MALMESBURY

It’s where I thrive

2023-10-01 - By Desiree Hartney

Except for a few years in Stellenbosch when I was at university, I’ve lived in Malmesbury my whole life – a farming town in the Swartland north of Cape Town. It feels like we’re in the country, but since the N7 upgrade, we’re actually only a half-hour drive from Canal Walk and 45 minutes from the city centre.

We’re close to Cape Town, but I don’t think I’d thrive there. I’m a small-town person at heart. There’s something reassuring about knowing I’ll run into a familiar face when I head out to the pharmacy or the supermarket.

Malmesbury is not short on good restaurants. I have a soft spot for a breakfast at Cherry Lane in the town centre, especially the Puff Omelette – a featherlight creation with paperthin slices of parma ham, cherry tomatoes, caramelised onions and rocket. They also have great cappuccino and chocolate cake. In summer, my friends and I hang out on the front stoep; in winter we cosy up to the fireplace in the back.

For dinner, Die Herehuis is a local institution. They have juicy steaks and schnitzel, and you won’t easily find a better Sunday lunch.

Swartland Winery is about five minutes outside town. There’s no spectacular mountain view like in Stellenbosch, but it’s close to town and the wines make up for it. My favourite is the refreshing moscato or bukettraube on a hot summer’s day, or a glass of merlot on a cold winter’s night.

It’s a point of pride that wine of export quality is being produced in my backyard.

If you’re the sporty type, you can play a round of golf at the golf club with a view of Paardeberg – on a clear day you can even see Table Mountain. I know nothing about golf, but my dad was a good player. He believes that even though the course only has nine holes, it offers challenging slopes and the location of the bunkers will test your skills.

My mom was born here and most of her family still live here – they love to joke around and I wouldn’t trade them for the world.

My late paternal grandfather (an inkommer from Steynsburg in the Eastern Cape) always complained about the Malmesbury bry. He tried to drill it out of us but he wasn’t very successful

– I still roll my r’s like only a Swartlander can!