Lifelong learning for people in their Third Age — our Overberg branch brings expert talks, stimulating topics, and a welcoming community to Hermanus.
The U3A Overberg branch was established in the early 2000s by Dr Robin Lee and a team of dedicated volunteers. Today the branch is managed and run entirely by a volunteer Management Committee and has grown to a membership exceeding 400 people.
The branch is funded by an affordable annual membership fee, supplemented by a nominal entry fee for each session attended. Talks are also open to casual visitors, who are always welcome to join us.
Meetings are held in the hall of Our Lady of Light Catholic Church, which has been fully equipped with the required audio-visual aids to support our programme of guest speakers, Zoom talks, and DVD presentations.
Active members across the Overberg region
Main meetings per week addressed by expert guest speakers
Meetings per year, across two semesters
The name “University of the Third Age” comes from a simple but powerful idea: that life unfolds in three distinct ages, each with its own purpose.
Formal education — the years of structured learning that prepare us for adult life.
Our working life — career, family responsibilities, and building a livelihood.
The post-work experience — a time for curiosity, community, and continued growth. This is where U3A comes in.
As the U3A has described it: “There is no minimum age, but a focus on people who are no longer in full-time employment or raising a family.”
The annual programme of approximately 80 meetings is divided into two semesters and covers a wide variety of topics.
Two meetings a week, addressed by speakers who are usually experts in their field, covering history, environment, science, travel, medicine, biography, mathematics, music, literature, geology, and more.
Occasional meetings are substituted by Zoom presentations with speakers in other parts of South Africa or the world, as well as curated DVD screenings.
While the programme is designed for members, casual visitors are always welcome to attend any session. Members pay R10 at the door; non-members R25.
Our affiliate HHIG presents monthly lectures on local history, maintains a library of over 100 books, and has a growing archive of recorded talks.
Members receive a regular newsletter covering upcoming events, meeting summaries, and items of interest to the Overberg community.
More than just lectures — U3A Overberg is a community of curious, engaged people who share a love of learning and the wonderful Overberg region.
Professor Pierre Vellas initiated the U3A movement in Toulouse, France in 1973. What began as an academic extramural activity attached to a university has since become a truly international movement whose aims are the education and stimulation of mainly retired members of the community.
There are now over 3,000 branches in more than 50 countries worldwide, including 26 in South Africa, each offering widely differing programmes shaped by their local community.
The original French model — formally linked to a university — was significantly modified in the United Kingdom, where it was recognised that most people of retirement age have knowledge and experience to contribute. The emphasis shifted to sharing, without formal educational links. English-speaking countries, including South Africa, have largely followed this UK model.
Prof. Pierre Vellas founds the first U3A in Toulouse, France
Branches in more than 50 countries worldwide
U3A branches across South Africa
Membership of U3A Overberg is open to anyone who is no longer in full-time employment. Complete the form below and follow the payment instructions — we’d love to have you join us.
After submitting your form, please make your payment via EFT using the details below. Alternatively, you may pay in cash when you hand in this form at any U3A meeting.
R150 per person, per annum (1 Jan – 31 Dec)
Applications after 1 July: R100 for the remainder of the year
Members: R10 · Non-members: R25
Questions about membership?
Email your completed form and proof of payment to:
rpringle@global.co.za
or hand it in at any U3A meeting.