Hello Hermanus!

A new week, a fresh edition, and as winter slowly settles over the Overberg, the town is beginning to buzz with the unmistakable energy that comes with FynArts season just around the corner. From community stories and local businesses to music, food, creativity, and culture, there’s plenty happening both here at home and across the village streets that make this town feel so alive this time of year. 🐋

In this week’s edition, we’re sharing:

• 🏡 Property of the Week (with Greeff Properties)

• ✂️ Business of the Week - A global hairdressing journey that found its home in Hermanus

• 💡 Legal Piece of the Week with STBB - A practical look at South Africa’s matrimonial property systems and what couples should know before saying “I do”

• 👗 Community Feature - The inspiring local women behind Hamba Kahle — sewing dresses, dolls, and dignity for children across Africa

• 📆 What’s On in Hermanus & Local Events - Markets, quiz nights, live music, comedy, cheese tastings, and a few great reasons to get out and about before winter fully arrives

• 🏫 Schools & Community - Local businesses continuing to show up for schools and young learners across the Overstrand

• 🌤️ Your Weather - A cooler, calmer late-autumn stretch with crisp mornings, soft sunshine, and the occasional touch of rain

• 📷 Spotted in the Overberg - This week’s photo and another beautiful glimpse of Hermanus through your lens

Here’s to a slower season, warm coffees, busy community halls, and the little moments that continue to make this place feel special.

The Hermanus Scoop Team 🐋

P.S. Love local stories? Share The Scoop with a friend at 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.

Beautiful 3 Bedroom Home in Prime Sandbaai West Location

This lovely 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home offers comfortable family living in the sought-after area of Sandbaai West, perfectly positioned close to Curro Hermanus and the Whale Coast Mall.

The home features a spacious open-plan kitchen and living area designed for easy everyday living and entertaining. A separate laundry adds extra convenience, while the living space flows effortlessly onto an outside wooden deck with a swimming pool - the ideal setting for relaxing with family and friends.

View the full property here.

✂️ Business of the Week

Kroon Studio – Where Hair Meets Heart

There’s something incredibly special about people who travel the world, sharpen their craft internationally, and then choose to bring all of that experience home to Hermanus. That’s exactly the story behind Kroon Studio and owner Valerie, whose journey has taken her from luxury cruise liners and the vineyards of France to Cape Town, Australia, and finally the Hemel-en-Aarde Village.

Valerie began her hairdressing career in 2010 at the prestigious Terenzo Hairdressing International, where she completed her studies and qualified as a stylist. After working as an apprentice in Sea Point, an international opportunity came calling when she joined Disney Cruise Line. Over three nine-month contracts, Valerie worked in a five-star spa environment with clients from all over the world, gaining invaluable experience with different hair textures, styling techniques, and client care - while also learning the discipline and professionalism that still shape her work today.

Her next chapter took her to France, where she lived in Bordeaux and Saint-Émilion, freelancing as a stylist and immersing herself in French colouring techniques, particularly balayage - a speciality that would later become one of her signature offerings. She then returned to South Africa to join Excentric Hair Salon in Sea Point, where she refined her precision cutting skills and continued growing in confidence as a stylist.

But perhaps one of the most defining seasons of her career came in Adelaide, Australia, where she worked at ORBE. It was there that Valerie discovered a completely different philosophy around hair - one that focused on embracing natural texture, movement, curls, and dry-cutting techniques. It’s an approach that still heavily influences her work today, particularly with curly hair clients who often travel from Cape Town specifically to sit in her chair.

When COVID changed the world in 2020, Valerie returned to South Africa and felt strongly that it was time to build something of her own. Her move to Hermanus, she says, was deeply faith-driven. “I really prayed about where I should be and where God wanted me to work,” she explains. Although an opportunity to run a spa initially brought her to town, she ultimately decided against it - but knew Hermanus was exactly where she was meant to plant roots.

Starting over in a completely new town with no existing client base was a leap of faith, but one that paid off. That same year, she founded Kroon Studio - a name inspired by the Afrikaans word for “crown,” reflecting her belief that your hair is your crown.

And for Valerie, hairdressing is about far more than hair. “My goal is always to make leave feeling beautiful, confident, refreshed, and cared for.”

Today, Valerie operates from Hair Day Salon in the Hemel-en-Aarde Village, offering everything from cutting, colouring, balayage, highlights and styling to her highly sought-after curly hair cutting techniques.

More than anything, Kroon Studio has become a space built on connection, encouragement, and helping people feel seen.

Because sometimes a great hairstyle is about far more than just hair.

📍 Kroon Studio at Hair Day Salon - Hemel-en-Aarde Village, Hermanus
📞 082 290 3223
📸 Instagram: @kroon_studio

💡 Legal piece of the week:

GETTING MARRIED? HERE’S WHAT YOU MAY BE SIGNING UP FOR

Article by Charne Symington

When couples get married, there is often significant focus on the wedding itself, while far less attention is given to one of the most important legal consequences of marriage: the matrimonial property regime that will govern the couple’s assets and liabilities during the marriage and upon the dissolution of the marriage, whether by death or divorce.

In South Africa, there are three primary matrimonial property systems under which parties may marry, each with very different legal and financial consequences, and if you do not actively choose a marital regime before getting married, the law automatically chooses one for you.

Marriage in community of property

If parties do not enter into an antenuptial contract before their marriage, they are automatically married in community of property.

A marriage in community of property results in the creation of one joint estate between the spouses. In practical terms, this means that the assets and liabilities of both parties generally form part of a single shared estate, regardless of who acquired the assets or incurred the debt before or during the marriage.

The implications of a marriage in community of property include that:

• both spouses generally share equally in the joint estate;

• debts incurred by one spouse may affect the joint estate;

• creditors of one spouse may have claims against the joint estate;

• certain transactions, like selling immovable property, require the consent of the other spouse.

Although this system provides an opportunity to build a shared estate together, it can create significant financial exposure where one spouse experiences financial difficulties or incurs substantial debt.

Marriage out of community of property with accrual

Couples who wish to avoid a joint estate may elect to marry out of community of property by entering into an antenuptial contract before the marriage.

Where the accrual system applies, each spouse can retain assets acquired prior to their marriage and maintain separate estates during the marriage. Each party accordingly remains responsible for their own debts and retains ownership of their own assets.

The accrual system however recognises that both parties may contribute towards the growth of the marriage, whether financially or otherwise, and affords the opportunity for spouses to share in the growth of their estates during the marriage.

Upon dissolution of the marriage, whether by divorce or death, the growth in the parties’ respective estates during the marriage is compared and the spouse whose estate showed less growth generally have a claim against the other spouse for a share of the difference in accrual.

In essence, the parties maintain financial independence during the marriage while still sharing in the growth accumulated during the marriage, and for many couples, this system provides a balance between protection and fairness.

Marriage out of community of property excluding accrual

Parties may also conclude an antenuptial contract specifically excluding the accrual system.

Under this regime each spouse maintains a completely separate estate with separate assets acquired before or during the marriage and separate responsibility for their own debts. Even on the dissolution of the marriage, there is generally no sharing of growth accrued during the marriage.

This system is often preferred where one or both spouses have substantial existing assets and wish to ensure complete financial separation.

The importance of proper legal assistance

For an antenuptial contract to be enforceable, it needs to be signed in the presence of a Notary Public by the parties thereto, or an agent appointed by the parties in terms of a specific power of attorney and it needs to be registered in the Deeds Office within 3 months of signature thereof.

If this process is not properly followed, the parties may ultimately be regarded as married in community of property, despite their intention to marry out of community of property, which can create serious legal complications.

Unfortunately, some couples only discover years later that their antenuptial contract was never properly executed or registered, often after the attorney or notary who attended to the matter is no longer traceable.  Correcting the position at that stage is no longer a simple administrative process and generally requires a costly High Court application to change the matrimonial property system after marriage.

Proper legal advice and assistance plays a crucial role in helping spouses to:

• Understand the legal consequences of their matrimonial property regime;

• Ensure that the necessary contracts are properly executed and timeously registered;

• Assess whether existing agreement are valid and enforceable;

• Advise whether a High Court application to change a matrimontial property system is required; and

• Prepare and manage the court process efficiently, if required

If you are unsure about your matrimonial property regime, or want to change it, it is important to speak to an experienced attorney who can guide you through the legal intricacies and protect what matters most to you.

👗 The Town That Shows Up

There's something about Hermanus locals. When something needs doing, they don't wait to be asked twice. You see it at the food bank on a cold Tuesday morning. You see it when a family loses everything and the neighbourhood arrives with boxes before the smoke has cleared. You see it in the quiet, unannounced ways this community takes care of its own.

Now imagine pointing that same instinct at a little girl on the other side of the world.

That's exactly what a local group called Hamba Kahle has been quietly doing. It started, as the best things often do, with leftover fabric and a woman who couldn't let it go to waste.

After COVID, one Hermanus woman found herself staring at a pile of colourful fabric left over from making masks. It was cheerful fabric and it bothered her to see it sitting there. One day she thought: this would make the most beautiful little children's dresses. So she started cutting.

She eventually connected with a global movement called Dress a Girl Around the World and started finding people travelling to Benin, Mozambique, Dar es Salaam - anyone heading in the right direction - and sent her little dresses with them as hand-carried cargo. Then she reached out through an old WhatsApp group. People from Lichtenburg, Pretoria, East London, and right here in Hermanus started responding. Some could sew. Others couldn't, but offered money for materials. And just like that, Hamba Kahle was born.

The name means walk beautifully. But it carries more than that. Hamba Kahle says: look where you are going. Walk straight and with dignity. It says I care about you when you walk away. You've got a friend in me. It carries you in heart, in thought, in prayer.

There are few better names for a group of women sewing dresses for girls they will never meet.

Every dress has a pocket because children use them to keep their treasures in. And Hamba Kahle has started filling those pockets with handmade beaded bracelets, made by members who can't sew but wanted to give something of their own.

The group has also taken on something that members say is the most meaningful thing they have done yet: making protection dolls for children in Mozambique. These handmade dolls are distributed through a network of children's ministry leaders across the country to help protect children from abuse.

One member worth a mention is Estelle Gouws. Estelle is 90 years old. She has already made 100 dolls.

Members of Hamba Kahle say the dolls are the most touching part of what they do and they are desperate for more seamstresses to join them. If you've ever wanted to do something that genuinely matters, this is it.

You don't need experience. If you can sew a straight seam, you can make a dress. If you can't sew at all, there's still a place for you: stuffing dolls, stringing beads, donating fabric, or simply making the tea while others stitch.

Hamba Kahle meets locally and would love to have you around the table.

Call or WhatsApp 082 294 3412 to find out when they next get together.

Walk beautifully. We'll walk with you.

📅 What's On This Week

Every Friday | Friday Fun Run 📍 Mikro Coffee Co 🕕 6:00am | 3km & 5km loop

All paces welcome – the best way to start a Friday. Free coffee for first timers ☕

Every Saturday | Hermanus Country Market 📍 Hermanus Cricket Club, corner of Fairways Ave & Jose Burman Drive 🕘 9:00am - 2:00pm | Free entry

The Saturday morning ritual. Fresh produce, local crafts, food stalls, and a relaxed community atmosphere - a great way to ease into the weekend.

Every Saturday | Hermanus Parkrun 📍 Hermanus Forest, Camphill Road, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley 🕗 8:00am | Free

A free, timed 5km run through the Hemel-en-Aarde - open to all ages and fitness levels. Just register once on the Parkrun website and bring a printed or digital barcode. A wonderful way to meet locals and start your Saturday morning right. Register & more info →

Fusion Quiz Night Thursday | Fusion Restaurant, Village Square

Put your thinking caps on for Quiz Night at Fusion Restaurant Hermanus. Expect a fun evening of friendly rivalry, good food, cold beers, and plenty of questions designed to keep teams guessing. Gather your crew and settle in for a lively Thursday night in the heart of town.

To book, call +27 28 312 4277.

Comedy Improv Night Thursday, 28 May | 19:00 | Mr. Write, 26 High Street

Expect a night of unscripted fun at Comedy Improv Night at Mr. Write. With friendly comedy games, spontaneous performances, and plenty of laughs, the evening promises a relaxed atmosphere where everyone’s invited to join in the fun - or simply enjoy the chaos from the audience.

Book via the QR code on the event poster.

Hermanus Music Society Concert Friday, 29 May | 18:30 | Sandbaai Gereformeerde Church

Virtuoso tuba soloist Likhona Tokota joins award-winning pianist Chanda Bupe Lupambo for an evening of live music in Sandbaai. R250 for non-members. Book via [email protected].

Cheese Tasting at Dal Italia Saturday, 30 May | Dal Italia Deli

Dal Italia and Stonehouse Cheese invite guests on a delicious tasting journey through a selection of award-winning cheeses, handcrafted with passion and paired for the perfect experience. Cheese lovers can look forward to sampling a variety of locally made favourites in a relaxed deli setting.

For more information, contact Dal Italia Deli at 028 313 0333.

Schools

As we head deeper into winter, most of the school sports calendar is slowly winding down after another busy and exciting term of action across the Overstrand. While there are still a few fixtures and activities taking place, the focus now starts shifting towards classrooms and preparation as mid-year exams and assessments approach. A big well done to all the learners, coaches, teachers and parents for the energy and support shown throughout the term.

Local Businesses Backing Our Schools

🤖 Robotics at Hermanus Primary

A huge thank you to Harcourts Hermanus for sponsoring two new Robotics sets for the growing Robotics programme at Hermanus Primary. The sponsorship also included newly branded Robotics boxes that will accompany learners to future Robotics competitions and interschool events.

Hermanus Primary greatly appreciates Harcourts Hermanus’ investment in their learners and their support of future-focused education and innovation at the school. The new sets are already being used during practice sessions and tournaments, helping learners further develop their problem-solving, creative thinking, coding and technology skills.

🏉 A Huge Thank You to Food Lover’s Market Hermanus

Food Lover’s Market Hermanus sponsored the official match kit for all Hermanus Primary’s u/13 A-teams this year, including rugby, netball, cricket, tennis and hockey for both boys and girls.

On Friday, the school presented Dino Petim with his own personalised 1st team match kit as a small token of appreciation for his involvement and continued support of Hermanus Primary School sports teams. The school sincerely values his commitment, involvement and investment in their learners and school sport programme.

🌤️ Weather Forecast for Hermanus

Hermanus heads into the first week of June with cooler air, calmer winds, and a more settled late-autumn feel overall. While there’s a slight chance of rain returning early next week, most days remain mild and manageable, with a mix of cloud, sunshine, and crisp evenings.

⸻

Thursday 28 May
Mild with sunny breaks through the day. 🌤️
18°C / 13°C Winds 7 / 1 m/s

Friday 29 May
Cool and mostly cloudy. ☁️
18°C / 10°C Winds 7 / 2 m/s

Saturday 30 May
Partly cloudy with a cool breeze. 🌥️
17°C / 10°C Winds 6 / 2 m/s

Sunday 31 May
Calm and mostly settled. 🌤️
17°C / 11°C Winds 3 / 0 m/s

Monday 1 June
Mild with light cloud cover. 🌥️
17°C / 12°C Winds 3 / 1 m/s

Tuesday 2 June
Cloudy with scattered rain developing. 🌧️
17°C / 11°C Rain ~4.9 mm Winds 5 / 0 m/s

Wednesday 3 June
Cooler with occasional showers. 🌦️
15°C / 9°C Rain ~1.5 mm Winds 6 / 1 m/s

-

Overall, it’s a properly seasonal stretch for Hermanus - cool mornings, gentle afternoons, and only brief touches of rain expected. Ideal weather for cosy cafés, ocean walks, and leaning into the slower pace of early winter.

📷 Spotted in the Overberg:

Photo of the Week: Nada Carlisle

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 cool, have a great day and we’ll see 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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