Luxury often begins with a voyage of discovery that leads you to look with new eyes at the familiar.

That thought stayed with me while we photographed this issue’s fashion story at Babylonstoren (p. 50). Nothing there appears accidental. Every pathway, planting and building feels as though it has grown naturally from what came before. The old farm, dating back to 1692, has been transformed into a world-class destination, shaped by patience, careful thought and deep respect for place. It brought to mind Marcel Proust’s words: “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.”

Looking through the pages of this issue, I realised that same idea flows through many of the articles. We are invited to rediscover the familiar: the intricate beauty of insects magnified, vineyards we pass every day, young athletes finding their purpose, or a home whose walls hold generations of memory. Perhaps intentional living begins with paying closer attention, choosing with greater care what we create, preserve, and pass on. And sometimes, simply, in making room for beauty. Or silence. Or wonder.

On this voyage of discovery, we know we can always count on our readers to participate with enthusiasm. Our heartfelt thanks go to our advertisers, who so generously support Stellenbosch Visio’s readers’ days.

So het dit ook weer tyd geword vir die wonders van woord en beeld by die Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees (bl. 104). Betrag saam met feeskunstenaar Daniel Naudé insekte deur sy mikroskoopkamera (bl. 106), word meegevoer deur die digkuns van Danie Marais (bl. 108) en verkyk jou aan skrywer Kirby van der Merwe (bl. 128), kwas in die hand op die verhoog.

Want dit is by feeste soos dié dat ons met ánder oë leer kyk en ons opnuut aan die gewone kan verwonder.

The post Our Spring 2026 Issue appeared first on Stellenbosch Visio.

POETS RHAPSODISE about it, mere mortals aspire to it, and every now and then, you reach a peak experience that stays imprinted on your mind forever.

For me and my family, this became real when we summited the Pieke, one of the mountains towering above Stellenbosch. What I felt was elation at an achievement, yes – but also something more: a moment of pure joy. Transcendental, almost. Looking down on the gentle undulations of valleys and rises spread out before me, I realised that, like the contour lines on a map, our lives are shaped by every high and low we experience. An inner topography, drawn by moments of challenge and triumph.

The closer the contour lines, the steeper the climb, but also the more powerful the growth. In the end, it’s not the peaks alone that define us, but the entire landscape we’ve traversed to get there.

It is often a moment experienced in nature that brings us closer to the sublime. I felt it on a mountaintop, Richard Holmes felt it in the raw beauty surrounding him as he stood
on the deep-field ice sheets of Antarctica: “a landscape both breathtaking and beguiling – unearthly in its beauty yet staggering in its hostility” (p. 76).

In this, my first issue as editor of Stellenbosch Visio, I’m also experiencing a different kind of peak: to be entrusted with a magazine that has captured the hearts of locals and visitors, and the trust of advertisers. It has deservedly earned many industry accolades. With the help of a dynamic team and some of the country’s most esteemed writers, Stellenbosch Visio will continue to earn its place on the bedside and coffee tables of our readers.

One of the must-reads in this issue is the interview with the new rector and vice-chancellor of Stellenbosch University, Prof. Deresh Ramjugernath, in conversation with Jean Meiring, another of our exceptional contributors (p. 100).

While keeping abreast of the news, our eyes fixed on the future, we take care not to lose sight of the past. As Servaas de Kock of Malherbe Rust Architects told Marguerite van Wyk for her article on legacy architecture: “Everybody has a nostalgic memory bank” (p. 62). Respecting the cultural roots and values of our people and our region is what gives this magazine a texture of its own.

Daarom maak dit sin dat ons in hierdie uitgawe met “Deur die ranke en die rym”, saam met Lanzerac kan hulde bring aan sowel Pinotage as Afrikaans wat vanjaar 100 jaar oud is en die amptelike erkenning van die taal met soveel feestelikheid herdenk (bl. 86).

Ons ken ons komvandaan, en wie kan dit beter verwoord as Dominique Botha, kind van die Vrystaat, wat nou op Stellenbosch woon? In haar essay, “Die boom van kennis dra ’n wintervrug”, skryf sy: “In jou winter pluk jy die pennevrug van die boom van kennis, met hande verknot soos wingerdstok. Skryf is ’n poging om tyd te laat stol, maar die geheue roer nooit dieselfde beslag nie en hermeng die bestanddele sodat jy vir jouself altyd nuwe broodjies kan bak (bl. 128).

En so ruik ons weer in ons verbeelding ouma se kombuis….

The post Our Winter 2025 Issue appeared first on Stellenbosch Visio.

As autumn turns Stellenbosch into a landscape of gold, burnished copper and amber, so the Stellenbosch Triennale is transforming our historical town into a living, breathing art scene. Open yourself up to a powerful blast from the future as invited artists interpret the compelling theme, ‘Ba’zinzile: A Rehearsal for Breathing’. On p. 30 Dr Mike Mavura, assistant curator of the Stellenbosch Triennale, shares the thinking behind one of the most exciting art events on the continent.

Another world-class institution gracing our town is STIAS, Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Studies, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Jean Meiring spoke to founding director Dr Bernard Lategan and current director Dr Edward Kirumira for an overview of the Institute’s remarkable achievements (p.108).

We’re also thrilled to celebrate the centenary of the birth of Pinotage and to pay tribute to this exceptional home-grown grape variety through the words of top wine writer Emile Joubert (p.78).

At Stellenbosch Visio, we love infusing the pages with a sense of adventure – and in this issue, it is linked to a deep connection with nature. Our journalists hiked their favourite trails and share their experiences of the Samara Cheetah Trail in the Karoo (p. 90), the De Hoop Vlei to Whales Trail (p. 94), and the Fynbos Trail (p. 98).

I can vouch for them too. Most recently, I had the opportunity to hike the Leopard Trail in Samara – without a doubt, the most idyllic four days I have ever spent in the wild.

I will be moving into a new role, focusing more strategically while providing editorial oversight. I am looking forward to this new season in my life, developing my ceramics skills, spending time with my husband and family, especially the grandchildren, and, of course, travelling!

I know I am leaving Stellenbosch Visio in the best of hands. Nelia Andrag has joined as the new editor and will take the reins from the Winter 2025 issue onwards.

Nelia, a long-time resident of Stellenbosch, has extensive experience in the media world. Her vision for Stellenbosch Visio is to keep telling stories of hope and inspiration. As an artist herself, she will bring a distinctive style to the magazine; we are privileged to have someone like her taking the magazine into the future.

Hiermee groet ek, met ’n laaste dankwoord aan ons getroue lesers en adverteerders. Dit was vir my ’n voorreg om van diens te wees.

Share your thoughts with our team and send an email to editor@stellenboschvisio.co.za.

The post Autumn’25 Issue appeared first on Stellenbosch Visio.

In spite of a very challenging business environment for the magazine industry, they threw caution to the wind. With the steadfast support and financial backing of five far-sighted Stellenbosch businesses, the idea began to take shape and in November 2014 the very first copies of Stellenbosch Visio rolled off the press. Ten years on, and with Stellenbosch Visio firmly established as one of South Africa’s leading luxury lifestyle magazines, Francé (editor) and Petro (creative director at Tip Africa Publishing) look back on the journey from ambitious start-up to a brand that is integral to shaping the narrative on luxury, lifestyle and innovation in the Winelands.

Why the name Visio?
Francé: From the start, we felt strongly that Afrikaans should play a part in the magazine, but we also wanted to balance that with English. We couldn’t just call it Visie or Vision because that would feel too one-sided. We were talking with Andreas van Wyk (retired dean of the Faculty of Law and Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Stellenbosch) and he suggested the Latin word ‘visio’, which means ‘vision’. It was perfect and bridged both languages beautifully. So we went with Stellenbosch Visio!

What has been your approach in deciding how to fill the pages of Stellenbosch Visio?

Francé: From the start, we established our key pillars: luxury lifestyle, wine, food, art and innovation. But also stories about people who are making a positive impact on society. I firmly believe that journalism has a responsibility not only to report trauma and sensational news, but also to showcase what the world could, and should, be like. So that was part of our dream: to create something positive for society and for Stellenbosch. And Stellenbosch is so multifaceted. There’s a strong business presence and a vibrant university. So you’ve got these different sectors intermingling, which creates such a diverse range of stories.

What, for you, makes Stellenbosch Visio stand out on the magazine rack?
Francé: It’s a luxury publication with soul. It’s not just about glitz and glamour. True luxury, for me, is having time: to walk in the mountains, dine at a beautiful restaurant or meet interesting people. The authenticity of our stories is what resonates with readers.

Was it imagined as a magazine only about Stellenbosch and surrounds?
Francé: The heart of the magazine is about Stellenbosch, its people and its environment, but it soon became clear that we have a countrywide and even an international readership. This confirms the universal appeal of the content of the region. Whether it’s about a restaurant, wine or business innovation, we aim for a balance between local roots and global appeal.

What role do your readers play in shaping the magazine’s content?
Francé: Our readers are incredibly engaged. I get emails all the time with story suggestions, or people will stop me on the street to give me feedback on the latest issue and ideas for future stories. There’s a real sense of belonging and ownership among our readers, which is lovely.

As Stellenbosch Visio marks its 10th anniversary, what has been the key to the magazine’s longevity and success?
Petro: It comes down to being a niche product and understanding who we are speaking to. We’re not trying to be everything to everyone. We focus on quality, staying relevant to our readers and packaging content in a way that gives meaning to our audience. We’re not chasing numbers. Instead, we focus on delivering the kind of content that resonates deeply with our readership.

Francé: We’re also enormously grateful to the commercial partners who believe in us and have stuck with us over the years. The commercial reality is that advertising is what keeps us going, but we work extremely hard to maintain a balance between serving our readers and our advertisers.

What have been some of your favourite stories over the years?
Petro: For me, it’s the innovation story about SnapScan. That really captured my imagination. The idea that someone could start a business from their residence and make such an impact. It also speaks to the passion and creativity of the people in this town. Recently, we published a profile on a young man who grew up in the township of Kayamandi and worked his way up to become the general manager of a prestigious Stellenbosch restaurant. These are the stories that make the magazine truly special; stories with depth, meaning and authenticity.

Francé: A story that stands out for me is about Prof. Johan Degenaar of the Department of Philosophy. As a student, I found his classes fascinating and years later, when we moved back to Stellenbosch, I often saw him and his wife, both in their 90s, walking hand-in-hand around the block every evening. We published a profile on him and his son took beautiful photos for the feature. That turned out to be the last interview he gave before he passed away, and the story was used extensively as a tribute to him. It was a poignant moment, capturing his legacy in a meaningful way.

How do you balance writing for both locals and tourists in a place like Stellenbosch? Petro: Initially, we thought some sections, like News and Reviews, would be aimed more at tourists. But over time we found that locals really enjoy reading about new things to do in their own backyard too. Readers would tell us, “I’ve been driving past this wine farm for years but never knew its story!” The internal and external views aren’t competing; they complement each other.

How do you see Stellenbosch Visio evolving over the next few years?
Petro: I think it will always be a combination of print and digital. The print publication will remain our anchor, where we tell in-depth stories and showcase stunning visuals. Digital will continue to be more immediate and responsive. But for us, print will always have a place because there’s a true luxury in sitting down with a beautifully crafted magazine.

Many magazines are shifting to digital only. Why is Stellenbosch Visio so committed to a glossy magazine format?
Francé: People engage with a printed magazine for much longer than with digital. We’ve noticed that readers keep the magazine as a reference and come back to it when planning a visit to a restaurant or a wine farm they’ve read about. There’s a real sense of ownership and pride in the publication, which is wonderful. Petro: We are also passionate about quality. We print on high-quality paper and we don’t compromise on the visuals. It’s expensive, but that’s the essence of what we offer. We’ve seen other magazines go cheaper and it erodes their integrity. For us, maintaining a sense of realness, quality and luxury is entirely non-negotiable.

What has been a professional highlight of the past decade?
Petro: We’ve won the External/Consumer Publication of the Year award from the South African Publication Forum twice and last year we were also awarded the overall prize for Publication of the Year. These are amazing acknowledgements of our quality stories and visuals, and our understanding of our readers. To be recognised at such a level, especially as a smaller publication compared to big media houses, was a big accolade for us.

The post Stellenbosch Visio 10 Years appeared first on Stellenbosch Visio.

We are elated that, for the third year in a row, Stellenbosch Visio has been named Consumer Publication of the Year at the South African Publication Forum Awards! This incredible honour reflects our passion for storytelling, our commitment to excellence, and most importantly, the love and support of our readers.

“Stellenbosch Visio has proudly served its niche target market for over a decade,
setting itself apart among South Africa’s upscale publications focused on a C-suite
audience,” said the SAPF judges. “Stellenbosch Visio continues to be a relevant and professional publication for its discerning audience.”

This summer we were elated to be putting to bed the 40th issue of the magazine and celebrating a decade of highlights.

It took a leap of faith to launch a new magazine at a time when others were closing down, but Petro du Toit and I shared a vision and we would not be deterred.

Petro’s creativity and experience as the creative director made all the difference and under her leadership Tip Africa Publishing’s formidable team (pictured above) took Stellenbosch Visio to the pinnacle. To all of them: Thank you for your dedication, hard work, energy and enthusiasm, and for making work feel like fun. The social pictures taken at the festive events on Delaire Graff Estate (p. 41) and Quoin Rock Estate (p. 70) leave no doubt about that.

Right from the outset our dream has been to create a publication to highlight the inspiring people, stories, organisations, and places that make Stellenbosch and its region so extraordinary. We wanted to shine a light on those who strive to make a difference and leave the world a better place.

This issue is once again dedicated to showing our valley in all its glory, from exhilarating experiences in the Winelands to inspiring people who make the town come alive with their entrepreneurial zeal (p. 42).

Richard Holmes and Emile Joubert take us on a wine routes road trip and share their insiders’ knowledge of some of the best destinations and wines (p. 103). This is bucket-list stuff! To crown it all, Jacques Marais jumped into a helicopter to do some wine-tasting with a difference (p. 87). Not to be outdone, Peter Frost put a BMW R 1300 GS through its paces on the passes to Knysna (p. 84). All too fast-paced for you? Then grab your hiking shoes and accompany Karla de Bod on the Eerste River Trail (p. 124). Or head out to some picturesque spots for an unforgettable meal (p. 74).

It’s the season for joyous occasions, and your chance to dress up and shine in the most awe-inspiring jewellery from Picot and Moss (p. 60). Not to forget the pages of ideas and inspiration for gifts that will wow your nearest and dearest (p. 28).

No gift, though, can equal the relationships we have formed with you, our readers.

Thank you for making Stellenbosch Visio a part of your lives. You are the reason we do what we do, on paper and online. We also owe a debt of gratitude to our advertisers for their loyal support. Without them, as you know, it would not have been possible.

Although the past is never past, the future is already with us. There is much to look forward to: among other things to the Stellenbosch Triennale 2025, with Dr Mike Mavura opening the conversation on p. 72.

Ek lig graag ’n glasie op die toekoms, en op nog baie meer suksesvolle jare vir Stellenbosch Visio en die tallose goeie verhale wat vertel kan word. Tot lof van hierdie skeppende verhouding tussen publikasie, plek en mense het Tom Dreyer op versoek van Hettie Scholtz, ons literatuurredakteur, ’n baie spesiale gedig vir Stellenbosch Visio geskryf. Lees dit (p. 136) en verbly jou in ons lieflike uithoek binne hierdie onstuimige wêreld.

Met my beste wense vir die feestyd!

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AFTER THOSE LAID-BACK MONTHS of summer, autumn is now bringing new zest to our lives, with clear and windless days spurring us on to more vigorous activities. If mountain biking doesn’t set your pulse racing (see Ernst Gouws’s spirited story on the upcoming Absa Cape Epic on p. 102), consider tackling the wild in a luxurious off-road camper van (p. 80) or embarking on a thrilling botanical safari at the enchanting Grootbos (p. 94).

It’s also completely fine to indulge in the gentle art of meandering, of simply being outside and surrendering your senses to the seasonal joys – to the heady whiff of fermentation, or the dazzling displays of colour that will soon be visible in orchards and vineyards.

Autumn has a way of appealing to the artist, the poet, and the philosopher inside every one of us. No wonder it’s my favourite time of the year. And nostalgia is seldom far away. Leaves dropping always make me nostalgic for my youth, for when we used to scoop the dry oak leaves into huge piles and dive into them, smelling the earthy, nutty smell on our skins.

An awareness of years gone by is perhaps one of the reasons why Emile Joubert’s feature about the Old Vines (p. 58) resonated so much with me. Those gnarled trunks have seen many seasons come and go. As with vines, so with people. Each year adds a layer of wisdom to our own lives as we weather the storms and send our roots down into deeper and deeper layers of meaning.

Winemakers can wax lyrical about how old vineyards have lived through many a storm and have stayed grounded in tough granite soils. Shirley van Wyk, MD of Terre Paisible, talks about Old Vines with a charming turn of phrase: “Old Vines are like beautiful history books – they carry the stories of all the harvests past.”

En net so is Stellenbosch se Meulstroom ook baie meer as net ’n stroom water; dit is geskiedenis  in  beweging.  Stellenbossers wat gelukkig genoeg is om ’n huis langs die Meulstroom te besit, het aan Bianca du Plessis gewys op watter maniere sensitiewe argitekte met hul ontwerpe eer betoon het aan die geskiedenis en die omgewing (p. 54).

In ’n jaar waarin verkiesings in Suid-Afrika en ook wêreldwyd ons miskien vol vertwyfeling na die mensdom sal laat kyk, is dit goed om heling en diepte te soek by die skoonheid van die natuur.

Een van  my  gunstelinggedigte  sal  altyd  Van  Wyk  Louw  se Vroegherfs’ bly, met sy beelde van die jaar wat ryp word “in goue akkerblare” wat dan mettertyd so stilweg “in die rookvaal bos en laan” sal val.

Maar die skoonheid van die herfs eindig nie op Stellenbosch nie; ook elders is dit mooi, soos Boerneef dit verwoord in sy gedig oor die rooi van wingerdblare by Hexrivier, en die geel van “herfspamplier by Dwarsrivier op Ceres”:

Slaan rem aan hou jul asem in en kyk en kyk
Lank en eerbiedig soos ’n mens na so ’n herfs moet kyk Laat dit inbrand in jou vir latertyd
Die warm geel en rooi vir latenstyd

Mag hierdie herfs jou siel vul met vreugde en vrede.

Ook vir latenstyd.

The post Stellenbosch Visio Autumn 2024 Issue appeared first on Stellenbosch Visio.

This year the company scooped the overall prize for Publication of the Year while both the publications entered also won their individual categories. In addition, Tip Africa Publishing was recognised for excellence in writing, communication, design and photography.

Award-winning magazine for two years running

For the second consecutive year, Stellenbosch Visio magazine is a winner, earning the title of Consumer Publication of the Year at the SAPF Awards. This accolade honours the magazine’s ability to captivate and engage readers. 

“With Stellenbosch Visio, Tip Africa has succeeded in taking one of our country’s most beautiful towns and regions, putting what it has to offer into a shiny white box, and elegantly tying it up with a satin ribbon and perhaps a vine leaf on the side,” the SAPF judges stated. 

The judges, who described the magazine’s articles as compelling and inspiring, appreciated the broad spectrum of its covered topics, such as culture, art, food and wine, nature, people, community, beauty, fashion, and adventure. 

“The publication serves as an excellent example of how the consistent use of layout elements can unify a magazine into a visual masterpiece,” the SAPF added. “Stellenbosch Visio is a quality publication and a joy to read from start to finish!”

Francé Beyers, editor of Stellenbosch Visio, radiates pride for the publication and the team behind it. “I am so proud to be part of this passionate and exceptionally talented team and thankful for the recognition of our efforts,” she said.

Double honours for book on Stellenbosch Wine Routes

Proving their literary and artistic abilities, Tip Africa Publishing’s exceptional work on the Stellenbosch Wine Routes book garnered widespread acclaim at the SAPF Awards. Stellenbosch: The wine. The people. The stories won the overall Publication of the Year as well as One-Off Publication of the Year.

The book is an irresistible invitation to the varied experiences and superb wines discoverable along the Stellenbosch Wine Routes. According to the SAPF judges, it conveys “great passion and love for the area and its people, the effort and vision that have made [the Stellenbosch Wine Routes] into what it is.”

“The writing is excellent. From the opening paragraphs onward, it is clear and concise. Impeccable editing and proofreading, no mean feat over a document of such length and variety,” state the SAPF judges, who also showed appreciation for the book’s design and visual elements.  “The spreads combine beautiful photography with balanced typographic perfection,” they said. “Quite frankly, it forces you to open a bottle of wine.”

“For almost a decade now, we have told stories of the Winelands in our quarterly magazine, Stellenbosch Visio. To shine a light on the region’s remarkable people, places and wine in a coffee-table book was a wonderful opportunity,” says Igna Schneider, editorial director at Tip Africa. She describes the company as a boutique publishing house with a small but incredibly dedicated team, adding she had the good fortune to work with the best creative minds. 

As Tip Africa continues to set new standards for excellence in content, design, and communication, the publishing house reaffirms its commitment to delivering top-tier publications that leave a lasting impact on readers and the publishing industry at large.

Full list of awards

Stellenbosch Visio

• Consumer Publication of the Year
• Best headline finalist
• Best cover finalist
• Certificate of Excellence in writing
• Certificate of Excellence in communication
• Certificate of Excellence in design and photography

Stellenbosch: The wine. The people. The stories

• Publication of the Year
• One-off Publication of the Year
• Best Headline Winner
• Certificate of Excellence in writing
• Certificate of Excellence in communication
• Certificate of Excellence in design and photography

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As always, spring resonates with our deepest feelings of renewal and the awakening of life forces, especially after a bitterly wet winter. The Eerste and Berg rivers burst their banks in a way not seen in our lifetime. Meanwhile, across the northern hemisphere, heat waves sizzled and the highest temperatures ever were recorded on a steadily upward-trending graph that reaches back several years.

As always, spring resonates with our deepest feelings of renewal and the awakening of life forces, especially after a bitterly wet winter. The Eerste and Berg rivers burst their banks in a way not seen in our lifetime. Meanwhile, across the northern hemisphere, heat waves sizzled and the highest temperatures ever were recorded on a steadily upward-trending graph that reaches back several years.

Nature has turned intemperate and is now unleashing its forces against a plundering and ruthless humankind.

Fortunately, it’s not all devastating news. Like fresh shoots appearing after a veld fire, green initiatives are springing up all around us. And in this issue of Stellenbosch Visio we want to salute those entrepreneurs and companies who are coming forward with sustainable solutions and green technologies.

Nature often supplies the solutions to the problems we have created. From the little town of Gansbaai comes a breakthrough approach to protect bathing beaches by way of the SharkSafe Barrier. Taking a cue from kelp forests (which great white sharks hate), conservationist and filmmaker Michael Rutzen, together with researchers and engineers from Stellenbosch University, devised an artificial kelp forest to keep large predatory sharks at bay. It’s a bonus that it also acts as an artificial reef to support marine diversity (p. 70). More and more conservationists are joining forces to protect our planet – and Marlene Bouwer also gives a fascinating glimpse into the work of transplanting resilient corals to fast-disappearing coral reefs as part of the Rolex Perpetual Planet (p. 26).

Saving the planet can involve some very up-close-and-personal involvement. Elsa Kruger (p. 84) helps us understand the development of sustainability and environmental consciousness in beauty products. Let’s all hold our favourite brands accountable, read the labels and educate ourselves on what ingredients we need to avoid.

Going green is not just a worthy undertaking; it can also be delicious and good for you. Richard Holmes (p. 62) munched more than just greens in his round-up of delicious green and healthy eating. Emile Joubert (p. 46) raises a glass of sprightly rosé to that, and takes us to exciting estates producing this increasingly popular wine.

Met die Woordfees net om die draai (bl. 116) bars Stellenbosch saam met die nuwe seisoen uit sy nate. As jy enigsins nog twyfel, sal die meer-as-lewensgroot foto’s teen opvallende mure jou gou-gou onder die indruk van al die kreatiewe kragte bring. Melvyn Minnaar wys die indrukwekkende foto’s en gesels met kurator Anelisa Mangcu oor hierdie grootse openbare uitstalling. Stellenbosch Visio kry dit elke keer reg om die beste woordkunstenaars aan die woord te stel, mense soos Tom Dreyer (bl. 99) en Dominique Botha (bl. 128), beide onnabootsbaar briljant in hoe hulle hul belewenisse verwoord.

Die dorp gaan hierdie lente vol polsende lewe wees. Geniet die Woordfees. Die Tuinweek. Wine Town. Die opborreling van aktiwiteite oral om jou. Die malse groen eikebome. Die rosé in jou glas. Verlustig jou in wat die planeet ons bied – en bewaar dit vir dié wat ná ons kom.

The post Stellenbosch Visio Spring Issue appeared first on Stellenbosch Visio.

What makes a good life?

In a nutshell: good relationships with family, friends and our community. These, I ventured, when recently giving a talk on the subject, are guaranteed to make us happier and healthier.

Instinctively, we all know that it is true.

But I also had a scientific study to back me up. Based on the findings of the Harvard Study of Adult Development, which has been running since 1938, the answer is crystal clear and very convincing: social connections and good relationships not only protect our bodies, they also protect our brains.

That is one of the things I like best about Stellenbosch Visio, the connectedness to the people of our beautiful town and magnificent region, and getting to know individuals who have made a difference to their communities. People like Thuli Madonsela.

In this issue Jean Meiring talks to the formidable Thuli, who now occupies the Law Trust Chair in Social Justice at Stellenbosch University. This woman, who epitomises quiet grace, has made it her life goal to work for social justice in South Africa and has inspired a nation with her steadfast belief in values and the rule of law. Currently, she is dedicating her time to encourage and teach the next generation of South African leaders with her peerless blend of honesty, humility and passion for positive change. How blessed we are to have leaders of Thuli’s calibre in our midst.

Aan die begin van hierdie nuwe jaar het ek gewonder wat ek uit die verskillende dekades van my lewe tot dusver geleer het en wat ek kan gebruik om te sorg dat die res van my lewe betekenisvol en vreugdevol gaan wees. Kan ek onthou om te speel soos ek in die eerste jare van my lewe gedoen het? Kan ek aanhou leer soos in my skooljare? (Henry Ford het immers gesê: “Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eight. Anyone who keeps learning stays young.”)

My wens vir die res van die jaar is dat ons sal aanhou glo aan ons vermoëns en dit gebruik tot voordeel van ons gemeenskappe. Laat ons probeer veerkragtig bly en aanhou sorg vir ons fisieke en geestelike gesondheid. En laat ons as gemeenskappe mekaar help en ondersteun in die tyd wat voorlê.

 

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There are few things that make me feel as alive … and as young … as when I am horseback riding. This I realised again recently when an opportunity presented itself to get back in the saddle.

Over the past two years, while in lockdown, my life has revolved around my home. In a wonderful centredness, I have packed away and cleaned out and baked and settled into a very comfortable routine. But now, post-pandemic, I feel driven by a need to add some adventure to my life, to push my boundaries and reclaim the wider world.

This is where my newfound enthusiasm for horse-riding came in. I grew up on a farm and had my own horse until I left home to study at Stellenbosch University. Even though I have done some riding over the years, I have not been an active rider for quite some time. When an invitation came to hike the Baviaans Camino, and I saw in the ‘small print’ this trail could also be done on horseback, I was in, boots and all.

Four days through the mountains of the Baviaanskloof on horseback – with no cellphone reception – sounded like heaven. I crossed my fingers and hoped my not-18- anymore body would cope!

It follows, then, that this issue of Stellenbosch Visio is designed to pack considerable horsepower, with its focus on horses, men and adventurous exploits for both sexes. Stellenbosch’s own racing legend Giniel de Villiers shares stories about his adventures in the Dakar race (p. 120). Ian McLaren takes the Continental GT Speed coupé for an eye-popping spin through Helshoogte to the summit of the Franschhoek Pass (p. 66). Dieter Losskarn puts various all-wheel-drive SUVs to the test (p. 100). And Jacques Marais – proponent of pedal-power – reports back on an exhilarating ‘spiritual bike journey’ on the gravel track of the Namaqua Coastal Route of the Bikamino (p. 104).
For more sedate journeys, there’s always the one where you don’t drive, but drink. Read more about our favour- ite tipples for winter: Cabernet, brandy and Pinot Noir.

Maar die testosteroon gaan nie heeltemal oorneem nie. Elsa Krüger steek kerse aan om sublieme geure tuis te versprei (p. 90) en Jackie Burger vertel van die rus wat die Karoo na haar gees gebring het (p. 86). Dave Pepler skryf ’n loflied op die winter se beste geskenk aan ons … die goue aardsheid van suurlemoene (p. 126). Ek gaan onmiddellik nog ’n suurlemoenboom in my tuin plant.

PS Remember to treat your Dad or a loved-one to a gift that shows you care – order here.

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