After the Covid-19-pandemic ruined the Whale Festival for the past two years visitors flocked to Hermanus this weekend to enjoy the festival.
According to Jeanette du Toit, the chairperson of the Whale Festival Committee, this is the 31st year the Hermanus Whale Festival celebrates the return of the Southern Right Whales to the coastal waters of Southern Africa. “This is a tribute to the legacy to the town by Wendy the Whale whose story is about man’s ability to live in harmony with nature as well as people’s ability to come together as communities valuing the environment. All events and activities are focused to create awareness on how to protect the whales and all our marine wildlife who share our coastal waters.”
During a cocktail dinner on Thursday evening the Speaker of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament Masizole Mnqasela said: “The Hermanus International Whale Festival is an important spectacle for the global economy.’’ He said given the contribution of the festival to the tourism economy and of cause to the development and growth of the province, it is one of the greatest events known globally for its contribution in the ecosystem and biodiversity “and that is something that needs to be supported by all governments”.
The Mayor of Overstrand, Dr Annelie Rabie, said at the opening she was thrilled and honoured to open the Whale Festival.
The Veteran Motor Show, held at the Sandbaai Hall, attracted a lot of attention. According to organiser Roy Groenewald, he was overwhelmed with the interest in the show. “I thought there were going to be 150 cars on display,” he said. “We are happy to announce there were 170 entries, the oldest car a 1928 Chevrolet.”
According to Overstrand Municipal Manager Dean O’Neill this year the energetic whale activity in Walker Bay and the sunny weekend weather definitely played a part in making the Hermanus Whale Festival a festive affair.
“Visitors arrived on Friday afternoon and the pace picked up early on Saturday morning with activities continuing until Sunday afternoon, and the festival was well-subscribed with 240 entries, marine exhibitions, conservation educational talks, vintage vehicles in Sandbaai, eco- and a variety of fringe activities organised in and around Hermanus the Overstrand was buzzing with visitors from all over the Western Cape, South Africa and further abroad.
“The Overstrand was well represented in the food trucks, entertainment and exhibitions, and the festival visitors were an integrated representation of all our communities. Judging by the activity on the street it was a whale of a Hermanus Whale Festival.”
