I am delighted to introduce this month three new sections in the paper; the Dave Rundle Financial column (‘Batting on a turning wicket’ on page 20),
The Retail Page (‘This Month's must have's' - page 21) and our crack at investigative journalism in ‘Under the Microscope’ on page 6,
where we ask questions of those that make up Brand Franschhoek. Few of you seem to have noticed the Guy and Girl pages last month but we knew this was a tough business.
On page 18 we publish an exchange on the Kommetjie whale beachings which poses the very interesting question of how we view our ultimate demise. David Parry-Davies writes "Somehow the western culture has come to see death as the ultimate medical failure as if death itself is a terrible and horrible outcome to be avoided at all costs. Is it time to question and review our current western beliefs about life and death?" The response from local veterinarian Dr Bridget Johnson is equally revealing and honest.
The candid interview with Environmental impact Assessor Doug Jeffery on page 19 goes some way to educate valley residents about development and how it is likely to affect us. Most striking to me was his assessment that development needs to be seen not only in terms of its impact on the environment but how it fares with what may follow. Rejecting a development today may mean accepting a worse one tomorrow because of the demand for housing in the valley. His lucid observation in his closing shot smacks of a man who’s had to deal with a large number of egos in his time. Riveting reading indeed.
On page 29 Alan Saffery returns with the second part of his customer service trilogy and makes the valid point that hospitality and tourism enterprises cannot simply rely on the number of customers complaining to determine success in providing customer satisfaction. “The majority of dissatisfied customers don’t actually complain; they just don’t return,” he says. Bang on Alan! - Ne’er a truer word spoke.
On page 14 we print information on the nine hikes available on Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve as part of our support for Franschhoek Outdoors. First go do the nine walks and then exercise your writing fingers, let those journalistic juices flow and contribute your experiences to the website at www.themonth.co.za for all the budding outdoor enthusiasts who may choose to follow you.
Want to know how much rain fell over the Bastille weekend? Or how many bottles of wine were sold in the tent? You've been wondering all week how many bins of waste were taken away, I’m sure. Wonder no more! Go to ‘Bastille in Numbers’ on page 30 and enjoy our light-hearted appraisal of the festival weekend.
A lot has been said after last month’s editorial and it was largely supportive. I'll let the contributors do their bit now but, rest assured, the drive of The Month is to stimulate debate not to be controversial for controversy’s sake. Finally, on behalf of the team here at The Month, let me wish Barry at the Tatler all the best as he hands over the editorial duties to Siegfried Schäfer.