The Pezula Private Estate Newsletter - Summer 2013 / 14

The Pezula Private Estate

P R I V A T E

E S T A T E

Summer Issue 2013 / 14

this issue

Baboons not on holiday Recently the estate played host to a Dutch documentary televi-

Schindler’s (green) list P.2

sion crew who were here to report on the successes Pezula Pri-

Wiggly Critters P.3 PPE in the media P.3

vate Estate has had with controlling the mischievous baboon

Dates For Your Diary

Fire Readiness P.4

population. In fact so successful that it was difficult to find any

Scorpion stings P.5

baboons for the crew to film! However, do not be fooled, our Annual General Meeting

Staff profiles P.6

friends have not taken leave.

09h00, 17 January 2014 The Shareholder’s Lounge next to the Clubhouse at Pezula Golf Estate NSRI Wilderness Beach Festival 7 December 2013 Volleyball, sandcastle building, archery, family fun

We have had an exceptionally good year with the baboons. Our Wildlife Monitors are on duty from 05h00 daily and additional 3 staff members are deployed at strategic spots to identify baboons before the set foot on the estate. December remains a challenge for us as the baboons know that with homeowners comes easy access to food. They are opportunistic and will come and explore the area if they see people have returned.

Some proven tips for this season: 

Do not display fresh fruit on your table as a display.



Although you may not see the baboons, they are still around. Try to keep doors closed if you are not at a specific area of the house.



If you note any baboons, please call the Control Room who will arrange for the Wildlife Monitors to come and remove the baboons.

run, face painting

Pezula Private Estate Rainfall Statistics

Knysna 10 km Nite Race 18 December 2013 Join the Knysna Marathon

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

5 year

10 year

average

average

Jan

86

15

38

25

15

55

36

58

Feb

62

62

68

45

60

50

59

67

Mar

77

33

14

60

126

66

62

103

Knysna Lagoon Splash

Apr

40

54

92

16

83

33

57

85

20 - 22 December 2013

May

20

16

36

206

79

68

71

95

45

115

96

Club for a 4.8 or 10 km Nite Run

Jun

94

75

158

124

122

The Splash festival includes

Jul

46

56

123

187

230

73

128

98

events for the entire family,

Aug

80

27

94

124

83

127

82

119

from the Splash Mud Run for

Sep

148

104

23

29

11

29

63

66

adrenaline junkies and

Oct

109

49

146

69

151

143

105

100

everyone who likes to get a

Nov

140

30

44

121

59

110

79

100

little dirty, to the Knysna

Dec

56

49

140

57

30

-

66

115

Total

958

570

976

1 063

1 049

799

YTD to October

762

491

792

885

960

689

778

886

Lagoon Mile which invites serious swimmers into our pristine estuary. A Splash Dragon Boat Race and the Splash Quack Attack duck race will pit duck trainers young and old against each other.

on the N2 The road works nearing is s es ern at Wild e road th completion and re the fo be en op be should news od go season. This is g in m co u yo of e for thos . from the airport

ep to the Remember to ke e Knysna th in it speed lim ore traffic m e ar ere Th ! ea ar eed consp g in officials do fish in ve ha we an th l tro ! the lagoon

Please refrain from flushing down alien products in your waste water system. A Technician will have to remove a blockage physically.

walk Please remember to It is your dog on a leash. eams Dr of ld Fie the only at be where your dog may don't released. And please bag! forget your doggie-do

The Pezula Private Estate Newsletter - Summer Issue 2013 / 14

Editorial

The Summer Issue “Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.” John Lubbock

Vodacom tower - update DEAD&P has issued a certificate,

It is that time of year when we all deserve a little downtime, idleness and to feel the warm summer grass between our toes!

It is also the end of another year and one that has had it’s fair deal of ups and downs for the estate.

In this issue we take a look back at some of the media attention we have received, the rezoning, our environment, our staff team and various bits and bobs that make this place tick.

Have a wonderful summer season and festivities!

confirming that the application complies with all environmental aspects.

Pezula Media Attention

Schindler’s (Green) List

The final Environmental Approval (previously called a ROD) will then be issued on 15 January 2014, confirming that the tower may be erected. There is an appeal process that may take 2-3 months should anybody appeal AFTER 15 January 2014. If the approval is successful, then the tower may be erected after the appeal process, which can either be March or middle 2014. We have been in contact with Vodacom to request them that the tower be treated as a priority once the official goahead is given.

The last quarter of 2013 has been quite busy on the media front. We have had Dutch documentary film makers covering our Baboon Management Programme, full page adverts in Estate Living Magazine and journalists from the Eden Express and the Knysna / Plett Herald doing stories on the green home of the Schindler’s and our conservation efforts in general. Please find below a transcript of the full article, written by Gabi Falanga, on the Schindler’s home as published in the 27 November 2013 issue of the newspaper: Set high atop the cliffs, to the east of Knysna, Pezula Private Estate lies nestled in fynbos and coastal forest. The estate has been designed to be a low density estate, with only 15% of the land designated for development.

Home owners are required to incorporate a certain percentage of green elements into their architecture.

Germany-based Drs Rose and Peter Schindler took this instruction wholly to heart, commissioning the construction of a completely green-powered house. The beautiful house contains almost every imaginable green technology. Eden Express visited the estate to check it out.

Design

Rezoning update The Knysna Municipality will make their final decision about the rezoning at their special meeting to be held in December.

Our members will be updated about the rezoning in a special circular.

The first green aspect that was taken into account was the design of the house. The house is north facing, maximising exposure to the sun. It also contains numerous windows to let in as much natural light as possible. LED lighting further reduces electrical consumption.

Water runoff from the roof runs into catchment areas, rather than gutters, which is collected in six rain water tanks which are stored under the house and have a total capacity of 30 000 litres. The water is then filtered and treated with ultra-violet light to make it suitable for human consumption.

The windows and doors are double glazed to help prevent energy loss. Thermal loss from the inside and solar heat gain from the outside are substantially reduced by the double glazing.

Isoboarding, a type of thermal insulator, was used at foundation level. This prevents heat loss from the house into the ground and is one of the aspects used to minimise the need for artificial temperature control.

Only indigenous plants on a list approved by the estate may be used in the gardens, and as such, the Schindlers have a beautiful indigenous garden surrounding their house, fed by an above-ground dripper system using water from the rain water tanks, and by an underground dripper system which is fed by the processed products of the sewerage system (see box).

Heating Three natural sources are used for heating in the house, the first being solar tubes on the roof of the house that are used to heat the water.

A double combustion wood burning fireplace inside the house is designed in a way which minimizes heat loss as well as carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide emissions, relative to a conventional fireplace. The purpose of the fireplace is two-fold - to provide heat out the front as well as to heat the water pipes running along the back of the fireplace.

Two 8kW heat pumps are installed at the house, which kick in to heat the water on days when there’s not much sunshine, making the solar tubes less effective, or when there is an increase in hot water consumption. Heat pumps draw energy from outside air, and along with one unit of electricity, produce three units of heat. Heat pumps compress ambient air, causing a heat exchange which heats water. The cold air that the system releases can be harnessed and used in the air conditioner units in the house.

(Continued on page 3)

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The Pezula Private Estate Newsletter - Summer Issue 2013 / 14

Solar electricity Solar panels mounted on the roof of the house, alongside the solar tubes, generate electricity using energy from sunlight. The excess electricity is stored in LED batteries.

Everything comes together in the “heart” of the house - a large room underneath the house where all the pipes, tanks and operating systems are situated.

Included in this is a string converter which shows on its display panel what percentage electricity is being used by solar-generated electricity and how much from the national grid. “Some Pezula home owners are producing so much electricity that they’d love to put electricity back into the national grid,” says Leonard McLean, Operations manager of Pezula Private Estate.

Hydronic under-floor heating The house is fitted with hydronic under-floor heating. Basically, tubing is buried in the floors of the entire house. Hot water is circulated through these pipes to heat the house. The concept of hydronic heating addresses heat loss in that it ensures that the “body” or structure of the house is heated. According to the company that installed the hydronic heating system, “hydronic floors take advantage of the floor’s thermal mass: they absorb and store heat, then conduct it evenly to the room and to objects in the room that in turn re-radiate heat”.

This system therefore does not work on heating the human body, but rather on controlling the external factors that would pull the heat from us. Each room is fitted with a control panel where the under-floor heating can be switched on or off. This leads to a major reduction in electricity usage to heat a room or area. The water in the hydronic system is heated by the three heating systems mentioned earlier.

Also in the News Pezula Private Estate was also featured in the following media: Issue 42 of the Association of Residential Communities newsletter in November 2013.

This newsletter is sent to 165 estates across South Africa and also to the Community Association Institute based in the USA. An article featured in the

Pumpie and his wiggly friends

Wiggly Critters

Knysna / Plett Herald about our

Who said that worms didn’t have potential? Or rather, poo-tential? All sewerage generated at Pezula Private Estate is dealt with on the estate by two types of sewerage systems. Each residence has its own “sewerage plant” and homeowners can choose between installing a biolytic system (this is where the worms come in) or an aeration system.

Programme and the success we

What makes these systems different from other sewerage systems, such as septic tanks, is that the substances that seep back into the ground is not toxic. “These systems are not only cleaning the water on site, but also watering the gardens, thereby saving water,” explains Operations Manager, Leonard McLean.

programme over two days on

Biolytic system

In the biolytic system, black water and grey water are separated. Black water is the water that comes from the toilet and the kitchen, as it usually contains fats, oil, blood and excrement. Grey water is the rest of the used water coming from showers, basins and washing machines.

In the black water tank, the liquids are drained out and along with the grey water seeps through a porous filter which, once filtered, is pumped into a dripper system. The dripper system consists of pipes which are laid under the ground throughout the garden of the house, thereby irrigating the roots of the plants.

The solids are then left for earthworms, known as Red Wrigglers, which have been placed in the tank, which decompose the waste along with other micro-organisms. Every time the toilet is flushed again, the water pushes the fertile worm waste into the dripper system.

Aeration system In this system, black and grey water are not separated, but go into the same tank, where it is oxygenated. This promotes the action of micro-organisms which decompose the waste. Ultra violet light is also added to enhance decomposition. The resulting liquid is then filtered and pumped into the underground dripper system, where plant roots break it down further.

Baboon Management

have had with it.

A Dutch TV station did a

our Baboon Management Programme. At first we could not find any baboons, but the baboons gave the TV crew their money’s worth on day 2 when various sightings and movement could be filmed.

We’ve had a full page free advert in the ESL (Estate Living) magazine which is distributed to 83 estates in SA and electronically to a further 264 estates nationally or internationally.

We managed to negotiate this without any cost to the HOA.

Drs Rose and Peter Schindler’s house uses this type of sewerage system, but their dripper system is above as well as below the ground.

“We have to educate the home owners, because fats, toilet cleaners and other cleaning products kill microorganisms.

“So we teach them not to throw foreign objects and fats down the drain (this includes bubble baths), and we encourage home owners to buy green products,” says Leonard. “We’ve have to get the people to love our sh*t.”

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The Pezula Private Estate Newsletter - Summer Issue 2013 / 14

Pezula Environment

Fire Readiness Stops on Lagoon View The Board expressed their support for the 3 stop streets that have been left in Lagoon View Drive as an attempt by Pezula Golf Estate to keep the speed down. We want to ask our members to support the approval by stopping at the stop streets and keeping to the 40km/h speed limit. The number of stop streets have been reduced from 7 installed a few months back to the current 3.

Upgrade of electricity supply to Knysna There is light at the end of the tunnel! Eskom has completed their upgrade of the electricity supply from George to Knysna without the expected major disruptions. The 5-year electrical maintenance on the estate is also complete and all terminations have been changed as planned.

We experienced a major fire originating in the Hornlee area in September this year. Fortunately it was extinguished just before the Noetzie road. All teams from SCFPA, Work-forFire, the Fire Brigade and MTO assisted in extinguishing the fire before it spread to the plantation. This was the first real test for our own equipment and team reaction on a Sunday. All went well with a few smaller practical needs identified.

We have taken various precaution to be ready in the case of a fire on or off the estate. Some of our action included the following: The HOA has purchased a new ‘bakkie-sakkie’ as part of our mobile fire-fighting equipment. This portable fire-fighting unit has a greater capability than our existing units and increases the number of mobile fire-fighting units to three.

Additional nap-sacks, which is carried on a person’s back, has been purchased to assist the fire-fighting team on the ground. The nap-sacks are regarded as the best method of addressing smouldering logs or fires by the team on the ground.

The Knysna Fire Brigade did an inspection of our system on the estate and suggested that we make small changes to comply with international standards and assist them if they are required to come to the site at night. The covers for the fire hydrants have all been painted yellow and a blue cat’s-eye had to be installed in the middle of the road opposite each or the 52 hydrants on the estate.

Various members have already commented about the electrical supply that is now consistent without spikes or fluctuations.

Pezula Security

Security Update Security on the estate has been further improved with various measures having being put in place since September thus further improving the existing security on the estate.

Page 4



The cantilevered extensions on phase 3 were completed by the HOA team in October. A total of just over 1 515 cantilevered extensions have been installed by the maintenance team. This was a challenging exercise as a generator had to be carried to the areas where the work was done.



Additional anti-creep Y-bars have been installed in all vulnerable areas.



The existing spotlights along the phase 3 northern fence were replaced with LED spotlights.

The South Cape Fire Protection Association of which we are members, did a site investigation and were happy with the number of fire breaks we have on the estate. They welcomed the initiative to widen the fire belt along the Noetzie road.

The team were given hands-on training on the equipment.

Members are requested to FIRESCAPE their gardens.

Firescaping specifically refers to landscaping in ways that will reduce the probability of fire catching and spreading through the firescaped area. The HOA can assist with advice if you are unsure if your property is safe enough and assist with the team at a nominal fee to remove some of the high fuel load areas.

The Pezula Private Estate Newsletter - Summer Issue 2013 / 14



4 laser beams were installed at strategic places outside the fence on phase 3. These laser beams will activate the spotlights and cameras should somebody walk on the outside of the fence.



The emergency access gate on phase 4 was upgraded and made more secure.

An independent security audit was done by Rob Anderson & Associates following the security breach at the end of August. The outcome of the audit and plan of action will be shared with members at the AGM.

New Pocket Guide Emergency access before

After

A new user friendly pocket guide to the 9 most common plants, birds and animal look like on the

Pezula Fauna & Flora

estate is now available at the

Scorpion Stings

HOA office as well as the Control Room.

Please be aware that this time of the year is the time that snakes and scorpions are most common in our area. Here are some handy tips to treat a scorpion sting.

1. Identify the scorpion - If you suspect you've been stung by a bark scorpion, then you should seek medical assistance immediately. The scorpions found at Pezula is a black scorpion with thick grippers (Roger, what do you call this?) and a think tail.

The reason for this is to hold on to their prey while injecting poison. The more poisonous scorpions with think gripers and a thick tail is not common in our area.

2. Find the sting location - Unlike other venomous insects, a scorpion sting will not swell very much at first. There will, however, be a burning sensation or sharp pain that happens immediately after being stung followed by tingling or numbness. Find the location of the sting and gently remove any clothing from around the area.

3. Wash the sting area - Wash the affected area with cool water and a mild soap. This is to remove any residual venom around the area and to clean it to help prevent an infection.

4. Apply bleach - If bleach is available, soak a cotton ball with bleach. Rub & hold cotton ball directly on sting sight for 5 minutes or more until tingling sen-

Garden at the fountain A great team effort resulted in the garden at the fountain being

sation stops. Bleach will neutralize the venom if treated quickly enough after being stung.

5. Apply a cold pack - If you were bitten on the hand or foot, elevate the area with the sting and place a cold pack on the site to prevent swelling. The cold pack will also help numb the pain.

redone. Some new plants were introduced from other areas of the estate, while most of the area was tidied up to create a new, fresh look.

6. Watch for serious symptoms - Respiratory distress, rash, seizures, muscle twitches and weakness all might indicate a severe reaction to the venom and medical help should be immediately sought. If the pain persists and swelling does not appear to go down, then you should call your doctor for assistance.

Tortoises Do not be surprised if you come across one of the 9 tortoises that have been introduced on the estate as part of a rehabilitation programme. These are all

Dead Boomslang found on the electric fence.

tortoises that have been brought to the estate after having been found along the N2 or in a neighbourhood in town. The latest addition to the family has been seen regularly on Pezula Drive.

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The Pezula Private Estate Newsletter - Summer Issue 2013 / 14

Pezula Environment

Raining cats & dogs

School Uniforms Thank you to the members who have already made donations or pledged money for the school

We have experienced an exceptional dry winter followed by heavy rain in November.

Although some places in the Cape Town area were flooded, we were saved from any serious flooding. Measures have been put in place to reduce risk at areas where we expected the fences to be affected. Remedial action was also initiated during the rain so as to limit any possible damage.

The volume of water was just too much for the v-drains to manage.

uniform and stationary programme. The funds are for the benefit of the children of the security guards and staff.

Pezula Management

Induction programme

The target is to raise R37 000 in order to achieve this objective.

At this stage we are still far short of this target and your assistance with a voluntary donation will be greatly appreciated.

Please contact Mrs Petra Loubser at petra@sunwood.co.za or contact the HOA office to arrange any donations. A special Charity Account has been established and that functions separately from the HOA account.

The new Induction for estate agents, architects, house management services, pool cleaning services and other registered service providers is progressing well.

Although accepted with some resistance, was it specifically the estate agents that gained most from the sessions. Sessions are facilitated twice a week until the end of November, thereafter twice a month and from March once a month. On a junior level it will always be done twice a week.

choice to use an alternative service provider that may not be listed, but for regular access to the estate, would the service provider need to attend the Induction.

The Induction is jointly facilitated by Henk Booysen (Estate Manager), Leonard McLean (Operations Manager) and Russel Brand (Security Manager). Seen in the photo is Leonard McLean facilitating his part of the Induction.

A database with all registered service providers will be made available on the website from December to enable members to get in contact with service providers that have attended the Induction and know the estate’s rules and regulations.

Members will still have the

Lennox Lennox Mpambani is part of the grass cutting team, but also assists the gardens team on occasion. He is the operator of our sit-on mower which is used on the estate on a trail basis. Lennox has been with the estate for 10years 7months. He is the farther of 2 children .

Dumpie

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all Homeowners

Page 6

Eksteen Grootboom is known to the team as Dumpie. He is one of the longest serving staff members with 6 years 5 months service at the HOA. He is married with 3 children. Dumpie is a real jack-of-all-trades being a tractor driver and responsible for all the chipping that happens on the Fynbos Rehabilitation Programme. Our clean roads are as a result of his endless efforts throughout to clean the roads, using the blower. Dumpie’s was the first of a few people to officially get his drivers’ license in 2013.

As he proudly told the others: “Let the old man show you how it’s done”

Attie Cedrick Jenniker is known to the team as Attie. He started with the HOA in 01 June 2012 when the alien clearing service was in-sourced. Attie is one of three people who are familiar with all the aliens on the estate and how to go about to remove them effectively. He also received chain-saw training in 2013 and is one of the official chain-saw operators that help with the cutting of the bithou as part of the Fynbos Rehabilitation Programme. He is married with 3 children

Chester is part of the wild life monitoring team and has 1 year 9 months service with HOA. He’s a keen soccer player and was man of the match on several occasions.

He has 1 child.