Why small political parties put the same candidate on the ballot in all 15 Overstrand wards

HERMANUS  — As municipal election campaigns heat up across the Overstrand, voters inspecting candidate lists will notice an exceptionally crowded ballot—with between 15 and 18 candidates contesting each of the 15 wards. Among those long lists of names, attentive readers often spot a confusing detail: Why is the exact same political candidate running as the... Read more

Understanding Your Three Ballots

When voters step into the polling booth, they receive three distinct ballot papers. Each ballot serves a unique purpose in determining who manages local neighborhoods, town municipal operations, and regional services across the Overberg. 1. The Ward Ballot What It Decides: Your immediate neighborhood representative on the Overstrand Municipal Council. How It Works: This is... Read more

Final PR candidate list for the Overstrand

African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) Rugene Minessa Dees Elisma Deidrè Grobbelaar Diago Eugene Fisher Sanele Maduli Janie Josephine October-Mars Solomon Ahrends African National Congress (ANC) Constancy Connie Tafu-Nwonkwo Roland Theo Olivier Nomfezeko Mpangele Griffon Scott Damon Zama Makhundayi Sbongiseni Ntamo Amanda Mpongoshe African Transformation Movement (ATM) Dorah Siduka Shiela Cotoyi Songile Hoya Noluyolo Mfezi Njabulo... Read more

Final ward candidate list for Overstrand

ACC – Alliance of Citizens for Change ACDP – African Christian Democratic Party AMM – Afrika Mayibuye Movement ANC – African National Congress ATM – African Transformation Movement CIP / KOP – Cape Independence Party / Kaapse Onafhanklikheids Party DA – Democratic Alliance EFF – Economic Freedom Fighters ICA – Independent Candidates Alliance LP –... Read more

Green light for new Hermanus Conference Centre

Gerard Grobler HERMANUS — The Overstrand Council has given in-principle approval to kick off a competitive tender for a brand-new, modern conference facility right in the heart of Hermanus, next to the current municipal auditorium. The best news for locals? The entire project will be funded, built, and managed by private investment, taking zero cash... Read more

Overstrand executive salaries: Progress, but wage bill keeps rising

Gerard Grobler HERMANUS – Senior management remuneration was back under the spotlight at yesterday’s special council meeting in Hermanus, following the tabling of a confidential item detailing new national salary caps published in Government Gazette No. 55150 (Notice No. 7774, dated 5 August 2026). While recent appointments signal a positive trend toward statutory compliance, the... Read more

“Our Yacht Club was stolen,” – Fisherhaven residents

Opinion by Gerard Grobler / Whalecoastreport FISHERHAVEN — More than 200 residents packed Saturday afternoon’s Democratic Alliance (DA) public meeting at the Fisherhaven Academy, with many in a fighting mood. The Overstrand Municipality’s controversial handling of the Fisherhaven Yacht Club tender has clearly driven a wedge between the local community and municipal leadership. The lease... Read more

The Battle for the townships, and how it affects us all

HERMANUS - While local headlines often spotlight suburban coastal enclaves, the political future of the Overstrand Municipality lies in its working-class and informal townships. Together, Zwelihle in Hermanus, Masakhane in Gansbaai, Over Hills in Kleinmond, and Die Kop / Thembelihle in Stanford represent nearly 40% of the municipality’s total population. These communities will in the... Read more