11/11/2024
Plett nominated as the WORLD’S Leading Beach Destination in the World Travel Awards...
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Plett it's a feeling
#260 | Plett Among World’s Leading Beach Destinations
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PLETT'S GLOBAL RECOGNITION: WORLD'S LEADING BEACH NOMINATION & BLUE FLAG HONOURS
Plett Tourism is thrilled to announce that in addition to being nominated as Africa’s Leading Beach Destination for the 15th year, the town has also been nominated as the World’s Leading Beach Destination in the World Travel Awards this year.
This marks its first global nomination, placing it alongside renowned beaches like those in Thailand, Hawaii, and the Maldives. While Cape Town is also a South African nominee in the Africa’s Leading Beach Destination category, Plettenberg Bay is the sole South African contender for the global title in the prestigious global travel awards.
Additionally, Bitou has been awarded 8 international Blue Flag Awards for the 2024/2025 season, and a Green Coast Award for Nature’s Valley, at the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) Blue flag and Green Coast Awards.
The coveted Blue Flag status is one of the world’s most recognisable voluntary eco labels awarded to beaches, marinas, and sustainable boating tourism operators. Plett received full Blue Flag status for six of its beaches – Robberg 5, The Waves, Nature’s Valley, Lookout, The Dunes and Singing Kettle – and, for a 10th consecutive year, seal-swimming operator Offshore Adventures for its two boats.
To qualify for the Blue Flag, a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety and accessibility criteria must be met and maintained. Robberg 5 and Lookout beaches received special awards celebrating 15 and 10 years, respectively, in the Blue Flag programme which serves to highlight Bitou’s long standing commitment to excellence.
“Life in Plett revolves around enjoying our beautiful natural surroundings: the ocean, the beaches, the forests and mountains. That’s why we fight so fiercely to protect them. This vision is shared with our local Bitou Municipality, our marine activities and conservation initiatives,” says Patty Butterworth, CEO of Plett Tourism.
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Plett nominated as the World’s Leading Beach Destination
6-9 Nov 2024 - Callaho Western Cape Rider's Grand Prix Tour at Robberg Equestrian Centre
KAY & MONTY CHAMPU WINS DOUBLE GOLD
KAY & MONTY CHAMPU WINS DOUBLE GOLD
Plett Tourism would like to congratulate Kay & Monty Vineyards on the recognition of their Champu 2017 with a Double Gold (a score in excess of 95/100) in The Amorim Cap Classique Challenge 2024.
This award is considered South Africa’s most respected accolade honouring local, naturally-fermented sparkling wines and showcasing the incredible diversity of regional terroir to be found here. While heart-warming for Kay & Monty, this achievement also casts a worthy spotlight on all the vintners and viticulturists of Plettenberg Bay – the country’s smallest “Wine of Origin” production area.
Kay and Monty said in a statement: “As a small, family-owned farm, it truly takes a team effort to craft the four boutique wines currently in Kay & Monty’s range. Lots of early mornings and long days go into every vintage; a huge amount of hard work and commitment that has borne fruit in not only the popularity of their easy-drinking wines with customers, but in renowned industry awards like this one.
The tightly-woven team in the cellar is directed by legendary winemaker, Anton Smal, while the farm’s General Manager, Jennifer Woods, works tirelessly with their “farm family” to harvest, produce, bottle and market Champu and its sister wines.”
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Oakhill School
Amelia’s at The Plettenberg
UNVEILING AMELIA’S AT THE PLETTENBERG
The Plettenberg hotel has unveiled its new-look restaurant which is destined to become a popular new Plett venue not only for resident guests but also for casual diners booking for breakfast, lunch, cocktails and dinner.
The restaurant – Amelia’s at The Plettenberg – was reimagined in design and interiors by Dawn Dickerson, Carmel Naude and Tammy Fourie of HotCocoa Interiors & Design. The same team was also responsible for the new look of The Conservatory Restaurant at sister hotel, The Cellars-Hohenort in Cape Town, which opened last year.
CEO of The Liz McGrath Collection, Jacqui Elliott summarizes: ‘Colourful, whimsical, elegant, sophisticated yet approachable. Amelia’s at The Plettenberg is a warm, intimate, yet bold new restaurant space that invites diners to linger longer while savouring a delicious meal and enjoying the spectacular view.
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Du Toit Events
A GALA OF CREATIVITY AT THE PLETT ARTS FESTIVAL
A GALA OF CREATIVITY AT THE PLETT ARTS FESTIVAL
Didn’t get to the Plett ARTS Festival this past September? Here’s a peek at what you missed…
The 11th annual Plett ARTS Festival once again provided a rich tapestry of creativity and culture for both residents and visitors, showcasing the extraordinary talent that exists in our small coastal community. On opening night, the Plett ARTS Twilight Meander down the Main Street stole the show with exhibitions, live entertainment and meet-ups popping up all along the street and a festive atmosphere that left a lasting impact.
The festival featured a captivating lineup of more than 70 different events, including performances, exhibitions, workshops, and talks. Renowned artists, both local and visiting, provided a dazzling platform for all to enjoy, and the vibrant atmosphere and diverse offerings created an unforgettable experience for all.
Highlights of the festival included a solo exhibition of renowned photographer and writer, Obie Oberholzer’s images - spanning over 40 years of capturing iconic moments, unusual spaces and visual wonders.
Bronze Fields hosted a popular Concert in the Forest, Bronze Pouring and Land Art installation in the Harkerville Forest. The concert featured Germaine Leonard on guitar, Wynand Davel on violin and Auriol Hays singing under a floral archway perfectly illustrating the Plett ARTS Festival’s commitment to appreciating art and nature in unique ways.
Along with many other special moments, a standout of the festival was the Plett ARTS Twilight Meander which started the festival off on - well - a festive note! This year’s Twilight Meander was packed with visitors thronging the streets and moving from exhibition to exhibition, music buskers and performers on the roadside, art lovers dressed in their creative best with a feeling of curiosity and shared connection blanketing the street.
As in previous years, Pam Golding Properties hosted a curated exhibition and featured a performance by the celebrated troupe, the Kranshoek Griqua Rieldansers who brought their traditional, high energy dance style to Main Street.
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Another amazing Amorim win for Newstead
ANOTHER AMAZING AMORIM WIN FOR NEWSTEAD
Plett Tourism would like to congratulate Newstead Lund Family Vineyards for outstanding recognition in the prestigious Amorim Cap Classique Challenge. Newstead’s 2017 Blanc de Blanc was announced as the Best Producer and Overall Winner at the 2024 awards.
This is the second time Newstead has been awarded Best Producer which they won initially in 2020 in their first year of entering the challenge. Additionally, their 2017 Brut also won in the Extended Aging Class – a hat trick, with wins in the category in 2022, 2023 and now 2024!
In a statement, Newstead said: “We’ve been blown away by this. More than 130 bubblies were entered this year, and to be in the company of illustrious industry names is incredible. We’re still a relatively new estate, and we’ve been producing Cap Classique for less than a decade.
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Bayview Romantic Getaway
The striking new Slops Eatery features an upstairs family-friendly dining space and a separate downstairs bar
INTRODUCING SLOPS RESTAURANT
Just a hop and a skip from the iconic dolphin circle, the striking new Slops Eatery features an upstairs family-friendly dining space and a separate downstairs bar. The name Slops, a South African colloquial term meaning flip-flops, immediately brings to mind care-free days with family or friends, lazy holidays and joyful memories.
The interior reflects the most iconic beach style which was undoubtedly the 1950’s. This era, with its bold stripes, carefree attitude and classic feminine style, resulted in a space which is light, fresh, casual and feels like an eternal holiday. The unique interior is awash with bright orange and blue hues, perfectly capturing the essence of sun-soaked days by the sea and the desire to linger longer.
The casual dining menu is vast, ranging from crispy sourdough pizzas to the best grills and an array of seafood options. Slops food options are most certainly laid back and there is something for everyone with Slops’ signature dishes clearly receiving a positive response. The Slops cocktail list is unique and extensive alongside a carefully selected wine list, some from Plett’s very own vineyards. Browse the menu here.
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BITOU BIRDING FESTIVAL TAKES FLIGHT
Photo: Stephan van Wyk
BITOU BIRDING FESTIVAL TAKES FLIGHT
Quite simply, the inaugural Bitou Birding Festival soared! What started as a dream to celebrate bird life and conservation blossomed into a well-supported event that drew in not only local enthusiasts but also birders from afar.
Visitors travelled from Gauteng and even the Netherlands underscoring the growing interest in birding tourism and highlighting just how much people care about our feathered friends.
With over 460 tickets sold, organisers were thrilled to see more than 250 unique participants immersing themselves in all things bird-related. The birding walks were particularly popular, attracting many birders eager to explore the beautiful and diverse habitats of the Bitou region. Expert talks also captured attention, with topics like Birds and Raptors of the Bitou, Black Oystercatcher research, the Health Benefits of Birding, the success stories of our local conservation groups, and climate change’s impacts on bird populations.
For those looking to try something different, the canoe trips along the Bitou and Keurbooms rivers offered an unusual bird-watching experience complete with tranquil waters and stunning landscapes. Adventurous birders headed offshore for pelagic boat trips where they had the chance to observe pelagic seabirds in their oceanic habitat.
And let’s not forget the bird-ringing demonstrations facilitated by Dr. Mark Brown from Conserve Eden, where attendees got a behind-the-scenes look at bird netting, ringing, recording, and release
“Running a holiday rental agency has its challenges, of course, however our focus has been on running a business where ethics and a high level of service are very much part of our ethos,” explains Linda. “Supporting local and collaborating with the talented service providers and tourism trade experts in Plett has been fulfilling. It has been a true blessing living and working in Plettenberg Bay and having our children grown up here. The community of Plett are amazing and the natural beauty of Plettenberg Bay is a welcome balm. Plett It’s a Feeling really does sum it up.”
We would like to wish Linda, David and the Plett Villas family every success with their holiday rental, film and weddings divisions and their new real estate venture.
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MEET KWENDALO’S GIFT
MEET KWENDALO’S GIFT - by Sihle Ntsatha for Plett Tourism
Sihle chats to Kwendalo’s Farm Manager, Gift Lwazi about his love of farming and his work on Kwendalo’s farm and gardens.
The first thing I noticed as I walked into the Kwendalo Wellness Farm, is the beauty of the establishment. It really speaks to being “one with nature” and the calmness of the environment.
I sat down with Gift Lwazi who is the farm manager. Gift is Malawian born and moved to South Africa at a young age – purely out of love and passion for farming. He grew up farming with his father who had a piece of land in Malawi, but when his father passed away, he was then forced to make a decision to move to South Africa in 2010. Once again, farming was Gift’s way of making a living, making ends meet.
“In 2010, I joined the wine industry and worked in that industry for 12 years,” explains Gift. He then moved from the wine industry to Kwendalo in September 2022. “I really want to give a big thanks to Dr. John Cavill for giving me an opportunity to work here at Kwendalo because that is one of the things I have always looked forward to. Being in the wine industry was not fully what I wanted because we used more chemicals, whereas when I started farming as a youngster, I was taught to let nature take its course and that is why I have fallen in love with Kwendalo.”
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PLETT AIRPORT PROJECT PROGRESSES TO ENGINEERING PHASE
PLETT AIRPORT PROJECT PROGRESSES TO ENGINEERING PHASE - Issued by Garden Route Aero
Garden Route Aero (GRA) is pleased to announce significant progress in the refurbishment of the Plettenberg Bay Airport runway. Following the issuance of the license by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to GRA on 7 September, work on the runway refurbishment has moved beyond the initial groundwork phase into detailed engineering assessments.
The detailed survey of the runway and associated areas has already been completed. This included falling weight deflection tests to measure the strength and elasticity of the runway’s pavement structure, as well as the digging of test pits along various sections to extract subgrade and foundational materials. These materials are being analysed in specialised laboratories, providing vital data that will inform the next phases of the project.
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NATURE PARK PROJECT IN PIESANG VALLEY
NATURE PARK PROJECT IN PIESANG VALLEY
The Plett Community Environment Forum is thrilled to share that they have been awarded a WESSA (Wildlife & Environmental Society of South Africa) Small Grant to kick-start their Nature Park project in the Klein Piesang Valley.
This generous grant will greatly support efforts in acquiring essential equipment and planning for alien clearing in the valley as a first step of the project. The forum expressed their heartfelt gratitude to WESSA for their invaluable support and to Bitou Municipality for their ongoing advice and guidance.
They said in a post on social media: “We are excited about the positive impact this project will have on our local environment and look forward to sharing more details as the project progresses.”
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WhatsApp for events, specials in Plett
UPCOMING EVENTS
Callaho Western Cape Riders Grand Prix
Callaho Western Cape Riders Grand Prix
6-9 Nov 2024
Plett Open Garden Day
Plett Open Garden Day
9 Nov 2024
Winston Churchill Wanted Dead or Alive
Winston Churchill Wanted Dead or Alive
15 Nov 2024
Red Cherry Forest Boogie
Red Cherry Forest Boogie
16 Nov 2024
Ama2k
AMA2K Social Linkup Music Festival 24
29 Nov 2024
Hobie
Robberg Fine Foods Hobie 16 Nationals
14 Dec 2024
Wine Festival
Barrington’s Wine Festival
15 Dec 2024
Maple Ranch Summer Music Festival
Maple Ranch Summer Music Festival
20 Dec 2024
Sabrina Love Summer Challenge
Sabrina Love Summer Challenge
27 Dec 2024
Six Gun Grill Trans Agulhas Inflatable Boat Challenge 2024
Six Gun Grill Trans Agulhas Inflatable Boat Challenge 2024
28 Dec 2024
Barrington’s New Year’s Eve Party
Barrington’s New Year’s Eve Party
31 Dec 2024
plett-arts-festival-2025
Plett ARTS Festival 2025
3-12 Oct 2025
AND VISIT THE GIG GUIDE FOR MORE
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Plett Tourism | Melvilles Corner, Main Street
