay

Corner N2 & Rietvlei Road, Plettenberg Bay Tel: 044 501 3800 Fax: 044 501 3850

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CXPRESS

16 August 2017

Paws

Plett Animal Welfare Service

CLASSIFIEDS

ON THE SOAPBOX

16 August 2017

Letters to the Editor

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

Ponderings on artificial intelligence (AI) and then some…

Just when you thought that ‘AI’ meant depriving a bull out of the joy of the meadow, along comes another interpretation.

Being a great admirer of Isaac Asimov and all things to do with science fiction, in my wandering around the back roads of New Zealand 60 years ago, I realised one important aspect of robots.

They do not consume the product they make, nor do they need airconditioning, tea breaks, lunch breaks or much of anything else. So what happens to the people out of work? And there will be plenty of them…

Who distributes the enormous wealth that robots produce? Surely it cannot go to the few people that own the production, who will be respon-

sible for the distribution of wealth.

How do governments decide on who gets how much? Surely not each person’s need. The world is a greedy place, so how does one ascertain a man’s requirements - or a woman’s, which is of course an entirely different story.

Now we come to the problem of how people spend their leisure time.

There is creative leisure and destructive leisure.

Creative leisure can involve gardening, handcrafts, sailing and sports of all kinds. Pursuits of knowledge on how the hell we got to this point… Or the obverse: virtual reality sex, drink, hooliganism, war.

But that we be done by robots with a strong

Kitsch in the Karoo on Route 62

Knysna wordsmith John Magill shared this pic and wrote: “Sprigg Street, Barrydale, suggests that the town has gone to pot... and not the addictive version either! In my de-fence, and before daggas are drawn, let me say that as a tourist attraction it has its merits. From a security point of view it has advantages as well - makes more noise than a gaggle of geese or a pack of hounds should intruders attempt to breach its ramparts. In fact, pan-demonium would ensue!”

Here’s how to fight runaway fires

The most important tool to fight a runaway fire is with a back burn.

Fire breaks do not stop a strong runaway fire, which intensifies with wind speed and higher temperatures.

Fire breaks/roads are not wide enough to stop a strong runaway fire from jumping them or permitting burning debris to over run them.

For a back burn to be successful, it must be well in front of the advancing fire. If it is too narrow and not well burnt, the advancing fire will just fly over it. The

back burn can be pulled with rakes with metal handles or an effective gas blower, which is usually the fastest method.

Always remember not to be greedy - place a back burn well in front of an advancing fire; otherwise it will be unsuccessful and just cause bigger fires. Hand beating and water should only be used to control fires from the back down each side towards the fire head - in other words, attacking the fire from the rear to the head.

Michael Rattray, by emai

chance of them turning against us, these are a few of the problems facing us. Computerised intelligence is fast outstripping the ability of the human brain to cope with it.

But cross communicating robots will not have that problem and they will accelerate from there at a lightning speed.

These robots will not be steel skeletons; they will be plasma replicates of ourselves which will make them most desirable in many spheres.

Housework, creative servants, they will do exactly as they are told.

Carers looking after the sick and the old, sports competitors - accept that they will always win - in the medical sphere the

sky’s the limit, and as attractive companions… let’s not go there.

Now there’s a thing: the emotional robot responding to the emotional and physical needs and desires of the human. Will loneliness disappear and other needs be fulfilled?

When one looks beyond today’s human perception, there is a lot to worry about, as a wellknown New Zealander professor of Robotics at Cambridge University stated: “I fear for what I am creating.”

So it isn’t just the bull and the cow that’s lost out.

Watch out baby shoes, the future was yesterday.

PS: Is God a computer?

Monsieur du Warbois, Plett

Municipal officials, not residents, to blame for Knysna’s water crisis So I see that Knysna has yet another municipal manager [turn to page 5 of the July 12 edition at www.cxpress.co.za and read ‘Newly-appointed MM has his eye on reengineering Knysna with green economy hues’]. The musical chairs continue.

Mr Chetty published a statement in another newspaper dated July 20, which read: “The Oyster Festival did have an impact on Knysna’s water resources.”

Oh really, Mr Chetty?

The problem with this admission is that it should have been made by a municipal official months ago and worded: “The Oyster Festival will have an impact on Knysna’s water resources.”

Typically, and as predicted, the thousands of visitors lured by the festival have now long gone home and the locals will pay the price with the usual threats: “Only 19 days of water left in Knysna…” and the like.

What will it take for the municipal council to re-

alise that Knysna cannot afford these grand festivals while our water supply is so critical?

The multitude of runners, cyclists, etc. who participate during the Oyster Festival do all inevitably take showers after their events and so our water supply diminishes. This is water abuse!

Another local newspaper recently held a vote as to whether readers thought that the Oyster Festival was a good idea at this stage; 66% of voters believed it was a bad idea.

So, Mr Chetty, as a newcomer to town I would like to suggest you make some enquiries about our white elephant, the nonoperational reverse osmosis plant, for you to understand that the reasons for our water crisis are not the beleaguered residents of Knysna, but municipal short-sightedness.

‘Richard’, Knysna (We hope to include a response in this regard from Knysna Municipality in the next edition. - Eds.)

Sibling rivalry JOHANDRIE PEENS submitted this quirky poem as part of her Eagle Awards campaign - the competition run annually by Wittedrift High School to award its all-rounders, and that necessitates, among a long list of diverse goals, publication of the products of participants’ pens

Living with a brother is horrible!

They are smelly and Loud and always behave Like a buffalo So, I make him jealous With my lovely flat tummy I run like the wind

Fly like an eagle Swim like a fish By now, I am as thin as my walls…

Even so, let me tell you: Having a sister Is better by far than being stuck With a Buffalo Brother

CXPRESS

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CXPRESS

SPORT & ADVENTURE

16 August 2017

Exciting new tournament has nothing to do with Donald…

HE inaugural Ladies Tee to Trump competition was held in Plettenberg Bay on August 1 and 2.

Says initiator and organiser Erica Millican: “The event was met with great enthusiasm by local ladies, making up three of the five tables. Visitors from Knysna - and even as far afield as Joburg - joined us in competing in an event that has been described as ‘the first of its kind’ in South Africa!”

And if you fear this newfangled local competition had anything to do with the American president, relax…

The trick was that participating ladies had to play golf with the same partner as bridge, from there the ‘trump’ reference.

The event format was BB (better ball) golf in the mornings at Plettenberg Bay Country Club as well as Goose Valley and a Howell Movement (i.e. pairs move according to a schedule that varies depending on the number of tables) in the af-

T

ternoons, each pair playing all the others.

“Val Kidd was our firm yet highly efficient tournament director,” says Erica, adding that Helen Melon Properties ensured all participants were greeted with goodie bags, while providing the winning ladies with an array of generous prizes.

“Plett Country Club lady captain Gill Norgarb and her partner Michelle Van Straaten finished first over-

all after two days of great golf and excellent bridge.

Barbie May and Carol Ross were second, followed by the team of Darell Phillips and Wendy Becker.

“Tee to Trump may eventually become a national event - and five tables have already been secured for next year!” says Erica.

She expresses her heartfelt thanks to Helen Melon Properties and to everyone who participated.

PODIUM FINISHERS: Runner up Barbi May, second from left, and winner Gill Norgarb are flanked by the third-placed pair of Darell Phillips and Wendy Becker, right

Tour de Plett is counting down to race day S nature and time begin to heal both the physical and the emotional wounds left by fires that swept through the Garden Route recently, the seventh annual MTO Tour de Plett is set to once again make its positive presence felt.

Another great race awaits on October 7 with a goodlooking route, increased prize money, and enhancements to the race village.

Online entries lucky draw and 60km prizes If you enter online before September 1 at www.tourde plett.co.za you’ll get an automatic entry into the lucky draw for a Thule RoundTrip Traveler bike bag.

This year Sanlam Private Wealth is sponsoring two prizes for the first-placed man and woman in the 60km race: free entry for a team of two to the Sanlam

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MTB Invitational two-day stage race at Rhebokskloof on November 18 and 19, including accommodation.

Each team entry is worth R7,500 (R4,000 entry fee plus R3,500 for accommodation), so a huge shoutout goes to Sanlam Private Wealth for this generous donation.

Make wishes come true Back in February 2014, Kwano Cycling Academy (KCA) was launched in partnership with Murray High School in KwaNokuthula, and has served ever since to uplift historically disadvantaged youngsters in this community.

KCA is the sole beneficiary of the MTO Tour de Plett and your participation directly helps to “make wishes come true”. You can also support KCA by buying and wearing the all new

FRENCH POLONY MINI 500G

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Prices valid at all Brito’s stores from 16th - 19th August 2017. While stocks last. E&OE. Brito’s Meat Centres Customer Information: Tel: 021 950 1000.

Cilmor Street, Kaymor, Stikland, 7535. www.britos.co.za

Kwano race shirts. These gorgeous import quality shirts will be available for R950 at the race village, so look great while supporting a worthy initiative.

New finish route and race village The exciting new finish route through the Central Beach area will showcase riders over the last 2km.

This is made possible by the fact that due to its growth, TdP 2017 will have exclusive use of the beachfront area for the race village.

New to the race village this year will be La Cafeteria offering craft beer, wine, a gin bar, pizzas and a cappuccino bar. It will be open on Friday at registration and all-day Saturday, so bring the family for dinner while registering.

The coffee bar will also be open at the start on Saturday for caffeine junkies.

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