Just fifteen minutes from Stanford, the three-storey limestone house overlooking the Klein River Lagoon – once known as the ‘Spookhuis’ – is now a part of something extraordinary. Originally built in 1892, it spent decades abandoned before being skillfully restored in the early 2000s using locally quarried limestone.

In October 2020, a group of like-minded friends purchased the property with a vision: to create a place where friends and family could gather, rooted in nature, community, and conservation. Two years later, Coot Club officially opened, offering immersive hospitality where guests are not only visitors, but partners in nurturing a delicate and beautiful ecosystem.

The name Coot Club comes from Arthur Ransome’s 1934 novel of the same name. In the story, children form a secret society to protect nesting birds along England’s waterways. Their mission: enjoy the wild while guarding it. That ethos of stewardship and shared responsibility defines Coot Club today – a reminder that belonging to a place also means caring for it.

Set on the banks of the Klein River Lagoon, Coot Club is surrounded by 465 hectares of private conservation land. The property is a member of the Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy, a collective of 54 members who together manage over 26 000 hectares, working to protect one of the most biodiverse regions in the world. The conservancy is overseen by warden Jeanne van Tonder, who works closely with Coot Club and other landowners to safeguard the unique biodiversity of the area.

Managing Director Chris Greathead joined Coot Club in April 2023 with his wife, Ella. Together, they bring over 20 years of experience in conservation-led hospitality across southern Africa, from the Okavango Delta in Botswana to lodges in Namibia, Uganda, and Mozambique, combining luxury tourism with meaningful ecological stewardship. At Coot Club, Chris oversees daily operations, ensuring everything runs smoothly, while Ella leads the newly established Coot Club Foundation, an NPO driving and participating in conservation and community initiatives in the area.

The restored Spookhuis, now known as the Clubhouse, sits at the heart of Coot Club. Guests can dine indoors or outside on one of the decks beneath the milkwood trees and watch the sun set behind the mountains across the lagoon. To support the Coot Club Foundation’s work, they can enjoy a glass of Coot Club’s very own rosé – a portion of the proceeds from which goes directly to the foundation.

Accommodation at Coot Club suits everyone from couples to extended families. Five modern ‘boathouses’ overlook the lagoon, while the Leeward Cottages and the Grande Dame (the original owner’s home) offer comfort with nature always in view. All rooms have been thoughtfully designed and decorated with Coot Club’s signature fun colour palette and décor.

Central to Coot Club’s conservation work is an alien plant eradication programme aimed at restoring the land back to its natural fynbos state. Invasive species are removed hectare by hectare by a team of twelve once unemployed women from the Stanford community. As areas are restored more wildlife returns, and bushbuck, Cape grysbok, caracals, honey badgers, porcupines, and genets are regularly sighted. A Cape leopard was even captured on camera, and endemic frog populations have grown louder with each season, signalling a healthy ecosystem.

Guests are invited to engage with nature by exploring the walking trails, spotting animal tracks in the sand, pausing to birdwatch, or joining a guided trip through Walker Bay Nature Reserve to the beach, where they can sandboard on the dunes and use the elevated viewpoints to spot whales breaching in the bay.

In 2024 and 2025, 135 hectares of alien vegetation were cleared on the property with plans for a further 70 hectares this year. Guests contribute via a daily conservation fee during their stays, and profits from Coot Club’s activities, such as guided quad-bike trips and motorised water-sport activities, go directly towards the foundation. 

One of the more recent discoveries at Coot Club was the endangered Disa hallackii orchid. Renowned botanical artist Daleen Roodt, who specialises in painting orchids on vellum, was approached by the foundation to capture this special species, along with other orchids found at Coot Club. Disa hallackii is the first in the series, and limited-edition prints are available for purchase by guests through the artist, with proceeds going towards the foundation.

The Coot Club Foundation also focuses on local community challenges, like keeping children in school through uniform and stationery drives, girls’ toiletry care packs, leadership camps, and Edu-Fun Days. The foundation has supported other initiatives such as Marine Dynamics’ African penguin housing project, Hermanus Yacht Club’s youth sailing, and providing land for beehives displaced by fires.

Staff welfare at Coot Club is another top priority. Provident funds, life and funeral cover, emergency medical support, and skills development ensure the crew feels secure, valued, and empowered to create the warmth and authenticity that keeps guests returning. Most recently, they sponsored staff member Zanele with further training at Warwick Chef School, from which she has just graduated.

This is the magic of Coot Club. It is not just the setting, the experience, or the conservation – it is the connection between people, the warmth, and the authenticity that transforms a stay and keeps guests returning. 

For more information visit www.cootclub.com or contact res@cootclub.com.

BY ‘STICKY FINGERS’

For the past 73 years, politicians, parliamentarians and sporting greats alike have travelled from Cape Town to Hermanus with one shared goal: to “beat the locals” in a game of cricket. Over time, the annual trip evolved into one of Hermanus’s most endearing sporting traditions – with a fascinating history behind it.

The story begins in 1952, when Sir De Villiers Graaff was nominated as Member of Parliament for the Hottentots-Holland constituency. Determined to blend duty with downtime, he gathered a team of colleagues and well-known figures to take on the newly formed Hermanus Cricket Club (HCC). Thus, Graaff Day was born.

First played in 1953, the annual fixture quickly grew into the most anticipated date on the local cricket calendar. Held on the first Sunday of every year, it was a fiercely contested affair complete with a trophy, an extended lunch, generous banter, and, above all, bragging rights.

As the years went by, Sir De Villiers eventually hung up his boots and he took up the umpire’s position. This was a role he performed with legendary authority, and a tap on the pads was often enough to send a batsman on the long, lonely walk back to the pavilion. 

Later still, when umpiring became a chore, Sir De Villiers could be found seated beneath the towering blue gum trees alongside the cricket field, chauffeur nearby, enjoying an ice-cold G&T while the match unfolded.

Vacancies in the President’s XI side were filled by younger members of the Graaff family, ensuring that the tradition remained firmly rooted in family and continuity. And when time inevitably caught up with them too, the baton was passed on once more. Today, the Graaff Day legacy has been stewarded by the current President of HCC and Hermanus local, Johann Graaff.

Over the decades, the event has attracted an impressive roll call of sporting talent. Names such as Adrian Kuiper, Eric Simons, Vince van der Bijl, Dave Mackay, Schalk Burger, Jean de Villiers and Aubrey Martin all graced the field, adding prestige to an already special day.

On 4 January 2026, the President’s XI faced the Hermanus Captain’s XI side for one final time. In true Graaff Day fashion, the format was interestingly unconventional: a 15-over-per-innings Test Match.

The Captain’s XI boasted an array of local legends: the evergreen André du Toit Senior, Koegie Koegelenberg, Dave ‘King Pie’ King, Jack Black, Jacques Mangiogale, Gerry Ferreira, Eddie Abels and more, expertly marshalled by Johan ‘Kamikaze’ Koegelenberg. Not to be outdone, the President’s XI featured Jacques Theron, Sakkie Lamprechts, Dave Reid, Arrie du Plessis and a formidable host of others.

After the first innings, scores were level at 77 apiece with incredible performances from both sides. Then came a magnificent buffet which allowed cricketers to sit and spend time with their loved ones who had come to support them on the day. While the cricket continued, it’s fair to say the tempo slowed slightly after the two-hour lunch break.

The Captain’s XI mustered 81 in their second innings before bowling the President’s cricketers out for 75, sealing a narrow 6-run victory… but what a send-off for the Graaff family it was! Their dedication, loyalty and pride over the 73 years (interrupted only by the pandemic) is a lasting legacy to everything that is good about sport: friendship, community, tradition, and sportsmanship.

To all who participated, both on and off the field, it was indeed a privilege to take a final twirl around the Sir De Villiers Graaff Oval.

In December, Creation Wines launched their new seasonal pairing menu called 'The Power of Love'. The experience begins with a hand-cleansing ceremony featuring lime – a refreshing way to awaken the senses and set the tone for the meal ahead.

From there, the menu unfolds like a story in five chapters. It starts with a welcome of Creation's Sauvignon Blanc paired with an elixir of cucumber, dune spinach, avocado, herbs, and a hint of nori salt. Next comes their Sauvignon Blanc Semillon with a plant-based Caprese-style dish, combining tomato, dune spinach, basil, capers, and dairy-free cheese in a lettuce taco. 

Chapter 2 features their Chardonnay paired with B'Bos trout, amaranth, melba, dill Mayo, and lime-pickled fennel.  The Creation Chenin blanc follows, with a pairing of quail egg and white anchovy with sundried tomato and peppadew-stuffed olives. 

In Chapter 4, the vineyard's award-winning Pinot Noir takes centre stage with ostrich accompanied by confit potato, morogo, mushroom, pumpkin seeds, and num num, creating a balance of earthiness and umami.

The final chapter is a choice of Creation's Fine Cape Vintage paire with raspberry crémeux, sorbet, berries, brätzeli and thyme; or the Elation Elation Cap Classique with cheeses, seeds, nuts, and sauerkraut. 

All ingredients in the menu have been chosen for their health benefits as well as their flavours and textures. There is also a vegetarian and alcohol-free pairing menu available. To book a table, call 028 212 1107.

On 21 January, Hermanus High School held its annual Colour Athletics Day, giving learners the chance to showcase their skill across a variety of events. The overall winners for the day was the blue team with 922 points. 

Several learners also set new school records: Amelie Duvenhage girls U17 800m (2:33.2); Mari Ackermann girls U17 400m hurdles (1:14.6); James Bishop boys U15 shot put (13.95m) and discus (52.60m – the best individual performance of the day); Anke Kok girls U17 200m (27 sec – breaking a 23-year-old record); Kaylee Collins girls U15 discus (30.82m); Cayden Booysen  boys U15 100m hurdles (14.82 sec) and 300m hurdles (45.10 sec); Jayden Africa boys U15 100m (11.3 sec). 

The Victor and Victrix Ludorums were Tony Martins (senior), Mari Ackermann (senior), James Bishop (junior), and Nicola Heyns (junior).

The top performing learners from the Colour Athletics will be heading to Inter-School Athletics in Bredasdorp on 31 January.

The 22 galleries that took part in the Hermanus First Fridays Art Walk (HFFA) recently donated R5 000 worth of stationery for learners in need at Lukhanyo Primary and Mount Pleasant Primary Schools. Lukhanyo has approximately 2 000 learners for 2026, and Mount Pleasant around 1 400. 

The funds for the stationery donation came from the 2025 Night of a 1 000 Drawings fundraiser, an annual event where artists create and sell original drawings at just R100 each, with proceeds going to local charities.

Thanks to the funds raised last year, the HFFA charities were able to support Hermanus Senior Centre, Hermanus Child and Family Services, the Visual Art and Design Centre, and Camphill Farm, as well as the two schools.

If you would like to contribute stationery, it can be dropped off at reception at the respective schools.

There’s a new aroma drifting through Station Square in Hermanus, inviting locals to slow down and stay a while. Raw Espresso Bar, long loved by coffee drinkers in Cape Town, has officially opened in Hermanus.

This is the second Raw Espresso Bar, following the original café in Cape Town CBD that coffee lovers Murray and Charmaine Lloyd opened back in 2013. The couple moved to Stanford in 2020, laying roots in the Overberg while dreaming of bringing their brand of honest, full-bodied coffee closer to home.

Before opening their first café, Murray owned a skateboard brand that saw him travelling extensively abroad. It was in London, watching people queue patiently for a cup of coffee, that something clicked.

After returning home, Murray told friends in the restaurant business that he wanted to open a coffee shop in Cape Town. They laughed as, at the time, coffee culture in South Africa was still finding its feet. Undeterred, Murray opened Raw Espresso Bar. 

More than a decade later, the café is thriving, supplying coffee to local businesses across Cape Town and earning a loyal following. Now, that passion for coffee has led to the opening of Raw Espresso Bar in Hermanus.

The new café has taken over the space where Dawn Coffee once stood in Station Square across from Woolworths. Inside seating is complemented by an outdoor area that feels like a secret garden: vines climb overhead, trees offer shade, and strings of lights hang among the branches. Despite being in the middle of town, the café is quiet and the noise of traffic seems far away.

The coffee is a medium roast, and a blend of South American and African beans. Barista Thandile Mnyanda crafts each coffee with care and precision, and locally made pastries and treats round out the offering. Customers can also buy Raw Espresso coffee as beans or ground.

Murray and Charmaine have plans to evolve the space into a true local hangout, with a lounge area and a fireplace for winter. With the surrounding greenery creating a sense of calm and escape, it’s easy to forget that you’re in the middle of the CBD.

Looking ahead, they also hope to open a handful of additional Raw Espresso Bars, but without franchising. Keeping things intimate, personal and decidedly non-corporate is key.

Raw Espresso Bar is open Monday to Friday from 06:30 to 15:00 and Saturdays from 07:00 to 13:00. For enquiries, contact Murray on 071 782 8528.

BY GREENPOP

In the Overberg, we are predisposed to world-class wines, but in 2026 the value of a bottle is no longer measured solely by its palate or its price point – it is measured by its stewardship. 

To understand why our local vineyards are so vital, we need to rewind to 2004. A powerful partnership between the WWF South Africa and the South African wine industry was built on a simple truth: in this region, wine farmers are the primary custodians of our land. Today, this has evolved into the WWF's Conservation Champions programme.

While over 90% of the South African wine industry adheres to the Integrated Production of Wine (IPW) sustainability standards, the Conservation Champions go significantly further. 

To earn the right to display the distinctive Cape Sugarbird and Protea stickers on their wine bottles, these landowners must commit to rigorous, voluntary standards. They co-develop management plans with WWF to clear water-thirsty alien vegetation (a major contributor to fire intensity), protect endangered fynbos, and implement regenerative farming practices that restore the soil rather than depleting it.

Three of our local vineyards have earned the elite status of WWF Conservation Champions.

Creation Wines in the Hemel-en-Aarde is synonymous with this spirit of innovation. They were the first to plant virus-free vines in South Africa post-1994, a vital step for "planting to grow old" and ensuring long-term soil health. Furthermore, their industry-leading sustainability efforts have earned them the EnviroWines accreditation, recognising their adherence to environmentally friendly production practices from the soil to the cellar. By using winter cover crops and armies of ladybirds for pest control, Creation allows natural vegetation to thrive alongside their world-class Pinot Noir.

Just down the road, Hasher Family Wines has dedicated a significant 53 hectares of their land specifically to nature conservation. This area creates a vital corridor for wildlife that is proving more important than ever, providing safe passage and habitat for caracals, honey badgers, and even the elusive Cape leopard – proving that a vineyard can be a sanctuary as much as a place of production.

Adding to the Hemel-en-Aarde’s conservation legacy is Bosman Wines. While the Bosman family's heritage dates back eight generations, their farm in Hermanus is a modern beacon of biodiversity. As a Conservation Champion, the vineyard is celebrated for a holistic approach where land and community are inseparable. Their Bosman Adama ownership model, which saw 26% of the entire business transferred to their permanent employees, serves as a global blueprint for social sustainability. Through their Fairtrade-accredited work, they are proving that true stewardship is as much about the dignity of the people who work the land as it is about the health of the soil.

It is easy to feel overwhelmed by environmental headlines, but conservation in the Overberg is often driven by simple, everyday choices we make at our boutique wine shops and local restaurants. When you choose a bottle adorned with the Cape Sugarbird sticker, you are effectively voting for the health of our local catchments. These wineries are not just producing fine vintages; they are actively managing wildfires, recycling water, and creating corridors for wildlife to move safely through the valley.

In addition to these formal Conservation Champions, other vineyards in the Cape such as Lubanzi Wines and Hazendal Wine Estate are challenging the environmental footprint of the industry through independent innovations in sustainability. 

For those who want to immerse themselves in this story of sustainable viticulture, Reforest Fest 2026 offers the ultimate sensory classroom with the 'Wines in the Wild' activation. Set under the canopy of the Conservation Wine Tent, this experience brings the stories of these five vineyards to life.  

Engage in bespoke tastings and celebrate the Overberg through curated pairings, including local honeys from the Overberg Honey Company and ethically sourced chocolate that elevates the unique notes of these sustainable wines.

Join us from 3 to 6 April as we celebrate these pioneers who are proof that agriculture and nature can thrive hand-in-hand. Secure your spot at www.reforestfest.com.

Set at the foot of the Langeberg Mountains, Swellendam combines small-town charm with easy access to nature, good food, and outdoor activities. Close enough to Hermanus, it works just as well for an active weekend as it does for one spent slowing down.

Just outside Swellendam, Umshanti offers an ideal spot for a relaxed stay. Set on the banks of the 129-hectare Buffeljags Dam, the accommodation is peaceful, pet- and family-friendly, and designed for unhurried time outdoors. Guests can swim, bring their own boats for waterskiing and tubing, or hire canoes, SUPs, or a barge directly from Umshanti. The barge experience is a standout, with space to braai on board while cruising the dam, anchoring for a swim, and taking in uninterrupted mountain views and abundant birdlife. Back at the cottages, well-equipped braai areas and ample seating create the perfect setting for relaxed evenings with friends and family.

Marloth Nature Reserve lies right on the edge of town. Access is gained via a conservation fee on CapeNature’s website, which allows entry to a variety of hiking, walking, and mountain-biking trails. The reserve is particularly rewarding for birders, with sightings that may include sunbirds, sugarbirds, fish eagles, and a wide range of fynbos-associated species. Picnic areas along the river and in shaded spots make it easy to spend a full morning or afternoon immersed in the surroundings.

For those who enjoy a more active start, Saturday mornings in Swellendam often begin with the Swellendam parkrun – a free, weekly 5km event open to runners and walkers of all ages. The scenic route has become a well-loved community gathering and requires only a once-off registration via the parkrun website. With a few hill climbs along the way, it can be challenging for those who are less fit.

After the parkrun or a hike in the nature reserve, many make their way to Under the Oaks Market, held beneath the town’s oak trees on Voortrekker Street. Browse fresh produce, baked goods, artisanal products, and more while enjoying unobtrusive music as you ease into the weekend.

For a good cup of coffee, a stop at Schoonwinkel is a must. Popular with locals and visitors alike, it is known for consistently good coffee, light meals, and an unpretentious, welcoming atmosphere.

Between Swellendam and Umshanti, Rolandale Farm Stall makes for a worthwhile stop, whether on arrival or departure. The farm stall combines a gift shop with a food stop and a generous play area for children. Freshly made roosterkoek is a highlight, often enjoyed warm and straight from the grill.

By the end of the weekend, Swellendam tends to leave visitors feeling rested and reconnected, making it a destination that invites repeat visits rather than once-off stays