March 2018
FRANSCHHOEK Scan the QR code to read the Tatler online
Making principals into managers
Olive Oil Savant
Page 3
Page 6
Q&A David & Jenny Hoffman Page 18
Mayor: Help defeat the water challenge
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Executive Mayor Gesie van Deventer
Residents must make every effort to collect and recycle grey water and to limit their use of potable (drinkable) water as much as possible. Mayor van Deventer concludes: “Judged on the present water usage and supply, Stellenbosch Municipality is confident it will be able to provide for the most basic water needs of our residents. Co-operation is however critical and every person must take up the challenge to save and recycle water wherever possible. Water will however be very scarce and there will be no room for any waste or exceeding the water restrictions. “Let us join hands and together face this difficult situation. Working together we can overcome this challenge.”
Veld fire season update M
The official fire season, which started on 1 November 2017, has been a proverbial mixed bag so far. This is according to Ashley Bauer, Manager of the Franschhoek Ward of the Winelands Fire Protection Association (WFPA). The season got off to a good start with only 12 fires reported in November 2017 – five fewer than the previous season. December 2017 saw nine fires; the same number as the previous year. January 2018 saw an increase of three fires over the previous year, while February 2018 saw an increase of five. In total 42 veld and vegetation fires have been attended to by the fire services and WFPA members. Landowners and the WFPA undertook a lot of preseason preparation, including fire load reduction in the valley, the implementation of a strategic fire break and further training, all of which is bearing fruit as the fire season progresses. Ashley says that by mid-January a worrying pattern Y
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had emerged, with 60% of the reported fires taking place in the Wemmershoek area, including the Stellenbosch Conservation Area, Berg River Dam Area, land surrounding Wemmershoek Primary School and the Wemmershoek Wetland Area. “While none of these fires involved a direct threat to life or property the financial and environmental impact is considerable.” By mid-February there had only been one major fire in the Franschhoek ward – the St Croix fire on Tuesday, 9 January 2018. Approximately 150 ha were burnt in this incident. Services from Stellenbosch, Drakenstein, Cape Winelands District, Correctional Services, contracted fire teams, WFPA members and two helicopters were required to extinguish this fire. Services remained on scene throughout the following night and into the next day to secure the burn area and make it safe. Continued on page 2...
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Irna van Wyk: 082 572 2740 SOMERSET-WES, STRAND, GORDONSBAAI: 021 851 0176 STELLENBOSCH, FRANSCHHOEK: 021 883 3783 E-pos: info@stellenboschblinds.co.za • Faks: 021 886 8516 www.stellenboschblinds.co.za
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The Executive Mayor of Stellenbosch, Adv Gesie van Deventer, announced on Valentine’s Day that Stellenbosch was following Cape Town’s example and was moving to Level 6B water restrictions – effective from 19 February 2018. This means that residents are restricted to 50 litres of water per person per day, or 6kl per household of four persons per month, until further notice. The mayor said that “The Greater Stellenbosch has achieved a saving of 44% compared with 2015. This water consumption needs to be reduced further in relation to the 2015 baseline usage to achieve a saving of 45%.” In June 2017 the Stellenbosch Municipal Council approved a Drought Management Plan. This plan made R45 million available for the sourcing of additional groundwater and purification plants for boreholes. By mid-February the municipality had already sourced 18 000 kilolitres of water per day and is planning to add an additional 6000 kilolitre per day. As more boreholes are connected to the main water supply system, Stellenbosch Municipality’s water dependence on the City of Cape Town’s sources (Wemmershoek and Theewaterskloof Dams) will decrease significantly. By the end of March 2018, the municipality will take Klapmuts, Franschhoek and Dwarsrivier, (including Pniel, Kylemore, Johannesdal and Lynquedoc), off the Wemmershoek supply system and connect it to its own system fed from boreholes, freeing up water for the City. The municipality is also working closely with the University of Stellenbosch to ensure that the students are aware of the water restrictions. The university has launched water saving schemes, which should drastically reduce its water consumption. The municipality urges all residents to give their full co-operation in this matter. Residents who do not adhere to the restrictions will face hefty fines.