People's Post Claremont | Rondebosch - 19 January 2021

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HARFIELD VILLAGE

End of scene for store NETTALIE VILJOEN NETTALIE.VILJOEN@MEDIA24.COM

T

he hallmark of any great movie is that strange sense of loss that you get when the end credits begin to roll; that yearning for it to go on just a little bit longer. This is exactly the feeling that the owner of Village DVD and his customers are now experiencing as the outlet prepares to close its doors at the end of January.

Ian Botha has operated from Shop 1A of Harfield Village Centre in 48 Second Avenue for the past 11 years. Marketed as “a DVD rental store with a difference!”, Village DVD carried over 14 000 titles and allowed customers to do their bookings and pre-bookings online.

It was also known for its wide variety in titles which included blockbuster movies, classics, Art House and Cinema Nouveau releases and a huge selection of television series, including ITV and BBC series.

Botha says when he decided to open a DVD shop all those years ago, an outlet in Harfield Village was his first choice.

“Harfield Village Centre had just been renovated. I knew the little CBD community in Harfield and I felt it was the perfect location for what I wanted,” Botha explains.

As the owner and manager, Botha manned the store almost every day.

“I got to know everyone in the neighbourhood. They became like family,” he adds.

Botha says although he has been agonising over the store’s future for a few months, the decision to close was quite sudden; two weekends ago to be exact. He says that several factors played into it; chief among them was the hard lockdown which began last year March.

“My customers had been resisting streaming services, but with the hard lockdown they had no alternative but to look to Netflix.

When restrictions were relaxed, most came back, but not all. And we found that we were sharing them with Netflix. Our turnover did take a knock,” Botha explains.

However, he says, they were rebuilding the business, but then Ster Kinekor decided to pull out of the DVD market with rumours that the other distributor would follow suit

Village DVD will be closing its doors at the end of January. in a few months.

“With no local distributors of DVDs in South Africa, DVD rental outlets will have to import directly from the UK at considerable cost. And with the UK’s Brexit exit and lockdown, their customs is in a bit of a state,” he says.

The pending renewal of the premises’ lease turned out to be the deciding factor.

“My lease is up at the end of January and the landlord wanted another 12-month lease signed. With all of the uncertainty surrounding Covid-19, I felt it wasn’t a good time to commit to another year.”

Martin Slabbert, a resident of Harfield Village, says the closure of the outlet is a huge loss to the community.

“My wife, Nicole, and I moved into the area about six years ago and we have been sup-

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porting his business for most of the time that we have lived in the area. Every time we walk in the door, he greets you by name and is genuinely interested in how you are doing,” Slabbert says.

He says he always had a chuckle when his wife said she was “quickly” going to pick up DVDs. “I knew this would never be a ‘quick’ visit because she and Ian would always have a long and enjoyable ‘skinder’ about things.

You don’t get many companies or business owners or small shops like that anymore.”

Slabbert says what makes the outlet even more special is the sense of nostalgia it elicits.

“I don’t think there are many DVD stores left these days, and perhaps we all yearn back to an era before streaming video sites

and satellite TV channels. There is also something special about planning what you’re going to watch and then going to fetch it,” he says.

James Fernie, also a local resident, says he was devastated at the news that Village DVD was closing down.

“I have been a client right from the very outset. There are no longer any other DVD stores in Cape Town. Ian was always very proactive in getting the latest movies. It is disconcerting, many movies are not on Netflix or Showmax.

Now I am at a loss,” he says.

According to Fernie, the impact of the lockdown on local businesses have been deeply felt.

PHOTO: NETTALIE VILJOEN “The Village is just tangibly much quieter, both during the day, and, of course, in the evenings. In December, we went to get pizza from The Village Bicycle at around 20:00. It was just so incredibly depressing to see Second Avenue devoid of cars and people. The atmosphere just felt heavy and sombre,” he says.

Botha, who has no plans for the future at this stage, is currently selling all of his stock, starting at R5 for B-grade movies and going up to R100 for series. The average price of DVDs on sale is R30. Botha says customers have been very supportive, “buying up loads and loads of stock”.

“A heartfelt thanks to everyone who has supported us over this past decade. And thank you to everyone who has come into the shop and expressed their concern and sincere wishes,” Botha says.

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2 NEWS

PEOPLE'S POST | CLAREMONT | RONDEBOSCH Tuesday, 19 January 2021

SECONDARY AND TERTIARY EDUCATION People's Post is published by WP Media, a subsidiary of Media24.

Impact on education felt

WHOM TO CONTACT

NETTALIE VILJOEN

EDITOR: Thulani Magazi Tel: 021 910 6500 / 6530 Email: Thulani@media24.com

T

SALES MANAGER: Shafiek Braaf Tel: 021 910 6500 / 6615 Email: Shafiek.Braaf@peoplespost.co.za> CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING: 087 353 1328 Email: classifieds@peoplespost.co.za PRESS CODE, CORRECTIONS People's Post subscribes to the South African Press Code and we are committed to journalism that is honest, accurate, fair and balanced. Under our editorial policy, we invite readers to comment on the newspaper's content and we correct significant errors as soon as possible. Please send information to the news editor at cecilia@peoplespost.co.za or phone 021 910 6500. Alternately, please contact the Ombudsman of Media24's Community Press, George Claassen at george.claassen@media24.com or 083 543 2471.

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Find us online www.peoplespost.co.za

he Western Cape Education Department (WCED) says the marking of 2020 matric exam papers is progressing well.

Last year, the department of Basic Education (DBE) announced that the marking for the matric exams would be completed by Friday 22 January, with results out on Tuesday 23 February.

“The DBE rescheduled the 2020 National Senior Certificate examinations to accommodate the disruptions caused by the Covid19 pandemic. The June Senior Certificate (SC) examination was postponed and was written together with the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examination in November 2020,” explains Millicent Merton, a spokesperson for the WCED. In August last year, the DBE reassured candidates that the late release of the results would not jeopardise their admission to higher education institutions.

Last week, the University of Cape Town (UCT) confirmed that the later-than-usual release of matric results would not impact matrics’ possible acceptance to tertiary institutions (“Matric results: plan to compensate”, People’s Post, 12 January). UCT explained that applications from prospective first-year students were considered on the basis of their Grade 11 final results and/or September/trial examination results.

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Action plan for 2020 matrics However, as South Africa finds itself in the midst of the second wave, the hope shared by many that the new year would usher in a return to normal has faded quickly. This, says Peter Kriel, general manager at The Independent Institute of Education (IIE) – an accredited private higher educa-

tion provider – has left many matrics without a clear idea of what this year will hold.

He says one of the most important things 2020 matrics can do is to review their plans for the year and ensure they will be able to continue on their chosen path. “Use these coming weeks to make sure that your institution will be able to continue seamlessly in the event of, for instance, another hard lockdown. Ask an institution about their readiness and ability to quickly adapt their offering to a hybrid or online model,” he says.

They should also speak to students who experienced last year’s response. “You need to determine whether students last year were able to continue their learning journey seamlessly, whether they got the support they needed to do so effectively, and whether the learning was adapted in such a way that they continued to be engaged,” Kriel says.

He adds that those matrics who have not yet decided on their plans for the year should consider approaching an institution to talk through their options rather than leaving it too late.

Job prospects Janine Myburgh, president of the Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry, agrees. She says those with the means, the talent, and the inclination, should try and stay in the education system rather than entering the job market straight out of high school. “This year, the challenges facing job seekers will be the same as last year but worse. That is, too many job seekers, not enough jobs on offer,” Myburgh adds.

She advises that those not in the very top rung of matriculants should consider attempting to qualify in one of the trades such as bricklayers, plasterers, electricians,

plumbers, with a view to eventually start their own business.

“There is no substitute for a real skill which is always in demand,” Myburgh adds.

She says of the various career paths out there, skilled programmers and computer technicians have a better chance of employment. “The basic lesson in job seeking is attitude – showing a sunny disposition, a willingness to work hard, and to start at the bottom. Even a series of low-level jobs shows a prospective employer your willingness to work,” Myburgh adds.

Reopening of schools As 2020 matrics weigh their options, a whole new bunch of Grade 12 learners stand ready to take on their final year of secondary schooling. For them the 2021 academic year is already off to an uncertain start as the deputy minister of Basic Education, Dr Reginah Mhaule, announced on Friday 15 January that the Council of Education Ministers in conjunction with the National Coronavirus Command Council and cabinet, had taken the decision to delay the reopening of both public and private schools by two weeks.

Teachers were to start the academic year on Monday 25 January followed by learners on Wednesday 27 January. These dates have now been moved to Monday 1 February for teachers and Monday 15 February for learners.

“The DBE will work closely with all nine provincial education departments to establish the true extent of the impact of the virus, resulting from the unfortunate demise of educators, workers and leaders in the sector, especially during the December and January holidays,” Mhaule said.

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NEWS 3

PEOPLE'S POST | CLAREMONT | RONDEBOSCH Tuesday, 19 January 2021

ANIMAL RIGHTS

Kataza saga continues NETTALIE VILJOEN

T

he fate of Kataza again hangs in the balance as Cape Nature considers an application for a permit to capture and translocate the male chacma baboon, also referred to as SK11, to a wildlife rehabilitation centre in Limpopo.

The Cape of Good Hope SPCA (CGHSPCA) submitted the application to Cape Nature on Tuesday 12 January. This is the second time the animal welfare organisation has done so.

The first application, which was submitted on Friday 23 October, was withdrawn following the City of Cape Town’s announcement on Saturday 7 November that Kataza would be returned to his native Slangkop troop “as soon as practically possible”. This turned out to be on Thursday 12 November.

At the time, the CGHSPCA went on record, saying that the return of Kataza to his home in Kommetjie was unlikely to negate his raiding behaviour.

“The SPCA is of the opinion that Kataza requires rehabilitation in order to prevent further risk of raiding behaviour,” Belinda Abraham, communications, resource development and education manager at the CGHSPCA, told People’s Post (“Kataza’s move a concern, 17 November 2020) last year. The City’s decision to return the baboon to his natal troop came about 10 weeks after the baboon was first relocated from Kommetjie to Tokai.

This original move caused an outcry among animal welfare groups and residents alike, and also led to an application for the review of the City’s decision to relocate Kataza to Tokai in the Western Cape High Court by animal activist Ryno Engelbrecht filed on Friday 2 October. Engelbrecht has since withdrawn the application.

Signs that things weren’t going as planned after Kataza’s “homecoming” first began to surface in the media in the first week of January when the City sent out a media statement, indicating that he had failed to integrate with his natal troop.

In the statement dated Thursday 7 January, the City said: “During the past two days, he has moved from Capri to Da Gama, and has on occasion tried to cross Ou Kaapse Weg in the direction of Tokai. Should he reach Tokai on his own accord by Monday, 11 January, SK11 will be afforded the opportunity to integrate and his raiding behaviour will be monitored. In the event that SK11 does not reach Tokai by 11 January, further intervention will be required.”

On Tuesday 12 January, Marian Nieuwoudt, the City’s Mayco member for spatial planning and environment, told Capetalk radio host Refilwe Moloto that Kataza had not made the three-day deadline and that the City was sending a supporting letter to the SPCA to support its application to have him transferred to Limpopo.

When People’s Post checked in with Nieuwoudt on Thursday 14 January, she said the City was monitoring and assessing Kataza’s behaviour “and to date, he is still in the Da Gama, Capri, Fish Hoek, and Noordhoek area”.

Nieuwoudt said that since 12 November, there have been numerous accounts of SK11 entering occupied houses and raiding bins.

“On one occasion, he aggressively pursued a person for food,” she said.

In a media statement released by the CGHSPCA last week, the animal welfare organisation also shared its concern over Kataza’s escalating raiding behaviour which places “his own safety and that of the surrounding community at risk.

“The CGHSPCA has always maintained that Kataza’s relocation back to Slangkop was not in his best interest as he would face the same challenges reintegrating with his natal troop as he faced in Tokai and that his raiding behaviour would continue unless he was rehabilitated before being released into the wild,” the statement read.

Should the permit be granted by Cape Nature, Kataza will be rehabilitated at the Riverside Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre which is owned and managed by well-known primatologist, Bob Venter.

“Kataza will be gradually introduced into a new troop and rehabilitated before being released into the wild,” CGHSPCA said.

Jenni Trethowan, the founder of the regis-

Kataza was spotted in the Da Gama, Capri, Fish Hoek and Noordhoek area last week. This image was posted on the Bring Kataza Back Facebook page on Tuesday 12 January.

PHOTO: FACEBOOK

tered trust and NPO dedicated to the conservation and protection of baboons in South Africa, says she has witnessed other dispersing males reintegrate after an unsuccessful dispersal, “so I know it is possible”.

Trethowan believes Kataza deserved the chance to attempt to rejoin his troop.

“Kataza did not elect to disperse and was not prepared for his abrupt move. If Kataza had integrated with either Da Gama or Slangkop, the service provider would have been able to manage the troop as a unit, rather than attempting to keep a lone baboon out of the urban areas,” she says.

In a post on Baboon Matters’ Facebook page, Trethowan wrote that, due to the unique circumstances of Kataza’s plight, members of the volunteer group had appealed to Venter, asking him to help Kataza.

“Together with the CGHSPCA, Riverside has submitted an application to Cape Nature for a permit so that Kataza can be relocated to the rehabilitation facility in Limpopo,” the post read.

It further stated that Baboon Matters had not been part of any decision making regarding Kataza. “Our opinion has not been requested and our letter requesting details of the plan for Kataza was not submitted with the application to Cape Nature.”

As to what the trust’s stance was on the matter, Trethowan wrote: “This should never have happened in the first place and the matter should have been resolved through expedient, inclusive meetings months ago.”

According to Trethowan, the only clear message coming from the Kataza crisis was that baboon management needed to change.

“There needs to be a complete overhaul of decision-makers and guidelines,” she wrote.

Cape Nature has confirmed it has received both the application from the CGHSPCA and the City’s supporting letter.

The application is currently under review.

Cape Nature asked People’s Post to follow up later this week in terms of its decision.

V Call the Baboon Hotline number, 071 588 6540, for assistance with baboons in urban areas.

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PEOPLE'S POST | CLAREMONT | RONDEBOSCH Tuesday, 19 January 2021

TRAVEL

Hits keep coming for tourism NETTALIE VILJOEN

from food, the rest is dependant on the sale of beverages), it is also deters people from going out for a meal. “Not being able to serve alcohol at a restaurant makes it tricky. People want to enjoy their food with a glass of wine or cold beer. If they can’t, they rather eat at home,” she says.

But Huckle says it is the curfew that is hurting their business the most. At present, restaurants have to close their doors at 20:00.

“Dinner trade starts at 19:00 in our industry. Even if the government would just consider relaxing the curfew with a few hours, it would help tremendously,” she adds.

O

f those who tuned in at 20:00 on Monday 11 January to hear what president Cyril Ramaphosa had to say during his latest address to the nation, none were more anxious than those employed in the tourism industry.

With this being the sector hardest hit by the Covid-19 crisis, it is safe to say that the news that the adjusted level three restrictions would continue after Friday 15 January – with no clear indication as to its end – did not go down well with tourist operators and restaurant owners.

Briony Brookes, communications and public relations manager of Cape Town Tourism (CTT), says their organisation acknowledges that the president and the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) were forced to implement stricter lockdown regulations to lessen the pressure on our emergency services and in a bid to reduce the spread of Covid-19.

CTT is the City’s official regional tourism organisation, responsible for tourism marketing, visitor and industry services.

“There is no blueprint for the government to follow when it comes to lockdown restrictions. South Africa finds itself in the position of having to weigh up the cost of lives with the cost of everyone’s economic wellbeing. It cannot be an easy position for our officials to be in,” Brookes says.

However, she adds the impact of these restrictions on the tourism sector will be farreaching as curfews affect restaurants, no alcohol sales affect wine farms, and the closure of public beaches, lakes, rivers, dams and parks will deter some from visiting Cape Town.

“The reality is that 2021 looks to be as

Natasha Femela, waiter, and Libby Mentor, front of house, of Pirates Steakhouse and Pub say trade at the restaurant has been quiet.

PHOTO: NETTALIE VILJOEN tough a year as 2020 for the entire sector. Some restaurants have closed for now due to them not being able to serve alcohol as a lot of revenue comes from alcohol sales. Many restaurants have also noted that the early curfew will affect their numbers every day, which will of course result in lower revenue.”

Effect on industry Julie Huckle, co-owner of the iconic Pirates Steakhouse and Pub in Plumstead, can attest to this. Huckle says after the regulations were relaxed with the introduction of level two, the restaurant had slowly crawled its way up to taking in 60% of its revenue pre-lockdown.

She says the moment level three restrictions kicked in on Tuesday 29 December, revenue

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plummeted.

“We only had two tables of two for New Year’s Eve,” Huckle says.

When People’s Post last spoke to Huckle (“Hard times for restaurants”, 09 June 2020), the restaurant was in the process of submitting its third loan application to the bank which it had banked with for the past 30 years. Despite its “sparkling-clean” record, the restaurant’s application was turned down again and no other financial institution was willing to extend it a loan either.

Huckle says they have managed to hang in there by thinking out of the box, for example, running lunch and takeout promotions. But, she says, it is getting to the point that if the level three restrictions carry on indefinitely, they might have to look at closing down.

“We are also tired. We have spent the past 10 months fighting to survive, having to reduce staff.

“We went from offering people full-time employment to only being able to offer them two shifts a week. Things are really dire.”

Huckle explains the restriction on the sale of alcohol not only affects the restaurant’s profit margin negatively (only one third of a restaurant’s revenue derives

Staying afloat Brookes says CTT’s stats show that international travellers are still interested in visiting Cape Town, but that the increase in the number of infections and the stricter lockdown regulations is causing some to postpone until a later date. However, even though the rate of recovery of international visitors arriving at Cape Town International Airport is slow, the organisation is seeing a steady increase in domestic visitors.

“While the closure of beaches is disappointing to some for sure, Cape Town has so much else to offer those who visit, so all is not lost in this regard,” she says.

Brookes says the tourism industry has a long road ahead of it as a sector “and the longer the lockdown regulations are in place, the more our tourism businesses will be negatively impacted”.

As to what small, medium and large players in the tourism industry can do right now in a bid to stay afloat, Brookes says, first and foremost, businesses need to ensure they are playing by the rules.

“All it takes is overlooking safety measures once for the public sentiment about them to change.”

She says the industry needs to focus on the domestic market now and encourage, even locals, to explore our communities and be safe when doing so.

“Domestic tourism is a huge focus at the moment and the truth is that locals love taking advantage of pocket-friendly experiences with great value.

“Businesses can also ensure they are continuously innovating their offerings to cater to a domestic market and together, ensure we still offer a memorable experience for visitors,” Brookes concludes.

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PEOPLE'S POST | CLAREMONT | RONDEBOSCH Tuesday, 19 January 2021

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6 NEWS

PEOPLE'S POST | CLAREMONT | RONDEBOSCH Tuesday, 19 January 2021

Greenbelts, public parks closed to the public Greenbelts and public parks in the Cape Town metro are still off limits as South Africa remains on an adjusted level three lockdown.

As to when these measures will be relaxed is open to speculation. During a question and answer session following a virtual briefing on Tuesday 12 January, the minister of cooperative governance and traditional affairs Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said it was difficult to give certainty on how long Covid-19 lockdown regulations will last (“How much longer will adjusted Level 3 lockdown last?”, News24, 12 January).

She said the president would review some of these regulations when the country had passed the peak and the numbers had dropped sufficiently.

Amid all this uncertainty Liz Brunette, councillor for ward 62, has confirmed that public parks and greenbelts in the Cape Town metro, which is a Covid-19 hotspot, are regarded as “parks” and thus closed to the public.

However, Table Mountain National Park and the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, “where access control meas-

A recent hike up Signal School Steps Simon’s Town.

ures and entry limitations are already in place”, may remain open to the public, albeit only until 18:00.

Under the current restrictions, gatherings at cinemas and theatres are limited to 50 persons or less for indoor venues and 100 persons or less for outdoor venues.

If the venue is too small to hold the prescribed number of persons observing a distance of at least one and a half metres from each other, then not more than 50% of the capacity of the venue may be used.

The same applies to gatherings at museums, galleries, libraries, archives, gyms and fitness centres, and restaurants.

All beaches, dams, lakes and rivers, inclusive of all recreational facilities at these places, are closed to the public in all the areas declared as hotspots.

All public swimming pools, including recreational facilities at such places, are also closed to the public.

V These are only some of the restrictions placed on gatherings. To view the Monday 11 January amendment to the adjusted level three restrictions, go to https://www.gov.za/documents/disaster-management-act-regulations-alert-level-3during-coronavirus-covid-19-lockdown-2.

PHOTO: TBOM

TABLE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK

Three years of safer hiking RACINE EDWARDES @RaeEdwardes

I

t has been three years since the Take Back Our Mountains (TBOM) monthly hiking group was formed in response to the spate of violent and petty crimes taking place on hiking trails.

Unfortunately for the group – due to Covid-19 lockdown restrictions – they will not be able to mark this milestone with an anniversary hike which was planned for the end of this month.

Group founder Taahir Osman says before the pandemic, the group saw the attendance of between 100 and 400 hikers and cyclists monthly; and interest continued to grow.

“I receive daily messages from hikers and tourists who are looking to join a hiking club, a hike up Table Mountain or to ask which areas are safe to hike. We also noticed a massive increase of hikers on the trails after the lockdown regulations had been lifted.”

While gatherings of this size are at present prohibited to prevent the spread of Covid-19, Osman encourages small-group hiking for safety. “Hikers are still hiking during this tough time. Some are following Covid-19 protocols and, unfortunately, some are not. The most important aspect of the pandemic is the element of human contact which should be decreased to the lowest possible level to minimise the virus’s deadly effect,” he says.

“There are certain areas under the control of South African National Parks (SanParks) that are off-limits due to the adjusted level three regulations. We urge all trail users to please respect these regulations. TBOM promotes safety in numbers, however, TBOM group activities have been postponed,” he

adds, advising hikers to travel in groups of at least four.

This can be achieved by taking on hikes with the people in your household or colleagues who work together and are screened for the virus daily.

Osman encourages hiking groups to have a good hike leader. This is essential for safety, he says.

“It is necessary to have a competent hiking leader with sound knowledge of the hiking trails. A hiking leader should have good hiking skills, first aid experience and the ability to be flexible as situations arise.

“Risk management skills are a priority.

Reviewing the trails, trail maps, and possible alternative trail access ahead of time is crucial.”

Here are more tips for hike leaders: . Keep an eye out for trail markers; . have sound knowledge of the hike route plan; . stop at river crossings and trail junctions; . manage the group pace; . set everyone’s expectations when taking a break; . be proactive about keeping everyone comfortable; . it’s not about being the fastest hiker; and . hike leader and hike sweeper (pace keeper positioned at the back of the group) communication is important.

Osman also provides a warning for hikers planning to take on new routes in the near future. “Hikers should avoid Kleinplaas dam and Noordhoek wetlands as there have been recent criminal activities reported there.”

V Follow the Take Back Our Mountains Facebook Page for updates or contact Taahir Osman on 073 624 4287.

The Alphen Trail, one of the greenbelts in Constantia, remains closed to the public during the adjusted level three lockdown.

PHOTO: NETTALIE VILJOEN

Make safety a part of your fitness As Capetonians find themselves in the midst of the second wave of the Coronavirus pandemic, it is even more important to ensure that safety forms part of your New Year’s fitness and training resolutions, advises a security services provider.

“The department of health and local authorities may impose restrictions and limits depending on the spread of the virus, which could also impact on outdoor fitness regimes. Always make sure you know exactly what regulations are in place,” says Charnel Hattingh, head of marketing and communication for Fidelity ADT. Hattingh also recommends a few basic tips to follow to help make sure you can focus on your training without having to worry about criminals.

Carrying some form of identification on you, so that any bystanders will know who you are and who to contact in case of an emergency, is first among these suggestions.

“Most exercise gear have small pockets for this very reason,” Hattingh adds.

She also strongly discourages running or cycling alone.

“Rather join a group of people who can look out for your safety and also offer moral support along the way when muscle pain or cramps set in,” she says.

Another good idea is to ensure someone you trust knows that you are headed out for a run or cycle, has an idea of the route you plan to take and knows when you should be returning. “In this way, they can quickly

raise the alarm if you do not return as planned,” she explains.

Other tips include: . Be visible: Wear reflective clothing to make sure you are visible to other road users. Run against traffic and cycle with traffic. This makes you even more visible to others. If you can, make use of pavements or any designated cycle tracks. . Vary your routine: Changing up your route and training time makes it difficult for any would-be criminal to anticipate your movements. The change in scenery can also make the physical exertion more bearable. . Charge your phone battery: Make sure your cell phone battery is fully charged so that you are able to call for help in case of an emergency.

“It is also important to save the correct emergency contact numbers on your phone, so that you can quickly contact the police, your security company or your neighbourhood watch when you need them,” Hatting adds.

Lastly, she advises looking into mobile tracking.

“Find out from your security company if they offer a mobile tracking app which can be downloaded on your cellphone.

“This is an effective way of alerting emergency service providers when you need them while also giving them your accurate location, especially if you are running or hiking along a mountain path or in a forest,” Hatting concludes.

NEWS 7

PEOPLE'S POST | CLAREMONT | RONDEBOSCH Tuesday, 19 January 2021

TOURISM SECTOR

Cooperation key to weathering the storm A

WhatsApp message sent out to members of the Restaurant Association of South Africa (Rassa) last week, requesting them to urgently complete a survey, has again underlined the financial crisis facing not only restaurants but the wine industry as a whole.

Wendy Alberts, CEO of Rassa, says the association is busy with a high-level, structured plan with major industry stakeholders to legally assist its pleas to lift the alcohol ban and to support an application in the High Court to get the liquor ban lifted.

“Through these surveys, we collect data which is imperative to fighting our cause.

We will be creating the link between the loss of alcohol sales to restaurants closing their

SUN IMPATIENTS

doors driven through the result of the alcohol ban and, secondly, the impact of curfew to turnover,” Alberts says.

Last year December – even before the adjusted level three restrictions came into effect – James Vos, Mayco member for economic opportunities and asset management at the City of Cape Town, acknowledged that wine tourism in the Western Cape had been hard hit by the lockdown restrictions.

“No doubt the measures put in place to combat Covid-19 seriously impacted the wine industry in Cape Town, specifically as alcohol was banned and wine exports were brought to a halt,” Vos said.

Speaking at the launch of Groot Constantia’s new gift shop located inside the wine

estate’s tasting room on Tuesday 15 December, Vos took the opportunity to introduce the Western Cape department of Agriculture’s Wine Tourism Worker Support Stipend. The R12 million support fund aims to assist those who are experiencing financial strain due to the pandemic.

“The relief fund will be able to allocate R3 000 to each employee on a monthly basis for three months starting from December 2020 and ending in February 2021. Each winery may claim for a maximum of 10 employees,” Vos said.

Going forward, he said the City, together with its official destination marketing organisation, Cape Town Tourism, was developing marketing strategies to position Cape

8 PATTERN SPRINKLER

Town as an ideal destination for wine experiences and connecting it with communitybased tourism offerings such as townships.

“This is to ensure we push tourism to all corners of our beautiful city and to spread the benefits to all communities,” Vos added.

Jean Naudé, CEO of Groot Constantia, believes the new shop at the estate is an example of how both small and large role players in the tourism industry can work together to the benefit of both. Through the new gift shop, the wine estate is supporting local entrepreneurs, artists and designers to assist in building up the local economy.

The gift shop showcases unique work from talented local entrepreneurs, artists, designers, and craftsmen.

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8 ENTERTAINMENT

PEOPLE'S POST | CLAREMONT | RONDEBOSCH Tuesday, 19 January 2021

MUSIC

Jazz festival postponed to next year W

ith the Covid-19 pandemic wreaking havoc globally, Jazz lovers and supporters of the annual Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF) will have to wait for more than a year before they get to see their favourite local and international acts on stage.

Following last year’s cancellation due to the virus, this year’s instalment of the festival has also been called off due to the national lockdown.

Event organisers espAfrika said in a statement the decision was not taken lightly, it was made in the best interest of festival-goers, sponsors and corporate clients.

“This decision was accompanied by an optimistic view to host the festival once again in 2021. Sadly, we currently find ourselves in the midst of a dreaded second wave of Covid-19 infections, the impact of which, by all accounts, we will feel deep into 2021,” read the statement.

It further reads: “The health and safety of everyone involved with the festival is of paramount importance. It is for this reason that

we have decided to postpone the festival to 2022. We trust that our valued sponsors, corporate clients and festinos will stand with us in caution and solidarity to play our part in minimizing the spread of this virus.”

Organisers thanked patrons for their patience and support during this “unprecedented time”.

Billy Domingo, festival director, says while the road to CTIJF 2022 will be a long one, it will not be without the joy and nostalgia jazz music brings.

He says they have been working hard behind the scenes to bring brand new series of online events and smaller live jazz experiences throughout 2021.

“JazzFix will be formally launched early in the new year (2021). The online shows present footage of some of the festival’s greatest moments and shows exclusively performed at the festival over the past 20 years, which includes interviews with artists who performed. The shows promise to be the perfect ‘fix’ of entertainment for the lovers of all genres of jazz.”

The beloved annual Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF) has been postponed until next year.

PHOTO: CTIJF| FACEBOOK

Start learning while lounging SAMANTHA LEE-JACOBS @Samantha_Lee121

Mojam Films’ actors, entertainers and staff at The Grillfather last Saturday 15 January during open call auditions.

PHOTO: MOJAM | FACEBOOK

Now could be your time to shine RACINE EDWARDES racine.edwardes@media24.com The film company that brought you Bloed Betaal and Meisie VaniLavis is now on the lookout for their next big stars after hosting a casting call last Saturday 16 January.

“Mojam Films was started by Mark Matroos, a man who has been in the entertainment industry for nearly a decade – from singing, rapping, music producing, record label owning, to acting and now owning his own self-funded film company,” explains the company’s marketing representative Miss Lisa B, who is also a singer and rapper.

The company, started by the Mitchell’s Plain resident, has produced and released two films with Bloed Betaal being their latest offering.

It was released at the end of last year at GrandWest Casino.

The movie follows a man who seeks to exact his revenge on the gang members who accidentally killed his daughter in the crossfire of a gang-related shooting – a story that is unfortunately common on the Cape Flats.

Hot off the heels of this latest cinema offering, the company is now on the lookout for the next talents to be discovered and work on their upcoming projects.

“Mojam is currently busy with a movie project. Later this year, we will be working on a few music videos for the duo Afrikaans Ruk. Depending on the Covid-19 lockdown level regulations and limita-

tions, we have two to three projects we can use the cast for,” Miss Lisa B explains.

Last year’s open call, which also took place in January, saw 20 to 40 people attend the auditions, but this year the company expected double that number – up to 100 people, Miss Lisa B says.

“This year’s casting call response, since our previous movie’s release, Bloed Betaal, has been crazy.”

Instead, they received about 160 people interested in auditioning.

Matroos says he was pleased with the turnout and the ability of the Mojam team to handle the numbers.

Miss Lisa B says that in addition to Covid-19 protocols, “One person was allowed into the building at a time for their audition and upon that individual’s exit, the next candidate was allowed to enter.”

Matroos adds that the success of the auditions can be seen in the vast range of people who attended, some from as far as Wellington. “We had people who just finished studying, people with degrees, someone who worked in New York. Our youngest was four years old and the oldest was 74,” he says.

Luckily for those who are still looking to make it big this year, last weekend’s open call wasn’t the only way to get your foot in the door. Mojam Films still encourages all aspiring actors and performers to get in touch with them.

V Visit Mojam’s Instagram (@mojam_ent) and Facebook (@MojamEntertainment) pages or contact Justin Barends on 065 848 1555 or 071 527 1874.

National lockdown and Covid-19 pandemic restrictions have left many with copious amounts of time on their hands to pursue their passions from the safety of their homes.

And for an Ottery couple, this was also the perfect time to use their knowledge to help others.

Garth and Candice Permall have launched a new podcast series from the comfort of their home studio, called Lounging with the Permalls.

On the podcast they use decades of industry knowledge to educate would-be artists and enthusiasts on the ins and outs of the entertainment industry, and will also feature special guests along the way.

“I’ve been in the music industry for more than 34 years as a recording artist, being part of dance groups, live performances and owning a music production company called Island Roc Music,” says Garth.

“Candice has, through her work, been a guest speaker on radio shows for the past six years to educate the community about estate administration and the importance of drawing up a last will and testament.”

Garth continues: “The podcast will therefore bring together our experiences of radio and being in the music industry and provide local entertainers a platform to showcase their talent and talk about their experiences in the entertainment industry. We also want to use the podcast to give small business owners a platform to market and promote their business.”

They had officially launched the podcast on Sunday 3 January and will broadcast every Sunday from 16:00 to 18:00 powered by Paarl Valley Internet Radio.

Candice says: “I have always loved speaking to people about topics that really matter to me and to get different view points. I was very talkative as a little child and I still am, so we thought why not put that energy into a podcast?”

With Garth being retrenched last year, the time was right to take on this venture.

“Now I’m working full-time in our recording studio based in Ottery where recording artists and business owners can book a session for music production, mixing and mastering, voice overs and local ads. We also released our Island Roc Music clothing brand last year,” says Garth.

Some of the talent

already lined up include a variety of local actors, singers, television and radio personalities, influencers and even an award-winning scientist.

The motto of the podcast, Garth explains, is ‘it’s about real talk, truth and facts’.

“The world can do with a good dose of positivity, especially during this time we are facing,” he says. “We also wish to extend an invitation to small business owners to contact us if they want to promote their business.”

As they are producing the show from home and with the surging number of Covid19 cases, the Permalls had initially not planned on having guests, but with the right measures in place to adhere to Covid-19 protocols, they are looking forward to welcoming local talent to the airwaves.

“We relooked at the regulations under level three and realised that our studio is big enough to have up to four people in at a time.

So as from Sunday 10 January we had our first special guest, Reemay Damons, a wellknown personal trainer, in studio sanitised and masked up,” says Candice.

“In our prequel episode called ‘Who are The Permalls’ we introduced ourselves to our listeners, gave a little insight to who we are as a couple and our future plans for the show. In our official launch show we chatted about the risk of the pandemic and again advised the listeners to please wear their masks and sanitise as much as possible.

“We also spoke about New Years Resolutions and if they are even worth keeping as well as the positive lessons we learned during the lockdown. There are so many good and interesting topics to look forward to in our upcoming shows.”

V Three of the prerecorded podcasts are available on soundcloud. To tune into the podcast, visit ttps://iradio.co.za/public/paarl_valley_internet_radio on Sundays. For more information, follow Lounging with the Permalls on Facebook. To potentially be part of the show, email thepermalls@gmail.com or WhatsApp on 072 146 6981.

Garth and Candice Permall have launched a new podcast radio show to educate and encourage local artists.