The Village NEWS 6 - 12 March 2018

NEWS NEWS

Village

The

Mayoral Entrepreneurial Winner

6 - 12 March 2018

Cape Whale Coast

NEW MAYOR

FREE COPY

BUSINESS EXPLORER

Inauguration

PAGE 3

SCHOOL NEWS

All the week’s action

PAGE 19

PAGE 9

This was the view that greeted The Village NEWS photographer, Taylum Meyer, when she went for a hike on Hoy’s Koppie on Saturday evening. The smoke from the Duineveld fire near Franskraal, which had been raging since Friday afternoon, hovers on the horizon.

See more on P5.

Renewed focus on Whale Coast Tourism De Waal Steyn The marketing of the Cape Whale Coast as one of the preferred destinations in South Africa will gain renewed attention with the restructuring of the local tourism sector.

According to Mayor Dudley Coetzee the centralisation of the marketing of the region will lead to a uniform approach in order

to attract more visitors. “Where in the past we had four different tourism offices looking after the marketing of their specific areas by means of grants paid by the Municipality to them, we will now centralise that function under Cape Whale Coast Tourism (CWCT).

The staff at the local tourism offices will remain in place to offer assistance to local tourism businesses and tourists in each area.”

According to Coetzee the

restructuring of tourism has been included as one of the priorities in the Integrated Development Plan of the Municipality and the process will be concluded during the 2018/’19 financial year.

CWCT Manager, Frieda Lloyd, says the tourism landscape has undergone massive changes in the last few years and it is time to look at new and innovative ways to promote the region.

“Gone are the days of visitors

relying on Visitor Information Centres to do their bookings.

These days the majority of bookings and travel arrangements are made via the internet.

hand information on local activities and venues as well providing information on investment opportunities. They are like the ‘switchboard’ of a town,” says Lloyd.

“The information centres, however, still have an important role to play as places where visitors can come to get local information. This is not restricted to the handing over of brochures and telephone numbers but can include first-

According to her the new structure will afford them the opportunity to roll out a uniform marketing plan for the Whale Coast. The marketing strategy needs a collaborative approach and new way of thinking – away from ‘what’s

good only for me and my town’ to a mindset that if the destination marketing attracts visitors to my region my business will benefit.

The first foray into this group effort has already paid dividend when the CWCT was rewarded with free exhibition space at the upcoming World Trade Market Africa show in recognition of the collective success of all the tourism offices in marketing the Whale Coast online.

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6 - 12 March 2018

THE

NEWS

OPINION Matters

Explore our local businesses Welcome to the first weekly edition of The Village NEWS. We are excited about the new challenge of delivering a weekly product that is an informative and entertaining read.

As a proudly local business it has been our aim from the start to support local businesses and entrepreneurs to help grow the local economy. We understand the demands of successfully operating a business in towns where the economies are largely driven by seasonality and highly dependent on local support. It is through the continuous support from local businesses that we have been able to create a platform that offers our readers a mix of local news and happenings, together with focussing on the businesses that make our towns so special.

To this end you will find the first Business Explorer in this week’s edition of The NEWS. The Business Explorer will be published in every first edition of the month and is solely aimed at highlighting businesses on the Cape Whale Coast that offer excellent service and make a difference in their

communities.

Through this platform we wish to stimulate support for our local businesses and help them to grow into thriving hubs of commerce. Together with the Business Explorer, we will be launching the Service Excellence Awards. The Excellence Awards will be open to all local businesses and we ask you, our readers, to assist in nominating those businesses that go the extra mile in providing excellent customer service and make a difference by giving back to our communities.

The Service Excellence Awards, together with the second Cape Whale Coast Local Business Expo and the Mayoral Awards, will be held at the end of September to celebrate businesses, their owners, NGOs, entrepreneurs and leaders who offer invaluable services that help stimulate our economy.

To nominate a business simply send an email relating your experience with the business to dewaal@thevillagenews.co.za.

This is the good NEWS – Ed

WHERE TO FIND US The Village NEWS is published weekly and the next edition will be available on 13 March. The NEWS can be found at over 100 distribution points on the Cape Whale Coast, from Pringle Bay to Gansbaai.

Get your FREE copy from major retail stores such as Spar, Checkers and Pick n Pay, and at restaurants, tasting rooms, galleries and shopping centres. Should you wish to receive a copy, call us on 028 312 2234 or 083 228 7523 or pop into our office at 6 Royal Street, Hermanus.

Ombudsman The press exists to serve society. Its freedom provides for independent scrutiny, and is essential to ensuring demo-cracy. It enables citizens to make informed judgments, a role that is recognised by the Constitution. The Village NEWS subscribes to the South African Press Code and thus to the South African Press Council and the South African Press Ombudsman. Should you feel our reporting is not fair, free or unbiased and without prejudice, or that serious errors have been made, you are welcome to lay a complaint with the Ombudsman.

Reach him on 011 484 3612/8, e-mail pressombudsman.org.za or visit www.ombudsman.org.za

Further water restrictions in place for Greater Hermanus With the level of the De Bos dam close on 45% and the rainy season still some months away, the Overstrand Municipality has implemented stricter water restrictions from 1 March for the Greater Hermanus area.

According to the new restrictions no washing of vehicles with any hose will be permitted. This means washing of vehicles and boats is only allowed if a bucket and cloth are used. This is not applicable to commercial car wash industries. Also, no washing or hosing down of hard-surfaced or paved areas with municipal drinking water is allowed.

According to Mayor Dudley Coetzee, “water is a scarce resource that we have to manage carefully going forward.

We have been fortunate, that while we received less rain in 2017 than we did in the preceding two years, we did not suffer the drought experienced by other parts of the Western Cape. The drought in Cape Town, following three dry winters is calculated to be a 1:400-year drought.

“The chance of a fourth dry winter in a row is calculated at being more than a 1:1 200year drought. However, because of the effects of climate

change, climatologists and meteorologists have said that they are no longer able to forecast our rainfall as their models no longer work,” he said during his inauguration ceremony on 28 February.

“Water sources in the other areas of the Municipality are still at satisfactory levels, and residents can still enjoy a breather on water restrictions,” said the Municipality in a statement.

“The cold fronts that come up from the South Pole and then move east over the section of the Western Cape that has traditionally experienced winter rain and a Mediterranean climate now turn east further south, the edge of the cold front clipping the Overstrand and Agulhas area before moving up the east coast. Should these cold fronts move further south we will end up in a similar situation to Cape Town.

Watering of gardens, lawns and sports fields (including irrigation) is still allowed with municipal drinking water twice a week, one hour per day – before 09:00 or after 17:00. Even-numbered street addresses only on Wednesdays and Sundays. Unevennumbered street addresses only on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

Watering of plants in nurseries, etc., for commercial purposes, is exempted from the water restrictions.

“During December and January, the water consumption in Hermanus decreased by 18% year-on-year and if that can increase to a 20% saving, restrictive tariffs should not be necessary if we receive our normal winter rainfall.”

All wellpoints and boreholes must be registered at the office of the area manager(s) and consumers must ensure that they display the appropriate signage to this effect; clearly visible from a public thoroughfare.

According to the Municipality water tariffs will not be increased at this stage because the De Bos Dam is currently at 46.5%. In terms of the Overstrand Tariff Policy, water tariffs will only be increased once the level of the De Bos Dam drops below 40%.

Water misuse and leakage can be reported to 028 313 8000/8111 or 028 313 8996. Residents or businesses that want to apply for exemption can contact Adenel Bayley on 028 313 8972 or email to depdircomsec@ overstrand.org.za

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New Executive Mayor inaugurated

O

verstrand Municipality officially inaugurated Ald Dudley Coetzee as the new Executive Mayor on Wednesday, 28 February. The Council meeting was attended by members of the Provincial Legislature, dignitaries and members of the public. Among the guests were Minister Ivan Meyer and Democratic Alliance MP, Masizole Mnqasela.

After his acceptance, the newly elected Mayor announced the new members of his Mayoral Committee for the following portfolios: Financial Services – Cllr Riana de Koning; Management Services – Cllr Andrew Komani; Community Services – Cllr Arnie Africa; and Infrastructure & Planning – Kari Brice. Cllr Elnora Gillion was elected as the new Deputy Executive Mayor, and will further retain her position as chairperson of the Economic Development and Tourism portfolio – to which Protection Services has now been added. The Mayor said he’d taken the decision to reduce the Mayco by one as part of Council’s continued drive to cut costs.

Mayor Dudley Coetzee pledged his commitment to serving all the people of the Overstrand and said he was fortunate to be taking over the helm of a well-run Municipality that is financially sound and sustainable as per the latest audit outcome from the Auditor General.

His primary goal will be to ensure the Municipality continues to deliver a high standard of basic services that is affordable to all residents and visitors, including water reticulation, refuse removal and disposal, sewerage removal and treatment, electricity distribution and municipal road maintenance.

“We need only speak to the many visitors to our beautiful area who come from other parts of South Africa to realise just how high the standard of service is that we have set for ourselves,” he said. “But equally important will be the social upliftment of our poor and disadvantaged communities.”

Economic growth In order to accomplish this goal, Mayor Coetzee said we have to grow our economy by creating an

The newly elected Executive Mayor of the Overstrand Municipality, Ald Dudley Coetzee (second from left) with Jaco Londt (DA Regional Head), Minister Ivan Meyer, the new Deputy Mayor Elnora Gillion, Masizole Mnqasela (DA MP) and Speaker Anton Coetsee. environment in which people who have innovative ideas can put them into practice, enabling the creation of jobs for our residents. “People can only have dignity if they are able to earn a living and so support their family,” he said. “We need to ensure that we continue to provide clean, accountable and responsible local government in order to draw investors.”

With tourism being our main income generator and the main source of job creation in the Overstrand, Mayor Coetzee emphasised the need to revise our regulations and reduce the amount of red tape that makes it difficult for investors wanting to establish their businesses in the Overstrand. “We must become more investment friendly because without investment which drives our economic growth we are doomed,” he said. Another issue he addressed was the need for affordable housing, in the R350 000 to R1 million bracket, to enable people who earn between R8 000 and R20 000 per month to purchase houses for their families to live in.

Water usage According to the Mayor, water is a scarce resource that we have to

manage carefully going forward.

“We have to consider ways to further augment our water supplies and will have to start retreating our waste water, not necessarily to drinking water standards, but at least to a standard where we can use it to replace potable water that is not used for drinking. We can no longer afford to flush drinking water down the toilet or use it to mix concrete or water sports fields and gardens,” he said.

According to the Mayor, water efficiency needs to be built into planning approvals. “People should be trained to invest in the use of grey water in their homes and we must encourage the use of taps that aerate water used for washing of hands and vegetables. The next time you visit the Whale Coast Mall, go and wash your hands in one of the bathrooms to experience for yourselves how these taps operate,” he told the audience. “We also need to channel our rain water run-off so that it recharges our aquifers and does not simply run into the sea,” he added.

Baboons As reported in The Village NEWS last week, Mayor Coetzee has requested a meeting with

Minister Anton Bredell, the Minister for Local Government and Environmental Affairs in the Western Cape Legislature to reach finality on whose responsibility it is to ensure that baboons remain in the mountains and out of our towns.

He assured the audience that he will not leave that meeting, scheduled for 24 April, until a final decision is reached. “In the event of Overstrand being responsible for baboon control, I have included an amount of R14 million spread over three years in our next budget cycle. I will then meet with Minister Ivan Meyer to discuss the funding of this function,” he added.

Reduce spending The mayor said he was aware of the many challenges facing the Municipality and its people. Large cuts in grants to local government as well as the 1% increase in VAT announced by the National Minister of Finance in his budget speech will put additional financial pressure on the Municipality as well as our ratepayers. “We are therefore all going to be hard pressed to save and reduce spending where ever we can,” he said.

– Hedda Mittner

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Hotels, holidays and the Hermanus economy: Part One The Village NEWS is privileged to bring its readers, over the next few weeks, an exclusive series of extracts from the draft of a new book currently being written by DR ROBIN LEE of the Hermanus History Society. This week’s edited extract is from the chapter on the role of hotels in Hermanus history and focuses on that iconic landmark, The Marine Hotel.

L

ate in the 19th century a type of tourism began in Hermanus that would last for and influence five decades of life in Hermanus. Since then, tourism and the associated hotel industry has played a major role in all commercial activity in the town. It brought into town members of the middle and upper classes, from South Africa and abroad. And it boosted the local economy.

PHOTOS: Old Harbour Musuem

The popularity of hotel holidays in the first five decades of the 20th century caused an explosion of hotel construction in Hermanus, including the Victoria (later Astoria Hotel) in 1886; the Royal in 1900; the Marine in 1902, the Riviera in 1904, Bay View in 1921, Windsor in 1930; Ocean View in the 1940s and Birkenhead in 1952.

The Marine Hotel, circa 1904.

Each one of these enterprises has an interesting history, but in general healthy air, holidays and hotels shaped the commercial development of Hermanus for many years. Berman (Hermanus: Guide to the Riviera of the South, 1989) points to the positive impact they had on employment in the town:

The Riviera Hotel in the 1920s.

…The establishment of the hotels also meant the provision of many jobs – grooms, gardeners, barmen, washerwomen, maid, waitresses and cooks – all of which were enthusiastically filled by the families of the professional fishermen.

The term ‘hotel holiday’ has a specific meaning in this context. These were holidays of never less than two weeks at a time, during which the guest could live exclusively in the chosen hotel. All meals and morning and afternoon tea were included in the tariff. The hotel offered separate daily programmes for adults and

The Marine Hotel in the 1930s.

PJ and Joey Luyt’s home, Schoongezicht, which was located across the road from The Marine.

children. It also made all arrangements for activities outside its grounds. A dress code was usually in force, with dinners often being formal black tie affairs. Party games, concerts and other traditional entertainments were offered in the evenings. The hotel almost certainly had a library packed with light, usually romantic reading. It was unnecessary for the holidaymaker to do anything other than stay in the hotel and join in the programme.

One of the better known hotels, which is still a landmark in Hermanus today, is The Marine. The original structure of the hotel was erected in 1902 and owned jointly by Valentine Beyers (1844-1918) and Walter McFarlane (1874-1955).

However, the partnership of Beyers and McFarlane did not last much beyond the construction period, and, as early as 1903, Beyers bought out his partner. The Marine Hotel itself started life as what Joey Luyt described as ‘a double-storeyed building with funny little dormer windows in the roof; there was a cement stoep around three sides, and iron pillars holding up a wooden balcony.’

Beyers was an entrepreneur and businessman and did not intend to manage the hotel himself. Instead, he recruited his son-in-law Petrus Johannes Luyt as manager of the Marine. In Hermanus he became known as “PJ”, or “P John” or, simply “John”.

Luyt had married Beyers’ daughter Margaret McVane Jenkins Beyers in 1899.

Although PJ had briefly managed a hotel earlier in his career, in 1902 he was working

as an insurance agent for the Southern Life Assurance Company, in Potchefstroom.

He had never even seen Hermanus when he arrived in 1903 to manage The Marine Hotel.

When he took up his duties, there were only 21 rooms in the hotel, none of which had running water or electricity.

The lounges, dining room, bar and kitchens were modest in dimensions and output. The first extensions came in 1913 when Luyt added 12 bedrooms. There was still no running water or electricity in any of the individual rooms, but Luyt did add two bathrooms and two flush toilets on each floor. Guests were provided with a jug of fresh drinking water each day in their rooms, and a jug of hot water for ablutions in the mornings and evenings.

Luyt turned out to be a superb natural hotelier. Under his management The Marine prospered, and within five years he was able to lease the hotel from his father-in-law and then, in 1915, to buy it outright for £5 000. His private life was not as fortunate. He and his wife had four children before she died very young, in 1914. After her death, Luyt remarried, in 1916, this time to a woman who would play a decisive role in his life, in the history of The Marine Hotel and in Hermanus.

She was Johanna Susanna van Rhyn (1896-1985), always known as Joey. She came from a well-respected Afrikaans farming family and had recently started work as a teacher at St Peters Church School in Hermanus. In her Memoir “In Those Days” Joey wrote about PJ’s courtship of her:

(I was) exposed to the full treatment of charm, courtly manners, careful attention to my every whim: dinners at the Marine where I was the centre of attention and the whole staff were at my disposal… I was swept off my feet”.

PJ owned The Marine and made a great success of it, with the total support of Joey. By 1918 the popularity was such that the Luyts built a ballroom, with a specially sprung floor, imported from Europe. PJ Luyt bought the Riviera Hotel (at the far eastern end of Voëlklip) from the Poole family and appointed his brother Henry to manage it.

The three Luyts (P John, Joey and PJ’s brother, Henry) ran the two hotels in tandem and guests could shuttle between them. Initially, a horse-drawn cart travelled between the hotels twice daily, but by the 1920s motor vehicles braved the trip, despite having to ford the Mossel River.

The key elements of the style of Luyt hotel management were resourcefulness and selfreliance. You had to have these qualities to manage a hotel with an ever-increasing number of well-off and famous guests in a village 120 kilometres from the nearest city. In her memoirs Joey writes about the early days: There was no baker. We baked our own bread until in later years this was no longer practicable and bread was then railed to us in large baskets from Cape Town.

We baked our own cakes, and every winter I filled tins and tins of biscuits to use during the summer. Fruit and vegetables were usually bought locally from farmers. In the summer, when we could not get sufficient supplies, these also came by rail from Cape Town in cases and pockets.

Provisions were ordered in bulk

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6 - 12 March 2018 from wholesale firms in Cape Town, sufficient for weeks ahead.

Orders were placed with the travellers, who came to Hermanus once a month, staying for a few days each time.

© Robin Lee

The philosophy of the Luyt family regarding the hotel can be deduced from Joey’s Memoirs. It was one of unremitting hands-on management of every aspect of the hotel and direct personal involvement in everyday activities. PJ frequently acted as a barman, especially for parties after hours, and personally kept the accounts on a daily basis for both The Marine and the Riviera.

However, Hermanus was still a small village and a degree of informality existed. For instance, when the much-prized fish, the ‘kabeljou’, was biting, everyone would desert the hotel and join the fishermen. A note was left on the counter in the bar, instructing guests to help themselves and put the money in the till.

In 1920 The Marine invested in its own electricity generating equipment. In 1926 further extensive alterations were made to the fabric of the building and hot and cold running water was installed in all the bedrooms.

For special guests at The Marine, nothing was too much trouble. When royalty or successive Governors-General of South Africa visited, the Luyt family moved out of their own house, Schoongezicht, into the hotel, to give the special guests privacy. This move happened for instance when Prince Arthur of Connaught (Queen Victoria’s grandson) came to open the Hermanus Golf Club in 1923.

Meals were prepared in the kitchen at the house and Sir William Hoy often sent the head chef and other staff from the White (Vice-Regal) Train to do the honours.

There were many prominent guests. Alexander Cambridge, first Earl of Athlone (1874-1957) was appointed Governor-

PHOTOS: Willem Groenewald

Devastating fire at Duineveld The devastating fire at Duineveld near Pearly Beach and Uilenkraalsmond over the weekend destroyed more than 8 000 ha of veld and by Sunday night the fire was still raging out of control in some places.

Joey van Rhyn Luyt, 1925.

General of South Africa in 1923 and served until 1930.

He had had a distinguished military career, including service in the South African War. He arrived in South Africa with his wife, Princess Alice (1883-1981). Princess Alice was keen on walking in the mountains and Joey Luyt arranged for Mees-ter Paterson to accompany her.

Paterson had recently been Mayor of the town, was at the time the best-known citizen in Hermanus and an expert on wildflowers of the area. No better guide existed and it is no wonder that guests returned for personal attention from the Luyt family.

Amy Johnson (1903-1941) stayed at the Marine in 1936, after one of her recordbreaking solo flights from London to Cape Town. She is still the most famous British ‘aviatrix’ (female pilot) of all time and the first woman to hold an advanced pilot’s licence, which she obtained in 1929. In 1932 she set a record for the solo flight for the

London to Cape Town route.

This record was subsequently broken, but she regained it in a second flight in 1936.

PJ Luyt was immensely important in local affairs. In addition to owning two hotels, he was Chairman for many years of both the Poole’s Bay and Mossel River Village Management Boards. He led the project that resulted in the three dams on the Mossel River in Fernkloof. The middle dam is named after him. He was a founder member and first chairman of the Hermanus Golf Club. Luyt Street in Eastcliff is named after him.

He genuinely loved Hermanus and was regularly to be seen on the cliff tops, enjoying the view and the activity below him.

The author welcomes any comments or additional information about the extract. Please email these to him at robinlee@hermanus.co.za.

All contributions will be acknowledged.

According to Overstrand Fire Chief Lester Smith fire crews from the Overstrand, Overberg, Cape Town, Cape Winelands and the West Coast municipalities fought the fire over the weekend.

Two helicopters and a fixed wing spotter plane also joined the fight.

“We are fortunate that there has been minimal damage to structures and for the immediate future we do not foresee that any houses would be in danger,” said Smith. According to the Greater Overberg Fire Protection Association (FPA) crews were still deployed on the fire line by late afternoon on Sunday while burnout operations were continuing around Pearly Beach to ensure the safety of the town.

“There was a lot of smoke coming from the area

throughout the weekend due to a number of spots burning inside of the burnt area, but there was only minimal damage to infrastructure. It is also not often that we use heavy machinery like excavators in the Fynbos Biome, but as the majority of the vegetation where the dozer worked was invasive acacia species, we removed as much vegetation as possible to ensure the safety of the houses,” the FPA said in a statement.

According to Enviro Wildfire Services their forensic team investigated the Pearly Beach fire.

“Within 45 minutes of being on site we were able to determine where and how the fire started, as well as identify the person responsible. Details can unfortunately not be released to the public at this stage of the investigation. The report will be handed to the authorities soon.”

To further complicate matters, two additional fires started in the Stanford area at the time of The Village NEWS going to print on Sunday afternoon.

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THE

NEWS

Let’s Talk Send your letters to dewaal@thevillagenews.co.za

Amphibious wheelchair for Grotto Physically disabled residents and visitors to the Grotto Blue Flag Beach can now spend time on the sand and dip their toes into the Atlantic, thanks to a brand new amphibious wheelchair designed specifically for beach use by the physically challenged.

This amphibious wheelchair has a sturdy aluminium

Bad driving habits leave motorist stumped It is with a sense of strange curiosity that I write this letter, as motorists in Hermanus keep on surprising me.

As a daily traveller between Onrus, where I live, and the Old Town (until recently known as the CBD), where I work, I have quickly learned to hone my driving skills to be on a par with that of professional drivers.

Depending on where or when you are driving in town, your skillset demands an eclectic mix between F1- racer, stockcar driver, rally champion and stuntman.

But, apart from the difficulty in negotiating the now infamous traffic circles, there are three developments in our driving culture that has me stumped.

The first being the pedestrian crossing in Mt Pleasant, where drivers seem to make up the rules on when to go and when to stop as and when it suits them. A dual system has been put in place where pedestrians cross first the one side of the R43 and then the next. But as these lights take a long time to change from red to green the situation arises where the pedestrians have safely crossed both sides before the light changes colour and you are allowed to go on your merry way.

This has caused some drivers to ignore the still red traffic lights and set off as soon as the pedestrians are safely on the traffic median, leaving some other more law-abiding citizens to hover between stopping and going, while impatient motorists are backing up behind them. This leads to much confusion.

Somewhere deep in your heart you want to be a rebel and follow the red-lightskippers, but then common sense prevails, and you wait half an eternity for the lights to change. Maybe, the timing on these lights can be changed to reflect the time it takes to cross one section of the road?

My second concern is motorists coming up Swartdam Road and wanting to join the R43 going towards Onrus.

While there is a bright yellow chevron painted on the road, demanding that you join the R43 in an orderly manner, these happy fellows use it as a third lane to quickly gain access. This to the detriment, and confusion, of oncoming traffic not entirely sure of what their intentions are. It would not be possible to change the chevron and add a turning lane as it is quickly followed by a bus and taxi stop. Erecting a raised pavement to halt the

errant left-turners might result in those making a quick left turn finding their vehicles airborne before coming to halt in a taxi stop. Maybe a few fines would deter this habit.

My third concern is quite the opposite to the second, just down the road at the brand spanking new mall. There a turning lane has been created for those joining the R43 as to not impede the traffic flow out of the parking lot. But alas, that has become a full stop for many. Whether they are tired after stomping through the mall, I do not know but one thing is for sure – most neglect to use the third lane to join the traffic on the R43. The result being the complete opposite of what happens at Swartdam Road. I thought, maybe erecting a sign saying Do Not Stop might be the answer, until I realised that that might be confused with a game of Monopoly and soon we will have irons, dogs and top hats joining us on the road.

May we all soon learn to obey the rules of the road. Oh, and don’t get me started on the knit-one-slip-one system that should be practiced where the R43 becomes a single lane…

Roadrunner, Onrus

A disaster waiting to happen With winter still far on the horison and our dam level dropping constantly it is with despair in my heart that I watch how little we are doing to restrict water usage.

I have read several reports which clearly state that the drought in Cape Town and many other places in our country, and indeed also world-wide, is caused by climate change. It has been stated that our weather patterns are changing and the use of historical data to predict

rainfall has become redundant.

If this is the case, I would presume that our town fathers have already taken it upon themselves to consult with specialists on what our future rainfall might look like and what we can do to prevent a disaster. With our towns growing by the day, the demand for more water becomes a critical priority.

What I would like to see is a report on what will be done to

meet the water demand in future, informed by geologists and climatologists. Our Municipality has done great work in ensuring water supply to Hermanus, but what happens when the springs and rivers supplying our other towns dry up? Or, for that matter, our ground-water supplies drop?

These are not normal times demanding normal thinking and reasoning. This is a disaster waiting to happen.

Concerned resident

Keep up the good work What a great job you and your team are doing with the Village NEWS. We have been in a rented house in Voëlklip for the last 6 weeks, going back to Cape Town tomorrow and I am pleased to say that I picked up a copy of

the Village NEWS shortly after we arrived. I have made a point of getting one every two weeks and it has been kept as a reference during that time. I am not surprised to see it has now become a weekly.

quality of the editorial, the grouping of advertisements, the fresh design and the good quality paper is a winning formula that the big players could learn from. Keep up the good work.

As an ex-adman, I must say the

Brian McDonald, Tokai

frame and can carry a weight of up to 150 kg. The chair is equipped with three wheels that are wider than a traditional wheelchair to enable easy movement on the sand. It also has two flotation devices that also act as armrests and when pushed into the water, the chair becomes safely buoyant.

The wheelchair was generously

donated to Overstrand by the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (Wessa), the National Council of and for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) and the Ford Motor Company Fund.

It is available for use at Grotto Beach during the Blue Flag season between 1 December – 31 March, during which lifeguards are on duty.

Overstrand Blue Flag coordinator, Lauren Rainbird, was overjoyed by the donation of an amphibious wheelchair to the Grotto Blue Flag Beach. Pictured here are Rob Slater (Wessa's Blue Flag manager), Lauren Rainbird, Dudu Nxele (Ford Wildlife Foundation), Richard Scholtz (Superintendent: Parks, Sportsfields and Beaches for Overstrand), and Linda du Plessis (Ford Wildlife Foundation).

HAWS chair will be sorely missed It is a sad day for me, as one of HAWS volunteers and excommittee members, to see Ilze Smith being made to step down from her 11 years on the committee and 6 years as chairperson for HAWS. For those now wanting change in the committee, I hope there is the dedication and knowledge that Ilze brought to the table, along with her tireless and passionate concern for the dogs, cats, township animals and all that HAWS stood for.

This is a lady who I first met when I was on the committee in 2007. She showed up one day out of the blue at the kennels, bringing her own staff with her to walk the dogs daily, and taking photos to try and find them homes. She eventually joined the committee to make a huge difference and bring HAWS up many notches.

From fielding calls 24 hours a day from the public with pleas on how to help abused dogs, accident victims, and starving stranded farm animals, to donning boots and going out herself into all areas, to sort out the problems. She liaised with the Municipality at all levels to find the best contract for HAWS, and befriended the law enforcement officers, helping them when it came to township work – nothing was too much for her.

Ilze initiated outreach programs in the township to befriend the community and help and educate them instead of being the “HAWS police” – this brought much co-operation between the township and HAWS. Her knowledge of all the animal welfare societies in surrounding areas and her willingness

to help them earned HAWS a good reputation. Ilze’s husband Deon was also involved in maintenance of the HAWS buildings, and as a builder knew all the ins and outs on how to get the best people and the lowest prices. Deon sadly passed away last year.

This is a lady who singlehandedly, against all odds, pushed ahead to open up the clinic for HAWS with their own vet and staff, to halt the high costs and fees of private vets, and who investigated the financial implications of private vets abusing HAWS for profit. While strict with the staff, Ilze was always fair and as a result earned the respect of the staff for the many years she was in charge of the kennels and the clinic, ensuring everything was in place for smooth efficient running. I know the staff will miss her

direction and heart, sorely.

Her enthusiasm and strict, direct approach and wanting to get the job done, of course was not always welcome in all circles, but one cannot argue that Ilze’s intention was always for the animals.

Many of us who knew and worked with Ilze are aware of her integrity and she deserves a medal for all she has achieved for the animals these past years.

So I thank you Ilze, and may you walk with your head held high.

Ilze will still help out where needed and can be contacted on 082 856 8391.

May the new committee continue to do their best for all the animals in our town.

Judy Miller (HAWS volunteer for 12 years, and excommittee member)

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Blind injustice leads to greater awareness

n incident in which a person with a guide dog was not only initially barred by security guards from entering the Whale Coast Mall, but subsequently refused service at restaurants, will hopefully lead to greater awareness and a more open-minded approach to people in similar situations in future.

various businesses for barring Donna from their premises ranged from a blunt and unyielding “Dogs are not allowed” to “My staff are afraid of black dogs” to “The health inspector won’t allow us to let dogs in”.

According to Andrea van Rensburg, Marketing Manager of Whale Coast Mall, they regard the unfortunate incident as part of a learning curve during a teething period for the mall.

“Several steps have subsequently been taken to avoid a similar incident,” she added, and appealed to mall visitors to contact centre management immediately, so that any such matters may be resolved quickly and without dispute.

Although the rights of people with disabilities are protected by legislation, there are, unfortunately, still many instances in which they are not treated with the respect, understanding and empathy they deserve, even in Hermanus.

This has been the repeated experience of Kleinmond resident Shelley Nel and her blind daughter, Michelle, who is a student at the University of Stellenbosch. She is also the owner of a loyal and highlytrained black Labrador guide dog, Donna. On several occasions during the last few months they were barred from accessing businesses in Hermanus claiming dogs were not allowed on the premises. The more they tried to explain that Donna was not an ordinary pet

Michelle Nel and her guide dog, Donna. dog, but rather an especially trained service dog who acted, in effect, as Michelle’s eyes, the angrier and more insulting some business employees became.

These encounters often lead to extended and publicly humiliating scenes, leaving Michelle in tears and her mother furious. As Michelle says: “It leaves such a bad taste in the mouth. It’s one thing to be prohibited from the premises and another to be at the receiving end of such a bad attitude. Every time I go to Hermanus now, I feel apprehensive and if it’s happening to me, it’s probably happening to other people with service dogs. That’s bad for a town that portrays itself as an international holiday destination.”

Both the mall and other shopping centres in town presented her with stumbling blocks. Reasons given by the

Teagan Schwerin, Marketing Manager of the SA Guide Dogs Association agrees that, unfortunately, this attitude still prevails in many businesses throughout the country, despite the legal protection afforded to people with disabilities. Indeed, if such people are denied access they can even approach the Human Rights Commission to seek redress.

Dutchies dinner in aid of OAPD The owners of Dutchies Restaurant on Grotto Beach, Joke and Just Gonggrijp and their son Daan, once again hosted the OAPD Awareness Week last month, in collaboration with The Global Challenge and Hermanuspietersfontein, in aid of the Overstrand Association of People with Disabilities.

The Awareness Week programme, which ran from 19 – 26 February, included an Outdoor Movie Night, a Jazz Evening, a Black Wine Tasting, and a performance by Leigh the Mime. The week culminated in a Magical Dinner under the Milkwood trees at Grotto Beach. The special guest was Monique Kalkman, who spoke to MC Janet Marshall about her Journey of Dreams Revised.

Like the Gonggrijp family, Monique hails from the Netherlands. An avid sports lover since childhood who excelled in hockey, tennis and

horse riding, Monique has been in a wheelchair since the age of 14, when surgery to remove a spinal tumour caused irreparable damage. Undaunted by her disability, and with the support of her family and friends, Monique went on to become a four-time Paralympian and World Table Tennis Champion. She even took up golf eight years ago.

The evening concluded on a high note when Joke handed a cheque for R22 400 over to OAPD social worker, Desiree Barnard. On behalf of OAPD, Desiree expressed her profound gratitude to the Gonggrijps for their efforts to raise awareness of the many challenges faced by people living with disabilities, and for raising much-needed funds to enable the OAPD to assist them.

– Hedda Mittner

“It is very important,” she emphasises, “that organisations have a policy that governs access rights to service dogs.

And then, that all staff members – and especially managers – are trained to implement it. But it doesn’t stop there: It is also their responsibility to ensure that outsourced staff, e.g. security personnel, receive similar training.”

As she points out, it is very easy to recognise a service dog as it always wears a special harness with a handle for the owner to hold. These intelligent dogs are trained to be uncompromisingly obedient and are completely tuned in to the needs of the owner.

Without Donna who has been an integral part of her life for the past eight years, Michelle would be doubly disabled.

– Elaine Davie

ABOVE: Joke Gonggrijp of Dutchies hosted a Magical Dinner under the Milkwood trees on Monday, 26 February, during which Paralympian Monique Kalkman of the Netherlands was the guest speaker. In the background behind Joke are Monique, Tania Fourie of The Global Challenge and MC Janet Marshall.

RIGHT: Monique Kalkman and Just Gonggrijp share a special moment.

Sisters – doing it for themselves Druiwe du Toit’s wife, Toekie, was in full flight and had to pause for the applause. She drew herself up to her full sixfoot-two and held her hands up for the crowd to subside.

“I would never employ more than one man in any company I owned,” she continued. “Maybe just for deliveries, but they’re all so blerry useless and unreliable!” The clapping and hooting rose again.

Toekie was gatvol of sloppy service, so she’d face-booked invitations to women interested in working for an all-female agency, supplying services normally the domain of blokes with moustaches, boeps and tanned forearms and knees.

Like electricians, plumbers, painters or contractors in their khaki shorts, sensible boots, branded shirt from a supplier,

Wit’s End Murray Stewart thevillagemuze@gmail.com

occasional yellow hard-hat, and always with a team on the back of the bakkie with its shoddy logos. They’re everywhere.

Anyway, the response was overwhelming, and the ladies’ lounge in The Duck ’n Fiddle was packed. Klippies Combrink was the only male in the room – for three reasons.

Firstly, his wife made him come. Lettie was bigger than he, and wore the pants anyway. Secondly, because of his stutter, she knew he’d be too nervous to voice an opinion unless he’d downed a few Kraaifontain Cocktails (double

brandy ’n coke), and being nine in the morning, it was a bit early. Even for Klippies.

And thirdly, Mitsy de la Cruz would be there. This sultry Salma Hayek look-alike had most of the local men drooling, and Klippies was no exception. She owned the olive farm next to theirs, but her passion lay in the Spanish dance school she’d created in the old barn. A few farmers in the valley had enrolled out of curiosity - and to ogle at Mitsy in tights - but had persevered because, although they’d never admit it, they actually enjoyed it.

“Take Mitsy’s dance concert for example,” Toekie continued. Apparently the whole town had arrived for the inaugural festival of spicy Latin dance and spicier Mexican cuisine, and her pupils – male and female – had worked their burros off to appear professional. Everyone, it would seem, except Druiwe and Klippies who, despite becoming pretty snappy with their castanets, let the other musicians down.

stitute, Druiwe and Klippies had decided to improvise with frenetic finger clicks and hand claps which, as you can imagine, didn’t quite capture the sultry nuances and intricacies. To hopefully make it sound busier and more like castanets, Klippies used his natural stuttering ability to fill the gaps in the clicks/claps almost like a beat-box - but it didn’t help at all, often grinding the dancers to a frustrated standstill.

“What did you expect?” asked Toekie. “Typical males - they forgot the only things they had to bring – castanets! A woman would never forget something as obvious as that!

It’s like us forgetting to put on a bra or make-up. Women are not that dof!”

“That concert would have been brilliant if it hadn’t been for the men,” hissed Toekie. To this she got a standing ovation from everyone except you-know-who pretending to be on his phone.

Anyway, as a rhythmic sub-

“That’s why we need to go it alone ladies, ‘cos there’s less chance of a balls-up.

Businesses are held together in the back rooms by women. We do the ordering, accounts, payrolls and pampering, while the men just irritate clients by always being late, or lying about finishing on time. And who has to smooth things out? We do!”

Shrieks and whoops from the floor.

Since then, Toekie and Lettie have set up training courses for ladies to specialise in their preferred pursuits. In deference to breast cancer and for maximum visual impact, pink was chosen for their uniforms and bakkies. Imagine how pleasant it would be to call on a team of well-groomed ladies who pitch up on time, do the job properly, invoice promptly and even return phone calls.

What a pleasure. It would also put an end to snide remarks about the plumber’s crack.

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Wednesday 7 March

■ Hermanus Photographic Society: Everyone, from the beginner to the advanced photographer, is welcome at the Hermanus Photographic Society’s meetings on the first Wednesday of every month. It promises to be an exciting year for members, with the society’s revitalised Audio Visual Group and interesting monthly outings, challenges and workshops.

Visit www.hermanusphoto.co.za for all the details. At the Hermann Swart Hall, Dutch Reformed Church, at 19:00.

from 09:00 – 11:30, at Hermanus Library.

■ Kolwyntjie Teetuin: Everyone in the area is welcome to enjoy a sweet treat and tea or coffee at a nominal fee, and make new friends at the Onrus Care Centre (Dienssentrum). At the Onrus Dutch Reformed Church, every Friday between 09:30 and 11:30.

■ Human Evolution: Overberg U3A presents the second of a new series of four lectures on Human Evolution, entitled Robert Broom and the Missing Link – Part 2 by Gert Claassen. In the Catholic Church Hall, at 10:00.

Friday 9 – Saturday 10 March

■ South Hill Supper & Movie Night: Join South Hill in the Elgin Wine Valley on the first Wednesday of the month for sunset drinks from 18:00, main course supper at 19:00, and movie screening at 20:00. This month’s movie is the highly acclaimed Lion. The cost is R135 pp and mid-week stay-over packages are also available.

Contact events@southhill.co.za or call 021 844 0888 / 083 627 7950 to book.

At South Hill Estate, from 18:00.

Thursday 8 March ■ South Africa – The Road Ahead: The guest speaker at U3A Overberg’s AGM is internationally respected political commentator Dr R W Johnson, who will provide an update on his controversial book, How Long Can South Africa Survive? Published in 2015 it is an uncannily accurate scenario of how things have gone to date. Members of the public are cordially invited and there is no cost involved. In the Sandbaai Hall, at 17:30.

■ Flight for Birders: BirdLife Overberg will present their popular Bird Identification & Conservation Course over two days. Illustrated with more than 1 600 slides and drawings, the course is designed to assist novices and experienced birdwatchers to become involved in bird-watching in a practical and sustainable way. Emphasis will be placed on the further development of the Overberg region as a top birding destination. Important conservation issues will be discussed and details will be given on how ordinary birders could become involved in conservation actions. The cost of R550 pp includes a practical outing, basic notes and certificates endorsed by BirdLife South Africa. To register contact Elaine at 082 455 8402 or mwjasser@mweb.co.za. At the Environmental Education Centre, Fernkloof Nature Reserve, starting at 09:00 on both days.

Saturday 10 March ■ Hermanus parkrun: Meet for the weekly 5 km walk or run, come rain or shine. The route is dog friendly and children are most welcome.

Set off from the Hermanus Forest on Camphill Road in Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, at 08:00.

foodies and wine lovers meet. You’ll find “real plates and real cutlery; real cups and real glasses; a real hangout for real people”.

In the courtyard of Hermanuspietersfontein wine cellar at The Village, from 09:00 – 13:00.

■ Market in the Garden: Hunt for treasures at this peaceful market set among the shady trees of a beautiful garden. At St Peter’s Church in Main Road, Hermanus, from 09:00 – 13:00.

■ Fernkloof Holistic Faire: Enjoy the beautiful gardens and all things natural as you relax with friends and family. On offer are therapists, artists, crafters and eats.

The Faire was founded by Lucia Lamprecht, then in her early eighties, because she identified a need for people to come together with a focus on health and higher awareness.

For more details, contact Lucia on 028 316 5312. At Fernkloof Nature Reserve, from 10:00 – 14:00.

■ Lemm’s Corner Market: This popular Sunday market offers exclusive fine arts and crafts, locally manufactured clothing, accessories, home décor, skincare and body products, as well as speciality foods, coffee, cakes, craft beers, a wine bar and live music.

On the corner of Main & Harbour Roads, from 10:00 – 15:00.

■ Classic Bridge Club: The club gets together weekly for Duplicate Bridge. To join, contact Riekie on 072 230 9179.

Friday 9 March ■ Hermanus Hacking Group: All volunteers are welcome to join in the clearing of invasive vegetation. Contact Charlyn Vosloo on 082 558 8731. Meet every Friday at the green reservoir off Mountain Drive, at 07:15 for 07:30.

■ Hermanus Country Market: A favourite among the locals, old and young. Four-legged family members are also welcome. You’ll find wholesome goodies, home-made crafts, local produce, beers and wine, speciality foods, coffee and live music. Next to the cricket field, Fairways Avenue, from 09:00 – 13:00.

■ Bhuki Café: Join the Friends of Hermanus Library for tea, coffee and eats for only R20 and help to raise funds for the library. Every Friday

■ Hermanuspietersfontein Food & Wine Market: Where local and international

■ Hermanus Business Chamber: The HBC presents a high profile cocktail event with top speakers, optional golf and accommodation at discount prices for Chamber members. Booking is essential as space is limited. Contact Alta Pretorius on 028 315 1619 or ceo@hermanuschamber.co.za. At Arabella Hotel & Spa, from 18:00 - 20:00.

Friday 16 March

Sunday 11 March

Monday 12 March

■ Rotary Club of Hermanus: Visitors are welcome to join in Rotary’s weekly meetings.

Contact Ian Wallace on 082 895 8738 or Metcalf Fick on 082 568 2193. Every Thursday at 19:00, at Mollergren Park.

Wednesday 14 March

■ Astrophotography: Join the Hermanus Astronomy Centre for a discussion on Image Processing. Contact deonk@telkomsa.net for more information. At Deon Krige’s house, at 19:00.

Tuesday 13 March ■ Russian History: U3A Overberg presents the third lecture in their series on Russian History, titled The Allied Intervention in the Russian Civil War – Churchill’s Other Gallipoli? presented by Robin Richards. In the Catholic Church Hall, at 10:00.

■ Beaumont Art Stomp: Join Beaumont Family Wines in Botrivier for a special evening, stomping and dancing on the grapes in their candlelit cellar with plenty of delicious wine, food and live music. The dress code is seriously casual; bring old clothes for the stomp, a towel and something warm for later. R460 per head includes a scrumptious three-course dinner and wines. To book, send an email to info@beaumont.co.za or call the office on 028 284 9194. At Beaumont Family Wines, at 18:30.

Friday 16 – Sunday 18 March ■ Greenpop Reforest Festival: Plant trees and party for the planet! The Reforest Fest is Africa’s largest annual reforestation festival, bringing people together to plant thousands of trees, dance to live local bands, learn with sustainability leaders, camp under the stars, and be inspired by positive collective action over two weekends.

Choose between the Reforest Fest Family Weekend from 16 – 18 March or the Reforest Fest Friends Weekend from 23 – 25 March. At Platbos Indigenous Forest. Get all the details and purchase your tickets at www.reforestfest.com

Sunday 18 – Friday 23 March ■ Whale Trail Photo Hike: thephotowalkers.com offers an exciting photographic treat to a maximum of 10 people over the age of 18 who will be accompanied by two accredited professional photographers on an incredible hiking experience in De Hoop Nature Reserve. Every detail has been taken care of, including transport, accommodation, food and drinks. Non-photographers (aka Soul Photographers) are welcome too! Contact Leanne Dryburgh on 083 293 7208 or send an email to tours@thephotowalkers.com. Find all the details at thephotowalkers.com/whaletrail-18-23-march-2018/

EXPLORER EXPLORER THE BUSINESS

Hemel-en-Aarde wine producers giving back to the community people of Hemel-en-Aarde.

Frieda Lloyd

The Hemel-en-Aarde farmer support stretches beyond education. There is also support for the Blackbirds Rugby Club to ensure that it's not all work for the farm workers of the region.

W

ith the economy in a slump and rampant unemployment levels giving rise to many social ills, the communities of the Cape Whale Coast have always been at the ready to assist those in need. More often than not these selfless actions go unnoticed and without praise.

The Business Explorer is setting out to change that and ensure that praise is given where it is due. In the coming issues we will be writing about businesses, entrepreneurs and individuals who make a difference in our community.

The Hemel-en-Aarde wine community is doing great work when it comes to quality wine production. This same community is also driving social change on farms and giving back. Their involvement is where it matters most - with the young children who are challenged by living far from school facilities and away from routes serviced by public transport.

Three Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centres have been established in Hemel-en-Aarde to see to that the children of our region receive the education and development assistance that they require. The three ECD Centres are the: Hemel-en-Aarde Valley Pre-School on Hamilton Russell Vineyards, Ella Gordon Crèche on Karwyderskraal and Pebbles Hemel-enAarde Education Project on Bergplaas.

At the launch of Sumaridge’s new range of lifestyle wines last week, the Bellingham Turners handed over a cheque to the Hermanus History Society (HHS) and Cliff Path Management Group (CPMG). From left are Simon Turner, David Beattie of the CPMG, Holly Bellingham Turner, winemaker Walter Pretorius and Dr Robin Lee of the HHS. About 200 children are supported at these three ECD Centres and this demonstrates the huge need for rural education. The Pebbles Hemel-enAarde Project opened its doors in 2017 and reached full capacity the minute news got out of education and care offered in the remote area between Hermanus and Caledon.

The support of the three Hemel-enAarde ECD Centres goes beyond that of the wineries and the passionate individuals working there. Rotary Hermanus did not hesitate to put their weight and money behind helping the centres. When one Rotary club is involved the others are keen to combine resources and to this end

Rotary East Hampstead and Rotary International have also become involved.

In addition, Hermanus Round Table and other charitable individuals and organisations have also joined.

Businesses such as Woolworths and Ford Hermanus, organisations such as Haygrove Heaven and the Grootbos Foundation and individuals such as Charles Back of Fairview and Nikki Ellis have also thrown their weight behind the projects.

Nikki is a British Ironman triathlete who visited Hermanus in 2017 and was introduced to the Pebbles Project by fellow countrymen and swallows

Nigel Kirkup and Brian Lee. Nikki went on to raise £2 100 when he competed in the Ironman competition last year in Austria. He has entered the 2018 Marathon des Sables and should he receive a place he will again be raising funds for Pebbles.

A mention of the benefactors to the ECD Centres will not be complete without adding the significant assistance given by the Cape Wine Auction Trust. The Trust was established in 2014 and raised a sum of R7 million in the same year. Four years on and the trust managed to increase that to R17 million. A portion of these proceeds makes its way back annually to benefit the

At a recent launch of the Sumaridge range of lifestyle wines, owner Holly Bellingham Turner, who has also been a staunch supporter of the Hermanus NSRI for many years, handed over cheques to three charities. The two local organisations to receive funding sup-port were the Hermanus History Society and Cliff Path Management Group. This support will continue as the three life-style wines – Tara, Klipkop and Bushell – will contribute from the sale of every bottle of these recently released wines.

With vineyards neighbouring the Atlantic it is natural that charity will stretch to the inhabitants of Walker Bay. Southern Right’s wines have made a difference to the conservation of whales and Creation has special bottling of “penguin” and “shark” wines to add to marine life conservation. Whalehaven also dedicated their Conservation Coast range to preserving our pristine coastline.

Hemel-en-Aarde wineries certainly put the expression “charity begins at home” in practise and have worked together as a community to ensure that those working in our vineyards and cellars will have a chance at a better future for themselves and for their children.

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BUSINESS EXPLORER

6 - 12 March 2018

New drivers in the seat at Hermanus Nissan

T

he Cape Whale Coast makes it easy for you to work hard. It is such a pleasant environment, filled with the most wonderful people and that makes for a unique combination that will be hard to find anywhere else,” says Wikus Niemand, new co-owner of Hermanus Nissan.

The husband and wife teams of Wikus and Adré Niemand and Tank and Isabella Coetzee took over the reins at the dealership on 1 March this year. This formidable team, who is no stranger to the motoring industry, took over at Ford Hermanus in September 2016.

“When we moved to Hermanus we all decided to only have one business and focus on making it the best dealership in town,” says Wikus. “Since taking over Ford, the business has shown tremendous growth in both new and second-hand car sales and in the workshop.

But when the opportunity arose the buy the Nissan dealership it was almost as if by design.

“Tank was the dealer principal of Ford in Graaff Reinet and has more than 15 years experience in the group, while I have more than 15 years experience in the Nissan group in Vereeniging in Gauteng. So, between us we have the credentials to make both the dealerships a huge success.” Alwyn and Ria Neethling from Worcester are also partners in the Nissan franchise.

“It is quite amazing how positive our 18 months in business in Hermanus have been,” continues Wikus. “When we moved here, we said to each other that this is where we want to live and enjoy what we do. And that is precisely where we are. When you are in business for yourself, the most important thing is that you are passionate about what you do and happy doing it. Yes, there are tough times and the economy is not always as strong as we would like, but through all of this we are enthusiastic about coming to work every day.

“Hermanus Nissan has a bright future as it is a well-known brand and offers a wide variety of products ranging from high-end bakkies and SUVs through to the lower end of the market with the Datsun range that is gaining a strong foothold amongst motorists,” says Wikus.

“Because we live in an area with a large rural population it is no surprise that bakkies are so popular. These workhorses have become as refined as their sedan counterparts and we expect sales in this segment to stay strong. It is also no surprise that SUVs are popular because of the outdoor lifestyle the Cape Whale Coast offers.”

He says they have done their homework and believe that there is a strong motoring market on the Whale Coast.

They are surprised by the great deal of local support they receive. “There is a perception that locals travel over the mountain to purchase and service vehicles.

This is simply not true. If you deliver quality service people will support you.”

Hermanus Nissan has always been a supporter of local events and charity drives.

According to Wikus this will continue. “We want to support the locals who support us and through the two dealerships we will be able to do even more for the community.

Nissan was the main sponsor of the Hermanus Golf Club’s Classic Tournament and Ford is the sponsor of Hermanus High School’s rugby teams,” he says.

Both couples agree that the Cape Whale Coast is one of the best places to live in. “Apart from the region being a little piece of paradise where you can get close to nature, the people are what truly make it special. From the first day we were welcomed with open hearts and arms and we have made some great friends along the way,” says Adré.

– De Waal Steyn

Wikus and Adré Niemand drink a toast with their partners Isabella and Tank Coetzee. The team owns Ford Hermanus and recently also took over the Nissan Hermanus dealership.

BUSINESS EXPLORER

6 - 12 March 2018

11

Antjie’s products leave you naturally beautiful Antjie’s Handmade Naturals is a proudly local business in Stanford that consists of a small group of hardworking women who create people-loving, earth-friendly products to pamper body and soul. PHIL MURRAY of the Stanford Association of Tourism and Business recently caught up with Nicolene Gericke, the local entrepreneur behind Antjie’s, on the stoep of the Stanford Hotel.

W

hen you first meet Nicolene Gericke, you can immediately imagine her baking homemade pretzels from scratch and preserving kumquats, or something similarly earthy and oldfashioned. She is energetic, animated and quick to laugh, and you would be hardpressed to meet a South African more committed to the beauty of simple farm life in the traditionally Afrikaans farming community of Stanford. But Nicolene’s wicker basket is full of surprises.

Nicolene and her husband Koos moved to Stanford five years ago after they fell in love with an old farm cottage surrounded by fynbos. While they do keep chickens, and harvest tomatoes and other fresh produce from the farm on a small scale, the real surprise is the Antjie’s Factory in Stanford Industria (yes, Stanford does have an industrial area).

What started as a hobby 14 years ago is today a registered company with 15 full-time employees. Antjie’s (Koos’ troetelnaam for Nicolene) produces handmade soaps and bath products on site with locally sourced ingredients such as essential oils and natural plant products, using the cold soap method.

Some of the products are packaged in sewn, crocheted and knitted packages, creating work for an additional 60 people from Atlantis to Karatara outside Sedgefield.

To my question of “Why soap?”

Nicolene replies that she has always wanted to make soap, cheese and paper. “I have only got so far as soap,” she laughs, explaining that she is allergic to ordinary supermarket soap.

“So I started making soap by hand on my kitchen table. My whole family became involved

Nicolene Gericke, aka Antjie (on the left) with members of her team at Antjie’s factory in Stanford Industria. Third from right is Phil Murray of the Stanford Association of Tourism and Business who visited their premises.

– even my little boys helped by wrapping each bar. I used to work at an architects’ firm in Bellville and make soap in the evenings and on weekends, and then sell them at markets.”

Now happily settled in Stanford (“We don’t plan on ever leaving,” she says), the Antjie’s factory is a welcoming space where you will find the children of the workers playing in the afternoons, chasing each other and laughing in the courtyard while their parents work. And coming soon, Nicolene is opening a factory outlet directly at the source – keep your ear to the ground for opening dates.

A beautiful and elegant Antjie’s gift shop on the stoep of the Stanford Hotel is full of surprises, from the full range of Antjie’s natural handmade bath products, bath salts and shaving kits to delightfully pink, quirky and unusual bird feeders, botanical silver jewellery and delicate glassware and ceramics.

Spend some time in this bright corner shop, and enjoy

a cup of tea on the Stanford Hotel verandah, making your shopping experience unrushed and indulgent, just like in the old days.

And what does the evergrowing Antjie’s have up its sleeve for 2018? “I am planning to develop a new facial range with fynbos influences, and am working on expanding Antjie’s retail presence,” says Nicolene, who already supplies retailers, corporate clients and the hotel industry throughout South Africa.

This entrepreneur is a power house of ideas and has poured her energy and her soul into Antjie’s Handmade Naturals.

She harnesses the best of local fynbos, rekindles oldfashioned crafts and home industry, epitomises the spirit of South African women, and represents the best of com-munity spirit in Stanford.

And on top of all of this, she also makes jam – just as I thought!

For more information, contact 083 530 4968 or antjies@antjies.co.za, or visit www.antjies.co.za

Koos and Nicolene Gericke. The whole family is involved in the business, Antjie’s Handmade Naturals.

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BUSINESS EXPLORER

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Handcrafted products that work, smell and feel great in 2009 and is now known as Emily Moon.

Hedda Mittner

I

Ready for a complete change, the Wilsons searched for a farm in the Karoo where they could live out their dream of farming plants to distill the essential oils. What they found was a derelict farm in the Koo Valley near Montagu.

t has been a year since Eve Wilson set up shop in the charming little thatch-roofed heritage cottage in Mitchell Street and in the space of this short period Provenance has gained a solid reputation as a destination shop for all things bright and beautiful.

As the owner of Provenance Oils, which specialises in natural skincare products made from essential oils and organic plant extracts, Eve utilises part of the premises as a workshop for the manufacturing of their popular range of products which are supplied to select retailers and guesthouses in Hermanus, Cape Town and further afield.

They are also for sale in the shop, along with a delightful mix of exclusive gifts, home ware, linen, clothing and accessories.

Eve Wilson, the owner of Provenance Oils, in front of her shop in Mitchell Street.

“With its thick walls, old wooden floorboards, low doors and loads of character, this cottage is a perfect fit for Provenance,” says Eve, whose previous Provenance shop was located in a similarly historic old house in the main street of Montagu. She says it was her husband Peter’s love of the ocean that lured the couple to Hermanus – and they have never regretted their decision.

“We love everything about living in Hermanus,” she says. “It is like a city and a village all rolled into one, with the advantages of both. The town has all the necessary infrastructure and is of course a lot busier than Montagu, which also means that I have more competition here, but that is always a good thing. At the same time there is still a laid-back village atmosphere and the town is still small enough that you can get to know your customers by name and build relationships.”

Eve and Peter originally hail from the Garden Route, where they owned a 6 ha property on the banks of the Bitou River near Plettenberg Bay for 18 years. Here they raised their two children, now grown up and living in Cape Town, and later developed and operated the Mallard River Lodge. With an abundance of bird and plant life and breathtaking views, Eve says this was “country living at its best.” The property was sold

The heritage cottage is the perfect home for Provenance’s natural skincare products and exclusive gifts.

Fields of rose geranium on the Wilsons’ farm in the Koo Valley.

“The farm had been badly overgrazed by the previous owner and had no structures on it at all, except for a leaking dam, a very good borehole and an Eskom connection,” Eve reminisces. “We built a small wooden house with the help of a local builder and, after months of fertilising, laying of irrigation and backbreaking work, we started farming with 5 hectare of Rose Geranium plants and 3 hectare of Lavender.

Eve says that before moving to the farm, they had discovered in their research that the Pelargonium (the correct name for the type of geranium they grew) was an indigenous species to the Koo Valley and had in fact been discovered in that area during the 1700s by botanists from England and Europe. The plants were taken back to their respective countries and hybrids were propagated from them, resulting in the beautiful and varied plants that we see today in flower boxes and gardens all over the world.

“The French were particularly interested in the plants for their perfume and the rosescented Pelargonium was the most successful propagation for this purpose. The ‘Bourbon’ oil from the Rose Geranium or Pelargonium graveolens, comes from the Frenchowned island of Reunion. We were able to purchase cuttings from these special hybrids from a nursery in Johannesburg and it was these plants that we grew on our farm.

“We called the farm ‘Provenance’, from the French verb provenir, which means ‘to originate or arise from’. Due to the origin of the species of pelargonium being from that particular area of the Western Cape, we felt as though the plant had found its way home again and that it was a fitting name for the farm and our products. After only a year

Provenance farm was a truly beautiful place, with a large dam, fields of plants and a proper house with a lush garden.”

Eve says by 2014 they realised they were not as young as they used to be and that farming was extremely hard work. “Believe me, since our farming experience, we have developed a very high regard and respect for farmers. It is such a dedicated life with extremely long hours and little time off, while success or failure lies to a high degree at the mercy of the weather.”

They decided to sell the farm after five years and moved to a new home in the picturesque town of Montagu close to Eve’s shop, where she continued to manufacture their popular range of body-care products from a small factory at the back of their house.

“But my husband, who has been a surfer his whole life, badly missed the sea and felt he could no longer live away from the ocean,” says Eve. “We decided to relocate to Hermanus because it’s a lovely town, my mother is living at Onrus Manor, and it's close to our children in Cape Town. After an extensive search we found this thatched roof heritage cottage which was ideal for the new Provenance store and the workshop.”

Since then Eve has continued to expand her body-pampering Provenance range, which includes various innovative handmade soaps of irresistible aromas, hand and body lotion, moisturiser, body butter, massage balm, bath and shower gel, bath bombs, eco-shampoo and conditioner, room freshner and scented candles. Other meticulously sourced products include Mungo towels and throws, Simon & Mary hats, Gypsey Lou bags and purses, Oh Voila jewellery, hemp and cotton linen from Ithaca Fine Homeware, Panama hats from Ecuador, and the most gorgeous vintage French linen. You’ll also find exquisite scarves, sleepwear, bed linen and home décor items, and the most irresistible gifts for babies.

To pop into Provenance is to be instantly enchanted.

Find them at 4 Mitchell Street; call 083 292 3359; or visit their online store at www.provenanceoils.co.za

BUSINESS EXPLORER

6 - 12 March 2018

13

Playing with clay is a serious business Elaine Davie

O

ne of the many entrepreneurial success stories in our midst of which the Overstrand community should be proud, is a potter’s gallery and workshop in Kleinmond that is making waves in the hospitality industry, but which many people may still be unaware of.

The re-imagined retail space in Harbour Road, together with the re-branded ceramic products produced in the studio, was recently relaunched as Corinne de Haas Ceramics. The business now reflects the name of its founder and master potter, who supplies some of South Africa’s most prestigious restaurants with custom crockery and serving ware.

A geologist by profession, Corinne admits she has a strong gravitational connection with the earth, but her passion for pottery began by chance. While working in Cape Town in the late ‘80s she decided to take some pottery classes, out of curiosity about the technical aspects of the craft.

And then the bug bit.

Fast forward to 1991 when she took a leap of faith and launched a pottery studio in Harbour Road, then part of the industrial area of Kleinmond. Twenty-six years later, this modest enterprise has taken root and indeed grown branches, including a popular bistro and a plant nursery.

All of them live in symbiosis with the studio where everything is hand-made by Corinne and the five potters she has trained.

Now, to Corinne’s delight, her son, Alexander van den Bergh, has joined her as a partner.

Which, in a way, brings the story full circle.

with some building work at the studio, and never left.

Various methods are used in the studio, the primary ones being throwing and drape moulding. The clay, made from a custom recipe, is robust and ensures that their crockery is oven, dishwasher and microwave-safe. “From the word go,” says Corinne, “I was interested in producing func-tional ware – beautifully designed and beautifully hand-made. I was never interested in mass production.”

Corinne’s inspiration comes from the pristine natural environment of the Kogelberg Biosphere. This is especially evident in the design of the Down to Earth range, for which Corinne applies a particular technique to shape the texture and colour of the mountains and the ocean.

“Of course, it is essential to move with the times,” she says.

“My first work was highly deco-

rated, whereas now the demand is for pared-down, classical designs, which I love doing.”

And everyone else loves them, too, apparently. From tiny Kleinmond, she supplies the hospitality trade countrywide.

Of the ten top restaurants recently listed as Eat Out award winners, seven of them are clients of Corinne de Haas Ceramics! While retail clients remain the backbone of the business, Corinne enjoys the stimulating aspect of creating bespoke ware on custom commissions.

for the various elements of the business.

So, next time you’re in Kleinmond be sure to browse through the gallery; you’ll be enchanted by the beautiful pieces, from pots of all sizes, shapes and colours, to platters, planters and wall tiles; then have a cup of coffee (in a Corinne de Haas cup) at the excellent bistro in its peaceful, plant-filled courtyard, and perhaps even purchase a shrub for the new pot you couldn’t resist!

“I still get excited when I see our plates, or mugs, or pots featured in a glossy ad for one of our high-end clients,” she laughs.

But remember, too, all this was achieved by one woman with a dream and a connection to the earth, together with the loyal and talented team who are making it a reality.

Alexander brings a new dimension to the business. An IT specialist, he has already designed new operating systems for their five kilns and is working on an integrated management and accounting structure

The Potter’s Gallery is open 7 days a week from 09:00 – 17:00.

Find them at 14 Harbour Road, Kleinmond. Visit their website at hand-made.co.za. Contact 028 271 4213 or gallery@handmade.co.za

When Alexander was little, he and his nanny, Emily Plaatjies, used to visit the studio where they had the best time, messing about in clay. So much so, that Emily decided she wanted to do it full-time. Today, 22 years later, she is still working in the studio as Corinne’s right-hand, go-to person. “Ja,” she smiles, “I’m mos like the mother here – I love this work; it’s like a therapy for me.”

Another stalwart and master potter is Elvin Daniels from the Karoo. His dream was to be an accountant, but he became irretrievably lost to the world of clay, and particularly the magic of the potter’s wheel, 18 years ago when he helped his father

Alexander van den Berg and his mother, Corinne de Haas.

Potters Zane Galant, Emily Plaatjies, Amanda van Coller, Allyson Mbanje and Elvin Daniels.

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BUSINESS EXPLORER

6 - 12 March 2018

WINE VILLAGE PRESENTS:

A fortnight with Tim Atkin

W

hen it comes to wine tasting, there has been a vast array of jokey articles, essays, even whole books, devoted to ‘faking it’. In fairness, some of these efforts are witty and take deadeye aim at wine’s always-lurking pretensions. Most such skewering efforts are, however, predictable and/or limp.

First, there is such a thing as wine expertise, in the same way – and from the same sort of effort – as there is about, say, tennis. It comes from long, experience and repeated application. But the thing about expertise – any expertise – is that it’s really a way of looking at something. Those with expertise know what to look for. Wine expertise is no different. Even if you haven’t yet acquired the long experience or achieved the repeated applications that experts can offer, you can still equip yourself with at least the savvy approach of expertise.

This is where the expertise of Tim Atkin plays a major role. The Tim Atkin rating system provides us with clear guidance on the quality of South African wines compared on an international stage. Atkin is an award-winning wine writer and Master of Wine with 31 years’ experience. He writes for a number of publications, including The World of Fine Wine, Gourmet Traveller Wine, Decanter, Jamie Magazine, and Woman and Home.

He is one of the Three Wine Men. He is cochairperson of the International Wine Challenge, the world’s most rigorously judged blind tasting competition, and has won over 30 awards for his journalism and photography.

Sport offers a good analogy. I’ve never played

tennis, but even I can see that Roger Federer is incredible, and not just because he gets the ball across the net. (After all, the other guy does that too.) My tennis-savvy pals can go into all sorts of details about what makes Federer so extraordinary – even when he loses. I can’t.

More than any other subject, talking about wine invites – often justifiably – more derision and scorn than anything. Seemingly not a week goes by without one writer or another mocking the pretensions of wine speak. Often, it’s richly deserved.

So what, then, are we to do? Silence is no answer. A good wine drunk without comment is like a prayer without an “amen.” Which is why Wine Village is proud to reveal some of the secrets behind the award-winning wines selected by Tim Atkin in his most recent review.

We have selected 30 premium wines that scored 90+ points by Tim Atkin.

Of the 1 687 or so wines Tim tasted for his 2017 South Africa Report, only 164 wines scored 95 points or more. Scoring works as follows: 85 – 89 points is the equivalent of a bronze medal, 90 – 94 a silver and 95 and above a gold.

Wine Village has selected 30 of their favourite premium wines that scored 90+ and will be showcasing them from Saturday 3 March to Sunday 18 March. Join the team for an infopacked tasting daily, as we present 7+ wines every day. An experience not to be missed!

Come join us for a fine wine time and follow this journey of discovery on Twitter, You Tube and Instagram. For more details, contact 028 316 3988.

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BUSINESS EXPLORER

6 - 12 March 2018

New FynArts Gallery to open soon

ynArts Festival Director Mary Faure gave us the good news that Hermanus FynArts (8 – 17 June 2018) will be the first arts festival in South Africa to run its own full-time art gallery. Now in its sixth successful year, the festival goes from strength to strength – just look at the splendid brochure on the website hermanusfynarts.co.za to see all the offerings this time, a smorgasbord of pleasures for visitors and locals alike.

The new gallery will be in The Courtyard off Harbour Road where Kunskantoor is spreading its wings and Geta Finlayson is well established. The corner between these two is the space that became available after Novil joined Kunskantoor in moving to the Abalone premises. Novil shows ceramics and objets curated with a discerning eye by Andrew Caldwell.

The key reason for the establishment of the gallery is to provide an appropriate venue to host the Festival Artist, this year Kate Gottgens, whose work is curated by Marilyn Martin, member of the FynArts

Art News Patrick Chapman

Advisory Board. In the past the Old Synagogue was made available but is too grand a venue to rely on the generosity of the owners for ever. A further pressing need for a gallery is to contribute to costs through sales of artworks.

Chantel Louskitt, currently the sole full-time employee of FynArts, will man the gallery and have a permanent desk there. Ticket sales will con-tinue at the Tourism Office (and online through Web-tickets) and all the stocks and paraphernalia will remain there so the gallery space can be crisp and uncluttered. It is a pleasure to report that the 17 or so galleries that form the Hermanus First Fridays group have welcomed the FynArts Gallery as part of their contribution to “Hermanus – THE art destination of the Western Cape”.

The Courtyard, home for some years to the late Ortrud Mulder’s Abalone Gallery, is a choice location. Central and intriguing, as lanes and tucked-away spaces tend to be, the recent addition of young trees, garden furniture and exterior sculpture enhance it greatly. Out-ofdoors sculpture has become a FynArts speciality, think Gearings Point, Lemm’s Corner and Anton Smit’s splendid ring of diving figures around the International signpost in front of Burgundy Restaurant.

I look forward to seeing the space, sensitively lit, in the evening and you can be sure that someone will be offering coffee, wine or other essentials for thirsty art lovers. The FynArts Gallery will be a focus on fine art at the fest and a reminder of it throughout the year: A most welcome addition to our Old Town revival.

The new FynArts Gallery will be opening soon in The Courtyard off Harbour Road, between Geta Finlayson and Kunskantoor.

For enquiries please contact FynArts Festival Director Mary Faure, on 084 600 7058 or fynarts@hermanus.co.za, or Chantel Louskitt, FynArts administrative coordinator, on 060 957 5371 or admin@hermanusfynarts.co.za

REMINDER: The last day for booking your Early Bird tickets for FynArts 2018 is Friday, 9 March. Tickets are available from the following outlets: • Online at webtickets.co.za or www.hermanusfynarts.co.za • At Hermanus Tourism in the Station Building, Mitchell Street, Hermanus and also via telephone on 028 312 26 29 or 060 957 5371 during office hours.

• Various Pick n Pay branches throughout the country.

Hermanus First Fridays as popular as ever

Charmaine de Jongh Gelderblom with “Beach Sheriff” Antonio da Silva-Swart in Charmaine’s gallery in Main Road during the HFF Artwalk on Friday 2 March.

PHOTOS: Hedda Mittner

Leon Müller , the owner of Art Thirst (on the right) with Artwalkers Bela and Liz Resch, swallows from Germany who have spent 22 holidays in Hermanus since 1996 and now live here for three months of the year.

The owners of The Ploughshed, Greg and Stephanie Ferent, with their children Gaston and Valentine, enjoying the art on display at The Art Gallery.

Francois Grobbelaar (on the right), the owner of Walker Bay Gallery, with artist Tertius van Dyk, in front of one of his paintings. Tertius’ work is currently on exhibit at Walker Bay Modern.

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BUSINESS EXPLORER

6 - 12 March 2018

Water is a basic human right, but…

ith every human right there comes an individual obligation to use that right responsibly.

The right to access to water is enshrined in our Constitution, and for a long time many of us who are privileged to have running water laid on to our houses have taken it for granted that water will be available in whatever quantity we are happy to pay for.

the Overstrand? Or do we actually have “enough” water?

MY NEWS Environment THE

It is true that the Municipality has been proactive in planning for the Overstrand’s future water requirements.

Heavy reliance is being placed upon water abstraction from aquifers, because rainfall into our catchment areas and dam capacity are limited and insufficient to meet future needs. Future strategy is to reprocess sewage and use desalination plants to provide potable water.

And because it has been cheap to buy, some of it even free, we have used it liberally, without much thought… Oh, there’ve been those annoying years when the reservoirs have been low and we’ve been prevented from watering our gardens for a little while. “Isn’t it terrible to see the lawns so brown” are the kind of comments we make and hear in those times. But, we’ve otherwise continued to bath and shower and have lived a normal life.

This strategy is expensive from both capital outlay and operational cost perspectives.

And electricity is needed for the operation of the processing plants… did you know that every time you use mains electricity you are indirectly using water? Every kWh of energy used from Eskom results in about 1.5 litres of water being used by the power station! But I digress…

Ask any Capetonian how it now feels to be limited to 50 litres per day, and, come Day Zero, to be limited to 25 litres a day which they will have to fetch from some distant water standpipe! Aren’t we so fortunate to have a good water supply and good planning for the future in

Our Municipality is expanding the residential areas in the Overstrand at rapid rate. The proposed urban expansion in the Afdaks River area between Hawston and Fisherhaven, for

example, will, if allowed, consume of the order of 20 mega litres of water per month, even if each dwelling unit consumes just 6 kl per month.

Where is this going to come from – and at whose expense?

It’s time each of us reviews our water use habits. We have to take responsibility for our excessive water consumption.

What is a reasonable daily consumption per person? Is it 50 litres per person per day?

“Absurdly low,” I hear the cry!

Well, if each household uses the municipal threshold of 6 kl per month and there are an average of 4 people in each home, that’s what it works out to be. So, there’s the challenge… what is your household’s current daily consumption per person, and what should it be for sustainable, affordable water supply in the future?

We are living in a water-scarce area. We need to take responsibility for our consumption of water, to protect our rights to free access to water on tap!

– Rob Fryer Whale Coast Conservation

Be on the lookout for Avian Influenza Since December 2017 a large amount of dead or very sick marine bird species have been found along the Overstrand coastline and estuaries. The majority of the affected seabirds were Swift Terns. In January, however, other tern and seabird species have also tested positive for the highly pathogenic H5N8 strain of avian influenza.

This pathogen has now also caused the death of a small number of African penguins.

Although this is cause for concern, there is very little that can be done to prevent a possible outbreak. A press release from the Overstrand Municipality states that this is a frustrating situation because our natural reaction is to ‘do something’. “Unfortunately, this is one of those times where we will just have to hope that the natural resilience of the tenacious African penguin will weather the storm,” according to the press release.

The Department of Environmental Affairs, Oceans & Coast branch, all management authorities of seabird colonies and seabird rehabilitation facilities are monitoring the situation. Necessary precautionary protocols to contain the spread of the disease have also been implemented, while extended surveillance and

strain that we are currently dealing with has not been shown to infect humans and, on the basis of current knowledge, it is considered a very low public health risk. It is predominantly a bird virus.

collaboration across sectors are assisting with further epidemiological evaluations.

Members of the public are advised to not pick up or touch the dead/dying animals but to rather alert the authorities and specialists to deal with the matter.

Know this The virus is not harmful to people or dogs, but can be for domesticated birds. If people have domesticated birds at home and they come from the beach where their dogs came in contact with the dead birds,

the dogs should rather be washed with a disinfectant shampoo which can be obtained from any veterinary shop.

Haemagglutinin (H) and Neuraminidase (N). These proteins determine the kind of species (birds, pigs, or humans) that the virus can infect.

Q: What is avian influenza?

A: Avian influenza, also known as ‘avian flu’ or ‘bird flu’ is an infection of wild birds and commercial or domestic poultry and ostriches. Waterbirds are the natural host of avian influenza. Avian influenza viruses are within the group of ‘influenza A viruses’ and are classified into subtypes according to two proteins found on the surface of the virus,

Q: What is the risk of the current avian influenza (H5N8) infecting humans in South Africa?

A: The risk is very low. No symptomatic cases of human infection with avian influenza viruses have been documented in South Africa, even following the outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in South Africa in 2004, 2006, 2011-13 and 2017. The H5N8

Q: How is avian influenza transmitted?

A: In the wild, avian influenza is most often spread by direct contact between infected birds and healthy birds. The avian influenza virus is found in secretions from the nares (nostrils), mouth, and eyes of infected birds and is also excreted in their droppings (excreta). Contact with contaminated droppings is the most common means of birdto-bird transmission. In poultry houses, airborne secretions are another important means of transmission.

Q: Can anything be done to prevent the spread of the disease in the wild?

A: There is no benefit to be gained in attempting to control the virus in wild birds through culling or habitat destruction. Increased surveillance and the removal and correct disposal of carcasses can mitigate the spread of the disease. The relevant authorities will implement these actions according to the correct protocols if required.

Q: What are the signs of avian influenza in seabirds?

A: Affected birds show neurological signs such as twitching and head tremors and may have difficulty breathing. Terns and other flying birds often lose their ability to sustain flight and will be seen flapping around on land or in shallow water.

Q: What must I do if I find a sick seabird?

A: Sick seabirds in the Overstrand area should be reported to the African Penguin & Seabird Sanctuary (APSS). Members of the public will then be advised as to how to deal with the bird. As a precautionary measure, it is advisable that you do not touch these birds if you have pet birds at home or if you are working in the poultry or ostrich industry. The APSS rescue line is 072 598 7117. The Overstrand Municipality's environmental department can be contacted on 028 316 3724.

Q: What must I do if I come across any dead seabirds?

A: If you do come across any dead seabirds on the beach, take a photo of the birds, note the location (with GPS coordinates, if possible), the number of dead birds and species if you are able to identify the species. Please send this information via WhatsApp or SMS to 072 598 7117 or email to penguin@apss.org.za

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6 - 12 March 2018

CANSA Relay for Life: Purple equals hope

C

ANSA invites businesses, churches, schools, sports teams, NCO’s, friends and families to enter teams for the 10th CANSA Relay for Life event on 17 March at Hermanus High School from 18:00 until 06:00 the next morning.

This popular annual event is a fundraiser that is organised by volunteers in the community, for the community. The focus is on fun for the whole family – everyone is welcome to join in, regardless of age or fitness level. The event honours cancer survivors, celebrates life and recognises the success of team fundraising activities. It is the one fundraiser on the yearly calendar that unites all people in our community, where everyone works together towards a common goal – a future where no-one needs to fear cancer, knowing that we are stronger than cancer and that there is always hope.

The Relay for Life is an all-night event because cancer never sleeps and this is the one night a year when you can show your support for those who face this battle every day. The time line also symbolises the road that cancer patients have to walk from the time they receive the diagnosis: you have cancer. For the patient this feels like the end of the world, as though

THE

NEWS

MY Health

everything has gone dark. In the early hours Relay for Life participants get tired, which reminds us of the cancer patient’s struggle and fatigue, and the temptation to give up.

But by persevering, we can see the sun rise and realise that the gift of a new day gives everyone renewed hope and strength.

There will be prizes for the team that raised the most funds, as well as the team with

the most spirit. You can get your entry form now at the Kleinmond Library in Fifth Avenue, Kleinmond; at the CANSA offices in Roos Street, Onrus (call Maryna on 028 316 3678); or by contacting Dorenn Prent on 072 997 1452, sending an email to miemsie@onstv.net or a whatsapp/sms to 083 445 2684 with your team name, contact details and email address to receive your entry form via email.

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19

SCHOOL NEWS

A new era dawns for Curro Hermanus

urro Hermanus celebrated the official opening of their new high school facilities on Friday morning, 2 March. The pre-primary and primary school learners formed a guard of honour for the high school learners as they walked from the old building to the new, symbolising the start of a new era in the history of the school. As they entered the new building, each learner rang a bell and signed their names in the memorial register.

The new high school campus includes laboratories for IT, CAT, Life Sciences and Physical Science; a Visual Art and Design Studio; a Dance and Drama Studio; a modern kitchen for Hospitality studies and a restaurant, as well as an indoor swimming pool.

After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Curro High School Principal Pierre van der Westhuizen officially welcomed the staff and 144 high school learners to the new campus. The 40 matric learners of 2018 constitute the school’s fourth matric class and also the largest so far. In his welcoming address, Van der Westhuizen said he wanted the learners to find joy, success and happiness at the school, and went on to quote Nelson Mandela in saying that education is the most powerful weapon for changing the world.

Head Girl Kaci van Romburgh leads the way as the high school learners walk through the guard of honour.

Principal Pierre van der Westhuizen (centre) and Head Boy Gabriel Strafford (on his left) look on as Head Girl Kaci van Romburgh cuts the ribbon.

Curro High School staff and learners gathered in front of their new building, which was officially opened on Friday 2 March.

PHOTOS: Taylum Meyer

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6 - 12 March 2018

A new vision for idyllic Whale Coast villages

P

roperty sales are flourishing in the picturesque villages along the Western Cape’s Whale Coast – and bringing with them the prospects of new businesses and much-needed employment opportunities for the local communities.

THE

NEWS

demand and low supply, and stand prices in the area have risen by between 6% and 38%.

MY Home

“There is also massive demand now for long-term rental properties, in addition to the seasonal demand for holiday rentals, but almost no stock available. Monthly rentals are on the rise as a result and there are definitely opportunities to build more rental units – even though new development in these villages is very strictly controlled.”

That’s the word from Pierre Combrink, one of the new coowners of the RealNet Whale Coast franchise covering the villages of Rooiels, Pringle Bay, Betty’s Bay and Kleinmond. He says an increasing number of young entrepreneurs and professionals are among those now relocating permanently to this area instead of just buying retirement or holiday homes here.

“More than 500 properties in these four villages have been sold in the past year, and although these sales were still dominated by people in their 50s and 60s with their eye on retirement, more than a third were made to people aged 36 to 45 who have mostly relocated with their families, and another 10% to millennials aged 18 to 35.

“In addition, figures from pro-

perty data company Lightstone show that between 16% and 28% of all home owners in the villages are now ‘newcomers’ who have bought their properties within the past five years. Some of these new residents are taking advantage of new technologies to work remotely, but

many others have set up new enterprises and practices – and even the remote workers are contributing to the local economies by spending their earnings here.”

The Lightstone statistics also show that there have been fewer sales in the area this

year than in 2016, but this is due to a lack of properties for sale rather than a lack of interest on the part of buyers, Combrink says. “Indeed, the median house price in Kleinmond, the biggest of the Whale Coast villages, has risen by more than 15% in the past 12 months as a result of strong

This is a good thing, he says, because the region’s biggest asset when it comes to creating much-needed employment opportunities is the fact that it is so unspoiled – and likely to remain so because it is part of the spectacular Kogelberg Reserve, the first area in SA to be designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

“Such areas are favourites among the increasing number of affluent international tourists who are travelling the world now in search of unique cultural, historical, adventure and eco-experiences, and the

potential for local entrepreneurs and professionals to tap into that market is enormous.”

Of course, the area is already renowned as one of the best places in the world to watch whales, notes Combrink, while also boasting a multitude of beautiful beaches and lagoons to please those who love water sports.

“In addition, the villages themselves offer plenty of distractions, from museums and craft shops to artists’ studios, unique restaurants, quaint pubs, fishing harbours and even a honey ‘factory’ – all within 100 km of central Cape Town and also within easy reach of Hermanus, the Riviera of the South.”

Prices for non-beachfront stands in this area currently range from around R290 000 to around R580 000, and the Lightstone statistics show the following average prices for freehold homes in this area over the past 12 months: Rooiels – R3,08M; Pringle Bay – R1,36M; Betty’s Bay – R1,3M; Kleinmond – R1,4M.

6 - 12 March 2018

SCHOOLS & SPORT

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HERMANUS PRIMARY SCHOOL CARNIVAL FUN Wepener van der Walt from Wepener Entertainment really fit into this year’s Jungle theme at the Hermanus Primary School’s Carnival on Friday 2 March. Dressed in a Gorilla suit he hired from Chilli Pepper in Hermanus, he spent his time at the carnival juggling and chasing after laughing children.

GENERATION SCHOOLS HERMANUS FIGHTING FIRE Liv Gordon (Applewood Preparatory School in Grabouw) and Lily Uys (Generation Schools Hermanus) tried on firefighter jackets at the Generation Fun Fair on Friday 2 March to feel how heavy some of the kit is that firemen have to carry when they fight the flames.

The children enjoyed all the usual fun activities at this year’s Hermanus Primary School Carnival, such as the Bucking Bull, waterslides and jumping castles.

Bevan Hess from Hermanus Fire Station showed a local learner how the Jaws of Life work by cutting through strips of metal.

PHOTOS: Taylum Meyer

Keeping our cyclists safe Cyclists in Hermanus and surrounding areas have been getting increasingly nervous about cycling alone or in small groups due to the multiple attacks on cyclists on the past few months. As part of an outreach programme, troops from the Hawston Cadets (led by ex SANDF Irvin Sauls) have been taking to the R43 every weekend to show their support to cyclists. On Saturday 3 March the Cycling Committee arranged a meeting with all the cyclists and members of the Hawston Cadets to say thank you to the Cadets who have marshalled to keep passing cyclists safe on the weekends.

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L2L ladies back home

A few of the participants of the 2018 Lighthouse 2 Lighthouse Ladies Walk shortly after they arrived back in Hermanus from their four-day hike on Sunday 4 March.

With them are L2L chairperson Janine Boshoff (front left) and L2L patron, Ald Nicolette Botha-Guthrie (front row third from the right). The hike started from the lighthouse at Cape Agulhas on Thursday morning and ended at Danger Point Lighthouse near Gansbaai on Sunday afternoon. The ladies were brought back to Hermanus where they were reunited with their families at Swallow Park. The Whale Crier welcomed them back to Hermanus by blowing his kelp horn. Hermanus Animal Welfare and the Hermanus Senior Centre will receive the funds that were raised during the practice walk and the official walk at the awards ceremony in April.

PHOTO: Taylum Meyer

Fighting fit locals

Nic Lotter from Titanium Training (left) with two of his trainees, Shené Roux (21) and De Wet Laing (28) at ProActive Gym in Hermanus just days before the Western Province PCA Development Show held in Durbanville on 3 March. Shené and De Wet were among seven athletes from the Overberg area who participated in this event hosted by PCA, a new bodybuilding federation that is taking South Africa by storm. They prepped for weeks, following a strict diet and a gruelling training regime, before taking to the stage in their different categories. In the last three years, Hermanus and the Overberg have made a name at the bodybuilding shows by consistently bringing home medals. Athletes are judged on symmetry, muscularity, poise, stage presence, performance and body condition. Nerves were strung high as this was the first show for most of the athletes who participated, but they did extremely well, with all seven athletes placing in the top five in their categories.

Congratulations to Natasha Byleveld (1st Place Toned Bikini), Elizma Otto (2nd Place Toned Bikini), Odette Van Der Merwe (2nd Place Masters Trained Bikini), DeWet Laing (2nd Place Mens Physique), Donovan Van Der Merwe (3rd Place Bodybuilding U23), Sanoline Calitz (4th Place Toned Bikini) and Shené Roux (5th Place Toned Bikini).

PHOTO: Taylum Meyer

Hermanus ladies excel in bowls tournament

The Section A winners were Jean Greyling, Glenda Theobald, Elsie McGeoch and Lorna Eglin. Bern van Niekerk, owner of Gateway and Eastcliff Village Superspar handed over the prizes at the conclusion of the event.

One of the year's highlights on the Hermanus Bowls calendar is the annual Gateway Superspar Ladies Fours Tournament. The event was held at the Hermanus Bowls Club on 22 – 23 February with entries from clubs across the Overberg. Searing heat on the opening day and intermittent showers on day two did not deter the ladies, with fierce competition prevailing on the greens. Teams from the Hermanus Club emerged victorious in both section A and B.

The Section B winners were Sonja Kruger, Anneke Thorpe, Susan Esterhuyse and Lucille Herbst, here with Bern van Niekerk of Superspar, the main sponsor.

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6 - 12 March 2018

G

Super junior tournament launched

reetings to one and all!

This week we start off with a really great initiative – the Kosie Pieters Youth development Cup. It was the brain child of Riaan Pieters in honour of his dad, and both were present on Sunday 25 February, with 16 juniors teeing it up.

The weather played its part and the sun was shining! The competition format was an individual stableford and overall it was a great success.

Our winner was George Botha on 42 points and second place went to Nicola Streicher. Well done to all who took part!

We received the following message from Riaan: The directors of the Foundation were overwhelmed with the extremely positive turn-out for the first event of the Kosie Pieters Youth Golf Development Cup held at HGC on the 25th of February 2018. Our thanks to the Hermanus Golf Club for hosting this event, to the directors of the Foundation for their input and assistance, to the Hermanus Golf Club staff for their input and efforts and to the Hospitality Group for the sponsoring of the snacks at Prize Giving. Also thanks to Pieters De Villiers & Associates for sponsoring the first event. We believe this will become a monthly event no young golfer would want to miss.

Riaan Pieters – Chairman: Kosie Pieters Golf Development Foundation NPC New exciting arrivals This is a particularly lovely time of year when the major manufacturers release their new offerings, and I am really pleased to tell you all that we have the new Twistface from Taylormade and the new Rogue selection from Callaway. Both are super new innovations and we have some demo clubs to test.

The Putting Pirate Julian Shaw

Upcoming Club Championships It’s that time of year that we see everyone suddenly appearing on the driving range and frantically hitting as many balls as possible in preparation for the Club Champs! This year it will be played on 3 and 4 March and both men and ladies are playing at the same time. To all, the very best of luck!

Most improved golfer This week we saw a really nice game of golf by one of our ladies, Patricia Storbeck. She has been taking lessons from PGA Professional Strydom van Dyk and had her personal best this week – a gross 83 nett 61 (have a look at the scorecard).

It is a new personal best – well done indeed.

Until next week, have fun, go practice and play golf.

Above are Kosie Pieters and overall winner George Botha, with Riaan Pieters and tournament organiser Strydom van Dyk. Below is a team photo of all the players.

Scores at a glance LADIES TUESDAYS 20 FEBRUARY Alliance Stableford - 55 players Winners East Course: Arlene Ross smith, Ellen Davies, Elise Nykamp and Ines Van der Plas - 82 points.

Winners South Course - Cheryl Richardson, Ines van der Plas, Joy Lordon, Chrystal Harris - 82 points.

MEN’S WEDNESDAYS 14 FEBRUARY 153 players in a Betterball bogey plus.

Winners East Course: Pikkie Blommaert and Frans Esterhuyse +16 Winners South Course: Tony Behagg and Peter Sulley +15 Winners North Course: Baldy Baldwin and Duncan Fletcher +10 Ball pool paid to +8 Best gross: Des Sauls - 70 SATURDAY ALTOGETHER 24 FEBRUARY 153 players - Alliance Stableford Winners: East Course: G du Plooy, A Sherriff, J Cloete and S O’Sullivan 89 South Course - D Dockel, C Garbers, W Theron and T Schouw - 93 North Course - D Ridley, L Nel, R Buhr and E Rossouw – 90 C/I Ball pool paid to 88 and there were 8 two clubs.

Best Gross: D Sauls - 72 The attendance draw this week was sponsored by Sterling Renault fellow member Gerrie du Plooy and was won by GP le Roux.

SUNDAY MIXED 11 FEBRUARY Winners South Course: Udo and Isalda Striene, Robert Streine and Jenny Kingston - 84 points Winners East Course: Mike Wells, Mieke Tetley, Bob Fell and Linda Hudson - 83 points Valentines mixed - Alliance Stableford 132 players Winners East Course: Gerry McGovern, Roger Beeken, Val Beeken and Bridget Bergin - 86 Winners South Course: Kay Forman, Viv Chatfield, Brian Forman and Nigel Chatfield - 86 Winners North Course: Liz Walton, Rob Walton, Glenda and Fred Von Benecke - 91

To advertise in The Village NEWS, contact Rina de Wet on

083 604 0808

Patricia Storbeck had her personal best this week – a gross 83 nett 61.

24

THE

NEWS

6 - 12 March 2018

MY Sport

Foreign VS home-grown coaches: Rassie’s the man

S

outh African cricket and football have followed the trend of many other countries by appointing foreign coaches at the helm of our national teams. The SA cricket team has appointed West Indian, Otis Gibson, as head coach and Bafana Bafana are guided by Englishman, Stuart Baxter.

Offside Tony O’Hagan

Vern Cotter from New Zealand laid solid foundations as coach of Scotland (now ranked 5th) from 2014 – 2017, much of this visible in their recent upset win over England in the Six Nations and the 1st Calcutta Cup win for Scotland in 10 years. Australia took the step of appointing a foreigner when New Zealander Robbie Deans headed their coaching staff from 2008 – 2013. In past years New Zealander Alex Wyllie and South African Isak van Heerden assisted Argentina.

Allister Coetzee's successor as Springbok coach, however, is no foreign coach but Director of SA Rugby, Rassie Erasmus. Has he been handed the poisoned chalice or is he the new Messiah of South African rugby? Erasmus has an impressive track record, both as a player and with a wealth of coaching experience, locally and abroad.

South African rugby have never ventured abroad to solicit coaches from other countries despite their popularity with other national rugby unions.

The closest South Africa came to a foray into foreign waters was Australian Eddie Jones, who was an advisor to Jake White in 2007 when the Springboks won the coveted World Cup.

Foreign coaches in charge of some of these unions include the following: Australian Eddie Jones – England (ranked 2 in the world rankings), New Zealander Joe Schmidt – Ireland (ranked 3), and New Zealander Warren Gatland – Wales (ranked 7).

Rassie Erasmus, the new Springbok coach.

In the cricket arena, Australian Trevor Bayliss oversees England's fortunes on the pitch. South African Mickey Arthur is in charge of Pakistan, recent winners of the Champion's Trophy. Our own Gary Kirsten guided India to a

World Cup trophy.

In football, the Premiership coaches consist of a plethora of foreigners at the helm. The leading clubs all have coaches from abroad: Jose Mourinho (Portugal) – Manchester United; Pep Guardiola (Spain) – Manchester City; Jurgen Klopp (Germany) – Liverpool; Mauricio Pochetino (Argentina) – Spurs; Antonio Conte (Italy) – Chelsea; and Arsene Wenger (France) – Arsenal. Talk of the United Nations! Fish and chips or bangers and mash are probably not on their menu.

Other than South Africa, New Zealand and France have stuck with home growns. With their dominance in the game, one understands the New Zealand viewpoint and this is further justified by a recent rugby pundit survey, ranking 10 New Zealand coaches among the top 14 in world rugby. As for France, there are numerous foreign coaches in the Top 14 clubs.

The challenges for South Africa in engaging a top

foreign coach is the value of the rand versus the pound or euro, the understanding of the quota system and the necessary transformation targets. Add to this the number of players plying their trade abroad, lured by foreign currency that compounds the problem.

With our current world ranking at No. 6, just ahead of Wales, the present situation is not pretty.

Surely we have the talent in this country to move back to our rightful position near the top of the rugby world? In some rugby quarters, it has been suggested that we follow the trend and appoint a foreign coach, but the decision to go home grown is now made and Rassie has all the credentials to succeed. Let's hope he is left to his own devices with little interference from the powers that be.

First up, under his tenure, will be a game against Wales in the USA at the end of May, followed by a stiff examination against the No.2 ranked team, England, in June. We wish Rassie, who played for and coached the Free State Cheetahs, much success.

As the saying goes: "Vrystaaaat!”