TOP 4 IN THE FIRING LINE

Ward 1 DA Councillor, Levael Davis (pictured above), may well be vacating his post as Executive Mayor of Knysna today (31 August), along with his deputy Mark Willemse (KIM), Council Speaker Julie Lopes (DA) and Council Whip Hilton Stroebel (DA), after the Knysna Council meets to vote on four ‘Motions of No Confidence’ (MONCs) in a special council meeting.

The MONCs were delivered to the Council Speaker on 22 August by members of the ANC / PBI / PA coalition, along with a letter requesting that a Special Council Meeting be held to consider the removal of the four Executive Councillors. Whilst ‘MONC’s against executive members of the DA / KIM ruling coalition have been proposed before during this council’s term of office, none has been successful.

This time, however, the request was signed by the majority of Knysna’s councillors (eleven out of twenty-one) which infers that all four motivations will probably succeed. Of particular note is the inclusion of the signature of EFF Councillor Neil Louw, whose single vote will swing the decision in the ANC coalition’s favour. Previously, in decisions such as these, this councillor has either abstained or voted on the side of the DA coalition following the EFF’s claim at a national level that they would not work with the ANC.

In letters submitted by ANC Councillors Tsengwa and Matika for the removal of Mayor Davis and Deputy Mayor Willemse, respectively, both cited ‘failing to provide leadership’ as their motivation, whilst Councillor Charlie (PA) claimed in her motivation to remove Speaker Lopes, that she had ‘on numerous occasions failed to act impartially’. Council Whip Stroebel was accused of ‘failing to exercise his duties’ in ANC’s Kay Andrews’ motivation letter for his removal. All motions were requested to be served on the 31 August 2022 Council Agenda.
Should these MONCs result in the removal of these office bearers, voting will take place at the same meeting to fill the newly vacant positions.

When asked for comment, Executive Mayor and Sedgefield’s Ward 1 Councillor Davis was clearly frustrated by this political upheaval and the effect he believed it would have on the council’s momentum should the motions be carried.
“I will most certainly be very disappointed if this happens. There are so many innovative plans we have for Knysna. In this short space of time in office, we have built positivity, formed great partnerships, and have been able to introduce incremental changes that have enhanced Greater Knysna. Should we lose this vote, we will commit to being an effective opposition and continue the fight for freedom, fairness, opportunity and diversity.”

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BUSTING SYNDICATE CRIME

There has been an increasing trend of syndicate crime ‘touring’ the Garden Route this year, but the good news is that our crime fighters have been combining resources to take them on – and this is paying serious dividends.

No less than six gangs of thieves connected with organised theft have been arrested in the last month. Typically these syndicates have a similar ‘modus operandi’. They travel in groups of four or five in one or two vehicles, stopping at shopping centres in various towns to hit as many retail outlets as possible. They work in teams and move on to the next target before their misdeeds are discovered.

The latest of these busts occurred on 3 August. Anti-crime organisations were on the alert after receiving reports that an organised group of shoplifters were making their way up the coast, having already hit Mossel Bay, Hartenbos, Oudtshoorn and George. That same day, Michael Simon, a member of Sedgefield’s Community Orientated Policing (COP), who also works for Allsound Security in Knysna, was informed by Stuart Daniell of Sedgefield Pharmacy that four shoppers had been seen attempting to shoplift at his business.“I had been warned by my twin brother that this group had been in his pharmacy in George the day before,” Stuart told us, “There, they were seen taking items from the shelves and hiding them in a computer box they were carrying. When the pharmacy staff approached them, they dropped the box and ran.”
He said that when the four arrived in the Sedgefield pharmacy the next day, they split into twos. “We could see a couple of them were putting items under their jerseys, but they must have realised we knew what they were up to because they suddenly dumped everything back on a shelf and left,” he explained.

Stuart quickly called his older brother, who runs Village Pharmacy at Knysna Mall, to warn him. This proved a good move because it wasn’t long before the same group walked into the Knysna pharmacy. But once again, they clearly felt all eyes on them and soon left. Meanwhile, Stuart had alerted Allsound, and it was quickly discovered that the group had moved on to a clothing store where they were busy helping themselves to stock.

When the alarm was raised, security managed to apprehend two of the perpetrators whilst the other two escaped in a vehicle. Fortunately, video footage of the parking area revealed details of the Toyota Corolla used for their getaway.

The make, colour and plate numbers were swiftly circulated, and a tactical member of Allsound reported that he had seen the vehicle leaving Knysna. It was heading back in the direction of Sedgefield.

Three Allsound vehicles were deployed to follow the Corolla from Knysna, and the SAPS Crime Prevention Unit (CPU) and Flying Squad were radioed.

As the perpetrators entered Sedgefield, they were pulled over by the Flying Squad with the assistance of Allsound and COP. The occupants were taken into custody and charged with being in possession of suspected stolen property.

Amongst the goods in their possession were a number of stock items, with a value of over R2500, that they had, in fact, managed to steal from Sedgefield Pharmacy.

Michael Simon of COP/Allsound said, “This successful operation once again highlights the great results of teamwork between various role-players as they combat crime and work together for a safer community for us all.”

The criminals appeared in court on Thursday, 11 August, and at least two of them were found to have outstanding warrants of arrest. At time of going to press no details of future court dates

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LOCALS AT WORK

When a few selfless people put their shoulders to the wheel, it has a ripple effect, and great things start to happen. Revive Sedgefield has been testimony to that, and it seems that it isn’t only their hardworking team that is out and about (dare we say it) Making Sedgefield Great Again!

“Revive Sedgefield” was launched on 21 June after a public meeting initiated by Sedgefield Ratepayers and Residents Association (SR&RA) showed great enthusiasm amongst residents for cleaning up, beautifying, and reviving Sedgefield’s public places.

As Lilith Seals, Chair of SR&RA, succinctly says, “The people who want to do something instead of moaning about the state of our town have gotten together and started!”

Once the SR&RA had got the ball rolling, a committee of six Sedgefielders was formed, with Linda Patton as Chair. Meetings were held to discuss the logistics of making the Revive Sedgefield project work and keeping it energised. After that, there was a call for volunteers, and soon a work group of people happy to put their hands in the soil and a spade in the ground was ready for action. It was recommended that they start with small steps and work on one small project at a time.

The first project, which started on 25 July, involved the Municipal offices and the Library gardens. These have been weeded, composted, landscaped, tidied up, and planted. And it really has made a difference.
The next step will be to look for funding. Or contributions. Or help with planting or improving the visual look of our town. Small steps! The Knysna Municipality has already contributed plants from the Municipal Nursery, and the fire department has helped by watering the gardens once they have been planted.

“When the government and community come together, things get done,” says Lilith, “Sedgefield Ratepayers and Residents association would like to thank the energetic and enthusiastic Revivers!”

Meanwhile, Lindie and Kayla, the two young ladies that make up ‘Team Creatively’, have finished their (much) larger-than-life mural at the Swallow Street Shopping Centre. It is both quirky and beautiful and, judging by the positive reaction of so many locals, is another excellent effort towards Sedgefield’s make-over.

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BIRD’S EYE VIEW RAISES HUGE CONCERNS

Residents have forwarded this picture to The EDGE, citing fears regarding the stability of the dune and, more importantly, the safety of the lives and property of those staying both on top of and below it.
The picture, taken by a drone, has captured the image of clusters of informal homes perched, seemingly, on the very edge of the dune between Groenvallei and Smutsville. The bulk of the area in question is Erf 5046, belonging to Knysna Municipality, with a smaller portion being Erf 2794, belonging to Landjong Beleggings Pty. Ltd. We sent the photograph to the local authorities asking what the long-term plan is concerning safety measures.

The response from Lindile Petuna, acting Director of Integrated Human Settlements, reads as follows.
“We have had various engagements with the Sedgefield community and urged them to refrain from unlawful land invasions. We have a final court order for erf 5046 ( the Municipal land), and our public participation unit regularly relays this information via loud hailer.

“In terms of this order, the South African Police Services must also assist Law Enforcement in dealing with illegal structures.

“The owner of erf 2794 has a legal right in terms of the Prevention of Illegal Eviction Act to take action against the alleged perpetrators.”

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SMUTS UNITED BRING IT HOME ONCE MORE

Our boys have done it again! Only weeks after bringing home the Knysna Local Football Association (KLFA) Easter Tournament Trophy, the men from Smuts United are flying the Sedgefield flag high once more – this time as victors of the Knysna Oyster Soccer Tournament. The match took place on the Loerie Park field, and opponents FC Rebels from Hornlee certainly did not make it an easy win for the Smuts squad.

The exceptionally close game ended on a single goal difference. Smuts United team captain Corne Melite celebrated a brace of goals, one in each half, with No. 6 Jeswin Windwaai also managing to boot one home in the second. The Rebels managed to equalise in the first half, but when Coach Pieter Hardnick brought on his ‘supersub’ Ayanda ‘Nomvete’ Oniwe at No. 11 after the break, Smuts United’s game went into super drive. Whilst Ayanda didn’t score, the quick-footed centre-forward was instrumental in setting up both goals in the second half for his skilled teammates to hammer into the back of the Rebels’ net.

The Hornlee crowds had some reprieve when their side managed to cut the lead after catching the Smuts United lads on the back foot whilst they were still celebrating their third goal, but though the teams battled back and forth in each other’s territory, this was to be the last goal of the match, and our Smutsville team’s supporters roared with delight when the final whistle blew!

It certainly was a day of celebration for the Smutsville club. Earlier, their Under 13 team had won their division of the tournament, beating Pine Stars by five goals to four after a penalty shoot-out.

“Right from the beginning, we were so proud, opening the game in the brand new shirts Sedgefield Lions had recently given us. We want to thank all those who have assisted us along the way:- Our sponsors, Miss Kay Rob, coaches Pieter Hartnick and Gavin Kamfer, our management team, and under-13 coach Adam Hartnick,” Says Smuts United’s Club Secretary.

This is the first time a Knysna Local Football Association team has won both the Easter and the Oyster tournaments, and now all eyes will be on the logs for the KLFA league to see if Smuts United can make it a hat trick – a feat never achieved by another Knysna team! They only have two games left, both to be played this coming weekend, Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 July. If they win even one of these matches, Smuts United will finish at the top of the league and truly have their name engraved in the history books of local soccer.

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TOP AWARD FOR LIONS’ LADY

Outgoing President of Sedgefield Lions, Alison Watson, has been presented with the Louis Volks Humanitarian Award. This is the highest South African accolade that can be achieved by a Lion.

Her fellow club members all agree that she is more than deserving of this prestigious award.
“Alison’s tenure as President has been outstanding. Her dedication and energy exemplify the ideals of the Association of Lions Clubs International,” says fellow Lion Debbie Olivier.

Alison received the award during the induction of incoming Sedgefield Lions President Shelley Van Eden Vorster at the Lions Clubhouse on Saturday evening. It was a grand affair with many Lions and guests in attendance.

Alison addressed all present regarding the projects and services the club and its members have achieved, even during trying Covid times.

Alison was very pleasantly surprised and indeed humbled to receive the prestigious award.

“We wish Shelley all the very best for the future as she takes over the Presidential reins. Your club members are dedicated and diligent, and will be there as Lions to assist you in every way possible,” ensures Debbie.

Picture – Outgoing Lions President Alison Watson with her award.

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EN ROUTE TO NATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL

Picture by EL Rorke Photography.

Our small but rather proud troupe of Sedge Players is on its way to perform at the National Arts Festival in Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown).

Who would have thought that the rather tongue-in-cheek Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged), put together by this tiny bunch of local yokels over three years ago, would be so well accepted locally, and indeed regionally, and end up ‘on the boards’ of the Victoria Theatre at this nationally acclaimed arts festival?
This show (which some audience members say would make The Bard turn in his grave whilst others swear they can hear his soul chuckling) saw its inception in the lowly Studio 42 theatre as the players kicked off in October 2018 with a read through and then lots of practice. Throughout 2019 the show was touring and went from strength to strength all over the Garden Route. Two shows in George, nine in Sedgefield, two in Knysna and four more in Plettenberg Bay put them at almost 20 shows before theatres all over the globe were shut down due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
But as things started to wake up and open up in the first half of this year, the cast began rehearsing up a storm on a gloriously updated and adapted script (A New Variant!). With costumes and props thoroughly and oh-so-beautifully upgraded by The Costume Mistress (Linda Ormond of TwinX), actors Nita Allsopp (from local nurse to Comedienne Extraordinaire), Gareth Pretorius, (bee-keeper, stable hand and now a celebrated Actor of Note) and Bomber Webb (relatively unknown and now stepping out of obscurity to squint into the limelight) got ready to go again. Their mission is best described with a line from the script ‘Ladies and Gentlemen, we shall do it again… BETTER!’
The troupe insisted on reworking the lines (Producer/Director Melanie Baumeister swears they never learnt them in the first place anyway), threading an adaptation of Queen’s ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ (it is her majesty’s Jubilee year, after all) all the way through. Once it was deemed a workable show (just as the nation was scheduled to head into its 5th wave of the current pandemic), two outdoor performances of ‘The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Abridged (A New Variant)’ were scheduled at the Mosaic Market. The deck of Andy B’s Art Gallery was transformed into a theatre with all the accoutrements, from lights and sounds to backdrops and wings. With even a makeshift Green Room, the loyal, kind, and always forgiving local audience was given a preview performance of the show (unfortunately, the second had to be postponed due to bad weather). It was another Sedgefield first. The venue hosted close to 100 audience members, and TCWOWSA was performed pretty much ‘under the stars’. The house literally came down (the backdrop dismantled itself) in the second act as the three ‘highly trained profiteroles’ attempted Hamlet at various levels of acceleration. Never knowing what was scripted and what was just plain having fun, the audience rolled in their seats with tears of laughter, holding their bellies and rubbing their cheeks. How we survived not being this entertained for this long is anyone’s guess.
The National Arts Festival will see the Sedge Players performing five shows over five days between 27 June and 3 July, and this merry band says they cannot wait to bring the mirth to further-flung audiences from all over the country. Tickets are becoming increasingly scarce as this show has been known to be ‘Sold Out’ well in advance at each of their previous venues. Radio Algoa even saw fit to report on their wild and crazy antics portraying all of Shakespeare’s 38 plays and 137 sonnets in a brisk 90 minutes.
‘Break A Leg’ Sedge Players, have a ball out there and bring back the stories of the glories of life under the lights!

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FIRST IN 100KM MOUNTAIN ULTRA TRAIL

Picture by Deds Photography: 100km MUT winner Bruce Arnett proud to be the first on the race’s victory board! 

Rondevlei runner Bruce Arnett won the inaugural George Mountain Ultra Trail 100km on Saturday, finishing the gruelling course in 12 hours and 41 minutes.

The route, which takes runners over the toughest terrain and 4500m of ascent, includes rocky climbs of the Outeniqua Mountain peaks (Cradock included!), slippery, loose-rocked downhills steep enough to scare a mountain goat, and the heat of the Klein Karoo. But this suited the 51-year-old 13-time winner of the Sky Run right down to the ground.

“When (race organiser) Zane Schmahl decided to include a 100km race in the MUT, I was definitely stoked to have my kind of distance added to the event. I had run the 60km twice before, but it is hard to race youngsters over the shorter distances at my age, so for me, the 100k was actually a sweet respite,” he said.

The race started at 5 am, so the athletes began with two hours of running in the dark.
“I started out at a steady brisk pace that I felt I could mostly maintain for the whole distance,” said Bruce, “I settled into position as the 9th runner in the combined 100km and 60km field and picked up another four places by the summit of Cradock pass. First light was gained at the Sputnik Outeniqua Pass CP, where I landed up pacing with runners near the front of the 25km who joined the route from the Sputnik for the Camferskloof section.”

After leaving the 25s, the route swings onto the Dizzy heights and Tierkop spine ridge section, which Bruce says is one of his favourite parts of the run. “Soon, I was lost in gratitude to be able to do what I do and enjoy this sublime mountain trail.”

But then, he says, his carefree joie de vivre was somewhat broken. Coming into Tierkop hut at 40km, he heard the news that Robbie Rorich was hot on his heels, just a minute or two behind. Bruce had no choice but to engage serious ‘race-mode’. After a quick refuel at Tierkop aid station, he went down the Godfather plunge into the Kaaimans river ravine and up the other side. He could see Robbie pursuing him and maintained the burn up the climb to Groenkop.

“From Groenkop, it is a lot of downhill and easier faster running. Not my favourite, but I had trained on it a bit, so I felt I could hold a reasonable pace on the flats,” he told us.

At the Groeneweide aid station (55km), Bruce felt good but had no idea how close his competitors were until a race official drove around and told him that Robbie was 15 minutes behind and Brandon 21.
“That settled the nerves a bit as the last 10 flat kilometres had not been my sort of terrain, but I had nevertheless still gained a cushion.”

It was more flat into and out of the Garden Route Dam checkpoint, and Bruce says he was grateful to get onto the climb back up to Tierkop. “Up at Tierkop, I learned that I was possibly taking command of the race with Brandon now past Robbie in second, but now up to 25 minutes behind me with the last 20 km being my more favoured mountain terrain.”

“I predicted Tonnelbos would be hard with 90 km in my legs, but it was worse. All that mud, narrow off-camber trail, gnarled roots and rocks to clamber over. Boy was I happy to get to the last checkpoint at the cross,” he said. After that, he had just two technical kilometres down and the final forestry road sprint home to the finish line.
“I was most proud to set the inaugural bar for the 100k as a local. Full congratulations go to Zane and team for a first-class event that has already grown substantially and attracted many top runners from beyond the Garden route as well.”

A number of Sedgefield runners took part in the shorter distances on the day, with Michael Rorke completing the 60km, Ben Adam and Chris de Jager the 42km, and Nicolette Brouwer, Zelda Delport, Danielle de Jager, Michelle and Ben Olivier, Matty Smith, Leatitia du Toit, Ida and Hans van der Wetering, Linda Whittal and Bomber Webb all running the 25km.

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2023 AR WORLD CHAMPS IN SA

This week local adventure racing teams and their fans received a double whammy of good news as two major announcements hit the wires. Both came from Kinetic Events, the team behind the Expedition Africa Adventure Series.
Firstly, this year’s regional Adventure Racing Championships will be held right on Sedgefield’s doorstep, with Blackwaters River Lodge as the host venue. This means that South Africa’s top AR teams (and those of surrounding countries) will be here, battling it out to see who is best as they test the mettle of our rivers, mountains, bush trails, ocean waves, and everything else these gruelling 500km events throw at the courageous participants. Furthermore, this event will mark race four of the Adventure Racing World Series qualifier calendar, and teams will be racing for the win and the coveted first prize – free entry into the World Championships in 2023.
A clearly emotional Elmay Viljoen Bouwer of Blackwaters River Lodge said, “We are so excited to be the host venue for Expedition Africa Garden Route. We almost lost everything when our special place of magic and parts of the beautiful Goukamma Nature Reserve burnt down in the 2017 fires, so it’s very meaningful for us to be a part of such an incredible event on the reserve that has recovered so remarkably.”
Secondly, another batch of great news is that The Adventure Racing World Championships will be coming to Africa for the first time next year!
The 2023 Adventure Racing World Championships will be hosted by Expedition Africa and held in the Kouga region of the Eastern Cape of South Africa in October. The race will be the 18th Adventure Racing World Championships and the first to be held on the African continent. The 700km race will be the culmination of the 2023 Adventure Racing World Series, which unites in competition the world’s best endurance athletes at the premier expedition adventure races around the world.
The race directors of Expedition Africa, Stephan and Heidi Muller, launched the ‘Adventure Racing World Championships Kouga 2023’ at the Lombardi Game Farm.
“We are honoured and delighted to be chosen by the Adventure Racing World Series to host the most prestigious race on the adventure racing calendar,” said Heidi, “When we staged our first Expedition Africa 11 years ago, we never dreamed of this, and over those 10 races, we have met wonderful athletes and teams from all around the world. Our race is always as much about the people as the place, and it has become a global family. We want them to share in our African World Championship in Kouga next year! It will be a celebration of all that is good about adventure racing; exploration, achievement, teamwork and connecting people from around the world.”
The first Expedition Africa was held in 2011 in the Western Cape, and the race has visited most provinces of the country, as well as neighbouring Swaziland. In 2019 the island of Rodrigues played host to Expedition Africa, and this year’s 10th-anniversary race took place in the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho.
The Estonian ACE Adventure Team, who are regular competitors, were the winners in Lesotho. Their team captain Silver Eensaar said,
“Expedition Africa is a very special event. It’s a race that always delivers great adventure courses in unique terrain and a cultural environment. Above all, it provides a sense of community and love that is different to other races. Expedition Africa is probably the most loved adventure race in the world, and teams keep coming back. Dot-watchers enjoy exploring Africa while following the teams, and the race always provides world-class media content for fans around the world. They will stage a great World Championships.”

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A HAPPY VISITOR INDEED

Words and picture by Mark Dixon

If you went down to Gericke’s Point last week, you likely had a big surprise. A young male Southern Elephant seal had hauled up on the western side on Tuesday 10th May. That evening I started receiving messages from locals who had been surprised by their encounter with it.
Southern Elephant seals are the largest true seals and display a remarkable sexual dimorphism, with males capable of reaching 5.9m and weighing in at up to 4000kg, while females weigh between 400kg and 900kg and measure between 2.6 and 3m.
They derive their name from their large size and the inflatable proboscis used to produce loud roars, most commonly during the mating season in early summer. First, males arrive at the breeding grounds on sub-Antarctic islands to establish their territory for a harem consisting of a few dozen females. The females then arrive to give birth to their pups which they nurse for three weeks before returning to the sea to feed. Finally, in late summer, adults return to shore to moult. In a process called a catastrophic moult, both the fur and outer layer of skin are sloughed off.
Watching the seal resting at Gericke’s Point, it was amazing to see it breathe, usually through one nostril at a time. Between breaths, both nostrils would be closed tight, and then he would open one to exhale and inhale before closing it again. Despite resting, he was super aware of his surroundings and frequently scanned them by rolling his large eyes. The eyes of Elephant seals are noticeably large and contain a high density of low-light receptors, which they use to hunt prey at great depth. They can reach depths of 1000m, with the deepest recorded at 2338m, and regularly remain submerged for more than 20 minutes.
After moulting, Elephant seals will return to their hunting grounds along the edge of continental Antarctica, usually alone. However, occasionally vagrants will reach the South African coastline, either due to being caught up in currents or searching for new hunting grounds, with up to 10 sighted in a year.
I was fortunate to be able to observe and film the seal. He had chosen an ideal location to come ashore to rest as it was well shaded for most of the morning. When the sun did reach him, after midday, he would bask for an hour, and then when he got too hot, he would move into the water to cool down before hauling up onto the rocks again. On Wednesday, when the Berg wind started blowing, the high temperatures were too hot for him, and he took to wallowing in a tidal pool to cool off, remaining submerged for 10 to 15 minutes at a time.
Then, on Wednesday, eight days after arriving at Gericke’s Point, he made his way to the water’s edge and slipped away into the open sea. However, his visit did leave a mark on him. Comparing photos from his arrival with ones taken moments before his departure, I saw a new gash on his lower right lip, a distinctive identification marking should he ever revisit this coastline.

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