The Village Guy

05/08/2025

A massive congratulations to Paarl’s Keenan Watson who was appointed as Wits University Sport Head of Strength & Conditioning.

In his previously athlete life Keenan was a super talented long jumper with significant achievements in his career.

He is an African and World Junior champion; a SA National champion; a finalist at the 2006 World Junior Championships, and qualified for the Beijing Olympics. He was further also ranked in the top 50 in the world.

Well done Keenan!!

05/08/2025

All roads to Faure Stadium this weekend!

Paarl’s school Derby season is in full swing, and this weekend we have the massive annual derby between Klein Nederburg SS and New Orleans SS!!

Since 1994, these two schools have been facing each other every year, with New Orleans enjoying the majority of the success over the years, however, last year KNSS were crowned Derby Champs and current trophy holders.

Chess, Volleyball, Tabeletennis, Hockey, Rugby, Basketball, Netball and Soccer are all part of this weeks encounters.

We wish both schools and teachers all the best for this week, and Saturdays epic showdown!!

03/08/2025

With Val de Vie Foundation celebrating its 10 year anniversary, and being one of the first estates in Paarl, it made me wonder how many estates have been constructed in Paarl since then, as well as those under construction.

1. Boschenmeer Esate
2. Val de Vie
3. Pearl Valley

Estates in the past 10 years
1. Groot Parys Lifestyle Estate
2. Paryskloof estate
3. Honeydew Country Estate
4. Oude Chardonnay
5. Kleine Parys Estate 2
6. Paarl Valleij Lifestyle Estate & Farm
7. Le Parc Residential Estate
8. Wilde Paarde Country Estate
9. Optenhorst Estate
10. Mountain Ridge Estate
11. Zanddrift Lifestyle Estate
12. Drakenzicht Estate
13. Rhebokskloof Estate
14. Mountain Crest Estate
15. Mooiberg esate

Under construction
1. Avec Le Tarre
2. Huguenot Estate
3. Zandrift Estate
4. Laborie/Picardi Estate

Malls
1. Paarl Mall
2. Drakenstein Mall
3. Optenhorst Mall
4. Rembrandt Mall

Under Construction
1. Winelands Square
2. Paarlberg Shopping Centre

Over the past 10 years Paarl has been booming with developments! This not only an economical benefit for Paarl, but it also creates employment and business opportunities.

From my previous posts it was highlighted that the shortage of schools is the biggest challenge, however, this is a National Government responsibility.

03/08/2025

Let’s go Boland!!!

2nd fixture in the 2025 Currie Cup against Griquas. Kickoff at 3pm!!

Former Boland player, Dylan Maart, will be facing his former team!

02/08/2025

28/07/2025

It’s interschools season in Paarl and Wellington!!!

Paarl and Wellington will be buzzing for the next few weeks with high schools and primary schools playing their annual derbies.

Every interschools is special a special one, and Faure Stadium will play host to most of these derbies.

The first of these clashes kick off this week as Boys High take on Gimnasium.

We wish all the schools all the best!!

Paarl Boys High vs Gimnasium
Paarl Girls High vs Gimnasium
Klein Nederburg SS vs New Orleans SS
Paulus Joubert SS vs Noorder Paarl SS
Charleston Hill vs Wellington SS
Huguenote HS vs Swartland HS
Boland Landbou vs Oakdale HS
Laborie HS vs Parow HS
Amstelhof PS vs Nederburg PS
Ebenezer PS vs William Lloyd PS
Magnolia Primer vs Paarlzicht PS
Groenheuwel PS vs Dalweide PS
New Orleans PS vs Orleanvale PS
Noord Eind PS vs Huguenot PS
Windmeul PS vs Nuwedrift PS
Paulus Joubert PS vs Charleston Hill PS
Coutrai PS vs Hermanus PS

Wellington
Bergrivier SS vs Weltevreden SS
St Albans PS vs Hillcrest PS

28/07/2025

Next month Paarl is in for a treat as we host the u18 International Series featuring the Springboks, France Georgia and England.

Games will take place at Boys High, Boland Landbou and Gimnasium.

Friday 8 August 2025 at Paarl Boys High: 11h30: SA U18 ‘A’ vs Ireland 13h30: Georgia vs England 15h30: SA U18 vs France

Tuesday 12 August 2025 at Boland Landbou: 11h30: SA U18 ‘A’ vs Georgia 13h30: SA U18 vs Ireland 15h30: England vs France

Saturday 16 August 2025 at Paarl Gimnasium: 11h30: France vs SA U18 ‘A’ 13h30: Ireland vs Georgia 15h30: SA U18 vs England

A massive congratulations to our Paarl and Wellington players who have been included in the squads.

27/07/2025

The latest addition to my Paarl history folder. Likely taken in the early 1900s, a picture from a postcard taken from Paarl Mountain and published by The Valentine & So s Publishing Company.

26/07/2025

Massive well done to Player of the Match,Uzair Nackerdien , for his massive performance in the Vineyards vs Hamlets League match today at Daljosaphat Stadium.

Final score: 41 Vineyards - Hamlets 33

Streaming and the Player of the Match is brought to you by our rugby partner Midas Paarl.