Extracts  from A Chum Slick of Deceit by Chris Fallows  written for AfriOceans Conservation Alliance :

April 1991 was a momentous time for great white sharks in South Africa and for that matter all around the world. It was the first time any country had had the foresight to take steps to protect these magnificent predators knowing the importance they played in the eco system.

Since 1991 the popularity of this species as a tourism attraction has ballooned beyond anyone’s imagination – today upwards of 50 000 people come to South Africa to see these animals alive in the wild. Year on year this figure grows and this form of eco-tourism represents a industry worth 100’s of millions of Rands not only in ticket sales but also to airlines, accommodation, restaurants, car hire, transfer companies curio suppliers, and other tourism ventures the tourists visit after seeing the Great White. Combined these micro industries have created a small economy around this one animal and today it is one of South Africa’s unique attractions.

Protecting the golden goose, which is the Great White Shark in this case, would surely

be a priority to the authorities. However, although grand websites and articles suggest that the South African government is a leader in shark conservation, this is definitely not the case. 

 Chris identifies the main threats to great white sharks as the Natal Sharks Board which still kill between 11-60 great white sharks per year, commercial long line fishing, illegal catch and release shark fishing and trophy fishing for great white sharks.  Contrary to popular speculation that the shark population has grown in False Bay, Chris writes:

 Having been involved with working with these Great Whites since 1991 at all three well known sites in South Africa, especially Seal Island in False Bay and Gansbaai’s Dyer Island, we have a very good idea of population growth rates, size ranges and any other variable that might indicate a suggested growth in the population since protection as some have suggested. Our observations and data suggest a very different picture and a slight decrease in population is clearly seen. A decrease in the average size of sharks is also noticeably apparent and very few mature sharks are seen now as opposed to 10 years ago. Being apex predators there were never huge numbers of these sharks to start with therefore even the removal of a few large sharks has a significant influence on the wellbeing of the population.

Read the complete article at http://www.aoca.org.za/files/82/files/Great%20White%20Shark%20article.pdf

I Love Condoms. The words are written on workshop walls, walls that were built by individuals and companies that have sponsored the building on Guinea Fowl Road in the Fish Hoek Valley, directly opposite the Masiphumelele High School and Masiphumelele township.

I felt apprehensive when I answered an ad to help 12-22 year olds from the township and the Fish Hoek Valley with any skills that as a local I could offer.  But the Youth Centre was easy to find and I was met by the buoyant and enthusiastic Earl Mentor. He assures me this is his real name and what an apt one, as he’s the Sport and Recreation Co-ordinator with training and background in the Performing Arts.

Both he and the manager, Dante Robbertze, showed me around the two classrooms, medical centre, hall, and coffee room where about 70 youngsters come daily to play table tennis or snooker, learn how to surf the internet or even surf the waves: this is Cape Town.  At the same time they can receive confidential counselling on any issue and be tested for HIV.  In 2009, South Africa had 5.6 million people affected by HIV or Aids with 310,000 people dying from related diseases. 70% of those infected worldwide live in South Africa.  So, reach them early and get them to love condoms and love wisely and well.

The young people come voluntarily – after school – 1 200 have enrolled since the Youth Centre opened a year ago on the equally aptly chosen St. Valentine’s Day.  Their finger-prints are taken and they receive a ‘Tutu’ point on each visit.  ‘Tutus’ can be cashed in for a prize, but keep going and keep banking and you can build up to the reward of a mobile phone.  I guess it’s a more sophisticated process than, “You can have a marshmallow now, but if you wait fifteen minutes you can have two.”  It’s all about discipline, self-control, and making an informed choice.

I saw these qualities in abundance when Earl invited me to Thando Silo’s  performance of ‘My Africa’ by his Marhoshi group (The Kings).  Thando (22) started his performance group several years ago with young boys from the streets.  He now has a home to house his company (doesn’t this old director and writer know the joy this brings) but he had to introduce girls to his writing and his direction.  Enter Fezeka, a 21 year old counsellor whose job it is, “to deal with the female conflict in the group”.  Yes, Fezeka, I know all about that too.  Fezeka translates my wieldy sentences to Thando who replies in broken English.  It’s easy to forget that Xhosa is a first language for many Africans who speak English in varying degrees but Thando says, with the help of Fezeka, that his piece is a ‘recognition of the sacrifices his country has made for freedom’. Thando is as passionate about his writing, acting and performing as Fezeka is passionate about empowering young African women to make good, sound, small decisions, “On a daily basis,” she says, “to be better people”.

I was told not to enter the rehearsal room and rightly so, but when the performance magically began, minutes after the arrival time I had given Earl, I was transported.  About thirty young Africans from the Masiphumelele township stomped their feet in Wellington (gum) boots with energy, natural talent and engaging bold, attitude: one of self-possession; this is what the centre is setting out to teach.  I was flying with them.

I want to fly back soon and learn from these young people.  If you can’t fly or drive there to share your skills (in particular dance, art, English, business mentoring, gardening or surfing) then you can donate money through the website www.desmondtutuhivfoundation.org.za, the youth at the Centre dream of building a peace garden and a soccer pitch.   Or you can raise awareness by visiting their Facebook page and disseminating information.

Just one month after opening, the centre was broken into and three computers were stolen.  Enrolled students offered to give information for 100 Rand (£10).  There is discussion on the Foundation’s Facebook page as to whether this should be given or ‘Tutus’ offered.  A decision was reached.  The informers should go to the police.  It’s about making choices and good decisions.

Many thanks to the editors who have agreed to take these words and images.  Any fees for the feature will be donated to the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation Youth Centre – it’s a great place where young South Africans are being prepared for a bright future!

Tel: 021 785 4576 or 082 740 4400
Email: Dante.Robbertze@hiv-research.org.za
www.desmondtutuhivfoundation.org.za

By Jan Moran Neil
www.janmoranneil.co.uk and www.janmoranneil.boxofblogs.com

It was a day of exhilaration, great entertainment and good food for the 700 people who came to break bread together at the Table of Peace & Unity on Table Mountain this Mother’s Day.

Mother Nature  smiled kindly on the day as the sun shone brightly, showing off the tremendous beauty of South Africa’s greatest natural asset and one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature. In true Cape tradition, just as the last guests left the rain came bucketing down – but nothing could dampen the spirit of the event.
The Table of Peace & Unity this year has raised R1 421 617.00 to date; monies that will be distributed amongst the selected “City Angels”: individuals, groups and organisations that work with abused, abandoned and vulnerable children, mostly without government assistance. Of this amount, a cheque for R1 million from Checkers and Pioneer Foods was handed over to Christine Cashmore, founder and director of the annual event, towards the fight against child abuse. “More than the money though, we are also receiving offers of assistance”, says Cashmore.”People who would like to organise Tables for next year, people who would like to donate monies and many people who want to join us in our campaign to stop the abuse of our children”.

Cashmore had introduced the national “Say the Unsayable” campaign at the lunch. The radio and print campaign will address the escalating horror of sexual abuse and violence suffered by too many children in South Africa today. “The abuse of a child is actually an assault on us all”, said Cashmore. “We should do anything, everything, in our communities to send a chilling message to the perpetrators that child abuse is a non-negotiable. It diminishes us all as human beings. We have to help save the lives of those who are the very future of this country. Abused children become abusive adults”.

The “City Angels” that will benefit from this years’ event are, in Cape Town, the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation Youth Centre, Christine Booysen who works with homeless children in Lavender Hill, the Nceduluntu Sanctuary Trust that provides residential and day care for HIV-positive children, AIDS orphans as well as abandoned and neglected children from the Lwandle and Nomzamo communities, and Little2Much, an Early Childhood Development initiative in Vrygrond. In Kwa-Zulu Natal, Operation Bobbi Bear that works for child victims of sexual abuse; in Johannesburg, the Door of Hope Children’s Mission and COPESSA, and in Port Elizabeth, the Unathi Township Creche – as well as a number of other charities nationally – will receive assistance. For more information about the beneficiaries see www.tableofpeaceandunity.co.za.

Samsung Galaxy was the main sponsor of the Table of Peace & Unity this year, and Checkers donated the food for the event. Donations of R5 can be made to the “Say the Unsayable” campaign by sms-ing the word “Enough” to 36353 – a dedicated line set up by MTN.

Issued on behalf of Gourmetsa by Hippo Communications. For further information contact Beryl Eichenberger at 082 490 6652/ 021 556 8200 or Penny Gaines at 082 554 0554.

The Empowerment through  Education Trust (ETE) which is driven by Fish Hoek restaurateur, Herbie Eichel is educating  16 children from the community from Grade 1 through to tertiary education.

One learner , Donica Telegram from Ocean View has received an academic award as a top student at  the prize giving at the Sun Valley school.“ Since her start at Sun Valley Donica has received very favourable reports each term and we are all delighted with her steady and consistent progress. All the other children are also achieving well above average grades and continue to do well , “ says Eichel .” This is testimony to the success of the programme and their enthusiasm to learn.”

The ETE Trust , together with Rotary and Valley Development Projects as major partners, has established two schools in the poverty stricken areas which are staffed by teachers also trained by the Trust. “ Children from each of these pre-schools who exhibit the most talent, determination and potential are selected by the teachers and the ETE board with the approval, support and consent of their parents and are sponsored through to tertiary education at formal schools,”  says Eichel.

In order to continue with the programme and increase the number of children being educated the ETE Trust is reliant on donations. The Trust has just achieved a major boost from Metropolitan Foundation, an independently run and operated foundation which focuses on health and education through its founding donor MMI Holdings Limited (Metropolitan and Momentum group of companies). The Foundation has presented ETE with a cheque for R159 600.

Eichel says the Metropolitan donation is a major acknowledgement of the good work begun by ETE and is a recognition by big business of the need to address education in poverty stricken areas.

“ Not only are we educating the children, but the entire community benefits as the children tend to influence their families and peers thereby encouraging a desire for education and self improvement throughout the community. We see this programme as a springboard for advancement of the entire community and are confident that our children will become leaders, not only in their community but in politics and business at large,” added Eichel.

For further information, please contact:

Herbie Eichel   Email : he@bay.tv Cell : 082 490 9950

or

Simon Brooke  Email: simon.b@telkomsa.net Cell : 082 445 9578

In four days, world leaders could agree to a plan to end $1 trillion a year payments to polluters and invest it in renewable energy instead. This is our best chance to save our planet from runaway climate change, and President Obama himself, who hosts the G8 meeting this weekend, wants to cut off these wasteful payments. Now it depends on all of us driving it through. Sign the petition to President Obama to lead this plan to save the planet:

In four days, world leaders could agree to a plan that is our best chance yet to save the planet from runaway climate change. But it needs a massive public push to drive it from words to action.

It’s crazy, but right now, our governments give nearly $1 trillion a year of our taxpayer money to big oil and coal to destroy our planet. Key leaders, including President Obama, have already agreed to stop these polluter payments. And this weekend, he is hosting the G8 summit where leaders of the world’s biggest economies can finally start moving this plan forward. If we demand governments divert this huge sum into renewable energy now, experts say we could actually stop climate change!

It’s a simple no-brainer, but dirty industry has a hold on our politicians which can only be countered by extraordinary people power. Let’s show President Obama that we want him to lead the world’s largest economies to get behind this planet saving plan now. Click here to Sign the petition :

We’re rapidly reaching a point of no return on climate change and a treaty to prevent catastrophe is years off. Fortunately, momentum behind this new planet saving plan is building ahead of next month’s Rio Summit – the biggest environmental meeting in 20 years. New Zealand, Mexico and Switzerland are calling for an agreement at Rio, and just now policy makers from 20 countries including the US, Brazil, and China have voiced their support.

But without massive public support the powerful polluters could bury the proposal. All G8 leaders have already publicly committed to ending these dirty subsidies. And President Obama is right now pushing for US legislation to stop them. Now, it’s up to us to make it a global priority to turn these black payments green.

If we can show Obama that a huge number of citizens around the world want him to lead the way, we can win! We have four days left. Sign the petition for Obama to make this his priority.

For too long, progress on a global and cooperative solution to climate change has been held back by self-interest and the profits of Big Oil, Coal and Gas. But, finally governments are realising that cutting subsidies will benefit the climate and help balance out the global economy. Together, our movement can make sure our leaders take firm action now to save the planet by freeing the world from the tyranny of fossil fuels.

With hope,

Iain, Joseph, Alice, Diego, Kya, Jamie, Ricken and the rest of the Avaaz team

More information Read :

Hansen: Game Over for the Climate (New York Times):

A Congressional Push to End All Fossil Fuel Subsidies (The Nation):

Fossil-fuel subsidies: Helping the richest get richer (Los Angeles Times):

Security Issues

Simon’s Town Police: We are extremely concerned to hear that, once again, duty police persons have been transferred away from Simon’s Town, further weakening response capacity our Station. We currently have only 10 officers available when we should have 48!! And the Simon’s Town precinct is the largest in the Peninsula. This is a very serious situation and we urge all Simon’s Town and Glencairn (and Scarborough and Cape Point) residents to be sure to report any crime or potential crime, however small. All calls are logged in the Incidents Book, and we need the record to show that our police are needed in our area. Simon’s Town SAPS 24 hrs phone number is 021 786 8646 or 786 8647. Always alert SAPS of any suspicious behaviour and (attempted) break-ins.  Our motto must be: “Use it or lose it”.

Community Police Forum: At a recent CPF meeting in Simon’s Town our area was embarrassed by having only 3 members of the general public attending a meeting at which there were 7 police officers, 3 Metro police officers and 3 members of Law Enforcement giving reports.  The CPF is a vital organisation for establishing and maintaining a partnership between the SAPS and the community, and improving police services to the community. It is in our interests to demonstrate our support for the police and law enforcement agencies by attending these by-monthly public report-back meetings arranged by the CPF.

Theft out of motor vehicles is still a problem in tourist areas.  Whilst housebreaking crime remains low compared to last year, there is an increase in property theft. This has been attributed to bin pickers, metal thieves and new vagrants wandering around town. It has been suggested that where bin-picking is rife, attracting strange people into the area, those of us who have baboon-proof, lockable bins, should buy and use padlocks even if we are currently not being troubled by baboons. The Waste Trucks can open padlocked bins, but baboons and bin-pickers cannot. Locking the bins discourages both!

Vagrants: Vagrant anti-social behaviour in the Simon’s Town and Glencairn commercial areas continues to be a growing problem, here and elsewhere. One of the distressing consequences of vagrant activity is the squalid dumping of bottles and litter all over our Town, the Vlei and our environment.  Our Councillor reports that over and above the City’s Solid Waste budget of R280 million for refuse removal, the Roads and Storm Water Department have a budget of over R100 million to remove litter from roads. We urge people not to give money directly to vagrants: it leads to littering, drunkenness and anti-social behaviour. Rather those who wish to help homeless people should provide support to the organisations which assist street people. 

Black Hill

People walking or horse riding from the parking area at the top of Black Hill are urged to be alert as there have been several attacks on individuals there by a man wearing a red shirt, and blue overall pants with reflective stripes at the bottom (like construction worker pants).

Once again: Simon’s Town and Glencairn residents are urged to report all crimes and anti social behaviour to the police and law enforcement.  We need to get incidents on the official record.  This also pertains to sightings of baboons. See useful telephone numbers at the end of the Newsletter.

Buffer Zone Presentation

Sandy Barnes will be giving a presentation on the proposed Buffer Zone Legislation put out by the Department of Environment Affairs. This affects the South Peninsula deeply, impacting on spatial planning, environmental legislation, the urban edge, what the City and Table Mountain National Park are required to take into account in their planning and development (including baboon management). Date: Wednesday 16 May, 5pm – 7pm, Library Hall, Fish Hoek Municipal offices

Public Meeting to Develop a Vision for Miller’s Point

All are encouraged to participate in this public meeting which will take place in the Simon’s Town Town Hall, on Wednesday 30 May, 19h30 -21h30.  Miller’s Point is a unique environmental / recreational site on the False Bay coast. It has coastal and mountain fynbos, magnificent granite boulder-surrounded beaches, baboons and other wild animals, intertidal fauna and flora and used to have abundant crayfish and other fish, it has one of the few safe boat-launching sites in False Bay and is on one of the most popular scenic drives on the Peninsula. The land belongs to the City of Cape Town. Over the years it has been neglected, but the City is now proposing some “upgrades”. The Far South Peninsula Community Forum, (a grouping of all the Civic and Ratepayers Associations south of Silvermine) believes that it is essential to have public input before starting any upgrade or development process on this unique site. The first step in the process is to work with the community to develop a vision for this valuable site.

Planning for Simon’s Town Spring Festivities

Heritage weekend is 21 – 24 September this year.  The Simon’s Town Business Association, with assistance from residents, will again be coordinating activities around the Town. Would people who participated last year, and wish to do so again, or those who would like to incorporate something new, please contact Margaret Silk at Paddlers (Margaret@paddlers.co.za).

Navy News

Keep an eye out for the Royal Navy submarine HMS Talent who will be berthed here from 14 – 21 May.  The Navy also informed us that they are doing all they can to re-instate the Dockyard Concert which was prohibited earlier this year as it did not comply with the City’s safety regulations.

Cannon Firing

The 9 inch Rifled Muzzle Loading Gun at Middle North Battery will be fired at noon on 16 June (Youth Day); 24 September (Heritage Day); 11 November (Remembrance Day); 16 December (Day of Reconciliation) and on 31 December at midnight.

Volunteer Wildfire Services

The Volunteer Wildfire Services (VWS) helps the Table Mountain National Park to combat wildfires. To improve their response time to veld fires in the Far South, VWS are creating a new base in Noordhoek (closer than the current Newlands base). VWS is recruiting local resident volunteers to man the new South Peninsula base – for various roles, not only for active fire fighting. For more information please Allan Roy at southpeninsula@capefires.com.

 Museum Talk

Hilary Mauve will give a talk on “Mary Kinsley – the other side of her interests and her travels in Africa” on 27 June, 2012. R20 per person includes a glass of wine or fruit juice. Queries to Yvonne at 021 786 4404 or Audrey at 021 786 1805.

Highlighting Useful Services

We encourage residents to visit the new Fresco Deli and Store in Simon’s Town. They have a wide variety of fresh goods including vegetables, ciabattas, cold meats, cheeses, and much more – this is wonderful to have in Simon’s Town so let’s support them.  Another service, hidden away but well worth knowing about, is the Simon’s Town Seamstress, who works from Room 7, above the First National Bank (take the Jawitz Properties entrance). The Seamstress does alterations, upholstery, dressmaking and makes curtains.

 Art on the Square

The first ‘Art on the Square’ on Jubilee Square on Sunday 13 May was enjoyed by all who participated. The weather was perfect and some 16 artists took part. Following the very positive feedback we plan to repeat this, and we are also looking at arranging Music on the Square in a similar, community-fun, relaxed way. Any local resident interested in helping pull this together should contact Margaret Silk at Paddlers, margaret@paddlers.co.za.

Traffic and Parking in Simon’s Town

After several requests to do so, the City has promised to update the Traffic Study on our area (last done in the 1990s). This is urgently needed to take account of the increase in traffic from the Navy, residential development and increased tourism. Over this past season, control of the tour bus traffic was a major issue.  We are also calling for improved traffic management around the high accident area between the Shell garage and the Railway Station.  Simon’s Town has declined to join the City’s managed parking scheme. Currently STADCO manages parking on Jubilee Square, but during the winter will not be managing parking in Wharf Street.  It is hoped that we will be able to increase the presence of Law Enforcement in the area to monitor illegal, long-term parking.

Baboon Proof Bins

Those of us living in a baboon raiding area are required by the City to have a double lockable bin secured with two padlocks. We are assured that bins can be opened with the padlocks in place. The waste removal trucks which service our residential areas have been converted to open and empty these bins with these padlocks in place. The keys to the padlocks are not required by the waste removal staff.  As residents we are urged to do everything possible to reduce raids and discourage baboons from visiting our areas.  The City needs our support to create a baboon-free residential area. Unsecured bins can result in waste being strewn all over which waste staff are then required to clean up. This poses a health hazard, delays the trucks and makes their job most unpleasant.  Your secured bin will make a difference.

Lorraine Holloway from the Baboon Liaison Group explains how it works:  Place a strong padlock on each latch on the bin. The padlock should be placed through the hole in the silver metal latch. The padlocks must be locked!  Keep the keys in a safe place. Put the bin out on the side of the road or pavement but lie it down on its side with the latches nearest the ground. Recycling bags should be placed next to the bin, not inside.

Noise at Navy Barracks

Should any residents be disturbed by unreasonable noise issuing from Navy Barracks, they are encouraged to report it to the Navy at 021 787 3818, this line is manned 24/7.

Report Graffiti

All graffiti should be reported direct to Michelle De Wet at 072 152 5963  Reporting issues to the City

Issues needing the City’s attention can be reported directly to the Sub-council Manager, either by email to Desiree Mentor  fax 021- 782 1185, or by dropping off a note at the Sub-council offices at Fish Hoek. Please keep Desiree Mentor informed of progress / or lack of progress so that she can follow-up if necessary.  Each report should contain the Date (of submitting the request); the Category (Roads, Waste Management, Parks, Water supply, Graffiti, etc); a Detailed description of the problem (this must include the exact location – eg not just a street name, but opposite which house number, or which end of a beach), and provide the name and contact details of the person submitting the request.

Emergency numbers:

Simon’s Town Police:  021 786-8646 or 8647

Fish Hoek Emergency Control Centre:  021 782 0333, 782-0444

Metro Police (Law Enforcement): 021 784 2033

Fire and Emergency: 107 from Telkom phones, 112 from cell phones

Roads, potholes and stormwater: 0860 103 054 (24 Hours)

Water/Sewage Emergencies:   0860 103 054 (24 hours)

To report people tossing burning cigarette butts into vegetation: 021 424 7715

Cable theft, toll free 24/7 hotline: 0800 222 771.

To report people feeding baboons: 021 957-5937or 959-5900

Baboon emergencies: 071 588-6540 (all hours).

Metrorail complaints: 0800 65 64 63

Navy Ops room (for all issues concerning the Navy) 021 787 3818 (all hours).

Queries and complaints can also be logged at the City’s Call Centre: Tel: 0860103089 or

SMS 31363 (no more than 160 characters) or email: 

 Subscriptions

STCA membership fees (R80 per annum per household) became due on 1 January 2012.  Please pay membership fees (cash) at the STADCO parking office on Jubilee Square during office hours, or by internet banking. (We are trying to avoid use of cheques if at all possible – the bank is now charging exorbitantly for cheques.)

For internet banking :  BANK ACCOUNT DETAILS:

            Bank: Standard Bank,                                                          Branch: Fish Hoek

Branch code: 036009                                                           Account number: 073815209

Account name: Simons Town Civic Association   (Market link savings account)

Please say “Subs, your name, tel. number” as the sender.  Please also notify the STCA that you have paid.

 New members must give the STCA contact details so as to be put onto the Newsletter mailing list.

Please encourage neighbours and friends to join the STCA

Tuesday 22 May at 6 for 6.30pm

Written in hardened yet lyrical prose electrified with heart-stopping lines, Eric the Brave is an elegy on boot level that marks the arrival of a remarkable new writer.

 They sit in the doors of the Big Mamma Pumas, feet dangling out, all gung ho. Sometimes you have a bad hair day in the big fat sky – come back with holes in you.’

First nothing happens, on the border between Namibia and Angola, 1983.

A platoon of servicemen at a remote outpost kill time smoking, drinking,grating each other’s nerves. Eric draws Scope pictures to amuse his mates while he observes everything around him with a distant eye. They are mere boys, lounging in the waiting room to hell. When hell breaks loose all bets are off, and for Eric there is no escaping the horror of the scores he must settle.

 When: Tuesday 22 May 2012 
Where: Kalk Bay Books, 124 Main Road, Kalk Bay
Time: 6 for 6.30pm

RSVP: by 21 May to 21 788 2266. 

Jonathan Ball Publishers launch Invisible Furies by Michiel Heyns  

Friday 25 May at 6 for 6.30pm

A new Heyns novel is always something we look forward to and after the success of Lost Ground in 2011
(for which he has been shortlisted for the 2012 Sunday Times Fiction Prize), Michiel Heyns is back with another compelling contemporary novel.

After a 30-year absence Christopher Turner returns to Paris. He is here to extricate his best friend’s son Eric from the mercenary machinations of some Parisian gold-digger – or so it is assumed, at home in South Africa.

Exploring, as in the widely applauded Lost Ground, the tensions between the fatherland and a larger world, Michiel Heyns turns an ironic eye on the most seductive city on earth, and traces with humour and insight the invisible furies of the heart.

Michiel will be in conversation with another award-winning writer, Henrietta Rose-Innes. Rose-Innes, too, has been shortlisted for the 2012 Sunday Times Fiction Prize for her novel, Nineveh.

Where: Kalk Bay Books, 124 Main Road, Kalk Bay
Time: 6 for 6.30pm

RSVP: by 24 May to 01 788 2266.

Please note: there is no charge to attend either or both of these launches
but RSVPs are required for catering purposes.

Copies of Eric the Brave and Invisible Furies are available for purchase

and the authors will sign books

on the evenings of their respective launches.

 Wines are generously sponsored by
Leopard’s Leap Wines

Snacks are catered by The Annex Restaurant

Tim Butcher will be speaking about his books Blood River  and Chasing the Devil, both set in Central Africa.

Please come to support our Library – and bring your men to enjoy the talk.

Enquiries: Jen Strickland (021) 782-7337

The Big Issue makes the bold move of featuring up-and-coming actor Jafta Mamabolo on the cover of the latest edition. A stunning image of a semi-submerged Mamabolo is accompanied by the tag line, “The emerging face of SA film”.

“Jafta stars in Otelo Burning, which hits the big screens around the country on May 11, the same day the magazine comes out,” explains Melany Bendix, editor. “We decided to feature him on the cover as we have a well-founded hunch that Otelo Burning may be as big as Oscar-winner Tsotsi, judging by the rave reviews and string of awards it has already garnered.”

She adds that The Big Issue has a reputation for supporting the local arts and the latest magazine proudly continues this long-standing tradition by showcasing the unique South African film about three township teens who find freedom through surfing during the dying days of apartheid.

Readers can find out more about the motivation behind the film through an in-depth interview with writer/director Sara Blecher, while Mamabolo shares his experience of making Otelo Burning, including his challenge of learning how to surf in just two weeks.

Another exceptional local talent featured in the magazine is jazz prodigy Kyle Shepherd. At just 24, Shepherd is widely recognised as one of the most influential and accomplished jazz pianists and composers in South Africa today. In a candid interview the musician reveals what drives him, the sacrifices he’s had to make to achieve success and the very personal motivation behind his new album, South African History !X.

Further proof that South Africa has an abundance of creativity is the photo essay documenting the 2012 Afrika Burn art festival. “The Big Issue had three photographers covering the event in the semi-desert Tankwa Karoo area and between them they brought back some stunning perspectives of the crazed creativity, fun and festivities,” says Bendix.

Not all entertainment

The edition also carries some heavyweight topics, including a special report on how bureaucratic bungling may be leading to an unknown number of recovered stolen cars — many in perfect condition — being crushed at impound lots.

Another in-depth article reports on the slow success of the City of Cape Town’s pilot assessment centre for the homeless. The centre in Observatory aims to “rehabilitate” the homeless and reintegrate them back into society.

“There was a lot of fanfare around the opening of the centre in early March,” says Bendix. “But that seems to have died down as the authorities face the hard reality of their ambitious plan to reduce homelessness in Cape Town — something even the most developed and socially advanced nations have been unable to do.”

She adds that the report does not shy away from addressing the allegations that the assessment centre — which has a stated goal to “encourage the homeless to rejoin their community of origin” — is a disguised attempt by the city to rid the streets of the homeless.

The agent of change for this edition is Chic Mamas Do Care, an NGO which collects, sells and swaps designer clothes and accessories to raise money for projects working with children.

As always, the magazine carries a full range of local news, reviews, entertainment columns, comics and one-on-one interviews with vendors.

“By buying this magazine for only R18 from vendors in and around Cape Town, you’re getting an informative, entertaining and original read at the same time as doing your bit to alleviate poverty. It really is a win-win,” says Bendix.

For more information, contact:

Marketing and media:

Angie McErlean

021-461 6690 / 072 901 0589/ marketing@bigissue.org.za

Editorial:

Melany Bendix

021-461-6690 / 082 200-7088 / editor@bigissue.org.za