We won’t mess about: 2020 has been one heck of a BAD year. Dk villas has faced our fair share of troubles, the least of which has been the travel ban into and within South Africa (and that was pretty darn bad!) But there has been some good news: and there’s nothing quite like winning a prestigious award to lift one’s spirits. This is why we’re super proud to announce that dk villas Harbour View property in Hout Bay is a Travel & Hospitality Awards winner in the 2020 Africa Awards category!

About the Travel & Hospitality Awards

The Travel & Hospitality Awards is a global recognition program for the travel industry, which acknowledges and awards the very best hotels, tour operators, experience providers, spa & wellness facilities, restaurants, and technology and innovation companies.

Recipients of Travel & Hospitality Awards are scrupulously selected based on the review of customer review feedback, submission material, and the facility comparison of each entrant. And the winners are those who have demonstrated their uniqueness, quality of services and facilities, and exceptional levels of customer care across a number of categories.

“This year, over 1,000 nominations were received, and the standard of entries was incredibly high,” said the team at Travel & Hospitality Awards in a press release. “We were overwhelmed by the quality of entries this year and the judging panel had great difficulty in narrowing the field down but the winners reflect the very best in travel and hospitality standards.”

And we’re so proud to announce our very own dk villas Harbour View property as a winner!

Dk villas’ award-winning property at Harbour View

A mere stone’s throw from Hout Bay beach, with direct views of The Sentinel Mountain and the bay’s charming harbour, you’ll find dk villas’ beautiful and spacious Harbour View apartment. This three-bedroom, two-bathroom selfcatering apartment is a masterpiece and a seamless blend of luxury furnishings, high-end electronics and appliances, gorgeous views, and home-style convenience.

A generous and fully kitted out modern kitchen and state-of-the-art appliances such as SMEG washing machine, tumble dryer, and dishwasher empower guests to prepare full meals and treat this space as a home-away-from-home.

The bedrooms are the epitome of oases with their soft colour palettes, natural textures, Egyptian cotton bedding, luxurious furnishings, and designer room fragrances; an aesthetic and feel that is echoed by the two bathrooms, one full and one en-suite (master bedroom) with a bath.

Finally, a stylish open-plan lounge and dining area with seating for eight guests, large TV (DSTV), and Wi-Fi round out the offering. For guests’ safety and peace of mind, DK Villas’ Harbour View property has 24-hour camera security, electric fencing, and a secure undercover parking bay.

Located just 20 minutes outside of Cape Town, Hout Bay is a quirky seaside village with a bustling, yet relaxed beach and cosmopolitan combo vibe. Hout Bay, with its many shops, casual and fine dining restaurants, coffee bars, and markets has just about everything you need for a colourful, unforgettable stay, as well as extraordinary natural beauty, history, and culture. It’s little wonder that Hout Bay is considered one of the Cape’s top tourist destinations and dk villas’ luxury apartment at Harbour View is the ideal base from which to explore it all!

No stranger to travel awards

Dk villas is so exceptionally proud to be the recipient of a 2020 Travel & Hospitality Award but our Harbour View luxury property is no stranger to prestigious accolades! Earlier this year, our crown jewel also won a Traveller Review Award by Booking.com, thanks to our consistent high ratings by guests.

The Booking.com Traveller Review Awards is an annual appreciation programme that recognises partners for their exceptional hospitality, as evidenced in the review scores left by travellers after their stay or experience. The 2020 edition review score is based on the average score of all guest reviews published on the
Booking.com website and app between 30th October 2017 and 30th October 2019.

Not only did dk villas’ Harbour View property make the Traveller Review Awards list for 2020; we absolutely knocked it out of the park with a scoring of 9.9 out of 10!

Yet again, we are SO pleased that all the thought, effort, and heart we pour into our luxury property, is appreciated by our guests! And a “huge thank you” to the Travel & Hospitality Awards committee for selecting us for your prestigious award!

There’s no doubt about it…South Africa and, indeed, the world have scarcely seen a more troubling year than 2020. Perhaps those doomsday prophecies were onto something when they predicted the end of the world in 2020; although, thankfully, there is as yet no sign of an earthbound asteroid. With every country in the world too busy battling its own healthcare crisis to extend a helping hand, it is clear to South Africa that if we are to survive the disaster that COVID-19 has rained down upon our houses, businesses, and economy, we need to support each other. We need to keep local alive. Why? Because local is lekker! And, wow, do we love our country.

Here are 5 ways you can keep local alive!

Travel is out…staycation is in!

God alone knows when next we’ll be allowed to hop on an airplane to explore exotic shores but that doesn’t mean you can’t satisfy your wanderlust at home, right here in South Africa! After all, millions of tourists (previously) travelled to our country every year to experience what many locals quite tragically take for granted. So, reignite your passion for local travel and book a weekend at a guesthouse somewhere far away from home…or spend a week at a self-catering cottage on a farm…or even several weeks in a luxury apartment.

We could all use a change of scenery and nothing comes quite as close to anesthetizing the travel bug as a staycation!

P.S. DK Villas has three beautiful self-catering apartments available for both short and long-term rental! So don’t hesitate to Contact Us if you’re interested in booking your staycation with us.

Visit the winelands and/or order wine online (by the caseload)

After several weeks of quarantine and prohibition, you probably don’t need any encouragement to head into the Cape winelands and restock your shelves with our country’s glorious wines. But here are three reasons to go beyond buying individual bottles and, instead, buy in bulk:

1. You never know if or when the liquor ban might be reinstated and you’ll be grateful for those tucked away bottles of Cabernet when the next cold front hits.
2. It’s usually financially smarter to purchase wine in bulk because the final price typically works out cheaper per bottle.

The third reason is the most important: South Africa’s wine industry has taken a monumental knock during the COVID-19 pandemic, thanks to the ban on alcohol and the on-going curfews. It therefore behoves us to support our beloved wine industry right now in their time of need and purchase as much of our favourite wines as we can afford. Just think about how many break-ups wine has gotten you through. Now it’s time to return the favour.

Support local artists and artisans with your festive shopping

Of all the years to be discerning about the provenance of your gifts, this is the one. Why? Because YOU can make a huge difference to local art, culture, and to our economy as a whole by buying your festive season, end-of-year gifts exclusively from local artists and artisans.

For example, KAMERS/Makers is running a fabulous pop-up space at the V&A Waterfront (next to Exclusive Books), featuring thousands of handcrafted goods made by over 200 proudly South African artisans and artists. You’ll find another conglomeration of local talent and handmade goods and fashion at the Constantia Gift Fair, which is set to take place from the 4th to 8th November 2020.

You can also shop online at both — www.shop.kamersvol.com and www.theburbsonline.co.za — if you’d prefer to stay home.

Wear local fashion brands and clothing

Tired of living in your pyjamas? Never want to look at another pair of yoga pants again? Great! It’s time for some retail therapy…but before you make a bee-line for the usual international clothing brands, take this opportunity to keep local alive and shop for local clothing brands and fashion labels. Remember, the smaller the business, the more in need they are of your support (plus, the more unique the look you’ll be able to piece together!)

There are a ton of such local brands to be found and a rather surprising way to find them is through social media, like Instagram and Facebook! You will also discover a list of local designers crafting beautiful 100% South African fashion on SME South Africa.

Aren’t you tired of cooking? Eat out (or order in)

After months of having to cook for the family, isn’t it just such a relief to be able to sit down at one of the Cape’s many stunning restaurants? Socially distanced, of course. Unfortunately, not all of them made it through quarantine and unless we start supporting the restaurant industry, many more may yet go over the edge of insolvency. If you’re concerned about eating out, remember that the new health and safety guidelines are in place to protect patrons (plus, it’s in the restaurants’ best interests to enforce them). If you’re still nervous about eating out, how about ordering take-out?

One way or another, leaning on your favourite local restaurants to feed the family will go a long way in helping them pull through this really rough time.

Final thoughts

If there’s one silver lining the COVID-19 pandemic could have for the South African economy, it’s that we all learn to support local businesses and grow the economy through more patriotic purchasing decisions. Buying local leads us to products and services that are so much more unique and special; our money helps to fund great business ventures and entrepreneurs that are forced to compete with major international brands; and those local businesses, in turn, help to fuel the economy and create jobs.

It’s a win-win for everyone so in all of your purchasing decisions from now on—and as far as possible—keep local alive because local is lekker!

Somehow—seriously, somehow—Cape Town and its myriad industries have managed to make it through the toughest year we’ve seen in recent decades. But with the daily COVID-19 caseload steadily (and hopefully permanently) decreasing, life has begun to poke its head out of the ground in many more ways than one. Events and activities in the Mother City are slowly resuming and, with the month of September upon us, spring has officially sprung. And if there’s one decent metaphor for rejuvenation, it’s spring!

Here are some exciting events and activities to look forward to this coming season!

Ziplining with Acrobranch

Image source: www.acrobranch.co.za

Acrobranch combines the thrill of ziplining with the fun of negotiating an obstacle course littered with all manner of challenging structures. There’s the Acro-twigs course for kids aged 3 to 6; the easy Monkey Moves course for beginners; the moderately difficult Swinging Tarzan course for the fitter amongst us; and the High Flying course for those looking for a real physical challenge. A day at Acrobranch is the perfect escape for a group of friends or for team building.

Website: www.acrobranch.co.za
Address: 1 Hout Bay Main Road, Constantia Nek

Spend a day in the Cape winelands

Image source: www.pixabay.com

South Africa’s wine industry was one of the hardest hit during the COVID-19 lockdown and subsequent bans on alcohol. It is therefore your patriotic duty to pack the bubble* in the car and spend a day drinking wine, browsing through picnics, sitting down to fine (socially distanced) dining and returning home at the end of a lengthy day with the trunk filled to the brim with cases of wine. Seriously though: buy wine. You never know when the next ban will hit, and our beloved wineries need our support now more than ever!

P.S. Just pop online to make sure the winery of your choice is open for tastings and meals.

*Family or small group of friends with whom you have been quarantining.

The Constantia Gift Fair

Image source: www.thegiftfair.co.za

With the festive season a short hop and a skip (read: stumble) away, it’s time to save those pennies for the annual Constantia Gift Fair, which is set to take place from the 4th to 8th November 2020. Whatever your friends and family have written down on their Christmas list, you are—I mean, Santa is sure to find here, from exotic food-gifts and fashion apparel to home and garden accessories and more.

If you’re not comfortable attending the festivities in person, you can peruse the Constantia Gift Fair’s full catalogue, which has moved online to www.theburbsonline.co.za.

Web: www.thegiftfair.co.za
When: 4 - 8 November 2020
Address: SARDA Centre, Brommersvlei Road, Constantia

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

Image source: www.pixabay.com

Say “Hallelujah!” the Cape’s very own Garden of Eden is open to the public! The Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens is one of our city’s biggest attractions and treasures, for both tourists and locals alike. Now, after a wet winter (and with spring having just opened her eyes), the gardens are bursting into colourful life and you simply can’t miss it. Criss-crossed with walkways embraced by verdant, exuberant gardens and flush with spectacular mountain views, there is so much beauty to be found at Kirstenbosch, and so much to do during a day, from walking, birdwatching, and hiking to picnicking, dining, and getting in your daily exercise (it sure beats going for jogs around your neighbourhood).

Web: www.sanbi.org/gardens/kirstenbosch/
Address: Rhodes Drive, Newlands

The Clay Café in Hout Bay

Image source: www.claycafe.co.za

A day at the Clay Café in Hout Bay is all about spending quality time with friends and family, and flexing your creative muscles with the art of pottery and ceramics. Here, you’re given unfired bisque and colourful paints to create your own masterpieces, which is just so much fun on its own. Then, once you’re done with the painting, you can explore the garden and let the little ones enjoy the playground, while you relax with some refreshments and food from the café. Each final product takes approximately three and a half weeks to be fired and glazed and then you can pick it up and take it home with you to be used or put on display for all to admire!

Web: www.claycafe.co.za
Where: 4080 Main Road. Opposite Bokkemanskloof Estate, Hout Bay

KAMERS/Makers Space

Image source: www.kamersvol.com

Speaking about creativity, one of the Cape’s (and South Africa’s) favourite annual artisan expos is right around the corner, too! It’s KAMERS/Maker! In response to the pandemic, this once small Stellenbosch-based enterprise and now huge national event has opened two pop-up spaces in Cape Town, where people can peruse the handcrafted goods made by over 200 local artisans and artists. The one is located at the V&A Waterfront, next to Exclusive Books and the other on Plein Street in Stellenbosch, although this one is set to close on 29 August 2020.

If you’d prefer to do your shopping virtually, head on over to KAMERS/Makers Online—www.shop.kamersvol.com—where over 9,000 proudly South African products await!

Web: www.kamersvol.com

The Galileo Open Air Cinema Drive-In

Image source: www.thegalileo.co.za/drive-in/

Yeah, you heard me…the drive-in is back, baby! And making it cooler than it ever was (even in the 1980’s) is the Galileo Open Air Cinema who, for many years now, has been screening the world’s greatest classics and blockbuster movies in stunning locations around the Cape, under nothing but a blanket of stars! The only difference is, now moviegoers will watch the movie from their car (nine months from now there will probably be a surge of new babies). Of course, the Galileo will be offering the same delicious food, sweet treats, hot beverages, wine, beer, candy, and popcorn but rather than buying at the venue, you’ll simply order online when you purchase your ticket and pick-up upon arrival.

Web: www.thegalileo.co.za/drive-in
Entry: R75 to R125 per person, depending on the number of people per car.

With a walk in the park pretty much the only available activity on offer in the Cape these days, Capetonians are hitting the outdoors for the much-needed tranquility and restorative beauty of nature. Thankfully, we are blessed with an abundance of such places, from the Alphen Trail, Kirstenbosch Gardens, and Newlands Forest in the Southern Suburbs to the Company Gardens, Green Point Urban Park, and De Waal Park right in the city centre. Here are dk villas’ favourite Cape Town gardens and parks to visit….

De Waal Park, Oranjezicht

Where: Camp Street and Orange Street, Oranjezicht, Cape Town
Opening Times: 24 hours a day

De Waal Park is a community park and off-the-leash dog park located on the leafy periphery of the City Bowl in Oranjezicht. It’s a wide-open expanse of gently undulating grass dotted with large trees for shade (and birdlife). On any given day, you’ll find people walking their dogs here or sitting on picnic blankets under the shade of a tree, watching their kids chase each other. At the centre of the park, there is an old Victorian fountain, which also serves as an unofficial watering hole for the pooches. And then, around the periphery of the park, there’s a pathway that makes for a good jogging track. So, whether for fitness or a day of picnicking in the shade of a tree (or both), De Waal Park is a blissful, atmospheric oasis!

Alphen Trail, Constantia Green Belt

Where: 31 Alphen Drive, Constantia, Cape Town
Opening Times: 24 hours a day

Embarking from Alphen Drive, just off the M3 highway in the Cape’s historic and leafy suburb (and winelands) of Constantia, the Alphen Trail leads you on a meandering path alongside the Diep Rivier and the Constantia Green Belt that carpets its flanks. At only 20 to 25 minutes’ walk to its end point at Le Seuer Meadows (40 to 50 minutes’ return), it’s a super short and easy trail but its spectacularly rich and verdant surroundings (particularly in winter) explain its popularity. In fact, the Alphen Trail is widely regarded to be the most beautiful walking route in Constantia.

The Company Gardens, City Centre

Where: 19 Queen Victoria Street, Cape Town City Centre
Opening Times: Open daily from 07:30 to 20:30 in summer and 07:00 to 19:00 in winter.

Originally, in the 1600’s, all manner of fruits and vegetables were grown in the Company Gardens to supply and restock the Dutch East India Company ships that were travelling to Asia, via the treacherous Cape of Storms. Today, its one of Cape Town’s most historic attractions, complete with bird aviaries, fountains, and friendly squirrels! These sprawling lawns, rose gardens, and tree-lined avenues offer visitors long, pleasant, and atmospheric walks, with the added benefit of being within a stone’s throw of downtown Cape Town, as well as the Iziko Natural History Museum, National Art Gallery, and Planetarium. The Company Gardens are a great place to bring the family for a picnic. Make sure you bring peanuts for the squirrels: they will eat right out of your hand!

Newlands Forests

Where: Off the M3 highway, Newlands, Table Mountain (Nature Reserve)
Opening Times: 24 hours a day

Not more than a 10-15 minute drive from the city centre (assuming there’s no traffic), right off the M3 highway, you’ll find the lush woodlands of Newlands Forests. Criss-crossed with long, leisurely, pine needle-carpeted walkways, this forest offers a shaded and peaceful destination for Capetonians desperate for a little tranquility and escape. Many of these paths, which climb the eastern flanks of the Table Mountain Nature Reserve, end in scenic viewpoints.

Newland forest (named after its home suburb) also offers an expansive picnic area with fire pits for braaiing and concrete tables and chairs, so plan for a long afternoon of relaxing after your walk! Do note that there is a small entrance fee per vehicle and per person; also, visitors are advised to walk in groups for safety.

Green Point Urban Park

Where: 4 Wiltshire Crescent, Green Point, Cape Town
Opening Times: Monday to Sunday, 07:00 to 19:00

The Green Point Urban Park sprawls out quite lavishly to the west of the Cape Town Stadium, offering Capetonians a serene, wooded park with a tangle of trails for walking, jogging, and biking. Located right in the heart of one of Cape Town’s most highly urbanised suburbs and nightlife districts—Green Point—the park is a veritable lush oasis with the added benefits of the Tot-Lot Play Park for families with kids, a biodiversity garden, adventure and heritage gardens, a golf course, and even a fish-stocked lake!

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens

Where: Rhodes Drive, Newlands, Cape Town
Opening Times: 08:00 to 19:00 in summer (September to March) | 08:00 to 18:00 in winter (April to August)

Located on the eastern flanks of Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch’s sweeping, emerald gardens are a spectacular and colourful celebration of life. Visitors here can get to truly appreciate the majesty and diversity of the Cape floral kingdom by navigating its complex network of pathways that lead through protected Fynbos, kalaeidescopic gardens, ancient forests, edible food gardens, and more. When you get hungry, you can stop in at the Kirstenbosch Tea Room (ktr.co.za) for a lovely menu of family-friendly treats. Just be sure to check the website to make sure their regular services and facilities are available during COVID-19.

With the northward migration of the sub-tropical high pressure belt comes the periodic cold fronts that bring the Western Cape sweet rain and sweet respite from the gale-force south-easterly winds that pummel the peninsula every day during summer. So while we tend to associate winter with miserable weather, here in the Cape, it’s actually the perfect time of year to do a whole lot of outdoor (and cosy, indoor) activities! Here are 8 things about Cape Town that are better in winter….

1. Milder, cool weather perfect for hiking

Sure, the Cape gets cold fronts (and you definitely don’t want to be caught summiting a mountain during one of those) but after the 2017 water crisis, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a Capetonian who isn’t grateful for a downpour!

And, in any case, after a few days of rain, the sun typically comes out and then the weather is the picture of perfection for outdoor adventures like walking, hiking, and trail running. A light southerly breeze, cool daytime temperatures, and delicious (yet not too intense) sunshine are the ultimate trifecta for hitting the Cape’s many hiking trails.

The only things you need to be careful of are slippery paths and muddy tracks, so be sure to read up on your chosen hike beforehand, in case they warn against that.

2. Perfect beach weather

You’d think summer is the perfect time to head to the beach for a picnic, a stroll, or even a swim, if you can stand the nip of the cold Atlantic water. Yet, all too often, the Cape’s gale-force summertime south-easterly winds totally ruin a day on the beach by whipping up the sand into a stinging cloud and driving it into your legs and face. NO FUN.

During winter, however, the south-easterly winds pack their bags and leave the Cape alone for a few months of blissful calm!This means that on those sunny days between cold fronts (and the north-westerly winds they bring), you can head down to the beach and enjoy the gorgeous fresh sea breeze, sunshine that won’t scorch you within seconds, and sand that stays where it’s supposed to: beneath your beach towel!

3. Everything is green!

During summer, the city can appear brown and scorched with withered clumps of grass and bushes barely holding on for life. But with the arrival of life-giving rainfall in the Cape, everywhere, from fields to mountain flanks transforms into a kaleidoscope of colour! Grasses are emerald green with health, fynbos and Namaqua daisies bloom, and verdant flora carpets the Cape’s mountain ranges and peninsula with gorgeous, colourful, and audacious life. It’s truly beautiful to behold so put on your hiking boots and explore.

Many of the mountain trails also sprout waterfalls and gushing streams, which just adds to the magical experience.

4. Winter water wonderland for adventure sports

Ask any water sports enthusiasts: the wind conditions (and therefore the waves)along the coast are better in winter! Although water sports like surfing and kite-surfing are super popular in summer too, winter has warmer sea temperatures to offer. For more advice on water sports and outdoor adventures in the Cape, check out DK Villas other blogs:

• The Adrenalin Junkie’s Guide to Cape Town
• Wet n’ Wild Water Sports on the Cape West Coast

5. Red, red wine

Ah, there’s nothing quite like a glorious glass of Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon, Swartland Shiraz, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley Pinot Noir, or Franschhoek Bordeaux-style blend on a cold wintry evening. Throw a roaring fire and a loved one into the mix and you’ve got the greatest possible cliché for enjoying a winter’s evening (hey, if it works, why question it?)

The Cape’s numerous wine region and routes are the progenitors of a handsome suite of literally thousands of different red wines, catering to every palate and budget. So, when the darned liquor ban lifts, place your orders, stock your cellars, pour a glass of delicious local red wine, and make a toast to winter in the Cape!

Click here to read dk villas’ top red wine recommendations for winter.

6. The whales are here!

Every year, around June and July, great pods of southern right whales make their way northwards to the substantially warmer waters around South Africa, where they breed and give birth before travelling back south again to their feeding grounds around Antarctica. We also occasionally see humpback whales, Bryde’s whales, and several species of dolphins.

It’s during this special time of year that these enormous, yet gentle beasts can be seen from just about any vantage point along the Cape peninsula and southwestern Cape coastline!The most notable of these vantage points are found in False Bay, Cape Agulhas, and, of course, the famous whale-watching town of Hermanus, which the World Wildlife Fund has rated as one of the top 12 whale-watching locations in the world. But, really, you can see the whales from anywhere along the coast, including Camps Bay and Hout Bay.

7. Time for the annual blooming of the wildflowers

The Cape practically has an international reputation for the annual blooming of its wildflower. Every winter (towards the end of August and for only a few precious weeks)billions of bulbs and seeds that have lain dormant in the soil erupt into a blooming flowers, carpeting the Cape and much of its West Coast in swaths of orange, purple, red, and white. It’s an attraction that draws hundreds of locals and tourists each year, but with 2020’s travel bans, you can at least enjoy the spectacle in relative peace.

Some of the best places to view the wildflowers include Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens; Postberg Flower Reserve at the West Coast National Park; Citrusdal, the centre for South Africa’s fruit farming industry; Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden; Darling Renosterveld Local Nature Reserve; Ramskop Nature Reserve near Clanwilliam in the Cederberg; Cape Columbine Nature Reserve near Paternoster; Harold Porter Botanical Garden; Tienie Versfeld Wildflower Reserve near Darling; and the Namaqua National Park.

8. Witness the Cape of Storms in action!

The weather isn’t always perfect in winter. Every so often, an enormous storm rolls in—storms that remind us why our far-flung peninsula has earned a reputation as “the Cape of Storms!” While you can’t exactly venture out into the bad weather—with its driving rain, intense north-westerly gusts, and even occasional hail and lightning—you can drive (very carefully) to a high vantage point along the coast and enjoy the show!

Watch in awe as the wind drives massive swells into the peninsula’s cliff faces, crashing waves pound against the shore, and squalls of rain bands thrash the ocean surface into a fury. The Cape’s storms are an incredible expression of nature’s power, which can be enjoyed safely from your car (maybe even with a thermos of coffee or hot chocolate!) Just drive slowly and carefully, and choose a spot that is a decent altitude or distance away from the actual shoreline.

It’s not uncommon for angry winter waves to breach barriers, sending foam and water spilling into parking lots and coastal roads!

The month of August 2020 represents several blissful milestones for the husbandand-wife team behind dk villas, Johann and Petra de Kock. On the 13th August 2020, the visionary Cape Town duo reaches their 15-year wedding anniversary. And two days later, on the 15th, their luxury accommodation company, dk villas, turns two.

What a month!

When asked how dk villas intends to celebrate its two-year milestone, Petra answered: “We are busy looking at one-bedroom apartments to add to the family!”

Currently, the dk villas portfolio consists of two gorgeous properties in Hout Bay—one two-bedroom, two-bathroom on Victoria Road (located at The Boardwalk) and one three-bedroom, two-bathroom in the Harbour View complex on the Main Road—as well as a tranquil, two-bedroom, two-bathroom beach cottage in Dwarskersbos on the West Coast.

All of the three properties have been lovingly decorated and lavishly appointed by Johann and Petra to reflect their taste for luxury, modern appliances, and gorgeous aesthetics (with a generous touch of hominess). They’re also offering 15% off on all bookings until 30th September 2021, so if you’re interested in experiencing the dk villas lifestyle, head on over to the website to book!

Another member of the dk villas family

With these three jewels in the crown of dk villas having enjoyed a steady stream of happy tourists and locals over the past two years, it only makes sense that dk villas celebrates this milestone with the addition of a fourth!

At the time of writing, Johann and Petra had begun the apartment hunt, favouring the Chapman’s Peak side of Hout Bay’s valley as the location of their next property.

“But we’re in no hurry,” says Petra. “We’ll only buy if the apartment ‘talks’ to us,” a sentiment that is very much in keeping with the dk villas brand, which takes the complete opposite of a cookie-cutter approach to curating its luxury rental properties. Each property has a distinct personality and feel that most high-end hotels and luxury accommodations fail to achieve, striking a perfect balance between modern and home comfort.

Crystal wedding anniversary

Another huge milestone for Johann and Petra this month is their 15-year wedding anniversary.

“We have booked a romantic couple photo shoot to celebrate, but only in November, COVID-19 permitting of course,” says Johann.

“And we’re going skydiving!” adds Petra, although she hasn’t yet revealed the surprise to Johann. “I have to admit I’m nervous of jumping out of an airplane (who wouldn’t be?) but we’re going ahead with it, unless Johann changes his mind.”

This daring decision to go skydiving to celebrate their crystal wedding anniversary comes on the heels of Petra being rushed to hospital on Sunday, 5th July 2020 having been utterly blind-sided by a heart attack.

Johann leaped to her aid, administering CPR (and saving her life) until Petra could be taken to hospital, where she had a stent placed in her heart.

“He literally saved my life,” she said, although she suffered a cracked sternum for his ardent efforts. “Once my heart is healed and I’m cleared by my doctor, this is an adventure we really want to go on. Surviving a heart attack makes all other ‘dangers’ seem so small and inconsequential.”

15 Years together and a lifetime yet to go….

August is indeed a special month for Johann and Petra de Kock who, together, have achieved and overcome so much. With a new lease on life (and hopefully a new jewel to add to their property portfolio soon), the next year can only bring further adventure and love of life, property, and each other!

#couplegoals

Women’s month is upon us! But since we can’t throw an extravagant dinner party or even give a round of hugs to the women behind the magic at dk villas, we’d like to proudly declare our appreciation for all the hard work, creativity, devotion, and ingenuity they so tirelessly channel into our happy family business. And so, during the month of August, in which we celebrate the fierce awesomeness of the women in our lives, we’d like to thank each and every one of the following boss ladies….

Here’s to the women of dk villas!

Petra de Kock is one half of the brains, the brawn, and beauty behind the family business dk villas (where “corporate” isn’t part of the furniture). While her nineto-five is AMC Duty Manager at Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), she harbors an ardent passion for interior design and travel, the former of which she has exercised in the furnishing and decorating of every dk villa property.

Originally from Durban, Petra is a first generation South African born to German parents and has been living in Hout Bay since 1997, where her and husband Johann (the other half of dk villas) have two gorgeous rental properties and a third in Dwarskersbos. Not only is Petra a true design visionary but she is a generous, kind, and exceptionally brave soul. To know her is to love her and to work with her, a rare privilege indeed!

Thea Beckman is a passionate writer with over a decade’s experience in wordsmithery. She began her writing career quite by accident in 2010, when she moved to Thailand for a little adventure. Instead of teaching, she found a job as a freelance writer and what began as a way to fund her travels ended up as a career and a calling. Today, Thea is the self-published author of the book “Why? Because Science!”, a respected blogger, magazine journalist, and freelance writer.

Thea joined the dk villas family in 2019 when she stayed at the Dwarskersbos beach cottage on assignment as a travel writer for lifestyle magazine, Southern Vines. Johann and Petra were so delighted by the editorial she wrote about their property that they asked her to become the blogger for dk villas. Naturally, she said “yes” and the rest is history.

Lauren Ashman is a born-and-bred Capetonian who, in spite of having lived here her whole life, is still surprised by the Mother City’s sublime beauty. Being involved in the digital space and User Experience Design is a passion of Lauren’s that she feels lucky enough to call her job. Lauren handles all of dk villas’ social media (Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn) and she does fabulous work, is superlatively creative, and gives the brand excellent marketing coverage.

Outside of working hours, you will always find Lauren outside. She is a nature lover at heart and always tries to get outdoors or break away as much as humanly possible, even when it's freezing. She is also greatly intrigued by unsolved mysteries and the unexplained, and fully intends to come back as a paranormal investigator in her next life!

Tina van der Mescht is the “hostess with the mostest” at dk villas’ beach cottage, which is located at Skilliepark in Dwarskersbos, up the gorgeous and pristine West Coast. She not only keeps a tight rein on the property—ensuring that it is exceptionally well cared for, cleaned, and ready for every guest—but she is also the friendly and welcoming face that guests first see upon arrival.

Tina lives in the gorgeous little holiday town of Dwarskersbos with her husband Juan (who is also coincidentlly a handiman, which is a great convenience for when anything needs fixing in our beach cottage). Tina has two beautiful children (one pictured above with her) and describes herself as a very family-orientated person.

Nontembiso Gloria Ncayapi, our gem, has been with us as housekeeper for six years (since January 2014) keeping dk villas’ two Hout Bay properties in beautiful shape for our guests to enjoy. One of the things we love the most about Gloria is the amount of pride she takes in her work, describing The Boardwalk and Harbour View properties as “her dk villas”, and refusing to let anyone else touch them.

Gloria comes from Victoria West, a small town in the central Karoo, Northern Cape. She now lives in Khayalitsha and travels every day to Hout Bay to work. She has two children: a 23-year old boy and a 16-year old girl.

Michelle Boois is the housekeeper for dk villas’ beach cottage in Dwarskersbos and the newest member of the dk villas family, having only come on board two weeks before the COVID-19 lockdown in South Africa. Before that, she worked for the Laaiplek Hotel in Velddrif.

Michelle does a wonderful job maintaining the impeccable standards we promise our guests. She is also the proud mother of six children, so when she’s not doing an amazing job as dk villas housekeeper, she is hard at work raising her children.

Is there anything better (and more romantic) than whiling away a wintry evening in the Cape with a big glass of beautiful local red wine in front of the fire? Hardly! And with winter in full swing—the north-westerly winds bringing rain and plummeting temperatures from the Antarctic—we could all use a little warming of the cockles! Here are dk villas’ favourite red wines from the Cape’s highly esteemed cellars and wine routes….

Roodeberg Red 2018

www.KWV.co.za

Tasting notes: Roodeberg has been a part of the fibre of the South African wine culture since 1949, making it one of the country’s iconic wines.The Roodeberg Red—a classic blend of a Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and Merlot—shows aromatic layers of fresh red fruit, cassis, and pencil shavings with undertones of tobacco and dark chocolate.The palate is beautifully layered and soft with nuances of cedar oak and dark plums, extending to a lingering finish.

Cost: R121, available from www.wine.co.za

La Motte Pierneef Collection Syrah Viognier

www.La-Motte.co.za

Tasting notes: This extraordinarily elegant wine hails from the cellars of La Motte wine estate in Franschhoek and is a blend of 95% Shiraz and 5% Viognier. Mulberry fruit and pepper spice are prominent, while integrated oak gives depth on the nose. Thisred-and-white wine blend is soft, silky, and easy on the palate, with finesse and freshness on the finish. Its rich, fruity style makes it a versatile partner to food, too!

Cost: R280, available from www.La-Motte.co.za

Holden Manz Proprietors’ Blend 2015

www.holdenmanz.com

Tasting notes: Located in the top southern-most corner of the Franschhoek Valley, the 22-hectare Holden Manz Wine Estate presented this maiden vintage of blended Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrahin 2019. The wine delivers a perfumed nose of black cherries, hibiscus, and raspberry, and hints of cedar wood and cherry pipe tobacco. The tannins are soft, voluptuous, and well integrated and the palate rich, creamy, silky smooth, and cassis fresh.This is an ultra-premium wines made for the discerning wine connoisseur!

Cost: R 250, available from www.holden-manz-wines.myshopify.com

Kanonkop Kadette Cape Blend 2018

www.kanonkop.co.za

Tasting notes: Of all the very fine red wines made in Stellenbosch and elsewhere in the Cape today, the name Kanonkop is consistently among those at the top of the lists compiled by critics, judges, collectors, and buyers. The Kadette Cape Blend is a medium-bodied wine with a deep ruby red colour and notes of red and black fruits on the nose, a well-balanced structure, and flavours of dark chocolate and blackberries. We love it because it’s a versatile, affordable, and reliably excellent red for every occasion!

Cost: R115, available from www.kanonkop.co.za

Plaisir de Merle Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

www.plaisirdemerle.co.za

Tasting notes: The Plaisir de Merle Cabernet Sauvignon is a dark ruby red wine with an aromatic nose of red berry fruit, sweet spice, and hints of vanilla and oak. This full-bodied, fruit-driven wine by winemaker Niel Bester delivers blackberry fruit, cedar notes, dark chocolate, and vanilla underscored by a firm, ripe tannin structure andlingering sweet red berry fruit…an absolute must for this winter!

Cost: R250, available from www.vinoteque.co.za

Steenberg Nebbiolo 2016

www.steenbergfarm.com

Tasting notes: On appearance, this unusual (for South Africa) wine is slightly brick red with a clear yet bright hue. The bouquet displays notes of savoury strawberry compote, aniseed and truffle, along with notes of leather and red cherry. Steenberg’s Nebbiolo (an Italian red varietal) displays typically tart acidity and grippy tannins, accompanied with hints of sour cherry, raspberry and tobacco leaf. Sound delicious? It also scored 4.5 stars in the Platter’s Wine Guide 2019!

Cost: R295, available from www.steenbergfarm.com

Lozärn Carménère 2017

www.lozarn.co.za

Tasting notes: Another unusual varietal for South Africa, the Lozärn Carménère hails from the fertile soils of Doornbosch farm in the Breede river valley. While this wine is still very young, the intense cherry notes on the nose and deep purple plums underscored by softer notes of mocha are delightful. Only 2,000 bottles were made so if you manage to get your hands on one, stash it away somewhere dark and cool and keep it for a few years before cracking it open with someone special.

Cost: R495, available from www.lozarn.co.za

Allesverloren Tinta Barocca 2017

www.allesverloren.co.za

Tasting notes: Situated on the south-eastern slopes of the Kasteelberg near Riebeek West, Allesverloren is the oldest estate in the Swartland Wine of Origin district and is renowned for its red wines and Fine Old Vintage. Its Tinta Barocca is anelegant, medium to full-bodied wine with intense berry fruit, subtle chocolate, vanilla, and oak spice aromas, well-structured tannins, and a lingering finish. It’s been a staple of wine and bottle store shelves for decades and for good reason!

Cost: R158, available from www.wine.co.za

Neethlingshof Estate Pinotage 2018

www.neethlingshof.co.za

Tasting notes: From the gorgeous and historic Stellenbosch estate of Neethlingshof comes this ruby red, medium-bodied Pinotage, which bursts with berry flavours and fruity aromas of cinnamon, plum, and prunes, all supported by a powerful tannic backbone. Neethlingshof Estate’s vine roots extend back to the earliest years of winemaking at the Cape. In fact, grapes were already being produced on the farm by 1705!

Cost: R110, available from www.neethlingshof.co.za

Excelsior ‘Evanthius’ Cabernet Sauvignon

www.excelsior.co.za

Tasting notes: The Excelsior ‘Evanthius’ Cabernet Sauvignon pays homage to a champion racehorse that was imported by Excelsior in 1913 and went on to win many titles in South Africa, including that of Rosebank’s Champion Stallion. Made from the oldest vines on the farm, this double-gold Michelangelo award winner is a deep ruby red in colour with a black core: full-bodied with aromas of blackcurrants, chocolate, and cedar. This Cabernetis rich, but with soft tannins and a long finish.

Cost: R170, available from www.excelsior.co.za

For years, Johann de Kock, one half of the passion and vision behind dk villas, has fervently supported Formula One racing. Who can say what it was about the sport that reeled him in? The roar of 900+ horsepower engines, the glint of flawlessly aerodynamic metal in the sun, the crowds erupting in cheers, the spirit…whatever it was, a love of racing was brought all the way home with the addition to the de Kock family of a son-in-law who races Formula Libre in South Africa.

If Johann was a fan before, getting to know and love his son-in-law, Dee-Jay Booysen, took his support to fanatical levels. And now that Dee-Jay has acquired a brand new car for his team, Dico racing team #20, a very proud Johann, together with his wife and the other half of the passion and vision behind dk villas, Petra de Kock can fulfil another lifelong dream: to become an official sponsor in Formula racing.

“When we met Dee-Jay, of course, the interest was there, and now that he’s family, it’s a big thing,” says Petra. “We are so proud of him – he is an excellent driver and he has achieved so much!”

Let’s take a closer look at Formula Libre, dk villas’ sponsorship of Dee-Jay Booysen’s team, and his thrilling new career of racing at Killarney Race Track in Cape Town!

What is Formula Libre?

In the lean years following World War Two, when there wasn’t much money available to spend on the more “frivolous” of expenses, like motor racing, a more flexible and adaptive form of the sport evolved. Stringent automobile requirements were tossed out the window. Instead, you could race a wide variety of automobiles, ages, and makes of purpose-built racing cars, which competed head-to-head.

This renaissance in motor racing kept the sport alive at a time when it would otherwise have perished and, because racers were pretty much free to bring whatever vehicle they wanted to compete, it became known as “Formula Libre” (meaning free). The only regulations governing the sportcovered the basics, such as safety equipment.

“At club level, single-seaters happily rubbed wheels with specials and production sports cars, while a kind of halfway house category might simply combine singleseaters of all shapes and sizes, conceivably involving such rocket ships as the 4½-litre ‘ThinWall Special’ Ferrari or the 1½-litre supercharged BRM V16s with 2-litre Connaughts and Cooper-Bristols, ERAs, variably arthritic pre-war Maseratis plus 1000 or 1100cc air-cooled Cooper-Vincents and Cooper-JAPs,” writes renowned motor racing historian Doug Nye in his article Time for Formula Libre?

This really made (and makes) for some interesting competitions, while also opening opportunities for compelling driving performances against superior machinery.

Free formula racing went on to play an important role not only in British-based club racing but also in the international race calendar. And, as we said, it lead the revival of the sport in the wake of the economic doldrums left by the war. What with the global pandemic bringing world economies to yet another standstill, Formula Libre may very well once again explode into the limelight!

Formula Libre in South Africa

South Africa, of course, is no stranger to Formula Libre. In a country struggling for economic prosperity (but with no shortage of racing spirit), Formula Libre has long been the stage upon which countless aspiring professional racers have honed their skills and exerted their passions. And it continues to offer low cost, entry level racing that is as thrilling and action-packed as its more formal (and expensive) sister sport.

Formula Libre is also the ideal platform from which to launch South Africa’s motor racing stars of the future! Over the years, single seater Formula Libre has provided hundreds of young South African men and even women the opportunity to compete in Motor Sport at the National Championship level. And Dee-Jay Booysen with Dico racing team #20 is one of them!

Accomplished racer Dee-Jay Booysen

Dee-Jay Booysen’s list of major achievements runs long:In 2010/2011, he came second overall in the Dirt Oval Carting Club Championship. In 2012, 2013, and 2014, he came first overall for the Formula M - 400cc Class C Club Championship (Half Circuit) and in 2018 and 2019, he won first overall in the Formula Libre – 1300cc Class S: WP Club Championship (Main Circuit), to name just a few of his accolades over the past decade.

This is not to mention snagging the love and devotion of Johann and Petra de Kock’s beloved daughter Chris-Lee and the birth of their beautiful little boy.

It’s only right that dk villas, fuelled by Johann’s enduring passion for racing, lends its support and sponsorship to this bright rising star in South African motor sport. So the next time you head down to Killarney Race Track (once life returns to normal after the pandemic) be sure to look out for Dico racing team #20, their brand new car, and dk villas’ proud logo!