The Village NEWS 12 Aug - 19 Aug 2020

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12 AUGUST 2020

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Long weekend boosts economy

As an enthusiastic ambassador for our town, Di Rattle of the Hermanus Brewing Company, which produces the iconic lager, Old Harbour Beer, made sure that there was no mistaking where her loyalties lie when she came out in support of the #HermanusIsOpen initiative at the Old Harbour on Friday afternoon. Read more on P4

PHOTO: Taylum Meyer

Writer De Waal Steyn

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he much-anticipated long weekend delivered the boost that our local economy so desperately needed. With thousands of domestic tourists, mainly from across the mountain, streaming into our towns, business proprietors were smiling from ear to ear.

“The weather played its part and delivered both bright sunny and cold rainy days, making it perfect for visitors to enjoy the multitude of outdoor activities, including whale-watching tours, as well as visiting our cosy restaurants and shops while it rained,” said Cape Whale Coast Tourism Manager, Frieda Lloyd.

According to her, many accommodation establishments, restrictions permitting, were fully booked for the weekend. “Rural areas such as Stanford had an exceptional weekend as it seems that many tourists prefer the great outdoors where social distancing is easy. All the various markets in our towns reported a busy trading weekend and on Monday the Fernkloof Nature Reserve was awash with people heading into the mountains under clear, sunny skies.”

Restaurateur Rudolf van der Berg of Burgundy said his turnover was about 70% compared to the long weekend in 2019. “Under the circumstances I am elated,” he said. Emilia Knight, owner of The Gallery Café & Deli Food Store said she also experienced a frenzied weekend. “There were streams of customers and I had my best weekend ever. We were even busier than we’d been in December,” she said.

Clinton Lerm of Forest Adventures echoed this sentiment. “The sunny weather lured people outside to enjoy all of the activities on offer.”

The welcome economic injection comes at a time when Covid-19 cases are declining, and all indications are that the Western Cape has passed its peak of in-

fections, to the extent that the provincial government will soon be considering whether all field hospitals need to remain open. On Monday there were 8 371 active cases of Covid-19, with a total of 98 656 confirmed cases and 86 861 recoveries in the province.

The Overstrand was at 1 416 cases with 1 291 recoveries.

On Thursday, the Western Cape Government Cabinet met to discuss the devastating economic impact the pandemic has had on the province. “While we are seeing an easing on our health resources, unemployment is gaining momentum in our province. Businesses, which employ tens of thousands of people, are buckling under continued restrictions on economic activity, low confidence, and reduced demand,” said Western Cape Premier Alan Winde.

It is estimated that the province will lose 10.2% in Gross Value Add, R720 million in revenue, and a staggering 167 000 jobs. “For many people in our province and country, a job is the difference between putting food on the table and starving. This is not an exaggeration, but a reality in our country,” he said.

Given the Western Cape’s capacity to respond to Covid-19, the fact that the province has passed its peak, and that measures are in place to support businesses so that they can re-open safely, the Cabinet resolved that there remains no rational reason to keep businesses closed. In addition, the Cabinet was of the opinion that, given the dire consequences that the blanket ban on the sale of alcohol is having on the livelihoods of people, it can no longer support the continued suspension on the domestic sale of alcohol in the province.

“For as long as the Western Cape can assure access to health facilities for all Covid-19 patients, the temporary ban should be lifted immediately, in conjunction with the implementation of smart interventions to curb the negative impacts of alcohol over the medium to long term,” said Winde.

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Muni offers Covid-19 relief for ratepayers

Hermanus

Overstrand ratepayers who find themselves in financial distress as a result of the Covid-19 lockdown are advised by the Municipality that the following relief measures have been approved by Council to ease the detrimental financial effect of the lockdown on the local economy: 1. A temporary extension of the last date on which applications can be made by retired and disabled persons for special rebates Pensioners and disabled persons have until 30 November 2020 to submit their applications for a rebate on property rates to Overstrand's Rates and Data Control Office. This will afford ratepayers more time to acquire and submit the necessary documentation required for the approval of applications.

Retired and Disabled persons qualify for special rebates on property rates, according to their total gross monthly household income.

A rebate will be considered on the following conditions:

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The owner(s) must be a South African citizen(s) The applicant(s) must be the registered owner(s) The owner(s) must occupy the property as his/her/their primary residence The owner(s) must be at least 60 years of age or in receipt of a disability pension from the State The gross monthly household income must be less than eight times the state-funded social pension per month (<R14 880) The applicant(s) may not be owner(s) of more than one property

2. A further extended term of payment agreement for accounts in terms of the Overstrand Customer Care, Credit Control and Debt Collection Policy

We’re putting safety where it belongs, in your hands. Sign up this Women’s month and stand to win 3 months free home security, a wireless alarm system and 12 months free access to the HelpMe App.

Businesses and municipal account holders (residential customers) who cannot pay their accounts, may enter into a further

Dial *120*310*14# and follow the prompts. *Standard USSD rates apply.

SMS “Hermanus”to 45238 and we will call you back. *SMS charged at R1. Free SMSes do not apply.

Ts & Cs apply Valid till 31 August 2020

Keeping you safe, securing your assets.

extended term of payment agreement.

Businesses: The period for businesses who find themselves under financial stress and cannot pay their accounts due, may be extended to include accounts for July 2020 and August 2020 respectively. Businesses can enter into an extended term of payment agreement, in order for the payments of the amounts due to be done in equal payments over a six-month period, without the payment of a deposit.

Residential: The period for residential customers who find themselves under financial stress and cannot pay their accounts due, may be extended to include accounts for July 2020 and August 2020 respectively. Residential customers can enter into an extended term of payment agreement, in order for the payments of the amounts due to be done over a period of 12 months, without the payment of a deposit.

3. A temporary exemption of admin fee on arrear accounts Council resolved that the payment of the following fees for all notices given on arrear accounts during July 2020 and August 2020 respectively, be waived:

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SMS notification admin fee on arrear accounts 14 Days’ notice admin fee on arrear accounts, and 24 Hour notice admin fee on arrear accounts for bulk users

For additional information, contact your closest Municipal Office and they will gladly assist you.

KLEINMOND: 33 5th Avenue, Kleinmond; Tel: 028 271 8400 HERMANUS: Magnolia Street, Hermanus; Tel: 028 313 8000/ 028 313 8111 STANFORD: 17 Queen Victoria Street, Stanford; Tel: 028 384 8500 GANSBAAI: Main Street, Gansbaai; Tel: 028 384 8300

Apology to Colonel Luthando Nosilela The Village NEWS published a front-page story, Local SAPS Commander tests positive, on 15 April 2020 (and online on 14 April) in which we reported that Hermanus SAPS Station Commander, Col Luthando Nosilela had tested positive for Covid-19.

086 12 12 306 | adt.co.za

12 August 2020

This was after we had received a WhatsApp message on 13 April, circulated by Hermanus CPF, from Col Nosilela in which he thanked everyone for their support after he had tested positive. In the message he also stated: “I give you permission to tell the people it is Colonel Nosilela who is positive.”

Following the message, The Village NEWS Publishing Editor, De Waal Steyn, made a call to Col Nosilela. The conversation lasted about ten minutes wherein Col Nosilela restated the information as contained in the WhatsApp message.

Steyn asked several further questions, while taking notes and even reading back some

quotes to Col Nosilela.

This led to the article published on 14 (online) and 15 April (print).

However, a complaint was lodged by Brig Novela Potelwa, Western Cape Provincial Police Spokesperson, on behalf of Col Nosilela, who claimed that he had construed Steyn’s call as a “well-wish” and that at no point did the editor specify his intention to write and publish an article. He felt the information had been obtained dishonestly and it infringed on his right to privacy.

The Village NEWS regrets this misunderstanding. We published the story in good faith based on the message and the interview.

However, as Col Nosilela is genuinely aggrieved, we apologise to him for any harm that might have been caused by the publication of the article.

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12 August 2020

Development planned on Southern Right Farm Writer De Waal Steyn

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pre-application basic assessment (BAR) public participation process is underway for a proposed mixed-use development on portions of the Southern Right Farm in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley.

The proposed development includes farm dwellings, tourism and accommodation facilities, the reestablishment of productive agriculture on the farm, and the development of associated infrastructure.

According to the documentation, Legacy Environmental Management Consulting (Pty) Ltd has been appointed by Midnight Storm Investments 295 (Pty) Ltd to undertake the basic assessment process. The proposed development falls within the consent uses for agriculturally zoned land in terms of the Municipal Planning By-law.

“The development proposal includes 7 dwellings per cadastral unit (28 dwelling units in total) ranging in size from 250 m² to 500 m². The tourism and accommodation facilities include a farmers’ market, coffee shop, picnic area, a 60-seater restaurant, a 16-room boutique hotel, tourism accommodation (10 cabins), and a micro-brewery. Associated infrastructure includes a helipad, parking areas, 2 or 4 package sewage treat-

ment plants, a reservoir(s), access roads, pipelines (sewer, water and stormwater), and a perimeter fence,” states the report.

Approximately 80 ha of the farm is currently cultivated, predominantly to olive orchards, but is not being actively farmed at present. The replanting to more suitable crops (i.e. vineyard) on the farm is also intended.

According to the BAR the potential positive and negative environmental impacts associated with the proposed development include the following:

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Visual impacts during the construction phase, related site clearance and building activity, as well as the introduction of new buildings within the cultural landscape/scenic drive.

Heritage impacts include the impact on the rural sense of place by the introduction of new structures in the cultural landscape, resulting in a change to the rural character, and the impacts on scenic drive qualities and on the landscape setting of the brick kiln on the property.

Impact on freshwater features include temporary modification to the flow of watercourses, water quality impacts and aquatic habitat disturbance during construction. The rehabilita-

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tion of freshwater features and indigenous vegetation within the watercourses are planned.

Botanical impacts will include a loss of natural fynbos vegetation due to the construction and operation of dwellings and holiday cabins. The indigenous fynbos vegetation along the south-eastern portions of the site will be conserved as a “nature reserve”.

Agricultural impacts: Given the contraction of the agricultural sector over the past 5 years, the proposed re-establishment of agricultural activities on the farm is considered to be a positive development which will contribute positively to the agricultural sector and the creation of employment in the longer term.

boreholes is anticipated to have a low negative impact on ecological processes, since such abstraction will be based on the sustainable yield of the boreholes.

Socio-economic impacts: A positive contribution to local business opportunities and local spend, and the availability of jobs for people with different skill levels.

The provision of tourism facilities will attract tourists to the valley, and Hermanus more generally, which could have a positive knock-on effect for other tourism enterprises. An influx of people and jobseekers to the area can potentially result in an increase in crime (construction and operational phases).

The report states that the identified impacts have been investigated and assessed and the negative impacts are generally of a low significance after mitigation, whilst offering positive biophysical and socio-economic benefits such as the rehabilitation of freshwater features, the conservation of critically endangered vegetation, and opportunities to promote tourism in the valley.

Groundwater impacts: Abstraction of groundwater from

Transport impacts: An increase in traffic on the R320 can be expected on Saturdays when the farmers’ market is taking place.

The following specialist and technical studies were undertaken to inform the development proposal and to identify, assess and mitigate potential impacts associated with

the development proposal: Heritage Impact Assessment, Archaeological Impact Assessment, Visual Impact Assessment, Botanical Impact Assessment, Freshwater Impact Assessment, Fire Management Plan, Civil Engineering Services Report, Electrical Engineering Report, Groundwater Supply Feasibility Study, Traffic Impact Assessment and a Soil Reconnaissance Survey.

Copies of the studies are attached as appendices to the pre-application BAR and are also available for comment.

Members of the public are invited to register as interested and affected parties and submit written comments on the pre-application BAR to Legacy EMC on or before 31 August 2020. For more information, visit legacyemc.co.za or contact Adri Meyer at ppp@legacyemc.co.za or on 021 887 4000.

The IAP registration period will be open until 31 August 2020.

Art in a time of lockdown At a time when some creatives felt as if the muse had totally deserted them, local artist, Charmé Southey took up her brushes with renewed energy.

Although she is best known for her delicate water colours and subjects drawn from nature, she decided to use the time to explore other mediums and new techniques.

So while she continued to sketch the world around her, she also decided to play around with abstract art, using mainly acrylics – perhaps

in pursuit of freedom in a time of constraint.

In May there was a call from the South African Society of Artists (SASA) for the submission of works for an online exhibition in any style, any medium, with Lockdown as the theme.

Charmé took up the challenge, producing an abstract work called ‘Emotions of Lockdown’ in acrylic on board.

She says, “I was happy with the

piece and thought it might have a chance of a mention, but I was stunned when I received notification at the end of July that it had been chosen as the overall winner.”

More evidence that the women of Hermanus are top of their class, whatever they choose to do.

Our warm congratulations go to Charmé for this prestigious award (and a shout-out for including The Village NEWS masthead in her painting!).

– Elaine Davie

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12 August 2020

LEFT: Shane Sauvage of La Pentola, Joke Gonggrijp of Dutchies and Ficks, and Gideon Serfontein of Ocean Basket Hermanus were among the local restaurateurs who joined other tourism roleplayers at the Old Harbour in Hermanus on Friday afternoon. MIDDLE: Also lending her support to the reopening of the tourism and hospitality industries was Deputy Mayor of the Overstrand, Elnora Gillion.

RIGHT: Locals and visitors alike had great fun posing in the bright yellow frame positioned above the Old Harbour. Above are Martin Liebenberg of Paradiso and Rudolf van der Berg of Burgundy.

Whale Coast welcomes back visitors

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region safely. And the town’s famous champagne air is an immune booster in its own right.”

always love coming to the Overstrand, because this is a community that stands together – and nothing can defeat unity of effort and purpose.” Those were the words of Masizole Mnqasela, Speaker of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament, when he joined local roleplayers in the tourism and hospitality industries at the Old Harbour in Hermanus on Friday afternoon to announce that #HermanusIsOpen.

Members of the public enthusiastically joined in and many curious onlookers watched from Gearing’s Point and the Cliff Path as a giant banner, stitched together from old restaurant table cloths and hotel bed linen, was unfolded and laid out on the Old Harbour slipway. The message on this ‘hospitality flag’, #HermanusIsOpen, could be seen from far away and was symbolic of the town’s commitment to opening up tourism and welcoming back visitors.

Mnqasela said 3 million jobs had already been lost in the South African tourism industry and it was time to restore stability and sustainability by reopening the economy safely. The lockdown regulations needed to be eased even further to prevent further

The hospitality banner proclaiming #HermanusIsOpen was rolled out at the Old Harbour on Friday to let the rest of South Africa know that the Cape Whale Coast is ready to welcome back visitors.

PHOTOS: Taylum Meyer

job losses and business closures, he said. His sentiments were echoed

by Deputy Mayor of the Overstrand, Elnora Gillion, who said: “The municipality is right behind you and we support your cause. Our lives cannot come to a standstill because of this pandemic. By working together, we will prosper.”

Cape Whale Coast Tourism Manager,

Frieda Lloyd said: “Today was all about announcing to the whole of South Africa that Hermanus is collectively open for business. Domestic travellers are invited to come and experience the best of what the Whale Coast has to offer in a safe, hygienic environment. The southern right whales have arrived right on cue, and the cliff paths offer the perfect view of this remarkable annual migration. World-

class restaurants, art galleries, adventure activities and nature reserves are ready for rediscovery.

“Hospitality establishments, business owners and their staff have used the Covid-19 lockdown period to implement hygiene and safety protocols that enable visitors to enjoy the diversity and natural beauty of the

The trading hours for restaurants have now been extended until 10pm and, although the serving of alcohol is still not allowed, restaurants are offering enticing deals and have experienced an increased demand for non-alcoholic drinks, including alcohol-free craft beers and ciders.

The popular Saturday morning markets also reopened this weekend in Hermanus, Stanford and Gansbaai, while whale-watching and shark-cage diving operators are once again able to take visitors out to sea. In addition, CapeNature announced the reopening of overnight stays for self-catering accommodation, camping, selected overnight hiking trails and eco-venues from Friday 7 August.

As Frieda says, “Why go anywhere else, if you can go to Hermanus?

The travel restrictions still in place in South Africa provide a unique opportunity for Capetonians and residents of neighbouring towns to explore beyond their neighbourhoods, and remind themselves why Hermanus is one of the premium tourist destinations in the world.” – Hedda Mittner

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12 August 2020

Orchard creates hybrid Hermanus orchid Writer Hedda Mittner

PHOTO: Quinton Smith, YachatsNews.com

During lockdown, more and more of our readers have been using our website, social media, ISSUU and PressReader to get their fix of The NEWS.

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retired chemistry lecturer in Oregon, USA has successfully grown a new Disa hybrid, named Disa Hermanus, which was recently registered with the Royal Horticultural Society in England. Although Disa Hermanus is the ninth new Disa hybrid created by the 75-year-old Walter (Wally) Orchard, this delicate orchid holds a special place in his heart and was a real labour of love.

ISSUU is an online platform which allows publishers to upload their newspapers or magazines in an e-format for those who like to read online.

Apart from being easy to use, ISSUU also allows its creators to add website links, as well as video links to adverts and photos, allowing for an even more exciting read online.

Wally and his wife, Christine have been living in the US since 1993, but he still has close ties to Hermanus, where his sister, Anne Kotze lives.

“As children, we spent our summer holidays in Voëlklip, in a house that my mother inherited from her mother. When my parents retired there, my father set up a shade house where he cultivated Disas. I thought they were particularly beautiful and started photographing them – and soon decided that I would like to grow them myself.”

After moving to the US, the Orchards still visited Hermanus almost every year, and Wally says that “growing Disas created a sort of link to South Africa that was important to me”.

Fortunately, the climate in Oregon – wet and moderate – was also conducive to the cultivation of Disas, which grow along mountain streams, on waterfalls and in marshy seepages in the Western Cape. They are notoriously tricky to cultivate and need different conditions to other orchids, but Wally says his background in chemistry comes in useful when creating those specific conditions, including water quality and temperature control.

He readily admits that what started out as a hobby has now gotten seriously out of hand! “At any one time I have something like 800 plants, not counting the thousands of tiny plantlets that might be growing in the lab, from which I select those that will be allowed to go into the greenhouse.”

So how does one go about creating a Disa hybrid? “A new hybrid is one whose parent grexes (hybrids or species) have not been crossed before,” explains Wally. “I always look for parents with superior qualities and in the case of Disa Hermanus, the parents were two hybrids themselves, Disa Yellow Bird and Disa Glasgow Orchid Conference.”

The process starts in spring, as the Disa’s flowering season, in the northern hemisphere, is from May to July. Wally collects pollen from one parent flower and transfers it to the stigma of the other parent. If the pollination is successful, the pollinated flower will close up and a seed pod will develop and ripen over a period of

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All you have to do is go to issuu.com, search for The Village News, and click on the cover of this week's newspaper: www.thevillagenews.co.za

12 AUGUST 2020

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ABOVE: Wally Orchard of Yachats in Oregon, USA, examining one of the hundreds of Disa orchids he cultivates in a greenhouse. CIRCLE: Wally’s attractive and vibrantly colourful new hybrid, Disa Hermanus, which has been registered with the Royal Horticultural Society in England.

PHOTO: Wally Orchard

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Long weekend boosts economy

As an enthusiastic ambassador for our town, Di Rattle of the Hermanus Brewing Company, which produces the iconic lager, Old Harbour Beer, made sure that there was no mistaking where her loyalties lie when she came out in support of the #HermanusIsOpen initiative at the Old Harbour on Friday afternoon. Read more on P4 PHOTO: Taylum Meyer

Writer De Waal Steyn

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about seven weeks.

Wally says he generally harvests the seed pods a week or two before they are fully ripe and split open. After carefully extracting the seeds, which are no bigger than grains of sand, with a scalpel, he then sows them under sterile conditions on a special growing medium in his home lab – a small room at his house with a sink, a counter top, a growing area and, most importantly, a laminar flow cabinet, where the lights are kept on for 16 hours a day and the air is constantly blown into the top of the open-fronted cabinet through a big HEPA filter. This ensures that the air in the cabinet is free of any particles that could carry bacteria or fungal spores.

The seedlings are kept here in small Mason jars with transparent lids, under the lights and at the ideal temperature of 70° F, for about six months. “This method, called flasking, gives the plants a faster start in life,” says Wally. “The seeds swell up and germinate within weeks, and after a few months they have tiny leaves. When the plants in the flasks are about 5 cm tall, they are ready to come out into the real world where they will face much tougher conditions, including all sorts of pests and diseases.”

While many of the small plants don’t survive the trauma of coming out of the lab, the stronger ones are put into small individual pots and are moved to the greenhouse, where they join the

older plants. “They usually take about three years to flower but Disa Hermanus was very vigorous and actually took only two years from seed to flowering,” says Wally.

“Disa Hermanus has excellent shape, meaning that the three main parts of the flower, the sepals, are big, well-rounded and lie flat. The flowers are big, over 100 mm across, and the colour is excellent. The strong orange shade with the pinkish blush at the ends of the sepals is very attractive. The striking veins in the top (dorsal) sepal it gets from Disa uniflora, the wellknown ‘Pride of Table Mountain’. Both parents of Disa Hermanus have a lot of Disa uniflora in their pedigree.”

Although Wally does not regard his ‘hobby’ as a business, he does sell plants on a small scale.

“I have a website (afrodisa.weebly.com) that is primarily intended to provide information about the important Disa species, and how to cultivate them. When people do contact me via the website looking to buy seeds or plants, I try to help but I discourage prospective buyers if I sense they are inexperienced and won’t be able to keep the plants alive. Disas are challenging and not for the faint-hearted!”

Additional source: yachatsnews.com/orchards-orchids-a-yachats-mans-love-affair-witha-rare-flower-from-south-africa/

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he much-anticipated long weekend delivered the boost that our local economy so desperately needed. With thousands of domestic tourists, mainly from across the mountain, streaming into our towns, business proprietors were smiling from ear to ear.

“The weather played its part and delivered both bright sunny and cold rainy days, making it perfect for visitors to enjoy the multitude of outdoor activities, including whale-watching tours, as well as visiting our cosy restaurants and shops while it rained,” said Cape Whale Coast Tourism Manager, Frieda Lloyd.

According to her, many accommodation establishments, restrictions permitting, were fully booked for the weekend. “Rural areas such as Stanford had an exceptional weekend as it seems that many tourists prefer the great outdoors where social distancing is easy. All the various markets in our towns reported a busy trading weekend and on Monday the Fernkloof Nature Reserve was awash with people heading into the mountains under clear, sunny skies.”

Restaurateur Rudolf van der Berg of Burgundy said his turnover was about 70% compared to the long weekend in 2019. “Under the circumstances I am elated,” he said. Emilia Knight, owner of The Gallery Café & Deli Food Store said she also experienced a frenzied weekend. “There were streams of customers and I had my best weekend ever. We were even busier than we’d been in December,” she said.

Clinton Lerm of Forest Adventures echoed this sentiment. “The sunny weather lured people outside to enjoy all of the activities on offer.”

The welcome economic injection comes at a time when Covid-19 cases are declining, and all indications are that the Western Cape has passed its peak of in-

fections, to the extent that the provincial government will soon be considering whether all field hospitals need to remain open. On Monday there were 8 371 active cases of Covid-19, with a total of 98 656 confirmed cases and 86 861 recoveries in the province.

The Overstrand was at 1 416 cases with 1 291 recoveries.

On Thursday, the Western Cape Government Cabinet met to discuss the devastating economic impact the pandemic has had on the province. “While we are seeing an easing on our health resources, unemployment is gaining momentum in our province. Businesses, which employ tens of thousands of people, are buckling under continued restrictions on economic activity, low confidence, and reduced demand,” said Western Cape Premier Alan Winde.

It is estimated that the province will lose 10.2% in Gross Value Add, R720 million in revenue, and a staggering 167 000 jobs. “For many people in our province and country, a job is the difference between putting food on the table and starving. This is not an exaggeration, but a reality in our country,” he said.

Given the Western Cape’s capacity to respond to Covid-19, the fact that the province has passed its peak, and that measures are in place to support businesses so that they can re-open safely, the Cabinet resolved that there remains no rational reason to keep businesses closed. In addition, the Cabinet was of the opinion that, given the dire consequences that the blanket ban on the sale of alcohol is having on the livelihoods of people, it can no longer support the continued suspension on the domestic sale of alcohol in the province.

“For as long as the Western Cape can assure access to health facilities for all Covid-19 patients, the temporary ban should be lifted immediately, in conjunction with the implementation of smart interventions to curb the negative impacts of alcohol over the medium to long term,” said Winde.

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12 August 2020

FROM THE EDITOR

Let the visitors come, rinse and repeat The next edition of The Village NEWS will be available on 19 August 2020. The NEWS can be found at over 300 distribution points in the Overberg.

De Waal Steyn PUBLISHING EDITOR E: dewaal@thevillagenews.co.za T: 083 700 3319

Hedda Mittner

The past long weekend’s boost to our local economy came just in the nick of time.

Several businesses in the area had reported in recent weeks that they would no longer be able to keep on trading if the current economic slump continued. What a bumper weekend like this means for our town is that there are more businesses that will now be able to pay their bills and staff, leading to more locals spending money, and so on.

As a community desperately dependent on tourism spend, what we need now is consecutive weekends

CONTENT EDITOR

Raphael da Silva

E: raphael@thevillagenews.co.za T: 074 125 5854

Elaine Davie SUB-EDITOR & JOURNALIST E: elaine@thevillagenews.co.za T: 084 343 7500

Taylum Meyer PHOTOGRAPHER & PRODUCTION MANAGER E: taylum@thevillagenews.co.za T: 084 564 0779

Charé van der Walt MARKETING REPRESENTATIVE E: chare@thevillagenews.co.za T: 082 430 1974

Nickey Jackson

This weekend saw most people and businesses strictly adhering to these guidelines, even if many found themselves, “illegally”, on our seductively beautiful beaches. Kudos to those who did not act draconically to the letter of the lockdown laws.

People were out in the sun, enjoying our scenic beauty and our hospitality. That is what we as a region have become known for.

As our provincial government has stated: the province is safe for opening all businesses and for the sale of alcohol together with smart interventions.

This is the only rational way to combat the dreaded Coronavirus and its evil twin, unemployment. It is estimated that the province will lose 10.2% in Gross Value Add, R720 million in revenue, and a staggering 167 000 jobs. Wine industry body Vinpro estimates that the initial nine-week ban on alcohol sales, and five-week ban on exports will result in 18 000 jobs lost, and 80 wineries and 350 grape producers closing

their businesses over the next year.

By taking stringent economic measures the provincial government can save thousands of businesses and jobs. Winning against the pandemic should not be a zero-sum game.

All actions must be rational and practical. Throwing a blanket ban on things like alcohol and tobacco sales only fans the flames of the black market.

If a business can operate safely, allow it to do so. Rinse and repeat, should be our new cycle.

This is the good NEWS – Ed

Murder most foul and Dens of iniquity

E: hedda@thevillagenews.co.za T: 083 645 3928

ONLINE EDITOR

where our accommodation establishments, restaurants and shops are filled with visitors. And as per the new normal, this can only continue happening with strict social distancing and sanitising protocols in place.

By Murray Stewart murray.stewart49@gmail.com

and showed his displeasure rather dramatically.

unexpectedly.

T

here has been an overwhelming response to a few topics we chatted about recently.

The palindrome contributions were encouraging, although some of them weren’t palindromes at all. We also discovered where to buy cigarettes quite openly, and more about Marco Polo’s discoveries during his South African leg en route to China. Thanks for that.

Luckless leaders Over the centuries, leaders have been removed in different ways. Sometimes they’re voted out, sometimes they cede power to their next of kin and bow out. And sometimes they’re simply snuffed out.

Julius Caesar had no chance once the conniving cabal of senators bloodied his toga. Nor did Britain’s ‘warrior queen’ Boudica, when they tied her to a stake and braaied her. Then there’s Marie Antoinette who was pipped at the post, and lost by a head and, of course, Malcolm X (1965), Martin Luther King (1968) and Mahatma Gandhi (1948) who also bit the bullet

During the 600 years of the Ottoman Empire in the Middle East, whoever seized the throne on the death of the old Sultan, was permitted/ encouraged, to murder all his male relatives to reduce the risk of being overthrown. Charming custom.

American presidents feature quite prominently in the sordid saga of forced removals. In 1881 James Garfield was shot by Charles Guiteau who was somewhat peeved that he wasn’t awarded his preferred diplomatic posting. William McKinley took a couple of bullets to the chest in Buffalo (1901), courtesy of a bloke called Leon Czolgosz, who obviously didn’t like him much.

The most recent was JFK, and as usual with heads of state, the dastardly deed was shrouded in intrigue and conspiracy. But let’s have a look at John Wilkes Booth, Lincoln’s assassin (1865) and what became of him.

Booth (27) was an acclaimed actor back then, so he was thoughtful enough to shoot Abe inside a theatre. He was cheesed-off that the President frowned upon slavery,

Jumping out of the presidential box onto the stage to escape, he then fled on horseback, shouting for some reason in Latin,“Sic semper tyrants!” which means ‘bugger tyrants’. He was avenging the southern slave- owners, he claimed, and among his last words were, “Tell my mother I died for my country” – in case she was confused, maybe? Anyway, it turned out that both he and JFK’s assassin Oswald, were shot dead before going to trial.

Throughout the ages, the pros and cons of this activity have bounced about from courtrooms to town squares, and from Congress to shootouts in the main street. All this was really a begrudging acceptance and legitimising of its existence and how to control it.

In 1413 for example, a rather stringent law in Amsterdam stated that a woman performing her trade outside the allotted place, and after having received two warnings, would be buried alive. Bit harsh, don’t you think?

So here’s a tip: If you plan to assassinate a President (no names please), tell your mother first, and make sure you don’t get shot yourself. You might be saving a country and in fact the world.

Anyway, my main interest was to find out why red lights are associated with dens of dubious repute. Apparently it originated with the pioneering railway workers laying train-tracks across early America.

Red lanterns We all know what people refer to as ‘the world’s oldest profession’ and this may well be true. Ancient records reveal that around 3 000 BCE in Uruk (nowadays Iraq), the first organised luring of men off the streets was organised by Lilith on instruction from the Goddess (whoever she was), for the pleasure of the upper-echelon ladies within the palace. You go, girl!

Among their tools of the trade, they were issued with red lanterns, so when off-duty they could be located in an emergency. These they left outside the front doors when entering for a spot of horizontal refreshment, and the image spawned the concept of controlled, designated ‘red light districts’ which sprung up all over the western world. So, no – it didn’t originate in Amsterdam.

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LAST WEEK'S TOTAL CASES:

TOTAL CASES AS OF 10 AUGUST 2020: WORLD: 20 141 343 SOUTH AFRICA: 559 859 (5th in the world) WESTERN CAPE: 98 656 - 3 424 deaths (17.62% of total cases in South Africa) OVERBERG: 2 935 (333 active cases)

OVERSTRAND: 1 416 (111 active cases) Overstrand breakdown of cases not available at time of print

(27 JULY) WORLD: 18 354 493 SOUTH AFRICA: 511 485 (5th) WESTERN CAPE: 95 407 OVERBERG: 2 928 OVERSTRAND: 1 397

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www.thevillagenews.co.za

12 August 2020

LET'S TALK Healthy and robust debate are crucial for democracy. The Village NEWS firmly believes in freedom of the press as well as the right of individuals to freely express themselves, as long as they don’t infringe upon the rights of others.

The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors therefore do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of The Village NEWS. Letters may be shortened and/or edited for clarity and style.

Enjoy our paper. Send your letters to dewaal@thevillagenews.co.za.

Baboons need to be protected from people With the recent ongoing commentary in the local press, on Facebook and a variety of WhatsApp groups, it is clear that the Kleinmond-Betty’s Bay baboons are a contentious issue amongst residents.

Also evident is the emergence of different camps – the ‘baboon lovers’, the ‘baboon haters’, the ‘municipality bashers’ and very likely a growing ‘I'm so sick of the whole debate’ camp.

I appeal to everyone who has an interest in the baboons not to depend on other people’s opinions, but to dig for the truth by looking at all the factual information and data, and to fully understand all aspects of the issue so that an informed decision can be taken. This is important because the baboons’ lives and wellbeing are at stake, and if we make the wrong

decision, we could be causing more harm.

From the information that has been shared on various platforms, it seems that over the last 12 – 18 months two baboons have been run over, two were poached and turned into bush meat, one female was shot dead (and her baby lost), and one old female was badly bitten by dogs. So out of seven recorded deaths, six were directly at the hands of man. This does not even include the injured baboons – those who were shot at, stoned, and had dogs set on them – the list is long. People do not need to be protected from the baboons – baboons need to be protected from people!

Clearly, if we look around the world, mankind is the most destructive, unrelenting and pervasive threat to na-

ture and wildlife. This is undisputed.

Any natural havens that have been carved out for nature preservation are always under threat from external anthropogenic pressures.

The only question we should consider here is: What is best for the baboons? It is not about what you want, or what I want, but what is in their best interest. How can we keep this troop of baboons safe from humans?

Baboons are drawn to houses, refuse sites, bins etc. due to the fact that they provide a high-energy food source, which they don’t have to forage for in their natural habitat. This readily available food is bad for them compared to their natural diet, and results in bad teeth, obesity, sugar addictions… simply put, our food is bad for their health. To get to houses,

Are there alternatives to the bypass?

For anyone living along Main Road in Eastcliff it is obvious that a road system to ease the traffic is inevitable in the not-too-distant future. There are not many options for this to happen. Upgrading the Cliff Path to a road is obviously not an option. Main Road itself is not wide enough.

A new road along the base of the mountains has eco-objectors with all the normal arguments about unique fynbos and bio-sensitive areas. What does that leave?

The only alternative I can see is to upgrade Luyt Street from the Checkers circle to the golf course, continuing through the golf course, and through Fernkloof residential area to the 7th Street circle. There are a number of golf courses with busy roads running through them. Of

course, this would downgrade what is a beautiful asset and tourist attraction. So what should it be? A road along the base of the mountain and upset the eco warriors, or a road through the golf course and upset the golfing fraternity and the tourist industry, and devalue all the properties along Luyt Street, the golf course and Fernkloof?

I suppose the golf course could always relocate.

I wonder if future generations would really waste so much time and money debating the issue. To the majority I think housing, jobs and general upliftment of people would be way more important.

Ken Mclachlan, Hermanus

they have to cross busy roads, and run the gauntlet of some humans who are cruel and uncaring.

Many have rightly argued that the bins and waste area must be sorted out. However, the Municipality has been unable to successfully deal with this, and the waste area at the library is still open. Very little action has been taken, despite promises and discussions. It seems it will be at least another six months or more before lockable bins can be enforced.

Clarence Drive is a provincial road, not municipal. Any actions on Clarence Drive (speed limits, calming measures etc.) are likely to involve processes that could take years. What will happen to the baboons in the meantime? While fully aware that we live in a biosphere, the reality is

that in the urban areas, it is clearly too dangerous for the baboons.

Something has to change if we really do care about the baboons. If we continue to cling to the romanticised notion of living with the baboons in our village, it will only end in more baboon deaths, because some humans will kill them, despite others’ best efforts and desire to prevent this from happening.

For me a safe baboon is a baboon out of town, beyond Clarence Drive and the unpredictable and dangerous people in every community – not just ours. We should not try to make them our ‘friends’ and in doing so love them to death. Any decisions we make, or support we offer, please, let it be based on what is best for the baboons.

Voice of Reason, Betty’s Bay

Free parking needed for shoppers in town I was at the Woolworths in town last week and parked in front of the building. There was one parking attendant, a legal one with the pink bib, and it wasn’t busy.

When I returned to my car, I was reversing out of the parking bay when this guy came and banged on the boot of my car and told me to get back into the parking bay. I then saw that he had a hand-held meter and he told me to pay R3.00 for parking. When I asked him why I must pay for parking, he said, “It’s the owner of the building that says so and all the people complain about paying.”

This is so ridiculous. At a time when all the businesses are struggling, they should be only too

pleased if we come to shop – and it’s not as if there are dozens of cars waiting for parking.

Then, when I went to the Checkers in town, I found that the free parking had been reduced to one hour and after that you pay R6.00. When I go to the Station Centre, Checkers is the only store where I shop and I feel if I have spent a few hundred rands on groceries, I should be able to show my slip and get free parking.

At this rate I won’t be surprised if people go to the mall instead and don’t bother to shop in town.

Valerie Human, Sandbaai

10

www.thevillagenews.co.za

12 August 2020

MY HOME

By LB Vorster

Immovable property sold as part of an enterprise

I

n a previous article in this series we discussed how the sale of immovable property, forming part of an enterprise that is being disposed of as a running concern, may qualify for payment of VAT at a zero rate (provided certain criteria of the Value Added Tax Act are met by the parties).

Yet another important act of which the parties in such an event should take cognisance is the Insolvency Act, No 24 of 1936, and in particular Section 34 thereof. Generally, this particular section is only referred to by parties when selling or purchasing the everyday business and we are all used to regularly seeing these notices in newspapers.

Section 34 of the said Act requires any person (or legal entity) that intends transferring a business, or the goodwill of a business, or any assets

or property forming part of a business (other than in the ordinary course of business) to publish notices of such intention in two editions each of an Afrikaans and an English newspaper circulating in the area of the business, and in the Government Gazette at least 30 days but no more than 60 days prior to the intended transfer.

Failure by the parties to a sale to have the required notices published as prescribed will result in the transfer of the business (or the relevant portion thereof ) being void against the creditors of the business for a period of six months from the date of transfer.

In the event that the seller’s estate is being sequestrated during the sixmonth period, the transfer will also be void against the trustee of the seller’s insolvent estate.

The devastating effect that this could

have on a purchaser of immovable property is clearly illustrated in the case of Anton Roos N.O. & Others v Kevin & Lasia Property Investments CC & Others, (Case number 30533/2001), an unreported decision of the Transvaal Provincial division. A company that had owned an estate agency sold the business to another estate agency.

The business included, amongst others, a building complex comprising various shops from which considerable rental income was derived.

placed in liquidation and its creditors applied to the court for an order in terms of Section 34 of the Insolvency Act that would declare the sale of the business, including the transfer of the building complex, void against the said creditors.

Simultaneously with transfer, the existing bond was cancelled and the new owners registered a new bond in favour of the institution that financed the purchased price.

How does this affect me as a property owner?

• The principles confirmed in the court case referred to above may similarly find application when, for instance: Immovable property is being acquired as an investment and it is then rented out by the owner who is a registered VAT vendor, whereby an enterprise

The required notices in terms of Section 34 were never published. Within six months from the date of transfer of the business, the seller (company) was

The court decided in favour of the creditors and consequently both the transfer of the building complex and the registration of the bond were declared void.

•

(rent-earning activity) as defined in Section 1 of the Value-Added Tax Act No 89 of 1991 is established; or The enterprise is subsequently sold (subject to the existing agreement of lease) as a running concern, together with the assets necessary for carrying on business (the immovable property) to a purchaser who is also a registered VAT vendor (which will normally qualify the transaction for payment of VAT at a zero rate).

In such an event it would be wise for the purchaser to insist on publication of the required notices in terms of (and strictly in accordance with) Section 34 of Act No 24 of 1936 to prevent unknown or undisclosed creditors of the owner (seller) from laying claim to, amongst others, the immovable property.

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www.thevillagenews.co.za

Gyms protest in support of reopening

12 August 2020

Support our locals!

PHOTO: Taylum Meyer

Spring is around the corner, so why not spruce up your home? Now is the time to make changes, repair and enhance furniture, clear out old ornaments and add something new to your home… and Etceteraa offers just that!

A

fter 150 days of forced business closure due to the Covid-19 lockdown regulations, members of the South African gym industry joined forces to stage a silent protest under the direction of the Fit SA Association of Health & Fitness Clubs on Wednesday 5 August.

Among them was Proactive Fitness in Hermanus, whose owner, Mathew Browne says that even as other business sectors are allowed to reopen, the fitness industry is still being overlooked. Not only are jobs and livelihoods hanging in the balance as many gyms may not survive this prolonged lockdown, but depression is on the rise and our country’s health is deteriorating.

“The South African fitness industry employs more than 30 000 full-time and part-time employees and is responsible for having a hugely positive effect on the health, fitness and wellbeing of millions of clients,” says Mathew, who stresses the physiological and psychological benefits

Etceteraa is a cosy new shop in the Hermanus CBD which takes in selected items from locals on consignment to sell/promote.

Now more than ever we need to support the talent in our towns. stringent health and safety protocols in our facilities,” he says. “We remain highly motivated by the belief in our irrefutable ability to improve the quality of life for each and every one of our valued clients.”

offered by the industry in safe and hygienic environments, both indoors and outdoors.

“The positive knock-on effect that regular cardiovascular and strength training exercise has on the human body and mind includes decreased stress and anxiety – both of which are experienced by the majority of humans around the world as a result of the Covid 19 pandemic. It also strengthens your immune system so that it can fight off all sorts of illnesses, including Covid-19, for which there is still no cure. It also leads to increased productivity in the workplace, which is an essential component of economic recovery.”

While Mathew has still been able to pay his staff salaries, thanks to the loyal support of many of his clients, he says the personal trainers, who are dependent on the gyms being open in order to work, have been the hardest hit. “It is this sector of the fitness industry that needs all our support right now.”

On behalf of his entire team, Mathew expresses his thanks to all Proactive Fitness’s positive and supportive clients.

“We realise that you are just as keen to get back to your gym training as we are eager and excited to see you back, and training happily and safely again at Proactive Fitness. We strongly believe that glorious day is not too far away now and we look forward to welcoming you all back very soon.”

Mathew adds that most health and fitness clubs are privately owned by health-conscious business people such as himself, who pride themselves on their standards of personal discipline, fitness, health and hygiene. “Our clients and staff know they will be in good hands and that we’ll maintain the most

EberVet Vetshop at the IPIC Shopping Centre in Hermanus has relocated to Whale Coast Mall just inside entrance 1. They officially opened their doors to the public on Sunday.

From left are the shop team Chantal Bronkhorst (Vetshop Manager) and Britney Binneman, with Sonja Engelbrecht (EberVet Operations Manager) who was there for the opening.

PHOTO: Taylum Meyer

All kinds of local craftsmanship are considered, including food preserves, homemade candles, gift cards, wood/leatherwork, driftwood craft, shell art, rustic and fine furniture, garden herb boxes, pottery, handmade lamps, garden swing chairs, enhanced/ restored furniture, homemade table cloths, jewellery, bags, doggy jackets – whatever you enjoy making that will amaze others.

The local artists in our coastal towns also offer sketches of people and pets, and characterful rustic frames can be made at very good prices to go with these

beautiful works of art.

A unique feature of Etceteraa is its offering of furniture repair and custom-made furniture created to your specifications, from rustic doors and wardrobes to bunk beds and coffee tables. We also make personalised cushions with whatever you would like printed on them.

We have a brochure for visitors to browse through along with four large blackboards outside the front of the shop to promote various items on offer.

We have so many talented locals – let’s support these wonderful creators!

If you are a local, contact Rudie Fourie on 060 792 9982, or send an email to angel@whalemail.co.za. Rudie can also be contacted for any furniture-related matters and the personalised cushions.

If the shop is closed when you pop by, it means that Rudie is out doing quotes or deliveries so please come back again!

www.thevillagenews.co.za

12 August 2020

Burmar – a thriving family business Writer Hardus Botha

M

y success as a businessman is not due to any qualifications but is grounded on hard work and a determination to ‘keep going’,” says Eddie Burger (64), co-owner of the Burmar Group in Gansbaai, as well as the Build It hardware stores in Gansbaai and Hermanus.

Eddie started in the civil engineering industry in 1976 as a surveyor. In 1992 he founded his own civil engineering company, Burmar Civils, in Gansbaai. After 24 years, the civil engineering part of the company was taken over by Hansie Cloete (J C Civils), while Eddie carried on with the manufacturing of bricks, blocks and lintels, as well as the mining of sand, stone and gravel under the Burmar brand. He has recently also started manufacturing pavers.

Eddie used the first part of his surname (Bur) ger and added the first part of his wife’s maiden name, (Mar)tinengo to form the name of his company, Burmar. “I did that in honour of my father-in-law, Italo, for his assistance when I started my company,” says Eddie.

The company also has its own vehicle repair and maintenance workshop where the Burmar Build It Group’s approximately 50 vehicles are maintained. Two years ago Eddie extended the capacity of the workshop to do maintenance for vehicles and mechanical engineering for the general public. In total, the Burmar Build It Group has more than 230 employees.

Eddie has certainly come a long way since

growing up in the small Northern Cape town of Alexander Bay, where he was born in 1956.

He moved to Cape Town with his mother at the age of 11 years after his father passed away. Eddie and his wife, Silvana got married in 1991 and the couple has two sons, Dylan (27) and Clayden (25). Both are fully involved in the Burmar Group and are also co-owners and managers of the two Build It hardware stores in Gansbaai and Hermanus.

“Until a few years ago my only passions were my family and my work,” Eddie says with a big smile. But with his sons having taken over part of the family business, he now has more time for hobbies such as painting and travelling, although he says, “My family is still number one.”

His wife, Silvana has decorated their house and Eddie’s office with many of his artworks.

In his free time, he also enjoys growing his own veggies and walking in the Platbos forest on his small farm in Uilenkraal. “But most of all, I love interacting with people, visiting friends and family, and travelling around the world,”

says Eddie. I’m sure he’s looking forward to taking off again as soon as the Coronavirus restrictions have been lifted!

RIGHT: Eddie Burger, co-owner of the Burmar Group in Gansbaai, as well as the Build It hardware stores in Gansbaai and Hermanus, is one of Gansbaai’s most successful businessmen.

PHOTO: Hardus Botha BELOW: The Build It Hermanus team. In front from the left are Dylan, Clayden and Eddie Burger.

PHOTO: Build It Hermanus

13

14

www.thevillagenews.co.za

12 August 2020

Actions speak louder than words Writer & Photographer Hardus Botha

R

iana de Coning, Overstrand Municipality’s councillor for Ward 2 (Gansbaai, De Kelders, Kleinbaai and Blompark) and Mayoral Committee Member for Finance, does not like talking about herself. Instead, she believes that the way forward is to “quit talking and start doing”.

As one of Gansbaai’s dynamic women who believes in getting things done, Riana is guided by honesty, compassion and fairness at all times when dealing with people. It is generally known that she is always prepared to walk the extra mile in serving the communities of her ward.

“When and where I can support people, I do it out of my heart,” she says.

After becoming actively involved in various projects in her community, Riana says, “The next obvious step was to become politically involved, in order to be able to add my voice to the decision making by the higher structures. My priority as a councillor will always be to go out of my way to support my constituents.”

Unfortunately, some of these face-to-face projects almost came to a stillstand during the lockdown. But one of the projects that continues is the Winter Warmth Project, which she initiated in 2015. “This project is so successful due to the enthusiastic support of the Gansbaai knitters, who knit 350 to 400 beanies every year. So well done and thank you to them,” she says.

Other community initiatives include the ‘Care for the Women and Children’ project which was established to issue sanitary wear, baby formula, and baby nappies to the most vulnerable and needy families in the Gansbaai communities, and those projects that support the elderly (Herberg aan See Old Age Home and Silwerjare Service Centre), providing love, care and kindness to our senior citizens. Also dear to Riana’s

heart is the welfare of animals. She actively supports BARC (Birkenhead Animal Rescue Centre) and firmly believes that a society’s level of civilization is measured by the way it treats its fellow human beings, especially children and the elderly, and its animals.

Since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, Riana has put her motto into practice by “doing” instead of “talking”. The immediate need was to see to it that people do not go hungry. Working together with various church leaders, community workers, the Overstrand Municipality, and compassionate individuals in the area, Riana became involved in fighting hand in hand with vulnerable communities to combat the impact of Covid-19.

“With the support of strong community welfare organisations and generous individuals, 14 soup kitchens and the distribution of food parcels to families in need throughout the whole area were established and are still functioning on a daily basis,” she says. “For this, I thank the selfless, caring public of Gansbaai but also the whole Overstrand, who gave their whole-hearted support to these projects,” says Riana.

Riana de Coning (née Moll) was born in Brits in the North West Province and grew up on a bushveld farm near Thabazimbi. She attended Normaal College for Education in Pretoria, obtaining her Higher Education Diploma before embarking on a teaching career at Barberton in the Mpumalanga Province. As a part-time student at the University of South Africa (UNISA), Riana obtained a BA degree, followed by an Honours degree in Psychology, as well as a Higher Diploma specialising in the support of learners experiencing learning barriers.

During the early eighties, Riana married King de Coning and the couple went on to have five children and 12 grandchildren. In the late '90s, they moved to the Western Cape and settled

Riana de Coning, Councillor of Ward 2 (Gansbaai, De Kelders, Kleinbaai and Blompark) sees herself more as a community worker than a politician. in Swellendam before relocating to Gansbaai in 2007. Riana was an educational inspector until she decided to resign in 2011 to become involved in community work full time.

Having joined the Gansbaai branch of the Democratic Alliance (DA) in 2008, she soon became one of the branch executives and, within a year, she was elected to the management team of the Overstrand DA constituency. After the resignation of Alderman Pieter Scholtz, she was elected as his successor during a by-election in 2014 and became councillor for Ward 2 in Gansbaai.

In the run-up to the local elections in 2016, she again went through the pre-election procedures and was once more successful as the designated candidate for the DA and elected as councillor for Ward 2, a position she still occupies.

Riana has also been a member of the Mayoral Committee since 2016 – a position that only six

designated councillors occupy. She has headed various portfolios, including Management, Protection Services, and currently Financial Services. During her municipal career, Riana has successfully attended at least ten councillor training courses which she passed with distinction.

“There are times that I am quite taken aback when people refer to me as a ‘politician’ out of the blue. This is because I am community driven and usually get so deeply involved in the community issues that I sometimes forget about being a politician,” says Riana.

“I derive huge satisfaction from my profession and the great opportunity that has crossed my path to serve. But I do not stand alone, and on this special occasion of Women’s Month, I salute all the wonderful women in our communities who give so much of themselves to help others.”

NO OP W EN

16

www.thevillagenews.co.za

12 August 2020

MY ENVIRONMENT

Bizarre belief in bezoars threatens porcupines

By Dr Anina Lee

erects its quills and backs towards its assailant.

So careless predators may end up with quills deeply embedded in their flesh.

PHOTO: charissacrafts.weebly.com

Porcupines eat roots, bulbs, bark and, according to ancient myth, herbs with healing properties.

They are monogamous, with each couple mating throughout the year and together raising litters of 2 – 4 young in one of several burrows that they jointly defend.

F

irst it was abalone. Then elephant, rhino, lion, tiger and pangolin. And now apparently Africa’s largest rodent, the porcupine, is being targeted by poachers.

The demand is driven by the false conviction that parts of an animal will provide improved health or sexual performance.

Quills Porcupine quills have long been a favourite ornament and good-luck charm in Africa. Now quills are increasingly popular in all sorts of crafts and souvenirs. Don’t believe claims that all those quills making a lampshade or a wastepaper basket were dropped naturally. Porcupines don’t naturally drop many quills. Animals were killed for these products.

Of course porcupines have been hunted for their meat for hundreds of years. Traditional Porcupine bezoars healers say that the meat is in great demand for But now the Far East has its sights on our porits healing properties. “We mix the offal together cupines as well. Really? Why? Surely porcupine with our herbs and then burn it.” Sure, a good meat isn’t an aphrodisiac or a cure for cancer? protein mixed with herbs would have healing properties. Porcupines are also targeted No, it’s not the meat, but bezoars. Bezoars? as vermin by many farmers to You may rightly ask. I did too – I’m PHOTO: protect produce and fences. obviously not a Harry Potter za.pinterest.com fan.

Porcupine facts What do we know Apparently, in Harry about our local Potter and the porcupines? The Philosopher’s Stone, African Wildlife Professor Snape exFoundation plains what a beprovides a good zoar is. It’s a stone introduction: from the stomach of a goat that will The Cape porcuprotect a person pine grows up to from most poisons. a metre long and True enough in fic20kg in weight. This tion, but what about is the world’s largest the real world? porcupine – and also by far the largest rodent in According to How Stuff Works Africa. However, these dimena bezoar is “a lump of hardened, sions are not as impressive as the undigested material found in the sight of the animal itself. It's a vision to behold as gastrointestinal tracts of deer, antelope, goats, it trundles along, beneath a quivering battery of oxen – and porcupines. It forms when layers of spines – like a bush on legs. And a bush to avoid! calcium and magnesium phosphate build up around a small bit of undigested plant fibre or All porcupines have banded quills which are a pebble. Stomach contractions squeeze and essentially their hairs. Those on the back may smooth it into a roughly round shape.” be 40cm long; the shorter, open-ended tail quills can be rattled as a warning. Contrary to With time, more and more layers of undigestpopular myth, porcupines don’t fire their quills ed food are added to the lump, rather like the at enemies. When threatened, a porcupine layers in an onion. The belief is that when wild

ABOVE: Porcupine quills are increasingly popular as souvenirs and ornaments such as this bracelet. CIRCLE: The Cape porcupine grows up to a metre long and 20kg in weight. It is the world’s largest porcupine – and also by far the largest rodent in Africa.

RIGHT: A bezoar is a lump of hardened, undigested material found in the gastrointestinal tracts of porcupines and other animals such as antelope, goats and oxen. Bezoar stones are ground into a powder and included in traditional Chinese medicines for what is believed to be their curative properties.

PHOTO: science.howstuffworkscom animals (especially porcupines) feel sick, they seek out healing herbs to eat. The curative agents from these herbs are thought to remain in the ball of undigested food. So the bezoars are ground into a powder and included in traditional Chinese medicines. It is claimed to cure diabetes, hepatitis, dengue fever and cancer, among other ailments.

"Bezoar" comes from a Persian word that means antidote. These rocklike objects were found in sacrificed animals and believed to be a universal cure for poison as well as leprosy, measles, cholera and depression. A bezoar could be worn as a charm, ground into a powder and consumed, or dropped into a drink suspected of containing poison in order to counteract the poison.

Arabian doctors had been using bezoars since the 8th century, and brought them into western medicine in the 12th century as an antidote to arsenic, a favourite poison used to assassinate European nobles. By the 16th century, use of bezoars was widespread among the very rich – they were valued at 10 times their weight in gold. Queen Elizabeth I even had a bezoar set in a silver ring.”

Bezoars are sold either unprocessed or in powdered form to be made into capsules. A few ounces of the substance can command hundreds, even thousands, of dollars. Most sought after is the dark red ‘blood bezoar’, believed to be the most potent of the several varieties. Prices for bezoars have “increased exponentially during the past few years, following recent claims of their cancer-curing properties”, according to a 2015 report by the wildlife trade monitoring organisation Traffic.

As is the case for rhino horn and pangolin scales, no scientific evidence exists for any curative properties of bezoars.

As South East Asian porcupines are being poached to extinction, eyes are turning to Africa, including South Africa. After all, there are well-established smuggling operations out of Africa to the East.

Debbie Banks, a wildlife crime expert with the international body, Environmental Investigation Agency, warns that porcupines could become “the next pangolin of the illegal wildlife trade”.