The Village NEWS 15 - 21 May 2018

NEWS NEWS

Village

The

15 - 21 May 2018

Mayoral Entrepreneurial Winner

Cape Whale Coast

FREE COPY

Bypass plans to be revised T

agreement on how to proceed will depend on discussions regarding how best to deal with these aspects, which will require input from a number of parties. “Once a way forward and a timeline have been agreed upon, stakeholders will be informed, and the amended final EIA report and/or other appropriate documentation will be released. This may well be some months into the future.

According to Sue Reuther, Principal Environmental Consultant and Associate Partner at SRK Consulting, a final decision on the way forward has not been taken, but once agreement on this has been reached, an amended final EIA report will be released.

“The Western Cape Department of Transport and Public Works (WCDTPW) also plans to address the issues raised by DEA&DP, which will feed into an amended final EIA report. Normal procedure foresees that the DEA&DP letter will be released as part of the amended report, which will also indicate how the various aspects raised by DEA&DP were addressed,” Reuther said.

De Waal Steyn

he rejection of the final Hermanus CBD Bypass Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report in March by the Provincial Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (DEA&DP) has stalled but not stopped the plan to build the road, despite serious resistance from the Hermanus community.

This photograph of the Hermanus Old Harbour was taken from an unusual angle on a glorious autumn day.

Residents can look forward to another week of sunny days and mild temperatures, with little chance of rain. With the level of the De Bos Dam continuing to drop, however, residents may soon have to pay water levies if the winter rains do not start soon.

PHOTO: Kürt Krause, MAKU Visuals

“The DEA&DP issued a letter rejecting the final EIA report and listing a number of aspects that need to be addressed in an amended final EIA report, which must be released for public comment once amended and before being resubmitted to DEA&DP for decision-making.

These include aspects relating to biodiversity offset and the golf course wetland, an alternative market site, a timeline, and a specialist study review,” she said in a statement to interested and affected parties.

According to Reuther, final

In March the DEA&DP said the EIA report was rejected as it does not “adequately address all the pertinent issues and will require further revised or additional information before further consideration will be given to it”.

According to the report, more than 500 comments were received during the four formal commenting periods of the last few years, with the clear majority of them being critical of the bypass.

Continues on P 3

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15 - 21 May 2018

E WS

The Team

6 Royal Street, Hermanus

028 312 2234

THE

NEWS

OPINION Matters

Turn the tide on the ‘dead season’ and support local this winter Publishing Editor De Waal Steyn 083 700 3319 dewaal@thevillagenews.co.za

Design and Layout Nickey Jackson 079 408 7722 nickey@thevillagenews.co.za

Marketing René Hartslief 083 648 8700 ads@thevillagenews.co.za

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

Office Administrator Tania Hamman admin@thevillagenews.co.za

Marketing Kathy Bentley 083 581 7219 kathy@thevillagenews.co.za

“MJJ, that’s when we suffer every day. We listen to the click of the till, waiting for it to fill. But alas it is all dead still.”

This little poetically dubious rhyme referring to the months May, June and July was sent to us by a restaurant owner some time ago. With the cold grasp of winter forcing us to reach for the winter woollies, businesses are steeling themselves for what is commonly known as ‘the dead time of year’ when trade tumbles and many businesses opt to close their doors for a few weeks to either take a break or do renovations.

There is no denying that win-

ter does influence all businesses in towns that are largely seasonally driven. This year seems to be no exception, with several business owners stating that their volume of business has dropped significantly. To further compound their woes some business owners have reported muted seasonal trading while Easter trade, normally referred to as the second Christmas, was much slower than in previous years.

There are many reasons for this, including a slowing in economic growth, now forecast to stay below the 2% mark for the next couple of years, as well as the effect of

Overstrand customer satisfaction survey 2018 Freelance Journalist Elaine Davie 084 343 7500

Photography & Social Media Taylum Meyer 084 564 0779 taylum@thevillagenews.co.za

WHERE TO FIND US The Village NEWS is published every week and the next edition will be available on 22 May. The NEWS can be found at more than 250 distribution points on the Cape Whale Coast, from Pringle Bay to Gansbaai.

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

The Overstrand Municipality will be conducting a customer satisfaction survey during the months of May and June 2018.

This survey will be conducted throughout the Overstrand and will be targeted at Overstrand’s municipal clients and relevant stakeholders.

The research will be conducted by a service provider who is in the process of being appointed, and Overstrand Municipality intends to use the results and recommendations stemming from this study to grow and improve its customer service and related initiatives.

For this reason, Overstrand Municipality kindly requests the public’s cooperation when approached by the research team.

For more information regarding this notice, please contact the Communication Department on 028 313 8911.

the violent protests shortly before the Easter weekend.

The opening of the Whale Coast Mall has also had an effect on many smaller businesses, especially in Hermanus Old Town and some of the neighbouring towns. The crippling drought has had a further negative impact on the number of tourists visiting the Western Cape.

But the Overstrand has always shown itself to be resilient and with the first whales spotted in the bay already, an increasing number of local and international winter tourists visiting our shores, and exciting events such FynArts just around the

corner, the tide is slowly turning against the ‘dead season’.

But we as locals also have a responsibility. Let us make a conscious effort to spend more of our money supporting local businesses.

What is better than a comforting winter’s meal in a restaurant while the wind is howling outside, and the welcome rains fill our dams and rivers? Now is also the time to start on all those indoor renovation projects and to create wonderful curries and stews with ingredients sourced from local producers.

This is the good NEWS – Ed

The NEWS now an audited publication The Village NEWS is proud to announce that it has officially been registered and audited by the Audit Bureau of Circulation of South Africa. The ABC is the official South African auditor of the print media and ensures that all circulation figures provided are verified before a circulation certificate is issued. This affords both advertisers and readers the assurance of a publication’s real distribution figures.

Publishers submit audited figures verifying their circulation, by means of a circulation certificate. The audit is conducted by a registered accountant and auditor who must have full access to all financial accounts and other relevant records connected with the publication for a complete and accurate ABC audit. The Bureau does random check audits to verify the information prepared by the publisher. For the first quarter of 2018 The Village NEWS was awarded a total fortnightly circulation of 6 985 out of the 7 000 copies printed. The NEWS will submit its new weekly distribution of 10 000 copies for the second quarter at the end of June.

Weather forecast for the next week & De Bos Dam level Tuesday 15 May

Wednesday 16 May

14°C / 22°C

14°C / 22°C

Clear

Clear

Thursday 17 May

Friday 18 May

14°C / 22°C

17°C / 26°C

Clear

Clear

Saturday 19 May

16°C / 20°C Cloudy

Sunday 20 May

16°C / 21°C Partly Cloudy

Monday 21 May

16°C / 17°C Cloudy

www.yr.no De Bos Dam Level

36 %

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15 - 21 May 2018

Planned march called off after negotiations De Waal Steyn

A

march on Monday 14 April aimed at once again highlighting the plight of backyard dwellers in Zwelihle was called off after negotiations between the leaders of Zwelihle Renewal (ZR) and the office of Western Cape Human Settlements MEC Bonginkosi Madikizela.

On Thursday last week Zwelihle Renewal called for the mass action, stating that Monday was to be a total shut down. “No businesses will be operating in Zwelihle and people are advised not to risk going to work. We will be marching to Overstrand Municipality and demanding that people be placed in Schulphoek as soon as yesterday.

Our plans are to move to the new plots in the coming week and by the weekend so that people enjoy their homes,” stated the notice released on social media.

According to the MEC’s office, Madikizela will be visiting

Hermanus on Tuesday, 15 May to give feedback on the process of housing delivery and for that reason the march was postponed.

Sicelo Gxamesi of ZR said the community was frustrated with the slow pace of the process to deliver houses and land to residents. “On the one hand the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) roadshows that should have taken place in Zwelihle never materialised, so there has been no public participation with the residents on how the Municipality will spend its budget, especially with regards to housing.

“On the other hand, we want a clear timeline from the authorities with regards to the process of making land, especially that in Schulphoek, available for housing.

All we get are promises but no action,” he said.

The unhappiness follows several meetings between the MEC and the community, and Mayor Dudley Coetzee’s announcement that he will approach the

Provincial Government to either buy back the Schulphoek land from developers Rabcav at a reasonable price or, if that fails, to expropriate the land with compensation.

Coetzee earlier said the acquisition of the Schulphoek land by the Provincial Government may take a while as negotiations on the purchase price and all other legal processes do not happen overnight. Even after the land has been purchased, an environmental impact assessment and a public participation process will still need to take place before any development can start.

Zwelihle residents, however, have stated on social media that they want to take ownership of the land as soon as possible and should the timeframe be too long, they will cut out the Milkwood trees and other vegetation in the area themselves and start erecting homes.

“We will not wait. We need homes now. People are stuck in shacks in

backyards where they are paying too much rent and are cramped in,” read one comment.

Gxamesi said, dependent on the outcome of the meeting with the MEC, they will take a decision on whether to organise another march. “The authorities are deliberately dragging their feet and we need to remind them that we are as much residents of the Overstrand as anyone else.”

ANC member of the Provincial Legislator Cameron Dugmore indicated over the weekend that he has highlighted the plight of Zwelihle residents in a meeting with National Minister of Land Reform Maite NkoanaMashabane, and asked her to become personally involved in the process.

“I will ask the Municipality to extend an invitation to her to attend the meeting between the MEC, Municipality and members of the community,” Dugmore said.

More public Nominations for 2018 participation to follow Mayoral Awards From P 1 Henri Fortuin, Director of Development Management for the DEA&DP, said the decision was taken not to disqualify the Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP) at this time but rather to allow them to revise or add additional information and resubmit the report.

“Should new information be submitted in the revised EIA report it will be subject to a further round of public participation, during which time additional comments and objections can be added,” said Fortuin.

Mayor Dudley Coetzee earlier in the year stated that he supports the notion of solving the traffic issues in Hermanus by upgrading the R43 to the west and east of the town. “We must first solve the problems of getting into and leaving

town before we look at bypassing it. It is more important to improve the traffic flow on the R43 coming into Hermanus from Bot River and leaving the town towards Stanford.”

Stephen Müller, Director of Infrastructure and Planning at the Municipality, said the upgrade of the R43 between Hermanus and Gansbaai will commence this year. According to the Western Cape budget a total of R255 million will be spent on the upgrade this year against a total cost of R683 million.

He also said the upgrade of the R43 between Fisherhaven and Sandbaai has been registered as a separate project by the Western Cape Government and it is expected that initial environmental impact assessments will begin in the next couple of years.

People across the Overstrand can now put forward nominations for the 2018 Overstrand Municipality’s Mayoral Awards for Excellence.

This prestigious event recognises the work of individuals, groups and organisations who have made a positive difference in their community and who consistently go the extra mile.

This year Mayor Dudley Coetzee will present the awards on 4 October.

Any member of the public can nominate an individual or organisation for any of the categories.

The following Achievers of Excellence will be recognised: Category 1: Achievers of Excellence Category 2: Woman of the Year Category 3: Environmental Conservation Category 4: Entrepreneurial Achievements Category 5: Tourism Development Category 6: Junior Achiever The nomination forms are available at the Mayor’s office or can be requested from Doret Taljaard. All completed nomination forms can be forwarded to dtaljaard@overstrand.gov.za or handed in at the Mayor’s office in Hermanus. Nominations will be accepted until 31 August 2018.

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15 - 21 May 2018

New Educational Centre to open at Harold Porter An interesting history

Elaine Davie

T

During the 1930s land in the Hangklip area between the Palmiet River and the Rooiels River was acquired by three business partners – Harold Porter, Arthur Youldon and Jack Clarence. They called it the Hangklip Beach Estates and divided the area into three townships, namely Betty’s Bay (named after Youldon’s daughter, Betty), Pringle Bay and Rooiels, and sold off plots to interested parties.

he Harold Porter Botanical Garden in Betty’s Bay has for many decades been one of the top attractions of the Cape Whale Coast. Nestling between the mountains and the ocean, in the epicentre of the Cape Floral Kingdom, it comprises a 10 ha cultivated fynbos garden and a further 190 ha of afro montane forests, wetlands, coastal dunes and fynbos.

Until the Second World War when the coastal road (Clarence Drive) from Gordon’s Bay was built to service the radar stations at Stony Point and at Hangklip, the area was accessed via Sir Lowry’s Pass and Kleinmond, and a pontoon crossing the Palmiet River.

After a fire in 1940 Harold Nixon Porter acquired an extensive tract of land in the Betty’s Bay area by a Trust Agreement to develop a garden and private nature reserve. He named it Shangri-la, which means ‘paradise’. He turned the first sod on 2 October 1950 and it was officially opened as the Shangri-la Nature Reserve on 13 November 1955 by Professor Brian Rycroft, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Botanical Gardens.

Visitors are invited to explore the many splendours of this natural paradise by ambling along the paths or hiking up to Disa or Leopard’s Kloof along the meandering nature trails.

The amenities include an indigenous plants nursery, picnic areas, a conference centre and restaurant – with an exciting addition to open soon. This is the spanking-new Educational Centre, with its stone-clad walls, double-volume ceilings and expansive windows overlooking the garden and, in the distance, the ocean.

The building, which is being given its finishing touches in anticipation of its opening next month, has a wonderful sense of spaciousness. “I’ve been here for 10 years and I honestly can’t believe that I’m soon going to have this incredible place to work in,” says an excited Eunice Jurgens, the Senior Educational Officer at the Harold Porter Botanical Garden.

Up to now, Eunice has had to conduct all her classes outside, and if it was raining, the lessons had to be cancelled. Now they will start with an introductory session in the airy, light-filled hall, which will contain all the most up-to-date educational equipment, like a large interactive screen, and computers and microscopes along the walls of the room.

“Of course, I have to emphasise that the garden is still my primary classroom,” says Eunice.

“As soon as the introduction is over, we will still go out into the garden, because that’s where we have our greatest fun and do our most fascinating work with the learners. Our main aim is to give children, especially those from the most disadvantaged communities, a taste of the joy nature has to offer us and to plant in them the seed of environmental preservation that will continue to grow and

After Harold Porter’s death on 27 February 1958, his ashes were scattered in a favourite spot of his where Nerine sarniensis bloom every March/April. A plaque of granite was sunk into a large sandstone boulder to mark the spot.

The Reserve was left to the Shangri-la Nature Reserve Company. Finding it too difficult to manage from Johannesburg, the corporate committee offered it to the then National Botanical Gardens of SA, which renamed it in Harold Porter’s honour and took on the financial responsibility for the Garden on 1 August 1959.

Eunice Jurgens, Senior Educational Officer at the Harold Porter Botanical Garden, in the light-filled hall of the new Educational Centre with its stone-clad walls and double-volume ceiling. The centre is due to open next month.

PHOTOS: Robin Malherbe inspire them for the rest of their lives.”

Just outside the centre is a small stream with a pond, bursting with plant and animal life – frogs, tadpoles, dragon flies, water lilies, all sorts of bugs – and that will be the first port of call for the littlies, the Foundation Phase learners, where learning through play and sensory experience is all-important.

The rest of this diverse garden, with its individual ecosystems, offers a magical world of discovery for all the children who are lucky enough to visit it.

The lessons, two hours long for primary school learners and three hours for secondary school learners, follow CAPS guidelines for Life Sciences and Science and Technology, from Grade R to Grade 11.

Topics covered range from an

introduction to the Harold Porter Botanical Garden, to Ecology, Plant Adaptation, Plants and People, Biomes, Marine Ecology, Bio-diversity and Tourism.

Although many of the Overstrand primary and high schools have a strong relationship with the Garden, Eunice would like to see the remainder of them participate, too.

Unfortunately, a lot depends on one or more of the teachers taking the lead and arranging a trip. “We want them all to have a wow! experience that will imprint itself on their minds and hearts for life,” she bubbles enthusiastically.

Apart from the lessons, the Garden celebrates significant environmental dates throughout the year, organising a range of activities for public participation. As one of only two National Gardens in South

Africa with direct access to the sea, marine conservation is as important as land-based environmental awareness. During October each year a 5 km fun run is organised from Harold Porter to the Penguin colony at Stony Point, along the coast and back to the Garden.

Its biggest event of the year, however, is the Biodiversity Exhibition, which is organised in association with the Western Cape Education Department during the first week in August, on National Science Day. It is attended by Grade 10 pupils at schools throughout the Overberg and a variety of leading environmental organisations, such as the Iziko Museums, CapeNature, Fernkloof Reserve, Iimbovane – an entomological organisation – and many others, participate, giving the learners an exciting overview of the

In 1962 the Hangklip Beach Estates donated the adjoining area of Disa Kloof to the Garden and later still, the then Betty’s Bay Village Management Board donated an additional adjoining piece of land which reaches to the sea. In total the land incorporated into the Harold Porter National Botanical Garden now comprises 200.5 ha, which is included in the core zone of the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve.

environmental world and the careers associated with it.

Another important role played by the Garden is the Greening of Schools Project. This is aimed at under-resourced schools in township settings that already have a relationship with the Garden through attending lessons there. A good example is the Bot River Primary School which has developed a wonderful garden, of which it is very proud. The children are given basic horticultural training, including care of the soil, composting, earth-worming, propagating plants through the use of cuttings and seeds, plant parenting and much more.

This project is funded by the Botanical Society and includes the provision of compost, plants and mulch. Before each project is launched, the school concerned signs an under-

taking to maintain and care for the garden and selected teachers attend workshops to support and assist the children in Eco Clubs at the school.

Eunice had been a primary school teacher for 28 years and loved every minute of it, but she is quick to acknowledge that her 10 years at Harold Porter has been the most enriching period of all. The opening of the new Educational Centre which is scheduled for the beginning of June, will be the crowning glory for her, opening many new doors for innovative teaching opportunities.

Information about the activities of the Harold Porter Educational Programme can be obtained from Eunice Jurgens. Contact her on 028 272 9311 or send an email to ejurgens@sanbi.org.za

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15 - 21 May 2018

Greyton-Genadendal offers Classics for All Elaine Davie

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very year when the vineyards turn to gold and the chilly evenings draw in, like homing pigeons, lovers of good music know that it is time to head for the Greyton Genadendal ‘Classics for All’ Festival.

That time has rolled around once again: the 14th Festival will run from 25 – 27 May this year.

This feast of classical music has become such a booming success that it is difficult to believe it started as long ago as 2005. Local restaurant owner and journalist, Coenie Visser, who has been the chief organiser of the Festival from the very beginning, recalls how a group of local residents got together a few months earlier to discuss ways and means to bring visitors to Greyton during the winter months to boost the economy of the sleepy little town. “In its earliest years,” Coenie recounts, “it was called the Greyton Winter Festival and the focus was on ‘winter food’, art and music in warm, intimate venues.”

The success of that first event surprised everyone, most of all the organisers, who again sat down to discuss new ideas for making it sustainable. When they looked at other festivals around the Western Cape, it seemed as if music was the common thread.

But then again, so many of them seemed to focus on popular (mainly Afrikaans) music, so there was no point in repeating the same formula. They wanted something completely different, to fit the character of their special little town, characterised by strong ties to its historic past.

When Coenie was dragged, under duress, to a concert by Andre Rieu, the penny finally dropped.

“I noticed how much people were enjoying popular classical music and I suddenly realised that a festival of classical music that would be accessible to everyone, not only the purist, could work.”

The next Generation on Saturday 26 May at 12:00: Three of the most exciting and talented young musicians on the classical music scene will be exploring the seductive sounds of Latin America’s best-known composers, featuring Myles Roberts (flute), David Bester (violin) and Sulayman Human (piano).

The Greyton Genadendal ‘Classics for All’ Festival was launched in November 2010, with directors Coenie Visser, Pamela Duff and Peter Duncan.

Its main aim was to make use of arts and culture to unite and uplift the communities of Greyton and Genadendal, so close to each other geographically, yet socially so far apart, as well as to benefit the economy of the greater Greyton-Genadendal region. “Its ethos,” emphasises Coenie, “was to make classical music accessible to everyone, young and old, novice and connoisseur, by presenting performances in the villages by some of the top classical musicians in South Africa and abroad.

“We also felt very strongly that we wanted to create a platform for local artists to perform for larger audiences; in some instances, with professional artists,” adds Coenie. Indeed, over the years many little-known artists who performed at the Festival have gone on to achieve great professional success both in South Africa and abroad.

Esteemed American pianist Spencer Myer will perform a tribute to Haydn and Chopin, Hats off to the Geniuses! on Friday 25 May at 17:30.

Unbelievably, the very first ‘Classics for All’ festival featured exactly three concerts – soprano Zanne Stapelberg, pianist Francois du Toit and local pianist Philippus Hugo – who all offered their talents free of charge.

From then on, there was no stopping the Festival’s success.

However, the costs, too, escalated exponentially and quite remarkably, the bulk of the financial load is currently being carried by the small businesses of this small community, which the organisers acknowledge with deep appreciation.

Histoire du Tango on Sunday 27 May at 09:30: The Zomari Duo of guitarist James Grace and flautist Bridget Rennie-Salonen will present a varied recital for flute and guitar, revolving around Astor Piazzolla’s iconic work L’histoire du tango.

Also featured on the programme are works by Brazilian composer Celso Machado, and Argentinean Mximo Diego Pujo.

This year’s event will feature two concerts by international artists. Esteemed American pianist, Spencer Myer, who has established a long and respected career as a recitalist, concerto soloist, lieder accompanist and chamber musician, will pay tribute to composers

Franz Josef Haydn and Frederic Chopin in Hats off to the Geniuses!

The organisers of the Festival are also particularly proud to introduce the Concert Band of the Notre Dame University of Indiana, USA, which has toured close to 20 countries, from Sweden and Croatia to China, Brazil and Australia. Their programme will include a wide variety of music, including classical favourites, Broadway hits, opera, Irish songs, New Orleans jazz and marches.

The Gala Concert at the historic Moravian Church in Genadendal, with its ‘once- experiencednever-forgotten’ ambience, takes place on Saturday 26 May at 19:00 and features an unprecedented collection of the most outstanding musical talent the Cape has to offer – a not-to-be missed experience for lovers of fine music.

In total, there are 10 concerts on this year’s three-day Festival programme, offering a musical feast to satisfy all tastes. Even children have not been forgotten. A special performance will be given by Muzukidz – the little Paganinnis, as they are affectionately known – a group of 40 young violin pupils between the ages of four and ten from Cape Town, who will be joined by a local school choir from Bereaville Primary and Greyton-Genadendal’s Junior Okosi Project.

And when your head and your heart are full to bursting with the beauty of the music, you can wander the country roads and breathe in the beauty of the two villages, or feed the inner man at one of the excellent coffee shops and restaurants for which the region is famous. One thing is for sure, you will go home replete in every sense of the word, ready to face another year until the vineyards once again turn to gold.

Find the full festival programme at www.classicsforall.co.za.

Tickets are available from Computicket.

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15 - 21 May 2018

THE

NEWS

Let’s Talk

Send your letters to dewaal@thevillagenews.co.za

Municipality’s response to Mama’s house is questionable Thank you for your article about Mama's new roof and for approaching it from all parties’ perspectives. Unfortunately other print articles have been very one sided, ambiguous and downplayed. I applaud The Village NEWS for its ongoing factual and accurate reporting.

One has to wonder though, why the Municipality has had their "hands tied" for so long in dealing with this and then swoop in to save the day at the last minute! It is precisely because of their lack of action that the community stepped in to put a roof over this family’s head. As far as I understand it the house was damaged in December of last

year. It then took a full two months before repairs were scheduled to start.

I would really like to know how many times since the house was damaged, did the Municipality go out to inspect the property. Why has it taken so long to determine that the house is structurally unsound? That should have been established at the first visit and if it was, why was nothing done to assist the family sooner?

I also have to wonder, had the community not stepped in, how long would it have taken for Mama's house to become a priority?

have our say regarding Municipal decisions and to involve ourselves in Municipal matters, yet Sicelo's attempts to do this by contacting the Municipality about the police station and library repairs went unanswered.

The simple courtesy of a response from the Municipality to Sicelo's offer and suggestions would have at least been something.

Thank you to people like Sicelo and so many countless others who truly do care.

We are constantly asked to

United we stand

High Street in dire need of signage All of us who live and work in the CBD of Hermanus have grave concerns about our inner town and the lack of enthusiasm of the Municipality, our Ward representative, Tourism and the Traffic Department.

I have pleaded with all for some (any) signage in High

Street. Nowhere is there a reference to even the name of the street. Nowhere on Main Road or Mitchell Street does any sign inform you of how to even get to High Street.

The info centre doesn’t know where High Street is!

Cars cannot read the very

poor signage on the road and on a lamppost that warns them that quarter of the High street is a one way.

On average six cars a day go the wrong way down the street. Can any of these problems please be addressed – not next year, but now.

Vanessa Prior

Pavements needed for foot traffic I have lived in Westcliff for 17 years and still no pavements! The pavements start at the far end of Voëlklip and end just beyond the corner of Albertyn Street in Westcliff.

It needs to be looked at quite seriously as there is foot traffic from Zwelihle, tourists and holiday makers all walking in the road – a road that is so very dangerous, as there is

neither regard for the speed limit nor the rules for overtaking another vehicle.

Traffic calming would also go a long way to keeping pedestrians safe if a pavement is not an option.

Mariclaire Day Day Dreamers - Container Home Projects

Have a heart for the aged this winter I have become an avid reader of The Village NEWS, especially since the protests. Thank you for doing your best to create a feeling of community in the Greater Hermanus area. Through you I found the Swop Shop which is a great project for children!

In response to your editorial comment Working towards a new future in the current edition, I wanted to add to your list (if you aren't already aware of it) the Siyazama Service Centre for the aged.

Siyazama is an NGO located in Zwelihle that

provides breakfast, coffee, tea and a warm lunch to roughly 30 elderly members of the community from Monday to Friday. The caregivers also distribute meals to bedridden and weakened people in the community.

Their vehicle provides transport for the aged to the clinic, the shops and Home Affairs as needed, but they are struggling to pay for fuel and maintenance due to a lack of funds.

Partially funded by the WC Department of Social Development, Siyazama is generously supported by the St Vincent de Paul Society

and the Rotary Club of Hermanus. However, they are continuously in great need of donations, including vegetables, meat and rice. They also currently need a spare wheel for the van and small to medium-sized carpets to add some warmth to the cold tile floors.

The ladies also love it if someone comes in every so often and cooks a meal for everyone. It is lots of fun and I can only recommend it!

Esther Meusel Siyazama can be contacted on 028 313 0874 - Ed

Juxtaposed letters make for ‘fascinating’ reading I am fascinated by the juxtaposed letters in your 1-7 May edition, starting with a quote from Beth Hunt – “in an environment of exceptional beauty” – and the echo of Mr Groenewald’s reply to Mr Cassidy. His throw-away line “Mr Cassidy is well known to me and my colleagues” and added to that the disdainful “be that as it may”, are typical of our modern public servant!

I happen to have come to live in Ward 8 in a sea of environmental devastation

and neglect. Mr Vernon McKechnie and Mr Anton Meyer are probably also known to Mr Groenewald and his colleagues. Their views on the Municipality and politicians are surely worth attention – and especially with respect to Ward 8 where the “loss of humanity” is superseded by that of Schulphoek.

Mr Pennyworth may have probably lost the plot because it appears the general rule in our new RSA is that accountability and respons-

ibility are only matters for juristic opportunism and its endless judgements and appeals.

The consequence is that intelligent people like Mr Gxamesi and Mr Ndzongana cannot integrate into our “democratic system” while expressing the need of the people to “turn things around”. I forgot to mention congratulating the linedancing champion. Well done.

Bruce Bayer, Fisherhaven

Website would work wonders for local organisations Full marks to The Village NEWS and its publisher, De Waal Steyn. I was greatly encouraged by the content of his opinion column (Working towards a new future, The Village NEWS 8 May) announcing the creation of a “comprehensive guide of NGOs, NPOs and social organisations in the Overstrand”, under the auspices of The Village NEWS, the Municipality and Mike Matthews.

This is intended to facilitate the involvement of the public and businesses wanting to make a difference through volunteering or financial contributions – a wonderful initiative and one which deserves all our support.

By way of a contribution, may I suggest that an electronic directory would be preferable to a printed list of such organisations and their needs. An electronic directory, by way of a website (Overstrand volunteer?) would have several advantages over a printed version.

It would be accessible from anywhere at any time, including from overseas, which would

make it more attractive for members of the substantial “swallow” population. It would be updatable by the various organisations involved in real time as their needs change, rather than having to wait for the next publication.

Such a directory would need to be searchable via keywords or category, enabling potential volunteers to easily find a suitable organisation with which to match their skills and availability.

There would be some costs involved for setting up such an electronic directory and for its maintenance, but these should be less than the cost of producing and distributing a printed version, and could be borne by a generous sponsor, or even covered by limited advertising.

We trust that this idea will be speedily implemented and that the sentiment of “send me”, encouraged by our State President, will gain traction in this beautiful part of our country.

Dr Phillip G Parsons, Onrus

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15 - 21 May 2018

Local tourism lessons gained from Indaba Frieda Lloyd

W

ith tourism being the mainstay of our region’s economy and adding so many different layers to life on the Cape Whale Coast, the tourism team made the trip to Durban last week to learn and engage with the rest of South Africa’s travel trade at the World Travel Market and Tourism Indaba.

These are Africa’s biggest tourism and travel trade shows, providing a space for the industry to network, learn and sign new business. Indaba hosted 1 747 buyers from all over the world and 1 120 exhibitors representing 22 African countries and 80 countries globally. Add a 460strong media contingent and you had a great mix.

There was a big emphasis on Nelson Mandela, the founder of a democratic South Africa, as this year marks the centenary of his birth. South Africans are encouraged to celebrate Mandela and our nation’s journey under the theme ‘be the legacy’, which was seen throughout Indaba. It is important to find links to national tourism campaigns, especially when it involves such a widely recognised icon as Madiba.

And there are indeed links between the life of Nelson Mandela and the people of the Overstrand. Not only did Madiba present Gregoire Boonzaier with the Order for Meritorious Service in 1999 – he travelled to Vermont to visit the artist at his home. Another connection is Christo Brand, who was Mandela’s prison

warden on Robben Island.

Christo was born on a farm near Stanford and he will be telling his story on Sunday 10 June during Hermanus FynArts.

We need to find the many stories of the Cape Whale Coast and share them with our visitors. Today’s tourists want to experience a place and not just be informed of the hard facts. We have many good storytellers in our area and now is the time for the younger generation to help document the new stories and share them in a compelling and visual way. We should go beyond the stereotypes and acknowledge that not all stories are good stories; that ours is a complicated one with many issues, but that we are dealing with them. As Tourism Minister Derek Hanekom said at Indaba: “We should tell our stories to the whole world.”

Other hot topics included optimising economic transformation and growing domestic tourism. Despite the fact that women are in the majority in South Africa they generally rank lowest in skills and are mostly employed in menial jobs. Morongoe Ramphele of the South African Department of Tourism emphasised that transformation cannot happen without the participation of women. The department runs many projects, in some of which the Overstrand participates, such as the National Youth Chefs Training Programme.

This initiative saw South African Deputy Minister of Tourism Elizabeth Thabethe visiting Hermanus earlier this year and meeting some of our

local chefs in training at Warwick’s Chef School. Suggestions for responding to the slow transformation process include skills development, skills transfer and mentoring.

Both Government and the private sector need to collaborate to make this happen.

Domestic tourism is down in South Africa. When we talk tourism growth we need to realise that charity begins at home. We need to make our locals explore beyond their comfort zones. We need to get the message across that travel is not just for the rich.

Taking a walk along the Cliff Path, appreciating the FynArts Sculptures on the Cliff and then having a coffee or ice cream at on of the local shops – that’s also tourism.

As a destination we need to show how we stand out and what we offer that others don’t. To say that we have really good Pinot Noir is not enough – we need to tell the stories of the people on the wine farms who have been picking the grapes for many years, we need to offer barrel tastings with the winemaker and guided walks through the fynbos...

The new traveller is armed with a smart phone and they know where they are going.

They don’t walk around with maps anymore and WiFi is considered a basic human right today. Offering free, fast WiFi is the best application of a marketing budget a business will ever make.

At Indaba I spoke with the people of uMhlanga Urban Improvement Precinct and will share this approach to

Flying the flag for the Cape Whale Coast at the World Travel Market and Tourism Indaba: Adinda Jantjies and Frieda Lloyd (Cape Whale Coast Tourism), Gardean Lucas (Hermanus Tourism) and Soli Madikane (Director of Economic Development and Tourism: Overstrand Municipality). development with Hermanus Business Chamber members at the networking event at Benguela Cove on Wednesday.

Of particular importance is the way in which the uMhlanga Central Business District responded to a new shopping mall in close proximity. It was insightful to see how uMhlanga and Amanzimtoti are both seaside villages and how their different reactions to the development of a shopping mall have impacted on the economy of these villages.

This slots in with the concept of place-making which stretches beyond destination marketing and will be one of our focus areas in the near future.

Network with Hermanus Business Chamber Join the Hermanus Business Chamber for a cocktail sundowner networking event at Benguela Cove on Wednesday 16 May from 18:00 – 20:00. The session will include a presentation by Cape Whale Coast Tourism Manager Frieda Lloyd and renowned motoring journalist John Floyd, who will take you on a journey of discovery to our local tourism hotspots. You may even win an outing with them on one of their travels for their new column in The NEWS entitled Floyd & Lloyd. New members will have the opportunity to introduce themselves and their business. If you want to sponsor a prize for the lucky draws you are more than welcome to bring it along. Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to relax and network and enjoy good wine, good food and good company. To book: Contact Alta on 073 538 3685 or 028 315 1619 or email ceo@hermanuschamber.co.za. Cost: R120 for members, R150 non-members. Please pay by EFT before the time to avoid a bottleneck at the registration table. Bank details: Hermanus Business Chamber, Standard Bank Hermanus, branch code: 050312, Account no: 082257833. Ref: your name/ company name.

Know the truth: Willy Tell or won’t he?

The BBC broadcasts a TV show called QI, which stands for Quite Interesting. I think it should be FI. It’s like a regular quiz show – with a panel of contestants who guess answers and score points – but this one deviates from the beaten path of regular game shows.

The questions posed deal with the unusual, the inexplicable, the unsavoury and often the downright unbelievable. So when compiling a show, the BBC researchers often send material to The Duck ’n Fiddle for verification.

By cross-checking their information with the records in our Explanation of Everything archives, we can confirm or refute various claims. As a result, we usually know the questions, their answers, and when they will be broadcast a few weeks before anyone else in the world.

Wit’s End

Murray Stewart thevillagemuze@gmail.com

By knowing the answers, we can now subtly influence who’s going to win in each show. This opportunity – albeit slightly underhanded – was not to be frowned upon or sneezed at, and the recent opening of the Duck ’n Fiddle’s online betting site has proved so lucrative that… but I digress. Back to the BBC. The researchers asked us what we had on a bloke called William Tell – from Switzerland, apparently. They had reservations about the myth’s origins and questioned its authenticity. Did he really shoot an arrow into an apple

on his son’s head?

Scandalous rumours that it was actually a pumpkin or a watermelon circulated, and the apple farmers – who produced cider in Northern Europe – were understandably miffed. They relied on the fable as an enchanting marketing tool for their local brews.

‘Who can fall in love,’ they asked, ‘over a pumpkin cider?’

So down into the catacombs and vaults beneath The Duck ’n Fiddle we went in search of the truth behind this man who shot arrows at either fruit or vegetables

with his son as a prop.

Well, the original fable claims that the Austrian tyrant Hermann Gessler issued an order instructing every Swiss citizen to bow before his hat, which was on a pole in the village square. Tell said he’d rather have root-canal treatment or shoot apples off his son’s head before he’d comply. Incensed, Gessler decided to make an example of him, but without a dentist in the immediate vicinity, he went with option two.

As the fable unfolds, Tell didn’t miss, but he’d drawn a second arrow in case his son was harmed. “En die tweede pyl?” asked Gessler. “Vir wie is dié?”

He was just learning Afrikaans.

“Es war für Dich, jou gwarr,” he shouted back in his best Swiss, and was immediately bundled

into Gessler’s boat and condemned to the dungeons in his fortress across Lake Uri. Halfway across a raging storm blew up, but apart from being a marksman, Tell was also an experienced sailor and helped navigate the boat through the rocks back to shore. He jumped out and immediately pushed it back into the crashing waves, and all his captors perished – except Gessler, who dragged himself ashore only to bump into you-knowwho and arrow number two.

Switzerland was free of the Austrian yoke.

This tale was first recorded in the Swiss chronicles of Aegidius Tschudi in the 16th century, 200 years later. Sadly, there’s no evidence at all that Tell or Gessler ever existed, and similar stories predated them anyway. Expert archers

were common in Northern Europe, like Toki among others, a Tell-like figure and opponent of Harold Bluetooth who performed similar feats regularly.

In Scottish legend, a bowman called Gilpatrick had to shoot an egg from his son’s head and there were no ostriches in Scotland back then.

Tschudi, it seems, just borrowed from a few old stories and created Tell, the Swiss folklore hero.

Despite their loyalty, many cider- brewing Tell followers moved gradually into Swiss banking with great success, which is where ‘bank teller’ originates.

Beethoven discovered the truth only after completing the William Tell Overture, and felt so betrayed that he denied writing it and blamed Rossini instead. I wonder if the BBC knew that.

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15 - 21 May 2018

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Wednesday 16 May

at a nominal fee, and make new friends at the Onrus Care Centre (Dienssentrum). At the Onrus Dutch Reformed Church, every Friday between 09:30 and 11:30.

■ The South African Wine Industry: U3A Overberg presents a talk on Oenology by PeterAlan Finlayson, who will give an award-winning winemaker's perspective on the science of winemaking from the vine to the bottle. In the Catholic Church Hall, at 10:00.

■ Benguela Cove Networking event: The Hermanus Business Chamber is hosting a cocktail sundowner networking evening for people in the local business and tourism sector. The event will include a presentation by Overstrand Tourism Manager Frieda Lloyd and renowned motoring journalist John Floyd who will take you on a journey of discovery to our local tourism hotspots. Frieda will also give feedback on our area’s participation in the World Travel Market and Tourism Indaba. If you want to have an additional marketing opportunity, bring a prize for the Lucky Draws, or join the Chamber as a new member. You will get one minute to introduce yourself. The cost is R120 for members, R150 non-members. To book contact ceo@ hermanuschamber.co.za or 028 315 1619.

At Benguela Cove, from 18:00 – 20:00.

■ BotSoc Talk: Join the Hermanus Botanical Society for their monthly talk, when guest speaker Joselyn Mormile, PhD candidate at the UCT’s Department of Biological Sciences and Institute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa, will talk on The human-baboon interface in the village of Rooiels. Joselyn’s PhD research takes an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the human-baboon relationship in a tolerant urban community, focusing on both baboon behaviour and spatial ecology, aswell as resident attitudes and perceptions of living alongside the baboon troop. For more information, contact Anneke on 079 872 9631.

At Fernkloof Hall, at 17:30.

Friday 18 May

■ Hermanus Bird Club: Everyone is welcome to attend a talk by John Bowman on the Birds of Thailand. Wine will be available for a small donation. At Fernkloof Hall, with drinks at 18:00 and the talk at 18:30.

Friday 18 May ■ Hermanus Hacking Group: All volunteers are welcome to join the hacking group in the clearing of invasive vegetation. Contact Charlyn Vosloo on mcvosloo@mweb.co.za or 082 558 8731. Meet every Friday at the bottom end of Rotary Drive, at 06:45 for 07:00.

■ Bhuki Café: Join the Friends of Hermanus Library for tea, coffee and eats for only R20 and help to raise funds for the library. Every Friday from 09:00 – 11:30, at Hermanus Library.

■ Kolwyntjie Teetuin: Everyone in the area is welcome to enjoy a sweet treat and tea or coffee

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

Set off from the Overstrand Training Institute (OTI) farm on Camphill Road in Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, at 08:00.

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

■ Hermanuspietersfontein Food & Wine Market: Where local and international foodies and wine lovers meet. You’ll find “real plates and real cutlery; real cups and real glasses; a real hangout for real people”. In the courtyard of Hermanuspietersfontein wine cellar at The Village, from 09:00 – 13:00.

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

Thursday 17 May ■ Book launch: Penguin Radom House invites you to attend the launch of wildlife conservationist and author Richard Peirce’s latest book, Cuddle Me, Kill Me, a searing in-depth exposé of South Africa’s captive lion breeding industry.

The launch will be co-hosted by Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary near Stanford. RSVP: bvandermerwe@penguinrandomhouse.co.za.

At The Book Cottage in Long Street, at 17:30.

Saturday 19 May

■ Stargazing: Join the Hermanus Astronomy Centre for an evening of stargazing. This event is weather dependent and will be moved to 19 May if necessary; for more information contact 081 212 9481 or petermh@hermanus.co.za or check www.hermanusastronomy.co.za for details. Meet at the Dutch Reformed Church in Onrus, at 19:00.

Friday 18 May – Sunday 20 May ■ Wild Fermentation and Wellness Retreat: Join Goodwill Mountain Farm and Smart Health’s Cultured Kitchen for a wonderful weekend of soulful pursuits and wild fermentation. Stay in the one of a kind villa nestled between the mountains and be spoiled for choice with yoga, meditation, trail running and full body workouts. Learn about fermenting, have fun experimenting in the kitchen and see for yourself the amazing impact that probiotics can have on your physical and emotional wellbeing.

For more information and to book, contact Rishi at info@goodwillmountain.com

Sunday 20 May ■ Lemm’s Corner Market: This popular Sunday market offers exclusive arts and crafts, and handmade local products. At Fisherman’s Village (between Cattle Baron and Fisherman’s Cottage), from 10:00 – 15:00.

■ Organ Recital: Louna Stofberg will per-form works by Bach, Mendelssohn, Bonnet, Troskie and Martin Mans. The cost is R70 pp, in aid of the church organ fund. Tickets will be available at the door. For enquiries, Louna can be contacted on 082 295 8452. At the Hermanus Dutch Reformed Church, at 11:00.

Monday 21 May ■ Overberg Quilters Guild: Anyone with a passion for quilting is welcome to attend this meeting, with guest speaker Hazelmay Duncan.

The vendor is Fabric Contessa from Paarl.

Contact Pat Hewson at fredpat@sonicmail.co.za At the De Wet Hall, Onrus, at 09:30.

■ HAC Monthly Meeting: André van Staden will be the Hermanus Astronomy Centre’s guest speaker at their monthly meeting. The topic of his talk is his ongoing work on Pulsar Related Light Curves. Contact 081 212 9481 or petermh@hermanus.co.za. In the Catholic Church Hall, at 19:00.

Tuesday 22 May

■ Whale Coast Conservation: Join WCC for a fascinating talk on The Mill Stream Project and the dragonfly connection, presented by Sheraine van Wyk and Gabi Kietzka. R20 donation for environmental education. Contact anina.wcc@gmail.com or WhatsApp 083 242 3295. At The Green House on the R43, Vermont, from 17:30 – 18:30.

Friday 25 May

■ Botrivier Hotel Market: For hand-made crafts and tasty treats, come and browse the new weekly market in the hotel garden. New vendors are welcome; contact Erna at ernastark@outlook.com or 028 315 2582 or WhatsApp 076 708 0818 to book your stall.

At the Botrivier Hotel, every Saturday, from 10:00 – 14:00.

■ Royal Wedding at Benguela Cove: Celebrate the marriage of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle by watching the proceedings in a romantic setting on the edge of the Bot River lagoon. Benguela Cove will be putting up the bunting, polishing the silver and celebrating the wedding of the year with a party of note. Dress up in your best wedding attire and tiara to feel like a princess for the day, and if that’s not your thing then wear whatever you like! Toast the happy couple with Benguela Cove wines or indulge in a quintessential English tradition by ordering an afternoon tea.

Contact info@benguelacove.co.za or 083 645 6198. At the Benguela Cove Tasting Room, from 11:30 – 16:00.

■ The South African Wine Industry: U3A Overberg presents a talk on Wines of the World

by David Brice, followed by a lunch at Gabriëlskloof that will entail platters of food to be shared between two people and paired with a selection of Gabri#lskloof wines. The cost is R220 pp (incl. gratuities) or R440 per couple.

Book your places by making an EFT to: University of the Third Age, Nedbank, branch no.

19876500, account no. 1345024185. Email POP to U3A’s new Treasurer, Rod Pringle at rpringle@global.co.za. Meet at the parking lot of the Catholic Church Hall at 11:00 to consolidate transport to Gabriëlskloof.

Village

EXPLORER The

FOOD • WINE • ART • BOOKS

Don’t miss the many highlights of FynArts

T

here are only 23 days to go until the start of Hermanus FynArts, now in its sixth year, and tickets for the plethora of performances, talks, workshops, demonstrations and exhibitions are selling at a brisk pace.

One of the many highlights of this annual 10-day eclectic fusion of arts festival and winter school is the FynArts Legacy Award, presented in recognition of a unique contribution to the arts in South Africa and beyond. This year’s recipient is Hugh Ramapolo Masekela, the legendary South African trumpeter, flugelhornist, cornetist, composer and singer.

The legacy of Hugh Masekela According to Festival Director Mary Faure, Bra Hugh, also known as the ‘father of South African jazz’, accepted the invitation late last year to attend the FynArts Festival to receive the award.

Sadly, the esteemed musician passed away on 23 January at the age of 87 years, after a protracted battle with cancer. The award will now be presented posthumously.

Bra Hugh’s sister, Barbara Masekela, poet, educator and activist will accept the award on Saturday 9 June at the opening session of the Strauss & Co Lecture Series. Barbara has held, amongst others, positions of arts leadership within the ANC where she was charged with establishing the ANC Department of Arts and Culture.

She was South Africa’s official ambassador to UNESCO and served as the democratic South Africa’s first ambassador to France from 1995 to 1998, and was later appointed as ambassador to the USA from 2003 to 2007.

Barbara will present an address in tribute to the life of Bra Hugh in the Municipal Auditorium at 09:30. A presentation of photographs in commemoration of his life will be screened during the ceremony. The citation and award will be presented by the renowned conductor and musician, Richard Cock.

The FynArts Legacy Award was introduced in 2015. The previous awardees were Jans Rautenbach, John Kani and David Goldblatt.

PHOTO: Brett Rubin Hugh Masekela is the recipient of this year’s FynArts Legacy Award.

Cecilia Rangwanasha will star in A Feast of Opera and Operetta with Johannes Slabbert.

Jean Theron Louw’s delightful sculptures of birds are on exhibit at the FynArts Gallery.

Big voices, big music First he brought Songs of Praise to the Overberg, then the Best of Broadway. This year Richard Cock brings a glorious concert of wellknown operas and operettas that will include Verdi’s haunting Slaves Chorus from Nabucco, the Anvil Chorus from Il Trovatore, the famous Brindisi from La Traviata, the Hymn and Triumphal March from Aida and a beautiful duet from the Merry Widow.

Cecilia Rangwanasha, a member of Cape Town Opera, is a rising star who also won the 6th International UNISA Music Foundation Voice Competition: Classical this year. Johannes Slabbert, singer, conductor and academic, is also a member of Cape Town Opera and has performed on international stages from Germany to the UK, Dubai, Hong Kong and Finland. Make sure you book early for this unforgettable concert of beautiful and inspiring music.

shop won an award at the Cape Getaway Show.

Presented in Richard’s inimitable style and with enlightening comments, A Feast of Opera and Operetta is a concert not to be missed. There will be two performances on Sunday 10 June – a matinée at 15:00 and an early evening concert at 18:30, both at the Dutch Reformed Church, Onrus.

Additional Workshops Due to the workshops selling out fast, Mary Faure has announced the addition of these workshops to the festival programme:

A large 35-piece orchestra will be joined by the massed FynArts choir of close on 100 members and two popular, multiple award-winning soloists who have both won the ATKV Muziqanto Competition - Cecilia Rangwanasha (soprano) in 2018 and the ever-popular Johannes Slabbert (baritone) in 2014.

Introduction to cellphone photography 10 June, 14:00 – 16:00. Presented by Leanne Dryburgh and Peter Hassall, at the Windsor Hotel. This is a hands-on workshop for those who want to learn how to take better photos with an average cellphone. Join Leanne and Peter for a slide show where they will set up your phone, help you to understand light and teach you a few tricks; then take you for a walkabout. Informative and loads of fun, this work-

Floral art - 11 June, 10:00 at Birkenhead House Work with beautiful flowers under the guidance of Alyson Kessel, the floral artist at the exclusive boutique hotel, Birkenhead House. Well known for her innovative and inspiring way with blooms, Alyson will share tips and suggestions on colour combinations, toning shades and varieties of flowers for stylish and alluring effects.

The morning will end with tea and cake at Birkenhead House.

FynArts Gallery Jean Theron Louw will be amongst several artists whose works will be exhibited for the duration of FynArts at Art in the Auditorium. Art lovers will have the privilege of meeting Jean ahead of the festival, on Friday 18 May at 15:00, when she will be at the FynArts gallery to talk about her work. Festivalgoers are sure to remember her very popular work, Seemingly Peaceful, the sculpture of an old lady who sat at Gearing’s Point as part of a previous Sculpture on the Cliffs exhibition. She is currently exhibiting four delightful works of birds in the gallery.

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BOOKS

15 - 21 May 2018

FROM PAGE TO SCREEN

Hemingway at Cinema Café It isn't possible to love and part. You will wish that it was. You can transmute love, ignore it, muddle it, but you can never pull it out of you. I know by experience that the poets are right: love is eternal.

– E.M. Forster, A Room with a View Living in the 2nd Renaissance age with its digital technology and science, the opportunity of watching A Room with a View rekindles the appreciation for beauty, moral integrity and romance. The writer, E.M. Forster, had a deep understanding of the English social structure and how it shaped people’s choices and prejudices in the early 1900s. The movie’s metaphor – having the courage to face one’s feelings, and risk intimacy – is to illustrate not so much the importance of the view outside ourselves but rather the view we hold of who we are and our world within.

In this British drama the themes of love, deception and transformation are played out in a splendidly visual Italian landscape followed by an enchanting English country setting. Helena Bonham-Carter stars as Lucy, the film’s protagonist, accompanied by Maggie Smith as Charlotte Bartlett, her chaperone, on a visit to Florence. Julian Sands in his role as George wins our sympathy as the brooding and freespirited lover, while Daniel Day-Lewis as Cecil

Vyse gives a superb rendition of an arrogant, upper-class stuffy snob. Brilliant performances of note come from Judy Dench as Miss Lavish, a romantic novelist; Denholm Elliott as Mr Ermerson (George’s father) whose authenticity contrasts social niceties, and then there is Simon Callow – remember him from Four Weddings and a Funeral – as the adorable Reverend Mr Beebe.

Forster’s third novel written in 1908 makes up part of the Merchant Ivory collection of the writer’s works adapted for film. A Room with a View is a memorable romantic classic standing alongside A Passage to India (1984), Maurice (1987), Where Angels Fear to Tread (1991) and Howard’s End (1992).

A haunting highlight of the movie is its theme song, O Mio Babbino Caro, sung by Kiri Te Kanawa. An all-time favourite of mine, A Room with a View, produced in 1985, inspires me each time I revisit it.

– Beth Hunt Find Hemingways Bookshop in Harbour Road or call 028 312 2739. For DVD rentals, visit Cinema Café at the Station Centre or call 084 849 9897. You can also book your movie online at www.cinemacafe.co.za

Hemingways Bookshop est. 1995

BOOKS

15 - 21 May 2018

The owner of bookmark, Corinne Hendry, with author Irna van Zyl whose new crime novel, Gifbeker / Death Cup will be launched next week.

Hermanus ‘stars’ in new crime novel Hedda Mittner

I

rna van Zyl’s second crime novel, Gifbeker – and its English translation Death Cup – stands in sharp contrast to the gloomy and often gruesome fiction (also termed “Nordic Noir”) that Scandinavian crime writers have produced in recent years. Maybe those bleak landscapes and long, dark winters have something to do with it because Irna is, of course, a product of sunny South Africa and her writing is unpretentious, playful and entertaining – a lot like Irna in person.

Although she has earned some serious credentials during her 30-year career as an award-winning journalist, magazine editor and media entrepreneur, Irna is surprisingly down to earth, with a cheeky sense of humour that finds its way onto the pages of her books. But there is a grittiness too, and a fearlessness that not only powered her illustrious career, but also prompted her to give it all up and devote herself to something that makes her truly happy – writing full time.

In Death Cup, the reader is reunited with Irna’s two main characters, detectives Storm van der Merwe and Andreas Moerdyk, from her first novel, Dead in the Water (translated from the Afrikaans, Moordvis). In Death Cup the action moves from Grootbaai and abalone poaching to Hermanus and the rather more sophisticated realm of the foodie culture. Needless to say, there are also crimes that need to be solved – as the blurb reads, “Murder is on the menu”.

Locals will delight in the many recognisable locations where the events in Death Cup take place, such as the Hermanus seafront and the Hemel-enAarde Valley, and particularly in restaurants and wine cellars. I thoroughly enjoyed the way in which the author pokes fun at pretentious foodies, including those that can no longer simply enjoy a meal without photographing every dish and sharing it on social media, and the bloggers that have appointed themselves as the purveyors of good taste who can make

or break a restaurant with a single review.

Death Cup is delicious, good fun from beginning to end. It opens in a trendy restaurant, where the nononsense Detective Storm, now stationed in Hermanus, is meeting an old school friend, the glamorous Kat Vermaak. Kat is the editor-in-chief of a leading restaurant and food website called fooddotcom and also serves on the judging panel for the top national restaurant awards. She speaks the snobbish foodie lingo that irritates the living daylights out of Storm, who longs for greasy chips doused in vinegar and tomato sauce, instead of the “deconstructed caprese” she is presented with.

Storm’s fine dining experience takes a turn for the worse when a notorious food blogger with a lofty opinion of herself and a rather acid tongue, having lunch just a few tables away, suddenly becomes ill and crashes to the floor, where she promptly expires within minutes.

And so we have our first victim – and the start of a rollercoaster investigation undertaken by our feisty detective. Without giving too much away, suffice it to say that this will not be the only dead body she is confronted with over the following weeks. The MO appears to be poisoning – but who is behind it all and why?

and the other one in Onrus, and Irna herself is looking forward to retiring to Hermanus with her partner in a few years.

Turning fifty was a turning point for her, she says. “That’s when you start thinking of that bucket list. I knew I wanted to write but with a full-time job I had neither the time nor the energy.” Realising that there would never be a perfect time to take the plunge, she decided to take a threemonth sabbatical between December 2013 and March 2014, holed up in Pearly Beach and got down to it.

“I only had a vague idea about what I wanted to write, but I just sat down and took off!” she laughs. Completing the first draft of Moordvis was the easy part, says Irna, but once Penguin Random House had agreed to publish it, the gruelling editing process started. “I realised that this was not something I could do parttime and that I had to resign in order to dedicate myself to a new career.”

After a complete rewrite, Moordvis was published in 2015 and the English translation, Dead on the Water, in 2016. With her second crime novel, Gifbeker, Irna immediately wrote the English translation, Death Cup, herself. The title refers to the poisonous mushrooms, Amanita pantherina, that are identified as the cause of death of the first victim, the equally poisonous food blogger. Irna says a third book is already brewing and yes, it sounds as though readers may very well meet up again with Storm and Moerdyk.

Apart from the reappearance of Storm’s endearing old friend and colleague, the recovering alcoholic Moerdyk, who runs into a spot of bother at Cape Town Central and decides that Hermanus will provide a welcome change of scenery, the reader will meet a host of interesting characters, ranging from a dreadlocked celebrity chef to a hipster sommelier, a pony-tailed forager, a stingy landlord, a suave property developer, and a ruthless business woman.

Penguin Random House and the owner of bookmark in Hermanus, Corinne Hendry, invite readers to meet Irna at the launch of Gifbeker / Death Cup at Source in Hemel-enAarde Village on Thursday 24 May, at 17:30 for 18:00.

The author has had a holiday home in Pearly Beach since 2004 and clearly has intimate knowledge of the Overstrand. Her parents retired here, one sister lives in Kleinmond

Irna will be in conversation with author Chanette Paul and forensic pathologist Dr Linda Liebenberg.

RSVP to books@hermanus.co.za or 028 312 2000.

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15 - 21 May 2018

Tasty, simple KUWAITI

G

aboot – or traditional Kuwaiti dumpling lamb stew –will be, without a doubt, the most obscure meal you’ve ever had!

Gaboot

This warmly spiced winter stew offers a rich-red – because of the tomato – and uplifting bowl of deliciousness which once again was an inspiration from my mother-in-law, with no deviation from the original recipe.

Step 1: Dumplings Ingredients: 2 cups of bread flour (I prefer using brown) ½ tsp turmeric Pinch of salt ½ - 1 cup of water

We are on the verge of wondrous winter, when darkness falls early and the air is chilly. I assure you, this dumpling stew will brighten up your day.

Method: In your mixing bowl, stir the above together until you have a dough that does not stick to your hands, add flour / water as you need to.

Whilst this time I am not promising “no effort” here, you will note that my recipe has 3 steps that are easy to follow, even though it may appear a little laborious.

Step 2: Filling Ingredients: ½ kg of lean minced meat 4x finely chopped onions 1 tsp fine black pepper ½ tsp turmeric ½ tsp cumin powder ½ tsp coriander powder ½ tsp of dried lime / Loomi powder ½ - 1 tsp of Seven Spices (here is a recipe for this spice mix, it can be kept in an airtight container and added to any stew to make it fabulous) A little olive or coconut oil for browning the onion.

You will notice that the recipe calls for dried limes or Loomi, which may be substituted by using lemon rind. I have also specified wholemeal bread flour – sometimes sold as wholegrain – to make the dumplings, as I so much prefer it: it is nuttier than regular flour and far healthier.

Serve your Gaboot with basmati rice, a dollop of natural yoghurt and something green like chopped flat leaf parsley. If you want to add some decadence, sprinkle pine nuts over the whole lot – go right ahead, you’d get no argument from me!

7 Spice mixture: 2 Tbsp ground black pepper 2 Tbsp paprika 2 Tbsp ground cumin 1 Tbsp ground coriander

1 Tbsp ground cloves 1 tsp ground nutmeg 1 tsp ground cinnamon ½ tsp ground cardamom (optional) Method: Brown your onion, then combine the minced meat and dry spices in a pot and fry together without adding any water. Allow it to cool down.

Roll the dough to ½ cm thick. Use an espresso cup to cut “rounds” and fill each one with a teaspoon of minced meat filling. Fold them over and pinch the edge creating a crescent.

Place your dumplings aside on a floured surface.

1-2 tsp of dried lime / Loomi powder 1-2 tsp of Seven Spices 3-4 dried whole limes / Loomi 3 sliced carrots 1 Tbsp olive oil / coconut oil – to brown onion

Step 3: The Stew Ingredients: 1kg of stewing meat – I prefer lamb; cubed shank and leg of lamb works best.

1 whole head of garlic 6-10 cloves of garlic pounded ½ kg of tomatoes, skins off and chopped 1x sachet of tomato purée Nice big piece of fresh ginger 1-2 cups of water 4x finely chopped onions 2 tsp fine black pepper 1-2 tsp turmeric 1-2 tsp cumin powder 1-2 tsp coriander powder

Method: In a pot, brown your onion, add the pounded garlic and chopped ginger.

Remove and set it aside for a moment.

Back into the same pot fry your meat, browning on all sides. Take care not to add too much at a time since this will crowd the pot and your meat will start sweating instead of browning.

Add you dried spices and your garlic and ginger / onion mix. Stir through.

Add the whole head of garlic.

Add two cups of water or enough to cover your meat.

Add salt to taste.

Allow it to stew until it is almost

tender (usually 1 ½ hours).

Add your chopped tomatoes and purée, and sliced carrots.

Allow it to cook slowly for a further 30 minutes.

Now lower your dumplings into the stew and allow for another 30min cooking time.

Serve with a generous dollop of yoghurt and olive oil and sprinkle with chopped parsley. This meal can be served with basmati rice or just as it is in a deep soup bowl.

- Eunice Rademeyer, Goozi Kitchenshop

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15 - 21 May 2018

The adventurous life of Nicholas Dekker On the one-year anniversary of the death of Nicholas Dekker (1930 – 2017), DR ROBIN LEE of the Hermanus History Society takes a look at the remarkable life of this colourful adventurer, sailor, farmer, winemaker, scholar and author.

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hen Nicholas Dekker arrived in Hermanus in the early 1950s he had already packed into his twenty years as much adventure as most people experience in their entire lives.

His earliest experiences were of life under the Nazi Occupation of his homeland, the Netherlands. He played what part he could in the Resistance (considering his age) and developed a life-long aversion to authority and state control of the lives of individuals.

Responding to an advertisement for apprentice miners, he came to South Africa in the early 1950s to work in a gold mine on the Witwatersrand near Springs, and later in one of the newer mines near Welkom in the then Orange Free State.

He followed a lifestyle that was not unusual in those relatively free-andeasy days, travelling around the country, taking different jobs that, apart from mining, included a stint as sugar cane farm manager in Zululand, until he had restored his finances and then left work and moved on, counting everything as life experience.

Dekker worked underground for quite a few months and described his experiences graphically in his selfpublished autobiography A Long Day’s Learning. The unremitting danger of work underground is described in detail and made a great impression on Dekker. He particularly focused on the appalling working conditions of the African miner. He was witness to a horrendous accident when one of the lift ‘cages’ plunged hundreds of metres down a shaft, killing all the occupants.

Immediately after this event he left the mines and travelled to Cape Town, where he found a job that was as different from underground mining as possible. He became an assistant in the best-known photographic studio in Cape Town. Here he learned the art of studio portraiture and spent a lot of time photographing weddings.

Socially, he was friendly with Uys Krige, Jack Cope and Ingrid Jonker.

Then, he heard about abalone diving: I travelled down to the coast to investigate the diving business in Hermanus.

I had never been there and it turned out to be a good little village. I found the pioneer of the South African burgeoning perlemoen (abalone) canning business, Brian McFarlane.

Brian had been a fighter pilot during the war but the jerries had shot him down and put him in a camp. He told me later that, when in that camp, he had plenty of time to think and the idea of perlemoen canning was born there.

He had set up a small canning plant…

McFarlane introduced Dekker to the divers and Dekker’s life changed: We dived three more times that day, my technique improved and I made eight pounds sterling that Saturday. I slept in my car that night and the next day I made twelve quid, twenty pounds for two days, I didn’t make that in a month in the studio!

Dekker settled in Hermanus and dived successfully for a number of years in

Walker Bay and also along the West Coast. Motivated by his passion for the ocean, he also studied marine biology at the University of Cape Town for a time.

There are many anecdotes about his feats, as he was a powerful swimmer, tall and extremely good-looking. A reasonable number of photographic images have survived. However, a final adventure came along in the person of Tromp van Diggelen, whom Dekker met in the pub of the Windsor Hotel.

This gentleman was famous throughout South Africa for successfully building up a business on the male need for more muscled, attractive upper bodies to impress women. He advertised in comic strips aimed at late teenagers and early 20s. He had made a fortune.

Now he wanted to employ Dekker to ‘dive the Birkenhead’.

The Royal Navy troopship Birkenhead, which was wrecked off Danger Point in 1852 and sank with almost all on board, was known worldwide and it was rumoured that the fabulous amounts of gold she had been carrying to pay British soldiers lay somewhere at the bottom of Walker Bay. Tromp was going to pay Dekker to find it.

Dekker dived repeatedly and recovered modest amounts of tableware, crockery and other small items.

His real quest, however, was proving his theory that the ship had been sabotaged by the great Xhosa Chief, Maqoma. His findings, after several diving expeditions and research conducted over many years, is the topic of another book by Dekker that was published posthumously this month, Maqoma’s last war: the sinking of the Birkenhead.

It was in Hermanus that Dekker met his future wife, a French lady named Michelene who worked at The Marine where her husband was a manager. They were soon divorced and Michelene decided to return to France with their young daughter.

Dekker wrote in A Long Day’s Learning that “Hermanus without her had become a sad place for me”, prompting him to join a fishing trawler in Mossel Bay as skipper at the end of 1958.

Dekker kept writing to Michelene and in 1960 he returned to Europe for the first time, travelling on one of the last Union Castle liners. He joined Michelene in Paris, where she was running an antiques business with her mother.

Together they expanded the business, bought an old farmhouse in Normandy and added three more children to their family. After five years in France, Dekker “missed the freedom of my life in South Africa” and bought a sailing vessel in Denmark, Artemis, which he lovingly restored over the years and used for transporting antiques from port to port.

ABOVE AND BELOW: Nicholas Dekker in Hermanus during the 1950s where he made a living diving for abalone.

The family travelled far and wide aboard the Artemis and later settled in a small village in the Bordeaux region. Here Dekker decided to return to university to learn all about viticulture and winemaking. He planted a vineyard in the garden and started making his own wine, which was the topic of his first book, Wine Time.

The Dekkers finally returned to Hermanus in 1983. They farmed at Waterkop (now Bellavista), a 300ha farm on the eastern side of Walker Bay near Grootbos, while Michelene ran a health shop in town. When Dekker finally retired, they sold the farm and he built a house for him and Michelene in De Kelders near Gansbaai. He also made all the furniture himself, took up painting and learned to use a computer in his seventies to write his books. Nicholas Dekker died on 15 May 2017 at the age of 87 years.

The author welcomes any comments or additional information.

He can be contacted at robinlee@hermanus.co.za

Nicholas Dekker’s autobiography A Long Day’s Learning is available from The Book Cottage in Long Street (028 313 0834).

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15 - 21 May 2018

Join search and rescue operation to save our chameleons

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ow often do we hear about rhinos under threat from poachers and orangutan habitats destroyed for palm oil plantations? And we feel helpless to do anything about it. There is an overdose of bad news about the environment and we don’t know where to even start to make it better.

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The good news is that you can start – right here in Hermanus.

In February Whale Coast Conservation (WCC) rescued 120 chameleons from vacant plots that were about to be bulldozed to build houses. Each individual was photographed and then transferred into a box with vegetation for transport. A safer location for them with no resident chameleons had been identified previously. With gracious permission of the Hermanus Golf Club and a permit from CapeNature they were relocated to the north-east corner of the golf course.

The chameleons are being monitored on a regular basis to see if they are surviving. Teams of volunteers go out on two evenings a month to find the chameleons again. At night chameleons climb up suitable vegetation to sleep away from predators and are best spotted by torch light. Children are especially adept at spotting them.

In the monitoring process the chameleons are carefully transferred, with the vegetation they are clinging to, to a bucket and taken to a temporary “photographic studio” where they are photographed and any special characteristics are recorded.

After the “photo opportunity” each one is returned to where it was found.

Why photograph them? Each chameleon has a distinctive pattern on its side that persists from baby to adult animal and can serve as identification of each individual. By comparing photographs (a very laborious

How green is our cemetery At the beginning of this year, The Village NEWS reported on the charitable activities of local resident Melanie Moore who, with the help of family members and volunteers, had undertaken to give the Hermanus Cemetery a much-needed face lift.

Having spent many years living in Switzerland, Melanie Moore was inspired by the lovingly-tended cemeteries in Europe with their neat and colourful gardens. After settling in Hermanus, she set out in October last year to give the cemetery’s memorial wall a fresh coat of paint and plant hardy, drought-resistant shrubs such as bougainvillea.

One of the monitoring teams of WCC’s chameleon project at the “photographic studio”: from left are Betsie Lategan, Nick Kleinhans, Sheraine van Wyk, Caroline Davis and Anina Lee.

With the assistance of the Overstrand Municipality’s horticulturist Lauren Rainbird, about two dozen Safari Sunset shrubs were also planted along the front boundary wall. Melanie pays regular visits to the cemetery to water and tend to the new plants, but volunteers are sorely needed to support her in her efforts. She is now looking for plants or cuttings of Carbobrotus Edulis (better known as ‘sour fig’ or ‘suurvygie’) to brighten up the retaining wall blocks at the top of the cemetery.

PHOTOS: Haekyung Jeong-Wienburg task) each animal can be matched to those released in February and those that were found in previous monitoring sessions. In this way their survival can be followed over time.

Early indications are promising. Monitoring sessions typically yield about 40 animals. These may or may not be the same ones that were found previously, but each record of a particular animal increases the statistical validity of the monitoring.

Many, many babies have been found in the original release site, even some that were born after the mother had been

relocated. However, fewer of the adults have been spotted so they may have moved away from where they were released. The search area will be increased.

But there is a problem.

As many people may know, there is a protected wetland on the golf course that is ably managed by the Golf Club.

The time has come for the wetland to burn. In the natural environment burns would occur from time to time, allowing old growth to be recycled into nutrient ash for new growth. It also prevents reeds from choking the wet-

land. Burns cannot usually be allowed to happen in an urban environment.

For this reason, a controlled ecological burn is planned as part of the wetland management. But what will happen to any wildlife that may inhabit the wetland? It is quite possible that adult chameleons may have moved from the release site to the wetland.

Most animals can escape the fire on their own, but slow movers like chameleons and tortoises are at risk.

This is where you can help.

Whale Coast Conservation and the Hermanus Golf Club invite a limited number of volunteers to help search and rescue any animals that need to be moved prior to the planned burn in May, when the weather is favourable.

Small teams of rescuers will be given access to the wetland on the golf course for the relocation operation.

If you would like to be part of a rescue team, please contact Anina Lee on 083 242 3295 or anina.wcc@gmail.com to be placed on the list of volunteers. A (generous) donation towards our ongoing chameleon relocation project will help to secure your place.

- Anina Lee, Whale Coast Conservation

“Anyone who has plants or cuttings to donate is welcome to take them to the cemetery at a time convenient to them. Take along some compost, plant food and a small spade and plant them in any of the openings. There is water available and a watering can at the memorial wall that can be used. If everyone pitches in we can transform the unsightly grey retaining wall in no time,” says Melanie with her usual optimism.

Those who are unable to do the planting themselves, can contact Melanie on 071 239 6646 or melanie.ronell.moore @gmail.com and she’ll collect the plants from you.

In order to procure white crosses for the unmarked graves in the cemetery, Melanie also launched a fund-raising raffle in February with the help of her neighbour, Gawie Delport, who happens to be a farmer.

“Gawie generously donated a sheep and by selling raffle tickets at R50 each, we were able to raise R18 350. The lucky winner was Karel Keyser from Hermanus and I would like to thank each and every one who bought a ticket and who helped us to sell tickets,” says Melanie. “The funds will be used for the white crosses that will be erected in the second half of the year, as well as for plants, compost, labour etc.”

The Ward Councillor for Ward 3, Kari Brice, says she is very excited about this project. It is an excellent example of a public-private partnership,” she says. “I hope that more residents will support this wonderful initiative.”

- Hedda Mittner

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15 - 21 May 2018

Marine Dynamics opens new Training Academy

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says Wilfred Chivell, CEO of Marine Dynamics. “We are also adding a skills-based internship to our existing volunteer programme for students studying marine biology.”

arine Dynamics in Gansbaai is opening a FGASA endorsed Marine Guide Training School for local and international students.

The seven-week course covers comprehensive theory on the Marine Big 5 of the area – sharks, whales, dolphins, seals, penguins as well as seabirds. Practical experience involves shadowing of on-board guides, educating eco-tourism guests on off-shore tours, rocky shore and dune walking, aquarium guiding, birding and marine conservation.

FGASA stands for the Field Guides Association of Southern Africa and provides educational opportunities to promote the conservation and rehabilitation of the cultural and natural heritage of Southern Africa. To this end FGASA maintains and serves a professional association of highly-trained nature guides, tour operators and hospitality institutions who share the vision and are committed to the FGASA Code of Conduct and Responsible Tourism Guidelines.

Marine Dynamics has on board marine biologists who conduct invaluable research on marine species with a specific focus on the great white shark. More than 20 published scientific papers contribute to critical knowledge that can make a real difference in influencing conservation decisions at government level.

The first course begins on 18 June. Accommodation is provided, and lectures take place at the International Marine Volunteer Centre.

watching/eco-tours with sister company, Dyer Island Cruises, in the unique Dyer Island ecosystem of Gansbaai. The companies have been Fair Trade Tourism certified since 2008 and are making a real difference in conservation and the community through their environmental project, the Dyer Island Conservation Trust.

Marine Dynamics offers five-star shark cage diving and whale

Marine Dynamics’ responsible tourism approach has been

recognised through case studies and awards, notably the African/World Responsible Tourism Award, SKAL Sustainable Tourism Award and Lilizela.

Guiding students will have the opportunity to learn from these businesses and their conservation work.

Principal trainer, Grant Hine, has 30 years’ experience in the guiding industry, more than half of that spent working on

developing the FGASA field guide training material. “Marine Dynamics has embarked on providing the industry with professional marine guides, due to the growing need of this profession. This will qualify students to register as legally qualified guides and seek employment. We are also looking forward to launching guiding certification for fynbos, culture and nature. There will also be certificate-based nature en-

thusiast courses which will appeal to people of all ages living in the Western Cape,” says Hine.

“Every day we educate our guests on the marine species we work with. We believe education is imperative if we are to help protect our marine ecosystem. Non-consumptive marine tourism is a priority and we need more qualified guides and businesses in this field,”

Another key project is the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary (APSS) in Kleinbaai that is open for guests to visit. Other conservation work includes the African penguin nest project and marine pollution efforts with ongoing beach clean-ups and unique fishing-line bins. The team also handles marine animal strandings and scientific sampling. The environmental education efforts focus on a dedicated group of young learners on a three-year programme plus outreach to thousands more scholars.

For further information on the Marine Guiding Course, contact Grant Hine on 076 394 8620 or guiding@marinedynamicstravel. com

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15 - 21 May 2018

Neuroplasticity – teaching an ‘old dog’ new tricks

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ealth and happiness is your birth right but how many people ever really experience optimal health?

The absence of illness does not necessarily mean good health.

Many people go through life without ever experiencing the joy of feeling on top of the world – being perfectly happy with all aspects of their lives: physical appearance, including skin, body shape, weight and muscle tone; fitness; mentalemotional and spiritual wellbeing. In their quest they rush from pillar to post trying to find different service providers for all their needs.

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Neuroplasticity is the brain’s inherent ability to compensate for injury and disease, while adjusting in response to new situations or changes in the environment, leading to altered behaviour, thoughts and emotions. It is the process that enables people to recover from stroke, injury and birth abnormalities, overcome autism, ADHD learning disabilities and other brain challenges, heal depression and addictions, and reverse obsessive compulsive patterns.

Would it not be wonderful if there could be a place where all their needs can be professionally addressed in one space in a holistic manner? That is the goal of Dr Arien van der Merwe (MBChB ASCHP MISMA), a medical doctor who has been practicing natural integrative medicine since 1995 and runs Ariani Health Solutions in Pretoria with co-owner Anri van Rooyen.

Since the beginning of the year, Dr Arien has been bringing her expertise to Hermanus, visiting regularly to present talks and workshops, and also to consult at Dr Michelle Emett’s practice at Refine Anti-ageing and Laser Clinic in The Village.

It is here that Dr Arien recently presented a talk on Neuroplasticity, focusing on the brain’s

ability to adapt, learn and develop throughout life and how we can actually alter the neurochemistry and structure of our brain by being mindful of habitual reactions to unpleasant emotions and by opening ourselves up to new learning and new experiences.

In medical terms, this ability of the brain to adapt and form new patterns and shapes by creating new neural pathways, is called Neuroplasticity.

Medical Aesthetics practitioner Dr Michelle Emett of Refine Clinic with Dr Arien van der Merwe, who presented a popular talk on Neuroplasticity last month. Dr Arien, a medical doctor who specialises in natural integrative medicine, will be visiting Hermanus again between 1 and 8 June, during which time she will be available for consultations at Refine Clinic in Hemel-en-Aarde Village. She will also be following up her talk with a workshop on Neuroplasticity applied to Practical Stress Management and Youthful Living on 2 June.

“Our approach goes deeper than only trying to take care of the body and its symptoms,” says Dr Arien. “We dig a little deeper to include the mind and emotions. Illness and disease stem from this deep level that is often not visible when using regular diagnostic methods. With so many tools available, it is easier to support the body to do what it actually wants to do: to heal, find balance and return to

homeostasis. We are enthusiastic about health education and ongoing research to help you take responsibility for your own health and wellbeing.”

Dr Arien’s talk on the fascinating topic of Neuroplasticity on 25 April inspired her audience to find out more about mind training, whole brain function and other ways in which we can retrain and refire our brain to serve us rather than hold us back – teaching an ‘old dog’ new tricks, so to speak.

To help you on your journey towards realising your full potential and evolving into everything you are meant to be, you can now join Dr Arien for a workshop on Neuroplasticity applied to Practical Stress Management and Youthful Living on Saturday 2 June, from 10:00 – 13:00 at Fernkloof Nature Reserve. Make sure to book early as space is limited, by contacting info@drarien.co.za Dr Arien will also be available for consultations at Refine Clinic from 1 – 8 June. As a specialist holistic counsellor, she incorporates mind, body and soul in her treatment protocols which comprise Natural Integrative Medicine, Weight Control Clinic, Stress Management, Workplace Wellness, Youthful Living and Longevity. Contact Refine on 028 316 4122 to book an appointment.

– Hedda Mittner

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15 - 21 May 2018

Critical Medical Care – for when life matters charge of the most complicated and life-threatening cases.

Hedda Mittner

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After gaining a tremendous amount of experience and becoming an operations manager at one the bases, Christo left the company in 2008 to work internationally on a contract basis, mainly in remote medical environments in countries such as Kurdistan, Angola, Mozambique, Ghana, Chad, Nigeria and Ethiopia.

hristo Prinsloo has the calm demeanour that immediately inspires confidence and makes one feel safe – in other words, the ideal person to rely on in an emergency situation. Which is exactly what this experienced paramedic has been doing for 24 years.

Now based in Hermanus, Christo heads up the private ambulance service CMC Critical Medical Care, which provides 24-hour Advanced Life Support and ICU-capable Ambulance services to Hermanus and surrounding areas in the Overberg.

Apart from attending to road accidents, work-related injuries and other medical emergencies, CMC is also available for inter-facility transfers and event medical services at festivals, school, community and sporting events.

What makes this private ambulance service different is that they always have an Advanced Life Support paramedic on board, with all the skills and equipment needed to immediately deliver a quality, professional, life-saving service in medical and trauma emergencies without the need to call for backup. “This is especially important in cases of traumatic injuries, heart attacks and strokes, where time is of the essence,” he says.

In 2014 Christo and his wife decided to leave Pretoria and relocated with their two children to Hermanus. Here they enjoy a more relaxed and quality way of life, but the time spent away from home became increasingly difficult for Christo.

The CMC paramedic crew of Hermanus’ new private ambulance service, Critical Medical Care, in front of their office in Sandbaai: from left are Lynette Visser, Thinus Stoffels, Christo Prinsloo, Ryna Isaacs and Carlo Wagener.

Apart from saving lives, Christo is also passionate about making a difference in our communities by transferring his knowledge and skills.

Which is why CMC offers a range of CPR, AED and First Aid training courses to both healthcare professionals and the general public.

of Southern Africa, he feels it is imperative to empower the public so that they are able to provide assistance in case of medical emergencies. To this end they offer several courses, including a three-hour Family and Friends CPR course and even a First Aid for Children course.

“Up until now I was building my career and now the time has come for me to give back to the community,” he says. As a qualified BLS (Basic Life Support) instructor accredited with the Resuscitation Council

“Everyone, including children, should have basic CPR skills,” says Christo. “That is why I want to reach out to businesses and schools in the area, and even shopping centres. Medical and trauma emergencies

can strike at any time and it is essential to be prepared – our motto is ‘Because Life Matters’.”

Christo grew up in Pretoria and joined the emergency services in Warmbaths as an apprentice ambulance assistant while completing a four-year training course. “I learned a lot from the paramedics I was working with and took advantage of the training opportunities available, but after four years I decided to return to Pretoria to gain more experience

working in a metropole.”

Christo joined one of the largest private ambulance service companies in South Africa in 2000. “At the time it was a new company, but it grew rapidly throughout the country and soon had five bases in Pretoria alone.”

During his eight years with the company, Christo continued with his training and qualified as an Advanced Life Support Paramedic. Soon hereafter he worked as a paramedic on an ICU Ambulance, taking

Last year he decided to return home for good and start his own private ambulance service – CMC Critical Medical Care.

For more information on the services and training offered by CMC Critical Medical Care, visit cmcmedical.co.za.

Their office is located at 4 Jimmy Smith Street, Sandbaai and is open Monday to Friday from 08:00 – 16:00.

Christo can be reached on 082 448 2948 or christo@cmcmedical.co.za and that all-important Medical Emergency number is 066 222 7219.

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15 - 21 May 2018

The future of the planet starts at home

hile the transport of water tanks on Cape Town roads has become a familiar sight, the sound of borehole drilling is equally common. And with up to 11 other major cities around the world likely to run out of water, the bigger picture is that the future prosperity of a drier planet will certainly start in our homes and gardens.

Water Politics and Governance expert Magalie Bourblanc says in a recent article on Bizcommunity, that the Cape Town situation has laid bare the inadequacies of the entire country’s water management regimes. “In fact, Cape Town’s misfortune is a wake-up call for the whole country. There are concerning signs of water crises everywhere, resulting in a predicted national crisis within the next 12 years,” states Bourblanc.

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a property’s value, while American stats reveal an impressive 100% to 1 000% investment return on landscaping and a further 5% to 20% on the overall value of the home.

Cape Town based botanist, pollination ecologist and revegetation specialist, Caitlin von Witt, provides some tips on how to create and maintain a flourishing water-wise garden.

Create a rain garden through water harnessing Our gardens are part of a greater system of finite water and the secret to water-wise gardening is to slow the loss of water from our gardens back into the greater system.

It is widely accepted that a beautiful garden, especially one that stirs the imagination of today’s water-aware consumer, is the first visual impression of a property. And if it makes an impact, there is no doubt that it helps to sell a property.

This can be done by installing a rain tank. One 2 500 litre tank can maintain a large (quarter acre!) locally indigenous garden throughout summer. Shape the land to capture rainfall. Prevent runoff with berms and swales, ponds and depressions. Build rockeries on berms to mimic rocky crags.

Further afield, trends in the UK boast that a well-maintained garden can add up to 20% to

Emulate a wild seasonal wetland by planting densely in a shallow depression at the

base of a downpipe. Prepare beds with a good layer of wood chip mulch to insulate soil, thereby locking in soil moisture and keeping roots cool.

Minimise evaporation by softening harsh light from walls with creepers and vines, like the edible wild grape, Rhoicissus tomentosa.

Reuse and recycle Use biodegradable cleaning products and divert household grey water into filtration tanks or create an attractive wetland that applies phytoremediation (living plants as purifying agents) to improve water quality. This water could then support a lush plant bed via seepage.

Create shade and shelter Although only sheltered rocky slopes and gorges sustain taller trees in the Cape, gardens can resemble remnants of fireprotected coastal thicket where small trees are common. These hardy, water-and wind-wise ‘shrubby’ trees like the Cape Camphor tree, Wild Olive and Dune Crowberry make useful windbreaks or hedges and nurse plants for fynbos beds.

Source: blog.pamgolding.co.za

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15 - 21 May 2018

Crowning Mr and Miss Hermanus High

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he finals of the annual Mr and Miss Hermanus High School competition were held on Thursday 10 May, following the elimination stage a few weeks before.

The evening was a huge success as everything from the sound to the lighting to the entertainment was well organised. Magician/comedian PG Engelbrecht kept the audience captive while the contestants changed into their different outfits.

The senior winners (grade 10-12) were, from left: Alewyn Steyl (2nd Prince), Giles Fisher (1st Prince), Deon Loubser (Mr Hermanus), Lyram Butler (Miss Hermanus), Anje Smith (1st Princess) and Elsari Strauss (2nd Princess).

The titles that were up for grabs were Mr and Miss Hermanus, 1st Prince and Princess, and 2nd Prince and Princess (for the seniors only); Mr and Miss Hermanus Junior; Mr or Miss Photogenic Junior and Senior (won by Megan Hassenkamp and Chanel Kotzé respectively); and Mr or Miss Personality (won by Anje Smith).

The senior winning pair, Deon Loubser and Lyram Butler, with the junior winners, Deandré Smit and Megan Negpen.

PHOTOS: Taylum Meyer

THANK YOU FOR THE KIT The Curro Hermanus 1st rugby team thanks their generous sponsors – Reinhardt Singleton of Hermanus Hardware, Mr Acker of Acker Bouers and Herby Skog of the Vermont Development Group – for the team’s jackets and warming up practice shirts. From left are Reinhardt Singleton, Mr Acker, Stephen Jackson, Luan Basson, Fagan Gillion, Jamal Salem, Mdu Moshi, Mathew Castle, Keegan Ferreira, Lwando Mbovani, Stefan Barnard, Luke Fortuin, Gershwin Hendricks, Diago Fisher, Herby Skog, Aldo Lucas (coach) and Chris Harmse (team manager).

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15 - 21 May 2018

A rather unique hole in one!

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reetings again to all. I hope this week has bought you lots of pars and birdies and that all is well.

Life here at Hermanus Golf Club has definitely quietened down, so our regulars are enjoying having the course to themselves.

The Putting Pirate Julian Shaw

SATURDAY ALL TOGETHER 5 MAY Betterball Stableford 118 players Winners: Tony de Beer and Theuns Geldenhuys - 54 points Runners-up: Kobus de Wet and Johan Perold - 51 points Best gross: Terry Westbrook - 72 Winner of the attendance draw kindly sponsored by Sterling Renault, fellow member Gerrie du Plooy, was Carl Grobler.

TUESDAY LADIES’ 8 MAY Cancelled due to inclement weather WEDNESDAY MEN’S 9 MAY Betterball Stableford 111 players Winners: Shaun Bruwer and Jaq Bruwer - 52 points Runners-up: Steyn van Riet and Mike Bryant - 48 points Ball pool pays to 45 points 3 two clubs Best gross: David Romburgh - 73

sliced the ball onto the 16th green and holed out! Well, what can I say but congratulations! Thanks for letting me share this one!

Speaking of which, the course is looking really good, especially so soon after the course maintenance period. Wednesday saw the greens running at 10 on the Stimp! And everyone in the afternoon competition field finished in 4 ½ hours or less, which is great.

This week we also saw the WP Seniors playing at our course.

They changed their rules a while back from men only to men and women players, a decision I have to applaud. It’s great to see so many couples coming to play seniors! Nice one.

Scores at a glance

Trevor Edwards

Starting off this week with a smile and a giggle

matically reach out your hand to congratulate him and find out where it happened. However, when he says it was on the 15th you move into the realm of complete admiration and awe. As well we know, the 15th is a par 4 and to get a hole in one on a par 4 is the domain of the beasts of deity!

Anyone who knows Trevor Edwards will attest to the fact that he is a friendly and genuine guy always ready to help. So when he comes in and says he’s had a hole in one, you auto-

Only when a wry smile creeps across his face do you put two and two together and realise the holing out was actually on the 16th green! Trevor, whilst trying to launch a big one,

Now here’s a sad one to tell you. Anyone who followed pro golf in the ‘80s and ‘90s probably knows the name Tertius Claasens; it’s synonymous with Simon Hobday. They were both great players and lived life to the full.

I knew Tertius quite well although he was 20 years my senior, but hey, when you bought Tertius a beer he was your friend! I was lucky enough to have played golf with him a few times and always admired his ballstriking and scoring ability.

But as I said, he did love that 19th hole.

I have one story to share in respect of this man. I know he will be laughing about that and many more when he

we saw this clapped-out car tear-ing up the long drive and screeching to a halt, only just making the car park area.

Tertius Claasens meets his buddy Simon again.

In the early ‘90s we were qualifying for the Goodyear Classic at Wedgewood, just outside PE. I had an early tee time of 07:16 and, as was the custom, we played 3 balls. I and one of my playing partners were duly on the tee 10 minutes before time (I can’t even remember who it was) but our third partner was not there… Tertius Claasens!

We waited and all of a sudden

The door opened and out fell Tertius, staggering to his feet and bellowing for a caddy. He made it with one minute to go. Once up on the tee, he mumbled: “Môre, ek is laat, jammer,” and tried to peg up his ball. But he failed dismally as he came close to falling over twice, then tossed his ball and peg to his caddy and motioned to the tee box.

His caddy duly pegged up his ball, while Tertius took a big breath and exhaled air that shouldn’t be near any open flames, before proceeding to stripe this ball straight and

long. Our jaws hit the ground!

What ensued was an exhibition of golf that I have never seen again and probably will only see on the PGA tour, top draw only… until the 14th! Now, by this point, Tertius was 7 under par and going like a Boeing.

We did however notice that on the 15th tee his hands were not so steady. He went double drop, single drop, single drop, and a very shaky par on the par 5 18th for 69. One word to both playing partners – “Dankie” – and he disappeared into the bar.

I shot a 73 that day, which felt like a 100 next to him, and met him again in the tournament at Humewood. Rest in Peace my friend. Happy memories.

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15 - 21 May 2018

Protea cricketers hit the jackpot at IPL Tournament

A

number of South African cricketers are earning "big bucks" from lucrative contracts with Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises. The IPL is a profesional Twenty 20 cricket league, founded in 2008. It is the mostattended cricket league in the world, with a brand value of around US$ 5.5 billion, contributing hundreds of millions to the Indian economy.

There are 8 franchises or teams making up the IPL and players sign up to be auctioned off to the highest bidder. The original pool of players for the 2018 event amounted to 1 122, of which 578 players were put up for auction. Each of the 8 teams has a budget to bid for a squad of 27 players.

Two weeks before the auction, teams are given the right to retain up to 3 players from the previous season. The charge for this is pre-determined, depending on whether the team retains 1, 2 or 3 players. The teams are in the main named after cities or areas in India e.g. Delhi Daredevils, Kings X1 Punjab, Mumbai Indians.

The competition is formulated by the 8 teams playing each other twice on a home and away basis. Tickets are sold out in most stadiums, necessitating the construction of fan parks to

Offside Tony O’Hagan

accommodate the many cricket fanatics in India. As one commentator put it, "India is cricket, cricket is India".

The list of South Africans with their earnings and teams reads as follows: AB de Villiers: R20.3M Retained Royal Challengers Bangalore Chris Morris: R12.5M Retained Delhi Daredevils Kagiso Rabada: R 7.7M - (Bid) Delhi Daredevils David Miller: R5.5M - (Bid) Kings X1 Punjab Quinton de Kock: R5.1M -

(Bid) Royal Challengers Bangalore Faf du Plessis: R2.9M - (Bid) Chennai Super Kings Imran Tahir: R1.89M - (Bid) Chennai Super Kings JP Duniny: R1.85M - (Bid) Mumbai Indians Lungi Ngidi: R925 000 - (Bid) Chennai Super Kings Heinrich Klaasen: R925 000 (Bid) Rajasthan Royals Cameron Delport: R545 000 (Bid) Kolkata Knight Riders The withdrawal of scandaltainted Australian Captain, Steve Smith, opened the

Faf du Plessis in action during an IPL match in India.

door for Heinrich Klaasen to be offered a contract.

Cameron Delport is an allrounder who hails from KwaZulu Natal.

Over and above the earnings indicated, there are bonus and prize monies on offer. The winning team is awarded a cash prize of R27.27M, as an example. Sponsorship forms a substantial part of the IPL income, with corporates vying to obtain world-wide exposure on television. Broadcast rights for the competition were sold for US$ 2.55 billion (around R32 billion).

Notable unsold Proteas were Hashim Amla, Dale Steyn and Morné Morkel.

There are ex-Proteas joining in the cash bonanza by taking up positions as head coaches, batting, bowling and fielding coaches. These include Jacques Kallis (head coach), Gary Kirsten (batting), Eric Simons (bowling) and Jonty Rhodes (fielding).

The tournament runs from 4 April to 27 May. It is no wonder that many top cricketers strive for inclusion in the richest cricket tournament in the world. The earnings are over an eight-week period.

Certainly, not a shabby return!

Hermanus tennis player competes in Italy Rusty Clement, a member of the Hermanus Tennis Club, will represent the International Tennis Club of South Africa in two matches against the Italian International Tennis Club in Rome this month.

Following these matches, the South African contingent will be guests of their Italian counterparts at the Italian Tennis Open, which is played on the clay courts of the Foro Italico in Rome.

An invitation has also been extended by the French International Tennis Club to attend the French Open at Roland Garros in Paris on 29 May. Rusty is part of a team, consisting of 7 men and 6 ladies, who will compete in the tie against Italy. He plays in the 75 - 80 age group and is ranked No 1 in doubles and 5 in singles on the South African age-group rankings.

The tour should provide a great experience in playing on clay and watching the clay court specialists competing in two of the top clay court events on the tennis calendar.

SPORT NEWS? Share your sport news, results or photos with us! It has never been easier. Just send the information or image to admin@thevillagenews.co.za and we will gladly consider it. Competition results, a friendly rivalry, a funny anecdote, a once-off feat or a major improvement – all news is welcome. We would like to feature our community’s major sport stars as well as its unsung sport heroes – just let us know. We look forward to hearing from you.

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THE

NEWS

15 - 21 May 2018

MY School

Hermanus High netball and rugby dominate in sports day Hermanus High School had a challenging weekend when they faced hockey school Parel Vallei from Cape Town on Friday and Saturday 11 and 12 May. The Hermanus hockey teams met their match with only the Boys Second and U16A teams winning their games. The school managed to redeem itself with their netball and rugby games by winning the majority of their matches. The first team netball and rugby teams had an especially good weekend, winning 37-17 and 57-12 respectively. Hermanus High will be playing Bredasdorp High School on Saturday 19 May on home turf.

Hermanus first team rugby captain, Aphelele Madaka, scored a try after sterling passing from his teammates.

PHOTOS: Taylum Meyer

ABOVE: Leo Vorster, Hermanus first team hockey boys vice-captain (right) and his teammate Adam Lawson-Smith (left) flanked the opposition as they prepared to steal the ball.

LEFT: Hermanus first team hockey player, Chanleigh Smith, guarded the ball as she prepared to send it upfield to one of her team mates.

Lionel April won an extra two points when he took a kick at goal after Aphelele Madaka scored a second try for his team.

Zulene van Niekerk, Hermanus first team girls hockey captain, jumped to block a pass from a player from Parel Vallei.