On Wednesday, 20 August 2014, Executive Mayor Nicolette Botha-Guthrie congratulated six young men who had completed a 3 month course at Chrysalis Academy in Cape Town. The course was arranged by the Department of Community and Safety, together with Overstrand Municipality and the SAPS. The Director: Protection Services, Mr Neville Michaels, and Mr Zingani Tshefu of Law Enforcement, were the driving force behind the initiative in our area.

The training introduced the group to different courses such as Youth Leadership Development and Skills Training Program and Outdoor Adventure Leadership Development Programs.

These dynamic young men came back ready to showcase the skills they obtained to the people of the Overstrand. They will rotate in the Directorate of Protection Services of the Municipality for the duration of 9 months.

Talking to the group, Mayor Nicolette Botha-Guthrie expressed her appreciation to these young people who are motivated for a challenge and change in the area. These young men were identified to take part in this life changing training to plough their newfound knowledge back in their respective areas.

Changes to sewerage charges make maintaining watertight conservancy tanks a must
With effect from 1 July 2014, single residential properties will no longer be granted an unlimited number of free-of-charge tanker callouts per month. In future, owners of these properties will have one of two options:

1.    Either opt to pay a basic fee of R70 plus the infrastructure levy of R10,94 per month only (tariff code SE9A), with the understanding that every time a tanker service is requested, this service will be charged at R478 (office hours, i.e. weekdays before 15:00) or R956 (after hours) per removal of up to 5/6kℓ of sewerage per call; or

2.    Pay a monthly fee of R103.90 plus R11,70 per kℓ of water used per month, based on a maximum of 35 kℓ per month (70% of 50 kℓ), plus the infrastructure levy of R10,94 per month (tariff code SE7A1), which will entitle you to a maximum of two tanker service callouts during office hours at no additional charge per month. As per option 1 above, all additional service requests will be charged at either R478 (office hours, i.e. weekdays before 15:00) or R956 (after hours).

At the launching of the employability and enterprise development programme and commissioning of the upgraded gymnasium facility which took place in Gansbaai on Wednesday, 16 July, hope was given to young people of the area by speakers of the day.

Mayor Nicolette Botha-Guthrie outlined a few things about the project.  In her speech she welcomed everyone and acknowledged the fact that the Gansbaai sport facility has hosted several visits by former Ministers of Sport in the Western Cape over the past eight years of its existence.
 
Mayor recalled visits by Minister Whitey Jacobs who did the sod turning with the former Mayor, Cllr Theo Beyleveldt in November 2006.  “He also opened the first Under 16 soccer tournament for boys and girls of the Western Cape on 7 December 2007.   Mr Cameron Dugmore attended the official launching of the project during April 2008.  Minister Ivan Meyer supported the facility by means of financial contributions for developmental programmes and other infrastructural upgrades”, said Mayor.

The stylized Mandela Mosaic Mural was officially unveiled by the Executive Mayor Nicolette Botha-Guthrie on Mandela day, 18 July 2014, in an event attended by councillors, Junior Councillors and members of the public.
 
This mosaic mural initiative was conceptualised last year when the late Mr Nelson Mandela’s health deteriorated.  Mayor decided that, in honour of the late former president of South Africa, his face will be portrayed in a mosaic mural in the garden at the municipal main building in Hermanus.

She wanted to honour the legacy of Madiba for the benefit of the whole of the Overstrand community.  She wanted to establish something tangible for the enjoyment of the public and visitors to the area.