On Tuesday, 9 July 2019, the new Provincial Minister of Human Settlements Tertius Simmers, accompanied by the Overstrand Executive Mayor, Dudley Coetzee, and Overstrand Constituency Head and Speaker of Parliament, Masizole Mnqasela, as well as councillors and municipal officials, conducted a site inspection to monitor progress on the Hawston Housing Development Project.

The Hawston Integrated Residential Development Project (IRDP), situated on a portion of land adjacent to the R43 in Hawston forms an extension of an existing residential area, and is approximately 13 hectares in extent.

It comprises 489 sites that include 107 residential sites for the affordable housing market, i.e. Grant Assistance Programme (GAP) and Finance Linked Individual Subsidy Programme (FLISP), 378 residential sites for the Breaking New Ground (BNG) market, two business sites, two community zoned sites and nine open public spaces, roads and a storm water retention pond.

The heavy clouds and cold, wet wintery weather did little to dampen the spirits of the Cliff Path Management Group at the launch of the latest edition of the Hermanus Cliff Path brochure that took place at the Windsor Hotel on Monday, 8 July 2019.

The brochure is dedicated to the memory of David Beattie who literally and figuratively put the Hermanus cliff path on the map.

The ± 12km cliff path is one of the most unique attractions of Hermanus and stretches from the New Harbour along the coastline to Grotto beach. The updated edition of the cliff path also explains the origins of the names of various points on the map, such as Tamatiebank, Kammabaai and Sieverspunt to name but a few.

Wheelchair friendly sections have been created wherever possible for the benefit of the disabled, elderly and infants in strollers and prams.

Speaking at the event, Overstrand Executive Mayor Dudley Coetzee, pointed out that David was a man who truly dedicated his life, not only to conservation, but also to unlocking the treasures so richly bestowed upon Overstrand.

This week we saw another threat on businesses and the economy of the Overstrand by a self-appointed labour watchdog.  Not only is this self-policing detrimental to the tourism industry of the Overstrand, it is also illegal.  I have consulted with many business owners over the past weeks and I am confident that this type of planned action is uncalled for.  There has not been any indication of labour issues. 

That being said, if anyone feels that they are treated unfairly in their workplace, there are legal avenues to follow with unions and the Department of Labour. Also, we can not tolerate business employing people who are in the country illegally and as such any illegal immigrants and the business that employs them can be reported directly to Home Affairs.

To remove or not to remove -  that is the question

After the devastating fires we endured in the Overstrand during January 2019, the sound and smell of a fire brings different images to different people. 

Surprisingly, fire is one of our greatest tools for biodiversity conservation and fuel management, but as we as a community experienced it, it is also one of our most destructive forces...

About 70% of the ecosystems that cover South Africa is fire-adapted. They need to burn in order to maintain their ecological integrity. But because of human activity there is a need to manage fire in a manner that is appropriate for the land-use and land-type, while maintaining natural processes and patterns as far as possible.