Not even the constant drizzle or protest on the R43 could dull the excitement and boisterous spirit of the cyclists, runners, and boat crew from the Military Academy in Saldanha for the final leg of Exercise Trans Enduro charity drive to Cape Town earlier today (7 December).

The annual Trans Enduro 11-day event, started in Qunu in the Eastern Cape, the birthday place of Madiba in honour of the Nelson Mandela 100 celebrations. This year’s race is themed “Thuma mina” in response to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s call for South Africans to “accept the call to selflessly serve the embattled nation”.

Brigadier General Lourens Mbatha said this race inevitably wells up a feeling of nostalgia as many reflect on the passing of the iconic Nelson Mandela. “That day will forever be linked to the Military Academy and this wonderful effort,” he said.

Overstrand Municipality appeals to visitors and residents to use water responsibly over the festive holiday season as Level 2 water restrictions in the Hermanus area are still in force.

If you use municipal water to water your garden, you may only do so for ONE HOUR per week, before 09:00 or after 17:00, on ONE DAY per week only. The day per week is determined in accordance with street numbers. For residents with even numbers, it is Wednesdays ONLY, and for those with uneven numbers, Tuesdays ONLY.

The use of irrigation systems are still allowed but, remember, only for one hour per week.

Note, too, that vehicles and boats may only be washed with a bucket and cloth and that the hosing down of hard surfaces or paved areas is prohibited.

A service to mark Remembrance Day (also known as Poppy Day) was held on Sunday morning, 11 November 2018.  War veterans and friends and family gathered at the Cenotaph War Memorial at the Old Harbour in Hermanus.

The sound of a lone bugler playing the Last Post followed by the observation of two minutes’ silence at 11:00, the exact hour when the First World War was ended on 11 November 1918 in honour of those who paid the highest price for our freedom, deeply moved onlookers. (The first minute was for those who were killed during the war and the second for those who had returned alive.)

Having laid a wreath on behalf of the Overstrand community, Mayor Dudley Coetzee said: “As we gather here to reflect, it is fitting for us to also remember our duty - to educate future generations of sacrifices made. Remembrance should be at the forefront of our national consciousness; remembering those who gave their lives during battle so that we can be here today”.

At the Council Meeting held on Wednesday, 31 October 2018, Executive Mayor Ald Dudley Coetzee confirmed that the Municipality is currently busy with the 2nd review of the current 5 year Integrated Development Plan (IDP) - i.e. 2019/20 IDP review.

In his IDP review directional speech, Mayor Coetzee explained that an IDP review allows Council the opportunity to ‘pause and assess’ whether they are still on track in attaining the strategic direction set in the 5 year IDP of 2017/2021.

The Mayor urged all stakeholders to actively participate and engage in the platforms created for the 2019/20 IDP and Budget review process.

“As always, the public will have the opportunity to submit written inputs on both the draft IDP review and draft Budget in April 2019,” he said.