Business Advice Brokers

Business Advice Brokers
181 Main Road, Hermanus

Email: evan@bbrokers.co.za
Tel: 082 974 6995

Quick Contact



About Hermanus

Hermanus has, in the past decade, established itself as the cultural and business hub of the Overstrand. Although Hermanus has shed its sleepy holiday town image and now boasts a modern infrastructure, sophisticated specialty shops and restaurants to rival the best in the world, the charm and essence of its fishing village heritage is still apparent.

Hermanus is a short scenic 1½ hrs (140 km) drive from Cape Town and is situated between the sparkling ocean and sweeping mountains. Without doubt, the environmental riches and natural beauty of the Overstrand are the regions greatest assets. Hermanus has become synonymous with the whales that visit Walker Bay each year and offers the best land based whale watching in the world. 

Tourism and Overstrand Municipality

Tourism is flourishing in Hermanus and businesses catering for  this robust industry are plentiful and profitable. There are over 100 accommodation options available in the Greater Hermanus area ranging from upmarket B&Bs, guesthouses, luxury resorts and boutique hotels to budget priced self-catering and back-packers establishments. There are more than 40 restaurants catering for a wide range of tastes. Adventure tourism has become increasingly popular and includes shark cage diving, boat based whale watching, sea kayaking, sand boarding, tandem paragliding, paintball and quad biking.

International visitors and local holiday makers flock to Hermanus, which is being aggressively marketed by the newly established Overstrand Destination Marketing Organisation (ODMO). The Overstrand municipality, currently under the DA leadership of executive mayor Theo Beyleveldt, is dedicated to promoting local economic development and tourism. To this end the municipality has committed itself to increase basic service capacity, massive investment in the infrastructure and sustainable growth, the creation of a safe and healthy environment, the management and conservation of the natural environment and the provision of democratic and accountable governance.

The main contributors to the Overstrand’s thriving economy also include wholesale and retail, finance and business, manufacturing and agriculture as well as real estate development and the building industry. The wine industry in this unique region is enjoying substantial growth. There are approximately 28 wine estates that are producing award-winning labels.

Hermanus is an entrepreneur’s paradise. All the infrastructure elements are available for those setting out in business. Lawyers, accountants, educators, hotel industry trained professionals and restaurateurs can find a home in the Overberg. Small one-man or family owned businesses like panel beaters, vehicle sales and repairs, cleaning service companies, internet and computer services, artists and jeweler designers, garden services and catering services operate alongside larger  businesses like the abalone farms, boutique hotels, supermarkets, wine estates, property developers, estate agents, and international brand name stores. A number of thriving organic food and craft markets provide a viable platform for many home industries and niche designer products.

Individuals that have spotted gaps in the business and services market and have had the savvy to put a business plan together, have done very well. The most successful businesses world-wide, however, are those that provide outstanding personalised customer service.

Housing

The massive increase in the number of homes and security villages/housing estates that have been built and are planned for the Greater Hermanus area testify to the increasing popularity of this region as a desirable place to live and work as well as the increasing growth of the population.

Demographics and Economics

The Overtrand stretches from Rooi Else in the west to Quoin Point in the east and includes 200 km of coastline ripe for development. The population figures currently stand at 73 000 and are conservatively estimated to be more than 80 000 by 2010. With the continuous influx of job-seekers in to the already overburdened township of Zwelihle, this figure may need to be amended. During the Whale Festival and high season the population increases fourfold.

The Overstrand is the second largest municipality in the Overberg and is expected to become the most populace region in the district before long. The Overstrand contributes 34,4% (R1,22 billion in 2006) to the Overberg regional GDPR and is the second largest contributor.

Hermanus, along with other towns in the Overstrand, is a leader in the commercial farming of abalone and the aqua culture sector is expected to expand substantially. Strong economic growth and a diversified economy make this region particularly viable for new business ventures.

Labour is plentiful in the Overstrand and those who lack basic necessary skills can access the best training the country has to offer at skills development organisations in Hermanus like Learn to Earn, the Overstrand Training Institute and the Enlighten Education Trust.

Schools

Hermanus has excellent private and government schools and includes:

A bus service for scholars is available. Most of the Hermanus based schools offer dual medium classes in either English or Afrikaans. The schools in Zwelihle are the only Xhosa schools in the Overstrand, while the language of instruction at schools in Mt Pleasant and Hawston is Afrikaans. There are also private schools and boarding schools in Somerset West 70 km from Hermanus, Villiersdorp – 75 km, and Caledon – 82 km.

Languages

Hermanus has about an equal mix of Afrikaans and English speaking residents, as well as a large Xhosa speaking African community. The area is a sought after retirement centre as it offers unparalleled scenic beauty, world-class medical facilities, upmarket retirement villages as well as middle-income retirement care options.

Community Based Activities

There are many community based activities like bowls, golf, tennis, yachting and bridge available as well as service clubs like Rotary, the Lions, Round Table, Friends of the Hospital and the Botanical Society.

Shopping

Hermanus has a large Pick 'n Pay, two Spars, as well as Woolworths, Mr Price, Ackermans and several chain store fast food outlets. The building industry can rely on stores like Penny Pinchers, Builders Trade Depot and several smaller hardware stores and related businesses for the materials and tools of their trade.

Somerset Mall in Somerset West is a huge shopping Mecca within easy driving distance, but Hermanus has its share of small but modern, high tech malls, gyms, health and beauty spas, as well as cosy side street stores and coffee shops full of character and atmosphere.

Hermanus is also emerging as a desirable art destination with dozens of art galleries to be found in the CBD, the suburbs and on in to the charming farm village of Stanford which is 28 km away from Hermanus. Gansbaai is a 53 km drive from Hermanus and Kleinmond is only 39 km.

Medical

The Hermanus provincial hospital and Medi-Clinic provide excellent healthcare and emergency services are sharp.

Transport

Hermanus has no train station or commercial airfield, so public transport is limited. There is a taxi service operational in Zwelihle and between the CBD and Hawston. A number of private shuttle services offer transport to and from Cape Town International Airport and other central points.

Hermanus and the quaint towns situated in the Overstrand have much to offer families and business people who want to relocate to the coast where they can run profitable companies while breathing in the champagne air and watching the whales at play. 

Activities and attractions

Besides whale watching, Hermanus offers a variety of attractions which includes the following:

Suburbs in Hermanus