2014 seems to have passed in a flash! But when we look back over the year we realise that much has been accomplished. Many of us have forgotten the floods that occurred in January resulting in our dams being filled to capacity.

This unfortunately caused some serious damage to infrastructure resulting in unplanned expenditure. Overstrand also successfully negotiated taking over the management of the Karwyderskraal solid waste facility and the construction of a new refuse cell is in progress.

This will relieve the pressure on the Gansbaai refuse disposal facility by the middle of 2015. 183 new homes were constructed in Eluxolweni and were handed over to the beneficiaries and the 2^nd phase of the water main placement project in Pearly Beach was also completed. The tarring of the road between Gansbaai and Elim has also commenced and the new bridge across the Uilkraal river, (which replaces the old low level bridge which was constructed in 1944) was commissioned by the residents of Baardskeerdersbos in appropriate style recently. Baardskeerdersbos also received a new water treatment plant which now supplies the village with clear drinking water for the first time in its existence.

Following the retirement of Ald Pieter Scholtz the DA successfully contested the by-election in Gansbaai, ensuring that we retain control of the Overstrand Municipal Council. For this we thank each one who supported the DA and our candidate, Riana de Coning. Shirley and I pray that your celebration of the feast of Christmas will be filled with peace and hope. May you be reassured that whatever you face in the days that lie ahead, that the Lord is near - in fact as close as the mention of His Name.

Shalom.

Cllr Dudley Coetzee