Plans, preparations and jubilations for the second MosJazz Music Festival in Mossel Bay are well under way and the fever is slowly building up for what sounds like a star-studded 3-day intercontinental event like the South Cape has never seen before . . .
The 2018 event will take place from 17 - 20 January at the same venue at the De Bakke/Santos resort where jazz fans can look forward to another literal experience of Jazz on the Rocks.
Some of the crème de la crème in the global jazz fraternity who will be performing at the event include Judy Boucher from the Caribbean, Andrew Young, the British saxophonist and Choko from Trinidad and Tobaco . . .
The power team behind the annual jazz festival, Clarence Ford and Lovetta Bolters of Camissa Solutions, reckon the second time around will be even bigger and better - especially the food experience! - and by the year 2020 Mossel Bay jazz fans should be able to develop the event themselves . . . and to help keep the hills and shores alive with the soothing sound of jazz music.
Ford was speaking at the official launch of the 2019 MosJazz Festival that was recently held in the Bravo Lounge of the Garden Route Casino where the media and invited guests were treated to a preview of what can be expected . . . and by the reaction of the enthusiastic crowd, jazz is well and alive in the Bay.
Clarence Ford and Lovetta Bolters (at the back, right) of Camissa Solutions in jazzy spirit at the official launch of the 2019 MossJazz Festival in Mossel Bay. Tickets are already available at the Fork and Train in Mossel Bay.
A weekend pass costs R460, a day pass R175, a weekend pass for minors (12 – 18) R230 and kids younger than 12 get in for free.
Jazz in sync - double fun! Jazz lovers are already getting into the groove for next year's MosJazz Festival . . .
Guests enjoying the vibe at last weekend's official launch for the 2nd MosJazz Festival in Mossel Bay
Some talented performers gave a preview of what can be expected at the 2019 MosJazz Festival
INTERNATIONAL STARS FOR MOSJAZZ
THE launch for the 2nd annual MosJazz Music Festival in Mossel Bay took place at the Garden Route Casino on Saturday and judging by the lineup, it is destined to be an international affair seldom experienced on the Garden Route.
The lineup has a distinct international flavour, with Phil Fearon from the UK, Judy Boucher from the Caribbean, Andrew Young, the British saxophonist, Afro-Fiesta with an infectious mix of kwassa kwaasa from the DRC and Angola, and Choko from Trinidad and Tobago, bringing an eclectic mix of sounds to the Southern Cape.
Judy Boucher
Some of the country’s hottest talent will also be performing, including Emo Adams, Garth Taylor, Allou April and the Ghoema Project, Virtual Jazz Reality and Ernie Smith.
Special performances include Brent Krus, a guitar virtuoso from Cape Town celebrating the music of Carlos Santana. Karin Kortje is also invited back to pay tribute to her role model Aretha Franklin.
Karin Kortje
UK singer, songwriter and producer Phil Fearon was massive in the 80s with his band Phil Fearon and Galaxy. They had major dance hits like “I can prove it”, “What do I Do”, “Everybody’s Laughing” and “Dancing Tight”.
Judy Boucher is a cult figure in South Africa and her song, “Can’t be with you Tonight”, is a firm party favourite in many a household.
Born in St. Vincent in the Caribbean, Boucher relocated to High Wycombe, England around 1970 and later joined musician brother Bruce's band - which became Judy Jack and the Beanstalk.
After the band broke up, Judy went solo and scored a No. 1 hit on the reggae charts with "Dreaming of A Little Island" in 1985, with the debut album "Can't Be with You Tonight" following in 1987.
Choko is becoming increasingly popular around the globe with his reggae and soca beats.
Born in Liverpool, England and now a resident of Vienna, Austria, Andrew Young has been classically trained from the age of 8 in both Clarinet and Saxophone.
After completing Saxophone and Clarinet studies in London, Andrew moved to Germany to pursue a desire for a broader and more eclectic involvement in all genres of music.
Appearing as soloist with various Symphony Orchestras in Holland and Germany, Andrew engaged in session work and concerts alongside Pop/Jazz/Funk luminaries such as Matt Bianco and the Precious Wilson Band. In 2010 he performed with Gino Vanelli, from Canada, in Holland.
Andrew’s Album “Magic Life”, with sales attaining Gold status, was recorded with Producer Garo Mafya in Istanbul.
Andrew Young
Andrew has performed at various music festivals in South Africa, including: The International Jazz Festival, Cape Town, Jazz on the Rocks, National Arts Festival in Grahamstown and the Rand Easter Show.
Afro Fiesta is a renowned World Music group and with their infectious beat they have endeared themselves to fans around the globe.
The MosJazz Festival enjoys a unique setting with the stage located on the Rocks in the sea. The best vantage point for the music onstage is knee-deep in the water itself.
The combination of music in pristine natural spaces has enabled significant successes for the festival owners Camissa Solutions. Camissa has similar experiences on offer at Tietie’s Bay, Clanwilliam Dam, The Paarl Arboretum and the annual Love Jazz Cruise to Walvis Bay.
The International MosJazz Festival happens from 17 to 20 January 2019 at De Bakke Santos Resort. Tickets in Mossel Bay will be available at the Fork and Train.
A weekend pass costs R460, a day pass R175, a weekend pass for minors (12 – 18) R230 and kids younger than 12 get in for free.
Call 0215915208, email camissa.mark@gmail.comor visit the Facebook page MosJazz for more information.
While huge plans for the multi-million rand harbour development in Mossel Bay are enthusiastically announced by the stakeholders and port authority, locals and small business owners are hovering on the cusp between cautious optimism and concern - especially since the public and small business owners have thus far been excluded from all discussions and stakeholder meetings."Whilst we are hopeful that something may happen after many years of speculation, let's hope there are not too many barriers to entry for existing local tourism & hospitality establishments. "There are a lot of vested interests involved, once again, with closed meetings with the municipality being of concern. The Mossel Bay municipality rates itself as a business competing with small business - instead of an enabler of business - and I am not aware of any invitations being extended to local small businesses who are the heartbeat of tourism services to attend the 'TNPA’s business breakfast on August 22'.Here's hoping this opportunity is used to make the business environment less hostile to small businesses." Concerned local. Development of Mossel Bay Waterfront gets the go-ahead4 September 2018Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has announced plans for Mossel Bay Waterfront, during a two-day stakeholder engagement roadshow in the town, to explore how the Port of Mossel Bay can better serve South Africa’s Garden Route region.
Sessions took place on August 21 and 22, where the TNPA leadership team engaged with customers, government representatives, business sector representatives, captains of industry and media, to provide an update on strategic developments for SA’s smallest commercial port.
Chief Executive of TNPA, Shulami Qalinge, outlined TNPA’s plans for a multimillion-rand transformation of the harbour that would include a mixed-use waterfront development, a dock for cruise line passengers to disembark and various other business opportunities.
“We are pleased to be moving forward with the Mossel Bay Waterfront to make the Port of Mossel Bay an even bigger attraction on this beautiful coastline, with a mixed-use waterfront that could include retail, commercial and industrial facilities,” said Qalinge.
She added: “A bit further down the track, we have in our sights a facility that will enable cruise passengers to disembark directly on to the quayside, instead of arriving by ferry. This is in response to calls from the Municipality and the local business community. Such a development would help to ensure that the port provides a world-class experience for the tourists who arrive by cruise ship in the Garden Route.”
Part of TNPA’s role as an implementing agent for the South African government’s Operation Phakisa: Oceans Economy programme, a slipway upgrade, is in the pipeline for the port to support the local fishing industry amongst others. However, broader consultation needs to be effected in order to establish how best the project and facility could assist the Mossel Bay community. TNPA has also partnered with Petro SA through its PetroSA Centre of Excellence to train 14 learners from disadvantaged communities in the Eden District Municipality as welders, turners, fitters and boilermakers to meet the skills development objectives of the Operation Phakisa initiative.
Other speakers at TNPA’s business breakfast on August 22 included Paul Hoffman, Director of the South Cape Economic Partnership, who provided an economic overview of the Garden Route and its business climate. Remarks were also shared by Municipal Manager of Eden District Municipality, Monde Stratu, and Executive Mayor of the Mossel Bay Municipality, Alderman Harry Levendal.
TNPA’s roadshow included separate closed sessions with the Executive Mayor of Mossel Bay Municipality on the waterfront development, as well as with one of the port’s most important stakeholders, Petro SA, to discuss their strategy, future plans and joint training initiatives.
Port of Mossel Bay receives multi-million rand transformation
22 August 2018Sagree Chetty
Image: Afristay website
The expansion will increase the number of luxury ships that dock at the port.
Transnet National Ports Authority has announced a multi-million rand transformation for the Port of Mossel Bay in the Southern Cape.
The new port will include a waterfront, a dock for cruise line passengers to disembark and various other business opportunities.
The company says the facelift will be a key catalyst for economic growth in the Garden Route.
The Port of Mossel Bay is the smallest along our coastline. But big plans are in store for it in the next five years.
Transnet wants to bring it in line with other ports around the country.
Shulami Qalinge, Transnet national ports authority chief executive says: “One of the major programmes that we are looking at is the development of the waterfront at the port of Mossel Bay. It’s meant to grow the economy, its meant to grow the business at the port itself and its meant to create job opportunities for the community.”
The plans have been welcomed.
Community Leader Bongani Swartbooi says: “It’s a new development everyone has been waiting for, we are grateful. Transnet also engaged the community, requested input for this development.”
Mossel Bay Business Chamber’s Johan Claassen says: “The more we can use the harbour to do exports, imports, tourism, we can get cruise ships here and that creates jobs.”
However, businesses leasing port property fear they’ll be side-lined.
Seavuna Fishing Company’s Raymond Williams says: “It could be that our factory has to move out at some stage which is a big concern for us. Seavuna has been in the harbour for the last 30 years and provides work for hundreds of people.”
Transnet say the port’s modification is all part of their plans for radical economic transformation in the region.
Die Opspraakwekkende robwelpie-saak op Velddrif het 'n sinistêre en grusame verloop wat 'n mens laat wonder watter mense tot sulke wreedheid in staat is.
Die persoon wat aanvanklik die gru-video oor die marteling van die robwelpie openbaar gemaak het, moes Donderdag hartseer afskeid neem van 'n vierde hond sedert die video aan die lig gekom het.
Drie van sy honde is sedert die begin van die jaar op verskillende tye en op geheimsinnige wyse vergiftig en die laaste hond - 'n pragtige Belgiese skaaphond/labrador-kruising, se hart is uitgesny nadat die dier vermoedelik ook gemartel en agter 'n voertuig gesleep is.
Die hond se lewelose liggaam is Donderdag langs die pad in Voortrekkerstraat 177 in Velddrif gekry - met die uitgesnyde hart 'n entjie daarnaas. Die Swartland & Weskus Dierebeskermingsvereniging het nou 'n beloning van R8 000 uitgereik vir enigeen met inligting wat kan help om die skuldige(s) aan te keer. Die vereniging het in 'n verklaring gesê hulle is deur offisier Harry Benson van die Bergrivier-wetstoepassingseenheid in kennis gestel van die dooie hond.
'n Beroep word op moontlike ooggetuies of mense met inligting gedoen om na vore te kom om diegene wat verantwoordelik is vir dié afgryslike daad aan die pen te laat ry. Ooggetuies se name en identiteit sal beskerm word. Hulle kan die nommer 082 414 7153 vertroulik skakel.
Dié gru-daad kom net meer as twee weke voor die twee beskuldigdes in die robwelpie-saak op 17 September in die hof moet verskyn op verskeie klagtes wat verband hou met wreedheid teenoor diere, dieremishandeling en verwante oortredings van bepalings van die departemente van Seevissery en Omgewingsake.
Die gru-video wat in Junie vanjaar skokgolwe op sosialemedianetwerke veroorsaak het, toon duidelik hoe twee mans in 'n boot 'n jong robwelpie genadeloos met 'n mes in die gesig kap, rondgooi en teen die boot vasslaan terwyl hulle lag en mekaar in kru taal aanmoedig.
Die beeldmateriaal was so grusaam dat dit landwyd opslae gemaak en ook in hoofstroomkoerante gaan draai het oor die doelbewuste wreedheid en sadisme van die betrokke jong mans.
"Enigeen wat só onmenslik wreed teenoor enige dier kan optree, kan dit ook teenoor 'n mens doen", is van die kommentare wat op Facebook-groepe gelewer is.
Abrie Bester, wat destyds die video bekom en op sosiale media versprei het in 'n poging om die skuldiges op te spoor, het ná Donderdag se gru-dood van sy vierde geliefde hond, Wollie, gesê hy voel hy word doelbewus geteiken sedert die rob-voorval aan die lig gekom het.
"Vier honde sedert die begin van die jaar is 'n bietjie té toevallig. Veral Wollie se grusame verminking en die hart wat uitgesny is, lyk soos 'n afskrik-boodskap - asof iemand my probeer bang maak. Tog is die hofsaak heeltemal buite my beheer en het ek eintlik niks meer daarmee te doen nie," het hy gesê.
Abrie, 'n natuur- en diereliefhebber, het Wollie sowat vyf jaar gelede as 'n weggooi-hond van Katu onder sy vlerk geneem. Een van die babahondjies wat vroeër vanjaar vergiftig is, was hoeka een van Wollie se kleintjies. "Ek het Wollie 5 maande gelede nog laat regmaak . .. en nou dit", het hy hartseer gesê.
Die pragtige Wollie voor sy grusaam doodgemaak en haar hart uitgesny is.
Die twee jong Weskus-manne wat onder meer daarvan beskuldig word dat hulle ‘n robwelpie grusaam gemartel en mishandel het, het hulself vandag vrywillig by die Polisie op Velddrif aangemeld toe hulle hoor daar word na hulle gesoek om ‘n dagvaardiging op hulle te beteken.
Mosselbayontheline is vertroulik deur ingeligte bronne meegedeel dat die twee beskuldigdes ook onderneem het om hul volle samewerking in die saak te gee. Hulle sal deur dieselfde prokureur verteenwoordig word.
Hulle moet op 17 September 2018 die eerste keer in die hof verskyn op verskeie klagte wat verband hou met wreedheid teenoor diere, dieremishandeling en die oortreding van verwante wetgewings van marienelewe en omgewingsake.
Die ondersoek na dié voorval wat in besonderhede op ‘n video verfilm en wyd op sosiale netwerke versprei is, het lank geduur omdat die Dierebeskermingsvereniging sowel as die departemente van omgewingsake en seevisserye daarby betrokke is. Die outentiteit van die video moes ook behoorlik deur kenners bevestig word voordat dit as bewysstuk in die hof voorgelê kan word.
Foto: ‘n Skermgreep uit die video.
Die skokvideo waarop duidelik gesien en gehoor kan word hoe twee jong mans ‘n hulpelose robwelpie herhaaldelik met ‘n mes op die snoet kap en steek en teen die boot vasslaan terwyl hulle lag en mekaar in kru taal aanmoedig, het landwyd heftige publieke reaksie ontlok.
Die video is destyds na Mosselbayontheline en Weskusonteline gestuur in ‘n poging om die identiteit van die plek en die twee manne te help vasstel. Dit het oombliklik ‘n ontploffing van kritiek, verontwaardiging en woede op sosiale media ontlok en was binne ‘n paar dae ook op radiostasies en die voorblaaie van nasionale koerante. Die video is intussen van die internet verwyder hangende die hofsaak.
Die identiteit van die beskuldigdes van 19 en 22 jaar onderskeidelik sal eers ná hul verskyning in die hof bekend gemaak kan word.
Volgens ingeligte bronne is dit in ‘n mate ook ‘n toetssaak vir die gebruik en toelaatbaarheid van sosialemedianetwerke en -hulpmiddels in ‘n hof om misdaad te help bekamp.
Die voorblad-foto’s is net ter illustrasie en is nie die betrokke welpie in die video nie.
That's the best description we heard for last night's Indaba in the Mossel Bay Town Hall, hosted by the Mossel Bay Advertiser to discuss the so-called "proposed plans" for an aqua-culture development in Mossel Bay's waters.
The huge crowd of approximately 150 residents who attended the meeting, expecting to have all their questions and fears addressed, left more confused than informed after watching Power Point clips presented by three representatves from different departments about the lengthy legal processes to be followed and all the governmental authorisations needed to start a fish farm in the sea.
Hallo? When has that decision been made and by who? Despite the previous deafening public outcry AGAINST any such plans in Mossel Bay's prolific sea waters, backed by solid, scientific evidence to why it is not feasible in this area?
The fact that the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) apparently had already been asked by the Mossel Bay Municipality to do an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to determine the viability of such a project along our shoreline, is mind-boggling. Isn't that putting the cart before the horse and creating hope and job expectations prematurely? Do the residents havo no say in the matter before the go ahead for such a drastic and costly study is given to the government, who is desperately seeking aquafarming opportunities and will, no doubt, jump at the opportunity?
WHY would any department (in this case government) spend millions on such a costly and lengthy research project if there is no guaranteed long-term gain and certainty in it for them? Another risky, state-funded Phakisa / PetroSA project in a specialised field of which South Africa has very limited practical or theoretical experience and skills compared to the rest of the world - especially where farming with yellowtail is proposed in prolific waters frequented by rare and endangered marine mammals such as orcas, whales, sharks and dolphins . . .
The Indaba was short, not so sweet and utterly confusing and disappointing. Convenor prof. Erwin Schwella of the University of Stellenbosch's Business School reminded the audience that the meeting is only informative and the first of many Town Hall discussions to promote public open talks about various issues.
Guest speakers Ferdie Endemann of the department of agriculture and Kishan Sankar, aquaculture advisor for DAFF's Operation Phakisa in the directorate aquaculture and economic development, showed some clips from their website regarding the advantages of aquafarming towards job creation, food security, rural development and economic growth. The stringent processes, legislation, policies and programs that are involved to comply with international obligations and standards were also briefly mentioned.
While all the while the audience was wondering why these issues are discussed when they basically want to hear specifics regarding the zoning area, the fish species involved, the impact on the environment, marine species and tourism, etc. in order to make an informed and calculated decision.
Surprise, surprise . . .
The audience was only allowed less than twenty minutes to ask questions . . . and thus only five or six people had the opportunity to quickly raise an issue: How will it affect tourism; what about the gigantic marine mammals in our waters; will it benefit all people, or only a handful of rich whites; will local people be employed, or will skilled outsiders be brought in . . .. .
And then time was up and the flabbergasted audience remained seated while prof. Schwella made a hasty exit . . .
None of the questions could be answered - all issues mentioned will be considered in their studies, research and EIA.
Now why does one get the disturbing impression that the decision has already been made . . . and that from now on it's basically a matter of gradually reeling in the public and desentisizing them to the enormity of the risks and environmental threats to our marine ecology, water-based tourism and wild fish resources - to name just a few.
THE DICE HAS BEEN CAST . . .
The repeated explanation that this meeting is just the first of many in a "process" to engage the public in "open talks" added insult to injury. Process towards what? Why are we even talking about something that is not necessarily going to happen, unless it has already been decided?
Once the environmental impact assessment has been done, a few public participation processes will be allowed and (maybe) a few adjustments will be made to accommodate some concerns, but once the ball is rolling, there is no stopping or turning back.
Even lengthy court cases to appeal, has been proven futile - as is currently the case in the West Coast where residents have been trying to fight the proposed finfish farming project in the already badly polluted Langebaan lagoon for the past two years . .. and lost again. The water around the Saldanha Bay harbour is so polluted that the farmed and wild mussels now both pose a threat to human safety, yet DAFF is going ahead with its pilot finfish farming project in that polluted waters . . . creating jobs by raising inedible fish?
Questions that needed to be asked before DAFF embark on a multi-million rand EIA study, include:
What company has shown any interest since I&J pulled out in 2011 after spending a fortune on environmental and feasibility studies and what (local or international) company will eventually head the project? And what has changed in the industry since 2011 that make public and environmental concerns now less valid than then?
On the contrary - the disastrous long-term effects of this lucrative "plastic fish" industry on wild marine life species and the irregularities in the trade are only now starting to surface more and more - including severe toxicity in farmed fish and seabed pollution that kills off millions of small organisms and disturbing the natural balance of sea life. So much so that many first world countries, including America and Alaska, have altogether banned farmed fin fish in their waters . . .
Even in EU countries, marine fish only makes up 21,8 % of aquaculture species, while molluscs and crustaceans such as mussels, oysters, clam and abalone are on top of the list at 43,6%, followed by freshwater fish at 34,6%. We wonder why?
No, we KNOW why and it is common knowledge across the globe . . . except in sunny, slow South Africa?
Fish escaping the cages and infecting wild fish with sea lice and other parasites and bacteria have become such a crisis that farmed fish needs to be fed more and more antibiotics as they grow immune to it - apart from the growth hormones, pesticides and other chemicals they are fed to control diseases in the floating pens. WHO in their right mind would want to EAT anything raised on such a toxic and unnatural diet that also has no nutritional value at all?
WHY is farmed fish species only tested for certain toxic trace elements and pollutants, but never for their nutritional value?
What happened to ethics and morality, or is it okay for corporate companies and governments to feed the poor masses harmful, nutritionless food in order to make money - under the pretence of job creation and the false alarm of saving them from a worldwide food scarcity? It is even double exploitation to use their labour in this diabolic industry to grow and process food which is harmful and valueless to their own health and well-being. Just because they do not know better?
Lastly: Why was the Mossel Bay Advertiser asked to host the Indaba with DAFF and why didn't the Mossel Bay Municipality host it themselves, as the municipality is clearly the driving force behind it?
This comes amidst two of the biggest abalone scandals in the Western Cape in which DAFF officials are directly implicated:
One cannot help wondering how much money the SA Government truly has for re-inventing the wheel and repeating the same costly studies and getting the same results . . . ? Along the West Coast, the ongoing legal battle to protect the Langebaan Lagoon from the same Phakisa aquaculture developments has just picked up new momentum with a vigorous fundraising campaign . . . and elsewhere in South Africa similar projects have proven to be a dismal (and very costly!) failure . . . ?
From: "Town Langebaan" <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.> To: "Town Langebaan" <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.> Sent: Friday, August 17, 2018 2:56:28 PM Subject: Update
Save Langebaan Lagoon Committee members have been busy over the last few weeks consulting with attorneys and advocates, experienced in environmental and administrative law litigation. We have taken note of their professional guidance and recently instructed an advocate, Peter Kantor, of Kantor Legal Services, to draft an opinion on our prospect for success in legally challenging the decision by the Minister of Environmental Affairs to dismiss our appeal against the ADZ authorisations.
This is an important intermediate step, to provide clarity and certainty and to assist us in making an informed decision before we proceed with a judicial review. Advocate Kantor will assess the merits of our grounds for appeal, focus on the strongest grounds for a review, as well as provide strategic advice.
We will need to raise R200 000 by mid-September in order to cover this aspect of legal services.
Thereafter, if counsel’s opinion indicates that we have a winnable case, we will instruct a suitably experienced attorney to draft application papers and launch a judicial review, before the 5th December 2018. The attorney will brief the advocate who will present our case in the High Court. The case preparation and the litigation process will require an upfront payment to the attorney’s trust account of approximately R1.8 million.
We have just begun a robust fund-raising drive. If you would like to assist in anyway, please urgently contact us This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The legal and costly battle between the action group Save Langebaan Lagoon - an international kitesurfing Mecca - and the various departments has been going on for a long time . . .
In Gansbaai and other regions in South Africa, all pilot projects to farm with FINfish in the sea have been abandoned after it proved to be unsustainable and a costly disaster for various reasons. In Gansbaai, all the salmon escaped . . . like all over the world.
South African waters are particularly perilous and the prolific presence of migrating endangered marine mammals such as whales, sharks, dolphins and orcas should be enough reason to ban any finfish aquaculture activities along our coastline - as America, Alaska and other countries have already done.
Must we first repeat their mistakes to the detriment of our pristine marine life before we learn . . . ? At what cost? Could that money/time not have been used for more viable and sustainable projects to create jobs and feed the poor?
Please read what happened in Gansbaai and Mossel Bay thus far:
