🚗 We're Not Stuck In Stellies Traffic. We Are The Traffic!

TOGETHER WITH

Good luck.

At this point, finding a rental home in Stellenbosch is becoming slightly easier than finding a parking bay in town, but only slightly.

Despite property prices continuing to climb, people keep arriving.

Some come from Johannesburg looking for a better lifestyle.

Some come from Cape Town looking for more space.

Some arrive from overseas after spending a week in the Winelands and deciding they never want to leave.

And somehow there are still not enough houses.

Which brings us to this week's property opportunity.

A fully furnished 3-bedroom home in Paradyskloof is available until the end of September 2026.

Price… R40k per month.

The house comes with two bathrooms, a pool, a garden, an undercover braai area, an inverter, an alarm system and enough indoor-outdoor living to make you feel like you've accidentally wandered into a holiday brochure.

Even better, the rent includes municipal costs, weekly garden services and fortnightly pool maintenance.

In other words, somebody else cuts the grass while you sit next to the pool pretending you're on leave.

There is one catch.

No pets.

Apparently the owners would prefer that the pool remains available for humans rather than an enthusiastic Labrador conducting daily swimming lessons.

If you've been searching for a rental in Stellenbosch recently, you'll know opportunities like this don't tend to hang around for long.

Neither, it seems, do the people moving here.

Every time someone leaves Stellenbosch, three more arrive.

One of the strange things about getting older is how serious life quietly becomes.

At some point you stop talking about what dinosaur you want to be when you grow up and start talking about bond rates, insurance premiums and whether the geyser is making a strange noise.

You get married.

You have children.

You build a career.

You take on responsibilities.

Before you know it, your calendar looks like a military operation and you're having detailed discussions about municipal accounts.

And all of that is good.

Responsibility gives life meaning.

Looking after people matters.

Building something worthwhile matters.

But somewhere along the way, many adults accidentally stop having fun.

Children are often a useful reminder.

They don't care how much money is in your bank account.

They don't care what car you drive.

They can spend an hour laughing at a cardboard box.

Meanwhile adults need a three-night getaway, a massage and a therapist just to achieve the same level of happiness.

Perhaps we should learn something from them.

Take the trip.

Buy the ice cream.

Kick the soccer ball.

Jump in the swimming pool.

Laugh at the silly joke.

Spend less time worrying about looking foolish.

Nobody gets to the end of life wishing they had spent more time serious.

The truth is that none of us really know what we're doing anyway.

We're all just children who got older and acquired debit orders.

So yes, work hard.

Be responsible.

Look after your family.

But don't forget to have a little fun along the way.

Life is far too short to become boring.

A Stellenbosch artist is about to see her work hanging on the walls of one of the most respected art institutions in the world.

Ros Koch has been selected for the 2026 Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Portrait Award at the National Portrait Gallery in London, one of the leading portrait competitions globally. Even more remarkable, it was her very first submission to the competition.

Koch's portrait, titled The Age of Adolescence, was inspired by her middle daughter and explores the challenges, uncertainty and growth that come with growing up. The work reflects the idea that life is a continuous journey of learning rather than a destination where everything is neatly figured out.

The Stellenbosch-based artist admitted she was initially so surprised by the acceptance that she contacted the National Portrait Gallery to make sure the email wasn't a hoax.

Her portrait will be exhibited in London from 25 June to 7 October alongside works by leading artists from around the world, placing Stellenbosch talent firmly on the international stage.

For a town already known for producing world-class wine, sport and culture, Koch's achievement is another reminder that Stellenbosch creativity continues to make an impact far beyond the Winelands.

Many students arrive at Stellenbosch University hoping to earn a degree. Keenen Gilbert arrived with the same goal, but over the past nine years he has built something much bigger.

The PhD student in physiological sciences has become one of the university's most recognised student leaders, known not only for his academic achievements but for his commitment to helping others. Whether organising food drives, tutoring struggling students, raising funds for those in need or supporting fellow students through difficult times, Gilbert has spent much of his university journey asking a simple question: "How can I help?"

Originally from Edenvale, east of Johannesburg, Gilbert credits his family for teaching him the importance of service from a young age. Those values have guided his work at Stellenbosch, where he has helped lead initiatives that provided food and support to vulnerable students and local communities. Through various projects and partnerships, he has helped raise thousands of rands worth of food and essential supplies for those in need.

One of his proudest achievements was helping raise more than half a tonne of food and packing over 100 hampers for students facing food insecurity during assessment periods and holidays.

Recently recognised as a SPAR Hero of the Week, Gilbert's story is a reminder that leadership is not always about titles or achievements. Sometimes it's simply about showing up, helping others and leaving a place better than you found it.

In a town known for producing talented academics, athletes and entrepreneurs, Keenen Gilbert is proving that kindness and service can be just as powerful a legacy.

If you're looking for something to do over the next two weeks, here are a few events worth adding to your calendar:

🍷 Wednesday Museum Walkabouts
Explore Stellenbosch's rich history with a guided walk through the historic museum sites on 24 June. A great excuse to slow down and see parts of town you normally walk past.

🍇 Wine Society Evening at Magnolia Social Dining Lounge
A wine-focused evening taking place at Erinvale on 25 June. Ideal for anyone who enjoys discovering new wines without having to drive all over the Winelands.

🍷 Spier Winemakers Dinner: Older Vintages, Older Vines
Taking place on 26 June, this special dinner pairs aged wines with a curated menu and promises a deep dive into some of the region's older vintages.

🍷 Waterford & Remhoogte Masterclass
Wine lovers can enjoy a collaborative masterclass at 26 June, exploring the diversity and character of Stellenbosch wines.

🌿 Delheim Annual Foraging Experience
On 3 July, Delheim hosts one of the Winelands' most unique experiences, combining nature, food and wine in a guided foraging adventure.

🥃 Brandy Festival at The Salene
A winter favourite returns on 4 July with brandy tastings, food and live entertainment. Perfect weather for standing around a fire with a glass in hand.

🎶 Rumours of Fleetwood Mac Tribute
Also on 4 July, Asara hosts one of South Africa's most popular Fleetwood Mac tribute shows. These events tend to sell out quickly.

🍷 Rooi Fijnwyn Festival
Taking place 27–28 June, this festival brings together a collection of South African wine estates for a weekend of tasting and winter Winelands atmosphere.

The schools are closing.

The university holidays have started.

Thousands of students have disappeared.

Parents are no longer doing the school run.

The roads should be empty.

And yet...

There is still absolutely no parking in Stellenbosch.

The other day I thought I'd pop into Meraki for a quick coffee and an hour of work. Simple enough. Schools were closed. Students were gone. The town felt quieter.

Fifteen minutes later I was still driving around the block.

At first I was annoyed.

Then I looked around and realised something.

I wasn't stuck in traffic.

I was the traffic.

Me and about 47 other Stellenbosch residents were all slowly circling the same few streets like vultures looking for a parking spot. Every time someone put on an indicator, six cars would suddenly appear from nowhere and begin following them with the intensity of a wildlife documentary.

You know the feeling.

Someone walks towards a parked car and suddenly half the town becomes interested in their movements.

"Are they leaving?"

"No."

"They were just fetching something from the boot."

Back around the block we go.

At this point I'm convinced parking in Stellenbosch obeys different laws of physics. It doesn't matter whether it's term time, holidays, a public holiday, a long weekend or the middle of a thunderstorm.

There are always exactly three more cars than parking bays.

Nobody knows where they come from.

Nobody knows where they go.

But they're always there.

Life becomes much harder when there is no reason to get out of bed in the morning.

We all want happiness, comfort and freedom, but those things alone rarely provide lasting meaning. Meaning comes from having a purpose. It comes from being responsible for something bigger than yourself. A family. A business. A community. A cause. A goal worth pursuing.

The truth is that life will bring difficult seasons. There will be setbacks, disappointments, loss and uncertainty. The question is not whether those moments will come, but what will carry you through them when they do.

Purpose gives suffering context.

Responsibility gives you a reason to keep moving when you don't feel like it.

People often spend years searching for meaning, when in many cases meaning is found by committing yourself to something worthwhile and taking responsibility for it.

The happiest people are not necessarily those with the easiest lives. They are often the people who know why they are doing what they are doing.

If you feel stuck, perhaps the question isn't "What do I want from life?"

Perhaps the better question is:

"What is life asking of me?"

Monday ☀️
A pleasant winter's day with a mix of sun and cloud. Cool morning, comfortable afternoon.
High: 19°C | Low: 13°C

Tuesday 🌦️
A few light morning showers are possible before clearing later. Slightly cooler and breezy.
High: 17°C | Low: 11°C

Wednesday ⛅
Dry weather returns with some sunshine and passing cloud.
High: 18°C | Low: 10°C

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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