Messages poured in on social media following the sudden passing of beloved Stanfordian Annalize Mouton.
She was not just a resident, but actively participated in the celebration of Stanford.
Mouton was an author, photographer and partner in the Egret & the Owl Book Café, a much-loved bookshop that also serves as a restaurant and creative space for arts workshops.
René Hartslief, well-known resident of Hermanus and organiser of the popular “Stoepkuier,” wrote on her Facebook page: “Devastating news: Annalize Mouton, the heart and soul of the Egret & the Owl Book Café and friend of many in the Stanford village, passed away at home last night due to a lung infection. She will be sorely missed.”
As a photographer Mouton took more than 50 000 images of Stanford residents over a period of five months during the village’s 150th celebration in 2007. Of these 56 were used for her first exhibition “Portrait of a Village”. Mouton’s motto was “a photograph should be made when it is taken, not later on a computer”, and with that philosophy she achieved numerous milestones and accolades in her career.
Her portfolio included photographs of Overberg architecture, portraits, landscapes and nature.
Mouton was also an opera singer of note and led many musical groups in Stanford.
Overstrand Executive Mayor, Dr Annelie Rabie, said: “Annalize will be dearly missed by all, especially those who visited the Egret regularly to have a quick catch-up. Overstrand mourns the passing of a great artist and staunch Stanfordian.”
