TOGETHER WITH
🏔️ R24.9 Million Buys You... A Really Nice Patch Of Dirt
Just when you thought Stellenbosch property prices couldn't surprise you anymore...
A vacant stand in the newly approved Botmaskop Estate has just been listed for R24.9 million.
Let's be absolutely clear what you're getting.
No house.
No kitchen.
No swimming pool.
No wine cellar.
Not even a garage to fill with bicycles you'll definitely ride one day.
Just 1,359 square metres of exceptionally premium dirt.
Now, to be fair, it's arguably some of the most beautiful dirt in South Africa.
The estate sits on the slopes of Botmaskop alongside Delaire Graff and Tokara, with spectacular views across the Simonsberg mountains, surrounded by protected fynbos. Following years of legal battles, the controversial development has finally received the green light, and construction is now well underway on what will become just 73 luxury homes.
Of course, buying the stand is only the beginning.
After spending R24.9 million on the land, you'll still need to build the house.
Somewhere, an architect has just smiled.
Whether you think it's an incredible investment or completely outrageous, one thing is certain...
Stellenbosch continues to prove that, for some people, location really is priceless. Or, apparently, worth at least R24.9 million before you've even poured the foundations. 🏡💰
👑 Could You Be The Next Mr or Miss Stellenbosch?
If you've ever looked in the mirror and thought, "I could probably pull off a crown," this might be your moment.
Entries have officially opened for the 2026 Mr & Miss Stellenbosch Pageant, a family-friendly competition celebrating confidence, talent and community leadership. The pageant is open to a wide range of age groups, from toddlers and teens to adults, parents and LGBTQ+ contestants from Stellenbosch and the surrounding communities.
The grand finale takes place at the Stellenbosch Town Hall in November, with contestants competing for more than just a sash... they're also encouraged to get involved in community projects and make a positive impact.
Even if pageants aren't your thing, there's something wonderfully optimistic about a town where people are willing to spend months practising their walk while the rest of us are still trying to figure out what to do with our hands in a family photo. 👑😂
🎼 Your Weekend Playlist Just Got A Little More Sophisticated
If your Spotify Wrapped is mostly Taylor Swift, Bok van Blerk and whatever your kids have hijacked your speakers with, here's an opportunity to broaden your musical horizons.
The Endler Concert Series returns to Stellenbosch University from 24 July to September, bringing a packed programme of classical, choral and contemporary performances to the Endler and Fismer Halls. Audiences can look forward to everything from world-class pianists and chamber music to the internationally acclaimed Stellenbosch University Choir, orchestral concerts and talented young musicians taking the stage.
Even if you're not someone who can confidently tell a Brahms from a Beethoven, the Endler Hall has a reputation for incredible acoustics, and the concerts are a reminder that Stellenbosch isn't just famous for wine and mountains... it's also one of South Africa's cultural capitals.
Who knows? You might leave humming a symphony instead of Sweet Caroline for once. 🎻🍷
🪧 Funny How That Works...
One thing Stellenbosch residents are exceptionally good at is having opinions.
Plant a new tree? Debate.
Paint a cycle lane? Debate.
Build a new development? Months of debate.
Put up a speed hump? Lifetime achievement award for debate.
Yet somehow, a giant illuminated billboard on the R44 that wouldn't look out of place on the outskirts of Las Vegas appears...
And...
Silence.
Not a whisper.
It's fascinating how some projects spark endless public outrage, while others seem to get a free pass.
Perhaps we've all collectively decided it's easier to ignore it.
Or perhaps we're just waiting for someone else to complain first.
Either way, it's a good reminder that we don't always judge change by the same standards... even when it's impossible to miss on your drive home.
💭 A small thought for today
Be the champion of your own life.
It's easy to spend our days waiting for things to improve. Waiting for the perfect opportunity. Waiting for someone to notice us. Waiting for life to become easier.
But life rarely changes while we're sitting on the sidelines.
Choose to be the person who takes responsibility, who looks for opportunities instead of obstacles, and who finds reasons to be grateful even when life isn't going exactly as planned.
Anyone can complain. Anyone can point out what's wrong.
Champions choose a different path.
They focus on what they can control. They keep showing up. They believe today's small decisions shape tomorrow's future.
And for those of us with faith, there's an even greater comfort. God's plan is often unfolding long before we can see it. The delays, the disappointments and the unexpected detours may not make sense today, but they don't mean you've been forgotten.
So start today with gratitude, work hard with purpose, trust God's timing, and refuse to let circumstances define your attitude.
Your life won't be changed by what happens to you.
It will be changed by how you choose to respond.
🌤️ Weather forecast is sponsored by AskMandla.com
☀️ Friday
A cool winter's day with plenty of cloud around. Expect a high of 18°C and a low of 10°C. A good day for a coffee stop or wine tasting, with little chance of rain.
☁️ Saturday
Very similar conditions continue with mostly cloudy skies, a high of 18°C and a low of 11°C. Cool but comfortable if you're out and about.
🌦️ Sunday
Cloudy start with a chance of light rain or drizzle during the morning, before conditions gradually improve later in the day. Temperatures reach around 19°C after an overnight low of 9°C. If you're planning outdoor activities, the afternoon looks like the better option.
Enjoyed reading this? 😉
If today's Brief made you smile, taught you something, or helped you procrastinate for a few minutes at work, consider buying us a coffee.
We're trying to build something local, useful and not boring.
Every bit helps.
As always, thanks for reading. If you spot something in town worth knowing, reply and tell us. Half the best Stellenbosch stories begin that way.
See you around town,
Stellenbosch Brief
If you know someone in Stellenbosch who would appreciate this, feel free to forward it to them. The right readers tend to find each other.