PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS- The New Horizons community celebrated an award-winning theatrical team from Plettenberg Bay Secondary School with a “homecoming” performance on Friday 25 April.  talented young actresses Bronlyn van Rhyner and Carin Fourie was named Best Overall Drama Production for High Schools 2024 – 2025 by the Department of Culture and Sport last month and the play is now being nominated for Best Ensemble and Best Supporting Actress (Carin Fourie) for 2025.  Van Rhyner and Fourie are both from New Horizons in Plett is a BA psychology and English graduate from Potchefstroom University  The performance of PAS (the Afrikaans for “pass” which refers to the working passport non-whites had to have during the apartheid years) left the audience breathless.  It was a specially organised homecoming event to celebrate the team winning top honours at the Baxter Theatre in Cape Town Carin Fourie (left) and Bronlyn van Rhyner (right) on stage.  Smith said they had no help and had to do everything on their own - he even bought props out of his own pocket The community was called up to support the performance by New Horizons ward councillor Claude Terblanche who posted a plea on social media “for everyone to support this amazing initiative”.  “Bronlyn often used to sit up until 02:00 in the morning going over her script and often I told her to get to bed,” said her proud dad “yet all her dedication and hard work has really paid off.”  One of the locals who attended the performance was overwhelmed by the special performance “It was a great honour to watch members of the audience shed a tear as they shared in the joys and sadness elicited in the play but even a greater honour to share in their [the theatre team's] journey and support them as they now move on to represent their school and community on new platforms,” Dunn said  “It would be amazing if we could also get them to perform at more local events such as the Plett Arts Festival because our area has no shortage of good arts and entertainment opportunities.”  ‘We bring you the latest Garden Route Please check your email and enter your one time pin below:   Open in Gmail Sorry there was an error loading the audio What better way is there to learn about the rich human tapestry and natural majesty of an area than an 80km walk over five days This is why 11 newly acquainted souls gathered at T’Niqua Stable Inn in Plettenberg Bay on a warm March evening for a meet-and-greet dinner prior to an early morning start to the Plett Camino We were to walk in Afromontane jungle and forests, rolling fields of cultivated farmland, pine plantations, fynbos areas and dusty gravel roads, across cool mountain streams and through a game reserve and other areas of the larger Garden Route National Park.advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads Some of the hiking group members on a break Day 1 started with a short ride to the national park just off the N2 at the Perdekop Nature Walk later called Tarzan because of his bush saw Some group members started spraying mosquito repellent in anticipation of the jungle phase of our walk indigenous forest with copious underbrush adding to its jungle nature The humid conditions soon led to much sweating and heavy breathing as we navigated inclines and The muggy conditions added to the almost mysterious nature of the surroundings After a brief crossing of the N2 to the northern side of the jungle we slowly wended our way to Greenfern Lodge spotting a beautiful dwarf Knysna chameleon on a huge tree at the Garden of Eden waypoint cold drinks and fortifying edibles in front of a huge bluegum tree created the backdrop to the 14km walk Scenic views from one of the farms where hikers stay overnight Day 2 started with a self-made breakfast and the stowing of prepared lunch packs for the day This was to be a “forest walk” of 14km to the Protea Wilds Retreat for the night A wine tasting awaited us at Packwood Wine Estate along the way The route also included many hectares of pine tree plantation belonging to the MTO Group involved in forestry The soft forest floor was so giving — what a beautiful part of the walk I could revel in the luxury of the early autumn season’s mist and mellow fruitfulness we frolicked our way to Packmore Wines Packwood Wines Read more: At the Plettenberg, a cheese soufflé worth writing about Proteas and other flora line the hiking route On Day 3 we descended into the Bitou Valley while being told of the history and geology of the area The gentle descent was accompanied by a description of the type of rock in the area belonging to the Peninsula Formation sandstone stretching from Clanwilliam down to Gqeberha Strike this rock and you will perceive a sulphurous smell The history of the area involved many different players from the early Khoi to the modern-day diversity we experience Frontier wars raged in this valley periodically I tried imagining living in this area among these people as we wended our way down and across the river before ascending the opposite bank The cool forested areas seemed alive with memories of past history as we crossed the Stofpad all the while passing beautiful farms with verdant fields Finally, we traversed a gravel road, and suddenly Bella Manga Country Escape came into view: a lovely guest farm that promised a cold pool, drinks, food and, for those so inclined, massages to soothe the kilometres out of the legs.advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads Day 4 was to be an 18km walk, preceded by a self-made breakfast with multiple ingredients at hand. Hikers are quite creative when fuelling up for the day.advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads we would be at the gates of the Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve 2,200ha boasting three of the Big Five: rhino We were deposited at a back gate on the lip of the Keurbooms River valley and descended into it under cloud cover knowing there would be a cool river at its nadir Our guide elucidated many interesting titbits along the way regarding flora and fauna refreshing break was enjoyed after crossing the river at a pump station supplying Plett with water After a little climbing we descended to a tributary called Whisky Creek Read more: Part One: Eight days hiking the Camino via Saint James, the French way And then there was a very steep uphill path out of the valley. For the cheek of it, it was called Postman James. What had he been thinking, taking this route in the first place? We huffed and puffed our way up in record time, beating the pull of gravity.advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads After a brief sojourn to a guest hotel for some beverages we descended to Kay and Monty Vineyards for more wine tasting (we just scoffed it) Then followed a short walk to our destination a guest farm whose name relates to the owner believing that’s what he had left We were treated to an array of homemade pizzas against a beautiful sunset backdrop along with tired but happy conversation for the last time as a group Day 5 was to be 12km of walking towards the N2 and the mouth of the Keurbooms River It was tinged with a mix of sadness and happiness and the prospect of a slap-up meal at Down to Earth a fitting restaurant name considering the heights from which we had come with beautiful views of the valley itself and back to life on the N2 whizzing by We all agreed that the organisation and attention to detail was wonderful This story first appeared in our weekly Daily Maverick 168 newspaper ' + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.webview_notification_text + ' " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_title + " " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_text + " NSRI Plettenberg Bay duty crew were activated following reports of lifeguards on the scene at a body in the water at Lookout Rocks Fishermen angling from the shoreline had reached Bitou shark spotters nearby reporting witnessing a man floating face down in the water It appears that the man had been witnessed going into the water from the rocks from undetermined circumstances Shark spotters alerted Bitou Municipal lifeguards.Lifeguards and Bitou Beach Control responded and on arriving on the scene requested the assistance of NSRI Plettenberg Bay NSRI Plettenberg Bay duty crew responded to the NSRI Plettenberg Bay station 14 rescue base where the NSRI rescue craft Ray Farnham Rescuer was launched The SA Police Services and WC Government Health EMS were activated and responded On arrival on the scene NSRI found Bitou lifeguards in attendance in the surf zone They had secured the body of the man that was then recovered from the water onto the NSRI rescue craft The body of the man was brought to the NSRI rescue base where EMS paramedics attended and the body of the man was taken into the care of Police and Government Health Forensic Pathology Services Anyone that can help to assist Police with the identity of the man and the circumstances surrounding this incident can call Plettenberg Bay Police Station 044 5011900 The local anglers that swiftly raised the alarm with Bitou Municipal shark spotters and the swift response and cooperation of all involved is commended A second chance: The 216th rescue with NSRI’s Pink Buoy Initiative We’re proud to announce that our newly rebuilt NSRI Station 21 in St Francis Bay is now officially open we held a blessing ceremony for two new state-of-the-art rescue vessels: the Spirit of St Francis III .. Gqeberha — The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) today officially celebrated the blessing of its latest state-of-the-art Offshore Rescue Craft (ORC) at a ceremony held at the PE Deep Sea Angling Club building Subscribe today for information about NSRI rescues rescued at Robberg Nature Reserve on Monday remains in a serious but stable condition in hospital NSRI Plettenberg Bay duty crew were activated following reports of a female collapsed unconscious - on the Wild Side were assisting the lady at the scene and requested urgent medical assistance reporting her medical condition to be deteriorating from unknown causes.Cape Nature rangers were heading towards them while NSRI Plettenberg Bay launched NSRI rescue craft and responded.ER24 ambulance services and Med-Life ambulance services were activated.On arrival on the scene was secured onto a stretcher and hiked to the NSRI rescue craft with medical care continuing.Additional NSRI rescue craft dispatching more NSRI rescue crew to the scene to assist were launched.Bystander Good Samaritan hikers assisted NSRI rescue crew to get the lady to our NSRI rescue craft and they are commended for the help they rendered.Accompanied by her partner the patient was brought to our NSRI Plettenberg Bay station 14 rescue base and transported to hospital by ER24 ambulance in the care of ER24 paramedics.It remains unknown the causes for the lady collapsing unconscious and causes of  her severe medical condition appears to be unknown Doctors and nurses are continuing with life saving efforts in hospital.Thoughts and care remain with her partner while this emergency medical operation was in progress NSRI Plettenberg Bay and Cape Nature rangers were alerted to a lady injured nearby (to the initial incident) Robberg Nature Reserve.With the serious rescue operation that was already in progress at the Fountain Shack into their care and they hiked her safely to the Robberg car park without incident In a stable condition that patient attended further medical care privately.As the NSRI rescue craft was departing The Wild Side after the critical condition female patient had been secured onto the NSRI rescue craft at the Robberg Nature Reserve hiking trail NSRI were approached by a couple reporting that they were suffering dehydration and also in need of medical care NSRI left them on the scene with additional hydration supplies and with our NSRI rescue craft JetRIB and with NSRI rescue crew - caring for them and the NSRI rescue craft then returned to fetch them later (after delivering the critical patient to paramedics at our rescue base).The adult couple were taken onboard our NSRI rescue craft and they were brought to our NSRI rescue station where both of them by that stage hydrated and both in good spirits were released requiring no further assistance NSRI Blesses New Gqeberha Offshore Rescue Craft - Bay Guardian PLETTENBERG BAY NEW - The pros have the Race to Dubai local amateurs have the Race to Plettenberg Bay Goose Valley Golf Club is set to start the inaugural Race to Plettenberg Bay a golf competition for amateurs that will mirror the famous Race to Dubai challenge Club captain Simon Mottershead says the competition "After taking part in the Windhoek pairs competition in 2023 winning our way through to Portugal for the world finals and managing to secure a world title with my now fiancée I thought we amateur golfers need something to get the juices flowing on a more regular basis," said Mottershead "This is where the inspiration for the competition came from." The competition will be open to all amateur golfers in the Garden Route and will be run on a league points system there should be provision for about 20 to 25 events to be held throughout the eight-month season." The competition will be held every available Sunday and is open from the first tee-off until the last tee time by which a scorecard can still be handed in at the Pro Shop before it closes at 17:00 as long as there is someone to mark your card Only players with official HNA handicaps will be allowed to take part The competition format will be individual Stableford and points will be awarded: from 20 points for first place to one point for 20th place and a player's top 15 results will be used to calculate finishing positions This will limit the penalty for missing some of the events the top eight players will go into the final round of play-offs which will be held at the beginning of December for a chance to win the coveted Goose Valley Cup and over R10 000 worth of prize money for the top three "We have obtained local sponsorship from Buco Plett and Slops Restaurant for the main event and closest-to-the-pin prizes respectively on each competition day," said Mottershead A prize pool for the day will be generated from all the players' entry fees on the day Winners will be notified via social media (there will not be a prize-giving) and any winnings can be collected at the Pro Shop at Goose Valley Anyone interested should contact the Goose Valley Pro Shop on 044 533 5082 or visit the Goose Valley Golf Club's Facebook page for more information and bookings Katot Meyer at 77 years old is known as the river guardian in Plettenberg Bay he has been using his own makeshift but effective tools for clearing invasive alien plants from the Keurbooms River catchment for the past 50 years – safeguarding the water that feeds households in the area Meyer works up and down the Keurbooms River catchment, which is approximately 80km long, clearing invasive alien trees and shrubs that reduce the flow of the water feeding households in Plettenberg Bay. He is also pioneering a water-neutral project in the area. advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads His efforts to rehabilitate the river are having a direct impact on the water supply but the task is enormous and more involvement from the community government and private businesses is crucial to safeguarding this water source Meyer said it is critical for people to rethink how they can give back to the ecosystems that sustain them Meyer has spent the last 50 years using unique methods to clear high trees and thick bushes of invasive alien species along the tributaries that feed the Keurbooms River By measuring the flow of water in the river he has found that removing the alien species has increased river flow dramatically the flow of water in that specific area and in the Keurbooms reduced from 100% in 1960 to about 25–30% now we need funds and effective rehabilitation “The work that I do is a passion, and I have tried to do things very effectively because that’s the way we have to do [it] in future, because it’s mankind that caused all the problems in our catchments. It’s mankind without kindness. Now it’s that same mankind that must bring the solutions, and do it on the ground,” he said.advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads Katot Meyer measures water flow along the Keurbooms River The tractor Katot Meyer uses for clearing invasive alien species A typical day for Meyer starts with him entering a section of the catchment area either on his tractor or in his Land Rover which he also sleeps in when necessary – with all his equipment attached on a trailer If he’s staying for two or three days to do a specific job in a section of the catchment he’ll go in with a tractor and take his tent he physically clears invasive alien species until about 11am working with the tractor during the hottest part of the day Meyer restarts physically clearing alien invasives until it’s dark you rehabilitate the environment and you can see it But I can’t do it on my own,” Meyer told Daily Maverick that spraying herbicide to control alien invasive species is sometimes better as it costs roughly the same as using labourers and using a drone can be more effective in reaching inaccessible areas Katot Meyer in the Pietersrivier Nature Reserve He explained that land users in the catchment area have at least one or two hours free while busy with their normal work – either going to the cattle or working in the veld Meyer said: “You have to have equipment on you An example of Meyer’s cowboy equipment is a little chainsaw mounted with a herbicide spray gun That means when he cuts an invasive alien tree he is spraying it at the same time – “a hundred percent more effective operation” Meyer has also equipped the back of his tractor with a slasher (to cut wood) chainsaws and everything that is used so that when you go into the catchment area and meander through the work that you have to do then you have all this equipment with you?” Meyer said they could make an even bigger difference It’s part of your normal work to do conservation because water is the main thing you must think about where the water comes from Rehabilitating a catchment in South Africa today is not easy and much remains to be done in the two catchments where he works: the Keurbooms River and Kammanassie River catchments drought has hit both the Keurbooms and the Kammanassie catchments there was just enough water to feed the estuary and the people and all those who rely on the river came together to see if they could rehabilitate it There’s no farming or very expensive export – as with the ostrich skin for leather in the Karoo – but if you look at the culprits in the Keurbooms it’s actually the land users and they can’t come out with any money now,” he said Meyer is trying to rehabilitate the catchment by farming with water – making new water that would have been sopped up by invasive alien trees and bushes Katot Meyer at the Pietersrivier Nature Reserve Meyer runs a water-neutral project in Pietersrivier Nature Reserve, where if one hectare of 100% canopy of invasive alien plants is rehabilitated, an average of 2,400 cubic metres of water per hectare per year will be secured. advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads “When the exotic trees are in a river; it’s three times that the very interesting thing is it’s about 40 hectares of really packed wattle in a bigger area of 240 hectares of fynbos There’s about three little rivulets and we cleared 30 metres wide – that’s a bit of money for Conservation at Work Pietersrivier is a small tributary of the Keurbooms so the water in the grid goes down to the small households there managed to rehabilitate 75% of a one-hectare stand of about 50% wattle “A very interesting thing to think about is that companies on the coast can become water neutral – where the amount of water that you use if they use a certain amount of water over a year and we calculate that they can fund an area that we clear to match that amount of water,” Meyer said The Eden to Addo initiative has appealed to all those interested in becoming a river guardian like Katot and contributing to alien clearing strategies in the Keurbooms catchment, to get in touch with the Plett Environmental Forum on [email protected] All projects of benefit to humanity start with one far sighted and passionate individual to galvanise the community The Keurbooms have theirs and it is up to the wealth generators of the area to get behind him to create an example to the rest of us of what is possible to achieve PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - The deal between the Bitou municipality and rsa.AERO to upgrade and develop Plettenberg Bay Airport has crashed on Friday 14 February at a special council meeting adopted a resolution that will lead to the termination of its agreement with rsa.AERO a year after the company won a tender to operate and manage the airport The ruling alliance voted 7 to 5 to accept municipal manager Mbulelo Memani's recommendation to formalise the termination agreement Memani said in his report to council the two entities had reached a stalemate over a contractual dispute The municipality wanted to “rectify" a signed agreement with a new agreement and service level agreement This rendered the “whole process to be mute” Rsa.AERO has claimed about R6 million from Bitou to exit the agreement and Memani recommended the council pay only about R2m Read more in next week’s Knysna-Plett Herald PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - The dust has not settled yet over a major development on a pristine site adjacent to the Robberg Corridor involving Ballywood Properties of which former Springbok Schalk Burger is a director Ballywood bought the property in September last year after the death of the previous owner The proposed development is near Plettenberg Bay Airport No monetary value has been put on the development on erf 8010 and another portion Adjoining landowners say the development has followed a flawed public participation process said the application has gone through the public participation process and a response to the comments and objections has been submitted by Ballywood "The appointed case officer from Bitou municipality now has to prepare an assessment report for the Planning Tribunal to make a decision on the proposed application," said Seeliger The application for rezoning and subdivision was advertised in limited free-distribution sheet while adjacent property owners were informed of it by email in March this year The proposed boutique hotel along the coast The housing development would be on top of the ridge to the right Borman has filed copious objections to the development saying it will impact him directly and also involves re-directing power lines over his property and affects a servitude that runs through his land to one of the development sites Borman says the application process to the Bitou municipality has been flawed and that aspects of the National Environmental Management Act have not been adhered to The development has also raised eyebrows among conservationists because the seed capital for the project was provided to Burger by billionaire Johann Rupert It has elicited strong reaction from environmental organisations in Plett that includes the Robberg Coastal Corridor Protected Environment (RCCPE) said: "We are glad that the Sunday Times have drawn public attention to this matter "Besides the procedural objections and the lack of suitable environmental impact studies done we also object to the scale of the proposed development and its inconsistency with the character of the surrounding and or adjoining protected environment and its pristine and wild character," said Pienaar "The application process is ongoing and we are waiting for a response from the municipality and developers "Environmental impact studies also have to be completed first We did express our concern about the rezoning and subdivision being published in Hello Plett but I am not in a position to comment on their motivation for doing so "This matter has also drawn attention due to some of the names involved (Johann Rupert and Schalk Burger) with the development "The position of the RCCPE is that our objections are the same "Our objections are based on planning and environmental law and as the management authority of this vital wildlife corridor and the stewards of this protected environment it is our duty to object to any development that may negatively impact the Corridor and its fauna and flora Many of whom are endangered," added Pienaar Ballywood said its plans were designed to conserve part of the natural environment with 40ha of the total 74ha due for protection from Cape Nature as part of the corridor the entire area was earmarked within the urban edge Seeliger said the development "thoughtfully" considers existing vegetation and proximity to the protected environment featuring larger "conservation-type" properties that allow natural vegetation to surround the proposed homes "This design creates a buffer between the higher density development to the north and the protected environment to the south Seeliger said erf 8010 was designated as a strategic development area within the urban edge of the Bitou municipality's spatial development framework "well before its purchase by the current owners" Seeliger said the project will involve rezoning and subdividing the land to create a mixed-use development and 18 private nature conservation area erven (Eco-Holdings) along with infrastructure improvements like eight private roads and one public street the expansion of an existing guest lodge on portion 76 of the Farm Brakkloof No 443 will rezone a 6 775m2 area for a boutique hotel and add six suites with height limits raised from 8.5m to 14m This expansion will account for only 17% of this property with the remaining 83% protected in partnership with CapeNature "The vertical expansion will maintain the original footprint preventing negative environmental impacts or changes to the area's character," said Seeliger demonstrating a commitment to environmentally responsible land management." PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS AND VIDEO - An attack on a couple taking a stroll in Challenge Drive in Plettenberg Bay was captured on CCTV early yesterday morning when a mugger grabbed the woman’s handbag The video that has been circulated widely on social media hitting them and pushing them to the ground In the video it looks as though the attacker only makes off with two hats before fleeing the scene operations manager of the Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association says a R10 000 reward is being offered for further information Olivier says within minutes of the attack people came to the distraught and injured couple’s aid and they were rushed to Medi Clinic in a private vehicle “Various responders flooded the area and a search was conducted of the area and escape routes,” said Olivier He said SAPS are investigating the incident and Plett’s new Station Commander Olivier said May made all possible police resources available to apprehend the culprit “The victims are traumatised and receiving the care they need A reward of R10 000 is offered to anyone who provides information that leads to the successful apprehension and prosecution of the assailant Olivier said Plett is one of the safest residential and holiday destinations in South Africa “Our peaceful and tranquil residential areas provoke us to let our guard down even though the reality of people with criminal intent might be lurking around Arm yourself with pepper spray when taking a stroll or going shopping,” said Olivier More information is being awaited from the police GEORGE NEWS - The man arrested in connection with extortion during a sting operation in the Dormehlsdrift area last year appeared in the George Regional Court on Thursday 6 March.  His identity cannot be disclosed until he has entered a plea.  He was arrested alongside four men and a woman at a house in Plattner Boulevard on Wednesday 20 March 2024 after George police responded to reports of a group allegedly threatening a business owner in the construction industry.  authorities determined that the evidence against the woman and the other co-accused was insufficient to support a reasonable prospect of conviction The accused remains in custody and is set to appear in the Plettenberg Bay Regional Court on Thursday 20 March.  The case was transferred to Plettenberg Bay due to earlier trial availability PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - The body of a 19-year-old woman was found today at the sports stadium opposite Murray High School in Kwanokuthula.SAPS forensic investigators were on the scene and circumstances surrounding the death of the woman is under investigation Spies said reports available suggest that police were alerted to a body in an open field near Murray High School on Sunday “Upon arrival the members found the body with head injuries Crime scene experts combed the scene for clues and all leads are being followed up.“A post-mortem to determine the cause of death will be conducted later in the week.“The identity of the deceased is yet to be established,” said Spies Bitou Ward 6 councillor  Nokuthula Teenage Seti said a crowd had gathered close to the stadium but police did not allow anyone near the scene Seti said the fact that it happened on Freedom Day sent out a wrong message urged the public to come forward with any information that could assist police with this investigation Anyone with information may contact the Kwanokuthula Detectives at 044 533 2145 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111 PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Passengers have been requested by Garden Route Aero (GRA) to make direct contact with their airline and make "any necessary alternate travel arrangements" as the airport will be closed to scheduled commercial traffic this summer season said in a statement released on Tuesday 8 October that while GRA has made "significant progress" in the refurbishment of Plettenberg Bay Airport's runway airport operations at Plettenberg Bay Airport will remain limited to general aviation and private flights will be unable to resume operations until the runway upgrades are completed Plettenberg Bay Airport will be able to apply for the reclassification of its Category 5 licence enabling the return of regional scheduled commercial flights Davids said work on the runway has moved beyond the initial groundwork phase into detailed engineering assessments She said while "every effort" is being made to complete the planning and engineering assessments by the end of this year "the actual remedial works are scheduled to begin next year" "Considerable progress has been achieved in a short amount of time," said Davids "Having completed the detailed ground survey our engineers are now well-equipped to develop the best solutions for ensuring the future resilience of the runway "This is an important step towards modernising the infrastructure at Plettenberg Bay Airport and restoring scheduled commercial flight operations "The necessary runway repairs and the re-establishment of critical services like fire and rescue will take time This is not a short-term solution - we are adopting a long-term view to ensure the future sustainability of the airport "We're also using the time to make improvements to the terminal building so that there is an improved passenger experience overall once the airport reopens "The building has essentially been gutted with new floors being added The airport has also acquired new refuelling equipment - two 30m3 tanks "The detailed survey of the runway and associated areas has already been completed This included falling weight deflection tests to measure the strength and elasticity of the runway's pavement structure as well as the digging of test pits along various sections to extract subgrade and foundational materials," said Davids She said the final engineering assessments "will guide decisions on base replacements or the potential need for a complete runway rebuild" The 2025 M&G Investments PE PLETT is all set to embark on its journey towards the West starting for the first time from Mentorskraal on the 20th of February 2025 This will mark the 12th edition of the ever-growing event which has become renowned for its landmarks and exciting features Pulling through from 2024 will see “The Tour” moved to 15 minutes after “The Ride” This will allow riders to enjoy the days at their own pace lunch out on the route and a more relaxed experience without timing constraints Both “The Tour” and “The Ride” will commence from the Mentorskraal Country Estate covering a spectacular 270 kilometres over four days traversing the famous Garden Route of South Africa The journey will culminate in Natures Valley after four days and three nights of thrilling riding “The 2025 race is a milestone for the M&G Investments PE PLETT with the addition of ‘The Tour,’ now being moved to the same day as ‘The Ride,’ we believe we have the perfect offering for everyone This new edition allows us to expand the event while preserving our values of keeping the event small and intimate with only 250 riders across the event,” says event Director and Founder Start: Mentors KraalEnd: Assegaaibosch Country Lodge we begin the journey a little closer to Plettenberg Bay heading straight into the heart of the Eastern Cape through Humansdorp and towards the Churchill Dam It’s no free ride on Day 1 as the terrain will fight back as we make up our way towards the Karoo town of Kareedouw Expect to find yourself winding your way through many cattle farms all of which give the M&G Investments PE PLETT exclusive access to ride through once a year The first two water points will arrive around the halfway mark ensure you stock up as you take on the longest day of 4 live music and plenty of places to relax and recover You have made it through the biggest day of the M&G Investments PE PLETT but you can certainly rest easy knowing the hardest is behind you Start: Assegaaibosch Country LodgeEnd: Tsitsikamma Lodge and Spa With only one night spent at Assegaaibosch The start is hard and the Pro Riders on “The Ride” will need a good warm-up as the M&G Investments KOM arrives early Save your legs as you need to make it up and over the Kareedouw pass before you will catch site of the Indian Ocean again Stock up at the Illios Travel waterpoint as you will now be venturing into the pristine Tsitsikamma Forest The profile in the middle of the route might seem flat but that saw tooth profile has been known to catch a few out Be sure to slow down and take in all the sights and sounds of what makes the M&G Investments PE PLETT so special Its undulating forest roads under the canopy of trees are a welcome relief after the exposed stage 1 The M&G Investments Boost Bar awaits towards the end and is a much-needed boost to get you over the last kicker into the finish line at Tsitsikamma Lodge Spa This is our overnight stop for two nights on this journey so you can unpack your bag fully and make it like home as you will be returning to the same place after stage 3 Start: Tsitsikamma Lodge and SpaEnd: Tsitsikamma Lodge and Spa Enjoy more time this morning as you don’t need to pack up your tent and you can take in a few more beers the night before as you will be returning to the same race village after stage 3 Here we dive deep into the Tsitsikamma Forest and explore parts of it We link up a few key dairy farms to create a route that avoids any main roads while always looking for that path less traveled It was a flat day and a nice reward after what has been a hard start to your journey across the Garden Route We venture here to the infamous Robber Hoek which overlooks the Indian Ocean This is also the day when Farmer Jacques and the route team create a network of single tracks inside the Tsitsikamma forest that only get to be ridden by the riders on the M&G Investments PE PLETT Once you have completed the day it’s back to Tsitsikamma Lodge and Spa where the Food Lovers lunches await and you can indulge in the free beer and wine that is on offer It’s the last night and always quite a party don’t go too hard as the final day to Natures Valley is not far away Be sure to visit the M&G Investments Juice Bar which is an all-new addition to 2025 and promises to be a serious hit Start: Tsitsikamma Lodge and SpaEnd: Natures Valley Campsite The final stage of the M&G Investments PE PLETT We bid our farewells to the Tsitsikamma Race Village which was our home for two nights and make our way towards the Western Cape to finish up our journey of riding along the Garden Route There are still a few challenges as we head into the Wittelbos Indigenous forest after completing the Storms River pass and going through the tiny tourist town The riding after Wittelbos is flat and fast Rip it along the forest roads and take in the view as you cross the Bloukrans Bridge There won’t be time to go bunjy jumping as the finish at Natures Valley is just around the corner What better way to finish your journey than to enjoy a fast downhill tar road into the finish just soak it all in as you have completed the 2025 M&G Investments PE PLETT All told the route includes 270 kilometres of riding, with 4000 meters of climbing. The stats only tell a fraction of the facts, however. Only riding the M&G Investments PE PLETT can do the route justice. To experience it, from the 20th of February 2025, click here to secure your spot Be sure to secure your spot before the end of December 2024 Enter HERE The NSRI continues to lead in beach safety innovation with the latest addition to its Beach Safety Camera Network Project: a second shark alarm installed in Plettenberg Bay specifically designed for sea rescue and beach safety It features elevated cameras strategically positioned at beaches with high rip current risk in the Western Cape sharks and monitoring areas to assist lifeguards and NSRI Rescue Swimmers The Beach Safety Camera Network Project has already garnered numerous awards for its life-saving innovation The first PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) camera was installed in Strand the NSRI operates six Beach Safety Cameras in Strand Plettenberg Bay stands out as the only location equipped with an alarm system who designed the NSRI Beach Safety Camera system also installed the alarm and serves as a rescue crew volunteer at Bakoven The Plett shark alarm and Beach Safety Camera are shared with Shark Spotters Station 14 Plettenberg Bay Station Commander Jaco Kruger expressed his strong support for the shark alarm and camera system “The benefit of having a quality camera and alarm like that linked to the ops room is extremely impactful I know we like to refer to it as a shark camera He highlighted the camera's capability to zoom all the way to the river mouth aiding in various rescue operations and integrating efforts between lifeguards We're striving to have these cameras rolled out on at least three or even hopefully four main beaches this concept will prove the value of having an early warning system," Jaco continued He emphasised the system's effectiveness in alerting lifeguards and beachgoers The Plettenberg Bay shark alarm system is a collaborative effort involving multiple organisations "The alarm system itself is a major blessing it works so well now that we've upgraded it underscoring the system's significant contribution to enhancing beach safety Plettenberg Bay has seen an increase in white shark activity in recent years with two fatal shark bite incidents occurring within three months in 2022 the Plett Shark Action Group invited Shark Spotters an established shark safety organisation operating in Cape Town since 2004 Working closely with the Bitou Municipality Beach Control Plett Shark Spotters has made a positive impact on beach safety in Plettenberg Bay Their efforts have reduced shark-human conflict and restored confidence in using local beaches notify beach users of nearby shark activity The NSRI Beach Safety Camera Network Project especially the Plettenberg Bay shark alarm and the newly installed remote alarm which covers Hobie beach showcases the potential of integrating technology with traditional rescue methods to create a safer beach experience for everyone the cameras are going to be the number one tool in conjunction with stuff like the Pink Rescue Buoys Successful dual medical evacuations by NSRI Mossel Bay: A triumph of teamwork and coordination PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - As Plett's Summer Festival draws to a close Plett Tourism is celebrating what appears to be one of the busiest tourism periods since the pandemic we are still busy and are not quite finished with the season This summer has been an undeniable success for the local economy and community," Plett Tourism said on Tuesday 7 January "Local hospitality businesses are reporting increased activity and in particular events and festivals hosted over season also drew large crowds contributing to the town's reputation as a must-visit summer destination." said: "The positive surge in visitors this summer has been a fantastic boost for our town "Tourism plays a vital role in supporting our local economy - creating jobs and fostering a strong sense of community pride "We are thrilled to see so many guests enjoying everything Plett has to offer We are excited and are looking forward to enhancing the quality of Plett experiences stimulating sustainable economic development and supporting eco-friendly managed growth going forward." Plett Tourism said "from bustling restaurants and packed beaches to vibrant nightlife and thriving adventure activities Plettenberg Bay has truly come alive" and we're thrilled to see such strong support for our local tourism industry." Factors contributing to the bumper season are believed to include excellent weather conditions places and activities for visitors to enjoy such as Plett's six international Blue Flag beaches Occupancy rates at the approximately 60 establishments - made up of hotels self-catering concerns and B&Bs - affiliated to the Knysna Accommodation Association exceeded 80% between 22 December and 6 January the marketing coordinator of the association said visitors began returning home this past weekend as the peak season ended The SA Hobie 16 Nationals in Plett drew many spectators "All visitors without exception enjoyed the beauty of the Knysna region taking the beach and forest into consideration In most instances guests did one boating activity whilst here," she said Participating in the Sabrina Love Summer Challenge surfski race The percentage of bookings by foreign visitors varied across establishments "South Africans tend to go for self-catering and AirB&B options whereas guesthouses and bed and breakfasts have a mix For example we (her establishment) had 80% international travellers and only 20% locals." particularly enjoyed spending time at Buffalo Bay Beach PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - The Plettenberg Bay Residents' and Ratepayers' Association says the R1.8 million Bitou municipality has agreed to pay to rsa.Aero to terminate the Plett Airport agreement "is a fair settlement" for expenses incurred chairman of the PBRRA and the airport's Hangar Owners' Association said the collapse of the agreement between the municipality and rsa.Aero "has unfortunately been an expensive process" we are confident that Bitou has made the right decision to terminate this agreement," said Pattinson He said once the termination process between Bitou municipality and rsa.Aero is concluded "talks are expected to start afresh over its (airport's) future" "Bitou has agreed to sit with the Hangar Owners' Association potential commercial operators and interested parties to discuss the way forward "Specifically to fast track the runway renovations regain at least the Category 5 status and for the resumption of commercial operations." Pattinson said the future of the Plettenberg Bay Airport has been uncertain for too many years "So there was reason for cautious optimism when Bitou finally decided to outsource the airport business in 2024 "The process started positively with a comprehensive tender document and a robust set of bids from five operators The rsa.Aero bid document was the most compelling and the award was made by Bitou." Then the wheels fell off… "The contract that was signed in February 2024 between Bitou ocials and rsa.Aero was "It was a one-sided affair with an absence of specific obligations and responsibilities timelines and consequences for the operator for non-performance," said Pattinson the two parties haggled over who was liable for the necessary runway improvements a reflection of the contract and the poor articulation of obligations the CAA closed down the airport to commercial operations due to the fact that their requirements to address the deterioration in the runway were continually ignored a senior advocate opinion stated that the contract was not aligned to the tender requirements and it was recommended that a new contract and service level agreement be drawn up to give effect to the original intention of the tender." "Consequently Bitou issued a new contract and Service Level Agreement to rsa.Aero which was rejected the council voted to terminate the agreement." A claim of R7m was made by rsa.Aero but Bitou determined that only R1.8m in compensation for expenses incurred was "fair and reasonable" "A number of key lessons have been learnt," said Pattinson PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - The police arrested a 27-year-old suspect last night following the vicious panga attack on a couple strolling in Plettenberg Bay early on Tuesday morning said the suspect will appear in court once charged who were attacked in Challenge Drive at 05:10 on 14 January when they wouldn’t give up the woman’s handbag to the robber operations manager of the Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association (PBCPA) posted a statement today describing the 73-year-old man as his hero Qolweni community crime fighters for your passion and drive to search and identifying a possible suspect in the Challenge Drive attack incident “A person was handed over to SAPS last night (Wednesday) Let us hope that this terrible incident ends up as a feel-good story in the end a town focused and working together to fight crime This beautiful place we all call home is not like any other town when it comes to people known as Plettonians they will recover from this gruesome experience will always remember the 74-year-old man fighting back to protect his wife The shocking attack was caught on CCTV camera and has since gone viral on social media pages The footage shows the man coming at the couple from behind and attempting to grab the woman’s handbag The attacker then starts hacking at the couple with a panga and pushes them to the ground The couple was taken to Mediclinic Plettenberg Bay by a member of the public where the woman was treated for cuts and a broken arm and her husband for cuts Van Wyk said in a statement on Tuesday that Plettenberg Bay police were investigating a “robbery aggravated case” On Tuesday Plett’s new station commander visited the victims in hospital and the scene vowing to do everything possible to bring the perpetrator to justice TRAFFIC NEWS - Sanral has announced changes to the traffic flow through the construction works area at the Beacon Way Intersection on the N2 in Plettenberg Bay For the contractor to create a functioning circle ahead of the festive season he needs to complete the laying of the asphalt road surface material on the newly constructed areas the right-turn movement from Beacon Way onto the N2 will be closed intermittently Road users affected in this way must exit Beacon Way turning left and going uphill to the Marine Drive traffic circle where they can turn around and travel back on the N2 in an easterly directly This disruption to the traffic flow will last for three to four days Apart from closing the right turn movement some intermittent short-term lane closures on the N2 will be implemented during the next two weeks “The aim is to have the traffic circle functioning as intended before the onset of the festive season,” said Renaldo Lorio • Road users going to Plettenberg Bay from Knysna should use the Marine Way entrance to move in and out.• All road users leaving Plettenberg Bay going to the malls in Beacon Way or moving in and out of Poortjies should use Bowtie or other routes to get on to the N2.• Heavy motor vehicles that supply the mall in Beacon Way should use Marine Drive for deliveries PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - The international prize-winning Zolani Youth Choir is to perform in Plett as part of the NPO Kids of Kurland School Project's fundraising drive for 2025 The choir was started in 2012 by Odwa Mvunge to equip children from Zolani township and was invited to take part in the International A Capella Competition in Moscow in 2024 One hundred and fifty choirs from around the world competed in the event and the Zolani Youth Choir was judged the best of them all "Odwa (a former member of the Nelson Mandela University choir) proved to them (contestants and audiences) that your circumstances should never determine your destiny," the NPO says "Those who heard the choir last year will know just how talented they are "The NPO feels extremely thrilled that the choir is prepared to come back to Plett and perform for us Don't miss this amazing musical treat." The Kids of Kurland School Project is a long-running NPO that pays the salaries of three extra teachers in the overcrowded classrooms at The Crags Primary The choir is to perform from 20:00 on Saturday 22 February at The White House Theatre in Plett are available at the Old House Shop in Plett "The proceeds go to a very good cause - to uplift the children of Kurland Village in The Crags," Ann Fermor one of the founder members of the Kids of Kurland School Project The Zolani Youth Choir would give a free performance at the Slops restaurant in Plett from 13:00 on Sunday 23 February The restaurant had sponsored the use of the bus that would bring the choir to Plett Plettenberg Bay, South Africa (21 October 2024) — South Africa’s own Plettenberg Beach scooped a nomination as the World’s Leading Beach Destination for 2024 per the 31st edition of the World Travel Awards in a big feat for South Africa (Plett was the only South African location nominated for this category) this might seem like a victory in the realm of tourism it’s actually far more so a community victory Keep Plett Clean is a community organisation whose name accurately sums up their deal Keep Plett Clean was founded on a simple principle: well-maintained environments enrich not only the lives of residents but also leave a lasting impression on visitors from around the world,” Alison says Keep Plett Clean has rallied volunteers to ensure that their town and its beaches are as pristine as possible that’s over 12 years of showing up to tuck into clean-ups and spearheading maintenance missions circumstances or whether one particularly feels like it or not The kind of commitment that promises a well-kept town and natural pleasures relies entirely on consistency and collective action And to have been able to achieve that to the point of global recognition is something the whole country should applaud as an example of what we can do when we take matters that affect all of us into our own hands “This nomination is more than just an accolade for our beaches; it’s a reflection of the collective effort it takes to keep Plettenberg Bay beautiful working together with Bitou’s Municipality Our volunteers’ dedication to picking up litter and ensuring that waste is properly managed has helped create an environment where visitors can enjoy the full beauty of Plett’s beaches and natural surroundings and tourists speaks volumes—our town’s cleanliness is noticed and make a real difference in their experience.” it’s far more than a matter of aesthetic value “This nomination is a victory for everyone involved—from our dedicated volunteers to the residents and visitors who contribute to keeping our town clean It’s a celebration of community spirit and reminder that environmental stewardship is key to Plett’s ongoing success as a world-class destination.” You can keep up with Keep Plett Clean, here.  Ashleigh Nefdt is a writer for Good Things Guy Ashleigh's favourite stories have always seen the hidden hero (without the cape) come to the rescue her labour of love is finding those everyday heroes and spotlighting their spark - especially those empowering women sustainability shakers and creatives with hearts of gold she's dedicated to her canvas or appreciating Mother Nature Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id" "a0cca1442ca559861fae99385b794750" );document.getElementById("d2d9e305b5").setAttribute( "id" and website in this browser for the next time I comment Would you like to receive truly phenomenal inspirational and good thing stories right to your inbox Then subscribe to our weekly GoodThingsGuy newsletter today I accept GTG’s Privacy Policy GoodThingsGuy is the home of everything good and those are the things that really matter We believe that there is good news all around us and over 1 million readers a month agree with us GoodThingsGuy was officially launched on the 1 August 2015 in order to only promote good news inspirational stories and promote only positive multi-platform media company that distills unique content across multiple media platforms We consider individual and corporate contributions through the website or mail us directly here. Your GPS did not respond. Be sure you have your GPS enabled and try again. PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Plettenberg Bay was awarded eight international Blue Flag Awards for the 2024/2025 season and a Green Coast Award for Nature's Valley at the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa's (WESSA) Blue Flag and Green Coast Awards. "Life in Plett revolves around enjoying our beautiful natural surroundings: the ocean, the beaches, the forests and mountains. That's why we fight so fiercely to protect them. This vision is shared with our local Bitou municipality, our marine activities and conservation initiatives," says Patty Butterworth, CEO of Plett Tourism. The coveted Blue Flag status is one of the world's most recognisable voluntary eco labels awarded to beaches, marinas, and sustainable boating tourism operators. To qualify for the Blue Flag, a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety and accessibility criteria must be met and maintained. Robberg 5 and Lookout beaches received special awards celebrating 15 and 10 years, respectively, in the Blue Flag programme. Additionally, Nature's Valley achieved the prestigious Green Coast Status at the ceremony. This is the second consecutive year that Nature's Valley has achieved this recognition. Based on the success of the Blue Flag eco label and the recognition that the Blue Flag is only applicable to a limited stretch of urban coastline, WESSA developed a second coastal award for implementation along South Africa's coastline. The Green Coast Award, officially launched in 2017, is an annual award programme that recognises inclusive and sustainable management at less developed coastal sites with high biodiversity value, making Nature's Valley an ideal location for this significant recognition. "Receiving the Blue Flag and Green Coast accreditations are more than a badge of honour for a coastal destination like Plettenberg Bay; it's a testament to our commitment to preserving natural beauty, ensuring visitor safety, and fostering community pride," says Butterworth. "The accreditations highlight our dedication to sustainable tourism and remind us of the unique role we play in protecting our coastline for future generations - and we notably share this with our local Bitou municipality beach management team, our marine activities and conservation initiatives."  ‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’  Plettenberg Bay Airport is set for an upgrade, including plans to add a new terminal building and a runway to cater for the local community and surrounding areas.  There are also plans for the Cape Winelands Airport to extend runways to accommodate Airbus A380s and capitalise on Cape Town International Airport's lack of capacity. Ferguson notes that Plettenberg Bay Airport is not meant to compete with George Airport. Ferguson notes that Cape Winelands' runway extension plans are 'progressing steadily'. The focus is on laying the groundwork for sustainable and future-proof aviation structures. Major cities in the world have more than one airport so another big one in Cape Town will future-proof international traffic into the City, a premium tourist destination, adds Ferguson. Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the full conversation.  Sections PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Police have appealed for information after the body of an unidentified man was found in the surf zone at Lookout Rocks near the Whale Tail NSRI station commander Jaco Kruger said in a statement that a duty crew was activated at 13:33 following reports by lifeguards of a body in the water Kruger said the circumstances surrounding the man's death remained unclear and police were investigating An inquest docket has been opened by police Kruger said fishermen on the shoreline had alerted Bitou shark spotters who were nearby reporting seeing a man floating face down in the water It appears that the man had gone into the water from the rocks Shark spotters alerted Bitou municipal lifeguards Lifeguards and Bitou Beach Control responded and once on the scene requested the assistance of the NSRI A crew from NSRI Plettenberg Bay Station 14 responded and the NSRI rescue craft Ray Farnham Rescuer was launched The SA Police Service and Western Cape Government Health EMS were activated and responded “On arrival on the scene NSRI found Bitou lifeguards in attendance in the surf zone," Kruger said “They had secured the body of the man that was then recovered from the water onto the NSRI rescue craft Sadly the man was found to be deceased." The body was brought to the NSRI rescue base where EMS paramedics attended to it and the body was then taken into the care of police and the government Forensic Pathology Service Anyone that can assist the police in identifying the man and provide information on the circumstances surrounding this incident can call the Plettenberg Bay Police Station at 044 501 1900 Kruger commended the local anglers who raised the alarm with the shark spotters and the “swift response and cooperation of all involved” Marine experts are excited about what they think is a pygmy right whale – a rare visitor to Plettenberg Bay shores – on Monday decades ago,” said Dr Gwenneth Penry marine mammal scientist at Nelson Mandela University Kynsna-Plett Herald reports that Melissa Nel of Sharkspotters was conducting observations when she noticed a shadow – larger than a seal – moving through the water at the Gap on Robberg “I managed to get some semi-decent footage,” said Nel ‘we weren’t sure what we had just seen’ “I immediately sent the video to marine mammal experts for confirmation “What made it even more interesting was that the whale was being mobbed – a behaviour where other marine animals harass a larger predator or unfamiliar species “We regularly observe this kind of interaction between Cape fur seals and white sharks along the Robberg Peninsula during winter so seeing it happen with a whale was fascinating,” added Nel Penry said it was safest to say that it was ‘probably’ a pygmy right whale behaviour and features made it the most likely candidate and they have been able to rule out other possible species (1975) it was suggested that there may be an inshore movement of pygmy right whale juveniles in spring and summer along the Southern African coast which may constitute part of a post-weaning dispersal phase (1992) proposed that this movement may coincide with an increased abundance nearshore of the prey of the pygmy right whale during the summer upwelling period Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal Read original story on www.knysnaplettherald.com PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - A proposal to build a state-of-the-art correctional facility in the Bitou area has been approved by the Bitou council Three potential sites for the new-generation correctional facility are highlighted in the council agenda served at a special Bitou council meeting on Thursday 27 February that is a revival of a proposal dating back to 2014 "will benefit the Bitou community economically and socially while ensuring the safety and security of the area" Council approved mayor Jessica Kamkam's recommendation to pursue the construction of the new prison with a 513-bed capacity requiring a land area of between 25 to 120 hectares It will also consist of rehabilitation facilities and farming areas for livestock and vegetables The proposed facility will be designed to gain support from surrounding communities by: The trust aspires to sell a minimum of 25 hectares to Correctional Services while encouraging them to source their supplies directly from the trust This initiative not only promises to uplift the Griqua community but also ensure lasting benefits for generations to come; The vibrant community of Covie encompasses over 700 hectares of land situated in a remote area that lacks access to essential municipal services and suffers from underdevelopment The proposed construction of a correctional facility in this region has the potential to spur significant growth and uplift the entire community leading to improved municipal services and various development initiatives that could greatly benefit the residents of Covie for generations to come it is important to note the presence of fynbos a unique and diverse ecosystem that characterises much of the landscape This makes large parts of Covie environmentally sensitive and requires careful consideration of any development projects; and This area is suitable for addressing safety concerns that have been raised by certain segments of society providing services to the proposed correctional centre could be costly unless the centre is designed to have its own infrastructure Municipal manager Mbulelo Memani was given the go-ahead by council to appoint "a dedicated project management team" consisting of the IDP manager (project leader) and LED manager to "actively negotiate with the Department of Correctional Services and other key stakeholders" Kamkam also recommended that the council resolution is communicated effectively to the Department of Correctional Services and the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform She also said the municipality should sustain ongoing engagement with the minister of Rural Development to secure formal commitment letters from the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform that the land disposal register be obtained from the Department of Public Works to ascertain available state-owned land in Plettenberg Bay KNYSNA NEWS - The South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) has provided details about the periodic maintenance project currently underway on the N2 between Knysna and Plettenberg Bay Keenan Walbrugh says the maintenance extends to the section of the N2 between Goukamma River bridge and White Bridge as well as the section between the Assegaai intersection and the intersection with the Sasol filling station in Harkerville “The project entails repairing distressed or defected areas on the road followed by the construction of a new asphalt surfacing layer,” says Walbrugh Repairs to the distressed areas between Goukamma River Bridge and the White Bridge have been completed and in the interest of road safety temporary road markings have been installed Construction of the final surfacing layer and road markings is envisaged to commence during October and should be completed before the end of this year Repairs to the section between Assegaai intersection and the intersection with the Sasol filling station in Harkerville have also been completed additional repairs will be implemented on this section between August and November 2024 and construction of the final surfacing layer and road markings is anticipated to start in January 2025 Overall completion of the project is envisaged to be in February 2025 Walbrugh says all efforts are being made to minimise the disruption to traffic flow Sanral appeals to motorists to be extra vigilant and adhere to the posted speed limits and no overtaking signage within the construction zones No construction works will take place during the December/January holiday period PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - A new state-of-the-art shopping centre and is set to ignite a battle of the shopping centres in Plettenberg Bay also on 28 November - a day before the traditional "Black Friday" sales bonanza Market Square's two other major tenants are Pick n Pay and Clicks These big retail names will now be facing direct competition from Robberg Bay's major anchor tenants - Checkers FreshX and Dis-Chem Robberg Bay was developed by Barrow Properties  Richard O'Sullivan of Retail Africa Checkers FreshX focuses on fresh food and convenience and is seen as a direct competitor to Woolworths While Woolworths aims to open a WCafe at Market Square At the middle of the big guns' battle will be Spar but sometimes at a higher cost because of its convenience who has been involved with the Robberg Bay development says it is not much of a "battle" between shopping centres but rather a need to fulfil a demand caused by "semigration" - an influx of people from elsewhere in the country "It is injecting new generations of new people into the town - people who have come to Plett to retire and enjoy the town's quality lifestyle," says O'Sullivan O'Sullivan said the new centre will "stimulate competition and will also go some way to relieve the burden of Plett holiday traffic congestion with shoppers facing logistical nightmares to reach the various shopping areas "I think it is positive as opposed to a battle of the shopping centres The new offerings will give customers a choice," he says Competition will bring keen pricing and the one benefiting is Joe Public but will bring more jobs - and creates a bigger rates base which is good for the local municipality's coffers." O'Sullivan added that Plettenberg Bay will benefit overall: "The rising tide lifts all boats." A spokesperson for Woolworths said the Market Square store is increasing in size by "roughly 700sqm" "A new WCafe and WCellar will form part of the space," said the spokesperson the new store design is set to be cutting edge The new store will open following a phased approach with the first elements opening on the 28 November for food and fashion followed by WCellar opening on 5 December and the final jewel in the crown The owners of Market Square said the shopping centre was in the process of being sold and referred questions to the potential new owners but no response had been received by the time of going to press PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - The Plett Airport deal between Bitou municipality and rsa.AERO the company that won the tender last year to run the airport after receiving "communication regarding the intended replacement of contracts that were jointly negotiated and signed… as part of the formal tender process" Ferguson said the letter to Bitou municipal manager Mbulelo Memani served as a "Notice of Breach of Contract" by the municipality It is believed that the saga will now be heading for the courts At the centre is believed to be the outstanding question of the runway repairs of which could cost between R30m and R40m the Agreement of Sale of Business and the Long-Term Development Lease" - were duly executed on 16 February 2024 and subsequently amended by an addendum "We previously acknowledged receipt of the Bitou municipality's communication regarding the intended replacement of contracts alongside a CemAir aircraft when the airline still used the Plett Airport the Agreement of Sale of Business and the Long-Term Development Lease - were duly executed on 16 February 2024 and subsequently amended by an Addendum Ferguson also informed the municipality of "additional consequences" in that the current airport manager had resigned and that the existing CAA Category 2 Licence for the airport is set to expire at the end of January 2025 Ferguson wrote: "After conducting a thorough and good-faith review of the proposed new/replacement contract documents we have identified substantial deviations from the original terms and conditions "These deviations introduce provisions that are unduly restrictive and materially inconsistent with the agreements previously executed between the parties "The municipality's persistent inability - or apparent unwillingness - to adhere to the agreements since February 2024 combined with this unilateral attempt to modify key terms "Such conduct compels us to conclude that the municipality's actions are contra bonos mores we formally request that the municipality immediately cease these efforts and take all necessary steps to comply strictly with the valid agreements executed between the parties "Failure to do so will leave us with no alternative but to protect all our rights in this regard "We must also draw your attention to a material breach of the Addendum to the Agreement of Sale of Business and Long-Term Development Lease Clause 4.2 of this Addendum stipulates that a payment of R5 million (excluding VAT) was due on 30 August 2024 this payment remains outstanding as of the date of this letter "This non-payment constitutes a serious breach of contract we require proof of payment of the outstanding amount within 10 calendar days from the date of this letter "Failure to comply with this demand may compel us to exercise all rights and remedies available under the agreement and applicable law including seeking full compensation for costs and damages incurred "We remain available to engage further and are willing to meet at your earliest convenience to discuss and resolve these matters constructively." The Knysna-Plett Herald has requested comment from Memani and the Bitou communications department PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Following their debut performances upon the Queen Victoria ship in early 2019 Opera Angels have been in demand across Cape Town and the rest of South Africa They create unique programmes to encompass many musical genres and put their own special twist on many sensational pieces Lisa Engelbrecht and Lindsay Thomson are thrilled to return to Plett again for two new programmes La Vie en Rose (with guest artist Thandolwethu Longo - tenor) and A Night At The Opera (with guest artist Mike Bhayibhile - bartitone) La Vie en Rose will be a celebration of romantic music through the ages both classical favourites and contemporary gems of course including a selection by the inimitable Edith Piaf A Night at the Opera will focus on more operatic repertoire Expect everything from Handel to Bizet and a lovely selection of modern classics including works with the incredible Morricone Dates: 6 and 8 February; Time - 18:00 to 20:00; Venue: St Peter’s Anglican Church Hall