AGM to be held on Thursday 01 March at 19h30 at Fish Hoek Civic Center.  

Guest Speaker: Alderman Patricia de Lille, Executive Mayor of Cape town will speak about the “issues of our time and the way forward”.

All are welcome. Refreshments will be served at the conclusion of the meeting.

Chairperson, Janet Holwill, P.O. Box 22125  Fish Hoek 7974  Tel: 021 785 1328   Cell: 082 920 7306   Email 

MEETING AGENDA

1. WELCOME, Introductions and Apologies.
2. Guest Speaker  Alderman Patricia de Lille
3. MINUTES of Meeting held on 24^th November 2011 & matters arising. 
4. COUNCILLOR’s Report.
5. TREASURER’s Report.
6. CHAIRPERSON’s Report
7. GENERAL
8. ELECTION OF FHVRRA EXCO COMMITTEE FOR 2012.

About our Executive Mayor of Cape Town appointed on 1st June 2011

Patricia de Lille (born 17 February 1951 at Beaufort West)’ is the outspoken current Mayor of Cape Town, (the 33^rd, having been preceded by Dan Plato). She is also, concurrently, the leader of the Independent Democrats (ID), a political party she formed in 2003.

In August 2010 the ID merged with the Democratic Alliance, South Africa’s official opposition and she has taken on dual party membership.

De Lille was voted 22^nd in the “Top 100 Great South Africans” and is particularly noted for her role in investigations regarding the controversial Arms Deal, having taken parliamentary privilege to be a whistle blower on the issue. She was not allowed to attend the meeting of the National Prosecuting Authority on 5 April 2009 to announce the case against President Jacob Zuma, who had been implicated in the Arms Deal (worth R30 Billion S.A. Rands in 1999). In the Sunday Times (South Africa), following that meeting, De Lille predicted that the charges would be dropped:

“Am I angry? Of course I am angry. I am angry because the majority of our people are not seeing the warning signs that are coming from the ANC, a liberation party that has no respect for the Constitution and the rule of law and is prepared to erode both just so that one man can become the leader of our country.

By letting these ANC crooks off the hook we are sending entirely the wrong message to our people. Government is saying that there is a way out for those who break the law”.

From the Chair: Local Matters

Firstly I am sure you would all like an update on the local Road situation.

 Kommetjie Road/Riverside Road: The design for the new traffic signal was completed and approved in 2011. The intention is to begin implementation in the first quarter of 2012 and the Council is on track with this.

Kommetjie road markings and islands: A design has been completed for this work. The Transport Network Development Dept. wish to present this design to a small group of local interested parties in a type of peer review before implementation.

Ou Kaapse Weg/Silvermine Road: A conceptual design has been completed for the proposed intersection improvement. This includes the addition of a right–turn lane for south bound traffic turning into Silvermine Road and the removal of the koppie that restricts sight distance from the side roads. Specialist environmental studies were completed towards the end of 2011 and the reports on these studies are presently being completed. An “Applicability Checklist” will be submitted this month to the Dept. of Environmental Affairs & Development Planning and they will determine if there is a need for a more basic Environmental Assessment. If not, then the Council hopes to go to tender in April 2012.

 Traffic: Sun Valley residents will be pleased to learn that traffic calming measures, a “speed bump” to us locals, will be installed in Corsair road.

Beach issues are always important and an ongoing concern to your Exco committee. The general cleanliness and the state of the toilets and benches are things we constantly review. Whilst Alderman Felicity Purchase feels that, generally, cleansing coped very well over a hot and busy Festive season, there are still things we will be focusing upon. The main one is water purity. The chief culprit here appears to be what is emerging from the storm water drains and then across the beach. The problem starts higher up in the valley and obviously comes from litter that is blown and/or thrown down the storm water drains, gathering steadily over the dry months. Then, with the heavy rain, it is flushed out across the beach. There is a catch trap/basket but it obviously doesn’t cope. We also need to investigate just how often the sewers overflow into the storm water drains.  We are following up on all of this.

Eskom CFL exchange programme: This project to exchange energy-saving compact fluorescent lamps for the old incandescent light bulbs will be based at the Silverglades Road depot. Points will be set up in public areas, which will be advertised.

Exco committee: I am again appealing for members to make themselves available to serve on the Exco committee. Our Secretary and Meeting Convenor, (who also organises the speakers), are both resigning due to pressure of work and family commitments. The few members now left are now stretched almost to breaking point. If you feel strongly that you wish to have a say in the future of Fish Hoek – the housing developments, roads, amenities such as libraries, clinic and beach as well as ensuring that services are properly provided and maintained – please join the Exco committee.     

There is one Exco meeting a month (except December) and 4 public meetings a year.

Please think about this. If you sit back and don’t act, you then aren’t in a position to complain when the town you love changes in ways that are not to your liking.  Getting involved doesn’t have to be arduous if everyone helps a little bit. Call me on 021 785 1328.

DIARY NOTE: Our next FHVRRA Quarterly General Meeting will be on Thursday May 24, 2012.

FHVRRA SUBSCRIPTIONS

Subscriptions:  Membership: Allen Rose-Innes – Tel/Fax: 021 782 4279   E-mail:                                     Postal Address – PO Box 22125, Fish Hoek, 7974          

Annual Subscriptions (R60 per household) became due on 1^st. January 2012.

Your address label / email letter indicates the current status of your subs.

We appeal to members in arrears to pay their outstanding subscriptions.

Members unable to afford the subscription fees are advised to contact the Association’s Chairperson

(Tel: 021-785-1328), in full confidence and no obligation, to discuss a reduced fee.

Details of our bank account and convenient points of payment for Subs:

Bank deposits or EFT payments:

Indicate: “subs-your initials-your surname” in the payment reference.

A/C Name: FHVRRA. A/C No: 374203091. Bank: Standard – Fish Hoek.

Bank Code for deposits: 036009. Bank Code for EFT payments: 051001.

Subs can also be posted to P.O. Box 22125 Fish Hoek 7974, or paid at the following establishments:

Regal Cycles, Weavers, Pennylane (Valyland) and Thundercloud Music (Sun Valley Mall).

Please note: CASH ONLY for deposits and at pay points – due to exorbitant bank fees for cheques.

Then a student of Visual Communication at Tshwane University of Technology in Pretoria, Erlo embarked on his epic trek to photograph the South African coastline as part of his thesis. Now a year after completing his walk, he has produced a video featuring a compilation of his photographs. Take an armchair hike with him….

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qhu476Mdbuc

See also http://www.scenicsouth.co.za/2010/11/coasting-it-one-young-man-and-his-dog/

http://www.scenicsouth.co.za/2011/03/erlo-browns-epic-coastal-hike-his-reflections-after/

On phoning Nick this morning I learnt that “my” young bird seemed to have been suffering from concussion and dehydration. He spent the afternoon in the cage walking around in circles and listing to one side, but the following day was strong and alert enough to fly off when Nick left the door of the cage open. I am curious to know whether the bird has flown back to our area or whether he is now one of the number of young shrikes in Nick’s Noordhoek garden.

Nick has an affinity with birds. Having bred pigeons as a young boy, he says he understands their reactions and needs. Amongst the birds that have found their way via Fish Hoek Vet to his sanctuary are young peacocks which he placed under one of his hens, who kindly fostered them as a brood of her own!

IN 2007 Nick cared for young Laughing Dove, Panda, who became one of the family pets for 1 1/2 years. “He was an amazing bird. He would sit on my shoulder as I shopped in Pick n Pay or walked on Fish Hoek beach with the dogs. People would express surprise on seeing how tame he was so I would tell them that the pet shop owner had caught me out, selling the young bird to me as a parrot!” One day Panda flew off from Fish Hoek beach and made his way back home to Noordhoek. “Birds are not just dumb little things that fly around in the garden!” This little dove was a cocky little bird, walking amongst the cats and the dogs with impunity – which puts a new slant to the proverbial cat amongst the pigeons! It was a sad day for the family when Panda fell prey to a hunting hawk, but Nick is grateful for the “beautiful experience” they had with the bird.

And we both agreed that birds are “otherworldly”, visiting us in special ways when a little comfort is needed. Call us bird-brained if you wish….you won’t ruffle our feathers!

Nick can be reached on 082 416 3213.

For other contacts for wildlife rescue see

http://www.scenicsouth.co.za/environment/urban-wildlife/

Viv

A timeless fable on the cycles of life and nature
Filmed in South Korea. Director: Kim Ki-duk. 2003. Running time 103 minutes

Two screenings at Simon’s Town Museum
Thursday 9 February
11am – cost R20
6.30pm – cost R30 includes glass of wine/juice from 6pm
Book with museum on  021 786 3046

The setting: a tiny monastery floating mysteriously in a pristine mountain lake. This is the home of an elderly monk who has taken in a young student – in spring. The exquisite set and meticulously planned cinematography enhances every single frame. Colour, form and movement are a meaningful expression of spiritual and existential meaning.

Hardly any dialogue, no explanations, no speeches with messages. The master teaches experientially, allowing life to unfold.

We accept this lifestyle of simplicity and isolation: even the doors in the hermitage, and on the bank of the lakes, are free – not set in walls. But they are respected.
What is the role of the animals? A doggie, a cat – whose tail is used to paint a mantra!, a rooster, a snake …

As the seasons change, reflected in the sumptuous details in nature, the storyline jumps ahead and we follow the seasons of the young monk’s life: lessons of love and lust, of violence and contribution, of penitence and forgiveness, of honour and death and rebirth: lessons on dealing with one’s own emotions and inner turbulence. Simple lives reflecting nature and life’s huge cycles.

A complex, rich tapestry of beauty and symbolism – reflecting the director’s fine eye and profound wisdom.

Copies of this DVD and other DVDs and books
are available from Wisdom to Nourish:
Tel 021 701 2241 • info@wisdomtonourish.co.za • www.wisdomtonourish.co.za

Watch the footage of Jacques wonderful encounter on Freedive at

http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9mRH4VBSqs&feature=youtu.be&hd=1

Nicola Oakes is researching the otters of the Cape Peninsula.  She asks that `otter spotters’ contact her with information about the location, size and number of otter seen.  For more information about the research project, go to:

http://www.scenicsouth.co.za/2011/07/otters-of-the-cape-peninsula/

Come and meet the Artists who exhibit their work in Simon’s Town  over

 WINE AND SNACKS at 12 NOON SATURDAY  11thFEBRUARY in the   SIMON’S TOWN LIBRARY HALL

(Opposite the Police Station)

 (Photo above  of Visiting Swedish Artist Ritha Holst)

When:  Thursday 9th to Sunday 12^th February 9am to 5pm

Our Regular Exhibitors are:  

Peter Jander Ann Nosworthy Annemarie Renaud

Loretta Carter Estelle Byrne Ann Buckby Pauline Fine

 Guest Artists include:  

Mollie Townsend Christel Read Ritha Holst

Ursula Law Rufus Sculptures by Effie Joffe

Godfrey Chimhanzi (Wood carvings)

FORTHCOMING DATES for  2012

APRIL 12th 13th 14th 15th   JUNE 7th 8th 9th 10th

PARKING AVAILABLE

 ENQUIRIES LORETTA 021 786 3887 PAULINE 082 831 1578

 Fr Ron arrived at Holy Trinity in August 2001. The tributes paid to him and the size of the congregation attending the Farewell Service testified to the popularity of this very special man of God, known for his compassion, humility, humanity and his incredible care for and dedication towards both his parishioners and many others in the wider community. Members of the Muslim community in Kalk Bay attended the service.

 Apart from a few members of Fr Ron’s immediate family, congregants from previous Parishes in which he worked and Parishioners and friends of Holy Trinity, the service was also attended by the Archdeacon of Kalk Bay, the Venerable Clifford Jones, the non-stipendiary and retired Clergy of the Parish, the now retired Dean of Cape Town, Canon Rowan Smith, Bishop Geoff Davies, our “Green Bishop”,  

http://www.scenicsouth.co.za/2011/11/our-green-bishop-geoff-davies-honoured-with-top-environmental-award/ ) as well as some other Clergy and Lay Ministers who filled the beautiful mosaic and tiled Sanctuary.

The sublime voices of the choir of the Parish of Christ the King, Rocklands, where Fr. Ron served as Priest-in-Charge for a brief time, filled the historic chapel to the rafters in songs of praise and worship, the introductory hymn being Holy art Thou, the exquisite Largo from “Xerxes” by George Frederic Handel. (See below). Later a solo, ‘Designer Original’ dedicated to Fr. Ron by Christine Abrahams raised goose bumps and a tear to many an eye in the Congregation.

Fr Ron’s tribute of thanksgiving and brief homily, presented with his characteristic humour, elicited much laughter from the congregation and at times brought a lump to the throat.

We first met Fr Ron when he presided at the Memorial Service of my dad 8 years ago. He barely knew us as a family, my parents having just moved to Fish Hoek. His compassion towards our mom in her new state of widowhood led her, a Catholic, to become a member of his church. He proved a pillar of support when she too succumbed swiftly to terminal illness last year. His support of my brother and me has been tremendous, although neither of us is a churchgoer. It has been a privilege knowing him.

 After the service a spread worthy of royalty was laid on by the Parishioners in the beautiful Rectory Garden. The music was provided by a marimba band from St. Mark’s Church in Lavender Hill who enchanted with their delightful performance outside the church before the Service started.

 Fr Ron, we, along with so many others, will miss you but we wish you a most memorable time in the USA , good health and fulfilment and a safe return to our shores.

 Viv

 Father Ron features in an earlier article: http://www.scenicsouth.co.za/2011/12/fr-ron-phillips-leaves-holy-trinity-church-kalk-bay/

 For a beautiful rendition of the Largo from Xerxes by Handel click on  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vmO-AF4NbA

South Africa is not the only country in the world banking on the green economy to increase jobs and uplift the quality of life for the poor.  Many countries seek to boost green economy development using the strength of their domestic markets and government support to boost exports in green technologies.

The solar water heating crisis is a good window into the world of the green economy and the challenges of making it work. Lessons learnt here will apply to other green economy sectors, as we proceed to grow this industry.

Solar water heaters (SWHs) have the largest job creation and poverty alleviation potential of all renewable technologies because they are easy to make, can be fitted directly by households onto their roofs and, the user benefits through lower electricity bills.  Users of SWHs can save between 30-50% on their electricity bills depending on the quality of the system being used. For the poor, SWHs are a fantastic option to offset high electricity costs if the units are supplied cheaply.

While the COSATU statement was speaking broadly about the solar industry, it was mainly referring to the SWH sector where three Western Cape companies are already closing shop because of foreign competition.

In a survey done by Eskom in 2007, about 21 companies were supplying SWHs in the South African market. By 2009 that number jumped to 100 companies. This number is probably far larger now given the fact that the survey was last done in 2009.  Experts contend as many as 200 or more companies may have saturated the SWH market in South Africa. The availability of government subsidies has driven this frenzy.   In 2009 Eskom was aiming for a rollout of a million solar water heaters in five years.

Foreign companies supply close to 50% or more of the domestic SWH market. Most foreign companies that seek to exploit the expected local boom in SWHs come from Europe, China, Greece, Turkey and Israel. China on the back of its domestic market and heavy state subsidies for its manufacturers is the leading producer of SWHs in the world. It has 70% of the world’s capacity.

Foreign companies are effectively using the South African SWH scheme to subsidise their own market expansion into Southern Africa through re-exportation. This may indicate that current customs and tariffs make South Africa ideal for import and re-exportation. It’s a situation that must be reviewed as it hinders the growth of local exports.

Given that we have a market of 11 million homes, we should all be concerned if public funds are being used to destroy local jobs in a sector  which is yet to realise its full potential. This is notwithstanding the vast fleet of commercial premises that can be kitted with SWHs.

Most jobs come from expanding installation rather than manufacturing, which means that growth in domestic demand is crucial.

Domestic demand is expected to receive a further boost as government, last year, passed a new building regulation, which stipulates that 50% of water heating for new buildings should be met through SWHs or heat pumps.

However, South Africa’s SWH troubles won’t be addressed if we keep pointing fingers at foreign culprits only. Many overseas suppliers supplying the local market have black economic empowerment (BEE) partners. Foreign suppliers are aided by local entities that are interested in profit taking rather than making the concerted effort to establish local manufacturing.   It is far cheaper to import than put up a manufacturing plant, given the sluggish growth in the South African market.

To further illustrate the contradictions in the local market that belie the promise of assisting local manufacturing, most SWHs for low cost housing projects have involved prestigious government launches where the SWHs are imported from abroad.

This only begs more questions about our government’s seriousness to see local production reach maturity.

In effect, Eskom’s poorly designed subsidy scheme and the government’s own procurement policies for low cost SWHs are killing off the local industry. Despite the Eskom subsidy scheme, only about 110 000 sold units, have accessed the subsidy.

Consumers are eager to adopt SWHs, but will not purchase in a market where SWH prices are still high. A normal electric geyser is still three to four times cheaper than a SWH.

The SWH industry is a reflection of the complex interplay between bureaucratic inertia and the lack of policy and implementation co-ordination. This is all against the backdrop of the challenge of local industries having to survive against fierce foreign competition where domestic demand is still low and government support complicated by red-tape and contradictory procurement strategies.

The two ends of supply and demand have to tie up if high levels of localisation and job creation are to materialise. If domestic users grow significantly, existing manufacturing has to grow very fast. If it is unable to do so – under the current regime for importation – surplus demand will simply be met by overseas imports.

Government is in the best position to ensure proper co-ordination between the demand and supply ends of the market and would be wise to consider the following solutions.

Firstly, users should have easier access to a grant or tax incentive when considering the installation of SWHs. Decisions around which SWH to choose would be improved through better public information as the SWH market is saturated with diverse products that seem to confuse consumers and in turn dissuade them from purchasing the product.

Secondly, the uptake of SWHs can be assisted if consumers have access to soft loans. There may be a case to consider a switch from the current Eskom administered subsidy model to a more efficient soft-loan scheme. International experience in the application of a soft loan schemes versus an administered subsidy system needs to be looked at with fresh eyes.

Thirdly, government should explore the option that low cost systems aimed at poorer households be procured and manufactured by a state entity rather than the private market. In this way, all low cost housing developments financed by government achieve alignment between housing and energy efficiency programmes as the cost of third party fees and costs, that tend to creep in through a market-based approach, are lowered.

Fourthly, given the purchasing power within their own sectors, governments and unions should consider a joint SWH programme to promote the uptake of SWHs amongst their own employees and members. Very little is being done to promote SWHs within government itself.

Finally, the problem of foreign competition can’t be annihilated, but can be better managed than is presently the case by examining closely “who” and “what” the incentive schemes favour. The priority should be given to local production in the design and application of the scheme. All government facilities and infrastructure programmes should insist on local products. Subsidies should not be given to foreign imports.

This Article by Saliem Fakir an independent writer based in Cape Town was first published by SACSIS   (www.sacsis.org.za).
Read more articles by Saliem Fakir.

The Far South Peninsula shown coloured maroon/ plum on the map

 below will be  `off grid’  on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 16:00 to 18:30. 

For tips on how to reduce your energy consumption, go to:   

 http://www.scenicsouth.co.za/2011/07/city-of-cape-town-electricity-tariff-structure-1-july-2011/.

Eskom is making increasingly urgent calls for all electricity users to reduce their consumption by 10%.  This also applies to households.  Apparently the electricity supply in under pressure because of essential maintenance which has reduced Eskom’s  production capacity at this time.  The map below gives the schedule for load shedding should this become necessary.  Note that if load shedding is to be implemented, the communities in the Far South Peninsula shown coloured maroon/ plum on the map below will be  `off grid’  on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 16:00 to 18:30.  

Partners in the event are

Association for Autism

Action in Autism (KZN)

Autism Eastern Cape

DG Home (Cape Town)

Academy for Adults with Autism (Cape Town)

Charity on the Go

If anyone in the Cape Town region would like to participate by walking a section of this coastal walk, please contact us. Any form of sponsorship, donations or other support would be greatly appreciated.

Further details will be sent closer to the time of the Cape Town event.

For more information about autism and THE BIG AUTISM THING see http://www.thebigautismthing.co.za/

Dudley and Debbie Flugel

THE ACADEMY FOR ADULTS WITH AUTISM

NPO 054-368

Public Benefit Organisation 930025332

www.adultswithautism.org.za

Tel: +27 (0) 21 788 7652

Cell:  083 627 9638