Destinations: Groot Constantia Heritage Month 2022- experience culture at South Africa’s oldest wine producing farm

Destinations: Groot Constantia Heritage Month 2022- experience culture at South Africa’s oldest wine producing farm – presented in collaboration with the Koena Art Institute

Groot Constantia, South Africa’s oldest wine producing farm is presenting a wonderful programme for Heritage Month 2022. For the Heritage Month celebrations, the wine farm has partnered with the Koena Art Institute, which is committed to preservation of the Khoe & San heritage and is owned and managed by the Khoena people. The programme of events, includes talks, (Khoi-San) Khoe & San poetry, rieldancing and creating wire bead art. At 3pm on September 1, the opening day, curator Lukretia Booysen will be talking about the Koena Art Institute, which she founded.  Dr Diana Ferrus, the seminal South African writer, poet and storyteller of KhoeSan ancestry is giving a talk and will be available to sign books. She wrote her iconic poem, about Sarah Baartman, in the thick of the reluctance by France to release Baartman’s remains from the Musé de L’Homme. The impact made by the poem and its raising of awareness is regarded as being a key factor in the return of Baartman‘s remains to South Africa, in 2002. Most events are free. The exception is the bead workshop, led by wire artist Tavengwa Dahwa. Visitors can also purchase a Groot Constantia Visitors Route Experience: One ticket gives you entrance into the Manor House and Cloete Cellar – both managed by the Iziko Museums of South Africa – a Cellar tour and wine tasting. Tickets are R125. Read on for more. Info as supplied:

EXPERIENCE CULTURE AT SOUTH AFRICA’S OLDEST WINE-PRODUCING FARM THIS HERITAGE MONTH

This September, braai, sunny skies and art are part of the myriad of cultural experiences at Groot Constantia – all as vibrant and diverse as South Africa itself. These unique encounters will bring together the estate’s many thriving collaborations with South African artists, designers, poets, performers, writers, and entrepreneurs, to showcase their talents.

In addition to the Groot Constantia Visitors Route Experience, where one ticket gives you entrance into the Manor House and Cloete Cellar ­- both managed by the Iziko Museums of South Africa ­- a Cellar tour and wine tasting; this September visitors can look forward to enjoying South Africa’s rich heritage, such as (Khoi-San) Khoe & San poetry, rieldancing and creating wire bead art.

Visitors are invited to experience Groot Constantia.

A culture of collaboration 

“In December 2020, through the trying time of COVID-19 lockdown, Groot Constantia established a wine specialty retail environment, the Wine & Gift Shop, for South African design and lifestyle art,” explains Jean Naudé, CEO of Groot Constantia.

“This 2022 heritage month, Groot Constantia will come alive with art and culture, as we proudly support Koena Art Institute, the first of its kind, dedicated to the preservation of the Khoe & San heritage, owned and managed by the Khoena people.” 

Lukretia Booysen, curator, creative-entrepreneur, and founder of the Koena Art Institute, says that “The Institute is proud to join hands with Groot Constantia. This is a wonderful way to support and empower South African indigenous communities as well as emerging artists and marginalized entrepreneurs”.

The heritage programme is curated by Groot Constantia and Koena Art Institute, and runs throughout Heritage month.

~ Saturday September 17, 2022

An hour with Dr. Diana Ferrus – “I’ve come to take you home” poetry reading 

This is one of the most important poems of political significance in the 20th century. Written in 1998, by Dr. Diana Ferrus, a South African writer, poet and storyteller of KhoeSan ancestry, the poem is about Sarah Baartman, now recognised as the first-known black female victim of trafficking. Ferrus wrote the poem in the midst of the French reluctance to release Baartman’s remains from the Musé de L’Homme; and the popularity of the poem is widely believed to be responsible for the return of Baartman‘s remains to South Africa, in 2002. Meet Dr. Ferrus and browse her book range, which is available for sale and signing.

Where and when: In the Groot Constantia Iziko Learning Centre next to Jonkershuis Restaurant, at 14h00.

Join amazing wire artist Tavengwa Dahwa

Tavengwa Dahwa uses colourful wire to make a variety of meticulously crafted animals and functional decorative ware. There’s a range of bright birds, from peacocks to pelicans, flamingos and cranes, as well as African animals, such as ostrich, elephant and rhino.

Spread your creativity with a wire and bead workshop with Tavengwa. Book on arrival at the Wine & Gift shop and collect pre-designed frames and beads. Loads of fun for the whole family!

Where and when: In front of the Groot Constantia Cloete Cellar, between 10h00 and 15h00. Cost: R110.

~Saturday September 24, 2022

Spreading peace through music and love – Sibondha n the Irry People Band

This South African musical group will get your feet tapping with smooth Afro and Latino rhythms, where healing harmonies and soulful psalms will lift and inspire. The band has shared the stage with well-known musicians from around the globe, such as Malika, Mambote from Congo, Eclyps from London, and many more.

Where and when: In front of Groot Constantia Manor House and next to the Cloete Cellar, at Simon’s Restaurant. Join at 12h00-12h20 and 12h30-12h50.

~Thursday September 1 to Friday September 30, 2022

Celebrating the Riel in Art

The Iziko Education Department and Koena Art Institute will present an educational art showcase, titled Dans Laat die Stof Staan. This visual and audio exhibit – aimed at senior phase school pupils in particular – centres on a celebratory dance that is rooted in San and Khoi traditions, called the Rieldans. As one of the oldest indigenous dancing styles in South Africa, it is fitting that this tradition is celebrated on the soil of South Africa’s oldest wine-producing farm. Local artists whose work will be on display, include Andries Dirks, Anthony Roach, Marlene Liebenberg and Terence Visagie.

On opening day, September 1, visit to enjoy a glass of Groot Constantia wine and chat to curator Lukretia Booysen, at 15h00. 

Where and when: In the Groot Constantia Iziko Learning Centre next to Jonkershuis Restaurant. Open between 10h00 and 17h00.

Food inspired by centuries of cultural exchanges

On the September 24, South Africa’s National Heritage Day will be celebrated at Simon’s Restaurant with amazing Live music playing. The Braai will be sizzling with many South African favorites. The Simon’s Braai Platter can be beautifully paired with any one of the Groot Constantia Wines. Booking recommended: 021 794 1143 or info@simons.co.za.

Aromatic Cape Malay food, a cuisine unique to the Western Cape of South Africa, is a speciality of Jonkershuis Restaurant. It’s a style of spicy food steeped in history and preserved through ongoing tradition. Reservations are essential at Jonkershuis on 021 794 6255 or reservations@jhuis.co.za.

One visit is just not enough!

Whether you are a visitor to Cape Town or a local, the City Sightseeing Red Tour Bus is simply the easiest way to get around and arrive at Groot Constantia. On September 17 and September 24, travellers can look forward to meeting Themba and Liefie, the penguin mascots from Cape Town Tourism. Thando, their mobile visitor information vehicle, will be spending the two days at the Estate’s bus stop, to welcome visitors and showcase what Cape Town has to offer – and hand out spot prizes.

“With spring in the air, and loads of open spaces, beautiful wine and cuisine experiences, there’s never been a better time to appreciate the farm. There is so much to do that one visit is just not enough to experience all Groot Constantia has to offer.” adds Naudé.

For more information visit www.grootconstantia.co.za or connect with Groot Constantia via social media on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram http://@GrootConstantia and #ExperienceGrootConstantia. 

✳ Sponsored content. Images supplied. Featured image of Groot Constantia, pic taken in 2018. Photo: J Hawthorne.