Yesterday, Overstrand Executive Mayor, Dr Annelie Rabie, attended the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations held at the Old Harbour in Hermanus, together with fellow municipal officials and her Mayco members.

During this occasion, 19-year-old Zwelihle resident and organiser of the event, Inga Mfundisi, lit a beacon to celebrate Queen Elizabeth and her 70 years on the throne and as Head of the Commonwealth. Earlier in the year, the Commonwealth issued a call to action for youth across the commonwealth countries to take part in this event and Inga approached them with a request to make the Overstrand part of this historic moment.

The Mayor expressed her congratulation s and appreciation to Inga and said this young girl brought honour to Hermanus. “My wish for everyone here is to feel welcome and at home. May you all feel that you belong and that the Overstrand is where you want to grow up and develop and contribute,” Mayor Rabie said.

Overstrand Municipality's Local Economic Development (LED), in partnership with Grootbos Foundation's 2022 Employability Programme, offers an excellent opportunity to young individuals who want to improve their employability and life skills.

This is in response to a request at the monthly First Thursdays with Mayor Rabie, where young people raised their concerns regarding job opportunities and work readiness. The Mayor expressed her satisfaction with workshops such as these, where the private sector give their much-needed support.

The programme will start with a three-day workshop in July and will equips youth, aged 18 – 35, with the knowledge and skills for the world of work.

Young people from all areas in the Overstrand can apply to attend the workshops in Gansbaai and Hermanus.

The Council of Overstrand Municipality approved its R1.83 billion total expenditure budget for the 2022/23 financial year with a supporting vote of a majority of its members on 31 May 2022.

Council adopted a resolution that the lifespan of the existing Integrated Development Plan (IDP) will be extended for the 2022/23 financial year. “This gives us an opportunity to, with effect August 2022, start the design of the new generation IDP with full focus on manifesting the 3C’s (Communication, Crime Prevention, and the Cost and ease of doing business with Overstrand) in pursuit of our overall vision of an Overstrand for All.”

In her IDP and Budget speech, Executive Mayor, Dr Annelie Rabie, said the draft budget that was tabled at the end of March, did not change substantially.

The Overstrand Thusong Services Centre, in partnership with various government departments visited the communities of Stanford and Kleinmond on 25 and 26 May 2022, respectively.

The outreach forms part of government’s ongoing effort to bring much needed services closer to communities.

Some of the services on offer included services from the Department of Labour and Employment, Department of Social Development, Overstrand Youth desk, Independent Electoral Commission, Boland College, South African Revenue Service,

Government Communication and Information System, CCMA, National Youth Development Agency and the Department of Health.

Maria and Magdalena Davids, two sisters from Stanford, expressed their sincere appreciation with the fact that services, which are usually expensive to access because of enormous transport costs, were made easily accessible.