Good morning, Durbanville!
If you hear the hum of free-wheels and see more Lycra than usual this morning, it’s because the 99er Cycle Tour has arrived. Whether you’re riding or just trying to get to the shops, this weekend is all about navigating the "Northern Suburbs Bubble" with a bit of extra patience.
Thank you for being one of the 600+ locals who make the Hub a part of their Friday morning routine. Let’s dive in.
1. The Water Watch: A 60% Warning Sign
The City's latest dashboard (released 2 February) shows our combined dam levels have officially slipped to 60.1%.
While we aren't in a crisis yet, the downward trend is aggressive. We are currently losing about 2% of our storage every week, and our daily usage has soared to 1,073 million litres—well above the City's target. With long-term forecasts predicting a dry February, it’s time to be extra mindful of the "Day Zero" lessons we all worked so hard to learn.
The Weekend Tip: As temperatures climb this weekend, please check your irrigation timers and pool covers. Every litre saved now helps delay the need for stricter restrictions later this year.
2. The Hub’s "Need-to-Know" List (Friday 6 Feb & Saturday 7 Feb)
🚨 The 99er Cycle Race Road Closures (Saturday 7 Feb)
Expect significant disruptions from 05:00 to 13:00 this Saturday.
Full Closures: Sport Way (05:00–08:30), Koeberg Road (08:00–13:00) and Adderley Road (07:30–10:00).Affected Areas: Durmonte, Goedemoed, Vierlanden and Durbanville Central will be particularly slow. If you’re not cycling, we recommend staying off the Koeberg/Adderley corridor until after lunch.
Power Grid: Eskom load reduction continues in "Peak Management" windows for Eskom-supplied areas (Pinehurst/Fisantekraal) from 05:00–09:00 and 17:00–22:00.
School Watch: Expect high pedestrian traffic around the Durbanville Sports Complex on Friday as registration for the 99er kicks off.
3. Nitida Spotlight: The "Wine Window" is Open!
The Wine Window at Nitida
Ring the Wine Bell at Nitida!
First, a brief history - The Tale of the "Little Holes": In the 16th century, the noble families of Florence, Italy were looking for a way to sell wine from their country estates directly to the people—without the middlemen and, more importantly, without the heavy city taxes.
The solution was the buchette del vino (literally "wine holes"). These were small, arched openings carved directly into the stone walls of their grand city palaces. A passerby would simply knock on the tiny wooden door, slide their coins across the stone, and a flask of wine would appear from the cool darkness of the cellar.
During the Great Plague of 1630, these windows became a literal lifeline. They allowed the city to keep moving (and drinking) through the first-ever form of "contactless delivery," protecting both the merchant and the citizen. Today, only a handful of these windows remain active in Italy—and now, the tradition has found a home in Durbanville.
Ring the Bell at Nitida (Open 7 Days a Week) Nitida is building on this 500-year-old history with Durbanville’s very first Wine Window. It is the ultimate "frictionless" farm experience.
The Ritual: When you arrive at the farm, find the rustic stone window, ring the brass bell, and wait for the hatch to slide open.
The Pour: Order a glass of Nitida’s finest (red or white), tap your card to pay, and receive your wine through the window.
No Fuss: No bookings, no formal waiters—just world-class wine and a nod to a storied Italian secret.
Weekend Platters: If you’re looking to linger, their limited-edition Tasting Room Platters are available this Saturday and Sunday only.
Nitida’s Wine Window is situated here: Location
4. What’s On: Your Weekend in the 'Ville
*Board Game Day at Durbanville Town Hall
Saturday, 7 Feb (09:00–17:00): Looking for something different?
The Town Hall is being transformed into a tabletop gaming paradise. A full day of board games (Catan tournaments, jigsaw puzzle competitions) and role-playing scenarios at the Town Hall. It’s a brilliant, low-cost (R75 entry) family day out.
[Tickets via Quicket]
*Outdoor Cinema: Pretty Woman at Zevenwacht
Saturday, 7 Feb (Gates open at 17:00): The Galileo Open Air Cinema is hosting a screening of Pretty Woman under the stars at Zevenwacht Wine Estate. Pack a picnic and enjoy the quintessential summer night in the winelands.
*Durbanville Hills: Sundaze Summer Events
Sunday, 8 Feb (14:00–18:00): Wrap up the weekend on the lawns at Durbanville Hills. Expect live DJs, wine slushies, and those famous views of Table Bay. It’s a cashless venue, and entry is R100 (includes a welcome drink).
*Harvest Season at Durbanville Hills
"Sip the Grape" Harvest Tours: Running on selected dates (Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays) from 18 February. It’s an interactive "vine to wine" experience that includes a cellar tour, wine blending and a two-course dinner at The Tangram.
*Simonsig Simomo Sundowners:
If you don't mind a short drive toward Stellenbosch, these Friday night sundowners (6 Feb & 20 Feb) are very popular.
Valentine’s Day Preview: Saturday, 14 Feb
Since our next dispatch (13 Feb) lands just 24 hours before the big day, we’re giving you an early look at the local highlights. Note: Both of these are high-demand events, so early booking is essential.
→ A Chocolate & Wine Romance at Nitida They are pulling out all the stops with a decadent Lindt Chocolate & Wine Tasting. It’s an unpretentious yet indulgent way to spend the afternoon in the vineyards.
When: Saturday, 14 Feb (11:00–15:30) & Sunday, 15 Feb (11:00–14:30).
The Vibe: Thoughtfully paired Nitida wines with smooth Lindt chocolates.
The "Linger" Factor: Since you're there, you can still "Ring the Bell" at the Wine Window or enjoy their weekend platters.
→ Cook with a MasterChef: Shawn Godfrey Looking for something more hands-on? Shawn Godfrey (MasterChef SA winner, aka The Roasted Dad) is hosting a special Valentine's Date Night workshop at Makers Landing.
The Menu: Learn to make his "million-dollar" mac & cheese and cowboy butter plankie steak, finishing with the famous Malva Pudding that won him the MasterChef title.
Included: Welcome cocktails, canapés, wine, and a complimentary Cape Wheel ticket for a romantic post-dinner ride.
Tickets: Available via Quicket.
For the Small Business Owners: A Digital Kickstart
Do you need a professional website but don't have the time or a massive agency budget? We’ve heard from many local entrepreneurs who just need a clean, functional site to get started.
We are offering a Basic Website Package for Durbanville businesses for around R5,000. We’ll handle the tech so you can focus on your business.
Interested? Just reply to this email or reach out at [email protected].
📬 Share the Hub Know a neighbour who is looking for something to do this weekend? Forward this guide! newsletter.durbanvillehub.com
📧 Get in Touch Have a local tip or want to say hello? Reach us at [email protected].