by SFT | Dec 1, 2025 | St Francis
It is with great pleasure that I extend a warm welcome to all visitors to the beautiful Kouga region, proudly recognised as the best municipality in the Eastern Cape and one of the top holiday destinations in South Africa.
Visitors to the Kouga Region
Our region continues to shine not only for its breathtaking landscapes but also for its commitment to excellence in governance and service delivery, having achieved a clean audit for the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 financial years – a testament to our dedication to transparency, accountability, and providing efficient services to residents and visitors alike.
Kouga is also a leader along the coastline, having proudly earned four prestigious coastal awards for the 2025/2026 season. We celebrate our two Blue Flag beaches, Dolphin Beach and Cape St Francis Beach, recognised for their exceptional standards of cleanliness, safety, and environmental management. In partnership with the JBay Surf Alliance, Kouga was also honoured for its Green Coast sites, highlighting the JBay Supertubes and Paradise Beach coastline as exemplary models of sustainable coastal stewardship.
Beyond these achievements, Kouga offers an exciting and action-packed holiday programme designed to cater to both residents and visitors of all ages. From the vibrant Opening of the Season celebrations that kick off the summer festivities, to lively markets brimming with local crafts and delicacies, there is always something to spark interest. Music enthusiasts can enjoy shows featuring both local talent and well-known artists, while sports lovers can participate in or cheer on the summer sport series held across the region.
Slower Pace
For those seeking a slower pace, families can relax with a picnic in the park, or simply enjoy the tranquil surroundings of our beautiful landscapes.
As we celebrate the season, the municipality remains committed to ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all visitors, combining excellent service delivery with well-managed public spaces.
Whether you are here to explore our pristine beaches, embrace adventure, or simply unwind amidst nature, Kouga promises an unforgettable experience.
I warmly invite you to immerse yourself in the hospitality of our community, the richness of our culture, and the natural wonders that make Kouga a destination to remember.
by SFT | Dec 1, 2025 | St Francis
Kouga Local Municipality is proud to announce that Dolphin Beach in Jeffreys Bay and Cape St Francis main beach have once again secured coveted Blue Flag status for the upcoming season. The certification places both beaches among an elite group of internationally recognised coastal destinations that meet strict criteria for water quality, safety, environmental management and public education.
The Blue Flag programme remains one of the world’s most trusted markers of coastal excellence. Beaches that qualify undergo rigorous monitoring and must maintain consistently high standards throughout the season. According to Kouga Executive Mayor Hattingh Bornman, the achievement reflects the ongoing commitment of municipal teams and the broader community.
International Standards
“Our dedicated teams work year round to ensure these beaches meet the highest international standards. This achievement is not automatic. It is earned through hard work, careful management and daily attention,” said Bornman.
He noted that the recognition strengthens Kouga’s reputation as a leading coastal destination. “Visitors can arrive with confidence and residents can enjoy their coastline knowing that it is cared for in a way that protects both people and the environment.”
Responsible Coastal Stewardship
The municipality also acknowledged the vital role played by residents, volunteers and local organisations in maintaining beach quality and promoting responsible coastal stewardship.
“Every small action our community members take helps preserve the natural beauty that makes Kouga truly exceptional,” Bornman added. “Your involvement strengthens the collective effort and contributes directly to accolades like this.”
Kouga Municipality will continue to work closely with partners to safeguard the region’s coastline and ensure that local beaches remain places of pride, enjoyment and environmental responsibility for all.
Read More: Kouga Municipality Gives Festive Season a Little More Wiggle Room
by SFT | Dec 1, 2025 | Notes From The Editor, St Francis
“Let’s be patient out there.”
I repeated this to myself, trying to summon inner calm, as I drove home after dropping off the kids at school. I was desperate for my caffeine and Ritalin mix to line up properly and give me a fighting chance at getting through the morning. Instead, I found myself rolling straight into a bizarre territorial encounter on that road near the soccer field.
She appeared ahead of me, maybe a visitor. No one local would choose the exact centre of the tar as their personal catwalk unless they believed the rest of us were placed here to applaud. Wrapped in a baby blue fluffy tracksuit and carrying two water bottles, one in each hand, she moved with the slow, ponderous gait of someone who does not enjoy walking, who needs momentum to get going.
The stare-down
The road narrowed. I slowed. Where was I meant to go?
She held her middle line. When I edged forward, at about 1km per two hours, she turned and delivered a look so dramatic, so withering, I felt morning shame, which wasn’t fair. I hadn’t even started my morning, let alone done anything shameful. Not yet.
Then, as I tried to pass, came the head shake. Not the irritated flick of a normal pedestrian. A slow, crushingly disappointed shake. The kind that says she has judged my entire personality and found every part of it severely lacking. All I wanted was to get home, shoot up some caffeine and remind myself that humanity was still broadly manageable. Now it was kombi vs human armadillo, at dawn nogal. This was going absolutely nowhere.
A defeat before coffee
Eventually, she stepped aside with the icy reluctance of someone yielding to a problem creature rather than a person.
I stared straight ahead and continued, crawling past, realising I had started my day by losing an argument that never contained any actual words.
ends./
Read more: The Kromme River Groyne – Photo Of The Day by Luke Patterson
by SFT | Dec 1, 2025 | Financial Planning, St Francis
I have written a lot about the challenges we face moving from a working career to retirement. About how difficult it can be creating a new persona that is not linked to our career or the title we had while working which often defined who we were. Most people eventually make that transition but there is another challenge which is easy to miss, and I see this with many clients I work with.
The move from saving and building wealth to spending that wealth in a way that brings them true happiness.
I see many people who have what they want, huge wealth, but not what they need, real happiness. For many being a saver has become part of their identity and making the change to spending that wealth is a massive challenge. What makes this challenge more complicated is that even when some people do spend money it does not necessarily make them any happier,
In his book The Art of Spending Money, Morgan Housel says: There are two ways of spending money. One is as a tool to live a better life. The other is as a yardstick of status to measure yourself against others. Many people aspire for the former but spend their life chasing the latter.
We are all different and what makes one person happy does not necessarily make another person happy. Often, we do what we think people expect of someone with our level of wealth should do and are still left feeling disappointed and unhappy.
A simple lifestyle does not mean that we cannot live with nice things in a beautiful home and enjoy wonderful holidays. These things can make life easier and more comfortable, but what is important is that we choose this life based on our own values and needs and not because everyone else who looks like me is doing it.
Most people spend their life making a living, don’t be someone who forgets to build a life.
Dirk Groeneveld, Certified Financial Planner
t. 083 261 9287
e. dirk@clientcare.co.za
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