SIMON VAN DER STEL FOUNDATION (CAPE TOWN)

P.O. Box 366 Plumstead, 7801E-mail: Website:

Cell: use the organiser’s number listed at the outing - only on day of outing please. Office Tel: 0217947464 office hours only.

  • Bookings made via the email on will be appreciated.All the bookings are done through the secretary, Pat Benbow-Hebbert. Office hours(Mon – Fri 08:30 – 13:00).
  • The Foundation is not responsible for any injuries or loss incurred during outings. Members and their guests take part at their own risk.
  • Please note non-members are charged an additional fee of R25pp for outings booked.
  • Requests for concessions on outings could be discussed with Pat in confidence.
  • Banking details: ABSA Wynberg Branch Code 632005. Account 38019980011 Savings Account Simon van der Stel Foundation. Please state your name in reference column.
  • EFT payments please (cash deposits attract bank fees).
  • Only a limited number of people can be accommodated per outing. You are therefore advised to book early.
  • Cancellation fee: 25%. Cancellations 1 week or less no refund.
  • Take note that the organiser’s cell number is given at each outing. Make use of this service to establish whether an outing will proceed in case of inclement weather or to get directions. Use these numbers onlyon the day of the outing.

PROGRAMME OF OUTINGS: FEBRUARY - JUNE 2019

Tuesday 12 February 2019 at 10:00. Visit the newly restored Lanzerac Hotel, Stellenbosch. R300pp finger lunch included. Limited to 30 persons. No wheelchair access. Organiser: Ian Pretorius (0837181984). Lanzerac is a historic landmark dating back to 1692. The first owner was Isaac Schrijver who planted the very first vineyards. Elizabeth Catherina ‘Kitty’ English bought the property in 1920 and named it Lanzerac,rumoured to be after General Charles Lanzerac – a French General. David Rawdon ushered in an exciting new era when he purchased Lanzerac in 1958, by converting the farm into an elegant hotel. During May 2017, a tragic fire severely damaged the main operational areas of the Hotel and Lanzerac had to close its doors to the public for 13 months. In July 2018 the Lanzerac proudly re-opened its doors to the public. Con van der Colff, who was responsible for the renovations, the sourcing of antiques and the landscaping, kindly agreed to show us around. The visit will be concluded with lunch in the deli courtyard (drinks for own account). Meet: 10:00 at Lanzerac reception. Directions: As you enter Stellenbosch from the N2 via the R310, drive past the station on Adam Tas Rd, this road flows into the R44 (still Adam Tas Rd). Cross Alexander Rd intersection and turn RIGHT at Merriman Ave. Continue straight through circle at Cluver St, you are now in Martinson St (Jan Marais park on right). Just before the vineyards of Lanzerac turn right at Jonkershoek Rd and immediately left into Boschendal Rd. Turn left into Lanzerac Rd and continue to parking lot. Duration:3 hours.

Tuesday 19 February 2019 at 10:00.Tea at historic Mount Pleasant, Newlands.R190 pp. tea & eats included. Limited to 30 persons. No wheelchair access. Organiser: Ian Pretorius (0837181984). Claire Bartman kindly invites us into her recently restored home, Mount Pleasant, which is an unique 1883 crenallated, Victorian-Gothic house. Previous owners include Pieter Lourens Cloete of the well-known Cloete family and newspaper magnate Fred Centlivres, who served as mayor ofRondebosch. The house also served as the German Consulate from 1900 to 1931, and later as the ‘Cape Town Lads’ Hostel. The 1883-date is depicted on the front façade and a very old Magnolia tree can be seen in the garden.Directions: From the M3 (Rhodes Drive), take the Princess Anne Ave/Klipper Rd off ramp and turn right into Newlands Ave. Turn right into Mount Pleasant Rd. The house is on the corner at no 10 Newlands Ave.Parking: in Mount Pleasant Rd. Duration: 2 ½ hours.

Saturday 2 March 2019 at 14:00. Walking tour of Green Point with historian, author and guide Helen Robinson. R75pp. Limited to 20 persons. No wheelchair access. Organiser: Andrew Jones (cell 0829282808). This walk attempts to explain how this area between the sea-shore and the Lion Mountain, previously inhabited by the nomadic Khoi-San people, became a holiday resort for the employees of the Dutch East India Company, in an effort to get away from dusty and often unhygienic Kaapstad. On the walk we shall discuss some of the events which brought about a transformation in Green Point from “woeste veldt” to a prosperous suburb. Meet: at the parking area of the Gallows Hill Traffic Department. Directions:Coming into town from the N1 and N2 come off the elevated freeway in Buitengracht and take the third turnoff to the right into Somerset Road (Prestwich Memorial will be on your left). Pass the Cape Quarter on the left and after the second set of traffic lights turn right into the parking area of the Traffic Dept. Duration: 90 minutes.

Saturday 16 March 2019. 10amWelgelegen and Woolsack on UCT campus with Trevor Thorold. R75pp.Limited to 20 persons. No wheelchair access. Organiser: Andrew Jones (cell: 0829282808).Tour two of the original farmsteads on the slopes of Devil’s Peak that were incorporated into Cecil John Rhodes’ private estate. Herbert Baker was tasked with rebuilding them in the late 19th century (in the Cape Revival Style) and they are now used by the University of Cape Town. Rhodes handed Welgelegen over to John Blades Currey as he and his wife cared for Rhodes when he was still unknown and sickly in Kimberley. The Currey’s lived here until 1979 when the last of their 6 daughters died at the age of 102! Woolsack was intended to house visitors of Rhodes. Rudyard Kipling was a frequent guest here. Meet: in front of Welgelegen. Directions:Take Woolsack Drive off ramp from the M3 (way to Baxter Theatre) and turn left into first road – continue to Welgelegen. Duration: 90 minutes.

Saturday 6 April 2019 at 14:00. Walking tour of Herbert Baker buildings in Cape Town CBD.R75 pp. Limited to 20 persons. No wheelchair access. Organiser: Andrew Jones(cell: 0829282808) Join Andre van Graan for a guided walk around the superb collection of buildings designed by Sir Herbert Baker in central Cape Town. We will start at the St George’s Cathedral, view buildings in Wale Street, Adderley Street, Queen Victoria Street and in the HiddinghCampus. Meet: St George’s Cathedral main entrance on Wale Street facing St George’s Mall. Duration: 2 hours.

Monday 8 April 2019 at 11:00. 60th Anniversary lunch, guided tour and talk at Groot Constantia. R395pp entrance, wine tasting & lunch included. Drinks for own account. No wheelchair access. Organiser: Ian Pretorius (0837181984).The Simon van der Stel Foundation is 60! It is only appropriate that we celebrate this occasion at the heart of Simon’s estate. We have asked David Gibbs to give us an illustrated presentation on the layout and landscaping of the werf. Helen Robinson will fill us in on the social history of the estate during Simon’s time. Followed by a guided tour of the Manor House, wine tasting in the Cloete cellar and a traditional Cape lunch at Jonkershuis. Come celebrate with us! Meet: 11:00 in front of the Manor House. Directions: From the M3 take the Ladies Mile turnoff M39 and drive toward the mountain. At the second set of traffic lights turn left onto Constantia Main Rd M41. Groot Constantia is signposted off to the left at the High Constantia Shopping Centre.

Saturday 11 May 2019 at 09:30. Alphen Hotel & Hohenhort Hotel Constantia. R550pp tea, coffee & scones and drinks & snacks included. Limited to 30 persons. Organiser: Tessa Dingley (082 403 8235). Visit two historic and iconic Constantia Hotels. Enjoy an elegant scone and tea/coffee at the Alphen where Bea Law will talk on the history of Alphen, the family history and the buildings. We will also view some hotel rooms. We then go on to Hohenhort Hotel where we meet at the entrance to the old house. We will tour the hotel to view some rooms, the new villa and gardens. This will follow by drinks and snacks in the Cellars breakfast room facing the garden. Bea Law will give a talk on the history of the Spilhaus family who's home this use to be. Meet: in front of the old double storey Main House at Alphen. Directions: Take Alphen Drive off Constantia Main Rd, turn left into Pieter Cloete Ave and immediately left at the gate of Alphen. Duration: 5 hours.

Friday 17, Saturday 18 & Sunday 19th May 2019. Elgin, Grabouw and Bot River weekend away.R2680pp sharing and singles may be accommodated at a cost of R3300.Full payment on booking and no cancellation refund after 28 February 2019.Limited to 20 people. The rate includes 2 nights bed and breakfast, tea and scones, coffee and biscuits, 1 dinner, two lunches, 3 wine tastings, 1 chocolate and brandy pairing, 10 talks, visit 6 homesteads and 1 mill. Drinks to own account.Organised by Nicci Hoal (0845803162). Our accommodation will be at the historical Houw Hoek Hotel. We will get to learn more about Eskom at the Palmiet Visitor Centre, look at vintage brandy kettles at Oude Molen Distillery and pair chocolates and brandy. At Elgin Vintners we will peruse the 1920 restored house & gardens, savour their wines and hear about thehistory of the farm. We also visit the Elgin Railway Market, Wildekrans Country House, the charming village of Bot River and visit two historical farms namely Compagnes Drift and Goedvertrouw. Back at Houw Hoek, we visit the oldest farm Korteshoven. Sunday we will visit the Goemans and Peter will tell us more about our natural heritage, followed by a visit to Iona for a tour of the restored Herbert Baker house. Meet: at N2 Engen False Bay 1 Stop Garage at Macassar on left of the N2 to receive maps and instructions for the day. It is the 1 stop AFTER the Stellenbosch off ramp (exact details will be forwarded once booked).

Saturday 25 May 2019 at 09:30. Zevenrivieren, Boschendal, Barn & Werf. R195pp. incl. tea, wine tasting (lunch for own account). Limited to 30 persons. No wheelchair access. Organiser: Ian Pretorius (cell: 0837181984).The owners of Zevenrivieren kindly invite us to view their c1790 H-plan Cape Dutch house that is known for its very beautiful Baroque gable. The wine cellar also has a fine pediment gable dated 1810. We then proceed to Boschendal where the historian Tracey Randle will give us a tour and overview of this historic farm. The next stop is a lovely group of 1920’s buildings in Simondium that house Die Meul Bakery and Werf & Barn antique and interior shop. After lunch Vicky Bell will give us a tour of the premises.Meet:09:30 at Zevenrivieren.Note: Allow about 90 minutes travel time.Directions: Drive through Stellenbosch on the Helshoogte Pass towards Franschhoek. Go past Tokara and turn first one right onto Zevenrivieren Rd (sign indicates Oldenberg vineyard and Zevenrivieren Rd) all the way cross the river to a large red gate and high wall on your right.

Saturday 8June2019 at 14:30.Illustrated talk: Behind the Castle – the story of District 6 and Zonnebloem.R50 pp. tea/coffee & biscuits incl. (Sponsored by Conservator Trust). Wheelchair access. Organiser: Andrew Jones (cell: 0829282808) Join popular Author Jim Hislop of Wheatfields and Windmills for an illustrated talk on his new book, Behind the Castle, dealing with the area now covering District Six and Zonnebloem and recounting the varied and vibrant life from the earliest farms to the demise of the area due to the Group Areas Act.Venue: SASNEV. Directions: From the N2 take the M52 off ramp (Raapenberg Rd/Forest Drive) to Pinelands. From Forest Drive turn left into Forest Place, right into Central Avenue and then to 4 Central Square. Parking: in the street. Duration: 1 hour.

Saturday 22 June 2019 at 14:30. Illustrated talk: Tales from Around the Cape.R50pp. tea/coffee & biscuits incl. (Sponsored by Conservator Trust). Wheelchair access. Organiser: Andrew Jones (cell: 0829282808) Gabriel Athiros of Historical Media (who used to publish the Cape Odyssey Newspapers) will give a talk on interesting events, places and oddities of the Cape as if taking a road trip around the Peninsula. All stories are included in his latest book Around the Cape in Eighty Ways. Venue: SASNEV. Directions: From the N2 take the M52 off ramp (Raapenberg Rd/Forest Drive) to Pinelands. From Forest Drive turn left into Forest Place, right into Central Avenue and then to 4 Central Square. Parking: in the street. Duration: 1 hour.