A Family Affair

Well-known personality and former Miss South Africa Amy Kleinhans-Curd celebrates with a family gathering at their Franschhoek farmhouse

- Josie Eveleigh

Situated a few minutes from the village of Franschhoek, Amy and Leighton Curd’s gorgeous farmhouse is surrounded by vineyards. Dogs and children run around the garden and splash in the pool. It’s the perfect setting for a country-chic Christmas celebration.

Crowned Miss South Africa in 1992, Amy met Leighton, a New Zealander, soon after. They’ve been married for 25 years and have four children. Although the couple have travelled widely, their hearts have always been in South Africa, and this property in Franschhoek offered them a wonderful place for their children to grow up.

Amy, a successful businesswoman, public speaker and advocate for women, especially those in business, laughingly recalls her first job. As she wanted a new bicycle and couldn’t wait for a birthday, she started delivering newspapers, the first girl in her neighbourhood to do this. This entrepreneurial spirit has led to her involvement in Dial-A-Teacher, a phone-in advisory service, The Kusasa Project Early Learning Centre and the PLP Group, which provides digital services. Six months ago, she and Leighton also opened Sibani Hills, a bush getaway with a manor house, private villa and luxury tents, just half an hour from Jo’burg.

She took on the move to the farmhouse with the same passion. The long veranda, which spans the front of the house and has views of the vineyards and mountain, is the perfect venue for a summer get together.

In the kitchen it’s all hands on deck. Amy’s mother is on crayfish duty while her sisters all pitch in. While Amy loves food and cooking, she’s not afraid to delegate. “I’m a big fan of teamwork and at Christmas everyone has a role to play. As the eldest of four, I’m very blessed to be part of a close-knit family.”