We received numerous requests from residents asking what trees to plant on their property.

According to the Tree Policy, the following trees are well adopted to our area:

• Curtisia Dentata (assegai/assegaai)
• Cunonia Capensis (red alder/rooi els)
• Harpephyllum Caffrum (sour plum/suurpruim)
• Kiggelaria Africana (wild peach/wilde perske)
• Nuxia Floribunda (forest elder/bosvlier)
• Olea Europaea Subsp. Africana (wild olive/olienhout)
• Rhus Lancea (sweet karee/swartkaree)
• Rhus Pendulina (river karee/witkaree)
• Sideroxylon Inerme (milkwood/melkhout)
• Syzygium Guineense (water pear/waterpeer)
• Tarchonanthus Littoralis (coastal champhor bush/kus wildekanferbos)
• Trichelia Emetica (natal mahogany/rooi essenhout)

Several complaints were received by residents about what is perceived to be abnormally high municipal services accounts over the last few days. The readings for the latest municipal account made it appear as though consumption of services, specifically electricity and water, were higher than normal compared to those of the previous months.

In many instances it will be as a consequence of the number of days included in the reading period (e.g. 38 days, etc). However, residents can be assured that the billing system will still calculate the consumption at the correct sliding scale tariff taking the additional days above 30 days into account.

In some instances residents may not have taken into account the increase of 14.59% for electricity charges on their municipal account.

Please note all vaccination sites in the Overberg District have received ample vaccines and can help walk-in clients. If you are older than 18, please visit your nearest vaccine site.

If you have difficulty registering on EVDS, we will assist you at the vaccination site.

Eskom directly supplied customers in Betty's Bay, Pringle Bay, Rooiels, Fisherhaven, Vermont, Onrus, Hemel-en-Aarde and certain areas between Die Damme and Hermanus; be sure to download this app.

Eskom has introduced a new chatbot named Alfred in the MyEskom customer app that allows users to report electricity supply issues.

Chatbots are computer programs that automatically answer basic user questions.

You can also access your chatbot online at the following website: https://alfred.eskom.co.za/chatroom/

Note: In order for you to register and use this App your cell phone number must be up to date on Eskom Systems.