Hermanus Explained

Hermanus
Pushpin Map:South Africa Western Cape#South Africa#Africa
Coordinates:-34.4167°N 34°W
Subdivision Name:South Africa
Subdivision Name1:Western Cape
Subdivision Name2:Overberg
Subdivision Name3:Overstrand
Subdivision Type4:Main Place
Established Title:Established
Leader Title:Councillor
Area Total Km2:17.03
Population Total:5610
Population As Of:2011
Population Density Km2:auto
Demographics Type1:Racial makeup (2011)
Demographics1 Title1:White
Demographics1 Info1:80.66%
Demographics1 Title2:Black African
Demographics1 Info2:12.25%
Demographics1 Title3:Colored
Demographics1 Info3:5.65%
Demographics1 Title4:Indian/Asian
Demographics1 Info4:0.78%
Demographics1 Title5:Other
Demographics1 Info5:0.66%
Demographics Type2:First languages (2011)
Demographics2 Title1:Afrikaans
Demographics2 Info1:44.68%
Demographics2 Title2:English
Demographics2 Info2:31.76%
Demographics2 Title3:Xhosa
Demographics2 Info3:0.64%
Demographics2 Title4:Sotho
Demographics2 Info4:0.27%
Demographics2 Title5:Other
Demographics2 Info5:22.64%
Timezone1:SAST
Utc Offset1:+2
Postal Code Type:Postal code (street)
Postal Code:7200
Postal2 Code Type:PO box
Postal2 Code:7200
Area Code Type:Area code
Area Code:028

Hermanus (originally called Hermanuspietersfontein, but shortened in 1902 as the name was too long for the postal service,[1] in Afrikaans 'ɦæːrmɑːnəs/), is a town on the southern coast of the Western Cape province of South Africa. It is known for Southern Right whale watching during the southern winter to spring seasons, and is a popular retirement location.

History

Hermanus Pieters (ca.1778–1837) was a Dutch teacher who arrived in Cpt in 1815. He was recruited by Dutch-speaking farmers who disliked that English was the only language used in all government schools. He settled in Caledon, but taught Dutch to farmers in a wide area around that town, including the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. He often vacationed at the spring ("fontein") in present-day Hermanus, where he fished and grazed his sheep, the place eventually became known as “Hermanus Pieters se Fonteyn”. He died before the village Hermanuspietersfontein existed. 65 years after his death the postmaster decided to abbreviate the name to Hermanus.[1]

The parents of Roger Bushell, leader of the "Great Escape" (the escape by Allied airmen from Stalag Luft III in World War II), retired in Hermanus after World War II, and are buried there. Bushell's name is one of those commemorated on the war memorial.

Location

Hermanus lies along Walker Bay on the south coast of the Western Cape. It is located about 115 km southeast of Cape Town and is connected to the Mother City by the R43 highway (or coastal R44 scenic route) and N2 motorway. The R43 continues to Cape Agulhas, the most southerly point of Africa. Hermanus is 40 km from Gansbaai, a spot where people can dive amongst the great white sharks.It is also notable that Hermanus still boasts a historic railway station building without a railway line. The founders of the town decided not to lay any tracks as this would have made Hermanus more commercial and felt that Hermanus needed to stay a small fisherman's village. To this day the locals still refer to it as "the village."

The town of Vermont borders Hermanus to its east.

Sandbaai lies on the coast at the entrance to the Hemel-en-Aarde (Heaven and Earth) Valley. It is the most recently developed and fastest-growing residential area of Greater Hermanus.[2] Zwelihle, designated a "black" area by the apartheid era government, is a residential area that consists mainly of shacks. Following the COVID-19 pandemic the town has emerged as a popular destination for very wealthy South Africans to move to.[3]

Climate

Hermanus is classified as having a warm-summer Mediterranean climate (Köppen).[4] It receives roughly 520 mm of rain per annum, the majority of which falls during the winter months of June to August in the form of frontal precipitation. Average midday temperatures range from 25 °C in February to 16 °C in July.[4] Extremes above 30 °C and under 10 °C are not uncommon. Summer and Winter months are characterised by strong south-easterly and north-westerly winds respectively.

Facilities

The Space Science Directorate of the South African National Space Agency, previously the Hermanus Magnetic Observatory (HMO), is a research facility of the National Research Foundation and forms part of the worldwide network which monitors variations of the Earth's magnetic field.

Accommodation

Hermanus, a picturesque coastal town in South Africa, offers a wide range of accommodation options to cater to the diverse needs of visitors. From luxurious hotels to cozy bed and breakfast establishments, tourists can find the perfect place to stay while exploring the beauty and charm of Hermanus.

Hotels

  1. Harbour House Hotel: A boutique hotel located in the heart of Hermanus, offering elegant rooms, stunning sea views, and top-notch amenities.
  2. Windsor Hotel: A historic hotel with a classic charm, providing comfortable accommodations and easy access to the town center.
  3. Birkenhead House: A luxury hotel perched above the cliffs of Walker Bay, boasting exquisite rooms, gourmet dining, and personalized service.

Self Catering

  1. Mosselberg on Grotto Beach: Upscale self-catering apartments with modern amenities and proximity to the beach, ideal for those seeking independence and flexibility in their accommodation.
  2. The Esplanade: Stylish self-catering apartments along Marine Drive, offering a blend of luxury and convenience with exceptional facilities and scenic views.

Guest Houses

  1. Schulphoek Guest House: Nestled in a tranquil setting near the coast, this guest house features tastefully decorated rooms, personalized service, and a serene atmosphere.

Environment

Beaches

Grotto Beach is the largest beach in Hermanus and has also been proclaimed a blue Flag beach. Blue flag beaches meet international environment, safety and management criteria.[5] Other beaches with Blue Flag status include Voëlklip, Onrus, Kammabaai, Langbaai, and Hawston.The rugged coastline also hosts many other smaller beaches, coves and tidal pools.

Floral diversity

Hermanus is in the Cape Floristic Region and thus has one of the highest plant diversity levels in the world.[6] The principal vegetation type of this region is fynbos, a mixture of evergreen shrub-like plants with small firm leaves. In the local Fernkloof Nature Reserve, 1,474 plant species have thus far been collected and identified.[7]

Bird watching

Over 100 varieties of bird species reside in the Greater Hermanus area. Species such as the Orange-breasted Sunbird, the Cape Sugarbird, Victorin's Warbler, and other rare animals, make Hermanus a destination for bird enthusiasts.[8]

Whales and whale-spotting

The town is noted for the presence of whales that often swim within sight of the coastline of the town. Although the Southern Right whale is the most prolific species in Hermanus bay, it is not the only species in the area. The whales can be seen from the cliffs all along the coast from as early as June and usually depart in early-December. They were once hunted in the nearby town of Betty's Bay, but are now protected. The Old Harbour Museum contains several exhibitions that explain the local whaling industry, and the De Wetshuis Photo Museum houses an exhibition of photos by T. D. Ravenscroft that depicts the history of Hermanus. The Whale Museum houses a skeleton of a whale and shows an audio-visual presentation of whales and dolphins twice daily.

Visitors can watch whales from the cliff-tops, from the air or via boats. Since August 1992, Hermanus has had the world's only whale crier, the first being Pieter Classen 1992-1998, then Wilson Salukazana 1998-2006,[9] and Zolile Baleni since April 2006,[10] who sounds his kelp horn to announce where whales have been sighted. In 2005, Zakes Mda wrote the novel The Whale Caller in which the Whale Crier of Hermanus is the main character, a man who gets enthralled by a southern right whale he names Sharisha. The book was adapted into a 2016 movie by the same name.

Whale festival

Hermanus hosts an annual Hermanus Whale Festival at the end of September,[11] to celebrate the calving and mating season. Eco-Tourism is the main theme of the Hermanus whale festival with the Eco-Marine Village. Residents and visitors celebrate the migration of Southern Right Whales and other marine wildlife with ocean-themed activities and exhibitions, emphasizing education and environmentally responsible adventures and activities. Prior to this main whale festival, a Kalfiefees (or Calf Festival) is held, to welcome the first whales (usually in August). Both festivals are characterized by food and craft stalls, environmental presentations, and South African drama productions.

Notable residents

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://www.hermanus.co.za/history/126-history-sj-du-toit Hermanus Pieters: The Beginnings of Hermanus
  2. Web site: About Hermanus including facts as well as tourist information. 16 September 2014.
  3. Web site: Muller . Joan . 26 May 2022 . Why SA's super-rich are flocking to Hermanus . 2022-05-28 . BusinessLIVE . en-ZA.
  4. Web site: Hermanus Weather . 16 September 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140923073758/http://www.hermanus-seekers.com/hermanus/weather-for-hermanus . 23 September 2014 .
  5. Web site: Beaches . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140927172948/http://www.blueflag.org/menu/criteria/beaches . 27 September 2014 . 16 September 2014.
  6. Web site: 10 November 2017 . The Cape Floral Region . Unesco World Heritage List . United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation.
  7. Web site: About Hermanus including facts as well as tourist information . 16 September 2014.
  8. Web site: Hermanus on Afristay More information . 28 October 2020.
  9. Web site: http://www.hermanus.co.za/stories.asp?num=12 . www.hermanus.co.za . https://web.archive.org/web/20050406213012/http://www.hermanus.co.za/stories.asp?num=12 . April 6, 2005.
  10. http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?
  11. Web site: Home . hermanuswhalefestival.co.za.