SANRAL’s recent announcement of road works on the N2 between Mossel Bay and Gouritsmond has prompted Mossel Bay Tourism to suggest that leisure travelers use one of the region’s scenic alternates.

In a statement released earlier this week, SANRAL (The South African National Roads Agency) announced that contractors have begun resealing the 25 kilometre-long section of the national road, and, depending on the weather, that this will continue until about the middle of May. Ancillary work could continue until mid June.

The statement said that motorists should expect up to three stop/go closures, and that these will operate around the clock. This is required in order to complete the project in the shortest possible time.

“Road works are always an unfortunate but necessary irritation, but they’re also usually a good excuse to find alternate scenic routes – especially if you’re on holiday,” said Mossel Bay Tourism’s Marcia Holm.
Mossel Bay Tourism, she said, recommends two possibilities: via Gouritsmond or via Herbertsdale.
“If you take the Herbertsdale route, you can stop off at Mossel Bay’s own wine estate – Jakkalsvlei – where you can taste nine different table and dessert wines (and you’ll be surprised at how many awards they’ve won between them!).

“If you take the Gouritsmond route, you’ll probably be rewarded with some fine bird sightings, since this area is noted for the presence of South Africa’s national bird: the blue crane.

“If you’re lucky, you might also find lanner falcons, black harriers, or secretary birds – and there are a number of good stands of water along this route, too, where you might see waterfowl like crakes, godwits, grebes, and terns,” said Ms. Holm.
For the Gouritsmond detour across the coastal plan: turn southwards off the N2 to Boggomsbaai / Vleesbaai (the junction is situated close to the south west boundary of the PetroSA refinery). Follow this road tothe junction with the R325; turn right and drive northward to rejoin the N2 near Albertinia.

For the Herbertsdale detour: turn northwards off the N2 at the Mossdustria / Herbertsdale sign (east of the refinery), and drive along the R327 to Herbertsdale. At Herbertsdale, turn left and cross the river to follow the tar road westwards to Albertinia. This route winds through the foothills of the Outeniqua Mountains.

Both suggested detours boast tarred roads which are are generally in good condition.
“Both routes come back to the N2 near the Garden Route Game Lodge – and you should stop there, too: either for a meal or drinks in the restaurant, or for a game drive, or so that the kids can wander through the Skull Garden,” said Ms. Holm.
“But whatever route you chose, we trust you’ll slow down, drive safely, and savour the amazing countryside that surrounds Mossel Bay.” •

The Executive Mayor of Mossel Bay, Alderlady Marie Ferreira, tabled a total draft budget of R904,4 million for the 2014/2015 financial year at the Council meeting on 27 March 2014. This represents an increase of 2,4% over the revised total budget of R883,5 million for the current financial year.

The total 2014/2015 budget is comprised of a capital budget of R123,2 million and an operational budget of R781,2 million. The operational budget includes departmental and non-cash transactions in the amount of R95,5 million. If this amount is subtracted the operational cash budget for 2014/2015 amounts to R685,7 million.

The Mayor announced that, with the exception of electricity tariffs, the proposed increase for services rendered by the Municipality as well as property rates is 6% across the board. The proposed electricity tariff increase is 7,39%, which is in line with the guideline increase for municipalities for the 2014/2015 financial year as approved by the National Electricity Regulator of South Africa (NERSA).

The plight of the poor has again received attention and it is proposed that the monthly subsidy for households registered as indigent or poor is increased from R381,88, plus VAT, per month to R404,79, plus VAT per month. Indigent households will continue to receive 50 kWh of free electricity per month. As in the present financial year they will also not pay for sewerage and refuse services and do not pay property rates on the first R50 000 valuation of their properties.

All households, including indigent and poor households, will continue to receive 6 kl of water and 20 kWh electricity free per month.

The total monthly income limit of a husband and wife at which pensioners will become eligible for a discount of 50% on their property rates is increased from R9 000 to R11 000 per month. The limit to qualify for a discount of 30% is increased from R12 000 to R14 000 for the 2014/2015 financial year.
Improved benefits are also proposed for pensioners as far as sewerage services are concerned. The 40% discount for the current financial year is increased to 50% and the monthly income limit to qualify for this is increased from R9 000 per month to R11 000 per month. The monthly income limit for pensioners to qualify for a discount of 30% is increased from R12 000 to R14 000.

The Municipality will again be dependent mainly on service charges to balance the operational revenue budget of R 685,7 million, after the exclusion of capital transfers and other non-cash and departmental income to the value of R 121,3 million.

Excluding departmental and other internal charges, the main contributors are the following:

– Electricity charges R 283,3 million.
– Water charges R 81,3 million.
– Sewerage charges R 34,5 million.
– Refuse removal charges R 30,6 million.
– Other R 29 million.

The main categories of expenditure from the cash budget for 2014/2015 will be the following:

– Employee-related costs of R 201,7 million, which at 29,4% of the cash budget is marginally below the national norm of 30%.
– Bulk purchases of R 223,7 million, or 32,6% of the cash budget.
– Other general expenses of R 98,1 million, or 14,3% of the budget. This category includes an amount of R 28,2 million in respect of housing top-structures, which is derived from Provincial Human Settlements Funding.

The 2014/2015 Capital Budget will be financed mainly from internal funding sources, ie the Capital Replacement Reserve, in the amount of R77,6 million, R19,8 million in Municipal Infrastructure Grants, ie MIG funding, and R13 million in Human Settlement Funding.

The major allocations in the Capital Budget are as follows:

– Streets and Stormwater R 35,4 million.
– Electricity Services R 24,4 million.
– Sewerage Services R 17,9 million.
– Water Services R 17,5 million.
– Human Settlements R 13 million.

The draft budget, together with the draft revised Integrated Development Plan that was tabled at the same meeting is now available for public inspection and comment at the municipal offices and libraries in Mossel Bay, D’Almeida, Hartenbos, Herbertsdale, Great Brak River, KwaNonqaba and Friemersheim as well as on the Municipality’s website at www.mosselbay.gov.za.

Comments or representations must be in writing and addressed to the Municipal Manager, Mossel Bay Municipality, Private Bag X29, Mossel Bay 6500. It can also be e-mailed to admin@mosselbay.co.za or faxed to (044) 606-5062. The deadline for comment and representations is 12:00 on Friday, 2 May 2014. •

As organisers crunch the numbers, it’s clear that the 37th Buffalo Rally was one of the best ever – which bodes well for its future in Mossel Bay.
The Rally took place on the Human Rights Day weekend (21 – 23 March), and, said organiser and Nomads Motorcycle Club chairman Luderick Jacoby, attendance was up by about 7.5% on 2013.
“This is exciting because numbers are declining at many rallies around the country,” he said.
“We think the Buff has been doing well over the past few years for a number of reasons – especially because of the support we get from the Municipality of Mossel Bay, and because Mossel Bay is a great destination for an event like ours.”

Despite sensationalised – and erroneous – headlines published by some media outlets, all indicators point to a return to Mossel Bay in 2015. The Municipality released a statement on Tuesday stating that it is “eager to renew the contract with the Nomads Motorcycle Club for staging the annual Buffalo Rally in Mossel Bay for another three years.”

The statement made it clear that the parties have concluded their negotiations, and that, in order to comply with prescribed municipal procedure, the contract needs only to be ratified at a full meeting of the Council. The matter has been placed on the agenda for the 24th of April.
Mr. Jacoby said that good weather played an important part in the success of this year’s rally – and that members of the public of Mossel Bay turned out in huge numbers to support the Concours d’ Elegance, the Mass Ride, and the free trick riding displays which were presented by the Le Riche Brothers and the Christian Motorcycle Association at the Garden Route Casino.
He said that the decision to hold the Concours at the Eden Plaza was a good one. “The weather helped again, but this year’s event drew bigger crowds, too, and more bikes than last year – and the bikes on display were also of a higher calibre.”

GOOD CAUSE
The local Round Table uses the Buffalo Rally as its main fund raiser of the year by organising and managing the beer tents in the rally grounds.
“We’re still working on the figures, but our turnover was definitely better than last year – probably by about 12%,” said Round Table coordinator Wouter Swart.
He attributed this to larger crowds, and to the Table’s arrangement with a new liquor supplier, which allowed it to reduce the cost of drinks – which increased volumes.
Mr. Swart said that the proceeds will be allocated to the club’s various accounts – but that 100% of the nett profit will be used for the upliftment of the community of Mossel Bay.
“Some of it will be used to respond to request from people in need – which we receive on a regular basis – some of it will be donated to the NSRI, and some of it will be used to fund our continuing commitment to the Khanyisa Daycare Centre in KwaNonqaba,” he said. (The buildings at the Centre were financed equally by the Round Tables of Mossel Bay and Zeeuwsch Vlaanderen in the Netherlands: Mossel Bay’s contribution came largely from funds raised at The Buff.)
Both Mr. Jacoby and Mr. Swart thanked everyone who helped with this year’s Rally.
Mr. Swart said that the Round Table worked with a smaller team than last year – the group of volunteers who ran the beer tents included members of the NSRI – and he thanked the NSRI, and also sponsors Mikeva Hyper Cash and Carry Steyns Mica, Viking Fishing, Ace Waste, Havenga Electical, VE Reticulation and Rent-A-Container.
Mr. Jacoby paid special tribute to the Municipality and the South African Police Services.
“All the officials and all the people we’ve dealt with in Mossel Bay went out of their way as they always do, and we’re very grateful for everyone’s contributions,” he said.
Mossel Bay Tourism’s Marcia Holm said that The Buff provides a welcome boost for the local economy – and that the tourism industry expects long-term benefits from seeing the riders in the town.
“Mossel Bay was alive with a very positive energy all weekend, and the riders noticed it.
“Clearly they love Mossel Bay – and many of them told us that they’ll be back: either for next year’s Buff, or for getaways or extended holidays with their families.”

Results of the Rally’s competitions – including prizes for the best represented club and lucky draws – will be posted to the Nomads site: www.nomads.org.za. •Tourism

The Wilderness Resort Hotel – one of the Garden Route’s oldest hotels – has reopened for business after a hiatus of nearly four years.

A company represented by Mossel Bay businessman and hotelier Albert Wiffen has bought the majority shareholding in the business, which began trading again on the 30th of March. The property was previously known as the Karos Wilderness Resort & Spa.

“The Wilderness Hotel has a grand tradition as a honeymoon destination and a family hotel, and it’s still got the old-fashioned charm that made it so popular for so many years,” said Mr. Wiffen.

“But it’s also a modern hotel with all the facilities you need – many of which were upgraded for the Japanese team, which used the hotel during the 2010 FIFA World Cup.”

The 158-bedroom property boasts a large restaurant, two swimming pools , a bowling green, a spa, two tennis courts, and a squash court – as well as a selection of banqueting halls and conference rooms (the largest of which can accommodate up to 300 delegates). The hotel is situated across the road from the historic, thatched Wilderness Anglican Church, which has a long history as a popular wedding venue.

Mr. Wiffen has taken on the role of CEO, while Leon de Kock has been appointed general manager, and Rudolf Kritzinger deputy-GM of the hotel.

“The Wilderness Hotel is situated almost in the very centre of the Garden Route – it’s about 45 minute’s drive to both Mossel Bay and Knysna, and a little less than an hour to Oudtshoorn in the Klein Karoo, so it’s perfectly placed for families who want to explore the area, and also for sports teams and businesspeople,” said Mr. Wiffin.

He said that the Southern Cape itself is the greatest attraction for the hotel.
“The Garden Route and Klein Karoo region is a Mecca for sport and adventures, and George – which is only about 10 minute’s drive from our front door – is one of the fastest growing cities in South Africa.

“The Wilderness is also situated on the western side of the Garden Route National Park – which stretches all the way to the Tsitsikamma – and it boasts some of the Park’s finest attractions, including some of its most popular short walks and trails.

“This makes it a must-see for a number of niche markets – like birders, for example.

“It would be difficult to find any village anywhere that offers the range of habitats that Wilderness does: with its beaches, wetlands, forests, grasslands and rivers, the bird list for the area contains at least 300 species, and you’re almost guaranteed some fantastic sightings of kingfishers, Knysna loeries, narina trogons, fish eagles, and many, many others.

“For mountain bikers, we’ve got the back roads in Wilderness, the Seven Passes Road from George to Knysna, and the fantastic trails just along the N2 at Knysna and Plett to explore – and there are many other interesting, scenic, and sometimes challenging routes in the area.

“And for golfers, of course, The Wilderness Hotel is central to more than a dozen of the country’s top courses – including Pinnacle Point in Mossel Bay, Oubaai and Fancourt in George, Simola and Pezula in Knysna, and Goose Valley in Plett.”

Mr. Wiffen said that the Wilderness Hotel is expected to appeal to a wide variety of guests.

“We plan to market it as an affordable but up-market destination, and as such we’re offering free accommodation to children under 10 years of age, and 50% discounts to children of 11- to 16-years old if they share with their parents. And this applies in most of our rooms – except the honeymoon suites, of course.”

The bedrooms are large and spacious: Standard rooms are fitted with twin single beds, Double rooms with king-size beds, and Double Xtra rooms with twin king-size beds. Each family room has four single beds.

“No doubt one of our biggest attractions will be our spa – which also opened this week, and which offers massages, manicures, pedicures, wraps, facials and a heated swimming pool,” said Mr. Wiffin.

“It’s about total well-being – and that’s quite a nice metaphor for The Wilderness Resort Hotel and the Garden Route and Klein Karoo as a whole.”

More information: www.thewildernesshotel.co.za

• Mimi Finestone