Cape Town - Residents in Brackenfell have fully welcomed Christmas time, as neighbours in Gelb Crescent deck their homes with lights and trimmings, welcoming visitors to take part in the cheer.
The sound of Jingle Bells welcomes you as you enter the street, leaving children especially fascinated.
Andrew Geldenhuys, 41, started it all 20 years ago, and said it has become an “infectious” trend in the neighbourhood.
“I got my motivation from the houses in Bothasig that time, which were decorated and I thought I am going to do the same with my house. We do it for the children and we live in one of the safest neighbourhoods in
Brackenfell, so it is fun for us to sit outside and watch everyone having a jol.
“The lights don’t take a lot of electricity because they are LED lights and we have solar.
“We just want the people to come out and have a look and bring the children as well, it is fun times.”
The lights were switched on on December 1.
Some residents are even selling popcorn, pancakes, LED lights, cookies and bubble tea to visitors in front of their homes, as their yards are decked with Father Christmas, the Grinch, photobooths and crosses.
Beverley Theron has hosted three nights of worship and carols on the lawn for the past two years, welcoming foot traffic to join.
“It is quite joyful. We started small but now we are all colourful.
“Our motivation is to be part of the fun but also to proclaim Jesus and why we are celebrating Christmas.
“When we go on holiday we make sure that we switch the lights on and off through WiFi control.”
Visiting all the way from Namibia on Monday night were Belinda Diergaardt and her family, who said they found out about the lights in Brackenfell through her church.
“It is really an experience to see something as beautiful as this.
“My daughter is 8-years-old and she is overexcited.”
Another visitor, Andromeda Jooste-Daniels, said she found out through TikTok.
“My 3-year-old son is very excited, he can’t stop talking since. It has a nice community vibe and we are close by so we will come again.”
marsha.dean@inl.co.za