Excitement filled the air on Tuesday, 15 December 2015 as Executive Mayor Nicolette Botha-Guthrie received a cheque from former-Springbok Captain, and Overstrand Ambassador of Tourism, Bob Skinstad in the amount of R80,000, being the proceeds raised at the 2015 Seartec-Overstrand Classic Golf Challenge that took place in November at the picturesque Arabella Country Estate and Golf Club.

These funds, garnered through Mayoral investment vehicle, the Nicolette Trust Fund, together with contributions from title sponsor Seartec (distributor of Sharp products) and substantial donor the Spar Retail Group, will once again be used to resource specifically earmarked Early Childhood Development centres (ECD) with essential items to promote a safe, healthy, stimulating and holistic learning environment for the young children in their care.

This well-attended and -supported annual charity event was borne from a conversation held between Botha-Guthrie and Skinstad a few years back on how best they could ‘pay it forward’, whilst in the same instance doing something significant in their official capacity that would make a difference in the lives and environment of the Overstrand and its people. To this end, the communications and events management services of Sue Anderson, Seartec’s and simultaneously Bob Skinstad’s Public Relations Manager, was engaged and the inaugural Seartec-Overstrand Classic Golf Challenge subsequently kicked off to a resounding start in December last year. 

On Monday 30 November 2015, Deputy Mayor Rudolph Smith officially declared Overstrand’s three Blue Flag beaches – Grotto, Hawston and Kleinmond – open for the season.

As is to be expected, the flag-hoisting ceremony was attended by a host of interested onlookers – sponsors, restaurateurs, lifeguards, law enforcers, officials and the like – who have all come to recognise the Blue Flag as a symbol of top-class beaches where sun seekers can revel in the waves with the sure knowledge that they are safe and sound and will have the best amenities at their disposal.

In addition to being “consumer-friendly”, though, Blue Flag beaches must adhere to strict criteria aimed at preserving our precious shores. And this is the message Cllr Smith sought to bring home when he urged all Overstranders to set an example in as far as good behaviour towards one another and the environment is concerned. “We are privileged to have such a fantastic natural resource at our disposal: One that not only brings pleasure but also stimulates local economic development. Let us all do our best to cherish this resource for many generations to come by behaving responsibly and leading by example,” he said.

Fittingly, the flag-hoisting ceremony commenced at Grotto followed by Hawston and Kleinmond. With its uninterrupted 15-year Blue Flag status, Grotto is now the beach that has held this status the longest amongst all 39 beaches ever to be afforded this honour.

On Saturday, 28 November 2015 the Executive Mayor Nicolette Botha-Guthrie received a heart-warming welcome from the children and residents of Karwyderskraal, a little mountainous enclave on the outskirts of Hermanus.

There to celebrate and take part in the Christmas Party thrown especially for the village’s young people were, amongst others, the benefactor of the event - the elderly and stately - Mrs Salinga von Maltzahn, the Mayor and her party of Municipal officials, the organisers and the various acts of entertainment.

The function kicked off to a resounding start with a “Karwyderskraal’s Got Talent’ show managed and led by sound technician and DJ, William Ntebe – founder of the Zwelihle Youth Café.  First up was a beautiful rendition of “My God is Goed” sung by a group of Karwyderskraal children, followed by a ‘volksliedjie’ from one of its teens that brought many a ‘smile-to-the-face’, and concluded with a vibey dance-off that could see quite a few potential candidates featuring on future “So you think you can Dance” instalments.

Not to be outdone was the Kleinmond-based Handevat Marimba Band who had the crowd on their feet and clapping along happily to tunes like “In the Jungle”, “Nuwe Hoop”, “Beethoven’s Oude Joy”, “Blue Suede Shoes”, “Buja Afrika”, “Meadowlands” and “Kumbaya My Lord”, to name a few.

As the Community Protection and Security Agencies, along with their personnel, are readily preparing for the heightened use of public facilities and services by both our communities and the influx of visitors expected over the Season, the Overstrand Municipality would like to appeal to all concerned to use said amenities responsibly.  

The use of water, in particular, should be done sparingly. This is especially given that the Overstrand Region is regarded as a ‘Water-Scarce Area’.

With the fire season upon us and its impending danger, the Municipality further urges its residents and visitors to be cautious when making fires, and to remain vigilant and sensitive to the devastating and destructive consequences affected communities could have in the event of runaway fires.

However, the Municipality is cognitive of its people’s need for Festive Season revelry and celebration, and has therefore made allowances in this sense by providing designated places on the region’s beaches where the release of fireworks will be permitted.