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Good morning, Somerset Westers!
Midweek check-in! The weather has been looking a bit miserable, but we desperately need the rain. Hopefully, it’s at least made somewhat of an impact on our dam levels. Thankfully, the rest of the week is looking quite clear.
Grab a cup of coffee, get comfortable, and let’s get right into today’s Scoop!
Walk Together, Give Back to Helderberg’s Children
The Helderberg’s Wine Secret Is Getting Out
Helderberg Farm Robberies: Another Home Targeted
How a Donkey Trail Helped Change Young Lives
Homes of the Week
Events Happening
Wednesday/Thursday’s Weather
-Karl Berger
NEWS
Walk Together, Give Back to Helderberg’s Children
Early childhood development principals from across the Helderberg are joining forces to raise funds for local non-profit Masikhule. The Masikhule Fun Walk 2026, themed Our Walk, Their Gain, will take place at Paardevlei Precinct on Saturday, 10 October.
Founded by Somerset West resident Léanne Keet in 2005, Masikhule provides training, mentorship and educational resources to ECD centres throughout the Helderberg. Its Early Learning Resource Library serves nearly 60 ECD centres, while more than 3,000 children aged from birth to five are educated and cared for in the preschools it works with each year.
Tickets for the fun walk cost R150 for adults and R75 for children under 13, with proceeds supporting Masikhule's work. Organisers are also looking for volunteers to assist with registration, route marshalling, water stations, entertainment and cleaning up the venue.
Click here: to read more
The Helderberg’s Wine Secret Is Getting Out
The Helderberg’s reputation as a leading South African wine-growing region is being highlighted through two Chardonnays produced by Avontuur Estate, situated on the slopes between Somerset West and Stellenbosch. The area’s cooling ocean influence, varying elevations and ancient soils provide favourable conditions for producing Chardonnay.
Avontuur’s Disa Gorge Chardonnay recently received Double Gold at the Michelangelo International Wine and Spirits Awards and a score of 92 points from wine critic Tim Atkin MW. Its Luna De Miel Chardonnay also received a Gold medal at the Michelangelo awards.
The estate, which has a history stretching back more than 200 years, has also recently redesigned its Cellar Door, where visitors can explore its different wine collections through tastings. The original article was produced in partnership with Avontuur Estate, highlighting the growing recognition of Chardonnay produced in the Helderberg region.
Helderberg Farm Robberies: Another Home Targeted
Police are investigating another house robbery in a farming area of the Helderberg, after four masked men targeted a home in Clearwater Road, Firlands, Gordon’s Bay, at around 20:15 on Thursday, 10 September.
According to Western Cape police, the men entered the residence, tied up the victims and locked them in a bathroom before stealing personal belongings. All four suspects reportedly wore balaclavas, and no arrests have yet been made.
The incident follows a series of similar farm robberies reported across Somerset West, Faure, Raithby and Stellenbosch earlier this year. In those cases, masked suspects also tied up victims before stealing valuables. Police had subsequently increased patrols involving officers and volunteers, with no further similar farm robberies reported locally until the latest incident in Firlands.
How a Donkey Trail Helped Change Young Lives
Erika Calitz, founder of the renowned Donkey Trail in the Swartberg Mountains, will share stories from her life and work at the next U3A Helderberg meeting in Somerset West. The talk takes place at the DR Church Helderberg at 10:00 on Wednesday, 7 October.
Calitz’s career has included time at the Army Military College, military intelligence, journalism and research consulting. She later moved to the remote foothills of the Swartberg, where she became involved in supporting young people in rural communities, particularly fatherless children in Groenfontein and surrounding areas.
Her community work eventually contributed to the establishment of the Donkey Trail, combining rural development with responsible tourism and conservation. During the Somerset West talk, Calitz will explain how the trail came about and share stories from her experiences. U3A Helderberg members enter free, while visitors pay R20 at the door.
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Home 1: Under R2m
Price: R1,400,000
Address: The Huntsman, 1 Macassar Road / Somerset West
Details: 48 m² / 1 Bed / 1 Bath
Built/Completion: Apartment
Parking: 1 Shaded Parking Bay
Extras: Open-plan kitchen and living area, small private balcony, secure residential complex, low-maintenance living, popular Huntsman Estate location, ideal for first-time buyers or investors.
Click here: to check out the full listing
Home 2: Between R2m – R4m
Price: From R4,000,000 (Auction)
Address: Somerset Ridge / Somerset West
Details: 185 m² / 4 Bed / 4.5 Bath
Built/Completion: House (Auction)
Parking: 2 Garages + 2 Parking Bays
Extras: Exclusive mandate, pet-friendly, swimming pool, gas geyser, luxury non-distressed auction, pre-auction offers welcome, auction date: 30 September 2026.
Click here: to check out the full listing
Home 3: Above R4m
Price: R6,250,000
Address: Croydon Olive Estate / Somerset West
Details: 216 m² / 3 Bed / 2.5 Bath
Erf Size: 612 m²
Built/Completion: House
Parking: 2 Garages + 2 Parking Bays
Extras: Secure estate living, study, pet-friendly, garden, water tank, wood fireplace, separate dining room, dedicated braai room, covered wooden deck and views over the olive groves.
Click here: to check out the full listing
Events coming this next week (14-20 Sep)
An Evening With Adele – Margaux Fouché and Kyle Petersen | 19:30, September 16
Location: The Drama Factory, Strand
Description:
Experience the powerful and emotional music of Adele in this special tribute featuring vocalist Margaux Fouché alongside Kyle Petersen. Drawing on her theatrical background and love of storytelling, Margaux brings a heartfelt interpretation to some of Adele’s most memorable songs.
Buckfever Underground | Jantjie Krog | Kobus en die Bomskokbende | 17:00, September 18
Location: Daisy Jones Bar, Stellenbosch
Description:
Get ready for an evening showcasing some of the most exciting names in alternative Afrikaans music as Buckfever Underground, Jantjie Krog, and Kobus en die Bomskokbende take over the Daisy Jones stage.
African Pet Health Summit 2026 | 08:00 September 19 – 14:00 September 20
Location: Protea Hotel Stellenbosch, Techno Park
Description:
The African Pet Health Summit 2026 brings together pet lovers and those interested in natural approaches to animal health and wellbeing for a two-day event in Stellenbosch.
Geology Introductory Workshop | 08:00–16:00, September 19
Location: Helderberg Nature Reserve, Somerset West
Description:
Discover the fascinating stories hidden within rocks during a full-day introductory geology workshop with Andreas Groenewald at the Helderberg Nature Reserve.
Country, Rhythm & Blues | 17:30, September 19
Location: Lourensford Wine Estate, Somerset West
Description:
Set beneath the majestic Helderberg mountains, Country, Rhythm & Blues promises an unforgettable evening of live music in the beautiful gardens of Lourensford Wine Estate.
Waning Moon Walk | 19:30, September 19
Location: Helderberg Nature Reserve, Somerset West
Description:
Experience the Helderberg Nature Reserve after dark on a special Waning Moon Walk. Enjoy views of the Milky Way while discovering some of the reserve’s nocturnal animals along the way.
Events coming up next week (21-27 Sep)
Wilderer Braai Day | 11:30–17:00, September 24
Location: La Grapperia Pizza & Bistro, Spice Route Paarl
Description:
Celebrate Heritage Day with Wilderer at La Grapperia for an afternoon of delicious food, fun activities and live music from Anton Vermelen.
There is a R20 cover charge per person, which will be added to your bill. Reservations are recommended
Lee Cole Live at Triggerfish Brewing | 20:30, September 25
Location: Triggerfish Brewing, Paardevlei, Somerset West
Description:
South African singer-songwriter Lee Cole takes to the Triggerfish Brewing stage for an evening of live music featuring his popular hits, including I Don’t Wanna Wait, Pink Dragons and With or Without You. Tickets are R180 online via Quicket or R220 at the door.
Paarlberg Half Marathon + 5 & 10km Runs | 06:00, September 26
Location: 67 St Francis Avenue, Noorder-Paarl, Paarl
Description:
Lace up your running shoes for the Paarlberg Half Marathon, featuring 21.1km, 10km and 5km distances for runners of different fitness levels.
Potjiekos Competition 2026 | 08:00–15:00, September 26
Location: Sencit Resthaven – Old Age Home, Gordon’s Bay
Description:
Gather your friends, family or colleagues and put your potjie skills to the test at the 2026 Potjiekos Competition. This year’s theme is Boere Sport, with a day of cooking, friendly competition, games and plenty of South African spirit.
Teams can enter either the Professional or Rookie category for R250 per team. Proceeds will support vulnerable members of the community over the age of 60.
Salsa on the Bay | 19:00, September 26
Location: Gordon’s Bay Yacht Club, Gordon’s Bay Harbour
Description:
Turn up the heat with Salsa on the Bay at Gordon’s Bay Yacht Club. Enjoy live music by Ernesto, a dance floor, dinner and plenty of salsa vibes, with a Best Dressed prize for whoever brings the most Latin flair.
Tickets are R230 for members and R260 for non-members, with dinner included. Dress code: A Splash of Salsa.
Creedence – A Clearwater Revival | 20:30, September 26
Location: Die Boer, Durbanville
Description:
Relive the legendary music of Creedence Clearwater Revival with Creedence – A Clearwater Revival, a tribute celebrating the iconic songwriting and unmistakable sound of one of America’s great rock bands.
