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2023 FRANSCHHOEK’S COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER AND ADVERTISER SINCE 1994 • NOVEMBER JANUARY 2023
The Bag That Builds Devastation!
Recycling plastic isn’t nearly as simple as one might think. Not only does plastic that goes to recycling have to be clean, but it must also be separated into one of seven types – not all of which are recyclable. A pilot project currently underway in the valley could help turn conventional wisdom about plastic recycling on its head.
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The floodplain of the La Cotte stream was heavily affected by flooding
Franschhoek was hit by a second severe winter storm over the Heritage Day long weekend. On Thursday, 8 December 2022, the first 830 bags of plastic waste collected in the valley were sent to a cuttingAnd made one in June like one of the storm-in-a-teacup variety. News24 edgethis plantone in Cape Townthe to be turned into anlook innovative eco-aggregate used in concrete product manufacture. reported that 299mm of rain fell on Sunday, 24 September. That is almost double the longtake part in the pilot programme. At the heart of the pilot project is a technology term average forCenter the month in a single day!&The devastation was clearwill for run all to The pilot programme forsee. three months developed by the for Regenerative Design Collaboration (CRDC). The technology allows plastic streams that their way through the– toSmall be converted into make an eco-additive – RESIN8 village turned into raging torrents of mud, water, that is added to concrete in the manufacturing of stones and debris numerous landslides in the structural and otheras concrete products. mountains deposited tonnes material with into Replacing up to 20% of naturalofaggregates already rampant rivers. RESIN8 in concrete product manufacture has Most damage in the village happened in the several advantages: It improves the performance floodplain of the La Cotte stream. The volume of characteristics of concrete products, reduces the water and muck was such that the stream, once amount of quarried material used in the concrete and again, notplastic only burst its banks but environment. also reverted back removes waste from the Best to its original course. (The current channel of all, all seven types of plastic can be main converted into throughand theitvillage a 19th century construction.) RESIN8 doesn’tishave to be clean to be used. InCRDC doingSA so has it once again flooded parts of DieTown Eike a processing plant in Cape washing away gardens, vineyards and olive groves from where the local leg of a global programme and leaving an enormous donga in itsrolled wake. out. Much of titled ‘The Bag That Builds’ is being The this area had also been washed away in a 1954 storm. programme is named after the distinctive green When Akademie St it not bags thatthe aretorrent used toreached collect plastics for recycling. only floodedand the companies street and houses built near the Individuals are rewarded per bag original river course but also deposited tonnes of of plastic they collect, making it a simple way for mud, making thea street andimproving trapping anyone to earn small impassable income while a minibus that attempted to negotiate theLangrug streetthe environment. A collection drive in the turned-torrent. Among the properties worst community has already led to the coining of the affected‘pick wasupLayour Rive, known its magnificent phrase money’ to for inspire residents to garden, which would have been opened to the
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from 1 January 2023 as part of a larger cleaning and public during the isFranschhoek Open Gardens recycling effort that coordinated by members of Festival. Not only did water flow right through the Franschhoek Heritage and Ratepayers Association the historic property, but the entirethe garden and (FHRPA). Current initiatives include privatelyswimming poolcrew werethat covered up to 2m ofoutside mud. funded clean-up cleansinareas that are Downstream, at Dirkie Uys St, extra the narrow municipal jurisdiction or that need cleaning,road the bridge that had been aoffeature of where the street for installation (and servicing) refuse bins they are decades was completely washed away. As the lacking and monthly community clean-ups. topography downstream Uyssays St flattens Irmela Alberts, co-chair from of theDirkie FHRPA “We’re out the by damage spread out too. Terbodore Café excited both the environmental and economic was flooded once again. La Cotte Inn Wine Sales opportunities this pilot programme presents for nextvalley. door also damage. the Oursuffered challenge now is to find ways to Across road the FWV tourist office make it the sustainable, so that the information pilot programme and Col’Cacchio pizzeria were completely flooded can become a permanent one. We will keep the and had largeValley amounts of sand andsignificantly mud deposited Franschhoek cleaner, send less in their premises. Arguably worst affected in rubbish to the landfill and through the involvement this area The Last Word to Guest House, which of the localwas schools contribute creating a mindset saw tonnes water where peopleoflitter less”and debris rushing through their The force or of ifthe flood as any it flowed For premises. more information you have form through was that collapsed of plasticthe thatproperty you want to such get rid of itfeel free to a courtyard wallat as073 it continued contact Jocelyn 587 6132. on its destructive path. (The Last Word was just about to re-open after a R7 million renovation after the June floods.) Text: Editorial Desk | Image: Supplied Continued on p2...
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2 | November 2023
Devastation! ...Continued from p1 The natural stream bed and channel meet again below Huguenot St and the damage intensified. The swathe of destruction continued through the herb garden and municipal yard in Fabriek St – where it washed away an embankment that was created after the June floods – and proceeded to once again rip up Fabriek St. This time though was much worse than before and businesses that were spared in June also suffered damage this time. Where Fabriek St meets Cabrière St the flood met an obstacle, a boundary wall, and promptly collapsed it on its way to flowing through several properties built in the stream’s flood plain. Damage along the banks of the Stiebeuel River in Groendal was surprisingly light. Eight informal structures on the banks of the river were washed away or severely damaged. Fortunately there was no loss of life and those affected were accommodated at the Lord’s Acre Christian Community Centre. Parts of the village and valley were without water and electricity for several days while municipal and Eskom crews worked tirelessly to reinstate damaged infrastructure. Bridges and culverts were heavily affected. In addition to the Dirkie Uys St bridge, the railway bridge over the Stiebeuel River was also washed away, as were a number of farm bridges. The agricultural sector was also affected by numerous landslides, soil erosion (particularly along river and stream banks) and damage to irrigation systems. Several landslides in the Franschhoek Pass and resulting blocked culverts caused extensive damage to the pass. At the time of writing it was just announced
that one lane should be open by 1 November with a stop-go system in place. It is expected that this system will remain in place for several months while comprehensive repairs are undertaken. With access roads made impassable in the immediate aftermath of the storm the southern part of the valley was for a time almost cut off from the rest of the valley. The only access was by 4x4 via the Robertsvlei Road. Numerous tourists visiting Franschhoek for the long weekend had to extend their stays until they were able to leave the valley safely. Some less fortunate ones had to evacuate their accommodations in a hurry as flooding worsened. Among those affected were Franschhoek High School alumni who attended a mass reunion in the village. Besides those who were delayed in the village several just managed to get out of the valley before the pass was closed and the Botriver Bridge on the N2 washed away. The questions currently on most residents’ minds, particularly those who suffered damage, is: ‘Can anything be done to prevent a recurrence of what happened and can anyone be held accountable?’ The Tatler understands that a number of property owners are investigating their legal options. As is often the case, the calamity also brought the community together to assist each other. Owners of 4x4s assisted in rescuing stranded people, food and other donations were sought and coordinated to assist those who lost everything and supplies were ferried to those who were trapped in their properties.
Fabriek St damage
Flooding in Langrug
Mont Martre function venue
Arkeste Restaurant terrace
River bank erosion
Franschhoek Pass wash-away
Text: Editorial Desk | Images: FRANCO, Lourens Hugo, Barry Phillips, Terbodore, James Kimdell, Mont Martre, Arkeste, FaceBook
Huguenot Rd during the 1954 floods
Reinstating a washed away water main
November 2023 | 3
River Restoration Bus Tour ‘Pigcasso’ – The Tale According to scientists life emerged in water about 3.5 billion years ago. We are still linked to and utterly dependent on it. The altered landscape and the effect on our lives of the deluge that hit us on the Heritage Day long weekend testify to the immense power of water to reshape our world. It also emphasised the importance of being prepared.
Dr Nigel Winter explains the research undertaken at the Water Hub.
The recent LandCare River Restoration Bus Tour offered valuable insights into what we should and shouldn’t be doing with our rivers. It was initiated by the Western Cape’s Department of Agriculture which has been assisting farmers with various land and river rehabilitation programmes. The tour was hosted by Rudolph Roscher; the highly knowledgeable manager of the department’s Winelands section. Also attending was the CEO of the Berg River Irrigation Board, Eurica Scholtz, and Dana Grobler, Director of Blue Science – a river ecologist who designs River Maintenance and Management Plans (RMMP) – and several farmers. Stop 1: THE WATER HUB This old wastewater treatment plant was abandoned in 2013 owing to its inability to cope with the dramatic population increase in Franschhoek. Situated alongside Rickety Bridge, UCT has been involved in innovation and research projects here under the directorship of Dr Kevin Winter, developing nature-based methods and solutions for treating contaminated water. “We are learning how to work with nature by mimicking natural processes rather than working against them,” states Dr Winter. The Stiebeuel River rises as a pristine spring in the Hawequas catchment area, high above the informal settlement of Langrug. The river passes through Langrug before reaching the Water Hub. At this point its water is highly contaminated, unsafe for human contact and completely unusable. For example, it has ecoli counts per colony forming unit of between 200,000 to 12 million – just 1000 is already considered high risk for human contact because of an increase in pathogens. Other contaminants in the water include illicit drugs and pharmaceuticals in minute traces. This is symptomatic of socioeconomic issues upstream, but not unlike similar trace compounds found upstream of the confluence of the Franschhoek and Stiebeuel Rivers. A little of the water is extracted from the Stiebeuel River and passed through large bio-filter cells that are packed with natural media such as stones and biochar. Bio-film forms in the small spaces between this packing material which harbours bacteria and micro-organisms that treat the water. Within five to seven days nearly 100% of the ecoli is removed and 90% of the nutrient loading, which makes it safe to irrigate edible crops. The treated water is used for irrigating food gardens where the soil is being regenerated with bio-char and duckweed compost and also for breeding freshwater fish. The rest is discharged
back into the Stiebeuel River. Johann van Biljon of Green Intaba grows endemic plants along riverbanks which form a buffer against floods and restore the ecological function of the river. They will contribute to improving water quality over time. The Water Hub is a unique learning and demonstration site that provides improved public and private services for local authorities and private landowners. Dr Winter adds, “When we work with nature rather than against it, we are surprised by the complex ways in which nature treats water without the addition of chemicals.” Stop 2: THREE STREAMS Nestled in a corner of the Franschhoek Mountains at the southern end of the Franschhoek Valley, this highly successful trout-breeding farm also reflects a dedication to protecting water sources: This farm boasts a number of healthy biomes. The fynbos is regenerating beautifully after WWF and BRIB’s Stanley Engel removed alien tree infestations. There are healthy patches of grassland and the riverine ravines are home to rare species such as the stunning White Alder tree (Platylophus trifoliatus). Stop 3: TWO RIVERS In part as a result of water releases from the overflowing Wemmershoek Dam the flooded Berg River heavily impacted the 13 landowners here. Where once there was a bridge there is now a sandbank, culverts are blocked and erosion has caused several river deviations. A field beyond the river bank now looks like a beach. Noticeable was how effective the naturally occurring Palmiet beds are in trapping sediment and preventing erosion. There is some good news. The Dept. of Agriculture appointed Blue Science several years ago to writedraw up the RMMP. Farmers can now, with the adopted RMMP, immediately move in to do the necessary repairs after the flood without having to go through a very costly and time consuming approval exercise – and before the next flood event. River riparians along the Berg River must however notify the Berg River Irrigation Board of any planned activity as per the protocol set out in the adopted RMMP. Stop 4: PLAISIR DE MERLE Besides boasting one of the earliest and finest examples of Cape Dutch architecture this farm owner has been actively restoring land on three sites with the assistance of Green Intaba. The tour’s last stop was at an ancient hidden indigenous forest on C the farm. It was a ‘cool’ and privileged finale to an enlightening day trip with the Dept. of Agriculture.M Y
Text: Linda Cumming | Image: Stanley Engel
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of a Painting Pig
Saturday, 7 October, was an exciting day for Joanne Lefson, founder and director of Farm Sanctuary SA, a Franschhoek wine farm and animal sanctuary, colloquially known as Pigcasso. The occasion was the launch of Joanne’s book, detailing the remarkable story of how the sanctuary came to house a 500 kg painting pig, aptly named Pigcasso. The book launch was a great success, held in the beautifully adorned barn at 63 Dirkie Uys Street, where guests enjoyed wine and delicious (vegan) finger foods. Renowned literary critic Brandon De Kock engaged in a lively conversation with Joanne, discussing the contents of her book and the entertaining backstory that inspired it. ‘Pigcasso’ is about the artistic pig that saved the sanctuary; a heartwarming pet narrative that cleverly parodies the art world while warming the hearts of readers. Pigcasso with Joanne Lefson. Joanne saved two piglets from a slaughterhouse and later discovered that the canvas, fashioning them into recognisable one of them had an unexpected talent for painting. compositions when possible. Their extraordinary The book features a foreword by renowned story has been featured on global media networks, primatologist and conservationist, Dr Jane Goodall. including BBC, CNN, and SKY News. Pigcasso is famous across the globe, even More importantly, her highly successful art gracing the collections of celebrities like collaboration with Pigcasso has made it possible to George Clooney and tennis ace Rafa Nadal. sustain the animals at ‘Farm Sanctuary SA’, Joanne’s Joanne’s success in marketing this story goes non-profit organisation since 2016. This means that deeper: she has collaborated with brands such all the other farm animals at the sanctuary can also as Swatch; built a successful wine farm and receive the food and veterinary care they need to label around Pigcasso, who is also an attraction stay happy and healthy. along the pink Franschhoek Wine Tram route; Pigcasso continues to impress visitors to the and even entered the Guinness World Records farm, offering them an opportunity to not only having sold an artwork for a record-breaking enjoy wine in a unique setting but also to interact $25 000 in 2022. compassionately with farm animals. The artworks can reliably be called a collaboration www.pigcasso.org | oink@pigcasso.org between Lefson and Pigcasso, as Joanne works with Wine Tram - Tatler - 136x196.pdf 1 2022/11/14 13:46 Pigcasso by watching the pig’s brushstrokes across Text: Leila Shirley | Image: Supplied
4 | November 2023
A FOOD & WINE PAIRING FROM
Franschhoek Wine Valley Klein Goederust Boutique Winery’s Chenin Blanc 2022 Our Chenin Blanc, matured in French oak for 10 months. Fresh tropical fruit aromas combine perfectly with vanilla/ oak flavours offering a rich and creamy aftertaste. To be enjoyed on its own or paired with fish and white meat dishes. Cellar door price: R250 per bottle T 066 483 4549 E info@kleingoederust.co.za
Klein Goederust Restaurant’s Roosterkoek with Olive Tapenade Makes approx. 40 small roosterkoeke ROOSTERKOEK Ingredients 1 kg flour; 1 packet dry yeast; 20g salt; 40g sugar; 2 cups water Method Place all dry ingredients in a bowl and combine, add wet ingredients and make a soft dough. Knead for 10 mins, allow to prove until double in size. Cut into 5cm squares Heat a grill or braai to medium heat. Place the roosterkoek on the grill and cook for 5 minutes on each side. OLIVE TAPENADE Ingredients 250g pitted calamata olives; ¼ cup olive oil; 1 clove of garlic Method Blend all ingredients until chunky T 066 483 4549 E info@kleingoederust.co.za
6 bottles of the featured wine! Send your answer to tatlercompetition@gmail.com. Winner will be informed before 23 November 2023. Prizes to be collected from Franschhoek Info Office before end November 2023 or be forfeited.
ANSWER THIS EASY QUESTION! Who recently produced a new calendar?
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Classic car heaven comes to Franschhoek! Two never-beforeseen displays ('Forty of the Finest' and Alfa Romeo 3L GTV6) are offered at the Huguenot Monument on Saturday. On Sunday it's the staging point for two impressive parades. Visitors can enjoy further car displays in Church Street while ticket holders enjoy discounted access to Franschhoek Motor Museum on both days.
November 2023 | 5
Cellar Chat Mark Tanner
Climate change is afoot. Rising heat in Italian vineyards has increased the alcohol content of their wines. In fact, in the hottest regions of Italy, grapes have actually died on the vines, which together with a killer fungus due to excessive rains, has cut production by 14%. Bad news indeed. One solution is to introduce new varieties, or rather old forgotten grapes that are suited to the perils of climate change. These varieties go back for many generations but have lost favour over time as tastes and technologies have changed. Bubbiersasco, related to Nobbiolo, is one such. Barbera, Moscato Bianco and Dolcello, well known in Piedmont, have also pushed out older varieties that were producing bad wine or were vulnerable to parasites. Similarly, long-forgotten varieties like Lieseiret (an
early Chardonnay) which used to be common in Italy, France and Germany have almost vanished. With record-breaking summers Sicilian farmers are now planting at higher altitudes. One way or another, European vineyards are adapting. We shall have to get used to the new popular varieties. I think I first became aware of the effect of climate change on the wine industry when French Champagne houses began investing in UK vineyards some years ago. English vineyard expansion is slowly creeping north. Let’s face it, the white cliffs of Dover extend a long way inland in various strata as much as 450km to the city of York, thereby producing soils comparable to those of Epernay and Reims, i.e. limestone, chalk and marl, ideal for good drainage and quality grapes. By comparison, there is one country in Europe where little has changed and that is Portugal. Portuguese vineyards are well populated with lesser known varieties. Alvarino for starters. I have mentioned this in a previous issue and have no wish to repeat myself, but the Portuguese ‘position’ is worthy of noting. If ever there was romance in harvesting grapes, i.e. women folk with wicker baskets under a shaded overhead trellis, then this country hits the spot. If you
Thoughts From My Kitchen Chantal Lascaris
Age and Food As we hurtle towards Christmas, which seems to come quicker every year, we realize we’re another year older. When we think of aging, we think immediately about the state of our skin as it’s invariably the first part of our body to start showing signs of wear and tear. There’s only so much that serums, creams and lotions can do. Glowing, wrinkle free skin starts with what we eat and by fuelling it with healthy foods it’ll soon start to show its appreciation. It’s all about ensuring our food is rich in antioxidants, healthy fats, essential nutrients and water. Here are some of the best anti-aging foods to eat to bring back that glow from within.
Spinach It’s not called a superfood for nothing. Your skin needs vitamin A to support its immune system and spinach has large amounts of it. It also keeps your skin hydrated, essential for reducing fine lines and wrinkles. Collagen and vitamin C also play important roles in looking after your skin. Collagen, creates new skin cells giving you that refreshed look. Vitamin C promotes tighter skin reducing that dull look. Both of these are in abundance in spinach. So how about swopping out some lettuce leaves for baby spinach leaves instead? Pawpaw Here is another food rich in antioxidants. It also has considerable amounts of beta carotene and an enzyme called papain. These help flush out the toxins and free radicals from the skin. It promotes the synthesis of collagen which in turn provides soft smooth skin. Pawpaw isn’t only delicious to eat, it is also often found in numerous beauty products. It’s really easy to add it to your breakfast granola to get in your daily dose. Broccoli Another great way to nourish your skin is to eat more broccoli. Looking for naturally glowing skin? Then look no further. It’s full of amino acids, folates and vitamin K, all which make it ideal for providing and maintaining immunity to the skin and protecting it from getting infections. We’re all
are looking for varieties that pair perfectly with the local cuisine, Portugal has it. Portugal’s greatest strength perhaps is that its grapes have not gone global like its neighbours’. By contrast, Sauvignon Blanc, with its French origins, is now grown in at least nine other countries and it occurs in smaller pockets in several more. Mateus Rosé, since 1942, is instantly identified with entry-level plonk. No more. Do not discount its provenance! It was awarded Gold in France recently and has the greatest international ‘reach’ of any Portuguese wine. And never forget to, “Have some Madeira my dear”, the legendary wine from the island of Madeira. If you are uncertain as to where it is, check the birthplace of Ronaldo. To my amazement, I learned that Finland produced wines. Not only Finland but Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania each produce as much wine as England. Lengthy summers with as much as 20 hours of sunshine daily, together with carefully selected cultivars and local hybrids make for meaningful viticulture. However, you will not find any Finnish wine on the shelves as their 120 producers are confined to ‘hobby’ status.
aware that exposure to the sun can lead to skin damage and premature aging. Broccoli can help with this. Its blood purifying and immune boosting properties can act as a shield between UV rays and your skin. Include some in your mix of roasted vegetables or add to soups. Red Pepper Although botanically a fruit, here is another vegetable loaded with anti-oxidants. This veggie also has high vitamin C content, ideal for producing collagen. However they also contain an antioxidant called carotenoids. These are plant pigments that provide the yellow, orange and red colours in many fruits and vegetables. They have excellent antiinflammatory properties ideal for protecting the skin against environmental toxins and pollution. So slice up some peppers and add them to salads and stirfries. Blueberries These little balls certainly pack a punch when it comes to supplying us with anti-oxidants. They’re chock full of an antioxidant called anthocyanin which is what gives them their dark blue colour. They’re also rich in vitamins A & C which gives the skin protection from pollution and damage caused Cafe Beignet - Tatler 136x196-final.pdf by stress and sun. Pop them into-your smoothies or use them as a mid-morning snack.
Once, when in Sweden, I was given a bottle of Swedish Champagne proudly boasting a typically Swedish name, “Hendrik Akkerson”. It was made from grapes grown on a tunnel farm and tasted as if it was made from grapes grown on a tunnel farm! Keep trying…
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Leopard’s Leap Wins for Authentic SA Experience Leopard’s Leap Family Vineyards excelled at the 2024 Ambassador Awards, hosted by the Great Wine Capitals of the World Best of Wine Tourism Awards. The popular Leopard’s Leap South African Table as well as the overall local flavour to the brand’s offering – from food and wine to hospitality – saw Leopard’s Leap winning in the category for Authentic South African Experience. C
This recognition comes hot on the heels of Leopard’s Leap announcing an extended focus on its local offering with Taste SA! @ Leopard’s Leap. This unique food and wine experience brings a celebration of South Africa’s diversity to the Franschhoek Valley, renowned for the way in which it celebrates it French Huguenot heritage. Taste SA! expands on the winery’s already popular South African Table to now also include a South African Wine Tasting with the added option of the iconic SA Braaibroodjie, a South African Food & Wine Experience introducing the country’s diversity of flavours in food and wine as well as a SA Quicky – a quick and quirky local touch to its menu with a delicious variety of roosterkoeke! “Family has always been at the heart of what we do at Leopard’s Leap Family Vineyards”, says CEO Hein Koegelenberg. “Of course, it is about families joining us for their favourite food and wine, but our invitation extends much wider. We love hosting guests who are interested in our local food heritage and tourists who would like to understand more about our culture and habits. We like to invite you into our family through a shared appreciation of food, wine and their stories. If that’s what you are
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Taste SA! food and wine pairing
looking for, you are in for a treat!” At Leopard’s Leap Family Vineyards, all guests – a group of foodies, a family on a fun day out, a couple spending the day or tourists on the Franschhoek Wine Tram – can experience authentic South African tastes and hospitality; whether enjoying the famous, braai-inspired Rotisserie lunch, the acclaimed South African Table presented by Chef Christiaan or the new Taste SA! experience. www.leopardsleap.co.za | 021 876 8002 Text: Editorial Desk | Image: Supplied
Whether you're hopping on the Wine Tram or just a local foodie looking for some goodness, Café Beignet has you covered! Swing by for some top-notch artisanal coffee, classic French Beignets, tasty snacks, and refreshing cold drinks, including fresh juices and iced coffees. And guess what? We're thrilled to introduce a new selection of mouthwatering pizzas, toasted sandwiches, wraps, and muffins to the menu too! Oh, and here's the cherry on top: for a limited time, when you grab one of our coffees, we'll throw in a complimentary Beignet – the fanciest French pastry treat you'll ever taste! Café Beignet, located at Franschhoek Wine Tram Terminal Corner of Main Road and Cabriere Street, Franschhoek www.winetram.co.za | info@winetram.co.za | +27 (0)21 300 0338
6 | November 2023
Tatler Motoring MICHELE LUPINI
GR Hilux Stars on Flood Heritage Our bakkie lives up to heritage to help save the day We suppose it was written, but that we still had our faithful Toyota GR Sport long-term test bakkie on hand when the biblical floods hit Franschhoek on Heritage Day seemed pretty apt. It was a hell of a storm. The biggest in living memory they say. Over 300 mm in a day in the catchment. Which is huge considering that living memory around here goes back to the sixteenth century! GR Sport Heritage came flooding home! Now the apt bit is just as interesting. This bakkie was supposed to have been launched in April 2021. But that was delayed to much later. Why? Well, that was the last time, more or less, that a flood of biblical proportion hit South Africa. And like our sleepy little valley this time, Prospecton in Durban bore the brunt of that one. The Toyota plant is there. It ended up underwater and most of the GR Hilux pilot production was caught up in that. It took a gargantuan effort to see the plant back up and running by August, and the
GR Sport launch was put back to much later last year. So, in other words, the Toyota Hilux GR Sport has a bit of a flooded heritage. And boy, did our Hulk celebrate that, and then some on Heritage Day 2023! Truth be told, we could not have had a better bakkie under us. It had rained all weekend and it just got heavier and heavier through the night. Heritage Monday dawned to the mother and father of storms. The water was already flowing brown down the road outside, and it soon spread right across the street. Fortunately the fence on top of our estate buckled and the water diverted down the vineyard at the back, in frightening volume. Best bakkie to solve a disaster It was getting worse when we decided to go out and help where we could. The lady in the house on the corner was trapped upstairs so stopped there to assist first. It was almost impossible to get out the gate and the silt was axle deep. Most village roads were impassable by then too. But people needed help and we managed to get out. Thanks in main to Hulk’s healthy 4x4 ability. When the storm finally abated late that morning, the excess water disappeared almost immediately. The damage is devastating in certain areas. We were saved by that buckled fence, but many others were not so lucky. Once we forced a route across the village, we knuckled down and helped where we could, our
A Local Geological Journey with Nick Norman
Hilux part of the team every step of the way. The Hulk worked hard that week. Once things stared to settle in the valley, we faced the next task of helping move a home. Hilux GR once again proved beyond for know purpose, While youfitmay something of the geological forms seen in the Franschhoek Valley, shuttling all aspects of a it is no simple task to piece together these features into a story of the valley’s geological small household to its new history. venue. Local geologist and published author, Nick Norman, speaks and writes accessibly GR the Sport has presence about otherwise remote world of rocks. Born in Kwa-Zulu Natal where he completed his second to none M.Sc in Geology, Nick has explored far and wide in search of the stories embedded in rocks. Best of all, not only is After exploring American and Southern African geological features, Nick settled in its flipside a fineSouth stronger 165 kW 500 Nm 4x4 Franschhoek in and 1981awhere he has since continued write world of rocks. Real to world fuel:and explore 9.0the l/100km system top beat the floods, but GR Hilux has a Towing Fuel: 13.4 l/100 km presence to none, too. story Any concerns? Nick tellssecond the fascinating of howYes! the CO2: 210 g/km Our biggest concern is that ouron time our Hulk Franschhoek Valley has taken itswith present form Range: 1,000 km is coming to an end. And thatof really is sad! after hundreds of millions years and is still Payload: 790 kg
changing. You may know that the Franschhoek Testing & photography: Lupini Mountains are formed Giordano from sandstone, a kind of sedimentary rock, and form part of the Cape TERM UPDATE: FoldMEDIUM Mountains. Nick emphasises that these Toyota Hilux 2.8G D-6 DC 4x4 GR Sport mountains, despite forming part of the Cape 165 kWdo 550 Nm 2.8-litre I4 to FoldEngine: Mountains, not owe theirturbodiesel current form Drive: 6-speed automatic 4x4 the process of folding (the convergence of plate Claimed Fuel: 8 l/100km tectonics that heaves vast quantities of the Earth’s material upward, forming mountains). Rather, our Franschhoek Mountains and valley were formed from an extremely slow process of erosion, mainly by water. In accounting for this, Nick takes us back to almost 600 million years ago. He explains that a sedimentation process was underway at this time, followed by folding. Igneous intrusions were being formed (molten rock which pushes its way up from the Earth’s mantle and into sedimentary rock formations). These would form Paarl Rock and the granite rock formations on Montpellier farm (near Bridge House School), exposed to the surface by erosion. The deposition of the sediments would form an impressive basin extending from Clanwilliam to Port Elizabeth and beyond (now removed by Continental Drift). The folding that would ensue once more, explains Nick, would heave material up to an almost Himalayan scale! This time the erosion of these gigantic mountains would supply sediments extending across the entire Karoo Basin. Millennia of erosive action would give way to a gently undulating plain. At this stage, the supercontinent, Gondwana, would start to break up due to stirrings
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Nick Norman with the Wemmershoek Mountains in the background.
in the Earth’s mantle. This movement would shape the landscape anew - new continents, mountains, oceans, coastlines, and rivers. This landscape dictated how the water would flow inland, capturing previous headwaters, and finding its way toward the oceans. In so doing, these active young rivers would carve out new valleys. And this is how the Franschhoek Valley and surrounding mountains came into being. Traces of this history can be identified in the valley. For example, river stones may be observed near Wemmershoek Primary School, which testify to the fact that the Berg River had meandered from one side of the valley to the other, carving out the valley as it went. The geological foundations described starter fires up the motor. have also set the scene for the ecological systems First gear enthusiastically surrounding us. From the sandy nutrient-poor builds up momentum before second is soil, derived from the extremely hard quartzitic engaged, which proves to be an amazingly sandstone, the world’s most bio-diverse flora has flexible leverIndeed, moves the around a tight, sprunggear. forth:The fynbos. harsh conditions exposed aluminium gate mounted alongside have required our indigenous plant life to be the handbrake. This is vintage motoring –creative. ten resourceful, adaptive, and evolutionarily It decades ago the ergonomics was issue. follows that fauna have alsonot hadan to acclimatise The claimed to And haveyet, a top speed of 45 to car thiswas harsh terrain. the valley’s ecology mph km/h).enough Brakes organic naturallymatter, need careful has (72 provided mixing with the eroded sedimentary rocklooking and granite, to form consideration, the drums almost soil that issmall fertilebehind enough to wire-spoked produce some impossibly the 19-of the world’s finest wines and natural produce. inch wheels shod with 3.25-width tyres. And so we fiWhen nd ourselves entwined in the ongoing geological production ended in 1939, around and ecological story of the land in our valley. 300 000 cars and vans had been made and If this story the piqued yourleading interest, Nick’s it had become world’s small car.books can be purchased or ordered from your local book The Austin Seven helped motorise a nation vendor. His publications include Going to Ground, and t in1999 it was a short-list candidate for Box of Rocks, Geology Off the Beaten Track, The the Car of the Century title. Simple, robust, Extraordinary World of Diamonds, and Geological affordable, it ranks as a landmark design in Journeys. For more information about Nick, you can motoring history. visit his website: https://www.nicknormanbook.com/.
NOVEMBER NE WS
7 HEAVEN
Spurred on by the post-war depression and the new horsepowert, in 1920 Herbert Austin decided to work on a new small car to meet the growing needs of a population wanting affordable transport. The board of directors and numerous creditors opposed the idea so Herbert – a talented engineer – decided to go it alone and develop the concept at his own expense. He hired young draughtsman Stanley Edge from the Austin factory and set up a design office in his house. Edge lived in a lodge on Herbert’s estate and ate in the library. So working from home is nothing new... The chassis was a steel, channel section A-frame with minor cross bracing and the engine mounted between the channel sections at the narrow front end. The forged front beam axle was located and suspended on a transverse half-elliptic leaf spring and splayed radius arms, while the spiral-bevel rear axle was supported on quarter-elliptic
springs cantilevered from the back of the chassis. Early cars did not have any shock absorbers. Drum brakes were fitted on all four wheels – a notable feature for the period – the fronts operated by the handbrake. These became fully coupled in 1930. Worm-andsector steering was employed. Edge convinced Austin to use a small fourcylinder engine and the side-valve design had a capacity of 696cc that equated to an RAC rating of 7,2 hp, but by the time the car went into production, the capacity was increased to 747cc with a rating of 10,5. The
PUMA HALF-CENTURY DISPLAY
The production of Puma sports cars in South Africa started in 1973. Bromer Motor Assemblies was established to build the cars. As with Brazil, at the time South Africa was a fledgling motor industry and was subjected to strict local content control. This affected the local Puma build with the use of local glass, upholstery, seats, seat recliners and rims necessary to meet local content requirements. The South African Puma was based on the VW Beetle, whereas in Brazil it was based on the Karmann Ghia. This change was due to only the Beetle being built in SA. Changes had to be made to the body mould to accommodate the Beetle floorpan, and the body was raised +- 50 mm to accommodate taller South Africans... In
1974, a new mould arrived from Brazil, starting the production of the ‘long door’ model. The door is slightly longer and opens 100 mm wider than the original. The long-door body was only produced in SA. Bromer production continued until the end of 1975 after VWSA stopped producing the Beetle, and the 1970’s fuel crisis made the availability of resin and paint very difficult. Puma at that stage was an expensive sports car considering it cost R3 996 when launched in 1973. In 1976, Jack Wijker took over the liquidated Bromer company and started supplying parts to Puma owners. In 1980, he started the second build of Puma in SA. The car was fitted with a quarter-glass behind the door and air
cast iron cylinder block and detachable head were mounted on an aluminium crankcase. The crankshaft used two roller bearings and was splash lubricated. Cooling was by thermosiphon without a water pump. The early cars used magneto ignition but this was changed to coil in 1928. An electric starter was fitted from late 1923. Edge also carried out the design of other mechanical components including the gearbox and clutch assembly. The design was completed in 1922, and the Austin Seven (named after its nominal hp rating) was announced to the public in July and went on general sale in March 1923 with a price tag of £165. Nearly 2 500 cars were made in the first year of production, and within a few years the ‘Baby Austin’ had wiped out the cyclecar industry and transformed the fortunes of the Austin Motor Company. FMM has two 1926 models – a Chummy opentourer and a Top Hat saloon. A floor-mounted
The two cars are currently on view in Hall B.
Text: Leila Shirley | Image: Nick Norman
VISITING FMM
FMM’s opening time are Monday to Botulinum Toxins | Dermal Fillers | Intravenous Therapy Friday 10h00 to 17h00 (last admittance
vents on the engine lid, similar to the overseas GTE model. At that stage, GTS models were imported. Later, GTIs and GTCs were imported as well. A third build of Puma in SA started 2006 in Babelegi and lasted until 2019. During this period, Jack kept the Puma dream alive worldwide by supplying parts and building a limited number of cars. To celebrate Puma’s half-century, FMM currently has a special display of a trio of cars in Hall B.
16h00), Saturday and Sunday 10h00 to 16h00 (last admittance 15h00). Visiting the museum is by appointment only and via online booking. Entry fees: R80 adults, R60 pensioners and motor club members (with membership ID), R40 children (ages 3-12). Only electronic payments are accepted. The famed FMM Pitstop Deli is open throughout the visiting hours. For booking tickets and any other information as well as signing on for a free monthly newsletter, logon to www.fmm. co.za or phone 021 874 9000 or e-mail fmm@fmm.co.za
E-mail: kevin@drkevincampbellsaesthetics.com Facebook: @DrKevinCampbellsAesthetics Instagram: @drcampbellsaesthetics
Age Flawlessly with Dr Kevin
May 2023 | 11
November 2023 | 7
Gardening Gardening November ininMay NATIE FERREIRA NATIE FERREIRA
garden centres come in. This year, you will have to spoil yourselves with some bigger seedlings and colourful bedding pots to make up for the months lost through this late wet winter. I will focus my own efforts on the food and medicine garden, while getting some help in for the other important tasks like lawn dressing, spreading of compost and Your lawnmower can beofset slightly lower. This will mulch and the pruning wind damaged trees. allow to the lower swards ofhave grass The more rain sunlight and subsequent hot weather increased the pest and disease Walkfed and help against diseases. Lawnspressure. should be youra garden regularly forgood aphids, with high potash feedto toscout ensure rootmites, growth thrips, moths, other critters. Spray through winter. beetles, Applyingand agricultural lime at a rate target-specifi c. Wekeep don’twinter want toweeds kill ofreactively 50g per and square meter helps off the natural predators in our habitat. I am having at bay and will help ensure a lush spring lawn. good success with an integrated approach, using The nurseries are stocked with all sorts of trapping, mating interruption, natural predators, winter colour – sweet peas, delphinium, dianthus, beneficial microbes, and natural pyrethrum-based foxgloves, Iceland poppies, larkspur, pansies, viola, insecticides. Against fungal and bacterial infection, primula, stocks and lobelia. gardeners can we watch the weather, and ifPatient conditions require it, still sow seeds of all of these. The last of the winter we start spraying preventatively with safe contact and early spring owering bulbs such as Lachenalia fungicides. Mostflof your shrubs and especially rose and Watsonia be balanced planted before the middle bushes need must a good feed, roses love ofhigh thepotassium month. May is probably best flmonth feeding before thethe summer ush. this flnew ush by nipping out a third of the new toProlong establish Fynbos gardens. Trees planted budswill as well regularly.a decent root now haveasadeadheading chance to establish You can plantthe andsummer sow all summer vegetables this system before heat arrives. month, but you might have a later-than-expected In the vegetable garden beetroot, broad beans, harvest. carrots, Use a celery, combination of store-bought cabbage, Swiss chard, onions, peas seedlings and directly sown seed to stagger your and turnips can all be sown now. Winter is also pantry supplies this season and ensure there is the most successful time of the year to grow salad something on the Christmas table. For those that crops in the Cape; summer is often simply too grow their own medicine, it is a major outdoor hot. Sow cover crop on unused beds, even letting Cannabis planting month, learn more about this weeds growhobby is better leaving theclub, soil exposed. interesting by that joining a grow visiting our house coldorand rainy into autumn aInCannabis nursery, popping a growdays shop,are spent broths, stews, and slow therein is the one kitchen. in almostSoups, every town now. roasts are thewill order of thenot day. these The kitchen probably seeWhile me much thisare month, let’s planaway the Christmas lunchwe next slowly bubbling on the stove, willmonth. have an Happy gardening abundance of guavas to process into preserves and
chutney. I will also be dreaming about next season, and the abundance that I hope for by this time next year. Last year’s lack of planning and timeous action left our pantry quite empty this winter.
2012 1079mm
2013 1471mm
I T ' S O U R B I R2017 T H D AY2018 !
Measured at La Cotte/Nerina Street
501mm
867mm
mm/month
October November December
UN
CH EDITI
ON
SATURDAY & SUNDAY 18-19 NOVEMBER 2023 Limited tickets available Book now: www.fccf.co.za +27 (0)66 090 4205
Botulinum Toxins | Dermal Fillers | Intravenous Therapy
2014 1033mm
2015 661mm
2016 754mm
2019 828mm
2020 910mm
2021 824mm
Dam Levels
2022
March April May June July August September
LA
mm/year
Rainfall Figures
January February
B N OO O K W
What a deceiving creature the Cape weather
I’ve is… often mused in out the past how Maywriting is one of I am sitting underonthe trees this month’s article, enjoying theofmost beautiful the most unpredictable months the year. Everyof early summer days one area can imagine. Only a of few farmer in the winter rainfall will tell stories weeks ago this same creature to kill us all! the years they waited for the rain to tried sow their crops, of the and Overberg are still mopping with Most the end ofBoland May being the ultimate deadline. and licking their after the fourth In dryupyears the joke is wounds that farmers plant on major the rain event of the season poured out the bulk of its 50th of May. This year things seem different. We rainfall like an atmospheric river over these regions. were blessed with abundant early rains, and winter Strong winds and record levels of rainfall wreaked quickly pushed a short autumn out of the way. havoc on farmlands and towns in the Winelands, My soil is too waterlogged to work already – a pity this time unfortunately also with the loss of life. Last because hadtime, big plans to discussing prepare new year Ithis we were the sections possibility for vegetable planting in spring. I will have to have go of a new dry cycle, now the conversations no-tillshifted this season and will experiment with sowing towards the reality of climate change, and a green manureforcrop the reasons it. in narrow drills in the soil. causesand these seasonal and long-term AddingWhatever some radish other root crops should changes climate to is open am of not loosen the soilinenough makefor updebate; for the Ilack that it can be manure carbon emissions alone. deepconvinced cultivation. This green sowing must But what a fact are experiencing be done beforeis the endisofthat thewe month to ensure shiftsbiomass in rainfall that enough to and dig temperature into the soilpatterns in spring. cannot be forecast through existing models. While Finding a decent green manure seed mix in small others argue about the origins, we as gardeners quantities might be difficult and expensive for the and farmers need to face the reality of prolonged home gardener. I’ve successfully used a mix of my periods of drought alternated by intense weather expired vegetable and flower seeds combined and rainfall events. The past winter showed up the with errors a garden bird seed from50the pet100-year food of the past; we blend don’t have and section. This gives a good variety of grains and flood lines in our building regulations without greenreason. material. Adding some to the will It also showed how peas pollution hasmix massively trap nitrogen the soil to for mass the next season. of storm increased,in leading blockages Youwater will have to utilize the sunny days between systems throughout the Cape. It possibly also fronts showed focus on water and the cold to that theirour best, because Maysecurity is a busy increasing run-off in the our rewards catchment areas might gardening month, with only coming been the wrong I couldpruning not help muchhave later in the season.approach. Your autumn to notice that most of the badly eroded should be well on its way by now, with only areas the cleared recently through alien vegetation late flwas owering shrubs such as Solanum, Tecomaria, programmes and fire prevention efforts. Maybe it is Leonotis, Lavender, Plumbago and Hibiscus that time to take another look at this tactic. still needs to be pruned. Tree surgery to deciduous If you feel late with everything in the garden this trees also needs to be done sooner rather than year, you are not alone. In normal years we wish for later. another Pay attention to overgrown evergreen trees month between October and November, and shrubs cuttinglike away sometwo! of You the want lowerto this yearby it seems we need branches andgarden opening the canopy toholiday let in more get your sparkling for the visitors sunlight. such as Canna’s, Michaelmas whilePerennials making sure there is enough out of your daisies, Salvia andtable. Gaura ownJapanese garden to anenomes, show off on the dinner You areall going help. Thisthis is where nurseries and should be to cutneed back hard month. Fertilise and mulch afterwards. Lift Dahlia bulbs if you have clay soil; in well-drained soil most bulbs and tubers can be left in the ground over winter. Fertilise all winter flowering shrubs with a balanced fertilizer.
2023
MONTH
ACCUMULATIVE
MONTH
ACCUMULATIVE
2 8 58 15 76
2 10 68 83 159
12 27 159
12 39 198
164 92
323 415
122 27 5 7 68
537 564 569 576 644
As at 17th April 2023 Steenbras Upper
95.1%
Steenbras Lower
54.9%
Wemmershoek
69.8%
Voelvlei
38.9%
Theewaterskloof
55.8%
Berg River Dam
77.6%
Total Storage
58.1%
Total Storage this date last year 69.2%
tamatie
E-mail: kevin@drkevincampbellsaesthetics.com Facebook: @DrKevinCampbellsAesthetics Instagram: @drcampbellsaesthetics Address: 48 Artisan Village, Cabriere St, Franschhoek, 7690 Dr. Kevin Campbell MBChB(Pret) PN 9990140000979767
www.drkevincampbellsaesthetics.com
tamatie GROWING MASTER GROWERS
Follow @tamatie.co.za on Facebook for updates on live and online training
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Follow @tamatie.co.za on Facebook for updates on live and online training
mm/year
Rainfall Figures Measured at La Cotte/Nerina Street
2012 1079mm
2013 1471mm
2014 1033mm
2015 661mm
2016 754mm
2017 501mm
2018 867mm
2019 828mm
2020 910mm
2021 824mm
mm/month
GROWING MASTER GROWERS
CANNABIS CONSULTANCY: limited availability
Age Flawlessly with Dr Kevin Cell: +27(0)83 240 8620
2022 January February March April May June July August September October November December
Dam Levels
2023
MONTH
ACCUMULATIVE
MONTH
ACCUMULATIVE
2 8 58 15 76 164 92 122 27 5 7 68
2 10 68 83 159 323 415 537 564 569 576 644
12 27 159 103 211 355 162 76 320
12 39 198 301 512 867 1029 1105 1425
As at 16 October 2023 Steenbras Upper
101.7%
Steenbras Lower
99.7%
Wemmershoek
99.9%
Voelvlei
99.9%
Theewaterskloof
102.0%
Berg River Dam
100.1%
Total Storage
101.1%
Total Storage this date last year 83.7%
8 | November 2023
Ansche’s People ANSCHE GROBLER
Ashley Bauer My father once asked me: “What is in your hands? What do you already have in your life, a talent or a gift that almost comes naturally to you; and how can you use it to help others?” When I moved to Franschhoek I soon noticed a silver bakkie driving up and down the main road, with a man in a red cap inside. After meeting Ashley Bauer’s wife at an aerobics class and being introduced to the rest of the family at the Village Market, I realised this family had a great love for Franschhoek and its community. Ashley Bauer wanted to be a paramedic growing up. From a young age, he had a passion for helping others. He always participated in community service (permanent and voluntary) during his time with the emergency services in Johannesburg.
Almost 10 years ago they decided to enrol their children in a private school and gave up the city lights of Egoli for the Winelands. Ashley immediately got involved in volunteering with the Winelands Fire Protection Association. (Currently he is serving as its district chairman.) He is also a proud member of the Franschhoek Lions Club, a member of the Franschhoek Heritage and Ratepayers Association, and a member of the Ward 1 ward committee. His life motto is: “Keep going, keep growing.” I think it is safe to say that he has the gift of humility, serving others and helping out wherever he can. He is using what is in his hands for the welfare of others. If he could describe Franschhoek in one word, it would be “Inoubliable”, which is French for absolutely unforgettable! “Franschhoek is a unique village encompassing many people both foreign and local with varying histories in the valley from a few months to over 200 years, adding to the rich tapestry of the community,” Ashley says. Whatever their origins, Ashley can testify that the community comes together when faced with
challenges from devastating fires, floods, and even the pandemic. “We are really one village.” We all have something that motivates us to get up every morning and for Ashley, it is knowing that he has an incredible family that loves and supports him in everything he does, “and faith in humanity to do the right thing and come together.” Ashley’s hope for the future of our community is that we will continue to look after and support each other, not only in times of crisis. If you are wondering how you can contribute or volunteer with what is in your hands, Ashley has the following recommendation: “Our valley has several volunteer NGOs supporting our community. Should a resident want to assist, have a look in your Tatler and social media and make contact with the NGO you feel most strongly attracted to.” Ashley’s advice for new residents of the valley is to immerse themselves in the community and let themselves become emotionally invested in the Franschhoek way of living – joining a social group, supporting an NGO, and more importantly participating in the multiple fundraisers, bazaars, markets and other events on offer.
From the Franschhoek community, we would like to share our utmost gratitude to all the volunteers in our midst, especially Ashley, who is a local hero.
8 | July 2022
KusasaTop Geographer News
Franschhoek Leeskring Franschhoek Leeskring HESTERSUSAN STRŰMPFER MÖLLER
Destin Bürgin, a Bridge House School Grade 12 learner, achieved first place in the 2022 South African National Geography Olympiad. He will be one of four SA learners to represent South JOHANE TURKSTRA Ons nooiByalmal hartlik uit na van onsdielaaste van ‘Oskar en die pienk tannie’ en van ‘Monsieur die volgende byeenkoms Franschhoek “Die getuienis” vertel die verhaal Retha en LeeskringLeeskring, boekbespreking, waar Ingridbespreek Maritz Danie Ibrahim en die blomme vanmet die Koran’. In ‘Madame Africa in the International Geography Olympiad (iGeo) later this month. wat op 7 Julie plaasvind, Gerbrand wat saam hulle twee seuns by
Cycle for Kusasa The 18th International Geography Olympiad will
die ongelooflike boek,Smith ‘Madame Pylinska die geheim van Chopin’ vertel Schmitt du Toit Francois se “Die Pylinska getuienis”. en ’n en Christelike bedieningsentrum êrens tussen • facilitate social contacts between young die people Geheim van Chopin’word (Vertaal deur Naòmi die vermaaklike en en dikwels roerende verhaal Die byeenkoms gehou in die NG Kerksaal. Naboomspruit Bela-Bela woon en werk. van Retha from different countries and in doing so, contribute en besoekersGaste geniet vooraf n koffi e koffie/tee behartig die sentrum se administrasie, Madame spyseniering Morgan) Lede sal bespreek. betaal ‘n fooi sy lesse by ’n Poolse klavieronderwyseres, to the understanding between nations. metkostes verrigtinge wat om begin.14h30 en Sy kommunikasie op sosiale Gerhard bedien van R30 om te dek. U15h00 sal vanaf Pylinska. “Saterdae saam met media; Madame Pylinska” Navrae: die lesse Woordinenoor lei die seminare. Hulle beland per toeval ontvang word by0729325393 die saal van die NG-kerk sluit ook geskiedenis van Pole en Francois Smith se derde roman, “Die getuienis”, daar nadat lewe in Pretoria ineengestort met verversings. komponiste wat hulle vir die klavier geskryf het, veralhet slaan ’n interessante nuwe rigting in, weg van sy en hulle al hulle aardse besittings verloor het. Die Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt is die geliefde skrywer Chopin en Liszt. twee vorige romans “Kamphoer” en “Die kleinste woord “toeval” pas egter nie in hulle manier van dink ramp denkbaar” waarmee hy reeds vir hom en praat nie; wat hulle betref, is alles voorbeskik en ’n beduidende plek in die Afrikaanse lettere deel van God (na wie hulle deurentyd verwys as oopgeskryf het. “Vader”) se plan met hulle lewens.
After an eventfulbecrowdfunding campaign with held online and hosted by France from 12 to 18 July, auspices of the International the Cape Town Cycle Tourunder (CTCT)the earlier this year, Olympiad The Kusasa Project Geographical would like to Union invite you to rideTask for Force. is an10annual us in 2024! Join us oniGeo Sunday March competition 2024 for the for the best 16 19 in year-old Geography students biggest timed bike to race the world, where you can from all over the world. Students chosen to represent their ride for a purpose. You can choose between 42km countries are the very best, chosen from thousands and 109km, and all proceeds from your campaign of students who participate enthusiastically in their will be used to benefit our 150 deserving Kusasa-kids. own National Geography Olympiads. Marie-Louise Raymond, principal of The Kusasa The aims of the Olympiad are to: Academy, says: “When completing the Cape • stimulate active interest in geographical and Town Cycle Tour, it will be a signifi cant among personal environmental studies young people; achievement, but when you do it fortoThe Kusasa • contribute positively debate about the importance COLLEEN DOUGLAS Academy, it gives you sense of as accomplishment of ageography a senior secondary school subject SA’s top young geographer, Destin Bürgin. by drawing attention toyour the quality in knowing that you are not only pushing own of geographical ATHI NDAMANE Celebrating Bastille? Franschhoek Hospice will be knowledge, and interests Text: Editorial Desk | Image: Bridge House School limits, but you are making a skills positive impactamong on young people; On 11 October the Franschhoek 17th July at the selling the2023, following items on the 16th andValley children who deserve it most”. village market and main road: Berets, Red, Royal and Community Sport Centre hosted a Teachers Sports Riding the CTCT could benefit both your Once you have entered the race, type this code Navy – R 50recognize each, Pancakes each and freshly-baked Day to celebrate the– R10 hard work and fitness and some very deserving kids. surl.li/mhcix into your internet browser to sign up filled with smoke and cream sacrifices ofCroissants our valley’s teachers. For salmon/trout some teachers, and start your very own crowdfunding campaign a whopping R6+ million per year for it to remain cheese – R50 – available on the veranda ofcentre the town hall. it was their fi rst time at the centre. The with GivenGain. By spreading the word that you operational. We are 100% independent and rely Please diarise the following dates: organized this day of sports for the teachers to have are riding for a purpose, youthe raise awareness and Often it’s sense of community that makes what it is. donors. solely on the Franschhoek donations of our generous 27 August – Nik Rabinowitz presents – “Unmuted” fun, engage and refresh for the last term of the year. crucial funding for The Kusasa Project. at Leopard’s Leap – R400 per person, incudes a filming. As the credits say, evening, 11ofJune, www.thekusasaproject.org Teachers from Wes-Eind Primary School, The Kusasa Project,On theSaturday parent organisation our delicious light supper. Tickets available from the More than 400 learners attended no children or animals were gathered to Dalubuhle Primary School and Simondium school, The Kusasa community Academy, ismembers dedicated to raising the Bullying Awareness Day. johane@thekusasaproject.org hospice office. Limited seating, 120 seats only. harmed in the making of School participated. celebrate a small but significant Primary 15 September – Reuben Riffel Golf Day in aid of the film. achievement for the South Congratulations to Dalubuhle School for Franschhoek Hospice atPrimary Pearl Valley Golf Estate. For Duke Coulbanis, a close African cinematic arts and a large receive your generous donations. Thank you winning both the soccer and netball. details call hospice office. You were shining, other vocational activity to a calmer way of life. Greek neighbour of Alex’s, achievement for one Franschhoek We are halfway through 2022 and we would like champs! Well done Simondium for being runners-up. 7 October – Uncorked – at Leopard’s Leap. An • This is achieved through these featureswith of membership: a calling to the Greek resident. The celebration to thank our wonderful volunteers who have been of fun and dancing fabulous We hopeevening to have teachers from at allour the valley’sHospice • Opportunities to extend compatible Orthodox social Church, quips encompassed the resident’s making sandwiches and soup for our patients so Hop. R 500 pp includes meal. schools participating next year asodelicious that we canLimited contacts and maintain an interesthow in the he topical had to teach Alex birthday, love of animals and love far. You have been amazing. seating, 120 seats only. every teacher! issues of the day. to swear in Greek celebrate so she There are still 6 months to go until the end of the MARK TANNERof her community. Franschhoek patientsEkhamanzi need the following A big ‘thank you’ Hospice to aQuelle • Nurturing positive attitudes to ageing through could appear authentically Alex Steyl rented out the year and many more sandwiches and soup to be please: Roll-on deodorant for males and females, Franschhoek for sponsoring the water and Our speaker for Franschhoek the November meeting will be “Alex honoured me Theatre to celebrate group recreation and the sharing Greek. of information made! Why not lend a hand? soaps, dark face cloths, tooth paste and toothbrushes. soft her drinks and to Checkers Franschhoek for Patrick Jacobs who will about Special RatingLife” Areas.in by asking me to help thetalk new movie “Good Thank you to the community and businesses for on issues of concern to Senior Citizens. Please drop off at either Hospice House or the Hospice with the Greek language. which plays the area role in of which one of contributing to the success of the event. An SRA is a clearly defi ned she geographical your continued support. • Support in grief and illness. shop. There will be a box at both places waiting to Not that they a speak Greek spitting-mad women Stay safe, warm, and healthy. Thank you to our team who made it happen and property owners paythe additional rates toGreek enhance and • Speakers at monthly luncheons who provide in the movie, but Alex’s who make the life of a South to all who came to support. We can’t wait for next supplement municipal services relating to: fresh mental challenge and stimulation. character needed toyear ‘swear African Greek a misery. Olive, aged to do it again! • Safety and security. • We are a-political and non-sectarian under her breath’ at various 35, (played by Erica Wessels) goes *** • Maintenance and area clearing. We are mindful of the fact that costs are an people, and to add an air to Greece to unravel the secrets of On 13 October it was time to host our annual • Social services and community building. important consideration. Membership fees, of authenticity, she wanted to know how to do her parents’ lives and to get over the humiliation Everybody was a winner the Teachers Sports Day. bullying awareness event.of Sadly, is • What is Probus all about? therefore, a minimum; while monthly Samurai School Karate bullying Franschhoek which is housed at theatFranschhoek Health Club so in to Greek, and accompany it with any gestures of a cheating boyfriend. A young boy of 7, theare kept becoming normalised in our country and • In South Africa, there is a rapidly growing luncheon costs vary. that might be applicable.” Duke also holds the child of an Albanian refugee, befriends her. In the since 2010 has surfaced again. The Franschhoek karate group hosted the second BASKA Marina Colmant and Carla Sauders had an The centre started this event in 2022 number of Probus offerisretirees Probus is not distinction a Service/Fund Raising organization. of owning the cell phone thatcommunity. filmed best Clubs, possiblewhich way, theirs a friendship that helps development tournament on Saturday 28impressive May 2022.engagement with the learners around after reports of learners committing suicide due the facility to manage successfully the transition For more information please Alex’s audition forcontact the roleMark at theTanner local café, Fotini’s. them both. bullying. Marina handed out workbooks to all the 400+ bullying and noticing that school social media from a high-pressure professional Taki’s, also Greek-owned, was the obvious to choice The executive, entry requirement forand the evening on 082 was 773 9217. learners to help them identify and cope with bullying. pages were also raising awareness about bullying. for the movie-going friends to gather for a bite to a donation of cat or dog food for SHARF (Safe Each of the schools prepared a performance The centre developed an initiative involving eat after the movie was over. Hands Animal Rescue Franschhoek), a charity that amazed the audience and guests. Well done ‘Good Life’ is a good South African story. According enthusiastically supported by Alex. Wine and grades 6 & 7 from the valley. The reason for inviting to all the primary schools and their teachers for to Duke Coulbanis, it is authentically Greek too, withtwo grades is that grade 7s are seniors who popcorn –made instantly in an air fryer – made for these such effort and hard work. We believe there will be its myriad superstitions and long-held family grudges. a festive evening. Once everyone was seated, and could be perpetrators of bullying while still in grade The cast is all local actors and actresses, and 7alland look suddenly become victims in high school. theatre manager Pieter started the movie, there differences now in all the school environments in quite Greek. Youngster Caleb Payne does a credible were warm cheers and enthusiastic clapping at terms of bullying and better understanding. We also challenged the learners to respond to Albanian-speaking Greek with a heavy “H”. each of Alex’s appearances. More thanks are due to the @homelearning the question “How we can stop bullying?” Schools The audience knows that the watch, the well The movie, ‘Good Life’, was written and directed yeboneers from Paarl East community for adding loved this initiative and this year the anti-bullying and the boy are significant story elements. There by Bonnie Rodini. The movie took fourteen years to such great value to our event. Do continue event was bigger than before. is underlying humour: Olive is an oral hygienist make, with the bulk of the shooting taking place teaching others. Thank you aQuelle once again Zolani whose claim to fame is whitening teeth, and she Mahola, formerly of Freshly Ground, again during the Covid pandemic. The whole movie was for theFLTR: water and soft drinks FLTR: Franschhoek Health Club Manager Johan Front row: Sensei Chrisdonation. Ensil, Amelie,Another Kayla, Melo, was our entertainer for the event. She blessed us has queues of desperate Greeks wanting whiter shot around the Cape peninsula, with the Castle of thanks goes toEmiru all our doing Viljoen, Champion and gold medalist Jayne word of Ethan, Joda-Rose, and guests. Curstley.Keep Back row: Johan withup a great performance that took us back to her teeth; the wheelie bin affair keeps cropping Good Hope transformed into a Greek village. Clever Wunder and National Coach Sensei Chris Ensil.great work Viljoen, past karate student of Sensei Chris. Franschhoek High School, Dalubuhle performance with Shakira at the 2010 FIFA Soccer as an ongoing amusement; the ladies in the editing with stock footage makes the scenery very Primary School, Wes-Eind School purported aquatics group in their flowery caps linkCup opening Greek, and there were gasps of empathy at the very World Zolani The best ceremony. achievement fromalso theshared Franschhoek second and third places. Primary SA National Coach,and Sensei Wemmershoek Primary School. Remember your the venomous attacks against Olive. ‘Goodwith Life’ learners is cold water the actors had to brave while pretending contingent came from Jayne Wunder,from who placed Chris Ensil says: “We are proud to see that our new her motivational story of coming homework of teaching others about bullying and fun; a well-told story with all the elements to keep it was the warm water off the coast of Greece! third at the fi development tournament home-grown students are starting to bloom.” Gqeberha and making itrst onto the world scene. We and you entertained for its duration. Watch it onthank Netflix.you fi According to Alex, the movie was a project of love use yourFor workbooks well. Seeon youkarate againinnext year! rst at the second development tournament after more information Franschhoek Zolani for your continued support! made on a shoestring budget. Don’t expect special beating all her opponents to claim the gold medal. contact Sensei Chris on 083 505 0808. The next event at the centre is International Children’s This year we also had Franschhoek SAPS (0)21 PAARL-FRANSCHHOEK VALLEY and Text: Barbara PROPERTY@VALDEVIE.CO.ZA WWW.VALDEVIEEVERGREEN.CO.ZA effects; the movie relies on good storytelling Other Franschhoek also achieved fiDay rst, on 16 & 17 November+27 Spaanderman | Image: Netflix which will 863 have 6105 a carnival educating learners about the students law. Learners were Text: Editorial Desk | Images: Supplied theme. Readers are invited to donate or volunteer shocked be told that children from age 10 can to make this day a success for the grade Rs and prebe arrested once found guilty. SAPS encouraged schoolers (ECD centres) who will be attending. the learners to see them as their friends who they Remember you are always welcome to visit the can trust in case of incidents such as hate speech, centre between 08h00 - 20h00. cyberbullying and other forms of bullying. We are
Sports Centre Hospice News News
‘Good Life’ in Franschhoek
Probus Club
Karate Tournament Success
Our SPCA is in dire straights... Please help our four-legged friends! Banking Details: Bank: Nedbank Franschhoek Account Name: Franschhoek SPCA Account No: 167 001 9365 Bank code: 167 005 Email: treasurer@spcafhk.co.za
very thankful for the value that Franschhoek SAPS added to our event.
www.hopethroughaction.co.za | 021 876 2569
November 2023 | 9
Letters Floods Dear Editor, As one of the representatives of The Franschhoek Floods Action Group (not a talk shop but an action orientated body), I want to propose that the Board of the Ratepayers Association calls a meeting with the Stellenbosch Municipality, to take place before November 7th, 2023. Present at this meeting should be: a) Municipal engineers dealing with roads, water, the environment (deforestation) and town planning b) Franschhoek citizens who have suffered damage, loss and severe trauma c) Relevant ward councillors
Vloed In Franschhoek Die pasafgelope vloedskade deur die Lacotterivier kan aan drie hoof faktore toegeskryf word. Verreweg die belangrikste was die buitengewone hoë reënval wat oor ‘n baie kort tyd in Franschhoek geval het. Dis heeltemal buite enige menslike beheer, maar ‘n tweede faktor is wel. Dis seker deesdae grootliks vergete dat die deel van die Lacottestroom wat deur die dorp vloei ‘n mensgemaakte leiwatersloot is wat uit die middel 1800s dateer. Dit is nie ‘n natuurlike loop nie. Die ware stroomloop van die Lacottestroom bestaan steeds maar is kwalik herkenbaar. Tydens groot bevloeding word beide die leiwatersloot en die oorspronklike rivierkanaal oorweldig en bevloed. Enige konstruksie naby die leiwatersloot en die oorspronklike rivierkanaal is dus binne die vloedgebied en onderhewig aan vloedskade. ‘n Derde faktor is die grootskaalse dorpsontwikkeling die afgelope paar dekades in die opvanggebied van die Lacotte. Dis waarskynlik die belangrikste nie-
Aims of the meeting: 1. To find out why there was such devastating loss to property and infrastructure in Franschhoek 2. How to prevent this from happening again 3. To address the huge gap in communication between the village and the Stellenbosch Municipality. This lack of communication has, especially during this deeply distressful time, resulted in extra suffering by the whole village. As ratepayers, we should not just have to pay for services; we should be confident that we receive them and be certain that Franschhoek is not treated as a cash cow without getting appropriate services. Our voices need to be heard. Kind regards, Franschhoek Floods Action Group Charlotte van Zyl 0833911570, charlotte.michielsen@gmail.com natuurlike faktor wat tot die huidige vloedskade aanleiding gegee het. Nuwe geteerde strate en ‘n paar honderd nuwe dakke in die Lacotte-opvanggebied het die afloop van stormwater aansienlik verhoog en versnel, met ‘n gevolglike buitengewone hoë spitsafloop en bevloeding in die laer dorpsgebied min of meer stroom-af van die Akademiestraatbruggie oor die leiwatersloot. ‘n Soortgelyke vloed gaan beslis weer gebeur. Wat kan gedoen word om ‘n herhaling te vermy? Nie veel nie. Die leiwatersloot en die res van die Lacotte-loop behoort voordurend skoon van plantegroei gehou te word. Die walle moet glad gepantser word om piekafloopvloei te verhoog en om erosie te verhoed. Die leiwaterkanaal moet verkieslik so reguit as moontlik belyn word. Die deurvloei-opening by bruggies en onderdeur paaie moet aansienlik vergroot word. In die bolope van die Lacotte kan ‘n reeks van lae keerwalle oorweeg word om as afvloei-dempers of vloed–vertragers op te tree. Izak Rust, Strand
Franschhoek Open Gardens Show 2023 Each year, as we approach a new Open Gardens Festival, we, as the organizers reflect on the resilience of the garden owners in facing the challenges thrown at them over the years. The effects of devastating fires and appalling drought come to mind, but this year, the flooding that our beautiful village has had to face has been disastrous for many. Nevertheless, true to their record of commitment, the garden owners will once again share their lovely gardens in support of this well-loved festival. This year, at 11h00 on Saturday 4 November, at La Cotte Farm, Franschhoek Open Gardens will be hosting a combined talk given by two of our local celebrities, Leon Kluge, international landscape designer and botanist and Willem van Schalkwyk celebrated floral artist. Leon, who has represented Africa on the floral stage at International shows around the world and is the recipient of multiple Gold awards at the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show, will be giving a talk on “Adaptations South African plants have adopted to attract pollinators”. Willem, owner of InBloomZa will be giving a floral demonstration as he talks about his journey to reach the Top 3 of the reality TV show “Die Groenste
Landscape designer Leon Kluge
Vingers” and what modern floristry is about today. We would like to use this opportunity to dedicate the coming event to all the gardeners of Franschhoek but especially to the group of 10 whose gardens form the nucleus of the festival. Thank you all once again!
Diving into Shark Research and Conservation
Editor’s Letter Siegfried Schäfer
Dear Readers, What a Heritage Day long weekend we had! It certainly was one for the history books…
On one farm a river was ripped open, in places up to 4m deep and 25m wide, over the entire length of the farm; the traces of which have still not been wiped out. The destructive waters rushed over Akademie Street and Dirkie Uys Street, then ripped up the road surface of Huguenot Road, depositing sand and rocks on the railway line up to platform height. For almost a day the upper and lower parts of town were separated from each other. This is a description of the flood of 19 May 1954. Sounds eerily familiar, doesn’t it? The big difference back then was that relatively little damage was done in the village as the area around the La Cotte stream wasn’t nearly as built up as it is now and its floodplain below Huguenot Road was mostly pastures. The flood could for the most part take its natural course and dissipate over the floodplain. I remember when Roubaix Estate was first proposed (late 1990s or early 2000s) long-term residents of the valley asked “Are these developers crazy, that’s a floodplain?” Well, Franschhoek was becoming popular and undeveloped land was getting scarce. Once the proverbial door was opened it wasn’t long before much of the floodplain below Huguenot Road was developed. What we are reminded of now is that it’s not a good idea to mess with nature… and that water will always flow where it wants to flow, i.e. at the lowest point in the landscape. It should be noted that what flows to the south and in front of Terbodore Café is not the natural course of the La Cotte Stream, but a channel dug in the mid/late nineteenth century. What remains of its natural course flows between the Café and La Cotte Inn Wine Sales. Usually, this arrangement doesn’t cause much trouble, but when it gets really wet, as it has this year, two things happen. Firstly, debris clogs the 90-degree bend in the channel in front of Terbodore Café causing it to break its banks. Depending on how much debris is washed down the channel it also backfills the channel increasing the length of the area where it breaks its banks and overflows Huguenot Road. The second thing that happens is that the stream reverts back to its original course. This accounts for the ‘new river’ – which really isn’t new – that now runs through Die Eike and flooded Akademie Street where it is these days forced into a narrow little concrete channel that
cannot possibly handle the amount of water nature directs its way during a flood. While one certainly sympathises with property owners who suffered damage, one also has to ask whether they knew that they were buying property in an area that is prone to flooding and understood the risks. Is it simply a case of caveat emptor (buyer beware) or is somebody else to blame? I suspect that we are going to find out. More than one affected property owner, I understand, is considering legal action. It seems to me that several parties could be targeted, with varying odds of success. For example, is the local authority liable for allowing development in the floodplain? What about riparian land owners for not properly maintaining streambeds or creating barriers to the natural flow? Did sellers reveal all to buyers? Beyond apportioning blame, which seems where most people’s thinking still is, I’m quite concerned about the reconstruction process. To borrow a phrase from US President Biden, we have to ‘Build Back Better’. We have a ‘new normal’ where extreme heat and torrential downpours are likely to be more prevalent than they once were. The reconstruction of our infrastructure has to reflect this. I’m sure the new Dirkie Uys Street Bridge will be wider than its predecessor and allow two cars to pass each other. Straightening out the 90-degree kink in the channel in front of Terbodore Café to allow the water to flow more naturally and not cause such a regular blockage should also significantly improve the situation. The worst possible solution, in my view, is the one the municipality studied a decade or so ago, namely to turn the current visually pleasing channel from Akademie to Cabrière Streets into a concrete channel, removing dozens of mature trees in the process. In addition to simply being an ugly and immensely expensive construction, there are two far more serious flaws with this scheme. The first flaw is that it speeds up the flow of water, which is exactly the opposite of what you should be doing with floods. This means you’d simply be transferring the problem to the stretch of the stream below the concrete channel (i.e. below Cabrière Street) and increasing its severity as the water is now flowing so much faster. It is telling that the City of Los Angeles channelled much of the Los Angeles River in the past and is now undoing large parts of this and reintroducing vegetation to slow down run-off and trap sediment. The second flaw of the concrete channel scheme is that it only addresses one part of the problem. It fails to address the usually covered, but currently uncovered, original streambed, which as history teaches us will simply uncover itself every time a sufficient amount of water rushes down from the mountains. Any scheme that aims to be a permanent solution for the La Cotte Stream/Channel problem will have to extend far beyond the urban area of Franschhoek to encompass all parts of the stream/channel. It must also work with nature, rather than against it as the latter approach is what got us to where we are now in the first place! I hope we apply the lessons of history and nature as we recover from the flood. Until next month!
DEADLINES - DECEMBER 2023 ISSUE Bookings - 16 November 2023 | Artwork - 19 November 2023 | Editorial - 16 November 2023
October saw the launch of SmallTalX, a monthly talk series at the Franschhoek Theatre, which will provide a platform for authors, subject-matter experts and other influential individuals to share their transformational work and ideas with a receptive audience. The talks will span a diverse range of subjects, including conservation, the natural world, scientific and philosophical ideas, politics, and much besides. The purpose of the talks is to inspire, engage, and connect people through important ideas. The inaugural SmallTalX event took place on 18 October, with an enthusiastic audience filling the Franschhoek Theatre. The speaker, Dr Sara Andreotti, a marine biologist, lecturer at Stellenbosch University, and co-inventor of the SharkSafe Barrier, captured the audience’s attention with her talk, entitled “Peaceful Coexistence with Sharks: A Dive into Shark Research and Conservation.” The attendees were treated to complimentary wine, delectable snacks, and the opportunity to engage in a Q&A session with the speaker. Dr Andreotti’s talk was a thought-provoking journey into the harmful stigmas attached to white sharks, these apex predators’ unexpected behaviours, their status as a threatened species, and the ways in which humans must adapt in order to
conserve them and the ecosystems that depend on them for regulation – including human fisheries. Her talk included incredible footage of divers interacting with sharks in open water, challenging the prejudices we hold against the white shark. Dr. Andreotti also shared her ground-breaking work in creating: the eco-friendly SharkSafe Barrier™. This is a magnetic barrier that deters white sharks, harnessing their sensitivity to electrical fields without harming other marine life. It also ensures that sharks are not caught in traditional lethal shark nets. This was the first talk delivered by SmallTalX, with monthly topics set to be delivered by subject matter experts. Look out for the next upcoming event, to be advertised via the Franschhoek
The Franschhoek Theatre was packed for the first SmallTalX event.
Theatre’s newsletter, on social media, and visibly distributed throughout the village. To find out more about SmallTalX, email smalltalx. info@gmail.com or subscribe to the Franschhoek Theatre newsletter by sending an email to hello@
franschhoektheatre.co.za or visiting their website, www.franschhoektheatre.co.za. Tickets, which include refreshments, cost R250 per person. Text & Image: Leila Shirley
10 | November 2023
Business Leadership TONY FROST
Positive Tension - always necessary for a top performance I have recently read David ‘O Sullivan’s masterful book about Rassie. It has many lessons useful for each of us and some especially useful for leaders. The Springboks are in France chasing another World Cup victory. It must be obvious that victories like this are not just a matter of happenstance or luck. It takes careful long-term strategy, careful planning, and a highly motivated team. Massive support from the fans also helps a great deal. I thought, given the fact that we are in Rugby World Cup frenzy it might be opportune to talk about the value if positive tension. This is often confused with nervousness, or even anxiety. Of course, the nerves do jump when faced with the prospect of playing in a massively important game. This is especially so in a team context although having team mates around especially if there is good depth and experience amongst them certainly helps to bring a calmness to the prospect. But the adrenaline and cortisol will certainly be pumping! Too much can be disruptive and even harmful. Too little may well be even worse. If we need positive tension for optimal performance, how can we learn to generate the right amount? The simple answer is practice. If we look at a lion pride on the hunt, or a leopard stalking its prey, or a cat edging towards the bird it hopes to catch, we see an intense focus and concentration. These, too, demonstrate the epitome of positive tension. All the energy is bundled up in an intense ball of focused attention. This is what we need to practise. We have two types of focus or concentration if you will. Firstly, we have an internal form of concentration where the focus of our attention is inwards and self-examinatory. The second form is a little like a radar system. We scan the environment and examine what is in it and what is relevant to our needs. These two work hand in hand. You see these at work in a batter at the crease; you see it at work in golfers as they play their
round. Between balls, the batter looks around, checks where the fielders are, pats down the surface of the pitch and then closes his concentration down into an intense tunnel vision focussed on the bowler and the soon-to-be-released ball. The golfer between shots does much the same. She examines the surroundings, checks for obstacles and in her mind lines up the next shot and the trajectory she needs to give the ball to land close to the pin. On the green her focus is intense as she mentally rehearses the path of the ball and the exact power and shot needed to make it follow that path. We can do the same in our daily lives. We can get all het-up about the state of the world; the environment in which we live; the unacceptable actions of some, and the sometimes-overwhelming pressure of our own needs. The problem with doing only this is that the only purpose it really serves is to get us upset and unfocussed with all these worries running through our minds at ever-increasing speeds. We start to imagine the worst, even though much of what we imagine is just that - our imagination running riot about matters over which we generally have little or no control. However, there is another way. The way of positive tension. Yes, it is good to scan the environment. We need to so this so that we know and understand the context within which we live. But then we must narrow the focus onto those things over which we have some control, about which we can actually do something. This must be a limited number as we cannot concentrate on everything. The world is too big and too complex. Our positive focus must be on the things we can affect, influence or change. This will generate a positive tension and ultimately provide us with the satisfaction and confidence of knowing that we made a difference. I think it was Confucius who said,” The world is too big and too complex for one person to change it; but if you change the person next to you, you will have changed the world”! This is the point. Focus your energy and attention on those things you can give positive tension to; be aware of those you cannot and build a support system of like-minded people around you and you will change your own world.
tony@siroccostrategy.com
The Chamber’s Choice Morné Paulse Morné embarked on his photography career nearly a decade ago when he established “Shutter Photography”. However, his photography journey began back in 2007 when he purchased his first camera. Morné has gradually transformed his passion into a profession by capturing special moments such as matric dances and other significant life events. Morné’s work is distinguished by a clear commitment to his craft, demonstrating, in each frame he captures, an attention to detail, precision in composition, and a unique editing style. He is also dedicated to keeping pace with technological advancements, ensuring that his clients receive top-quality work. In a competitive field, Morné’s extensive experience and honed skills set him apart. He understands the importance of giving back to the community that has supported him. Over the years, he has lent his photographic talents to
various fundraisers in Franschhoek, documenting their good work – and his own. Morné intends to use his photographic talent full-time, offering other in-demand studio photography services. Morné’s roots in Franschhoek run deep, having attended Groendal Secondary School, where his passion for photography first emerged and he explored his musical aptitude too. Working in Franschhoek’s security industry, his work as a respected photographer is an alternative avenue for serving his community. While he is used to serving his community by bringing crises under control, his work as a photographer is a perfect flipside to this work, as he documents some of the public’s most momentous moments. Beyond the boundaries of Franschhoek, Morné has extended his services to neighbouring towns like Paarl and Stellenbosch. He has extended his expertise to cover events like weddings. Notably, he has collaborated with esteemed local institutions such as Huguenot Chocolates and the Franschhoek Wine Valley (tourism
office), using his photography to showcase and promote local businesses and attractions. To explore Morné’s artistic talent and experience Franschhoek through his lens, visit his Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/shutter007. For inquiries or bookings, you can reach out to him at +27 84 565 6555 or via email at paulse007@gmail.com. Text: Leila Shirley | Image: Supplied
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November 2023 | 11
with Achim Von Arnim of Haute Cabrière Can you share the story of how you first became interested in wine and winemaking? My journey into the world of wine started when my widowed mother, Theodora, had the fortuitous encounter with the famous wine personality of the Champagne, André Simon, in the 1960s, who visited the Cape during our summers, while she taught at Silwood School of Cookery in Cape Town. She was inspired by his passion for great wines and good food that brings people together to enjoy life. Upon my return from military service at the age of 20, she suggested that I work in a wine cellar and learn about viniculture and oenology. This suggestion planted the seed that would flourish into my lifelong love for wine creation. What pivotal experiences or lessons did you gain during your time as Cellar Master at Boschendal that shaped your approach to winemaking?
Poetic Licence HARRY OWEN
We are living through fraught times, no doubt about it. If nations and factions are not fighting or threatening to fight brutal wars against one another, or if drugs, rape and murder are not everywhere, then the rapacious news outlets are filled with other horrific accounts of atrocity, pollution, deadly flooding and uncontrollable fires. We are inundated with bad news. There seems little to be cheerful about. Yet, at the same time there continues to be a vast amount of good in the world, an immense quantity of love, and I don’t think we should feel guilty or embarrassed to accept this. As the late American poet Jack Gilbert says (in a poem called ‘A Brief for the Defence’), “We must have/ the stubbornness to accept our gladness in the ruthless/ furnace of this world”. We owe it to ourselves, our children, and to our mental health to notice and to celebrate all that is wonderful about the world. Of course, much of the ordinary, everyday wonder and kindness of human life goes unremarked and uncelebrated for precisely this reason – that it is everywhere, commonplace, and we tend to take it for granted. As such, it is not considered newsworthy. But it ought to be. Another American poet, Stanley Kunitz, who died aged one hundred in 2006, found delight in his garden, which he describes in these lines from his poem ‘Touch Me’: Outdoors all afternoon under a gunmetal sky staking my garden down, I kneeled to the crickets trilling underfoot as if about to burst from their crusty shells; and like a child again
I was able to explore the secluded valleys of the area, ultimately leading me to Franschhoek where I would establish Haute Cabrière. I learned the importance of terroir and how it influences the grapes’ characteristics. This experience deeply shaped my work philosophy, emphasizing the harmony of Sun, Soil, Vine, and Man in creating exceptional wines. I began to realise that the culture of wine is the ability to realise the full potential of a given situation, being the territory nature has created for man to harmoniously work with. The quality of wine begins in the vineyards. Viticulture is the culture of wine. Could you tell us more about the challenges and innovations involved in pioneering quality Cap Classique wines in South Africa? Pioneering the Cap Classique industry in South Africa was indeed a challenge. I strongly believed that I had to plant the classic Champagne grape varietals, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, utilizing the unique cool conditions of our region. The process involved rigorous attention to detail in the traditional method of bottle fermentation – the secondary fermentation that creates a Cap Classique. Overcoming these challenges with our Pierre Jourdan Brut Cap Classique was a significant milestone in this new journey of the Cape wine industry. Pierre Jourdan Brut, your traditional Champagne-style Cap Classique, has been a significant milestone in your winemaking career. What inspired you to create this particular wine, and how has it evolved over the years? Pierre Jourdan Brut Cap Classique was inspired
by my desire to create a quality South African Cap Classique that could stand proudly alongside Champagne houses in France. I had had the good fortune to enjoy their exquisite wines in the company of French wine personality Andre Simon in my formative years. Our first release in 1986 marked a historic moment in South African wine history. Over the years, we’ve continued to refine and evolve this exceptional wine. It honours its namesake, the land’s first owner, Huguenot Pierre Jourdan from the village of Cabriere in France, who, with other Huguenots, brought the culture of wine to the Cape in Africa. We understand that you’ve taken up art as a pastime. Could you tell us more about your artistic endeavours and what inspires your art? Art has become a fulfilling pastime for me. My art, displayed in our cellar and accompanied by my book of poetry, “NAKED”, is inspired by various sources, including the natural beauty of the Cape, the world of wine, the people I meet, and the vibrant colours that complement our wines. It’s a creative outlet that allows me to express my emotions in the words of Albert Einstein: “True art is characterised by an irresistible urge in the creative artist”. How do you see the connection between winemaking and art in your life? Do you find any parallels in these two creative pursuits? The crafting of an excellent wine and a beautiful painting share a deep connection in my life. Both require a keen sense of creativity and craftsmanship. In wine, I craft flavors, while in art, I create visuals of my experiences and passions. They intersect through the idea that both wine and art
marvelled to hear so clear and brave a music pour from such a small machine.
Book Review
Another of my favourite poems on this theme is called ‘Atlas’ by Ursula (U.A.) Fanthorpe. In Greek mythology, Atlas was a Titan condemned to hold the weight of the heavens on his shoulders for all eternity as a punishment for opposing the Olympian gods. Fanthorpe takes this myth and relates it to the kind of everyday love, essential but frequently disregarded, that supports most of us throughout our lives. Atlas There is a kind of love called maintenance Which stores the WD40 and knows when to use it; Which checks the insurance, and doesn’t forget The milkman; which remembers to plant bulbs; Which answers letters; which knows the way The money goes; which deals with dentists And Road Fund Tax and meeting trains, And postcards to the lonely; which upholds The permanently rickety elaborate Structures of living, which is Atlas. And maintenance is the sensible side of love, Which knows what time and weather are doing To my brickwork; insulates my faulty wiring; Laughs at my dryrotten jokes; remembers My need for gloss and grouting; which keeps My suspect edifice upright in air, As Atlas did the sky.
UA Fanthorpe With the warm Southern Hemisphere springtime with us again after a long, dark and wet winter, perhaps now is a good time to appreciate “the sensible side of love” and endeavour, if we don’t already, to give it its proper due.
‘Sanctuary’ SAMA Award Nominee Local electric cellist Carol Thorns says of her latest album ‘Sanctuary’ that it is “Ten tracks of music that I love the most – the kind that brings some comfort and stillness and joy.” Joy is certainly what she felt when she received the news that the album was nominated for Best Classical Album at the South African Music Awards (SAMAs). Recording the album was a team effort, Carol explains. Helmut Meijer recorded and produced the album, wrote two original works for it (‘Sanctuary’ and ‘Love in The Mist’) and “captured the tone of my cello like no other”. Helmut’s mother, pianist Rina Smith Meijer, accompanied Carol on the tracks ‘Butterflying’ and ‘Dawn’. Her accompaniment, Carol says, “gives me goosebumps.” Others who contributed to the album include Mark Cheyne who arranged ‘Young and Beautiful’, Johan Swanepoel who transcribed ‘More Sweet’ for three cellos, Renate Riedemann-Boshoff, Judy du Plessis, Galina Juritz, Ashleigh Metzer Coull and – not least – Carol’s husband Alastair Thorns. There was more local input in the effort in that local
cinematographer Luke Ochse produced the music video for the album’s title track which was shot on location around Franschhoek. ‘Sanctuary’ is available on the Carol Thoms iTunes Store. The SAMA ceremonies take place at the Durban International Convention Centre on 17 and 18 November. www.carolthorns.co.za
are meant to be shared and enjoyed with others, bringing joy and inspiration. Could you share some insights into the themes, styles, or messages that you aim to convey through your artworks? Through my artworks, I aim to convey the beauty of the Cape, the vibrant spirit of our wines, and the joy that wine brings people together to share an experience. Each painting and each wine tell a story, capturing the essence of my experiences. My hope is that these artworks resonate with those who view them or, with wine, enjoy them, and inspire a deeper appreciation of life.
CHARLOTTE VAN ZYL
Crook Manifesto by Colson Whitehead. Publ: Fleet. 319 pages Colson Whitehead, apart from easily the bestlooking and well-spoken author around, has done it again. I enthusiastically reviewed his novel “Harlem Shuffle” when it appeared less than two years ago. It was the first of a proposed trilogy set in Harlem, New York. Now the second novel, “Crook Manifesto” has been published and I am happy to declare that it is every bit as good as the first. Whitehead is one of the foremost young American novelists and has twice won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction. Readers might remember his other great novels “The Underground Railroad” and “The Nickel Boys“. He characteristically blends historical events with a spell-binding story line. Like the South African oral historian Charles van Onselen, Whitehead is very good at recreating past times and places by describing familiar items like the shapes of the cars of a specific year or the names of the appliances in the kitchen and even the types of drinks consumed by certain folks from a certain part of society. So his stories are enriched by the colours and flavours of post-war American society. This second novel is set in the 1970’s, closer to contemporary memory than the previous book, which is set in the 1950’s. “Crook Manifesto” continues the family saga of Ray Carney, son of the gangster Big Ray. In the previous book it was clear that he broke one of the complex social rules of Harlem society by marrying above his station. Now, 20 years later, with the help of some dirty money, he has set up a respectable furniture shop in a relatively safe neighbourhood. He only occasionally indulges in some petty fencing, changing stolen necklaces or rings into cash for one of his dubious friends, like the wonderfully named Notch Walker, Bumpy Johnson and Dizzy Huntley. Ray is the universal Everyman, trying to be a virtuous citizen, a good husband to his wife Elizabeth and a caring father to his children. But the odds are stacked against him. This is a society run by syndicates and gangsters in cahoots with corrupt politicians. (Any resemblance to contemporary South Africa gives one food for thought...) In Ray’s world no good deed goes unpunished and every bad deed has repercussions and reverberations
unto the nth degree. And yet Harlem is a society as varied as America itself. Old money enables wealthy Black families to live along Striver’s Row and belong to the snooty Dumas Club. In fact, the Dumas Club represents status and respectability that the fearful high society clings to in the face of the Black Liberation Movement. The tragic end of the Dumas building, consumed by the wave of arson that sweeps New York, exemplifies the downturn in America’s values and the rise of Trumpism. Significantly white cops are integral to the scene and they contribute to the shuffle of power between the various interest groups. Whitehead is a consummate storyteller, and apart from the fun he must have had in researching the lives and habits of gangsters in the part of New York that stretches above Manhattan, he has a story to tell. In fact, three stories. In the first “Ringolievio” set in 1972, Carney is desperate to get tickets for the Jackson Five concert for his daughter. He is so desperate that he enlists the help of Munson, a bad cop turned very bad, and he finds himself drawn into a nightmare ride of shoot-outs and hold ups. In the second story “Nefertiti T.N.T” the tone is absurdly funny as Carney’s army veteran buddy Pepper gets involved in the 1973 production of a movie starring famous black actors. The final story set in 1978, “The Finishers” is more serous in tone as Carney tried to track down the arsonists who set fire to a neighbourhood building, injuring a young boy. The theme of arson as an act of revenge, as a way of raising insurance money or simply as a part of gangsterdom, permeates this story. This redemptive act of Carney proves a turning point in his life and the story ends on an optimistic note. This is an absorbing story, more than sheer entertainment, rich in detail and humour and a memorable ode to a period in New York’s history.
A PROUD SPONSOR OF...
A PROUD SPONSOR OF...
12 | November 2023
Smalls
Community Events
JOB WANTED: My lovely cleaner, Mary, is looking
Susan Charlesworth
021 876 2592/072 402 9469
SHARF
Snipelisky & Killian
083 250 0943/021 876 2084
SCHOOLS
BURGLAR ALARMS Pepler Alarms
for work on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday. She is
SPORT
hard-working, thorough and takes initiative. Contact
FRANSCHHOEK TENNIS CLUB: Social tennis is played
Mary 065 563 9708 or Tish for a reference 079 759 0305.
021 876 3308
CLUBS & ASSOCIATIONS
076 327 4939
Bridge House School
021 874 8100
Franschhoek High School
021 876 2079
Groendal Primary School
021 876 2448
Boland Bridge Club
021 876 3031
Groendal Secondary School
021 876 2211
at the club on Fridays, Sundays and Public Holidays from
Franschhoek Tennis Club
078 278 4843
Wes-Eind Primary School
021 876 2360
DOMESTIC: My name is Enett and I am a Zimbabwean
08h30. For more information contact Nicky. 082 455 6411
FHK Heritage & Ratepayers Ass.
083 441 8280
Dalubuhle Primary School
021 876 3957
lady looking for a job as a domestic worker. I have
PARKRUN: Saturdays at Rickety Bridge Wine Estate.
Groot Drakenstein Games Club
021 874 1906
STORAGE
- Craig Mc Naught: Captain
080 845 1014
Franschhoek Storage
- Lejean Pieterse, Hiring
082 490 0405
TOURIST INFORMATION & SERVICES
contactable
references.
Please
contact
me
on
Time: 08h00. Cost: Free. Register at www.parkrun.co.za
068 575 2500. DOMESTIC / NANNY: My name is Mary Maphasa
CHURCH SERVICES
021 876 2174
Lions
021 876 3775
Info Office
Stb Masonic Lodge (Chris)
072 211 9991
Huguenot Memorial Museum
or nanny work. Please contact me on 076 712 3640 or
service
10h00. Rev Russell Norman. 021 872 3580 or
073 375 3660.
Franschhoek Rotary Club
082 891 4613
VETERINARY
082 662 4509.
Franschhoek Probus Club
021 876 3179
Fhk Animal Clinic (plus surgery)
and I am 25 years old. I am looking for domestic and/
HOUSEKEEPING: My name is Memory Mudnenje and I am 31 years old. I am looking for a full-time housekeeping job. Please contact me on 062 483 7451. PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR: 35 years in business. Hire Patrick de Marco for extra marital affairs & cheating partners, criminal or civil investigations. Confidentiality and professionalism guaranteed. Call or WhatsApp Patrick now: 0846778731 BABYSITTING SERVICES: I am Clare Marsh, I am offering babysitting services in Franschhoek. I love working with children and I’m very accommodating. I charge an hourly rate of R120. If you’re interested please contact me on 060 918 4125 BOOKKEEPING SERVICES WINELANDS: We provide affordable accounting, payroll and tax services to individuals, small to medium sized entities and trusts. We also offer cloud accounting and are certified partners with Sage, Xero & QuickBooks for cloud accounting and registered member of SAIT. Call LeeAnn 076 321 5274 RE-THINKING
YOUR
GARDEN?
For
Garden
Consulting call Susan at 072 932 5393 RE-FIBRE GLASS YOUR POOL in any colour you like. Call RiaPools for a quote: 072 347 5355 WESTERN CAPE HOUSE SITTERS: We have many mature, kind, responsible, animal loving, live-in house sitter members who would love to care for your home
METHODIST
CHURCH:
Sunday
NG KERK: Sondagdienste 09h30. Geen aanddiens.
066 224 6360 / 073 688 9894
Emergencies / Weekends
ELECTRICAL Franschhoek Electric
074 313 7829/021 876 3640
EMERGENCY NUMBERS
Apostolic Church: Le Roux Street, Groendal. Sundays
Rensburg Electrical
021 876 2120/083 309 2923
Stb Fire Dept. (Buildings)
Masterlec Electrical
082 5675 820/082 344 8899
District Municipality(Bush & veld)
ST
GEORGE’S
Drakenstein.
ANGLICAN
Sunday
Services:
and
Sunday
School
Meyer
084
1280.
407
CHURCH: Holy
10h00. Office
-
Groot
Communion
Revd 021
Wilfred
874
4008.
willowdale@cybersmart.co.za SHOFAR CHRISTIAN CHURCH: Services - 09h00 & 18h00 English services at 7 Lambrechts Street. Pastor Richard Wade. 083 225 8529. All welcome!
Franschhoek Pharmacy
021 876 2261
Police
10111/021 876 8061
Franschhoek Health Club
021 876 3310
Eskom
086 003 7566
Karen Protheroe (Dietician)
082 925 0931
Omnipage Farm Watch
021 852 3318
Plaaswag
021 876 2346 021 946 1646
HOUSE & GARDEN Clock Repairs
028 840 1716
N1, N2 & R300 Emergency number:
Lighting & Accessories
021 876 3640
DENTISTS Dr Schalk du Plessis
083 321 3442
DOCTORS
service Thursday at 10h30 at Fleur de Lis. Contact Gavin
Valley Garden Service
071 591 0342
Dr Karin Eksteen
– 083 799 0726.
OPTOMETRIST
UNITING REFORMED CHURCH: Sunday service 09h30. Dr Shaun Burrows. 021 876 2632. Visitors welcome.
Alcoholics Anonymous: WED Groendal Community Centre, +27 83 305 5159
evenings Contact
19:00, David
why we at Western Cape House Sitters will provide a
Tax Shop
perfect win-win for everyone... Peter Walsingham 082
Bookkeeping Services Winelands
822 4200 info@westerncapehousesitters.co.za
ATTORNEYS
PHYSIOTHERAPY 021 876 4234 (office) 076 842 6052 (Maans) PLUMBERS Franschhoek Plumbing
and pets. Your furry children may miss you but their ACCOUNTANTS
021 872 3530
074 325 5555 (Bronwen)
Useful Numbers
environment and routines remain intact which is
Marelise Bester Fhk Physiotherapy Associates
GENERAL
021 887 4446 021 886 9244
Sue’s Gardens
L’Ermitage Chapel, with Holy Communion. Weekday
021 808 8888
HEALTH & BEAUTY
Ria Pools (Franschhoek) 021 876 2612/072 347 5355
TRINITY CHURCH: Worship Sundays at 09h30 at
021 876 2504
021 863 3187 / 082 8089 100
Ds Peet Bester. 021 876 2431. Besoekers welkom.New 09h00, Wednesdays 19h30. Rector: Charles Leibrandt.
021 876 2532
021 876 4622
Dr Alexander Heywood
021 876 2474
Dr Hannes Van der Merwe
021 876 2304
Dr Nicolas Els
021 876 2561
Dr Bernard Fisher
021 876 4622
AUDIOLOGIST Audiologist Tracy-Ann Morris
084 264 0000
EMERGENCY MEDICAL RESPONSE 021 876 3759
PSYCHOLOGIST Danielle Smith
021 876 3070
Medicare EMR
074 363 7744/021 876 4316
MUNICIPALITY 082 812 1476
PUBLIC SERVICES
(Ward 1) Clr Pfeiffer (DA)
079 597 2765
(Ward 2) Clr Petersen (DA)
082 404 5055 074 686 2364
Hospice
021 876 3085
(Ward 3) Clr Manuel (DA)
Library
021 808 8406
(Ward 4) Clr Adams (DA)
073 446 5411
021 876 2676
Post Office
021 876 2342
Municipality (Office Hours)
021 808 8700
076 321 5274
Welfare (ACVV)
021 876 2670
Municipality (After Hours)
021 808 8890
SPCA
083 745 5344
Municipality 24hr Service
021 808 8700
CHANGING TO A SALT WATER SYSTEM? Let us advise & quote for you! Call RiaPools: 072 347 5355 POOL PUMP PROBLEMS? Noise? We quote and help you out! Call RiaPools: 072 347 5355 STUFF WANTED: All manner of clothing and household items needed for our ‘First Friday of The Month’ jumble sales. Please help us to help the
SPECIALIZING IN:
animals of the valley. Please drop off at the SPCA clinic in La Provence Street, Groendal, or phone for us to collect. 021 876 4808 FRESH,
ORGANIC
FARM
PRODUCE:
Delivered
DAVEY 065 959 7004 daveysias486@gmail.com
weekly to Franschhoek, including vegetables and fruit in season, chicken, eggs, cheese, honey, etc. Lists of available produce received on Monday, orders placed on Tuesday for Wednesday delivery. A number of Franschhoekers are already receiving weekly deliveries. To be added to the list contact Sue Norman on 083 321 3442 or suenorman50@outlook.com. DO YOU STILL HAVE THAT POOL LEAK? Losing water all the time? Let us quote and take care of the problem! Call RiaPools: 072 347 5355 PROFESSIONAL POOL SERVICE REQUIRED? Keep it local! Get a quote. Call RiaPools: 072 347 5355
MASTERLEC ELECTRICAL MASTER INSTALLATION ELECTRICIAN
SERVICES: Certicates of Compliance Inverter and Solar Installations Re-wiring | Fault nding Electrical maintenance Leak detection Bathroom renovations Plumbing maintenance Drainage W: www.capeplumbingandelectrical.co.za E: info@capeplumbingandelectrical.co.za C: 082 390 3241 and 074 259 2218
SERVICES: Renovations | Construction Alterations | Painting Roong | Paving Project management Waterproong W: www.cdhconstruction.co.za E: info@cdhconstruction.co.za C: 076 330 3908 or 082 390 3241
Electrical Installations Single or Three Phase, Hazardous Areas COCs issued on all types of installations Fault finding, Repairs carried out Solar & Inverter Installations
Hannes de Beer 082 567 5820 / 082 344 8899 masterlec428@gmail.com
November 2023 | 13
FRANSCHHOEK
STORAGE For short and long term storage solutions. We offer lockable bays, containers and
SAFE. SECURE. AFFORDABLE.
PACKAGING TRAILER HIRE
VALLEY GARDENS
6 Fabriek Street 0218762174 0823206523
For a wonderful garden all year round with no hassle!
Carlos Venter
071 591 0342 | valleygardenservice@gmail.com
Guaranteed Affordable Prices on Sales & Service of: SMART HD & UHD LED Tvs Home Theatre Systems • Multiroom Audio DSTV Satellite & Terrestrial Installations
DOMESTIC OR COMMERCIAL CLEANING Daily, Weekly, Monthly or Once-off and we can do WINDOW CLEANING, IRONING, CARPET & UPHOLSTERY CLEANING
9 New Street, Paarl, 7646 T: 021 872 1346 | F: 021 872 6625 E: sales@cathmar.co.za | Web: www.cathmar.co.za
Vicky Cell: 082 975 2494 Email: vjmuscroft@iafrica.com
Sue’s Gardens Sue Norman
Ons gebruik ons gevorderde lugopmeting stelsel om ‘n kwaliteit besproeiingsontwerp en -stelsel te lewer.
Landscaping and maintenance of gardens, all sizes! Mulching services available.
We use our advanced aerial survey equipment to supply a high quality irrigation design and system.
De Villiers Visser
UR NEW EMAIL PLEASE NOTE O@ tlook.com suenorman50 ou
Besproeiing / Irrigation
cell 083 321 3442 tel/fax: 021 876 2510
OCW
RESTORATION & PROJECT MANAGEMENT
+27 (0)21 876 3640
WE MANAGE ALL RELATED HOMEOWNER SERVICES WITHIN FRANSCHHOEK, BOLAND, WINELANDS AND SURROUNDS
YOUR AD
HERE! Email info@franschhoektatler.co.za
Unit A, Fabriek Nationale No 1, 9 Fabriek street, Franschhoek 7690 herman@franschhoekelectric.co.za www.franschhoekelectric.co.za
Restoration | Carpentry Joinery | Built-in Cupboards C: 071 990 9219 • C: 082 390 8191 ocwcarpentry@gmail.com Old Simondium Winery, R45 PO Box 5, Groot Drakenstein, 7680
074 313 7829
FLOOR MASTER STELLENBOSCH 082 391 5327
Local R350; International R800 Copyright: All rights reserved, reproduction in whole or part prohibited. Views expressed are not necessarily those of the editor. Publication of editorial or advertising matter does not imply endorsement o r warranty in respect of goods or services therin described.
Wooden floor repairs, sanding & polishing. Since 1992. Also solid wood & laminated flooring installations. CallTim KC for Call for aafree freequotation. quotation. Cell: 082 442 5244 Email: floormasterstell@gmail.com Tel: 021 - 887 6707 www.floormasterstellenbosch.co.za
Our service wood floor you!
14 | November 2023
Life is Beautiful at
Make this your new home or holiday home! Drakenzicht’s beautifully designed 3- and 4-bedroom freestanding villas located amongst the picturesque vineyards and majestic mountain ranges of Paarl, offer security, style, luxury, leisure, and gorgeous views. The onsite lifestyle centre gives residents exclusive access to a selection of leisure and sporting amenities such as a heated swimming pool, gym, yoga and pilates studios, multiple padel courts, children’s play area, dog park and more.
Invest in a beautiful life. Invest in the Winelands. Invest in Drakenzicht. Renee Lister-James +27 82 570 5542 renee@everitt.co.za
Lustigan Rd, Paarl • www.drakenzichtestate.co.za
Amanda Colombo +27 83 258 1212 amanda.c@everitt.co.za
WANTED
Top prices for jewellery, antiques & collectables Just imagine a school where young minds are inspired; where individual care and attention is combined with a distinctive, progressive education and where changemakers are equipped with skills for a world beyond our imagination. Bridge House is a leading independent, co-ed day and boarding school, situated in a beautiful, safe setting in the Franschhoek Valley. · An independent (IEB) Matric examination accepted by universities worldwide · An excellent academic track record – 100% pass rate to date · A wide variety of traditional team and individual sports and cultural activities · Four, spacious, modern boarding houses for students from Grade 6 to 12 · Extensive facilities on 28 hectares of land
Open Day is any day you want it to be. Contact Gill Malcolm gilmal@bridgehouse.org.za or +27 (0) 874 8100 for a bespoke tour of the school or an online interview with the Head.
www.bridgehouse.org.za
What have you got that might be valuable? FREE opinion without obligation. Roy Dibley from the Antique Warehouse in Cape Town can help. He offers a free, no obligation home visit service to view, value, appraise and even buy your hidden treasures. All in the safety and comfort of your own home.
Jewellery
Watches
Medals
& more
Jewellery: antique, modern & costume Gold or silver items in any condition Medals and militaria | Wrist watches even if not working | Pocket watches Silverware | Paintings Antiques | Collectables Coins
We come to you to give a free no obligation valuation. We’ll be in Franschhoek and surrounding areas in November. Contact Roy Dibley | 079 409 9804 | antiquewarehouse@live.co.za
November 2023 | 15
16 | November 2023
SOLE MANDATE
SOLE MANDATE
Web Ref RL20725
Green Valley Road
Web Ref 3886316
Chateau Dauphine
R25 000 000
R49 000 000
4 Beds | 2 Baths | 2 Receptions | 1 Garage | 3 Parkings
15 Beds | 15 Baths | 5 Receptions | 2 Garages | Pool
Country living at its best, close to nature Boasting clean air, pure mountain water and a beautiful environment, this magnificent farm in Franschhoek presents a unique opportunity to take advantage of. With 11.5 hectares of space, this property is located at the end of Green Valley Road with direct access off the tar road.
Gracious manor house and guesthouse on four hectares Built in a historic French Chateau style, Chateau Dauphine’s manor house was constructed in 2011 and offers 850m2 of living space consisting of four en suite bedrooms, a spacious lounge, an elegant French country kitchen, and an open-plan dining and entertainment area.
Web Ref RL20731
Web Ref RL20671
Francolin
La Petit Village
R16 950 000
R6 800 000
3 Beds | 2.5 Baths | 2 Receptions | 2 Garages | Pool
2 Beds | 2 Baths | 3 Receptions | 2 Parkings | Security
Stylish estate living with spectacular views Exclusive joint mandate. Designed to maximise the views, this home delivers, overlooking the indigenous greenbelt to the majestic surrounding mountains.
Contemporary lifestyle with striking views Polished contemporary design, high-quality materials, and the finest village position combine in this elegant light-filled townhouse that offers a lifestyle akin to penthouse living.
SOLD
SOLD
Web Ref RL20266
Mongoose
R12 500 000
Web Ref 5874818
Equestrian Smallholding
R19 950 000
4 Beds | 3.5 Baths | 2 Receptions | 2 Garages | Pool
4 Beds | 4 Baths | Study | 2 Garages | Pool
Stylish contemporary home in a secure estate When architecture and design combine to create a home, style and function are paramount. We are excited to present a home that has succeeded in both and offers stunning open-plan living that is ideal for those who enjoy the art of entertaining.
Exclusive Mandate: Lifestyle farm in a prime Cape Winelands location Comprising almost seven hectares of land, this agriculturally zoned property has three en suite bedrooms, a double garage, a lovely pool area, income-producing cottage units, staff accommodation, stores and stables.
Carrick Campbell | Farm Specialist 071 502 3517 | carrick@greeff.co.za Aimee Campbell | Property Practitioner 072 693 4052 | aimee@greeff.co.za Guy Healey | Property Practitioner 082 263 7320 | guy@greeff.co.za
62 Huguenot Road, Franschhoek Tel: 021 007 0673 | www.greeff.co.za
November 2023 | 17
Exclusive Mandates
Franschhoek Area Specialists EXCLUSIVE MANDATE
Boutique Wine Estate - R65 million excl. VAT 23-HECTARE | 5 HOUSES ON SITE
Ref: FWI1629640
EXCLUSIVE MANDATE
The opportunity to own a piece of Franschhoek’s wine legacy is now within reach. Whether you dream of crafting your own wines or simply basking in the idyllic setting, this estate promises endless possibilities. This unique 23-hectare Boutique Wine Estate sits atop an elevated ridge, surrounded by the most spectacular 360° views of mountains, valley and nature on an ideal northeast-facing slope.
Fransche Hoek Estate - R22.5 million 4 BEDROOMS | 5 BATHROOMS | 2 GARAGES Nestled amongst beautiful indigenous fynbos in the most private location of the Fransche Hoek Estate, this extraordinary property offers an unparalleled lifestyle experience. A thoughtfully designed, modern masterpiece with a touch of rustic elegance creating a harmonious blend of innovation and tradition. Ref: FWI1604359
EXCLUSIVE MANDATE
Franschhoek - R19.5 million 3 BEDROOMS | 3 BATHROOMS | 2 GARAGES Idyllically located in the L’ Avenue de Franschhoek Estate, this country home invites luxurious, contemporary living on a grand scale. Set over 1,455 m², the property enjoys awe-inspiring mountain views.
Ref: FWI1616167
Jeanine Allen 082 410 6837, jeanine.allen@pamgolding.co.za Registered with the PPRA - Full Status FFC – GoldClub 10-year Elite | Emerald Circle Agent
Doug Gurr 072 610 7208, doug.gurr@pamgolding.co.za Registered with the PPRA - Full Status FFC – GoldClub 10 Year Elite | Emerald Circle Agent Pam Golding Properties (Pty) Ltd - Franschhoek Winelands. Registered with the PPRA. Holder of a Business Property Practitioner FFC. Operating a Trust Account. W: +27 (0)21 876 2100 | E: winelandsint@pamgolding.co.za
18 | November 2023
LOCAL E X P E R T I S E
NATIONAL P R E S E N C E
INTERNATIONAL AUDIENCE
FOUR BEDROOM VILLAGE PROPERTY
4 BEDROOM HOME WITH BEAUTIFUL GARDEN
FRANSCHHOEK HERITAGE PROPERTY ON 2,000m2
This property has it all. Location, large plot, and huge period charm. Available to the market for the first time in over 20 years this much loved home sits grandly in the historic heart of Franschhoek village. Includes spacious open plan living/dining/kitchen area, four bedrooms and two bathrooms. Scope to extend into large roof space. Large covered veranda, park like garden, pool with mountain views. A very special property, early viewing highly recommended. Erf size 1249m2.
Sole Mandate. Charming centrally located double storey character property bursting with style and period features. Three bedroom main house, open plan kitchen/dining/living area, separate one bedroom apartment, garden office, deep covered stoep, secluded garden with pool and mature trees, and ample off-street parking complete this charming property. Erf size 735m2.
Historic gem sensitively updated to present charming original features with a fresh, contemporary twist. This unique four bedroom home is a rare find even by Franschhoek standards. Period features includes high ceilings and sash windows. Wonderful flow to the swimming pool area with outdoor lounge/dining terrace space for entertaining with gorgeous mountain views and charming garden outlook. Erf size 2,170m2.
Tom Clode 079 955 3114 Terry-Lee George 082 650 9194
Tom Clode 079 955 3114 Terry-Lee George 082 650 9194
Tom Clode 079 955 3114 Terry-Lee George 082 650 9194
R12 000 000
3 BEDROOM VILLAGE PROPERTY WITH STUNNING VIEWS This double storey 3 bedroom home enjoys a large plot and an elevated position affording wonderful mountain views. Very spacious first floor living room/kitchen/dining room. Large covered verandah, mature garden, family pool, three double bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, double length integrated double garage, full solar power system. Erf size 1235m2. Tom Clode 079 955 3114 Terry-Lee George 082 650 9194
R7 950 000
R7 950 000
R16 970 000
LA DEMEURE
TWO-BEDROOM APARTMENT
Rare opportunity to build your dream home on one of the last plots in this exclusive boutique estate. Nestled on the lower slopes of the Franschhoek Pass with breathtaking views across the valley but within easy walking distance to Franschhoek Village. Plot sizes 3,194m2 and 3,932m2. No transfer duties are payable.
Sole Mandate. Fully renovated first floor apartment on La Petite Provence secure estate. Offering an easy lifestyle for either permanent or lock-upand-go living. Well-appointed kitchen provides counter seating and an open-plan layout. The lounge/ living area enjoys plenty of light, a fireplace and a private balcony. The two bedrooms with built in cupboards share a full bathroom. Also includes a dedicated, covered parking bay.
Tom Clode 079 955 3114 Terry-Lee George 082 650 9194
R9 600 000 incl VAT
Tom Clode 079 955 3114 Terry-Lee George 082 650 9194
R2 750 000
TWO HECTARE FRANSCHHOEK SMALLHOLDING
IDEAL HOLIDAY RENTAL INVESTMENT PROPERTY
EXCEPTIONAL LIFESTYLE ESTATE ON 7 HECTARES
Idyllic 2ha smallholding in the heart of the Franschhoek Valley. This remarkable property consists of 4 separate dwellings nestled amongst manicured gardens, vineyards, orchards, and a private lake, all cradled by the Franschhoek Mountains. The heart is the beautifully appointed main house (Lake Cottage). Secluded, intimate, and surrounded by nature this is genuinely one of a kind. Currently run as up-market accommodation its ideal as a permanent home, accommodation or a flexible combination. Price excludes VAT.
This character three bedroom Victorian style cottage is currently run as a highly successful holiday rental and would make an attractive investment property. Solid wood floors, sash windows and french doors create a warm and inviting feel throughout. VAT is applicable on top of the asking price but would qualify for zero-rating. No transfer duties. Erf size 623m2.
This exceptional property, set on 7 hectares, boasts some of the finest views in Franschhoek. The Manor House is not heritage, but is built in a traditional early Cape Dutch style (T shape) with high ceilings, grand sash windows and handmade floor tiles. The extensive grounds include a large swimming pool, a four car garage, and three farm cottages, currently disused. A once in a generation opportunity to own this exceptional property.
Tom Clode 079 955 3114 Terry-Lee George 082 650 9194
Tom Clode 079 955 3114 Terry-Lee George 082 650 9194
Tom Clode 079 955 3114 Terry-Lee George 082 650 9194
R55 000 000 plus VAT
300 offices globally 40 offices nationally
R6 500 000 plus VAT
R38 000 000
Fine & Country Franschhoek 23 Huguenot St, Franschhoek, 7690 +27 (0)21 876 3322 | franschhoek@fineandcountry.com