NewsBank (Bolander)

The winners of the fourth annual Essence of Vergelegen photography competition were announced at a prize-giving ceremony on Wednesday, July 1, with nearly 500 entries celebrating the beauty of the historic Somerset West wine estate through black-and-white photography.

Annerie Senekal has been appointed curator of the Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden (SUBG), becoming the first woman to hold the position in the garden's history.

Just nine days before the biggest tournament of her school hockey career, Sarah-Ellen Groenewald received news that would have sidelined many athletes.

If you're looking for a meaningful way to spend your 67 minutes this Mandela Day, celebrity chef Jenny Morris wants you in the kitchen.

The Sustainability Institute (SI) is marking 10 years of providing bursaries to children in the Lynedoch Valley outside Stellenbosch, a programme it says has helped dozens of young people access quality education despite the challenges of intergenerational poverty.

The Plant an Oak project in Stellenbosch continues to restore the town’s urban tree canopy, with new trees planted across several streets in the central business district and more scheduled for planting in the coming weeks.

A shoulder injury that required surgery less than a year ago has done little to slow Stellenbosch University student Joshua Glyn-Cuthbert, who heads into this year's Berg River Canoe Marathon as one of the favourites to claim the coveted title.

Music lovers in the Helderberg can look forward to an afternoon of opera, Broadway classics and South African favourites when acclaimed soprano Zanne Stapelberg performs at Helderberg Village later this month.

A newly launched community knitting initiative in Klapmuts is bringing residents together to support charitable causes while encouraging social connection among older people.

As winter’s peak brings the challenges of life on the streets into sharp focus, Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has endorsed a new cashless initiative aimed at transforming how residents support the homeless.

Families taking a stroll through their local park, walking in nearby forests, or even spending time in their own gardens are being urged to keep a close eye on curious children and pets this winter, as health officials warn that eating wild mushrooms could have fatal consequences.

A remarkable true South African story of courage and resilience will come to life on stage when Immortal is performed at The Drama Factory next month.

Aspiring drivers in Drakenstein now have free access to a learner's licence study guide aimed at helping applicants better prepare for South Africa’s computerised learner’s licence test.

Five suspects have been arrested following an attempted business robbery that ended in a shoot-out with police at a chain retail store in Neuenbosch, Stellenbosch, on Sunday evening.

Animal Rescue Organisation (ARO) veterinarian Dr Esté Spies is celebrating her 40th birthday this month by launching a Mandela Day fundraising campaign to help provide sterilisations for animals in vulnerable communities.

The memorial concert in honour of acclaimed Cape Town jazz pianist and composer Abdullah Ibrahim at ArtsCape Opera House celebrated a life and musical legacy that continues to resonate far beyond South Africa’s borders.

Farmers in the Cape Winelands are being encouraged to replace paper-based record-keeping with digital technology as the agricultural sector looks for ways to improve productivity, reduce administrative burdens and make better use of farm data.

The Western Cape High Court has dismissed an application by the Stellenbosch Interest Group (SIG) seeking to halt the controversial Botmaskop residential estate, ruling that environmental approvals granted for the development remain valid and that the civic organisation waited far too long to challenge key decisions.

Professor Karin Theron has retired from Stellenbosch University after 36 years of service, bringing to a close a career that helped shape South Africa’s horticultural industry and paved the way for women in agricultural science.

Masikhule is inviting members of the Helderberg community to take part in its annual Cast On 4 Kids initiative ahead of Mandela Day by knitting, crocheting or donating handmade items for young children attending more than 70 early childhood development (ECD) centres.

Michelle Engelbrecht, founding director of the Somerset West Community Association

The future of Root44 Market has been thrown into uncertainty after its operators announced that it will close until further notice.

Pupils at False Bay Primary School in Macassar now have access to a new computer learning hub following the official opening of the facility on Friday, June 26.

Suid-Afrika se perdewedren-geesdriftiges is weer op pad na Durban om ñ jaarlikse afspraak na tekom.

Move over, influencers. For nearly two weeks, Cape Town's biggest celebrity was a four-legged Fox Terrier named Pepper.

Several Western Cape tourism organisations have been recognised for their commitment to sustainable and community-focused tourism at the 2026 WTM Africa Responsible Tourism Awards, held in Cape Town during World Travel Market Africa last week.

The Helderberg community is invited to honour Nelson Mandela’s legacy by helping Stone Soup prepare and distribute warm, nutritious meals to children and vulnerable families in Sir Lowry's Pass this Mandela Day.

Comedian Marc Lottering returns to the stage this month with his latest stand-up show, ANKLE MARC, at Die Boer Theatre Restaurant in Durbanville on Tuesday, July 14, and Wednesday, July 15, at 8.30pm.

Two security guards were wounded after gunmen opened fire on the minibus taxi they were travelling in at the corner of Broadway and Strand Main Road in Strand on Tuesday morning, June 30.

While many young entrepreneurs struggle to grow their businesses alone, Kayamandi fashion designer Luxolo Cakata is determined to turn challenges into opportunities as he works to expand his clothing business and create jobs for other young people.