The Village NEWS 17 January 2017

Village

NEWS NEWS The

Cape Whale Coast

17 January 2017

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HOLIDAY SEASON

GROTTO BEACH

WRITE ANGLE

Biggest and busiest yet

Uncovering its past

On The Book Trail

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A TOUCH OF CLASS Hermanus has certainly secured itself bragging rights for its matric results. Last week Mayor Rudolph Smith awarded the top matriculant in South Africa, Conrad Strydom of Hermanus High School, with a Mayoral Certificate of Excellence in recognition of his superb achievement.

Also in attendance were several councillors, Municipal Manager Coenie Groenewald, Speaker Anton Coetsee and Deputy Mayor of the Overberg District Municipality Archie Klaas, who said that Conrad reminds him of the words of Nelson Mandela: “It seems impossible until it is done.”

Coenie said Conrad is a role model for our learners and that our country needs talented youngsters like him, while Anton described Conrad as an ambassador for Hermanus and the Overberg. “Not only your school but the whole region is sharing in the pride and joy of your extraordinary accomplishment,” he told Conrad.

Matric results unite Overberg region Hedda Mittner

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xcitement is still running high in the Overstrand since the National Senior Certificate results were announced on 5 January, generating a flurry of media interest and a euphoric sense of communal pride.

The man of the moment is the

19-year-old matriculant from Hermanus High School, Conrad Strydom, who achieved the highest marks in the country with an aggregate of 98%. Conrad will be leaving for Stellenbosch University soon to start his studies for a BSc degree in theoretical physics.

“Many years from now, when you are even more famous, people will remember where

you come from – that you grew up and went to school in Hermanus,” Overstrand Mayor Rudolph Smith told Conrad.

“You won’t believe what this achievement means to our region and the far-reaching influence it will have on parents’ decisions when it comes to choosing a high school for their children. I think we have shown that the quality of education offered

by our schools is second to none and that they can more than hold their own against the finest of traditional schools in areas such as Paarl and Stellenbosch.”

The Mayor congratulated the matric learners and educators of Hermanus High, Curro Hermanus, Qhayiya Secondary, Gansbaai Academia, Hawson Secondary and Northcliff House College

on their outstanding results.

The Overberg school district achieved the highest pass rate (92,7%) in the country.

“I also extend my heartfelt congratulations to Conrad Strydom for his momentuous achievement, and to all the educators who prepare our children to attain these great heights. May this also serve as a motivation for our 2017 matriculants and inspire them

to work towards maintaining this high standard of achievement,” Rudolph said.

“We are fortunate to have such good schools, committed teachers and hard-working learners in the Overstrand.

I would like to thank all our 2016 matriculants for promoting our towns and putting us on the map – you have truly done us proud.”

Read more on P27

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17 January 2017

On our Whale Coast wonders indeed never cease

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he phrase “wonders never cease…” has long been synonymous with the Cape Whale Coast and at the start of 2017 this has never been truer of our region.

From its origins as an area of quaint fishing villages, it has grown from strength to strength and is not only one of the fastest growing municipalities in the country but also one of the best run.

The Whale Coast has indeed come into its own and we as residents must con-stantly remind ourselves how

serious incidents on our roads and beaches. As a matter of fact, both provincial and local traffic authorities need to be lauded for their efforts in ensuring that there was not one fatality on our roads this season.

Editorial Comment

By De Waal Steyn

fortunate we are to live here.

To put into perspective what a special and unique place this is, take into account the fact that all our towns were filled to capacity during the holiday season. With thousands of visitors we were fortunate enough to have very few

The SAPD, our fire department, emergency personnel, life guards, cleaners and law enforcement officers did a sterling job. Yes, there was the odd incident such as beaches littered with rubbish after busy days, traffic jams that led to frustrations and veld fires. But these issues

Letters and opinions

Inadvertently, and without our prior knowledge, the term Sleep Out had been registered as a trademark and this has now been brought to our attention.

At no stage was our Association aware that by using this term we were guilty of 'Ambush Marketing' and seeking to gain promotional benefit from 'The Sun International CEO SleepOut' as trademarked.

HNSA now wishes to formally apologise to The Philanthropic Collection (Pty) Ltd through their agents, Adams & Adams, for infringing their rights.

Futhermore we have signed an undertaking to the effect

Unfortunately, on my way out, I took a wrong turn and landed up lost in Hawston.

While trying to find my way back to the R43, a Pitt Bull suddenly came charging at me. In my panic, I lost control and took a bad fall.

Some members of the Hawston Community who witnessed the accident spontaneously came to my assistance as I was unable to get back onto my bike. I am therefore so grateful to Vernando Abrahams who kindly offered me a lift back to my house in Voëlklip.

One hears of general adverse public opinion of Hawston.

I would like to say that I was extremely humbled, thankful and grateful for the friendly and concerned manner in

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that we will not use the terminology ‘Sleep Out' in future and request you to please publish this apology in your newspaper.

We exonerate the staff of the The Village NEWS from any complicity and appreciate your coverage of HNSA events in future.

Les Abbott - Chairman: Hermanus Night Shelter Association

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which I was helped back onto my feet.

A few days later both Howard Matinka (Hawston Community Leader) and Vernando called out of concern and enquired about my condition and progress.

One again my heartfelt thanks to those members of Hawston who helped me. It is greatly appreciated.

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Well done and thank you to all of you.

This is the Good NEWS – ED.

Why allow smoking?

I refer to a key sentence in Mark Lane-Jones’ letter (Why Allow Smoking? - The NEWS 13 Dec 2016): "... dispose of smoking litter thoughtfully."

Hermanus is well known for the fact that its name is on the trophy "Cleanest town in South Africa". Therefore a discussion on cigarette butt disposal is relevant .

Whale Coast Conservation (WCC) started an initiative, following a small survey that showed in excess of 25 million cigarette butts (or 15 tonnes) are disposed of in the Hermanus CBD area over the year. In the early morning workers can be seen sweeping up butts off the street outside tourist "hot spots".

WCC developed a small lockable bin with the logo "Bin your Butt". This bin can be attached to a wall or a standing pole, for smokers convenience. The project required funding, and if accepted by the public and local Municipalities, will hopefully grow further afield in the Western Cape.

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An appeal was made to the tobacco industry in South Africa for a moderate funding grant, to assist in the distribution of bins in strategic spots in Hermanus. Nothing came of the appeal.

One should remember that cigarette butts, during the rainy season, are deposited into the sea, so causing major pollution to an already overloaded system, relevant to Hermanus for its whales, sharks and huge abalone exports, let alone the tourist industry.

At one time, the writer farmed tobacco and held the position of President of the International Tobacco Growers Association, so this is written with mixed feelings.

Good management of cigarette butts is just one of the factors that make the Western Cape leaders in tourism.

The above letter is a brief memo on a growing problem.

Richard Tate Board Member of Whale Coast Conservation, Hermanus

More letters on P 4

Martin Cohen, Voëlklip

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In the same vein young Conrad Strydom and the excellent matric results in all our schools have contributed to a feeling of communal pride and joy. We are proud of what was achieved by our matrics and also the institutions that made this possible. Our schools have become centres of excellence and add tremendous value to our town.

Follow us on

Big thanks to Hawston residents On Monday 2 January 2017, I left home on my bicycle for a leisurely ride to Benguela Cove. Having forgotten my water bottle, I cycled into Fisherhaven for a bottle of water.

It was heart-warming to see councillors reacting swiftly to problems aired on, amongst others, social media – especially after a household lost all their earthly possessions in a fire on Boxing Day. Through social media the response from members of the public and councillors quickly led to the victims receiving food parcels, clothing and bedding. So too, did residents jump in to coordinate and assist with cleanup operations along our

coastline.

Send your letter to news@thehermanusnews.co.za

Infringement of trademark - the CEO SleepOut The Hermanus Night Shelter Association (HNSA) arranged an event on Friday, 2 September 2016 which was publicised in your newspaper on several occasions – sometimes referred to as the 'Sleep Out' and most times as 'Homeless Sleepover'.

were attended to in a fast and efficient way.

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Busiest season yet for Whale Coast as thousands flock to our shores De Waal Steyn

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y all accounts the Cape Whale Coast (CWC) experienced its best festive season yet with towns throughout the region bursting at the seams with holidaymakers.

While the area also experienced a bumper season in the 2015/16 holiday period, most businesses have reported an increase not only in the number of visitors but also in the amount of money spent by holidaymakers.

“Feedback from the tourism offices on the Whale Coast was that although the season started later than normal the sheer volume of visitors was higher than before,” says Frieda Lloyd, CWC Tourism Manager.

“Accommodation was at a premium and there was a constant flow of enquiries from holidaymakers wanting to come to our shores.

Hermanus Tourism fielded 49 telephonic enquiries for accommodation on 28 December alone.”

Kleinmond and Gansbaai Tourism report that their season only started on 18 December, later in the month than normal. Stanford Tourism experienced a progressive buildup of visitors during December, with most of the visitors entering town early in January. In contrast, Hermanus had a steady flow of visitors for the entire season.

According to Frieda, this year, for the first time, both restaurants and wine farms throughout the region were filled to the brim.

“Only by making reservations at least a day in advance were you guaranteed seating at restaurants.

At the wine farms the trend was the same, with many of the establishments having to extend their trading hours and increasing the number of staff. The good news is that this happened in all of the towns and wine routes in our area.”

All activities, ranging from wine tours to mountain biking and kayaking, did exceptionally well and some sold out days in advance.

The local wine route safari transport business Wine Hoppers experienced an outstanding

season. The Fernkloof Rangers, who are available to accompany visitors on hikes in Fernkloof, were constantly busy and many guides received favourable mentions on social media.

on this record season, the CWC can expect a constant flow of tourists in the coming months. “With events such as The Global Golf Challenge, the Walkerbay Xtreme, Cape Epic and FynArts on offer, the area is set to continue attracting visitors. We are extremely excited about the opportunities these events open up for us in keeping the Whale Coast top of mind with tourists.”

Frieda says the investment by Hermanus and Stanford Tourism in electronic accommodation booking systems has also borne fruit. “There has been a marked increase in the number of online bookings and sales as the system shows the availability of accommodation and activities in real-time and lessens the search effort. No more having to go from one website to the next.”

Some accommodation establishments report they have already received large numbers of bookings for not only the planned events in the coming months but also for the end-of-year festive season.

A shift in the origin of visitors was also noticed this year. “Although the biggest source market remains South Africans we saw more international tourists than in previous years. The CWC is an excellent value-for-money holiday destination and is safe when compared to other destinations.

Cape Town leads in visitor numbers to our region, followed by the Boland, Tygerberg/Bellville and Gauteng.”

Overstrand Municipality experienced a heavier traffic flow throughout the Overstrand this season than any other year. Traffic was backed up in certain areas and was monitored on a constant basis.

The highest number of incoming vehicles (7 112) between 08:00 and 18:00 was recorded on 26 December, while the highest number of outgoing vehicles (5 304) between 08:00 and 18:00 was recorded on 2 January.

The good news is that following

Read more on P 8

Road closures for the next 9 months at mall site Motorists must brace themselves for the next phase of the reconstruction of the roads along the building site of the new Whale Coast Village Mall.

According to Ward 7 Councillor David Botha, this is the final phase of roadworks to be done before the mall is expected to open its doors at the end of the year.

circumstances such as bad weather can at any time influence the schedule. “The current schedule was drawn up in conjunction with the developer and it will be updated continiously,” he says.

“We want to appeal to motorists only to make use of roads in this area if you are either a resident, visitor or if you need to conduct business in the area. We would like to keep traffic and disruptions to a minimum. Precautions will be made to ensure the safety of pedestrians and cyclists,” he says.

“There are quite a few roads in the Sandbaai area that will be affected by the next phase and we urge motorists and residents to bear with us. For the next 9 months there will not be any thoroughfare via Bergsig Street from Main Road in Sandbaai to Schulphoek Road,” says David.

The provisional schedule is in the column on the right.

According to him residents will be kept up to date with all the road closures, but unforseen

For more information, contact Dennis Hendriks at 028 313 8000.

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17 January 2017

Don’t kraai for me Concertina

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lippies Combrink learnt the concertina while growing up on the family olive farm. Pa, like Oupa before him, had earned the reputation of having the hottest boereorkes in Heaven’s Valley, and over the years the Combrink Combo played in all the coastal towns dotting the curve of Woqua Bay. Being a family affair, various members were obliged to learn different instruments.

Pa played bass and called the tunes, while Ma steadied the boat on drums. Klippies’ two older sisters played guitars and keyboards better than he did, so choices were limited.

He tried his hand at the donkielong (accordion) and was pretty sharp, but in the end chose the krismiswurm (concertina) because it was lighter and had more gees – more soul.

became regarded as ‘die Overstrand se Krismiswurm Koning’.

Wit’s End

As time passed, so did Pa. Ma, now well into her eighties and losing it a bit, stubbornly turned every song into a waltz, and his sisters had recently found husbands and fled. Klippies’ kids were appalled at the thought of joining the band, so the final curtain came down on the Combrink Combo.

Murray Stewart Initially they all sang harmony, but this vocal quintet soon became a quartet due to Klippies’ stutter. Adding random syllables to the vocals would throw the others out, and they’d often grind to an embarrassing halt and have to start again. So he concentrated on his concertina and being naturally musical, soon

Apart from being an olive farmer though, he keeps his fingers nimble these days by ‘guesting’ for various bands at functions and cultural events like the annual Miss Shucked Perlemoen Pageant in the Old Harbour.

Anyway, he was recently asked by the local dominee if he would please play at a

Recently my wife and I were in Elim where we always enjoy its old world charm, historical architecture and friendly people. On a recent visit we met John Wolfaardt, postman / postmaster extraordinaire.

It was mid-morning and a glimpse of his leather bag reminded me of postal delivery of the past. “Are you the postman?” I asked.

“Yes,” he said, clutching a handful of mixed-size envelopes, “and the postmaster. There are 250 houses in the village and I deliver the mail on foot three times a week.”

So I told him of the memories he’d brought back to me, of postal deliveries some 50 or 60 years ago with the very

hillside Klippies became as one with his concertina, and together they sucked in and wheezed out the most gut-wrenching sounds a dead pauper could wish for.

With tears streaming down his face he segued asthmatically from one melancholy lament to the next.

Turns out he not only got lost, but had a puncture as well and only arrived at the grave well after noon. He was mortified.

The dominee and hearse were nowhere to be seen. Any mourners had also gone. Only the digging crew was left and they were eating lunch under a nearby tree. He waved across at them and approached the grave. The coffin was already half covered with sand, but he could see enough of it to feel a bond with the departed.

The workers put their lunch aside and slowly approached.

For the next ten minutes emotions overflowed as Klippies squeezed condolences out of every quivering quaver his krismiswurm could muster.

They all sobbed openly.

He glanced at the time. Eleven

Out there on that desolate

Eventually, overcome and heavy-hearted, Klippies turned and trudged slowly back towards his bakkie. “Never een anything like that,” he overheard one of the diggers say between sobs, “and I’ve been putting in septic tanks for twenty years.”

Follow us on

Thanks for Helping Hand At the end of last year I went to see Joe Terblanche of Talisman Hire Hermanus to personally thank him for sponsoring the Helping Hand column in The Village NEWS, which featured Badisa in their 13 December 2016 issue (Open your heart and home to needy children).

A businessman from Sandton who was on holiday in Hermanus read the article and subsequently made a donation of R25 000 to Badisa!

same kind of leather bag. I told him the heritage value of the leather bag made it as good as a historical monument and that he should look after it because it was most appropriate for the historical town.

Arne Pitlo

Klippies accepted immediately. He’d seen this old guy over the years and felt honoured and humbled to dignify a pauper’s burial with a farewell lament or two. The krismiswurm was the perfect instrument for a funeral and he relished the idea of dragging out Hier kom die Bokke and Bohemian Rhapsody as soulfully as possible. He’d learnt that the further apart the hands were, the more tragic and mournful the wheeze and bibbertoon (vibrato) sounded. Ideal for sad occasions.

o’clock. He was given directions, but he’d never been to that neck of the woods before, and with his stutter – which usually induced spontaneous cussing and blaspheming – asking directions often ended in bloodshed. Time to go in case he got lost.

Send your letter to news@thehermanusnews.co.za

Letters and opinions Elim’s Postman Pat

funeral. A harmless and homeless old man who’d lived in the hills above the Restless River had passed away, and was being buried at noon on a remote farm further up Heaven’s Valley.

We are so thankful towards Talisman Hire and The Village NEWS for publishing the article – without this exposure we would never have received this donation.

Many thanks and my best wishes for the New Year!

Luzanne Naudé Badisa

Why do only smokers’ rights count?

In response to Mark LaneJones’ letter (Why allow smoking? – 13 December 2016): No, you certainly are not a lone voice in this, it's just that we clean, oxygen-loving souls are few and very widely spread in a desert where only the smoker's human rights count.

As a loving, live-and-let-live person, I quite grant those who wish to, the right to smoke. But why in public, where they might at any time

be amidst lots of other people, including the elderly and young kids who can't speak for themselves?

Restaurants’ outside seating areas seem to cater only for the smokers, with no place where others can enjoy their meal away from the foul air.

The front and back entrances of the Ipic Centre are a smoker's paradise, with so much of it inside, it is

unbearable. The same applies to alleys through-out town – and beware of treading outside a hospital or clinic – you must fight your way through the blue haze.

Also nobody seems to realise that hot air rises – if there is smoke downstairs, those in the higher storeys will get it in vast quantities.

We wish you good health in 2017.

Corona van der Walt

Smoking laws blatantly disregarded Having recently returned to Hermanus, I was interested to read Mark Lane-Jones’ letter Why allow smoking?

I have posed this question before and unless I am misinformed by the lawmakers in this great country, they have made it very clear under what circumstances smoking can

be adopted in food and beverage establishments.

There is a blatant disregard for the law in many establishments and the solution is really quite simple.

If operators fail to enforce the Law of the Land, withdraw their licence to sell alcohol.

I know this threat is exercised in Cape Town – so why not

here? I read Mr Rudolph Smith’s welcoming letter and was uplifted by his thoughts.

2017 could provide him with a fantastic platform to cause the towns’ administrators to enforce the will of the people.

Go for it, Mr Executive Mayor.

David Naylor

Doggy poo spoils beautiful Cliff Path My wife and I are regular visitors to your beautiful town.

We walk the Cliff Path routinely because it is so special, well maintained and has such wonderful views.

What we however do not

understand is the lack of pride in their environment and respect for other residents and visitors that certain dog walkers have in allowing their dogs to excrete all along the path and verges – particularly from the Old Harbour side to Voëlklip.

For goodness sake, is it so difficult to carry a “poo “ bag when walking dogs?

Hopefully this message will assist in improving the situation.

Wayne Oates

More letters on P 6

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Reaching number one is as easy as

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his nineteen-year-old learner from Hermanus High School was announced as the top matriculant in the country for 2016 by Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga at the National Senior Certificate (NSC) awards ceremony in Midrand on 4 January.

Imagine a teenager who keeps his room tidy at all times, who does not have to be nagged to do his homework and study for exams, who is inordinately polite and always punctual, and not only dislikes smoking but also avoids alcohol and excessive partying… Yip, he does exist and his name is Conrad Strydom. HEDDA MITTNER caught up with Conrad and him mom Ilse last week at Burgundy Restaurant.

Despite the overwhelming attention which has seen him attending one awards ceremony after another, being pressed for print, television and radio interviews, and being approached by strangers wishing to congratulate him, Conrad seems relaxed and happy when we meet at his favourite restaurant in Hermanus, the Burgundy.

“Yes, I’m very pleased with my results and honoured to have represented my school so well,” he says with a big smile while insisting that anyone can achieve what he has pulled off.

“If you want to succeed and are prepared to put in the work, you can do it,” he says simply.

Although he’d been a top performer for most of his school career, Conrad and his mom Ilse both say the announcement came as a complete surprise.

They were flown to Johannesburg knowing that he was one of the top achievers, but only heard that he was no. 1 in the country when it was announced at the ceremony and he received a standing ovation. He only got the results for all his subjects at the school the following day when he met with his headmaster Greg Hassenkamp, Overstrand Mayor Rudolph Smith and Director of the Overberg Education District Bertram Loriston.

It’s almost impossible to wrap one’s head round Conrad’s results – with an aggregate of 98%, he scored 100% in both math and accounting, 98% in physical sciences, life sciences and Afrikaans, 97% in Life Orientation, 96% in AP Math (IBE Advanced Programme Mathematics) and 94% in English. He is also the top achiever in the country for math

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Council of Learners (RCL) for three years and as a prefect on the matric council in 2016.

Conrad still remembers a remark made by his Grade 8 geography teacher at Hermanus High, Johan Stander, who said: “Conrad, if you continue this way you can become the number one learner in the country!”

Prophetic words indeed. But what is even more amazing than Conrad’s academic achievements, is his humility and ability to laugh at himself.

He jokingly refers to his prowess on the sports field by relating how he attempted javelin but accidentally hit himself at the back of the head, and how he holds the record for the shortest long jump in the school.

Much credit needs to go to his proud parents for keeping Conrad grounded and providing the loving support and structured environment he needed while growing up. Ilse in turn stresses her gratitude to all the teachers at Hermanus High, as well as the past principal of Hermanus High, Werner Ladewig, for their tireless support of her son’s endeavours.

MEAN TEAM The country’s top matriculant for 2016, Conrad Strydom of Hermanus High School, with him mom Ilse. Dad Johan was unfortunately away at sea when the announcement was made. and came second in the math and science category. (His only regret is an unnecessary error he made with the chemistry paper when he misinterpreted a symbol, barring which he would have scored another 100%.)

Proud mom Ilse says Conrad has always been very focused and throughout his school years he studied for long hours, seven days a week.

“There were times when I had to remind him to eat or get some sleep,” she laughs, “because he would become so immersed in his studies that he was unaware of anything else going on around him.”

Conrad’s self-discipline, goal-

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I can hardly wait to really start learning about physics

orientated personality and hard work has certainly paid off, but that does not mean that there weren’t challenges along the way. Born in Cape Town, he moved to Onrus when he was three years old with mom Ilse and dad Johan, who is an electro technical officer with the shipping company Maersk and spends long months at sea. When he started Grade 1 at the Hermanus Montessori School (now part of Generation Schools) he struggled with fine motor skills and English.

”

“Coming from an Afrikaans home it was an adjustment for Conrad to attend an English school,” says Ilse. “Because he had to learn a new language, we decided to let him repeat Grade 1 – and he’s never looked back since. Fortunately he always had teachers who noticed and nurtured his talents and exceptional work ethic, and who encouraged him to succeed.”

Always motivated to do better and better, Conrad approached every challenge

head-on, especially those subjects that he struggled with such as English. He never missed a day of school and even wrote an exam once with a high fever. He says physical sciences was the one subject he found “easy”, but he spent a lot of time and energy on math and life sciences. He also received extra tuition and participated in the Eskom Science Expo as well as several math and science Olympiads, emerging as the winner of the 2016 SA Physics Olympiad offered by the South African Institute of Physics.

During his matric year he also served on the editorial staff of the school newspaper, High Times, on the Representative

“I will always remain a proud Hermie and I‘d like to thank all my teachers and tutors, and congratulate all my fellow matrics who contributed to the Overberg’s achievement as the best performing school district in the country. Many thanks also for all the support and messages of congratulations that I’ve received on social media,” says Conrad.

Ilse and Conrad admit that the last two weeks have been a bit of a whirlwind, and in between all their commitments Conrad has also managed to fit in a few driving lessons and pass his driver’s licence test. This week will see the start of a new chapter in this remarkable youngster’s life when he moves to Stellenbosch University to study for a BSc degree in theoretical physics.

“I can hardly wait to really start learning about physics,” he says with enthusiasm.

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17 January 2017

Letters and opinions

Send your letter to news@thehermanusnews.co.za

Action Group urges: Complete the Cliff Path Regular walkers must have wondered why the Cliff Path stops at Mollergren Park, forcing one back to the Main Road to swallow petrol fumes for a kilometre or so before it starts again at Sea Road?

Well, it appears that the reason for this is that the owners on this stretch were granted exclusive rights up to the high water mark.

How this could have happened is something which we are investigating. For the moment we would like to test whether there is support from the public to change this situation. To this end, we have launched a petition on www.change.org under the heading “Complete the Cliff Path”.

As you will gather from the website, the main motivation for change is to create a worldclass 12 km walkway for locals and visitors stretching all the way from the New Harbour to Grotto Beach. We believe that the affected property owners should support the petition as well. It will considerably enhance their own experience of this beautiful coastline and increase the value of their properties.

As things stand, the area is barely used and if you have ever been in there you will immediately understand why.

To begin with, it is filthy.

Plastic litter washes up from the sea and lies everywhere amongst rotting kelp. See the photos on our Facebook page – Hermanus Cliff Path Action group.

It is also an environmental disaster. When some of us walked there the other day, we came across a broken storm water pipe, with some smelly stuff oozing onto the beach (photo right). One owner constructed his swimming pool pump station into the rocks and appears to back wash into the sea.

But the most important issue of course is that the public has a right to access to the sea front, now entrenched in the Integrated Coastal Management Act 24 of 2008 (ICMA). See Section 13(1). This right is violated by the fences which have been erected by the owners on both the Mollergren and the Protea Road sides.

To sum it up: we want to walk there and the Cliff Path must be connected for us.

The Mayor has after all committed himself to a developmental agenda for Hermanus. We are hopeful that we will achieve our target.

Within a few days after the petition was launched, almost 150 people have signed the petition, adding comments such as the following: “I love the Cliff Path and to be able to walk the entire length without an unfortunate deviation would be fantastic, well done to the Action Group.”

We hope that the owners will see the light and join our petition. We realise that the topography will present some challenges for the connection of the path and that great care should be taken with the design thereof so that the privacy of the owners are not unduly invaded. But these details can be discussed during a public consultation process and once the owners agree, in principle, to the path.

If they don’t, and we get to our target of 1 000 supporters of our petition, we will take the matter further, and litigate if necessary. Hopefully the Municipality will support us.

“I always run along this path for the past 27 years going to Hermanus every December and always wonder why they never finished the path.”

“I live in Voëlklip and walk the Cliff Path on a regular basis.

I am of the opinion that everybody should be allowed to enjoy the entire coast line from Grotto Beach to Hermanus CBD.” So against this background, we call on you to go to the change.org website and to sign the petition, add a comment or an idea and see us in a year or two on the connected Cliff Path!

Cliff Path Action Group

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17 January 2017

Uncovering the past of Grotto Beach

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rotto seems to have been named after the caverns set in the rock face behind Dutchies restaurant. The earliest written reference I have found to these “Grottos” is in a Memoir by Nancy Okes (neé Napier) whose family travelled from Cape Town every year in the 1920s and 1930s to holiday in Hermanus. The family always stayed at the Riviera Hotel, which was quite near the Grottos and approximately where the Sandals residential development in 11th Street, Voëlklip, is today.

Nancy uses the term ‘Grottos’ as if everyone knew what and where they were and does not mention any other name by which they might have been known. However, it appears as if the area was known as the Varingkloof before it was anglicised to Fern Kloof, and later still it was simply referred to as the Grottos. According to Nancy, children found the Grottos irresistible: “The Grottos lay to the west of the Riviera Hotel, across the mashie golf course. The ground fell away sharply into a donga.

The mountain stream at the Riviera entrance flowed down to service the Grottos, running round the top and tinkling down the rock faces all the way round. The Grottos themselves, five or six large caverns, lay in the rock face, in a semi-circle. To reach them, one had to clamber down the rocks.”

In the photograph on the right, which seems to have been taken in the 1920s (judging from the man’s clothing), the profusion of ferns is clearly illustrated. The photograph is captioned “The Fern Kloof, Now the Grotto” and is one of only two photographs I have been able to find of the Grottos in their natural state. Nancy’s description continues: “The Grottos faced onto a small vlei in which grew tall blue Aristea and golden Wachendorfia and reeds, about 5 feet high. In amongst their tall blooms rioted the weaver birds, finches as gold as guineas, scarlet Bishop birds and the black and red Widow birds. The males, in full mating garb, were building their nests while the

With its shallow temperate water and vast stretch of powdery white sand, Grotto Beach is a favourite destination for locals and visitors alike – the ideal spot for sun seekers, bathers and those who enjoy long seaside strolls. Stretching for 18 km along the unspoiled coastline from Voëlklip to De Kelders, it is also one of the Cape Whale Coast’s most attractive natural assets that should be treasured and conserved for generations to come.

Sadly, this has not always been the case in the past, as DR ROBIN LEE of the Hermanus History Society discovered when researching the history of Hermanus’s Grottos, Piet-seBos and Grotto Beach. females perched, apparently disinterested, nearby.

“Each grotto had a rocky floor with pools and frogs and tadpoles. The walls were festooned with maiden hair fern and on their ceilings slept the bats, black and upsidedown. Around the circumference of the vlei ran a mossy path, enabling us to flit from cave to cave, enchanted. The Grottos were pure magic with moss, ferns and water dripping down. All this ended when the water was cut off when they built the new road.”

The ‘small vlei’ to which Nancy Okes refers, we would now call a wetland. Most residents at the time referred to it as a ‘swamp’. It occupied virtually all the space between the first of the dunes, where the road to Dutchies restaurant and the beach runs now, and the Grottos themselves. Frank Woodvine, former curator of Fernkloof Nature Reserve has told me that the famous Dr Ion Williams, who created the reserve, spoke often about the wetland. Specifically, he mentioned that when he was a boy there was enough water for him to paddle his canoe around the wetland and that wild geese visited the wetland as a migratory stop-over point each year.

As more houses were built at the top of the cliffs containing the Grottos, the streams Nancy refers to ceased to be clear and became polluted in various ways. In turn this introduced pollution into the wetland.

2 1

3

4

1 The former wetland that was filled in and covered with grass.

2 The Grottos 3 Piet-se-Bos 4 The site of the former Riviera Hotel.

A visitor at the Grottos, surrounded by a profusion of ferns.

“My wife Pat and I would take our sons there often to play.

One day Dr Cohn [well-known Hermanus doctor who shared rooms in Harbour Road with Dr. Daneel] walked passed and said the water was polluted and that it was not a good idea for the children to play there. Pat, who was an exnurse, was incensed and thought Dr Cohn was overreacting.

“Next day she went to the Municipality and asked them to have the water tested. Lo and behold, the water had a huge pollution count. This was caused by the septic tanks and soak-aways on the properties above the Grottos. There was no sewage system in Voëlklip in those days.”

The Riviera Hotel, circa 1904.

Long-time Hermanus resident Michael Clark recalls the changes as seen from a family perspective: “When our children were small – late sixties and possibly the

early seventies – there was a pipe under the road more or less where the present parking area is, just past the restaurant and changing rooms. This was a pipe of about fifty millimetres and was supposed to drain off the excess water from the vlei. For a short distance the water flowing out of the pipe formed a small river on the beach and then disappeared into the sand. It was a wonderful place for young boys to play, building dams.

The forest of Milkwood trees in Piet-se-Bos.

The pollution made it essential for the municipality to intervene, but what followed was probably an over-reaction. In December 1968, the Birkenhead Hotel, one of Hermanus’s bestknown and popular hotels, was damaged by fire.

According to some accounts, it was decided to use ‘spill’ (rubble) from the demolition and rebuilding of the damaged sections of the hotel to completely fill the wetland.

Soil was put on top and grass grown. The stabilised area was

then opened to the public as a picnic area. However, I have been unable to confirm this sequence of events.

Despite health issues, the wetland had provided a natural barrier between the Grottos and the holiday public.

Removing this barrier brought holiday crowds right up to the entrances to the Grottos and quite soon the clear pools mentioned by Nancy Okes became polluted with empty beer cans, bottles of all sorts, paper, cigarette butts and the like. Little attention was given to the preservation of the luxuriant ferns and other plant life and at the time that this article is written, the Grottos are an eyesore rather than an attraction to tourists.

Adjacent to the Grottos and the wetland is a stand of milkwood trees, possibly the largest stand in Hermanus today. It is known to Afrikaans and English speakers as “Piet-se-Bos”, but there is no information as to who Piet was. Yet the short walk through Piet-se-Bos gives some idea of the beauty of the coastline before people came and built houses. Under the milkwood trees it is cool and shady and any walker passes silently on the soft surface of fallen milkwood leaves and sea sand. A stream runs through the wood and there is a small pool, with ferns growing all around.

To prevent damage to young milkwoods, a wooden boardwalk has been built through most of the area.

With commendable foresight the whole of Piet-se-Bos has been declared part of the Fernkloof Nature Reserve and two voluntary bodies, the Cliff Path Management Group and Whale Coast Conservation, keep it as pristine as possible.

Meanwhile, intense discussion has been taking place between the Municipality and the ‘interested and affected parties’ as to the best way to bring the components - the Grottos, the existing restaurant, the old wetland and Piet-se-Bos - into proper use. As yet, there appears to be no resolution.

Dr Robin Lee of the Hermanus History Society can be contacted on 028 312 4072 or robinlee@hermanus.co.za

NEWS

GOOD

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17 January 2017

Transport stays in the spotlight after fatality-free season

A

fter keeping a close eye on road traffic use over the festive season, Overstrand’s Traffic Department, in conjunction with the District Safety Plan, will focus on school transport this month.

Shortly after schools started in the area, three busses transporting school learners were found to be unroadworthy. One was impounded.

This has led to the decision that spot checks focusing on roadworthiness and valid licensing of all vehicles transporting children to schools will be carried out. Overstrand Municipality has requested all parents whose children make use of paid school transport to make sure that the driver as well as the vehicle meet all requirements.

“Traffic was heavy but manageable and everything was under control on the first day of school. Overstrand Traffic monitored the roads around schools in the morning and afternoon to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion. There were no reports of major accidents,” Traffic Chief Rudi Fraser reported.

He reminded parents not to park carelessly near school gates, especially in designated drop-off and pick-up points, and advised parents to try and leave earlier than normal to avoid arriving at peak times in the morning as well as in the afternoon.

Zero road fatalities were reported in the Overstrand area over the festive season and according to traffic authorities they would like to keep it that way.

“Parents should stick to their lane, keep a safe distance between their cars and the vehicle in front, and avoid swerving. When they reach the school, they should drop off their children in a safe area and be mindful of pedestrians on the crosswalk,” added Xen Titus, Superintendent of Traffic Services.

Traffic flow was smooth in the Overstrand on Wednesday 11 January as hundreds of learners returned to school after the December holiday.

Festive season statistics Out of the 22 accidents that traffic officers attended to over the festive season, 15 were reported as light

the Hermanus area, reported 142 incidents where their assistance was required.

Regular road blocks ensured safety on our roads this festive season. accidents with no injuries, five were reported as light accidents with light injuries and two were serious.

In total, Overstrand Traffic handed out 4 121 traffic fines – with unlicensed motor vehicles (947) and parking offences (614) topping the numbers – while 33 528 speeding offences were recorded.

The highest speed recorded in the Overstrand was a motorist doing 168 km/h in a 60 km zone in Kleinmond. The highest speed recorded in Hermanus was 118 km/h in a 60 km zone in Voëlklip, while a motorist was clocked doing 150 km/h in an 80 km zone in Matilda Street, Stanford.

Beach incidents According to Lauren Rainbird, Overstrand Blue Flag beach co-ordinator, there were no serious incidents or drownings on the Blue Flag beaches this year.

“One person did collapse on Grotto beach but was assisted by the life guards until the ambulance arrived.The life guards’ motto is prevention first (#SafetyFirst) so due to the spring tides and strong rip currents beaches were regularly closed for swimming – but this did not deter holiday makers from having fun on our Blue Flag beaches.”

See & Sand lifesavers, who patrolled the other beaches in

Fire-related incidents Overstrand Fire & Rescue and Disaster Management attended to 139 fire-related incidents between 1 November 2016 and 10 January 2017.

On 4 January, veldfire was reported in Kleinmond, while three veldfires – one in Kleinmond, one in Stanford and one in Gansbaai, were reported on 8 January.

Lester Smith, head of Overstrand Fire Services and Disaster Management, thanked all communities and businesses in the Overstrand for donating food and water to people involved in the firefighting efforts.

Hermanus parkrun collected donations of non-perishable food and other items on Saturday 14 January and will do so again on 21 January. All donations will be handed over to the Hermanus Fire Station on Monday, 23 January.

Fines A total of 61 dog-nuisance incidents were reported in December, while two dogs roaming at Onrus beach were

impounded and one R200 fine was issued for allowing a dog to roam in a public place without being kept on a leash and under the control of a person at Onrus beach.

One R500 fine was issued to a person operating as a car guard without a valid municipal registration permit at Andrew Wylie Park near Onrus beach, while one R100 fine was issued for using abusive and threatening language in a public place at Grotto Beach.

Residents of Voëlklip were outraged on Wednesday 11 January after fines were issued to people whose cars were parked on sidewalks.

Airing their dissatisfaction on Facebook, many residents were of the opinion that a warning notice instead of fines would have sufficed. According to one resident they have been parking their cars on the pavement in front of their house for close on 29 years and have not once been warned that this is unacceptable.

According to the Municipality, the bylaw on Streets, Public Places en Public Nuisances is very clear that no obstruction on a sidewalk can be allowed.

GOOD

NEWS

9

17 January 2017

Helping our kids sparkle I Helping

t has been the most amazing journey and we’ve seen miracles upon miracles,” says Theo Krynauw of Sparklekids, which now enters its sixth year of being part of the community of the Overstrand.

This unique upliftment and skills development initiative focuses on mentoring children, helping them to identify their passion and guiding them in making sensible decisions that will help them to achieve their goals.

In 2011, Theo and his wife Angie approached Mr Lolwana, headmaster of Qhayiya Secondary School in Zwelihle, with the aim to collectively uplift, encourage and parent children, many of whom are from dysfunctional and poverty-stricken families.

The vital ingredients to the success of this venture, being devoted mentorship and training, as well as tireless fundraising, have produced far-reaching and life-changing results.

“The ongoing commitment of Mr Lolwana has seen him and other wonderful teachers with whom we have become great friends, dedicate many hours to mentoring students and providing extra lessons,” says Theo. “The result is that we’ve seen the pass rate of Qhayiya go up from 32% to 88,5% over the past five years - 34 Bachelor passes proves that the quality of passes at Qhayiya has blasted upwards.

So much can happen when people are excited about what they do and go beyond the call of duty.”

Sparklekids has helped more than 50 young people to pass

Hand

“

Grade 12 and go on to tertiary education, and Theo says quite a few will be added to this number in 2017.

“It’s just a question of waking these youngsters up to doable and realistic dreams and to making use of the opportunities they are presented with. We now have students studying at universities and tertiary institutions all over the country, including Stellenbosch University, UWC, CPUT, Wits, NMMU, Boland College and Northlink.”

Theo adds that the students have carefully selected their courses to ensure that they qualify them for the job market. “We have trust relationships with our Sparklekids and we continue to guide them and act as a sounding board on their road to progress. It is of no use studying for so long and making all those sacrifices if they are going to be unable to find employment at the end of it all. A typical Sparklekid is a grateful young person who values the opportunities given to him/her and who sees the importance of giving back.”

While Sparklekids already has a group of businesses and individuals such as doctors, lawyers, councillors and therapists who have taken on the role of mentorship guides to the students, a new direction for Sparklekids is the involvement of Dr Sindiwe Magona, whom Theo refers to

The only way forward for our country is by empowering our youth through education, skills and good value systems

as “a 73-year-old fireball of a lady”. A former teacher, civil servant, and prolific author who worked for the United Nations for 20 years, Dr Magona is now in retirement, but remains an accomplished and active motivational speaker, author, poet, and playwright.

Angie and Theo Krynauw, the founders of Sparklekids.

Dr Sindiwe Magona during a visit to Zwelihle Primary late last year.

“Dr Magona is internationally recognised for her work in women’s issues, the plight of children and the fight against apartheid and racism, so we are super excited about her willingness to become part of Sparklekids,” says Theo. “We are looking forward to several weekend workshops she will conduct this year with young people and teachers from our community, imparting valuable life lessons and wisdom. Her hands-on involvement will empower young children from a very early age to make good choices and to know that they have support.

“We are still convinced that the only way forward for our country is by empowering our youth through education, skills and good value systems.

This is the key to breaking the stronghold of poverty over people and making

”

them hopeful and excited about the future.”

Another initiative launched

by Theo and his wife Angie, in collaboration with Fikiswa Gxamesi and William Ntebe, is the Supper Club, which sees approximately 150 people from all parts of the community getting together for a meal.

“A big part of our involvement with the young people from our community is to work tirelessly to establish a visible middle class,” says Theo.

“People who have a vested interest in our town and nation, and through meaningful engagement find common middle ground. It’s all about having fun and forging friendships across the racial divide.”

Anyone who is interested in becoming part of the Supper Club, or who wants to become involved with Sparklekids in mentoring and supporting the disadvantaged youth in our community, can contact Theo on 082 654 4924.

For more information on Sparklekids, which is a registered NPO, visit www.sparklekids.co.za

17 January 2017

forward to newly added routes on already great trails, well stocked water points, uncongested routes with little overlap, an expo area, local food stalls and craft beer, massages, bike washes and a VIP area. Registration and line entries from 06:30 – 09:30 at the Grabouw Country Club. The 75 km departs at 07:30; the 45 km at 08:15; the 20 km at 09:00 and the 10 km at 09:30. The prize giving will start at 12:00. Get all the details at www.advendurance.com or contact 086 199 0001 or info@advendurance.com

Wednesday 18 January ■ Hermanus Bird Club: Faansie Peacock will give a talk entitled The weird and wondrous world of waders. The meeting will also be an unofficial launch of Peacock’s book on this topic and will be available for purchase. Members and visitors are welcome. At the Fernkloof Nature Reserve Hall, at 19:00. Contact Petra Hoeben on 082 440 9842.

Thursday 19 January

■ Hermanus parkrun: Meet at Hermanus Forest

adult and R60 per child. Booking is essential, with 50% deposit paid by 20 January. Contact 082 344 1096 or andreasg1@vodamail.co.za

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.

■ Soulful Kleinmond Coastal Trail: Follow the Frank Rob Coastal Trail from Kleinmond along the cliff edge to Palmiet beach, crossing over the lagoon and walking through the rich fynbos to the rock swimming pools near the bridge. Here you’ll enjoy an extended lunch break with extra time allocated to swim and relax in one of the most beautiful spots along our coastline. The cost is R50 pp for the 7,5 km hike, payable on the day.

Meet at 08:30 at the parking area at the end of Harbour Road in Kleinmond. Return time is 17:00.

Contact Iain Macdonald on 072 327 2840 or 021 462 6755, or iain@awakening-intuition.com

■ Book signing: Emeritus Archbishop Desmond Tutu will be at Bargain Books Hermanus in the Gateway Centre from 17:00 – 18:00 to sign copies of The Book of Joy – Lasting happiness in a changing world by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, with Douglas Abrams.

For more information, call 028 313 0303.

■ Rotary Club of Hermanus: Weekly meetings have resumed, every Thursday at Mollergren Park, at 19:00. Visitors welcome. Contact Ian Wallace on 082 895 8738 or Metcalf Fick on 082 568 2193.

Friday 20 January ■ 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.

Saturday 21 January ■ 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.

■ 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.

■ OAK Concert: Overstrand Arts/Kunste (OAK) kicks off its 2017 programme with a classical Spanish programme by the Vivace Guitar Duo (Gerrit Roos and Jonathan Moolman) entitled Guitar Landscapes. The programme includes a colourful palette of Spanish music by Albeniz, Granados and Malats exhibiting scenes ranging from tranquil Southern Spain to the busy streets of Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro. At the Municipal Auditorium, at 15:30. Tickets are R130 (R60 for students). Book at Bellini Gallery on 028 312 4988. For further enquiries ring Secretary René du Plooy on 082 940 4238.

■ Hermanuspietersfontein Food & Wine

■ The Hermanus Country Market: Next to the cricket field, Fairways Avenue, from 09:00-13:00.

Fresh local produce, wholesome goodies, and home-made crafts.

Stanford Hotel, 09:30-12:00. Farmers, crafters and hobbyists bring to you home-made and homebaked goodies.

■ Swallow Park Market: Browse the market at Swallow Park between 09:00 and 13:00.

Sunday 22 January ■ Watchtower Peak Hike: Join this special Fynbos & Birds excursion in the Houwhoek Mountains near Botrivier from 07:30 to 15:00, offered by Gantouw Tours & Excursions. The Watchtower Peak Trail takes one right to the top of the highest peak of this mountain range. At 842m it offers beautiful views of the ocean, Sir Lowry’s Pass, Theewaterskloof dam, and the Riviersonderend mountains. A perfect outing for the whole family and a relatively easy day’s hike. The cost is R250 per

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

Thursday 26– Sunday 29 January ■ Up the Creek Music Festival: Flock to a scenic spot just outside Swellendam for Up the Creek’s 27th birthday fiesta on the banks of the Breede River. This popular event features only the best local musical and comedic talent across three stages. All activities revolve around the river, with not only festival-goers floating and splashing in the Breede River, but also the bars and even one of the stages. There will also be top nosh available from the many food stalls peddling gourmet goods, snacks, spit-braai and more. Only weekend passes will be sold this year at a cost of R1 000 pp and are available via UTC.NuTickets.co.za. Tickets include access to all shows, camping space as well as the ablution facilities on site. Contact 021 510 0547 or annie@redhotevents.co.za or visit www.upthecreek.co.za

Friday 27 January ■ Sketchcrawl: Join the Country Sketchers at Hamilton Russell wine estate, from 08:00 – 11:00, for their 14 thSketchcrawl. Meet at the parking area. Anyone interested in plein air painting is welcome. Call Charmé on 082 773 9125 for more info.

■ U3A Overberg: The first part of a DVD series on the History of Ancient Egypt will consist of 1. Introduction and 2. Prehistoric Egypt. At the Catholic Church hall, at 10:00.

■ Classic Monday Bridge Club: Duplicate

Stanford Hotel, 09:30-12:00. Farmers, crafters and hobbyists bring to you home-made and homebaked goodies.

■ Swallow Park Market: Browse the market at Swallow Park between 09:00 and 13:00.

■ Burns Nicht Supper: Gather at The Tasting Room on Stanford Hills estate to celebrate the life of Scottish poet Sir Robert Burns with a traditional Burns Nicht Supper. Book a table for this once-ayear event and enjoy a relaxed, colourful programme of light humour, good cheer, clever oratory toasts, a wee dram to wash down the haute cuisine, the skirl o’ the pipes, all with the Amazing Grace of Scottishness in all its tartan glory and pageantry. Wear a kilt if you can! The cost is R250 pp for 4 courses, including Haggis, Atholl Brose & a Dram. Make your booking with Cathryn on 072 127 9297 or 072 571 7846.

Sunday 29 January

■ 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.

Monday 30 January

■ U3A Overberg: The second talk in the series on

Tuesday 24 January

members and volunteers are very welcome to attend the meeting. At Hermanus Library, at 10:00. Contact Jac Dowling on 083 512 0161.

■ Stanford Saturday Morning Market: The

Tuesday 31 January

Bridge, every Monday at 13:00, at Fernkloof Hall.

To join in, contact Riekie on 072 230 9179.

■ Friends of Hermanus Library AGM: New

the heart of town, at St Peter’s Church in Main Road, from 09:00-13:00.

Blue Gold: World Water Wars Part 2 and Flow: for the Love of Water Part 1. At the Catholic Church hall, at 10:00.

series Blue Gold: World Water Wars Part 1. At the Catholic Church hall, at 10:00.

Thursday 26 January

■ Market in the Garden: Set among the trees in

■ U3A Overberg: Screening of the DVD series

■ U3A Overberg: The first screening of the DVD

Africa: their historical significance by Prof Kobus du Pisani. At the Catholic Church hall, at 10:00.

cricket field, Fairways Avenue, from 09:00-13:00.

Fresh local produce, wholesome goodies, and home-made crafts.

■ Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir Celebration:

Monday 23 January

■ U3A Overberg: Talk on Diamonds in South

■ The Hermanus Country Market: Next to the

Friday 27 – Saturday 28 January

Saturday 28 January

■ Market in the Garden: Set among the trees in

■ Stanford Saturday Morning Market: The

■ Hermanuspietersfontein Food & Wine

Tickets to this event, which includes a formal tasting of local and New Zealand pinot noirs, a gourmet dinner and live music at Bona Dea Private Estate on the Friday and various individual events at each of the participating Hemel-enAarde wineries on the Saturday, have sold out.

Those who wish to be added to the waiting list can contact Dieter Odendaal on 082 659 2318 or info@hemelenaardewines.com

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

the heart of town, at St Peter’s Church in Main Road, from 09:00-13:00.

NEWS

GOOD

10

■ Ashburton Investments National MTB

Series: The first event in the 2017 Ashburton Investments National MTB Series will be held in Grabouw and includes a 75 km marathon, 45 km half marathon, 20 km fun race and 10 km fun ride against a backdrop of mountains, vineyards, forests and dams. An idyllic ride, the terrain is mainly made up of farm roads, gravel and dirt roads with single and dual track routes that cross over rivers and bridges, incorporate hilly climbs and offer panoramic views. Riders can look

diamonds is entitled Diamonds: Before and after the discovery in South Africa by Pieter de Jager. At the Catholic Church hall, at 10:00.

Wednesday 1 February ■ OAK Movie Night: Sherlock Holmes – Game of Shadows, starring Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law, and directed Guy Ritchie, will be screened at the Municipal Auditorium, at 18:00. Tickets are R45 (R30 for OAK members), available at the door. For enquiries, contact John Taylor on 079 392 7282 or René du Plooy on 082 940 4238.

Village

EXPLORER The

FOOD • WINE • ARTS

Reaping the fruit of 2017 Hedda Mittner

A

s a wine lover, one of the happenings I most look forward to at the start of a new year is the approaching harvest season. For our local wine producers and their winemaking teams, it is a time of great excitement – and some anxiety – as the grapes start their journey from vineyard to bottle.

Although this process only starts to gather momentum in February, the early pickings of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes for the production of South African bubbly, Methode Cap Classique (MCC) usually starts in the second half of January.

First out of the starting blocks in Walker Bay appears to be Benguela Cove, where picking commenced last weekend under the watchful eye of winemaker Johann Fourie.

“There’s a myth among winemakers that you never start harvest on a Monday – I put it to the test by starting on Friday the 13th!” laughs Johann. The harvest was blessed by Benguela Cove owners Penny Streeter and Nick Rea (photo left).

PHOTOS: Mahya Golabi

“We are busy with the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes for our maiden vintage MCC, and picking for our still wines will follow within the next week or two, first the whites and finally the reds varietals,” says Johann.

Making bubbly involves many specialised steps that have taken centuries to evolve, and the reason why these grapes are harvested earlier than those for still wines, is because a lower sugar content is required to keep the alcohol level low. Since sugar is converted to alcohol during fermentation, winemakers have to make allowance for the fact that the alcohol level will be boosted by the second fermentation later in the process.

Another reason why these MCC grapes are harvested early, is because the youthful acids, which give the wine its crispness, also aid in preserving the wine over the long course of its development.

Johann says the 2017 harvest is looking exceptionally good, but he is reluctant to make predictions. “We’ve had a dry warm summer with little rain and humidity so the grapes are healthy and the analyses are excellent. But winemakers are always a bit hesitant to get too excited at this early stage of the harvest because anything can happen – the weather can change and there is always the danger of fire – but so far so good!”

This will be Benguela Cove’s first harvest at their own winery on the estate, situated on the edge of the Bot River lagoon, although construction is ongoing. The rest of the custom designed, 700 ton capacity cellar and the visitors’ centre which will house the tasting room and restaurant is still under construction and due for completion towards the end of the year.

Village Explorer

12

The Write Angle

17 January 2017

What’s new in review

‘Miracle of a book’ is a great read man who has to kill not only the so-called enemy, but also to protect the wronged. And on yet another it is a harrowing depiction of hunger and starvation, especially of Irish immigrants many of whom faced it both in the homeland they had to flee and in the country they fled to.

I

t helps to read this American Civil War-era novel with a southern drawl. At the beginning there is a description of the laid-out dead in their freshly-groomed uniforms, shaven “as if the embalmer sure didn’t like no whiskers showing”.

Penguin

The story begins in early 1850s Missouri – a frontier setting where there are dangers everywhere; shootin’ and killin’ part of everyday life – but with the Civil War still some years off.

It is the story of a friendship between two teenage boys, John Cole and the narrator Thomas McNulty, a refugee of the Irish potato famine who finds a new life in the United States.

Sir Seretse Khama, the first President of Botswana and heir apparent to the kingship of the Bangwato people, brought independence and great prosperity to his nation after colonial rule. But when he fell in love with a young, white English girl, Ruth Williams, he was banned from his own country for six long years and the mixed-race couple was forced to live in exile.

Delving into newly released records, Susan Williams tells Seretse and Ruth's inspiring, triumphant tale of hope, courage, and the fight for justice and true love. Colour Bar was the inspiration for the major feature film A United Kingdom.

Jonathan Ball Fighting alongside each other in the wars that shaped modern America, their story is also of the extended family they create with the Sioux girl Winona, and how from the perspective of the 1870s, their shared history is remembered.

On one level this novel is a damning account of the atrocities and treachery that marked America's Indian and Civil Wars. On another it is a poignant portrayal of the enduring humanity of a good

Tafelberg

Irish author Sebastian Barry has just won his second Costa Novel of the Year award for Days without End, referred to by the judges as “a miracle of a book”.

(His previous win was in 2008 for The Secret Scripture, of which the film adaptation was recently released in the UK.)

Internationally-renowned historian Hermann Giliomee has himself been intimately involved in the unfolding drama of South Africa’s history, as participant at the Dakar talks with the ANC, as the English press, and as leading thinker on the Afrikaners. Giliomee’s lucidity and original insights make this more than just his own story. It is also a gripping narrative, filled with anecdotes and revelations of the inner workings of the Afrikaner establishment. The book is also available in Afrikaans as Historikus – ‘n Outobiografie.

Most of all, it is the story of a love that transcended not only unimaginable hardships, but also gender and convention. The simple sincerity of the narrator makes for a haunting tale in which both death and survival are recounted with the same poetic soulfulness.

Like so many contemporaneous voices of Civil War history, the book is peppered with the non-PC language of the time (be warned, the “N” word features) – and while this becomes an uncomfortable though authentic narrative, one must read with an open mind. It’s not Gone with the Wind, by any means. But the novel is also highly poetic.

Descriptions of the Mid-West abound. The endless miles of the Tennessee plains, a landscape devoid of even a hill to break the monotony and the ugliness are described with vivid colours: But now in the distance we see a land begin to be suggested as if maybe a man was out there painting it with a huge brush.

He is choosing a blue as bright as falling water for the hills and there is a green for the forests so green you think it might be used to make ten million gems. Rivers burn through it with an enamelled blue. The huge fiery sun is working at burning off all this splendid colour and for ten thousand acres of sky it is mighty successful. A stagger of black cliffs just nearby rise sheer and strange from the molten greens… Then a wide band of red striked across the sky…

Then a colossal band of the blue of bird eggs. God’s work!

The reminiscences of Thomas’s days in Tennessee are the “days without end” of the title.

This is a great read and a very personal one. Highly recommended.

A ‘trunk call’ visit to Hemingways Over the last 22 years, the owners of Hemingways Bookshop in Harbour Road, Beth and Noel Hunt, have become accustomed to receiving iconic figures from around the world at their shop.

A recent highlight was a visit by renowned wildlife conservationist, Dr Iain Douglas-Hamilton. Together with his wife Oria, Iain has dedicated his life to protecting the largest land mammal, the African elephant.

On a day visit to Hermanus in December, Iain first visited Lembu Gallery, where he purchased one of Ed Bredenkamp’s signature Red Elephant paintings, before wandering in to Hemnigways.

Noel, who has been an admirer of Iain for many years, instantly recognised him and struck up a conversation.

Iain and Oria became lifelong companions when she visited Lake Manyara National Park in Tanzania to photograph the elephants that Iain was researching. The couple have coauthored two books, Among the Elephants in 1975 and Battle for the Elephants in 1992, both illustrated with Oria’s photography.

Human & Rousseau

Reviewed by John Morris

The long-awaited new novel by award-winning Afrikaans novelist John Miles opens with a retired teacher sitting in his garden flat one stormy evening, listening to music. Little does he know that an encounter with a dog the following day will lead to a life-changing event, that the past has a way of following your trail, and that the journey he will take will bring him back to himself and the place where it all began. Ultimately his heart will be weighed and judged.

Miles is perhaps best known for his novel Kroniek uit die doofpot which was published in 1991 and awarded the M-Net, CNA and Helgaard Steyn Prizes.

Love Wild Africa

Breestraat Publikasies

Jacana

South Africa’s Wildest Places by photographer, adventurer and author Scott Ramsay celebrates, for the first time ever, 30 of the country’s finest protected areas, including all 19 national parks and 11 provincial reserves. With a foreword by renowned writer, poet and wilderness guide Dr Ian McCallum, this is the ultimate photographic reference for the country’s famous natural heritage, its diverse wildlife and awe-inspiring scenery. With over 400 pages, more than 1 000 beautiful photographs and 35 000 words of inspirational text, this coffee-table book weighs 3,3 kg and is packaged in a protective cardboard box.

Gwen Fagan‘s remarkable books have adorned many shelves and coffee tables over the years. The latest is a loving tribute to husband Gabriel with whom she has worked on countless architectural and restoration projects.

Gwendoline’s Gawie is a sumptuous full-colour volume packed with photographs and insights into 70 years of their lives together with details of over 200 restoration projects in and around the Winelands and in Cape Town, not least, of course, the work that led to the development of the V&A Waterfront. With all its rich detail, this beautiful coffee-table book is likely to become a collector’s item.

This delightful children’s book, illustrated by Paddy Bouma, is one of the last stories written by esteemed author, poet and editor Chris van Wyk before he died last October. Mr Hare finds a R200 note on his doorstep. When he turns the note over he sees Mr Mandela’s face and decides to brave the big city of Johannesburg to return it to Mr Mandela.

But Mr Hare cannot read and he comes across many people along the way who want to get their hands on Mr Mandela’s money. Mr Hare also cannot work out why the note keeps changing colour! Mr Hare meets Mr Mandela is also available in Afrikaans and isiXhosa.

13 Village Explorer New titles at Hermanus Library Zapiro visits Hermanus

17 January 2017

English fiction: Tannie Maria & the Satanic Mechanic - Sally Andrew This was a man – Jeffrey Archer Hide and Seek – MJ Arlidge The twenty three – Linwood Barclay The owl always hunts at night – Samuel Bjork Our Fathers – Karin Brynard Night School – Lee Child All dressed in white – Mary Higgins Clark The flame bearer – Bernard Cornwell Chaos – Patricia Cornwell Home – Harlan Coben The forgotten summer – Carol Drinkwater War room – Chris Fabry The night walker – Sebastian Fitzek The grown up – Gillian Flynn Order to kill – Vince Flynn The girl in the glass tower – Elizabeth Freemantle Friday on my mind – Nicci French Saturday requiem – Nicci French The liberation – Kate Furnivall An echo in the bone – Diana Gabaldon Find her – Lisa Gardner What remains of me – AL Gaylin Three sisters, three queens – Philippa Gregory The woman in blue – Elly Griffiths The secret diary of Hendrik Groen 83 years old – Hendrik Groen A game for all the family – Sophie Hannah Closed casket – Sophie Hannah Fool’s quest – Robin Hobb Fool’s assassin – Robin Hobb

The girls – Lisa Jewel Friends of Jesus – Karen Kingsbury Shopaholic to the rescue – Sophie Kinsella Secret sisters – Jayne Ann Krentz Hidden Killers – Lynda La Plante I let you go – Clare Mackintosh After the last dance – Sarra Manning Buried – Graham Masterton The chosen – Kristina Ohlsson Baby doll – Hollie Overton Red earth – Tony Park Cross the line – James Patterson Woman of God – James Patterson Small great things – Jodi Picoult The olive tree – Lucinda Riley Apprentice in death – JD Robb Alone in the dark – Karen Rose The first hostage – Joel C Rosenberg The third target – Joel C Rosenberg Deathlist – Chris Ryan Two by two – Nicholas Sparks The farn at the edge of the world – Sarah Vaughan Afrikaanse Fiksie: Lugkasteel – Annelie Botes Koukonap – Johan Botha Die lelie-moordenaar – lerina Erasmus Die dood van ’n goeie vrou – Chris Karsten Soetloop – E Kotzé Een nag, en ‘n bietjie – Hester Kruger In die laksman se skoot – Chris Marnewick Bloedlyn – Madelein Rust

Wildernis – Wilbur Smith Non-fiction: Op soek na God se hart – Lindie Strydom What if there were not whites in South Africa – Ferial Haffajee The sword and the pen – Allister Sparks Dominance and decline the ANC in the time of Zuma – Susan Booysen Rogue, the inside story of SARS’s elite crime-busting unit – Johann van Loggerenberg Tannie Poppie kook weer – Poppie Coetzer Een pot, pan, bakplaat – MariLouis Guy & Callie Maritz Rooi Rose Kuierkos – Vickie de Beer The great South African Cook Book The pigeon tunnel – John le Carré So is dit nou – Johan van Wyk Francis – Jimmy Burns The Churchill factor – Boris Johnson 558 Days – Yolande Korkie Not without a fight – Helen Zille Kruispaaie, Afrikaner keuse in die 19de en 20ste eeu – Leopold Scholtz Ons Japie – Anna Barry Junior Fiction: Diary of a wimpy kid – double down – Jeff Kinney A horse for Angel – Sarah Lean Harry and Hope – Sarah Lean The forever whale – Sarah Lean Hero – Sarah Lean

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visit to Hermanus by popular cartoonist Zapiro (aka Jonathan Shapiro) as the guest of bookmark in Main Road came as a pleasant surprise to many on Christmas Eve. The owner of bookmark, Corinne Hendry says the queue stretched along the pavement as people waited patiently to meet the iconic, multi award-winning South African cartoonist and have their copies of his book Dead President Walking signed on 24 December.

Book lovers queued along the pavement in front of bookmark to meet iconic cartoonist Zapiro (below).

Zapiro’s figurines of Malema, Madiba and Zuma (complete with shower-head) also proved excellent Christmas presents.

“In the cool of the shop, the milling masses sipped Buck's Fizz and enjoyed a moment away from the thronging queues in Woolies,” says Corinne.

Enter bookmark lucky draw

Customers of bookmark will stand the chance this month of owning a signed hard-cover copy of Ian Rankin’s new book Rather be the Devil, the 21st Rebus thriller. This copy contains an exclusive short story which was specially written for the Waterstones bookshops. Appropriately, since owner Corinne Hendry is a Scots woman, this copy happens to come from the Edinburgh branch.

If you are a fan of Rankin, remember to put your contact details on your till slip (no minimum spend) which will go into a jar for the lucky draw that will be made on 29 January.

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17 January 2017

Warwick’s offers new part-time culinary course Hedda Mittner

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arwick’s Chef School recently celebrated its 25th birthday and over the last quarter of a century, founder and principal Kevin Warwick has witnessed first-hand the phenomenal growth of the culinary industry.

Things were very different when he established Warwick’s Chef School in 1991. “We were one of only three privately owned chef schools in the country – now I think there are more than 20 in the Western Cape alone,” says Kevin.

Warwick’s continues to be one of the forerunners in culinary training, and to supply the industry with chefs who are the basics of French Classic Cuisine and contemporary style cooking. Many of their students go on to establish themselves as highly respected chefs not only at establishments in Hermanus and the rest of the country but all over the world.

The chef school, based at The Classroom in The Village, has an intake of students every six months, in January and July, and offers two full-time courses towards a City & Guilds Accredited qualification – a One Year Culinary Training Course for a Diploma in Food Preparation & Culinary Art

(which includes industry work experience as part of the course) and a Six Month Culinary Training course for an International Certificate in Food Preparation & Cooking.

They now also offer a third course specifically aimed at Grade 10 & 11 learners who enjoy cooking and are considering a career in the hospitality industry – a parttime One Year Culinary Training course for an International Certificate in Food Preparation & Cooking.

number of students per intake and there are only a few spots left for the first course which will commence at the beginning of February.

Students in the Warwick’s Chef School modern lab training kitchen.

“Even if students decide not to pursue a career in the culinary industry, this qualification could open doors for youngsters during their gap year or when travelling overseas. They would also have obtained practical cooking skills that will be useful throughout their lives.”

“This course is aimed at making youngsters aware that becoming a chef is a career option. It’s an opportunity to try out the industry and see if it might be something they’d like to get involved in. It also affords them the opportunity to get a qualification that allows them to start working straight after school,” says Kevin.

Classes for this part-time course are offered one afternoon per week from 15:00 – 19:00, excluding school holidays. The students, who must be at least 16 years old or turning 16 during the year they are on course, will receive intensive practical and theoretical training at the chef school with the focus on the basic culinary fundamentals.

To ensure quality personalised training and assessing, the school accepts a limited

Kevin says this course is also ideal for school leavers who cannot afford to give up their jobs and study full-time, and for unskilled workers who are already working in the hospitality industry and who would like to obtain a formal qualification in order to advance in their careers.

Kevin trained in Holland, France and South Africa and has worked in the hospitality industry for many years. Before launching Warwick’s Chefs School, he was head at some of the finer establishments in South Africa and owned his own restaurants and catering establishments.

The chef school’s 50th graduation ceremony took place on 9 December 2016 at The Classroom: On the left is principal Kevin Warwick with students Charl van Wyk, Simon Arendze, Pieter Nortje, Ryan Mentoor, Craig Barthorpe and senior lecturer Annabell Kapot, who has been with Warwick’s since the very first course in 1991. In front are Lunique Weideman Stassen, Jade Bright and Carla Zinkfontein. The top Diploma graduate was Charl van Wyk with an aggregate of 91,7% and the top Certificate graduate was Jade Bright whose aggregate was 97,49%.

PHOTO: Hansie Oosthuizen

Contact Warwick’s Chef School on 028 316 1166 or 083 978 3942 or info@warwickschefschool.co.za.

For more information regarding the courses and application process visit www.warwickschefschool.co.za

Village Explorer

17 January 2017

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HFF Artwalk - locals make it happen

espite the slight drizzle, art lovers were out in full force to enjoy the first Artwalk of the New Year on 6 January.

Hermanus First Fridays (HFF) has become a popular not-tobe-missed event and there was the usual mix of local residents and visitors who followed the orange as they strolled from gallery to gallery

New Wine Boutique at Village Square The popular Village Square shopping centre now boasts its own wine shop, simply called Wine Boutique, which focuses on local wines.

The intimate little shop offers a comprehensive range of wines from Walker Bay and stocks 300 – 400 different wines from over 100 producers. “About 80% of our stock comes from the Elgin to Elim region and the main focus is on the Hemel-en-Aarde producers,” says Barry Henn, who manages the shop for

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to enjoy the awe-inspiring range of art and fine craft on display.

The ‘Masquerade’ theme of January’s HFF created a Mardi Gras atmosphere in town as locals participated in the Artwalk wearing colourful masks. Each gallery also provided fun masks as a giveaway and several tourists were

among those who enjoyed mingling with the artists, gallery owners and local residents. Most of the galleries also reported excellent sales of artworks on the evening.

“The monthly Artwalk is working very well for the galleries,” says Liz Coates, chair of the HFF committee. “It has created a new awareness of

the wonderful variety of art and fine craft in Hermanus, especially among the locals. It is their response to this initiative that has made HFF such a huge success. They are the ones that create the vibe and we are eternally grateful to them for their enthusiastic support.”

The next HFF Artwalk will take place on Friday 3 February.

Don’t miss it!

Among the Artwalkers who followed the orange were German tourists Laila Noor and Barbara Reuter, here posing in masks with the owner of Pure South, Liz Coates (middle).

Local watercolourist Maureen Tomaino enjoying a glass of wine with Gerald Coates at Pure South.

Sonja Bester from the Strand and Carin Lochner from Cape Town wearing batmobile masks at Walker Bay Art Gallery.

Morgan O’Kennedy with the owner of Walker Bay Art Gallery, Francois Grobbelaar, next to a sculpture by Louis Chanu.

Local residents Therina and Kobus du Pisani and Janette Schönborn are regular Artwalkers who popped in to Charmaine de Jongh-Gelderblom Gallery with their colourful masks.

Local artist Charmaine de Jongh-Gelderblom (on the right) chatting to Artwalkers who admired the artworks and carpets on display at Charmaine de Jong-Gelderblom Gallery.

owner Seth Anderson.

Barry grew up in Hermanus and is able to offer advice to customers not only on local wines but also on where to go and what to do in Hermanus. “Many of our clients are tourists and swallows and I enjoy the personal interaction,” says Barry.

Wine Boutique is open 7 days a week, Mondays to Saturdays from 09:00 – 17:00 and on Sundays and Public Holidays from 10:00 – 15:00.

Call 071 576 9133.

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19 NEWS Death of doctor on Klein River under investigation 17 January 2017

Nelly Roodt

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he SAPS, Eskom and the South African Maritime Agency (SAMSA) have launched investigations into the boating accident on the Klein River that resulted in the death of Rondebosch doctor Oliver Raynham. The incident has raised awareness about the safety of river users.

Dr Raynham – an ear, nose and throat specialist who practised in Cape Town – and three boys attending a scout camp at the lagoon were sailing from Stanford to the lagoon in a Hobie Cat 16 on Thursday 29 Decem5 km downstream from the slipway in Stanford when the Hobie Cat mast struck a power line spanning the river.

Dr Rayham was electrocuted.

The boys were not injured.

Two power lines were severed in the accident and were hanging in the water from the anchor poles on both sides. The lines were the bottom two of a three-phase line; the top line in the triangular arrangement is still in place.

Questions that arose following the incident were put to Eskom

by The Village NEWS: Firstly, the question as to why there were no warning lines on

The powerline that was hit by the Hoby Cat that doctor Oliver Raynham and two children were traveling in.

The Hoby Cat was towed to the Yacht Club after the accident. both sides of the triangular arrangement of conductor wires to warn river users of the live power lines and to show the safe clearance height. At Russell’s Corner, 2 km from the launch area in Stanford, another power line spanning the river does have two warning cables, one on either side.

According to Clive Pearce, chairperson of the Klein River Association of Boaters (KRAB), the warning lines at Russell’s Corner were erected some 25 years ago. This was done when an accident similar to the one

on 29 December occurred. It could not be established whether anyone had died in that incident.

Secondly, Eskom was asked whether the fluctuating water level of the lagoon and the sag of power lines on hot days had been considered when the clearance to the power line had been determined.

Eskom Distribution Guide No 19, 2011 gives details on water crossings and a table of minimum clearances for power lines.

It states that suppliers should

consider the usage of the water body to be crossed and if navigable, prove clearance of 2,5 m over the highest expected masts.

Thirdly, the question was asked whether the power line has been restored and what safety precautions were now in place. Eskom’s media desk responded that Eskom was busy compiling the investigation report. No responses were furnished to the first two questions.

Eskom did however confirm that the line crossing the river

was an Eskom 11kV overhead power line.

“Following the very sad and unfortunate incident, that section of the line crossing was isolated and the broken conductors cut away. There is no immediate danger of a repeat incident,” it stated.

distributed from our Hermanus substation. The previous supply was from our Stanford substation.”

Eskom, however, warned the public to treat the isolated line as live and stay clear of it as a safety precaution.

Captain Emile van der Merwe of the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) visited the site last Tuesday and interviewed various roleplayers.

SAMSA administers current maritime legislation and policies and submits proposals when and as required to flag government implementation.

“We are supplying customers with electricity from an alternative supply point

Capt Van der Merwe confirmed that SAMSA has launched a preliminary investigation.

17 January 2017

To advertise in The Village NEWS contact 028 050 1319 or news@thehermanusnews.co.za

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My Home

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17 January 2017

Making something out of nothing

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

The waste plastic used in the process is low-density polyethylene (LDPE), which is the thin plastic used to wrap food and other goods (‘cling wrap’). This plastic is reclaimed from municipal waste systems by a recycling company in Cape Town, which heats it together and, once it has cooled, flakes it.

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

Any off-cuts are returned to the recycling company and flaked again before being sent back to Primwood.

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

The company produces a standard range of garden furniture (various designs of chairs and tables, picnic benches, pool loungers and dog kennels), jungle gyms for schools and municipalities, flower boxes and plant lattices, as well as municipal refuse bins and public benches, while it also manufactures made-toorder items. The products are available in brown, black, grey,

My Home

By Sarah Taylor marble, blue and green, while red and yellow are popular for the jungle gyms.

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

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

Apart from being extremely durable, the polywood items are considerably heavier than wood, which means that it is more difficult for thieves to walk off with polywood benches or tables, for example. This also means that they won’t get blown over in the wind. They are nonabsorbent, so work well in a wet environment and need no maintenance at all.

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

Johan Pieterse (third from right at the back) with factory manager Sieg Lötter (right) who has been with Primwood for 16 years, and their team.

Welcome Mavata working on Primwood’s garden furniture.

Johan used to live in Johannesburg where he and his son own an engineering firm. He owned a car dealership in Hermanus before taking over Primwood Products in September last year. “Sitting at a desk half killed me,” he laughs.

“At Primwood, I am being creative and making something out of nothing, out of waste.”

Polywood products are becoming much more common globally, according to Johan. “A friend travelled to Disneyworld in the US recently and he took photos of benches there that were made from extruded plastic planks.

“What we still have to get right in South Africa is recycling.

While the Cape Town and Hermanus municipalities are very good in this regard, many other municipalities don’t even sort their waste, which is simply buried in landfill. LDPE, however, takes an extremely long time to break down

underground, with no UV to assist the process. So with polywood, at least some good is coming out of the recycling process.”

Numerous online sources estimate that buried LDPE could take between 500 and 1 000 years to biodegrade.

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

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

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

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17 January 2017

The New Year starts on a healthy note With the first month of 2017 underway, many of us are suffering the after-effects of over-indulgence during the festive season. Now is the time to turn on the brakes and become more conscious of what we are putting into our bodies. And making healthy choices when eating out has just become a whole lot easier, with several establishments in Hermanus and surrounds serving up fresh, colourful, healthy and delicious meals and drinks.

Lucky for you, we have Betty Blue

A creative treat for vegan visitors

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p in Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, the Creation team has come up with their latest food and wine pairing adventure and here, too, the emphasis is on healthy and conscientious eating. In collaboration with Marc Joshua Engel, executive chef at Aux Trois Amis, a restaurant in Schernelz overlooking the lake of Biel in Switzerland, the team has developed an exciting and delightful new vegan menu, with each course beautifully paired with a Creation wine.

To get an idea of their offering, imagine homemade puffs of flavourful falafel consisting

among others of red lentils, silken tofu and dukkha spices, deep-fried and served with avocado salt, lemon juice, pomegranate, lemon rind, sumac and fresh herbs, and paired with the Creation Syrah Grenache.

Or shiitake and king oyster mushrooms with deep-fried aubergine, some pickled beetroot and raw cauliflower, served with a delectable reduction of vegetable stock, shiitake and king oyster mushrooms and soy sauce, paired with the Creation Pinot Noir. And then there are the irresistible sweet treats paired with the Creation Chardonnay

– think of chia seeds (said to be among the healthiest foods on the planet) soaked in coconut cream with coconut sugar… chocolate mousse made from avocado and cocoa powder… or fresh berries with seeds and dried cranberries on top.

This multi award-winning winery is already renowned for the innovative way in which they cater for a variety of dietary and lifestyle preferences, and co-owner Carolyn Martin says their culinary team is looking forward to tempting and delighting their vegan visitors.

Betty Blue Bistro in Main Road, Hermanus is back in the news, this time as one of Eat Out’s Best healthy restaurants in SA. The article, published online on 10 Jan-uary, lists Betty Blue as one of only three restaurants in the Winelands and Surrounds category, along with the Greenhouse at Babylonstoren in Franschhoek and Meraki in Stellenbosch.

In compiling their list of great healthy restaurants, Eat Out used “a broad definition to include eateries that focus on vegetarian and vegan food; cater for strict gluten-, sugarand dairy-free meals; or use organic, seasonal and locally grown ingredients”.

The article comes at a time when many of us are struggling to get rid of those few extra kilos gained over the festive season, and to control more serious lifestyle ailments such as high blood pressure or diabetes. But have no fear, says Eat Out, as Betty Blue is near – and ready to serve you a dose of goodness for the New Year.

“It’s all in the name of eating better in 2017.”

Betty Blue is no stranger to accolades, and since opening just over a year ago they have won the Eat Out award for Best Bistro in the Western Cape, as well as the Chef Rôtisseur and Chef de Table from Châine des Rôtisseurs.

“This bright gem in the heart of Hermanus offers up a great, wholesome menu to kick-start your year of health,” reads the article. “Choose one of the healthy breakfasts like the green brekkie with steamed veg, poached eggs, basil pesto, avo and almonds, or Betty’s health tart with muesli, yoghurt, fresh fruit and honey. If you stop in for lunch, the courgette with goat’s cheese and bacon is great for banters. Alternatively, one of the colourful seasonal salads with beetroot, yellow peppers, or long stem broccoli will do the trick. Wash it down with one of the nutritious rainbow juices like the Popeye with apple, cucumber, spinach, mint and lemon.”

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17 January 2017

Exciting events bring sport personalities to Whale Coast

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ith a great festive season behind us, the Cape Whale Coast is looking forward to exciting sporting action early in 2017.

Some of the best women in golf will arrive in Hermanus this February to participate in the inaugural Global Challenge – a women’s invitational that sees two teams selected from the Northern and Southern Hemispheres competing against one another to make as many birdies as possible for the official charity, Learn to Earn.

In March, Hermanus will play

host to the Stage 1 and Stage 2 start of the ABSA Cape Epic. The last time this international MTB stage race visited us was in 2008.

Come and see the world’s greatest mountain bikers in action, and cheer them on as they ride through the town.

To prepare for this challenging event Landrover brought several sport celebrities – including former SA cricketer Gary Kirsten and former Springbok rugby captain John Smit – and a number of young development cyclists to the Cape Whale Coast for a

practice session outside Stanford.

Hermanus will also see the return of the 3-day Hi-Tec Walkerbay Xtreme and it promises to be bigger and better than before.

Taking place between 29 April and 1 May, this unique event will offer road and trail running, triathlon, CrossFit, surfski, paragliding, open water swimming, MTB criterium, a cliff jump-swimrun challenge, and a strongman challenge.

Visit www.walkerbayxtreme.com for more information.

Elsabé Nauta of Stanford Valley Guest Farm with Gary Kirsten, one of South Africa’s all-time greatest opening batsmen, John Smit, Springbok captain of the team that won the Rugby World Cup in 2007, and Mbongeni Ngcobo, an upcoming cycling star.

Teeing-up for a hand up Teeing-up to help out on The Global Challenge invitational golf event are a number of international ambassadors who are eager to spread the word about the charitable aspects of the event. One of them is Hermanus’s very own Robert Johnson.

A keen golfer – he’s been playing for 52 years, although as he says, he’s “not getting any better” (we don’t believe him!) – Robert made Hermanus his home some five years ago, retiring from the property industry in Gauteng.

Remaining corporately connected though, Robert is now involved in driving the corporate Pro-Am NorthSouth derby for the Global Challenge.

He describes his involvement as being a great opportunity to do something meaningful for the local community. Rather than just giving money to a cause, he wanted to be handson, believing that being personally involved will help move the project forward to the space where it needs to go.

“There are many projects that the community needs and supporting The Global Challenge is one way to

unlock togetherness and raise funds, as this event is first and foremost a charitable initiative. That’s why I am calling on Corporate South Africa to get involved. Not just our local businesses, but nationwide.

It’s a great initiative that will release all manner of potential for much needed community projects and skills development through the auspices of Learn to Earn.

“Hermanus Golf Club is also one of the prettiest courses I have ever played… so there are only plusses for people to put their putting to the test.”

Robert is joined by David Drummond (South Africa), Charl de Kock (Hermanus, South Africa), and Andrew Russel (South Africa) as well as Susie Charles (England) and others…

Talking of giving, the field of 20 local and international professional women golfers who will participate in The Global Challenge, will be doing so in their off-time in between the 2017 Ladies Sunshine Tour events.

“It is wonderful that all the ladies are generously donating their time and

energy to this cause, even though The Global Challenge does not form part of the Ladies Sunshine Tour,” commented spokesperson Kaz Henderson.

“We thoroughly appreciate the support we have received and everything that everyone is doing to ensure that this event is a resounding success. It has been a long time in the making, but it is now around the corner and the excitement and energy is palpable. We would like to encourage all to come out and support the event between 24 – 26 February; come and witness history in the making.”

The Global Challenge is the first tournament of its kind on several fronts; firstly it sees a team from the Southern Hemisphere take on their northern counterparts (the only other teams event for professional women golfers is The Solheim Cup); it is also focused on raising funds for charity - Learn to Earn, through the Birdies 2 Earn campaign, which will see the players teeing-up for a hand-up.

To play in the corporate challenge or to get involved, see more info at: www.theglobalchallenge.co.za.

Diarise the dates and support the event as it’s free to watch!

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NEWS

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17 January 2017

Hermanus Cricket Club hosts Johann Graaff Day

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t has been a longstanding tradition that the Johann Graaff Day is held on the first weekend of January. With the weather providing ideal conditions, the Captains' XI, selected from members of the Hermanus Cricket Club, played against an invitation Presidents' XI. The match was played on the newly laid pitch and consisted of 35 overs per team with the Presidents' XI victorious by a margin of 7 wickets. Batting first, the Captains’ XI scored 170 runs in their allotted overs, a total surpassed by the Presidents' XI in 29 overs.

The object of the day was to provide a fun, social outing with an extended lunch hour enjoyed by all present.

Notable performances by the Captains' XI included a wellplayed 44 by Mornay Groenewald and a memorable 'caught and bowled' by Cano Hooneberg.

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Sport

By Tony O’Hagan Alistair Gray was the standout batsman for the Presidents' XI scoring an unbeaten 50, while Chandre Fritz, ex-Proteas Ladies player and the only female participant, was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3 wickets for 12 runs in 4 overs. Impressive to say the least!

PRESIDENTS VS CAPTAINS Johann Graaff (left) and Eddie Abels, chairman of Hermanus Cricket Club (second from left) with the Captains’ XI and Presidents’ XI teams.

After the day's activities, prize giving was held with Club President Dr Johann Graaff doing the honours. An enjoyable outing to kickstart the second half of the cricket season. Our thanks and acknowledgement goes to Action Photoz for the photographs depicting the day's event.

EYE ON THE BALL The Presidents’ XI were victorious by a margin of 7 wickets against the Captains’ XI from Hermanus at the Johann Graaff Day.

Newcomers add value to South African cricket

n 20 August 2012, South Africa became the top-ranked team in test cricket for the first time in history. Eight days later, on 28 August, South Africa became the first team to top the rankings in all three formats of the game.

With the retirement of many leading players, the Proteas suffered defeats in test and ODI formats, notably to England and India in test cricket. This resulted in a fall in the ICC rankings. However, the resurgence during the latter part of 2016 and early 2017 has seen the team climb to no. 3 (tests), no. 2 (ODI) and no. 3 (T20).

This improvement has been aided by the performance of some of the new faces in the team. They include: Kagiso Rabada, nick-named KG, who made his ODI debut at the age of 19 in 2014 and test debut at the age of 20 in 2015.

The St Stithians Old Boy became the first cricketer to win

six awards at Cricket South Africa's annual dinner, including the prize for Cricketer of the Year. This young talent has already taken two 10 -wicket and five 5-wicket hauls in test matches.

With a medical doctor for a father and a lawyer for a mother, the elder of two brothers, KG has amassed 63 wickets in tests and 43 ODI wickets since he burst onto the international scene. He is a player to be nurtured and managed carefully in the years ahead.

centuries, with a top score of 129 not out (tests) and 178 (ODI). Quinton is a quick scoring batsman with a test average of 51.04, which signifies a bright future for both the player and the Proteas.

Kagiso Rabada

Temba Bavuma

Quinton de Kock celebrated his 24th birthday in December 2016, and made his test debut in 2014 against Australia.

Educated at King Edward VII School in Johannesburg (commonly referred to as KES), he recently married his girlfriend of four years, Sasha, in September 2016.

This wicket-keeper/ batsman has 16 tests and 69 ODI appearances under his belt.

He has scored three test centuries and 11 ODI

Quinton de Kock

Stephen Cook

Temba Bavuma was born in the township of Langa, on the outskirts of Cape Town, in 1990 and was educated at the South African College Junior School in Cape Town (SACS) and St David's Marist, Inanda, Sandton. He is the first black South African cricketer to make a test century for South Africa, achieved against England in Cape Town.

He made his ODI debut for South Africa against Ireland in September 2016 and scored a maiden ODI century. His first test cap was against the West Indies in December 2014. A little out of form, up to and including the recent test against Sri Lanka at Newlands, Bavuma will surely realise his full potential in the coming years.

Stephen Cook, son of former South African cricketer Jimmy Cook, was a late entry into international cricket at the age of 33. He received his test callup after a prolific career at the Highveld Lions in Gauteng.

During his time at the Lions, he achieved a record first-class score in South African cricket, scoring 390 against the Warriors in 2009. Cook became the sixth South African (and 100th test player) to score a century on debut during the fourth test against England in January 2016.

He has already scored three centuries and two half centuries in nine test matches with an average of 41.00. Cook is a traditional opening batsman who has cemented his place at the top of the order with Dean Elgar, after the Proteas had experimented with numerous opening combinations without success.

These four 'newcomers' have added a breath of optimism for the future of the Proteas Cricket Team.

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Chess kids victorious at SA championships huge accolade for the OCF”.

The following children also won board prizes: Divan Stander (U10 mixed), Meyer Snyders (U10 mixed), Charl van Wyk (U12 mixed), Brandon Edwards (U12 mixed), Rico Roos (U16 mixed) and Alistair Matthys (U18 mixed).

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oung chess players from the Overberg returned home triumphant with one gold and two silver trophies following the SA Junior Chess Championships (SAJCC) in Johannesburg in December.

In addition, 43 players from the OCF participated in the individual Wild Card event, which was held directly after the SAJCC. As a result of their performance at the Wild Card event, twelve of these players have qualified for the SAJCC Closed event to be held in April 2017 in Johannesburg.

The Overberg Chess Federation (OCF) sent 68 players to the team event, which involved more than 2 300 children from all over South Africa, aged U8 to U18, playing seven rounds each.

The OCF’s U10 mixed team (boys and girls) won gold, while the U8 mixed team and the U12 mixed team each won silver trophies. These teams, which participated in the D category at the event, are expected to be promoted either to the C or B categories for this year’s event.

The federation’s chairperson Kim Montgomery says this is “a

The South African Junior Chess championships 2016 Overberg U8 Open A Team: In front are Samuel de Wet, Luke Valentine, Finlay Taylor and Danelle Whitehead. At the back Samantha Brink, Kiffie Saayman (manager) and Daniella de Villiers.

Kim notes that only 30 players per age group are selected for the closed event, nationally.

The 12 are Meya Snyders (U10 girls), Samantha Brink (U8 girls), Danielle de Villiers (U8 girls), Luke Valentine (U8 open), Milani Hlanzela (U10 girls), Asiphe Mbovane (U10 girls), Ayola Dondolo

(U10 girls), Divan Stander (U10 open), Jaeden Beaukes (U12 open), Inga Mfundisi (U16 girls) and Werner de Beer (U18 open).

Kim was ecstatic about the results. “OCF teams which will be promoted to higher divisions at SAJCC in Boksburg this year are U8 from B to A division (there were only A and B divisions in U8 last year), U10 and U12 from D to C division.

The children did so well and we are very proud of them. The performance of our players also drew the attention of WP chess coaches and development organisations, which have approached our players for further development,” she said.

She thanked parents for supporting their children and for those who assisted with the management of teams. She also thanked the Department of Culture and Sports and the Overberg Sports Council for the recent donation to the OCF of 20 chess clocks, worth R23 000.

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Congratulations to the Class of 2016

From P 1 The matric results for schools in the Overstrand are: ■ Hermanus High School received a 100% pass rate and 79,09% Bachelor passes. The top matriculant in the country, Conrad Strydom, obtained a 98% aggregate. The school achieved 27 A aggregates, 31 B and 56 C aggregates. Both Conrad and Sian Bourdin, with an aggregate of 96,3%, are on the Western Cape Merit List.

■ Curro Hermanus boasts a 100% pass rate and has been crowned as the top performing IEB school within the Curro Group nationwide. Of its 15 matriculants, 93% achieved a Bachelor pass and 33,3% obtained A aggregates. The school’s top achiever is Charnay Vorster with an aggregate of 85%.

■ Northcliff House College also boasts a 100% pass rate. Of their 10 matriculants, 7 received Bachelor passes and 3 Diploma passes.

■ Qhayiya Secondary School in Zwelihle also has plenty of reason to celebrate, as their

Cllr Lindile Ntsabo, Principal Nkosilungile Lolwana and ODM Deputy Mayor Archie Klaas with Qhayiya Secondary School in Zwelihle’s three top performers: Siphamandla Vabantu, Mava Masimini and Siseko Malongwana. matric pass rate increased from 80,6% to 88,5%. The school’s top performer is Siseko Malongwana who achieved a 71% aggregate.

■ Gansbaai Academia received a 95,18% pass rate.

Their top student is Analo Yawa with 6 distinctions – the

first learner in the school’s history to achieve an average of 80% and above.

■ Hawston Secondary achieved a pass rate of 73,5%.Their top matriculant is Jenne-Lee Hartnick, with 1 distinction and an aggregate of 73,8%.

CONGRATULATIONS! Northcliff House College is proud of their 100% pass rate for the matrics of 2016. In the back row are Pete de Kock (teacher), Arrin-Dee Hansen, Vanya Labuschagne (distinctions in Afrikaans, Design and Visual Arts), Quintin Spies, Bodean Rohlandt (distinction in Mathematical Literacy), and Dylan Harvey. In the middle row are Nikita Koekemoer (distinction in Afrikaans), Barbara Liefeldt (teacher and vice-principal) and Ruth Mao-Cheia. In the front are Laetitia de Villiers and Vjorn Pharo.

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Schools H

High five to Hermanus High class of 2016

ermanus High School crowned its 75th birthday celebrations by achieving, once again, a 100% pass rate, a total of 27 A candidates – and the top matriculant in the country for 2016.

(98%), Sian Bourdin (96,33%), Angela Spring (91,5%), Erich Wiehann (91,17%) and George van Dyk (90,33%). Both Conrad and Sian are on the WCED merit list and among the top 20 candidates in the country.

A total of 177 learners wrote the National Senior Certificate (NSC) exam, of which 140 (79,09%) candidates passed with exemption for Bachelor degree studies, while 36 candidates passed with diploma exemption and one with Senior Certificate exemption.

The other A candidates are Bianca Christensen (88,17%), Jaco du Toit and Jesse Saunders (87,83%), Francois Theron and Yolandi Bruwer (87%), Tyren van der Spuy and Michaela Viljoen (86,33%), Chuma Moss (85,67%), Justine Rubesch (85,5%), Carmen Steyn and Dracken Black (84%), Nicola Coetzee and Margo Lloyd-Leo (83,33%), Deone Gerber (82,17%), Chanell Dreyer (81,67%),

Among the A candidates, five received an average mark of above 90% - Conrad Strydom

Twins Etienne and Elani Groenewald (left) and their friends Michaela Groenewald (no relation) and Monique Hobkirk were delighted with their matric results.

A very proud Mahmood Malik, the owner of Tikka Palace restaurant, with daughter Hanna Mahmood Malik and wife Shanaaz.

Regardt du Plessis and Ryk van Romburg (81,33%), Nicola Jordaan (81,17%), Liza Viljoen and Abigail Buckenham (80,67%), Cailin-Ann Botes (80,56%) and Raquel Bullough (80,17%).

There were big smiles and many sighs of relief among the candidates and their parents when they gathered at the school on Thursday 5 January to receive their results. Not only did the school produce the overall top NSC candidate in the country (read more about Conrad Strydom on P5), but the Overberg was the best performing school district in South Africa.

– Hedda Mittner

Hermanus High boasts 27 A candidates among the matric class of 2016, who gathered with family and friends at the school on 5 January to receive their results. Pictured are 24 of the A candidates with headmaster Greg Hassenkamp (middle back), Overstrand Mayor Rudolph Smith, who is also the chair of the school governing body (far right) and grade head Anneke Harms (third from right).

Headmaster Greg Hassenkamp congratulates Ilse-Joy Africa with her matric results.

PHOTOS:

A candidate Nicola Coetzee (second from left) with her older sister Lochel, Vivienne Mitchley (principal of Northcliff House College) and beaming dad Gerhard Coetzee.

The Spandeel family were elated with their daughter Kelzya’s B aggregate. From left are dad Roland, Kelzya, mom Christine (who works at the Hermanus Provincial Hospital) and older sister Kirchna, who is a 4th year law student. Kelzya will start her studies in dentistry this year.

Matriculants Dylan Rothman, Anil Africa and Jean-Louis Fick were “over the moon” with their matric results and ready to celebrate.