The Executive Mayor of Overstrand, Alderman Rudolph Smith attended a cocktail function before the official opening of the 2017 Hermanus Times Kalfiefees that took place amidst a festive atmosphere at the Classroom in Sandbaai last night, 10 August. Local residents Deon Opperman and musical genius Janine Neethling were acknowledged for their meaningful and outstanding contribution to the development of the arts.

Local residents Deon Opperman and musical genius Janine Neethling were acknowledged for their meaningful and outstanding contribution to the development of the arts. 

Pictured at the handover are (from left to right):  Jimmy Hattingh (Kalfiefees chairman), Deon Opperman (renowned writer, director and producer), Janine Neethling (celebrated composer), Mayor Rudolph Smith and Anna Spaarwater (Kalfiefees co-ordinator).

On Tuesday, 8 August 2017 Overstrand Municipality was host to the panel of judges of the National Arbor City Awards, in the course of the second phase of the evaluation process of the competition.  This follows the municipality receiving news earlier in the year that it had made the shortlist for this prestigious honour based on having met the necessary greening and landscape management criteria under scrutiny.

During the visit, Overstrand’s horticulturist, Lauren Rainbird, provided the judges with a comprehensive and informative overview of the different tree planting and greening projects initiated in the various towns across the area.  Input was also received from the Director of Economic Development and Tourism: Solomzi Madikane, the Director of Protection Services: Neville Michaels and the Director of Community Services: Roderick Williams, who respectively gave some insight into to how their portfolios aid the management and implementation of the municipality’s greening practices. 

To that end, elements such as beautifying the surrounds, creating an environment that is aesthetically appealing to residents and visitors, establishing an investor friendly climate, promoting awareness and appreciation of environmental conservation and development,

South Africa has 2800 kilometres of coastline from the desert border with Namibia on the Atlantic (western) coast southwards around the tip of Africa and then northeast to the border with Mozambique on the Indian Ocean.  Many communities depend on this coast and South Africa's oceans to sustain their livelihoods.  Over 300 businesses are currently leasing state owned coastal property and these include fishing, recreational, sport, leisure, retail, tourism, mining, farming, hospitality, logistics and energy operations. The Department of Public Works in partnership with other National Departments including DAFF, DEA, NT, Coastal Provincial Governments, Districts and Local Municipalities will be convening an Operation Phakisa: Oceans Economy: Small Harbours and State Coastal Property Marketing Conference with the sole purpose of attracting investment to unlock further economic opportunities.

On Tuesday, 18 July 2017, Overstrand Executive Mayor, Ald Rudolph Smith accompanied by mayoral committee members Cllrs Elnora Gillion and Arnie Africa, set the pace in Overstrand’s contribution to the Mandela Day Campaign by paying a visit to the Health and Welfare Centre in Hawston.The event afforded the opportunity for the facility’s Chairperson, Wally Moosa, to take the Mayor and his party on a guided tour of the premises that involved a walk through the wards, kitchen, laundry and an inspection of its well-kept sustainable vegetable and herb garden.  During the

The event afforded the opportunity for the facility’s Chairperson, Wally Moosa, to take the Mayor and his party on a guided tour of the premises that involved a walk through the wards, kitchen, laundry and an inspection of its well-kept sustainable vegetable and herb garden.  During the stay the mayor engaged with a number of in-care patients and staff before lending a hand in dishing out 67 cups of soup and bread to a queue of children who stood patiently in line waiting their turn. While there, Mayor Smith also took the time to handover a wheelchair that Centre Manager, George Kinnear said would do much to assist with the service offering they provide to the community.