Getting To Know Hantie V D Westhuizen, the St Francis Tourism Office Manager
When did you move to St Francis Bay, and how did it happen?
We moved to Cape St Francis from Cape Town in 2006. Barend was transferred to the Eastern Cape, and we used that as our opportunity to live here rather than PE. We fell in love with St Francis when holidaying here in 2000 and have been back every year since then until we moved here permanently. I always say that my St Francis journey started as a tourist – never thinking I would get involved with marketing our special area to potential visitors later in life. We moved back to Gauteng in 2012 but came back again in June 2014.
Do you have a family? Pets? Did they all move here with you? Tell us a little more.
I am married to Barend. Our kids now live in Gauteng, our daughter is married, and we have a beautiful granddaughter. We have 1 dog, Mishka – who is on retirement 😊
Where were you, and what were you doing before St Francis Bay?
I grew up in Mpumalanga and Gauteng, studied accounting, and worked in various accounting jobs after my articles. After we moved here in 2006, I joined the ladies at Die Hoekhuis in Humansdorp, opening a bead shop. Two years later, I took over the gift and coffee shop—all this was sold when we moved back to Gauteng in January 2012.
What made you decide on St Francis Bay?
We loved the small coastal village and didn’t want to raise our kids in a city after being in Kempton Park and Cape Town. Both kids went to schools in Humansdorp, as our home language is Afrikaans. That is how I got involved at Die Hoekhuis due to travelling to Humansdorp every day.
What is the best thing about St Francis Bay?
The people and the community—the nature around us, the open spaces we have, and the fresh sea air. There is just something special about St Francis and the ‘bubble’ we live in.
When did you join St Francis Tourism, and why did you initially join it?
I joined Tourism in November 2014. It started off as a part-time job (3 days per week), which suited me perfectly back then. As tourism has grown over the last 10 years, my responsibilities and time in the office have grown with it.
What is your current role within St Francis Tourism?
I am the office manager, and together with my assistant Maureen, I am responsible for everything related to tourism in the greater St. Francis area.
What is the mission statement for St Francis Tourism, and who are the members?
Our Mission Statement:
– To optimise and market the greater St Francis as a preferred tourism destination.
– To develop and promote a positive image and brand awareness of the greater St Francis by creating and facilitating publicity and special events or campaigns to attract visitors.
– To implement marketing programs in support of tourism and widen the scope of tourism interest and activities
-To co-operate and collaborate with all types of organisations, be it government or business, at local, regional, provincial or national levels to optimise available funding programs that assist in promoting the tourism attributes of the greater St Francis area.
-To establish a vigorous tourism culture in the greater St Francis community, ensure that the benefits of tourism flow to the local residents, and ensure that the objectives are understood and shared by all.
-To manage a St. Francis Tourism office and disseminate information, assistance, and education to visitors, residents, and members.
Our members consist of tourism and other businesses in the greater St. Francis area – businesses and people who share our vision and want to grow tourism in our area.
Are there any big plans upcoming for St Francis Tourism?
Our annual Calamari Festival this year will last nine days. We invited members and local organisations to get involved and host events during this time under the Calamari Festival umbrella.
We are declaring St Francis as the Calamari Capital of South Africa; we will launch a Calamari Route on the 21st of September, consisting of local restaurants and eateries where you will be able to enjoy a meal of locally caught chokka and activities that has something to do with Calamari / Chokka.
Any final words on St Francis Tourism for the residents of St Francis Bay?
I do believe that all businesses in the greater St Francis area benefit from tourism. Tourists come to St Francis, book accommodation, eat out at the restaurants, shop at the lovely local shops, visit the pharmacy, the butchery, etc. They often buy property here, and then they use the construction and building industry, interior design places, and cleaning companies … the list goes on.
We need support from all these businesses to market our area to the domestic and international markets and attract more visitors to St. Francis year-round, especially during the quiet (winter) months. There are opportunities, but we need the funds to take advantage of them all.
Also see: Getting To Know Frank Harpur from The Kouga Business Forum
Also see: SFPO on Facebook