The largest William Kentridge exhibition in Africa
Why Should I Hesitate? Sculpture will be the first exhibition to address William Kentridge’s output as a sculptor and will offer a unique focus on this aspect of his oeuvre, allowing visitors to encounter a range of new and historical artworks produced over the past two decades. Covering several bodies of work, this show sees the origins of his works in props from his operas and images from his animations stepping off the stage and out of the screen, confronting us directly at ground level. Why Should I Hesitate? Sculpture will also premiere new works commissioned for the exhibit. Curators of the exhibition are Karel Nel, Owen Martin, Talia Naicker and Vicky Lekone. Running from 24 August 2019 to 23 March 2020 at the Norval Foundation, the sculpture show will coincide with a complementary exhibition, Why Should I Hesitate? Putting Drawings To Work, at the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa.
www.norvalfoundation.org, Instagram: @norvalfoundation
Wine tasting on horseback
Wine tasting on horsebackWhen you think of a unique wine-tasting experience, the last thing that comes to mind is probably horse riding, right? Horse rides at Pete’s Adventure Farm are quite something and to be able to do wine tasting during these expeditions is a definite plus. Both confident and novice riders will enjoy the rides. You get to taste a few wines, but ordering a cheese board or booking the bubbly and nougat pairing is also highly recommended. The team is very passionate about its horses, the farm and giving you the time of your life. Enjoy a peaceful ride across the farm (a 240ha sanctuary) and keep your eyes peeled for the wildlife and birds that share the space with you. Book at 078 567 6689 or deirdre@horseridesatpetes.co.za.
horseridesatpetes.co.za, Instagram @horsesatpetes
Put a spring in your step at these gardens
Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden Wander around and admire the awe-inspiring collection of the artist’s sculptures that have been positioned to harmonise with the landscape. Unwind, reconnect and ‘Unearth the Wilderness Within’ in this phenomenal garden, which has something to offer visitors year-round. Booking in advance is advised.
www.dylanlewis.co.za/sculpture-garden/garden.php, Instagram @dylanlewissculpturegarden
Old Nectar Nestling in the beautiful Jonkershoek Valley, Old Nectar is surrounded by majestic mountains. The Cape Dutch manor house, dating back to 1692, forms the centrepiece of one of the most celebrated gardens in South Africa, lovingly laid out by floral doyenne Una van der Spuy. Open Monday to Friday.
Stellenbosch University (SU) Botanical Garden This is the oldest university botanical garden in South Africa and you’ll find in it an enormous diversity of plants, both indigenous to South Africa and exotic, as well as a fascinating bonsai collection. The garden’s database has been digitised so that visitors can learn more about the plants via the downloadable Garden Explorer app on smartphones.
Pinky up, it’s time for tea
Pinky up, it’s time for teaAt Hazendal’s Russian tea ceremony, a specially sourced and imported black Russian tea blend is served from a steaming samovar and presented in traditional hand-painted porcelain tea cups. Each samovar has a differently shaped body and produces its own ‘song’ when the water starts to boil. Also unique are the distinctive table settings. In the relaxed atmosphere of Hazendal’s garden, the Russian tea ceremony is a culturally rich experience for young and old. Booking is advised.
bookings@hazendal.co.za, Instagram @hazendalwine
The Orangerie Restaurant at Le Lude in the Franschhoek Valley hints at a colonial-inspired greenhouse with cane chairs, ceiling fans, leafy palms and ferns dotted throughout. The tea starts with a glass of Le Lude Brut NV or Brut Rosé NV. A selection of Twinings teas is offered and presented with a platter for two that consists of three savoury and four sweet treats. The tea is delicious and the surroundings beautiful.
lelude.co.za, Instagram @lelude_estate
e’Bosch Heritage Festival
e’Bosch Heritage FestivalThe annual e’Bosch Heritage Festival comes to town once again in September. The programme kicks off with the official launch on 27 August hosted by Mayor Gesie van Deventer, when a number of Stellenbosch residents will receive e’Bosch Heritage Awards for outstanding contributions to the promotion of culture and heritage conservation in the district. Flagship events will include the Evening Historic Stroll on 5 September, the School Choir Festival for primary and secondary schools on 13 and 14 September at the Coetzenburg Centre and the Under-11s Soccer Tournament at Kayamandi Stadium on 21 and 22 September. The programme concludes on 23
October with the Moore Stephens Night Run through the streets of Stellenbosch. The e’Bosch Heritage Project stands for respecting human dignity, eliminating social injustices and forging social inclusion for all.
Guided trails
Guided trailsA registered non-profit organisation, the Stellenbosch Trail Fund is entirely financed by donations from local trail users and corporate sponsors. Since 2011 its aim has been to create, improve and maintain hiking, biking and running trails in and around Stellenbosch and in the past six years more than 50km of trails have been built and maintained. Book a guide to help you explore some of these routes.
www.stellenboschtrailfund.co.za/book-a-guide, Instagram @stbtrailfund
Bike Marathon Triathlon, or BMT, is a small-but-mighty bike shop located under the shadows of the oak trees on Dorp Street in Stellenbosch. It packs a punch with its offering of qualified guides who can take you on an adventure that lets you ride the best trails, even if your time is limited. Young, old, tall, short, thin, not-so-thin, racer, cruiser, whatever, their only incentive is to make you and your bike happy. Don’t forget, if you want to get further quicker, chat to them about renting an e-bike.
bmtsa.co.za, Instagram @bmt_bikeshop
October is Pinotage month
Since 2013, the second Saturday of October has been set aside by the SA Pinotage Association as the one (official) day in the year to celebrate this cultivar unique to South Africa. This year, raise your glass to Pinotage on 12 October. Neethlingshof will be celebrating by holding a fun 8km off-road run/walk with a wine tasting every 2km along the route (for those eligible to drink, of course). The event will start at 9am and all fitness levels and ages are welcome, though no wine will be served to under 18s. Prizes will be awarded to the best-dressed individual and group and there will be food, music and entertainment waiting at the finish line. Only 600 people can participate, so get your entry in as soon as possible. Late entries accepted on the day (if there is space left) from 07:00 to 09:00.
Book at www.entryninja.com.
On our radar in Johannesburg: Dlala Nje
On our radar in Johannesburg: Dlala NjeDlala Nje was founded by Nickolaus Bauer and Michal Luptak in October 2012 to challenge perceptions and create opportunities for young people. The team does this by running inner-city immersions and experiences in some of Johannesburg’s most misunderstood areas. These tours have enabled them to build and run a community centre that provides a safe learning environment for children and young people; a place where kids get to be kids. All operational costs are funded by the Dlala Nje Experiences Business. The tours on offer are This is Hillbrow, Ponte City Experience, Unpacking Politics, Ponte City Challenge and Yoga & Tea. The team can also create experiences to help businesses mend interpersonal cohesion challenges. To find out more about the experiences or to book a consultation, email Michal Luptak at loops@dlalanje.org.
www.dlalanje.org, Instagram @dlalanje
Picnics: spots to try
A picnic basket from Spier includes delicious, seasonal treats such as a selection of Farmer Angus charcuterie with olives and pickled baby gherkins, coronation chicken with dried apricots and almonds, Dalewood Camembert with crackers, preserves, hummus and Vadas Bakery sourdough bread and butter, chocolate brownies with summer berry compote and a bottle of Spier Signature Wine, all for R580 per basket. There’s a vegetarian picnic for the same price and a children’s basket for R150 per child. Guests can bring their own chairs, cushions and blankets or hire them for the day. Most of the picnic spaces are public but groups can be accommodated in semi-private areas if they book in advance. www.spier.co.za/food/picnics-at-spier, Instagram @spierwinefarm
Enjoy breathtaking mountain and vineyard views at Boschendal Estate. The Rhone Rose picnic basket is packed with farm-baked bread, roast vegetable hummus and chicken liver spread, cold cuts from the Werf butchery with mustard mayonnaise, garden slaw salad with herb vinaigrette, a coronation chicken and barley salad, flatbread with Dalewood Camembert and onion marmalade, a baked chocolate tart, burnt meringue and rose marshmallow. This all costs R275 per person or R520 per couple.The treats in the Werf Farm picnic basket are farm-baked bread, hummus and marinated olives, a garden vegetable salad with mustard vinaigrette, pasture-raised rotisserie chicken with roast garlic mayonnaise, flatbread with Dalewood Camembert and onion marmalade, rose marshmallow and fruit lollies or ice cream. This picnic basket costs R460 per couple. Both variations offer a vegetarian and a children’s menu.
www.boschendal.com/eat-and-drink/picnics, Instagram @boschendal
Wednesday Art Walkabouts
The Wednesday Art Walkabouts are an initiative of Stellenbosch University Museum to display the art collected by the university over the past 100 years. They are free to all members of the public and take place between 1pm and 2pm on the first Wednesday of the month. On 4 September the walk will focus on the work of Willie Bester, on 2 October the spotlight will fall on William Kentridge, on 6 November Christo Coetzee’s work will be the subject and on 4 December Auguste Rodin will be the highlight.
Booking is essential; please contact Natasha Coltman on 021 808 3691 or email ncoltman@sun.ac.za.