Cake decorating is a skilled art and while many people are fairly confident with baking and icing, the finishing touches are what bring it all together. 

Perhaps the most striking of these are cake toppers which are often playful characters, or designs that enhance the theme of the occasion. 

We recently hosted a baby shower and decided on a 'woodlands' theme. As the cake wouldn't need much icing we decided to undertake that part ourselves, but we needed a cake topper to finish it off.

We did a quick search for 'cake toppers' on Facebook Marketplace and found an artist by the name of Verenique Jones, sent her a picture of a fox, and asked her to make it as a cake topper.  

A few days later the topper was ready and it far exceeded our expectations. Using the clipart picture that we had sent her as a reference, Verenique had crafted the little fox out of fondant, capturing the softness and gentleness of the image. Several little toadstools which were ordered at the last minute were also crafted to add some colour to the cake. 

Verenique is originally from Witbank, Mpumalanga but moved to Hermanus two years ago to work with her family at Biga Artisan Bakery Cafe at the Hemel-en-Aarde Village. She is talented in various art forms but her first love is painting and as luck would have it, Biga is the ideal setting for her to display her array of skills. Her artworks hang inside, several of her lovingly-made, detailed cake toppers are showcased on a shelf, and her murals adorn the walls of the idyllic outdoor seating area.

Verenique’s love for art began at age three when she first began drawing, and when she reached Grade 1 she started taking clay classes. Verenique has had no formal post-school art training apart from attending a short workshop on making cake toppers, but such is her passion for art that she would love to do it full time.

Working at Biga six days per week and being mother to a young child hasn’t deterred Verenique from pursuing her passion in her spare time. Apart from cake toppers, murals and paintings, Verenique also does family and pet portraits, and is also refining her skills in tattooing. 

For more information or to place an order phone 064 413 5634 or email vereniquejones122@gmail.com. To see more of Verenique’s art visit her Facebook page or find her on Instagram (@artbyverenique).

FOR THE CAKE

• 3 x 18cm vanilla sponge cakes from Biga Bakery

• Cream cheese frosting

Cream cheese frosting recipe

Ingredients

• 113g unsalted butter

• 226g brick style cream cheese

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 2 to 4 cups powdered sugar depending on taste

Method

1. Combine the butter and cream cheese in a bowl and beat until creamy, well-combined, and lump-free.

2. Add vanilla extract and salt and stir well to combine.

3. With the mixer on low, gradually add powdered sugar until completely combined

FOR THE DECORATIONS

• Cake topper made by Verenique

• 2x sprigs rosemary for ‘trees’

• Bunting (fabric, twine & podge) and 2 sticks

• Greenery for the bottom of the cake

• Wooden disc for cake base (Fynbos Pole Depot)

'Wake up and do it yourself'

In English, the Xhosa word vuk'uzenzele means 'wake up and do it yourself'. This phrase has become the mantra of young local entrepreneur Ayabulela Silwayi, who began his bin cleaning business in high school at the age of 17 in 2017. 

Affectionately called 'Aya' by some of his clients, Ayabulela (now 23 years old) noticed a need for a proper antiseptic bin cleaning service in his neighbourhood in Zwelihle: "I saw that people were using a lot of water to clean their bins, and water is very precious in the Western Cape."

Aya approached some of the people living in his street and offered to clean their bins for a small fee after the garbage truck had been around to collect the rubbish each week. He dressed in old clothes and armed himself with brooms, Sunlight soap, and a 20-litre bucket of water, cleaning bins in his neighbourhood after school hours. 

In 2020, hard lockdown put a stop to Aya's business and only source of income. He approached the municipality and got a permit as an essential worker, which allowed him to continue cleaning bins. 

That same year, Overstrand Municipality put him in contact with the Grootbos Foundation, who invited him to join their Entrepreneurship Programme where young potential entrepreneurs are interviewed for the programme by the Grootbos Foundation before a select group are provided with workplace experience. 

The budding entrepreneurs then complete a business development programme focused on small enterprises and entrepreneurship. Successful small business presentations receive seed funding and mentorship to help start or expand their small businesses. Aya's business, which he has named 'Vuk'uZenzele', was one of these small businesses to receive support in 2021.

Thanks to the seed funding, he was able to buy a power washer as well as new cleaning equipment and protective clothing. Properly equipped, Aya expanded his service area, and his clients now include residents and businesses in Voëlklip, Hermanus CBD, Zwelihle and Onrus. 

Ayabulela walks to all his clients, and his dream is to one day have a vehicle of his own so that he can expand his business into more areas in the Overstrand. He is also looking into other opportunities such as cleaning cars.

Ayabulela charges R50 per bin and cleaning is quick and thorough. He just needs access to an electrical outlet for his power washer, or if its loadshedding, a tap for his hosepipe. You can book bin cleanings with Aya via phone or WhatsApp on 069 299 5918. He works every day except Thursdays and Sundays.

If you would like to support Aya, he and his employee Sinalo are in need of new waterproof PPE/coveralls, as well as disinfectant. Any donations would be greatly appreciated.

Cottage comfort and cookery delights  

Situated near the heart of Onrus, C’est Ça Cottage & Cooking is owned and run by Renée Bryan and her sister, Silwood trained chef Lindi Perrin. Together, they are committed to making your visit both fun and memorable whether it's during a night’s stay in the cottage, or at one of the pop-up dinners or hands-on cooking classes led by Lindi.

Renée and Lindi bought their house in Onrus in 2017 while it was still under construction. They moved to the Overstrand from Johannesburg in 2020 with their mom when Renée’s daughter got accepted to Stellenbosch University. 

When relocating to Onrus, it was important to both sisters that they would have a business opportunity here, and that Lindi would be able to continue in the world of cooking. So after they moved they began renovating the house, living in the cottage on the property, which was mostly completed. As renovations on the house were not too far along, Lindi was still able to redesign and build her dream kitchen where she now hosts her cooking classes.

After moving into the main house, with Renée on the top floor and Lindi on the bottom with her kitchen, the sisters revamped the cottage they had been staying in, converting it into private, free-standing and luxurious self-catering accommodation which is fully equipped for a short or long term stay. 

Once renovations on the cottage and house were completed, Renée and Lindi decided on 'C’est Ça Cottage & Cooking' for the name of their business. This was a nod to their father's house which he had named C’est Ça, which translated to English means “That’s It”. 

While still in high school, it was Lindi’s dream to become a teacher until an alumni came to visit her class to talk about a course at the Silwood School of Cookery in Cape Town. The talk sparked an interest in Lindi, who then undertook a three-year course at the esteemed chef school. 

After completion of the course, Lindi moved back to Johannesburg and found work in a large sports club which featured two restaurants. She then spent some time travelling before working for Renée, who had gone into the world of fitness after school. All the while, Lindi continued to do catering on the side. 

Not long after, a friend of Lindi’s asked her to come and work at her cookery school in Johannesburg, where Lindi was finally able to combine her love of cooking with teaching. She spent seven years there before taking another year off to travel. During this time, Renée went from working for ETA College and HFPA Fitness Academy, to starting her own business called the Institute of Fitness Professionals, which is now one of the top fitness education institutions in the country.

When Lindi returned from her travels, the clients from her friend’s cookery school asked her to continue teaching classes. This she did, alongside training chefs and catering for high-end clients. Shortly thereafter she made the move to Onrus with her family.

Having moved during the pandemic, Renée and Lindi had no way of meeting the people in their community. That is when they came up with the idea of a pop-up restaurant hosted in their home once a month, where strangers could meet each other at a communal table and make new friends. 

Towards the end of 2021, with renovations on the house complete and restrictions more relaxed, Lindi and Renée hosted their first Neighbourhood Nights dinner evening, as well as Lindi’s first cooking class where participants take part in creating dishes which they then enjoy in C’est Ça’s sunroom. Lindi has also been able to focus on her love for growing since moving to Onrus, and frequently uses fresh produce from her garden (which cottage guests also have access to) in her cooking. 

Renée and Lindi are big fans of supporting local and help to fundraise for Izibusiso Foster Home every year. Another organisation that is close to Lindi’s heart is the Overberg Wildfire Volunteers group which they have been doing annual fundraising for since 2022.

The sisters are helped by local resident Stanley, who works on both the cottage and cooking sides of C’est Ça, jumping in wherever he is needed.

To learn more about C’est Ça Cottage & Cooking, www.cestca.co.za.

Winter rains in the Overberg  

By Jenny Parsons

Living in the Overberg we know that we enjoy a Mediterranean-type climate where we experience a cool rainy season and a warm dry season. However, from a fynbos perspective this is largely true only for the extreme western portion of the fynbos floristic region. The winter weather is largely dominated by a succession of cold fronts and between June and August they are almost a weekly occurrence.

This past week we have experienced high winds and torrential rain due to a cold front described as a cut-off low pressure system. This is a phenomenon where a low-pressure area becomes detached from the main jet stream, leading to slow moving or stationary weather patterns. These systems can develop over the ocean and then move inland leading to sudden changes in the weather resulting in significant rainfall, flash flooding and cooler temperatures as witnessed from Stanford all the way up the South and Eastern Cape coast recently.

The question one asks then is, “is the weather patterns of the fynbos biome changing?” Broader trends in global climate change are noticing several significant changes. Firstly, there has been a noticeable rise in average temperature. Secondly, rainfall patterns are changing, and we are experiencing more erratic and less predictable rainfall with intense localised rainfall events. Thirdly, drought frequency and intensity appears to be increasing – we all remember, I’m sure, how close Cape Town was to ‘day zero’ a few years back. Lastly, changes in the fire regimes are possibly related to the warmer and drier periods. The latter is also hugely impacted by unnatural fires induced by human activities.

How do these possible weather patterns impact the fynbos? Warmer conditions can stress plants that are adapted to cooler conditions, while the rainfall variability can impact water availability critical for the survival of some species. Drought conditions stress endemic vegetation and reduced resilience to other stressors like fires which are occurring possibly too frequently. This can result in the loss of plant diversity and the invasion of aliens which can alter ecosystem dynamics.

Winter rains are crucial for the fynbos biome. Protea cynaroides for example relies on moisture from the winter rains to produce its large, showy flowers and to ensure seed production. Many of the Leucadendron species rely on fire to release their seeds and the subsequent winter rains are crucial for the germination and growth of these seeds. The Restionaceae family (Cape reeds) are well adapted to the wet winters and dry summers playing a key role in the ecosystem by stabilising the soil and river channels.

Overall, the changing weather pattern in the fynbos biome underscores the need for adaptive management strategies to conserve this unique and biodiverse ecosystem in the face of climate change. While we may bemoan the long, cold and wet winter days, winter rains are vital for the survival and overall health of the fynbos biome in order to maintain its unique biodiversity and ecological processes. The winter solstice is a couple of weeks away – this is when we have the shortest day and longest night. The days then start to lengthen and before we know it summer is on its way…

Melkbosstrand was buzzing with excitement from 24 to 26 May as the Acro Solo Dance Sport Championships took centre stage. It was a rigorous competition with three rounds, where dancers had to attain certain scores to move forward.

Among the contenders was Ignite Dance Academy, a newcomer to the Western Cape dance scene, having recently established branches in Hermanus and Somerset West. Under the guidance of head coach Lizelle Hurter, Ignite Dance Academy entered eight dancers into the competition who represented both the Overberg and Cape Town districts. 

These dancers cleared each round with flying colours securing spots to represent the Western Cape at the National Acrobatic Solo Sport Championships in July. This remarkable achievement also earned them provincial colours for acrobatic dance.

Their success didn't stop there. Ignite Dance Academy claimed the titles for the highest-scoring junior dancer (levels 1 – 4, all ages) and the highest-scoring senior dancer (levels 5 – 10, all ages), demonstrating their talent and potential. 

Additionally, their dancers dominated the podium, with Hellen Haering, Lia du Toit, Charlotte Masson, and Adriane du Toit taking first place, Cara Minnaar secured second place, and Mila Scott, Lily van Platen, and Ivanka Kruger achieved third place at the Inter-District Championships.

This victory is a testament to Ignite Dance Academy's commitment to excellence. Having previously produced numerous national champions in Pretoria, their expansion into the Western Cape marks a new chapter filled with promise and potential. As they continue to make waves in the dance community, Ignite Dance Academy's future looks bright and promising.

The 12th annual Hermanus FynArts Festival began with a bang on Friday 7 June with a Food and Wine Tasting Experience at Creation Wines on the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge. The award-winning wine estate launched its Winter Journey Pairing Menu to coincide with the start of the festival, and visitors in attendance were also treated to a gorgeous installation by the now local glassblowing company, Red Hot Glass. 

The first day of the festival coincided with the monthly Hermanus First Fridays Artwalk which was followed by the opening orchestral concert under the banner of Richard Cock and featured young South African-born violinist Emmanuel Bach. 

Saturday 8 June saw the first of the workshops, talks, and presentations. In the morning, the FynArts Legacy Award was presented to internationally renowned South African artist, William Kentridge by writer Christopher Hope. This was followed by a workshop at The Wine Glass about the healing properties of indigenous botanicals derived from fynbos and herbs.

During the course of the day, Sculpture on the Cliffs, the Chromatic Clay ceramics exhibit, and the 2024 Festival Artist exhibit were officially opened by various artists and esteemed FynArts guests. The ever-popular ceramic exhibition curated by local Liz Coates was opened by artist Nada Spencer at Windsor Hotel. This was followed by the opening of the Sculpture on the Cliffs at Gearing’s Point, curated by local artist Jaco Sieberhagen. Exhibiting artist Gordon Froud introduced the eleven artists of this outdoor gallery, which will remain until the 2025 FynArts Festival.

The 2024 Festival Artist is acclaimed photographer Mikhael Subotzky whose exhibition, drawing from his early photographic works as well as more recent related collage and works on canvas, was opened at the FynArts Gallery by Bina Genovese, Joint Managing Director of Strauss & Co. All of the FynArts exhibitions will run until 17 June. 

Saturday ended off with a presentation by senior art specialist Marion Dixon, who told the story of artists Sydney Kumalo and Ezrom Legae; a book talk on Penny Haw’s latest historical novel, Woman at the Wheel; and a performance by VOX Cape Town inspired by the unique biodiversity of Hermanus.

Sunday 9 June offered a more relaxed day, starting with a talk by Gordon Froud on eminent artist Diane Victor, known for her uncompromising directness and satirical observations. 

At midday, the Mizar Trio took to the stage in the Municipal Auditorium to explore repertoire from Baroque to Piazzola’s tangos through the unique sounds of their unusual combination of instruments which comprised of flute, cello, and marimba/vibraphone. In the afternoon scientist Mike Bruton presented a talk titled Are Art and Science Good Bedfellows? He argued that these are two of humankind’s most creative endeavours as they are both important agents for change.

Mike’s talk was followed by Bach, Beethoven and Boogie at Curro Hermanus. This performance by the Charl du Plessis Trio and an orchestra of fourteen musicians was conducted by Richard Cock and drew the opening weekend to a close. The show’s programme included arrangements by classical composers, film music, big band jazz and new upbeat arrangements in diverse styles, from rock and boogie to blues.

To view the upcoming events and exhibitions for the rest of the FynArts Festival click here.

Lord’s Taverners South Africa recently presented some new rugby balls to the Black Birds Rugby Club in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. In addition, they also gave the club chairman, Jerome Marthinus, a ball signed by ex-Springbok captain Morne du Plessis. 

Jerome said that it would take pride of place when they build their clubhouse at their new grounds in Karwyderskraal. The donation was inspired by Newton Johnson Vineyards.