Johann was born in Zimbabwe in 1952, where he lived during his early childhood and much of his adult life. His high school years were spent in Namibia after which he studied fine art in Pretoria. Johann travelled extensively and had an in-depth knowledge of, and interest in various cultures and places. He was passionate about wildlife and its conservation, with a particular fondness for cheetahs after having worked extensively with them. He had a thorough knowledge and love of all things natural from insects to elephants.
In addition to this he was a talented artist and design landscaper, with projects far and wide. He was responsible for various museum art displays and was actively involved in a number of societies ranging from birding clubs to the heritage foundation.
Johann was a jolly character who connected with people from all walks of life and saw no barriers. He loved dancing and music and performed in various shows. Truly a man of many talents and loved by all who met him. Johann died tragically at a local crocodile farm on the 14th January 2017.

Andrea Desmond-Smith is a mytho-poetic artist combining elements of myth and fantasy with a deeply felt concern with the destruction of our planet. The themes that permeate her work are metamorphosis, resurrection and the four elements of Western alchemy: water, earth, fire and air. Her work is in public and private collections in South Africa and in Europe.

Andrea works from her home at Artemis in Franschhoek and is visited on our Art Route tour.

Stock up on some beautiful local fragrances like Fleur de Lavande with lavender; Honeysuckle; Fragrance-free Oatmeal or Bubbles & Earl GreyTea made from local MCC. Handmade in small batches from some of Franschhoek's finest olive oil. Rich and latherly, indulgent and silky, the way good soap should be.  

Lovingly made by the Franschhoek Soap Company especially for us, they made awesome gifts for your friends and family back home.

R 55.00 each

Two local residents, Barbara and Sally make up the creative team at Green Chameleon and produce the most delightful wooden momentos of your visit to Franschhoek including these lovely fridge magnets.  An essential purchase for many people as a reminder of the fabulous spots they have visited, these magnets are beautifully and intricately hand drawn and painted before being applied to wood.  Depicting typical Franschhoek scenes, they are a great buy.

R 30.00 each

Two local residents, Barbara and Sally make up the creative team at Green Chameleon and produce the most delightful wooden momentos of your visit to Franschhoek.  Designed and hand painted by the team, these lovely key racks would look great in anyone's kitchen.  Various designs available depicting wildlife, birds etc.

R60.00 per rack

Two local residents, Barbara and Sally make up the creative team at Green Chameleon and produce the most delightful wooden momentos of your visit to Franschhoek.  Designed and hand painted by the team, coaster sets are available in a variety of designs.  Wild life, South African birds, Rock Art, Madiba (Nelson Mandela and my personal favourite, historical buildings in our village, Franschhoek.

R80.00 for set of 6 coasters.

Andrea has created these quirky utlity ceramic holders in the shape of pigs and elephants to be used as candle holders or planters.  Would look great on your outdoor table or kitchen counter.

Large R 420.00
Small R 380.00

Nicole is a creative soul in the village and loves wildlife photography.  She has chosen a few of her favourite pics and printed them on canvas before sewing them into scatter cushions.  Very unique and different, each cushion being one of a kind.

Cushion covers R 650.00

The village is full of history and many of the residents' families have lived here for may decades.  In this family history book, Colin Johnson traces the history of his two family trees, one of which is rooted in Franschhoek.  He remembers the years before Apartheid when the family lived in a quaint house on the corner of Berg and Cabriere street and how life changed over the years. An interesting insight into life of the early village.

The two tangled trees by Colin Johnson R 250.00

The Groendal Community Centre exists to serve and support the local community with many different activities, many aimed at children but also at the adult population.  One of the initiatives is the Ndlovu Sewing Project which is a skills development programme which upskills unemployed adults in the art of sewing.  Learning this skill makes them employable and also able to be self-employed.  
The project has helped a number of people since its inception and many more will pass through their doors in the future.  We support the initiative by promoting and selling these utility bags which can be used for a multitude of uses but are great as travelling shoe bags.  Pop your shoes in them before packing them in your suitcase to protect your clothes.  Durable and easy to wash. Get yours today.

R80.00 per bag.

Rachnild is a local mom who has found a way to re-use old clothing by making them into functional items such as sling bags and coin purses.
These quirky items make great gifts for young ladies and are also available to be made to order.

Denim Bag  R 250.00
Small Coin Purse  R 75.00
Large Wallet  R 150.00