A Muizenberg resident hopes to champion and foster a sense of conservation in her community.
Angela Gorman helps manage the iconic Muizenberg beach huts that are among 76 huts that fall under the care of the Beach Hut Trust (BHT).
The huts are managed by the BHT, which was founded by Gorman in 2020 to restore and protect these City assets.
The huts also had the chance to be crowned the Cape’s best tourist attraction after securing a nomination for this year’s Kfm 94.5 annual Best of the Cape Awards, but the spoils went to last year’s winner, the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway (TMAC).
The huts are more than a century old, with origins in the early 1900s.
This winter the huts faced a scourge of vandalism where the facilities were struck on Friday 4 July and experienced 30 break-ins where people damaged locks and doors.
In an interview with People’s Post, Gorman revealed her journey and the challenges that shaped her career and led her to her role in conserving the beach huts.
Her dream career was never a single “choice”, but rather evolved over time, she recalls.
“Early on, I worked in publishing and advertising, but I always found myself drawn to projects where I could connect people and stories often with a strong sense of place. Whether through running Airbnb listings, heritage projects, or fundraising for conservation and community work, my work is tied together by a desire to showcase South Africa’s beauty while supporting those who live here.”
One challenge she had to overcome in navigating the corporate world was “creating structure in work that doesn’t follow a traditional nine-to-five mold”.
“But that flexibility also allows me to dive into causes and communities that matter, like the revival of Muizenberg’s iconic beach huts or the Senior Santa Shoebox initiative I launched. Inspired by the popular Santa Shoebox Project for children, we created a version for elderly residents in welfare homes who are so often overlooked during the festive season. What began as a Christmas outreach has grown into a year-round initiative, and it’s been deeply rewarding to see the joy and dignity these small gestures bring.”
When asked what obstacles remain for women in the workplace and society at large in 2025, she said: “There’s still a long way to go in recognising the unpaid, or underpaid, labour that women carry in homes, in communities, and in advocacy spaces. In my work, I often see women as the first to show up, the last to be credited, and often doing it all while holding down paid jobs and caring for others. In Muizenberg and surrounds, I’d love to see more funding, training and visibility for women-led community projects; not just applause, but actual investment.”
Gorman says that fundraising and giving back to her community doesn’t require a big budget.
“Sometimes all it takes is time, empathy, and a willingness to connect. Whether it’s mentoring a young woman or delivering a shoebox to an elderly person, small acts create ripples. I’m constantly inspired by the resilience and generosity of women in our communities and hopeful about what we can still build together. We’re not short on amazing women in this country. We just need to keep making space for them to lead.”
Her advice for young women venturing off on their career path is to “stay curious”. “Say yes to opportunities, even if you don’t feel ‘ready.’ Show up with heart and follow through. And find a way to use your voice and skills for something bigger than yourself, even if your voice wobbles at first.
“Also, surround yourself with women who lift you and hold you accountable. That’s where the magic happens.”
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