16 December 2020 by CXpress

Photo: Garden Route Walking Festival

16 December 2020

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

Let’s not beach about it… The Garden Route has much more to offer than award-winning beaches! Residents, authorities, and holidaymakers alike were struck by a proverbial tsunami when the president on Monday night announced the closure of Garden Route beaches from today until January 3. Dear readers, please remember that there’s a multitude of activities and excursions still to be enjoyed, from our shops and restaurants to off-beach offerings in our reserves and parks. Find out more about such options throughout this edition, and turn to page 3 for details on how provincial as well as regional and local authorities are dealing with the newly-imposed restrictions.

Farewell to three Plett icons - p2

Knysna housing in the pipeline - p4

On incompetence and greed - p11

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

CXPRESS

16 December 2020

NEWS & VIEWS

OBITUARIES

Handfuls of summers and the secret of bay rum… ‘Gordie’ was a multifaceted gem of a man! PAUL DEANS penned this tribute to his friend and fellow Plett resident Gordon Forbes, who passed away last week after living a most extraordinary life ACH man’s death diminishin the Easter Cape; these and first junior tournament in East es us - so wrote the English many other facts will, I am sure, London. He won the singles tipoet John Donne. And nowhere be covered in other tributes. All tle of the South African Chamhas it been more obvious than I can write about is his love of pionships in 1959 and 1961, in Plettenberg Bay in the last family, his love of his country, and was runner-up in 1955, few days, to those who knew and his pride of his birth right. 1962, 1963, and 1964. and cared for Gordon Forbes. For me it is to express what He played for the SA Davis ‘Icon’ is such an overused it was like, for his friends and Cup team in 14 ties in the periGORDON FORBES: 21 February term, but Gordie was just that. me to be part of his life and to od 1955 to 1963, and compiled a 1934 - 9 December 2020 Not only was he the great Wimunderstand that great emptirecord of 20 wins and 11 losses. bledon tennis doubles player ness Frannie and his family are After retiring from tennis, with his lifelong mate Abe going to endure for one muchForbes wrote three books about Segal (that’s another story), but loved Gordie. his experiences as a player, his also an astute businessman, There are absences in life that contemporaries in the sport, and the author of one of the are impossible to fill. I have and other tennis topics. finest tennis books ‘A handful copied out two of Gordon’s of Summers’ - ever. poems which he loved and will What few of his fans worldleave them with my favourite wide may know is that he was newspaper ladies - email esther a perceptive and beautiful poet @cxpress.co.za for a copy. with a love of literature, which These works of word art will made him a delight to have dinshow you two sides of his mind: ner with. To say nothing of the the humour and the deeply perred wine… ceptive sensitivity of his creaHis range of friends was unitive writing. And then you will versal. From Peter Ustinov to understand how great his loss is the greats of the tennis world, to all of us. and all of us were deeply privi• Gordon Forbes was a South 60S COOL: Gordon demonstrates leged to know him. And that African professional tennis his backhand during practice at great shock of dark hair! player and author. During the Ellis Park in the 1960s - Photo: “Bay rum,” he finally told me. 1950s and 1960s, he was the Sunday Tribune Archives “I’ve drunk a lot of rum and doubles partner of countryman tell you. But once done it was a the hair she is going - perhaps Abe Segal. Together, they were delight that embraced so many I got it out of the wrong bay.” considered one of the best doupeople and ideas. That moving Getting him to finish and bles teams in the world. pen having stopped writing is a publish a book was a monuForbes learnt to play tennis Arts editor Billy Suter wrote in tragedy in itself. mental battle, as his great in his childhood on the fama tribute last week: Covid-19 His life had its beginnings friend Jacques Sellschop will ily farm. At age 12, he won his claimed another star last night

Dawn Lindberg: entrepreneur of the stage

Val brightened up our lives in more ways than one

Valerie Isobel Diana Cooper (11 April 1943 - 11 December 2020) - or ‘Val’ as she was known to the many friends made and clients served during decades of being a Plett resident and businesswoman - passed away last week while recovering from a hip operation that took place two weeks before. “She owned and managed Something Special for a good number of years and was very proud of her little shop, which became engraved in Plettenberg Bay’s commercial annals. We moved to Plettenberg Bay in 1980 from England, and were part of the ‘When We’ group way back then,” says daughter Sharon. Val is also survived by her son, Spencer Cooper, who lives in New Zealand, and four grandchildren. She married her beloved husband Ken 50 years ago, a milestone celebrated just prior to his death in 2019. Val was a welcome neighbour to the CXPRESS team during the past six months and left a beautiful legacy of multicoloured flowers in our office courtyard. Our profound condolences go to her loved ones, and we will very dearly miss her vivacious presence.

when legendary singer, actress, and theatre entrepreneur Dawn Lindberg (14 April 1945 - 7 December 2020) - the founder and chief executive officer of the national Naledi Theatre Awards died from a Coronavirus-related illness. Born Dawn Avril Silver in 1945 in Durban, she was presented with the ‘Women: The Real Architects of Drama Excellence’ award in 2017, to acknowledge and honour her 51 years (at the time) in theatre. She first found fame as a member of Des and Dawn, the folk duo she formed with husband Des Lindberg in the 1960s. They had a string of hits, most notably ‘The Seagull’s Name Was Nelson’. The couple moved on to cabaret, TV shows and theatre production with their company Folk on Trek Productions and performed in virtually every major theatre and cabaret venue in SA and Zimbabwe. Resident in Plett for the past few years, Dawn is survived by husband Des and sons Josh and Adam.

NEWS & VIEWS

16 December 2020

CXPRESS

ESTERN Cape premier Alan Winde on December 15 responded to the previous evening’s presidential address by welcoming its “differentiated approach”, but described the decision to close Garden Route beaches as a “devastating economic blow” in need of reconsideration. Winde said his top priority in numerous consultations with national government had been to ensure the balance between rolling back the Covid-19 resurgence to save lives, and keeping the economy as open as possible, saving livelihoods. “We have opposed blunt instruments such as lockdowns, and argued instead for a differentiated approach, underpinned by science and evidence. This also why we have invested in our health system so that it provides the best public healthcare in the country. “I welcome that President Ramaphosa pursued a dif-

ferentiated approach when responding to the second wave, avoiding a blunt lockdown, and that he considered the detailed plans our province provided. “However, the decision to close the Garden Route’s beaches for the entire festive season will deal a devastating blow to its economy, so highly reliant on tourism for survival. This will result in major job losses and is of great concern,” said Winde. “Our position, as presented during consultations, remains that all Western Cape beaches should remain open, provided proper steps can be taken to ensure health and safety guidelines are followed so that those who attend are safe. “This is especially because they are outdoors where there is good ventilation precisely the places we have been advising our residents to visit this festive season.” --Henk Nieuwoudt of CapeNature in Plett on Tuesday morning said that light had not yet been shed on new

area-specific regulations, but indications were that national parks and reserves would remain open. “We have been placing a limit on the number of visitors allowed at Robberg Nature Reserve, for instance, since the slackening of Covid-19 alert levels. The current quota is a maximum of 550 people on the peninsula at any time during our opening hours from 7am to 8pm daily. “With beaches closed, we should see numbers of visitors at these reserves soaring,” he said, adding that Robberg’s Fountain Hut had several reservations over the coming weeks, but that booking day trips was not possible and visitors would be allowed on a first come first served basis. According to the Government Gazette, fishing is allowed with the correct permit, but grey areas include activities such as water-skiing and regulated numbers of people gathering at reserves such as Keurbooms and Knysna’s Goukamma.

Frontline workers in C-19 firing line O date, 714 staff members have contracted Covid-19 in the district, of which 593 have recovered - this according to Nadia Ferreira, Garden Route and Klein Karoo communications officer for the Western Cape department of Health. The number of healthcare workers contracting Covid19 throughout local government hospitals is increasing as the hospitals are battling with soaring numbers of patient admissions. The resurgence of the virus has resulted in the Garden Route being identified as a hotspot area some three weeks ago. Sadly, frontline workers are not excluded from those who have been infected by the virus - despite stringent safety measures being adhered to in all the hospitals. The provincial health department maintains that

these numbers are not the consequence of negligence or inadequate precautions from their side, since the safety of staff members takes priority, albeit that complete protection can never be absolutely assured. “The safety of our staff is extremely important to us. While every precaution is taken to protect staff members by supplying the appropriate PPE while following Covid-19 protocols, we cannot guarantee that frontline workers will not get infected,” says Ferreira. The department is also highlighting that staff members may not always be contracting the virus in the line of duty. “Infection can take place at facility level or in their private capacity while off duty. Most people do not know how and where they contracted the virus, even when

Ludumo Tede

they have been adhering to health protocols,” she adds. However, neither death nor hospitalisation of frontline workers have been recorded. Owing to the increasing workload for these workers across the district, the department has responded to the demand for added personnel members. “Additional staff, within budget limitations taken into account, have been appointed across the district,” concludes Ferreira. Confirmed C-19 positive cases are continuing to rise unabated across the district, as are hospitalisations, placing government facilities in Knysna, George and beyond under severe pressure. Garden Route District Municipality urges residents to continue adhering to Covid-19 safety precautions as holidaymakers are this week arriving en masse.

Photo: Maggie Ubsdell

Beaches ‘precisely the places we want our residents to visit’ When Bitou municipal spokesperson Andile Namntu was asked on Tuesday morning about the barricading underway at Central Beach parking lot and various local picnic spots, he denied it had anything to do with ‘inside info’ on the president’s closure of Garden Route Beaches. “We were anticipating an overflow of people, so wanted to be proactive in limiting numbers and access to such public places. As we speak, a meeting is being held with district authorities in order for Bitou to comment and submit our appeal to the national command council regarding the closure of our beaches and its devastating impact on our tourismdependent economy. Many grey areas exists in terms of policing and enforcement, and we hope our appeal will be heard in time for seasonal visitors to be allowed access to our award-winning beaches.” Plett this year scored the Best Beaches in Africa accolade at the World Travel Awards 2020.

CXPRESS

16 December 2020

NEWS & VIEWS

Hornlee erven earmarked for Knysna housing development T its recent meeting, Knysna Council unanimously approved the development of Erven 4712 and 3339 in Hornlee for BNG (Breaking New Ground) and FLISP (Finance Linked Individual Subsidy Programme) housing. Knysna mayor Elrick van Aswegen said this was yet another step to address Knysna’s housing shortage. “Our constitution states that everyone has the right to adequate housing; in Knysna the housing waiting list stands on 9,000 and each and every development is a step towards shortening the list.” Erf 4712 in Hornlee will provide 96 opportunities, 40% of these will be BNG

housing and 60% will be serviced sights for FLISP beneficiaries. Van Aswegen said to qualify for the latter type of housing, beneficiaries must earn between R3,501 and R22,500 monthly. “The Hornlee Housing waiting list will be utilised to identify potential beneficiaries and we rely on the administration to ensure that plots and houses will be allocated strictly according to the date of application, starting in 1996.” Erf 3339 in Fisherhaven can provide approximately 62 opportunities and Van Aswegen said council would advertise for development proposals. “Service providers will be appointed to ensure com-

pliance with SPLUMA (Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act) and NEMA (National Environment Management Act). “A quarterly report on the progress of the supply chain processes will have to be submitted, in line with the provisions of the Municipal Finance Management Act.” Van Aswegen concluded by saying that all proceeds from the sale of land on the above properties will be utilised for Human Settlements purposes. “We’ve had a number of housing-related protests recently and this unanimous decision shows Knysna Council’s commitment to tackling our challenges, and to find solutions.”

BRIMMING WITH PROMISE: Erf 3339 in Fisherhaven can provide more than 60 opportunities for contractors and, finally, benefit local residents, so watch out for advertised development proposals in the near future

Love where you live ...

NEW RESTAURANT MICRO BAKERY & FEATURED ARTISTS AT OLD NICK VILLAGE

N2, Plettenberg Bay | Open daily 9am - 5pm www.oldnickvillage.co.za

PROMOTION

16 December 2020

CXPRESS

16 December 2020

NEWS & VIEWS

PBCPA executive team: let’s work together to end 2020 safe and prosperous OVID-19 has affected all spheres of the Bitou community in many ways. “Forever embedded in my heart is the humanitarian response, the extraordinary goodness that was once again evident,” says Ina Olivier of Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association (PBCPA). “Our people are always doing more than is expected, under the most extreme circumstances.” According to a statement released by the PBCPA executive team on the eve of the 2020 festive season, they remain hopeful that everybody will adhere to Covid-19 regulations, to flatten the curve and ensure that no return to hard lockdown will ruin this important period in a town so highly

COMBINED CRIME-FIGHTING FORCES: Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association members comprise a diverse range of security officials and agencies - Photo: DreamLink Art Studio

dependent on seasonal visitors. One good thing about the lockdown is that it had an extremely positive impact on overall crime stats. “More relaxed Covid-19 rules gives way for opportunistic criminal activities. We reiterate the importance of being alert and crime-wise. Safeguard your valuables, even in the safety of your home,” urged the team. “Criminals are inventive and always find new ways to execute their illegal activities. They focus on the vulnerable or easy targets such as holidaymakers, who tend to be more relaxed in securing their goods and holiday residence.” Says Olivier: “The season promises to be huge - exactly what our town really needs. The collateral revenue will go some way to revive our fragile economy.” The PBCPA 24/7 emergency communication structure is on point as proven by its track record. Response and assistance are solid, control room staff are effective, and swift with follow-up and directing of responses. Neighbourhood watch groups throughout Bitou are working together with all security and emergency partners towards a safer and crime-free Plett. “We wish our residents and holidaymakers a fun-filled, safe festive season, trusting we can all look forward to a blessed and prosperous 2021,” says Olivier, adding extra special thoughts for everyone “working their butts off this season, including those members and volunteers giving up precious family time to do crime-prevention patrols, to respond and to assist wherever, whenever”. The executive team wishes members, their security and emergency partners an overflowing cup of goodwill and grace and, in particular, to stay safe. Call the PBCPA on 082 251 8134 to report crime emergencies in Plett.

PROMOTION

16 December 2020

CXPRESS

PROMOTION

16 December 2020

PRICES VALID FROM 9 DECEMBER 2020 TO 4 JANUARY 2021 Glenﬁddich 15YR Old Malt Whisky

Remy Martin VSOP Cognac

Johnnie Walker Black Label

Jameson Irish Whiskey

Red Heart Rum

Richelieu Export Brandy

Captain Morgan Spiced Gold

69999 59999 29999 28999 15999 14999 13499 750ml

12 x 750ml R8 280.00 Unit price per case R690.00

Hendrick’s Original Gin

750ml

12 x 750ml R7 080.00 Unit price per case R590.00

750ml

12 x 750ml R3 576.00 Unit price per case R298.00

750ml

12 x 750ml R3 449.00 Unit price per case R287.42

750ml

12 x 750ml R1 899.00 Unit price per case R158.25

12 x 750ml R1 749.00 Unit price per case R145.72

12 x 750ml R1 548.00 Unit price per case R129.00

Malfy Gin Range

Cîroc Vodka Range

Whitley Neill Gin Range

Smirnoff 1818 Vodka

Belgravia Gin Range

Old Buck Gin Range

34999 32999 32999 22999 11999 11999 11999 750ml

12 x 750ml R4 140.00 Unit price per case R345.00

Belgravia Gin & Tonic Cans

339

24x 440ml

750ml

6 x 750ml R1 950.00 Unit price per case R325.00

Hunter’s Dry OR Gold Cans

299

24x 440ml

750ml

12 x 750ml R3 900.00 Unit price per case R325.00

Strongbow Can Range

289

24x 440ml

750ml

6 x 750ml R1 350.00 Unit price per case R225.00

750ml

12 x 750ml R1 399.00 Unit price per case R116.58

6 x 750ml R699.00 Unit price per case R116.50

12 x 750ml R1 399.00 Unit price per case R116.58

Corona Mexican Beer Bottles

Brutal Fruit Ruby Apple Cans

279

24x 355ml

279

24x 500ml

Castle Lite Cans

269

24x 500ml

Heineken Lager Bottles

259

24x 330ml

PLETT GRAND OPENING Cash & Carry only. Ultra Liquors supports responsible alcohol consumption. While stocks last. Quantities may be limited. Advertised prices exclude bottle and crate deposit. E&OE. Robinson Liquors (Pty) Ltd, 426 Main Road, Cnr Main and Constantia Road, Wynberg 7800

Not for Persons Under the Age of 18. Enjoy Responsibly.

PROMOTION

16 December 2020

CXPRESS

PRICES VALID FROM 9 DECEMBER 2020 TO 4 JANUARY 2021 Dom Perignon

Moët & Chandon Ice

Moët & Chandon Brut Imperial

Graham Beck

L’Ormarins Brut OR Brut Rosé

Krone

219999 69999 47999 14499 12999 12999 750ml

750ml

6 x 750ml R3 999.00 Unit price per case R666.50

750ml

6 x 750ml R2 850.00 Unit price per case R475.00

6 x 750ml R840.00 Unit price per case R140.00

750ml

6 x 750ml R750.00 Unit price per case R125.00

Brut, Brut Rosé OR Bliss Nectar

Rupert & Rothschild Classique

Springﬁeld Life from Stone Sauvignon Blanc

Kanonkop Kadette Cape Blend

750ml

6 x 750ml R990.00 Unit price per case R165.00

6 x 750ml R654.00 Unit price per case R109.00

16999 11500

Rusthof Dry Red

10999

5 litres

Two Oceans Sauvignon Blanc

Haute Cabrière Chardonnay Pinot Noir

10499 3 litres

750ml

6 x 750ml R475.00 Unit price per case R79.16

Rusthof Johannisberger White

9999 5 litres

6 x 750ml R769.00 Unit price per case R128.16

6999 750ml

6 x 750ml R399.00 Unit price per case R66.50

Night Nectar, Night Nectar Rosé, Borealis Brut OR Brut Rosé

8999 7999

6 x 750ml R510.00 Unit price per case R85.00

750ml

Bon Courage Blush

Beyerskloof Pinotage

7699 750ml

6 x 750ml R450.00 Unit price per case R75.00

Robertson Smooth Dry Red

9699

3 litres

Diemersdal Sauvignon Blanc

6499 750ml

6 x 750ml R385.00 Unit price per case R64.16

Paarl Perlé

99 2 litres

6 x 2 litres R285.00 Unit price per case R47.50 Excluding bottle & crate deposit

1659 Red OR White

2999 750ml

6 x 750ml R179.00 Unit price per case R29.83

Sedgwick’s Old Brown

99 750ml

12 x 750ml R396.00 Unit price per case R33.00 Excluding bottle deposit

CNR N2 & MARINE WAY, PLETTENBERG BAY TEL: 044 533 1454 Cash & Carry only. Ultra Liquors supports responsible alcohol consumption. While stocks last. Quantities may be limited. Advertised prices exclude bottle and crate deposit. E&OE. Robinson Liquors (Pty) Ltd, 426 Main Road, Cnr Main and Constantia Road, Wynberg 7800

Not for Persons Under the Age of 18. Enjoy Responsibly.

GO Advertising 37250

We are delighted to open our newest store in the prettiest Bay on earth & can’t wait to be of service to you!

CXPRESS

BUSINESS

16 December 2020

Investor Focus

Malcolm Stewart – Investment manager at Michaelides Parker Wealth Knysna & Plett

Thematic investing may well be the way forward HEMATIC investing in either unit trusts or ETFs [exchange-traded funds] allows you to focus on specific investment themes. On a global platform, the opportunities are immense and exciting. One of the themes proving to be most compelling is the fact that Millennials demand ESG-friendly investments: ‘E’ to ensure they are environmentally sound, i.e. clean energy companies or those with very low carbon emissions. ‘S’ refers to sociallyresponsible companies, i.e. gender and equality considerations; ‘G’ represents good governance, i.e. they demand high ethical standards. There are global ETFs that reflect a range of international companies meeting such standards. These specific thematic funds are called “smart” ETFs and target some extremely exciting global investment trends Clean-energy ETFs target companies specialis-

ing in solar power, and they cover all aspects of this industry including generation, installation, and manufacturing. Then there are those targeting wind energy only - again, they include all industries involved in this growing sector. You also get the powerstorage smart ETF, which only includes companies involved in the lithium industry, ranging from miners to producers and users. These ETFs hold companies that are global, ranging from wind specialists in Denmark to solar specialists in China. Cyber security is a growing global problem exacerbated by worldwide lockdowns and the massive growth in online commerce. The managers of these ETFs analyse companies and will only include those that earn a minimum from their security offerings. Holdings range from global giants like Cisco to smaller startups in Israel.

Dividend focused ETFs have a vast range of choices: the Dividend Aristocrats are companies that have never missed a payment and have increased their dividends every year for over 50 years. Then there are the country-specific dividend ETFs that focus on the UK, Euroland, and beyond. Dividend yields can exceed 5% in some of these ETFs. Some of the recent global winners have been IT ETFs that hold only the top five global players like Amazon or Apple. These are available on the JSE in its ETF sector. Next up are the countryspecific ETFs - China, the UK, the USA, etc. - or specific indices, i.e. the S&P 500 or the FTSE 100. This exciting world of investment is available to all South Africans. We are allowed the use of R1-million per annum to invest offshore, and your RA or L/A can access these opportunities

through asset swaps. They offer an alternative to the more conventional offerings we are accustomed to. The ETFs are not expensive with a minor management fee of below 1%, and some charge less than half that. In the new world of global technology, all stockbrokers can easily access these markets on their global trading platforms, and asset managers use them all the time. You do not need to use specific company research, but rather focus on global trends and then find a suitable ETF. With the Rand at a relatively strong level, now may be the right time to investigate this brave new world. • Malcolm has been in the investment industry for nearly 50 years. He has written this column in CXPRESS for the last 22 years and is a specialist in managing retired wealth. See the advert on this page for contact details.

Five tips to financial fitness as we head for 2021... UMMER’S here and the number of panting joggers and lycra-wrapped cyclists suggest that plenty of us are working hard to lose a bit of lockdown flab before we hit the beach. Given the financial impact of the past eight months on everyone, it’s a good time to think about your financial fitness, says Nokulunga Mthembu - product owner of the DirectAxis credit-rating platform Pulse. “Just as getting back into physical shape after the lockdown will provide long-term health benefits, a good financial workout will get you ready for the festive season and the year

ahead and will literally pay dividends over time.” You may have had to make salary sacrifices and won’t be able to rely on a Christmas bonus, so to continue, living the same lifestyle with less money is the financial equivalent of eating poorly, drinking and smoking, and ignoring the health risks. These tips will improve your financial wellness: • Some financial experts recommend the 50/30/20 rule as guide on how to prioritise your spending: 50% of your income on essentials such as food, rent or paying your bond; 30% on discretionary expenses such as clothing

and entertainment; and saving or investing the remaining 20%. • Get financially literate. Start by finding out more about what affects your day-to-day financial affairs - understanding insurance, getting the most from your medical aid, reducing your cellphone costs, or saving on electricity. • Spend less than you earn, which means drawing up a budget. Draw a line down the middle of a piece of paper. On the left list all your income and on the right all your monthly expenses. You can then see if there are any expenses you can cut. • Save or invest some-

thing each month, even if it’s not the 20% of the 50/30/20 rule. Another tip is to put your saving on autopilot by having a fixed amount automatically paid into a savings or investment account per stop order. What you never see you won’t miss and you’ll be surprised how quickly the savings build up. • Track your progress by regularly checking your credit score. There are plenty of free tools that allow you to do this. In addition to a credit health rating, it gives you a list of your monthly expenses and suggests ways to improve your score.

Read CXPRESS online @ www.cxpress.co.za

BUSINESS

16 December 2020

CXPRESS

Incompetence and greed from those at the top cut to the quick Stuart Murray

’VE been out of the loop for some time, thus missing a great deal of the shenanigans going on within the country’s struggle to survive Covid and endemic mismanagement. One should, of course, add theft of the scale that would have deeply impressed even Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. However, what concerns me most when viewing the state of the South African economy is not simply the massive scale of incompetence and greed, but the fact that its governance is so well rewarded. There has been a commendable effort, from business and individual workers, to help the helpless. Donations of assistance, from money to food and shelter, have been admirable. This help, alas, cannot go on indefinitely; it shrinks as we breathe, commensurate with the fast-growing loss of jobs and a crumbling economy. There surely is a limit to the public’s belt-tightening... Only then did my inner bell ring: the public aside, what about the ruling class? At the top of the governmental heap we have 35 cabinet ministers and 37-odd deputy ministers. Ministers earn R2.4-million a year plus uncountable perks; deputies a whisker under R2-million. President Ramaphosa takes home R2,874,795 (when last I looked). In addition, we have around 2-million civil servants whose top echelon earn in the region of R2-million a year (plus perks). Has there been, in my absence, a wave of generosity, of selfless action by our leaders and their acolytes, by which they have taken a cut (even a small one) in their salaries - and perks - to be distributed to the sick and unemployed? I cannot uncover evidence of the hierarchy proudly announcing self-sacrificial

donations to the poor and homeless; nor any pocket-lightening handouts emanating from provincial or municipal big-wigs - most of whom appear to earn above the poverty line, to put it mildly. Lockdown, I guess, is bearable when you and your family live in a fine home where the cupboard is far from bare. I suppose it’s a matter of rands and sense. We are, after all, a “junk” economy according to international ratings agencies. Simply put, we reap more than we sow. How come? We need look no farther than the civil (yes?) service, which has become the national kitty’s biggest drag. Interestingly, the number of civil service

employees has declined, according to Africa Check, but not sufficiently to trim the wage bill which, according to Daily Maverick, is totally out of control. The bill for 1.2-million civil servants, ac-

‘There surely is a limit to the public’s belt-tightening...’ cording to the newspaper, “has exploded from R154-billion in 2006 to R639-billion in 2020.” And matters look like going from bad to worse. Government had proposed a wage freeze on the deal agreed in 2018, proposing

increases of 4.4%-5.4% for public servants. Finance minister Tito Mboweni and Public Service minister Senzo Mchunu have vetoed the implementation of the deal due to SA’s financial crisis viz: our junk status. The unions have taken the government to court but Mboweni has argued that sections of the Public Services Act requires the government to act only if it can afford to. Latest desperate idea is to tap into the public sector pension fund. The mind boggles... • Stuart Murray (stuartmurray758@ gmail.com) is a former senior assistant editor of Financial Mail and co-founder, editor, and CEO of Finance Week. He lives in Plettenberg Bay.

CXPRESS

ENTERTAINMENT

16 December 2020

Weekend of fine music enjoyed in Plettenberg Bay weekend of splendid music was held in Plettenberg Bay on December 12 and 13, in aid of Hospice Plett. Pianist and soprano Dr Lisa Engelbrecht accompanied tenor Makudupanyane Senaoana and baritone Mike Bhayibhile in performing arias, duets, trios and songs from a miscellany of operas and popular musicals. On Saturday evening was a per-

formance in the delightful ambiance of the baroque barn of Ouland Royale, run by Wilja Reitz, and on the following day the lovely setting of Bruno and Ulrike Baldzuhnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hum Bee Flora provided the perfect setting for an afternoon garden concert. Engelbrecht is based in Cape Town, Senaoana hails from Lesotho and Bhayibhile resides in KwaNokuthula, Plettenberg Bay; all are renowned

professional musicians who perform, throughout the year, both in South Africa and internationally. After the performances, Annabelle Conyngham and Hilary Matthews of Hospice Plett, thanked the hosts for providing venues of outstanding quality, the performing artists for having travelled from afar, and members of the audience for having made the time and effort to attend. - Timothy Twidle

THREE SONOROUS FORCES: A Night at the Opera, held at Ouland Royale on the evening of December 12 in aid of Hospice Plett, was performed by, from left, Mike Bhayibhile, who resides in KwaNokuthula, Lesotho national Makudupanyane Senaoana, and Dr Lisa Engelbrecht, who is based in Cape Town

GUESTS FROM GAUTENG: Enjoying the outstanding performance at Ouland Royale were, from left, Shamara Hochstadter with Jordin and Illana Borer, all of Johannesburg and presently on holiday on the Garden Route - Photos: Timothy Twidle

N2, Plettenberg Bay

Open daily 9am - 5pm

www.oldnickvillage.co.za

HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES

16 December 2020

CXPRESS

Spoil yourself this season

CXPRESS

INTERVAL

16 December 2020

Question: What do you call it when you act ecstatic to see distant relatives and acquaintances that you only see around the holidays? Answer: Seasonal Affection Disorder.

A MOTORWAY WALKS INTO A PUB

A farmer’s wife went into labour in the middle of the night and the doctor was called out to assist in the delivery. Since there was no electricity, the doctor handed the father-to-be a lantern and said: “Here. You hold this high so I can see what I am doing.” Soon, a baby boy was brought into the world. “Whoa there,” said the doctor, “don’t be in such a rush to put that lantern down. I think there’s another one coming.” Sure enough, within minutes he had delivered a baby girl. “Hold that lantern up, don’t set it down. There’s another one!” shouted the doctor. Within a few minutes he had delivered a third baby. “No, don’t be in a hurry to put down that lantern, it seems there’s yet another one coming!” cried the doctor. The farmer scratched his head in bewilderment, and asked the doctor: “You think it might be the light that’s attracting them?”

A motorway walks into a pub one day. He goes up to the bar and orders himself a drink. He just sits down when in walks a strip of tarmac. The motorway sees the tarmac and starts to panic so he jumps over the bar and ducks down so it won’t see him. The barman looks down at him and says: “What’s the matter with you? Why are you hiding? You’ve got six lanes and two hard shoulders. Why are you frightened of a piece of tarmac? The motorway replies: “You don’t know him like I do. He’s a cyclepath.”

visibly distraught one morning when she arrived at the office and explained that her children’s parrot had escaped from his cage and flown out of an open window. Of all the dangers the tame bird would face out-

doors alone, she seemed most concerned about what would happen if the bird started talking. Confused, my dad asked what the parrot could say. “Well,” she explained, “he mostly says: ‘Here, kitty, kitty’.”

THE MISSING PARROT My father’s secretary was

Charlie Chaplin once entered a Charlie Chaplin Look-alike Contest. Not only did he NOT win, he placed in third place.

5 6

10 11 13

18 19

Quick

CROSSWORD

crossword

no 15, 7

9 8 11

10 14 13 12

17 15

16 20

ent book Testam 14 Old (7) (5) 16 Fiddle (5)

s? — narcotic

C H E D A R Y S U P O N T P G L O T O U T O R T R E E T S L R U E D B S R A M I N E R L V S D L E S S

The only pharmacy in Main Street

HOLD THAT LANTERN UP

F A R F E T R A Y G O R M L E S N P D T R A P B G E F L E E T S O C B R I S K E T C A T V E R B E X D R R R E G A R

ON THE SOAPBOX

16 December 2020

Letters to the Editor

CXPRESS

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

Dear Minister, whence cometh our help if you turn a blind eye?

Read CXPRESS online at www.cxpress.co.za

The below correspondence with Western Cape Local Government minister Anton Bredell was shared last month with CXPRESS and Bitou’s municipal powers in charge of charging - ‘like a wounded buffalo’ springs to mind - for electricity and related services. In anticipation of a response, it was held back but alas by going to print, none had been received from either authority. I am writing you with regard to the state of financial management systems and billing in Bitou Municipality. I’m including a few screen shots (from a ridiculous number of comments) recently posted on three separate community Facebook pages. The municipal billing systems for electricity are ludicrous - if existent at all - and are creating enormous unhappiness in the community of Plettenberg Bay. This has been going on for far too long without any obvious or reported resolution or even any apparent attempt at resolving the issue.

We are appealing to you to intervene and to please assist. The situation is out of control. Yours sincerely and on behalf of those who are becoming desperate. --November 3: Further to our initial email, I attach screenshots of ongoing frustrated commentary from various Bitou social media groups and await any response to our request for assistance in this regard. --November 9: I will not continue adding screenshots of the conversations that remain ongoing on Facebook and on various

Beach walk with buddies not allowed until 2021

Local resident Craig Harrison shared this photo of two spritely ladies enjoying the sand between their toes, shot from Plett Ski-boat Club on a mild summer’s afternoon recently. Fully armed with masks and walking sticks, they were setting a lovely example of how to spend quality time with loved ones while staying safe.

WhatsApp groups within and between communities in Bitou. We have received acknowledgement of these mails from both your office as well as Bitou’s municipal manager; however, nothing more than that. We will presume, and hope, that the matter is under investigation - both at a department level and, following this, at an individual account level, considering the clear confusion of systems and threats of cutting of services to individuals residing throughout Bitou. Having not heard otherwise, we anticipate a response to this effect in

due course. --November 18: The list of mails to your office, without response, speaks volumes, as do the growing number of comments on local Facebook and Whats App community groups. This is just one symptom of a far bigger picture. Your silence is not deafening. It is frightening. Julie Carlisle, Plett (CXPRESS is in possession of the social media posts - names redacted - as described above, and which have been sent to the Local Government ministry and Bitou. Email Julie at ecovive@mweb.co.za for additional information. - Eds.)

An idea: one rich man’s house buys one for the poor I know I write a lot of letters - some a load of rot, some a laugh - but the one thing that I will not let go of is the idea that for every house built in Plett for five-million bucks or more, one house should be built as a help for the homeless. I know that taxes are paid, and Bitou Municipality collects, but this idea is beyond that. It is a visible contribution, a direct contribution, person to person. You can have naming rights as long as it’s not in neon. Whatever.

But let Plett be the first with this initiative and see that it goes to a family that was born here. We have an excellent head of Planning with a proper social conscience, who would happily oversee that the scheme would be carried out correctly, without any scheming. Let’s be the first, even if it only results in 10 houses. It will be a direct contribution of care to a society that is going to be increasingly in need of it. Let’s do it! Paul Deans, Plett

Municipal mismanagement does not get enough attention

TO LET Plett CBD

tion, streetlights, roads, etc. - does not appear to be as important as paying unwarranted bonuses, exorbitant overtime, mayoral security guards, executive motor vehicles, music festivals and the like. And it is bewildering that the Western Cape Government, which has been made fully aware of the situation by the Plettenberg Bay Ratepayers Association, has taken no steps to stop the ongoing wasteful expenditure. The only entity in Plettenberg Bay which strives to publicise and

take action against this unacceptable behaviour of Bitou Council is the Ratepayers Association. I agree with H de Wet that the DA, although continually being outvoted at council level, gives the impression of being apathetic by its lack of publicly denouncing the wasteful expenditure and dysfunctional management of the municipality. Articles in CXPRESS and other local newspapers and newsletters to members would indicate the opposition of the DA to the dubious financial

and management decisions of the ANC-controlled council. I also agree with H de Wet, despite the editor’s rebuttal of his comments, that CXPRESS rarely publishes articles criticising the poor management of Bitou Municipality. Local elections are coming up soon and political party representatives in Plettenberg Bay will have to step up to the plate if they want to be successful next year. B Knight, Plett (And if CXPRESS survives, we’ll cover it. - Eds.) as offer Exclusive Xm R600 in Free delivery

1 or 2-bed apartment av. 1 Jan. From R5K. Call 082 492 4417

Plett

UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP

BUYING

SELLING

BEST PRICES ON NEW AND SECONDHAND GOODS

Come to our new POP-UP store where you will find everything you want under one roof

KNYSNA a stuart@lunchbox.org.z

Shop A.45-A.49, Woodmill Lane Shopping Centre, Main Road, Knysna • 067 219 3346

CCPOPK2020

I refer to H de Wet’s letter in your December 2 edition [read ‘Rates rip-off reflects badly on Bitou, province, and CXPRESS’ on page 11 of that issue at www.cxpress.co.za]. I couldn’t agree more with the views of the writer - the ANC-controlled council is squandering the funds of Bitou Municipality through unnecessary and profligate expenditure. Essential expenditure required to maintain and upgrade the town’s infrastructure - such as water and electricity reticula-

CXPRESS

16 December 2020

CLASSIFIEDS