There are those who think that Stellenbosch is one of the loveliest winelands in the world as it is; others, like the strawberry-farming Zetler family seem to prefer it covered with plastic hothouses and vibrocrete walls. Much more profitable than beauty, of course, as the rich Zetlers know well. And more profitable than winegrowing, as the neighbours no doubt ruefully reflect, while they’re forced to endure this aesthetic pollution.

And worst of all, it seems that the Stellenbosch municipality is doing nothing to stop it, or even control it. A number of these unsightly and excrescent products of  agro-industry have sprung up recently – with legality that in some cases seems rather more than dubious. Now the farmers on the pleasant Polkadraai Hills outside the town are having to endure a massive and unsightly development. Zetler’s – one of the biggest strawberry suppliers in the country, as customers of Pick ‘n Pay and Woolworths amongst others will be aware – are behind it, and unapologetic.