The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee was celebrated in most of the Commonwealth countries, inlcuding South Africa after a young women from Zwelihle, Inga Mfundise (19), approached the Commonwealth to organise a celebration in Hermanus.
“I saw media coverage of the Commonwealth celebrating Queen Elizabeth II’s historic 70-year rule and decided to make the Overstrand part of this,” she said. Mfundise’s efforts were rewarded by a letter from the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust confirming Inga’s invitation to host a Platinum Jubilee Beacons event. Although the main event was held in London, beacons were lit in all 54 Commonwealth capitals across five continents for the first time.
The celebrations on Thursday 2 June started in Zwelihle and the lighting of the beacon was held at the Old Harbour in Hermanus with the Mayor, Dr Annelie Rabie, together with fellow municipal officials and the Mayco members attending this event.
The mayor expressed her congratulations and appreciation to Inga and said this young girl brought honour to Hermanus. “My wish for everyone here is to feel welcome and at home, that they may all feel they belong and that the Overstrand is where they want to grow up, develop and contribute,” Rabie said.