Whale Festival

HERMANUS WHALE FESTIVAL 2018

ADOPT A WHALE In celebration of this year’s all-time record number of whales along our shores, the Whale Unit of the Univsersity of Pretoria’s Mammal Research Institute has launched an Adopt A Whale programme. Dr Els Vermeulen of the Whale Unit was available in the Eco-Marine Tent to explain how everyone can support whale research and conservation in South Africa by symbolically adopting a whale. All funds raised go towards covering the costs of the Whale Unit’s fieldwork. For more information visit www.adoptawhale.co.za

PHOTO: Tweet Gainsborough-Waring

#DONTBETRASHY This initiative, launched by CapeNature and GoodHope FM, was supported by a clean-up crew that was kitted out with T-shirts, gloves and bags from local businesses to aid in keeping this year’s Whale Festival clean and green, while also helping to raise awareness for recycling and eco-friendliness. Zikhona and Mandiluve (above) were part of the crew that did their bit to keep the Old Harbour area litter-free. Their efforts didn’t go unnoticed as various people commented on the cleanliness of this year’s festival.

PHOTO: Taylum Meyer

Random act of kindness brings singer to Whale Fest

- Raphael da Silva

It was the first time that Siphamandla, an a capella singer from Worcester had ever hitchhiked and he was nervous.

“Normally, I would have taken a train or a taxi,” he said.

But as luck would have it, after waiting a bit, a woman stopped and asked him where he was going. He explained that he was a singer, didn’t have enough money to pay for taxis but that he wanted to go to Hermanus to sing at the Whale Festival.

The woman was a bit skeptical at frst, until Siphamandla further explained that he normally sings as part of another a capella group, Zwelembekx. He even showed her YouTube videos of the group performing.

Siphamandla, known as OJay, an a capella soul singer from Worcester, who, through a random act of kindness by a stranger, was able to perform for the Whale Festival Old Harbour Music Series.

PHOTOS: Raphael da Silva

Convinced of his potential, talent and sincerity, the woman, who was actually on her way to George changed course and drove the additional 150 km, adding two hours to her journey, to drop Siphamandla in Zwelihle. “Not only that but she also gave me R30 so that I could buy some food to eat as well,” he said.

For the Whale Festival, Siphamandla decided to deviate from his normal soul style. “I took one look at this beautiful harbour and decided to sing love songs,” he said. “The people were all so happy and enjoying the beautiful day and the whales in the bay.”

Siphamandla’s mother, a single parent who was a cook at a restaurant in Worcester until she retired, taught him how to sing and write music, and he credits her with inspiring him.

His message to the Hermanus community is clear:

“What she did for me, you can do for everyone. It is a great thing to help someone, especially when you do it with love without expecting anything in return.”

PHOTO: Taylum Meyer

For more pictures and information, click on the link below!