The Mayoral office is bustling with activity to finalise the arrangements for the function where Dr Annelie Rabie, Overstrand Executive Mayor, will give the address for her first year in office. It will be held on 9 December 2022.

The official engagement will start at 18:15 in the Municipal Auditorium in Hermanus, but the event will be preceded by an open arts, crafts and food market in the parking areas of the municipal buildings from 14:00.

Altogether 50 stalls from all areas in the Overstrand will strut their stuff and sell food.

We therefore invite everyone to the market and to listen to the Mayor’s report on her first year in office.

Kindly take note that all municipal offices will close at 14:00.

The topic of dogs on Overstrand beaches and in public spaces has been a controversial issue for many years.

While dogs are allowed to enjoy the beaches and coastal paths, their movements are restricted to comply with the Overstrand Municipality’s By-law on Dogs and Cats as well as international Blue Flag requirements.

Section 6(2) and (3) of the above by-law are clear both in context and literal interpretation: “No person may or cause to allow any dog to be in a public place unless it is kept on a leash.” Note that public spaces include any beach, road, path, bridge, footpath or garden, and any other place under the control of the municipality.

Two Cape Grysbokkies had to be euthanised recently after they were hit by motorists driving too fast and just leaving them on the side of the road to die.

Flattened tortoises in the middle of the road and frogs going for a late-night stroll are also run down are almost a daily occurrence.

Speed limits on the R44 Clarence Drive vary between 60 and 80 kilometres per hour and it's so important that you stick to those limits to avoid collisions due to the unexpected crossing of the road by wildlife.

Motorists need to understand and respect the fact that wildlife in a biosphere is unpredictable. Slow down, be observant and aware of what is happening on the road in front of you and try to avoid hitting small creatures out for a stroll.

Residents have asked about the road works along the R43 at the entrance of Masakhane, an informal settlement just outside Gansbaai.

The project entails the construction of a new access road to the development off the R43 and a round-about (traffic circle) at the R43/Masakhane Road/Gansbaai Main Road intersection.

This is the background of the project:

Overstrand Municipality compiled an Overstrand Housing Strategy: five-year program or Housing Pipeline which is included in the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) to inform the roll-out of housing projects including the 1 479 serviced stands in Masakhane.