20 September 2017

20 September 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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Photo: Tisha Steyn

Bravo to our local police

Spotlight on shack fires

Braai Day not for everyone

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Heritage on wheels If you’re traversing our hinterland this coming long weekend, look out for this Morris Minor and 20 other classic cars manufactured before 1975, all of which will participate in this year’s Heritage Tour from September 23-27. The tour celebrates National Heritage Day and September as Tourism Month, while also promoting the Southern Cape Old Car Club’s annual George Old Car Show in February 2018.

Finally, the event serves to stimulate a love and interest in our unique ‘heritage on wheels’ - turn to page 12 to find out more.

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

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CXPRESS

NEWS & VIEWS

20 September 2017

An historic day for Plett Wine Route as Jan Boland Coetzee pays a visit Famed wine producer Jan Boland Coetzee held an historic first symposium on Pinot Noir to local wine producers… and lucky they were!’

- PETER BISHOP reports HE full effect of Jan’s symposium on Pinot Noir will take a decade to be realised. It will take discipline as much as it needs awareness… and lucky they remain.

For Jan himself to fulfil his dreams, and to become aware, has taken 50 years, with a wonderful planned run-in over the last decade. Being an industry icon at Kanonkop in the 1970s when he played 127 games as ‘fetcher’ for Western Province, most of these as captain, he also played in six test matches.

After 11 seasons playing for Stellenbosch University’s Maties team, Jan surprised everyone by taking his young family to move to Beaune in Burgundy for one reason: to understand Pinot Noir.

From working in the vineyards to making the final cellar decisions, Jan at least became aware. Albeit he has built his reputation on Cabernet Sauvignon, on Pinotage, and recently on Grenache (from the family-owned famed Piekenierskloof on the West Coast), Jan has nurtured Pinot Noir of quantum levels.

So, why was it ‘necessary’ for Jan to address this area whose plantings of Pinot Noir are at most five years of age?

It must be recognised that Peter Thorpe, who set up Bramon over a decade ago, realised he ought to produce Methode Cap Classique - what the amateur would wrongly call ‘Champagne’.

The Four Bs - birds, baboons, bush pig, and buck - simply decimate the ripening grapes.

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So the logic was to pick the grapes pre-ripe, when the fruit was short of ripeness, but when the acids were clean and sparkling. This acidity is the base of a fine MCC. In 2016, I put the producers through a serious tasting of Graham Beck range of MCC to see the standard and styles set. The sparkling wines had been made of Sauvignon Blanc on Bramon, but with the arrival of Anton Smal as winemaker in 2010, he and a few others planted the traditional Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Some used the ‘Champagner’ clones of Pinot Noir and some used the virus-free Dijon clones 777 (fruit), 115 (structure), et al.

Aspiring to making a bottled Pinot Noir was logical, so Doug Lund of Newstead and Vicci Gent of Packwood have already done so, and Lodestone’s Jon Tonkin is about to.

Jan’s message was clear. Let those vines age to eight years to be at their best. To verify this, he offered his Paradyskloof (since discontinued) Pinot Noir of 2007, 2009, 2013, 2015 - all fine wines, but made from vines younger than eight years.

Not that any of the 20 attendants complained, but they were a tad short of full expression and brioche; that ‘feeling’.

“The vintage 2015 is the best in my over 50 years - showing refined African Eloquence.”

Offering a 2007 (a vintage that Jan has not begun to sell - “I will keep them for myself!”) Pinotage with great tannins as a breather, he went on

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL: Jon Tonkin of Lodestone, left, with Jan in the vineyards; below, he is flanked by PeeBee and Anton Smal, right

to present, in order, an array of the finest (older than eight years) Vriesenhof Pinot Noir 2015 (great aromatics), 2007 (vibrant and firm), and 2013 (fruit and length).

Then came the 2009, which stuns all who know that Pinot Noir is not one-dimensional, nor must it fit a pre-description. To complete the symphony, he offered the 2003 (truffles, grandeur), 2004 (mohair smoothness), and a Guild 2006 from Clone 777.

The data was before them, and Jan had given a message.

It has taken him 10 years to create the barrels he uses - single barrels from three different forests, made by one cooper who flies out to taste each harvest and to have them accord.

In addition, he has taken

a decade to graft promising buds onto his pruned vines so as to create simultaneous physiological ripeness.

The prophet has spoken. The inspiration is there. It is for the perfectionist winemaker to say that he will never forget the message of the symposium - a first for the region.

Jan spoke of “Pinot de Vriesenhof ” because he went further than simulating a Burgundy - he expressed Africa.

He made, as he suggests “An Other” wine.

Who will live and aspire to make a Pinot de Plett?

• PeeBee has kept his palate alive since 1975 when he met Beejay Lankwarden in the Wilderness. He explores local, national and international wines, looking for ‘the cutting edge’.

NEWS & VIEWS

20 September 2017

Dedication of local police force takes criminals off Plettenberg Bay’s streets Top-notch police work in Bitou has contributed to a series of successful prosecutions of criminals over the months of August and September - YOLANDÉ STANDER reports HE latest sentence on a growing list of recent police victories was handed down in the Knysna Regional Court on Tuesday September 5.

Police spokesman captain Marlene Pieterse said that Thando Zinlindile of Bossiesgif had been found guilty of culpable homicide and was sentenced to 10 years behind bars - this after he stabbed Siyabulela Bambiso at about 2am on New Year’s Eve in Qolweni township. Bambiso subsequently died as a result of his injuries.

Branch commander captain JJ Grootboom praised detective sergeant Gilbert Bulawa, who investigated the matter, for his work.

On August 30, Arno Williams, 26, of New Horizons was convicted and sentenced for aggravated robbery in the same court.

He was handed down a 10year prison term, of which four years was suspended for four years.

Williams was found guilty of robbing a 19-year-old tourist of his wallet, sunglasses, and cash at the Lookout Viewpoint on December

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24, 2013. He also stabbed his victim in the arm.

Pieterse said Williams was handed down a further four-year prison term due to his involvement in a robbery in Wittedrift on March 30 the following year.

He was also convicted and sentenced to a further four years behind bars - which was suspended for four years - for being in possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

“The sentence serves as a warning to criminals. We consider robbery as a very serious offence,” Pieterse said.

Acting Plett station commander lieutenant colonel Shamla Solomon not only praised the court for the strict sentences, but also the investigation officer - once again detective sergeant Bulawa - for his dedication.

“He did a thorough investigation to ensure these three convictions,” Solomon said.

Pieterse said on August 11, McDonald Witbooi of New Horizons was found guilty and sentenced to a six-year term, of which two years was suspended

for four years, for burglary.

Witbooi broke into a house in Formosa Street in the Plett CBD on September 13 last year, when goods to the value of R13,400 were stolen.

Grootboom congratulated detective constable Anele Memani for his excellent work.

On August 8, Asive Beni Gcagiya was found guilty and sentenced in the Plettenberg Bay Magistrate’s Court to two years behind bars - of which 18 months was suspended for five years - after he accosted a local resident and stole her cellphone.

Pieterse said the woman was walking along Robberg Beach on June 29 this year at about 3:30pm when Gcagiya attacked her. He pushed her down, grabbed her phone, and ran away.

Pieterse said each of these sentences not only took criminals off Plett’s streets, but also highlighted the dedication of local police.

“Very careful investigation is needed to ensure that these cases end up in successful prosecutions,” Pieterse concluded.

News Briefs • Lawyers in Knysna are reporting a spate of insurance-related cases, most of these involving claims for damages against insurance brokers. Residents have also shared their woes about late pay-outs and partial settlements on various Facebook groups. These issue will be reported on in the next edition of CXPRESS, as will be the story of Johan and Heloise van Tonder’s particular fire experience.

• On Friday at 11:30am, Garden Routers are invited to gather at Kathy Park in George Rex Drive, Knysna, to protest the oppressive cannabis prohibition laws and their unjust application.

Says co-organiser Marylou Newdigate: “After a few speeches and petition signing, at around 12:45 we plan to start walking to the Knysna police station and gather on the pavement, where we hope to hand over our

memorandum to the executive mayor Eleanore BouwSpies and also to Eden’s Police Chief at about 1:15pm.”

The marchers will then return to Kathy Park where prizes will be awarded for the best posters.

“We look forward to raising awareness about the Dagga Couple’s Trial of the Plant and our rights around cannabis issues,” says Newdigate. (See the notice on this page to find out more.)

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NEWS & VIEWS

20 September 2017

Shack fire exacerbates urgent need for homes in Plett’s poorest neighbourhood Four shacks were gutted as September 14 dawned in Qolweni township, adjacent to Plett Industria - KHAYA MBESI reports

ULELWA Garishe was washing in preparation to go to work when she saw fire coming from the kitchen in her shack by 6am.

“When I ran outside, the fire had consumed the side of the shack. I went into the big house where I had to wake up everybody.

When shacks catch fire, it is like a petrol fire because the

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shacks are dry and ready to burn,” said Garishe.

She does not know what caused the fire.

“I was washing up and you can imagine the shock of seeing flames so unexpectedly. I could not save anything because the fire was strong and fast. I am left with only the clothes on my back.

“It is sad. I am so shocked.

I have lost thousands of rands worth of building and other materials.”

Sakhiwo Gushu is the owner of the site. He said: “I was still sleeping, but woke up when someone came in, screaming like crazy. I was in my pyjamas but managed to take a few things before I got out.

COUNTING THEIR LOSSES: Owner of a razed home Sakhiwo Gushu, left, and fellow fire victim Bulelwa Garishe at the scene of last week’s fire at Qolweni informal settlement; below, residents try making sense of the destruction and salvaging any items that may have survived the flames Photos: Khaya Mbesi

These are the only clothes I have now.

“I am happy that no one was burnt here at home, and that my two kids are safe. But the fire took everything we had. I estimate the damage to be around R100,000 of valuables, including our fridge, a new couch, our washing machine, the list is endless.

“It is the first time this has happened to me and my family.”

Now homeless, the victims complained that the fire brigade arrived only when the flames were extinguished. “It seems as if we have no help close to us,” said Gushu.

Their neighbour Onako Luphondo was also woken by the fire around 6am.

“We were told that houses would be built here soon,” said Luphondo, “and con-

struction would start in our area this month. But those were false promises, because we have not seen any sign of this happening.”

Another distant neighbour Nosipho Mayana was too shocked to leave her home: “I was supposed to be at work by now, but I am scared if I come back from town, everything I own would have burnt down.

“Promises of housing are empty promises for votes.

The fire brigade must move closer to where there are real challenges. Where have you seen a brigade that takes 10 minutes to arrive, after the houses are destroyed? We have no power because the wire that brings electricity is burnt.”

However, help were at hand before CXPRESS left the scene.

Fuzile Peter from the

Electrical and Engineering department at Bitou Municipality said they were immediately sent by their supervisor to come and fix the electricity.

“We are going to be here the whole day and finish off the assignment. These people are stranded and can’t cook but we are going to help them.”

• Bitou’s head of Human Settlements confirmed that four shacks were totally destroyed and one partially burnt, affecting eight adults and two kids. The municipality provided assistance of blankets, matrasses and food parcels. The displaced families were staying with friend and family members by going to press, and the procuring of materials to assist with the rebuild process was in progress.

NEWS & VIEWS

20 September 2017

On fire victims and their insurance companies - a good luck tale It is heartening to know that there are indeed good news stories about the interaction between insurance companies and fire victims CANDICE LUDICK shares one such a case HE June blaze that swept through the Route leaving chaos in its wake also left many fire victims destitute due to insufficient insurance cover.

Margaret Rose McPherson of Evolve Hair Studio in Plett was one of the lucky ones. Despite the fact that her homestead burned to the ground, she has been supported by her insurer through the most trying of circumstances.

According to Margaret Rose, Outsurance truly has gone the extra mile; its assessor was the consummate professional and treated her with utmost respect throughout the process.

Losing your worldly belongings to a fire of this magnitude is a severely trying experience, akin to a bereavement. Margaret suffered thus, as one of her beloved hounds was

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too old and frail to survive the fire and consequent displacement. She lost not only her home, but also her companion, Cleo.

Fortunately, due to the insurers’ professionalism, her claim has been settled and her temporary rental accommodation paid for while reconstruction takes place. Outsurance also gave her a bonus in the form of funding for a spa pamper session, so Margaret could de-stress after her traumatic ordeal.

“To Margaret Rose McPherson, whose home along with all the other unique buildings on her property were totally destroyed, we really appreciate your recognition.

“We are so glad that we were there when you needed us most,” read accompanying correspondence from Outsurance agent

Natasha Kawulesar.

“We all know that the fires caused devastation, trauma, and suffering to many people. A catastrophe of this nature is such an emotional experience and there is the additional financial impact of the event. We wanted to make our clients’ claims experience seamless and to have them on the road to recovery as soon as possible.

“We are thrilled that we managed to do just that for most of our clients. This is the perfect opportunity to thank our clients for all their positive feedback and kind words,” she concluded.

Margaret Rose has decided to enjoy every precious moment in life from here on.

She will spend her days rebuilding her home and will be hairdressing on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays by appointment only.

BEFORE AND AFTER: Margaret’s place is now being rebuilt thanks to a caring insurer

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NEWS & VIEWS

20 September 2017

Nine Plett rescue pups excel under Veronica’s specialised instruction

HIS past winter, Veronica Olding presented a puppy course that featured nine rescue pups hailing respectively from Sunshine Sanctuary in The Crags, foster mom Sandra Gelhaar of Puppies Hope in Wittedrift, and Plett foster mom Di Goosen.

Says Veronica: “It was really heart-warming to see how much love and affection these caring people provided, as each rescue pup comes with its own unique set of problems.

“I have great admiration for this group of puppy owners as they signed up for the course the week before the fires hit Plett on June 7. So most of these pups then experienced another change in their lives, as their owners had to evacuate - some of them twice - and one family lost their home.

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FUN AND GAMES DAY: The pups and their families with certificates, rosettes and prizes - in front are Brandyn Spurrier with Beebee and Cayley Guccio with Tika; in the second row are Varena Holliday with Rusty, Crystie Spurrier with Babe, Matthew Spurrier with Butch, Saskia Hopff, Mandy Chalmers with Cable (who was rescued from a man who had stolen him and kept him in a plastic bag!), Duncan Harris with Sox and Anel Guccio with Hayley, with Tony Holliday and Milo and Veronica Olding at back; at right, Matt gives Butch a smooch - Photos: Di Goosen

“Despite this tragedy, they came back to class the following week and one could not help feeling the trauma and stress that these people and their animals experienced,” she says, adding that the group is especially grateful to Saskia Hopff, Camilla Nathan and Di Goosen for their caring input during this particular course.

Finally, Veronica quotes Monty Roberts, aka The

Horse Whisperer: “Each of us should be aware that for every grain of negative within the human community, there is a mountain of positive waiting for us among animals.”

Veronica’s Spring Training Course has just begun, but there is still space in the week and on Saturday mornings so please call her on 082 378 8060 if you and your pooch would like to sign up for training.

BUSINESS

20 September 2017

Brexit - a long and winding road HERE is considerable irony in the growing acceptance that the UK faces a “hard” Brexit and that negotiations to part ways with the EU are likely to be lengthy. However drawn out, the timeframe to reach agreement on Brexit will pale beside Britain’s 50-year struggle to get in!

The United Kingdom has persistently shied away from European intercourse. In 1950, when Europe was struggling to recover from the devastation of World War II, French Foreign minister Robert Schuman invited the UK to join talks with Germany, France, and the Benelux countries to form a body to oversee the common European markets in coal and steel.

This body would have an assembly of national parliamentarians and a council of ministers - a prelude to the European Union arrangement. It would also have a court of justice - the birth of today’s European Court in Luxembourg (one thorny issue in the Brexit dealings).

The Schuman Plan was debated in the House of Commons, then under a Labour majority. Britain dominated the European coal and steel industries; so why, argued the members, give away control to European bureaucrats? The result was that Monsieur Schuman was politely told “no thanks”.

And so, as Boris Johnson (currently Mrs Maybe’s Foreign secretary and now a fervent Brexiteer) so succinctly puts it in his book The Churchill Factor: “Here is Britain… being asked to assist at the very birth of the European Union… Here is when we missed the European bus, train, plane, bicycle, etc.”

It would be more than a decade before Britain changed its tune and made its first attempt, in January 1963, to join the European Economic Community.

The UK’s strategy was devised by Prime Minister Harold Macmillan and the negotiation team was headed by Edward Heath, then a member of the cabinet responsible for European affairs.

They returned home empty handed; France’s General de Gaulle vetoed the application.

However, Britain’s politicians tried again in 1967. Prime Minister Harold Wilson and his Foreign Office acolyte George Brown trundled to Europe rounding up support but once again De Gaulle, with his antagonism towards most things Anglo-Saxon, blocked the application.

Not until January 1, 1971, with Georges Pompidou on France’s Presidential throne, did the UK become a member of the Common Market. This time Ted Heath, now PM, took the honours.

On looking back, however, this apparent success was when the UK’s troubled relationship with Europe began to take shape.

Firstly, Britain’s team unfortunately agreed to a Common Fisheries Policy and this not only resulted in damaging the British fishing industry, but it brought home to Britons that their island fastness, their sovereignty, had been eroded.

It was emblematic, but tended to cloud the benefits of membership. We observe this today in the jingoistic pro-Brexit argument against migrants and the widespread opposition to the EU’s “free movement of people” policy.

Another factor was cost, and this is steadily becoming Brexit’s major negotiating issue, ahead of migration. Britain’s contribution to the EU Budget puts it among nine members who pay in more than they get out.

For example, in 2016 the UK contribution is estimated at 13.1-billion sterling; EU spend on the UK was around 4.5-billion sterling, most of which went to farmers.

A recent House of Commons brief indicated a less extreme disparity, showing that over the period 2011-15, UK funding averaged 15-billion euros and the country received a contribution of 12-billion euros.

There is a history to this. In 1971, such was the desperation to achieve membership

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of the EU after a decade of knocking on the door, that chief negotiator Con O’Neill and his colleagues committed Britain to a share of the EU budget which, at 8.64% in its first year, was steep indeed.

Moreover, four years later the UK share had risen to 18.92%.

The cost of membership has become a major issue. But there’s more to it than budget blues.

Brexit is partly a condemnation of the financial waste and dictatorial workings of the EU. Estimates of the workforce range from 37,000 to 50,000; nobody seems to know the exact figure. Salaries and perks are, to say the least, generous.

Another example is what Britain’s Daily Telegraph dubbed “the travelling circus”.

Once a month the European Parliament decamps, with staff, in three private trains, followed by dozens of trucks laden with files and equipment to Strasbourg where they set up shop for four days before returning to Brussels.

This is apparently to keep the French happy - never easy, they having been miffed by the choice of the Belgian capital as EU headquarters. Annual cost is not known.

Suggestions that EU autocrats favour Strasbourg’s world famous pate de fois have been questioned.

However, the EU’s faults and idiosyncrasies apart, the drift so far is that Britain will have to pay a heavy price for the divorce.

Some senior European negotiators are insisting that the UK may have to stump up as much as 60-billion euros to leave.

There are also suggestions that the EU will further turn the screw by demanding that Britain continues to pay its annual budget tithe for three years after leaving.

CXPRESS

Stuart Murray

So not just a divorce settlement, but alimony too!

Why not just quit and wave a desultory finger Brussels-wise? The short answer is that the imposts are not specifically tied to the break-up; they are the cost - indirectly, of course - of getting a good deal, which basically means access to the single market.

However, achieving an agreement which satisfies Britain is no stroll along the Champs-Elysees. Each member of the EU must agree. So the ghost of De Gaulle is hovering in the mists.

We in South Africa are not free from the uncertainties raised by Brexit. We may have to renegotiate the trade agreements we have with both the EU and UK. And negotiations with Brussels are notoriously time-consuming.

Canada, for example, recently signed off a deal, the culmination of which has taken more than a decade. Each EU member has to sign off any trade agreement, and their needs and outlook differ.

The Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the EU, signed by six African countries including South Africa, currently forms the basis of SA-UK trade.

Our Trade and Industries minister, Dr Rob Davies, has recently revitalised the Africa Export Council - now called Trade Africa - in an attempt to smooth the complexities of doing trade in the continent.

Britain’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Judith Macgregor, avers Brexit is a great opportunity for SA business, stating: “Not only to sell South Africa, but to present a platform for Africa…”

However, Mmatlou Kalabe, lecturer in economics at the University of Pretoria, points out that South Africa has lost its ap-

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petite for trade agreements with the West.

In the league table of trading partners the UK lies in eighth place, trailing even Botswana and Namibia.

Top order is currently China, Germany, Saudi Arabia, the United States, Nigeria, India, and Japan (source: Global Edge).

There is an influential body of opinion that South Africa should concentrate on helping to create and develop a powerful African trade bloc. Another, that we should be looking beyond familiar trading partners in the West and look East - India, China, and Japan for example.

• Stuart Murray (stuartmurray758@gmail. com) is a former senior assistant editor of Financial Mail and co-founder, editor, and CEO of Finance Week. He is retired.

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INTERVAL

20 September 2017

Great truths little kids have learned...

• No matter how hard you try, you can’t baptise a cat.

• When your mom is mad at your dad, don’t let her brush your hair.

• If your sister hits you, don’t hit her back. They always catch the second person.

• Never ask your threeyear-old brother to hold a tomato.

• You can’t trust dogs to

watch your food.

• Don’t sneeze when someone is cutting your hair.

• Never hold a DustBuster and a cat at the same time.

• You can’t hide a piece of broccoli in a glass of milk.

• Don’t wear polka-dot underwear and white shorts.

• The best place to be when you’re sad is Grandma’s lap.

Playing your age lady is having a bad day at the roulette tables in Vegas. She’s down to her last $50.

Exasperated, she exclaims to the whole table: “What rotten luck I’ve had today! What in the world should I do now?”

A man standing next to her suggests: “I don’t know, why don’t you play your age?”

He walks away, but moments later his attention is grabbed by a great com-

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motion at the roulette table. Maybe she won!

He rushes back to the table and pushes his way through the crowd. The lady is lying limp on the floor, with the table operator kneeling over her.

The man is stunned. He asks: “What happened?

Is she all right?”

The operator replies: “I don’t know. She put all her money on 36, and when 47 came up she just fainted.”

A real criminal is hard to find deputy arrested a young man who started verbally complaining to the officer about the injustice of him being arrested. He proclaimed his innocence over and over.

The verbal barrage went on for about fifteen minutes as the deputy drove the young

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man to jail.

Finally, the young man asked the officer in a loud voice: “So tell me then, what do you do when you catch a real criminal?”

The deputy shook his head sadly and responded: “I don’t know.

All I’ve ever caught are innocent people.”

You give a man one job…

FTER 10 years, Mary starts to think that their child looks kinda strange, so she decides to do a DNA test.

When the results finally arrive, Mary finds out that the child is actually from completely different parents.

Mary says to her husband, Dan: “Honey, I have something very serious to tell you.”

Dan: “What’s up?”

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Mary: “According to the DNA test results, this is not our kid…”

Dan: “Well, Darling, you don’t remember, do you? When we were leaving the hospital, we noticed that our baby had pooped. Then you said: ‘Please go change the baby, I’ll wait for you here’.

“So I went back inside, got a clean one and left the dirty one there.”

THAT MOMENT WHEN YOUR MEAT IS ON THE BRAAI AND YOU CAN ALREADY FEEL YOUR MOUTH WATERING...

DO YOU VEGANS FEEL THE SAME WHEN MOWING THE LAWN?

I never made a mistake in my life!

I thought I did once, but I was wrong.

SOCIAL SCENE

20 September 2017

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THE LAST STRAW: Knysna’s first creative hub in the town’s historic Woodmill Lane centre (and which houses ‘the universe’s smallest art gallery’) has declared its own personal war on disposable plastic drinking straws in its Urge Urban Café. “A single plastic straw isn’t much of thing, but when you consider the number of straws that people use every day - and the fact that they usually just get thrown into the trash because each one is so small and apparently insignificant - then you realise that straws become both a major threat to the environment and a symbol of plastic pollution in general,” said Ricardo L van Lingen, who co-founded and runs AvoPomme Creative Hub with his partner, Bernice Haman. “But everyone seems to prefer drinking with a straw, so we’ve teamed up with Woodmill Lane to find various solutions that’ll be both fun and practical. Not everyone wants to carry their own straws around with them, so we decided to be creative, and we came up with the idea of charging a straw tax for people who insist on using plastic straws.” Woodmill Lane director Anouk Edwards says: “The idea of a straw tax is a bit cheeky, but it does highlight our vision for the centre, which is to eventually become completely plastic-free.” Profits from the ‘tax’ - a tongue-incheek way of asking guests to pay R5 for every straw they use to create awareness of the problems of plastic pollution - will benefit a local environmental NGO, and straws will be collected for re-use in a kids crafts programme or other recycling initiatives. Pictured at left are Ricardo and Bernice with a portrait by Avo Pomme’s Artist of the Month for August, Jan Raats, in the background.

People, places & events

PUT A SPRING IN YOUR STEP FOR KNYSNA HOSPICE CAUSE: This year’s Hospice Maison Market will be held at Amble Ridge Village Clubhouse in Sunninghill Drive (first right after Knysna Private Hospital) - a beautiful, spacious venue that enables visitors to view the sale items in comfort and at leisure. Tea, coffee and light refreshments will be available during the sale should you wish to take a break from shopping, and a credit card facility will be on hand. Doors open on Friday September 29 at 10am and the market trades ‘till 6pm, with business hours being 9am to noon on Saturday the 30th. The 2017 Spring Maison Market promises to be ‘the best ever’ for all in search of a treasure. See the advert on page 4 for contact details.

TEN DAYS LEFT TO WALK THE KNYSNA TALK: September is Tourism Month, celebrated annually to encourage South Africans to explore their own country. Knysna & Partners (K&P) has participated with a programme of five different walks in the greater Knysna area, the two remaining excursions being a Forest Walk at Jubilee Creek at 10:30 tomorrow (September 21), and a Main Street Historical Walk from 2-4pm on September 30. Chairperson Elmay Bouwer, pictured at right, says that ‘Walk Knysna’ encourages locals to get to know the area better and possibly do or see something they may not have done before. “SA TourismCEO Sisa Ntshona said during the launch of Tourism Month that we are in a tight economic environment and tourism is one of the sectors that can pull us out,” said Bouwer. “He has urged each province to find what is unique about their region and how it could contribute to tourism. So that is what we are doing in Knysna.” The walks vary in length from one to three hours - visit www.visitknysna.co.za for details. In addition, diarise the Knysna Timber Festival from September 29 to October 1, and the Heritage Day Sedgefield Craft Beer Festival and Annual Heritage Day Event on Sunday the 24th. Knysna will also be represented by K&P at the annual Gauteng Getaway Show this coming weekend. “We are doing everything possible to promote our town,” said Bouwer, “and I would like to urge the community of Knysna do the same. Let’s focus on spreading positive stories about Knysna on social media. Tourism is everyone’s business, and the onus is on each one of us to speak well of Knysna.”

MAKING TREES SING AGAIN: The Nelson Mandela University Campus in George is the hub of activity for the Working with Wood Show and concurrent Association of Woodturners of SA Symposium. One of the highlights on the Symposium’s programme is a demonstration

by American Al Stirt whose career spans more than 40 years. Stirt has exhibited his work all over the world and in various public and private collections. “I find myself always looking for a new means of expression within the turned form,” says Stirt. Visit www.alstirt.com to see his skilfully crafted wooden bowls and platters. The woodturning lectures are open to the public at R120 per single lecture. Symposium participants will be granted free access to the Working with Wood Show, which is open to all timber enthusiasts at a mere R30 entrance fee with demonstrations on the hour every hour, food stalls, trade exhibitions, displays, and lectures to delight any chippie. A talk by master luthier Marc Maingard of internationally renowned Maingard Guitars is sure to make anyone’s heart soar. The man who “makes trees sing again”, will share his passion for timbre and timber while showing some of his instruments in both raw and finished form. At left is a detail of Marc performing inlay work in the neck of one of his pretty guitars.

The TheLemon LemonGrass GrassSeaside Seaside The Lemon Grass Seaside R estaurant Restaurant Restaurant

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CXPRESS

20 September 2017

Paws

Plett Animal Welfare Service

CLASSIFIEDS

ON THE SOAPBOX

20 September 2017

Letters to the Editor

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

Heritage Day is no Braai Day, though braaiing of injustices - including starters. It means going to may be your culture apartheid - would have a Tshisa’Nyama, it means September in South Afrika* is largely celebrated as a month when South Afrikans from all walks of life get to showcase their different vibrant cultures and heritage - an opportunity for all of us to be proud of who we are and what makes us special, be it language, hair, dance, theatre, storytelling, attire or, of course, food.

Food says a lot about who we are, as language does, and everything else that tells one’s story. I would be incomplete without tripe, umphokoqo, umgqusho, utyuthu, and the rest of the Afrikan cuisine that helped mould me and all who look like me.

Obviously the same can be said about white South Afrikans (Afrikaners in particular) and their braaivleis, pap and

wors, biltong, and other treats enjoyed by my white counterparts.

You see, I have no problem with braai, I too braai from time to time with friends and family. In the townships we have what we call ‘Tshisa’Nyama’; the Mzoli’s if you’re in Cape Town, Sakhumzi in Joburg’s Vilakazi Street, and Wa Rafiki in Kwano where we braai, eat, dance and laugh till dawn.

What I have a problem with though is when a national holiday supposed to celebrate the rich heritage we enjoy as a people (both black and white) is reduced into what the media calls Braai Day. What further irritates me is the silence of those whom this unconstitutional tag benefits, not that I am surprised, a lot

ended much sooner had white South Afrikans had the courage to stand up for what is just when it mattered.

Our country has a rich heritage and vibrant cultures across the board, and all enjoy equal status.

It is for this reason that I protest the reduction of such an important day.

‘Braai Day’ celebrates a small fraction of the South Afrikan people, leaving me and millions of other South Afrikans out in the cold, whereas the national ‘Heritage Day’ appreciates all of us.

I remember telling a Caucasian friend that reconciliation means “getting with the programme” and “not resisting change”. It means learning an Afrikan language - try IsiXhosa for

watching the Soweto Derby and being an Orlando Pirates fan, among others.

And for purposes of this letter, it means respecting the country’s laws, finding your place in it and doing your part in crafting a better South Afrika.

Happy Heritage Day! “In time, we shall be in a position to bestow South Afrika the greatest possible gift - a more human face.” - Steve Biko (18 December 1946 to 12 September 1977).

Lest we forget… * Please note that words such as Africa or African are spelled with a ‘k’ as in Afrikan, this is not a spelling error, please consider letting them be should you decide to publish my letter.

Wandisile Afrika Sebezo, KwaNokuthula

Is this the message we want to share with our funders?

Sitting at one of the most beautiful view sites in South Africa, overlooking Lookout Beach and the Keurbooms Lagoon, I watched a community security officer called Ivor diligently showing three young American tourists where a whale and her calf could be seen in the bay.

Their delight was immediately tempered when he went on to warn them that the area was unsafe, and to stick to the path to Lookout Deck. The sign at the top of the path joining Central and Lookout beaches would ensure that visitors did not return.

The small peninsula between Central and Lookout beaches is one of the most beautiful and accessible scenic locations on the SA coast, yet very few get to enjoy it since this precious asset has been hijacked by a small number of homeless living in the bush, and by the criminals exploiting their presence.

It boggles the mind that locals and visitors are warned to stay away from an outstanding scenic area which connects the two most popular beaches in the middle of town.

Homelessness and va-

grancy are challenges faced by all democratic nations and they need to be proactively managed.

Trying to protect our visitors, who ultimately provide the funds to address these very issues, by discouraging them from visiting a prime central location is not the way to go.

‘Keep Away’ warnings will not solve the crimes openly committed in this small area and if the situation is left as is, it’s a matter of time before an assault or robbery ends in tragedy - one that will no doubt be broadcast globally and be to the detriment of all.

So what can be done?

Bitou is one of the wealthier municipalities in SA, with more resources than most. A review of priorities and a re-assigning of existing resources can address this problem quickly and efficiently.

I’m sure Plett locals will be happy to assist in any manner of ways to support a professional and concerted effort to clean up and reopen one of Plett’s most valuable assets.

I routinely see groups of two or more community officers checking the licence disc of a single vehi-

Taking leave of a beloved brother Trevor Glen from Plett shared this image of his brother who passed away last week, and wrote: “I’m always going to miss you my brother, my twin, my best friend, my everything. To me this world will never be the same without you but I know wherever you are, you are with the angels, our grandparents, and our best friends, Khusta and Zaigo.”

DON’T GO THERE: This warning is necessitated by the fact that criminals are not kept at bay in one of Plett’s most scenic places

cle on Main Street; one officer is enough for this job.

This would free up officers that could be reallocated to protect and enhance strategic long-term assets like the Lookout peninsula.

Municipal officers spend eight hours a day keeping watch over an automatic speed camera. This is not efficient use of official resources and other outsourced methods have been proven to be equally or more effective, and significantly cheaper.

Funds saved in manhours and vehicle costs could be reallocated to support a team of dedicated and trained community environmental officers.

An immediate, simple, and low-cost remedy would be to clear out the bush dwellings and open pathways for people to use freely and safely. A drone survey can cost-effectively identify the sites to be cleared out.

Routine clearing by authorised clean up teams (including volunteers) will discourage vagrancy and make it more difficult for criminals to exploit the situation and blame the homeless currently living there.

This relatively small number of bush-dwellers

could be incorporated into a municipal support system that all South African municipalities should implement to address the ever-increasing problem of homelessness and related crime. Perhaps another initiative where Bitou could lead the way?

There are multiple security organisations and volunteer groups in Plett that could assist officials in the routine bush clearing and patrols. The patrols should also carry on well into the evening when people want to enjoy the sunset.

Bitou community officers with an interest in nature should be trained as members of a dedicated team to protect and enhance Plett’s most valuable assets. Motivated locals should be identified and enthused.

I know of one at least.

How about starting with Ivor? He has shown his ability to engage with visitors and is keen to learn more about the natural wonders of our coast.

Basic conservation and information training can be provided by any number of internationallyrespected experts living and working in Plett. I am sure they would be happy to work with the municipality and share their knowledge with community officers who are genuinely interested.

Imagine a smart, uniformed, and knowledgeable community officer enthusiastically telling three young American visitors all about the whales less than 50m away, rather than the assaults they risk less than 50m away.

Dion Jerling, Plett

CXPRESS

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SPORT & ADVENTURE

20 September 2017

Fabulous Morris Minors feature on Heritage Tour 2017 O less than four Morris Minor 1000 models will take part in the sixth Liquorland Heritage Tour from September 23 to 27 - one of the highlights on the Southern Cape Old Car Club (SCOCC) calendar.

Blanco-based gear head Pierre Olivier, who chairs the organising committee, is particularly proud of his Morris Minor 1000, found six years ago in a barn in Robertson where it had been stored for more than two decades.

Although still complete, it needed serious restora-

N

tion - the brake pads, for instance, were completely rusted away.

Olivier lovingly restored it and will show off this favourite mode of transport of his for the sixth time during this month’s Heritage Tour.

The Morris Minor 1000 was manufactured by the British Motor Company from the mid-50s to early 70s, and became the UK’s most favoured family car.

More than 1.5-million were made and the model is still a coveted collector’s item in former British colonies

like South Africa and Australia, as well as the States and Canada.

Olivier says this forerunner of the ever-popular Mini was quite advanced for its time.

“It sported a rack and pinion steering mechanism, which is still used today. It was also one of the first cars boasting torsion bar front suspension.”

The door opening of his two-door model is slightly larger than that of the four-door version, making it easier for the tall-framed Olivier to get in and out of

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Addo, Graaff Reinet, and Willowmore before returning to George via De Rust on September 27.

Residents of towns and places of interest along the just over 1,000km route are invited to meet the owners and have a closer look at their vintage vehicles - visit www.scocc.co.za for the full itinerary.

Toni takes silver at ‘Maritzburg worlds

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show off their 1958 model, and Sydney and Daphne Young from Tulbagh their 1961 exemplar.

The Heritage Tour departs from the PreCap Centre in Courtenay Street on Saturday the 23rd from 7am. The fleet then travels along the R62 to overnight in Jeffrey’s Bay, from where they head to the village of

Three cheers to Toni Mould for bringing home silver after the 2017 Paracycling Road World Championships in Pietermaritzburg. This is the Plett-bred paracyclist’s first international medal and we congratulate her with this incredible achievement. Read the background story on page 12 of the August 9 edition at www.cxpress.co.za and visit https://tonikm. wordpress.com for Toni’s blow by blow account of her word champs experience.

Celebrate

we are ne or PEeNa Ow h on P5EtN O2 P t E S25 T.h

his car. Wife Tilly will accompany him on this year’s Heritage Tour.

Other participating Morris Minor 1000s include a 1957 model belonging to George Marx and Mariette Terblanche from Tergniet, who are also taking part for the sixth time this year. Danabaai residents Jan and Anita Wright will

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