Swellendam Winter School – a HUGE variety of things to do!

I wonder if you have heard about this wonderful initiative, which is taking place in Swellendam this winter (June, July, August).

Swellendam Winter School – Various throughout Swellendam

From R1,500 to R3,450

Starts May 28 Ends August 31st

https://twitter.com/SwellendamS https://www.facebook.com/swellendamwinterschool/ www.winterschool.co.za https://youtu.be/Kr2QYek-wTk ONLINE BOOKLET  Winter School Guide

The beautiful, historical town of Swellendam is full of gifted artists, talented musicians, creative writers, enthusiastic hobbyists, crazy adventurers, knowledgeable experts, inspiring entrepreneurs, meditation muses and many more. They have all come together to create a unique project; during the months of June, July and August, Swellendam is hosting over 75 courses for adults – some 3 days, some 5 days, some weekends. All those things you would have loved to have done at school – but they just weren’t on the curriculum! Along with traditional Crafts, Art, Painting and Writing, there are brilliant courses on Food and Wine, A Walk on the Wild Side, Flora and Fauna,  practical courses about car and motorbike maintenance – adventure courses like Rock Climbing and there’s even a Rock School – create your own recording in only three days! Ideal for Capetonians looking to get a bit of a break from the city and have a immersive experience in our stunning, safe town with no water restrictions! During the three weeks of the school holidays we are running an extra programme concurrently for kids aged 10 and up, so families can book and each do something different Treat yourself to a winter break like no other in this gorgeous small town, where you will be made so welcome

This is a unique initiative where townspeople from all walks of life have come together to provide an insight – not just into their areas of expertise but also their lifestyle and surroundings in this safe, beautiful town Among the enthusiastic hobbyists (who have all undertaken training in managing their courses) there are some well known professionals running courses e.g Bev Missing  (Founder of Rain Africa) Andries Gouws (Artist) Ingrid Winterbach (Author) David Schlapobersky (Potter) Tony Laurens (Rock Climber) Henk Venter (Master Photographer) And many respected experts in their fields e.g  Jaap Viljoen (horticulturalist on Aloes) David Shackley (professional bassist from UK on Rock School)

info is 076 503 3505  and email is admin@winterschool.co.za

The Fox is back in town!

Good news for people who like to eat out – THE FOX IS BACK IN TOWN!

The new owners and restrauteurs are about to open for business after renovations and preparing a new menu for all “Naparians” and those from further afield …. watch THIS space!

Rumour has it that there will be an EXTENSIVE sea food menu …

Wise words from Patrick Seeton (a staunch supporter of doing the right thing)

Seats allocated for Cape Agulhas Municipality:
DA – 6, ANC – 3, DLP – 1, KAPCO – 1.

By the time you read this the Local Government Election 2016 will be history BUT this does not mean your participation in local government affairs need necessarily end with the three X’s cast on Wednesday. Your choices need to be monitored to ascertain whether they were/are effective and worthwhile.

In my opinion this is what we, the electorate, failed to do during the last Council term; we allowed the nine who represented our interests [four ANC, four DA and one Independent who sided with the ANC in return for the office of Deputy Mayor] to conduct affairs without being truly accountable to the electorate.

The so-called “imbizos” were a dismal failure … a one-way street bulldozed by the Executive Mayor to tell the people at extraordinary length what the Cape Agulhas Municipality – CAM – was going to do. There certainly was no meaningful interaction.

A Mayoral Imbizo is described as, “an on-going Mayoral Outreach Programme aimed at bringing government closer to the people, whereby the Municipality interacts with communities regarding upcoming service delivery projects in their areas and progress on existing ones.”

For a moment I want to go back to a July 2, 2015, meeting; a meeting between the chairpersons of three residents associations in the region and the Executive Mayor, Municipal Manager and the Chief Financial Officer of CAM.

The meeting was held at the request of the Residents’ Associations, namely, Suidpunt [covering L’Agulhas, Struisbaai and Suiderstrand], Bredasdorp and Napier to object to the process followed with the acceptance by CAM Council of the 2015/2016 budget, a budget heavily burdening residents with across-the-board tariff and rates increases.

There was a lot of talk at that July 2 meeting, 2½-hours of it. If there was one notable quotable quote to come out of that marathon encounter it is possibly that of the representative of the Bredasdorp Residents’ Association.

“Upon conclusion of our meeting with CAM and the absolute frustration and realisation that we had exhausted all possible existing channels open to us without hope; I realised that the best of the entire exercise of the day was that it was the first time that we three Associations had gathered as a united front. I am of the opinion that it is in the interest of all if we could meet more regularly and share information.”

This is so true. Prior to 2001 each of the towns within the Cape Agulhas region had its own municipality, council and set of personnel. For the last 15 years we have been ONE municipality and THREE separate residents’ associations. It rather seems, from where I’m sitting, the municipality has gone ahead into the 21st Century – warts and all – while the residents’ associations are wallowing in the last Century.

I believe, now that the election is behind us the mood is right to act in unison – one force – for the best interests of all in the Cape Agulhas Region. I know there have been initial talks but am unaware of how far the concept has progressed. It needs to get “wings”.
Finally, our thoughts move to be in support of the Gauteng Lions tomorrow Saturday [August 6] at 09h35 when they meet the New Zealand Hurricanes in Wellington [New Zealand] in the Super Rugby final.

The Hurricanes beat the Chiefs 25-9 in Wellington in the first semi-final delivering an outstanding defensive effort and out-scoring the visitors three tries to nil.

The second semi-final in Johannesburg saw the Lions beat the Highlanders 42-30 to book their place in the final.
The Lions playing in Johannesburg scored five tries to the Highlanders four and were always ahead in the encounter.

New look website – new energy – new opportunities!

Contact Gideon & Marné Joubert for information, they’re  available to chat with you about YOUR listing on the website

 

Gideon & Marné Joubert have given the theoverberg.com a facelift! They have improved it to the extent that anyone can upload their own material to the website. And they can edit their own listings to suit their business and personality!

Included in the improved website is the ability to showcase your business or service AND AT THE SAME TIME run your social media campaigns too.

It even has the facility to allow you to place CLASSIFIED ADVERTS online.

Contact Gideon or Marné to get more information on how you can be part of this dynamic web presence:
Marné: 061 402 1951 or marne@theoverbeg.com
Gideon: 079 117 5434 or admin@jouweb.biz

Since the launch of the website in 2005 theoverberg.com has become THE website of reference for this region in the southernmost part of the Cape. It is widely regarded as the definitive online business directory and guide to the Overberg – one of the most divergent and inviting areas in South Africa. When the website was developed the excellent SEO (search engine optimisation) ensured that most searches on the internet brought theoverberg.com listings to the top of the search engine pages. This has given the Overberg region more prominence than it ever had in the past.

Car licence renewal – some questions answered …

Read this article from Wheels24: “SA car licence renewal confusion: 5 questions answered” …. also remember that when you go to renew your licence, you need to take proof of residence with you (… more red tape that’s REALLY not necessary but makes for GREAT BUREAUCRACY!)

Thanks for this link, Alan Rosenmeyer (who now hosts the Motoring Matters show on ChaiFM which broadcasts out of Johannesburg

Walk and take photos – why not try THIS?

Come Join Us at harvest time in the Cape Winelands, hiking The Whale Trail all while improving your photography skills!

……………………………………………………………………………. Stanford (Image theoverberg.com) 11-14 February 2016 The Cape Winelands 4-day tour   If you can’t come for all four days – join us for 24 or 48 hours in Tulbagh, Robertson or Franschhoek! R1250.00 per person for 24-hours for photography instruction – pay for your own travel and meals – book your own accommodation. The Winelands are full and incredibly beautiful at the moment. Its harvest time and there is plenty going on! We will do portrait photography on the grape pickers, still life photography on the many scenes that present themselves during harvest time, architectural photography on the old Cape Dutch buildings, landscape photography, low-light photography in cellars – and so much more! Come Join in the fun while we share our knowledge and experience! For more details and bookings – simply click on this link – http://thephotowalkers.com/winelands-11-14-febuary-2016/ ………………………………………………………………. 29 April – 3 May 2016  (includes 1 May which is a public holiday) The Whale Trail 6-day hike – There is nothing quite as thrilling as hiking through the De Hoop Nature Reserve while taking photographs and knowing that every day only 12 people have the opportunity to be there. This is a rare and unique experience that should not be missed. We take care of everything including transport, meals, cartage of bags. You just need to bring your personal effects, camera gear and lunch time snacks. Non-photographers welcome too. Limited space – early booking is advisable.For more details and bookings – simply click on this link http://thephotowalkers.com/whale-trail-29-april-2016/

1 cyclist, 6000km 80 days, 19 National Parks

Wayne Bolton of One Land Love It and a SANParks Honorary Ranger leaves Aghulas National Park and the Southernmost Tip of Africa for Bontebok National Park on the 28^th January 2016 – this will be his 14^th SANParks National Park in his epic cycle of 6000kms.  He then heads into the Eastern Cape and continues towards Wilderness National Park, followed by Karoo National Park, Camdeboo National Park, Mountain Zebra National Park and  then the finale at his home park of Addo Elephant National Park.

He completes his expedition creating awareness of the plight of the rhino and the significant role that SANParks plays in protecting the integrity of our natural heritage in Addo on the 13^th February 2016.  Here he will be met by his fellow SANParks Honorary Rangers and the staff of Addo along with Kingsley Holgate who will be part of the group welcoming him home.

Wayne hopes to have inspired ordinary South Africans to consider their talents and resources and to make a difference to conservation in whatever way that they can.  The only difference between ordinary and extraordinary is the extra we put in and we can do that according to our means but whatever you do don’t do nothing!  Please have a look at our webpage www.oneland.co.za and follow us on facebook.

 

Kind regards

Nikki

Goodbye Cowan Properties – Hello, Rawsons, new in Napier

Cowan Properties has been active and successful in the Real Estate market in Napier and the wider Overberg region for 12 years but the time has come for us, Pat & Neville Cowan, to hang up our SOLD signs and move on to another adventure.

We have made many friends in the rewarding times we’ve had in the lovely village of Napier. We have had so many laughs, fun and even some tears but the whole experience has been magic!

We thank all who have come into contact with us for enriching our lives during this period. We are officially passing our Real Estate business to Altia and Jacques de Lange who will be opening as Rawson Properties on the 1st February 2016 but we will be active and available to conclude existing transactions until then – or even to give advice or guidance on any property-related matters.  Rawson Letter of Introduction

Both of us are confident that Altia and Jacques will provide you with the service and expertise you have come to expect from us and we wish them well in their new venture in Napier – we are pleased to tell you that Rawsons will also be operating from our old premises (next to Gunners Diner) on the Main Road in Napier.

Our Gift Shop – the Cow-an-Bell will also continue to operate under Altia and Jacques’ hand in the same premises.

Thank you for being such an important part of our very pleasant time in Napier. We would love you to stay in touch with us – our email address is: pat.nevillecowan@gmail.com

Yours in fun, laughter and property

Pat & Neville

I was sent this letter … (it’s worth reading)

“We would like to thank you for being one of 117,301 Active Citizens who took the time to comment on Government’s proposed changes to AARTO legislation through our portal. This is arguably the highest number of public submissions ever seen on draft legislation amendments in our new democracy.

Unlike petitions, submissions on draft legislation cannot easily be ignored by Government as they must provide proof that submissions were properly considered. Failure to consider all submissions could render the legislation challengeable in court. If these responses are ignored and prosecution is attempted, it leaves the door open for OUTA to defend our members from prosecution.

Of interest: When Gauteng’s freeways were declared as tolled routes (in 2008), they did so with only 30 public comments.  This time around, things are very different.

SANRAL are getting desperate to force the collection of e-tolls, and will certainly hope the amendments to the regulations are passed into law, unchallenged. We trust the authorities will take us seriously, however, if they choose to ignore society’s input, the resistance against e-tolls will enter a new phase. We will challenge every step.

Please allow us to continue communicating our progress and your continued role in this matter, by remaining subscribed to this email list. We believe that Government’s attempt to force these regulations and other legislation into place – thereby coercing the public into paying e-Tolls – must be challenged.

Please note that OUTA’s resources are limited to defending motorists who donate to the cause by becoming OUTA members. To those of you who are already one of OUTA’s donating members, you remain protected under OUTA’s E-toll Defense Umbrella, which means OUTA will take steps to defend and rectify attempts to withhold your vehicle or driver’s license – or if you are criminally summonsed for non-payment of e-tolls.

If you are not a contributing member of OUTA, consider becoming one by joining a growing force shaping the future and defending citizens’ rights in South Africa.

Click here or go to www.OUTA.co.za to become a contributing member.

Kind regards

Wayne Duvenage
OUTA Chairperson”

Something for the lovers of fine classical music!

Sylvia Schulman

It is now only 3 weeks before the concert by Brad Liebl, baritone, and Sylvia Schulman, pianist, performing Songs of Travel by Land and Sea. The programme also includes piano solos and will take place on Sunday 31st January at 4 p.m. at Red Roan Ranch, Hermitage, Swellendam.

Don’t miss this afternoon of musical delight! But if you do, the programme will be repeated on Sunday 21st February at 4 p.m. at 41 Tennant Street, Barrydale.

Phone 0285142904 or 0828550534 to book your seats. Refreshments will be available.