In a thriving Village like ours, things are always moving, grooving and growing – a fresh coffee poured, a new door opened, a familiar space given a burst of life. If you’ve been away for the festive season and are wondering what’s new in town, here’s a little local roundup.

As the school bells start ringing again across Somerset West, we want to take a moment to pause and say thank you to the schools shaping our children and our community. If you’re new to town or simply curious about the educational landscape here, Somerset West is quietly remarkable in what it offers.

In the last year, there’s been a tangible shift in the feeling you get when walking through the hub of Somerset West. So what’s changed? Behind the scenes, the Somerset West City Improvement District (SWCID) has been putting in the work to keep our village safe, clean, and vibrant.

It’s no secret that Somerset West is one of the most sought-after places to live in the country. And we get that – who wouldn’t want to live nestled amidst the mountains, sea, and winelands. But what does this irresistible lifestyle mean for those looking to own, rent or buy property?

Every December, there’s a special kind of magical glow that settles over Main Road. Long before the smell of mince pies lingers in the air, there’s that moment when our Christmas lights flick on – and suddenly the town feels like home in a whole new way. This year, we’re keeping that beautiful tradition alive.

To get a clear picture of the state of security in Somerset West, we spoke with Craig Austen from Secure Rite and Fernando Vermeulen from Vetus Schola – two partners of the Village Collective who work daily to protect our community and bring 45 years of collective experience to the table.

The end of November is fast approaching, the radio stations are getting into their Mariah Carey groove and everyone’s thinking: “I really should’ve started gift shopping by now.” If that’s you, don’t worry – we’ve put together a little Somerset West gift guide to make festive shopping feel less frantic and a whole lot more joyful.

Somehow, we’ve blinked and it’s November. Evenings are stretching longer, and conversations have started turning to “what are we doing for year-end?”‍ ‍Here are a few ideas to help you plan something memorable.

Spring has always felt like a special season of possibility, but this one is extra special for the Somerset West Village Garden because it’s turning ten! That’s ten Springs of growth, hard work, and community spirit in the green heart of our Village.

With matric prelims already in full swing and finals just around the corner, households across the Helderberg basin are feeling the pressure rise. This exam season, Master Maths is sharing some practical tips every parent can pass on to their high schoolers facing finals.

This International Cabernet Sauvignon Day, we are raising a glass to our very own Somerset West Wine Route. Ten farms, each with their own story and flavour. Some have playgrounds for the little ones, trails for the sporty ones, and water bowls for the four-legged ones – all are worth a visit. Here’s our run-through of the highlights reel.

Not every young person wants to take the university path straight after school, or perhaps not at all. For those seeking something more hands-on, adventurous, and global, a career at sea could open new doors. Just around the corner in Harbour Island, Gordons Bay, Black Pearl Yachting Academy is helping local youth step into the exciting world of superyachts.

This past weekend, Somerset West’s own Parel Vallei High School welcomed Pearson High School from Port Elizabeth for their much-loved annual interschools exchange. Over three days, the fields, courts, and halls of PV buzzed with energy as learners competed, performed, debated, and cheered with heart.

For this Women’s Day, we put out a call to the Village to help us shine a light on the women who keep our town ticking – the ones who bring kindness, care, energy and excellence to the work they do, often without much recognition. Here are a few of the remarkable women who were celebrated.

When you’ve got a to-do list as long as Main Road and need a one-stop solution, there’s one place locals in the know keep coming back to: The Trading Post. Over the years, the centre has continued to evolve with the changing needs of the town. And behind this evolution is a familiar local name.

Throughout the Village today, Mr. Mandela's memory is being respectfully honoured through acts of kindness and generosity. We know that the Somerset West Village Garden is collecting dry food items for their gardeners, while the Sir Lowry's Pass Paint Magic mural team is painting alongside the community outside Joyce's Kitchen. And we have one more inspiring story to share…

What’s growing in the Somerset West Village Garden this season? From building an innovative charcoal cooling chamber to mastering the perfect compost pile, we’re hard at work laying the groundwork for the seasons ahead. Here’s a look at what’s happening this season in the Village Garden and how you can get involved.

As 18 July approaches, South Africa prepares once again to honour Mandela Day – a celebration not only of Madiba’s life, but of the spirit he embodied: service, dignity, and everyday acts of kindness. This year, we’re highlighting two meaningful ways you can get involved right here in our Village.

On 13 June, the Village Collective hosted its second annual business breakfast. Founding partners and key Somerset West stakeholders shared their passion and ideas for revitalising the village centre – making it a place to live, work, connect, and thrive.

Youth Day is a time to reflect on the power and potential of young people across South Africa – and right here in Somerset West, the Imibala Trust is steadily transforming that potential into reality every day.