TOGETHER WITH
🌕 From Stellies To The Moon
We always knew Stellenbosch was aiming high... but this might be taking it a little too literally.
Four engineering students from Stellenbosch University have helped build the electronic systems for a radio telescope prototype that's expected to head to the Moon as part of China's Chang'e-8 lunar mission in 2029.
Yes... the Moon.
The students worked on the Africa2Moon project, an ambitious South African-led mission that hopes to place the world's first radio telescope array on the lunar surface. If the demonstration is successful, the long-term vision is even bigger: 55 lunar antennas... one representing every country in Africa.
The reason for putting a telescope on the Moon is surprisingly simple. Earth's atmosphere blocks many low-frequency radio waves from deep space, but the Moon provides an incredibly quiet place to listen to signals that have travelled across the universe for billions of years.
It's another reminder that while Stellenbosch is famous for wine, mountains and oak trees... it's also quietly producing world-class engineers helping shape the future of space exploration.
Not bad for a town where most of us are still trying to find parking on Andringa Street.
🛍️ A Tough Time For Stellenbosch's Markets
It's been a difficult year for some of Stellenbosch's best-loved markets.
With both the Root44 Market and the Dorp Street Sunday Market now closed, more than 180 independent traders, artisans, food vendors and entertainers have lost an important place to earn a living. For many of them, these markets weren't just weekend attractions... they were their primary source of income.
Root44 had been welcoming locals and tourists for 15 years before closing indefinitely at the end of June, with management citing years of planning delays, regulatory uncertainty and mounting financial pressure. The Dorp Street Sunday Market also closed earlier this year after ongoing disputes over operating permissions, despite briefly reopening in January.
Beyond the shopping, both markets brought something special to Stellenbosch. They gave small businesses a chance to grow, local musicians a stage to perform, and families another reason to spend a Sunday exploring our town.
We can only hope this isn't the end of markets in Stellenbosch. Our town has no shortage of talented entrepreneurs who deserve a place to showcase what they create. Because when small businesses thrive, the whole town benefits.
🧺 The Laundry Chair
Every home has one.
Not a dining chair.
Not an office chair.
The Laundry Chair.
The one in your bedroom that's supposed to be temporary... but somehow has become a permanent piece of furniture.
It starts with one jersey.
Then a pair of jeans.
Then "I'll wear this again."
Before you know it, the chair has developed its own ecosystem.
You can't actually see the chair anymore. You just know it's under there somewhere.
The pile reaches a point where removing one T-shirt could trigger a small avalanche.
And let's be honest... nobody knows whether the clothes on the chair are clean, dirty, or somewhere in that mysterious middle category we call...
"Still got one more wear left."
Scientists should really stop looking for life on Mars.
They should start by investigating the average Stellenbosch laundry chair.
🍬 Chappies Was Basically Google
If you grew up in South Africa, you'll remember a time when getting change wasn't always coins...
Sometimes you got paid in Chappies.
You'd buy something for R4.80, hand over a R5 coin, and instead of 20 cents back...
"Here's a Chappies."
And honestly... nobody complained.
But the gum wasn't even the best part.
The real prize was unwrapping it to read the legendary "Did You Know?" fact inside.
That's how we got our education.
Not from Wikipedia.
Not from YouTube.
Not from ChatGPT.
From a piece of chewing gum.
"Did you know a giraffe has seven neck bones?"
"Did you know an octopus has three hearts?"
Whether the facts were 100% accurate... we'll never know.
We accepted them without question because if Chappies said it, it had to be true.
Teachers gave homework.
Chappies gave wisdom.
Looking back, it's amazing that an entire generation learnt random facts while trying not to swallow pink bubble gum.
Kids today have AI.
We had Chappies.
And somehow... we turned out alright.
💭 A small thought for today
Before you check your phone. Before you read the news. Before the world tells you how your day is going to go...
Tell yourself.
"Something good is going to happen to me today."
Then go one step further.
"Something good is going to happen through me today."
Those two sentences can completely change how you walk through the next 24 hours.
The first fills you with hope. It reminds you that today could hold an unexpected opportunity, a new friendship, a breakthrough, a blessing, or a door you never saw coming.
The second gives you purpose. It reminds you that you aren't just here to receive. You're here to make someone else's day a little better too. A kind word. An encouraging message. A smile. A helping hand. A moment of patience when it's needed most.
Your words matter because they shape your focus.
If you wake up expecting problems, you'll notice every inconvenience.
If you wake up expecting good, you'll start seeing possibilities where others only see obstacles.
Every morning, you get to choose the soundtrack playing in your mind.
So tomorrow morning, before life gets noisy, say it out loud:
"Something good is going to happen to me today."
"Something good is going to happen through me today."
Then carry yourself like someone who believes it.
Because sometimes the biggest thing that changes your day... is the first thing you say to yourself.
🌤️ Weather forecast is sponsored by AskMandla.com
🌥️ Monday
18°C / 11°C
A cooler day with a mix of sunshine and clouds. It will be quite breezy, especially during the afternoon, so keep a light jacket handy.
☀️ Tuesday
20°C / 6°C
A crisp winter morning followed by beautiful sunshine. Cool start, but a lovely day once the sun gets going.
🌞 Wednesday
21°C / 6°C
Another stunning Winelands winter's day with plenty of sunshine and comfortable afternoon temperatures.
🌤️ Thursday
20°C / 7°C
Mostly sunny with a little haze. Calm conditions make it another great day to be outdoors.
☀️ Friday
21°C / 6°C
A picture-perfect Friday. Sunny, dry and pleasantly warm during the afternoon. Ideal weather to kick off the weekend early.
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
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