Where Friendships Shine and Sunny Days Are Spent Socialising and Sipping Wine
At Clara Anna Fontein, it’s the people that make the place truly special. The community here is all about forming meaningful friendships, enjoying life, and coming together for fun and support.
Residents like Jan and Ana have become great friends, traveling abroad and checking in on each other daily. From reality to dress-up, this is just one example of the rock-star friendships to be found here. There’s a real sense of camaraderie in this village, whether it’s over a casual dinner, a game of cards in pajamas, or a wine tasting event. The estate is full of clubs and activities that bring everyone together. Lettie started a popular walking club, and An-Maré’s knitting group has created beanies, blankets, and teddy bears for local charities.
Embracing a Balanced Approach to Making a Difference
Lettie explains, “Shifting from ‘sweat and tears’ to ‘sip, social and support’ perfectly captures how I embraced a more balanced approach to making a difference.”
After retiring from a demanding healthcare management role, Lettie reinvented herself by channeling her passion for patient care into organizing breast cancer fundraising events. These events feature a fun walk ranging from 1-5 kilometers, accommodating various fitness levels, and participating as a hostess for the residents at a high tea, raising funds for breast cancer screening. The residents gather to help organize events such as the high tea event, with everyone jumping in to help make it a success. It’s this kind of initiative and collaboration that makes the community feel like a big family.
A Calendar Full of Exciting Activities
And the fun doesn’t stop there. Whether it’s a full moon hike, a Sunday movie night, or a lighthearted Women’s Day event where the men dress up as women to give them a fun show, there’s always something happening.
Sandy gave up her time to start teaching line dancing, with weekly dance events now taking place in the activity room at the Clubhouse. And if there’s rugby to watch, the community can count on Wessel to bring the gees to the game! From his roaring love of sports to his committed approach to learning new things, Wessel is also actively involved in the Afrikaans Boekklub—finding interesting reads and speakers, such as Jannie Uys, who visited the estate to speak about his father’s book on Namaqualand.
Nature Lovers’ Paradise
Clara Anna Fontein is set amongst fynbos, wildlife, and winelands, creating a serene and visually stunning environment—perfect for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. Nana, who had a home in the Tankwa Karoo, loves wildlife and is the first to be called to help rescue birds and other creatures. The residents come together to celebrate life, enjoy each other’s company, and support one another. At Clara Anna Fontein, it’s the friendships and the shared experiences that create a place where everyone feels at home.
Adventures Near and Far
There is a tangible spirit of adventure here, whether it’s local get-togethers at the estate or outings away and plenty of travel. Kathryn’s travels are often with her good friend and neighbor, Mary, who shares her love for discovery. Travel is something many residents enjoy doing together, whether it’s a group of friends breaking away up the coast to Maybeth’s home at Pringle Bay or international adventures.
Kathryn’s passion for travel is as vibrant as her personality, and she often travels internationally on her own. “The alternative is not an option,” she says with a twinkle in her eye. “If I can go, I will.”
A Community That Embraces Life
This is a community that leans into fun like it’s a career. From walking to line dancing, making sandwiches for the hungry, wine tasting, attending talks, dressing up (and dressing down!), playing Canasta or Scrabble, Bingo or Pool (or anything they like!), traveling to visit friends and family (together or alone!), painting, attending book clubs, decorating cupcakes, attending floral workshops, enjoying music evenings at an open house, learning how to make macrame or play mahjong, teaming up for quizzes and charities—these three things are abundantly clear:
- – The list grows on!
- – This connected, kind, and fun community falls into bed exhausted! (In fact, Maybeth says she is on the lookout for a more traditional old-age home as it’s just too hectic here!).
- – The wine flows. It is the Cape, after all!
Interested in learning more about the Oasis Life lifestyle and our full collection of retirement villages across the Western Cape?
Email us now: info@oasislife.co.za
