Voter Registration

Although the date for the 2016 municipal election has not yet been announced, the processes leading up to the election are in motion — Registration and re-registration of voters can take place at any time at an office of the IEC (Independent Electoral Commission) – our closest one being in Hermanus.

However there will also be two official voter registration weekends IN the Hangklip area, of which the first one will be during the weekend of 5 and 6 March 2016.

It is extremely important that new residents, unregistered residents, as well as first-time voters (the 18 year olds and older who have not net registered or voted), ensure that they are registered in our ward (Hangklip, ward 10). The voter registration will again be facilitated in the Crassula Hall in Betty’s Bay for our three villages, and at the Proteadorp Community Hall for persons residing in Overhills and Proteadorp. (You may employ people from these residential areas in Kleinmond: please be sure to alert them as well!)

Shocking figures released by the IEC last week indicate that in the Western Cape, out of 189 386 young individuals between the ages of 18 and 19, only 10 204 are at this stage registered as voters.

PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD AS WIDELY AS YOU CAN! AND PLEASE ENCOURAGE OUR YOUNG PEOPLE TO REGISTER AND TO VOTE: EVERY SINGLE VOTE IS NEEDED!

• You  must be registered in the Ward in which you reside (owner or tenant) in order to vote.
• SMS  YOUR ID NO. TO 32810 to check your voting status
• Remember Registration weekend 5-6 March.Take ID doc and proof of residence (Municipal rates or such) with you. This should take no longer than 10 mins.

For any additional information on registration and the forthcoming election, you may contact me at 028-272 9533 / 082 572 2711 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Thank you and kind regards.

LISEL KRIGE
Ward Councillor / Wyksraadslid
OVERSTRAND
+27 82 572 2711
+27 28 272 9533

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Written by Donn

Category: Uncategorised

Published: 30 January 2016

Hits: 1454

Harold Porter Bridge Repairs

Good News From Harold Porter National Botanical Garden

Bridges in Disa Kloof to undergo repairs at last

After a very lengthy and frustrating wait, the bridges which were damaged by the massive floods in November 2013, are finally going to be repaired.  We are delighted and relieved to be able to announce that the repairs will start on Monday 18 January 2016 and should be completed in June of this year.

The long wait was caused by having to comply with the many regulations demanded by the Department of Environmental Affairs, which included a Botanical Survey, an Environmental Impact Assessment and an Hydrology Study, all of which had to be contracted out which required a tender process and all the red tape that that involves, as well as a Water License Application which had to be approved. A further tender to find the correct, fully compliant, contractor with experience in bridge building was then advertised and, once approved, was appointed.

PLEASE NOTE:

As soon as repairs commence, Disa Kloof will be completely closed to the public who will not be able to proceed further than the Olive May Porter Bridge which crosses the Dawidskraal River.

We would like to thank all our Garden visitors for their patience and understanding while the bridges have been out of commission and hope that the lowered entrance fee has helped to offset the inconvenience of not being able to visit this special section of the Garden.  As soon as Disa Kloof is opened once again with the new bridges, the entrance fees will be raised as decided by the SANBI Board.  As always Botanical Society members and children below 6 years will enjoy free entry.

Jane Forrester,
Interpretive Officer
Harold Porter National Botanical Garden

Tel:  028 272 9311
E-mail:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Upcoming Events

• Carols by Candlelight  19 December 2015
• Gugulethu Tenors Concert  02 January 2016
• Heinz Winckler Concert  06 January 2016

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Written by Donn

Parent Category: Buzz

Category: 2016 - January

Published: 20 January 2016

Hits: 1726

• harold porter
• botanical gardens

Die HELPNET oplossing!

(For English version, scroll down.)

'n Nuwe diens is in werking gestel vir mense in die Jock se Baai-gebied. Dit beloof om vir baie mense vinnige oplossings te bied vir lastige probleme.

Dit is 'n raadvra-diens, 'n navraagdiens, 'n hulpverleningsdiens en 'n kontakdiens, alles ineen gerol en dit is gratis.

Vroeër was ons lewenstyl elders miskien meer onafhanklik van ander mense. Hier in Bettysbaai lewe ons meer afgesonderd en privaat (soos ons verkies), maar ons vind tóg soms dat ons ander mense nodig het om met spesifieke probleme te help of om sekere geleenthede te benut.

Daar is soveel maniere waarop ons mekaar kan help. Dikwels soek ons iemand wat weet hoe om 'n spesifieke probleem aan te pak, of weet waar om sekere inligting te kry. Dikwels soek ons iets op die naaste dorp of ‘om die berg’- iets wat op sigself so onbenullig is dat dit nie 'n rit regverdig nie. As ons net kon weet wie sou in elk geval daarheen gery het! Miskien soek ek maar net iemand met wie ek kan gesels oor dinge waarin ek belangstel.

Daar is talle ander behoeftes waarvoor daar oplossings is – as ons maar net geweet het wáár om te soek. Die oplossing sou wees as daar iemand bestaan wat 'n stelsel bedryf om die mense met behoeftes en diegene met oplossings by mekaar te bring.

Dis net hier waar HELPNET inkom!

Jaap van Deventer (083 226 8471) onderneem om as skakelman 'n rekord te skep en te onderhou van almal wat in sy buurt woon (of baie dikwels hier is) en deel van die stelsel wil wees. Hy het sy buurt gekies van die Dawidskraalrivier ooswaarts tot by die deurgrawing anderkant Kopjeweg.

Hy weet waar elke HELPNET-lid woon en het elkeen se epos adres en telefoonnommer. Hy kan dus met elke lid in die gebied kommunikeer.

Een keer per dag, na behoefte, stuur hy 'n epos aan al sy buurtlede om te sê watter hulp of inligting gesoek word. Almal wat kan help of oplossings het, het dan die geleentheid om te reageer deur hom te kontak. Geen name word genoem nie, net 'n verwysingsnommer.

Iemand wat aan ‘n versoek kan voldoen of kan help, hoef bloot met die skakelman te skakel (epos of foon), wat op sy beurt vir die lid wat die diens/inligting verlang die besonderhede sal gee van die persoon wat hulp of 'n oplossing aanbied. Al wat hy dus doen is om die persoon met die oplossing in kontak met die persoon met die behoefte te bring. Dit werk min of meer soos ‘n gebieds-kennisgewingbord – oor die internet.

Hier is 'n aantal voorbeelde van hoe die stelsel kan werk.

1. Gerrit het dringend 'n spaarwiel vir sy boot se sleepwa nodig. Hy kontak die skakelman en vra: “Ek soek 'n kleinerige sleepwawiel met 4 boute”. Die versoek kom op die volgende HELPNET sirkel-epos. Gerrit se naam verskyn nie, net sy verwysingsnommer. Jan epos en sê hy het so 'n wiel. Gerrit word ingelig en hy kontak self vir Jan.

2. Sannie wil calamari gaarmaak, maar is bang dit is taai. Sy epos en vra: “Hoe maak mens calamari sag?” Haar versoek verskyn op die volgende HELPNET epos. Christine het die antwoord en reageer. Die skakelman kontak Sannie om met Christine te praat en die probleem word so opgelos.

3. Helena moet 'n spesifieke pakkie van Dischem, Clicks of miskien Kleinmond af kry en sy het nie nou vervoer nie. HELPNET epos haar versoek en iemand wat in elk geval moet ry, bied aan om dit te bring.

4. Hendrik neem sy gesin Wildtuin toe en soek iemand om in sy huis te slaap en na sy honde te kyk. Dit word ge-HELPNET. Hendrik kry om sekuriteitsredes net 'n verwysingsnommer. 'n Universiteitstudent met vakansie bied aan om te help. Die skakelman volg Hendrik se verwysingsnommer op, kontak hom en hy tree self met die student in verbinding.

5. Iemand soek 'n stapmaat. HELPNET vind die stapmaat.

6. Mense soek kontaknommers vir betroubare loodgieters, verwers, elektrisiëns, ensovoorts. Kry kontaknommers deur HELPNET.

7. Waarskuwings oor bobbejane, brande en ander gevaarlike toestande kan ook deur die HELPNET netwerk versprei word.

8. HELPNET kan u ook help om 'n geleentheid iewers heen te vind.

Daar is geen beperking op die aantal HELPNET-sirkels wat in Bettysbaai kan bestaan nie. Solank daar net iemand is wat bereid is om die skakelwerk in die betrokke gebied te doen, kan dit gebeur.

Jaap and Annaline van Deventer
083 226 8471

English version

Just about everybody living in Betty’s Bay have made a conscious choice to live here. The atmosphere and beautiful nature around us were most probably the main reasons. We have elected to live in peaceful tranquillity.

Most probably our previous lifestyle tended to be rather independent of others. It is as if we had set up barriers to prevent the intrusion of the multitudes. We built walls and fences for safety. Now we live a more private life (the one we actually prefer), but it surely does happen that occasionally we do need other people to help us deal with problems or to help us to exploit specific opportunities.

There are so many ways in which we can be of mutual assistance. Often we try to locate someone who knows how to deal with a particular problem, or who knows where some information can be gained. Of we need something from the town close by or from ‘around the mountain’, the item in itself might be of so little importance or value that that it does not really warrant doing the trip just for that. If only we had known of somebody who would have done the trip in any case! It might also be that we need a person with similar interests just for a friendly chat.

There are so many needs with ready solutions and answers – if only we knew where to search. The final answer would be if someone could create and maintain a system that could establish a link between those with needs and those with solutions.

This is the point where we would like to introduce HELPNET!

The HELPNET system

I shall compile and maintain a record of all the people living in our neighbourhood who wish to be part of the system. Let us assume that we refer to the area east of the Dawidskraal River up to where Cliff Road and Hi-Level Road connect with Clarence Drive.

I know where you live and your email address and contact numbers will be on my database so that I can easily communicate with everyone in the area.

If I then, say, once a day at 6 pm, send an email to the entire mailing list in which I state what information or particular kind of assistance is requested, it allows anyone with a solution to react by contacting me. No names will be distributed, only a reference number.

All I do then is to establish contact between the person with the solution and the one with the need. In principle it operates like an area notice board using the internet.

Here follows a number of examples of the kind of encounters we might have to deal with:

Examples:

1. Alvin urgently requires a spare wheel for his trailer for one trip. He contacts me and gives some technical particulars. At 6 pm it goes on the HELPNET email. I do not mention his name, only his reference number. John sends me an email: He can help. I phone Alvin and let him contact John. Problem possibly solved!

2. Sally has some calamari but she is afraid it might be too tough for her guests. She asks in her email: “How do I get it sufficiently tender?” I get a response through HELPNET and I refer Raylize to Sally. Raylize has been using tenderiser on calamari for years.

3. Helena must get some medical preparation from Dischem, Clicks or from Kleinmond. Her car is in for a service. HELPNET carries her request and someone who has to go in any case offers to pick up her parcel.

4. Elise has a little dog that refuses to walk on a lead. HELPNET brings her a dog owner who knows exactly how to do it. A year later the two dogs both walk side by side on their leads.

5. Eric needs somebody to look after his dogs and his home while he and his family is off to the Kruger Game Park. His need is explained on HELPNET under the usual reference number so nobody knows which home will be vacant for a fortnight. A university student on holiday offers help. Eric contacts him and they meet to discuss the solution.

6. Very often someone requires a person as a regular hiking partner. HELPNET is ideal for that purpose.

7. Have you ever required the name of a plumber or an electrician? It is difficult when you are new to the area. HELPNET can solve your problem.

8. It is even possible to send out an area alert through HELPNET if we are the victims of a new baboon tribe, or the presence of people who act suspiciously, or if we wish to warn the locals against a fire or other threat.

9. HELPNET can even help you to get a lift somewhere.

There are so many people, each with their unique needs, who might find HELPNET to be a source of solutions.

 At what cost?

HELPNET is not free. Your contribution will consist of your ability and willingness to assist people who need your services or knowhow. Serving the needs of your fellow human being is after all the only way you can really justify your existence on this planet. HELPNET might help you to perform!

How do you become a HELPNET participant?

Contact me or my wife, Annaline, on (028) 2729 371 or 083 226 8471. We shall then arrange that you are entered on the HEPNET data record.

The next step would be when you require some assistance or advice. Contact us by email or otherwise and we shall enter your request on the next HELPLINE email (under a reference number). Should someone offer help, we shall contact you to link you to the person who has responded.

Welcome!

Jaap and Annaline van Deventer
083 226 8471

 

 

 

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Written by Donn

Category: Community

Published: 19 January 2016

Hits: 1529

• help
• helpnet
• support

Duine Nuus/Dune News

 The response

Hi All

I refer to a mail from a Betty’s Bay property owner regarding limited access to the Main Beach parking area due to the excessive amounts of sand dumped there.  I became aware of the situation at the parking area two weeks ago and last week I discussed this with the nature conservation people at the OM making exactly the statements made in this mail.  It is unacceptable that the only public access to Main Beach is effectively blocked by sand – placed there by the OM.

The OM has a real problem in that, in terms of the temporary Maintenance Management Plan approved by the Western Provence Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (DEADP) last year, the Main Beach parking area is the only location where sand removed by the OM from Nerine Crescent and Morea Road may be legally placed.  This has resulted in the situation that we have now. 

The new Betty’s Bay Dune Management Plan, which has been developed by a specialist consultant commissioned by The Betty’s Bay Dune Interest Group and the Betty’s Bay Rate Payers Association, has completed its public participation process and has now been submitted to the DEADP for approval in accordance with the National Environmental Management Act and Regulations.  This plan, when approved by DEADP, will allow for the proper management of the Main Beach dunes including the parking area.  Unfortunately it is unlikely that this approval process will be completed before Christmas.

During our discussion with the OM nature conservation they suggested that the sand could be move temporarily off the parking area for the festive season and returned after the season, where it will stay until the Plan has been approved.  The OM has now requested permission from DEADP to implement this temporary measure and is currently awaiting a reply.

The best case scenario is this will happen tomorrow and that the sand will be moved before the end of the week. However there is also the possibility that the request will not be approved or that the resources to move the sand cannot be found in time.............Let’s hope for the best.

Regards
Gottlieb

Details

Written by Donn

Category: Dunes

Published: 15 December 2015

Hits: 1410

• dunes