Family Helps Restore Pennington Beach Dune Over Years of Care

Photo Credit: Pennington Conservancy NPO

A dune at Pennington Beach has been restored over the years thanks to a local family, the Pennington Conservancy and community members who’ve helped along the way.

Pennington, South Africa (25 June 2026) – The project started after Eddie and Margie Hattingh moved to Pennington in 2021 and noticed the dune in front of the beach deck had been completely removed, the Pennington Conservancy shares.

The area beneath the deck, an important part of the coastline’s natural protection, had been lost.

“Vagrants were using the area as a shelter and drinking spot. Litter was a problem.”

The conservancy says that Eddie cared deeply about dune conservation and wanted to see the area repaired. With Margie’s support and help from the NPO, his years of hard work began to rebuild and replant the dune.

Photo Credit: Pennington Conservancy NPO

Sand removed from the tidal pool was brought back to help rebuild the area, mesh and boards were put in place to close off the space beneath the deck. Wild banana poles were added to help prevent the sand from washing away, and a range of pioneer dune plants were introduced to the sand to help stabilise and strengthen the dune over time.

These included dune vygie, creeping marguerite, trailing gazania, dune morning glory, wild foxglove, beach bean, aloe thraskii, amatungulu and asparagus species.

Over the years, the dune slowly established itself again. The plants that took hold helped strengthen it to the point where it can now withstand even very high tides.

After Eddie passed away, the project was continued in his memory. The conservancy carried the work forward and maintained the protective barriers around the dune. More recently, a permanent wooden fence was installed along the dune edge to help keep people off the area and protect the rehabilitation work long-term.

That final stage was made possible through donations from the Hattingh family, the Woolridge family and the conservancy, with support from several people who helped with practical work and repairs over the years.

Healthy dunes play a big role in protecting coastlines. They help guard against erosion, they support indigenous plant life and importantly act as a natural buffers against rough seas and rising water levels. With climate change putting more pressure on coastal areas, restoring and protecting dunes has become increasingly important.

While this dune has come a long way in its restoration, the Pennington Conservancy says dune care is a forever commitment. It is a living system that needs ongoing care, and in this case, that care has already made a visible difference.