SATURDAY 29 AND SUNDAY 30 JUNE
Somerset West: Future brides of the Helderberg are invited to the Blissful Beginnings Bridal Fair hosted by Waterstone Village on Saturday and Sunday. The event promises to be an exquisite showcase of wedding elegance and sophistication, set to captivate brides-to-be and wedding industry professionals alike. Visitors will explore leading names in the bridal and event-planning industry, ensuring a magical experience. Admission is complimentary for all. For more information on the event, send an email to Tamerrin on locallyct@gmail.com.
Somerset West: The Animal Welfare Society (AWS) Helderberg holds its annual general meeting for members at its premises at 42 Reitz Street, at 10:00 on Saturday. Nominations for the 2024-’25 committee and any questions must be submitted in writing to the office no later than Wednesday 26 June. For more information, contact Moira on 021 852 2268.
Faure: An evening of timeless elegance and sensory delight will be presented at the Homestead Wine Lounge at Vergenoegd Löw, with the soothing sounds of contemporary piano music by Riaan Nieuwenhuis, a selection of fine estate wines, delicious local tastes by chef Drikus Brink and his team at Geuwels restaurant and engaging conversations with the farm’s wine experts, including winemaker Vusi Dalicuba and in-house sommelier George Young. The event runs from 18:30 to 21:30 on Saturday. Tickets cost R850 per person; book your place online at vergenoegd.co.za.
Somerset West: The Southey’s Car Boot Sale (Southey’s Thrift & Second-hand Market) returns to Southey’s Vines at 186 Main Road from 08:30 to 14:00. With a variety of stalls to browse, locals can look forward to an exciting day of bargain hunting. To book a stall, contact Hayley via WhatsApp on 076 335 5116.
MONDAY 1 JULY
Somerset West: The South African Depression and Anxiety Group’s (Sadag) local support group for people living with depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder meets every Monday, alternatively, in person at the Coronation Avenue Methodist church at 18:00, and online. For more information and meeting dates and times, contact Rudyard on 021 855 0660 or rudyardh7@gmail.com.
Strand: Die Christelike Afhanklikheidsdiens of Christians Against Drugs (Cad) nooi almal wat probleme met middelafhanklikheid het, na sy byeenkoms om 19:00 in die kerksaal van die NG Strand se Moedergemeente op die hoek van Birkenhead- en Faganstraat. Bel Gerrit by 073 336 3119 of Werner by 082 826 0972 vir enige navrae.
Somerset West: Are you troubled by a loved one’s drinking? Support is available at Al-Anon. Meetings take place every Monday at 19:30 and Thursday at 12:00 noon. For venue details, call 073 624 7547 or 072 610 1872. All calls are treated as confidential.
TUESDAY 2 JULY
Somerset West: Do you want to get fit but hate the gym? Are you looking for a fun way to stay active? Well, then Fit Flower’s Dance Workouts are for you! Join the dance fitness fun at Gympy Gymnastics in Somerset West Business Park on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 18:45 to 19:30. The cost is R100 per drop-in class and R500 for unlimited classes.
WEDNESDAY 3 JULY
Strand: The University of the Third Age (U3A) Helderberg welcomes Margaret Abbott as guest speaker at its monthly meet in the Strand Town Hall at 10:00. Visitors will adopt a very Eastern orientation as Abbott enlightens the audience with her illustrated presentation on “Japanese Gardens: in Japan and around the world”. She will explore the history, principles, elements and mystery behind the apparently simple but evocative designs of Japanese gardens which, she says, are a total manipulation of nature. Abbott and her husband, Geoff, retired to Kommetjie in 2015 after residing in the UK for 26 years. In 2016, she joined the International Women’s Club (IWC) of Cape Town and began her garden adventures as the garden group leader by organising visits to more than 50 private and public gardens in and around the Mother City. During the Covid-19 lockdown she shared her love of gardens and international travel with IWC members on Zoom so they could see and enjoy beautiful gardens from around the world. This became a new career, of presenting lectures to garden clubs and organisations in South Africa, the UK and the USA. She lectured at the UCT Summer School in 2022 and 2023, and has happily retired (again) to Helderberg Village in Somerset West where she has planted an enormous garden. All fees earned go to a small elementary school she and her husband helped start for the children of undocumented workers in the township of Masiphumelele near Kommetjie. This address is not necessarily for gardeners only, but for all who enjoy travel, the arts, history or just simply wish to expand their horizons. Visitors pay R20 at the door. Direct all enquiries to Denise Fourie on 072 211 1173.
THURSDAY 4 JULY
Strand: Gimme Band Shelter pays tribute to the world’s longest-running rock n roll band with Unplugged: A Night of the Rolling Stones’ Music at The Drama Factory at 19:30. Four of the Cape’s top musicians – Jake Gunn, Ruben Gerritz, Lenny Miskin and Wouter Reyneke – will pay homage to arguably one of the most influential bands of all time. Stones followers can expect to hear all their favourites, such as “Jumpin’ Jack Flash”, “Honky Tonk Woman”, “Wild Horses” and more. Tickets cost R220 (standard) and R200 (pensioners and scholars). Visit www.thedramafactory.co.za to book or for further details.
SATERDAG 6 JULIE
Strand: Die boekbekendstelling van Vrystaatstories vind van 11:00 tot 12:00 by Sunset-boekwinkel, 9 Heineckestraat, plaas. Vrystaatstories, geskryf deur die plaaslike outeur Henning van Aswegen, bestaan uit 46 humoristiese en oorspronklike Afrikaanse volksverhale en kinderstories. Kom kuier saam by die boekwinkel en kry jou getekende kopie van die ongelooflike nuwe boek wat ’n ideale geskenk vir Afrikaanssprekende laerskoolkinders is. Die skrywer bied ook ’n Powerpoint-voorlesing aan, met illustrasies, foto’s en sketse van sy vreugdevolle en ongebonde kinderjare langs die magtige Sandrivier in die middel-Vrystaat. Vir navrae, bel die boekwinkeleienaar Udine Joubert by 078 801 8218.
SUNDAY 14 JULY
Strand: After a whirlwind tour of South Africa, The Drama Factory will again present Round of Applause – Reloaded with veteran investigative journalist and comedian Marianne Thamm. The evening of conversation celebrates the strengths of South Africa’s democracy. Thamm has worked as a journalist for more than 40 years and has published widely both locally and abroad. She is currently an associate editor, writer and journalist with the leading online publication. She is an award-winning writer and has now discovered performance journalism in the interests of sanity. Thamm is also a non-executive board member of the Suidoosterfees, mother, dog lover and constant gardener. She is set to delight the audience at the local venue at 16:00. Tickets, at R170 each, can be booked online at www.thedramafactory.co.za.
