Local Life officially launches 

The Happy Hatter of Hermanus 

If you have had the privilege of meeting local artist Mardee Cita (26) you will know that he is a person you won’t easily forget. Cheerful and charismatic, Mardee always manages to make everyone smile with his positive attitude and energy.

As a child, Mardee already knew that he wanted to become an artist and worked hard, teaching himself different techniques in a variety of mediums. 

In 2019, while Mardee was living in Cape Town with his uncle, a family friend saw some of Mardee’s art and invited him to come and stay in Hermanus where “art is alive”. Here he introduced Mardee to William Ntebe who was running the Zwelihle Youth Café at the time. William invited Mardee to display his art at the Youth Café, giving the motivated young artist a foot into the Overstrand art world.

Mardee was sharing a house with four other people and soon realised that he needed more space to be creative. Once again William stepped in, and he suggested that Mardee stay at the Youth Café and create his art there. Mardee readily accepted and met several new friends who he says all motivated one another.

When the pandemic hit in 2020, Mardee did not lose faith and he maintained his positive outlook. Through the Youth Café, Mardee met local sculptor and ceramicist, Andrée Bonthuys, who bought him clay, and taught him sculpting and ceramic techniques. And through Andrée, Mardee met the FynArts organisers, who would often hire him to serve drinks at exhibition openings.

During this time Mardee also met Susan Roberts, owner of Lilly Rose and she was impressed by his joyful attitude and his beautiful ceramics. Susan quickly started promoting Mardee and his creations, even stocking his items in her florist shop. Through this Mardee connected with other people and his name became ever more familiar. Mardee says that to this day Susan is still one of his biggest supporters.

Never one to sit still, Mardee again decided to try something new. One of his friends at the Youth Café, Leroy, was fond of wearing hats and Mardee asked if he could paint one. Leroy accepted and once the hat was completed, told an ecstatic Mardee that he could keep it.

At the next FynArts exhibition opening, Mardee proudly donned his new hat which drew the attention of Hermanus residents Lillian and Charles Ellis. Lillian loved the hat and Mardee offered to paint one for her. Excited, Lillian brought Mardee a few hats and paid him to paint them in whichever way he wished. Over time, Lillian stocked up the hats, and in 2020 surprised him with a get-together at Ficks Restaurant where they officially launched Mardee Africa Hats. Shortly thereafter, Mardee’s hats were available to buy at Intethe Art Gallery, the FynArts Gallery and Ficks Restaurant, and they quickly grew in popularity. 

Taking it yet another step further, Lillian and Charles offered to assist Mardee in turning his hat-painting into a viable business, and they started looking for a place to rent from where Mardee could both create and sell his hats. In 2021, Frieda Lloyd (Cape Whale Coast Tourism Manager) offered Mardee a space next to the Hermanus Tourism office in Mitchell Street and he has been there ever since.

Mardee’s business has grown exponentially over the last two years with his unique South African-inspired hats going home with visitors from all over the world including England, Egypt, America, Germany, Belgium, Japan, Australia, Abu Dhabi, India and New Zealand. He has created hats for businesses such as Dutchies Restaurant, Ficks Restaurant, Creation Wines, Southern Right Charters, and Insider SA, just to name a few. Recently he has also added sneakers and denim items, such as jeans and jackets, to the variety of apparel that he paints.

When asked about his plans for the future, Mardee says that his lifelong dream is to own his own studio: “I want to get to the point where my hats make enough money to open my own gallery showing all my creative sides. I also want to play a role in creating more jobs.”

Mardee was also recently offered a new opportunity that will help him in his pursuit of reaching his dream. He is set to further his business education by learning important business skills through FLAME, a Socio-Economic Development (SED) programme which aims to provide entrepreneurship training and support to micro-enterprise owners.

The Hermanus hatter couldn’t be happier. 

Mardee can be contacted via Facebook and Instagram (@mardeedesigns) for queries or custom orders. Alternatively, you visit him at the Hermanus Tourism office from Monday to Friday between 09:00 – 16:00 or on Saturday between 09:00 – 15:00. Mardee also offers painting workshops where he assists you with painting your own ‘Mardee Hat’. Tools are supplied and there is a small cost to cover the paint and his time. 

Artisanal sourdough delights at BROOD 

BROOD, an artisanal sourdough bakery in Onrus, opened the doors of its new premises last month after two years of trading from home and at the Hermanus Country Market on Saturdays. 

Owned by chefs Johan Lamprecht and Susan Thirion, the bakery offers a wide selection of naturally fermented sourdough-based goods including a gluten-free option, white sourdough, ciabatta, baguettes, rye, focaccia, fougasse, challah, rolls, bagels, pretzels, and breadsticks. 

During a sourdough course in Spain, Johan and Susan got the idea to bake naturally fermented breads. Unlike other bread, sourdough undergoes natural fermentation by lactic acid bacteria and naturally occurring wild yeasts. Yeast causes the dough to rise by creating carbon dioxide bubbles, while the lactic acid bacteria preserves the bread by lowering its pH. This fermented sourdough ‘starter’ can be added to any bread to help it rise without the need for baking powder.

After losing their jobs in 2020 due to the pandemic, Johan and Susan turned their focus completely onto bread with the dream of some day opening their own bakery in Hermanus. The opportunity presented itself last year when the premises they were looking at became available. 

BROOD is now thriving, and Johan and Susan have been working hard to keep up with the bread orders, baking every day except Mondays. The dynamic duo have included a coffee shop at the front of their bakery featuring items from local businesses such as coffee from Dawn Coffee Roasters, pastel de nata from Onshore Eatery, sauces and preserves from Scorch, Heidi’s Pies, and sweet goodies from the Cake Fairy. Also available at the coffee shop, and direct from their kitchen, are cinnamon buns, muffins, biscuits, and muesli. 

Johan and Susan still have big plans for BROOD and are wanting to expand the business to include a bistro in the future. For now, they are going to focus on the busy season ahead and want to welcome everyone to pay them a visit at their bright and sunny new bakery and coffee shop at 22 Molteno Street in Onrus. 

BROOD is open Monday to Friday from 08:00 – 16:00 and Saturday from 07:00 – 12:00. Bread can be ordered via WhatsApp on 072 888 8310 a day in advance (please note there is no bread available on Mondays). 

Art in the Park (AITP) Hermanus is now in its sixth year and continues to grow from strength to strength. Featuring over 50 Overberg artists, this monthly event invites both locals and visitors to immerse themselves in the world of art.

AITP brings together a selection of talented artists, photographers, sculptors, and craftsmen at the Hermanus Country Market venue on the first Sunday of each month, creating a unique outdoor space for art collectors and admirers to casually browse local artworks by artists who do not have their own art galleries. 

AITP was founded by Gilly Shreeve in 2017 and is now run by volunteer organisers and local artists Debbie van Vuren, Jenny Bowes-Meyer, Riesa Maree, and Peter Southworth. The goal of AITP is to promote cultural engagement, support local artists and to create a space for the public to appreciate and purchase art at more accessible prices. 

While appreciating the art on display, attendees can also enjoy a cup of coffee and a bite to eat from one of the local vendors.

If you would like to have a stall at AITP, as a food vendor or as an artist, please contact Riesa on 082 829 4285. All locals who create handmade, unique arts or crafts can apply to join.

Art in the Park will take place on Sunday 3 December from 10:00 – 14:00 with a special Christmas AITP event taking place later in the month. For updates keep an eye on their Facebook page.

Burgundy Restaurant is well-loved by both locals and visitors, not only for its breathtaking views and fabulous food, but also for its welcoming atmosphere, and friendly and efficient staff – 80% of which have worked at the restaurant for ten or more years.

This contemporary seaside bistro has a rich history and is located in two of the oldest buildings in Hermanus, which were originally built in 1875 by Swedish boat builder John Louis. 

In 1928, Ethel Rubery from England bought the property and began the Cypress Tea Garden. After being a landmark in Hermanus for decades, the Cypress Tea Garden was converted into The Burgundy Restaurant in 1987 by Tim Hamilton Russell, who used the space to sell his wines. Tim pioneered Burgundy-style Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the Overstrand, recognising that the area had the ideal terroir for growing those grapes.

Between the 1990s and the early 2010s, The Burgundy Restaurant changed hands several times until 2014 when Willem Steyn and Rudolf van der Berg took over as owners. The name was rebranded to ‘Burgundy Restaurant’ and was transformed into the family-friendly bistro that we know today.

Current owner, Rudolf van der Berg’s journey with Burgundy first started in 2003 when he began working there as a chef. He left not long after to work for Mo Mo’s in Hermanus for two years before marrying his wife Lizanne in 2005 and moving to Hoedspruit where they both worked at Camp Jabulani. Not able to forget about Burgundy, Rudolf and Lizanne moved back to Hermanus in 2009 and he began working for the restaurant as a consultant. 

In 2010 he formed a partnership with the then owners Ryno and Celia Rabie before leaving Burgundy again in 2012 to run Savannah Café with Willem Steyn. At Savannah, Rudolf was able to learn more about being a young entrepreneur, becoming involved with front of house as well as the business’s books. Two years later, Willem and Rudolf bought Burgundy and sold Savannah Café.

For the third and final time, Rudolf was back at Burgundy Restaurant. 

Over the next few years, Rudolf and Willem continued to grow the Burgundy brand, purchasing, and expanding into what used to be Tapas Food & Wine Bar which was located next door. Then in 2022, Rudolf took over as the sole owner of Burgundy. 

Rudolf says that it is important for the restaurant to remain involved in the community and to accommodate locals. “We have a bridge group, prayer group, and knitting group who meet here frequently. The Hermanus Camino also ends their walk here,” he says, “Our slogan is ‘Enjoy the Gift of Generosity’ – because we are generous not only in our offerings but also in our smiles and our attitudes. Everyone is welcome at Burgundy.”

Rudolf also likes to keep other restaurateurs on their toes: “Whenever a new restaurant opens, I make a change at Burgundy,” said Rudolf with a twinkle in his eye, “Over the past few years we have added a pergola, repainted the restaurant and changed the décor.”

When asked why he decided to go with a vibrant green for the outside of the restaurant, Rudolf explained that green is a sign of growth. One of his favourite quotes is from RAAF/Bottomless Coffee Band and it reads Die toekoms verf met groen. “We must always be positive and believe that we are going into a season of prosperity,” says Rudolf. 

Burgundy Restaurant is open seven days a week from 08:00 – 21:00 at 7 Harbour Road in Hermanus. Their menu can be found on their website www.burgundyrestaurant.co.za. Keep an eye on their Facebook page for events and updates. For enquiries and bookings call 028 312 2800.

Artistic innovation reveals nature's perfection 

By Barbara Lindop

In the mayhem of present-day geopolitical turmoil, ruinous destruction, and ego-manic and narcissistic behaviour, there remain existing pockets of peaceful enchantment. For those of us lucky enough to live in the Overberg, the breathtaking beauty of our surroundings seems to inspire a transformation in human behaviour, sparking inventiveness, originality, and creativity.

Here in this beguiling environment, a rich variety of flora and vegetation flourish, enabling the ingenious mind to imagine and create objects of infinite beauty and skill. 

Stanford artist Jo de Villiers immerses herself into this environment, transforming her expertise into the manufacture of both fynbos necklaces and delicate botanical drawings, one of which was selected in the 2023 Sasol New Signatures Art Competition.

Jo’s skills and observational understanding of the surrounding beauty and its vegetation were honed whilst guiding visitors through the richly diverse and pristine Grootbos Private Nature Reserve for ten years. The wonders and complexity of the microclimatic interaction within the multitude of fynbos species and its bird and insect life, provide her with a never-ending source of inspiration. 

It was there that Jo familiarised herself with an intimate knowledge of the delicate structures within the plants, which she shares through her innovative and unique artistic processes.

For each of the pendants of Jo’s necklaces, burned seed pods are meticulously dissected to reveal the inner core of nature’s most hidden secrets: the geometrical exactitude, balance, and perfection of which no human mind can conceive. These exquisite treasures, each unique in its formation, reveal themselves in earthy colour combinations of creams, golden hues, browns, shades of greys and blacks. Each jewel-like creation is embedded in a carefully turned wooden case, secure and protected from its own fragility. A resin surface is then layered above this perfection, adding a rich luminosity to the overall appearance. Recycled rubber is crafted into a wearable chain, reminding us to conserve nature’s pristine environment.

Jo’s inimitable inventiveness enables an even wider appreciation of the heritage that the fynbos offers to its appreciative audience. 

Her interpretation of botanical imagery in her drawings is conveyed through another entirely innovative medium. Combining Polyfilla onto sandpaper, a burned protea seed pod is drawn through the textured paste to create delicate botanical forms, whilst enabling the blackened charcoal to delineate line and shadow. Attention to detail and meticulous precision of form created on a palette of monotone enables a powerful visual statement.  

Protea Cynaroides represents a combination of textural liquidity, with an ethereal background of soft and darker greys which contrast with the brittle edges of the harder leaves surrounding the soft inner of the flower’s centre. The rigid lines of the foliage define the darker tones creating shadow, depth, and form. Jo’s unique method allows for a distinctive and inspirational new approach to botanical art. Each image is an exquisite interpretation of the unforgettable beauty that one discovers whilst traversing the wilderness areas where fynbos thrives. 

Both the necklaces and the fynbos drawings are treasures to collect and serve as reminders of the sanctity and wonder of life. They are available to purchase at Intethe Gallery at 25 High Street in Hermanus. For more information call Barbara Lindop on 083 449 5340 or email lindop@mweb.co.za.

A serendipitous spring menu at Creation Wines 

Creation Wines in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley celebrated the start of spring with the launch of their new tasting menu on 1 September. Each chapter of the menu has been carefully thought-out to combine the healing power of nature with our South African heritage, creating a host of unique tasting experiences.

Anyone who has indulged in a tasting at Creation knows that it is designed to stimulate all of the senses. The multi-award-winning vineyard changes their menu seasonally because of the body's need for a different diet and lifestyle to stay balanced. 

“For our spring menu we listened to our team for their unique take on indigenous taste and tradition,” says Creation Creative Director Carolyn Martin, “We also listened to our guests for their inspiring suggestions – gifts to us from their own wide experiences and travels.”

The first chapter of the menu features a fresh cucumber booster which brings a cool, clean and soothing balance to the vibrant Creation Sauvignon Blanc it is paired with. The Creation Sauvignon Blanc Semillon, reminiscent of fresh ocean breezes, is enjoyed with grilled zucchini, goat’s milk cheese, pesto, and sorrel.  

In chapter 2, guests can look forward to enjoying a pickled sosatie with sundried tomato, peppadew and quail egg paired with the Viognier, which creation describes as “joyful and vivacious with pertinent peach snuggling up to the secret subtleties of ripe pear”.

The Creation Reserve Chardonnay is a menu highlight and a delicious match for the dish in chapter 3 of the menu, which consists of a beautifully plated and locally sourced herbed trout, with kohlrabi, fennel, and an outstanding pesto.

Chapter 4 makes use of some truly South African dishes such as maize meal and chakalaka which are served with springbok and green beans. This is paired with the Creation Pinot Noir, one of the vineyard’s flagship wines which has an almost velvety texture.

After the last sip of Pinot Noir is enjoyed, it is on to another South African favourite in chapter 5: a lamb roti with waterblommetjie, sorghum and num-num. Paired with the Creation Syrah Grenache, the wine’s flavours of ripe plum and black pepper take your senses on a delicious culinary journey.

The final chapter on the menu is the ‘sweet temptation’ which is served with the vineyard’s Fine Cape Vintage. The dish is comprised of a tipsy tart served with orange sauce, and a guava and ginger gelato made in Creation’s kitchen. This gorgeous, final dish can only be described as a ‘tasting spring’!

Creation’s Serendipity Spring Menu will still be available for the next few weeks before they change to their new summer menu. There is also a plant-based option available. The cost per person is R945 and it is advisable to make your booking in advance by emailing reservations@creationwines.com or by calling 028 212 1107. 

By Kurt van Wyk

Ecologist & PhD Researcher at Grootbos Foundation

Grootbos Foundation is a non-profit organisation in the Overstrand with a mission to conserve the Cape Floristic Region and uplift the communities therein. The Cape Floristic region is a botanical hotspot and the smallest of the world’s six floral kingdoms. Covering less than half a percent of Africa's total land area, the Cape Floristic Region boasts more than 20% of Africa’s plant species, with 69% of these plants found nowhere else in the world.

Unfortunately, the region is threatened by agricultural and urban development, invasive plant species, and fire mismanagement. Grootbos Foundation’s Conservation and Research Unit focuses on uncovering the mysteries of the fynbos landscape and using this knowledge to

develop meaningful conservation practices.

Frogs may not be the first thing that come to mind when thinking about conservation in the Cape Floristic Region, but most of South Africa’s threatened frog species are endemic to the region. A recent publication notes that 40.7% of all amphibians are now listed as vulnerable or more threatened on the IUCN Red List, making amphibians the most threatened group of vertebrates globally. An additional 10.6% are listed as ‘data deficient’, meaning their threat status is unknown. This is cause for concern as this baseline information is required in order to document any changes in amphibian populations. 

While we may know which species are present in a given area, we know very little about how they are responding to habitat change. With support from the Endangered Wildlife Trust, one of the ongoing projects at Grootbos Foundation focuses on mapping the distribution and relative abundance of threatened vertebrates from the Walker Bay region to Agulhas.

The Western Leopard Toad, Micro Frog, and Cape Platanna occur in fragmented populations from the Cape Peninsula to the Agulhas Plain. Thanks to its loud, snoring call and bright markings, the Western Leopard Toad is the most well-known of the three species, occurring across an estimated 405 km² in Cape Town and the Overstrand. This endangered species emerges en masse in late winter to congregate at a number of breeding pools. They seem to be highly loyal to these pools returning year after year, sometimes travelling several kilometres from their summer resting sites. Surveys have recorded a total of 26 breeding pools from the Klein River to Pearly Beach. 

Fortunately, the Overstrand population is comparatively well-protected, although the incidence of roadkill around Stanford’s breeding pools remains an ongoing threat to the local species.

The Micro Frog is listed as Critically Endangered and inhabits a relatively small local area of 10km². This species is confined to isolated Fynbos wetlands and, bulking up to a maximum size of just 18 mm, is best studied via the male’s chirping call. The discovery of an extensive subpopulation in the Nuwejaars Wetlands Special Management Area in 2021 bodes well for the species’ resilience. 

Clearing invasive plant species from the wetland in a major project funded by WWF South Africa, has created one of the largest known areas of breeding habitat for the Micro Frog. The efforts of the Nuwejaars Wetlands Special Management Area to protect 47 000 hectares of critical habitats near Africa’s southern tip must be commended. Together we have selected three monitoring sites in the Nuwejaars subpopulation, thus covering the entirety of the Micro Frog’s known range on the Agulhas Plain. Surveys at these sites are helping us develop a better understanding of the species’ habitat requirements, facilitating better protected area management and, possibly, the detection of new breeding sites.

The endangered Cape Platanna is a fully aquatic species, occurring in dark, acidic water associated with pristine Fynbos. It is known from scattered records totalling an estimated 60 km² of suitable habitat, where it is threatened by damming, water abstraction, and nutrient runoff. Its range partially overlaps with that of its larger cousin, the Common Platanna, which is considerably more adaptable. Habitat disturbance has allowed the Common Platanna to colonise systems previously dominated by Cape Platannas. 

The two species regularly hybridise, producing sterile offspring that compete with the Cape Platanna for resources. Ongoing surveys across the Agulhas Plain have failed to find sites without Common Platannas, though some undisturbed wetlands are fortunately still dominated by Cape Platannas with no evidence of hybrids.

Although these frogs sit on a knife’s edge, the Overberg is home to robust populations of all three species. Through collaboration between multiple expert organisations, we can secure habitat for these threatened animals and ensure that they thrive in our landscape for generations to come. 

Many of us understand the importance of protecting our natural biodiversity, but when looking at the bigger picture, let’s not forget the little guys!

To learn more about the Grootbos Foundation click here.

Stir your curiosiTEA

Curiositea is an enchanting little tea shop situated in Hermanus and boasts a wide variety of options for the tea aficionado. Located in High Street, the shop was opened in 2019 by Paarl restaurateurs Marcelo and Tanya Bassi, who made the move to Hermanus after handing over the running of their restaurant to their son. 

According to Tanya, apart from international visitors there are many local tea lovers who are regulars in their shop. "Everyone has different tastes depending on where they are from," says Tanya, "Locals mostly prefer the rooibos teas, while foreigners seem to prefer the herbal and floral teas." Along with bagged tea, Tanya and Marcelo also sell a range of loose leaf teas which are available on their shelves to smell before purchasing. Tanya tries to stock as many different teas as possible so that there is something for everyone to enjoy, and will always try to find the teas for customers that she does not have in stock. 

For javaholics, Tanya and Marcelo stock Terbodore coffee, and there are one or two options for hot chocolate lovers too. For those with a sweet tooth, there are a number of goodies for sale at the shop including toffees, nougat, rusks, biscuits and the Bassi's homemade mini black chocolate cakes, as well as gluten-free almond cakes which they bake fresh daily. Also available are a selection of beautiful gift options, perfect for the upcoming festive season, including teapots, cups and saucers, mugs, bags and various dishes.

Tanya and Marcelo are also in the process of opening a second shop in Main Road in Napier (next to the liquor store) called 'Casa' which will stock homeware and items for the pantry. They are hoping to open by the end of November.

"It is important that we all remember to support the little shops," says Tanya, "Go and explore the local businesses and see what they have to offer. Be a tourist in your own town!"

Curiositea is open Monday to Friday 09:00 – 17:00 and Saturday from 09:00 – 14:00. You will find them at 26 High Street in Hermanus. For more information you can follow them on Facebook.

Founder of Sharklady Adventures, Kim Mclean, has been enthusiastic about sharks and marine life since she was five-years-old, after witnessing how fishermen proudly displayed their catches – great white sharks crudely hung up by a hook for all to see. Even at her tender age, this mistreatment of marine life struck a chord with Kim and sparked her interest in marine conservation.

Kim matriculated in 1978 and applied to the Department of Sea Fisheries where she was accepted as a technical assistant. She worked in various segments including demersal, pelagic and southern oceans, and was involved with extensive research programmes with great white sharks. Kim was also one of the first people to tag great whites in South Africa, and the first woman to be included in the department's at-sea research.

Her commitment to protecting sharks, and her determination to correctly educate the public, saw Kim go on to qualify as a technical assistant in oceanography, and amongst others, her work included assisting renowned marine scientist, Dr Leonard Compagno with research. Kim’s knowledge has been of enormous benefit to the public and to those involved in shark conservation.

She began operating as the ‘Sharklady’ in 1992 and offered boat tours to the public, using it as a platform to educate visitors about sharks and to correct misconceptions. Not long thereafter Kim purchased her first shark diving cage which quickly became popular but she was always careful not to interfere with the sharks or pollute their environment. 

Now over 30 years later, Kim can proudly say that they have a 100% safety record. They comply with the strictest code of conduct as laid down by local Marine & Coastal Management to ensure both the safety of their clients and the sharks, and all of her staff are qualified, well-trained and experienced at sea.

In 2001 Kim founded Sharklady Adventures (SA), a shark cage diving company that strongly advocates for the protection and care of sharks as well as working on the important task of education. SA does this through initiating and participating in educational and conservation projects within the community.

And Kim isn’t done yet. Her passion for the sharks that she has spent her life studying and protecting continues. Her latest bid to protect the great whites was by becoming part of the recently launched documentary titled The Last Shark – a film about bringing our relationship with the great white sharks of South Africa into balance. 

Since 1952, the shark culling nets on the tourist beaches of Kwa-Zulu Natal have resulted in a serious decline in the number of great white sharks which remain in the wild. With an estimated 3 000 – 5 000 great white sharks remaining globally, this is a pressing issue and one that needs to be addressed. It is hoped that this documentary will bring the matter of this unnecessary culling to light and create awareness that the protection of these astounding predators should be at the forefront of conservation efforts.

The documentary explores how this started, how things currently stand, and how to move forward urgently and responsibly. 

For more information visit www.thelastsharkdoc.com. To enquire about hosting a screening or for any other enquiries email thelastsharkdoc@gmail.com.

Experienced hair stylist Alex Brown has believed for a long time that a visit to the salon is about more than just getting a haircut – it is an experience which should rejuvenate both the hair and the spirit. 

Alex's new salon, The HairLounge by Alex, embodies that belief, and the light and airy space has been carefully curated with modern decor and comfortable seating to create an atmosphere of relaxation. 

When you step through the front door you are warmly greeted by Alex and his two stylists Mariana Barends and Charné Erasmus, who will offer you a cup of coffee or tea, or even a glass of wine to help you relax even further.

Once you have had a moment to look around (if it is your first time visiting the salon) two things will catch your eye: the first is the giant, shimmering, crystal chandelier hanging from the beautiful wooden ceiling, and the second a large bust positioned on the reception countertop and painted in a variety of bright colours.

Alex, who wanted to create a fun but professional working environment, says, "Being a hairstylist is my passion. It is what I love to do. I want my clients and my staff to be happy, which is why I have created this bright and vibrant space to work in." 

Alex says that he has had amazing support from his clients and the local community, with lots of people stopping in just to admire his new salon, especially the chandelier.

The HairLounge offers a range of products and treatments from Joico, GHD and Olaplex, to Paul Mitchell, Inoar and Fanola, depending on your preference and what your hair requirements are.

Each stylist takes the time to understand your unique preferences, ensuring a personalised and satisfying experience from start to finish. 

The HairLounge is located at 32 Mitchell Street in Hermanus and is open Monday to Friday from 08:00 – 16:30 and on Saturdays from 08:00 – 13:00. To make an appointment call 079 516 6496. 

Follow them on Facebook and Instagram (@thehairloungebyalex) for more information.

Delectable works of art  

Mari Vosloo, founder of Mie & Me Cake Designs in Hermanus, is an artist when it comes to transforming simple baked creations into edible masterpieces. Using intricately piped designs, vibrant fondant sculptures, and other cake decorating techniques, Mari turns simple cakes into delicious works of art.

Mari originally studied fashion design and worked in the industry before moving with her husband, Francois, to Abu Dhabi in 2016. While there she noticed a demand by expats for decorated cakes. At that time, the only experience Mari had was the baking that she had done with her grandmother as a youngster.

Deciding to give it a try, Mari opened a baking business in Abu Dhabi and called it Mie & Me Cake Designs – ‘Mie’ in honour of her grandmother (it was her nickname) and ‘Me’ to represent herself.

Her baking business thrived and in 2020 when they moved back to South Africa, settling in Grabouw, Mari decided to continue on her career path as a cake designer and completed a Masters in Cake Decorating at La Petite Patisserie in Cape Town. Mari baked from home, filling custom orders and making goodies for the new coffee shop that she and her husband had opened in Hermanus – Baked Coffee Bar. 

Before long, Mari needed more space for her expanding baking business and with their children now attending school in Hermanus, they decided to renovate part of the building which houses their coffee shop into a kitchen. This way Mari could fill cake orders as well as keep an eye on the stock which includes mouth-watering cupcakes, brownies, millionaire’s shortbread, and decadent cookies. 

Mari’s favourite cakes to create are children’s birthday cakes which she says she has a lot of fun making, especially when she is given free reign over the design. She also bakes for Peregrine Farmstall once a week and now has a stall at Die Markie at Hermanuspietersfontein which is open on Saturdays from 9am to 2pm.

If you would like to order a custom cake or any of Mari’s other baked goods you can contact her on 076 921 7381 or pop in and chat to her in person at Baked Coffee Bar at 3 Mitchell Street in Hermanus. They are open Monday to Friday from 09:00 – 16:00. For more photos of her work, you can follow her on Facebook or Instagram (@mieandme_cakedesigns).

New coworking [space] in Kleinmond 

Working remotely has become a common and convenient way for people to carry out their professional tasks away from the traditional office setting. It has gained in popularity since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, and has proven to be a valuable option for both employees and employers, allowing for increased productivity in the modern workplace.

Tilanie Pretorius, who runs Coffee @ Supa Quick Kleinmond, saw the need firsthand for a workspace in the Hangklip-Kleinmond area, as the coffee shop was steadily getting fuller with people looking for a place to work away from home – especially during loadshedding. 

After doing some market research and speaking to her husband Marco, who works at Supa Quick Kleinmond, the couple decided to create a coworking space in Kleinmond. They approached a family member at Quick Storage next door to Supa Quick, and after some discussion and planning, began converting one of the large storage containers into an office.

After weeks of hard work, Marco and Tilanie finally opened [space] Coworking Offices at the beginning of November. What was once a shipping container has been converted into a beautiful, clean coworking space which is unaffected by loadshedding. It features modern fittings with comfortable office chairs, good WiFi, and air conditioning for those hot summer days. 

However, nothing is better than the view from the new coworking space, which has been placed on top of another container at the edge of the secure Quick Storage premises. When in the offices one has breathtaking views of both the mountain and sea.

[space] Coworking Offices offers a variety of different options for those looking for a workplace away from home. Options include an hourly rate, half-day rate, and a full-day rate, and half-day and full-day customers receive a free coffee from Coffee @ Supa Quick. They also offer a ‘5 Day Flexi Pass’ which allows customers access to the offices for five full days (of their choice) in the month.

If you are hungry, you can conveniently pop next door to the coffee shop for a quick break and try one of their many delicious food offerings which include delicious quiches, muffins, and cakes. 

You can book and pay for your office pass by visiting their website or by popping in at the coffee shop. When you arrive at the coworking space, go to Coffee @ Supa Quick to fetch the tag that will open the gate to Quick Storage so that you can access the offices. 

[space] is open Monday to Friday 08:00 – 16:30 and on Saturdays by request from 09:00 – 12:00. For more information follow them on Facebook or visit their website.

A Place to Be loved, heard, and felt

Over the last few years, Soraya Pieterse (affectionately called Mama Soraya by those who know her) has devoted her time to feeding hungry children in the Mount Pleasant and Zwelihle communities. In 2019, after becoming aware of how many hungry children there were in her own street, she counted out the money that she had in her purse and went out to buy bread, polony, and chips to share with passing children. 

From there, with the help of family and friends, the Love, Hope, Faith, and Happiness Soup Kitchen was born, which today provides one meal a day, to an average of 140 local children, seven days a week. “I can’t let them go hungry,” says Soraya.

Mama Soraya has always had big dreams for the Happiness Soup Kitchen, and in 2019 was already speaking about creating some shade in her garden to protect the children from the elements when they came to eat. Never one to give up, Soraya achieved that goal with the help of some local sponsors.

When Covid-19 hit, Soraya was even more determined to feed the increasing number of hungry children who showed up at her house each week, and again with the support of local businesses, she managed to continue to feed the hungry.

On Easter Weekend in 2022, Soraya met Rita Juri from Life Stories Association in Austria, who was looking for a worthy cause to support in Hermanus and just happened to be passing by when Soraya was dishing food for the children. 

Rita asked Soraya a lot of questions about her soup kitchen and her plans for the future. When Soraya told her that she would like to open an aftercare centre at her house, Rita and her husband Werner (who works in construction) jumped to get involved and helped to build a small aftercare on the Pieterse premises. 

The new aftercare centre is called ‘Place to Be’ and is run by Soraya and her friend Crizelda Willemse.  The fun new space opened its doors on Sunday 5 November and had its first youth night on Friday 10 November. 

The aftercare is open to 5 – 18-year-olds and there are volunteers to assist with homework. “Apart from helping with school work, the volunteers will help teach the children important life skills,” says Soraya, “We are also aiming to have professionals in their field come to talk to the children at the youth nights every Friday.” The children are also given a meal from the soup kitchen.

Place to Be is looking for posters, puzzles, toys, books, and other educational items to spruce up their aftercare centre. They are also looking for donations of toys, toiletries, clothing, sweets, cooldrink and food for their annual Christmas party on 18 December. If you can help in any way, please contact Soraya on 084 209 7839. 

By Alannah Grobler

In 2014, the South African presidency launched ‘Operation Phakisa’ to boost the economic growth of the country. This operation will lead to the expansion of human activities, such as shipping and drilling operations, in the ocean. 

Human activities such as these are known to have negative effects on the marine environment and have been classified as anthropogenic pressures by the 2018 SANBI National Biodiversity Assessment. 

These expansions also have the potential to negatively affect the whales and dolphins (referred to as cetaceans) of South Africa through pressures from increased noise levels, increased risk of vessel collisions, habitat degradation, entanglement and bycatch in fishing gear, and disturbance of important behaviours such as resting, feeding and socialising. 

There is a great need to understand the impacts of these pressures, both at present and in future, to help manage potential conservation issues and lessen the risk to cetaceans.

The management of these activities and their pressures on cetaceans is crucial because of the importance of these species to the marine environment. Cetaceans are a keystone species, as they significantly impact the environment that they occupy through the cycling and recycling of nutrients through the water column. 

As a highly charismatic species, cetaceans have a high economic value in the tourism industry and are often used to raise awareness regarding threats to the marine ecosystem. However, the methods that are currently used to protect these important species might be insufficient in light of the planned expansion of the ocean economy in South Africa, as knowledge regarding the cumulative impacts of these expansions on cetaceans in South Africa is lacking. 

Therefore, an assessment of the extent of anthropogenic pressures on cetaceans in South Africa is needed. This student’s thesis will explore this extent by investigating how much of a cetacean’s distribution is shared by an anthropogenic activity. This will be done by building Species Distribution Models (SDMs) for 18 cetacean species that are found in South Africa using modelling software. The SDMs will then be compared to maps showing the area where specific anthropogenic activities are conducted.

Calculations will be run to determine the percentage of cetacean distributions that are shared by anthropogenic activities. Based on these percentages, the anthropogenic activities that pose the greatest risk to cetacean distributions, and the cetaceans that are most vulnerable to pressures from these activities, will be identified. 

These results will provide information that could be used to make informed decisions regarding the conservation of cetaceans in South Africa.