At Fairtree, we believe investing is about more than just growing capital. It is also about creating lasting value for the people and communities around us. Guided by our mission to enrich the lives of all our stakeholders, we are committed to building meaningful relationships and investing in initiatives that create lasting impact.

Although Fairtree’s investment reach extends across South Africa and beyond, our roots are firmly planted in the Winelands, where our story began and which we still proudly call home. Our commitment to creating meaningful impact extends nationwide, but we remain deeply invested in the community that has been part of our journey.

From supporting Calling Education through bursaries and financial literacy programmes to building a bike track with the Pedal Project to support trail therapy for young people, these initiatives reflect our commitment to making a meaningful difference.

Through our partnership with Endurocad, we help develop the next generation of South African athletes by providing access to education and skills development.

We are also proud to partner with Paul Roos Gymnasium, Bloemhof Girls’ High School and Somerset College. Schools play an important role in developing future leaders, creating environments where learners can discover their potential and thrive.

Sport has a unique ability to bring people together. It builds confidence, inspires ambition and creates a sense of belonging.

Fairtree supports community cricket through its partnerships with Van der Stel Cricket Club and Spes Bona Cricket Club, while also backing the professional game through its sponsorship of the Paarl Royals.

Together, these partnerships reflect Fairtree’s commitment to the growth and development of cricket, from the grassroots level to the highest echelon of the sport.

We also support Keeping Stellenbosch Healthy, a community initiative led by José Cabral that delivers soccer clinics to children from less fortunate backgrounds across the Winelands, giving them opportunities to learn and thrive through sport. We are proud partners of the

Fairtree DP World Cannondale Racing Team, supporting a programme that combines elite international competition with a commitment to developing the next generation of South African cycling talent.

Fairtree’s dedication to the Winelands extends beyond education and sport to the arts. Through its partnership with the Libertas Choir, Fairtree helps preserve one of Stellenbosch’s most respected cultural institutions and celebrates a proud musical tradition that has enriched the community’s cultural life for decades.

As Fairtree continues to grow, our commitment to the Stellenbosch and Winelands community remains unchanged. Whether through education, sport or community development, we are proud to invest in the region that has shaped our story, and in the people who continue to shape its future.

The post Rooted in the Winelands, Investing in our Community appeared first on Stellenbosch Visio.

Visit Stellenbosch continues to prioritise initiatives that strengthen the local tourism economy with its newly signed Joint Marketing Agreement with Cape Town Tourism. Announced during Tourism Month, the partnership is designed to draw more overnight visitors, increase length of stay and channel greater economic benefit to Stellenbosch businesses and communities through a connected Cape journey.

The collaboration brings together two complementary destinations that sit naturally within the same itinerary. Cape Town offers coastline, city energy and cultural attractions, while Stellenbosch contributes wine, food, heritage, art, nature, shopping and distinctive local experiences. Together they create a richer regional offering that rewards an extra night or two.

Under the agreement the organisations will develop joint itineraries, share content and run collaborative campaigns across their digital channels. These efforts will be supported by joint media and trade activities. Particular attention will be given to domestic travellers during school holidays, long weekends and the festive season, while also creating year-round reasons to visit and helping to address seasonality.

The aim is straightforward: visitors who plan a trip to one destination will be encouraged to add the other, extending their stay and exploring more of the region. Joint content will highlight the range of experiences available across both places, with campaigns, competitions and giveaways opening opportunities for tourism businesses on both sides to take part in shared storytelling. Where relevant, international media and trade engagement will present Cape Town and Stellenbosch as complementary stops within a longer South African itinerary.

Enver Duminy, CEO of Cape Town Tourism, notes that Cape Town can easily fill a holiday yet also serves as a gateway to the wider Cape. “Stellenbosch adds another dimension to the Cape Town experience, and vice versa,” he says. “There is a real opportunity to encourage visitors to stay longer, explore more and experience the diversity of our region. This partnership gives us a platform to make that connection more visible, particularly during key travel periods and throughout the year.”

Alderman James Vos, the City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, points to strong recent performance figures: 1.44 million international overnight visitors and 1.42 million domestic overnight trips in 2025. The next step, he argues, is converting that demand into longer stays and greater economic benefit. “Visitors don’t experience destinations by municipal boundaries, and neither should our tourism thinking,” he says. “By connecting Cape Town and Stellenbosch more deliberately, we can encourage visitors to stay another night, explore more and spend more. Every additional night creates opportunities across the tourism value chain.”

Annemie Liebenberg, CEO of Visit Stellenbosch, emphasises the practical value for the local tourism economy. Longer stays translate into more visitor spend, more nights in accommodation and broader benefits for businesses. She also highlights the partnership’s role in tackling seasonality: “When we work together to grow the overall tourism pie, there is greater opportunity for both destinations and for the businesses and communities that depend on tourism.”

Stellenbosch itself recorded more than 1.35 million overnight visitors in 2025, contributing an estimated R13 billion in total economic impact. The new collaboration builds on the established strengths of both destinations while creating fresh opportunities to distribute demand, increase length of stay and widen participation in the visitor economy.

For travellers the invitation is simple: Cape Town and Stellenbosch. One more night. So much more to experience.

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SOARING ABOVE THE FYNBOS

Adventure seekers can discover the Elgin Valley from a whole new perspective with Cape Canopy Tour, a thrilling zipline excursion in the Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve.

Established in 2014 in partnership with CapeNature, this award- winning attraction takes guests more than 1 000m above sea level, combining breathtaking mountain scenery with an adrenaline-filled flight through the fynbos-covered landscape.

The half-day tour begins with a 4×4 drive into the mountains before guests take to the skies on a series of 11 exhilarating zipline slides of up to 300m. Along the route, visitors cross elevated platforms, soar above the Riviersonderend Gorge and navigate a suspension bridge above a spectacular double waterfall.

Suitable for guests aged five to 75, the four- to five-hour outing includes all equipment, training, conservation fees, a return mountain transfer, and the services of two trained Cape Canopy Tour guides. It’s an unforgettable way to explore the natural beauty of the Cape from above.

CALLING ALL HIKERS AND TRAIL RUNNERS

Stellenbosch Trail Fund (STF) is now working with Stellenbosch University to help maintain the hiking and running routes on Coetzenburg, showing that life is not only about mountain biking!

Significant repair work has already taken place and will continue consistently.

STF has also obtained approval from CapeNature to start repair work on the hiking trails inside Jonkershoek Nature Reserve, which are in dire need of regular maintenance.

This expansion of STF’s mountain trail work, which previously focused only on MTB routes, will require additional funding. Please support STF’s efforts by visiting their website here.

STELLENBOSCH ENGINEERS REACH FOR THE MOON

Researchers and postgraduate students from Stellenbosch University (SU) are playing a key role in one of Africa’s most ambitious space projects, contributing to technology that could soon make its way to the moon.

The SU’s Electronic Systems Laboratory (ESL) has been involved in the development of electronics for Africa2Moon, a South Africa-led initiative selected as one of the international payloads aboard China’s Chang’e-8 lunar mission, scheduled to launch in 2029. The mission aims to deploy the first Africa-designed low-frequency radio telescope antennas on the moon’s south pole, paving the way for future scientific discoveries that cannot be achieved from Earth.

Working alongside organisations that include the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (Sarao), the South African National Space Agency (Sansa) and several local universities and space technology companies, the ESL team has helped design the electronic systems that will allow the payload to communicate with the lunar lander.

Four SU MEng students also joined the project, developing key electronic and communication systems while balancing their postgraduate studies. Their work forms part of a technology demonstrator that will undergo testing before the flight-ready model is built.

For the ESL, the project continues a legacy of more than three decades of South African space engineering. Established as the development facility for South Africa’s first satellite, Sunsat, the laboratory has since contributed to numerous satellite, robotics and autonomous systems projects while training generations of engineers.

If successful, Africa2Moon will eventually deploy 55 lunar antennas – one for each African nation – creating the first African radio telescope array on the moon and opening a new frontier for both African science and space exploration.

The post Spring 2026 News & Reviews: Part 3 appeared first on Stellenbosch Visio.

Rich morning light crowns Stellenbosch’s mountains and gilds the ancient oaks and historic vineyards of one of South Africa’s oldest towns. From the steps of Hoërskool Stellenbosch, this picture-perfect scene forms the backdrop to something brand new.

Here, a distinctly modern meeting of heritage and high-tech is opening doors for young athletes, many from some of the Western Cape’s most under-resourced communities. In just three years, this ground-breaking programme has changed the future in ways few could ever have imagined.

OPENING DOORS TO THE FUTURE

The bell rings for class and there’s a swell of children’s chatter as Theo Pellissier, Hoërskool Stellenbosch’s headmaster, welcomes me into his office overlooking the Simonsberg. But it’s not the scenery that inspires Theo. “Every child, no matter where they’re from, should feel that their future is possible.”

That vision is shared by former Olympic athlete Elana van Zyl Meyer, who co-founded Endurocad to nurture sporting talent in young South Africans. “Athletics opened doors for me – I wanted to do the same for others,” she says.

When the Athletics Cycling Education (ACE) Trust decided to replicate the University of Pretoria’s high-performance sports school in the Western Cape, Endurocad was the natural partner. The goal was to find athletically talented children from rural or impoverished backgrounds and provide academic and athletic support so they could reach their full potential. Scouting road trips take the team to far- flung corners of the province to discover these hidden talents.

As an Afrikaans-medium co-ed school with an ethos of academic and sporting excellence and collaboration, Hoërskool Stellenbosch was perfect. “It was an enormous privilege … that came with immense responsibility: to provide the environment these children deserve,” states Theo.

ROOM TO GROW

The programme was launched in 2022 with 16 talented athletes. Soon there will be 100. Thanks to the ACE Trust’s anonymous funder, within three years a bigger hostel, fully equipped gym, upgraded school hall, state-of-the-art academic hub and a futuristic running track were in place. The trust also covers the approximately one million rand per child that it takes to get them from Grade 8 to matric.

“The school was a building site for 18 months, but it was worth it – and the whole school benefits,” says the proud principal.

But Theo knew that it’s not just about buildings or athletics tracks. Children must be able to cope academically and integrate socially. “The last thing I wanted was potentially to set them up to fail,” he emphasises. “That’s why the academic hub and bridging programmes are vital.”

At the hub, amid gleaming computers, I meet the bridging team members, Lizanne Nel and Courtney du Plessis. Their task is to close the gaps, from basic schoolwork to computer literacy.

“What we do is not about pointing out failings,” explains Lizanne. “It’s about building confidence and academic strength so the children start believing in themselves.”

There are no one-size-fits-all plans here.

Some children may never have used a computer before; others struggle with maths or vocabulary. Most take 12–15 months to fully integrate, become comfortable with computers, and speak confidently in front of the class, eager to tackle tasks independently.

Courtney adds that overcoming these challenges is a crucial learning curve. “Time management, structure, perseverance, independence – these skills carry them through life.”

HARD WORK, BIG REWARDS

Theo agrees that it’s a demanding programme. Aside from normal school hours and stringent hostel rules, there are daily athletics training, homework and tutoring, weekend sports meetings, off- season training, and studying to achieve strong exam results.

“If they don’t adhere to the programme, learners risk losing their bursary,” he says. Although you’d think this might deter them, it’s boosted motivation and satisfaction.

During our tour, the hostel hums with life. Children catch up on homework at communal tables or relax with friends. Cheerful rooms, flooded with sunlight and decorated with photos, awards and medals, have turned dorms into homes.

MENTORSHIP MATTERS

As welcoming as it is, it must still be pretty daunting to arrive here. Leaving your home and finding yourself in a new town with new faces, new routines …

“That’s why mentorship is a cornerstone,” says Theo. “It’s about making a difference in the life of a child, not just letting them run or pushing books at them and then sending them on their way.”

The mentorship department, staffed by expert counsellors, provides emotional support and reinforces life skills.

But there’s someone else reaching out a helping hand: other bursary learners. One such learner is 2024 matriculant Wiaan Maartin. Once a nervous Grade 8 athlete, Wiaan went on to win the SA Schools 400m championship and earn a bursary scholarship in the USA. He recently returned to encourage current learners – to loud applause.

“These special role models show everyone what’s possible,” says Theo proudly.

BEYOND THE TRACK

If there’s a symbol of the programme, it’s the royal-blue tartan track, the only fully WaveLight-equipped track in Africa. Visual pacer LEDs allow runners to check their times, stay focused and race better, even when alone on the track. The athletes took to it like springboks to jumping.

“It spurs them on to run faster. They do better at meets and look forward to training. And as other children see the changes, they too work harder than ever before,” notes Theo. “A strong sense of pride and interest in sports has permeated the whole school.”

And it’s not just the school that wins. “Our town historically has a huge love for athletics. But over the past decade the stadium- filling events slowly dwindled. Now that interest has been rekindled, starting with the track’s packed opening meet and continuing with subsequent events.”

As I walk through the school, something else stands out: courteous greetings, neat uniforms – and an atmosphere of school pride. There’s clearly much more than athletics at play here.

TOWN PRIDE

I meet Danville Willemse, a polite matric student who sports a school blazer and several achievement badges.

He remembers how overwhelmed he felt on arriving. “Nobody knew me, I missed home and I struggled with the strict routine. I didn’t have high expectations of myself. But I decided that I have two options: carry on with my old way of thinking or create a new ‘identity’. I had nothing to lose, so I grabbed the opportunity and worked hard.”

And Danville’s transformation is impressive. He’s won bronze at Durban’s SA Championships, been named best senior cross- country athlete and assumed leadership roles, from class leader and matric council member to head boy of the boarding house.

“I never thought I’d achieve something like this,” he beams. “Now I know what I can do.”

As one of the first athletes to test the new track, Danville is excited. “I thought, this is a huge opportunity! And a real privilege. It’s proof that we’re busy with something great – something that makes a difference for Stellenbosch and South African athletics.”

And Danville has grown to love Stellenbosch. Rising before the hadedas, he runs through the peaceful streets. “There’s always someone out cycling, walking, exercising. It’s active and safe, and people are encouraging – I wasn’t used to that,” he says.

He dreams of becoming a teacher. “I want to give back to my community and to other children who might be in the same circumstances I was in.”

And, given the determination he’s shown, I can’t imagine anything holding him back.

A CHAMPION’S MISSION

I end my visit at Elana’s office next to the busy gym, where photos of smiling athletes, past and present, grace the walls.

Although the ACE Trust has grown exponentially, the goal remains the same: holistic development. “Athletics is the easy part!” she says with a smile. “It’s actually about education in all senses of the word: academic, wellness, life. Developing individuals into well-rounded South African citizens with strong roots. And each one can pass this on to the next generation. That’s how you break the cycle of poverty and create future leaders.”

Glowing with enthusiasm, she adds, “This couldn’t have happened just anywhere. There’s a heart that beats on every level – the community, the teachers and, of course, the children.”

I ponder that word that came up throughout my visit: heart. The open heart of a local school welcoming opportunity and change. The active heart of Stellenbosch finding joy in athletics. And the hearts of children growing towards a bright future.

It turns out that this isn’t a story about athletics or tracks or homework at all. Because here among the mountains, they’re not just running on strength; they’re running on heart. 

BIG HEART, BIGGER RACE

The name Elana van Zyl Meyer is synonymous with South African athletics excellence. Yet for this extraordinary world champion, the sport is about far more than Olympic glory and medals, impressive as her own achievements are. It is about the belief that athletics can shape future lives, and about the passion to help make that happen.

That conviction has been central to the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon’s rise to acclaim. As both ambassador and champion of the event, Elana has promoted it enthusiastically in South Africa and around the world for 12 years, guided by the vision of seeing Africa take its place on the marathon map.

The marathon in May 2026 attracted approximately 27 000 runners from more than 145 countries. And among them was Elana herself, along with several family members and friends. “Running with loved ones was incredible, a true celebration of the journey to become one of the biggest marathons in the world – the dream we started back in 2014,” she reflects.

One month later, Cape Town’s marathon was confirmed as the eighth race in the Abbott World Marathon Major series, making it one of the most prestigious marathons globally. For Elana, this milestone has special meaning. “Now Cape Town sits alongside seven of the most iconic marathons – Berlin, Boston, Chicago, London, New York, Sydney and Tokyo. But more than that, it’s the first on the African continent, the home of some of the best marathon runners worldwide,” she says. For athletes across the continent, this opens greater opportunities to gain access to elite-level competition – access that is often hampered by logistical and financial barriers. The status also boosts Cape Town’s profile and attracts tourism and economic activity across the Western Cape.

Elana emphasises that this victory was not achieved alone. “It was both a very personal and a collective dream. Everybody bought into it – the City of Cape Town, Sanlam and other sponsors, the runners, charities,” she says.

This belief in shared purpose has a clear connection to the values and work of the two projects closest to Elana’s heart: Endurocad and the ACE Academy’s programme at Hoërskool Stellenbosch. “It’s the same philosophy,” she points out. “Dream big, get the right people and stakeholders on board, work hard, have the right heart for it, be patient, stand up when you fall – and celebrate every win.”

Through the athletics project, the next generation is learning the same: success isn’t attained in isolation or through talent alone. It takes structure, support and courage to keep going when the road seems long. And, like any marathon, big dreams are achieved step by step.

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“Om kuns te maak … Jy gaan sit in ’n woonstel, in ’n kamer, alleen. Jy staan op. Nou moet jy begin. Waar begin jy? Waar de hel begin jy?” Daniel Naudé is aan die woord oor sy nuwe reeks werke, Still Life – monumentale foto’s van insekte wat hy as “mikroskopiese dioramas” bestempel. Die werke word in Oktober vir die eerste keer uitgestal as deel van die Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees. Die uitnodiging om feeskunstenaar te wees was nét die motivering vir Daniel om hierdie reeks, waaraan hy al byna agt jaar werk, te voltooi. Maar waar begin jy die storie van Still Life vertel? Waar de hel begin jy?

Een begin was tydens Daniel se studentedae aan die Universiteit Stellenbosch, waar hy kuns studeer het. Kuns was vir hom ’n voor die hand liggende keuse. “My ma is kunstig. Ons is altyd na kunsgoed toe, kuns, kuns, kuns, kuns, kuns. En kuns is makliker as wiskunde. Dis lekkerder ook.”

Hy vertel hoe herstelwerk aan die kunsdepartement se gebou gemaak het dat die kunsstudente ’n jaar lank in die entomologie- departement gehuisves is. Dis hier waar die gogga hom gebyt het om werke te skep wat oor verkenning en ontdekking gaan.

“Elke Maandagoggend kom die entomologiestudente met hul vangnette daar aan, van waar ook al hulle die naweek was om insekte te vang, en hulle is verskriklik opgewonde. Hulle het dié ontdekkings gedoen, dié goed gevang.”

En net daar beland Daniel self in die vangnet!

’n Ander begin was op besoek aan Switserland, waar hy ’n gespesialiseerde Alpa-kamera vir argitektuur gaan koop het. Daniel is ’n man wat maklik vriende maak, en hy raak toe pelle met een van die ouens wat vir Alpa kameras ontwikkel. Dié wil Karoo toe kom om kleinrooivalkies af te neem. Natuurlik bied Daniel aan om hom te help. “En toe sê hy hy kan vir my enigiets van Alpa te lene saambbring, en ek sê ‘I need that microscopic camera …’ Hy’s toe soos, ‘There’s only three of them in the world, but I’ll see what I can do’. Die volgende dag bel hy my en sê hy bring dit vir my, vir nege maande. Ek kan dit gebruik maar ek moet iets tot stand bring.”

Still Life is wat hy tot stand gebring het: reusagtige foto’s van insekte, met die Alpa-kamera in mikroskopiese besonderhede afgeneem, in dioramas wat Daniel self geskep het.

Hy het iets van die verwondering probeer uitbeeld wat die insekkundige prof. Henk Geertsema moes ervaar het toe hy dié insekte dekades gelede gevang het.

VAN HONDE EN HEILIGE BEESTE

Soos in die geval van tradisionele stillewes, waar objekte versigtig opgestel word, het Daniel as kunstenaar belangrike keuses gedoen om die gewenste effek te verkry. Die agtergrond is in olieverf geskilder (iets waarmee sy vriend die skilder Petrus Maree hom gehelp het) en Daniel het uit kristalle en kwarts wat hy self langs die Oranjerivier gaan uitgrawe het, ’n landskap geskep waarin die insekte tot “lewe” kon kom.

Elke foto is ’n samestelling van meer as 2000 supernabyskote’s wat digitaal aanmekaar gestik is sodat die insek in verbysterende besonderhede afgebeeld kon word. Die foto’s is so groot opgeblaas dat die insekte groter is as die mense wat na hulle staan en kyk. Die effek is iets uit ’n ander wêreld; ’n mens kan jou oë byna nie glo nie.

In sommige van die werke is dit ’n enkele insek wat uitgebeeld is, in ander is daar wisselwerking tussen verskeie insekte. Hy wys van die foto’s op sy foon: “Sien jy hoe dans hulle!” Om lewe aan die insekte te gee, het weke en maande se nagte geverg. Dit het hom vier jaar gekos om die nege foto’s in die reeks te voltooi. “’n Goeie reeks werke vra tyd. Want jy kyk daarna, en jy gaan weg, jy kyk daarna, jy gaan weg, en dit groei op jou. Al die atome en alles wat ek al oor fotografie geleer het, het in hierdie reeks bymekaargekom.”

Die ander beginpunte, die werke wat hierdie reeks voorafgegaan het, en dit op verskillende maniere beïnvloed het, was sy foto’s van Afrikaans-honde wat gelei het na die heilige beeste, wat gelei het na die veghoenders en die prieelvoëls en hul kunstige neste, wat op hul beurt weer gelei het na die dioramas met duiwe, die direkte voorgangers van die Still Life-reeks.

Daniel het die museumuitstalling so ontwerp dat besoekers die ontwikkeling van sy styl duidelik van foto tot foto kan volg, en uiteindelik uitkom by die nuwe werke waarin jare se kennis en ervaring saamgetrek is met stokou insekte en die heel jongste tegnologie.

Dit alles in die naam van ’n oomblik van skoonheid en stilte, wat deesdae skaars is. “Stilte is belangrik vir sien. Jy hoor nie, jy kyk net. Jy absorbeer net deur jou oë.”

Still Life is van 3–11 Oktober tydens die Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees in die US Museum te sien.

DRIE GENERASIES INSEKMANNE

Jan Giliomee, emeritusprofessor aan die departement bewarings ekologie en entomologie aan die Universiteit Stellenbosch, het straataf gewoon van waar Daniel in Stellenbosch grootgeword het. Toe hy die geleende kamera uit Switserland ontvang, het Daniel by hom om hulp gaan aanklop. “Toe ry ons in sy Jetta tot by die entomologiedepartement, en hy loop by die gebou in, tot heel bo, en hy sê vir prof. Roets, hoof van die departement, ‘Francois, leen vir hom wat hy wil hê, hy wil dit in sy ateljee gaan afneem’.” En so kies Daniel baie van die insekte wat versamel is deur die afgetrede entomoloog prof. Henk Geertsema, wat ook aan die departement verbonde was.

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THE LITTLE HAUS LIGHTS UP LOCAL DESIGN

Cape Town-based design studio The Little Haus brings together British-inspired design and South African craftsmanship in its collection of lighting and home hardware.

Founded in 2021, the brand includes handcrafted lamps, lampshades and decorative hardware designed to add warmth and character to contemporary interiors. Each piece is both functional and beautifully crafted.

From ceramic and hand-turned lamp bases to scalloped shades and solid brass hardware, The Little Haus has a range of customisable pieces that encourage homeowners to create spaces that feel considered and personal.

Instagram @the.little.haus.ct

SIP UNCORKS A NEW WAY TO EXPLORE THE WINELANDS

Planning a Winelands getaway is set to become easier with the launch of Sip, a new web app designed to connect travellers with South Africa’s leading wine destinations and experiences.

Developed by The WineStore, Sip brings wineries, restaurants, accommodation, transport providers and tour operators together on a single platform, enabling users to plan personalised wine itineraries with ease. Whether visitors are exploring Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Paarl or emerging wine regions, the app aims to simplify their journeys.

Beyond helping travellers discover new destinations, Sip seeks to support local wineries and tourism businesses by increasing their visibility.

Instagram @the_winestore and @sip.it.guide

BOTANICAL GARDEN WELCOMES NEW CURATOR

The Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden (SUBG) has appointed Annerie Senekal as its new curator, making her the first woman to hold the position in the garden’s history.

Annerie started in 2020 as an intern in the garden and was appointed assistant curator in 2023. Following the death of former curator Dr Donovan Kirkwood in 2025, she stepped into the role of acting curator before officially taking on the position in July 2026.

Annerie feels a lifelong connection to nature. It was this connection that led her away
from an initial interest in music to study for a BSc degree in Biodiversity and Ecology at Stellenbosch University.

During her time at the botanical garden, Annerie has contributed to key conservation initiatives, including the development of satellite collections, a display highlighting threatened habitats, and a botanical art collection documenting threatened species.

Situated within the Cape Floristic Region, one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots, the botanical garden plays an important role in conservation, research and education. Annerie aims to further strengthen the garden’s impact while continuing to create a space where visitors can connect with the natural world.

Instagram @subotgarden

The post Spring 2026 News & Reviews: Part 2 appeared first on Stellenbosch Visio.

Guided by Strauss & Co director and art patron Caro Wiese, the auction house is a proud silver sponsor and partner of South Africa’s leading spring arts festival.

“Since its beginnings in 2000 as an all-night literary event at Stellenbosch University, Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees has grown into one of the largest arts festivals in Africa,” says Caro Wiese, a long-time ambassador for the festival. “Its extraordinary growth has been heartening to witness, but cultural institutions of this scale also require sustained support. Strauss & Co is proud to play a part. A flourishing arts sector is one of the clearest measures of the wellbeing and values of a society.”

Following the success of its programme in 2025, Strauss & Co will once again divide its activities between Oude Leeskamer, a historic cultural venue on the corner of Dorp and Drostdy Streets and head office of the Jannie Mouton Foundation, and Stellenbosch Town Hall, both situated in the heart of the town’s historic centre.

Oude Leeskamer will serve as the principal hub for Strauss & Co’s curatorial programme. Two exhibitions form the centrepiece of its activities: a century-spanning survey of the still-life genre and an exhibition of art jewellery by 15 leading South African practitioners. Stellenbosch Town Hall will host informative talks and the fifth instalment of the Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees Benefit Auction.

Still life, anything but static – Oude Leeskamer

Curated by Strauss & Co art education specialist Jo Voysey, Anything but Static: A Selection of Modern and Contemporary Still Life brings together more than 60 works from The Caro Wiese Collection, The Kilbourn Collection, The Sanlam Collection and other private collections. Spanning painting, printmaking, drawing, sculpture, photography and video, the exhibition ranges from celebrated flower painters including Georgina Gratrix, Frans Oerder and Irma Stern to contemporary lens-based artists Pieter Hugo, Adam Letch and Ashley Walters, as well as sculptors Stephané E. Conradie and Anitra Nettleton.

Voysey’s selection traces the evolution of a genre traditionally concerned with inanimate subjects, from fruit and cut flowers to vessels and domestic objects. Still life has historically offered both celebrations of material abundance and meditations on transience and mortality. Its possibilities continue to adapt with the times.

“The exhibition picks up the evolving story of still life in South Africa in 1924 with Maggie Laubser’s The Blue Jug, loaned by the Sanlam Art Collection,” says Voysey.

The solid historical selection is complimented by striking contemporary examples. “Over the past 25 years, still life has expanded beyond traditional arrangements of inanimate objects into dynamic, interactive and conceptual works.

 

Artists increasingly use personal objects and memorabilia to introduce their own presence and experience into the work.”

An accomplished painter in her own right, Voysey has selected works by contemporary painters Bronwen Findlay, Georgina Gratrix, Clare Menck, Nabeeha Mohammed, Penny Siopis and Simon Stone.

Art Jewellery in conversation with still life – Oude Leeskamer

Strauss & Co is again collaborating with Stellenbosch University’s Creative Jewellery and Metal Design Division on an exhibition of art jewellery. Coinciding with the timed-online auction Art Jewellery in Conversation with Still Life, running from 23 September to 14 October 2026, the exhibition profiles 15 leading South African artists and positions jewellery as a dynamic counterpart to still-life painting.

“Where painting fixes a moment, jewellery mobilises it,” says Jill Van Dugteren, Senior Design Specialist and Head of Department at Strauss & Co. “And where stillness is implicit in a still life, jewellery introduces gesture, temporality and

interaction. Bringing these disciplines into dialogue proposes a shift from observation to participation, from image to object and from stillness to movement. The human body may be absent from still-life painting, but it is essential to animating jewellery and activating its meaning.”

Collecting for a cause – Stellenbosch Town Hall

Stellenbosch Town Hall will host the fifth annual Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees Benefit Auction on Saturday, 10 October at 11am. Accompanied by a curated preview exhibition, the auction brings together works by emerging and established artists.

“The aim of the auction is to encourage both new and seasoned collectors to invest in art, expand the market and improve access to the work of leading local artists,” says Elmarie van Straten, Head of Cape Town Art Department at Strauss & Co. “The selection places artistic excellence at its centre while creating greater visibility and

recognition for contemporary artistic practice.”

Ideas in conversation – Stellenbosch Town Hall & Oude Leeskamer

Public engagement and education form an important part of Strauss & Co’s programme at Woordfees. An extensive series of talks and workshops at Stellenbosch Town Hall will explore collecting, the art market, and the role of art in contemporary cultural life.

Strauss & Co chairperson Frank Kilbourn will reprise last year’s popular panel on collecting with Dr Alastair Meredith, Head of Strauss & Co’s Art Department, Carel Nolte, Chief Enablement Officer of EasyEquities, facilitated by writer and curator Sean O’ Toole on Tuesday, 6 October at 5pm. Their conversation will consider the value, beauty and legacy of collecting against the backdrop of changing attitudes to art globally.

Also offering an international perspective, art collector and philanthropist Lizelle Kilbourn and Bina Genovese, Director and Senior Auctioneer of Strauss & Co, share their impressions of the 61st Venice Biennale on Monday, 5 October at 11am. A respected public speaker, Dr Alastair Meredith will examine how the South African secondary market developed its own artists, trends, records and idiosyncrasies on Tuesday, 6 October at 12pm.

Complementing the two exhibitions at Oude Leeskamer, Strauss & Co will host an interactive presentation on art jewellery at Stellenbosch Town Hall on Wednesday, 7 October at 1pm. Guests will be invited to encounter jewellery as a living art form as selected pieces are brought to life through movement and participation. Entry is free. A panel of artists and experts will discuss how the still life genre continues to evolve beyond its traditional boundaries on Thursday, 8 October at 1pm.

Strauss & Co is collaborating with La Motte Wine Estate on an immersive performance by painter Gabrielle Kruger where the still life shifts from the canvas to an experience on Friday, 9 October at 3pm. Known for her materially inventive practice and exploration of the physical properties of paint, Kruger, together with members of Cape Ballet Africa, will invite visitors to Oude Leeskamer into a sensory encounter in which sight, sound, taste and memory converge.

Stamina is central to navigating the annual Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees. Strauss & Co is co-ordinating two coffee raves, vibrant pre-work gatherings to kick-off the day at the festival. Meet at De Warenmarkt at 20 Ryneveld Street on Monday, 5 October at 7am and Eerste Kafeeversameling at the corner of Koch and Suidwal roads on Wednesday, 7 October at 7am.

For further information visit the Strauss & Co website.

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Visit Stellenbosch has relocated its Visitor Information Centre to 141 Dorp Street. The restored building houses the centre in a space designed to reflect the town’s heritage and character.

Stellenbosch Destination Strategy Delivers Long-Term Growth

Visit Stellenbosch’s recently released Tourism Economic Impact Study shows that tourism continues to play a significant role in the local economy, contributing to economic opportunity, community welfare and long-term destination resilience.

Now in its second year, the annual study provides an evidence-based measure of tourism’s contribution to the Stellenbosch economy. The latest findings show that more than 1.35 million overnight visitors generated R13 billion for Stellenbosch in 2025, while supporting 48,007 direct, indirect and induced jobs across the municipality.

Tourism contributes an estimated R35 million to Stellenbosch’s economy every day. This activity translates into jobs, business revenue and support for local entrepreneurs across the municipality.

The study was commissioned by Visit Stellenbosch and independently compiled by Futureneer Advisors. It confirms that tourism remains one of Stellenbosch’s most important economic drivers and indicates that the destination’s current strategy is producing measurable outcomes for residents, businesses and visitors.

According to the research, international overnight arrivals increased by 12% to 641,405 visitors, while domestic overnight tourism grew by 21% to 711,330 visitors. These figures position Stellenbosch among South Africa’s leading tourism destinations and reflect growth across both international and domestic visitor segments.

Direct tourism value added remained stable at R6.3 billion, with the sector maintaining this level despite global economic uncertainty and more cautious consumer spending. The data suggests Stellenbosch has moved beyond post-pandemic recovery into a period of steadier, sustained growth.

Destination Strategy

The report attributes this performance to long-term planning, strategic investment and collaboration between Stellenbosch Municipality, Visit Stellenbosch, the tourism industry, local businesses and communities.

The strategy focuses on growing year-round demand, encouraging longer stays, expanding the geographic spread of visitors across the destination, supporting tourism businesses, promoting inclusive tourism experiences and ensuring that tourism growth benefits local communities.

Visit Stellenbosch is one of Stellenbosch Municipality’s two official Destination Management Organisations (DMOs). Its mandate extends beyond destination marketing to include demand generation, support for tourism businesses, strategic partnerships, research and market intelligence, and measurement of tourism’s economic contribution.

The annual Tourism Economic Impact Study is a central component of this work. By measuring tourism’s direct, indirect and induced contribution to the economy, the study is intended to inform decision-making, demonstrate return on investment, track tourism performance and support long-term destination planning.

Trickle-Down Effect

Annemie Liebenberg, CEO of Visit Stellenbosch, said the findings demonstrate more than visitor growth: “Tourism is one of Stellenbosch’s greatest opportunities to create lasting economic value. Every visitor supports local businesses, creates employment and contributes to stronger communities. That is why destination management matters. Our role is not simply to attract visitors, but to ensure tourism grows sustainably, benefits residents and leaves Stellenbosch stronger for future generations. These results show what is possible when research, partnership and long-term thinking come together behind a shared vision.”

Partnership Driving Success

Stellenbosch Mayor Jeremy Fasser welcomed the findings and acknowledged the collective effort that continues to position Stellenbosch as one of South Africa’s premier visitor destinations.

“These results demonstrate what can be achieved when Stellenbosch Municipality, Visit Stellenbosch, our tourism industry and local communities work together with a shared vision.

“The Municipality is proud to invest in and partner with Visit Stellenbosch to grow a visitor economy that creates employment, supports local businesses, attracts investment and enhances quality of life for our residents. Together, we are building a destination whose success benefits everyone.”

Setting the Benchmark

The study reinforces Stellenbosch’s strategic importance within the Western Cape tourism economy, with the destination attracting approximately 40% of all international visitors to the province.

Amid competition among South African destinations for visitors and investment, Stellenbosch’s approach illustrates the role of collaboration, strategic planning and evidence-led destination management in sustaining a resilient visitor economy for residents, businesses and visitors.

2025 Highlights:

• R13 billion generated for the local economy
• 48,007 direct, indirect and induced jobs supported
• 1.35 million overnight visitors
• 641,405 international overnight visitors (12% growth)
• 711,330 domestic overnight visitors (21% growth)
• R35 million contributed to the economy every day
• Approximately 40% of the Western Cape’s international visitors choose Stellenbosch

Value of Tourism

The findings inform Visit Stellenbosch’s future plans, which include continued investment in destination marketing, destination development, research, industry support and collaborative partnerships intended to strengthen the visitor economy while protecting the character, cultural heritage and natural environment of the destination.

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Recognised as one of South Africa’s leading food and wine destinations, Stellenbosch is home to an extraordinary collection of award-winning restaurants, wine estates and chefs. Taste Stellenbosch celebrates this culinary community through a programme designed to showcase the culinary creativity and generosity that define the region. 

This year’s line-up features everything from intimate chef collaborations and vineyard feasts to long-table lunches, wine pairings and specially curated seasonal menus. Highlights include experiences at De Warenmarkt, Muratie Farm Kitchen, HŌSEKI at Delaire Graff Estate, Lanzerac, Warwick Wine Estate, Klein Joostenberg Bistro and many more, each offering visitors a unique way to discover Stellenbosch through food and wine. 

Taste Stellenbosch extends beyond the table. A selection of exclusive accommodation offers at boutique guesthouses, vineyard retreats and luxury hotels encourages visitors to slow down, stay a little longer and enjoy everything the destination has to offer. 

“Taste Stellenbosch is more than a celebration of exceptional food and wine. It is a celebration of the people, passion and craftsmanship that have shaped Stellenbosch into South Africa’s leading food and wine destination,” says Annemie Liebenberg, CEO of Visit Stellenbosch. “Every chef, winemaker, farmer, artisan producer and host contributes to a culinary story that is uniquely Stellenbosch.”

Whether you’re planning a leisurely weekend in the Winelands or simply looking for your next memorable meal, Taste Stellenbosch offers the perfect excuse to gather around the table and experience the flavours, people and places that make Stellenbosch one of the country’s most celebrated culinary destinations.

Discover the full programme and plan your visit here.

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Lavender Picking at Canettevallei 

In winter, flower picking in a blooming field isn’t the first activity that comes to mind when considering an itinerary. However, tucked away in Stellenboschkloof Valley, Canettevallei Lavender & Wine Farm is home to three hectares of organically grown lavender blooming in the colder season. 

Upon arrival, expect a warm welcome from Ingrid de Waal, who owns the farm with her husband Daniël. After their travels to Provence in France, Ingrid came up with the idea of planting lavender in front of their house on Canettevallei. Today, visitors are invited to stroll the fields of fragrant plants and pick their own lavender. 

After just under an hour of admiring the mountain views, listening to the buzz of bees and enjoying the company of Dippy, the farm Jack Russell, we’d snipped and gathered our very own bouquet of fresh lavender. A morning well spent, grounded in nature and refreshed in purple.

Blaauwklippen Winter Soup & Wine Pairing 

Blaauwklippen is known for its lush lawns, historic architecture and award-winning wines, making the estate a local favourite for wine tastings on the stoep and under the oak trees. In winter, Blaauwklippen’s wine tastings are elevated by pairing wine with specially crafted soups. 

The curated, seasonal offering features three premium Blaauwklippen wines, each paired with a soup to complement the wine’s character and flavour profile. The estate Chardonnay is served alongside a fragrant Thai butternut soup, the rich Cabernet Sauvignon is paired with roasted tomato soup, and their iconic De Blaauwe Klip – bearing the estate’s original name – is complemented by a rich oxtail and pea soup (our personal favourite).

Take a sip of wine, dip the freshly baked ciabatta in the complementing soup, and experience what winter tastes like at Blaauwklippen.

Check in at Southern Sun de Wagen

Located next to Volkskombuis, the oldest restaurant in Stellenbosch, Southern Sun de Wagen is an elegant boutique hotel that forms part of a collection of historic farmstead buildings dating back to the early 1900s. These buildings have been carefully restored to create a charming retreat that honours the area’s rich heritage. 

With just 22 individually appointed rooms, Southern Sun de Wagen offers a boutique experience. Here, historic character meets contemporary comfort – from exposed wooden beams, window shutters and fireplaces to marble bathrooms, a courtyard pool and close access to central town.

Dinner at Le Grand Domaine Cantina by Chefs Warehouse 

We ended our day with dinner at the recently opened Cantina in Church Street – a flavourful experience that left us full, speechless and wanting to come back while we were seated at the table.

A partnership between wine estate Le Grand Domaine and the celebrated Liam Tomlin’s Chefs Warehouse brand, Cantina brings a Spanish-inspired menu and curated wine list to Stellenbosch. Here, in the intimate dining space and seated at a window table overlooking Church Street’s passersby, we experienced joy in every bite.

With the team at Cantina having curated a set menu for us, we eagerly anticipated which dishes would be served next – and we weren’t disappointed. For appetisers, we started with the classic Basque bite of anchovies, olives and pickled Guindilla peppers – the iconic pintxo from San Sebastián. Next, fresh oysters served on a bed of beef tartare and soffrito. To end the appetisers, a flavourful bite of pork croquettes made us all the more excited for the rest of the menu.

From Cantina’s small plates menu, we enjoyed the braised beef cheek, served alongside a freshly baked baguette topped with cauliflower purée. Spooned onto crispy bread, the rich beef cheek glistening under the warm lights was a standout bite of the evening. Next, we enjoyed charred chicken thighs with red pepper and almond – Spain on a plate. All of our small plates were complemented with their iconic side dishes of heirloom tomato salad, dressed with olive oil and sea salt, and crispy potatoes with smoky tomato purée, Smoked Stanford Catalan, and pickled jalapeños.

For dessert, we shared the burnt Basque-style cheesecake. With orange zest as its secret ingredient, the dish was the perfect citrussy end to a delicious, savoury experience.

After such an exceptional evening of flavour and storytelling, we left feeling satisfied and excited for our next visit.

Bites and Sites Food Tour 

If passion was a person, it would be Simone Jacobs, owner of Bites and Sites. Established in 2010, Bites and Sites presents guided food tours in Stellenbosch, connecting visitors to the very best of Stellenbosch food, art and culture. We had the honour of doing the Foodies on Foot tour with Simone and she shared some of the town’s history and her favourite dining spots (and secrets) with us. 

The Foodies on Foot tour led us through all the main streets in the centre of Stellenbosch, including Dorp Street, Drostdy Street, Church Street, and Plein Street. Although they all share similarities in their oak-lined character and historic buildings, they differ in their food offerings and atmosphere. 

As we strolled, Simone highlighted the importance of celebrating local food producers by listening to their stories and honouring their craft. This is done by tasting, savouring, and returning. 

Our first food stop was at Helena’s Restaurant at Coopmanhuijs Boutique Hotel and Spa. Here, we were spoiled with a generous platter of locally sourced bites – from fried eggplant and vegetable spring rolls to fire-charred ciabatta and salmon pâté. A delicious hint of what awaits on Helena’s main menu.

Next, we stopped at Wijnhuis – a firm favourite. While we’ll usually go for their award-winning wine menu and soulful ravioli, Simone offered something different. Here, we enjoyed a plate of fresh beef carpaccio served with parmesan, rocket and roast tomato, alongside a Cape Saint Blaize gin tasting. Fulsome and aromatic, the gin is distilled with fresh coastal botanicals and poured into handmade ceramic bottles. A dining experience that left us feeling surprised and refreshed.

For our last savoury stop, we visited De Warenmarkt. Known for its delicious tapas menu and rustic ambience, De Warenmarkt is one of those restaurants where you know you’ll dine well. Here, we indulged in traditional South African tapas of biltong cheese bites and Cape Malay lamb samoosa, often paired with craft beers and the finest wines from the region.

We ended the tour on the sweetest note (literally and figuratively) at Republique Café. Quickly becoming the coffee stop of choice, Republique’s space invites you to linger longer. Here, we sipped their mocha mystique (only available on a Bites and Sites Tour), paired with a decadent chocolate brownie. Bites and Sites is so much more than just ‘bites and sites’. Their team is passionate about celebrating the handiwork of equally passionate food artisans, by sharing their stories and crafts with locals and tourists alike.

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