Franschhoek Tatler - February 2026

Fi res Deva state Va lley

Conditions could hardly have been better for runaway fires. Excessive early summer heat combined with heavy fuel loads in some areas and a relatively dry winter provided an ideal trifecta for ignition. While Franschhoek remained mostly unscathed during the first months of fire season (October – April in the Western Cape), it all changed in January.

First there was a fire at the Berg River Dam (R45/ R301 intersection) only a handful of days into January. This was soon brought under control.

On 7 January a fire started on La Terre de Luc farm –which over the next few days would develop into an almost unstoppable inferno Then on 8 January a large fire started near Languedoc/Boschendal.

At times it was hard to tell which fire was which as embers ignited new areas and footprints merged.

Around the same time, huge fires were also raging in several other places in the Western Cape, notably in the Pearly Beach, Stanford area where a Code Red was declared – meaning all possible resources, also from outside the area, were mobilised to fight the fire. Other fires raged at JC le Roux (Stellenbosch), Tulbagh, Stormsvlei and DeWet Cellar (Worcester).

For the first time in at least a generation, a number of buildings were destroyed by the flames, most notably the Marco Polo Lodge on Chamonix Wine Estate and private home on a property opposite the R45 from Bridge House School. A farm tractor was also destroyed.

Electricity supply to the valley was also interrupted due to fire damage to electricity poles and fire-damaged trees falling on power lines.

While the village was without electricity for three days, surrounding farms had to wait several more days for their supply to be restored.

Hundreds of firefighters from several different organisations were deployed to fight the fires and to prevent flare-ups in areas where it had already been put out. The Cape Winelands District Municipality’s Fire Services – the primary responders to veldfires – extended its sincere thanks to everybody that assisted in the fire response, “including CapeNature,

Volunteer Wildfire Services, Working on Fire, Drakenstein and Stellenbosch Municipalities, Winelands Fire Protection Association, farmers, landowners and volunteers for their continued support and cooperation.”

Helicopters were deployed on several occasions to prevent the fire from damaging further structures, particularly in the Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve, the Fransche Hoek Agricultural Estate and Bohoek area. The fire was particularly intense on the mountain slope above the FHAE, as that area had not burned in many years and had particularly heavy fuel loads.

A number of private property owners made generous donations to enable extended use of Leading Edge Aviation’s firefighting helicopters and to bring in extra contracted ground teams to protect their properties and others.

A week after the fire started more than 17 000 hectares of, mostly, fynbos had been consumed by flames and the fire perimeter was more than 50 kms. By 14 January the weather fortunately changed and light rain assisted the firefighters to bring what had become known as the Langrug fire under control.

Continuedonp2...

Fires Devastate Valley

...Continuedfromp1

On Saturday, 17 January, several fires started on the opposite side of the valley near Matoppie and Leeu Estates and quickly spread to the Robertsvlei and Bohoek areas. Helicopters were immediately deployed to keep the fire from damaging nearby farm structures, wineries and hotels. In addition to alien-infested mountain areas, vineyards and orchards were also damaged.

Fanned by strong winds the fire was still out of control four days later and had spread even further to Assegaaiboskloof, Scherpenheuwel, the Franschhoek Mountains and eventually Middagkrans.

Local residents and community organisations rallied to assist both firefighters and affected persons, in numerous ways; whether by collecting energy drinks, assisting with catering, evacuating farm animals or finding accommodation for tourists who had to be evacuated from their booked accommodations.

As the Tatler went to print on 23 January the fire was still burning, particularly on the Overberg side of the Franschhoek Mountains, but firefighters were finally getting the fire lines under control. By then, more than 23 000 hectares had been affected by the devastating fires.

Text: Editorial Desk

Top Female Cheese Maker

Dalewood Fromage has reason to celebrate: their cheesemaker, Nellie Fischer, claimed the World’s Best Female Cheese Maker title for the Dalewood Fromage Boland, and the team cracked the world’s 110 top cheeses.

The 37th World Cheese Awards took place in Bern, Switzerland, in November 2025. It is the world’s largest cheese-only competition, with over 5,200 cheeses from 46 countries judged by 265 global experts (made up of technologists, graders, retailers, journalists, buyers, chefs, producers, and key dairy industry professionals).

Dalewood garnered 9 medals at the event, including Super Golds for their Boland and Simond cheese and Gold for their Huguenot. This haul places them in the top 110 cheese producers in the world.

Dalewood’s owners, Rob and Petrina Visser, say: “These awards affirm our commitment to regenerative farming, true farmstead cheesemaking, and crafting cheeses that are proudly and uniquely South African.

“We would like to acknowledge, thank and congratulate the whole Dalewood Team, as well as our beautiful and gentle-natured Jersey cows. There are many hands and passionate people involved in making cheese from the ground up. We share these wins with all of you.”

Cheesemaker Nellie has been with Dalewood since the very start, 25 years ago. According to the Dalewood team: “Every cheese she creates carries her passion, skill and unwavering care – a true reflection of her dedication to the craft. We are endlessly proud to celebrate her talent and the love she pours into what she does.”

Nellie’s journey is linked to a proud South African

training success story. In 2010, she was awarded the Burgundy Cheesemaking Fellowship, managed by Agri-Expo and funded by the Western Cape Department of Agriculture. Between 2005 and 2014, this initiative sent 38 junior cheesemakers for hands-on training in Burgundy, France. The Female Cheesemaker’s Award was sponsored by The Guild of Fine Food and Chiswick Cheese Market.

www.dalewood.co.za | 021 200 2580

Text: Editorial Desk | Image: Michael Dei-Cont

Montreux Jazz Festival Partners Announced

The Montreux Jazz Festival Franschhoek (MJFSA) recently announced the first group of partners supporting the festival’s historic African debut taking place from 27–29 March 2026.

Mark Goedvolk, MJFSA Founder remarked: “The arrival of Montreux in Franschhoek is the beginning of a cultural bridge between South Africa and one of the world’s most iconic festivals. We are honoured to welcome partners who share our belief in the power of live music, art and community to shape meaningful local and international connection.

“Their support sets the stage for a world-class experience whose impact will strengthen artistic exchange, foster new creative dialogues, and position Franschhoek as a destination for cultural excellence.”

The following partnerships form the foundation of a long-term vision to fuse Montreux Jazz Festival’s legacy with the creativity, hospitality and cultural richness of Franschhoek and South Africa.

Presenting Partner – Nedbank

South African Broadcast Partner – SABC

SA Print & Digital Partner – Sunday Times

Destination Partner – Franschhoek Wine Valley.

Sharing why they have partnered with MJFSA Buli Ndlovu, Executive Head of Personal and Private Banking Marketing, Nedbank said: “Nedbank is proud to stand alongside the first African edition of the Montreux Jazz Festival. Franschhoek represents entrepreneurship, creativity and a unique lifestyle all of which aligns strongly with our commitment to

supporting South Africa’s small business economy while at the same time curating exclusive client experiences.

“Partnering with MJFSA allows us to champion a moment of global significance for the country: a festival that brings international attention, meaningful economic activity, community upliftment and a powerful platform for African artistic expression. We look forward to contributing to an event that will inspire, connect and deliver tangible social impact aligned with Nedbank’s own journey as a purpose-led organisation.”

MJFSA is a jazz-inspired, multi-genre festival that blends the spirit of Montreux with the creative energy of Africa. Two stages – The Arches and The Jazz Village – will host a variety of entertaining performances, with the town offering a series of immersive cultural experiences throughout the weekend for ticket holders and curious travellers alike.

The festival will also support community organisations including FRANCO and Franschhoek’s Uncorked Music Academy, ensuring that its legacy extends far beyond the stage.

www.mjfsa.com

Text: Editorial Desk

with Dr Carla (Sharpe) Mitchell Space economist and Founder of Africa2Moon project

You carry several titles; economist, strategist and founder of the Africa2Moon project. What do you say when asked what you do?

I have always been interested in space and would refer to myself as a space economist. My personal passion project is Africa2Moon, which we have been working on for the last 14 years. It is the implementation of an African designed and built low-frequency radio telescope to be deployed on the moon. It will be Africa’s first lunar mission and will launch in 2029. We plan to be the first ever telescope array on the Moon and to do firsttime science. Our slogan is ‘ad astra per fidem’, to the stars through faith, and it has certainly taken several leaps of faith to get this far.

Besides being the founder of Africa2Moon in 2013 you have also founded the Foundation for Space Development in Africa in 2009 and Women in Aerospace Africa in 2011.

The main ambition behind these efforts is to show young people across Africa that collaboration is the future and that you can achieve anything you can dream. To date Africa2Moon has secured all resourcing by in-kind contributions through collaboration. A project that will ultimately require R6 million in funding that should have cost well over a billion rand. Of course, the CNSA (China National Space Administration) has made this possible by providing us with the launch to the Moon. You also have your day job as the Africa Programme Manager at the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO)

The MeerKAT radio telescope is situated in the

Northern Cape and was designed and built by South Africa. It is not only the best telescope of its kind in the world, but also provides the data for groundbreaking science. The MeerKAT telescope will become part of the SKA (Square Kilometre Array) telescope, an international collaboration to build the largest most sensitive radio telescope in the world.

Where did your space fascination come from and what did you study to achieve what you have in space technology?

It was an interesting journey. As a little girl I was overwhelmed looking at the stars and was just naturally drawn to the vastness of space. I thought as a young African that space was a pipe dream and I followed a different path. It started at our family home in Ballito, I was a young single mother, and my mum and I decided to open a restaurant. I quickly realised that this would not be the future I had dreamed of and then decided to empower myself and studied for a degree in Finance and Economics at UCT. I worked in finance but again it became clear this was not where I should be.

In a time of turmoil, I saw an article on a space programme starting in South Africa, finally! I was advised to enroll at the International Space University in Strasbourg. I finished the respective modules across several countries and graduated with an MBA. Last year, after a decade, I obtained my PhD at UCT Spacelab where I developed a systemic model for space science and technology investment in Africa.

Where did you grow up and how did it happen that you settled in Franschhoek? What makes it so special for you here?

I grew up in Johannesburg and during our childhood I met my husband-to-be, Justin Mitchell, but would not have guessed it then. Our paths crossed over 30 years later when I visited Justin’s guesthouse in Franschhoek. I moved to Franschhoek when we married in 2021. The village is a very special place for me as there is a sense of pride and community, rare today and something that I have always wanted to be a part of, and of course the natural beauty which surrounds the village is inspiring.

Besides your career in space technology and development, what other passions do you have?

I am a person who believes in God and I am very interested in theological history. I am currently

researching the convergence and divergence of Biblical economics, Western economics and the economies of nature. I am certain there are answers there.

You have a son who has travelled the world with you while you were a single mum, studying and working in different countries, Isle of Man, France, America and China. Is he also interested in the world of space technology?

Not at all! From a young boy, he was in the company of so many astronauts, space scientists and engineers that he is now quite “over it”. Joshua, however, is my biggest joy and accomplishment. He is in his twenties and working in the creative industry of film.

You can also be booked as a speaker. Who do you enjoy talking to and how can people get hold of you?

Yes, I love speaking about our incredible universe, the design required for our planet earth to exist. The Bible and how it aligns with science is also a passion topic of mine. I speak about our programmes, and the lessons I have learned in achieving my goals. I particularly like to speak to

the younger generation of today. Our legacy is our impact on others, and I hope mine will be positive for those I meet.

We are planning an Africa2Moon event in Franschhoek soon so watch this space.

TobookCarlaforatalkvisitwww.carlasharpe.com

FRANSCHHOEK CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL

12

– 15 February 2026

Hosted in the beautifully resonant Franschhoek Dutch Reformed Church, the festival presents 10 concerts over four days performed by musicians of the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra alongside acclaimed international guest artists Discover more: www fcmf co za

SAADA CAPE FAIR

13 – 15 February 2026

Art and history lovers will also want to mark their calendars for the SAADA Franschhoek Fair taking place at the Franschhoek Town Hall Presented by the South African Antique Art & Design Association, this boutique-style fair showcases the very best antiques fine art and 20th-century design curated by South Africa’s premier accredited dealers Open daily from 09:30 to 18:00 Discover more: www saada co za

• Sustainable tourism initiatives that empower and grow local SMMEs fostering inclusive economic development

• Support for NGOs dedicated to the care and upliftment of children of the streets, ensuring social impact and community well-being

• The Franschhoek Safety Initiative enhancing safety and resilience across the valley for residents businesses and visitors

VOICES FROM THE COMMUNITY

Raffaella Goedvolk, FRANCO

“On behalf of the entire FRANCO team and the youth of our village I would like to thank you for your generous donation of R75 000 allocated from your 1% tourism levy contributions Your support means a lot to us not only because of its significant financial importance but because we see it as a powerful confirmation of shared responsibility and community goals

With this donation FRANCO will expand skills incubator programs designed to tackle the root causes of school dropouts and the growing concern of children roaming our streets without purpose or guidance These programs will offer mentorship vocational training, and a sense of belonging to young people who are otherwise left behind by the system and by their families

Gerard Holden, Franschhoek Safety Initiative

“On behalf of the Franschhoek Safety Initiative I would like to thank contributors to FWV TL for their generous donation of R75 000 This donation will enable the Initiative to increase street guards back to four until the end of March Four is the minimum number required during peak tourist season to keep the streets safe from scammers and opportunist petty crime

We make use of six guards on rotation, with Pepler providing monitoring, coordination services, and vehicle deployment to remove problem individuals The Initiative works closely with FRANCO to ensure children on the streets are refocused and not violated Keeping the streets safe contributes to Franschhoek s reputation as a leading tourist destination, encouraging visitors to return and spend money here, which translates into direct employment Thank you

Acknowledging Our Contributors

A heartfelt thank you to the following Community and Tourism Levy Contributors Your support helps Franschhoek give back to the community:

Angala Boutique Hotel, Baby onstoren Hote Boschenda Hosp ta ity, DGB – Backsberg / Franschhoek Cel ar / Old Road Wine Co Haute Cabr ère La Bri La Clé Franschhoek La Motte Winery & Baker La Roche Esta L d

& R Rickety Bridge Manor House & W nery Rupert & Rothschi d Vignerons Ston

FRANSCHHOEK WINE VALLEY CONDUCTS SERVICE & TOURISM AWARENESS WORKSHOP FOR LOCAL STAFF

Franschhoek Wine Valley in conjunction with the Franschhoek Hospitality Academy conducted a Service and Tourism Awareness Workshop in November last year The workshop was aimed at staff from member establishments who work in a Guest Service or Marketing environment, with the purpose to elevate the Franschhoek guest experience as we headed into the busy season The w the Academy Head of the Franschhoek Hospitality Academy and Fransch

Through learning, storytelling and collaboration, participants rediscovered what makes the Franschhoek Valley truly special Our heritage, people and warm spirit of hospitality welcomes visitors from all around the world each year

Our participants were engaged motivated and excited to learn how their role plays a vital part in shaping every guest’s journey and experience As the season continues we are more ready to offer exceptional service genuine connection and unforgettable moments to everyone who visits our beautiful valley

Franschhoek Wine Valley will offer the Workshop again in March with communication going out soon to our members to sign up potential staff members

We would like to thank Stellenbosch Municipality for their support and the following members who signed up their staff La Motte, Anthonij Rupert Wine, Mel Wines, Fleur Du Soleil, Neighbourgood, La Chataigne, Haute Cabriere, Terbodore Café, Chapter House Boutique Hotel and Ludus Magnus

When a Meal Says it All

February has a way of making us think about love. It arrives wrapped in roses and ribbons, but the kind of love I notice most in my kitchen is quieter and far less showy. It’s the love that turns up in a bowl of something warm delivered with a quick hug, or a plate of food slid across a table without much being said.

That’s when food stops being just food and becomes a gesture.

It’s easy to think of this in terms of the sick or the elderly. But I’ve realised that we all, no matter our age, crave this kind of care. A friend in her thirties navigating heartbreak doesn’t always want a long conversation; sometimes she just wants a container of pasta in her fridge. A new parent who hasn’t slept in days needs something they can reheat one-handed. A housemate pulling

late nights will absolutely appreciate a bowl of something that isn’t toast.

In a place like Franschhoek, where food is often plated with precision and paired with fine wine, it’s easy to forget the deeper role it plays. But in our own kitchens, food is less about perfection and more about presence. The extra portion we make just in case. The recipe we repeat because it has comfort baked into it.

Food is useful like that. It slips past awkwardness. You don’t have to explain yourself when you drop off a pot of soup or a container of pasta. You’re just saying, in a very practical way, “I thought of you.”

Even in happier moments, food still plays that role. We send people home with leftovers, or pack them a slice of cake for later. These are small things, but they keep the feeling of a shared table going long after everyone has left.

One of my favourite things to give is a simple tomato and olive sauce. It’s not flashy. It doesn’t pretend to be anything other than what it is. But it freezes well, reheats beautifully, and somehow always feels like a hug in a bowl. Each time, it carries the same quiet message: you don’t have to cook tonight.

And perhaps that is what love looks like most often — not grand declarations, but small edible kindnesses that make someone’s day just a little easier.

SAADA Cape Fair 2026

Franschhoek Town Hall, 13-15 February 2026, 09h30-18h00

The South African Antique, Art & Design Association’s (SAADA) Cape Fair takes place at the Franschhoek Town Hall from 13-15 February.

This boutique-style event brings together ten of South Africa’s top antique and art dealers showcasing their exciting new stock in an intimate setting. From Cape antique furniture to midcentury design classics to ceramics, from jewellery to militaria, from silver to oriental porcelain – there is sure to be a treasure for every taste.

In celebration of ‘art month’ at the Cape, there will be a focus on fine art at the Fair. Riaan Bolt Antiques will present a curated selection of modern South African art, including key works by Anton van Wouw, Frans Oerder and Peter Clarke. Jeremy Stephen Antiques will showcase modern international artworks by some of the world’s most renowned 20th century masters. Making their debut at a SAADA fair, Vault Research will present

a focus on contemporary South African art. SAADA is steeped in history and tradition. Founded in 1963, it is the oldest association of its kind in South Africa. Keeping up with the ever-changing times, SAADA has evolved into the modern association it is today by including modern and contemporary art, design and jewellery into its portfolio. For them it is all about quality and authenticity.

The Fair will once again coincide with the Franschhoek Chamber Music Festival, making Franschhoek the place to be the weekend of 13-15 February. Come and enjoy a sensory experience, where fine antiques meet fine music, food and wine, in one of the Cape’s most beautiful towns!

www.saada.co.za FB: @SaadaAntiques G: @saada_antiques

ANTIQUES • ART • DESIGN

FAIR DATES Fri 13th – Sun 15th February 2026 9:30–18:00 GALA OPENING Thur 12th February 2026 18:00–21:00 BY INVITATION CAPE FAIR 2026 @ FRANSCHHOEK

The e Old Corkscrew

The Old Corkscrew specialises in exceptional pieces covering silver, decorative arts and the unusual. A strong emphasis on wine related antiques and a superb collection of corkscrews.

design

Experience a new level of comfort and style with a Li a Home Li — where luxury meets independence

Designed to complement your home, its compact and elegant form fits beautifully into any space, while e ortless installation means no sha , pit, or heavy construction. Enjoy the sophistication of quiet luxury, with smooth and whisper-quiet travel between floors. Engineered with precision and safe by design, every Li a Home Li ensures complete peace of mind. Elevate the way you live — gracefully, safely and beautifully.

Contact Li a on 080 73 73 73 7 or visit www.li a.co.za to discover more.

Hilux:

Why Fix What Ain’t Broke

Taking a legendary road trip to bid farewell to a Legend

When it came to choosing a vacation vehicle for our trip around this spectacular country, there was really only one option: the Toyota Hilux Legend 55. Why pick an old dog? Simple. In a few weeks we’ll likely see the new Hilux in the flesh for the first time, and while some critics may scoff at yet another facelift, we beg to differ.

Our choice of holiday wheels says a lot. The ninth-generation Hilux is arguably the most significant new car launch in South Africa in a decade. That’s how long this version has been with us—though technically it’s a facelift of the IMV Hilux, a platform that’s been around for nearly 20 years. So, surely it’s time for a change?

Speculation suggested the next Hilux would be all-new, inspired by the reworked US-market Tacoma. Turns out we were wide of the mark. Instead, the new Hilux will continue with its IMV genes, wrapped in another substantial facelift. What the hell! Another facelift?

Yes, another one. But here’s the counterquestion: why fix what isn’t broken? Despite its age, the Hilux still commanded around a quarter of all light commercial vehicle sales in South Africa in 2025 and remains, by a healthy margin, the country’s best-selling vehicle. With numbers like that, would you do anything differently? With that in mind, we took the current top-end

Toyota Hilux Legend 55 2.8 GD-6 4x4 double cab on a properly legendary road trip to see what really needs attention—and what doesn’t. We collected it in Jozi, lunched at the Troyeville Hotel (personal guard included), visited family, then pointed it towards the Berg.

If looks could kill…

The upcoming ninth-gen Hilux focuses on a more modern, rugged aesthetic. Some say it lacks Ranger-level macho, but remember, the Ranger is also heading into facelift territory again. Looks have never been the Hilux’s strongest suit, and old faithful has grown a little frumpy. Until we see the new one in person, we’re reserving judgment— but anticipation is high.

The facelift brings a sharper ‘cyber sumo’ front end, with a wide honeycomb grille, slimmer LED headlights (as seen on Dakar Hiluxes), and on some models, bold TOYOTA lettering in place of the badge. There’s also a tougher rear with C-LED taillights, a fresh tailgate, and new side steps on certain variants.

It’s not on top, it’s inside!

Our first leg down the N3 gave us time to reacquaint ourselves with the cabin. There’s little wrong with it beyond its unmistakably noughties look—and that’s where the biggest change is coming. The new Hilux will ditch this interior entirely, replacing it with a Prado-inspired, far more modern cockpit.

After a few days in the Berg, we tackled battered KZN B-roads, dirt sections and potholes en route to the South Coast. The old girl still cruises effortlessly, the 2.8 burbling away, wind noise minimal and comfort entirely on-brand. Toyota promises even more refinement next time, including improved seating.

The IMV chassis also gets attention, with hydraulic engine mounts and shear-type cabin mounts to reduce vibration and improve ride comfort. Expect a proper step up, along with a new Multi-Terrain Select system offering Mud, Sand and Rock modes, aiming for SUV-level ride quality.

A complete suspension makeover

Generation Nine will feature retuned shocks, revised spring rates, improved bushings, tougher front stub axles and a thicker anti-roll bar. Electric power steering will deliver lighter, more precise steering, alongside upgraded Toyota Safety Sense systems including lane-keeping assist.

2026 L’Ormarins King’s Plate

The 165th edition of the L’Ormarins King’s Plate returned to Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday 10 January, with its winning combination of storied heritage, high fashion, three elite Grade 1 races and unparalleled global prestige. Instantly recognisable by its iconic blue-and-white identity, this L’Ormarins-sponsored extravaganza (in its 22nd year of partnership) is one of the most elegant and internationally acclaimed race days on the South African race calendar. Run over 1 600 metres, Dave the King set a cracking pace but as the finishing post loomed, Richard Fourie set Questioning in full flight down the centre with a charging See it Again in close

attendance. But then Craig Zackey unleashed 16/1

The Real Prince – trained by Dean Kannemeyer –down the inner to take a three-way photo finish win in the thrilling headline race.

The Franschhoek Motor Museum sponsored Race 3 on the card, which was won by 28/1 Kelp Forest, ridden by Calvin Habib and trained by Adam Marcus. And as is also tradition, FMM was represented with a display of vehicles in appropriate blue-and-white paintwork. The group comprised a 1950 Chevrolet Deluxe Coupé, a 1953 BMW Isetta, a 1955 BMW 501/2 and a 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air convertible, and the quartet proved to be a star attraction.

Higher Season Attendance

The museum’s festive period attendance figures showed an increase of more than 1 000 extra visitors compared with last year. Between 12 December 2025 and 12 January 2026, a total of 9 285 guests passed through the display halls. “It was a strong season overall, and the general feedback

New safety tech includes low-speed acceleration suppression, proactive driving assist, rear crosstraffic alert, emergency driving stop, blind-spot monitoring, a 360-degree camera and a rear-seat occupant detection system.

Systems that belong in 2025

After Chintsa, East London and along the coast to Plett, CarPlay finally decided to cooperate— nearly 2,000km in. Connectivity is one area where the current Hilux feels dated.

That won’t be an issue with the new one. The Prado-like digital cockpit features a 12.3-inch touchscreen and matching digital instrument cluster, with seamless wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Lower-spec models get a 7-inch screen, while all benefit from a wireless charger and multiple USB ports, including rear outlets.

Powertrain details remain partly under wraps. There’s an electric Hilux Travo-e in some markets, and South Africa already has the 48V mild-hybrid 2.8 turbodiesel. Still, we expect the trusty straight 2.8 to remain the local favourite. A 450kg increase in gross combination mass for 4x4 models is also on the cards.

Welcome back to the future

Our route home took us via gravel backroads, Oudtshoorn, Bonnievale and finally back to the Cape, where the Hilux served faithfully for another month. It was an epic trip in an equally epic bakkie— and even more exciting was contemplating how much better the next one will be.

Roadtesting:GiordanoLupini ROAD

from our visitors was extremely positive,” said Front-of-House Manager Magdaleen Wepener. “I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the team for their continued dedication and positive contribution.”

FEBRUARY NEWS

Presidential Pull

Presence. Anyone in a global limelight needs to have an impressive appearance or bearing that garners respect, be it a papal leader, the head of a country, a movie star, a business mogul or (replace any rose-tinted spectacles with dark glasses) even a drug lord! Travelling in style forms just one aspect of the overall impression, and what is generally referred to as a ‘stretch limo’ is often the preferred mode of transport, although today they are as much about taking regular folk to Matric balls and hen parties. But back in the 1960s such vehicles were less commonplace and far more bespoke, and when Mercedes-Benz saw fit to produce something custom-made to offer esteemed clientele, little surprise that a special vehicle would result.

for four. A sliding glass partition behind the front seats afforded some privacy for the dignitaries travelling in the back with an intercom provided for communication. A complex engine-driven 150bar hydraulics system powered the suspension damping, windows, seats, boot lid, automaticallyclosing doors and folding roof.

Tagged as a 600, this ‘grosser Mercedes’ was offered in two basic formats, a swb saloon and a lwb stretched version (designated a Pullman) conceived to be driven by a chauffeur and with the option of a folding rear roof section. The increased body length allowed for a pair of rearward-facing seats to be incorporated into the rear passenger compartment to create a boardroom-like setting

VISITING FMM

to

(last

and Sunday

to

This 600 Pullman Landaulet was produced at the end of 1970 and thereafter carried successive SA presidents Jim Fouché, Dr Nico Diederichs, BJ Vorster, Marais Viljoen and PW Botha. The car was then put into retirement by President FW de Klerk. The car was eventually handed to the South African Cultural Museum In 2001 before ultimately sent to FMM on long-term loan. This majestic Mercedes is currently on display in Hall D.

(last admittance 16h00). Visiting the museum is by appointment only and via online booking. Entry fees: R90 adults, R70 pensioners and motor club members (with membership ID), R50 children (ages 3-12). Only electronic payments are accepted.  The famed FMM Pitstop Deli is open throughout the visiting hours, offering refreshments, sandwiches, snacks and light meals. There are also counters offering exciting estate products and souvenirs.  A selection of wines produced by Anthonij Rupert Wyne is also available. For booking tickets and any other information as well as signing on for a free monthly newsletter, logon to www.fmm.co.za or phone 021 874 9000 or e-mail fmm@fmm.co.za

February is known as not only the shortest month of the year, but also the hottest. Judging by what we are experiencing in January, this year will be no exception. Franschhoek residents will know all about it, with a range of wildfires devastating the surrounding mountains. As I am writing this article, I am looking at a blood red sun rising through the smoke of another night of raging wildfires. These fires stand in stark contrast with the flooding we are seeing in the Northern provinces of the country. Couple that with an intense drought across the Karoo and Northern Cape, and we cannot help but wonder about the effects of climate change and where it is going, whether it is man-made or not.

In such times of an uncertain future, gardeners can play a big role in building resilience. Any well-tended garden will provide a good firebreak, but we can go further than that by surrounding our perimeter with naturally fire-retardant plants such as Spekboom, aloe and other succulents. A gardener in the Western Cape will know the importance of saving and storing water. By far the bulk of our rains fall in the winter months, and tank storage will never get you through summer. The key lies in getting your garden to act like a sponge and retain as much water as possible. This is done by improving the carbon content of the soil through regular composting and mulching, never allowing any bare soil, planting shade trees and using plants that are adapted to our climate. Planting indigenous self-seeding annuals and bulbous plants in your garden will naturally provide you with a flower carpet where there once was bare soil. Use this month to get out into nature or visit a botanical garden to identify and take pictures of those plants that thrive in late summer.

Growing your own food has become a revolutionary act rather than a survival strategy for many as we try to show some independence from formal supply chains. This independence will become more important in the future as these supply chains get challenged by local weather

events as well as international disasters and turmoil. Take this a step further and keep some rabbits and poultry and you can supplement your pantry with the daily protein you and your family need. Buy only the best gardening equipment you can afford and maintain it regularly. Do a course on machine maintenance, and learn how to service and repair your own lawnmower and other power tools. Ensuring a constant supply of firewood is another area where redundancy can be obtained by the gardener. There are many fast-growing trees and shrubs that can fulfil this purpose if you have the space. We are lucky to have a mixed invasive alien forest down the road that supplies us with more wood and poles than we need while we play our role in removing these fire prone and water guzzling trees.

February is not a great gardening month, but it is harvesting time. Grapes, apples and pears and all your summer veggies will be ripening at a pace you can hardly handle, and garden hygiene is of utmost importance. Pick produce daily and remove all fallen fruit. Also notice the pests and diseases present so that you can take more preventative action next season. It’s still too hot to sow or plant much, but winter brassicas can be started in seed trays for an earlier harvest. Stagger these sowings monthly into winter to ensure a continuous supply. Irrigation becomes tricky as we try to conserve water while trying to keep our garden productive. With vegetables being harvested and beds cleared, it’s best to spot water by hand to ensure you are not wasting resources on empty beds or dying plants.

It is in the kitchen where the gardener can really build resilience. By learning new ways to preserve and store our produce we fill our pantries with food for times of scarcity or disruption. While we are doing this, we should also look for more sustainable ways to prepare our food. I love cooking on fire, and having that invasive forest close by makes this very practical and affordable. It gives a special kind of satisfaction to know that not only did the bulk of your meal come from the garden, but you also cooked it on wood cut or grown by yourself. Doing most of your cooking outdoors makes sense in this hot month; maybe now is the time to look at equipping your patio or Lapa kitchen.

Happy gardening!

Ansche’s People

ANSCHE LÖTTER

Peer Iuel is someone whose discipline and passion for life are felt long before you hear his story. Peer is a committed sportsman, mentor and local.

Peer grew up in Magoebaskloof, where his parents farmed timber. He attended the local English primary school before being sent to boarding school in Pretoria at a young age. He later matriculated from St Alban’s College in 1974. Sport was always at the centre of his world. Pretoria opened the door to a wide range of sports - cricket, rugby, swimming, sailing and soccer. Peer embraced them all with full commitment. Competitive by nature, he admits that academics were never his main focus; he did just enough to pass so that he could spend more time on sport. After school, Peer was called up to the Air Force, though not before a brief and unforgettable detour working on yachts in the Seychelles. That adventure came to an abrupt end when his father personally fetched him and delivered

him to military service with only his shirt, shorts, “plakkies”, and long hair. His time in the Air Force, including a period on the border, taught him discipline, respect and humility. It was also where he experienced loss, including the death of his best friend.

After completing his service, Peer studied B Com at UCT, qualifying as a Chartered Accountant. University life brought lifelong friendships that remain strong to this day. This group of friends still meet up once a month in Cape Town. He continued his involvement in competitive sport and sailing, including international races. After a brief stint in the clothing industry as a financial director, another chance encounter led him into stockbroking and asset management, a career he would follow for over 30 years. Peer often reflects that his life was shaped by two people who “rescued” him - his father, and the mentor who gave him the opportunity to join his firm.

While visiting his parents in Magoebaskloof, Peer met Caro, who was busy decorating his parents’ lodge in Magoebaskloof. He immediately knew there was something special about her. Their engagement story, a proposal over a radio call while Caro was in the field in Botswana, is still shared with much laughter. They got married

Bridge House Matric Results 2025

The Bridge House Class of 2025 achieved a 100% pass rate. According to the school, “The Class of 2025 worked incredibly hard and can be proud of their outstanding achievements. We congratulate each one of them.”

The Dux student is Liam Kruger, who achieved an outstanding 10 subject distinctions. Both Liam Kruger and Rahel Hartmann achieved a top 5% in 6 or more subjects, as well as a Level 7 in Life Orientation. This put both students on the IEB’s Outstanding Achievement list.

Madison George achieved within the top 5% in 5 subjects and achieved a Level 7 in Life Orientation. This put her on the IEB’s Commendable Achievement list.

Eight individual subject results were placed in the top 1 % nationally for that subject: Accounting

Fantastic Franschhoek Firefighters and Fabulous Future Franco Fundraising Function!

After the devastating floods two years ago, the town and its environs were threatened with damage from several fires which raged around us for a week. Due to the heroic actions of firefighting teams, most of whom are volunteers, the destruction was limited to a few structures and some loss of vines and fruit trees, without any casualties. We also had to withstand three days without any electricity due to these fires.

The community, as before, rallied round magnificently in supporting the brave firefighters with much needed food and drink donations to sustain them in their arduous and dangerous task. Our hats off to them and the many local people, charities, and businesses that provided the funds for this and organized their conveying to the valiant firefighters. FRANCO did not shy away from community responsibilities and in swift coordination with PicknPay and King Pie Somerset West, managed to deliver hundreds of pies, boerewors rolls and energy drinks for the teams of firemen – who numbered up two hundred on most days.

***

Please be reminded of FRANCO’s 20th anniversary celebratory fundraiser dinner at Mon Amour on Thursday, 5 February, starting at 17h30. For further details of how to get tickets, please see our website. The musical entertainment for the evening will be provided by Francesca Biancoli, an Italian-born, Cape Town–based vocalist celebrated for her mastery of jazz, Bossa Nova and blues. Performing with her trio, Francesca brings a rare versatility shaped by her rigorous classic Italian conservatory training in Bologna. Guests can look forward to a captivating repertoire where neosoul artistry meets timeless classics, ensuring an unforgettable musical soiree. The evening’s entertainment will also feature

only a few months after, and when they started their family, they knew Johannesburg was not where they wanted to raise their children. A visit to Franschhoek changed everything. Driving over the pass into the valley, they knew they had found home, and in 1999 they became part of the Franschhoek community.

In Franschhoek, Peer’s passion for sport found new outlets. He became deeply involved with The Valley Clay Target Club, eventually serving many years as chairman, mentoring young shooters and promoting discipline through the sport. Peer also enjoyed mountain biking, and still today, it’s like going to church for him when he is out in nature by himself. Later, swimming became a major focus. After completing his first Robben Island crossing for charity, Peer set himself a remarkable goal at age 62: to complete 20 crossings before the age of 70. With 17 already completed, he continues to push himself beyond his comfort zone with 14 months left to complete the goal, firmly believing in the words of Clint Eastwood, “Don’t let the old man in.”

Together with friends, Peer helped establish the Franschhoek swimming community WhatsApp group, now over 200 members strong. He is grateful to have Michelle Weber, a highly skilled swimmer and coach, as part of the local community and values her contribution to coaching and athlete development.

Peer is passionate about improving local swimming facilities and believes there is strong potential in the Train Camp facility. He plans to research the current situation and explore ways the community could help restore and use the space effectively for coaching, youth development and training for events such as the Robben Island crossing.

Peer believes exercise should be a long-term commitment rather than a short-term resolution. “If you can get out of bed and brush your teeth, you can start training.” His message to the community is simple: start small, stay consistent, and remember - a healthy body creates a healthy mind. For more information or to join the swimming community, contact Peer Iuel on 082 554 3517.

- Jack Vorster; Afrikaans First Additional Language - Nicola De Jongh; Business Studies - Madison George; English Home Language - Kate Adshade, Liam Kruger & Lukas Winter; German Second Additional Language - Maya Ethelston & Rahel Hartmann; Life Orientation - Emma Adshade; Mathematics - Jack Vorster & Liam Kruger and Visual Arts - Kiara Patel.

In addition to Liam Kruger with his 10 distinctions, Emma Adshade and Madison George each received 8 distinctions; Kate Adshade, Paula Graaff, Rahel Hartmann, Drew Kent, Jack Vorster

Caleb Dlamini and his newly founded Awaken Jazz Project band. Last year, Caleb and his ensemble triumphed at the prestigious Stellenbosch National Ensemble Open Competition, a testament to his artistry and dedication. For the past eight years, Caleb’s musical and academic journey has been nurtured by the active support of FRANCO; and by inviting him to perform at our 20th Anniversary function, we pay tribute to his commitment, hard work and perseverance in the face of many adversities. These gifted young musicians have recently been selected to perform at the upcoming Montreux Jazz Festival in March, an extraordinary milestone that may open the door to future invitations to the main festival in Switzerland. For donors and friends of FRANCO, this is a rare opportunity to witness firsthand how their support transforms lives, truly turning dreams into stages and talent into legacy. For further information about our fundraiser dinner or anything further about our activities, please consult our website: www.francosa.co.za or contact our manager, Tzilka Watson, on 060 374 0353 or email her at francofranschhoek@gmail.com

Sitropu each received 5 distinctions. The school, learners and parents undoubtedly have much to be proud of. www.bridgehouse.org.za

Rotary News

Chanè Scheepers

A Rotary Connection across Continents

In August 2007, on a South African Airways flight from Frankfurt to Cape Town, two strangers found themselves seated together in 3A and 3B. Hannelore Berg from Karlsruhe, Germany, was travelling to celebrate her son-in-law’s 30th birthday, while Svein Fredrik Tande from Molde, Norway, was on a business trip.

What began as a chance meeting soon revealed a shared spirit of service. Hannelore had been a Rotarian since 1985, and Svein had long been committed to community service through the Odd Fellow Order in Norway. That shared value became the foundation of a deeper connection. Today, they are life partners.

When Svein later moved to South Africa without a network, Rotary once again played a defining role. Encouraged by a friend of Hannelore, he joined Rotary in 2010, finding not only a sense of

belonging but a community that reflects the very values that brought them together.

Their story captures the heart of Rotary Franschhoek; where a shared commitment to serving the community has brought divergent members of our club together whilst fulfilling their passion of “service to the community”

Should you wish to find out more about Rotary and what it entails, please contact Gwyn Bassingthwaighte, at gwynbassingthwaighte@gmail.com

FHS Celebrates Matrics

Paid Parking Problem

Dear Franschhoekers,

I am a long-time resident of Franschhoek, having lived here for over two decades. While I have never paid for parking before, I recently discovered that parking fees are now required — a fact I understand and accept.

However, a recent incident left me frustrated. I was driving an elderly guest to the Tourism Centre and had to park nearby. When a parking attendant approached me, I explained that I would move the car after my guest purchased a hiking permit. She asked how long I would be, and I said 5-10 minutes. She then requested R5, which I had in cash. When I handed it over, I learned they only accept card payments. I tried to explain that I had

Upgrade or Downgrade?

Sir!

While residents of La Petite Provence Estate were delighted by the roadworks executed on the R45 to widen the road and incorporate safe turning lanes outside our estate at the same time as a new turning lane was installed to turn into La Provence Road, the final touches have sadly now made it even more dangerous than it once was, to turn right while travelling north on the R45 and into La Petite Provence.

While the southbound lane of the R45 turning into Le Provence Road now has a good 50 metres of road for motorists to comfortably and safely turn right, the converse is true on the northbound lane turning into La Petite Provence. Compromised by a seldom used domestic entrance, the LPP entrance is now wholly inadequate and dangerous.

There’s now even more chance of being smashed into from behind while attempting to turn right into La Petite Provence. Otherwise we’re forced to break the law and cross into the forbidden zone of the orange chevron stripes just to keep safely out of the main R45 northbound lane.

cash but no card, yet I was still issued a R200 fine. Later, when I took my daughter to the pharmacy, a similar situation occurred but I wasn’t fined.

My request: Could Stellenbosch Municipality consider accommodating residents from under-privileged communities like ours? Not everyone carries money on their bank cards. Implementing a cash-payment option (e.g., a nearby cash machine) would make it easier for us to comply without incurring unnecessary penalties. I am not opposed to the system — just hoping for a more practical solution.

Imagine having to swipe for a R5 fee and still being charged extra—it’s simply ridiculous.

This is my open letter and my honest opinion.

David Molorane

In short, the road markings outside La Petite Provence are not only now significantly more dangerous for residents turning right into the Estate in spite of the best efforts to rectify the previous dilemma, but also they force us to break the law as soon as there is more than one car turning, or traffic approaching from the other direction.

It is also important to note that on brief observation, there continues to be a greater volume of traffic using the La Petite Provence intersection (to service the close to 200 households in the Estate) versus the level of traffic turning into La Provence Road. Yet the latter has a significantly longer, safer and more sensible turning lane and the La Petite Provence side remains dangerously compromised. I am certain that we are not alone among La Petite Provence Estate residents in making an urgent and earnest request to whomever was responsible for the most welcome road widening, to relook the turning lanes to remedy the perilous La Petite Provence turning lane before there is another serious accident at our entrance.

Yours,

MicheleLupini,LaPetiteProvence

Peace Centre Opens

Franschhoek’s New Legal Advice, Counselling and Mediation Centre

On Saturday, 6 December 2025, Franschhoek’s Peace Centre opened its doors at 5 Mark Street, Groendal. The aim of the Peace Centre is to support communities to become safer and more peaceful.

The Peace Centre is an initiative of Foundation for Sport, Development and Peace. This NGO has been involved with community development, especially youth and women development, capacity building and advocacy work in South Africa and internationally since 2014.

Over the years the Foundation’s work focussed on sport, peace, human rights and social justice issues such as gender violence and crime prevention as well as safeguarding, anti-bullying, youth leadership training, conflict transformation and mediation.

“Through our work the importance of peaceful and safe communities, youth and community development and legal empowerment became evident”, said the NGO’s chair Adv. Marion Keim. “With the Peace Centre we will be offering legal, mediation and counselling services. We’ll also be advising community members on legal issues in terms of gender based violence, contracts, labour, land issues, wills and estates, abuse & bullying, family matters, divorce, maintenance issues, human rights, rights of people with disabilities and the elderly.

The centre’s governing board consists of experienced professionals and includes attorneys, mediators and advocates. Its core team in Groendal are attorney Shaheedah Abdol, attorney James Malcolm, Adv. Marion Keim, Adv. Nkululeko Serame, Ds. Derrick Marco (Rev Emeritus, facilitator, counsellor and mediator), Ms Henrietta du Preez

Editor’s Letter

Siegfried Schäfer

Dear Readers,

One of the nice things about living in a smaller community is that whenever you go somewhere, you tend to bump into somebody you know, or at the very least, you’ll see some familiar faces along the way. Granted, this is not an unqualified good – especially when your significant other is waiting for you to return with the one missing ingredient of their next culinary masterpiece! In the pre-digital age – which I’m ancient enough to remember! It wasn’t unusual to talk to half a dozen people in the course of a typical visit to the village or high street. It might start with a conversation in front of your bank, followed by another with the bank manager –whose wife happened to be your tennis mixeddoubles partner; then you’d go to a café (which back then were primarily small general dealers, rather than European-inflected eateries –although some did sell great pies) to buy milk and bread where you’d chat with the owner who was behind the counter (in those days, most things of value were behind the counter); a further stop might take you to the farmers’ co-op where you’d deliberate with your fellow farmers on the best alternative to DDT, which was getting harder to get hold of!

The point is that a lot of socialising used to happen in places that weren’t primarily conceived as social spaces. This was a good thing. It was how the informal layers of connective tissue of communities formed.

I was reminded of these types of experiences while reading a recent Bloomberg article by David Zipper that considered the question: What are city (or village) streets for? Are they “places for pedestrians to hang out, or are they

routes to be traversed as quickly as possible?”

The crux of the article relates to a study comparing the behaviour of people on streets/ sidewalks in the same spots 30 years apart. To conduct the analysis, researchers examined video footage taken at four locations in four different cities in 1980 and again in 2010. (They couldn’t film the same spots again, or any others, because it raised too many privacy concerns in today’s legal milieu.)

Their conclusion? “American ambulators walked faster and schmoozed less than they used to. They seemed to be having fewer of the informal encounters that undergird civil society and strengthen urban economies.”

The study’s authors identify several possible reasons for the diminishing levels of social interaction on streets. They included rising incomes in the areas studied, making the opportunity cost of a conversation higher; ‘remote socializing’ as most people had cell phones by 2010 and the rise in ‘third spaces’ such as coffee shops as places for socialising. Anyone concerned about the quality of urban life should be concerned that less socialising is happening in urban public spaces. Bringing people together, the researchers say, “is at the core of city-making, of what it means to be urban … This process requires random encounters, with people talking to each other and mingling and bumping into each other.”

The benefits of human interchange in public spaces range from the economic (support of surrounding businesses, inspiration for new ventures) to the social (more human interactions equate to less loneliness and less crime). “Cities have always been the source of philosophy, new ideas, technology and innovation.”

I do hope that Franschhoek’s streets/sidewalks will in future remain “the source of philosophy, new ideas, technology and innovation.” I suspect we’ll need all of those as we try negotiating what life will be throwing our way in 2026. Until next month!

DEADLINES - February 2026 Issue

Bookings - 15 January 2026 | Editorial - 15 January 2026 | Artwork - 16 January 2026

(Administrator) and three interns – Ms Aniesa Duncan, Ms Chloe Silke and Ms Jerusa Malies.

The Peace Centre works closely with SAPS and CPF, ward councillors and community structures. The Centre appreciates the support and is working with special partners such as UWC, Stellenbosch University, Mont Rochelle, Nedbank, Dept. of Cultural Affairs and Sport, the Groendal Library, NEMISA and most recently ACRRA, the African Community Resources Rights Alliance with its managing director, Ms Lesle Jansen and her team.

At the heart of the Peace Centre and its partners’ mission lie community and legal empowerment and justice The team is looking forward to working with the community to address the root causes of violence and inequality through skills development; safeguarding, anti-bullying; and leadership training. etc. which will be offered from January 2026.

The Peace Centre’s mission is to build lasting and positive peace by equipping individuals and communities with the tools and platforms to overcome conflict and injustice and promoting safer, more peaceful, happy communities.

Capacity building training commenced in January with safeguarding and anti-bullying training, conflict transformation, story writing, green economy and financial and business training.

The Peace Centre is open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and the last Saturday of the month. On Thursdays it is open for mediations – by appointment.

info@peacecentre-fsdp.com

Text: Editorial Desk | Image: Supplied

Ons skop 2026 af met ‘n boekbespreking in Februarie, gelei deur Karin Roux. Die boek, Raaiselkind, wat 25 jaar terug gepubliseer is, handel oor autisme. Die skrywer is Annelie Botes. Autisme het ‘n lang pad oor die afgelope 25 jaar gekom en ons is ook meer bewus van Neurodiversiteit. Die boek lei tot interessante

besprekingsvrae en kwessies en is relevant vir meeste gesinne, omdat autisme meer algemeen gediagnoseer word. Sluit gerus aan by ons Leeskring. Ons bespreek 9 boeke hierdie jaar, waarvan twee Engels is. Ledegeld beloop R550 per jaar. Vir navrae, kontak my gerus by 084 900 9060.

Your Top 10 (Legal) New Year’s Resolutions For 2026

“My New Year’s resolution is to stop procrastinating. I’ll start tomorrow.” (Anonymous) Most New Year’s resolutions are vague, unwritten, and destined to be forgotten within days.

But please don’t neglect this Top Ten list of legal issues that we’ve put together for you. Focus on those that are important to you, taking a few minutes to write down exactly what action you’ll take under each heading. Then set and diarise realistic deadlines to address each item:

Top 10 Legal Issues for 2026

1. Update (or draft?!) your will. Check your executor/s, guardian/s, heirs and beneficiaries. Have there been any life events (marriages, divorces, deaths, births, new relationships, new

business ventures, new tax changes, new assets or liabilities or anything else) that call for a change in your will? Should you consider making a foreign will as well as your local one? Update (or consider making) a Living Will/Advance Medical Directive.

2. Revisit your estate planning. Are you still on track with your wealth building, your retirement planning, your corporate, trust and tax planning? Have you prepared and updated a file containing your will and all the other information and paperwork that your executors and loved ones will need when the time comes?

3. Check your property affairs are in order. Make sure that your title deed is safely filed away together with your original purchase documents and receipts, as well as proof of subsequent capital improvements – you’ll need all of these to calculate your CGT base cost when you come to sell. If you’re a landlord or tenant, are all leases

current, in order and easily accessible? If you coown property, do you have an agreement in place laying out what each joint owner’s rights and duties are, who pays what costs and when, and so on? Does it need updating?

4. If you cohabit with your life partner, do you have a full cohabitation agreement in place? Does it need amending or updating? Does it mesh with both of your wills?

5. Review all your contracts: personal, employment, suppliers, clients etc. Have there been any changes in the law or in your circumstances that call for renegotiation or amendment? Are all these contracts compliant with any new legal developments?

6. Review all corporate and tax compliance matters. Are you up to date with CIPC, tax and other returns? Do you need to update your POPIA and PAIA documentation? All the red tape and deadlines out there are as annoying as they are time consuming, but compliance is vital.

7. Make sure you have a disaster/continuity plan in place. This should address risks like cyberattacks, data loss, business disruptors (AI springs to mind), load-shedding, natural disasters,

The Secret to Scaling Business Starts with You

How many times have we been told to work harder, grind longer, and chase success? Yet even with all that effort, many still hit invisible walls, plateau, or burn out. What if the real key to scaling wasn’t working harder, but becoming the person capable of achieving it?

One of the biggest misconceptions in entrepreneurship is believing that a business or income can outgrow self-image. Real success isn’t simply about goals, but whether you believe you are capable of achieving them. Without that belief, even the best strategies can falter.

According to Grant Sherwood, business strategist and one of South Africa’s leading identity success coaches, success isn’t just strategy, it’s identity.

“Most people chase success like a sprint. They hustle, push hard, and rely on discipline, but when identity hasn’t caught up with results, burnout or self-sabotage becomes inevitable. Real, lasting success isn’t luck, but alignment,” he explains. Those destined for success embrace the challenges of the journey. Discipline becomes effortless because action feels like the only logical next step.

Drawing on his experience with high-achievers, Sherwood says the foundation of growth isn’t more strategy, but emotional mastery and identity alignment. By reshaping how you think and respond, you build habits that endure, make clear decisions under pressure, and scale without compromising well-being.

In Sherwood’s experience, there are five steps for success: Fulfilment First, Radical Control, Pain Into Power, Owning Greatness, and Going All In. He emphasises that success isn’t built on fleeting inspiration. High-performers rely on routines, systems, and internal alignment. Emotional intelligence, he notes, is the true competitive edge. External wins often plateau when internal alignment is missing. By rewiring identity, mastering emotional patterns, and embracing

another pandemic, etc.

8. Business and personal insurance. Are you sufficiently covered? Are any changes needed? It’s amazing how easy it is to forget to remove that premium-guzzling e-bike you sold on Marketplace, or to add your expensive new cell phone. Now’s your chance to correct that.

9. Perform a full cybersecurity audit and health check. Check password protection, multi-factor authentication and similar safeguards, email and electronic communication security, defence against malware, phishing, ransomware and the like, staff and family awareness training etc. If you have crypto holdings, double check that they are secure.

10.Anything else? Brainstorm with your family, and with us, everything else that could be important to you.

Step into 2026 secure in the knowledge that all the legal aspects of your life are in order. And remember that we’re always here to help when you need us!

Credit to LawDotNews and Falck Incorporated Attorneys.

your highest potential, you can scale not just your business, but yourself.

Text: Editorial Desk | Image: Grant Sherwood

Recently I wrote, sadly, about the poetry of farewell. Now, though, at the start of another year it seems appropriate to consider its opposite – that of greeting, or the poetry of ‘hello’. By this I don’t mean the Hallmark cards kind of thing –which can be charming and often exactly right – but something a little different, a little deeper. Renowned South African poet and teacher Jonty Driver, who lived for much of his life in exile from the Apartheid regime, never lost his deep love for this country. One of the most significant African sounds that haunted him throughout decades was the cacophonous greeting of the dawn represented by that most ubiquitous of birds, the hadeda ibis:

Aubade

Writing down that raucous early morning cry Might make it seem they merely laughed When light before the dawn enticed Their flight

From Fraser’s Valle to the other side Of town; and so the chorus goes:

And yet of all the sounds I longed to hear In years of exile from this place (Ten countries and three continents So far)

What was the less-than-sacred ibis called At dawn; and so the chorus goes:

The hadedah is stretched across the sky

Of my imagination still; I would not want a heaven which had Angels

Who did not know a raucous song to greet The dawn; and so the chorus goes:

HA

CJ(Jonty)Driver from Coming Home: poems of the Grahamstown diaspora (Poets Printery, 2019)

There are those, I know, who think of the hadeda call as a nuisance or intrusion and the bird itself as less than elegant, but its sound seems to me so much a part of Africa that I must agree with Jonty Driver for whom its raucous dawn greeting is forever “stretched across the sky/ Of my imagination.”

The notion of ‘greeting’ can suggest the finding (or re-finding) of something lost or forgotten. In a world which currently seems to have lost a great deal, including its sense of direction, its moral compass, I find the words of American/Palestinian poet Naomi Shihab Nye immensely encouraging:

Kindness

Before you know what kindness really is you must lose things, feel the future dissolve in a moment like salt in a weakened broth.

What you held in your hand, what you counted and carefully saved, all this must go so you know how desolate the landscape can be between the regions of kindness. How you ride and ride thinking the bus will never stop, the passengers eating maize and chicken will stare out the window forever.

Before you learn the tender gravity of kindness, you must travel where the Indian in a white poncho lies dead by the side of the road. You must see how this could be you, how he too was someone who journeyed through the night with plans and the simple breath that kept him alive.

Before you know kindness as the deepest thing inside, you must know sorrow as the other deepest thing.

You must wake up with sorrow. You must speak to it till your voice catches the thread of all sorrows and you see the size of the cloth.

Then it is only kindness that makes sense anymore, only kindness that ties your shoes and sends you out into the day to gaze at bread, only kindness that raises its head from the crowd of the world to say It is I you have been looking for, and then goes with you everywhere like a shadow or a friend.

NaomiShihabNye from Words Under the Words (The Eighth Mountain Press, 1994)

And even in an age seemingly bereft of optimism, how about this from Gregory Orr?

To Be Alive

To be alive: not just the carcass But the spark.

That’s crudely put, but…

If we’re not supposed to dance, Why all this music?

Gregory Orr from The Caged Owl: New and Selected Poems (Copper Canyon Press, 2002)

Flashlight

Susan Choi

Publ. Jonathan Cape. 448 Pages. I came across the Asian American writer Susan Choi by accident, while watching an Amanpour show on CNN. The interview was so interesting and the issues she raised about being the child

years ago (he will appear later in the story). Hiroshi has now adopted the name of Serk. The marriage is not a success. Serk feels deeply unhappy and alienated and is unable to really integrate into American society. They have a daughter, Louisa, who becomes a significant part of the narrative. The author obviously draws upon her own life experiences in depicting the social, linguistic and cultural obstacles that can affect such a marriage. Drawing the story together is the short introductory chapter in the style of a murder mystery. A half-drowned 10-year-old girl is found on a rocky beach in Japan. Her father, with whom she set out on a night walk, has disappeared,

of a Korean father and a Jewish American mother were so fascinating that I decided to read her latest book “Flashlight”. I soon realized that she is a highly regarded, prize-winning author, a powerful voice in the American Asian book world, which includes familiar figures like Celeste Ng, Amy Tan and Yiyun Li. Her previous five novels have all won literary prizes or been shortlisted for the Booker Prize (as has this book).

She is not afraid to tackle big issues, and all her novels are powerful statements on ethnicity, cultural differences, sexuality and the issues of self-knowledge. Luckily, she is also a consummate storyteller, and she manages to integrate complex subjects with dramatic personal stories.

To try and summarise the main themes of this nearly 500-page book is difficult, because the story is told by all the main characters in turn. Each chapter is headed by the name of the narrator. Each narrator has a unique voice. Each voice is influenced by a culture, age, experience, sex and even self-deception. It’s like a Rubik’s Cube of facets, with the unexpected pleasure of getting it right the first time.

The story spans the period between the beginning of the Korean revolutionary war in the 1950s to the recent past in America. The central character of the story is a young Korean boy who flees with his family from Korea to Japan at the start of the war, as so many others did. He is given a Japanese name, Hiroshi, and proves to be an excellent student – apparently fully integrating into Japanese culture, unlike many of his countrymen who yearn to return to the old country.

He is clever enough to eventually get a job as a professor at an American university, where he meets and marries a troubled American girl, Anne. We learn that she gave away an illegitimate son 20

presumably drowned. The only significant object at the scene of the accident is a flashlight clutched in her hand. We know nothing more than that. She recovers from the accident and is subjected to a lengthy session with a child psychologist to try and find an answer to what could have happened. She spars with him deftly and we begin to understand that she is unusually bright and resourceful. We also presume that she is Louisa and her father is Serk. The story moves back in time, and we understand that Serk has moved Anne and Louisa back to Japan. Now it is their turn to experience the alienation and culture shock of a similar, yet different, kind to what he, himself, suffered in America. Anne sinks into a secluded existence, but Louisa learns Japanese and manages to overcome the initial hostility of her classmates and even achieves some sort of celebrity status. We now learn that Serk has returned to Japan in the secret hope of re-joining his Korean family. It is this insanely idealistic dream of an imagined homeland that drives him.

In the final part of the book, we discover what happened to Serk, the father, on that night on the rocky beach. He was abducted by Korean agents, who did not believe his story of wanting to return to his “homeland”. The chapters detailing his life in prison, his resilience and his eventual escape make for exciting, if grimly realistic, reading. Flashlight is a tough, but absolutely gripping and rewarding read. It is three books in one, set in three countries: Japan, the United States and Korea – each with its own historical, cultural and linguistic customs and traditions. The emotional impact of the story is derived from a sense of exile and the dream of finding a new home. Also, the difficulty, if not impossibility, of ever genuinely understanding another person’s culture.

Franschhoek Chamber Music Festival

The fifth annual Franschhoek Chamber Music Festival showcasing the country’s finest musicians includes three international soloists this year. Miclen LaiPang, one of the world’s most exciting violinists, makes a highly anticipated return with Swiss-Austrian pianist Ariane Haering and bandoneon specialist Lothar Hensel who brings tango pizzazz to the festival. They are also joined by local artists like pianist José Dias.

Outdoor chamber music performance

As expected of the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, listeners will experience an array of exceptional performances. These run from the Piano Quartet in E-flat Major, K. 493, by Mozart with both LaiPang and Haering in the opening concert in the Dutch Reformed Church at 18h00 on Thursday, 12 February, to the final concert on Sunday, 15 February, at 15h00. Here you can hear Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat Major, Op. 18 with almost the entire CPO in chamber mode led by LaiPang.

The Friday Time to Tango concert on 13 February, at 18h00, features Piazzolla’s Le Grand Tango as well as Lothar Hensel in Five Bagatelles by Dvořák.

Other highlights in the four-day festival include the sublime Schubert Octet, the String Quartet No. 8 in E Minor, Op. 59 No. 2, “Razumovsky” by Beethoven and the Brahms Clarinet Trio, Op. 14. This year’s festival features a concert dedicated to the music of extraordinary women composers, such as Louise Farrenc and Clara Schumann, who were overlooked due to gender inequality of the age in which they lived.

For the full program please visit the festival website: www.fcmf.co.za

info@fcmf.co.za

LIFESTYLE FRANSCHHOEK

RIBS SPECIAL! PERFECT FOR LUNCH, DINNER, OR ANYTIME IN BETWEEN!

TAKEAWAY OR SIT DOWN!

800G RIBS SERVED WITH FRIES & SALAD R230

www.wiesenhof.co.za Tel: 021 109 7999

*Visuals are for descriptive purposes only

LIFESTYLE FRANSCHHOEK Wiesenhof

SLIDER SPECIAL! PERFECT FOR LUNCH, DINNER, OR ANYTIME IN BETWEEN!

TAKEAWAY OR SIT DOWN!

3 SLIDERS FOR LAMB, BEEF & CHICKEN R99

www.wiesenhof.co.za Tel: 021 109 7999

*Visuals are for descriptive purposes only

Community Events

SPORT

FRANSCHHOEKTENNISCLUB:Socialtennisisplayed at the club on Fridays, Sunda, and Public Holidays from 08h30. For more information contact Nicky. 082 455 6411

CHURCH SERVICES

METHODIST CHURCH: Sunday service 10h00. Rev Russell Norman. 021 872 3580 or 082 662 4509. NG KERK Sondagdienste 09h30. Geen aanddiens. Dr. Ryno Els 083 610 1641. Besoekers welkom.New Apostolic Church: Le Roux Street, Groendal. Sunda, 09h00, Wednesdays 19h30. Rector: Charles Leibrandt.

ST GEORGE’S ANGLICAN CHURCH: Groot Drakenstein. Sunday Services: Holy Communion @ 10H00. Our Church is also a wedding venue. Contact Parish Warden Florence Phillips on 081 428 7064 or secretaryatstgeorge@gmail.com.

SHOFAR CHRISTIAN CHURCH: Services

- 09h00 & 18h00 English services at 7 Lambrechts Street. Pastor Richard Wade. 083 225 8529. All welcome! UNITING REFORMED

CHURCH: Sunday service 09h30. Dr Shaun Burrow. 021 876 2632. Visitors welcome.

GENERAL

Alcoholics Anonymous: WED evenings 19:00, Groendal Community Centre, Contact David +27 83 305 5159

Useful Numbers

ACCOUNTANTS

Tax Shop 021 876 2676

ATTORNEYS

Susan Charlesworth 021 876 2592/072 402 9469

AUDIOLOGISTS

Heidi Allan 021 876 4622

BURGLAR ALARMS

Pepler Alarms 021 876 3308

CLUBS & ASSOCIATIONS

Boland Bridge Club 021 876 3031

Franschhoek Tennis Club 078 278 4843

FHK Heritage & Ratepayers Ass. 083 441 8280

Groot Drakenstein Games Club 021 874 1906

- Craig Mc Naught: Captain 080 845 1014

- Lejean Pieterse, Hiring 082 490 0405

Lions 021 876 3775

Stb Masonic Lodge (Chris) 072 211 9991

Franschhoek Rotary Club 082 891 4613

Franschhoek Probus Club 021 876 3179

Wemmershoek Community 074 367 6469

ELECTRICAL

Franschhoek Electric 074 313 7829/021 876 3640

Rensburg Electrical 021 876 2120/083 309 2923

HEALTH & BEAUTY

Franschhoek Pharmacy 021 876 2261

Franschhoek Health Club 021 876 3310

Karen Protheroe (Dietician) 082 925 0931

HOUSE & GARDEN

Clock Repairs 028 840 1716

Lighting & Accessories 021 876 3640

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

Sue’s Gardens 083 321 3442

Valley Garden Service 071 591 0342

OPTOMETRIST

Marelise Bester 021 872 3530

PHYSIOTHERAPY

Fhk Physiotherapy Associates 021 876 4234 (office) 074 325 5555 (Bronwen) 076 842 6052 (Maans)

PLUMBERS

Franschhoek Plumbing 021 876 3759

PSYCHOLOGIST

Danielle Smith 082 812 1476

PUBLIC SERVICES

Hospice 021 876 3085

Library 021 808 8406

Post Office 021 876 2342

Welfare (ACVV) 021 876 2670

SPCA 083 745 5344

SHARF 076 327 4939

SCHOOLS

Bridge House School 021 874 8100

Franschhoek High School 021 876 2079

Groendal Primary School 021 876 2448

Groendal Secondary School 021 876 2211

Wes-Eind Primary School 021 876 2360

Dalubuhle Primary School 021 876 3957

STORAGE

Franschhoek Storage 021 876 2174

TOURIST INFORMATION & SERVICES

Info Office 066 224 6360 / 073 688 9894

Huguenot Memorial Museum 021 876 2532

VETERINARY

Fhk Animal Clinic (plus surgery) 021 876 2504

Emergencies / Weekends 021 863 3187 / 082 8089

100

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

Stb Fire Dept. (Buildings) 021 808 8888

District Municipality(Bush & veld) 021 887 4446 021 886 9244

Police 10111/021 876 8061

Eskom 086 003 7566

Omnipage Farm Watch 021 852 3318

Plaaswag 021 876 2346

N1. N2 & R300 Emergency number: 021 946 1646

DENTISTS

Dr Schalk du Plessis 021 876 3070

DOCTORS

Dr Karin Eksteen 021 876 4622

Dr Alexander Heywood 021 876 2474

Dr Hannes Van der Merwe 066 100 6429

Dr Nicolas Els 021 876 2561

Dr Bernard Fisher 021 876 4622

AUDIOLOGIST

Audiologist Tracy-Ann Morris 084 264 0000

EMERCENCY MEDICAL RESPONSE

Medicare EMR 074 363 7744/021 876 4316

MUNICIPALITY

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

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

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

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

Municipality (Office Hours) 021 808 8700

RONELLE’S AD HOC SERVICES

In-person or Remote Personal Assistant | Secretarial Bookkeeping | Administration Also House/Petsitting W ith references

Ronelle Pinard 073 646 1687 | rpinard60@gmail.com

A Bumper Summer and the Power Team Delivering for Franschhoek

As the Western Cape enters another dynamic summer season, Franschhoek continues to attract a discerning calibre of buyer - drawn not only by the village’s beauty and lifestyle, but by the reassurance of working with agents who truly understand the market.

Central to this confidence is the partnership between Tania van Deemter and Guy Healey of Greeff Christie’s International Real Estate – Franschhoek. Together, they are recognised as one of the village’s most trusted agent teams, known for their calm authority, precise pricing strategies and discreet handling of complex transactions.

While international travel is increasing and overseas interest remains strong, successful outcomes are still driven by the human element: insight, experience and relationships. Buyers from the UK and Europe are not simply acquiring property — they are investing in a lifestyle. Matching these expectations with the right homes, while guiding sellers through a competitive market, requires agents with both global perspective and deep local knowledge.

Tania brings over 25 years of international real estate experience, having built her career in London’s most prestigious boroughs before returning to Franschhoek, where she is now a respected figure in the village. Her understanding of international buyer behaviour, combined with an intuitive grasp of the local property landscape, allows her to bridge global expectations with local realities.

Guy complements this with more than three decades of hands-on property experience across South Africa and the UK. Known for his clear communication and skilled negotiation, he offers steady guidance and a sharp focus on achieving the best possible outcomes. Together, they deliver a seamless, strategic and highly personal service.

According to Aimee Campbell, Principal of Greeff Christie’s International Real Estate – Franschhoek, this approach is what sets them apart: “Success in this market depends on far more than favourable conditions. Tania and Guy’s understanding of buyer behaviour, timing and value consistently delivers results.”

As Franschhoek continues to evolve, buyers and sellers alike are seeking trusted partners - not just agents. In Tania van Deemter and Guy Healey, the village has exactly that. Tania

Unit 3, 62 Huguenot Road, Franschhoek

An opportunity to invest in the Cape W inelands. La Luc Retirement

Estate offers full-title ownership for established local residents and international buyers seeking long-term value.

91 full-title stands – pre-sales target achieved

No life rights – full ownership with capital appreciation

Plot-and-plan from R7 246 000

All approvals in place

64 Dirkie Uys Street, Franschhoek Secure, full-title retirement development in Franschhoek

Set within 360° mountain views, indigenous fynbos and a central dam with birdlife. The estate will include a 14-bed frail care facility and a residents' clubhouse with pools, gym and coffee shop.

Located in Franschhoek, renowned for its wine farms, restaurants and boutiques.

Contact on site Sales Agent – Nelis Bezuidenhout 082 455 9766 – nelis@lalucproperties co za

Cape Holiday Homes Offer

Escapes and Returns

From the Atlantic Seaboard to the Winelands and Whale Coast, lifestyle properties continue to attract buyers seeking flexibility and income.

Holiday homes across the Western Cape are being bought as lifestyle retreats and incomegenerating investments, driven by strong demand and limited stock.

According to Greeff Christie’s International Real Estate, buyers are increasingly looking for properties that allow personal use during peak periods while generating rental income for the rest of the year. Demand remains particularly strong in Hout Bay and Llandudno, the Stellenbosch and Franschhoek Winelands, and along the Whale Coast, where international buyers, semigration and a shortage of quality stock continue to support pricing. In coastal suburbs and key Winelands villages, peak-season rental occupancy regularly exceeds 70 to 85 per cent, with December and Easter often reaching near-full capacity.

In Hout Bay and neighbouring Llandudno, buyers are drawn to the combination of beaches, mountains, village life and proximity to Cape Town and the Constantia Winelands. Secure apartments and houses with sea or mountain views, walkable access to amenities and outdoor entertainment areas are the most sought after. Homes priced between R4 million and R8 million remain highly competitive, with properties below R7 million selling quickly due to limited availability. During peak season, nightly rental rates range from approximately R1,300 for apartments to over R15,000 for premium sea-view homes.

“Hout Bay offers a sense of escape without isolation,” says Lindsay Goodman, Sales Manager at Greeff Christie’s International Real Estate – Hout Bay & Llandudno. “Buyers want lifestyle value, but they are also very aware of rental demand and long-term security.”

The Winelands tell a similar story, with Stellenbosch and Franschhoek attracting European buyers from the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, France and Switzerland. Secure estate homes, lock-up-and-go apartments,

character cottages and wine-farm-adjacent properties are particularly popular. Many European owners align their stays with South Africa’s summer months, using their homes personally while renting them out for the rest of the year. Buyers are most active between R6 million and R15 million, while ultra-luxury homes above R20 million are largely lifestyle driven.

Aimee Campbell, Principal at Greeff Christie’s International Real Estate – Stellenbosch & Franschhoek, says: “For many European buyers, the Winelands have become a long-term summer base. They are not just buying a holiday home, but a place they return to year after year, with the added benefit that these homes perform well in the rental market when they are not in residence.”

On the Whale Coast, demand is strongest for secure estate homes, golf estate properties and centrally located apartments in areas such as Onrus and Voëlklip. Festive-season demand now shows two clear peaks, mid-December to Christmas and again from 26 December to New Year, supporting consistent rental performance. The most active price band sits between R5 million and R10 million, with buyers typically using their homes for several weeks a year and generating income until retirement.

Jaco van der Merwe, Principal at Greeff Christie’s International Real Estate – Whale Coast, says: “Buyers on the Whale Coast are very practical. They want homes that are easy to lock up, require minimal work and can be enjoyed immediately, while still delivering solid rental demand during peak holiday periods.”

Across all regions, holiday homes are increasingly viewed as strategic assets that balance lifestyle enjoyment with reliable returns, supported by ongoing semigration, international interest and continued investment in tourism and infrastructure. www.greeff.co.za

TO LET IN FRANSCHHOEK

Franschhoek’s Specialist Paint Shop

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

We also stock waterproofing products, Weatherprufe, Elastocryl and Weatherklad, Rolls of torch-on (3mm & 4mm) and various sizes of waterproofing membrane. Plascon water and oil-based paints.

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

All textures and colours are on show in our showroom. Pop in and have a coffee with us, whilst leisurely selecting your paints and colours. For FREE technical advice, paint specifications and quotations contact Paul 082 567 6162

On Sole Mandate. Recently built single storey contemporary 4 bedroom home nestled in a 3.4ha smallholding with mature oak trees and stunning views. Featuring a large semi-open plan north facing living room, kitchen, dining room and media room, with excellent flow to a covered stoep overlooking location for a sparkling pool (to be installed).

Accommodation consists of four bedrooms en-suite, the master with a dressing room and a very spacious en-suite. Two guest bedrooms are located in a separate wing with separate access and private stoeps providing complete privacy, and the other guest bedroom includes a kitchenette.

The living and sleeping areas have access to covered stoeps with aluminium plantation security shutters. Also included are a hallway, guest loo, second kitchen, three feature passageways, stairs to roof with scope for a roof terrace, solar system, double garage, parking area, domestic quarters pod, and borehole.

Outside the property includes several magnificent mature trees next to the main dwelling, and over three hectares of currently unproductive land, but an ideal blank canvas for various options, including equestrian, small agricultural or residential landscaping. There is also scope to add a second dwelling, subject to the necessary approvals. The property has full security fencing with access controlled gate.

Tom Clode 079 955 3114

Terry-Lee George 082 650 9194 R34 995 000

SECURITY AND VIEWS – THE ESSENCE OF FRANSCHHOEK LIVING

On Sole Mandate. This elegant home combines breath-taking 360 degree views with all the benefits of secure living on the sought after Fransche Hoek Agricultural Estate. Set on 4,000 square meters, this exquisite 5 bedroom family home with a private tennis court and swimming pool nestles amidst a stunning English country garden.

An open-plan layout invites you in to a lightfilled foyer with generous family lounge to one side - and to the other side - a well-appointed solid wood kitchen, generous dining area and large lounge with wood fireplace. The living areas flow seamlessly out to deep patios overlooking a lap pool with stunning views. The property is single-storey except for one large en-suite loft bedroom. The master

bedroom features a luxurious, well-appointed en-suite bathroom and dressing room and benefits from a private location to one side of the house whilst the other three bedrooms (all en-suite) are positioned together in an accommodation wing to the other side of the central living areas.

Additional features of the property include a double garage with separate staff wc, plenty of parking, guest toilet, large separate scullery, laundry and drying yard and a low maintenance faux turf tennis court offering recreation for the family in an exceptional setting.

Tom Clode 079 955 3114

Terry-Lee George 082 650 9194 R49 995 000

SPACIOUS 3 BEDROOM VILLAGE HOME

Perfectly positioned on a quiet, tree-lined street with mountain views, this double-storey home offers exceptional potential to modernise in one of Franschhoek’s most sought-after areas. Spacious living areas flow to a private pool terrace. Features include three bedrooms, study, double garage with workshop, wood-burning stove, air-conditioning, solar power, inverter, batteries, borehole, and security system. Erf size 962m2.

Tom Clode 079 955 3114

Terry-Lee George 082 650 9194 R13 995 000

EXCEPTIONAL FAMILY HOME ON EXCLUSIVE

DELTA CREST ESTATE

Immaculate 4-bedroom home offering contemporary style in a beautiful rural setting. Double-volume open-plan living area with formal lounge, dining room and light-filled chef’s kitchen with island and scullery, flowing seamlessly outdoors. Two ground floor en-suite bedrooms with two more upstairs, plus a second lounge. Covered stoep, landscaped gardens, and sparkling pool.

Tom Clode 079 955 3114

Terry-Lee 650 9194 R19 950 000

4 BEDROOM VILLAGE HOME AND COTTAGE

On Sole Mandate. Charming French Provencal-style home in a quiet Franschhoek corner with mountain views. Features doublevolume living areas, dining room, country kitchen, and adaptable fourth bedroom. The vine-covered terrace overlooks a lush garden and pool. Upstairs offers a master en-suite and two bedrooms. Includes double garage, borehole, solar system, and separate 76m² guest cottage with private entrance.

Tom Clode 079 955 3114

Terry-Lee George 082 650 9194 R15 950 000