The Village NEWS 5 June 2018

NEWS NEWS

Village

The

Mayoral Entrepreneurial Winner

5 - 11 June 2018

Cape Whale Coast

FREE COPY

HOUSING

What is happening?

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FYNARTS

Festival fun awaits

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RUNNING IN FERNKLOOF: Chad Gordon is the winner of the ‘Hit us with your Best Shot’ photo competition with this photograph, which he took in the Fernkloof Nature Reserve while children were jogging early one morning before school. The photograph captures the pure joy of living among the natural beauty of our environment. It draws the viewer into the picture with a single focus point that leads into a background, demanding closer inspection. The energy and framing of the photograph makes this a perfect front page picture. See page 2 for more pictures.

Hermanus to pay more for water

esidents of Greater Hermanus who use more than 6 kl of water per month will now pay 30% more for water after the Overstrand Municipality implemented level 2 water restrictions. The De Bos dam level is on 36 %.

According to the Municipality the diminishing levels of the De Bos dam (Hermanus’ main water source apart from the boreholes), have been a cause for concern. “Unfortunately, despite

a good response to the call to use water sparingly, rainfall over the past couple of months did little to alleviate the situation, so we have no other option than implementing level 2 water saving measures for the Greater Hermanus area,” said Mayor Dudley Coetzee, at a Council meeting on Wednesday, 30 May 2018. The restrictions will be in effect from 1 June 2018.

The saving measures are pre-

dominantly aimed at ensuring water savings in gardens. Residents may only water their gardens for one hour per day, before 09:00 or after 17:00, one day per week. The day per week will be in accordance with street numbers. For residents with even numbers, it will be Wednesdays only, and for those with uneven numbers, Tuesdays only. The use of irrigation systems are still allowed, but also for not more than one hour on the day.

“The first level of water restriction tariffs will also apply from this date. The tariff for domestic water use up to 6 kl per month will not increase. The tariffs for domestic use above 6 kl per month will increase by 30%.

The water tariff for all nondomestic use will also increase by 30%,” said Coetzee.

“Also affected will be the washing of vehicles and boats, which may only be done if a bucket and cloth are used. The

hosing down of hard services or paved areas is prohibited.

Watering of plants in nurseries, etc., for commercial purposes, is exempted from the water restrictions. The restrictions are also not applicable to commercial car wash businesses.

“All well points and boreholes must be registered at the office of the area manager and consumers must ensure that they display the appropriate signage to this effect, clearly visible

from a public thoroughfare,” said the Municipality in a statement.

These measures apply to the administrative area of Hermanus only, in other words to all residential areas from Benguela Cove through Fisherhaven to Voëlklip.

Other administrative areas within Overstrand are not affected by these measures since they still have sufficient water resources.

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5 - 11 June 2018

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The Team

6 Royal Street, Hermanus

028 312 2234

Publishing Editor De Waal Steyn 083 700 3319 dewaal@thevillagenews.co.za

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

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

Office Administrator Tania Hamman admin@thevillagenews.co.za

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

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

Freelance Journalist Elaine Davie 084 343 7500

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

WHERE TO FIND US The Village NEWS is published every week and the next edition will be available on 12 June.

The NEWS can be found at more than 250 distribution points on the Cape Whale Coast, from Pringle Bay to Gansbaai.

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

Let’s use this opportunity to learn from each other The past few weeks have seen the public debate regarding housing and service delivery in the Overstrand intensify on the back of increased protests by various communities.

Social media has become the medium of choice for sharing information and posting comments and insights. Where traditional media has for centuries played the role of gatekeeper of the information passed to the masses, social media has become the domain for freedom of speech, monitored with great difficulty and various levels of success by a few untrained administrators.

THE

NEWS

OPINION Matters

This has led to a situation where the debate, instead of binding communities together, has created mutual distrust, fear and racial tension. In fact, it can be said that race relations in the Overstrand has reached an all-time low. Much of this is caused by speculation, rumour-mongering and blatant fake news.

Through analysing what is written on social media it is apparent that the ever-

widening gap between the races is exacerbated by a lack of understanding of each other’s background and culture. It has come to a point where a simple turn of phrase or a single word can cause disharmony and pain. This in turn leads to further frustration and recrimination that not only increases tensions locally, but also sends a negative picture of our region to national and international audiences.

We as locals have the responsibility to ensure that a common language of understanding and tolerance is created.

This can only be done through personal introspection and a conscious decision to replace preconceived conceptions and bias with mutual understanding and respect. The needs and ambitions of one community are not more important than another. To this end options for open dialogue must be created and respected by all communities.

Let’s make this an opportunity to learn from one another to the benefit of all.

This is the good NEWS – Ed.

CONGRATULATIONS to the winners of the ‘Hit us with your Best Shot’ photo competition. The winners were decided in conjunction with veteran photojournalist Dawid Roux. According to him the overall quality of entries exceeded that of the many newspaper and photography club competitions he has judged. In addition to our winner Chad Gordon (front page picture), Donovan McHendrie came second with ‘Reflection at the Three Dams’ (right) and Stephan de Lange placed third with ‘Surfer at Onrus beach’ (above).

Keep your eyes peeled on Facebook for the launch of the next competition.

Weather forecast for the next week & De Bos Dam level

www.yr.no

Tuesday 5 June

Wednesday 6 June

Thursday 7 June

Friday 8 June

Saturday 9 June

Sunday 10 June

Monday 11 June

10°C / 19°C

13°C / 21°C

15°C / 17°C

15°C / 17°C

13°C / 20°C

13C / 14°C

11°C / 12°C

Clear

Clear

Partly Cloudy

Cloudy

Cloudy

Cloudy

Rain

De Bos Dam Level

36.2 %

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5 - 11 June 2018

Fernkloof’s own superhero

F

ernkloof Nature Reserve is known for the amazing variety and beauty of its fynbos flowers. This little jewel is one of the most biodiverse pieces of land in the world. By biodiverse we mean the huge variety of species, both plant and animal.

MY NEWS Environment THE

Gnaphosidae (gumfoot spiders), Thomisidae (crab spiders) and Theridiidae (comb-footed spiders or tangle-web spiders).

How do we know that? By recording every single one! We are pretty up to date with the flowers. Members of the Hermanus Botanical Society regularly go out to list all the plants growing in the reserve, some of which only sprout and bloom after a fire – which can be at intervals of more than 20 years.

Fourteen species endemic to the Western Cape are presently known to live in the Reserve. The current data indicate that 6.7% of the total South African spider fauna is protected in the Fernkloof Nature Reserve (FNR).

What about the animals? People report seeing klipspringers and grysbok. Many birds are recorded like our local favourites, the orangebreasted sunbirds, grass birds, sugarbirds, black eagles, rock thrush, and others. Those are the ones you can’t miss.

But what about the small stuff?

Insects like bees and butterflies are known pollinators of the fynbos.

But there are things lurking out of sight that we rarely see – perhaps only the sparkle of dewdrops on their webs in the morning sun.

Dr Vic Hamilton Attwell sharing his knowledge of spiders at the Whale Coast Conservation Expo earlier this year.

Yes, I’m talking about spiders. Very little is known about the spiders that live in Fernkloof. Spiders are very much part of this reserve and were sampled, over time, by visiting researchers. However, no formal survey had ever been undertaken.

Enter the Fernkloof Spiderman, Dr Vic Hamilton Attwell. Vic has started in a systematic way to remedy the lack of knowledge about our local eight-legs. He hunts for spiders, photographs them and collects specimens where necessary. He confirms identification of each spider with Prof Ansie DippenaarSchoeman, South Africa’s spider guru.

It is early days but, according to Vic, just a few collecting expeditions have yielded 270 specimens, representing 39 families, 99 genera and 137 species. The most speciesrich families are the Salticidae (jumping spiders), followed by the

The jumping spider Hyllus dotatus. Jumping spiders are tiny – usually between 2 and 8 mm – and characterised by large anterior median eyes. They catch their prey by jumping on it.

PHOTO: Vida van der Walt

Several specialists in the spider world have predicted that, “FNR might be home to a rich spider fauna”. This statement is starting to make sense as more and more spiders are collected that were not previously known to occur in this area.

Two species have been recorded for the first time in the Western Cape. Fernkloof is the home of a new jumping spider, Rumburak lateripunctatus. Also a first find in South Africa is Fuchiba capensis.

Late in 2017 a new genus and species, Izithunzi lina, was collected. Izithunzi means “the spider (man) that lives in the dark/caves”.

Says Dr Vic: “From these early surveys it is becoming clear that FNR can be home to a large number of spider species – known and as yet unknown. The milkwood forest, Piet-se-Bos, is considered one of the oldest milkwood forests. Specialists are of the opinion that due to the age of the forest, special spiders could be living there. This forest has not been surveyed ever.”

What surprises may lie in wait for Dr “Izithunzi”?

The newly discovered spider species in Fernloof, Izithunzi lina.

PHOTO: Vic Hamilton Attwell

– Anina Lee Whale Coast Conservation

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5 - 11 June 2018

Hard work bears fruit in delivering housing options There may be light at the end of the housing shortage tunnel in the Overstrand. After weeks of unrest, violence and emergency meetings it seems as if most of the short-term demands of the various communities have been met. DE WAAL STEYN takes a look at the current state of affairs in the region.

M

ayor Dudley Coetzee says the primary demand is for the Municipality to provide opportunities for emergency housing for vulnerable families living in backyards. “Many of these people are exploited by property owners and have to contend with overcrowding, high rentals and a lack of basic services,” he said at a council meeting on Wednesday.

Although Overstrand Municipality has various housing projects to be funded

by Provincial and National Government in the pipeline, it was agreed to assist the most vulnerable families by way of special arrangements for Zwelihle in Hermanus, Masakhane in Gansbaai, Stanford and Overhills in Kleinmond.

As a result, the Municipality will provide stands for emergency housing on portions of land earmarked for future housing developments. The minimum floor space for emergency housing is 12m² (3m x 4m) in accordance with the Provincial Department of Human Settlements. This can be increased in ad hoc circumstances. A building line of at least 1 metre must be maintained around each informal unit to promote fire safety.

Hawston: The housing project currently in progress in Hawston will provide 378 RDP houses and 107 serviced erven. However, various demands were received from the Hawston community in a petition. The items on the petition were discussed with leaders and councillors at a meeting on 28 May and while a written reply will be prepared, followup discussions will take place.

Stanford: In Stanford a total of 150 serviced plots will be made available for backyard dwellers. Earlier in the year it was decided that some 120 families that will be homeless following their possible eviction from Paradise Park will also be housed on additional serviced plots in Stanford.

Zwelihle: Although tensions are still running high in the area, with residents expecting the delivery of housing and land to

prevent the erection of any further illegal structures in the area and to do their utmost to ensure that informal settlements are kept in check.

This agreement can, however, at best be described as temporary because the investigation currently being conducted in the Kleinmond area to find suitable land for community development and a means to formalise informal settlements is ongoing.

PHOTO: Marthunis Barnard - MyWhaleCoast be speeded up, a short-term solution has been found to accommodate 150 of the most desperate families on serviced plots on a piece of land behind the municipal swimming pool.

The community must supply the Municipality and Provincial Housing Department with a list of the most vulnerable, potential beneficiaries, for the emergency housing opportunities. The list will be vetted against the housing demand database for Overstrand Municipality and only potential first-time home owners will be accommodated.

Negotiations regarding the sale of the Schulphoek land to the Provincial Government by developers Rabcav is advancing, although a final purchase price still needs to be determined.

Following the sale several processes, including an environmental impact assessment, still need to be done.

Mt Pleasant and Westdene: After barricading the R43 with rocks and burning tyres on 18 May, several meetings with the Mount Pleasant community were held to determine their specific needs.

The protest followed the signing of a Memorandum of Intent signed by the Zwelihle community, the Western Cape Department of Human Settlements and the Overstrand Municipality, in terms of which land would be made temporarily available while negotiations for a permanent solution continue.

Mount Pleasant residents said they have been waiting for land far longer than those in Zwelihle and that ‘they have plots here that can be used to build houses’.

During negotiations possibilities of additional housing opportunities were identified at the existing affordable housing project sites in lower Mount Pleasant (22 sites situated next to the sports field), in Upper Mount Pleasant where 17 sites can be increased to 26 to bring costs down, and the delivery of plots on vacant erven in lower Mt Pleasant as well as next to the sport field.

It was also concluded that the provision of housing opportunities, and especially the availability of affordable serviced sites for housing, is the highest priority for the Westdene community. Land in this area can be made available on the strip of land between Hospital Street and Westdene.

Overhills: An agreement was reached on Wednesday, 23 May between the Municipality and the Overhills Community representatives, which will ensure that the destitute will not be denied shelter whilst both parties work on formulating a proper agreement regarding the illegal occupation of land bordering the informal settlement of Overhills.

At the same time, community leaders representing the Overhills and Proteadorp communities also agreed to

Given that several earlier meetings with representatives from the community had little to no effect on preventing the erection of further illegal informal structures in the area, the latest outcome can be regarded as a remarkable milestone.

According to Municipal Manager Coenie Groenewald, a Supreme Court order was obtained which sanctions the local sheriff to remove squatters from certain areas and to destroy their shacks. Regardless of the order and the subsequent demolition of some shacks, the erection of illegal structures has not stopped.

Following consultations between Mayor Coetzee and the Municipality’s management team, a decision was taken to cease actions by the sheriff in the interim until the community has been consulted on improved co-operation and possible solutions.

As a result of this it has been suggested that an additional area be set aside for temporary informal housing equipped with an ablution block and taps. The conditions include that structures outside of the designated area be relocated to within the temporary area by 4 June and that community leaders must agree that no new structures will be erected outside the designated area.

A further condition is that only people who are registered on the housing waiting list as verified by Province and the Municipality, will be allowed to erect structures. Noone who has already been a housing beneficiary will be allowed to erect a temporary structure. The affected families will also be vetted against

the subsidy database to determine if they have benefitted before.

Representatives of the Overhills community accepted the conditions and further promised to ensure that those people guilty of ‘shack farming’ will scale these structures down and that people with sizeable properties will be stopped from ‘shack farming’ in future. It was also agreed that no-one will be allowed to hold and let more than one structure and that anyone in need of a garage shed will have to submit the necessary application in future.

Masakhane: A delegation of community leaders from Masakhane in Gansbaai met with the Mayor and a delegation of the Overstrand Municipality on 28 May to find housing solutions for backyard dwellers in the area.

It was agreed that as an interim solution, two portions of land within the existing urban edge of Masakhane will be made available for the erection of temporary structures. A total of 150 new plots, not bigger than 30 m² each, will be provided with basic services (1 communal toilet for every 5 plots and 1 communal tap for every 20 plots). The recipients are required to carry the cost of the erection of their structures themselves. The basic services are partly developed and will be operationally upgraded.

It was also agreed that the community leaders will provide a list of the most vulnerable backyard dwellers to the Municipality and that the Municipality will provide a basic lay-out of plots on the two portions of land.

The list of potential beneficiaries, as provided by the delegation, will be compared and verified against the existing housing database for Overstrand Municipality. No-one who has already been a housing beneficiary will be allowed to erect a temporary structure.

The municipal administration in collaboration with community representatives will also be responsible for the allocation and occupation process by potential beneficiaries.

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5 - 11 June 2018

A trip down memory lane to the Birkenhead The Birkenhead Hotel brings back fond memories for many Hermanus residents and visitors who were teens in the 1960s and ‘70s, when this establishment on Voëlklip beach was a popular hangout among the town’s youngsters and visiting students. In this extract from his new book on the history of Hermanus, DR ROBIN LEE of the Hermanus History Society takes a look at this illustrious but ill-fated hotel.

The Birkenhead Hotel in its heyday, as seen from Kammabaai.

T

he Luyt family in Hermanus had a strong entrepreneurial spirit and they played a big role in the local hotel industry. Their investments were successful, more often than not.

But, from their point of view, the Birkenhead Hotel would not count as a success. There were several reasons for this. The hotel was custom-built in the early 1950s. Looking back we can see that the era of large numbers of extended hotel holidays was then coming to an end. The fashion for such holidays had been the basis of success for The Marine, Royal, Riviera and Windsor hotels and had established the economic foundation on which the town was built.

But now holiday makers were looking for more flexibility and preferred to utilise hotels for accommodation only, and look for meals and entertainment wherever they wished in the town. Writing in 1989 José Burman identified other challenges in the hotel industry in the 1950s and 1960s: (Hotels) were under increasing pressure to provide better facil-

ities - first private bathrooms, then showers as well, then suites. It was necessary to plough back profits into the business to cope with alterations and additions. There was also the problem of the short season. Even prestigious hotels such as the Riviera had, at most, a four-month season… Then there was the fire hazard which was high at Hermanus… Many of those who had originally come to the hotels, bought holiday houses or built them…

However, the Luyts were friendly with the von Blommestein family, whose home was on a headland slightly to the west of Voëlklip Beach. It had a striking sea view. Voëlklip itself was growing and more holiday home owners built cottages. It seemed a perfect place to put a holiday hotel – and the von Blommesteins wished to move into town.

So Henry Luyt (brother of the legendary P John Luyt) and one of his sons, J R de Jongh Luyt acquired the von Blommestein property in 1951.

Henry had made a great success of the Riviera Hotel, and had subsequently bought and renovated the Esplanade Hotel. He was managing it

PHOTO: Old Harbour Museum profitably with his son John and Alexis Luyt, who had acquired the Windsor Hotel, was also doing well. Alexis was himself a notable fisherman and wrote a weekly column on fishing in the local newspaper for many years.

Admittedly, Joey Luyt and her daughters had sold The Marine Hotel in 1947, were renting out their home, Schoongezicht, and living in Cape Town. But The Marine was very capably managed by Eric Colbeck, although a large corporation then owned it.

The name of the new hotel at Voëlklip beach referred to the tragic sinking of the British troopship, The Birkenhead, off Danger Point in 1852. This sensational event, in which hundreds perished, was wellknown throughout South Africa and many buildings carried the name.

Construction of the all-new Birkenhead Hotel started in 1951 and the hotel opened on 24 October 1952. It was promoted as the last word in modernity and The Times of Hermanus marked the opening with a lengthy description

Birkenhead House, the luxury hotel that now occupies the site above Voëlklip beach. of the modern features of the hotel. In the article attention is drawn to the glass doors and the light entering the lobby from picture windows. In the kitchen, the main stove is “a modern Green’s Heatflow, using anthracite”. The “Bar Lounge” is built like a crow’s nest on the cliff overlooking the sea.

The Luyts spent £90 000 on building and furnishing their new hotel and it proved to be an unsustainable operation financially. They were seriously over-capitalised. By 1955 the company created for the project had to be liquidated.

The Paarl Board of Executors auctioned the hotel, with an asking price of £90 000. The best offer received was only £30 000.

In early 1956 the hotel was sold privately to the de Kock brothers, whose family had stayed in Hermanus many times and in the Birkenhead regularly, while on holiday from Zimbabwe (then Rhodesia).

The new owners appointed (Mr) Jack Carstens and (Mrs) ‘Charlie’ Carstens as managers

of the hotel. This choice was inspired. The Carstens built up a reputation for their catering.

For years, a large tourist bus transporting mainly British tourists would arrive every Wednesday, specifically for lunch at the Birkenhead. Sunday lunches and all lunches during holidays usually offered three sittings to accommodate the demand.

Then, in 1958, the traditional Spring Wildflower Show began to develop as an annual event, under Mrs Carstens.

The exhibition was hosted at the Birkenhead, alternating in following years with the Bay View and Marine hotels. This arrangement continued until the Hermanus Botanical Society built its own premises in the Fernkloof Nature Reserve and the ‘Flower Show’ was held there. This tradition continues until today.

In 1968, fire caught up with the hotel. Luckily the blaze was confined to one wing, which was rapidly restored.

There are rumours that the rubble from walls that had to be torn down was used to fill in the wetland in front of the Grottoes at Grotto Beach.

In December 1968 the hotel was sold to Eric le Roux and Andrew Norman. The hotel remained popular throughout the 1970s and many people now retired to Hermanus had their first introduction to the town during a holiday at the Birkenhead. The hotel was also a meeting place for the teenagers of the time who monopolised the verandah on the ocean side of the building over weekends.

Trading continued until investors in the popular new share block and time share systems bought the property to develop a sectional title scheme. However, by the time they had demolished the fine old hotel the market for such schemes had fallen and the development never took place. The site was vacant for some years before two private houses were built there. In turn, the houses were re-incorporated into the present boutique establishment named the Birkenhead House Hotel.

The author welcomes any comments or additional information. He can be contacted at robinlee@hermanus.co.za

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5 - 11 June 2018

THE

NEWS

Let’s Talk

A plea for control of invasive reeds at Onrus estuary

Send your letters to dewaal@thevillagenews.co.za

How an enterprising entrepreneur in Limpopo tackled poverty alleviation In almost every village in Limpopo and increasingly beyond its borders, very poor people are realising their dreams of having somewhere to sleep, enough food to eat and a house to call their own. Women are helping themselves to a better life, paying school fees for their children, becoming active members of their communities, starting their own savings accounts and, yes, empowering themselves.

No social grants here, no charity handouts, no international donors – but the access to loans, often less than R100, whereby women can overcome poverty by preparing and selling food, making clothes, dressing hair or trading in fruit and vegetables, sweets, cigarettes and cold drinks. Just as important, participants are developing self-esteem and confidence and for the first time they are largely in control of their lives and those of their families. Soon they are able to save money, expand their activities and employ other people.

All this is due to the vision of John de Wit who came to

Tzaneen in 1991 as a young man determined to tackle the scourge of poverty and unemployment in an area where more than half the population lives below the poverty line. He had valuable background in the field of micro-lending, having worked with Don MacRobert’s Get Ahead Foundation in Johannesburg.

But he wanted to take this further and the significant contribution that De Wit brought to the system was to target the very poor, who do not have confidence in themselves, who are vulnerable and easily intimidated and who generally assume that any money-lending programme is not for them.

He realised that, to bring benefits to this sector and to start motivating very poor women to start an incomegenerating activity, he had to consciously target them. De Wit’s appeal for funding went out to large companies throughout South Africa.

Money started trickling in and, within a month, he had R20 000 in the bank. But it was only when IBM agreed to

contribute R400 000 over three years that John could confidently employ field staff and administrative personnel.

From the beginning, he had a huge hurdle to overcome – how to win the confidence of rural communities who were, to put it mildly, deeply suspicious of a young white man peddling some sort of get-rich scheme. Remember, this was before the first democratic election and the air was politically charged, with the ANC still banned.

The success of the programme is reflected in the figures. More than 60 000 clients are on the books, 99 percent of them women. A whopping R90 million is out on loan and, since inception, a total of R1.1 billion has been disbursed. What is really significant is that bad debts comprise less than one-third of one percent of annual disbursements.

David Hilton Barber - Extract from Footprints on the trail of those who shaped the history of Tzaneen (2013) by the author

Change the Housing Act for change The current Housing Act, the Housing Code and programmes that flow from this act, have created a progressively growing number of ‘unhousable’ people. These are the people who earn just above R3 500/m, the income ceiling to qualify for an RDP house. It is these people that make up a large percentage of the people currently demanding houses.

problem. The Housing Act of 1997, the Housing Code and programmes set the conditions with an income ceiling of R 3 500/m (announced by the Minister) for people to qualify for a national housing subsidy (RDP house). This ceiling has not changed in 21 years, therefore every year more and more people fall outside this bracket.

Municipalities are in the front line of this and are the ham in the sandwich stuck between legislation and the people. The Overstrand Municipality has its hands full at the moment trying to balance this very complex

If you earn R3 500/m you qualify for a free house with full title. If you earn R 3 501/m you must buy a house with a bond from a bank. (There is the FLISP programme which is a very small partial subsidy

for this group, but you must obtain a bond first before access).

No matter how much land a Municipality may have or how much housing funds they have, if you do not qualify legally in terms of income you will not receive land and a house.

If community leaders / politicians are sincere in housing all in their community they should push to amend the Housing Act and Code so as to make it more inclusive.

John Sterne

As requested by an official of the Overstrand Municipality (OM) — to bring matters requiring municipal action to the OM’s attention directly, instead of following the “media route” — I reported the escalation of pampas grass invasion in the Onrus estuary area to the OM directly by e-mail, on 11 April.

As in a previous instance of a similar nature, where there was no reaction until the media was “called in”, there was zero response.

So, I steer my plea via The Village NEWS. In the area of the sewerage pump station at the bottom of Park Avenue, Onrus, as well as in and around the estuary’s infamous reed landscape, pampas grass is growing out of control. With the south-easter blowing, the plumes are carried directly onto properties on the western side of the area, with self-evident human discomfort, pollution and

further potential invasion.

(Extract from an internet article: Pampas grass is declared as a Category 1 weed in South Africa ... and must be removed. Pampas seeds can be carried 25 km by wind and develop without pollination.)

To my knowledge the presence of this alien and others, such as Sesbania, on private properties is liable to a penalty from the OM, which prompts the impression that the eradication thereof on OM property is indeed an OM affair.

If it does not fall under the OM’s jurisdiction and a conclusion has by now been reached as to who the responsible authority is – Water Affairs, CapeNature, Environmental Affairs, Nature Conservation, Recreation, Province, National Government – one would be grateful to know who is accountable.

remark, but after a repeated request to the OM in December 2016 in respect of major Sesbania invasion at the bottom of Petersen Street in Onrus, where a stretch of estuary reeds had been successfully cleared (through private initiative), the OM was uncertain about: ... where the specific area slots in with the greater plan for the control of invasive alien vegetation in the Overstrand municipal area. (The section in italics is an extract from the response received from the OM.) No further response was received. Since then, Sesbania growth is regularly being eradicated at own cost by private initiative.

One trusts that going the media route will help create clarity as to where the specific area slots in... and that pampas grass in the area will soon be eradicated... plumes and all!

Alien Observer Onrus

Pardon the tongue-in-cheek

Realist, Hermanus – or Racist, Hermanus?

I feel compelled to ask the writer of the letter Municipality is facing a lose-lose situation (The Village NEWS, 22 - 28 May): have you listened and heard yourself?

I quote: “…beautiful, unspoilt Hermanus of 14 years ago”; comparatively aligning it to “Little Monaco” – that happens to be a tax free enclave in Europe for the privileged and wealthy – only to be replaced by a “Little Lagos”; and blaming the Municipality for the state of affairs: “They have allowed uncontrolled influx…” of blacks (no doubt).

I would suggest that you and your ilk should maybe heed your threat of “an outflow of

tax paying residents” from Hermanus and head north to Orania – alternatively, head back abroad to stay rather than “then departing for a decade of travel and work”.

You do not deserve to be part of this town, province or, for that matter, this country.

“Everyone has the right to live where they please” as Imma Human so aptly put it in her letter (Hermanus doth protest too much). So for you to dare to suggest influx control measures to preserve your “Little Monaco” and prevent or reduce the number of blacks who choose to live in this area is abhorrent and the worse type of racism I have rarely, if ever,

encountered since the dawn of our democracy.

You need some serious introspection – living in your “upmarket estate” becomes a meaningless existence if you do so with such a false sense of superiority, purely based on race and privilege, no doubt achieved, aided and abetted, by a discriminatory and oppressive system and regime.

Trash, the stench and risk of contamination, does not simply disintegrate by itself – one needs to do something to rid oneself of it… that is what being a “realist” is all about, in this day and age.

KEA, Hermanus

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5 - 11 June 2018

Cliff Path – let’s connect the dots We’ll all agree that the Hermanus Cliff Path is one of the factors that sets our town apart from other beautiful destinations. To be able to walk under the ancient Milkwoods, observe the dramatic force of the sea from the cliffs high above and experience whales frolicking in the bay is truly amazing.

Yet, our path, as well as our experience, is interrupted by an 800m stretch of road where the cliff path joins the very busy air-polluted and dangerous R43.

Soon visitors from all over the world will travel to Hermanus and walk the coast in search of whales. Let’s make sure we maximise their experience.

Our town has an unusual layout. The attached Hermanus Tourism Map depicts the town layout very well. Currently the

only pedestrian access between Grotto, Voëlklip, Kwaaiwater and Fernkloof on the one side and town centre (Woolies, Village Square & all restaurants) on the other, is via the sidewalk of the busy Main Road of Hermanus that also doubles as a regional road, namely the R43, servicing the neighbouring towns of Stanford and Gansbaai.

The residents of Westcliff and tourists filling The Marine, Harbour House and Windsor hotels find themselves in a similar position – the only access to the sandy beaches of Langbaai, Voëlklip and Grotto is along the R43. With the result that not only residents, but the patrons of all the various guesthouses and hotels, have no option but to use the very narrow and airpolluted sidewalk of the R43.

Ironically, the alternative to the noisy R43 sidewalk is walking the beautiful coastline of Poole’s Bay. Have you ever done that? Although it is not a paved path, it is similar to the Fernkloof and Vogelgat hiking trails. Completely doable and enjoyable.

Approaching Poole’s Bay from the east (Voëlklip side), walk along the cliff path and when it turns sharply away from the sea to join the R43 at Mollergren Park, take the Mickey turnoff that veers to your left. Approaching Poole’s Bay from the western entrance (town side), follow the cliff path past The Marine and where it abruptly turns away from the sea, either scramble over the rocks or take the path at the end of the newly-built wall at Markus Jooste’s building

site. The public has legally always been allowed to use the area below the High Water Mark (HWM) of the Poole’s Bay coastline.

and this will enable our visitors to do the same. Why would we leave them to walk next to the R43 if they can walk next to the sea?

Share this letter with friends and family – encourage people to join CPAG too and get the updates. Let’s connect the dots.

The people of Hermanus need to walk and utilise Poole’s Bay below the HWM,

Our footprints will lay the foundation for the cliff path to follow.

CPAG (Cliff Path Action Group) www.facebook\ Hermanuscliffpath

Sabotage and skullduggery in the marketplace Money spent wisely on promoting a product or service should be beneficial, but as you’ll see, circumstances can sometimes backfire and bite you in the buttock. Benjamin Franklin once said, “Beware of small leaks. Small leaks can sink a great ship”.

The advertising industry is sometimes more cut-throat than Jack Sparrow. Back in the eighties tobacco advertising was prolific. TV was a no-go, but print, radio and cinema ads flourished. Huge marketing budgets were allotted to brainwash more people into becoming coughers and wheezers. Competition was vicious. People were stabbing each other in the front.

Back then, a new cigarette brand was to be launched by Company X, which handled mainly imported American

Wit’s End

searched. Plumes of money literally went up in smoke.

Murray Stewart thevillagemuze@gmail.com

Similar skullduggery was rife in the booze business. Most beers were produced, bottled and distributed, pretty much like today by… let’s call them Brewer A. There was an independent bunch called Brewer B, which handled ‘imported’ beers like Becks, and one of the projects for their ad agency was to introduce Colt 45, a new beer to South Africa.

brands. Johannesburg was chosen to test the product before launching it nationally, so they sent out reps armed with hundreds of cartons of this new brand into Joburg’s CBD. They distributed them free to dozens of café owners, who could keep all the profits on condition they obtained feedback from the customers.

How was it? Too weak? Too strong? Like the packaging?

In so doing, when the reps returned the following week for feedback, they’d glean useful insights into the brand.

All this info would then be computed into a Power-Point presentation of graphs,

spreadsheets and tables aimed to impress/confuse everybody. It’s called market research, and is carried out by people who drive BMWs, carry two phones and a tablet, and prefer wearing suits and shiny shoes – even on weekends.

Anyway, things didn’t go according to plan. Rival reps from cigarette Company Y somehow got wind of the exercise, and they shadowed their opposition, noting which cafes had been supplied. Then they went from shop to shop and bought up the entire stock – then burnt it. Not one new cigarette was smoked

by Jo Public, never mind re-

Colt 45 was already an established lager in America, so the advertising and marketing strategies were tweaked and adapted to our local market.

Everyone who worked on the project was sworn to absolute secrecy. Whether they were the photographer, voice artist, graphic designer or chairman of the board, all were instruct-

ed not to breathe a word to anyone, ever. And more importantly, never say the words Colt and 45 in the same sentence, even in their sleep. Jobs were at stake.

A few months passed while the multimedia campaign was honed and fine-tuned, and all those involved hovered anxiously while final artwork and press releases were polished and proofed. As in most ad agencies, nails were gnawed back to the wrist as the product launch approached. On tenterhooks the team waited for Sunday when the first radio ads would burst onto the airwaves, and the striking double-page-spreads of the cantering colt would leap out of every Sunday newpaper and magazine.

How the leak happened is still uncertain, but on the Saturday

before the nationwide launch of Colt 45, a larger, bolder beer called Stallion 54 grabbed all the media hype by galloping rampant through the papers and airwaves. It looked remarkably like the colt’s big butch brother. Bang! They shoot horses, don’t they? Bang! Colt 45 was scratched before the race began.

Company X had no intention of nurturing the stallion, they just didn’t want the colt to breed, and both brands disappeared soon after. What a waste of time and money. I’m sure beer would cost less if they didn’t squander so much trying to outsmart each other.

As you can see, advertising can kill or create a brand, but clever, targeted promotions – especially in lean times – can’t hurt anyone really, except the competition.

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Tuesday 5 June

■ Paddavlei Clean-up Day: ‘Beat plastic pollution’ is the theme of World Environment Day 2018 on 5 June. Everyone who wants to protect nature and our planet is invited to join Overstrand Municipality’s clean-up of the Paddavlei Wetlands.

Dress in comfortable clothes and water boots. For more information, contact Liezl de Villiers on 028 316 3724 or Chester Arendse on 078 044 5020.

Meet up in Vlei Road, Hawston at 14:00.

■ Hermanus Photographic Society: Everyone is welcome at the Hermanus Photographic Society’s monthly meeting on the first Wednesday of every month. For information on the club’s activities, monthly outings, challenges and workshops, visit www.hermanusphoto.co.za or contact info@hermanusphoto.co.za. In the Hermann Swart Hall at the Dutch Reformed Church, Hermanus, at 19:00.

■ Overberg Old Boys’ Dinner: Are you a Pretoria Boys High School past pupil and living in the Overberg? Then don't miss out on this Old Boys’ Dinner at La Pentola, where owner / chef Shane Sauvage, an old boy himself, will lay on a special evening in honour of the current headmaster Tony Reeler, who is visiting from Pretoria. Contact convenor Ed Meyer on 082 880 7604 for further information.

Friday 8 June ■ Hermanus Hacking Group: All volunteers are welcome to join the hacking group in the clearing of invasive vegetation. Contact Charlyn Vosloo at mcvolsoo@mweb.co.za or 082 558 8731. Meet every Friday at the bottom end of Rotary Drive, at 06:45 for 07:00.

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

■ Winterstand: Local three-piece Alt-Rock band Winterstand will be performing live, with a line-up that is firing on all eight cylinders. At Gecko Bar, New Harbour, from 21:30 – 23:00.

Friday 8 – Sunday 17 June

■ Hermanus FynArts: Don’t miss out on this 10day extravaganza of music, art, talks, workshops, food and wine. Now in its sixth year, this homegrown festival is a unique fusion of a winter school and arts festival. Bookings can be made at the FynArts office at Hermanus Tourism in Mitchell Street or online at www.hermanusfynarts.co.za

Friday 8 – Saturday 17 June

■ Sterling EQ: Known for changing the face of instrumental music in South Africa and beyond with their extraordinary fusion of virtuosity and fresh beats, the award-winning trio, Sterling EQ is coming to Hermanus to enthral their audience with an exclusive performance. Tickets are R150 pp and you can book online at www.whalecoasttheatre.com. At the Whale Coast Theatre, at 19:30.

■ Hermanus Bird Club outing: Join the Hermanus Bird Club for a morning walk led by Ronnie Hazell at the Harold Porter Botanical Garden and the Penguin colony in Betty's Bay. For enquiries, contact 081 039 4715. Meet at The Onrus Trading Post at 07:30 to consolidate transport.

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

■ Kolwyntjie Teetuin: Everyone in the area is welcome to enjoy a sweet treat and tea or coffee at a nominal fee, and make new friends at the Onrus Care Centre (Dienssentrum). At the Onrus Dutch Reformed Church, every Friday between 09:30 and 11:30.

Thursday 7 June ■ Kidz2Kidz: Join Source for a Soup & Sherry evening and take a single bed-size blanket (or as many as you like) along to get your soup and sherry at half price (R35 pp). The blankets will be donated to local schools by Kidz2Kidz to keep them warm this winter. Contact 028 125 0025 or source@hermanus.co.za to book. At Source, in Hemel-en-Aarde Village, at 18:00 for 18:30.

produce, beers and wine, speciality foods, coffee and live music. Next to the cricket field, Fairways Avenue, from 09:00 – 13:00.

■ Hospice Shop Sale: For the duration of FynArts, Overstrand Hospice is offering special items of clothing, art, collectables etc. for sale at bargain prices. At the Hospice Shop in Aberdeen Street, daily from 09:00 – 16:30.

Saturday 9 June ■ Hermanus parkrun: Meet for the weekly 5 km walk or run, come rain or shine. The route is dog friendly and children are most welcome. Set off from the Overstrand Training Institute (OTI) farm on Camphill Road in Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, at 08:00.

■ Hermanus Country Market: A favourite among the locals, old and young. Four-legged family members are also welcome. You’ll find wholesome goodies, home-made crafts, local

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

■ Botrivier Hotel Market: For hand-made crafts and tasty treats, come and browse the new weekly market in the hotel garden. New vendors are welcome; contact Erna on 028 315 2582 or ernastark@outlook.com or WhatsApp 076 708 0818 to book your stall. At the Botrivier Hotel, every Saturday, from 10:00 – 14:00.

■ Fioré Country Market: Browse this new country market in Bot River for homemade crafts, books, local treats, fresh fruit and more. Stands are free and in the event of rain the market moves indoors. For enquiries, contact Debbie Randall on 028 284 9220. At Fioré Garden Centre & Coffee Shop, Bot River, from 09:00 – 14:00.

Monday 11 June ■ Astrophotography: Join the Hermanus Astronomy Centre for a presentation on Image Processing. For more information, contact deonk@telkomsa.net. At Deon Krige’s house, at 19:00.

■ Hermanus History Society: This month’s HHS members’ meeting will entail a presentation on the memorial service held for William Henry Hewitt last year. Members will be asked for their views on the video of the event produced by the HHS, which is currently available on You Tube, and any suggestions they may have about distributing it more widely. Contact Robin Lee on 028 312 4072.

At the Catholic Church Hall, from 15:30 when refreshments will be served before the screening starts at 16:00.

Wednesday 13 June ■ SAARP monthly meeting: The Hermanus Social Club of the South African Association of Retired Persons will host their monthly club meeting, with guest speaker Adriaan Windt, who will do a presentation entitled How to deal with the loss of a loved one. For more information, contact Ingrid on 028 316 2390 (office hours: Mon to Fri 08:30 – 13:00) or 082 081 6889. At the Sandbaai Hall, from 09:30 – 11:45.

Sunday 10 June ■ OnVerWag Car Boot Sale: One man’s junk is another man’s treasure. Book your boot and sell junk from your trunk, on the empty plot between the Hire Centre and Aida. All proceeds go to OnVerWag Neighbourhood Watch for the greater good of the whole Onrus/Vermont community. To participate at R100 per boot, contact Michelle on 076 617 8203 or mheks@hotmail.com. In Van Blommenstein Street, Onrus, from 10:00 – 14:00 (set up at 09:00).

■ Fernkloof Holistic Faire: You are invited to spend a lovely day with your friends and family in beautiful surroundings. Enjoy some super food, see what the crafters are making, meet the artists and therapists. For more information, contact Lucia on 028 316 5312. At Fernkloof Nature Reserve, from 10:00 – 14:00.

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

■ Fynbos 101: Join Whale Coast Conservation for a Guided Walk in Fernkloof with Dr Pat Miller and Anina Lee. Adults R100; children free. Booking essential. Contact anina.wcc@gmail.com or send a WhatsApp to 083 242 3295. At Fernkloof Nature Reserve, from 15:00 – 16:30.

Thursday 14 June ■ Hermanus Women in Business: Female entrepreneurs are invited to a networking session where they will have the opportunity to market their business and enjoy a light lunch with fellow business owners. There will be a guest speaker, lucky draws and much more. R180 pp. To attend, contact Anneke (079 872 9631), Berenice (083 578 3237), Marlene (072 796 4993), Cornel (083 704 8636) or Renate (082 709 6686). At Source in Hemel-en-Aarde Village, at 11:30.

EXPLORER EXPLORER The BUSINESS

Big voices, big music to open FynArts 2018

W

hat better way to open ten days of FynArts and dispel the winter blues than an entertaining weekend of rousing, uplifting and beautiful music – much familiar and well-loved across the generations!

OPENING WEEKEND CONCERTS The Best of Baroque will open FynArts on Friday 8 June at 19:00 with The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba

by George Frideric Händel. The programme includes equally well-known music by Bach (Fifth Brandenburg Concerto), Telemann (Viola Concerto), Pachelbel (Canon in D Major) and Vivaldi (Four Seasons). Presented by Camerata Tinta Barocca, South Africa’s leading baroque orchestra, this concert is further distinguished by the musicians using exact replicas of 18th century instruments. Erik Dippenaar, the conductor, is also a soloist on harpsichord. The other soloists are Annien Shaw (baroque violin)and Emile de Roubaix (baroque viola).

The concert on Saturday 9 June at 19:00, will once again be presented by Richard Cock. This time he will conduct the FynArts Festival Orchestra and two soloists in Richard Cock and Friends.

Timothy Moloi (baritone) has performed at many big events, including the 2010 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony, and Lauren Dasappa (soprano) is a dynamic musical artist and lecturer in Classical Voice at Stellenbosch University. Enjoy a musical journey from Mac the Knife to Pata Pata and from New York, New York to Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah.

Sunday 10 June will continue with the popular matinee and early evening concerts (at 15:00 and 18:30), presented by Richard Cock in his usual inimitable style and with enlightening comments. A Feast of Opera and Operetta will be an inspiring not-tobe-missed concert of beautiful and

well-known music, including Verdi’s Slaves Chorus and the Anvil Chorus from Il Trovatore as well as the famous Brindisi from La Traviata. A large 35-piece orchestra will be joined by the massed FynArts choir of close on 100 members and two popular soloists. Cecilia Rangwanasha (soprano) has this year achieved the distinction of winning both the 2018 ATKV Muziquanto singing competition, as well as the 6th International UNISA Music Foundation Voice Competition: Classical.

She will be joined by Johannes Slabbert, singer, conductor and academic, who has also won numerous singing competitions including the 2014 ATKV Muziquanto.

BOOK TALKS AND READINGS Christopher Hope has become a familiar face at FynArts and he will be back this year with a book reading from The Love Songs of Nathan J Swirsky on 11 June at 15:00. Set in a remote Johannesburg suburb in the 1950s, the love songs celebrate the magical Mr Swirsky, as seen through the eyes of the children of Badminton. Christopher will read selected tales from his book, described by reviewers as a masterpiece, and a little jewel-box of a book. These funny, sad and tender stories were originally commissioned and recorded by the BBC and read by the author.

Christopher will also talk about his latest book, The Café de Move-on Blues, on 12 June at 09:30. This event forms part of the popular Strauss & Co Lecture Series and he’ll be in conversation with fellow-writer and journalist Bryan Rostron. Mingling memoir, polemic and adventures in absurdity, The Café de Move-on Blues recounts a great trek around South Africa to visit toppled and assaulted statues and monuments, from Cecil John Rhodes to Saartjie

Baartman; and a quest to find out just who do South Africans think they are – and where do we think we’re going?

On Sunday 10 June at 14:00 Christopher will be the one doing the interview for In Conversation with Jennifer Gough-Cooper. He will also be conducting a full-day workshop entitled Writing for Real on 15 June. During this workshop on truth, facts and good-looking lies, Christopher will examine what we mean by ‘real’ and delve into questions such as: How do we distinguish fact from fiction, novels from memoirs, autobiography from fantasy? Anyone with an interest in writing will benefit greatly from this fun and informative workshop conducted by a prolific author of novels, stories and works of non-fiction.

FOOD & WINE FynArts will once again host the Wine Plus Series, curated by Melvyn Minnaar and entitled ‘Names of Note’.

It is a celebration of greatness, focusing on wines that claim their fame in the pantheon of South African wine.

Arguably the most renowned name in the South African drinks industry, KWV, celebrates its centenary this year. The team under head winemaker, Wim Truter, will showcase the most famous and festive of KWV wines on Sunday 10 June. This morning session will be followed by a presentation by Bennie Howard in the afternoon. One of the first Cape Wine Masters, Bennie is a specialist amongst wine fundis. Hands-on in the industry, he is a seasoned marketer who has been deeply involved in wine competitions.

Wine Plus will be an opportunity to taste, but also to ask questions and hear the stories behind the labels.

Other big names in the line-up include Groot Constantia, Nederburg, Warwick, Meerlust and Simonsig. The venue is The Marine Hotel and festivalgoers can either purchase individual tickets or inclusive tickets for either four or all eight sessions.

The FynArts pop-up kitchen, designed and curated by hospitality consultant Garth Stroebel and sponsored by Davidson Boards and Hermanus Meubels, will be installed at the United Church Hall. This series of Chefs’ Demonstrations by renowned local and guest chefs will include a wine tasting and a taster portion of all dishes demonstrated. There will also be a display of tableware from local ceramic artist Corinne de Haas, whose plates will be used at the demonstrations. Ticket holders will receive a 10% reduction voucher for purchases made at her ceramic studio in Kleinmond.

Don’t forget to support our local chefs who are taking part in the demonstrations, including: Rickey Broekhoven from The Restaurant at Newton Johnson (11 June at 15:00), Greg Henderson from Forage at Wildekrans (12 June at 13:00), André Kruger from Stonehouse Cheese (12 June at 15:00), Oliver Coetzee of Birkenhead House (13 June at 11:00), Tullishe le Roux from the Restaurant at Hermanus Golf Club (13 June at 15:00), Benjamin Conradie from Grootbos (14 June at 15:00), and Rudolph van der Berg from Burgundy Restaurant & Danie Vorster from the Overberg Honey Company (15 June at 15:00).

Tickets for the festival from 8 – 17 June 2018 are available from the Hermanus Tourism Bureau and online at webtickets.

Get the full programme at www.hermanusfynarts.co.za

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Scaling Stanford’s heights in the Ford Everest Our intrepid Overstrand explorers, Whale Coast Tourism manager FRIEDA LLOYD and motoring journalist JOHN FLOYD, took to the road in Ford’s Everest to discover the unique little village of Stanford at the foot of the Klein River Mountains. With the Klein River running through it, the town is an eclectic mix of shops, galleries and restaurants, and the list of activities for a largely rural village exceeds one’s expectations. Stanford is ideally positioned for couples and families looking for a laid-back getaway in a quaint and historic village that remains true to its entrepreneurial roots. its usual charming self on a Saturday morning with a small market in full swing. (Frieda just could not resist that apple pie but it was a tough choice.)

The Everest turned heads, as it is a good-looking vehicle and despite its Eastern origins has a very American look.

Floyd: The Ford Everest has been with us for a number of years and marked the manufacturer’s South African entry into the bakkie-based SUV market, which has become a significant role-player locally. As this segment has grown, so has the number of manufacturers vying for position – and Ford’s latest Everest range is becoming a very significant player.

Leaving the main road we headed back on the R43 to the Stanford Hills area on a good dirt road. After a stop for coffee we took the track up the mountains to challenge the 4X4 capability. In fact the general traction of the Everest in 4X2 mode was so good that it was never really challenged.

Ford’s Terrain Command system allows simple selection of the drive mode from 2wd to 4wd low.

Our particular vehicle was the Everest 2.2 AWD XLS, which fits into the entry-level category, but do not be fooled – it still offers a lot of bang for your buck, features too many to mention here, and it will certainly satisfy most.

Lloyd: When you drive a vehicle sharing the name of the highest mountain on earth you expect to meet the driving challenges presented by Overberg country roads. Seeing my ride approaching I realised that the Ford Everest stands tall and meets expectations when it comes to size.

Lloyd: Time to venture off the beaten track and go rough.

We turned up the dirt road at Sir Robert Stanford – a wine estate with tastings offered in a welcoming space where you can cuddle in front of a crackling fire in winter. There is also an on-site restaurant – The Zesty Lemon. We took a shot left with grit to the gravel and saw another favourite eatery – Stanford Harvest.

Just as one would prepare for a mountaineering expedition, much research and many trial runs were undertaken to ensure that the Ford Everest could stand the test of the elements.

The windows are UV-protected to shield both the interior and the driver / passengers from the harsh African sun. I am told that South Africa plays a major role in the development and testing of vehicles and I believe Upington is the southern hemisphere’s preferred testing centre when it comes to driving compliance.

Further along is African Wings where you can hop on board for a flying safari or – if your timing is right and you visit between June and November – you can have an aerial view of Southern Right whales frolicking in Walker Bay. We needed a coffee stop and The Tasting Room at Stanford Hills came into sight – a place where I would usually sample wine, but not today. Mission Test Driving Everest needed to be taken on with sober seriousness.

To get my Everest expedition going I had to step on the clutch and the brake before starting the engine. This is in line with European safety standards and something to keep in mind if you are used to just pressing a button to get out of the blocks.

Floyd: Travelling through Hermanus to Stanford on the R43 the Everest performed well.

In town it was a surprisingly easy vehicle to manoeuvre despite its size; the high “command” seating position is a bonus as is the well-weighted steering which provided light, positive response with minimal driver effort. On the open road the steering weights up and ensures that the Everest stays on track over the undulating surface.

It is a seven-seater with limited luggage space, as with all such vehicles, but fold the two rear seats into the floor and you have a very comfortable fiveseater with copious luggage space. Ride quality is good

although you must remember that it is a 4x4 on a bakkie chassis, so ride quality is not that of a premier saloon. But then you cannot go where the Everest can.

Lloyd: We decided that our Everest needed a run in the countryside of the Cape Whale Coast and headed towards Stanford on the R43 with the mission of finding a country

market. It was Saturday and a small yet buzzing market on the Stanford Hotel’s stoep provided a festive start to the test drive. Proteas, fresh vegetables, pies and golden fudge wrapped individually were tempting treats for our road trip.

There was much activity in Stanford with people having breakfast at cafes that spill onto

pavements, while others were meandering down Queen Victoria Street brows-ing at the many decor and antique shops.

In Stanford you must always be on the lookout for a surprise find. Two of my favourite beauty products are also from here – Antjies and Kudu Cosmetica. Who doesn’t need a pre-expedition pamper?

Floyd: Stanford Village was

After a great coffee and a chat with the Kastner family we explored the property, which hosts a plantation of fynbos as well as the glamping accommodation of AfriCamps. Stanford Hills is a place to play, eat and stay. Turning back onto our dirt track is Welgesind Wines. Coming from the motor trade, owner Chris de Witt has given his Shiraz the appropriate name of Welgesind Mechanic. Wine tasting is by appointment and visitors are advised to phone in advance if they want to visit the youngest member of the Stanford Wine Route.

A variety of accommodation options are also available on this same road. Phillipskop Mountain Reserve has selfcatering cottages, while White Water is a working farm with a Country House, and Blue Gum Country Estate offers family-

run lodgings. Phillipskop Mountain Reserve is hiking terrain and a brisk uphill walk will get you to magnificent rock art. Make the climb. It not only lessens the guilt of all the country food and wine indulgence, but it is a part of our Overberg history that every visitor needs to see.

I was pleased to see some pictures in the Everest cabin as well. Not quite in the league of the rock art drawings but never the less indicative of the different driving adjustments of the Ford Everest. No guess work needed when receiving assistance going form slippery sand conditions to challenging inclines.

Floyd: Shifting into the sand mode we travelled towards Phillipskop Mountain Reserve.

Once again the Everest would have coped with normal 2wd but that extra grip on some of the steeper sections proved useful, as did the excellent descent control. Frieda was amazed when she realised I was doing nothing other than steer, as the descent control system ensured a safe passage to the bottom of the slope.

The Ford Everest 2.2 AWD XLS was never really challenged and as many owners will attest, is definitely capable of much more. The 2.2 litre turbo diesel delivers 118kW at 3,700 r/min with torque of 385 Nm between 1500 and 2500 r/min is more than adequate for most adventures, if you require more than that take a look at the 3.2 litre derivative. Fuel economy is quoted at 7.1 l/100 km.

The route taken could be traversed by a conventional vehicle but not one with minimal ground clearance – and this is where a vehicle such as the Everest really finds its forte as family transport, allowing anyone to travel our roads to destinations and scenery that can only be described as spectacular. After all, that is the Overberg.

Lloyd: Our track made a loop closer to the R326 and heading towards Klein River Cheese Farm we realised how exhausting it can be to navigate country roads.

Klein River Cheese was perfectly situated to offer wholesome sustenance. Who can resist pausing for our award-winning Overberg cheeses and a stretch on their lush lawn?

Every good expedition comes to an end and we decided to save the attractions beckoning further along the tarred R326 for another day. So much to do when sitting comfortably in the powerful Ford Everest.

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Dutch courage not needed to join the Gin Revolution and Brandy Exploration place only a few drops of the added component are needed. Indeed, as Paul points out, one could take one’s own recipe to a distiller in the morning and you could practically have a new gin by the afternoon.

Elaine Davie

A

great many Hermanus residents as well as regular visitors to the town probably view Paul du Toit of the Wine Village as something of an oracle on the wines of this and other wine-making regions of the Western Cape.

Fewer of them may know that he is equally knowledgeable about tipples of a more spirited kind – gin and brandy, for example. When describing the best of them, words like ‘intense’, ‘spellbinding’ and ‘revelation’ pepper his speech.

One of the most successful of the newer gin distillers has been Inverroche in Stilbaai, which, for example, has flavoured its gins with fynbos elements from different parts of the region. However, unlike commercial gins where 50 million litres are produced per month, none of the artisanal gins are produced in sufficient quantities to export.

At last year’s FynArts Festival, his Gin-tasting Revolution was sold out almost as soon as the booking opened. A repeat slot had to be squeezed into the programme and that, too, was sold out. This year Paul will be giving another gin talk and tasting, as well as conducting an exploration of potstill brandy.

The recent gin craze is no doubt attributable to the flood of artisanal gin distilleries which are springing up all over the country, each with its own unique characteristics. Although the first South African craft gin was produced in Wellington 22 years ago, followed by Wilderer fynbos gin 12 years ago and Lorna Scott’s Inverroche two years later, this wave of enthusiasm followed a similar phenomenon in the UK when gin bars became the order of the day in most of the larger cities.

Gin has, of course, been a popular spirit for centuries, but its original value lay in the medicinal properties contained in the juniper berry, together with infusions of various herbs and spices. “During the Eighty-years War between the Dutch and the

When it comes to mixers, Paul is adamant that only the best quality tonic water should be used, containing little or no sugar and that it be used sparingly, so as not to drown out the subtle flavour of the gin.

He gives fancy pink and purple cocktails short shrift.

“That’s all nonsense, it’s just showmanship,” he snorts, “it’s got nothing to do with fine gin. All that’s needed to bring out the true flavour is a twist of lime (not lemon), or a sprig of mint or thyme.”

Paul du Toit, owner of Wine Village, is not only something of an oracle on the fruits of the vine, but also on tipples of a more spirited kind. He will be hosting a Gintasting Revolution and a Brandy Exploration during this year’s FynArts Festival.

Spanish (1568 – 1648),” recounts Paul, “the Dutch issued their troops with a tot of jenever every morning before they went into battle, giving them the ‘Dutch courage’ they needed to defeat their enemies.”

The English, allies of the Dutch, were so impressed with the healing and energising qualities of the spirit that they renamed it gin,

effectively ’colonising’ it, and turning it into the country’s favourite cure-all. “Because gin is the easiest, quickest and cheapest spirit to distil and because it adapts so well to the infusion of different ingredients, it lends itself to small-scale production and wide-ranging experimentation,” explains Paul. “Basically, it starts out life as 65% vodka, made from cane spirits, grain fermentation (the method

preferred by the British), or grape distillation, like brandy.”

As opposed to commercially produced gins around the world where the flavour is created by the introduction of laboratory-generated chemicals, craft gins use herbs or spices taken directly from nature and blended with the juniper berry. Because of the high absorption quality of alcohol, for infusion to take

Because the British have such a proprietary attitude towards gin, it is a bitter pill to swallow that South African craft gins are amongst the world’s top ten. Indeed, one of our gins is presently in contention for the title of best in the world. Even more importantly, because most of them incorporate our natural herbs and fynbos, they can’t be copied. Last year mem-bers of the Birmingham Gin Club, which has 400 members, visited the Western Cape for the sole purpose of savouring as wide a variety of our best craft gins as possible.

Although good quality potstill

brandy takes much longer to produce – upwards of three years – and is much more expensive, once again, South Africa is right up there amongst the best, worldwide. Each of our brandies has its own unique character, which differentiates it from those produced anywhere else.

Paul has a passionate respect for fine brandy. When enjoyed neat, at room temperature, it reveals its soul, he says. “All you need is a teaspoonful” – he has a faraway look in his eyes – “then spend half an hour simply breathing it in. The olfactory pleasure it will give you will enhance the sensation your taste buds will experience when you take your first sip.

Revel in those first few sips of the neat brandy before you add just one block of ice, if you want to; then enjoy it slowly, one sip at a time. Any other mixer will be a desecration, but a peppercorn, a coffee bean, a piece of cinnamon stick will enhance the true essence of the brandy.

A variety of subtle notes will emerge as you take your time appreciating it.”

The FynArts Festival has given Paul the platform to share his passion with a wider audience.

After last year’s gin-tasting, he was invited all over the Western Cape to repeat it. He believes that when the Festival was launched in 2013, it was the ‘right thing at the right time’. In his opinion, it has been excellent for the town and it will be interesting now, five years later, to do a thorough analysis of its achievements to ensure sustainability and chart a way forward.

Paul du Toit’s Gin-tasting Revolution takes place on Wednesday 13 June at 14:00 at The Marine Hotel and his Brandy Exploration on Friday 15 June at 14:00 at the same venue.

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K

Don’t miss this sterling performance!

nown for changing the face of instrumental music in South Africa and beyond with their extraordinary fusion of virtuosity and fresh beats, Sterling EQ boasts four successful releases, more than 1 000 live performances since 2008, and thousands of followers worldwide.

And now they are coming to Hermanus, to perform at the Whale Coast Theatre on Thursday 7 June at 19:30.

The trio is led by celebrated flute virtuoso Carina Bruwer who is also widely known for her marathon swimming feats, with the dynamic Ariella Caira enchanting on the electric cello, and ace violinist and composer

Luca Hart whose Grappelliinspired improvisations has audiences in awe. These three classically trained virtuosos share dozens of awards, degrees and distinctions between them, as well as a passion for the latest beats and pop music trends.

They have performed in 13 countries and for live audiences of up to 40 000, and on live broadcasts to millions of global television viewers.

Sterling EQ proudly boasts a South African Music Award (2011) and a Ghoema Music Award (2013) as well as various further nominations. The group is currently celebrating its 10th anniversary with the release of the compilation

album 10 Years of Sterling EQ, which contains a selection of hits from their three albums, as well as new material.

Through regular live performances, playing at SA’s most coveted events, touring their albums, sharing stages with global music icons, and enjoying extensive coverage across all mainstream media, the all-woman supergroup has inspired music fans and fellow musicians alike, with numerous new acts popping up within the Sterling-coined genre of ‘instrumental pop’.

Their performance promises to enthral young and old and will include breathtaking instrumental acrobatics in

pieces like Asturias and Spain, innovative arrangements of classical pieces like Händel’s Sarabande, soulful melodies such as AR Raman’s Mumbai Theme, and Mike Batt’s Caravans Theme, locally inspired numbers including Mbube and Lisa se Klavier, as well as Sterling EQ originals, Eastern European inspired pieces and, inevitably, a bit of Jethro Tull.

Tickets for the Sterling EQ performance at the Whale Coast Theatre on 7 June are R150 pp and can be booked online at www.whalecoasttheatre. com

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Celebrate motherhood with Jam Sarah Taylor

F

or FynArts 2018, actor Erika Marais and director Cecilia Musikanth have teamed up to present a moving one-woman, 10-character drama, based on the autobiography of author Emmaleen Kriel.

Jam Every Other Day, a 75minute play, recounts the story of a mother raising her family “on little more than love and good intentions”, first in rural 1960s Constantia and then in the Knysna forest. It is the only theatrical show at the annual Hermanus FynArts Festival, among music and ballet performances, talks and workshops and, of course, art exhibitions.

Erika recalls the play’s early stirrings: “When I read Emmaleen’s book for the first time five years ago, I could see it playing out on stage. So, I approached Cecilia, who had directed my play, Wisdom of Eve in 2013. I told her I wanted to put Jam on stage.”

Cecilia, however, was not initially convinced that the book would translate well to the stage. “I soon changed my mind, however, when I realised Erika didn’t want to do a reading, but a stage production,” she says.

Erika then contacted Emmaleen in Muizenberg, a stone’s throw from Cecilia’s home, and told her she wanted to tell her story

“as it was a lovely story to tell”.

Erika asked the author if she wanted to write the script and Emmaleen declined, but agreed that a script could be written on one condition: that she was consulted. And so Erika and Cecilia began working on their first script together, although Cecilia already had one script under her belt.

The process to convert the 300+ page book into a condensed 43-page script took three years, on and off, says Erika, and Emmaleen made very few changes. “There are so many beautiful stories in there, that it was a hard task cutting out some of them,” says the experienced actor.

The challenge also was adapting the book and maintaining the flow of the story. The first performance of the play was in October 2017 at the Masque Theatre in Muizenberg, first as a ‘foyer show’, followed by four sold-out theatre shows.

They performed for book clubs and had a show in February 2018 at the Drama Factory in Somerset West, before returning to the Masque for another run of six performances in the main auditorium. “Emma has come to all our performances, selling and signing her books, and the production has really picked up her sales!”

Erika portrays 10 characters in Jam Every Other Day, including

six children. Says Cecilia: “Erika is amazing in Jam, in which she, in effect, has a conversation with herself, without any change of costume.”

Erika, who studied drama at Pretoria University “at the ripe age of 25 with two kids in tow, aged two and four years”, and later did children’s theatre, clowning and puppeteering, as well as TV commercials and the KykNET short film Ons Stories, says: “I think that is one of the reasons why I identify with Emmaleen’s story: she got married at 19 and so did I.” Erika has clearly excelled in the roles, as indicated by the mostly sold-out performances so far and the high levels of praise heaped on her. “Some of the people in our audiences who know Emmaleen well said that watching me perform was like watching Emma herself on stage,” says Erika.

“This is a huge compliment!”

In an effort to truly immerse herself in Emmaleen’s character and gain authenticity, Erika even wears the author’s own clothes. “Emma herself was blown away,” says Cecilia, who adds that the play will also be appreciated by teenagers, aged 12 years and up, as “it is very funny and there is lots of humour”.

Just a few weeks after the FynArts 2018 performance, Erika and Cecilia will take Jam to the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown, performing there from 4 – 7 July.

Erika Marais (above) excels in the one- woman, ten-character drama based on the autobiography of Emmaleen Kriel.

■ Jam Every Other day will be performed on Tuesday, 12 June at 19:00 at the Municipal Auditorium. Tickets are R120 pp.

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Bernina - stitching itself into the fabric of history Elaine Davie

F

rom the old treadle and fly-wheel sewing machines which our mothers and grandmothers used and have now become family heirlooms, to digital, touch-screen technology, sewing machines have kept up with the times.

This year, the renowned Swiss manufacturer, Bernina, celebrates its 125th anniversary.

Heading the international company is Hanspeter Ueltschi, the fourth generation descendant of Karl-Friedrich Gegauf, the founder of the company, whose first hem-stitch machine was patented in 1892.

Named after Piz Bernina, the highest peak in the Eastern Swiss Alps, it has always considered its sewing, embroidery, quilting and overlocking machines to be ‘head and shoulders above the rest’, an approach which Bernina South Africa has conscientiously perpetuated since 1947 when it took root in this country.

To mark its momentous international anniversary, Bernina Hermanus, one of 70 South African dealerships, is organising a Bring and Brag competition from 1 – 28 June, with the newly-launched Bernette B33 up for grabs as first prize.

Irma van Heerden, the shop’s owner, explains how it will work: “We invite all sewers in Hermanus to take a photograph of any item they have made that they are particularly proud of and to bring it into our shop. It may be any kind of sewn item,” she elaborates, “a piece of clothing, embroidery, interior furnishing, craft work, quilting… anything.

“On 29 June, we will put all the photos in a hat and draw the winner, who will be the recipient of this beautiful new, stateof-the-art Bernette.” She emphasises that as with any new machine they sell, the owner will be given full product training.

ABOVE: Irma with technician Albert Prinsloo and assistant Samantha Baadjies at Bernina Hermanus.

RIGHT: The owner of Bernina Hermanus, Irma van Heerden (right) with Agnes Smit, product specialist for Bernina RSA. Irma has owned the Hermanus business for 12 years now and is brimming with enthusiasm about what it has meant to her to belong to a supportive national network. “Ours is a very small business,” she says.

“It’s just my technician Albert, assistant Samantha and me; and without the necessary backup from the national office, we would not be able to deliver the high quality services, including sales, training, maintenance and repairs, in which we pride ourselves.”

“Yes, that’s where we come in”, agrees Agnes Smit, product specialist for Bernina RSA. She is particularly excited about the extent of innovation she has seen in the 14 years she has worked for the company.

The Swiss motto ‘always at the beginning, never at the end’ is what Bernina is all about, she says. “The advances might first be introduced at the high-end level, but then they work their way right down to entry level machines.

“Bernina specialises in domestic machines, as opposed to industrial, but our most pricey models which sell at around R150 000 today, are not generally bought by commercial sewers, but by the serious

hobbyist. And, of course, a purchase like this is forever.”

Irma chimes in: “It’s so incredible to see what these touchscreen machines can do, whether they’re garment sewing, embroidery or quilting machines. The software is brilliant. You can create designs, select from a range of stitches and colours; the machines thread themselves, adjust the foot according to fabric – you name it, the machine can do it.”

Given this advanced technological profile, Irma finds that young sewers take to it like ducks to water. “But even the older ones, who at first approach these digital innovations with great trepidation, often find that they are easy to learn and sewing becomes an even more relaxing and creative activity.”

Sewing, in any of its manifestations, gives women of all ages, and increasingly, men too, an opportunity for positive self-expression and escape from the anxieties of everyday life. Over the years Irma has found that longlasting friendships have been formed amongst women who attend sewing classes togeth-

er at her shop. Sometimes a group of young mothers get together for a sewing session and they bring their toddlers along to keep one another busy in a play group. Now, 12 years since opening the shop, she is excited to see mothers bringing their daughters in to buy their first sewing machines.

“In a town the size of Hermanus, it is easy to form longlasting relationships with one’s clients,” she says. “It’s an

intergenerational thing, too – the youngest person I have had on a course has been five and the oldest 90!”

From time to time, she also organises themed sewing retreats. This past weekend about 17 women took a ‘Create Escape’ with Irma and Agnes to the De Hoop Nature Reserve where they sewed their way through five projects, learning new skills and having a lot of fun at the same time.

Irma and Agnes are perfect examples of what it means to be good brand ambassadors; more excited and enthusiastic proponents of the art of fine needlework would be difficult to find.

Remember to enter the Bernina Bring and Brag competition by taking your photo to Unit 7, Whale Park, Argon Avenue in the Business Park next to the Whale Coast Mall. Tel: 028 3130458

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PSG Wealth Hermanus Portfolio Management and Stockbroking 028 312 1508 10 Magnolia Street www.psg.co.za/hermanusstockbrokers

Art is more than just a pretty picture With the Hermanus FynArts Festival just around the corner, it is perhaps an opportune time to revisit the pros and cons of art as an investment vehicle. We asked THEO CLOETE, a portfolio manager at PSG Wealth Hermanus, for his insights.

The information below contains extracts from an article written by PSG Wealth Chief Investment Officer, Dr Adriaan Pask.

Art investors are generally high net-worth individuals with sophisticated needs. In addition, investors who have accumulated wealth over the years often have a need to further diversify their asset base and start exploring investing into non-traditional investment vehicles like collectables.

To properly consider art as an (alternative) investment vehicle, one should apply the same diligent investment process as one would with more traditional asset classes (such as equities, bonds, cash and property).

A few important considerations would be: Returns Art should be considered a long-term investment, similar to equities. As such, returns can be volatile, especially over the short-term.

As a general rule, returns should be compared to an appropriate benchmark, such as inflation (for example).

According to Artprice.com the US dethroned China as the largest art market in 2017.

In November 2017 Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘Salvator Mundi’ (Saviour of the World) made headlines as it was sold for a record price of USD 450 million by the big auction house, Christie’s, in New York!

be forced into selling at unattractive prices. Often midmarket collectors will be more susceptible to tougher economic conditions than collectors at the high end.

Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘Salvator Mundi’ which sold for a record price of USD 450 million in November 2017.

Costs Besides the actual price paid for an art piece, there may be some additional/ hidden costs involved, such as: • Expert consultation and research • Transaction charges • Insurance costs • Storage costs • Maintenance

Liquidity Like most tangible real assets (such as property), art is largely an illiquid investment.

Depending on market conditions, demand may sometimes be muted, and one may

Income As an asset class, the increase in the value of an art piece is only of a capital nature. It provides no regular income.

Traditional asset classes (such as equities and bonds) will

typically provide income while the investment is held, such as dividends and interest.

Diversification properties Although art as an asset class can provide diversification to an investment portfolio, it can be very expensive and cumbersome to diversify the art portfolio itself, which again does not compare favorably with some of the other traditional asset classes.

It is clear that, as an investment class, art is not for the faint hearted or uninformed.

Of course, we are not here referring to collectors who view art in the light of the Latin phrase Ars gratia artis (Art for art’s sake), but merely looking at art from an investment point of view.

The opinions expressed in this article are the opinions of the writer and not necessarily those of PSG. The information is provided as general information. It does not constitute financial, tax, legal or investment advice and the PSG Konsult Group of Companies does not guarantee its suitability or potential value.

Since individual needs and risk profiles differ, we suggest you consult a qualified financial adviser, if needed.

PSG Wealth Hermanus Portfolio Management and Stockbroking 028 312 1508 10 Magnolia Street www.psg.co.za/hermanus stockbrokers Send your financial questions to dewaal@thevillagenews.co.za

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Celebrating life with 65 roses Elaine Davie

I

n 1965, in America, a little boy of four named Richard Weiss, overheard his mother, Mary, talking about his disease, Cystic Fibrosis, for the first time and thought she was calling it ‘sixty-five roses’. Richard lost his fight against Cystic Fibrosis (CF) in 2014, at the age of 53, aware of the fact that the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation had adopted the rose, the ancient symbol of love, as its own trademark.

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Both Lettie and Carmen’s parents struggled to find a doctor who was sufficiently knowledgeable to come up with the correct diagnosis.

They battled their way from one practitioner to the other, who either told them there was nothing wrong with the baby, or it was suffering from colic. By the time the correct diagnosis was made, Carmen was 13 months old and Kathryn had reached the age of 10 months. By then, they were both very sick little babies and each had to be hospitalised for several months.

Although there are about 700 people living with CF in South Africa, a great deal of ignorance still exists about the condition, even amongst the medical profession, which makes diagnosis very difficult. Remarkably, at least three people with the disease are members of the Overstrand community: two live in Onrus and one is a regular visitor to her family’s holiday home in Voëlklip.

Three people, three families that I got to know during the month of May, which was Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month – this is a tribute to their bravery, their resilience and their passion for life.

CF is not an easy disease. It cannot be handled by one person alone; the support of the entire family is essential, but particularly the mothers. Lettie Watson is one such mother, whose daughter, Kathryn has been living with CF for 26 years. Toni Smith is just starting on this road of discovery and endurance with her baby girl, Krissie, who is eight months old; and 22-year-old Carmen Crous acknowledges that she couldn’t have reached this point in her life without the support of her mother, and indeed, her father and two sisters as well.

A few decades ago, children

with CF were not expected to see their teens, but now the median life expectancy is around 45 years. All the experts agree that the earlier the diagnosis, the better the prognosis.

Toni was luckier. Krissie was diagnosed at the age of thee days when she underwent surgery for a blockage of the intestine, followed by three weeks in ICU. Twenty-two-year-old Carmen Crous on a recent family trip to Machu Picchu in the Andes of Peru.

Barnie and Toni Smith with their children, Ben and eightmonth-old Krissie.

“It was a terrible shock to my husband and me,” remembers Toni. “We already had little Ben, who was two and absolutely fine, we had never heard of this disease and certainly didn’t know we were carriers of the defective gene. Then we made the mistake of looking it up on Wikipedia and we thought we would die! How could we possibly cope with this? Only with time and practice, have we realised that it actually is manageable.”

Lettie, too, received a terrible shock. “We were told she wouldn’t make it beyond her 10th birthday,” she recalls, “but the only way we could deal with it was to put that right out of our minds and live one day at a time. She was such an easy, bright little girl that we hardly noticed that one birth-

day was following another and eventually the 10th birthday passed without our even noticing.”

Nevertheless, there is always that underlying fear lurking in the background. “Even now, when she gets ill, I get into a panic, although I try not to show it,” Lettie admits.

Although each person living with CF is different and the body’s response to the disease is unique, the biggest threats are lung infections and malnutrition due to the poor absorption of nutrients. They often eat more than others, but do not put on weight. The regimen to maintain good health is punishing to say the least, involving vast quantities of medication, daily nebulisation, morning and evening, physiotherapy to loosen mucus in the lungs and careful dietary plans.

All three of them emphasise the importance of regular visits to CF clinics and the wonderful multi-disciplinary teams who intimately know and support each of them and their families with dedication and commitment. They have particularly high praise for the teams at the Red Cross Children’s Hospital and Grootte Schuur.

Regular exercise is also a must, as well as a preventive approach to healthy living, with food supplements like Vitamins, especially Vitamin C, colloidal silver and other natural elements playing a vital role.

“There is new medication coming onto the market all the time to improve life expect-ancy for people with CF,” emphasises Lettie. “Some of it still far too expensive, but I try to keep abreast of all the new research.”

A sensible approach to staying healthy, however, is not to go anywhere near people suffering from coughs, colds and flu.

With restrictions like that, it is surprising that they can live normal lives. Yet, they do.

Kathryn, for example, took ballet at school, cyclist Jason van’t Slot completed the gruelling Cape Epic in 2015, Carmen completed a Humanities degree and has recently returned from a dream trip to Machu Picchu in Peru with her parents.

Although she sleeps with oxygen every night, Carmen was determined to climb as high as she could amongst the ruins in the high Andes. She had to go through rigorous fitness tests before she left and the 12-day trip involved travels by train and bus, as well as aircraft. “I was on oxygen 24/7,” giggles the bubbly Carmen, “and I did suffer from altitude sickness, but I wouldn’t have missed it for anything.”

Now she’s preparing to make her next dream come true – to open her own coffee shop in Stellenbosch. “You know, food is very important to us CF people,” she says, “and as a family we love cooking, so I want to pass that gift on to other people.” Kathryn, too, is living her dream to become a pilot and making the most of every chance she gets, not only to fly, but to maintain the aircraft she flies.

Indeed, it is Carmen who expresses the sentiment with which Lettie and Toni heartily concur: “I want to dream big, to enjoy life, to fill it up. In fact, you can say CF has been a blessing in disguise to us all. We have learnt how precious life is, how important it is to appreciate every day we have. Every morning, even when I’m sick and don’t feel like getting up, I thank God I am still here and still have a purpose in life.”

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What is Cystic Fibrosis?

Cystic Fibrosis is an inherited genetic disease that affects a number of organs in the body, primarily the lungs and pancreas by clogging them with thick and sticky mucus.

Mucus blocks the tiny ducts of the pancreas which supply the enzymes required for digestion; consequently food is not properly digested and nutritional value is lost in the process.

The sweat glands are also affected and the body may lose an excessive amount of salt during exercise and during hot weather.

In early childhood, prominent symptoms include growth problems or frequent infections, especially of the lungs. As the disease progresses, frequent lung infections (pneumonia) often lead to problems breathing, lung damage, prolonged courses of antibiotics and respiratory failure, requiring support by a ventilator. CF can also lead to frequent sinus infections, diabetes mellitus, difficulty with digestion and infertility.

However, with the continuous introduction of many new treatments, the life expectancy of a person with CF is increasing to as high as 40 or 50 in some individuals.

People are born with Cystic Fibrosis and it is not contagious.

It is caused by the mutation in a gene called Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR), which helps create sweat, digestive juices and mucus. When two people who carry a defective version of the gene responsible for CF have a child, there is: • 25% chance that the child will be born with cystic fibrosis • 50% chance that the child will not have CF, but will be a carrier • 25% chance that the child will not have CF, and will not be a carrier CF is one of the most common inherited disorders of Caucasians (whites). In South Africa 1 in 27 in the white, 1 in 50 in the coloured and at least 1 in 90 of the black populations carry a CF mutation. These totals are increasing as more children are correctly diagnosed, treated earlier and live longer. Although accurate figures are difficult to come by, it is thought that there are approximately 700 people living with CF in South Africa. Sadly, many children, especially in outlying, rural areas are misdiagnosed and do not have access to effective treatment, resulting in death from malnutrition or pneumonia.

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Lose fat, be healthier

besity has been identified as one of the most serious global public health challenges, and strategies for prevention and treatment of obesity are a public health priority.

“People might be more motivated to maintain a normal body weight if they understood the dangers of being over-weight. Obesity is linked to the most prevalent and costly medical problems and chronic degenerative lifestyle diseases facing our society, including hypertension, Type II diabetes, heart disease, and many forms of cancer.”

The above is an extract from Anri van Rooyen’s dissertation for her Masters Degree. Anri is a partner with Dr Arien van der Merwe in The Weight Control Clinic in Pretoria, which opens in Hermanus this month with local partner, Dr Michelle Emett of Refine Laser and Anti-ageing Clinic.

Definition of overweight and obese The prevailing definition of obesity and overweight is incomplete, with the difference coming down to Body Mass Index (BMI). Overweight is defined by a BMI of 25 – 29.9. A BMI of 30 or higher is considered obese.

However, we recommend the InBody device for compre-

hensive body composition analysis, as it also specifically measures fat percentage and fat weight, as a more accurate measure to identify health risk than BMI or waist-to-hip ratio (WHR).

Another oversight of BMI and WHR is that it does not take body shape, fat distribution and muscle mass into consideration, for e.g. abdominal fat (apple shape) carries a higher health risk than fat around the hips and buttocks (pear shape).

Health benefits of losing weight Lifestyle changes that include healthier eating habits, regular physical activity, daily relaxation training, and losing as little as 5% – 10% body fat, have shown phenomenal health benefits – more effective than any medication can ever be.

Losing fat weight can prevent and even reverse existing diabetes; lower blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride levels; and improve sleep apnoea and other sleep problems – along with an increase in energy and feeling better in general. 90% of diabetes, 80% heart disease and 60% of cancers are preventable with healthier lifestyles and maintaining normal body weight, while addressing contributing, underlying stress triggers and emotional factors

contributing to either health or disease.

“We have seen a consistent pattern in our weight loss studies: when patients lose 5% – 10% of their body weight, they lower blood pressure, reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol, improve glucose tolerance (insulin resistance), and in general, lower the risk for cardiovascular disease,” says Catherine Champagne, a researcher with Louisiana State University’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center.

Doctors consistently report that they successfully take patients off blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol lowering medications after the patients have lost as little as 5kg of fat. My findings are the same, and I add natural remedies, as well as a process of Mind Solutions and Health Coaching or Holistic Counselling, to manage these symptoms very effectively.

Weight Control Clinic At the Weight Control Clinic in Pretoria (started by Dr Willaim Gauché in 1974), and now also in Hermanus, Anri and I aim to address your health risks, especially insulin resistance and the symptoms of metabolic syndrome. Our healthy, medically supervised, effective fatloss program supports and assists patients who have as little as 5kg of fat to lose, up to any number. The only proviso: you yourself have to take the

responsibility to do this, by making the mind shift, and taking the firm decision to follow this program.

“Spending many hours with my Aesthetic patients, discussing anti-ageing and longevity, I realised the advice and discussions were incomplete without addressing health and wellness,” says our new partner in Hermanus, Dr Michelle Emett.

“What attracted me to Dr Arien’s Weight Control Clinic concept, was mostly the use of nutraceuticals (nature’s medicine) to create body wellness and, as a consequence, weight loss.

Mindful eating, enjoying every mouthful to the max, is very different to ‘dieting’. There are no hormones, no starvation and no rebound weight gain.

“This program is about body awareness, supporting healthy eating habits and addressing underlying defences which cause us to overeat or make incorrect eating choices. It’s fun, it’s exciting and it’s a journey of self-discovery which we all deserve!”

- Written by Dr Arien van der Merwe, based on her book ‘Managing Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome’ and the Weight Control Clinic program applied since 1974 in Pretoria, and now also in Hermanus. www.DrArien.co.za/weightcontrol-clinic

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A real achievement for RealNet

R

ealNet Hermanus was very proud when two of their team members won awards at the 2018 RealNet National Star Awards.

Property professional and owner/ principal of RealNet Hermanus, Cornel Janse van Vuuren received her Silver Status for the fifth year in a row as well as her Million Rand Club membership certificate. Cornel’s journey to success started as a receptionist in 2006 and was achieved through “hard work, having an amazing team and lots of grace”.

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Hannah Maury started at RealNet Hermanus in April 2015. Already in her first year with RealNet she won the Top Agent of RealNet Hermanus award, receiving that award year on year. At the 2018 RealNet National Star Awards Hannah was awarded Gold Status and her Million Rand Club membership certificate.

Owner/Principal of RealNet Hermanus, Cornel Janse van Vuuren, was awarded Silver Status as well as Million Rand Club membership from RealNet MD, Gerhard Kotzé.

She also received an award for Top Agent of a Coastal Region and achieved third place in the Top Agent National category. Cornel says in order to achieve such prestigious awards after only three years in the property industry, the key factors are real dedication, hard work and consistency. An excited Hannah is now aiming for the National Top Agent award in 2019.

RealNet Hermanus wants to thank each and every client who made this possible.

As Cornel and Hannah say: “We really could not have achieved this without the loyal support of our clients!”

My Home My Whale Coast RealNet Hermanus property professional Hannah Maury receives her awards from RealNet Regional Manager for the Western Cape, Melinda Greeff, and MD Gerhard Kotzé.

Join My Home Whale Coast on Facebook for the latest info on homes for sale and rentals.

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BOLAND HOCKEY Congratulations to the players who have been selected to represent Boland in different provincial and regional teams: Adam Lawson-Smith (U16 Boland IPT A-team), Misuli Mutamba and Yiasoumi Charitou (U14 Boland Regional Team), Chanleigh Smith (U18 Boland Regional Team), Kelsey Block and Elizabeth September (U16 Boland IPT B-team), Liane Gotze, Grethe Heroldt, Kayla Venter and Charlotte Williams (U14 Boland Regional Team). On the photo left are: (back row) Elizabeth September, Adam Lawson-Smith, Chanleigh Smith, (front row) Kayla Venter, Charlotte Williams, Grethe Heroldt and Liane Gotze. On the right are Misuli Mutamba and Yiasoumi Charitou.

PHOTO: Taylum Meyer HERMANUS HIGH DISABILITY WEEK Hermanus High learners had the opportunity last week to be challenged by Mr Jacques Terblanché, an inspirational speaker from Gauteng.

Jacques was born with a rare, incurable movement disorder and tries to live by the following motto: The worst kind of life is a life without purpose. The greatest disability is not a physical one, but rather a crippled attitude towards life. His message was well-received by both students and teachers.

The school also hosted a pie-in-the-face raffle where students could buy tickets for R5. The winners could throw a pie in the face of the teacher of their choice. Mr Bellingan (left) and Mr Mangiagalli (right) were the two unlucky choices. The Blue Ribbon Project which entailed selling pin-on ribbons, raised R6 651 that will be donated to the Overberg Wheelchair Association. The pie-in-the-face raffle raised R851 and will be donated to the Overstrand Association for Persons with Disabilities (OAPD).

CURRO HOCKEY The Curro Hermanus U13 Boys Hockey team recently played against Somerset College and the match ended in a draw 0 – 0.

They won their match against the Hermanus Primary C-Team 3 – 0 and also beat Eversdal Primary 1 – 0.

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5 - 11 June 2018

100 years of Boks and Roses

T

he English rugby team, displaying the famous rose on their jerseys, will shortly be visiting our shores to do battle with the Spingboks in three test matches.

Offside

The first clashes between these two countries took place at Crystal Palace during the Springbok tour of the British Isles and France in 1906. Although the South African team had previously played tests against the British Isles (1891, 1896 and 1903) in South Africa, the 1906 encounter was the first test against England. The match ended in 3 - 3 draw.

It was during this tour that the nickname ‘Springboks’ was coined. The tourists beat Ireland, Wales and France and lost to Scotland on that tour.

The long history between these two countries will be extended when the teams meet for the first test on 9 June in Johannesburg. This will be followed by test matches in Bloemfontein (16 June) and Cape Town (23 June).

CURRO ACHIEVERS From left: Marc de Villiers took part in Wetsuit men, and came first in the Walker Bay 600 m open water swim. Middle: Casandra Saayman took part in the SA JKA Karate South Africa tournament on Saturday 26 May and received a bronze medal in Kumite. She also received her SA National Colours for SA JKA. Right: Jadon Churchman is a Grade 9 learner at Curro Hermanus. His racing position placed him as the top ranking junior in the country and pending ratification by SAMAA (South African Model Aircraft Association), he will represent South Africa, together with three senior pilots, at the first ever FAI Drone Racing World Championships being held in Shenzen, China in November.

To date, there have been 38 tests played between England and South Africa, with 23 going the way of South Africa, 13 in favour of England and 2 draws. The Springboks hold the upper hand both at home (9 wins, 3 losses and 1 draw), and away (11 wins, 9 losses and 1 draw).

Despite injuries to the likes of Malcolm Marx, Lood de Jager, Coenie Oosthuizen, Warren Whiteley and Eben Etzebeth, Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus believes his squad has the measure of England.

English coach Eddie Jones also has an injury list to contend with, but believes he has enough fire power in his touring team and is talking of a clean sweep in South Africa!

Hermanus Netball shooting to league honours again

At neutral venues the Springboks also hold the advantage (3 wins, 1 loss). The latter relate to World Cup matches. South Africa hold the longest winning streak of 9 matches between 2006 and 2012. The first loss to England at Twickenham was in 1969, with the Boks losing 11 - 8.

The last English tour of South Africa took place in 2012, with the Springboks winning the first two tests and drawing the third. Let's hope Eddie Jones's prediction of a clean sweep comes to fruition – but in favour of the green and gold!

Tony O’Hagan

The Hermanus Netball Club has entered three teams in the Overberg leagues this season. The A team are once again undefeated, the B team have only lost one match, this early in the season, and the C team have won all their games.

now appear on track for a hat trick of victories. The team is noted for their dedication, determination and drive. This, coupled with a strong defense and an aptitude for interceptions, has made the team unstoppable in their quest for top honours once again.

The A team, aka ‘The Hermanuspietersfontein Magics’, playing with the same sparkle as their sponsors, were promoted to the Super League in 2016 and won the league at the first attempt, defended the title the following year and

The B team also won their league last season. An early one game loss has been followed by a succession of wins and this team is also well placed to fight for top spot.

For the first time we have a C-team competing and this

new entry is also on a winning streak.

The Club only had one team competing in the Overberg league two seasons ago and now we have three, all performing really well. Congratulations to the club; we look forward to celebrating a trio of wins at the end of the season.

The construction of the netball courts at the Hermanus Sports Club is on the way and hopefully next season, our netball girls will host matches at their own netball facility.

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5 - 11 June 2018

G

The mighty Brumer bags his first ace

reetings once again from a cold and windswept pirate this week.

We have dived into the very pits of winter, with some very high winds and chilly temperatures last week; consequently not too much golf has been played. To those hardy souls who braved the weather – well done and I hope it was followed up by a tot or two!

Romance is not dead Last week even a hardened pirate such as myself was warmed by the news of a lovely couple tying the knot. Many congratulations to one of our committee members John Quincey, who married Jeani last week; may you have many wonderful years together.

The Putting Pirate Julian Shaw

red Renault I was following here in town, driven by a middle-aged lady. On the bumper it said: “Every woman’s dream – her ideal man takes her in his arms, throws her on the bed… and

Scores at a glance SATURDAY ALL TOGETHER 26 MAY : Betterball Bogey Plus Winners: Chicken Basson and Gerrie du Plooy +11 C/I. Runners-up: Gawie Erasmus and Peter Richardson +11 C/O. The attendance draw this week was kindly sponsored by Red Chair (fellow member Deon Muller) and was won by Wanda Venter.

cleans the whole house whilst she sleeps.”

I think most women could relate to that one!

Have a great week all, Julz and the crew

LADIES’ TUESDAY 29 MAY: 3 Ball Alliance 29 players Winners: Pat van Renen, Glenda von Benecke and Annie Spratt - 72 points. Runners-up: Sally Leggett, Annie Spratt and Melinda Smith - 70 points.

MEN’S WEDNESDAY 30 MAY: Individual Stableford 122 players Winner: Michel Frost - 41 points. Runner-up: Deon Muller - 40 points Ball pool pays to 36; Best gross: Sam Simpson - 69; Five 2 clubs recorded

Brumer bags his first ace Mark Brumer, playing at Goose Valley, managed to join the elite group of ‘hole in oners’! He is pictured here with playing partners Shaun Smith and Simon O’Sullivan, celebrating John and Jeani’s wedding.

Congratulations Mark, I bet there were a few aching heads the next day!

Last giggle This week’s giggle belongs to a

John and Jeani Quincey tied the knot last week.

Simon O’Sullivan (standing) with Shaun Smith and Mark Brumer.

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THE

NEWS

5 - 11 June 2018

MY Sport

GENERATION SCHOOLS VS WALDORF SOCCER On Thursday 31 May Generation Schools Hermanus U13 and U11 soccer teams faced off against Waldorf School Hermanus at theCricket Club. Both teams played extremely well in the cold and windy conditions but in the end Waldorf won both games.

The U11 and U13 teams from Waldorf School Hermanus and Generation Schools Hermanus enjoyed playing a friendly soccer match last week despite the miserable weather conditions.

PHOTOS: Taylum Meyer

Tensions ran high as Waldorf and Generation Schools fought over the ball. Generation had a good line of defence but were no match against Waldorf’s attacking line.

Waldorf School Hermanus U13 (in green) beat Generation Schools Hermanus 4 - 1 after and intense game of back-andforth with the ball.

Both teams began to tire in the second half of the match when strong winds picked up. The boys carried on playing as best they could and Generation fought hard to maintain possession of the ball.