On Friday May 18th worldwide community of museums will celebrate International Museum Day. The theme for 2012 is Museums in a Changing World: New challenges, New inspirations. This seems especially relevant to our Museum van de Caab, situated on Solms-Delta Estate. Not only have we documented and explored our challenges on this farm – the bitter legacy of colonial dominance and Apartheid – but we have actively tried to redress the pressing social and economic problems facing our farm community in the present day in innovative ways.

Farm workers represent one of the most vulnerable and marginalized groups of workers in South Africa. We have been committed to transforming the lives of the farm community that resides and works on the property through the provision of modern housing, fair labour conditions, proper health services, a myriad of social, educational and cultural development programmes, and most especially the co-ownership of the farm by the workers themselves. To this end the museum is staffed by local farm residents. And it seems that both local and international audiences are interested in our past as well as our present as we attracted 30 000 visitors in 2011 alone.

In the process of creating the Museum van de Caab, everyone involved (owner, farm workers, museum staff) whatever their cultural and ethnic background, faced this history together. The museum tells the story of the long human occupation of this one, typical old Cape farm, from the beginnings of human settlement to the establishment of private ownership through colonial viticulture, through the scars left by slavery and apartheid, to the establishment of a democratic South Africa and the transformation that followed.

It never occurred to us that through highlighting our shared histories and cultural heritage, our museum could have a visible impact on the development of our community in the present day. This is especially the case with our music project. In 2007 we embarked on a Cape music project which aimed to document and interpret the musical traditions of the Cape interior as well as to identify local (mainly rural) musicians who played in the Cape vernacular styles.

As a spinoff of this research project a music education programme was initiated on the farm, which benefited our own farm workers as well as those living on nearby farms. It was instantly obvious that the participants were transformed by this positive reclamation of their culture, and that it was an extremely powerful tool for psychological transformation. It proved to be a particular catalyst for transcending the artificial racial divisions created by Apartheid. The music of the Cape turns out to be something owned by us all! From our common recognition of this pre-Apartheid reality, an inclusive sense of South-African-ness is joyously re-emerging.

So how will our Museum commemorate this International Museum Day? As always we will be open and honest about the challenges we have and continue to face, but we will also take the time to celebrate some of the ways we have tried to overcome those challenges, and the amazing achievements of our farm people in changing their own lives.

From Friday 18th to Sunday 20th of May we will be offering social tours of our farm at 11am for R40 which includes a complimentary wine tasting. Our Fyndraai Restaurant will be offering freshly made scones with tea, cream and home-made jam for R25. Booking for either the social tour or the tea is essential. Contact the Museum: 021 8743937 (ext. 135) or museum@solms-delta.co.za; or Fyndraai restaurant 021 874 3937 (ext. 115) or restaurant@solms-delta.co.za.

Click here to read our May 2012 Newsletter!

The “Agurkie”, Horned cucumber, has an unusual looking fruit.  When ripe it has a yellow-orange skin and a lime green flesh containing soft edible seeds. Mature fruits have a sweet flavour and texture similar to cucumbers. These fruit can be peeled and eaten raw or used in soups, salads and stews. For a thirst-quenching drink add lime or lemon juice, sugar and orange liqueur to the Agurkie juice.

Some species can be extremely bitter.  We are still trying to propagate the more edible, sweet variety.

They relaxed when they saw a band of happy farm children gathered round the fire truck all singing “Stop, Drop and Roll.” No, no, wait before you accuse the Stellenbosch fire department of trying to make a few extra bucks by putting on pop concerts on farms! In spite of the fun, this was an important educational exercise aimed at teaching children (and adults of  course) to avoid being badly burnt through a candle or primus stove overturning in a small space.

It is a matter of record that hospitals are filled with children that have fallen in open fires or have overturned boiling water or oil in a pan over themselves. Or of adults suffering burns from exploding gas cylinders or paraffin lamps.

The fire department education sector has developed an excellent mantra to chant that they teach the children. First, stop. Don’t run if your clothing is on fire. Then drop. Fall to the ground on your knees and then your back. Lastly, roll. Roll over and over to put out the flames.

When the charming educationist fell down to demonstrate the technique the young audience fell about laughing. But soon they were all dropping and rolling as they internalized the message.  Then, as a reward the fireman sprayed foam on the grass round the basketball court and the children got very wet and, well, foamy, as they slipped and slid….of course, after stopping, dropping and rolling.

By: John van Zyl

The serious 10km runners, in their latest neon-coloured gear, sprinted out from the start vying for a good position, followed by the more leisurely paced joggers and walkers. The course is flat and fast, but this is no ordinary running race. As you make your way along the sandy paths you hear strains of brass music floating towards you over the vineyards.  At first you may think that it is just your imagination playing tricks on your mind, due to an early start, no breakfast and that delicious glass of Cape Jazz Shiraz you drank instead of water at the last pit stop.  But you would be mistaken, as there between the vines are real musicians, playing some lively tunes to spur you on your way.

At the finish the runners and walkers, with medals around their necks,  gathered under the marquee to warm up.  While waiting for prize-giving,  they were entertained by the up-beat, toe-tapping music of the Solms-Delta choir, the Soetstemme.  It is impossible not to move to the rhythm of this music.  In fact do not be shy; anyone can dance in any style imaginable, all you had to do was glance at the red-faced baas van die plaas in his pink shirt;  hair plastered down at strange angles, sweat dripping, feet stomping, arms flailing, fingers pointing,  to know that no dancing talent whatsoever is required.  All that counts is that you move to the music, and move he did and so did everyone else.  In no time at all everyone had not only warmed up, but was over-heating.

Everything about Solms-Delta is a little different.  When you participate in any event at this wine farm, hold a little energy in reserve, for once you hear the beat of the drums, the brassy notes of the Langbroek band and see the energetic performance of the Soetstemme choir, your limbs will start twitching, your hands clapping,  and before you know it you will be entranced and dancing to the spirited songs of Solms-Delta.

By Cath Macfarlane – GM Solms-Delta

Click here to view the results from Saturday’s event.

I never knew that mountain bikers were such an affable and easy-going bunch until I inadvertently became the “official” Delta Trap photographer this weekend. Sure, there were a few choice words expressed at some of the more difficult sandy turns and rocky slopes, but generally the cyclists happily smiled as they raced past the camera.

There is no doubt that a mountain bike race, such as the Delta Trap, caters for all ages and fitness levels. For those top athletes wanting something both technical and flat, single track and dirt road, they had it all; and for those participating at a more leisurely pace, the surrounding beauty could be absorbed and a glass of Cape Jazz Shiraz sipped at the highest point, while completing just one lap of the course. Families were well represented with a number of father and sons, sisters and mothers participating.

As it turned out, my photographic job could not have been easier; I could point my camera in any direction to capture a cyclist, and have a mountain, vineyard, forest or river crossing as my background. The best aspect of it all was that I was able to see the entire route from the back of a quad bike without having to “turn a pedal” or put in the training.  I was impressed with the tenacity of the mountain bikers who had to cope with some very difficult terrain in places, as to me it seemed that these sections were a challenge even for the quad bike.

With the splendid surroundings, the wonderful participation and feel of the course, I decided that my quad bike guide was not only a very competent driver, but was not nearly as abrasive as he had been made out to be. The route was rough, the rocks were coarse, the road was bumpy;
but my quad companion was pleasant and agreeable and enjoying this event as much as I was.

Click here to view more photos in our Facebook photo album.

By: Cathy Macfarlane (GM Solms-Delta)

A celebration of Cape folk music and dance was enjoyed by music lovers at the 5th annual Solms-Delta Oesfees, held on the Solms-Delta farm in Franschhoek.

Click on the image to read the full article.

The perfect accompaniment to an afternoon of revelry is the Solms-Astor Cape Jazz Shiraz, a sparkling red wine that is light and refreshing. It is low in alcohol and infused with a subtle, fruity sweetness that will have you wanting more.

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In stark contrast to Francophile Franschhoek, the Solms-Delta Wine Estate, 15km from the town and closer to Pniel, intends to celebrate everything Cape and indigienous.

Neuroscientist Mark Solms and philanthropist Richard Astor have since 2001 striven to break with the semi-feudal past of the Boland; its sad history of paternalism, serfdom, tot systems and foetal alcohol syndrome.

Click on the image to read the full article.