Biosphere Living

The BBRA represents the interests of Betty's Bay ratepayers and residents. It aims to cultivate and encourage interest in local affairs, promote conservation and represent Betty's Bay on the municipal Ward committee.

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Why Join
The BBRA is the representative body for its members who have a vested interest in the future of our village.
 
The BBRA committee consists of volunteers who:
  • Take up issues on behalf of its members.
  • Act as a pressure group to get a better service delivery deal from the Municipality and the bigger our membership base, the more clout we will have.
  • Has representation on the weekly JOCOM (Joint Operational Committee) meeting which is chaired by the SAPS Commanding Officer and is focused on crime-related issues.
  • Through the Ward Committee system, we monitor and address issues on behalf of the village.
The BBRA has Sub Committees
  • To combat growing crime in your neighbourhood, the BBRA has been proactive in assisting the Police in establishing a Neighbourhood Watch. The objective is to create a safe environment to protect your families and your property and to encourage the community to work together to fight crime! The BBRA is also represented on the Community Policing Forum.
  • The BBRA together with the Overstrand Fire Department have successfully established our own Community Voluntary Fire Fighting Team. By joining the BBRA you can help us to give these volunteers the support and equipment they need to keep our village safe in times of serious fires.
Communication
  • The BBRA has established our own website, http://www.bettysbay.info/ allowing us to keep in touch with our members on a daily basis and for the dissemination of important information.
  • A database had also been created, so that we can contact our members in case of emergency or refer them to important or urgent articles on the website.
  • A periodic newsletter is also envisaged to keep members informed.
Membership
  • Membership is not restricted to property owners only provided that you live in Bettys Bay for at least six months of the year.
  • Membership fees are set at an affordable R100-00 per person p.a.
  • Co-owners, spouses and life partners are encouraged to also become members – the higher our membership, the stronger our voice.
R100 per person per year, payable by EFT to:
 
Banking details
BBRA
Current Account
ABSA Hermanus,
Branch Code 632005,
Account No 4066 6164 39
NB! Reference must include your surname and Erf Number.
From the Chairman
DEAR RATEPAYERS AND RESIDENTS
Thank you for your ongoing support and collaboration with me and the portfolio principals. This month we are pleased to announce a significant addition to our safety and security portfolio. Special recognition goes to Simon Barlow for his generous contributions. It is worth noting that Simon has consistently demonstrated his commitment to this portfolio through previous contributions.
On the topic of safety and security, I am pleased to report a decrease in our crime stats. However, one of the key challenges we face is unemployment. To address this issue, I am proposing the establishment of two micro businesses to provide job opportunities for unemployed individuals. With your support and input, we can make this initiative a success.
One of the proposed micro businesses involves collecting tin cans in a designated space, flattening them, and selling the compressed tins in Somerset West. The proceeds from this venture could potentially benefit the Neighbourhood Watch coffers. The second micro business idea is to set up a dog bath with a tick and flea dip in Mooiuitsig, where community members can have their dogs dipped for a small fee. By participating in these ventures, we can create sustainable income opportunities for others and potentially even create more jobs in the future.
I believe that it is important for us to take proactive steps towards addressing unemployment in our community. Your support and co-operation are essential for the success of these initiatives. Together we can make a positive impact and potentially create additional employment opportunities for individuals in need. Thank you for considering this proposal.
 
MEMBERSHIP
We invite you to consider joining the BBRA and advocating for others to do so as well. We appreciate the support of those who have already joined, as well as those who regularly contribute donations.
Membership in the Betty’s Bay Ratepayers Association is a valuable investment in the future of our community. It allows members to actively participate in decision-making processes, stay informed on local issues, network with other residents, support community projects and have a voice in municipal discussions.
We urge you to join us in promoting community engagement and environmentally-friendly solutions as we strive for progress and prosperity. Thank you
New
For all proof of payments please send to:
This includes payments to the Neighbourhood Watch
 
BANK DETAILS R100 per person per year
Account Name:              Bettys Bay Ratepayers Association
Branch:                          ABSA Hermanus
Account type:                Cheque
Account Number:          4066616439
Our Ref:                       Your Surname & Erf Number
THE COMMITTEE
The portfolios are represented as follows.
1.
Treasurer
Hannelie Coetzee
Stony Point
2.
Disaster Management
Liz Buncker
Stony Point
3.
Fire and Rescue
Jorika Rabie
Stony Point
4.
BEST
Rob Boyd
Central
5.
Safety & Security
Wayne Jackson
Stony Point
6.
Engineering
Amund Beneke
Sunny Seas
7.
Nature Based Solutions
Liezel Bohdanowicz
Central
8.
Crassula Hall
Claudele Jackson
Stony Point
9.
Business
Shameez Joubert
Rondevlei
10.
Property and Development
Karon Scholefield
Stony Point
11.
Community Development
Abigail Davids
Central
12.
Web page and media
Wendy Lucas
Silversands
13.
Editor/ newsletters
Vivienne von der Heyden
Jock’s Bay
 
SOLVING PROBLEMS
I am disappointed by the disrespectful treatment of our Mayor and Councillor that has been observed recently. It is important for us to maintain professionalism and respect when addressing concerns or issues within our community.
It is essential to remember that our primary point of contact for addressing infra-structure and service-related problems is through our Municipality. We have established structures, such as the Ratepayers Association, that directly communicate with the Municipality and Ward committee to resolve issues effectively.
While it is appreciated that our municipal leadership goes above and beyond to assist us in certain situations, it is important to follow the proper channels for issue resolution. Politicians should not be directly involved in the operational workings of the municipality and should communicate through the same channels as residents.
I urge everyone to utilize the available communication tools and structured organizations to address concerns and be patient throughout the process. It is not productive to expect special treatment or make empty threats based on entitlement.
Let us work together as a community to address issues effectively and maintain a respectful relationship with our local leadership.
 
BETTY’S BAY NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH: WE NEED YOU
We need daytime patrollers on foot and/or in vehicles. We need the same for nighttime hours.
We need all drone owners who are interested in assisting in daytime responses to please look out for a WhatsApp message calling for you to attend a meeting at Crassula Hall, probably on 19 June at 18:00.
We need to ‘up’ our visibility programme and for that we need boots on the ground.
DOGS ON A LEASH: I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation to all individuals who have embraced the practice of walking their dogs on a leash, and I am especially thankful to those who also responsibly use waste bags.
BARKING DOGS: Attention pet owners: we kindly request that you address any excessive barking from your dogs. Continuous barking can be disruptive to the surrounding community. It is important to adhere to the updated pet policy, which is now in effect as law. For further information, please visit the municipal website to review the guidelines. Only two dogs per erf is permitted.
POACHING: Illegal poaching continues to be a significant criminal activity in Betty’s Bay. Sea Watch is actively collaborating with relevant agencies by providing valuable intelligence and physical evidence to aid in their efforts. While progress has been slow, there is a noticeable positive trend emerging. We recognize that there is still much work to be done to address this issue effectively.
CRASSULA GARDENS: We are a bit closer to establishing a garden next to Crassula Hall as the application is in its final stretch.  Public participation to follow. We have a fair amount of negativity to some of the things we try to do for the community. If you have an issue with the way the Ratepayers are doing things, please  engage with us instead of complaining to the mayor or to the municipality. It is ludicrous to live near the community hall and then want to complain about there being irritating activity at the hall.
OVERSTRAND MUNICPALITY TELEPHONES: Please  note that when you phone the control room or any number at our municipality the phone may ring consistently. This does not mean that they are not answering the phone, it means that they are busy on the phone. Our municipal phones do not have engaged signals. So do not give up, give it a minute, and try again.
FIRE HYDRANTS: Thank you to those who have adopted a fire hydrant space. These spaces are looking good.
WHAT’S NEW IN BETTY’S BAY
A Private Cannabis Club in Jock’s Bay – Keith Moss
A new Private Cannabis Club has been established in Betty’s Bay recently at 2988 Clarence Drive, as some may have noticed. They have written to us to provide clarity and legal insight into the operation and management of private cannabis clubs in South Africa. This is an initiative that aligns with current legal standards and cultural shifts in our country.
The Constitutional Court of South Africa ruled in September 2018 that the use, possession, and cultivation of cannabis by an adult in private is not a criminal offence. Building on this foundation, private cannabis clubs have emerged as community-based organizations where the private cultivation and consumption of cannabis is conducted in a regulated and safe environment by its members.
A private cannabis club operates based on membership. Individuals must be adults and apply for membership to join the club. The club’s operations are strictly non-commercial. Cannabis is cultivated collectively on behalf of members, with each member having a designated portion of the plant yield, which is for personal use and not for sale. The club itself operates on a non-profit basis, with membership fees or contributions solely used to cover the costs of cultivation and other club expenses.
It is pertinent to note that while private cannabis clubs operate within a private and controlled framework, they are not explicitly regulated under South African law. This lack of specific legislative guidelines calls for a responsible approach to self-regulation. Clubs are expected to ensure that:
  • Cannabis distribution is strictly confined to members and not distributed to the public.
  • Cultivation and storage sites are secured, and access is controlled.
  • All activities uphold the privacy and confidentiality of members.
  • Furthermore, the club maintains records of its membership, cannabis cultivation volumes, and distributions, which can be used to demonstrate compliance with personal-use provisions should legal inquiries arise.
This model seeks to protect members from legal risks associated with the public purchase and sale of cannabis, providing a controlled environment where adults can exercise their rights as affirmed by the highest court in the land.
The club has freely written to us in the hope this explanation provides a clear understanding of the legal and operational framework of a private cannabis club in Betty’s Bay.
Furthermore, the members are active in the community, participating in beach clean-ups, invasive plant removals, fire prevention and more in the Hangklip area.
Should you require further details or wish to discuss this matter, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Keith Moss – 072 779 2465, kemoss@sonicmail.co.za
Member of Outlaw Cannabis Cape Town
2988 Clarence Drive, Betty’s Bay, 7141
Kind regards
Wayne Jackson
Chairman

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