In 1984, Hermanus welcomed Kees Eigenhuis (affectionately called Oom Kees), a Hollander who would soon become a beloved fixture in the Hermanus community. 

Known for his remarkable work as a builder, Oom Kees found solace and camaraderie in his mornings at Andy's, a cosy coffee spot that once occupied the premises where Fusion Restaurant now resides. 

After four decades, Oom Kees still faithfully occupies the same seat every morning.

On 30 June 2017, the previous owners of Fusion Restaurant decided to pay homage to Oom Kees's unwavering presence by fixing a nameplate to his special seat, affectionately dubbed 'Kees se bankie'. This gesture of recognition serves as a testament to the enduring bond between Eigenhuis, Fusion Restaurant, and Hermanus – a place which he loves so dearly.

Despite his 88 years, Oom Kees continues to frequent Fusion Restaurant each morning, savouring his cup of coffee, while enjoying the ambiance and view over Walker Bay. He often reflects on his life and the kindness and support he has received over the many years while living in Hermanus. His gratitude for this small town knows no bounds and he remains touched by its people and the gestures of appreciation still shown towards him.

Oom Kees's story serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of a tight-knit community, the significance of simple acts of kindness, and the appreciation of life itself.

As he continues to inspire those around him with his dedication and warmth, Fusion Restaurant remains grateful for the privilege of having Oom Kees as a cherished patron each day. 

For the fallen  

"... They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: 

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them..." 

– Laurence Binyon

On 18 February, a commemoration ceremony was held to honour those who lost their lives in the tragic naval accident which occurred on 18 February 1982 shortly before 4am when the South African Navy frigate President Kruger sank after colliding with its supply vessel, the SAS Tafelberg, during a submarine defence exercise. 

The memorial was held at the Cenotaph at the Hermanus Old Harbour and was attended by survivors, families, members of the military, and others paying their respects, and included recollections of that fateful day. Survivors recounted six metre swells and harrowing winds, and being plunged into darkness. 

Despite the Captain's efforts, the ship sank within 40 minutes, leaving its crew on lifeboats, and scattered in the sea. Owing to the lack of visibility, rescuers could not begin the task of saving the crew until light broke that morning. 

Of the men on board, 16 lost their lives: Chief Petty Officer Johannes Petrus Booysen, Chief Petty Officer Hartmut Wilfried Smit, Chief Petty Officer Willem Marthinus Gerhardus Van Tonder, Chief Petty Officer Donald Webb, Petty Officer Stephanus Petrus Bothma, Petty Officer Graham Alexander Frank Brind, Petty Officer Robin Centlivre Bulterman, Petty Officer Granville Williams De Villiers, Petty Officer Evert Koen, Petty Officer Hjalmar Lotter, Petty Officer Roy Anthony McMaster, Petty Officer Roy Frederick Skeates, Petty Officer William Russel Smith, Petty Officer Michael Richard Bruce Whiteley and Petty Officer Coenraad Johannes Wium.

South Boland Athletics 

Several schools from across the Overberg took part in the South Boland Athletics on 17 February at Bredasdorp High School. The top athletes from each track and field event have been selected to compete in the Boland Athletics which will take place at the Dal Josaphat Stadium on 2 March. The following learners from the Overstrand have been selected: 

Curro Hermanus

Dylan Schroder, Aiden Brummer, Elmar van der Westhuizen, Wayne Delport, Caitlyn Manchest, Alexa Collins, Tjitra Brandsma, Mea Grobler, Princess Nwonkwo, Eli-Patrice Tobias-Meintjies, Nona Froneman, and Simone le Roux.

Generation Schools Hermanus

Kym Zimano, Emma Privett, and Stella Meintjies.

Hawston Secondary

Que Miguel Martin, Romi Kennedy, and CJ Plaatjies.

Hermanus High School

Yaché Calitz, Werner Kuchar, Dyllan October, Helen Ackermann, Gitte von Wielligh, Lea Boshoff, Kayla Smith, Rayneesha Hopley, Charlotte Kilpin, Albertus van Zyl, Siyolise Mcothama, Johan van der Walt, Stefan Stieger, Anonio Booysen, Alex Paterson, Janine van der Merwe, Olivia Fogwell, Obinna Enenchukwu, Tylo Stevens, Heike Keulder, Anke Kok, Mari Ackermann, and William Roberts.

Gansbaai Academia

Zimvo Tawuse, JayRee Wilschut, Namhla Silolo, Coren Hess, Zayde Tayob, and Jody Dreyer.

HMS Birkenhead tragedy remembered 

The 172nd commemoration of the sinking of the HMS Birkenhead took place on Monday to remember those who lost their lives on 26 February 1852. The day began with a boat trip by Marine Dynamics to the site of the rock which caused the wreck, and was followed by a service at Danger Point Lighthouse, organised by Glenda Kitley of Gansbaai Tourism. It was attended by descendents of the HMS Birkenhead survivors, special guests and interested residents.

The HMS Birkenhead, a paddle steamer, left Portsmouth, England in January 1852, travelling to Ireland before setting sail for Cape Town. She carried nearly 640 men, women and children. The ship's captain, Robert Salmond, was tasked with taking troops to fight in the Frontier War. 

Having been instructed to make every effort to get the troops there swiftly, Captain Salmond followed the South African coastline tightly, steering the ship just three miles (4.8 km) from shore. 

In the early hours of 26 February 1852, with most of her crew, soldiers, and passengers asleep, the HMS Birkenhead struck an unseen reef off a point now called ‘Danger Point’ near Gansbaai, which immediately penetrated her hull. Water flooded in and hundreds of soldiers drowned in their sleeping quarters. 

The surviving men made their way to the deck where the captain instructed them to lower the lifeboats, but due to lack of proper maintenance, much of the lowering equipment would not work. Two cutters and a gig were launched and the 7 women and 13 children on board were given preference and rowed to safety. This act established the naval tradition of 'women and children first', also referred to as the Birkenhead Drill.

The order was given to cut free the horses that were on board, and to push them into the sea in the hopes that they would make it to shore. It was then that the soldiers were told to abandon ship and swim for the boats. Lieutenant-Colonel Seton quickly realised the danger that a rush of men would pose to the women and children on the boats, and so commanded his men to stand fast. 

The ship split in two and just 25 minutes after striking the rocks, she sank beneath the waves. Only her topmast, where 50 men hung on, fighting for their lives, was still visible above the water. 

The sea was scattered with soldiers, desperate for anything to cling on to. Many drowned while trying to make it to shore while others were taken by sharks. The next morning the Lioness, a schooner, reached the lifeboats and rescued those on board before making her way to the site of the wreck to rescue the remaining survivors. Only 193 were saved. 

A letter written by survivor, Ensign G.A. Lucas to his father, recounts the wrecking of the Birkenhead:

Many pieces of timber passed us as our boat slowly drifted, men on them, as some got done up and let go their hold and went down. The most painful sight was two men swimming side by side. For a long time they struck out well together, after a time one got tired, the other helping him along, it was no use. At last his comrade left and swam towards the land but returned again to his friend but it was of no avail, he went down exhausted, his friend then swam towards the shore. Poor fellow, he had expended his little remaining strength in helping his companion and went down. 

To read the complete letter click here

Source: Historic UK

Top Overberg rugby teams face off 

The 2024 Annual Overberg Challenge, (OC) which had an impressive R100 000 prize pool, was held at the Caledon Sports Grounds on 24 February. The tournament saw the stands and grounds packed with over 6 000 spectators who had come to support their respective teams. 

Springbok assistant coach Deon Davids was this year's special guest, and said that he was impressed with the local rugby talent. 

The rugby teams consisted of the top four in the Overberg – Caledon RFC, Hawston RFC, Bredasdorp Rangers RFC, and Safcol RFC (Grabouw), as well as two invitational teams – Kleinmond RFC and Riviersonderend RFC.

The gates opened for fans at 09:30 with the welcoming ceremony taking place at 10:30 after which the first match of the day got underway. Home team Caledon faced off against Hawston in an intense and exciting game. Caledon established a good lead but Hawston brought the heat, steadily closing the gap in the second half. Despite some excellent attacking from Hawston, Caledon managed to secure a win of 23 – 19 and advanced to the finals, with Hawston into the third place playoffs.

The second game of the day saw Safcol, the defending OC title winners and reigning Boland champions, take on Bredasdorp. Safcol managed to dominate the game and won with a final score of 37 – 12.

The invitational teams, Kleinmond and Riviersondered, impressed with their performances, with Riviersonderend winning the game. 

An intense battle between Hawston and Bredasdorp followed in the third place playoffs, and Hawston lived up to expectations. A passionate and determined Bredasdorp team put Hawston through their paces but Hawston were stronger and ultimately emerged victorious with a win of 36 – 28, securing them third place in the tournament.

The much-anticipated final between Safcol and Caledon did not disappoint. The home team, cheered on by their supporters, gave their all but the reigning champions were determined in defending their title, and their skill and strength saw them win the game 26 – 15, making them this year’s tournament winners, and earning them the first place prize of R40 000 and a Smart TV.

The Overberg Challenge was started in 2023 by Pastor Rodney J Nissen – the Director of Nissen Holdings, who noticed a need for communities to come together, and had a vision to promote and showcase local talent. 

"Nissen Holdings is happy to bring the people of the Overberg to Caledon to showcase our local players and invest in our rugby clubs," he said, “The people of the Overberg came to watch good rugby, made new friends, and enjoyed what Caledon had to offer." 

Nissen Holdings currently employs 22 young people and has a YouTube channel, NH Sports TV. To find out more about the Overberg Challenge follow Nissen Holdings on Facebook or search the hashtag #OC2024. 

Teacher’s pet 

By Barbara Lindop

Intethe Art Gallery

Feeling depressed about something, or nothing in particular? The guaranteed cure is to wander into the FynArts Gallery in Hermanus. There, a bundle of energy and laughter named Chantel Louskitt will spontaneously engage with you, leaving even an unwanted smile on your face. 

Chantel was born in Caledon, the feisty, fun-loving middle child of three sisters. She had the good fortune to attend the local school in Caledon, which offered a superb education, and also offered music and art classes unlike many of the government schools. Chantel participated enthusiastically in everything on offer, always achieving the top position amongst her peers. She was the proverbial teacher’s pet!

She was a keen netball player and a committed member of the school choir. In Grade 10, Chantel chose to enrol at Boland College to pursue a more practical and technical matric outcome, and focused on accounting, mathematics and business administration. Unknowingly, she was laying the groundwork for her present, highly-demanding and versatile job managing Hermanus FynArts.

Chantel maintained her position of best student and teacher’s pet, and matriculated ready to conquer the world (although this may give the impression of a tiresome ‘show-off’, in fact this information was only extracted by persistent questioning, as the somewhat shy flower opened). Chantel did confess her love of positive recognition for a job well-done and she says her automatic response is to try even harder. 

Her ever-cheerful willingness, enthusiasm, happy smile and sense of humour are immediately apparent. Chantel says that everyone has something about which to worry, so why not bring ‘light’ to anyone with whom she may be engaging. Her philosophy lies in purposefully trying to win over unpleasantness, with charm. The effect of her cheerfulness is infectious, and time spent with this intelligent young woman is both inspirational and thought-provoking.

When Chantel emerged from college, matric in hand, the only ‘real’ jobs available for young, coloured women in Caledon were working for the newly developed Casino. Chantel quickly secured a position as a waitress and later, with her infinite warmth and charisma, at the hotel’s reception. It was there she met her husband Roderick, a restaurant supervisor. In 2005, they decided to move to Hermanus, in search of work in the growing hospitality industry. After some hands-on training, working in B&Bs, and after an intense eight month stint in an accounting firm, Chantel persisted with her dream of working for the Hermanus Tourism Bureau. On her third attempt, she was interviewed, and accepted for the post working for Mary Faure. 

And so began Chantel’s systematic rise to the formidable job she holds today – ensuring the smooth and efficient running of the Hermanus FynArts Festival, an annual event which residents look forward to, and to which they return each year. 

Appointed initially as a tourism officer, Chantel oversaw booking activities and answered queries. Learning quickly on her feet, she also acquired social media skills, teaching herself whatever she needed to know,and learnt how to build websites, observing and learning skills of the technicians and practising until she was perfect. When Mary mooted the idea of establishing the FynArts Festival, Chantel worked part-time alongside Mary until, in 2018, she became a full-time FynArts employee.

Now in 2024, FynArts is no longer a fledgling arts festival, but has become, thanks to the fully committed energy and focus of Mary and Chantel, a recognised standalone festival. More and more non-residential visitors are booking to attend, despite the festival being held in the off-season in the Western Cape’s wintery month of June.

This team of two have honed an intuitive understanding, and they find more and more that they will have the same idea within minutes of one another. They are both open to ideas proffered by others and if a possibility arises in the last minutes of planning, they try to find a way to fit it into the already full programme. They now have a mailing list of over 6 000 people and 160 events planned for which they have to sell tickets. Chantel happily admits that she considers her work partner, Mary, to be her best friend. She deeply appreciates their shared loyalty, and the opportunities they have to resolve problems and share successes. 

Chantel recalls during Covid, being in lockdown at home, trying to juggle her role as a mother as well as homeschooling her daughter, while maintaining the pressure of her full-time job, with Mary calling her constantly with ideas and instructions. Frustrated by her busy mother, four-year-old Kimberley blurted out, “Aunty Mary is your best friend!”. 

Chantel says that she perceives the word ‘Mary’ to be a verb, and when Chantel has prepared a written proposal, she passes it on to have it ‘Mary-fied’. This teamwork between Chantel and Mary has enabled the successful outcome of over a decade’s worth of festivals.

With the forthcoming festival planned for mid-June, the next intense administrative process is to oversee the delivery of the programme booklets throughout the Western Cape, with parcels of books to be despatched to other parts of South Africa and elsewhere. Fortunately, loyal FynArts aficionados happily assist with this distribution, ensuring as wide an audience as possible are made aware of the forthcoming excitement.

Although work seems to occupy the larger part of this energetic young woman’s life, she is nevertheless devoted to her daughter Kimberley’s well-being, happiness and her successful schooling. Chantel is there to volunteer at school functions and cheers her daughter’s netball team to triumph. As a family, a love of card games brings fun and laughter, and on special occasions a trip to the Spur or to Burgundy Restaurant for seafood pasta, offers a great reward for impassioned and focused hard work.

To learn more about the FynArts Festival and all the hard work that Chantel and Mary do visit www.hermanusfynarts.co.za.

Fruit and vegetables, homemade muesli and rusks, freshly baked bread, quality meats, and locally sourced cheeses are just some of the goodies that await you at Die Bloubakkie in Kleinmond.

Owner Johan travels hundreds of kilometres every week to collect his stock, driving to farms as far afield as Robertson, Ceres, and his hometown of Worcester to ensure that only the freshest items are displayed on his shelves. He tries to source from small-scale farmers that farm as naturally as possible without the use of growth hormones or pesticides. Some of the farmer’s wives supply Johan with homemade rusks and biscuits which are then packaged by Johan’s friends in Worcester where Die Bloubakkie has a storage facility.

Johan grew up and attended school in Worcester but left after matriculating to get his BCom Honours at Stellenbosch University, and later completed his Business Accountancy 3 as an extra subject to his degree. He spent some time working in different jobs, and with the support of his parents, tried to find his niche. 

In 1996 at the age of 26 and back in Worcester, Johan started selling local produce from the back of his Ford Escort 1300, shortly afterwards swapping it for his mother’s yellow Datsun bakkie. Initially, Johan spent a lot of time moving around, trying to find a suitable place from which to sell his produce. He moved from the old N1 junction to the Pick ‘n Pay carpark, to Hoogstraat in Worcester, and was able to save enough money to buy a blue Toyota Hilux 1800. But soon enough he had to find a new location and moved to the square opposite the NG Moederkerk church hall, where his family frequently gave him a hand.

“That is where ‘Die Bloubakkie’ name took root,” says Johan, “And from the beginning, the community supported us.”

Things were going well until one morning in 1998 when Johan walked outside to find that his ‘bloubakkie’ had been stolen. The local newspaper, Worcester Standard, reported on the theft and someone, reading about Johan's plight, sold him a white Toyota Hilux. Johan changed the name of his business to ‘Die Witbakkie’, but his customers were having none of it, insisting that it would always be ‘Die Bloubakkie’.

Die Bloubakkie’s logo of a blue Chevrolet bakkie was inspired by ‘Oom’ De Vos Rabie from Nuwerus, a farm between Worcester and Robertson near the Pumpkin Farmstall. Oom De Vos used to bring Johan fruit and vegetables, transporting them in his old blue Chevrolet bakkie. What Johan didn’t buy, Oom De Vos dropped off at Nuwerus Retirement Home in Worcester. His kindness, and his ‘bloubakkie’, left a lasting impression on Johan who is a big believer in the spirit of community.

During that time, Johan and his family would holiday in Kleinmond and whenever they did, the neighbours would ask Johan to bring some fresh fruit and vegetables with him from Worcester. 

In the early 2000s, Johan moved to Kleinmond, and in 2006, seeing the demand for fresh, farm produce, he opened Die Bloubakkie in the small premises that is now Oupa’s Bookshop. Needing more space, Die Bloubakkie moved to a bigger shop (where Kleinmond Central Café is currently located) in 2011, before moving to his current location at 32 2nd Street in 2018, which Johan says is quickly becoming too small to house all their stock!

“I love living in Kleinmond,” says Johan happily, “The people here are concerned for their environment and the people are caring. It is a privilege to be part of this community.”

Die Bloubakkie is made up of an amazing team of nine – five at the Kleinmond shop and four in Worcester who help with tasks such as packaging. Each member of the team brings with them their own set of skills which ensure the success of the business, and all are focused on ensuring a great customer experience. From the moment you walk into Die Bloubakkie you are warmly welcomed by smiling faces and willing hands ready to help you find what you are looking for and help carry your purchases to your car. 

The shop is open Monday to Friday 09:00 – 17:30 and Saturday 09:00 – 15:30. Be sure to follow Die Bloubakkie on Facebook for updates and to see Johan’s stunning photos of Kleinmond. For more information contact johan@bloubakkie.co.za.

By Dominique Paynee 

PhD candidate MRI Whale Unit

Until early February, sightings of Bryde’s whales graced Walker Bay abundantly, drawn by the plethora of fish thriving in its waters, which serve as the primary sustenance for these majestic creatures. 

Distinguishing a Bryde’s whale is made easy by their tall, curved dorsal fins, setting them apart from other baleen whales like the southern right and humpback whales. Remarkably, Bryde’s whales are the sole resident baleen whale species in South African waters, with their movements often dictated by the shifting populations of fish such as sardines and anchovies along the coast.

Despite their regular presence in our coastal waters, Bryde’s whales remain largely enigmatic, limiting knowledge about their behaviours and population dynamics. Current estimates suggest their numbers in South African waters to be less than 1 000, though precise figures are lacking. This small population size has warranted their classification as a 'vulnerable' species on the Mammal Red List of South Africa.

In a bid to unravel the mysteries surrounding these elusive giants, my PhD research delves into population genetics, utilising skin samples to decipher the whales’ genetic makeup to assess population size and their ability to adapt to environmental changes. Complementing this endeavour, my colleague, MSc student Wouter Coetzee, employs molecular analyses of skin samples to investigate potential shifts in the whales’ diet over time, especially in response to fishing pressures on their preferred prey.

Individual Bryde’s whales can also be tracked through the identification of their unique dorsal fins, a task managed diligently by the Whale Unit through a national catalogue of individually identified whales. Each sighting and re-photographing of these individuals contributes invaluable insights into their movement patterns along our shores. 

Through the ongoing research efforts of the Whale Unit, a deeper understanding of the population biology and ecology of Bryde’s whales in our coastal waters is being cultivated. This knowledge serves as a cornerstone for conservation initiatives, informing strategies aimed at safeguarding and preserving these magnificent creatures for the enjoyment and benefit of future generations.

Pause and reflect with a cup of coffee  

Husband-and-wife team Wian and Kayleigh Theron have opened an inviting new coffee shop at the Onrus Trading Post. Named Selah, the café offers not only coffee, but a variety of smoothies and fresh juices, as well as some small savoury bites and baked goodies supplied by local individuals and businesses such as Whisked by Larissa.

‘Selah’ is an enigmatic term frequently found in the Hebrew Bible. There is debate amongst scholars about its etymology, and there are several interpretations. Some suggest that ‘selah’ may have indicated a pause in the singing or recitation of a psalm, while others say that it “serves as a direction for the reader or listener to pause and reflect”. While the exact meaning remains uncertain, it is generally interpreted as a term that invites meditation and reflection. 

For Wian and Kayleigh, Selah was the perfect name for their new business venture. “We want Selah Coffee to be a space where one can pause and reflect,” says Wian, “A place where you can unwind and relax... sometimes we just need time to take a break from the chaos of the world, to breathe, and figure some things out.” 

The dynamic duo met while attending Hermanus High School some years ago. Wian grew up in the Overstrand, attending Kleinmond Primary School and then commuting to Hermanus High via the school bus; and Kayleigh moved to Hermanus from Port Elizabeth with her family in her Grade 9 year. After school, Kayleigh went on to become a foundation phase teacher and Wian a marine engineer, which takes him all around the world. Eight years after matriculating, Wian and Kayleigh reconnected and have now been married for just over two years. 

Last year, Kayleigh spent some time at Mikro Coffee Co and fell in love with the world of coffee, learning from passionate owners Lise and Wihan Brink. When a space became available at Onrus Trading Post, Kayleigh and Wian knew that they wanted to open their own coffee shop. This also enabled them to put down more permanent roots so that Wian would not have to travel so much for work. 

“We also wanted to find something that we could do together,” says Wian, “We work well as a team, and we both love meeting new people and being involved in the community.”

The two worked hard to transform the space (which used to be a storeroom for Onrus Pharmacy) into their dream café. They renovated and decorated it themselves, with Wian constructing cupboards and seating, and Kayleigh designing the welcoming, minimalist, and earthy interior.

“People bring their own colour to the café, so we didn’t want the space to distract from that, which is why we went with natural tones,” says Kayleigh, “It also creates a calm space. My one friend describes it as ‘sitting in an oat milk latte’!”

Selah believes in supporting local businesses and they make use of a unique blend of coffee which Kayleigh developed alongside the team at Mikro Coffee. They still have some plans for the café, including the installation of wifi and larger tables for those looking for a quiet space to work and unwind while they enjoy a cup of coffee or a smoothie. 

The coffee shop is also pet friendly, so you can enjoy something to drink or nibble on while you wait to see the vet next door!

Selah Coffee is open Monday to Friday from 06:30 – 15:00, and Saturday from 07:00 – 14:00. You will find them between the vet and the pharmacy at Onrus Trading Post. For more photos and updates follow them on Facebook and Instagram (@selah_coffeecafe).