La Motte invites you to experience its beautiful Franschhoek Valley setting with a reimagined far m experience. Explore new and thoughtfully curated spaces, from a war m and inviting tasting room to a family-friendly brasserie, an artisanal bakery, a reimagined far m shop, and an Ateljee, a creative hub showcasing art as well as the craftsmanship of local artisans. L ’Ami Family Brasserie
“Good progress is being made on the Western Cape Department of Infrastructure (DOI) project on Main Road 191 (R45) between the intersection of Old Paarl Road (MR189) and Franschhoek Pass at Theewaterskloof Dam to do essential flood-damage repairs, upgrading, and routine maintenance on this critical provincial road.” This is according to a statement by the Western Cape Department of Infrastructure.
“This project which started in April 2024 and is currently estimated at R827.5 million, is a significant investment in the region”, said Jandré Bakker, DOI Director: Operational Support. He continued: “Contract C749.02 is in place to:
Realign and rehabilitate about 9.5km of MR191 (R45), upgrading it to a Class 1 road between the intersection with Old Paarl Road (MR189) and Helshoogte Road (MR172); Build two new bridges as well as culverts, drains, retaining walls, auxiliary lanes and 16 bus stops along this section of MR191; Install a new water main on MR189 and relocate existing services;
Resurface about 14km of MR191 from the intersection with MR172 to Franschhoek; Resurface about 16km of MR191 from the urban edge of Franschhoek; and Upgrade and maintain drainage structures along this route. The project is expected to be fully completed by the third quarter of 2027.”
Western Cape Minister of Infrastructure, Tertuis Simmers, pointed out that two sections of the R45 are subject to continuing stop-go arrangements. One section is in the Simondium area – “between km 5.8 and km6.6 for layer works and the construction of a retaining wall and two culverts”. The other section is on the Franschhoek Pass where edge break repairs and slip repairs are underway.
The Minister was at pains to point out that although the technical jargon refers to “24-hour closures” on the Franschhoek Pass in practice it means that stop-go arrangements are in place around the clock. Similarly, “day closures” means that a stop-go is operational during the day and traffic is free flowing at night.
“Current notable construction activity includes
the road-over-railway bridge and the sidewalk on the Van Wyk’s River Bridge (near the old Paarl Road intersection), layerworks are in progress, and kerbs and channels are being installed. But I am most pleased with the targeted 66 000 person days of work we are set to create through this project of which we have already achieved over 40 000. Of the 384 projected job opportunities we have already created 250 of these. We have already invested R60.2 million in in targeted enterprises against the target of R124 million. We have further set a contract participation goal for 40 local enterprises and we have already supported 30. This shows our commitment to job creation and economic growth,” Minister Simmers added.
“This is a major project and has many components which include works on Franschhoek Pass which sustained significant damage during severe weather events over the past couple of years but we know that the current inconvenience road users experience will be a short-term sacrifice for many years of growth and safe traveling in the area,” Minister Simmers concluded.
Text: Editorial Desk | Image: Supplied
On Friday, 17 October, Safe Hands Animal Rescue Franschhoek (SHARF) received an unexpected surprise, coordinated by Shaun and Christie Winkler of Franschhoek Storage and Franschhoek Removals.
SHARF has been using one of the Winklers’ trailers to transport animals and equipment while doing their selfless work for the valley’s animals. Shaun & Christie (the owners of three rescue dogs) thought it was time that they had their own trailer and decided to donate one to the group – painted in its bright pink livery.
This was not enough, though, for the Winklers. They challenged friends and family to fill it with dog food. And they succeeded! By the day of the handover, over two tonnes of dog food had been collected! Remarkably, for a small village, they managed to conceal the details of what they were doing from SHARF founder Juani Beukes until the very last moment.
Juani was gobsmacked when she and the SHARF team walked into the Winklers’ premises. There
was more food than in most shops’ stores – 2.3 tonnes – and a trailer! And that wasn’t all! SHARF also received a donation of R30,000 to be used towards their next sterilisation drive.
The accompanying card perfectly expressed the feelings of all who contributed to the surprise. “... a token of our appreciation for everything you do for the beautiful animals of our village and beyond… We can only hope that this helps ease the pressure that this work puts upon you every day.”
The Winklers invite anyone who wishes to donate to SHARF to conveniently drop off the donations at their centrally located Fabriek Street premises.
Text: Editorial Desk | Image: Supplied
Franschhoek Hoërskool het oor die naweek van 26–28 September sy 175ste verjaardag op luisterryke wyse gevier. Oudleerlinge van regoor die land (en selfs oorsee) het teruggestroom na die plek waar hulle hul vormingsjare deurgebring het.
Die naweek se feesvieringe het reeds vroeg die Vrydagoggend afgeskop met ’n rondte gholf by die Boschenmeer Gholfbaan. Later die dag het baie oudleerlinge die kans gebruik om weer te wandel in die skoolgange waardeur hulle eens hul swaar skooltasse gesleep het. Ou staaltjies is weer opgediep en herinneringe het vryelik gevloei — asof in voorbereiding vir die aand se dinee.
Die 175-jaar-dinee en -veiling was waarskynlik vir baie die hoogtepunt van die naweek. Juffrou PhylMari Heyneke en haar span het die skoolsaal in ’n balsaal omgetower. Honderde plaaslik gekweekte proteas en speldekussings het die saal en tafels versier. Amper almal is deur oudskoliere — die Rouxs van La Colline en D.P. Burger — geskenk, terwyl Sterna Hugo die rangskikkings gedoen het. ’n Heerlike driegangmaaltyd is voorgesit, en vermaak is deur Die Broers en Zamar verskaf. Die bekende ekonoom Dawie Roodt het ook ’n insiggewende praatjie gelewer. Tussendeur het José de Miranda (hoofseun 1986) en Charl Celliers (hoofseun 1988) gesorg dat dinge glad verloop. Die wyn, wat deur Van Loveren Wynlandgoed geborg is, het dalk ook bygedra... en so ook die kroeg wat deur Kroeg Events bestuur is. Die aand se eregaste het voormalige skoolhoofde en onderwysers, asook ’n verteenwoordiger van die Wes-Kaapse Onderwysdepartement, ingesluit.
Juffrou Heyneke het die aand se hooftoespraak voorgedra namens die skoolhoof, mnr. Jaco Haasbroek, wat ongelukkig weens mediese redes nie teenwoordig kon wees nie. Sy het ’n roerende oorsig gegee van die skool se geskiedenis en sy plek – nie net in die vallei nie, maar ook in geslagte leerders se lewens. Almal teenwoordig is herinner dat “hierdie skool altyd meer as ’n plek van leer was – dit is ’n erfenis, ’n gemeenskap en ’n bron van inspirasie vir elkeen wat hier loop, leer en leef.”
Die aand se veiling ten bate van die nuutgestigte FHS-Alumnitrust het alle verwagtinge oortref.
Daar is flink gebie op items wat gewissel het van wynversamelings tot jagvakansies en kunswerke deur laerskoolleerders. Die trustees maak reeds planne om verdere fondse te bekom om die skool op sy herstelpad te help.
Op Saterdag, 27 September, het ’n selfs groter groep oudleerlinge en onderwysers gesellig bymekaargekom by die Station Pub. Ou vriendskappe is hernu, staaltjies uitgeruil, en een of twee drankies is genuttig — veral gedurende die Springbokke se oorweldigende oorwinning teen Argentinië in Durban. Heel gepas was baie van die oudleerlinge in hul 175-jaar-rugbytruie geklee — wat, nes die trui van die skool se eerste rugbyspan, op ’n Springboktrui gebaseer is. Sondagoggend het verskeie van die reuniegangers die NG Kerk se oggenddiens bygewoon voordat hulle weer huiswaarts gekeer het — hopelik met die bedoeling om gou weer hul alma mater te besoek.
Teks: Redaksie | Foto: Petrus Theron
The Michelin Guide has been awarding stars to restaurants since 1926. It has also been making room recommendations since the 1920s. This year saw the first time that African hotels were included. Some Franschhoek establishments made it on to the list.
Leeu Collection’s establishments were all awarded one Key. Leeu Collection said in a social media post: “Our deepest gratitude goes to the MICHELIN Guide for this honour, to our dedicated teams who uphold the highest standards every day, and to our wonderful guests whose trust and appreciation make it all possible.”
Also on the list is The Last Word Franschhoek and Akademie Street Boutique Hotel & Guest House. Stellenbosch’s only entry, Delaire Graff, was awarded two Keys.
Text: Editorial Desk
with Pat Jacobs: Organizer of Franschhoek Open Gardens
How did you get involved and for how long have you been involved with Open Gardens?
I got involved with the Open Gardens 15 years ago when we moved from Botswana to Franschhoek. My wife Glynda is a horticulturist; we both love nature and gardening. We wanted to get involved in community projects, and were introduced to Carol Dendy Young, being the first organizer of the Open Gardens. With my background in the corporate world it was the next step to direct my energy and expertise behind this project, assisting the committee with an improved business model to expand the vision and impact of the Open Gardens in the village. When the Open Gardens festival started around ten years ago, it attracted about 350 visitors during the weekend, growing up to 1500 plus visitors in 2024. What is unique about the Franschhoek Open
Gardens?
One must keep in mind that Open Gardens is not bespoke to Franschhoek; however what sets us apart from the rest, is that we aim to refresh and be different every year. We showcase ten gardens of which three to five gardens are brand new. What also sets us apart is the wide variety of gardens on show. It is of utmost importance that the focus stays on showcasing the gardens, even though there will be extra events on this year’s programme. There will be music performances, educational talks, indigenous flower displays, and flower arrangements crafted by the local ladies of the village. We always keep in mind that this is and will always be an authentic Franschhoek community project, where the all-time favourite and traditional events will be back, i.e., the popular tea gardens serving scones and the plant sales. Who benefits from the Open Gardens?
All the funds raised go directly to Fleur de Lis Home for the Aged as well as our very own Emergency Services of Franschhoek. We are proud to state that all the proceeds stay in Franschhoek. The finances are managed by the well-established local Lion Ladies of Franschhoek which is audited every year. We are of the opinion that the greater Franschhoek village businesses also gain from the Open Gardens event, as visitors book accommodation for the weekend and enjoy the restaurants in town.
What does it entail to organize such an event
and what are the challenges?
Primarily it is important to thank all our sponsors, for it will not be possible to have this event without them. I am part of a collaborative resolute committee, with the well-respected and first organizer, Carol Dendy Young, who was there from day one, and Glynda Jacobs who is taking over the running of the event. The extensive support of the Lion Ladies is also highly valued. There are challenges every year, the weather conditions, the slow and laborious administration processes concerning Stellenbosch Municipality. But another challenge is the amount of potentially available gardens that are limited each year due to short term rentals.
The Open Gardens festival has really grown to be one of the most successful community projects and we are grateful to have the support of the powerful medium of radio advertising on Cape Talk, and on the different social media platforms whom Glynda has been managing over months and weeks prior. One feels confident to say that Franschhoek Open Gardens will remain as one of the most popular events on the Winelands social calendar for years to come.
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November always seems to speed by in a blur of lists, plans, and end-of-year catch-ups. The festive season is almost upon us, and between the thought of holiday menus, house guests and gifts to prepare, the kitchen becomes both our refuge and our workshop. This is the month when a few clever, homemade projects can do double duty — adding sparkle to summer entertaining and providing thoughtful gifts straight from your kitchen.
There’s something wonderfully personal about giving food you’ve made yourself. A jar of something fragrant, a bottle of something bright — these are small gestures that carry the warmth of your time and attention. And they’re just as useful for those lazy summer lunches
when friends drop by unannounced. Homemade Labneh
Labneh feels special but couldn’t be simpler. Stir a teaspoon of salt into a tub of full-fat Greek yoghurt, spoon it into a muslin-lined sieve over a bowl, and refrigerate for 24 to 48 hours. The result is a thick, tangy cheese that can be rolled into balls and stored in olive oil with thyme, lemon zest, or chilli flakes. Pile it onto a platter beside olives, bread, and roasted vegetables for effortless entertaining — or bottle a few jars as elegant edible gifts.
Limoncello for Summer Evenings
A glass of icy limoncello after dinner is pure sunshine. Start now, and you’ll have bottles ready for Christmas gifting or serving at your holiday table. Peel the zest (avoiding the white pith) of 8–10 lemons and steep it in a bottle of vodka for
Ancient Spirit, a proudly women-owned and women-run fashion brand founded in the heart of Riebeek Kasteel, celebrates the opening of its fourth store in picturesque Franschhoek. The new space marks another milestone in the brand’s journey of empowering women through creativity, craftsmanship, and conscious design.
Founded by designer Lizel Olckers, Ancient Spirit began as a small women’s job-creation project with a single crochet hook and a shared vision: to make beautiful, handmade clothing while creating meaningful work for local women.
What started as a community initiative in the Swartland has grown into a beloved South African label known for its timeless style, sustainable materials, attention to detail and authentic story.
“The name Ancient Spirit honours the ancient crafts of hand-making – stitching, cutting, embellishing – the ways women have created beauty and purpose for centuries,” says founder Lizel Olckers. “But it also celebrates the living spirit of women working together today – sharing stories, supporting one another, and finding independence through creativity.”
The new Franschhoek boutique, located on Huguenot Street in the heart of the village, around the corner from The Breakfast Club and rubbing shoulders with the uber popular and creative Hello Tiger and Arabesque, brings Ancient Spirit’s philosophy of mindful fashion to one of the Cape’s most vibrant destinations for art, wine and design.
The store showcases the brand’s latest seasonal collection of women’s clothing, accessories, and handmade jewellery – each piece created with care by a small team of artisans. The aesthetic remains true to the brand’s roots: natural fibres, earthy palettes, flattering silhouettes, and a quiet elegance that transcends trends.
In every garment, Ancient Spirit strives to lighten its footprint on the earth. Whenever possible, the brand uses natural fabrics such as linen, cotton, and viscose, designed for comfort, longevity, and a
closer connection to nature. “We want our clothes to feel as good as they look – for the wearer, the maker, and the planet,” Olckers adds.
With four stores now open – in Riebeek Kasteel, Stellenbosch, Paternoster and Franschhoek – Ancient Spirit continues to weave a story of purpose and possibility. Each store remains a reflection of its origins: a gathering place for women, a celebration of craft, and a reminder that fashion can be both beautiful and meaningful.
www.ancientspirit.co.za | @ancientspiritstyle
two weeks. Strain, stir in a simple syrup of sugar and water, and chill. Pour into small bottles, tie with ribbon and a sprig of rosemary, and you’ve got a homemade gift that feels both luxurious and fresh.
Quick Pickles and Preserves
These are lifesavers for festive grazing boards. Slice cucumbers, carrots, or radishes and pour over a hot brine of vinegar, sugar, salt, and water. Add dill, mustard seeds, or chilli flakes and refrigerate. They’re ready in hours and keep beautifully for weeks. Spoon them into jars with handwritten labels — they look charming in a Christmas hamper and add zing to any table spread.
Infused Olive Oils and Flavoured Salts
Simple to make and endlessly useful. Infuse olive oil with rosemary, garlic, or strips of citrus peel and decant into pretty bottles. For flavoured salts, combine coarse sea salt with dried herbs, lemon zest, or pink peppercorns. Both make elegant, affordable gifts — or keep a few for your own kitchen to sprinkle over grilled fish or summer salads.
These little kitchen projects are small acts of creativity in a season that can otherwise feel rushed. They fill the house with scent, make lovely gifts, and remind us that generosity doesn’t have to come wrapped in paper — sometimes it comes in a jar. So before December sweeps you up, spend an afternoon in the kitchen. Come Christmas, you’ll be glad you did.
Established in Cape Town since 2009, African Wildlife Artist Suzanne Elizabeth opens her new gallery in the heart of Franschhoek.
Established
their unique hand made paintings.
Commissions are welcome, let us know the dimensions and we’ll create a painting especially for you!
Paintings can be rolled for safe and affordable worldwide shipping.
La Petite Galerie, Huguenot Street, Franschhoek
Suzanne Elizabeth Tel: +27 82 515 4131 Samantha Louise Tel: +27 71 236 3571
theartgallerycapetown@gmail.com
& Faieza
Beauty & Nail Tech: Whitney, Jade, Micarla, Kiera, Thobile
Biturbo Ford Ranger SuperCab breaks an important Auto Test record
Stepping up as we have through our Auto Tests of the Ford Ranger range over the past few weeks, we come to the middle of the range rap cab, as some like to call it, in biturbo Wildtrak configuration. When the New Ranger was first launched our first test of a biturbo Ranger proved quite significant. It was the fastest four-pot diesel bakkie we’d ever run.
So we were also keen to see if this stubbier caband-a-half would match that record mark, which still stood. An important one, considering two-litre turbodiesel bakkies are the most popular vehicle type in the market, and the Bakkie, and now Auto Test 0-100 has always been an important marker alongside toting and towing capacity, and the like.
Would this one match that 8.81 second zero to 100 km/h mark, or was it, as it has been occasionally over the years, just another bakkie maker turning up the boost because we’d crow on about a new record? Well, lo and behold, this one was even quicker.
Meet Auto’s new diesel bakkie test king Maybe it’s that its slightly lighter mass made a difference but meet the quickest four-pot turbodiesel bakkie we’ve ever tested. And yes, its once again a Ford Ranger. The new mark, by the by, is 8,61 seconds to one hundred, a couple of tenths clear of the double-cab XLT we ran last time, but that is of course just a small part if it. It is however certainly worth noting that four cylinder turbodiesels have come a long, long way in the 30 years that we’ve been testing them. Back then it was an honour to get into the eleven second bracket. And it took fifteen years to final break ten.
So that pretty well clears up that this bakkie is quick for what it is. Moving on then, it doesn’t end on the drag strip either. Ranger certainly looks the part and drives well too. In fact it’s among
the better bakkies out there to drive. The cab is harmonious with the chassis, which is also in fine tune with the suspension. Stiff, yet not harsh, Ford really has Ranger’s chassis well sorted. It feels safe, planted and satisfying to drive.
Ranger SuperCab: all the spec and still VAT free too
Best of all, perhaps, is the fact that single and super cab bakkies like this, are VAT free for business use cases to save you a further 15% in South Africa. And then Ford reckons this Super Cab Wildtrak stands completely alone in this segment when it comes to tech and capability. With which we must concur.
It packs an abundance of new technology. Being a Wildtrak, the Ford’s SYNC 4A infotainment steps up to a larger, and crisper full 12 inch portrait touchscreen. It wirelessly accommodates Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Wireless charging, high-definition 360-degree cameras as well as a much improved audio system.
Add multiple drive modes and towing luxuries, auto high beams, fully adaptive cruise control, roll over mitigation, active park assist, trailer inclusive BLIS with cross traffic alert, shift on the fly 4×4, FordPass Connect with remote start, trailer light check, and way, way more. Happily, the adaptive lane keep assist is easy to turn off if you don’t want the interference.
SuperCab Infotainment easy to use. Or is it?
The infotainment is simple to navigate, it’s not too overwhelming, and there are almost enough knobs and buttons too. When you are parked, that is. It does become more of a challenge to operate on the move, however.
This latest Ranger XLT brings a host of vital load bay improvements, better functionality, and better access too. Loadability is another Ranger
Over the weekend of October 4-5, Franschhoek became a car enthusiast’s haven when the second successive Franschhoek Classic Car Festival took place. On the Saturday, the grounds of the iconic Huguenot Monument hosted the festival’s signature ‘Forty of the Finest’ display. The show also celebrated 75 Years Of Formula One, with numerous displays featuring Grand Prix memorabilia. Other attractions included a Ford Perana tribute along with MG and BMW anniversary displays. FMM was represented at the historic site with four cars from the collection, the 1925 Type 23 Brescia Bugatti, the 1939 Lincoln Zephyr, the 1948 Hudson Commodore Coupe and the 1955 Studebaker President. The Spring day’s slightly windy conditions failed to cool the spirits of everyone who attended the open-air displays. On the Sunday, the festival moved to FMM and, thankfully, some early morning rain merely cleared the air for an otherwise ideal day for visitors to view the museum’s exhibits in the four halls, see the variety of other vehicles displayed around the quad, listen to the ex-Jody Scheckter 1974 Tyrrell-Ford 007 Formula One car being revved up, refresh themselves at either FMM’s Pit Stop Deli or the food truck situated in the quad, and even make purchases from a wide selection of L’Ormarins wines and other estate products. Book sales and bespoke motor racing art display/ sales also took place.
Additional vehicles on view were classic and modern examples of Alfa Romeos, Ferraris and Mercedes-Benzes as well as a superb Porsche GT3 RS. Two iconic race cars attracting lots of attention were an ex-TWR Jaguar XJ-S with bonnet off exposing its magnificent V12 engine, next to an iconic Ford GT40, both cars that were at the forefront of their respective classes of motor racing in their day. Finally, there was a line-up of some vintage motorcycles and classic cars that were taking part in the 3 700 km Great Tour and Great Train Race that began at the Heidelberg Train Station on September 27.
As last year, the festival was a sell-out. “Sunday was once more a success for us, with all available tickets sold out before midday,” said FMM Curator Sian Theron. “FMM congratulates the FCCF on another successful event and thanks all those visitors who joined us to celebrate all things motoring.”
plus. It swallows a Euro pallet, the tailgate doubles as a work bench and those sidesteps behind the rear wheels make the bak easy to access. Ranger of course looks the part, too. Aggro C-headlights and a mock F150 grille stand it apart. That subtle shoulder line helps breaks some bolder aspects. Like the wheel arches and sharp taillights each side of that Ranger embossed tailgate. Our ruby red bakkie really looked the part, complimented by smart grey wheels and trim.
SuperCab stars on, and off the road
The real Ford Ranger advantage is that it’s a splendid bakkie to drive. Smooth, sophisticated, and pleasing, it is comfortable and very quiet too. Welldamped and positive on the road, it runs off the tar with aplomb too. It brings SUV and carlike culture to the bakkie world. And that’s more than well borne out by this particular ocick-up’s record tendencies. Untouchable on the road, Ford’s done a marvellous job on matching this latest 154 kW 500 Nm Eastern Cape-built biturbo to a fine chassis and around a tech-packed cabin to keep any driver beyond happy. Add Ford’s backup, warranty and add-ons up to 200,000 km, and the Ranger Wildtrak Super Cab becomes a most compelling option.
And then it’s a record breaker on the drag strip too, and you’d never believe how important that is. Even if this is just a bakkie after all!
Images & testing: Giordano Lupini
ROAD TESTED: Ford
So if you don’t need the back doors and seat of a double cab, and a single cab is too small and nowhere near sophisticated enough, then this fine bakkie has to be a no-brainer. Sure, it has its niggles, but the rest of it is beyond compelling enough to overlook all that in an instant.
*Catch all Michele & Giordano Lupini’s motoring adventuresonhttps://theauto.page
There are a surprising number of uniquely South African cars, and perhaps none more so rare than the Caracal. Conceived in the late-1980s by Intermotormakers, a Cape Town company established in the mid1970s to assemble Lamborghinis and Lotuses. Gerrie Steenkamp was the driving force behind the car’s design and overall development. Local rally driver Nic de Waal was responsible for most of the engineering work, which utilised a mid-mounted VW Golf Mk.2 GTi 16V powertrain subframe along with other Golf hardware and a number of fabricated suspension components. The glass fibre body was laminated to a subframe that was rubber mounted to the chassis to reduce NVH. The car was named Caracal after a wild cat native to Africa, Central Asia, Southwest Asia and India.
was written off in an accident, and the fourth is the example now part of the FMM collection. First registered in 1996, it was widely used as a show car and has just completed a refurbishment in the FMM workshop.
Four cars were built during 1989/90. The first, with a Ford Escort 1,6-litre motor, is believed to be in PE but in need of repair, while the second was destruction tested by VWSA. The first Mk.2 version
FMM’s opening times are Monday to Friday 10h00 to 17h00 (last admittance 16h00), Saturday and Sunday 10h00 to 16h00 (last admittance 15h00). 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 car’s looks have not really dated and the build integrity is strong. It would not have taken much to turn Caracal into a pukka production vehicle, but at the time VW was launching the first Golf convertible so its fate was already sealed.
A case of what might have been... The Caracal is currently on display in Hall B.
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
We live in a spectacular part of the world. A recent stroll through the Berg River Dam conservancy with some friends reminded us of it. You cannot help to stop in awe at the magic of hiking through a priority catchment area, with some of the cleanest mountain water running off pristine slopes. Ancient rock art confirms that the beauty and abundance of the region attracted humans for thousands of years. The full Berg River Dam, and waterfalls aplenty along the hike made it easy to forget those days of hosepipe bans and “Day Zero” looming over our cities and towns. Those memories should never be far from our minds, though, and the next dry cycle can be around the corner.
A stroll through nature also shows off the splendour of what is one of the biodiversity hotspots of the world. The Fynbos region has fascinated botanists for hundreds of years, and our local plant species have been commercialised across the world. I am therefore horrified when seeing how our landscaping trends have transitioned back to the use of subtropical plants, expansive lawns and thirsty trees. Let us not forget the lessons of the past, and let’s focus on those plants that have proven to withstand our harsh dry summers. As we are seeing the effects of climate change around us, we must make our gardens (and our lives) more resilient to the onslaughts of nature.
There are many things you can do to climateproof your garden, and many of my past articles have been focused on this topic. November is still a good month to apply a decent layer of mulch throughout the garden. Wait for rain before applying, or irrigate the bed well before and after application. This will trap moisture in the soil and protect the soil organisms from fluctuations in temperature, whilst feeding them slowly. Soil health equals plant health, and healthy plants are survivors. Slow-releasing fertiliser ensures that there is no soft new growth that can be attacked by pests or destroyed by hot dry winds. We prefer feeding the soil and not our plants, but have found that foliar feeding is a great tool during periods of
plant stress. You must wait for a cooler day, though, or spray early evenings to prevent leaf burn. We use a balanced organic fish-based emulsion, but also find value in applying silica to strengthen the cell structure of the plants. This gives resistance to wind and drought, and prevents pests and diseases. But despite our best efforts, our gardens will not flourish through a dry period without the correct choice of plants. Get out in the mountains, or visit a botanical garden, and take pictures of those plants that have adapted to our conditions. Keep those notes for next winter when we are back in landscaping season; November is getting late for establishing new gardens.
Where you should still be planting, is in the vegetable garden. Focusing your resources on your productive garden will pay off well, and will bulletproof you against scarcity and inflation while building the immunity of your family. Annual medicinal herbs must go out into the garden now to ensure ample vegetative growth until flowering. Most summer vegetables can still be sown or transplanted, and the nurseries are a great source of seedlings and ready-to-fruit plants that will help fill your pantry quicker. Water intelligently in response to your soil type and local climate – both over- and under watering can harm your crop. My kitchen is still quiet with all the garden and nursery work out there, but it is the month where the first summer fruit starts coming in. Get your hands on some peaches or nectarines and dust off the canning equipment. An early start will give you something to brag with at the Christmas table and provide you with authentic gifts. We will soon have a glut of summer fruit; find new ways of presenting it fresh or lightly cooked, and preserve the excess.
Happy gardening!
Ant Lena: The Heart Behind Groendal’s Garden
On the corner of Hermitage Street in Groendal, a burst of colour greets everyone who passes by. It’s the 76-year-old Lena Hoffman, lovingly known to locals as Ant Lena, who is the heart behind the beautiful project.
When you see her in town, dressed in bright fabrics that reflect her joyful personality, you immediately sense her warmth. Her home, always open to friends and neighbours, overflows with flowers, stories, and hospitality. “There’s a story behind each plant,” she says with a smile – and it’s true.
Years ago, locals had to look at a garbage heap across from her house. But when Charles Ravell, a friend of her late husband, suggested transforming it into a community garden, a spark was lit. Together with a small group of residents, the One Love team brought the vision to life. The Municipality soon joined in, providing plants and a bench, while most of the greenery came straight from Ant Lena’s own garden.
After losing her husband in 2017, the project took on new meaning. “This garden is my second marriage,” she says softly. “It’s where I put my love and time now — something we used to do together.” Today, the space stands as a beautiful symbol of transformation and care, where neighbours stop to admire the flowers instead of walking past piles of litter.
In 2023, Ant Lena’s hard work and devotion were recognised when she received first prize in the Mayor’s Garden Competition, hosted by the Stellenbosch Municipality, a proud moment among 186 entrants.
Her love for the earth runs deep, rooted in her childhood in the Northern Cape, near the Orange River. Growing up on a small farm, she learned early on how to wash, sew and tend to plants. At just 15, she left school to work in the nearby town of Pella, where she fell in love with the delicate pink flowers of the kosmos – still a favourite in her garden today.
Her upbringing was rich with lessons in resourcefulness. “Nothing went to waste,” she recalls. “We used manure as fertiliser, pumpkin seeds in the garden and animal skins for warmth.” Even as children, she and her siblings improvised sewing
needles from thorns. These early years taught her the value of using what the land provides; a lesson that still guides her gardening today.
In 1971, when she turned 21, Ant Lena moved to Franschhoek for work. She began in housekeeping and kitchen work, but her heart always stayed close to the soil. Inspired by her aunt’s love for gardening, she carried that same passion into her adult life. Over the years, she’s built not just a garden, but a living reminder of resilience.
She’s grateful for the support of locals such as Hannetjie, Michael and Marius from the Stellenbosch Municipality, who often assist her and for the visit of international garden designer Leon Kluge, who recently stopped by and praised the beauty of her space.
Ant Lena dreams of one day hosting tourists for a cup of tea in her garden to share stories, laughter, and the peace that blossoms from her little corner of Groendal. “My hope,” she says, “is that when I can no longer care for it, someone else will continue. We must teach the next generation to love the earth.”
Before you leave her garden, she’ll likely offer a few simple tips. Reminders of the wisdom she’s gathered over a lifetime:
Even if your garden is small, start where you are.
Don’t wear gloves; feel the soil with your hands.
Talk to your plants, tell them they’re beautiful.
And as her friend Charles Ravell adds with a smile, “When you plant a seed, believe that it will come up.”
Die Franschhoek Leeskring was bevoorreg om besoek te ontvang van Irma Venter, ‘n bekroonde joernalis en skrywer. Sy het haar boek ‘Al Wat Tel’ bespreek asook haar nuwe boek ‘Die Drie Weduwees’ bekendgestel. Maretha Hugo was gelukkig genoeg om die nuwe boek as geskenk te ontvang.
Op 23 Oktober besoek Elkarien Fourie die Leeskring. Sy bespreek ‘Draaie, Swaaie en Afdwaal Paaie’, waarin ook een van haar reisverhale opgeneem is.
Kom sluit op 13 November by ‘n Kreatiewe Woorde Werkswinkel aan. Koste: R50 . Navrae: Hester 0849009060 VLNR: Liesl van den Ende, Ingrid Maritz, Hester Strumpfer en Irma Venter
‘n Vrolike Musiek-en-Storie Konsert
Met meer as 40 jaar se ervaring in die musiekbedryf, het die gewilde sangpaar François en Elizabeth Fourie, ‘n wonderlike storie om te vertel, en menige bekende treffers om te deel – en 2025 is die jaar waarin hulle landwyd toer om hierdei besondere optrede na hulle aanghangers te bring. François en Elizabeth bied die nostalgiese vertoning aan in samewerking met Fleur de Lis Tehuis in Franschhoek. Dit sal plaasvind in die NG Kerksaal, op Vrydag 28 November 2025, om 10h00. François en Elizabeth is immer-geliefd en het ‘n besondere sprankel op die verhoog. Met treffers soos ‘Wil jy dans, Carina?’, ‘Ek hou van jou’, ‘Vredendal tot Beestekraal’ en ‘Meer as Woorde’ het hierdie twee ‘n tydlose musiek geskep wat vandag nog in aanvraag is.
Enigiemand wat al ‘n vertoning bygewoon het, ervaar egter veel meer as net ‘n lekker ligte vermaaklikheidskonsert. François en Elizabeth dra blydskap oor, wat van binne af kom. Kom kuier heerlik saam!
‘Education is the most powerful weapon you have to change the world’: Nelson Mandela
Last year we assisted 27 local young people with their tertiary education by part funding their courses and, where required, transport costs. As in some cases their university studies and vocational college courses have been successfully completed, we seek to find other deserving students to replace them; and also to augment our existing cohort. Most will no doubt as before, be recommended to us by local high schools, and so we encourage their principals to be in touch with us before the 10th of December 2025 date when applications close.
Our application form is available to be downloaded on our website: https:/www.francosa. co.za/student-programme. Once completed, the form should be sent to our Chief Operating Officer, Tzilka Watson by email at francofranschhoek@ gmail.com Further information can be obtained by contacting her on 060 374 0353.
At FRANCO, we love to see our students succeed in their educational journey and then more often than not, give back to their communities once their professional lives are established, This applies particularly for those who, for example become lawyers, social workers, nurses and teachers. Their subsequent involvement in programmes that are geared towards investing back in the success of the Franschhoek Valley and its vulnerable residents is encouraged.
To be considered for a tertiary [i.e. post high school] studies bursary, a minimum 65% average grade for matriculants is required. We have no limitations on the courses to be embarked upon, be they at a university, another accredited educational entity or
Every year, Franschhoek Hospice gifts Christmas Boxes to our patients. This year we’d like to put together 50 boxes.
We are once again asking our regular supporters and the wider community to assist us by donating any of the following items that will go into the boxes.
Non-perishable foods – rice, soup, mealie meal, jungle oats, beans, chakalaka, pilchards, corned beef, macaroni, spaghetti, etc.
Toothpaste & toothbrushes; Dark coloured facecloths; Deodarant – male /female; Bars of soap – Lux, Protex or Dettol soap; Aqueous cream, body lotion; Prep cream; Ensure – any flavour
vocational college. The progress of our supported students is closely monitored. Their awarded grades must be good enough to warrant funding for each succeeding year.
A shining successful example of one of our supported students is Amy Davids, who is now a candidate attorney with a leading legal firm.
For her, the road to becoming an attorney has been paved with opportunity, mentorship, and determination. She is profoundly grateful to FRANCO for initially assisting with transportation as well as stationery and books during her studies in 2020 and thereafter for tuition and related costs. We also provided the fees for her Practical Vocational Training for Legal Practice (law school).
“Their support has opened doors that would have otherwise been difficult to access,” she says. “It has allowed me to pursue my legal education with focus, determination, and confidence.” Currently completing her articles at C&A Friedlander Attorneys, Amy has gained hands-on experience and mentorship that have strengthened her legal skills and shaped her professional growth. “The combination of FRANCO’s support and the firm’s guidance has made the path to my admission as an attorney much clearer and achievable than I could have imagined.”
Donations must please be dropped off at Hospice House by 28 November. Monday to Friday 08h30 to 13h00.
* * *
During the upcoming Cap Classique & Campagne Festival on 29 & 30 November Franschhoek Hospice will once again be selling freshly baked croissants filled with salmon/trout, cream cheese chives. For only R80 these are decadent tummy fillers, while tasting all the bubbles! Please come support us.
Siegfried Schäfer
Dear Readers I recently received a newsletter from The Greater Tygerberg Partnership (GTP) focussing on the challenges of waste management in South Africa. It makes for worrying reading.
A SALGA report, quoted in the newsletter, states, “We generate an estimated 122 million tonnes of waste every year, but only about 10–16% is recycled.” The rest ends up in landfills, or never makes it there and pollutes our environment. It also points out that many landfills are operating beyond capacity/compliance and that regulatory delays and lack of suitable sites are further throttling authorities’ capacity to deal with the mountains of solid waste we create.
Inasmuch as waste is being recycled, 80% of recycling is being done by the informal sector. Finding lasting solutions to our waste crisis is critical. As the email stated, it is “a national emergency demanding innovative, inclusive, and scalable solutions.”
Two Recommendations
Dear Editor,
This month I would like to make use of this portal to bring to the attention of all hairdressing clients who used to make use of Charlene April or Faieza Jeppie (appointments - 076-369 0112) that I have tracked down. They have joined Beauty Bar in Franschhoek and are situated at the top of Wilhelmina Street, but the easiest is to travel to the Franschhoek Monument, turn right and right again. There is ample parking on the open space by the black gate. This is behind the Perfumery. Ring the bell and they will open for you and you can walk in. I was so happy to find them that I thought it was worthwhile sharing with all in Franschhoek. On a different subject altogether. I hope all in Franschhoek are making use of Let’s Fixit which is
The GTP’s Trolley and Recycling Project, launched in 2019, is a prime example of how to tackle the problem. It “has become a ‘living lab’, an urban ecosystem where waste management, social empowerment, public-private partnership, and design thinking converge to produce tangible impact.” The project evolved from “providing upgraded trolleys for waste pickers to a buy-back centre that integrates informal recyclers into formal markets.” Very few other places are making this kind of investment in the circular economy and even if they did, by itself, it still wouldn’t be enough.
In Europe, 44% of waste is recycled (the preferred alternative) and another 17% is incinerated (usually with the aim of energy recovery). This still leaves around another 40% that goes to landfill – a figure I find surprisingly high.
Back on our Western Cape shores, the situation is also far from ideal. Numerous landfill sites are over capacity and a growing number of towns no longer have their own landfill sites, instead sending their waste to landfill sites elsewhere.
Paarl, for example, uses the Wellington landfill site or sends waste even further afield at great cost to ratepayers. It was a natural candidate for a waste incineration facility. Such a facility would address the stream of waste, save cost and
generate electricity. Anyway, the proposal died in a storm of controversy – much of it misguided in my view – and Paarl ratepayers are still paying for more costly options to deal with their waste.
A few days after I received the aforementioned newsletter, the Daily Maverick reported on a review of the National Waste Management Strategy and the state’s mismanagement of tyre recycling. Consider the following:
SA generates more than 250,000 tonnes of used tyres each year. The state has collected more than R5 billion in levies on new tyres, yet less than half of that has reached the Waste Bureau – the body that is mandated to deal with waste tyres. The state’s National Waste Management Strategy 2020 (which is currently under review) has only shown concrete results on 3 out of 67 outcomes.
“What counted as “success” were consultations, social media posts and policy launches — not cleaner streets or more recycling.”
What is even more frustrating is that previously there was a functioning system in place. “Between 2013 and 2017, the Redisa tyre plan proved that
South Africa could manage a waste stream successfully. Tyre recycling rose from 4% to 42%.
More than 3,000 jobs were created and 226 small businesses were launched. Twenty-two waste tyre collection centres were built.” (The Supreme Court of Appeal found in 2019 that this system was shut down illegally by the state in 2017.)
Rather than kicking our waste management problem down the proverbial road and/or trying to come up with new-fangled approaches where we already have proven methodologies, we should be doubling down on what we already know works.
On a more general level, we need to remind ourselves that development invariably comes with both costs and benefits. If we only focus on the benefits, we’ll end up imposing costs on ourselves. If we only focus on the costs, we’ll end up imposing stagnation on ourselves. Real progress requires us to consider the balance of costs vs benefits and structuring development in a way that provides more benefits than costs. Until next month!
part of the Stellenbosch Municipality (Whatsapp only 076 951 0768). It is amazing to make use of them for all our problems in Franschhoek, such are roads (potholes), electricity, water, etc. etc. They are super efficient and you can expect a reaction within a very short space of time, depending on the problem. You will be issued with a reference number which means you can follow up if there is no reaction. I have not had any need for follows us, jobs are always done.
Summer is on its way!! Enjoy Franschhoek!!
Alta Malherbe
Sporting Wasteland
We have a wasteland in the centre of our village. Many of us pass it every day. We have become so used to it that no one even comments anymore.
The Sports Facilities of the Franschhoek High School were literally high jacked and completely destroyed. It is almost criminal that the school with a strong enthusiastic sporting history now has nothing at all!
We have lived here for more than fifty years, our children attended the school. We watched many an athletic, tennis, rugby and netball match often from the vantage point of the grand stand.
There was a specially constructed Athletics track, a rugby field, tennis courts, a netball court and a swimming pool and a grand stand. Now there is nothing!
Who is responsible for this devastating destruction and who is responsible for rebuilding it?
Thousands of children over the years and years to come have been, desperately deprived and it
is not as if all those facilities were not being used every day and in perfect order.
Who gave the permission? The whole situation smacks of some sort of deal!
On top of that whole sad story is the school hostel. We put up with months of excruciating noise while the top floor was dismantled….why and for what?
The strangest thing is that The Tatler was given a diagram of how it would be laid out and what we could all expect from the “development”. Now, there is no one to talk to… all concerned have disappeared like the morning mist!
If anyone knows what the future holds please can the village be informed!
We are very puzzled residents…
C Dendy Young
“You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.”(C.S.Lewis)
Divorce is traumatic, to the extent that it’s widely considered to be the second most stressful life event (behind only the death of a spouse, and ahead of marital separation and going to jail!).
But if you’ve come to the conclusion that your marriage is so unhappy or toxic that you have no alternative but to put an end to it, you’ll need to know how to go about obtaining a divorce, and what your legal rights are.
The whole process can feel overwhelming, but it needn’t be. Here’s a clear, simplified overview, followed by a Q & A section to address some of the concerns and queries you may be grappling with. Here are some of the commonly asked questions:
1. Do I have grounds for divorce?
Our law has since 1979 had a “no fault” concept, so all you must show is that your marriage has broken down irretrievably, with no reasonable possibility of reconciliation. Mental illness or coma are other grounds for divorce but fortunately they rarely apply.
2. How long does it all take?
In an uncontested divorce (depending on how quickly you reach agreement, how busy the courts are, and a myriad of other factors) you should work on between three and six months. A complex contested divorce on the other hand could take years, particularly when fought bitterly through all the appeal courts.
3. How are our children protected?
Parenting plans, care and contact, maintenance and schooling arrangements can and should be settled by agreement if possible. Otherwise, the Family Advocate’s office can help – it’s a free and impartial service, tasked with protecting the welfare of children through investigation, mediation, reporting and making recommendations to the court. If you are still deadlocked and leave it to the court to decide one way or the other, bear in mind that our courts always put your children’s best interests first – no exceptions.
4. What about maintenance for me and our children?
Both of you must contribute to the reasonable financial needs of your children based on your respective financial positions, and child maintenance orders in favour of the parent with primary care (“custody” in the old terminology) are commonly granted. Orders for spousal maintenance (“alimony” in American legalese) are less common and depend on a host of factors. You may also be able to claim interim maintenance pending the divorce.
5. How much will this cost me?
We can give you an idea of the likely cost based on whether or not the divorce is contested and the complexity of the issues involved. A simple, uncontested divorce will always be the least costly option. If the divorce is contested and you can’t
afford to pay legal fees, you may be entitled to a contribution to your legal costs from your spouse. Sometimes, when granting a disputed divorce, a court will order one of you to pay the other’s costs, but the general rule is that each of you will pay your own costs. And of course you can always agree between yourselves who pays what costs.
6. What assets will I get?
What you are legally entitled to depends largely on whether you are married in community of property or out of community of property (with or without accrual), and on what your ante-nuptial contract (if you made one) says. The court also has wide discretion to order a redistribution of assets in your favour in appropriate cases – and of course you can agree between the two of you to divide assets any way you want.
7. What if there’s domestic abuse?
We’ll help you get an urgent protection order to keep you and your children safe.
8. I really don’t want this to go to trial, how can I avoid that?
Mediation is often an effective way to help parties reach an agreement on contentious issues. The reality is that most divorce disputes are eventually settled by agreement – if not upfront, then “on the steps of the court”, or perhaps only after battle has begun and everyone can see which way the wind’s blowing.
9. What about interim measures pending the divorce?
The law makes provision for interim relief pending finalisation of the divorce, such as interim maintenance, care of children and a contribution towards legal costs.
Talk to us if you’re considering divorce – or even if you just want to understand your options.
Credit to LawDotNews and Falck Incorporated Attorneys.
Warm weather rest is a bed that feels cool, light, and endlessly inviting.
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Find these and more sleep sanctuary essentials at the Granny Goose Sleeplab in Franschhoek
Visit us for expert advice and experience our products fi rst-hand.
Shop 1, 22 Huguenot St, Franschhoek, 7690
Hours: Mon-Friday 9am – 6pm Weekends 9am – 5pm
Phone: 021 863 5505
Granny Goose is available in Granny Goose stores, @home stores and online www.athome.co.za/brand/granny-goose
On 19 June this year, a fire broke out in the attic of our Bordeaux House Gallery
Thanks to the swift action and incredible support of the Franschhoek community, no one was harmed and most of our artworks were safely removed
We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our Franschhoek friends, neighbours, fellow business owners and first responders who dropped everything to come to our aid that day Your kindness and generosity mean the world to us
Please join us as we celebrate the reopening of our gallery – with a cup of coffee or a glass of bubbly and a sweet treat
Saturday, 15 November 11am – 2pm Bordeaux House, 4 Bordeaux Street , Franschhoek
Coleridge’s famous definition of poetry as ‘the best words in the best order’ has had me thinking lately about just what this could mean. Who decides what is ‘best’? The poet? The reader? A literary reviewer?
When I write, I’m constantly searching for words, phrases, lines that ‘work’ – but I often have no clear idea of how, or why, or even if, they do so. It’s a struggle. That’s why I almost always leave any draft of a supposedly ‘completed’ poem alone, put it aside and ignore it for a while, letting my mind loose on something else entirely before returning another time, another day, another week, to face the poem again.
Usually, this act of temporary desertion forces me to see the piece afresh – its faults and infelicities of phrasing, shape or expression – and allows me to edit more easily. Sometimes, of course, I re-read with embarrassment, realising that something I’d thought was quite promising either needs a complete revision or is fit only for the bin.
But just occasionally it permits me to recognise a word or phrase that feels exactly right. That is always a pleasing moment. Truth be told, it is often the expression that finds me rather than the other way around.
When it succeeds, I feel (or at least hope) that an image emerges in just the most fitting, compact form to render it sharply memorable without descending into cliché.
When, years ago, I first read Ted Hughes’s poem ‘The Horses’, one phrase hit me immediately as exactly, unimprovably right and I have never forgotten it.
Hiking one early morning up to the high moorland tops to watch the winter sunrise, apparently the
only moving creature in a dark and petrified ancient landscape, he happens upon a group of horses waiting patiently in the mist for daylight. They are totally immobile, standing as if frozen.
The scene feels almost primordial. The horses stand “megalith-still” as if carved from stone out of the landscape itself.
And that’s the phrase that has stayed with me. The whole poem is wonderfully paced, and that phrase fits perfectly into its spookily mythic atmosphere.
The Horses
I climbed through woods in the hour-beforedawn dark.
Evil air, a frost-making stillness,
Not a leaf, not a bird—
A world cast in frost. I came out above the wood
Where my breath left tortuous statues in the iron light. But the valleys were draining the darkness
Till the mooring—blackening dregs of the brightening grey—
Halved the sky ahead. And I saw the horses:
Huge in the dense grey—ten together— Megalith-still. They breathed, making no move, with draped manes and tilted hind-hooves, Making no sound.
I passed: not one snorted or jerked its head. Grey silent fragments
Of a grey silent world.
I listened in emptiness on the moor-ridge. The curlew’s tear turned its edge on the silence.
Slowly detail leafed from the darkness. Then the sun Orange, red, red erupted
Silently, and splitting to its core tore and flung cloud, Shook the gulf open, showed blue,
And the big planets hanging— I turned
Stumbling in the fever of a dream, down towards The dark woods, from the kindling tops,
And came to the horses.
There, still they stood,
But now steaming and glistening under the flow of light,
Their draped stone manes, their tilted hind-hooves Stirring under a thaw while all around them
The frost showed its fires. But still they made no sound. Not one snorted or stamped,
Their hung heads patient as the horizons, High over valleys in the red levelling rays—
In din of crowded streets, going among the years, the faces,
May I still meet my memory in so lonely a place
Between the streams and red clouds, hearing the curlews, Hearing the horizons endure.
Ted Hughes
(from Ted Hughes: New Selected Poems 19571994, Faber & Faber, 1995)
Twist, by Colum
McCann
Publ: Bloomsbury, 239 pages
I’ve always counted Colum McCann’s Let the Great World Spin and Apeirogon among the rare novels I’d call masterpieces—works of grace and daring that stretch the boundaries of empathy itself. Twist, his new book, came as a complete surprise. On paper, its premise sounds almost mechanical: the repair of an underwater internet cable. Hardly the kind of subject one associates with McCann’s luminous storytelling. And yet, from the first pages, it becomes clear that he’s after something more intimate. Beneath the technical surface lies a meditation on how we connect—to others, to meaning, to ourselves—and how easily those links fray.
Twist is one of McCann’s most inward-looking novels. It unfolds entirely through the mind of Fennel, a drifting, middle-aged writer who once had promise but now survives on minor assignments. When he’s sent to South Africa to report on the ships that maintain the planet’s submerged cables, the task seems routine: a few days at sea, a few quotes from engineers, an easy human-interest story. But as the horizon closes around him, something begins to stir. The ocean’s depth and stillness seep into the narrative—and then Fennel meets Conway, the ship’s enigmatic captain, whose calm authority conceals unspoken tension.
lesser hands, he might feel like a cliché of mystery, but McCann keeps him alive and unpredictable. We can never quite tell where Fennel ends and Conway begins, or how much of what we see is real and how much imagined.
And then there is Zanele, a talented South African actress who is Conway’s partner. She departs for England to perform in a version of Becket’s Waiting for Godot that is a metaphor for climate change, which becomes a key part of the plot. Through her, the novel steadies itself. Zanele reminds both Fennel and the reader that real connection is less about fascination than about presence, about listening across the noise. She anchors the story to something solid and humane. McCann has always been drawn to the fragility of human bonds. In Let the Great World Spin, it was the tightrope stretched between the Twin Towers; in Apeirogon, two fathers linked by grief across a political divide. In Twist, the connecting thread hums beneath the sea—carrying our words and desires through darkness. It’s an image at once literal and mythic: the world bound together by invisible strands, each one vulnerable to rupture.
By the end, Twist feels less like a novel about technology than a quiet parable about loneliness and connection in the modern age. McCann turns the machinery of our wired world into a metaphor for the human condition: so much communication, so little true understanding. And yet, in his hands, there’s always a glimmer of hope that even through static, even in the depths, some signal of compassion still gets through.
The novel’s surface story—a journalist shadowing a repair crew—soon dissolves into something stranger. Fennel’s fascination with Conway becomes the book’s true current. Conway is one of those magnetic figures who resists understanding: both open and guarded, worldly and adrift. In
Reading Twist, I found myself pausing often— not to untangle the plot, but to savour its quiet intelligence, its subtle ache. McCann has taken the cold geometry of cables and found, pulsing within them, something profoundly alive. It’s a beautiful, unsettling book—one that reminds us that connection, however fragile, is still the thing that keeps the world from falling apart.
The Applicant, the Franschhoek Cableway Company (Pty) Ltd , has appointed Doug Jeffery Environmental Consultants (Pty) Ltd (DJEC) to provide the services of an Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP) to prepare an application for Environmental Authorisation (EA) for the proposed Franschhoek Cableway The application will be submitted in terms of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998), as amended (NEMA), and the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations, 2014 (as amended) (hereinafter referred to as the EIA Regulations)
The proposed Franschhoek Cableway triggers listed activities in terms of the EIA Regulations, which require that a Basic Assessment (BA) process be undertaken to identify , assess, and report on the potential environmental impacts of the proposed activities prior to any decision being made by the competent authority, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE).
The aim of this publication is to facilitate public understand ing of what has been done to date and what is to follow in the BA process, which consists of two main phases: the Pre-Application Phase and the Statutory Phase
THE CURRENT STATUS OF THE PROCESS
In accordance with Regulation 40(3) of the EIA Regulations:
• The public may be afforded an opportunity to comment on the proposal prior to the formal application being submitted; and
• The public have to be given another opportunity for comment after the application has been submitted to DFFE.
The Pre-Application Phase has to date been undertaken, which included early public participation and consultation with relevant authorities.
To date, no formal application has been submitted to DFFE, as the process is still within the Pre-Application Phase. When the formal application is ready for submission, all registered Interested and Affected Parties (I&APs) and relevant authorities will be given advance notice thereof, and the details of the forthcoming Statutory Phase and associated Public Participat ion Process (PPP) will also be clearly communicated.
THE STEP-BY-STEP BA PROCESS
1. Pre-Application Phase
The Pre-Application Phase is a voluntary process , and as such, there are no fixed statutory timeframes. Its purpose is to allow the Applicant and EAP to identify key environmental sensitivities, additional specialist requirements, and stakeholder concerns prior to the submission of the formal application.
Key steps include:
• Site Inspection and Sensitivity Verification : To identify and verify environmental, social, and economic aspects, sensitivities, potential constraints, and opportunities.
• Pre-Application Meeting with DFFE : The EAP meets with DFFE to confirm the appropriate environmental process to be followed.
• Appointment of Specialists and Specialist Assessments : The appointment of independent, qualified specialists with relevant expertise to assess environmental, social, and economic aspects, sensitivities, constraints, and opportunities.
• Compiling the Pre-Application Basic Assessment Report (BAR): Preparation of the Pre-Application BAR outlining the proposed development, specialist assessments, potential impacts, and preliminary mitigation measures.
• Pre-Application Process PPP: Gathering input on the proposal and the Pre-Application BAR by way of early engagement with potential I&APs and relevant authorities
• Drawing up the Draft BAR : Incorporation of inputs received during the Pre-Application PPP into the Draft BAR , revising the proposal and specialist assessments after considering comments and concerns raised.
After submission of the formal application to DFFE, the statutory timeframes commence with a second round of public participation being undertaken.
Key steps include:
• Submission of the EA Application : Lodging the application with DFFE, thereby initiating the statutory process
• Statutory PPP: Making the Draft BAR available to registered I&APs and relevant authorities for comment after submission of the application to DFFE
Please note: The comment period, in accordance with statutory timeframes, will be limited to 30 calendar days. No extensions wil l be granted. When the statutory PPP commences , all registered I&APs and authorities will be notified in advance thereof
• Consideration of Comments : All comments that are received from registered I&APs and authorities during the PPP will be formally recorded and responded to in a Comments and Response Report, which will then be included in the Final BAR.
• Compilation of the Final BAR : After the statutory PPP has concluded, the Final BAR will be compiled. Where required, revisions to the proposal and specialist assessments may be made to address comments or concerns that were raised.
• Submission of the Final BAR and Decision -Making: When the Final BAR is submitted to DFFE for consideration , all registered I&APs and authorities will be notified of the submission to enable them to review how their comments were addressed and incorporated into the final proposal.
• Decision: Within 107 days of the submission of the Final BAR, DFFE will issue a decision to the Applicant.
• Notification of the Decision : Once DFFE’s decision is issued, the EAP will inform all registered I&APs and authorities of the outcome.
The diagram below summarises the BA process, indicating the steps completed, those currently in progress, and those still to follow:
The BA process ensures that potential environmental, social, and economic impacts associated with the proposed Franschhoek Cableway are thoroughly assessed prior to any decision being taken by DFFE.
Furthermore, it also affords I&APs and authorities an opportunity to provide input on the proposal, supporting a transparent and well-informed assessment process that promotes sustainable development.
All registered I&APs and relevant authorities will be kept informed as the process unfolds
Once the formal EA application is submitted, details will be shared in advance of the statutory PPP, including information on how and where the Draft BAR can be accessed.
To ensure that all perspectives and environmental considerations are reflected in the decision-making process to be undertaken by DFFE, a key consideration will be on ensuring m eaningful participation by the public and relevant authorities
Male, 4 years old
Medium size
Dog and cat friendly Calm, docile,
energy.
Female, 2 years old
Small size
Dog friendly
A gentle heart and a shy personality that warms up very quickly when she senses safety and care.
Female, 4 years old
Scruffy, small size.
Dog friendly.
A
when she sense
and care.
Female, 6 month old
Medium size
Dog and kids friendly
Loves playing ball
A cuddlebug with a gentle heart and a shy personality. The ideal home would have a young dog sibling to play with.
Female, 6 month old
Medium size
Dog and kids friendly
Loves playing ball.
A cuddlebug with a gentle heart and a shy personality. The ideal home would have a young dog sibling to play with.
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
PLOT & PLAN RETIREMENT HOMES IN A SECURE FRANSCHHOEK ESTATE
PLOTS FROM R2 6 MILLION VAT INCL
La Luc Estate - A New Chapter of Modern Retirement living in Franschhoek
La Luc Estate in Franschhoek is a thoughtfully designed community that blends modern comfort, environmental care, and true homeownership Unlike traditional retirement villages, La Luc offers freehold ownership, providing residents with full legal title and flexibility to live their retirement years on their own terms With a fixed and carefully planned layout, the estate amenities ensure a peaceful, accessible environment where homes are designed for comfort
A full-service Clubhouse featuring a restaurant, gym, sauna, and swimming pool anchors the estate’s communal life, complemented by on-site wellness and frail-care facilities that cater to a variety of lifestyle needs The fully stocked trout dam provides a serene retreat framed by mountain views, while the pet-friendly ethos ensures every member of the family feels at home
Our goal is to create a vibrant, diverse community that balances modern living with Franschhoek s cherished character, all while maintaining transparency and open dialogue with Franschhoek’s residents
The La Luc Estate has been approved by the Council in line with the Retirement Act, receiving full municipal and environmental approvals, including a comprehensive Environmental Assessment that ensures the development meets all local and national standards The estate s Site Development Plan is fixed and strictly controlled, guaranteeing a limited number of homes designed for accessibility and minimal environmental impact
La Luc Estate was designed with its Franschhoek context in mind - to integrate naturally into the fabric of the community and surrounding landscape Every element, from the road layout to environmental considerations, was planned to complement existing neighbourhoods Before any site work began, a detailed Traffic Impact Assessment was undertaken in line with provincial standards to ensure seamless connectivity with the local road network The estate features woonerf-style roads, designed to naturally calm traffic and promote safe, shared use for pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles
After years in the making, and with plan approval in place, La Luc Estate is ready to become a reality - offering thoughtfully designed three and four bedroom homes within a secure Franschhoek address Developed by Staytus Collection, La Luc brings a new chapter of modern, freehold living to the valley - one that celebrates connection, comfort, and community in equal measure
Superb
Timeless Manor in Franschhoek - Refined country living
The property boasts two standalone homes, a separate studio, stables, lunging ring and arena. This well laid-out property has an established feel with mature trees and meandering driveway to the main home. Enchanting farm with olde world charm
This rare small farm blends heritage, beauty, and boundless potential. A short stroll from the village centre, it offers tranquillity amid ancient oaks, rustling leaves and sunlit vineyards.
of the estate’s finest positions. Nestled on the lower slopes of Franschhoek Pass, it combines secure estate living with the charm of a boutique wine farm. Plot Size 3216m2
Exceptional 14-hectare agricultural and equestrian smallholding between Franschhoek, Paarl, and Stellenbosch with sweeping mountain and river views. Includes a four-bedroom main house, two-bedroom cottage, stabling for eight horses, irrigated paddocks, and pear orchards. The second title offers space to build a dream home. Excellent water security and prime position among renowned wine farms. Price excludes VAT.