Please help us to complete this building.

The Hermanus Night Shelter is being roundly criticised in Social media and platforms for not allowing the homeless to make use of the partially completed shelter in Mount Pleasant after the recent cold weather, rain and flooding hit the area. We, as Trustees, are just as frustrated that the building is incomplete but you can only build when there are funds available and we receive no support from provincial or national authorities so we rely on charitable institutions, trusts and the local community for support. But I wish to address a misunderstanding regarding the legal position of the Shelter, as far as I am aware, but please note that this is not a legal opinion.

When HNSA entered into a contract with the Builder in April 2018 the site became the legal responsibility of the builder with a Project Manager representing HNSA to sort out any problems. The builder has insurance cover to protect workers and he has complete jurisdiction of matters on site. Once the building is complete the builder has to submit various certificates signing off electrical, plumbing, engineering, emergency regulations etc.,to the Overstrand Municipal authorities who will then arrange for an on site inspection. Any problem areas, which they identify, must be rectified before a Certificate of Completion is issued. Only then does the property pass back into the hands of HNSA and we regain ownership of the property.

At present this has not happened with various aspects incomplete eg. wheelchair access, internal plumbing of showers and kitchen sinks, emergency signage, fire extinguishers fitted in sleeping quarters, etc., Thus HNSA has no legal rights to allow anyone to occupy the building and that is why we could not accede to the request, much as our sympathies laid with those who had to brave the elements without shelter.

Believe me, we are trying our hardest to complete the Shelter as soon as possible so that we may serve the community of the Overstrand.

Thanks for your understanding.
Ray – Treasurer HNSA.

Ray Hartmann
Hermanus Night Shelter Association
nightshelterhermanus@gmail.com / www.hermanusshelter.co.za
Grobbelaar Hall Marine Drive. Hermanus
Cell 083 731 0678

Hermanus Night Shelter ~ Caring Community –

The Hermanus Night Shelter is registered as an NPO (Non-Profit Origination) as well as a registered PBO (Public Benefit Organisation) The ground for the building has been procured from the Overstrand Municipality and we are deeply grateful for all donations. The building is nearing completion. Any donations are greatly appreciated and are tax-deductible. If you require a letter for SARS we will gladly supply you with one. Money can be deposited into the following account: Please use your email address as the payment reference. ABSA Bank. Hermanus Night Shelter Association Account: 4081927061 Cheque account Branch: Hermanus (334812)

Please see more progress of the Hermanus Night Shelter project on Facebook

Dear Donors & Friends,

Construction at the Night Shelter reaches another milestone on Wednesday, 22 July 2020 !! This is when Lenvalco Readymix arrive on site with their giant cranes to pour the concrete floor slab in what may become a 24-hour operation. The site is going to be a hive of activity into the early hours of the morning!!

Since the lockdown was relaxed, allowing building operations to continue, our builders have prepared the interior installing the ceilings together with laying all the plumbing lines and electrical conduits in preparation for this event. It is just hoped that the weather will play its part to make this a memorable occasion.

Without the moral and financial support of people such as yourselves plus the numerous charitable organisations/trusts, none of this would have been possible and we extend our sincere thanks to everyone concerned. We also extend a warm welcome to anyone who would like to visit the site in Malva Street to view the progress that has been achieved.

Thanks for your continued support and involvement.

Ray.

Ray Hartmann Hermanus Night Shelter Association nightshelterhermanus@gmail.com / www.hermanusshelter.co.za Grobbelaar Hall Marine Drive. Hermanus Cell 083 731 0678

MEDIA/PRESS RELEASE – NOVEMBER 2019

PPC “CEMENTS” PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NIGHT SHELTER

“What is happening with the Night Shelter?” This is the question which has been on the lips of numerous people in Hermanus after a few months of apparent inactivity at the site. But behind the scenes, there has been a lot going on.

Negotiations were taking place between a group of friends of the Hermanus Night Shelter Association [HNSA] and Pretoria Portland Cement Limited [PPC] which has resulted in an agreement whereby PPC would partner with HNSA as part of their Corporate Social Investment [CSI]. PPC is a proudly South African company which has been operating in the building industry for more than 127 years and employs over 2 500 people nationally. Their brand ethos is “Strength Beyond” and quality and correct use of the product is of utmost importance. Realising the value of an overnight shelter within the Hermanus area they have decided to invest therein in order to assist in skills development and up-skilling of workers in the construction industry within the community. In so doing people are empowered to experience a better quality of life and to uplift the community in which they live.

Under this initiative, PPC has committed to an educational on-site workshop during which a technical specialist will pass on knowledge on the product range offered, the correct mixtures for varying applications, the use of “hardeners” etc.,. Quality control is extremely important and since this is beyond the control of the manufacturer once the product is sold, workshops such as this will go a long way to increase proper procedures on the building site. Approximately 30 local community members will be invited to attend a one day workshop on 21 November 2019 to receive on the job training on the above, putting into practice the theoretical knowledge gained by plastering the shelter walls and casting the concrete floor of the shelter guardhouse. PPC has committed to supply all the cement products for the workshop through the Kaap Agri outlet. At the end of the workshop, attendees will receive a certificate from PPC confirming their attendance and satisfactory practical completion thereof.

PPC considers it important to invest in community projects such as the Night Shelter which is desperately needed; while HNSA stressed the tremendous benefit this will have upon completion of the project. It is hoped that this may be a forerunner to show the way to other local businesses in forging partnerships to become involved in the completion of the project. By supporting local businesses employment is safeguarded and this enables the companies to give back to the communities through investment which is what PPC is doing.

ADT Fidelity Hermanus has also come to the party to provide a Security system at an affordable price with Monitoring and Armed Response included in the deal. The next step will be the completion of the guardhouse in order to secure the building to install the security control panel therein. Thereafter the fitment of windows and doors is next on the agenda to enclose the main shelter building from the elements and intruders.

It must be stressed that it is only due to the generosity of members of the community, who support the shelter initiative with their donations, in both financial and material ways, that the project will be driven to its conclusion. To those go our eternal thanks and sincere gratitude.

HNSA will be holding a street collection on Saturday, 07 December 2019 – please support this initiative and show that you “Have a Heart for the Homeless”. If you are willing and able to volunteer please contact us [083 731 0678] as we still have some locations available.

Thanks,

Ray.

Update 14 August 2017

The Hermanus Night Shelter had three major hurdles standing in its way at present BUT one of them has just been removed.

On Monday, 3 August 2017, Vorster & Steyn, the lawyers who handled the registration process, advised that transfer of the property had been affected that day. Hallelujah – what had begun in 2015 when HNSA acquired the Malva Street property had come to fruition at last !!! Baby steps maybe but at least a step in the right direction and something to be enthused over.

The next hurdle to be cleared is the approval of the shelter plans by the Overstrand Municipality. At the AGM in late July some 28 attendees were shown the extent of the plans, which are approx 95% complete, together with rough estimates of building costs ranging from R1.3 to R2.3m. All present felt that the shelter should not be built in phases and this is going to require a massive drive by the Committee and financial input by the local and business community. Clearly of concern was the raising of funds to cover the monthly operating costs which commence almost immediately with municipal services. So the funding drive must be two-pronged – to raise the capital cost of construction as well as a pool of funds for the operating costs to keep the shelter running.

The Governing Board has some new members in Niel du Plessis, Jan Mulder, and Sharon Wicht who join the existing members who were eligible for re-election – Thys Sutherland [Legal], Ray Hartmann [Vice Chair & Treasurer] and Les Abbott [Building]. Subsequently, Keith Murray, Hannes Coetzee, Jack Davis and Phil Pienaar have been co-opted to assist in various capacities. Until such time Les Abbott will Act as Chairperson.

The missing ingredient in the mix is for a driven, dynamic, motivated person from the community to step forward to become Chairperson of HNSA in order to propel it forward to the heights required.

HNSA is appealing to locals and businesses to step in and partner with us to drive this community cause to its conclusion so that the homeless do not have to endure another winter without a roof over their heads. Come on Hermanus join us in our cause and – “Have a heart for the Homeless” !!!

Ray Hartmann Hermanus Night Shelter Association nightshelterhermanus@gmail.com / www.hermanusshelter.co.za Grobbelaar Hall Marine Drive. Hermanus Cell 083 731 0678

HERMANUS NIGHT SHELTER (HNSA) – MEDIA RELEASE – JUNE 2017 Progress on the erection of the proposed Hermanus Night Shelter has been hampered on several fronts with the result that we cannot commence building operations until these have been resolved. Thus the homeless will once again have to fend for themselves through another cold, wet winter as we wait for the stand-in Mt. Pleasant to be registered into our name and for the detailed plans, of phased construction, to be submitted to the Overstrand Municipality for approval. However, the HNSA team has utilised this quiet time to conduct a survey amongst the homeless to gather information and establish a basis of trust. In 2015 when the temporary shelter in the CBD was shut down there were an estimated 70 vulnerable people hunkering down every night in this beautiful town. An estimated 30% of the homeless in Hermanus have taken part in the survey with almost 100% stating that they would use a shelter, are happy for it to be built in Mt Pleasant and would make use of it –especially in the winter months. Pastor Kim from Shofar Church and Pastor Carlisle carried out the survey at the taxi rank and received feedback on the unimaginable domestic situations in which these people grew up – physical/alcohol abuse, drugs, financial stress, unemployment, absent parents, limited education etc., – with no option other than to live off the streets. The fundraising team of volunteers is re-launching a number of campaigns to raise the funding for phase 1 and 2 which would cater for 22 males and 10 females. Much progress was due to funds raised by the Lighthouse2Lighthouse Ladies, part of which has been released to enable the stand to be purchased. HNSA’s Annual Financial statements for 2016/17 have been finalised and will be presented at the Annual General Meeting which is scheduled for Thursday, 20 July 2017 at 18h00 in the United Church Hall. Nominations will also be called for management vacancies within the association so we urge interested parties to diarise the date and to look out for the AGM details which will be published in the media. Anyone requiring more information can contact Ray on 083 731 0678 or by e-mail to nightshelterhermanus@gmail.com

Fundraising

The Hermanus Night Shelter ~ Sleep Out Challange ~ 2 September 2016.

The Hermanus Night shelter did a challenge for a one night, sleep out, on the street in September 2016. It was a fun-filled night in aid of the homeless in Hermanus. Communal braai, coffee vendor, fire baskets, music, wine and load more have been arranged for the event. Hopefully, this will recur every year and you can challenge your friends, family and local businesses to take part. The Hermanus News, THEnosyRosy, Whale Coast FM and I Love Hermanus have already taken up the challenge…who will be next? The cost of the tickets are as follows: Executive Challange: R1000 (corporates) SME Challange: R500 (small local businesses) Individual Challange: R200 (show your support Hermanus locals) Bring your sleeping bags, dress warmly and don’t forget your wallet and lots of gees. Braai packs will be on sale at the venue so bring a cooler bag with all you need for food. Hope to see you all there. To secure your spot please deposit your entry fee into the following account: Kindly use your email address as the payment reference. ABSA Bank. Hermanus Night Shelter Association Account: 4081927061 Cheque account Branch: Hermanus (334812) Businesses please note: If you require a letter for SARS we will gladly supply you with one. We are an approved Public Benefit Organisation (PBO) by SARS in terms of s10(1)(Cn) and s.30 (3) of the Income Tax Act. Donations to the Organisation are tax-deductible in terms of s.18A of the Act SARS – Reference no.930045608. For letters mail your proof of payment with the subject line: TAX LETTER to nightshelterhermanus@gmail.com and we will send you a letter post-haste. Contact 028 312 3909 NightShelterHermanus@gmail.com Facebook