Marine Dynamics, Dyer Island Conservation Trust (DICT), and the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary (APSS) in Gansbaai are celebrating milestone anniversaries this year, with Marine Dynamics turning 25, DICT 20, and APSS 10 years old.

Led by Wilfred Chivell, Marine Dynamics encompasses DICT, APSS, shark cage diving, whale watching, a volunteer programme, and a tourism hub, that together are a globally recognised brand in marine experiences, conservation, and research.

Marine Dynamics, as we know it today, began with one inflatable boat and Wilfred's passion for the ocean, but it wasn't smooth sailing at first. 

Wilfred was born and raised in Gansbaai and from a young age has loved the sea. From diving and spearfishing to offshore inflatable boat racing, Wilfred found a way to remain connected to the water and remains a qualified skipper. 

Due to unforeseen circumstances, in 1998, Wilfred lost his job and everything he had. Wondering what to do next, he decided to focus on what he loved doing the most, and that was being on (or in) the ocean. 

Using his inflatable boat, Wilfred began to take people to Dyer Island to see the seals. He would also frequently rescue and transport any injured African penguins he found to SANCCOB in Cape Town using a friend's car.

In 1999, due to its growing popularity and economic impact, the South African government officially regulated boat-based whale and dolphin watching, which had begun operating informally in the early 1980s.

Wilfred decided to apply for a permit in 2000. He borrowed a friend's car yet again and drove to Cape Town where his application was denied. Determined to get a permit, he contacted the then Minister for Environment and Tourism, Mohammed Valli Moosa. Mohammed told Wilfred to send the application directly to him, and on a quiet morning in Gansbaai a few weeks later, Wilfred's permit came through on his fax machine. "Valli forever changed my life that day," says Wilfred. 

After receiving his permit, Wilfred sold the little he had left to invest in a new boat. He fixed up the boat, purchasing two secondhand motors to replace the old ones, and in August 2000, he did his first whale watching trip with help from a knowledgeable friend. That season, they took 420 people out to sea.

In 2001, places like The Marine Hotel started sending their guests to Wilfred for boat tours. His friend, Michael Lutzeyer of Grootbos, had already been sending guests Wilfreds way since the previous year, which also opened a lot of new doors for him. That season, they took 800 people out.

Wilfred invested in better boats and equipment, but quickly realised that he needed to make an income in the off seasons. He started looking into shark cage diving when Marine Dynamics approached him in 2005 and asked if he was interested in buying the company. "I said yes knowing that I didn't have the money in my pocket," says Wilfred thinking back, "At that time, Marine Dynamics was one of the foremost in taking people out to see sharks."

With business growing, Wilfred employed more staff to help with the trips, and realised that they needed a proper marketing team. He brought Zilé de Kock on board, who has been with Wilfred through the ups and downs for the last 20 years. 

Wilfred's staff and guests would frequently visit the Great White House in Kleinbaai before and after trips for a coffee or bite to eat. The restaurant was put up for sale in 2005, and an ex-business partner of Wilfred's offered to foot the loan. Wilfred's life partner, Susan Visagie, took on the management of the restaurant.

That same year, Wilfred founded the Dyer Island Conservation Trust, seeing the need for the protection of our unique marine life – especially the great white sharks at that stage who were under attack from poachers and fishermen.

Soon Gansbaai became the white shark capital of the world. "We work with people's dreams. They see animals on National Geographic and dream of seeing them in real life," says Wilfred, "If they come to us we try to make their dream come true."

2010 was also the year that Wilfred founded and began building the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary after noticing an increasing need for a bird rehabilitation centre closer than Cape Town. In 2015, the centre opened and has continued to protect, rescue, and rehabilitate the critically endangered African penguin and other local marine bird life since. 

A year later, whale watching boat companies had a massive shock: only 25% of the expected number of southern right whales arrived at our shores. Adapting to the situation, Wilfred and his team began showing their guests other whales in the bay, such as the humpback whales whose numbers were growing. Over time, Wilfred and his team developed different routes for different times of the year to stay with marine sightings. 

Another blow came the following year when shark numbers collapsed, and then in 2020 when the industry closed due to the pandemic. In the face of each setback, Wilfred kept adapting and overcoming the challenges thrown at him: "I did what we had to do to stay afloat, and in 2023 we had the best year in our history."

Today, thanks to Wilfred's passion for the ocean and its marine life, Marine Dynamics, DICT and APSS have made a substantial impact on marine science and conservation worldwide. The company has facilitated over 30 peer reviewed scientific papers, and every trip with them contributes to the protection of South Africa's unique marine environment.

APSS has been at the forefront of African penguin conservation,and DICT's research on great white sharks has helped them to understand population dynamics. Through eco-tourism and public awareness programmes, DICT educates visitors and engages them in conservation initiatives. This education extends to the local community where environmental programmes inspire young minds and provide career development opportunities in marine sciences. 

"There are so many people who have helped us get to where we are today," says Wilfred, "Without you and every one of the team here at Marine Dynamics, none of this would have been possible."

Visit www.marinedynamics.co.za for more information.

For Stefan Otto, who runs Penguino Guesthouse with his wife Nikki, Hermanus has always been home. His deep connection to the area began early, attending Babbel-en-Krabbel, Hermanus Primary, and later Hermanus High. After matriculating, he pursued his passion for hospitality at Warwick’s Chef School.

At just 19, after earning his diploma as a commis chef, Stefan and a few childhood friends moved to the UK for work. They lived in Seven Sisters, in London, before returning to Hermanus when their visas expired. Soon after, Stefan landed a job at Aubergine in Cape Town, a fine dining restaurant owned by world-renowned chef Harald Bresselschmidt.

Stefan later earned his commercial diving certification and began working with his father. Being a very social person, he quickly realised that diving wasn’t for him. “There’s no one to talk to underwater,” he jokes. Through Kevin Warwick, he found work as a private chef for a family in Plettenberg Bay, a role that would change his life.

While catering for the family and their guests, one of their guests, impressed with Stefan’s cooking, contacted Beatrice and Stanley Tollman, founders of the Red Carnation Hotel (RCH) Collection and The Travel Corporation, to recommend him. Stefan soon met the Tollmans, who, after sampling his food, gave him a position at one of their UK hotels.

At the age of 26, Stefan was offered the position of Executive Chef at The Milestone Hotel. Wanting to expand his skills beyond the kitchen, he enrolled in the RCH's management program and was later promoted to Food and Beverage Manager. During this time, Stefan met Nikki, a specialised dental nurse from Pretoria, through a mutual South African friend in London. Though life briefly took them in different directions, they reunited at a friend’s wedding, and this time, love won. They got engaged soon after and were married two months later.

The couple returned to the UK, where Stefan continued working for the Tollmans for several more years. After a heartfelt discussion with each other, Nikki and Stefan returned to South Africa in 2011. Stefan’s grandfather offered them his house which stands next to Stefan’s childhood home, and they renovated it into what is now Penguino Guesthouse. 

The following year, the Tollmans visited. They asked Stefan what he planned to do during Hermanus’s quieter winter months. He explained that they would close to avoid unnecessary expenses. Impressed by Stefan’s approach, the Tollmans invited him to work for them during the off-season. He agreed and became a roving manager, traveling globally to train and manage staff which is a role that he still fulfills today.

Thanks to Stefan and Nikki’s meticulous attention to detail and genuine care for their guests, Penguino has flourished. “We want to give visitors the best possible experience,” says Stefan. “It’s our business to look after people.”

A stay at the guesthouse includes breakfast prepared by Stefan, and for long-term guests or special occasions, even a dinner or paella on the beach. With their deep knowledge of Hermanus, Stefan and Nikki guide guests to hidden gems and share local history, especially around the areas where he grew up. They often recommend the Hermanus Cliff Path and Dreunkrans near Fick’s Pool, just a stone’s throw from Penguino.

When guests leave, Stefan and Nikki always thank them for choosing Hermanus. “They could go anywhere in the world, but they chose to come here,” Stefan says. “The 2024/25 season has been exceptional, with around 60% of our guests visiting Hermanus and South Africa for the first time.”

Stefan also serves on the Hermanus Public Protection board, advocating for the safety and security of Hermanus residents and visitors. “If you want to make a contribution to your town, you should get involved,” he says.

When he's not working, Stefan enjoys spending time with Nikki, their daughter Olivia, and their two lively Wirehaired Fox Terriers, Pippa and Harvey. He also dabbles in a bit of golf, and takes full advantage of everything Hermanus has to offer. “We are so blessed to live in such a stunning place,” he says.

A long-time wine enthusiast, Stefan began making his own wine in 2015, with guidance from local award-winning winemakers. Now producing his sixth vintage under the label ‘Dreunkrans’, his wines are shared exclusively with family, friends, and Penguino guests. For the full story of how his winemaking journey began, just ask him about his grandfather’s “water bill” – a surprising overpayment that inspired Stefan's very first batch of wine.

For more information, visit www.penguino.co.za.

South Africa has awed the world once again, earning a gold medal for the second year running at the 2025 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Chelsea Flower Show for a show-stopping display featuring 25 000 stems of fynbos. 

Acclaimed landscape designer Leon Kluge and artist-gardener Tristan Woudberg built the incredible 2025 display with the help of a group of passionate volunteers, including four team members from Grootbos Private Nature Reserve: Chris Lochner, Bulelani Bashe, Amy Williams, and Shiluva Khosa. This year’s show garden was made possible by the generous support of Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, Hazendal Wine Estate, the Rupert Nature Foundation, and Southern Sun.

The concept for the display was inspired by South Africa’s two mighty oceans – the Indian and Atlantic – which give rise to a diversity of habitats, from the fynbos of the Cape to the subtropical greenery of KwaZulu-Natal. Leon, Tristan, Chris, Bulelani, Amy, and Shiluva will rebuild the exhibit in Stanford later this year.

‘Chelsea Flowers in Stanford’ will be open to the public from 10 to 24 September, during springtime when the flowers in the display will be of the finest quality during their natural bloom in the Western Cape. Tickets are R200 per person and are available on Webtickets and at Pick ‘n Pay. Guests will be able to meet Leon, Tristan, and the Grootboos team members along with other conservationists and botanical artists from the Grootbos Florilegium collection.

All funds raised from Chelsea Flowers in Stanford will be donated to the Grootbos Foundation.

Hermanus High School’s (HHS) hockey, netball, rugby, and chess teams enjoyed a fantastic home winter sports day against Robertson High School (RHS) this past weekend, celebrating a string of remarkable wins, without incurring a single loss. 

HHS dominated the fields and courts, winning 24 games and drawing 3. Some of the highlights from the day include the first team netball girls, who beat RHS by a staggering 46 points (total score 55-9); as well as the U15B rugby boys who beat RHS 55-0. Another great game was the U16A hockey boys, who won 7-0. For more photos visit Hermanus High School's Facebook page.

The Lighthouse 2 Lighthouse Ladies (L2L) held their annual Awards Ceremony at the Hermanus Golf Club on 16 May, where they revealed the total funds raised for the 2025 L2L year. Guests included walkers, sponsors, and beneficiaries of the 2025 walk, who were all waiting in anticipation for the results. 

After a delicious meal and a thank you to all of the sponsors and supporters, the L2L committee announced that R40 000 had been raised for secondary beneficiaries BARC Animal Welfare in Gansbaai and Kleinmond Animal Welfare; and R700 000 had been raised for the main beneficiary for 2025, Huis Lettie Theron. Huis Lettie will use the funds raised to extend their dementia unit to support patients and their families. 

BY JENNY PARSONS

As the weather changes from the hot and dry summer to the cooler days of autumn, our wildflowers are good indicators that the seasons are changing, often adding bright splashes of colour along the coastal paths and sandy flat fynbos. A few of the endemic gladiolus species flower at the end of summer through autumn and into winter. The genus Gladiolus is a group of perennial flowering plants in the Iridaceae (Iris) family easily identifiable by their striking sword-shaped leaves and tall flower spikes.

There are 270 recognised species that are distributed across Africa, Europe, Middle East and Asia. South Africa has recorded 166 species (60%) making it a centre of biodiversity for the genus. These species are endemic and adapted to specific climates, especially the fynbos biome. Gladioli are cormous geophytes (bulbs) where fire and soil type play important ecological roles. They attract several different pollinators such as bees, moths, sunbirds and long-tongued flies.

Autumn announces itself in the fynbos with the ‘Herfspypie’ or Gladiolus brevifolius which starts flowering in March until May. This delicate geophyte has flowers that are pale to deep pink in colour and the lower ‘tepals’ often have a yellow markings and narrow short leaves sheath the spike. It is a common gladiolus species in the Overstrand that is sometimes rose scented which encourages nectar-seeking pollinators such as long-tongued bees and flies.

The Hermanus or Cliff Lily, Gladiolus carmineus flowers at the end of summer too (March to May). If you wander along the Hermanus cliff path or the coastal paths of the four Kogelberg villages, these beautiful dark red (carmine) flowers are hard to miss. They have a restricted range and always grow within sight of the sea. The funnel-shaped flowers are almost radially symmetrical with white streaks on the lower petals. They have no scent and are thought to be pollinated by the Mountain pride butterfly (Aeropetes tulbaghia).

Gladiolus maculatus whose name refers to the speckled marking on the flowers is also known as the ‘Brown Afrikaner’. These flower a little later in the autumn and the early winter months of May, June and July. It is easy to overlook this beautiful species as they are rather inconspicuous in the fynbos, especially amongst the restios. I have often walked within metres and not noticed the flowers on the Brodie Link hike above Pringle Bay. Basel leaf sheaths the lower half of the stem and the spike is unbranched and usually bears 1 to 3 flowers. This gladiolus flowers prolifically in the first couple of years after fire. It is strongly scented during both the day and night and thought to be pollinated by moths. 

The Rooi or Scarlet Afrikaner, Gladiolus priorii, is also a late autumn and winter flowering gladiolus species. The bright red flowers with long perianth tubes have a pale yellow base. The leaves sheath the stem and the spike is unbranched, flexed and bears 1 to 4 flowers which are unscented. Interestingly this gladiolus is adapted for pollination by sunbirds. They are spotted along the coastal paths of Kleinmond where they are often wedged between rock which helps to protect the bulbs from being eaten by porcupines.

These autumn-winter flowering gladiolus species are ecologically significant as they support winter-active pollinators, offering nectar and pollen when few other bulbs are flowering. The Hermanus Gladiolus is red listed as Vulnerable. Habitat loss, invasive species and climate change are threats to these species. Fire regimes also play an important role in their life cycles, and too frequent or incorrect timing can suppress flowering or literally boil the bulbs. 

As we head into winter, keep a look out for what’s flowering on your next walk.

BY HASHER FAMILY WINES 

With International Chardonnay Day having just passed on 22 May, there's no better time to celebrate one of Hemel-en-Aarde's most distinguished offerings. This first article in this two-part series explores our region's exceptional Chardonnay and Pinot Noir – varieties that thrive in our unique cool climate conditions and have earned worldwide recognition.

Chardonnay has had perhaps the most fascinating journey of any grape variety in the wine world. Originating in Burgundy, France, this versatile grape has conquered vineyards across the globe, from California to Australia, and of course, South Africa.

Often called the "winemaker's grape", Chardonnay is remarkably malleable, readily expressing both the terroir where it's grown and the techniques used to craft it. From crisp, mineral-driven styles aged in stainless steel to rich, buttery versions matured in oak, Chardonnay can transform dramatically based on vineyard location and cellar practices.

This adaptability led to both Chardonnay's spectacular rise in popularity during the 1980s and the subsequent backlash in the 1990s – the infamous "ABC" (Anything But Chardonnay) movement. 

Many consumers, weary of over-oaked, excessively buttery styles, began seeking alternatives. However, in recent years, the pendulum has swung back, with "ABC" now playfully reinterpreted as "Absolutely Brilliant Chardonnay" by enthusiasts of more balanced, terroir-expressive styles.

This evolution has particularly benefited regions like Hemel-en-Aarde, where cooler climates produce Chardonnays with natural restraint, elegance and complexity.

What makes Hemel-en-Aarde Chardonnay so distinctive? The answer lies primarily in our cooler climate, which allows for longer, slower ripening compared to warmer South African wine regions.

"Our unique cool climate allows us to produce Chardonnay with remarkable freshness and complexity," explains Craig Wessels of the acclaimed Restless River winery. "In our valley, I can harvest later while keeping a vibrant natural acidity and create a more elegant style of Chardonnay with exceptional ageing potential.”

Another defining characteristic of premium Hemel-en-Aarde Chardonnay is the use of French Burgundian oak barrels for fermentation and maturation. This connection to Burgundy – Chardonnay's spiritual home – is no coincidence. Our region's winemakers are so committed to quality that they forge personal relationships with French ‘coopers’ (a skilled craftsman who makes and repairs wooden barrels, often using oak). 

Craig, for instance, invited his Burgundian cooper to visit Restless River multiple times to understand the vineyard, terroir, and winemaking vision: a level of dedication that speaks to the pursuit of excellence in our valley.

Hemel-en-Aarde Chardonnay has garnered international recognition precisely because it speaks so clearly of its place of origin. From pioneering estates like Hamilton Russell Vineyards, whose Chardonnay helped establish the region's reputation, to producers like Storm, Newton Johnson, Creation Wines, and Restless River, our valley's winemakers share a commitment to expressing the unique character of this special place. Their Chardonnays consistently earn top ratings in Tim Atkin's respected South Africa Report, with many achieving ‘First Growth’ status.

This collective success reflects the region's growing confidence in its ability to produce world-class Chardonnay that can compete with the finest examples globally. Each producer brings their own distinctive approach, yet all share the advantage of our valley's perfect conditions for this noble grape.

As you raise a glass of Chardonnay, remember that you're not just tasting a wine… you're experiencing a unique expression of our heavenly valley, where cool Atlantic breezes, ancient soils, and passionate winemaking combine to create something truly special.

One local carpenter is quietly making a name for himself through hard work, dedication, and a deep love for his craft. Ben Hess was born near Villiersdorp, later moving to Botrivier, and is the youngest of five children. He now resides in Fisherhaven.

Ben says that his childhood was shaped by strong family values, and he learnt the importance of hard work at a young age. His father worked at the railway in Caledon and his mother at an apple factory. “We didn’t have much, but we had discipline,” Ben says. “There were four brothers, and we all helped out at home. There was no sitting around – we always had something to do.”

Ben’s interest in carpentry began during his school years, where he enjoyed woodwork and first considered it as a possible career path. After finishing school, his first job was sweeping the floors in a large factory. “I was just sweeping every day for months, but I watched everything happening around me,” he recalls. “That’s when I started thinking seriously about working with my hands.”

In 2020, Ben took a leap of faith and launched his own carpentry business, unaware that the COVID lockdown was just around the corner. Even though challenges followed during this time, Ben and his family made it through and his business is going strong. “I had no idea how it would go, but we made it work,” he says. “I haven’t looked back since.” Five years later, Ben is well-known, not only for his skilled workmanship and the same hardworking outlook he was raised with, but also for his quiet humility. 

Ben designs and installs custom wardrobes, vanities, kitchens cupboards and more, “I measure everything myself. I like working with tricky spaces – angles, corners, small rooms. I enjoy figuring it out and making it look good.” says Ben. 

Ben’s work is known for being clean, detailed, skilled and professional. His clients are from throughout the Overberg including Botrivier, Maremmana, Kleinmond, Betty's Bay, Pringle Bay, Stanford, as well as Hermanus and Hemel-en-Aarde. Happy clients include Dr Marli Groenewald and Kevin Warwick, owner of Warwick’s Chef School, and Ben has also been working with local architect Les Abbott.

Ben’s business is built largely on word of mouth. Long-time clients continue to support him, and new ones find him through referrals. “I’m lucky to have clients who believe in what I do,” he says. What keeps him going is simple: “I love what I do. It’s not just about making money, it’s about doing a good job. I want my clients to be happy when I leave. That’s what matters.”

For more information contact Ben on 084 671 9253.