SEPTEMBER 2026 | NEWSLETTER | THE GRAPEVINE PHOTO TAKEN IN 2014
NATURE
ESTATE NEWS
EVENTS
7 FUN FACTS
This magazine is designed & published by :
Contents Our Croydon Ducks
05
Estate Management Update
09
Food Truck Friday
11
Lifestyle & Events
12
7 Fun Facts
14
Important Numbers
19
ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES
Contact the Digi Sales Team
Amy Jenkins
Cell: 082 777 5541
Tel: 032 946 0357
E-mail: amy@fabmags.co.za
Next issue: December 2026
DISCLAIMER: This Digimag is produced especially for residents of Croydon Vineyard Estate to provide updates and useful information. It is produced by FabMags Publications, on behalf of Croydon Vineyard Estate. Although every effort is taken to ensure accuracy of content, Croydon Vineyard Estate HOA and/or the Publisher, cannot be held liable for any inaccurate information, and may not agree with all opinions expressed in this publication.
Our Croydon
Ducks
5
These little white, feathered friends who share
They also differ slightly in size and, rather
our world are one of the joys of life at Croydon.
importantly, their quacks sound a little
You will often spot them waddling through the
different too.
vineyards, happily munching on snails and other tasty morsels, while quacking away as
From egg to duckling
they go about their very busy duck business!
A hen will typically lay between eight and 13 eggs, with around 10 often hatching. In the wild,
But how much do we actually know about our
sadly, only around two to four ducklings may
feathered residents?
survive to adulthood.
Our Croydon ducks are a cross between a
Our Croydon ducks, however, have it a little
Mallard and a Pekin duck, so you could say
easier. They are semi-cared for and live in
we have the best of both worlds!
a relatively protected environment, which certainly gives them a better chance of
The males are called drakes and usually have
growing up big and strong. Our biggest clutch
a little curl in their tail feathers, while females
so far was an impressive 18 eggs, with 14
are called hens.
ducklings surviving!
6
OUR CROYDON DUCKS CONTINUED They hatched on 14 October 2025, which means their very FIRST BIRTHDAY is
Bread isn’t good for ducks, so although they may look at you hopefully with those little beady eyes,
They may look like they’re simply out for a stroll, but chances are they’re hard at work:
coming up.
please resist the temptation!
foraging, socialising, keeping an eye on things
What’s on the menu?
Clever little creatures
entertaining!
Ducks are excellent foragers and their diet changes as they grow. Around Croydon, they have plenty to keep them occupied as they forage, explore and, of course, patrol the vineyards. If the kiddies would like to feed our ducks, please stick to duck and layer feed, seeds, uncooked oats, THAWED frozen corn and peas, or
Ducks are actually much cleverer than they sometimes get credit for. They can learn daily routines, recognise people’s voices and faces, and have surprisingly good long-term memories.
Long may the quacking continue! Any duck-related questions? Please reach Monika, “our duck lady”, in Aries Lane.
So if you think that little duck you’ve been feeding has started recognising you ... you may well be right! On average, ducks live for around five to eight years, although with the right environment
shredded lettuce.
and care, they can live for up to 12 years.
And one very important rule:
So next time you see our Croydon ducks waddling
PLEASE, NO BREAD!
and generally making Croydon a little more
through the vines, take a moment to say hello.
7
H E
S I T R
E V
D A
E R E s
on i t a
lic y b u it P n s u g
a m m m b co
a #F tate& es #
Amy Jenkins amy@fabmags.co.za 082 777 5541
Estate Management
Updates A warm hello to all
together to build on what makes our estate
our homeowners
such a special place to call home.
and residents. The weeks since the AGM have certainly As we approach
been busy. As trustees, we have been taking
the final quarter of
the time to review various aspects of the
the year, I would like
Estate’s management and to understand
to thank you for the
where we can make a meaningful
confidence you have placed in us as
difference.
your newly appointed Board of Trustees. It is a privilege to serve our community,
One of our key areas of focus remains
and we are looking forward to working
security.
9
ESTATE MANAGEMENT UPDATES CONTINUED
The Security Work Group is continuing
so we are committed to finding the most
with its extensive due diligence as we
suitable person for the position. There is
work toward developing an Integrated
plenty of work ahead, but there is also a great
Security Framework for Croydon Vineyard
deal to be positive about. I am encouraged
Estate.
by the energy and commitment of the new
This is an important piece of work, and
Board, and I look forward to what we can
we want to ensure that the decisions we
achieve together as a community.
make are well considered and in the best interests of the Estate and our residents.
Wishing you and your families all the very best for the final quarter of the year.
Finding the right Estate Manager also remains a top priority. We recognise how important this role is to the dayto-day running of the Estate and to the experience of everyone who lives here,
Warm regards,
Clive
10
Food Truck
Friday
25-Sept: WING IT
02-Oct: BUTCHER & SON 09-Oct: ISHUSHU PIZZA 16-Oct: FLAME 23-Oct: TACO MEL 30-Oct: DIT IS MOS KOS
Lifestyle & Events September in the Vineyard Spring is here...and we are getting our mojo back! There’s a little more buzz around Croydon at the moment, and we like it! We are re-energising our Lifestyle and Events programme, with some great things planned for September and plenty more in the diary for 2026.
So, dust off the diary, round up the neighbours and friends and come join us for some good food, a bit of sport, music, fun and most importantly, good company!
Heritage Day Lamb on the Spit
A line-dance teacher is coming
Thursday, 24th September
basic steps. Then, once we
Now THIS is one to put in the diary!
have mastered the basics (or
We are celebrating Heritage Day
at least convinced ourselves
the Croydon way, with good old
that we have!), we will attempt a
fashioned Lamb on the Spit. The
fun choreographed line dance
lamb will be spit-fire roasted and
together.
served at lunchtime with salad sides
#No experience required.
and followed by malva pudding.
#No fancy boots required.
Set up in the courtyard, along with
#Two left feet? Absolutely
tables and chairs. So Invite your
welcome.
in at 11h00 to teach us some
friends, grab your favourite nibble and come down and join the vibe.
It’s all about having a laugh and giving it a go!
And because sitting around eating is obviously not enough exercise... WE ARE HAVING A HOEDOWN!
October Beerfest & Market – 3 October 2026
12
World-Class Education on Your Doorstep
Why Somerset College?
Choosing the right school is one of the most important decisions a family makes. At Somerset College, we partner with parents to nurture and equip confident, capable young people. From Pre Prep School and Prep School through to Senior School, our students are encouraged to explore their interests, develop leadership skills and build lasting friendships in an environment that balances high standards with genuine care. At the heart of this vision is our ESTEAM programme.
• Consistently strong academic results (IEB and Cambridge) • A vibrant, diverse community • Exceptional sport, cultural and leadership opportunities • A seamless journey from Pre Prep School to Senior School • Strong pastoral care • World-class facilities empowering our students to pursue their dreams • Boarding available for Senior School students
Situated in the heart of the Cape Winelands, our beautiful, secure campus offers families the opportunity for a complete, values-based education close to home in a caring environment.
We believe in balanced excellence with high standards, strong relationships and meaningful opportunities that allow each child to discover their strengths and grow with confidence.
CONTACT US
We invite you to book a campus tour. We look forward to welcoming you.
Independent / Co-educational / Private School Grade 000 (age 3 turning 4) to Grade 12 Cambridge A-levels
Email: admissions@somcol.co.za Telephone: +27 (0)21 842 8000 Website: www.somersetcollege.org
7 FUN FACTS about South Africa you need to know!
T
hese extraordinary South African facts prove that our country is truly one of a kind. Take a look: South Africa is a treasure chest overflowing with gems. From its wildlife and scenery to its people and food, Mzansi can certainly count itself as one of the most unique countries in the world. Whether you reside in the Rainbow Nation or are planning to visit soon, South Africa is brimming with fascinating – and fun! – nuances waiting to be discovered and shared. SEVEN FUN FACTS ABOUT SA Ready to learn some fun facts about South Africa? Let’s unpack them right here, starting with: 1. CAPITAL THREE Cape Town is SA’s legislative capital. Why have one capital
7 FACTS ABOUT SOUTH AFRICA CONTINUED
city? Three cities in South Africa can lay claim to this appellation: Pretoria, Cape Town and Bloemfontein. Pretoria is the administrativecum-executive capital, Cape Town is the legislative capital, and Bloemfontein is the judicial capital. 2. LARGE & IN CHARGE Guess where the largest, record-breaking animals can be found? You guessed it – good ol’ Mzansi is home to these magnificent creatures. Three animals – the ostrich, elephant and leatherback turtle – are recognised as the world’s largest bird, land mammal and reptile, respectively. Talk about a big win for SA’s wildlife! 3. HEART SONG SA’s national anthem is a linguistic wonder. The stirring, spirited notes of our national anthem are enough to make anyone cry (just ask Teboho Mokoena!). It’s also very inclusive: the anthem consists of four stanzas that are sung in five of SA’s 12 official languages: isiXhosa, isiZulu, Sesotho, Afrikaans and English.
15
4. AIN’T NO MOUNTAIN OLD ENOUGH Our planet is a little over 4.5 billion years old. For three mountain ranges in South Africa, they’re slowly but surely catching up. At 3.5 billion years old, Mpumalanga’s Barberton Mountains, AKA the Makhonjwa Mountains, are the oldest mountain range on Earth. Limpopo’s Waterberg Mountains (2.8 billion years old) and North West’s Magaliesberg Mountains (2.3 billion years old) also rank high among the world’s oldest mountains. 5. RIDE & WINE SA is famed for its wines. So, it’s no wonder that it’s also home to the world’s longest wine route. Route 62 spans 850 kilometres from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth. Along the way, you can stop, sip and savour plenty of vintages at our top vineyards and wine farms. 6. RING THE WEDDING BELLS LOUD & PROUD Same-sex marriage in South Africa was legalised in 2006. The year 2026 marks the 20th anniversary of same-sex marriage
16
7 FACTS ABOUT SOUTH AFRICA CONTINUED
becoming legalised in South Africa. In addition to becoming the fifth country in the world to legalise this practice, the Rainbow Nation is the only African country to do so thus far. 7. BLOOMING LOVELY & LOCALLY Earth is home to six floral kingdoms. One of these is the Cape Floristic Region: it’s located on the southern tip of SA and is home to over 9,000 plant species. The Floristic Region also consists of fynbos, a highly diverse shrubland ecosystem found only in the Cape region. Think restios, ericas and, of course, proteas! EXTRAORDINARY SOUTH AFRICA This is just a handful of the fantabulous things that make South Africa tick. Of course, there are still plenty more gems waiting to be unearthed. 17
WHAT IF THIS COULD BE THE
BOOK A
FREE CONSULTATION
LAST TIME YOU
START OVER ? 072 311 4961
NUHUMAN SOMERSET WEST DSD CENTRE
LOST 10KG
Fitness • Weight Loss • Personal Training • Meal Plans • Body Toning • Ozone • Red Laser Light Therapy
IMPORTANT NUMBERS Security 072 349 8002 Security Supervisor Rodney Mally 081 262 0301 security@croydon-estate.co.za SecureRite Armed Response 0860 103 099 021 851 3374 All hours Xone Command Centre 021 816 1234 Office hours only
Eskom 086 0037 566 Account Number 9230515300 Metro Police & Traffic Services 086 076 5424 Macassar Police 021 857 1000 Macassar Fire Brigade 021 444 6790 Cape Town Fire Control 021 590 1900
HOA Office 021 843 3610 Office hours only
Ambulance 10177 (Western Cape Government) 084 124 (ER24) 082 911 (Netcare)
COCT Water & Sanitation 086 010 3089 WhatsApp 063 407 3699
Vergelegen Medi Clinic 021 850 9000 021 851 3399
Cape Town Municipality 021 467 1614
Hottentots Holland Hospital 021 850 4700
Helderberg Home Nursing Services 021 852 6290 072 293 4797 (Emergency) PlumbStar Plumbing 071 196 4911 Mark Wainwright Electrician 072 512 9237 Willie Goosen Snake Catcher 079 189 3807 Justin Collocot 067 244 6972 Jozaa van Niekerk
19