29 November 2017

29 November 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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Plett playground now open!

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Plett lifeguard Shuwane Sinclair paddles up for a close encounter with dolphins playing in the surf off Central Beach on Sunday afternoon, while revellers at Plett’s Wine and Bubbly Fest enjoyed the second day of this brilliant annual event just a few metres away in a fabulous marquee. Turn to page 4 to find out more about Bitou’s combined security force that will ensure the safety of Plett Ragers and seasonal visitors, and see page 9 for feedback on the Wine and Bubbly festivities.

Premier Zille impressed with Bitou desalination plant - p3

Miss Universe Demi-Leigh makes us proud - p5

KwaNokuthula begs for CBD facelift - p11

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NEWS & VIEWS

29 November 2017

Unsung Heroes: Meet the members of the Plett Choir As the next musical fundraiser for Hospice Plett is fast approaching, LADY ANNABELLE CONYNGHAM shared this brief alphabetical CV of choristers who will once again form the backbone of December’s musical highlight ‘Invitation to a Miracle’ HE deep common thread binding this choir is, of course, music - both choral and instrumental. It has been fascinating to read their biographies, whence they came to Plett, their diverse interests, backgrounds, and careers.

Many sing in the various church choirs of Plettenberg Bay. Each person’s biography could fill a page but unfortunately space does not allow so herewith the thumbnail version...

• Gizella Wertheim Aymes runs a property business in Johannesburg from Plett.

• Renata Boni attended the Music, Art and Ballet School in Joburg, toured America and Germany as a gospel singer, and has released five CDs. She is the principal of estate agency Just Property.

• Georg von dem Bussche has an encyclopaedic knowledge of trees; walking is his hobby and singing his pleasure. He is German by culture and South African by choice.

• Babs Davies was born and brought up in Wales, with music in her heart and poetry in her soul, in the great Welsh tradition.

• Thelma de Gouveia is a Sunday school teacher, netball coach, and computer specialist.

• Jane Donald grew up in South West Africa before moving to SA. She plays the flute, recorder, and guitar, and has been teaching the latter for the past 15 years.

• Eveleigh Driver was born and lived in Southern Rhodesia, completed her LRSM (Licentiate of the Royal Schools of Music) and has taught music over many years.

• Elsie Erasmus is a retired teacher who grew up in a musical family. Her grandfather,

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Jeffreys Bay 22 Jeffreys Street 042 293 1040

PK de Villiers, was a professor of music whose cousin, HL de Villiers, wrote ‘Die Stem’.

• Peter Gaylard is a Professor of Chemical Engineering and has been singing in choirs for 30 years, moving from treble to tenor and subsequently, bass.

• Rae Gilbert qualified as high school teacher and worked in human resource management for 15 years. She has focused on garden design and growing roses for the past two decades, Bosky Dell rose garden receiving international recognition two years ago.

• Monica Harris has been a member of St Thomas Methodist Choir for the past 12 years.

• Bill Harrison is a chartered accountant and spent his working life in the engineering and steel industry. He has sung in church choirs and choral societies since the 1950s, including PACT, the State Opera, and Johannesburg Philharmonic Society choirs.

• Wil Hiemstra started singing at a very early age in a choir conducted by the principal of the Royal Music Conservatoire in The Hague. She also plays the guitar.

• Ted Horn retired to Plett after a successful career in engineering and currently finds himself again in the engineering trade, manufacturing deep sea fishing lures. He is a Springbok angler/skipper and an avid rugby enthusiast.

• Denise Hugo taught for eight years, later qualifying as a professional tennis coach. She has sung in church choirs for 40 years.

• Billy Ingram lived in Germiston, working in the non-ferrous metal industry as a metallurgist. He sang in St Boniface Anglican Church choir in Ger-

miston and the Bach Choir before retiring to Plett in 1997.

• Penny Kerr plays the piano and performed with Durban Philharmonic at a very early age.

She became a neurosurgical registrar and pilots a small plane.

• Willa Knoetze has spent her whole life singing in choirs and ensembles, singing IS her life.

• Evangeline Koeberg teaches currently at The Crags Primary School; she loves hiking and has completed the Otter, Tsitsikamma and Outeniqua trails.

• Maria Kruger was born in Germany but has lived in SA for the last 50 years. The guitar was her first instrument, and she currently serves as organist in the Catholic Church.

• Frances Luttig grew up in a musical home. She is a teacher and is creatively occupied with handwork.

• David Matthews has been teaching maths for 60 years. In the early 70s, he established a multi-racial school in Botswana which he subsequently headed. In early retirement with wife Hilary, he reopened Tiger Kloof - a mission school close to Kuruman. Initially an English teacher, Hilary later worked in education reconstruction and development.

• Jane Mullin was born in the UK, moved to Joburg with her husband, and then to Plett. She has sung in choirs in both towns.

• Lydia Nel has sung in choirs since her schooldays.

• Ruby Ovenstone is an artist living in The Crags, playing with glass and fire and the joy of alchemy.

• Dee Pelham-Reid has sung with the Bach, St Paul’s Festival, and Bath Cathedral Choirs during the 40 years she lived abroad. She currently owns a

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• Roxanne Sayer was born in Rhodesia and moved with her husband to SA in 1969. She has dabbled in amateur theatre, arts and crafts, and writing.

• Maria Schellus has a scientific background and lives in Keurboomstrand.

• Cynthis Smith worked for a Christian Missionary Society before moving with her family to Plett.

• Tina van Reenen spent her childhood in Kenya and works with her husband at Marine Way Animal Hospital in Plett.

• Kathleen van Staden grew up in a parsonage where her family made music around a piano. Under the banner ‘Alpha under a Tree’ she conducts gospel outreaches to touch the unreachable.

• Lia Wells is a Grade 11 student at Greenwood Bay College and has been taking singing lessons with her grandmother, Jill Kirkland-Wells, for nine years. Occupational Therapy or Psychology are possible career paths.

Invitation to a Miracle by Joseph M Martin is a Christmas cantata by candlelight that takes place at Ouland Royale in Plett on December 16 at 7pm, with the combined talents of conductor Robyn Brouckaert, choir mistress/accompanist Jill Kirkland, chief narrator David Hall-Green, and a handful of Hospice Plett, PAWS, and B10F-affiliated folk who will tell this Christmas tale in English, Afrikaans, Dutch, Xhosa, French, and Italian.

Email plettinfo@telkomsa. net or call 044 533 3219 for details or to book.

(See the choir pic on page 9.)

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NEWS & VIEWS

29 November 2017

CXPRESS

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‘Cutting edge’ is how premier defines rebuilding efforts after June conflagration Western Cape premier Helen Zille visited the Garden Route to lend her support to post-fire ecological recovery efforts by the Southern Cape Landowners Initiative (SCLI), among others - CANDICE LUDICK reports REMIER Zille delivered the key-note address at an environmental seminar held at the Brenton-on-Sea community hall on November 23 and 24.

The seminar was co-hosted by the Garden Route Rebuild Initiative (GRRI), the Southern Cape Fire Protection Association, Nelson Mandela University’s Sustainability Research Unit, Eden District Municipality, Knysna Municipality, Working on Fire, and the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF).

(Visit www.scli.org.za for information on the role of the SCLI.) The focus was a reflection on rehabilitation efforts to

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date, the current state of affairs, and future plans for the severely affected sensitive natural habitat in the region. All conservation efforts dealing specifically with the post-fire aftermath have been consolidated into the GRRI Environmental Work Stream (find out more at www.gardenrouterebuild.co.za).

“Sustainable development must become the norm,” said Zille. She commended the GRRI on having developed a strategy toward resilience, saying that “the key lies in the implementation”.

Susan Campbell, a local resident and environmental lawyer, urged those involved in planning to consider fire risks when drawing up

plans. She pointed out the inherent risk of urbanisation in areas where fynbos, which needs to burn to propagate, is prevalent.

Garden Route National Park manager Paddy Gordon echoed her concerns when mentioning that although planned burning was an essential part of fire mitigation in fynbos regions, it remained difficult to get the necessary permissions.

Zille also visited a site where fibre blankets and eco-sausages made from invasive poplar shavings had been used to stabilise burnt areas to mitigate the risk of landslides.

Restoration ecology contractors explained the process of spreading indigenous

Zille lauds management of Bitou’s desalination plant

TESTING THE WATER: Bitou mayor Peter Lobese, premier Helen Zille, and Eden District mayor Memory Booysen at Plett’s desalination plant on Thursday - Photo: Martin Hatchuel

ESTERN Cape premier Helen Zille has lauded the design and management of Bitou’s desalination plant. She was in the area last Thursday to speak at the S-Cape Landowner’s Initiative’s Environmental Seminar 2017, and to inspect projects related to the Garden Route Rebuild Initiative.

Talking about drought mitigation measures in Bitou, she said: “Roodefontein Dam is currently 72% full, and augmentation schemes in this municipality include equipping two new boreholes in Kurland, four in KwaNokuthula, and

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four in Uplands.

“Drilling for these boreholes has already commenced, and we’re also planning two additional boreholes in Harkerville.

After inspecting Plett’s desalination plant, Zille met with the town’s political and administrative leadership in the council chambers.

“It was amazing to see a desalination plant in that beautiful location right next to the lagoon, and to see the technology at work,” she said.

“Even more amazing for me was to see how you have resolved major technological problems that have

been worrying - for example the way you handle the brine that can be toxic if it’s dumped near the coastline.”

Bitou’s plant sends the brine out in plumes so that the wind blows it around, and wave action then churns so that absorption has no impact on the ocean.

“This is exciting because it may be a technique we can use elsewhere in the province, rather than spending millions on pumping the brine far out to sea,” said Zille.

“I was also fascinated to hear that you’re extracting water from a well point in the lagoon, because everything I’ve heard and read about desalination says that you have to extract the water from a clear open ocean space.

“But here you’re allowing the sand to do half of the work by filtering it first, which also saves lots of money - as does your use of a turbine that saves 40% on your electricity bill. I’ve been very impressed, and I’ve learned a lot technically,” she said.

seeds while simultaneously preventing erosion by means of hydra-mulching, or spraying wood pulp impregnated with adhesive and seeds, on burn-affected slopes.

Zille said she was “enormously impressed” with the region’s restoration efforts to date.

“This is really cutting-edge stuff,” the premier said.

NOT BUCKLED BY ECO-PRESSURE: The premier was particularly impressed with the fibre blankets and ecosausages made from invasive poplar shavings used to stabilise burnt areas to mitigate the risk of landslides; pictured with her is Japie Buckle of Environmental Affairs - Photo: Candice Ludick

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CXPRESS

NEWS & VIEWS

29 November 2017

Security and emergency services join hands to ensure Ragers’ safety A massive joint security plan has been put together to keep the thousands of school leavers, who are about to descend on the Plettenberg Bay for the annual Plett Rage festival, safe and sound - YOLANDÉ STANDER reports LETTENBERG Bay Crime Prevention Association (PBCPA) spokesman Marius Venter said this year’s security plan was the biggest yet in terms of cooperation between various authorities.

“Everyone is working on this, from the police and the PBCPA to non-profit organisations and locals,” Venter said.

Although Bitou Municipality is yet to confirm this year’s venue approval following an application to make use of Central Beach and a farm outside Plett off the N2 adjacent to Buco, the security plan has been drawn up around these venues.

One of the major focus

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points of the security plan is the transport of students. This year transport - via a selected service provider - will be free to students travelling designated routes to and from Coco Valley (Rietvlei Farm) between 7pm and 4am.

A new feature this year is that as long as students reside within the town’s residential area, the taxi associations involved have committed to dropping them at their accommodation on their homeward journey to avoid students walking home at night.

Daytime and non-designated routes will be “cash rides”. The agreed rates will be displayed in each accredited taxi.

Since student accommodation is set to be spread over a wide area again this year, various authorities will be monitoring student movement across the town through intense patrols.

Several police patrol vehicles along with officers will be deployed to focus on Rage patrols along Central and other frequented beaches, the N2 towards Coco Valley, as well as residential areas where students are scheduled to stay.

Bitou’s law enforcement unit will also be out in full force along key points, while local and provincial traffic departments will be deployed to ensure safety of students on the town’s roads.

Crime fighters jacket up for season N the spirit of goodwill and partnerships in crime prevention, PBCPA chairperson Bruce Richardson arranged PBCPAsponsored reflector jackets for both Plett and KwaNokuthula Community Police Forum (CPF) executive committee members.

The jackets were handed over by Richardson to CPF chairperson Columbus Siphango, CPF secretary Renecia Leonard, and CPF PRM pastor Andre Johnson on November 16 at Café Luiz, preceding a meeting to strategise today’s Unity Parade (see the invitation by captain Marlene Pieterse, at right).

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Over and above extensive patrolling, the PBCPA will run the joint operations centre (JOC) at Coco Valley and deploy its newly-acquired mobile operations caravan to serve as external JOC. Members will also keep a watchful eye on vulnerable students and monitor Plett Rage taxi compliance, to name but a few.

To bolster safety even further there will also be civilian patrols, private and event security at the venues, Red Frogs assistance to vulnerable students, and Medlife Ambulance Services for medical emergencies, while the NSRI will respond to emergencies on the beach.

Unite against crime TODAY! OME share the spirit of operational readiness for the 2017 Festive Season.

All are invited to the Unity Parade starting at 10:30am on November 29 in front of LM in Plett in Main Street.

The parade will show residents and visitors that the Plett Police, Bitou Municipality’s Public Safety sector, security stakeholders, and emergency and medical services are prepared for Plett Rage and the holiday season.

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JOINT FORCE: Standing from left are Acting SAPS CID head captain Jeremy Grootboom, Bitou Traffic officer Cindy Mkita, Ina Olivier (PBCPA), Yvette Wilschut (Plett Green Hearts and Masizame Children’s Centre), pastor Andre Johnson, Columbus Siphango, PBCPA acting operations executive Marius Venter, Bruce Richardson, and Bitou Law Enforcement acting chief Nolan Stuurman; seated from left are Renecia Leonard, Bitou mayoral office manager Dali Ncame, and Sally Turner (PBCPA) during last Wednesday’s hand-over - Photo: Esther de Villiers

NEWS & VIEWS

29 November 2017

CXPRESS

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From Miss Pearl to Miss Universe: a decade of taking titles started right here on the Route Read CXPRESS online @ www.cxpress.co.za

South Africans woke up to news on Monday that Miss South Africa Demi-Leigh NelPeters was crowned Miss Universe in Las Vegas on Sunday, beating runner-up Miss Colombia and second princess Miss Jamaica to take the coveted title favourite to win, Demi-Leigh kept her promise to bring the crown back to SA soil after 39 years, Margaret Gardener having been the only other South African to attain this feat back in 1978.

According to www. all4women.co.za DemiLeigh took to Twitter shortly after her win to thank South Africans for believing in her. “South Africa, thank you for your support and love throughout my #MissUniverse journey. I may be the new Miss Universe, but I will always be your Miss South Africa we did it!� she tweeted.

One of the first Plett residents to share news in this regard was Leigh Dunn, who has been working with Knysna-based ACE Models during years of event organising and dabbling in the world of beauty - the last of these events being the recent Mr and Miss Plett/Knysna pageant (turn to page 4 of the November 15 edition for the full story). “Our beloved Miss SA Demi-Leigh has grown up in Sedgefield and matriculated at Outeniqua HoĂŤrskool in George. As a young girl, she joined ACE Models in Knysna under the management of Charmaine Kruger,â€? explains Leigh.

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DIAMONDS AND PEARLS: From winning Miss Pearl at the Knysna Oyster Fest 10 years ago to walking off with the glittering Miss Universe crown, DemiLeigh NelPeters has been a flawless ambassador for her hometown of Sedgefield and country South Africa - in the Miss Pearl pic at left, she is pictured at right with ACE Models founder Charmaine Kruger at centre

VISIONARY: Demi-Leigh featured on the cover of the November 8 edition, with the Knysna-manufactured box that housed her gift of Namaqualand daisies

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He adds that apart from quickly making headway on the catwalk, DemiLeigh was also crowned as Miss Pearl during the Knysna Oyster Festival as teenager in 2007. “It has been an honour to work with Charmaine and to share her expertise when organising functions like the Mr and Miss Plett/ Knysna beauty pageant.

We are extremely proud of Charmaine and ACE Models for laying the foundations that set off Demi-Leigh on her path to claiming the top beauty title on the planet.�

Three significant changes to Demi-Leigh’s life include the following: • AdÊ van Heerden will now become Miss South Africa as Demi-Leigh will be performing her Miss Universe duties. • Demi-Leigh will be whisked away to New York where a luxury apartment awaits, and she will get to live in the glamorous digs for a year. • She will also receive a salary as Miss Universe for performing her duties over the next year.

Turn to page 5 of the November 8 edition at www. cxpress.co.za to read how Knysna craftsman Johan Nel’s creation was one of the good omens leading up to Sunday night’s historic Miss Universe victory.

La Luna

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NEWS & VIEWS

29 November 2017

Canines and their humans compete on the Wilderness village green Correspondent BOB HOPKIN had fun at the sixth annual Woofathon E have the good fortune of living in an area where security is not a major concern, so Garden Route dogs are owned for pleasure and companionship rather than protection.

Every year, thanks to the organisation of George SPCA and sponsorship from Hills Pet products, these treasured canines are released to display their looks, cuteness, agility and obedience at the annual Wilderness dog show, known colloquially as

the Woofathon.

This year followed the regular pattern, the proceedings commencing with a mass doggy beach walk, technically and temporarily breaking the ‘No dogs on the beach’ rule, followed by competitions on the village green.

With just 85 competitors, Woofathon 2017 was rather smaller than previous events but a sunny and warm day after the recent cold and rain meant that the event was just as enjoyable as always.

First up was a spoon and sausage race, just to avoid the messiness of broken eggs. Other categories included Waggiest Tail, Cutest Dog, Best Conditioned, My Dog Can (for obedience and tricks), and Nicest Adoption Dog. Zuko, owned by Ferdi Slabbert from George, won the latter category - and so well behaved was he that the SPCA decided to use him for promotional purposes aimed at homing strays.

CUTE AND GRUMPY: Cutest Dog winner Benjie with owner Duncan Wolmarans

OBEDIENT: Amori du Preez with My Dog Can-winning Jack Russell, Lizzy

GOOD HOMEBOY: Best Adoption Dog Zuko with owner Ferdi Slabbert

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BUSINESS

29 November 2017

ANC elective indaba - will our fate be healed, or sealed?

Stuart Murray

EXT month the ANC will hold its elective conference in Gauteng over four days, attended by some 4,700 delegates from the country’s nine provinces. The gathering will be the most important political event since the birth of our modern democracy.

The delegates will elect the next president of the ANC and thus, almost certainly, the next president of the Republic of South Africa. At stake is the future of the nation and its 56-million people.

Basically, there are two opportunities to change the direction of the country’s fortunes, currently slipping into the abyss.

Number one is the elective conference; the second is the 2019 National Elections, waiting for which would be a bridge too far.

The choice of candidates aspiring to become champion is narrow, for both delegates and public - particularly for the latter. In the ring we have, in the red corner, the Zuma

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Camp and in the blue corner, the Ramaphosa Camp. There is no referee.

In the red corner is Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, the reigning champion’s ex-wife, supported by two other Zuma stalwarts: ANC Women’s League president Bathabile Dlamini, and president of the ANC Youth League Collen Maine.

Cyril Ramaphosa has the support of Cosatu and the SA Communist Party - powerful backers.

gloves are Mathews Phosa, former premier of Mpumalanga and former treasurer-general of the party, squaring up to Jeff Radebe, minister in the Presidency and longstanding SACP leader.

Nominations for deputy president, the role currently held by Ramaphosa, include Mkhize and current Mpumalanga premier David Mabuza.

Provincial politics play a huge elective role. Zuma-stronghold KZN, for

‘In the ring we have the Zuma Camp and the Ramaphosa Camp - there is no referee’ Then there is ANC treasurer-general Zweli Mkhize, seen by many as someone who could help avoid the looming split in the party.

But other serious contenders also hover around the ring: Baleka Mbete, controversial speaker of the House of Assembly, and Lindiwe Sisulu, daughter of Struggle stalwarts Walter and Abigail Sisulu.

Also trying on the

example, has the most delegates (974). Limpopo, Ramaphosa’s home province, has 574, followed by Gauteng with 500.

In comparison, the Western Cape only has 178 delegates. Tribal sentiments, too, add pressures.

There is growing confidence of a Ramaphosa victory, but much of this may be wishful thinking, more hope than glory.

Such a victory would be first prize for our ailing

economy. But he would be in for a long haul cleaning out entrenched corruption, cutting down a swollen Public Service, sorting out grossly-mismanaged state-owned services, and much more.

Initial reaction would be positive for the rand. And it might just save us from junk status…

However, we have to face the facts. Even if Cyril takes the title, sorting out the National Housekeeping could take a decade.

If Dlamini Zuma wins, economic recovery looks very distant indeed, in spite of her promise of economic transformation.

We might even find Jacob Zuma staying in office until retirement.

Worst possible scenario would be stalemate at the conference, with a delayed decision or worse. In that case, we could very well experience economic freefall.

• Stuart Murray (stuart murray758@gmail.com) is a former senior assistant editor of Financial Mail and co-founder, editor, and CEO of Finance Week. He is retired and lives in Plett.

CXPRESS

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29 November 2017

INTERVAL

In need of meat…

HE leader of the vegetarian society just couldn’t control himself anymore. He needed to try some pork, just to see what it tasted like.

So one summer day he told his members that he was going on a vacation.

He travelled out of town, and headed to the nearest restaurant.

After sitting down, he ordered a roasted pig, and impatiently waited for his delicacy.

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After just a few minutes, he heard someone call his name, and to his great chagrin he saw one of his fellow members walking towards him.

At that same moment, the waiter walked over, with a huge platter, holding a full roasted pig with an apple in its mouth.

“Isn’t that something,” said the leader after only a moment’s pause, “I ordered an apple, and look what it comes with!”

Cough up!

NE day at a local restaurant, a woman suddenly called out: “My daughter’s choking! She swallowed a coin! Please, anyone, help!”

Immediately a man at a nearby table rushed up to her and said he was experienced in these situations. He calmly stepped over to the girl, then

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with no look of concern, wrapped his arms around her and squeezed.

Out popped the coin.

The man returned to his table as if nothing had happened.

“Thank you!” the mother cried. “Tell me, are you a doctor?”

“No,” the man replied.

“I work for SARS.”

Name that boat ANK desperately wanted a boat. His wife kept refusing, but he bought one anyway.

“I’ll tell you what,” Hank told his wife. “In the spirit of compromise, why don’t you

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name the boat?”

Being a good sport, she accepted.

When Hank went to the dock for his maiden voyage, this is the name he saw painted on the side: “For Sale!”

The magic elevator family from the country was visiting the big city for the first time. They stayed in a high-rise hotel with a big brass elevator right off the lobby.

The mother and daughter stared at the elevator in amazement, wondering what it was.

After a few minutes, the girl looked up at her mom and asked: “Ma, what do you reckon that there thing is?”

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“I don’t rightly know, girl,” her mother replied.

Just then an old, frumpy man in a robe with messy hair walked up, stepped into the elevator, and the doors shut behind him.

After about 30 seconds the doors opened again and a handsome, muscular young man in tight work-out clothes exited.

The mother leaned over to her daughter and quietly whispered: “Girl, go and get your pa!”

So what if I can’t spell Armageddon?

It’s not the end of the world.

Politics wouldn’t be so bad if it weren’t for the fact that it attracts so many politicians.

SOCIAL SCENE

29 November 2017

CXPRESS

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People, places & events

FOURTH FEST HAS PLENTY OF FIZZ: The fourth Plett Wine and Bubbly Festival held on Central Beach last weekend received sponsorship from Bitou Municipality and was declared open by Bitou councillor, Bill Nel, at right above, who uncorked a bottle of Méthode Cap Classique by way of removing both neck and cork with a sweep of a sabre - a technique known as ‘sabbrage’, dating back to Napoleonic France. Over the course of the two days, some 1,500 people poured into the festival from both within and without SA. Several hundred tickets were purchased beforehand but most people chose to pay upon arrival at the festival. Guest of honour was the former radio and TV presenter, Buli G Ngomane, above, who with her outgoing and extrovert personality gave pizzazz to proceedings. At top from left are Goitse Hapane of Joburg, Sibongile Magagula of Knysna, and Ilse Groenewald of Plett. At top right, Pieter Ferreira of Graham Beck Wines, left, facilitated a wine tasting panel discussion with Valiswa Molose of Plett, Lynn O’Connor of Sutton Coldfield in the English West Midlands, Frank le Roex of Plett, and Catherine Richards of Denver in the States. Above at left, it was thumbs up and all systems go from everyone at Ben Waitron & Bar Staff - from left are Xolisani Ncube, Nomsa Gumbo, Benjamin Mazeka, founder and director of Ben Waitron & Bar Staff Mathew Mginywa, and Thandekile Mana, all of whom carried out their duties with diligence throughout the two-day festival. - TimothyTwidle

CENTURIES OF COMBINED MUSICALITY: These singers’ selfless contribution has formed the backbone of many an evening of musical delights in Bitou and beyond. Read a nutshell history of each member of the Plett Choir on page 2, and diarise ‘Invitation to a Miracle’ at Ouland Royale on December 16 (email plettinfo@telkomsa.net for details). - Photo: Timothy Twidle

SELFE SANS EQUAL: Creative Music held its annual music evening celebrating all things melodious at Greenwood Bay College on November 17, when promising young flautist Kate Selfe, above, received the Rollo Scott trophy for Best Student of the Year - congratulations! On the subject of musical events worth attending, do diarise Friday night at The Market on Plett’s Main Street, when John Craig will entertain with live music from 6:30 to 9:30pm. Enjoy the sounds of his keyboard, vocals and harmonica while relishing some of the many fresh food offerings at The Market. Call Kat on 071 332 2341 for details. On Sunday December 3, the Plett Field Band’s Holiday Pulse Concert at Phakamisani Primary from 5:30pm is sure to delight, so don’t miss out on this performance involving Plett’s own stars under tutelage of Norwegian field band greats.

VROLIKE LIEN VIER 90 GOEIE JARE: Lea du Toit van Plettenbergbaai het hierdie foto en boodskap met CXPRESS gedeel: “Ouma Lien Viljoen het vrolik, dankbaar en vol liefde haar 90ste verjaardag op 25 Oktober gevier. Gebore en getoeë in Gauteng, geniet sy haar aftree by my in Keurbooms en het groot waardering vir wonderlike vriende, kinders en kleinkinders die wêreld oor.

Die pragtige verjaarsdagkoek is ontwerp en gebak deur kleinkinders Johani en Werner.” By Lien is Lea en Werner.

SURFERS HELP SURFERS IN KNYSNA: Pictured above, Knysna surfer Grant Ayton take reception of a brand new board, thanks to the efforts of post-fire founded Surfers Helping Surfers, during a happy fundraiser for this cause at Muse Fusion Café in Knysna last Saturday.

A similar party is scheduled for Plett’s Surf Café on Friday night December 1 from 7pm onwards, with live music, loads of give-aways and prizes to be won. R50 cover charge will further the cause of the caring surfers who replenish the boards of buddies who lost theirs during the June fires - call Clayton on 072 355 8387 or Surf Café on 044 533 6801 for more information or to secure your ticket.

what we love, since 1948

Nicolene 072 720 8677

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CXPRESS

CLASSIFIEDS

29 November 2017

082 251 8134 Bitou Municipality under Level 1 Water Restrictions Current Dam Level: 73% | Rain fall Received: 81.2mm for November 2017

Roodefontein Dam

Bitou Local Municipality is implemented Stage 1 water restric ons.

Stage 1 Water Restric ons (Moderate) - Roodefontein Dam volume less than 80% 66% x

x x

x

x

Watering of gardens may only be undertaken for two hours per day between 08h00 - 10h00, two days per week.

No hosing of structures, roofs and driveways and no filling of swimming pools.

No washing of vehicles with a garden hose will be permi ed, not be applicable to any bona fide and full- me commercial enterprises whose business it is to wash cars.

Watering of cricket pitches, golf course greens and bowling greens are permi ed for two hours per day, twice per week, unless own source of water is used.

A fine in terms of Sec on 75A of the Systems Act, being a 50% penalty on tariffs for monthly consump on in excess of 20kilolitre per month per household connec on.

Contraven ons should be reported to the 24-hour number 086 124 8686

Water is Life…

#OurBitouOurWater | #SaveWater

ON THE SOAPBOX

29 November 2017

Letters to the Editor

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

Ugly Kwano CBD is begging for a facelift KwaNokuthula is probably Plettenberg Bay’s most vibrant suburb, but the state of its Central Business District (CBD) leaves much to be desired, so perhaps it’s time for an upgrade.

Plett is one of the fastest-growing towns in the Western Cape, and Kwano has slowly positioned itself as a cultural hub in terms of lifestyle, fashion, music, events, and many other activities happening in this part of our town.

That’s reason enough to make Kwano one of our main tourist destinations - an additional offering for travellers with an interest in township life. Venues like Skhuluz Lounge have been doing this for some time now, by the way.

That said, the Kwano

SCARY SHOPPING SHACK: The silver construction supposedly housing a new shop is a prime example of the uninspiring nature of buildings in KwaNokuthula’s main business area

CBD is just plain ugly and in no way inspiring; a facelift is now seriously needed. Its appearance works against the aggressive efforts by most of us, including Plett Tourism, to foster a ‘Tourist Township Route’ in the area.

All of the green steel containers need to be removed and a more mod-

ern setup should be built for vendors and other traders doing business in the square.

And of late, I’ve spotted the scariest silver shack which, rumour has it, is supposed to serve as a shop. That thing has to go. It’s an affront on the eye and certainly doesn’t help painting the picture

we want others to see.

One has to wonder how the building of that shack was ever approved.

The festive season is upon us, and the economy of Kwano also needs to cash in on Plett’s tourism industry, but this won’t happen with the current state of our central point.

May I suggest that this is something to ponder for our LED guys at Bitou Municipality?

Wandisile Afrika Sebezo, Plett (Wandisile stays in Kwano and writes a regular blog on the Plett Tourism website, but he advised that this letter was penned in his personal capacity and submitted to us, CXclusively! Do keep us posted on developments in this regard, bhuti… - Eds.)

This paradise will fall apart at the seams without long-term tourism support Is there trouble in paradise? Never having been there, one can only assume it means Plettenberg Bay. Is Plett a refuge for the grey-haired, or a holiday town that should be a magnificent tourism destination, creating employment for the ever-increasing population?

So why is the municipality making life so hard for the one fully-functioning organisation that can and has achieved great things by cutting its budget, making its future uncertain, and making it despair of its role in years to come?

Now is surely the time to set a three-year budget, to allow Plett Tourism to do its job properly, to give confidence to get on with a job that they do so well.

Plett needs tourism

and the employment and money that come from it.

Let’s face it: there ain’t much else here apart from the building industry.

The mayor pointed out that the population is increasing by 15,000 people per year. These people need housing - but what’s the use of a house that you can’t afford to live in, as it is increasingly difficult for the local population to survive?

Plett is not a rich town; it is a poor one, apart from the isolated pockets of wealth.

There is a proposal to build a playing field for R3-million for children to hone their sports skills.

Great idea, but does it create a future for those kids?

Tourism throughout the world is known to be the tested way to uplift a lo-

cal population, so why not in Plettenberg Bay? We would have lost the nascent Wine and Bubbly Festival due to the lack of municipal funding and it was only the threat of cancellation that saved it.

It is this constant shortsightedness that is going to lead to the loss of a hard-working dedicated team at Plett Tourism - the lack of long-term support

by Bitou Municipality.

The budget for tourism today is lower than five years ago. There should be more than enough money, however, if you look at the increasing annual rates.

Perhaps the mayor could look at his own department, since that budget is more than what is allocated for tourism.

We need a dedicated tourist industry.

We need to give Plett Tourism the money and confidence to continue the brilliant work they have been doing. Without their help we will become the town of unrequited dreams, falling apart at the seams.

PS: Can’t we give our beach patrollers a decent uniform, instead of looking like prison wardens - something Californian like blue shorts and white tops, broad-brimmed blue hats… something cool?!

Paul Deans, Plett (This missive was sent to Bitou Municipality for a response, as per a new directive in terms of who such correspondence should be addressed to, but not as much as an acknowledgement of receipt had been received by going to press. - Eds.)

Tannie in Dubai en Ouma et al waardeer Eon se mylpaal-verhaal Baie, baie dankie vir die fantastiese artikel in CXPRESS van 22 November [lees ‘People and music make Eon’s world go round and round’ op bladsy 5 van daardie uitgawe by www.cxpress. co.za]. Ek waardeer dit so!

Dis presies die storie wat ek in gedagte gehad het vir my radio scrapbook - iets om na terug te kyk en te onthou as my

klok eendag 60 slaan en ek sit op my aftree-oord se stoepie. Welgedaan!

Nogal ‘n highlight op die voorblad ook... en daai opskrif! Love it. Die koek tannie in Dubai het dit net so gelove, ha-ha! Sy lees die aanlyn uitgawe.

Ek het om 11-uur daai Woensdagoggend lekker gesels oor die artikel en toe paar van die uitgawe se hoogtepunte met my

luisteraars gedeel. Net daarna speel ek toe sommer die CXPRESS radio advertensie en bedank julle op die lug.

Die elektroniese weergawe van die artikel wat jul my kant toe gestuur het was ‘n blink plan - ek het hom dadelik reguit na Ouma toe gepos.

Baie groete en dankie weer.

Eon Engelbrecht, Knysna

(Ons luister nou al jare lank na Eon op MC 90.3 FM en Knysna 97.0 FM, en dit was ‘n eer en ‘n plesier om sy duisendste program op 16 November saam met hom te vier, en terselftertyd aan lesers ‘n oorsig te bied van hierdie hardwerkende jong klong se belowende radioloopbaan. Doet zo voort, Eon, en tjorts op nog ‘n hele paar duisend lekkerluister shows! - Red.)

CXPRESS

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CXPRESS

SPORT & ADVENTURE

29 November 2017

TransCape 2018 welcomes ‘mechanical doping’ in first-for-SA race category IDING 614km over seven days with 10,200m of vertical ascent does not sit in everyone’s legs, which is why organisers of the TransCape mountain bike race have come up with a pioneering plan.

ASG Events, known for pushing the boundaries in races under their umbrella, have recently announced that they would allow ebikes in the UCI-rated event “as long as they do not interfere with the racing” - essentially opening the race up to commuters

and the tourism market.

Thanks to assistance from an on-board electrical motor - dubbed as “mechanical doping” - the organisers believe that e-bikes will give more socially-inclined riders the opportunity to participate in one of the country’s toughest races.

What’s more, with the TransCape crossing the Western Cape from the internationally-renowned Garden Route to the Cape Winelands, riding the event on an e-bike will be the ultimate way for the adven-

R

turous to take in the sights and beauty of this touristfriendly region.

E-bikes have been a hit worldwide and the upward trend in sales is set to continue. China, which has the greatest market share of these motorised bicycles, saw sales increase from 300,000 in 2000 to almost 33-million units last year.

With 1.6-million sold in 2016, Europe has the second largest market share.

In Italy, sales increased by a whopping 121% from the previous year.

PRE-E-BIKE: A participant in this year’s TransCape scales one of the hills that combine to total 10km+ of vertical ascent that makes this seven-day stage race such a leg-breaker; next year, e-bikers will have a class of their own allowing on-board motors to assist - Photo: Jacques Marais

Trevor Sampson from Pedego Electric Bikes (SA) said there was a definite increase in demand locally, especially in the leisure segment, and he expected sales to continue to increase as more people started using them for commuting.

According to Sampson, there are two distinct markets. “They are suited for those wanting to take part in events, but who may not be fit enough or don’t have the physical ability. Then there are those wanting to commute to work.”

He said e-bikes as a tool for commuting had two main advantages: “They are economical and they do not require licences.”

Joburg-based bicycle vet Tony Impey said while the local e-bike market was still catching up with Europe, demand often exceeded stock in his store.

“It has opened up a new era for people who could

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not do a decent distance ride due to whatever reason,” said the former professional cyclist and father of Tour de France yellowjersey wearer Daryl.

Both Sampson and Impey are in favour of e-bikes being allowed in mainstream races, albeit with a certain set of conditions.

“At this stage there should be a class for e-bikes to participate in events,” said Sampson. “Real racing would be a problem as there are too many variations, but the fun element of being in the event should be extended.”

Traditionally, no e-bikes have been permitted at competitive events in SA and the TransCape will be the first multi-day mountain bike race with a dedicated category.

The event, acquired by ASG late last year, has grown rapidly since its inception in 2015 and the new

category is just one of the ways in which organisers are being innovative.

ASG Events chief executive Wynand de Villiers said the introduction of the e-bike category was something that tied in with their goal of getting bums on saddles.

“Our clear mission is to motivate as many people as possible to ride a bike. This falls in with our philosophy to spread the message of wellness, fun and family time through the privilege of riding.

“We have realised that e-bikers are just guys and girls who also want to enjoy a day out on the trails.”

The TransCape, driven

by Volvo Cars, starts in Knysna on February 4 and concludes at La Couronne Wine Farm in Franschhoek after traversing the Western Cape from east to west.

Visit www.transcapemtb. co.za for more information.