The Village NEWS 3 - 16 October 2017

Village

NEWS NEWS The

3 - 16 October 2017

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Entrepreneurial winner 2017

Special BUSINESS Edition Cape Whale Coast

Time to celebrate business on the Cape Whale Coast De Waal Steyn

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he time has come to celebrate the Cape Whale Coast and thank the hard-working people who ensure that this region stays firmly entrenched in its position as one of the most prominent tourism and business hubs in the Western Cape.

The 26th annual Whale Festival attracted thousands of visitors to Hermanus over the weekend. The 3-day long eco-marine festival once again played host to the Whales and Wheels car show and boasted an interactive marine exhibition and a music tent at Gearing’s Point. Saturday morning between 09:00 and 10:00 more than 700 cars per hour were counted entering town. By the afternoon traffic was gridlocked and the commute between the CBD and Onrus took close to an hour to complete. Read more on P 20.

PHOTO: Taylum Meyer, Titanium Photography

Our region has shown consistent Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of more than 5,3% over the past 5 years. Excellent service delivery, economic growth and the natural beauty of the region has prompted an influx of new residents and it is no wonder that Hermanus is the fastest growing town in the Western Cape and the 7th fastest nationally.

To cope with the demands of an ever-increasing population it is imperative for all of us to support local businesses and

entrepreneurs. As many would testify it is no mean feat to run a business in a seasonal environment. It takes meticulous planning and perseverance to ensure that a business stays profitable and shows consistent growth.

A snapshot of the Overstrand reveals that there are more than 35 000 households in the area with a population of more than 94 000 people.

Of these 98% have access to water, and 90% access to refuse removal. 89% of households have electricity and 92% of residents have access to sanitation services. The per capita income of households in 2016 was estimated to be R33 100, with the largest contributor to the economy being the financial services, real estate and business services sector at 30,5%. The wholesale trade, catering and accommodation sector adds 16,4% and the manufacturing sector 15,3% to the region’s GDP.

Against this background The Village NEWS is proud to announce the launch of the Cape Whale Coast Service Excellence Awards. The awards are aimed at recognising businesses, their owners, NGOs, entrepreneurs and leaders who offer invaluable services that help stimulate our economy. The idea is to celebrate businesses who offer service excellence, promote ethical business practices and social investment.

It is also an honour to announce that the annual Mayoral Awards will in future be hosted with the Service Excellence Awards. The winners will be announced at a gala event in October next year.

Details on the Service Excellence Awards will be published in The Village NEWS and on social media in the coming months. We urge all businesses to become part of this initiative and we ask clients to share their excellent service experiences with us at admin@thevillagenews.co.za.

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Hermanus Ford finds itself on the success highway

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increased from 10 to 22 people in one year.

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 of Ford Hermanus.

New vehicle sales have also grown significantly with bakkies and the Eco Sport SUV variant being the most popular with car buyers.

Wikus and his wife Adré, together with business partner Tank Coetzee took over the reins at the Ford dealership in September 2016.

“It is quite amazing how positive our first year in business has been. When Tank and I decided to buy the business, we said to each other that we want to move to Hermanus and enjoy what we do. 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.

“And that is precisely where we are. The dealership has not only grown beyond our expectations, we also soon ranked in the top 10 out of the 141 dealerships in the country for excellent client service. To deliver quality service and keep our customers happy was our main aim. With that in place it was only natural that the business would grow,” says Wikus.

Hermanus Ford has grown by close on 200% on gross turnover in the past year, while car sales have grown by 88% and the number of staff has

Guests at the official launch of the Pebbles Hemel-en-Aarde Education Project earlier this year gathered at Creation Wines on the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge before being transported in the brand-new Pebbles bus to Bergplaas for a tour of the facilities. From left are André du Plessis, Carolyn Martin (Creation), Richard Beardsall (Hermanus Rotary), Marileze Buys (Pebbles Project), Andries Schreuder (Agrimark), and Wikus and Adré Niemand (Ford Hermanus).

Ford Hermanus was awarded first place nationally for best sales service by a Ford dealership as rated by customers. “We were completely astounded and did not expect it at all.

Customers from all over the country were asked to rate the sales service we offered and we received the best reviews of all of them. We are extremely proud of our achievement and it is a reflection not only of our way of doing business but also of the community we serve,” says Wikus Niemand, co-owner of Ford Hermanus. With Wikus (pictured above on the left) are sales representatives Ryno Steyn and Debbie Taljaard, and co-owner Tank Coetzee who were overjoyed with the trophy they received.

“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,” says Wikus.

What has surprised the Ford Hermanus team is the great deal of local support they receive. “When we did our market research before we bought the dealership we found that in many instances residents still travelled over the mountain to purchase cars. From day one we set out to show potential buyers that the deals and service we offer locally are as good if not better than what you can expect elsewhere. Now more than 70% of our sales and workshop hours are from locals, something we are very proud of,” says Wikus.

According to Tank a lot of effort has been taken to ensure that the workshop delivers the best service possible. “We have installed three new lifts on which we can service large bakkies and SUVs. This has greatly increased the number of vehicles that the workshop can service. In fact, the num-

ber of service hours has doubled in the past year. We also average 97% in the ‘fix right, first time’ category. For the workshop it is important to get it right the first time.”

Wikus says the multi-millionrand investment in a secondhand car lot across the street has also paid dividends. After only a few months in operation some 12 vehicles a month are being sold. “We had some bad luck when the car ports we erected were blown over during a storm only a few days after we opened. But we quickly replaced them and ever since second-hand sales have boomed.”

The Ford Hermanus team has also made it their mission to reciprocate the local support by becoming involved in various local charity drives and events.

Earlier in the year they assisted the Pebbles Project in acquiring a bus to transport learners in the remote area of Hemel-enAarde Ridge to and from school and aftercare. They are also a major sponsor of the Global Golf Challenge that will be held for the second time in January 2018 and Ford Hermanus also sponsors the Hermanus Golf Club Challenge.

Adré, Wikus and Tank all agree that the Cape Whale Coast is one of the best places to live.

“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

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No terrible twos for Betty Blue cook with Celia for an insert on her programme Just Cooking.

Hedda Mittner

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“It is gratifying to see how our concept is appealing to a younger market – and the tourists love it!” says Rayno. “I’ve had offers to franchise Betty Blue and open in Stellenbosch and Cape Town, but how do I franchise Celia?”

t was at this time of year, in September 2001, that Rayno and Celia Rabie started their culinary journey in Hermanus by opening Savannah Café at the Village Square.

It was just before the start of the Whale Festival and, freshly arrived from Nelspruit where they’d owned a successful guesthouse and function venue, the Rabies hit the ground running.

Rayno is always quick to credit his wife for their success, emphasising that a restaurant is not just about the food or the setting – it is about the whole experience. A big part of that is Celia’s ability to make everyone feel welcome, to engage with people and turn clients into friends – she not only knows their names but also their families and personal preferences.

“We didn’t know this was one of the busiest times in Hermanus,” laughs Rayno. “My head was spinning, but Celia ran with the ball and no one could catch her!”

Sixteen years later, this trendsetting couple remains at the forefront of innovation and continue to reinvent themselves. Having turned Savannah Café into one of the most popular eating spots in Hermanus, followed by the Burgundy which they bought in 2009 and elevated to new heights with their trademark magic touch, the Rabies embarked on a new venture two years ago called Betty Blue.

“We started from scratch with a blank canvas,” says Rayno. “Our new premises on the busy Main Road were not ideal and we had no sea views, but we had a vision and we thrived on the challenge of creating something unique. Celia adores white and natural wood, and that was our starting point.” Next came the beautiful hand-painted Moroccan floor tiles, the whimsical Parisian wallpaper, with added splashes of navy blue and a delicious buttery yellow to create an inviting space with a light, clean and fresh look.

When it came to the menu, Celia was equally inspired to introduce a fresh new concept to Hermanus that has not been done before. Brainstorming sessions with her daughter Inemari, a food stylist who lives in France with her husband Kevin Grobler, who is the head chef at the Michelin-star restaurant JAN in Nice, led them to the versatility of pancakes, and new ways of incorporating innovative versions of this South African favourite in their menu.

Along with colour-coded breakfasts,

Celia Rabie with Betty Blue’s waiters and kitchen staff: in front are Jessica, Celia and Letta, and behind them are Portia, Alice, Vuyo, Chipo and Lulama.

salads and fresh juices (red, yellow and green), you will also find creative sandwiches, burgers and light meals, but the ‘Pancake Obsessions’ take pride of place on the menu. You with find everything from a folded pancake topped with eggs benedict to a lacy pancake with smoked salmon, pea cream cheese and pickled red onion, to a folded pancake with ginger beerbrewed pulled pork and a mint cream sauce. Not to mention the melt-in-the-mounth lemon meringue pancake and the rolled pancake with peanut butter mousse, banana and ice cream.

Rayno admits that Betty was a huge risk. “We took a gamble not only on the location, but also the name, the décor, and the type of food we serve,” he says. It was a gamble that has paid off handsomely and barely a year after opening, Betty Blue was not only the nr. 1 eatery in town on Tripadvisor but also came out tops at the Eat Out Mercedes Benz Everyday Eatery Awards as the best bistro in the Western Cape.

This coveted people’s choice award was a very special compliment to them, says Rayno, because they were rated by their customers over an extended period of a whole year instead of a panel of judges. One fan described Betty Blue as a “gem” and went on to say: “I might just have to drive from Cape Town to Hermanus to enjoy this bistro again. Absolutely amazing! Friendly owner, fast service and flavourful food. Number one in Hermanus.”

This award now takes pride of place next to several others on the wall in Rayno’s office, including Chef Rotisseur and Chef de Table from De la Chaine des Rotissuers, Petit Fute from Etablissement Recommande and LÓrde Mondial des Gourmets Degustateurs. De Kat magazine also devoted nine pages to a feature on Betty Blue last year, and more recently this bistro has graced the pages of Sarie Kos, Rapport, Getaway, Visi and Taste magazine – not too shabby for such a young gal. But clearly she has class, and lots of it. Even Justine Drake will be here next week to

“To be successful in the highly competitive restaurant industry, you have to have passion and you have to be on your toes all the time,” says Celia with her usual bright smile and unflagging energy. “I simply can’t imagine my life without a restaurant – I just love food and I love looking after our clients. For us this is not a job, it’s a lifestyle.”

Rayno says the importance of the restaurant industry for Hermanus cannot be underestimated. “Apart from the industry’s huge contribution to job creation, the restaurants act as satellite offices for Hermanus Tourism as visitors often ask for tips and information about where to go and what to do. And so much of our visitors’ perception of Hermanus depends on their dining experiences – if you’ve had a bad meal with unfriendly service it will definitely have a negative impact on your overall impression of Hermanus as a destination. Great dining memories, on the other hand, will ensure that people return again and again.”

The Rabies are grateful for the opportunities they’ve had to contribute to the local industry and elevate it to a new level of excellence. “Hermanus has definitely upped its game and now offers a more sophisticated dining experience, with top chefs and good service. There are so many positive things happening in our town and we should all continue to work together and support each other for the good of Hermanus.”

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The Team 6 Royal Street Hermanus

028 312 2234

THE

NEWS

OPINION Matters

Let’s do business even better Publishing Editor dewaal@thevillagenews.co.za

Content Editor

Hedda Mittner 083 645 3928 hedda@thevillagenews.co.za

Design and Layout

Nickey Jackson 079 408 7722 nickey@thevillagenews.co.za

Welcome to this Special Business Edition of The Village NEWS. There is a saying: Never rest until the good is better and the better best. We firmly believe in this motto and we are proud to be able to assist other businesses to successfully reach their target markets.

As the largest newspaper per edition on the Cape Whale Coast we are honoured to be a part of this beautiful region and to serve both our readers and our advertisers by offering them not only exceptional client service but to also produce readable and informative newspapers.

Without our advertisers we would not be able to produce this newspaper and this is our opportunity to showcase the businesses in our region that help make the wheels of our economy turn. The importance of cultivating business growth and

supporting local entrepreneurs cannot be emphasised enough. It is vital for residents to know that it is not necessary to travel over the mountain to do business. Mostly everything you need can be found right here on your doorstep.

With this in mind we have created the first Cape Whale Coast Local Business Expo in conjunction with the Hermanus Business Chamber, Cape Whale Coast Tourism, Business Gym and Cape Overberg Skills Development and Training. The aim of the Expo is to not only showcase local businesses but also to provide business people with the necessary skills to successfully run and grow their businesses. To that end free training sessions form part of the Expo.

This is the Good NEWS – Ed

WHERE TO FIND US

Office Administrator

Tania Hamman admin@thevillagenews.co.za

Marketing Manager

Rina de Wet 083 604 0808 rina@thevillagenews.co.za

The Village NEWS is published fortnightly and the next edition will be available on 17 October. The NEWS can be found at over 100 distribution points on the Cape Whale Coast, from Kleinmond 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

#RespectAndProtect

The watchdog of our environment The Cape Whale Coast, stretching 250 km from Rooi Els to Baardskeerdersbos, is an area of exquisite natural beauty. The beauty is the result of our breath-taking coastline and our extraordinary biodiversity of life, both on land and in the sea.

This diversity underpins the economy of the Whale Coast.

Our fynbos has the highest density of plant species in the world. The Marine Big 5 (whales, dolphins, great white sharks, penguins and seals) are found in our ocean.

Tourists visit our area because of the natural environment.

They are happily paying us for the excitement of diving with sharks, the challenge of hiking in the mountains or the tranquillity of a sunset over Walker Bay. We therefore have the great responsibility of protecting our environment. Whale Coast Conservation (WCC) takes this responsibility very seriously.

All of us benefit from it.

Eco-adventures We connect young and old to nature through adventures in fynbos, or learning about a milkwood forest while searching for fairies, spotting chameleons, counting frogs, experiencing the magic of fireflies, or studying the creatures that live in the intertidal zone.

Our holiday eco-camps for school learners have not only engendered a love for nature in the youth but, through contact with responsible adults, have broadened their perspectives on life. By camping, living and working together they have an opportunity to bridge the

age-, gender- and race gaps.

Monthly talks Our monthly talks on environment-related topics are open to the public.

Coming up in October is a talk

by Sheraine van Wyk, winner of the Mayoral trophy for environmental conservation, who will describe her work in Stanford leading to a Maintenance Management Plan for the Mill Stream and related Willem Appel dam and wetlands. Our October ecoadventure will be experiencing fireflies in the fynbos.

Environmental education WCC offers comprehensive environmental education opportunities both in schools and to the general public. We take travelling Expos to schools, covering topics such as water, energy, biodiversity, fynbos flora and fauna, healthy eating and waste reduction. We also have Expos for the general public. We offer workshops for early childhood development practitioners to assist them to include environmental topics in their teaching programmes.

Green technologies The Green House is the hub of WCC activity. There we demonstrate practical ways of reducing energy consumption and costs; how to save water; and simple ways of decreasing our carbon footprint. A new entity, Whale Coast Technologies, offers advice and installation on off-grid energy solutions and other ‘green’ technologies. All profits will go to supporting environmental education.

Consulting services We also offer consulting services such as commenting

on behalf of interested and affected parties on environmental impact assessments. For example, the comment deadline for the draft Fernkloof Integrated Management Plan (IMP) is in October. Did you know that the IMP opens the door to any number of disruptive developments in the core water catchment area (and most popular hiking trails) of the Reserve? Our most precious “wild place” in Hermanus could well be turned into a Disneyland clone.

Small grants facility There is now an exciting new role for WCC. It has been appointed by the Table Mountain Fund as one of its small grants facilities. Grootbos Foundation is another such facility and we are working closely with them on this. We will administer small grants of up to R30 000 per recipient to encourage small businesses with an environmental component. The idea is to give a handup to someone with a good business idea but who needs some capital to get started, or to make an existing small business sustainable. Training on how to write a proposal and business plan will be provided for the potential grant recipients.

Environmental conservation and economic development go hand in hand There is no conflict between conserving our environment and local economic development. In truth, in Hermanus, economic growth depends on the wise use of our environment. This is the reason that tourists come here and that thousands of well-educated and trained people retire here.

- Anina Lee

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THE

NEWS

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

Is this festival what the town needs?

Developer should try again The illustrated article on the proposed development of the New Harbour area has elicited mostly negative reaction. In the Village NEWS of 26 Sept - 3 October, at least four of the letters on this proposal use the word "joke" to describe it. This also pretty much sums up my reaction.

The proposed development

does not fit in with the style of the architecture or the identity of Hermanus, nor does it blend in with its natural cliff face where the development is proposed to take place.

This project is a sunken ship – try again, Mr Developer.

Concerned Resident

The Village NEWS is a breath of fresh air Congratulations to the Village NEWS team and publisher De Waal Steyn on his well-deserved Mayoral Award! Your newspaper is the best thing that has happened in Hermanus, like a breath of fresh air!

My husband and I can’t wait to get our hands on a copy as soon as it hits town. The journalism is of an outstanding quality, with excellent photographs and layout design. Your articles are interesting and informative and

we especially appreciate the positive, uplifting tone and the emphasis on conserving the history of our town and its natural heritage.

You are clearly passionate about Hermanus and its future and we thank you for loving and caring about this town as much as we do. May you go from strength to strength!

Always look on the bright side of life

Thank you, De Waal!

I would like to thank you and your staff so much for the wonderful, informative Village NEWS. As a newcomer to Hermanus, I have found it to be of enormous

help in learning about what is going on in this area. Without it, I would have felt quite lost.

Please keep up the good work.

Andrea Hirschson

I have been a resident of Hermanus for close on a decade and apart from the first two years my family and I have not been to a Whale Festival again for the simple reason that it has become a crush of people walking around doing nothing but eating takeaways.

This year I unfortunately had to come to town to do some necessary shopping and it was no surprise that the closer to town I drove the heavier the traffic became. This year, however, it seems as if the whole of Gauteng, the Free State and the Peninsula decided to come to Hermanus. It was the busiest I have ever seen our roads.

Judging by the long lines at the tills the supermarkets in town must have done a very brisk trade. But my question is, how much do all of these people really contribute to the shops in the CBD? Every year we read about the millions of rands that poured into the local economy by way of the Whale Festival visitors.

But so does one also read every year of residents complaining that the festival has become nothing more than a public picnic along the sea that puts huge strain on our infrastructure and environment.

We are known best as a town

that offers beautiful strolls along our streets during an ArtWalk and visitors coming to eat in any of our fine dining restaurants and of course whale watching.

But with the throngs of people walking up and down I am not sure that any of these shops and many of the restaurants did any meaningful trade. I even heard friends mention that some of the restaurants and art galleries actually close their doors during the Whale Festival.

Karateka from the Overberg and the Peninsula had the privilege on Saturday 30 October to attend a kumite training seminar hosted by Davide Benetello, former world champion and karate convenor of the International Olympic Committee for the 2020 Olympic Games to be hosted in Tokyo. The day was made possible by sensei Ronnie Knott and Johan van Zyl of Toyota Hermanus.

Davide hosted similar sessions in Durban and Johannesburg before coming to Hermanus.

Driving home from town I had enough time to look around because I was stuck in traffic.

The amount of rubbish lying around was simply horrendous and does not reflect our town in a positive manner. I know there are teams that clean up afterwards but I think that in an area such as this people should take responsibility to clean up after themselves.

Would it not be more beneficial for the local businesses if they all came together and hosted a festival where our cuisine, wine and art are celebrated together with the whales and conservation? I do not know who all the organisers are, but I am sure there is a way in which they can sit down with all the parties and plan a festival that is in keeping with its eco-friendly promise.

Non-festivalgoer, Onrus

The Sporting Chance Whale Festival Coaching Clinic for young sporting enthusiast was held on Saturday morning at the Hermanus High School. The participants eagerly learned more about their favourite sports, including soccer and cricket while having loads of fun. The clinics are based in the philosophy that there is an abundance of raw sporting talent available and it must be developed to its fullest potential.

PHOTO: Braelea Pope

Dillerisms from a tongue more cutting than a weed-eater This woman goes into a gun shop and says, “I want to by a gun for my husband.”

Wit’s End

“Did he tell you what kind of gun?” asks the shop owner.

thevillagemuze@gmail.com

“Hell no!” she replies. “He doesn’t even know I’m going to shoot him.”

Over the years, famous actresses have come up with some real corkers, and while they’re worth sharing, one hopes they don’t give you or your partners any improper ideas.

The above quote is one of many attributed to an American actress/comedienne back in the fifties and sixties - Phyllis Diller.

She, like Mae West, was a forerunner to latter-day soundbite sirens like Joan Rivers and Ellen DeGeneres. Her hair was her trademark, and can only be described as a blond fright-wig,

Murray Stewart

like the ‘before’ shot in a hairdryer commercial, or Bart Simpson getting an electric shock.

“Housework can’t kill you, but why take a chance?” Or,

“Burt Reynolds once asked me out,” she claimed. “I was in his room.”

“I don’t like to cook,” she claimed, “because my TV dinners taste like radio.”

These types of quips and oneliners from decades ago can easily be lost in today’s plethora of disposable trivialities. Some of them though, I guarantee you’ll remember forever, and if they don’t at least crack a smile, lay off the Botox.

“The best way to get rid of kitchen odours? Eat out.” And this one, “I like to serve chocolate cake because it doesn’t show the dirt.” A favourite though is, “I buried a lot of my ironing in the back yard.”

Domestically, she was a self-

confessed slob.

On family matters she said, “Most children at some time

threaten to run away from home. This is the only thing that keeps parents going.”

“Remarrying a husband you’ve divorced is like having your appendix put back in.” And, “I want my children to have all the things I couldn’t afford.

Then I want to move in with them.”

“Tranquilisers work only if you follow the instructions on the bottle – keep away from children.” One of her spouses was mortified to hear through the grapevine that, “The only thing my husband and I have in common is we were married on the same day.”

She also never shied away from poking fun at herself. “I spent seven hours in the beauty shop,” she complained, “and that was just for the quote.” One fine day at the hairdresser she asked, “What

can I do to look good?”

“LA Rams football helmet,” was the suggestion. When asked what kept her so humble, she replied “Mirrors.”

In her latter years – she would have been 100 this year – she came up with some gems.

“You know you’re getting old when someone compliments you on your alligator-skin shoes, and you’re barefoot.” Or, “You know you’re really old when they’ve discontinued your blood type.” She also claimed that the best contraception for older people is nudity. In one of her stand-up shows she said, “You know you’re getting old when your liver-spots show through your gloves.”

On another occasion she had an on-stage rant about her neighbour’s dog. “Ever heard of a German Shepherd

that bites its nails and barks with a lisp? You say ‘attack’ and he has one. All he does is piddle everywhere. He’s nothing but a fur-covered kidney that barks.”

She had many more risqué quips, which I dare not include for fear of being hauled before the Mother Grundy Committee, but here are a couple of slightly salacious, though tame oneliners.

“What I don’t like about office parties is looking for a job the next day.” She also claimed the reason why women don’t play football is because “you’d never get eleven of them to wear the same outfit in public.” Or this one, “My doctor says it’s okay to have sex after a heart attack, provided you close the ambulance door.”

Oops, gotta go. Ambulance is leaving.

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Get hooked on shopping at the Whale Coast Mall

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esidents and visitors alike are awaiting the opening of the Whale Coast Mall on 30 November with baited breath.

“It has taken eight years to get the planning, environmental assessments and rezoning done and construction has lasted two years. Now we are ready to offer residents and visitors a unique shopping experience.”

The mall, the single biggest private property investment in the region, will offer a one-stop shopping experience with its more than 80 stores spread out over 30 000 m². It is expected that in the first year on average between 300 000 and 400 000 people will visit the mall monthly.

Jannie says that apart from the 560 temporary jobs created during construction it is expected that more than 500 permanent jobs will be created once the mall is fully operational.

During construction 2,5 million bricks were used. If you line them end-to-end it will cover almost 600 km. Some 13 000 cubic metres of concrete was poured, enough to fill 5 Olympic sized swimming pools.

The mall boasts a maritime theme that runs from the whale tail shaped entrance through to the interior where part of the roof has been modelled to resemble the underside of a boat.

According to Jannie Kruger, director of developers Dorpstraat, a lot of effort has gone into realising the mall and they are excited about the completion of the project in little under two months.

Mall Marketing Manager, Andrea van Rensburg, says they are expecting brisk trade after the mall opens, especially during the high season.

“During the holidays trading hours at the mall will be until

at least 20:00 to make Christmas shopping easier.

The ample free parking and easy access will make your shopping experience at the mall all the more enjoyable.

While we are not out to compete with the unique offering of the shops in the CBD there is a huge need for shoppers to have a place where they can do their monthly shopping in a onestop area.

“Whale Coast Mall aims to attract a broader base of consumers, particularly those looking for national retail and ‘bigger box’ value chains such as Dischem. It won’t detract from the Hermanus CBD offering, but rather retain those customers who head over the mountain when they want to peruse the larger malls,” she says.

The mall boasts a diverse and exciting tenant mix, including retail giants Checkers and Woolworths. Other stores

such as Dischem, Clicks, Mr Price Home, Mr Price Sports and Due South will also feature, as well as food chains such as Spur, Daily Coffee, Melissa’s and Mugg & Bean.

Fashion tenants include a large Foschini and Truworths, as well as Markham, Donna Claire, Ackermans and Cape Union Mart, to name but a few.

“In addition, the Whale Coast Theatre will open soon after the opening of the mall and will add that unique entertainment experience with movies, regular theatre productions and live music shows currently lacking in the area,” says Andrea.

According to her the marketing strategy for the mall aims to support local events and take hands with the community in joint initiatives.

“The mall will also provide the local businesses a platform to expose their brands to a captive audience.”

TENANT LIST Absolute Pets Ackermans Annabelle Arabesque Bargain Books Big Joe's The Body Shop Cape Union Mart Cell Network Computer Mania The Crazy Store Dischem Don Gelato DueSouth Exact First National Bank Foschini Franco Ceccato Gadget Paradise Harbour Gold Hartlief Home Etc Identity Incredible Connection Jet Keedo Kids La Boutique Markham McDonald’s

Melissa’s Mellins Optometrist Milady's Montagu Dried Fruit & Nuts Mr Price Home Mr Price Sport Mr Price Weekend Mugg & Bean Nando’s Nedbank Old Khaki Pep Pick n Pay Clothing PNA Sheet Street Shoerama Sorbet Sportscene Spur Steers Sterns The Fix Totalsports Truworths Vodacom Wimpy Woolworths Yaeli's Bistro

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Let Hermanus Business Chamber be your voice, eyes and ears “We care for local businesses and watch out for them,” says Alta Pretorius, CEO of the Hermanus Business Chamber. The key goals of the Chamber are Networking, Representation, Business Opportunities, Training and Skills Development.

The Chamber has grown significantly during the last couple of months, with an average of 15 new members joining every month – from all over the Overstrand, big and small. Companies who have 5 or less employees pay only R450 per year, and large companies R900. The membership fee is deductible from Income Tax as a business expense, so the Receiver of Revenue is actually funding your membership.

It’s hard to make one’s voice heard when speaking on your own. As a credible acknowledged organisation, the Chamber can act as the Voice of Business on behalf of local businesses, when interacting with Local and Provincial Government.

We keep our eyes and ears open for business opportunities and funding possibilities to boost the local economy. We have managed to source funding for local events via Wesgro and other institutions.

Training and skills development opportunities were sourced via Productivity SA, Retail Setas, etc.

The Chamber supports the Cape Whale Coast Local Business Expo wholeheartedly, and urges businesses to follow the Unashamedly Ethical business practices to ensure excellent service delivery and satisfied customers.

We are very proud of our exemplary Chamber members, who won Mayoral Awards last week. They are: 1. De Waal Steyn, Publishing Editor of The Village NEWS, who won the Entrepreneurial trophy. He is also an Executive Committee member of the Chamber and comes up with great new innovative ideas; 2. Margaret Motsoene from Throne Room Living, another Exco member who was also one of the finalists in the Entrepreneurial category. She is creating employment opportunities with her entrepreneurial business skills, and operates from Shop 27 in Market Square. She has

HBC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE At the back are Heinrich Gillin of Boshof Visser Chartered Accountants, De Waal Steyn of The Village NEWS, Rick Oosthuizen of Tapas, CEO Alta Pretorius, Seth Anderson of Gateway Centre, Bobby von During of Whale Coast Development Forum and Hamish Hofmeyr of Health @ The Village Shop. In front are Whale Coast Tourism Manager Frieda Lloyd, Michelle Botha of Cape Overberg Skills Development and Training, Jeanette du Toit of Jaydee Media, Marietjie Dalbock of Wonderland and Margaret Motsoene of Throneroom Training and Projects. been a Chamber member for the past 5 years; 3. Johan Hugo of Heart of Abalone, another Chamber member who has excelled as winner of the Tourism Development & Marketing Mayoral Award. He developed the Tourism Arm of Abagold with unique Abalone Tours and jewellery; 4. Sheraine van Wyk of Whale Coast Conservation, who won the trophy for Environmental Conservation and Education. Whale Coast Conservation is a reciprocal partner of the Chamber, sharing information and supporting one another.

5. Johannes Mouton, the Principal of Curro School and another Chamber member who was awarded an Educational

Mayoral Award.

The Chamber keeps an eye on local business people who provide an excellent service, and we nominated all these winners to give them recognition. Congratulations.

The Chamber holds regular Networking Breakfasts or Cocktail Events where business people can network, interact and market themselves.

Topical issues are also addressed, and during the last event 6 festivals were presented in 60 minutes by the chairpersons of the festivals. They were: FynArts, Hermanus Flower Festival, Wine & Food Festival, Kalfiefees, Whale Festival and The Global Golf Challenge. In one hour business people could learn all about

these events. We work very closely with the tourism structures throughout the Whale Coast area. We supported the Tourism Street Party Drive this month, and businesses took the initiative to hold networking mini-events with their neighbours. It was great fun, and good business networking.

3 October is the Local Business Expo, and 16 November will be a combined Business/ Tourism Adventure outing – more information to follow.

To join the Chamber, email the CEO Alta Pretorius at ceo@hermanuschamber.co.za, or phone her on 073 538 3685. Visit www.hermanuschamber.co.za and follow the Chamber on Facebook: www.facebook/hermanusbusiness chamber

How you will benefit by joining the Hermanus Business Chamber 1. You can become part of the leading Voice of Business in the Overstrand/ Whale Coast area while being represented at a high level of decision-making, thus strengthening your ability to be heard. Any business in the Overstrand can join.

4. As you become part of a strong, convincing and supportive business organisation you create valuable new business possibilities and enhance your business image.

We can respond or act on behalf of our members.

2. Networking with other business people creates an exchange of key information and promotes local support. In addition, you can market your business via the Chamber’s Newsletters and networking events.

5. The Business Chamber, being a credible source of reliable business information, provides meaningful business intelligence which addresses issues important to local business development and marketing opportunities.

3. You will have the opportunity to attend training and development opportunities enabling your business to grow. This will include receiving assistance, guidance and exposure for your business.

6. It offers regular opportunities to promote your business through effective use of relevant and interactive social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Website and e-mailing. It

also provides regular media exposure in local media: print, electronic and radio.

7. Having valuable access to local economic information and new developments, the Chamber supports business unity and mutual benefits. Its involvement in important matters helps its members keep ahead of their competition.

8. Representation at a high level with the Overstrand Municipality and other structures permits members to have access to developmental issues pertinent to business development in the Overstrand area.

9. Members will have even wider exposure with access to the future expanded edition of

the 2017 Whale Coast Business Directory – also online. In addition you can participate in the development of the future Whale Coast Business Chamber for even wider exposure.

10. Membership fees are deductible from Income Tax as a business expense. It is affordable at only R900 per year, or R75 per month. Small businesses with less than 5 employees can apply for a reduced fee of only R450 per year (R37 pm). The membership fee can be deducted as a business expense for Income Tax purposes.

Join us today and strengthen your voice of business by sending an e-mail to ceo@hermanuschamber.co.za for your Membership Application or Renewal form.

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3 - 16 October 2017

Enjoy marine life with a dynamic team of experts

M

arine Dynamics offers five-star shark cage diving and whale watching/eco tours with sister company Dyer Island Cruises, in the unique Dyer Island ecosystem of Gansbaai.

The greater Dyer Island area and the surrounding ocean is a critically important ecosystem. Every trip includes an onboard marine biologist educating clients on the iconic white shark and the rest of the Marine Big 5 – whales, dolphins, the endangered African penguin, and the Cape fur seal. In turn our clients become ambassadors of these marine species that face many threats.

Marine Dynamics and Dyer Island Cruises operate from The Great White House in Kleinbaai. Here clients receive a warm reception, enjoy a full breakfast or lunch and listen to a detailed safety and educational briefing. The Great White House has a restaurant and caters for all dietary requirements – this is the only place where one can dine under a Southern Right whale skeleton. There is also a curio shop with locally sourced handmade gifts for something special to take home.

Our companies are Fair Trade Tourism certified and our boats are Blue Flag certified. In fact our boats have been designed by a naval architect

in consultation with our team who have thousands of hours of experience at sea, and are custom made for safety and comfort for shark and whale viewing. We believe that, “Your Choice Makes a Difference.”

Through our environmental project, the Dyer Island Conservation Trust, we are making a real difference for conservation and the community by: • Conducting effective science through daily observational data to translate into evidencebased conservation initiatives and legislation; • Conservation projects for the survival of the African penguin; • Supporting community education; • Building effective tourism and conservation partnerships; • Fundraising towards research, conservation and education.

Our key projects are: ■ African penguin conservation which includes a nest project providing critical protection during the penguin fledgling stage; and in 2015 we opened a rehabilitation facility, the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary (APSS).

■ Invaluable research on great white sharks by marine biologists includes

tagging and tracking, behavioural surveys, wound healing, environmental parameter monitoring and population studies.

■ Support of whale and dolphin research ■ Handling all marine animal rescue, strandings and sampling along our coastline ■ Our Environmental Education Programme known as DEEP educates a dedicated group of young learners for three years measuring the impact and growth of each individual.

■ Marine pollution efforts include the unique fishing line bin project and monthly beach cleanups.

All conservation and community projects are supported by our Fair Trade Tourism certified International Marine Volunteer programme which is now more than 10 years old.

The volunteers form an integral part of our team and we have many returning repeatedly to work in this unique area.

The Dyer Island ecosystem is unique and fragile and it is the priority of Marine Dynamics to ensure the marine life in the area flourish and remain for many years to come.

– Brenda Walters

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3 - 16 October 2017

Everything keeps going right for Toyota Hermanus

D

uring the last 15 years Johan van Zyl has not only become synonymous with Toyota; he has also become known for his passion for karate. He qualified for Western Cape Provincial Colours in 2017 and was recognised last month for his organisational skills by being crowned Sports Administrator of the Year at the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport’s annual awards ceremony.

“I have always had two loves – sport and cars. My love for cars started early in my life and it grew through my childhood friend in Monte Vista in Cape Town whose dad owned a Volkswagen dealership in the area. We would spend hours at the dealership looking at the cars and over the shoulders of the mechanics in the workshop.

I was truly fascinated by cars and I can still remember buying my first car magazine at the age of 12 because I wanted to know everything there is to know about cars,” says Johan.

After matriculating Johan studied B Com Accounting at the University of Stellenbosch before completing his army training and moving to Johannesburg to work for South

African Railways. “I quickly realised that the railways was not for me and after two years I joined Atlantis Diesel in marketing parts. This was the perfect place for me and I was able to meet all the senior people in the motoring industry.”

Johan continued his studies while working and achieved an honours degree in accounting before completing his MBA. “I have always been a very hard-working and driven person and after being headhunted I was appointed at the age of 32 as a General Manager and by 35 I was appointed as director for a group of companies. I worked 16-hour days to achieve my goal of reaching the top rungs in business. This paid dividends for me because in 2002 I was able to purchase the Hermanus Toyota franchise.

“It has always been a dream of mine to work for Toyota as the then Managing Director, Brand Pretorius, was one of my heroes.”

Johan says when he bought the dealership it was running

at a loss and he was told that he was taking on a gamble by buying the business. “I was told that the business was in a dead-end street and that it would be a risky investment.

When I spoke to the staff they were not very positive but while I was in town I recognised the positive energy of the area and saw the potential of building a sound business here.”

In 2002 Johan and his wife, Hester, a qualified internal auditor, moved to Hermanus and immediately set about changing the fortunes of the flagging dealership.

“It was very hard work, but we showed our first profits after only seven months. This was done by offering the best customer service we could and slowly but surely winning back lost customers. In 2003 the country was in recession and it was tough going. But Brand Pretorius said when the economy is tough your best investment is in people, equipment and service. I followed his advice and by the end of 2004 we turned a corner and the business started showing constant growth.”

Johan says not only did his business grow; the town also started showing significant growth, especially after it was discovered by many Europeans wanting to live here for part of the year.

“Interestingly enough the ‘swallows’ market quickly became one of my best markets with people buying new cars to keep in South Africa. Of course, the exchange rate helped a lot and we received a lot of feedback from the ‘swallows’ saying they could not believe the level of service they received at such a small dealership.”

Johan says the number of staff has grown from 11 in 2002 to 28 today. “I have invested a lot of money into training my staff and ensuring that our customers get the best service possible. The dealership is continuously under the Top 10 in the Toyota group.

This investment had a huge positive impact on the business and in 2007 we were able to buy the plot next to the dealership. It took more than two years of negotiations but eventually in 2013 we could start with construction on the

expansion of the building at a cost of R12 million.

Springbok rugby player Geo Aplon.

“We added a state of the art workshop and an Automark section that sells second-hand cars. With the towns in the region showing robust growth and with large investments such as the Whale Coast Mall and the proposed development of the New Harbour, Hermanus Toyota will also keep on growing. We are already planning on erecting a bigger showroom within the next five years,” says Johan.

“I love being part of this community and supporting its people. That is the reason I became involved in sports administration. There is so much talent here that we have to invest in our young athletes,” he says.

But apart from running a successful business Johan also has a big heart when it comes to the community. Toyota Hermanus has been a sponsor of the Lighthouse2Lighthouse Charity Ladies Walk since its inception and they have sponsored vehicles for schools in the area as well as kits for both the Hawston and Atlantics rugby clubs. They also sponsor sevens rugby clinics for school children in various towns and between 2006 and 2010 they sponsored the Zwelihle soccer team. In addition, Toyota Hermanus sponsored a team for this year’s Cape Epic and was a sponsor for six years of local

And the apple does not fall far from the tree. Johan’s daughter, Mignon (11), shared the stage with her dad at the Western Cape Sport Awards by winning the Junior Sportswoman of the Year. She started karate at the age of four and obtained her junior black belt at the age of 10. Mignon toured with the Protea team in 2016/17 and participated in several international tournaments. At the Karate South Africa Awards, Mignon was honoured for being one of only six Proteas to win a gold medal for South Africa.

Both Johan and Mignon will represent the Western Cape at the National Sport Awards in November in Johannesburg. We wish them all the best!

– De Waal Steyn

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3 - 16 October 2017

Rola VW celebrates ten years in Hermanus

The crowds gathered round the new addition on the showroom floor. A truly awesome specimen. It was something new to the motoring scene in Hermanus… something that arrived directly from Uitenhage. It was being admired close-up by the local motorheads, car enthusiasts and racing car fans alike. The new addition was a shiny postbox red, brand spanking new VW Golf GTi. The new Golf GTi was one of the first Volkswagens to be sold off the floor of the new

Rola VW dealership, proudly opening its doors for the first time in Voëklip. That was in October 2007 – 10 years ago almost to this day.

They say time flies when you’re having fun. Rarely is that sentence heard in business circles, but the Rola VW journey from Voëlklip to Gateway Centre where the dealership still operates today, has been truly exceptional. A journey spanning 10 years of dedicated sales and

service to the VW family of Hermanus. With busloads of fun along the way.

Rola VW must be congratulated on their 10 years in Hermanus. It’s a milestone to be celebrated. My guess is that they will still be with us in 2027 – selling electric Volkswagens no doubt. Just ask the team at Rola VW. They are after all, by the very nature of their brand DNA, the peoples’ cars people.

Chief Wordsmith

Hyundai Hermanus is committed to supporting local Hyundai Hermanus, a member of the Omnicars Group, has been in town for 12 years and aims to provide you with total peace of mind when it comes to buying and selling new and pre-owned vehicles.

As the largest independent Hyundai dealer in the Western Cape, Hyundai Hermanus offers only the best personalised customer service, whether you are looking for a new or preowned model. The Hermanus dealership is also supported by an approved independent Hyundai service and parts centre, and offers after-hours roadside assistance as part of impeccable service levels.

In addition, they offer financing to suit your needs, including insurance, top-up insurance, credit life and a variety of value-adding products.

At the helm of Hyundai Hermanus is branch manager Johann Grobbelaar who hails from Gauteng and has 20 years’ experience in car dealership.

Following the life-changing decision to relocate to the Cape a few years ago, Johann joined Omnicars in Somerset West before being transferred to Hermanus.

Johann is a man who likes to think out of the box and who is making it his mission to serve

the local community. “We always go the extra mile for our valued customers,” he says.

Hyundai Hermanus services the whole of the Overstrand and there is no reason to travel over the mountain to chase the best deals. Johann will also be launching a unique special deal for locals soon, which offers unbelievable value and is a testament to Johann’s commitment to corporate social responsibility. The Village NEWS will bring you all the details in our upcoming issues, so keep your eyes peeled!

Johann is very proud of his team and is committed to continuous staff training to equip them with the latest product knowledge. Business manager Christine Hunt, whose expertise lies in finance and insurance, spent 18 years working at various Absa branches. She has been in Hermanus for almost a decade since transferring from Absa Pretoria-North to Absa Hermanus. She joined Hyundai Hermanus four years ago.

“I’m a people’s person and I just love my job,” she says with a warm smile. Acting as a gobetween for clients and financial institutions, Christine will negotiate the best deal possible on your behalf. “Being a one-stop dealer we are able

to make life so much easier for our clients.”

Natasha Vashu is the “mother hen” of the team. Born and bred in Hawston, where she still lives with her family today, Natasha is as local as they come and has been with Hyundai Hermanus for eight years. Looking after reception and admin, Natasha says the team feels like family to her.

Sales executives Johan van der Sandt and Conrad Basson have a wealth of sales experience between them. Johan says working with a brand as excellent as Hyundai makes his job easy.

“Ultimately it’s about building personal relationships. It’s very gratifying to have repeat customers who recommended you to friends and family members.”

Conrad agrees that to be successful, you have to believe in what you are selling – “and we have a fantastic product”. Being relatable, reliable and able to build trust is key, he says. “Our relationship with our clients doesn’t end as soon as the ink on the contract has dried – it’s a long-term service commitment.

We use very wet pens!”

Visit the Hyundai Showroom at 3 Adam Street, Hermanus Business Park. Call 028 312 3355.

– Hedda Mittner

The Hyundai Hermanus team, from left: Johan van der Sandt, Conrad Basson, Natasha Vashu, Christine Hunt and branch manager Johann Grobbelaar.

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F

How to choose an estate agent and determine the selling price

or most of us buying or selling our home is the largest single financial transaction we ever undertake – and the estate agent plays a pivotal role in the process.

Tel: 028 313 0390

It is frightening how unprofessionally so many of us go about choosing an estate agent and setting the price for our property, but it’s also quite understandable how it happens.

The reason is that, while we are selecting an agent, what we really want to know is how much our home is worth. So, we whip the agents through the property, one after the other, and as soon as they have seen it we ask them: “So what’s it worth?”

And so, without even realising it, we are well down the road to giving a mandate to the agent who promises us the most money for our home. The agents are no fools – they know what’s happening - so the more unscrupulous they are, or the more desperate they are, the higher the value that they will give you and, of course, we want to believe them.

So what we have effectively succeeded in doing is mandating the most unscrupulous or most desperate agent to sell our property at the most unrealistic price; and that is why so many people complain about their ‘unsatisfactory’ experiences with estate agents.

Now here’s what you need to know: Only 4 things are relevant to the selling of your property: • Location, and that’s a given; • Condition, and that’s a given; • The selling price, and that is determined by the seller,

based on information provided by the agent (not by what your friends or family are telling you); • The marketing, which is the only thing that the agent controls.

Here’s my advice: Skip the grand tour. Sit the agents down, one after the other, and interview them on the one thing that they can control – the marketing process.

■ Ask them about how their company markets properties, what their market share is, their awards and successes.

■ Also try and understand their sales skill levels, expertise in the property market, in general, and in your area and your type of property in particular.

■ Probably most important, because the proof of the pudding is in the eating, is their record of success.

Request endorsements from satisfied customers.

From that interview process you will be able to choose your agent.

Once you have made your choice of agent, show that

agent around the property and then ask them to prepare a CMA (Comparative Market Analysis) for you, comparing your property to other comparable ones that have recently sold in the area.

Because buyers always buy by comparison and variations between properties always translate into price, from that comparative information, you, with your agent’s assistance, will be able to work out the appropriate price to market your property.

In the next edition, we will

give you more information regarding the various mandates to choose from.

For more information regarding the selling of your property call our Seeff office on 028 313 0390.

Good luck with the marketing of your property. It’s easy and fun – as long as you do it right!

We at Seeff are at your disposal to advise and assist even if you choose not to appoint Seeff.

Paul Kruger – Principal Seeff Hermanus

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3 - 16 October 2017

THE

NEWS

Good Guide

Wednesday 4 October ■ FinGlobal Cliff Path Night Run: Previously known as the cashkows Night Run, this fun event is held every year on the famous Cliff Path of Hermanus and entries are limited to only 250 runners. There is a 6 km race which sets off from The Marine and a 10 km race which starts at the New Harbour. Both end at Grotto Beach.

Online registrations closed on 2 October, but late entries will be accepted on the day. Get all the details at www.hermanusadventures.co.za

Thursday 5 October ■ Hermanus Bird Club: Join club members for a birding outing to Jessie Walton’s farm in the Elgin Valley. The walk will be led by Mike Ford. Meet at the Onrus Trading Post at 07:30 to consolidate transport. For enquiries, contact Craig Holmes on 083 227 9003.

■ Art Exhibition: Works by the Gr 12 students of the Hermanus Visual Art & Design Centre will be exhibited at the Municipal Auditorium, from 17:30 – 19:00. Wine and snacks will be served.

For more information, contact Jeandré on 060 676 8652.

Friday 6 October ■ Hermanus First Fridays: Join the hugely popular HFF Artwalk as the galleries in the centre of Hermanus remain open from 17:00 – 20:00.

Follow the orange as you stroll from gallery to gallery, meet the artists and mingle with fellow art lovers.

■ Lemm’s Corner Night Market: This popular Sunday market also trades on the first Friday evening of the month to coincide with the Artwalk.

You’ll find exclusive fine arts and crafts, locally manufactured clothing, accessories and home décor, as well as delicious specialty foods, craft beers and a wine bar. On the corner of Main and Harbour Road, Hermanus, from 17:00 – 20:30.

■ Quiz Night: St Peter's is hosting another exciting Quiz Night in the church hall. Teams of six will be seated at tables in full view of the slide presentation. Tickets are R85 pp (R510 per team). Proceeds after expenses will go to the Winter School started

by St Peter's Church this year. Ticket prices include a choice of home-made soups and a selection of breads. To book your table, contact Anne Philip on 082 399 3925 or Grazia, the church secretary on 028 312 1325 (mornings only) to book a place at a table.

News you can use

Saturday 7 October ■ Onrus Markie: Join this community market in the heart of Onrus on every first Saturday of the month. At the De Wet Hall in Roos Street, from 09:00 – 12:00.

■ Coastal Cleanup: Join the Overstrand’s “beach sheriff” Antonio da Silva-Swart on the next coastal cleanup at Die Plaat, De Kelders, from 10:00 – 12:00. Call 072 462 4271 for all the details.

■ Birkenhead Beer Fest: Bring family and friends and celebrate in style with live music, games, prizes and a jumping castle for the kids.

Birkenhead has brewed a new Weiss Beer especially in honour of the traditional German Oktober Fest. Entry at R50 per head includes a branded glass, a beer mug for the gents and a Belgian glass for the ladies. Two live bands will perform from 12:00 – 18:00. At the Birkenhead Brewery, Stanford, from 11:00. For more information, contact Paul on 082 456 8631.

Sunday 8 October ■ Fernkloof Holistic Faire: You are invited to the Fernkloof Botanical Gardens for a special breakfast, pancakes for tea and fresh fruit juice in between. Buy some handmade gifts, plants and flowers and chat with some therapists about your health. At Fernkloof Nature Reserve, from 10:00 – 15:00. For more information, contact Lucia on 028 316 5312.

■ OnVerWag Care Boot Sale: Find unexpected treasures and help OnVerWag to raise funds for the Onrus/Vermont Neighbourhood Watch at their car boot sale, every second Sunday of the month. R100 per car boot. Contact Michelle on 076 617 8203 or mnheks@hotmail.com to book. At the vacant plot between Aida and the Hire Centre in Van Blommestein Street, Onrus from 10:00 – 14:00.

Monday 9 October ■ BirdLife Overberg Monthly Talk: The speaker is Antonio da Silva-Swart of Coastal Cleanup Conservation who will talk about the need for coastal cleanup campaigns aimed at addressing the negative impact that plastic litter and other pollutants have on our coastline and wetlands – and the birds that are dependent on these ecosystems. Catering at R80 per head; remember to bring your own drinks and glasses. At the Mollergren Community Hall, Hermanus, at 18:30

for 19:00. RSVP: Helé at birding@southernartceramics.com or sms to 073 456 0393.

■ Astrophotography: Join the Hermanus Astronomy Centre (HAC) for a presentation on Nebulosity at Deon Krige’s house, at 19:00.

Contact deonk@telkomsa.net

Wednesday 11 October ■ Adventure Travel Talk: Oceanographer, wildlife photographer and expedition leader Pierre Malan’s colourful presentation of his unusual journeys to places you have never dreamed of – St Kilda, Tromso, Curacao, Svalbard, Longyearbyen.

This is a fundraiser in aid of the Sustainable Futures Trust. Wine and snacks will be served. At the Municipal Audi-torium, at 17:30 for 18:00.

Tickets are R150 pp. RSVP by 7 October to ann52wright@gmail.com

Thursday 12 October ■ U3A Open Meeting: The guest speaker at U3A Overberg’s Open Meeting is the distinguished South African physicist Dr Don Mingay. His talk is entitled Why politicians and scientists disagree about man-made global warming. At the Municipal Auditorium, at 17:30.

Friday 13 October ■ Bhuki Café: Several of the co-authors of the new field guide Fernkloof Nature Reserve will be the Bhuki’s special guests. Get your copy at R200 and have it signed. Beautiful wrapping paper featuring 294 floral varieties found in the reserve will also be for sale. Credit cards welcome. At Hermanus Library, from 09:30 – 11:00.

Saturday 14 October ■ Put a spring in your step: Body bounce, flow and spring sessions for kids and adults who want to improve flexibility, energy and strength. At Fernkloof Botanical Gardens, at 07:45. The cost is R50. Bring a mat or towel. Contact Nicholas on 082 437 9776.

Monday 16 October ■ Hermanus Astronomy Centre: Join the HAC for a presentation by Dr Jenny Morris entitled Jupiter: the Neighbourhood Bully. At the Catholic Church hall, at 19:00. Contact Peter at hermanus.astronomy@gmail.com or 081 212 9481.

REGULARS Every Saturday ■ Hermanus parkrun: Meet at Hermanus Forest in Camphill Road, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley at 08:00.

Free timed 5 km walk or run, come rain or shine.

The route is dog friendly and children are most welcome.

■ Hermanuspietersfontein Food & Wine Market: In the courtyard at HPF cellar, The Village, from 09:00-14:00. Where wine and food lovers both local and international meet.

■ The Hermanus Country Market: A favourite among the locals, young and old. Fresh local produce, wholesome goodies, and home-made crafts. Next to the cricket field, Fairways Avenue, from 09:00-13:00.

■ Market in the Garden: Set among the trees in the heart of town, at St Peter’s Church in Main Road, from 09:00-13:00.

Every Sunday ■ Lemm’s Corner Market: This popular Sunday market offers exclusive fine arts and crafts, locally manufactured clothing, accessories and home décor, as well as delicious specialty foods, craft beers and a wine bar. On the corner of Main and Harbour Road, Hermanus, from 10:00 – 15:00.

Every Monday ■ Classic Monday Bridge Club: Duplicate Bridge, every Monday at 13:00, at Fernkloof Hall.

To join the club, contact Riekie on 072 230 9179.

Every Monday, Wednesday & Friday ■ Walker Bay Walkers: Join this group of about 30 walkers who meet 3 times a week and do 3 different routes of 6 – 9 km. Meet every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 07:30 at the Hermanus Bowling Club. For more information call Lynn on 082 471 3637 or Angela on 082 445 8376.

Every Thursday ■ Rotary Club of Hermanus: Weekly meetings every Thursday at Mollergren Park, at 19:00.

Visitors welcome. Contact Ian Wallace on 082 895 8738 or Metcalf Fick on 082 568 2193.

Every Friday ■ Hermanus Hacking Group: Meet at the green reservoir off Mountain Drive, close to the Gateway intersection, at 07:15 for 07:30 until 09:30 every Friday. All volunteers welcome.

Contact Charlyn Vosloo on 082 558 8731 or mcvosloo@mweb.co.za ■ ‘Kolwyntjie-Teetuin’: Everyone in the area is invited to enjoy a sweet treat and tea or coffee at the Onrus Care Centre (‘Dienssentrum’) of the Dutch Reformed Church, Onrus for only R30, every Friday between 09:30 and 11:30.

■ Bhuki Café: Enjoy tea, coffee and eats for only R20 (2 eats) or R30 (3 eats) to support the Friends of Hermanus Library, every Friday from 09:00 11:30.

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Stumble for special needs children The Stanford Stumble on Saturday 25 November presents an awesome day out for the whole family, and entails a gentle meander (or a run, if you are that way inclined) through the vine-yards of Stanford Hills, with teams encouraged to dress in their most outrageous outfits. Now in its sixth year, this popular event raises funds for the Butterfly Foundation and the Butterfly Centre in Stanford. The centre was opened in 2015 and provid-es individualised education for children who are not coping in the mainstream environment.

What makes for even more fun is the fact that traditional water stops are replaced by wine stations en route, and many new friendships have been forged along the way. We are grateful to have the support of the Stanford Wine Route, ensuring that participants can sample some of the fine wines available from this area.

Registration is from 15:00, the race starts at 16:00. After the race there is a variety of local live music, food, wine and beer stalls, face painting and other entertainment. The venue is ideal for children, with its jungle gym, trampoline, and rowboats on the dam.

All funds raised on the day go to the Butterfly Foundation, and a percentage will be handed to the Butterfly Centre, a wonderful institution ensuring that these special kids are able to learn to their full potential in a happy environment filled with love and laughter.

workshops and talks with relevant professionals and experts in the field of Special Needs. Children have made lasting friendships, while adults have developed strong bonds with others who understand their challenges.

Society has shifted, ever so slightly, as we learn to celebrate these special Butterfly children. Yes, they may be different. But maybe, just maybe, we are all learning that’s not such a bad thing. Why fit in when you were born to stand out?

The Butterfly Centre still relies largely on donations in order to operate, as well as educate the community and achieve its aims and ideals. The building in which the centre is currently situated is now for sale, putting our dreams at risk. We have identified suitable land on the Stanford Hills farm for the building of a permanent home for the Butterfly Centre and its children. We have had a donation of two 40-foot containers which will form the basis of the permanent structure. We have sought professional advice and converting the buildings into a school, including bathrooms and kitchen, will cost in the region of R500 000.

Please consider a way to help us secure the future of this vital part of the community. The centre is a happy space, filled with laughter and learning, enthusiasm and joy. We thank you once again, each and every person who continues to support our cause.

We hope that the Butterfly Foundation will continue to celebrate these children, bring the special needs community together and encourage full inclusivity. Not just in schools, but throughout society.

The Butterfly Centre is a place where children with special needs can find their own superheroes! There is always focus on education, with each child following an individualised education plan based around the standard CAPS curriculum. But at the centre we believe that the true achievement lies in giving the children self-confidence and the belief that they can achieve anything.

These children, often previously marginalised, are given an environment where they are celebrated for their own unique talents, and given a chance to become the very best version of themselves.

For Overstrand businesses the Stanford Stumble is a great way to end 2017 with your colleagues, and a fun way for family and friends to spend an awesome day together. We encourage entrants and sponsors to bring along branded material to display along the route – it makes a great year-end teambuilding event! (As the Butterfly Foundation is a registered PBO your company contribution is tax deductible.)

Aside from the current full-time students, there are many more children and parents who have benefitted in a host of ways from the existence of the centre. Parents have been able to attend

Get your tickets now! R130 per adult, R50 for 13 – 18 years, and mini stumblers 0 –12 years get in for free.

You can book via our Facebook page or www.stanfordstumble.co.za

Jami Kastner (second from left) entertaining guests at the launch of AfriCamps at Stanford Hills on Saturday.

PHOTOS: Rina de Wet

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Glamping made simple and affordable

he AfriCamps Open Day at Stanford Hills on Saturday 30 September was a launch of note, with champagne, wine, beer, gin, horse rides, short whale watching flights, giveaways, prizes, kids’ activities, food stalls, arts, live music and great company.

AfriCamps was founded by Cape Town-based Dutch business partners, Manou Bleumink and Jeroen van Rootselaar, and successfully combines the serenity of nature with the luxuries of an accommodation spot at the most beautiful working farms and estates in the country. By creating unique boutique camping in partnership with local farmers, this outdoor living company has now also introduced “glamping” to the Overstrand by welcoming Stanford Hills to the AfriCamps family.

As the fourth addition to the AfriCamps collection, this new Stanford Hills site brings its own special charm. As you enter off the R43 and drive through the farm, the vineyards, fynbos and mountains envelop you in a deep sense of relaxation.

Visitors to the launch on Saturday got to explore the area on their own,

while others opted for a guided tour with Kevin Husk’s new venture, ‘Trucking around Stanford’. Old and young brought along their cozzies to try out the wood-fired hot tubs on show by the AfriCamps sister company, Buitengewoon Luxury Outdoor Living.

The welcoming energy from proud Stanford Hills owners Peter and Jami Kastner and the team from AfriCamps gave this special day the feeling of a family gathering. The Tasting Room team, led by function planner par excellence, Leigh Ann van Dyk, excelled in their attention to every small detail and efficient, yet casual and relaxed service.

As the sun began to set Peter lit his trademark bonfire and Jeroen Rootselaar thanked all those involved in making this AfriCamps dream a success. “The best travel experiences are often those where you’ve managed to get up close with the landscape, the people and the food of the places you’ve visited,” said Jeroen.

The invited guests were treated to a delicious dinner and an array of Stanford Hills wines, before settling into their luxurious tents for the night (with electric blankets). I could easily get used to this glamping business!

Visit stanfordhills.co.za/africamps - Rina de Wet

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3 - 16 October 2017

Supper Club builds bridges across communities

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ast month’s gathering of the Hermanus Supper Club included Minister of Economic Development & Tourism, Alan Winde; SAPS Cluster Commander for the Overberg, Brigadier Donovan Heilbron; and award-winning novelist, poet, play-wright and motivational speaker Dr Sindiwe Magona, were hosted at the Hermanus Golf Club.

The Supper Club is the brainchild of Theo Krynauw of Sparkle Kids, who initiated the event last year with his wife Angie and their friends William Ntebe and Fikiswa Gxamesi. The aim is to bring people from different

races, cultural backgrounds and vocations who live side by side in the Overberg together to break down barriers, find common ground and forge new friendships.

“The Supper Club creates a platform where people can get together in an informal social setting, with no agenda, and communicate freely. It’s all about building bridges across the racial and cultural divide and working together towards a positive future for us all.”

For further info on the Supper Club, contact Theo on 082 654 4924.

Minister Alan Winde with Whale Coast Tourism Manager Frieda Lloyd and Carel Kushke.

Charmaine Beukes of White Shark Projects with local entrepreneur Fikiswa Gxamesi.

Sesonke and Sicelo Gxamesi with Ald Nicolette BothaGuthrie.

Carol Barnard, Theo Krynauw, restauranteur Francois Barnard and Carolyn Martin of Creation.

Overstrand Cllr Michelle Sapepa with the owner of Dutchies on Grotto, Joke Gonggrijp.

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3 - 16 October 2017

Radical rethink of post-secondary school training needed

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radical rethink of education and training post-secondary school is needed if the career aspirations of young people in the region are to be met,” says Raphael da Silva, a director at the locally-based non-profit organisation, CareerPathFinders.org (CPF).

According to CPF, the results from the career testing they have conducted are indicating that the majority of young people in the Overstrand will not be able to realise their career dreams, given that at least 40% of them will drop out of school before matric.

tingly being an entrepreneur is the second most preferred career at 7,5%, just above the national South African average.

8-page questionnaire. The results are processed through a proprietary software programme specifically developed for South African use, and each person is given a 6-page report with 15 possible careers choices. Five of them require matric and further education while ten of them can be achieved through selfstudy, on-the-job training, apprenticeship or specialised short courses.

“Unfortunately, with the exception of some courses in the food and beverage industry, there aren’t a lot of options for young people who aspire to careers in these industries except perhaps in distance learning.”

“At the moment, financially affordable courses that young people will need to build their skills and competencies, whether they have their matric or not, are not being offered in the region. Instead, many young people need to either travel long distances or live away from home, an expense that many families simply can’t afford,” says Raphael.

Raphael says everyone is focused on the matric pass rate, but that this is actually the wrong indicator. “We should rather be asking what percentage of young people in Grade 10 will write matric three years later. The answer will disappoint you. Over the past 5 years, in South Africa, between 40 – 50% of Grade 10s have dropped out and don’t write matric. We have schools in the Overstrand with even higher drop-out rates. On top of this, only about 15% of matric students will do well enough to qualify to attend university.”

tunities and training? Or do low-paying, manual or lowskilled jobs for the rest of their lives? “Like everyone, they also have hopes, dreams and aspirations,” says Raphael.

“So far, results indicate that the top 5 careers, which represent 35% of all respondents, are in beauty, sales, marketing, counselling and the food and beverage industry. Interes-

The crucial question that CPF is addressing, is what are these young people who have dropped out going to do with their lives? Stay at home because of lack of oppor-

“The answer has to be in offering specialised short courses using existing colleges and schools in areas where there is sufficient demonstrated demand,” says

Raphael da Silva and his mother Marion. Raphael was one of the speakers at the recent Supper Club, where he gave a presentation on CareerPathFinders/ Ronald Mos, who is also a director at CPF. “But the first step lies in identifying what our children need and giving them the hope and aspiration that they can do something positive with their lives.”

Over the past months CPF has been conducting career testing with selected grades in the region. More than 1 000 learners have completed the

CPF’s mission is to test every Grade 9, 11 and 12 student in South Africa in the public education system and as many unemployed people as possible with the aim of identifying the role that each of them can play in society, in order to make a living, regardless of the level of education or training they have.

“So far, we have been financing the work ourselves while continuing with our day jobs. But the demand is so great that we are now looking to raise R100 000 in the next months in order to test more students in the Overstrand area,” says Graeme Lahoud, the third director at CPF. CPF are offering donors a

number of different sponsorship packages starting from R1,000 up to R20 000.

“We don’t believe in just asking for money”, says Lahoud.

“Every sponsorship package offers the donor the opportunity to test their employees as well. Some of the packages also offer in-company training, so sponsors will receive double the value of their donation back in services performed by CPF.” Next year, CPF would like to raise R5 million. This will be enough to test at least 50 000 Grade 9, 11 and 12 students in the Western Cape outside of the Cape Town metropolis.

“As we continue to consolidate the results of all the assessments, we will engage with existing and potential education authorities, companies and institutions to make the case for offering specialised short courses in the region where we can show there will be sufficient demand to justify the investment,” says Raphael.

For further information and to sponsor CPF, please contact Raphael da Silva at raphael@careerpathfinders.org

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3 - 16 October 2017

Finding purpose through repurposing waste Leigh-Anne Hunter

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t’s early morning at Market Square in Hermanus and there’s a clamour as stallowners roll up their shutters. I’m weaving through the stalls to find one Margaret Motsoene. It doesn’t take me long – everyone knows Margaret.

Some people have so much joie de vivre that it can’t help but be reflected in their way of being.

Margaret Motsone has that trademark. She has a big smile, a big voice… she’s expansive in every way.

“A business is a person,” says the incisive entrepreneur, who is as bright and bold as the Ndebele jewellery she makes. Her company, Soneni Brands, under the umbrella of Throneroom Training and Projects cc, also produces handmade soaps, traditional Ndebele dolls, and souvenirs – all with upcycled paper and recycled textile materials.

Despite this she has never taken the woe-is-me approach and says her aim is to get others to shake off what she calls, “patterns of complacency”.

“I want to show people it’s not about where you come from.

Whatever you need is at your fingertips.” She makes a broad sweep with her arms to indicate waste bins. “Call me an eco-warrior artist. My vision is to see no waste in Zwelihle in 10 years.”

We’re surrounded by the colourful upcycled wares of the seven women Margaret now employs as part of her job-creation mission. “One woman creates the beads.

One paints… It’s a whole process, which allows them to put food on the table.”

Margaret was nominated in South Africa’s travel and tourism accolade, Lilizela Awards. She was again recognised last month at Overstrand Municipality’s 2017 Mayoral Awards, where she was a finalist in the Entrepreneurial category.

Margaret set up her stall at Market Square seven months ago. “I was so excited. I said, this is going to be a hub for people who make things to exhibit.” She says her company is an ideal marriage of her two passions – conservation and wellness. The women she employs have difficult backgrounds. “One woman was depressed after losing her job.

I said to her: ‘You know what will be good for you? The arts…

She says: “I feel blessed to be recognised for what I’ve done.”

Especially in light of the fact that, for Margaret, getting to this point has been less of a walk in the park and more of a (figuratively-speaking) slog up Table Mountain. Due, in part, to the challenges of being a female businesswoman.

“She’s been drinking less since being with me. She has a sense of purpose; that’s what this shop is about.” Margaret, who has two grownup kids and five grandchildren of her own, says she hopes to help rehabilitate families. “Women run the country. Making a difference in one woman is

Margaret Motsoene, who was a finalist in the Entrepreneurial category of the recent Mayoral Awards, at her colourful trading stall on Market Square. like making a difference in 100.”

Margaret makes many of the repurposed creations you’ll find in her stall. She picks up one of her handmade Ndebele dolls, fashioned from cloth scraps and glass bottles. “My dolls are real people,” she says.

It can take her an entire day to make one. “When you bead, you are quiet. You’re able to think and solve problems. You are present. And you are transferring that to whoever takes [the item].”

Margaret’s career has spanned everything from modelling to acting and she’s even a trained

beautician, which inspired her idea to make “indigenous health soaps” using fynbos. In Johannesburg, her hometown, she found her love for social work and spent several years as a community development worker. She first came to Hermanus to work with a missionary group. “We started doing prison ministries and giving food to the homeless.” From 2012 to 2014, she was involved in training people in Zwelihle to sculpt with paper, after spotting an opportunity in the waste problem.

“When I see waste I see potential… I’m concerned

about the Earth and wastage. I believe that hunger is related to waste… If you want to see how people think, look in their dustbin. Let your dustbin talk to you.” (She’s full of these interesting phrases and I keep thinking, I must mentally file that somewhere, under “Margaret Gems to Live By”).

Margaret inherited her entrepreneurial bent from her shop-owner father. “He moved product like crazy.”

When the opportunity came for Margaret to join the Hermanus Business Chamber (HBC) in 2012, she grabbed it. “It was the best decision I ever made.” Through

numerous training modules, she learnt key business skills, and has started working with organi-sations that seek to develop small businesses, such as Cape Craft & Design Institute (CCDI).

She’s now a member of HBC’s Executive committee. “We’re working together to intensify community development [and] come up with programmes.” Her next goal is to do roadshows into Hermanus communities, to spread the word about her “waste 2 wonderful” business and recruit more women.

“I want to inject people with hope.”

3 - 16 October 2017

Amoroc celebrates coming of age

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ed in irrigation for several years in the Somerset West area before returning to his roots in 1996.

Born and bred in Hermanus, Brian matriculated from Hermanus High and studied at the Cape Town Technicon. He work-

“Hermanus was a different town back then – it was very quiet and peaceful,” says Brian, who continued to provide local gardens with irrigation systems while gradually

moroc Doors celebrates its 21st anniversary this year and owner Brian Williams could not be more proud of his company and personnel.

branching out to garage doors.

Amoroc Doors has come a long way since Brian started the business more than two decades ago. Over the years the company has expanded along with the town and now specialises in the installation and automation of not only

The Amoroc team: At the back, from left are Joseph Barends, Daniel Treptow, Eddy Gericke, Martie Verster, Aljo Nel, Cora-Lee Fourie, Ron Davies and owner Brian Williams. In front are Tyrone Geldenhuys, Sam Chitekwere, Patric Siqele, Andrew Josephy, Bernie James and Tyler Chambers.

garage doors and industrial shutters, but also aluminium security shutters, gate motors, alarm systems, CCTV systems and other security products such as electric fencing, electronic locks and timers, intercoms, keypads, remotes and receivers, safety beams, sirens and strobes.

“We pride ourselves on providing quality products that come with the full manufac-

turer’s warranties and are professionally installed by qualified and experienced personnel,” says Brian, whose 13 staff members include Eddy, his operations manager, the shop personnel, three installation teams, and one maintenance and repair team.

“We realise that our customers are our biggest asset and value attributes such as transparency, honesty, professionalism,

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courtesy, friendliness and efficiency.”

Contact Amoroc today for an obligation-free measure and quote or visit their showroom at 14 Mimosa Street, Hermanus Industria for • Exceptional Service • Unbeatable Superior Quality • Outstanding price value • Quality products that work beautifully - Hedda Mittner

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3 - 16 October 2017

Positive energy and soul in Fernkloof

efore the start of the Fernkloof Holistic Faire each month, held at the Fernkloof Nature Reserve hall, a simple ceremony is held in which candles are lit by organiser Lucia Lamprecht and all the vendors. The candles are a symbol of light, hope, unity and love.

plants and sustainably harvested fynbos flowers, as well as tarot readers and others offering spiritual guidance. A number of vendors sell food and drinks, including the very popular eggs benedict, quiche, apple pie, coffee and fresh fruit and vegetable juices.

“The faire is inclusive of everybody. It is for people of all religions and it is a respectful space,” says Lucia, who has been running the faire in its present incarnation in this beautiful space for 18 months.

For the first time at this month’s faire, on October 8, there will be a live yoga demonstration by local Astanga yoga teacher Wepener van der Walt.

It’s not your usual Hermanus market and the focus is specifically on natural and organic products, including natural cosmetics; environmental awareness (with products on sale including bamboo toothbrushes and eco cleaning products); health and healing; crystals; books on herbs and philosophy; jewellery; leatherwork and home-made crafts.

There are also stall-holders selling home-made choco-lates,

The Fernkloof Holistic Faire is held on the second Sunday of every month from 10:00 – 15:00, regardless of the weather as it is a covered market.

“What sets us apart from other markets is that we are not in competition with them,” says Lucia. “There is a special heart and soul at the Fernkloof Holistic Faire that you don’t find anywhere else and we attract a wonderful flow of like-minded people who bring a beautiful energy to the faire.

The recent Hermanus Flower Festival from 22 - 25 September showcased the endemic fynbos coming into full spring bloom. Hermanus Botanical Society members Christine Ross and Sue Taylor (above) were the creators of the central floral wall display in the Fernkloof Hall celebrating the reserve’s 60th anniversary.

Aidan Butler will be selling indigenous and waterwise plants at the Fernkloof Holistic Faire on 8 October.

• For more information or if you would like to book a stall, contact Lucia on 0828116061 or 0283165312 or visit the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/F ernkloofFaire/ for regular updates.

– Sarah Taylor

Hermanus Botanical Society members Jen Crawford and Sady Jenkin helped to organise the fynbos specimens and floral displays for the Hermanus Flower Festival.

PHOTOS: Sarah Taylor

3 - 16 October 2017

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Making something out of nothing

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ohan Pieterse is in his element. The owner of Primwood Products says he loves to “be creative and make something out of nothing”. His firm, based in Mimosa Street, Hermanus Industrial Area, produces wood-replacement planks from recycled plastic and sawdust, from which Primwood manufactures durable outdoor furniture.

The waste plastic used in the process is low-density polyethylene (LDPE), which is the thin plastic used to wrap food and other goods (‘cling wrap’).

This plastic is reclaimed from municipal waste systems by a recycling company in Cape Town, which heats it together and, once it has cooled, flakes it.

It is in this form that Primwood receives it, combines it with sawdust for strength and colour pellets, and extrudes and molds various-sized planks from it.

“The planks we make are all totally recyclable, as well,” says Johan. “It’s an ever-revolving cycle, because there is an endless supply of this type of plastic.

People just keep wrapping things!”

The company produces a standard range of garden furniture (various designs of chairs and tables, picnic benches, pool loungers and dog kennels),

jungle gyms for schools and municipalities, flower boxes and plant lattices, as well as municipal refuse bins and public benches, while it also manufactures made-to-order items. The products are available in brown, black, grey, marble, blue and green, while red and yellow are popular for the jungle gyms.

Standing perpetually exposed in the elements, the lifespan of these products is significant at a minimum of 40 years, especially when compared to the natural alternative, wood, which may have a lifespan of just three years under similar conditions.

“The fact that our polywood products are so durable makes them quite easy to sell,” says Johan, who jokes that their durability might mean some people will bequeath their polywood patio set to their dearly beloved in their will.

Apart from being extremely durable, the polywood items are considerably heavier than wood, which means that it is more difficult for thieves to walk off with polywood benches or tables, for example.

This also means that they won’t get blown over in the wind.

They are non-absorbent, so work well in a wet environ-

ment and need no maintenance at all.

Primwood, staffed by 20 people, supplies its recycled refuse bins to all the municipalities in the Western Cape and some in the Eastern Cape.

Johan used to live in Johannesburg where he and his son own an engineering firm. He owned a car dealership in Hermanus before taking over Primwood Products in September 2015. “Sitting at a desk half killed me,” he laughs. “At Primwood, I am being creative and making something out of nothing, out of waste.”

Polywood products are

becoming much more common globally, according to Johan. “But what we still have to get right in South Africa is recycling. While the Cape Town and Hermanus municipalities are very good in this regard, many other municipalities don’t even sort their waste, which is simply buried in landfill. LDPE, however, takes an extremely long time to break down underground, with no UV to assist the process. So with polywood, at least some good is coming out of the recycling process.”

Numerous online sources estimate that buried LDPE could take between 500

and 1 000 years to biodegrade.

Primwood Products, which has been in existence since 2007, has a few agents in Somerset West and Cape Town, as well as a small showroom in Durbanville.

“We are doing our bit to help save the environment for our children,” says Johan. And how wonderful that these same children might spend their youth playing on a jungle gym that was made by Primwood in a bid to protect the environment.

12 Mimosa Street, Hermanus 028 284 9000 www.primwood.co.za – Sarah Taylor

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ECO-MARINE VILLAGE Among the many visitors to the marquee were Blanche Ova from Cape Town.

Local Sharlene Smith with her daughter Joy who enjoyed colouring in with her friends Jamila, Jamaine and Ashley.

Berna Jacobs welcomed visitors to the Panthera Africa stall.

The pros and cons of the Hermanus Whale Festival

any festivalgoers at this weekend’s Hermanus Whale Festival commented on how busy it was and how there definitely seemed to be more visitors than last year. Throngs of people were milling around the waterfront area, the Old Harbour and Market Square on Saturday, with many camping out and enjoying picnics while the children frolicked in the water.

there was much more representation of all racial and cultural groups among the festivalgoers. People of all races danced and sang together in the music tent.

There were also more families this year and you could see them having picnics all along the seafront and in parks. We realise that people picnicking everywhere is not ideal, so we will look at creating demarcated picnic spots in future.”

According to Jeanette du Toit, Chairperson of the Organising Committee, this year drew larger crowds than was expected. “Tens of thousands of people descended on the town and on Saturday the music tent saw more than 1 200 visitors, while more than 400 children took part in the treasure hunt. The Marine Expo also drew very large crowds and at times there was not enough space for everyone in the tent.”

Jeanette says that restaurants were filled to capacity and businesses did brisk trade. “We were also visited by senior delegates of large firms such as MTN and Coke Cola and they expressed their satisfaction with the festival.”

According to Jeanette, several busses filled with tourists from China and Korea were in town as well as two busses filled with German tourists. Two busses filled with residents from an old age home and three busses with religious groups were also welcomed to town.

She says that there were many challenges, especially with regards to litter and a shortage of toilets. “Despite the cleanup crew of 15 people and extra rubbish bins provided by the Municipality it was difficult to keep up.

Julius Mashifane of DAFF showed the children what can be found in a typical coastal rock pool. PHOTOS: Hedda Mittner

“What was remarkably different this year was that

According to her several meetings with all role-players will be held in the next year to assist the committee in organising an even better festival next year.

All of this sounds like good news for the town, but unfortunately there was also a downside to the huge influx of festivalgoers – apart from the horrendous traffic congestion in town, with residents of Onrus, Vermont, Hawston and Fisherhaven spending more than an hour in their cars on the normally short trip home from town on Saturday.

On Sunday morning Herman de Vries of Walkerbay Adventures posted four photos of the litter-strewn Old Harbour with the following message: “One should think that a marine awareness festival should at least leave some kind of awareness of the harm

of pollution. This however is the site that has been greeting me for a number of years now when arriving at my office in Hermanus Old Harbour on the Sunday morning of the Whale Festival. Now I have to conduct an eco-marine sea kayak tour in this environment...”

His post immediately elicited a huge response that was overwhelmingly negative about the festival. Noise pollution, crime, litter, congestion and the fact that local businesses do not benefit from the huge number of visitors were among the strong-worded complaints from locals.

Justine Mallandain’s comment read: “I closed my shop early because the crowds were uncontrollable and access to my shop was compromised.

I’m sad that it seems to have become a festival of fast food, noise and chaos without an iota of culture... And it is no longer a platform for local businesses but rather a weekend when we close our doors for fast food and 'foreign' big business marketing... How this has anything to do with local business is beyond me.”

Her sentiments were echoed

by Leanne Dryburgh of The Photo Shed at Market Square, who said: “This festival has a huge negative impact on most local businesses. We have had stock stolen, stock ruined and our shops damaged. There is nothing positive for our town from this debacle.” Another local, Melinda Kennedy, commented: “I have lived in Hermanus for 12 years now. I have

nothing positive to say about this festival. I do not attend mainly because of the out of towners who have no respect for our town. It is one huge drinking spree and has no connection to whales.”

Janeke Maroudas, who owns a shop in Main Road, wrote: “I closed up shop at 11:30 yesterday. Not one sale for the day… The litter was a disgrace. I felt unsafe to leave stock on display outside and had to witness people walking through the shop with fast food packets eating in the shop. Not a cent generated for the day. I will even consider not opening at all for the next Whale Festival as this has no benefit to our business whatsoever.”

So what did the visitors have to say? Grant Lopez commented: “After spending an extra 30min yesterday in traffic... we were welcomed by an over-crowded, dirty and busy Hermanus. To be very honest there was nothing appealing about this festival at all... this was the first time and my last time... even when leaving, people were so impatient and driving like a bunch of hooligans, some still consuming their take-away beers. The organisers should look at what they are offering at the festival, which will determine the visitors.”

Lesley May wrote: “We had three Russian doctors staying with us this weekend. They loved Hermanus but were shocked at the state our town was left in yesterday. Another problem is the increase in crime during the festival. I had my cellphone stolen from my bag while at Clicks on Friday. The

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3 - 16 October 2017

PHOTOS: Titanium Photography

PHOTO: Hedda Mittner staff at MTN said there's always a surge of theft during the festival.”

Another long-time local, Terry Kobus of Originals Art Gallery in Harbour Road, commented: “I can't believe that Hermanus Tourism allows such a destructive festival to take place in our town. The damage it does to our reputation of being a top international tourist destination is irreparable.”

Herman later posted an update to thank the cleaning crew that came down to the Old Harbour and collected around 20 bags of refuse. “The damage has however been done,” he wrote.

“One of my clients just phoned to cancel their tour seeing that they left Hermanus a day early because of the festival! The lady mentioned that the rubbish and human excrement found while walking the cliff path made her and her family pack

up a day early.”

Suzanne Mare wrote: “I went for a run yesterday (Saturday) around 18:00 and was shocked to see that the area around the Old Harbour looked like a rubbish dump... the wind also not helping by blowing all the trash from the bins. On the way back I was relieved to see the Overstrand Municipality's truck and cleanup team, although it felt a little too late. They should have dedicated teams cleaning up throughout the day!”

People were still continuing to post comments at the time that the Village NEWS went to print on Sunday evening.

Norah Hudson expressed the opinion that “… if a festival works and brings income to our lovely town it contributes toward a healthy economy; if

it doesn't, we need to change that.” To which Christine Henderson of The Art Gallery added: “The end of this ‘festival’ is long overdue.

Hordes of people with no interest in supporting our local businesses, have no spending power anyway, cause traffic jams, drop litter, watch a free show and leave.

A complete waste of time and money.”

James Binos wrote: “I think the rubbish is dreadful and I blame that on the festival organisers. We have just had our Food & Wine Festival in McGregor. The village was packed with tourists/festival goers. This morning ... not a piece of rubbish to be seen on the streets. The organisers arranged for cleanup teams who worked throughout the festival and after.”

The debate seems to be far

from over, but there was at least one positive comment, from Annette Clare O’Sullivan: “On a positive note the only place that was calm and mildly reminiscent of past whale festivals was the Lemm’s Corner Market. Congrats to whoever resurrected this market on Sundays.” (It was, of course, Jozua Rossouw of Rossouw Modern Art Gallery, who has done Hermanus a huge favour by bringing this popular market back to life.)

Other positive feedback came from festivalgoers who had attended the Eco-Marine Talks at the Whale Museum, those who visited the Wheels and Whales Vintage Car Display at Hermanus Primary School, and took part in the Sporting Chance Coaching Clinic at Hermanus High School’s sports field.

– De Waal Steyn

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3 - 16 October 2017

Farewell, auf Wiedersehen, goodbye to school!

The 2017 matric class of Hermanus High School celebrated the end of their school days in style at the matric ball in the Sandbaai Hall on Friday 29 September. Dressed to the nines the learners arrived in style in all manner of vehicles ranging from classic oldies to growling newbies before they walked down the red carpet to the hall that was decorated in a maritime theme. On Saturday evening the hall with the decorations was used to host the 2nd annual Village Ball for Hermanus’s senior citizens.

Mischka Kunz and Bryce Senekal PHOTO: Shooting Range

Catherine Africa and Daniel Landes PHOTO: Shooting Range

Liam Solomons and Danielle Smith PHOTO: Titanium Photography

Quamani Venda and Michaela Kirstensami PHOTO: Titanium Photography

LADIES IN RED Shannon May and her partner (left) and AndrĂŠ King and Mischa van Zyl (right) on the red carpet.

PHOTOS: Titanium Photography

Head girl Amy Hess and partner PHOTO: Shooting Range

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3 - 16 October 2017

Michael-John Otto, Eljay Sauls, Mr Francois Hooneberg, Keanu Niemand, Jade Cornelius and Lloyd April.

Ibanthi Nyangintstimbi and Jeanne Wessels.

PHOTOS: Shooting Range

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3 - 16 October 2017

THE

NEWS

MY Sport

Walk it. Run it. Dance it…

The Summer Music Colour Run! T

he Summer Music Colour Run is back with a bang for its fourth year during its 2017 Holiday Tour that is going be the time of your life – and we owe it all to you!

Along the 5 km route, participants will be entertained at three colour stations and two music stations, with each music station hosting a Local DJ playing the best of the best summer tunes… You won’t need your iPod, because this event brings the beat.

If you missed out last year don't let the sun go down on you, come feel the beat under your feet. This insane event is in Hermanus on 30 December at 16:00 at the Hermanus Cricket Club.

Registration will be on 29 December from 9:00 to 17:00 and 30 December from 9:00 to

14:00, also at the Cricket Club.

This is an alcohol-free event, bringing the whole family together for some fun in the sun.

Kids under 10 years run free.

Early Bird Entries are available at R190 pp. Standard Ticket Prices are R240 pp. Ticket price includes your race number, a powder sachet, tattoo, T-shirt, takealot coupon, travelstart discount voucher and, last but not least, entry into the ‘Win a Trip to Paris’ competition. The winners will be announced on 30 December.

For more information and a chance to win tickets weekly, follow us on Facebook @SummerRunZA, like and share our page and maybe your Facebook friend will decide to take you along to Paris…

WIN 4 TICKETS FOR THE SUMMER RUN:

To enter simply like the Summer Run Facebook page and leave a comment on why you think you deserve the tickets.