Formed in Bellville, Cape Town, in 2003, Fokofpolisiekar detonated a cultural bomb in conservative white South Africa. Choosing a deliberately offensive name, the five-piece punk rock band became the defining voice for a generation of Afrikaans youth suffocating under the weight of Calvinist traditions, post-apartheid shifts, and suburban monotony. For thousands of teenagers navigating high school in the 2000s, they were much more than just a band. They were a rebellion.

Before Fokofpolisiekar, Afrikaans youth culture was heavily dominated by rugby, church, and sanitized pop music. With their seminal 2004 debut album Lugsteuring, they gave their audience permission to be angry and unapologetic. Tracks like "Hemel op die Platteland" questioned religion directly, while lyricist Hunter Kennedy articulated a shared existential dread. Their sweaty, cathartic gigs became sanctuaries where teenagers could scream out their frustrations in their mother tongue, finding a gritty realism that spoke directly to their adolescent alienation.

Their impact extended far beyond distortion pedals by proving that Afrikaans could be a medium for modern, counter-cultural expression. By separating the language from its oppressive political history, they paved the way for the "Bellville Rock City" movement and subsequent spin-off acts like aKING and Die Heuwels Fantasties. Two decades later, Fokofpolisiekar has transitioned from controversial outcasts to revered industry veterans. For the millennials who once sharpied the band's logo onto their canvas school bags, their music remains a visceral reminder of the soundtrack that helped them survive their youth.
https://www.dazeddigital.com/artsandculture/article/7570/1/south-africa-special-fokofpolisiekar

Hertzoggies are small tarts or cookies developed by the Cape Malay community in South Africa in the 1920s. They were named after J. B. M. Hertzog, the Prime Minister from 1924 to 1939.

These little tarts have a buttery crust is filled with a layer of apricot jam. They are topped with a piping of coconut meringue, then baked until set and golden.

I made the Hertzoggies or Hertzogkoekies as tartlets, but have also seen them shaped more similarly to flower-like cookies with the coconut filling baked on one side and the jam added after baking to the other side.

They are especially delicious paired with tea and are a popular treat during Eid.

Recipe

A recipe for Hertzoggies (South African Jam and Coconut Tartlets)! This treat pairs a buttery, delicate crust with apricot jam and a sweet coconut meringue topping.

• Prep Time 20 minutes
• Cook Time 20 minutes
• Resting Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
• Servings 12 -14 Tartlets

Instructions

To make the pastry:

• In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg.
• Quickly cut in the cold butter using a dough blender, two forks, or your fingers until blended and no pieces are larger than a pea and the dough has a crumbly texture.
• Mix in the egg yolks, followed by just enough water to bring the dough together until smooth.
• Form the dough into a disc, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate until chilled, about 30 minutes.

To form the Hertzoggies:

• Preheat oven to 350˚F (180˚C). Grease a tartlet pan with butter.
• On a sheet of wax paper or a lightly floured surface, gently roll the chilled pastry until it is 1/4 inch (0.5 centimeter) thick. Cut out circles of dough 2 1/2 inches (6.3 centimeters) wide. 
• Carefully transfer the circles to the prepared tartlet pan, gently pressing into the bottom and sides of the pan. Repeat with remaining dough. Place the pan in the refrigerator while you prepare the meringue.
• In a large bowl, beat the egg whites to form soft peaks. While beating, slowly add the sugar until stiff peaks form. Gently fold in the coconut flakes, followed by the vanilla extract.
• Remove the pan from the refrigerator and place about 2 teaspoons of jam across the bottom of each tartlet.
• Transfer the coconut meringue to a piping bag or a large ziploc bag with about 1/2 inch (1.25 centimeter) corner snipped off. Pipe the batter or spoon over the apricot jam to fully cover.
• Bake the Hertzoggies in the preheated oven until the pastry is set and the meringue is crisp and golden, about 20-25 minutes. 
• Allow to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool to room temperature.
• These pastries are best the day they are baked, but can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

https://tarasmulticulturaltable.com/hertzoggies-south-african-tartlets/

Hydnora africana, commonly known as jakkalskos or jackal food, is an unusual parasitic plant native to southern Africa. Belonging to the subfamily Hydnoroideae, it is entirely achlorophyllous, meaning it lacks chlorophyll and cannot perform photosynthesis. Instead, it functions as a holoparasite, obtaining all of its necessary water and nutrients by using specialized enzymes to attach its thick, stemless roots to the roots of host plants, most commonly members of the Euphorbia family. The plant lives almost entirely underground, resembling a fungus more than a traditional plant, with only its fleshy, peachy-orange, tubular flower emerging above the soil after heavy rainfall.

The plant's reproduction relies on a fascinating and somewhat deceptive trapping mechanism. The emerging flower emits a potent, foul odor reminiscent of rotting meat, which is produced by spongy white inner structures called osmophores. This carrion-like stench is specifically designed to attract dung and carrion beetles. When the beetles enter the flower, they fall down a tubular cavity and are temporarily trapped inside by stiff bristles and the physical structure of the plant's sepals. Over a couple of days, the trapped insects are dusted with pollen before the flower eventually opens wider, releasing the beetles to carry the pollen to other Hydnora africana plants in the area.

Following successful pollination, the plant produces a large, fleshy fruit that grows entirely underground and can take up to two years to fully ripen. Measuring up to eight centimeters in diameter and containing roughly twenty thousand seeds, the fruit is highly nutritious and heavily foraged by various wildlife, including jackals, baboons, birds, and porcupines. It is also edible for humans, possessing a taste and starchy texture frequently compared to a potato. Beyond its use as a food source, the fruit is highly astringent and has historically been utilized by people for tanning and preserving fishnets.

The story of Just Nuisance is one of the most unique pieces of military history from World War Two. He was a massive Great Dane who lived in Simon's Town, South Africa, and spent all his time hanging out with Royal Navy sailors. He used to lay across the narrow gangplanks of the ships, and because he was so huge, the sailors constantly had to yell at him for being a total nuisance. The nickname stuck, and he officially became Just Nuisance.

What makes his story wild is that he actually became an officially enlisted member of the Royal Navy. He loved following the sailors onto the local trains to Cape Town, but the railway company got tired of him riding without a ticket. They threatened to put him down if the sailors did not start paying his fare. To save his life, the Navy command stepped in and officially signed him up as a volunteer in 1939. This gave him a free train pass, military rations, and a bunk to sleep in.

He ended up being promoted to Able Seaman and had a hilarious disciplinary record. He was caught fighting other dogs, going AWOL to visit local pubs, and sleeping in the beds of higher ranking officers. Despite the trouble, he was a massive morale booster during the war and would even escort drunk sailors back to the base at night. When he passed away in 1944, he was given a full military funeral with a firing squad. If you ever visit Simon's Town today, you can still see his bronze statue in the town square and visit his grave up on Red Hill.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Just_Nuisance

You’ve probably heard of the Gympie Gympie or the Manchineel tree, but South Africa has its own nightmare plant called Gifblaar (Dichapetalum cymosum). “Gifblaar” literally means “poison leaf,” which is pretty appropriate.

It grows in parts of southern Africa and contains monofluoroacetate, an extremely toxic compound that has also been used in rat poison. What I find wild, though, is how this plant grows.

Above ground, it doesn’t look like much. You basically see a small cluster of green leaves, sometimes only around 15 cm high. But underneath is a huge woody root system extending deep into the ground. So what looks like a tiny shrub is really just the visible part of a much larger underground plant. That also means it can put out fresh green leaves when the surrounding veld is still dry. For cattle, sheep, or goats wandering around looking for something green to eat, it can be very tempting.

And this is where it gets nasty. Animals can apparently eat Gifblaar without immediately looking sick. The danger becomes much worse when they drink water afterward, which is why poisoned livestock have sometimes been found dead around watering points. The toxin basically screws with the body’s ability to produce energy, with the heart being particularly vulnerable. There’s also no specific antidote, so treatment is mostly about trying to keep the animal alive long enough to metabolize and eliminate the toxin.

It’s such a bizarre plant. From above it looks like a completely unremarkable patch of leaves, while most of the plant is hidden underground and those innocent-looking leaves can be lethal to livestock. South African veld really does have some ridiculous stuff growing in it…

The Hermanus Whale Festival is happening this weekend (October 2–4, 2026), and it's the perfect time to head out if you want to catch the Southern Right Whales. Hermanus offers some of the best land-based whale watching in the world, and entry to the main festival grounds is completely free.

The main hub is down at Gearing's Point, where they have live music, food stalls, and a beer tent. There is a lot going on over the next two days, including the classic car show, the street parade, and local craft markets. If you are taking kids, definitely stop by the Eco-Marine Village for the interactive marine exhibits and treasure hunts.

If you are planning to drive through today or tomorrow, leave early. Parking along the cliff paths fills up fast, and traffic getting into town gets heavy by midday.

https://hermanuswhalefestival.co.za

Trompie is a beloved, classic South African youth fiction series written by Topsy Smith (the pen name of Matthys Gerhardus Smith) between 1950 and 1970. The series follows the misadventures of the freckle-faced, eleven-year-old Trompie Toerien, the self-proclaimed "Grootkaptein" (Captain) of the Boksombende in the small fictional town of Kwaggaberg.

https://www.goodreads.com/series/86483-trompie

As Stellenbosch Wine Routes celebrates its 55th anniversary this year, the upcoming Woordfees (3–11 October) will put a spotlight on the region’s rich viticultural heritage, farm stories, and key cultivars.

Beyond its literary and arts lineup, the festival offers agricultural enthusiasts and wine producers an opportunity to engage directly with local winemakers, viticultural history, and terroir-driven storytelling.

Sauvignon Blanc & Terroir in the Spotlight

A key highlight for industry observers is a panel discussion and tasting centered on South Africa’s top-selling variety, Sauvignon Blanc. Hosted on October 8 at 18:00, the session explores how distinct microclimates—from coastal sites to inland slopes—shape stylistic expressions and aging potential. The discussion will be anchored by the launch of The Story of South African Sauvignon Blanc, a book detailing a hundred farm stories and featuring the cultivar’s official aroma wheel.

Exploring Agritourism and the Dwarsrivier Valley

The festival also highlights rural agritourism with guided tours through the historic Dwarsrivier Valley:

**Valley History & Walk (Oct 10, 10:00):**Starting at Le Pommier Wine Estate, this photo-walk guides participants through Pniel, Johannesdal, and Kylemore, showcasing the agricultural landscapes and local community heritage.

Mountain Trail Hike (Oct 10, 06:00): A guided circular route from Le Pommier to Silvermine, focusing on the topography and unique environment framing the valley’s vineyards.

https://agrinews.co.za/woordfees-2026-highlights-stellenbosch-viticulture/