Overstrand Municipality's Social Development Department, in partnership with relevant stakeholders, has taken the 16 Days of Activism close to heart in order to raise awareness of and stop violence against women and children in the Hermanus area.

Not turning a blind eye is one of the pillars of 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children. This international campaign takes place every year from 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to 10 December (International Human Rights Day).

Since the beginning of the campaign the Department has visited several schools, clinics and taxi ranks in the Greater Hermanus area.

The outreach programmes aim to educate residents about the negative impact that violence has on women and children and to encourage them to act against abuse.

The Grade R and Grade 1 classes of Hawston Primary were among the schools that were visited. Topics discussed, were bullying and the importance of reporting child abuse.  Children should know that, if they feel unsafe around someone, they should try to run away and scream to get the attention of other people who may be around them.

Owing to the ongoing pandemic and the recent spike in COVID-19 infections, there will be no official switch-on of Christmas Lights in the Overstrand.

But don't despair, the Christmas lights are up and will add a warm twinkle when driving through the towns.

In Hermanus and Gansbaai, there will be a 'silent' light-up on Friday evening, 4 December 2020 as soon as it is dark enough (± 20:00).

Kleinmond's Lights on Main are already switched on.

Gender-based violence can take many forms, from physical to mental, and has long-lasting negative impacts on women and girls’ well-being that prevent them from reaching their full potential.

Overstrand municipal employees, in collaboration with Cape Whale Coast Tourism, have shown their solidarity and commitment to fight against violence against women and children.

Together, let us take actions to support the 16 Days of Activism and unite against gender-based violence.

This year, the theme is 'Reject and report abusers - Act and don't look away. Do not protect abusers, report them.'

The 16 Days of Activism campaign is a United Nations campaign which takes place annually from November 25 (International Day of No Violence against Women) to December 10 (International Human Rights Day).

No library books can be issued at any of Overstrand Libraries from tomorrow, 27 November 2020 till Tuesday,  1 December 2020 due to an upgrade of the SITA Library Information Management System, also known as SLIMS.

During the upgrade, the SLIMS server will be off-line and libraries utilising this system will not be able to check out any new books during this period.

However, Overstand Libraries remain open and patrons can still return their books and make use of certain limited services and facilities, as per COVID-19 guidelines.

Temporary COVID-19 library hours:

HERMANUS: Mondays to Thursdays from 10:00 – 15:30 and Fridays 10:00 – 15:00