Located on the corner of Longmarket and Queen Victoria Streets in Stanford, Union Grocery & Eatery offers a welcoming space where people can come together to share stories over a delicious cup of coffee and a slice of cake, enjoy breakfast or lunch, get some work done, or stock up on some select essentials for their pantry.

As the name suggests, Union celebrates community and the coming together of people. This has been achieved in the hands of owners, Ronald and Ineke van Elst, and their highly competent, warm, and friendly staff. 

Many years ago, Ronald and Ineke, who are originally from the Netherlands, decided that they wanted to retire in Stanford. For 20 years they enjoyed holidays in the area, looking forward to the day that they could make a permanent move. In late 2021, they began looking online for a local business to buy and Union Grocery & Eatery caught their eye. In 2022 they moved to Stanford permanently and took over the eatery that May.

While Union was formerly predominantly a health eatery and grocer, Ronald and Ineke have transformed it into one that appeals to everyone. Cakes and breads are made fresh in the kitchen daily, with locally sourced ingredients being used as far as possible in support of local businesses. This also helps to ensure that quality is standard. Many of the cakes and breads are gluten-free and vegan friendly so there are options for everyone to choose from. 

Union offers all day breakfasts and there are some delicious clean-eating options including gluten-free granola with honey and yogurt, with a vegan option available. You can also enjoy French toast, and a variety of toasties and omelettes. On the lunch menu is the popular Union Buddha Bowl (quinoa, chickpeas, beetroot, avocado, tomato, carrot, lettuce, seeds, and tahini dressing), as well as a classic favourite: bangers and mash with caramelised onions. They also have regular blackboard specials, often determined by whatever fruit or vegetable is currently growing in Ineke’s garden. 

There are many types of drinks to choose from to accompany your meal such as your usual coffees and teas as well as kombucha, fresh juices, and NOMU hot chocolate. Union also offers MannaBrew, made from Mesquite, for those who like the taste of coffee but without the caffeine.

They currently employ seven staff, some of whom have been there since the original Union first opened in December 2021. One such person is Ursula Hendricks, who started as a sculler before assisting the chef and is now working front of house. Her kind nature immediately leaves an impression.

Ineke and Ronald believe it is important to make sure that their staff are happy working at Union. “Communication is important,” says Ineke, “If Ronald and I go away for a week I know that I can trust my team to manage things while we are away. We are all honest and open with one another here, and by doing so we can keep improving Union for our customers.”

Union has both indoor and outdoor seating with smaller tables for a more intimate get together and larger tables for social gatherings. Along the back wall are shelves stocked with a curated selection of mostly locally sourced goods including free range eggs, rice, seeds, plant-based milks, honey, homemade jams, and more. Their regular, loyal customers, as well as visitors from out of town, love the grocery and eatery, and are impressed by the gluten-free and vegan options available. 

Union also holds a themed evening on the first Tuesday of the month where one can enjoy a set, four-course menu between 18:00 and 20:00. For these events each of the Union staff make suggestions for a theme and then, once decided, meals are tried and tested before the set menu is announced. Previous themed evenings include Moroccan, Dutch and Persian. The next one will take place on 7 May and the theme is African. Tickets are priced at R225pp and can be booked by phoning 072 078 0564 (booking is essential and seating is limited to 20 people). 

Union is committed to sustainability and ensures minimal waste comes from their kitchen. They have generator power during loadshedding and are open every day from 07:00 to 18:00 (08:00 to 18:00 on Sundays). For photos and information, follow them on Instagram (@unioneatery) or visit www.uniongroceryandeatery.co.za to view their menu.

Making all the right moves 

Following the success of last year's Hermanus Chess Club Open, hosted by the Hermanus Chess Club, the tournament was once again held at Curro Hermanus on 20 April. This year’s prize pool increased to R45 000 from last year’s R30 000, with the generous help of sponsors STBB, Orbic Solar, Dive Tech Centre Hermanus, and Rola Ford Hermanus.

On the eve of the tournament, a newly introduced blitz event was held for players who were already in the area. Amongst these were competitors staying in Hermanus for the weekend who had come from further afield, such as the Eastern Cape, North West, Kwazulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Gauteng, and other parts of the Western Cape. 

The blitz was a great event for participants to socialise and prepare for the tournament. 39 players attended, and were challenged by a difficult format of 3 minutes per person, with a 2 second increment per move.

The main rapid chess event had 215 entrants and 13 titled players who took part, amongst them two International Masters, five Candidate Masters, three Fide Masters, one National Master and one Provincial Master. Each competitor played several rounds of rapid chess, being given 15 minutes per game with an additional 5 second increment per move. 

The rapid tournament was divided into four sections, based on competitors' chess ratings – a system which ranks the strength of a player based on their performance against other rated players. The sections were: Championship (players rated 1700+), Advanced (players rated 1500 – 1699), Intermediate (players rated 1250 – 1499), and Development (players rated under 1250 and born in 2010 or after).

After a long day of chess the Championship Section was won by International Master Watu Kobese who walked away with a medal, trophy and R10 000.

Attendees at the event included Aldo Pekeur and local chess player Dr Andrew Southey, who has been selected to represent South Africa at the FIDE World Senior Team Chess Championships. The tournament will take place from July 1 to July 12 in Krakow, Poland.

Chess Candidate Master Kenny Willenberg, of the renowned Willenberg family, expressed his thanks for a well organised tournament saying, "I feel like the Hermanus Open has opened up new relationships and friendships between regions and fosters growth, especially the juniors who benefit from the inspiring experience of playing in the same hall as the best players in SA".

Martin Brink, Chairman of Hermanus Chess Club, says that the tournament is all about giving back to the chess community, “It's for the love of the game. Many participants have told us that the excellent planning and organisation, the quality of the venue and vendors coupled with the prize fund has set a new standard for chess tournaments.”

The Hermanus Chess Club meets every Thursday at the Brewery & Grill Hermanus from 16.00 – 18.30 for social chess games. Club membership is R300 per year for adults and R250 per year for learners. Anyone is welcome to join and the social games are free to try out without committing to membership. 

For more information contact Martin on 076 593 0010 or visit www.hermanuschessclub.co.za. 

Debut novel by Sandbaai resident 

Local labour relations officer Heinz Meissner has always enjoyed reading books as it takes his mind on a journey of discovery, but he never thought that one day he would be the author of his own published book. The idea of writing his own novel only came to mind when he read several books and articles on the subject of creative writing. 

“The first draft of Rolf se Restourasie was lightyears away from something which any reader would have been interested in,” admits Heinz. He reached out to a few experts in the field of manuscript development, and they provided him with good advice on how to proceed, but it was only when he decided to enrol for a course in creative writing at Skryfnet, that the final draft of his novel came into being.  

The theme of the novel is reinvention. The main character, Rolf, is confronted with sadness, hardship and situations which challenge his integrity. These events prompt him to search within for answers and direction. “All of us are sometimes faced with things that seem insurmountable. It is then when we must become the hero in our own life stories to chase away the dark clouds so that the light on the other side can shine through. Once achieved, we are able to experience joy and love,” explains Heinz.   

Rolf se Restourasie is being published by Turksvy Publikasies. Marlene Malan, owner and managing director of the publishing house, also attended to the editing of the book. She says that she was immediately invested in the manuscript as it is so different from other books that are currently available on the shelves of bookstores. 

“It is a story which unfolds in the heart of Johannesburg where corruption and racketeering are prospering due to unscrupulous public figures. It is in this world that Rolf has to find himself and pursue his destiny and it is this journey which is so remarkable that it makes it impossible to stop reading until you know what happens to Rolf in the end,” says Marlene.    

Rolf se Restourasie can be purchased from locally from The Book Cottage at 8 High Street in Hermanus, or at www.turksvypublikasies.co.za.

FynArts: A feast for foodies

Hermanus has not only become an art destination of note, but also a gastronomic hub that boasts internationally acclaimed wineries and an ever-increasing number of top restaurants. The burgeoning culinary home industry has also brought to the fore talented and creative foodies who sell their wares at bakeries, delis and markets in the region.

It is for this reason that the culinary arts have a special place on the FynArts Festival programme. From 7 – 17 June festival-goers will be treated not only with art exhibitions, performances, talks and presentations, and a variety of arts and crafts workshops, but also with several food and wine events. 

The FynArts Culinary Series presents ten well-known food personalities who will be in action in the FynArts pop-up kitchen in the United Church Hall from Monday 10 to Friday 14 June, at 11:00 and 15:00. Leave with printed recipes and impress your family and friends. In addition, there are six culinary workshops where you will spend more time in the kitchen having fun while learning new cooking skills. 

The demos kick off with starters, when caterer and cookbook author Rosemarie Saunders demonstrates how to make eye-catching roulades in the morning session, and Oelof Vorster, head chef of The Marine, showing off his skills in the afternoon with a risotto. Next up are soups, with Christine Capendale, well known to FynArts audiences, showing you how to make healthy vegetarian soups in no time at all. Christine is also offering two culinary workshops in her studio kitchen in Hermanus – Fun with Poke, and Baked Desserts.

The traditional dish of ramen is having quite a moment and here to show you how it’s done, using ingredients that are easily available, is popular local chef, Wander Bester. When it comes to fish, who better to lead the way than the ‘queen of seafood’, Isabella Niehaus, who will demonstrate her best-ever recipe starring a humble can of sardines. 

Hearty main courses will be demonstrated by Nasya Venter of the award-winning Creation culinary team, who will be making a falafel Buddha bowl in the morning, followed by Janine van der Nest from The Manor House and Springfontein Wine Estate in the afternoon, showing you how to elevate the humble traditional dish of oxtail potjie with stout and dates. 

The Chef Demos conclude on a decadent note, with two top pastry chefs from The Royal Portfolio’s Silo Hotel in Cape Town demonstrating showstopper desserts. Master baker Togara Mabharani will demonstrate how to make a unique vegan lemon tart in the morning, with Mělisa Oosthuizen introducing a savoury note to her date and sweet potato cheesecake with salted caramel and candied nuts in the afternoon session.

The culinary workshops are either half- or full-day events and include a fun pasta-making workshop with Silwood-trained Cordon Bleu chef Kirsty-Lee Munro and a vegan workshop by Gourmand-winning cookbook author Bella Niehaus. This series will also see Ashwill Kleinbooi returning to teach you all the technical skills needed to make your own fresh and delicious sushi at home, and Chef Lindi Perrin again offering her men’s only hands-on cooking class that was such a hit at last year’s festival. And what better day for all the dads out there to be treated than on a Father’s Day weekend?

Get your programme booklet from Hermanus Tourism, Hermanus Library, or any of the art galleries in town. You can also find the full programme online at www.hermanusfynarts.co.za. Make your bookings here or via the FynArts website, at Webtickets, Hermanus Tourism, the FynArts Gallery, or any Pick ‘n Pay outlet countrywide. For any queries, contact Chantel on 060 957 5371 or admin@hermanusfynarts.co.za.

The Handmill Coffee Shop in Harbour Road is excited to introduce their new gallery, ‘Art Fusion’, which offers a unique space where both art aficionados and coffee connoisseurs can gather, indulge, and be inspired.

‘Art Fusion’ is the brainchild of The Handmill owners Cindy Rosseau from Hermanus and Frans Post from Kleinbaai, who also own The Big Art Gallery, and Art on Main at Eastcliff Shopping Centre. 

Cindy and Frans bought The Handmill from the previous owners in August 2022 when it was just a coffee shop, and shortly after taking over the business, Frans’s friend Este Mostert was invited to display her artworks, and so the coffee shop was transformed into a collaborative space.

Frans has over 30 years of experience in the art industry and has garnered an expansive knowledge. He carefully curates the artworks for each of their three galleries, which include pieces from local artists as well as the works of old masters. Artists include Frans Claerhout, Tertius van Dyk, Hennie Niemand, Leana Rauch, and Carl Becker. 

The galleries’ two resident artists are Jacques du Plessis from Kleinbaai and Lize van der Walt from Hermanus.

“Paintings by old masters are gaining a new appreciation in South Africa,” says Frans who is passionate about these works, “The value of these paintings has increased as more and more people are buying them.”

Frans is associated with the 5th Avenue Auctioneers in Randburg and, thanks to his impressive art knowledge, is frequently asked to appraise works from people’s homes or deceased estates in the area. In his spare time, he also enjoys popping in at the local thrift shops in case he stumbles across a valuable, forgotten artwork – as he has done before. 

At Art Fusion, the artworks are integrated with The Handmill Coffee Shop, allowing you to enjoy the pieces on display while you have a cup of Terbadore coffee, or a slice of delicious cake made by local baker Anmar Spanellis – baker of one of the best carrot cakes in town! If you want something more savoury, The Handmill also stocks cheese sticks and bagels from Daan’s Bakery, which Cindy adds toppings to for a tasty light meal. If it’s a little hot out for a coffee you can order one of her freezos, and sip it slowly at one of The Handmill’s outdoor tables.

The Handmill Coffee Shop and Art Fusion are located at 1B Warrington Place off Harbour Road in Hermanus and are open Monday to Friday from 08:30 to 16:00, Saturday from 08:30 to 15:00 and Sunday from 08:30 to 12:00. 

The Handmill, Art Fusion, The Big Art Gallery, and Art on Main can all be contacted on 084 969 6993 for more information.

By Loraine Shuttleworth

MRI Whale Unit

Southern right whales migrate annually from higher latitude summer foraging grounds to lower latitude coastal areas, where they give birth and nurse their young in the winter. The South African coast is home to a population of southern right whales during the calving season between approximately June to late October. 

At this time, coastal towns bustle with visitors eager to witness the majestic presence of these marine giants. The University of Pretoria’s Mammal Research Institute Whale Unit also seizes this opportunity to conduct annual research surveys, making the most of the whales' predictable coastal presence.

Hermanus stands out as one of South Africa's top whale-watching destinations, offering both land- and boat-based viewing options. Yet, despite decades of whale-watching activities and research efforts, witnessing the successful birth of a southern right whale calf up close had remained elusive – until early July 2022.

During the late afternoon of 5 July 2022, the commercial whale-watching vessel Miroshca, of Southern Right Charters, embarked on its final trip of the day. Little did they anticipate the extraordinary spectacle awaiting them. As they cruised along, a lone whale suddenly lunged out of the water, revealing a small fluke protruding from her underside. In a matter of seconds, a tiny calf was born.

The crew of Southern Right Charters, renowned for their expertise and reverence, handled the situation with utmost care. While the skipper ensured they maintained a respectful distance from the cow-calf pair, other crew members swiftly documented the event with cameras and drones. Generously, Southern Right Charters shared the footage with Whale Unit, enabling collaborative research efforts.

The footage of the newborn calf and its mother holds immense scientific value simply for being a notable advance in our knowledge of the species. But this footage will play a unique role for an ongoing research project at Whale Unit. The project utilises overhead drone footage of southern right whale cow-calf pairs to monitor maternal body condition and calf growth rates throughout the calving season. 

During the nursing period, the mother's health directly impacts the development and survival of her calf. Poor maternal body condition could potentially affect milk production and quality, impacting the calf's growth and overall fitness. Given previous indications of nutritional stress among South Africa's southern right whale population, this research is pivotal in understanding the impact of maternal body condition on calf development during this critical phase of growth. 

The information gathered will be essential for informing conservation strategies and management decisions aimed at safeguarding the long-term viability of the southern right whale population.

Thanks to the footage collected by Southern Right Charters, this research gains a unique advantage. Unlike other similar studies that rely on data collected later in the nursing period, this research can commence from the exact date of birth for this particular cow-calf pair. Such precise timing provides unparalleled opportunities to capture the earliest stages of calf development and maternal care.

The collaboration between Southern Right Charters and the Whale Unit exemplifies the importance of partnerships in advancing scientific knowledge and conservation efforts. By working together, researchers and industry stakeholders can leverage each other's expertise and resources to achieve common goals, ultimately benefiting the welfare of southern right whales. Whale Unit expresses gratitude for the collaborative spirit and strong community engagement among the people of Hermanus.

By Dr Heather Blaylock

MBBCh (WITS), FECSM

The ‘sex-sea’ coastal town of Hermanus is a hub of outdoor activities – terrestrial or aquatic, for leisure or adventure, and outdoor enthusiasts are spoilt for choice. It sees riders from Wine2Whales, the Absa Cape Epic, Race2Hermanus, Race to the Sea, and more.

Worldwide cycling has boomed as an activity for any Tom, Dick or Harriet with advances in bicycle manufacturing and apparel. Be it attire for comfort, performance, or fashionistas, it is important to prioritise your crotch. For the first time it may be necessary to ask, “does my bum look big in these pants?”. A chamois is a priority as it will not only prevent perineal pain but problems in the bedroom, as well as rashes (from the bicycle and not the bedroom!) Even though your heart may skip a beat when it comes to paying for your body-hugging, streamlined, trendy, breathable Lycra attire, cycling in any outfit is good for your cardiovascular fitness and longevity.  

Next is to ‘assume the position’, for a bike setup for optimal ergonomics to prevent injuries. Your choice of saddle can prevent urogenital problems by how it accommodates your rear.

Bicycling has the greatest incidence of sports injuries, urogenital problems included. Due to the forward-sitting position, there is constant pressure on the perineum, causing damage to the pudendal nerve and reducing vascular supply to the genitals. If you are a roadie, you may be familiar with the symptoms of numbness, pain, and erectile dysfunction (ED).  

Those who do long steady distance cycling and coffee runs may be spared the complications of discomfort down under, and benefit from the boost of energy that the brew gives, as well as relationships. Research has shown that ED is more likely with greater intensity cycling and where there is early onset of genital pain or numbness during a ride. On the upside, a soft tube can be pumped up to keep the rubber side down, especially with early attention. 

Men who have too much natural padding, high blood pressure, insulin resistance, high cholesterol and who experience ED as a result will benefit from spending time in the saddle to reverse what is up and must come down and what is down and must come up. Not only can weight loss ‘increase’ size but it can restore erectile function, depending on the complexity of other medical conditions. 

Sexual dysfunction has an impact on general and mental health but there is a team with a toolbox. Pelvic floor physiotherapists work their magic for myofascial release to repair function and pleasure. Shockwave therapy addresses the release of trigger points and revives blood flow. The bag of iced peas still has its uses, and conventional medical treatment, including anti-inflammatories and the ‘blue pill’, are used as part of treatment and rehabilitation. 

If you experience ED, difficulty emptying your bladder, or other urogenital symptoms please consult your healthcare provider.

Dr Heather Blaylock is a licensed medical practitioner with a special interest in sexual health. She is located at The Real You in the Hemel-en-Aarde Village, Hermanus. 

Sources: The Journal of Sexual Medicine, Volume 17, Issue 5, May 2020, Pages 919–929

Due to high demand, Birdlife Overberg will once again be hosting ‘The Secret Worlds of Birds of Prey’ workshop in Hermanus on 27 and 28 April. 

The workshop will explore the many little-known facts of some of our raptors, and will highlight several serious conservation threats to their survival. Identification clues on these often difficult to identify birds will be provided, as well as anecdotal information on their survival skills.

Some examples of these fascinating ‘secrets’ include the heaviest vulture, the bird that covers its nest with communal spider webs, two species that hunt in tandem in the Kalahari, and astonishing migratory flights (Notes on critical identification features will be forwarded to participants electronically).

Day 1, 27 April

• Celebrating Secretary Birds

• Focus on Vultures

• Eagles and Snake-Eagles

• Accipiters: Goshawks, Sparrowhawks, and related species

• Falcons, Kestrels, Harriers and Kites

Day 2, 28 April

• Raptor flight patterns

• Owls and Nightjars

• Rare and vagrant Raptors of Southern Africa

• Case study on Raptors of the Kalahari

• Case study on Raptors of the Kruger National Park

The cost is R600pp for the course or R100pp per individual session.

Contact Anton at birding@overberg.co.za or WhatsApp at 082 550 3347 to register or for more information. Gift vouchers to participate in the course are available.

Hermanus High School (HHS) faced off against Strand High School (SHS) in an intense sports day on 20 April. 

The day started at 07:30 with the U19B girls hockey, who beat SHS 3 – 0. The first team hockey girls were next, followed by the first team boys. Both teams played brilliantly, showing their skill on the AstroTurf and winning their games.

The netball girls also had a phenomenal day with most of the teams winning their matches. The netball games concluded with the first team match where Hermies dominated the court, beating SHS by 29 points.

The final game of the day was the first team rugby boys match – a game that was one for the books. SHS were strong throughout the first half but in the second half HHS came back in fine form, dominating the field and possession.

Tries came in quick succession but HHS struggled with conversions and steadily SHS fought their way back until, in the dying minutes of the game, SHS secured the win with a one point lead. 

The clearly emotional HHS rugby team made their way to the front of the stands where the student supporters sat. There they thanked SHS for the excellent game before, with their heads held high, they sang the school song with their fellow learners.

Final A-team results

Hockey 

U19 Boys: HHS 3 – SHS 0

U19 Girls: HHS 1 – SHS 0

U16 Boys: HHS 1 – SHS 1 

U16 Girls: HHS 0 – SHS 1

U14 Boys: HHS 3 – SHS 1

U14 Girls: HHS 1 – SHS 0

Netball

U18: HHS 44 – SHS 15

U16: HHS 26 – SHS 14

U15: HHS 09 – SHS 30

U14: HHS 17 – SHS 16

Rugby

U19: HHS 30 – SHS 31

U16: HHS 19 – SHS 17

U15: HHS 07 – SHS 31

U14: HHS 07 – SHS 50

Please visit Hermanus High School’s Facebook page to see all the results.

All images may be downloaded for personal use only. Attribution is appreciated when sharing online. For commercial use please contact editor@locallife.co.za.

The Mount Pleasant Saints Soup Kitchen & Community Outreach (MPSSK) is a registered NPO which serves warm, cooked meals, food hampers, second-hand clothing and blankets to needy people within the community of Mount Pleasant, Zwelihle, and to anyone referred to their soup kitchen. 

MPSSK would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Hermanus Redcross, Postnet Hermanus, Postnet Sandbaai, Robyn Diederichs, Free to Care, and Roniel Sherie Weber, as well as to every single person who donated. 

Thanks to the Overstrand community’s generosity, MPSSK was able to feed almost 200 people daily at their soup kitchen last week.

If you would like to make a donation, please contact Maria on 073 465 8961

Grootbos together with the Grootbos Foundation have been awarded Gold in the WTM Africa Responsible Tourism Awards. 

The award is in recognition of the exceptional work done in employing and upskilling local communities. 

For over 20 years Grootbos and the Grootbos Foundation have been upskilling and empowering people in our neighbouring communities through the Green Futures College, Enterprise Development programmes and Sports Development initiatives.