by SFT | Jun 7, 2024 | St Francis
Kouga Municipality World Environmental Day Clean Up Today
Kouga Municipality invites the public to join the Community Services Department for a clean-up on Saturday, 8 June 2024, to celebrate World Environment Day.
World Environment Day (WED), celebrated annually on 5 June, encourages awareness and action for environmental protection. Since its inception in 1973, WED has been a platform for raising awareness on issues such as marine pollution, overpopulation, global warming, and sustainable development, with over 143 countries participating each year.
A clean-up campaign will be held in the following areas:
Jeffreys Bay
Paradise Beach/Aston Bay
St Francis Bay
Cape St Francis
Programme:
Start time: 08:00 to 12:00
Meeting Points:
Jeffreys Bay Main Beach – Basketball Court
Kabeljouws Beach – Ablution Facility
Cape St Francis Main Beach – Parking Area
St Francis Bay Main Beach – Lifeguard Tower/Parking Area
Aston Bay/Paradise Beach – Aston Bay Hall
Gloves and black bags will be handed out at the meeting points.
Anyone interested in joining the clean-up at any of the sites should send their name and contact number to ymlindazwe@kouga.gov.za, nsiwela@kouga.gov.za, or mengelbrecht@kouga.gov.za and specify the site they would like to join.
by SFT | Jun 7, 2024 | St Francis
St Francis surfer Crystal Hulett photo WSL/Tostee
Opening Rounds Set The Standard At eThekwini Surf Pro
DURBAN, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (Friday, June 7, 2024) – The eThekwini Surf Pro, the first stop of the 2024/2025 World Surf League (WSL) Africa Regional Qualifying Series (QS) and the only Longboard Qualifying Series (LQS) 1,000 for 2024 completed the Opening Rounds of competition in two-to-three foot surf at Durban’s iconic New Pier beach.
Closely Contested Heats Determine First Eliminations
The Opening Rounds of the QS 1,000 were closely contested, with minimal points separating competitors from winning or being eliminated from the competition. Morocco’s Redouane Regragui had a particularly good day, advancing to the next round in the LQS before swapping jerseys to compete in the first heat of the QS 1,000. Warmed up and tuned in to the conditions, Regragui managed his energy well to score two mid-range rides, securing second place behind Durban’s Tide-Lee Ireland.
Top seed Luke Slijpen made a statement when he scored the highest heat total of the day with 14.33 (out of a possible 20) to take the win despite having a bit of a late start in his heat. “I actually started the heat off quite badly, paddling out late and messing up my first two rides,” Slijpen reflected. “The conditions were slow so it was a bit risky which waves you decided to go on, but I managed to get into a flow and find my rhythm.”
Rising star and Cape Town Surf Pro winner Paul Sampson snagged the win from Durban’s Ntokozo Maphumulo in the final minute of their clash, eliminating Thomas Lindthorst and Madagascar’s Toky Joe Kennedy Ravelomanantsoa.
“That was insane, the waves look easy to catch but during the heat it’s a different story,” Sampson said. “I left it for the last minute, but I feel like I’m in the same rhythm as I was at the Cape Town Surf Pro so I’m just going to continue trying to get the two best waves and have fun while doing it. It’s a super nice competition with tough competitors so I’ll keep on pushing it.”
Louise Lepront (Photo by Pierre Tostee/World Surf League)
Scottburgh’s Louise Lepront took the lead in the first heat of the Women’s Opening Round, putting pressure on her competitors and ran away with the win in the end, with Gabriella Herbst advancing in second.
“It was actually quite fun,” Lepront said. “From the beach it looked slow and small, but once I got out there I saw a couple bombs and just smacked it. It’s good to be back in Durban, this is the first competition of three in the next month so I’m amped to compete. I come to surf here in Durban almost every week so I feel quite comfortable.”
With conditions deteriorating in the strong offshore wind, Lepront’s younger sister, Leah Lepront held on to win the last heat of the day ahead of Cape Town’s Danielle Powis.
The next call will be on Saturday, 8 June at 7:30 AM for a possible 8:30 AM start local time.
The eThekwini Surf Pro Finals Day will be streamed live Sunday, 9 June 2024 on worldsurfleague.com, the WSL YouTube and WSL free app.
The eThekwini Surf Pro is supported by eThekwini Municipality, Durban Tourism, KwaZulu-Natal Surfing Association and Surfing South Africa.
by SFT | Jun 7, 2024 | St Francis
I would like to extend my sincerest condolences to those closest to Ben Rheeder, who passed away peacefully recently.
The honorary title of “Alderman” was bestowed on him for long-serving councillor at the opening of the 2016 Kouga Council.
Aldermanship was conferred as a councillor who have served on one or more municipal councils for 20 consecutive years.
Alderman Ben Rheeder
Alderman Rheeder served on the St Francis Bay Council from 1995 until 2001 when St Francis Bay amalgamated with four other municipalities to form Kouga Local Municipality.
He has been a member of the Kouga Local Council since 2001. He has also served as Ward Councillor, Member of the Mayoral Commitee and various other committees of Council.
He excelled in serving the community and keeping their best interest at heart.
Oom Ben is one of the unsung heroes who dedicated his life to serving the people of Kouga. His legacy will live long, and his memories will last forever. It is such a privilege to have known and served with him.
Kouga Executive Mayor
Hattingh Bornman
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