Eikestadnuus - E-Edition - 9 July 2026

Root44 closed until further notice

Yaël Malgas

What investors hoped would be a permanent premium tourism destination for the Western Cape has now closed its doors as the management of Root44 claim “no support” from the Stellenbosch Municipality.

According to the team behind Root44 Market, located on the Audacia farm along the R44 on the outskirts of Stellenbosch, the market is closed until further notice. “There was no single tipping point. The closure was the result of years of regulatory uncertainty, planning delays, restrictive operating conditions and the inability to fully utilise the property as originally intended. Combined with increasing financial pressure, those factors ultimately made it impossible to continue operating the market on a sustainable basis,” management told Eikestadnuus.

For its part, the municipality released a statement last Wednesday (1 July) to “clarify the facts regarding the Root44 Market,” stating it has a legal responsibility to ensure that development takes place in accordance with approved planning, policies, environmental legislation and the rule of law.

Tensions between the Root44 developers and the local municipality have been strained for years.

According to the municipality, the Root44 team attempted to implement land uses which were not properly applied for or permitted.

In 2009 the municipality approved the development of a wine emporium at the location, but this permit was not used until 2020 when the emporium officially opened its doors mid-December. However, while the emporium was only opened a decade after the necessary land-use application was granted, the Root44 market had been operating from the site since 2012.

The Stellenbosch Municipality granted a temporary land-use departure, valid for five years, and the popular Root44 farmers’ market was born.

In 2017, Root44 applied for a permanent market, which the municipality’s Municipal Planning Tribunal granted, but with a caveat – the space could either be a wine emporium or a market,

not both.

According to the municipality, allowing both operations would have a significant traffic impact and could transform the space into a commercial shopping destination – a fixture not sought in a rural area.

‘A

TOURISM DESTINATION’

Ultimately, Root44 kept its approval for the wine emporium and so “the application for a permanent, formalised Root44 Market could not be implemented”, the municipality stated.

A smaller, informal version of the market still continued until the Covid-19 lockdown period.

In 2021, the municipality granted a Temporary Occupancy Certificate (TOC), which allowed for on-site consumption of wine but limited liquor sales, which is what Root44 wanted.

“THE LIQUOR ISSUE WAS ONE PART OF A MUCH BROADER PICTURE, BUT IT UNDOUBTEDLY AFFECTED THE LONG-TERM COMMERCIAL VIABILITY OF THE BUSINESS.”

During lockdown, an upgrade to the site gave owners Dax and Irene Hunt the chance to build what they had envisioned for Root44.

So what started as food vendors in food trucks and hay bales and plastic chairs for seating was transformed into a sleek, state-of-the-art venue after a permanent structure was built.

In September 2020 the Daxcon Development Trust applied for a land-use application to permit the sale of liquor.

“Root44 was developed as a tourism destination rather than simply a traditional market. The inability to offer broader liquor sales, together with restrictions affecting hospitality and events, reduced the property’s competitiveness, limited revenue opportunities and affected its ability to attract conferences, private functions, and destination tourism,” management told Eikestadnuus

“The liquor issue was one part of a much broader picture, but it undoubtedly affected the long-term commercial viability of the business.”

Daxcon continued its application to sell various liquors and, for its part, the municipality wanted various supporting documents, including an updated Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA) for the application.

A new TIA was eventually submitted to the municipality under protest in 2023.

BACK-AND-FORTH

“Over several years, we submitted applications, appointed specialist consultants, complied with requests for additional information and invested substantially in the development.

“Despite these efforts, applications were delayed, operational restrictions were imposed, event applications were repeatedly declined, our liquor rights remained restricted, and approvals that would have allowed the business to operate sustainably were not forthcoming,” Root44 management said.

Along with the administrative backand-forth, which also includes a court case, Root44 claims the municipality selectively enforced its own policies and has shown ongoing “financial, operational, and investor prejudice towards Root44”.

But in its statement, the Stellenbosch Municipality’s said the closure of the market rests squarely on the developers. “Stellenbosch Municipality remains committed to creating an environment that supports investment, economic growth and job creation. The municipality is fully aware of the economic importance of developments such as Root44 and the value they bring to local businesses, traders, and employment.

“At the same time, the municipality has a legal responsibility to ensure that development takes place in accordance with approved planning policies, environmental legislation and the rule of law. Those responsibilities have guided every decision taken in this matter.”

Part of the market and wine emporium’s uncertainty also lies with the current sale of the property that houses it. While the market and emporium operated as separate entities, the property was listed for sale last July.

The Root44 team declined to comment on a possible buyer, saying it’s not in a position to comment on commercial negotiations.

“We believe [the property’s] future lies in a vision that embraces tourism, hospitality, events, family recreation and local entrepreneurship, supported by a planning framework that provides certainty and allows the property to operate to its full potential.”

Row over park’s fences

Chantélle Hartebeest

The Drakenstein Lion Park has publicly accused CapeNature of “malicious overreach of powers” in an ongoing licensing dispute that it said had already prevented the sanctuary from providing a home to two rescued lion cubs.

The Hart family, who owns and operates the park, issued a lengthy statement last Friday (3 July), detailing what they describe as an 11-month battle with the conservation authority over the adequacy of the sanctuary’s big-cat enclosures.

Established in 1998, the Drakenstein Lion Park is the longest-operating South African-owned big-cat sanctuary. It specialises in rescuing previously abused and mistreated captive big cats, and providing them with permanent care.

In the statement Shane, Paul and Sue Hart said they believe CapeNature’s actions are unjustified after nearly three decades of incident-free operation.

“For the past 11 months we have frustratingly been embroiled in what we feel is a malicious overreach of powers by our provincial nature-conservation authority, CapeNature, which has already robbed two rescued lion cubs of a life with us.”

They claim CapeNature has questioned whether the park’s enclosures adequately contain its rescued big cats despite the fencing having been approved for almost three decades.

“After 28 years of granting us licences, CapeNature’s sudden and senseless change of mind about our fencing without any valid cause is truly baffling.”

According to the Harts no animals have escaped and no person has been attacked during the park’s years of operation.

“This matter has been massively infuriating for us personally and professionally, given that zero incidents have ever occurred at our sanctuary where not any of our animals have escaped the facility or attacked any person in our 28 years of operation, and given that we have rescued and housed 60 big cats during this time without incident.”

The Harts further allege that CapeNature delayed responding to their requests for a deviation from its fencing policy and failed to provide satisfactory explanations regarding its requirements.

“To us its actions so far have felt maliciously calculated and planned out.”

The family also claim the dispute has been costly in legal fees, as they had appointed experi-

enced environmental lawyers to challenge the application of an internal policy.

“We refuse to be bullied into following an irrational and illogical internal policy that is technically and fundamentally flawed.”

Meanwhile, CapeNature declined to comment on the substance of the dispute while the matter remained under appeal.

“As the competent regulatory authority we are currently considering appeals lodged by Drakenstein Lion Park against decisions taken by CapeNature,” spokesperson Petro van Rhyn said.

“These appeals form part of an ongoing administrative process that must be conducted in a manner that is lawful, procedurally fair, impartial and free from external influence. In the circumstances, it would not be appropriate for us to comment on the merits of the matter while the appeal process remains under consideration.

“Doing so could undermine the integrity of the administrative process, create perceptions of prejudgment, and potentially prejudice the rights of the parties involved.

“Once the administrative process has been concluded and, where appropriate, CapeNature may be in a position to communicate the outcome and the reasons for its decision in accordance with applicable legal requirements.”

Koch is Africa’s lone star in London

Yaël Malgas

Just off the plane and back in town after making art history, local artist Ros Koch tells of her “pinch-me” moments after exhibiting her work in the National Portrait Gallery in London.

The British-born, Stellenbosch-based artist started her professional career a decade ago after leaving her part-time law career and work as farm manager. The choice paid off as Koch was the only African-artist chosen by the world renowned gallery for the Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Portrait Award 2026.

The self-taught painter joined the local Stables Art Studio, setting her on the path to making art her full-time job. “Cathy Milner took a group of us by the hand. She stopped me from going to university to study art and, along with three others, we had a Friday art club where we were allowed to understand ourselves as artists.”

Along with the classes to develop visual literacy, Koch took every opportunity to see the work of the old masters in person. Visits to art shows, galleries and engaging with others fed her love and creativity. But she’s frank about the challenges that comes along with being a self-represented, independent artist. “I was knocking on doors and it wasn’t necessarily a welcoming space. So I thought to myself, ‘I’ll show you’,” she quips.

Koch’s tenacity paid off and she has since had works exhibited at The Artists’ Gallery in Cape Town, Rust-en-Vrede Gallery in Durbanville, Tintswalo Atlantic in Hout Bay, as well as a solo exhibition at

the Liebrecht Gallery in Somerset West.

LIFE CHANGES

Koch studied law at Oxford University but found her credentials weren’t recognised after emigrating to South Africa in the 1990s. Despite the various hurdles, she continued her law studies at UCT and landed part-time legal work. While living in a Cape Town flat, with her second daughter on the way, Koch told her husband, Peter, it was time to move somewhere with a garden.

A move to Simondium followed, where Koch juggled motherhood, being a wife, the family farm, and her work in law. As the

nearest English schools were in Stellenbosch, the family relocated to where Koch has cultivated deep roots.

She attributes her community work to feeding her creative work. In Kayamandi she works with local organisations and she also volunteered at the then Kayamandi parkrun. “The children there really inspired the early part of my artistic career. I facilitated art lessons with an organisation; from that, I was granted permission to use some of the photographs I took of them.”

However, it was Koch’s own daughter who brought her work to the world stage.

Asked if she knew “The Age of Adolescence” would be a winner, Koch says: “I didn’t necessarily think it was a winner in a competition, but I felt like it’s a winner for me – a winner in my heart. It exemplifies everything I’m passionate about and I really kind of like that.”

RUBBING

SHOULDERS

Koch first entered the portrait of her middle child to the South African Portrait Awards, but it was after fan-girling over fine art painter Ashley Ogilvy’s ‘‘Call me Albie’’ that the journey to London began. She visited the National Portrait Gallery where she saw Ogilvy’s painting of activist and former Constitutional Court judge, Albie Sachs, in person.

So moved was Koch, that she reached out to Ogilvy, who urged her to enter her own work for the exhibition. “I was speechless. I thought, if she thinks I may be good enough, I should really enter.”

After submitting a digital version of “The Age of Adolescence” last December, Koch was informed she has advanced to

Botaniese tuin kry eerste vroue-kurator

Annerie Senekal is die eerste vroulike kurator van die Universiteit Stellenbosch Botaniese Tuin (USBT).

Sy het verlede Woensdag (1 Julie) amptelik haar nuwe rol opgeneem, ’n pos wat sy in baie opsigte reeds die afgelope nege maande beklee het.

Die USBT is veel meer as net ’n versameling mooi plante en blomme; elke versameling, inligtingsbord en sorgvuldig geplaaste plantspesie vertel ’n verhaal van bewaring, navorsing en opvoeding.

Ná die skielike dood van die voormalige kurator dr. Donovan Kirkwood verlede jaar het Senekal gedurende ’n tydperk van onsekerheid en oorgang die leisels as waarnemende kurator geneem.

Benewens haar bestaande verantwoordelikhede as assistent-kurator het sy ook die daaglikse bestuur, ondersteuning van personeel, bestuur van versamelings en die voortgesette besoekerservaring behartig.

Hierdie oorgang was nie sonder uitdagings nie. “Die grootste uitdaging was om die verlies van dr. Kirkwood te verwerk,” bieg Senekal.

“Benewens die verlies van ’n gerespekteerde leier, het ek ’n mentor verloor wat ’n bepalende rol gespeel het in die vorming van my passie vir plantbewaring en my begrip van die belangrike rol wat botaniese tuine in bewaring en die samelewing speel.”

Nou is haar aanstelling as kurator amptelik. Sy meen haar aanstelling is die hoogtepunt van ’n reis wat ver van Stellenbosch begin het.

Senekal het in Thabazimbi, Limpopo, aan die voet van die Waterberge, grootgeword in ’n huishouding waar die natuur deel van die alledaagse lewe was. Met ’n biologie-onderwyseres as ma en ’n pa wat met wild werk, het haar waardering vir die natuur vroeg ontwikkel.

Maar plante was nie haar eerste akademiese belangstelling nie; Senekal het aanvanklik musiek studeer voordat sy ’n BSc-graad in Biodiversiteit en Ekologie by die US se departement plant- en dierkunde voltooi het.

“Tydens my voorgraadse studies het ek verlief geraak op die wêreld

van plante, en ná my studies was ek bevoorreg om as intern by die USBT aan te sluit.”

Senekal is in 2023 as assistent-kurator aangestel en het sedertdien tot verskeie belangrike inisiatiewe bygedra, insluitend die ontwikkeling van ’n unieke uitstalling van bedreigde habitatte, die vestiging van satellietversamelings ter ondersteuning van plantbewaring en die uitbreiding van ’n wêreldklas botaniese kunsversameling wat bedreigde spesies dokumenteer.

“Dit is ’n voorreg om deel te word van die groep kurators wat hierdie historiese tuin help vorm het,” sê sy.

“Ek is al baie jare passievol oor die werk van die USBT en is dankbaar vir die geleentheid om voort te bou op daardie nalatenskap en die tuin se impak verder uit te brei.”

As die eerste vrou in om hierdie pos te beklee, verteenwoordig haar aanstelling ook ’n belangrike mylpaal vir die instelling. “Dit is ’n eer om deel van die tuin se geskiedenis te wees, maar ek hoop ons bereik ’n punt waar aanstellings soos

the first round of the competition. She was asked to send the original 250 x 250 mm canvas to England.

Realising customs could pose a problem when using a local courier service, Koch scrambled to get the painting to the gallery. “I was phoning around, with my mates and book club. I even phoned up a pilot friend to ask if he was possibly flying from Cape Town to London that week; but he wasn’t.”

After her initial plans failed, a work associate of Peter, who was travelling to England that evening, agreed to deliver the piece – after much convincing, help from her eldest daughter, and a dent to the family car. That made the selection as one of the 52 exhibited works all the more sweet.

“To be in the room is the privilege in and of itself,” she says. “There’s my work hanging alongside [pieces by] my idols and suddenly they walk in and view my painting. I’m showing alongside artists like Francis Featherstone – someone I’ve followed for ages and she’s brilliant! It’s amazing, because I was expecting them to maybe be a bit aloof but they were so casual and as happy as I was to be there.”

The technique for the portrait was inspired by a self-portrait of a young Rembrandt. Koch used the same technique of Chiaroscuro (contrast) as well as scrapping away the paint rather than adding to the picture. “There is an intensity to the image; the artist invites you in with that intensity but instead of a spotlight on her face, the spotlight was behind her. So you had this glow, this aura which can be read in very many ways.”

The exhibition at the NPG will hang until 7 October before going on tour throughout the UK.

hierdie nie meer as mylpale beskou word nie.

“Ek hoop dit sal mettertyd heeltemal alledaags wees dat ’n kurator ’n vrou, iemand van kleur, of enigiemand uit ’n histories onderverteenwoordigde agtergrond kan wees.”

Haar fokus is stewig gevestig op die versterking van die USBT se rol as sentrum vir bewaring, navorsing en opvoeding.

PnP-rooftog blitsig gefnuik

Yaël Malgas

Dit was byna toemaaktyd by Newinbosch se Pick n Pay toe ’n groep mans Sondag (5 Julie) op dié plaaslike kleinhandelaar toegesak het – blykbaar om die winkel te beroof.

Die planne van die voornemende rowers is egter deur die plaaslike polisie gestuit en vyf verdagtes is intussen in verband met die voorval in hegtenis geneem.

Die Stellenbosch-polisie het Maandag (6 Julie) bevestig klagtes van poging tot sakeroof, poging tot moord en ’n aanval op die polisiebeampte word ondersoek.

’n Werknemer van die plaaslike PnP was in die winkelbestuurder se kantoor toe hulle omstreeks 19:45 van verdagte mense in die winkel verwittig is. Toe die werker die kantoor verlaat om ondersoek in te stel, is hy deur ’n onbekende man gegryp, wat hom na die winkel se geldkantoor gedwing het.

Die verdagte het glo ’n swartsak by hom gehad en terwyl die twee na die geldkantoor op pad was, het die werker probeer om die aandag van die vloerbestuurder te kry.

Terselfdertyd het ’n polisiebeampte die winkel binnegekom, wat die verdagte op die vlug laat slaan het.

Personeel het die polisiebeampte van die voorval verwittig en nadat die beampte die verdagte agternagesit het, het ’n skietery uitgebreek.

Kaptein Nathalie Martin, ’n woordvoerder vir die Stellenbosch-polisie, het by navraag gesê verskeie verdagtes het in ’n wit Ford-motor en ’n silwer VW Polo-sedan gevlug. ’n Polisiebeampte is deur een van die verdagtes met ’n motor getref en twee polisievoertuie is ook beskadig toe

die mans die hasepad gekies het.

Vier verdagtes, wat steeds binne die winkel was, is egter vasgetrek en onmiddellik in hegtenis geneem.

Benewens die chaos wat die verdagtes agtergelaat het, is ’n 9mm-Beretta met 15 rondtes ammunisie en ’n nagemaakte vuurwapen in die winkel gevind. Een van die voertuie waarmee die verdagtes gevlug het is later in Kayamandi, langs Newinbosch, gevind.

Martin sê ’n vyfde verdagte is aangekeer nadat die polisie inligting opgevolg het van ’n pasiënt in ’n Kaapse hospitaal nadat dié man vir ’n vuurwapenwond behandel is. Dié verdagte is in hegtenis geneem en was onder polisiebewaking in die hospitaal.

PnP het by navraag gesê berading is vir personeel sowel as klante wat tydens Sondag se voorval in die winkel was,

beskikbaar gestel.

“Ons loof die dapperheid van die polisiebeampte wat in die winkel was toe die voorval plaasgevind het, asook die vinnige optrede daarna, aangesien die breër polisie-span summier opgetree het om die verdagtes in hegtenis te neem. Ons sal voortgaan om die polisie op enige moontlike manier by te staan, terwyl ons steeds voorkeur gee aan die veiligheid en sekuriteit van ons klante en personeel,” het die kleinhandelaar in ’n verklaring gesê.

Shane George, die winkelbestuurder, het ook kliënte verseker dat die welstand van die winkel se werkers hoog geagt word en dat “die situasie word deur die toepaslike kanale hanteer” word. Al vyf verdagtes, wat tussen 27 en 45 jaar oud is, sal in die Stellenbosch-landdroshof verskyn sodra hulle aangekla is.

New burn permit step

With winter in full swing, Cape Winelands District Municipality’s (CWDM) Fire Services is aware that many farmers and landowners have collected a lot of waste over summer, which must be burnt.

Traditionally, this is done in late autumn and winter, when there is a much lower risk of the fire spreading to valuable areas. As there is no municipal rubbish collection on farms, farmers need to manage their own household and farming waste products.

Non-recyclable household waste, such as used nappies and sanitary towels, pressurised cannisters, paint tins plastic wrappers and more are collected and taken to the local landfill. While items such as agricultural off-cuts, poles and prunings are burned.

But farmers and landowners may not just collect their rubbish and burn it. A permit must be obtained, which informs Fire Services where and when a burn will take place, allows a fire officer to visit the site prior to the burning to ensure that the area is safe and that no dangerous items are being burnt, and ensures that farmers and Fire Services are informed of safety procedures required before, during and after a burn. Landowners need to apply for a permit 10 to 14 days before the burn. All rural municipality’s have bylaws that prohibit the setting of fires under certain conditions, in accordance with the National Veld and Forest Fire Act. For years permits were available from the Winelands Fire Protection Association (WFPA), who serves as an interface between landowners and CWDM’s Fire Services.

But from last Wednesday (1 July) all landowners, including WFPA members, need to apply for the burn permits online at www.capewinelands.gov.za

. For more information and assistance, call the WFPA on 079 656 4673. Alternatively contact Jaco Thuynsma on jst@capewinelands.gov.za or 021 888 5824.

‘Riool maak ons lewe hel’

Mauricia Petersen

Vir die inwoners van Azaliastraat in Tennantville is die stank van riool ’n daaglikse bedreiging.

Hul ervaar dié probleem sedert die Stellenbosch-munisipaliteit verlede September, na bewering sonder kennisgewing, ’n nuwe dreinstelsel geïnstalleer het. Die nuwe pype het glo ook al vyf of ses keer gebars, waarna rioolwater in huise gestroom en verskeie inwoners begin siek word het.

“Daar was nie briewe uitgestuur nie,” beweer Silomia Meyer (53). “Ons het net gesien dat hulle hier grawe.”

Die krisis het glo op 31 Oktober ’n gevaarlike punt bereik toe rioolwater in agterplase en huise ingestroom het. “Die dreine in die straat, die agterplase en die kombuisdreintjies het almal opgestoot.”

Rioolwater het glo tot in sitkamers en slaapkamers gevloei. Charles Meyer (61), wat ook geraak is, se stryd vir skadevergoeding het van November tot Februarie vanjaar geduur. Hy is van bakboord na stuurboord gestuur voor hy deur die munisipaliteit uitbetaal is. Tog sê hy dít weerspieël nie die leed nie.

“Die trauma wat ek deurgegaan het My vrou was nog besig om kos te maak toe die dreine opstoot. Tot op die huidige oomblik het geen munisipale bestuursmense my eiendom besoek nie.”

By sy woning en dié van sy buurvrou, Elizabeth Solomons, het die water “amper soos ’n geyser gespuit”. Meyer se kamermure en meubels is beskadig.

Die inwoners meen die nuwe stelsel hou ’n gesondheidsrisiko in en sê baie inwoners, veral die pensioenarisse, is permanent siek weens die voortdurende stank.

“Elke maand as hulle die deksel kom oopmaak om die dreine te spuit, moet ek

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my deur en vensters toemaak, want ’n paar dae daarna begin my maag al weer,” vertel Meyer. Ander inwoners kla van alewige maagkrampe.

Op Kersdag was dit so onaangenaam dat inwoners nie hul Kersetes kon geniet nie. “Vlieë het ons huise oorval,” vertel Meyer. “Jy kan nie eers jou brood vir ’n sekonde los nie; jy moet dit onmiddellik toemaak, anders sit die vlieë daarop.”

BESWARE VAL OP DOWE ORE

Die inwoners het aanvanklik gedink dis modderwater, maar later besef dis rioolwater. Die dreinstelsel is glo 36 jaar oud en is nooit opgegradeer nie, terwyl inwonergetalle gegroei het. Pype wat Cloetesville se rioolwater moes afvoer, is blykbaar afgesny voor hulle die korrekte eindpunt bereik het. “Al die riool van Cloetesville kom af na Tennantville en stop net daar; dit is amper soos ’n toilet,” sê Meyer. Die gemeenskap beweer hul pogings om hulp met die eerste voorval te kry het op

dowe ore geval. Die plaaslike raadslid en munisipaliteit se beheerkamer is eers gebel. Die volgende dag het ’n ander raadslid opgedaag, self erken dis “ondraagbaar” en belowe hy sal die kwessie aanspreek, maar inwoners het nie weer van hom gehoor nie. Hulp het eers vier maande later gekom nadat Meyer in Maart vir Isaac Davids van die PMC gekontak het. Davids het die volgende dag uitgekom. “Sedertdien het hy werk gemaak van die probleem en na elkeen se insette geluister,” sê hy.

Die gemeenskap eis dat die munisipaliteit die stelsel behoorlik herstel, weeklikse reinigingstrokke stuur, munisipale dreine van private erwe verskuif en die plaaslike skool “waar dieselfde stank al jare heers” dringende aandag gee.

Indien die situasie nie verander nie, sal hulle die Menseregtekommissie en die departement van gesondheid nader. Stuart Grobbelaar, ’n woordvoerder vir die Stellenbosch-munisipaliteit, sê die munisipaliteit sal ondersoek instel.

Plaasskooltjie groei

Mauricia Petersen

’n Plaasskooltjie buite Stellenbosch se leerdergetal het binne een jaar byna verdubbel – en die visie strek veel verder as die kleuterskool.

Toe die Vredenheim Akademie in Februarie 2024 sy deure geopen het, was dit met ’n handvol kinders, ’n omgeskakelde ou slawehuis en ’n groot droom. Meer as twee jaar later het dié onafhanklike Christelike plaasskooltjie op die Vredenheim-plaas buite Stellenbosch gegroei tot byna dubbel sy oorspronklike leerdertal – en die grondslag vir ’n volwaardige skool tot gr.12 word stap vir stap gelê. “Verlede jaar het ons 13 leerders gehad en vanjaar het ons met 26 begin. Ons is baie opgewonde daaroor,” sê die bedryfshoof, Salomé Goosen.

Die skool, wat as die Byekorf-kleuterskool met gr.RRR tot gr. R begin het, het nou gr. 1-leerders en brei jaarliks uit namate die eerste inname groei. Dit volg ’n unieke multi-graad-model waar ouer leerders jonger klasmaats help en elke groep op sy eie tempo werk. Gr.R is tans vol, met ’n waglys, en elke nuwe aansoek word deur ’n gratis driedaagse observasie begelei sodat die skool en gesin mekaar kan leer ken.

“Ons beoog om dit so klein te hou. Ek wil elke kind op sy naam ken, en elke ouer ook.”

LEER SONDER DRUK

Elke klas het ’n maksimum van 21 leerders, en wanneer twee grade saam is, word dit tot sowat 10 per graad beperk. Die personeelspan, wat met twee begin het, behels tans vyf lede. Nog ’n assistent word beplan vir wanneer die grondslagfase drie grade behels.

Die buitemuurse program is ook

indrukwekkend uitgebrei: Playball (Maandag), tennis (Dinsdagoggend), RSD (Dinsdagmiddag), bergfietsry en drama (Woensdag), asook krieket in die somer en hokkie in die winter. Sommige aktiwiteite is by die skoolgeld ingesluit; ander word deur buite-afrigters aangebied.

Een van die opwindendste toevoegings vanjaar is ’n nuwe mini-skaakprogram wat weekliks aangebied word en kinders aan strategiese denke, probleemoplossing en konsentrasie blootstel.

Hier leer kinders sonder druk. Dit is nie net die getalle wat beïndruk nie, so ook die filosifie van die klaskamer.

Die skool volg die SOS-kurrikulum (Solidariteit se Skole-ondersteuningsentrum) en beklemtoon konsepbegrip bo blote inhouddekking.

“Die kurrikulum is so vol ons probeer regtig konsepkouevaslegging doen. Voordat ons na die volgende konsep beweeg, maak ons seker die kinders verstaan dit.”

Gr.1- tot gr. 3-leerders kry geen huiswerk nie, ’n beleid wat baie ouers verwelkom. Die rede is eenvoudig: Onderwysers verkies om die skooldag waar nodig effens bo die druk van take tuis te verleng.

VOETE OP DIE PLAASGROND

Deurlopende assessering gebeur onopvallend en kinders weet dikwels nie dat hulle geëvalueer word nie. Die emosionele welstand van elke kind word deurgaans vooropgestel, iets wat bewustelik in die dagrooster ingebou is.

“Die atmosfeer by ’n skool is baie belangrik – die kinders moet ontspanne wees en veilig voel.”

Hierdie filosofie strek ook na wiskunde-onderrig. Leesvaardigheid en emosionele stabiliteit word as onlosmaaklik van sukses in wiskunde beskou.

NOTICE FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROCESS

WATER USE LICENSE APPLICATION FOR THE PROPOSED HIGH DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT ON FARM 81/2 AND 81/9, KAYAMANDI, STELLENBOSCH, WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE

Notice is hereby given of a Public Participation Process (PPP) in terms of the National Water Act (Act 36 of 1998) and specifically in terms of regulations regarding the procedure requirement for Water Use License Application No. WU47086. This constitutes a notification in terms of a Water Use License Application that was submitted to the Department of Water and Sanitation.

BACKGROUND

The Stellenbosch Local Municipality, as part of a broader public-sector housing initiative, proposes to develop formal highdensity 2-4-story walk-up residential units and associated infrastructure on Farms 81/2 and 81/9 in Kayamandi, Stellenbosch, Western Cape Province. The proposed development seeks to address housing demand in the area and is situated between Kayamandi and Cloetesville, approximately 2.1 km northwest of Stellenbosch’s town centre.

The proposed development area, comprising ERF 81/2 and ERF 81/9, is approximately 17.47 hectares in extent, of which about 6,02 hectares will be cleared for development. The site is bounded to the east by the R304 (Bird Street), which intersects its western portion, while an existing asphalt road divides the land into north-western and south-eastern portions. The Plankenburg River runs through the eastern section of the site, and all proposed development will take place above the 1:100-year flood line. The site falls within 32m of the river course and within a 500m wetland buffer

PROJECT DETAILS

Project Name

High-Density Residential Development on Farm 81/2 and 81/9, Stellenbosch

Die personeel van die skool is, van links, Giselle Venter

miese hoof), Ilse Muller (assistent-onderwyseres),

Salomé Goosen (bedryfshoof). Foto: Mauricia Petersen

“Indien ’n kind nie goed kan lees nie, sal hy ook nie goed kan wiskunde doen nie. Jou emosionele brein en jou wiskundebrein loop hand aan hand.”

Die unieke plaasmilieu bly een van die akademie se grootste troefkaarte. Kinders leer meetkunde met werklike houers van die huis af, besoek die plaasdiere en wildplaas en plant groente in die skool se tuintjie. Praktiese blootstelling gaan altyd die abstrakte werk vooraf – konkrete ervaring eers, dan twee-dimensionele of geskrewe werk. Ten spyte van die merkwaardige groei,

Oxford calling

Four learners from Calling Academy travelled to the United Kingdom this school holiday to attend an academic convention at Oxford University.

This exciting opportunity was made possible through Calling Education’s long-standing relationship with the Oxford Centre for Tutorial Teaching.

The learners will study sustainability through the famed Oxford Tutorial Method, a pedagogical approach that fosters independent, critical thinking and deep discussion.

They will participate in lectures, research, discussions and tutorials that will not only develop their understanding of the topic, but also their wider skillset and confidence.

Participants will also expand their global perspective and be exposed to new ideas by engaging with other learners in the programme from the USA, India and Belgium.

The group will be accompanied by Verity Slaverse, an English teacher at

Kaapse Wynland distriKsmunisipaliteit d aliteit

AMPTELIKE K ENNISG EWING DIENSLEWERING- EN BEGROTINGSIMPLEMENTERINGSPLAN (DLBIP) EN PRESTASIE-OOREENKOMSTE

bly die akademie se visie doelbewus intiem. Die doel is nie ’n grootskaalse instelling nie, maar ’n plek waar elke kind en ouer persoonlik geken word. Uitbreiding tot gr.12 bly op die horison, maar word stap vir stap en jaar vir jaar met die huidige leerders bereik. Vir gesinne wat belangstel om by Vredenheim Akademie aan te sluit, bied die skool ’n gratis driedaagse observasieperiode. Aansoeke word deurlopend aanvaar, hoewel gr.R tans vol is. . Skakel 083 442 0084 of stuur epos aan akademie@vredenheim.co.za of met navrae.

Calling Academy Stellenbosch, who will also gain from this development opportunity. Locals Daniel Bless, Zinati Zisiwe, Hlompho Matubatuba and Lemar Leggett will also be joined by learners from Calling Academy Kroonstad. Before travelling to Oxford, the group will spend a fascinating couple of days in London, where they will enjoy England’s vibrant, historic capital.

The trip promises to be memorable and transformative.

AND BUDGET

Co-ordinates

Applicant Competent Authority

Stellenbosch Local Municipality Farm Portion

Portion 2 and Portion 9 of Farm Cloetesdal 81

81/2 Farm Cloetesdal 33°54’51.12 S 18°51’0.63 E 81/9 Farm Cloetesdal 33°55’10.94 S 18°51’3.22 E Longitude Latitude

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS)

Water uses applying for Section 21 (c) impeding or diverting the flow in a watercourse Section 21 (i) altering the beds, banks, course or characteristics of a water course

OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE: Interested and affected parties (I&APs) are hereby invited to provide written comments. Comments must include the I&APs' names, contact details, preferred method of communication, an indication of your interest in the proposed development, and any direct business, financial, personal, or other interests you may have in relation to this proposed development. The draft WULA summary report and specialist reports will be available for public review for a 60-day commenting period (excluding public holidays) from 10 July 2026 to 10 September 2026. Please send an email to info@ids-cc.co.za to request a digital copy of the draft WULA summary report and specialist report, or a hard copy of the draft summary report and specialist reports will be available at the Cloetesville Public Library

Property Details NM10065179-EN090726

VAN DIE MUNISIPALE BESTUURDER EN SENIOR BESTUURDERS REGSTREEKS VERANTWOORDBAAR AAN DIE MUNISIPALE BESTUURDER VIR DIE 2026/2027 FINANSIËLE JAAR

Kennisgewing geskied hiermee ingevolge artikels 53(3)(a), 53(3)(b), 69(3)(a) en 69(3)(b) van die Wet op Plaaslike Regering: Munisipale Finansiële Bestuur, 2003 (Wet No. 56 van 2003) da t die Dienslewering-en-Begrotingimplementeringsplan (DLBIP) en Prestasie-ooreenkomste van die Munisipale Bestuurder en Senior Bestuurders regstreeks verantwoordbaar aan die Munisipale Bestuurder vir die 2026/2027 finansiële jaar ter insae beskikbaar is by die ondergemelde kantore van die Kaapse Wynland Distriksmunisipaliteit gedurende normale kantoorure:

• Stellenbosch (Du Toitstraa t 29)

• Worcester (Tra ppesstraa t 51)

• Paarl (Hoofstraa t 194)

• Ceres (Munnikstraa t 27)

• Robertson (Van Reenenstraa t 40)

Bovermelde dokumente is ook beskikbaar op die Kaa pse Wynland Distriksmunisipaliteit se webwerf by www.ca pewinelands.gov.za

Navrae kan gerig word aan: Kaapse Wynland Distriksmunisipaliteit, Posbus 100, Stellenbosch 7599 of tel 0861 265 263 of per e-pos: admin@ca pewinelands.gov.za

H.F PRINS

MUNISIPALE BESTUURDER Kaapse Wynland Distriksmunisipaliteit Alexanderstraat 46 Stellenbosch 7600

Fine dining for a cause

The much-anticipated Celebrate Life fundraising dinner returns next month, offering an unforgettable fine-dining experience in support of Huis Horison, a Stellenbosch residential care centre for adults with intellectual disabilities.

Hosted at Clara’s Barn at Vergenoegd Löw Estate at 18:00 for 18:30 on Monday 3 August, the event brings together some of the region’s most celebrated chefs, exceptional wines and live music for an evening that is as meaningful as it is memorable. The exclusive sit-down dinner caters for only 80 guests, creating an intimate atmosphere where guests can enjoy a fivecourse gourmet menu, with each course paired with carefully selected estate wines. This year, guests will feast together at The Long Table and have the rare opportunity to interact with the chefs, who will personally present their dishes throughout the evening.

Celebrate Life features an outstanding collaboration of leading chefs: Fabio Daniel (Rust en Vrede); Matt van den Berg (Mertia); Jess van Dyk (Post & Pepper); Marthinus Ferreira (Jordan); and Michelle Theron (Vergenoegd Löw). They are generously donating their time and expertise,

supported by sous chefs, to craft a worldclass dining experience for a meaningful cause.

Founded in 1974, Huis Horison is a residential and sheltered-employment centre specialising in the holistic care of adults with a primary intellectual disability. They are a vulnerable group in communities and require a safe environment to call home.

Huis Horison not only satisfies this need, but also recognises that all its residents are precious, striving to give them a fulfilling and meaningful life. The human dignity of everyone is recognised through unconditional acceptance, inclusivity and courage.

Funds raised through Celebrate Life ensure the continued sustainability of the organisation, enabling it to remain a safe and nurturing home. Since its inception in 2011, the event has grown into a distinctive fundraising event, hosted at renowned fine-dining restaurants and estates in the region and consistently showcasing the best of the region’s culinary talent while raising critical funds for charity.

Early booking is essential and advised at www.huishorison.org.za.

For more information, call Elzabi van Wyk on 021 887 5080 or 083 281 7802, or send an email to bemarking@huishorison.org.za.

Chamber music festival bows out with masterpieces

PERSOONLIKE DIENSTE

KRUIEKENNER 1435

"DR" ZZASA Can assist with all problems. PAY AFTER RESULTS 073 513 9788

GENERAL & HOME SERVICES

ELEKTRIES 1810

The final weekend of the 2026 Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival, from Friday 10 to Monday 13 July, is in grand style with large-scale orchestral performances in the acclaimed acoustics of Endler Hall. Grammy-award winning conductor Michael Repper (left) returns for his third SICMF visit, leading the Festival Symphony Orchestra on 10 and 12 July. Both concerts open with the South African premiere of Gabriela Ortiz’s Antrópolis and close with Mahler’s monumental First Symphony, the “Titan”. The 10 July programme features cellist David Cohen in Schnittke’s First Cello Concerto, while 12 July spotlights Miclen LaiPang and Emanuil Ivanov in Mendelssohn’s rarely heard arrangement of his Double Concerto for strings and winds. Kärin Hendrickson (right) makes her South African conducting debut on 11 July with the Festival Concert Orchestra, presenting Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, Bizet’s Carmen and Bruch’s First Violin Concerto with Siwoo Kim. The concert will be repeated in Groendal, Franschhoek on 12 July. Brand new to the SICMF, the Festival Symphonic Wind Orchestra performs on 10 July under Liam Burden, featuring works by Sparke, Whitacre, Hart, Briel and Ellerby. Tickets at sicmf.co.za or webtickets.co.za. Photo: Tiffany Schultz

Dorpskalender | Town calendar

SUNDAY 12 JULY

Stellenbosch: Sunday Sessions at the DAISY JONES BAR will feature The Bullets, who will again fill the dance floor, bring the sing-alongs and turn the afternoon into a celebration. The Helderberg favourite returns for a session packed with timeless classics, old-school favourites and rock anthems from the 1960s through the 1990s. For more than a decade, the much-loved six-piece has built a loyal following with their effortless musicianship, infectious energy and knack for playing exactly the songs you didn’t realise you’d been waiting to hear. Whether it’s lounge classics, oldies or rock and roll staples, The Bullets know how to keep a crowd smiling from the first song to the last. The doors open at 13:00 and the show starts at 15:00. Tickets from R150. Book through Quicket.

Stellenbosch: The weekly Music and Cheese Fondue Winter Experience at DELHEIM WINE ESTATE will feature music by the Nick Ford Project. It combines a live music performance with traditional Swiss-style dining. Guests will be served a three-course meal centred on cheese fondue, accompanied by bread and seasonal vegetables. The experience includes glühwein on arrival, a table appetiser, cured meats and coffee with brownies for dessert. Estate wines will be available for purchase at cellar-door prices. It runs from noon to 15:00. Tickets are R580 for adults and R355 for children, with bookings required in advance. Book your place online at www.delheim.com.

WOENSDAG 15 JULIE

Jamestown: Kom kuier saam by Babbel & Brei en laat die breipenne klap om Jamestown se kinders en bejaardes warm te hou. Die groep kom elke

Woensdag van 10:00 tot 11:00 by die JAMESTOWNBIBLIOTEEK byeen. Beginners leer blokkies brei en dié wat kan, brei musse en serpe. Wol en breipenne word verskaf. Kontak die biblioteek by 021 808 8373 of 021 808 8372 vir nog inligting.

THURSDAY 16 JULY

Stellenbosch: A night of country and pop-country music, line dancing and a mechanical bull rodeo will be held when Introducing: The Honky Tonk Hoedown comes to the DAISY JONES BAR. The hilarious and iconic Andréa Katzeff will be the MC for the evening, which consists of a beginner-level line dancing class, followed by an evening of country song remixes and competing to see who can hold the longest ride. There is limited space available; tickets at R150 each can be bought through Quicket. The doors open at 17:30 and the dancers will line-up at 18:15.

VRYDAG 17 JULIE

Stellenbosch: Die gewilde Afrikaanse musiekmakers Spoegwolf kom kuier op Vrydag 17 en Saterdag 18 Julie by die DAISY JONES-TEATER op die Summerhills-wynlandgoed. Albei vertonings begin om 20:00, maar die deure open reeds om 17:00. Kaartjies kos R250 elk deur Quicket.

TUESDAY 21 JULY



Stellenbosch: African Drumming Tuesdays at the STELLENBOSCH UNIVERSITY MUSEUM will be held from 13:00 to 14:00. It aims to enhance wellness and well-being on campus, with sessions free and open to all. Contact Ricky on 021 808 3660 or email rickyb@sun.ac.za to book your place.

Historic first for ‘Net Boys’

Tasmin Cupido

At the onset of the 2025-’26 football season the management, coaches and players of FC Kayamandi had their eye on the prize: winning promotion to the ABC Motsepe League.

And this past Sunday (5 July) the club’s senior men’s team slotted that goal in the back of the net with a 2-1 victory over Harambee FC in Gansbaai for their club to be bumped up into the third highest tier of club soccer in South Africa.

“Promotion to the ABC Motsepe means everything to the club and its supporters,” said manager Dizo Ntibane.

“For the club and its players this promotion is validation of years of hard work. For Kayamandi, Stellenbosch and the entire Cape Winelands it puts us on the provincial and national map. Our supporters have waited for this moment, which brings hope, jobs and pride to the community. It is historic, as we are the first team from Kayamandi to achieve this feat.”

The club, fondly known as “Net Boys” by their supporters, was established at the beginning of November 2024 when the former franchise of Malaga FC at Safa Cape Winelands was purchased.

Its mission is to give young footballing talent from the township and surrounds a professional pathway under the leadership of Phindile Madubela.

“Our goal has always been to represent Kayamandi with dignity and take the

Tasmin Cupido

It was a good weekend for the three local teams competing in the Western Province Super League C, with Kylemore and Pniël Villagers securing vital victories, and Raithby Universals recording a draw against one of the league’s front-runners, Watsonia Warriors.

RU may have earned themselves a giant-slayer tag after their outing at the Raithby Sports Ground on Saturday (4 July). Going into the match on the back of a weekend off, the local team were definitely not given a chance against the high-flying second-placed visitors.

But they dug deep and delivered to prove the critics wrong, the encounter eventually

Netting season goals to promotion

town’s name to national leagues,” Ntibane pointed out.

HARNESSING LOCAL TALENT

With its affiliation to the Stellenbosch Local Football Association (LFA), under the regional umbrella of Safa Cape Winelands, the team set out to establish itself in local soccer spheres. This season saw the club represented by two senior men’s teams as well as junior teams in the under-13 and under-15 leagues.

Ntibane pointed out that the club aims to feed the senior teams with talent from

within the local community.

That philosophy paid dividends, with the senior men’s team enjoying an outstanding season, winning 19 of its 22 league matches, drawing two and only losing one outing. “We fought until the last game of the play-offs and secured promotion to the ABC Motsepe League in a season built on consistency, team work and believing in the process,” Ntibane said.

“From day one, we set the team the target: promotion. We told the players we are not here to participate; we are here to dominate. The players and coaches bought

SLC teams show their mettle

ending in a 17-17 stalemate.

The sharing of the points means RU maintains 10th place on the log, while Watsonia Warrior lept Rangers to first place.

Meanwhile, Kylemore strengthened their league aspirations and cemented their place in the top-three with a 40-21 win over Busy Bee on home soil, while Pniël Villagers delivered a clinical performance to take a 47-29 victory over Strand RFC.

In Super League A, Van der Stel-Evergreens (VDE) were handed a thumping at the hands of Helderberg in Strand, going down 150-5 in a wonderful display of run-

ning rugby by the hosts.

Play resumed after a regional break in the Northern League, with the weekend’s matches also signalling the start of the second-half of the season. The break broke the winning momentum of Blue Stars United, who suffered their first defeat of the season at the hand of Morning Star United when they went down 21-18 in Durbanville.

Blakes managed to overturn their recent poor form with a 33-55 win over Gordon’s Bay Pioneers, while Faure got maximum points after Stellenbosch-Coronations forfeited their scheduled meeting (28-0). It was

into that vision. Through discipline, planning and belief we achieved it. The credit must go to the technical team for the game plan, the players who executed that plan, and the management team who created a professional environment, especially our chairman Madubela.

“Our supporters were also amazing, standing with us through every game. This promotion is for the people of Kayamandi.”

As the euphoria of being crowned Safa Cape Winelands MRL champions, Western Cape Provincial MRL play-off champions and gleaning promotion continues, the club’s management team are already looking ahead to the future, with gaining sponsorships one of goals in the off-season.

“We have to consolidate and compete; the ABC Motsepe League is a big step up,” Ntibane said.

“Our immediate focus is to reinforce the squad with quality players, secure a compliant home venue and stabilise the club’s operations off the field, so that we can remain in that league and push even higher.”

He thanked Stellenbosch LFA, Safa Cape Winelands, the club’s partners, the community and sponsors International Chemical Company, Chill Beverages, Standard Bank Stellenbosch and Thole Security. “We are hands-on and ready to work. This is just the beginning; watch this space.”

. For more information on the club or to sponsor it, contact the FC Kayamandi management team on 061 906 1699 or 021 889 3452, or via email on fckayamandinetboys@gmail.com.

a weekend to forget for Excelsior who endured a gruelling 108-6 loss to Fisantekraal, while Cloetesville were again on the losing side, going down 40-29 to Whistling Wheels in Eerste River.

This coming weekend, VDE will host Kuils River at the Van der Stel Sports Ground in SLA, while only Pniël Villagers are in action in SLC as they host Scottsdene-Central. Home games are schedule for all the Stellenbosch teams in the Northern League, as Blue Stars welcome Fisantekraal to Klapmuts, Blakes host Whistling Wheels, Excelsior take on Faure, Corries lock horns with Gordon’s Bay Pioneers, and Cloetesville will be vying for their first win of the season when they play Police Blackheath.