A proud milestone for the region, this first-of-its-kind initiative comprised five thematic categories reflecting the essence of Stellenbosch as a destination. Following an overwhelming response of over 90 submissions across three age divisions (7-18, 19-65, and 66+), official winners were announced at the official awards ceremony on 19 June, with each receiving R10,000 in prize money:

Taste 
Culinary culture, food artisans, markets, and local produce 
Amdanda Miti | Coffee Cafe Caffeine | Mixed Medium

Wine 
Vineyards, harvest, cellars, heritage estates, and wine lifestyle 
Sheulyn Raine Hobbs | Sips of Stellenbosch | Mixed Medium

Stay 
Hospitality, architecture, boutique hotels, and guesthouses 
Jared Christopher Delport | Stellenbosch Dutch | Oil Pastels

Experience 
Festivals, cycling, hiking, university life, and the arts 
Judith A Hapgood | Crag and Bone | Acrylic

Community 
The people of Stellenbosch, their diversity, heritage, and shared stories 
Beatrice de Villiers | Church Street | Mixed Medium

Considering the exceptionally high calibre of submissions, the judging panel introduced an additional award to recognise outstanding work:

Judges Award: 
Jade Lubbe | Kuluntu | Acrylic

Art of Origin Stellenbosch submissions closed on Monday, 25 May, with official judging completed on 3 June. Each submission was evaluated independently by a distinguished panel of five judges:

• Ashley Walters, Fine Arts Coordinator at Stellenbosch University’s Visual Arts Department
• Andi Norton, Strategic Management Consultant (Art and Education); Founder of KickstART; Trustee of the Stellenbosch Outdoor Sculpture Trust and Stellenbosch Art Mile
• Jett Jooste (“Theytjie”), Multidisciplinary Artist, Photographer, Filmmaker, Visual Artist and Photography Lecturer at Stellenbosch Academy of Design and Photography
• Dr Mike Mavura, Visual Arts Curator, Cultural Strategist, Educator and Director of Pamurove Foundation
• Xenia van der Meulen, Destination Marketing Manager at Spier; Art Project and Exhibition Advocate

Following the awards, Annemie Liebenberg, Chief Executive Officer of Visit Stellenbosch, highlighted the transformative power of the initiative on their community: “Beyond the competition itself, Art of Origin has fostered curiosity and connection across the town, encouraging deeper dialogue between residents and visitors from different generations and backgrounds.”

Coert Venter, Chairman of the Art Association Stellenbosch, added: “Art of Origin has achieved what we set out to do: to open the door to every generation and every corner of our community. The diversity and quality of submissions speak to the extraordinary creative heartbeat of this town. Art, at its core, invites us to slow down and look more carefully. To be present in a moment that might otherwise pass us by. This truth sits at the heart of Art of Origin, and at the heart of Stellenbosch itself.”

Liebenberg urges the public to view the exhibition, comprising over 90 artworks, at the PJ Olivier Art Centre until 25 June. “Go experience it for yourself. This is just the beginning of what we hope will become a cherished annual tradition that continues to elevate and celebrate Stellenbosch’s artists,” she concluded.

The winning artworks will feature in the 2027 Visit Stellenbosch Visitors Guide, sharing the essence of Stellenbosch with travellers across the globe and positioning the town as a destination brimming with unexpected firsts and unforgettable moments.

For those wishing to acquire any of the exhibited pieces (excluding the winning artworks), please contact the Stellenbosch Art Association at admin@stellenboschkuns.co.za.

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(Pictured left to right: Jessica Redinger: General Manager, Hyde Johannesburg Rosebank; Charity Mabuza: Rooms Divisions Manager, Hyde Johannesburg Rosebank; Cindy-Lee Cloete: WESSA CEO; Karel Mienie: Facilities Manager, Hyde Johannesburg Rosebank)

Johannesburg, South Africa, 27 March 2026: Hyde Johannesburg Rosebank has officially been awarded Green Key certification, an internationally recognised eco-label for tourism establishments committed to responsible and sustainable practices. Managed in South Africa by WESSA (The Wildlife & Environment Society of South Africa), the programme includes independent audits and annual verification, ensuring that certification reflects sustained performance rather than a once-off achievement.

Speaking at the official handover, WESSA CEO Cindy-Lee Cloete emphasised that Green Key certification represents more than compliance: “Green Key certification reflects a real commitment to sustainability, responsible tourism, and continuously improving how we operate as a hospitality establishment. This achievement is not just about receiving a certificate – it is about recognising the journey, the effort, and the people behind it.”

Sustainability engineered into the building

At the core of Hyde Rosebank’s sustainability journey is a design-led approach, where environmental performance is embedded into the building itself – not retrofitted.

The property operates with solar panels, a gas generator system, heat recovery for hot water, and a borehole supplying approximately 40% of its water needs, significantly reducing reliance on municipal infrastructure.

These systems are complemented by energy-efficient LED lighting, an Energy Performance Certificate, and water-saving aerators across guest rooms and operational areas, ensuring resource efficiency is maintained across all touchpoints.

“These aren’t cosmetic changes; they’re engineered into how the building runs every day. Sustainability is part of the infrastructure, and it shapes how we operate across every level of the hotel,” explains Jessica Redinger, General Manager of Hyde Johannesburg Rosebank.

Operational change embedded into systems

Beyond infrastructure, the hotel has embedded sustainability into daily operational practices and team behaviour, a critical factor in achieving Green Key certification.

Housekeeping and maintenance teams actively monitor energy usage, water consumption, and air conditioning systems, with daily checks ensuring unused rooms are not consuming unnecessary resources.

“We’ve already seen measurable reductions in energy and water consumption through daily monitoring and team accountability. It’s about turning awareness into action at every level of the operation,” adds Redinger.

Efforts to reduce waste are equally embedded. The hotel has eliminated single-use plastic water bottles, replacing them with a reusable glass bottle system supported by on-site purification and washing infrastructure, alongside broader waste reduction initiatives.

Embedding sustainability into experience, culture and community

A defining feature of Hyde Johannesburg Rosebank’s approach is the seamless integration of sustainability across guest experience, team culture, and community impact – without compromising comfort or design.

• From digital in-room systems and bamboo key cards to reusable glass water bottles and initiatives such as “Skip the Clean”, which reduces water, energy, and chemical use, guests can participate in more responsible practices without disruption.
• Beyond the property, Hyde Rosebank maintains a strong focus on local community engagement, with ongoing support for New Jerusalem Children’s Home through food, clothing donations, and regular visits, alongside participation in Rosebank clean-up initiatives and wellness-driven community partnerships.
• Internally, this approach is underpinned by a culture-driven model, where sustainability is embedded into daily operations. A cross-departmental ESG committee, supported by leadership and operational teams, ensures accountability through daily briefings, monitoring, and continuous reinforcement.

Redinger shares that, “The highest compliment is that guests often don’t notice because sustainability is built into the experience from the start. Where guests do have a choice, it’s positioned as a benefit, not a sacrifice.”

Green Key certification is recognised in over 90 countries and forms part of a global network of tourism establishments committed to sustainability.

For Hyde Johannesburg Rosebank, this milestone marks not an endpoint, but the beginning of a deeper commitment. “Sustainability does not sit in a file or a policy. It lives in daily actions, in how teams use resources, engage with guests, and contribute to a culture of responsibility. It’s about asking what more can be done and how we keep improving, and based on what we’ve seen here, this team is well positioned to lead in this space,” concludes Cloete.

# # #

About Green Key
Coordinated internationally by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), Green Key is the leading global eco-certification for the tourism and hospitality industry. The programme recognises establishments that uphold high environmental standards through an independent auditing process and continuous improvement.

About Hyde Hotels, Resorts & Residences

From the moment Hyde hit the nightlife scene in 2005 with the eponymous Hyde Lounge on Los Angeles’ iconic Sunset Strip, it has been committed to bringing people together through exceptional communal experiences and impeccable setlists. Staying true to its roots, the brand has evolved to include Hyde Hotels and Residences, Beach Clubs, and Mixology Lounges, giving access to a new kind of lifestyle hospitality grounded in the spirit of discovery. Currently set in Dubai, Miami, Ibiza, Hollywood, FL, London and Johannesburg with upcoming openings in Bodrum and Perth, each Hyde location is individually curated to embrace its local music and creative scene yet is connected through a unique state of mind that celebrates freedom of expression and the spirit of collective experience. HydeHotels.com.

Hyde Hotels, Resorts & Residences is part of Ennismore, a creative hospitality company rooted in culture and community, with a global collective of entrepreneurial and founder-built brands with purpose at their heart. Formed in 2021, Ennismore is a joint venture with Accor, which holds a majority shareholding. ennismore.com 

About WESSA*
WESSA (The Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa), established in 1926, is one of South Africa’s oldest and most respected environmental non-profit organisations. As WESSA marks its 100th year of action for nature in 2026, the organisation continues a proud legacy of advocating for sustainable solutions, conservation, environmental education, and evidence-based policy that supports both people and the planet. Through its diverse programmes and strategic local and global partnerships, WESSA has played a pivotal role over the past century in fostering a culture of environmental responsibility and care across South Africa’s landscapes, coastlines, schools, and communities. As the national operator of the Green Key programme in South Africa, WESSA works with partners across the tourism sector to embed sustainability into everyday operations and promote a healthier planet. https://www.wessa.org.za/green-key/. *Media note: In all communications, please write as WESSA (The Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa). WESSA Media Liaison: Ronell Swartbooi, marketing@wessa.co.za, +27 (82) 460 9368

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STELLENBOSCH, SOUTH AFRICA – Stellenbosch has launched Art of Origin Stellenbosch, a town-wide art competition and exhibition bringing together every generation and creative community in the region for the very first time. Organised by Visit Stellenbosch in partnership with the Art Association Stellenbosch, the initiative is open to all: primary and high school learners, university students, emerging and established artists, township collectives, community groups, and creatives from the town’s senior living communities. Submissions are accepted across all mediums and across three age divisions: 7 to 18, 19 to 65, and 66 and above.

Winning artworks will be featured in the 2027 Visit Stellenbosch Visitors Guide, distributed to over one million prospective visitors worldwide, giving Stellenbosch’s artists international exposure on a scale rarely accessible to emerging or community-based creatives. Five thematic category winners will each receive R10,000 in prize money, with one artwork selected for the front cover of the guide. Submitted works will be exhibited at the PJ Olivier Art Centre, and the official opening and winners’ celebration will take place on 4 June 2026, followed by a public exhibition running from 4 to 25 June 2026.

“Stellenbosch has always been a creative town. But Art of Origin is something we have never done before, an open invitation to every artist, school, community collective, and resident of our senior living communities in our town to tell its story in their own voice. More than an art competition, this is a cultural movement,” said Annemie Liebenberg, CEO of Visit Stellenbosch

“This is a moment that belongs to every artist in Stellenbosch, not just the established ones,” agreed Mr Coert Venter, Chairman of the Art Association Stellenbosch. “Art of Origin is the first initiative of its kind in this town, one that genuinely opens the door to every generation and community. We’re bringing our community together by inviting a child from a Stellenbosch school, a township artist, and a painter from a senior home to all hang their work in the same exhibition.  That is the Stellenbosch we want the world to see.”

A Creative First for Stellenbosch

Art of Origin Stellenbosch is one of the most tangible expressions of Visit Stellenbosch’s new destination-wide brand positioning, Unexpected Firsts. Unforgettable Moments, and forms part of this expansive initiative celebrating innovation and milestone moments across the town. While rooted in this broader vision, Art of Origin stands as a distinctive cultural initiative in its own right, designed to leave a permanent creative and tourism legacy for Stellenbosch and the artists who call it home.

Artists are invited to submit original works across five thematic categories that reflect the heart of Stellenbosch:

• Taste: Culinary culture, food artisans, markets, and local produce
• Wine: Vineyards, harvest, cellars, heritage estates, and wine lifestyle
• Stay: Hospitality, architecture, boutique hotels, and guesthouses
• Experience: Festivals, cycling, hiking, university life, and the arts
• Community: The people of Stellenbosch and their diversity, heritage, and shared stories

Artists may enter across more than one theme, with each submission judged independently. All mediums are welcome, including painting, drawing, mixed media, digital art, and collage.

Important Dates

• Judging Session: Wednesday, 3 June 2026 | 14:00 – 18:00
• Location: PJ Olivier Art Centre, 3 Blom Road, Stellenbosch
• Soft Opening (First Thursdays): Thursday, 4 June 2026 | 17:00 – 20:00
• Exhibition Dates: 4 June – 25 June 2026 (Open to the public)
• Awards Evening (Winners Announced): Thursday, 18 June 2026

For submission guidelines, entry forms, and further information, contact: admin@stellenboschkuns.co.za or 079 084 6183

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Media Contact: visitstellenbosch@bigambitions.co.za     

For more information about Art Association Stellenbosch:https://stellenboschkuns.co.za/

Moving past the traditional “must-do” checklists that dominate travel marketing, the repositioning serves as an open invitation to travellers: come experience Stellenbosch for the first time, or, for those who think they know the destination, come rediscover it in an entirely new way. The initiative is designed to appeal to the “Considered Traveller” – demographic defined by curiosity rather than budget. These are visitors, local and international, who seek meaningful immersion over surface-level sightseeing.

Just a 40-minute drive from Cape Town International Airport – or a scenic 20 to 30-minute helicopter transfer from Cape Town, Stellenbosch offers a world that both contrasts with and complements a Cape Town city stay. 

The Strategic Transition from Transaction to Emotion

For decades, Stellenbosch has been at the heart of South Africa’s most sought-after travel experiences. However, familiarity can often mask depth. This new positioning challenges both first-time arrivals and veteran visitors of the region to look closer.

“The definition of luxury travel has fundamentally changed. While it used to revolve around exclusivity and opulence, it is now about access to the authentic,” said Annemie Liebenberg, CEO of Visit Stellenbosch. “This repositioning is an invitation to shed assumptions. We are moving our narrative from what visitors can do to how Stellenbosch makes them feel.”

The invitation is structured around five narrative pillars that reflect the region’s diverse offering, designed to drive longer stays and deeper engagement across the destination’s unified ecosystem:

• Food & Wine Experiences: Stepping out of the tasting room and into moments of intimacy and craft. From tasting directly from the barrel with a winemaker, to a fire-cooked dining beneath open skies at VUUR, these are experiences that unfold slowly and linger long after.
• Outdoor Adventure & Active Lifestyle: Chasing “first light” on over 1,000 kilometres of mountain biking trails, including the iconic Cape Epic networks, where the focus shifts from exertion to perspective and the landscape reveals itself in silence and scale.
• Arts, Culture & Heritage: Finding the connections between human, nature, and art through an early morning walk in the Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden or immersive township tours that pulse with local rhythm.
• Wellness, Nature & Slow Living: A recalibration of pace. Slowing down in the Winelands through botanical workshops and regenerative farming tours that connect visitors to the heartbeat of working landscapes.
• Social, Family & Community: Shared tables, open streets, and spontaneous connection. From Stellenbosch Street Soirées to harvest celebrations, visitors are welcomed not as spectators, but as participants in a living, breathing community.

“This is a long-term brand positioning, not a short-term campaign,” explained Liebenberg. “We’re targeting the traveller who values the ‘un-Googled’ experience. By highlighting these visceral moments, we’re giving our trade partners a powerful tool to re-engage clients. We want to prove that even in a historic town so close to Cape Town, there is always an unexpected first waiting to be discovered.”

The initiative makes its official international trade debut at WTM Africa, 13 to 15 April 2026, in Cape Town, aligning with Visit Stellenbosch’s broader 2030 vision of building and maintaining a high-yield, sustainable tourism economy.

For media enquiries or to arrange a meeting with the Visit Stellenbosch team at WTM Africa, contact visitstellenbosch@bigambitions.co.za.

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