Dit is vir my en die raad van die Mosselbaaimunisipaliteit ‘n besondere voorreg om in hierdie feestyd weer eens vakansiegangers en toeriste in die mooie Mosselbaai te verwelkom.
Dit is ‘n voorreg dat julle Mosselbaai as vakansiebestemming gekies het en ek is oortuig dat jul verblyf hier julle sal oorreed om weer en weer hierheen terug te keer.
Good Governance Africa ranks Mossel Bay the top local government performer in South Africa in its 2019 Government Performance Index. I am confident that you will experience the excellent service that this municipality is renowned for.
Ek is oortuig dat vakansiegangers en inwoners hierdie feesseisoen die groter Mosselbaai se ongerepte strande terdeë sal geniet. Tog wil ek u uitnooi om van die bekende weë af te wyk en besoek te bring aan die landelike gebiede. Dit is hier waar talle juweeltjies versteek is wat die rit daarheen die moeite werd sal maak. Die natuurskoon waarin gemeenskappe soos Friemersheim, Herbertsdale, Buisplaas en Brandwag geleë is, dra by tot ‘n besonderse ervaring.
Mossel Bay, like many other regions in our country, is experiencing a drought and I, therefore, implore visitors and residents to use water sparingly.
May your visit to our beautiful town be blessed.
Harry Levendal - Executive Mayor
Mossel Bay is home to a number of significant historical buildings. Many of these are sandstone structures in the centre of the town and in the streets parallel or perpendicular to Marsh Street. The upper town comprises steep inclines and narrow roadways, many of them single lane. It truly is worth exploring these streets. Besides the interesting buildings, there are magnificent views of the bay to enjoy from these vantage points.
The Mossel Bay Advertiser home
Dutch Reformed Church (Klipkerk), Church Street
The Carpenter's Shop
The St Peter’s Anglican Church
The address is 9 Church Street. This building used to house the Standard Bank branch in town. Built in the neo-classical style in 1902, this is the only building of this style left in Mossel Bay.
It is said that Sir Herbert Baker designed this building. It was built in 1898 as a store for the company, WJ Swart en Seuns. The name still appears on a carved stone plaque. This building is also a national monument.
Built in 1879, it features the simple lines of the early English style. The steeple, added in 1906, is unique in that it is constructed entirely out of stone, even the spire. The church has beautiful Gothic windows and is a national monument.
Built in 1917 by architect Sir Herbert Baker, Gewels Guest House is a gracious white and green building with numerous gables, as the name suggests. It is a landmark on your right as you enter Mossel Bay on George Street. It overlooks Santos beach.
Originally it was erected in 1849 as a warehouse and trading post by Barry & Nephews of Swellendam. In 1941 it was owned by the African Golden Ochre Company, exporters of ochre from nearby Albertinia.
The first of these cottages was built by Alexander Munro from Scotland in about 1830 for a mere £25. Munro operated a canteen on the premises, where unruly seamen met. His son got the first permit to cull whales on the beach below. The front house is one of Mossel Bay's national monuments.
When this building was erected in 1857, the then magistrate described it as "the most extensive and commodious premises in this village". The iron hoisting apparatus used to lift supplies is still visible today.
One of only a few old three-storeyed buildings in town, it was erected as offices in 1904. The style reminds one of the typical Netherlands "Urk" architecture.
The building is at the Bland Street entrance to the harbour. Owing to an increase in cargo, the Harbour Company was forced to build a warehouse. Construction started in 1901 and the building was completed in 1902 - hence the two dates on the gables. Stones for the building were quarried at the Point. Two stained glass windows depicting life on the river Thames can be seen on the Bland Street side.
The building was erected in 1974, a second storey was added in 1882 and a balcony in 1898. The exterior has remained unchanged and at a stage the building was known as "Queen’s Warehouse." On the corner of Bland Street is a special cornerstone that prevented the wagons from damaging the wall when turning.
Built in 1881 as a shop, this building is said to have been used as a concert hall during the Anglo-Boer War. For many years the window sills in Cuff Street were used by the local fishing folk for sharpening their knives.
In 1858 a piece of land was given to the Public Building Company to erect a library, reading room and municipal meeting room. This white building was completed in 1858. Built in the typical Karoo style, facing the sea, the Annex is a national monument.
The cornerstone of this typically Romanic building was laid in 1878. The cost of the church, built of dressed stone, was R37 820 - including the pews and a new organ.
The address is 9 Church Street. This building used to house the Standard Bank branch in town. Built in the neo-classical style in 1902, this is the only building of this style left in Mossel Bay.
For the sport fanatics there is cycling, golf, angling, surfing, sandboarding, snorkelling and scuba diving.
Dragon Dune is considered the longest sandboard ride in South Africa.
The area even offers sport for adrenaline junkies. Enjoy the longest sandboard ride in the world, down Dragon Dune at Vlees Bay, west of Mossel Bay.
Try shark cage diving. Mossel Bay has a large number of great white sharks, which are kept well fed by the seals in the bay. The breeding ground for these mammals is Seal Island, also in the bay. Seize the opportunity to see great white sharks up close, from inside a cage.
Swimming Olympian Michael Phelps even came to town to “race against” a great white shark. Why not skydive on your own or do a tandem jump while you are in town?
Skydive Mossel Bay tandem instructor, Sakhele Tuyakume, doing what he does best - surfing the skies.
Mossel Bay and surrounding areas offer numerous lovely, Blue Flag status beaches. Here are some of the most popular spots, offering more than just bathing:
- Two swimming areas
- 1km of beach, boat launch
- 45 minutes from the Mossel Bay town centre.
- Two lovely beaches
- Lookout point for whales and dolphins
- 20 minutes from Mossel Bay town centre
- Access to the beaches not guaranteed; depending on the tides.
- Caravan park, chalets and ablutions
- Swimming area
- Angling
- Five minutes from the Mossel Bay town centre.
- Two swimming areas
- 3km of beach
- Ablutions
- Social areas
- 10 minutes from the town centre
- Three swimming areas
- Ablutions
- 6km of beach
- 20km from the Mossel Bay town centre.
- Tidal pools
- 3km-long walkway on the rocks
- Children's play areas
- Several restaurants
- Surfing
- Ablutions
- Three minutes from the town centre.
Take a trip to Great Brak River and discover this charming town 23km from Mossel Bay in the direction of George.
Great Brak has a unique atmosphere created by tranquil waterways, many bridges, historic buildings and quirky, arty coffee and craft shops. If you want a superior cup of coffee, Great Brak is your spot. The children will enjoy wallowing in the shallow water around the Island.
If you need to buy some last-minute gifts, you will find a variety, from homemade jams to preserved edible flowers.
There are quality restaurants to choose from. You can feast on traditional South African fare, through to oysters and other seafood, to Banting dishes. There is even a chocolatier in town, from whom you can purchase just-made, fine Belgian truffles.
Mossel Bay is well known for its fresh fish. There are many fish shops in town, otherwise you can purchase fish at the harbour. Throw a fish on the braai (get the men to do the work!), otherwise, if you’re feeling creative, cook up a special lunch for friends, served with iced drinks.
Gurnard Fish cakes with chilli sauce
Ingredients:
- 300g gurnard fillets tablespoon butter, melted
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp crushed garlic
- 1 tsp dried, mixed herbs
- 2 or 3 slices brown bread
- 1 egg 60 ml milk
- 2 tbs chopped coriander
- 1 tsp crushed, dried chillies or chilli powder
Oil and butter mixed for frying
Method:
Place fish fillets in oven dish. Spread over them the crushed garlic, melted butter, dried, mixed herbs and sugar.
Grill fish for a few minutes, turn and grill other side until cooked through. Make sure the fish is slightly blackened in places. This adds flavour. Remove from grill. Mash up the fish with any liquid around it.
Place bread and milk in microwave and warm slightly. Mash up the soggy bread and add to the mashed fish. Beat egg and add to the mashed fish mixture. Add coriander and chilli powder. Form the fish mix into cakes and fry in a pan until slightly browned on each side. Serve with chilli sauce for dipping and wedges of lime or lemon.
Gurnard with Roasted red pepper salsa
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp flour, optional 400g gurnard
- 1 tsp oil
- 1 tsp butter
- To taste: salt & freshly ground pepper
- To taste: lemon juice
Salsa:
- 2 spring onions, sliced
- 1 red pepper cup fresh coriander
- tbsp Thai fish sauce
- Olive oil
1 lime or lemon
Directions:
Wash the fish under running water. Pat dry with a paper towel.
Dredge lightly in flour if you wish.
Heat a frying pan over a medium heat. When hot, add about 1 tsp each of oil and butter.
Carefully place the fish in the frying pan and cook for 2-3 minutes, then turn, season with salt and squeeze over a splash of lemon juice. Cook for a further 2-3 minutes.
Remove fish on to warm serving plates.
Add the red pepper salsa (recipe below) to the fish juices and butter/oil in the frying pan and warm the salsa for 2 minutes. Pour on to the fish and season with freshly ground black pepper.
Roasted red pepper salsa:
On the braai, stove top or in a hot oven (180C) blacken the skin of the whole pepper.
Put the pepper in a closed ceramic bowl with a lid on to steam the pepper and leave to cool.
Peel the pepper, slice in half and remove the seeds, then slice in long strips.
Add the spring onion and coriander to the bowl, add the fish sauce and pour over enough olive oil to give the mixture a good sheen without making it too runny. Squeeze over the fresh lime or lemon juice.
List of restrictions:
• Watering of gardens is limited to one hour per day between 18:00 and 19:00 and to two days per week. No irrigation systems may be used. Evennumbered households are restricted to Mondays and Thursdays only. Uneven numbered households are restricted to Tuesdays and Fridays only. Watering with a garden hose may only be done if the hose is hand held.
• At sports fields, only the watering of cricket pitches, golf course greens, and bowling greens are permitted for two hours per day, restricted to Tuesday and Friday mornings before 09:00.
• No hosing of roofs, driveways and any other surface and no washing of vehicles with garden hoses are permitted.
• The filling of swimming pools at households is prohibited.
Get off
the couch
Boggomsbaai-gholfklub bied borgdae by die klub aan. Daar is ‘n kompetisie geborg deur Mosselbaai Toyota op 14 Desember en een geborg deur Buffelsdrift Game Lodge op 21 Desember. Vir inligting kontak Marius (082 780 3987).
Die reeks van drie word weer in drie dorpe aangebied. Oudtshoorn kom op Maandag, 16 Desember aan die beurt, die tweede been op Knysna is op Woensdag, 18 Desember en die derde been vind op Vrydag, 20 Desember op Hartenbos plaas.
Die voorste mylatlete is uitgenooi om in die Suid-Kaap te kom deelneem. Die uniekheid van hierdie reeks lê reeds in die feit dat elke dorp sy eie straatmyl-identiteit behou, maar tog deel vorm van die Eden-straatmylreeks. Die Grand Prix-wenner word ná afloop van al drie byeenkomste bepaal.
Die fietsry-straatmyle vind net op Oudtshoorn en Knysna plaas en gaan beslis van die land se topfietsryers trek. Vir inligting kontak Hans van der Veen (hvdveen1966@gmail.com) of Dave van der Walt (082 773 4901).
Die Hartenbos MTB-padfietswedren vind op 26 Desember vanaf Hart & Bosch Village plaas. Die MTB-afstande is 60km, 40km en 30km. Vir meer inligting, kontak Marius van der Mescht (072 567 7791), Luther van der Mescht (044 691 2828 of 082 922 5381) of Elise Swanepoel (082 688 7469).
- • Bonniedale Holiday Farm (in Attaquaskloof, near Ruiterbos). There are various trails for different capabilities. Call 044 631 0900 or email info@bonniedale.com.
• Vleesbaai Dune Route, near Mossel Bay (084 588 7963 or 082 784 8238 or vleesbaai4x4@gmail.com).
Hartenbos-tennisklub bied op die volgende dae hul einde van
die jaar toernooie aan. Goeie pryse kan gewen word.
• Junior toernooi - 17 Desember, koste R60.
• Sosiale toernooi - 19 Desember, koste R60.
• Liga/spanspelers - 23 Desember, koste R100. Ligte etes beskikbaar. Vooraf inskrywings kan by Anette Ferreira (083 426 6062) gedoen word. Alle toernooie begin om 08:00.
• Mosselbaai: St Blaize-roete (044 691 2202) l Boggomsbaai /
Vleesbaai: Oystercatcher-roete (044 699 1204 of 082 550 4788)
• Groot-Brakrivier: Great Brak River Village Walk (044 620
3338 of 083 448 1966) l Zorgfontein (044 620 2026)
• Ruiterbos: Koumanshoek (044 691 2202)
• Ruiterbos (044 691 2202)
• Op die Robinson (044 691 2202)
Mossel Bay has some really cool surf spots.
The Point is unique. It has two waves breaking next to each other, Inner Pool and Outer Pool. The prevailing wind is an offshore south westerly, which brings the swell from Cape Town. Inner Pool is the playground for most locals. What makes Outer Pool famous is the length of the ride and the barrel down at the bottom section.
Mystery Reef is the local big wave spot. The perfect A-frame peak can be surfed on smaller days, but you'll need guts to surf these walls on tougher days.
Moving along the coast is Ding Dang, a classic and old favourite, offering two options. A-frame barrelling waves give either a good hollow, barrelling left or long right walls for practising surfing wizardry.
For the surfer starting out, Diaz Beach is the place to be. It´s a great beach break, which means no rocks, and there are a few different waves to avoid overcrowding. This is where you want to learn your balance, your pop-up and your first few moves.
The Hot Summer of Touch touchies rugby competitions take place at beaches in the Western Cape on the following dates in December:
- 7 Dec - Camps Bay
- 14 Dec - Kleinmond
- 16 Dec - Strand
- 19 Dec - Onrus
- 23 Dec - Struisbaai
- 26 Dec - Still Bay
- 28 Dec - Dias Beach, Mossel Bay
- 31 December - Grande finale, Hartenbos beach.
Dié mark is elke dag oop vanaf 30 November tot 5 Januarie, behalwe op Kersdag. Dit begin om 09:00 en sluit om 18:00. Kom kuier in die groot wit tent en snuffel vir enige produk van jou keuse. Dit is geleë op die hoek van Kamassiestraat- en Onderbosstraat, oorkant die gholf driving range in Hartenbos. Kontak Judith by 072 042 4255.
Die 13de Mosselbaai Kerskunsmark vind plaas van 17 - 19 Desember in die Mosselbaai-Suid NG Kerksaal, op die hoek van 15de en 17de laan. Die mark is elke dag oop van 08:00- 18:00. Dit is elke jaar ‘n paradys van unieke handgemaakte en goedgekeurde geskenke en produkte onder meer naald-, hout-, krale- en leerwerk; koekies,beskuit en gebak; juwele; draad en herwinningsprodukte; klere; kinderspeelgoed; vetplante; snuisterye; boeke en vele meer. Hierdie produkte is teen bekostigbare pryse en nie in winkels te koop nie. Vir meer inligting of stalletjiebesprekings, kontak Cecile - 082 224 3865.
Die Goods Shed in Blandstraat naby die ingang na die hawe spog met ‘n koffiewinkel, veilige speelplek vir die kinders en talle keurige stalletjies wat alles en nog wat op ‘n permanente basis bemark. Kontak Noor Boolay by 081 392 6241 of die Goods Shed by 044 690 5358 of thegoodsshed@ mosselbay.gov.za.
Die NG Moedergemeente se Kersmark word vanaf 12 - 13 Desember, van 09:00 - 18:00 in die Klipkerk in Kerkstraat aangebied en bied ‘n groot verskeidenheid handgemaakte items en heerlike eetgoed. Vir inligting, bel 044 691 2465.
Hierdie vind plaas by Hartenbos-, Santos- en die Puntstrande. Kontak Melony 072 837 8803 of 044 695 2331.
Dit vind elke Sondag vanaf 09:00 tot 14:00 plaas, net buite Hartenbos langs die Hartenbos-rivier en N2. Toegang is vanaf die R102 (ou Groot Brakpad). Kyk uit vir die FARMER'S MARKET-naambord. Die mark verskaf heerlike vars organiese groente, vrugte, tuisgemaakte produkte, lekker eetgoed en yskoue drinkgoed. Kontak Alma by 082 601 9936.
Drie gewilde aandmarkte word hierdie jaar deur die Onafhanklike Entrepeneursvereniging georganiseer en sal soos gewoonlik weer uitstekende waarde vir geld aanbied. Die Mosselbaai-aandmark vind plaas op Vrydag, 20 Desember in Marshstraat. Daar is twee Hartenbos-aandmarkte, een op Saterdag, 21 Desember en die tweede op Maandag, 23 Desember. Die Hartenbos-aandmarkte is by die Carney-gebou in Kaap de Goedehooplaan. Kontak Melony by 072 837 8803 of 044 695 2331 - Maandag tot Donderdag, 08:00 tot 15:00.
Kom span uit by dié gewilde mark oorkant die Pick n Pay-sentrum vir die heerlikste lekkernye - en vars aarbeie en oulike vlooimarkstalletjies. Die mark vind elke Saterdag gedurende Desember tot vroeg in Januarie, vanaf 08:00 tot 13:00 plaas. Kontak Melony by 072 837 8803 of 044 695 2331.
Besoek die groot wit tent in Hartenbos enige dag tot 5 Januarie. Dis oop tussen 09:00 en 18:00. Mense sê dis die lekkerste ‘Arts & Crafts’ mark ooit! www.thelighthousemarket.co.za
Dit vind plaas by die Carney-gebou en die strate langsaan die gebou, vanaf 6 Desember tot 8 Januarie, 09:00 tot 18:00 elke dag. Kontak Melony by 072 837 8803 of 044 695 2331.
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