To attract more tourists to the holiday destination, the Jeffreys Bay Tourism Office, in conjunction with local artist, Kezia Gerber, has revamped the Kombi at Dolphin Beach, to provide a unique location for tourists and locals to take photos and create beautiful memories.
Jeffreys Bay Tourism Office manager, Erna Gerber, said the original Kombi was erected opposite the Shell Museum at Dolphins Beach, Jeffreys Bay, six years ago.
However, owing to the deterioration of the previous Kombi, Jeffreys Bay Tourism Office marketing manager, Estelle de Beer, together with Jeffreys Bay Tourism committee members, which include Erna, Deon Freemantle (chairman) and Maresa Meyer (finance), decided to revamp the Kombi, which was then erected last month.
Their co-opted members include Tom Bouwer and Nicky Krugel.
“The inspiration behind the Kombi was to encourage tourists to create memories that can be taken home,” said Estelle.
“We are hoping to take Jeffreys Bay as far as possible as a holiday destination and we hope the Kombi will contribute positively to our plans for the region.”
Since Jeffreys Bay Tourism Office was on the corner of Da Gama Road, just around the corner from the beautifully designed Kombi, Erna said they hoped tourists and locals alike would feel encouraged to visit their office to learn more about the Jeffreys Bay bucket list.
She said the local tourism office can assist with information about what to see and do in and around Jeffreys Bay.
In addition, Erna said they can help with bookings for holiday accommodation and activities.
To further boost tourism in the region, the Jeffreys Bay Tourism Office plans to release a tourism advertising booklet which will include activities, events, restaurants, and sightseeing locations in Jeffreys Bay and surrounding areas which will be ready in time for the town’s high tourist season in December this year.
Kezia, who is the chairperson and lead artist of Dare to Imagine Studios, said she initially joined forces with Erna when she was trying to find ways to market her studio, which is an NPO dedicated to uplifting the community and sharing practical solutions for personal mental health development through creative interventions and classes.
She said the Jeffreys Bay Tourism Office committee members, which mostly consist of volunteers, have a great love for the area and are always trying to find unique ways to attract tourists and local visitors to the town.
Kezia then joined forces with the tourism office to revamp the Kombi.
She said when Erna recently asked her to pitch an idea for the revamp of the Kombi, she thought about what excited her about visiting the area as a child.
She said the Jeffreys Bay Shell Museum and Dolphin Beach were her favourite.
“I wanted to express a day in the life of Jeffreys Bay to give tourists a chance to see the real us,” said Kezia.
“Our area is so diverse in terms of agriculture, people, and activities. We are more than just a beach and surfing area.”
Apart from attracting tourists to the Kombi, Kezia said she also wanted to make the art fun for little children, so she added many small details to keep them entertained.
She said she designed the Kombi by prepping the board, cutting the windows, sanding and then finally painting.
Fortunately, she had some help from local contractor André Ludik who was generous enough to install the Kombi.
To add to the excitement of the newly revamped Kombi, Kezia said they would like to invite the community to take pictures at the Kombi and tag her studio on Dare to Imagine Studios JBay on Facebook and Dare to Imagine Studios on Instagram to help spread the power of creativity and the imagination.
She said, at the end of August, they plan to choose a winner from the submissions on social media who stand a chance to win an art class at her studio.
Now that the Kombi has been completed, Kezia said they plan to install a second Kombi at another location and are open to suggestions from the public.
- For more information email Erna Gerber on info@jeffreysbaytourism.org or contact her on 064 966 9933 or 042 293 2923.
Visit Jeffreys Bay Tourism’s website on www.jeffreysbaytourism.org or their Facebook page Jeffreys Bay Tourism.
