On Saturday, 28 November 2015 the Executive Mayor Nicolette Botha-Guthrie received a heart-warming welcome from the children and residents of Karwyderskraal, a little mountainous enclave on the outskirts of Hermanus.

There to celebrate and take part in the Christmas Party thrown especially for the village’s young people were, amongst others, the benefactor of the event - the elderly and stately - Mrs Salinga von Maltzahn, the Mayor and her party of Municipal officials, the organisers and the various acts of entertainment.

The function kicked off to a resounding start with a “Karwyderskraal’s Got Talent’ show managed and led by sound technician and DJ, William Ntebe – founder of the Zwelihle Youth Café.  First up was a beautiful rendition of “My God is Goed” sung by a group of Karwyderskraal children, followed by a ‘volksliedjie’ from one of its teens that brought many a ‘smile-to-the-face’, and concluded with a vibey dance-off that could see quite a few potential candidates featuring on future “So you think you can Dance” instalments.

Not to be outdone was the Kleinmond-based Handevat Marimba Band who had the crowd on their feet and clapping along happily to tunes like “In the Jungle”, “Nuwe Hoop”, “Beethoven’s Oude Joy”, “Blue Suede Shoes”, “Buja Afrika”, “Meadowlands” and “Kumbaya My Lord”, to name a few.

As the Community Protection and Security Agencies, along with their personnel, are readily preparing for the heightened use of public facilities and services by both our communities and the influx of visitors expected over the Season, the Overstrand Municipality would like to appeal to all concerned to use said amenities responsibly.  

The use of water, in particular, should be done sparingly. This is especially given that the Overstrand Region is regarded as a ‘Water-Scarce Area’.

With the fire season upon us and its impending danger, the Municipality further urges its residents and visitors to be cautious when making fires, and to remain vigilant and sensitive to the devastating and destructive consequences affected communities could have in the event of runaway fires.

However, the Municipality is cognitive of its people’s need for Festive Season revelry and celebration, and has therefore made allowances in this sense by providing designated places on the region’s beaches where the release of fireworks will be permitted.

The Festive Season Operational Launch kicked off to a resounding start and was well received by all who attended the event on Monday, 23 November 2015.  The project is the precursor, and the Overstrand Municipality’s specific installment, to the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children 2015 campaign that runs from 25 November through to 10 December this year.

It is considered to be a great construct from which a general sense of safety and security can be inculcated amongst communities in the region.  More importantly, with the holiday season fast approaching, and the expected influx of visitors to the area, this becomes even more pertinent to the beaches, central business districts, parks and other public spaces. A proactive operational plan, along with the commitment of the law enforcement, security, fire, sea and rescue officials, is imperative in the delivery of an efficient protection and security service during the period.

Needless to say, at best, the work of the personnel involved and their respective agencies is challenging and presents its fair share of trials.  However, given the extensive knowledge and experience base of those concerned, coupled to the relevant resources, it is anticipated that the mandate at hand will successfully be met.

During the last Council meeting of the year held on Wednesday 25 November 2015, Executive Mayor Nicolette Botha-Guthrie yet again had occasion to share in the spoils of not one but three awards:

First to take to the floor to present their award was Gansbaai Tourism who was recently voted Best Responsible Destination by the travel industry. This World Travel Award judged Gansbaai to be “home to a cluster of responsible tourism businesses", noting that “these businesses have come together to cooperate with one another and the local authority to make Gansbaai a better place to live for local people”. 

Next up was the Department of Protection Services who handed over a cheque to the value of R70 000. In a recent competition forming part of a bi-annual conference hosted by the South African Emergency Services Institute, Overstrand was announced tops in all three categories: weight of response, community awareness and beyond-the-call-of-duty. This prize money will go towards procuring state-of-the-art equipment to aid fire and rescue services in Overstrand.