By Isabella Machin
Stellenbosch has long been renowned for its colonial-Dutch architecture, prestigious university, wine farms, and its geographical positioning of being surrounded by impressive mountains. This was the image that was pre-set in my mind when I came to Stellenbosch as a 23-year-old tourist from England. In all honesty, as soon as I first entered the town, I felt as if my denim shorts and Birkenstocks automatically branded me as a tourist against the backdrop of flowing ‘Country Road’ dresses and linen shirts. The sophisticated fashion of Stellenbosch is certainly within the same bracket of what one would wear to watch a game of Polo in England, and I personally love it. (I must note that I am going to actively ignore the ‘Matric’ hairstyles that also entered my line of sight). Nonetheless, I instantly fell in love with the town. From stunning buildings to the handsome trees that border the roads, I couldn’t help but be in awe. At first glance, my mind passively made comparisons between Stellenbosch and the Cotswolds in England; an area in which both tradition and heritage are prominent features within its culture. This was certainly a very different ‘first date’ from the one I had with Johannesburg.
My growing adoration of Stellenbosch as a town is fueled by its accessibility for a tourist, as most destinations in Stellenbosch are within walking distance, while most asked questions are answered with a big smile, both statements of which are completely alien to my home back in London. I personally blame the weather.
As my time in Stellenbosch continues, I am starting to see a new side of the town that hadn’t been immediately apparent. Rather than being transfixed by its sheer beauty, I have now started to notice the individuals who reside in or nearby Stellenbosch. From this, I have definitely come to understand why the brand ‘Burnt’ is doing so well. Nonetheless, as a result of my David Attenborough approach, I now view Stellenbosch through a new lens, being that of a hub that is both progressive and excitingly innovative. I am now noticing more young professionals walking up and down the streets, suited and booted, and what appears to be business meetings at the many restaurants, bars, and cafes that line the streets of the town. From this observation, I started to research and ask questions about the business side of the town. I came to understand that business is particularly prevalent within the tech industry, with a Stellenbosch local branding the town to me as the South African ‘Silicon Valley.’ Having discovered this other layer to the town, my own previous opinion of Stellenbosch as a heritage and intrinsically ‘wine farm’ town has now excitingly developed. I look forward to furthering my knowledge of the different groupings within Stellenbosch, including the incoming university students. However, I do hope that they have been well acquainted with a hairdresser.
