Welgevonden Estate: Estate Manager’s newsletter: September 2025

Dear Welgevonden Estate Homeowners and Residents

Spring has arrived, bringing a gentle shift in colour and energy to Welgevonden Estate. It’s the season that invites us to open doors, step outside, and enjoy the unique beauty of the Cape Winelands … but keeping in mind that the weather may still surprise us!

In this newsletter, you’ll find updates and reminders to help us all make the most of spring while continuing to take good care of our estate. May the season ahead be one of new possibilities, growth and, especially, opportunities to connect as a community!

Arbor Week celebration: 3 September 2025

Welgevonden Estate came together on 3 September 2025 for a tree planting ceremony in celebration of Arbor Week 2025. The Executive Mayor of Stellenbosch, Cllr Jeremy Fasser, officiated at the proceedings.

We were also privileged to, once again, welcome Leon Kluge – internationally acclaimed landscape architect and recipient of the 2025 SALI National Judge’s Discretionary Award for his double victory at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in the UK – as our special guest at this annual Welgevonden Estate event.

A heartfelt thank you to all residents who joined us on the day to celebrate growth, community, and sustainability. A special thank you to the children who attended and whose energy and hands-on help made the planting of the trees extra memorable!

And, staying with the themes of spring and Arbor Week, we’ll soon be sharing details of the Welgevonden Estate Garden-of-the-Year 2025 competition. Keep an eye out for the announcement!

Addressing the gathering – Cllr Jeremy Fasser, Executive Mayor of Stellenbosch.

Leon Kluge sharing a few words with the attendees.

Little hands, big impact! Cllr Fasser planted a Ficus natalensis (Natal fig) tree with the enthusiastic help of the children.

Cllr Fasser, Estate Manager Gawie Marx, and Landscape Manager Paul Jordaan with the dedicated landscape team who prepared the soil for the tree planting ceremony.

Smiles all around – Gawie Marx and Cllr Jeremy Fasser!

Progress update: Welgevonden Park

Construction of the new Welgevonden Park is progressing well, although the unusually wet winter has delayed the laying and drying of building foundations due to saturated soil.

To make the most of available working time, the contractor is continuing work on Saturdays. Current projections indicate that the tennis and padel courts, swimming pool, and park area will be completed by end of February 2026.

Welgevonden Park taking shape – a bird’s-eye view of the progress.

Submit lease agreements early to avoid the November rush

Most lease agreements at Welgevonden Estate run annually and typically conclude or renew at the end of November.

Although it is only September, we encourage landlords, tenants, and estate agents to streamline the rental process by submitting fully completed new agreements as soon as they are finalised, rather than leaving it until the end of November. Make sure that lease agreements are fully signed by both the tenant and landlord (owner) of the property. Please submit your documentation via e-mail to the following e-mail address: admin@welgevonden.co.za.

By submitting lease agreements timeously, it enables estate management to update tenant details ahead of time to avoid the usual end-of-November rush. For tenants renewing existing leases, the process is even simpler – submit your renewed lease agreement and make the necessary payment at the estate office.

Biometric access for tenants

Further to the above, we wish to remind existing tenants that access to Welgevonden Estate via the biometric system is automatically deactivated when a rental contract expires. Once the contract terminates, all hand scanners at the estate’s security entrances and the GLOCMS visitor app will no longer be active to grant access and egress.

Therefore, if you’re planning to renew your rental contract, please submit a copy of your renewed rental agreement to the Welgevonden Estate office as soon as it is signed to ensure uninterrupted access.

WHOA AGM 2025

Excom will communicate the date of the WHOA AGM 2025 shortly.

Best regards

Gawie Marx

Estate Manager

9 September 2025