A Decade of Dedication – Thank You, Gerhard van der Merwe

For the past ten years, Gerhard van der Merwe has driven from Hermanus to Kleinbaai every week to volunteer at the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary (APSS).

At this Sanctuary, the Dyer Island Conservation Trust cares for injured, sick, and “retired” African Penguins. The young and strong are released on Dyer Island to help boost the dwindling population of this critically endangered species, while the elderly or blind penguins enjoy their well-deserved retirement days basking in the sun — and lining up for their breakfast and dinner buffets at 08:00 and 15:00 sharp.

Gerhard has been there whenever he was needed — collecting stranded and injured penguins and transporting them safely to the Sanctuary. He even stood guard when Buffel, the famous elephant seal, camped out on Onrus Beach, ensuring that both the animal and the public remained safe.

And yes, I once called him on a Sunday evening at 19:30 about a distressed dassie reportedly stuck in a restaurant drain in Hermanus. He went to help… only to discover that the dassie was perfectly fine — it lived there and could get in and out on its own! Sorry, Gerhard!

Despite his years of dedication, Gerhard had never had the opportunity to visit Dyer Island, a protected nature reserve managed by CapeNature with the support of the Dyer Island Conservation Trust. We hoped to finally make that dream come true this week. But, in the words of Wilfred Chivell, CEO of Marine Dynamics and Founder of the Dyer Island Conservation Trust — “die swelletjie kom in!” — and we couldn’t reach the Dyer Island jetty due to the swell.

Gerhard, braving the wind and swell, to release 12 African Penguins at Dyer Island.

The team had planned to release 12 African Penguin chicks on the island. These youngsters, originally from Dyer Island, had been rescued underweight — their parents were moulting and unable to feed them. After a month of care at the Sanctuary, daily servings of high-quality sardines, and swimming lessons in the rehabilitation pool, they were finally ready to go home.

A backup plan was made, and with Dyer Island Ranger Lwando Baleni watching closely from the jetty, the 12 young penguins were released from the boat near the island. The joy in their little hearts as they smelled the ocean again was truly beautiful to witness.

We’re so sorry you couldn’t set foot on the island this time, Gerhard — but we know that day will come.

Thank you for a decade of selfless dedication to protecting our charismatic marine life. Your love, kindness, and respect for nature are an inspiration to all of us at Marine Dynamics, the Dyer Island Conservation Trust, and the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary.