Big Cats with a Bigger Purpose and all the best of Hermanus this week 🦁

👋 Hello Hermanus – big cats and community spirit are roaring to life this week!

We’re shining a light on the people and places that make our corner of the Cape so special - from the ethical sanctuary giving big cats a true home, to the events and happenings that keep Hermanus buzzing. It’s all about purpose, passion, and celebrating the little things that remind us why we love living here.

In this week’s edition, we’re bringing you:

🦁 A closer look at Panthera Africa – the big cat sanctuary with a bigger purpose

🎶 What’s on in Hermanus - your guide to events, markets, and community highlights

Happy reading – and here’s to keeping it local.

- The Hermanus Scoop Team 🐋

P.S. Love local stories? Share the Scoop with a friend and send them to hermanusscoop.co.za – it’s free and it’s lekker.

🏡 Property of the Week - Presented by Greeff Properties

Looking for ocean views or a mountainside retreat?

Each week, we spotlight a standout listing that captures the unique charm and lifestyle of the Overberg. From ocean-view escapes to tucked-away treasures, these are the homes that inspire imagination - and maybe even your next move. Brought to you by Greeff Properties, trusted specialists in exceptional real estate across the Overberg.

Indulge in luxury living on the coast

Nestled in the exclusive coastal enclave of Sandbaai in the coastal town of Hermanus, this stunning double-storey seafront residence is more than a home; it’s a lifestyle defined by luxury, comfort, and breathtaking views. On arrival you are welcomed by a beautifully manicured garden that leads you to a sea-facing patio complete with an outdoor braai - perfect for sunset gatherings or quiet mornings by the ocean.

Step inside and you’re welcomed into a seamless open-plan living space, where the lounge, dining area, and kitchen blend together in effortless harmony. Downstairs, the home offers three well-appointed bedrooms, two of which faces directly onto the sea, offering magnificent views, an en-suite bathroom while two bedrooms share a full, stylish bathroom - ideal for family or guests.

View the property in full.

🦁 Business of the Week: Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary

Meet your big cat neighbours outside Stanford - the story of Panthera Africa, bringing purpose and hope to our community.

Beyond Business: A Sanctuary Changing Tourism

Just outside Stanford lies Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary, a pioneering sanctuary where heart, ethics, and tourism come together in a way few places in the world can replicate. Founded by Cathrine Nyquist, originally from Norway but now firmly rooted in Hermanus, and her co-founder Lizaene Cornwall, Panthera Africa was born out of a very personal mission: to give big cats a true sanctuary and to inspire humans through their stories.

From Corporate to Rescue and Education

Cathrine’s journey began in the corporate world, but her heart was always with animals. The turning point came when she encountered a lion cub named Oliver, who had been separated from his mother at just a few days old. Initially, she believed her volunteer work was supporting conservation. But when she discovered that Oliver had been sent to a breeding facility - a fate that could have ended in the controversial bone trade - she knew her path had to change. This experience ignited Cathrine’s lifelong mission: to be a voice for the voiceless and to raise awareness about the realities behind South Africa’s wildlife industry.

A Business Built on Ethics

What makes Panthera Africa stand out is its unwavering ethical stance: no breeding, no trading, and no interaction. Every decision is anchored in animal welfare. Here, tourism is not about entertainment - it’s about transformation. Guests leave not only inspired by the stories of the big cats, but with a deeper understanding of the responsibility we all share for ethical choices. Catherine describes it as “a platform for life skills and inspiration – where people leave not only with knowledge, but with hope.”

Tourism with Impact

Panthera Africa has quickly become one of the Overberg’s top tourism attractions, drawing visitors nationally and internationally. Beyond the sanctuary gates, its impact ripples across the region: tourists book into local hotels, dine in restaurants, and enrich the greater Hermanus economy. The sanctuary also works closely with schools, providing unique learning experiences that would otherwise be out of reach for many young people.

A Community Anchor

Cathrine is quick to highlight that Panthera Africa’s success is inseparable from its community. “We contribute to the we-system, not the ego-system,” she explains. In Hermanus, collaboration and inclusion are central values, and the sanctuary embraces this spirit fully. From women’s networks to outreach programs, Panthera Africa partners widely, showing how businesses can uplift not only themselves but an entire community.

Looking Ahead

This April, Panthera Africa proudly marked its 10th anniversary, celebrating a decade of giving big cats a true sanctuary and creating lasting impact through education and ethical tourism. The milestone reflects not only the sanctuary’s achievements, but also the strength of the community that has supported its mission since the beginning. The celebrations continue with an upcoming fundraiser on 2 October at Stanford Manor House Restaurant, an event that promises to bring friends, supporters, and partners together to invest in the sanctuary’s next chapter. Alongside this, Panthera Africa is embracing digital fundraising innovations that connect supporters worldwide, ensuring sustainable care for its pride of big cats.

For Cathrine and Lizaene, the vision is clear: to continue building on a foundation of ethics, education and tourism while anchoring Panthera Africa as a place of transformation for both animals and people alike.

In Cathrine’s words: “It is humbling to be part of such a service-minded and love-filled community. Together, we can ensure the futures of Hermanus and Stanford remain one of love, inclusion, and giving.”

Visit them and see the big cats by making a booking here.

📆 What’s On in Hermanus

From music to markets, here’s your guide to enjoying the best of Hermanus.

🗓 What’s Happening This Week in Hermanus & Surrounds

🌾 Scoop Recommendation: Nampo Cape Agricultural Expo

📅 Tuesday 10 – Friday 13 September
⏰ 08:00 – 17:00 (10–12 Sept) | 08:00 – 14:00 (13 Sept)
📍 Bredasdorp Park, Bredasdorp
🎟 Buy Tickets Here

Looking for a family-friendly day out? Nampo Cape is our Scoop pick for the weekend! Expect live machinery demos, expert speaker sessions, cutting-edge agri-tech, livestock exhibits and even helicopter rides.
🌸 Beautiful floral displays in Voermall Hall
🌱 Canola Farmers Day | Thursday 11 Sept | 10:00 – 12:00
🐎 Kids’ zone: SA Tentpegging Invitational Championship, Boerboel dog shows, pony rides & a play area
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🌸 Experience a Village in Bloom – Stanford in Bloom 2025

📅 Wednesday 10 - Wednesday 24 September
📍 Stanford Village
📅 View Daily Schedule

Stanford is ready to welcome you for its 2nd annual spring celebration! The two-week Stanford in Bloom festival transforms the village into a floral wonderland with garden showcases, fynbos displays, and activities for all ages.

🌼 Chelsea Flowers in Stanford - replica of the gold-award RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025 exhibition by Leon Kluge & Tristan Woudberg
🎪 Tented market on the Village Green
🌱 Pop-up plant nursery & gardening workshops
🍷 Leivoor Lounge Wine, Spirits & Craft Beer bar 🎶 Live music, concerts & book talks
🖼 Art exhibitions & curated talks from gardening experts, conservationists, and creative thinkers
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📈 BizNews Investment Conference #2
📅 Wednesday 10 – Thursday 11 September
📍 Hermanus Municipal Auditorium
🎟 Buy Tickets Here

The BizNews Investment Conference returns to Hermanus for its second edition, with a limited-capacity event capped at 190 delegates. The programme includes in-depth investment discussions, networking, and exclusive sessions.

Highlights:
🥂 Refreshments & dinner in the Banqueting Hall (Wednesday evening)
🎤 Nightcap discussion with Afrikanerdom’s Three Amigos (Wednesday, 19:00)
💡 First-time additions to the conference programme
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₿ Bitcoin – The New Institutional Capital (Breakfast Event)
📅 Friday 12 September · 08:30 – 11:00
📍 Hermanus Golf Club 💵 R300
🎟 Buy Tickets Here

Join business leaders and investors for a focused breakfast exploring Bitcoin as the new institutional capital. Featuring insights from Rob Hersov, James Caw (SimplB), and Warren Wheatley (Altvest Capital).

Programme highlights:
🍳 Breakfast & networking (08:30)
🎤 Keynotes & fireside chat with Q&A
💡 Practical strategies for engaging with Bitcoin responsibly
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🎶 LYRA – A Journey Through Celestial Music
📅 Saturday 13 September · 15:00
📍 Unite Church, Hermanus
💵 R200 pp

Inspired by the stars and shaped like a harp, LYRA is music from the heavens. This one-of-a-kind concert brings together solo singers, strings, piano, and organ in a transcendent performance of works by Arvo Pärt, Chopin, Karl Jenkins, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Guilmant, and André Strijdom.

🌟 Performed by the LYRA Ensemble, featuring Elizabeth Marais (soprano), Karen de Goede (mezzo), Mia Otto (alto), Paul Lessing (tenor), Corniël Calitz (baritone), André Strijdom (bass-baritone), Barbara Kennedy (cello), Hermanus Schmidt (piano), Bevan Sylvester (organ), conducted by Maestro Gerald Foster. ✨ Only five performances - don’t miss this celestial music experience!
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🛍️ Thrift Fest
📅 Saturday 13 September · 09:00 – 13:00
📍 Onrus De Wet Saal

A lively community market filled with pre-loved clothes, shoes, accessories, handmade goods, and vintage finds. From grandma’s gaudy jewellery to that Clinton-era T-shirt - come haggle, hunt, and treasure the quirky charm!

👉 To book a stall: WhatsApp 081 042 9153
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🥐 The Art of Healthy Baking – just. at Onshore Eatery

📅 Thursday 19 - Friday 20 September
📍 Onshore Eatery, Hermanus
📲 Follow just. on Instagram

Celebrate the launch of just.’s new packaging and products with a showcase of artisan bakes made with wholesome ingredients - think NuLife Low GI sugar, stone-ground flour, real butter and extra virgin olive oil.

🌾 Nutrient-rich, no artificial flavourings or colourants ☕ First 50 purchases over R100 receive a free coffee 🍪 Sample delicious new bakes in a relaxed, seaside setting
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📊 321 Marketing Media Workshop 
📅 Friday 19 September · 09:00 – 12:00
📍 Burgundy Restaurant, Hermanus
💵 R250 (includes breakfast & coffee)
📞 Call/WhatsApp Nash: 082 450 6239

321 Media hosts an empowering workshop for local business owners, entrepreneurs, and anyone looking to build confidence online. Enjoy a delicious breakfast, network, and gain practical, actionable insights to grow your digital presence.

Workshop themes: ✨ Growing with Confidence - Show up authentically online ⚙️ Building the Foundation - Create a strong digital presence 🤖 Does AI Even Matter? - Demystifying AI for your business
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🌿 Nature Unplugged: 5 Senses Trail
📅 Sunday 21 September · 11:00 – 13:00
📍 Fernkloof Nature Reserve
💵 R100 per person
📞 Bookings essential - call or Whatsapp: 079 053 9034

Join us for another exciting outdoor adventure trail where we’ll discover why some animals and plants in nature smell so weird, look so awkward and use crazy colours. We’ll learn to soak in the sounds of nature’s birds, frogs & insects and taste some fynbos flavours.

🔁 Weekly Events

Friday | Mikro Coffee Run ☕🏃 
🗓 Friday · 06:00
📍 Mikro Coffee, Hermanus
Join Wihan and his team for a friendly 5km run, then cool down with a coffee at Mikro.

Saturday | Hermanus ParkRun 🏃 
🗓 Saturday · 08:00
📍 Hermanus Forest, Camphill Road, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley
Start your weekend with a scenic 5km trail run (or walk). Free to join - just register online at parkrun.co.za.

Saturday | Benguela Cove ParkRun 🏃 
🗓 Saturday · 08:00
📍 Benguela Cove, R43, Botriver Lagoon, Hermanus Another beautiful 5km trail run (or walk) along the lagoon. Free to join - just register online at parkrun.co.za.

Saturday | Hermanus Country Market 🌿 
🗓 Saturday · 09:00 - 14:00
📍 Hermanus Cricket Club A much-loved weekend outing featuring artisan stalls, live music, food, fresh produce, and a family-friendly vibe for locals and visitors alike.

🎓 Schools

With most sports winding down, many learners are now turning their focus to the Term 3 test series. But there’s still some fun to look forward to!

Tomorrow, Friday 12 September, Hermanus Primary hosts their annual Hermie Prix Go-Kart Race 🚦. Parents and families are invited to come cheer on the different grades as they race their homemade karts around the field - even the teachers will be joining in for a race against the learners! It promises to be a lively morning of speed, school spirit, and plenty of laughs.

Looking ahead, Hermanus Primary is also gearing up for their Golf Day on 24 October 2025 at Hermanus Golf Course. Teams of four can enter for R4,000 per 4-ball, which includes entry, halfway house snack, dinner and prize-giving. With only 8 spots left, bookings are filling up quickly - make sure to secure your place!

And don’t miss out on the CURRO Hermanus Men’s Evening 🏈💥 on Saturday 27 September 2025 at the Curro School Hall. Enjoy the Boks vs Los Pumas game live on big screens, plus live entertainment, an auction and lucky draw prizes.
💵 R600 pp | 🪙 Golden Circle R750 pp
📞 Bookings & info: Elaine on 082 885 1899

🌤️ Spring deepens and Hermanus finds its footing in a gentle dance of light and shadow.

The week ahead offers a mix of warming afternoons, passing showers, and cool breezes that remind us of winter’s lingering edge. Sunshine still breaks through, especially towards the weekend, with temperatures climbing gradually before another burst of brightness next Thursday.

Here’s what the days ahead look like:

⸻

Thursday 11 September
A soft start. 🌤️ Partly sunny at 18°C / 13°C. Winds 11-4 m/s.

Friday 12 September
Brightening skies. ☀️ Mostly sunny, reaching 19°C / 11°C. Winds 11-6 m/s.

Saturday 13 September
Shower-streaked. 🌧️ Cooler at 16°C / 13°C, with 1.1 mm of rain. Winds 12-8 m/s.

Sunday 14 September
Balanced tones. 🌤️ Sunshine at 18°C / 12°C. Winds gentle at 4-2 m/s.

Monday 15 September
Grey with a sprinkle. 🌦️ 18°C / 12°C, with 3.3 mm of rain. Winds 10-2 m/s.

Tuesday 16 September
Clouds with showers. 🌧️ High of 15°C, low of 12°C, 3.2 mm of rain. Winds 6-2 m/s.

Wednesday 17 September
Mostly steady. 🌤️ 15°C / 10°C, only 0.1 mm rain. Winds 4-2 m/s.

⸻

From Friday’s brightness to Wednesday’s steadiness, Hermanus is weaving spring with soft showers and rising light.

Here’s to longer, sunnier days just ahead.

🦐 Restaurant Specials:

Here are some of the best deals from all over town for you to enjoy during the coming week:

Spotted in the Overberg: Photo of the Week

Each week, we feature one special snap submitted by someone who calls this place home. From misty morning walks to playful pups on the beach - we want to see what you see.

And here’s the perk: every featured photographer gets a free flat white on us - in partnership with Molo Coffee. So send in your best shot to [email protected], and you might just sip your way to local fame.

That’s a wrap for this week’s Scoop!

Stay warm, stay dry, stay curious and we’ll catch you next week!

- The Hermanus Scoop Team 🐋

P.S. Want to be featured in the Scoop? Drop us a mail at [email protected] - we’d love to hear from you.

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