Quite a lot is happening in St Francis Bay and Cape St Francis over the next seven-day period, as well as a bit of a stormy late-week push with some big winds and possibly bigger waves.
Here’s a rough guide to what’s going on, based on event information from the St Francis Tourism office, website, and their ‘what’s happening‘ page. It’s always a good idea to check their website for the latest updates.
Monday: 23° / 14° — Cloudy start, then sunshine returns
Tuesday: 20° / 12° — Mostly sunny and breezy
Wednesday: 23° / 15° — Brilliant sunshine, very pleasant
Thursday: 21° / 14° — Mostly sunny, breezy in the afternoon
Friday: 20° / 11° — Mix of clouds and sun
Saturday: 18° / 8° — Very windy, partly sunny
Surf
This week promises plenty of sunshine over St Francis Bay, with daytime highs hovering between 18–23 °C and nights dipping to 8–15 °C. Monday will be the warmest, reaching 23 °C, while Saturday cools off with strong winds. Midweek looks especially pleasant, with calm mornings and bright skies.
Surf-wise, Cape St Francis is shaping up with 1.5–2.0 m swells early in the week. Mornings should offer the cleanest conditions with offshore or cross-offshore winds, perfect for punting a few airs before the breeze picks up. By late week, expect a big push as the wind builds and swell pushes closer to 2.5 m as we approach spring tides.
So, back on 7 July 2011, the Sand River decided it had had enough of playing second fiddle to the R330 bridge. After a week or so of rain and stored up water, the river gathered itself up, puffed out its chest, and the bridge washed away. Just like that. One minute you could drive to Cape St Francis, the next you needed a canoe,
St Francis Island
Nobody was going anywhere. It was the closest St Francis has ever come to being its own island, albeit with a SPAR, bottle store and restaurants with some stock.
By the next morning, some bright sparks carved a little footpath across the mess. Not exactly elegant — more of a mud-slide with ambition, but at least you could shuffle across to your car if you didn’t mind arriving at work looking like you’d run Comrades in gumboots.
Temp Bridge
The engineers pulled a rabbit out of the hat with a temporary bridge, and for a whole two weeks, it worked. We thought we were back in business. But then, late July rolled around, and the Sand River gave us the sequel: Bridge Collapse 2 – The Reckoning.Down it went again, and we were back to waving at each other across the divide like castaways.
Supplies ran short, commuters sulked, some clever people started doing boat runs from the Kromme Bridge, and holidaymakers got a free story to tell when they finally got home. “Oh yes, darling, we were trapped in a quaint little coastal village. Simply dreadful… pass the Chardonnay, doll.”
In the end, they built something sturdier. Eventually, the bridge was rebuilt, although it took an unfeasibly long period of months. I can’t quite remember how long it took. My brain, for one, has erased that part of my memory to protect me from the despair. I’d be interested to know if anyone can remember how long the bridge construction took. My shoddy memory is telling me 8 months.
Estate planning is rarely at the top of our to-do list, yet it is one of the most practical acts of care we can give our families. A well-structured plan can make the difference between a smooth transition and a costly, emotionally draining process at a time already filled with uncertainty. One element often overlooked – and misunderstood – is the Guardian’s Fund.
What happens when a minor inherits?
When someone passes away without a valid Will, they die “intestate.” If a minor child inherits in this way, or even through a valid Will that does not set up a trust, the executor is obliged to transfer those assets into the Guardian’s Fund. This state-run fund, administered by the Master of the High Court, is meant to safeguard the interests of minors and others unable to manage their own affairs.
On paper it sounds reasonable. The money is invested by the Public Investment Corporation and earns interest set by the Minister of Finance. There are no admin fees. But the practical reality is less appealing: access is slow, bureaucratic, and requires guardians to justify every withdrawal with piles of paperwork, whether for school fees, medical bills, or daily living costs. Added to that, the investment strategy is one-size-fits-all and has even been exposed to cybersecurity risks.
Why not look for a better way?
For parents of minor children, the key is to avoid the Guardian’s Fund altogether. That means having a valid Will and, critically, setting up a testamentary trust within it. This type of trust only comes into effect upon your death and holds assets for your children until they reach an age you choose – often older than 18, when they are more capable of managing money.
You appoint trustees to manage these funds. Sometimes a guardian can also serve as trustee, but it is often wise to separate the roles: the guardian focusing on the child’s wellbeing and daily needs, while the trustee ensures the money is managed prudently for the long term.
Choosing the right guardian
Selecting a guardian is deeply personal. Ask yourself: Does my child already have a strong bond with this person? Will their schooling and friendships be disrupted? Do they share my values and have the emotional and financial stability to shoulder the responsibility? And importantly – are they willing to take it on?
Final thought
Estate planning is not just about money. It’s about care, continuity, and peace of mind. Review your Will and guardian choices regularly. Circumstances and relationships shift, and your plan should shift with them – always with your child’s best interests at heart.
White Fronted Bee Eater returning to its perch from a hunt near Skukuza. photography by local lens wizard Clive Wright from Clive Wright Photography. Find more of his gems on Facebook.
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