Chairman’s Reflection: A Strong Platform Built on Trust

HPP Board Chairman Jerry van Niekerk reflects on the strategic and operational advances made by HPP in the past five years, on behalf of the Hermanus Special Ratings Area (HSRA):

It is said that sustained happiness is not gained from material goods but rather from the gratitude we have for our blessings. And I am deeply grateful for the relationships built by HPP at many levels, including:

• HSRA property owners, who have given us a clear mandate and overwhelming support. It has been enriching to receive regular input from a number of owners which, although critical at times, has helped us raise the bar.
• The Overstrand Municipality (OM), which allows us to work alongside them, supplementing safety and cleansing services.
• HPP Board members who, with Wiaan Bishop’s appointment (see below) represent every precinct in the HSRA. These dedicated people freely share their time and resources to act as HPP’s eyes, ears and voices in the community.
• The dedicated support of our service providers: Fidelity ADT (public safety), WCC Technologies (surveillance network) and Iphupha Cleansing Services (urban cleaning), whose staff go out of their way to execute their commitments.
• The partnership with our neighbouring Special Ratings Areas in Kleinmond and Onrus-Vermont, which helps us achieve much more than what we could have on our own.

I am grateful for the sound foundation laid for HPP by the previous Chairman Errol van Staden and his colleagues. The current board has been able to build on the thorough governance and operational framework they put in place.

The proverbial cherry on our celebratory cake is a five-year term extension that has been mandated by the HSRA’s property owners and granted by the OM Council. Our strategy is very clear: ‘To keep our community safe and clean in partnership with other stakeholders.’ I am thankful that HPP has been given the opportunity to do so for another five years.

Foundational Work: A Turning Point in HPP’s History

Former Chairman Errol van Staden recalls the events that reshaped HPP’s role and mandate:

Reflecting on HPP’s growth, it is fitting to acknowledge those who, in 1999, had the foresight to establish a non-profit company dedicated to public safety. We are also indebted to the Board members who have served since 2002.

I had the privilege of contributing to HPP’s transformation following the Overstrand Municipality’s decision in December 2018 to repeal the CID bylaw that had governed HPP’s mandate, operations and funding. In response, the HPP Board at the time resolved to liquidate the organisation. Faced with this scenario, an action group mobilised to preserve HPP’s future.

A new Board was appointed at the AGM of 12 August 2019. Directors included myself, Tobie Louw, Barry van Vuren, Clinton Lerm and Guy Redford. Our objective was to secure interim funding and reposition HPP as the management body for the proposed Hermanus Special Rating Area (HSRA).

With strong community support, a Steering Committee led by Michael Farr achieved a 57% vote in favour of the HSRA, just ahead of the March 2020 Covid lockdown. This led to substantial restructuring, including amendments to HPP’s MOI, the negotiation of a Finance Agreement with the Municipality, and the development of a business plan.

On 1 July 2020, the HSRA was formally established with HPP as its management body. I thank fellow Board members and operational staff who supported the first phase of this new cycle. Under Jerry’s leadership, the organisation has since achieved even greater progress. HPP remains close to my heart.

Operations and Impact: Five Years of Delivery

Executive Officer Marcia Bown reflects on operational achievements during the 2020–2025 term:

This has been a period of intensive delivery. We’ve expanded our operational footprint, grown our surveillance network, introduced visible patrol innovations, and improved our response capabilities. Our service providers have been essential partners, showing professionalism, responsiveness and a willingness to adapt to evolving community needs.

Five-year Financial Overview

• Total revenue received: R42,170,310
• Funded through the SRA model, in accordance with a Financial Agreement with OM

Public Safety and Incident Response

• 24,341 reports received through the HPP Control Room and patrol teams
• 443 arrests facilitated in collaboration with SAPS, Overstrand Law Enforcement, neighbourhood watch groups and other private security companies.
• Active support for disaster response, protest management and unplanned incidents in public spaces.

Surveillance and Infrastructure Growth

• Camera network expanded from 19 sites (2020) to 79 sites, comprising 154 CCTV cameras (2025)
• Coverage extended across entrances, exits and identified hotspots in the CBD, Cliff Path, Eastcliff, Hermanus Heights, Fernkloof, Kwaaiwater, Westcliff, Industria, Voëlklip and Northcliff
• Key milestones:
  • Independent external assessment of the CCTV system
  • Implementation of revised surveillance strategy
  • Ongoing use of footage by SAPS and Overstrand Municipal Law Enforcement for investigations
  • Completion of various ratepayer funded suburban camera projects
  • Installation of Thermal PTZ camera to cover Northcliff and surrounds

Visible Policing and Public Safety

• Increased Safety Officer deployment in the CBD – day and night
• Introduction of Bicycle Patrols on waste collection days and during periods of high pedestrian movement
• Launch of a Mobile Safety Kiosk for high-visibility engagement and deterrence
• Regular safety meetings with SAPS, CPF structures, municipal safety officials, neighbourhood watch groups and other private security companies

Cleansing Services

• Over 80 tonnes of waste removed from the Cliff Path and Hoy’s Koppie
• Cleansing services increased to six days per week
• Deployment of additional resources during peak holiday seasons and hotspot area interventions
• Introduction of dog waste collection service on the Hermanus Cliff Path

Technology and Infrastructure Investment

• Upgraded backhaul infrastructure and solar power supply
• Implementation of a digital incident logging system
• Integration of analytic alerts systems for operational efficiency