6 September 2017

6 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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George rapist sought

Knysna rates holiday

Eventing at Kurland

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Spring cuddle This cute Cape Fur seal pup using its mother as a pillow was photographed on Robberg by resident marine expert Dr Gwenith Penry - turn to page 5 to find out more about the current state of our whale and other marine mammal populations

BUCO Plettenberg Bay - CNr N2 Highway & Rietvlei Road, Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape, Tel: [044] 501 3800

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

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CXPRESS

NEWS & VIEWS

6 September 2017

Fourth quarter Plett Pocket Pals now available, with The R20 cost of each sticker more discounts and stickers to boot will be donated to the #SoundsPRING Day was an apt occasion for Norman Doyle, creator of the hood’s super-valuable discount voucher booklet, to launch the fourth quarter of Plett Pocket Pal at Beacon Island KwikSpar.

When CXPRESS last joined Norman at this very venue to draw the name of a R2,500 KwikSpar voucher winner, his boy, Bradley Richards, had just joined the Pocket Pal team (turn to page 9 of the May 10 edition at www.cxpress.co.za for the report on that occasion).

About a month later, as most local residents will know, brave volunteer firefighter Bradley

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FOR BRAD & CO: Each of the newlyreleased Plett Pocket Pall booklets contains a voucher for a free #SoundstheCall sticker redeemable at BI KwikSpar, the R20 cost of which will be donated to this local campaign in support of firefighting in general and the legacy of the late Bradley Richards in particular

had succumbed to his wounds after getting trapped in the disastrous fire that caused such havoc and heartache in Knysna and Plettenberg Bay early June.

Explains Norman: “We have a

voucher in the latest Plett Pocket Pall booklet for a #SoundstheCall sticker, which we are sponsoring. To redeem this voucher, simply hand it in at BI KwikSpar and collect your sticker.”

theCall campaign, which supports Bitou’s firefighting efforts and to keep the beautiful legacy of Bradley Richards alive.

Also in the booklet are a plethora of discounts, six lucky draws, and thousands of rands worth of Golden Tickets to be won - truly a win-win situation for booklet buyers and the many local businesses involved.

Norman thanks readers in advance for supporting this campaign. Call him on 079 712 2787 for more information and visit Plett Pocket Pal’s Facebook page to get an idea of the crazy prizes each Golden Ticket offers.

Customers can brag again as BI store scoops best retailer award for second consecutive year UNCAN Brown and his Beacon Isle team continues to set the standard in customer service after being named Eastern Cape KwikSpar of the Year at a recent awards function at Mpekweni Resort near Port Alfred.

It is the second year in a row that the retail outlet in Piesang Valley in Plett has scooped the award, which Brown described as “a fantastic honour”.

He said they would continue to aim for the highest standards possible as they were ultimately targeting the national award.

“With those high goals we need to maintain excellent standards in our store,” said Brown. “But, having said that, we wouldn’t be any different if there wasn’t an award.

“Our staff love their store and their customers. We are proud of what we offer and the manner in which we do it.”

He added that it was “great

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KWIKSTARS: Duncan Brown, back left, and his staff celebrate winning the Spar Eastern Cape Retailer of the Year award for the second year in a row - Photo: Supplied

recognition” for his staff, who always went the extra mile for their customers.

Brown - who said their recipe for success was putting the customer first - said they had been optimistic of being in line for the

award, but knew there would be strong competition from other stores in the province.

He said receiving awards such as this benefited them as it made their customers feel special to have their store voted

the best. “They actually brag about it!”

As the owner of KwikSpar Beacon Isle, Brown said his attention was on caring for his staff to ensure their operation continued to progress.

“I treat them how I want them to treat our customers so they will look after the customers in the same manner.”

Given Spar’s philosophy of giving back to the community, Brown said they were involved in a wide spectrum of initiatives to support that principle.

“There are too many to mention, but we are tremendously involved in charity work and general sponsorship. We try support the underprivileged as much as possible and we have raised R700,000 for the firefighters who kept us alive during the recent fires.

“And that is why I work. I love to help others and there is no better feeling than giving.”

NEWS & VIEWS

6 September 2017

CXPRESS

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Robbers target tourists and empty homes during weekend burgling spree Plettenberg Bay crime fighters had a busy weekend with several incidents in and around the town - YOLANDÉ STANDER reports N attempted business robbery took place during the early hours of Saturday morning when a suspect tried to kick down the door of the Picardi Rebel liquor store at a KwaNokuthula shopping centre.

Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association (PBCPA) operations head

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Otto Olivier said that a Plett Security officer however apprehended the suspect, who was handed over to police.

He added that earlier that evening, at about 8pm, two foreign tourists were robbed at an FNB ATM in the town’s centre.

“The suspects used their normal modes operandi.

They approached the victims and asked if they could help and within seconds both young women lost about 3,000 Euros,” Olivier said.

During the course of the weekend, the PBCPA had various reports of suspicious people lurking around ATMs in Main Street.

Manhunt for alleged rapist underway after botched drug score in George HE Mossel Bay Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit has issued an identikit of a suspect wanted for multiple counts of rape, attempted murder, and theft of a motor vehicle.

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Thank you, Zukile

‘I would like to thank Zukile from Prime Security for his willingness to assist my husband and I when we caught two thieves removing copper, aluminium and more from our burnt-out home on the farm!’ - Marieta van Rooyen, Plett

“Preliminary investigations reveal that the 43-yearold victim drove to the Eco Stop Engen Garage near Heather Park in George on August 29, where she allegedly met the unknown suspect whom she requested to show her where she could obtain drugs,” said SAPS spokesperson captain Malcolm Pojie in a statement on Saturday.

“The suspect introduced himself as ‘Edward’ and volunteered to take her to near his residence in Pacaltsdorp to buy drugs. It is further alleged that the suspect asked to drive the victim’s vehicle, as it would appear suspicious if she drove in his residential area.”

Pojie said she adhered to the request and allowed him to drive her red and white 1985/6-model VW Golf with registration CAW 55579.

They stopped at a fuelling station in York Street enroute to Pacaltsdorp.

When they reached the bridge down York Street, the suspect suddenly took the off-ramp to Mossel Bay and drove in the direction of Great Brak River.

The victim became suspicious, but was assured that they were taking a shortcut towards the place where they would obtain drugs.

“The suspect allegedly

HAVE YOU SEEN ‘EDWARD’?

The identikit of a rape, attempted murder and robbery suspect who is still at large

stopped near Buffelsdrift Farm where he started to assault the victim and forcefully raped her more than once in the back of the car.

He pulled her out of the car into the adjacent veld where he tried to strangle her with a piece of rope with which he later tied her hands and feet behind her back. He left her in the veld and drove off with her VW Golf.

“She managed to manoeuvre herself to the roadside by rolling towards the N2, where she was found by a truck driver who alerted police in Great Brak River.

She was taken to hospital to receive medical attention and treatment,” said Pojie.

Anyone with information must urgently contact investigation officer Sgt Soretha van Zyl at Mossel Bay FCS on 044 693 3869 or 082 335 0626 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.

“Various PBCPA members responded to the scene, but the suspects had already left. Patrols were done in the vicinity and no further suspicious activity was spotted.”

Just after 10pm New Horizons residents, who had just returned home after a function, discovered that they had been burgled.

“A flat-screen television, an iPad, an HP laptop, and various items of silver and

gold jewellery were stolen,” said Olivier.

The matter is being investigated by police.

Olivier said that on Sunday around 10:30am, local resident Salome Janse van Vuuren spotted three suspects on her property in Rosheen Drive. The men had bags in their hands and fled the scene when they noticed that they had been spotted.

Janse van Vuuren is report-

ed to have followed the suspects while calling for assistance from Smhart Alarms.

One of the suspects was apprehended in Julia Avenue while Janse van Vuuren managed to detain a second suspect just a few properties down from her own. In the process she was injured and taken to hospital for treatment.

The third suspect is still at large.

Garden Route Media

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NEWS & VIEWS

6 September 2017

Bitou expedites its efforts to address effects of drought disaster HE Western Cape Province was declared a national drought area

by May already, and subsequently Bitou’s Council declared its municipal precinct as local disaster area due to the severe drought conditions.

Following the municipal declaration, requests were submitted to both national and provincial government for the funding of identified drought disaster relief projects.

Bitou Municipality received funding from the National Disaster Management Centre to the tune of R10.92-million, and a further R1.8-million from the Western Cape

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Provincial Government.

Bitou relies on water from various water sources, including the desalination plant on Central Beach, and surface and groundwater sources, with the Keurbooms, Bitou, Wit, and Groot rivers as main contributors.

Water from the rivers are being channelled to the Plett and Kurland water purification works. Water not accommodated in the current purification cycle is channelled to an offshore storage at Roodefontein Dam. In order to supplement the water demand, groundwater augmentation has been explored

and found to be a solution that can provide immediate relief to the drought situation faced by Bitou.

Nine boreholes have already been drilled and are financed through own funding, with a 10th borehole yet to be drilled.

Boreholes are situated as follows: Forest View (2), KwaNokuthula (2), George Fault East (4), and Kurland (2).

The two funding streams received will be utilised to equip all 10 exploration boreholes with electricity supply, permanent pumps, and pipelines in order to extract water and channel to the relevant purification plant.

Property rates holiday for Knysna fire victims HE fires that destroyed billions of rands of built environment in Knysna have had a traumatic impact on people’s lives and the local economy.

To assist the 564 households completely destroyed in the blaze, the Knysna Council approved the waiving of property rates for one year for these fire victims during a Special Council meeting on August 24 - a contribution valued at R16.5-million.

In addition, the municipality to date has spent over R7.5-million to restore electricity and water services, provide waivers to demolition and planning applications, and support numerous relief efforts.

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Knysna mayor Eleanore Bouw-Spies explains: “The waiving of these rates affords affected residents respite from paying property rates for the 2017/8 financial year.

These properties will be re-categorised in terms of Section 78 of the Municipal Property Rates Act 6 of 2006.”

Municipal manager Kam Chetty was delegated by Council to investigate the legal possibility to provide partial relief to property rates. This section allows the municipality to adjust the valuation roll when necessary, so residents who can prove that their house was partially damaged by the fires and is no longer habitable, will

receive partial exemption of their property rates.

Some Greater Knysna residents raised concerns about the recent property rates increases. Property owners were given an opportunity to comment on the recent property valuation, which was advertised in the local press on February 9 and 16; deadline for comments was April 7.

Property rates increase in proportion with the hike in property values, which is why properties in different areas will have different rates increases. The Finance Directorate will be hosting meetings with Greater Knysna’s ratepayers associations to explain these rates increases.

Once fully equipped, these production boreholes will supplement the aggregate water supply for the Greater Bitou Municipal area, taking the water supply capacity of the municipality from 22Ml/ day to 27Ml/day.

The rainfall received during July and August, of 58.7mm and 107.8mm respectively, saw the current level of Roodefontein Dam rise to 62.8%. However, at current level this will only supply Bitou residents with potable water for 90 days.

The municipality thus urges all residents and visitors to use water sparingly and adhere to the current Stage 1 Water Restrictions imposed by the Bitou Municipal Council.

Mail delivery solution OSTMEN in Knysna reported difficulty in delivery mail to areas affected by the fires. Post boxes at property gates were damaged by the fire, which means there is no safe spot to deliver the mail at these properties.

These areas include Knysna Heights, Paradise, Pezula, Upper Old Place, Old Cape Road, Phantom Pass, Barton, Belvidere, Brenton on Lake, Brenton on Sea, Tulbagh, White Location, Greenfield, and Joodse Kamp.

Mail intended for delivery in these areas can be collected at Knysna Post Office until further notice.

The office can be contacted on 044 382 1211.

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Take heed: full moon spring tide peaks today

Jenny Ponder of Plett shared this pic taken at Robberg 5 during the extreme high seas on August 24 - an apt image to accompany an NSRI safety warning released on Monday, urging readers to take heed around the coastline as it is affected by the full moon spring tide “that peaks on September 6, with its effects continuing into the coming weekend”. Spring tide happens twice every month, at full moon and again at new moon, when it causes a higher than normal high tide, a lower than normal low tide and stronger than normal rip-currents. Areas along the shore not usually unsafe are swamped by waves, often catching people off-guard. During the outgoing tide the rip-currents are strongest, but at any time bathers should be aware that rip currents form at different places along the shoreline constantly and remain one of the greatest causes of drownings. Anglers and people walking along the shoreline, as well as bathers, boaters and paddlers need to be aware that the spring tide poses a danger to the seagoing public and extreme caution is advised. NSRI urges boaters and paddlers to load the free NSRI RSA SafeTrx App onto their cellphones and use it when launching - visit www.nsri.org.za for details.

NEWS & VIEWS

6 September 2017

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Doc Penry enlightens Wilderness audience on the state of our whales, dolphins, and seals Correspondent BOB HOPKIN reports on a lecture by accomplished Plettenberg Bay marine scientist Dr Gwenith Penry LTHOUGH reports ily Japanese commercial

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MARINE MAMMAL FUNDI: Dr Gwenith Penry addresses serious ocean issues during last week’s lecture in Wilderness - Photo: Bob Hopkin

JUMP FOR JOY: Bottlenose dolphins live within 10km of the coast, and in water no deeper than 50m

SIGHT TO BEHOLD: Some 5,000 whales migrate from the southern oceans annually to breed along South Africa’s coastline - Photos: Dr G Penry

last week that Sea Shephard - the confrontational, mainly anti-Japanese, whaling organisation - has been prevented from operating this year due to legal challenges from Australia and New Zealand, it seems the debate on diminishing whale numbers is far from over.

According to Plettbased expert on whales, dolphins, and seals Dr Gwenith Penry, the number of Southern Right whales, as counted by aerial surveys conducted

by Pretoria University’s Mammal Research Institute, is increasing by about 7% per annum.

However, these numbers are still well below preexploitation levels of the population that existed before commercial whaling began in the 1800s.

Population growth or decrease varies according to whale species and habitat but generally there seems to be about 7,600 of these huge creatures worldwide, of which some 5,000 migrate from the southern oceans annually to SA’s coastline to breed.

Humpback whales on the east coast of Southern Africa now number in excess of 7,000 - about 85% of pre-exploitation levels.

Although Gwen has chosen to specialise in the study of the elusive and rare Bryde’s (pronounced ‘Brooders’) whale, she imparted a wealth of general information on marine mammals to a Wilderness Residents and Ratepayers Association audience at last week’s lecture.

“Whales and dolphins are an important part of ‘non-consumptive’ industry, as their very presence brings a vital boost to tourism,” she said.

“Apart from the primar-

exploitation, euphemistically described as ‘scientific surveys’, whales are still threatened by other human activity such as inadvertent ship strikes and entanglement in ropes and nets,” she added.

Another welcome sight off our shores are Bottlenose dolphins, distinguished from the more deep-water Common dolphin by their tendency to live within 10km of the coast, and in water no deeper than 50m.

Unlike whales, these mammals take part in cooperative feeding with groups of between 80 and 400 ‘corralling’ shoals of sardines or anchovies into tight balls before moving in to eat.

Gwen added that Humpback dolphins are the most vulnerable, as they exist close to shore and often close to river estuaries.

“The sad thing is that they often get caught in shark nets and, because of their chosen habitat, tend to absorb heavy metals washed down the rivers from human activity.

These get absorbed in their fat and inhibits their reproduction,” she explained.

Last on Gwen’s agenda were Cape Fur seals, seen in abundance off Robberg Peninsula. Ending her talk on a positive note, she remarked that after nearly being wiped out by the fur and meat trade, the colony on Robberg now numbers about 5,000 seals, with more than 100 pups born there in 2016.

“Fur seals are opportunistic feeders and have adapted well to changing fish distributions. Their numbers indicate that the bay is providing a healthy ecosystem for many marine mammals and birds to thrive in,” she said.

La Luna

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NEWS & VIEWS

6 September 2017

An invitation to share your fire story HE Knysna Fire Stories Team invites readers to share their accounts of the June fires, whether you have lost your home, were involved in relief efforts, or were just watching from a distance - everyone has a story to tell. They are also collecting photos, videos, poems, artworks, etc. relating to the fires.

The team is publishing a memoir book Knysna Fire Stories due to be on sale in

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December. The book will document fire experiences chronologically through nine chapters, from ‘Quiet before the Storm’ to ‘Knysna Rises’. The book will also have a DVD at the back, with videos and photos as digital extension of the project.

All proceeds from book sales will be dispersed to fire relief and rebuilding efforts.

Will you be brave enough to share your story? Please encourage friends and fam-

ily to do the same. You don’t have to be an expert writer to submit your tale - these stories are first-hand accounts of your thoughts and experiences.

If you would prefer to meet with the Knysna Fire Stories Team so they can help you write your story, email eden communityinitiative@gmail. com and visit http://knysna firestories.co.za/ to find out about submission guidelines and chapter outlines.

Knit teddy friends for traumatised kids IOLENT crimes and abuse are on the increase in Bitou communities. These issues cause children to suffer emotional trauma, stress, anxiety, anger, and depression - all of which impact negatively on behaviour and academic performance.

The Bitou 10 Foundation in partnership with Bitou Municipality is currently implementing a Learner Support Programme in all local schools, thus allowing kids experiencing emotional, social and behavioural challenges to receive help from professional therapists at school; 210 children from Grade 3-12 are to benefit from the programme.

Two methods of group

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therapy are focussed upon: Play and Art, and The Journey therapy. The former is most effective in addressing emotional and social issues such as anger, rejection, conflict, trauma, death of a loved one, deviant behaviour, bullying, and substance abuse.

It also helps children to create an emotional vocabulary, develop healthy physical and emotional boundaries, and improve low self-esteem and confidence.

The Journey is a visualisation technique that involves accessing and releasing negative emotions that cause negative behaviour and relationship patterns, and reaching a state of forgiveness, peace and well-being.

This process promotes healing and forgiveness and enhances emotional intelligence. Both methods are being facilitated by professional local therapists.

Also recently introduced as an extension of the Learner Support Programme is the Knit a Teddy initiative, when ladies from the Plett Methodist Church knitting group volunteered to knit teddies for the younger kids participating in the programme.

The teddy will be a friend who provides tender loving care and who listens, and anyone interested in volunteering time to knit a teddy is invited to call B10F on 044 533 6466 to obtain knitting patterns.

NEWS & VIEWS

6 September 2017

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Concourt judgment a big win for real estate, says Everitt Constitutional Court ruling on August 29 means that new homeowners no longer have to worry about being held liable for historical debt incurred by previous owners, and having their municipal services cut off as a result, or possibly even having their property attached and sold in execution.

So says Berry Everitt, CEO of the Chas Everitt International property group, who notes that the judgment brings to an end a long period of confusion - “and no little controversy” since judgment was given in 2013 in the Gauteng High Court case Mathabathe vs Municipality of Tshwane, which concerned the process of obtaining and lodging a municipal clearance certificate.

“In terms of Section 118(1) of the Municipal Systems Act, conveyancers are obliged to obtain such clearance certificates before properties can be transferred to new owners, to ensure that any rates and utility charges

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to the local authority by the property seller have been paid up to date.

“However, the Act in fact only stipulates that the municipality must issue the certificate if the outstanding debt for the two years immediately preceding the date of sale has been paid in full, and in the above case the court ruled that if there was debt older than that (historical debt), the property could be transferred to the new owner but the seller would remain indebted to the municipality for historical debt.”

All would have been fine at that point, he says, except Section 118(3) of the Act stipulates that all municipal debt (including the historical debt) is actually “a charge upon the property” rather than on a person.

This led the court to also rule that the municipality would therefore have a lien (statutory tacit hypothec) over the property for the payment of the historical debt, and that this lien would not be ex-

tinguished when the property was transferred to a new owner.

“The effect of this, in legal language, was seemingly that a municipality which wanted to ‘perfect its lien’ could thus attach the property from the new owner and sell it on auction to settle the previous owner’s historical debt.

“In fact, some municipalities did attempt to use this judgment to try collecting historical debt from new owners. Some even went so far as refusing to open utility accounts in the name of new owners until they had settled the previous owners’ historical debt.”

Everitt says this has obviously created a major worry and frustration for property buyers, and for the real estate industry as a whole.

The situation was only slightly improved by the 2014 judgment in the case of PJ Mitchell v City of Tshwane Metropolitan Authority, when the same court ruled that a municipality’s lien over

a property had been extinguished by a sale in execution and that the new owner should be granted a clean title.

“In that case, the court also ruled that a municipality could not refuse to provide services to a new owner on the grounds that there was an unpaid historical debt - but it remained to be decided what should happen when a property was not sold in execution but, as is usually the case, in terms of an agreement between buyer and seller.

“And this is exactly what last week’s ruling by the Constitutional Court makes clear. The unanimous judgment, handed down by Justice Edwin Cameron, is that Section 118(3) of the Municipal Systems Act is capable of being interpreted so that the ‘charge upon the property’ does not survive transfer of that property to a new owner.”

Visit www.chaseveritt. co.za for information and see the advert on page 3 for current listings.

This colourful nursery adds springtime vibrance to At The Red Shed, SaPlettenberg Bay’s Old Nick Village rah’s staff is headed up HE Red Shed Nursery at Old Nick Village is fast becoming a favourite for gardeners

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and landscapers. This brilliantly beautiful and interesting nursery is the new big sister to Plett

GREEN-FINGERED CREW: Sarah, Kholeka, and staff invite you to visit the Red Shed at Old Nick Village off the Plett N2, and to check out their vast array of plants while collecting free advice - Photos: Watty Watson

garden experts Sarah and Anthony Pearce’s wellknown Roadside Nursery on Beacon Way. From small beginnings - doing veg seedlings for the Harkerville Saturday market - the Pearces are now the proud owners of a burgeoning plant business, their two retail outlets of Red Shed and Roadside Nurseries complimented by wholesale supplying of four agri co-ops and a variety of landscapers.

On the farm, Anthony’s team produces 70% of the plants and seedlings that you see at The Red Shed.

The farm is a veritable hive of activity, brimming with seed trays in germination rooms and endless rows of beautiful plants.

by Kholeka, who boasts a vast knowledge of plants from her 20 years work experience in the industry.

They look forward to welcome and assist you.

Browse the recently renovated ‘shed’ filled with indoor plants, garden décor, and plant-inspired gifts. Create a delicious food garden from the wide selection of fruit-tree, vegetable, and herb seedlings.

The Red Shed stocks a wide variety of shrubs and trees, indigenous and exotic, with new stock arriving weekly.

Don’t hesitate to call Sarah on 084 727 1777 for free advice on all matters gardening, and see the advert on this page for further information.

Read CXPRESS online @ www.cxpress.co.za

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6 September 2017

Handy guide for using a dictionary TEP 1 - For your convenience, all words have been placed in alphabetical order. So merely open the book to the page where the word you wish to look up should be.

Step 2 - If you don’t know how to spell the word you wish to look up, look up a synonym and hope the definition contains the word you wish to look up.

Step 3 - If you don’t

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INTERVAL

It’s Spring! Smell the flowers...

know what a synonym is, look up the word ‘synonym’, since we just showed you how to spell that one.

Step 4 - Now, repeat Step 2 before repeating Step 1.

Step 5 - If the word you originally wished to look up is found to mean something entirely different than you thought it did, then your problem is insuperable.

Step 6 - Look up the word ‘insuperable’.

The English Plural according to George Carlin

We’ll begin with a box, and the plural is boxes, But the plural of ox becomes oxen, not oxes; One fowl is a goose, but two are called geese, Yet the plural of moose should never be meese; You may find a lone mouse or a nest full of mice, Yet the plural of house is houses, not hice.

If the plural of man is always called men, Why shouldn’t the plural of pan be

called pen?

If I speak of my foot and show you my feet, And I give you a boot, would a pair be called beet?

If one is a tooth and a whole set are teeth, Why shouldn’t the plural of booth be called beeth?

Then one may be that, and three would be those, Yet hat in the plural would never be hose; And the plural of cat is cats, not cose.

We speak of a brother and also of brethren, But though we say mother, we never say methren.

Then the masculine pronouns are he, his, and him, But imagine the feminine: she, shis, and shim!

Cutting a dull class teacher reprimanded a teenager in the hall: “Jill, do you mind telling me whose class you’re cutting this time?”

“Like,” the young teen replied, “uh, see, okay, like it’s like, I really don’t

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like, think like, that’s really important, y’know, like because I’m, y’know, like I don’t get anything out of it.”

“It’s Mrs Dull’s English class, isn’t it?” replied the smiling teacher.

Statistics is mankind’s way of lying truthfully.

No way, Dude - I just peed on that...

SOCIAL SCENE

6 September 2017

People, places & events

SPRING HAILED IN HARKERVILLE: On September 2, Plett’s Harkerville Morning Market hosted a Spring Saturday during which a number of competitions were run, including food stall vendors exhibiting the best spring floral decoration. From left at left are third-placed Anthony Tuffin, adjudicator Beryl Hogg, runner up Carla Whitehead and winner Ashley Lordan, whose beautiful display is pictured above left. Other competitions included Best Spring Hat, most members of one family, and visitors whose home was the greatest distance away. Third prize for the ‘Spring Hat’ was won by Shelly Muchesa of Knysna, pictured at left with Wil Hiemstra, who together with husband Menno manage and direct the popular Harkerville Market. The prize for most members of a family at the market went to, above at back from left, Moskau de Klerk, Tertia du Toit, Ingrid de Klerk, Bianca Lock, Moskau du Toit, Bella du Toit, Danie du Toit and Margaret van Eden, with Bart Hagerman, Wadda du Toit and Johan du Toit in front. The second prize for most members of a family at the market went to, at far left, Khushboo, Mangola, Madhau, Shantkuman, Maya and Pradeep Bhat, all of Goa in India. - Timothy Twidle

VIOLENCE CURBED: A Domestic Violence awareness drive concluded Women’s Month activities for Knysna SAPS on August 30, with a final event in Hornlee - an area identified as hotspot for the reporting of domestic violence incidents. Knysna and Plett SAPS joined forces to conduct door to door visits and pamphlet distribution, while interacting with members of the community. They sensitised the public on issues relating to abuse and gave advice on how to access SAPS services. Other initiatives conducted during the month included engagements with women, non-governmental organisations and government departments, internal engagements by the SAPS Women’s Network, and school visits. Knysna Station Commander colonel Atwell Metu expressed his satisfaction with all the activities, the level of awareness, and engagements done during the past month. He re-emphasised the importance of placing a special focus on crime against women and encouraged the public to report any form of abuse.

PLETT TOURISM IN FOCUS: The AGM of Plett Tourism was held at The White House on August 29, when chairman Peter Wallington gave an overview of tourism in Bitou during the past year and the benefits it brings. He showed how tourism injects R2.4-billion per annum into the local economy by way of festivals, events, the Plett Wine Route, bed-nights totalling R1.4-million, and related activities. Tourism in Plett creates 3,000-4,000 jobs that bring about earnings of R400-million per year to the people of Bitou, such that it is clearly the most vital and important economic driver of the area. For the future, Wallington described some of the scenario thinking for possible new tourism endeavours in the CBD as well as the suburbs of KwaNokuthula, Qolweni, Kurland Village, and Kranshoek. The meeting was well attended and chaired

by Tourism board member Bruce Richardson. Pictured at left from left are Buyiswa Mnyamana of Lithalethu African Crafts in KwaNokuthula, Bep van der Pluijm of Buffelsdam Country House in The Crags, and Maria Kinahan of Lily Pond Country Lodge, also in The Crags. - Timothy Twidle

Photos: Saskia Bronkhorst

DOLLIED UP DIPPERS: Rhodes University student Saskia Bronkhorst served as CXPRESS intern last week, and one of her assignments was covering the Sunrise Dip on Spring Day. These are her photos and sentiments: “On Friday September 1, community members gathered on Central Beach to take a dip in the ocean at 6am. This event was held to raise funds for the Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association (PBCPA) and to celebrate spring. Participants were sponsored by anonymous individuals to come dressed as different characters. The Teletubbies, Shrek, a minion, Trailer Park Barbie, Santa Claus and a dinosaur, among others, were all present at the event. People showed off their tutus, mankinis, leopardprint speedos, cardboard boxes, rugby gear, and an assortment of other ensembles while they waited for the event to begin. Finally, as the sun rose over the ocean and the first hints of daylight shone through, everyone ran towards the ocean to get wet for charity. While some only dipped their feet, others left the ocean drenched from head to toe. After a freezing but fun early morning at the beach, most residents left to take their children to school or start their work day. All of the sponsorships were donated to the PBCPA.” What a sight! Thanks are due to Plett Surf Lifesaving Club for welcoming the crazy dippers with hot coffee and cupcakes. Check out the gallery at www.cxpress.co.za for more of Saskia’s photos.

CXPRESS

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CXPRESS

Paws

Plett Animal Welfare Service

6 September 2017

CLASSIFIEDS

ON THE SOAPBOX

6 September 2017

Letters to the Editor

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

Charging for non-existent municipal services can’t possibly be legal or constitutional I refer to the letter by Paul Scheepers regarding payment for municipal services not provided [turn to page 11 of the August 23 edition at www. cxpress.co.za]. How can it possibly be constitutional or legal? Can you imagine

the precedent it sets?

At a restaurant: “Waiter, you’ve charged me for a starter, sweets and coffee, none of which I had.”

Waiter: “Sir, that table over there had it and you just have to pay!”

At a supermarket:

Farewell to our old Strandloper friend

“Ahoy to our Strandloper friend and chokka legend Pieter Hond, who’s joined old fishing partner Kat in the sky. May you find many entjies as you walk with the angels, Hond. RIP, Pietie. We’ll miss you, buddy!”

- Japie, Kosie, Galla, Tata Noël, Joey & Etienne Bruwer, Plett (Our August 30 edition featured a tribute to Pieter Barnardo, and in subsequent correspondence with Etienne, he bemoaned the loss thus: “Ja, he was a beaut and we loved him to bits and will miss him a ton.

We’re all badly cut up - what a shame! At least we gave him a last pack of bummed smokes a few days before he was lost and treated him to a moerse last Xmas, met baie feeskos en suurwyn! Every day we still imagine seeing him shuffling along Piesangs met sy keppie.

What a legend. Shot also for the bestest front page ever!” Check it out at www.cxpress.co.za - Eds.)

Kassie’s final race down Odlands now done

Peter Monson of Plett shared the photo above and wrote: “I found this old picture of Kassie, his son, and dog Spottie, taken when they stopped at Total BI for an ice cream from Robbie and Jane after racing down Odlands.”

(Many residents were saddened to hear that the eversmiling Kassie passed away on August 19 - but also relieved by claims that his beloved Spottie is being taken care of by a family member. Unfortunately, no confirmed information about Kassie’s ‘human’ family or funeral was available by going to press. We thank Pascalette Quirk for sharing the photo below on Facebook - Eds.)

“You’ve included dozens of items I haven’t bought.”

Teller: “Sorry, the customer at Counter 8 bought them - just pay!”

On the lighter side, we had the same situation in Honeydew near Johannesburg and, you won’t

CXPRESS

11

Spay Day a great success, thanks to Storms River vets

believe this (but then perhaps you will), the clowns threatened to cut off the non-provided services!

I offered to sell tickets to spectators… Eventually, they recognised the futility of their exercise.

A Forbes, Plett

Help Plett Dunlop crew in quest to uplift industrial area’s dogs and owners What started as a small donation, sending a bag of food every month to Muddy Offroads and the PAWS charity shop who has been feeding stray dogs in the industrial area for years, I also started putting food out in front of our shop last year. It took months to gain the trust of some dogs who are so scared of humans.

On the second Saturday in June this year, a young boy came to the shop to ask for help as his dog was sick and hurt. I asked him to fetch his pet so I could have a look, awaiting a very injured dog. But soon realised he was “only” covered in tics and fleas.

Finally, I had six dogs and 10 kids on the back of my bakkie on the way to the vet. I invited the kids to the shop the next Saturday at 9am to wash the dogs.

Before the June school holidays, they brought their dogs to eat at the shop daily after school.

I asked how school was going and made them promise they would study hard and get great marks in the exams.

On that first Saturday, we dipped 10 dogs, gave the kids a snack, and an ice cream bucket with dog food, saying “see you next weekend”. Well, the kids came to the shop at 8am daily and we chatted about taking care of their dogs and give clean water and food every day.

The next Saturday, we dipped 15 dogs, and the following week we had 10 dogs spayed at our vet. I was blessed with Bible colouring books in Xhosa from our church, which I handed out to the kids daily. They sat colouring in and entertaining themselves.

The next Saturday we dipped 30 dogs; for every dog there is an entourage of at least three kids coming to the shop on

Saturday mornings.

I then asked the local crèche to assist and get the kids together for a mass clean up on July 7, when we cleaned the entrance to the industrial area and surrounds.

We were expecting 120 kids but ended up treating more than 150 of them with a burger and drink from BI KwikSpar.

The next Friday, we cleaned around the crèche and I braaied boerewors which we ate with lekker pap n sous.

Both Fridays I drove off with a load of recycling bigger than my bakkie.

Hence the treat for trash programme, where I give the kids a treat for every full bag of recycling brought to the shop.

We have to date given out hundreds of kgs of dog food, leads, collars, blankets, treats, dewormers, tick and flea medicine. We’ve spayed just over 20 dogs and planted seeds for the kids to take care of themselves, their dogs, each other, and the environment.

Our Dip Day initiative has grown so much: we dip and care for more than 60 dogs weekly, as owners big and small, young and old come by the shop on a Saturday to get a container of dog food, have their fur kids dipped and receive a treat for good dog care. Two Saturdays ago, we went through 60kg dog food!

If you are able to assist with any old or new blankets, dog collars, leads, food, medicine for ticks and fleas or any assistance, however big or small, I’ll be eternally grateful.

Marelé Pretorius, Plett (Visit Marelé at Dunlop in Hutchinson Street, Plett Industria if you can help, or contact her at admin@dunlopplett.co.za or on 044 533 4042 or 082 400 6431. Hats off to a job well done! - Eds.)

We would like to express our sincere thanks and appreciation to the veterinarians for their tremendous contribution to the success of our Storms River Spay clinic on Sunday August 13. Around 82 sterilizations were completed on the day, which would not have been possible without their dedicated passion and commitment. We thank each and every person involved in making this a successful day. The programme was sponsored and coordinated by Mrs Reed of Storms River Village and Stormsriver Adventures.

Tsitsikamma greetings, Pam Zondani

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

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CXPRESS

SPORT & ADVENTURE

6 September 2017

It’s Kurland Eventing Season!

See SA champs and local riders in action from September 22 to 24 CTOBER 2016 saw the first FEI/South African Adult Eventing Championships take place at Kurland Hotel & Polo Estate in The Crags just east of Plett.

“We had an incredibly successful show - our fourth, having hosted shows in June and October 2015 and 2016 respectively,” says organiser Lance Gibbons, adding that the number of participants was “alarmingly high”.

The first FEI (Fédération Equestre Internationale) show was well supported indeed, with 150 entries and 400 spectators attending the three-day event.

“Not even the inclement weather could prevent an incredibly successful show for both participants and spectators, giving us three days of blissful eventing.”

Three Phase Eventing encapsulates the elements of

Dressage, Showjumping and Cross Country, and is one of the best ways to develop the infrastructure necessary for all disciplines of competitive equestrian activities.

The sport of eventing has a huge impact on employment and helps to address unskilled labour issues within local communities, where grooms are trained to be specialists in the field.

Training to turn out horses for showing, be competent work riders, and specialists in handling horses in transit combine to produce qualified grooms. In the Western Cape alone, the sport employs approximately 250 grooms.

“In developing the venue we have worked with the internationally-acclaimed course designer Eric Winter and local eventing champ Graham Wynne, who has

O

overseen the design of all our tracks.

“As in golfing, this signature venue attracts the top riders in South Africa and ample media attention. The dressage and showjumping phases will take place in front of the clubhouse, thus maximising the impact for partners, and the eventing track will make use of the main field,” explains Gibbons, noting that this plan is weather dependent.

Some of the weekend’s offerings include: • Kurland Hotel, the ultimate host, creating the beautiful sponsors lounge in partnership with Porcupine Ridge and Redford Lane restaurant.

• The Nedbank Private Wealth Hospitality Lounge is the highlight of the show, allowing both riders and supporters the opportunity

to enjoy coffee and snacks in great comfort.

• Eric Winter’s ‘Ask the Specialist’ talk is always a huge success with riders, affording an opportunity to tap into this international resource and his knowledge of eventing, course design, and Olympic-level outlook on the sport - Eric having designed Badminton this year.

• After the talk, the Nedbank Hospitality Lounge will offer live music to enter-

tain guests and wines will be sponsored by Porcupine Ridge once again.

“All participants are spoilt by the quality of the catering and sponsored wines

by Porcupine Ridge and Boekenhoutskloof. Riders and guests will be suitably impressed by all we have planned for this FEI National Championship!”

Spectators will have a bird’s eye view of all three disciplines over the three-

day period from the picturesque Kurland Pavilion, famous for its Polo International Championships.

Other event attributes include a mini market, trailrun on the Sunday, hospitality lounges, restaurant and bar, evening events and live music.

So diarise September 22 to 24 and email lance@fimeventmedia.co.za or call 082 822 8829 for additional information.

Groom and his band of brothers hail double celebration on Plett Country Club greens

Saturday August 26 was a stunning day and Plettenberg Bay Country Club Bowls section served as venue for a birthday/bachelor bash for Lee Badenhorst, who tied the knot on September 2 outside Cradock. Twelve young men who studied together in Port Elizabeth came from across the country to celebrate with Lee - and certainly reduced the average age of players on the greens! Some real needle matches were played and the guys enjoyed an introductory breakfast and a boerewors roll for lunch. The penalty for bowling a wrong bias was an extra gin and tonic… The memorable morning resulted in remarks such as ‘What a great sporting day!’ recorded in the visitor’s book. The colourfully-clad groom-to-be is unlikely to forget this memorable celebration. Thanks go to John and Elly Swinley and Roger Wright, as well as to Wolfgang and Dilys Stephan for ensuring nobody went home with an empty stomach or prevailing thirst, and finally to Garreth Hunt for coordinating the participants. - Photos: Eleanor Swinley

National champ Thenique hits road to Romania

BURGER SUNDAYS! Join us for a laid back lunch this weekend!

Build your own gourmet veggie, beef, lamb or chicken burger every Sunday at Emily’s Restuarant!

E m i l y ’s R e s t a u r a n t : Tr a d i n g H o u r s Dinner: Mon - Sun from 18:00 Lunch: Sunday from 12:00

MOON RIVER LO DG ILY E EM

www.emilymoon.co.za

TEL

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S i m o n ’s B a r : Tr a d i n g H o u r s Dinner: Tues - Sat from 17:00

What a proud moment for Plettenberg Bay Karate Kyousei, the New Horizon community, and South Africa as a whole!

You see, Plett Kyousei student Thenique Arnolds is about to represent her club, town and country in the 4th World Goju Ryu Karate Federation Championship in Romania from September 11-20, and we wish this Bitou-based South African Champ all the best with the task ahead. Says sensei Jonathan Jansen, pictured here with his star student: “We want to thank her parents Anthony and Daleen Arnolds, as well as Thenique’s family, friends, community members, and all those who contributed by sponsoring items and supporting her financially to make this dream come true.

As your instructor and along with everyone at Plett Karate Kyousei, parents and students alike, our message is ‘just do your best and God will do the rest’. Enjoy every moment - you’ve made us very proud already!”

Sport Shorts

34° 0041 South / 23° 2219 East

EMAIL

info@emilymoon.co.za

P O B o x 19 3 6 , P l e t t e n b e r g B a y , 6 6 0 0

• Prize winners at Plettenberg Bay Bridge Club’s charity event last month were Sue Gurney, Fil Joubert, Danka Forsyth and Rodney Grosskopf (first); second place went to Ellie Holmes, Joy Williams, Val Kritzinger and Sheila Horn, with Koos Bezuidenhout, Roger Scoon, Gail Bezuidenhout and Christine Barker winning third prize.

The prizes were kindly sponsored by Personal Trust, and the Raffle hampers were won by Gail Bezuidenhout, Celia Snowden and Pat Rowe - congrats.

Plettenberg Bay Bridge Club secretary Cynthia Ecker thanks everyone who supported the event.

• The Ladismith Cheese

7Weekspoort MTB Challenge, which takes place on September 30, is one of the Western Cape’s longest running and best loved oneday mountain bike events.

It boasts the perfect mix of racing and scenery to attract all levels of riders, and with 85, 43 and 29km distances there is an option for all ages.

Dryland Event Management is introducing a schools’ racing category this

year, with primary schools from across the province competing in three categories: Nippers (8-10), Sprogs (11-12), and Sub Juniors (13-14) in the 29km race distance. Schools enter teams of five riders, the winning team being the one with the fastest combined time in each category. To enter a team for your school, email info@dryland.co.za or call 044 279 1013.

BRIDGE MASTERS: Flanking Bridge Club chairlady Mary Walter from left are winners Sue Gurney, Danka Forsyth, Rodney Grosskopf, and Fil Joubert at right