(Picture: Sedgefield’s Tourism Manager Belinda Hobson with 2016 Expedition Africa crew member Hose Pires)

There has been serious concern raised by some Sedgefield residents, especially those associated with the tourism industry, that the future of our local tourism office, and indeed the whole of Knysna and Partners (previously Knysna Tourism) is hanging in the balance. This after it was intimated to staff members last week that, as of the end of June this year, they may well be out of work as the Knysna Municipality would no longer be providing funds.

Knysna and Partners (K&P) is a section 21 company that has for many years had the mandate to market the Greater Knysna area. It is funded for the most part by an annual grant of over R4 million from Knysna Municipality, as well as smaller amounts raised by membership fees and commissions.
The Sedgefield Tourism Office (a branch of Knysna and Partners) will certainly be sorely missed should it close due to lack of funding. Under the enthusiastic management of Belinda Hobson and her small team it has for years played an integral part in not only promoting the village as a holiday destination, but bringing the community together through various projects.
We asked Knysna and Partners Board representative Elmay Bouwer for clarity on whether there was indeed a problem, and she kindly responded on behalf of the board.
“The current Service Level Agreement between K&P and Knysna Municipality will come to an end on 30 June 2017 with no guarantees of an extension, renewal or future grant funding. Due to the current situation the K&P board took a resolution not to commit to renewing contracts for staff appointed on a yearly basis and relevant staff have been informed with regards to this.
“Board members have also been in consultation with full time staff members and communicated the following to them:
1. The Board has no sight or confirmation of funding from the Municipality or any other financial investor at this stage.
2. Whilst they are trying to secure confirmation of future commitments, they are obliged to inform the staff that they (The Board) face this dynamic of no funding beyond 30 June 2017.
3. The board has taken a pro-active approach to appoint a transition committee with a mandate to come up with a new strategic vision, workable plan and budget for the future and this will be presented to the municipality.
4. The board is in the process of setting up a meeting with the Municipal Manager (according to SLA agreement Reporting & Monitoring should happen with the Municipal Manager) to discuss exactly what it is the municipality expects from K&P, and what their vision is going forward.
5. The Board has stated that, should another entity need to be formed, the current staff will have the opportunity to apply for vacancies that may arise within such entity.”
The EDGE also contacted the Knysna Municipality for comment regarding the possible closure of K&P due to the cancelled funding, and though acting Municipal Manager Johnny Douglas confirmed that the matter was under discussion, it seems that tourism staff and other parties will only get confirmation one way or another in three months’ time.
“The matter pertaining to the future funding of the Knysna tourism entity, Knysna &Partners has been discussed in previous Council meetings,” he said. “Funding of whichever nature will be decided by Council as part of our formal Medium Term Revenue Expenditure Framework Process. This will happen at the end of May, as per legislated time frames. An item regarding KM’s approach to “local Tourism” delivery is due to be submitted for the next section 80 meeting.”
Meanwhile Bouwer urged members to attend the Knysna and Partners AGM set for Thursday, 17h30, 23 Feb 2017 at Villa Castollini. The initial AGM held one week earlier had to be cancelled due to a quorum not being present.
“There is very pertinent information to be relayed so it is important for all our members to attend,” she said.

 

Shakespeare Arends, African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) PR Councilor joins Knysna’s leading party, the Democratic Alliance (DA) in a coalition agreement with immediate effect.

The coalition agreement with Independent Councillor, Velile Waxa has been terminated, also with immediate effect.

“After re-evaluating our coalition agreement with Cllr Waxa, it was decided to end this coalition. His political outlook is not in line with the policies and values of the DA and we, as Knysna’s leading party, decided that this coalition with Cllr Waxa no longer serves the good of Greater Knysna, and therefore it has been terminated,” explained Knysna Executive Mayor, Eleanore Bouw-Spies.

Arends has been active in the political arena since 1989. During this time he served as the Knysna Chairperson of the then Democratic Party. “Joining the DA in a co-governing agreement is a natural progression for me,” he said.

Bouw-Spies added: “As Cllr Arends was born and raised in Knysna, he understands Greater Knysna communities completely and has always put their needs first. He is a man of integrity and compassion, two attributes that will serve the people of Greater Knysna well.”

Arends replaces Waxa on the mayoral committee as Portfolio Chair of Planning & Integrated Human Settlements.

Many residents know Arends through his role as Assemblies of God pastor. “I have practiced as a pastor in Knysna for the past 35 years and this has offered me valuable insight into the needs of our people,” he said. He added that as a full time councillor in coalition with the leading party he will now be able to have a definite impact on bettering the lives of many.

In closing Bouw-Spies welcomed Arends into the fold and said: “I am in no doubt that this authentic Knysna resident will do well in his new political role and portfolio. We, as the DA are excited to be working alongside such an integral person.”

With Eden Districts flood warning released yesterday, many will be watching the Swartvlei and Touw River mouths.  SANPARKS has given assurances that they are ready with the following press release:

The Eden District has released a flood warning predicting 50mm of rainfall starting from today (Friday, the 27th January 2017).
SANParks is monitoring the levels of water at both the Touws River estuary and Swartvlei estuary. The mouths of both estuaries are normally opened at between 2,2m and 2,4m for the Touw River and 2m for Swartvlei.

Jonathan Britton, Marine Ranger for the Wilderness park area which includes Sedgefield,  says  ‘ The excavator is already on site for the Touw River and another one will arrive this afternoon for the Swartvlei estuary.’
This will make it easier to open the estuary mouths at the right time to prevent flooding.
‘ The automated weather station donated by Sedgefield ratepayers also enables us to receive information live to make decisions,’ he adds.
As a precautionary safety measure, two of the Wilderness section of the Garden Route National Park’s popular hiking trails will also be closed on Friday and Saturday- Half Collared Kingfisher and Brown Hooded Kingfisher. Both are 9km hiking trails leading to a popular waterfall in Wilderness.

 Sustained efforts by SAPS to eradicate drug trafficking along the main entrance and exit routes of Greater Knysna has once again yielded excellent results. This when members attached to the Knysna Crime Prevention Unit seized drugs to an estimated value of more than R600 000.00 and arrested two suspects in Knysna on Wednesday, 18 January 2017 at about 21:45.

Preliminary investigation suggests that the SAPS members responded to information from a member of the public about a  black Toyota Tazz with an Eastern Cape registration number that was believed to be transporting drugs.

The members spotted the vehicle as it was travelling along Dahlia Avenue, Fraasig near Hornlee and, after pulling it over, escorted it to the Knysna Police Station. A search ensued and the members discovered the drugs concealed in the back door panels. Included were 4060 Mandrax tablets with an estimated street value  of R264 000 and 10 parcels consisting Tik with an estimated street value of R350 000. The drugs were confiscated, the vehicle seizedand the suspects (one 28 years old and the other 29) arrested.

One suspect is from Knysna and the other from Port Elizabeth. They were scheduled to appear in the Knysna Magistrates’ court on Friday, 20 January 2017 on charges of illegally dealing in drugs. They are still in custody and the investigation is ongoing.

The Eden Cluster Commander, Major General Oswald Reddy, commended the members involved for bringing these suspects to book. He said “ This confiscation is the second bust for the week and an indication that information from the public is vital to curb such crimes, and thus ensure that these drugs do not reach innocent youths on the streets. The special focus on ‘suppliers’ is starting to bear fruit and the arrest of these suspects will also send a message to would-be suppliers and pedlars of drugs.”

Pictured : Back – Constable Nenow Petersen, Constable Warren Ackerman, Sergeant Pierre Herwel and Warrant Officer Phillip Nqayi

Front –  Constable Heinrich Appels, Sergeant Virgil Cornelius and Constable Benjamin Windvoel with the confiscated items

Despite the recent rain that fell on 2 January 2017, Greater Knysna remains on Level 2 Water Restrictions.  This means that potable municipal water is restricted to human consumption and businesses.

Initially implemented by Knysna Municipality on 21 December 2016, this level of water restrictions brought punitive water tariffs into immediate effect. An additional 50 percent of the approved water tariff will be applied to any consumption that exceeds 20kl/month.

“Although we are extremely grateful for the 16mm of rain that fell in Knysna and the 22mm recorded in Karatara, it is not enough to relieve the water scarcity in our area,” said Knysna Acting Municipal Manager, Johnny Douglas.

The municipality reports the Akkerkloof and the Glebe Dams as 55% and 5% full respectively, offering 37 days’ supply of water to Knysna at the recommended 8 Ml/day.

“Thankfully the water demand in Knysna was reduced from 16.2Ml/day (for the week between 18 and 25 December 2016) to 14.4Ml/day (between 25 December and 1 January), however this water consumption is still far over the recommended 8Ml/day. At this current rate Knysna’s water will only last for 33 days,” said Douglas.

Unlike Knysna, Sedgefield’s water usage increased dramatically from 2.8Ml/day for the Week 18 – 25 December, to a concerning 3.09Ml/day for the week 25 December 2016 to 1 January 2017.

“I appeal to all Sedgefield residents and their visitors to conserve water immediately.”

The Karatara and Homtini Rivers have low flow, and the Knysna and Gouna Rivers have very low flow. On 1 January, the Gouna River had no flow over its weir at all.

Greater Knysna businesses are instructed by the municipality to implement water recycling systems and artificial water features and fountains may only use recycled water.

“We are urging all resident to retrofit their taps, showerheads and other plumbing equipment with water efficient devices,” asked Douglas.

Greater Knysna residents and visitors are urged to save water wherever they can and refer to the municipal website (www.knysna.gov.za) for water saving tips.

South Africa is considered to be a water scarce country and, if the current rate of water usage continues, demand is likely to exceed supply at some point in the not-too-distant future.

“So it is imperative that all South Africans, not only our communities in Greater Knysna, improve their water conservation and water-use efficiency as a key priority. We, the Knysna Municipality would like to thank those residents and businesses who have heeded our call to save water,” concluded Douglas.