A Growing Number of Property Owners Join the St Francis Property Owners Association
There is steady growth in membership that reflects a broader sense of engagement across St Francis Bay, as more property owners choose to take part in the work shaping the village.
Membership Drive
The SFPO continues to play an active role across service delivery, planning, environmental matters, and the Long Term Coastal Protection Scheme. There is real work happening, and it is gaining momentum. You can read more in the SFPO March Newsletter as well as in the recent Groyne Project Status Update Newsflash.
We are currently looking to grow our membership and bring more people into the fold. Many new residents have joined the community over the past few years and have yet to engage with the SFPO, while others have always meant to sign up, but it keeps slipping down the list.
The Kromme © Barry Culligan
This is a simple opportunity to get involved. No big commitment, just a small, practical way to be part of how the town moves forward. Annual voluntary membership costs R600, or R375 for pensioners.
For those who have already joined and renewed, thank you. Your support adds real weight and allows the Association to operate effectively and consistently.
If you have been meaning to join, this is a good moment to do it. A stronger membership base builds influence, strengthens representation, and helps keep progress moving across all areas of St Francis Bay.
If you’d like to know more, please read ‘Ten Excellent Reasons to Join the SFPO’.
If you are already convinced, please go ahead and pay your annual subscriptions here.
SFPO Association Contact:
Lyn Aitken – Administration Manager
Phone: 042 294 0594 Email: info@sfpo.co.za
Office Address: 9 Philippa Place, St Francis Bay.
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St Francis Property Owners Association Newsletter – December 2025. AGM’s, Groyne Construction Progress, and more.
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SFPO Association and NPC AGMs
Our AGMs are scheduled for December, and all members are encouraged to attend.
St Francis Property Owners Association AGM
Venue: St Francis Links
Date: Monday, 15 December
Time: 15:30 – 16:30
Form of Vote / Proxy
This Form of Vote / Proxy is for use by members of the SFPO Association and relates to the AGM of the SFPO Association that will take place at St Francis Links on Monday, 15 December 2025, from 15:30 to 16:30
Please find the form of vote/proxy on this link – Form of Vote/Proxy for SFPO Association
St Francis Property Owners Non-Profit Company AGM
Venue: St Francis Links
Date: Monday, 15 December Time: 17:00 – 18:30
All members of the St Francis Property Owners NPC are welcome to attend the Non-Profit Company AGM. If you are unable to make it, you may appoint a proxy to represent you.
Form Of Vote / Proxy This Form of Vote / Proxy is for use by members of the SFPO NPC and relates to the AGM of the SFPO NPC that will take place on Monday, 15 December 2025, at 17:00 at St Francis Links.
Please find the form of vote/proxy on this link – Form Of Vote/Proxy for NPC
Groyne Construction Progress
Groyne 6, the 1st Groyne to be constructed as per the groyne construction plan, is completed to 240 metres, and the round-head at the end of the groyne is also complete. However, the contractor is still busy laying rock on the groyne top, and the groyne remains a construction site. The contractors have indicated that this groyne will be finished by 10 December.
Work has commenced on Groyne 5, the 2nd Groyne to be constructed per the groyne construction plan. This groyne is already at 50 metres of the 200 metre construction plan. The entire area will remain a construction site until 10 December. The contractors, WBHO Construction, will go on leave on 11 December and return to the site on 7 January 2026.
During the holiday break, from 11 December to 6 January, the revetment road and beach access will be open to the public, but the groynes will remain closed for public access. The public is reminded that use of the revetment road and beach access is at their own risk, and the SFPO and/or the SFPO NPC shall not be responsible for any injury of any nature.
Jet ski users and fishing boats entering and exiting the mouth of the Kromme River are urged to exercise caution around the groynes, especially at night.
St Francis Tourism Christmas Lights Event
St Francis Tourism is hosting the Christmas Lights on the Canals event on 17 December at 17h30 at the Small Craft Harbour.
Christmas Lights on the Canals takes place on 17 December at 17h30, and St Francis Tourism would love canal homeowners to help create a magical festive route for everyone to enjoy. If you’re able, please light up your home or canal frontage with Christmas lights or simple festive decorations.
Every contribution enhances the experience for families and visitors making their way through the canals by boat and from the harbour. Your participation plays a big part in keeping this a tradition our community can look forward to each year.
Kromme River Welcomes Holiday-Makers
The Kromme Joint River Committee welcomes all visitors and locals to the Kromme River and trusts that everyone will enjoy all that the River has to offer over the December/January festive period. As widely published and advertised, the Long Term Coastal Protection Scheme (LTCPS) has commenced and continues to make steady progress.
The first groyne at the Kromme River mouth will be completed before the start of the holiday season, while the second and third Groynes, as indicated in the official construction plan, are scheduled for completion next year.
Dredging and sand pumping will begin in December.
Since the commencement of the LTCPS, dredging has been allowed in two heavily silted areas of the River. The first area is known as the S-Bend or Drift, and the second is the area under the bridge on the R330 road.
However, due to ongoing silting in the River, it is essential to note that the navigable channels remain extremely narrow and shallow in places, especially at low tide. Special care must therefore be taken when cruising up or down the River.
The River Mouth and the exit to the sea are still changing, and care must be taken when exiting from Ski Canal to the River Mouth and sea, or when cruising down the River and exiting through the Mouth to the sea. There are strong currents present at and near the Mouth, and it is advisable not to engage in swimming activity in the Mouth and basin area.
Red and Green Buoys
The red and green buoys in the River and at the Mouth indicate the navigable channel, but they are only a guide for safe traversing of the River. It is important to note that when cruising upriver from the sea, the green buoys should be on the right-hand side of the craft.
Cruising down the River towards the sea, the red buoys should be on the right-hand side of the craft. The map below, which is handed out with every application for a River permit, shows the various travel zones on the River, and additional copies are available at the Harbour Office. The guidelines indicated on the map must be adhered to at all times.
It needs to be pointed out again that the Geelhout River is a conservancy area, and a “NO WAKE ZONE” is applicable on the entire length of this River. Jet boats are also not allowed to use this River or any part thereof.
Please adhere to the relevant signs in place. For the safety of all River users, it is necessary to implement specific changes again during the busy holiday season. The number of boats has increased, as has the number of kite surfers, windsurfers, foil surfers, and paddlers in the Mouth and basin area.
No Wake Zones
It has therefore been decided that the stretch of the River from the “pink house” on the hill on the Jeffreys Bay side of the Mouth all the way to Ski Canal will be a “NO WAKE ZONE” for all motorised craft. Similarly, from the end of Ski Canal to the “pink house”, a “NO WAKE ZONE” will also apply. Please strictly adhere to the signs in place on both sides.
Jet skis will not be allowed to enter the River past a sign in place indicating “NO JET SKIS BEYOND THIS POINT”. All jet skis must turn right immediately from the end of Ski Canal towards the sea, and a “NO WAKE ZONE” will apply from the end of Ski Canal to the Spit, whereafter speed may be increased.
Likewise, when jet skis return from the sea, the “NO WAKE ZONE” will apply from the end of the Spit to Ski Canal before turning left immediately into Ski Canal. Boats exiting or entering the Mouth will also have to obey this particular “NO WAKE ZONE”. Blue and Yellow buoys are placed in the Mouth and basin area to indicate a safe area for non-motorised activities, and motorised craft are not to enter these zones.
This area will be available for swimming and similar activities, with a beach where families can congregate with their children. Please obey the signs in place, and the map below shows the relevant “NO WAKE ZONES” applicable to motorised craft and jet skis, as well as the safe area for non-motorised activities and swimming.
The River Patrol Officers
River Patrol Officers will again be on duty during the holiday season, ensuring everyone can enjoy their well-deserved break safely and responsibly. All River users are requested to treat them with respect, as they are there for your own safety and to assist when needed.
Please note that the River Patrol Officers have the right, under the relevant Municipal Bye-Laws, to issue warnings and/or fines, and that the fines will include a date to appear in Court if the fine is not paid by the due date.
River users are also requested to please refrain from playing loud music and making unnecessary noise, as this is causing a disturbance to homeowners along the River.
NB: Please remember the following:
- The skipper’s licence must be available on the craft at all times.
- A copy of the COF must be available on the craft at all times.
- Skiing and tubing may only take place within the demarcated Ski Zone area.
- Tubing in particular may only take place in a straight line.
- Cautionary signs on the River must be taken note of and adhered to, whilst speeding in these areas must be avoided.
- “Scurfing” is not allowed on the River as this causes severe erosion of the River banks.
- Refrain from unruly behaviour and/or disturbance.
- Jet skis are not allowed on the River and have to exit from Ski Canal directly to the sea.
- Jetskis are not allowed to go beyond the sign at the end of the Spit.
The above are just some of the bye-laws and rules applicable for use of the River and are in place to ensure the safety of River users for maximum enjoyment and holiday fun. We wish everyone a happy and blessed festive season and a prosperous 2026.
Membership Renewals
It’s also a good time to renew your SFPO membership for the 2025–26 year. Annual voluntary membership costs R600, or R375 for pensioners. You can renew online via Payfast at stfrancispropertyowners.com/membership
Your support helps fund projects such as the Long-Term Coast Protection Scheme, kerbstone signage, walkways, and other coastal protection initiatives that keep St Francis Bay moving forward.
SFPO Association Contact:
Lyn Aitken – Administration Manager
Phone: 042 294 0594 Email: info@sfpo.co.za Office Address: 9 Philippa Place, St Francis Bay.
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Newsflash From St Francis Property Owners NPC (SRA) – Updates On The Groyne Construction Process.
Groyne 5 in the foreground, Groyne 6 in the distance, new beach in-between © Richard Arderne
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Groyne 6, the 1st Groyne to be constructed as per the groyne construction plan, is completed to 240 metres, and the round-head at the end of the groyne is also complete. However, the contractor is still busy laying rock on the groyne top, and the groyne remains a construction site.
The contractors have indicated that this groyne will be finished by 10 December. Work has commenced on Groyne 5, the 2nd Groyne to be constructed per the groyne construction plan. This groyne is already at 50 metres of the 200-metre construction plan.
The entire area will remain a construction site until 10 December. The contractors, WBHO Construction, will go on leave on 11 December and return to the site on 7 January 2026.
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Stay Informed
Further details, updates, and progress reports can be found on the St Francis Property Owners Association website —
SFPO NPC Contact:
Lyn Aitken – Administration Manager Phone: 042 294 0594 Email: info@sfpo.co.za Office Address: 9 Philippa Place, St Francis Bay
Newsletter
Sign up for SFPO newsletters from this page. —
Social Media
Find us on Facebook Find us on Instagram
Further Reading:
New Champions and Record Wins Highlight 2025 Street Lines Skate Tournament
The 2025 Street Lines Skate Tournament turned Pretoria’s legendary Thrashers Skatepark into the heart of African skateboarding this past weekend, as over 80 of the continent’s top athletes went head-to-head in the Junior, Women’s, and Men’s divisions. Presented by LW Mag and Dragon Energy Drink, in association with Converse Cons, Garmin, Monster Products, Dickies, and Insta360, the event delivered an action-packed showcase of style and skill.
Fans witnessed Kimberley’s Boipelo Awuah cement her dominance with a record-breaking fifth consecutive win in the Women’s division, while Cape Town’s Marci Rodrigues clinched his first-ever Street Lines podium with an overall victory in the Men’s division.
Marci Rodrigues © Grant McLachlan
Street Lines has cemented its reputation as one of South Africa’s biggest skateboarding contests, raising the bar year after year – and 2025 was no exception. The country’s top skaters battled it out in the qualifying rounds, pushing their limits to secure their spot in the finals, and to compete for their share of the R60 000.00 prize purse, and Garmin Instinct 3 Smartwatches.
In the qualifying rounds, each skater was given two 45-second runs, with their best run counting toward the leaderboard. The finals format raised the intensity, combining two 45-second runs with four Best Trick attempts, where a skater’s highest-scoring run and top two tricks determined their overall score. Judges took consistency, difficulty, style, and use of park into account when narrowing the field to the 8 Women and 16 Men who advanced to the finals.
This year saw the introduction of the Junior Division, providing young, up-and-coming skaters with the opportunity to experience and compete in a professionally run contest. This addition further strengthened Street Lines’ core mission of developing and growing the sport in the country.
The Division delivered an exciting contest, with Sereno Khunyani emerging victorious in a tight contest, followed closely by Omphile Mashila in 2nd place and Ayanda Ndlovu securing 3rd.
The Women’s Division featured its largest entry to date, with 23 skaters competing in what became the closest and most competitive battle in the division’s history, also highlighting the significant growth and development of women’s skateboarding in South Africa, as athletes pushed their skills and style to new levels.
It was a close battle for 3rd place between Ashley Gindre (Johannesburg) and Sofia Neubold (Cape Town). Gindre stepped up her game this year, starting her runs by dropping in from the big Wall to Bank and including tricks like a Mellon Grab over the fun box, Boardslide to Fakie, 180 Transfer Mellon Grab and a Mellon Early Grab.
Neubold, making her Street Lines debut, impressed the judges with a series of tricks, including a big Ollie on the fun box, a Fakie 360 Cab on the pyramid hip, Backside Boardslide to Fakie on the ground rail, Backside 180 on the pyramid hip and Fakie Boardslide on the slappy to edge out Gindre for 3rd place.
Sofia Neubold © Grant Mclachlan
No stranger to Street Lines, Thabiso Mashiyakgomo (Johannesburg) delivered her best performance to date. Good use-of-park and a trick list that included a Backside Boardslide on the A-Frame rail, Backside Boardslide to Fakie and a Frontside Boardslide on the ground rail, a 50-50 on the box, and a big 180 Ollie on the quarter pipe secured her the 2nd place finish.
It wasn’t an easy ride for Boipelo Awuah (Kimberley) at this year’s tournament, but her technicality carried her to a fifth Street Lines victory, keeping her undefeated. Her standout tricks included a Boardslide on the pyramid down rail, Noseslide on the floor box, Switch Boardslide on the ground rail, Switch Backside Boardslide on the A-Frame rail and a Backside Feeble on the A-Frame rail, cementing her dominance in the Women’s Division.
The premier Men’s Division proved to be the most hotly contested to date, as the 16 qualified skaters pushed their limits, vying for podium positions and keeping the judges on their toes throughout the competition. The podium would see a clean sweep from the Cape Town competitors.
Ethan Cairns (Cape Town), a familiar name on the Street Lines podium, secured yet another spot by taking home 3rd place. His trick list includes a Noseblunt on the pyramid rail, Backside Lipslide on the pyramid down rail, a 50 Grind, Backside Smith and 270 Lisplide on the A-Frame rail, Hurricane on the pyramid down rail, and a transfer over the pyramid to Lipslide down the flatbar rail.
An on form Ashton Banwell (Cape Town) delivered a stacked run that include a Backside Lipslide on the pyramid down rail, Fakie 360 over the pyramid hip, Backside 50-50 and Backside Bluntslide on the ground rail, 180 Nosegrind and Tailslide Flip out to fakie on the floor box, Bluntslide on the hubba rail and a Frontside 180 Nosegrind on the hubba box to claim 2nd place.
Ashton Bramwell © Grant Mclachlan
Marci Rodrigues (Cape Town) put it all together in a standout performance, impressing the judges with his Kickflip Backside Lipslide on the pyramid flatbar, a Backside Flip over the pyramid, Kickflip Backside Tailslide in pyramid flatbar and a Kickflip Frontside Bluntslide on A-Fame rail to secure his first-ever Street Lines victory.
The day concluded with the Insat360 Best Trick contest, where a host of competing skaters participated in a jam session down the stair set, featuring rails and hubbas. The competition came down to Brian Hartlell’s Hardflip to Lateflip and Ashton Banwell’s Fakie Half Cab Nosegrind Bigspin Heelflip Out – with Banwell taking the win and walking away with an Insta360 X4 360º action camera.
“Street Lines 2025 has once again proven why it’s the premier skateboarding event in South Africa,” said Ryan van der Spuy, organiser of Street Lines.
“We witnessed incredible talent across all divisions, from the juniors making their mark to seasoned pros pushing the limits. Seeing athletes like Boipelo Awuah remain undefeated and Marci Rodrigues claim his first win is inspiring, and it’s a testament to the growth of skateboarding in our country. We’re proud to provide a platform for both emerging and established skaters to showcase their passion and take South African skateboarding to the next level.”
2025 Street Lines Skate Tournament Results
Juniors
1st Sereno Kunyani – 188 Points
2nd Omphile Mashila – 184
3rd Ayanda Ndlovu – 179
4th Mahau Mothisi – 178
5th Thendo Masinga – 161
6th Molemo Botho – 159
7th Luyanda Vukapi – 156
8th Ronewa Mudau – 138
9th Kamogelo Mokhelo – 115
10th Xian du Preez – 113
11th David Motala – 105
12th Mateyo du Preez – 86
Women
1st Biopelo Awuah – 330 Points
2nd Thabiso Mashiyakgomo – 292
3rd Sofia Neubold – 269
4th Ashley Gindre – 262
5th Karina Naldrett – 188
6th Mmabatho Kekana – 148
7th Daniele Pan – 128
8th Rebecca Wyborn – 26
Men
1st Marci Rodriques – Points 596
2nd Ashton Banwell – 578
3rd Ethan Cairns – 574
4th Brad Ballie – 561
5th Jean-Marc Johannes – 548
6th Puddy Zwennis – 541
7th Siye Matshalilange – 520
8th Thalente Biyela – 520
9th Saeed Waggie – 518
10th Byron Rhoda – 461
11th Sheldon Els – 427
12th Matt Cilliers – 370
13th Calvin Kotze – 332
14th Terrence Khumalo – 331
15th Blue Nkomonde – 239
16th Chris Nderitu – 62
Best Trick:
Ashton Banwell – Fakie Half Cab Nosegrind Bigspin Heelflip Out
#StreetLines
Images available for media
Distributed by Truth Collective
e. craig@truthcollective.co.za
Newsflash From St Francis Property Owners NPC (SRA) – Public Are Advised Of Safety Concerns At Laura Road Groyne Construction Site
2 September 2025
The St Francis Property Owners Association NPC (SRA) would like to advise the public to stay away from the Laura Road Construction Site. It is a working construction site, and the contractor and site manager have expressed concerns about public parking on the road, which sometimes hinders access for construction vehicles, as well as the dangers of members of the public walking onto the site.
The site features heavy machinery operating throughout the day, which poses a considerable risk to members of the public who inadvertently enter the construction site. So, please be advised to stay away from the Laura Road site as much as possible.
A perfect vantage point to witness the progress of the groyne construction is the expansive Anne Avenue car park. We suggest that members of the public use this location as a viewing spot.
Members of the public are also respectfully requested not to interrupt contractors or workers on site with questions about the project while construction is in progress, as their attention is required on the work at hand. All queries should instead be directed to Lyn Aitken at the SFPO, using the contact details provided below.
Stay Informed
Further details, updates, and progress reports can be found on the St Francis Property Owners Association website under the NEWS tab.
SFPO NPC Contact:
Lyn Aitken – Administration Manager Phone: 042 294 0594 Email: info@sfpo.co.za Office Address: 9 Philippa Place, St Francis Bay
Newsletter
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Further Reading:
Work Has Begun On The Groyne At The Bottom Of Laura Road
The Spit Is Officially Closed To Members Of The Public
Baseline Environmental Monitoring Underway for the LTCPS
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