by SFT | Jul 7, 2026 | St Francis
The sinkhole on the R102 has been repaired, bringing relief to residents, businesses and motorists who rely on the route.
Kouga Executive Mayor Hattingh Bornman thanked the municipal team for their determination and work in helping drive the matter forward. He also thanked the Provincial Department of Transport for responding to the municipality’s call and acting swiftly to repair the road.
The closure caused significant inconvenience for residents, businesses and road users while repairs were underway.
Mayor Hattingh Bornman said:
I understand the significant inconvenience this closure caused our residents, businesses, and everyone who relies on the R102. Thank you for your patience, understanding, and support while the repairs were underway.
A special word of thanks was also extended to the residents of Protea Street in Boskloof, where traffic had to be diverted during the closure. The increased traffic caused disruption in the neighbourhood, and residents were thanked for their patience and cooperation.
Bornman said it was encouraging to see different spheres of government working together to resolve challenges and restore critical infrastructure for communities.
Motorists using the R102 have been urged to travel safely.
by SFT | Jul 7, 2026 | St Francis
Papiesfontein (a large piece of state land just outside Jeffreys Bay) was intended to be its flagship project.
The Cacadu District Development Agency (CDDA) officially ceased operations on 30 June 2026 after the Sarah Baartman District Municipality (SBDM) Council resolved to dissolve the entity.
The agency, which operated for over two decades, was closed as part of the district municipality’s drive for financial sustainability and more efficient service delivery.
All ongoing projects managed by the CDDA are being transferred either to the Sarah Baartman District Municipality or to the relevant local municipalities to ensure minimal disruption.
The municipality has assured stakeholders, partners, and project beneficiaries that a smooth transition is being prioritised and that development initiatives will continue under direct municipal oversight.
High Hopes That Never Materialised
When the Cacadu District Development Agency was established, the development of Papiesfontein (a large piece of state land just outside Jeffreys Bay) was intended to be its flagship project.
The agency even maintained an office in Jeffreys Bay to drive this and other economic initiatives in the region.
However, the Papiesfontein project never took off. Over the years, it became plagued by prolonged delays, environmental controversies, and later on repeated illegal land invasions.
The site contains one of the last remaining fragments of critically endangered Humansdorp Shale Renosterveld vegetation, which sparked strong opposition from conservation groups.
Critics, including the Democratic Alliance, repeatedly pointed to chronic financial mismanagement, poor operational performance, and a failure to deliver meaningful job creation or economic growth as key reasons for the agency’s struggles.
These issues ultimately led to the decision to dissolve the CDA.
The closure marks the end of an entity that was once expected to play a major role in unlocking economic potential across the Sarah Baartman District but instead became associated with unfulfilled promises and financial strain.
by SFT | Jul 7, 2026 | St Francis
By The Kromme Enviro-Trust
With the proposed Thyspunt Nuclear Power Station continuing to generate discussion throughout our community, Kromme Enviro Trust believes it is important to share information and perspectives that can help residents better understand the issues involved.
The Kouga Business Forum recently hosted energy analyst and journalist Chris Yelland for a presentation on South Africa’s energy future, including the role of renewable energy, the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), and the case for and against new nuclear power.
Yelland stressed that he was not there to tell people what to think, but rather to present his analysis and encourage informed discussion. For communities such as ours, where national energy policy intersects with local environmental concerns, this is an important conversation to have.
One of the key messages from the presentation was the growing importance of renewable energy in South Africa’s future electricity mix. According to the current IRP, most new generation capacity over the coming decades is expected to come from wind, solar and energy storage technologies. Even by 2042, nuclear power is projected to contribute only a small portion of the country’s overall electricity supply.
A particularly interesting concept discussed was what Yelland called “planning under uncertainty.” Energy planners cannot accurately predict future electricity demand, technology costs, economic growth, fuel prices or the pace of innovation. Rather than making decisions based on a single forecast, he argued that South Africa should favour options that remain sensible across a range of possible futures. In his view, flexibility is increasingly valuable in a rapidly changing energy landscape.
Yelland was careful to distinguish between safety and risk. He noted that nuclear power is one of the safest forms of electricity generation when measured by deaths per unit of energy produced, and that its carbon emissions are very low compared with fossil fuels. He acknowledged that while serious nuclear accidents are statistically rare, they can have significant financial and social consequences when they do occur. He therefore does not regard safety or environmental performance as the decisive arguments against nuclear energy.
Instead, his concerns centre on cost, timing and long-term financial risk. New nuclear power stations require lengthy regulatory processes and construction periods, meaning electricity from a new plant would likely only become available around 2040. He also argued that, when all costs are included, nuclear remains one of the most expensive electricity generation technologies available.
Another concern is what he described as “lock-in risk” this is around committing South Africa to a single technology, supplied by a single vendor and potentially linked to a single foreign partner for many decades. In a world where energy technologies are evolving rapidly, he questioned whether such long-term commitments offer sufficient flexibility.
For local communities, the discussion is particularly relevant. Yelland acknowledged that a project at Thyspunt could bring employment, infrastructure investment and economic activity. At the same time, he recognised concerns about the scale of development in an area known for its biodiversity and natural beauty, as well as the social pressures that accompany large construction projects.
While Kromme Enviro Trust and Chris Yelland may approach the Thyspunt debate from different perspectives, his presentation highlighted the importance of weighing all the evidence carefully. Decisions of this scale will shape both South Africa’s energy future and the future of communities such as ours for generations to come.
If you would like to learn more about the proposed Thyspunt Nuclear Power Station, understand the issues being debated, or become involved in protecting this unique part of our coastline, we encourage you to visit the Kromme Enviro Trust at stfranciskrommetrust.co.za or the Thyspunt Alliance at thyspunt.org. Together, we can help ensure that decisions affecting this remarkable coastline are informed, transparent and respectful of the environmental, cultural and natural heritage that makes our region so special.
To get in touch directly, please drop a message to us at nuclear@stfranciskrommetrust.co.za
by SFT | Jul 6, 2026 | St Francis
The annual and very popular Chokka Trail Run will be in its 10th year in 2026! To celebrate this milestone, we are including a multi-day race on Saturday 8 August and Sunday 9 August 2026 while the traditional ultra marathon, marathon, half marathon and 10km races will take place on the Sunday.
Further to this, the long weekend provides the perfect opportunity for a full Chokka Adventure Festival, hosted by the Cape St Francis Resort. The festival offers an exciting programme for both runners and non-runners and will include a market, food festival, after party, and activities such as whale watching, deep sea & chokka fishing, canal and river cruises.
The multi-day race is designed for runners wanting to experience the famous Sand River without doing the marathon or ultra. They can choose between the Experience (28km with 13km of dune field on Saturday and the usual 23km on Sunday) or the Lite (12km with a 4km of dune field on Saturday and the normal 10km on Sunday), all starting and finishing at the Dune Ridge Country House.
Sunday’s distances will all start and finish at the Cape St Francis Resort, with prize giving and the after party in aid of the Kromme Enviro Trust late afternoon.
Online entries
Entries are open from 20 January on EntryNinja.
Early bird entries are available till 1 May 2026 and registration at the venue might result in a penalty fee. Full details will be on EntryNinja.
Accommodation
Contact Anita Lennox on reservations@capestfrancisresort.co.za to book your stay of 3 nights but pay for 2 deal.
Beneficiary
The beneficiary of the Chokka Trail Run is the Beach Clean-up Project. The race is organized by St Francis Sport and hosted by the Cape St Francis Resort.
Contact
Esti Stewart 073 825 0835
Eric Stewart 082 394 7363
Barry Tonkin 082 602 2604
email chokkatrail@gmail.com
Order:
Chokka Experience: Day 1 plus 23km
Chokka Lite: Day 1 plus 10km
Chokka Trail Run:
10km
Half Marathon
Marathon
Ultra Marathon
by SFT | Jul 6, 2026 | St Francis
A successful charity golf day has translated into fresh funding for St Francis Hospice, with Woodlands Dairy presenting the proceeds of its 2026 fundraising event to the organisation.
The cheque was handed over by Woodlands Dairy CEO Helen McDougall, Marketing Executive Marisa Maccaferri (MBA) and CSI and Activations Manager Mandla Sylvester Charlie to Sister Ingrid Williams of St Francis Hospice.
Helping Hospice Continue Its Work
St Francis Hospice has provided palliative care across the Kouga and Nelson Mandela Bay region since 1984. The non-profit organisation supports people living with life-limiting illnesses while also assisting their families through home-based care, pain management, counselling and bereavement services.
Donations such as these help the hospice continue delivering care to patients both at home and within the communities it serves.
Community Support Makes A Difference
The annual Woodlands Dairy Golf Day has become one of the company’s regular community fundraising initiatives, generating financial support for local organisations through its Corporate Social Investment programme.
Woodlands Dairy thanked everyone who contributed to making this year’s event a success.
“Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this fundraising initiative a success. Together, we’re making a meaningful difference in the lives of those who need it most,” the company said.
The latest contribution will help St Francis Hospice continue providing specialised care, practical support and comfort to patients and families across the region, while highlighting the role community partnerships play in sustaining essential local services.
Read more:
R26.5M road upgrade project underway in Greater St Francis Area to improve key road infrastructure in St Francis Bay, Cape St Francis and Oyster Bay.
by SFT | Jul 5, 2026 | Financial Planning, St Francis
Every so often someone tells me, quite proudly, that they don’t really need a financial planner. They’ve done well on their own, they say, and they’d rather not pay for advice they might not use. I always understand where this comes from. A few people genuinely can manage on their own. But in over thirty years of doing this work, I’ve seen far more often that the “DIY” route ends up costing people far more than any advice fee ever would.
Three recent conversations illustrate this beautifully.
The first was with a retired accountant who told me, with some satisfaction, that he hadn’t paid tax in seven years. He’d lived off cash and unit trusts, flipping the odd property along the way. It sounded clever – until we looked closer. All that was left was a preservation fund, and now he has no choice but to pay a hefty upfront tax on any lump sum, or over 35% tax on the income he needs to maintain his lifestyle. Avoiding tax for seven years has landed him with a far bigger bill today.
The second was a lady who sold part of her business for more money than she could ever spend. Nervous about markets, and convinced a crash was coming, she has sat in cash for three years. Every year the interest has triggered a large tax bill, while the market she avoided has grown by roughly 50%. She has, in real terms, saved herself poorer.
The third was an English gentleman who fell in love with St Francis Bay, made it his home, and became a South African taxpayer as a result. We discussed moving his investments into a proper tax-efficient wrapper – one that would also solve several estate planning headaches. He chose to go it alone instead. The result: a capital gains tax bill of around R6 million on his roughly R100 million portfolio. Had he restructured, that cost would look trivial next to the tax he’ll save over the rest of his life.
None of these were foolish people. Quite the opposite – each was capable, successful, and confident. That’s often exactly the trap. Confidence in one area of life doesn’t always translate into expertise in tax and estate planning.
Good advice rarely feels dramatic in the moment. But as these three stories show, its absence certainly can be.
—
Dirk Groeneveld, Certified Financial Planner
t. 083 261 9287
e. dirk@clientcare.co.za
An Investment Portfolio Without a Plan is Meaningless
Five Dangers Of DIY Financial Planning
Finding The Delicate Balance In Giving
Dead Money, Living Money
—
Disclaimer:
This article is for information purposes only and does not constitute financial advice in any way or form. It is important to consult a financial planner to receive financial advice before acting on any information contained herein. Client Care and PWM and its directors, officers, and employees shall not be responsible and disclaim all liability for any loss, damage (whether direct, indirect, special or consequential) and/or expense of any nature whatsoever, which may be suffered as a result of, or which may be attributable, directly or indirectly, to the use of, or reliance upon any information contained in this article.
by SFT | Jul 5, 2026 | St Francis, Surf Editorial
An old surfboard or wetsuit could help a local child discover a lifelong passion for the ocean.
From 2 to 31 July, the Rotary Club of St Francis is collecting second-hand surfboards, bodyboards and wetsuits to support the Wave Point Foundation’s surfing and mentoring programme for children from Sea Vista. Equipment of all sizes is welcome, with children’s boards and wetsuits particularly needed.
Every Wednesday afternoon, the children head to Main Beach, where they learn to surf under the guidance of experienced volunteers. Alongside surfing, the programme provides mentoring, encouragement and homework support, creating a positive environment where young people can build confidence, discipline and valuable life skills.
Rather than leaving unused equipment in the garage, local surfers can give it a new purpose by helping another generation experience the ocean.
Supporting the Next Generation of Surfers
Access to suitable equipment remains one of the biggest challenges for the programme. Every donated board, bodyboard or wetsuit makes it easier for another child to take part and continue progressing in the water.
The initiative relies on the generosity of the St Francis community and reflects the area’s long-standing connection with surfing. By extending the life of pre-loved equipment, local residents can make a meaningful contribution while supporting young surfers who might not otherwise have the opportunity.
Where to Drop Off Donations
Donations can be delivered throughout July at the following collection points:
- Pam Golding office, Lyme Road North
- Seal Point Estates, Cape St Francis
- River Club, Oyster Bay Road
For more information, or to arrange a donation, contact the Rotary Club of St Francis at contact@rotarystfrancisbay.org.
An old board may have finished its journey with you, but for a young surfer in Sea Vista, it could be the start of something special.
—
Read More: R26.5m road upgrade project underway in Greater St Francis Area
by SFT | Jul 5, 2026 | Photo Of The Day, St Francis
Abstract View Of Sand Dunes with intricate ripples and shadows – photo of the day by Rudi Haberli
More photos here
More sand dunes here
by SFT | Jul 5, 2026 | St Francis, Surf Editorial
The countdown to the first Wavepool Surf Tour event is underway, with registrations now open for the inaugural Alaïa Surf Challenge at Alaïa Bay in Switzerland.
Taking place from 1 August to 25 October 2026, the Alaïa Surf Challenge is the opening event of the 2026/27 Wavepool Surf Tour season and the first opportunity for surfers to earn regional ratings points and direct qualification to the inaugural Wavepool World Finals.
With a month remaining before the competition window opens, athletes are encouraged to register now, create their athlete profiles and explore the event information available at WavepoolSurfTour.com.
“We’re excited to welcome our first athletes,” said Wavepool Surf Tour founder Mark Fessler.
Registration
“The next few weeks are all about getting registered, learning how the event works and preparing for the opening of the season. We’ve built the platform to make competing as straightforward as possible, and we can’t wait to see the first rides come through from Alaïa Bay.”
Located in Sion in the Swiss Alps, Alaïa Bay has become one of Europe’s premier wavepool destinations, attracting surfers from around the world with its high-performance waves and exceptional facilities.
The Alaïa Surf Challenge is open across multiple divisions, including Open, Junior, Masters, Longboard, Bodyboard and Adaptive surfing categories, offering competitive opportunities for surfers of all ages and abilities.
Once the event opens on 1 August, competitors will have until 25 October to complete their entries at Alaïa Bay before submitting their rides for judging. Scores will be awarded by the Wavepool Surf Tour’s international judging panel using the Triple C judging criteria of Commitment, Creativity and Control.
Qualification Pathway
The Alaïa Surf Challenge is the first step in this season’s qualification pathway. Winners in eligible divisions will secure direct qualification to the Wavepool World Finals, while competitors will also begin building valuable regional ratings points throughout the season.
Athletes interested in competing are encouraged to register early, complete their profiles and familiarise themselves with the event information well before the competition begins.
Full details, registration, divisions, FAQs and event information are available atwww.wavepoolsurftour.com.
Event Summary
Event: Alaïa Surf Challenge
Venue: Alaïa Bay, Sion, Switzerland
Competition Window: 1 August – 25 October 2026
Registration: Now Open
Entries Close: 25 October 2026
Website: www.wavepoolsurftour.com
by SFT | Jul 5, 2026 | St Francis
For over two decades, the Trans Baviaans has presented ultra-endurance mountain bikers with one of South Africa’s most rewarding challenges.
Recent Comments