by SFT | Sep 26, 2026 | St Francis
Help us fix this road! The Kouga Business Forum, in support of Kouga Local Municipality, has launched an urgent petition to force provincial action on these potholes. Please take 30 seconds to sign and share:
TO:
The Honorable MEC Xolile Nqatha & HOD Andile Fani
Eastern Cape Department of Transport
Office No. B62, 32 Cowan Close, Stellenbosch Park, Qonce, 5601
PETITION: URGENT ACTION REQUIRED ON THE R330 BETWEEN HUMANSDORP AND ST FRANCIS BAY
We, the undersigned businesses and members of the Kouga business community, call for urgent action to address the deteriorating condition of the R330 between Humansdorp and St Francis Bay/Cape St Francis.
This vital route is used daily by residents, workers, businesses, delivery vehicles, school transport, emergency services and visitors. Severe potholes and damaged road sections are creating dangerous conditions, increasing the risk of accidents, vehicle damage and costly delays.
The road is also critical to the local economy, particularly tourism, hospitality, retail, agriculture and other businesses that depend on safe and reliable access.
Read the full article and sign the petition HERE
by SFT | Sep 26, 2026 | St Francis
Q1: How many potholes were fixed and paid for by the community this year on the R330 from Humansdorp to Cape St Francis?
Q2: How many new potholes have opened up since the above project ended?
Answer: 446 new potholes in the past three months have opened up. This isnt a thumbsuck, its an actual count done today.
From Links circle to Oyster Bay/ River Club turnoff – 81 new potholes.
From there to the College entrance road – 77 new potholes.
From there to Paradise turnoff- 214 new potholes.
From there to the dip – 74 new potholes.
446 new potholes in the past three months.
In December 2024 reps of our community group met with the municipal engineer and SFPO and “warned” that the road would crumble in the next few years, especially with heavy groyne rock trucks and the population increase and related construction and building traffic.
We strongly requested the municipality to try and influence Provincial Roads to prioritise the tender to rehabilitate the Humansdorp to Cape St Francis route rather than the low traffic volume Humansdorp to Patensie route. We were told that the municipality has no influence over Provincial government, even though an inter- governmental forum exists for this type of issue to be discussed.
We asked that the roleplayers, including Provincial Roads, SFPO and KLM, prepare a plan with budget to deal with this road damage when it would inevitably happen.
Nothing came of our suggestion.
Now we have a situation where the road is crumbling, and lives are at stake. Business will suffer, if it isn’t already noticing a decline.
100 days ago the Mayor declared a dispute with the provincial MEC for Transport, over their non-performance in maintaining the provincial road network. This dispute process is dragging on and on, even though the applicable Act states that it should be handled “promptly”. The 100 days of no resolution is certainly not “promptly”.
The mayor is preparing to go the legal route, however because all negotiation efforts haven’t been exhausted, the legal route might not be successful. The Act calls for a meeting between the parties, but this has not even taken place.
The silver lining is that the tender to fix the whole road from Humansdorp to Cape St Francis will likely (hopefully) be awareded soon. Realistically though, the successful contractor will only likely start work in the new year.
Without a formal agreement between the municipality and Provincial government, the municipality is not allowed to fix the road.
The critical period is from now to when thd contractor can take responsibility for fixing the road.
The community shouldn’t have to be exposed to shockingly dangerous road conditions because of a delayed tender procurment process, and an intergovernmental dispute process which is taking forever.
Lives are at stake. Business is suffering.
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by SFT | Sep 26, 2026 | St Francis
Planning an event in Kouga?
Whether it is a small community gathering, a sporting event, a festival or a larger public event, organisers are encouraged to understand Kouga Local Municipality’s event application requirements well in advance.
Kouga Local Municipality follows the guidelines and requirements of the applicable National Act and legislation governing public events. Proper planning and compliance help ensure that events are safe, well-coordinated and have minimal impact on surrounding communities and municipal services.
Organisers are therefore encouraged to familiarise themselves with the relevant requirements and submit applications within the prescribed timeframes to allow sufficient time for assessment, coordination and any necessary approvals.
When is an event application required?
Events with fewer than 50 people generally do not require an application if there is no amplified sound or temporary structures involved.
However, all water-based events must submit an application. The municipality may also require an application for an event with fewer than 50 people if the nature, impact or associated risks warrant further assessment.
Special application directives may be issued from time to time depending on factors such as the type, size, risk, duration, venue, location and time of year, including events held during festive seasons or public holidays. The potential impact on the transport network or other municipal activities may also be considered.
Events Planning Committee
The Kouga Events Planning Committee meets once a month, providing event organisers with an opportunity to present their events for consideration and approval.
Each monthly meeting has an application submission closing date. Organisers are advised to consult the municipality’s website – www.kouga.gov.za – for the latest meeting dates and submission deadlines, as these may change in accordance with the municipality’s institutional calendar.
What must be submitted?
Event organisers must submit the completed event application form, together with all applicable compliance documentation, to the municipality’s Economic Development and Tourism Department.
Compliance documentation required in terms of the municipality’s Events Policy includes the application form, indemnity form, SASREA risk categorisation form and an event plan. The event plan may include safety plans, relevant approval letters and required certifications.
Understanding SASREA requirements
The Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Act, Act 2 of 2010 (SASREA) applies to all event applications. The required risk categorisation application must be submitted directly to the South African Police Service (SAPS), with the relevant Kouga Events Officer copied into the correspondence.
Food vendors and catering
Organisers planning events that include food vendors or catering should plan well in advance.
Where food vendors require licences and Certificates of Acceptability, a minimum period of 40 days may be required for a small event.
Plan ahead
The time required to obtain event approval depends on various factors, including the size and type of event, location, date and time, duration, number and size of venues, potential impact and associated risks. Organisers should therefore avoid leaving applications until the last minute and should ensure that all required documentation is submitted within the applicable timeframe.
Event organisers can access the application form on the Kouga Local Municipality website under Document Library → Important Forms → Events Application.
For more information, send an email to events@kouga.gov.za or contact 078 943 2795
by SFT | Sep 26, 2026 | St Francis
JEFFREYS BAY – Kouga Local Municipality marked Arbor Day by helping create a greener learning environment at Pellsrus Primary School, where 100 Spekboom plants were planted on Friday, 11 September 2026.
The initiative formed part of the municipality’s ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability, community participation and creating cleaner, greener spaces across Kouga.
Kouga Local Municipality’s Parks and Waste team worked alongside the Pellsrus Primary School Environmental Group, learners and teachers, as well as Akumila Thrive NGO, to prepare the school grounds and ensure a successful Arbor Day programme.
Municipality prepares the ground
In the days leading up to Arbor Day, municipal teams undertook extensive preparation work at the school.
This included grass cutting, digging planting holes and hoeing to prepare the areas for the Spekboom. A TLB machine was also used to dig holes both inside and outside the school grounds.
The municipality provided and utilised a range of resources for the project, including:
- 100 Spekboom plants.
- TLB machinery.
- Grass-cutting equipment.
- Gardening and planting tools.
These practical interventions demonstrate the important role played by municipal teams in supporting environmental initiatives within local communities.
Planting environmental awareness
The Arbor Day programme was not only about planting trees. It was also an opportunity for Kouga Local Municipality and its partners to educate young people about the importance of caring for the environment.
Learners participated in a play and activities focusing on recycling, tree planting and water harvesting.
Learners from Grades 1 to 3 and Grades 4 to 7 took part in the programme with the school’s Environmental Group helping to facilitate learner involvement.
The learners also had an opportunity to explain why planting trees is important, showing that environmental education can start at a young age.
Growing a greener Kouga
The planting of 100 Spekboom contributes to a greener and more sustainable school environment while encouraging learners to become responsible custodians of their surroundings.
For Kouga Local Municipality, initiatives such as these are about more than commemorating Arbor Day. They provide an opportunity to work with communities, support schools and invest in environmental awareness for future generations.
The municipality thanks the teachers, the Pellsrus Primary School Environmental Group, the learners from Grades 1 to 7, and Akumila Thrive NGO for partnering with the municipality to make the initiative a success.
by SFT | Sep 26, 2026 | St Francis
JEFFREYS BAY – More than 1 000 archers from across South Africa, accompanied by their families, coaches and supporters, will descend on Jeffreys Bay this spring when Africa Genesis Archery (AGA) South Africa hosts its 2026 National Championship from 28 September to 2 October 2026.
The prestigious championship will be hosted at the four-star Mentors Country Estate just outside Jeffreys Bay, with total visitor numbers expected to reach approximately 2 500 over the course of the event.
The championship is being presented with the support of Kouga Local Municipality as the main sponsor, helping bring one of the country’s largest archery events to the Eastern Cape.
Kouga Executive Mayor, Hattingh Bornman, said the municipality was proud to support an event of this magnitude and to showcase Kouga as a destination capable of hosting major national sporting events.
“We are delighted to welcome AGA South Africa and thousands of archers, families and supporters to Kouga. Events such as this provide an excellent opportunity to showcase our beautiful region while contributing directly to the local economy,” said Bornman.
“Sport tourism is an important part of our tourism offering. When visitors stay in our accommodation establishments, eat at our restaurants, shop in our businesses and explore our attractions, the benefits extend far beyond the sporting venue,” he added.
A week of world-class sport
Archers from every province will compete across three national championships during the week.
The National Inter-Provincial Championship (NIPC) will see provincial teams competing head-to-head for national honours, while the National Adult Archery Group Championship (NAAGC) will showcase some of South Africa’s leading senior archers across various bow categories.
The National Interschool & Club Championship (NISCC) will bring a vibrant family atmosphere to the event, with school teams and club archers of all ages taking centre stage.
Opening parades, official ceremonies, a gala evening and prizegivings will form part of the programme, ensuring that the championship offers an experience for participants and spectators alike.
Bornman said the event also provided an opportunity to inspire young people through sport.
“Hosting a national championship of this scale in Jeffreys Bay gives our local community, particularly young people, an opportunity to experience a sport that they may not otherwise encounter. We hope that the event will inspire more children and young people to participate in archery and other sporting activities,” he said.
Discover Jeffreys Bay and Kouga
While the archers compete, visitors will have an opportunity to experience everything Jeffreys Bay and the greater Kouga region have to offer.
Jeffreys Bay is internationally renowned for its surf, beautiful coastline and relaxed atmosphere. September also coincides with the peak whale-watching season, while visitors can enjoy dolphin sightings, surf lessons, seaside markets, restaurants and cafés.
The region also offers a variety of attractions and activities, including day trips to St Francis Bay, Addo Elephant National Park and the Tsitsikamma forests.
According to AGA Eastern Cape organisers, the championship is about more than competition.
“This is more than a competition; it is a celebration of sport, family and community. We are thrilled to welcome archers and their loved ones to Jeffreys Bay, and we are deeply grateful to the Kouga Local Municipality for making it possible. Come and be part of history.”
The influx of visitors is expected to provide a welcome boost to the local economy, with accommodation establishments, restaurants, retail businesses and tourism operators expected to benefit from the increased activity throughout the championship.
Bornman encouraged residents and visitors to support the event.
“We invite residents and visitors to come out and experience the excitement of the championship. Events of this nature belong not only to the participants but to the community as a whole. Let us give our visiting archers and their families a warm Kouga welcome and show them why Jeffreys Bay remains such a special destination,” he said.
Spectators are welcome, and families and community members are encouraged to attend and cheer on the archers as they compete for national honours.
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