You don’t need a phrase book or an interpreter. Just come along and join in a celebration of art, performance, music, food and enjoy a day or more of old-fashioned hospitality and “geselligheid” (sociability – but much more fun) 

Reasons to visit the Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees this Spring

Visual Art at the Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees

Art doesn’t require words.  You won’t need a word of Afrikaans to visit the many galleries and exhibitions that are open to the public during the festival – all of them free. 

Classical Music Programme

World class musicians, singers and conductors bring the drama, sensitivity and timeless passion of classical music to the Woordfees. Come and listen to favourites such as Bach, Mozart, Mendelssohn, Prokofiev, Grieg, Ravel, Brahms, Gershwin, Piazzola, Vivaldi, Huyssen, Chopin, Haydn, Handel and so many more and take a chance on something that you have not heard before.  There are over 35 classical music productions, most of which are performed in the acoustically exceptional Standard Bank Endler concert venue and Fismer Hall.

If you have never experienced a Charl du Plessis concert – an exceptional musical gift awaits you.  If you have – you probably already have your tickets. Along with Werner Spies (bass) and Peter Auret (drums) the Charles du Plessis Trio’s Rhapsody in Blue promises to be a premier Woordfees event and tickets sell out really fast. Expect to add Charl du Plessis and Gershwin to your Spotify playlist in a “japtrap” (really fast ).

Bejazzle is piano virtuoso Nina Schumann’s dip into the waters of jazz and shows that classical music and jazz make excellent bedfellows. The excitement of Klavier-extravaganza (Piano Extravaganza) features 10 pianos, 20 pianists and 200 fingers, will turn the Standard Bank Endler Hall into a playground of virtuosity, melody and a whole lot of fun.

Your ticket to Sonic Place 20:24 buys you a place at two short concerts of 24 minutes each held at the homes of Stellenbosch residents, a glass of wine and a very short walk between venues.  Jazz, classical, free improvisation and acoustic experimentation are all to be found in these six performances and you will have the opportunity to talk to some of the musicians.

The string is the thing. Several presentations on the Woordfees Classical Music programme revere the beauty of string instruments like Strings Attached, Stryk-en klarinet palet (Strings and Clarinet) and The Wits Trio. 

Choral music has a considerable following in South Africa and there are no fewer than six presentations on the Classical Music programme that feature the following choirs: The Stellenbosch University Choir , Voces Cordis , The Cape Choral Academy, The Cape Town Chamber Choir, Schola Cantorum in Die Schöpfung (The Creation) and The Cape Town Opera Chorus in Horizons.

EasyEquities Writers’ Festival

For those who have some Afrikaans there are a variety of talks about books that cover everything from politics to travel, from memoire to fiction, from poetry to autobiography and a few more things in-between that are conducted in both English and Afrikaans.  

For English-speakers there are 7 discussions that will take place entirely in English: 

• South Africa’s Soul in the Time of Super Cadres:  Waldimer Pelser talks to authors Pieter du Toit and Oyama Mabandla (political non-fiction).
• A Tale of Two Cities: Anna Stroud and Nick Clelland talk to Jaco Adriaanse (fiction).
• God’s Pocket: Sven Axelrad talks about his book, God’s Pocket (magical realism).
• Queer and Quotable: with Alastair Mackay and Siya Khumalo
• Bullsh!t: 50 Fibs that made SA: Jonathan Ancer’s book has a dazzling array of lies, myths, untruths and made up stories that tell the story of our country’s history.  (non-fiction).
• How to (Un)F*ck a Country:  How do we get our country out of the mess post State Capture? Dr Roy Havemann has a six-point plan (politics).
• Ryan Sandes: Run. Risk. Reward: Legendary South African ultra-trail runner Ryan Sandes talks about his breathtaking adventures.

Laugh out Loud:  Stand-Up at the Woordfees

Three of South Africa’s top comedians bring two shows to the Woordfees that crisscross many cultures (and a few of our 11 official languages) to bring you humour that is ultimately proudly South African.   

Nik Rabinowitz brings his inimitable sense of humour and hilarious observations about South Africans and the world to the Woordfees – in English.
Alfred Adriaan and Marc Lottering team up for two hours of hilarity, madness and a fair bit of nonsense. Mostly in English but with some Afrikaans. 

Things to ponder:  The Woordfees Discussion Programme

The popular and though provoking Discussion programme tackles issues that affect all South Africans. Whether you want to know more about politics, science, finance and investing, theatre makers, or what concerns students right now, there is a probing discussion with experts that you can attend. Some are solely in Afrikaans, but many are bilingual and for those with limited Afrikaans there are several discussions conducted in English and most of it is free.

Toyota Music Festival

The Toyota Music Festival brings the best of contemporary South African music to Stellenbosch. You will need more than one night, book a few days.

Five open-air concerts are set to rock Stellenbosch during the festival.  Take a chance and experience the “gees”* (rollicking spirit) provided by Ricus Nel, Neon Dreams, Blackbyrd & Elandre, Matthew Mole and Emo Adams and Dr. Victor and the Rasta Rebels. Call some friends, throw on comfortable clothes, pack a blanket and forget about all your cares. Food and beverages will be available at stalls in the grounds.

Stellenbosch – hold onto your hats.  Mandisi Dyantyis is in the house!  No-one should the miss the opportunity to experience this outstanding South African musician in performance. Also, don’t miss performances by Ramon Alexander, Schalk Joubert, Alwyn Dyers, Melisize Plaatjie and many more. 

And if you are staying late, wander over to Petites Bulles, the gorgeous champagne and music bar, for late night jazzy vibes where great South African talent, both new and legendary, can be experienced for free. 

The play is the thing

Theatre at the Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees is always a highlight. Don’t miss the internationally awarded South African production of Othello, Isidlamlilo/The fire Eater with Mpume Mthombeni, Why do moths fly like crazy kcufs in the night? with Sue Pam-Grant, The Return of Elvis du Pisanie with Ashley Dowds and the charming The King of Broken Things. 

Where to find the programme

Be sure to grab a copy of the festival guide, absolutely free at most Exclusive Book Stores, so that you can plan your visit. The full festival programme is also available as a downloadable pdf – in both English and Afrikaans – on woordfees.co.za.

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Many a lifestyle offering at Muratie

Muratie is undoubtedly one of those magical destinations where one can escape life’s hustles and bustles. Hidden away in Knorhoek Valley’s premium Simonsberg wine ward, Muratie was established in 1685. The story of Muratie is reason enough to pay a visit to this historic farm, but there is also an abundance of activities that keep visitors returning.

• Discover Muratie’s many vinous jewels with a wine tasting and wine and chocolate pairing experience at the enchanting tasting room.
• Enjoy an authentic farm breakfast and lunch at Muratie Farm Kitchen.
• Get your blood pumping with scenic MTB, hiking and running trails operating from a brand-new on-site trail centre.
• Visit MOK Gallery – located in Ansela van de Caab’s house dating back to 1685 – for exhibitions of contemporary art and culture.
• Spend the night with accommodation offered in George Paul Canitz’s original art studio.

READ MORE: #TBT Stellenbosch Visio’s intimate sit-down with Muratie’s Melcks family.

Your 2021 MTB calendar

Local sports marketing agency, Stillwater Sports, has released its MTB event calendar for the new year. The line-up includes an iconic two-day stage race, a family focused one-day event and a kid’s event – all in the Western Cape.

“I don’t think we’ve ever been this excited to release event dates. 2020 has been a rollercoaster and we can’t wait to bring back some form of normality. One thing is for sure, we have new-found appreciation for our events. We’ve missed the excitement felt on event day, the interaction with entrants and the action on route,” says Michael Meyer, Stillwater Sports’ managing director.

• 24-25 April: Savanna Origin of Trails MTB Experience, Stellenbosch High School
• 11 September: Fedhealth MTB Challenge Kids Event, Blaauwklippen Wine Estate
• 12 September: Fedhealth MTB Challenge, Blaauwklippen Wine Estate

Now on at the Rupert Museum

SCIENCE MEETS ART: Art addressing stigma in illness
Major issues regarding stigma in illness exist. This project exhibition presents an opportunity to harness science micrographs and art in cross-talk, thereby communicating in a unique and powerful manner. Molecular imaging techniques are major tools in the biomedical research field and are strongly utilised by the collaborator, providing colourful images of internal biological processes to make visible what cannot be seen. Until 21 February.

MY GRUNDIG LOUNGE: Sam Nhlengethwa
The artist best known for his figurative paintings and collage works exploring themes of social and art history, jazz, mining and domestic life. Look forward to seeing a selection of works from his Tribute series as well as family photographs amongst the sound of Nhlengethwa’s jazz vinyl collection. Visit the exhibition and immerse yourself in the space while listening to one of Nhlengethwa’s favourite vinyls. Until 7 March.

Visit the Rupert Museum online for more.

The post Things to do: Earmark these events for 2021 appeared first on Stellenbosch Visio.

Art in the outdoors

Dylan Lewis is one of our most lauded local artists, famous for his renditions of the animal form that range from the powerfully life-like to the inspiringly abstract. Although his sculptures grace the lawns and gardens of wineries from Delaire Graff to Leeu Estates, Stellenbosch is also home to Dylan’s own outdoor gallery, in the Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden on the Paradyskloof Road.

By rejuvenating a neglected tract of land behind his farmhouse, Dylan has created a sculpture from the earth itself, shaping a remarkable sculpture garden as “organic, very natural … it fits in with the natural order”.

End your visit at the Old Storeroom to enjoy speciality teas, excellent coffee and fresh bakes; Dylan’s wife Karen Malpage Lewis has stylishly refurbished it into a contemporary space.

Picnic by the stream

You know you’re truly a Stellenbosch local when you have your own favourite spot for a picnic on the banks of the Eerste River. From its headwaters high in the Jonkershoek Valley, the Eerste River in spring is flush with winter rains and rushes its way through town. On a bright spring day it never fails to remind me of The Wind in the Willows, where Rat and Mole’s river is a “sleek, sinuous full-bodied animal, chasing and chuckling, gripping things with a gurgle and leaving them with a laugh … all was a-shake and a-shiver – glints and gleams and sparkles.”

Along the Eerste’s route through town you’ll find many a quiet spot for that long-awaited reunion with family and friends. Stock up on artisanal breads from the Schoon Manufactory at The Bird Precinct, add in a little charcuterie and cheese from Wild Peacock, then lay out the blanket, crockery and pillows on the riverbank.

If you prefer a more formal picnic spot, Assegaaibosch Nature Reserve, just off the Jonkershoek Road, offers shady facilities on the riverbank, with easy walking trails to explore nearby.

Summit the Simonsberg

The Simonsberg dominates the landscape around Stellenbosch, its sheer cliffs rising above the vineyards. Sipping a glass of Sauvie at one of the surrounding estates, you can be forgiven for thinking the mountain named for Simon van der Stel is only for hardy mountaineers. With a little effort and some sure-footedness, it’s easy enough to step out onto the summit.

The path to the top leaves from the border of the Tokara Estate. Park at the farm’s charming Deli – a good spot to stock up on snacks – and wander along to the nearby gate, where you’ll sign the register before heading uphill. It’s a steep, steady path up, but as you swap farm road for mountain path you’ll admire stands of waboom proteas and clusters of colourful watsonias. The path becomes progressively steeper, with the occasional rocky scramble as it nears the summit, yet the views from the top are well worth the effort. Allow plenty of time – most of a day – to enjoy the views along the path and at the summit.

Art in the Eikestad

Perhaps surprisingly, the Stellenbosch University Museum is home to a substantial art collection, built up over the past century to include more than 3 000 works by both local and foreign artists. The museum is situated in what was once the Bloemhof Girls’ School, built in 1907 in the elaborate Flemish Renaissance Revival style. The university purchased the building in 1986 and the museum opened in October 1991.

While the museum’s permanent collection is extensive and includes works by icons such as Rodin, Dali and Picasso, of particular interest are the paintings of celebrated South African artist Maggie Laubser. The museum holds more than 140 of her paintings and many are on display in the very building where she once attended school.

While independent visits are well worthwhile for any art lover, when lockdown allows, look out for the return of the Wednesday Art Walkabouts. Held on the first Wednesday of each month, from 1pm to 2pm, the walkabouts showcase previously unseen works in the museum’s collection. The walkabout is free but booking is essential.

The fascinating From the Vaults exhibition also remains on show until the end of the year. A highlight of the 2020 Stellenbosch Triennale, the exhibition was assembled by curators Mike Tigere Mavura and Khanyisile Mbongwe, who delved deep into the archives and art collections of both Stellenbosch University and the University of Fort Hare to examine the historical significance of past acquisitions and discuss how passing a critical eye over museum vaults can guide behaviour in the future.

High-flyers

Ever dreamt of being a pilot? While we can’t all call a cockpit at 35 000ft our office for the day, model aircraft are an easy way to indulge a passion for planes. Stellenbosch Model Aircraft Academy offers an excellent introduction to the world of remote-controlled aircraft. At its small runway on Wild Clover Farm, off the R304 towards Paarl, members and visiting pilots soar high above the open fields, with themed flying days drawing both pilots and spectators.

To watch the aerial action, visitors are welcome to unpack their picnic and camp chairs a safe distance from the runway or wander over to the nearby Wild Clover restaurant and brewery for a taste of its delicious craft beers. Order one of the excellent pizzas and ask for a terrace table overlooking the flying field.

Discover the Hidden haven

From its perch high on the northern flanks of the Helderberg, Hidden Valley Wine Farm has become well known for both remarkable views and top-notch cuisine at Overture, one of acclaimed chef Bertus Basson’s many kitchens. But beyond the fine wine and food, many visitors wander right past one of the hidden attractions of this charming boutique farm.

When former owner Dave Hidden purchased the property, alien vegetation and invasive trees choked the valley above the dam. After major rehabilitation, the area was replanted with indigenous flora and in the years since, the landscape has flourished.

Today the 20-minute nature trail meanders across the dam wall, past colourful beds of leucadendrons and scabiosa and up through a grove of wild olives. Higher up, Outeniqua yellowwoods and tree ferns thrive in the shade of the valley and the dense fynbos has become a haven for birdlife. It’s also a fine spot for a picnic, with generous picnic baskets offered for guests to enjoy on the lawns or in a shaded spot along the trail.

Waterfall wanders

Unless you’re a regular hiker, it’s easy to be intimidated by the dramatic amphitheatre of mountains that greets visitors to the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve. With the surrounding summits rising to more than 1 500m, the valley offers some of the most beautiful mountain vistas the Cape has to offer.

Hidden away at the end of the valley is a path that’s easily accessible to weekend wanderers and young families, delivering mountain views, pristine fynbos and two dramatic waterfalls. It’s less than 1km from your car to Eerste Waterval, but it’s worth pressing on up the valley to admire the tumbling cascades of Tweede Waterval. It’s an out-and-back route on a path that’s easy to follow, so there’s little chance of getting lost. Take the family, pack a picnic and allow plenty of time for a lazy wander beneath the high peaks.

Bucolic Banhoek escape

We’re all guilty, both tourists and locals, of not giving the Banhoek Valley enough attention. It’s too easy to slide right past it on our way between Franschhoek and Stellenbosch, the twists and turns of Helshoogte Pass keeping our eyes on the road instead of letting us enjoy the glorious views of the mountains that encircle the valley.

At De Zeven Guest Lodge you’ll have plenty of time to let your gaze linger. Whether it’s for visiting friends or a staycation of your own, this boutique guesthouse offers a charming country bolthole just 10 minutes’ drive from Stellenbosch. Owned by Siobhan and Ace Meyer, who call Limoenkloof farm on the nearby Simonsberg home, the lodge offers 11 individually decorated rooms, the walls filled with the works of local artists. The seven rooms in the Manor House are more classical in style, while the airy Barn Rooms overlooking the pool and courtyard gardens are decorated in a more contemporary aesthetic. Either way, in the warming days of spring you’ll spend plenty of time enjoying the glorious indigenous gardens, the work of acclaimed landscape designer Rentia Hobbs.

If a surprise cold front rolls in, retreat indoors. The traditional Finnish sauna, installed by Santavi, offers incredible views of the valley and is bound to ward off the chills. Or step upstairs to the spacious lounge, all steel pillars and glass walls, to admire the views with a glass of wine in hand. The wine list includes a selection from Siobhan’s favourite valley cellars as well as De Zeven’s own wines, made by winemaker Van Zyl du Toit using grapes from the vineyards on Limoenkloof. A fine way to toast the arrival of spring.

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Farm-fresh and plastic-free

Who doesn’t want market gardens and farms on your doorstep with boxes of fresh vegetables delivered to you every week, complete with the week’s menu sorted out. Every Sunday morning you will receive a WhatsApp message with the menu and have till 6pm to place your order.

And ordering Down to Earth couldn’t be easier. Once you’ve followed the sign-up link on one of its social media channels and completed the form, you’ll get a WhatsApp message prompting you to save its number to your phone so that you can receive the weekly menu. Once you’ve placed your order, you can pay by EFT between then and delivery time. On the day of delivery you’ll get a message to say when your box will arrive – or you can pick it up yourself. At present, delivery and pick-up are available in the Stellenbosch, Somerset West and Table View areas. The menu changes weekly, depending on the season, although there are some staples, including beans, grains, nuts and seeds, flour, spices, sweet treats and ready-made meals. A few cosmetics and household and cleaning products are also stocked.

Preloved and vintage

There’s nostalgia online with the vintage stuff that Stellenbosch-based mother Liz-Mari and daughter Liza Lombard source and sell through social media only. Liz-Mari’s furniture venture, With A Twist, speaks of her love for things with a past and her ability to breathe fresh life into special items. Daughter Liza runs her own vintage clothes concern Grow Your Own Funk. Each garment is hand-picked and authentic, allowing you to grow your “own funk”. Browsing their latest acquisitions is a treat in itself, with pictures tempting you with choices ranging from delicate porcelain and embroidery to cool designer names, all chosen with an eye for wonderful fabrics and colours, those coveted one-of-a-kind pieces. The descriptions are clear and accurate, and the prices very affordable.

Virtual wine appreciation

Throughout the lockdown, the social media channels of Stellenbosch Wine Routes have been a hive of activity. Among the popular airings, ‘Skink, Dink en Leef Wynstories’ introduces interesting personalities in the wine industry, ‘Gourmet & Grape’ records conversations between a chef, an epicurean and a winemaker. Renowned chefs share some of their favourite recipes. Elmarie Rabie, the manager of Stellenbosch Wine Routes, says her team will look out for more opportunities to step out on the virtual stage in the near future, whether or not the lockdown is lifted. “We will have to wait and see,” she says. “Even when tourism opens up completely, I think people are still going to be cautious.” But, she adds, social media channels are a great way to reach more people. “Suddenly your audience is global and winemakers and marketers don’t have to fly anywhere to do a tasting.” The team is already planning virtual concerts; be sure to keep an eye on their social media channels to find out where the next event is – online or in person.

Endorphins online

Wanting to get into shape before venturing out to a gym? Try out the live classes you can join via Facebook, Instagram or Zoom. There is, for example, The Hot Yoga Studio in Stellenbosch, led by guru Johannes de Villiers.

His team quickly moved online and there is, believe it or not, a 24/7 option. It offers an unlimited class schedule of Vinyasa, Rocket, Power, Yin and Athletic Yoga, as well as meditation.

Check its Instagram and Facebook page for more information and prices.

Another example is Burnt Fit trainer Uleen Fourie, who shares her workouts online to “inspire and motivate many others to move”.

She created the eight-week Burnt Fit Shred at Home programmes to help clients build healthy habits and lay a foundation to change their lifestyle. As she says, “There’s no better feeling than post-workout endorphins!”

An ‘anything goes’ delivery service

Seepglad, started by a group of Stellenbosch residents, provides a prompt delivery service to individuals and small businesses. When Covid-19 hit, the team seized the opportunity to make life easier for those confined to their homes. It helped with deliveries, distribution and other essential services and now operates as a courier service, but with a personal touch. Small businesses get their items delivered quickly, while consumers remain safely at home. Seepglad has moved study materials, legal documents, groceries and boxed meals. Its philosophy of ‘anything is possible’ is regularly put to the test. Operating between Stellenbosch, Paarl, Cape Town and the Helderberg region, the team uses bicycles, scooters and bakkies to run a smooth service.

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Celebrate the kindness of our community

Snuggle up in front of the fireplace this weekend and enjoy the moving musical moments of the Libertas Choir who, in association with Visit Stellenbosch, have put together a special performance from which all proceeds are in aid of Stellenbosch Unite, a collaboration providing support to vulnerable communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Libertas Choir, conducted by Johan de Villiers, will shine a light on the warm-hearted people of Stellenbosch. Master of ceremonies Gillian Arendse will host the mesmerising performance of rousing South African songs by the choir and talented soloist performances.

Tickets for the show are R100 and are available now via Computicket. Once issued, ticket instructions will guide viewers to Computicket’s video-on-demand platform where the show is to be broadcast. It will then be accessible for seven days.

Make it dinner, wine and a show at home

A Proudly Stellenbosch six-bottle wine box has been assembled and can be ordered as an add-on to each show ticket.

The special edition cases of Proudly Stellenbosch wine are available in three variations: exclusively white wine at R670/case; exclusively red at R770/case and mixed cases at R720/case. Cases are packed with non-specific composition, from a broad selection of top producers across the region. Wine delivery in Stellenbosch is included, with a R50 fee for orders further afield, countrywide.

Stellenbosch on Stage shares the generous spirit and sincerity of the people of Stellenbosch while the music brings joy, comfort and solace. It demonstrates that while concert halls are silent now, unity and inspiration remain possible.

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Strauss & Co virtual sale

Trove of Irma Stern paintings

Wine sale

Beck collection

Viewing and registration

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It’s just an observation, maybe triggered by a moment of delight, but I can’t shake the feeling that the Stellenbosch Triennale has changed the town. Perhaps even the people. For one thing, they seem to be more engaged, with a boost of optimism.

That’s what good art does, of course. But the upbeat, yes, challenging message of the ambitious first Triennale effort by the Stellenbosch Outdoor Sculpture Trust (SOST) – as engraved in the overall theme of Tomorrow There will be More of Us – has rubbed off. A youthful spirit of creativity has invaded the town, it’s all over the place, and its distinctly African flair and originality are pumping the vibe.

This is perhaps why Stellenbosch is now changed forever. The contrast between a town that is gloriously rich in colonial history and the contemporary dynamic of what artists, especially younger ones, are making in the rest of Africa is playing out here in vivid imagery, in two, three and more dimensions, until the end of April.

A new cultural map, a blueprint for and about the future, has been overlaid on the lush tapestry of a past lingering among the ancient trees, whitewashed walls and the colonial ghosts that have trod the town’s cobbles for three centuries. It has conjured up an impressive magnet for additional tourism, adding to the Eikestad kaleidoscope that is already so popular. 

Once outliers to the high-street buzz, the communities that live within a bicycle ride of the centre of town have been drawn in, too. And so the SOST’s long-term project extends its cultural empowerment reach.

At a time when the international art world is feeling increasing discomfort about the superficial power of money in the form of art fairs, auctions and the like, the freshness of art that shuns price-tags in favour of invention is driving the success of this first triennale endeavour. Add to that the finely tuned curatorial selection of artists, events and add-ons, and the dynamics have been defined.

The Stellenbosch Triennale 2020, or ST2020, will also be remembered for its generosity (made possible by sponsors who recognise the good): all events are free – a rare occurrence.

The strong accent that falls on what the media calls ‘materiality’, which is evident in so many artworks on view or to be experienced, is indicative of the commitment to creativity. Art made from materials, things, fabric and such like that differ from the traditional media (the sort collectors feel comfortable paying high prices for), and that may or may not endure, symbolises perhaps an alternative to a global art environment sometimes choked by the power of currency. In this sense, the robust African practice of seeing things differently is driving the town’s present pervasive spirit of optimism.

It started a year ago with that splendid ‘wrapping’ of Voorgelegen, the triennale’s offices in Dorp Street. Artist Hellen Nabukenya’s site-specific installation Kawuuwo – a massive colourful quilt created with a group of women in Kampala, Uganda, and draped over the facade of Voorgelegen house – was a colourful preview of the different tack ST2020 would take.

Inherent in that glorious artwork was the sense of community, of using whatever people could lay their hands on, along with colour and energy, process and invention. This is a thread that runs through the work of many of the artists who have taken up the main exhibition space in Devon Valley’s Woodmill Lifestyle Centre, but also in the adjunct shows and installations around Stellenbosch.

Chief curator Khanyisile Mbongwa and her team have delivered.

The materiality of Hellen Nabukenya’s work – she is one of the 20 invited artists in the main exhibition – is echoed in a wonderful array of artworks in the curators’ exhibition. What is striking is how the basics of the media these artists employ are reconfigured into eye-catching original work.

The handmade, tactile dimensionality of stitching becomes figurative in the pieces by Lansdowne-raised, multi-prize-winning Zyma Amien, who connects the process of stitching and cloth in her own expressive manner, reflecting a personal cultural history linked to Cape Town’s garment industry. Joburg’s Reshma Chhiba takes a somewhat different approach but also makes use of hand stitching. 

From Ghana, Tracey Thompson and Ibrahim Mahama (the star at his country’s Venice Biennale pavilion last year) both work in what could be called domestic materials and means: foodstuffs and commercial packaging, such as Mahama’s renowned hessian sack installations in various cities (including Cape Town’s Norval Foundation in 2019), although for ST2020 this famous artist is working in wood. Their art brings an element of ritual into the exhibition.

Ritual and performance make up one of the most dynamic of contemporary art expressions at the Stellenbosch Triennale, and the local women’s group iQhiya has had a substantial impact. Bronwyn Katz and Sethembile Msezane come from that background.

Capetonian Igshaan Adams also delves deeply into the personal and religious, his art of fabric and textile taking on sculptural awareness. Patrick Bongoy, originally from the DRC, creates a similar effect. His painstaking processes combine the reworking of waste materials like rubber tyres into arresting pieces that refer to the trauma of his country with female tradition in a contemporary African manner. Zimbabwe-born Ronald Muchatuta is a remarkable painter whose large canvases and drawings are thought-provoking, some showing influences of his long stay in South Africa. 

The photography on show manifests in dynamic variety: the pop inventives by talented Kelvin Haizel from Ghana, Rwandan Kivu Ruhorahoza’s video images, and the performance records by Euridice Kala, aka Zaituna Kala, from Mozambique.

Figurative, non-figurative and magical abstracts in two dimensions have an engaging presence in work by Kenyan Kaloki Nyamai, Stacey Gillian Abe from Uganda, and our own talented Mongezi Ncaphayi.

If there is completeness to the curatorial choices with the variety of invited artists at the revamped Woodmill Lifestyle Centre, the selection for On the Cusp, the smaller exhibition of fringe artists at Little Libertas in Dorp Street, reflects the energy of youth in an unimpeded manner. In other words, this is free-flowing talent.

This exhibition features 10 artists and collectives from Zambia, Kenya, Ghana, Uganda, Angola, Tanzania, Mozambique, Nigeria and South Africa and it is a delightful mix of media, techniques, methods and genres. As its curator, Ghanaian Bernard Akoi-Jackson, has pointed out, it is a group show that “takes into account future possibilities by engaging with new artists set to innovate in the Africa scene to come, as well as on the world stage”.

It certainly represents the future vision implied in the Stellenbosch Triennale’s theme. Aaron Samuel Mulenga, Agnes Waruguru, R Canon Griffin, Indira Mateta, Lazaro Samuel, Malebona Maphutse, Nelly Guambe, Simnikiwe Buhlungu, Valerie Fab-Uche and the group Asafo Black Artist Collective from Ghana fire up the engine room of ST2020.

A lovely contrast – call it the past – is the exhibition at the University Museum with its tongue-in-cheek title From the Vault. This contrast – between the university art collections (of Stellenbosch and Fort Hare) that were delved into for this art history review – indi­rectly illuminates the policies and politics of such academic collections. In this sense, it is an important reference for this first triennale’s long-term strategies.

Talking of which, the Creative Dialogues series of talks (under Dr Mike Tigere Mavura’s hands-on direction) and ongoing deliberations are a vital link to what ST2020 can deliver for the future in this culture-charged, scholarly town.

By the time this Stellenbosch Triennale 2020 concludes at the end of April and visi­tors have had their rewarding fill of the red-hot African music presentations and the Concepts of Freedom film offerings, I have no doubt that, like me, Stellenboschers will feel that a change has taken place. They’ll be able to visualise the future and they’ll love what just happened. 

A host of youngsters will be happier and brighter, and art savvy, after engaging with the remarkable visual wonders of The Imaginarium, an online learning resource that aims to stimulate imagination. In fact, locals of all persuasions will always remember what happened over this dynamically charged Stellenbosch summer. 

And on the Braak, Pieter Mathews’s Pavilion, where artists and the community will have interacted, improvised and contributed to the final outcome of their combined creations, will have testified to the soul and purpose of ST2020.

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Nissan Trailseeker @Banhoek – 15 February 2020

Escape the ordinary, load your mountain bike and head to the Banhoek Valley Conservancy, Stellenbosch, for the first event of the 2020 Nissan Trailseeker MTB Series. Join the trail movement and enter for either the 10 km, 20 km, 40 km or 70 km race category.

The series kicks off at Kylemore Hoërskool, who plays host to the Trailseeker mountain bikers for this prestigious event. The Banhoek Conservancy Trails offers more than 70 kilometres of sumptuous trails, most of which are single track. Riders will be left with a lasting impression of beautiful scenery along the single track, steep gritty jeep tracks taking riders through some fynbos heaven, mind-blowing descents and stunning valley views. These trails offer varying degrees of difficulty with distances and routes for both novice and pro mountain bikers.

Pack Run @Tygerberg – 16 February 2020

This is a pack run – run together in a social and fun atmosphere. Explore the Tygerberg Nature Reserve with a choice of trails, all of relatively easy difficulty they are all very runnable, featuring lots of hills and an open view of Table Mountain. This is an outdoor running event, so no mountain bikes are allowed and runners are advised to ensure that they are self-sufficient in terms of water and food.

Farmer Angus Trailrun@ The Shed – 16 February 2020

A fun social run for runners of all ages and skill levels. These runs will be at The Shed Venue on Spier Farm – Off Annandale Road, which is the link road between the R310 and R44.

Run the Greens @Boschenmeer – 14 February 2020

Join Boschenmeer Golf Estate on the 14th of February for a refreshing 5km or 9km run through the estate and the golf course.

After the run, participants can enjoy a free glass of wine or coffee. Other offerings on the day include wine, pizza, craft beer and live music.

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