Dr. Jenna Jambeck, an associate professor at the University of Georgia and expert in ocean plastic pollution, shared her insights with a packed audience at the Civic Auditorium in Hermanus on Monday evening, 17 July 2017 by delivering a talk titled “Impacts of Marine Waste”.

In South Africa to speak at the African Marine Waste Network Conference, organised by the Sustainable Seas Trust (SST) that was held in Port Elizabeth last week, the presentation formed the second of a series done by Dr Jambeck during her US State Department sponsored visit to the country.

The address focussed on the impact of the enormous amount of plastic waste entering the world’s oceans on a daily basis. A key point included the fact that plastics being non bio-degradable, break down into ‘microplastics’ that either float or sink to the seabed; the latter creating huge ‘plastic patches’ in the ocean.

Ingested by marine animals, microplastics are becoming an insidious part of the marine food-chain.

On Thursday, 13 July 2017, a delegation led by Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, Pam Tswhete, paid a visit to the Preekstoel Water Purification Plant in Hermanus. Hosted by the Overstrand Municipality, the visit was in keeping with the Department’s study of various water and sanitation projects that could offer countenance to the drought and subsequent dwindling water shortages experienced in a number of public water supply schemes or dams across the Country.  A situation made worse by pro-longed lower-than normal rainfall in the months preceding.

Mitigating measures considered by the Department to ensure the Country’s water resources become more viable, include the strict implementation of drought operating rules at all dams; increasing the water mix especially groundwater utilisation, rain harvesting, re-use of return flows and packaged desalination plants; reducing operational risks by proper infrastructure operation and maintenance with associated skills development; implementation of water conservation and demand management programmes and climate research, as well as hydrological and geo-hydrological monitoring.

Commencing on 30 September 2011, the R85.1 million Preekstoel project was made possible through funding between the Overstrand Municipality (R57.6 million), the Department of Water and Sanitation (R20.6 million) and the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) (R6.9 million).

A fire that was thought to have started in the Sunny Seas residential area on the lower slopes of Betty's Bay Peak on Saturday evening, 8 July 2017 quickly crept up the krans and threatened to spread towards the sea bend along Clarence Drive in the direction of the R44 in Kleinmond.

Despite a strong north westerly wind that threatened homeowners in direct line of the fire, the quick response from the Overberg and Overstrand Fire and Disaster Management teams, along with Cape Nature and Betty’s Bay and Pringle Bay Volunteer Fire-fighters, ensured the fire was steered away and stopped at the right flank. With the left flank burning back against the wind, fire fighters sought to combat the blaze and bring it under control. In the meanwhile affected residents were temporarily evacuated and road users kept at bay in an operation overseen by Overstrand Law Enforcement and Traffic. 

There has been an increase in the abuse of inhalants by young children in Hermanus. Parents and teachers need to be vigilant as this is becoming an alarming trend.

“Inhalant abuse is really bad amongst primary kids and we’re noticing it entering high schools as well,” said Ann Wright, manager of the Sustainable Futures Trust.

“Parents are living in ignorance. BE ALERT. Inhalant abuse is happening at all schools. “Familiarise yourself with the tell-tale signs that your child is engaging in narcotics. Listen to your instincts; better safe than sorry,” she added.

Warning signs:

• Plastic or paper bags emitting strong smells
• the disappearance of household products
• stains on sleeves, handkerchiefs or ties
• a strong smell on the person's breath
• cold symptoms that do not disappear ( runny nose, watery eyes).

There are well over a thousand items that can be targets of inhalant abuse.