Hermanus High School's Grade 12 Valedictory/Uitstapdag took place last week on 11 October. It was an emotional day for many of the learners, as they bid farewell to their teachers and friends ahead of their final matric exams. 

The morning started with tea and coffee with their parents in the school's gymnasium, followed by a class photo on the school field and final assembly in the school hall. 

After singing the school song, the learners left the hall, rang the bell and made their way off the school property as the rest of the school wished them goodbye. 

As is tradition, the matrics headed to the Hermanus Waterfront where they jumped into the sea in their school uniforms, marking the last time that they would have to wear them. 

Visit Hermanus High School's Facebook page for more photos and videos.

Occupational therapy (OT) students from Stellenbosch University, Grace von Holdt and Georgia Chetty, organised a Fun Day for the Grade R to 3 students of Lukhanyo Primary School on October 10 at the Zwelihle Sports Field, under the guidance of local Occupational Therapist and clinical supervisor Annetta Saaiman, and support from the school’s principal, teachers, and sports coaches.

Lukhanyo Primary School in Zwelihle was founded in 1945, and currently has 1800 learners from Grade R to Grade 7, with 57 teachers. 

In 2003, the Ukwanda Project at Lukhanyo Primary School was started, which aims to provide Stellenbosch University OT students with practical experience (Annetta joined the Ukwanda Project that same year). The vision is to create a school system where educators and learners are empowered to achieve their full potential in emotional, physical, social, and leadership skills. The programme consists of several aspects.

The Fine Motor Skills Project focuses on developing fine motor skills in Grades R and 1 through the use of customised booklets aligned with the CAPS curriculum. It also enhances the teachers’ skills, knowledge and attitude, enabling them to track the learners’ progress and foster long-term fine motor development. The Posture Song, developed by OT students and the Grade R learners and teachers, focuses on improving classroom ergonomics and ensures learners sit upright and correctly at their desks during desktop tasks.

The Gross Motor Skills Project is focused on Grades R and 1, and aims to develop coordination, strength and bilateral integration. This is done through several activities, such as getting up and moving throughout the day. This project enhances fine motor skills, sports abilities, and academic performance, and also identifies the learners who need more assistance. The Playground Project aims to enhance the play environment, develop gross motor skills, coordination, problem solving, and social interaction in the school environment, and increases their potential to succeed when leaving Lukhanyo Primary School.

The Fun Day Project is sponsored by local businesses and offers a valuable opportunity for the Grade R to 3 learners to engage in sports, filling a gap when other sports programmes are not available at school. This quarterly event promotes teamwork, wellbeing, physical activity, and serves as an introduction to sports, and also promotes the importance of early childhood development through play and social interaction. 

The Leadership Development Project equips and empowers the Grade 6 learners with the necessary life skills to help them get elected for the leadership council in Grade 7. Finally, the Learner Council Project is focused on Grade 7s and equips and empowers them to lead their school as a team and take on responsibilities that can prepare them for high school.

The Fun Day Project on consisted of activities such as sack races, egg and spoon races, ball control, wheelbarrow races, and more. The learners were split up into different teams according to their classes and eagerly cheered on their peers in the races. Afterwards, they all enjoyed something to eat and drink before heading back to school. 

Annetta, the OT students, and the school would like to thank the following sponsors for their support this term: Buco Hermanus, Hermanus Times, Local Life, J Squared Property Valuations, and Yorke Cash and Carry. 

For more information on the Ukwanda Project, contact Annetta Saaiman at annetta.ot@gmail.com 

Bakgat – Origin: Afrikaans (slang). 

Adjective: Good, excellent, fine, pleasing.

Bakgat Bagels offers a delicious alternative to the usual takeaway, and the fresh ingredients and choice of combinations means there is something for everyone. Owned and run by André Pienaar, Bakgat Bagels opened in June of this year. The name is a clever play on words – ‘bak’ meaning to bake, and ‘gat’ referring to the hole in the bagel. 

André’s childhood was spent in Cape Town and after matriculating he studied for a Performance Degree in Opera. His natural affinity for music is inherited from his parents, both of whom worked in theatre. While André didn't complete his degree, his studies would go on to serve him well.

André moved to the UK where he began his career in the hospitality industry. Amongst others, he was the general manager of English’s of Brightons, a popular restaurant and oyster bar in East Sussex. Over the next 20+ years André worked at various establishments helping to manage and open several restaurants and hotels, and building up restaurant kitchens and conceptualising menus. At one point in his cheffing career he was dubbed ‘The Singing Chef’ as he would bring food to patron’s tables while singing, his opera talents creating a special dining experience.

In 2021, André returned to South Africa to work with his sister, Nicolette Gers, owner of You Scream Ice Cream in Harbour Road. He spent the next two years making ice cream before deciding it was time to open Bakgat Bagels.

André has styled his bagels on the European version which is a lighter and softer bagel than its New York counterpart. The bagels are baked fresh daily at Daan’s Bakery and the toppings are locally sourced, quality ingredients, from the biltong to the avo. 

The menu includes a mouthwatering Bakgat Biltong Bagel – a feast of flavour with lettuce, cucumber, pickled onion, and boasting a very generous portion of cream cheese and biltong. The Cookout Bagel, served hot, is a must-try: pulled pork, coleslaw, gherkin, lettuce, tomato and cucumber. Alternatively, there is the option to build one's own bagel and choose from a variety of toppings including trout, scrambled eggs, and vegan sausage.

A bagel wouldn't be complete without coffee and André offers traditional medium roast filter coffee, also sourced from a local supplier. He is currently developing a range of iced teas for the summer. 

Complementing the theme of locally sourced products is the range of sweet treats made by several Overstrand residents as well as his sister Nicolette. Fudge, nougat, and meringue are just some of the tempting options. 

André’s warm and jovial personality, his commitment to supporting local, and his clear emphasis on freshness and hygiene make Bakgat Bagels an excellent choice for breakfast, brunch or a light lunch. 

Find Bakgat Bagels at Shop 10, inside at the Hermanus Waterfront (Village Square). As the bagels are baked fresh daily, Bakgat Bagels is open from 09:00 to 16:00, or until the bagels run out. On weekends they close at 15:00. For more information contact André on 082 064 5898

Tracking giants for global conservation  

By Dr Els Vermeulen 

Research Manager MRI Whale Unit, University of Pretoria

Each year when the southern right whales are visiting our shores, we, a dedicated team from the MRI Whale Unit, take to the skies. Our mission? To photograph every calving female southern right whale that we encounter along the coastline between Nature’s Valley and Muizenberg. This annual effort, which has been ongoing since the 1970s, plays a vital role in understanding the health and population dynamics of these majestic marine mammals. But beyond the immediacy of these flights, the data we collect feeds into a much larger effort – one that reaches across oceans and continents, ultimately informing global whale conservation strategies.

Southern right whales present distinct callosity patterns on their heads that make each individual recognisable, allowing us researchers to track individual whales over their lifetimes and gather invaluable information about their reproductive success, health, and survival. But the work of the aerial survey is not just about taking pictures. It’s about building a long-term dataset that helps us understand how this whale population is faring, particularly in light of the pressures they face from climate change to human activities like fishing and shipping.

The aerial survey’s focus on calving females is particularly important. By monitoring the reproductive success of individual whales, we gain insight into the health of the overall population. Over the past decades, these surveys have revealed important trends, including increases in calving intervals which are an indicator that females are no longer able to reproduce at healthy rates. Further research has revealed a clear relationship with a reduced food availability in their Antarctic feeding grounds and increased effects of climate change on these whales. 

This clearly shows that the value of the locally collected data doesn’t stop at South Africa’s borders. Southern right whales are migratory, and their lives span thousands of kilometres, from the warm, sheltered waters of coastal South Africa to the icy feeding grounds of the sub-Antarctic. Understanding their movements and the health of the population is critical not just for South African conservation efforts but for whale conservation on a global scale.

The data we collect at the MRI Whale Unit is shared with the International Whaling Commission (IWC), where it forms part of a much broader picture. The IWC's Scientific Committee, of which the MRI Whale Unit has played an integral role since the 1970s, brings together information from surveys like this one conducted in other parts of the southern right whale’s range. By piecing together these localised studies, scientists can assess the status of the species across its entire range. This collaboration is critical because their survival depends on what happens not just in one country, but across the southern hemisphere. The IWC’s work, which pools data from around the globe, helps identify larger trends such as whether the global population is recovering, where threats are most pronounced, and what conservation measures need to be taken. 

The long-term monitoring that aerial surveys provide is thus essential for making informed decisions at this global level. For example, by understanding how often females are reproducing and how many calves survive to adulthood, we can build models that predict future population trends. These insights help guide international conservation policies, from protecting crucial calving and feeding habitats to addressing emerging threats like entanglement in fishing gear or the impacts of climate change.

Despite the positive recovery of southern right whales since the end of commercial whaling, their future is by no means secure. New challenges continue to emerge, such as shifting oceanic conditions that affect their food supply or increased interactions with human activities. The work of the MRI Whale Unit, alongside the IWC and other international partners, remains critical in navigating these challenges.

Ultimately, the annual aerial survey is more than just a count of whales. Each photograph represents a piece of a much larger puzzle – a puzzle that stretches from the coastal waters of South Africa to the global conservation arena. By carefully tracking the health and reproduction of individual whales, we aim to help ensure that these ocean giants continue to thrive, not just for now, but for future generations. The story of each whale is tied to the story of the population, and the story of the population is part of the global effort to protect our planet’s biodiversity.

In this way, what begins with a camera lens focused on a single whale ultimately informs decisions made by international organizations, illustrating the power of fieldwork in contributing to the protection of a species on a global scale. The future of the southern right whale depends on this seamless connection between local research and global collaboration, where each observation, each flight, and each photograph plays an essential role in safeguarding these magnificent animals.

During the 2024 annual southern right whale aerial survey, a total of 199 females with a calf, and 16 adults without a calf were photographed between Nature’s Valley and Muizenberg. The graph below shows how this compares to the count from the previous 43 years. For more updates and information, follow the UP Mammal Research Institute Whale Unit on Facebook.

Local beats go global 

Started in 2016, the Volmoed Youth Leadership Training Programme (VYLTP) is a ecumenical initiative that aims to nurture and develop young leaders. The programme is designed around five main themes, namely beloved community, peace and justice, creation and creativity, healing and wholeness, and reconciliation.

In September 2022, the Volmoed Youth Drumming Project was established when Bevil Spence from Drumba was invited to teach members of VYLTP how to drum. A few months later, in January 2023, Bevil also began teaching them how to craft their own drums.

Fast forward to 2024 and the Volmoed Youth Drummers (VYD) are continuing to gain momentum, performing at events and making drums which they sell both locally and internationally.

From 7 to 27 November, 12 of the 20 drummers (see left) will be travelling to the USA to dance, sing and drum at schools, churches, and hospitals in Fort Wayne, Michigan, Chicago and Indianapolis. The main part of their trip will take place from 13 to 16 November when they attend the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC). Featuring concerts, workshops, panels, and presentations given by the finest artists from all over the world, PASIC showcases all areas of percussion.

Other exciting stops on their itinerary include performing with the Trinity UCC Chicago choir on 24 November, and at an Indiana Pacers game on 15 November. 

Attending the PASIC was a suggestion made by Bevil at the end of 2022, but the idea only began to grow into something more serious when a group of 24 tourists from the USA was visiting the youth drummers in 2023. Among the group was a Dr Ron Caldwell, who upon hearing of the idea to attend PASIC, offered to cover the expenses for the flights and the visas. Going one step further, the American group has also organised the VYD's entire 20-day itinerary, and will be hosting them at their homes in Fort Wayne for the first part of the trip.

"The theme for the trip is 'Drumming for unity and healing'," says Reverend Edwin Arrison from Volmoed, who will be accompanying the 12 drummers along with Bevil, Reverend René August, and Bevil’s drummer friend Ivy Schäfer. "We want to bring joy to people and make them smile!"

One of the 12 drummers, seamstress Zenande Mayekiso, has also made beautiful outfits for the trip, to ensure that the group stands out during their performances. 

Although their tickets and visas have been paid for, the VYD still need to do some fundraising for other expenses which include proper luggage, warm shoes, beanies, gloves, trailer-hire, diesel, food, etc. If you can help in any way by donating funds or the items they need, please contact Edwin on 084 735 1835 or edwin@volmoedyouth.org.za. Visit www.volmoedyouth.org.za for more information.

We will share updates, photos, and videos of their trip on our Facebook page in November.

People, Pets & Pinotage Festival   

Wildekrans Wine Estate in Bot River hosted their inaugural annual 'People, Pets & Pinotage Festival' on National Pinotage Day (12 October) this past weekend. The event was spearheaded by Wildekrans' winemaker, and vice chairman of the Pinotage Association, De Wet Viljoen. 

"People, Pets & Pinotage was created to celebrate community, offer a delightful countryside experience, and highlight our Pinotage wines," says De Wet, "This festival will also play a pivotal role in raising awareness about this remarkable varietal."

Upon arrival, visitors to the festival were greeted with a glass of the Wildekrans Brut Rosé and a small bag of dog biscuits, before being led on a 4.5km wine-wobble around the farm. For the younger children, a jumping castle and face painter provided entertainment. After the walk, live music on the lawn created a festive atmosphere as everyone sat down to relax and have another glass of wine and a bite to eat. Coffee, pancakes, egg and bacon rolls, pizza, and more could be purchased from Wildekrans' restaurant staff, who had set up food stations outside to accommodate those with dogs. 

The festival continued late into the afternoon, ending once everyone had eaten and drank their fill. For more information on Wildekrans, visit www.wildekrans.com and follow them on Facebook.

Local kickboxers among top in world 

Brother and sister Zius (9) and Leyla (13) Brand from Legacy Martial Arts Academy in Sandbaai recently represented South Africa in kickboxing at the Uzbekistan World Cup.  

Almost 2 500 athletes from 39 countries took part, with just 9 of those athletes coming from South Africa.  

Zius competed in point fighting in the U33kg and U36kg weight categories, winning silver in both, and securing 10th position on the WAKO (World Association of Kickboxing Organisations) ranking list for U33kg, and 11th position for U36kg.

Leyla also competed in point fighting in the U37kg and U42kg weight categories, winning silver and bronze respectively, placing 16th on the WAKO ranking list for U37kg. 

Both Zius and Leyla thoroughly enjoyed the experience and had nothing but good things to say about the competition, saying that they really enjoyed their fights and being with the South African team. Above all, they enjoyed meeting people from other countries, who the young fighters say are very supportive.