Update
PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - "Plettenberg Bay will never be the same after this morning," quipped the town's crime prevention association's (PBCPA) chair, Bruce Richardson, as he addressed a group of extremely oddly dressed residents last week.
More than 30 locals, among them some prominent community members, showed up at Central beach on Friday 1 September, dressed up as anything from fairies and other mythical creatures to superheroes and dinosaurs.
If that was not strange enough, the group of 34 then dashed, in their outfits, into the chilly ocean at sunrise.
Anti-crime car
The reason for the madness was to raise funds for the PBCPA – a nonprofit organisation – for a dedicated vehicle to boost crime-fighting efforts. And they were very successful at this, managing to raise just short of R34 000.
Any resident, visitor or group could sponsor a PBCPA member or nominate a local by depositing R1 000 into the PBCPA's bank account. They then had the power to "dictate" the person's outfit for the event.
Among those who participated were deputy mayor Jessica Kamkam, senior manager for Bitou public safety Andile Sakati, CrossFit Plett owner Donald Ravenscroft, former councillor and local businessman Wayne Craig and the executive members of the PBCPA.
Some of the costumes included the infamous green Borat swimsuit, a life-sized pregnant Barbie in a box, a T-Rex, Fred Flinstone, various fairies and ballerinas, drag queens, criminals, rugby players, superheroes and even a mermaid.
Local businesswoman Denise McNamara (Barbie).
Police prank
The laughs were plenty and the morning included several hilarious moments, including a case of mistaken identity.
One of the ocean dippers, law enforcement officer Siya Vandala, came dressed as a criminal with a balaclava covering his face. He proceeded to snatch one of the residents' handbags and made off with it.
Surrounded by crime fighters, this did not go unnoticed. A local security officer, who did not realise it was a prank, set off after Vandala and apprehended him just metres further.
Richardson said he was overwhelmed by the support and hoped it would become an annual event.
Read a previous article: Fantastical spring dip in Plett
ARTICLE: YOLANDÉ STANDER, KNYSNA-PLETT HERALD CORRESPONDENT
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