Rove SA - Volume 6 I Issue 1

From the Editor WIN

Getting out of your bubble

You are never too old to explore, but exploration doesn’t necessarily mean climbing mountains or doing something extreme.

Exploration is about expanding your horizons. Sometimes we can be creatures of comfort. We all generally have regular spots we frequent, and while there is nothing wrong to have a favourite, if we don’t explore other options we will never experience anything different.

I recently came across a social media post in which a mature lady was questioning whether she was too old to make a change regarding lifestyle. The responses to that were inspiring – people highlighted their own personal journeys of trying new things and explaining how they were personally richer for it.

That got me thinking that we often forget how rich South Africa is in terms of offering new experiences. I am not oblivious to budget constraints, but there are loads of experiences that can be undertaken at a very reasonable cost.

Exploration to me is part of continuous growth – as we travel around South Africa (or outside) we learn new things. We start to realise how rich our country is in terms of history, culture and experiences. Books are great, but first-hand exploration enriches the soul and inspires us to learn more, experience more and also appreciate more.

We live in a land alive with experiences; we sometimes just need to get out of our comfort zone and find it!

Have a superb autumn exploring!

Tashne Singh editor@rovesa.co.za

How to Enter

Gauteng: where urban pulse meets natural charm

Embracing the magic of the mighty Drakensberg

Great getaways

Small towns with big hearts

Pictorial:

Top

Otter

PUBLISHER: Elroy van Heerden Mays elroy@mediaxpose.co.za

EDITOR: Tashne Singh editor@rovesa.co.za

SUB-EDITOR: Tessa O'Hara

CONTENT MANAGER: Wadoeda Adams artwork@mediaxpose.co.za

CONTENT ASSISTANT: Maurisha Niewenhuys maurisha@mediaxpose.co.za

EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS

CHIEF

COVER IMAGE Cape Point Vineyards

DESIGN & LAYOUT

Shaun van Heerden Mays Anja Bramley

PROJECT MANAGER: Hester Kleynhans hester@rovesa.co.za

ADVERTISING SALES:

Rene van Heerden rene@mediaxpose.co.za

DIGITAL AND SOCIAL MEDIA

Kyla van Heerden / Tia Arendse

SUBSCRIPTIONS: Shihaam Gyer distribution@mediaxpose.co.za

Shaun van Heerden Mays

WEBSITE

RETAIL

1000s of incredible events, attractions, theatre productions, activities and more!

Tips for autumn travellers

1 WEATHER

For the most part, Autumn in South Africa is known for its moderate temperatures, however, it is important to note that different parts of SA have different climate conditions.

Generally, temperatures are moderate, however, mornings and nights become a bit cooler. Depending on your adventure it’s a good idea to keep a jacket on hand in case temperatures drop.

While it might not be the summer it is still important to wear sunscreen throughout the year. According to reports UV rays are just as intense in other seasons and can penetrate through clouds.

3

Be alert

If driving using a GPS and you are unfamiliar with an area, it is advisable to Google the area and speak to locals to ascertain if these are high-risk hi-jacking spots. If so, opt to take an alternate route.

New FlySafair Route

According to reports, from 2 April 2024, FlySafair will offer flights from Cape Town to Kruger National Park.

2 Public transport

Generally, it is advisable to hire a vehicle to get around South Africa – particularly if you want to do road trips.

Reliable public transport is available in certain parts of Cape Town using the MyCiTi buses, and in Johannesburg, the Gautrain is a good option. Uber and Bolt (e-hailing taxi services) are available in metro areas.

4 Loadshedding

Loadshedding (electricity outages) continues to be a reality in SA. Download an app such as Eskom se Push to keep up to speed on the loadshedding schedule so you can plan accordingly. For the most part, restaurants and hotels have back-up generators.

5 Beat the blister

Hiking is a popular activity, and one of the most common injuries that can occur is a blister. To prevent a blister it’s advisable to invest in good quality hiking socks, sock liners, foot powder, and the appropriate hiking shoes.

Public holidays in autumn

21 March: Human Rights Day

29 March: Good Friday

1 April: Family Day

27 April: Freedom Day

1 May: Workers’ Day

29 May: South African general elections

7

Scoring on flight bookings

6 Allergies

Spring is most often cited as being allergy season, but it's important to note that sometimes when camping or hiking in the bush you will encounter flora that you are not used to. Always make sure you have antihistamines on hand in case of an allergic reaction.

Bear in mind this is not an exact science, but there are potential ways to score some good deals on flights such as:

• Booking flights in advance, however, you can also score a deal on last-minute flights if the airline has not filled their flight.

• Travelling in non-peak seasons.

• Often the best time to book a flight is on a Tuesday or Wednesday.

• You can score some amazing flight deals if you opt for a holiday package.

• You don’t need to use the same airline – check different airlines for departures and returns as the prices differ.

• Use rewards programmes linked to your bank accounts and other rewards programmes.

• Stay connected via social media channels to check if there are any promo deals.

Only the best!

OVER THE YEARS CAPE POINT VINEYARDS (CPV) HAS BEEN A FIRM FAVOURITE FOR PEOPLE “IN THE KNOW”. THE VENUE HAS BEEN REVITALISED WITH A RECENT REFURBISHMENT, BUT MORE IS TO COME WITH EXCITING PROJECTS IN THE PIPELINE.

ISLIEDH HERBERT, CAPE POINT VINEYARDS MARKETING MANAGER (AND MEMBER OF THE VAN DER SPUY FAMILY – OWNERS OF CPV) TELLS ROVE SA A BIT MORE…

“We recently renovated the entire venue in 2023 and revealed a fresh new look that is modern. Visitors will notice that the colours we have used is reflective of the natural surrounds – which by the way is magnificent. When we decided to undertake a revamp, we saw it as the perfect opportunity to introduce some new elements and offerings such as state-of-the-art conferencing facilities and more,” says Herbert.

Convenience, relaxation and beauty

“As a wine farm that offers only the best, we have enhanced the experience for visitors with a new bar, a shop and as

mentioned earlier upgraded conference facilities. The idea we have is to offer ultimate convenience for guests. If you want to have a family day out – we have a space to keep kids occupied.

“If you want to simply enjoy great food and wine whilst enjoying panoramic views, we offer this. If you are a business person –we have facilities to accommodate business meetings. We can cater for either large or small business groups. Additionally, our executive Chef has created a scrumptious conferencing menu to cater to all needs.

“Something we also enjoy at CPV is hosting events such as

weddings, conferences, year-end functions, birthday parties and even product launches. We also host a few public events and are expecting to increase this in the future.”

Good news is that the shop is fully operational seven days a week. Herbert adds, “We offer a variety of products such as our wines, coconut bread pre-mix, silk scarves and the most delicious vinaigrettes!”

Looking ahead

With reference to food, a new menu was launched in 2023 with huge success and it is expected that the refreshed menu – expected in April 2024 – will also be greeted with enthusiasm.

"Looking back, we have been on an amazing journey, and we are thrilled that our visitors have whole-heartedly embraced our transformation. Many of our regulars have been with us since the beginning – when we were just a small kitchen offering picnic baskets – and just love what we have done. They feel as though Cape Point Vineyards is growing up and keeping up with the current times.

“We are not done yet. We have a variety of projects in the pipeline such as hosting some amazing events such as unique dining experiences and a revitalised wine club – visitors can visit our website and social media pages to stay in the loop.

“At the heart of our business is family and community. We aim to create amazing experiences for everyone who visits our establishment. We welcome all to join us, whether on an exclusive or non-exclusive basis, to come soak in the surrounds at our beautiful venue,” concludes Herbert.

Highlights of a rich historical legacy

CPV is a family-owned wine farm that embraces family-values and being involved in the community.

1708: Meldt van der Spuy arrives in Cape Town only to fall in love with the city’s majestic vineyards and mountains by the sea. He was the only member of his family to immigrate to South Africa. Meldt van der Spuy acquired one of only four liquor licenses at the time.

1752: At least 30 000 vines were registered for excise purposes on the existing Cape Point Vineyards farm.

1996: Vines were replanted by current owner and has enjoyed award-winning status ever since its maiden vintage.

1998: Establishment of the vineyards and cellar (the only ones in the district) led to the declaration of Cape Point Wine of Origin.

2000: First vintage of Cape Point Vineyards was released.

2001: First release of Sauvignon Blanc, which was an instant success.

2003: First release of the Isliedh, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon white blend.

2007: Won World’s Best Sauvignon Blanc – Decanter Award.

2010: Won World’s Best Blended White Wine – Decanter Award.

2023: Refurbishment/revamp of the establishment.