BOER WAR GRAVES RESTORED

The graves of British soldiers buried in Beaufort West in the Great Karoo during the Anglo-Boer War have been restored by the local Rapportryers organisation. The work was undertaken by Goodall and Williams, and cleaning and washing of gravel chips provided short-term employment for the jobless. Goodall and Williams personnel repaired and rebuilt all curbings and recemented all surrounds. Marble crosses and memorials were all thoroughly washed and cleaned, and metal Guild Crosses were repainted. Then markers, with details of the soldier’s name, rank and number were fixed to each cross to ensure that the graves could once again be easily identified. Brass roundels originally marked each grave, but over the years, vandals removed these. There is only one Boer soldier buried in Beaufort West cemetery. He is John Watson, whose grave was also located and restored. A sketch-map detailing the whereabouts of war graves in the old Anglican, Wesleyan and Catholic cemeteries will soon be available at the tourist information offices and museum.

LAINGSBURG BLY VARS IN SY GEHEUE

Een van Suid-Afrika se top advertensieskeppers, Peter Gird, sal nooit vir Laingsburg vergeet nie. Hy is die man wat die skreeusnaakse Vodacom advertensiereeks met akteur Micheal de Pina en Adom-blondine” Lauren Davey geskep het. “Niemand kan glo dat Lauren eintlik ‘n uiters bekwame, top senior sekretaresse by ‘n assuransie maatskappy is en glad niks soos die ‘bimbo’ van die advertensie is nie,” sê Peter. In ‘n artikel in Leisure Life vertel Peter dat hy jare gelede besig was om ‘n advertensie vir ‘n karavaan maatskappy in die Karoo te skiet. “Ons het ‘n pragtige area langs ‘n dam in ‘n bergagtige gebied gekies. Dit het absoluut aanloklik gelyk en ons het hulle mooiste en duurste woonwa langs die dam parkeer. Soos die geluk dit wou hê het dit begin reën. Ons was nie bekommerd nie. Met ‘n sug van ‘more’s nog ‘n dag,’ het ons opgehou werk. Ons het die karavaan nooit weer gesien nie – dit was die dag van die Laingsburg vloed.”

KAROO MOHAIR MAN AMONG WORLD’S BEST

The severely physically handicapped Jan Sarels, of Prince Albert, has been adjudged one of the top mohair classers in the world. He was rated second in South Africa at the recent prestigious Mohair Growers’ Miyuki prize-giving ceremony in Port Elizabeth. Jan broke his legs and back in a fall from a trailer as a child. Despite spending three years in hospital in Port Elizabeth, his injuries never healed properly. Eventually, with a severe limp and dropped hip, he returned home. His father, a shearer, taught him the craft. Despite the agonies he suffered while working, Jan strove for perfection. He managed, but he wanted to know more, so began learning how to class the clip. Clive van Hasselt, for whom Jan works, says: “Jan is like a sponge. He literally soaks up knowledge. He always wants to know more. We are all immensely proud of his achievements. Getting one of the five top awards in the country has crowned his dedicated efforts.” Jan, of course, is aiming at the No 1 spot. “No one can ever know it all, one must never stop learning,” he says.

JUST FOLLOW THE AROMA (Tel No.023-541-1345)

The new owners of Sampie’s Farmstall in Prince Albert, Kevin and Barbara Ellison, plan to start an open-air braai restaurant next to this little shop. “Braaivleis is so much a part of platteland life, yet it’s a difficult meal for tourists to find unless they are staying over in a typical South African home,” said Barbara. “We aim to incorporate braais in our mix to encourage casual visitors to enjoy traditional culture against the magnificent backdrop of the Swartberg Mountains.”

DIENS IS DIE SLEUTEL TOT SUKSES

Goeie kliëntediens is die kern van suksesvolle toerisme. Dit was die boodskap wat die Weskaap se Toerismeraad buro-ontwikkelingsbeampte Veronica Jooste tydens ‘n reeks werkwinkels in die Sentrale Karoo oorgedra het. Die werkswinkels was gemik op almal wat met toeriste te doen het en afgevaardigdes het van die akkommodasiebedryf, restourante, die polisie, museums, banke, kafees en groot- en klein sake-ondernemings gekom. Die opleiding het hulle geleer hoe om toeriste op ‘n beleefde en professionele manier te behandel. “Onthou, jy kry nooit ‘n tweede kans om ‘n eerste indruk te maak nie,” het Veronica gesê. Werkswinkels in deur die streek in Laingsburg, Prins Albert, Beaufort-Wes en Murryasburg aangebied en besoek is ook afgelê by alle inligtingspunte.

POPULAR FARM REOPENS (Tel No 02062 ask for 1331)

The popular guest farm Wilgeboschkloof in the Merweville district is once again open to the public. This farm has both 4 x 4 and hiking routes along which fossils and even a Bushman grave can be seen. Up to a change of ownership, all these routes were heavily booked. But considerable restoration was required, so the new owners, Tolie and Alida Victor, closed all facilities until upgrading could be completed. It’s now back in the market and back in demand.

MOTORHAWE GLO IN GOEIE DIENS (Tel No 023-541-1797)

Die nuwe eienaars van National Garage in Prins Albert, Colin en Carol Campbell, glo in gehalte diens. Colin voel dat ‘n motorhawe met goeie diens ‘n sleutelrol in toerisme speel. Hy dring aan dat sy werk-nemers net die beste lewer. Hy was voorheen ‘n senior bestuurder in die Woolworthsgroep, waar kliëntediens ‘n prioriteit is. Die tegniese sy van die motorhawe is oorgeneem deur Hannes Louw, ‘n werktuigkundige van Kimberley. Hy voel ewe sterk oor gehalte diens aan die reisende publiek. Carol, voorheen ‘n joernalis by die Argus in Kaapstad, geniet die rus en vrede van die platteland na die gewarboel van die stad. Sy wil ook graag betrokke wees in die wêreld van toerisme.

OU SCHUUR PROJECT ONE OF THE BEST (Tel No 023-415-2828)

The Karoo National Park’s Ou Schuur Project is a winner. It was recently adjudged one of the best community projects of its kind, and tourism officer Sidney Witbooi was invited to present details of its progress and future development plans at a Best Practices Conference held at the Berg-‘n-dal Conference Centre at the Kruger Park. “It was an exciting experience to share ideas with representatives from other tourism development projects at sister parks and to discuss our ideas with international ecologists, representatives of world wild life organisations and investment advisors,” said Sidney.

MURRAYSBURG DOGTER MAAK ‘n PLAN

Die onder-18 meisies hokkiespan van Herschelskool in Kaapstad gaan nou ook optree as amabassadeurs vir Murraysburg eko-toerisme by die inter-provinsiale toernooi in Port Elizabeth. Leshane Luscombe, een van die spanlede, het haar moeder Lusan, wie op vryskutbasis optree as Murraysburg Toerisme Assosiasie se skakelbeampte, met ‘n plan genader om haar tuisdorp tydens die toernooi op die toerisme- kaart te plaas. Haar idee om die dorp se toerisme embleem op hulle hemde te vertoon is deur Herman de Wit, voorsitter van die Sentrale Karoo Distrikraad en streekstoerisme-organisasie goedgekeur en hy het besluit om dit te borg. Murraysburg sal bekendheid verwerf elke keer as die span op die veld draf.

Don’t forget : Laingsburg Karoo Festival – October 20 to 22 – Full details from Tel No 082-920-1240

RESTORATION OF ALBERT’S MILL PLANNED (Tel No 023-541-1366)

A group of Prince Albert residents has formed an association with the aim of restoring the town’s historic mill. They feel that a working Albert’s Mill, the only one of its kind left in the Karoo, could be an important tourist attraction. Mayor Dawid Rossouw still remembers playing at the mill as a child. “There’s nothing quite like the creaks and groans of a working mill,” he said. “These sounds were an intimate part of my childhood. The wheel rattled and sighed as the stream trickled by. The water gurgled and cascaded over the wheel, spilling sunlit and sparkling water into a whirlpool below. The gears whispered and whined as they set the grumbling grindstones in motion. Then came the rush of grain to be slowly milled into flour. In my childhood it was a patchwork world of strange sounds, filtered sunlight, crystal clear water, strange odours and dark, gloomy shadows. I would love nothing more than to make these sights, sounds and smells part of the world of today’s children,” he said. The committee, chaired by Derek Thomas, is involved in a huge research programme and is seeking advice of experts such as Mr Ficinous, who restored the mill at Elim, wheelwright Carel Alberts and Johanna Marx of the S A Heritage Resources Association. She was involved in restoration of Mostert’s Mill in Cape Town.

MEER AS NET BESOEKERS

“Toerisme is meer as net die besoek van mense aan ‘n land of plek ter wille van besienswaardighede. Dit is die mense van daardie land of plek se gesindheid en leefwyse wat toerisme bevorder en wat as sodanig onthou word,” sê skrywer Paul Cronje. Die beskrywing het Marie Bothma van Merweville so beindruk dat sy vir streekstoerismebeampte Rose Willis genooi het om ‘n plaaslike VLV-vergadering te kom toespreek. “Ek voel Karoo mense leef in ‘n paradys wat nie raakgesien word nie,” sê Marie. “Ons moet net meer bewus word van die feit dat ons ‘n bestaan moet maak uit toerisme.” Rose het oor die markpotensiaal van die Merweville-gebied gepraat, die analiseering van die mark en bemarkingsgeleenthede, sowel as beter benutting van geriewe en die uitbreiding en ontwikkeling van fasiliteite.

ROCK ART DECOR FOR GUEST LODGE (Tel No 049222 ask for 2011)

Before even stepping outside to explore, guests at Kareebosch farm can experience the enchantment of the Murraysburg area. Farm owners Willem and Carissa Smuts wanted to share the magic of their environment with guests, so they asked local artist Janet Kingwill of Grand View to create typical Karoo Amurals” for their accommodation lodge. “Exactly what to do was a challenge. Eventually I decided to develop designs with local rock engravings as central theme. Creating the designs involved considerable research as I wanted to be sure that everything was typical of the Murraysburg area,” said Janet. The designs have been highly praised. Kareebosch lies in a beautiful area on the banks of the Buffels River and is an ideal venue for birders, veld and nature study groups.

GAMKASKLOOF TAKEN INTO THE SKIES

Two photojournalists recently visited Gamkaskloof to capture its atmosphere for in-flight magazines. D A Bloomer was taking photographs for an article to appear in British Air’s magazine, while Daleen Botha, a freelance journalist, had been commissioned to prepare a similar feature for the SAA magazine. Other journalists who recently explored the Hell, Swartberg Pass and little towns of the Karoo were Heather Robertson, Andrew Donaldson, Andrew High and photographer Ruvan Boshoff. This team is working on a series of features entitled “Rediscovering South Africa” for the Sunday Times Lifestyle magazine. The Karoo generally did not captivate them, but they loved Prince Albert so much they almost did not want to leave. And, Beaufort West was given a boost when Tourism Bureau information officer Wendy Anthonie discussed the town and its surrounds with Terrence April during a special Saturday morning tourism programme on Radio Sonder Grense.

NUWE BOEK ‘n BYBELTJIE VIR DIE JAGTER (Tel No 02082 vra vir 4311)

Skrywer Herman Jonker sê idees vir artikels kry hy ooral, meesal oor brandewynwaterjies, maar die saadjie om ‘n boek oor jag te skryf is oor tuisgebakte brood en konfyt op George Stegmann se plaas op die oewers van die Dywka geplant. Na die werk klaar was is Kennis vir die Jagter sommer deur ‘n ieder en ‘n elk met lof bekroon. Top tydskrifte het die boek as “die beste wat ooit vir leke geskrywe is” beskryf. Herman is ‘n ou vriend van Tobie en Andéne Gous, eienaars van North en South Hotel by Prins Albertweg, en die hotel word dus sommer ook deel van die verhaal. Die boek kos R90, plus posgeld, en kan van Tobie bestel word.

THE DOMINEE WHO HELPED CHURCHILL ESCAPE

A man with strong ties to Prince Albert played a key role in Winston Churchill’s dramatic escape from prison during the Anglo-Boer War. The story also has a modern-day link with one of Prince Albert’s most elegant guest houses. After the Boers captured Churchill, who was then the war correspondent for the Morning Post, he was imprisoned at the State Model Schools in Pretoria. One of his fellow prisoners was Adrian Jacobus Louw Hofmeyr, “Attie” to his friends, who, as the second dominee called to Prince Albert, served the Dutch Reformed community there from 1883 to 1895. This suave, good looking and gifted preacher was a known political agitator. His friendship with Cecil John Rhodes and Lord Alfred Milner drew him deeply into politics and cost him his ministry. Suspended in 1899, he was banned from preaching for 25 years and was 70 by the time he was restored. Hofmeyr, who was once investigated by the church for a “romantic indiscretion,” is the grandfather of Tessa Collins, owner of Collins House. Attie Hofmeyr officiated at her mother’s wedding in 1935, and Sheila Collins, who now also resides at Collins House, has many stories relating to this colourful, much-loved and multi-talented man. It was the renegade Attie Hofmeyr who gave Churchill the slouch hat he used to disguise himself and slip past the prison guards to freedom. His escape is described in Churchill – Wanted Dead or Alive, the recently published book written by Sir Winston’s granddaughter Celia Sandys. “Churchill scrambled over the fence,” she writes, “put on a slouch hat he had acquired from Adrian Hofmeyr and had adorned at the last moment with a puggaree of the Transvaal colours. He casually walked through the gardens, passing within five yards of the sentry and out into the street. There were plenty of people about at that hour, but no one paid any attention to a man humming a tune as he walked down the centre of Skinner Street.” In his book The Story of My Captivity, Adrian Hofmeyr wrote: “Churchill’s escape was a great to do. It stopped the whole machinery of State. It paralysed the officials. It seemed to me that the war was forgotten.”

SPOG MUSEUM HET BANDE MET KAROO

Bloemfontein se pragtige herehuis, Freshford, wat in 1986 gerestoureer en in ‘n museum omskep is, het ‘n skakel met die Karoo. Die huis, wat vernoem is na sy vrou se geboortedorp, is ontwerp en laat bou deur John Edwin Harrison, ‘n Britse argitek wie in 1874 weens tuberkolose uit Engeland na ‘n droër klimaat moes verhuis. Hy het hom in Hanover gevestig maar daar was min moontlikhede vir ‘n argitek op so ‘n klein Karoo dorpie. In 1875 het hy na Bloemfontein verhuis en die oprigting van Freshford het die volgende jaar begin. In Junie 1897 is hy terug Engeland toe om met Kate Caroline Marchant in die huwelik te tree. Hulle het in November die spogwoning betrek. Met die uitbreek van die Anglo-Boereoorlog het die Harrisons met dogtertjie Alice Julia Karoo toe gevlug en vir ‘n kort rukkie was hulle in Prinse Albert woonagtig.

GUIDE HELPS READERS DECIPHER THE ROCKS (Tel No 023-541-1366)

A reader-friendly guide to the geology of the Prince Albert area has been written by local resident Albert Theron. “Most tourists marvel at the spectacular rock formations of the Swartberg and wonder how these came about. Quite some scientific information is available, but it is beyond the understanding of the layman. I thus decided a down-to-earth, easy-to-read approach was needed,” said Albert. The booklet, Prince Albert – Paleozoic to Present, covers the formation of the Cape folded mountains, rock formations, minerals and geological development of the Swartberg. It is obtainable from Prince Albert Tourist Bureau at R40 plus postage.