Diary of a Grand Dame - Page 3

It’s been a massive success in Franschoek and the Hemel and Aarde Valley! Wine trams and buses are a great way to explore the beautiful wine routes of South Africa and now we can finally add the Robertson Wine Valley to the list of stunning routes to explore by hop-on-hop-off-bus. Yes, friends, we introduce you to the Robertson Wine Valley‘s Wine Safari bus. A hop-on-hop-off adventure bus that crisscrosses it’s way through the beautiful Robertson Wine Valley via two scenic routes – truly the ‘funnest’ way (yay, no designated driver needed) to explore this beautiful wine valley.

It’s nearly time for the Silver Mountain Music Festival again and with so many new experiences, hiking and MTB in Grootvadersbosch added to the itinerary this year we are so excited to be part of the festival once more. The Silver Mountain Music Festival is a celebration of music, nature and country living in the Grootvadersbosch Valley and Overberg District all to the benefit of the Grootvadersbosch Conservancy (read more about the GVB Conservancy‘s cause here). The festival kicks off on the evening of 14 June 2018 and consists of various classic, jazz and instrumental music performances at an interesting array of venues throughout the Grootvadersbosch Valley.

We’re continuing our quest to unveil some more of the talented artists in Swellendam. This time we shed light on Alida diTekenar. Directly translated, diTekenar means ‘The Drawer’ but really Alida diTekenar is a multi-talented illustrator, painter and creative.

Having always loved drawing (she even recalls drawing in her mother’s hymn book), Alida yearned to pursue a career in animation. She had to opt for a graphic design course after school instead though, seeing as there were no animation schools or courses in South Africa in 1997. Luckily after successfully completing her first year of study in graphic design, an animation course was introduced at the City Varsity Film School. Alida applied and of course, was accepted, making her one of the first fifteen students to enrol in an animation course in South Africa.

We are shedding light on artists in Swellendam this month. While Swellendam is best known for its architecture, agriculture and adventure activities, it is also home to a handful of immensely talented artists.

Would you believe that the Overberg is home to one of the most pioneering Wine Estates near Swellendam, Sijnn Wines is making headlines and breathing new life into the South African wine industry with rare and interesting cultivars. So with grape harvest in the Western Cape in full swing we thought it appropriate to share (and brag a bit about) this pioneering Wine Estate near Swellendam.