by SFT | Mar 4, 2026 | St Francis
Road surfaces and verges of the provincial road network in the Kouga Local Municipality are in a parlous state. Many people believe that the maintenance of these roads is the responsibility of the Municipality. This is not true.
Look at the map below. Other than the N2, all the major rural roads in the KLM are maintained by the Eastern Cape Department of Transport. These are the R330, R331, R332 and R102. Also included are the through routes in Jeffreys Bay, Humansdorp, Hankey and Cape St Francis.
The Province is incapable of maintaining these roads, especially the road verges. Some years ago, the engineer in charge of provincial roads in the Sarah Baartman District told me that road maintenance is prioritized from the middle of the road outwards, and there was no budget for verge maintenance.
And it shows. The verges along all provincial roads are littered, overgrown and generally an eyesore. This is all bad news. Unkempt road verges create the impression amongst visitors and tourists that our municipality condones scruffiness and litter. Furthermore, the proliferation of vegetation – mostly highly flammable alien shrubs and trees – represents a traffic hazard as well as a fire risk.
On the other hand, verges that are managed according to the correct specifications – where a strip of mown grass fronts a band of natural vegetation of low stature, and litter is regularly removed – is an asset for tourism, a plus for fire risk reduction, and can operate as a biodiversity corridor by providing a haven for wildlife.
At present, anarchy rules on the road verges of the provincial road network in the KLM. Illegal activities such as advertising, construction of cycle paths, and dumping and littering abound. However, there are a few examples of good practice: the KLM manages verges in an around the entrances to the major towns; Woodlands Diary keeps the verges tidy on the section of the R330 between Humansdorp and the N2 interchange; the Cape St Francis Civics Association does the same on a 2-km stretch of the R330 north of the village; and local farmers manage a section of the R102 west of Humansdorp.
Although well-intentioned, these initiatives cover only a fraction of the provincial road network of the KLM. What is needed is a municipality-wide project to manage the verges of the provincial road network, based on the principles of the highly successful “Adopt-a-Highway” programme of North America (https://adoptahighway.net/). Civic associations and businesses undertake to
maintain the verges of a section of road in exchange for displaying signage that both advertises the programme and the sponsoring organization. Moreover, welcome jobs are created. It is a win-win-win initiative.
My recommendation is that the Civil and Water Engineering Directorate of the KLM take a lead in promoting and implementing an adopt-a-highway programme for the provincial road network of our region. I am sure there will be many civic organisations and businesses keen on joining. Using guidelines defined in the road network legislation, the KLM can ensure that best practice is implemented.
Imagine driving along the R102 between Jeffreys Bay and Humansdorp, enjoying a litter-free road, flanked by a neatly trimmed band of grass and corridor of low, indigenous vegetation resplendent with red hot pokers, graceful ericas and their sunbird pollinators. This is not a fantasy. So, let’s do it.
Richard Cowling
Cape St Francis
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by SFT | Mar 4, 2026 | St Francis, Travel News
Mauritius offers one of the most reliable tropical climates in the Indian Ocean. For South African travellers, it delivers warmth, wind, and water clarity in one seamless package. The island sits comfortably in the southeast trade wind belt, which means consistent airflow, manageable humidity, and long, blue sky days. Temperatures remain pleasant throughout the year, generally ranging between 23 and 28 degrees Celsius. The ocean stays warm enough for boardshorts and light wetsuits. Mornings begin bright and calm. Afternoons hold steady sunshine. Evenings cool gently without losing that tropical softness. It feels easy from the moment you land.
Trade Winds and World Class Kiteboarding
The south east trade winds are the engine room of Mauritius. Along the south coast, these winds blow clean and steady across protected lagoons and reef systems. Inside the reefs, kiteboarders find long, forgiving runs over turquoise water. Outside the reefs, the same wind powers stronger lines and open ocean sessions for experienced riders. Around Le Morne, the conditions are globally respected. The wind direction works perfectly with the reef layout. Riders can choose flat water, rolling swell, or more technical sections depending on skill level. It is structured, reliable, and beautifully scenic.
Surf Conditions, Rare Northerlies and Endless Variety
As the island curves around One Eye, the southeast trade turns offshore for surfers. Clean lines stand up across the reef when southern swells arrive. The waves organise themselves under offshore wind and hold shape across long walls. When the rare northerly wind appears, the southern basin around ‘Mushroom Rock’ (you’ll understand when you see it) and nearby reefs begin to light up. Different corners respond to different swell directions and tides. There are countless hidden setups across the island that reward local knowledge.
For South Africans seeking sunshine, wind sports, and surf in one destination, Mauritius remains an exceptional year-round option. The Travel Collective aligns travel windows with the best conditions so every trip captures the island at its finest.
by SFT | Mar 4, 2026 | St Francis
Since then, we have sold 702 properties worth R1.84 Billion.!
At our recent financial year-end on 28 February, celebrating yet another excellent year, I reflected on what has happened in our town over the last few years.
The events of May 2020 sprang to mind.
We had just been permitted to partially reopen our Pam Golding office after the hard lockdown. When we listed a village house, not far from the beach, for R2.6 million (probably worth R7 million today), our phones didn’t stop ringing. Mine too!
I realised then that “something” was happening — and that “something” has not stopped happening ever since!
St Francis has always been popular, but the pandemic triggered a seismic shift in our town’s growth.
To put that into perspective, it’s the equivalent of selling 184 houses at R10 million each!
The average price for this period was R2.6 million — lower than many might have expected, due to plot sales diluting the average. The total includes 30 sales over R8 million, with two recent sales above R20 million.
Over this time, our number of sales dropped from around 140 per year to about 90, mainly because of far fewer plot sales, as plot prices increased substantially, particularly on the Links and in Santareme.
To show how St Francis has outperformed many other towns, for the past four years we’ve ranked first or second out of 30 Pam Golding franchises in the medium category, despite being the smallest territory.
How would our performance have looked without the pandemic? Given that our volumes doubled from pre-COVID to post-COVID, we likely wouldn’t even have reached R1 billion over the same period.
None of this would have been possible without our exceptional team and our wonderful clients. 🙏
Thank you for being part of this journey!
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by SFT | Mar 4, 2026 | St Francis
Number of Homes: 21 (Including Investec House)
Restaurants: 2
Cove and Small Boat Harbour
Number of Wine Farms: 39
Number of Boats and Barges: 46
Number of Sea Vista Residents: 112
The iconic Wine on Water™ (WOW) festival, hosted by the Rotary Club of St Francis, proudly celebrated its 5th year in 2026. Sponsored by Investec, WOW remains the flagship fundraising event for the Rotary Club of St Francis, combining world-class wine tasting with a unique canal-side experience, all while supporting vital community projects in St Francis Bay and the greater Kouga area.
BACKGROUND
The Rotary Club of St Francis was chartered in November 2019, after elevating from satellite-club status. Since then, we’ve served the greater St Francis area, as well as Humansdorp, Hankey, Patensie, and Jeffreys Bay. Our club and our Wine on Water event continue to grow and thrive, benefiting both the community and the causes we support.
In 2019, the Rotary Club of St Francis recognized that without significant fundraising, we would not be able to initiate and fund the numerous projects aimed at supporting and uplifting the communities we serve.
After several brainstorming sessions, the concept of Wine on Water™ (WOW) was born. It was agreed that WOW would become the Rotary Club of St Francis’s iconic annual event, attracting upmarket participants from across South Africa and positioning itself as a “must-attend” event.
Although originally planned for 2019, the event was held in 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event was quickly recognized as iconic, and this recognition was further confirmed when tickets for WOW 2023 sold out in just 58 minutes and in 2025, Saturday tickets sold out in 27 minutes.
Each year, from 2022 to 2025, we have built on the experiences and feedback from the previous year, constantly improving and elevating our event. Starting with WOW 2022, we learned valuable lessons that helped shape WOW 2023, where we believe we truly “raised the bar,” creating an exceptional experience for all involved. WOW 2024 took that momentum further, building on the successes of the previous years, and we are already excited about the achievements of WOW 2025 and our plans for 2026 and beyond. Each year, we continue to improve, growing both in our impact and in the way we bring the community together.
WOW™ is a registered trademark of the Rotary Club of St Francis®.
In terms of economic impact, WOW has significantly boosted the local economy. Before WOW, February and March were generally quiet in St Francis. Now, the village sees an influx of visitors, with businesses benefiting from the increased activity. It is estimated that visitors spent approximately R4.76 million on accommodation, food, and sporting events during the WOW weekend. (Please check these figures with Tourism.)
HOMEOWNERS: THE HEART OF WOW
WOW would not be possible without the generous contributions of private homeowners. Homes along the St Francis Bay canals are provided free of charge for up to four days for preparation, the event, and cleanup. Homeowners receive two complimentary WOW tickets per day and access to six preferential paid tickets for family and friends.
Every ticket purchased and every sip enjoyed directly supports vital projects and charities that make a real difference in the lives of people in St Francis and surrounding areas.
EMPOWERING COMMUNITY
A special thank you to the Sea Vista residents who serve as our deck and jetty marshals for Wine on Water over the years. These residents are given the opportunity to earn through their involvement in the event. They play a crucial role in ensuring the smooth and safe arrival of boats and barges carrying our guests, assisting with docking and helping guests on and off the vessels. They also make sure that everyone is wearing the proper event bands upon arrival.
Where decks are accessible by road, marshals guide guests to the correct routes leading to the wine tasting area, checking for event bands and ensuring the safety of both guests and property owners throughout the day.
The Sibanye Youth were trained to assist at the WOW registration tent, contributing to the event’s seamless operation. Their dedication and hard work make all the difference.
SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY
Every rand raised at WOW contributes to a wide array of Rotary-supported projects and charities, including:
- Foster – Environmental
- Animal Welfare St Francis
- Animal Welfare J Bay
- Spay It Forward
- SPCA
- Animal Welfare Oyster Bay
- NSRI
- Hospice
- Hospice Car
- Humansdorp School
- Sea Vista Clinic
- Talhado Children’s Haven
- Disneyland Creche
- Youth Development
- Sports Support
- E’Pap – Food Relief
- Ons Tuiste – Old Age Home
- Kromme Enviro Trust – Environment
- Food Relief / Soup Kitchen
- Sea Vista School / Education
- Sundry Donations
- Sports Field – Sea Vista
- Santa Box Expenses – Old Age Home
- Fire Station
- Sanitary Pads / Nappies
- Special Projects
- Eye Laser – Gift of Sight
- Community Umbrella
- Sea Vista Creche’s
- Pregnancy Help Network
- Fire Extinguisher Project
The four largest beneficiaries of Rotary funding in 2025 were:
- Hospice – including a much-needed car and substantial support for running costs
- Fire Station Project – successfully completed
- Sea Vista Primary School – funding for two teachers
- Talhado Children’s Haven – significant financial contribution
HOMEOWNERS: THE HEART OF WOW (REITERATED)
WOW would not be possible without the generous contributions of private homeowners. Homes along the St Francis Bay canals are provided free of charge for up to four days for preparation, the event, and cleanup. Homeowners receive two complimentary WOW tickets per day and access to six preferential paid tickets for family and friends.
Every ticket purchased and every sip enjoyed directly supports vital projects and charities that make a real difference in the lives of people in St Francis and surrounding areas.
Link to the full photo gallery for 2026 below.
by SFT | Mar 4, 2026 | St Francis
The Kouga Working World Careers Expo has been arranged by the Kouga Local Municipality to empower senior school learners and unemployed youth in the region with resources to equip them to make a transition into study, training and meaningful work.
The Exhibition repackages the essential components of a Career guidance programme into an interactive experience with which learners can identify and find meaningful….bringing study and career options to life.
Career resources include a Career Guidance Workbook and direct access to employers, funders and educational institutions in an exhibition.
Access to all visitors is free as are the career resources.
The Kouga Working World Careers Expo in Jeffrey’s Bay follows its sister expo the Working World Exhibition in Nelson Mandela Bay in February, which has a remarkable track record in empowering lives for over 26 years.
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