pink loerie news 2013

May 2013

T H E P I N K L O E R I E MARDI GRAS & ARTS FESTIVALI N A S S O C I A T I O N W I T H

PINK LOERIE NEWS

From around November every year, the sunsets seem to have a distinctly pink colourisation – as if to remind us that it is time to start planning for next year’s Pink Loerie Mardi Gras & Arts Festival. Ideas are thrown around, sponsors are slowly (and sometimes carefully!) approached in the ensuing months, discussions as to what works and what doesn’t takes place and before we know it, the new logo for the year is designed, the entry forms are on the website and the programme – and this Pink Loerie News – take shape.

The Pink Loerie is a celebration – a celebration of both locals and visitors, ar-

ranged by the pink community (and everyone who wants to be pink, even if it

is for one week a year!), of Knysna, the wonderful scenery, the hospitality, its

diversity and the rights and freedoms we enjoy in South Africa. It is apolitical

and not an activist endeavour – that is best left to the many Prides and activists

around South Africa – but rather just what the name implies – a Mardi Gras and

a celebration.

This is the 13th year – and going without a hitch – opposed to what some other

‘pink’ festivals are sadly experiencing at the moment.

Initially started by local businessmen and women to bring colour to the slow

month of May, fi rst under the guidance of Juan and Julia and now Julia & Coenie

(for the last time), John-Louis, Karin and Dirk, the past 13 years have proven that

smaller towns can support the pink community and vice versa. We are fortunate

to have the support of the Executive Mayor, the Honourable Georlene Wolmarans,

the Speaker and the town council and authorities as well as the overwhelming

majority of local residents.

We want to request all visitors to support not only the competitions and parties,

but also the daytime Arts Festival component such as Little Poof Gaybaret on

Wednesday and Friday; the Queens of Wonderland Dragvaganza and later in the

day the Art Exhibition opening at Knysna Fine Art on Thursday (see the programme

in the middle pages of this edition), as well as the charities of this year, Loeriehof

Home for the Elderly and Animal Welfare, who will have collection boxes in the

parade. Donations are badly needed and appreciated – just contact one of us.

Please also support our new edition of the Sunday recovery party from 12 noon

at Zanzibar, brought to you by the enigmatic Therapy brand this year and iconic

DJ Stuart Hillary. Remember that Davanna Bar will have daily meal offerings at

excellent prices and a different themed party every evening. Do not miss out on

our mini-market underneath Zanzibar and please support the stalls.

Finally thank you to our main sponsors, Globefl ight, Zanzibar, Davanna Bar,

Barefoot Wine, The Rex Hotel, Pezulla Realty and Letting, Knysna Hallow Country

Estate, The Lofts Boutique Hotel, Cunningham’s Island Guest House, Bone Wear,

Michael Game Plan, Chris Winspear Design Jewellers, Protea Hotel Knysna

Quays, Manhunt, Mooikloof Spar Pretoria, Jonway/Gomoto, Rani Resorts, The

Knysna Belle and the many others you will fi nd in this edition of the Pink Loerie

News.

May 2013PINK LOERIE NEWS

It’s that time of the year when our town turns pink and the party lasts until the last feather has drifted away and the last piece of sequence has been swept up. But until then we’ll all be enjoying a programme fi lled with events to amaze, delight, titillate and excite.

And should you need directions to the

next party or accommodation for that

friend who decided to come along at

the last minute, please visit us at the

Knysna Tourism Offi ce on the Main

Road, opposite the Knysna Mall.

We’ll even provide a few handy tips

of things to do and see in between

cocktails and curtain call.

We hope you’ve packed your

cozzies, but even if the sun doesn’t

come out during the festival, you

can still enjoy long walks along our

beaches or in our indigenous forests,

cruise on the lagoon, enjoy one of

our Knysna Tourism Living Local

experiences like paying a visit to the

Rastafarian community at Judah’s

Square or spend the day at the

hottest restaurants and shops – pop

in at our offi ces and we’ll give you

the skinny on where to be, when to

be there and, of course, how to get

there.

We’d like to thank the organisers

of the festival - because we know

how hard they have been working,

we know that everyone will have an

absolutely fabulous time.

So have fun, be safe and pay us a

visit before heading back home!

Kind regards,

Team Knysna Tourism

The friendly staff at Sedgefi eld (left) and Knysna Tourism are looking forward to help you make the most of your stay.

I can’t believe it’s that time of year

already when our little town is

dressed up in pink and dons glitter

balls and feathers. A big welcome

to everyone visiting Knysna to

participate in, or merely observe,

the Pink Loerie Mardi Gras and Arts

Festival!

As every year, we need a little

encouragement to sparkle as the

winter approaches, and the Pink

Loerie gives us the opportunity to do

just that! We take a lot of pride and

delight in hosting this festival each

year and to offer you a glimpse into

the many beautiful landscapes and

activities that our town can offer.

Although you are here mostly for

all the glitz and glamour, do try to

explore a bit of Knysna - it has so

much to offer!

The Pink Loerie is all about having

fun but we also want to encourage

you to do so safely and responsibly.

We have Municipal Law Enforcement

Offi cers on duty to keep an eye on

the festivities and you are welcome

to approach them should you have

any concerns.

Thank you to the organisers of this

festival for bringing this bold and

beautiful event to Knysna each year.

We look forward to seeing which

exciting developments you are going

to introduce to the programme this

year. The Pink Loerie experience just

gets better with each passing year,

and we hope to strengthen and build

on this relationship in many more

years to come.

Go pink or go home!

Georlene Wolmarans

Knysna Executive Mayor

May 2013 PINK LOERIE NEWS


South African darlings of the cabaret stage, Emile Minnie and Godfrey Johnson, will be joining forces and hands to bring you an evening of fun, humour and fabulous songs.

Fleur du Cap winner Godfrey Johnson and SAMA award nominee Emile Minnie will

be performing raucous hits from the sixties to the naughties with just a piano, a

clarinet and a wine glass for percussion. Come and see these two captivating artists

light up the stage with their humour and energy. Songs include “Love is a stranger”

by Eurythmics, “Holding out for a hero” by Bonnie Tyler and “Putting on the Ritz” by

Irving Berlin.

For that something extra they will be doing French love songs by Piaf and Brel, as

well as an original Afrikaanse treffer or two.

Grab your handbag, your man purse or your moonbag and make your way to the

Minnie and Johnson show! Leg-warmers optional.

Join us at the Pink Loerie VIP dinner that is being attended by the Mayor and the

Speaker, Mr. Gay World Andreas Derleth, all the way from New Zealand and no less

than three Mr. Gay South Africas, Mr Mardi Gras 2011 and 2012 and various other

luminaries. A three course 5 star meal incl. complimentary Barefoot Wine is offered

and takes place on Friday 3 April at Simola Country Club - only R220 per person.

(Mail [email protected] to book.)

Your mama’s favourite moffi e is back! Bruce J. Little and Carel-Piet Van Eeden are here again to help put the “Oe-ie!” into the Pink Loerie.

Songs that will blow the boy’s skirts up and humour that will get the girls

fl exing their sixpacks! Thandawami the Love Tokoloshe, Denzil the “Sash”

Queen, Guru Rabmibamji and of course the reluctant faghag Mariska, would

not miss it for the world! Come and have a “gil” and sing along and see

why the shows have been sold out and have had to be extended every run!

It’s a homo-homage to some of the greatest divas of the 80’s, it’s a queer

celebratory explosion much like a rainbow bumper-sticker. Put on that

tutu and tiara, kick-start that tractor but whatever you do… don’t miss this

homofabulous show!

Opening of the Pink Loerie Arts Festival section: Manhunt in association with The Rex Hotel, Barefoot Wines and The Rose Cafè presents Little Poof “Gaybaret”!

Wednesday 1 May 2013 at 1 pm (public holiday) at The Rex Hotel Knysna. R80 per person including Barefoot Wine and snacks.

Also one show at Zanzibar on Friday 3 May at 3 pm - R80 - pay at the door for both.


In all of Knysna’s history, few people can have served their community with the devotion that Percy Mdala did. Percy Mdala came here in 1956 to work for Bishop Stainton, who was then Rector of St George’s. He taught at St. Paul’s Caradoc, which was housed in the church hall at Salt River.When Mdala arrived there, the school had about 25 pupils, and was supported

fi nancially by the Anglican Church. It received no funding from the Government’s

Education Department. Mdala and his colleague, a Mr Ganga, started a

programme of house visits in the area to encourage children to attend the school.

They were so successful that two more assistant teachers were appointed to

serve the growing numbers of pupils.

On rainy days, the Salt River fl owed so strongly that children could not cross it

to come to school. Percy Mdala would go down to the river and carry the pupils

across, one or two at a time. At the end of the school day, he would carry them

back again so that they could make their way safely home.

The school received much support from Mr & Mrs. JDM Philip, and became

known as “Philips Lower Primary School’. It was fi nally recognised for a subsidy

from the Government. The sad irony was, however, that forced removals soon

affected the population of Salt River to the extent that the school had to be closed

down because all of its pupils had been taken away from the area.

A new school was started in Thembelitsha in 1971. Mdala was its fi rst principal,

but he resigned within the fi rst year of its opening (he had, for many years, been

the only properly trained black educationalist in Knysna).

After his retirement, Mdala remained active in the fi ght for black education.

His memory been honoured by naming the new high school, which opened in

1992, Percy Mdala High School.

http://www.knysnalivinglocal.co.za/general/info/back-in-time

The Garden Route Motor Club’s annual charity KNYSNA MOTOR SHOW will take place on MAY SATURDAY 4, 2013 FROM 09:30a.m to 3:00p.m on the High School fi eld, Waterfront Drive (opp. the Caltex Garage) in the beautiful town of Knysna.

The Show is a magnet for local and national Petrolheads . While featuring a wide

spectrum of classics from all over the world , the majority are of British origin,

with all the famous marques on display - MG, Jaguar, Austin Healey, Morgan ,

Triumph , Austin , Morris , Lotus , Aston Martin . Couple this to the rich oldies

,Classics and SUPER cars from Europe and the USA it makes for a wonderful sight

to come and admire. In addition we aim to attract several Car Clubs throughout

South Africa . With the plans already being formulated , the 2013 Car Show will

be further enhanced with some great

cars parked in a special VIP area

and events, making it a Car Show

with a difference and a must for the

enthusiast and his family. The Car

Show is all about quality and offers

an exciting opportunity to see some

amazing classic cars on display.

Come to Knysna for a couple of days

( May 1 is a public holiday and take

a few days off) , attend the Car Show

and enjoy the Garden Route. There is

lots to do and see in the area , which

is rapidly becoming a national hub

for the purchase and restoration of

Classic Cars. These places are easy

accessible and welcomed by the

respective business owners.

The Car Show is the major charity

event of the GRMC and in 2012 was

able to distribute R39,000 equally to

Hospice, Animal Welfare and E-Pap

(children feeding scheme ). This was

twice as much as the previous year

and the aim is to double this again

in 2013. Come and enjoy the Car

show knowing that your gate fee will

be going to charity.

To ad to the Country Fair atmosphere,

a variety of quality food stalls , and

bar service will be available.

Further details will be provided as

plans are developed.

Peter Pretorius

Chairman: Garden Route Motor Club

What ever you do.

Don’t miss the 2013 knysna motor show.

It is a motor show with a

difference, come and see for

yourself and be amazed.

For further information

please contact

Peter PretoriusChairman: Garden Route

Motor

[email protected]

082 3214724


Dr Carel van Eeden was awarded his Ph.D. in Holistic Life Counseling from the University of Sedona in 2012. He has been in the healing arts for more than ten years and has qualifi cations in numerous disciplines, including Reiki and Core Regeneration, which he combines during counseling sessions in order for his patients to gain maximum benefi t from sessions.

The focus of each session is on creating a space where each individual can feel completely safe and secure and focus on learning the life lessons that they have

been assigned.

Carel is a faculty member of The Institute For Integrative Medicine and holds a certifi cation in Integrative and Regenerative medicine from the institute.

He is available for consulting in Johannesburg and also does Skype consultations. See the advertisement to the left for more info.

www.doctorcarel.com - [email protected]

Overlooking the Knysna estuary

from her historical home up in the

mountain, it was a metaphor for her

overlooking the administration of the

festival – and being its most senior

member, also the PLOC itself, often

calming nerves and being the voice

of reason. The current members

looked up to her for advice on

the local conditions, charities and

Representing the local interests on the Pink Loerie Organising Committee (PLOC), fi rst with Juan Lerm and then for the past four years with Coenie Kukkuk and John-Louis O’Neil and now also with added PLOC members Karin Sephton and Dirk Bloem, Julia single-handedly saw to it that the books balance, that the parade is arranged and that liaison with the local authorities went without a hitch.

authorities. Julia, who is at retirement

age, also saw to the clean-up with

her team after the parade – and no

wonder that the festival got a clean

slate from the municipality after

each year’s celebration as Julia’s

concerned eyes did not miss a thing.

She is to the rest of the PLOC the

personifi cation of Knysna – calm,

dedicated and enduring. It is sad

that she has decided to retire from

PLOC after all these years, but the

remaining members understand that

everyone, even Julia, needs some

peace and quiet sometimes over and

above their daily activities – where

she is still an active member of the

local community.

We wish her luck in her endeavours

as she is very much still on the go

– and wish to extend an invitation to

each and every Pink Loerie event in

the future. Your place at the PLOC

table will always be there Julia, now

as honourary life member!

Pink Loerie Organising Committee

(PLOC)

For more than a decade, the administrative backbone of the Pink

Loerie Mardi Gras & Arts Festival was a classy lady called


Knysna Fine Art is one of South Africa’s fi nest galleries. We specialise in contemporary South African art in a variety of media, although a number of international fi ne artists are exhibited.

LEON VERMEULEN

...“There are many fi ne artists in South Africa, but there are relatively few original

painters. Painters who love the material and the process for its own sake. Painters

who let the paint move you rather than their own good intentions. And who sees

the relationship between drawing and painting as essential.”... “We can see

fragments of a life with ordinary, domestic things to care for, fl owers, dogs, a

radio… We can see uncommon things like icebergs. But we also see paintings

about the loneliness of trying to create yourself and trying to get rid of yourself

which is to an extent the core activity of art.”... “Leon Vermeulen has given us

access to beautifully sensous, yet restrained spaces. Someone who is able to

paint a sock with so much love understands what it means to be touched.”

Marlene Dumas

Amsterdam

ANDRÉ STEAD

The Elemental Man series is derived from an in-depth study of the human male.

The development of the series started with a number of nude photographic

shoots documenting the physical attributes of the male form performing everyday

actions and movements. The photographic reference was used to create a series

of realistic fi gurative oil paintings that illustrate the movement of the male fi gure.

The paintings allowed the artist to explore the reference material in-depth and to

transcribe it at an intellectual level. It is during this phase of the creative process

that the conceptual value of a body of work is defi ned and the series forms its

own identity. As this series is part of an ongoing study of the human condition, it

is not only the physical attributes of the male form that is studied but rather the

male as a whole, mind, body and soul.

The painted works act as a fi lter between the photographic material collected

during the research shoots and the sculpture pieces that are ultimately created.

The subject matter of the photographs is the models from the shoot, the subject

matter for the paintings is the photographs of the models and the subject matter

of the sculptures is the painted works. This multiple step development of this

series bears an interesting resemblance to the multiple step processes used

in the sculpturing and fi nishing of three dimensional artworks. First the original

“soft copy” is carved and formed then it is moulded and cast in a hard medium

like resin. The “master copy” allows for a higher level of refi nement and will be

moulded to produce the fi nal editions that in turn are individually cast, refi ned

and fi nished by hand.

The research into a new subject matter starts at roots level in the studio with

the fi rst photographic shoot. Meeting the models often creates a fi rst impression

that will permeate throughout the entire body of work. As the sculptures are all

about the subtleties, it is often the subtleties of the subject that defi ne the work.

The process of photographing, drawing and painting becomes a way in which

the physical attributes of the model is programmed into the artist’s mind in order

to fl uently express the fundamental dynamics of the form during sculpturing.

Strangely, it is the “research” done while having a coffee break and making small

talk that reveals the true nature of a person’s temperament and it is this element

that sets the tone for the series.

The elemental man series depicts the morphology of man in its elemental form,

uninhibited by complex detail. The sculptures are impressionistic, capturing only

that which the artist chooses to reveal about the subject. The simplifi ed form

embodies the essence of the subject and its relative action. A person’s actions

and personality have a natural association with a relevant temperament and each

temperament has its own association with a physical element. For example: A

running man would be displaying an energetic temperament associated with

the burning of energy and the burning of energy relates to fi re. The references

to elements in the series places man fi rmly in the realm of nature and as part of

nature, not separate from it. It is from this perspective that the elemental man

series was conceived.

The gallery also handles the work of

the South African masters and works

closely with vendors and collectors.

Recent sales include major works by

Gerard Sekoto, J.H Pierneef, Lucas

Sithole and Robert Hodgins.

The owner is Trent Read, the elder

son of the late Everard Read, who

was the doyen of South African

art dealers and Trent is the fi fth

generation of his family to be a

dealer. He worked at Christies in

London for several years and also

worked in the USA but most of his

career has been spent as a director

of Everard Read in Johannesburg.

He moved to Knysna in 1994 and

opened the gallery in 1997.

Trent is considered an expert in

contemporary South African art but

his knowledge of the fi ne and applied

arts in general is broad. Clients of

the gallery have access to a wide

spectrum of expertise from his

international links.

The gallery moved to Thesen House in

2010 and there are very few galleries

anywhere to have such beautiful

space in which to operate. We have

recently opened a new venue in

the same building – A Different

Drummer handles ceramics, objets

de vertu, photographs and fi ne tribal

artefacts, and has rapidly established

a reputation for excellence with

collectors, architects & interior

designers.

We have a regular program of

exhibitions in Knysna but also

regularly mount shows elsewhere in

South Africa, in Europe and the USA.

We consult to museums, corporate

and private collectors both here

and internationally and offer expert

advice on the care and maintenance

of collections. Our expertise in the

design of environments to show art

at its fi nest is used extensively by

architects and designers. We value

for insurance and probate.

Join us for drinks at the opening of this exhibition of fi ne paintings and sculptures

at 6pm on Thursday2 May 2013.


Stock up with pastries and

sandwiches and head to the Knysna

forest for a picnic. Jubilee Creek has

a beautiful picnic site on the banks of

Millwood Creek , a cool forest stream

which meanders along the 1.8km

trail to a pristine rock pool where you

can swim. You will need a permit

which is obtainable from the little

offi ce at the boom.

To get to Jubilee Creek, take the N2

from Knysna towards George. Turn

right onto the Rheenendal Road and

follow it for just under 13km to the

Bibby’s Hoek turnoff to the right. This

road becomes a gravel road and will

take you to a four way crossing with

a boom where you will obtain your

permit. The picnic site is 10km from

the boom and well sign-posted.

PICNIC AT JUBILEE CREEK

TAKE A FERRY TRIP ACCROSS THE LAGOONTake a cruise across the lagoon on

the famous John Benn or River Cat

ferries. These scenic cruises depart

from the Waterfront or in front of

Cruise Café restaurant, and take

cruisers across the estuary to the

famous Heads and will give you a

fantastic and very different view of

Knysna including Thesen Islands,

Leisure Island, Featherbed Nature

Reserve, and the Eastern and

Western Heads.

The more luxurious Paddle Cruiser

offers an hour and a half lunch-time

cruise or a two hour supper cruise.

The waterfall and pool at Jubilee Creek

John Benn Ferry

knysnatravel.co.za/activities/top-8-things-to-do-in-knysna/


Knysna has two beautiful beaches

which this year received Blue Flag

status – Brenton on Sea and Buffalo

Bay (Buffels Baai) beaches have

clean white sand and pristine dunes.

You can swim at Buffalo Bay, which

is in a SANParks Reserve, and there

are life guards on duty during season.

At low tide you can even cycle along

the shore between the two beaches.

The beach is popular with surfers

and has a casual family-friendly

restaurant. During high season (1

December to 31 January) dogs are

only permitted before 9am and after

5pm daily in specially designated

areas and must be on leashes.

GO TO THE BEACH

VISIT THE KNYSNA ELEPHANT PARK

HIKE FEATHERBED

Knysna’s many animal sanctuaries

are well worth a visit, especially if you

are travelling with children. Possibly

the most exciting and well known of

these is the Knysna Elephant Park,

which offers the opportunity to feed

and get close up to these majestic

animals, which once roamed free

in the Knysna forests. Tours last

between 45 mins and an hour and

depart half hourly from 8.30am

until 4.30pm. This makes a great

morning or afternoon outing and

there is a good restaurant on site.

This pristine piece of paradise is

a privately owned nature reserve

and South African Heritage Site

on the Western Head of Knysna

only accessible by ferry. The four

hour daily excursion is a wonderful

outing which includes a ferry trip,

a ride to the top of the Western

Head, a 2km trail which takes you

through Milkwood forests, along the

sandstone cliffs to the sea caves and

reveals spectacular views, and a light

meal at the Forest Restaurant.

Featherbed Nature Reserve

Buffalo Bay, one of Knysna’s two Blue Flag

beaches

Knysna Elephant Park


Knysna’s history is interwoven with it’s rich natural heritage: the indigenous forests, and much of the history of this beautiful town, seems to revolve around it’s beauty, elephants, forests & people. The name Knysna was derived from a Khoi word, the meaning of which remains uncertain. Some suggestions have been “where the woods and water meet”, “straight down”, even “ferns”. The most likely sounding one is said to have originated from “Zthuys Xna” meaning place of wood.

The fi rst settlers all selected superb farms for themselves, the fi nest being Melkhoutkraal (Milkwood Corral) which included the whole basin containing the Knysna Lagoon, the ownership of which was taken over in 1804 by the man who will always be identifi ed with Knysna as the real founder of the town, George Rex, whose enigmatic and forceful personality has become part of the folklore of Southern Africa. The town of Knysna itself came into being when the areas of Newhaven and Mellville were combined in 1881.

The elephants are an enormous

part of the history of Knysna, part

of the mystique and magic of the

forests where they have roamed for

thousands of years. Much of this

history is exhibited and documented

in the Knysna Elephant Park. As

Fortune seekers fl ocked to Knysna,

from as far away as Britain, California

and Australia, when the message

spread that gold had been discovered

in the forests and hills of Millwood,

the area 33km north of Knysna.

Within weeks, a town mushroomed,

with six hotels, houses & shops, and

traders fl ourished. Sadly, the gold

rush was short lived as it became

evident that there was not in fact

enough gold to sustain the town that

had developed, and within fi ve years,

Millwood became a ghost town. Now,

more than a century later, a mystical

aura is still present, and Millwood is

a popular attraction as visitors visit

the remains of old foundations, street

signs, tunnels and mine shafts deep

in the forest, trying to relive in their

imaginations, the lives and activities

of those miners from a distant past.

Although Millwood did not succeed

as a mining venture, it was

nevertheless an important part of

the history of Knysna, promoting

Knysna as a port. At one time, some

twelve vessels per month docked

in the harbour, bringing in mining

machinery and taking out timber.

Much of the old mining equipment

has been recovered, restored, and is

now on view in the Materolli Museum,

Bendigo Mine and Millwood House,

originally built in the mining village

of Millwood, later dismantled and

moved to Knysna.

Hunted and chased by tree felling in

their forests, by the end of the ‘80’s

they were almost extinct, with only

one herd remaining at the beginning

of the 20th Century. So interesting

and emotive is their story, that

numerous books have been written,

including novels by well known South

African author, Dalene Matthee. Her

worldwide bestseller, Kringe in die

Bos, translated into English, Circles

in the Forest, gives a fascinating

insite into the lives of the people

of that time - the woodcutters, the

gold diggers, the merchants, and of

course, the elephants.

early as 1876, a certain Captain

Harison made application to the

Cape Government for legislation to

protect the Knysna Elephants as he

was concerned about the rate at

which they were being destroyed

by hunters. This was denied, being

1870 between 400 - 500 elephants

1902 about 30 - 50 in the main forest

1904 about 20 in the main forest

1908 about 20 in the main forest

1910 15 large elephants and 2 young ones

1914 13 elephants

1920 7 elephants

considered “hardly worthwhile to

legislate on the subject”, hard to

imagine if one studies the numbers

that were recorded. In the book, The

Knysna Elephants and their Forest

Home, it is stated that while accuracy

is extremely diffi cult when assessing

elephant numbers E.J.Dommisse,

a former District Offi cer in Knysna,

indicated the following table taken

from records:

THE KNYSNA ELEPHANTS

THE GOLD RUSH AT MILLWOOD

www.ontosomething.co.za/historyknysna/


This is another group of people who

are so much a part of the history of

Knysna.

In 1778, Governor Joachim van

Plettenberg recognized the potential

of the forest timber industry, thus

developing Knysna’s original

forest timber supplies, with Lord

Charles Somerset deciding that

the surrounding forests should be

exploited in order to meet the soaring

demand for timber.

Towards the end of the 18th

century, European stock farmers

and woodcutters had established

themselves in the district. For over

200 years, woodcutters eked out

an existence, frequently exploited by

greedy businessmen interested only

in their own wealth, as the forests

were mercilessly robbed of their rich

resources.

In 1939 the forests were closed

to protect them from being

completely denuded, and allow

them to regenerate. The majority of

woodcutters were “pensioned off” to

an area known as Karatara. Today,

Karatara is still home to many of the

descendants of these woodcutters,

a beautiful, undeveloped little town

where old original buildings can still

be seen.

Originally built for the Italian Silk

Spinners by Rev Rooney in 1891.

In 1881, a group of approximately 30

Italians embarked on a courageous

expedition to the dark continent

of Africa as it was then known,

encouraged by a few enterprising

colonials who had hoped to establish

a silk spinning industry.

There have been many rumours

about how the Italians came to

Knysna, and it is believed that they

Embedded in the ocean fl oor in the

Heads at the mouth of the Knysna

Lagoon, lies the skeleton of one of

the more infamous wrecks along the

Garden Route.

In the early hours of a cold and rainy

morning with poor visibility, on the

18th of October 1903, the Paquita

allegedly “fouled her anchors”, and

This precious collection is a unique

feature for angling in South Africa,

and can be viewed at the Old Gaol

Constructed at Verdompskop in

Knysna during the Anglo Boer War

under the supervision of Major

were shamefully misled about the

conditions and facilities to which

they were coming.

Ultimately their silk trade dream

never materialsed due to a failure to

produce Mulberry trees to feed the

silk worms required to spin the silk.

Believing that the African soil was

not suited to growing the Mulberry

trees, the Italian settlers abandoned

their effort, and were forced to live

out a meagre existence by means

agriculture and small scale cattle

drifted onto the Beacon rocks at

the Knysna Heads. There was much

speculation as to how the Paquita

had managed to get there, as there

was about why some of the crew had

deserted the ship or been paid off, as

there were apparently only four men

still aboard to sail on to their next

destination. Further investigation

raised even more questions, and in

complex. The only one of it’s kind

in the southern hemisphere, a must

Anstruther Thomson, the remains

of which can still be seen behind

the Knysna Provincial Hospital. The

breeding on land provided for them

in Gouna. Ironically, it turned out that

the crop failure was in fact not due

to unsuitable conditions at all, but

rather due to a bug that had found it’s

way into the area when early settlers

brought alien plants into the country

from Australia. Had they known this,

a fl ourishing silk trade may have

blossomed into a much needed

lucrative industry in the country.

San Ambrosa Church was built ten

years after the Italians’ arrival in

the end, the claim on the insurance

was not surprisingly dismissed.

This Knysna legend is now a

favorite haunt for scuba divers and

snorkellers , the underwater beauty

of the wreck with its brightly coloured

corals and marine fl ora making it one

of the most beautiful dive sites on the

Garden Route.

for fi shing fans, the place to view

valuable angling equipment and

relive the changes of the angling

sport over many years.

fort was also known at the time as

Thomson’s Folly, being used mainly

as a watchtower as it never saw any

action!

Knysna, lovingly created in memory

of their precious life in the foothills

of Italy.

Sadly over time, the Church was

vandalized, and looted of it’s

yelowwwood ceilings and fl oorboards,

candleholders & altar cross. Some

renovations have been done, and

some say that San Ambrosa exudes

a special comfort, reminiscent of the

passion and history of it’s original

pioneers , and the Italian legacy here

lives on…

THE WOODCUTTERS OF KNYSNA

SAN AMBROSA CHURCH, GOUNA

THE WRECK OF THE PAQUITA

THE KNYSNA ANGLING MUSEUM

THE KNYSNA FORT


You were a handsome young thing once, and now, ten years later, after helping your partner establish his business by doing the books, answering the phone, watering the plants, doing the curtains, and just, well, being there, the company has grown to such an extent that it now pays other people to water the plants.

As fi rst published on Mambaonline.com

You two were far too busy to register a civil union or do a commitment ceremony.

It’s only recently that the law allowed you to marry and the two of you have been

together for so long you thought you were already “married” in the eyes of the

world and yourselves. “A piece of paper is just a piece of paper.” you kept saying

to each other. “Our love means more than that.”

And then he dumps you - for a younger model. And, all of a sudden, you realise

that the house is registered in his name, so is your little convertible. The business,

which is now a major source of income for him, is owned by him alone. And

you’re being told to get out of the house immediately.

You vaguely remember hearing the term “common law wife” on Boston Legal

once. Does it apply to you? (Although you’re certainly not a “wife” nor are you

“common”.) And now you sit in the attorney’s offi ce, with tears brimming in your

eyes and you want to sue. The question is, do you have a leg to stand on?

Firstly, this is South Africa and

Boston Legal and most of the other

TV legal shows are American. Forget

about terms such as “common law

wife” and “alimony”. Yes, I know

that the South African media use

this language, but the fact remains

that none of these terms are actually

known to the South African legal

system.

Should the bill ever become law

– it works as follows. The bill

distinguishes between “registered”

and “unregistered” domestic

partnerships. If two parties feel that

they do not want to enter into a civil

union or get married, for whatever

reason, they can choose to register

their domestic partnership.

There is no general community

of property, but the parties may

conclude a partnership agreement,

which is registered with the

partnership itself, much in the same

way as an ante-nuptial contract.

That’s easy enough. But what if, as

with our friend, you did not register

an agreement. In other words, the

Venter wagon was unloaded, the sex

happened (or the other way around!),

ten years have gone, but the legalities

were never attended to.

We do have “alimony”, but we know

it as “maintenance” and the law

differs quite substantially. So forget

about what you have seen and read.

To add to the confusion, on the 14th

of January 2008, the Domestic

Partnership Biill (which we will call

“the bill”), was published in the

Government Gazette. The history of

this bill is quite interesting. It fi rst

saw the light as “Chapter Three”, in

Our friend is the exact person that

the legislators had in mind when

drafting this bill. When the bill

becomes law, one or both of the

parties may apply to the court, after

the domestic partnership has ended,

through death or separation, for

a maintenance order, an intestate

succession order (inheritance where

there is no will), or a property division

order.

The bill states that the court, when

deciding on an application and

making an order, must have regard

to all the circumstances of the

relationship, including things such

as the duration and nature of the

relationship, the degree of fi nancial

dependence or interdependence and

the degree of mutual commitment to

a shared life, among a host of other

items.

the Civil Union Bill, but was removed

in total due to, presumably, time

constraints.

The Constitutional Court gave

parliament a cut-off date to enact

new legislation to enable gay

people to marry and, as we now

know, Home Affairs took their time

to do it. There was just not enough

time to incorporate domestic

According to the bill, unregistered

domestic partnership are not

liable to maintain one another and

neither party is entitled to claim

maintenance, except where the court

fi nds, that it is just and equitable that

maintenance be paid. Thus, you have

to convince a court that it is fair that

you should receive maintenance.

A surviving partner may also apply

for maintenance when the other has

died, and much the same criteria as

stated above will be considered.

In the same vein, under the bill, a

surviving partner can apply to inherit

the intestate estate (i.e. where there

is no will) of the deceased partner.

The third possible order a court

will be able to make is, of course,

to divide the joint property or the

separate property or parts thereof. All

relevant factors must be taken into

partnerships, the legal term for

shacking up together or cohabiting

(“saamwoonverhoudings” in

Afrikaans), into the Civil Union Bill.

Chapter Three then re-appeared in

2008 as a bill on its own. But, this

bill has never been voted on by

parliament and is still not yet law.

account, and it implies that gifts will

remain the property of the recipient.

Now that we know what your rights

could be, may a party now apply for

an order in terms of the proposed

act? No. The bill is supposed to be

under consideration by parliament. It

has been in limbo for four years now

and we do not expect it to become

law anytime soon.

The only exception to this is when a

partner dies, and there is a pension

fund. The surviving partner in a

domestic relationship may claim

pension benefi ts if the partner can

prove that he/she was dependent on

the deceased. This will, however, not

affect claims on a partner’s pension

while both are alive.

WHAT IS A ‘COMMON LAW WIFE’?

THE BILL

WHAT DO I DO NOW?There are three options to

consider. The fi rst is to enter into

a cohabitation agreement which

will be much the same as an ante-

nuptial contract, wherein the parties

agree how liabilities and assets will

be divided. The law basically views

the cohabitation as a business

partnership wherein the parties

agree how to share the profi ts and

losses and who is responsible for

what expenses, and so forth. These

agreements have no binding power

towards third parties such as creditors

or do not establish immediate rights

of intestate inheritance – it is binding

only between the partners.

The parties will have to ensure that

they have a joint will drawn up or

each one his own will, wherein

Continues on p.30


PINK LOERIE MARDI GRAS AND ARTS FESTIVAL 2013 IN ASSOCIATION WITH

ARTS FESTIVALDATE TIME VENUE COST EVENT

Wednesday 1 May

2013 (Public Holiday)

14:00 Rex Hotel, Gray Street (near Waterfront). R80 entrance including a glass

of Barefoot Wine and snacks.

Manhunt Little Poof (Cabaret). Starring Bruce J. Little & Carel-Piet

van Eeden.

Thursday 2 May

2013

10:00 Loerie Hof Retirement Home, Graham

Street (one block above Zanzibar).

Charity Drive with Emile Minnie & Godfrey Johnson (Cabaret).

Thursday 2 May

2013

13:00 Zanzibar Night Club, Main Street. R50 entrance and all proceeds

go to Loerie Hof Retirement

Home.

Queens of Wonderland Dragvaganza. Starring Shannin Brown with

special performance by Corne & Olivia Mae.

Thursday 2 May

2013

18:00 Knysna Fine Arts, Thesen House, 6 Long

Street.

Free entrance plus free glass of

Barefoot Wine – all welcome.

Art exhibition opening.

Friday 3 May 2013 15:00 Zanzibar Night Club, Main Street. R80 entrance. Manhunt Little Poof (Cabaret). Starring Bruce J. Little & Carel-Piet

van Eeden.

Friday 3 May 2013 18:00

for

18:30

Simola Country Club, Hotel and Spa (fi ve

star).

www.simolaestate.co.za

R220 per person including 3

course dinner – mail dinner@

pinkloerie.co.za to book.

VIP Dinner with Emile Minnie & Godfrey Johnson (Variety Show).

Saturday 4 May

2013

15:00 Starts behind Pledge Square to Queen

Street.

FREE entrance. Parade. Floats must be ready and in line at 14:30.

MARDI GRASZANZIBAR NIGHT CLUB

DATE TIME VENUE COST EVENT

Wednesday 1 May


19:00 Zanzibar Night Club, Main Street. FREE entrance. Meet & Greet with resident Dr. Katz (Zanzibar).

Thursday 2 May

2013

21:00 Zanzibar Night Club, Main Street. R40 entrance. Miss & Me Mardi Gras with resident Dr. Katz (Zanzibar) & DJ Ariee

(Crew/Navigaytion).

Friday 3 May 2013 20:00 Zanzibar Night Club, Main Street. R50 entrance. Wicked Wonderland Party with resident Dr. Katz (Zanzibar).

Friday 3 May 2013 22:00 Zanzibar Night Club, Main Street. R50 entrance. Mr. Mardi Gras with resident Dr. Katz (Zanzibar).

Saturday 4 May

2013

17:00 Zanzibar Night Club, Main Street. R50 entrance (all day & night

pass).

After-parade show & prizes.

Saturday 4 May

2013

18:00 Zanzibar Night Club, Main Street. Globefl ight HERO After Party with resident Dr. Katz (Zanzibar), DJ

Ariee (Crew/Navigaytion), Catherine (5fm) & Kevin Grenfell (EMI/

VIRGIN).

Saturday 4 May

2013

20:00 Zanzibar Night Club, Main Street. Manhunt Mr Hot Pants Competition with resident Dr. Katz (Zanzibar).

Sunday 5 May 2013 12:00 Zanzibar Night Club, Main Street. R30 entrance. Therapy Recovery Party with resident Dr. Katz (Zanzibar) & Stuart H

(Therapy).

DAVANNA WINE BARWednesday 1 May


Davanna Wine Bar, Main Street. FREE entrance. Meet and Greet. Free welcome drink on arrival. Mixed music and

open dance fl oor. Bar snacks and meals available the whole week.

Thursday 2 May

2013

Davanna Wine Bar, Main Street. FREE entrance. Red Square evening with give-aways. Happy hour throughout the

day.

Friday 3 May 2013 Davanna Wine Bar, Main Street. R40 entrance. Extreme party with loads of give-aways. Miss Butch and Miss

Femme Competition @ 20h00 great prizes. Omega promotions &

Happy Hour Wheel.

Saturday 4 May

2013

Davanna Wine Bar, Main Street. R20 entrance. A day full of drink specials, lekker music, best drinking deck to

watch the parade. Malibu party & Wet T-shirt competition... loads of

fun.

Sunday 5 May 2013 Davanna Wine Bar, Main Street. FREE entrance. Laid Back Sunday - bring your own meat and braai or have a

babelaas breakfast for 30 bucks. Bar snacks and meals available

the whole week.


PLOC: [email protected] | www.pinkloerie.co.za | Designed by Cream Graphic Design | www.creamofceations.co.za | Printed by Paarl Coldset

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2 HARKER STREET, PLETTENBERG BAY, SOUTH AFRICA

Steeped in history, resting on a hill overlooking Plettenberg Bay’s beautiful beaches, from the Outeniqua mountains to the Robberg peninsula. Stone Cottage has stood

watching over time and tide for over a century.

Passionately restored, this historic guesthouse offers comfortable suites and boutique backpackers for discerning travellers who welcome a unique and authentic experience

to bathe in the relaxed, eclectic elegance of this iconic home.

Filled with reclaimed treasures, art, memorabilia & a sense of humour, this venue has been a retreat for many who have found solace in Stone Cottage’s quietly quirky &

creative atmosphere.

For more information or bookings:

Tel / Fax: +27 44 533 1331 Cell: +27 82 416 2090

Email: [email protected]

Web: www.stonecottage.co.za

Become our fan on Facebook: www.facebook.com/StoneCottagePlettenbergBay


inheritance is secured for the other

party.

The problem with this is that a will

can be changed at whim, without the

knowledge of the other party – even

if there was a joint will previously.

The parties should also state in their

wills that the other party should have

the right to attend to them in hospital

should one of them be non compos

mentis or not in the frame of mind to

make his or her own decisions.

It is doubtful how enforceable such

provisions would be, especially if

the other party will have the right to

decide if medical treatment should

be continued or not. As it stands

now, only the nearest relatives have

that right and we know that not

all relatives approve of same-sex

relationships. It might easily happen

that a partner could be totally barred

from even visiting at the hospital. A

court would have to be approached.

And, in many cases, it would have

to be done on an urgent basis,

which obviously has a huge cost

component. If a court will agree to

this remains to be seen.

The other option regarding property

rights is to approach the court to have

a “universal partnership” declared.

For that, you will have to prove the

elements of a partnership, such as

each party had to contribute, even if

it was in the form of skills or labour

and not just money. The purpose of

the partnership is the joint benefi t of

both and the object should be profi t

or, put in another way, acquiring

wealth. The parties would also have

to be in agreement that a partnership

existed.

It is important to note that this year, in

March, the Supreme Court of Appeal

not only recognised such universal

partnership as to have been part of

our law since Roman times, but also

that it can be entered into tacitly –

meaning that it does not have to be

expressed, even verbally. The court

can make a fi nding that a universal

partnership existed from the conduct

of the parties only.

However, it takes a court to declare a

relationship a universal partnership,

expressed or implied, meaning

having to go to court and all the

associated legal costs – and lots of

them!

Your best option at the moment is

to consult your lawyer and get a

cohabitation agreement in place to

have at least some of your rights

protected as well as a current will.

For legal help, see www.attorneys.

co.za and search ‘cohabitation’ and

your area. Several fi rms will be listed

- and don’t forget to fi rst get a quote.

Of course, the third option is to get

married or enter into a civil union,

which will automatically offer you

a great deal of protection in your

relationship – in the same way

that heterosexual married couples

are protected. Suddenly marriage

doesn’t seem like such an outdated,

or heterosexual, concept, now does

it?

Coenie Kukkuk - Attorney


CONVENTION BUREAU


worldOutgames AntwerpRegister now!www.world.outgames.org

BRUSSEL 0H27

PARIJS 1H55

AMSTERDAM 1H08

KEULEN 2H00

LONDEN 3H05

MADRID 2H57

Antwerp, city of arts and culture, fashion and diamonds, history and

gastronomy, diversity and excellent LGBT life is excited to invite you

to the worldOutgames from 31 July – 11 August 2013 and the Mr Gay

World competition from 31 July – 5 August 2013 in Antwerp, Belgium

The worldOutgames consist of 3 pillars of equal importance: a sports

competition in 35 disciplines with an estimated 6000 - 8000 participants,

a cultural festival with exhibitions, theatre events, museum shows,

opening and closing ceremonies and plenty of parties, with a combined

reach of some 250.000 visitors and a human rights conference with 500

participants leading up to the ’Declaration of Antwerp’.

Curious? Visit www.world.outgames.org.

Visit our website for registrationor more info about the event.

www.world.outgames.org

like us on facebookfacebook.com/Outgames2013

The worldOutgames are licensed by GLISA,

the Gay and Lesbian International Sport Association.


Ek ly aan engtevrees, hoogtevrees en het gely aan vliegvrees. Ek sê het. (Op ‘n plaas groot geword, so gelukkig maak geen dier, groot of klein my bang nie, inteendeel spinnekoppe was my troeteldiere en menigte Priscilla Spinnekop is deur my ma “per ongeluk” gedood met Doom toe sy “muskiete” gespuit het in my kamer).

Nie eers ‘n Delta pas, toe die rand nog so drie vir ‘n dollar was, kon my vrees vir

vlieg genees nie. Sewentien vlugte in die VSA in net meer as ‘n maand, en met

elkeen het ek my kneukels spierwit geklou, hoeveelhede whiskey ten spyt. Een

van die laastes was in so ‘n blink metaal spoetnik wat net 34 mense gevat het,

van Orlando tot Key West. Johann en Isak moes my bagasie opsit en dreig om

my te los voor ek opgeklim het. Mens land in die see en eindig in die see. My

mede-passasiers het verkeerdelik gemeen ek is ‘n fundamentele Christen en het

maar saam hoofde gebuig die laaste paar sekondes soos ek hardop gebid het.

En so gaan dit waarheen ek ook al vlieg. Vrees, kneukels, hou elke trekking op

elke lid van die bemanning se gesigte dop, en hoeveelhede whiskey. Turbulensie

is ‘n leliker woord as moerneuker. Oor en oor stamel jy, dié hel is die moeite werd.

Byt vas. Nou-nou land jy en dan is als oor. Al is nou-nou nog so 18 ure ver.

Tot en met een van die vlugte terug van Australië af. Die eerste stuk van om en by

vyf ure, vanaf Sydney is agter die rug - en genoeg tyd vir so twee of drie stewiges

in die kroeg, en ek is reg om hom weer te klim. Amper jolig.

Met die opstyg is daar ‘n knal wat die hele vliegtuig letterlik laat sidder en beef.

SAL! dink ek, wat de moer. Daar val bagasieluike oral oop, ‘n stuk wering breek

af reg bo ons dat mens net drade sien uithang. Maar net so gou hou dit op, die

bemanning glimlag en ons kry drankies. Die oop stuk vliegtuig binnegoed bo ons

word met duct tape toegeplak en die kaptein sê als is ok, was maar net ‘n rowwe

opstyg. Ja, en ek is die nuwe James Bond.

Gelukkig kry ek geslaap - met behulp van die bedwelming en vriendin Ilse se

vermaninge - en net voor Swaziland, nog oor die see, eet ons ontbyt. Toe kom die

roep oor die interkom - die hoofwaardin staan hier vlak voor my met sulke groot

oë en sê: “Crew, this is ‘n 54-call, I repeat - this is ‘n 54-call”. Ek dink dit was die

nommer. Die nommer vir groot moeilikheid as jy so na die ander kajuitbemanning

se gesigte kyk.

Daar word aangekondig dat een van die bande gebars het met die opstyg - en

sonder om te blik of te bloos sê die kaptein - ek sweer: “We don’t know if there

is something wrong with the landing gear, but it has not retracted”. Bid jou dit

aan. Dat totale paniek nie uitgebreek het nie, is ‘n wonderwerk. Ek dink ons was

te oorbluf.

Oombliklik spring die bemanning aan die werk en ons kry links en regs instruksies.

Alle bagasie nie in die luike nie, moet toilette toe, so ook ons skoene. Ja, en ek

het moerse boots aan, dit moet uit en in. Alle juwele en brille af en valstande uit.

Weer kom die duct tape uit en ons plak als toe, meeste van die jong mans moet

help. Luike, toiletdeure. Ons het so baie dinge gedoen dat die tyd gevlieg het

en ek yskoud word toe die kaptein sê ons moet gaan sit, ingordel en nou mooi

luister. Ons gaan ‘n noodlanding doen. Op Jan Smuts (die naam toe).

Die kajuitbemanning is uiters professioneel, groot oë en al. Ons gaan regtig

moet “brace”. En die nie soos in ‘neck brace’ nie! Daar is reeds brandweer en

“nooddienste” - ander woord vir ambulance en brandweer, wat wag. Die kaptein

gaan dit aftel. Ek, en ander jong mans naby die deure, word gewys hoe om die

deure oop te maak en die ander by die glybane te laat afgly. Ons moet onthou

om die suurstofmaskers op te sit as dit uit die dak val. Ek is bang ons s’n is dalk

toegeplak. Ons moet die liggies onder op die vloer dophou in geval van rook. (Wat

van vuur?). Mens volg die instruksies soos in ‘n droom.

Dan begin die aftel uit die bloute. Elke

100 meter vanaf 1000 tot 0. 900,

dan 800. Ek hoor mense om my bid.

Ilse bid sag, maar ek hoor haar. So

op 500 sak ‘n onverklaarbare kalmte

op my neer. Ek kan dit nie beskryf

nie - ‘n rustigheid, dalk aanvaarding,

vou my toe. Al wat ek op 200 meter

uitkry, is “Sterkte” vir Ilse. ‘n Mens

kan niks hoor behalwe die motore

nie.

Ons slaan die aarde met ‘n helse

slag, die hele vliegtuig bewe en

lawaai. Als ruk en vibreer. Nog niks

ontplof of brand nie. Net een moerse

aanhoudende lawaai. Van die luike

val weer oop, en die wering, en dis

weer net drade.

En dan stop ons. Net daar. Ons het

nog nie halfpad geland nie. Net so

- iieeeeeeeeee, dwah, dwah, doef,

ieeeee, eeee, doef, staan. Ons hoor

sirenes en kry instruksies om in

die “brace” posisie te bly. Enige

beweging kan ‘n vonk laat ontstaan

is ons voorheen meegedeel - as daar

brandstof gelek het is dit DWAH!

Hallo St. Peter.

Ons moet so bly sit terwyl inginieurs

die kolos ondersoek, kom dit oor

die interkom. Na wat ‘n ewigheid

voel, met my nekspiere al styf, taxi

ons in, steeds so half in die “brace”

posisie. Toe ons uiteindelik stop, sê

die kaptein, dis ok, ons kan maar

opstaan. Mense juig en almal klap

hande. Ek het ‘n verskriklike piepie,

maar die toilette is toegeplak.

Daar word verduidelik dat ‘n band

gebars het met ons opstyg in

Perth, dat van die stukke rubber die

toemaak belemmer het, en dat met

ons landing die res van die band

gedisintegreer het - vandaar die

moerske lawaai. Gelukkig kon die

vliegtuig steeds land - het glo nog

15 ander bande of so iets, blykbaar.

Ons maak die duct tape los en

trek skoene aan. Almal is almal se

nuutste beste vriende, en die tannies

druk die personeel.

Op veilige grond terug in Pretoria

bel ek die Pretoria News om vir hulle

te sê hoe dankbaar ons is, en hoe

goed die bemanning was. Ek gee die

vlugnommer, landingstyd en selfs

die hoofwaardin se naam, want ek

het haar vir baie lank dopgehou en

haar naamplaatjie uit my kop geken.

“Bernadine” of so iets as ek reg

onthou. Vertel van die “54-call” (of

watter nommer ook al), die band, die

duct tape, die toilette, die ingenieurs.

Na ‘n halfuur bel die koerantman

terug en sê, nee meneer, SAL ontken

dat daar enige voorval was. Hy het

met ‘n paar mense gepraat.

Ek het nooit weer SAL gevlieg nie.

Klokslag ‘n jaar daarna, weer oppad

Sydney toe, klim ek die draak weer.

En daar is my vrees weg. Ek lag en

gesels, neem video in die vliegtuig,

drink whiskey omrede dit lekker is

(ok dit was lank terug!) en vertel vir

die tandarts wat emigreer langs my

grappe. Turbulensie is my nuwe rede

vir ‘n glimlag.

Ek bevind my ‘n paar jaar terug op

‘n klein sprinkaandoodmaker van ‘n

vliegtuigie vanaf Isle St Marié oppad

na Antananarivo in Madagaskar.

Al twaalf die sitplekke is van

plastiek en ek kan die vlieënier se

instrumente lees, die dingetjie het

regte propellers. Langs my sit my

broer. Nooit bang vir niks. Bleek,

kneukels wit vasgeklem aan die

sitplek - daar is nie reëlings nie en

kla omrede daar nie whiskey bedien

word nie, slegs koeldrankblikkies uit

‘n coolbox. Oë groot vasgenael op

die enigste lugwaardin wat twee treë

voor ons sit en gaap. Ek kyk hom so,

glimlag en blaai my boek om.

Nou moet iemand my nog net aan

‘n bunjee-tou vasbind en van Van

Stadensbrug afgooi. Dan hanteer

ons sommer die hoogtevrees ook.

Probleem is, hulle kry my nie naby

daai brug nie. Ek weet presies

wanneer hy kom. En dan sit ek voet

in die hoek en is daar verby net as

die eerste passasier sê: “Oeeee!!!

Hier is daardie moerse hoë brug”...

Coenie Kukkuk


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Dit was nog altyd een van die grootste hoogtepunte op die “pienk kalender”... om die Pienk Loerie Mardi Gras & Arts Festival mee te maak. Elke “queen” wat haar sout werd is, praat gewoonlik van diè wonderlike byeenkoms nog voor die laaste een verby is. Die beplanning vir die volgende fees begin altyd met groot drome en ideale. Almal wil diè gesogte titel as Me. of Mej. Mardi Gras inpalm en daar is boonop baie lekker pryse.

Ek het oor die jare verskeie van die

Pienk Loerie feeste bygewoon, en

elke jaar was dit net beter en groter.

Maar hoe bring iemand die ‘Loeries’

en ‘Lorries’ bymekaar? Kom ek

verduidelik...

As televisiepersoonlikheid het ek die

einste kompetisie al aangebied en

met my ontwerperspakkies aan die

Saterdag-hoogtepunt (die parade)

deelgeneem (Sat. 4 Mei om 3 nm

die jaar hoor, moet dit nie misloop

nie). Dit was ook die geval saam met

my beste vriendin, die beroemde en

berugte Debra de Donner. Of “Auntie

DD”, as jy nice was.

En so beland ons in die liefl ike

Knysna. Met die intrapslag was dit al

klaar duidelik, die Pienk Loerie Mardi

Gras is die een byeenkoms wat ons

twee as vriendinne vir donkiejare

later nog sou saamsnoer. Knysna

was verfrissend en verwelkomend.

Die gasvryheid was ongekend en die

skoonheid van die dorp het ons totaal

in vervoering gehad. Om nie eens te

praat van al die “pienk” waarin die

dorp getooi was nie. Maar die beste

van alles was: om vriende van regoor

die land na vele jare weer op een

plek raak te loop.

In 2010 was ek maar nog skrikkerig

om vir Cleo (my alter ego) op so

‘n groot manier aan Suid-Afrika

bloot te stel, omdat ek toe reeds

op televisie bekend geword het.

Maar die uitdaging was nie te groot

nie. Inteendeel, hoekom nou nie

‘n idilliese vakansie in die pragtige

Knysna inwerk nie, so saam met

‘n “drag-kompetisie” en al. En wie

anders as saam met die enigmatiese

Debra, my vriendin en bondgenoot.

Die O.R Tambo-lughawe is koud teen

die voordag, maar met vertrektyd

was ons daar (sak en pak met die

“fake” Louis Vuitton reistasse in

gelid). Die vorige aand was daar

maar min slaap, so met die rokke

wat nog diamante en glitter gekort

het. Daar is gespoeg en geplak met

die vrese dat ons die vlug George

toe sou verpas, maar ons het dit

gemaak. En die gasvryheid van

Heron’s Gastehuis in Knysna was net

die lafenis vir ons vlugvoos siele.

Die aand met die kompetisie was die

atmosfeer gelaai met verwagting en

opwinding. Ek en Coenie Kukkuk het

as comperes die “meisies” op hul

tone gehou – letterlik! Van stillering

vir die aanbieders was daar geen

sprake nie, maar die Skotse kilt-

rompies van Peter Bondesio was ‘n

treffer aan my en Coenie. Ons het

die gehoor vooraf in “stitches” gehad

met diè uitheemse kleredrag.

Die groot oomblik het vir Debra

aangebreek om aan die “Me”-

afdeling deel te neem, na ‘n groot

gesmeek. “Onthou, dit is nou die

afdeling vir jou meer gesofi stikeerde

en beleerde tante.” En so het “DD”

nou nie juis die ondervinding daarin

nie. Sy sing gewoonlik net stroperige

en eng liefdesliedjies tydens haar

soirees.”

En toe kom die “antie” met ‘n bang!

Pure rou talent. Met daardie blou

vere-skepping singgpraat sy die

ballade van Dame Kiri TeKanawa –

“The Heart is slow to Learn”.

Haar geskeerde beentjies bewe toe

sò in daai effense tiekiehakke dat sy

moes gaan sit. Die gehoor reken dis

deel van haar optrede, maar ek het

van beter geweet...

Toe sy haarself eers neergeplak

het op die trappe van die Loerie-

verhoog, sou Kiri nie kon kers vashou

by Debra se teater-tegniek en sjarme

nie. Nodeloos om te sê kry sy toe ‘n

staande ovasie, en ek ululeer van

trots vir diè oorwinning in die kleine.

Ek en Coenie het daar gestaan en

wind sluk uit pure verbasing vir die

onverwagse, maar welkome triomf

van “DD”.

Dit was ‘n kragtoer.

Sy het haar tien minute van sprankel

vir die Loeries gegee, maar sy het ‘n

leeftyd se onthou terug gekry – en sy

het plek gekry in die top drie.

Aanvanklik was dit ‘n gesoebat

en ‘n gekners van tande. Dit het

talle vergaderings saam met

die organiseerders gekos en ‘n

omkoopsessie by haar gunsteling

vel-tegnikus vir ‘n facial, om haar

te oorreed om my te vergesel na

die “Lorries” toe. Sy het uiteindelik

naam gemaak en die ervaring deel

gemaak van haar ryk skatkis van

herinneringe. Ek dink Knysna onthou

nou nog die “antie met die blou rok”.

Maar toe sy die eerste keer gehoor

het van die Pienk Loerie, vra sy

my met so ‘n vaal en verwese

uitdrukking op die gesig: “Waar de

fok staan die Pienk Lorries”... toe

bars ek in trane uit van die lag en sê:

“Ag toemaar vriendin,ek sal jou gaan

wys. Onthou net een ding, “The heart

is slow to Learn”. Dankie Knysna vir

die pragtige herinneringe. Kom ons

maak vanjaar weer so, en elke ander

jaar!

Bring jou beste vriend(in) en maak jou

eie mooi lewensoomblik in Knysna.

En as jy vir my of Debra raaksien,

kom sê hallo en “be nice to DD.”

Eagan Williamson

(Cleo Houston-Brown)


Hierdie gaan oor my.

Hierdie is vir my op daardie dae wat ek dwaas en bang voel. Wanneer ek dink dat ek verkeerd of immoreel of sleg is of wat ookal in my gedagtes skuil.

Hierdie is om te sê na moer met die idee dat ek nie kan wees wie ek is nie.

Hierdie is vir die tye wat ek bang of skaam gevoel het of die kere wat ek trots gevoel het dat ek nie so baie praat oor die feit dat ek gay is nie.

Hierdie is vir die kere wat ek abnormaal voel.

Want op hierdie oomblik voel ek wonderlik.

Op hierdie oomblik voel ek natuurlik.

Op hierdie oomblik voel ek dat hulle almal verkeerd is.

Op hierdie oomblik weet ek dat ek nie op aarde is net om kinders te maak nie.

Nou weet ek dat die idee dat ek onnatuurlik is, beide onnosel en ondeurdag is.

Die idee dat liefde net op een manier kan bestaan.

Die idee dat ek nie emosie kan toon teenoor iemand van my eie geslag nie.

Heeltemal verspot. Heeltemal verkeerd.

Ek weet nou dat wie ek is, nie gebaseer is op die ‘belàngrike dinge’ nie.

Hierdie is vir daardie dae wanneer ek omgee of my arms die een omhels vir wie ék lief is.

Hierdie is vir die dae wanneer ek dink dat ek nie ‘n ‘normale’ lewe kan leef nie.

Hierdie is vir die dae wanneer ek dink dat dit tel.

Hierdie is vir die dae as ek gekritiseer word.

Hierdie is vir die dae as ek aangeval word.

Hierdie is vir die kere wat ek bang is om in die straat te loop.

Hierdie is vir die kere wat ek seergemaak of verneder is.

Hierdie is vir wanneer ek ‘faggot’ genoem word.

Hierdie is vir my geliefde.

Hierdie is vir die ‘gay agenda’.

Hierdie is vir die idee dat ek ‘slegs ‘n seksuele wese’ is.

Hierdie is vir die idee dat ek ‘net seks wil hê’ en dat ek nooit vir uitstappies wil gaan of net sit en lees terwyl jy in die kamer is nie.

Hierdie is vir die idee dat ek ‘net met my geslagsorgaan kan dink’.

Hierdie is vir die idee dat ‘gaywees net met seks te doen het’.

Hierdie is vir jou wat vir my sê dat my gevoelends nie tel nie.

Hierdie is vir my want ek is eg.

Hierdie is bowenal vir my want ek het die reg om gelukkig te wees.

En hierdie is net soveel vir jou.

Uit: “Revolutionising Voices- A Multicultural Queer Youth Anthology” (Ed: Amy Lennie)- p.3Vrye Afrikaanse vertaling – Coenie Kukkuk

pink loerie news 2013

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