In the latest issue of Stellenbosch Visio, we bring you the freshest news and reviews as autumn paints the City of Oaks in warm hues. From exciting new ventures to inspiring innovations, we’ve got the scoop on the people, places, and products shaping Stellenbosch this season!
Lara Louise Designs
The newly opened boutique in Bird Street, Lara Louise Designs is all about embracing creativity by creating bold and one-of-a-kind outfits that excite clients. Whether through their ready- made collections or bespoke custom designs, they aim to craft pieces that fit both the body and the personality.
Owner Lara Steenkamp is originally a ‘Kalaharikind’ from Upington, and while studying BCom Law, she taught herself to sew – a passion that eventually led her to leave the legal world behind and pursue fashion full-time. She opened her first shop on 7 Bird Street in Stellenbosch, and describes it as a place that perfectly captures the creative energy and vivacious spirit that inspired her to start this journey.
“I’ve always loved Stellenbosch for its artistic vibe, and it felt like the perfect home for Lara Louise Designs – a space where fashion and creativity come together, right in the heart of this beautiful town,” says Lara.
Le Bistrot de JAN in Nice
The culinary landscape of Nice is set to delight with the opening of Le Bistrot de JAN, a vibrant new dining concept by celebrated chef Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen.
Le Bistrot de JAN has officially opened in Nice, France, at 12 Rue Lascaris, next to his Michelin-starred Restaurant JAN. Here, chef Jan introduces a playful take on the traditional bistrot experience, blending spirited energy with exceptional food and drink. Designed as a more accessible complement to the fine dining of Restaurant JAN, the bistrot reflects chef Jan’s adventurous spirit and early culinary journey, offering a relaxed yet elegant atmosphere with dishes like ostrich tartare and flambéed malva pudding.
Le Bistrot de JAN invites guests to embrace their real selves while enjoying timeless classics with a whimsical twist. The restaurant’s lively space, infused with South African touches and a striking green and gold palette, pays homage
to the Springboks and Jean Cocteau’s extravagant flair.
Chef Jan describes it as ‘a younger version’ of himself – rebellious, daring and always laughing – and ready to delight locals and visitors alike.
Wilde Vy Bistro
The Durbanville Wine Route recently welcomed Wilde Vy Bistro, a new eatery at the historic Hooggelegen Farm, home of Signal Gun Wines. The bistro is the brainchild of South African chef Jürgen Snyman and Ghanaian entrepreneurs Kwasi Osei-Kusi and Charles Bucknor, who share a passion for hospitality. They first connected in Cape Town during Jürgen’s tenure in top local restaurants and their partnership flourished with the support of seasoned restaurateurs Liam Tomlin and Ivor Jones, culminating in this exciting venture.
Wilde Vy Bistro’s interior, designed by Design Build Collective (DB-CO), seamlessly blends the heritage of Hooggelegen Farm with a contemporary touch, using wood, brick and concrete with accents of marble and brass. The menu caters to diverse tastes and features a variety of options, including small plates, seafood, fire-grilled dishes, vegetarian offerings and a thoughtful kiddies’ menu, all crafted to delight every palate.
Mack Brands
Mack Brands is a globally recognised house of innovative and high-end spirits and beverage brands in the Mack & Schühle Group. Its mission is to craft a cohesive portfolio that emphasises quality, storytelling and innovation, targeting a youthful, adventurous audience.
With a commitment to sustainability and ground-breaking concepts, Mack Brands aims to redefine the beverage industry by delivering authentic and memorable experiences.
The company introduces three standout beverages: The City’s Negroni, a premium blend of gin, vermouth and bitters for the ultimate cocktail experience; Finvara Irish Whiskey, rooted in Irish folklore, crafted with exceptional ingredients and designed for the next generation of whisky enthusiasts; and The King’s Gambit, the first release under the Finvara label, inspired by chess strategy and aged in bourbon and sherry barrels for a smooth, rich profile that appeals to both novice and seasoned whisky drinkers.
Motherdough Stellenbosch
Best known for its beautiful green bakery in Franschhoek, Motherdough has opened another branch in Stellenbosch and is bringing the true taste of Italy to the local community.
Located at the Oude Bank Building on the corner of Church and Bird streets, the new bakery offers freshly baked sourdough bread, delicious pastries and mouth- watering toasties.
Committed to quality and flavour, Motherdough uses 100% natural fermentation without added yeast, enzymes, preservatives or industrial compounds. Its products are crafted from stone-ground flours, free-range eggs and seasonal fresh produce, ensuring a wholesome and delightful experience.
For those interested in honing their baking skills, the bakery offers courses such as the Sourdough Bread Masterclass. The Motherdough team eagerly invites you to visit and share in its Italian-inspired passion for quality and flavour.
Cape Grace New Suite
The Cape Grace Hotel at Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront has unveiled its new signature Cape Grace Suite, a luxurious two-bedroom retreat boasting 360° views of Table Mountain and the marina. Spanning 270m2, the suite offers families and friends a private sanctuary on the doorstep of the city’s cultural, culinary and historical landmarks. With an expansive terrace, stylish lounge, elegant dining area and a private bar with a butler’s pantry, the suite combines relaxation and entertainment in a refined setting filled with natural light.
A collection of contemporary South African artworks that celebrate the nation’s heritage and diversity is a prominent feature in the suite. Curated by South African art consultant Lezanne van Heerden, the collection includes works by Benjamin Stanwix, Cathy Abraham and Chantell Lungiswa Joe. Guests also enjoy exclusive services such as in-suite check-in, a personal butler and tailored dining and tasting experiences. Following its extensive redesign by 1508 London, Cape Grace continues its legacy of thoughtful hospitality, with the Cape Grace Suite as the pinnacle of its transformation.
Franck Global
Discover Franck Global’s latest beauty innovations: the Treatment Lip Glaze, African Flowers Hair and Body Mist, and CF Tetra Serum. Each product combines natural elegance with exceptional quality to elevate your self-care routine.
From ultra-nourishing hydration and radiant shine for lips to a luxurious
mist inspired by Africa’s landscapes, and a potent anti-oxidant serum for luminous skin, these creations are designed to invigorate.
Spier New Hotel
Spier Wine Farm, one of South Africa’s most popular destinations, is set to unveil its newly transformed 80-room hotel in March 2025.
The reimagined Spier Hotel combines luxury, authenticity and sustainability, reflecting the farm’s heritage and commitment to regenerative farming.
With its rewilded indigenous garden, Cape Herbal Bath House and farm-to-table dining experience, the hotel offers an immersive connection to nature and the Cape Floral Kingdom. Featuring elegant rooms, two restaurants, a rooftop bar and a 640m2 spa, it sets a new standard for purpose-driven hospitality in the Western Cape.
The Enthoven family’s vision for Spier has evolved since 1993 and this transformation extends their legacy of peace, connection and timeless elegance. Guests can make themselves comfortable in private garden-view rooms, expansive suites or secluded villas and enjoy exclusive access to wellness facilities, farm activities and an art collection curated by the Spier Arts Trust. With its blend of luxury, community impact and biodiversity conservation, the new Spier Hotel marksa milestone in Cape hospitality.
Even in the Quietest Moments: An Exhibition
The Ilse Schermers Art Gallery recently launched a new exhibition, Even in the Quietest Moments, which includes a series of paintings by Cornelia Smook Snyman and Henk Smook.
Cornelia’s series is inspired by her daily walks along the cliff path at Hermanus, where she finds beauty in the delicate balance of nature. Her paintings
capture the intricate flora and fauna of the Fernkloof Nature Reserve, from the rare Gladiolus carmineus to the vivid Leucospermum. With each brush stroke, she transforms her observations into vivid, layered oil paintings, blending external landscapes with her internal reflections. Through this immersive process, she aims to highlight the fragility of nature and our own existence, creating moments of stillness and connection.
Henk uses his art as a means to escape the rigidity of corporate design and explore themes of freedom, creativity and self-awareness. His latest series juxtaposes ocean life with colourful plastics to symbolise humanity’s impact on the planet. Using acrylic and spray paint, he creates textured and layered works with titles like School Me – Yellowtail and Violence – Shark. These pieces invite viewers to reflect on the coexistence of creation and destruction, encouraging moments
of quiet introspection amid the noise of modern life.
Dr Bongani Tendai Percy Mashange
Dr Bongani Tendai Percy Mashange, a talented jeweller and scholar, recently became the first visual arts student at Stellenbosch University to have his Master’s dissertation upgraded to a PhD.
Inspired by his Zimbabwean heritage and global influences, his ground-breaking research and striking abstract jewellery challenge conventions, exploring themes of identity, representation and African modernity through both theory and artistry.
His designs fuse traditional materials with modern techniques, creating wearable art that reflects a dynamic and evolving African identity.
Having grown up in a family that valued education and artistic expression, Bongani credits his achievements to the unwavering support of his loved ones and lecturers. While he takes time to celebrate his graduation, he envisages a future where he continues to blend artistry and academia, redefining African narratives in contemporary art.
Skepselkos
Inspired by a serendipitous recipe for caper jelly and yellow peach tea brandy and by Sophia Lindop’s quote, “Tell me what you eat and I’ll tell you who you are”, the journey of creating Skepselkos began with a deep appreciation for food’s ability to connect us to nature, memories and each other.
With Skepselkos, authors Isabella Niehaus and Louis Jansen van Vuuren share a vision of rekindling the joy of cooking nourishing, wholesome meals, no matter how simple. Featuring a collection of recipes by eight celebrated chefs, each with their own style – from Kobus van der Merwe to Zola Nene and Reuben Riffel – the book celebrates diverse culinary approaches while incorporating the authors’ own creations. It also includes contributions from friends and a chapter on sustainable living, encouraging readers to make small changes that matter.
This book is a heartfelt invitation into their kitchens and to their tables, celebrating food as a source of creativity, connection and care.
Young Minds Proceed to International Awards
Two Stellenbosch University Master’s students in engineering, Yasmin de Raay and Chris Erasmus, have advanced to the international round of the 2025 Blue Sky Young Researchers and Innovation competition. Their projects, recognised by the Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa (PAMSA) for their originality and relevance to the forestry sector, will compete against entries from the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia.
Chris, an electrical and electronic engineering student, developed a solar-powered wireless dendrometer that tracks tree growth, water dynamics and environmental stressors with real- time precision. Yasmin, specialising in industrial engineering, designed a mini rhizotron system that uses machine learning to monitor root growth in forestry plantations. Both innovations offer sustainable solutions to improving forest management and crop yields.
As South Africa’s top two finalists, Chris and Yasmin won R15 000 and R10 000 respectively. Their projects will be judged by an international panel and the top three global finalists will go to the ICFPA CEO Global Roundtable in New York in May 2025.
A Historic 6000km from Nairobi to Stellenbosch
An electric motorcycle designed and built in Africa and powered solely by solar energy has completed a groundbreaking 6 000km journey from Nairobi in Kenya to Stellenbosch. Developed by Nairobi-based electric mobility company Roam in collaboration with Stellenbosch University’s Faculty of Engineering, the Roam Air showcased the potential of sustainable transport across the continent.
The expedition, led by PhD candidate Stephan Lacock, crossed six countries, navigating diverse landscapes and challenging terrain. Throughout the trip, the motorcycle’s swappable batteries were charged exclusively via a vehicle-based solar power station. “This journey marks a historic milestone for Roam Air and highlights the real-world viability of clean energy solutions,” says Masa Kituyi, Roam Air product owner.
Despite facing rainy weather, poor roads and border delays, the team successfully completed the journey, reinforcing the potential of renewable energy in African transport. “This project not only demonstrates the resilience of our research team, but also showcases African ingenuity at its best,” says Prof. Sibusiso Moyo, deputy vice-chancellor for research at Stellenbosch University. Roam has since donated two Roam Air motorcycles to the university for further research and development.