GansbaaiCourant

03/04/2025

01/04/2025

01/04/2025

*EXCLUSIVE: Danger Point Lighthouse to be Demolished for Mega Mall Development*

In a shocking move, the beloved Danger Point Lighthouse, a Gansbaai landmark since its inauguration on January 1, 1895, is set to be demolished to make way for a luxurious mega mall. The new development, spearheaded by the Friends of the Lighthouse, will feature a rotating sky restaurant with breathtaking views of the ocean and the busy sea route from Europe to the East.

Today is your last chance to visit the iconic lighthouse before demolition begins tomorrow. Don't miss the opportunity to meet John McGregor, the historian, who will regale you with tales of the Birkenhead troop ship that sank nearby. But that's not all - John will be trading in his storytelling hat for a chef's hat, as he takes on the role of head chef at the new restaurant!

Glenda Kitley, the driving force behind the Friends of the Lighthouse, will oversee the management of the mall, while the rest of the team will be waiting tables, tending to the newly landscaped gardens.

The natural fynbos will be replaced with lush tropical plants, and the sound of the ocean will be drowned out by the hum of the casino and the splashing of the swimming pools. It's a new era for Gansbaai, and the Danger Point Lighthouse will soon be nothing more than a memory.

Visit the lighthouse today and say goodbye to a piece of Gansbaai's history...

The lighthouse is genuinely open on this April Fools Day from 10:00 to 14:45. Visit this gem and thank the volunteers who will welcome you with warm Gansbaai hospitality!

*This April Fools joke is brought to you by AI and GansbaaiCourant WhatsApp news. Let us know who did you fool on this very special Tuesday.*

30/03/2025

*JAIDEN SOU WOU Hê ONS MOET LÉÉF*

30 Maart 2025

Waar die eens lewenslustige sportvrou, Jaiden Dickson, Vrydagnag haar lewe verloor het, het haar hartseer spanmaats vanmiddag 'n kruis gaan plant om haar lewe te eer.

Lindé Meyer, woordvoerder van die Sea Stars netbalklub het aan *GansbaaiCourant* gesê: "Jaiden het die lewe voluit gelewe en ‘n passie en diep omgee vir haar medemens gehad. Ons kon so baie by haar leer, omdat haar positiwiteit en groot gees, aansteeklik was. Sy sal nie wou hê ons moet ophou “leef” nie - maar wees altyd nederig en leef in die oomblik. Môre, is nie vir almal belowe nie."

Die vyftien klublede het vanmiddag almal saam in 'n taxi minibus na die ongelukstoneel gery," omdat ons net te emosioneel is om self te bestuur," het Lindé gesê.

Balonne met boodskappe daarop geskryf, blomme, 'n geraamde foto en versierde kruisie is by die toneel agtergelaat. Op een van die balonne staan: "Die baan gaan nooit weer dieselfde wees sonder jou nie." en op nog een "Fly high, Angel."

Die Sea Stars se ligawedstryd wat die afgelope Saterdag op Caledon sou plaasvind, is gekanselleer na die noodlottige motorongeluk op die R43 naby Misty Mountains. Jaiden(24) is op die ongelukstoneel dood. Haar spanmaat, Elandré Hans (26), is ernstig beseer en oorgeplaas na Tygerberg hospitaal.

Haar spanmaats bid vir haar en vertrou dat sy vinnig en volkome sal herstel.

*Geskryf deur Marinda van der Walt vir GansbaaiCourant WhatsApp nuusblad 🌱0825618655.*

17/03/2025

14/03/2025

01/03/2025

[02/28, 14:22] Marinda 🌱Courant: Birkenhead Memorial:
*FEATS OF BRAVERY ETCHED IN MEMORY*

Reflection on the speeches at the Birkenhead Memorial on Wednesday, brought this line to mind: “Remember, remember the 5th of November …” In this particular instance, however, perhaps it should rather be:

Remember, remember 26 February where the sinking of the Birkenhead remains in Gansbaai’s memory,
Whether it was treason or not, facts cannot be forgot.
We know it hit a rock - Dangerpoint was the spot,
And that efforts were joint to save woman and child
There was no other thought in mind. (Inspired by the speeches)

Memories are all we have of our heritage – every culture and creed… and, unless we hold memorials, many heroic deeds and facts will fade from existence just as the ships sink at sea, laden with treasure.

Overstrand’s Manager of Economic Development and Tourism – Frieda Lloyd, reminded those present of the role played by the Dangerpoint lighthouse built 130 years ago – 1895. “It stands as a beacon of hope,” she stated. “It not only lights up the treacherous waters but acts as a memorial to the lives lost.”

This memorial plays a vital role in our shared heritage… “and we have a steadfast commitment to honouring the past!”

Reverend James Gray took to the podium with the wind howling and his cloak almost lifting him in flight. One could just imagine the way in which the wind and the waves brought many a ship to destruction.
This was the theme of his address – stimulating our imagination, taking us back to the past and not losing important information. These are events which occurred, lives which were lost and artifacts which remain buried to this day.

173 years ago, the Birkenhead hit the rocks at Dangerpoint and sank. Whether it was sabotage or merely an unforeseen accident, we’ll never really know as these facts have become blurred over time.

What we do know, however, is that “this was a warship carrying soldiers and armaments towards a nasty war in the Eastern Cape,” he said as his words were swallowed by the wind. “Recently, historians have emphasised placing this disaster in context… as a consequence, the Birkenhead was a legitimate target, and this is why some believe it went down.”

The theory is that the ship’s compass was sabotaged and that’s why it came so close to the coast and hit the rocks. “Can you imagine,” he continued, “48 men clinging to the mast of the Birkenhead as it sank into the sea? The desperation, the fear… the circling sharks, the bloodied waters?” And yet, bravery came to the fore “as the men stood back to ensure the safety of every woman and child. (In fact, after the service many of us took to the sea, courtesy of Marine Dynamics to visit the area. The waves were enormous and the spray beat against the side of the boats… Sea sickness affected some (of whom I was one) on this rollercoaster journey. )

“We have such short memories,” Rev Gray stated, that’s why it’s so important to gather to remember! In the Bible, there are many such reminders… and we are here today to remember! It’s humbling and important… and reminds us that we are part of long heritage. History goes back over eons and doesn’t begin the day you were born. Because of other people’s sacrifices we have been able to live. As Jesus stated: “Do this as a remembrance of me…”

And, so we remember… and continue to honour the brave men on the Birkenhead over a century ago.

*Author:* Ali Gordon.
*Photographers* : Alma le Roux, Johan le Roux and
John McGregor
For *GansbaaiCourant WhatsApp news 🌱 0825618655*

28/02/2025

GansbaaiCourant WhatsApp Nuusblad het gister massas foto's van lesers ontvang. Baie dankie daarvoor. Jammer dat ek nie elke fotograaf by die naam kan noem nie. GansbaaiCourant is dankbaar dat daar geen geboue afgebrand is nie en dat daar ook geen lewensverlies was nie. Ons harte huil vir ons plante en diere wat in die slag gebly het. Hier is die fotoverhaal soos deur lesers se foto's vertel word:

28/02/2025

WhatsApp orders to 0825618655. Countrywide courier delivery @ R69. Free delivery in Gansbaai. (you just wait a little longer). 🌺

23/02/2025

Skryf in en staan 'n kans om hierdie lieflike produk te wen. Jy kan dit ook by Marinda bestel deur jou bestelling na 0825618655 te WhatsApp. 🌺🌺🌺

17/02/2025

Vanoggend op ons GansbaaiCourant WhatsApp nuusblad... 2 090 leserstal en steeds aan die groei!

17/01/2025

Wat kry 'n mens daaruit om dit te doen?

10/01/2025

Gistermiddag laat, skakel 'n vrou my. Hulle wil vir my 'n pak skryfbehoeftes vir skool kom aflewer, na aanleiding van 'n artikel vroeër die maand in die GansbaaiCourant WhatsApp nuusblad. Haar man het dit bestel. Nee, nee, keer ek. Dit is vir die Elf's Handout Project. Ek sal die nommer stuur. Terseldertyd noem ek van 'n mamma wat geen idee het hoe sy haar dogtertjie vanjaar met skooldrag gaan toerus nie. Stuur daardie nommer ook, sê die vrou met die goeie man.
Vanoggend maak ek oop op hierdie video van Lindi.
Daar gebeur wonderwerke in my WhatsApp Courant-kantoor.

03/01/2025

*Dear Fellow Garden Lovers of Gansbaai,*

I hope you are all thriving in your own little patches of green! Gardening has always been a passion of mine—it's truly in my blood. There’s something so peaceful about watering plants and watching each new leaf or flower bloom. However, my journey took an interesting turn when I moved to the coastal town of Gansbaai 13 years ago.

The sandy soil here posed quite a challenge, and for years, I struggled with dogs ruining my hard work. I found myself moving from one property to another, only to start all over again each time. It was a frustrating cycle until I had a lightbulb moment: why not plant in pots? This way, I could control the soil, move my plants around, and even hang them out of reach of my playful pups!

This revelation opened up a whole new world for me. My passion for gardening expanded from outdoor plants to indoor ones, and I must admit, I might be on my way to becoming the “crazy plant lady.” My son is starting to worry that he’ll soon be living in a forest, especially since his room is now off-limits for any new additions!

My weekly grocery shopping has taken on a new twist—I can’t leave town without stopping by the local nursery to see what new plants they have. It’s become a delightful addiction, one that fills my heart with joy. Just yesterday, I took a drive out to another local nursery on a farm to check out their latest offerings, and yes, I walked away with yet another plant! And guess what? I’m on my way to nursery once again...I've seen a pot there, and it's calling me.

As we step into the new year, I hope to inspire you all to bring a little more nature into your lives, whether it’s through outdoor gardens or indoor plants. Let’s embrace the beauty of greenery and the joy it brings to our homes.

Wishing you all a year filled with growth, joy, and plenty of plant love!

Nature love,
Gretha Barto