Hi, Flame3601, and thanks for the offer of local updates. The view from the ground is at least as important as Government outpourings!

I had previously noted the strange regulations elating to Level 5, which did not inspire me with any confidence that the Govt there had a grip on reality. Your highlight of Dlamini Zuma's thinking does not make us feel better about a December trip. And, certainly, if restaurants and bars in the Western Cape remain closed, there's little point in going anyway! Helpfully we have personal contacts with management at all 3 privately-owned hotels we use, in addition to our regular taxi driver, but additional info from you would be much appreciated,