Started by Hermanus Tourism Bureau on the identified need for a solution that would lift the spirits of the community and attract visitors in support of a much-needed economic stimulus during the quiet winter months, Hermanus FynArts came into existence.

From the first Festival in 2013 it has grown into a vibrant, multi-format festival showcasing the very best in South African arts. From promoting the arts in the visual, performing literary and culinary fields, it also runs activities throughout the year in support of education, training and development programme in the greater Hermanus area.

Many aspiring writers find that the hardest part is simply starting. To Simone Jansen, creating a safe space for writers has become just as important as writing her own novels. Originally from Johannesburg, Simone moved to Hermanus with her husband and son in 2023. While balancing family life and her role as a creative consultant for a UK-based company, she went searching for a local writing community. She eventually founded Writers of the Whale Coast, a growing group of around 20 writers of all levels who now meet once a month in Hermanus.

Writing under the pen name Christine Jansen, Simone will be debuting her fantasy novel, The Sorceress, in August this year – the first book in a planned trilogy. She started writing when she was 16, and her first work was published in print when she was 23.

Simone has always loved fantasy novels – especially those by female authors – and has been working on The Sorceress for a few years now. “It has definitely been a stop-and-go process,” Simone explains. “You write around family life, work and everything else.”

Writers of the Whale Coast meets on the last weekend of every month, usually on a Sunday morning, with sessions lasting between one and two hours. Meetings begin with a welcome and casual chat before members move into positive feedback discussions based on a monthly writing theme. Recent themes have included prompts such as “The Doorway”, open to interpretation across any genre.

Participants are encouraged to write pieces of up to 500 words, although many end up using the exercises as inspiration for larger projects.

Importantly, Simone says there is no pressure at Writers of the Whale Coast: “You can come and listen, read something you’ve already written, or simply hear feedback.”

Feedback sessions focus on what readers enjoyed about a piece, while writers can also request constructive criticism if they want deeper input. The group includes a mix of ages and experience levels, from complete beginners to writers working on novels and published authors.

The group also offers practical support around the realities of modern publishing, including self-publishing advice, cover design, websites and networking opportunities through the South African Indie Author Association (SAIAA), where Simone also helps run Western Cape writing group chapters.

For Simone, the community aspect is just as important as the craft itself. “Writing can be very isolating,” she says. “Sometimes people just need encouragement to keep going.”

Writers of the Whale Coast welcomes poets, novelists, unpublished writers and even people who are simply curious about writing. Members stay connected through WhatsApp and Facebook groups, where they can continue sharing work and feedback between meetings.

“Everyone’s welcome,” Simone says. “Even if you’re only thinking about writing, you should come.”

More information about Simone can be found at www.christine-jansen.com. For queries about Writers of the Whale Coast you can email Simone at christine@christine-jansen.com

Simone Jansen is a self-published author and founder of the Writers of the Whale Coast. Her first fantasy novel will be released in August 2026. 

BY JENNY PARSONS

Frogs are far more than a chorus of clicks and guttural noise on rainy nights, they’re tiny environmental guardians, each with their own quirks, colours and survival tricks. Spend a little time listening or looking, and an entire hidden world reveals itself. 

In my suburban garden, and while out walking in the fynbos, I have discovered a secret world. At night I have hunted amongst my agapanthus, aloes and pot plants for these tiny creatures. On a regular basis I have needed to rescue them from the pool. On a lighter note, the resident raucous toad takes great delight in hiding in my garden shoes.

In the animal world, frogs and toads are taxonomically small vertebrates in the class Amphibia and belong to the order Anura. The Western Cape is home to over 44 species of frogs and toads and shows a high level of endemism. Sadly almost 50% of South Africa’s threatened amphibians occur here too. Threats include invasive species, habitat loss and degradation. Wetlands are under threat and climate change is increasingly impacting the animal world.  

While visiting Harold Porter National Botanical Garden in Betty’s Bay you can often spot the Cape River Frog (Amietia fuscigula) sitting on the floating water lily leaves. Big (60-100mm), bold and unbothered, they are opportunistic hunters eating anything that they can overpower including insects, crabs and even other frogs. If you have a pond, chances are this frog is already a resident.

The Clicking Stream Frog (Strongylopus grayii) is small (35-45mm) but unmistakably announces the arrival of winter with its sharp, rhythmic call. Their colours vary wildly, making them tricky to identify, but their voice is unmistakable. One lone clicker often becomes a full nocturnal chorus as the rains draw near. Found mostly in wetlands or next to slow moving streams. This is the culprit that I found in the pool!

Three different Reed Frogs have been found in my garden. The delicate Arum Lily Reed Frog (Hyperolius horstockii) (35 – 40 mm) is one of the Western Cape’s most enchanting amphibians. Perfectly camouflaged, these little frogs curl up inside arum lily blooms during the day, tucking away their bright orange legs like a secret. When night falls, they climb down the stems to hunt insects in the wetlands below. Sadly, their numbers are slipping as development eats away at their habitat. 

The tiny Painted Reed Frog (Hyperolius marmoratus) is 25 – 35 mm, a colourful newcomer, and no two seem alike. Although they weren’t originally part of the Western Cape’s fauna, they arrived about two decades ago, likely hitching rides in nursery plants or camping gear. They thrive in gardens, parks and wetlands, surviving long sunny days by slowing their metabolism, turning pale to reflect heat, and storing water in their bladders. 

A subspecies, the Spotted Painted Reed Frog (Hyperolius marmoratus ssp. verrucosus) shows off its spotty colouration. Reed frogs adjust their colouration according to temperature and light, often adapting paler cryptic tones for camouflage reasons.

The Raucous Toad (Sclerophrys capensis) is the largest garden visitor (up to 110 mm), a regular who skulks amongst my pot plants. They are well-known for their incessant nightly raucous quacking sounds. They live most of their lives underground and only come above ground after good rains to mate. These toads are highly sensitive to their environment and tend to settle only where conditions support their survival. So, their presence reflects a garden ecosystem that has been created which offers shelter, moisture and a reliable food source (ants, beetles, slugs and mosquitoes). Toads are more adaptable than frogs, they can thrive in semi-dry environments if some moisture is available.

The Cape Sand Frog (Tomopterna delalandii) also known as the coastal burrower (45 - 50 mm) lives along the edges of coastal lagoons and wetland areas. They have mastered the art of disappearing by using hardened ridges on their heels to dig into the sand to hide. During the breeding season, the males call loudly and females lay thousands of eggs, apparently you can smell them from a distance!

Why do frogs matter? Frogs are one of nature’s early-warning systems. When wetlands fall silent, it’s often a sign that something is wrong – polluted water, habitat loss, or ecological imbalance. Frogs and toads are most active during the cooler, wetter winter and early spring months. Creating frog-friendly gardens with indigenous plants and avoiding pesticides helps keep these tiny guardians thriving. I highly recommend a pond feature in your garden.

Hermanus resident Gertruida Maria Susana van der Merwe, known to her loved ones since childhood simply as "Baby", was born in Bloemfontein in 1939. She was raised across South Africa as her father was transferred between various correctional service posts, but she eventually settled in Cape Town.

It was there, at just 19 years old, that she met Laurence, a 21-year-old policeman who became her first serious boyfriend, then her husband, and later the father of their three daughters: Doné, Nicolene, and Michele. For years, Baby balanced life as a housewife with a career as a secretary to generals in the police department.

In August 1991, the couple looked forward to a relaxing 22-day cruise aboard the MTS Oceanos, however, they were about to face the worst of human cowardice and the best of human bravery, and be lucky enough to live to tell the tale.

Unbeknownst to Baby, Laurence, and the 569 other passengers and crew on board, The MTS Oceanos was in a state of severe neglect. During recent maintenance, crucial non-return valves in the ship's sewage system had been stripped for parts. Even worse, a 10cm hole had been left wide open in a supposedly watertight bulkhead, leaving the ship structurally compromised before it had even left port.

On the night of 3 August 1991, the Oceanos was fighting massive swells off the Wild Coast, sailing into 40-knot winds and 30-foot waves. After a series of huge waves slammed against the hull, a ventilation pipe running through the damaged bulkhead gave way, and seawater began pouring into the ship's hull. The water quickly reached the engine room, and at roughly 21:30 the flooded engines failed, plunging the ship into darkness. Only dim emergency lights remained. Without the non-return valves in place, seawater surged back up through the sewage pipes, accelerating the flooding.

Realising the ship was taking on water rapidly, captain of the Oceanos, Yiannis Avranas, and his senior officers panicked. Rather than sounding the general alarm, organising an evacuation, or notifying the hundreds of passengers sleeping below, Captain Avranas insisted on being evacuated first. Passengers wandered the dark, tilting corridors in confusion, completely unaware that the bridge was empty and that the captain and crew had fled. 

A small group of shipboard entertainers discovered the abandoned bridge. Taking matters into their own hands, they broadcasted a desperate Mayday call from the ship's radio.

The group then gathered the terrified passengers into the main lounge, but as it was full to capacity, Baby and Laurence had to stay in the entrance hall where they held tightly onto furniture that was secured to the floor. The entertainers kept the crowd calm by singing, and organised the passengers, fitting them with life jackets, and preparing them for evacuation. Baby says that as long as she could see her husband, she wasn’t afraid.

With life rafts ready, women and children were ordered to evacuate first. This caused much distress and families clung to each other in a desperate bid to stay together. In the ensuing chaos, Baby and Laurence became separated, and for an agonising stretch of hours, neither knew if the other was dead or alive.

The South African Air Force and Navy launched a massive rescue operation. A fleet of 16 helicopters was deployed, 13 of which were SAAF Pumas, and over several hours aircrews winched passengers up from the stricken vessel. Baby was amongst those hoisted from the sloping deck, and flown to safety. She was dropped off at Coffee Bay, completely unaware of Laurence’s fate. It was only later, at a local hotel, that she was finally reunited with her husband. Against all historical odds, every single one of the people on board survived.

At 14:15 on 4 August 1991, the Oceanos rolled onto her side and sank bow-first into the ocean. She now lies on a sandbar at a depth of between 92 and 97m, roughly 5km off the coast of Coffee Bay.

The entertainers, who had so swiftly jumped into action to save the passengers, were celebrated worldwide. Captain Avranas was later convicted of negligence by a Greek maritime board. His most infamous quote, which he repeated in various forms to reporters was: "When I order abandon ship, it doesn't matter what time I leave. Abandon is for everybody. If some people like to stay, they can stay."

Years later, Laurence and Baby relocated to Hermanus where they had inherited the family home. After undergoing a heart operation, Laurence sadly passed away on Valentine’s Day, 14 February 2011. Baby moved into Huis Lettie Theron, where she remains a well-known resident, carrying with her the incredible story of the night she survived the sea.

21-year-old Colen was born and raised at Hamilton Russell Vineyards. He is the eldest of three siblings, and lives on the farm with his parents, younger sister, and younger brother.

After the local government school, Diepgat Primary, closed due to funding issues, the Pebbles  Hemel-en-Aarde Education Project (HEAEP) stepped in and established the Pebbles Academy, an independent school that offers quality education to children from Grade R to Grade 7 from farming communities across the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. Colen joined the school when he was 14.

Since childhood, Colen has dreamed of becoming a winemaker, inspired by his father, who now works as a vineyard manager. Today, Colen is on that path, working as a hospitality host at Creation Wines. 

After his shifts, he spends his time in the cellar, assisting the winemaking team by helping with the wine barrels, always eager to learn as much as he can.

During his time at the Pebbles Project Youth Development Centre, he completed a range of courses, including a Wine & Spirit Education Trust Level 1 course. He also developed practical skills through an advanced barista training course, alongside training in woodwork, housekeeping, and wellness therapy. 

Colen has now been working at Creation Wines for one year. “When I first started, I was very shy, I struggled to communicate with people. But now I actually enjoy it. I’ve realised working with people is a strength of mine.”

The Pebbles Project team is very proud of Colen: his determination, his humility, and the quiet way he leads by example.

Amid a recent heat wave, a special community event was organised for 26 elders and carers from Mount Pleasant. The day was designed to offer relaxation, social connection, and appreciation for the natural beauty of the Fernkloof Nature Reserve Gardens.

The outing was generously sponsored by the Hermanus Red Cross Society and the Hermanus Botanical Society (HBS), both of which included this event as part of their outreach programmes. Angela Heslop from Red Cross and Mary Ann Verster, chairperson of the HBS, warmly welcomed Jenny Sauls along with her group, affectionately known as the "Self-styled Survivors". 

The visitors were transported from Mount Pleasant by SW Gardiner Tours & Transfers – an organisation recognised for being disability-friendly and providing passengers with excellent care.

A dedicated team of HBS volunteers guided the group along a portion of the self-guided walk. The chosen path was thoughtfully selected to ensure it was accessible for those using wheelchairs or Zimmer frames, allowing all participants to comfortably enjoy the gardens. After their stroll, attendees gathered under the shade of a ficus tree and took their seats on the McFarlane family bench. There, they listened to the soothing sounds of bird calls and observed the tortoises roaming nearby. This peaceful setting provided a perfect backdrop for relaxation and reflection.

The group then entered the Fernkloof Hall, where HBS volunteers served cakes and drinks. The hall was filled with lively conversation, laughter, and a sense of joy as participants reflected on the beauty of this local treasure in Hermanus.

The day left a lasting impression on all who attended, and many expressed a desire to repeat the experience in the spring, highlighting the value of such gatherings in nurturing relationships and celebrating the natural treasures close to home. 

– Kathie Buley

Over the past decade, the Volmoed Youth Leadership Training Programme (VYLTP) has become one of Hermanus’s most unique and transformative youth initiatives, creating spaces where young people from different communities can meet, learn, heal and lead together.

Based at Volmoed Retreat and Conference Centre in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, the programme was launched in 2016 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the 1976 Soweto youth uprising. Since then, it has evolved from an international residential leadership programme into a deeply local initiative rooted in community-building, creativity and restorative healing.

As VYLTP prepares to celebrate its 10th anniversary from 12 to 16 June, co-founder Rev. Edwin Arrison says the focus remains firmly on building bridges between people and communities across Hermanus.

The idea for VYLTP was first conceived in 2013 during a gathering of church leaders under the banner of the South African Christian Leaders’ Initiative (SACLI). Young activists attending the gathering recognised a growing gap: ecumenical youth leadership programmes had all but disappeared, yet the need for courageous young leaders was greater than ever.

In August 2014, another gathering in Stellenbosch under the theme ‘Moving Mountains’ further shaped the vision. Inspired by the legacy of leaders such as Desmond Tutu and the call to “pass on the baton” to a new generation, the foundation for the programme was laid. In 2016, John de Gruchy and Rev. Edwin Arrison officially launched the programme at Volmoed with the support and blessing of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who was also a patron of Volmoed.

The first cohort of 14 young people began a 10-week residential programme in May 2016, with the official launch taking place on Youth Day, 16 June 2016, at the Volmoed Chapel. Like many organisations, VYLTP faced major challenges during the pandemic. Residential gatherings became impossible, forcing the programme online for a period. The pandemic also led to important reflection.

Programme leaders realised they were making limited impact among local young people and decided to shift their focus primarily towards youth from Zwelihle and Mount Pleasant.

Today, the programme centres around creating safe spaces where young people can engage openly with issues including trauma, reconciliation, identity, healing and justice. “We want young people to be able to speak honestly and courageously about difficult issues in a non-judgmental environment,” says programme coordinator Siya Vonco, who was part of the very first VYLTP cohort in 2016. The programme welcomes young adults aged 18 to 35 regardless of church affiliation or faith background and also hosts interfaith dialogue.

One of the most visible and impactful developments in recent years has been the introduction of drumming and drum-making. In October 2022, VYLTP partnered with the group DRUMBA under the leadership of Bevil Spence to start a drumming course as a part of dealing with trauma. After the first group graduated, participants began making their own drums – something that has since become central to the programme’s identity.

While VYLTP is not formally a drumming organisation, organisers say the activity has become a powerful vehicle for healing, creativity and community-building. The drumming programme now brings together around 20 young people several days a week and connects directly with Volmoed’s five guiding themes: Healing and Wholeness, Creation and Creativity, Beloved Community, Reconciliation, and Peace and Justice.

The arts also play a major role in the programme, with choral singing, dancing and painted drum designs becoming part of the shared experience. Although firmly rooted in Hermanus, VYLTP has developed an increasingly international reach. The programme maintains close ties with the Taizé Community in France and sends young volunteers there annually for several months at a time.

In 2023, 2024 and 2025, the VYLTP drummers and drum-makers were invited to present their work to the Master of Philosophy in Inclusive Innovation students at the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business, where students also received handcrafted drums as end-of-semester farewell gifts. 

These experiences eventually led to the group travelling to the United States in November 2024 under the banner “South Africa’s Volmoed Youth Drummers for Unity and Healing”.

The programme regularly receives invitations from local and international church-related organisations and has hosted participants from across South Africa and beyond. Every Thursday morning, VYLTP participants join the public service at Volmoed before continuing with workshops and discussions for the rest of the day.

These gatherings have now been running consistently for more than two years and have become an important meeting point between young people and the wider Volmoed community. Organisers say these shared meals, conversations and interactions are helping to create genuine relationships across social and cultural divides.

The 10th anniversary celebrations will take place from 12 to 16 June and will include discussions, storytelling, church visits, drumming performances, meals and the screening of a short documentary film about the VYLTP. The celebration opens on 12 June at St Peter's Church and concludes with a celebration at Volmoed on 16 June at 10:00. The programme will focus on reflecting on the past 10 years, exploring the present challenges facing young people and envisioning what the next decade could look like.

Organisers are also encouraging more local young adults between 18 and 35 to become involved. Visit https://rb.gy/yx1tjw and complete the form if you are interested in attending the programme. Community members who would like to support the anniversary celebrations through accommodation, food donations or other assistance can contact Rev. Edwin Arrison on edwin@volmoedyouth.org.za.

Local Stanford author Bonnie Espie is back with Lifting the Lid, her latest novel published by Jonathan Ball Publishers / Kwela Books.

In the book, business partners Sylvie and Winifred run a local bookstore-eatery, but they are constantly looking over their shoulders – someone in their small village has discovered their illegal side hustle. Will it spill out during the filming of the reality wine show that's come to town, or will a trail of cryptic clues keep appearing in the most inconvenient places? Thank goodness for free-flowing wine, hungry customers and hot vetkoek!

The book invites readers right into the heart of Riviersvalleij – a place where the coffee is always fresh, the locals feel incredibly familiar, and well-behaved dogs are always welcome (though the local cat is still a subject of debate). You will find Lifting the Lid at The Book Cottage in High Street.