January 2023
Hi, and welcome to the first SFPO Newsletter of 2023. It was a bumper season in St Francis, with the local Hospitality Industry, including ‘Food and Beverage’, ‘Accommodation’, ‘Travel and Tourism’ and ‘Entertainment and Recreation sectors, all experiencing good trading.
Santareme Phase One Cameras And Security Patrol. More Supporters Wanted.
Our pole and camera project operated over the season, and we had several successes with alerts due to strange behaviour that was followed up by Calibre Security. Our camera footage also facilitated follow-up on incidents and crime, which was very helpful. In addition, our dedicated patrol car from Calibre for the area operating from 6pm to 6am daily was a useful deterrent to criminals as the small area was regularly patrolled.
We are reaching out to those who could be additional supporters of our project by them signing up to pay R250 per month. This will enable us to add more strategically placed poles and cameras to further enhance our coverage.
This real community project has a positive effect on crime in the area, which no doubt will lead to safer, happier residents and hopefully improved property values. Please help us to add more supporters to our great group of present contributors.
David Harpur.
Santareme Phase One Camera and Security Program
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St Francis Bay 2023 Event Planner
Please diarise the following events that will be held in St Francis during this year:
DP World/Sunshine Tour event – The Links 13-19 March
Wine on Water 24 – 25 Feb
Cape St Francis Amanzi Challenge – date to be confirmed
PW Harvey SA Canoe Marathon Championship 15 – 18 June
Calamari Festival September 2023
Rip Curl GromSearch September/October 2023
Concours Sur Mesure Oct 2023.
Adventure Racing World Series (ARWS) October 2023
SA PGA Championship November 2023
Billy’s Beach December 2023
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Delivery Of Municipal Accounts
Due to problems with postal delivery and the closure of many post offices, the Municipality is no longer posting its accounts. Therefore, to ensure that you receive your monthly accounts timeously, please ensure that the Municipality has your correct email address.
Please request delivery by email to Mandy Jantjies in the St Francis Municipal office at mjantjies@kouga.gov.za
Account holders are strongly advised to use the following email addresses to ensure a quick turnaround time.
*Opening of Municipal Account
*Account Information Amendment
*Refunds
*Water Account
*Electricity Account
*Proof of Payment
*Monthly meter readings with a clear picture of
the meter
*Outstanding Balance
*Payment Arrangements
*Property Valuations
*Supplementing Valuations
*Objections
*Appeals
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Charity Work
while there is always much noise around the events (and noise complaints), it must be noted that many events are for charity or contribute to local charities.
Billy’s Beach R150k to charity
Flash Float R250k to charity
Wine On Water – all proceeds go to charity as it is a Rotary event.
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Beach Patrollers’ Duty On Main Beach
The St Francis Property Owners Association sponsored the Beach Patrol on Main Beach for the peak holiday season. These patrols were initiated in reaction to reports of theft, harassment and anti-social behaviour on Main Beach. The SFPO Association arranged with GAD Security Services, a Sea Vista-based security company, for two patrol guards to watch over beachgoers and their property. A big thank you to guards Yonela Mtshilita and Abongile Dokolwana, whose presence on the beach improved beachgoers’ experience and supported the critical role of the Municipal Life Guards.
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Rain Outlook For St Francis with The Weather Guru
The seasonal forecast until the end of May is above-normal rainfall for most of the region.
There is no clear signal for the coastal belt and adjacent interior between St Francis and Alexandria. In other words, the forecast cannot find any confidence in an above or below-rainfall forecast.
Be that as it may, we are not concerned about garden wetting or tank filling rain. Instead, we are looking for dam-filling rain. To receive this, we need 50 mm and more in 24 hours over most of the Langkloof, with a follow-up rain shortly after.
This will fill pools and streams and get runoff started with the follow-up rain maintaining the flow into the dams. Failing that, we need a flood of Biblical proportions in the Langkloof catchment.
In other words, it is not the total rain that falls but HOW it falls.
The reason for our water crisis is that we have not received this as regularly as normal since 2015. So instead, we rely on the Cut Off Low combined with other phenomena to give these 50 mm events.
Unfortunately, they generally occur between March and November and are more prevalent during winter – Garth Sampson, The Weather Guru.