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Inau g uration Marks New Era at SU
In a ceremony rich in symbolism and celebration, Stellenbosch University (SU) inaugurated Prof Deresh Ramjugernath as its 13th Rector and Vice-Chancellor on 1 October 2025 at Endler Hall. Attended by leaders from academia, government and civil society, the event marked both a formal investiture and a declaration of his vision for the University’s future.
In his address, Ramjugernath spoke with humility and humour, honouring his predecessors and acknowledging the trust placed in him. He paid heartfelt tribute to his family and outlined eight strategic priorities for SU’s growth — from holistic transformation and digital modernisation to teaching excellence, wellbeing and social impact. He stressed that success would not be defined by rankings but by SU’s relevance and contribution to society.
Highlighting achievements such as the Biomedical Research Institute’s health breakthroughs and SU’s R4,5 billion local economic impact, Ramjugernath emphasised “authentic restitution” and inclusive transformation as central to his leadership. Transformation, he said, must extend through all facets of university life — from culture and research to administration and infrastructure.
Council Chair Dr Nicky Newton-King reaffirmed the Council’s support, while Deputy Minister of Higher Education Dr Mimmy Gondwe commended his academic leadership and commitment to transformation. Internal representatives echoed optimism and trust, with Prof Juanita Pienaar calling for a legacy of
belonging and Dr Theo de Jager affirming confidence in his stewardship: “We trust this ship in your hands.”
Performances by SU musicians, including the SU Choir and student soloists, celebrated unity and renewal.
As the procession exited Endler Hall to the triumphant sound of the SU Brass Ensemble, the message was unmistakable: a new and hopeful era has dawned for Stellenbosch University.
Text: SU | Image: Stefan Els
Growthpoint Investment in Cape Winelands Airport
Growthpoint Properties, the South African Real Estate Investment Trust with property assets valued at R155.8 billion, has made an initial investment in the Cape Winelands Airport precinct. The company will have rights to co-invest and develop the airport site, previously known as Fisantekraal Airfield.
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Under the agreement, Growthpoint will manage properties within the 450-hectare aviation precinct, excluding terminal buildings. The company will oversee logistics, commercial, and hospitality components, with first refusal rights on future property developments. Growthpoint will also supervise the main contractor to maintain institutional standards.
RSA Aero, which owns and operates Cape Winelands Airport, will lead aviation strategy and master planning. Growthpoint will contribute capital, property expertise, and sustainability management.
The project represents an estimated initial investment of approximately R8 billion. Pending Environmental Impact Assessment approvals, construction could begin in early 2026, with commissioning targeted for 2028.
Development will proceed in phases: runway and safety infrastructure first, followed by terminal, cargo, and industrial areas. The airport is planned to accommodate over five million passengers annually by 2050.
The development is expected to support approximately 35,000 direct and indirect jobs, potentially reaching over 100,000 during the first 20 years of operation.
Cape Winelands Airport plans to operate largely on renewable energy with water reuse systems. Growthpoint’s environmental, social, and governance framework will guide the project’s sustainability approach, aligned with the company’s carbon neutrality goal by 2050.
Once operational, the airport is intended to serve as an additional aviation gateway for the Western Cape, positioned to support the region’s logistics, trade, and tourism sectors.
Text: Editorial Desk | Images: CWA
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Professor Deresh Ramjugernath
Happy Birthday
Stellenbosch and Simon!
346 years ago, on 8 November 1679, Stellenbosch had a humble, but also romantic, birth when the brand new commander of the Cape, Simon Van der Stel, and his team crossed the Eerste River and set up camp on “een klein eilante rontsom met versch water omstroomt” (a little island surrounded by streaming fresh water).
On the western corner of the island was a forest, which immediately inspired Simon to baptise the place Stellenbosch.
The river split and formed and island at the ‘Ou Landbousaal’ - today housing Aunt Sophie’s Kitchen - with one branch running down today’s Dorp Street.
Simon’s own birthday was only weeks earlier, on 14 October. This year would have been his 386th birthday. His 40th birthday, two days after he stepped off the ship at the Cape, turned out to be a turning point: after crossing the oceans so many times since his birth, this would become his forever home. He would never leave the Cape.
Simon Van der Stel was born on 1639, on a ship somewhere on the Indian Ocean. His father, Adriaan, was on his way to become the first Mauritian Governor of the VOC (the Dutch East Indian Company) and his mother, Maria Lievens, was the daughter of VOC official Hendrick Lievens and Maria de Costa, who’d been an Indian-Malaysian slave before her marriage. In 1645, the Van der Stel family moved to Ceylon, today known as SriLanka. Simon was only six years old when his father was murdered in the following year by one of the Ceylon kings. Maria and her children then moved to Batavia. The next major event in Simon life came in 1659 at the age of 20, when he travelled to his father’s country, the Nederlands, for the very first time. He settled in Amsterdam, and within a few years
married the daughter of a colleague and mentor, Johanna Jacoba Six, in 1663. It was by all accounts not an idyllic marriage and when Simon was appointed the 10th Commander of the Cape of Good Hope in 1679, she chose to remain behind. They would never set eyes on each other again. But it does seem like they remained on friendly terms, and for the rest of her life until 1700 they remained in touch, sending each other money and furniture. Every child Simon had with her would visit him at the Cape, at least once. Two of their sons, Frans en Willem Adriaan, chose to settle at the Cape, but this did not turn out to be a source of endless joy to Simon.
Before Simon moved to the Cape, he became fascinated with winemaking. He jointly owned a wine estate with his friend Hendrik Adriaan van Rheede tot Drakenstein (that was his full name!) in Muiderberg in the Netherlands. In 1685, Van Rheede tot Drakenstein visited Simon at the Cape when he was en route to his new post as Governor General of Batavia. During their walk on a hill close to Coetzenburg, he looked down on Stellenbosch and instructed Simon to build a church and a ‘drostdy’ (the official residence and office of a magistrate) in the area. And just like that, the Cape was no longer a mere refreshment post, it became a real colony! It also meant that Simon was promoted to the first Governor of the Cape of Good Hope in 1691.
Construction of the church and drostdy began in 1686. Simon wasn’t there when the cornerstones were laid; he was travelling again, this time through Namaqualand. It is believed that he went as far north as the border of today’s Namibia, and then east to where Bloemfontein is today.
He died on his beloved farm Constantia, on 24 June 1712 – six years after his two no-good sons were expelled from the Cape – and today he lies buried in the ‘Groote Kerk’ (Big Church) in Cape Town. Simon van der Stel’s legacy includes the internationally renowned Cape wine industry. He also gave his name to Stellenbosch and Simonsberg, as well as Simon’s Town.
Text: Eduan A.J. Naudé
Images: Wikimedia
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The Stellenbosch University Theological Faculty is situated on what was an island in the Eerste River
Governor Simon van der Stel
Thoughts From My Kitchen
KITCHEN EXPERIMENTS WORTH TRYING
November always seems to speed by in a blur of lists, plans, and end-ofyear 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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Begrotingsvriendelike Breinkos
wat
jou Welstand Vermenigvuldig
Om goeie voeding te handhaaf, kan soos ’n luukse lyk wanneer kruideniersrekeninge styg en begrotings onder druk is. Die waarheid is dat strategiese voedselkeuses die krag het om jou geestelik skerp en fisies veerkragtig te hou – selfs met ’n beperkte begroting.
“Slim, bekostigbare voedselkeuses voed nie net jou liggaam nie, maar ondersteun ook geestelike helderheid en veerkragtigheid, wat jou help om lewensuitdagings met selfvertroue die hoof te bied,” sê dieetkundige en voedingkenner Mbali Mapholi namens Momentum Multiply Rewards Hier is drie kragvoedselkategorieë wat maksimum voedingswaarde teen minimale koste bied – plus een verrassende welstandsstrategie wat niks kos nie.
Oggendkrag: Hawer en Sorghum Volgraanprodukte soos hawer en sorghum bied ’n dubbele voordeel vir beide jou brein en jou dermkanaal. Ryk aan vesel, B-vitamiene en probiotika, help hierdie bekostigbare volgraanprodukte met spysvertering, verbeter fokus en bevorder emosionele balans. Hulle verskaf stadige, bestendige energievrylating wat luim en geestelike uithouvermoë ondersteun. Teen minder as R39,99 per kilogram bied sorghum meer proteïen as
baie duurder ontbytopsies, wat dit ’n slim keuse maak vir beide jou liggaam en jou beursie.
Middagstabiliseerders: Soetpatats
Teen sowat R29,99 per kilogram bied ’n bak warm soetpatats ’n ernstige voedingsinspuiting. Die natuurlike suikers voorsien bestendige energie sonder ’n insinking, terwyl die anti-inflammatoriese eienskappe help om breinmis te bestry wat produktiwiteit kelder. Ryk aan vitamiene A en C, is dit jou immuunstelsel se beste vriend gedurende verkoue- en griepseisoen.
Aandherstel: Peulgewasse & Spinasie
Sluit jou dag af met bestanddele wat aktief herstel en versterk. Peulgewasse soos bone en ertjies is uitstekende byvoegings tot sop en bredies en bied plantgebaseerde proteïen en vesel wat
dermgesondheid bevorder en voordelige bakterieë voed. Peulgewasse, teen gemiddeld R54,99 per kilogram, lewer proteïenvlakke vergelykbaar met duur vleisopsies. Gekombineer met ysterryke spinasie, ondersteun dit die produksie van neuroversenders wat bui en geheue reguleer. Hierdie kragtige kombinasie help jou brein om van daaglikse stres te herstel, terwyl dit inkopiekoste laag hou. Die nul-koste welstandsversterker: Menslike Verbondenheid!
Omhelsings word ernstig onderskat. Menslike verbondenheid – of dit nou ’n drukkie of bloot tyd saam met geliefdes is – veroorsaak die vrystelling van oksitosien, dopamien en serotonien: jou liggaam se natuurlike gemoedsversterkers en stresbestryders. Hierdie hormone verlaag kortisolvlakke, verbeter slaapgehalte en skep ’n gevoel van veiligheid. In tye van finansiële spanning bied hierdie gratis welstandsstrategie meetbare gesondheidsvoordele sonder enige koste.
Om proaktiewe stappe te neem na gesonder gewoontes en slimmer keuses is moontlik, ongeag jou begroting. Volledige gesondheid en welstand gaan nie oor groot veranderinge of duur oplossings nie – dit gaan oor konsekwente, slim keuses wat momentum bou.
Teks: Redaksie | Foto’s: Verskaf
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Infused Olive Oils & Flavoured Salts
Chantal Lascaris is the author of the highly successful ‘All Sorts of’ series of cook books. She’s also written another best seller called ‘The Ultimate Salad Book’. She maintains that she’s
It’s a Sign of the Wines
As the days grow longer and the promise of summer ripens in the air, Stellenbosch’s vineyards come alive in more ways than one. November is a time of celebration — of sunshine, new vintages and the easy pleasure of sharing a bottle (or two) in good company. From crisp rosés that mirror the blushing hillsides to bright, citrus-laced whites and silky reds made for al fresco dining, this season’s wines capture the spirit of renewal and abundance. It’s a sign of the times — and the wines — that there’s something in every glass to match the mood of the season.
WATERFORD ESTATE CHARDONNAY
Our Estate Chardonnay, from a vineyard planted in 1988, was the first white wine to earn a 5-star rating in Platter’s Wine Guide 2005. Renowned for its distinctive aromatics, vibrant acidity, and elegant saline finish, it exemplifies timeless finesse.
Cellar price per bottle: R330
GROENLAND STEENKAMP BUSH VINE PINOTAGE 2022
This wine was made from handpicked grapes from 20 year old Pinotage bush vines on the fertile slopes of Groenland. It is a full-bodied Pinotage with generous notes of Mulberry and Blackberry and a hint of Vanilla on the nose. Gentle lingering spiciness and velvety tannins. Serve with grilled or roasted meats like lamb, beef, and duck, hearty stews and BBQ dishes, as well as spicy food like Cape Malay curry. Also pairs well with rich chocolate desserts and charcuterie platters.
Cellar price per bottle: R335
CAVALLI WARLORD 2022
Notes of ripe black plum, blackberry compote, and Black Forest cake, layered with hints of cedar spice and subtle cocoa. The wine reveals a delicate mid-palate, with well-rounded tannins that complement its elegant weight and the poised, well-balanced acidity that is characteristics of Cavalli.
Cellar price per bottle: R330
AALDERING WOMEN OF THE WORLD PINOTAGE ROSÉ 2024 (MAGNUM)
This salmon pink wine shows prominent strawberry and candy floss aromas, supported by a medley of raspberry and strawberry notes. The sweet red berry flavours are balanced by delicate tart cherry flavours and hints of pink marshmallow. Balanced acidity supports a full body. Enjoy with salmon and fresh garden salads – or simply as an aperitif. Each magnum bottle is presented in a gift box with a red ribbon.
Cellar price per (Magnum) bottle: R365 (Usually R550)
DE MEYE SYRAH 2023
A burst of red fruit explodes onto the palate and lingers, red plum and black cherry flavours stand out layered with an intriguing and appealing subtle note of white pepper. Red fruit and sweet spice aromas are equally prominent on the palate. The spice notes evolve into a mouthwatering savouriness, loads of fruit and an elegant fresh finish.
Cellar price per bottle: R150
JORDAN DRY ROSÉ 2024
The Jordan Dry Rosé – where elegance meets flavour. Featuring the Amaryllis belladonna on its label which captivates the bloom’s cultural significance and aesthetic allure. The wine captures crunchy summer plum from the Merlot and spiced berry fruit from the Shiraz. Made from perfectly picked grapes and free-run juice, this luminous, dry wine offers a blend of redblushed fruit and a hint of blood orange citrus. Its rounded mid-palate, reminiscent of strawberries and cream, adds depth and complexity.
Cellar price per bottle: R162.00
Om ’n Wynboer in Stellenbosch Te Wees
Stellenbosch is die wêreldbekende hart van die Suid-Afrikaanse wynbedryf. Maar, onder al die glans en glorie, is die boer.
Stellenbosch is die hart van die SuidAfrikaanse wynbedryf, die fokus van al die glans en glorie, waar fortuine gemaak en verloor word, en die tuiste van sommige van die bekendste wynhandelsmerke in die wêreld.
Maar onder dit alles, net buite sig, is die boere – dalk meer gepoleer as jou gemiddelde Vrystaatse boer (soos my ma altyd sê, die Stellenbosch-boere skuif net al die gebreekte masjinerie agter die skuur) – aan die einde van die dag is dit steeds net ’n plaas, met al die probleme wat enige ander plaas ervaar, van gebreekte trekkers tot die oortrokke koöperasie rekening.
As jy mooi kyk, kan jy hulle nog sien, verweerde, songebrande boere wat stilletjies die grond bewerk. Tog het hul teenwoordigheid oor die jare al hoe skaarser geword, selfs al strek baie van hierdie landboufamilies se wortels veel verder terug as die bekende restaurante en proelokale in die streek.
In Stellenbosch is die gemiddelde markprys vir landbougrond wat vir wynbou gebruik word ongeveer R1 miljoen plus per hektaar. Wanneer dit egter vir ontwikkelingsdoeleindes gekoop word, kan daardie selfde grond tot R5 miljoen per hektaar haal.
Vinpro se maatstaf vir die gelykbreekpunt van produksiekoste in die streek is ’n inkomste van R80 115 per hektaar in 2024. Gebaseer op die gemiddelde opbrengs van 6,2 ton per hektaar en ’n druiweprys van R9 143 per ton (SAWIS), is die waarskynlike inkomste net R56 686 per hektaar — ver onder die gelykbreekdrempel. Hierdie skerp gaping illustreer die finansiële druk waaronder baie druiweprodusente in die omgewing verkeer.
Om langtermyn volhoubaarheid te verseker, sal produsente ’n volhoubare inkomste van R125 123 per hektaar moet behaal. Wanneer die landbouwaarde van die grond met sy ontwikkelingspotensiaal vergelyk word, sal ’n boer meer as 200 jaar winsgewend moet boer om die verskil in grondwaarde gelyk te stel.
Dit het daartoe gelei dat Stellenbosch tussen 2013 en 2023 sowat 11,7% van sy
wingerde verloor het — van 13 382 hektaar tot net 11 815. Dis ’n ontnugterende syfer, en dis waar die vurige debatte gewoonlik begin. Beskuldigings van opportunistiese ontwikkelaars vlieg rond, gemoedere loop hoog, en wynliefhebbers skaar hulle agter die idee van bewaring. Maar as jy die syfers mooi bestudeer, begin ’n ander storie ontvou.
Van die 1 567 hektaar wat verlore gegaan het, is slegs sowat 91,5 hektaar ontwikkel — en 72 van daardie hektaar kom uit net twee groot ontwikkelings. Al gryp daardie projekte dalk die nuusopskrifte en wakker emosies aan, is die werklike verlies baie minder dramaties. Die meerderheid van hierdie wingerde is eenvoudig dié wat nie weer herplant word nie. En ek bedoel nie die boer het oorgeskakel na iets anders soos appelkose of bessies nie.
Daardie lande lê bloot braak, soos littekens op die landskap — ongebruik, en tot voordeel van niemand. As jy weet waar om te kyk, sien jy dit gebeur, soos ’n siekte wat oor ’n plaas versprei: eers een land, dan twee, dan drie — en voor jy jou oë uitvee, is daar geen wingerde meer oor nie.
Die ding met ’n plaas wat bankrot gaan, is dat dit stadig gebeur — oor ’n lang tyd. Daar is ’n sêding dat jy stadig bankrot gaan, en dan skielik.
Aanvanklik sien jy dit nie regtig nie. Jy moet mooi kyk: dit begin met klein dinge soos ’n misgelope diens op ’n trekker, die bakkie se bande wat bietjie kaal begin raak, ens. Ek het nog nooit ’n suksesvolle boer met ’n klein onderhoudsrekening gesien nie. Hulle weet hoe belangrik dit is dat jou toerusting loop en wat stilstand jou kos, maar dis juis hier waar hulle begin spaar — dit is duur, en jy kan jou masjinerie vir ’n rukkie druk as jy moet.
Hulle begin al hoe minder by kelderbestuurs- en strategiese bedryfvergaderings opdaag, aangesien hul aandag verskuif na korttermyn doelwitte en oorlewing — net om die plaas tot die volgende oes aan die gang te hou.
En dan begin die groot dinge faal: die herplant van ou wingerde hou op, en dan begin die uittrek. Gou verander 100
ha wingerde na 50 ha, en voor jy jou oë uitvee, hang die “te koop”-bord.
Miskien probeer hulle nog om ’n paar diere in die ou lande aan te hou of ander laaste pogings aan te wend, maar soos ’n terminaal siek pasiënt op lewensondersteuning is dit net ’n kwessie van tyd voor die einde aanbreek. Nog ’n familie moet hul tasse pak vir ’n meentwoning in die stad. Geslagte se stryd en opoffering — weg. Net so, en die wêreld draai verder, en jy kyk hoe die siekte na ’n nuwe plaas versprei.
Die agteruitgang van wingerde in Stellenbosch is dus nie die gevolg van ’n
geheimsinnige kliek ontwikkelaars wat die ondergang van die wynbedryf beplan nie (al is ek seker die boubedryf het ook sy eie skadukaraktertjie of twee). Dit is die stadige versmoring van ons boere oor jare heen, soos die druk al hoe meer toeneem.
Die verlies van Stellenbosch se wingerde weerklink veel verder as net die plase self. Dit raak elke deel van die gemeenskap — van die werkers wie se inkomste van druiweverbouing kom, tot die breër ekonomie wat floreer op wyntoerisme. Stellenbosch het sy identiteit om sy wingerde gebou, en trek besoekers van regoor die wêreld om sy unieke mengsel van natuurskoon, kultuur en wyn te ervaar.
Maar wat gebeur as die wingerde verdwyn? Sal toeriste steeds stroom na ’n dorp waar die wyn nie meer gemaak word nie, maar deur die Du Toitsklooftonnel ingevoer word? Sal die bekoring van nuwe ontwikkelings vervaag as die uitsig nie meer rye lewende wingerde insluit nie? Sonder die egtheid van plaaslike wynkultuur loop Stellenbosch die risiko om ’n dop van sy voormalige self te word.
Ons moet die noodsaaklike rol wat wynboerdery in die groter Stellenbosch ekosisteem speel, herwaardeer. Hierdie wingerde is nie net landbou bates nie; hulle is kulturele skatte en ekonomiese lewenslyne. Deur in volhoubare boerderypraktyke te belê, plaaslike produsente te ondersteun, die grond te beskerm en te verstaan hoe hierdie wingerde die plaaslike besigheidsekosisteem versterk — eers dan kan ons verseker dat Stellenbosch die kloppende hart van Suid-Afrika se wynbedryf bly.
Teks: Petri de Beer | Foto’s: Visit Stellenbosch (Oorspronklik gepubliseer op wine.co.za)
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Akademia se Paarl-kampus
Met die amptelike bekendstelling van Akademia se nuwe kampus in die Paarl het dié onafhanklike Afrikaanse hoëronderwysinstelling nie net ʼn moderne kampusfasiliteit onthul nie, maar simbolies nóg ʼn bousteen ter bevordering van die Afrikaanse universiteitswese neergelê.
Die Paarl-kampus* geleë in Bredastraat 1, Esterville, is op Woensdag 15 Oktober 2025 op ʼn luisterryke wyse aan die media, die gemeenskap en voornemende studente bekendgestel. Studente wat op die voltydse kampusmodel studeer sal vanaf 2026 hul studie hier kan begin, terwyl studente wat via die nauurse afstandsmodel studeer en van die instelling se sentrumnetwerk gebruik maak ook hier sal inskakel.
Volgens Marthinus Visser, besturende direkteur van Akademia, verteenwoordig die kampusbekendstelling in wese die gewaarwording van ʼn gekoesterde vertrouensverhouding tussen die instelling en die groter Afrikaanse taalen kultuurgemeenskappe in die WesKaap. Hierdie verhouding word versterk deur ʼn gedeelde toekomsgerigtheid, ʼn roepingsgedrewe diensbaarheid
en die grootse potensiaal wat deur moedertaalonderrig ontsluit word.
Visser vertel dat die vestiging van hierdie kampus van meet af as ʼn saamspanprojek gekenmerk is. “Die gemeenskap van die Paarl en die breër Boland het van die begin af saam met ons gedroom. Sakeondernemings, alumni, ouers, ondersteuners en vennote het hande gevat – met raad, hulpbronne en geloof in die instelling se visie. Hierdie kampus behoort nie net aan Akademia nie; dit behoort aan elkeen in die gemeenskap wat in die waarde van moedertaalonderrig glo.”
Op sy beurt meen prof. Gawie du Toit, hoof van die Paarl-kampus, dat daar vir Akademia ʼn dieper betekenis opgesluit lê in elke uitbouingsgeleentheid, “Afrikaans leef in die klas, maar ook in die gemeenskap – in ons denke, ons drome
en ons diens aan mekaar,” sê Du Toit. “Dit is ons droom dat hierdie kampus ʼn tuiskoms sal wees vir die Afrikaanse studente– ʼn plek waar ons saam aan nuwe stories van hoop en uitnemendheid sal skryf,” sê Du Toit.
Só sien die kampus daaruit
Die kampusfasiliteite sien soos volg daaruit:
• lesingslokale en verskeie saamwerkruimtes;
ʼn ten volle toegeruste biblioteek;
ʼn Sowel-As-koffiewinkel;
Die Winkel (vir die verskaffing van Akademia-handelsmerkprodukte); en toegangsbeheer en veilige parkering.
Die kampus sal ʼn aanvang neem met ʼn personeelkorps van 52 voltydse personeellede. Die instelling is reeds in die proses om poste vir die Paarlkampus te vul en daar word beoog om uiteindelik 25 akademiese personeel en
vooruitsig gestel om teen 2028 bykans 88 voltydse personeel op die kampus werksaam te hê. Daar word voorts voorsien dat 340 eerstejaarstudente in 2026 op die kampus verwelkom sal word. Dié getal sal teen 2032 die 2 000-kerf oorskry.
Wat die akademiese programverskeidenheid betref sal daar, soos in die geval van die Pretoria-kampus, programme vanuit al vyf die instelling se dinamiese fakulteite aangebied word.
*Die kampusbekendstelling volg nadat die instelling vroeër vanjaar voorwaardelike goedkeuring vanaf die Raad op Hoër Onderwys (RHO) se Hoëronderwysgehaltekomitee (HOGK) vir die Paarl-kampusfasiliteit ontvang het.
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As The Dust Tries To Settle Over Gaza… What Is It Really About?
US President Donald Trump was two hours late to meet world leaders for the peace summit in Egypt. But they all waited patiently. And after Air Force One had landed, some of them had to stand in line for over half an hour while he shook hands and posed for the cameras with each. It showed admiration for the man who brokered the cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, but it also reflected an all round relief that the worst may be over. Everybody, it appears, had had enough of this war.
Much of what went down still demands historical perspective, many questions have not been answered yet. In hindsight, the Gaza War was a senseless waste of human lives and a source of needless suffering. And it’s been of no real benefit to either side, or any other country in the region. Much has been said and written about the motive for the gruesome events of 7 October 2023, and who could really have been behind it. It all appeared too well planned and executed, too pristinely timed, to have happened without outside financial and logistical assistance. That question quickly took a back seat with what happened next.
The sudden rise of what some describe as ‘a global zealous Palestinianism of religious proportion’ can hardly be attributed to a vast collective conscience on the move. If it were, there are other very deserving human rights causes that should have triggered such: the relentless genocide of Christians in Nigeria, the fight of the Kurds for the homeland they have a millennia-old claim to, the absolutely sickening slaughter of the Alawites in Syria, to mention a few. The similar protest style, chants and narrative exploding at the same time in diverse corners of the world, suggest coordination. And all the usual activists-for-hire, plus some new ones, pitched and lit up their social media and podcasts.
Once again, questions arise: Who is behind this? Where does the considerable finances come from to enable such a far reaching and well organized network? How do you get crowds to chant ‘from the river to the sea’ when it’s been proven they had no clue what river and sea they’re shouting about? And why go to such trouble over a small strip of semidesert?
As is often the case, the best chance for a successful line of enquiry may be to follow the money. Says Atif Kuburski, a retired McMaster University economics professor and UN investigator: “In the Middle East, you can never talk about
conflict without the corresponding associations of oil and gas. This is particularly problematic with Russian oil and gas to Europe cut off, and everybody looking for alternatives.”
There just happens to be a brilliant alternative right in the Eastern Mediterranean. According to a UN study, relatively recent finds along the GazaIsrael coastline amount to over 120 trillion cubic foot, with recoverable oil estimated at around 1,7 billion barrels. This translates into 524 billion in US Dollars. But the report also warned: “What could be a source of wealth and opportunity could also prove disastrous if these common resources are exploited individually and exclusively, without due regard for international law and norms.” Prophetic words.
The Oslo Accords give the Palestinian Authority maritime jurisdiction over the first 20 nautical miles of the Gaza coastline. It’s estimated that over half of the lucrative fields lie within that zone. While the internet is littered with claims that Israel is after Gazan energy fields, the truth is the Jewish State is already an important gas producer, supplying in all its own needs and exporting to Jordan and Egypt. The war forced the shutdown of some operations, at great cost. Furthermore, Israel gave its full support to the Gaza Marine Development in order to allow revenue and energy independence to the Palestinian Authority, in June 2023. Four months later, Hamas invaded Israel and ignited a war which brought that venture to a standstill.
There’s no love lost between Gaza’s Hamas and the Palestinian Authority on the West Bank. The latter is internationally recognized and has observer status at the UN since 2012 under the name ‘State of Palestine’. The PA has long demanded that Hamas hand over the Gaza strip to unite and further the Palestinian cause. Several attempts by international mediators to settle the matter have failed, even after the signing of agreements, with mutual accusations of assassination attempts.
The UN is maintaining a schizophrenic position, affording observer status to the PA, while refusing to regard Hamas a terror group and pumping hundreds of millions of dollars in its direction each year.
Many Hamas leaders fled the strip during the war, exposing ultra-luxurious lifestyles and – according to investigations by various media outlets like the New York Post, National Post and i24newsa collective net worth among the top half dozen tallying $11 billion, while their citizens starved. Since the IDF retreated, Hamas operatives went on a killing spree, publically executing scores of Gazans deemed ‘collaborators’ on camera. The organization that’s been running the area for two decades since winning its first and last election in January 2006, seems determined to hold on to power and what it brings, energy fields included.
Meanwhile, as Professor Kuburski pointed out: the Russia-Ukraine war significantly turned up the heat around available energy. The West expected a brief conflict. Ukraine, at the time, had the largest military in Europe, EU countries emptied their arsenals for Ukraine, and they also introduced a barrage of economic sanctions against Russia. The Bear would surely fold in no time, and her massive natural resources would be up for grabs too. Didn’t work
out that way. Boycotting cheap Russian energy and blowing up Gazprom’s Nord Stream gas pipeline to Europe, for good measure, were strategies that seriously boomeranged. Energy prices more than tripled in Europe, manufacturing all but stalled and soon the economy melted. And Russia wasn’t losing, it annexed over a fifth of Ukraine and rerouted its energy to other markets. The Continent was left scrambling for much needed affordable energy.
The October 7 invasion of Israel – for whatever goal – also had unintended consequences. The response from the IDF was unforgiving and signalled that if Israel is to disappear from the map – as Hamas demands – everybody’s coming along. The momentum could have become unstoppable, if not for President Trump’s firm intervention.
A quote attributed to Queen Elizabeth I reads: “I don’t like starting wars. Their outcome is always uncertain.” And these two wars have certainly proved her correct.
The full back-story on the devastating Israel-Gaza War, all the agents involved and the true motives is yet to emerge. What does seem clear is that the one thing thicker than blood, particularly other people’s blood, is money. It will take time, but eventually the truth will emerge. It always does.
Just Saying
POPULISM — NO, IT’S NOT ABOUT POPULARITY!
Thanks to Donald Trump, Brexit and a string of anti-establishment leaders and parties in Europe, Latin America and Asia everyone seems to be talking about populism, be it to the right or left of the political spectrum. Populism at its simplest is a political phenomenon that emerged from the divide and opposition between “the people” and “the elite” (however they are defined).
Populism feeds on grievance whilst admiration is at the heart of popularity. Nelson Mandela was loved — truly popular — but was not by any stretch a populist (once he was in power of course). That populist divide, the “us versus them” emotion, was poison to a man hell-bent on reconciliation.
In South Africa, politics has long been less about policy and more about feelings — and that’s not new either. Remember Veldskool and the Rooi Gevaar? But with unemployment soaring, services collapsing and corruption spreading faster than a winter cold, populism has found the richest soil imaginable.
The rules of populism are gloriously simple:
Find a group or a creed (anyone and anything will do).
Blame them for everything (facts are optional).
Promise miracles (preferably with other people’s money — or, in our case, no money, and no plan).
So, who and what do we blame? And this will be a familiar refrain.
Too much “white monopoly capital”? Or too much cadre deployment?
Too many foreign “illegals”? Or too few local jobs?
Too many remnants of apartheid? Or
too much failing governance?
South Africa’s best-known contribution to much of the above is the Economic Freedom Fighters. It’s clear where they stand of course — red overalls, revolutionary slogans and speeches so fiery they could power Stage 6 loadshedding — but they are pretty much devoid of substance. The ANC now, and probably the Nationalists of yesteryear, dipped into populism whenever things go wrong, which is to say, quite often. As corruption hits the headlines, growth plummets and the cost of living shoots up, we suddenly hear the populist rhetoric about the legacy of the past, counter-revolution and enemies of transformation, when it’s actually nothing of the sort.
But even the latter-day minority opposition isn’t immune. Some of the loudest anti-establishment populist crusaders are themselves wellestablished; sipping cappuccinos in Camps Bay and surrounds whilst condemning the new elites — the so called “Black Diamonds.” Others are simply tired taxpayers from all backgrounds, watching their wealth and patience drain down the same potholes as their rates.
But here’s the rub: populism doesn’t seem to build anything. It engages yes, distracts for a while but it doesn’t fix
the robots, stop the looting or more importantly feed anyone’s family. It’s political junk food — greasy, satisfying, and utterly devoid of nutrients. And yet, we keep ordering it, because real reform takes time, effort, and honesty — three things rarer than a functioning municipality.
But being heard is not the same thing as being helped, or helping yourself— and in South Africa, that illusion might just be the costliest of all.
Still, before we get too despondent — how bad can “appealing to ordinary people” really be?
After all populism, true to its roots, means for the people and that sounds promising. Isn’t a degree of empowerment of marginal groups (however defined) a good thing? Surely populism helps prevent a total erosion of democracy and by giving a voice, can narrow the very real threat of total schism and social unrest?
Populists will argue that motivating a complacent elite by shouting louder and, better still, threatening replacement,
is at the heart of democracy. Indeed, if populism can galvanise action through listening to alternative voices, debating change options and implementing (the hard bit) then we are onto a winner. In a somewhat Machiavellian tone, populism is also a political safety valve, before discontent morphs into destruction and, my word, right now we need that valve to be fully operational. As we speak populists of all shades are shining a light on land reform (confusingly), foreign ownership (belatedly), corruption (begrudgingly) and even the price of an avocado (R40), And that’s definitely not all bad.
Populism thrives in South Africa because it feels passionate and maybe even honest. Yes, it can be naïve (everything must fall!), destructive (if unchecked) and disillusioning (if unfulfilled). But surely, it’s better to have a populist Gayton or Julius shouting from the stands, rather than a nation too bored, too tired, or too hopeless to care?
But as always that’s for you to ponder.
News from Around the Globe...
Hopes were dashed for an end to the Russia-Ukraine War, as US President Donald Trump pulled the plug on a much anticipated follow-up meeting with Russia’s Vladimir Putin. This after a White House meeting with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky reportedly turned into a screaming match. Trump refused Zelensky’s demand for longrange Tomahawk missiles. And initial discussions between the Russian and
Hot on the heels of the Gazan Peace deal, right-wing politicians in the Israeli Knesset managed to push through a rather brazen preliminary approval to a bill which could extend Israeli law over the Palestinian West Bank, in a move that shocked both the White House and Israeli Prime Minister. Benjamin Netanyahu called it ‘a deliberate political provocation’, while US VP JD Vance termed it ‘a very stupid political stunt.’ When questioned on it, Trump vowed it would never be allowed “because I gave my word to the Arab countries”.
US teams in preparation for Presidential talks in Hungary also went belly-up. The US is said to be growing weary of the Russian offensives causing civilian deaths, while Russia insists any demand to cease hostilities along the current combat line goes against the Alaska Agreement stipulating the Donbas border. Trump says currently any meeting would be a waste of time, while the Kremlin remains mum.
The Netherlands are evidently heading for another round of gruelling political scuffles to form a coalition government. In June, PVV majority leader Geert Wilders pulled out of government following clashes over immigration control. With three parties neck-in-neck in the October snap elections, who can work together is as important as who finished first. MP’s are to appoint a ‘informateur’ to work out possible agreements. Last time, it took 6 months to form a government.
Tearful songstress Carla Bruni bid her husband and former French President Nicholas Sarkozy goodbye as he entered the notorious La Santé prison in Paris. Sarkozy was found guilty of mishandling campaign donations, which he still strenuously denies, in a case that should
be a warning to all politicians: lawfare over state or party finances has become a favourite tool everywhere to punish political enemies. Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair had a narrow escape over a Labour Party donation received from former F1 Boss Bertie Ecclestone and recently the French courts also barred the leader of the biggest French party, Marine le Penn, from future elections over party finances. Sarkozy’s 5-years sentence is a first for a former French head of state, but scores of national leaders have seen the insides of courts and often prison over financial charges: Italy, South Korea, Taiwan, Pakistan, Argentina, Brazil and Malaysia. President Trump’s family were served with 112 charges and in Peru every single President but one who served between 1985 and 2018 has been arrested or charged.
religions. His overtures praising Islam on the holiest Christian Easter feast were widely criticised.
King Charles’s visit to the Vatican and his joint prayers with Pope Leo are being hailed as a step toward narrowing the 500-yearold rift between Britain and the Holy See. In 1538, Pope Paul III excommunicated King Henry VIII for divorcing his wife and marrying Anne Boleyn, after which Henry established the Church of England and
seized all Catholic assets. To this day, no Catholic may wear the British Crown. King Charles is head of the Church of England and ‘the defender of the faith’, but he’s long lobbied to be the defender of ‘faith’, meaning all
The RecordBreaking Little Red Ford Ranger
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 cab-and-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
ROAD-
TESTED: Engine:
Drive: Load Capacity: Max Braked Trailer: Ford Ranger 2.0 BiTurbo SuperCab Wildtrak 4x4
1154 kW 500 Nm 2-litre biturbodiesel I4 10-speed automatic 4x4 995 kg 3,500 kg
TESTED: 0-60 kph: 3.84 s 0-100 kph: 8.61 s 0-120 kph 12.38 s 0-160 kph 23.82 s 80-120 kph: 6.50 s 120-160 kph: 11.23 s
400m: 16.2 sec @ 137 kph
CLAIMED:
VMax: 190 kph
Fuel: 7.5 l/100 km
CO2: 195 g/km Range: 1050 km
Warranty/Service: 4y 120K km/up to 8y 200K km
LIST PRICE: R841K
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 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 addons up to 200,000 km, and the Ranger Wildtrak Super Cab becomes a most compelling option.
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.
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! – Michele Lupini
Images & testing: Giordano Lupini
Franschhoek-based Michele Lupini is an internationally recognised motoring writer, artist, publisher and author with a broad car, motorsport and aeronautical background. Catch all Michele (and his son Giordano’s) motoring adventures on https:// theauto.page
A Season to Savour in Stellenbosch
GIVE THE GIFT OF EXPERIENCE THIS FESTIVE SEASON
As the final quarter of 2025 unfolds, Stellenbosch shimmers in its summer best. Vineyards glow gold, streets hum with laughter, and the scent of jasmine lingers in the air. This year, skip the predictable gifts and give something truly special — the gift of experiences.
Because in Stellenbosch, memories last far longer than another soap on a rope or bottle opener. From vineyard adventures to spa rituals, each experience is an invitation to savour the season in style.
THE VISIT STELLENBOSCH EXPERIENCE GIFT LIST
Gourmet Oysters and Wine at Cavalli Estate
A sensual pairing of four unique oysters and four Cavalli wines — delicate, daring, and delicious. Expect a masterclass in balance, elegance, and flavour.
Indigenous Tasting at Vergenoegd Löw
A journey through South African heritage. Think bokkoms, biltong, blatjang, and roosterkoek paired with wines that echo the land’s story. Bold, authentic, unforgettable.
Vinebikes E Bike Vineyard Tour
An effortless adventure through sunlit vineyards. Glide between estates, sip world class wines, and take in views that redefine the idea of freedom.
NEW SEASON, NEW SENSATIONS
Just when you think Stellenbosch could not be more delightful, the new season unveils experiences that redefine indulgence — from refined tastings to art walks and family adventures.
A South African First: Fine Water Tasting at Lanzerac
Discover the purity of terroir in its simplest form. Led by certified water sommelier Nico Pieterse, Lanzerac’s curated water tasting explores six still and sparkling waters from around the globe. A sophisticated, sensory revelation. Bookings via DinePlan | R350 pp | 45–60 mins.
Spa Serenity at Spier Hotel and Spa
Wellness, rooted in nature. From Cape Herbal Bath House rituals to botanicals grown on the estate, Spier offers the ultimate gift — stillness, renewal, and a moment to simply be.
Vineyard Trail and Picnic at Warwick Estate
For the active dreamer. Wander scenic vineyard paths, then settle beneath the oaks for a picnic of artisan cheeses, charcuterie, and Warwick’s finest wine chilled to perfection. Every bite feels like a slow exhale.
Discover Fresh Creativity Along the Stellenbosch Art Mile
Give yourself and your loved ones the gift of time and art as the Stellenbosch Art Mile reveals fresh installations and creative surprises. Meander along the 1.6km stretch beside the Eerste River and reconnect over moments of beauty, curiosity, and conversation. It’s free, family-friendly, and the perfect way to slow down together. Pick up a few bites from the nearby Paul Roos Spar and turn your art-filled stroll into a spontaneous riverside picnic – where culture, nature, and togetherness come beautifully to life. www.artmile.co.za
WHERE TO DINE NOW: THE NEW FACES OF STELLENBOSCH CUISINE
Toevlug at Annandale Wines
A sanctuary of simple, seasonal South African flavours by chef Drikus Brink — soulful, sincere, and rooted in the farm’s rhythm.
The Stellenbosch Wine Ranger Safari Tour
Adventure meets refinement. Step aboard an open safari style vehicle and explore rolling vineyards, boutique wineries, and scenic routes. Enjoy curated tastings, a Cape Winelands lunch, and a Junior Ranger grape juice experience for younger guests.
Bookings : info@winelandsguide.com +27 73 191 6962 www.winelandsguide.com
Arum at Boschendal
Opening this November, Arum is a refined, fire inspired dining experience that pays tribute to the valley’s produce and the beauty of simplicity.
A TOAST TO THE SEASON
This festive season, give the gift of Stellenbosch — of flavour, beauty, and shared memories. After all, experiences do not just fill stockings. They fill hearts.
Bloom at Erinvale Hotel and Spa
Executive Chef Sebastian Smith’s dishes at Bloom celebrate the seasons with sustainability, colour, and creativity.
Township and Village: Kayamandi on Foot Tour Experience the warm, creative heartbeat of Stellenbosch. This awardwinning guided walk through Kayamandi is rich in art, rhythm, and human connection.
A Neighbourhood that’s Redefining Sustainable Living
MEET TERRA - MODERN, GROUNDED, AND EFFORTLESSLY CONNECTED
Fresh from winning three honours at the 2025 International Property Awards, including coveted 5-Star awards for both Sustainable Development and Mixed-Use Development, and an award for Best Residential Development (20+ Units), the Newinbosch Neighbourhood Estate in Stellenbosch continues to set the benchmark for thoughtful, future-focused living. The estate also stands among Africa’s leading sustainable precincts, having achieved the continent’s first 6-Star Green Star Sustainable Precinct v1.1 rating from the Green Building Council.
Within this award-winning neighbourhood lies Terra Apartments, the newest chapter in Newinbosch’s evolving story. Terra is a collection of
five contemporary apartment blocks designed for modern living, with a grounded, effortless and slightly cheeky aesthetic that reflects the estate’s focus on community, comfort, and sustainability.
Set against the backdrop of the Stellenbosch mountains, Terra offers studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom penthouse apartments, most with sweeping views and generous balconies or private gardens. Residents enjoy a pool, landscaped courtyards, and access to Newinbosch’s abundant shared amenities — from the urban farm and amphitheatre to cafés, a boules court, skate park, a farm dam, sport facilities, and the Newinbosch Square shopping centre.
terra apartments now selling at Newinbosch from R1,350,000
Safety and connection are central to the Newinbosch ethos. The precinct features 24-hour security, perimeter monitoring, and a vibrant village environment where everything, from schooling to shopping, is within walking or cycling distance.
Now selling from R1,350,000, Terra invites you to be part of South Africa’s most celebrated new neighbourhood. A place where architecture, nature, and everyday life come together.
Visit the Sales Office and Show Houses on-site in Stellenbosch.
Explore more at www.newinbosch.co.za or contact Staylonger at info@staylonger.co.za | +27 65 829 8343
Apartments Apartments
A VISION FOR THE FUTURE
BLOCK B - SOUTH
Future-Proofing Property in the Winelands
Energy efficiency, water security and smart living reshape the Stellenbosch and Franschhoek property market
As sustainability and energy security take centre stage in the Winelands, more homeowners are future-proofing their properties with solar power, smart technology and water-wise solutions.
According to Aimee Campbell, Principal of Greeff Christie’s International Real Estate – Stellenbosch & Franschhoek, these features are no longer luxuries but lifestyle essentials.
“Energy security and sustainability have become part of lifestyle appeal in the Winelands,” says Campbell. “Buyers are willing to pay a premium for independence — not just from Eskom, but from uncertainty.”
Energy independence drives demand
Load-shedding, high electricity costs and long, dry summers have made solar and battery systems top priorities.
A Lightstone report revealed a 37% annual increase in Western Cape properties sold with solar, while over 60% of new homes in estates like now include solar and storage systems as standard.
Homes with full energy backup in the R4 million to R8 million range sell up to 20% faster and in lifestyle estates, such features add 5–8% value premiums.
Sellers and tenants follow suit
Sellers are installing inverter systems, reflective roofs and droughttolerant gardens to attract modern buyers. A Paradyskloof home sold in 10 days after adding a 5kW inverter and 10kWh battery — similar homes without backup stayed on the market over 40 days.
“Energy-secure” rentals now achieve 8–12% higher rates, particularly among digital professionals seeking uninterrupted work-from-home solutions.
Smart and sustainable living
Homeowners are adopting smart monitoring, automated irrigation, and app-controlled security to manage resources and reduce risk. Campbell cautions: “Poorly installed or uncertified solar systems can cause inverter conflicts and insurance issues. Always verify compliance and get a COC for new installations.” Indigenous fynbos gardens, drip irrigation and rainwater tanks have become hallmarks of modern Winelands landscaping.
Looking ahead
With Stellenbosch Municipality expanding smart meter rollouts and feed-in approvals, Campbell predicts 25–30% growth in solarplus-storage adoption over the next three years. Estates such as Brandwacht Aan Rivier, De Zalze and Val de Vie are leading this transformation. A recent Banhoek Valley sale underscored the shift: a fully off-grid farmhouse with solar, borehole and greywater systems sold above asking price after multiple offers.
Sustainability has become the new luxury in Winelands living — future-ready homes now protect both the planet and long-term property value.
JOINT MANDATE
JOINT MANDATE
