Overstrand Executive Mayor, Dr Annelie Rabie, extended her heartfelt congratulations to the class of 2022 for passing their matric examinations.

The Overberg Education District matriculants obtained a pass rate of 84%; 921 learners achieved a bachelor’s pass (41,4%), 633 achieved a diploma pass and 314 achieved a higher certificate pass.

"Well done to the many top achievers from Curro Hermanus, Hawston Secondary School, Northcliff House College, Qhayiya Secondary School, Hermanus High and Gansbaai Academia for your excellent results. We are very proud of you,” Mayor Rabie said.

South Africa is the only country in the world that can accurately pinpoint the exact date of origin of its wine industry, due to a diary entry from 2 February 1659.

The Overstrand agricultural landscape include many wineries, vineyards and three wine routes. These vineyards might not be as historic as those of Constantia and Stellenbosch, but they are just as awarded and renowned. 

Overstrand Executive Mayor, Dr Annelie Rabie, said “We are proud of the agricultural contribution made by our wine farmers, cellar staff and vineyard workers. The fruit of their labour takes a bit of Overstrand to the tables of many homes in South Africa and abroad.  With the upcoming Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir Celebration this weekend, we celebrate agriculture in the light of the 2023 harvest that has started and will continue for the next few months”. 

Join Overstrand Executive Mayor, Dr Annelie Rabie, Mayoral Committee members (executive councillors), the Municipal Manager and his Top Management team for the first First Thursday meeting of 2023 on 2 February at the Kleinmond Town Hall from 17:00 - 19:00.

The First Thursdays are not public feedback meetings, but a great platform for residents to engage in person with the Mayor and to raise issues such as renewable energy, plot clearing, building plans approval delays, maintenance of gravel roads and account issues etc.

No appointment is needed. Sessions are kept brief in order to accommodate as many people as possible and will be conducted on a first come, first serve basis.

By all counts December was the bumper season the hospitality industry was waiting for to waiver some of the losses incurred during the previous two plus years. 

Tourism business owners were upbeat about the festive trade mentioned that a few trading days this season that surpassed previous record turnover days.

Sales seemed to peak in the week leading up to Christmas Day with some businesses reporting buoyant business just after the 25th.  The Overstrand was operationally ready to receive visitors, and this paid off with positive holiday experiences.  Appreciative comments about how well the traffic officers managed traffic flow in the face of load-shedding and how clean the towns were are well received and will surely benefit the Overstrand’s economy in months to come.