NEW TOURISM PARTNERSHIP
Karoo towns along the N1 have joined forces and formed a new partnership in tourism. They have established the Karoo N1 Marketing Association and its aim is to promote all facilities along this busy route and ensure that information about where to stay and what to see or do, is easily accessible to tourists. Meetings will be held regularly to share information and discuss promotions. The Association’s slogan is “Getting there is half the fun”. It aims to encourage tourists to stop more frequently as regular rests have proved to play a major role in road safety. By stopping to explore or simply enjoy a refreshment break in the little towns and villages along the way journeys will be less stressful and become part of the holiday experience. Among the Association’s long-term plans are the improvement of standards and education.
STREEKSTOERISME ORGANISASIE KRY KOERS
Die Sentrale Karoo het ‘n streekstoerisme organisie (STO) in die lewe geroep soos voorgeskryf in die nuwe Wes-Kaap Toerisme Wet. Hierdie STO sal verantwoordelik wees vir die bemarking en ontwikkeling van toerisme in die Sentrale Karoo. Elke geakrediteerde toerisme buro moes twee lede op die STO benoem en drie lede van die Distrikraad moet daarop dien. Verteenwoordigers is: Leighton Hare en Derek Welgemoed (Beaufort-Wes), Dawid Rossouw en Johan Mulder (Prins Albert), Jan Mocke (landelike gebiede), Herman de Witt, John van der Merwe en Rose Willis (Distrikraad). Laingsburg en Murraysburg moet nog afgevaardigdes aanwys.
TIGHTER FOCUS THE KEY TO GROWTH
South Africa must take a fresh look at tourism marketing, education and training. This is the opinion of Dr Ernie Heath, head of the Tourism Department at the University of Pretoria. While discussing new courses at the University recently, he said: “Innovative and focussed strategies are needed to meet changing market demands. In the new South Africa local tourists have become more discerning, while international visitors are more demanding. Competition has intensified across the board. Many more roleplayers have entered the industry seeking a slice of the action. Conventional approaches to marketing are thus no longer necessarily appropriate. Traditional tools and techniques are not always effective in the technological world of CD ROM and Internet. People are increasingly ‘surfing the net’ seeking holiday options. Tourism roleplayers thus have no alternative but to learn to use new systems effectively to maintain a competitive edge. As always, professionalism is the key. Education and training are prime factors. Innovative marketing will enable us to unlock South Africa’s true tourism potential to ensure viable and sustainable markets.”
MYSTERY ROCK AT MUSEUM
Experts and amateurs alike are perplexed by a mystery rock at the Fransie Pienaar Museum in Prince Albert. With an imprint that resembles a starfish, it seemed to be a fossil, but palaeontologists dismissed this saying it was a man-made “carving’. An archaeologist said it was not the work of /Xam rock artists. He explained that they created scratched or stippled drawings. Deep carvings were not their style. Yet there is a strong feeling that it is the work of early indigenous people. “But exactly who they were, why they carved this star-shape and what it means remains a mystery,” said Dr Susan Perold, chairman of Prince Albert Tourist Bureau.
KERKKLOK BEIER WEER
Kerkhorlosies kondig nie net die tyd aan nie, hulle is deel van die symfonie van die platteland. Vir hierdie rede was Prins Albert se mense onlangs verheug om weer die stem an hulle kerkklok te hoor. Die horlosie, wat in 1878 uit Londen bestel is vir installeering in die kerktoring her vir amper I20-jaar getrou die tyd aangekondig voor dit gaan staan het. Kwotasies vir herstelwerk was hoog en die gemeente het nie oor die nodige fondse daarvoor beskik nie. Mnr J K van der Westhuizen van die Kaap het van die probleem gehoor en laat weet dat hy as jong man in die vroeë 1940s die horlosie herstel het en dat hy dit graag weer sou doen. Maar, dit was nie h maklike taak nie. Net om die meganisme te laat sak het twee dae geneem. Maande van sorgvuldige werk het gevolg en heelwat onderdele moes met die hand gesny word. Uiteindelik was die werk klaar en die horlosie is terrugbesorg met ‘n stem wat deur die vallei weergalm.
HEALING HERBS GO ON SHOW
Early settlers of the platteland couldn’t nip down to the chemist for medicine. They used the Karoo’s healing herbs to treat coughs, chest, skin and stomach complaints. High on their list was Buchu, Klipdagga, Kattekruid and Oondbossie, all used for stomach and chest ailments. In fact, Oondbossie was said to have played a vital role during the 1918 influenza epidemic when people inhaled or drank infusions made from its leaves Plugs of Balderjan were made to relieve tooth and ear ache, Voelent, the pretty orange-coloured parasite plant found on thorn trees, was used to treat diabetes, while Gifbol was used to heal skin ulcers and open wounds. Lydia Barella, curator of Prince Albert’s Fransie Pienaar Museum, feels that such knowledge should not be lost and has arranged for a permanent display of healing herbs. Specimens are being collected by Matilda Mooneys and fellow members of the St John’s Mothers’ Union, a group of local women who have long used natural remedies and who have wide knowledge of the healing properties of Karoo herbs. They are working closely with Drs Sue and Richard Dean and Mr Pat Marincowitz.
KULTUUR OP DIE SPYSKAART
Vanjaar se streekkonferensie van die Suid-Afrikaanse Vereniging vir Kultuurgeskiedenis word op 5 en 6 September in Prins Albert gehou. Die organiseerder is mnr A Roux, van die Departement van Afrikaanse-geskiedenis by die Universiteit van Stellenbosch. Hy sê: “Vanjaar word die kongres spesiaal op die platteland aangebied om plaaslike mense te betrek en bewus te maak van die belangrikheid van geskiedenis. Die program sal die Prins Albert gebied en die Karoo insluit.”
GRIQUAS MEET IN BEAUFORT WEST
An important conference recently held in Beaufort West led to the formation of a National Griqua Aboriginal Forum. Among the VIPs were Chief le Fleur, Bishop D J Kangiles, Adam Kok V and Andries Waterboer III. Beaufort West has far reaching links with Griqua history. As early as 1820 farmers from this tribe sold cattle at markets in the town and to nearby Kookfontein mission.
CHEERS ON CHILLY NIGHTS
The old Post Office Shop at Matjiesfontein sells a product guaranteed to banish winter chills. It is Chilli Sherry and each bottle sports a hot red chilli to ensure its magic never fails. This sherry is specially prepared for the little gift and curio shop by David Rawdon, owner of Matjiesfontein. “It’s the ideal winter warmer on a cold night,” he explained. “It began as a special in the Lord Milner dining room and was an instant winner. A wee dram quickly gets the circulation going and a good splash picks a plate of soup up in a most lively way. This sherry is magic say its fans.”
DESKUNDIGE KOM KUIER
John Robert, ‘n deskundige op die nuwe Wes-Kaap Toerisme Wet, bied ‘n reeks werkswinkels in die Karoo aan op 17 en 18 Julie. Hulle begin in Beaufort-Wes, Kwa-Mandlenkosi en Rustdene, daama reis hy na Prins Albert om te verseker dat dorpsmense en Noord-Einde inwoners vertroud is met die wet. Sessies vir Laingsburg en Goldnerville, sowel as ‘n besoek aan Matjiesfontein volg.
PUT HEART INTO FESTIVAL PLANS
A fun-filled programme is being organised for Beaufort West Tourism Bureau’s Heart Festival from October 30 to November 8. It includes everything from flower to dog shows, sports events, beauty contests and dances, as well as a birthday party for Professor Chris Barnard.
NUWE ERA VIR SWARTBERG HOTEL
Die geskiedenisryke Swartberg Hotel in Prins Albert het nuwe eienaars. Hulle is Blackie en Loraine Swart en hulle beplan ‘n reeks restourasies rondom die hotel se ryk geskiedenis. h Argitek en binneshuisversierder is reeds ingeroep om aandag te gee aan badkamers, beligting, akkommodasie- en konferensie-geriewe. “Ons wil gasvryheid en diens met puik kontreikos aanbied in ‘n Iuukse Victoriaanse atmosfeer,” sê Blackie. Johan Bezuidenhout, van Bethlehem, wie al 20-jaar in die hotelbedryf is, het by die span aangesluit as bestuurder.
DENNEHOF SHINES
Dennehof guesthouse is the first venue of its kind to be accredited by Satour in Prince Albert. It met Satour’s stringent comfort and convenience requirements and now qualifies for listing as a B&B in Satour’s international guidebook which ensures overseas visitors of consistent standards
GESONDHEID MET BLOM EN LIED
h Vygie en ‘n lied het Hermon Coleman and Valentine Lange na Prins Albert gelok. Toe hulle ‘n plek vir ‘n gesondheidsoord gesoek het, het ‘n vriend vertel dat sy 80-jaar-oue moeder elke dag in Prins Albert “met ‘n lied in haar hart” wakker word. Dit was die atmosfeer waarna hulle gesoek het. Hulle het dus ‘n perseel in De Beerstraat bekom en die Bijlia Cana oord gevestig. Dit is vernoem na h vygie wat uniek is aan die Prins Albert omgewing. Die oord bied ‘n wye reeks aromaterapie- en kruie-behandlings, sowel as voet, nek en ander konsultasies aan. Gereelde gesondheidswerkswinkels sal ook aangebied word. Die eerste vind op 17 en 18 Julie plaas. Dillys Robinson, kleindogter van Mev D van der Bijl, na wie die vygie vemoem is, het onlangs in die dorp en by die oord gekuier.
NUWE EIENAARS VIR ROZIES
Penny Alder en Jean Snijders het Prins Albert se bekende gastehuis, Rozies, gekoop. Hulle beplan om die besigheid se goeie naam vir gasvryheid en diens uit te bou en meer besigheidsmense na die dorpie te bring vir bestuurseminare in die rustige atmosfeer van die Swartberge.
GRAND RECITAL
Barry Smith, well-known organist at St George’s Cathedral in Cape Town, will give a recital in Prince Albert on October 18. Regular programmes at the Klein Karoo Arts Festival have created a huge following for him in the platteland and already great interest is being shown in the October recital. It will be in the Dutch Reformed Church and is in aid of funds for St John’s Anglican Church. Barry Smith is the Acting Dean of the Faculty of Music at the University of Cape Town.
‘N ANDER SOORT SPEELD1NG
In die middel van die 19e eeu was groot dele van die Karoo nog kroongrond en onbewoon. Baie kinders van daardie dae het hulle vermaak met die vang en makmaak van volstruiskuikens. “Maar ‘n mens moes jou storie ken om dit te kon doen,” skryf Jaap Snyman in die gedenkboek van die Rietbrongemeente. Sy vader het hom vertel: “Neste moes vir weke noukeurig dopgehou word want kuikens moes so klein moontlik gevang word anders het hulle nie mak geword nie. Ons moes die groot voëls dophou, hulle was gevaarlik. Baie kuikens is later deur Oudtshoornboere gekoop. Hulle is in kiste agter op perdekarre na die Klein Karoo vervoer.”
ODE TO A DESERT CHILD
As the Karoo gains in popularity it is often the subject of magazine and newspaper articles. In bygone years it also had its share of press coverage, but much of this referred only to its dismal, harsh, dry and inhospitable side. However in 1871 the Karoo was lauded in a poem written by a Black man with the curious name of Sep Ditty. This rather beautiful poem was published in a Christmas edition of the Beaufort West Courier that year. In the 1950s Almero de Villiers, who regularly wrote for the newspaper rediscovered the poem and republished it. Sep Ditty calls Beaufort West the “portal of regions where wealth is won- / In gems as bright as the noonday sun! / Haven of rest to the wanderer’s eye, / Oasis green in the desert dry! / Who, coming here from the desert wild, / Can but feel thy beauty – thou desert child?” The poem is a longish one with several verses referring to the Karoo as “a desert child.”
HERDENKING VAN DIE ANGLO-BOEREOORLOG
Die honderdjarige herdenking van die Anglo-Boereoorlog tussen 1999 en 2002 sal groot getalle besoekers na Suid-Afrika lok sê Nic Badenhorst, koordineerder van die ABO herdenking in die Wes-Kaap. Hy win tans inligting in van ‘n wye reeks komitees en het ‘n vergadering vir 5 September by die Kasteel in Kaapstad belê waar planne bespreek sal word. Hy sê: “Alle bevokingsgroepe was in mindere of meerdere mate betrokke. Ons moet die navorsing afhandel sodat ons alle toerisme moontlikhede van hierdie geleentheid kan benut. Op plaaslike vlak is heelwat dorpies deur die Provinsie tans besig met die opknapping van krygshistoriese gebiede.”
A CHANGE OF PACE
A British tour operator is proposing to “slow the pace and use the rail.” Yet, when the railway finally wound its way northwards it quickened the pace of the platteland. The railway reached Beaufort West when the town was already 60 years old, but its pace was tied to the speed and endurance of the horse and ox. Steam trains shortened the trip from Cape Town to Beaufort West. They took 48 hours whereas the Fuller and Gibson coaches had taken 12 days. The station at Beaufort West was opened on February 1, 1880, by Sir Bartle Frere, then Governor of the Colony. His two daughters accompanied him and their hair fascinated local ladies. Neither had ever cut their locks and could trail their hair behind them. “With so much hair they are able to create wondrously magnificent hairstyles, the envy of every local maiden,” said a writer of the day.
