HPP Newsletter - October 2023
Supplementing Municipal Services for a Safe, Clean and Healthy HSRA
Dear Hermanus Special Rating Area (HSRA) Property Owner,
During October,
- HPP made a presentation to the CBD Cluster meeting and received positive feedback on our contribution to the CBD renewal.
- HPP Patrol Guards enjoyed a lunch at the Ocean Basket, kindly sponsored by its owners Gideon and Michelle Serfontein. Thank you for recognising the value of our team!
- HPP joined the Hermanus Ratepayers Association (HRA) and other stakeholders in meeting with the leadership of St. Peter’s Church to explore options to manage issues related to vagrants.
- Sent out invitations to the Ladies Safety Workshop which will be held on Saturday 4 November- please see details below.
Ladies Safety Workshop
HPP Annual General Meeting
I promised to share the outcomes of HPP’s AGM (held on Thursday 28 September) with you in last month’s newsletter. Please visit https://hpp.org.za/2023-annual-general-meeting/ to access the draft Minutes of the meeting and note that they will be approved at the 2024 AGM.
The highlights of the meeting were:
- The required quorum was achieved through the attendance of 36 members and the receipt of 40 proxy votes.
- The Annual Financial Statements for 2022/2023, as presented by Mr Leon Rauch (Finance Director) were approved.
- Approval was given to the both the Implementation Plan and the Budget for 2024/2025.
- The appointment of Pragma Consult as Auditors and the related remuneration was approved.
- Approval to proceed with Hermanus Special Rating Area (HSRA) Term Extension from July 2025 to July 2030 was given.
- Positive feedback has been received on the Chairman’s Report (available on the HPP website https://hpp.org.za/hpp-chairperson-annual-report-2023/).
Election of Directors
The AGM also approved the appointment of the following Directors:
Ann Wright - Cleansing
Responsibility: Oversight of all cleaning activities in the HSRA, as well as for the related relationships with the service provider and within the OM.
Ann resides in Hermanus Heights.
Ann spent 30 years in education, school marketing and outreach work to support students in poorer communities.
Ann and husband Dave relocated from Johannesburg to Hermanus in 2014. Upon arrival she immediately became involved in the community, managing a programme for children identified as having substance abuse problems. She has immersed herself in community service and is a past President of Rotary Hermanus. She is currently an Assistant Governor in Rotary District 9350. She is passionate about keeping Hermanus clean and safe for both residents and visitors.
Nigel Thatcher - Operations
Responsibility: Oversight of all safety activities in the HSRA, as well as for HPP’s relationships with the OM, the South African Police, the neighbourhood watch (NHW) groups and the service provider.
Nigel resides is Prestwick Village in Fernkloof.
Six years ago, Nigel and Wendy retired to Hermanus, leaving their Johannesburg careers. Nigel’s extensive career stretched over companies such as the Gillette Group and AC Nielsen where he performed marketing, sales and distribution roles both at executive and director levels.
In Hermanus, Nigel became the founding director of Hermanus Siyakha, a Non-Profit Company supporting township-based enterprises. An avid cyclist, he now contributes his executive and board experience to Hermanus Public Protection (HPP), serving ratepayers in the Special Rating Area.
Fransien Koegelenberg – CBD
Responsibility: Drive HPP’s contribution to the revitalisation of the CBD by recommending operational safety and cleansing priorities and managing the relationships with property and business owners.
Fransien resides in Fernkloof.
After completing her tertiary studies and joining the Hermanus Factory Shop in 1992, Fransien Koegelenberg took ownership of the enterprise in 2012. The shop is in one of the busiest parts of Hermanus’ CBD, where she keeps a keen eye on needs and developments. She is well connected to the business community.
Fransien’s active interest in CBD matters, as well as her strong relationships with local business owners, makes her ideal to take responsibility for the Central Business District Portfolio on our board
Sarah Taylor – Education
Responsibility: Educate members to manage threats to their personal safety, their property, and the environment.
Sarah resides in Westcliff.
Since 2012, Sarah has called Hermanus her home. She is a seasoned freelance writer and editor, with over 25 years’ experience spanning South Africa, the UK, and Namibia. Sarah now operates from her Westcliff residence.
Sarah is an active Westcliff Residents’ Association member and she’s enthusiastic about joining a team committed to enhancing Hermanus, prioritizing safety and cleanliness. Sarah aims to leverage her media skills to support the educational goals of the Hermanus Public Protection (HPP) NPC.
Philip- Ben Kotze – Stakeholders
Responsibility: Ensure that HPP grows strong relationships with its Overstrand Special Ratings Area neighbours, the local business chambers, and the Hermanus Ratepayers Association. Support the Operations Director in building relationships with the NHW Groups.
Philip- Ben resides in Eastcliff.
He did his schooling in Hermanus and completed a BCom Marketing degree at Stellenbosch. Post-graduation, he ventured to the United Kingdom, where he delved into Human Resources and Quality Assurance with AIG.
He is currently employed by the Hermanus Pharmacy, his Family-Owned Community Pharmacy Group. He is a Director of “The Forum” and actively participates in the Alfa Neighbourhood Watch. He holds Psira registration as a Proto Team Response Leader for Afriforum and is a certified private drone pilot.
Peter Doble – Social Responsibility
Responsibility: Lead HPP’s response to homelessness and vagrancy, in the context that we can at best perform a facilitating and supportive role to other organisations who are more suited to leading the charge.
Peter has resided in Northcliff since 2017.
Peter excelled in investigative journalism and served on the Rotary White River district board, aiding underprivileged rural communities. His journey began with a BA in politics and economics from Sheffield University, followed by two years editing newspapers in Australia.
In the UK, he worked in corporate communications, with clients like Rothmans International, Diageo, Coutts, Coca-Cola, and Cadbury Schweppes. He also chaired the UK Institute of Directors regionally. His charitable work involved counselling those with mental health issues and mentoring young individuals.
A new co-opted member to the Board
During October the Board agreed to co-opt Rod MacLeod onto the Board.
Rod MacLeod- Extended HSRA Term Campaign
Responsibility: To lead the process for the continuation of the HSRA beyond June 2025 by co-creating a bold vision and executing a suitable plan.
Rod resides in Voëlklip.
Rod and his wife Lori acquired a holiday home in Voëlklip in 1999. He retired from his Johannesburg business interests in 2015, and by 2016, he and Lori relocated permanently to their Hermanus home.
Rod’s career was in banking and merchant banking, holding senior roles at institutions like Barclays South Africa and FirstCorp. He also served on various corporate boards. He holds a BComm (Legal) and LLB from the University of the Witwatersrand and various diplomas.
He led the Voëlklip neighbourhood watch and played a pivotal role in its transformation into an observer entity, aligning with the HPP/SRA initiative. Today, Rod enjoys activities such as walking, whale watching, wine tasting, and motorcycling.
To complete the picture
The two remaining directors are Leon Rauch and me.
Leon Rauch – Finance
Responsibility: Oversight of financial activities and reporting, as well as the improvement of financial processes. Assist the Chairman in managing HPP’s relationship with the OM Mayor and Mayoral Committee.
Leon resides in Fernkloof.
He forged a deep connection with Hermanus in his childhood and continued doing when, together with his wife Elsabe and his children, he spent their December vacations in Hermanus.
Leon, a Chartered Accountant, concluded his career in merchant banking and financial management in 2015 and relocated to Hermanus in August 2016.
He remains active in business valuation projects and is an avid golf player.
Leon aspires to leverage his financial expertise to ensure the continued financial and administrative health of the HPP.
Jerry van Niekerk – Chairman
Responsibility: Lead the board, facilitate agreement on strategy, oversee HPP’s activities and ensure sound governance of the NPC. Manage HPP’s relationship with the OM Mayor and Mayoral Committee.
Jerry and Cheryl purchased their holiday home in Hermanus Heights 19 years ago and settled here permanently in December 2021. He was the founding chairman of Hermanus Siyakha, a registered Non-Profit Company dedicated to supporting township-based small and medium enterprises.
During his corporate career at Old Mutual, Jerry held executive, director and trustee positions in various Old Mutual-owned entities.
Now, with an M.Phil. degree in Managing Coaching from Stellenbosch Business School, he specialises in entrepreneurial, career and life coaching.
In conclusion
It is pleasing to see that all the suburbs and the CBD are represented on the HPP Board. In addition, we now have highly capable leaders to provide oversight of, and support to our strategic priorities. ‘Thank you’ to the Directors for giving up their time and sharing their talents in service of HPP, without any financial reward.
Marcia Bown, HPP’s Executive Officer, also deserves our appreciation for the dedication she shows to her task.
That is all for now and as always, I urge you to be vigilant and aware.
Jerry van Niekerk
HPP Chair
E-Mail: chairperson@hpp.org.za
Website: https://hpp.org.za