Wildside TIMES #6

TIMES WILDSIDE

KEY COLLEGE

OUR NEW HIGH SCHOOL ST FRANCIS TODAY

WRITING CONTEST WINNER

WHO WANTS TO GO TO BALI?

THIS MAGAZINE IS FREE

EDITORIAL

The talk in the town is continuous about load-shedding and water shortages. It’s natural to talk about the two things that are most worrying and are constantly front of mind.

The most crucial element of the conversations is that things will not change miraculously overnight. In fact, things might not change for a long time. For example, Eskom is not going to come right. Although we might get good rains, many more people are utilising the same water catchments that have been in place for ages – the Impofu dam was completed in 1982.

The St Francis Property Owners Association is assisting interested residents with power and water security solutions. See the feature article inside.

We do need to work together on this. If you don’t have some solar set-up, it will be a long and dark winter. If you don’t have a water harvesting solution in place, there is every chance that we will have water restrictions at some stage. That’s enough about that.

We also introduce the new Key College High School in this issue and chat with the founder, Cristan Sardinha. We then announce the winner of the St Francis Today Writing Competition for May and reveal the wonders of Bali, where it seems you will bump into thousands of South Africans travelling.

It is relatively cheap in Indonesia, VISAs on entry, and it is beautiful and warm. While it is renowned in surfing circles as one of the best destinations in the world, it’s not just about riding waves. It is a wondrous place to visit, and the gem locations lie a few hours’ drive outside the cities and on neighbouring islands like Lombok, Java and Sumbawa.

Then let’s not forget that it is nearly time for the best surfers in the world to descend on our area for the Corona Open JBay. Enjoy the magazine.

ON THE COVER

We chat to the legendary Wildlife and Landscape photographer Si Cunneen. Find him @si_wild_by_nature on Instagram

Why do you take photos?

It’s that ‘time out’ moment. Rather like any hobby, when you can just switch off, forget about deadlines, ‘job-list’ and so on. Always been a hobby for me as opposed to wanting or trying to make an income from it. I enjoy the moment, the sightings, the outcomes and the feedback from those who view the end product.

Where are some of your favourite locations for a shoot?

Wouldn’t say that I actually have a favourite location. Every location and its environment varies, with different habitats, wildlife, birdlife, and challenges. So, measuring against each other and highlighting a favourite is difficult. That said, I have been offered the chance to go to the Kruger soon while stopping off at some great locations, so perhaps my view on a favourite may change unexpectedly!

What equipment do you use?

I always was a Canon sort of guy, but for the past 2 years, I have started using a Sony RX-10 MkIV, a mirrorless camera with a 24 - 600mm lens. This removes the need to change lens types, which saves a lot of time, especially with wildlife and birdlife, where that moment needs to be captured there and then and before it is lost!

Are you available for shoots for paying customers?

Something I don’t do is family shoots, weddings and so on. That really isn’t my cup of tea. I do accept commissions on landscape and wildlife canvases and prints, though. That’s enjoyable and satisfying. Every photographer is different, and

they have their own field of work. Mine is birdlife, wildlife and, to a lesser extent, landscape. I just don’t have the patience for people and trying to organise them into some sort of set piece. I really do admire those photographers who target that area of work. I find animals so much easier to work with!

What excites you about photography

Getting that one shot. The one shot I took out of 300 makes the grade. With birdlife, I can count on one hand the number of times I have gone out intentionally to get that particular shot. More than often, it doesn’t work out, but when it does, then that is where excitement kicks in. Probably more so with wildlife than birds. The anticipation of watching a cheetah or lion in readiness for a hunt and kill. When it happens, WOW!

Finally, that cover shot. How did that come about? What was the time? Obviously, it was the day of the full moon etc

A friend mentioned the full moon approaching and suggested doing moon and lighthouse shots. On the day, it ended up being just me. I checked for the moon every few minutes, and then suddenly, when I looked, it had appeared, not at the horizon but higher up. I took some shots and got the settings right. Then I ran on tip-toes through the reserve, more concerned that I was about to tread on a sleeping snake than not getting the shot of the moon and lighthouse. Planted the tripod and then started running off photos of the subjects, and hey presto! I will have two versions of that moon rise available on canvas, so keep your eyes peeled!

Wildside TIMES is Creative director: Mark Campbell/ BasilWaits Creative Media Editor: Craig Jarvis

St Francis Today Writing Competition Winner

R1,000 first prize to Saskia Bonzaier for her entry, Small Town Swops

Small towns are known for their charm, special ways, and individuality. I am sure you’ll agree St Francis Bay is no different. We have our own sports clubs, pizza combos, pale ales, surf breaks, and bumper stickers. The views are breathtaking and there is a plethora of unique opportunities for its citizens. And let’s not forget the blissful lack of robots or rush hour.

One of my (many) favourite things about the small town we call home is its brilliant barter system. Have something to offer? There’s a good chance that you will be able to swop it for items you desire. It’s all about knowing the people around you; something which is possible in St Francis Bay. And the beauty of a good barter is that you always give and receive more than the monetary value of the goods in question. I would love to share with you one of my bartering bonanza experiences …

Growing up overseas, I went to a high school where matric dances were not the massive productions that they are here.

We borrowed dresses, did each other’s hair, and were lucky if a photo or two were taken by the math teacher outside the school hall. So, it was with disbelief that I learned about the extent and complexity of my daughter Jemma’s upcoming matric dance preparations. The dress code for her school was long and white. Seriously? Make no mistake, I am a huge fan of tradition, but ‘long and white’ sounded very much like a wedding dress to me – help!

Desperate to find a dress that would make both Jemma and our budget happy, I went to my favourite clothing shop; Gently Worn. This boutique is home to not only a wide range of pre-loved clothes, but the owners also happened to be customers of my organic vegetable business. The arrangement we had was this; I would deliver a weekly box of veggies and Angela would translate that into a credit, allowing me to ‘purchase’ her pre-loved clothes. No cash ever changed hands, and we both felt we were getting an amazing deal. On the hunt for a miracle, Jemma and I

browsed the rails and there, tucked in between a 70s floral house coat and a maroon jumpsuit, we found an utterly gorgeous, beautifully embroidered white wedding dress. When she stepped behind the changing room curtain to try it on, we all held our breath. She emerged triumphant. Not only did it fit, but she loved it, and it met the dress code! When we arrived at the till to settle up, Angela happily announced that I had enough credit (from my veggie sales) to cover its cost.

The day of the matric dance arrived and Jemma looked stunning, graciously receiving many compliments on her appearance. I overheard a friend of hers asking, “Your dress is to die for Jems! Where did you find it? In Johannesburg? Or did you get it especially designed for you in Cape Town?” Jemma looked over to where Anton and I were standing and, with a slight, sardonic raise of her eyebrow replied, “My mum bought it for a box of vegetables.” And that is why I love this town.

Corona Open JBay

It is International Surfing Time once again with the Corona Open JBay coming to Jeffreys Bay from the 8th to the 13 July. Always a massive event, there will be a music festival and a number of sporting event taking place in JBay at the same time, like mountain bike riding and a jui jitsu tournament.

Fans will get to see local heroes like Jordy Smith and Matt McGillivray compete alongside world champions like Filipe Toledo and Gabriel Medina, as well as the woman’s championship event with surfers such as Tyler Wrights, Carissa <oore, Molly Picklum, Caroline Marks and Caitlin Summers all competing. Kelly Slater be there, surfing under a wildcard, and exciting new stars like Joao Chianca and Jack Robinson, Ethan Ewing and Grif Colapinto will all be there.

The waves of Supertubes in Jeffreys Bay always turn on for this tournament (touch wood) and it is the venue tat is most popular amongst the competitors on the championship Tour.

The event doesn’t fall into school holidays, yet here are always hundreds of kids at the event and the entire JBay hub is packed out for the entire two weeks, with retail outlets and restaurants as well as accommodation thriving. The surf teams usually have signings at the surf shops for the kids and older fans alike where they got to hang out with their heroes and get their signatures, selfies and more.

For more details on the Corona Open JBay go to https:// www.worldsurfleague.com/

Wine On Water

One of the most anticipated events of the year – Wine On Water 2023 brought to you by Investec and the Rotary Club Of St Francis – was another overwhelming success. Supported by St Francis Tourism, the event is such a success that it leaves the organisers with nowhere to go but up.

The event tickets were sold out in the space of a couple of ours, which was unbelievable. There were checks and balances, and no one was able to block book for possible reselling. The system wouldn’t allow it.

The event was outstanding. The barges had a better system, there was plentiful food, and the wine was all of excellent quality. Having said that, one of the most popular stations was actually that of One33 and the St Francis Brewery, where people ended up for a few hours of drinks in the sun and other such shenanigans.

So what are he plans for next year? Well, the dates have been set for 1- 2 March

Nexus Yachts/Balance Catamarans

Two more of their amazing yachts were launched recently, being Edisto and Daydream

Photos by andrea paarman

LET’S GET KHANYISA TO DENMARK!

Name; Khanyisa Mofu

Age; 16 years old

Hometown; Sea Vista, St Francis Bay Hobbies; Soccer & Listening to Music

Personal Information

Khanyisa is a 16-year-old boy born in Sea Vista Township in St Francis Bay. He resides with his mom and his 11-year-old brother “Zozo”, a talented soccer player. Khanyisa is currently in Grade 8 at Humansdorp Secondary School. Through his initiative, he also helps in the Community Dog outreach program every Thursday.

Soccer

Khanyisa joined the St Francis Bay Soccer project when he was 12, and we immediately realized this boy was talented. We helped him with a pair of soccer boots and started training and nurturing him. Khanyisa is now the top striker for his age in the Kouga area, having scored over 20 goals last season in the U/15 league. Now, continuing his goal-scoring this season in the Kouga 1st Division League - he’s scored over 30 goals so far!!

Denmark Trip Dana Cup 24-29 July 2023

We recently sent Khanyisa to attend trials in Port Elizabeth, where he was one of 18 boys selected as part of a team that will travel to Denmark and compete in the Dana Cup. His Team will be among 1000 other teams from 45 countries worldwide in one of the top-ranked youth tournaments. Khanyisa was delighted to be chosen and hopes to raise enough money to get to Denmark and score some goals! We value Khanyisa very highly and would love to see him live out this dream.

Money Needed to be raised

R45,000.00 is needed for Khanyisa to get to Denmark, including flights, visa, accommodation, food and transport for his stay.

If you are interested in helping, please donate in the below bank details

and reference your name. Alternatively, you can contact Matt at - 072 992 1097

Standard Bank

Sport For Youth Project

Acc # 1017 157 1019

Branch code - 050015

SWIFT code - SBZAZAJJ

Who are Bay Painters?

Bay Painters have been established in St Francis Bay for 20 years, and Mickey Apps has been painting houses for longer.

“I’ve been here for at least 20 years, and Bay Painters has been around all that time. We have a solid business with excellent staff and have hundreds of satisfied clients”, said Bay Painters’ Mickey.

“We pride ourselves in perfectionist jobs and are available for any job regardless of size,” he continued.

Very few people and paint companies in the area have the experience and expertise of the Bay Painters team. As the town grows, so will the need for top-class paint teams increase.

“We’re competitive with our prices and keep our overheads low. So please feel free to ask us to quote on any job, whether big or small.”

You can reach Mickey on 082 413 0275 for painting or waterproofing services. They are also Paintcor agents.

All our staff are from Sea Vista, and we have 45 years painting experience. Bay Painters only use Paintcor products and have been since they started in 1986.

Arriving at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali, you first notice the heat. It’s more than humid; it’s a wet heat. The shoulder of the wet season still sees rain on most days, and the intense temperatures turn that rainfall into humidity. You can’t escape it. You have to breathe it in… while doing that, you might find yourself breathing in some clove vapours, as the most popular Indonesian cigarette, Gudang Garam, is made from cloves, and the sweet smell is everywhere.

My son Rylan and I were to be based in Bali and made surf strikes from there. The drive from the airport to the famous wave called Uluwatu was quite surprising, as I realized the extent of the development over the last 15 years. Kuta Beach, the surfing hub, was once a tiny fishing village with a small, indigent population. Until the excellent surfing locations were discovered 50 years ago, and people from around the world started arriving. The last 15 years have been intense, apart from the brief hiccup of C19.

Rampant Development

There are so many good waves here, world-class waves around every corner, and many people want to ride them. But, of course, these people need places to stay and food to eat. If the waves aren’t good, they want other things to do. Such is the

heartbeat of development that has seen a village turn into a city in half a century.

I wasn’t too shocked by the rampant development. We live in a village that is developing so fast as it is here in St Francis Bay that maybe I was more in tune. However, I was surprised to find a deck with a bar and a pool constructed on top of a rock at Uluwatu. That was either an engineering feat of dexterity or an unprofessional fly-by-night build. Either way, it was awesome.

We were stang at Blue Point Hotel on the cliffside. On the first day saw about 80 surfers in the water at Uluwatu, and my son and I ventured out. It was fun, and Lewis Hamilton paddled out to join us, fresh out from the Australian Grand Prix. The water was between 26 and 28 degrees, and the air was a constant 32 degrees. It was wildly different to the fresh autumn mornings of Cape St Francis.

Off To Sumbawa, via Lombok

Our next mission was to go to Hu’u Beach in Sumbawa. Home to the world-famous Lakey Peak, this was to be our home for a week. Unfortunately, we missed our direct flight, so we had to go to Lombok to connect to a flight to Sumbawa. We sat at Lombok’s Zainuddin Abdul Madjid International

Airport, a fairly grim little place that would make our Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport in Gqeberha seem elegant for an extra 8 hours. So a destination that is 40 minutes away took us 9 hours to get to. The airport itself, Sultan Muhammad Kaharuddin III Airport, is another rough affair with lots of angry people wanting to carry your surfboards for a fee. And then a two-hour taxi ride through dark mountain streets with dogs and people on the roads everywhere and trucks bearing down the hills. It was exhilarating, to say the least.

Sumbawa is an arid Indonesian island. Dry and scrubby, but it comes alive along the shoreline. Lakey Peak is a world-class wave, and surfers from all over the world congregate in front of it in a few homestays and tiny guest houses. We stayed in the back room at a local home. The lady who owned it was called Vivian and was lovely. It was just a room with two beds, a large bathroom and a surfboard rack. And air conditioning. All that the two surfers needed.

Lakey Peak

Days were spent surfing Lakey’s, adjusting to the power of the waves, and eating at a local wrung called Fatmahs, one of the

Words by Craig Jarvis

highlights of our travels. Eating Western food in Indonesia is easy, with pizza and burgers on every menu. Still, it must be remembered that the meat quality is not that good in outlying areas, away from cities, places like Hu’u Beach. So fish is always a good option, as is the chicken satay. Otherwise, the Indonesian menu items of nasi goreng and mie goreng are the best options. Delicious avocado everywhere, and a list of dessert items all containing bananas.

Into The Jungle

Then we went to the jungles of Java. Firstly, we had to launch onto a speed boat in Jimbaran Bay, and then we got to see just how bad the plastic pollution in Bali is. It is pretty unbelievable. It is hard to understand how it got so bad and how we allowed it to happen. It is catastrophic, and four or five enthused and energetic groups have launched full-scaled programs to rid the beaches of Bali of the invading plastic, but everyone has given up. There seems to be no way to stem the tide. We are all to blame; we drink water from plastic bottles in Indonesia, and then we throw them away, hoping they go to a landfill, but they don’t. They end up in the sea, and we moan about it.

On the eastern shoreline of Java lies Plenkung Bay and the world-famous surfing break known as Grajagan or G-land. The reef is nearly 2 kilometres long, and the bottom is razor-sharp coral, barely covered by water. It is a treacherous wave, but the jungle mission is a wild experience with incredible backstories of discovery and tragedy. We stayed at the awesome Jawa Jiwa surf camp, with the beach a few meters away from us. The waves were big on day 3, and we ventured further down the bay to a wave called Tiger Tracks, named after the tigers that used to roam the area.

On the second night in the camp, I was awakened by strange noises outside the bungalow. I watched a parcel of wild boars head towards our cabin. They seemed peaceful, but there were some big daddies around, and they were looking after some newborn piglets, so I kept my distance.

There were other sounds during the night, of monkeys thrashing in the treetops and different sounds that I couldn’t recognize. I remember staring deep into the thick,

Rylan Jarvis

Lewis Hamilton paddled out to join us, fresh out from the Australian Grand Prix.

impenetrable undergrowth of the Javanese jungle and feeling that the jungle was looking back.

Uluwatu and Home

Our final days were spent back at Uluwatu - The name Uluwatu comes from ulu, meaning ‘lands end’, and watu, meaning ‘rock’ –and it was balmy, crowded and friendly. We stayed at Mamo Hotel and Ayodhya Hotel Uluwatu, with their own attractions, foibles and drawbacks. Still, they were both comfortable for two surfers who were either surfing or eating or on Instagram, one of us. We sipped on Sprite and Bintang beer as our age decreed, surfed, and chilled,

preparing to return to St Francis Bay’s winter weather.

It’s not a bad idea to get out of St Francis Bay during the chilly winter months. For more information on travel to Bali and for some very affordable options, please contact:

The Travel Collective.

t. 082 388 6213

e. hello@thetravelcollective.co.za

fb. www.facebook.com/TravelCollectiveCo

ST. FRANCIS BAY

Shop 12, Village Centre, St Francis Bay

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BEING RICH AND BEING WEALTHY.

We may think that being rich and being wealthy are really the same thing but in fact, they are miles apart. Morgan Housel author of “The psychology of Money”, describes the highest form of wealth as “being able to do what you want, when you want for as long as you want.” It’s being able to control our time and having independence and autonomy.

Being rich means that one has lots of cash flow or money allowing one to buy all the things that you want. People in this situation can often get caught up by the need to have the latest and the best of everything and often what they have becomes who they are. Their possessions show off their financial success and how they believe they are seen by others.

Being wealthy means that one has unspent savings and investments that provide one with the ability to be able to enjoy the intangible things in life like special experiences, time alone or time with loved ones. The ability to do what you want when you want. The amount of these savings and investments needed to enable this life can vary depending on how you want to live and does not necessarily have to be a huge amount.

Many rich people are never wealthy as they become slaves to keeping up appearances and never get to a point where they are satisfied with what they have. Often this behaviour leads to self-loathing and family infighting as their offspring adopt the same habits and outlook on life.

I am not saying that one must be a pauper to be wealthy, not at all, but simply that having lots of money does not guarantee real wealth. Many of us will have witnessed friends who change once they become rich, remaining grounded and in touch with what really makes us happy is not

always easy to do.

We often see people who become rich and then lose everything because they have not been able to maintain their new spending habits. Most lotto winners are bankrupt 3 years after receiving their winnings and their lives are often torn apart. Another important part of real wealth is our health. We talk about our lifespan but what about our healthspan? To be able to live a long and happy life we need to be healthy enough to do the things we want while we are still healthy and fit enough. Spending half our retired life bedridden or immobile is not what we want. Stress caused by working longer than we need to can lead to early deterioration of our health, so knowing when we have enough becomes important. Three important questions we can ask ourselves when balancing retirement and life are:

1. Have I had enough?

2. Do I have enough?

3. Have I enough to do?

In a world where being rich is often idolized, we must recognize the true essence of wealth. It’s not just about the size of our bank accounts or the possessions we accumulate. True wealth lies in the ability to live life on our own terms, to have the freedom to do what we want, when we want, and for as long as we want. It’s about cherishing the intangible moments and experiences that bring us joy. So, let’s redefine our perception of wealth and strive for a life that goes beyond material wealth. Remember, as Bob Marley wisely said, “Some people are so poor, all they have is money.” Embrace the true riches that life has to offer. Are you ready to embark on a journey towards true wealth and financial freedom? At Client Care, we understand that being rich is just one part of the equation. Our mission is to help you uncover the path to genuine wealth, where you can have control over your time, embrace meaningful experiences, and create a life that aligns with your values. Let us guide you in balancing your financial goals with the pursuit of happiness, so you can confidently ask yourself: Have I had enough? Do I have enough? And most importantly, have I enough to do? Get ready to unlock a world of possibilities and discover the true riches that life has in store for you.

News From The Slipway Surf Crew

Hi to all our readers,

The Slipway Surf Crew had a great start to 2023, when in the first week of March we had a fun evening get together at the Bruce’s coffee shop. There was a good turn-out with great food and a solo performance by Marc ‘The man’ Mainguard.

So, Good vibes, Good food and Great music, what more do we need for a fun evening get together at our favourite spot.

Going forward, the club has joined with the CGG – Hands off our Sea campaign and erected a signboard at the slipway. Hopefully we will get more involved as we go along.

On June 17 we will be part of the Coastal Clean Up Day. Because we are based at the slipway, the organisers –Krom Trust – allocated the stretch of coastline from the Krom to the Harbour for us to clean up. Obviously, we are hoping for a good turn-out.

A special vote of thanks go to Nikki and Ernest of Bruce’s coffee shop who offered free coffee on the day for all participants in the clean-up.

It was good to see two of our club members, Chrystal Hulett and Greg Clarke who came out tops at the Cobbles Longboard competition in PE. – WELL DONE guys !!

Cheers everyone, Aloha and enjoy the surf.

R120 Winter Winners

N E W S U S H I

CHICKEN & PRAWN CURRY

YELLOWTAIL WITH VEGGIES & BEURRE BLANC SAUCE

CRISPY PORK BELLY ON A BED OF MASH & VEGGIES Sit-Down

Derek Cook

Chairperson, Slipway Surf Crew

IZZY OBRAY IS OUR CHAMP!

The story of Isabella Obray (15) is full of adventure and fun. St Francis Links has had front-row seats to all the highs and lows.

2022 was a highlight year in the young star’s journey. Izzy was invited to join South Africa’s top lady professionals in the Standard Bank Ladies Pro-Am.

Izzy Obray’s journey has been full of highs and lows, but that hasn’t stopped her from working hard and striving to be the best.

She has been travelling, playing, practising, and most recently participated in the Central Gauteng Puma Ladies Open. Although she didn’t finish in the top 20, she did manage to score her personal best – an 18-hole score of 76.

Izzy now has the Ladies Club Champion title again and represented the Eastern Province Women’s Golf Team in the 72-Holes Teams Championship in May.

Follow Izzy’s #GolfLife 2023 journey as she continues to raise the bar.

Achievements:

She is a 2-time St Francis Links Club Champ (2022 and 2023) She beat Pro Isabella van Rooyen before having the honour of participating in the Standard Bank Pro-Am last year (2022). This was a phenomenal experience for Izzy!

Izzy is in the U19 (boys) and Women’s EP squad. Unfortunately, EP does not yet have enough girls to form a girl’s EP team. However, Izzy is at a level where she qualifies for the boy’s EP squad.

Her best score is 72 here at her home course St Francis Links.

Izzy Obray’s journey has been full of highs and lows, but that hasn’t stopped her from working hard and striving to be the best.

Izzy got 2nd place in the KZN Girls Junior champs in the 15-18 age group in August 2022

Izzy and the EP U19 team won their Triangular IPT against Border in September 2022.

Izzy also got 3rd place in the Annual Junior All Africa Challenge in the 15-18 age group in August 2022.

Izzy won this year’s Club Champs at St Francis Links.

RANKED No. 4 COURSE IN SA

GOLF PACKAGES 2023

Package

N NEIGHBOURS

2 x rounds of golf at St Francis Links

1 x round of golf at SFB Golf Club

R1690 Total pp

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2 x rounds of golf at St Francis Links

1 x round of golf at Humewood

R1665 Total pp

OUR VALUE ADDED SERVICES

• Accommodation bookings

• Names on golf carts • Names on lockers

• Bag tags (if playing 2 rounds at St Francis Links)

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Tel: +27 (0)42 200 4500

E -mail: golf@stfrancislinks.com

Website: www.stfrancislinks.com

HIT & GO

1 x round of golf at St Francis Links

R735 Total pp

C CAN I SEE YOU AGAIN?

2 x rounds of golf at St Francis Links

R1260 Total pp

R ROAD TRIP

1 x round of golf at St Francis Links

1 x round at SFB Golf Club

1 x round at Wedgewood

1 x round at Humewood

R2145

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TRANSPORT PACKAGE

R12000 for bus for 3 days, minimum of 8 people. (Full fridge at additional cost) Includes Airport, Humewood, St Francis bay, St Francis Links, Restaurants and Accommodation pick ups and drop offs

Terms & Conditions: All golfing packages / offers are subject to availability. Confirmation of booking upon receipt of payment only. Packages are fixed and may not be exchanged for any other service or product. They are valid from 1 May to 30 September 2023 (excluding public holidays). Customised options for multiple nights, additional services are available upon request. E&OE

SFPO Power Security Project.

Winter Is Coming, and it’s going to be cold and dark. Time to look at that solar installation

While the temperatures have dropped considerably, and some of us are doing school runs in 11-degree conditions, the cold weather is yet to come. June gets cold and dark, but July to September are when we tend to hold up and keep warm as the cold fronts move up from Cape Town and blast our area.

This year will be worse than ever, with the load-shedding schedules set to increase in time and frequency. It’s coming, and whether stage 8 or 9 or more, things will get much more severe before the long, warm summer days arrive.

The St Francis Property Owners Association’s project on assisting in setting up residents and business owners with solar and backup systems has seen tremendous interest, as well as individuals taking the plunge and getting their homes and businesses sorted out with solar power.

SFPO Association Solar Security Project

Some people might not yet understand the gravity of the situation, and the SFPO Association would like to urge anyone to find out more about what they offer by perusing the project documentation here.

Power and Water Security

In a nutshell, the document explains various solar installations available and recommended by approved vendors, as well as the capacity of each system and cost implications. While the SFPO has recommended vendors in both the solar and water harvesting categories, they also understand that many other vendors offer similar, well-priced products and installations. Users are encouraged to utilize any company or individual they are comfortable with but are encouraged to get something up to ensure that they have some power security for the coming months.

Winter is coming, and stage 8 load shedding with it - Here’s what that means for you

The SFPO Association has recognized the following two vendors in the solar category:

Genergy - (Kevin Slabbert) https://genergy.co.za/

Kouga Renewables - (Frank Ellis, Andrew Steen) https://kougarenewables.co.za/ We know that there are many more, and while we are working with Kouga Renewables and Genergy, we recognize that other vendors may provide equally satisfactory services and installations. We suggest you use our services if you struggle to contact a provider. then please call Lyn Aitken at the SFPO’s office at 042-294-0594 or 082- 777-5624 or email Lyn at info@sfpo.co.za

Lyn will ask Nigel Aitken or Barend van der Westhuizen to contact you directly to discuss the solution(s) you want to install. They are contracted to the SFPO Association to assist you with choosing and installing these solutions.

Tough choices for South Africa as stage 10 load shedding looms

Stage 12 load-shedding

Following the Eskom methodology, Stage 12. will be when electricity users have no power for three-quarters of the day. Put differently; you will only have energy for six hours each day (in three two-hour slots). It will be impossible to successfully run a business in this situation, even with a generator as backup.

Stage 20 and Beyond

While the situation looks dire, there are solutions out there, as well as several payment plan options. Wouldn’t it be good if we were to rise against what is

looking more and more like an impossible situation and have our village continue to run as smoothly as possible, with people looking after themselves and helping out where necessary? Remember that very positive tax rebates are currently available, particularly regarding setting up solar systems for business backups 9 (up to 125%). In addition, domestic instals can claw back up to 25% on panels, which is also positive.

Second-hand Equipment

There is also the possibility of purchasing second-hand equipment from people who are upgrading. Unfortunately, sometimes the existing equipment isn’t compatible with the upgrades, and perfectly working equipment will come onto the market at a significant discount. We will expound more on this later and discuss the various means to purchase such equipment, ensuring it is compatible with the system you would like to install.

For now, the SFPO Association would like to help. There are also payment plans through various registered financial services providers.

Insurance Considerations

The SFPO Association understands that a property owner must register the solar installation with the Kouga Municipality to ensure it complies with Municipal specifications. Insurance companies have indicated that if a solar system is not registered with the local Municipality, it will result in the Insurance company refusing to pay out a claim on the property resulting from the solar system.

The SFPO Association has secured the services of Mr Frank Harpur to consult where required with insurance considerations.

www.capestfrancis.co.za

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KEY COLLEGE OUR NEW HIGH SCHOOL

Cristan is 26 years old, originally from Ballito in KZN, but came to St Francis Bay via Tofo, Mozambique. An exciting story, no doubt. Let’s dive in!

Tell us about your family.

I live with my partner, Lloyd and our two fur babies. Eira, a cheeky grey Devon Rex, and Tyson, an all too friendly Jack Russel.

You were at a school in Mozambique. Yes. I headed up a high school called Kingfisher Lake International Children’s College in Mozambique. The school runs on the British National Curriculum and has students from preschool to Grade 10. At the time, there were just over 100 children in the school. It is an idyllic farm school on a beautiful lake nestled within tropical palm trees. The school runs with Project Based Learning at the core of its lessons.

What made you decide on St Francis Bay for your forever home?

St Francis Bay was supposed to be a stopover en route to our next adventure. However, upon staying here for a little while, we fell in love (as most do) with the sheer beauty of our landscapes. The fact that there was no established high school in this fast-growing town was an opportunity that I just couldn’t turn down. I felt wholeheartedly supported once I started talking to parents about this idea. We decided to stay for the beauty, the wonderful community and this dream I have of

building St Francis’ first High School.

Where is the school situated?

we are currently situated in the heart of St Francis, in a cozy loft as a temporary solution until we move to a bigger premises. The space provides 2 classrooms, a quiet room (safe space for when children need a break) and an outside garden.

How many learners /teachers did you have when you started?

We started with just me as a teacher and 8 students. Today we have 2 full-time teachers, myself and Tammy Green, and 12 students.

What years do you teach at this stage?

Currently, we teach Foundation 1 and Foundation 2, which on the Cambridge curriculum translates to what we know as Grades 8 and 9.

This will change next year as the students’ progress to their following grades?

Yes, we plan on expanding as the oldest students advance to their next grade. We will open up IGCSE (Grade 10) in 2024 and continue this trend until we are fully established.

The system is Cambrilearn, but what curriculum do the kids follow?

We teach the Cambridge curriculum using the online platform,

We chatted the Cristan Sardinha - our new St Francis Bay High School founder - about her journey to St Francis Bay and our village’s new High School.

CambriLearn, as a learning tool. Following the Cambridge curriculum means that after students complete AS Levels (11th year of schooling), they can apply to universities. After that, they can also complete A Levels (12th year of schooling), which prepares them further for university entrance.

What were the biggest challenges to starting the school/new business?

I suppose teaching teenagers is a challenge in itself, is it not? Haha... On a more serious note, the most significant challenge has been maintaining the courage to continue on this path. However, thanks to the community’s and my team’s incredible support, we continue growing and learning every day!

What are the kids like, and how are they adjusting to the new school and systems?

From what I see in the classroom and what parents have told me, I genuinely believe that the students thrive in this new environment. They are enjoying the addition of technology in the classroom (although it is just used as a tool, all lessons are taught in person), as well as the time and freedom they have to pursue their passions while succeeding in their academics!

What have been the best highlights so far during the school year? Watching the children come together, form bonds, and create a family-like environment has been wonderful. It has also brought me so much joy watching the school transform and grow week by week. I am very excited about what the future has to hold!

You have quite a few surfers as school kids. What happens when the waves are pumping?

If school is missed for whatever reason, students are held

accountable to have their work caught up by the time they return. They have all of the resources available to them on their laptops. They can therefore be responsible for their own work. It is of utmost importance to us to teach independence, accountability and responsibility.

What are your hopes concerning school growth?

I hope to grow Key College into a fully established high school by 2025. Next year we are looking at hiring new teachers and moving into bigger premises. I hope to grow the school into an all-inclusive space where learners from all different backgrounds can come together and find their individuality through our program, which will eventually encompass sports and cultural activities. I hope to give students time to grow and pursue their own passions whilst growing to love learning.

How can people contact you for more details about Key College?

I am happy to be contacted via WhatsApp or email. My number is 079 885 3394, and my email address is cristan@ keycollege.co.za

St Francis Bay Beer Run

On a beautiful Saturday morning, we gathered to enjoy the stunning 2 Harbours Walk with the promise of refreshing Beach Blonde beer to sip along the way for the St Francis Beer Run Kromme Enviro Trust Fundraiser sponsored ad organised by the St Francis Brewery.

Over R13,000 was raised with donations to support the maintenance of the ever-popular Two Harbours Walk, which The Enviro Trust maintains with the support of local residents and volunteers. Here’s to the next one in early September Follow the St.Francis Brewery social media to learn more about The Brewery’s fun fundraisers like StorySlam and the Battle of the Sexes Quiz.

@st.francisbrewery

Storyslam proceeds go to the Sport for Youth program, and The Battle of Sexes Quiz proceeds go to St Francis Animal Rescue.

Our thanks also extend to NSRI for their deployment on the route, Team Nexus for the use of their taxi with the fine driver, Royden Heine and to all the volunteers who ensured that the Two Harbours route was safe and ready for the event and to the volunteers who helped to marshal.

Let’s get ready for the next run later this year. Thank you, runners, ramblers and crawlers, for all your support. It means a lot!

Photos © Blue Sheep

Creative

The St Francis Bay Gallery

Have you ever been to the St Francis Bay Gallery? It features a variety of contemporary and traditional art pieces by wonderful artists from around the country, including paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and photography. There is some extraordinary artwork, and the gallery has a refreshingly contemporary look and feel

Pop in for a visit to see South African talent! Gallery Hours are 10 AM to 5 PM daily.

Address: 71 Lyme Road, St. Francis Bay, South Africa

Tel: 082 490 6936

Email: sfbgallery@gmail.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083540690955

PW Harvey SA Canoe Marathon

The Eastern Cape Canoe Marathon Champs were underway as we went to print, so those results will already be on the websites and social media. There is still the PW Harvey SA Canoe Marathon Championships upcoming. It will take place from Thursday, 15 June to Saturday, 17 June and is taking place around The Quays Restaurant.

Cape St Francis Resort.

On Wednesday 14th there will be registration at the Cape St

Francis Resort between 6-7pm

On Thursday 15th there will be the Juniors, and registration for the Nationals between 6-7pm.

The competition will take place on Friday and Saturday, and meal vouchers from Joe Fish at the Cape St Francis Resort are redeemable during the tournament.

On Sunday there will be the Surf Ski Trials.

The Cape St Francis Resort will have live music on the Friday and their normal, but very special, Sunday Lunch.

Paintnig by Fiona Rowett.

Bronzework by Llewellyn Davies

Llewellyn Davies bronze “Walk of Life”

Stunning work from Fiona Rowett.

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