Benhurst: A Breadbasket Case
Okay! It's official! My name was on the list handed over to the Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court of South Africa today of individuals to be sworn in as Members of Parliament's National Assembly and Provincial Legislatures across the country on Wednesday, 21 May! The list is available here, and I'm on page 13.
Next week I will solemnly affirm in the presence of the Chief Justice (as opposed to swearing an oath, which is religious) my allegiance to the Republic, its Constitution and laws and to perform my duties as a Member of the National Assembly of Parliament to the best of my abilities.
Until then, back to Benhurst as the plot thickens...
As you can see, Benhurst is north of Bradley and located in the "breadbasket" of the region: A stretch of the north coast predominantly dedicated to producing the region's food. But more about that later.
After the dip in the dam, we're off to spend the night at the home of Mr Gordon Plumstead, the manager of the North Coast Nature Nature Reserve, who lives in Benhurst.
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We pull up in the drive way of Gordon's home at the end of Lilac Street, keeping our opinions of the faux Tudor style exterior to ourselves...
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Gordon lives on the eastern end of the little village that is Benhurst, close to the freeway to Bradley and the Benhurst train station that also links the neighbouring town by rail.
Benhurst, despite its rather unimpressive stature, has a local clinic, a primary school, and a modest chapel used by various denominations and religious groups for services and the town-at-large for public meetings.
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The conversation at the dinner table drags on way into the night, especially after the mention of the name of Congressman Ross piqued Gordon's interest.
Gordon had not only heard the name before, but was well acquainted with the dealings of Double Cross Ross. Armed with another bottle of Chardonnay, Gordon reveals a web of lies, deceit and manipulation.
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The North Coast Nature Reserve was declared a federal conservation area by Congress in the late 1970s. The Reserve covers the area east of the R74 and up to 5km off the north coast. The area may not be developed or permanently settled in anyway, in order to preserve the local fauna and flora.
Ocean View, the Wayne Ross development in which we were asked to invest, completely ignored this and this was never properly investigated. We add this to our to-do list as we set out to save the world...
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However, it doesn't just end there... the next morning Gordon takes us on a tour of the surrounding farmland west of Benhurst.
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This agricultural heartland of the region has also remained the breadbasket because of a resolution dating back to the founding days which specified that produce grown for food will not be taxed, while non-foodstuff will be taxed heavily. This includes, for example, grain used for whiskey or beer, grapes used for wine, tobacco or flowers.
Congress has upheld this resolution and this applies to all produce grown in the North Coast District Municipality even if it is exported elsewhere for any purpose other than food consumption.
But Gordon takes us south to two grape farms along the river...
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It is alleged that the grapes produced on these two farms end up in the wine bottles of a company in which Congressman Ross is the majority shareholder... tax free.
Our to-do list grows...
Fortunately Benhurst and surrounds is not just known for dodgy dealings and questionable transactions. Gordon shows us why the area is known as the breadbasket of the region as he takes us on a tour of the not-so-dodgy farms and cattle kraals.
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What a beautiful stretch of countryside!
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We bid farewell to Gordon at the Benhurst Station, where he catches the train to Bradley for some business in town.
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With Benhurst behind us we head further north - Tamworth bound - armed with new information and an even greater cause.
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