Joint efforts benefit ‘our Barefoot Capital’

Kenton, Bushmans enjoy growth, upgrades, busy year

The Kenton & Boesmans Chamber of Business & Tourism is happy to say we have had a phenomenal year in the Barefoot Capital (Kenton and Boesmans), and our surrounding areas.

We have seen a surge in investor confidence, with building activity on almost every street, a number of new businesses, as well as major upgrades.

Local property developments have also noted increased building activity.

This year also saw Kenton hosting the highly successful SA National Bottom Fishing Championships, and the evergrowing Great Kenton Wine Festival.

During the year, we tackled the Kenton Village Park, cleaning it up and crowning the trees. Other beautification projects include the village gardens, which are looking magnificent thanks to individual businesses which contribute monthly to their upkeep.

There are also a number of members who contribute to our own Chamber Guard, George, who enables our visitors and residents to have a pleasant shopping experience, without being harassed.

Sadly, we lost our iconic Carriage Rock during the storms in September.

Other damage to car parks and the jetties has been repaired as a collaboration between Rotary, Round Table, the Kenton-on-Sea Ratepayers Association, Bushmans River Mouth Ratepayers Association,

Ndlambe Municipality, Estuary Care, the Chamber, as well as local businesses.

Our two Blue Flag beaches were not affected.

We have an unwavering belief that we need to work together with Ndlambe Municipality to find solutions to our own unique problems.

We are excited about the initiatives for the Alexandria area, and look forward to working closely with the Sunshine Coast Tourism team to unlock the tourism potential of the area.

The Boknes Ratepayers have secured the kiosk on their main car park, and we will be assisting them with brochures as an information site.

We have embarked on upgrading tourism signage in the area, as a major project. The new signs will be erected soon.

We have a busy programme planned for the holiday season.

There is an exciting live music line up The Backyard, Jerries, Volo, Red Apple, Horns Up and the Goat Shed.

We have two new Padel courts adjacent to the newly renovated Volo complex.

The blessing of the highly anticipated Spirit of Kenton, NSRI’s latest satellite station, will be held on December 16.

We also have the World Record Breaking Kenton Seagull Regatta being held on the Kariega River on December 30.

Finally, Kenton has been voted Best Small Town in SA 2023 by the readers of The Daily Maverick!

Justin Wilmot, chairperson