Good morning all!
My View
Former Miss South Africa and Miss Universe, Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters, will form part of this year’s notable speaker line-up at the FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit, hosted by the KZN Provincial Government. On Sunday, NSRI Station 31 Stilbaai duty crew were activated following reports of a drowning in progress at Lappiesbaai. And NSRI station 14 Plettenberg Bay duty crew were activated following reports of a female age 61 from Germany, injured at Robberg and suspected to be suffering a fractured or dislocated hip sustained after reportedly being dumped by a wave while swimming. “Increasingly authorities and landowners alike are recognising the urgent need to reduce the presence of invasive alien plants on the landscape, the threat it presents and the benefit of an environment consisting of indigenous vegetation only,” says Cobus Meiring of the Southern Cape Landowners Initiative. The Tsitsikamma Marine Protected Area, located within the Garden Route National Park, is Africa’s oldest MPA and protects a 60 km stretch of coastline extending to protect 186 km² of ocean and rocky shoreline. The latest news from Plett Tourism… People – A ‘Soul’-ful coffee addiction in Plett. Blog – Wandisile’s Plett: AfroChic Beauty Salon. In the media – Plett permaculture pro features in Country Life. Sport – Plan your feast of Garden Route mountain-biking. News – Face Adrenalin introduces bridge zipline.
On a tense and dramatic Sunday at Fancourt, Nobuhle Dlamini drained a 32-foot uphill birdie putt at the final hole of the Outeniqua Course to seal a Sunshine Ladies Tour hat-trick with a two-shot victory in the Dimension Data Challenge. Swede Philip Eriksson won the men’s tournament. The latest Fancourt and Knysna Golf Club Newsletters were published on Friday.
The world is starting to come to order. Russia backs down re: Venezuela, Venezuela prepares for the delivery of aid, Maduro ready to talk and Germany to ban certain pesticides. The Trump effect?
State Capture Inquiry resumes. Mboweni to deliver his budget speech. Government looking at renewable energy again. First, bankrupt the state pursuing the ‘put the ANC first’ agenda – then do the smart thing.
US-China trade talks move to Washington. SA still cannot get beyond 1% growth. Hopefully, we’ll get some clarity on Eskom this week.
Some days you just have to tip your hat and say, ‘well batted Sir’. Maties vs Tuks continues the North-South battle. Deejay Kriel wins IBF Strawweight title.
Newscast
Latest Local News
Summit speaker line-up empowered by Former Miss Universe
Former Miss South Africa and Miss Universe, Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters, will form part of this year’s notable speaker line-up at the FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit, hosted by the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government.
Local rescue two Scottish tourists
Arrie Combrinck, NSRI Stilbaai station commander, said: This morning, Sunday, 17th February, NSRI Station 31 Stilbaai duty crew were activated following reports of a drowning in progress at Lappiesbaai.
Ross Badenhorst, NSRI Plettenberg Bay deputy station commander, said: At 12h50, Sunday, 17th February, NSRI station 14 Plettenberg Bay duty crew were activated following reports of a female, age 61, from Germany, in a tour group, injured at Robberg Nature Reserve at Robberg Island and suspected to be suffering a fractured or dislocated hip sustained after reportedly being dumped by a wave while swimming.
Vermaaklikheid post-fire rehabilitation: Hope for a fragile community
“Increasingly authorities and landowners alike are recognising the urgent need to reduce the presence of invasive alien plants on the landscape, the threat it presents and the benefit of an environment consisting of indigenous vegetation only,” says Cobus Meiring of the Southern Cape Landowners Initiative (SCLI).
Nature – Explore Africa’s oldest Marine Protected Area
The Tsitsikamma Marine Protected Area (MPA), located within the Garden Route National Park, is Africa’s oldest MPA and protects a 60km stretch of coastline extending to protect 186 km² of ocean and rocky shoreline.
People – A ‘Soul’-ful coffee addiction in Plett
“No sugar,” you declare. “I take it black”. Shoot a side-eyed glance at that kid over there with his blended mocha chino – amateur hour.
Blog – Wandisile’s Plett: AfroChic Beauty Salon
A blog by Wandisile Sebezo: Last week Sunday, together with about 25 or so other people, I attended the opening of a new beauty salon, to bear witness to its modern glamour and elegance, and what it promises to offer.
In the media – Plett permaculture pro features in Country Life
Grab a copy of the latest issue of Country Life for a marvellous article on green-fingered Philippa Mallac of Plett.
Sport – Plan your feast of Garden Route mountain-biking
The Buco Dr Evil Classic 3 Day Stage Race turns eight years old this year and has matured into “the best reason to head to the Garden Route on the Heritage Day weekend”.
News – Face Adrenalin introduces bridge zipline
Iconic adventure company, Face Adrenalin has introduced an exciting new product at Bloukrans Bridge. Are you ready? 5…4…3…2…1 Zipline!
Jaguar Simola Hillclimb | Accommodation Sponsors
We urge you to please start making accommodation arrangements for the 10th edition of the #JaguarSHC, taking place from the 2-5 May 2019.
New Furniture & Decor Arrivals from Velvet Home & Living
Experts, environmentalists warn on Total’s gas find Independent Online
… and environmental sectors are less enthusiastic about the French company’s discovery at Brulpadda, 175km off the southern coast of Mossel Bay.
Knysna’s John-Michael Metelerkamp picked for Cape Town art fair HeraldLIVE
Knysna artist John-Michael Metelerkamp, 37, is among 10 artists from around the world selected to showcase at the TOMORROWS/TODAY section of …
Latest Local Sports News
Sunshine Ladies Tour hat-trick delight for Dlamini
On a tense and dramatic Sunday at Fancourt, Nobuhle Dlamini drained a 32 foot uphill birdie putt at the final hole of the Outeniqua Course to seal a Sunshine Ladies Tour hat-trick with a two-shot victory in the Dimension Data Challenge.
International News
Russian bank freezes accounts of Venezuela’s state oil firm February 17, 2019
Risk of exposure to US sanctions scares off lender
Thousands of Venezuela volunteers begin preparing US aid entry February 17, 2019
Political crisis is pitting President Maduro who says ‘rotten food’ could be cover for US invasion against opposition leader Guaido who had declared a humanitarian emergency
Germany plans tougher law to protect insects, reduce pesticides February 17, 2019
Environment minister Svenja Schulze says people need insects and they deserve to be protected with their own law
Maduro ready for talks with opposition, early parliamentary polls February 18, 2019
Last week Venezuela was plunged into uncertainty when the US-backed opposition leader Juan Guaidó proclaimed himself ‘acting president’
National News
State Capture Inquiry to resume with officials from National Treasury February 17, 2019
The Commission of Inquiry into State Capture will resume on Monday morning in Parktown, Johannesburg.
POLITICAL WEEK AHEAD: All eyes on Tito Mboweni as he delivers first budget speech
State capture commission to hear evidence on the Eskom looting, writes Natasha Marrian
SA govt seeks to reopen costly renewables deals to help Eskom February 17, 2019
Eskom supplies more than 90% of South Africa’s power but is drowning in debt after a decade of decline.
Business News
China-US trade talks to move to Washington after ‘hopeful’ Beijing meeting February 17, 2019
Chinese President Xi Jinping says important progress was made at the negotiations while the White House says much work remains
SA limped out of 2018 with growth below 1%
The latest string of data from Statistics SA shows that the economy lifted in December, but overall growth remains woefully below initial forecasts for the year
ECONOMIC WEEK AHEAD: Tito Mboweni’s first budget will shed light on Eskom February 17, 2019
The Treasury has to tackle an electricity crisis on top of high unemployment and a global downturn, writes Sunita Menon
Sports News
Sri Lankan sensation Perera hailed for Test-winning heroics February 17, 2019
Kusal Perera became a national hero in Sri Lanka on Sunday after scoring an unbeaten 153 to guide his country to a sensational first Test victory in South Africa.
Maties and Tuks in clash of the giants at Varsity Cup February 17, 2019
Varsity Cup’s two most successful teams meet
I was in so much tears‚ says SA’s new IBF world champion Deejay Kriel February 17, 2019
Deejay Kriel captured the IBF strawweight crown in Los Angeles on Saturday night in a fashion so dramatic it might have been scripted in nearby Hollywood.
Press Releases
Don’t Miss Groote Post’s February ‘Made with Love” Country Market on Sunday 24th February 2019
Take a break, round up the family and head out to the country to join the Pentz family in the…
Madibaz coach seeks a winning habit
Madibaz rugby coach Jarryd Buys wants his team to create a winning habit when they begin their Varsity Shield campaign…
Xhosa theatre production for children at US Woordfees 2019
For the first time, an all Xhosa children’s theatre production at US Woordfees featuring the doyenne of SA storytelling, Sindiwe…
Regular Columns & Opinion Pieces
Check you have your original Title Deeds before 25 February 2019
Did you know that the process of obtaining original Title Deeds has changed? While this has probably remained below the…
Is the reaching of the retirement age a barrier to a reinstatement claim?
By Siphamandla Dube, Senior Associate, Fasken – Reinstatement is the primary remedy under the Labour Relations Act, 1995 and involves placing…
Motor body repairers call on industry to help grow emerging black-owned businesses
Brian Joss – With SME development being placed in the centre of government policy in President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of…
Until next time…
Bruce