Franschhoek Tatler - December 2014

DECEMBER 2014 Diners Club Wynmaker van die Jaar

Fhk wines awarded for regionality

Adolescents, body shape & body image

Three in a row at KLINK Awards

Bladsy 2

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Page 13

Indoor community sport centre nearing completion

The cavernous interior of the sport centre dwarfs a construction worker development through sport and recreation. SCORE manages a similar centre – also funded by HTA – in Mbekweni, Paarl, where 500 youth attend structured programmes every week.

There is already an exchange programme between Bridge House School and the Mbekweni centre that will be expanded to include the Groendal centre once it is operational.

Adjacent to the sport centre HTA are developing the ELC that will be utilised by local NGO, The Kusasa Project, after a strategic partnership was formed by the two organisations. Here work is progressing slightly slower, as an extra floor was added to the design at the last minute and further funding was required complete this second level. Once completed the ELC will cater for learners from Pre-K through to Grade 3 (covering the Foundation Phase of education).

The centre will be officially opened in mid-January 2015. Dignitaries expected at this event include the three HTA ambassadors: Reuben Riffel, Ryk Neethling and Gary Kirsten. www.hopethroughaction.com | www.score.org.za | www.thekusasaproject.org

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Construction on the new indoor community sport centre in Groendal and the adjoining Kusasa Early Learning Centre (ELC) is continuing apace with the completion date looming ever closer.

During a site visit with project manager Fred Laker of Lyners Consulting Engineers & Project Managers the scale of the project soon became clear. Thus far Power Construction has used 374 434 bricks, 953 cubic metres of ready mix concrete and 1 807 pockets of cement. In addition 1 254 cubic metres of excavation have been done and 926 cubic metres of filling sand used.

The new centre will have a synthetic multi-sport pitch, training rooms, changing rooms and spectator seating. Several sports will be accommodated including soccer, cricket, netball and volleyball.

The sport centre and ELC are largely funded by Hope Through Action (HTA), a charity registered in both SA and the UK, which assists disadvantaged youth to develop life skills – particularly through sport. Once operational the centre will be operated

by SCORE, an international Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) that specialises in community

THE FRANSCHHOEK TATLER

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New Franschhoek venture for prominent Oudtshoorn couple “Nowhere have I seen the sublime and the beautiful, the tame and the terrible so well arranged” wrote Sir John Barrow on a visit to the Franschhoek Valley during the first British Occupation of the Cape from 1795 – 1803.

Nic Barrow had his forefather’s words in mind when he and his wife, Ferda, bought a small Franschhoek farm with the dream of producing only the finest Cap Classique. Over the past five years they have planted it with the classic champagne varietals of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. The first harvest took place in 2012, with the maiden Brut and Rosé to be released in Winemaker Paul Gerber with Le Lude’s Ferda and Nic Barrow October 2015. selected as a finalist in the Annual Business Day Nic, an attorney by profession, initiated both the BASA Awards in the category Increasing Access to KKNK (Klein Karoo National Arts Festival) and the Arts. They also donate several bursaries towards the Klein Karoo Klassique art festival. Along with learners from underprivileged communities.

Ferda he also owned and ran several hotels and Ferda, who studied and taught accounting, is an property developments. accomplished cook as well as an avid gardener. She Nic and Ferda Barrow are passionate about the is currently creating both a show and vegetable finer things in life and put their hearts and souls into garden at Le Lude – the latter to supply the planned everything they do. This is testament in the many restaurant. The couple has two daughters – Olga, an accolades and awards they have received over the years. interior designer, and Nicolene, a chef.

The Barrows have been honoured amongst other Wine making at Le Lude is in the hands of by the Jewish National Fund of South Africa, for Paul Gerber – a schoolteacher with a passion for contributions made to President Nelson Mandela mathematics who decided to go back to university to Park in Delft and the Walter Sisulu Environmental follow his other love, wine. After his oenology studies Centre in Mamelodi. Nic has been honoured by the at Stellenbosch Paul did several internships in South ATKV and the Red Cross, as well as receiving a special Africa, Italy, Germany and Champagne. Along the award from The Oudtshoorn Business Chamber for way he discovered his love for bubbly. Paul travels to his contribution to tourism, job creation and the Champagne every year to hone his skills in order to local economy. Nic and Ferda also won the Sanlam create only the best Cap Classique at Le Lude.

Business Partners Entrepreneur of the year (Western 082 796 0787 (Paul Gerber) | www.lelude.co.za & Eastern Cape) and the Barrow Family Trust was

Polo for a purpose

December 2014

New developments at Bridge House School

Marc Barrow (Head of Prep), Janis Christian (Business Manager), Abbey Rands (Founder pupil who matriculated in 2005), and Tim Rands (one of the Founders of Bridge House School, Chairman of the Bridge House Educational Foundation and Director of the Board) got the earthworks going for the new developments at Bridge House School.

The facilities at Bridge House School will soon be even better. This is after the latest phase of property development that commenced on 22 October 2014 is completed. The new developments include more sports fields and a new Pre-Primary Section to alleviate the pressure on the Prep School facilities.

According to Deputy-head Rory Malcolm “Getting to this point has been a long and time-consuming process, which included re-zoning the land, consolidation and deeds transfer and environmental assessments and approvals from affected neighbours and the various local authorities.”

The ten-hectare portion of land for the sports fields was donated to the school by the late Graham Beck.

Because of the location and the proximity to the 100-year flood line, it was earmarked for sports field development, with approval having been granted for ancillary sport-related buildings.

The plans include an astro-turf hockey field, two cricket ovals (which will also be used for winter sports) turfed practice areas and a wetland enviro-centre.

Because this area is low-lying it is relatively sheltered from the wind and hidden from the R45. Malcolm

continued, “It will be a spectacular location for the new sports fields. The two ovals will be separated by a natural stream that will be rehabilitated. Currently the area is choked with alien vegetation, which is being cleared and our aim is to establish an indigenous wetland and stream eco-system.”

Bridge House School’s existing sports facilities are used back-to-back by the school and are also used by a variety of outside sports groups. Boland cricket regularly use the current cricket oval and it has hosted provincial and national tournaments including the SA Visually-impaired Cricket Team matches. The Franschhoek Lions Club also uses the Bridge House School grounds for their six-a-side cricket tournaments and for the Lions Cycle Race and the school has become a regular destination for foreign school touring sides.

The school has expressed the hope to develop a symbiotic relationship with the Mbekweni Sports Centre and the soon-to-be-completed Groendal Sports Centre. “We would like the whole valley community to share in these exciting new developments with us,” said Deputy Head Malcolm.

021 874 8100 | www.bridgehouse.org.za

New owner for Oude Slavenhuis Restaurant

of this annual equestrian fundraiser for the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA), fittingly during breast cancer awareness month, enjoyed a glorious afternoon of riveting polo, up to the minute fashion, and mouth-watering Cintron cocktails on the lawns of this country’s only Wine & Polo Estate.

Best ever quiz night Annette was in panic mode. Tina at Bread & Wine had just told her that with the extension of the tasting room at Môreson she could only seat 100 for her 2014 SPCA Sterilisation Fundraising Quiz instead of 130! Disaster loomed. Less seats equals less money for the dinner and less wine sold. But listening to this breaking news were Neil Jewel – chef at Bread & Wine, Franschhoek’s busiest restaurant for alfresco lunches; and Margot Janse – world renowned chef at the Tasting Room at Le Quartier Français. Their offer was immediate. Annette could auction a dinner for 10 including wine to be cooked by Neil and Margot in the winning bidder’s home!

And what a success the auction was! Doug Gurr of Pam Golding in the style of an accomplished auctioneer first offered 6 cases of Boekenhoutskloof ’s famous Chocolate Block generously donated by Marc Kent. These were quickly snapped up and one delightful lady not only paid twice the going price but returned her case. It was immediately resold.

Raymond Hofmann, last year’s successful bidder for a Jeroboam of Chocolate Block, then generously offered it for re-auction.

Doug then offered Neil and Margot’s dinner. A high reserve had been set. Annette was nervous. It might not be reached. Doug had barely started when Peter Ferreira of Graham Beck offered to supply the wine and act as sommelier for the evening. Annette need not have worried. Skilfully coaxed by Doug bidding quickly sailed past the reserve and then on and upwards. The hammer fell at R25 000! But what put the icing on the cake and the cherry on the icing was

the offer by the under bidders to pay the same price for a second dinner if Neil and Margot agreed. And they did! And so did Peter Ferreira!

Although it was a fun-filled evening, Annette spent a few moments reminding her guests that the suffering of so many unwanted or uncared for dogs and cats could only be reduced by holding regular and frequent sterilisation clinics with the invaluable voluntary services of Dr Ilse Gersbach of Stellenbosch Animal Hospital.

Annette went on to thank Tina for again lending Bread & Wine and their lovely staff for the evening, Pierre of Le Bon Vivant who again cooked a delicious chicken and pasta dish, Jaco at Goede Hoop in Paarl who supplied the chicken at cost, the people and vineyards who generously donated wine – Nikki Friedman at Môreson, Wanda Vlok-Keuler at Leopards Leap (La Motte), Andrew Harris at Rickety Bridge, Joy McCourt at Stony Brook, George Mayer at Bourgogne, Richard Parkfelt at La Chataigne, Marc Kent at Boekenhoutskloof, Alastair Wood at Glenwood and Kevin Swart at Black Elephant Vintners; and the very many people who had helped her – Alex Maheri, Felicity and Mathew Browne, Colleen Goosen, Bill Stemp, Anne Ferreira, Errol Cunnama for keeping the scores, Stuart Downie once again for the ice creams and Franschhoek Lions for the sound system.

It was Annette’s 11th quiz night. With the smaller number, it was friendly, intimate and by consensus the best yet.

Barry Phillips

Chef Olivia Boonzaaier and assistant manager Anthea de Villiers

Wynmaker van die Jaar toekennings in Franschhoek Die Diners Club Wynmaker van die Jaar en Jong Wynmaker van die Jaar toekennings is op 15 November tydens ‘n glansryke geleentheid in Franschhoek oorhandig. ‘n Gala dinee by La Residence is deur meer as 140 mense bygewoon. Finaliste, vorige wenners, belangrikes in die wynbedryf en gaste het aan lang tafels onder hangende roosballe en glinsterende kandelare ‘n elegante ete geniet.

Die wyne wat bedien is, was die van die wenners. Jeannie D was die pragtige seremoniemeester.

Jacques Erasmus, wynmaker van Spier, is as die 2014 Diners Club Wynmaker van die Jaar aangewys en JD Pretorius, kellermeester van Steenberg Wingerde, is die Jong Wynmaker.

Jacques se wenwyn is Spier se Sauvignon Blanc Semillon versnit genaamd Creative Block 2 2014, so genoem na ‘n kunsprojek wat Spier ondersteun. Hy sê die wyn is tans baie lekker, maar sal oor twee jaar verander en verbeter. Die dag voor die inskrywings gesluit het, het hy geweet die wyn kan ‘n wenner wees.

Hy wys ook daarop dat hy gelukkig is om reeds lank met sy kelderbestuurder en wingerdboukundige te werk. “Ons ken die wingerde en hulle geskiedenis.”

JD se wenwyn is sy Steenberg Merlot 2012. JD erken Merlot is nie ‘n baie gewilde wyn nie, maar hy sê Steenberg s’n “is ‘n ernstige Merlot wat al voorheen toekennings verwerf het”. Die landgoed het ‘n sterk konnotasie met die druifsoort. JD sê dit was sy laaste kans om die toekenning as Jong Wynmaker te kry, want hy is reeds 29! Dis duidelik dat hy verheug is oor die toekenning en gee toe dat passie ‘n groot rol speel in die maak van goeie wyn, maar dat dit baie harde werk is. In die seisoen werk hy gereeld 100 ure ‘n maand oortyd.

Foto: Jac Kritzinger

Pretty pastels and a medley of pink shades were the order of the day on Saturday, 27 October, as local and international guests attended the fifth annual Cintron Pink Polo powered by Vodacom - one of the most anticipated events in the Western Cape’s social and polo calendar – at the Val de Vie Estate. Guests

Anne Jacobs, well-known in Franschhoek and Groendal for her delicious cakes and samoosas, has taken over the Oude Slaven Huis Restaurant at the Huguenot Museum.

Anne and her chef, Olivia Boonzaaier, have put together a comprehensive menu featuring many local dishes like Cape Malay chicken tikka and Chicken Pot Pie, as well as a very popular ‘Ouma se Fish en Chips’.

For morning tea or coffee there is a plentiful supply of Ann’s scones and cakes. Anthea de Villiers, the assistant manager, says. “This is a very child-friendly restaurant, and the kids love playing hide-and-seek in the wild flower garden behind the restaurant.”

The Oude Slaven Huis, set in the quiet, beautiful gardens behind the museum is open daily from 09h00 to 17h00.

Jacques Erasmus van Spier – Diners Club Wynmaker van die Jaar 2014

Dit was ongetwyfled ‘n spoggeleentheid wat vir Franschhoek en die borge heelwat aansien meegebring het.

December 2014

We specialise in Residential & Farm Sales, Commercial, Rentals, Developments & Financing.

To discuss your needs with a Sales Partner please contact Janice or Kate Hicks: C: Janice: 072 991 6272 E: janice.hicks@rawson.co.za C: Kate: 079 068 2130 E: kate.hicks@rawson.co.za Office phone: 021 876 4570 Shop 7, 62 Huguenot Road, Franschhoek (Next to Huguenot Fine Chocolates)

Cellar Restaurant & Terrace

“I’m newly inspired every day. By the view from the restaurant of the valley beyond. By the restaurant itself, with its vaulted ceilings and crystal chandeliers. By the window in the restaurant that gives you a glimpse of the underground cellar and that reminds me of what I’m here to do: To pair amazing food with spectacular wines. So, when I’m

wandering through the kitchen garden, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are never far from my mind. The wines of Haute Cabrière are my muses. They define every culinary decision; they inspire every new idea.

The quest is deceptively simple: to make sure that every bite of food you take is made magical by a sip of matching wine.” – Ryan Shell, Head Chef.

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For more information visit www.cabriere.co.za

THE FRANSCHHOEK TATLER

4

December 2014

presented in association with “Les Vignerons de Franschhoek”

La Motte Estate

Pierneef à La Motte’s

La Motte Syrah 2011

Veal carbonade

An elegant wine offering finesse and a beautiful balance between complexity and freshness.

With a nose of aniseed, nutmeg, white pepper and raspberry fruit, the style stays true to what is expected from a classic Syrah.

Cellar Price: R139

La Motte Estate  Tel: 021 876 8000  Email: info@la-motte.co.za

Veal - Ingredients 1½ cups (375 ml) dried breadcrumbs; 1 Tbsp (15 ml) chopped fresh parsley; ½ tsp (2.5 ml) salt; ½ tsp (2.5 ml) freshly ground black pepper; 4 veal chops, French trimmed (rib bone cleaned); Cake flour, for dusting; 2 egg whites, lightly beaten; 2 Tbsp (30 ml) butter Method Preheat the oven to 180° C (350° F). Mix the crumbs, parsley, salt and pepper. Lightly dust the veal chops in flour, coat in egg white and toss in the crumb mixture. Repeat the egg white and crumb process so that you end up with doublecrumbed chops. Place in the oven for 5 minutes, for mediumrare. Transfer the chops to a heated frying pan and brown in butter on both sides.

Parsley Butter Sauce - Ingredients 200 g butter, room temperature; 2 Tbsp (30 ml) finely minced fresh parsley; ½ tsp (2.5 ml) finely minced garlic; tsp (2.5 ml)

Rickety Bridge

Paulina’s at Rickety Bridge’s

The Foundation Stone 2013

Home Cured Springbok Carpaccio

This intriguing blend of Syrah, Cinsault, Mourvèdre, Grenache, Tannat and Viognier is silky soft on the palate with succulent tannins and notes of white pepper, blackcurrant, white chocolate and cherry tobacco on the nose. Layered complexity on the nose and palate surprise with every interaction.

Cellar Price: R85

Ingredients: 500g springbok loin 5g salt 5g cracked black pepper 10g Dijon Mustard 10g Chopped rosemary

Rickety Bridge  Tel: 021 876 2129  Email: info@ricketybridge.com

Method: 1. Season springbok loin with the salt and pepper.

2. Heat up a pan, once hot add a little olive oil and place springbok loin in pan.

3. Seal off the springbok loin on each side, giving about a half a minute on each side to be sealed off and have some colour.

4. Once all sides are sealed allow to rest on a cutting board.

5. Once cool to the touch rub the Dijon Mustard all over the loin and add more black pepper to the loin.

lemon zest; ½ tsp (2.5 ml) salt; ¼ tsp (1 ml) freshly ground black pepper; 2 egg whites, lightly beaten; 1 cup (250 ml) dried bread crumbs or rusk crumbs Method Place all the ingredients, except the egg and crumbs, in a bowl and beat for 3-5 minutes to mix. Pour into a dish and refrigerate. Use a melon baller or Parisian scoop to make small butter balls. Place the balls in the freezer until rock hard.

Crumb using the same process as for the chops. Fry in hot oil just until the crumbs turn golden brown and serve immediately, spooned on top of the chops.

Serve with a quince preserve and a healthy salad.

Pierneef à La Motte  Tel: 021 876 8800  Email: pierneef@la-motte.co.za

6. Place the chopped rosemary on the board and roll the loin over the rosemary so that all sides are covered.

7. Roll the loin tightly in cling wrap and freeze.

8. When the springbok loin is frozen take out the freezer about 5 minutes before you would like to start slicing it.

9. Either slice it on a slicer or use a sharp knife and but thin slivers of the loin.

10. Place on a plate and serve it with some more cracked black pepper, some rocket and parmesan shavings.

Paulina’s at Rickety Bridge  Tel: 021 876 2129  Email: functions@ricketybridge.com

Who is the new Diner’s Club Winemaker of the Year?

Send your answer to: tatlercompetition@gmail.com. The winner will be informed by return mail before 15 December 2014. Prizes have to be collected from the Franschhoek Info Office before end December 2014 or be forfeited.

Tel: +27 (0)21 876 3386 • email: info@fch.co.za www.fch.co.za

Visit Boschenmeer Golf estate in the heart of the Winelands Visitors are welcome – enjoy our 27-hole course and a newly upgraded clubhouse

We are easily accessible off the N1 near Paarl and 25 minutes from Franschhoek.

Bookings: Tel: 021 863 1140 or bookings@paarlgc.co.za

www.boschenmeergolf.co.za

848 Wemmershoek Road, Boschenmeer Golf Estate, Paarl Golf Club, 7646

December 2014

THE FRANSCHHOEK TATLER

The month of November brings with it birthday celebrations and the joy of living in this part of South Africa.

First and foremost, it is my tradition to annoy my friends and enemies, annually, by telling them it is my birthday on 3 November – and here I do it again!

For me the month of November isn’t about growing a moustache, it is my birthday month!

November begins on a celebratory note for me.

To begin it is on the 1st of November that ‘My Peggy’ and I celebrate three wonderful years in this exceptional village.

This year Exceptional November is a worthy description, as we enjoyed the introduction of the extensive renovations at Paulina’s Restaurant at Rickety Bridge – nothing rickety any more at this popular estate!

Paulina’s new look We also celebrated a November birthday with Franschhoek resident and award-winning journalist, Barbara Jones, who is the African correspondent for the UK’s Mail on Sunday newspaper. She is also the

ghost-writer for Christo Brand’s acclaimed book, Mandela, My Prisoner, My Friend. This we celebrated at the Delaire-Graff restaurant. The very friendly service and delicious food is substantially enhanced by the scenic splendour facing the outdoor terrace location we were privy to be seated at. Best described as spectacularly unforgettable.

Only a day later we enjoyed our first visit to the Babel Restaurant for lunch in the company of Elmine Nel, the dynamic and charismatic Hotel Manager. Here I pause to describe the best salad I have ever experienced, with produce from their famous gardens. I was given a choice of a Red, Yellow or Green salad. I chose the Red salad and what a beautiful and mouth-watering pleasure this dish was! Just imagine: Hot Smoked Salmon and pickled Candy stripe Beetroot terrine with Tamarillo, Lotus slow roasted albion strawberries, heritage raspberries, watermelon, duke blue berries, san pedro peach, purple carrot and numnum, served with vygie dressing.

As a punctuation to this selfish celebration I was surprised by “My Peggy’ who had arranged a game

The renovated interior at Paulina’s Restaurant

5

of golf at Arabella. There I met another good looking, immodest, intelligent and delightful person, called Franklin Lewis, who was also born on 3 November!

We completed a visit to the Hermanus area with dinner with friends at Lizette’s Kitchen restaurant and were delighted to meet owner/chef Lizette Crabtree, who produces excellent fare with surprising dishes from Vietnam. This is explained by her having spent 10 years in Vietnam, but she tells us her formative cuisine experiences were actually in Franschhoek, where she worked under Reuben, when he was at Monneaux, and where she took over from him, as Executive Chef, when he departed to further his reputation.

Our return to Franschhoek allowed us to attend the launch of Ryan’s Kitchen at their new location in Main Road. Contemporary décor and spacious seating with Ryan’s famous open kitchen will no doubt continue his reputation for sensational and innovative dishes.

Birthday Boy with Peggy and Barbara at Delaire-Graff

Helping yourself to a second glass from the host’s own bottle while their back is turned is not only bad form but tantamount to theft. However, if the contents of the bottle are nothing less than spectacular, snatching a second splash might pass as forgivable or even pure genius!

It happened like this: At a birthday party for a Portuguese friend he produced a bottle of Madeira.

This iconic wine is made from a variety of cultivars of which Malmsey (Malvasia) and Sercial are the most popular. The finished product is a smoky, Port-like wine with a faintly caramel tang. It was delicious and provided no real indication of its age. It was indeed sufficiently interesting for me to go for seconds – for the simple reason that the vintage was 1903! It was at that time 108 years old and who could resist a chance to sample a wine that was over 100 years old a second time?

I tell this tale to those who sometimes ask whether I’ve ever had an ‘amazing’ wine. There are others, but not many.

Once in Bordeaux I found myself invited by Peter Sichel, then co-owner of the iconic Chateau Palmer, to a tasting of their wines before dinner at the Chateau. I still have my tasting notes which identify the Sirius 1988 and 1961 as my choice of the best of the best. Of course the magnificent surroundings and sense of occasion no doubt had a lot to do with it.

Another memorable wine, also French, was enjoyed at a private vineyard near Chablis. The vigneron was entertaining a few journalists and I was invited to tag along. In the small, 12-barrel cellar under his house he drew the precious liquid from a barrel giving each of us a tiny sample. The man next to me tapped my leg with his foot, saying in a whisper, “Stand to attention when you taste this… it is special.”

It was. It was the most balanced Chardonnay I have ever experienced. It became a wine benchmark in my then still short viticultural experience. The wine was all the more remarkable as the vintner identified his barrels by placing small gravel chips from the cellar floor on the lip of each barrel. Three chips on this one, five on that barrel and so on. His reason? He was illiterate! Could we have access? “Je suis très désolé,” he said, ‘Sorry’. It was all sold in advance to the 21 Club in New York!

One does not have to go all the way to France for great wines. Some are a lot nearer than you may think.

In fact, I am going to see if my Portuguese friend has another bottle.

FRAN SC HHOEK

Wines Franschhoek proudly presents

WINE OF THE WEEK - FREE TASTING

Boschendal 1/12 - 5/12

Taste some of the fine wines from Boschendal.

Rickety Bridge 6/12 - 9/12

Come and taste some great wines from Rickety Bridge.

FRANSCHHOEK CHRISTMAS WEEK! 10/12 - 16/12

Meet and greet some of our favourite wine farms and taste their fantastic wines – we are open till 20h00!

2014 ALL AFRICA MUSIC AWARD NOMINEE Coda Africa

My Wyn 17/12 - 21/12

Honest, handcrafted wines from the smallest wine cellar in the valley.

Come and taste some of Jacoline’s fine wines.

LIVE AT CAFE DES ARTS

THE LAST WEEK OF THE YEAR – IS THE BUBBLY WEEK! 22/12 - 29/12 Bubbly, bubbly and more bubbly! It’s time to stock up for New Year’s Eve and we have some great bubbly. From fab MMC´s from Franschhoek to Champagne from France.

14 DEC 2014

Show at 2pm. R50 at the door

We wish all our friends and customers an awesome 2015!

All Africa Music Award Nominee 2014

Franschhoek Wines at cellar door prices.

Open 7 days a week 23 Huguenot Road, Tel: 021 876 3185 •

CODA_ALBUM_NEWSPAPER AD_CAFE DE ARTS_01.indd 1

29/10/2014 18:54

THE FRANSCHHOEK TATLER

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Franschhoek wines awarded for displaying regional attributes

AGP winners proudly display their certificates and trophies

The best Franschhoek Semillon, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, displaying regional provenance, were granted Appellation Grand Prestige (AGP) status at the inaugural AGP awards ceremony on 30 October, sponsored by Cork Supply South Africa and Anglo African Finance.

Wines were awarded AGP status based on them epitomising the flavour and aroma profiles found in Franschhoek wines. These profiles were determined during a ‘typicity tasting’ in 2013, which included 115 wines from 30 Franschhoek producers, with vintages dating back to 1992.

The wines were systematically tasted and analysed by industry experts – winemakers, critics, retailers and sommeliers – to establish the particular regional attributes that clearly define Franschhoek wines. This was followed by a classification tasting where wines labelled and certified Wine of Origin Franschhoek were selected for being of a high quality and displaying strong regional characteristics.

In order to qualify for AGP status, wines entered in the selection process had to be produced from grapes grown solely in the Franschhoek ward. Wines made from grapes grown outside Franschhoek were not included in the selection process and could not qualify for AGP status.

This rigorous approach to define a regional identity is the brainchild of founding members Craig McNaught of Stony Brook Vineyards, Clayton Reabow of Môreson Wine Farm and Rob Armstrong of Haut Espoir.

As producers they recognise the need to provide the consumer with an identification system which effectively communicates regional typicity while encouraging quality Franschhoek wine offerings.

“The selection process showed a remarkable flavour and aroma agreement between similar varieties, which clearly indicated a unique expression of Franschhoek provenance that we felt needed to be acknowledged to the

winemakers, and communicated to the consumers,” says Reabow. “With this identification system, consumers who love the wines produced in Franschhoek will be able to identify wine made only from grapes grown in the valley, and make an informed purchasing decision.”

According to McNaught a regional identification system like AGP is becoming even more important as international enthusiasm for South African wines grows. “It’s about boosting the Franschhoek brand of wines by making it possible for consumers to make regional associations, similar to wine regions in Europe. When sampling a wine from Bordeaux, consumers know what to expect from the wines produced there, and the same principle applies for other regions across the globe. There is no reason why the same idea shouldn’t apply in South Africa.”

The first wines to be granted AGP status are: Chamonix Chardonnay Reserve 2013 Maison Chardonnay 2013 Rickety Bridge Chardonnay 2013 Môreson Mercator Premium Chardonnay 2013 Môreson Knoputibak 2012 Franschhoek Vineyards Semillon 2012 Franschhoek Vineyards Semillon 2013 Haut Espoir Semillon 2009 Rickety Bridge Paulinas Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 Stony Brook Ghost Gum Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 According to the AGP founding members, this system might prove useful to other wine districts where producers are seeking to highlight regional typicity in their wines.

“It potentially provides the rest of the Winelands with a systematic and scientific classification system to identify and reward the individual character profile of grapes grown in various wine appellations,” says Armstrong. www.agpc.co.za

December 2014

L’Ormarins adds a Rosé MCC December sees the introducing of the latest addition to the Anthonij Rupert Wyne portfolio – the L’Ormarins MCC Brut Rosé 2012, which follows the Brut MCC NV that was released in February 2013.

Displaying a delicate salmon colour, this elegant Brut Rosé is made from a blend of Pinot Noir (90%) and Chardonnay (10%). It is a hand-crafted wine that delivers a constant stream of fine bubbles with aromas of framboise and strawberries on the nose.

This carries through with excellent vibrancy and a crisp crunch of acidity, balancing the ripe fruitiness, thus resulting in a creamy, broad and textured flavour in the mouth. Its lingering aftertaste finishes on a light, fruity note.

With MCC gaining popularity and becoming an ‘any time’ drink, the L‘Ormarins Brut Rosé 2012 is great enjoyed chilled, on its own, or as the perfect partner to Tuna Sashimi or Rainbow Rolls, Duck and Pomegranate Salad, Smoked Venison Carpaccio or Grilled Prawns with Lime and Coriander.

It is available directly from the L’Ormarins tasting room at R185 per bottle, and also from select specialist wine stores.

021 874 9041 | www.rupertwines.com 

  

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   C

M

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CM

MY

CY CMY

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December 2014

THE FRANSCHHOEK TATLER

7

AFRIMA nomination for Franschhoeker’s group

Platter’s by Diners Club South African Wine Guide 2015 launched

Cape Town-based music group, CODA, of which local cellist Carol Thorns is a member, has been nominated for an All Africa Music Award (AFRIMA) for ‘Most Promising Artist in Africa 2014’.

CODA released their new album Disclosure earlier this year. The album is a collection of songs based on stories divulged by members of the band.

Their single Fat Boy has been play-listed on several radio stations including Good Hope FM and Heart FM, achieving a spot on the SA Top Ten Chart for more than a month. The music video of Go Insane has featured on Channel O and M Net. “We wanted to tell our secrets and share the many experiences we’ve had together in the years we’ve travelled and performed as CODA”, says lead singer, Zami Mdingi.

“One had to be careful what you confessed to band members in the last year – there was always a strong possibility it would become a song on the new album!”

The album is the result of much collaboration.

CODA worked with producers Kevin Ribbans and Jonathan Arnold (Mix n Blend), Ross and Myles McDonald (Hey Papa Legend Studios) and Andrew Ford (The Nuthouse). The group also worked with various artists on the project: Baby Mama Drama features rapper Whosane, DJ Cleo co-wrote Just to Hear Your Voice and Uyabizwa features The Ruffest.

“We are excited about this release because although we’ve retained the signature CODA sound and

Sadie Family Wines honoured as Winery of the Year for historic second time

ensemble, we are exploring new music territory and are thrilled with the result. This is CODA as you’ve never heard us before” says Carol Thorns.

Fronted by powerful vocalist Zami Mdingi, CODA combines electric strings (violin and cello by Galina Juritz and Carol Thorns) with saxophone (Judy Brown) and DJ (DJ LuvChild). Their music traverses different genres from Classically-inspired ballads to Electro-Swing, Dub Step, Reggae and Hip Hop. Forthcoming performances include: Sunday 14 December – Café des Arts, Franschhoek; Thursday 18 December – Waterfront Amphitheatre and Friday 16 January 2015 – Café Roux, Noordhoek.

Disclosure is available on iTunes.

082 480 3964 (Carol Thorns) | carol@codamusic. co.za

Papillon did a sidestep Papillon, the ladies boutique, has recently moved to bigger premises in Huguenot Square – right next door to the previous premises.Owner Aliki Starke started the business three years ago with Cheryl Plomaritis.

She felt there was a gap in the market for resort wear and easy to wear casual clothes. The focus is on local designers, including the stylish PIA knitwear label that is locally manufactured with imported Italian yarn. There are also beach hats, kaftans, scarves, bags, baskets and jewellery and very soon a stunning new Safari range.

The Platter’s by Diners Club South African Wine Guide 2015 was launched at a gathering of the who’s who of the wine industry at Cape Town’s Mount Nelson Hotel on 27 October. Over 200 guests were eager to discover which wines achieved five star status, and to celebrate the white wine of the year, the red wine of the year, and the wine estate taking the ultimate accolade as the Platter’s South African winery of the year for 2015.

Diners Club and Platter’s are delighted to announce that the Swartland-based Sadie Family Wines is the Guide’s Winery of the Year for a historic second time.

The winery first took the honour in 2010 and it is the only winery to emerge from this year’s stringent judging process with three maximum five star ratings for the 2015 edition of Platter’s. Congratulations further go to De Trafford Blueprint Syrah 2012, hailed as Red Wine of the Year, and DeMorgenzon Reserve Chardonnay 2013, celebrated as the White Wine of the Year. The 2015 guide features 50 five star wines and one new five star brandy.

Publisher of Platter’s, Jean-Pierre Rossouw, says: “We introduced a new five star tastings system for the 2015 guide that saw small panels of tasters assessing each category meticulously and in an unhurried fashion. Therefore, producers that have achieved five stars in the 2015 guide can be sure

that their wine or wines are truly exceptional. At the same time, there were many very tight decisions and hotly debated wines – making the list of Highly Recommended wines replete with fantastic options that just missed the cut.”

Rossouw adds, “Platter’s is different in that it is a wine guide – and not a competition per se. Our expert tasters initially assess the wines sighted, to assist learning as much as possible about the intent of the producer and the wine’s back-story, as well as vital details such as site and climate. But when it comes to the five star tasting, we shift to a blind tasting format as we are then comparing wines against each other within categories.”

This year also saw nine wineries achieving five stars for the first time: Creation Wines, Crystallum, Diners Club Bartho Eksteen Academy, Fram, Iona, Oldenburg, Porseleinberg, Stellenbosch Vineyards/ Flagship and Sumaridge.

The Franschhoek five star achievers for 2015 are: Boekenhoutskloof Winery Syrah 2012 and Boschendal Wines Cecil John Reserve Shiraz 2012.

Platter’s 2015 print version is available at select bookstores and retail outlets countrywide. The recommended retail price is R195. The book can also be ordered online from Platter’s website (www. wineonaplatter.com). The web-based version of the guide is available at www.wineonaplatter.com.

Opera lovers’ delight An art critic said “Mozart would be delighted” with Cape Town Opera’s production of The Marriage of Figaro. It is a statement with which a group of Franschhoekers would have no argument. They booked to attend the production at Artscape and boarded the Franschhoek Culture Vulture bus early on 23 October – a warm spring evening.

It was a production worthy of all its praise; a good cast with beautiful voices, the orchestra in top form, wonderful set and wardrobe design and well-played comedic moments. Hearing George Stevens again in

FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE

the role of Figaro added to the evening’s pleasure.

Graham Beck Brut and wines lent sparkle to a most enjoyable outing. The performance was long and hunger set in on the trip home. Tasty snacks and a sweet treat on the bus soon set matters right.

Safe travelling in windy conditions in the JDJ Davids Transport bus assured peace of mind for the Franschhoeker opera lovers.

If you would like to be informed of future theatre outings, please send your name, email address and cell phone number to editor@franschhoekstyle.co.za.

SUMMER 2014/15

DECEMBER 2014

Enjoy dinner from La Petite Ferme’s famous à la carte menu, alfresco under African summer skies, to the sound of live music on our lawns.

Fridays from 18:00 till 21:30 | R50pp cover charge | Reserve your table 021 876 3016 | For further details visit www.lapetiteferme.co.za

12 DEC James Stewart

19 DEC Tarabu

2 JAN James Stewart

9 JAN The Real Wicomb Trio featuring Simangele Mashazi

16 JAN Tarabu

23 JAN Louise Day

6 FEB Louise Day

13 FEB James Stewart

20 FEB Tarabu

27 FEB Koba

6 MAR James Stewart

13 MAR Louise Day

20 MAR Tarabu

27 MAR Koba

MARCH 2015

FEBRUARY 2015

JANUARY 2015

5 DEC Tarabu

30 JAN James Stewart

THE FRANSCHHOEK TATLER

8

Adolescents, body shape and body image Adolescence is a very difficult and worrying time for parents and teenagers alike, especially in our westernised society where a lot of importance is placed on body shape/image. But what is the difference between body shape and body image?

Body Shape is how one’s body actually looks One needs to understand that adolescent bodies are changing and that they are going from a child to an adult’s body. An adult body will need to work (fight, flight, hunt for food, etc. if you look at it from nature’s point of view) and most importantly for women, the body is preparing itself for pregnancy, child birth and breastfeeding. This is why when a woman becomes too thin, either from not eating enough or doing too much exercise, their menstrual cycle stops so that they can’t fall pregnant as the baby would not get enough nutrition.

Having no menstrual cycle for a long period of time has many negative health implications so it’s important that this is prevented if possible.

During the teenage years, the sex hormones really start to work and in the initial period the body could be out of balance which can result in fluctuating weight as well as other problems such as moodiness, acne, etc. Some teenagers are late growers and the body often stores weight in preparation for a growth spurt – the growth spurt requires much energy so the body pre-empts this by going into a period of storage before the growth spurt. This is referred to as ‘puppy fat’ (layman’s term) or rebound adiposity (scientific term).

We are all born with different shapes – men are generally apple shaped and store their fat reserves around their stomachs and women are generally pear shaped and store their fat reserves around their thighs and hips. If one loses weight, your shape will not change: those who are apple shaped will become smaller apples and those who are pears will become smaller pears.

Teenagers need to understand that they cannot change their shape. Body shape is generally inherited from your family and if you have a big build for example, you will struggle to be a champion long distance runner but you may have the build to be a champion sprinter and vice versa. Swimmers generally have higher body fat and body builders are generally naturally muscular.

Body Image is how one thinks one’s body looks or should look Much of our dissatisfaction with our bodies and weight stems from what we see on television and magazines.

Models become models because they are generally born (not made) with skinny, lean, shapeless figures and those who aren’t naturally of this shape, spend fortunes on

surgery or have to permanently starve themselves to try look like that. They pay a heavy price as the many years of dieting and starving themselves often results in major weight gain and other health risks later in life when they give up modelling.

Body image can also be affected by how we feel about ourselves and even by our mood or stress levels. So it’s important to remember when one looks in the mirror and sees only negative aspects about our bodies to ask yourself if you are unhappy, stressed, bored or lonely as all these emotions can affect our view of ourselves. If you answer ‘yes’ to any of the above emotions you need to step away from the mirror and do something else to try make you feel good about yourself. You need to accept your body’s shape and do what you can to make the best of it.

Measures of body shape BMI or weight for height tables are useless measures of body shape, as they don’t take into account your frame size or muscle mass – so the body builder is classified as obese!!

Scales are also useless measures of body shape – you can lose weight when dehydrated or put on weight if retaining water or if putting on muscle. So it can be confusing.

Body fat assessment is a better guide – normal for a man is 13 – 19% and 20 – 26% for women. It is commonly measured using callipers or bioelectrical impedance. Your body fat often determines your body shape.

Your clothes are your best guideline to whether or not you are putting on or losing weight or if your shape is changing, but remember the jeans that fitted a 13 year old should not be fitting that same teenager when they are 15 years old. Adolescents need to understand their bodies are in a period of change, which is normal and healthy.

Karen Protheroe-Downie RD

Dr Glynn Till DC (USA), FCCS (Can) Practice Number: 040 1110 Registration Number: A07609

Chiropractic Specialist Clinician Low back, Mid-back and Neck Pains Myofascial Pain Syndromes (“trigger points”) Sciatica & Brachial Neuralgia TMJ Problems Sports Injuries Headaches Arthritis

57 Cabriere Street, Franschhoek, 7690 Cell: 073 227 1851

November 2014

December 2014

THE FRANSCHHOEK TATLER

Making a splash

Minnie Pietersen (YEA), Colleen de Villiers (Bridge House School), Ismi van Niekerk (Haute Cabrière Aftercare) and Jerwarno Cloete

When Youth Empowerment Action in Franschhoek (YEA) took on the mammoth task of running the Franschhoek Community Swimming Pool (on the grounds of Franschhoek High) in early 2013, many wished them success. But few would have anticipated their massive impact on all walks of village life – from township residents to foreign business owners alike.

Almost two years later the YEA Franschhoek Pool team has trained in excess of 45 first-time swimmers, and helped even more to become water-safe. With the dedicated support of the Bridge House Sports Department a training programme is now also underway to prepare a number of children for the upcoming Bridge House Mile swim, to take place at the Berg River Dam at the end of February 2015.

The Mile itself promises to be an exceptional event, with The Princess Charlene Foundation (and others) on board and many of the development swimmers,

like Jewarno Cloete, pictured, openly keen to impress South Africa’s darling princess. In addition to the long swim from which the event takes its name, the Bridge House Mile swim will also feature a 400 metre and a 200 metre event.

The Franschhoek Pool has also proved to be of value to many visitors booked in at local accommodation establishments without the benefit of a dedicated pool, or those in search of a decent training venue – especially one that allows them to put the hours and miles in to keep their competitive edge or just to lose a dress size or two.

The pool is open daily from 09h00 and available for functions on request. A nominal fee is charged for daily use or venue hire and season tickets are available. Those interested in supporting the YEA Franschhoek Pool initiative are encouraged to call Minnie on 082 404 5055

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THE FRANSCHHOEK TATLER

December 2014

December 2014

THE FRANSCHHOEK TATLER

Gardening in December

Plant of the Month

Natie Ferreira

New Guinea Impatiens are part of the genus

Impatiens. It will come as no surprise to most that it

is Latin for “impatient”. The impatiently explosive discharge of seeds at the onset of the right season or when touched by passers-by is what inspired their genus name but also gave rise to another common name, touch-me-not.

New Guinea Impatiens are readily available, in abundance, for you to start enjoying almost instantly this summer. Whether you’re looking to cool down a hot spot in the garden with some pastel shades or warm up a shady area with some vibrant reds and oranges, you’ll find something to suit your taste and needs.

Ideally they would like to be chosen to fill the gaps in your garden that get both sun and shade. They’ll grow in full sun but tend to crouch away from the constant onslaught of direct rays making it a small compact bush.

Planting them in deeply shady areas will have exactly the opposite effect seeing them stretching out in search of the sun and they often produce very few flowers.

From garden beds to hanging baskets, window

boxes and pots to edging or bordering beds and fillers between shrubs or under trees, these lovelies are at home filling pretty much any gap you’ve got for them. Wait until all danger of frost has passed and then plant your New Guinea Impatiens in well composted and well-draining soil. Unlike many other annuals, they don’t need the additional maintenance of deadheading. www.lifeisagarden.co.za

Measured at La Cotte/Nerina Street for periods indicated

mm/year 2002

1100

2003

824

2004

709

2005

916

2006

884

2007

1153

2008

1217

2009

978

2010

740

2011

830

2012

1079

2013

1471

mm/month 2013

Dam Levels 2014

Month

Accumulative

Month

Accumulative

January February March April May June

11 36 20 83 88 246

11 47 67 150 238 484

69 5 76 50 120 260

69 74 150 200 320 580

July August September October November December

139 409 131 61 242 5

623 1032 1163 1224 1466 1471

135 162 13

715 877 954

As at 17 November 2014 Steenbras Upper Steenbras Lower Wemmershoek Voëlvlei Theewaterskloof Berg River Dam

increase

different result

support

Reliable

measure

New Guinea Impatiens

Rainfall Figures

clear

Street

Environment Estate

Frankie Brooks

planting up pots invest in some moisture retaining granules to save on watering later. Stake standards and young trees in anticipation of the South-Easter that will come.

Harvest ripening veggies regularly and pick up fallen fruit. Keep up your succession sowings of beans, carrots, beetroot, lettuce and radishes.

Stake tomatoes as they grow and pinch back the tips of indeterminate types. Also pinch the tips of runner beans when they reach the top of the poles.

With the late season you can still plant pumpkins, squashes, sweetcorn, peppers, tomatoes and even watermelons and sweet melon.

A hot summer day is not the ideal time to spend behind a hot stove cooking jam, but you sure will have plenty of fruit at hand to can or preserve in some way or the other. Try setting up a canning station outside in your braai area – I have found this to be much cooler and it also turns the whole process into a family event – you can even combine it with a braai!

This is also the ideal place to cook “smelly” foods like bone broth or to render fats.

Have a blessed Christmas and enjoy the holidays.

skills

It is difficult to believe that I am writing the December column while we have snow on the mountains and an icy wind blowing droplets of rain onto the window pane. The weather has been weird this year, with summer slow to arrive. But with all the cold it has still been a fairly dry year with our rainfall totals below the long term average. This obviously brings with it the threat of water restrictions – let’s hope not.

December is a month of reflection, relaxation, family time, al fresco dining and enjoying life.

Gardening might not be on top of your mind; especially if you are one of the lucky few to take on the annual pilgrimage to the beach or overseas for the holidays. If you do go away over the festive days there are a few things you can do to help ensure that you return to a healthy looking garden. An automatic sprinkler system set to water at regular intervals is an obvious start, but if you do not have this you might have to get someone to come and water the garden at least twice a week. Patio pots should be placed in a shady spot where they are reached by the sprinkler system or can easily be watered by your hired helpers. A deep layer of mulch is a good investment, but you do need to really soak the garden after applying this to make sure that the water actually penetrates into the soil.

Give your roses a light summer prune to make sure you don’t have too much dead heading to do when you come back. Harvest all vegetables that you can and nip back runner beans and other climbers to keep their vertical growth in check. A healthy plant is a resilient one, so an application of foliar feed just before you leave might go a long way towards ensuring your garden survives your absence.

For those of us staying at home with hands itchy to garden there is plenty to do. Some free time can be spent tackling a project – try building a tree house with the kids, install a hammock, build a fire pit in the bottom of the garden or fix that water feature that has been attracting mosquitoes for the past few years. Walk your garden regularly, keeping a pair of secateurs at hand to deadhead roses, cut wind damaged branches, cut some flowers for the vase and keep topiaries and hedges under control. You will be amazed at how much work this simple act can save you later. It is also very therapeutic when done at the end of a stressful day. There is still time to pretty up a dull looking area with some flowering seedlings – the nurseries are bursting with colour this time of year and you might find some decent special offerings. While

11

clean

key water

knowledge analyze

Information

Beautiful

Pool

PoolCure

Relationship

value

quote

tools

Environment

Trust

supply

Maintenance

Swallows

Sparkling Franschhoek

decision

Relax

clear

Estate

Service

key

flexible Management Comfort check support Home clean

result

Honest

Easy 5 Star Service

different

5 STAR HOME SERVICES • POOL MAINTENANCE • PROPERTY MANAGEMENT • WE ONLY NEED ONE KEY

RIA: 072 347 5355 • EMAIL: ria@kingsley.co.za

97.4% 80.9% 84.9% 94.0% 95.8% 98.5%

Total Storage 94.7% This Time Last Year 97.8 % - 106.6%

THE FRANSCHHOEK TATLER

12

Hospice News

Franschhoek Probus Club

Alta Malherbe

Colleen Douglas We would like to welcome Sibongile Sokabo Mabapa, a Community Care Worker, to the Franschhoek Hospice staff. We hope that you will be happy and enjoy working with this very dynamic team.

At present we are caring for 280 patients of which 46 are high-risk vulnerable children. Thank you to the individuals, community members and businesses who supported hospice during 2014. Without your continued loyal support we would not have been able to maintain our excellent service that we pride ourselves on. Thank you also to our Health Networking Partners who attended and supported our workshops.

Wish list: We are in need of the following please: Toilet soap, face cloths, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant – male and female, Lotion – aqueous cream and PREP, Sunlight soap, washing powder and nonperishable food items.

The Studio apartment in Hospice House (unfurnished) will be available to let from 1 Dec (Rent: R2950 p.m. including water). Contact Hospice during office hours

for viewing. 021 876 3085. Monday to Friday 08h30 – 14h30.

Our shop continues to do a steady trade so please keep on clearing out your cupboards. Remember, anything from a teaspoon to a television set to furniture is very welcome and we can arrange to collect. The shop will be closed from 12 December - 12 January 2015.

The Administrative Office will close on 19 December and reopen on 5 January 2015.

Please support our Christmas Carols Service on 7 December at 18h30 in the NG Kerk, followed by the Christmas tree lighting where Father Christmas will be present with a bag of sweets.

Finally, thank you to all the Hospice staff members who have worked so hard during the year. To the staff and volunteers who helped at our fundraising events, your efforts are very much appreciated.

Wishing everyone in the Franschhoek Valley a Blessed Christmas and a Prosperous 2015. Do travel safely over the Festive Season.

Franschhoek Lions Club

Lodine Maske

The Lions Club of Franschhoek would like to thank each and every person who helped to organise this year’s Open Gardens Festival.

This festival would not have been possible if the following people didn’t open their Gardens and hearts to help us. Tom and Heidi Clode of Fine & Country (Main Sponsor), Mariaan van der Merwe of Seeff for the water, Jacqueline Crewe-Brown, La Motte Wine Estate, Aliki Starke, Andrea Desmond-Smith, Annette Philips, Barbara & John Gardner, Sonia Atkinson, Karin du Plessis, Jacques

Botha, Martina de Necker, Jane Landau, Elaine Dendy Young, Linda Hightower, Rosemarie Evans, Fay Bentley, Wilna van der Westhuizen and Carol Dendy Young.

If there is anybody that I forgot to mention in the above list please know that your contribution is also valued. A final ‘Thank You’ goes to those who worked quietly in the back ground.

We had just over 1080 people visit the gardens over the course of the three days and raised R126 563 for the Fleur de Lis building fund. Next year we hope to do even better.

Long service awards for Lions

A number of Franschhoek Lions members received service awards on 10 November. FLTR: Jihann Kriek 10 years’ service award, Ludwig Maske 30 years’ service award, Moria Theron Lions District Governor, Bill Stemp 15 years’ service award and Graham Severn 30 years’ service award. (Absent Aubrey Hodgson 30 years’ service award)

Rotary News

Paul Barkley

Franschhoek Rotary recently donated R10 000 to FRANCO. The relationship between these two likeminded organisations has existed since the construction of Lord’s Acre in Franschhoek North.

Both organisations share the same heart for the community and seek to reach out to the lost and needy.

This donation will enable FRANCO to respond

with greater effectiveness to emergencies in townships (shack fires, floods, wind damage etc.) and to prepare stocks of necessities for speedy distribution – in essence, a mutual initiative to better coordinate disaster response. To learn more about local Rotary activities please contact Mark Tanner on 082 7739217.

French Corner fun run The inaugural French Corner Walk/Run in aid of the ACVV took place on 8 November and was a resounding success according to the many excited participants.

The 10km race traversed the vineyards of Grande Provence, Dassenberg, Mont Rochelle and La Couronne, after starting at the Huguenot Monument and proceeding down the R45. On exiting La Couronne onto the Robertsvlei Road, it was a short run to the finish, also, at the Monument. The 5km run started off on the same route then turned back towards the main road from the Mont Rochelle entrance.

There were some excellent performances but the aim of the day was to encourage young and old, small and tall, fast and slow to participate. There were more than 300 competitors – a very pleasing number for a first event. Each finisher received a unique medal designed by local company, Injoy, and there were many lucky draw prizes so everyone went away feeling like a winner. There were competitors from the UK, Sweden, Belgian and the Ukraine. Visitors to Franschhoek who heard about the race also joined in the fun. The men’s race was won by Dicardo Jacobs in a time of 32min 29s. The first lady home was Danette Smith in a time of 39min 46s.

Andre du Toit of Dykes van Heerden Attorneys entertained the supporters with great music and did the draw. Andre told us afterwards that he has announced at many events and for a first time event, this one was extremely well organised and successful.

The organisers are grateful for the support of the following main sponsors: B P Garage, Franschhoek Verpakkers, Anonymous Donor, La Motte, Mont

Rochelle – Medals, Coca Cola, Sothebys Realty, Photo Lab – Andre Du Toit. Further sponsors included: Mont Rochelle, Grande Provence, La Couronne, Le Franschhoek, Mount Bijoux Guesthouse, Dykes Van Heerden, Hulp Van Cindy, Chamonix, Franschhoek Wine Tram, Marianna Malherbe, Four Paws, Mr Jenkinson, Tap & Cork, Kalfi’s, Dutch East, Kymric Hall, La Bourgogne, Montagu Dried Fruit, Franschhoek Chocolates, Le Bon Vivant, Essence, The Stall, Cooksensual, Ebony, Avoova, Forever Gems and Allora.

Other assistance was provided by Madelief Roux - design of posters, Injoy - design of medals, Jenny Prinsloo - Franschhoek Tourism, Siegfried Schäfer Franschhoek Tatler, Boland Athletics - Richard Stander and Jennifer Dalies - organising officials.

The municipal traffic department (Braam), Huguenot monument staff and Medicare EMR also gave tremendous support and thereby, contributed amazingly to the success of the event. Next year’s event will be on 21 November….start training!

Bev & Danie Malan: Organisers

Fleur de Lis Nuus

Wilna van der Westhuizen

Fleur de Lis wil graag aan Franschhoek se gemeenskap baie dankie sê vir hulle hulp en ondersteuning – daarsonder kon ons nie so ‘n onvergeetlike 2014 gehad het nie. Ons kon gereeld braai, teepartytjies bywoon, op heerlike uitstappies gaan, laat mooi maak in ons pragtige haarsalon, asook daagliks ‘n Christelike boodskappie ontvang. Die afgelope tuine naweek was weereens ‘n reuse sukses en Fleur de Lis is baie dankbaar vir die

December 2014

fondse wat ingekom het, veral omdat ons groot “boiler” die gees gegee het!

Ons nooi die gemeenskap uit om ons gereeld te besoek – die ouer persone geniet dit baie om nuus uit die gemeenskap te hoor en nuwe gesigte te sien.

Fleur de Lis wens almal ‘n Geseënde Kersfees en ‘n Voorspoedige Nuwejaar toe. Geniet die Feesseisoen en dankie vir ‘n wonderlike 2014. Ons sien almal uit na 2015.

A Probus Club is a local association of retired or semiretired professional or business people, (or others who have had a measure of responsibility in any field of worthy endeavour), who are of good character and are respected in their communities. The Club meets regularly for fellowship and an extension of its member’s interests.

We would like to invite new members to join our club.

The joining fee is only R50 and R100 membership fee per year. For this you will be informed of our meeting every month where we usually have a speaker.

For December we will not have an official meeting, it is our closing function (Christmas Party) so we will all enjoy

a social day amongst the members and their partners Details of the function will be sent to all members.

Should there be anyone locally, who would like to make themselves available to do a talk for Probus during 2015 it will be welcomed and appreciated. We enjoy any topic.

Please contact Alta Malherbe on 021 876 3179/082 338 5873 to give her your details. We will be looking for speakers from April 2015 as there is no speaker in December and in January we do not have a meeting.

Lunch is usually at 12h30 for 13h00 at La Petit Dauphine in Café BonBon or the Studio. We would love to hear from you.

Bhabhathane News A container of possibility 2014 in the informal settlement of Langrug, Franschhoek, has drawn to a close on a high note with the delivery of a fully equipped, Nedbanksponsored container classroom, donated to Bhabhathane. The facility will be used as a training venue to deliver specialist input to local Early Childhood Development practitioners and as a model after-care training centre and toy library.

“This Edutainer is a wonderful and much appreciated contribution to Bhabhathane’s efforts to upgrade the educational capability of all Franschhoek Early Childhood Development centres,” says Alastair Wood, of Bhabhathane. “It’s the outcome of a recent visit by Nedbank to Bhabhathane and a tour of Franschhoek pre-schools. The first-hand experience of how inadequate, unsafe and under-resourced these preschools are left them in no doubt as to the importance of this desperately needed resource.”

The container classroom, known as an Edutainer®, is made by converting a standard 12m shipping container into a bespoke classroom – with windows, a door, an insulated and ventilated roof, heating, lockable storage,

a blackboard and furniture – able to accommodate 24 children. The conversion was carried out by The Bright Kid Foundation and the logistics associated with placing the container in Langrug were managed by local NGO, Prochorus.

Prochorus has also undertaken to upgrade the space outside the container, linking it to the iKwezi ECD centre next door with a covered play area and a patch of AstroTurf.

Organisations and individuals with an interest in valley-wide Early Childhood Development-related activities, or with skills to offer, are invited to contact Jennifer Court at the Bhabhathane office on 079 492 7455 or jcourt@polka.co.za

SPCA News

Maggi Marjoram A dog or cat is for life … not just for christmas It’s hard to believe that another year has gone and 2015 is around the corner.

The Franschhoek SPCA team continues to do some distressing work during their day-to-day activities to alleviate the plight of animals in our communities.

Our team under Inspector Lilly Joubert undertake daily patrols specifically in our local townships and villages.

They look for animals that need attention and help in many ways, check on animals’ living conditions, dipping, deworming and trying to get as many animals sterilised as possible to prevent more unwanted animals being born. With the owners’ consent, and legally it must be with the owners consent, these animals are put on the sterilisation list. On some occasions owners will not have their animals sterilised for various personal reasons including the ignorant reason that if they are male it is unfair as “they anyway can’t have babies!” Then of course there are all too often underground animal breeders, many of who often own pit bull or pit bull cross dogs very popular within some of our communities. Our team

also come across owners who ask for their animals to be humanely euthanized. During September, for example, 30 animals were euthanized at their owners’ request. There are various reasons why the owners request this drastic step to be taken, usually untreated disease and sadly where the owners can’t afford to look after their animals any more. Our team keep a record of owners that have requested euthanasia to make sure they don’t replace these animals with another dog or cat that they can’t afford to keep. This is the not so pleasant side of our work and as you can imagine it is difficult for our team to deal with emotionally. Fortunately there are some happy stories and these are always shared on our Franschhoek SPCA Facebook.

Please make sure your animals and the animals of your employees have fresh clean water 24 hours a day and remember we are here to help. Please don’t leave it too late to help your animal if they are not looking their usual self. Bring them along to our clinic or call our Inspector and team on 083 745 5344 or 021 876 4808.

Please do remember a dog or cat is for life, not just for Christmas!

Bridge House vs. Mbekweni New kit for youngsters The Under 9 Bridge House boys recently played against a very talented soccer team from Mbekweni. Both the level of soccer and spirits were high despite the fact that most of the Mbekweni boys played with no soccer boots or shared boots – with one boy wearing a left shoe and another boy wearing a right shoe. Further complicating their game was the fact that they also had to hold up their shorts with one hand as most of them were wearing adult-sized shorts and T-shirts.

A group of parents from Bridge House decided to do something about this and started a drive at the school to collect second hand soccer boots. Stuart Downie and Leigh Courtnage from Pick n Pay Franschhoek also decided to sponsor a full soccer kit for each boy.

On 17 October a rematch was scheduled that was also the perfect time to hand over the new uniforms and boots to the Mbekweni boys. There was much joy on both sides (even some tears of joy!) when the Mbekweni

boys saw their new soccer outfits and rushed off to put them on before playing against the Bridge House soccer team. After the game, over a boerie roll braai, plans were made to get the Mbekweni and Bridge House boys playing together regularly to not only enjoy the beautiful game, but also to get to know each other better.

Letters

An open letter to all residents of Franschhoek and especially to all owners of businesses in and around Huguenot St. Fellow residents, I think few Franschhoek residents, or businesses, can deny that our community is heavily, if not almost entirely, dependent on tourism. One of the objectives of any tourist industry must be to present the tourist attraction in its most favourable light. I believe for the most part, that here, this objective is substantially achieved.

However, one of the most significant and detrimental aspects of the way the town is presented is the fact that the R45 is directed right through the main street, with the consequence that all through peak tourist hours there is a constant and very high volume of heavy goods traffic right through the heart of this tourist pearl. This is neither safe, pretty, nor necessary. Additionally and frequently, many of these vehicles are poorly maintained, such that they emit large amounts of unburnt diesel in their exhaust fumes, which also present a major health hazard, and is hardly pleasurable, or desirable, for visitors and locals enjoying a quiet pavement drink, or meal, in one

THE FRANSCHHOEK TATLER info@franschhoektatler.co.za

or more of our many restaurants, or bars.

I believe there are two perfectly acceptable and viable alternatives, which could be an either or solution, or which could work in conjunction with each other. a) Place a 3.5 tonne weight restriction on traffic using Huguenot St and direct vehicles over this limit around the village by using Robertsvlei. As part of this solution some few kilometres of road would probably need to be asphalted. b) Place a weight restriction on the bridges on Franschhoek pass, which would prevent vehicles of excessive weight, even using the R45 into Franschhoek.

I believe it is high time that Franschhoek rate payers and business owners took this subject up for urgent action with the Stellenbosch Municipality and any and all other relevant local and national agencies, to satisfactorily resolve this, in order that our town can more easily show our visitors, Franschhoek in a safer, healthier and far more attractive light.

Roger Woodbury-Eggins 5 Victoria Village, Franschhoek Franschhoek@rw-e.com

FRANSCHHOEK WINE VALLEY NEWS

Three in a row at Klink Awards!

Franschhoek has once again been voted as the best wine route in the Most Memorable Wine Route category of the annual KLINK Awards, for the third consecutive year! In addition Franschhoek was also announced as the winner in the Crowd Pleaser category for the annual Franschhoek Bastille Festival. The results were announced at a special cocktail event in Cape Town on 13 November.

Conceptualized in 2012, the competition is the brainchild of Wine Tourism South Africa publisher, Monika Elias, whereby she (via the publication) invited foodies, wine lovers, outdoor adventurers and

wine farm visitors to show their love and appreciation for South Africa’s Winelands, during the months of September and October, by voting for their favourite nominees in South Africa’s first ever, consumer-driven, interactive wine tourism awards.

“As custodians of Brand Franschhoek we continually strive to keep Franschhoek top of mind with our local and international visitors, and it has paid off. We are extremely thrilled by this latest recognition and we owe our gratitude to all the Franschhoek supporters who voted for us,” says Franschhoek Wine Valley CEO, Jenny Prinsloo.

Farmworker Competition winners for 2014 announced

On 7 November the winners of the coveted Western Cape Farmworker of the Year Competition were announced at a prestigious event held in Stellenbosch.

The competition gives recognition to the valuable and important role farm workers play towards the sustainability and growth of agriculture in South Africa and highlights the various career opportunities available in the agricultural sector. This year saw more than 1000 entrants from 15 regions, of which Franschhoek was one.

The categories were: General Worker; Tractor Driver; Social Development; Administrative Staff, and two Farm Management categories.

Rose van Wyngaard, from La Motte, walked away as the overall winner in the Social Development Category.

Rose is the head of their local clinic and works as a Health Worker at Dennegeur, La Motte, Fredericksburg and L'Ormarins. She is responsible for the general well-being of the FLTR: Wimpie Paulse (2012 winner), Rose van Wyngaarden (Social farmworkers and 600 other personnel.

Development Category winner 2014) and Johan Streicher (Shoprite) She is very involved with her different Well done to Rose and all our other nominees! communities, their activities, development and youth Franschhoek Wine Valley is proud of you all. initiatives and also assists the elderly.

The other nominees were: Christie Davids (Anthonij Rose truly goes the extra mile to assist where Rupert Wines), Francis Abrahams (Plaisir de Merle), possible – a true role model.

Brinley Williams (Plaisir de Merle) and Niklaas When asked what a normal day looks like for her, Absalom (La Motte).

Rose replied: “I have a 24 hour day, but love every minute of it.”

Jomine Johannes – FWV Development Coordinator

Fhk Transformation Charter

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Editor’s Letter

Siegfried Schäfer

Dear Readers I far too often find that rules and regulations are honoured more in the breach than in the adherence to them.

A pertinent example of this phenomenon is to be found in the 3.5 tonne weight restriction signs that are supposed to keep heavy vehicles out of Franschhoek’s residential areas. (In effect heavy vehicles are only allowed in Huguenot Street / Main Road and Reservoir Street.)

One of the biggest culprits seems to be large tour buses / coaches. Their justifications for ignoring the signs are worrying. I’ve had reports of drivers claiming that they are instructed by tour guides to ignore the signs and others claiming that as the signs depict trucks they don’t apply to buses! One has to wonder why a coach driver would be so feckless to agree to an instruction to break the law and how they obtained their driving licenses if they believe the signs only apply to trucks...

The coach issue has other dimensions too.

Franschhoek Wine Valley has for years included in its target market, amongst others, ‘high-end, independent travellers’, i.e. travellers who have their own transport. Mass tourism, typified by coachloads of visitors, has never and still doesn’t feature. There are very good reasons for this targeting. Independent travellers spend more time in the places they visit, spend more money while they are there and cars generally don’t have the same disruptive effect on a small village that heavy vehicles such as coaches do.

(Let me hasten to add that I’m not saying that cars have no impact!) High-end independent travellers are in other words the perfect target market for a village such as Franschhoek.

The problem however is that local, mostly Cape Town-based, coach tour operators really don’t care about this. If a coach can get somewhere they’ll send it there – with scant regard to who’s being affected. It really is a far cry from historic European villages where coaches stop outside the village and visitors have to walk into the village and back to their coaches, with minimal disruption to village life.

After years of cajoling Stellenbosch Municipality is creating a dedicated parking area for coaches at the top end of Huguenot Street. Hopefully by the time

this issue appears the signage will have been erected.

This is half of the solution. The reasons coaches illegally use residential streets, especially Dirkie Uys Street, will also have to be addressed.

The first problem is the parking area of the Dutch Reformed Church. If coaches were to use the Huguenot Street entrance to both enter and exit there wouldn’t be a problem, but unfortunately they don’t and thus subject residents of Dirkie Uys Street to their noise and air pollution. The solution is simple – alter the Dirkie Uys Street entrances to the Dutch Reformed Church’s parking area so that buses cannot pass through them. Alternatively, simply close the gates to Dirkie Uys Street and force all users of the parking area to use the Huguenot Street entrance. Clearly the latter option is less desirable as it also inconveniences law-abiding citizens.

The second problem is the old tennis courts on the corner of La Rochelle and Dirkie Uys Streets. When there’s a surfeit of coaches in town and no more space in the church’s parking area coaches park on the old tennis courts below Hospice House. Again residents, especially in La Rochelle Street, have to put up with the noise and air pollution. Requests to Stellenbosch Municipality to erect bollards to prevent buses from illegally parking here have so far been ignored.

I suspect that at least part of the reason why the coach problem is proving so hard to solve is that some municipal officials find it hard to get to grips with the fact that what we want in Franschhoek aren’t simply tourists, but the right kind of tourists – the type that don’t come in coaches.

The reality is that the more unattractive we make the village for coaches the more attractive it will be for both residents and the right kind of tourists.

Coach hire companies naturally won’t like this, but anybody that’s had a coach idling for a few hours outside their front doors will think it’s a great Christmas present!

With the festive season upon us I wish that you may all find peace and happiness with the ones you love, the grace to forgive those that angered you and the goodwill to help somebody less fortunate than you.

All the best until next year!

Franschhoek Tatler Tel 021 876 3460 Email info@franschhoektatler.co.za Website www.franschhoektatler.co.za Deadlines - January 2015 Issue - Ad Bookings: 13 December 2014 Artwork: 14 December 2014 E ditorial: 13 December 2014

Garden party for St George’s On Saturday afternoon, 1 November, a garden tea party was held at Môreson, the home of Alison Allen.

Alison's luxuriant spring garden was the setting for a most enjoyable and successful afternoon:, the sundial garden with its red wild poppies and abundant Queen Annes' Lace with umbrellas and peripheral trees providing shade to the 200 guests whose ages ranged between 3 and 90 years. The animal contingent ranged from a youthful miniature Yorkshire terrier to Muschka the Great Dane.

The spring sunlight and shadows were further mellowed by the strains from the cottage veranda where Mark, the head of the Bishops music department, had generously set up its afternoon headquarters. The array of musical instruments and electronic equipment was breath-taking as was Mark's band of 18 performers who arrived in shirts, ties and blazers. Stuart Scott was at the piano along with solo instrumentalists and vocalists. The selections were light hearted, melodious and gentle on the ear.

The performers played and sang throughout the afternoon. Gradually conversation dwindled as guests leaned back in their chairs; cups and plates empty.

Performers and audience alike were replete on a glorious afternoon.

A table of guests from the Bridges of Hope

Photo: Lewis Silberbauer

December 2014

Tables overflowed with treats at the garden party

Academy took over the microphone for the final stages of the afternoon to give an impromptu rendition of their harmonising skills and express thanks for a wonderful afternoon.

The purpose of the event was to raise much needed funds for the Anglican Parish of St George in Groot Drakenstein.

It was gratifying to note that the organisers reached their anticipated target of over R20 000, being blessed with perfect weather and wonderful support from all quarters. All shared in the gentle pleasures of the afternoon and the city guests left looking forward to next year’s party.

Lavender Farm treats Grade 1s

Jeremy Davids

Growing the network One of the main aims of the Charter is to enable networks between organisations that share the same vision of a single, unified, vibrant and cohesive community in the Franschhoek Valley. In his first month as Director of the Charter, Jeremy Davids, has begun to facilitate interaction between the major educational development bodies in the valley. A meeting with Prof Ansie Kitching, whot works with the Rupert Education Foundation, resulted in an agreement to work together on the operational side of the Wellness Plan for all the schools in the valley.

Furthermore, The Charter will assist the Foundation in co-ordinating and facilitating the work of all the stakeholders involved in education and other educational areas.

An agreement with the Stellenbosch University’s Coral Institute, run by Prof Martin Berger has

resulted in a formal year-long programme in 2015 to develop the conducting skills of some 20 valley choir leaders.

The Farm Dialogue Programme hosted Lynette Rademeyer-Bosman, the energetic director of @ Heart, who informed the farmers and farm-workers about the new “Walk-in” clinic in Mooiwater that does HIV and TB screening. This avoids lost working days for workers who no longer have to wait for hours to be attended to.

Finally, Jeremy is drawing up a Social Map of Clubs, Groups and NGOs working with youth in after-school programmes. This will go a long way in avoiding duplication of services.

Tanya Maingard and son, Daniel, owners of Lavender Farm Guest Farm, treated The Kusasa Project’s Grade 1s with a special outing to the farm. The children got to learn all about lavender and its uses. After the learning was over they got to enjoy a picnic in the lavender fields and each took home a sweet-smelling posy. Lavender Farm Guest House also made a R10 000 donation to the Franschhoek SPCA.

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THE FRANSCHHOEK TATLER

December 2014

Tel: 021 876 3171 | Fax: 021 876 3176 E-mail: info@ftyres.co.za | Mobile: 082 493 9337 Shop 1, 7 Main Road (Behind BP), Franschhoek, 7690

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December 2014

THE FRANSCHHOEK TATLER

15

Tatler Motoring

M A I S O N E S TAT E

Porsche Cayenne GTS PEPPER FOR CAYENNE Porsche’s GTS models are spreading across the range like a virus and now it’s the Cayenne that gets the treatment hot on the heels of the 911 Carrera GTS, and Cayman GTS. The biggest GTS so far is propelled by a 325kW 600Nm 3.6-litre biturbo V6 – that’s 15kW and 100Nm up on the outgoing V8-powered GTS. Porsche promises the Cayenne GTS reaches 100km/h in 5.1 seconds if fitted with the optional Sport Chrono pack. An updated Porsche Active Suspension Management and larger disc brakes bring further dynamic prowess. Porsche has also introduced a new entry-level 220kW 3.6-litre V6 Cayenne.

FEAST OF ALL FEASTS

Volvo V60 Cross Country WAGON GETS CROSS Volvo has revealed a butch new V60 called Cross Country sporting a ride height upped by 65mm over the more mundane V60 on which it is based. The purposeful looking Cross Country also gets highprofile tyres, front and rear skid plates, side scuff plates, bumper extenders and lower body cladding. It is available to order in the first quarter of next year in a dieselonly engine line-up. Those include the base D3 unit and a new 133kW 2-litre fourcylinder D4 turbodiesel either front or allwheel drive for “a sporty, connected yet comfortable driving experience with which to explore new horizons.”

Toyota Hilux YOUR NEXT HILUX Meet the next Toyota Hilux. This exclusive AutoWeek newspaper computer rendering undresses the disguise off prototypes of that crucial newcomer to reveal the bakkie charged to keep Hilux on top of the overall SA top seller list. Don’t expect a radical departure in the seventh Hilux series in SA – it will be a gentle evolution, not a wild revolution. But there will be a bold grille with a now far greater Toyota gong bracketed by combination Xenon, Halogen and LED headlamps, while a reverse angled D-pillar should further help distinguish the new Hilux and engines and drivetrain should continue pretty much as is. Remember where you saw it first!

For the full lowdown on these stories and all the latest car news don’t miss Michele Lupini’s AutoWeek newspaper on sale now at most Franschhoek news stands

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2014/11/11 2:45 PM

THE FRANSCHHOEK TATLER

16

Financial Matters

Business Leadership

Celia McGuinness

Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement On 22 October the new Minister of Finance, Nhlanhla Nene, delivered the 2014 Medium Term Budget Policy Statement.

The emphasis of his statement was that we have to be steadfast in our resolve to do more, together, with less. Like many countries, growth has slowed and the economic outlook is uncertain. Across the world, tough questions are being asked about how to generate growth, and how to reduce inequality.

When the 2014 Budget was tabled in February, it was expected that the economy would grow by 2.7 per cent this year.

The revised estimate is now 1.4 per cent which is a long way from the economic growth of around 5 per cent a year required to decisively reduce unemployment and poverty, and to transform our social and economic order.

This downward revision is partly because of a weak global environment, including the slowdown in Europe, China and other emerging economies. But it also reflects obstacles to our own development: energy constraints, labour market disruptions, skills shortages, administrative shortcomings and difficulties in our industrial transformation.

There is not enough progress in raising incomes or reducing poverty. Far too many people are unemployed, which deepens inequality and heightens vulnerability. South Africa imports considerably more than we export. As a result of slow growth, tax revenue is below the budget projection therefore government’s debt continues to rise as a percentage of GDP. After taking into account the unallocated reserve, declared savings and projected underspending, total expenditure in 2014/15 will be about R6 billion less than the February estimate. The revised revenue estimate is R956 billion, leaving a deficit on the main budget of R180 billion. Surpluses of the social security funds, provinces and public entities are estimated at R27 billion. This brings the consolidated budget deficit to R153 bil-

Leadership is a Journey lion, or 4.1 per cent of GDP, which is in line with the February budget estimate.

In order to reduce the budget deficit from 4.1 per cent this year to 2.5 per cent over the next three years, the expenditure ceiling will be lowered by R10 billion in 2015/16 and R15 billion in 2016/17. To effect the lower ceiling, national government will: 1. Freeze budgets of non-essential goods and services at 2014/15 levels; 2. Withdraw funding for posts that have been vacant for some time; and 3. Reduce the rate of growth of transfers to public entities, particularly those with cash reserves.

Across national departments, planned expenditure on travel and subsistence, conference venues and catering has been cut.

Advertising and communications budgets have been reduced. Allocations for consultant services have also been capped.

These steps will contribute savings of about R1.3 billion over the next two years. They supplement the cost-containment measures adopted at the start of this year, which have already achieved substantial savings.

Lower government consumption also requires prudent management of the public-sector wage bill, while maintaining the real value of public service salaries. New posts will have to be funded from existing allocations and natural attrition.

Posts that remain vacant will be reviewed.

Revenue measures will also come into consideration in the period ahead. If government are to avoid reducing expenditure in real terms – about R15 billion a year in additional revenue will need to be raised. The Minister stated the revenue measures will be designed to limit as far as possible any negative impact on growth and job creation. These details will be announced in the 2015 budget but unfortunately you may have to brace yourself for… tax increases.

In a discussion with Greg Faasen who runs an excellent business focussing on teamwork and leadership he made two very telling points: 1. Leadership and the skills associated with leadership are a constantly evolving journey for those in leadership positions whether they like it or not, and; 2. No team game has ever been won by an individual.

I am sure there will immediately be comments particularly about the second point like: ”Ja, but what about Pat Lambie’s last minute 55 meter kick that helped the Springboks to beat the All Blacks for the first time in ages?”

There is only one sensible retort to comments like that: Was it not a huge team effort that ensured that the Springboks were within winning distance in those last few moments? Of course! And it required focussed attention from every individual in the team for all of a gruelling 80 minutes to make sure that that indeed was the case.

The fact that we need to internalise is that no player has ever won or lost a team game. It requires the whole team for this to happen.

Let us examine the first point. Leadership is always a journey. This game of rugby has taught us that over and over. As have all other forms of human activity.

One week the Springboks were heroes. They had just beaten the world’s number 1 team. The next week they learned that leadership is tough and every week, every day, it requires those in leadership positions to actively learn new skills. When you are striving to beat the world’s number 1 team you require a particular mind-set and determination.

When you are learning to live with the reality of what you have achieved you will require a different mind-set and determination. Our Springboks were outstanding on the first count; they obviously still have much to learn on the second count.

There are two really important learning points from this example: 1. When you are a leader you need to remember that leadership is an extremely fragile condition. It is not a right; there are no guarantees; you do not own the position, and you are merely the custodian until you hand the baton to someone else. You had better learn to learn every minute of the day if you

Market Chatter

Keith Hodgkiss

Santa’s lesson

John Moore, the British actor who played Father Christmas and was at the centre of Coca Cola’s famous Christmas adverts, sadly passed away recently. This led me to consider how Coca Cola popularised Santa Claus’ current red costume, although it was originally tan. The standardisation of Santa’s costume parallels aspects of market behaviour, one of which is the recent Swiss vote about returning to the gold standard.

Switzerland was the last country to abandon the gold standard in 2000, which had been a global practice among the world’s largest economies up until the Bretton Woods Agreements in 1944. Over the years most policy makers had practically forgotten about the gold standard, much in the same way that hardly anyone remembers Santa in a tan costume.

Over the past decade investors in the South African stock market have come to expect annual returns of 15% plus. In US dollar terms the JSE returned 16.4% p.a. on average while the S&P 500 Index realised 5.8% on average over the same period. Psychology plays a large part in investing and if you are one that believes

December 2014

that the JSE will continue on this path of performance, there may be a behavioural bias at play. So what can you expect in the near future and what should you do?

The market expectation for the next few years is that there will be a general sideways drift with peaks and troughs within the broader band of returns. In these conditions it generally requires savvy investing to realise returns in excess of the relative indices, which, in essence, means active management. The difference that active fund managers make in these

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environments is that they optimise the drawdown on your investment, in other words cushion the potential loss of money by selecting shares that will fall less than the index.

There has been much talk of SA approaching a fiscal cliff, which occurs when government spending exceeds its income. This coupled with falling commodity prices, the widening current account deficit and an inhospitable approach to FDI points to the possibility of an ever-weakening rand. With offshore stocks offering better value than their South African equivalents, it is essential for every investor to have foreign exposure in their investment portfolio.

In a world of smaller returns costs will make a larger difference to the bottom line. Speak to your investment manager to see how you can save money on fees, how to position your investments and be active in getting an investment review from another investment specialist to see what they can offer you. keith.hodgkiss@psg.co.za

wish to maintain and improve your leadership position. You have very limited control over the position because it does not belong to you. It belongs to those that you lead and therefore crucial to your longevity in the position is the integrity with which you lead and the trust that you have earned from those that believe in you while doing so.

2. Absolutely essential to cementing your position as leader is your ability to knit the group of individuals into a close-knit team who see themselves first and foremost as a team and only secondly as individuals with special and diverse skills, experience and knowledge. They need to understand that this combination of capabilities and competencies really only have value and currency if they are applied in a focussed and intentional way for the good and well-being of the team. Outside of that context they will have currency but be of diminished importance. Consider the Pat Lambie example again. Would he have had the opportunity to be the hero if he had been playing for another team? How long would it take for him to earn the confidence of his new team mates to be given similar opportunities? Obviously the more talented the individual the quicker the opportunities would be given. However, there are plenty of examples, too, where talented individuals have not been able to find their rhythm, to earn their place in the confidence of the team, and to perform at the same level when they move from one team to another.

Leadership and teamwork are so closely dependent on each other that it does not make sense to separate them, except to analyse the needs and activities of both to better understand what it is we need to do to make both perform more effectively.

Leaders have a crucial role to play in every element of our lives and especially in the life of the team of which they are a part. They only are a part of the team; they are not the team. Many leaders forget this.

The team can only be effective if their sole focus is on the needs and objectives of the team and not on the wants and desires of an individual, no matter how talented he or she may be. More teams have fallen apart because of the influence of one selfish individual than one would care to think about! tony@siroccostrategy.com

December 2014

Seventh birthday for village gym The Franschhoek Gym and Health Club opened seven years ago and the facility remains in tip top condition. Conveniently located near the main street, access to the gym is easy whether walking or driving there. The modern, well-equipped gym has proved to be valuable to both the sporting fraternity and to those who simply wish to maintain a certain level of physical fitness.

Mike Bosman, who invested in the gym seven years ago, is still the owner. The manager for the past three years, Johan Viljoen, is a biokineticist and heads up a qualified team who see to the personal training needs of both members and visitors.

They have a holistic approach, which takes into account all the health and wellness needs of individual members. The initial acquisition of top quality Life Fitness equipment was an excellent investment and the only changes called for in the gym have been to adapt the equipment to new trends. The spinning

studio with its five new bikes is very popular and is probably the reason for so many good pairs of legs being seen in Franschhoek these days.

Gym membership is mostly taken up by locals, but various packages are available to suit the needs of visitors, from day passes to one month or six month memberships. Special packages have been developed for the Franschhoek United Soccer Club and also Franschhoek’s rugby team, who train there weekly.

Johan says the gym will continue to host the annual fundraiser for Franschhoek Hospice during which keen supporters test their fitness on the spinning bikes, and raise much needed funds for the hospice at the same time.

“I would like to encourage everyone to visit the gym and see what’s on offer. I believe everyone will find some training regime that both suits and benefits them,” says Johan, who is clearly passionate about the gym.

Q & A with Mike Bosman, owner of the Franschhoek Health Club

Mike Bosman (left) with Franschhoek Health Club manager Johan Viljoen Why did you start the gym seven years ago?

In 2003 I spent a few months training for a mountaineering trip to the Everest region in Nepal with an energetic young guy I met called Theo Beyers. He had the idea and the plan progressed over a couple of years from a gym in a garage to what we have today. Now that you have moved from Franschhoek, will you retain ownership of the gym?

That’s the idea for now. Sabine and I have many friends in Franchhoek and we love the village, so we are often in Franschhoek. What made you invest in Life Fitness equipment for the gym? There was surely a more affordable brand available?

In developing the plan for the gym, we decided to invest in the best possible equipment. Not only is it more fun to work with, but it makes us happy to know that it is very safe to use. You have been a leading figure in advertising.

Will you remain in the industry?

Thanks for that. I don’t have any intentions to go back into advertising but I do consider myself very fortunate to have found my way into advertising, as I was trained as a CA and in law. I probably wouldn’t have ended up going that route if it wasn’t for the fact that Investec had an advertising agency as a client when I worked in corporate and project finance there in the late 1980s.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE

www.minimaxcinema.co.za

PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR 5 December 2014

Later I was lucky enough to head up one of the largest ad agencies in the US and two of South Africa’s big three agency groups, but that is all history now. I have spent the last eight years in digital broadcasting.

The ad agency business has changed significantly over the past twenty years and isn’t nearly as much fun as it used to be – but I realise that I am probably just sounding like an old codger now! What are you working on at the moment?

I am taking a bit of time out – perhaps it could be called a belated gap year! I will need to watch out because it might turn out to be more than a year!

I, however, still have responsibilities with some of my private business interests and at my old school Bishops, where I serve as Chairman of the the Council. At Bridge House I am a trustee and I still serve as a non-exec director at AVI Limited. Are digital media taking over advertising from print media?

No, for the most part, they are working hand-inhand. But we will continue to see all types of media converging into different platforms and devices. For example, in days gone by, phones were for talking and listening. Look what they can do today. What is going to be new in the industry in the immediate future?

Crowd sourcing. Ongoing rapid and radical developments in social media. More powerful, more reliable and more exciting mobile devices at increasingly lower real costs amongst others.

Interaction between devices and consumers, predictive behaviour modelling. You are known for your focus and passion.

What is it that excites you currently?

Now that our daughters and our nephew, Bastian, have left home Sabine and I have a lot more time for ourselves which is really great. I have a few ideas for the use of technology in animal tracking research and in the area of neuro-marketing which I might explore at some stage.

I have also been doing a bit of work as a professional pilot, which I thoroughly enjoy. I am also really excited to see how our daughters and nephew have been able to step out of Bridge House in to the world so easily as mature and independent young people.

Ticket prices: 3D - R60 2D - R40 3D glasses available at R10 each Mondays & Tuesdays Special: Half Price

THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES 12 December 2014

Book Review

Charlotte van Zyl

The Hunchback Missionary

By Elsa Joubert Publ: Jonathan Ball Publishers, 296 pages

We in the Boland should be proud of Elsa Joubert.

Now 92 years old, she was born in Paarl and studied in Stellenbosch and Cape Town. During her prolific writing career she was the recipient of numerous literary prizes and honorary doctorates. Her novel Die Swerfjare van Poppie Nongena (1978, translated

by Joubert herself into English in 1980 as The Long Journey of Poppie Nongena) was translated into 13 languages and adapted for the theatre in 1982.

Thanks to the remarkable translator Michael King, nonAfrikaans speakers now have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the beautiful and complex prose of The Hunchback Missionary, a novel which, for the past 25 years, has only existed in Afrikaans under the title Missionaris.

The Hunchback Missionary is an epic novel, which follows the true story of the life of Dutch missionary Aart Anthonij van der Lingen, a historical figure drawn from the Cape Town Church Archives.

One night, at the turn of the 18th century, a sickly, hunchbacked young clerk attends a prayer meeting at the house of a merchant in Rotterdam. He is cold, miserable and desperate to find some meaning to his lonely life.

He finds himself strongly drawn towards the charismatic Reverend Johannes Kicherer, whose passionate account of the need for missionary work in Africa seems to be directed at him like a personal message from God. He decides to leave his unfulfilling Dutch life behind him and to become a lay missionary in Africa. He boards a ship and, in the

early 1800s, lands at the Cape of Good Hope.

He meets Kicherer again, but when the Missionary Society draws lots to decide where to send its Servants of God, their ways part, as van der Lingen is sent East and Kicherer North.

What follows is a riveting, haunting account of an unimaginably hard life, in a bleak, dangerous, unforgiving country, peopled with souls that stubbornly resist Aart’s painful efforts to save them.

His deformity, his inner turmoil, his search for sainthood, the bleak view of an imperfect world and the suffering in this book reads like pure Dostoevsky. This is, however, a very South African novel. We experience domestic life in Cape Town in the 19th century, while Aart and his wife Agatha rear a child.

We are introduced to the London Missionary Society and characters like the Reverend van der Kemp, himself a tarnished angel with his entourage of young Khoi girls, but whose bravery in getting slaves released is unquestionable. We meet Bastaarden, Korannas and Biriquas. We smell the Karoo, feel the sand between our teeth and live through earthquakes and a smallpox epidemic.

And, through it all, we witness the stumbling journey of an honest, humble, searching man, filled with a profound faith and love for his fellow-creatures, along a path that eventually leads him to inner calm and acceptance.

This is a book to be savoured. Not your average rollicking read, but a thoughtful and profound page-turner.

Big Screen Magic

NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB 19 December 2014

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EXODUS GODS AND KINGS 24 December 2014

Subject to change without notice - We regret no complimentary tickets and vouchers are allowed during first week of any new release • TEL 021 872 0714/5 • New Street, Paarl

THE FRANSCHHOEK TATLER

18

Franschhoek Open Gardens

The much anticipated and hugely popular Lions Franschhoek Open Gardens Festival was held during the first weekend in November. The weather was perfect, the 10 gardens were spectacular and a record R126 500 was raised for Fleur des Lis Home for the Aged. From Friday to Sunday the village bustled with folks from far and wide sporting their bright yellow arm bands and carefully planning their route to include as many of the gardens as time would permit.

What makes our garden festival unique among the many others in the Western Cape is the close proximity of the gardens, the plant sales, the champagne garden, easy parking and access to our wonderful choice of restaurants and shops. There is truly something for everyone to enjoy.

This year a pot competition was initiated and 19 anxious contestants waited for the judges to decide who would be the winner of the prizes.

Congratulations to Leonard van Wyngaard, Ruth Paulse and Martin Paper for their lovely displays. We hope to extend this to more participants next year.

The town hall rose gardens are always a feast for the eye and this year several landlords / merchants participated in the “Bloom the High Street” project.

Let’s see more next year.

This event would not be possible without the help of the sponsors and advertisers, the many volunteers and the willingness of 10 gardeners to share their passion, creativity and energy. Thank you to everyone who assisted and to those who visited we invite you to

join us again next year.

Anyone interested in being a sponsor or opening their garden in 2015 should contact Lodine Maske of Franschhoek Ladies Lions at info@lacotte.co.za

December 2014

December 2014

THE FRANSCHHOEK TATLER

A while Ago

December 2005 Groot Drakenstein Games Club celebrates 110th Anniversary

The historic Groot Drakenstein Games Club celebrates its 110th anniversary on Saturday 3rd December with a gala occasion.

The day will start at 9.00am with the traditional cricket match between Bishops Prep Masters and Boys against Groot Drakenstein Fathers and Sons. This will be followed, at 1.30pm, by a cricket match between Groot Drakenstein Games Club and long term associates, Western Province Cricket Club.

Meanwhile a swimming gala will be held for youngsters and there will be races for all. Parents, not necessarily members of the club, are asked to bring along their children to compete. At the request of some ancient past swimmers/cricketers there will be

a few oldies races too, and interested groups can enter their own medley relay team for over 50’s (maybe some over 40’s with a handicap!). These should be mixed ladies and men.

The club also invites members and visitors to play boule on the new piste in the pool/tennis court area and tennis on the all-weather court. The club intends to run boule and tennis competitions, subject to enough entries. The day will close with a family informal supper, which could even be construed as the annual Christmas dinner. It is hoped we will be able to get some club members to perform a cabaret!

The club is not only using this occasion to celebrate its anniversary but also to introduce the club to the community so the public are welcome.

 Gemini, 21 May – 20 June: The winged messenger and planet of knowledge is flying through Sagittarius and likes to emerge into the sphere of esoteric understanding. Those philosophical inspirations are the mythological stories, which are the true manifestations of your dreams.

13 December  Classical Music Concert Maria Du Toit (Clarinet) and Francois Du Toit (Piano) perform French works with a Christmas twist. Venue: La Motte Historic Cellar. Time: 19h00. Cost: R170 p.p.

Reservations: 021 876 8000 (Angela) or concerts@la-motte.co.za

14 December  CODA Concert Venue: Café des Arts. Time: 14h00. Cost: R50 p.p. at the door. Info: Carol Thorns, 082 480 3964, carol@codamusic.co.za

21 December Labyrinth All welcome, but please phone Andrea or Kobus first if you intend to come. This

Robert Rittel

 Taurus, 20 April – 20 May: Venus is the planet of desires and relationships; she is also the teacher of the beast. The purpose and definition of her actions is to assist the souls who were led astray. Reality adjustments are the key to liberation and lead to acceptance and forgiveness.

December Calendar

 Summer Solstice – Walking of the

Jyotish Vedic Astrology  Aries, 21 March – 19 April: Mars the ruler has moved into Aquarius and creates an aspect with Saturn, which has a beneficial nature towards property and long-term investments. Obstacles and frustrations are natural forces for flexibility and change.

19

year a ‘Sound Meditation’ led by expert Sun in Sagittarius, it brings favorable possibilities to Leo. With Mercury there as well, just make sure that the divine trickster is not fooling you into believing that the marbles in your bowl are all you’ve got to play with.  Virgo, 23 August – 22 September: The symbols which live in your internal reality are the manifestations of your circumstance. The language of the symbols is the acceptance of your sacred ‘protection’. Talk and listen to your imaginary friend’s messages of profound knowledge and hindsight.  Libra, 23 September – 22 October “We are all that has ever been, and all that ever will be.” Herein lays the reflection of the ‘quest for life’ – like the spirit within the breeze. Take those blessings as part of a force that exists forever. Gentleness is walking a sacred path.

 Cancer, 21 June – 22 July: Knowing what comes from within is the emotional intelligence which follows natural feminine wisdom. If the answers you seek are hard to find, use all your senses and pay close attention. Great souls are not afraid to take on responsibilities.

 Scorpio, 23 October – 21 November: There is an emotion greater than human understanding that suggests that the desire to heal the past is more powerful than any medication or healing art. Mother earth, who loves without regret, is tending all her children who through tears pay all debts.

 Leo, 23 July – 22 August: With the

 Sagittarius, 22 November – 21 De-

cember: The Sun here reaches deep into your memory to shine on a moment in time. That is when time shifting creates fond memories. You can use that simple technique to focus on something that gave you joy, which will help you challenge new possibilities.  Capricorn, 22 December – 19 January: The patterns of all life, mirroring the principles of every truth, are found in nature. You can discover those simple truths through relationships, for everything is dependent on interrelationships. Complexities only arrive when you think without relation.  Aquarius, 20 January – 18 February: The water bearer loves to risk the uncertain, instead of the predictable, and finds himself never tiring of being alive. You can masquerade behind timid facades only for so long. Break out of the ingrained habits that dissatisfy you.  Pisces, 19 February - 20 March: Admiring those special moments of the season allows that blooming feeling to be appreciated. Let others know that they are a part of your admiration. It is the sign of a wise person to show gratitude.

facilitator, Isabel Sparrow, will precede the walk. Venue:

Artemis (37 Uitkyk

Street). Time: One hour before sundown.

Contact: Kobus 074 1444 999 or Andrea 082 7444 999

25 December

Family service - all welcome. Tea and

Mon & Thurs  Iyengar-Style

eats served. Pastor Theuns Pauw 021

Yoga

Classes

Artemis barn, 18h00-19h00.

at

876 3348

Friday

morning 08h00 – 09h00. Ladies class

 Roman Catholic Church

(pre- and post natal, menopausal,

Mass every 2nd Saturday of the month at

recuperative) - also at Artemis Contact

the Methodist Church, Bagatelle Rd, Fhk.

Danielle on 073 388 1404.

073 488 6816

Tuesdays

 Trinity Church

 Alcoholics Anonymous Time

19h00.

Venue:

Anglican Communion Service Sundays

NG

Church

10h00.

Weekday

Communion

with

Consistory. Contact 021 867 0983 or

Prayers Wednesdays 10h00. All services

073 125 0188 (Jeffrey)Franschhoek

at L’Ermitage Chapel. Fr Gavin Mitchell (083 799 0726) or Fr Michael Pedder

 Backgammon Club Meets

(082 460 7833).

All welcome. Own board not required.

Venue: Taki’s Place . Time: 19h00

 ST George’s Anglican Church, Groot

Info:

Drakenstein. Sunday Services:

Graeme

Oliver

-

graeme@

poachedrhino.org or 072 815 8209

Saturdays

Holy

Communion and Sunday School 10h00.

Rector Fr Joe Humbles – 021 874 1120

Franschhoek Village Market

 New Apostolic Church

Breads, olives, ginger beer, pastries,

Le Roux Weg, Franschhoek.Sundays

plants, seedlings, breakfasts, coffee,

09h00, Wednesdays 19h30.

crafts and more. Venue: Dutch Reformed

Charles Leibrandt

Church Grounds. Time: 09h00 – 14h00

Church Services

Rector:

Sport  FHK Cycling Club Outrides

 Franschhoek Methodist

Regular road ride on Saturdays to

Church

Stellenbosch and back followed by

Sunday service 09h00 – all welcome. Rev

coffee. (MTBs also welcome). Venue:

Nuno Vergueiro 021 872 3580 or 082

Meet at BP garage. Time: 08h00.

662 4509. Contact person: 021 876 2510

Contact: Paul Barkley 083 302 9096

or 083 287 5756  Franschhoek Tennis Club

Mondays  Recovery Support Group Support for people recovering from substance abuse. Time: 19h00 Venue: Shofar Christian Church, 7 Lambrechts Ave, Franschhoek. All welcome. No charge.

Contact: Theuns 071 678 5286

 NG Kerk Franschhoek

Social

Sondagdienste 09h30. Geen aanddiens

Franschhoek Tennis Club on Fridays

meer nie. Ds Peet Bester. 021 876 2431.

from 08h30 and on Sundays and Public

tennis

is

played

at

the

Holidays from 09h00. During June,  Shofar Christian Church

July and August starting times are

Sunday service 09h00. hofar Christmas

30 mins later. For more information

service, Thursday 25 Dec at 09h00.

contact 021 876 4184.

THE FRANSCHHOEK TATLER

20

December 2014

Smalls R30. Text only, maximum 30 words. Leave, with payment, at Franschhoek Pharmacy before 15th of preceding month  LOOKING FOR THAT SPECIAL BOOK and can’t find it? Call John at the Armchair Explorer , we will source it for you.

Cell: 082 361 0090  GARDEN REFUSE REMOVAL: Please contact Adrienne for a quote. 072 850 7287  Relax! Let RIAPOOLS bring the sparkle back to your pool. Call: 072 347 5355  BOOK BINDING AND BOOK REPAIRS. John Hicks 082 361 0900 or john@ thearmchair explorer.co.za  PET-CARER / PET-SITTER/ HOUSESITTER/ CARETAKER/ SUPERVISE CARE OF HOUSE, CAR, POOL, GARDEN, OR GUEST HOUSE: Responsible, mature woman of integrity. Have had experience as Tour Guide, Manager, Function Coordinator. I’m Trustworthy, Reliable, Honest, Friendly, Intelligent, and Capable. 083 270 9555  RIAPOOLS is this area’s premier pool maintenance company. For advice please call: 072 347 5355  YOUNG COUPLE from Zim with 3 small children looking for minimum two

bedroomed property. Male is in full time employment with same employer for 5 years.

Wife able to help as domestic and husband can also help after normal work hours in return for reasonable rent. Driving licence, work permits and references. Telephone Titch 073 636 0776  PLASMA SCREEN ADVERTISING at BuildIt Franschhoek. High traffic area. From R250 per month. Contact Johan Viljoen on 084 205 7157.  BABYSITTER: Honest, reliable lady to look after your children after hours. Please contact Adrienne for a quote. 072 850 7287  KITTENS AND DOGS looking for homes.

Call Annette 021 876 3155  SALES REPRESENTATIVE: Independent publishing house seeks part-time advertising sales representative in Boland region. Commission only + phone allowance.

Own transport essential. Previous sales experience a recommendation, but not essential. Send CV including references to bolandadsales@gmail.com

 SPRAY PAINTING: Does your garden furniture need a facelift? Contact Titch for a quote for any spray painting needs you may have. 073 636 0776  CHRISTMAS TREES for sale. R150 each.

Phone 083 279 7960  JOB WANTED: My name is Elizabeth Gondwe. I am a Malawian and looking for a job as a house cleaner or child minder. If interested please call me at 074 406 5393.  JOB WANTED: Kenneth Msiska, a Malawian, born 06.08.1984 is looking for a job. He passed the high grade of Malawian education and has worked as a general worker, bar attendant, swimming pool attendant, housekeeper and gardener. He has references and can be contacted on 061 336 6492.  ET / HOUSE SITTER: Reliable and experienced local pet and house sitter available 1 - 19 December 2014 and from 1 January 2015 onwards. Short or long-term.

Contact Lynn on 0791105890.

Cloud Nine mattresses and beds.

Kenwood, Defy, Russell Hobbs & other appliances.

Wooden storage crates.

Lamps, kettles, irons, etc.

ELECTRICAL

SERVICES

• Installation, repairs & maintenance on all commercial, industrial & residential properties • Air conditioning installation & maintenance • Thermal imaging Jacques 082 547 0535, Anton 071 303 0847 info@elecon.co.za

FURNITURE SHOP

We buy & sell secondhand furniture & appliances fbuildit@gmail.com | 021 876 2883 / 876 4410

FRANSCHHOEK’S

FOR BUILDING • GARDENING • RENOVATING SITUATED BEHIND BP GARAGE • WE SPECIALISE IN: TOOL & EQUIPMENT HIRE Brush Cutters, Lawn Mowers, Chain Saws, Concrete Mixers, Drills, Compressors, Pumps, Jackhammers SERVICING & REPAIR Light Industrial Equipment RUBBLE & REFUSE REMOVAL DELIVERIES LIGHT DOMESTIC MOVES PORTABLE LOOS CLEANING of businesses and other premises

always at your service

072 378 1916 or 021 876 4123 Email: onhireo@gmail.com

December 2014

21 21

THE FRANSCHHOEK TATLER

FRANSCHHOE K

THE FRANSCHHOEK TATLER

22

December 2014

Fluctuating JSE conditions leading to greater interest in property The recent instability in the JSE securities exchange prices has reinforced a suspicion in the minds of some investors, that South Africa’s share prices have become over-valued and that a five to ten percent or possibly greater correction was overdue.

While he would not necessarily agree with this thinking, says Bill Rawson, Chairman of the Rawson Property Group, it is noticeable that this mindset has increased the number of enquiries that his group is receiving about the potential for building property portfolios as an alternative asset class.

“The thinking behind these enquiries appears to be based on the belief that the JSE will probably no longer experience the highly satisfactory value rises seen in the last two to three years.”

Financial advisers have traditionally calculated, said Rawson, that South African equity based unit trusts can be expected to give a return of 8% plus the inflation rate, e.g. 14% at present. Last year, of course, they performed far better than this according to the Cape Town financial consultants, The Financial Coach, they achieved a peak growth of inflation plus 24%.

“Now many investors suspect that these bullish conditions will begin to slow down – so they are

beginning to look at what the property sector can offer. According to the respected analysts, TPN, residential property has “ploughed its own furrow” and performed above expectation. Returns on high density urban areas being anything from 6,5% to 10% with annual value increases of the same order.”

Rawson was asked if residential property is a safe investment in a slump period and if it does follow downward economic trends in the same way as the JSE? “It is true that in a downturn the number of defaulting tenants will rise,” says Rawson, “but it is also true that defaulters can be made to leave their premises (although with some difficulty) and that in today’s market it is seldom difficult to find a replacement tenant. It is worth noting, too, that in the second quarter of this year, TPN were still reporting that ± 70% of tenants were paying on time, while 22% paid within the grace period, late or in partial installments.”

If it does become necessary to evict a tenant by resorting to legal procedures, it can be expensive and the landlord may have to accept a total lack of rents for as much as half a year. However, good prior checking before accepting a new tenant can greatly

prevent the risk of this happening.”

Rawson added that the actual return on a property investment will very seldom be equal to that of a well-chosen share portfolio but, he said, unlike shares property can be acquired with geared capital

and in a really unstable market will usually be less affected by fluctuations than shares.

“Property,” he said, “has a reputation for suiting a more cautious investor and for such people tends to form a 30 to 40% base to their total investment portfolio.”

R4 750 000

Key Location charges *2,8% +VAT everyone benefits.

PERFECT INVESTMENT Superb property featuring 6 well sized bedrooms all ensuite, plus fully self-contained cottage. Huge open-plan lounge & dining, equipped kitchen, wrap-around veranda with vistas over gardens & pool. Parking for 8 cars, excellent security. Set on over 1000 sq.m. (VAT owner, fully zoned). Be quick.

Call Pauline 083 380 9999

Make Key Location your first port of call; everyone deserves a better deal!

Key

Location

your online property company www.keylocation.co.za

“Your local property people” Paul Pauline 083 444 3580 083 380 9999 paul@keylocation.co.za pauline@keylocation.co.za UK +44 7760 197385 Professional attitude | Quality service | 25 years of national & International property success

&

FRANSCHHOEK - FOR SALE R8 895 000 CAPE DUTCH DELUXE This splendid home offers a tranquil lifestyle. Set on approx 1500sq.m, featuring 4 luxury sized bedroom suites all with stunning bathrooms, plus gym. Open plan dining, lounge & kitchen leading to sun splashed entertainment area, pool & lush manicured gardens. Hot to sell Call Pauline 083 380 9999

FRANSCHHOEK - FOR SALE R4 990 000 QUALITY FINISHES Perfect for couples, or travellers. Featuring open plan living, lounge & dining, covered patio, 2 bedrooms both en-suite, stunning kitchen with scullery, garaging & parking, excellent security, fully walled. Soon to be sold Call Pauline 083 380 9999

SOLE MANDATE

FRANSCHHOEK - FOR SALE R10 200 000 EXCLUSIVE & SECURE - ALL OFFERS NEGOTIATED Nestling on just over 1450 Sq.m of manicured gardens featuring easy open plan living, all entertainment areas lead to patio, pool & impressive views. Entrance hall, 3 spacious bedroom suites each with private bathrooms, separate study, guest cloakroom. Double garage.

For an exclusive viewing call Pauline 083 380 9999

FRANSCHHOEK - FOR SALE

Whilst every care has been taken in the preparation of these adverts, Key Location Pty(Ltd) & staff can not be held liable for any error or omission | *Key Location Pty(Ltd) is not a VAT vendor, the above calculation is a formula

December 2014

THE FRANSCHHOEK TATLER

MOUNTAIN RETREAT

23 21

R18 500 000

Sensational views of the valley from this exclusive 15.63 ha mountain retreat. The main home comprises 4 bedrooms a huge central lounge/dining area and kitchen. Numerous additional rooms. Separate laundry, storage space and double garage. 4 magnificent self catering cottages provide very lucrative income. There is an enormous barn which could be converted to a function hall or restaurant with adequate parking. The property encompasses a vast tract of arable mountain land which could be developed with additional cottages and/ or planted to vines. The property is fed by mountain and borehole water.

WEB REF: 302178129

SUNNY COTTAGE

R3 500 000

A delightful sunny and bright thatch cottage featuring a large open plan lounge and dining room flowing out to a completely private garden and pool area. Cheerful kitchen with plenty of cupboard space and a separate scullery area. Two bedrooms, main en suite and a family bathroom. A single garage and drying courtyard off the kitchen. Very secure and in a good position in the village. Bonus: Fully furnished with all furnishings in an excellent condition makes this a perfect "lock up and go" cottage in the country.

WEB REF: 302200299

TIMELESS ELEGANCE

R5 500 000

A magnificent period home meticulously restored to the highest standards and a reflection of timeless elegance and craftsmanship. A garden lovingly created decades ago by a respected botanist lending a feeling of peace and tranquility. The home comprises a large formal lounge leading through to the dining room with separate kitchen and scullery. The main bedroom has a large dressing room and period styled bathroom. A guest bedroom and gentleman's study. A garden suite allows total privacy from the main house.

WEB REF: 301761199

Each Office Independantly Owned and Operated

Nobody in the world sells more Real Estate than RE/MAX

24

THE FRANSCHHOEK TATLER

December 2014

December 2014

FRANSCHHOEK

Bedrooms 4

Bathrooms 3 Garages 2

THE FRANSCHHOEK TATLER

R7 500 000

WEB 337 243

25

PEARL VALLEY

Bedrooms 3

Bathrooms 3.5 Parkings 2

R2 700 000

WEB 338 499

Fantastic family home in one of franschhoek’s most desirable streetsThis original homestead dates back to 1938 with a welcoming wide entrance hall leading you to a spacious open plan dining, lounge and kitchen area. Main living areas and bedrooms have wooden floors. The lounge has a wood burning fireplace as does the country style kitchen. Potential income generating cottage.

Fresh air and brisk morning walks - a bubbly lifestyle in Pearl Valley golf and country Estate, 24hr guarded security. Spacious open plan lodge on the lake with glorious mountain and green belt views. Patios from all 3 en-suite bedrooms. Fireplace in lounge, aircon throughout. Be free, live the lock up - and - go life all year round

MELINA VISSER 082 419 9928 or 021 876 4592

ELZA OBERHOLZER 083 764 4733

FRANSCHHOEK

Bedrooms 4

Bathrooms 4 Garages 1

R5 800 000

WEB 332 942

BREEDE RIVER

Bedrooms 5 Bathrooms 3 Garages 2

R18 028 000

WEB 337 655

This well positioned Village home is a short walk from the main road of Franschhoek. The entrance hall leads you to a guest loo and a magnificent bespoke kitchen with fitted Siemens appliances and Gaggenhau tepanyaki grill, 2 plates & a built in steamer. Gas fireplace and lots of light. The lounge is spacious with a wood burning fireplace and intimate dining room. A wide passage leads you to the 4 en suite bedrooms.

A wonderful opportunity to acquire this unique country treasure enveloped by the mountains close to N1 to CT. The property comprises of a impressive carefully designed 5 bedroom 3 bathroom home and a 2nd building shed has been converted into 2 cottages and a storage space/shed. Last but not least there is a 2 bedroom managers house. A wonderful botanical garden scattered with water features / streams, matured trees.

ADELL FERREIRA 083 964 1155 or 021 876 4592

MARIANNE VAN DER MERWE 082 921 3248 or 021 876 4592

FRANSCHHOEK

R28 800 000

FRANSCHHOEK

R38 500 p/m

Erf Size 51ha WEB 314 360 51ha in the Franschhoek Valley. Beautifully restored Victorian house and manager’s house. 22ha of vines and fruit. More than ample water from the Wemershoek Dam. Breathtaking views. A true piece of paradise!

Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 4 Garages 1 WEB 338 334 Set upon the river bank, this elevated thatch home offers lifestyle living and privacy. Wonderful gardens, pool and tennis court. Main house offers 3 bedrooms and separate large cottage offers further accommodation.

Ample parking and wonderful wine cellar. A true Gem! Available furnished or unfurnished.

DAWIE PRETORIUS 082 491 0218 and 021 876 4592

TANIA VAN DEEMTER 076 726 2873 or 021 876 4592

THE FRANSCHHOEK TATLER

26

December 2014

Franschhoek

Sales & Residential Letting 021 876 2100 winelandsint@pamgolding.co.za

GRAND LADY OF FRANSCHHOEK

R12.5 MILLION

A rare opportunity to purchase one of the true gems in the village of Franschhoek. Located in the heart of the village just a few minutes walk to the restaurants and shops is this magnificent period home surrounded by the most stunning “Ludwig” rose garden, unique “Kapok” tree and vines on over 2000 sqm. Viewings of this magnificent property are by appointment only.

Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 3 Garages: 2

Web Access FWI1195462

6 HECTARES OF VACANT FARMLAND

R6.5 MILLION

Approximately 6Ha situated just a few minutes drive from Franschhoek both with river frontage and excellent views. Borehole and pumping rights to the river. A superb opportunity to create your own wine and/or guest farm.

Web Access FWI1039527

VACANT LAND WITH BREATHTAKING VIEWS

R4.5 MILLION

A magnificent +-4000 sqm vacant plot planted to well managed vines and breathtaking views of the Franschhoek Valley! Situated in the centre of a Secure Estate, North Facing and 360 degree breath-taking views.

Web Access FWI1196833

www.pamgolding.co.za/franschhoek

November 2014

THE FRANSCHHOEK TATLER

27 21

Tel/Fax: +27 (0)21 876 3322

Fine & Country Franschhoek

FRANSCHHOEK

R9 850 000

ARCHITECT DESIGNED 6 BEDROOM HOME ON SECURE ESTATE Set amidst vineyards, olive groves and forests, this beautiful home is made up of a series of contemporary "barn-style" sections with interlinking passageways that connect the open plan living areas with luxurious accommodation. Large glass doors and windows throughout create wonderful views and light. The kitchen offers custom-made French Oak cabinets and luxury appliances and separate scullery and laundry. Accommodation is offered in 5 luxurious bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms and built-in cupboards. 2 Studies have been cleverly incorporated. A double garage with separate upstairs en-suite bedroom and large games room/office, a 12.5m swimming pool, koi ponds, solar heating, internal courtyards and A+ energy rating efficiency make this an exceptional property to live in.

New Build | Secure Estate | Contemporary Finishes | Erf Size: 4416m² | Web Ref: 122223

FRANSCHHOEK

R16 900 000

PANORAMIC VIEWS OF THE VALLEY This 7-bedroom home is set amongst vineyards and olive groves. High ceilings, oversized doors & windows and well-designed flow create a light and airy feel. The main residence offers entrance hall, formal lounge and dining room, basement cellar/tasting room, contemporary kitchen with dining area, 2nd lounge, scullery and laundry room plus storeroom with access from the 4-car garage. Accommodation is expansive with 4 en-suite bedrooms in main house, open-plan study/TV lounge upstairs, steam room and sauna downstairs. A 5th bedroom en-suite above the garage, also makes ideal office/study. 2 Bedroom en-suite annex with living room, kitchen, patio, garden and separate entrance. Under-cover entertainment patio runs the length of the property and overlooks swimming pool, garden and exquisite views.

Quality Finishes & Design | Exceptional Views | Secure Estate | Erf: 2700m² | Web: 116011

FRANSCHHOEK

R13 500 000

RURAL SETTING WITH VILLAGE CONVENIENCE Nestled in mature gardens on the banks of the Franschhoek River, this quaint country property offers a thatch 3/4 bedroom main house plus a large 1 bedroom cottage. The main residence consists of a double volume living and dining area, open plan kitchen with separate scullery, large main bedroom en suite, and 2/3 additional bedrooms with 2 bathrooms. The living room leads out onto a large stoep overlooking the gardens down to the river. The garden cottage consists of an upstairs bedroom en suite, a workshop/studio/garage and separate living room opening onto a large stoep overlooking the swimming pool and lawns. Other features include an underground wine cellar & tasting room, tennis court, borehole and fully irrigated mature gardens.

4/5 Bedrooms | Country Lifestyle | Central Location Erf: 6900m² | Web:117484

Centre du Franschhoek, 23 Huguenot St, Franschhoek, 7690 Tom: +27 (0)79 955 3114, tomc@fineandcountry.com Terry-Lee: +27 (0)82 650 9194, terryg@fineandcountry.com

THE FRANSCHHOEK TATLER

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Fine & Country Franschhoek

December 2014

Tel/Fax: +27 (0)21 876 3322

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FRANSCHHOEK

R8 500 000 LIGHT, BRIGHT, SPACIOUS 4/5 BEDROOM REFURBISHED FAMILY HOME WITH SUPERB FINISHES AND WONDERFUL VIEWS ON SECURE WINE ESTATE This beautiful home consists of a large double-volume living area with open-plan living room, dining room and kitchen, four bedrooms, three bathrooms, large office/studio with private upstairs patio, a laundry & scullery plus three garages. A separate, studio apartment with kitchen, bathroom, dressing room and sauna offers extended family living or ideal rental opportunity. Outside there is a large covered entertainment lounge and sunny patio with amazing mountain views. A picturesque private garden steals the show with a large sprawling lawn, 12m swimming pool, mature trees. This is a rare prestige property and will not be available for long!

Land Borehole| Quality Finishes | Fantastic Views | Secure Estate | Erf Size: 1413m² | Web 76631

Centre du Franschhoek, 23 Huguenot St, Franschhoek, 7690 Tom: +27 (0)79 955 3114, tomc@fineandcountry.com Terry-Lee: +27 (0)82 650 9194, terryg@fineandcountry.com