28 October 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
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Plett GP in C-19 vaccine team - p2 Knysna kidnapping thwarted - p3 Ready for wildfires round two? - p4
Photo: Mia Roberts
According to Plett marine mammal expert Dr Gwenith Penry - a member of Nelson Mandela University’s Coastal and Marine Research Institute - the increase in whale sightings currently perceived is mainly due to the fact that humpbacks’ southern migration is now in full swing. Read the full story on page 3. We thank Greenwood Bay College student Mia Roberts, 16, for sharing this spectacular image of a humpback breaching in the bay last weekend.
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NEWS & VIEWS
28 October 2020
Message of hope from local member of medical fraternity: establish the safety and ef“Please share this message of we’re trying to beat the virus toficacy hope with your readers to exof each vaccine. Due to
Plettenberg Bay GP Dr Pieter Vollgraaff is one of a select team of medical practitioners putting their heads together to find a vaccine that may stop the spread of Covid-19 OR patients of Dr Pieter Vollgraaff who thought he may have forsaken them since leaving his hometown last month, great news is that the good doctor is hard at work in Limpopo Province, to contribute towards stopping the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic in its tracks. Dr Vollgraaff said he was honoured when a friend and colleague gave him a call to ask his assistance with a study that may well make a positive impact on the lives of people across our country and the globe. “It truly is a privilege to be in a position to actively make a difference by finding a solution to stop this worldwide pandemic, which is causing such heartbreak and has destroyed so many lives.” He is currently working as a clinical research investigator at the Limpopo Clinical Research Initiative in Thabazimbi. The team has embarked on two vaccine studies, the vaccines in question being provided by Pfizer and Novavax respectively. “Both of these studies need to be completed in a limited amount of time to try getting a vaccine available as soon as possible. Our team works very hard towards this end and, needless to say, days consist of long working hours.” The team consists of three
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the importance and magnitude of studies like these, we get monitored on a regular basis to make sure our data is correct and of the highest quality.” Dr Vollgraaff expressed his gratitude for the privilege to be able to serve SA citizens and the world at large in this way, and added that he would be “back in our beautiful town soon to serve the local community.
plain that their doctors didn’t just disappear on them, but are in search of a solution to the Covid-19 crisis.” He concluded with a quote from Hippocrates that perfectly describes his vision for medicine: “Whenever the art of medicine is loved, there is also a love of humanity.” • See the advert on this page for additional information.
Plett Bra Dash a blast!
VOL MOED: Dr Vollgraaff pictured in mid-deliberation at the Limpopo Clinical Research Initiative in Thabazimbi
“investigators” (medical doctors) along with nursing staff, pharmacists, and study coordinators. All participants are volunteers who have taken this opportunity to contribute to the cause, amid many parts of the world experiencing a second wave of infections. “Each study has different criteria to be met by participants, which enables us to include it in the findings. It’s our job to ensure a participant meets the criteria and to collect data,” he explained. “The data collected are extremely time-sensitive and need to be entered in a specific time frame. Our main objective is
The crew at popular Plett restaurant nineteen89 invited all to join them for a fun dash down Main Street, to create awareness of the disease during October’s national Breast Cancer Month activities, while also raising funds for the cause… all of it dressed in ‘your favourite pink bra or sportswear’. And come last Saturday, locals and visitors heeded this call en masse. Hats off (and bras on!) to these caring restaurateurs and their staff, who’ve been working their floor sporting pink-bra t-shirts during the weeks leading up to Saturday’s event. Pictured below are, from left, Nick Kennedy with Wesley and Jason Whitehead. Visit the gallery at www.cxpress. co.za for more images, and diarise October 30 for the Shades of Pink Fun Walk/Run, hosted by Pink Plett and starting at Longstone Park from 5pm on Friday. - Photos: Martin Hurwitz
NEWS & VIEWS
28 October 2020
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Knysna crime-fighting units nab six suspects for kidnapping and extortion APID response after the disappearance of a 20-year-old man at Concordia in Knysna on Saturday October 24 at about 6pm resulted in the arrest of six
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suspects on charges of kidnapping and extortion. Said local police spokesman sergeant Christopher Spies: “Investigation revealed that a man contact-
ed the father of the victim telephonically. He threatened him and demanded an amount of cash for the release of his son.” Keeping his wits about
Current southern right whale count rivals lowest in four decades URING the past fortnight, reports of marine-mammal sightings from land-based observation points have been rife, with tour boat operators and observation teams confirming this trend. A post by the Nature’s Valley Trust (NVT) marine team on October 19 is a case in point. Under the heading ‘Whale Madness Monday!’ it reads, inter alia: “Some days, we get a really beautiful and fruitful research day at sea. Today was one of those days. “In total, we sighted 11 humpback whales. The ocean was beautifully calm with a little bit of swell perfect trial conditions. However, this does not mean that we managed to achieve a large amount of completed trials. Whales are extremely unpredictable and we never truly know what to expect. “The first group encountered disappeared on us during a trial; the second group was a mother and calf, which we avoided; however, the third was a social group of five, and they truly spoilt us with a breath-taking trial.” The team added that they were fortunate to complete a smooth trial on a group of three humpback dolphins at the outset of their excursion - visit NVT Marine Team on Facebook for additional information and images. After an especially memorable 90 minutes of wit-
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nessing the aquatic antics of a humpback mother and calf in the bay between The Wedge and Beacon Island’s Blinders two Sundays ago, CXPRESS consulted with local marine mammal fundi Dr Gwenith Penry to ascertain whether this display pointed to a general hike in number of sightings along the Southern Cape coast. “The current increase in whale sightings is mainly due to the southern migration of humpback whales now being in full swing. They are moving back south from their breeding grounds off Madagascar and Mozambique, passing our coastline before heading south to Antarctic feeding areas,” Penry said. “The reason they are coming in close - and thus allowing people to view them easily from shore - is because they have calves with them. Since these youngsters are only a few months old, they need to rest in shallow bays like Plett before continuing their long journey.” Penry explained that the humpbacks seen along the Garden Route coast belong to what is known as C Stock - a unique subpopulation of Southern Hemisphere humpback whales that are genetically distinct from others. The now famous “super groups” that are seen in their hundreds off the west coast at this time of year belong to B Stock, and are genetically and behav-
iourally different from the whales seen locally. “With regard to southern right whales, data paint a different picture. Members of the Marine Research Institute flew their annual aerial survey at the beginning of October and recorded the second-lowest count of these whales in the history of the survey 41 years - and that applies to the entire coast. “We think this is due to climate change resulting in warming oceans and a reduction in the abundance of their prey. “This means these animals don’t get enough food to build up energy reserves for the migration to their breeding grounds off the South African coast.” According to Penry, an upside is detected in terms of Bryde’s whales: “There has been quite a lot of bait fish around over the past few weeks, which will attract Bryde’s whales into the bay to feed. “This species is resident closer inshore and they move along the coast to follow sardine and anchovy. So there may have been increased sightings of them, too, because of the current presence of fish in the bay.” • Dr Gwenith Penry is attached to the Coastal and Marine Research Institute of Nelson Mandela University. When detecting whales in distress, call the Plett Marine Animal Stranding Hotline on 079 463 4837.
him, the father immediately alerted the local police about the disappearance of his son, as well as the telephone conversation. Information about the whereabouts of the victim pointed to a house in Concordia, which they reached at 10pm on Saturday night. “Vigilant members at-
tached to the Knysna Visible Policing and Crime Prevention units descended on the house, where they found the victim on the floor with his hands and feet tied with a rope. “A further search of the premises resulted in the arrest of six suspects and the confiscation of a cellphone
that belonged to one of the perpetrators,” said Spies adding that the suspects, aged between 20 and 29, were still in custody by going to print. “They appeared in Knysna Magistrate’s Court on Monday October 26 and investigation into this matter continues.”
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NEWS & VIEWS
28 October 2020
While California burns, Knysna and Plett are reloading for round two of severe wildfires ITH world news headlines dominated by Covid-19 and lockdown-related matters, alongside heated US politics and current affairs, the largest wildfire disaster in recorded American history rages on in California and Western America. “So in spite of its severe impact, this catastrophe hardly makes the headlines,” says Cobus Meiring of the Southern Cape Landowners Initiative (SCLI). According to the latest media reports, critical fire weather remains in effect across much of Northern California, with firefighters on high alert for the possibility of new fast-moving wildfires. Some media reports refer to the 2020 wildfire season as the first ‘gigafire’ in modern history. Says Meiring: “Comparing to fires that affected the Southern and Western Cape over the past three years, the size and scale of the Western American wildfire theatre is simply staggering. “To date, well over 2-million hectares have been reduced to ashes, with 9,000+ dwellings and structures destroyed, including untold damage to grid infrastructure, the natural environment and productive agricultural land. And there’s no end in sight yet.” Just like in South Africa, climate change has set the perfect platform for intense wildfires across the globe over past decades. “A marked rise in day and night temperatures, changes in rainfall and snow patterns, shifts in plant communities, stronger winds, and other factors related to
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POST-APOCALYPTIC: In the aftermath of the 2017 fires, photos such as this showing a burnt Knysna landscape with newly-emerging flowers flooded the media
climate change all contribute to setting the scene for increasingly severe wildfires over much larger areas than ever before.” According to Meiring, the only reason Southern and Western Cape communities have not recently suffered severe wildfire disasters is because much of the flammable invasive alien plant material that fuels intense wildfires, has been burnt to ashes and is only now maturing to sufficient mass. “In mitigation of environmental conditions conducive to out-of-control wildfires, the persistent drought experienced during the past decade has largely been broken by the return of favourable rains and, as a result, flammable material is now not as dry as during the harsh drought. The suppression of wildfires also al-
lowed biomass to grow and accumulate over time. “But monitoring presentday aggressive regrowth patterns of invasive aliens along known fire paths in the Southern Cape, following the 2017 and 2018 wildfire disasters, puts justice to the term ‘Knysna reloaded’,” he says. SCLI and many landowners have gone to great lengths to implement Invasive Alien Plant Control Plans to eradicate these plants on private land. However, unwanted biomass, potentially providing fuel for a recurrence of the 2017/18 Garden Route fires, is clearly visible and growing rapidly. Meiring says funding streams generated to assist in dealing with invasive aliens have since been diverted to serve Covid-19 relief efforts. Landowners now have to take full responsibility for controlling what grows on their land. “They have little choice but to adhere to strict environmental management guidelines governing invasive plant control, or face stringent penalties issued by environmental management authorities such as the Green Scorpions,” he warns. “Many Knysna and Plett landowners are setting the scene for a repeat of the 2017 catastrophe by allowing the large-scale return of invasive aliens. All that is required for the next disaster is the right climate conditions, sufficient fuel loads, and a spark,” Meiring concludes. Visit www.scli.org.za for more information on dealing with invasive alien plants on your property.
SOCIAL SCENE
28 October 2020 KLEIN ENGEL KLARA GROET DIE WÊRELD: Klara Engelbrecht het op 22 September haar trotse ouers Hein en Andri - eienaars van Sportsman’s Pub net buite Plettenbergbaai - se lewens kom verbly. Die paartjie het hul dank uitgespreek teenoor George Mediclinic vir puik diens, en het slegs lof vir Dr Faf van der Merwe, wie hul dogtertjie die lig laat sien het. Andri en Hein sê ook duisend dankies aan Esther Reid vir die lieflike foto’s. Veels geluk aan die Engelbrechts met die koms van hul eerste engeltjie.
Photos: Esther Reid Photoraphy
TWO DECADES OF JOYFUL TRADING: On October 24 Harkerville Saturday Market, situated on the N2 midway between Plett and Knysna, celebrated the 20th anniversary of its founding. From humble beginnings with a handful of vendors selling fresh produce and food from foldaway tables, the market has grown to some 80-90 stalls housed in permanent structures, offering bread, pastries, cakes, eats, drinks, conserves, vegetables and fruit, as well as a range of arts and crafts. Founded by Menno and Wil Hiemstra, the market has become a regional destination of choice and trades from 8am to 12 noon, come rain or shine. On Saturday, every 10th visitor to the market was presented with a hamper of vegetables and flowers, courtesy of the Hiemstras and vendor François Barnard of the Welgeluksalig ‘Thrice-blessed’ fresh produce stall. Pictured above are the first hamper recipients, Sandra Forbes and Coenraad Swart. Below are some of the founding stall-holders who have traded every Saturday for the past 20 years. From left are Patrick Dicey, George Mhuriro, Khitho Ncapha, Princess Nkohlo, Sasha Lewtschenko, and Gerald Lewis. Visitors make a point of mentioning the warm ambiance of having breakfast under the spreading oak tree and talking to those who purvey their merchandise. We congratulate the Harkerville Market team on 20 years of successful trading and wishes them everything of the best for the next two decades. - Timothy Twidle
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People, places & events
CXPRESS
INTERVAL
28 October 2020
“Armstrong,” the boss said, “I happen to know that the reason you didn’t come to work yesterday was that you were out playing golf.” “That’s a rotten lie!” Armstrong protested. “And I have the fish to prove it!”
OH SO HAPPY
today’s the day!”
A sex therapist has a theory that couples who make love once a day are the happiest. So he tests it at a seminar by asking those assembled: “How many people here make love once a day?” Half the people raise their hands, each of them grinning widely. “Once a week?” the therapist asks. A third of the audience members raise their hands, their grins a bit less vibrant. “Once a month?” A few hands tepidly go up. Then the therapist asks: “Ok, how about once a year?” A man in the back leaps up and down, jubilantly waving his hands. The therapist is shocked - this disproves his theory. “If you make love only once a year, why are you so happy?” The man yells: “Because
OCEAN OF BEER Jon and Jim are adrift in a lifeboat for days. While rummaging through the boat’s provisions, Jim stumbles across an old lamp. When he touches it, a genie comes forth. This particular genie, however, states that she can deliver only one wish, not the standard three. Without giving much thought, Jon blurts out: “Make the entire ocean into beer!” The genie claps her hands and the entire sea turns into brew. Jim looks disgustedly at Jon and says: “Nice going! Now we’re going to have to pee in the boat.”
COME AGAIN? One day Corporal Conroy needed to use a pay
phone, but didn’t have change for a dollar. He saw Private Duncan mopping the base’s corridor floors, and asked him: “Soldier, do you have change for a dollar?” Private Duncan replied: “Sure.”
The Corporal turned red, and shouted: “That’s no way to address a superior officer! Now let’s try it again, shall we? Private, do you have change for a dollar?” Private Duncan replied: “No, SIR!
This is Wilson. He is now working from home.
Did you hear about the four walruses who decided to form a rock band? They have just completed their album and the first single is called ‘I am the Beatle’.
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crossword
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ent book Testam 14 Old (7) (5) 16 Fiddle (5)
s? — narcotic
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ON THE SOAPBOX
28 October 2020
Letters to the Editor
Email: editor@cxpress.co.za - Fax: 044 533 0852 - PO Box 1449, Plett 6600
The entire New Horizons now doubles as an illegal dumping ground The CXPRESS article on illegal dump sites in KwaNokuthula becoming community gardens [read it on page 5 of the October 21 edition at www.cxpress.co.za] was most encouraging. By contrast, almost all of New Horizons’ streets are an illegal dump site. This has been the case for a long time and is a real eyesore as well as being a
serious health hazard. The reasons for this are not hard to find and the following have a bearing on it: • Insufficient refuse collection by Bitou Municipality; • Too few bins and tips, and when there are tips they are not removed fast enough to prevent overflowing; • No street sweepers;
• Probably, residents are feeling their town council does not care for them, “so throw it in the street” - anything from garbage to broken furniture; • There seems to be no input from the Health Inspector, if there is one anymore. • Possibly, the problem is exacerbated by a feeling of hopelessness, as requests for help do not
result in any action. The runoff from these streets gets into our streams and no doubt there are other knockon effects. I suggest your photographer takes a drive around New Horizons to record this state of affairs, especially along the roads above St Mary’s Anglican Church and around the soccer field. Peter Stratten, Plett
After the riots: A plea to the people of Greater Plett The people of Qolweni have for many years urged Bitou Municipality to give us sites for houses. Our aim was to save our government a lot of money, as they said in 1994: the government is governed by the people and those who can afford to build houses for themselves, must do so. Not all South Africans need free everything from our government. There are so many poor people in this community who really need help. There are very old people who have been here for over 30 years, waiting and waiting for houses. So I urge all of us in Plettenberg Bay to work together with the people of Qolweni. Remember, the riots don’t only affect
us, it affects everyone in the Greater Plett. We must stop pointing fingers. We must all stand up and once again make our small town the place to be. Love, sharing, and working together can rebuild our trust and our economy. Let’s show South Africa that nothing is impossible. It’s time to build a bright future for the next generation. Remember, without involving the colour of our skin and politics, we are all human, so let’s bring back our humanity. Your child is my child; losing a child is very painful and sad, and even worse when you live in an informal settlement where you can afford to build a house, but you’re
Feedback on white-fronted plovers’ breeding progress
Your coverage of our plovers’ plight was absolutely amazing, thanks! I am so pleased with how the story has turned out [read it on page 2 of the October 21 edition at www.cxpress.co.za]. We ringed our first two chicks on Lookout Beach last Thursday, and found three more nests. I’m holding thumbs that they make it… - Brittany Arendse, Plett. (Brittany is the Nature’s Valley Trust conservation ecologist, and responsible for the story and photos in our previous edition, and images in the gallery on our website - Eds.)
not allowed to. I write this letter from the bottom of my heart. Let’s stand together - I know we can do it. I thank you and wish a happy season for us all, but please be safe. Covid-19 is still living with us, so sanitise, wear your mask, and take care. Selina Mgijima, Plett (Karin Bass shared this letter, penned by her employee Selina Mgijima in the aftermath of the Qolweni riots. Karin wrote: “Selina is a smart, friendly, caring person and we have a lot of respect for her. The riots affected her deeply, as it did so many lives in Qolweni. “During the four days of demonstrations, a fire de-
stroyed her sister’s house as well as the house of her sister’s neighbours, who tragically lost their 17-year-old son in the fire. Their little daughter was also badly burnt and at the time of writing, was fighting for her life in a Cape Town hospital.” CXPRESS learnt that the fire was caused by an electrical fault and not by the riots, but the situation added to the family’s distress: with no emergency personnel prepared to enter the conflict area, the bereft parents were told to wait until morning before a forensic team would collect their son’s remains. Selina’s letter was partly inspired by this traumatic experience. - Eds.)
Horse-whipping belongs to a former era I read in the media that the use of the whip, or what in South Africa is euphemistically called a ‘crop’, is once again under discussion in horse racing circles. What a sad and depressing subject this is. Although the use of a whip or crop in horse racing has been the centre of debate, both inside and outside of racing circles for many years, no satisfactory answer has been arrived at, as both pro and anti-groups continue to debate the topic. Certain limits have been placed on the use of the crop while racing, such as the fact that it may only be used during the final 200 metres of a race, the horse may receive but a limited number of strokes per stride, the use of a lighter crop, and punishment of jockeys
who overuse the crop. But the practice as a whole is barbaric and surely does not fit into the expectations of modern society, the current racing scene, or animal lovers in general. The ludicrous argument put forward by certain members of the racing fraternity, that the horse does not feel pain when whipped, defies logic. Why is the crop in use at all then? I am told that a horse can feel a fly on its skin; if so, a blow from a forcefully swung crop must be extremely painful. Is it not time for the use of crops to be banned and for these instruments of torture to become some curious museum items that remind of a former, primitive era? Kevin Meineke, Plett
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CLASSIFIEDS
28 October 2020
Paws
Plett Animal Welfare Service