JIKELEZA LODGE
International
Backpackers Hostel
“Miracles Happen Here!”
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. SPRING 2009
CONTENT
1. NEWS from jikeleza
2. ACCOMMODATION AND SPORT
3. Strange things happening in Algoa Bay.
4. Rehabilitation centre becomes reality for SAMREC
5. Nelson Mandela Bay’s themed routes
7. Sperm Whale Sighting, 28 nautical miles south of Cape Recife
8. Frogging Safaris on offer at The Dunes
9. Amakhala launches Foundation Trust
10. November/December Events in Nelson Mandela Bay 1. NEWS from jikeleza
Business has been going up and down over the past few months. If it wasn’t for all your referrals we might have been lookingfat each other with sad faces. Thanks for your referrals!
We have recently been involved with the Nelson Mandela Tourist Guides Association in the ‘Save our City Campaign’. It is a sad state of affairs when our heritage is raped and authorities stand by doing nothing. The old Red Location houses have been destroyed and removed, White Location is gone and the old tin houses of Gqebera (Walmer Location) have been demolished. This all, to make way for little concrete block RDP houses.
South End is a past memory, captured only in the confines of the South End Museum. The City centre is left to decay, by business owners who do not care for the past and by the Municipal and Provincial authorities and Heritage organisations. These old buildings such as The Post Office, The Police Barracks, Victoria House, The Donkin Row Houses, amongst others, are National Monuments. Most of these old buildings in Central are owned by a Mr Ken Denton who over the past years has acquired a number of properties without really renovating those that he already has. To cap it all he has been allowed to continue this rape of our history when other business men are stopped from just painting their buildings because they are older than 60 years. How does this work?
This all in contrast to companies who have come in and renovated many of the old buildings. The Grey Institute, The Feather Market Centre, The King Edward Hotel and many of the Attorneys offices are some of the examples of good business practice coupled with historical restoration. The NMBDA is currently renovating and rejuvenating the city centre and yet we have these pockets of degradation left.
The answer is to get up and make a stand to all the business owners who think they can get away with this rape of our City and to those in authority, who for whatever reason refuse to do anything about this. If we don’t, it will cost us a lot, not only in finances but also in our pride in our City. If we do not know where we come from, we may not know where we are going to.
PLEASE HELP US!
Save our City’s Heritage Campaign - Port Elizabeth.
Please have a look at the on line petition below and pass onto others who may be interested. http://www.petitiononline.com/donkin/petition.html
2. ACCOMMODATION AND SPORT
We are filling up fast for the 2010 World Cup. We will see who is playing and where in December and then we will definitely see an increase in bookings. If you are looking at staying in Port Elizabeth over that period of June/July 2010 get hold of us now so we can see how to help you.
Jikeleza Lodge is well positioned for all sport activities in the Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth. We are literally 2 blocks away from the famous St George’s Cricket grounds. It is a short walk to the stadium and a short roll back after Castle Corner has attacked you.
We are also 10 minutes drive from the EPRFU stadium and the brand new Nelson Mandela Bay Multipurpose Stadium. The beachfront and all the related sports such as the ironman, sailing etc. is also only 10 minutes away, AND we are not in the thick of all the traffic so it is easy to get around
3. Strange things happening in Algoa Bay.
The Seaview Times - Written by Lloyd Edwards, Owner Raggy Charters / The Baywatch
During the last 12 years that Raggy Charters has been operating marine eco cruises in Algoa Bay the earliest we have observed Southern Right whales entering the Bay is in July. It was then very surprising that my son Jamie Edwards while on a trip to St Croix Island observed the first Southern Right this year on the -10th May. What was even more surprising was while he was on a beachfront cruise on the 31st July he observed another Southern Right Whale and this time it was accompanied by a newly born calf. Again, according to our records they are usually only born in the Bay during September. Yesterday while Lloyd Edwards was returning from a Penguin Monitoring cruise at St Croix Island with Dr Lorien Pichegru, a French
Scientist studying the alarming decrease in penguin numbers in the bay; it was equally surprising for him to find another Southern Right cow off Hougham Park, this time with a white baby calf. The last and only white Southern Right calf he observed in the Bay was during the last week in September 2000. It was seen swimming next to its mother just off the mouth of the Swartkops River. Last year on the 2nd October Lloyd observed a White Southern Right male mating with a female Just off the port of Port Elizabeth. Maybe it was this female that has returned to the bay and now also produced a white calf just like his father. The gestation (pregnancy) period is however a year long so this is possibly not from the same female although with all the strange things happening at the moment there is a possibility that it is in fact the mother. Some scientists have stated that global warming could have an impact on the migration patterns of cetaceans. These white Southern Rights are not real albinos as their colours do vary with age eventually becoming a slightly darker grey. Some calves are born completely white except for the dark band behind the head and an occasional black spot. These animals are referred to as "brindled" and are nearly always males. About 3% of calves born are white in colour. The white calf we observed at Hougham Park had been born very recently. It was swimming and playing with its mother just behind the breakers in very shallow water with quite a large swell running. We saw a pregnant Southern Right in the same area on Friday that was in about 4 metres of water just off Coega. It is normal for the cows to go into shallow water prior to giving birth. The calves weigh about a ton at birth, are between 4 and 6 metres long and are breastfed a few hundred litres of milk per day. The mother will nurse the calf in the bay until it is strong enough to complete the 2000 km swim back to their feeding grounds at the sub Antarctic convergence, about 55 degrees south. The female has not eaten since leaving these grounds and will not do so until she returns, quite a feat! As the Southern Right whale population is increasing every year one can expect to find an increasing number of "out of season" sightings. This means that some Southern Rights may arrive earlier and even stay longer as the duration of the time they spend here increases. The "normal" span of the calving season for Southern Rights along the South African coast is from June to October with a peak in August. So although the calves born in Algoa Bay are not atypical in their timing for the whole South African coastline it is a first for this time of the year in Algoa Bay. These whales get their name from the fact that they were the right whales to hunt as they were slow moving, close to the shore, floated when dead and produced large quantities of oil, whalebone and meat. Copepods (a planktonic crustacean) make up the bulk of their diet. They are usually characterised by their black colour (except for our white ones), the white callosities on their heads and their V shaped blow. Although larger ones have been recorded, their average weight is about 40 tons and their length 14 metres. Their numbers have been estimated at about 20 000 prior to exploitation but were reduced to about 100 individuals by 1935. They were subsequently the first whales afforded protection in that year. In 2005 they had increased to an estimated world population of 6500 and a SA population of 2500.
4. Rehabilitation centre becomes reality for SAMREC
Port Elizabeth Express, Wednesday 9 September 2009 - Written by Tanya Van Heerden
After nearly ten years waiting for their dream to be realised, the Trustees of the South African Marine Rehabilitation and Education Centre (SAMREC) received the keys to this building from the contractors on last week Monday. The trust for a much-needed marine rehabilitation centre in Port Elizabeth was established hi 2000 and as Clive Sharwood, Chairman of the Board of Trustees said, they thought it would be an easy and quick process. But funding of the building was a huge problem as promised sponsorships from the United States of America (USA) fell through in 2001 after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. "After the attacks the USA was not interested in sponsoring anything outside their country," Sharwood said. In 2003 they received R1.8 million from the Lottery Board, but they had to wait another few years to get a lease signed, which only happened in 2007. "We thought with the Lotto money we could start building right away, hut we had to wait for the lease to get signed. By then, for financial reasons, we had to scale down on the building, but finally on September 1 last year construction on the building started," he said. Now, SAMREC are putting the finishing touches to its new home at Cape Recife and according to Sharwood, should be opening its doors to the public later in September. "It's taken a lot of blood, sweat and tears, but it is so exciting to be standing here today, knowing that very soon we will be able to accept and rehabilitate stranded birds of all kinds," said Libby Sharwood from SAMREC. The facility will be fully equipped to cope with the rehabilitation of up to as many as 2 000 penguins at any given time- The centre has been designed in such a way as to allow the public to view the rehabilitation process, without being in the way or endangering the birds in any manner. "We want it to he an interactive experience for visitors. They are not just observing from a distance, but rather they get the opportunity to be up close and personal with these birds, which is a far more effective and memorable learning experience," she added.
5. Nelson Mandela Bay’s themed routes
www.tourismupdate.co.za , 12 Wed, Aug 2009 Sue Lewitton
Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism (NMBT), the marketing body for Port Elizabeth, Uitenhage and Despatch, has launched four themed tourist routes. The aim is to increase foot traffic to tourist attractions in Nelson Mandela Bay by creating additional marketing channels for tourism product and packaging them according to themes. Road signs that link in with the different themes will be erected in phase two of the project, making it easier for tourists to visit and view the attractions. The four themed routes identified by NMBT for initial development are:
1. Culture Vulture Route – museums and art galleries and places with historical and cultural interest
2. Outdoor Adventure Route – walking trails and wildlife experiences
3. Kiddies Karousel Route – children’s activities and attractions
4. Food & Feast Route – restaurants, nightlife and entertainment.
Did you know?
The Cacadu district has launched its ‘Seven Wonders’ campaign to showcase the towns, activities, attractions and accommodation options in the region. Marketing material, in the form of leaflets, showcase separate ‘wonders’, or main tourist area of the district. The seven wonders are Addo, Baviaans and the Gamtoos Valley, Grahamstown, Jeffreys Bay and St Francis, Karoo, the Sunshine Coast and Tsitsikamma
George Craven, george@noorspoort.co.za
Please note that the dates have been changed toGreat news! This year we’re gonna party till you drop!!! We have lined up a top muso for you; - Larry Amos He’s Ultra Cool and very Hot! (Steve Hofmeyer says Larry’s his favourite guitarist) Then there’s the Beer Garden…… 16-18 October. More details on our website soon.17 & 18 October 2009.Steytlerville’s annual Rainbow Festival is a celebration of all the good things in life. Join our quaint little town as we uncover the colours of the Karoo and put on a display of the best local talent. The Festival takes to the streets again this year with live entertainment in the main road as well as a craft market featuring original works of art. On show will also be a Xhosa cultural village, art exhibitions, traditional food, beer gardens, and 4x4 and quad biking activities. Between the towering mountains, awe-inspiring sunsets and quaint Victorian architecture, Steytlerville is a feast for the senses and together with the Rainbow Festival makes for a perfect excuse to leave the city and soak up some fresh air and country hospitality in a setting never to be forgotten.
7. Sperm Whale Sighting, 28 nautical miles south of Cape Recife
The Seaview Times, August 2009
Sperm whales seldom venture over the continental shelf and are thus unlikely to spot in Algoa Bay unless they are dying like the one that was washed up near the new Port of Coega a few years back. Some uninformed do-gooders (no names mentioned) tried in vain to pull the already wounded out to sea with a rope fastened around its tail which dislocates the spine causing the animal a further immeasurable amount of pain. Luckily the one we spotted was figure of health and getting ready for its next dive. It was part of a group of three that we observed 27,74 nautical miles directly south of Cape Recife. We were on our way to the Tuna grounds and had just left the continental shelf which starts off at about 150 metres deep and drops down to about 2 km; I say about 2 km as that is when the echo sounder on the boat stopped working. All of a sudden there was a large blow emanating from the front left side of a very large whale. When I saw its huge squarish head and wrinkly, prune like brown skin I immediately knew it was a Sperm whale much to the delight of the fisherman. It is only the third time ten years that I have been going out to the Agulhas that I have observed these creatures. Yesterday we saw three in the same area. This whale apparently gets it name from the early whale hunters of the seventeenth century who believed that the spermaceti oil contained in its large head was the animal's sperm. It is believed that spermaceti is used for buoyancy control which allows it to reach depths of 3 km and remain submerged for up to three hours. This wax can be cooled presumably by sucking in cold water which shrinks the wax making it less dense and allowing the whale to sink faster. When it needs to come up from the depths it warms this wax making it expand and thus accelerating its accent. It could also be used to focus sonar clicks as it uses echolocation to find its prey in the lightless depths. The white markings around the mouth are luminous and thought to attract its prey. At such depths and the associated pressure the lungs collapse and they rely on the vast stores of oxygen in their muscles. According to Professor Peter Best that although they are frequently portrayed as battling to the death with giant squid, in reality the principle food items of Sperm whales in our area are more modestly-sized squid averaging 1 to 3 kg in weight. The animal we saw was about 14 metres long and thus probably a
male as females do not get much over 11 metres in length. Males may grow to 16 metres, weigh about 50 tons and live for up to 70 years. They seem to reach a peak in numbers off Algoa Bay in winter, migrating towards the Antarctic for the summer. The most famous whale in the world was "Moby Dick" who was a white Sperm whale and had a reputation for attacking the early whalers. Our individual was calmly retrieving his breath at the surface blowing every 10 seconds in order to exhale carbon dioxide and inhale oxygen for his next feeding attempt. After ten minutes he lifted his huge tail flukes and descended to the sea floor in search of yet another meal of squid. According to Prof Best the large males can eat up to one and a half tons of food per day! These whales were ruthlessly hunted by the early whalers and it is estimated that over one million of them were killed. The present world population is estimated at 300 000 although no one knows for sure how many there are in our region.
8. Frogging Safaris on offer at The Dunes
www.tourismupdate.co.za, 19 Wed, Aug 2009 - Sue Lewitton
In a bid to address the declining numbers of frog species, The Dunes Country House in St Francis has introduced frogging safaris, where guests, armed with gum boots, headlights and an in-house frogging enthusiast, will set off to explore local frog hot spots. All funds generated will go towards the eradication of alien plant species which will enlarge and protect the wetlands, the habitat for 13 frog species. On the safari, frogs will be identified, listed and returned to the water. It starts at sunset when guests will head off to Thula Moya, a private nature reserve. Once frogs are caught, they will be identified, listed and checked over for any signs of ill-health that would indicate pollution, before being released back into the dam. On their return, guests will be able to enjoy a night drive back to The Dunes. At the lodge they will have the opportunity to buy a small beaded frog, handcrafted by previously disadvantaged individuals, with sales going towards wetland restoration efforts. In other news, The Dunes has also opened its new safari lodge, Hillsnek Safaris, an exclusive-use property. It’s been designed for families or small groups who wish to tailor make their safari experience and includes unlimited game drives. The lodge sits just below the site of the first dinosaur fossil discovery in South Africa, Cape Iguanodon.
9. Amakhala launches Foundation Trust
www.tourismupdate.co.za, 19 Wed, Aug 2009 - Sue Lewitton
Amakhala Game Reserve, near Addo, has launched the Amakhala Foundation Trust, an umbrella body under which the reserve’s social development programme and conservation centre will fall. The aim of the foundation is to contribute to the building of strong communities in the reserve’s surrounds. Some of the projects will include the establishment of early childhood education facilities with bursaries on offer, skills development for existing staff and unemployed members of the community and funding of IV/Aids-awareness campaigns, counselling, voluntary testing and nutritional support. On the conservation side, the centre aims to conduct research and monitoring in the reserve, to host environmental education activities and to promote conservation beyond Amakhala’s borders10. November/December Events in Nelson Mandela Bay November 2009 December 2009 Back to top |
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