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.

The rising mercury on Sunday, 27 November 2016 was a fitting reminder of the many hazardous elements that Overstrand fire fighters have to contend with on any given day, but more so during the fire season set to commence from 1 December through to the end of February next year.

The support of the community is vitally important in ensuring the successful delivery of this essential service.  To this end, the Overstrand Municipality remains committed to raising awareness on fire prevention and safeguarding the environment and its people.

In a moving ceremony to mark the launch of the fire season, a prayer service led by Dominee Carl Swart of the VGK Kerk in Kleinmond was recently conducted. In his address, Dominee Swart called on the public to assist the fire fighters by being extra vigilant during the season and to desist from any activities that could result in the destruction of lives or property.