FYNARTS 2024 EDITION

THE

WHALE TALK MAGAZINE

Editor Leigh Bouwer

072 779 2454

Artwork Carolyn Groenewald Advertising whaletalk@whalemail.co.za www.whaletalkmagazine.co.za whaletalkads@gmail.com

Copy Editing Pieter Schoombee noag@hermanus.co.za

Regular Contributors Beth Hunt, Albert Peter, Leigh Bouwer, Percy Heywood, The Herm, Wicus Leeuwner, Pieter Schoombee, Beulah Liebenberg, Sally Carter & Dr Jenny Morris.

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Whale Talk Magazine is a high quality, full colour, glossy bi-monthly magazine and is hugely popular with the local residents of and visitors to Hermanus. It is an exciting, captivating and unique local magazine filled with relevant lifestyle articles, showcasing the best of Hermanus and the Cape Whale Coast. THERE IS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE!

WHALE TALK COVER: The spectacular painting of a dazzle of zebras was created by the incredibly talented artist, André Peypers, who lives in Kleinmond

His aim in art is to manipulate a liquid medium, creating an optical poem to draw the viewer closer for an interpretation. For more information contact André at: Phone: 061 299 2335 Email: peypersinteriors@gmail.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andrepeypers

Editor’s Note

Hello and welcome to this very exciting edition of Whale Talk Magazine, where we are celebrating the return of our beloved Southern Right Whales; the Hermanus FynArts Festival (7-17 June); Father’s Day (16 June); the mid-year school holidays (14 June - 9 July); winter and of course, everyday life on the Cape Whale Coast

Winter in Hermanus is synonymous with whales - as soon as we feel the first tendrils of winter’s icy grip - we know that our beloved Southern Right Whales will soon be swimming back to the welcoming waters of Walker Bay to calve and mate and astound us all with their aerial antics. We miss our gentle giant friends while they are away in the icy waters of the Antarctic and life just seems better when they return. If last year’s whale season is anything to go by, it looks like we will be in for another year of record-breaking whale numbers.

Over the past twelve years, winter in Hermanus has also become synonymous with the wildly popular Hermanus FynArts Festival, which is best described as a fusion of Art Fest and Winter School and is the brainchild of the fabulous Mary Faure. Culture vultures and bon vivants will once again have the opportunity to revel in a smorgasbord of cultural delight at this year’s Hermanus FynArts, which boasts a ten-day, jam-packed programme of exhibitions, recitals, workshops, demonstrations and shows. For more information on the FynArts, please turn to pages 4 and 5 and to read more about festival director Mary Faure, please turn to page 6.

We are absolutely in love with our front cover! In keeping with this edition’s theme of art, we thought that it would be the perfect time to showcase the work of a local artist and when we saw the phenomenally beautiful painting of a dazzle of zebras by the supremely talented André Peypers (who lives in Kleinmond), we were just blown away. André Peypers is well known around the world for his intricately detailed paintings of African fauna and flora, which serve as windows into nature's wonders, capturing intricate details with precision reminiscent of a powerful zoom lens. Thank you André, for allowing us to use your breathtaking painting on our cover!

Even in winter, there is still so much to explore and discover in Hermanus. The Fynbos clad mountains and coastal cliff paths are beckoning you to traverse the myriads of trails and walkways; the calmer seas are perfect for canoeing or kayaking and offer excellent and clear viewing of our mighty marine Big Two – the whales and sharks; it is red wine season, so wine tasting trips into our heavenly valley and surrounding wineries are a definite must for tourists and locals alike; our world class restaurants are dishing up delectable and hearty winter fare; and of course there is this edition of Whale Talk, filled to the brim with marvellous articles to brighten up the drabbest day

We hope you keep warm this winter and have a whale of a time at the Hermanus FynArts Festival.

Leigh

HERMANUS FYNARTS 2024

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Contents

THIS IS NOT MY MONEY written by Wicus Leeuwner

written by Pieter Schoombee

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY written by Michelle Williams

WHALES WITH DAVE DE BEER

written by Hedda Mittner

written by Albert Peter

ART, FOR ART’S SAKE written by Beth Hunt

JOIN FYNARTS

written by Hedda Mittner

Expect a burst of creative energy from 7 to 17 June when the FynArts Festival hosts some of South Africa’s top artists, musicians, authors, journalists, chefs and winemakers – who will uplift, inspire and entertain

Festival goers can once again look forward to a stimulating and entertaining programme presented as a fusion of an Arts presented the and sculpture the

The regular Strauss & Co Series of Talks and Presentations, as well as book talks and the Coffee and Croissants early morning series of discussions are back on the programme, as are a wide variety of workshops, food and wine events, and a culinary series that ’ demonstrations and culinary

long-awaited Festival Hub, in the Auditorium banqueting hall is a to FynArts. Meet up with family enjoy coffee or a light snack, or of red, white or pink! Browse presenters and products made by These will be for sale. Points for

buying those extra tickets or accessing information, as well as areas where FynArts advertisers and sponsors may display their marketing material, will also be found at the Hub

EXHIBITIONS

The 2024 FynArts Festival Artist is Mikhael Subotzky A collection of his photographic works as well as more recent related collages and works on canvas will be on display at the FynArts Gallery. Additional exhibitions specially curated for the festival will be hosted by the many other art galleries and open studios in and around Hermanus

Eleven artists will take part in Sculpture on the Cliffs, which is once again sponsored by Pioneer Freight The exhibition will be opened on Saturday 8 June at 12:30 by Gavin Younge This unique public art exhibition not only offers visitors and tourists wonderful photographic opportunities –thereby marketing Hermanus – but also offers locals and visitors alike the opportunity for contemplation and reflection.

All previous participants in Sculpture on the Cliffs are invited every year to exhibit smaller indoor artworks This exhibition will be found at The Marine Hotel, which is also the venue for a Bonsai Exhibition presented by the Overstrand’s Kujira Ka, based in Hermanus.

The ceramics group exhibition, Chromatic Clay, curated by Liz Coates, will once again be hosted at the Windsor Hotel The focus this year is on ‘colourful, fun, quirky’. Twelve contemporary artists have been invited to participate in the exhibition

PERFORMANCES

While the emphasis remains on music, this year’s series also includes two theatre productions and a dance performance. The music series ranges from intimate recitals and small ensembles to large orchestras and will appeal to both serious music aficionados and general music enthusiasts – also to those willing to push their musical boundaries

TALKS AND PRESENTATIONS

William Kentridge, the internationally acclaimed South African artist, will receive the 2024 FynArts Legacy Award from Christopher Hope This award is presented annually at the discretion of the FynArts Advisory Board in honour of a longstanding and distinctive contribution to the arts in South Africa and beyond William will present the Opening Address of the Strauss & Co Series of Talks and Presentations directly after receiving the Legacy Award

Daily presentations, interviews and panel discussions on a wide variety of topics range from art, music, history and literature, to science and topical issues. A short series of early morning talks, Coffee and Croissants, will be hosted at the Hermanus

Golf Club while late afternoon Book Talks will be hosted at the Windsor Hotel The latter will be presented by novelists and writers of memoirs, short stories and an awardwinning cookbook

WORKSHOPS

This year the variety of informative and fun workshops include ceramics, painting, drawing, monoprinting, writing, photography, botany, cooking, candle making, bonsai and flower arranging These events are offered by excellent presenters and numbers are limited to ensure that all participants receive the attention and assistance they require

FOOD AND WINE

In addition to a number of culinary workshops on everything from poke bowls, sushi and vegan cooking to decadent desserts and pasta making, ten chefs will be back in the FynArts pop-up demo kitchen at the United Church Hall to inspire and delight foodies with a series of onehour culinary demonstrations Also on the festival menu are several food and wine pairings, lunches, dinners and a morning tea hosted by top chefs, wine producers and restaurateurs

Wine enthusiasts will enjoy the six wine tastings, presented this year in a new venue at the Spencer Art Gallery in Harbour Road In the Wines of Note series, curated by Melvyn Minnaar, three wine personalities –winemaker Tertius Boshoff, wine writer Tim James, and wine judge Winnie Bowman –will present today’s finest and most interesting South African wines, in their views JP Rossouw’s series of three sessions will explore the theme Music in Wine Three musicians who have ventured into the world of winemaking will pair their wines with their music

The full 2024 programme can be viewed at hermanusfynarts.co.za. Book online at Webtickets or via the FynArts website, at Pick ’n Pay stores countrywide, at the FynArts Gallery in The Courtyard, 2 Harbour Road, or at the Hermanus Tourism Bureau. For enquiries, contact 060 957 5371 or admin@hermanusfynarts.co.za.

Inspirational People of our Village

THE MOTHER OF HERMANUS FYNARTS

Since childhood, Mary and Jean Faure spent many of their holidays in Hermanus, so for them it was the natural place to retire – Mary from being Head of the Department of Physiotherapy at Stellenbosch University and Jean from his practice as urologist

Mary became the chairperson of the Hermanus Tourism Bureau and they turned Jean's parents' rambling old house into a Guest House This was a different way to experience the world –meeting guests of various nationalities, many of whom became friends

As a break, Mary attended Christopher Hope's first Writer's Workshop in South Africa There she mentioned that she wished to start “something” to bring new visitors to Hermanus in the quiet winter months Christopher offered his help if the something was to be a festival, sensing that she would be a festival newbie Having just learnt that he had been the founder of the Franschhoek Literary Festival, she immediately accepted his offer to visit Hermanus

Mary set up twelve meetings with various organisations to discuss event possibilities, and Christopher attended them all Over a glass of wine at the last meeting, he said, “FynArts How about Hermanus FynArts!” And with unanimous approval, the event had a name

With her education and community development background, Mary was

determined that it would need to be a bridge between education, arts and communities In 2013 the first festival was launched from the Hermanus Tourism Bureau. Chantel Louskitt was handling the bureau's social media portfolio, so she developed and populated the first website

The first non-executive festival advisory committee was formed with Christopher, Marilyn Martin, Mandie van der Spuy and Richard Cock Film producer and founder of the KKNK Jans Rautenbach gave advice and enormous moral support

In 2016 Chantel became the first full-time FynArts employee and the FynArts Development Fund was registered Two years later the office moved into the FynArts Gallery.

It remains a delight to Mary that FynArts has become so much more than she intended. It is now a respected festival on the arts calendar with its own office space, doubling as an art gallery bringing in its own income. As manager, Chantel has become Mary's right hand FynArts is a Not-for-Profit Organization as well as a Public Benefit Organization, with a Development Fund One of its projects platforms young creatives from disadvantaged areas across a spectrum of disciplines

While funding is likely to be the major challenge to the festival's sustainability, it has reached the stage where it can offer significant return on investment for larger sponsors or a headline sponsor

While FynArts has been an exciting journey, it has also had its heart-stopping moments Load shedding caused many a headache – think cooking demonstration when a dish in the oven is on the menu Or the weather forcing a change of venue Fortunately, the community always came to the rescue, whether it be a school hall or a church, so avoiding cancellation Ticket holders accepted the changes and were generous in their praise

Just a brief look at Mary the person, wife of the endlessly caring Jean – who married her for better or for worse but not for FynArts, but is always there to support her They have a daughter and two sons: Jeanita and Mario, who live in Cape Town with their families, and André, their youngest, who lives in Barcelona

We all know what Mary has meant for FynArts, but what has FynArts meant for Mary? She says it has been a huge privilege, in large part due to the generous people of Hermanus. We salute you Mary, for a job well done!

Text by Sally Carter

Harbour photo by Brendon Vice Mary’s photo by Leanne Dryburgh

Albert Peter of Hermanus High School

THOUGHT

It has been said that thought is the bedrock of reason, which in turn is the foundation of human progress. It is therefore of little surprise that humanity has been filled with an insatiable hunger for knowledge ever since we learned to share ideas around our fire pits.

Luckily, our crazy, awesome and wild world provides us with a regular smorgasbord of knowledge and experiences

While some of these encounters may leave a bitter taste in our mouths there is a plethora of moments serving truly tasty treats of wonder for the mind, body and soul

It is therefore fitting that our town has seen the instalment of a colossal bench sculpture at the Hermanus Waterfront,

providing the rare but delectable opportunity to fuse a fine dining experience with curiosity and contemplation This unique creation, appropriately titled Think, is the inspired work of Johannesburg-based sculptor Louis Oliver.

The themes of dialogue, debate and shared thoughts represented by this magnificent piece of art perfectly aligns with the values and ideas of our annual FynArts Festival It is thus just natural that the organisers were only too giddy when presented with an opportunity to bring the sculpture to Hermanus

After all, it is through exactly these very interactions that we learn, grow and prosper as a species – it is through diversity of thought and ideas that we get to experience all the treasures our world has to offer and thereby advance our collective consciousness

And speaking of intellectual awesomeness, as a town we are super excited for the 2024 instalment of the annual FynArts Festival happening at Gearing's Point and other locations all over Hermanus Admittedly my knowledge of the arts is not exactly as

Text & Photo by

broad or varied as even a single page of an encyclopaedia, yet I can appreciate the imaginative offerings from individuals more talented than me – not that I am exceptionally talented After all, every piece of art ever created somehow reflects its own time

And what better or more talented artist than Mother Nature herself? With displays ranging from the terrific to the terrifying, she has left the global community in disbelief and awe for millennia. As recently as a few weeks ago the people from the land of fire, ice and the occasional Viking were forced to scurry away from burning flows of lava while the poor inhabitants of Taiwan held on for dear life when a violent earthquake shook their island nation to its core

Also a shout-out to all the weary travellers who were left stranded at Dubai airports after a natural phenomenon that can only be described as biblical With torrential floods washing away the desert sand that has laid claim to the region since Methuselah was but an infant, international travel was halted more swiftly than a GP number plate at a Hermanus road block. Some blamed climate change, others a nifty technology referred to as 'cloud seeding'. I'm not entirely sure what that means, but to me it sounds like something concocted by Doctor Frankenstein collaborating with Elon Musk

And speaking of South Africa's very own little rocket man, the latest brainchild of the braaivleis billionaire is quite literally that – a brainchild Through another of his many companies, Neuralink, Mr Musk has now successfully implanted a computer chip into a living, breathing human brain The idea is that instead of pounding away at your keyboard, you literally think the internet into existence I suppose this does bring a whole new dimension to sharing thoughts While some hail this as the next step in human evolution, I am wondering whether it is time to update my dugout shelter and emergency supplies Something about a human-computer hybrid just seems to give me visions of Sarah Connor and mushroom clouds.

While nature certainly has proven to keep our minds engaged, society has had its own share of contributions that amazed, horrified and at times bewildered us As a community, we felt elated when a herd of wild horses was successfully relocated to safer pastures in Botrivier We were shocked when news emerged that disgraced millionaire Markus Jooste answered Hamlet's age-old question and decided 'not to be' rather than hand himself over to authorities And, as a country, we were shaken to the core by the terrible collapse of a structure in George, taking the lives of numerous people and trapping helpless souls for days on end As a collective, we raise our glasses of Olof Bergh, Castle Light or any beverage close at hand to salute the heroes who came to the rescue and remember the fallen who will be missed

Of course, the sands of time did not stop trickling through the hourglass outside our Rainbow Nation Across the pond in the Land of the Free, our friends continue to endure a series of challenges that make my SARS e-filing look like a game of hopscotch Whether it be devastating tornadoes ripping through the interior a cargo ship crashing into a bridge in Baltimore or their seriously senior leaders losing their battles against the teleprompter, it is no wonder that Americans feel as nervous as a chicken on Colonel Sanders’s ranch.

Even their once honoured Ivy League universities have come to resemble a feeding frenzy of cannibalistic piranhas after a series of not-so-peaceful protests erupted on campuses across the nation Maybe the solar eclipse that could be seen over wide stretches of North America had something to do with all these bizarre occurrences Then again, our friends in red, white and blue have not exactly been the beacon of normalcy since they split from their colonial overlords

And speaking of the Old Country, spare a thought for the royal household King Charles and Kate Middleton have both been diagnosed with the dreaded 'C' word within a relatively short period of time. At this time, both appear to be responding well to

treatments and the king has even resumed his royal duties Nevertheless, the House of Windsor could not escape its fair share of controversy as keyboard warriors wasted no time flooding social media with conspiracy theories

Unfortunately for the king, that was not the only headache he had to endure over recent times While his royal majesty has had a somewhat successful side hustle in producing strawberry jam the formeractress-turned-troublesome-daughter-in-law has now thrown her fruit in the jar, providing an American alternative to the sweet treat We've certainly come a long way since the Wars of the Roses. So saddle up, buckle up and arm yourself with a spoon and freshly baked crumpets; the jam war may get sticky

While the conquest for breakfast condiments continues among high society, more serious conflicts continue to plague our planet like a cloud of locusts The dogs of war continue to roam unleashed across our blue planet whether it be in Ukraine or the Middle East Although an immediate end to hostilities seems unlikely, the hope remains that humanity will take to heart John Lennon's lyrics and 'give peace a chance'.

But let us not be perturbed by the raging storms In our own country we got through yet another election cycle and are ready to face whatever challenges lie ahead Let us not be afraid to light our fires, chill our drinks and bring out the chops and wors Let us celebrate the life we have and the moments we experience But more importantly, let us take to heart the virtues represented in Louis Oliver's sculpture: an openness to dialogue, the willingness to debate and the interest to share thoughts. After all, it is through these disciplines that humanity may live together in harmony

I hope our appetite for knowledge remains fresh through life's many twists and turns There is a delicious delight of experiences to devour. Let us stay hungry, let us stay curious and let us digest all the wonders we are offered in our lifetimes 8 June 2024

ART, FOR ART’S SAKE

written by Beth Hunt

A man who works with his hands is a labourer; a man who works with his hands and his brain is a craftsman; but a man who works with his hands and his brain and his heart is an artist. – Louis Nizer (1902-1994, American trial attorney)

How happy art thou?

French philosopher Albert Camus famously said: We have art in order not to die of life.

Sometimes we need to shut out the world. Living in a post-Covid war-torn reality, what are we phonosapiens to do as Artificial Intelligence determinedly marches its way across the landscape of human capabilities on an overpopulating planet running out of resources and reason?

Hold onto your hat, hold onto humour and take a trip down Memory Lane Pass the popcorn and roll out the red carpet for the hugely gifted Dane, Victor Borge, Australian superstar, Dame Edna Everage and hello possums, as well as a host of star-studded sitcoms We are indebted to these geniusinspired giggles from yesteryear In the face of crisis and chaos they keep us going!

Apart from laughter, writer Alain de Botton discusses various contemporary themes emphasising philosophy's relevance to everyday life in his books In his latest, A Therapeutic Journey, de Botton reflects on abstract concepts such as Challenge, Love, Freedom, Hope and Art.

On secular art, he writes: A careful painting of four daffodils in a jar in early April, a silvery photograph of the Sierra Nevada, an embroidered tapestry of a Ilama, an

abstract canvas of dark blues and greens, a sketch of a sheep and its young or a study of a river at dusk – retain the power to rescue our moods and rearrange our priorities.

The Aesthetic Movement in Britain flourished between 1860 and 1900. Aiming to escape the ugliness and materialism of the Industrial Age it focused instead on producing beautiful art without any deeper meaning, and so the phrase Art for Art's Sake was born The artists and designers in this cult of beauty crafted some of the most sophisticated and sensuous artworks of the Western tradition Among its chief exponents was Oscar Wilde, who wrote: Beauty reveals everything because it expresses nothing. When it shows itself, it shows us the whole fiery-coloured world.

According to The Origins of Words and Phrases, art was 'skill at doing something'.

The fascinating stories behind everyday words tell us that 'art', as used in the modern sense, dates from about the 17th century The word comes from the Latin ars, derived from a base meaning 'to put together join or fit'.

People from all walks of life are increasingly turning to creative workshops for therapeutic inspiration and guidance –even a chance to meet the muse!

Today we know we don't have to be a Picasso, a Nigella Lawson, or have any

literary claim to fame in order to enjoy the arts in self-expression!

I am reminded of the village we arrived at in 1989. Hermanus was an Enid Blyton fairy tale in many ways One of its characters was a petite English woman who owned Old Harbour House, built in 1920. This impressive lady of the manor was escorted in her vintage Bentley by her uniformed chauffeur, in Driving Miss Daisy style. An epic era long before Old Harbour House was sold and converted into a boutique hotel with a sea-front swimming pool On her death, her nephew inherited the estate Coincidentally an art dealer from the United Kingdom, he had the original Rembrandt gracing the homestead's wall hermetically sealed and flown back to London

Jerry Seinfeld of the famous sitcom said: Sometimes I think more creativity is put into muffin recipes than into the rest of society combined.

Not so Jerry – no, indeed! With the highlight of an original masterpiece once inhabiting Hermanus, a work-in-progress of magical murals, and the prestigious FynArts Festival annually showcasing a collage of creativity may this imaginative and innovative palette – set in the heart of the Overberg – continue to feed the soul of society with breathtaking beauty!

CATCH A FISH NAMED FRED, FRESH OUT OF AMSTERDAM, AT MATTHEWS BOUTIQUE

A WHALE OF A TIME

Soon we will welcome our aquatic neighbours back for their annual family planning in the warmer waters of Walker Bay. So, a warm welcome to the Southern Right Whales! Locals know them well, so let’s meet some of their cousins

THE BLUE WHALE

The biggest is the Blue Whale. Judging by temperament and size, this gentle giant could be the Eben Etzebeth of whales. An adult Blue is about the size of 30 elephants and weighs 150'000 kg, compared to a Southern Right's 23'000 kg

THE ORCA OR KILLER WHALE

The cleverest whale is the Orca or Killer Whale. An easy way to understand what is different about Orcas, is to think of them as the Rassie Erasmus of whales – the best team in the world's coach

Great White Sharks are no problem, Orcas love eating their livers in one bite – the reason sharks don't hang around when Orcas are in the neighborhood. Off the coasts of Spain and Portugal a small population of Orcas have been ramming and sinking boats! They seem to have associated boats with danger – and dealt with them accordingly Ichthyologist Alexandra Morton has recorded the different sounds of Orcas while mating, in childbirth and even in grief – after the birth of a stillborn calf

THE FIN WHALE

The Fin Whale is the Cheslin Kolbe of whales, cruising at speeds between 37 km/h and 41 km/h with short bursts up to 46 km/h. They can do this because of the peduncle – a group of muscles enabling the up-and-down movement of their tails Fish use a left-to-right movement. Whales, dolphins and porpoises are not fish but, as you no doubt know, air-breathing mammals

THE BOWHEAD WHALE

Bowhead Whales get their name from their huge, triangular skulls, used for breaking through polar ice. They grow to about 20 m and can weigh more than 90 tons. At half a metre, their blubber is the thickest in all whaledom and for that, their annual food intake would weigh about a 100'000 kg Whales are the largest creatures on earth and some species live the longest Scientists estimate that Bowhead Whales, a type of baleen whale found in the Arctic, can live for more than 200 years. Baleen is like a strainer instead of teeth in the mouth and is the way they collect shrimp-like krill, plankton and small fish from the sea

Baleen is made of keratin – the same stuff as our fingernails and hair – and can be four metres long in a whale. In the bad old days of whale hunting, it was collected from the carcasses and used in art and cultural objects. Other uses include giving women of that time their hour-glass figures. But thankfully baleen has long been replaced with synthetic materials like plastic and fiberglass

THE SOUTHERN RIGHT WHALE

Southern Rights are baleen whales. They got their name because they were the “right” whales to harpoon: not only are they slow in the water, they also float on the surface when they are dead.

Today, it is hard to think of whales in those terms. Right whales were hunted almost to extinction before whale hunting was finally banned in 1935.

So, be happy that those times are behind us and share the wonder and excitement on the human faces around you as we welcome our very own Southern Right Whales back to Walker Bay!

Text by Anthony Pote of Hemingways Bookshop

Photo by Jeremy Browne

CLIFF PATH AS OFFICE, WHALES AS VIEW

WITH DAVE DE BEER

Written by Pieter Schoombee

Dave de Beer is living his dream. He has long been an ace photographer with bird-watching as his hobby. He met the whales and the Fynbos when he came to Hermanus 20 years ago and soon the dream was taking root.

It is hard to believe nowadays, but then whales were not regarded as the town's major feature. Tourism marketing was done by featuring the “champagne air” of Hermanus and Walker Bay

Given his special interests, Dave met the whales and the birds with growing excitement, enhanced by the beauty of the surrounding ocean, mountains and Fynbos with its variety of flowers and features With veracity, he started reading books from over the world on, firstly, whales

“The internet was not very helpful If you are serious about the facts, you need books,' he says.

Today he is the highly regarded author of two books of his own, featuring his perfectionist photographs The first was published in 2009, titled Hermanus Whales: a photographic journey with Southern Right Whales. The second followed in 2014, titled Hermanus Whales: the journey continues

By that time he had his own photographic studio in town

How did he get there? Well, as every freshman writer knows – as a rule, publishers are a dour lot On cue, Dave was told he was wasting his time He was offered a flat fee and for the rest, he was on his own, meaning self-financing i.e. delving into savings He grinned and continued taking photographs

The claim that Hermanus offers the best land-based whale-watching in the world is true, in Dave's experience: “Only if you want a whale breaching against the sunset then Gansbaai offers a better angle.”

His whale portfolio was growing in popularity

Photographs were turned into hanging portraits and voila! More and more people had a Dave de Beer on their walls

The book idea first followed from the availability of excellent photographs And, contrary to predictions, when he carried it through, it proved to be a tremendous success His first book sold out – 3'300

copies were bought The second is currently on the market

Dave remains a birder (he is a former chairman of the Hermanus Bird Club) and, as it happened, the knowledge he accumulated over the years on whales, birds, Fynbos, the Whale Coast and wine –starting with those books and growing with personal experience – has developed into his predominant business: Tours and walks

With what he knows and the enthusiasm with which he conveys it, the King of the Cliff Path comes highly recommended as a tour walk guide This partners with drives in the Whale Coast area and wine tastings on the Hemel-en-Aarde Wine Route Franschhoek and Stellenbosch are no longer the lone stars headlining the wine tour map Dave de Beer believes Hermanus has overtaken them

His tour guide offering includes Bespoke Tours with destinations such as the Kruger Park, St Lucia and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

As he says, living the dream.

TOURISM MATTERS

Cape Town International Airport was again awarded “Best Airport in Africa” in the 2024 Skytrax World Airport Awards – the ninth year in a row. Preliminary data show that, from December 2023 to February 2024, nearly half a million international passengers arrived at Cape Town International Airport

Based on calculations by the Western Cape tourism and trade facilitation agency (Wesgro), every 100 international arrivals support two jobs in the Western Cape, meaning that these arrivals sustain 10,000 local jobs

Tourism is extremely important for the Western Cape's economy, as is emphasized by the WC government's commitment – as part of their economic action plan, “Growth for Jobs” – to foster growth and job creation by doubling visitor numbers by 2035.

Two-way passengers through Cape Town Airport’s international terminal saw a 14% year-on-year growth in February, with 294,443 passengers – thus maintaining a steady growth rate on the back of a 13% increase in January

The domestic terminal recorded 14% yearon-year growth in February, with over 576,000 two-way passengers passing through the terminal

A new strategic partnership between Cape Town Air Access and European carrier Norse Atlantic Airways will see the addition of three weekly seasonal flights between London

and Cape Town – an increase to 27 per week

According to Wesgro, the United Kingdom holds a significant position as Cape Town's top market for international passenger traffic, followed by Germany as a close second the US the Netherlands and France. In 2023, the market saw a 54% growth in two-way passenger traffic compared to 2022, with more than 360,000 passengers flying between London and Cape Town.

Cruise liner arrivals into the Cape Town V&A harbour have also increased, with at least 65 cruise liners scheduled to dock in the V&A between November 2023 and April 2024. The cruise industry injected an estimated R1.2 bn into the Western Cape economy in the past financial year, with around 90,000 passengers and 38,000 crew members expected to step ashore in the current year

South African ports are currently benefitting from vessels avoiding the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, so arrival numbers could easily grow further Although cruise ship passengers do not

necessarily spend significant amounts on accommodation, restaurants and hospitality when they disembark – their voyages often include all meals and they sleep on the ship – the benefits are reaped over the longer term. Research shows that 63% of cruise passengers return to a destination they first visited on a cruise ship

June heralds the start of the festival season in Hermanus, with the first arrivals of Southern Right Whales in Walker Bay and the wonderful FynArts Festival from 7 to 17 June.

FynArts continues to expand in all directions with an ever-growing myriad of creative expressions – from theatre and stage performances, live music, visual and literary talks and workshops, to culinary, wine, cooking and food experiences.

The Whale Season is eagerly awaited by the entire town as their arrival really kick-starts the tourism season in Hermanus and the Overberg Large numbers of tourists come from far and wide to enjoy this incredible 6month natural spectacle

Have a wonderful winter tourism season in Hermanus and beyond!

Text by Michelle Williams

Father’s Day HAPPY

The “Mother of Father's Day”, Sonora Smart Dodd, and her five brothers were raised by their father. Their mother had died during childbirth. While listening to a sermon for Mother's Day in 1909, Sonora wondered why they could not celebrate fathers as well, as her father had raised them with great leadership and love

She approached the local clergy and YMCA to assist her and launched the first Father's Day in 1910. After she lobbied presidents for 62 years, President Richard Nixon declared Father's Day as a federal holiday for every third Sunday in June

We should appreciate our fathers every day, although having a day specially for them helps us to take time out and spoil them, give them gifts and more of our time My father's birthday is on 17 June; he always gets a full weekend of spoils and gifts from two sets of children from two different marriages

My uncle became a single dad when his children were toddlers after their mom passed away, so he gets honoured on Mother's Day too – because he is incredibly loved! My cousin shares custody of his daughter and is a wonderful dad who is raising a soccer star! And my brother is father to two daughters and two dogs; he might not be my father, but mom and I celebrate him anyway because we are so proud of the dad he has become

In our ever-changing world we have more “dads” to challenge older traditions of what a “father figure” is meant to be Unfortunately many households do not have fathers, so mothers, grandmothers, uncles, brothers etc have to take up the task Other households have more than one dad and no moms, or stepdads that take up the challenge to raise someone else's children

There are also many dads who don't get spoiled, dads who work away from home, or live far away from their children And sad dads who might have lost a child, or who desperately want to but are unable to be a dad. And let's not forget pet dads, they need to be celebrated too

Mike & The Mechanics had a song called In The Living Years with the opening line, "Every generation blames the one before." They touch on difficult relationships with fathers Very often we put our fathers on pedestals and forget they are also just human Dads have a lot of stress and pressure, and are not always equipped to deal with their emotions and situations, or might not have had the best role models Many tools are

available to assist men with their challenges and mental health From counselling, retreats, sport clubs, service clubs, workshops, support groups, church groups etc. men can take up the challenge to heal themselves, which in turn heals their children, relationships and communities –then the world

"I just wish I could have told him, in the living years,'' is the chorus from the song Don't wait till it is too late Everyone needs healing Celebrate your father, help him to heal. If you are a father who needs help because things are overwhelming, then please reach out and seek the help you need We need healthy fathers for a healthy world.

With Father's Day on its way, let us all reflect, give thanks and honour our fathers. Spare a thought for gone fathers, faraway fathers, sick fathers, wannabe fathers, lonely fathers and sad dads, stepdads, surrogate dads, mom dads and homeless dads. We love you all Happy Father's Day!

Michelle Williams is a Holistic Organiser; for more information contact her @ FLOW: 082 689 0355.

UPWARD MOBILITY WITH LIFTA HOME LIFTS

Established in 2007, Lifta SA is the South African subsidiary of the family-owned German company Liftstar GmbH. Lifta SA prides itself on being at the forefront of innovation and style in South Africa's mobility solutions market. And with the support of its German shareholders, Lifta SA offers you European quality and design with a Proudly South African, personalised and focused level of service.

Lifta SA offers two varieties of Home Lift – the Duo and Trio Home Lift. The Duo, capable of carrying two passengers, has the smallest footprint on the residential market – just 0.8 m² with a weight capacity of 170 kg The wheelchair-friendly Trio's footprint is only 1.3 m² with a weight capacity of 250 kg

Home Lifts are powered by a normal 220V plug and use no more power than a kettle toaster or microwave! In the case of loadshedding or power failure occurring while the Home Lift is in operation, the battery back-up will allow the lift to travel safely down to the lowest level and allow you to exit the unit safely and easily. Due to the low power requirements of our lifts, a small inverter or solar power can supply the required power to operate the unit during load-shedding

Due to their versatility, Home Lifts can either be installed in an existing home or be included in building plans for the future. Our

highly skilled team of technicians install the lift within two days, with minimal disruption to your daily life

One of the most unique aspects of the Home Lift is that it does not require a shaft The unique dual rail system creates a completely self-supporting structure. The weight of the entire structure and lift are in compression through the rails and into the floor of the home. No extra burden is added to the home as a result of this innovative technology. No motor room or pit room is required either, resulting in the construction costs being substantially lower than for conventional lifts.

The Trio Home Lift was built specifically for users with mobility challenges or concerns and can easily transport most wheelchair models. The lift has a built-in ramp to allow for easy wheelchair access. Our aim is independent mobility within the home. The control panel and the grab bar for users to pull themselves into the lift can be mounted at varying heights to

accommodate any user

Our sales process is designed to be as simple and stress-free as possible for our clients. A no-obligation, free on-site assessment will be booked at your home at a time and date that suits your schedule. Our Product Specialist will introduce you to the product, take the time to understand your needs and requirements for the lift and, with you, find the perfect location for your Home Lift

With offices in Johannesburg and Cape Town, as well as representation nationwide, our sales and operations teams are available to assist anywhere in South Africa

We pride ourselves on our quick and efficient turnaround time and customer service. Join the hundreds of families in South Africa who have entrusted Lifta SA with their residential lift and mobility needs

Call us now on 080 737 3737 for a free, no-obligation, on-site assessment to find the perfect location for your very own Home Lift.

“This is not my money. You promised to keep my money,” said Joseph Biko, the gardener, as he stood before Marinda Groenewald, the postmistress of Onrus Post Office

It all started when Joseph's employers convinced him to open a Post Office savings account way back in the seventies He was their live-in gardener and kept his money hidden in his room until the day he took the bus to Alice in the Eastern Cape once a year

The whole concept of exchanging money for a savings book and getting paid in interest to do that was disturbingly new to Joseph. In the end, he was convinced and handed over the neatly flattened notes to Marinda With a smile, she promised to look after his money and handed him his savings book.

After three months he was back and asked to see his money. Marinda updated his savings book and showed him the result with interest added Still, he was not satisfied with the figures He wanted to see the money in notes. Marinda obliged and after getting permission by telegram from Bloemfontein, she closed his account so that all his money could be withdrawn After receiving the notes he went to the client's counter and took out a piece of paper from a pillbox kept in an empty draw bag of Boxer tobacco He then started comparing the numbers of the notes he just received to those he handed in three

months ago This led to his outburst and it took a lot of explaining from Marinda that the monetary value remained the same before he was convinced and she had to open a new account again

Although it was funny in the beginning, this incident left a marked impression on Marinda. She realised that Joseph's culture had a completely different concept of savings and that she had to consider that

This enabled her to be of service to a very large array of different cultures in the 33 years she was at the Post Office in Onrus Not only are we blessed with the wonderful “Rainbow Nation” but the Overstrand, being a tourist mecca, saw people from all over the world cross the threshold of the Post Office on the corner of Viljoen and Molteno Streets. (Now a very pleasant and commendable restaurant.)

Doing her best to understand different cultures allowed her to have more relevant interactions with her clients Besides making her more respectful and empathetic of others, cultural awareness helped her celebrate her similarities and differences She'd hardly treat people differently simply because they weren't from the same ethnicity or culture as she was

The anthropologist Christina de Rossi says,

“Culture encompasses religion, food, what we wear, how we wear it, our language, marriage, music, what we believe is right or wrong, how we sit at the table, how we greet visitors, how we behave with loved ones and a million other things.”

Understanding other cultures helps us understand the fantastic diversity in human creation It is important in dispelling miscommunication as well as misinterpretation Besides creating meaningful and valuable relationships and friendships with others, you learn to respect and appreciate their differences

One of the core obstacles you're likely to face when communicating with people from other cultures is the language barrier Here it helps to learn some core words and the way body language is expressed Nonverbal communication can be up to 93% of total communication

Let's follow Marinda's example and embrace diversity in the Overstrand Being culturally aware helps you acknowledge your heritage and world views.

As you are exposed to other cultures you discover and learn about the differences in each culture Eventually, you start embracing and appreciating people who are different from you