Stellenbosch
Living Life in Stellenbosch: My Home Since 2012
When people ask me where I’m from, I love saying “Stellenbosch.” Not just because it sounds cool and foreign to most, but because it genuinely feels like a huge part of who I am. I’ve been lucky enough to call Stellenbosch home since 2012. From my first days at Rhenish Primary School to my final years at Rhenish Girls’ High School, this town has been the backdrop for some of my best memories — and honestly, it’s hard to imagine growing up anywhere else.
If you’ve never been to Stellenbosch, you’re missing out. It’s one of those places that looks like it was pulled straight out of a storybook. The town is filled with beautiful old Cape Dutch-style buildings, with their whitewashed walls, thatched roofs, and perfectly manicured gardens. Every time you walk through town, especially down Dorp Street or past the university campus, you feel surrounded by history. There’s something charming about how the modern world and old architecture mix so seamlessly here — a cute café sitting right next to a centuries-old oak tree or a lively art gallery tucked inside a building that’s been standing for over 200 years.
And don’t even get me started on the landscape. Stellenbosch is honestly stunning. It’s cradled by mountains that turn pinkish in the evenings when the sun sets, and vineyards stretch as far as you can see. One of my favorite things is just driving out of town for a bit and being surrounded by endless rows of grapevines with the mountains towering in the background. It’s the kind of view you never really get used to — it just keeps taking your breath away.
Life in Stellenbosch always feels a little slower and more intentional, but there’s still so much to do. As kids, weekends meant running around Coetzenburg fields, grabbing ice cream in town, or biking around our neighborhoods. As I got older, days turned into coffee dates at places like Meraki or outings to the Saturday morning Slow Market (which, let’s be honest, is basically a must-do if you live here).
Hiking in Jonkershoek Nature Reserve became a favorite pastime, especially after a busy week at school. You can’t beat the feeling of standing at the top of a mountain, looking over the town you call home. Wineries are a big part of life here too, even if you’re just visiting for the views, the food, or the family-friendly picnics. Some of my favorite memories are sunny afternoons spent at Spier or Boschendal, just relaxing with friends and family under giant old trees.
One thing I absolutely love about Stellenbosch is how it feels small enough that you recognize people wherever you go, but it’s still big enough that there’s always something new to explore. Whether it’s a new café, a boutique store tucked into a side street, or a pop-up art exhibit, there’s always something happening if you’re willing to look for it.
Stellenbosch has shaped me in more ways than I can explain. It’s a place filled with memories of early mornings in school uniforms, hockey games on dusty fields, lazy Sunday drives through the winelands, and endless sunsets over the mountains. It’s more than just a town to me — it’s home.