Franschhoek Tatler - December 2015

December 2015

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Nuwe stasiebevelvoerder

Beat the heat

Q&A Shirley Killian

Bladsy 2

Page 14

Page 23

British veterans visit Franschhoek Part of ongoing rehabilitation programme

FLTR: Blesma members Neil Palmer – left leg below knee amputation, Matt Southwould – right leg above knee amputation, Stuart Pearson – left leg above knee amputation, Andy Derry – loss of left eye, Ian Moore – right leg below knee amputation, Dave Scott – right leg above knee amputation – and John Williams – left leg above knee amputation.

Six veterans from the UK visited Franschhoek for a busy week of activities hosted by British veteran Neil Palmer, who has lived in Franschhoek with his family since 2003.

During the week, the group experienced a wide variety of what Franschhoek and the surrounding area has to offer, from deep sea fishing and cage diving with sharks, an overnight trip to the Aquila Private Game Reserve, a flight over Table Mountain and much more.

The team had a fantastic week. One of the members, John Williams, had this to say: “This trip organized by Neil Palmer and Blesma has changed my life completely and has given me back the self-confidence I lost so many years ago and for that I am so truly grateful.”

The week is designed to provide participants – none of whom have been on this event before – with the opportunity to try out different physical pursuits that they may never have attempted before, or have not attempted since suffering a life-changing injury.

The trip is funded by Blesma as part of their Members’

Activities Programme and hosted by Neil Palmer, Mark Heistein of Otter’s Bend Lodge and Pat Brigg.

Many Franschhoek residents also contributed: special thanks to Franschhoek Wine and Clothing, Otters Bend, Taki’s Place, MCC and to many more who by their assistance made the trip possible.

Blesma is dedicated to assisting serving and ex-service men and women from the UK who have suffered lifechanging limb loss or the loss of use of a limb, an eye or loss of sight. They support these men and women in their communities throughout the UK and overseas.

Blesma provides networks where members not only enjoy support from their professional welfare team who can offer support with grants and advice with allowance claims, but where they have the opportunity to engage with others who have similar injuries and backgrounds to themselves, building an important fellowship with each other to overcome everyday battles. www.blesma.org

Municipal Manager resigns

Stellenbosch Municipality accepted the resignation letter of Municipal Manager, Christa Liebenberg, on 20 October 2015.

The Director of Planning and Economic Development, Dupré Lombaard, has been appointed as acting Municipal Manager until the Western Cape Local Government MEC, Anton Bredell, seconds a suitable person to act in the position. It is not yet clear whether this person will act in the position until after the 2016 Local Government Elections in order to allow the post-election administration to select its

own candidate, or whether a full-time replacement will be sought immediately.

Liebenberg, who was Municipal Manager since 2012, was temporarily suspended by the Town Council in August 2015 when disciplinary procedures were instituted against her. Charges against Liebenberg related to alleged maladministration and non-compliance with municipal legislation.

In a brief statement the Municipality assured residents “that services will continue to be delivered to the highest standards.”

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Franschhoek Tatler

2

SAPD kry nuwe bevelvoerder

Foto: Paarl Post

Kaptein Norman Davids is aangestel as stasie bevelvoerder by die Franschhoek polisiestasie. Hy neem die pos oor nadat die vorige bevelvoerder, Kaptein Aubrey Marais, in Junie oorlede is. Hy sê hy is gereed vir watter uitdagings die stasie ook al bied en gaan alles in die stryd werp om ‘n veilige omgewing en sekuriteit vir die inwoners van Franschhoek te verseker.

Kaptein Davids, 46, se loopbaan in die SAPD het in Mei 1988 as konstabel in Stellenbosch begin na hy sy opleiding by die Bishop Lavis Polisie Kollege voltooi het. In 1991 het hy sy posiliëringsdiploma

by Technicon SA verwerf en is daarna bevorder tot sersant. Hy is in beheer van skofte geplaas met die verantwoordelikheid vir klagtes en ondersteuning van die gemeenskapdienssentrum.

Vier jaar later volg ‘n bevordering na adjudantoffisier en hoof van sigbare polisiëring, die hantering van klagtes en misdaadvoorkoming.

Daar is heelwat hoogtepunte in Kaptein Davids se loopaan. Hy het in 2001 sy B Tech graad behaal en is in 2002 tot Kaptein bevorder. Sy verantwoordelikheid het vuurwapen-, drank- en tweede-handse ware lisensies ingesluit. Tussen 2004 en 2005 was hy waarnemende hoof van misdaadvoorkoming tot sy aanstelling as bestuurshoof van vuurwapen-, drank- en tweede-handse ware lisensiëring in 2006. Hy het in die posisie gebly tot sy aanstelling as stasie bevelvoerder in Franschhoek.

Kaptein Davids sê die uitdaging wat hy hier wil aanspreek is gemeenskapssamewerking d.m.v. buurtwagte en straatkomitees. Hy sê kontakmisdaad, in besonder aanranding en huishoudelike geweld, en ook misdaad rondom eiendom is die grootste

Le Tuksi Bleu has arrived

Kaptein Norman Davids

kommer in die Franschhoek gebied en word meestal verbind aan alkohol- en dwelmmisbruik. Hy wil hom dus veral toespits op sjebeens en ander drankpersele en die toepassing van verkoopsure.

Hy sê, “Ek weet ek is ‘n nuwe gesig, maar ek weet ek kan veranderinge maak ten opsigte van die aanspreek van misdaad. Mannekrag is regdeur die polisiediens ‘n probleem, maar ons moet werk met wat ons by die stasie het en na die gemeenskap omsien.” Hy beplan om imbizos te hou en so met inwoners gesprek te voer en hulle oor misdaad in te lig.

Kaptein Davids sê hy is bly die Provinsiale Kommissaris het hom aangestel as stasiebevelvoerder.

Hy sal sy bes doen om ‘n positiewe beeld van die polisie te skep, negatiwiteit nieteenstaande. Dit blyk dat Franschhoekers ewe bly is oor hulle nuwe stasie bevelvoerder.

Community sponsors chess players

Chess stars (FLTR) Mayizukiswe Rongwana, Amanda Nxuthe and Asiphe Mbabala.

When the Franschhoek Tennis Club (FTC) committee learnt that three young Franschhoek chess players might not be able to participate at the South African Junior Chess Championships (SAJCC) if they could not find sponsorship it was an easy decision for them to commit R5000 from their sport development fund to aid their cause. With this and other very generous donations from Andy Higgins, Eleonore Michel, Stephen Brooker, Franco, Alison Allen, Philippe and Delphine Vinee, Britta and Jeremy Lloyd and other sponsors in Franschhoek and the UK – who saw the appeal on FlashInfo – Amanda Nxuthe, Asiphe Mbabala and Mayizukiswe Rongwana are now guaranteed to take on the best of their peers at the University of the Western Cape from 3 - 10 January 2016.

And thanks to the generosity of these sponsors, the three aspiring grand masters will also be having intensive coaching to hone their skills and mental discipline needed for the long games ahead.

Amanda and Asiphe will be playing in the Under 16 Girls division and Mayizukiswe in the Under 20

Boys division.

FTC said of the players: “Their determination and tenacity, despite serious hardships and challenges, is to be admired and applauded. We wish them well at the tournament and look forward to following their success and hope that they learn much from this wonderful and exciting opportunity.”

They all began playing chess several years ago with Barry Phillips at Dalubuhle Primary School. Although Amanda and Mayizukiswe are now at Groendal Secondary School and Asiphe is at Franschhoek High School, they still come to play chess at Dalubuhle whenever they can. With the invaluable help of The Kusasa Project with entry fees and transport, along with 15 to 20 other aspiring grand masters from age 8 to 18, they have been able to compete in numerous schools and open tournaments in and around Cape Town and elsewhere in the Western Cape.

Phillips said of his three protégés: “They are now battle hardened veterans who have grown from kids to really nice young adults.”

New York has its yellow cabs, London has black ones and now Franschhoek has blue ones! Well, almost. In keeping with our French heritage they are actually bleu, rather than blue, and while the service is taxi-like the vehicles are tuk-tuks – hence the moniker Le Tuksi Bleu.

This innovative initiative is the brainchild of serialentrepreneur, plum farmer and Franschhoek Wine Valley Director, Malcolm Rutherford. According to Rutherford the topic of an affordable shuttle/taxi service in Franschhoek has been raised at numerous FWV board meetings and although a number of individuals have explored the possibility of such a service they just haven’t been able to come up with a viable business model.

Rutherford came to see others’ failure as a challenge and set to work developing a business model that could successfully address the shortcomings of previous attempts. What he came up with is a form of social entrepreneurship; in other words, a business venture that meets a need in the marketplace, but at the same time addresses social concerns.

Licencing a taxi service in Franschhoek was a huge bureaucratic nightmare and ultimately, the service had to conform to the municipality’s spatial development framework and integrated transport plan. A tour operator’s licence was not suffficient for the authorities and Rutherford believes the inability to comply with the regulatory requirements, and the

bureaucracy he had to contend with, were the reasons previous attempts at creating such a service failed.

Rutherford managed to source and purchase three locally assembled tuk-tuks, thus overcoming the problem of parts and service availability that also bedevilled previous efforts. Rather than simply employing drivers he opted to create a system that would create entrepreneurs by creating a direct link between effort and reward. Driver/operators rent the tuksis from Rutherford at a fixed daily rate and then get to keep all the fares earned.

Rates for the service range from R20 to R60 per trip, depending on how many of the three zones the trip traverses. Zone 1 consists of the Main Road and immediate surrounds, Zone 2 extends from there to the Franschhoek Cellar and Zone 3 extends to La Motte and Dieu Donné. The tuksis can be hailed on the street, by calling a cell phone number, or – for a R15 surcharge, per zone – the tuksis will collect you from wherever you are.

Rutherford says that the service is not only aimed at visitors, but is just as handy for local residents who may be tired of walking, want to go shopping but don’t have a car, or have had a glass too many during a night out.

To hail a tuksi call one of the following numbers: 072 354 0352, 076 518 3668 or 072 357 7464.

Allez Les Bleus!

Another record for Annette’s SPCA Quiz Night

It just gets better and better. From the numerous emails received on the morning after, the clear consensus is that Annette’s 12th SPCA Quiz Night at Bread and Wine on 21 October was the best so far.

Over 100 guests in 10 teams had a fun evening raising a record amount for animal welfare and Franschhoek SPCA’s ongoing sterilisation programme. The ever popular music round kindly compiled by Simon McDonnell – a guest at The Garden House – ended with everyone up and dancing (vigorously, if not always stylishly) to a track from Saturday Night Fever.

Nobody knew all the answers, but someone always knew the answer to all of Annette’s questions that tested the breadth and depth of contestants’ knowledge – like what the acronym MAML refers to in cycling and where Puff the Magic Dragon lives!!

(Answers below.)

After another delicious chicken and pasta supper cooked by Pierre Hendriks of Le Bon Vivant and served by Tina and Neil Jewell and Bread & Wine staff, Doug Gurr of Pam Golding excelled as auctioneer extraordinaire! Two cases of Boekenhoutskloof ’s famous Chocolate Block generously donated by winemaker Mark Kent were quickly sold, followed by what should have been a case of 6 bottles of Black Elephant Vintners Grenache, but somehow one was sold for drinking on the night! However, with enthusiastic endorsement by the lucky purchaser of that bottle the case of 5 was sold for more than the price for six!

A day for up to 8 people at Graham Beck Wines in Robertson with a masterclass in winemaking by Pieter Ferreira or Pierre de Klerk followed by a tour of the Madeba Estate in the geologically unique Breede River Valley with its noted raconteur and Conservation Manager, Mossie Basson, a leisurely lunch in the Lapa with Graham Beck wines (of course) and bed and breakfast in farmhouse accommodation was also quickly snapped up.

Then a trio of hi tech kites, very kindly sent all the way from Prism Technologies in Seattle by animal loving guests at The Garden House with a US retail value of $290 (R3800), attracted keen and enthusiastic bidding to be sold separately for a total of R5200!

Next up was the star auction item – “A Trio of Chefs!” – with the magnificent offer by Margot Janse,

December 2015

Neil Jewel and Reuben Riffel to cook a 5-course dinner in the winning bidder’s own home with master winemaker Pieter Ferreira as sommelier supplying fine wines from Graham Beck. Doug and Annette, with a pre-auction telephone bid, performed a great double act with bidders from the floor but eventually it was sold to the telephone bidder.

To round off the auction, a generously donated night of unashamed luxury with breakfast in the understated elegance of a Classic Room at the new Leeu House (previously Rusthof), now part of the fabulous Leeu Collection, was sold to a buyer who wanted it as a perfect gift.

In a later mini-auction bags of Mera dog and cat food, donated by Greg Lotter, and a free sterilisation certificate (for a dog or cat) by Dr Michael Gray at Drakenstein Veterinary Clinic were all quickly sold.

In thanking everyone who made the Quiz Night such a success Annette mentioned Colleen Goosen who laid out the easier than usual Dingbats, Pierre Hendriks for cooking on his day off, an anonymous donor who paid for the chicken, Matthew Gordon who paid for the ice creams, Lodine Maske and the Franschhoek Lions for the loan of the sound system, Susan Huxter for the use of Bread & Wine, Neil and Tina Jewel and the staff at Bread & Wine for all their tireless help. Annette also thanked La Bourgogne, Glenwood, La Chataigne, La Motte, Lynx, Môreson and Stony Brook for their donations of wine, Alex Maheri – “my little elf ” – for collecting them and Felicity and Matthew Browne for helping out on the night.

The quiz ended with a dead heat between Table 7 led by Moira Barham of La Laundry and Table 8 led

by Stephanie Jackson from Watershed Animal Rescue in Stellenbosch.

Afterwards Annette said with the record money raised, over 200 dogs and cats will be neutered and over a thousand unwanted dogs and cats will be saved from being born into a short, miserable life of hunger, illness and neglect in the next 12 months alone. That, she said, made it all worthwhile. * Answers: MAML = Middle-aged men in lycra!

Puff the Magic Dragon lives in the land of Honnah Lee!

December 2015

Franschhoek Tatler

Innovative Wemmershoek wastewater plant leads to sought-after nomination

Earlier this year Stellenbosch Municipality was nominated for a CESA Engineering Excellence Award for its new wastewater treatment works (WWTW) at Wemmershoek. The municipality appointed Royal Haskoning DHV for the design and implementation of the works that uses new Nereda technology.

The old works in Franschhoek as well as the old Wemmershoek works could no longer fulfil the needs of the Franschhoek Valley. It was clear that a new works was needed and it was more cost-effective to have one rather than two plants. The most practical site was Wemmershoek because no pump station was needed.

The site, however, is quite compact and the challenge was to build a works with a small footprint.

The compact and economical Nereda process is excellent for this purpose. Construction on the new works started in February 2012 and the project was completed at the end of 2014.

The Nereda system makes use of aerobic granular sludge technology to purify wastewater. Advantages include: the aerobic granules have excellent settling

How to prevent veld fires this summer

properties allowing for higher biomass concentrations, the need for secondary clarifiers is eliminated and there is no need for major sludge recycle pumping.

The result is a compact, simple system that requires significantly less chemicals and energy while still offering excellent effluent quality.

Conrad Sidego, Executive Mayor of Stellenbosch says the Wemmershoek WWTW is just another example of how innovative solutions can address many challenges. “What happens to wastewater is not exactly the kind of thing ordinary citizens think about daily. But there is a certain kind of satisfaction knowing that the municipality has addressed a major challenge in a sustainable and innovative way. These are the kinds of solutions that make Stellenbosch a truly innovative town.”

“We have experienced a few problems, but this is normal for a project of this scope,” says Sidego.

“As challenges occur we address them immediately.

The works will run at full capacity by the beginning of December.”

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Each summer veld fires make the headlines with thousands of hectares burnt, crops damaged, houses lost, injuries and, sadly, sometimes lives lost.

There are many ways in which the public can help to keep these to a minimum. Some of the most important are: Prevent accidentally starting a runaway fire by making sure your outdoor braai fires are put out properly; not throwing cigarette butts out of cars or into bushes or dry grass; and most importantly by not setting off Chinese lanterns, fireworks or flares.

Protect yourself, your family and animals from injury by discussing with your family what to do in the event of a fire near your home, who to call and what to do in the case of an evacuation. Follow all instructions given to you by the authorities and most importantly keep well clear of the fire, stay out of the way and do not block or congest any access roads to allow the firefighters to do their jobs. If you want to make a donation of food or refreshments please do so at a fire station or by contacting the fire services.

Protect your home from damage by keeping grass cut short; clearing all trees, bushes and dry

Veld fire near Bridge House School

vegetation away from within 10m around houses and structures; cleaning the roof gutters of debris such as dead leaves etc.; testing the sprinklers on thatched roofs regularly; and if a you are a rural landowner join the Fire Protection Association.

Report all veld fires immediately to the Cape Winelands Fire Department on 021 887 4446 or call 112 or 10177.

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Franschhoek Tatler

4

December 2015

PRESENTED IN ASSOCIATION WITH “LES VIGNERONS DE FRANSCHHOEK”

Rupert & Rothschild Vignerons

Rupert & Rothschild Vignerons Tasting Centre’s

2014 Baroness Nadine

Ingredients: 4 x 250g portions fresh tuna, seasoned lightly with salt and black pepper; 50ml good extra virgin olive oil; 4 medium potatoes, cubed; 120g chorizo, cubed; 5ml smoked paprika Salt, pepper; 200g pickled octopus; Sauce: 4 red peppers, roasted, skin removed and torn/sliced; 1 onion, chopped; 1 carrot, chopped; 1 fennel bulb, chopped; 1 sachet tomato paste; 100ml white wine; 500ml cream; 15ml sherry vinegar 1 bay leaf; 2 sprigs thyme; Method: For the Sauce: Heat halve the olive oil in a medium pot, add the onion, carrot, fennel and roasted red peppers. Fry over a medium-low heat for about 8 minutes. Add the tomato paste, bay leaf and thyme, fry about 2 minutes. Add the white wine, and reduce till almost dry. Add the cream and simmer gently for about 15 minutes. Remove thyme and bay leaf, and puree

Fresh aromas of lemon & grapefruit with a round, soft, fine structure & flavours of toasted macadamia nuts with an elegant lasting finish!

Cellar Price: R177 per bottle

Rupert & Rothschild Vignerons  Tel: 021 874 1648  Email: info@rupert-rothschildvignerons.com

Seared Tuna served on Spicy Chorizo & Potato Ragout with a Red Pepper Veloute in a blender. Season with salt, pepper and sherry vinegar.

Heat half the olive oil in a pan over a medium heat. Place cubed chorizo in pan, and fry lightly for 2 minutes until it releases its oil. Add the potatoes, and fry over a mediumhigh heat until the potato is cooked and crispy on the edges.

Season with salt pepper and smoked paprika.

To assemble: Sear the tuna portions in a very hot non-stick pan. Roast about 3 minutes in a pre-heated oven (200’C).

Remove and rest for 2 minutes. Put Red pepper velouté on plate, place Potato and Chorizo cubes on top, pickled octopus and seared Tuna on top.

Rupert & Rothschild Vignerons Tasting Centre  Tel: 021 874 1648  Email: info@rupert-rothschildvignerons.com

Leopard’s Leap Family Vineyards

Rotisserie @ Leopard’s Leap’s

2014 Culinaria Chenin Blanc

Ingredients: 2 kg green lipped/blue shell mussels; 2 tomatoes; ½ red onion, thinly sliced; 4 cloves garlic, sliced; 1 chilli (optional), chopped; 1 stalk celery, thinly sliced; 150 g chorizo sausage, sliced in rings; 250 ml Leopard’s Leap Culinaria Chenin Blanc; 50 g butter; 1 tablespoon (15 ml) roughly chopped parsley; 1 tablespoon (15 ml) roughly chopped celery leaves; juice of 1 lemon; salt and black pepper; slices of toasted ciabatta or baguette Method: Score the tomatoes on top and blanch in boiling water for as long as it takes for the skin to start peeling. Remove, place in ice-water, then remove all the skin. Cut the tomatoes into wedges, seed and then cut into small dice. Keep aside and finish the sauce with the fresh tomato. Clean the mussels by pulling out the beard and scrubbing the shells clean of any sand or barnacles. Slice the onion, garlic, chilli, celery and

Leopard’s Leap Culinaria Chenin Blanc has a well-defined ripe fruit character, showing ample apricot, pear, pineapple and kiwi flavours, supported by sweet-spice flavours and a zippy tartness. Elegant oak nuances make this wine a great food companion.

Cellar Price: R70 per bottle

Leopard’s Leap  Tel: 021 876 8002  Email: info@leopardsleap.co.za

Mussels with chorizo, red onion, tomato and celery chorizo and mix together in a bowl. Warm a heavy-base pot, covered with a lid, over high heat.

Place the mussels, wine and sliced ingredients into the pot and close the lid immediately. Allow to steam for 5 minutes.

As soon as the mussels have opened, they are cooked (discard any closed mussels). Remove the mussels from the pot and strain the cooking liquid through a fine sieve into a clean saucepan. Bring the liquid to the boil and gradually add the butter, while whisking. Add the chopped parsley, celery, lemon juice and diced tomato and season with salt and pepper. Place the freshly steamed mussels into a suitable bowl and pour the butter-and-herb sauce over the mussels.

Serve with a toasted ciabatta/baguette. (Serves 4) Rotisserie @ Leopard’s Leap  Tel: 021 876 8002  Email: reservations@leopardsleap.co.za

Answer this easy question!

Who is Franschhoek's new SAPS station commander?

MONNEAUX RESTAURANT Tel: +27 (0)21 876 3386 email: info@fch.co.za www.monneaux.co.za

How to enter

Send your answer to: tatlercompetition@gmail.com. The winner will be informed by return mail before 15 December 2015. Prizes have to be collected from the Franschhoek Info Office before end December 2015 or be forfeited.

December 2015

Franschhoek Tatler

On and Off Course Lawrence Gould

No Sense

My usual positive attitude has taken several body blows during the first half of November. On Tuesday, 10 November, I attended the memorial service for Dan Mardel, a good friend and regular golfing partner, who was killed by an intruding burglar, at his home in Greenpoint. He was protecting his wife and two young sons. The burglar left without taking anything except the future, hopes and dreams of a young man (he was 42 years old) whose sunshine personality was the theme at the memorial. A great husband and father and a great friend to many. My heart (and that of the 200 people who attended) breaks for Vivian, his wonderful wife, who now faces the future without this wonderful man. Senseless!

Then on Saturday, 14 November, I wake up to the news that my beloved Paris has experienced the

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worst terrorist attack at several locations resulting in indiscriminate killings of innocent people enjoying a normal Friday night out. My brother and his wife and my aunt and her husband live in and around Paris.

They are fine, but their feelings are aptly put in one word: Senseless!

My father advised me when tragedy strikes you at the heart, please look for the good in most people – it helps the grieving process – and look forward immediately, as you will learn that life goes on and the healing begins and you will find that people cope.

So, as I look to make sense of ‘senseless,’ I share this joyous photo (below) of Gary van Loggerenberg (Sanlam’s Sponsorship Manager) who had a hole in one on the 12th hole, on the De Zalze Golf course, during the Ernie Els Autism Charity Golf day. Here he is supported by Gary Old (Sharks Head Coach), Duncan Woods (Ernie Els Group, Brand Manager) and Breyton Paulse (Ex Springbok Rugby player).

I was there on my birthday (De Zalze offers a free round to anyone whose birthday it is) and the magic is that I met these good people on the day they were participated in raising funds for those less fortunate.

That makes sense to me!

Gary van Loggerenberg (Sanlam’s Sponsorship Manager) hit a hole in one on the 12th hole, on the De Zalze Golf course, during the Ernie Els Autism Charity Golf day. Here he is supported by Gary Old (Sharks Head Coach), Duncan Woods (Ernie Els Group, Brand Manager) and Breyton Paulse (Ex Springbok Rugby player).

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Franschhoek Tatler

6

Cellar Chat

Mark Tanner I heard of a fellow who likes his sports cars British and his shirts hand-made Italian. Or is it the other way around? Either way, he is a huge fan of anything Italian, their wines in particular.

Sure, Italy is special. It is the largest wine producing country on the planet. Their wine culture is part of the very fabric of everyday life, everywhere. Italy has the soils and the sun to provide a kaleidoscope of wine varieties from north to south and east to west – almost as if a carpet of vineyards covers most of the country. It is sincere, it is charming, and it is chaotic.

The instructions on the seat in front of me stated, "With the eventuality that you are immersed in water, you will use the life vest that we have always placed underneath you." Sincere, charming and chaotic.

I was flying from Gatwick to Florence as a guest to attend a week-long conference on wine tourism and 'agritourismo'. I was unwittingly being introduced to the essence of the vine. For the first time in my life I was to recognise all that viticulture embraces.

Only in Italy can one absorb the full value of a

wine culture. (France may come a close second.) The stunted olive trees, the scents of the cellar that is still waiting for the 21st century. Small barrels darkened with time, an old basket press showing generations of use. Of course, one can easily find rows of stainless steel tanks and men in white coats, but the country vineyards and the small town 'Enoteca' (wine shop) ensure that romance and tradition prevail.

I found that almost every wine producer (93%) had some secondary farming activity such as olives, cheese or raising sheep. Vine plantings are considered dense at 4000 per hectare. These are often trellised low to benefit from reflected warmth from the ground.

The finished product follows a simple classification.

Vino Di Tavola (table wine), Denominazione Di Origine or DOC ('quality' wines) and DOGC ( the 'G' for Garantita - superior). Recently a new simplified category of IT, "Indicazione Geografica Tipica" has sprung up. Not needing any translation it can cover a multitude of sins, but it has its uses.

Among my best memories are the 'almost' twin towns of Montalcino and Multepulciano in Tuscany. They provided an initiation to Brunello – a Sangiovese clone used for making the iconic Brunello di Montalcino; traditionally aged for at least four years of which three are in wood. A powerful wine – rich, heady and with great fruit, it pairs well with the local country cuisine: ‘bruchette al pomodoro’ (tomato

Grande Provence toasts bubbly festival debut at Wine & Dine Collaboration

Grande Provence is celebrating their debut at the Franschhoek Cap Classique and Champagne Festival with a Wine and Dine Collaboration dinner showcasing exceptional Méthode Cap Classique and Champagne on Friday, 4 December, on the estate.

Winemaker Karl Lambour who released his first Cap Classique earlier this year will be joined by fellow MCC producer Silverthorn, Champagne Jacquart and Champagne Lanson for this singular fine dining experience at The Restaurant at Grande Provence.

Executive Chef Darren Badenhorst has created some extraordinary dishes to complement the unique character of each of these opulent MCCs and champagnes.

Starting the evening will be Silverthorn Jewel Box 2011 paired with griddled marron ceviche, Alaskan crab, charred

corn and elements of citrus.

For the Jacquart Extra Brut, Chef Darren has chosen 12-hour Franschhoek trout gravlax, served with a mosaic of beetroot scales, iced baby radish and vineyard alfalfa.

The maiden Grande Provence Brut Méthode Cap Classique 2009 will be paired with a selection of cold smoked tuna, seared tuna, saffron tomato, panko and yolk sphere and a dash of anchovy crème.

Adding the finishing touch will be Lanson Black Label with frozen mulberry yoghurt parfait and liquorish-glazed beets drizzled with a port and violet syrup.

The Wine & Dine Collaboration dinner on Friday, 4 December, takes place at The Restaurant at Grande Provence, starting at 19h00. Seats are R1 500 per person. restaurant@grandeprovence.co.za 021 876 8600

La Petite Ferme now open for dinner

La Petite Ferme boutique wine estate, situated on the Franschhoek Pass overlooking the valley, is now open for dinner.

The 140-seater restaurant, listed by Condé Nast Traveller as one of the top 15 'Best Value' establishments in the world, is renowned for its contemporary-rustic cuisine combining international methods with the flavours of the freshest locallysourced produce. Chefs Neethling du Toit and Tanya Rousseau believe in presenting uncomplicated dishes filled with natural flavours on each plate.

As of mid-November 2015, La Petite Ferme offers a new Tapas Bistro with alfresco dining, serving canapé-sized gastronomy from around the globe. A variety of dishes can be enjoyed accompanied by the farm’s award-winning wines. Wine awards include recognition as the Michelangelo Wine Awards’ Top Producer in 2013.

Accompanied by panoramic vistas of the beautiful surrounds the restaurant offers a warm and welcoming space, basked in natural light, and is operated by dedicated staff.

The restaurant is open seven days a week with lunch

24 dirkie uys street · tel 021 876 4304

www.davidwalters.co.za

HANDMADE IN FRANSCHHOEK designer craftsman · ceramic studio · gallery

served from 12h00 to 15h30. Dinner is available Thursday to Sunday from 19h00 to 22h00. reception@lapetiteferme.co.za | 021 876 3016.

sauce), ‘pappardelle con ragi’ (pasta) and do not forget the pecorino cheese from ewe's milk.

The cooler north of Italy offers more delicate whites, especially in Trentino Alto Adige bordering on Austria. It follows that the south revels in heartier reds, but many of these are strangely neutral. Not to miss however are Puglia's Primitivo, from around Taranto, which ages well, and Calabria's Ciro, which has established a good reputation.

All said and done, of all wine countries, Italy offers a lifetime’s experience. Mix this with its rich history and medieval architecture, winding streets and church bells and, with a glass in your hand, you will realise that you have arrived.

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From our family to yours, we would like to thank you, our customers, for your support. We wish you the happiest of holidays.

now stockists of Three streams salmon, trout and many more! stockists of grass fed/free range meats as well as a grade meat.

From 1st december we are open for dinner until 8pm.

Bring your own liquor, beer and wine (we supply the mix) corkage fee of r30.00 per table

Place Vendome Lifestyle Centre | 13 Main road | Franschhoek | 021 876 3556

Monday (Closed) | Tuesday – saTurday (8am – 8pm) | Sunday (8am – 4pm) Montagu Dried Fruits & Nuts Franschhoek is now packed with healthy foods and snacks for all tastes.

We have listened to our customers and gone about sourcing the most sought-after ranges of health products available in SA. This means our range is not only diverse, but readily available at all times on our shelves.

Our core focus is on YOUR health and our newest partnership is with banting on the go™, where we now offer their range of OFFICIAL, 100% banting™ compliant food, snacks, condiments PLUS pizza bases, wraps, rolls and their delicious 14 slice bread loaves! As the leaders in banting™ food science, their products can be trusted to do the job 100% of the time!

TOP QUALITY NUTS, BILTONG, BERRIES & DRIED FRUIT

Included in the range we stock, amongst many other things: Dried berries, fruit & nuts

Frozen assortment berries

banting™ pizza bases, wraps, bread loaves & rolls

Organic coconut oils

Pre-mix cake, bread,

Organic coconut water

Dairy and sugar free chocolates & sweets Wide range of nut butters

Skinny pasta (low carb pasta)

Our friendly staff are waiting to assist you with ALL your health food needs, so please pop in. And to our loyal customers and supporters a big thank-you!

Everything banting ™ from the brand you can trust!

TM

Deon and Elna Viljoen Please like our Facebook page (Montagu Dried Fruit & Nuts Franschhoek) for more exciting healthy ideas, recipes and everyday health news.

Montagu Dried Fruit & Nuts Franschhoek 23 Huguenot Street, next to Pick ‘n Pay Daily

healthy made convenient

T: 021 876 4338

C: 076 570 2410

Franschhoek Tatler

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December 2015

Diners Club Winemaker of the Year crowned

Winemaker of the Year Johann Fourie

The 35th Diners Club Winemaker of the Year, as well as the Junior Winemaker of the Year, was crowned during a gala dinner at La Residence Hotel and Villas on Saturday, 21 November 2015.

The category for this year’s Winemaker of the Year Award was ‘non-Bordeaux red wines other than Shiraz’. Four of the five finalists’ wines were Pinotages – the fifth a Tinta Barocca. When the winner was announced it was Johann Fourie for his KWV The Mentors Pinotage 2013. Rightly proud of his achievement and showing a fine sense of humour he congratulated the judges on a spot-on decision – in choosing a Pinotage!

The Junior Winemaker of the Year Award went to Phillip Viljoen of Bon Courage. His winning wines – in the category ‘white wines’ – were the Bon Courage Noble Late Harvest 2015 and Bon Courage Andre's Fame Colombard 2015. Viljoen, who stutters, charmed the audience during his acceptance speech by saying that he’s “probably going to make a short story long”.

Diners Club MD, Ebrahim Matthews – who being Muslim doesn’t drink alcohol – as in previous years

had the guests in stitches while telling them how having his signature in the front of the Platters South African Wine Guide by Diners Club is not improving his standing in his family or the Muslim Community at large! He also traded some sporting barbs with Englishman Chris Sweeney, Head of Standard Bank’s Card Division, particularly about the recent Rugby World Cup and England’s early exit. When it was Sweeney’s turn to speak he seemed to have already put his nation’s rugby embarrassment behind him and was more focussed on the outcome of the Liverpool vs Manchester City match that he was following on his smartphone. (For the record: Liverpool won by 4 goals to 1!)

Guests feasted on Gratinated Camembert, Grilled Beef Medallions and Coconut and Lemongrass Pannacotta – the first two courses paired with the evening’s winning wines – while the emcee, Jeannie D, kept proceedings rolling along smoothly, as she did at the previous year’s ceremony.

All told, there was only one thing wrong with the evening – there was no Franschhoeker among the finalists! At least there’s always next year…

Junior Winemaker of the Year Phillip Viljoen

Now open for dinner!

Thursday to Sunday from 19:00 - 22:00 Call 021 876 3016 or email restaurant@lapetiteferme.co.za to make your reservation.

La Petite Ferme Wine Estate, Franschhoek Pass Rd, Franschhoek, 7690

RISE & SHINE!

NOW SERVING

NEW BREAKFAST PIZZAS Served daily from 8.30am until 11am.

EXCLUSIVE TO COL’CACCHIO PIZZERIA FRANSCHHOEK 021 876 4222. 66 HUGUENOT STREET, FRANSCHHOEK

December 2015

Franschhoek Tatler

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Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2016 launched

Five 5-star wines for Franschhoek The Platter’s by Diners Club South African Wine Guide 2016 was launched at Cape Town’s Mount Nelson Hotel at the end of October 2015 with over 200 guests in attendance, the VIPs including wine producers who had achieved the maximum five star rating in the new edition – reserved for wines that are “South African classics”.

A total of 83 five star wines, as well as three new five star brandies and one new five star husk spirit are featured in the 2016 guide. Publisher of Platter’s, JeanPierre Rossouw, says: “This year, all wines that were scored 4.5 stars or higher in the primary assessment went into a second round of tasting, conducted blind (without sight of the label) by small panels including experienced palates from outside the team.”

Five Franschhoek wines received the five 5-star accolade.

They are: Chamonix Cabernet Franc 2013, Bellingham Bernard Series Basket Press Syrah 2013, GlenWood Grand Duc Chardonnay 2013, Bellingham Bernard Series Whole Bunch Rousanne 2015 and La Couronne Muscadel NV (The winery’s first Platter ‘s 5-star wine.)

In an interesting twist the guide’s ultimate accolade, Winery of the Year, this year went to Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines, which is part of the Leeuw Collection that also owns Leeuw House, Leeuw Estates and Le

Christie’s Diamond Jewellery brings more glitter to the main road

Franschhoek’ s reputation for fine shopping, design and art received another boost when Christie’s Diamond Jewellery opened its doors in Bijoux Square in July 2015.

The Christie in the name, is Christie Labuschagne, whom shoppers will usually find at the front desk.

Christie originally hails from Bloemfontein and started making jewellery at age of 12 years. As a qualified jewellery designer and accomplished goldsmith he has created many dream-come-true pieces over his 35-year-long career.

Christie’s business partner, Ben Eloff is an artist himself. Ben manages the art gallery upstairs from the jewellery design studio. The gallery focuses on works by local artists such as Adriaan Boshoff, Anton Benson, Roy Taylor, Corné Weideman and Este Mostert and many more. There are also sculptures

by Vincent, Lydia and Anthony Da Silva, ceramics by Adrian Grove and paintings by Ben himself.

Christie takes pride in his attention to detail in design and expert craftsmanship, both of which are evident not only in the pieces on display, but also in older jewellery pieces that he has remodelled into contemporary stunners for clients. Should the dark wood display cabinets with their crystal handles not hold quite what a client is looking for they can select a stone from the finest diamonds, tanzanites and other gem stones and have a one-of-a-kind piece designed and created in 24 to 60 hours. To make the process even more personal the design can be done in the privacy of the client’s home. What better reminder could there be of time spent in Franschhoek than having your own piece of jewellery designed and made in Franschhoek?

If you’re looking to do some Christmas shopping, don’t forget to head upstairs to the gallery where Ben has more jewellery on display – much of it in the R50 - R900 price range, making it very affordable. As Ben says “We really do try to accommodate locals who do not have the benefit of a favourable exchange rate, but want excellent quality and service.” www.christiesdiamondjewellery.com | 021 876 4197

Quartier Français in Franschhoek.

Debuting in 1980, Platter’s by Diners Club is South Africa’s first and still leading wine annual, with total hardcover sales of well over 1.4 million copies, plus more recent digital versions for mobile and desktop devices. The 2016 edition follows the popular and award-winning Platter’s format, with more than 900 South African wine producers, merchants and brands being featured, including some 50 new ones, along with over 8,000 locally produced wines.

Joining the 2016 edition of the printed guide, Platter’s by Diners Club now also has new apps for iPhone and Android that “put Platter’s in your pocket”. Wine-lovers need simply subscribe through Wineonaplatter.com to enjoy digital access through the web and apps to all ratings and reviews.

The guide’s recommended retail price is R215. www.wineonaplatter.com

The men’s boutique in the heart of the winelands.

We stock: Scotch & Soda, Polo, Pringle, Deacon, Goliath, Silent Theory and our own Peacock Blue line.

FRANSCHHOEK 50 Huguenot Street 021 876 4691 STELLENBOSCH 14 Bird Street 021 882 9996

w w w. p e a c o c k b l u e . c o. z a

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December 2015

Grant-in-aid Organisasies en/of instellings wat kwalifiseer vir finansiële hulp ingevolge die bepalings vervat in die Skenkingsbeleid van Stellenbosch Munisipaliteit, word hiermee uitgenooi om aansoeke in die volgende kategorieë in te dien:

• • • • •

Datum: 07 Desember 2015 Plek: Eikestad Saal, Langstraat, Cloetesville Tyd: 13:30 – 15:30

Gesondheid Omgewing Vaste afval (Reiniging) Sosiale Ontwikkeling Sport en Rekreasie

Dui asseblief aan indien u die werkswinkel wil bywoon. RSVP aan Fiona Kruywagen by fiona.kruywagen@stellenbosch.gov.za.

Slegs aansoeke op die voorgeskrewe aansoekvorm vergesel van al die gevraagde inligting en ondersteunende dokumente, ingedien teen laaste 13:00 op 15 Januarie 2016, sal oorweeg word.

Rig u aansoek aan die Direkteur: Beplanning en Ekonomiese Ontwikkeling, 58 Andringastraat, Stellenbosch 7600.

Afdrukke van die betrokke beleid en aansoekvorm is beskikbaar gedurende kantoorure by die Gemeenskapsontwikkelingskantoor Andringastraat 58, Stellenbosch asook op Stellenbosch Munisipaliteit se webwerf www.stellenbosch.gov.za

Organizations and/or bodies who qualify for financial assistance in terms of the criteria and prescriptions contained in Stellenbosch Municipality’s Grant-in-Aid Policy, are hereby invited to submit proposals in the following categories:

• • • • •

Health Environment Solid Waste (Cleansing) Social Development Sport and Recreation

U word ook uitgenooi na ’n verpligte werkswinkel waar u kan leer hoe om die aansoekvorms te voltooi en aan die vereistes van die beleid te voldoen. Geen aansoeke sal oorweeg word indien die werkswinkel nie bygewoon word nie.

Die Munisipaliteit behou die reg om geen skenking te maak nie en sal geen toekenning maak aan organisasies wat fondse in die vorige finansiële jaar ontvang het maar geen finale verslag oor hul projekte of vorige spanderings ingedien het nie. Skenkings is onderhewig aan begroting goedkeuring. Geen laat aansoeke sal aanvaar word nie.

DUPRÉ LOMBAARD WAARNEMENDE MUNISIPALE BESTUURDER 34/2015

You are also invited to a compulsory workshop where you can learn how to complete your application and comply with the requirements of the policy. No applications will be considered if the workshop has not been attended.

Date: 07 December 2015 Venue: Eikestad Hall, Long Street, Cloetesville Time: 13:30 – 15:30

Only applications submitted on the prescribed application form and accompanied by all the supporting documentation, received not later than 13:00 on 15 January 2016 shall be considered.

Address your application to the Director: Planning and Economic Development, 58 Andringa Street, Stellenbosch 7600.

Please indicate your presence at this workshop. RSVP to Fiona Kruywagen at fiona.kruywagen@stellenbosch.gov.za.

The Municipality reserves the right not to make any award and will make no award to organizations that have received funds in the previous financial year but have not submitted a final report on its projects or previous expenditure. Awards are subject to budget approval. No late submissions will be entertained.

Copies of the said policy and application form are available at the Community Development office, 58 Andringa Street, DUPRÉ LOMBAARD Stellenbosch during office hours as well as on the website of ACTING MUNICIPAL MANAGER Stellenbosch Municipality www.stellenbosch.gov.za 34/2015

UMasipala wase Stellenbosch, umema imibutho kunye namaqumrhu aselungelweni lokufumana inkxaso mali, ngokomgaqo siseko we nkxaso mali, ka Masipala wase Stellenbosch ukuba afake izicelo kulamacandelo alandelayo:

• • • • •

Ezempilo Ezendalo Inkunkuma nococeko Uphuhliso lweze ntlalo-ntle Ezemidlalo nenkcubeko

Uyamenywa kwakhona kwindibano ebalulekileyo ekwanyanzelisa, apho uyakuthi ufundiswe khona ngendlela yokugcwalisa isicelo sakho nokunye okufunekayo kumgaqo.

Akukho zicelo ziyakwamkelwa ukuba awubanga kho kwindibano.

Umhla: 07 December 2015 Indawo: Eikestad Hall, Long Street, Cloetesville Ixesha: 13:30 – 15:30 Nceda wazise u Fiona Kruywagen ukuba uyaphumelela kule ndibano, kuledilesi ilandelayo, fiona.kruywagen@stellenbosch. gov.za

Zizicelo ezinezinkcukacha zichaziweyo kwi form yesicelo eziyakuthi zithathelwe ingqalelo okanye zamkeleke ngaphambi kwentsimbi yokuqala ngomhla ka 15 January 2016. Thumela UMasipala unelungelo lokunganikezeli nge nkxaso-mali isicelo sakho kule dilesi elandelayo, Director : Planning and kwimibutho eyayikhe yaxhamla kwinkxaso-mali yonyakaEconomic Development, 58 Andringa Street. Stellenbosch 7600. mali egqithileyo, nakwimibutho engangenisanga inkcukacha zenkcitho-mali edlulileyo. Izicelo ezingeniswe emva kwexesha Ikopi zomgaqo kwakunye ne form yesicelo ziyafumaneka kwiofisi azisayi kwamkeleka. yakwa Community Development, kwisitalato esingu no 58 Andringa Street, Stellenbosch ngamaxesha omsebenzi, okanye DUPRÉ LOMBAARD ungandwendwela ku www.stellenbosch.gov.za ukufumana UMPHATHI KA MASIPALA inkcukacha ezithe vetshe.

34/2015

December 2015

Franschhoek Tatler

Galleria Gibello

Wildlife photographer Caroline Gibello

Franschhoek’s original brandy distillery is now Galleria Gibello, the new home of wildlife photographer Caroline Gibello’s iconic images of Africa.

This unique and inspirational space has been dusted out and lovingly refurbished. On the R45 main road, beneath wooden rafters and old oaks is a real time journal of Caroline's travels throughout the African continent and other far off destinations. Inspired by the adventure of life, Caroline’s work conveys a strong sense of beauty and reverence for spirit: images that bear witness to the colours, textures and tapestries of the world in which we live.

At the root of all Caroline’s adventures is mystery and it is this that inspires the freedom of her work – a freedom that allows for an image to reveal itself in whatever light and composition her creative eye defines. This quiet surrender, rather than active pursuit, results in a genuineness and gentleness that emanates from her images. Her enduring affinity to Africa and her insatiable thirst for travel has led to a body of work imbued with a quiet, serene essence and deep appreciation for our natural world. Her photographic prints, with their signature sun bleached

palate and soft toned hues continue to inspire patrons from all corners of the globe.

Galleria Gibello is Caroline’s unique and creative way of expressing her innate appreciation for the beauty of our planet. In sharing her images, she hopes to contribute to the critical shift in consciousness around the preservation and conservation of our home. Her photographs are all testament to a deeprooted reverence for our natural world and her beloved Africa.

At Galleria Gibello, Caroline's Fine Art Photography is complimented by an eclectic mix of other artworks – sculpture, drawing, painting – by established South African artists: Heike Allerton-Davies, Sam Allerton and Elsabe Milandri.

Delicious coffee and freshly baked treats are also on offer, while a wonderful book lounge replete with African journals and photographic adventures is a sure source of inspiration.

Galleria Gibello is a gorgeous and imaginative space in the beautiful wine valley of Franschhoek.

Adventure, passion, mystery and travel all await. www.galleriagibello.com | 021 876 2657

Made in Franschhoek

A group of previously unemployed Franschhoek women are crocheting attractive bags that anyone would be pleased to carry. The material running from their fingers to their crochet hooks is discarded plastic bags; that scourge of our environment.

Jane (Mira) Parkfelt started the project recently.

She was inspired by the organisation Embracing the World in India where she volunteered for 20 years.

Being concerned about the damage plastic is causing to the environment, Jane decided to do something about it.

She started by collecting plastic bags and sanitising them before turning them into plarn – the term used for yarn made from plastic. She had been helping people who had absolutely nothing and found that one of the ladies, Catherine, could crochet.

Subsequently two more ladies with crocheting skills were found and another one was taught. As the business progresses, it is hoped that more ladies will be trained to do the work and earn an income. The project not only addresses the need for employment and removing plastic from the environment, it also supports a feeding scheme at a crèche in Lotus River – a pressing need Jane discovered through friends.

The different coloured bags range in size and style from shoulder sling bags to shopping bags and beach

Bag crocheted using recycled plastic bags

bags and are sold at the Saturday morning village market, where you can also drop off unwanted plastic bags. Buying a few crocheted bags for own use, or as Christmas gifts, should prove most useful, but for Jane it means lending a helping hand to the less fortunate and to a struggling Mother Nature.

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Franschhoek Tatler

Celebrating six successful harvests at Allée Bleue

Allée Bleue has built a solid reputation for excellent wine with much of it attributed to the work of winemaker Van Zyl Du Toit who just celebrated his sixth harvest at the estate.

Du Toit joined Allée Bleue as winemaker in July 2009 and has seen the estate and its winemaking activities flourish since then. For one, the cellar processed 600 tons of grapes earlier this year – up considerably from the 180 tons it handled during his first harvest in 2010.

At the same time, the focus on quality has remained steadfast. “Our customers have come to appreciate this direction,” says Du Toit, “and, that our wines are not only made to a higher standard, but are also more consistent. This has allowed us to retain our share of the market and ensured consistent growth too.”

Allée Bleue has been a top performer in local wine competitions and again collected several awards at a number of recent international competitions: Gold medals for its Pinotage 2012, Cabernet

Allée Bleue winemaker Van Zyl du Toit

Sauvignon/Merlot 2013, Chenin Blanc 2014 and L’Amour Toujours 2011 at the Mundus Vini International Wine Awards in Germany; Top Gold for its Isabeau 2013 and gold for its Sauvignon Blanc 2014, Pinotage 2011 and Chenin Blanc 2014 at the Par Wine Awards (South Africa).

The Isabeau 2013 is in SA Top 100 Wines; The Starlette Rose 2015 received a Trophy for best Rose in category at the Novare SA Terroir Wine Awards; The Allée Bleue Brut 2012 received a Gold medal at the Michelangelo International Awards The Chenin Blanc 2014 received a Gold medal at Veritas Awards Gold medals for the Starlette Blanc 2015 and Blue Owl Chardonnay 2015 at the Ultra Value Wine Challenge.

Du Toit plays down his influence in Allée Bleue’s growth. “The potential has always been here. With the support of the owners, a good production and sales team, and a close-knit working relationship with grape

December 2015

producers, the battle was virtually already won. The improvement in quality flows from all these factors,” he says.

Du Toit, the son of a winemaker, hails from Riebeek Kasteel in the Cape's Swartland region. His own winemaking career saw him acquire skills and experience at wineries in South Africa and overseas.

He has 19 harvests under his belt.

In addition to getting married and becoming father of two sons, Du Toit’s tenure at Allée Bleue has brought numerous highlights, among them the repackaging of its Platinum Range and its MCCs. The demand for Allée Bleue wines necessitated the expansion of the cellar and the acquisition of 14ha of vineyards on a neighbouring farm.

“The wine team has received top commendations, but for me it has been about seeing the popularity of our wines grow across all ranges and the over-delivery on quality no matter the price of the wine,” says Du Toit. www.alleebleue.co.za | 021 874 1021

Hairdresser’s hair-raising jump

Well-known Franschhoek hairdresser, Gerda Jacobs, of Salon la Belle celebrated her son’s 40th birthday by joining him for a tandem parachute jump on 5 October 2015. Talk about taking a celebration to hair-raising heights!

December 2015

Franschhoek Tatler

Berg River Dam plans being realised

In August we reported that small, but good progress was being made in the Berg River Dam area with the money Franschhoek Wine Valley received from the Stellenbosch Municipality for repairing and maintaining trails, training guides and employing security guards.

From the outset the intention has been to establish primary co-operatives with relevant skills and able to operate as independent, self-sustaining bodies. The first such co-operative has been created. ‘Golden Leaf Trails’ co-operative comprises six people – four of whom who over the past three months have learnt trail maintenance and trail building skills plus two administrators, one of whom is studying finance at Boston College.

Co-operatives are not new to Natie Ferreira who has been working with the team and actively helped with the registration of the Golden Leaf Trails. Speaking to the Tatler, Natie commented that two co-operatives have been operating on the Fransche Hoek Estate for approximately three months – one offering landscaping services and the other agricultural services. One of these co-ops already has a healthy bank balance – a tremendous achievement after starting with next to nothing.

Natie added that while the goal to establish a trail building co-operative seems simple to achieve, it has not been without its challenges. The biggest of these has been to find suitable people – firstly people with the necessary skills and/or willingness to learn and the energy to make

Franschhoek trail builders (FLTR) Vivian Goso, Desmond Mentoor, Booi Horing and Waylen Borrins

it happen; and secondly people who are happy to work together. A co-operative is like a family – everyone needs to work together for the good of the co-operative.

The trail building team has been working on upgrading / maintaining cycle trails. The cycle trails that have been upgraded / maintained are: Matoppie Loop, Matoppie Mast Climb, Wolwekloof – with three technical loops: Snake Alley, Lower Dam Vista Track and the Skelmhoek Contour, Assegaaibos, Dassenberg Loop, and the Franschhoek Urban Trail An official opening of these trails is planned for the end of January / beginning of February 2016.

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December 2015

Beat the heat to stay safe

With summer in full swing, temperatures soaring, and some experts predicting a particularly hot and dry summer, Resolution Health Medical Scheme cautions the public to take measures to protect their health, and that of the elderly and young children.

“We are fortunate in South Africa to enjoy a wonderfully warm climate, however this comes with certain dangers that we must learn to mitigate through behavioural change during hot spells,” says Resolution Health principal officer Mark Arnold.

Dr Jacques Snyman, acting chief executive officer for Agility Global Health Solutions Africa (Agility Africa), the administrator of Resolution Health, warns that the elderly and young children are particularly susceptible to heat-related health conditions.

“The elderly tend to dehydrate more quickly than other healthy adults, while babies and young children’s bodies’ internal thermoregulatory systems are not yet fully developed. People suffering from chronic lung and heart conditions and those taking certain medicines, which may impair heat regulation, are also particularly heat sensitive. This puts these age groups and individuals at great risk in the heat,” Dr Snyman explains.

“Hyperthermia is a condition in which the body temperature becomes dangerously high and the body cannot dissipate heat in a hot or humid environment, especially while doing physical activities. We more commonly hear about heat exhaustion and heat stroke, which are both forms of hyperthermia.”

Heat exhaustion is a less severe form of hyperthermia, which can lead to heat stroke if not adequately treated. The health risks associated with high temperatures should not be underestimated as heat stroke, which happens when the body’s core temperature increases beyond 40 degrees Celsius, can be fatal,” Dr Snyman warns.

Symptoms of heat exhaustion include: profuse sweating; muscle cramps and body aches; nausea; vomiting; fatigue; dizziness; pale skin.

“If you or anyone else shows symptoms of heat exhaustion, take action immediately. Get out of the heat, drink plenty of water, remove any tight or unnecessary clothing, and take a cool shower or bath to reduce the body temperature. If these measures

don’t provide relief within 30 minutes, then the person could be suffering from the more serious condition of heat stroke,” Dr Snyman cautions.

Heat stroke is a medical emergency and, if is not treated rapidly and properly, it can lead to coma or organ failure. The most characteristic sign of heat stroke is an absence of sweating.

Other symptoms include: dry flushed skin; high body temperature; rapid pulse; trouble breathing; confusion and disorientation; hallucinations; unusual and sometimes aggressive behaviour; seizures; coma.

Arnold urged the public to take measures to protect themselves, as well as their young and elderly loved ones, against dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke during periods of high temperatures.

“Where possible stay indoors and avoid strenuous physical activity during the hottest period of the day, usually between 11h00 and 16h00. If you must be outside, try to keep to the shade. Drink plenty of water and avoid alcoholic drinks or those containing caffeine, as these dehydrate the body,” Arnold elaborates.

“Wear loose-fitting clothes in light fabrics and avoid dark colours, as these draw in the heat of the sun.

Hats and high sun protection factor (SPF) sunscreen are also a must. It is also vitally important not to leave anyone – children, the elderly or pets – in parked vehicles, even for a few minutes, as this very rapidly creates the conditions that cause heat stroke.”

“Prevention is always better than cure and arming yourself with knowledge about how to stay safe in the heat is the first step in defence against these unpleasant and dangerous conditions,” Arnold concluded.

Rooibos can help you shed over a kilo a month

One of the best-kept weight-loss secrets could already be in your pantry. Celebs swear by it, and research confirms that Rooibos tea is the ideal way to help you slim down this summer.

By swapping just one cup of coffee for Rooibos tea every day, you could lose as much as a kilo every month. Most of us load our coffee with sugary syrups, honey, whipped cream or milk and sugar which can add anything from 35 to 250+ calories per cup. And if one considers that the average South African knocks back about four cups of coffee a day, drinking Rooibos instead could lead to a whopping 7 – 14kg shed in a year.

Ernest du Toit, spokesperson for the SA Rooibos Council, says the indigenous tea offers dieters a healthy, enjoyable and sustainable way to lose weight.

“Rooibos tea contains no fat or carbohydrates and its weight-loss properties further extends to inhibiting fat-storage hormones within the body. Rooibos’s unique Bioflavonoid, Aspalathin, helps to reduce stress hormones that trigger hunger and fat storage, typically associated with high blood pressure, heart disease, metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes. In a nutshell, Rooibos tea can prevent the body from storing and even forming new fat cells.

“Rooibos tea is also caffeine-free and naturally sweet so there’s no need to add extra sugar. Plus it comes in a variety of flavours like berry, cinnamon, mint and citrus. It’s also 100% natural with no additives, no preservatives and no chemicals,” he says.

“Drinking Rooibos tea instead of a regular 35+ calorie cup of coffee (enjoyed with milk and a spoonful

SINCE 1994

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of sugar) or a 100+ calorie carbonated drink will automatically reduce your calorie intake, which should put you well on your way to losing centimetres.”

A-list celebrities sporting already svelte figures such as Angelina Jolie, Catherine Zeta Jones and supermodel Cindy Crawford all swear by Rooibos’s health benefits.

Drinking up to six cups a day – hot or cold – along with a healthy and balanced diet, will provide you with the maximum health and weight-loss benefits that Rooibos tea can offer. www.sarooibos.org.za

December 2015

Franschhoek Tatler

15

New beginnings for Sunflower Fund founder

Franschhoek resident, Tina Botha, the Founder Director of The Sunflower Fund, has stepped down from here position at the fund and is now its Founder Patron.

After many years of being the driving force behind The Sunflower Fund, Tina is stepping aside and making time to explore a new chapter in her life.

Having originally become involved in 1999, while desperately searching for a donor for her own son Chris Corlett, Tina continued after he lost his battle with leukaemia in Sept 2000. “What has made it really so difficult to let go is that part of me has felt like I am letting go of Chris and that thought has been so, so painful, but I now realise that I am just letting go of the pain associated with the last 3 years of his life.

Chris will always be with me, no matter where I go or what I do,” she said Tina expressed her extreme gratitude to the many people in South Africa who have helped her during the journey, from the patients themselves, the doctors and nurses, members of the media, sponsors, stakeholders, family and friends who have all walked the long road with her and helped The Sunflower Fund increase the bone marrow registry in an effort to save more lives.

The Sunflower Fund has an incredible Board and team of dedicated and passionate staff around South Africa with a wonderful ethos which has made her decision to move on so much easier. She is confident that The Sunflower Fund will continue to help build this state asset and make a difference for many patients and their families for years to come.

Tina reminds us of the personal story that ignited and fuelled the vision of The Sunflower Fund.

The original painting “Sunflowers of Hope” was completed by 17 year old Chris Corlett in 1999, whilst being treated for acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia.

His fortitude and willingness to share the darkest moments of his short life, awakened a flood of public support, which resulted in the birth of the Friends of the South African Bone Marrow Registry Foundation – now known as The Sunflower Fund, whose main purpose is to build up a database of 400 000 stem cell donors.

It was Chris Corlett’s wish that the Registry develop and grow, so that future Leukaemia sufferers may have the opportunity to live a healthy life. His mother, Tina Botha, dedicated her life to making her son’s wish come true.

The Lavender Room Franschhoek Health Club

The Sunflower Fund aims to educate and recruit a viable source of well-informed potential bone marrow stem cell donors, who are ethnically diverse, in an effort to save the lives of those needing a transplant when suffering from life-threatening blood disorders. Having started out of the spare room in her home, today The Sunflower Fund is a national organization, operating a toll-free call centre on 0800 12 10 82 and has regional offices in Western Cape, Gauteng and KZN to assist with donor recruitment and fundraising to pay for the blood tests.

Tina now hands over the baton to the current and future Board, new CEO Alana James and staff at The Sunflower Fund, to keep this legacy of hope alive and continue to increase the registry to save more lives in the future.

To become a stem cell donor call the toll free number below or visit the website. www.sunflowerfund.org.za | 0800 12 10 82 (toll free).

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Luxurious pedicure Using ‘The Blue Lemon’ natural and organic products & Vitaderm’s Hydro Intensive Facial @ R500 Contact Tina Donald 0825787877

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Franschhoek Tatler

16

SHOWROOM: Unit 80C Village Artisan Cabriére Street Franschhoek

December 2015

021 876 2082

paintsmiths@franschhoek.co.za

FRANSCHHOEK’S SPECIALIST PAINT SHOP We stock a full range of Midas, environmentally friendly paints (water and oil based) and Earthcote specialised, textured trowel-on and brush-on products for wall surfaces (300 colours to choose from) as well as cement floor finishes which are on display in our showroom with many colours to choose from.

We also stock waterproofing products, Plascon water and oil based paints. Hamilton’s paint brushes, rollers, crack fillers, sand paper, masking and buff tapes, turpentine, lacquer thinners and putty.

For DIY enthusiasts, we stock ladders, overalls, dropsheets and paint trays.

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, specifications and painting quotations contact Paul 082 567 6162

Tatler Motoring Michele Lupini

SILVER ARROW – Sublime AMG GT S incredible to drive Driven as it begs to be driven, the Mercedes-AMG GT S brings out the very best – not just in it, but in you, the driver – its clever systems really make you look good and even with them off, it’s quite sublime.

But then you really need to be good.

Mercedes scoffs at suggestions of all-wheel drive in a car like this. But we also think that the lack of it is AMG GT S’ biggest flaw – a flaw borne out by how bloody brilliant the Jaguar F Type R AWD we drove a few issues back is. A rear-driven F Type R could not hold a candle to this AMG GT S, but that all-wheel driven one – well that’s another story.

Anyway, beyond that and its limited driving range, the GT S is very difficult to fault. Mercedes-AMG’s second in-house sportscar, GT S gets AMG’s brilliant new 4-litre biturbo V8 mounted front midships and driving a 7-speed double-clutch rear transaxle in an aluminium lightweight construction chassis delivers both first-class racetrack performance and superb everyday practicality and promises 3.8 seconds zero to 100km/h and 310km/h, which we even bettered

Franschhoek Tatler at 3.7 seconds.

Race-derived aluminium double-wishbone suspension, front and rear, and internally ventilated, perforated 390mm front and 360mm rear disc brakes are up to anything you will get up to. It’s all wrapped up in a body that reflects all Mercedes’ significant GT car history as it blends yesterday’s Gullwing nuances with tomorrow through edgy and crafty lines, splendid jewellery in its headlights and trim and an overall, balanced poise that screams fast Mercedes.

And it’s not just all cock and teeth either – GT S defies its sportiness on the open road where it rides pretty luxuriously for a GT car, though subjected to a launch control drag, GT S shoves you hard back in the seat before obliterating the strip in a blur and progressing on to warp speeds it feels at ease at all day long.

Find some proper twisties and it really comes into its own. Poised, precise and honest – keep close to the realms of sanity and it will obey every steering input, every stab of the throttle and brake and even almost read your mind to deliver a truly sublime performance envelope.

In short, this car is as good as any of its hallowed market rivals but if it had all-wheel drive, GT S would probably be even better. But then this AMG Mercedes is a very different, most sublime car, AWD or not…

Get all the latest car new, tests, news, data and the rest, don’t miss Michele Lupini’s AutoWeek newspaper on sale now at most Franschhoek news stands and countrywide

Photo: Giordano Lupini

December 2015

17

Franschhoek Tatler

18

Fleur de Lis Nuus

Hospice News

Open Gardens Festival

‘Potjies panic’ & ‘potjies perfection’

Colleen Douglas

Marelise de Villiers

Le Domaine Charmant

Season's Greetings

Christmas is lurking around the corner and it’s time for us to acknowledge all our donors and workers in the community. With joy and grateful hearts we thank you all and wish you a blessed Christmas and New Year.

Dit is met groot dankbaarheid dat ons van Fleur de Lis almal wat gee en almal wat met liefde en deernis ons bederf erken. Ons wens julle ‘n geseënde Kersfees en voorspoedige 2016.

Rotary News Mark Tanner

Among Rotary's many activities is the sponsoring of young people for our RYLA programme (Rotary Youth Leadership Awareness). Last month Lauritia and Jodine, two eleventh grade girls from Franschhoek High School, undertook a three-day course with a group of specially selected young people. On their return they addressed the Rotary Club explaining that they had learned the spirit of comradeship, and, working as a team, had learned a great deal about themselves.

Rotary meets every Thursday at Café Franschhoek at 19h00 Visitors are welcome. For more information please call Matt Tanner on 082 773 9217

Langasem trekkerdrywer

Wild in Africa Rhino Ball – Pt 2

Following on the success of the first Wild in Africa Rhino Ball, conservation-minded partygoers will be happy to know that there will be a repeat performance in early 2016 – this time at Roca Restaurant on Dieu Donné estate.

According to the organisers ‘Part 2’, as it’s informally been dubbed will have more fun, more dancing and be more spectacular all around! So hold the date: Saturday, 27 February 2016, that is!.

Part of the ticket price for the event goes directly to the Poached Rhino charity. For those who are interested full details of where profits will be spent will be made available. Tickets are strictly limited to 120 guests.

To enquire about reservations or for more information please contact graeme@poachedrhino.org or directly on 072 815 8209.

Queuing for service

The Potjiekos Chefs

foods, toys, crayons, pencils etc. towards our patients’ Christmas boxes. Please deliver them before or the morning of 3 December to Hospice House. Our aim is 150 Christmas boxes.

On 11 December, please join us for the Hospice Community Carol sing along at Franschhoek Square from 18h30. Father Christmas will be there with a bag full of sweets for the children!

A reminder to all that the Hospice office and shop will be closed from 15 December 2015 and will reopen on 11 January 2016.

Wishing everyone who supported Hospice during the year a very Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.

Mother and son shoot straight

Lauritia and Jodine addressed the Rotary Club

Probus Club Julie Mitchell

What is Probus all about?

Cedric Leibrandt (29), ‘n trekkerdrywer by Nuweveld Boerdery (Elandsfontein), se werkgewers het geweet hy’s ‘n langasem en het besluit om hom vir die Cape Leopard Trust se eerste veldloop in te skryf.

Die wedloop het op 24 Oktober by Cascades Manor in die Paarl plaasgevind. Cedric het almal verras deur die 15km wedloop te wen. Nou kan hy nie wag om aan nog wedlope deel te neem nie. Sy oorwinning het aan hom geskenkbewyse van Cascades Manor en Cape Union Mart besorg.

Having lost the original venue for our November fund raiser, Hospice was fortunate enough to be granted permission to hold the event at Domaine des Anges.

We cannot thank the home owners of Domaine des Anges enough for allowing us to use the clubhouse and garden. It was THE most perfect setting for our Potjiekos Lunch.

All our guests were overwhelmed by the occasion. Sitting outside under the oaks, eating a delicious potjie lunch, and sipping selected wines was a wonderful way to spend a Saturday afternoon supporting such a worthy cause.

The potjiekos chefs, Lynette, Riaan, Tinus, Marjorie, Marelize, Pearl and I slaved over hot cauldrons for hours. Time and effort were well rewarded when ‘seconds’ were the call of the day. Thank you volunteer chefs!

The raffle was well supported and raised over R5 000.

Everyone who attended went home smiling and promising further support for Hospice. So once again we must thank the homeowners of Domaine des Anges who came to the rescue in our hour of need and made the whole day possible.

A big ‘thank you’ to the wonderful donors: Desray, Pat Ross, Steve Drew, Lyn de Villiers, Helen Siebert, Sarah Morton, Porcupine Ridge, Franschhoek Cellars, Liz Mills for the delicious dessert, Larry Mills our photographer for the day, MANROSES for live entertainment.

To the staff and volunteers who worked, served and smiled throughout the day a huge thank you.

From me to the staff and volunteers of Hospice, thank you for your dedication and support.

We are looking for donations of non-perishable

In SA there is a growing number of Probus Clubs, offering retirees the facility to manage the transition from executive, professional and other vocational activity to a calmer way of life. This is achieved through the following: • Opportunities to extend compatible social contacts and maintain an interest in the issues of the day.

• Positive attitudes to ageing, nurtured by group recreation and the sharing of information on issues of concern to senior citizens.

• Support in grief and illness.

• Speakers at monthly luncheons who provide a fresh mental challenge and stimulation.

Probus is a-political and non-sectarian and is not a service/fund raising organization.

We are mindful of the fact that costs are an important consideration and, therefore, membership fees are kept to a minimum; while monthly luncheon costs vary.

We meet monthly, on the first Monday, at Franschhoek Cellars 12h30 for 13h00 (except Dec & Jan). If you are interested in joining please contact me on 083 303 3335 I wish you all an enjoyable Festive Season.

A Bridge House College Grade 9 student, Scott Jacobs, and his mother, Estelle Jacobs, have both been awarded SA national colours in archery.

There are 11 archery clubs in the Western Cape.

Estelle and Scott are both members of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) Paarl Valley Archery Club.

Archers take part in a variety of archery disciplines and bow styles. The most popular types of bows are the Recurve Bow, which is not dissimilar to the English Longbow, and the Compound Bow, made from hightech materials. In the Target Archery discipline an athlete shoots 144 arrows from distances up to 90 meters. Field Archery is often compared to golf as athletes shoot at targets laid in the countryside. In 3D Archery the courses are similar to field archery but the athletes shoot at different-sized and -shaped 3D foam targets. Indoor Archery takes place in a large hall with athletes shooting from a distance of 18 meters at a target of which the centre X-ring is the size of a 20c coin!

It is in the Indoor Archery discipline that Scott and Estelle excelled during the South African National Indoor Archery Championships that were held in Pretoria from 23 – 25 October 2015. More than 300 top archers, ranging in age from 8 years old to senior citizens, participated in the championships.

During the first day of the competition all the archers shoot 60 arrows and the scores are used to rank the participants in their respective age brackets and bow categories. On the second day of the competition elimination matches are shot with each match consisting of 15 arrows and the best athlete going through to the next round until there are only four athletes left. On the last day of the competition the Bronze, Silver and Gold matches take place.

During day one of the championship Scott had an excellent seeding round and was fourth after the elimination rounds. Mother Estelle finished the

Photo: Lize Mare Carpenter

Once again the Franschhoek Valley community have stepped up to organising, hosting and participating in The Open Gardens. This is the annual fund raiser towards The Lions Building Fund for Fleur de Lis. Everyone will agree that events like these benefit the whole community!

This year was a great success and the gardens were just beautiful. The many visitors had nothing but enthusiastic comments to make. Although hot, the weather played along and throngs of happy gardeners streamed through the gardens.

None of this would have been possible without the volunteers and the many people taking on all kinds of responsibilities. There was the plant sale, the selling of tickets, manning gardens, stalls, teas, wine and champagne, in fact the best that Franschhoek can offer.

Fleur de Lis is grateful and we look forward to moving ahead with building plans soon.

A big thank you to all the people who supported Fleur de Lis and enjoyed the gardens!!

December 2015

Estelle Jacobs and son Scott Jacobs, a Grade 9 student at Bridge House College, both recently received their SA National Colours in Indoor Archery.

championship with a Silver medal, missing out on the Gold by only 1 point. As a result of their respective achievements both mother and son were awarded Western Province colours by the chairman of the Western Cape Archery Federation. This is the second time this year that Scott has received Western Province colours in archery with his prior award coming in the Target Archery discipline following the South African Target Archery Championships in April this year.

As if these achievements were not enough, both mother and son were also awarded South African National Colours by the chairman of the South African National Archery Association (SANAA)! We hope to see a lot more success in the future from this talented pair of athletes.

December 2015

Letters

info@franschhoektatler.co.za BLESMA Dear Editor We are a British military veterans group visiting you here in Franschhoek with a military charity called the British Limbless Ex Servicemen's Association (BLESMA).

We would like to thank the people of Franschhoek for their kind support and making our stay such a very special one. You have all been so very kind to us all.

A special thanks to Neil Palmer and his family and Pat Briggs and all those who kindly supported us during this amazing week. We can't personally thank you all in person, we wish we could!

Thank you all and please have a great festive period later in the year. You are all such amazing people; we will never forget this experience... Thank you.

Best wishes

BLESMA Members: Andy Derry, Ian Moore, Stu Person, John Williams, Matt Southwould. Dave Scott

Blood Transfusion Dear Siegfried, In a community like Franschhoek the Blood Transfusion Service that every 2-3 months comes to the village – to the Protea Hotel, in fact – to collect blood expects not more than 40 - 50 donors.

As a regular donor I feel like I belong to a club where we all know each other, with the same faces smiling at one on arrival.

Surely this event must be better advertised and I feel the Tatler, as a very respected voice in the village, should have the relevant dates bold and, yes, in red, on the front page as a regular feature with an encouraging sentence attached to it! Let’s make it 500 donors next time – which could be coped with during the 6 hours of action, from 13h00 -19h00!

Why do I donate blood? Simply because it is my duty!

Blood donated to me saved my life after childbirth 34 years ago. A small oversight; negligent, uncaring night staff and only by the Grace of God and action from a competent sister that arrived for day duty in the nick of time, together with blood transfusions was I saved.

We live dangerously in this country of ours, you or one in your family might be in need of blood one day soon when you least expect it, as happened to me!

Please join this very special club!!!

Hildegard von Arnim Ed.’s Comment: Hildegard, I agree. The dates on which the Blood Transfusion Service visits the Franschhoek Protea Hotel are now included in the Tatler’s monthly Calendar – in red!

Main Road Dear Siegfried Yes YES to all your suggestions for improving conditions in the main street which I walk along nearly every day. Sometimes it takes well over 5 minutes to cross and there are no pedestrian crossings, something which I’ve heard tourists complaining about. Huge lumbering trucks are nothing but a scourge, and should anyway be banned from the Franschhoek Pass.

Parking should be abolished on one side of the street, as you suggested; from my observation, many of the cars belong to shop-owners and there is no provision for brief visits to the post office and chemist. The two long-promised traffic circles are desperately needed.

While I’m about it: Dirkie Uys Street going north after the two shallow traffic bumps opposite Fleur de Lys has become a race-track, with drivers accelerating towards the narrow bridge and often driving through the 4-way stop at Louis Botha Street. Because there are NO pavements on either side, it’s dangerous walking there, especially for school kids and older people.

What’s the betting the Municipality will do nothing about these problems, as usual? But thanks for bringing up the town planning issues. I rabbited on for several years

Franschhoek Tatler about safe cycle paths in and around the village and dam without any success, and have now given away my bike.

Grrrrrrr!

Jericho

Ed’s Note: Much has been said around the village and valley about the deproclamation of parts of the Dassenberg and La Provence Roads running through what is now Leeu Estates. As part of the official process Mr Analjit Singh (Chairman of Leeu Collection) has written to all objectors sharing the facts of the subject matter, resulting in many withdrawing their objections. Mr Singh asked the Tatler to publish his letter to the objectors in order for the information to be more widely available. We gladly do so.

Open letter to Franschhoek residents Dear Franschhoek Residents Greetings.

Allow me this opportunity to reach out to you on a matter, private and public.

As some of you know recently there has been some speculation relating to the proposed de- proclamation and closure of sections of the La Provence and Dassenberg minor roads. For me this is a matter of grave concern and disappointment, as we at Leeu Collection, are a compliant and law abiding Group. It is fair to say that, at the very early stage of our project phase we did not receive factually and technically correct advice in dealing with the de- proclamation process. However, our intent and actions are not to be doubted.

The facts are: The advertisements and further communication generated a number of letters to the Competent Roads Authority in which the public expressed concern over the perceived loss of a public road linkage between the remaining sections of the minor roads concerned. That is factually and practically incorrect. From my understanding of the concerns that were expressed during the public participation process, it would appear that the main concern relates to the perceived loss of free and unfettered access across the farm between the remaining sections of the minor roads, once de- proclaimed.

I can put these concerns to rest as the new road built through the vines at Von Ortloff was created as THE alternative route and was used as such in the recent past. It is better, wider and a more scenic road.

Further, I have pleasure in confirming that a Notarial Deed of Servitude K680/2015 was registered in Cape Town Deeds Registry on 30 July 2015. It created a public servitude of roadway in favor of the general public across the Remainder of Farm 1506 Paarl. The servitude provides a link (i.e. free and unfettered access) across the farm between the remaining sections of the two minor roads. The route of the public servitude of roadway is indicated on the plan published herewith. I can thus confirm that the public servitude of roadway will continue to provide convenience and pleasure for the members of the general public who will, in future, use it for travelling, walking, running, cycling and so on just as they would any public road. Being a servitude road, we are permitted to and will be responsible for the maintenance of the servitude road whereas minor roads are maintained by the Provincial Roads Authority and is dependent on both programming and funding.

In fact, due to the presents of Leeu Estates being created in the area, there will be 24 hour security at our cost, providing access to residents even off peak hours.

I will be obliged and grateful, if you would please re consider your opinion of the matter. A senior member of my Management Team, and/or myself are available to meet you in person to address any remaining concerns you may have that conflict with your rights and convenience.

An early reply would be appreciated to progress the matter.

Thank you with kind regards.

Yours sincerely, Analjit Singh, (Chairman: Leeu Collection)

Gold President’s Award

“You've been handed the tools to achieve greatness. You don't have an excuse anymore...Through perseverance and courage, you can achieve anything”. These were the words with which Mr Delekile Klaas, guest speaker at the Gold Award Ceremony of The President’s Award, congratulated the 60 youths who received their Gold Award at a special Ceremony recently held at Bishops Diocesan College in Cape Town on 17 October 2015.

Among the recipients was Kaila Fourie, a Grade 12 student at Bridge House College.

The Gold Standard it is the highest level of the Duke of Edinburgh International Award for Young People.

It requires commitment, perseverance and dedication to complete and participants are voluntarily involved in various activities over a minimum period of 12 months. A Gold Award Holder reflects a well-rounded individual who is equipped with skills, physically active, socially responsible, has a spirit of adventure and the determination to overcome challenges.

To achieve her Gold Award, Kaila completed an Adventurous Journey in which she trekked the Outeniqua Trail (Beervlei to Diepwalle); for her Residentail Project she included her Grade 10 Exchange to Hotchkiss School in Connecticut, USA, and ensured regular participation for at least twelve months in sport, music lessons and the Bridge House Interact Society community outreach to fulfil The Award Programme’s requirements. She accomplished all this while maintaining her high academic standards.

Kaila joins the list of more than thirty other recipients

19

Editor’s Letter

Siegfried Schäfer

Dear Readers The recent resignation of the Stellenbosch Municipal Manager, Christa Liebenberg, and the upcoming 2016 Local Government Elections mean that we can expect a great deal of behind-thescenes manoeuvring during the next few months.

Of course all the stakeholders would like everybody to believe that the proverbial fluffy white duck is effortlessly gliding across the water and keep us from noticing that below the water level the duck is furiously paddling and probably swearing under its laboured breath!

As for Ms Liebenberg, I unfortunately can’t say that I’ll miss her… I always had the feeling that she was a compromise(d) candidate. Knowing who some of the other applicants for the position were, I certainly find it difficult to believe that her appointment was the result of an objective process, rather than one where considerations other than fitness for the job were foremost. Don’t get me wrong: I’m not saying that she was not competent for the job, just that I don’t think that she was the best available candidate. It is also quite possible that her ultimate demise was linked to this predicament: she probably never had the unequivocal support of both the politicians and administration she was supposed to lead. This would have made an already tough job near impossible. In any event and for whatever reasons, I don’t believe she did much for Franschhoek and certainly hope that her successor will be a great deal more effective.

The South African system of local government is an odd hybrid creature. Unlike, say, New York City where a directly elected mayor has full executive powers, we have both executive mayors and municipal chief executives – or municipal managers in our local government parlance. An academic described the system as such: “The functioning of the executive mayoral system allows the political office bearer to perform particular functions that may be considered to be the responsibility of the municipal manager. The latter is appointed as head of administration and as such is accountable for the proper functioning of the administrative

support system. However, the executive mayor may endeavour to follow a hands-on approach, bringing the two components into conflict with one another.”

In a situation where a mayor is particularly handson or frustrated with the performance/priorities/ procedures of the municipal manager and their administration – which can be nearly always considering the attributes of individuals who rise to mayoral positions – it would be natural for the mayor to want a weak-willed municipal manager who can be dominated. This would certainly explain a comment made to me some time ago that initially left me puzzled. On asking an influential Stellenbosch resident for their opinion on one of the shortlisted candidates for the municipal manager’s job in 2012, their response was: “That candidate is too good to ever get the Stellenbosch Municipal Manager’s job.” Talk about uncomfortable truths!

Another problematic aspect of our local government system is that as mayors aren’t directly elected they are often seen to be foisted upon towns by party hierarchies. The reasons for this phenomenon tend to vary from party to party; for some it is to neutralise factions at local level, others are more concerned about demographic representativeness or maintaining central control, while a lack of suitably-qualified local candidates can also be offered as a reason. As our mayor has already indicated that he’s not available for another term this aspect of our local government will also be interesting to watch over the next few months.

As I said at the start of my letter: the ducks are very busy pretending that they are not busy!

In view of the revolving door at the municipal manager’s office during the current council’s term my personal view is that it would be better not to appoint a new municipal manager before the 2016 Local Government Elections. In the absence of any reliable indication as to who the next mayor could be, it would be safest to wait until this position is filled before appointing a new municipal manager who may simply fall foul of the new mayor’s management style or personality.

Rather focus on filling the vacant director’s positions is my advice.

With the festive season upon us I wish that you may all find peace and happiness with the ones you love, the grace to forgive those that angered you and the goodwill to help someone less fortunate than you.

All the best until 2016!

Siegfried

Deadlines - January 2016 Issue:

Ad Bookings: 10 December 2015 Artwork: 11 December 2015 Editorial: 10 December 2015

FWV News Jenny Prinsloo

Wine enthusiasts awarded

The second annual Wine Enthusiasts Training Programme reached its finale on 20 October 2015 with a prize-giving event at La Bri Wine Estate.

Linda Coltart and Christine Veldsman started the programme in 2013 in conjunction with Franschhoek Wine Valley and the Vignerons de Franschhoek in order to improve the wine knowledge of local restaurant staff.

The programme starts early in the year when an invitation is extended to all restaurants to nominate staff members who they feel will benefit from more training and information on the valley’s wines and wineries. Training sessions then take place twice a month at Le Quartier Français’ Screening Room.

Each session deals with one farm and its wines

and is usually presented by the farm’s owner or winemaker. Sessions conclude with a test and a tasting of the farm’s wines.

The top student for 2015 was Shanre Jefthas from Leopard’s Leap Family Vineyards. Second place went Phillip Muller, also of Leopard’s Leap, while Charmaine Hugo of La Motte was third.

The organisers would like to thank Le Quartier Français for providing the training venue; La Bri for hosting the prize giving and Rupert & Rothschild, Môreson, Black Elephant Vintners, Landau du Val Wines and Foliage Restaurant for sponsoring prizes for the prize giving. Further thanks go to all the farms that took up the opportunity to teach the wine enthusiasts more about their properties and wines, they are: Black Elephant Vintners, Glenwood, Four Paws, La Motte, La Bri, Grande Provence, Haute Espoir, Leopard’s Leap Family Vineyards, Rupert & Rothschild, Haute Cabrière, Bellingham Wines, Lynx Wines, Landau du Val Wines and My Wyn.

Award Leader, Rob McKay (far left), The President’s Award CEO Lara Kruiskamp, Gold Award recipient Kaila Fourie, Regional Commissioner of the Dept. of Correctional Services, Mr DJ Klaas, and Bridge House College Principal Mr M Russell.

of the Gold Standard from Bridge House College.

A Gold Certificate adds significant value to a CV and strengthens any job or student application. Gold Award Holders are invited to join the Alumni Association of The President’s Award, called SAGAHA, enabling them to stay involved with the Award, be exposed to national/ international youth events and continue to lead a life of significance, through The Award.

Wine Ambassador Award Winners (FLTR) Shanre Jefthas from Leopard’s Leap (first). Phillip Muller, also of Leopard’s Leap (second),Charmaine Hugo of La Motte (third) with Le Quartier Français' Christine Veldsman

Franschhoek Tatler

20

December 2015

De Galard new MD of Leeu Collection

Hector de Galard has been appointed as Managing Director of Leeu Collection.

De Galard worked as President of Business Operations and has been heading up the Leeu Collection project on behalf of Max Ventures, the Leeu Collection parent company, for the past three years.

“I am excited to continue my Leeu Collection journey and I look forward to the challenges and opportunities in this new position, as well as the opening of Leeu House (formerly Rusthof) on 1 December and Leeu Estates in 2016,” said an eager and energised De Galard.

With more than two decades of work experience in the world of hospitality, he specialised in all aspects of

Hector de Galard

launching and operating innovative, world-class hotels and resorts and delivering the best luxury service. www.leeucollection.com

Could Circular Economy be the solution to youth unemployment?

The Institute of Race Relations (IRR) has completed a new study on the benefits of the circular economy in South Africa. Findings show that major economic and environmental benefits can be gained from turning ‘waste into worth’ – using the Recycling and Economic Development Initiative of South Africa (REDISA) as a case study as to how this has already successfully been realised.

The report findings are timely as the jobless crisis is particularly acute among young people aged 15 to 25, where the unemployment rate exceeds 50%. This is worse than that experienced in many other emerging markets; South Africa is home to 0.7% of the world’s young people but alarmingly has almost 2% of the world’s unemployed youth.

Should South Africa do more to ‘monetise’ the waste products currently being deposited in landfills and other dumps, this would create local jobs and support the emergence of local entrepreneurs, while cleaning up the environment.

The Circular Economies – Turning waste into worth report provides a fact-base to inform the choices that need to be made going forward, it presents for the first time, a vision of how the circular economy could overcome the unemployment crisis in the country.

For REDISA, the case study dealt with in the IRR report, the circular economy means balancing economic growth, infrastructure development and creating small business and job opportunities while lowering our emissions and overall impact on the environment. Environmental degradation and resource depletion threaten the sustainability of economic growth in the developed world, and build enormous pressures in the developing world as it strives to match the West’s prodigal lifestyle. Both issues can be addressed by the circular economy if

the generation of waste is reduced, resources are reused and recycled, and recycling initiatives are made economically attractive.

According to REDISA, CEO Hermann Erdmann, “On a planet of finite resources, the circular economy is not optional, it is inevitable. In under three years we have developed a circular economy within the tyre industry in South Africa and have seen tangible results: over 2 600 new jobs, and over 200 SMMEs developed and supported. The implementation of circular economies will lead to unprecedented opportunities, the creation of reverse logistics networks, new processes and new industries using the recovered resources.”

IRR CEO Frans Cronjé says: “The jobless crisis in South Africa is acute with more than 50% of 15 to 25-year-olds not in education, employment or training. Youth unemployment in South Africa is also worse than that experienced in many other emerging markets, for the country is home to 0.7% of the world’s young people but has almost 2% of the world’s unemployed youth. The process of collecting, transporting, and recycling waste could generate hundreds of thousands of sustainable jobs and viable small businesses, thereby tackling one of South Africa’s greatest challenges – joblessness.”

REDISA has since its inception stood on the foundation that we can turn our ‘Waste into Worth’, that everything used still maintains its value and that waste can be organised to produce jobs for thousands of people as well as substantially reduce carbon emissions into the atmosphere. REDISA has therefore taken on its shoulders the task of incubating a whole industry, starting with tyres as a proof of concept.

To read the full report, visit: http://tinyurl. com/q5e4x2m

Key steps to introducing a circular economy approach 1

Monies collected need to be ring-fenced, and not included in the fiscus

2

Organisations collecting and processing waste should be independent private sector companies

3

The key to success lies in a public-private collaboration

4

The State needs to provide an enabling policy landscape, but not implement

5

An efficient IT system to manage appointing, paying, assisting, and overseeing the supply chain network

Toy Shop We stock Lego Compatable Mini Figures

Mini Figures, Bijoux Square 60 Huguenot Street, Franschhoek, 7690 Online Store www.mini-figures.co.za

December 2015

Business Leadership Tony Frost

Small Things Count

We tend look for the big bangs, the loud noises, the charismatic politicians, the significant moves and the result is that there always seems to be an underlying assumption that we should focus on making the big leaps, the quantum changes, and the giant steps.

These may be important, sometimes even critical but it is doubtful that these can be sustained over any significant period of time. Mostly progress comes in a myriad, almost imperceptible, changes.

These changes are often not even noticed at the time but the aggregate of them is what makes the change significant. Even big changes like the move of South Africa from pariah state to favourite state did not happen the moment Madiba walked out of the gates no matter how important the action was symbolically for our nation. The changes were the result of millions of actions by many thousands of people all over the world until the movement became an unstoppable force.

Malcolm Gladwell focusses on the necessity of many small steps to achieve world-class levels of expertise. Most of us have heard of the 10000 hours needed to become an expert in any sphere of life.

I have had the very great privilege of coaching middle and long distance athletes of all calibres.

I have learnt so much from all of them. I think I benefitted more from them than the other way around. Be that as it may one of the most profound lessons that they taught me is that little things do count. Spending time perfecting the small things make a big difference in the long run. Perfecting these little things only come from spending a great deal of time raising the bar. Progress generally comes quite quickly in the beginning but as one begins to reach the pinnacle, improvement becomes more difficult, takes longer and sometime is even difficult to discern.

These same principles apply to any aspect of life.

Also to leaders, leadership and building, nurturing and growing teams.

Too many leaders focus on the numbers and far too little time on growing the relationships and

Let the Lawyer Handle It Graeme Falck

The legal limits to paying in coins (plus a bit on Bitcoin)

“Samsung paid Apple $1bn in 30 truckloads of coins.” (Thus runs a 2013 rumour – false, but widely reported – after Apple’s victory in the “lawsuit of the century”.)

Here’s a scenario for you: You win a huge court case, and your very vengeful opponent (believing perhaps the Apple v Samsung rumour recounted above) turns up at your doorstep with a convoy of coin-filled trucks. Must you accept the payment?

Scenario 2: You’re a landlord. Your tenant, angry with you for some reason, decides to punish you by marching into your office with next month’s rental in 5 cent coins. What are your rights?

Or you’re a shopkeeper whose customer wants to pay for his groceries with R500 worth of R1 coins – can you refuse to accept them?

Or perhaps you are a disaffected motorist issued

Franschhoek Tatler motivation to strive for perfection. No athlete I know has reached the top unless they really want it for themselves. The road to the top is strewn with the corpses, literal and figurative, of those who have pushed, sjambokked, humiliated to try harder.

And then occasionally you come across a leader who knows that little things do count.

The leader who personally visits the family of a staff member who has died; the leader who walks the floor in the morning just to say ‘Good morning’; the leader who personally visits a disgruntled consumer to makes things right that were not handled properly on the shop floor; the leader whose door, ears and heart is always open to listen to any member of the team, no matter how lowly; leaders who are prepared to admit and apologise when they have been wrong.

Leaders like these do exist. These are real examples.

This type of leadership does not come easily and it is not necessarily a natural or innate characteristic.

It takes practice and patience to learn to be this kind of leader and there are many mistakes along the way. Sadly enough there are some who would try to exploit leaders who do these compassionate, sensible, humane things in an effort to build a happy collaborative and caring working environment. It must start with the immediate team and it needs to start as early in one’s career as possible. It is about building positive, aspirational habits. Habits that people at all levels in the organisation can relate to and wish to emulate.

Obviously the earlier one starts practising these habits the easier it is and the lower the risk. As one grows in the organisation the risk rises but so do the benefits as your influence is much broader and will have greater impact.

We need leaders in our world today that pay attention the little things, to the detail but who also are able to see the big picture and how these little thing fit into and contribute to growing that bigger picture.

A painting, or musical masterpiece is not created with one stroke – it requires countless strokes to achieve perfection.

Michelangelo said it best when asked how he got the statue of David so perfect: “I just kept chipping off the pieces that did not fit!” If you have ever seen this statue which stands some 4 metres tall you will understand the potency and immensity of this statement. It has a lesson for all of us! tony@siroccostrategy.com

with an unfair (you think) traffic fine. Revenge being sweet, you decide to inconvenience the municipal teller by paying the fine with the most complicated mix of different coins you can think of. Must the teller spend the next hour counting coins?

Legal tender – the limits The answer to all these questions lies with the South African Reserve Bank’s policy on what is or is not “legal tender”. If it is, you must accept it. With banknotes, any amount may be tendered, but with coins the following limits apply for each individual transaction: In R1, R2 or R5 coins: R50.

In 10c, 20c or 50c coins: R5.

In 5c coins or less (no longer being minted, but still legal tender): 50c.

You can report transgressors (reports of shops refusing to accept 5c coins have been circulating since minting of them stopped in 2012) to the Reserve Bank at 086 112 7272.

Bitcoin: What’s the Buzz?

Bitcoin on the other hand is a very different animal – it’s the most-used virtual currency and it’s giving governments sleepless nights. Decentralised, borderless, neither linked to, nor controlled by any bank or banking authority, it lends itself to anonymity (more correctly “pseudonomy”) and a kind of Cyber Wild West – with no law-enforcing Sheriff in

21

Financial Matters Celia McGuinness

SARS debts!

It may come as a surprise that SARS is willing to write off or reduce debts owed to them, but in specific situations they do indeed – subject to the provisions discussed below.

The tax term "compromise” is defined as an agreement that is entered into between SARS and the taxpayer, where the debtor undertakes to pay an amount which is less than the full amount of the tax debt due to SARS in full settlement of the debt SARS agrees to write off the remaining portion of the debt permanently.

The basis for the compromise is that, where a taxpayer is unable to pay the debt, SARS will secure the highest net return from the recovery of the tax debt. The request for a compromise must be initiated by the taxpayer and SARS requires detailed information in respect of the taxpayer’s financial affairs before making any decision as to whether the compromise will be accepted. When considering whether to enter into a compromise with the taxpayer, SARS will consider the history of payments by the taxpayer, past transgressions of tax law and the reasons why the taxpayer is unable to pay their debt in full.

A compromise may not be entered into where: The debtor was party to an agreement with SARS to compromise an amount of debt within a period of three years before the current request for compromise; The debtor’s tax affairs are not up to date; Another creditor has communicated its intention to, or has, initiated liquidation or sequestration proceedings against the debtor; The compromise will prejudice other creditors, or if the other creditors will be placed in a position of advantage relative to SARS; It may adversely affect broader tax compliance; The debtor is a company or trust and SARS is unable to take action against or recover the debt from the personal assets of the persons related to the entity.

These provisions are quite useful in a business rescue situation where SARS may be asked, together with other creditors, to enter into a reduction of debt in order to keep a business afloat as part of restructuring the past debt of the business.

SARS may also decide to waive an amount of tax debt temporarily if it is considered uneconomical to pursue the debt. In this situation, the debtor is not absolved from the liability but is given a reprieve from paying the debt for a specific period. SARS may decide to withdraw its decision to waive of the debt if it believes that circumstances have changed to make pursuing the debt feasible.

Hopefully taxpayers won’t find themselves in situations where they need to compromise their tax debt, but should it be necessary, they are advised to approach SARS for a compromise, with the assistance from an experienced tax consultant.

In our experience, SARS is willing to enter into compromises where the taxpayer is in financial distress and has no realistic possibility of settling its tax debt, which will bring the taxpayer immediate financial relief.

sight. That may change as authorities increase their efforts to regulate it – or at least to monitor it for financial crime like money laundering, tax evasion, breach of exchange control regulations etc. - but it remains to be seen how successful they will be.

Here in South Africa, Bitcoin is currently: Perfectly legal to use, but not “legal tender”, so no one can force you to accept it as payment. If you do, be sure to comply with FICA and other local regulations (take advice if in any doubt).

Packed with potential. We are all feeling our way on this one, and as always, great opportunity and great risk go hand-in-hand. If you invest in Bitcoins – and some investors have made fortunes doing so – beware of possible grey areas around tax treatment and exchange control laws.

Bitcoin is very much accepted and used at your own “sole and independent risk” (quote from SA Reserve Bank). You have zero legal protection, no guarantee of value, convertibility or stability, and exposure to hacks, fraud and theft. Bitcoin enthusiasts refute many of these supposed risks, but for now it seems safer to proceed on the basis that you could lose everything in the blink of an eye or you could make a fortune; no one really knows.

(This article first appeared in LawDotNews and is reproduced with permission from the copyright holder DotNews and from Falck Attorneys.)

Susan Charlesworth ATTORNEY • NOTARY • CONVEYANCER

Areas of practice: Estate and succession planning | Commercial Law Administration of estates, trusts & curatorships Engineering & Construction Law Antenuptial contracts | Conveyancing Unit 4 / 79 Artisan Village, Cabrière Street, Franschhoek, 7690 Tel: +27 (0)21 876 2592 Fax: +27 (0)21 876 2591 Email: susancharlesworth.law@telkomsa.net Also at 342 Val De Vie, Paarl www.susancharlesworth.co.za

Franschhoek Tatler

22

measure

Frankie Brookes

Conflagrant Celosia

There are few challenges a gardener would not take on when it comes to the art of outdoor decorating … but finding something bolder or more striking than celosia, is one of them. With its origins under much debate, it is clear they were once found on the dry slopes of Africa, or so the story goes. Whether that is their true origin or not, it is clearly a place they enjoy residing. Other places they’ve called home are India and rocky regions of North and South America.

This fiery annual, from the Amaranthaceae family, will light up any garden with its intense shades of red, orange, yellow, hot pink, rose, mahogany and magenta. The blooming time that normally lasts about eight weeks, undaunted by our unrelenting sun, can be stretched even longer with deadheading. That being said, they really don’t enjoy the cold, so expecting them to last past the first frosts might be a tad optimistic.

Getting them into the ground as early in spring as possible will ensure the longest possible show.

Remembering their comfort zones being on the dry African slopes should give some clues as to the type of home you should look at providing these lovelies.

Full sun and well-draining soil is a good start and it would be best not to overwater them. Try not to plant them with other annuals or plants that require regular watering, especially if you’re using an automated sprinkler system. www.lifeisagarden.co.za

Rainfall Figures Measured at La Cotte/Nerina Street for periods indicated mm/year 2003

mm/month 2014

824

2004

709

2005

916

2006

884

Dam Levels 2015

Month

Accumulative

Month

Accumulative

January

69

69

20

20

February

5

74

11

31

March

76

150

6

37

11

As at 16 November 2015 Steenbras Upper

85.6%

Steenbras Lower

77.1%

48

Wemmershoek

65.0%

2007

1153

April

50

200

2008

1217

May

120

320

58

106

Voëlvlei

40.5%

June

260

580

166

272

Theewaterskloof

71.2%

July

135

715

190

462

August

162

877

89

551

Berg River Dam

83.5%

September

64

941

41

592

Total Storage

11

603

67.7%

2009

978

2010

740

2011

830

2012

1079

October

13

954

2013

1471

November

72

1026

2014

1033

December

7

1033

different

increase

Estate

support

result

Street

Environment

Reliable

Sun, sea, surf, sand and South-Easter. December is a month of relaxation, contemplation and enjoying the fruits of your labour. To many it is also the only time of the year when families get together to celebrate. For us here in the Cape it also means houses filled with visiting friends and family from up-country. Having guests around is fun, but it can also be tiring. It will also most certainly mean less time spent on gardening and other hobbies.

Planning for the holidays and getting the bulky tasks out of the way can be as productive and rewarding at home as it is at work. As you would want to go on holiday with a clean desk at work you also want the garden tasks attended to before the guests arrive.

With water restrictions imminent it might be a good idea to spread a thick layer of good quality compost on all garden beds. This not only looks good but

clear

Natie Ferreira

Plant of the Month

also helps to retain moisture and feed the soil. Your lawns should still be looking good. Make use of the weather forecasts and fertilise before (or, if you’re brave enough, during) periods of rain. This will save water and make additional use of the magic that there is in rain water as opposed to piped water. Set the lawn mower a notch higher – longer swards of grass help to cool down the soil and prevent evaporation.

Regular mowing will prevent the brown patches that require additional water and fertiliser. Kikuyu responds well to mowing every 3 to 4 days. Use the clippings straight unto garden beds as mulch. Most garden plants require regular watering, but through thoughtful management water usage can be drastically reduced. The first step is to only water when it is necessary – that means sticking your finger in the ground to check. Some indicator plants also give you visual clues – lettuce and chard in the veg garden and Hydrangeas and certain Salvias in the flower beds wilt quickly and will tell you when the garden needs water.

If your garden looks a bit sad and you need to liven it up quickly there are some hacks. Straightening lawn and bed edges gives a crisp appearance. Bringing some colour into drab looking areas takes the focus away from weeds and bare patches towards the back of the beds. Do this by planting lots of colourful annuals. Revamp and move your pots around for a fresh look. Sweep and weed all hard surfaces. Cleaning the pavement and driveway gives visitors the right first impression.

December is a month to enjoy the garden – once you have the heavy tasks out of the way it is time to make the most of the garden. The concept of “use it or lose it” is as true in the garden as in sport. By regularly cutting flowers for the vase and herbs for the kitchen the bushes are being deadheaded and pruned at the same time. Regular harvesting stimulates further fruit formation and prevents pests and diseases. The more time you spend in the garden the less everyday tasks will feel like work. Find new spots in the garden to have an alfresco lunch or picnic. Move some indoor furniture outdoors for a change. Put a hammock in a tree. Sleep under the stars with the kids. Your garden should not be an ornament to look at; it should be an extension of your home.

We are moving into the middle of our fruit season and that means jam time. Setting up a gas burner out on the patio takes me out of the heat of the kitchen and also makes for a fun time multi-tasking between meat on the fire and some apricot jam or chutney on the stove. I also love making pesto, tapenade and tzatziki for snacks and gifts. Experiment and share your best recipes with friends and family.

Have a wonderful Christmas and enjoy your garden to the fullest.

skills

Gardening in December

December 2015

clean

key water

knowledge analyze

Information

Beautiful

Pool

PoolCure

Relationship

value

quote

tools

Environment

Trust

supply

Maintenance

Swallows

Sparkling Franschhoek

decision

Relax

clear

Estate

Service

key

flexible Management Comfort check support Home clean

result

Honest

Easy 5 Star Service

different

5 STAR HOME SERVICES • POOL MAINTENANCE • PROPERTY MANAGEMENT • WE ONLY NEED ONE KEY

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This Time Last Year 81.2% - 98.5%

December 2015

Franschhoek Tatler

23

Book Review

Charlotte van Zyl

Signs for an Exhibition

with Shirley Guy Kilian, Great South African Bake Off judge What is the best thing about being a judge on The Great South African Bake Off ?

It was a privilege to be a part of an internationally successful TV series. Starting with the Great British Bake Off, The Great Bake Off programme has been sold to 20 different countries.

What has been the nicest thing you tasted in the competition? And the worst? Why? The best bake that I tasted was an excellent choux pastry.

The worst thing had to be the brandy snap cream, which had mistakenly been flavoured with baking powder!

How did you progress from being a means-toan-end cook to a passionate foodie?

I think you are born with the right gene. Any artistic talent comes from within, and yes, it can then be developed with training. I was so fortunate to choose a path that turned out that way. My father and my paternal Grandmother were excellent cooks.

If you could invite 3 other foodies to a tea with wonderful baked goodies, whom would you invite, what would you serve and if you had a choice of anyone, who would do the baking?

Well, of course, the first person who comes to mind is Mary Berry; after all the show and its worldwide popularity stems from her shows. I would also include Prue Leith, who has done so much for the world of food both in the UK and South Africa. The famous French Patissier Le Notre would have so much to offer too. Perhaps the French hand of Le Notre would create amazing cakes. I would serve a traditional Black Forest Cake, Chocolate Eclairs and light Rum Baba.

Which are the three ingredients you always have to hand in your kitchen?

Butter, olive oil and quality chocolate.

Which ingredients would you never use?

“Fake” chocolate, margarine and powdered eggs.

What is the best thing you have ever eaten? And the worst?

A meal at Les Amies in Singapore, prepared by a French-trained Singaporean chef. He removes a portion of the fat and creates incredible lightness and adds Asian flavours to his menu.

Some revolting fat sea worms in Thailand that were sent to the table to appease us as the kitchen was running very late!

Who is your favourite chef ?

I love David Thompson’s restaurants both in Thailand and London.

You have had a cooking school and you have been a food columnist. Which did you prefer, teaching or writing?

Both these activities are intertwined. I loved them both, but have to say I loved teaching and working with adults.

You live and run a guest house at Fransvliet.

What makes you so happy there?

I love the views, the lifestyle, we eat oh-so-well and most of all, the amazing friends that we have made. And of course our family and friends from Johannesburg love to visit us in the valley.

You obviously love Franschhoek. What would you change if you could?

If everyone in the valley had enough to eat, many of our problems would be solved.

Franschhoekers rocked by Queen tribute

On 18 November a group of Franschhoek Culture Vultures boarded two buses to claim the 38 seats they booked at Artscape for the Queen – It’s a Kind of Magic show. Graham Beck Cap Classique and wine kept the excitement at controllable levels and the happy group set off in their buses in the safe hands of Patrick and David. Olivia’s snacks saw to it that everyone had enough energy for the demands of the evening.

What a show it was! There were those who had seen Queen live in the eighties and those who revelled in their being at a rock concert again. They sang along, jumped up, sat down, waved their arms and applauded until their hands hurt. You should have seen them during We will rock you! On the way back discussions of the show swayed from nostalgia to excitement and back again. Eventually a weary but happy group wended their way home, thankful to be rockers again.

If you would like information on future outings, please send your name, email address and cell phone number to news@franschhoektatler.co.za VISIT OUR WEBSITE

www.minimaxcinema.co.za

SPECTRE 27 NOVEMBER

by Eliza Kentridge.

Publ: Modjaji Books. 134 pages.

These fine, clear poems reflect the quiet, strong voice of a woman who has survived the obstacles and perils that even an ordinary life present.

Eliza Kentridge comes from a distinguished stable – Sydney the father, the legendary lawyer, Felicia the mother, the formidable founder of the Legal Resources Centre, William the brother, the internationally acclaimed artist. Eliza is herself an accomplished artist and this book of poems provides a framework for “an exhibition” of her work. An allusion to “Pictures at an Exhibition”, the composition by Mussorgsky.

The poems are deceptively simple and interior.

She writes “I have stilled and quieted my soul” and deliberately assumes a colloquial, school-girlish voice to set up a contrast between her memories of childhood coastal holidays in South Africa with her everyday life as a parent in England. Her fascination with language is further expressed in her references to poets like Yeats, Eliot and Chaucer, which further links her two lives – as a child in South Africa and an adult in England.

Watching over the poems is her inner voice that questions her memories and her motives and occasionally reprimands her Self for indulging in dreams. These aspects of her life are beautifully

The Blue Guitar

By John Banville.

Publ: Viking Press. 249 pages.

Why is it that novelists so often create quite unattractive men, plagued by doubts and worries, as the central character in their books? Think of Michael Beard in Ian McEwan’s “Solar”, a Nobel-prized winning physicist, whose dysfunctional personal life drives him to a mad, cynical ambition. Think of Alan Clay, in Dave Eggers “A Hologram for the King”, alone in Saudi Arabia, divorced, drinking too much, virtually broke, nearly unemployed. Pathetic.

The film “Mr. Turner” provides another angle on this. As played by Timothy Spall, William Turner was a loose-lipped, shambolic wreck of a man, about as unattractive as you can make him. Yet, he had a redeeming factor; he painted those glorious, fiery canvases of sunsets and locomotives. And that’s the answer to my question above. These men have unexpected redeeming factors, which makes them much more interesting than the clean-cut heroes who effortlessly get it together with women or hedge funds.

Which brings me to Oliver Orme, the hero of John Banville’s novel “The Blue Guitar.” Even his name betrays him. Orme is like a clearing of the throat before the declaration that never comes. Like Turner he isn’t at all handsome, and he is also a painter - even once a great painter.

The plot, such as it is, is simple. Orme returns to his birth place in Ireland, together with his long-suffering wife Grace. One can only sympathize with her as she endures his endless escapades. For instance, he steals Polly, a jolly, round country lass, from his best friend Marcus the watch-maker. Why? Because he is a compulsive thief, a purloiner of little objects from friends and enemies alike. However, now he has bitten off more than he can chew, and Polly, with her baby daughter stuck firmly to her side, proves to be more of a pain than a pleasure. She is given some splendid tirades, a fact that does not escape Orme who looks at the other characters as if they are “violent strangers driven by ungovernable passions, like the characters in, yes, a particularly overblown operatic drama.” But,

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brought together through the limpid and sometimes vividly earthy and erotic images she uses while she is “stapling the pages of myself together.”

For those readers who think that poetry is difficult: this collection, which reads like a novel, isn’t. It is only difficult to put down.

Eliza Kentridge is an important new voice in South African literature.

actually, the characters, major and minor, are not very important. Neither is the plot.

What is important is the surface of things described by a master of words. Banville, the linguist, plays with words like the blue guitar in Wallace Stevens’s poem “Things as they are/are changed upon the blue guitar.” Orme speaks like the painter he is. Or rather Banville, through Orme, paints his novel in great splashes of grey and off-white and russet and ochre.

I have never seen such variations on types of cloudy skies imagined in so many shades of sunlight and sunset, snowfall and shower.

That is the reason why we should take an interest in middle-aged Oliver, who, like his Dickens namesake is only asking for ‘some more.” Of everything: some more respect, some more love, some more friendship, some more happiness. He is not entirely lovable – he is too garrulous, too self-aware, too narcissistic – but he is entirely human. And, once we have established that, we are free to bask in the glory of Banville’s language.

Big Screen Magic

STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS 16 DECEMBER

TROUVOETE 18 DECEMBER

ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS - THE ROAD CHIP 24 DECEMBER

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Franschhoek Tatler

24

December 2015

Revving Up Rosé Festival at Rickety Bridge

Everything’s coming up rosé this summer with the Cape’s premium rosé producers gathering at Rickety Bridge Estate to showcase the diversity and versatility of rosé at the Revving Up Rosé Festival on Saturday, 13 February 2016, from 10h00 – 16h00.

Few things say summer and romance like a glass of chilled rosé so join the rosé renaissance and head to Rickey Bridge on Valentine’s weekend to enjoy rosés, brosés (rosés for the ‘bros’), cocktails and bubblies.

Tickets for the festival are available from www. webtickets.co.za at R120 each, including a glass and tastings, or you can get your tickets at the door.

Paulina’s Restaurant will be open all day and stalls will offer rosé-friendly foods. Alternatively, pre-book a picnic at R150 per person.

A fun-filled day 08h30 – 10h00: The day will start at 08h30 with The Rosé Run (5km, 10km or 20km) and The Rosé MTB Ride (20km, 40km or 60km). Entry to these events

will include a Festival ticket. Showers will be provided as well as a Rosé Breakfast of Salmon and Egg Bagels.

Enter at www.webtickets.co.za, or get your tickets on arrival.

10h00 – 16h00: Wine tasting, rosé-friendly food stalls, pre-booked picnics, meals from Paulina’s Restaurant.

16h00 – 18h00: Wine tasting closes, wine sales continue, cocktail bar and Paulina’s Restaurant stays open. Guests will be able to enjoy tapas and live music and watch the sunset.

Rosé renaissance With a recent surge in popularity around the globe, rosé is definitely à la mode. Believed to be the oldest style of wine in the world, rosé is traditionally dry and crisp and hails originally from the Provence region of France. Unfortunately a profusion of sweeter, less-sophisticated examples around the globe earned rosé a less than stellar reputation. Often referred to as a pink drink for girls only, rosé has recently taken the world by storm and become one of the fastest

Change Coffee Day: Friday, 4 Dec

Buy 2 coffees to make a change at Sacred Ground Franschhoek coffee lovers have the chance to help change the world on Change Coffee Day: Friday, 4 December. Change Coffee Day is about ‘Buy 2, Get 1’ with the cost of the second cup funding programs for underprivileged and vulnerable children in South Africa. While this initiative is predominantly run in Australia this year, South Africa is sure to follow full steam ahead next year. Early on the band wagon and the first in South Africa to jump on board is Sacred Ground coffee shop in Franschhoek.

“Coffee lovers can enjoy their coffee even more on Friday, 4 December, knowing they have literally changed the life of a child,” said founder Robyn Borruso. “One Change Coffee will feed 10 children for a day.”

Change Coffee is a fundraising initiative for the nonprofit organisation Eniwe Children’s Fund, which is on a mission to improve the lives of abandoned and underprivileged children through various housing, feeding, and skills development initiatives in South Africa.

Born and raised in South Africa, Robyn Borruso founded Eniwe Children’s Fund in Sydney, Australia after witnessing first-hand the struggles endured by children orphaned or made vulnerable in South Africa. The South African office of the NPO has recently been established by Lauren Zuidema in Cape Town and together the pair works to improve the lives of these orphaned and vulnerable children.

“Alleviating poverty is not a task of charity, it is an act of justice,” said Robyn. “Food, water, shelter, good health and an education are the birth right of all children. I was humbled and inspired by the children’s warmth and affection and decided I had to do something to improve their lives.”

Since 2010 Eniwe Children’s Fund has raised over AU$300,000. “The Eniwe team has seen exciting, tangible results in these impoverished communities, which has affirmed my belief in our ability to fundamentally change the lives of these kids,” said Robyn. www.changecoffee.org

FESTIVE SEASON HIGHLIGHTS CHRISTMAS EVE

The Werf Restaurant for innovative cuisine / Rhone Homestead for a traditional Cape buffet Adults: R495. Children under 12: R280.

growing wine styles on the market, steered by an increase in quality, complexity and diversity, and its unmatched versatility at the table.

What’s not to love about rosé? Enchanted by its gorgeous pale pink colour, rosé inspires laid-back happy summer vibes and combines the light, crisp, refreshing nature of white wine with some of the complex berry flavours and textures of red wine. To offer even more incentive to "drink pink" the vast majority of rosé wines offer good value for money.

Rosé is also becoming increasingly popular with men, the rosé bros, earning it the ‘brosé’ nickname. It’s everywhere – on Twitter, on Facebook, and is soon to be the most Instagrammed drink.

So join the rosé renaissance and make sure you don’t miss this opportunity to ‘Rev up with Rosé’ at Rickety Bridge Estate. www.ricketybridge.com | www.dnaevents.co.za www.webtickets.co.za

Love Actually under the stars at Anthonij Rupert Wyne

If you loved the box office hit, Love Actually, then you won’t want to miss out on the opportunity to see it again. The Galileo Open Air Cinema, in collaboration with Anthonij Rupert Wyne, will be screening this romantic favourite at the estate on Saturday, 19 December, and it promises to be a most enjoyable night filled with stars and laughter.

Who can forget Hugh Grant showing off his questionable dance moves as he plays the role of the British Prime Minister, or heartbroken Colin Firth – the frustrated writer – who falls madly in love with his Portuguese housekeeper? Relive these movie memories as you sip on estate wines and enjoy picnic treats.

The sprawling lawn of the Anthonij Rupert Tasting Room is the venue for The Galileo’s larger-than-life movie screen, providing ample room to enjoy your picnic with the majestic Drakenstein Mountains as the backdrop. Secure parking will also be provided, which is within walking distance of the picnic area.

An elegant marquee will be erected where visitors can shop for their picnic ingredients. These include pre-packed cheese and charcuterie platters, a selection of freshly-prepared salad tubs, deliciously sweet and fresh strawberries from the estate, freshly-baked artisanal breads, chicken liver pâté and estate-cured olives. For those with a sweet tooth, best you make space in your basket for the gourmet cupcakes. Special pre-packed picnic boxes will be available to purchase

for the young ones.

What would a picnic be without wine or MCC? A selection of estate wines as well as the popular L’Ormarins Brut will be available to purchase and enjoy while watching the movie.

Gates open at 18h00, allowing ample time to shop, mingle and take in the beauty of the surroundings before the movie starts at 20h15. Tickets range in price from R79 to R149 per person, and can be booked directly at http://thegalileo.co.za/buy-tickets/.

W PICNICS NE THE WERF GARDEN PICNICS Nutritious Farm Food | Seating on bean bags or blankets Casual Open Wed-Sun

NEW YEAR’S EVE Count down to 2016 with live music, bubbly & good friends.

Its going to be a vibrant farm feast barbecue with all the trimmings.

RHONE CLASSIC PICNICS Seasonally inspired Farm-to-table Food | Seating at tables or on lawn Fully Serviced 20h00-01h00. R850 pp.

Open daily MENU’S & RESERVATIONS reservations@boschendal.co.za | +27 21 870-4274 | www.boschendal.co.za

VILLAGE GRILL & BUTCHER

December 2015

Franschhoek Tatler

December Calendar

Blood Donation Clinics

at Protea Hotel Franschhoek 9 Feb

14 June 11 Oct

12 Apr

23 Aug

13 Dec

from 13h00 – 19h00

4 & 5 December

Christmas concert Venue: La Motte Historic Cellar Time: 19h00. Cost: R170 pp Booking: 021 876 8000 or concerts@la-motte.co.za

4 December

Wine & Dine Collaboration dinner Venue: The Restaurant at Grande Provence. Time: 19h00. Cost: R1 500 pp. Booking: 021 876 8600 or e-mail restaurant@ grandeprovence.co.za

5 & 6 December

Franschhoek Cap Classique and Champagne Festival ‘The Magic of Bubbles’ presented

by MasterCard Venue: Huguenot monument.

Time: 12h00 to 17h00.

Cost: R200 pp. Tickets: www. webtickets.co.za

Mondays & Thursdays

Iyengar-Style Yoga Classes Venue: Sukha free spirit centre.

Time: 18h00 to 19h00 (Friday morning 08h00 to 09h00)Ladies class (pre/post natal, menopausal, recuperative) Enquiries: 073 388 1404 (Danielle)

Tuesdays

Alcoholics Anonymous Time 19h00. Venue: NG Church Consistory. Contact 021 867 0983 or 073 125 0188 (Jeffrey) Backgammon Club Meets All welcome. Own board not required. Venue: Taki’s Place. Time: 19h00. Info: Graeme Oliver - graeme @ poachedrhino.org or 072 815 8209

Saturdays

Carols on the Square Venue: 2 Franschhoek 1 Square in front of Allora. Time: 18h30 Cost: Donations in aid of Hospice

Franschhoek Village Market Breads, olives, ginger beer, pastries, plants, seedlings, breakfasts, coffee, crafts and more. Venue: 3 Dutch Reformed Church Grounds. Time: 09h00 – 14h00

19 December

Church Services

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8 the stars: 2 Movie under Love Actually Venue: Rupert7 Wyne.

4 Anthonij 6 Time: 20h15, gates open 18h00.

Cost: R79 to R149 pp. Booking: 8 9 http://thegalileo.co.za/buy-tickets/ Until April 5

Summer picnics Venue: Grande Provence.

2 time 3weather Time: Day Very easy permitting.

5 Cost: R245 4pp. 6 Booking: 1 2 8 021-876 8600 or 5 restaurant@ grandeprovence.co.za.

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7 NG Kerk Franschhoek 1 Sondagdienste 09h30. Geen aanddiens meer nie. Ds Peet 8 Bester. 021 876 2431.

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Franschhoek Methodist Church Sunday service 09h00 – all welcome. Rev Nuno Vergueiro 021 872 3580 or 082 662 4509.

Contact person: 021 876 2510 or 083 287 5756 New Apostolic Church Le Roux Weg, Franschhoek.

Sundays 09h00, Wednesdays 19h30. Rector: Charles Leibrandt

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Franschhoek Cycling Club 9 4 Outrides Regular road rides on Saturday mornings from BP garage 9to Stellenbosch/Jonkers and back (75 kms) followed by coffees. Meet 5 at 08h00 winter months, 07h00 in summer. To check timings during 1 Paul 5 shoulder seasons contact Barkley 083 302 9096

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Franschhoek Tennis Club Social tennis is played at the 6 Franschhoek Tennis Club 8on Fridays from 08h30 and on Sundays9 and Public Holidays 4 8 Shofar Christian 9 Church from 09h00. During June, July 08h30 English service. 10h00 Joint Hard and August starting times are 30 tea & coffee.

6 For more information 8 710h30 Afrikaans mins later. service. service 2 6contact 5 3021 876 4 4184.

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St George’s Anglican Church Groot Drakenstein. Sunday Services: Holy Communion and Sunday School 10h00. Rector Fr Joe Humbles – 073 560 3566

5 Uniting Reformed Church Sunday service: 09h30. Minister: Dr 6Shaun Burrows, 3 0211876 2632.

All visitors most welcome.

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Jyotish Vedic Astrology

Roman Catholic Church Mass every 2nd Saturday of the month at the Methodist Church, Bagatelle Rd, Fhk. 073 488 6816 Trinity Church Anglican Communion Service Sundays 10h00.

Weekday Communion with Prayers Wednesdays 10h00. All services at L’Ermitage Chapel. Fr Gavin Mitchell (083 799 0726) or Fr Michael Pedder (082 460 7833).

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Robert Rittel

Aries, 21 March – 19 April: The Martian energies have moved into Libra – the asterism of relationships, creative ideas and the balance of desires. The ultimate desire and force of life is the divine eternal balance. Your intuitional trust is the success that has to work hand in hand with that balance.

Taurus, 20 April – 20 May: Venus is transiting through the constellation of Scorpio and with Mars in Libra creates a planetary exchange of rulership.

Indications of arousing the kundalini energy can, when not understood, become dangerous.

Therapeutic massages, Yoga or other practices of self-development are crucial and guilt free.

Gemini, 21 May – 20 June: The heavenly messenger Mercury is flying through Sagittarius and has to focus on selected targets, there are only so many arrows you can shoot at one time. Remember that the vibration of your voice changes, if you are not speaking the truth. Be very wise as well with your financial resources.

Cancer, 21 June – 22 July: The moon in Vedic mythology creates the emotional intelligence and the inheritance of your mother’s wisdom, those precious deities will present themselves with the progress of the bio-dynamic moon. By understanding your feelings and intentions you can make yourself a part of this natural rhythm.

7 Leo, 23 July – 22 August: With the Sun in Sagittarius it establishes for Leos a potential time 8 of creative development on 3 many administration levels. A good time for contracting business and attracting 4 personal relationships, 8 but be aware of false interpretations and facts and let your own ideas develop until circumstances fall into place.

6 23 August 9 – 22 September: The Virgo, intellectual creativity wants to develop your mind

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Useful 2 9 Numbers 4

5ACCOUNTANTS Tax Shop

021 876 2676

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Susan Charlesworth Snipelisky & Killian

021 876 2592/072 402 9469 083 250 0943/021 876 2084

BURGLAR ALARMS

Pepler Alarms

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c ⃝2005-2015 http://www.PrintSudoku.com

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Magic 6 7 9 8 2 1 5 Sudoku 9 8 6 5 4 7 1 3

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021 876 3031 082 557 0278 021 876 3460 021 874 1906 021 876 3775 072 211 9991 082 773 9217 021 876 3179

Franschhoek IT Services Solid IT Solutions

082 356 0226 084 015 8808

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COMPUTER SERVICES

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Franschhoek Electric Rensburg Electrical

082 823 7119/021 876 3640 021 876 2120/083 309 2923

Andrew Schmidt Burger Excavations

021 876 4431/082 972 5755 072 3408518

EXCAVATIONS

HEALTH & BEAUTY

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HOUSE & GARDEN

Clock Repairs Lighting & Accessories Paarl Pool Services Ria Pools (Franschhoek) Franschhoek Photolab PostNet Marelise Rester

PHOTOGRAPHIC

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021 876 2261 021 876 2218 021 876 3310

021 808 8406 021 876 2532 021 876 2342 021 876 2670 021 876 4808

Bridge House School Franschhoek High School Groendal Primary School Groendal Secondary School Wes-Eind Primary School Dalubuhle Primary School

021 874 8100 021 876 2079 021 876 2448 021 876 2211 021 876 2360 021 876 3957

Franschhoek Storage

021 876 2174

Info Office Winelands Experience

021 876 3603 021 876 4042

SCHOOLS

STORAGE

TOURIST INFORMATION & SERVICES

TRANSPORT GOODS

Gerald Fourie VETERINARY

021 876 2940/082 821 5234

Huguenot Animal Clinic Surgery (pm only) Emergency

021 876 4278 021 876 2504 082 577 9900

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

Stellenbosch Fire Dept. (Buildings on fire) 021 808 8888 Cape Winelands Distr.Muni. (Bush & veld fires) 021 887 4446

021 886 9244 Police 10111/021 876 8061 Eskom 086 003 7566 Neighbourhood Watch 083 493 7778 Omnipage Farm Watch 021 852 3318 Plaaswag 021 876 2346 N1, N2 & R300 Emergency number: 021 946 1646 DENTISTS

021 876 3070 021 876 2634

021 876 3921 021 876 3025

Dr Tracey Garner Dr Shelley Hellig Dr Alexander Heywood Dr Hannes Van der Merwe

021 876 4622 021 871 1063 021 876 2474 021 876 2304

021 872 3530

Medicare EMR

021 876 4741

(Ward 1) Councillor Frazenburg (DA) (Ward 2) Councillor Ntsunguri (ANC) (Ward 3) Councillor August (DA) (Ward 4) Councillor Johnson (DA) Municipality (Office Hours) Municipality (afternoon only) Municipality 24hr Service

021 876 4234/082 582 1029

Franschhoek Plumbing

021 876 3759

Hospice

021 876 3085

PUBLIC SERVICES

Library Huguenot Memorial Museum Post Office Welfare (ACVV) SPCA

Dr Schalk du Plessis Dr Rob Hammer

028 840 1716 021 876 3640 021 872 0747/083 658 4944 021 876 2612/072 347 5355

INTERNET ACCESS

Claire Horn

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Franschhoek Pharmacy Salon Excelsior Franschhoek Health Club

Solution of Sudoku #3694 OPTOMETRIST

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021 876 3308

Boland Bridge Club Franschhoek Tennis Club Franschhoek Trust & RPA Grt. Drak Games Club Lions Stellenbosch Masonic Lodge (Chris) Franschhoek Rotary Club Franschhoek Probus Club

ELECTRICAL

Magic Sudoku

towards spiritual liberation, that the rational and logic temperament find sense in the intuitive and astral language. Jupiter the planet of expansion and purity of original thoughts will guide you to the teaching to remove all obstacles.

Libra, 23 September – 22 October: Be careful with your intentions and force of will. As long as your plans are not for the greater good you will create the wrong impressions and may be left wondering why possibilities are not working out as you have planned. Do not be promiscuous with your sensuality.

Scorpio, 23 October – 21 November: The greatest knowledge is the knowledge of the self.

Venus travels through this asterism and likes to improve that inner space of contentment and can channel some delightful impressions in the ocean of immutability. Take your chance for some soul searching and rejuvenate your analytical abilities.

Sagittarius, 22 November – 21 December: Wise and philosophical thoughts are highly aroused at this time of the year. The temptation to flatter yourself comes with the same energy. Truly wise people do not have to prove anything or provide everything for the hidden forces are working through all sources.

Capricorn, 22 December – 19 January: It is only out of consideration for others that the mature soul obeys the law; otherwise the spirit is above the law.

The closer you come to approach that reality, the nearer you come to unity. That intimate truth is the realization that there is nothing which is not in you.

Aquarius, 20 January – 18 February: There is no action in this world that can be stamped as sin or virtue; it is its relation to the particular soul that makes it. The mystic does not wait until the hereafter, but does all it can to progress now. You cannot obtain power by conquest, but you can win it by surrender.

Pisces, 19 February - 20 March: The human heart is the shell in which the pearl of sincerity is found. Jupiter, the biggest planet in Virgo, can create a lot of ignorance and overwhelming states of mind. Take your ideas to task, instead of putting one’s fault on another. Rise above the sense of duty, and then duty becomes pleasure.

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DOCTORS

EMERGENCY MEDICAL RESPONSE MUNICIPALITY

074 363 7794/021 876 4316 021 808 8490 021 808 8754 021 808 8186 021 808 8019 021 808 8700 021 808 8890 021 808 8700

Franschhoek Tatler

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Smalls Smalls R30. Text only, maximum of 30 words Leave, with payment, at Franschhoek Pharmacy before 15th of preceding month

ASSISTANCE OFFERED: I am a caring, friendly, older woman who can assist you in your house, guest-house, shop or office. I can run errands or drive you around. Available afternoons, evenings or weekends. 083 270 9555 BOOK BINDING AND BOOK REPAIRS. Contact John 021 876 4129 or john@thearmchair explorer.co.za JOB WANTED: I’m Chifundo Chimenya, a 29-year-old Malawian lady, and am looking for a housekeeping, child minding or nanny job.

I have experience in these fields. I’m honest, hardworking, trustworthy and reliable. As I’m not currently working I can start immediately.

Call me on 061 1105 975. I’m waiting to hear from you – my prospective employer.

FOR SALE: Block & Chisel white cane and wood king size bed and mattress. Excellent condition. Cal 082 330 0707

Water. My contact number is 073 890 0693.

JOB WANTED: I’m Catherine Nyirenda and I’m looking for a job as a housekeeper or baby sitter. Here is my number: 084 216 1465 BOOK KEEPING SERVICES: For small businesses. Income and expenses, cash book, petty cash on Pastel up to trial balance. Call Robyn Kadis 072 999 8581.

GARDENS: Pruning, tree removal, paving, landscape services and gardens. Call Myles Agar 083 279 7960 Email: myles@ franschhoekwildhoney.co.za Relax! Let RIAPOOLS bring the sparkle back to your pool. Call: 072 347 5355 TONER CARTRIDGES: Laser toner cartridges remanufactured to industry standards – perfect quality for half the price.

For a quote and sample please call Barbara on 084 400 4544 or email your cartridge details to greenchameleon.spaanderman@gmail.com EXCESS BOOKS? Shelves creaking, moving houseorjustthinningoutyourcollection?ContactJohn Hicks 021 876 4129

RIAPOOLS is this area’s premier pool maintenance company. For advice please call: 072 347 5355

PLASMA SCREEN ADVERTISING at BuildIt Franschhoek. High traffic area.

From R250 per month.

Contact Johan Viljoen on 084 205 7157.

DOMESTIC WORK: I’m Patricia Mangezi.

I’m looking for a job as a domestic worker. I live in Franschhoek and have a lot of experience. I was previously employed at Richeneau Spring

LOOKING FOR THAT SPECIAL BOOK and can’t find it? Call John at the Armchair Explorer, we will source it for you.

Contact John Hicks 021 876 4129

PO Box 92, Franschhoek, 7690 Tel 021 876 3460 Email info@franschhoektatler.co.za Editor Siegfried Schäfer Layout Gail Abrahams Printing Signet Printers Subscriptions 12 Issues - R200/Overseas R400 Copyright: All rights reserved, reproduction in whole or part prohibited. Views expressed are not necessarily those of the editor. Publication of editorial or advertising matter does not imply endorsement or warranty in respect of goods or services therin described.

KITTENS AND DOGS looking for homes. Call Annette 021 876 3155 FLOOD LIGHTS: Six 400W Mercury vapour flood lights for sale. R500 each.

Voetstoots. 082 391 5327 MAILBOXES: Postnet Franschhoek. R495 per year. Limited number still available. No “junk mail”. Phone: 021 876 3025 / Email: franschhoek@postnet.co.za PET-SITTER/HOUSE-SITTER/ CARETAKER: I am a responsible, mature woman who adores animals. I can also supervise domestic staff, pool/garden maintenance, car care, etc. You can trust me with your precious pets & belongings.

Franschhoek only. Contact Sue at 083 270 9555 VINE WREATHS for Christmas. Lovely woven vine wreaths to decorate yourself or use as is for Christmas. Work empowerment project. Call Susan 072 932 5393.

December 2015

December 2015

Franschhoek Tatler

FREE QUOTES ALL WORK GUARANTEED .Waterproofing .Torch On .Roof Clean & Coat .Gutters & facias

.Roofing .Painting .Carports & pergolas .Minor Renovations

“We make house calls”

083 252 1054 wwt@iafrica.com www.roofdoctors.co.za

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Franschhoek Tatler

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Pam Golding Properties Best Estate Agency in SA and Africa

“A requirement for entry to the Best While the recent decline in Real Estate Agency award is that it is commodities prices has cast a based on one selected office within dampener on economic growth the organisation. This year we focused in Africa, huge population growth our entry on our high performing coupled with major investment office in Stellenbosch in the Cape in infrastructural improvements, Winelands, where the residential including telecommunications, property market incorporates an transport and the financial sector, eclectic mix of historic and modern, augurs well for the future of the abounding with variety of choice to continent’s burgeoning housing cater for the market’s broad range of market, says Dr Andrew Golding, requirements and price ranges. chief executive of the Pam Golding Dr Golding says following global Property group. trends, Africa is undergoing an “As Pam Golding Properties Dr Andrew Golding internet revolution with massive continues to grow its footprint and growth in mobile and internet access, which currently presence in Africa through local partnerships, marketing stands at approximately 27 percent of the continent’s prime real estate in brand new, world-class developments population, with the pace of technical advances set to in countries such as Nigeria and Uganda, among others, further escalate in the years ahead. Increasingly, the huge we are proud to receive global recognition at this year’s advances in technology are changing the way people prestigious International Property Awards held in Dubai and countries conduct business, including property on 11 November (2015).” transactions.

For the sixth year in succession Pam Golding “Being awarded Best Real Estate Agency Website is Properties won the Five Star Best Real Estate Agency particularly gratifying, given that our new site was two award for South Africa and the regional award for Best years in the making - in partnership with Quirk, and was in Africa for the fifth year. This year, entering the website only launched in June this year (2015). This affirms the category for the first time, PGP also won the Five Star importance we place on our interaction with consumers award for Best Real Estate Agency Website in South seeking to acquire their ideal home through a range of Africa and Africa. devices and means.”

Judged according to stringent criteria by an Currently receiving approximately 300 000 visits independent panel of 70 industry experts, the Africa each month from over 200 000 visitors from in excess and Arabia Property Awards celebrate the highest levels of 200 countries around the globe, the PGP website of achievements by companies operating in all sectors incorporates cutting edge innovations all designed to of the property and real estate industry. Judges focus ensure an effortless user experience to help buyers find on design, quality, service, innovation, originality and a property that caters for their own particular lifestyle. commitment to sustainability. Worldwide, this year’s “We spent a great deal of time understanding the awards received more than 2 000 entries from over 100 journey that both buyers and sellers alike take when countries. they engage with web-based property platforms and Competing against top winners from companies have structured our site so as to add unique value to around the globe, PGP now goes forward as an this journey, to make it both easy yet also insightful and international nominee in both categories for the 2015 rewarding. For example, there is a unique ‘draw search’ International Property Awards ‘World’s Best’ to be capability, which allows buyers to graphically identify the announced in London on 7 December 2015. area and roads of a particular suburb that they would Commenting further Dr Golding says: “In the like to live in, with their search results then being served dynamic and increasingly competitive real estate accordingly. There is also the option to search various environment these achievements highlight the growing lifestyle collections, as well as a unique pinboard facility global emphasis placed on achieving the highest levels of which allows for the easy building of a personal property service and professionalism, innovation and technology portfolio, which can then be shared via email with family, within the property industry. Receiving these awards friends or our agents - to gain a better understanding of recognises our constant pursuit of excellent service and our clients’ property preferences,” says Dr Golding. high innovation as we constantly aim to set benchmark standards for the industry. www.pamgolding.co.za

L’Afrique Verte is a unique Residential Secure Gated Estate in the heart of the beautiful Franschhoek Valley.

Our ethos is to provide luxury homes that combine high-end quality living with an eco-friendly sustainable lifestyle.

Interested in joining us?

We are excited to share our progress in the first week of December 2015, please contact Michelle on info@lafriqueverte.co.za for more information.

Grow with us

December 2015

December 2015

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Franschhoek Tatler

December 2015

R6 600 000

Private & exclusive Set in a quiet street situated a short walk from the Village is this 4 star Guest House with magnificent views and country charm. Your stay here will add to the perfect Franschhoek experience. Whether you relax in the sauna or lounge at the pool, this property offers many surprises and comforts.

4 bedrooms • 4 bathrooms • Double garage with apartment on top

Janice Hicks 072 991 6272 • Office : 021 876 4579 janice.hicks@rawson.co.za

R17 500.00 p/m

Franschhoek Living Poised a short walk above the main road sits this charming and elegant family home. Strong clean lines define this contemporary structure. With stable doors and large fireplace, cosy terrace and sparkling pool and underfloor heating complementing its tasteful interior palette. Private garden and quality finishes. Available from the10th of March to end of December, fully furnished, regrettably NO pets.

3 bedrooms • 3 bathrooms • Study • Erf size: 685 Building size: 275

Janice Hicks 072 991 6272 • Office : 021 876 4579 janice.hicks@rawson.co.za

R14 500 000 + VAT

Picture Perfect Smallholding This stunning North facing home set in immaculate landscaped gardens which are fully irrigated and is 3.4 ha in extent. Comprising 5 bed 4 bath 5 garages 6 carports and 5 income producing cottages. Double volume open plan sitting room fully fitted kitchen and dining room, open onto beautiful garden and pool area. All bedrooms and bathrooms have underfloor heating. There is approximately 2 ha of undeveloped land which adjoins a wetland area which would be great hiking. There are 3 boreholeson the property only 2 are presently used. The property has excellent security including camera and beams.

Janice Hicks 072 991 6272 • Office : 021 876 4579 janice.hicks@rawson.co.za

December 2015

Franschhoek Tatler

PEARL VALLEY

4

R 5 750 000

3½

Garages 3

369 185

TRANQUIL LIVING Lovely family home says hello to warmth and space. Double volume reception rooms to patio and pool in landscaped garden, North facing, sheltered from wind secure easy living. Right wing comprises 2 bedroom en suite and left wing share a bathroom. Study and balcony on upper level with mountain views. Open plan kitchen, scullery to court yard. Corner plot. Buy your place in the sun.

FRANSCHHOEK

3

R4 650 000

3

Garages 1

Parking 1

369 919

VILLAGE LIFESTYLE This charming double storey thatch home is situated on a quiet, tree-lined street within a short stroll of Franschhoek town.

FRANSCHHOEK

Erf size: 4000m2

R4 400 000

329 952

INDIGENOUS PARADISE 4000m² plot at highest point in secure Fransche Hoek Estate. Bordering a nature reserve and offering spectacular views of the day.

31

FRANSCHHOEK

3

R10 750 000

3

Garages 2

WEB REF: 369 908

IMMACULATE LIFESTYLE PROPERTY ON GENTLEMAN’S ESTATE Surrounded by Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards and olive trees, the villa is a retreat that reflects stylish interiors with a provincial flair.

PEARL VALLEY

4

R3 750 000

4

Parking 2

369 077

ON THE LAKE Blissful sunsets from this spacious 3 level lodge! All bedrooms en suite, walk to clubhouse and tropical pool.

Sophistication in the country - have the best of two world!

FRANSCHHOEK

Erf size: 400m2

R750 000

368 996

VACANT LAND - STUNNING FYNBOS ESTATE FRANSCHHOEK Beautiful plot with drawn up plans (to be negotiated if required) set in the picturesque Fransche Hoek Estate. Create your own dream property or view existing architectural plans for beautiful lifestyle estate living.

Franschhoek Tatler

32

INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY GROUP

REMAX.CO.ZA

December 2015

The Real Estate Leaders NOBODY IN THE WORLD SELLS MORE REAL ESTATE THAN RE/MAX

December 2015

Franschhoek Tatler

Franschhoek / R7.5 million

33

Ref# FWI1240602

Bedrooms 4 / Bathrooms 4 / Garages 2 Country home in Domaine des Anges. This spacious north-facing home is set amongst the vines, olive trees and lavender. The living areas lead to the undercover patio and pretty garden. A perfect family home with the advantage of Domaine’s communal swimming pool, tennis court, club house and gym.

Doug Gurr 072 610 7208 / Jeanine Allen 082 410 6837

FRANSCHHOEK Office: 021 876 2100 / winelandsint@pamgolding.co.za / pamgolding.co.za/franschhoek

Ref# 1242424

Ref# FWI1157507

Franschhoek / R6.8 million

Franschhoek / R4.9 million + VAT

Bedrooms 4 / Bathrooms 3 / Garages 2 / A home with a heart! Charming home offers lovely reception areas and a beautiful kitchen. A summer patio that flows to garden and pool.

Bedrooms 3 / Bathrooms 3 / Garages 1 / Apartment offering beautiful views over the dam with abundant bird life and exceptional views of the vineyards and mountains beyond.

Doug Gurr 072 610 7208 / Jeanine Allen 082 410 6837

Doug Gurr 072 610 7208 / Jeanine Allen 082 410 6837

Ref# FWI1241404

Ref# FWI1097340

Franschhoek / R8.5 million

Franschhoek / R6.2 million

Parking 10 / An income generating property in a good location in Franschhoek. 4 Storage units with 2 apartments are currently occupied with a business unit and one apartment still vacant.

Bedrooms 4 / Bathrooms 4 / Garages 2 / A newly built home offering spacious accommodation.

Open-plan living area, large enclosed stoep with folding doors to a patio and pool with views.

Doug Gurr 072 610 7208 / Jeanine Allen 082 410 6837

Doug Gurr 072 610 7208 / Jeanine Allen 082 410 6837

/PamGoldingProperties

pamgolding.co.za

@PamGoldingGroup

34

Franschhoek Tatler

December 2015

Fine & Country Franschhoek, Centre du Franschhoek, 23 Huguenot Str, Franchhoek, 7690

FRANSCHHOEK

R 4 500 000

R5 950 000

FRANSCHHOEK

WONDERFUL 3 BEDROOM FAMILY HOME ON LA PETITE PROVENCE SECURE ESTATE. This beautiful 3 bedroom family home is a must view. The property includes a spacious double volume open plan living/dining room with fireplace, opening onto an open plan kitchen. Three double bedrooms, three bathrooms and a large mezzanine area perfect as a tv room/office. Patio doors lead onto a covered verandah area overlooking the garden and a sparkling pool. Large double garage. Stunning views of the surrounding vineyards and Franschhoek Mountains. This secure wine estate includes a club-house, estate pool and tennis court.

EXCLUSIVE 2/3 BEDROOM FAMILY HOME ON PRESTIGIOUS DOMAINE DES ANGES WINE & OLIVE ESTATE Set amongst the vineyards in this prime estate, this beautiful property has wonderful vineyard and mountain views. Main bedroom has large en-suite bathroom, dressing room, and vineyard views. A 2nd en-suite bedroom and study/potential 3rd en-suite bedroom also have wonderful views. The large double volume living/dining room with contemporary open plan kitchen has patio doors leading to large stoep and lawns, leading to vineyards. A 2nd large stoep at front of house has enclosed garden. Separate scullery, single garage, drying yard and off-street parking complete this lovely property.The Estate includes a club-house, swimming pool and tennis court.

3 Bedrooms en-suite | Stunning views | Secure Estate | Erf Size: 627m2 | Web Ref: 76645

2 Bedrooms en-suite | Open Plan Living | Secure Estate | Erf Size: 986m2 | Web ref:128714

Tom Clode +27 (0)79 955 3114 | Terry-Lee George +27 (0)82 650 9194

Tom Clode +27 (0)79 955 3114 | Terry-Lee George +27 (0)82 650 9194

FRANSCHHOEK

R4 650 000

R6 600 000

FRANSCHHOEK

THIS COTTAGE IS THE IDEAL LOCK-UP-AND-GO OR SMALL FAMILY HOME Set in a quiet plot with a private patio, pool & a manageable garden.The main bedroom with en-suite bathroom is located downstairs with doors out to the back garden. A further two bedrooms with en-suites are positioned upstairs with a TV lounge/rompus room with gorgeous views out of a large curved feature window.The living area offers a large lounge with wood-burning fireplace and french doors out to a covered entertainment patio and pool area.The kitchen has a country living theme with a large eat-in centre table for family dining. Includes separate scullery/laundry and single garage.

SECURE FAMILY LIVING ON L’AVENUE DE FRANSCHHOEK ESTATE Unique 4 bedroom home with large open-plan living areas and well appointed eat-in kitchen offers ideal family living. A large undercover veranda allows for easy year-round entertaining with views out over the pool, garden and mountains beyond. Two bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms are positioned on the ground floor, two further bedrooms (en-suite) are upstairs. A large 55 sqm mezzanine studio overlooking the double-volume entrance hall would make an ideal library/office or separate upstairs TV lounge. Includes a double garage and underfloor heating.

3 Bedrooms en-suite | Quiet Location | Garage & Pool | Erf Size: 599m2 | Web Ref: 133109

Erf Size:1381m2 | Web Ref 135714

Tom Clode +27 (0)79 955 3114 | Terry-Lee George +27 (0)82 650 9194

Tom Clode +27 (0)79 955 3114 | Terry-Lee George +27 (0)82 650 9194

FRANSCHHOEK

R 10 995 000

FRANSCHHOEK

R 8 500 000

Erf Size: 1750m2 | Web Ref: 135910

UNIQUE CHARACTER PROPERTY WITH PRIMEVILLAGE ADDRESS Situated in the heart of the village, this property is suited to both permanent and lock up and go living. The double-fronted facade bordered with grape vines and olive trees is a feature of historic Cabriere Street. Old world character combines with contemporary touches.The large open-plan, double volume dining/living room is divided by a fireplace and a huge chef’s kitchen opens out to garden.A large mezzanine level upstairs is ideal as a 2nd living room/office. 2 en–suite bedrooms in main house both have views onto gardens front and back. A 3rd bedroom with separate garden access could be incorporated into the house. A scullery and double garage complete the interior. Outside there is a spacious garden with pool and small olive grove.

Tom Clode +27 (0)79 955 3114 | Terry-Lee George +27 (0)82 650 9194

Erf Size: 1289m2 | Web Ref 134747

STYLISH CONTEMPORARY HOME DESIRABLE SECURE WINE ESTATE IN FRANSCHHOEK. This beautiful home includes a spacious double volume living/dining room, separate contemporary kitchen and scullery.The living area leads out to an extensive undercover patio area overlooking a large pool with stunning mountain views. This is inside/outside living at its best. Each of the 3 bedrooms are spacious and include a contemporary en-suite bathroom. The two upstairs bedrooms each have their own patio with breath taking views. Also includes guest toilet, separate scullery/ laundry and double garage, fully air-conditioned throughout.

Tom Clode +27 (0)79 955 3114 | Terry-Lee George +27 (0)82 650 9194