The Kouga Local Municipality held its inaugural Community Environmental Awards on 27 June. FOSTER was recognised and received a Community award. This was “In recognition of your outstanding contribution to environmental sustainability and your unwavering commitment to Kouga”.
Commenting on the award, FOSTER’S chair Matt Gennrich was happy. “I, the committee, and all those who have worked so hard at ensuring that the 4 FOSTER managed reserves remain pristine, largely alien free, and an example of a public/private partnership in action, are delighted that our Municipality has recognised our work. The mayor and his team need to be congratulated for establishing these rewards. Awards that recognise individuals and organisations that contribute to ensuring that environmental issues are seen as important and a priority for Kouga.
At the same time, long-time past chair and founding member of FOSTER Emeritus Professor Richard Cowling was awarded the Outstanding Community Service Award. This was “Presented in honour of your exceptional dedication to protecting our natural environment, inspiring positive change. Also, for leading by example through sustainable action. Your efforts have made a lasting impact in helping build a cleaner, greener and more resilient Kouga for all.”
“A truly well-deserved award for the countless hours and effort that Richard has put into serving FOSTER and other organisations for the betterment of our environment. He has been an eco-warrior for years and remained steadfast to the biodiversity cause,” said Matt Gennrich
“I am very proud to be honoured with this award. Partnerships between the municipality and the private sector are crucial for maintaining essential services, such as biodiversity protection. This recognition is testament to a long and enduring partnership. What has been achieved would not have been possible without the extraordinary teamwork in FOSTER over many decades. There are so many to thank. Mention must be made of Dave Bowmer, reserve manager since the late 1980s. His diligence and insight have enabled FOSTER to achieve so much.” Said Prof Cowling.
Matt Gennrich and Professor Richard Cowling with the awards.
Vleesbaai is one of the Garden Route’s most underrated coastal gems: a quiet, wave-washed village tucked between Mossel Bay and Stilbaai. With its unspoiled beaches, tight-knit community, and a pace that makes time feel optional, it’s the perfect escape for anyone looking to switch off and soak in some true South African coastline. But while it may look simple, Vleesbaai rewards the well-prepared traveller. Here are some inside tips to make your visit smoother and more enjoyable.
The modern history of Vleesbaai dates back to 1601, when a Dutch explorer named Paulus van Caerden was caught in rough weather and decided to shelter in the calm bay now known as Vleesbaai. It turned out to be a good call — not just for the protection, but for the food. The local people had well-fed livestock, and Paulus, clearly a man who appreciated a decent meal, managed to trade for some. He was so impressed, he named the place “Vleys Baeye” — Old Dutch for “Bay of Meat.” Not exactly poetic, but straight to the point.
1. Pack everything you need – really.
There are no real shops in Vleesbaai. The nearest decent grocery store is in Mossel Bay, approximately 30 minutes away, as well as a casino, a mall, and a few other more risqué shopping options. If you’re renting a holiday home or camping, please bring your food, firewood, braai grids, ice, and even essentials like salt, oil, and toilet paper. If you forget something, you’ll either need to charm a neighbour or take a long drive.
2. Book early, especially over December.
Accommodation is mostly private holiday homes and a few caravan park slots, and they fill up fast, sometimes a year in advance for the festive season. The off-season is quieter and often better if you want solitude.
3. A 4×4 isn’t essential, but helpful.
The roads into Vleesbaai are gravel, and while most are fine for standard vehicles, some holiday homes sit on steep inclines or softer patches. A bakkie or SUV is just more comfortable, especially if you’re hauling beach gear.
4. The beach is everything.
Vleesbaai’s gently sloping bay is safe for swimming, with warmer waters than Cape Town and often no crowds. It’s ideal for kids, long beach walks, or just reading under a brolly. Early mornings are magical, with dolphins often seen arcing through the waves. When the right swell arrives, so do the surfers, en masse.
5. Don’t rely on cellphone signal.
Reception is often patchy. Some homes have Wi-Fi, others don’t. Embrace the disconnection — bring books, board games, and the art of doing very little.
6. Visit Fransmanshoek.
Just down the road is a rocky peninsula with tidal pools, dramatic cliffs, and panoramic views. It’s a must for sundowners or a picnic.
7. Respect the peace.
This is a quiet, mostly Afrikaans-speaking community that values tranquillity. Keep the music low, drive slowly, and greet people with a smile, or a tip of your half-filled dumpie – both are accepted greetings.
Vleesbaai is a rare kind of place, where days stretch long and phones stay forgotten. Come prepared, arrive early, and leave a little calmer than you were when you arrived.
Read further: Oh, Dear, we have to go to Durban – notes from the editor
Gallery: Vleesbaai
Mindfulness is the practice of being fully present and aware of the current moment without judgment. Rooted in ancient meditation traditions, particularly Buddhism, mindfulness has gained widespread recognition in modern psychology and wellness for its powerful impact on mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
At its core, mindfulness encourages individuals to slow down and engage with their thoughts, feelings, and surroundings in a deliberate and compassionate way. In a world dominated by constant distractions, from smartphones to overflowing to-do lists, mindfulness serves as a counterbalance. It invites people to pause, breathe, and reconnect with themselves, fostering a deeper sense of clarity and calm.
One of the most significant benefits of mindfulness is its ability to reduce stress. Research consistently shows that practicing mindfulness can lower cortisol levels—the body’s primary stress hormone. By observing thoughts without becoming overwhelmed by them, individuals are better equipped to manage anxiety and emotional reactivity. This makes mindfulness an effective tool for people facing high-pressure environments, such as students, healthcare professionals, or corporate employees.
Moreover, mindfulness has profound effects on mental health. It can improve symptoms of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress by helping individuals detach from negative thought patterns. Mindfulness-based therapies, such as Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), have been widely adopted in clinical settings and are supported by a growing body of scientific evidence.
In addition to mental health, mindfulness can improve physical health. Regular practice is associated with better sleep, lower blood pressure, and enhanced immune function. Mindful eating can help people develop healthier relationships with food, leading to more balanced diets and potentially reduced rates of obesity and eating disorders.
Beyond individual benefits, mindfulness also promotes empathy and better interpersonal relationships. By cultivating greater awareness and presence, people become more attentive and compassionate listeners, less reactive in conflicts, and more understanding of others’ perspectives.
In summary, mindfulness is more than a wellness trend—it’s a transformative practice with wide-ranging benefits. By fostering a greater sense of presence, emotional balance, and self-awareness, mindfulness empowers individuals to lead healthier, more intentional lives. Whether through formal meditation or simple daily practices, incorporating mindfulness into everyday life can bring profound and lasting positive change.
Further reading: Leave Only Footprints – photo of the day
further reading: Getting started with mindfulness
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer just a buzzword; it’s a seismic shift in how the world works. From customer service to farming, finance to healthcare, AI is transforming industries by automating routine tasks, accelerating decision-making, and uncovering patterns that humans might miss. As a result, people who don’t begin to understand or engage with AI are increasingly at risk of falling behind, especially in the workplace.
One reason AI is becoming so necessary is its sheer efficiency. AI systems can process vast amounts of data in seconds, completing tasks that once took humans hours, days, or even weeks. In fields like marketing, AI tools are already writing copy, designing graphics, and analysing customer behaviour. In manufacturing, machines predict when equipment will fail. Also, in agriculture, AI monitors crop health from satellite imagery. All of this means fewer hands needed on deck, unless those hands know how to work with AI, not compete against it.
But it’s not just about job replacement, it’s about augmentation. The real winners will be those who learn how to leverage AI to accomplish more, faster, and more effectively. Writers who use AI for drafting or research will outpace those who don’t. Business analysts who use machine learning for forecasting will produce more accurate insights. Teachers who use AI-powered learning tools will personalise education more effectively. The pattern is clear: AI isn’t just replacing jobs, it’s changing what it means to be good at one.
People who remain unaware or indifferent to AI risk becoming the digital equivalent of blacksmiths in the age of the motor car: skilled, but no longer relevant. Just as computers transformed the workplace in the 1990s, AI is now doing the same, but faster. The difference is that the shift is happening now, and it’s visible, from AI-written news articles to ChatGPT handling customer emails.
You don’t need to become a programmer or machine learning expert. But if you want to stay relevant, learning how to use AI tools in your profession, or at least understanding how they work, is no longer optional. It’s the new digital literacy. And like all revolutions, this one won’t wait.
Read further: Salute Your Earlier Self – The Human Side Of Money Presented By Client Care
Check this out: OpenAI
In theory, being a successful investor is easy. Spend less than you earn, invest the difference for three decades, and draw down what you need in retirement. The education, resources and tools needed to do this have never been more accessible. We’re practically drowning in information.
In practice, however, being a successful lifetime investor has never been more challenging. An abundance of investment options, breaking news delivered by phone notifications, and direct access to the competing views of “experts” mean that it’s no simple task navigating the journey from your first paycheck to your glorious financial independence day.
A few simple actions can reduce the noise you are exposed to, placing the odds in your favour. However, the greatest challenge you will face as an investor is one you cannot run away from: the emotional turmoil of living through a never-ending series of world and financial crises.
Benjamin Graham (the father of “value investing” and mentor to Warren Buffett) acknowledged the root of the problem over seventy years ago.
“The investor’s chief problem, and even his worst enemy, is likely to be himself”.
Whilst we’ve largely solved the mathematical element of the investing challenge, no one has yet solved the emotional part. We propose that no one will.
The behavioural challenge of acting rationally under uncertainty feels like it has been exacerbated by many of the developments we generally consider to be positive. The ease at which we can access information and near-zero transaction fees are benefits that have their downsides.
We know in theory that patience and discipline are required for investment success, but knowing something is not the same as experiencing it. In the middle of a global crisis (we’ve had many recently), being disciplined is easier said than done. But this is, and will always be, the defining characteristic of successful investors.
Whilst each crisis has its own name (Covid 19, Ukraine, Cost of living crisis) and its own unique characteristics, they all build-up to the point where it forces you to ask the golden question:
Is it different this time?
In this moment, your human side is screaming at you that this time is indeed different. How could it not be given how distressed you feel.
However, at that moment, your future self needs your present self to have the clarity of mind to acknowledge that while each crisis comes by a different name, they are essentially all the same.
Whilst we can’t prove anything about the future (after all, there are no facts about the future), we can look to the past and marvel at how resilient both humans and markets have been through every type of crisis. How is each crisis the same? The fact is that they are unlikely to matter in three decades. In fact, you won’t remember most of them in three years’ time.
You do not have to accept the above only in theory. You have your own unique history as an investor, and you have likely withstood many emotional challenges in the past.
If investing is more behavioural than intellectual, reflect on your past self’s good behaviour during difficult times. Investing is not one long cognitive challenge but rather a series of intermittent behavioural challenges.
It has been said that a successful investor’s career is akin to a pilot’s career – long periods of utter boredom punctuated by a few moments of sheer terror.
When the next test comes (its name is as much a mystery to you as to me), take courage from your past self’s actions. There will be more to come. Stand firm. This time is never different.
Understanding the essence of the investing challenge, we see our role as standing guard between you and the few decisions which could derail your financial future. We call these the big mistakes. Please know that we are always available to you and understand that the emotional challenges described above are ones we all face.
Dirk Groeneveld, Certified Financial Planner
t. 083 261 9287
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