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16 October 2019
www.thevillagenews.co.za
FROM THE EDITOR Green shoots are growing in Hermanus Much has been written about the need for the regeneration of the Hermanus Central Business District (CBD). The opening of the Whale Coast Mall and the flight of some businesses and residents to this new shopping mecca have adversely affected the daily rhythm of the CBD. The unrest last year didn’t help and the general downturn in the global economy this year has meant less money in people’s pockets. And, if we are honest, some parts of town are looking a bit tatty and in need of a fresh lick of paint and some greenery.
Indeed, The Village NEWS has been full of articles and letters lamenting the state of affairs in the CBD. Unfortunately, despite plans, promises and meetings with the Overstrand Municipality, there is very little tangible evidence of action on their part. The planned upgrades for the CBD, for example, have been put on hold while the municipality sorts out the tender. Nevertheless, in spite of the wheels of the municipality turning at what some consider a snail’s pace, there is evidence that green shoots are growing in Hermanus, lovingly tended by a remarkable group of entrepreneurs
who have bravely opened new businesses. The Wine Glass and The Brewery have quickly established themselves as destinations for locals and visitors. Body20 offers a new way to lose weight and tone up. Curiositea focuses on offering a wide variety of teas, a welcome diversion from coffee. Mezz & Co is bringing the Mediterranean kitchen to our doorstep, while Victoria’s Pantry is the first plastic-free food shop in Hermanus. Appetite Knight @ The Gallery Cafe serves up a unique menu of seasonal and locally-sourced, mostly organic or biodynamic, vegetarian and plant-based dishes.
There are many more examples and they all have one thing in common – they are unique, differentiated and very much owner driven. All of them are welcome additions to the array of products and services for which Hermanus is known. These new business owners must be saluted for their creativity and acumen. Not only are they a welcome addition to the town but they are clearly pointing the way forward towards a renewed and revived Hermanus.
This is the good NEWS - Ed
Hermanus Varsity Trust receives gift of laptop computers Using personal networks can be a powerful catalyst for transformation when the object is to benefit communities. The Hermanus Varsity Trust (HVT), whose goal it is to transform local communities through education, has become the beneficiary of a collaboration that materialised through just such a network. Because of this collaboration, HVT is getting refurbished laptop computers that will benefit its students and, ultimately, their communities. One partner in this collaboration is Charmaine Beukes, the managing director of White Shark Projects. Based in Gansbaai, White Shark Projects is committed not only to research, conservation and ecotourism, but to supporting and developing the local community. Adopting socially responsible business practices, they provide employment opportunities for local Masekhane residents while also encouraging the youth to care for the environment through ongoing educational and recycling initiatives. Another partner is Ajimba African Tours, based in Bremen, Germany,
the motto of which is ‘travel with social and ecological added value’. Ajimba affiliates with businesses that are active in their local communities. Frank Wardenberg, an Ajimba partner, is an ardent supporter of educational projects and, for many years, has supported global NPO Labdoo by identifying worthy recipients of their computer donations. Labdoo, the third partner in this collaboration, comprises a collaborative humanitarian social network which is designed to help bring laptops and educational devices to schools in need without incurring any economic or environmental costs. Labdoo volunteers sanitise previously-owned laptops and load them with educational software, but this NPO’s resourcefulness extends to avoiding environmental impact and additional costs when supplying its refurbished laptops. This is achieved by asking clients of Ajimba who are travelling on holiday to South Africa to take the laptops with them. The HVT became a recipient of Labdoo’s computers when Frank contacted Charmaine, who contacted Theo
Rev Edwin Arrison (chair of HVT Exco), Amanda Mahlanyana (HVT student coordinator), Charmaine Beukes (White Shark Projects), Nombasa Mahlanyana (HVT admin assistant) and Theo Krynauw (HVT Exco and Sparklekids) with the refurbished laptops supplied by global NPO, Labdoo. Krynauw of Sparklekids, who then contacted the Trust, with which he is intimately involved. This is transformative networking at its best! The first two laptops were recently handed over to the HVT, and there are more in Germany, waiting for Ajimba clients to bring them here. Charmaine has asked anyone travelling to or from Germany in the near future to please
contact Frank at frank@ajimba.com about bringing laptops with them. HVT is most grateful to Frank for creating the network that has made the whole process possible. “Hermanus Varsity is honoured to be collaborating with socially- and environmentally-conscious businesses whose philosophy so closely aligns with ours,” said Theo. – Beverley Moller
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