The Village News 11 April 2017

Village

NEWS NEWS The

11 April 2017

Cape Whale Coast

CAPE EPIC

FREE COPY

BUTT BINS

Hermanus wins again

WRITE ANGLE

Bin it don’t flick it

Follow the Book Trail

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PAGE 14 WHEN THE RESIDENTS CAME MARCHING IN…

PHOTO: LEANNE DRYBURGH PHOTOGRAPHY

The Hermanus protest march on Friday 7 April was well supported notwithstanding heavy rain and wind.

Hundreds of people from all walks of life, representing all communities of the Overstrand, attended. There was strength in unity, and the proceedings were peaceful, yet boisterous and joyful as young and old came together for the sake of our democracy and a better economic future for all. Emeritus Archbishop Desmond Tutu and his wife Leah also participated.

Prudent budget in tough economic times De Waal Steyn

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he recent economic upheaval in South Africa has left many residents with concerns about their financial situation. Therefore residents of the Overstrand can breathe a sigh of relief that Overstrand Municipality has endeavoured to produce a prudent draft budget for the 2017/2018 financial year.

This draft budget was tabled

by Mayor Rudolf Smith on 29 March and residents have until 2 May to comment on it.

executing our mandate of rendering basic services in a cost-effective manner,” Smith said.

“The Municipality faces increasing pressure from both the rising cost of basic services and the growing number of households in the Overstrand.

But although we are also bound by budget constraints and regulations dictating spending to us by national government, the Municipality remains committed to

Top of mind is: How will the budget affect my pocket?

On average, proposed tariff increases were limited to 6%.

Notable exceptions are: property rates that increased by 7,4 % (the rebate on property rates offered to persons over the age of 60 remains unchanged); the charge for the first 6 kl of

water that increased by 11,5%; HPP services that increased by 7,4% and prepaid three-phase commercial electricity that increased by 7,4%.

“This budget was prepared against a projected decline in inflation from 6,6% in January 2016 to 5,9% by December 2017. The recent downgrading of the SA economy to junk status and the effects thereof will not lead to an increase in the proposed tariffs. Any shortfall created by this will be

absorbed by curtailing expenditure and revenue surpluses,” said Finance Portfolio Committee Chairman and Deputy Mayor Dudley Coetzee.

And other electricity?

With the approval of the current budget, Overstrand Municipality has started to increase the basic charge for electricity so as to shift the cost of providing the service out of the consumption tariff to the basic charge. National

Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) has approved a 1,88% increase for electricity tariffs charged by municipalities.

This draft budget increases the basic charge for electricity by 5% and offsets this by decreasing the tariff for the first 350 units by 0,15%. From 351 to 600 units the tariff increases by 1,75% and above 600 units the increase is 1,88%.

Read more on P3

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A great gees binds Overstrand together Both the political and economic landscape in South Africa has undergone radical upheavals in recent weeks. As shown by the country-wide protest action, these events have a direct impact on all South Africans, irrespective of political alliance, race, colour or creed. While there will inevitably be those for and against the political shifts, we cannot deny that the economic implications will affect all of us.

Year-on-year we have to tighten our belts a little more as living costs keep escalating.

Therefore, it is important for

Editorial Comment

By De Waal Steyn every resident to take notice of the draft budget that is open for public comment until 2 May. Although this budget holds no nasty surprises and on the whole can be described as reasonable and sensible, residents must be aware that from July 1 they will, on average, pay 6% more for their

municipal services. It is good news that the Municipality will not make any major changes to the draft budget despite the fact that the national economy is under severe pressure at the moment.

But despite the fact that we will have to fork out a little more to live in our beautiful region, we still have a lot to be thankful for. The recent protest march went off without a hitch and united residents from all walks of life.

Read more on P5.

A true testament of a community with not only a big heart

Letters and opinions Don’t blame court order on Apartheid I refer to St John’s letter Eviction of Market Stalls a tragedy (The Village NEWS, 28 March 2017).

Oh, how sad and disappointing it is that St John attributes the lawful eviction of the dissident traders to Apartheid!

It has become all too common a call that if you don’t agree with something, blame it on Apartheid – that is sure to lower the gaze of a section of the populace.

The theme of the market

trading in merchandise that is local and proudly South African is a good one and can’t be faulted. The fact that the highest courts in the land have not found any malice or wrong-doing on the part of the Town Council has gone straight over St John’s head.

A better conspiracy theory would be for him to ask who is footing the very, very expensive lawyers’ bills and for what purpose?

DBR

New mall an eyesore I would like to point out that the Whale Coast Mall that is being built on the main road into town is an eyesore already – a charmless piece of architecture that looks like a 30 000 m² factory building.

I do read that the building is being developed by Dorpstraat, the team also responsible for the establishment of the Weskus Mall (Vredenburg) and Mountain Mill Shopping

Centre (Worcester). Fancy names but poor architecture on the cheap. Hermanus has a different personality from those two towns.

Why did not the developers look around at the oncequaint town of Hermanus and come up with some vernacular architectural design that blends in with the town’s undeniable character?

JP Claxton

but also gees, can be witnessed by the fact that Hermanus not only won the flyover competition for the recent Absa Cape Epic, but also the prize for the town with the most spirit. Well done to all of you and especially Hermanus High School for winning the flyover. Read more about this on P3.

May all our readers have a blessed Easter and don’t forget to read about all the happenings in the area on our diary pages 12 and 18.

This is the Good NEWS – ED

Send your letter to news@thehermanusnews.co.za Follow us on

More letters on P 4

Notice of ecologically prescribed burning operation The Hermanus Golf Club prides itself on being environmentally minded and has determined that, supported by botanical experts, a portion of the Fynbos on the property needs to be burned for ecological purposes. The secondary benefit is to reduce the fuel load that has

built up over the years and is now considered a fire threat.

Enviro Wildfire Services has offered to assist in undertaking the burning operation which should last no longer than 3 hours, provisionally scheduled for late morning on either 18 or 19 April. We encourage

homeowners in the area to keep doors and windows closed during the short burning period, and to avoid hanging washing outdoors.

For more information contact enviro@absamail.co.za Rob Erasmus Enviro Wildfire Services

Pedestrians need to be educated on road rules The Overstrand is indeed a wonderful place to live. We have beautiful fauna and flora, an ocean teeming with whales, penguins and sharks, a bustling economy and clear fresh air to breathe in.

But it seems that not all residents are intent on staying alive for too long. I am specifically referring to pedestrians who seem oblivious to the rules of the road. Many people have in the past complained about bad driving in our towns. We can

now add to that bad walking.

Just the other day while driving from Hermanus towards Onrus there were no less than four incidents where pedestrians blatantly ignored oncoming traffic and simply sped across the road. One of these incidents took place shortly after the Sandbaai traffic lights where a young man suddenly decided that he wants to cross the road regardless of the fact that there was oncoming traffic.

In the Hermanus CBD the problem is just as bad. People tend to think that the zebra crossings are merely a suggestion of where to cross the main road. And don’t get me started on the traffic flow at the circles that suddenly come to a screeching halt due to the pedestrian crossings being so close to the circles.

Please, can we educate pedestrians on the rules of the road?

Louis van Wyk

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How the budget will affect you

From P1 Other increases The tariffs for refuse removal, sewerage, and water all increased by 6%. The exception is the tariff for 0 – 6kℓ of water which increased by 11,5% or 46c per 1 000 litres of water. This is in line with a National Treasury directive that the level and structure of water tariffs are to be fully cost reflective. At present the cost of providing water is around R21 per kℓ. Sundry tariffs for items such as building plan fees, photocopy fees and rental of community halls have been increased by 6%.

Prudent spending For the third consecutive year there will be a zero percent increase on all expense items that the Municipality has control over, such as fuel, gravel for roads, maintenance of vehicles, stationery costs and chemicals for water treatment.

The draft budget reflects a proposed capital budget of R115,1 million for 2017/18.

Funding sources for the capital budget will be generated from grant funding (R67,3 million), external loans to the amount of R30 million and R17,88 million will come from surplus funds.

Favourable financial position “We will start to benefit from the improved income and curtailment of expenditure. Capital funds from our surplus will increase from R2,4 million in the current year to R10,2 million next year,” Coetzee said.

Coetzee said that no budget allowances were made for the revitalisation of the Hermanus CBD. “We are aware of the fact that the CBD might come under pressure once the Whale Coast Mall opens its doors in November.

Income generated from the sale

of land in the CBD may be used for revitalisation projects.”

Parking tariffs in the Hermanus CDB will stay the same.

Residents can view copies of the draft budget and draft Integrated Development Plan (IDP)at the offices of all area managers, all public libraries within the Municipality and on Municipality’s website (www.overstrand.gov.za, click on strategic documents, click on budget or IDP).

The closing date for public comment is Tuesday, 2 May at 12:00.

Hermanus wins two Epic awards

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verstrand locals have gees – and have two awards to prove it. This fact was confirmed on Friday 7 April when the Absa Cape Epic announced Hermanus as the town that showed the most enthusiasm or gees during the eight day adventure mountain bike race that took cyclists through the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, Stanford, Caledon, Greyton and Elgin en route to their final destination at Val de Vie near Paarl.

Winning the Best Town Spirit competition was a joyful moment for Cape Whale Coast Tourism Manager Frieda Lloyd.

“Overstrand officials worked very hard behind the scenes to ensure that this world-class event ran as smoothly as it did and these committed individuals deserve a special mention. Hermanus High School pulled out all the stops and the race village seamlessly integrated endurance racing with education for five days.

Hermanus High School won the Absa Cape Epic Flyover Competition with its waving whale tail – an appropriate welcome to the Cape Whale Coast, which ensured that footage taken of the environ-ment from the helicopter following the cyclists echoed the excitement of the Cape Epic.

“Local businesses were prepared for the influx of people and ready to welcome cyclists, supporters and organisers to the Overstrand.”

The Waldorf School marimba band playing at Newton Johnson, jingling Swiss cow bells at Creation Wines and Stanford school children waving international flags all contributed to a festive atmos-phere that lightened the load of those participating in this tough race.

The Absa Cape Epic bore witness to the collective spirit of the Cape Whale Coast.

PHOTO: Dominic Barnardt/Sportzpics

“All locals should raise a glass as this win is testimony to our ability to work together and show our incredible collective spirit,” enthused Lloyd. “The Absa Cape Epic was another event that showcased the Overstrand as a great place to play, work, live and invest.”

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The Great White Shard of Walker Bay

he Shard will be a shining beacon from Hangklip to Gansbaai,” raved Delia Roos in The Duck ’n Fiddle’s conference hall.

“It will catapult Hermanus into a blue-chip recreational destination for tourists and locals alike. We’ve got to resist pressure from the tree-huggers, the nature junkies and all those environmentalist types who eat only vegetables and go jogging. I say to them: progress has no reverse gear. The Whale Coast will soon become a global entertainment capital, with or without whales!”

Delia Roos, Project Director at SHAT (Shard Hospitality and Tourism) was referring to their imminent development in Sandbaai, between the Onrus bridge and Curro. “Right now, it’s a fire hazard,” she stagewhispered menacingly to the enthralled throng of foreign

Wit’s End

Murray Stewart investors. “It’s just an ugly hump of scrub with vermin and birds – which, I might add, are all highly flammable.

Anyway, let’s start with phase one…”

This apparently involves first

levelling the whole site – ten rugby fields – like they did at the new mall. Once flat and compacted, it will be entirely tarred, to eliminate fire risk.

“And tar is the new black,” she gushed. “You can drive on it, wash it, build on it, paint it, or just dig it up… it’s a multipurpose solution to a problem that should never have existed. Go tar!” she yelled, fist-pumping.

Now the second phase is somewhat more complicated, and involves the construction of the Great White Shard in the centre of this tarred expanse.

Each side of The Shard’s square base is the length of two rugby fields, and it ascends in huge terraces or steps, diminishing as it rises.

“As you can see here,” she said, pointing to the architect’s plan on the screen, “the ground floor is a shopper’s paradise,

with restaurants, cinemas, supermarkets and art boutiques. Above that, the next three levels are very deep and wide to accommodate a hundred caravans and tents – so they can close the Onrus Caravan Park.”

She flicked to the next slide.

“From the fourth floor to the tenth it’s like an obelisk rising from the plinth of the caravan park. Imagine a three-tiered wedding cake with a traffic cone on top, nè? This will be for low-income, high-density one and two-bedroom flats – like vertical RDP housing, but nice… with balconies, to hang washing.”

Before addressing the top three levels, she flicked to an overhead shot. “To the north here, on the R43 near the bridge, is the entrance to The Shard, with parking for 800 cars. Thank goodness for

tarmac! Just paint the white lines, nè? On the Onrus side there’ll be a three-hectare water-park and petting zoo with some real animals. And on the south side – the sea side – there’ll be a three story casino complex with a concert venue and two ‘adult entertainment’ night clubs with pole-dancing and alternative burlesque reviews.”

Listening from the back, Druiwe du Toit was highly chuffed. Erratic late-night trips home after gambling at the Caledon Casino often found him in various neighbours’ canola fields. This was a godsend.

“Now the top three levels are high-end, four bedrooms, terraced penthouses with swimming pools – only for the extremely wealthy,” she beamed, flashing her pearlies.

“And right on top – the fourteenth floor - a revolving restaurant and cabaret lounge.

From there you can see all of Walker Bay, but more importantly, they can all see this white shiny beacon, luring everyone to the charms of the Great White Shard. It’s like our own Eiffel Tower – right here in Hermanus!” She turned off the screen. “Any questions?’

Druiwe stood up. “Ja. So what’s going to happen to the Onrus Caravan Park?” He’d had his first kiss there.

“Well, it’s a mess!” hissed Delia Roos. “We’ll probably tar it as well. Or maybe make a quadbike track once we’ve ripped out all those messy milkwoods…”

For free tickets to the poledancing or messy milkwoodripping, contact the editor. She loves it.

NSRI celebrates 50 years of saving lives

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS Founding members, crew, supporters and local rescue services gathered at the Municipal Auditorium on 24 March for a special celebratory evening to mark the 50th anniversary of the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI). The event kicked off with the AGM of NSRI Hermanus and doubled as an early celebration of our local NSRI Station 17’s 40th anniversary coming up next year. Station Commander Deon Langenhoven honoured all who played a part in helping to grow and establish the rescue base since its establishment in 1978. Special awards were presented to crew members, followed by the cutting of the beautifully decorated cake and celebrations all round. Above is the crew of NSRI Hermanus, with newly elected Deputy Station Commander André Barnard, Station Commander Deon Langenhoven and previous Deputy Station Commander Jean le Roux in the front row.

COL’CACCHIO SUPPORTS NSRI HERMANUS During the recent Cape Epic, the owners of Col’Cacchio Hermanus, Ben and Angela Clifford, decided to support a local charity on an epic scale by donating R10 from every main course sold between 19 and 21 March. “We immediately thought of the NSRI Hermanus,” said Angela. “As a volunteer organisation they are dependent on donations to keep our waters safe and to continue saving lives.” The Cliffords handed over a cheque of R4 000 last week to Station Commander Deon Langenhoven (left), who said he was very touched and most grateful for Col’Cacchio’s generous support.

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Community unites in favour of good national governance People from all walks of life in the Overstrand marched from the new Medical Village to the parking area opposite the Dutch Reformed Church in town on Friday 7 April, carrying placards, waving flags, singing, dancing and praying together in a spirit of solidarity.

PHOTOS: LEANNE DRYBURGH PHOTOGRAPHY and TITANIUM PHOTOGRAPHY

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Cooking up a storm for abandoned babies Team Overberg Computers came second with their boerewors and frikkadel potjie, while Kennedy & Hattingh paired up with PSG Consult to take the third spot with their Katemba beef potjie with stuffed pumpkin.

Hedda Mittner

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eams from fifteen local businesses rolled up their sleeves and slaved over their pots during the United Church’s corporate Potjiekos Competition on Saturday 8 April in aid of Izibusiso Foster Home in Zwelihle.

Among the other local businesses that took part were Hermanus Pharmacies, Seeff, Talisman Hire, Hermanus Hardware, Toyota and Safe Security. As soon as the judging was done, throngs of hungry people queued up to purchase a portion of the potjies.

With four members each, the teams prepared their favourite potjies in the hope of impressing the three judges – well-known local chefs Anton Verhoogt from Fisherman’s Cottage, Warwick Taylor from Source and Wessels van Vuuren of Caffé Blu. With the foot-stomping tunes of live ‘60s band Rewind and a performance of light classical music by Fanie de Jager, along with a tuck shop and jumping castle for the children, there was enough to keep the whole family entertained. The big moment arrived when the judges went around to all the stalls to taste the potjies, and it did not take them long to pronounce their verdict: the unanimous winner was a twowoman team of the St Paul Apostilic Mission, Sylvia Nkanunu and Cynthia Mtshazi, who prepared a lamb potjie with samp.

The chefs agreed that “it was all about the flavour”. Said Warwick: “The dish was simple but delicious – and properly executed.” High praise indeed from our illustrious chefs.

Chefs Warwick Taylor, Anton Verhoogt and Wessels van Vuuren with the winning team from the St Paul Apostilic Mission, Sylvia Nkanunu and Cynthia Mtshazi.

The chefs were most impressed with all the potjies but at the end of the day it was the most flavoursome potjie that won first prize.

All funds raised will be donated to Izibusiso Foster Home, which is a joint venture between the United Church and Hermanus Child Welfare.

The home offers a safe refuge to babies and small children who are neglected, abused or abandoned. These vulnerable and often traumatised children are cared for at Izibusiso until suitable longterm arrangements can be made about their future.

The generosity of the Overstrand community is essential to keep the home running, to pay the staff members and to keep the children fed and clothed.

According to the organiser of the Potjiekos Competition, Jernald Kennedy, the event was a huge success and the United Church wishes to thank everyone for their generous support in aid of Izibusiso.

The oxtail potjie of Hermanus Pharmacies was a family affair, with ‘head chef’ Brenda Kotze (third from left) enthusiastically assisted by husband Frans van Rensburg, daughter Lisa and son Philip Ben.

Seeff Hermanus had three teams preparing different potjies – a lamb shank, a seafood and a biltong potjie. Stirring the pot is Elmar van Tonder, with principal Paul Kruger (left), Susan McCarthy and Lara Nel. In front are Kate Engelbrecht and Kellan McCarthy.

If you’d like to assist Izibusiso, contact Sheila Lyle on 028 314 1390 / 073 778 2777 or lyle@hermanus.co.za

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De Kelders – Take a walk on the wild side

magine our coastline around 20 000 years ago when it wasn't a coastline at all.

When the last Ice Age culminated in a global deep freeze and, with a vast amount of freshwater locked up in the polar ice sheets, the sea level dropped to such an extent that the shoreline lay several kilometres from its present position.

A coastal Garden of Eden During these inhospitable conditions, scientists speculate that human movement may have been restricted to the more temperate coastal environments of Southern Africa such as those found at De Kelders ( ‘the caves’), where numerous expansive caverns had formed in its porous limestone foundation.

Not only did this coastal region provide an abundance of fish and shellfish, but also shelter from the icy winds and storms.

In addition, as the sea levels receded, it became particularly attractive due to the formation of freshwater springs along the newly exposed coastal gradients.

Formed over millions of years by the ocean’s tides and crashing waves, these “living caves” were home to Middle Stone Age people and later, when the earth started warming around 10 000 years ago and the shoreline gradually returned to more or less where it is today, Late Stone Age people known as the Khoikhoi.

Klipgat Heritage Site Of the many limestone caves found at De Kelders, Klipgat Cave is one of our most valuable cultural and historical sites – one that has sheltered early humans for millennia.

Excavations at Klipgat in 1969 revealed 2 000-year-old pottery, stone and bone artefacts and the remains of shellfish, fish and other animals.

Deeper excavations in 1992 uncovered even more remarkable archaeological treasures, including bones and artefacts dating back an estimated 70 000 years, revealing skulls recognisable as modern Homo Sapiens.

Klipgat (‘stone hole’) was named after a limestone proscenium arch looking out onto Walker Bay, forming a remarkable rock ‘window’ that frames a spectacular view of the bay. The site is situated in the Walker Bay Nature Reserve which is managed by CapeNature and stretches all the way

The De Kelders coastline near Gansbaai is dotted with several limestone caves that bear witness to the fascinating history of the area, dating back millennia to the last Ice Age and the earliest ancestors of our species. JACQUELINE DOWLING and her family have visited the caves and invite those with a sense of adventure to put on their hiking boots and set off on a not-to-be-missed experience. to the Klein River estuary, covering about 1 000 ha with an unspoilt coastline of 17 km.

The reserve has a beautiful long beach, known as ‘Die Plaat’, with white sands and rocky limestone outcrops.

Klipgat is accessible to the public from the gatehouse at the entrance to the reserve about 3 km from the village of De Kelders. There is a small parking area where visitors can leave their vehicle, and a series of steep steps down to the protected cove, with a viewing boardwalk leading to the caves and information boards detailing the historical significance of the site.

the 7 km long Duiwelsgat Hiking Trail, which starts at Gansbaai Harbour and forms part of the greater two-day Perlemoen Trail. The trail starts just west of the harbour at the caravan park, where the original town was founded around a fresh-water spring that used to be frequented by geese (‘ganse’ in Afrikaans – hence the name of Gansbaai).

Steep steps (above) lead down to the cove where Klipgat Cave can be found (below).

“

Not only did this coastal region provide an abundance of fish and shellfish, but also shelter from the icy winds and storms

”

Sheep bones found at Klipgat indicate that the indigenous Khoikhoi, more accurately referred to as the Quena, were herding sheep and possibly cattle as long as 2 000 years ago. They thrived in this coastal region up until the 18th century when the first white settlers arrived. Around 1713, a devastating smallpox epidemic nearly wiped out the entire local population.

As their social structure and traditional way of life was gradually eroded by colonial expansion, the Quena’s only means of existence during the 19th century was to become farm labourers or fishermen.

The fish traps they built around the Danger Point Peninsula can still be seen at several sites along the coast.

Duiwelsgat Hiking Trail Visitors who are feeling more energetic can also embark on

Klipgat (’hole in the rock’) was named after a limestone arch framing the view of Walker Bay.

The chambers of Drupkelder contain remnants of stalactites and stalagmites.

En route to Klipgat, the trail follows a coastal path that will bring you to the delightful Stanford Cove, which is perfect for picnics and safe swimming. This is the place where Quena descendants started settling around 1811, building the first permanent fishing cottages next to the cove and founding the fishing culture of Gansbaai. The cove was also used as a harbour in the 1840s by Sir Robert Stanford to transport his fresh farm produce to the Cape.

Drupkelder Along the trail, hikers will come across several caverns that penetrate deep into the rock under the houses of De Kelders. One of the most interesting is the Drupkelder (‘drip cave’), the only freshwater cave on the coast of South Africa. If you’d like to investigate this cave, it is best to do so with a guide.

Drupkelder is well worth a visit, especially for its fascinating stalagmites and stalactites. Regrettably, most have been removed over the years by souvenir hunters which is why the cave is now protected.

De Kelders derives its domestic water from the natural spring that formed this ancient feature in the coastal limestone, and the water in the cave runs at a constant 60 litres per second, forming freshwater rock pools that were also used for swimming.

You enter through a long narrow passageway before the Drupkelder opens into a series of chambers in which the remnants of what must have once been spectacular stalactites and stalagmites can be seen.

According to local info, farmers in the area knew

about the existence of Drupkelder as far back as 1776, and that intrepid traveller Lady Anne Barnard recorded her visit in 1798 in her diary as follows: “The pointed drup stones descended from the roof in great numbers, and sometimes met with others which had risen from the ground to meet them… the largest piece of petrifcation is a pillar as thick as a man's arm… bought by a Mr Cloete of Constantia for 1 000 Rijksdaalders.”

The view from this cave, across the bay, is equally breathtaking.

During the winter months, pods of southern right whales can be seen lolling in the swell.

The next two caves along the trail en route to Klipgat are Gideon’s Cave and Duiwelsgat, which entail some agile climbing over slippery rocks.

Gideon's cave is well hidden and you have to crawl in at low tide, which is an exhilarating experience but not for the fainthearted.

The hole of the devil The name of Duiwelsgat (‘hole of the devil’) is said to have originated from ‘Duiwegat’ (pigeon hole) for the many rock pigeons that nest in the cave. The ‘hole’ refers to the collapsed ceiling of the cave which formed a chasm 20 m deep.

To prevent livestock from falling into the hole, a circular stonewall was built from which you can look down into the cave, with the waves crashing against the opening far down at the bottom – a thrilling sight but not recommended for those with acrophobia! If you are feeling energetic, you can climb down to the base of the cave at low tide and also marvel at the view looking up.

The final leg of the hike is along the cliffs covered in limestone-rock vegetation above Die Plaat, before the descent down to Klipgat. This is a one-way trail, so remember to leave another vehicle at the Walker Bay Reserve parking area or make arrangements to be picked up and taken back to your starting point at Gansbaai.

For more information contact Gansbaai Tourism on 028 384 1439 or info@gansbaaiinfo.com or visit www.gansbaaiinfo.com For a guided cave tour, contact Grootbos Private Nature Reserve on 028 384 8008.

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Bin that butt, don’t flick it! surprised to learn that cigarette butts do not biodegrade,” says Anina. “Early results show that many butts were found in parking areas and around viewing benches, while the rest of the Cliff Path is relatively butt-free.

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he Overstrand is fighting an uphill battle against waste that cannot solely be won by clean-up operations – people need to be made aware of what they are throwing away and where they are doing it, says Anina Lee of Whale Coast Conservation (WCC).

By far the most numerous and potentially dangerous litter item of all is cigarette butts, which prompted WCC to launch a research study last year which revealed a disturbing statistic: the estimated number of cigarette butts discarded annually in the Hermanus CBD is more than 28 million in an area of only 0,25 km.

Cigarette butts are the number one waste item collected at butt ‘hot spots’ such as lookout points, viewing benches along the coast, outside restaurants and in plant boxes. These are also the areas most frequented by tourists and visitors to our town, and do nothing to uphold our reputation as a destination of natural scenic beauty.

WCC took the decision last year to tackle this problem by manufacturing and installing cigarette butt bins at ‘hot spots’

“This would suggest that those who walk on the path do not generally discard butts – it seems to be the ones who don't walk. This deduction is corroborated by eye witness reports of smokers sitting in parked cars and discarding butts – and even emptying their car ashtrays – through the window onto the parking area.”

Rob Fryer and Sheraine of Whale Coast Conservation with their cigarette butt bins. in the CBD, and then expanded this initiative to include doggy doo bag dispensers, which are installed along the Cliff Path and other locations where people enjoy walking their dogs.

“A total of 59 cigarette butt bins have been sponsored or bought,” says Anina. “The greatest supporters of the butt bins are the Overstrand Municipality, which has bought 24 bins, and Marine Dynamics in Gansbaai with 8 bins. Over the next few weeks another 30 cigarette

butt bins will be installed in the Hermanus CBD and along the Cliff Path as part of a project funded by the National Lotteries Board.”

WCC volunteers are currently busy with another survey to monitor the number of cigarette butts discarded in town, in order to compare the rate of butt deposition before the bins are installed and again after installation.

“Volunteers report that curious onlookers who inquire what they are doing are very

Discarded cigarette butts in the environment are a health hazard because they contain toxins which leach out into the soil, ground water, rivers and sea rather quickly. When this is taken in by animals which are then eaten by other animals and humans, these toxins move along food chains until found in all parts of the food web.

The cost of sponsoring a cigarette butt bin or a doggy doo bag dispenser, is R450 per unit, excluding the material and labour for installation.

Contact WCC on 028 316 2527 or anina.wcc@gmail.com

On Friday 31 March Whale Coast Conservation (WCC) installed another one of its doggy doo bag dispenser bins on the Cliff Path at Kraal Rock. The bin was sponsored by the Redford family in memory of their dog Satchmo who used to love walking on the Cliff Path. The Hermanus Ratepayers Association (HRA), which has sponsored six bins in the last few months, would like to encourage more residents to sponsor these handy bins in spots where they and their canine friends enjoy a stroll. From left are Bob Stanway (HRA), Seth Anderson (HRA Chairman), Pat Redford (sponsor) and Rob Fryer (WCC CEO and designer of the bin). So far WCC has installed 16 doggy doo bag dispenser bins in Hermanus and Onrus. Of these, six have been sponsored by the HRA and three by the Hermanus Animal Hospital. Others are privately sponsored, including the latest one by the Redford family.

WCC volunteer Kathie Buley with the 329 cigarette butts she collected at Kwaaiwater.

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Klaus Dembeck and Willie van Wyk with the new owner of Bellini Gallery, Mia Duvenhage.

Klaus and Willie are departing for Germany this month after 14 years in Hermanus.

Good-bye and auf Wiedersehen Hedda Mittner

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fter 14 years in Hermanus, the owners of Bellini Gallery, Willie van Wyk and Klaus Dembeck, are winging their way back to Germany at the end of the month.

“Hermanus has been very good to us, but we have come full circle,” says Willie philosophically. “We have enjoyed a wonderful life here and we’ll miss all our friends and business associates, especially the local artists, but it is time for us to go back.”

Willie and Klaus are leaving Bellini in the capable hands of local artist Mia Duvenhage, whose works have been exhibited in the gallery for the last three years. “When we first met Mia, we were immediately interested in her unique ink on paper artworks and we sold her first painting within a day,” says Willie. “We are very happy that she is the one to take over the gallery.”

Klaus and Willie’s partnership goes way back to the early nineties when they met in Vienna, where Willie was singing for the Vienna Chamber Opera and Klaus was an assistant director. They then spent 12 years living in Halle in Germany, working together at the opera house. During visits to South Africa, they both fell in love with Hermanus and decided to settle here

permanently in 2003.

Apart from their passionate interest in music and art, Willie is a coffee addict and Klaus an excellent baker, which is why the couple opened a Viennese-style coffee shop, the Rosenkavalier (named after Richard Strauss’ famous opera) in a small shop in Main Road which is now part of Betty Blue Bistro. “At the time there were very few places where you could get decent coffee,” says Willie, “not to mention Klaus’ excellent pastries and cakes.”

“

We’ll be taking the best of memories with us and we’ll be back often for holidays

”

In the evenings, they offered a menu of German and Austrian specialities such as Eisbein and Wiener Schnitzel, and on the walls they exhibited artworks by local artists and photographs by members of the Hermanus Photographic Society.

Their next venture was the Bellini Gallery & Cappuccino Bar in Marine Drive, where the Just Pure Bistro is today, which they opened in 2006. After a

few years they relocated to the premises now occupied by Walker Bay Art Gallery. Their last move was to the Village Square, where they’d been for the last four years.

Their love of music saw Willie and Klaus throwing their weight behind Overstrand Arts / Kunste (OAK). They not only handled all the ticket sales, but also served on the committee that organises the year’s programme and liaises with artists from all over the world to give concerts at the Municipal Auditorium at least once a month.

Through the years Bellini focused on promoting local artists and among their many clients were Shelley Adams, Maeve Dewar, Louis Ströh van der Walt, Lina Kapp and Lize van der Walt. Mia says she will continue working with Bellini’s clients and, in addition to her own work, she is looking forward to adding works by young and upcoming artists.

Willie and Klaus will be making their new home in Stendal, which they describe as a beautiful town with an 850-year-old history about an hour’s drive from Berlin. Klaus has been appointed as the director of planning at the Teater der Altmark and says he is excited about returning to his roots.

“But we’ll be taking the best of memories with us and we’ll be back often for holidays,” he says.

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NEWS NEWS

GOOD

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11 April 2017

Underwater art for environmental awareness Frans Krige

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emaya, the African Goddess of the Living Ocean, was dressed for the occasion when she was recently ceremoniously submerged and then anchored some 15 meters below the surface in Walker Bay where she will hopefully reign for a year.

Yemaya is a shop mannequin and the brainchild of Gerda Möhr, thread artist and conservationist of Hermanus.

Gerda dressed Yemaya in a felt dress she made from Merino wool and from the seabed the goddess now forms part of a combined art and environmental experiment of Gerda which was triggered by a number of related occurrences.

The first was when the Sustainable Seas Trust facilitated the Cape Whale Coast Hope Spot in Hermanus along with five others in South Africa in 2014. The second was the so called Salt Bride in 2014 when a black wedding dress from the 1900s was submerged in the Dead Sea for two months and turned white from the salt.

The third occurrence was the discovery three years ago of an exceptionally well-preserved 400-year-old silk dress in a shipwreck from 1642 off the

GoPro screenshot by Marx Möhr Dutch island of Texel.

Gerda elaborates: “Hope Spots, like ours in Hermanus, are defined as places where people are encouraged to make positive contributions to improve the environment, their quality of life and their economy by caring for nature and people.

“Dr Sylvia Earle, the architect of the Global Hope Spot Movement, argues that unless you know and understand you cannot care, so the development of caring communities depends on education and knowledge.

When reading this, my concern that our Hope Spot may just become another plaque on the ocean bed prompted me to think of ways to make a positive contribution to conserve and improve the environment and develop education and

knowledge. With my passion for thread art, the Salt Bride experiment and the silk dress discovery gradually led me to the creation of this project.”

Yemaya, anchored on the seabed, is the focus of two broad research aims: to see if such a structure promotes or suppresses growth of underwater sea life - not only on the dress and the mannequin, but also around the structure, and to determine how felt reacts to prolonged underwater conditions.

Back on land, Gerda has made a similar dress for a mannequin in her studio on which she will perform and orchestrate as many of her thread and textile skills as possible. This will become Yemaya’s imaginary artful dress. The developments and results of project Yemaya will be recorded by Gerda in an

educational blog.

“I chose the name Yemaya because of her traditional African significance as the mother of all and the source of all the waters, and I hope she will remain intact and anchored for a year as we plan to surface her on 17 March 2018,” says Gerda.

“The seabed at Rietfontein where she is braving the elements is a popular diving spot amidst the unique kelp forests of the Western Cape and I trust that the divers encountering her will show the goddess the necessary respect.

“Above all, I hope the project will contribute to growing awareness of and actions to improve our environment.

And who knows, Yemaya may even instill enthusiasm for a significant art, environmental

PHOTO: Linda Kotzenberg Gerda dresses Yemaya on board the yacht Ocean Quest (above), from which Gerda’s son Marx and some of his Neptune’s Divers had the task of submerging the very reluctant and amazingly buoyant goddess on 17 March (above left). and tourism initiative for Hermanus, something like Sculptures on the Seabed.”

Gerda will be hosting a felt

workshop this year during Hermanus FynArts entitled Felted House Shoes on 17 June.

See www.hermanusfynarts. co.za for all the details.

To advertise in The Village NEWS, contact Rina de Wet on 083 604 0808

GOOD

NEWS NEWS

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11 April 2017

Radio hosts take love for music to new level

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and skills training since 1970 and the Forest Theatre forms part of their facilities. Debbie says she is overjoyed to partner with Stargazer Promotions and OTI will be providing the food stalls at the concert.

Hedda Mittner

aving been through the experience of sweating and stuttering my way through a radio chat show, I can only marvel at Janet Marshall and Pieter van Aswegen’s laidback charm behind the microphone.

With Pieter and Janet at the helm, Stargazer Promotions provides a one-stop events management service for any function. They both have a background in hospitality with many years of experience in catering and entertainment, and are looking forward to bringing the Forest Theatre back to life with regular concerts.

As the co-hosts of Home Brew on Whale Coast FM, the duo entertains listeners every weekday from Monday to Thursday between 16:00 and 18:00 with a selection of memorable songs interspersed with their own brand of witty repartee.

Music is clearly one of their passions – Pieter also hosts Honey & Dark Chocolate every Tuesday evening from 20:00 – 22:00, while Janet is the voice behind Musical Choices on Tuesdays between 15:00 and 16:00. She says her partnership with Pieter started when “he started sneaking into the studio during Drive Time to keep me company”.

Pieter and Janet have now taken their love of musical entertainment to a whole new level with the creation of Stargazer Promotions, which is set to rock the Hermanus Forest Amphitheatre with a Blues

“Our first priority is to have the venue tented so that it is not weather-dependent,” says Pieter.

“We’ll be bringing top acts to perform at this fabulous venue because Hermanus deserves only the best of the best.”

Pieter van Aswegen and Janet Marshall hosting their show Home Brew in the studio of Whale Coast FM. meets Rock concert over the Easter weekend on Saturday 15 April.

The line-up includes a talented group of Cape Townbased artists such as the Boulevard Blues Band, Pebbleman, Jesse Jordan and Dr John, with Hermanus’ very own Edian Barnard as the supporting act.

Simply take your own cushions and blankets, get comfy beneath the forest canopy and get into the groove with a fusion of vintage Blues and Rock.

Visitors are welcome to bring their own beer, wine and a picnic basket, or they can tuck into the eats and coffee for sale. The seats are unreserved and will be filled on a first

come, first served basis.

Pieter, who has been a decor consultant with Prominent Paints for almost 20 years, first came into contact with the Forest Theatre when he was assisting in the renovations of the venue several years ago. “I later attended two shows at the Forest Theatre and thought it

was a fantastic venue,” he says.

“It seemed such a pity not to utilise it.”

The stage of the amphitheatre is set among the ruins of an old farm house on municipal land which is leased by the Overstrand Training Institute (OTI). Founded by managing director Debbie Peiser, OTI has offered youth development

But have no fear that either of them will be disappearing from the airwaves any time soon. “We both love the radio,” says Pieter, “and the music, the company, the energy in the studio… We often have interesting guests and we enjoy the feedback from our listeners and interacting with them through our shows.”

See The Good Guide on P 12 for all the details of the Blues meets Rock show on 15 April.

NEWS

GOOD

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11 April 2017

■ ‘Kolwyntjie-Teetuin’: Senior citizens in the area are invited to enjoy a sweet treat and tea or coffee at the Service Centre (‘Dienssentrum’) of the Dutch Reformed Church, Onrus for only R30, every Friday between 09:30 and 11:30.

Saturday 22 April

Wednesday 12 April ■ Supper Club: People from all parts of the Overstrand community are welcome to attend this bring-and-braai at the New Harbour, from 17:30.

Tables, chairs and gas braais will be provided; bring your own food, drinks, plates, glasses and crockery – and something warm. Contact Theo on 082 654 4924 or William on 083 562 7509.

Thursday 13 April ■ Photography Workshop: Join thephotowalkers.com for their workshop Depth of Field which will help you understand the various f-stops and show you how to achieve the results you desire. Meet at The Photo Shed and travel to the Harold Porter Botanical Garden in Betty’s Bay, from 09:00 – 11:30. The cost is R450 pp and space is limited to a max of 12 people. Contact Leanne Dryburgh on 083 293 7208 to book.

Good Friday 14 April ■ Lemm’s Corner Market: Fabulous fine arts and crafts, gourmet eats, craft beers and wine bar. On the corner of Main and Harbour Roads, from 15:00 – 20:30.

Every Saturday ■ Hermanus parkrun: Meet at Hermanus Forest in Camphill Road, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley at 08:00. Free timed 5 km walk or run, come rain or shine. The route is dog friendly and children are most welcome.

■ Hermanuspietersfontein Food & Wine Market: A relaxing way to spend your Saturday mornings with family and friends. Enjoy breakfast, brunch or lunch with free wine tastings and background music. At Hermanuspietersfontein Wine

Sunday 16 April ■ Lemm’s Corner Market: Fabulous fine arts and crafts, gourmet eats, craft beers and wine bar.

On the corner of Main and Harbour Roads, every Sunday from 10:00 – 15:00.

Cellar, at The Village, from 09:00 – 13:00.

■ The Hermanus Country Market: A favourite meeting place among locals of all ages. Fresh local produce, wholesome goodies, home-made crafts and entertainment for the kids. Next to the cricket field, Fairways Avenue, from 09:00-13:00.

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

House, Vermont at 17:30. Contact 083 242 3295 or anina.wcc@gmail.com.

Wednesday 19 April

■ Wildekrans Easter Feast: Racione at the Wildekrans Tasting Room is the perfect venue to celebrate Easter Sunday. Enjoy their special Easter menu with an Easter egg hunt for the kids and the PET (Petite wines) hunt for the adults. The cost is R325 for adults and R225 for children and booking is essential; contact 028 284 9488 / 084 228 2824 or forage@endlessgroup.co.za

■ Whale Coast Estuaries: The Hermanus Bird Club will hold a special meeting at the Fernkloof Hall for members only, at 18:00. The meeting will be followed by a presentation by Giselle Murison entitled Protecting Estuaries of the Cape Whale Coast at 19:00. Visitors welcome. Contact Craig Holmes on 028 313 3458.

■ Chameleon Eco-adventure: Join Whale Coast

■ Hermanus Passiespel: The annual Hermanus Passion Play is a 90-minute performance by a group of dedicated amateurs that depicts the life, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus accompanied by a soundtrack of classical music. Tickets are R130 pp (children and scholars R50), available from Computicket or at the venue on the evening.

Remember to bring your own cushions, blankets, picnic basket and something warm. For more information, contact 078 483 3080 or fanusleroux@lantic.net

Saturday 15 April ■ Lemm’s Corner Market: Fabulous fine arts and crafts, gourmet eats, craft beers and wine bar. On the corner of Main and Harbour Roads, from 10:00 – 15:00.

■ Wijnskool Harvest Party: Celebrate Easter Saturday and the 2017 harvest at Wijnskool Farm in Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. Enjoy lunch, a boule competition, golf chipping competition, Easter egg hunt and lots more fun for the little ones. R220 for adults and R75 for children. From 12:00. Contact 072 323 5060 or sune@hermanus.co.za

■ Blues meets Rock: Stargazer Promotions presents an electrifying Blues & Rock show featuring Pebbleman, Boulevard Blues Band, Jesse Jordan and Dr John, with supporting act by Edian Barnard. Get your groove on and join them at the Forest Theatre on Camphill Road in Hemel-enAarde Valley, from 18:00. The cost is R150 pp and tickets are available from all Whale Coast Tourism offices (Kleinmond, Hermanus, Stanford and Gansbaai). Food, drinks and other goodies will be on sale from stalls at the venue. Contact stargazer4promotions@gmail.com or 083 457 8235 / 082 456 8091.

■ Zipline Adventure: Experience something different and forever memorable – a two-hour Tree Top Zipline tour in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. No previous experience needed and suitable for everyone over the age of six years. Get together at 09:30 and zipline from 10:00 – 12:00, meeting up afterwards at Die Plaaskombuis for lunch (for own account). The cost of R465 pp includes permits, equipment and briefing. Payment secures your booking; for banking details contact Iain Macdonald on 072 3272840 or 021 4626755 or iain@awakening-intuition.com

■ Duncan Faure Show: Catch legendary South African musician Duncan Faure on his nationwide tour. This talented singer / songwriter rocked to stardom in the ‘70s as the frontman of SA rockpop sensation Rabbit and later the Bay City Rollers. He’ll be supported on stage by with master guitarist Mel Botes and other top local musicians. Tickets are R150 pp; for bookings contact Miemsie on 083 445 2684. At Cinema in the Shed, Harbour Road, Kleinmond at 17:00.

Monday 17 April ■ Lemm’s Corner Market: Fabulous fine arts and crafts, gourmet eats, craft beers and wine bar.

On the corner of Main and Harbour Roads, every Sunday from 10:00 – 15:00.

Tuesday 18 April ■ Travel & Adventure: The topic of this talk, which forms part of U3A Overberg’s new series on Travel & Adventure, is The North-West Passage, presented by Sheila Lyle. At the Catholic Church hall, at 10:00.

■ Elephant Talk: Whale Coast Conservation presents a talk on Elephants and the Addo Story by guest speaker Dr Anna Whitehouse, who owns the Phillipskop Mountain Reserve near Stanford with her husband Dr Chris Whitehouse. After graduating from university in the UK, Anna moved to South Africa in 1996 to carry out research on the Addo elephants. She was awarded her PhD in elephant conservation in 2001. At The Green

Conservation and Daphne Bayer as she leads an expedition to find and photograph chameleons.

She will discuss everything about these intriguing animals, including their habits and life cycle. Only 10 people per group, so book early by contacting 083 242 3295 or anina.wcc@gmail.com. Meet at The Green House in Vermont at 18:00. (The alternative date in case of bad weather is 20 April.)

■ Barrels & Beards: Join this popular Harvest Celebration hosted by the Bot River wine producers and see which winemaker's beard will win him the title of Best beard in the Land. This year’s party will be hosted by Barton Vineyards at 17:00. Tickets at R450 pp are selling fast; book at Quicket or contact Wilmari Geyer at info@bartonvineyards.co.za

Sunday 23 April ■ Lemm’s Corner Market: Fabulous fine arts and crafts, gourmet eats, craft beers and wine bar. On the corner of Main and Harbour Roads, every Sunday from 10:00 – 15:00.

Thursday 20 April ■ Business Chamber Networking Breakfast: An opportunity for business people to mingle, network and informally market their business.

Bring one of your products or a prize for the Lucky Draws; you can also distribute your business cards or pamphlets. At Source restaurant in The Village, from 09:00 – 10:00. To book at R100 pp, contact Alta Pretorius at ceo@hermanuschamber.co.za

■ U3A Open Meeting: Dr Robin Lee will do a presentation on The History of the New Harbour, from 1930 to date. You will also be introduced to the future plans for the harbour as a recreational area and tourist attraction. At the Municipal Auditorium, at 17:30.

Friday 21 April ■ Hermanus Hacking Group: Meet at the bottom of Rotary Way at 06:15 for 06:30 every Friday. All volunteers welcome. Contact Charlyn Vosloo on 082 558 8731 for more details.

■ Bhuki Café: Enjoy tea, coffee and eats for only R20 (2 eats) or R30 (3 eats) to support the Friends of Hermanus Library. New volunteers are welcome and will be much appreciated. At Hermanus Library, every Friday from 09:00 - 11.30.

■ Mozart Quartet Ensemble: Overstrand Arts / Kunste presents well-known Cape Town musicians Liesl Stoltz (flute), Farida Bacharova (violin), Emile de Roubaix (viola) and Kristiyan Chernev (cello) who will play works by Mozart, Hofmeyr, Reger, Jacob and Lobos. Tickets are R130 pp (R60 for students), available from Bellini Gallery on 028 312 4988. At the Municipal Auditorium, at 15: 30. Contact René on 082 940 4238 for further enquiries.

Monday 24 April ■ Shutter Speed: Join thephotowalkers.com for a study of the ocean as the sun sets and the light changes on the waves and the rock pools.

This detailed photography workshop will help you understand all the various shutter speeds on your camera. At Kwaaiwater Beach off Poole Road, Hermanus, from 16:00 – 18:30. Photographers of all skills levels are welcome and the cost is R450 pp. Contact Leanne Dryburgh on 083 293 7208 to book.

Village

EXPLORER The

FOOD • WINE • ARTS

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Hermanus FynArts 2017 walks the talk

ermanus FynArts has come a long way in only five years and the 2017 programme will again bring the best of South African arts to town. A diverse feast of the senses, FynArts is made up of different series of events that include performances, exhibitions, demonstrations, walk-abouts and films.

chairman of fine art auction house Strauss & Co. on the subject of art collecting, to Stories behind the Canvas with social historian Felicity Jervis examining some worldfamous portraits, and The Rock Art of the Western Cape by John Parkington, Emeritus Professor in Archeology at UCT.

In addition, an ever growing series of talks and workshops will be offered at this year’s 10-day celebration from 9 – 18 June, which pays tribute to Festival Director Mary Faure’s original vision for FynArts as a fusion of arts festival and winter school.

Michael Godby, Emeritus Professor at the Michaelis School of Fine Art, will discuss Contemporary South African Photography: The Past in the Present - Continuity and Disruption, while Christopher Till, director of the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg as well as the director of the Gold of Africa Museum in Cape Town, will present a talk entitled What Remains is Tomorrow.

Stephan Welz Series of Talks and Presentations The Stephan Welz series of talks and presentations include more that 20 topics ranging from music to history, nature and politics.

The visual arts feature strongly, with art academic and curator Marilyn Martin’s presentation on The Power of Abstract Art, and Custodian on a Tight Rope, a panel discussion chaired by Stefan Hundt, curator of the Sanlam Art Collection, which will see Michael Godby and Lien Botha will discuss their roles as FynArts curators. Michael is the curator of Transitions, the exhibition of work by Festival Artist Willie Bester, and Lien is the curator of Sculpture on the Cliffs.

In a second panel discussion, also chaired by Stefan Hundt, Marilyn Martin and Christopher Till will discuss South African Art Museums: Quo Vadis? Other topics range from Life in Art, presented by Frank Kilbourn,

Art and metaphor will be the subject of a discussion between two well-known artists and sculptors, Wilma Cruise and Gordon Froud, entitled Who is Alice?

Two very prominent achievers will discuss their recently published books at the festival. They are Bill Nasson, Distinguised Professor in the Department of History at Stellenbosch University who wrote History Matters, and Dikgang Moseneke, ExDeputy Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court who published his autobiography, My Own Liberator. They will be in conversation with writer Christopher Hope.

On a musical note, traditional music artist and cultural historian, Dizu Plaatjies of Amapondo fame and

The full programme, also in e-booklet format, can be viewed at www.hermanusfynarts.co.za. Bookings can be made on the same website, or on www. webtickets.co.za, or at the Hermanus FynArts office next to Hermanus Tourism in the Station Building, Mitchell Street. Tel: 028 312 2629.

currently a lecturer at the UCT Department of Ethnomusicology will present The Music of Sub-Saharan Africa, while Pianoman Charl du Plessis, a Steinway Artist and lecturer at the University of Pretoria, will talk about Crossover Music: The Black Sheep or Champion?

Also on the programme is a presentation by consulting architect Alex Robertson and Jo-Anne Duggan, an Associate Research Fellow in the Archive and Public Culture Research Initiative, UCT, on the design, development and challenges of the West Coast Fossil Park: A new centre. In his talk Sustainability through Science and Environment, Ichthyologist Mike Bruton will refer to the story of the coelacanth and great South African inventions in discussing the importance of popular science and environmental writing in addressing the environmental crisis.

Another richly illustrated presentation related to the environment is The Art of Deception in the Behaviour of Birds, by the well-known birder Anton Odendal. And for something completely different, Dr James Gray will talk about the Summer of ’42: The Fall of Tobruk, about which he says: “Seventy-five years on, the story of the fall of Tobruk is deserving of retelling… bringing home to a younger generation the tragic events that affected the lives of thousands of young South Africans.”

Workshop Series Hermanus FynArts 2017 will offer several interesting

workshops, ranging from painting and drawing to writing, ceramics, music, photography, jewellery design, beading, birding, felt-making and even bread making.

Most of the workshops are offered either as one-day or half-day events, while Carl Becker will be back with a watercolour workshop over two days entitled Watercolour Ways.

Jill Trappler’s Losing and Finding / Finding and Losing is a threeday workshop for anyone interested in image-making, with or without previous experience.

Exhibition Series Willie Bester is this year’s Festival Artist in the exhibitions series, which includes 19 galleries and four wine farms as well as the regular Art of Thread at the Old Synagogue, the Ceramics exhibition at the Windsor Hotel, and the Tollman Bouchard Finlayson Art Award Finalists’exhibition. This year 14 Stellenbosch art students will act as gallery interns during FynArts.

The impressive Sculpture on the Cliffs exhibition will comprise 11 works on display by artists Brahm van Zyl, Bronwen Clacherty, Emma Willemse, Hannelie Coetzee, Hasan and Husain Essop, Jaco Sieber-hagen, Karen Press, Ledelle Moe, Raymond Smith, Richard Forbes, and Right Mukore.

Early bird prices are only valid until 14 April. For more information call 028 312 2629 or contact administrative coordinator Chantel Louskitt on 060 957 5371 or festival director Mary Faure on 084 600 7058.

Village Explorer

Picador

Vintage

Previously published as A Long Way Home, this is a moving and inspirational true story of survival and triumph against incredible odds, now a major motion picture starring Dev Patel, Nicole Kidman and Rooney Mara. Lion is Saroo’s best-selling memoir of how he became lost on a train in India at the age of five. Unable to read or write or recall the name of his hometown or even his own last name, he survived for weeks alone on the streets of Calcutta, before being taken into an orphanage and adopted by a couple in Australia. Despite being happy in his new family, Saroo always wondered about his origins. When he was a young man the advent of Google Earth led him to pore over satellite images of India for landmarks he recognised. And one day, after years of searching, he miraculously found a clue and set off on a journey to find his mother. His story became a media sensation and is a celebration of the importance of never letting go of what drives the human spirit – hope.

(Paperback – R205)

The Good People is bestselling author Hannah Kent's longawaited follow-up to the multi award-winning Burial Rites. Nora Leahy has lost her daughter and her husband in the same year, and is now burdened with the care of her four-year-old grandson, Micheál. The boy cannot walk, or speak, and Nora is desperate to know what is wrong with him. Unable to care for Michael alone, Nora hires a 14-year-old servant girl, Mary, who soon hears the whispers about unexplained misfortunes and illnesses, and how the boy is a changeling child who is bringing bad luck to the valley.

Together they seek out the help of the wandering healer, old Nance Roche, who is said to consort with ‘Them’, the Good People. And that only she can return those whom they have taken... As these three women are drawn together in the hope of restoring Micheál, their world of folklore and belief, of ritual and magic, leads them down a dangerous path, and forces them to question everything they have ever known. (Paperback – R300)

Yuval Noah Harari, author of the critically-acclaimed New York Times bestseller and international phenomenon Sapiens, returns with an equally original, compelling, and provocative book, turning his focus toward humanity’s future. Humans today enjoy unprecedented levels of power and an increasingly godlike status, while the great epidemics of the past – famine, plague and war – no longer control our lives. We are the only species in history that has single-handedly changed the entire planet, and we can no longer blame a higher being for our fate. But as our gods take a back seat, and Homo Sapiens becomes Homo Deus, where do we go from here? And how will we protect this fragile world from our own destructive powers? This vivid, challenging book examines the implications of our new human-centred environment, from our dogged pursuit of status and happiness to our constant quest to overcome death by pushing the boundaries of science.

(Paperback – R205)

This is Afrikaans journalist and author Irma Venter’s fifth crime novel, following on 2015’s Skarlaken. The story centres on 18-year-old student Adriana van der Hoon, who was a secondary character in Venter’s previous four books, Skoenlapper, Skrapnel, Sondebok and Skarlaken. It’s the late eighties in Johannesburg and Adriana’s father, an anti-apartheid activist and Dutch citizen, smuggles money for the ANC using a nonprofit education trust as a front.

But then, one day, everything is suddenly turned upside down when South Africa’s security police, in their search for her father, track down Adriana and blackmail her into following the money trial from Berlin to Johannesburg. As political change sweeps across Europe and South Africa, Adriana acquires a new skills set, a lover and an enemy. Far away from everything that is safe and familiar, she learns what she is capable of and also realises that no-one, not even she, is ever wholly innocent. (Paperback – R240)

Reach Publishers

Penguin Books

A love story in the time of heroes, War Cry is the latest gripping episode in perennial bestselling author Wilbur Smith's epic account of the much-loved Courtney family. The book introduces readers to the bravest new member of the famed family, Saffron Courtney who grows up on a sprawling Kenyan estate under the watchful eye of her father, prominent businessman and distinguished war veteran Leon Courtney. As she grows into a spirited teenager, her thirst for knowledge and adventures leads her to England, where she is drawn into the heart of the gathering storm in the lead-up to World War II. Here her world collides with Gerhard von Meerbach, whose brother is a vocal supporter of the Nazi Party. Gerhard struggles to stay true to his principles and to take a stand against the forces of evil that have overtaken his country and his family. But, unknown to him, he is caught in a trap that could cost him everything he holds dear. Will there be more to unite Gerhard and Saffron than tear them apart?

(Hardcover – R295)

11 April 2017

Human & Rousseau

Harper Collins

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Think of everything that you know or thought you knew about the 1987 South African Airways Flight 295 accident, and ask yourself whether or not you are 100% sure that the information propagated for years as being fact, is not perhaps fiction.

With the help of experts, one of them being a former investigator of this very tragic accident, this book will bring you an alternative insight into what may have occurred on board that night as well as during the subsequent investigations over the past 30 years. Read about words on a transcript of the cockpit voice recorder that gave rise to theories of ‘first fires’ and specific timelines, to theories of what the aircraft was carrying on board.

This book will show an altogether different position to the theory that this accident was a case of ‘state sanctioned murder’, a term used by one family member and a theory supported by many. By looking at each and every theory, this book will show that what has, up to now, been considered as fact, may just be fiction.

(Paperback – R360)

Village Explorer

11 April 2017

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FynArts brings acclaimed authors to Hermanus

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his year’s Hermanus FynArts Festival, now in its fifth year, will for the first time include a literary component in the form of a Book Trail. Bibliophiles will be happy to learn that, in addition to the variety of art exhibitions, music concerts, talks and workshops, three bookshops and one gallery in Hermanus will be hosting FynArts authors this year.

Festivalgoers will be able to meet and greet the authors at these venues, purchase copies of their books and have them signed by the authors on two days: Friday 16 June will be dedicated to writers of children’s books in honour of Youth Day, and Saturday 17 June to writers of books for adults. The authors will be at the venues during two time slots on both days – from 11:00 – 12:00 and from 14:00 – 15:00.

showing that families are what you make them, and love is what matters most.

From left are Corinne Hendry of bookmark, John Morris of The Book Cottage and Beth Hunt of Hemingsways.

The bookshops will also add another dimension to FynArts by staging literary exhibitions throughout the duration of the festival.

Browse to your heart’s content as you search for that special gift at these quality secondhand bookshops. At The Book Collector you will find an astonishing collection of rare collectable Africana, Military, History and Antiquarian books as well as highly sought-after Afrikaans fiction and nonfiction, amongst other genres; while Quirk & Leopard stocks everything from glossy cookery books to the classics, biographies, history, art and travel books, as well as graphic novels, comic books and the largest selection of secondhand children’s books in town. bookmark 171 Main Road, Hermanus.

Tel: 028 312 2000 The Architect, the Cook and Good Taste Many of the parallels between building and cooking are obvious: the concept, the creation and the coming into being. Experience some of the day-to-day interplay in literature, covering many genres including food, travel and design through the displays at bookmark. Visitors can also take part in a fun competition that requires you to match cat pictures with the Masters who painted them.

Friday 16 June: Elizabeth Wasserman is a professor of Medical Microbiology at the University of Stellenbosch whose writing takes children on action-filled adventures of the imagination. She is the creator of the intrepid Dogtective William (Speurhond Willem) who tracks down pirates, abalone poachers and diamond smugglers, and the Anna Atom (Anna Atoom) trilogy, which received the prestigious Alba Bouwer award from the Acadamy of Arts and

Saturday 17 June: Dikgang Moseneke is the author of My own Liberator, which charts the rise of the now retired Deputy Chief Justice as one of the country’s top legal minds.

As a young activist in the PanAfricanist Congress, at the tender age of 15, Moseneke was arrested, detained and, in 1963, sentenced to ten years on Robben Island for participating in anti-apartheid activities. His incarceration set the young Moseneke on a path towards a law degree that would provide the bedrock for a long and fruitful legal career that saw him serve his country in the highest court. He not only helped draft the interim constitution but, for 15 years, acted as a guardian of that constitution for all South Africans, and helped to make it a living document for the country and its people.

Lembu Gallery 10 Harbour Road, Hermanus.

Tel: 028 312 1187

Science. Elizabeth believes that learning should be fun and that science is the most powerful form of magic. Her book Professor Sabatina se Wetenskapboek is a practical guide of fun ways to applying science at home.

Saturday 17 June: Christopher Hope is a prolific journalist, novelist, playwright and poet who has written 21 books. He is best known for his controversial works dealing with racism and politics in South Africa. He has won a number of prestigious writing awards, including the Whitbread Novel Award, Thomas Pringle Prize and Booker Prize for Fiction. His memoir White Boy Running is his story of growing up in South Africa during the apartheid regime. His latest novel, Jimfish, is a kind of fairy tale for adults which delivers fierce commentary on the politics of power.

Hemingways Warrington Place, Harbour Road, Hermanus.

Tel: 028 312 2739 A Moveable Feast Ernest Hemingway’s Paris sojourn in the 1920s features at Hemingways of Hermanus, where festivalgoers can reflect on this iconic writer’s life against the background of Paris, its marvellous landscape and culture. “If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you.

For Paris is a moveable feast.”

Friday 16 June: Mike Bruton is the author of When I was a Fish - Tales of an Ichthyologist.

This fast-paced, highly readable book is an account of his adventures as one of the leading fish biologists in Africa and explores the issues he encountered as a scientist, conservationist and educator.

He even braved entanglements with crocodiles, hippos and giant snakes to produce his research, which has also allowed him to contribute to international efforts to conserve wetlands and endangered species. Mike has made a major contribution to our understanding of the ways in which fish are adapted

to their watery environments and how they made that epic evolutionary transition from water onto land.

Saturday 17 June: Craig Bartholomew Strydom is a freelance writer and director known for the Oscar-winning documentary film Searching for Sugar Man. He is also the co-author of Sugar Man – The Life, Death and Resurrection of Sixto Rodriguez, the nonfiction book detailing the story behind the film. The book is packed with information not included in the film, about legendary folk singer Rodriguez’s background, relationships and political activities, his tours to Australia, and the recognition that has finally come to him after the film’s success.

Craig’s writing has appeared in Rolling Stone and Creative Nonfiction, and he was a Susan Atefat Creative Nonfiction Prize finalist in 2011.

The Book Cottage 17 Long Street, Hermanus.

Tel: 028 313 0834 Listen, Watch and Read This iconic Hermanus bookshop has a dedicated music room with a fine selection of opera and ballet on DVD, as well as a wide variety of classical music on CD. Festivalgoers can enjoy browsing through a collection of the finest books about music. This year for FynArts an extensive range of books on different genres of music will be exhibited, including a number of specialised titles you won’t find elsewhere.

Friday 16 June: Niki Daly is the author-illustrator of picture books that celebrate the imaginative powers of children and their magnificent everyday lives. Among the many awards Niki has won for his work is the US Parents’ Choice Award for Not so Fast Songololo, which is credited with paving the way for postapartheid South African children’s books. He has the ability to view the world from a child’s perspective and to see the world in a rainbow of shades, reflective of multicultural modern South Africa. His latest work Surprise! Surprise! is a funny and original story

Saturday 17 June: Kobus Moolman is a senior lecturer in creative writing at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and an award-winning poet and playwright. His eighth collection of poetry, A Book of Rooms, won the African Poetry Book Fund’s 2015 Glenna Luschei Prize for African Poetry.

The poems in this collection were described by the judge as “electric, visceral, brilliantly experimental, and profoundly moving.” Moolman himself describes the poems in A Book of Rooms as an “emotionally honest and direct” examination of his personal experiences “growing up as a white South African during apartheid” and “growing up and living with a disability (spina bifida),” facing domestic, psychological, and physical violence. Moolman’s debut collection, Time like Stone, was awarded the Ingrid Jonker Prize, and he is also the recipient of the South African Literary Award, the BBC African Radio Theatre Award and the Macmillan Southern African Playwriting Award.

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Tuesday 11 April ■ Full Moon Wandelpad Stroll: Join Stanford Tourism for this monthly walk through the village.

R30 adults, R10 kids and R10 dogs, with complimentary refreshments served in the Tourism Courtyard. Funds raised will be donated to the Development Academy of the local Stanford Canoe Club. Weather dependent so call 028 341 0340 to confirm. Departing at 17:30 from Stanford Tourism Office.

Wednesday 12 April ■ Graze Farmer’s Market: Reduce your carbon footprint and get your fresh veggies at Graze Slow Food Café, from 09:00 – 12:00. Stay for coffee and breakfast. Call Tabby and Alex on 076 243 1930.

■ Opening of Stanford Modern: Enjoy a glass of wine and snacks at the opening of the new Stanford Modern in Queen Victoria Street, at 18:00. The gallery opens with a one-man exhibition of paintings by Rick Prins. Art lovers can look forward to future exhibitions by invited artists and workshops to be run from within the gallery.

■ Stanford Conservation Trust AGM: All are welcome and new interested members can sign up at the door. At the Stanford Municipal Boardroom at 18:00.

Wednesday 12 & Saturday 15 April ■ Fun Easter Arts and Crafts for kids: At Sanette du Toit Art Studio, 9 Du Toit Street. R150 per 2 hour lesson, from 10:00 – 12:00 or 15:00 – 17:00 on both days. All ages welcome. Contact sanette.upton @gmail.com or 072 822 9970 to book.

Thursday 13 April ■ Probus lunch at Stanford Harvest: Join Probus for lunch and a talk by Stanford resident Eric Mair, who will discuss Eskom’s position on renewable energy for the country. R140 for main course and dessert; drinks for own account.

Newcomers welcome. RSVP Lyn Mossop on 082 557 4477.

Good Friday, 14 April ■ Easter Egg Cluedo: All children are welcome at the Tourism Office any time between 10:00 nd 12:00 to receive their first clue in a trail of clues that will lead them to an Easter surprise.

Call 028 341 0340 for more information.

Saturday 15 April ■ Junktique Market: At Stanford Tourism Courtyard, from 09:00 – 12:00. Come and browse through the bric a brac and tat, and find a hidden treasure. For more info or to book a vendor site, contact ask@stanfordinfo.co.za

Sunday 16 April ■ Easter Sunrise Service: Dress warmly and bring your own folding chairs to attend a combined Easter Service arranged by Stanford churches at Lucerne Farm (above Stanford Valley Manor House), at 06:30. Tea, coffee and hot cross buns will be served. If it rains the service will be held indoors.

■ Easter Egg Hunt: In addition to serving their normal menu on Easter Sunday, Birkenhead Brewery will be hosting an Easter Egg Hunt for children at 11:00. Contact 028 341 0013.

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events, starting on 22 April at 14:00 when Classic Revival, a vibrant energetic five-piece band, will perform songs from the 1960s up until today in the amphitheatre. Should the weather not be friendly they will perform in the restaurant.

Wednesday 26 – Sunday 30 April ■ Autumn Self-sufficiency and Sustainable Lifestyle Workshop: Good Luck Cottage and Graze will host a four-day workshop that includes keeping poultry and rabbits, basic bee keeping and organic vegetable, herb and fruit gardening. Spend a day in the kitchen learning how to make soft cheeses, natural fabric dyeing with fynbos, smoking and curing, fermenting, and soap making. On the Sunday there will be a Mushroom Forage that includes a light breakfast and lunch at Graze. For more info, call Tabby on 076 243 1930 or send an email to workshop@grazecafe.co.za

Saturday 29 April

Friday 21 April

■ Sunset Market: One of the few real country markets offering food, wine, beer, crafts, music and fun for the whole family. As the sun sets over the village of Stanford on Easter Friday, the Village Green will come alive with local farmers peddling their wares while local cooks, crafters and artists offer their finest goods for sale. Food-to-go and wonderful goodies to stock up on for the weekend. At Market Square, from 18:00 – 20:00.

■ Ann Jangle Live: Catch South African-born singer / songwriter Ann Jangle’s performance at The Tasting Room at Stanford Hills. Food and drinks available from 18:00 and the performance starts at 20:00. Entry is R100 per head on the night and R80 for pre-paid tickets. Contact 072 639 6135 to book or email andyjay45@gmail.com

Saturday 22 April ■ Classic Revival: Birkenhead Brewery and Walker Bay Wines will be hosting live music

■ Chris Chameleon: Enjoy an evening of unique music by popular musician Chris Chameleon, at The Tasting Room at Stanford Hills, from 17:00 – 22:00.

Cash bar and food stalls available. The event is cohosted by the Skills Exchange Co-operative and tickets are R120 per adult (children U12 free).

Contact 072 639 6135.

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Panthera Africa a must-see this Easter

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ne of the top attractions in Stanford is the Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary. Although they have only been open for two years, they are a big hit with both adults and children.

After only one year of operating, TripAdvisor awarded them a certificate of excellence.

Stanford River Fest enjoyed by all

The sanctuary is home to nine lions, two tigers, a black leopard and three caracals. During the educational visit, the guide explains each animal’s story and how they ended up at their forever home, Panthera Africa.

One of the lions’ story really touched our hearts. When Obi arrived at Panthera Africa, he was skin and bones and had difficulty walking. After the dedicated and loving care from owners Cathrine Nyquist and Lizaene Cornwall, Obi has become the majestic lion he was always meant to be.

Panthera Africa was founded by Lizaene Cornwall and Cathrine S. Nyquist. The name Panthera Africa is inspired by their passion for the four pantheras: panthera leo (the lion), panthera pardus (the leopard), panthera tigris (the tiger) and panthera onca (the jaguar).

Cheerful shouts from the water and warm support from families and friends on the river bank made the day festive and excellent fun for everyone. Sunday morning saw a small but committed

Vintage posters, superb art, fine wine, lifestyle items and holiday breaks. That’s what you’ll find at the second annual Art, Wine and Lifestyle Auction in aid of Okkie Smuts School which takes place on Friday 19 May at Stanford Valley Guest Farm.

Elsa is a beautiful white lioness who is the youngest of the Panthera pride.

There are two educational visits daily (closed on Tuesdays), at 10:00 and 15:00 (April – Sep) depending on availability, so make sure to book at least a day or two in advance to ensure your spot. This is really something for everyone to see – you will leave a changed person, both more educated and with a sense of hope and love in this world!

Educational visits cost R240 for adults, R130 for children under 13, and R190 for pensioners. Prebookings only. Visit www.pantheraafrica.com

There were stand-up

paddlers (SUPs), K1, K2, surfskis, Indians, rowboats and guppies (Juniors) on the water all eager to slice through the water on the 5 km, 10 km and 15 km routes.

group set off on a pursuit race which involved a timed start. The fastest paddlers from Saturday set off last, determined to catch up to those who had started first.

This event was a fundraiser in aid of the Development Academy of the Stanford Canoe Club, which plans for the Stanford River Festival to become an annual event.

Add to your art and wine collection at this fine auction

“When we started this sanctury we knew it was our true calling,” says Cathrine. “It brings us so much joy to be these animals’ caretakers and we are so proud to be able to tell their stories to our visitors.”

Panthera Africa receives glowing reviews about their ethical practises and their passion and dedication to the wellbeing of their animals.

The threat of rain was not enough to keep paddlers away from the first Stanford River Festival. Friday evening saw a casual 'blow out the cobwebs' 5 km route on the Klein River and on Saturday, 150 participants launched their boats, ready for the 10:00 start on what turned out to be a perfectly clear autumn day.

Works by Welcome Mandla Koboka, George Enslin, Hannes Meiring, Harold Boyes and important Overberg artists will be auctioned along with wines from an array of top vineyards, plus five-star weekend breaks, fine dining, spa packages and more.

The school has a huge need to upgrade their sports facilities and create a playground for the foundation phase children. The money raised from this auction will go towards these upgrades.

The magnificent Stanford Valley Guest Farm & Conference Centre will be the venue for the auction which starts at 18:00.

Visitors to Panthera Africa get up close and personal with one of the tigers.

Only 150 tickets, selling at R150 each, will be sold for the auction. Your ticket will include a welcoming glass of wine, cheese and delicious canapés. Tickets can be bought from Okkie Smuts School, Stanford info and Wine Village Hermanus. Lots can be viewed from 13:00 – 17:30 on the afternoon of the auction at the venue. All the items up for auction will also be

shown on the Facebook page www.facebook.com/ArtWine andLifestlye AuctionOkkieSmuts Please support this wonderful event.

For more information, contact 028 341 0553 or 082 784 8154.

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Orange & Cinnamon Easter Biscuits

here is something wonderfully exciting about Easter for me.

It goes back to my time living in the Northern Hemisphere, when daffodils would come into bloom in Spring and spread a blanket of yellow along the lanes and gardens, breathing new life into all the sleepyheads from the past winter.

125g Golden syrup 1 large egg, lightly beaten Zest of 2 oranges ½ tsp ground cinnamon Method 1.

Sift the flours into a mixing bowl.

2.

Add the sugar.

3.

Add butter to dry ingredients.

4.

Rub with your fingertips until it resembles a breadcrumb texture.

WARNING: They are utterly addictive!

5.

Combine egg, syrup, orange zest & cinnamon.

Ingredients (for around 24 biscuits)

6.

Make a little well in the centre of flour mixture and add egg mixture.

7.

Mix well, drawing in the flour until a ball is formed.

I associate these biscuits with that time, but because we’re enjoying cosier autumnal weather here, I've chosen orange flavoured biscuits with a little added spice to compliment the season.

PHOTO: Emilia Knight

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350g Cake flour 100g Self-raising flour 100g Castor sugar 125g Salted butter, diced

8.

Place on clean worktop and lightly work until smooth, but don't overwork.

9.

Divide dough in two and roll each half out between baking paper.

10. Rest in fridge for at least 30 minutes.

11. When ready to use, roll out approx 5 mm.

12. Use cookie cutter of choice and bake in preheated oven at 170 °C for approximately 15 minutes or until lightly golden brown.

Enjoy them just as they are or use Royal icing to decorate (available at all Woolworths stores with easy and clear instructions).

Recipe supplied by Emilia Knight, Facebook page: Clean Eating Recipes by Appetite Knight

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Easy-living luxury with Malibu Interiors Hedda Mittner

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he Malibu Interior Design Studio offers a full spectrum turnkey solution for residential, commercial and corporate interiors.

At the helm are mother and daughter team, Leigh Samson and Danela Conti Bryant, who are as effortlessly stylish as the interiors they create. Both have a passion for design and share the belief that “design is in the detail.”

Malibu Interiors was established in 1994 under the direction of Leigh, a well-known local and international model who also ran the Elite Model Management agency in Johannesburg back in the seventies. Turning her hand to interior design, Leigh worked with Stocks & Stocks, one of South Africa's leading civil engineering construction groups, on several prestigious hotel and sectional title projects.

With a BA Honours degree in Interior Architectural Design, daughter Danela joined Leigh in 1997 and for the past 20 years this dynamic duo has been responsible for decorating some of the most prominent resort developments and private holiday homes in South Africa and around the globe.

Their client list reads like the who’s who and confidentiality is often part of the deal.

“As design consultants and project managers we are involved from start to finish,” says Leigh. “A project will start with the architectural plans and only end with the welcoming

“

There is a lot of joy for us as a team in handing over a home that we know will make happy memories

Mother and daughter enjoy a harmonious relationship, both privately and professionally, and clients reap the benefits of Danela’s contemporary vision combined with Leigh’s wealth of experience.

They clearly make a great team and always conceptualise projects together. “My mother is more classical and I’m more eclectic, but our different styles mesh well and we both love the same things,” says Danela.

”

bottle of wine in the fridge.

During this process, the owners are often in another city or country and while they are away we take care of everything.”

Malibu Interior Design’s speciality is holiday homes as it involves “selling a dream”.

Leigh and Danela both agree that there is more joy in holiday homes than permanent residences.

“We enjoy working with families, understanding their personal tastes and the way they live in a holiday environment. Luxury, comfort and functionality are key, and the environment has to be relaxing and fuss-free.”

Malibu’s projects include newly built homes, hotels, wineries, time-share and corporate developments, as well as historic buildings such as Lanzerac, Warwick and more recently The Orchards at Boschendal, which added this accommodation offering to its brand in 2015.

Although Leigh has successfully divided her time between Hermanus, Cape Town and Johannesburg, for large and small scale projects, she has maintained a family home in Hermanus since 1980.

Her first home was in Westcliff and is now the Whale Rock Lodge. This is where her three children grew up while attending school in Hermanus.

Precious memories include running the Greenhouse Restaurant in Voëlklip (now Baleen’s) at a time when there were only a handful of restaurants in Hermanus, opening the Mitchell Street Guesthouse which she owned for almost 20 years, and running Malibu Interior Design from the premises that now house Shark Lady Tours.

Leigh is now based mostly in Hermanus, while Danela is in Cape Town where she also sees to her other business, Resort Lifestyle, which is the online retail arm of Malibu Interior Design.

“Hermanus holds a special place in the lives of me and my family,” says Leigh with a smile.

The mother and daughter team of Danela Conti and Leigh Samson embody their signature style of luxurious, easy-living interior designs.

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11 April 2017

One big step for Overstrand Hospice A jovial crowd gathered at the new premises of the Overstrand Hospice Shop in Aberdeen Street on Thursday evening, 30 March to celebrate the end of an extensive renovation project and to thank all the role players and sponsors involved.

Judy Miller (Judy’s Crystal Corner), Kali Griffin (KaliCo), René Gort (Hero Stained Glass) and Daniel Griffin of DG Fire Pot (absent) have joined forces to form The Craft Collective.

Hands-on addition to the craft scene

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n exciting new shop has opened in town that adds another dimension to the diverse shopping experience offered by the CBD. The Craft Collective is a collaboration of four craft businesses – Hero Stained Glass; DG Fire Pot; KaliCo hand-painted and printed fabrics; and Judy’s Crystal Corner.

Hero Stained Glass is owned

by Rudi Gort and his daughter René, who has relocated to Hermanus after 16 years in Napier. While René runs their business in Hermanus, Rudi will continue to be based at their Somerset West branch.

Established in 1990, Hero Stained Glass is dedicated to the creation of original and uniquely beautiful table lamps, shades, pendants, panels and door insets.

Kali Griffin and her son Daniel live in the artists’ hamlet of Wolvengat, from where she produces her unique handpainted and block-printed cloths that are turned into bespoke KaliCo items ranging from bed linen, tablecloths and blinds to dresses and scarves. Before relocating to Wolvengat, Kali sold her wares at the Waterfront in Cape Town for 10 years and she also has a stall at the Hermanus Country Market.

Daniel is a second generation potter with a passion for hand-thrown, high-fired stoneware, porcelain and ceramics. His speciality are fire pots that can be installed both indoors or outdoors, along with table braais, braziers and tagines that are both beautiful and functional.

Lastly, there is Judy Miller’s

exciting range of crystals, semi-precious gemstones, fossils, shells, jewellery and art. Judy also has a shop at the Eastcliff Village Centre and earlier traded at the Market Stalls before being denied a new lease.

The builder of the spacious new shop, Jerome Kennedy described the occasion as “one small set of keys, but one big step for Overstrand Hospice.”

The income generated by the shop will continue to form the financial backbone of their Patient Care Service.

Overstrand Hospice also celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. Board member and former chair Alan Toombs

described it as a proud day for Hospice, which started from a garage in 2007. Liza van Coppenhagen, who also manages the popular Hermanus Country Market, was the one who got the shop up and running and by 2012 it had become the lifeline of Hospice.

The new building was purchased with the help of overseas donors and local support, but needed to be renovated and expanded.

Well-known local architect Nicolette Lloyd came on board, with local suppliers and contractors donating building materials that saved Hospice almost R1 million.

Alan thanked the local com-

munity for their “incredible support” and a special thanks went to Liza and Sharon SmallSmillie “for going the extra mile”.

Sharon joined the Overstrand Hospice Board in 2010 and had served as vice chair for three years and as chair for two years before stepping down last year to head up the renovation project.

At this joyful celebration, Michelle and Lynn Powers of Cuckoo Tree, who did the catering, made sure that there was no shortage of delicious snacks and wine for the many guests.

The new Hospice Shop will officially open its doors on Tuesday 11 April.

She says she is overjoyed at having found a new “home” in the town centre and sharing the space with her three shop partners.

The Craft Collective had their official opening on Friday evening and all the wellwishers who attended agreed that it’s the perfect place to find that special gift for a loved one, or something unique for yourself or your home.

Find The Craft Collective at 135 Main Road opposite First National Bank.

From left are Sharon Small-Smillie (project manager), Liza van Coppenhagen (board member), Jerome Kennedy (builder), Alan Toombs (board member and former chairperson), Renate van Dyk (Van Dyk Loots Attorneys), Mike Matthews (first chairperson and life president) and Nicolette Lloyd (architect).

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New flu and other Onrus Manor carers vaccinations for adults complete dementia training

B

esides the annual and seasonal flu vaccinations, various other vaccinations and vaccination boosters are becoming increasingly important for adults.

Arnold Nepgen, pharmacist at Alex Grant Pharmacy at Gateway Centre, says there are a number of reasons for this, including that: •

• •

immunity wanes with age, a trend even more prevalent with the growth in life expectancy in many countries, increased travelling leads to exposure to other viruses, and immunity is compromised or entirely absent.

Some of the diseases that are

My Health on the increase and for which successful vaccinations exist, include the following: Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a viral infection that causes a painful rash. It is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox and can be spread to anybody, whether they’ve had chickenpox or not. A single dose vaccination is available for the prevention or reduction of Shingles.

Viral pneumonia is a contagious disease occurring throughout the year. It is a serious infection often

requiring hospitalisation and which can be prevented through the appropriate vaccination.

Hepatitis A & B are highly contagious infections resulting from contaminated food and water (Hep A) and body fluids (Hep B).

Vaccination for Hep A is often prescribed for travellers to certain countries. Vaccinations for both Hep A and Hep B are available for all ages and are given as 2 shots for Hep A and 3 – 4 four shots for Hep B six months apart.

Whooping cough, or pertussis, seems to increase world-wide as pertussis immunity, following natural infection, is not permanent and wanes after 5 – 10 years.

Some countries now also require pertussis vaccination for visitors. Various doses and combinations are available for ages up to 64 years.

Arnold says that the new flu vaccine is now available at Alex Grant and the Hermanus Pharmacy.

He advises people to contact the clinic sisters at either of the pharmacies for more information on these and other important vaccines, including the value of a Vitamin B booster shot.

Several carers at the Onrus Manor Health Care Centre recently completed their NQF Level 6 training in dementia and were awarded their certificates by Sister Lee Boorman, Nursing Services Manager of Faircare Trust Retirement Villages.

“Dementia is very challenging to deal with but it is a fact of life. As we age, brain function deteriorates or dies and most of the patients in our Health Care centres suffer from dementia to some degree and in one form or another, which can vary from frontal lobe to vascular dementia and from Alzheimer’s to Parkinson’s Disease,” said Lee. “Onrus Manor is now the only facility in the Overstrand whose staff has this qualification to deal with all aspects of dementia and which adds value to their already excellent service.”

From left are Dr Amanda Sharrock (Medical Manager of Faircare), Beatie Schwarz (Onrus Manor Health Carer), Patience Zibwowa (Health Carer), Andrea Zinetti (Project Manager & Training Coordinator), Joslyn Ann Niemand (Health Carer Team Leader), Eleanore Montagu (Health Carer), Maryke Schrooby (Occupational Therapist), Sister Karin Louwrens (Health Care Unit Manager), Sister Lee Boorman (Nursing Services Manager of Faircare) and Wendy Siqhaza (Head Carer Team Leader). Health Carer Katriena Andries also received her qualification but was absent when the photo was taken.

PHOTO: Hedda Mittner

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11 April 2017

Don’t lose the plot - keep it clean and tidy

he Overstrand Municipality has called on all property owners to regularly clear vacant land of young alien trees and other vegetation that pose a safety hazard to neighbouring properties and the general surroundings.

“Besides the adherence to regulations and safety stipulations, this practice also provides the public with a measure of safety by keeping places where stolen goods and criminals can hide to a minimum,” says Municipal Manager Coenie Groenewald.

“It further minimises the possibility of the plot becoming a fire hazard. Moreover, in the event of wanting to sell your property, the necessary regulations in this regard must be in place at the time of inspection in order for the Municipality to issue you with a rates clearance certificate.”

of the policy).

• All garden refuse, cuttings and excess combustible material (irrespective of the clearing process) shall be removed from the property and disposed of at the relevant municipal refuse transfer stations.

• The clearing of undergrowth and deadwood below all desired and protected (including Milkwood) thickets and dense brush in residential areas is imperative as this increases the danger of fires and could result in these spots being easily ignited by flying embers from nearby fires.

• Properties up to 1 hectare in size must be adequately cleared, and larger ones must be provided with a firebreak of at least 5 m in width along all boundaries.

• All garden refuse resulting from clearing actions as well as other combustible materials must be removed to the relevant refuse transfer station.

• If the Municipality has to clear the plot, it will, over and above the actual cleaning cost, add an additional administration fee of R1 100 to your municipal account.

Prices quoted in this article are only valid until 30 June.

My Home an accumulation of combustible material, including vegetative matter, on their premises,” says Coenie.

Council adopted an updated Policy for the Clearing and Maintenance of Vegetation Creating Fire Hazards at the end of March, which stipulates that the Municipality conducts a minimum of two inspections per year and will issue compliance notices to all noncompliant property owners, who must then remove the hazard or rectify the matter within 28 working days.

Vacant land gives many areas their unique rural appeal – which attracts tourists – but fynbos on undeveloped land can pose a fire risk. Fynbos is highly combustible and burns with fierce intensity, which poses a high fire risk when allowed to become densely overgrown, especially in residential areas.

“Failure to do so will result in the owner having to carry the cost of remedial actions taken by the Municipality on their behalf, with an administrative levy of no less than R1 100 being added to your municipal account. The Municipality will, within reason, also react pro-actively to any complaints received from residents regarding overgrown properties, in which case the same process will be followed,” says Coenie.

“In line with the Municipal policy, vegetation growth on properties may not be higher than 0,5 m and where the preservation of trees and shrubs are desired they must be trimmed and maintained. In light of the safety requirements it is imperative for all property owners to take cognisance of their responsibility to prevent

Guidelines for the cleaning of plots are as follows: • Grass and groundcover vegetation must not be higher than 500 mm.

• Invasive alien vegetation, such as Port Jacksons, must be removed and controlled by regular cutting and may be treated with herbicide at the discretion of land-

owners to prevent regrowth.

• Contractors appointed by the Municipality for clearing of private erven are not permitted to use any herbicides.

• Dense overgrowth and undergrowth of desired indigenous vegetation must be reduced by removing all flammable material such as dead wood from beneath the

shrubbery and thinning of excess growth on trees from ground level to a minimum height of 1,2 m (indigenous vegetation shall be reduced as per schedule 1 and 2

Please note: • Landowners wishing to clear their properties accordingly can obtain information on clearing contractors from Fire Services or the respective administration offices.

More information can be obtained from the Plot Clearing Administrator at 028 313 8000 or enquiries@overstrand.gov.za

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What you need to know about construction and noise

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he Municipality has received several complaints from the public regarding noise disturbance caused by construction workers and their machines operating at building sites after hours, on weekends and on public holidays, says Municipal Manager: Building Services John Simson.

According to the National Building Regulations, construction is only permitted from 06:00 until 18:00 on weekdays, 06:00 – 17:00 on Saturdays, and not at all on Sundays or public holidays.

“But, construction workers can be on site during times when construction is not allowed, doing ‘soft’ work (painting or preparing surfaces) as long as work does not generate dust or excessive noise such as with a grinder or vibrating machine,” says John.

Owners of land where excavation work is in progress, or where a building is being demolished or erected, must

take precautions to limit the amount of dust that makes its way to surrounding roads and footways to a “reasonable level”.

be regarded as being guilty of an offence and the local authority then has the right to remove the materials and make them pay the bill.

Anyone involved in demolition, excavation and building work has to take care not to “unreasonably disturb or interfere with the amenity of the neighbourhood”.

This includes any material or rubble that has accumulated on site, or on adjoining land or a public street.

Builders’ sheds Builders’ sheds are legal on building sites as long as they are properly maintained and only used for building purposes.

When building ceases, the shed has to be removed. You can’t, for instance, decide to keep the shed and use it for your garden tools.

According to the law, prohibitions are waived if the use of machines etc. is required urgently to: preserve the life, safety or health of any person; preserve property; execute work on behalf of a public authority, or the work has been authorised by the local authority.

Waste material on site If owners of building sites allow excessive rubble, rubbish and other debris – or combustible waste material – to accumulate, they can expect to receive written notice to have it removed within a certain period. If they don’t comply, they will

WARNING Construction is only permitted from 06:00 until 18:00 on weekdays, 06:00 – 17:00 on Saturdays, and not at all on Sundays or public holidays.

Sanitary facilities It is against the law to do any demolition or construction work if there are no approved sanitary facilities for workers and other personnel. If sanitary facilities are not provided, the local authority can halt the building process.

Source: www.sans10400. co.za/site-operations

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A helping hand for the elderly Hedda Mittner

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he door to social worker Erika Oosthuysen’s office at the Dutch Reformed Church in Onrus is always open to those in need, whether they are children struggling with family problems and the effects of divorce, young adults with relationship and employment difficulties, people battling depression, alcoholism or drug addiction, or those who have suffered the trauma of abuse, violence or rape.

people often wait too long before they realise that they can no longer cope on their own and we would like to reassure them that help is available.”

Helping Hand Sponsored by Talisman Hire

Sister Ronel Calitz is in charge of the caring service and also runs the Care Centre Clinic at the Dutch Reformed Church in Onrus on Tuesday mornings.

But among those in the community in need of a helping hand, the plight of the elderly is of particular concern to Erika.

Because people in general are living much longer than before, she says financial pressure is a big problem and many senior citizens are living in poverty.

One of her main aims is to provide them with affordable care and support.

The caring services range from a five hour session in the morning, to a full-day session from 07:00 – 19:00 or a night session from 19:00 – 07:00.

Ronel supervises the carers and pays weekly visits to the clients to assess how they are doing. She stresses that the carers are not medical nurses, which is why she always makes sure that clients have a Plan B for possible medical emergencies such as an incapacitating illness or a stroke, which would require full-time medical care.

“When that happens, people are often confronted with a situation they have not prepared for,” says Ronel.

“Health care facilities are not always readily available and often have long waiting lists, which is why I always recommend that my clients look into the available options and place their names on a waiting list, even if they don’t need it in the end.”

“Retirement centres are very expensive and not everyone can afford them,” says Erika.

“Many of the elderly also have children living overseas or have lost the support of a spouse through illness or death. They become isolated and are at risk of developing depression and losing interest in their life. They often stop dreaming about a future, are no longer motivated to learn new things and have no challenges to meet. Studies have shown that people who remain in good health as they age, are those who remain involved and stimulated.”

Centre is non-denominational and everyone is welcome, even if they are not members of the church,” says Erika.

“Anyone older than 60 years can become a member of the Care Centre.”

In order to look after the needs of the elderly, Erika has been instrumental in establishing the Onrusrivier Dienssentrum (Care Centre) at the church. “The Care

One of their main priorities is providing an affordable caring service for the elderly to enable them to remain living in their own homes for as long

Social worker Erika Oosthuysen, who founded the Onrusrivier Care Centre, with Minister Michiel de Kock and Hannie Koch at the Kolwyntjie Tea Garden. as possible so that they can retain their independence and dignity. “We offer various services depending on the client’s needs,” says Sister Ronel Calitz, who is in charge of the caring service and also runs the Care Centre Clinic on Tuesday mornings.

Ronel and her husband Mias have been living in Hermanus for 23 years and she previously

worked as a nursing sister at several local clinics and doctors’ rooms. She now focuses exclusively on the Care Centre.

“We have a team of qualified and accredited carers who assist clients with anything from routine tasks such as bathing and dressing to basic housekeeping chores and shopping trips. We find that

Among the many additional services offered by the Onrusrivier Care Centre are: hairdressing, manicure and pedicure, massage, trim gym, arts and crafts, needlework, jukskei and other games, talks, movies, the Kolwyntjie Tea Garden and much more.

Anyone can make use of the services offered by the Care Centre at a fraction of the normal cost of, for example, having your hair or nails done, and you will save even more by becoming a member – the membership fee for

individuals is only R400 per year and R600 for couples.

The highlight of the week is the Kolwyntjie Tea Garden where you can socialise on Friday mornings from 09:30 – 11:30.

“We have bakers, waiters, cleaners and people serving tea and coffee, all volunteers, who take turns to bake and serve the impressive spread of sweet and savoury treats laid out for the Tea Garden every week,” says Erika. Tea or coffee with eats is only R20 for members, and R30 for non-members, and a great place to make new friends.

In spite of spending her days dealing with the darker side of life, Erika is tirelessly enthusiastic and an exceptionally friendly, joyful and optimistic person. “I do this work out of love,” she says simply.

Having worked for 26 years at the Carel du Toit Centre for deaf children situated at Tygerberg Hospital, Erika and her husband moved to Onrus five years ago when he retired. Their home had been their holiday home for many years and Erika says she feels very much at home among the congregation. “Here at the church I can fully live out my passion,” she says.

The Onrusrivier Care Centre is situated at the Dutch Reformed Church in Berg Street, Onrus.

They can be contacted Tuesday to Friday, between 09:00 and 13:00, on 028 316 1745. The clinic is open every Tuesday from 10:00 – 12:00 and Sr Ronel Calitz can be contacted Monday to Friday between 08:00 and 13:00 on 073 152 5623 to make an appointment, or if you are in need of a home carer. Follow the Care Centre on Facebook – Onrusrivier Dienssentrum.

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Looking after our four-legged neigh-bours and authorities who spend time and money on their well-being, treating them when they are sick or injured and monitoring their movements.

Nelly Roodt

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he 30 odd free-roaming horses in the Rooisand Nature Reserve and Fisherhaven area are the only wetland herd in South Africa.

But they are not the only feral ones in the country.

In the Western Cape roleplayers taking an interest include the Overstrand Municipality, Cape Nature, the Rooisand Horse Watch (RHW), the Fisherhaven Ratepayer’s Association and the Bot River Estuary Forum.

Some 300 horses inhabit the Mpumalanga escarpment near the Lowveld village of Kaapsche Hoop.

The Rooisand horses are a joy to behold and a delight to capture on camera, as photographer Bruce Boyd could testify. Their Kaapsche Hoop counterparts are as exquisite.

Although they differ in many ways, they have much in common. They have similar issues and the ongoing debates about their future receive considerable media coverage.

One of the most serious concerns currently is the danger they cause venturing on to the roads. All parties involved are spending hours in boardrooms devising plans to keep the Rooisand group off the R43. Sadly, around Kaapsche Hoop many have already been killed by vehicles driving past the village.

Both herds are mistakenly

PHOTO: Bruce Boyd (The Wild Ones) referred to as “wild horses”.

Few in the world actually are, notably the Camargue horses in France and the critically endangered Prezwalskis in Mongolia.

The Rooisand and Kaapsche Hoop forefathers were domesticated and then abandoned, as is the case with the Namibian Desert horses, the Mustangs in the US and the Brabants in Australia.

Therefore they are all defined as being feral.

Hardy they are. Over decades the Rooisand horses have

“

The Rooisand horses are a joy to behold and a delight to capture on camera

adapted to their marshy habitat. Their hooves have developed to be saucershaped to adapt to the soft, spongy surface. They feed on swamp flowers and grass. The mountainous Kaapsche Hoop group have also acclimatised and they graze on grasslands on rocky slopes.

they have Bolandse Waperd blood, he maintains.

”

The origins of both are speculated about. Some say their ancestors were used in the Anglo-Boer War. Prof Frans van der Merwe, who has spent decades researching the Rooisand breed, differs. They are descendants of working stock from farms between Arabella and Kleinmond and

Their Kaapsche Hoop family, again, could be offshoots of those discarded when they were too old to work in the plantations, or their ancestors could have lived through the 19th century Lowveld gold rush.

These animals are privileged to have humans who care about them. In the Overberg and in Mpumalanga there are working people, pensioners, veterinary surgeons, journalists, photographers

Bruce Boyd, a Cape fashion photographer, learnt about the Rooisand group a number of years ago. Since then he has annually compiled a calendar featuring exquisite photographs of the horses. He donates the entire proceeds from sales to RHW. Kleinmond vet Dr Mark Walton and Lowveld vet Dr Donny Engelbrecht are often seen tending to feral horses.

Kaapsche Hoop residents started the Wild Horse Fund in 2004 to help cover veterinary costs. The Kaapsche Hoop Horse Rescue (KPHR) members literally leave no stone unturned looking after their equine friends in distress. They have rescued more than one that has fallen into an old mine shaft.

Kudos to them all. Horses, like elephants, they say, never forget.

H

ermanus is experiencing an influx of adventure seekers looking for the ultimate thrill in a spectacular setting. After the recent Global Golf Challenge and ABSA Cape Epic, this month brings another exciting sporting event during the last weekend of April.

The Hi-Tec Walkerbay Xtreme (WBX), a unique three-day multi-sport adventure festival that comprises twelve disciplines, will return to Hermanus between 29 April and 1 May. Whether you want to participate or just come and watch on the big screen, all the action will be centred at the Race Village Pavilion set up above the Old Harbour.

The WBX has received official endorsement from Wesgro, the official tourism, trade and investment promotion agency for Cape Town and the Western Cape. “We are incredibly excited and proud to receive Wesgro’s support,” says Rick Oosthuyzen, who heads up the WBX organising team.

“It not only speaks to the greater region’s confidence in this new event on the race calendar, but also their belief in the sustainable benefits that the event offers to the community outside of peak season.

“It is an undisputed fact that

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sporting events have the power to generate significant economic benefits, which is why hosting events such as these is important for Hermanus and the region. In addition to the economic injection, these events also serve as an incubator for job creation and skills development.

“What makes this event so unique is that it is made possible through the combined efforts of the community of Hermanus, See & Sand, the Sports and Life Skills Orientated Training Centre, the Hermanus Business Chamber and the local tourism community.”

Close to 1 000 athletes and their supporters are expected to flock to Hermanus for the WBX. Entries will be limited for each of the disciplines, which include trail runs, mountain biking, an open-water swim and a surf-ski challenge.

The triathlon is already fully booked and it is expected that the entry limit for the other events will be reached quickly.

Athletes who still want to book can do so online at www.walkerbayxtreme.com The Hi-Tec Walkerbay Xtreme is unlike any other event in South Africa. It is an urban adventure and extreme challenge rolled into one that

promises to test the speed, stamina and strength of every participating athlete.

But what makes the WBX truly special is its inclusivity.

Whether you are a seasoned trail runner looking for some gnarly technical terrain, the heaviest lifter in your CrossFit Box or a recreational outdoor enthusiast, there will be an event for you. It is all about finding your extreme.

The Big 6 Xtreme event requires athletes to participate in the six premier events and stand a chance to share in the R30 000 prize money.

Overstrand Mayor Rudolph Smith said: “The Cape Whale Coast has all the elements required for an extreme sports festival. The landscape provides a one-of-a-kind stage for testing the endurance of the athletes while the natural beauty of the setting makes it an equally thrilling experience for spectators.”

For online entries or more information visit www.walkerbayxtreme.com or contact info@walkerbayxtreme.com or 081 807 0821. Follow Walkerbay Xtreme on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

– Alta Pretorius

The Hi-Tec Walkerbay Xtreme multi sport adventure festival returns to Hermanus from 29 April to 1 May. Athletes across several disciplines will test their physical and mental limits on land, sea and in the air around the Old Harbour in the centre of town.

Sat 29 April

Sunday 30 April

Monday 1 May

09:00 – 11:00 RUNNING: Cliffpath Xtreme

08:00 – 10:30 TRIATHLON: Walkerbay Xtreme

08:00 – 09:30 TRAIL RUN: Blue Mountain Xtreme

11:00 – 14:00 X-FIT: Tough Mother Xtreme

10:00 – 11:00 SURF-SKI: Old Harbour Xtreme

11:30 – 13:00 2.5KM SWIM: Open Water Xtreme

12:30 – 14:30 ADVENTURE RACE: Sea & Sand Xtreme

13:30 – 15:00 STAND-UP PADDLING: Blue Water Xtreme

11:00 – 14:00 STRONGMAN: Strongman Xtreme

15:30 – 17:30 CYCLING: Urban Xtreme

TBA PARAGLIDING: Seagull Xtreme

09:30 – 11:00 WALKING: Hi-Tec Xtreme Pirate Fun Walk 11:00 – 15:00 X-FIT: Tough Mother Xtreme 15:00 – 17:00 CYCLING: Urban Xtreme TBA PARAGLIDING: Seagull Xtreme

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Sporting facilities on offer for Easter visitors

A

dventure seekers and sports enthusiasts who prefer their weekends to be filled with action, will find that there is no shortage of sporting facilities in Hermanus.

Take your pick from the following activities: Golf The Hermanus Golf Club is a magnificent 27 hole layout and one of the most prestigious in the country. Members' competitions take place on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons and, other than these reserved days, visitors are welcome to enjoy a round of golf in these beautiful surrounds.

The visitors' fee for SA handicapped golfers (affiliated) is R455, and for non-affiliated golfers it’s R655 for 18 holes of golf.

The popular 9 hole Twilight Special is open every day after 16:00 at a cost of R155, which includes a glass of wine, soft drink or a bottle of beer.For bookings and further info, contact 028 312 1954.

Tennis and Squash The Hermanus Tennis and Squash Club is situated near the Municipal offices, on the corner of Main and Spence streets. The club has three squash courts and four all-weather tennis courts and is open every day.

Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday afternoons. Visitors are welcome, with tabs in at 13:30 at a fee of R30.

Sport

The greens are open on Fridays and Sundays and bowls are available, if required. Bookings can be made at the club or by contacting 028 312 4073.

TEE-OFF TIME Hermanus Golf Club

By Tony O’Hagan

Visitors’ fees are R40 for 45 minute squash court hire and R20 pp for an hour's tennis session. Visitors are welcome to join the social tennis group on Mondays and Saturdays from 14:00 to 17:00 at a cost of R40 pp and the social squash group from 17:00 to 19:00 on Mondays and Wednesdays at a cost of R20 pp.

PEDAL TO THE METAL Mountain biking in Hemel-en-Aarde

Courts may be booked at the club or by calling 076 545 9778.

Bowls The Hermanus Bowls Club is located in Magnolia Street near the Municipal offices. The club has three greens with club bowls open on Tuesday,

KEEP ON ROLLING Hermanus Bowls Club

and bookings with Herman on 082 739 0159.

Running / Walking Whalers Athletic Club organises time trial fun runs on Thursday evenings at 18.00 and runners and walkers gather at the Hermanus Country Market next to the cricket club. Participants set off on either a 3 km, 5 km or 8 km circuit around the Eastcliff area. Visitors are welcome to participate at no cost. Just arrive and choose the circuit of your choice, running or walking.

Fly Fishing The picturesque dam situated on Sumaridge wine estate in the magnificent Hemel-enAarde Valley is available to anyone who would like to try their hand at fly fishing. The dam is well stocked with rainbow trout, so why not order a picnic and a bottle of wine from the tasting room, while enjoying the experience. The cost for visitors is R100 pp and bookings can be made via Hermanus Property Sales on 028 313 0914.

Mountain Biking Visitors can enjoy bike trails through the scenic Hemel-enAarde Valley, along terrain that includes farm roads, jeep tracks and single tracks. The trails will take you through beautiful wine estates in the valley. Mountain bike trails are designated by colour – green (6,5 km), blue (12,5 km), red (35 km) and black (65km).

Sea Kayaking This is organised by Walker Bay Adventures and is an extremely popular ecomarine tour. The kayaks leave from the Old Harbour three times daily, at 08:00, 10:30 and 13:00. Other than Good Friday, the tours are available throughout the Easter holidays. The guided tour is a 90 min adventure at a cost of R350 pp. Enquiries

The trails begin at Euodia Cycles in The Village where the necessary permits can be obtained at R60 per day for adults and R30 for scholars.

Permits are obtainable at all times outside the shop premises, where an honesty box system is in operation. All the necessary information is displayed clearly outside the main entrance to the shop. Visit www.hermanusadventures.co.za

What a comeback for tennis maestro Roger Federer Against all expectations, Swiss tennis maestro Roger Federer won his 18th major title at the Australian Open in January this year, winning an epic five-set battle against old foe, Rafael Nadal.

He has now followed up this victory with Masters wins at Indian Wells and the Miami Open, playing against and beating Nadal in both these events (in the fourth round and final respectively).Tennis lovers are gobsmacked – did some tennis time machine take us back ten years while we weren’t looking?

Federer was seeded 17th at the Aussie Open and has, in the space of less than three months, now climbed to number four on the ATP rankings. Quite remarkable!

Defying age (he turns 36 in August) and a six-month layoff due to a knee injury, Federer has returned, playing some of the best tennis of his career.

Prior to his Aussie Open title, Federer had not won a major tournament since Wimbledon 2012 and before his three recent victories over Nadal, he was defeated eight times in their previous 10 meetings.

So, what has changed?

Firstly, credit should be given to his new coach, Ivan Ljubicic, a retired Croatian professional player who reached No.3 in the world rankings in 2006. He has influenced the improvement in Federer's backhand, especially evident in high shots and a tactical change of taking shots much earlier.

aggressive and only time will tell how this game plan will stack up against players like Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray. Federer is now taking a two-month break, not participating in any Masters clay court events (not his best surface) and only returning to the tennis circuit at the French Open in May 2017.

No longer is Federer trying to win long rallies from behind the baseline, futile against the likes of Nadal. He is rather disrupting the pace and rhythm of his opponents. His overall game is more

Nadal, too, has made a resurgence, climbing to No. 5 in the world rankings. This clay court master could still have a say in the upcoming clay court season. And perhaps a 10th French Open title? Could be…

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Schools

The winning U16 team of Hermanus High School in a festive mood after their matches (above) and in action on the field (below).

The Curro U13 netball and rugby teams participated in the Augsburg Landbou Gimnasium Tournament in Clanwilliam from Friday 31 March to Monday 3 April. Eleven schools from all over the Western Cape took part in this tournament. The U13 netball team: (Back from left) Stella Bakker, Olivia Liebenberg, Marelie Marais (coach), Johannè Bester and Megan Faro. (Front from left) Franchesca Gozalo, Liya Hiestermann, Kiandra Herringshaw, Alexa Vivier, Sesesthu Gxoyiya and Eunice Jacobs.

A total of 32 rugby teams and 11 hockey teams participated in a sports festival at Hermanus High School from 31 March to 3 April. The Nowan Cornelius Rugby Festival attracted teams from 17 different schools and Hermanus High’s U14, U15 and U16 won five of their six matches. The U14 and U16 hockey teams both reached the semi-final of their tournament. Nowan Cornelius was a Grade 9 learner at Hermanus High when he suffered concussion during a rugby practice. He died the next day.

The rugby festival is held to honour his memory and to raise funds for medical services.

PHOTOS: Lynette van Tonder

The U13 rugby team members: Tertius Bruwer, Christaan Papenfus, Luke Kavanagh, Sebastian Winter, Josh Grindley, Christian Bernardu, Tiernan Rass and Gustav van Wyk. Melusi Indiphile, Dywili Indiphile, Ethan Dickson, Alex Swingler, Civanu Swarts, Iwann Vorster, Erik Eldring, Rossouw Hamman, Tiaan Eldring, Marnua Prinsloo, Daniel Cornell, Luca Cornell and Christopher Cook.