Two Cape Grysbokkies had to be euthanised recently after they were hit by motorists driving too fast and just leaving them on the side of the road to die.

Flattened tortoises in the middle of the road and frogs going for a late-night stroll are also run down are almost a daily occurrence.

Speed limits on the R44 Clarence Drive vary between 60 and 80 kilometres per hour and it's so important that you stick to those limits to avoid collisions due to the unexpected crossing of the road by wildlife.

Motorists need to understand and respect the fact that wildlife in a biosphere is unpredictable. Slow down, be observant and aware of what is happening on the road in front of you and try to avoid hitting small creatures out for a stroll.

Residents have asked about the road works along the R43 at the entrance of Masakhane, an informal settlement just outside Gansbaai.

The project entails the construction of a new access road to the development off the R43 and a round-about (traffic circle) at the R43/Masakhane Road/Gansbaai Main Road intersection.

This is the background of the project:

Overstrand Municipality compiled an Overstrand Housing Strategy: five-year program or Housing Pipeline which is included in the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) to inform the roll-out of housing projects including the 1 479 serviced stands in Masakhane.

Temperatures are rising and snakes are becoming more active after a long period of hibernation; they are hungry, and in search of food.

October to May is snakebite season.

Watch where you step and pay close attention while enjoying outdoor activities. We would also remind pet owners to keep an eye on their domestic pets as they may fall prey to snakes. Keeping your home and yard clutter free can help immensely.

Snakes are generally not aggressive, as long as they don't feel threatened.

Should you come across a snake, keep at least 3 - 5 m between you and the snake at all times; do not corner them. Please stay calm and keep your eyes on the snake, if possible, until the snake catcher arrives.

The Initiation Summer Season - when initiates are expected to stay in isolation for an extended period – commenced in Hermanus during the past weekend.

Overstrand Municipality has for many years allowed initiation practices on the municipal farm in the Hemel-en- Aarde Valley. In fact, there are formal agreements in place with the Hermanus Initiation Forum for the use of pockets of land on the aforementioned property.

The Municipality had a number of consultative meetings from 14 November 2022 onwards, which were ongoing and therefore was quite surprised when it became known that initiates had already started arriving during the weekend. It should be noted that OM had not yet been informed of the actual starting date.