by Craig Jarvis | May 14, 2025 | St Francis
Port Alfred, tucked between East London and Gqeberha on South Africa’s Sunshine Coast, is a laid-back coastal gem packed with adventure, charm, perfect waves and history. Whether you’re visiting for a long weekend or an extended holiday, there’s no shortage of cool experiences to enjoy.
Each April, the town comes alive during the Port Alfred Easter Festival. You can stroll through local craft markets, enjoy live music, and soak up the festive energy. The festival brings the community together and showcases the best of the region’s food, art, and sport. Good for those who want to compete and those who want to chill and have a few beer shandies.
Watch the Easter Surfing Events
As part of the Easter Festival, head down to East Beach and catch the Rip Curl GromSearch and Rip Curl Cup. These surfing events draw South Africa’s top up-and-coming surfers. Sit on the pier with a coffee or camera and enjoy some of the most exciting wave-riding action of the year.
Surf at East Beach
If you’re feeling inspired, and there are no contests on the go, grab a board and hit the water yourself. East Beach is known for its consistent right-hand break and sandy bottom, making it perfect for both seasoned surfers and beginners. Local surf schools offer gear rentals and lessons.
Stay at the Royal St Andrews Hotel
Treat yourself to a night or two at the Royal St Andrews Hotel. Its heritage charm, luxury rooms, world-class spa, and proximity to the beach and town make for a comfortable and elegant base.
Dine at The Highlander Restaurant
Within the Royal St Andrews Hotel, the Highlander exudes that classic pub atmosphere. Enjoy hearty meals, craft beers, and locally sourced produce—all in a cosy, welcoming setting and at good prices.
Explore the Kowie River by Boat
Hop on a boat cruise or paddle upriver in a kayak. The Kowie River winds through lush scenery and offers views of kingfishers, fish eagles, and even the occasional otter.
Relax on West Beach
For a more peaceful beach day, head to West Beach. It’s perfect for a family picnic, building sandcastles, or reading a book. When you’re done, head over to Guido’s, situated right there, for a delicious pizza and a few dops.
Play Golf at the Royal Port Alfred Golf Club
Tee off on one of the country’s most scenic coastal courses. The wind and terrain make for a rewarding challenge, and the views are unbeatable.
Browse the Local Markets
Spend a morning wandering through Port Alfred’s markets. Pick up handmade crafts, homemade preserves, local art, and souvenirs that reflect the town’s coastal charm.
Unwind with a Spa Day
Whether staying at the Royal St Andrews or visiting for the day, book a massage or spa treatment at CSpa Wellness. The calm setting and expert therapists will leave you feeling recharged.
Attend Bands in the Bush
This music event, part of the Easter Festival, features top South African performers across genres. Enjoy live sets under the stars in a natural setting.
Hike the Coastal Trails
Put on your walking shoes and explore one of the nearby hiking trails. With indigenous bush, ocean vistas, and birdlife galore, these paths showcase the unspoiled beauty of the Eastern Cape.
Whether you’re after action or chill, Port Alfred delivers it all with small-town friendliness and natural beauty.
Read also: Big Changes Ahead For Twenty-Two Eatery and Legends in St Francis Bay
by Craig Jarvis | Apr 3, 2025 | Photo Of The Day
Lighthouse Views Seal Point – images by Gerhard Venter
More here – photos of days
CNN Photos
by Craig Jarvis | Apr 3, 2025 | St Francis
Kouga – Kouga Local Municipality has announced that their Customer Satisfaction Survey Open To All Kouga Residents is for all stakeholders to share their experiences and help shape the future of service delivery by participating in the 2024/2025 Customer Satisfaction Survey.
The survey is now open and will remain available until 3 May 2025.
With the financial year ending on 30 June 2025, this survey provides an essential platform for the community to evaluate municipal services and suggest areas for improvement. The focus is on core service delivery areas, including water, electricity, refuse removal, sanitation, and roads.Kouga Executive Mayor, Hattingh Bornman, emphasised the importance of community input in strengthening service delivery.
“Our residents are at the heart of everything we do, and their feedback is invaluable in helping us identify what is working well and where we need to improve,” said Bornman. “This survey is an opportunity for every resident and stakeholder to actively contribute to the future of Kouga. I encourage everyone to take part and make their voices heard.”
This initiative does not replace community meetings but rather enhances public participation and accountability in municipal governance.
How to Participate
The survey is available online at https://arcg.is/TP5PW.
Residents are encouraged to complete the survey before 3 May 2025 and play a role in shaping a more responsive and effective municipality.
read more: Monthly Kouga Municipality Service Delivery Highlights March 2025
by Craig Jarvis | Feb 11, 2025 | Financial Planning
One of the biggest mistakes we see investors make is asking the wrong questions. It’s natural to focus on things like, “Which investment will give me the best returns?” or “How do I keep my money safe?” While these are understandable concerns, they often lead to over complication and unnecessary stress.
The truth is, investing doesn’t have to be overwhelming. The first step to simplifying the process is asking a better question—one that provides clarity and purpose:
“What’s the money for?”
This simple yet powerful question helps define the purpose of your wealth. It shifts the focus from short-term noise to long-term strategy and smart financial planning.
The Danger of Investing Without a Goal
Investing without a clear goal is like taking a road trip without a destination. Sure, you might enjoy some detours along the way, but chances are you’ll waste time, money, and energy making aimless decisions.
Without a defined purpose, investment decisions can quickly become reactionary—chasing trends, following market hype, and making emotional choices based on short-term fluctuations.
Think about it: If you’re investing for retirement 20 years from now, does a market drop today really matter? On the other hand, if you need the money in a year for a major expense, should you really be in a volatile long-term portfolio?
Skipping this crucial step—defining your money’s purpose—leads to emotional investing. And emotional investing often results in missed opportunities, unnecessary stress, and a shaky financial future.
Aligning Your Investments With Your Goals
The solution is refreshingly simple: start with your “why.”
When you ask “What’s the money for?”, you create a framework for smarter, more intentional financial decisions. Your investment time frame, risk tolerance, and strategy all start making sense.
This approach not only guides you toward the right investments but also builds resilience. When you know your portfolio aligns with your long-term goals, temporary downturns won’t shake your confidence. You’ll trust the process because you understand the bigger picture.
Investing With Confidence —Your Trusted Guide
Successful investing isn’t about chasing the hottest stocks or finding the perfect strategy—because neither exists. It’s about using your money as a tool to create the future you want.
We know that turning goals into a solid investment plan can feel overwhelming. That’s where a skilled financial adviser comes in. Our job is to help you refine your goals, design a clear strategy, and give you the confidence to stay the course.
Before you make your next investment decision, take a step back and ask yourself:
“What’s the money for?”
It’s the one question that can change everything.
Dirk Groeneveld, Certified Financial Planner.
by Craig Jarvis | Dec 9, 2024 | St Francis
We have already received numerous calls for loud disturbances. As we approach the season, we want to guide you through the steps to take if you’re dealing with noise problems. While we’re always ready to go above and beyond, noise isn’t our direct responsibility.
Suggested actions when dealing with noise issues:
Have a chat:
Approach your neighbour for a friendly discussion about your concerns. Find a convenient time, over coffee, to show goodwill.
Stay calm:
Avoid addressing the issue in the heat of the moment. Wait until you’ve cooled down to maintain a positive conversation.
Face-to-face: While a note might seem passive-aggressive, a one-on-one chat ensures clarity. If they won’t talk, a written note proves your attempt.
Neighbourly efforts
If neighbourly efforts fall short, By-Law infringements/ complaints, such as noise disturbance, should be reported to the KLM Call Centre on 042 200 2200 or to the WhatsApp reporting number on 081 760 9183. You can also contact the local LAW ENFORCEMENT Emergency Services (all-hours) at 042 291 0250 / 042 200 8330 / 042 291 0283, or if you live on an Estate, please make use of and call your estate security or guard house.
Contact SAPS
Should neither of the above be able to assist you, you should then contact SAPS at 042-200-1819. You have the legal right to file a complaint with the authorities. Law enforcement will investigate the noise issue, possibly issuing fines or taking legal action if needed.
Call Calibre Security management at our office at 042-294-0038 as a last resort. Please refrain from calling our control room, as their primary focus is on security-related issues. We’ll assist as much as we can, if possible.
In the spirit of the festive season, let’s remember that everyone is here to enjoy this beautiful town, and remember that many places and events have a license until 2 am during the festive period. Let’s try to be understanding towards those celebrating the end of the year with family and friends.
Read more: Calibre October Crime Report
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