My Cape Town Journey

It was a humble beginning for me. I took my first breath in my grandfather’s house on Wellington Road in the quaint village of Durbanville.

I spent my childhood on my parents’ wine farm, which has now been swallowed by a sea of houses.

But let me tell you, Cape Town has its charms. What I cherish the most about calling this place home is the fleeting summer and that majestic mountain that looms over us.

When friends or family visit this city, I simply can’t resist taking them to Kirstenbosch. It’s a mesmerizing place that showcases nature’s unfiltered beauty. Groot Constantia is another favorite, where they can indulge in the rich history and savor the exquisite wines crafted by Boela Gerber. And of course, I make sure to introduce them to the various wineries scattered nearby.

Now, let me share a delightful culinary adventure. My most memorable meal in recent times was at the bustling Black Sheep on Kloof Street. It holds a special place in my heart because Chef Jonathan Japha, who worked with me in the past, created this gastronomic masterpiece.

I have a few favorite restaurants that I absolutely love. One of them is The Pot Luck Club. They have amazing food that always makes me feel good. Another great restaurant is Chefs Warehouse & Canteen. Their food is comforting and delicious. Steenberg’s Bistro Sixteen82 is also on my list. The food there is fantastic. Lastly, I highly recommend Bistro 13 at Welmoed Winery. Their brioche bacon butty is so tasty, it’s definitely worth trying. Hemelhuijs is another restaurant where you can experience amazing tapas and breakfasts. Jacques Erasmus is a genius when it comes to food.

There’s an event in Cape Town that I never miss – the tutored tasting of the wines at the Cape Winemakers Guild. It’s a great opportunity to see my winemaker friends and listen to them talk about their wines. Plus, they always have a lot of fun teasing each other.

When I need a weekend getaway, I love going to Paternoster. It’s such a peaceful and quiet place. There are also some fantastic restaurants to enjoy there, like Oep ve Koep, Gaaitjie Salt Water Restaurant, and Reuben’s at Abalone House. And of course, there’s always a new West Coast wine to try!

There are so many things I still want to do in Cape Town! I have a whole list of restaurants that I want to try out – there are just too many to mention! I also want to visit some of the amazing wine producers in Constantia. And, of course, I can’t wait to finally go to Robben Island one day. On top of that, I really want to go to the movies more often and read all the books on my wishlist. Oh, and I have always wanted to spend a night at the Mount Nelson hotel, where my wife and I spent our honeymoon 37 years ago!

Now, let me tell you about the best coffee in Cape Town. It’s not from a fancy café, but it’s made by my wife, Madeleine. She makes the most amazing pot of coffee! I’m not a coffee expert, but I know what I like. I prefer Arabica coffee over Robusta.

Have you heard of the Banting diet? It’s become really popular lately. Some of my friends have had great success with weight loss on this diet. But like anything, it’s important to do it in moderation. Everyone is different, so what works for one person may not work for another. I’ve known Tim Noakes, the person who started this diet, since he was a student, and I have a lot of respect for him.

When you ask me to recommend a special red wine, it’s like asking me to pick a favorite child! I get to taste so many incredible Cape wines – it’s what I live for. But it’s also fun to mix things up and surprise my friends with an imported gem like a Torres Sangre de Toro or a Zaccagnini Montepulciano Abruzzo.

Right now, I’m busy working on my website, planning my broadcasts, and even dreaming of writing a novel.

Sundays are all about relaxation, catching up on the latest news in the newspapers, and enjoying quality time with my loved ones.

Money… Well, who wouldn’t want some extra cash?

As soon as I finish writing this, I’ll start getting ready for the day ahead.

Whenever I wake up in the middle of the night, I turn to my true passion – reading. I devour all kinds of books, exploring different genres with great enthusiasm.

One day in the future, I hope to slow down and savor quiet moments with my beautiful partner, Madeleine. We’ve been happily married for 37 incredible years.