Franschhoek Tatler - October 2022

Minister Wenger’s Tourism Month Tour Visits Franschhoek

On Friday, 9 September 2022, the Western Cape Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities, Mireille Wenger, continued her Tourism Month Tour by making a quick stop in Franschhoek.

Throughout September – Tourism Month – Minister Wenger visited various tourist attractions across the Western Cape to highlight the province’s tourism offerings. As tourism is a significant contributor to the provincial economy and supports hundreds of thousands of jobs across the Western Cape, Minister Wenger has encouraged South Africans to get out and explore all the province has to offer and to support the tourism and hospitality sector.

“The Cape Winelands district is breathtakingly beautiful which is why it is so popular with domestic and foreign tourists alike, who come to enjoy the rich heritage, outdoor activities, scenic drives, and wine tasting on offer,” said Minister Wenger.

“It has been so wonderful to hear from all the tourism spots I have visited so far that they are all expecting a bumper summer season, especially since we will be receiving 24 direct flights to Cape Town from the UK and a further 13 direct flights per week direct from the US.”

The Franschhoek leg of the visit also served to celebrate the town being named one of Time Magazine’s Top 50 Places in the World. Her visit started with a short ride on the Franschhoek Wine Tram, after which she visited Paul Siguqa’s Klein Goederust Wine Estate. Continuedonp2...

Gio’s Big Win

Polo Cup is considered the pinnacle of young racing talent in South Africa and Giordano is delighted to have won in his rookie season. “We had a perfect build-up and after scoring the closest pole position in a quarter century of Polo Cup, I made a good start and kept ahead with some big guns snapping at my heels. On a far more serious note, I dedicate my maiden victory to one of our sponsors and my biggest fan in Franschhoek, Malcolm Preston who passed away suddenly a few weeks ago. Malcolm has left a huge hole in our team and the Village. This one is for you, sir.”

Franschhoek driver Giordano Lupini fulfilled a lifelong dream when he raced his Bullion IT Volkswagen to victory in September’s national championship CompCare Polo Cup race at Killarney.

Text:

Abri van Zyl

Franschhoek Wine Valley board member, Dr Jeremy Davids, received a certificate on behalf of the tourism body from Western Cape Finance and Economic Opportunities Minister, Mireille Wenger. The certificate was in recognition of the town’s inclusion on Time Magazine’s list of Top 50 Places in the World.

Minister Wenger’s Tourism Month Tour Visits Franschhoek

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Klein Goederust is the first black-owned wine estate in Franschhoek and was specifically mentioned in the Time Magazine feature.

During the visit to Klein Goederust Minister Wenger presented a certificate to Franschhoek Wine Valley – the local tourism body – in recognition of the Time Magazine achievement. The certificate was received on FWV’s behalf by board member Dr Jeremy Davids, the head of the Franschhoek

Hospitality Academy.

To mark her visit to the valley, the Minister was presented with a gift from the winter range of the official Franschhoek clothing range, which was recently launched.

Minister Wenger was accompanied by the Deputy Mayor of Stellenbosch Municipality, Jeremy Fasser; the Stellenbosch Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Local Economic Development and Tourism, Rozette du Toit and the Stellenbosch MMC for Financial Services, Peter Johnston.

Text: Editorial Desk | Image: Connect Media

La Cotte Mill Restoration

The historic water mill on La Cotte Farm – one of only two left in the valley – is currently undergoing mechanical restoration. When the mill was restored by the Franschhoek Trust in 1986 only the building was restored. At the time only the water wheel and a small section of wall remained of the mill that was destroyed in a fire in the early twentieth century.

The mechanical restoration is being done by one of South Africa’s foremost mill experts, Elgin-based farmer and mechanical maestro, Andy Selfe. Andy is currently also undertaking the restoration of the only remaining working windmill in Africa, Mostert’s Mill in Mowbray, which burned down in April 2021, the day after a previous upgrade was completed, while he is also working on the mill at La Motte.

Andy says that the when he first saw the La Cotte mill some 12 years ago, the only mechanical parts to be found were a few bits of another mill that were stored in the mill’s attic and the original water wheel and part of the axle. The plan is to restore the mill back to working condition. To this end, many parts have to be recreated using a combination of Oregon pine, American white oak and French red oak. Among the parts being reconstructed are the rim of the six-spoke overshot wheel and its shaft, which was destroyed by a combination of fire and rot.

Mark Dendy Young, GM of La Cotte Farm, says “It is an honour for us to be the custodians of such a valuable piece of cultural heritage and we look forward to seeing it fully-restored and working again.”

Text & Image: Editorial Desk

Pay-to-Park One Step Closer

The timer has been set on a process that will result in the end of unlimited free parking in Huguenot Rd. Stellenbosch Town Council, at its August meeting, adopted a resolution that will see paid-for parking introduced in the 2023/2024 financial year.

The item that served before the Council noted that parking management – the implementation of parking fees, collection of fees and other associated tasks – is introduced where there is increased demand for parking and that this has been done in the Stellenbosch CBD since 2013. The post-COVID increase in commercial activity has meant that demand for parking in the Franschhoek CBD – and associated challenges – has also increased.

“By implementing a suitable model, charging appropriately set parking fees accompanied by effective enforcement, local economic development will be supported. The on-street parking in the Main Road of Franschhoek is better suited for the short-term parking management model, which allows for increased bay rotation, ensuring that regular parking turnover occurs

adjacent to business and shop fronts, benefiting these places of business,” the item noted.

It further stated that “off-street parking areas, which are better suited for long-term parking, are lower priced and normally located further away from commercial centres. The Municipality has provided an alternative, where free long-term parking is available behind the Town Hall, at the corner of Dirkie Uys and La Rochelle Streets.”

The Council’s intention will now be advertised for public comment. Implementation will however only be possible in the municipality’s 2023/2024 financial year, which starts on 1 July 2023. The reason is that current municipal tariff book doesn’t include a tariff for parking in Franschhoek and this tariff book, according to the Municipal Finance

New Sport Management Course

An exciting sport management course was launched at Wes-Eind Primary School on 19 September 2022.

It was the first time sport managers and practitioners from NGOs and government attended a sport management course which will lift their skills to new heights. The Foundation for Sport, Development and Peace partnered with Wes-Eind School to offer a two-day orientation for this SETA-accredited Higher Certificate Course which will run online over 8 months. This exciting development follows after various other initiatives where these two partners collaborated, including the implementation of an anti-bullying project.

The sport management course brought together sport practitioners from all over the province including Mossel Bay, Saldanha, Paarl, Cape Town

and Franschhoek to participate in this 8-month course. This exciting development allows sport practitioners such as coaches, sport administrators, district managers and sport officials to complete a NQF level 5 course that provides them with a qualification that also enables them to undertake further study.

The Foundation says it was excited to offer the course at West-Eind Primary School as the school has a great vision for the future in youth development and inclusion and as further collaboration will assist in supporting the school to reach new milestones.

Text & Image: Marion Keim

Management Act, can only be amended when a new municipal budget is compiled.

The municipality will also have to investigate the best way to provide the service, e.g. outsourcing or in-house and whether parking attendants will be used or smart parking meters. There is also the cash v no-cash consideration. Both in-house and outsourced solutions have proved difficult to manage and/or financially nonviable in the Stellenbosch CBD.

Village feelings about paid parking fall in two broad groups. The first see the convenience of free parking as a selling point for the village. The other sees paid parking as good for business as it promotes parking turnover and will displace self-appointed ‘car guards’. No doubt much debate on the topic will be had in local coffee houses! (Watch the municipal website and social media for the advertisement.)

Text & Image: Editorial Desk

Free parking: Enjoy it while you can!

Sport practitioners from all over the province attended the launch of a new sport management course at Wes-Eind Primary School.

The rim and shaft of the La Cotte mill’s wheel will be reconstructed as part of a full mechanical restoration.

Fowl Play and Horsing Around

Franschhoekers and tourists alike have had unusual experiences while walking down Huguenot Street. As they strolled along peacefully, their sidewalk tranquillity was interrupted by a small dog yapping at their heels. Upon whirling around to confront the canine, they’re surprised to find a portly man with a mischievous grin where the feisty canine was expected.

This prankster is thirty-six-year-old Paarl resident William Jafta who can impersonate the sounds of several animals with remarkable accuracy. He performs regularly in Franschhoek with a repertoire that includes a sheep, a kitten, a chicken and about a dozen other sounds.

William says a cat living on the farm where he grew up helped him to hone his first animal call. As a boy, he loved animals and enjoyed seeing the cat’s confused expressions whenever he mimicked its sounds. He soon tried the same trick on the farm’s dog and eventually a horse – where he was delighted to get the same reaction.

Since learning the sounds of a growing list of animals and with ample practice, videos of William’s talent have gained considerable attention online. At the time of writing, a video of William uploaded to the Cape Town Active YouTube channel has garnered more than twenty-five million views. His impersonations have also trended on international aggregate websites such as Reddit and Pinterest.

While he has left thousands of amused onlookers in stitches, William has also used his talent for charitable causes. He has made substantial donations towards

A New Handmade Aesthetic

Storm Topples Tree

The late winter storm that hit the valley on 3 September thankfully didn’t do too much damage. It did however claim a large eucalyptus tree in De Villiers Street as one of its victims. Fortunately, the only damage done was to gardens on the opposite side of the street to the tree. Fortunately the garden walls and fences managed to escape damage.

There are several old and large eucalyptus trees on the property of Weseind Primary School – most of them situated close to De Villiers Street. One of the remaining trees is of particular concern as if it were to fall it could do significant damage to properties. An area resident also expressed concern that if the tree were to fall in De Villiers Street school children at the bus stop near the tree could be hurt, or worse.

Residents notified Stellenbosch Municipality of the fallen tree and it was removed the next day. Discussions are now underway between the school, residents and municipality to have the other large eucalyptus tree either trimmed or removed before it has a chance to do any damage.

Inspired to design kitchen essentials from the timber offcuts of her husband’s carpentry business, ‘DouglasDesign’, Cindy founded ‘Coco Africa Design’. Finding that both of their product ranges are popular not only amongst South Africans but also among foreign clientele from the UK, USA, and Germany, the opening of their new shop offers an opportunity to showcase their kitchenware and furniture to a broader customerbase wishing to browse their beautifully-curated shop front.

Browsing the store is a wondrously sensory experience – from the earthy, welcoming scent of wood, to the sense of hominess and tactile qualities of the products – perusing the store is a pleasing multisensory experience. Needless to say each item – whether pestle and mortar, flower vase, serving board, salad spoons, candle holder, or a new furniture range – is a work of exquisite craftsmanship. Their creative styles are distinct, in many regards drawing on their surrounds for inspiration. Cindy notes that one of her serving boards (pictured alongside) is inspired a window at the Rhône homestead at Boschendal and the Burgundy gable in Franschhoek. Written on the serving board is ‘ANNO 1688’, marking the arrival of Huguenots in Franschhoek. Stuart’s furniture is, likewise, distinguished by the beautiful visible joinery – no fasteners allowed! His furniture is perfectly ergonomic and crafted from sustainably forested hardwoods.

It is well worth paying ‘Hand Made Life’ a visit, as you are guaranteed to find something both artistically

his youth feeding scheme in his community from the earnings he receives from performing.

When asked what animal sound he was working on next, William only smiled and said: “You’ll see.”

Text & Image: Pieter Naudé

William Jafta

Text: Editorial Desk | Image: Brian Moor

A late winter storm in early September blew over a large eucalyptus tree in De Villiers Street. Fortunately damage to properties was minimal and nobody was injured.

On 27 August, Cindy and Stuart Douglas celebrated the opening of their enchanting store, ‘Hand Made Life’, at 26 Huguenot Street, extending an invitation to the public to share a glass of bubbly on the occasion. ‘Hand Made Life’ offers an exquisite array of locally hand-crafted wooden items, both elegant and practical.

appealing and practical. You are also likely to feel inspired by the elegance of their products, and the mindful curation of the shop: a perfect addition to Franschhoek’s creative ethos and spirit.

Text & Image: Leila Shirley

‘Hand Made Life’ offers exquisitely-crafted wood products.

Vinyl and Wine

They don’t call themselves the Rebels of the Vine for no reason. Black Elephant Vintners do things differently, including tastings without the ceremony and pomp usually associated with the industry.

Traditional wine and cheese/food pairings are not what you will find at Black Elephant Vintners. Instead, you are invited to enjoy a carefully curated wine and music pairing on their beautiful farm. This novel approach to enhance the experience of wine tasting by utilising the senses of taste, touch, smell, sight and hearing is what distinguishes Black Elephant Vintners from the others.

Co-owner Kevin Swart says, “We believe in

enjoying wine and make wine for real people.” The bottom line? If you’re a real person you may wish to book for one of their Saturday morning Vinyl & Wine tastings.

Where: 40A Uitkyk Street, Franschhoek | When: Saturdays at 11h00 | Price: R150 – R200 | Bookings are essential.

rebels@bevintners.co.za | 021 876 2903

Haute Cabrière Chardonnay Réserve Launched

Haute Cabrière launched its new Chardonnay Réserve 2021 in mid-September – just in time for fans of their wines to stock up for summer!

Cabrière Estate is renowned for its Pierre Jourdan Cap Classiques and for creating wines made from Burgundian grape varieties. The Haute Cabrière Range is their collection of lifestyle wines, “made for life’s moments from lunch with friends, to sunset sessions and special occasions.” The three-wine reserve collection forms part of this range and now consists of a Pinot Noir Réserve, their pioneering Syrah and Pinot Blend – the Arnim Family Réserve, and the new Haute Cabrière Chardonnay Réserve.

Takuan von Arnim, now Director of Wine for Haute Cabrière, noted that the maiden 2021 vintage of this wine is of particular importance as it extends their wine portfolio grown in the Franschhoek appellation. “As a winery founded in Franschhoek four decades ago, we are committed to expressing the uniqueness of the Franschhoek terroir and to further the valley’s reputation as one of South Africa’s leading wine regions in terms of quality and provenance,” says Takuan. “We have always been captivated by Chardonnay and its ability to viscerally capture the sense of the geographical place where it is grown.”

Newly-promoted cellarmaster Tim Hoek says, “The Chardonnay Réserve showcases the quality achievable in the Franschhoek Valley. Our diverse soils, mountainous terrain and attention to detail

in the cellar lead to a balanced wine that stands proud in our Haute Cabrière Range.”

The grapes for the Haute Cabrière Chardonnay Réserve originate from two sites. The first is a vineyard planted in 1983 and the second is a block established in 2003. The vines are rooted in sandy loam soil, which includes silt and clay elements providing excellent drainage and a firm nutrient bed for the vines’ roots.

“Our region barely constitutes one per cent of South Africa’s national vineyards, but the collective aim of Franschhoek’s wine cellars is to ensure that each glass of wine from the valley is of premium quality reflecting the region’s exceptional aspects,” says Tim.

“One of these characteristics is diversity – no two Franschhoek vineyards are alike. As Haute Cabrière’s maiden Chardonnay Réserve shows, each vineyard parcel in the region has distinct elements showing a unique fingerprint of excellence.”

Following harvest from these specially selected sites, grapes were sorted, pressed, and fermentation was completed with a “sauvage” yeast, a natural yeast that has been isolated. With freshness and complexity regarded as characteristics best for expressing terroir through Chardonnay, Tim says the wine is the result of two vastly different maturation

components. “For depth of flavour and complexity, Chardonnay requires time in barrel,” he says. “A combination of 2nd, 3rd and 4th fill French oak barrels were used for ageing 60% of the Chardonnay for 11 months. The use of wood allows the wine to form structure and palate weight, elements required to magnify the delicate fruit, floral and nutty characters for which the variety is known.”

The unwooded 40% element was kept in stainless steel tanks on its lees, for the same 11 months, before being blended with the barrelaged component. “The unwooded element brings added energy and brightness to the wine, creating a Chardonnay that we see as a precise reflection of terroir offering the myriad of elements and features which mark Chardonnay as a great wine grape,” says Tim. “The Haute Cabrière Chardonnay Réserve shows zesty citrus notes complemented by an austere minerality with persistence on the palate, depth and a lasting finish.”

The wine is ready for drinking now, but true to the character of fine Chardonnay, it will gain added complexity and bring more flavour elements to the fore if aged over the next five to 10 years. It is available from Haute Cabrière’s cellar door, online store and select retailers nationwide just in time for the summer months. Serve chilled.

Text: Editorial Desk | Image: Supplied

The ‘Rebels of the Vine’ FLTR: Jacques Wentzel, Raymond Ndlovu and Kevin Swart.

Tim Atkin awarded the maiden Haute Cabrière Chardonnay Réserve 2021 90 Points in his 2022 SA Wine Report.

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A couple of years ago I was invited to attend a meeting at the 67 Pall Mall Club, London. The address was special enough but the club was even more special.

The 67 Pall Mall Club is specifically for wine lovers. It was chartered by wine lovers for wine lovers, to share knowledge and education.

Here, in a rarefied atmosphere, you could sip, savour and purchase wines from around the world. And not just by the bottle. Their iconic wines are also available by the glass. I noted that there were three vintages – 1965, 1990 and 1994 – of the much celebrated Bordeaux Chateau Petrus available by the glass. Knowing that a bottle would set one back literally thousands of Rand, I managed to suppress my craving, not even bothering to ask.

Of course, there are precious few places on earth where one may purchase a Petrus so it came as a pleasant surprise to find that two vintages of this precious liquid are listed at a Franschhoek restaurant. It was no surprise to find that the prices were ‘appropriate’.

Tucked between Peacock Blue and Invincible, lies the old Café Franschhoek, now re-named Franschhoek Café. When its metamorphosis to

a newly-decorated eaterie is completed it will be singularly appropriate to the products of our valley.

Their wine list has some carefully chosen names including foreign labels, with Chateau Petrus among others. Rest assured, the kitchen is quite capable of providing matching cuisine. Sommelier Ricardo has taken matters even further with their ‘Winemaker for a Day’ project, an invitation to the cellar and a wine blending experience.

Happily, the new eaterie is not unique in the valley in its quality wine offering as similar wines are also available from La Cotte Inn Wine Sales just down the road. Their international display ensures that they are often regarded as the top wine shop in South Africa. Such is the stature of this emporium that wines are traded on an international scale.

A visit to the underground cellar will bring back memories of Mediterranean sunshine and vineyard visits from Bordeaux to California. I was pleasantly surprised to find a bottle of my favourite American cult wine, ‘Screaming Eagle’ (not to be confused with the ‘Squawking Magpie’ from New Zealand’s North Island!). Prices range from that of local table wines to that of a new car. The emphasis is on promoting local valley wines so that one may find earlier vintages long thought consumed. Give yourself time to explore their unique experience.

All this is a fitting start to our first post-Covid summer and a welcome note to visitors who wish to sample life in what Time magazine regards as one of the “World’s Greatest Places.” Cheers!

We stock a full range of Midas, environmentally friendly paints (water and oil based) and Earthcote specialised, textured trowel-on and brush-on products for wall and floor surfaces (300 colours to choose from).

We also stock Thales Decontamination Solution for treating fungus and anti-fungal additives to add to all paints.

We also stock waterproofing products, Weatherprufe and Eco Rubber, Rolls of torch-on (3mm & 4mm) and various sizes of waterproofing membrane. Plascon water and oil-based paints. Hamilton’s and Academy paint brushes, rollers, trays and tray-sets, crack fillers, sand-paper, masking and buff tapes, turpentine, lacquer thinners, putty and a full range of drop sheets and rolls of plastic to cover floors and furniture. For DIY enthusiasts, we stock ladders, overalls and drop sheets.

We also stock a full range of Woodoc ‘food for wood’ in various colours and a full range of Duram products, including Duram Roof paints in various colours and Duram Showfloor Polyurethane floor paint, also in assorted colours.

We can also supply twin pack epoxy paints for specialised applications.

All textures and colours are on show in our showroom. Pop in and have a coffee with us, whilst leisurely selecting your paints and colours.

For FREE technical advice, paint specifications and quotations contact Paul 082 567 6162

hamilton’s

Mark Tanner

GR! Toyota’s Corolla Cross Gets Angry!

Toyota’s family favourite Corolla Cross is the latest model in the range to benefit from the Gazoo treatment.

Toyota’s Gazoo line-up straddles four levels; GR Parts and GR-S, which like this car, the Land Cruiser 300 and an upcoming Hilux model, offer cosmetic and dynamic tweaks. Next up are the GR performance models like GR Yaris, GR Supra and the imminent GR86. And then GRMN represents the highest echelon of pure GR performance.

The Car of the Year 2022 Corolla Cross, which also returned Toyota to the top of the passenger-vehicle sales charts, has a GR-S model too. Far more than just a pretty face, it gets performance-tuned dampers and coil springs and a tweaked power steering to ‘amp up dynamic performance without detracting from comfort.’

We took one for a short spin along the Cape’s finest roads and the changes were immediately noticeable. We found the regular petrol RX model a tad distant, its steering wooden. Well, this one’s noticeably better. The pick of the bunch, in fact, Corolla Cross gets it done without compromise. Not quite perfect, but certainly a good step forward.

Nothing else changes under the skin over the petrol XR version. The 103 kW 172 Nm 1.8-litre petrol engine still turns a seven-step CVT ‘to simulate a close-ratio transmission’. Even if it’s quicker in plain old droning CVT mode. Toyota claims 6.8 l/100 km on the combined cycle. Expect to use closer to nine in the real world.

We quite like all that mascara, rouge and lipstick. Or is that rather a trademark ‘GR Mesh’ grille, black 18” alloys and gloss black trim spreading across the car. What’s not black comes in your pick of red, grey or white. Corolla Cross GR-S certainly looks the part. Well stocked too, there’s LED lighting, powerretractable wing mirrors, rain-sensing wipers and keyless entry.

GR-S adds a dash of flair to the regular, svelte Corolla Cross cabin. Snazzy red contraststitched black leather gets bold GR-embossed front headrests. A chunky, matching 3-spoke mutifunction steering wheel and multi-info display

dash matches piano black detailing and a bold red accent line crossing the dash to caress dual-zone climate control vents each side.

Full smartphone sync touchscreen infotainment has Bluetooth and multiple USBs, a reverse camera and distance control. Add LED ambient lighting, one-touch power windows and cruise control. Safety Sense adds adaptive cruise control, blind spot, lane trace and pre-collision warning, ABS and EBD with Brake Assist, Hill Assist VSC, ISOFIX and all the airbags.

Corolla Cross 1.8i GR-S now tops the petrol range at R453K complete with a 6-service 90,000 km service plan at 15,000 km intervals and 3-year 100,000 km warranty, all upgradable at any of Toyota’s 220 dealerships. Add Toyota Connect with 15 Gb free Wi-Fi data, telematics and MyToyota features.

We’ve enjoyed the Toyota Corolla Cross from the outset. It’s likely to quicky regain that top selling passenger vehicle slot as Toyota SA ramps up again following the April flood fiasco. So, considering all that the GR-S model represents, the combined range will now be even harder to beat. As that say, everything just keeps going right…

AVANTI

Studebaker had been in trouble since the early 1950s as a result of its high-paid labour force contributing towards its products being comparatively expensive to build when compared with those GM,Ford and Chrysler. A wages pay cut saved jobs and a merger with Packard kept the brand alive, but clearly all was not well. Then in 1961, Sherwood Egbert took over as president with the aim of reviving Studebaker’s flagging fortunes. With no experience of the motor industry, he decided to stimulate the business with a radical new car that he reportedly sketched out on a air trip, and called in Raymond Loewy to oversee design of the ‘personal luxury coupé’.

Studebaker’s directors approved the company’s first all-new body style since 1953. Named Avanti – Italian for ‘forward’ – the decision was taken to base the car on the chassis of the Studebaker Lark Daytona convertible and produce the body in glass fibre. Under the bonnet, a 4735cc V8 was fitted mated with either a three-speed manual or PowerShift automatic. Suspension was by upper and lower A-arms with coil springs at the front, and a solid axle on semi-elliptic leaf springs at the rear. Bendix-Dunlop caliper disc brakes were fitted up front – a first for an American car.

The Avanti debuted at the 1962 New York International Motor Show. FMM’s car is one of the 1964 square-headlight Avantis fitted with an optional four-speed all-synchromesh manual ’box. The doors are bulky and open up to reveal an interior that is light and roomy. A neat touch is a panel in the rear parcel shelf that opens up to give access to the boot. Pleated leather adorns the seats, door panels and facia with wood veneer used for the two-spoke steering

wheel rim, the eight-dial instrument binnacle, the tunnel console and even the radio. Aircraft-style switchgear sprouts from the console and heating and lighting buttons are mounted in a panel in the windscreen header rail.

Twist the key and the motor fires up with a healthy rumble. Torque is strong from low down and the car really does have a Gran Turismo feel to it. The gearshift is a delight, having short throws with a well defined gate. Running on Halibrand alloy wheels with fake spinners, the steering is a little heavy when manoeuvring but improves as speed rises. Ride is comfortable and the car feels all of a piece, but the car’s dated chassis offers little finesse in the handling department.

Despite the Avanti’s promise and Studebaker’s “From the Advanced Thinking of the Studebaker Corporation” advertising, there were continual build quality problems that hampered sales. Little was changed over the Avanti’s life, save for a switch from round to square headlights for the last 750 models before production ceased in 1964 with a build total of just 4643 cars. “Avanti: The Maximum Automobile” was a gallant but illfated project that deserved greater reward.

FMM’s 1964 Studebaker Avanti is currently on view in Hall D.

RHONDA THE HONDA

In the late-’70s and 1980s, the single-cylinder dualpurpose motorcycle market in South Africa was primarily dominated by Honda and Yamaha, and the XL was a dual purpose but more street-focused machine powered by Honda’s remarkable and almost bullet-proof big-bore, single cylinder 497cc engine. In 2021, Barry and Delicia Sayer very kindly donated their lovingly-cared-for 1983 Honda XL500s, which they had christened Rhonda the Honda. Other than a gummed-up carburettor and a flat battery, this one-owner machine was in perfect health and fired up without too much fuss and ran like a dream.

The fact that everything still works is testament to Honda’s build quality and Barry’s love and caring for Rhonda over the years. The motorcycle is still very solid and the handling is nothing remarkable or unpredictable, with

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: R80 adults, R60 pensioners and motor club members (with membership ID), R40

every noise and vibration of the classic 23inch front and 18-inch rear knobbly tyres again being oh so familiar. These classic bikes are just a pleasure to ride in traffic as they are narrow and light, making them super manoeuvrable in tight traffic conditions. The all- drum brakes are more than capable of retarding the 140 kg XL.

Rhonda the Honda is currently on display in Hall D.

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

New Sponsor for Clean-up Crew

Franschhoek’s privately-funded clean-up crew has a new sponsor. Terbodore Coffee Roasters have joined the fold.

The Franschhoek Clean-up crew does areacleaning in areas where Stellenbosch Municipality does not have jurisdiction, such as the Robertsvlei and Dassenberg Roads and Berg River Dam surrounds.

Franschhoek Signs has been a loyal supporter of the clean-up crew and is still keeping the decals on their vehicle up to date at no charge.

If you’d also like to assist please call Paul Silberman on 082 567 6162.

Franschhoek Wine Valley News

RUTH McCOURT

With spring come all the signs of growth and flourishing life in our picturesque village.

Any month that begins with the popping of corks is a great start in our books! From celebrating the Cap Classique Route and all 25 participating wine estates of our beautiful valley to longer days and many a diary highlight – it’s starting to feel like summer is on its sunny way.

A much anticipated highlight on our radar, and the first of hopefully many an annual celebration, is the ‘Culinary Collective’ set for 28 October at Leopard’s Leap Family Vineyards.

Delivering on our namesake as the crown jewel of SA’s foodie scene, this new showcase of our chefs’ brilliance is an ode to all things local, with the spotlight firmly on winemakers and produce grown right on our doorstep.

Expect industry icons like Reuben Riffel, David Schneider, Darren Badenhorst, Richard Carstens and Chris Erasmus proudly at the forefront of this year’s line-up, as the conversation turns to the origins of honest, good food.

From lavish, five-course lunches to lush greenery at Franschhoek Open Gardens, the last weekend in October offers the chance for all botanists and ‘green fingers’ to stroll through ten of our unique and glorious gardens.

Probus Club

MARK TANNER

Our October speaker is UCT Prof Jenny Day.  Her subject is, ‘The Feminisation of the Environment’ an eye-opening talk on facts about what our water contains.

For any further information please contact Mark Tanner on 082 773 9217.

What is Probus all about?

In South Africa, there is a rapidly growing number of Probus Clubs, which offer retirees the facility to manage successfully the transition from a high-pressure executive, professional and other vocational activity to a calmer way of life. This is achieved through these valuable features

Finally, those feeling a little daring can add some spontaneity to their calendars - thanks to our last ‘Mystery Weekend’ of 2022!

Your experience starts with an exclusive (and unconventional) ‘check-in’ where you’ll unbox some of the weekend fun to follow. Get booking now - 30 Sept – 2 October 2022!

We look forward to seeing you soon in the valley of dreams!

of membership:

• Opportunities to extend compatible social contacts and maintain an interest in the topical issues of the day.

• Nurturing positive attitudes to ageing through group recreation and the sharing of information on issues of concern to Senior Citizens.

• Support in grief and illness.

• Speakers at monthly luncheons who provide a fresh mental challenge and stimulation.

• We are a-political and non-sectarian

• We are mindful of the fact that costs are an important consideration. Membership fees, therefore, are kept to a minimum; while monthly luncheon costs vary.

• Probus is not a Service/Fund Raising organization.

For more information please contact Mark Tanner on 082 773 9217.

Go Blue for Blake!

The event included social bowls for the day with supporting activities like a cake table, boerewors rolls, guess the number of sweets, face painting, bowls apparel sales and corner-to-corner activities. A magnum bottle of Rickety Bridge wine and signed Western Province rugby jersey, donated by Jolinda & John Dobson, were also auctioned.

Ten teams of four each entered the tournament. Two sets of ten ends were played. The blue theme for the day was strongly in evidence. All the teams had blue in their names, blue balloons decorated the clubhouse, everyone was dressed in blue and the day’s playlist featured songs with blue in the title. Midnight Blue, from Milnerton Bowling Club, won the first prize. Second prize went to Jagger Blue and

third prize to Super Blue. Rickety Bridge donated bottles of wine and The Country Club Bonnievale wine, ice buckets and beer as prizes. The winning team also received their entry fees back. The award for best dressed team went to Super Blue.

At the end of a worthwhile day, R12 080 was handed over to Blake’s family.

The club wishes to thank Rickety Bridge, The Country Club and all the other supporters that provided prizes, donations and time towards this fantastic event. Participants in the event are thanked for their kindness, good sportsmanship and willing attitude towards the fundraiser.

Text & Image: FBCC

Entrepreneurship Training Initiative Continues

Last year the Franschhoek Hospitality Academy gained the rights and underwent training to present the United Nations International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) Entrepreneurship Training Programme. The programme is offered in over 30 countries around the world.

The Val de Vie Foundation very generously offered to sponsor the initiative. As a result entrepreneurship now forms part of the Hospitality Academy curriculum and has been enthusiastically received by the students.

The Academy always intended to offer this training to the wider community too. Although plenty of interest resulted advertising it, no sign-ups took place. The Academy concluded that despite the minimal cost involved, people felt they could not justify the extra expenditure in these difficult times.

It was time for a different approach. Small and micro business owners, ranging from dressmakers to handimen, were asked if they would be interested in learning about business structure and planning and the principles of ensuring a sustainable, successful business. Nine owners signed up for the eight-week course and are embracing every component of the training. None had formally registered their businesses before. The training showed them how to do this.

Typical comments in class are:

“I would never have thought of putting my business on paper before,”

“This is the first time that I have ever discussed my business with other people who are in business,”

“I am learning so much from the course and my classmates. I am getting so many new ideas. I never

realized before that I can also sell online,”

“I wish I had known all this when I started my business. The mistakes I have made are so clear to me now”.

The Franschhoek Hospitality Academy intends to continue to offer this training to the wider community and is extremely grateful to Val de Vie Foundation for its continued support.

For more information, contact shaneill@fhalc.co.za, or visit the academy’s website or social media pages.

Desk

The Franschhoek Bowling and Country Club hosted a “Go Blue for Blake” fundraiser on Saturday, 20 August 2022. Blake is the child of club members, Loryn and Ryno White, who need financial support for specialised medical procedures associated with Blake’s Autism and Asperger’s syndrome.

Blue outfits and decor were the order of the day

Entrepreneurship students get to grips with formalising their businesses

On Saturday, 10 September, Watershed Animal Rescue was once again in the Groendal/Langrug area to sponsor and assist with a sterilisation outreach project for the area’s neglected animals. With the amazing help of Envirovet, Dr Annelize Roos and her team, we were able to sterilise 65 dogs and cats, treat for ticks and fleas, vaccinate the pups and vaccinate for rabies. Juani and her formidable team from Safe Hands Animal Rescue Franschhoek (SHARF) worked tirelessly to get the animals to and from their homes from 07h00 until past 21h00. Two lots load shedding did not make things easier… We worked side-by-side to ensure each animal was handled and taken back safely. There were many walk-ins as well. It made us very happy to see that there are people wanting to have their animals spayed and neutered.

It takes a lot to organise a sterilisation day like this and we could not do it without our amazing sponsors that provide funding ,dog and cat food and assist where they can. In order for us to do the work we do, we all need to work as a team and help each other help those less fortunate. Thanks are due to Groendal High School for the venue, We Wash for all laundry requirements, Franschhoek Storage for trailer hire (once again), Kim Nicolay for emergency lighting, Franschhoek SPCA for crates and Annette Phillips for blue drum kennels. Donations are always needed as each spay/neuter costs us more or less R500. With the amount of animals done (we do not turn anyone away), paying for medication/vaccinations etc. and some food

that was not sponsored, Watershed Animal Rescue has very nearly depleted their funds. Working as a team with Safe Hands is important to us and if we can assist them with alleviating some of their expenses by helping with sterilisation campaigns, we do this gladly.

If you would like to assist and sponsor a spay in the Franschhoek area, please contact Juani from SHARF on 076 327 4939. Please help this organisation that is doing wonderful work in the community to carry on bringing about change in these neglected areas.

We will see you next year again for another Watershed sponsored outreach sterilisation.

BANKING DETAILS: Safe Hands Animal Rescue Franschhoek: FNB: Branch Paarl 200110: Account: 628362030765

“Protect, Rescue, Adopt, Repeat”

Stephne Jackson (Watershed Animal Rescue)

Providing Cultural Inspiration

The Franschhoek Theatre, on the grounds of Franschhoek High School, will be celebrating its fourth anniversary in November. The Tatler sent a correspondent to get the story.

The historic building housing the Franschhoek Theatre has served various functions over the years. It started as the school’s library – built to celebrate the school’s centenary in 1950. Later it was used as an archive, computer lab and storeroom. Before it was expertly converted into a quaint independent cinema in November 2018, it was in a rather bad way with missing roof tiles, ruined parquet floors and peeling (yellow) paint.

Its current use has proved to be an excellent decision, as it is popular amongst Franschhoekers as both a cinema and a venue for everything from performances to parties and presentations.

While the alterations and additions are distinctly contemporary, they pay homage to the venue’s eclectic art deco architecture. The atmosphere is casual yet elegant and provides one with a tantalizing sense of occasion, an experience that starts with a friendly welcome on arrival.

Watching a much-loved classic or an exciting new release on a big screen has been a beloved activity for Franschhoekers ever since The Screening Room opened at Le Quartier François more than 20 years ago. When it closed in 2016, four culturallyinclined locals set about raising the funds needed to ensure Franschhoek retains its cinema. Thanks to the help of dozens of supporters, whose contributions are acknowledged on seatbacks and wall plaques, locals (and tourists who are privy to this hidden treasure) still have a wonderful source of sophisticated entertainment.

The theatre is a great example of what can be

done when like-minded people work together for a common cause. In the words of one of the founders, “We knew this would be a culturally rather than financially rewarding endeavour! Working with our supporters we saved a wonderful village amenity, restored a historically-significant building, gave a home to the school’s archive and managed to keep the doors open for four turbulent years. No doubt, we’ll have to keep reinventing ourselves to remain relevant but we’re up for it and Franschhoek deserves it!”

The theatre is open from Wednesdays to Sundays each week and warmly welcomes both locals and visitors. To learn more about what’s on, visit www.franschhoektheatre.co.za where you can inquire, book to attend a show, and subscribe to a newsletter informing you each week of what’s gracing the theatre’s screen.

Text: Leila Shirley | Image: Editorial Desk 15 Akademie St | 067 314 4059 (after 16h00) | hello@franschhoektheatre.co.za

Editor’s Letter

Siegfried Schäfer

Dear Readers,

If the new British monarch is to be believed he will henceforth refrain from controversy. In a way, that’s a pity as his critiques of modernist architecture, in particular, have been quite memorable.

Who can forget the 1984 award reception at the Royal Institute of British Architects, where he broke from expectations and rather than toasting the honouree he instead characterised a proposed addition for the National Gallery as, “a monstrous carbuncle on the face of a muchloved and elegant friend.” The design was nixed, but the remark inspired the Carbuncle Cup – an award for ugly buildings.

A brutalist library in Birmingham, the thenprince said, looked like “a place where books are incinerated, not kept.” A reading room for the British Library the prince described as “an assembly hall of an academy for secret police.”

Another Brutalist target of the prince’s ire was the Royal National Theatre complex. It was “a clever way of building a nuclear power station in the middle of London,” he said.

At a banquet for planners, he offered this gem: “You have to give this much to the Luftwaffe. When it knocked down our buildings, it didn’t replace them with anything more offensive than rubble.” Ouch.

Ugly architecture, of course, abounds. A quick internet search delivers numerous examples. Some may simply divide opinion, while others make one wonder how their creators could have missed the obvious. One of these is the Tycon Office building in Vienna, Virginia, USA. Locals call it “the Toilet Bowl Building.” Enough said! Locals apparently have mixed feelings about it “as it makes it easy to give directions.”

Lincoln Plaza in London, the 2016 Carbuncle

Cup winner, moved architect and critic Ike Ijeh to this bit of prose: “In its bilious cladding, chaotic form, adhesive balconies and frenzied facades, it exhibits the absolute worst in shambolic architectural design and cheap visual gimmickry.” He also called it a “putrid pugilistic horror show that should never have been built.”

A new entrance to Preston Train Station was nominated for the 2017 Carbuncle Cup. A comment on a design website reads: “The Preston entry looks like someone pushed a giant dumpster against the building and cut out a hole for entry. Did anyone on this project care about, well, anything, at all?” Adding injury to insult, the building has also been criticised for being impractical and “the coldest place on earth”.

On the other side of the lake, the FBI headquarters – at the time of its construction in 1974 the most expensive government building ever – has been described as a “swaggering bully of the neighbourhood… Ungainly and ill-mannered.” Appropriately for such a domineering structure, it is named after J. Edgar Hoover…

A columnist for the Boston Globe had this to say of Boston City Hall: “[It] is so ugly that its insane upside-down wedding-cake columns and windswept plaza distract from the building’s true offence. Its great crime isn’t being ugly; it’s being anti-urban... The primary function of cities is clustering people together, but City Hall goes to great lengths to repel them.”

In Canada, “Daniel Liebeskind’s addition to the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto surpasses the ugliness of bland functional buildings by being both ugly and useless,” according to Philip Kennicott, art and architecture critic, in The Washington Post in 2009.

What all this proves, in my view, is that just as you can’t legislate good taste you also can’t buy class. A few new constructions in the village prove the point!

Until next month!

2022

Bookings - 16 October 2022 | Artwork - 19 October 2022 | Editorial - 16 October 2022

young minds are inspired; where individual care and attention is combined with a distinctive, progressive education and where changemakers are equipped with skills for a world beyond our imagination. Bridge House is a leading independent, co-ed day and boarding school, situated in a beautiful, safe setting in the Franschhoek Valley.

An independent (IEB) Matric examination accepted by universities worldwide

· An excellent academic track record – 100% pass rate to date

· A wide variety of traditional team and individual sports and cultural activities

· Four, spacious, modern boarding houses for students from Grade 6 to 12

· Extensive facilities on 28 hectares of land

Open Day is any day you want it to be.

Contact Gill Malcolm gilmal@bridgehouse.org.za or +27 (0) 874 8100 for a bespoke tour of the school or an online interview with the Head. www.bridgehouse.org.za

Spayed dogs recovering from the anaesthetic

The Franschhoek Theatre is a mecca for the culturally inclined.

TONY FROST

There is much more to business than business

“The business of business can no longer just be business. Everything is now personal; the business of business is, therefore, society. Mission and margin, profit and principle, success and significance are now inextricably linked. In the fused world, how we behave, how we operate, how we govern, and how we relate to people and communities matters more than ever. Going forward, businesses are going to compete on trust, on responsibility, and on creating and maintaining deep relationships with their stakeholders rooted in shared truths and values.” Dov Seidman

This is not a new notion. Indeed, it has been doing the rounds for a while. However, we live in dramatic and deeply changing watershed times with economic volatility the order of the day. It would be easy to slip back into focussing on business only. This would be a fatal slip.

Everything has become more visible with society and its needs more profound. There

has probably not been a time in recent history where the need for all segments of society to pull together has been more urgent than now. There is no shortage of evidence to show us that there is just too much animosity, hatred, suspicion and resentment around. The fighting in Ukraine, the arguments about ANC succession, the centuriesold animosities of the Middle East, China-Taiwan are all symptoms of this global malaise.

Civil society cannot just sit-back and watch while the contenders battle it out on the playing field. They are playing with our futures and those of our children and so we need more vigorously, more assertively, more urgently to become players. This cannot be achieved by resorting to social media. We need engagement at an intense personal level.

It is not good enough to say the politicians must sort it out. We can see the results of their efforts.

It is why we are where we are! Albert Einstein was correct when he pointed that if one does the same old thing, the same old way day after day and then still expect the future to be different, is the height of insanity. The world is showing all the symptoms of paranoid psychopathology.

Is this what we want for our country, for society, for our children and grandchildren?

So… back to the business of business.

The world’s best businesses look far ahead to

weather the tough times. Make sure not to fall foul of our labour laws in the process.

anticipate how they can make the best use of the circumstances they expect to find there. They are not always right but at least they have a vision of the ideal situation they would like and behave accordingly. Most politicians have a frighteningly myopic view of their role, usually limited to their term of office. It is the extremely rare politician who looks beyond being elected again next time around. Their focus is simply not on improving the lot of the country and its citizens for the long term and a vibrant society at peace with itself and its neighbours. They merely want to retain power.

Business needs the support of society to succeed. It is society which gives it its licence to operate. Wise business leaders are abundantly aware of this and increasingly are paying increased attention to the needs portfolio of all their stakeholders. This is as it should be. We have mentioned Klaus Schwab, the brilliant creator of the World Economic Forum in these pages before. He speaks of the new wave of stakeholder capitalism.

Inadequate appreciation was shown for what business in South Africa did to hasten the end of apartheid, with many companies just ignoring the law to do the right thing. This attitude is what we need to rekindle. Rather than focussing on compliance with a multiplicity of sometimes incomprehensible laws, we should be focusing on

is marketing you give yourself a better chance of turning their heads in your direction.

what is good for our stakeholders, for society, and then behave accordingly.

Just as the business of business is much more than business, so it is that business of government is much more than merely being in government. We need governments, the politicians and officials involved to imbue themselves with the passion to create unity of purpose and community; to improve the skills and viability of all their citizens and to contribute to assisting their neighbours to do the same. Jealousy is a wicked master. Much jealousy is driven by inequity. It is up to our leaders to tackle this scourge with vigour and determination.

We need governments also to apply the principles of stakeholder democracy. It cannot be good for any nation to have a winner-takes-all approach to governance. We all need to spread the love and move away from attacking others just because they are different. We have much to learn from each other. And sharing is truly a case of caring!

It is up to us. Not someone else, not the council, not the government. Us. We elect these people and we need to be much more vocal and hold them to account. But we cannot be spectators. All of us can make a contribution to improving our society. You do not need to go far. Close to you are people that will benefit from you spreading the love!

tony@siroccostrategy.com

Recession on The Horizon: Here’s How to Survive

With yet more loadshedding and major banks forecasting an increased possibility of further economic downturns, recession feels inevitable in South Africa. A generally held definition of recession is when the Gross Domestic Product of a country declines for two consecutive quarters. Apart from the shrinking GDP, recessions typically come with reduced employment opportunities and incomes, and a stalling in industrial productivity, all of which then impacts all other aspects of life from retail sales to reduced travel. To be overly simplistic, when people are scared about their futures, they stop spending, which means businesses, particularly those relying on consumer spending, stop making as much money and the economy has nowhere to go but down.

Businesses, already on the edge from years of pandemic, are preparing themselves to take yet another battering. Managing these economically turbulent times has become an ongoing challenge. Fortunately, we have evidence for the things you can do to make sure these economic downturns don’t close your business.

Manage your cash flow

In even the best of times, healthy cash flow is the key to a healthy business. This is doubly so in a recession. With recession coming it’s wise to take another look at all your expenses and cut out everything that isn’t 100% necessary, while also starting to build a healthy cash reserve. Is it possible to get a better price with another supplier while maintaining your quality? Can you renegotiate your rent? What extras can be trimmed from the budget, even if it’s just temporarily?

Sadly, this attitude also extends to your workforce. If you can afford it then keeping staff on is always the best solution as rehiring and retraining when the recession is over is expensive. However, if things are looking touch-and-go it might be wise to consider just who among your staff is essential.

Moving your business to a model where you hire freelancers during the good times instead of

It is also important to ensure your money is coming in. In tough times it may not be as easy for your clients to pay you, and you need to get ahead of these situations. This is not a time to go easy on those who may have fallen behind on payments. Every cent you can recoup now is going to make the recession easier to navigate.

Take another look at your debt

When the economy is booming debt is a good tool for growing a business, but in times of recession it can be the added millstone that sinks you. Now is the ideal time to visit your accountant and take a fresh look at your debts, repayment dates and deadlines and how they fit into your projected, possibly reduced, cash flow.

Paying off high-interest debt first is always a good idea. However, before things get bad it may, ironically, be a good time to renegotiate your debt agreements or even take on some added debt if you think you may struggle to meet other obligations during the recession. At the end of the day, lenders are much more likely to work with you on your repayments than see you go into default.

Taking the initiative may well build trust between you and your business and lenders.

Don’t stop getting out there – recessions bring opportunity as well as risk

If you are anticipating a bad time ahead, then it’s likely your competition is too and it’s wise to remember that periods of downturn can often make the perfect time to grab extra slices of the market.

The first step is to nurture the client relationships you already have. Good relationships are going to help convince people to stay with you even if there are cheaper prices elsewhere and having strong relationships with suppliers and creditors will likely give you more wiggle room and time to pay off debts if the real problems start taking hold. Equally, there has never been a better time to market your business and start putting yourself out there for new work.

In recessions it will be tempting for your competition to slow down on advertising spend, leaving you plenty of room to be noticed. The reason for this is simple; advertising during a recession is likely to be seen by clients at just the time when they are carefully considering their current service providers and what they are receiving. By having your offering in front of them when no one else

Breakfast cereal manufacturer Kellogg is proof of this. Under the most difficult circumstances, when the market crashed in America in 1929, Kellogg doubled its advertising budget and invested heavily in staff and expertise. By 1933 their profits had increased 30% and they had grabbed their spot at the top of America’s breakfast company food chain.

Diversify your offering now Don’t wait until the recession has hit to start making plans. By diversifying your offering now, you will be ready to take advantage of gaps in the market that may arise due to the struggles of your competition. By now most companies are already online and selling their services and products direct, but diversification goes well beyond your online store. If you are in an industry that struggles during recessions, then expanding into products and services that don’t take a hit during tough times is going to give your company longevity. For example,

basic essentials like toothpaste, medical supplies, food, baby items and in-house entertainment are all things people will need when their budgets get tighter.

Remember also to plan creatively. For example, the pandemic-fuelled shift to online purchasing hasn’t just boosted the profits of those suppliers and retailers that switched to online sales –companies that looked beyond the obvious and invested in packaging manufacture and in delivery services have also boomed.

Take professional advice!

Now is the time to be ruthless with your company, your products and your marketing. Getting advice from your accountant will allow you to accurately evaluate just where money may have become unnecessarily lost and will help you to spot areas of improvement. Additionally, plans can be put in place to ensure you do not struggle with your cash flow and that ultimately, you come out the other side of the recession as strong, or potentially stronger, than you were before.

Tourism Boom Brings Commercial Property Opportunities

Tourism is booming in historic Franschhoek and the renewed interest is driving the demand for residential and commercial properties in the area, says Surina du Toit, Pam Golding Properties branch manager for Wellington, Grabouw, Paarl and Franschhoek.

Following a two-year pandemic-related hiatus, the valley has been rebranded as the Valley of Dreams and named by Time Magazine as one of the “World’s Greatest Places” for 2022. According to Stats SA figures, the number of international arrivals in Cape Town increased by 480% on last year’s figures, with the number of visitors from the United Kingdom almost at 98% of pre-pandemic levels. “Many of the visitors arriving at Cape Town International Airport will make the one-hour drive to Franschhoek to experience some of the world-renowned restaurants, bistros, art galleries, chocolatiers and wine farms in the region,” according to Du Toit. Known as South Africa’s culinary capital, Franschhoek is high on the must-see list for many local and international visitors. Nestled in the Franschhoek Valley, the town offers unrivalled mountain and vineyard views. This, coupled with the appealing laid-back café culture, entices many visitors to invest in property in the area, says Jeanine Allen, Pam Golding Properties agent for Franschhoek. Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek combined form one of the fastest-growing areas for High-Net-WorthIndividuals in the country, according to the Africa Wealth Report 2022, with many of these buyers semigrating from Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and other parts of the country. “The shift to remote working has also driven buyer activity in Franschhoek, with families opting for a country lifestyle and access to excellent schools,” says Allen. Buyers also include overseas ‘swallows’ who opt to spend a portion of the year in Franschhoek as it offers a favourable climate and a range of property types, from boutique and lifestyle farms to historical cottages and five-star guest farms.

“Tourism is a major driver of economic growth in Franschhoek,” says Du Toit. The completion this year of Train Camp Franschhoek, with its status as an official FINA High Performance Development Centre, will elevate the Western Cape as a global sports tourism destination. Cape Town and the Winelands already attract annual revenue of over R50 million in sports tourism, says Train Camp’s

License Principal, Nick Ochse. This new facility will be a boon to the local economy, attracting sports tourists from Africa, Europe and the USA.

A renovation and reconfiguration of existing infrastructure on the 12-hectare campus of Franschhoek High School in the heart of the village, this centre will provide a host of services to attract athletes across numerous sporting disciplines.

“There is no doubt that Train Camp Franschhoek will positively impact the village,” says Du Toit. Not only will it create new jobs that will bring more permanent residents to the village thus providing new customers for local businesses, it will help even out the historic seasonality of Franschhoek’s tourism economy.”

With this economic boost and boom in tourism, the demand for business opportunities in the town is expected to soar, says Doug Gurr, Pam Golding Properties agent for the area. “Commercial properties seldom come onto the market, so the current listing by Pam Golding Properties of a R27.5 million commercial property that includes a fourbedroom residential unit with guest house rights, is a rare opportunity to invest in one of the world’s best places to visit.”

Set on about 6,740 square metres, the property comprises five separate units: a garden restaurant, a vacant building with generator ideal for a complementary eatery, a spa and wellness centre, a laundry and the residential unit. The iconic Franschhoek Wine Tram, arguably the best way to explore the valley’s wine farms, rolls past the verdant garden. There are four automated fountains on the property, and a 25 000 litre per hour borehole ensures the gardens remain lush all year round.

“This well-known property, with some tenants already in place, offers numerous uses and is ideally located at the gateway to the village. It presents a rare opportunity for an investor or buyer wanting to add to Franschhoek’s extensive offering at a time when the newly dubbed Valley of Dreams is enjoying such a welcome revival,” says Gurr.

Animal Portraits

by Leandri Erlank

Ideally situated commercial property for sale

Groot drakenstein Games club

NATIE FERREIRA

As I write this month’s article with the spring equinox days away, I can almost not contain my excitement for this, my favourite month of them all. In the Western Cape October is our only true month of spring. Colours abound, with the most amazing displays coming from mountains, fields, pavements, front gardens, and from the insides of our shopping and garden centres. The plant lover cannot help but be lured into the promise of an instant garden by all the containerized splendour on the shelves. This is bumper season for the gardening industry, but also the season with the highest impact on the environment.

This spring I really want to step back and reflect on the impact that I, as a nurseryman, have on the environment. Let’s start with the soil – as much as I am a believer in living soil, that is a finite resource, so we must substitute this with an artificial mix. Coco peat is the most commonly available but needs to be imported and the quality varies greatly. Peat moss is a superior material but is expensive and shipped from Europe or Canada. Our soil amendments, even though of organic origin, are often imported, so are the bulk of our nutrients. Integrated pest management, which includes a range of beneficial microbes and insects, is imported weekly from Holland. All these materials come with their own packaging waste streams. Which brings me to plastic. This is the one place where the green industry is not green at all. We must be one of the biggest downstream consumers of plastic in the economy, with everything from greenhouse covers to seedling trays made from it. As we seek alternatives I have experimented with a range of local and homemade solutions, but quality affordable substitutes are simply not available on a large enough scale. Turning this industry around will come at a premium, and it will be up to the end consumer to put pressure on industry to change while being prepared to pay this premium for a greener option.

For the home gardeners there are many ways to go greener this spring. Growing as much of your vegetables and flowers from seeds is a most rewarding and responsible activity. Your ability to reuse and improvise seed trays and small pots, to plan and grow successively from a rapidly growing seed

bank and to make your own compost and soil mixes will not only fill your own garden but enable you to share freely. And all this will be done cheaply and with a carbon negative impact. If you do need to go to the nursery, make a point of asking for compostable plant bags or pots, and take back all the plastic you can’t re-use for them to dispose of responsibly. Confront them about the lack of organic options on their pest control shelf and ask them whether their vegetable seedlings at least were grown organically. Take note of all the plastic packaging and try to buy in bulk where you can. Now back to the garden.

Most summer vegetables and flowers can be sown or transplanted in October. You will be very busy, but the results of your winter labour will reward you while you work on your summer garden. There is still time to plan your Christmas lunch from the garden – it is always a most rewarding experience to cook an entirely homegrown meal. Walk your garden regularly and keep an eye out for pests, diseases, and signs of nutrient deficiencies. We are experiencing big fluctuations in day temperature and humidity now, and this can lead to all sorts of problems. Rather spray preventatively against black spot and mildew on roses and tomatoes, sticking to safer options like sulphur and copper. Your entire garden will be grateful for a good feeding – go for a higher nitrogen feed now, with chicken manure being a safe and affordable option.

We are in that weird famine period where the winter vegetables are mostly gone, and the summer vegetables and fruits are not there yet. We impatiently await the first peas and asparagus, and those that thought about it early enough might boast about some new potatoes. I started over with my asparagus this year, so it is a 3 year wait, but I have buckets full of peas ripening in the garden. This spring I promised myself I will not be too busy to peel a pea.

Rock-on Gardening

Stones and pebbles can become works of art in their own right. With so many different colours and textures, arrangements and complimenting accessories, rock gardens are for anyone looking to make a statement. The key to long-term success and almost no maintenance is good quality weed guard sheeting beneath your stone feature.

Here are some rocking yard art ideas: The striking minimalist: Pair pure white pebbles with contrasting black tiles or black painted pavement slabs to give walkways and entrances a sleek look. Alternatively, go for equally bold black pebbles with a few summer-flowering, white button sedge (Kylinga alba) ornamental grasses to set off the contrast. This indigenous sun-loving evergreen produces a clustered white flower head that is carried on an elegant, long slender stem.

Earth child: You can purchase bags of pink rose quartz (pebbles and rough stones) to use as centrepiece stone mandalas or walkable labyrinths. Pair your crystal arrangements with

other softer stone shades (river rocks are lovely) and bring in some local steekblaarblinkgras (Melinis nerviglumis) to compliment the pink notes from the rose quartz. This very hardy ornamental grass will thrive in full sun and produces the sweetest plumes of fluffy pink to red seeds that appear all year round and attract seed-eating birds.

Dare to be different: Ever heard of rock balancing? This is a recreational activity where different-sized stones/pebbles are precisely stacked on top of each other to create a beautiful work of art. This ‘sport’ is practised around the world and has many Instagram pages devoted to sharing the masterpieces people have created,

How ‘Fyn’ Is Our Valley…

Our magnificent mountains are here to stay. However, the unique fynbos flora (and associated fauna) that inhabits them is fast disappearing. Fynbos, the most bio-diverse floral kingdom in the world, is one of the fastest disappearing habitats in the world. Less than 10% of all fynbos remains and of the type typical to our valley floor, Swartland alluvium fynbos, only 4% is left.

Development pressure, too frequent fires and harmful alien species are squeezing out our fynbos treasures. In addition, large invasive species such as exotic acacias, blue gums and pines, are tremendous water guzzlers. Bad news indeed when we’re probably at the start of the next dry cycle and need all the water we can possibly get our hands on. They’re also bad news in case of fires, as they burn about 10 times hotter than fynbos, thereby changing the ground chemistry making it impossible for fynbos to recover.

Some fynbos plant families date back to the Gondwana super-continent around 200 million years ago. Can we really allow an ancient, exquisite floral kingdom to disappear; recorded only in photos and writings and shown to children in museums along with dinosaurs?

One of the vineyards standing up for fynbos is GlenWood Vineyards.

Owned by Alastair Wood since 1984, it was previously part of one of the largest farms in the area, Robertsvlei, owned by Huguenot descendent Pieter Hugo. Prior to Alastair taking over orchards covered much of the land. The decision to focus on grapes was a wise one though and the farm has become particularly well-known for its Chardonnay wines.

However, GlenWood is about more than wine…

A hint of Bushveld seeps in. At the look-out, Nature’s Window, on the steep slope behind the winery one is transfixed by the surrounding peaks – often swirled in mists – and bathed by the intoxicating African sunset. The prominent Dassenberg is seemingly within touching distance, the Hottentots Holland range just to the south and Matoppie at one’s back.

Longstanding cellar master and GM, DP Burger’s great-great grandfather saw the last elephants leave the valley in the nineteenth century. One can just picture how they roamed, rested and ruminated in the peaceful valley.

When DP started at GlenWood the mountain slope was covered with invasive alien species.

not to mention the stunning locations and seemingly impossible balancing skills. Rock balancing promotes calmness and focus and will add height and intrigue to the garden. Create multiple towers around your space and challenge your friends to try it too – it’s harder than it looks but totally worth the vibes (and talking points).

Colour is everything: If you’re crazy for colour, stones are your crayons! Create flowing stone spirals along the edges of beds to bring in movement by using grey-blue, white, and green pebbles. Highlight containers with a bull’s eye design using various sized stones and bring it all together by planting krantz aloe (Aloearborescens) for shades of orange and red, as well as rock sage (Thorncroftia succulent) for magenta pink, and brandy bush (Grewia flava) for blue-green foliage with spectacular large yellow blooms.

Top Tip: The overuse of gravel can increase the soil temperature around plants. Rather use gravel in areas that are further away from beds and not directly in containers.

Now, many species of magnificent fynbos abound, the ‘Waboom’ (Protea nitida) being particularly prolific. There’s plenty fauna too: leopards (sometimes cubs too!), lynx, baboons, birds (mainly raptors and seed-eaters), snakes and many smaller critters are often seen. Alien species removal is a continuous effort though, with regrowth having to be cleared annually.

A GlenWood highlight is the diminutive and very rare Blushing Bride Protea (Serruria florida) that they are successfully propagating on the farm. This beauty only grows naturally in one vertiginous valley near the farm.

While wine tasting at GlenWood, don’t miss out on the superb sushi to be had in the restaurant or on the terrace admiring GlenWood’s singular charms. One feels ‘the bush’, ‘the berg’, the fynbos. The Care.

Text: Linda Cumming | Image: GlenWood

Heidi offers all regular audiological (hearing) assessment, the supply and repair of all types of mainstream hearing aids, auditory processing assessment and therapy, and tinnitus management.

Heidi Allan is an audiologist with a passion for hearing healthcare. She has more than 30 years experience a

a

a

a n d a speech therapist and holds a M a

Audiology. On 1 Sept 2022, H

audiology practice here in

Hoek Agricultural Estate.

Heidi is a recognized leader in the eld of Auditory Processing and will be presenting on this topic at the America Speech and Hearing Association in New Orleans in November 2022.

Heidi Allan (Audiologist) M.A. Audiology (Pret.)

Franschhoek Health Care Centre | 18 Dirkie Uys Street www.heidiallan.co.za | admin@heidiallan.co.za 021 876 4622

Poetic Licence

HARRY OWEN

In the Northern Hemisphere, where I was born and grew up, October was always a month in autumn, Keats’s “season of mists and mellow fruitfulness”:

Who hath not seen thee oft amid thy store?

Sometimes whoever seeks abroad may find Thee sitting careless on a granary floor, Thy hair soft-lifted by the winnowing wind; Or on a half-reap’d furrow sound asleep, Drowsed with the fume of poppies, while thy hook Spares the next swath and all its twined flowers: And sometimes like a gleaner thou dost keep Steady thy laden head across a brook; Or by a cider-press, with patient look, Thou watchest the last oozings, hours by hours. (from ‘To Autumn’ by John Keats)

Delicious! Who would not welcome this?

For me, though, October represented the fact that long, warm summer days were over. Cold, miserable winter was moving in fast – emphasized at the end of the month by the ‘clocks going back’ an hour from British Summer Time to GMT and months of dark days returning. ‘Daylight saving’ they called it, but it never felt that way to me.

October in South Africa, of course, is very different, the very epitome of springtime, and I love it. The Western Cape’s blossoming Floral Kingdom must be one of our world’s most spectacular natural displays, almost as if the earth were painting itself in its most vibrant, intoxicating colours. Spring is the season of optimism and magic everywhere.

Amy Gerstler is an American poet, whose springtime is in April rather than October, but she too knows exactly how this feels:

In Perpetual Spring Gardens are also good places to sulk. You pass beds of spiky voodoo lilies and trip over the roots of a sweet gum tree, in search of medieval plants whose leaves, when they drop off turn into birds if they fall on land, and colored carp if they plop into water.

Suddenly the archetypal human desire for peace with every other species

Book Review

CHARLOTTE VAN ZYL

Trespasses

By Louise Kennedy. Publ: Bloomsbury. 311 pages. Louise Kennedy was born near Belfast and therefore has the credentials to write about a society where it’s not about “what you do” but rather about “what you are.” And that phrase embodies the deadly concepts of Catholicism and Protestantism. Ironically, they do not determine whether you go to heaven or hell, but rather if you live or die in the here and now.

She spent three decades working as a chef before taking up writing and producing a volume of short stories entitled “The End of the World is a Cul de Sac” – a title that could have won an award for itself. Now she has written “Trespasses,” another title that speaks for itself. Seen as a verb it is the story of Cushla, a young Catholic schoolteacher on the outskirts of Belfast who ‘trespasses’ by having an affair with a Protestant barrister. As a noun it has a wider political significance. It encompasses the physical trespassing of the occupying British troops on Irish territory. It also implies the trespassing by the IRA into the private lives of individuals.

The year is 1975. Cushla is 27 years old. Her life revolves around her teaching, her part-time job helping out at the pub run by her brother, and coping with her alcoholic, widowed mother. Each of these facets of her life involves some aspects of the Troubles. One of her pupils is traumatized by the near-fatal beating of his father by the Army and Cushla does her best to provide him with a sense of security. In the pub she runs the gauntlet of the leering soldiers who stub out their cigarettes on the carpets. Her mother veers between bouts of drunken inertia and moments of lucidity as she observes her daughter’s increasingly secretive life.

Kennedy has forged a style that perfectly reflects

wells up in you. The lion and the lamb cuddling up. The snake and the snail, kissing. Even the prick of the thistle, queen of the weeds, revives your secret belief in perpetual spring, your faith that for every hurt there is a leaf to cure it.

(from Bitter Angel, North Point Press, 1990)

Another much-loved garden, this one filled with indigenous South African plants, was burned to almost unrecognizable ruin during the devastating fires of 2015, a period followed immediately by the great three-year drought.

This garden belongs to Cape Town poet Christine Coates and her husband Ron. She wrote movingly about the heartbreak of this period – and the eventual revival of their land – in a wonderful 2018 collection called Fire Drought Water. I don’t know which season it was written in, but here is the final poem of a sequence about her garden and its determined resurrection:

The Mourning Dove

I am the wind standing a survivor.

Flesh.

I give birth to thorns, to a well for my tears.

Then one evening we listen –it is the clouds calling, it is the mourning dove, it is a slice of sky, the nightjar’s benediction – ‘Good Lord deliver them’

turtle dove’s ‘God sorge, God sorge’. There’s the breath of jasmine, the evening scent of the rock rose, the wind harnessing the soul of the kiepersol the dombeya the waterberry the brachylaena branches form miracles the birds are full of trees snails are ribboning ways the night breathes again.

Our knees are simply brown earth our letters to each other wilted flowers. Our colours have bled joined the earth, the underground river.

I am an old jewel box. I belong to you. Christine Coates (from Fire Drought Water, Damselfly Books, 2018)

I wish all of you the happiest and warmest of springtimes.

Day

life in Belfast in all its extremes of love and terror. It is simple, realistic and immediate. It has a dogged, unromantic way of taking the reader along the streets, into the pub and into the school. It is utterly convincing, and it puts you right there. You feel and see the intimacies in the bed with her lover Michael. You smell and see the dingy grime in her mother’s kitchen.

The covert love story is beautifully detailed and sensitive. It acknowledges the hurtfulness of infidelity as well as the danger of a crossreligion affair. The textures of this ambivalent and dangerous world are evoked by every word in every page.

The tragedy, when it comes, is not unexpected, and yet it hits you hard. Of course, you had been prepared for it by the insistent and persistent political and emotional violence, but you hoped that the acts of kindness and tenderness would redeem the lives of the characters. This is a fine and engrossing book, perhaps even a masterly book that speaks to a society such as ours that also knows the shocks of violence.

Ever since 1823 mountain springs in the reserve have provided Franschhoek with high quality drinking water. The reserve is known for its spectacular views of the valley, diverse plant and small animal life and wellmaintained network of hiking trails. It is also a popular jumping-off point for paragliders and is fast becoming a favoured destination for trail runners.

The Franschhoek mountainland consists of Table Mountain sandstone that was raised as a mountain range more than 265 million years ago. The present mountain and valley landscape is the result of erosion over the past 140 million years.

Three large peaks dominate the reserve: Perdekop (1575 m), DuToitskop (1418m) and Middagkrans (1029

impressive cloudfalls' over Middagkrans.

Both summer and winter weather conditions in the reserve can be challenging to the uninitiated - the former being hot and dry and the later wet and cold with occasional snow on the higher ground.

The reserve's flora consists of montane fynbos established on leached acidic sandy soils. Fynbos (the world's smallest and most diverse plant kingdom) is primarily characterised by four types of plants: Proteas, Ericas, Restios (reed-like plants resembling grass) and geophytes (bulbs).

www.montrochellehiking.co.za

Groot drakenstein Games club

Discover Franschhoek’s Pristine Mountainland Situated high above the Franschhoek Valley the Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve (established 1983) is part of a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site - the Cape Floral R

( 2

UNESCO-designated Boland Biosphere Reserve.

FRANSCHHOEK

|

PET SITTER, Dedicated, Martin 082 688 4531

TE HUUR: Werkskamer of Stoorplek. 140 vk m vir R3 700 per maand. 3 Fase krag en alarmstelsel. Elektrisiteit uitgesluit. Kontak Herman by 082 372 5075.

HOUSE WORKER: Our house worker is looking for 2 days’ job in the week – it’s due to changes in our home. She is available on Mondays and Thursdays. She is honest, reliable, trustworthy and hardworking. It would be great if she could have her week full. Her name is Amohelang Makhube. WhatsApp her on 071 080 9803 or call her on 063 081 7343.

HOUSEKEEPER: My name is Mercy Muthali. I am 35 years old and live in Groendal, Fhk. I’m Malawian. I’m looking for a job as a housekeeper. My number: 061 827 6751. References: 078 074 2921 / 084 071 2722.

GARDENER, PAINTER, DRIVER: My name is Paul Mbwana from Malawi. I’m looking for a job as a gardener, painter or driver. WhatApp me on 074 4625271 or call me on 076 937 9580. For a reference contact 083 454 7593.

BOOKKEEPING SERVICES WINELANDS: We provide affordable accounting, payroll and tax services to individuals, small to medium sized entities and trusts. We also offer cloud accounting and are certified partners with Sage, Xero & QuickBooks for cloud accounting and registered member of SAIT. Call Lee-Ann 082 352 9006

WANTED TO BUY: Crockery-pretty pieces. Cutlery. Tablecloths. Any vintage items. Debbie 082 825 5666. Nicky 072 871 9103

Need BASIC COMPUTER Services? SECRETARIAL or BOOKKEEPING Services? Contact Ronelle Pinard 073 646 1687

HANDY MAN painting and renovation business for sale. Call 072 782 7482

RE-THINKING YOUR GARDEN? For Garden Consulting call Susan at 072 932 5393

RE-FIBRE GLASS YOUR POOL in any colour you like. Call RiaPools for a quote: 072 347 5355

WESTERN CAPE HOUSE SITTERS: We have many mature, kind, responsible, animal loving, live-in house sitter members who would love to care for your home 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

JANE PARKFELT DESIGNS Ready for a new website? Or a website refresh? My website designs offer simplicity, good taste, affordability and easy navigation for small businesses, services or individuals. janeparkfeltdesigns.co.za

info@janeparkfeltdesigns.co.za | 071 161 7837

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

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 Ross. 078 278 4843.

PARKRUN: Saturdays at Rickety Bridge Wine Estate. Time: 08h00. Cost: Free. Register at www. parkrun.co.za (May not take place, depending on Covid regulations)

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!

TRINITY CHURCH: Worship Sundays at 09h30 at L’Ermitage Chapel, with Holy Communion. Weekday service Thursday at 10h30 at Fleur de Lis. Contact Gavin – 083 799 0726.

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

Bookkeeping Services Winelands 082 352 9006

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

Franschhoek Electric 074 313 7829/021 876 3640

Rensburg Electrical 021 876 2120/083 309 2923

EXCAVATIONS

Andrew Schmidt 021 876 4431/082 972 5755

Burger Excavations 072 3408518

HEALTH & BEAUTY

Franschhoek Pharmacy 021 876 2261

Franschhoek Health Club 021 876 3310

HOUSE & GARDEN

Clock Repairs 028 840 1716

Lighting & Accessories 021 876 3640

Ria Pools (Franschhoek) 021 876 2612/072 347 5355

Sue’s Gardens 083 321 3442

Valley Garden Service 071 591 0342

INTERNET ACCESS PostNet 021 876 3025

OPTOMETRIST

Marelise Bester 021 872 3530

PHYSIOTHERAPY

Claire Horn 021 876 4234/082 582 1029

PLUMBERS

Franschhoek Plumbing 021 876 3759

PSYCHOLOGIST

Danielle Smith 082 812 1476

PUBLIC SERVICES Hospice 021 876 3085 Library 021 808 8406 Post Office 021 876 2342

Welfare (ACVV) 021 876 2670 SPCA 083 745 5344

SCHOOLS

Bridge House School 021 874 8100

Franschhoek High School 021 876 2079

Groendal Primary School 021 876 2448

Groendal Secondary School 021 876 2211

Wes-Eind Primary School 021 876 2360

Dalubuhle Primary School 021 876 3957

STORAGE

Franschhoek Storage 021 876 2174

TOURIST INFORMATION & SERVICES

Info Office 021 876 3603

Winelands Experience 021 876 4042

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 021 876 2304

Dr Nicolas Els 021 876 2561

Dr Bernard Fisher 021 876 4622

AUDIOLOGIST

Audiologist Tracy-Ann Morris 084 264 0000

EMERGENCY MEDICAL RESPONSE

Medicare EMR 074 363 7744/021 876 4316

MUNICIPALITY

(Ward 1) Clr Pfeiffer (DA) 079 597 2765

(Ward 2) Clr Petersen (DA) 082 404 5055

(Ward 3) Clr Manuel (DA) 074 686 2364

(Ward 4) Clr Adams (DA) 073 446 5411

Municipality (Office Hours) 021 808 8700

Municipality (afternoon only) 021 808 8890

Municipality 24hr Service 021 808 8700

Sue

DINA BOSHOFF

MARIANNE

DER MERWE TANIA

DEEMTER

VIVIEN

MOIRA ATKINSON

AGENT:

AGENT: TANIA VAN DEEMTER

AGENT: TANIA VAN DEEMTER

Property

Franschhoek, on

units:

building with

centre,

and

unit.

unit

rights.

positioned overlooking the mature garden and estate dam to frame the most beautiful mountain views.

in design with emphasis on tranquility and privacy.

the home through a

door opening onto the private courtyard

on the banks of the dam within L’Ermitage,

furnished, with spectacular mountain views, frameless glass doors, open-plan living and outside

patio.

with the

of the

and beauty of the mountains,

FRANSCHE HOEK ESTATE

This grand five bedroom home with separate two bedroom cottage has a stunning location nestled amongst vineyards with some of the best views in Franschhoek. Also includes two living rooms, dining room, kitchen/diner, 4 car garage, large stoep, sparkling pool, landscaped gardens and large wine cellar.

Tom Clode 079 955 3114

Terry-Lee George 082 650 9194 R27 500 000

4 BEDROOM HOME ON CABRIERE STREET

This imposing home, built in a Cape Georgian style, has grand proportions throughout. A truly outstanding and unique home intelligently laid out and in one of Franschhoek’s most prestigious streets. Includes 4 bedrooms en-suite, large living room open plan to chef’s kitchen, office, pool and views.

Tom Clode 079

Terry-Lee George

HOME ON 1 HECTARE

The best of both worlds!

breath-taking

Tom Clode 079

Terry-Lee George 082

HERITAGE PROPERTY ON 2,000M2

Historic gem sensitively updated to present charming original features with a fresh, contemporary twist. This unique four bedroom home is a rare find. Period features includes high ceilings and sash windows. Wonderful flow to the outdoor lounge/dining terrace space for entertaining with gorgeous mountain views and charming garden outlook. Sold with furnishings.

Tom Clode 079 955 3114

Terry-Lee George 082 650 9194 R 16 970 000

CREST

CABRIERE STREET

This classic victorian style 3 bedroom Franschhoek property, with wrap-around verandah and single level floor plan, has the benefit of a prime village address only a few strides from the high street. Solid timber frame construction. Spacious rear garden with pool, lawn, and large double garage.. Charming property in

wonderful quiet village position.

Tom Clode 079 955 3114

Terry-Lee George 082 650 9194 R5 950 000

LA DEMEURE

FRANSCHE HOEK ESTATE

Must see listing with some of Franschhoek’s finest high end finishes.

Luxuriously appointed four bedroom three bathroom contemporary home with spectacular mountain views. Feature living area with sunken lounge open plan to the designer kitchen/dining room. Outdoor entertainment patio and decked swimming pool with breath taking views. Also includes internal courtyard garden and large double garage.

Tom Clode 079 955 3114

Terry-Lee George 082 650 9194

FRANSCHHOEK HUGE POTENTIAL

Very large 8 bedroom,

Tom Clode 079 955

Terry-Lee George 082

bathroom property on 2,500 sq

plot. Located on a tranquil tree-lined residential street this property offers many options. Previously operated as a guest house and more recently as staff accommodation the property would also suit redevelopment. Price