14 June 2024

Schalk Burger Sr, storyteller extraordinaire and one of the greats of South African rugby, will share anecdotes and memories about his colourful and eventful life. In this informal discussion, the man whose life has included being a rugby legend, businessman, wine farmer, cultural custodian, musician, father and grandfather, will talk about the triumphs and the hardships that have shaped his life. Former team mate, Morné du Plessis will introduce Schalk.

Melinda Ferguson is not only the author of four memoirs but a highly successful publisher who has also ghost written and co-authored a number of books. These include the bestseller An Accident Waiting to Happen – the Oscar Pistorius Story with Trish Taylor.
Melinda will be in conversation with award-winning author Christopher Hope and share invaluable insights into how to step into the life of a subject, put the author`s ego to bed and ghost someone else’s story.

Join Christine Capendale in her studio kitchen and indulge in the joy of baking effortless, comforting desserts for your loved ones. Explore recipes that embrace seasonal fruits and adopt a healthier approach by reducing sugar content. You will leave this workshop feeling inspired to create delicious treats with a nutritious twist.

This fun and creative introductory workshop is back by popular demand. Aimed at equipping novices with a few basic design skills, you will learn how to create and plan your social media posts when using the Canva app on your Apple or Android phone for the first time. Michele Serfontein will guide you on how to design social media posts using different templates and ideas. All you need is your phone and photos. Make sure your phone is charged and that you’ve already downloaded the Canva app and signed into Canva.

Floral artist Thea-Mei Smit will guide you to discover your creativity while using plant materials to create exquisite wearable jewellery. Thea-Mei, whose floral journey started at a young age when she fell in love with nature while growing up on a farm, is known for her creative and colourful flower installations. She will share many tips she learnt from master florists both locally and abroad, including Gregor Lersch. Participants will learn various techniques for making a floral necklace and a hairpiece. No experience is needed and all materials will be provided, including a light lunch.

Explore your creativity as you learn simple coiling techniques that transform humble cord into a functional and visually captivating container. In a relaxed setting, Dal will show you how to manipulate the sashing cord and fabrics to create a handcrafted vessel that reflects your individual style. All materials will be provided but participants are welcome to bring their own fabric scraps if they wish. The ticket price includes a light lunch.

Investigative journalism has always been a tough calling, further complicated by South Africa’s political trajectory and broader issues of modern society.
Tim, the editor of Business Maverick, will talk to award-winning journalists Susan of the amaBhungane Centre for Investigative Journalism, and Pauli of Daily Maverick’s Scorpio Unit about the new challenges posed by geopolitical rifts, alternative facts and artificial intelligence – and how they underline why investigative journalism remains so vital.

Master baker Togara Mabharani from The Royal Portfolio’s Silo Hotel in Cape Town will give you a sneak peek into famous recipes and techniques. Being a vegan does not mean you can’t indulge your sweet tooth. Join Togara as he demonstrates how to make a unique Vegan Lemon Tart topped with a vegan meringue, accompanied by a vegan vanilla cream Chantilly, all on a classic buttery shortcrust.

Enjoy a programme that includes two solo works for organ and a beautiful original work for organ, violin, and cello by the Romantic German composer, Josef Rheinberger.

Wynand has performed and recorded with the likes of Arno Carstens, Nataniel, Radio Kalahari Orkes, Carlo Mombelli, and many more South African and international acts and DJ’s. He co-founded the band Awesome Foursome, creating an eclectic quartet with styles varying from tango and jazz to classical and folk. He joins JP Rossouw for an exploration in pairing wine and music.

While researching the history of Vergenoegd Löw, award-winning wine writer Joanne Gibson realised that this remarkably intact old Eerste River wine farm was owned during the 18th century by the same family who produced Constantia, the world-famous wine enjoyed by the likes of Casanova, Frederick the Great, Marie Antoinette and George Washington.
Although official records suggest that Vergenoegd did not produce any wine during this period, 18th-century art and architecture have helped her to prove a conspiracy theory about legendary Constantia wine.

Surprising ingredients are at the heart of this showstopper dessert, demonstrated by pastry chef Melisa Oosthuizen from The Silo Hotel. She will introduce a savoury element into her dessert and show you how to make a date and sweet potato cheesecake with salted caramel and candied nuts. Who says a dessert can’t be good for you?

Award-winning art journalist, writer and filmmaker Amanda Botha will talk to Frans Meyer about the memoir he wrote about his brother, the artist Walter Meyer.
Widely celebrated as possibly “the finest painter of the distinctly South African landscape”, Walter had a wounded psyche and suffered deep internal pain. Amanda and Frans will explore the artist’s roots, his genius and legacy as a painter, and his struggles with alcoholism that led to his brutal death.

Join four of the leading South African singers of the moment for an evening of timeless operatic highlights.
Janelle Visagie (soprano), Siphamandla Moyake (soprano), Luvo Maranti (tenor), and William Berger (baritone) will be
accompanied at the piano by José Dias, who will also present the programme. These world-class artists will delight and enthral festival audiences with some of the most well-known and beloved arias and ensembles from opera and beyond.
Packed with hits from Mozart to Massenet, through Verdi and Puccini, all the way to Gershwin and Richard Rodgers, this is a concert not to be missed!