The Bag That Builds
Facelift for Two Local Landmarks
all of which are recyclable. A pilot project currently underway in the valley could help turn conventional wisdom about plastic recycling on its head.
Two of Franschhoek’s most iconic structures – the Huguenot Monument and Huguenot Memorial Museum – have been undergoing significant renovations for the past two months. Franschhoek Meesterbouers, owned by a 12th generation descendent of the French Huguenots, is undertaking the renovations for the landowner, the Huguenot Trust.
developed by the Center for Regenerative Design & Collaboration (CRDC). The technology allows plastic to be converted into an eco-additive – RESIN8 –that is added to concrete in the manufacturing of structural and other concrete products.
RESIN8 in concrete product manufacture has several advantages: It improves the performance characteristics of concrete products, reduces the amount of quarried material used in the concrete and removes plastic waste from the environment. Best of all, all seven types of plastic can be converted into RESIN8 and it doesn’t have to be clean to be used.
Andrew Kok, Chairman of the Huguenot Society, expressed the society’s gratitude to the Rupert Foundation whose donation made much of the work possible. “When the work is completed the monument and museum will arguably be in the best shape they’ve been in since their respective inaugurations in 1948 and 1967,” he said.
The pilot programme will run for three months from 1 January 2023 as part of a larger cleaning and recycling effort that is coordinated by members of the Franschhoek Heritage and Ratepayers Association
funded clean-up crew that cleans areas that are outside municipal jurisdiction or that need extra cleaning, the installation (and servicing) of refuse bins where they are lacking and monthly community clean-ups.
installed which means that more of the structure is now illuminated making it even more of a standout feature at the end of Huguenot Road.
The most visible aspect of the renovations involved power washing the entire monument structure to remove years of dust and grime and reveal the natural granite colour again. A number of the mortar joints needed repair as did some of the rebar in the colonnade.
Another aspect of the renovations was an upgrade of the LED lighting system that illuminates the monument at night. A number of new lights were
CRDC SA has a processing plant in Cape Town from where the local leg of a global programme titled ‘The Bag That Builds’ is being rolled out. The programme is named after the distinctive green bags that are used to collect plastics for recycling. Individuals and companies are rewarded per bag of plastic they collect, making it a simple way for anyone to earn a small income while improving the environment. A collection drive in the Langrug community has already led to the coining of the phrase ‘pick up your money’ to inspire residents to
Repairs were made to the slate paths by removing slate from less prominent positions and using it to patch areas with broken slate. The hard edging of the flowerbeds lining the paths was also repaired while the irrigation system also received attention.
The toilet block has also undergone a transformation.
Broken plumbing was repaired; new wall and floor tiles installed and it received a much-needed fresh coat of paint.
Irmela Alberts, co-chair of the FHRPA says “We’re excited by both the environmental and economic opportunities this pilot programme presents for the valley. Our challenge now is to find ways to make it sustainable, so that the pilot programme can become a permanent one. We will keep the Franschhoek Valley cleaner, send significantly less rubbish to the landfill and through the involvement of the local schools contribute to creating a mindset where people litter less”
For more information or if you have any form of plastic that you want to get rid of feel free to contact Jocelyn at 073 587 6132.
The Saasveld building complex that houses the Huguenot Memorial Museum has also been repainted, while waterproofing issues were also addressed.
Text: Editorial Desk | Image: Supplied
Text: Editorial Desk | Image: Trish Heywood
High pressure washing has given the Huguenot Monument a clean and fresh appearance
Classic Car Showstopper
Following the successful Launch Edition in 2023, the First Edition of the Franschhoek Classic Car Festival, held on 5-6 October 2024, gave the organisers much to be happy about. The Festival was a resounding success, with car enthusiasts and visitors from across the country enjoying a sold-out weekend of motoring history and celebration.
The festival featured 270 carefully selected and invited cars – all on curated displays – across the two days at the world-famous Franschhoek Motor Museum on Saturday and the iconic Huguenot Monument on Sunday. Memorable highlights included the Alfa Romeo Alfetta GT 50th and Giulietta 70th Anniversary displays, the Ford Mustang 60th Anniversary display, and the iconic Forty of the Finest display featuring 40 pre-1995 cars from different brands. The RIVALS Tour Parade through Franschhoek’s Main Road drew enthusiastic crowds, celebrating the legendary racing rivalry between Alfa Romeo and Porsche in the 1950s.
Theo Lotter, founder and CEO of the Franschhoek Classic Car Festival, remarked, “The 2024 event exceeded all expectations, and the feedback from participants
and visitors has been overwhelmingly positive. We’re already looking forward to improving the experience for the 2025 event. We are determined to make the Franschhoek Classic Car Festival the premier car event in South Africa with international relevance. We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to all the car owners, car clubs, and groups who showcased their extraordinary vehicles, our exhibitors, crew, and especially everyone who attended and supported the event.”
Further post-event coverage, highlights from the Forty of the Finest display, and updates on next year’s event are available on the Festival’s social media channels and website.
www.fccf.co.za.
Text: Editorial Desk | Image: FotoArtist Studio
‘n Baie Ou Resepteboek se Storie
Die Vriende van die Hugenote Gedenkmuseum bied ‘n praatjie aan waartydens die bekende koshistorikus en restaurantkonsultant, Hetta van Deventer-Terblanche vertel hoe sy die storie van ‘n baie spesiale resepteboek ontrafel het.
As jy belangstel in geskiedenis, resepteboeke en kos, kom luister na haar praatjie oor kruie, speserye en smake uit ‘n 18-de eeuse Kaapse resepteboek. Hierdie reseptemanuskrip is die oudste volledige Suid-Afrikaanse reseptemanuskrip wat tot dusver in Suid-Afrika ontdek is. Kom hoor waar die resepte-manuskrip vandaan kom, hoe dit gevind is en wie almal bydraes gemaak het. Van Deventer-Terblanche bespreek ook van die belangrikste speserye en kruie in die versameling en hoe die smake en gebruike van die 18-de eeuse koskultuur van vandag s’n verskil. Daar sal ook spesiale eetgoed vir die gaste bedien word wat op tradisionele en vernuwende wyse met die genoemde kruie en speserye voorberei word.
Datum: Dinsdag 12 November 2024. Plek: Franschhoek Teater (beperkte sitplekke). Tyd: 17h30
Prys: R250 per persoon (glasie wyn en vingerhappies met geskiedenis ingesluit)
Skakel Ingrid by 072 226 9158 of friends.hugmus@ gmail.comom jou plek te bespreek.
(Please note that this talk will only be presented in Afrikaans.)
Quality Schooling, Affordable Pricing
Simond Private School Now Part of King’s Education Group
Simond Private School will undergo some changes next year when it becomes part of the King’s Education Group of schools. Esmari van Niekerk, the Head of the Primary School at Simond Private School, said, “Our school community is brimming with excitement at what this will mean for our future development. Good education is essential in our region and with King’s Education Group on board we will deliver an even better educational product than before.”
From next year the school will be known as The King’s School Simond and will benefit from the many resources and services the group provides. Ken Langley, the Executive Director of King’s Education Group, said: “King’s Education Group is committed to providing access to quality education that will enable our children to enrol at top universities. We are also passionate about teaching Christian values that will enable our young people to make a positive impact in our nation. Simond Private School has embraced these same values for decades. They are a perfect member school for us.”
The King’s School Simond aims to continue the
practice of the current mainstream dual medium (English and Afrikaans) school by providing individualised attention to students with only 20 students per class. This approach allows teachers to assist gifted students with enrichment and lower performers with remediation. According to Natasha Fourie, Principal of the College at Simond Private School, “We already have a great track record of oneon-one tuition for our children, but when we join with King’s Education Group we will have new tools in our hands to optimise learning and release the Godgiven potential of each student. The shared resources of benchmark testing, assessment bank, teaching materials and collaboration between teachers at King’s Education Group schools will allow us to improve our educational offering and enable us to contribute to the other Group schools. We are stronger together.” Applications for 2025 at The King’s School Simond have been opened and will be received at Simond Private School (021 874 1196), alternatively, interested individuals can email admissions@ tkswr.co.za or admin@simond.co.za.
Text: Supplied
2024 Sasol Solar Challenge
The Sasol Solar Challenge, a biennial competition in which engineering teams from around the globe took part, passed through Franschhoek on 20 September 2024.
Participating teams attempt to cover as much distance as possible during the challenge as they travel on public roads from Johannesburg to Cape Town. The eight-day event traditionally spans more than 2500 km, with local and international teams putting newly developed solar technology to the test as they pass through South African towns.
Each day the solar cars and their support vehicles traversed a route of 250 - 300 km, with three major stops on each stage. There were also opportunities for the host town to come out and support the teams. Control stops are an opportunity to refresh, swap drivers, do repairs and strategise.
Teams could enter one of three classes, with design criteria defining the classes. The three classes are the challenger class, cruiser class and innovation class. The solar car teams are run like professional racing teams – raising money to compete, doing their marketing and logistics and analysing the route’s weather, road conditions and more.
Along the route, the Sasol Solar Challenge drew thousands of spectators and inspired technology enthusiasts and future engineers. The second last pitstop was at the Franschhoek Motor Museum, where students from nearby schools could see the evolution of cars and experience future vehicle technologies.
On the final stage, they travelled from Franschhoek Motor Museum to the Silo District at the V&A Waterfront. The final day was a celebration of innovation, endurance and teamwork. Thousands of spectators cheered on the participants as they crossed the finish line. The energy and excitement of the crowd reflected the scale of the event’s success.
The Belgian-based Innoptus team shattered previous benchmarks, exceeding their previous
achievements on two separate occasions during this year’s competition. The South African teams put on an impressive performance throughout the challenge, earning widespread praise for their resilience and commitment to sustainable energy. The Vice President Group Brand and Communication at Sasol, Elton Fortuin said “This year’s Sasol Solar Challenge has been truly unforgettable. We have witnessed incredible breakthroughs in solar technology, celebrated remarkable achievements by all the teams, and engaged the public in a conversation about the future of energy.”
The 2024 Sasol Solar Challenge was not just a competition, it was a testament to human ingenuity and hard-earned victories. It became clear that this event inspired a new generation of thinkers, innovators and environmental advocates.
Text: Editorial Desk | Image: Sasol Solar Challenge
The solar cars crossed the Franschhoek Pass
The Forty of the Finest and other displays wowed visitors
Hetta van Deventer-Terblanche
Franschhoek Cable Way Appoints Social Conflict Specialist
Summit in Québec City in 2002, which was then followed by the World Summit in Johannesburg, in which the emphasis was on managing ecotourism within sustainable development, and a year later, the 30th anniversary of the World Heritage Convention in Venice in which the focus was on addressing the interconnections between heritage, tourism, and development.
To align with these goals, the Franschhoek Cable Way Project Team is committed to ‘tread lightly’ and protecting one of the world’s most prized environmental and heritage sites.
members across all sectors of the Franschhoek community.
between conservation efforts and sustainable tourism practices.
Since 2002, the international community has made strides in managing the impact of tourism on cultural and natural heritage sites. Noteworthy milestones include the first World Ecotourism
The Franschhoek Cable Way Project Team is exploring effective and sustainable methods of ensuring that the Franschhoek Cable Way project is aligned with the interests of all sectors of the Franschhoek community and that the benefits of the envisaged project will accrue to the local economy. To achieve these goals social conflict specialist, Prof David Venter, has been appointed to engage with all sectors of the Franschhoek community. When areas are inscribed on the World Heritage List, they inevitably attract local and international tourists. This highlights the importance of ensuring that these sites are preserved for future generations of locals and tourists alike. Understandably this presents an ongoing challenge: to strike a balance
Prof. David Venter
To facilitate its sustainable development objectives, the Project Team has engaged Prof. David Venter, who previously played a vital role in the community acceptance and responsible construction of the Berg River Dam. Prof. Venter is committed, as in the case of the Berg River Dam, to engaging in open-minded, face-toface interviews with opinion leaders and community
Through these interactions, he aims to gather a wide spectrum of community concerns and suggestions that ultimately will be fed into scoping the project. Should the Franschhoek Cable Way project garner majority support from the overall Franschhoek community, Prof. Venter will, as in the case of the Berg River Dam, proceed to establish a democraticallyelected Environmental Management Committee (EMC). The EMC will represent the interests of all sectors of the community; acting as their eyes and ears concerning the project. Should the EMC so desire, he will chair this committee, which will be operational throughout the project’s development and operational phases.
Please contact Prof. David Venter at david. venter@vlerick.com or 073 113 9714 for inquiries or further details.
La Petite Ferme Viognier 2023
Wine shows hints of pineapple citrus and dried stone fruit. Fresh acidity lingers to a dry savoury finish. Pairs beautifully with spicy dishes like curries. Grapes from three Franschhoek vineyards are picked separately. Grapes are pressed and fermented in 100% stainless steel tanks whereafter they are transferred to old 228L barrels for 9 months. Cellar door price: R 320
T 021 876 3016
E reception@lapetiteferme.co.za
E reception@lapetiteferme.co.za
FROM THE FRANSCHHOEK
WINE VALLEY DESK
As we welcome in a new month, we're awash with the energy that comes from a season of full calendars, plentiful entertaining and festive-flair, the stringing up of our Christmas lights and the feeling of joy hanging in the air.
November sees us ready to soak in the magic of this year's Franschhoek Creates, where we're eager to explore every nook and cranny of creativity on display. From November 1st to 17th, celebrate the rich tapestry of local talent in a feast for the eyes and soul.
Franschhoek Creates
1 - 17 November 2024
Neighbourgood, De Wet Neighbourgood Franschhoek offers elegant self-catering accommodation for both leisure and corporate visitors. Discover
Whether you’re an avid art lover, or simply seeking inspiration, this event promises to be an unforgettable journey through the heart of creativity and the finest Franschhoek has to offer.
View the full programme: www.franschhoek.org.za/event/franschhoek-creates/
Franschhoek Open Gardens
15 - 17 November 2024
This enchanting event invites you to explore an array of magnificent local gardens, from grand estates to charming hideaways - it's a perfect opportunity to lose yourself in the natural beauty that surrounds our ‘valley of dreams’. Discover more: www.franschhoekopengardens.co.za
Capitec Franschhoek Cap Classique & Champagne Festival
30 November & 1 December 2024
Book your tickets for this year’s Franschhoek Bubbly Festival, set to dazzle on the weekend of 30 November & 1 December! This sparkling event will feature over 20 local producers and promises two days of exceptional Cap Classique, live music and festive cheer at the iconic Franschhoek Huguenot Monument. Discover more: www.franschhoekcapclassique.co.za
From entertaining friends and family, to fully-laden tables and flowing summer wines to making the most of our best weather with outdoor adventures and festivals aplenty, November in Franschhoek is a season that's meant to be savoured!
With a celebrated history as a global and local private chef and culinary consultant, Nicola Spilsbury now brings her expertise to South Africa’s 'culinary
Bagatelle de la Cotte, one of the 10 gardens on display at this year’s Franschhoek Open Gardens (15 - 17 November 2024)
Huguenot descendent
Heyningen provides
Mill House Magic
La Cotte Farm justifiably claims to be where Heritage and Natural Beauty meet. Right on the edge of the village, with tranquil gardens and elegantly restored historic buildings it is well worth visiting, whether to stay over in the hotel or one of the cottages or for a meal in the restaurant. Now there is another reason visit. The ancient water mill has been restored and now houses a coffee shop and artisanal bakery.
The mill, which lays claim to being the oldest in Africa, has been meticulously restored by mill expert Andy Selfe and beautifully decorated by Dominic Touwen. It was probably built during the ownership of Johannes Marais (Maree) and his wife Sara Delport, who acquired La Cotte in 1733 shortly after their marriage. It is listed in the transfer deed to their son. It has a wooden 6-spoke overshot wheel that was originally fed by a mountain stream, that was led along the top of part of the ring wall.
The cool oak-shaded building with flagstones on the floor, green walls (in a shade called Botticelli) hung with antique blue and white serving platters and copper kitchenware and the sounds of the mill at work immediately takes one far away from the concerns of daily life and back to a simpler time. The
aromas of coffee and freshly baked artisanal breads – not to mention delectable pastries – invariably make one want to stay there longer than one had planned! Choose to sit at one of the kitchen tables inside or sit on the shaded stoep with its glorious views and soundtrack of water and birdsong.
Pastry Chef Keshia Louw’s creations are hard to resist… macarons, madeleines, Basque cheesecake and more tempt the sweet-toothed visitor, while ciabatta, croissants and a variety of sourdough loaves tempt gluten addicts. What you can’t have with your coffee you simply have to buy to try at home!
The Mill House is open Wed – Sun, 08h00 – 15h00. millhouse@lacottefarm.com | 021 207 3907
Text: Editorial Desk | Image: La Cotte Farm
Franschhoek Like Never Before
Magnas Tours has introduced a new way to see Franschhoek. Their novel small group wine experiences are designed to take visitors off the well-worn tourist path. Their tours provide intimate access to small, boutique wineries where guests get to meet people who are passionate about their wines. These tours are exclusively curated through Magnas’ deep-rooted connections in the valley, offering a genuine insider’s experience of the region’s vibrant wine culture.
Bookings for these small group wine tours can be
With small group sizes of no more than 10 people, everyone enjoys personal attention and meaningful interactions with the people behind the wines. Two unique routes, allow guests to explore different aspects of Franschhoek’s wine making tradition. Each route showcases wineries rarely seen on mainstream tours, ensuring a fresh and unforgettable experience every time. For those looking for something even more personalized, Magnas Tours offers bespoke, private tours tailored to individual tastes. These private journeys delve even deeper into the winelands, uncovering more hidden treasures and introducing visitors to the people who make The Cape Winelands scene so special.
Editorial Desk | Image: Supplied
Hand-crafted select gifts & bespoke furniture in a creative retail space. handmadelife.co.za | 072 3833 227 26 Huguenot Street, Franschhoek @handmadelife.shop
made via the Magnas website.
Fire Meets Flavour in Reuben Riffel’s Latest Book
Local celebrity chef, Reuben Riffel, teamed up with Wordsworth Franschhoek for the Franschhoek launch of this latest cookbook, ‘Braai’, on Monday, 30 September, at the Franschhoek Theatre.
Reuben says he is happiest when he’s cooking over a fire with family and friends. His fifth book ‘Braai’ brings together 70 of his favourite firecooking recipes and shares his secrets of how to get to flavour quicker… without the fuss.
“This book is about flavours first, the simplicity of cooking over fire,” says Riffel. “It’s not about how to braai, the technical stuff… Rather just to share my enjoyment of cooking, and to encourage you to play and experiment with cooking over fire. You don’t have to be an expert braai master and slave over hot coals for hours. I like to see a fire as an extension of the kitchen, using the same spices and flavourings that I enjoy cooking with inside, but cooking over a fire for the extra flavour and a touch of smoke.”
Within the beautifully photographed pages – each recipe gets a mouthwatering full-colour image – you’ll find tried and tested recipes that range from very simple to more creative. Riffel’s love for bold flavours shines through, with a punchy Korean sauce in one recipe, Middle Eastern spices in another, and a new take on a classic South African braai stalwart in the next… who says you can’t get creative with a braaibroodjie? The dishes range from different meats and seafoods to vegetables and salads, with a good helping of quick and easy snacks to keep everyone happy kuiering around the fire while you cook the main event. Then, to round things off, some decadent fire-kissed desserts.
“Cooking over fire makes us kind of feel connected, the smell of it, when you walk by somebody’s house where they’ve got a fire going, it gives you holiday or weekend vibes, it boosts you a little bit, in anticipation of relaxation and downtime, and a good cocktail just adds to that vibe,” says Riffel.
In Braai, Riffel offers quick and easy recipes that he likes to cook for the family on weekday nights – “it’s often just as easy to light a fire as it is to heat up the stove,” he says – and simple but delicious recipes to create a sense of occasion when you have friends over on the weekend. He shares his love of cooking whole prawns, octopus and even fish heads… and will light
up the fire for his delicious corn and potato quesadillas
just as often as for a butterflied lamb shoulder or a spatchcocked and brined peri-peri chicken.
A delightful and appetising read from cover to cover, this book comes with only one warning: you will come away hungry and craving the smoky, lightly charred flavours of a braai. So have the braai wood stacked, tongs at the ready and pantry well stocked, so you can dig into the flavours off the plate, as well as on the page.
‘Braai’ is available from Wordsworth Franschhoek at R495.
Text: Editorial Desk | Image: Quivertree Publications
Three Decades of a Pioneering Blend
First created at Haute Cabrière, South African Chardonnay Pinot Noir celebrates its 30th vintage in 2024.
Franschhoek’s Methode Cap Classique pioneer and founder of Haute Cabrière, Achim von Arnim, knew that his wines for MCC production needed to be low in alcohol to achieve the quality required. This was easy in Champagne, the coolest and most northern wine region in France, but less so in the hot Cape Winelands. 1994 not only ushered in a new democracy for South Africa, but it also brought an extraordinarily warm growing season. The unpredictable weather caused the grapes’ sugar to skyrocket suddenly and with it, the alcohol levels. All may have seemed lost; however, Achim decided to vinify the grapes and blend the wine. He was “struck by how lovely the young wine was… Nature had actually given me a gift”, Achim remembers.
South Africa’s first vintage of Chardonnay Pinot Noir as a still wine blend was bottled under the newly designed Haute Cabrière label. It was an immediate success. The public and critics alike experienced an instant love affair with it. It was different, easily drinkable and uncompromisingly elegant – a beautiful partner to a dynamic array of dishes.
Since 1994, the wine blend has passed through the custodianship of three Haute Cabrière Cellar Masters, each leaving its own mark on the blend. Achim worked from a single Excel spreadsheet. He’d begin each vintage anew, crafting over 50 potential blends until he found the right combination to meet his iconic standards.
Inheriting the responsibility from his father, Takuan von Arnim devised a streamlined approach by identifying the best vineyard sites as the basis for each vintage. He reduced the Pinot Noir component for a fresher style while still paying respect to the Burgundian cultivars at every turn.
Haute Cabrière’s third Cellar Master, Tim Hoek introduced extended lees ageing, giving the wine more texture and stability and allowing it to be released with lower residual sugar because of an already existing natural softness.
“I love how it evolves over time,” adds current Cellar Master, Tim Hoek. “As the years pass, the Chardonnay becomes more prominent. The biggest surprise for most people is how well a five-
year-old Chardonnay Pinot Noir drinks.”
Key to its success is its versatility. At only 12.5% ABV, the Haute Cabrière Chardonnay Pinot Noir complements almost every style of dish from spicy chicken and tomato bredie to umfino. “It’s a wine that brings people together,” says Wine Director Takuan von Arnim.
In celebration of Haute Cabrière’s 30th vintage Chardonnay Pinot Noir, the estate crafted and launched the Haute Cabrière Heritage 30 Réserve. A reimagined take on their pioneering blend, this amphora-aged Chardonnay Pinot Noir is a field blend that showcases a true expression of Franschhoek Valley terroir. Only available at the cellar door, this is a small-batch limited release that is sure to become a collector’s item.
“I wanted to showcase the magic of Chardonnay Pinot Noir, the remarkable old vineyards we have on our property, as well as the terroir of the Franschhoek Valley, to the best of our ability,” says Cellar Master Tim Hoek. Small-batch produced and featuring artwork inspired by founder Achim von Arnim’s original 1994 label for the now iconic Haute Cabrière Chardonnay Pinot Noir, this limited-release anniversary edition is available directly from Haute Cabrière for R550 per bottle.
Text & Image: Editorial Desk
The 2024 vintage is the thirtieth of Haute Cabrière’s ground-breaking Chardonnay Pinot Noir still wine blend.
Thoughts From My Kitchen
Chantal Lascaris
Who Doesn’t Love Junk Food?
Let’s face it: junk food is like that one friend who’s bad for you, but just so much fun.
Who hasn’t dreamt of turning nachos, fries and doughnuts into wholesome guilt-free delights?
My new book “All Sorts of Junk Food Made Healthy” takes all our favourite naughty treats and gives them a healthy makeover that even your green-smoothie-obsessed cousin will approve of. I’m not saying you’ll fool a dietician but hey, close enough. If you’re tired of choosing between a salad and happiness, then this book is for you.
Despite its downsides (think unhealthy fats and sugars), junk food’s appeal remains irresistible for many, myself included, as it hits the spot, provides quick satisfaction and brings a sense of nostalgia and comfort. With just a few everyday ingredients, you can now whip up a junk food jamboree right in your own
kitchen – no guilt trip required. It’s all about disrupting the way we approach indulgence by presenting a tantalising selection of recipes that offer a healthier twist on popular junk foods. So no need to forego those crunchy, crispy and creamy meals. My goal is to demonstrate that it’s possible to enjoy the familiar flavours and textures of these foods whilst still aiming for a ‘better for you’ experience.
Sweet Chilli Chicken Pizza
The quintessential junk food, pizzas are always incredibly moreish. This pizza, with its sweet chilli sauce, has just the right amount of tang without being overpowering. This flavour sensation is also more wholesome than most pizzas, thanks to the sneaky use of cream cheese and low-sugar chilli sauce.
4 Tbsp olive oil
2 chicken breast fillets, cut into bite-size pieces ¼ cup low-sugar sweet chilli sauce, plus extra for topping
It’s the Ultimate Garden Party
Get ready for an unforgettable experience at the Bubbly & Gin Summer Garden Party & Polo, taking place on Saturday, 23 November, from 12h00 to 18h00, at the Val de Vie Polo Estate.
Taste the finest bubblies, wines and gins from over 20 stands including: Andiamo, Anthonij Rupert Wyne, Ginologist, Graham Beck, Gravel Junction, Haute Cabrière, House of Azari, Luckybird Drinks, Paul René, Plaisir CC, Plaisir Gin, Pongrácz, Quoin Rock, Taittinger, Veuve du Vernay and WCellar.
Food stalls from the likes of La Colombiana –authentic Latin American street food; The Poké Co, with its delicious Asian food bowls; Love Pizza; Piroschka’s Flammkuchen and Sushi & Oysters will be on hand to keep the hunger pangs at bay. Chilled and funky music will come courtesy of ShenFM, with his blend of live instruments, vocals and tracks that he mixes together in his own authentic style.
And then of course, there’s the Polo – the sport of kings – making it a truly, one-of-a-kind and unmissable summer event in the most spectacular setting surrounded by the majestic mountains.
Potential partygoers have two ticket options:
General Tickets, at R500 pp include: a welcome drink, a branded festival tasting glass, 10 tasting tokens and access to food trucks, live music stage and wine, gin and bubbly exhibitors. For those who are quick on the draw – there are 200 Early Bird Special tickets available for R400pp on a first come first served basis.
Lounge Tickets, of which there are only 300 available cost R1250pp. Lounge tickets give guests access to an exclusive area within the Grand Hall & Terrace with unparalleled views of the polo field and surrounds and includes lounge, cocktail and café-style seating. They also include: a welcome drink, a branded festival tasting glass, 10 tasting tokens, photo booths, complimentary bowl food from Annalize Buchanan Catering, 2 complimentary G&Ts or glasses of bubbles or wine, a private cash bar,
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1 red pepper
¼ cup sherry vinegar
4 wraps
½ cup low-fat smooth cottage cheese
½ cup tomato paste
8 Peppadews, sliced 1/3 cup low-fat cheddar
Salt and pepper to taste
Salad greens for garnishing
To a non-stick pan, add 1 tsp olive oil and sauté the chicken pieces until done.
Remove the pan from the heat, add the ¼ cup sweet chilli sauce and mix until the chicken is coated. Remove from the pan and keep warm.
Add the mushrooms and red pepper to the same pan, and sauté for a few minutes until starting to soften. Pour over the sherry vinegar and continue to saute until the sherry vinegar has evaporated and the veggies have softened.
Over each wrap, smear 2 tablespoons of cottage cheese and 2 tablespoons of tomato paste. Place a wrap, unsmeared-side down, in the pan and heat until browned underneath.
Remove from the pan and scatter over a quarter of the vegetables, chicken and peppadews. Top
venue bathroom access and easy access to the live music stage and exhibitors.
To recap:
The Bubbly & Gin Summer Garden Party & Polo Val de Vie Estate, Paarl, Western Cape Saturday, 23 Novembe from 12h00 - 18h00 (Tastings from 12h00 to 16h00 and sales from 16h00 to 18h00)
Tickets available from Webtickets from R400pp (early bird special) to R1250pp.
Text: Editorial Desk | Image: Supplied
Bubbly, gin and polo. Perfect ingredients for a summer party! www.jenkahn.com
Tatler Motoring
MICHELE LUPINI
Wanna Argue? The 2.8 Cruiser Is Better Than The V8!
New 2.8-litre auto Land Cruiser Wagon demolishes the V8 on test
Want to start an argument? It’s pretty easy. Just walk into the pub and tell the manne that the new Toyota Land Cruiser 76 2.8 GD-6 Wagon is better than the V8. Well, we’re now telling you that it is. No matter how emotional you get, the numbers simply don’t lie.
The stalwarts will insist that the 4.5 litre turbodiesel V8 will always be the best Cruiser. Ever. But after a way too short week with the new 2.8, we now definitely beg to differ. We drove a hearing aid beige version in Jo’burg a few months back, but reserved judgement until we’d had the car on home ground. And the chance to test it on our regular run, in the rivers, on the mountains we know best.
I’d already gotten into deep trouble with the guys after that first impression. How can the 2.8 be better than the V8? The discussion went on until they went and sulked in their corner. It took two rounds to get them to smile again. So when this big, blue Cruiser finally arrived for the big test, there
was anxiety in the pub.
2.8 crushes V8 Cruiser 70 on test
For the record, our satellite VBox test kit reported that the Land Cruiser V8 turbodiesel with its 5-speed manual gearbox took 13.37 seconds to get to 100 km/h, and covered 400 metres in 19.1 seconds, where it achieved a terminal speed of 121 km/h. The V8 also chugged from 80 to 120 km/h in 9.57 seconds in our road test ten years ago. And sips a claimed average of 11.9 litres of derv per hundred kilometres.
Roll on a decade, and lo and behold, we were quite correct in our first assumptions of this new 2.8 litre Land Cruiser. If you’re in the V8 camp, I’d suggest you sit down now. This is gonna be hard to swallow. Why? Well, the new Cruiser ran to 100 km/h in, wait for it, 9.67 seconds. In other words, a full four and a half second quicker than the V8, using the same test kit on the same road with the same driver.
But that’s not all. The four pot did the quarter mile 2.3 seconds quicker, at 16.8 seconds, and it was travelling a full ten kilometres an hour faster at that point, at131 km/h. The 2.8 is also over two seconds more tractive than the V8 between 80 and 120 km/h. Never mind a full two litres per 100 better on diesel. You save 26 litres, or about R500 a tank of fuel to drive a quicker, better and far more efficient car, for less money than the V8 too.
Lighter, easier, more fun on the road too
Never mind, its lighter, and easier on the road. So I really feared heading back to the pub to face up to Viv, Werner and the lads. We were not friends for a while later. Well two, maybe three rounds later. But in our humble opinion, there is simply no comparison. The new 2.8 is by far the better Cruiser. Sorry lads, no matter how cool the V8 sounds, or how much character it has.
FCCF AT FMM
FMM’s involvement with the October Franschhoek Classic Car Festival proved to be a highly popular stopover for visitors.
“Saturday was a great day at the museum as we, in conjunction with the FCCF and the Cape Alfa Romeo Club, celebrated the anniversaries of the Alfa Romeo Giulietta (70), and the Alfa Romeo Alfetta (50),” commented FMM Curator Sian Theron. “The Cape Alfa Romeo Club provided motoring enthusiasts with a fantastic display of the anniversary vehicles as well as other Alfa models around the quad in front of the display halls, while the museum offered a display of its Alfa collection in Hall D”. In total, there were around 60 Alfas on view covering 75 years of the iconic marque’s models.
“The turnout was remarkable, with 966 visitors coming through the gate,” Sian added. “A big thank you to all who came to the museum and made the day a success. It’s a
Remember too, you can still tune this 2.8 to 200 kW and over 600 Nm. So don’t even try that argument that the V8 has more potential. All a full tune on the V8
huge pleasure and honour to be able to share South Africa’s motoring history and passion with everyone.”
The museum’s three Giuliettas as well as another seven Alfa models – including a 4C, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year – will continue to be on show until the last week of November, when changes will begin for the festive season.
WESBANK BMW ON VIEW
Currently on view at FMM is the 1990 BMW 535i that won the Wesbank Modified Saloon Car championship driven by local driver Deon Joubert. It is one of two E34 535i saloons that were commissioned by the factory and they were built by the late, Cape Town-based race engineer Owen Ashley. The cars feature a unique suspension system developed by Ashley. Once retired, the cars ‘went to ground’ before being found, bought and restored by Nick Sheward in Johannesburg , who has kindly loaned the car to the museum for display over the next few months.
A Local Geological Journey with Nick Norman
While you may know something of the geological forms seen in the Franschhoek Valley, it is no simple task to piece together these features into a story of the valley’s geological history. Local geologist and published author, Nick Norman, speaks and writes accessibly about the otherwise remote world of rocks. Born in Kwa-Zulu Natal where he completed his M.Sc in Geology, Nick has explored far and wide in search of the stories embedded in rocks. After exploring South American and Southern African geological features, Nick settled in Franschhoek in 1981 where he has since continued to write and explore the world of rocks.
Nick tells the fascinating story of how the Franschhoek Valley has taken on its present form after hundreds of millions of years and is still changing. You may know that the Franschhoek Mountains are formed from sandstone, a kind of sedimentary rock, and form part of the Cape Fold Mountains. Nick emphasises that these mountains, despite forming part of the Cape Fold Mountains, do not owe their current form to the process of folding (the convergence of plate 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.
will achieve, is to match a stock 2.8.
For the rest, in quick summary, Toyota took the tried and tested Hilux 150 kW 500 Nm 2.8-litre four cylinder and its six-speed box and slipped it under this this latest Cruiser’s fatter, and quite contentious bonnet. It’s now available as an option across all three single and double cab, and this station wagon ‘Cruiser 70 body shapes. Alongside the V8. For now.
Spec? What spec? There is none!
The 70 Series also returns to round headlamps, a fresh grille and that fatter bonnet. All models retain that good old tough as Africa part-time 4×4 with low-range continues with front and rear locking differentials, and now in the 2.8 – block your ears if you are old school - Downhill Assist. The 2.8 also has a 3,500 kilogram braked towing capacity.
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).
This nine-hundred and ninety-nine grand base LX basically has no spec. You may as well be sitting in a ’71 Corona. But this wagon does get new 60:40 split-folding-second-row seats to maximise cargo space. And wow! Upgraded multimedia brings a new screen and systems without taking away any of those good old knobs and buttons.
Don’t expect power mirrors, a reverse camera or any of that. And consider yourself lucky that there’s an auto-down window on the driver’s side. Complete with a complementary squeak! Still, there’s something so special about that simplicity. There is however a new centre console, storage box, cupholder and multiple small item compartments. Africa has a New King!
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
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.
NOVEMBER NEWS
ALFA GIULIETTA SPRINT
When WWII ended and the world settled back into peacetime living and financial stability, there was an increase in population and a call for affordable private transportation. Alfa Romeo was no exception, and the Giulietta concept was conceived, aimed at putting the company’s established technological know-how into a smaller package.
The Giulietta was a turning point for Alfa Romeo – it was the company’s first car aimed at the mass market, and the first to have a name rather than a cipher or a number. To maintain Alfa’s sporting tradition, the first Giulietta model was a compact two-door 2+2 Sprint coupé. The car featured a new, all-aluminium engine, which proved to be the forerunner of what was to become Alfa’s staple engine for the next four decades.
Rumour has it that Bertone – who were entrusted to build the car – only finished the prototype 20 days before it was launched at the 1954 Turin Motor Show, where it
VISITING FMM
FMM’s opening time are Monday to Friday 10h00 to 17h00 (last admittance 16h00), Saturday and Sunday 10h00 to 16h00 (last admittance 15h00). Visiting the museum is by appointment only and via online booking. Entry fees: R90 adults, R70 pensioners and motor club members
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 have also set the scene for the ecological systems surrounding us. From the sandy nutrient-poor soil, derived from the extremely hard quartzitic sandstone, the world’s most bio-diverse flora has sprung forth: fynbos. Indeed, the harsh conditions have required our indigenous plant life to be resourceful, adaptive, and evolutionarily creative. It follows that the fauna have also had to acclimatise to this harsh terrain. And yet, the valley’s ecology has provided enough organic matter, mixing with the eroded sedimentary rock and granite, to form soil that is fertile enough to produce some of the world’s finest wines and natural produce. And so we find ourselves entwined in the ongoing geological and ecological story of the land in our valley. If this story piqued your interest, Nick’s books can be purchased or ordered from your local book vendor. His publications include Going to Ground, Box of Rocks, Geology Off the Beaten Track, The Extraordinary World of Diamonds, and Geological Journeys. For more information about Nick, you can visit his website: https://www.nicknormanbook.com/.
Text: Leila Shirley | Image: Nick Norman
was an instant success. The elegant design, sporty performance, comfortable ride and excellent handling – all at an affordable price – soon had showrooms filled with eager-tobuy customers. In 1956 a lightweight Sprint Veloce (‘fast’) appeared with dual, twin-choke sidedraught carburettors that helped realise 66 kW at 6 500 r/min and raised top speed to 185 km/h. The Sprint Veloce was discontinued in 1957, replaced by the Confortevole (Comfortable) in late 1957 with the same mechanical spec as the Veloce. The car is part of the Alfa anniversary currently on display in Hall D
(with membership ID), R50 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
Nick Norman with the Wemmershoek Mountains in the background.
Gardening in May
I’ve often mused in the past on how May is one of the most unpredictable months of the year. Every farmer in the winter rainfall area will tell stories of the years they waited for the rain to sow their crops, with the end of May being the ultimate deadline. In dry years the joke is that farmers plant on the 50th of May. This year things seem different. We were blessed with abundant early rains, and winter quickly pushed a short autumn out of the way. My soil is too waterlogged to work already – a pity because I had big plans to prepare new sections for vegetable planting in spring. I will have to go no-till this season and will experiment with sowing a green manure crop in narrow drills in the soil. Adding some radish and other root crops should loosen the soil enough to make up for the lack of deep cultivation. This green manure sowing must be done before the end of the month to ensure enough biomass to dig into the soil in spring. Finding a decent green manure seed mix in small quantities might be difficult and expensive for the home gardener. I’ve successfully used a mix of my expired vegetable and flower seeds combined with a garden bird seed blend from the pet food section. This gives a good variety of grains and green material. Adding some peas to the mix will trap nitrogen in the soil for the next season.
It is nearly the end of October, and I am writing this month’s column shivering in the early morning cold with a weak sun trying its best to claim a stake on the day. Another long and lingering winter in the Cape has left me frustrated and demotivated as most of my early efforts at growing summer flowers and veggies have gone to waste. But on the bright side, my lawn has never looked better, and the shrubbery has recovered beautifully after last summer’s winds. Hard work does pay off, and November is a bragging month for the avid gardener; the many open gardens and garden festivals around the country can attest for that.
Use the opportunity to visit some of the works of love by our top local gardeners and landscapers. Not only will you get inspirational design ideas, but you will also see plants flourishing in similar climates as your own, easing the decision-making process in the nursery. Gardening with plants that are adapted to our local environment is key to building the resilience needed as we are faced with varying climatic conditions.
Seeing our indigenous plants in their natural setting is inspirational. This is a great time of the year to hike the local mountains or visit a nature reserve. Then get down to your local garden centre and support those growers focusing on indigenous and climate-resilient plants. The nurseries are a sight for sore eyes this time of year, and you will find an array of indigenous flowering annuals, perennials and shrubs to brighten up your summer garden. With this late winter you will be excused for taking shortcuts and buying some larger plants and seedlings.
You will have to utilize the sunny days between the cold fronts to their best, because May is a busy gardening month, with the rewards only coming much later in the season. Your autumn pruning should be well on its way by now, with only the late flowering shrubs such as Solanum, Tecomaria, Leonotis, Lavender, Plumbago and Hibiscus that still needs to be pruned. Tree surgery to deciduous trees also needs to be done sooner rather than later. Pay attention to overgrown evergreen trees and shrubs by cutting away some of the lower branches and opening the canopy to let in more sunlight. Perennials such as Canna’s, Michaelmas daisies, Japanese anenomes, Salvia and Gaura should all be cut back hard this 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.
As we near the festive season, energy and time should now be spent on high-impact living spaces. Your entrance, courtyards, patio and pool deck are where you will spend most of your time this summer. Make that work. Use colour creatively – a splash of paint or a bright accent plant or furniture piece can really lighten up a drab space. Redo your pots – instant impact can be made by using colourful annuals and some favourite perennials. There has been a massive new interest in succulent gardening. Amazing new varieties are available in most nurseries and people are expanding their
collections fast. These can be used as architectural impact plants, and they make for beautiful tabletop gardens and great gifts. This season, add in some of our indigenous flowering vygies and daisies to brighten up the display. When planting up pots, invest in some of the many moisture-retaining gels available – these preserve water in the soil and prevent nutrients from leaching out.
Your lawnmower can be set slightly lower. This will allow more sunlight to the lower swards of grass and help against diseases. Lawns should be fed with a high potash feed to ensure good root growth through winter. Applying agricultural lime at a rate of 50g per square meter helps keep winter weeds at bay and will help ensure a lush spring lawn.
Rainfall Figures
The nurseries are stocked with all sorts of winter colour – sweet peas, delphinium, dianthus, foxgloves, Iceland poppies, larkspur, pansies, viola, primula, stocks and lobelia. Patient gardeners can still sow seeds of all of these. The last of the winter and early spring flowering bulbs such as Lachenalia and Watsonia must be planted before the middle of the month. May is probably the best month to establish new Fynbos gardens. Trees planted now will have a chance to establish a decent root system before the summer heat arrives.
Most of my energy will be focused on the medicinal and vegetable garden. This is the most exciting time of the year – not only can we (usually) start to indulge in the fruits of our labour, but we can still plant and sow almost every veggie on the summer list – beans, corn, tomatoes, peppers, pumpkins, squashes, okra and most leaf crops. Plant what your family enjoys and make plans to deal with the inevitable glut that will come from planting too much of some varieties. Fortunately, gardeners love sharing – and finding new ways of preserving our garden produce is a rewarding pastime. Opening a bottle of last season’s pickles and preserves for a snack platter or side dish is a moment of pride for the gardener-chef.
In the vegetable garden beetroot, broad beans, cabbage, carrots, celery, Swiss chard, onions, peas and turnips can all be sown now. Winter is also the most successful time of the year to grow salad crops in the Cape; summer is often simply too hot. Sow cover crop on unused beds, even letting weeds grow is better that leaving the soil exposed.
The kitchen is also getting busier. Although we are seeing the first of the summer greens, beans and squashes ripening, it is the fruit that we are most excited about. Soon we will have summer berries, plums, peaches and apricots to get creative with. Combine them into chutneys and jellies, make jam and preserves, and think of new ideas to serve them fresh. It is a special time of year in the Western Cape, so make the best of all the local fruit in your garden and at the market.
Happy gardening!
In our house cold and rainy autumn days are spent in the kitchen. Soups, broths, stews, and slow roasts are the order of the day. While these are slowly bubbling away on the stove, we will have an 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.
Ansche’s People
ANSCHE GROBLER
Pieter
Pepler’s
Commitment to Community Safety
Born and raised in Franschhoek, Pieter Pepler is no stranger to the town’s needs, challenges and evolution. As a fourth-generation farmer and the head of Pepler Alarms, a local security company founded by his father in 1985, Pieter has deep roots in the area with his commitment to both agriculture and community safety. Pieter grew up on the family farm as the youngest of three siblings, the only brother to two older sisters. From an early age, he was involved in daily farm chores, gaining a strong work ethic. His father’s decision to start Pepler Alarms was born out of a need for increased farm security during tough economic times. Though the company grew slowly, with only one system per month, Pieter was soon helping with everything from farm duties to wiring alarm systems. He credits his mother for developing a thick skin, having worked as a secretary at Bloemhof School in Stellenbosch and then at Dieu Donné for a while before helping out on the farm with the business. Pieter’s educational background took him through Franschhoek Primary, Laborie High School in Paarl, and Agricultural College. By 2007, he officially took over the business from his father. The launch of their first control room opened a new chapter – one that would bring both opportunities and challenges. “Running a 24/7 operation changes everything,” Pieter explains. “Every day is different. You can’t plan anything by the hour; you have to be ready to adapt.” The security landscape has evolved significantly since then. “Crime has changed a lot over the years, especially with the rise in tourism,” says Pieter. While Franschhoek’s popularity has grown, so has the need for effective security measures. Petty crime, in particular, has increased as visitors unfamiliar with the town’s risks make easy targets. Pieter met his wife, Fransie, in Franschhoek. Their engagement story has become a local legend, involving a creative proposal using the famous Franschhoek mountain sign. With the help of his friends and the Pepler Alarms response team, Pieter covered part of the sign to spell out “Fransie,” asking her to marry him on Valentine’s Day in 2008. “It was a huge effort, but worth every bit,” he laughs, recalling the sleepless night spent preparing the surprise. Today, Pieter and Fransie have two children, and despite
8 | July 2022
the demands of running a 24/7 security operation, Pieter remains devoted to his family. Occasional fishing trips with friends provide brief moments of escape. Earlier this year, the family took a much-needed break in Namibia, finding peace in nature.
Pieter is a strong advocate for the village becoming a Special Rating Area (SRA), a designation that would allocate an additional rate (collected by the municipality on behalf of an NPC) to fund additional security and cleaning services. While Franschhoek didn’t reach the required number of votes, Pieter encourages property owners to consider the benefits of such a move and restart the process again.
Top Geographer
Best Foot Forward
The Franschhoek Valley Community Sport Centre in partnership with DCAS (Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport), YearBeyond and the WCED (Western Cape Education Department) implements programmes in pre-schools, primary schools and communities. These programmes involve young people aged between 18-25 (i.e. recent matriculants who didn’t enter further studies or employment). As part of these programmes, participants assist children in schools and in communities with moral support, school work, homework and making sure learning is fun. Most of these learners are referred to the programmes by their school teachers. Every Friday these young people attend Future Fit Friday training. These sessions are facilitated by the YearBeyond mentors to improve the young people’s personal and professional development.
Recently, we organised practice job interviews. This practice empowers our young people by giving them real-life experience of a job interview, helping them build confidence as they prepare for their futures.
Over just two and a half days, an impressive 131 yeboneers (YearBeyond participants) received invaluable interview experience and feedback from a diverse group of 14 industry professionals from around our beautiful valley. We are so grateful for the increased support compared to previous years.
A very special ‘Thank You’ goes to Craig Versfeld, Hoon Kim and Davidene Figland from La Residence Hotel; to Melissa Crosbie Neate, Izel Stemmet, Garcelle Jacobs, Cronan Wllis and Chanelle Schoeman from Rickety Bridge Wine Estate; to Emma Booth, Annette De Villiers and Yasmine Swanepoel from Mont Rochelle Hotel and Vineyards, to Beryl Liebetrau and Marcel Hoogebeen of the Franschhoek and Drakenstein Valley Rotary Club and finally to Renaldo Solomons – manager of Woolworths Food Franschhoek.
Thank you Franschhoek Valley for seeing us and
Taking the nerves out of interviews
supporting us in this way! All your dedication and insights greatly enriched the experience for the young interviewees. This event not only showcased a beautiful commitment to nurturing the next generation but also strengthened community ties and has left us all inspired and looking forward to future collaboration.
Text & Image: FVCSC
Franschhoek Leeskring
HESTER STRŰMPFER
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 Africa in the International Geography Olympiad (iGeo) later this month.
The 18th International Geography Olympiad will be held online and hosted by France from 12 to 18 July, under the auspices of the International Geographical Union Olympiad Task Force. iGeo is an annual competition for the best 16 to 19 year-old Geography students from all over the world. Students chosen to represent their countries are the very best, chosen from thousands of students who participate enthusiastically in their own National Geography Olympiads.
The aims of the Olympiad are to:
At Pepler Alarms, the team operates like a closeknit family. “I know the people here, and I know how crime affects them. That’s why it’s important to keep improving things,” he explains. He values collaboration with the police and other security companies, recognizing that partnerships are key to reducing crime. Pieter believes in being mindful of how actions impact both people and nature. “Change is good, but we have to think about how it affects the community and the environment,” he says.
• facilitate social contacts between young people from different countries and in doing so, contribute to the understanding between nations.
As he reflects on his journey, Pieter is grateful for his team and the many local heroes who work tirelessly to keep Franschhoek safe.
Thank you, Pieter, and the team at Pepler Alarms, for your commitment to the safety and well-being of our community.
Franschhoek Leeskring
SUSAN MÖLLER
Ons laaste boek vir 2024 is ‘Vin’ deur Lien Botha. Ingrid Maritz lei die bespreking met die outeur Lien Botha. ‘n Unieke geleentheid om die outeur te ontmoet en meer te leer oor haar boek en werk as kunstenaar.
By die volgende byeenkoms van die Franschhoek Leeskring, wat op 7 Julie plaasvind, bespreek Danie du Toit Francois Smith se “Die getuienis”. Die byeenkoms word gehou in die NG Kerksaal. Lede en besoekers geniet vooraf n koffie koffie/tee met verrigtinge wat om 15h00 begin.
Die byeenkoms is op Woensdag 6 November in die NG Kerksaal.
Die bespreking begin 15h00, maar ons kuier vooraf vanaf 14h30m. Besoekers is welkom teen R30 pp. Navrae: 084 900 9060
Local Takes Miss Teen Stellenbosch Crown
• stimulate active interest in geographical and environmental studies among young people;
BRUCE ACKERMAN
• contribute positively to debate about the importance of geography as a senior secondary school subject by drawing attention to the quality of geographical knowledge, skills and interests among young people;
Recapitulation This Month, Not Capitulation!
Navrae: 0729325393 Francois Smith se derde roman, “Die getuienis”, slaan ’n interessante nuwe rigting in, weg van sy twee vorige romans “Kamphoer” en “Die kleinste ramp denkbaar” waarmee hy reeds vir hom ’n beduidende plek in die Afrikaanse lettere oopgeskryf het.
“Die getuienis” vertel die verhaal van Retha en Gerbrand wat saam met hulle twee seuns by ’n Christelike bedieningsentrum êrens tussen Naboomspruit en Bela-Bela woon en werk. Retha behartig die sentrum se administrasie, spyseniering en kommunikasie op sosiale media; Gerhard bedien die Woord en lei seminare. Hulle beland per toeval daar nadat hulle lewe in Pretoria ineengestort het en hulle al hulle aardse besittings verloor het. Die woord “toeval” pas egter nie in hulle manier van dink en praat nie; wat hulle betref, is alles voorbeskik en deel van God (na wie hulle deurentyd verwys as “Vader”) se plan met hulle lewens.
Hospice News
Denecha Lukas, a Grade 11 student from La Motte who attends Franschhoek High School, was crowned Miss Teen Stellenbosch at the Annual Stellenbosch Pageant that took place on 12 October.
COLLEEN DOUGLAS
Text: Editorial Desk | Image: Bridge House School
‘Good Life’ in Franschhoek
As many Tatler readers absent themselves in warmer climes during our cooler months, this article is a recapitulation of some of our more significant initiatives undertaken since summer. The generosity of our donors ensures FRANCO does not capitulate in the quest to improve the lives of the financially challenged in our community as well improving the educational prospects of deserving local students by offering financial assistance. Our 2024 new tertiary education top-up bursary student intake started in February 2024 – in courses such as education, law, sociology, sports management, human relations, hospitality and theology. These are undertaken at Stellenbosch University and reputable colleges such as Boston, Optimi and Wellington. Secondary education is certainly not overlooked as we offer scholarships to local secondary schools to deserving learners who face financial difficulties in completing their schooling. Education has become FRANCO’s largest budget allocation, followed by community social welfare and related. FRANCO’s ‘focus’ is therefor on addressing present community needs but also to improve the gainful employment potential of many by giving them the vital opportunity of further education.
Often it’s the sense of community that makes Franschhoek what it is.
On Saturday evening, 11 June, community members gathered to celebrate a small but significant achievement for the South African cinematic arts and a large achievement for one Franschhoek resident. The celebration encompassed the resident’s birthday, love of animals and love of her community.
and is professionally staffed by teachers, social workers and trauma counsellors – all aided by our Manager and other facilitators. The aim is to keep our children away from the dangers of the streets and induce street children to return to school when the educational distance gap allows for it. It is heartening that of our first intake of 12 children, 3 already have returned to school. Visitors and local residents are strongly urged not to give money or food directly to street children as they are looked after 7/7 and what they receive typically fuels their older family members’ drug habits and exposes the children to great risks.
Our annual fund raiser in April featured flamenco dancing and dinner at La Cotte which was very well attended and proved extremely enjoyable. The proceeds of it were shared with local child protection organisation, ACVV.
filming. As the credits say, no children or animals were harmed in the making of the film.
Our NGO monthly meetings initiative where we come together and strategize, share initiatives, projects, challenges etc. has also been very much appreciated and proven to be a very effective and centralised coordination platform, especially when it comes to rapid first relief, as was the case in the July floods.
Alex Steyl rented out the Franschhoek Theatre to celebrate the new movie “Good Life” in which she plays the role of one of the spitting-mad Greek women who make the life of a South African Greek a misery. Olive, aged 35, (played by Erica Wessels) goes to Greece to unravel the secrets of her parents’ lives and to get over the humiliation of a cheating boyfriend. A young boy of 7, the child of an Albanian refugee, befriends her. In the best possible way, theirs is a friendship that helps them both.
Another initiative to support school attendance is our ongoing provision of shoes to schoolchildren in our Frankie Goes to School programme in association with local schools. Especially in the winter months, having inadequate footwear can deter a child from walking to school. This year over 650 pairs of shoes were distributed in all six schools in our valley.
Our monthly yard sales offer a much welcome shopping experience with second hand items available, which benefits people with low disposable incomes and also stimulates the local trader economy, as some of the items get purchased to be resold in other local markets.
Although fortunately not on the scale of the devastating floods in July 2023 and in particular in September last year, flooding in July necessitated much assistance to those affected from us in cooperation with other local authorities and NGOs. Like last year, our unemployment support group provided valuable remediation assistance to those whose homes and properties were damaged.
The entry requirement for the evening was a donation of cat or dog food for SHARF (Safe Hands Animal Rescue Franschhoek), a charity enthusiastically supported by Alex. Wine and popcorn –made instantly in an air fryer – made for a festive evening. Once everyone was seated, and theatre manager Pieter started the movie, there were warm cheers and enthusiastic clapping at each of Alex’s appearances.
In April we opened our Streetkids Centre which provides a haven for children previously begging on our streets. It operates daily and provides educational, recreational and other activities
Alongside the prestigious title, she was also awarded the 2024 Humanitarian Award for her outstanding community and social participation. Denecha has made a significant impact through her social projects, particularly her campaign, “Stuff the Trolley with School Supplies,” which stands as her most successful initiative to date. Through this effort, she has provided essential stationery to 10 institutions—five ECD centres and all five primary schools in Franschhoek.
Duke Coulbanis, a close Greek neighbour of Alex’s, with a calling to the Greek Orthodox Church, quips how he had to teach Alex to swear in Greek so she could appear authentically Greek. “Alex honoured me by asking me to help her with the Greek language. Not that they speak Greek in the movie, but Alex’s character needed to ‘swear under her breath’ at various people, and to add an air of authenticity, she wanted to know how to do so in Greek, and accompany it with any gestures that might be applicable.” Duke also holds the distinction of owning the cell phone that filmed Alex’s audition for the role at the local café, Fotini’s.
Celebrating Bastille? Franschhoek Hospice will be selling the following items on the 16th and 17th July at the village market and main road: Berets, Red, Royal and Navy – R 50 each, Pancakes – R10 each and freshly-baked Croissants filled with smoke salmon/trout and cream cheese – R50 – available on the veranda of the town hall.
Please diarise the following dates:
27 August – Nik Rabinowitz presents – “Unmuted” at Leopard’s Leap – R400 per person, incudes a delicious light supper. Tickets available from the hospice office. Limited seating, 120 seats only.
Additionally, Denecha has been actively involved in the La Motte Feeding Scheme, where she delivers food parcels to elderly residents every Thursday. Looking ahead, she aims to continue the stationery project, ensuring no child in Franschhoek goes without the necessary supplies in 2025. Currently, two trolleys are available for donations: one at Pick n Pay Franschhoek and another at Franschhoek High School. Donations in the form of gift cards or vouchers are also welcome, and can be dropped off at her home or with her grandmother, Charmaine, at PicknPay.
15 September – Reuben Riffel Golf Day in aid of Franschhoek Hospice at Pearl Valley Golf Estate. For details call hospice office.
7 October – Uncorked – at Leopard’s Leap. An evening of fun and dancing at our fabulous Hospice Hop. R 500 pp includes a delicious meal. Limited seating, 120 seats only.
Franschhoek Hospice patients need the following please: Roll-on deodorant for males and females, soaps, dark face cloths, tooth paste and toothbrushes. Please drop off at either Hospice House or the Hospice shop. There will be a box at both places waiting to We
Follow Denecha’s community work on her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ share/p/hoq3pemWnRVoFF6j/
Karate Tournament Success
Text: Editorial Desk | Image: Charlene Lukas
Hospice News
Taki’s, also Greek-owned, was the obvious choice for the movie-going friends to gather for a bite to eat after the movie was over.
Our annual midyear careers guidance day at Groendal Secondary School for those approaching the critical phase of subject choices was particularly successful, with many more vocational groups and educational institutions represented than last year.
The movie, ‘Good Life’, was written and directed by Bonnie Rodini. The movie took fourteen years to make, with the bulk of the shooting taking place during the Covid pandemic. The whole movie was shot around the Cape peninsula, with the Castle of Good Hope transformed into a Greek village. Clever editing with stock footage makes the scenery very
For further information on our activities or to provide some form of assistance, please contact our manager, Tzilka Watson on 060 374 0353 or visit our office at 5 Mark street, Groendal.
‘Good Life’ is a good South African story. According to Duke Coulbanis, it is authentically Greek too, with its myriad superstitions and long-held family grudges. The cast is all local actors and actresses, and all look quite Greek. Youngster Caleb Payne does a credible Albanian-speaking Greek with a heavy “H”. The audience knows that the watch, the well and the boy are significant story elements. There is underlying humour: Olive is an oral hygienist whose claim to fame is whitening teeth, and she has queues of desperate Greeks wanting whiter teeth; the wheelie bin affair keeps cropping up as an ongoing amusement; the ladies in the
Lukas
Samurai School of Karate Franschhoek which is housed at the Franschhoek Health Club since 2010 has surfaced again. The Franschhoek karate group hosted the second BASKA development tournament on Saturday 28 May 2022.
Colleen Douglas
Help Us Spread Holiday Cheer!
This year, we are preparing 50 Christmas boxes for our patients which we’ll distribute on 6 December 2024.
Thanks to our amazing volunteers these boxes will be filled with refreshments and treats and we’d love your help in adding some essential nonperishable items. We are kindly requesting donations of the following items: toothpastes, toothbrushes, roll-
on deodorants (for both men and women), darkcoloured facecloths, soaps, lotions
If you are able to donate any of these items, please drop them off at the Hospice House office between 08h30 – 13h30 from Monday to Friday, or for your convenience, you can drop them off at our Hospice Shop from 09h00 – 17h00, Monday to Friday and 09h00 – 13h00 on Saturdays. We kindly ask that donations are made by 5 December. Make a difference to someone’s Christmas this year! Thank you for your support!
The Hospice Team wishes our volunteers and the community who continue to support Franschhoek Hospice a Merry Christmas and a prosperous 2025.
SA’s top young geographer, Destin Bürgin.
FLTR: Franschhoek Health Club Manager Johan Viljoen, Champion and gold medalist Jayne Wunder and National Coach Sensei Chris Ensil.
FLTR: Front row: Sensei Chris Ensil, Amelie, Kayla, Melo, Ethan, Joda-Rose, Emiru and Curstley. Back row: Johan Viljoen, past karate student of Sensei Chris.
Pieter Pepler
Denecha
Dear Franschhoekers and friends of Franschhoek
Are you worried about the number of houses and flats in the village being used for Short Term Rental (STR) (e.g. AirBnB)? Does it affect you?
In August, a team of residents led by Pat Jacobs, conducted a survey of the use of all houses and flats in the village. It excluded the security estates but included the gated estates.
Out of a total of 592 houses and flats in the survey, 36% (213) were occupied by the owners or long term tenants, 5% were owner occupied and also used for Short Term Rental (STR), 44% (260) were only used for STR of which 207 (35% of the total) were used for STR illegally, and 15% (89) were “swallow” owned, unoccupied at the time of the survey and probably for most of the year.
The survey was a snapshot. There will be a variation in numbers at other times but it is unlikely to be significant.
As only 41% of the houses and flats in the village are occupied by permanent residents, the Franschhoek Heritage & Ratepayers Association (FHRPA) is opposed to any more being used for STR and would like to see the number reduced. It accepts STR as part of the
Dear Editor,
Banks Not Serious About Fraud Prevention
I’d like to relate my wife and my recent experience as victims of financial fraud, and the unacceptable way our bank treated it, in the hope that it’ll be a warning to others to be extremely careful. Nobody can be trusted anymore.
This is how it unfolded:
Out of the blue, my wife gets a phone call from someone pretending to be from the bank’s fraud department informing her that they observed an amount of R10,000 had been taken from our account to pay an Uber and that they believed this to be a fraudulent transaction.
My wife responded that she was grateful for the concern they showed us. Hereupon she was informed that apparently scammers are targeting people over 70.
A couple of weeks later she gets another anonymous phone call asking her to give them the account information they need for the fraud department to get the R10,000 transferred back into our account. Being under pressure and not expecting fraud she sadly gave them the information they needed.
We find it interesting that they knew our account had R100 000 in it, which confirms that the fraudsters have inside information, whether obtained through technical or human means .Why do banks not clearly inform us and boldly announce the danger to their clients of taking phone calls and that they should only respond to written instructions from their bank? They could devote some of their huge advertising budgets to this.
Also perplexing is that we constantly receive text notifications of R300 spent a Woolworths, etc. You would expect that when an amount of R100 000 is transferred into an unknown account it would result in a notification and set off a warning light somewhere
mix of tourist aaccommodations for our visitors but it must be fairly and effectively controlled. The short term letting of rooms to visitors in owner occupied houses and flats is to be welcomed.
It is now almost impossible to find a long term rental at almost any price in Franschhoek. A viable, thriving, sustainable village community and economy needs long term, permanent residents. They also create and sustain year-round employment instead of seasonal, occasional STR employment. We should know our neighbours.
The FHRPA has made a proposal to the municipality to limit the number of houses and flats in the village used for STR.
The STR Survey Report and the FHRPA’s STR Proposal are under the Short Term Rentals Tab on the FHRPA’s website - www.fhrpa.co.za.
Please let me know if you are worried about the number of STR houses and flats in the village or how STR use of them is affecting you and whether you have any comments on the FHRPA’s STR Proposal. Send me a WhatsApp on 083 441 8280 or an email to barryphillips505@gmail.com
Please also contact me if you own or manage STR properties in the village. I would also like to hear your views.
BarryPhillips FHRPA Co-Chair
in these fraud-rife times. How did this transaction get through their fraud prevention system?
We have the sense that the bank’s fraud departments are more concerned about protecting their business of making more money, than their clients’ interests.
My wife reported the fraud to the local police on 21 July and the Standard Bank Fraud Department opened a fraud case (No 050543). Since then, our desperate inquiries have only been met by automatic answering machines telling us to “please be patient.”
We were advised by colleagues who also experienced a fraud to contact our Standard Bank manager which we did through our estate’s financial manager, Adriaan Hauptfleish. He was told by Michael Swart that he would report it to the Fraud Department. Two weeks later, there was still no response. Adriaan took up the matter again and got the same answer “I will report it to our Fraud Department.” Nothing has materialised!
Our family has banked with Standard Bank for more than 40 years. During this time we built an estate that now employs more than 100 people – many of whom also bank with Standard Bank. One would expect some regard for long-standing clients. Instead the bank seems to have forgotten where its money comes from in the first place.
We believe this fraud wouldn’t have been possible without insider assistance. In such a highly computerised business such as a bank who is it that could authorise a R100 000 fraudulent transaction?
What happened to integrity? Who can we still trust, when we can’t even trust our banks with our hard-earned money?
Let this be a warning to everybody that reads this. You can no longer trust anybody when it comes to your money – apparently not even your bank.
Achim&HildegardvonArnim,CabrièreEstate
MiDO Foundation Develops Cyber Power Girls
The MiDO Foundation launched an exciting programme called Cyber Power Girls to develop responsible, confident and resilient digital citizens who can navigate the online world safely and responsibly.
This ten-week programme, launched in Women’s Month, is exclusively reserved for female learners between the ages of sixteen and twenty. Learners from Franschhoek Secondary School and Groendal Secondary are part of the group of 180 learners who were onboarded in August and have started the course.
“This programme not only creates valuable and essential technical skills to equip vulnerable girls to navigate the online world safely, it also creates an opportunity for girls who want to build a career and seek employment in the ICT sector”, says Michelle Swartland, Programme Co-ordinator for the Cyber Power Girls Programme.
The detrimental effect of cyberbullying demands effective solutions to equip girls with the muchneeded skills to navigate cyberspace and protect themselves from possible harm.
“We identified vulnerable girls in under-resourced communities as a huge risk, given the increasing cases of cyberbullying. Our approach to reduce this risk is an ecosystem approach where we place the problem in the middle and invite collaborators and partners to help solve the problem”, says Dale Simons, CEO of the MiDO Foundation. These partners include the Commonwealth Secretariat - Africa Cyber Fellowship
Editor’s Letter
Siegfried Schäfer
Dear Readers,
With summer on our doorstep, my thoughts invariably turn to staying cool. (I should declare that I’m more of a winter person than a summer person!) Growing up in the valley, staying cool in summer was seldom a problem. We lived in an old farmhouse with high ceilings, verandas and thick clay brick walls. The windows had wooden shutters and large oak trees shaded the werf. If things got really hot, a small farm dam offered respite. What goes unsaid in this is that our climate was milder when I was younger. We had distinct seasons then, rather than the winter/summer duality which seems to have taken hold now. Swelteringly hot spells were shorter and while it could rain for weeks (at least it felt that way!), the rains were gentler and seldom took the form of sudden torrential downpours.
When my family moved into a 1970s house in the village, it felt like an oven in summer and a freezer in winter. Much time and money was spent getting the place to a habitable temperature. The priority was to plant trees. The two large trees there had to go – one was an invasive species and the other one was planted right on top of a water line. Inexplicably, both were planted on the shady side of the house, leaving its barely-pitched roof and large north-facing windows exposed to the full force of the sun, as there were no verandas either... Next up were blinds for all the sunny-side windows and insulating the ceiling. Nothing could be done about the carport that trapped heat between the house and garage, other than to keep doors and windows on that side of the house firmly shut during the warmest part of the day.
Thankfully, building technology and design have improved since the 1970s – although sometimes it feels like we have to relearn things our grandparents knew… Improved materials such as thermally-efficient glass, radiant barriers and draft-free windows and doors have also greatly contributed to dealing with the challenges of living in the age of climate change. I have previously written about the benefits of trees, whether at the level of an individual plot of land, a neighbourhood or an entire city. A brief recap might be in order: Trees sequester carbon; reduce heatrelated medical visits, reduce energy usage and costs, reduce stormwater runoff, improve air quality, increase property values, increase biodiversity and improve mental health. Trees also counteract the urban heat island effect, i.e. the phenomenon that sees higher temperatures in urban areas than in surrounding rural areas. My list is probably not exhaustive, but I’m sure by now you realise that trees are good for more than shade. In view of the foregoing, I’m somewhat concerned that our new municipal parking area on the old tennis courts site doesn’t look like it’s going to be well supplied with trees. If they are going to plant trees, they’ll have to dig up substantial areas of their freshly compacted soil to give them a fair chance of surviving. Few or no trees will probably mean few cars, thus partly defeating the purpose of the exercise… Noël Coward famously sang “Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun.” I certainly share the sentiment! In summer I’m usually up by 05h00 and try to get as much productive work as possible completed before the temperature breaches 25 degrees Celsius. Thereafter both my mood and productivity spiral downwards and only start improving again when the sun is about to set. Come to think of it… the Spanish are on to a good thing with their siestas too Stay cool until next month!
DEADLINES - DECEMBER 2024 ISSUE
Bookings - 15 November 2024 | Artwork - 18 November 2024 | Editorial - 15 November 2024
They Did It Again!
Franschhoek’s two female karate stars did it again – performed brilliantly that is!
This time at the KSI National Karate Championship held at the Wynberg Military Base on Saturday, 31 August 2024. Their instructor Sensei Chris Ensil is justifiably proud of his charges. Curstley Williams (left) was crowned National Champion in her division and Jayne Wunder was the runner-up in her division. Both ladies achieved third place at the KSI World Championships last year. Jayne Wunder also recently returned from Estonia where she competed in the Kimura Shukokai European Karate Championship. She achieved third place in kata and second place in kumite. She will next be competing at the KSI
Sports Centre News
is responsible for implementing the training programme.
Text: Editorial Desk | Image: MiDO Foundation
ATHI NDAMANE
The Franschhoek Valley Community Sport Centre would like to share some sport highlights of 2024. During 2024 five of our players were selected to represent their federations.
Two of our players, Kim Charles and Hybre du Preez, were selected to be part of the Cape Winelands Netball development Under-19 team which participated in the Western Cape Women’s Tournament 2024.
Not to be outdone one of our male netball players, Thomas Riffel, was selected to represent the Cape Winelands male netball team that travelled to Gauteng to take part in the national championships. Male netball is something new at FVCSC and we joined the federation this year for competitive league matches.
The football players also had their talent recognised, as five of our under-15 players attended trials and two were selected to be part of the Stellenbosch Local Football Association. It didn’t end here as the players went on to represent the federation in the provincial talent identification hosted by SAFA Western Cape where Lisakhanya
Soviti was selected to represent the Western Cape SAFA team in Gauteng for the National Championships. We want to take this opportunity to express a special thanks to all those who contributed to these amazing achievements by our players: Hope Through Action NPC for the stunning facility that is giving the young people of Franschhoek the opportunity to showcase their talents; aQuelle natural spring water for assisting us with playing kit for netball and football; FRANCO NPO that supports the centre in most programmes and most recently covered the costs for our male netball player to travel to Gauteng and everyone that supports the Franschhoek Valley Community Sport Centre.
World Karate Championships in Finland next year. Text: Editorial Desk | Image: Supplied
Programme; participating schools in the Western Cape’s Boland, Winelands and Helderberg areas; the Western Cape Education Department; ROAR; KnowBe4 and MiDO Academy, which
Growing Young Leaders in Franschhoek
Learners from Bokamoso Education Trust participated in a leadership weekend retreat created by Orion Leadership Academy from 11 - 13 October at the spectacular Umami Mountain Retreat (owned by Simon Bowley) in Franschhoek. The retreat was titled “Heart Leaders” and focused on leadership, empowerment, and unlocking what it takes to be an authentic, purposeful, and courageous leader.
Bokamoso not only provides financial support as an education trust but also has developed a superb mentorship programme to assist their learners. They are partnering with Dr Kim du Preez, founder of Orion Leadership Academy, now based in Franschhoek.
The learners, ranging in age from 14 to 19 years old, were from The Calling Academy in Stellenbosch; Wynberg Boys and Wynberg Girls; Vista Nova and Camps Bay.
Cathrine du Toit (CEO of Bokamoso) said, “It was truly heartwarming to witness the difference in our beneficiaries from the Friday evening to the Sunday afternoon. From sharing our fears and dreams, to enjoying the art of drumming – every moment allowed for growth, creativity and fellowship. This weekend was transformational not only for the Bokamoso beneficiaries, but every volunteer and mentor involved. What a privilege to contribute to the empowerment and development of our youth.”
The programme was designed by Dr du Preez, who said, “Umami’s natural beauty is breathtaking and a weekend in nature with time for self-discovery, overcoming internal barriers, connecting to their heart’s inherent wisdom, and aligning with their life purpose was a powerful formula to unlock potential.”
Dr du Preez was assisted by a wonderful team. Megan Downie and Sara White from Bokamoso helped her facilitate the workshop. Two of the Bokamoso mentors, Sean Eady and Snethemba Mvelase, stayed in the camp with the learners to supervise; and a third Bokamoso mentor Erica Hannath, all contributed enormously to the success of the weekend. The learners were also fortunate to benefit from two exceptional guest speakers. Glad Dibetso, a Franschhoek resident, conveyed his vast wisdom learnt from his own miraculous journey by means of captivating storytelling. Glad’s powerful presence
Bullying Not Confined To Schools
Bullying and the terrible consequences that sometimes follow this unacceptable form of behaviour have been around for ages. What makes this worse in our current situation is that it frequently occurs via social media. Many people, not only adolescents, are addicted to these handheld sources of ‘information’. And often what appears in social media and purports to be the truth is quite simply accepted as such – the truth. Sadly, there is now enough evidence to show that much of the disinformation and ’truth’ that flies around are nothing more than a pack of lies dressed up to look like it comes from a credible source. Even more sadly, if this ‘truth’ goes viral then it is widely believed to be true because ‘everyone knows it to be true’! Verification of the facts is difficult and very few of us ever really take the trouble to check the source and factual basis of the story.
The young leaders and mentors that took part in the leadership weekend.
and his considerable ability to convey deeply felt life lessons in a relatable, heartfelt way ensured that the learners hung on every word he spoke. Fabrice Nahimana related his story of being a young child refugee from the DRC, orphaned and unable to speak English when he arrived in South Africa, overcoming much adversity. Today, he creates considerable impact through various projects and participates in several bursary organisations. Fabrice also conducted a group activity which cleverly highlighted leadership qualities in all the learners.
“Developing leaders in today’s youth is a powerful way of transforming our country and healing our land. The level of awareness displayed by these young leaders blew me away” said Dr du Preez, “and I am certain many of them will inspire positive change in the world. This weekend, grace met opportunity, and we were all elevated and by it.”
Text & Image: Orion Leadership Academy
This, in itself, is deeply problematic. Who has the time and expertise to do this? If the mainstream media publish the ’story’ as true, then it becomes even more deeply embedded in our daily reality and we will act accordingly.
This has scary consequences, especially for the individual/s concerned and for those around them.
Knowing that this type of behaviour exists is important. More important though, is what to do about it.
When I was at school, the way to deal with a bully was to give him some of his own medicine. A good punch on the nose usually did the trick. We no longer support that kind of response, but the principle is true. We cannot allow bullies to get away with bullying. We see it in all segments of society even at the highest political levels. There are several high-profile politicians who bully and bluster their way through life. They beat on the weak and vulnerable. They use their sycophants to perform some of their most obnoxious activities and they encourage the naïve and uneducated to behave inappropriately. We have seen this over and over. Poor students, unemployed people being duped into thinking that protesting or striking will magically change their lives. In the background the
La Luc Estate: Luxurious Age-in-Place
Living
Franschhoek’s property market has shown remarkable growth – prices have increased 110% over the past 10 years – with homes selling upwards of R10 million. Purchasing property in Franschhoek is a long-term, sustainable investment that has significant potential, say the developers of La Luc Estate.
Franschhoek is recognised as the food and wine capital of South Africa. Properties in the area have grown in popularity among local and international luxury home buyers over the past few years. The town is a globally celebrated gem – named one of the ‘World’s Greatest Places 2022’ by Time Magazine – it offers a luxury lifestyle beside outstanding natural beauty. Now it also offers an ideal investment for those who prefer the age-inplace retirement model that allows them to remain independent and active, living in a home that gives them the freedom to focus on their futures without inhibiting their privacy or personal choice.
“Today soon-to-be retirees want premium properties in well-maintained estates that blend privacy with community. La Luc Estate, a short walk from Franschhoek village, prioritises this shift in thinking. A lifestyle-oriented estate for individuals, semi-retired, retired or working remotely, who seek a sense of freedom and tranquillity it delivers both sophistication and connections,” says Emanuel Germanis, CEO of Revo Property.
Arguably the Estate’s strongest selling point is the freedom it offers potential buyers. The freehold homes are offered on the plot and plan model which is unusual for retirement estates. Prospective buyers can choose from several different home styles and stands that have been developed to create a homestead manor appeal with exceptional finishes but without the upkeep. Unlike many other retirement-focused properties in the area, La Luc Estate doesn’t expect people to step down or offer life rights in exchange for a retirement space.
“La Luc Estate is a pedigree retirement offering that is lifestyle oriented for those young at heart, promising owners the feel of a homestead manor house, but without the hassle of maintenance. Our properties are priced between R6.25 and
bully hides behind gratuitous smiles and insincere promises of good things to come.
It is this kind of behaviour that civil society and ordinary citizens like you and I need to stand up against and refuse to be bullied; or to back down when things become a bit rough as they sometimes do.
Quite frequently the bullying starts at quite a low, even benign level. Until it isn’t.
For this reason, we need to be alert to the possibilities of the unacceptable beginning to happen and to snap it off before it becomes imbedded and seen as ‘that is just how things are around here.’ We cannot allow this to happen in our communities.
We know, and it has oft been said that leaders do the right things and stand for what is right. This is a role we can all play no matter how small an impact we may think our standing up for what is right may mean.
There are good reasons why our Constitution starts with the words; “We the people.”
This country and all in it belong to us and we need to make sure that we act that way, and do not allow the bullies to behave like it belongs to them and to them only.
tony@siroccostrategy.com
R8.5 million and offer extraordinary views of the remarkable landscape,” continues Germanis. “Developed in partnership with top-tier property developer Staytus, La Luc Estate continues our investment into high-end properties in the region.” Staytus is a boutique-style developer, founded by Werner Roux and Handre Basson, with more than 50 years’ experience. “Our vision is driven by the joy of creating beautiful, enduring properties. Embracing innovation and thoughtful design, Staytus crafts homes and lifestyles that stand the test of time,” notes Dr Werner Roux, Staytus co-founder.
Every home in La Luc Estate is equipped with modern comforts that include air conditioning, a wood-burning fireplace, Oggie hardwood floors throughout, double-glazed windows for optimised insulation and quiet and sophisticated bathrooms that are equipped with underfloor heating and heated towel rails. The estate features 24-hour guarded security, sophisticated security systems and high-speed fibre connectivity, ensuring a tranquil sanctuary with top-end amenities.
All of the approvals for the estate are in place thanks to the relationships between Revo Property, Staytus and the relevant organisations and authorities. Revo Property is marketing this development through their Winelands office. The office is available to offer a full management solution, should buyers be interested in securing their future with this investment.
La Luc Estate is a holistic purchase into a dynamic future for those who want to live to their full potential while enjoying stunning natural beauty and a thriving community.
www.lalucestate.co.za
Text: Editorial Desk | Image: Supplied
ART Matters
The Gallery at Grande Provence
The current exhibition at The Gallery at Grande Provence is a solo exhibition by Elmarie van Straten, “Night Mares of Paradise.”
In her artist statement for this exhibition, she says: “This exhibition explores the duality of the world we inhabit, often seen as a divine paradise. However, upon closer inspection, subtle hints of a dystopian reality emerge – an undercurrent of crime and unsettling tension.”
Throughout her work, Van Straten has created arresting paintings of equine beauty and power. The striking brute force and elegant grace evoke her passion for life.
Van Straten’s inspiration is fueled by an insatiable thirst for adventure and exploration. Nature and all its contradictions, the man-made and the unexplored universe that is the imagination, shape her creative mind, space and world. Her distinctive style combines oil painting with neon signs for a contemporary and unique element in her work.
Van Straten completed her Fine Arts degree at the University of Stellenbosch in 2004. Her work is sought after by collectors from around the world.
Poetic Licence
HARRY OWEN
The gallery has selected artists by skill, confidence of expression and accomplished body of work over many years. The following are but a few of the artists in their collection, representing painting, mixed media, ceramics and sculpture.
Jaco Benade was born in the Northern Cape and studied Fine Arts at the Pretoria Technicon. He received a merit award at the Sasol New Signature competition in 1994 and has had several solo exhibitions and group shows. His beautifully executed oil portraits evoke nostalgia and an ethereal sense of being. They contain symbolic objects, revealing something about the person in the painting. They also reveal an accomplished and confident painter, with a deep sense of the character and emotions of the subject. One can often detect sadness, whimsical longing and tenderness. His work, precisely and sensitively, creates these beautiful enigmatic faces looking out at the observer…the observer being moved and recognizing the deep humanity.
Cobus Haupt is a full-time sculptor, based in Pretoria, where he studied Fine Art at the Tshwane University of Technology. Haupt’s figurative sculptures honour the classic Western sculptural tradition of working from a live model and creating clay forms. He then casts in bronze. As a fine art sculptor, he lovingly shapes and caresses his work into exquisite human bodies of flesh, bone and muscle. This transcends all art trends and fashion. His work imparts the textural imperfections of the
The temptation is strong to write about the observable this November – an incendiary US presidential election and the more literally explosive Guy Fawkes Night on the fifth – but that seems far too obvious. So I won’t succumb. Instead, I’d like to concentrate on pleasanter things – November birthdays. Winner of the Booker Prize for fiction in 2000 (for The Blind Assassin), Canadian writer Margaret Atwood (born 18 November 1939) is best known for her novels, perhaps most notably The Handmaid’s Tale – but she is also a prolific and highly talented poet. Always sharply perceptive about the human condition, and concerned, as I am, about the relationship we all share with the natural world, she frequently puts her finger unerringly on matters of profound importance to our species’ survival and expresses them with poetic precision. Here is one such poem, which I have included before, asking, ‘What do we truly own?’
The Moment
The moment when, after many years of hard work and a long voyage, you stand in the centre of your room, house, half-acre, square mile, island, country, knowing at last how you got there, and say, I own this, is the same moment the trees unloose their soft arms from around you, the birds take back their language, the cliffs fissure and collapse,
Death at the Sign of the Rook by Kate Atkinson.
Doubleday. 319 pages.
After five long years, Jackson Brodie, Kate Atkinson’s affectionate portrait of a British detective, is back. A former soldier, policeman and private eye, he is now retired and reluctantly takes on a new case of the theft of a Renaissance painting. As an added bonus to her devoted readers, Atkinson brings in Brodie’s protégé, Reggie Chase – now a detective in her own right. She, too, is on the track of a missing painting, a Turner, stolen from Lord and Lady Milton’s manor Burton Makepeace House. This manor has an annexe, Rook Hall, where most of the action will take place. Within the first couple of pages we are introduced to a typical Agatha Christie situation, the staple of a thousand other thrillers and TV mysteries, the Murder Mystery weekend. Both Brodie and Reggie have been invited to the event, while they combine forces to try and solve the theft of the paintings. But Atkinson has decided to parody this overused convention. The first step is to introduce the
casting process, which gives the work a tactile element. He has won numerous awards for his work, and his sculptures are held in the Webber Wenzel Collection. Cobus Haupt is a master at portraying the human body in all its complexity and form.
Joel Mamboka was born in 1990 in Kinshasa (DRC). He trained in painting at the local Academy of Fine Arts. His work celebrates the culture of the urban youth and the authenticity of his African heritage. Mamboka’s work uses African fabrics which is a memory of where he comes from and where he goes. His colourful and bold renditions of ‘La Sape - The Sappeurs’ flamboyant and fantastical way of dressing themselves is not just a fashion trend, but a way of being to this day. Mamboka finds the vibrancy of life in his bright colours, expressing exuberance and fun. When gazing at his work, one can hear the bustling street sounds, music, laughter and merriment.
Margot Rudolph is a professional ceramic artist who works mainly in stoneware. She combines vibrant colours in her bold works, drawing inspiration from indigenous plants and textures.
Margot emigrated from the Netherlands in 1982 and was struck by the vibrancy of the natural African landscape. She obtained her National Diploma in Ceramic Design at the Pretoria Technicon in 1986 and opened her studio in 1996. She uses stoneware clay and traditional coiling techniques, combining body colour glazes to capture an African sensibility.
the air moves back from you like a wave and you can’t breathe.
No, they whisper. You own nothing. You were a visitor, time after time climbing the hill, planting the flag, proclaiming. We never belonged to you. You never found us.
It was always the other way round.
MargaretAtwood from‘EatingFire’(Virago,1998)
Next, a fellow Liverpudlian. Roger McGough (born 9 November 1937) rose to prominence in the 1960s as one of The Liverpool Poets (with Adrian Henri and Brian Patten). Known for his quirky sense of fun and playful manipulation of language, for decades he has been a hugely popular writer, performer and broadcaster. Take the poem ‘Vegetarians’, for example (and I am one!) in which his typically mischievous world view is unmistakable:
Vegetarians
Vegetarians are cruel unthinking people. Everybody knows that a carrot screams when grated, that a peach bleeds when torn apart.
Do you believe an orange insensitive to thumbs gouging out its flesh?
That tomatoes spill their brains painlessly? Potatoes, skinned alive and boiled, the soil’s little lobsters.
Don’t tell me it doesn’t hurt when peas are ripped from their overcoats, the hide flayed off sprouts, cabbage shredded, onions beheaded. Throw in the trowel and lay down the hoe. Mow no more. Let my people go!
troupe of actors who will play the usual suspects. They are a hilarious bunch of misfits and egos that mistake the guests for the hosts and are unable to coordinate their scripts, adding to the existing mayhem among the visitors.
It is in this context that the detectives investigate the coincidental theft of the paintings. But, as Brodie always says, “A coincidence is just an explanation waiting to happen.” He starts by interviewing the faded household where the Renaissance painting was stolen. The author has a very grim view of the British high society and her sardonic description of the behaviour of the heirs to the painting is worthy of Evelyn Waugh. Brodie does learn that the prime suspect is the former housekeeper Melanie Hope, who disappeared at the same time as the painting. In the meantime Reggie has a found out that, two years earlier, the housekeeper at the Manor, Sophie Greenway, had disappeared at the same time as the Turner painting. Coincidence? We know what Brodie thinks.
However, the mystery of the disappearing paintings is only a bare skeleton that Atkinson has clothed with a ragtag collection of misfits and walk-ons, a miscellany of unorthodox, wayward individuals that lead lives not unlike the fictitious Murder Mystery characters. They occupy a lot of time and space. Yet they are such irresistible characters.
A lot of losing takes place. The Rev. Simon Cate loses his faith and his voice and he wanders around
Her work is bold and her functional vases stand as clay forms, competing with sculpture. The colours radiate from the round forms. Rudolph has won many awards for her work and has showcased her creations at regional and national exhibitions organized by Ceramics SA.
When visiting The Grand Provence Gallery, engage with the experienced curator Pieter Lategan and gallery manager Jean-Márie Olivier who will both give you sound information about the artworks and artists on display. The Gallery at Grande Provence Heritage Wine Estate also showcases exceptional sculpture in the beautifully designed gardens and courtyards. Visit their website at gpgallery.co.za
RogerMcGough from‘RogerMcGough;theCollectedPoems1959-2024’(Penguin, 2024)
And, finally, to my third November birthday. This one is not a poet’s birthday but that of a poet’s granddaughter (mine!).
When little Lia Boughey arrived on 7 November 2022 she was, as all newborns seem to be, almost too small and delicate to hold, so it was with both delight and trepidation that I did so. I didn’t know then just how tough she really was! When I saw her feet, my first impression was that they were too big for the rest of her body, rather like that wonderful, astonishing water bird, the African Jacana. Since then she has grown into them, of course, but the image found its way into the poem with which I celebrated her birth. I hope you like it.
Jacana for Lia Heavens acclaim the Jesus Bird because he descends to walk on water. Not true, of course, but watch him slip two elegant feet, toes slim as pencils, between lily pads, kissing the surface like a benediction. He’s delicate as air, miracle enough, no need for sacred marvels. Yet here you are, Lia, tiny bird, water-dancing spirit.
Africa has borne you, so where better now to blossom than this lily pond? Along the trail brash guineafowl, golden weavers, a spiralling buzzard applaud your birth: ‘Cheeping miracle,’ they call, ‘new-hatched Jacana, welcome to our world of song and sunlit wonders.’
HarryOwen from‘for…’ (Bicornis,2024)
the Manor forests, embracing trees and using sign language to dispense alms and provide forgiveness. Ben Jennings loses a leg in Afghanistan and then loses the meaning of life. Yet, all of this is done in a tone that is both affectionate, drily humorous and at times, laugh-out-loud funny.
In the end the Murder Mystery weekend brings together all the characters and all the suspects
(plus a real life killer with a real life gun) and a lot of redemption takes place. Meaning is found in life, the theft of the paintings is solved (sort of) and peace is restored.
The question is how can such chaos be so spellbinding? The answer is through the author’s wit, her dark sense of humour and her keen eye for social pretension.
CHARLOTTE VAN ZYL
Works by Cobus Haupt and Jaco Benade at The Gallery at Grande Provence
PLATTER GUIDES: Lifetime collection of Platter Wine Guides for sale. Every issue from highly sought-after first-ever 1980 edition to 2020 edition. All in excellent condition. R29k. WhatsApp 082 391 5327.
GARDENER: My name is Chimwemwe Mkandawire and I am a 36-year-old Malawian looking for a job as a gardener. I have 10 years’ experience in this profession. Please contact me on 078 038 3393. Need a PET/HOUSE-SITTER with good references?
Contact Ronelle @ 073 646 1687
RE-THINKING YOUR GARDEN? For Garden Consulting call Susan at 072 932 5393
PET / HOUSE SITTING: Tina Stanley. Trusted pet & house sitter in Franschoek, WC. Reliable care for your pets & home, ensuring peace of mind while you’re away. Contact 083 448 4951 for bookings & references.
RE-FIBRE GLASS YOUR POOL in any colour you like. Call RiaPools for a quote: 072 347 5355
ACCOMMODATION REQUIRED for quiet single lady with no pets, +-R5000/R7000pm ASAP Please contact Ronelle 073 646 1687
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 and pets. Your furry children may miss you but their environment and routines remain intact which is why we at Western Cape House Sitters will provide a perfect win-win for everyone... Peter Walsingham 082 822 4200 info@westerncapehousesitters.co.za
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 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 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
HOUSE/PET SITTER: I have worked with animals for over 20 years. I need to bring my 16-year-old dog with me. He sleeps all day and is not a barker. Fees are reasonable and references are available. Internet access essential. For further details call Rentia 072 324 3882.
Community Events
SPORT
FRANSCHHOEK TENNIS CLUB: Social tennis is played at the club on Fridays, Sundays and Public Holidays from 08h30. For more information contact Nicky. 082 455 6411
PARKRUN: Saturdays at Rickety Bridge Wine Estate. Time: 08h00. Cost: Free. Register at www.parkrun.co.za
CHURCH SERVICES
METHODIST CHURCH: Sunday service 10h00. Rev Russell Norman. 021 872 3580 or 082 662 4509.
NG KERK: Sondagdienste 09h30. Geen aanddiens. Ds Peet Bester. 021 876 2431. Besoekers welkom.New
Apostolic Church: Le Roux Street, Groendal. Sundays 09h00, Wednesdays 19h30. Rector: Charles Leibrandt.
ST GEORGE’S ANGLICAN CHURCH: Groot
Drakenstein. Sunday Services: Holy Communion and Sunday School 10h00. Revd Wilfred Meyer 084 407 1280. Office - 021 874 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!
UNITING REFORMED CHURCH: Sunday service 09h30. Dr Shaun Burrows. 021 876 2632. Visitors welcome.
GENERAL
Alcoholics Anonymous: WED evenings 19:00, Groendal Community Centre, Contact David +27 83 305 5159
Useful Numbers
ACCOUNTANTS
Tax Shop 021 876 2676
ATTORNEYS
Susan Charlesworth 021 876 2592/072 402 9469
Snipelisky & Killian 083 250 0943/021 876 2084
BURGLAR ALARMS
Pepler Alarms 021 876 3308
CLUBS & ASSOCIATIONS
Boland Bridge Club 021 876 3031
Franschhoek Tennis Club 078 278 4843
FHK Heritage & Ratepayers Ass. 083 441 8280 Groot Drakenstein Games Club 021 874 1906
- Craig Mc Naught: Captain 080 845 1014
- Lejean Pieterse, Hiring 082 490 0405 Lions 021 876 3775
Stb Masonic Lodge (Chris) 072 211 9991
Franschhoek Rotary Club 082 891 4613
Franschhoek Probus Club 021 876 3179
ELECTRICAL
Rensburg Electrical 021 876 2120/083 309 2923
HEALTH & BEAUTY
Franschhoek Pharmacy 021 876 2261
Franschhoek Health Club 021 876 3310
Karen Protheroe (Dietician) 082 925 0931
HOUSE & GARDEN
Clock Repairs 028 840 1716
Lighting & Accessories 021 876 3640
Ria Pools (Franschhoek)
Dalubuhle Primary School 021 876 3957
STORAGE
Franschhoek Storage 021 876 2174
TOURIST INFORMATION & SERVICES
Info Office 066 224 6360 / 073 688 9894
Huguenot Memorial Museum 021 876 2532
VETERINARY
Fhk Animal Clinic (plus surgery) 021 876 2504
Emergencies / Weekends 021 863 3187 / 082 8089 100
EMERGENCY NUMBERS
Stb Fire Dept. (Buildings) 021 808 8888
District Municipality(Bush & veld) 021 887 4446 021 886 9244
Police 10111/021 876 8061
Eskom 086 003 7566
Omnipage Farm Watch 021 852 3318
Plaaswag 021 876 2346
N1, N2 & R300 Emergency number: 021 946 1646
DENTISTS
Dr Schalk du Plessis 021 876 3070
DOCTORS
Dr Karin Eksteen 021 876 4622
Dr Alexander Heywood 021 876 2474
Dr Hannes Van der Merwe 066 100 6429
Dr Nicolas Els 021 876 2561
Dr Bernard Fisher 021 876 4622
AUDIOLOGIST
Audiologist Tracy-Ann Morris 084 264 0000
EMERGENCY MEDICAL RESPONSE
Medicare EMR 074 363 7744/021 876 4316
MUNICIPALITY
(Ward 1) Clr Pfeiffer (DA) 079 597 2765
(Ward 2) Clr
✓ Prime rural location with views
✓ Customisable 2- & 3-bedroom homes
✓ Onsite clubhouse & care centre
✓ Enhanced security
✓ High-speed fibre connectivity
✓ Loadshedding solutions available
✓ Pet-friendly community
✓ Development approvals in place
✓ Only 10% deposit required
✓ Bonds available to qualifying buyers
✓ No transfer duty & costs
✓ Priced from R6.245.000 to R8.485.000
REF# FWI1674145
189 HECTARE FARM ON 3 TITLES
Land and mountains as far as the eye can see and a rare opportunity to own a rather large piece of paradise in a picturesque corner of Franschhoek with easy proximity to Val de Vie and Pearl Valley Golf Estates as well as prestigious Bridge House Private School.
This unique farm extends over +-189 hectares and comprises three titles to be sold together as a single package. The land is bordered by breathtaking mountains and comprises approx. 40 ha of quality arable land cultivated to a number of plum varieties to suit the export market. Water is abundant with pumping rights from the river (fed by the Wemmershoek Dam) as well as a natural supply from the surrounding mountain streams and waterfalls.
Farm infrastructure comprises an extensive, fully equipped +-700 sqm pack shed, a 250
FEATURE PROPERTY FEATURE PROPERTY
LA PETITE PROVENCE
EXCLUSIVE MANDATE. This lovely ground floor apartment on La Petite Provence Estate hasbeen renovated to a high standard and tastefully decorated to create a stylish and calm sanctuary ideal for either permanent or lock-up-and-go living.
A well-appointed kitchen makes clever use of space and provides counter-seating and an open-plan layout. The lounge/ living area enjoys plenty of light, a fireplace and doors out to a private garden benefitting from high quality faux lawn and low maintenance hedges with a charming, treed outlook and mountain views.
Both bedrooms are carpeted and include built-in cupboards and a light, bright feel. The master bedroom benefits from doors directly to the garden and lovely views across the adjoining green belt.
sqm storage facility, 160 sqm cooling store and additional 450sqm storage area under roof. The property boasts high speed fibre as well as a back-up power supply.
A 4-bedroom farmhouse with mature gardens and swimming pool provides ample space for family living. In addition, four semidetached cottages are currently utilized for staff accommodation.
This is an ideal opportunity to enjoy the pleasures of a Franschhoek lifestyle and make it your own with multiple possibilities for farming, wine production, guest accommodation and/or equestrian.
Tom Clode 079 955 3114
Terry-Lee George 082 650 9194
R54.5 million plus VAT
A shared full bathroom has been updated to provide bath, shower, toilet and his-and-hers basins with lots of storage.
Also includes a dedicated, covered parking bay and a small private storage area. Furnishings can be negotiated. The estate does not permit short-term holiday rentals of less than 3 months.
Well located within walking distance of the village, these Sectional Title apartments benefit from security, a clubhouse, swimming pool, tennis court, kids play park and outdoor braai area. The estate is planted to vines and offers residents a private wine farm feel with space to enjoy scenic walks around the vineyards.
Tom Clode 079 955 3114
Terry-Lee George 082 650 9194 R3 395 000
LARGE 5 BEDROOM HOME ON L’AVENUE ESTATE
Cape Vernacular style residence boasting 630sqm of living space on a large stand of 6,105sqm (1.5acres) planted to vineyards and olive groves. Positioned on the low density L’avenue security estate, it offers privacy and country-like ambience. Double-volume lounge & dining area, separate large TV room. Semi-open plan kitchen with breakfast area. Covered veranda overlooking pool with mountain views. Bedroom wing features five bedrooms en-suite. Also includes double garage with laundry room and off-street parking.
Tom Clode 079 955 3114
23 HECTARE BOUTIQUE WINE FARM
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 breath taking views across the valley but within easy walking distance to Franschhoek Village. Plot size 3,183 sq m. No transfer duties are payable. Tom Clode 079 955 3114
EXCLUSIVE MANDATE. A rare opportunity to own this 23ha Boutique Farm and Winery in a spectacular setting overlooking the Franschhoek valley. This special property presents many revenue possibilities to support your dream lifestyle. Includes 120t wine production and cellaring facility with a 330m2 tasting and function venue. Five dwellings including a 4 bedroom main house and 3 bedroom farmhouse. This combination of natural beauty and a prized Franschhoek lifestyle is a unique opportunity for the right buyer. Tom Clode 079 955 3114
George 082 650 9194 R55 million plus VAT