MOTHER’S DAY TRAGEDY

Picture – Catherine Marais stands next to the burnt out shell of her mother’s home.

(Information compiled by Noel Solomons)

Annette Magdalena Marais, the sixty five year old mother of Catherine and grandmother of Christopher ‘Seuntjie’, lost her life when her RDP home on the cul de sac off Luthango Street was engulfed in flames between 3.30 and 4am on Mother’s Day morning. Whilst the authorities are still investigating what ignited the fire, the family believe that her stove being left on could have been the cause.

According to Annette’s adult grandson Christopher ‘Seuntjie’ Marais, who had been staying with her at the time, he had woken up in the early hours of the morning of Sunday 14 May to go to the toilet, and when he walked past the stove he saw that it had been left on. He asked his grandmother why, and she instructed him to leave it on as she wanted to light a cigarette and return to the warmth of her bed, so he proceeded out to the ‘out house’ situated a short way away from the home.

Marais said he thinks he was away for about 15 minutes, and on returning realised that something was terribly wrong. Opening the front door he found that a fire had started inside the small home, and was already engulfing the main room. After shouting for his grandmother he tried going further in, but the flames were already too fierce.

Hearing his shouting, neighbours came rushing over to help, but there was little they could do. Someone tried connecting a hosepipe at a nearby property to try and spray the blaze – but this didn’t help as the water pressure was too weak. A man tried rushing in wrapped in a wet blanket to see if he could rescue Annette, but even then the heat was just too intense.

The fire department’s vehicle also came but the fire had been so horribly fierce that the everything had been burned within minutes, and there was nothing they could do to save the elderly occupant.

Catherine, Annette’s only child, who lives in the same cul de sac, diagonally opposite her mother’s home, says that someone woke her at about 03.40am. Rushing out she was horror stricken to see the fire and smoke pouring out from the RDP house, but she too could do nothing but stand and watch in horror. She says that other than the fire there was no noise coming from inside the house, so she hopes her mother didn’t suffer, but passed away from inhaling the smoke.

She is still reeling from the shock of losing her mother in such a tragic way. “I had seen her just a few hours earlier in the afternoon,” she recalls, “We were sitting right here on the side of the road, in the sun, and she came out and sat with us for a while.”

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ECOLOGICAL BURN IN BRENTON

(Press release issued by SANParks)

It’s official!

The planned ecological burn which was postponed last year is now burning. The steering committee concerned about the ecological wellbeing of the area made a decision guided by the weather to burn on  Monday, the 15th May 2017. Approximately 71 hectares on the Southern slopes along the Brenton-on-sea Road are set to burn which includes Portions 39 and 40 of the Uitzigt Farm.

According to Dirk Smit of the Southern Cape Fire Protection Association, the burn is a collective effort from all stakeholders because 85% of the fynbos scheduled to burn has not burnt in the last 30 years. Partners include Southern Cape Fire Protection Association (FPA), SANParks, Knysna Municipal Fire Services, Working on Fire, Eden District Fire Services – Deputy CFO, PG Bison, CapeNature, Knysna Municipality – Traffic Control and the landowners.’

All are adamant to restore Knysna Sand Fynbos and to provide habitat for species dependent on this ecosystem over the medium to long term. Portions 39 and 40 of Farm Uitzigt 216 are ideally located spatially and are relatively free from alien vegetation thus providing an excellent opportunity to benefit conservation for such a critically endangered ecosystem.

Maretha Alant, Environmental Planner of the Garden Route National Park adds that many fynbos species only recruit after a fire as fire stimulates seed release and germination. ‘In a landscape where fire is kept indefinitely, fynbos often reverts to thicket vegetation or forest. Without fire, fynbos will lose its true character and species,’ she says.

The remaining natural Knysna Sand Fynbos is approximately 1 478 ha (9.6% of the original extent) and falls short of the conservation target of 3 531 hectares.

Chief Fire Officer for Knysna, Clint Manuel, says ‘The actual exercise will be implemented by the Southern Cape Fire Protection Association (FPA). It will be done in phases due to the large hectares of land up for burning. There is also predicted follow-up rain this week.’  Fire close to an urban area is risky business, however there are trade-offs that have to happen to preserve a system that has not had fire for so long.

Fynbos is a vegetation type which is adapted to, and more so, dependent on fire.   Fynbos fires should occur at intervals of 10 to 30 years.  Natural fires typically occur during warm and dry weather conditions which result in high intensity fires, which is desirable from an ecological point of view.

Controlled burns such as the planned one, will help minimize the risk of uncontrolled, accidental wildfires. The Lower fuel load after the burn is said to result in lower fire risk for a few years.

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RACING CARS BURN ON N2

8/05/2017:- At least five racing cars from this weekend’s Simola Hill Climb were burned beyond recognition on a trailer travelling on the N2 between Knysna and Sedgefield . Eyewitnesses say the fire started sometime before 11am as the vehicle carrier was approaching  the Groenvlei Lake. The vehicle carrier parked on the side of the busy highway and drivers of other vehicles watched in amazement as millions of Rands worth of racing technology went up in smoke.

A statement from the Jaguar Simola Hillclimb reads as follows.

Expensive and irreplaceable race cars damaged in fire while in transit 

KNYSNA, South Africa, 8 May 2017 – Following reports of a vehicle transporter catching fire on the N2 near George this morning, the organisers of the Jaguar Simola Hillclimb can confirm that the truck was carrying several vehicles that had competed in the Knysna-based motorsport event over the weekend.

There are no reports of anyone being injured in the incident, with one of the vehicles reportedly having caught fire while in transit, resulting in the fire spreading rapidly and causing extensive damage to the vehicles. The fire has since been extinguished.

Ian Shrosbree, managing director of Knysna Speed Festival and organiser and founder of the Jaguar Simola Hillclimb, expressed his dismay and distress after hearing of the incident.

“After the resounding success of the last three days where each of the participating vehicles becomes part of the essence of the competition – this disaster impacts on us all. The loss of complete vehicles (some of them one-of-a-kind and literally irreplaceable) and the damage to others cannot be quantified.

“It is much, much more than just the value of what has gone up in flames.”

The cause of the fire is unclear at this stage, but will be investigated. The value of the affected vehicles has not yet been determined.

Picture by Henri Terblanche.

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Thrilling climax to record-setting 2017 Jaguar Simola Hillclimb

  • Andre Bezuidenhout claims King of the Hill title in the Single Seater and Sports Car category, setting all-new Hillclimb record of 37.695 sec
  • Wilhelm Baard secures his second title in the Modified Saloon Car category with new tin-top record of 39.892 sec
  • Reghard Roets snatches the Road and Super Car title on debut outing with time of 43.955 sec – also a new record for road-legal cars
  • Peter Kaye-Eddie honoured with ‘Spirit of Dave Charlton Award’ for his exceptional commitment for motorsport

(Picture by Rob Till :-  F-TYPE SVR entry driven by American racing ace Randy Pobst)

By Colin Mileman

 

KNYSNA, South Africa, 7 May 2017 – The term “bigger and better” is a perfect description of the 2017 Jaguar Simola Hillclimb, which wrapped up in spectacular fashion in Knysna today.

This year’s 8th running attracted an estimated 15 000 spectators over the duration of the weekend, who were treated to an awe-inspiring line-up of cars – from showroom-specification hot hatches to exotic supercars and some of the wildest track-attack machines in South Africa. The driver line-up was equally noteworthy, including multiple circuit racing and rally champions, motoring celebrities, as well as guest drivers from the US.

Notably, the fiercely competitive 2017 Hillclimb saw records broken in the three new categories of the competition — the Road and Super Cars; Single Seaters and Sports Cars; and Modified Saloon Cars. Defining the field in this way is a major innovation in this the eighth running of this iconic contest. The end-product is the heightened allure of individual King of the Hill titles and unique Jody trophies for the three respective winners.

Single Seaters and Sports Cars

Andre Bezuidenhout had one goal for his second outing at the Jaguar Simola Hillclimb – and that was to power his rare 1989 Dallara F189 Formula 1 car to victory. And he did just that, breaking Franco Scribante’s existing 2016 lap record of 38.646 seconds by almost a full second.

Bezuidenhout produced a masterful display of driving experience and commitment to conquer the King of the Hill challenge by blitzing the 1.9 km Hillclimb course in an astonishing new official lap record of 37.695 seconds. That equates to an eye-watering average speed of 181.456 km/h, from a standing start, up the 1.9 km Simola Hill!

He actually went faster during qualifying, stopping the clocks on 37.162 seconds during the fourth qualifying session, but with the temperature dropping significantly as the Class Finals began, the feat was impossible to replicate.

“Everything went well for us, and we had a perfect weekend,” a thoroughly delighted Bezuidenhout said. “The organisation, the people that put it together, the spectators and the exceptional level of competition was absolutely superb, and this is without question a truly world-class event.”

Outgoing champion Franco Scribante did his utmost to secure his third King of the Hill title in the 1972 Chevron B26, but it was not to be as his best time for the weekend was 39.387 seconds during qualifying. His Class Final run was 0.218 seconds slower, and he wrapped up his Single Seater and Sports Car Top 10 Shoot Out in second place on 39.754 seconds.

“There was simply no catching the Formula 1 car at any stage today, although my team turned out a great car and we did the very best we could do,” Scribante mused. “My last lap was near perfect, although I have seen this year that the times are slower than 2016, despite the top speeds being higher. It’s not clear why, but it’s the same for everyone.”

Robert Wolk was third on the podium, completing the run in 39.807 seconds in the Formula Renault V6.

Modified Saloon Cars

The hotly contested race-bred Modified Saloon Car category saw an all-out battle between two former champions – the 2011 winner Wilhelm Baard and 2015 title-holder Des Gutzeit – both driving wildly tuned Nissan GT-Rs.

Although it was a close-fought affair throughout the two days of competition, Baard ultimately emerged victorious in the 2014 R35 GT-R. He decimated Gutzeit’s King of the Hill record for road-based racing cars and – for the first time in this category – broke the 40-second barrier with a scintillating time of 39.892 seconds in this nail-biting Top 10 Shoot Out.

“During qualifying and the class finals the car was cutting boost, but it all came together and I gave it everything in the final shoot out, and I’m exceptionally happy with the win,” Baard said. “It’s been an amazing team effort, and I need to thank the entire team.”

Now as a double champion – with six years separating his victories – Baard paid fitting tribute to the Jaguar Simola Hillclimb organisers: “We have to take our hats off to Ian Shrosbree and his entire team for putting this Hillclimb together, and making it the pinnacle of motorsport in South Africa. The changes implemented this year with different categories worked very well, and it’s time that we see more manufacturers joining the event on the track into the future.

“Dawie Joubert was here with an incredible Lotus Exige, and I have to give him credit for setting an amazing time of 39.055 seconds during qualifying, but he encountered engine troubles and couldn’t make the start of the Shoot Out. It’s a shame, but that’s motorsport and it’s happened to us before. It’s just the way it goes.”

As always, Des Gutzeit pushed to the absolute limits in the search for glory in his distinctive 1992 R32 GT-R, but his best time of 40.114 seconds was only good enough for second place this time around – despite it trouncing his own 2015 record of 40.148 seconds.

Anton Cronje completed the podium with third place his 2013 Subaru Impreza WRX, finishing in 40.754 seconds.

Road and Super Cars

Although the exquisite race-bred machinery set the timesheets alight as expected, the Road and Super Car category saw a thrilling tussle develop between the two latest-specification 2017 Nissan GT-Rs of Reghard Roets and outgoing champion Jaki Scheckter, along with the two stunning Jaguar F-TYPE SVR entries of American racing ace Randy Pobst and Jaguar’s Dawie Olivier.

These top four contenders were in a class of their own throughout the weekend, with victory eventually going the way of an ecstatic Reghard Roets in the NXGen-prepared car – which was a remarkable feat for his debut outing.

Despite having a scare on Saturday when he damaged the rear suspension, the team repaired the car overnight and Roets re-joined the action on Sunday. He ultimately set the fastest lap ever in a road-legal car of 44.766 seconds to earn this King of the Hill title for 2017.

“I’m over the moon with the win,” Roets stated. “The car was faultless today, and the team did an amazing job after a late night and very early morning, and I couldn’t be happier. This is an unbelievable event, which I won’t miss for the world. The cars and drivers are amazing, the times are unpredictable, there’s no margin for error. It’s one hell of an exciting drive up this hill!”

Title sponsor Jaguar had plenty reason to celebrate too, as special guest driver and multiple US racing champion Randy Pobst roared into second place in the Top 10 Shoot Out with a superb time of 44.999 seconds in the thunderous F-TYPE SVR Coupe.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time in South Africa, and the Jaguar Simola Hillclimb was a fantastic experience,” Pobst said. “It took me a while to figure out the ideal settings for the sophisticated electronics of the F-TYPE SVR to achieve the best times, but I found the best set-up for the final three runs and I’m really happy with the results.

“The course is very challenging but extremely exciting, and I think it’s the beautiful location in Knysna that makes it so special,” he added. “I was very surprised by the level of the cars here, particularly Andre’s Formula 1 car and Franco’s commitment to winning Classic Car Friday and doing his best in King of the Hill in those two amazing Chevrons.”

With Pobst locking out second place and finishing as the fastest Jaguar competitor, this relegated Scheckter to the third step of the podium, achieving a time of 45.171 seconds. Dawie Olivier had brought the all-new Jaguar F-TYPE SVR Convertible home in an impressive fourth place on 45.286 seconds.

Spirit of Dave Charlton Award

As one of the most legendary names in motorsport that won six consecutive South African championships, as well as a team owner and manager responsible for bringing numerous championship-winning drivers to the fore over the past 40-odd years, Peter Kaye-Eddie was awarded the Spirit of Dave Charlton floating trophy at the 2017 Jaguar Simola Hillclimb.

The popular announcement, which recognised his exceptional commitment to motorsport, was made at the prize-giving for this year’s event, to the rousing applause of the large number of competitors, sponsors, fans and spectators gathered on the finish-line.

It was a fitting final send-off for the biggest and best Jaguar Simola Hillclimb to date – subject to confirmation the crowd total is likely to be at least a thousand spectators more than last year’s record 14 000.

 

For more information on the event visit: www.jaguarsimolahillclimb.com     #JaguarSHC

Press Service Provided by Continental Tyre SA

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LOCALS ALLEGE POLICE BRUTALITY

Some residents of the Smutsville community are up in arms, alleging they suffered brutality at the hands of a SAPS unit from George. They believe members of the unit should be brought to book for cases of hit and run, wrongful arrest and assault.

One of the locals involved was thirty year old father of three children Derrick Krigge. He says that it all started on Friday 28 April, just after 8.30pm, when he was driving his van along Witbooi Street in Smutsville, giving some teenage family members a lift to a party. He saw a line of five SAPS vehicles coming down the road towards him, and realising there was little room on the narrow road he swung over to the curb to give them more room.
“As I pulled over I felt my wheels scrape the curb, so I stopped to see if there was any damage,” he later told us, “The police vehicles also stopped, and one of the policemen got out and shouted for me to get back in my car.”
Krigge says that he told the policeman he was just checking if his car was ok, but the uniformed man strode up and grabbed him.
“He threw me onto my van and held me there. I kept asking ‘What did I do wrong’ but he just got rougher and rougher,” he claimed. He says he instinctively started struggling, as some of the other police members came to assist their colleague.
Krigge says that whilst the youngsters sat in his van, helplessly watching what was happening to their uncle, one of the officers tried to get him into a headlock and force him into the police van.
“I was pushing away as hard as I could. I knew I had done nothing wrong. I don’t drink, I don’t smoke. They had no reason to arrest me, and I just didn’t want to end up in that van,” he told us.
But despite his struggles Krigge says he was eventually overpowered and dragged to the back of the SAPS vehicle. “One of them hit me so hard I fell in,” he recalls, “Then they sprayed pepper spray into the back, and put the covers down. I could barely breathe.”
Meanwhile Krigge’s 17 year old niece got out of his van to ask one of the policemen why they were hurting her uncle. His reaction, she later told her father Eugene Avery, was to grab her by the front of her shirt, lift her up and push her back into Krigge’s van. The teens immediately phoned Krigge’s wife Lee-Ann and her cousin Esmarelda Baker (whose daughter had also been in the car) to tell them what had happened. The two women rushed to the scene.
The SAPS vehicle had driven off with Krigge inside, but wasn’t gone long before it circled round and went back to Witbooi Street. When it stopped, Lee-Ann Krigge and Baker rushed to ask the SAPS members on what grounds Krigge had been arrested.
“They started telling us he had assaulted a police man, but witnesses who had seen everything said that that wasn’t what had happened,” Baker told us later, “So we went around to the front of the SAPS vehicle to write down the number.”
She said that there were quite a few people around, including youngsters, so she was amazed when the SAPS members started spraying pepper spray from the vehicles.
“There was children standing near me and I turned to push them back, away from the spray. That’s when the police van was driven into me.”
She said it hit her on the left side at ribcage height. She hit the ground hard, and the people standing nearby quickly grabbed to pull her out of the way of the SAPS van.
“It just carried on driving, and just missed me. Everyone was shouting for it to stop, but it drove away,” she told us.
The injured lady’s brother-in-law Eugene Avery was also on the scene and witnessed what was happening. He quickly climbed into his car and chased after the van, flashing his lights and hooting for it to stop, but without luck.
He says he eventually caught up with them at Sedgefield Police Station, where he stormed in to ask why Krigge had been taken in, and why the SAPS van had driven away after hitting someone.
“I asked the Captain in charge of the George operation if he would go to the scene,” Avery told us, “At first he ignored me, then he told me I wasn’t his boss. Then eventually he said he would send two men to investigate.”
He said that the station personnel contacted a captain from Knysna, who also came through to the station, but other than a threat to arrest Avery himself, this did not change the situation.
Meanwhile on Witbooi Street someone had called both Marti Rooi of Sedge First Aid and the Lions Response Vehicle, and Baker was attended to until the ambulance arrived to take her to Knysna Provincial Hospital. Though there were no broken bones she suffered severe bruising to her upper body, especially her ribs where the vehicle had hit her. The medical staff also put her in a neck brace, and kept her under observation until the following afternoon.
Krigge was taken to Knysna Station, where he says he was eventually charged on Saturday afternoon with ‘Resisting Arrest’ and ‘Assaulting a Police Officer’.
On Sunday he was released, with all charges dropped.
Whilst in hospital Baker was visited by a Knysna SAPS member who took down details of her complaint. At her request he said that a case of ‘negligent driving’ would be opened against the SAPS officer in question, though when Avery checked at Knysna Station on Sunday afternoon there was nothing in the SAPS system. He was advised to ask at Sedgefield Station for someone to take the van and interview Baker, who was still immobile. This he did and a SAPS member took her statement. A case number was later issued, and details sent to her cell phone.
Krigge intends to open a case of Assault and Unlawful Arrest against the SAPS members involved.
SAPS Knysna and George were approached for comment, and Captain Malcolm Pojie, Provincial Communication & Liaison Service, confirmed that a case of negligent driving has been opened.
“SAPS members have been implicated, and once investigation has been completed the results will be submitted to the Senior Public Prosecuter for a decision as to what further action should be taken,” he said. “If anyone feels they have been dealt with unfairly by SAPS they should please report to the Station Commander.”

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ANOTHER PHENOMENAL SLOW FESTIVAL

by Mark Dixon
“Even after a brilliant sunset, the stars come out to shine” Surely a saying that epitomises this year’s Slow Festival activities. Right from the opening ceremony on Wednesday evening with Executive Mayor Eleanore Bouw-Spies and Knysna & Partners Chairlady, Elmay Bouwer, both praising the initiative and dedication of the organising committee, this year’s Slow Festival has run with a blend of exceptional crowd participation and engaging activities.
Not only did the themed orange colour of the festival prevail throughout, but the diversity of activities offered a perfect balance for families to enjoy relaxed catch up moments after some energetic sporting events and fringe activities to entertain both children and adults.
Not to forget the true message of Easter, devotees could fortify their belief by participating in the Way of the Cross, a pilgrimage through the village with stops at various churches, each with a message of the Passion of the Christ.
Since its inception the Slow Festival has grown annually, and has become an integral part of showcasing the lifestyle of the village. From a family at the Sand Sculpture Challenge expressing excitement about their imminent move to Sedgefield, or sportsmen planning to return for next year’s Pick n Pay Goukamma Traverse Trail Run and the Garden Route Fat Bike Challenge, or parents planning to go to the ‘Movies with the Stars’ so that they can share a nostalgic outing that was part of their own youth with their children, the festival has consistently provided entertainment that embraces the warm lifestyle of a community.
If you went down to the woods, well actually to the Fish Eagle Green on Saturday to watch the start of the SUP Race and Anything That Floats, you would have been hard pressed to find parking space if you were late, testimony to the support for this and other events during the festival.
For the night owls, there was plenty of entertainment to keep you up until the early hours of the morning, starting with a music event at the Village Green and then migrating to Pili Pili for the Beer Pong competition.
Sometimes the stars even shine during the day at the Slow Festival, and festinos were graced with the presence of local hero Miss South Africa, Demi-Leigh Nel-Pieters who, to the delight of everyone, lead the Sunday Street Parade. Selflessly she posed and autographed countless photos before addressing the crowds, motivating everyone to give 150% in their efforts to achieve their dreams. Testimony to her message is that along her path she was crowned Miss Slow Festival in 2011.
So, on Sunday evening, with the hymns of the choir still echoing through my mind and the last tent on the village green dismantled and packed away, I drove home. The sun had set and the Outeniqua Mountains were crystal clear along the horizon and contentment descended on me as I reflected that, this, like every other Slow Festival with all the wonderful activities for the weekend, had been a special holiday that catered for an escape from daily living and that it truly IS a star in the calendar of events in the Garden Route.

EDITOR’S FOOTNOTE
Whilst most of the village is still high on the Slow Festival Buzz, it should be noted that there is every danger that this year may have been the last.
At the closing ceremony on Sunday, organiser Amanda Dixon was upfront about the festival’s future. She explained how, thanks to the tireless work of the committee and the enthusiastic input of the community and local businesses, the Slow Festival had shown very healthy growth over the last eight years to become the wonderful event that the locals and visitors enjoy, despite having ‘shoe-string’ funding.
“But with growth comes an increase in overheads,” she said, “And our Slow Festival is now in a place where aligning with a corporate sponsor is the only way forward.” Anyone who has ideas, or better yet contacts with potential corporate sponsors should please email Amanda on events@tumbleweeds.co.za.

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SEDGEFIELD STANDS AGAINST ZUMA

The tiny hamlet called Sedgefield was certainly not its usual quiet self this Friday morning, when residents came out in their droves to publicly stand against President Zuma.

Answering the nationwide call from various political groups, including some ANC stalwarts, Sedgefielders took to the N2 to show their displeasure at the President’s recent actions, specifically the axing of Finance Minister Pravin Gordahn in a recent cabinet reshuffle, which saw the Rand plummet in value.  A festive atmosphere pervaded the hundreds of protesters who stood at the N2 intersection brandishing “Zuma must go” placards, whilst passing vehicles hooted in support. Smoke rose, but from braais, not burning tyres, and drumming and chanting could be heard from blocks away.

The event has been authorised by Knysna Municipality.

 

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MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM NOT TO BE MISSED

The Sedge Players have certainly pulled out all the creative stops for their production of Shakespeare’s comedy “Midsummer Night’s Dream”, opening this Thursday.
Hearing it was to be performed in the open air on the other side of the railway line in front of Sedgefield Station, I foolishly wondered if such a setting would work.
It not only works – it is absolutely perfect! The play itself is set in a rather enchanted wooded area, and certainly no indoor stage could have provided such an ethereal beauty as this spot.
Clever use of lighting adds to the experience and quickly whisks the audience away to the deep forests of Shakespeare’s time.
The 23 strong cast is equally delightful, and brimming with new-found talent. From the mischievous Puck, to the confused lovers, to the Faery King and Queen. There’s even a band of dodgy travelling performers thrown in!
The play has been cunningly crafted into a shorter version by Stage Manager Jules Reid, and in the hands of Director Melanie Baumeister and her Assistant Emma Rorke, it really has been moulded into something very special.
Opening night is already sold out, but there are a few tickets left for other four performances. If you are in anyway a fan of the arts – please don’t miss out – get down to Deo Gratia and make sure you get to see this show.

(Picture by Emma Rorke)

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BETTER ADDRESSES FOR LOCALS

Whilst the changing of Street names on Sedgefield Island certainly did not get the green light from locals last year, it seems other suburbs of Ward 1 – including Smutsville, Sizamile, Cola and Myoli – are home to far more accommodating residents.

With the three month period of public comment drawing to a close at 12 o’clock today, the Chairman of the Municipal Signage Commission Rapil Solof says that not a single objection has been received, and he is delighted that the renaming of roads in those areas may go ahead as planned.

When asked why the expensive process of change had been embarked on, Solof was obviously quite passionate about the task.

“It’s because some of the current names really aren’t appropriate. For example, Pacific Close – we don’t even have that ocean near our coastline, so why should we celebrate its existence at all?” he said, “It’s the same with Carribean Close – that is not even an African name at all.”

He quite rightly pointed out that people would prefer addresses that were linked to South Africa and its history, and that in-depth, all-inclusive research had been done by his committee in coming up with appropriate alternatives.

“We have a wide range of proposed names – mostly after Africa’s leaders of the past, but also some of the current presidents still leading the continent.  We have kept them quiet because we don’t want any politicking, but I can tell you there is going to be a fight to choose who gets the best ones.”

He says that once the names have been released they will be allocated through a voting process, which his committee would closely monitor.

“With 44 roads being changed, we have chosen fifty new names,” Solof told us, “The decision of which name for which road will lie with the Sedgefield Residents.”

He went on to explain that the ‘voting’ would be done via an sms system, which itself would in turn generate income for the name change project.

“It’s simple. All residents have to do is type the old name, then the words ‘change to’ followed by the new name, and send it to 1417,” he said.

With each sms costing R80 this should more than cover the cost of erecting new signs, with perhaps a few Rands left to help with road maintenance.

“It’s a in-win situation,” he crooned.

In a cryptic conclusion, Solof suggested that residents who grasped the true nature of this change should perhaps consider keeping it to themselves instead of making it public knowledge.

“Otherwise you will be ruining the surprise!” he pointed out.

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DEMI-LEIGH WINS MISS SA

All we can say is WOW! Our very own Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters has just been crowned Miss South Africa 2017 at the Sun City Superbowl.

Demi- Leigh – a former head girl of Sedgefield Primary in 2008 (not to mention wearing the coveted ‘Miss Sedgefield Primary’ crown the same year) has long been the ‘darling’ of this slow town as we have followed her schooling and modelling career with interest. Indeed way back when she was a young teenager and began winning pageants, this very paper suggested (perhaps with a little tongue in cheek at the time) that we could have a future Miss South Africa in the making.

Little did we know…..

And though nobody can deny the beauty and poise that radiated from the young lady throughout the whole rather nerve-wracking finals evening, Demi is certainly not all about looks. As previously reported in The EDGE she has just finished her final year in Business Management and Entrepreneurship at Potch and will be returning to do her honours next year.

As the new Miss South Africa Demi will receive R1m in cash from sponsors Sun International and Cell C, a Nissan Duke as well as a bouquet of other prizes.

During her reign she will represent South Africa at both Miss World and Miss Universe pageants.

From the buzz of social media there is HUGE pride about Demi’s wonderful achievement from all corners of the village, with congratulations already pouring in from Tourism and Ratepayers and so many others within minutes of the judges’ announcement.

Receiving her crown Demi-Leigh gave the following acceptance speech:

“I would like to thank my Heavenly Father for everything He has blessed me with just as he promised in Jeremiah 29:11, “I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

As a young girl, I would watch the Miss South Africa competition wishing with all my heart that one day too I would be able to walk on that stage just like those glamorous women I saw on television. Tonight that dream came true. This dream of mine was shared by my family, friends and those who knew me. But little did I know how blessed I would be with support of people all over the world dreaming this dream with me. So, as I stand here tonight, I wear this crown not only for that little girl in front of the TV but for every little girl with a dream, every South African with a dream of a better life, for every single person with a wish of wanting to live as the highest truest versions of themselves.

I will continue to wear this crown for all of them throughout my reign.

I vow to dedicate the next 365 days of my life to serve the people of South Africa, to be a voice to those who are afraid to or cannot speak up and to represent the whole of our beautiful nation. I vow to listen, to be there, to help where I can and to recognize that we all want to be heard, we all want to be validated. I hear you, I see you, I am you!

I stand here in awe of the women who came before me. I will build and add to this very strong foundation that has been laid there for me by all the previous Miss South Africa’s, who I look up to and respect in so many ways. I will take the reins with pride and honour and run with it. I stand on your shoulders knowing that the foundation you’ve built is unbreakable because of your passion, dedication and selflessness. The way you’ve given of yourselves and how you’ve inspired our nation will be my motivation, my strength and my compass as I embark on this journey.

To all four of my parents, mom, dad, stepmother and stepfather: Thank you for raising me the way you did. Thank you for being hard on me when it was necessary, for instilling in me a sense of responsibility, not only for myself but for others around me as well. I didn’t always like it then but I am thankful for it now. Thank you for always leading by example, for always having my back and for loving me unconditionally. I stand here tonight as a young woman with the world at my feet only because you made me realise the power that was already inside of me. I will forever love and honour you.

To Cell C, Sun International and all the sponsors, thank you for making my journey as a finalist unforgettable. There is a reason why this pageant is considered one of the best in the world. The way you support and uplift young women in South Africa has instilled a new sense of passion in me to strengthen a new generation of women that will one day lead this nation. I am beyond excited to take on this year and leave a legacy.

I believe that one shouldn’t get into something only to test the waters, but to make waves. That is exactly what I tend to do. My vision for my year as Miss South Africa 2017 is to help woman to help themselves. Not only to give them a fish to eat but to teach them how to fish in order to create a sustainable life for themselves. I look forward to partnering with corporates, government and social entrepreneurs to implement mentoring programmes to teach young South African woman how to start and run their own businesses in order to create a sustainable future not only for themselves but for their communities as well.
I want to leave a legacy of helping young South African women realise and nurture their own God-given talents to create opportunities and support themselves and those around them and to take their rightful place in society.

Tonight I stepped on that stage as Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters; I now greet you as Miss South Africa 2017. Thank you.

If Sedgefield wasn’t on the map before – it certainly is now. Well done Demi-Leigh!

Boipelo Mabe was crowned second princess and Adè van Heerden from Herold’s Bay was crowned first princess in this 59th annual beauty pageant.

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