The Sandbaai Commonage is, yet again, being offered for sale with a view to the development thereof.

The tender offers bidders two options: The first is to purchase and develop the whole of the remainder of Erf 2834 Sandbaai, which includes unregistered erf 2837 (in extent ±39 ha), and the second is to purchase and develop unregistered Erf 2837 Sandbaai (± 14,3 ha) only.

As indicated on the development proposal, proposed developments on the remainder of Erf 2834 Sandbaai as a whole can comprise residential and business premises as well as a retirement village, whereas the proposed development on unregistered Erf 2837 Sandbaai will be limited to a retirement village only. As a part of this development, the open space area between the development and the river must be rehabilitated and landscaped at the cost of the developer.

At the meeting held on Friday, 2 December, Overstrand council approved the area name and street names for the first phase of the Zwelihle upgrading of Informal Settlement Project (UISP) on a portion of Erf 316 and Unregistered Erven 197 to 207, Garden Site, Zwelihle in consultation with the benefiting community.

The Garden Site Housing Development is now called Mshenxiswa Village, after the late Chief Whip of the ANC branch in Hermanus, Councillor Mzameni Mshenxiswa. Councillor Mshenxiswa served Zwelihle Ward 5 as Ward Councillor since May 2011 until the day of his passing in 2014.

The main road for this area will be known as Zola Street and residents have decided to name the other roads after flowers.

On Wednesday, 30 November 2016 Desiree Arrison, Overstrand’s Director of Management Services and Neville Michaels, Director of Protection Services oversaw the delivery of care packs comprised of toiletries, napkins and essential items to the SAPS Trauma Rooms in Hermanus, Kleinmond, Stanford and Gansbaai.

The initiative forms part of the municipality’s programme aimed at raising awareness for the “16 Days of Activism against the Abuse of Women and Children Campaign” that falls between 25 November and 10 December each year.

On receiving the care pack for victims of abuse serviced by the Hermanus Police Station, Captain Fadila September said, “Thank you so much for this generous donation.  These items will bring comfort and offer relief to those women and children who unfortunately find themselves in need of our assistance.”

On Friday, 25 November 2016 Kleinmond locals turned out in their masses in support of an occasion aimed at showcasing the “16 Days of Activism against the Abuse of Women and Children” campaign that is commemorated from 25 November to 10 December each year.

Speaking at the event, Ward Councillor Grant Cohen pointed out that while it was encouraging to see communities joining forces for the period, extending the programme to a year-long campaign would reap greater results.

A powerful performance highlighting the destructive effects of abuse on women, featuring popular South African actors Lee Ashmond Moses and Silvina Wilhemse, moved the audience and resonated with many.  As too did a thought-provoking poem titled “Hope” by local poet Ziyanda that centred on building the psyche of those who found themselves in desolate situations.