Bringing a fresh burst of energy to Stanford, Oh!Padel opened its doors earlier this month in Kleine Street behind the Overberg Honey Company. Just minutes from the village centre, the new indoor padel courts offer locals and visitors a welcoming space to meet, play, and enjoy a sense of community on and off the court.

Founded by Lindi and Heidi, two locals with a shared passion for sport and community, Oh!Padel aims to make the sport accessible to Stanford and the surrounding communities as well as visitors and tourists, with facilities designed for everyone, from first-timers to seasoned competitors.

“At Oh!Padel, our goal is simple: to bring people together through the joy of padel,” says founders, Lindi and Heidi. “We’re not just opening a sports venue, we’re building a welcoming community where fun comes first, teamwork wins, and everyone can feel part of something bigger.”

In addition to its state-of-the-art courts, Oh!Padel includes a Padel Pro Shop and the Oh!Yum coffee and snack truck, creating a space for both play and relaxation.

Aligned with Oh!Padel’s values of fun, teamwork, professionalism, community spirit, and learning, the venue will also host group sessions, open days for locals, and specials throughout the year to encourage more people to experience the sport.

Padel is a fun, fast-paced racket sport that blends elements of tennis and squash. Played in doubles on a smaller, enclosed court, it uses solid, stringless rackets and follows tennis-style scoring. What sets the sport apart is its emphasis on strategy and teamwork rather than power. Easy to learn and highly social, it’s perfect for all ages and skill levels. The game has taken the world by storm, with exponential growth and over 25 million players globally.

Players can effortlessly reserve a court at Oh!Padel in Stanford through the global Playtomic app or website. If you don’t have your own gear, rackets are available to hire on-site. The facility features private, secure off-street parking, bathrooms with showers, and wheelchair-accessible amenities. 

Oh!Padel is open seven days a week, from 07:00 to 21:00. For updates, events, and more, visit www.ohpadel.club or follow @ohpadel_club on Instagram.

Padel for first-timers

What to bring

Wear comfortable activewear and good grip shoes. Rackets are available to rent or buy on site.

How to book on the app

Download the Playtomic app, create an account / sign in, click on ‘Book a court’, search for ‘Oh!Padel Club Stanford’, and select your preferred date and time

How to book on the website

Visit www.playtomic.com/padel-courts, search for ‘Oh!Padel Club Stanford’, click ‘Book Now’, select your preferred date and time, and create an account or sign in.

Tanzanites & Diamonds of Hermanus (TDH) is celebrating 25 years of business this year, offering exquisite jewellery, expert service, and a personal touch that keeps clients coming back. Over the past quarter-century, the boutique has grown from a small family-run shop into a trusted destination for those seeking quality jewellery, gemstones, and bespoke designs. At the helm is Liz Huysamen, whose attention to detail and warm approach have made TDH a place where clients feel truly welcome, whether they’re selecting a timeless diamond piece, designing a custom engagement ring, or indulging in a special treat.

Liz was born in Caledon and raised in Hermanus, where she grew up in a family dedicated to service. Her mother taught at Hermanus Primary School, while her father worked as an engineer for the municipality. Following in her mother’s footsteps, Liz pursued teaching after school, and returned to Hermanus Primary as a Grade 4 teacher. In 2000, her brother, a chartered accountant living in Cape Town, purchased De Beers of Hermanus. During school holidays and on weekends, Liz began helping in the shop, bringing her warm and approachable manner to every customer. 

Two years later, the jewellery shop moved to its current premises at Shop 17a, Royal Centre in Hermanus Main Road, providing a more spacious environment for clients. In 2004, after 18 years in education, Liz decided to dedicate herself fully to the jewellery business. 

She expanded her expertise through formal courses in gemstone and diamond identification, jewellery valuation, and redesigning – gaining the skills to offer clients informed and personalised service. Over time, Liz became the face of the shop and in 2017, the business was rebranded as Tanzanites & Diamonds of Hermanus, reflecting its focus on rare gemstones and the broadening range of services offered. Today, TDH offers a wide range of jewellery for all tastes and budgets, working with gold, silver, and platinum. From classic diamond pieces to striking tanzanites, and from delicate everyday jewellery to statement designs, there is something to suit every style. 

Beyond the pieces themselves, Liz and her team provide services that set the boutique apart. These include valuations, repairs, resizing, alterations, and custom-made engagement rings. Every piece is treated with care and attention, ensuring that it not only meets exacting standards of quality but also carries personal significance for the client.

What distinguishes TDH is Liz’s dedication to client satisfaction. She has nurtured a loyal base of returning customers, many of whom have been visiting for years. Her philosophy is simple: “I aim to keep clients happy.” 

Liz enjoys working with clients to design custom pieces, combining their vision with her expertise to create jewellery that tells a story. From engagement rings that capture a couple’s journey to heirlooms redesigned for a new generation, every creation is approached with care, attention, and an understanding of its personal significance. Her dedication, skill, and connection to her community have made the boutique a trusted and treasured part of Hermanus.

TDH is open Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 16:45 and Saturdays from 09:00 to 13:30. You can call 028 312 4074 with any queries. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram for more photos and specials. Images © Local Life

By Jenny Parsons

Among the sweeping slopes of the Cape mountains where proteas catch the light, ericas add colour, and flowers scent the air, a quiet choreography unfolds each day. Butterflies drift between blooms, and then as dusk falls, moths take their turn. All are silent, purposeful and essential. These delicate insects, often overlooked next to bees or birds, are powerful agents of pollination, regeneration, and balance. In the fynbos, the smallest but most biodiverse floral kingdom on earth, they help sustain the very web of life that defines this landscape.

Butterflies and moths belong to the order Lepidoptera, meaning “scale-winged.” Each wing is covered in tiny scales that refract light into dazzling colours or subtle camouflage. There are approximately 4000 butterflies and 7000 moth species in South Africa. The fynbos is a hotspot where nature has shaped a complex evolutionary dance between flowers and their winged visitors. 

Butterflies and moths go through a few changes in their lifetime. Butterfly eggs become hungry caterpillars (larva) which eventually pupate (like putting themselves in sleeping bags) and transform into the magnificent adult butterfly which emerges and flutters off to start the life-cycle again. 

Butterflies and moths are not only pollinators but also play a role in nature’s food chain. Caterpillars are eaten by birds and butterflies are eaten by flycatchers, bats, geckos and even some carnivorous plants (Drosera species). To survive this constant threat, many species have evolved ingenious defences. 

The Garden Acraea stores toxins (cyanide) making them distasteful to birds. Other butterflies and moths rely on mimicry or “eye-spots” to confuse predators such as the Emperor Moth whose caterpillars can be seen on proteas (especially when they ‘prune’ the leucospermum species). Beauty in nature is rarely without purpose!

Pollination is one of the most vital services butterflies and moths perform. With their long, coiled proboscis, they can reach deep into tubular flowers, carrying pollen from one bloom to another. In the fynbos, where flowers are famously selective, these insects play irreplaceable roles. The Table Mountain Beauty (Aeropetes tulbaghia), for instance, is one of the few insects capable of pollinating the Red Disa. This orchid is found along cool mountain streams and would not survive without this butterfly. 

Nocturnal moths perform equally vital work. Hawk moths visit pale, night-scented flowers like Brunsvigia and Green Wood orchid. Their long tongues and night vision make them perfectly suited to these blooms.

Protecting butterflies and moths is vital as they are sentinels of change and are sensitive indicators of environmental health. Their survival depends on climate, plant availability, and clean habitats so shifts in their populations often reflect broader ecological changes. Monitoring butterflies and moths has become a valuable tool for understanding climate change, invasive alien plants, and altered fire cycles that are reshaping the Cape landscape. In the fynbos, researchers have observed mountain species retreating to higher altitudes as temperatures rise, while other species are expanding into new areas as rainfall patterns change.

Conservation organisations like the Lepidopterists’ Society of Africa are working to document and protect vulnerable species. Citizen scientists now play an active role through monitoring and observations. Avoiding pesticides, allowing caterpillars to pupate, planting both nectar and host plants are simple steps that can make a real difference. In doing so, we weave ourselves into the larger ecological story – one of coexistence, beauty, and renewal.

With more than two decades in the food industry, Madré Bester has built a reputation for honest cooking and for bringing people together over good food. Now, with her latest restaurant, Madré Stanford, which opened just over a year ago, she brings those same values to life, celebrating local produce and seasonal flavours.

Born in Natal, Madré relocated with her family to Wellington, where they ran a farm alongside the Berg River. As she got older, she developed a passion for wine and storytelling which led to a role in marketing at Kleine Zalze in Stellenbosch.

In 2001, Madré moved to Stanford, drawn to its slower pace and natural beauty – a place where she could paddle, garden, and cook. Three years later, she opened Madré’s Kitchen on the Sir Robert Stanford Estate (recently renamed Landskein Wines), where The Zesty Lemon now stands.

Madré’s sense of authenticity combined with her farm upbringing became central to her food philosophy: ingredients always taste best when fresh, sourced locally, and enjoyed in season.

After a decade of success, Madré decided to leave her restaurant at Sir Robert Stanford in 2014. Not long after, she met her husband Morné. Together they have a ten-year-old daughter and a faithful dog named Georgie, who spends his days getting scratches from guests at Madré Stanford.

In that same year, a chance meeting at Woolworths in Hermanus led her to a new chapter. Elsabé Nauta asked her to help open Manor House Restaurant in Stanford, where Madré stepped in as consultant. The restaurant quickly flourished and in 2016 Madré left, turning her attention to The Eatery in Hermanus, which she purchased from Julia Bailey. Madré sold The Eatery in 2018, planning to leave the restaurant world altogether to focus on catering, but life had other plans. 

Mariana’s, a well-known restaurant in Stanford, became available and Madré fell in love with the peaceful and welcoming space. She decided to open her own restaurant once more, and it quickly became a beloved local gem, known for its fresh, seasonal dishes and relaxed atmosphere. 

When the property was later rezoned to residential in 2024, she found herself once again at a crossroads. That same year, the space which was previously home to TAT, a family-run interior shop specialising in vintage pieces and collectibles, became available. Though it had never been used as a restaurant before, Madré saw its potential. 

With the help of the property’s owners, she transformed it into Madré Stanford, a restaurant and shop that opened on 1 August 2024. Inspired by the simplicity of the Karoo, Madré incorporated elements of TAT’s vintage furnishings, which lend the space its signature warmth and character. 

Madré’s menu continues to embrace a farm-to-table ethos, sourcing ingredients from local suppliers such as Sondagskloof for vegetables, Bardskeerdersbos for trout, a special coffee blend from Mikro Coffee Co in Hermanus, and teas from Christine Stevens in Stanford. Her wine list highlights mostly Overberg wines, reinforcing her commitment to regional flavours. The restaurant’s shop also offers a carefully curated selection of local and African products, including ceramics, baskets, candles, homemade jam, and honey.

The menu evolves with the seasons, and features a variety of gluten-free and plant-based dishes alongside cakes baked in-house. Madré is also cultivating her own berries and citrus in the restaurant garden, which she plans to incorporate into future dishes.

Madré’s reputation speaks for itself, and her country-style cooking is both heartfelt and refined. While her restaurant recently earned an Eat Out Star, her focus remains, as always, on the food, community, and a love for everything sustainable. She continues to cook with the same sincerity, creativity, and generosity as she did more than two decades ago.

Madré Stanford is open Wednesday to Sunday from 8:00 to 16:00, with dinner service on Friday evenings (hours change according to season). Private functions are also welcome. To make a booking, contact Madré on 082 901 4254, or simply drop in if you’re in the area. You’ll find the restaurant at 11 Queen Victoria Street.

Excitement is building for the inaugural Mthimkhulu Kleinmond Kleine Kunstefees (MKKK), taking place from 31 October to 2 November. This vibrant festival blends arts, literature, and community engagement, offering entertainment as well as a celebration of social impact through creative expression. 

The festival opens at 20:00 on the Friday at The Shed in Kleinmond Harbour with the award-winning play My Fellow South Africans by Mike van Graan, featuring Kim Blanché Adonis. Attendees will be able to engage with celebrated artists, writers, and thinkers, including Diana Ferrus, Frazer Barry, Frank Meintjies, Jeremy Vearey, Toni Stuart, Vusumuzi Mpofu, and Winslow Schalkwyk. Activities include writing and art workshops, art exhibitions, and a sunset picnic and jol.

Elaborating on the significance of MKKK, acclaimed writer Frank Meintjies adds: “The festival is a welcome boost to the sterling efforts of social and cultural organisations in Kleinmond and a chance to grow the remarkable energy and connections happening in our dorp.”

Driven by a mission to impact the community through the arts, MKKK supports local organisations while fostering shared cultural experiences. Tickets are available online via Quicket. For enquiries contact Chris on 084 721 5438 or Joan Darries at joan@grailprogrammes.org.za. 

The annual People, Pets & Pinotage Festival took place on 18 October at Wildekrans Wine Estate in Bot River. Now in its second year, the festival celebrates the estate’s renowned Pinotage wines, the local community, and the special bond between people and their dogs.

Upon arrival, participants were welcomed with a glass of sparkling wine and a bag of dog biscuits before embarking on a leisurely 5 km walk through the estate’s vineyards. Along the way, they enjoyed tastings of Wildekrans’ signature Pinotage wines and met some of the estate’s friendly resident animals.

Delicious food options were available throughout the day, and guests had the opportunity to purchase their favourite wines to take home. Live music added to the festive atmosphere, creating a relaxed backdrop for visitors to enjoy the surroundings. 

The Wildekrans team expressed their gratitude to all attendees, volunteers, and sponsors who made the event a success, and they look forward to welcoming everyone again for the next edition of the People, Pets & Pinotage Festival, promising even more fun, food, and festivities. 

BY DR MATTHEW GERMISHUIZEN

Post-doctoral Researcher

University of Pretoria MRI Whale Unit

Most people are lucky to catch only a fleeting glimpse of a whale, a puff of mist on the horizon, the curve of a dark back slipping beneath the waves, or, if fortune smiles, the flash of a tail and the crash of 40 tonnes of whale muscle on the sea.

Here in Hermanus, though, between June and November these moments are part of our everyday life. Each winter-spring, southern right whales return to Walker Bay, transforming our shoreline into one of the best whale-watching spots in the world. But beyond the wonder and photo opportunities lies a deeper story, one that links our town to the far-off, frozen edges of the Antarctic.

Southern right whales got their name from whalers who called them the “right” whales to hunt due to their slow and predictable behaviour, and the fact that they are buoyant when killed. These desirable traits resulted in their near extinction by the late 19th century. Thanks to global protection, their numbers have been recovering. Yet recovery doesn’t equal safety. These whales are what scientists call capital breeders: mothers must store vast reserves of energy while feeding in the Southern Ocean, then draw on those reserves during pregnancy and while nursing calves in our warmer waters.

If the Southern Ocean’s food supply falters, reproduction slows down, meaning fewer calves are seen from our cliffs each spring. In this way, the whales act as living barometers of ocean health. The MRI Whale Unit has led South African-based right whale research for more than half a century. Since 1969, annual aerial surveys have tracked mothers and calves along the Cape coast, building one of the longest-running datasets on any whale species. But after 2009, we noticed worrying changes. Females were giving birth less often, every four or five years instead of three. Many were thinner, and chemical markers showed they were feeding further north than before. These clues point to shifting ocean conditions in their feeding grounds thousands of kilometres away.

To understand why, we have combined this long-standing dataset of their reproductive success with environmental data and satellite tracking data. The results are sobering; sea-ice in key feeding areas has dropped by 15-30%, reducing habitat for Antarctic krill, the tiny crustaceans that whales depend on.

Some whales are now foraging in mid-latitude waters near ocean fronts, where warm and cold currents meet and food is patchy. It’s a risky shift for mothers that rely entirely on stored energy to raise their young. Fewer calves along the South African coast are not just a local conservation issue; they are a signal of global change. The Southern Ocean plays a crucial role in regulating Earth’s climate, absorbing carbon and heat. When its balance shifts, it affects weather, fisheries, and ecosystems worldwide. Our whales are effectively telling us that the ocean is changing faster than they can adapt. Protecting them, and the marine systems they represent, is inseparable from protecting our own future.

When the whales arrive each winter and the town fills with excitement, take a moment to reflect on the journey they’ve made. From the icy Southern Ocean to the rocky shores below our cliffs, their story connects us to the pulse of the planet. These giants are not only part of Hermanus’s identity; they are messengers from a changing ocean. Their survival depends on the health of the seas, and ultimately, so does ours. Image © MRI Whale Unit

BY HASHER FAMILY WINES

The exceptional wines of the Hemel-en-Aarde are products of a unique terroir. But there's another crucial element behind their quality: the valley's remarkable commitment to environmentally responsible farming practices.

The winegrowers of Hemel-en-Aarde understand that excellence in wine begins with respecting the land. This philosophy is evident in the innovative sustainable farming methods. At Hasher Family Wines, a pioneering approach to pest management has eliminated the need for chemical pesticides. Their team of runner ducks serves as natural snail control specialists, patrolling the vineyards with remarkable efficiency. This approach is complemented by the introduction of endemic wasps that naturally control other pest populations. 

Throughout the valley, winegrowers have embraced cover cropping, planting complementary vegetation between vine rows, which serves multiple purposes. These plants prevent soil erosion during heavy winter rains, retain moisture in the hot summer months, and naturally enrich the soil.

Many estates have moved towards permanent cover crops featuring nitrogen-fixing legumes that naturally fertilise the soil and eliminate the need for chemical additives. Others have transitioned to mechanical weeding methods, abandoning chemical herbicides entirely in favour of more sustainable alternatives.

This focus on soil health reflects a growing understanding that living soils produce more expressive, terroir-driven wines. By nurturing the microbial life below ground, winegrowers create healthier vines more resistant to disease and more capable of expressing the unique characteristics of the valley.

The valley's commitment to sustainability extends well beyond vineyard practices. Five Hemel-en-Aarde wineries – Hamilton Russell Vineyards, Bosman Hermanus, Bouchard Finlayson, Creation Wines, and Hasher Family Wines – have earned recognition as WWF Conservation Champions, a prestigious certification that acknowledges their exceptional commitment to conservation and sustainable production.

Sustainability in Hemel-en-Aarde encompasses more than just environmental concerns – it extends to the people who call the valley home. Creation Wines and Hamilton-Russell Vineyards exemplify this holistic approach by providing high-quality education and support services to children and families living in the valley. The Hemel-en-Aarde Valley Pre-School was inaugurated by Hamilton-Russell Vineyards in 1996, and Creation Wines supports the Pebbles Hemel-en-Aarde Education Project.

What makes the Hemel-en-Aarde approach to sustainability particularly impressive is its collaborative nature. Rather than working in isolation, the valley's winegrowers share knowledge, resources, and a unified vision of environmental stewardship. This collective effort demonstrates that fine wine production and environmental responsibility are not competing interests but complementary goals. 

For wine lovers, this means that each glass of Hemel-en-Aarde wine represents not just a moment of pleasure but a taste of a more sustainable future. One where excellence and environmental responsibility go hand in hand.

By Barbara Hayn

And so it came to pass that my daughter Taylum, more commonly known as the editor of Local Life, got married. It all started when Taylum gave me a handmade card asking me to be her wedding planner. For Taylum of course the start is different. For her, the handmade card was preceded by the “Will you marry me?”, the “Yes!”, and the “Jandré and I are engaged”. I think she would probably like me to add a few words about the engagement but I wasn't there and I've never been very good at seeing other people's perspectives, let alone writing about them.

I accepted the invitation to be her wedding planner eagerly, excited that I would be able to let my creative side out. We visited the venue to take some photos, and while there, I made some suggestions to Taylum for decor and layout. I needn't have bothered. Taylum, her own unhinged excitement released, already had ideas for everything.