Welgevonden Estate: Estate Manager’s newsletter: September 2026
Updated: Sep 17
Dear Welgevonden Estate Homeowners and Residents
Spring has arrived at Welgevonden Estate. Despite the unexpected cold front we’re experiencing at the moment, warmer days lie ahead, bringing more opportunities to enjoy the natural beauty that surrounds us. From walks and outdoor activities around the Welgevonden dam to time spent at the newly opened Welgevonden Park, there is plenty to enjoy as we make the most of the outdoors and the beautiful setting we call home.
As our gardens respond to the warmer weather – a gentle reminder to use water wisely. Gardens may need more frequent watering, but our water resources remain precious. Long-term weather forecasts point to a hot and dry summer ahead. Every effort to conserve water now will help manage the months ahead.
Garden-of-the-Year 2026 competition
We are delighted to announce the Welgevonden Estate Garden-of-the-Year 2026 competition, proudly sponsored by SANCUS Realty!
This annual competition celebrates and rewards Welgevonden Estate residents who contribute to the beauty of our estate through their outstanding gardens. Whether your garden is a labour of love, a creative expression, or a showcase of indigenous and water-wise planting, we encourage you to enter and share it with the community.
Entries open today and close on Wednesday 30 September 2026. Judging will take place on 26 and 27 October, with the winners announced shortly afterwards.
Four prizes will be awarded:
Garden-of-the-Year 2026 – first prize
Runner-up Garden-of-the-Year 2026
Third prize Garden-of-the-Year 2026
Most Water-Wise Indigenous Garden 2026
We look forward to seeing plenty of entries – big or small, elaborate or modest – and encourage all gardeners to take part, whether you are a gardening enthusiast or simply someone who enjoys having a garden.
And if you know a neighbour whose garden deserves recognition, encourage them to enter too!
Click here to download the entry form.
WHOA AGM 2026
This year’s WHOA Annual General Meeting (AGM) will take place at 18:00 on Monday 16 November 2026.
The meeting will be held in the Doornbosch Hall on the R44 in Stellenbosch. A map and directions to the venue, together with the meeting documents, will be made available ahead of the meeting.
We request all homeowners to save the date and join us for this important annual meeting.
Welgevonden Park: Padel and tennis courts access and usage
The padel and tennis courts at Welgevonden Park will open on 18 September 2026. To ensure that everyone has the latest information, below we have included some details published previously, together with new information and updates.
A. Operating hours
Monday–Friday: 06:00-20:00
Saturday: 07:00-21:00
Sunday and public holidays: 08:00-20:00
iDiG Padel has partnered with the WHOA to manage and operate the tennis and padel courts under the name Welgevonden Estate Racket Club.
They will manage the day-to-day operation of the courts, including staffing, bookings through the Playtomic app, equipment rental and coaching. They will also host events, leagues and tournaments, providing opportunities for residents to meet fellow members of the estate, participate in competitions and enjoy an active racket-sport lifestyle.
Residents may choose whether or not to join the Club and, by doing so, enjoy the benefits of the HomeTurf Heroes loyalty programme. Club membership is optional. Residents who choose not to join the Club may still use the tennis and padel courts at the applicable non-member playing rate.
B. Membership and playing fees
A pay-to-play model was discussed and approved at previous WHOA AGMs.
The applicable membership and playing fees are as follows:
Individual membership: R1200 annual fee; R30 per person playing fee per hour, peak or off-peak
Couple membership: R1800 annual fee; R30 per person playing fee per hour, peak or off-peak
Family membership – up to four members: R2100 annual fee; R30 per person playing fee per hour, peak or off-peak
Resident non-member: No annual fee; R90 per person playing fee per hour, peak or off-peak
Guest of a resident: No annual fee; R100 per person playing fee per hour during off-peak and R110 per person during peak hours. The guest rate applies to guests of both Racket Club members and resident non-members. Guests must at all times be accompanied by a Welgevonden Estate resident.
C. Benefits for club members
10% discount on padel equipment and accessories purchased from the Pro Shop
10% discount on racket rentals
Priority booking through the Playtomic app up to two weeks in advance, as opposed to non-members who may book up to one week in advance
Priority access to club tournaments, leagues and competitions
D. Open weekend: 18-20 September 2026
iDiG Padel will be on site on Friday 18 September 2026 from 14:00 and throughout the weekend to introduce the club, explain how it will operate, and answer questions about the various membership and subscription options.
The courts will also be available to Welgevonden Estate residents for complimentary play throughout the weekend, providing an opportunity to try out the facilities and experience the new racket-sport offering.
To make bookings easy, residents are encouraged to download the Playtomic app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store ahead of the opening weekend.
Save the date
We remind residents of the official opening of Welgevonden Park for Friday 2 October 2026, from 17:30 to 21:00.
Join us for an evening of food, drinks and an opportunity to mark the opening of this new lifestyle facility.
More details will follow closer to the time.
Access control – an important reminder
Residents are reminded of the following access control requirements to ensure the safety and security of the Estate:
A. Pedestrian gate access
Each visitor entering through a pedestrian gate must be provided with an own individual access PIN code.
A single PIN code may not be shared between multiple visitors to access or egress the estate.
For example, if you are expecting six visitors at a pedestrian gate, each visitor must be provided with their own individual access and egress PIN code.
B. Biometric access
Residents are required to provide all visitors, contractors, service providers, and delivery services with a valid PIN code for access and egress purposes.
Residents may not use their own biometric access to grant access to a visitor. This means that residents are not permitted to go to a gate and use or wave their hand at the biometric reader to allow a specific visitor access.
C. Access cards
Resident access cards are strictly personal and may not be transferred, lent, or shared with any other person. Sharing an access card constitutes a breach of the Estate Rules and shall result in penalties.
Access cards may therefore not be shared with children, family members, or any other person to provide access to or egress from the estate or its facilities, including the dam and swimming pool.
Residents are requested to comply with the above requirements at all times. These measures are in place to maintain effective access control and ensure the security of all residents and the Estate.
Best regards
Gawie Marx
Estate Manager
15 September 2026
