Overstrand Municipality has once again secured Blue Flag status for Grotto, Kleinmond and Hawston beaches as well as pilot status for Castle Beach in Pearly Beach.

A total of 46 beaches, 8 marinas and 12 sustainable tourism boats around South Africa have been awarded Blue Flag status for the 2018/19 season. This was announced at the Blue Flag launch at Santos Beach in Mossel Bay on 12 October 2018, which forms part of the National Blue Flag Programme, co-ordinated by the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA).

The Blue Flag is the prestigious, voluntary eco-label for beaches that is recognised as a trusted symbol of quality, designed to raise environmental awareness and increase sound environmental practices among tourists and local residents and improve proper beach management.

Pilot beaches are not required to comply with all Blue Flag criteria, but must work towards meeting fundamental elements like water quality standards within a two year period to stand a chance to ultimately acquire full Blue Flag status.

Overstrand Municipality received a Certificate of Achievement from the Western Cape Department of Public Works for the effective implementation of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) and exceeding the target during the 2017/18 financial year.

The target was set on 461 work opportunities for the EPWP participants for the period 1 April 2017 - 31 March 2018, and the Municipality succeeded to create 1 055.  73% of the youth and 41% of women in Overstrand have benefitted from this programme.

EPWP is a government initiative designed to create job opportunities for those residents who are in need of financial relief, while facilitating the development of practical work experience.

The Municipality’s Economic and Social Development & Tourism Department is responsible for the EPWP-programme in Overstrand.

At a gala event held in the Hermanus Auditorium on Thursday evening 4 October 2018, Overstrand honoured those achievers who selflessly devote their expertise, time and energy to making a difference in the lives of others.

Members of the public had the opportunity to nominate achievers for the prestigious Mayoral Award in one of seven categories, while an eighth category, Lifetime Achievement, was also introduced for the first time this year.

In his address, Overstrand Executive Mayor Ald DudleyCoetzee quoted former president Nelson Mandela who once remarked, “There are so many men and women who hold no distinctive posi¬tions, but whose contribution towards the development of society has been enormous.”

“In my opinion,” Coetzee said, “those words resonate completely with an awards ceremony of this nature and the reason why we are here to celebrate and honour these ordinary, yet special men and women.

Local business owners in Kleinmond met Overstrand Executive Mayor Dudley Coetzee as part of his ‘meet and greet’ walk-about recently.

During these visits, the business community has an opportunity to speak directly with the Mayor about their thoughts and any concerns they want to bring to his attention.

The Mayor was accompanied by the Area Manager for the Hangklip-Kleinmond Administration Desmond Lakey, Ward 9 Councillor Grant Cohen, Ward 10 Councillor Fanie Krige and Cape Whale Coast Tourism Manager Frieda Lloyd.  The first stop for the day was around the corner from the municipality’s offices at Die Bloubakkie.

The ladies at Kleinmond Apteek/Pharmacy expressed their concern about the growing demand for land for informal settlements and the ever increasing break-ins.

One of the concerns for the personnel at Albertyn Pharmacy was the homeless people sleeping in the parking area at the Spar Centre as well as the refuse removal that seems to be delayed every week.