Hermanus (originally called Hermanuspietersfontein, but shortened
as the name was too long for the postal service), is a town with 80,400
inhabitants (2011 census) on the southern coast of the Western Cape province of South Africa. It is famous for southern right whale
watching during the southern winter and spring and is a popular
retirement town.
The whales can be seen from the cliffs in the town
centre as early as June and usually depart in early December. They were
once hunted in the nearby town of Betty's Bay, but are now protected to
ensure the survival of the species. The Old Harbour Museum contains
several exhibitions that explain the whaling
industry, and the De Wetshuis Photo Museum houses an exhibition of
photos by T D Ravenscroft that depicts the history of Hermanus. The
Whale Museum houses a skeleton of a whale and an shows an audio-visual
presentation of whales and dolphins twice daily.
Hermanus lies along Walker Bay on the south coast of the Western Cape. It is located about 115 km southeast of Cape Town and is connected to the Mother City by the R43 highway (or coastal R44 scenic route) and N2 motorway. The R43 continues to Cape Agulhas, the most southerly point of Africa. Hermanus is 40 km from Gansbaai, a famous spot where one can dive amongst the Great White Sharks.
It is also notable that Hermanus still boasts a historic railway
station building without a railway line. The founders of the town
decided not to lay any tracks as this would have made Hermanus more
commercial and felt that Hermanus needed to stay a small Fisherman's
Village. To this day the locals still refer to it as "the village."
Grotto Beach is the largest beach in Hermanus and has also
been proclaimed a "Blue Flag" beach which ensures its preservation as a
world heritage site. Other beaches include Voëlklip, Onrus, Kammabaai and Langbaai.
Whales and whale-spotting
Hermanus has since August 1992 the world’s only Whale Crier (the
first being Pieter Classen 1992-1998, then Wilson Salukazana 1998-2006,Zolile Baleni since April 2006 ) who sounds his kelp horn to announce where whales have been sighted. Zakes Mda wrote 2005 the novel The Whale Caller in which the Whale Crier of Hermanus is the main character, a man who gets enthralled by a Southern Right whale he names Sharisha.
Whale festival
Hermanus hosts an annual whale festival at the end of September, to
celebrate the returning of the southern right whales to this bay during
the calving and mating season. Prior to this main whale festival a
"Kalfiefees" (or "Calf Festival") is held, to welcome the first whales
(usually in August). Both festivals are characterised by food and craft
stalls, environmental presentations and South African drama
productions..
Around the town
The hinterland beyond the town is largely wild and mountainous and
there are many remote areas of hills and wild ravines covered in pristine Cape 'Fynbos'. The rising thermals rising around the rugged
heights of the Fernkloof Nature Reserve attract para gliders from all over the world.
Craft Markets
Various art/food/craft markets are held in and around Hermanus every weekend. In the centre of town is the Lemm's Corner Market where you can buy anything from clothes, art and food. The Food & Wine Market is at Hermanuspietersfontein in the Hamel-en-Aarde Village. The Hermanus Country Market is located at the cricket fields.
Cape Town - Disaster officials are on high alert as winter weather continues to lash the Western Cape.
The SA Weather Service
issued a warning for very rough seas between Table Bay and Port Alfred
with waves of between 6m and 9m while gale force winds have also been
forecast between Cape Point and Plettenberg Bay.
The cold front has brought with it heavy rain and strong winds.
“Heavy
rain is expected in places over the Cape Metropole, Overberg, western
and south-western parts of the Cape Winelands and the southern parts of
the West Coast districts,” the SA Weather Service said.
Eyewitness News quoted Cape Town disaster risk management as saying almost 10 000 people affected by the weather have been helped.
Nearly
2 000 households, mainly situated in informal settlements, have already
been flooded. Solomons-Johannes said more than R1.4m had been spent on
providing aid to affected households.
The persistent rain is only expected to clear by Friday. Cape Town - Emergency officials in Cape Town are on high
alert on Tuesday following a warning by weather forecasters. A series of cold fronts are expected to hit the Western Cape
on Tuesday and Wednesday, resulting in a warning by the SA Weather Service of wet
and windy conditions. Heavy rain and gale-force winds were experienced in Cape
Town on Tuesday morning. The SABC reported that Cape Town disaster management
officials are focusing on low-lying areas, and have been dispatched to areas
where reports of flooding have been received. The Cape Times reported on Tuesday that alerts for flooding and
high seas had been issued and routine inspections would be undertaken. Minimum temperatures in Cape Town are expected to range
between 9 and 15°C on Tuesday. Rain is expected in Cape Town until Saturday. The weather system is expected to spread eastwards over the
rest of the country later in the week. Anyone in need of assistance can phone the disaster risk management call centre on 0860 10 30 89.
On a cold August winter morning driving through the "Hemel en Aarde Valley" just outside Hermanus it was a pleasant surprise to discover this new little treasure called Die Plaaskombuis. Coming from our farm in Tesselaarsdal, cold, hungry and urgently in need of good hot coffee we decided to pop in and have a look at the menu. The "stoep" with a mixture of old and new decor and fresh flowers from the farm was the first that caught my eye as we got out of the car. We were greeted warmly at the door and when I say warmly I mean figural and literal. The fireplace and aroma of the kitchen blended well and I knew the minute that we stepped inside that we this will become a special place in my hart.
Our waitress "Samantha" served us with our coffee in no time and while we waited for our food we had a quick walk around and was very much dazzled by the stylish modern and somewhat nostalgic atmosphere of Die Plaaskombuis. I was indeed impressed to hear that the owner Nita Lötter only opened the Plaaskombuis in May this year. (I also learned that she had no previous experience whatsoever in the restaurant trade.) As a good hostess should, she did her rounds at the tables and we had a brief conversation about the farm and her idea to start Die Plaaskombuis. One can only admire the positiveness and the energy that was put into this cozy little restaurant.
"Die Soetkoekie" is a designated area where you can get the most mouthwatering cakes, muffins and pies.
Die Plaaskombuis is very child friendly and there is a play area outside for children to enjoy. You can buy some lovely herbs and plants from their garden or just sit on the "stoep" and enjoy the breathtaking views. Die Plaaskombuis trade only during daytime. Bookings are essential for Saturdays and Sundays. You can contact Nita 073 230 0788
After two sold-out tours with Lefra Productions in 2008 and 2011, Smokie
is set to visit South Africa next year for yet another exciting tour
with Lefra Productions. The internationally successful British pop
group Smokie, with chart-topping hits like Living Next Door to Alice,
Lay Back in the Arms of Someone and If, and constant tours of the UK,
Europe and Asia, is one of the most popular bands today. And with a
possible new CD in 2013, their success is bound to grow. Look at the
Guinness Book of Hit Singles and you could be forgiven for thinking
Smokie`s success story was a 1970`s phenomenon. After all, 11 of their
14 British hits came in that eventful musical decade. However, their
massive success story has continued to flourish around the globe
including Scandinavia, South Africa, Germany and even China. Smokie are a
band which has sold out tours and gained platinum records in four
decades - the 70s, 80s, 90s and the present day.After two sold-out tours
with Lefra Productions in 2008 and 2011, Smokie is set to visit South
Africa next year for yet another exciting tour with Lefra Productions.
The internationally successful British pop group Smokie, with
chart-topping hits like Living Next Door to Alice, Lay Back in the Arms
of Someone and If, and constant tours of the UK, Europe and Asia, is one
of the most popular bands today. And with a possible new CD in 2013,
their success is bound to grow. Look at the Guinness Book of Hit Singles
and you could be forgiven for thinking Smokie`s success story was a
1970`s phenomenon. After all, 11 of their 14 British hits came in that
eventful musical decade. However, their massive success story has
continued to flourish around the globe including Scandinavia, South
Africa, Germany and even China. Smokie are a band which has sold out
tours and gained platinum records in four decades - the 70s, 80s, 90s
and the present day. Venue: Grand Arena, Grand West - Cape Town, Western Cape Date: Sat 28 Sep 2013 8:00 pm
Suzanne Nadine Vega is an American songwriter and singer known for her
eclectic folk-inspired music. Two of Vega`s songs reached the top 10 of
various international chart listings: `Luka` and `Tom`s Diner`. Suzanne
Vega was the first major figure in the bumper crop of female
singer/songwriters who rose to prominence during the late `80s and `90s.
Her hushed, restrained folk-pop and highly literate lyrics (inspired
chiefly by Leonard Cohen, as well as Lou Reed and Bob Dylan) laid the
initial musical groundwork for what later became the trademark sound of
Lilith Fair (a tour on which she was a regular).
Moreover, her
left-field hit single `Luka` helped convince record companies that
folk-styled singer/songwriters were not a thing of the past after all,
paving the way for breakthroughs by Tracy Chapman, Michelle Shocked,
Shawn Colvin, Edie Brickell, the Indigo Girls, Sinead O`Connor, and a
host of others on through the `90s. Vega`s early commercial success
helped open doors for a wealth of talent, and even if she couldn`t
sustain the level of popularity she reached in 1987 with `Luka` and the
platinum Solitude Standing, she maintained a strong and dedicated cult
following.
Venue: Hope @ Paul Cluver - Cape Town, Western Cape Date: Sat 2 Nov 2013 7:00 pm
Pieter-Dirk Uys presents:
``50 SHADES OF BAMBI (Putting a Square Peg into a Round Hole``
Bambi Kellermann is Evita Bezuidenhout`s younger sister. She is the
chalk to Tannie`s cheese. Stripper, sex worker and grande horizontal who
graduated from the University of Sex Cum Laude-and Fleur de Cap Winner
2010 for Best Cabaret, Bambi is back at the Fugard Theatre from 6 August
for 3 weeks in the world premiere of her new fabulous onslaught against
the prudish, the improper and the pathetic.``50 Shades of Grey`` was
focused on one specific colour of behaviour.
Bambi`s new cabaret
includes a rainbow selection of other choices. It is also her journey
from teenage confusions, through youthful experimentation, into
middle-aged compromise to her twilight-year common sense about life,
love, laughter and lies. It`s not just about sex; it`s about enjoying
what comes naturally. And if it`s not natural, be careful.
With musical direction by Godfrey Johnson at the piano, Bambi takes a
raunchy ride to the other side of daily life: relationships, trust,
happiness, hope, love and fidelity. Sex is the full-frontal focus, with
words, music, toys and tinsel. Recommended to anyone who believes in
freedom of expression and the right to choose what is best for them when
the lights are low-all presented with the wisdom of experience, humour
of recall and songs that remind and remain.
Venue: The Fugard Studio - Cape Town, Western Cape Date: Tue 6 Aug 2013 8:00 pm
Comedian, actor and author, Russell Brand announces his first ever world
stand-up tour. Keeping in line with Brand`s comedic style, the tour,
officially named "Messiah Complex," will be a dissection of various
social and religious figures and the reality of their lives through
comparisons of each other.
Brand states, "I am going to tour The World (our one, Earth) with
Messiah Complex, causing bother and excitement and offering opinions
that have not been either solicited or thought through."
Venue: Artscape Opera House - Cape Town, Western CapeDate: Tue 19 Nov 2013 8:00 pm
Worldwide superstar Rihanna - the "number 1 Person On Facebook" with
over 63 million fans - is bringing her DIAMONDS WORLD TOUR to South
Africa this spring. The tour which kicked off in North America is set to
dazzle fans with concerts in Johannesburg and Cape Town.
Rihanna has dominated global charts with "Diamonds," the fastest-rising
single of her career to date and first single to be released from
"Unapologetic" her 7th studio album for Island Def Jam in just seven
years.
The recipient of six Grammy Awards and seven Billboard Music
Awards, Rihanna has sold over 41 million albums and 150 million digital
tracks worldwide, and currently holds the record as the top-selling
digital artist of all time.
Venue: Cape Town Stadium - Seating - Cape Town, Western Cape Date: Wed 16 Oct 2013 6:30 pm
Over the last couple of years I have realised how many people are
struggling to make ends meet in Cape Town. So I decided to create a page
which will be for donations for kids and families in need. Not for
financial assistance but for food, clothing, school supplies, school
clothing, bedding, toys, toiletries or any other donations that will
help them function normally.
Should you know of a family that needs help please contact me and we will try our best to help them where we can.
We are currently looking for the following items but any donations will be greatly appreciated. Groceries, clothing, toys, school supplies, bedding, baby products,
toiletries, cleaning materials, basically anything and everything that
can help a family function normally. Needed: Peanut Butter, Jams, Marmite, Margarine or any other spread
that could be used for sandwiches. Would really like to send it over to
Cheryl at Sarmie Mommies who feeds many hungry kids and elderly people
daily!
Old School Boys from both VHS (Voortrekker High
School) and Zwaanswyk High School who is going battle it out on the rugby field on the 15th of September 2013. This fund raising event will contribute all proceeds to the Kids in Need Organization. Kids in Need are a group of individuals catering to families in need, feeding
programmes, clothing programmes and assist less fortunate people, even
those on the side of the streets. This is a Non Profitable Organisation
which was launched early in 2013 (NPO no: Reference number: APP
13/135598)
Our aim is to have an arch rival rugby game with old school pupils going
back as far as 20yrs. This Charity Rugby Match Fund raiser will include
the infamous VHS vs Zwaanswyk on the 15th September 2013.
A proper family day will be celebrated where as each and everyone, old
and young can assist us with the fund raiser in means of purchasing from
our delectable food stalls, donating clothes and sponsorships. Each and
every contribution in any form would then be given to these Kids In
Need foundation in Cape Town, so they can continue doing what they do
best, giving a helping hand to the needy.
We, as old school boys from both schools, only think of one thing for
this rivalry match and it is all for a good cause. Giving back to the
community and this is our way of getting it out there.
In order for us to do so, we are now relying on handouts and those whom
is capable in making a small cash donation or any sponsorship for us to
assist this Kids In Need foundation.
Your small contribution, no matter how big nor small, can only put a
smile on a child's face. Ensuring their standard of living can only get
better from here on.
We, as the Old Boys of both Voortrekker and Zwaanswyk High Schools
Salute these Mommies offering up their time and money doing such an
awesome job looking after our community.
Loads of Prices Give Aways Food Stalls
Date: 15th September 2013 Where: False Bay Rugby Club, Constantia Time: 12:00 Entrance R5.00
