The sweltering early morning heat and rising temperatures did little to dampen the spirits of a boisterous group of grade-one learners at Mount Pleasant Primary on Tuesday, 19 January when they became the recipients of stationery laden backpacks, courtesy of the Ward 4 Backpack Project.   More than 50 backpacks filled with prescribed stationery were handed over to the young learners by Michael Cardo, MP: Shadow Minister of Economic Development and Nicolette Botha-Guthrie, Overstrand’s Executive Mayor.   

Also in attendance at the specially marked ceremony at Mount Pleasant Primary School was Ward 4 Councillor Lianda Beyers-Cronjé, the project initiator and co-ordinator who, along with Ann Wright the Manager of Sustainable Futures Trust, has played a pivotal role in marketing and garnering much-needed funds in support of the project.

For some, the moment proved overwhelming.  “This is the first time I have a bag to call my own.  It even has a whole pack of paper – and there’re pencils, a scissors, crayons, a colour-in book, a ruler and so much more.  And this is all for me,” remarked one of the grade one learners.  A feeling that seemed to echo throughout.

The soaring barometer on Friday, 4 December 2015, did little to dull the senses or enthusiasm of attendees at the momentous “Oral History Initiative Launch” that was rolled out at the Thusong Centre in Hawston by Western Cape Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Anroux Marais.

On arrival, the Minister and the area’s Executive Mayor, Nicolette Botha-Guthrie, were treated to a lively and heart-warming cultural ensemble provided by the Siyazama Dance Group, comprised mostly of a number of traditionally-clad “senior youth” from the district.

The impetus behind the Oral History Initiative is to integrate the various components of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) by documenting the stories behind the vast array of communities dotted across the Western Cape. The exercise will afford local community members, including sports legends, the opportunity to not only share personal stories amongst themselves, but to have these all too important recollections that capture the essence of the towns involved, committed to the annals of history. This will also, in turn, allow all South Africans, and the world at large, insight into the many diverse and varied cultures that make up the Rainbow Nation.

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.