Mzanzi Travel - Local Travel Inspiration (Issue 5)

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The North West Tourism Board
is a product of the North West
Province’s 5th Administration which
saw it fit to separate two mandates
which had been held by the North
West Parks and Tourism Board.
These developments brought about
the establishment of a provincial
Department of Tourism, together
with its agency, the North West
Tourism Board in 2015. The rationale behind the separation
was to afford each mandate focused attention
Established by Act No. 2 of 2015, the North West Tourism
Board was primarily established to:
• Market the North West Province as a tourism
destination locally, provincially, nationally and
internationally;
• Provide Tourism Training and Skills Transfer in the
sector;
• Facilitate Tourism Investment Promotion in the
Province;
• Create enabling environment for Access to Markets
for new entrants in the tourism sector in the Province;
• Contribute to the establishment of enabling
environment for job creation in the Tourism Sector in
the Province.
In carrying out it’s mandates, the Board recognizes the
importance of stakeholders and role players and thus work
closely with both the provincial and national departments
of Tourism and South African Tourism. Industry players
remain critical partners in the growth of the provincial tourism
economy and most importantly, in offering a diversity of
tourism experiences required by tourists. These range
from luxury accommodation, Big 5 wildlife experiences,
varied advernture activities, birding, world class casinos to
international golfing and angling facilities.
The Board is also responsible for the provision of
Hospitality Training through a network of its hotel schools,
i.e. the Mafikeng and the Taung Hotel School located in the
Ngaka Modiri Moleman and Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati
districts respectively. The Board, administratively, reports
to a Board of Directors, who in turn report to the Member
of the Executive Council (MEC) responsible for Tourism in
the Province.
With Tourism being government-led, private sector driven
and labour-intensive, the Board’s mission “To provide an
integrated tourism development support system towards
a vribrant tourism sector in the North West Province” is
pursued rigorously to achieve its broad vision.. “Your partner
towards a vibrant tourism sector”, the aforesaid taking
into account established partherships with the Provincial
Tourism Organisations /association (PTO’s) and National
Tourism Organisations (NPO’s).
Apart from ensurng that Destination North West is marketed
at relevant local, national, regional and international tourism
platforms, the Province supports its marketing initiatives
with tourist information dissemination through a number of
Visitor Information Centres strategically located at the O R
Tambo International Airport, Sun City, Pilanesberg National
Park, Rustenburg, Potchefstroom and Mafikeng.
4 |ISSUE 5|www.mzanzitravel.co.za | MZANZI TRAVEL
P.O Box 4488, Mmabatho 2735
Stand 3031 Cookes Lake, Mafikeng
Tel: 018 3971500, Fax: 018 3971660
Email: info@nwtb.co.za,
Website: www.tourismnorthwest.co.za

18
30
40
07
EDITOR’S NOTE
10
TRAVEL BITES -
tourism-related news and
information
18
NORTHERN CAPE…vast land of
great diversity
30
MALAWI…warm heart of Africa
40
SA’S ENCHANTING LAKE
DISTRICTS
50
HIDDEN GEMS…delightful
experiences and places off the
beaten track
64
FABULOUS RIELDANSERS…
the world of SA’s oldest
dance
74
EASTER GETAWAYS…a
selection of fine destinations
84
KOLMANSKOP…a jewel ghost
town in the desert
94
BUSINESS TRAVEL…from
tech cities to lions
C O NTENTS
50
84
64
5 |ISSUE 5|www.mzanzitravel.co.za | MZANZI TRAVEL

EDITOR’S NOTE
Autumn 2017
trust you all had a wonderful festive season filled with exciting travel to the many marvellous
I destinations South Africa and the continent have to offer and that by now, like us here at MzanziTravel,
you are already fully immersed in an exciting new year. To help our readers along in 2017 – and for those
seeking a breather after the first few hectic months – we have selected a number of wonderful Easter
Getaways in this edition. In the next edition we will feature some excellent Winter Break destinations.
CITY PASS
For our regional feature in this edition we travelled to the Northern Cape, surely one of South Africa’s
most fascinating provinces. Not only is it geographically the largest province, albeit the most sparsely
populated, but it is still a living testimony to some of our most ancient history, while at the same time it
hosts some of the most exciting modern technological advances in the fields of energy and astronomy.
These extremes are evident from the rieldans, South Africa’s oldest dance form still practiced in villages
and towns here by the descendants of the Khoisan and Nama people (featured in this edition), and the
Southern African Large Telescope, the largest single optical telescope in the southern hemisphere and
among the five largest in the world, located at Sutherland (featured in Hidden Gems).
60 +
Attractions
60 +
Attractions
For our main feature article we visited South Africa’s two truly enchanting lake districts – the one around
Chrissiesmeer in Mpumalanga in the north and the other along the Garden Route in the south. These
lake districts offer unsurpassed natural scenery and much to do and experience. Who would want to
travel to the lake districts of England and Scotland with such attractions right here on our doorstep?
This edition is also packed with other informative and enjoyable articles about Malawi, the Warm Heart
of Africa; a fascinating picture spread of Kolmanskop, a deserted mining town in the Namib Desert;
business travel in South Africa; and on the tourism offerings of Soweto, Sutherland, Rocherpan on the
West Coast, and the quaint Karoo town of Philippolis, among others.
From 19-21 April we will be in attendance as a Gold Tier Partner at the World Travel Market in Cape
Town and we hope to see you there! In the meantime, enjoy the read.
Stef
CREDITS
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Jane Frost
EDITOR
Stef Terblanche
SALES MANAGER
Cheryl Pinter: cheryl@mzanzitravel.co.za
SALES EXECUTIVES
Deliah Adams: deliah@mzanzitravel.co.za
Nazly Leite : nazly@mzanzitravel.co.za
TRAFFIC CONTROLLER
COVER PICTURE:
Fishing boat on lagoon at sunset by Basson van Zyl / Shutterstock.
Michael Keys
DESIGN
Second Chance Media (PTY) LTD.
KCDA - Design Studio
REG.NO.(2015/328488/07)
www.kcda.co.za
Suite 100, 1st floor,42 Broad Rd Medical Centre,
Broad Road,Wynberg,7800.
Office: 021 761 6408
Fax: 021761 5759
Email : admin@mzanzitravel.co.za
sales@mzanzitravel.co.za
Web: www.mzanzitravel.co.za
The opinions in Mzanzi Travel are not necessarily those of the publisher.
Copyright Second Chance Media – All rights reserved. No part of this material may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior consent or permission from the publisher.
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RICHARDS BAY
A unique and inviting retreat just two hours north of Durban, come and experience the relaxed hospitality
and convenience of this centrally situated hotel. Indaba Lodge Richards Bay combines the beauty of this
warm, lush, subtropical region with the rolling savannah of the many game reserves. Take in the experience
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News & Information
TravelBites
6. Skip airport snacks and bring your own.
You can save yourself a bit of money and keep
your hunger at bay in case you have a delayed
flight.
7. Create compartments. Two words:
packing cube. If you are visiting more than one
city during your trip, packing cubes will keep
your suitcase organized and save you from
having to pack and unpack.
8. Share your packing space. Traveling as
a couple? Split your clothes between two
suitcases on the off chance one of them gets
lost during the flight.
TIPS FOR TRAVELLERS
TripAdvisor Travellers’ Top Tips to
Pack Smart
Online travel information site TripAdvisor, reached out to top contributors in
their traveller community and asked for their best-ever packing tips. Here’s what
they had to say:
1. Pack light to travel light. If you can manage with a carry-on, do it. Try taking
half of the things you need and twice the money. You can make buying a
few new items a fun part of the adventure.
2. Pack a sleep mask and ear plugs. These can come in handy on a plane, train
or in your hotel room.
3. Capitalize on empty suitcase space. Roll your clothes, instead of folding
them. Stuff socks, underwear, and accessories inside of shoes. Leave no
space unused.
4. Keep a sarong or pashmina in your carry-on. They can be used as a blanket
on the plane, a scarf if it’s cold or a shawl on an evening out.
5. Bag it. Kitchen sandwich bags can be used to hold your accessories,
vacuum pack bags can be space savers, and trash bags have multiple uses
(laundry bag, shoe covers).
9. Bring a multi-socket extension cord.
Although newer hotels have USB ports in
rooms, it’s best to have an extra outlet to
charge all of your electronics at once.
10. Make photocopies before leaving home. If you’re traveling out of the
country, make two photocopies of your passport. Use your smartphone
to take pictures of your car in the airport’s parking garage and do the
same for your luggage and its contents in case it gets lost.
11. Wear old t-shirts, pants, underwear, and socks and throw them away on
the trip after you wear them. That way your luggage is lighter and you
have room to purchase items on your trip.
12. Forgot your toothpaste, toothbrush, comb, deodorant? Check with the
front desk of your hotel… they’ve always got small samples available.
TOURISM SOUTH AFRICA
Source: TripAdvisor
Entries for annual Lilizela Tourism
Awards open
The Department of Tourism has called on outstanding businesses in the
tourism industry to submit their entries for the 5th annual Lilizela Tourism
Awards which opened on 1 March 2017. Tourism businesses ranging from
accommodation establishments and tourist guides to visitor attractions, may
10 |ISSUE 5|www.mzanzitravel.co.za | MZANZI TRAVEL

News & Information
enter the 2017 Lilizela Tourism Awards in a range of categories which will be judged
by a panel of industry professionals, as well as by a public vote. These categories
include service excellence, universal accessibility, the Minister’s Award for
innovation in tourism, and the Emerging Tourism Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
The provincial awards ceremonies take place in September 2017 culminating in
the star-studded national awards function to be held in Johannesburg, in October.
The Lilizela Tourism Awards, which is an initiative of the Department of Tourism, is
spearheaded by South African Tourism.
Source; SAnews.gov.za
Record festive season for Cape Town
destinations, South African Tourism has kicked-off its Gogos on Tour campaign
in the Western Cape. It is an initiative aimed at showcasing the ease of travel for
short leisure breaks around South Africa for all locals, including senior citizens.
Debbie Damant, country manager: Southern Africa at SA Tourism, says SA Tourism
wants all South Africans to enjoy the country’s cultural diversity, as well as its
amazing landscapes and biodiversity, which is what the millions of international
tourists come to South Africa for every year. Despite SA Tourism making progress,
there is still a significant untapped local market. Through this national campaign,
approximately 1,000 senior citizens from across South Africa will be exposed to
the country’s tourism offerings; further enforcing South African Tourism’s vision
to create an accessible tourism environment and to contribute to the economic
development of the country.
Tourism to be SA’s new boom
Source: Bizcommunity.com
The Mother City once again lived up to her festive season reputation, breaking
records with the number of visitors who flocked here. Figures for people
moving through Cape Town International Airport over the period also increased
significantly. During December 49,738 visitors were ferried to Robben Island –
an increase of 4% over the previous December. Kirstenbosch Gardens received
the most visitors ever for a single month in December with118,699 visitors, a
6% increase over the previous December. Some 79,000 people visited Groot
Constantia (up 25%), 129,039 went to Cape Point (up 15%), and 150,201 people
visited Table Mountain (up 0.3%). While the V&A Waterfront had a 1% decrease in
visitors for December, it attracted almost 1-million more visitors for the whole of
2016 compared to 2015.
Source: News24
SA Tourism promotes local travel with
Gogos on Tour
In light of the need to increase travel within South Africa, and creating and
entrenching a travel culture with South Africans experiencing new local
Following the economic downturn which began in 2008, the tourism industry
has continued to be an economic driving force for South Africa and is set to be its
next boom industry. Throughout the downturn tourism has continued to prove
its economic potential in a tough global environment. Last year alone over 9-million
visitors arrived in South Africa, an increase of just over one million compared
to 2015 figures. This represents a 13% growth in tourism arrivals. It is these numbers
that have probably propelled government to declare tourism as a key job
driver. Added to the growth in tourist numbers was the growth in tourism spend.
MZANZI TRAVEL| www.mzanzitravel.co.za|ISSUE 5 | 11

News & Information
According to the Department of Tourism, during the first months of 2016, up to
R39.3-billion in foreign direct spend was achieved in South Africa. With the Treasury
allocating an additional R494 million to the tourism budget this year, there
is no doubt of the kind of value government sees in the sector. The Department
of Tourism says its policy focus over the medium term will be on creating work
opportunities and increasing the number of domestic and international tourist
arrivals from 11 million in 2015/16 to 12 million by 2017/18. The National Tourism
Sector Strategy (NTSS) seeks to increase tourism’s total direct and indirect
contribution to the economy from R189, 4 billion in 2009 to R318, 2 billion in
2015 and R499 billion in 2020.
Source: SA News / BusinessTech
South African appointed president
of global tourist guide body
Alushca Ritchie, a tour guide in the Western Cape, was appointed president
of the World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations in February 2017 for a
two-year term. She was appointed during the 17th biennial World Federation
of Tourist Guide Associations convention recently in Tehran, Iran. Ritchie said
she was looking forward to representing all tourist guides on a global platform.
“This will be a great opportunity to learn and to promote a sector which is very
rarely recognised as a profession, although it is an integral component of the
tourism value chain.” Her passion for travel intersects with her love for food.
She described herself to News24 as an “oenophile and coffee lover of note,
as well as a complete bibliophile and an avid foodie”. Because of her interest
in food, Ritchie enjoys showing travellers the vast variety of cuisine on offer in
South Africa. “Our huge array of different ways to eat, things to eat and places
to eat at are all unbelievably diverse,” she said. Her travels had helped her realise
how diverse South Africa was. “It’s something truly special,” she said. “We are
very proud of this global leadership achievement,” said Tourism Minister Derek
Hanekom, congratulating Ritchie.
Source: BrandSA / News24
fact, tourism surpasses mining as an employer. “A tour guide can either
make or break your tour experience. Tour guides have the ability to share
knowledge, history and humour tourists while guiding them through their
escapades. It’s more than just storytelling; they essentially play a significant
role as ambassadors of the organisation,” said Infrastructure and Facilities
Executive Manager of Robben Island Museum, Gershon Manana. Under
this year’s theme by the Department of Tourism: Peace and Development
through Guiding; peace, sustainability and security formed part of the robust
discussions.
TOURISM AFRICA
Source: RobbenIsland.org.za / Reputationmatters.co.za
First ever Pan-African health tourism
summit to be hosted by uMhlathuze
Municipality, KZN
27th International Tourist Guide
Day Celebrations at Robben Island
In celebration of International Tourist Guide Day, commemorated annually
on 21 February since 1990, Robben Island Museum in partnership with
the Department of Tourism hosted a two-day celebration at Robben Island
Museum from Thursday, 02 March 2017 to Friday, 03 March 2017. The
purpose of the event was to celebrate and discuss the role tourist guides play
in promoting peace, security and mutual understanding in relation to the 2030
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).This initiative is coordinated by the
World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations under the leadership of the
newly elected President, South African wine specialist, Alushca Ritchie.
According to Statistics South Africa’s December 2016 report on the tourism
sector, the industry created 32,186 new jobs in 2015, raising the tourism
workforce from 679,560 individuals in 2014 to a total of 711 746 individuals. This
is despite a decline in international tourists visiting our shores in 2015. Currently,
one in 22 employed people in South Africa work in the tourism industry. In
The uMhlathuze local municipality in the King Cetshwayo District Municipality
of KwaZulu-Natal, that includes the port of Richards Bay, is to host the inaugural
Pan African Health Tourism Congress. Health tourists include people who
cross borders to obtain health care treatment. Currently some 7-million health
tourists travel annually and globally the health tourism industry is valued at
12 |ISSUE 5|www.mzanzitravel.co.za | MZANZI TRAVEL

approximately US$20bn per year. The leading African health care destinations are Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco,
Mauritius and South Africa. South Africa is recognized as a centre for medical excellence for sub Saharan Africa,
with most health care visitors coming from other African countries, mostly within the SADC region. The aim of
the congress will be to explore a collective strategy that Africa can adopt in order to coordinate its efforts at
maximizing its potential within this industry.
Source: Londiwe Dlomo, Sowetanlive
Africa theme park stakeholders to gain from
‘Deal 2017’
African stakeholders in the theme park
industry will soon benefit from the
largest trade show in the amusement
industry, the Dubai Entertainment
Amusement and Leisure (Deal –
www.DEALmiddleeastshow.com) to
be organised by International Expo
Consults. With people visiting theme
parks across Africa and this amusement
sector growing in the continent,
shows like Deal will assist industry
stakeholders to get together under one
roof. According to the World Tourism
Organization (UNWTO), Africa’s strong
performance in 2014 makes it one of the world’s fastest-growing tourist destinations, second only to Southeast
Asia. Amusement parks in Africa are able to offer more than just amusement as they often include historical and
educational attractions. Parks in Africa are known to inculcate fun mixed with learning. Looping rollercoaster
rides and bumper cars are offered alongside exciting wildlife-centered shows and historical attractions, thus
enabling a fun mix of entertainment activities for all age groups. Deal 2017 is the only show in the Middle East
and Africa region to provide stakeholders with several billion dollars’ worth of opportunities. The show will take
place from March 27 - 29 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
Source: TradeArabia News Service
Jumia Travel expands to new destinations in Africa
and globally
Jumia Travel, positioning itself as Africa’s number one online travel agency, has announced that it has added
more properties to its portfolio, now offering travellers a choice of 300,000 hotels across the world and 30,000
in Africa. Jumia Travel says it is further solidifying its global presence in the hotel, travel and tourism sector,
unveiling new continental and international destinations only four years since its inception in 2013. These
include new properties in popular destinations in Africa including South Africa, Morocco, Egypt, and Tunisia, as
well as outbound destinations including Dubai, London, New York, Paris, and Mecca among others. The move
is directed at enabling more Africans to expand their travel horizons both domestically and internationally. As
part of the initiative, customers will have access to travel packages to the new destinations with 24/7 local
customer service and expertise as well as flexible payment options including Mpesa, payment on arrival, and
credit cards.
Source: Jumia Travel / TravelDailyNews.com

News & Information
SA Tourism Minister announces
Bidding Fund at Meetings Africa
Long-list for 2017 African Responsible
Tourism unveiled
Meetings Africa 2017 opened with some rousing announcements from
Minister of Tourism Derek Hanekom on 28 February 2017 at the Sandton
Convention Centre in Johannesburg recently. As the premier trade show
on the continent, Meetings Africa has pushed boundaries this year with
the introduction of several new developments and a renewed focus on
sustainability. Speaking to exhibitors, hosted buyers, MECs and media, South
Africa’s Minister of Tourism, Derek Hanekom, broke down the importance of
the business events industry’s contribution to Africa’s economy during the
opening ceremony on 28 February 2017. Travel and tourism now contributes
around 3.3% to Africa’s GDP and last year saw 58 million international tourist
arrivals – an increase of 8% over 2015.
Sub-Saharan Africa alone saw an 11% increase, with a gradual recovery in
North Africa. According to the United Nations World Tourism Organisation,
arrivals are set to grow by between 5 and 6% in 2017. The business events
sector is pivotal in bringing both tourism and opportunities to the continent.
Minister Hanekom stressed the importance of relationship building and
collaboration in this area. At the end of his opening address, Minister Hanekom
dwelled on South African Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan’s announcement
that the Department of Tourism would be allocating an additional R494
million to promote tourism over the next three years. As part of this additional
allocation, the National Treasury has approved a Bidding Fund to help attract
more business events to South Africa.
Source: International Meetings Review
Seychelles Tourism brings paradise
to Travel & Adventure Show
in San Diego
Seychelles Tourism participated in a trade and consumer show that took
place at the San Diego Convention Centre in the state of California, USA
from March 4 to 5. The Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) was an exhibitor at
the Travel & Adventure Show. It is one of the biggest trade and consumer
shows in the United States, taking place every year for the past 13 years in
important cities in America. The shows serve to connect over 1.25 million
US travel enthusiasts with over 3,000 unique travel destinations worldwide.
This marketing activity was part of Seychelle Tourism Board’s (STB) marketing
efforts in North America for 2017 in order to provide support and updates to
the travel traders and consumers present. Furthermore, product knowledge
and destination information were provided to the 5,000 consumers there.
Seychelles is included in various travel packages for North American tourists
traveling to Africa and the Middle East, adding value to the package as well
as an option for those tourists to consider visiting the islands. STB said arrivals
from the Americas to Seychelles increased significantly over the past 5 years,
and with the support of trade and airline partners such as Qatar Airways, STB
is confident that the market will continue to grow.
Source: eturbonews
14 |ISSUE 5|www.mzanzitravel.co.za | MZANZI TRAVEL
The 2017 African Responsible Tourism Awards, sponsored by Western Cape,
South African business organisation WESGRO and organised by Better Tourism
Africa, has moved into the second round with over 30 tourism organisations,
all demonstrating the power of responsible tourism in Africa, vying for top
spots at the awards ceremony at WTM Africa in April. The awards recognise
African organisations that offer a shining example of how tourism can benefit
the local people, the environment, and destinations. The awards are part of a
family of regional Responsible Tourism Awards which culminate each year with
World Responsible Tourism Day at WTM in London.
This year, the long-list names tourism organisations from Mozambique, Kenya,
Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, South Africa, Botswana and Namibia. Long-listed
organisations compete in seven categories, among them habitat and species
conservation, engaging people and culture, poverty reduction and a new
category in 2017 - the best responsible event. The long-listed organisations
will now be rigorously questioned and their submissions reviewed by the
judging team. Chair of Judges, Professor Harold Goodwin says: “The field for
the 2017 African Responsible Tourism Awards (ARTA) is even stronger than
previous years – and that takes some doing!” The general public can also
offer support or otherwise for long-listed organisations by emailing talktous@
africanresponsibletourismawards.com. The shortlist will be announced on
7 April 2017. The 2017 African Responsible Tourism Awards winners will be
announced at a ceremony that will be held on Thursday 20 April 2017 at the
Cape Town International Convention Centre.
The 2017 ARTA long-list is:
• African Bush Camps • African Impact • All Out Africa • Basecamp Explorer •
Blood Lions • Bushfire • Coffee Shack Backpackers • Damaraland Camp &
the Torra Conservancy • Gamewatchers Safaris • Great Plains Conservation
• Green Girls in Africa • Ilha Blue Island Safaris • Influence Tours • Isibindi
Africa Lodges • Khaya Volunteer Projects • Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
• LEO Africa • Maasai Olympics • Maboneng Township Arts Experience
• Maboneng Township Arts Experience Festival • Mashujaa Peace Walk
• Panthera Africa • Save Foundation • Serena Hotels • Simien Lodge •
Sterkspruit Community Art Centre Tele Bridge Race • Thanda Safari • The
Backpack • Tour de Tuli • Tzaneen Country Lodge • Uniglobe Lets Go Travel
• Uthando • Warrior On Wheels Foundation • Wilderness Safaris • Wildlife
ACT
Source: BizCommunity.com

Most of us part with personal
information far too easily! Due
to the fast pace of life, we often
just give out our information
without even thinking about it.
This provides fraudsters with
opportunities to steal identities
and commit fraud, which is
why it is very important that
you take responsibility for your
own personal information, and
manage it carefully.
Because being casual about
sharing your personal information
makes it easy for fraudsters to do
the following:
• Attempt to acquire access to
your retail or bank accounts.
• Defraud your insurance,
medical aid or unemployment
insurance fund.
• Impersonate you and do
transactions using your bank
account.
ID documents, passports, driver’s
licenses, salary slips, municipal
bills, bank statements, till slips
etc. all contain your personal
information, which can be used
to steal your identity, and your
money. The digital age has
provided us with many solutions,
but has also created further
opportunities for fraudsters to
access personal information
using clever tricks. Some of the
ways they do this is by sending
emails (phishing) or SMS’s
(smishing), purporting to be from
trusted sources like your bank
or other legitimate companies,
in order to ask their victims for
personal information such as
passwords, ID numbers and bank
card details. By responding, the
victim is providing the fraudsters
with the relevant information
that enables them to commit the
fraud.
Fraudsters are also experts
when it comes to using social
engineering techniques to obtain
personal information. Vishing,
which is “voice phishing”, is
where a fraudster phones you,
posing as someone from a
bank or a service provider, and
manipulates you into sharing
your confidential information
with him or her over the phone.
With all these scams about, SABRIC
provides you with tips to help you
protect yourself:
• Don’t carry unnecessary
personal information in your
wallet or purse.
• Don’t disclose personal
information such as passwords
and PINs when asked to do so by
anyone via telephone, email or
SMS.
• Don’t write down PINs and
passwords and avoid obvious
choices like birth dates and first
names.
• When destroying personal
information, either shred or burn
it (do not just tear it and put it in
a garbage or recycling bag).
• If you receive an OTP on
your phone without having
transacted yourself, it was likely
prompted by a fraudster using
your personal information.
Do not provide the OTP
telephonically to anybody.
Contact your bank immediately
to alert them to the possibility
that your information may have
been compromised.
• Don’t use Internet Cafes or
unsecure terminals (hotels,
conference centres etc.) to do
your banking.
• Should your ID or driver’s license
be lost or stolen report it to SAPS
immediately.
• Use a separate email address for
the internet which is not linked
to your personal or business
e-mail account.
• Make sure that your PC or mobile
device is updated with the latest
IOS updates and anti-virus/
malware software.
• Register for SMS notifications
so that you are notified of
any transaction on your bank
account.
• Type in the URL (uniform
resource locator or domain
names) for your bank in the
internet browser if you need to
access your bank’s webpage and
never click on a link to access
your bank’s webpage.
Remember these tips and #SKELM

I’m your SOMMELIER, Sir….French…...
So many wines eh?
My recommendation is ARUMDALE or
ROBIN HOOD LEGENDARY WINE
from Elgin
To all SOMMELIERS and Wine Lovers…
Er,..He still has his legs, he must be good! What
do you think Ribbit? …Lilypad?
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HOOD LEGENDARY WINES PLEASE!!
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cool-climate masterpieces from
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Tel: 021 859 3430

Discover South Africa
LIMPOPO
NORTH WEST
GAUTENG
MPUMA-
LANGA
NORTHERN CAPE
FREE STATE
LESOTHO
KWAZULU
NATAL
EASTERN CAPE
WESTERN CAPE
NORTHERN
CAPE
A VAST LAND OF GREAT
DIVERSITY
Black-mane lions in the Kalahari, Northern Cape / Wolf Avni / Shutterstock
18 |ISSUE 5|www.mzanzitravel.co.za | MZANZI TRAVEL

Discover South Africa
“No other province or region in South Africa can
arguably compete with the great diversity of
this province when it comes to natural scenery,
adventure, history and culture, places to visit,
and things to do.”
MZANZI TRAVEL| www.mzanzitravel.co.za|ISSUE 5 | 19

Discover South Africa
The vast Northern Cape province of South
Africa is often thought of as the Cinderella
region of our country…the largest yet most
sparsely populated province with great
distances between small little towns, located
in the far north-western, arid corner of the
country, mostly far from the busiest travel and
commercial routes.
Let that mislead you, and it will be your own great loss.
No other province or region in South Africa can arguably compete with the
great diversity of this province when it comes to natural scenery, adventure,
history and culture, places to visit, and things to do.
People of the land/ Image supplied by Northern Cape Tourism
In size it is slightly larger than all of Germany. In the west the province has a
320km shoreline along the icy Atlantic Ocean, rich in marine life…and diamonds.
For over 1,000km South Africa’s greatest river, the life-giving Orange River,
called the !Garib by the Khoisan (also Gariep, meaning great river), courses
through the frequently changing landscape of this province. The river too has
diamonds in places, having carried alluvial diamonds to the sea.
Rich Heritage
The Northern Cape is a frontier region where brave missionaries, the Khoisan,
hardy trekkers, adventurers, Griquas, other tribes or groups, explorers, farmers,
soldiers, outlaws, and many others all left their indelible mark. Today it all
comes together in this sun-drenched, happy province with its many offerings.
It is also one of the last Southern African refuges of its original inhabitants, the
Khoisan, whose Nama, Griqua and San descendants still live here, their cultural
heritage still much intact, although threatened. But it is also home to a variety
of other ethnic and tribal groups, together providing a rich cultural tapestry.
South Africa’s national motto, ǃKe e ǀxarra ǁke, meaning “unity in diversity’, was
derived from the extinct Northern Cape ǀXam language of the San, or Bushmen.
The province’s natural scenery ranges from the mountain desert of the
Richtersveld in the north, to the arid, wind-swept West Coast or Diamond Coast
along the Atlantic, the red desert dunes of the Kalahari, the lush vegetation
filled with bird life along the banks of the Orange River, the colourful flower
spectacle that annually covers the south-western Namaqualand region, and
the endless boulder and hill-strewn plains of the Great Karoo that hide ancient
mysteries.
Drenched in history, the province witnessed the Koranna War along the Orange
River, the expansion of the Dutch settlement from the Cape of Good Hope, the
Anglo-Boer War, the arrival of pioneering European missionaries, the invasion
of Namibia (then German Southwest Africa) by South African forces in the First
World War, and the great diamond rush that left behind what some claim is the
biggest hand-excavated hole in the world at Kimberley, and much more.
Geographically dominated by the Karoo Basin, the region is also an
archaeological and natural history treasure trove, with many traces of
prehistoric and early human life.
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Discover South Africa
Much to Do
Technologically and commercially it has not stayed behind. It is home to
modern, bustling yet less-rushed cities like Upington, De Aar and Kimberley.
A variety of mining activities from copper to diamonds and iron are spread
across the province. Its agriculture is dominated by sheep farms and vineyards.
Located in the south at Sutherland is the Southern African Large Telescope
(SALT), the largest single optical telescope in the southern hemisphere. And
at De Aar, a major railway junction serving Southern Africa, one also finds the
biggest solar energy plant in Africa and the southern hemisphere.
For holidaymakers and tourists the province offers almost unlimited choice.
These range from beach and boating holidays along the coast, to 4X4
discoveries in the rugged Richtersveld; white-water rafting or kayaking down
the Orange River; visiting the floral kingdom of Namaqualand; wine-tasting on
the estates along the Orange River; an abundance of activities for adrenaline
junkies; visiting the many museums and historical sites such as the old mission
stations with their beautiful churches, or the Big Hole and the reconstructed
mining town museum at Kimberley; submerging yourself into the silence
and vastness of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, which is bigger than many
countries; visiting the cultural heritage of the Riemvasmaak Community
Conservancy; being awed by the diverse natural beauty of more than twelve
national parks and nature reserves; or indulging in game drives that will bring
you up close with rhino, zebra, giraffes, black-mane lion, leopard, cheetah,
African wild dog, black-backed jackal, bat-eared fox, African wild cat, eland,
kudu, gemsbok and the iconic springbok.
The province is divided into five distinct regions: Diamond Fields, Green
Kalahari, Kalahari, Karoo and Namakwa.
Diamond Fields
The focal point of this region is obviously Kimberley, its Big Hole and its
diamond mining history. The city is also the province’s capital. Here some
50,000 diggers once worked more than 3,600 diamond claims. What remains
of the early tent town today, is a modern city boasting an open mining museum
in which the early mining town is replicated next to the Big Hole, as well as many
old buildings, museums and one of South Africa’s most important art galleries
recalling that bygone era.
By 1873 the tents were starting to be replaced by the mansions of magnates
who had made their fortunes here, and the city was named Kimberley after the
Earl of Kimberley, British Secretary of State for the Colonies. And by 1900 five
big holes had already been dug, as well as a number of smaller mines to reach
the fabulous wealth locked in the blue diamond-bearing Kimberlite pipes.
Gradually the tents, brothels, bars, boarding houses, loan shark dens and other
less desirable enterprises made way for a more normal city life.
The city has also known war and was besieged by Boer forces for four months
during the second Anglo-Boer War, trapping the mining magnate and Cape
premier Cecil John Rhodes within its confines. Furthermore, the area contains
The Square Kilometre Array project…part of the world’s largest intercontinental radio-telescope/ Image supplied by Northern Cape Tourism
MZANZI TRAVEL| www.mzanzitravel.co.za|ISSUE 5 | 21

Discopver South Africa
a rich archaeological heritage that includes some of the finest examples of
ancient rock engravings, reflecting a past that goes back to the very origin of
humankind.
It is also a city of firsts: South Africa’s first flying school, the country’s first
stock exchange and the first city in the southern hemisphere to install electric
street-lighting. Other towns in this region include Hartswater, Warrenton,
Windsorton, Delportshoop, Barkley West and Jan Kempdorp, most of them
also owing their existence to diamonds in some or other way, and each with an
equally fascinating history and much to do and see.
Dug out by hand…the Big Hole at Kimberley
Entrance to the mining museum and Big Hole.
Digging the Big Hole, 1872
Augrabies Waterfall…carving its way through ancient rock

Discover South Africa
Kalahari sands
Giraffe crossing the red Kalahari sand
The name says it all…
Images supplied by
Northern Cape Tourism
Green Kalahari
In this region of the province travellers will discover the dramatic contrast
between semi-desert plains shimmering with mirages, and lush green
vineyards covering the fertile banks and valleys along the Orange River. The
cellars here produce some truly fine wines, and visitors are welcome to enjoy
some wine tasting together with an excellent meal. Good lodges, B&Bs and
backpackers’ lodges abound in the area.
Within the Augrabies Falls National Park, the mighty Orange River narrows and
is forced through a series of granite cataracts, causing it at one point to crash
56m down with a deafening roar. Also in this region is the southern part of
the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Africa’s first transfrontier park, comprising
almost 3.7 million hectares of mostly red sand dunes. But, despite its sparse
vegetation, it is home to abundant wildlife, including gemsbok, springbok, blue
wildebeest, red hartebeest, eland, lion, leopard, cheetah and smaller game.
The size of the park allows for the mass migration of different species, an
awesome sight to observe.
The main town of the region is Upington, the second biggest urban centre
in the province, which is where in 1871 Christian Schröder set up his mission
station, Olyfenhoutsdrift. Upington enjoys a summer rainfall and a hot climate,
and is an ideal winter holiday resort with excellent facilities and much to do
and explore. Through a modern airport it is linked by air and by road to most
parts of the country. It is also a convenient stopover on the Kalahari-Namaqua-
Namibia route to and from Johannesburg and Cape Town, and for those
travelling to the Augrabies Falls National Park, the Fish River Canyon and the
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.
Here you also find the humerously-named town of Hotazel…. But it’s not
really as hot as hell here, with other towns averaging much higher summer
temperatures than the town’s average of 37oC. The nearby town of Kathu
boasts one of the world’s largest open-cast iron mines, one of the country’s
most beautiful golf courses, and a luxurious lodge, game reserve and pleasure
resort…a real little palm tree-lined oasis in the semi-desert.
Other towns in the region include Danielskuil, named after a limestone
crater with biblical connotations; Kakamas where Khoi, San, Griquas and
Koranna once roamed; Augrabies and Marshand, surrounded by vineyards;
Kanoneiland, a wine-producing settlement on the largest island in the Orange
River; Keimoes, on the northern bank of the river and home to one of the old
mission stations; Kenhardt with its quiver tree forest, fossilized imprints and
where colonial forces clashed with the anti-colonial Koranna; and various
other towns with quaint names like Askham, Mier, Putsonderwater, Hotazel,
Brandboom, Grootdrink, Noenieput, Philandersbron, Postmasburg, Kuruman,
Dibeng and Loubos.
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Discover South Africa
Karoo
This ancient region, believe it or not, was once part of Antarctica before
continental drift occurred. These days it appears arid and desert-like, until it
undergoes a dramatic transformation when the first summer rains fall. Then
its soil bursts into a life of its own with hardy succulents and sweet grasses on
which the merino and fat-tailed sheep that the region is renowned for, graze.
Dotted across this landscape are small, isolated villages and towns where life
continues in the way it has always done. Hugging whatever shade there may be
in the valleys between flat-topped Karoo hills and mountains, these settlements
are characterised by white-washed Karoo architecture and imposing churches.
The area is also home to Hopetown where the first recorded diamond was
found in South Africa; Orania, the self-proclaimed Afrikaner volkstaat, or
Afrikaner people’s state; Colesberg, on the junction of the roads between
Johannesburg, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, and the scene of many battles
and skirmishes during the Anglo Boer War; De Aar, the third largest town in
the Northern Cape, located on the main railway line between Johannesburg,
Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and Namibia and the second most important railway
junction in Southern Africa; Carnarvon, where Xhosa communities settled as
early as 1795 and shared the area with frontier farmers living in corbelled
houses and roaming San hunter-gatherers; and Griquatown, the capital of the
Griqua clan led by by Adam Kok II and Andries Waterboer who settled in the
area. In 1813, at the instigation of Rev John Campbell, the ‘bastaards’ renamed
themselves Griqua, and the place called Klaarwater became Griquatown.
Typical street scene, Canavon, Northern Cape Karoo /
Grobler du Preez / Shutterstock
Namaqualand flowers/ PictureScapes / Shutterstock
24 |ISSUE 5|www.mzanzitravel.co.za | MZANZI TRAVEL

Discover South Africa
A corbelled home used by Trekboers (foreground)/
Grobler du Preez / Shuttersock
Kalahari
A mystical region, sun-drenched and ancient, its rolling landscape of red sand
is given life by an amazing dolomite spring, the Eye of Kuruman, that feeds
the camel-thorn trees dotted across the sandy plains. And beneath the red
sands lies a treasure of iron, manganese and other precious ores. The Kalahari
is home to 40 of South Africa’s 67 raptor and vulture species and seven owl
species. Here you will find large number of game and hunting farms with
plentiful wildlife and very unusual, hardy plants. The region was not always
easily accessible, and tales abound of lost souls who died of thirst, and bandits
who hid from the law.
Its name is derived from the Tswana word Kgala, meaning “the great thirst”,
or Kgalagadi, meaning “a waterless place”. The San people have lived in the
Kalahari for 20,000 years as hunter-gatherers, hunting game with bows and
poison arrows and gathering edible plants, such as berries, melons and nuts,
as well as insects.
Fishing boats at Port Nolloth/ Hein Welman / Shutterstock

Discover South Africa
The Richtersveld/Image: SANParks
The Richtersveld/Image: SANParks
A unique windmill museum/
Image supplied by Northern Cape Tourism
Namakwa
The region is the home of some of the most awesome and unique attractions in all
of South Africa: the rugged desert mountain and community conservancy of the
Richtersveld, a UNESCO World heritage Site; the sea-based diamond mining operations
and fishing villages of the West Coast; the Old Copper Way with its copper mines and
towns with colourful histories and large sheep farms in the central southern parts;
and one of the most breath-taking natural spectacles in Southern Africa…the annual
eruption of spring flowers that almost endlessly cover vast tracts of the otherwise
grey-brown landscape of Namaqualand to the south.
A large part of the unique Riemvasmaak Community Conservancy also falls within this
region. In all it stretches from the town of Pofadder, named after a deadly snake, in
the east, to the cold Atlantic Ocean in the west, and from Namibia, the Orange River
and the Richtersveld mountain desert in the north, to the Western Cape in the south.
Here visitors can enjoy eating oysters and crayfish or the catch of the day in one of the
many taverns and eateries of the coastal fishing villages. Or you can raft or kayak down
the Orange River all the way to the diamond mining and fishing town of Alexander
Bay. Hike across the flower carpeted districts and in the mountains of Namaqualand.
Traverse the hauntingly beautiful moonscapes and rugged mountains of the |Ai|Ais/
Richtersveld Transfrontier Park. Interact with the friendly Richtersveld Nama people
in Eksteenfontein, and learn how they are preserving their unique culture and way of
life. Gaze at the stars in the night skies above Sutherland from the giant telescopes of
the South African Astronomical Observatory, also home to the Southern African Large
Telescope (SALT), the largest single optical telescope in the southern hemisphere. Or
visit one of the many mission stations such as the solitary, palm-fringed cathedral
rising from the arid landscape in Pella. There are many other towns in the region with
much to experience.
With so much more to experience, explore, visit and do in this amazing province of
South Africa, far too much to cover here, miss it and you will be missing one of the best
experiences South Africa has to offer
Useful Contacts
Northern Cape Tourism Authority
Website: www.experiencenortherncape.com;
Tel: +27 (0)53 832 2657
Email: marketing@experiencenortherncape.com
Kimberley / Diamond Fields Tourism
Office – Tel: +27 (0) 53 832 7298; +27 (0)53 830 6779;
+27 (0)53 830 6272
Augrabies Falls National Park
Tel: +27 (0)54 452 9200; Fax: +27 (0)54 451 5003
South African National Parks (SANParks)
Tel: +27 (0)12 428 9111; Website: www.sanparks.org
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Park tel: + 27 (0) 54 561 2000 (Twee Rivieren);
Fax: + 27 (0) 54 561 2005
Richtersveld National Park
Email: info@richtersveldnationalpark.com;
Tel: +27(0)21 853 7952; Fax: +27(0)21 853 8391
Upington Tourism Office Tel: +27 (0)54 332 6064
Alexander Bay Tourism Tel: +27 (0)27 831 1330
Port Nolloth Tourism Tel: + 27 (0)27 851 1111
Namakwa Tourism Information – Springbok
Tel: +27 (0)27 712 2011;
Email: namakwaland@intekom.co.za
26 |ISSUE 5|www.mzanzitravel.co.za | MZANZI TRAVEL

Rooibos – Nature’s Nectar from the Cederberg Mountains
INFORMATIVE
VISUAL
PRESENTATION
Come and enjoy a tasty cup of Rooibos with us!
Audio visual presentation: Monday to Thursday 09:30, 11:30,
14:00 & 15:30 and Friday 09:30, 11:30 &14:00
Group bookings: 027 482 2155
VARIOUS
ROOIBOS
PRODUCTS
A range of Rooibos products and gifts are available at the promotional shop
in Clanwilliam (Monday to Thursday 08:00 - 16:30 & Friday 08:00 - 15:15).
For postal orders of our product range: sales@rooiboltd.co.za.
GPS Coordinates: S32º 11.131’ EO 18º 53.291’
www.rooibosltd.co.za Tel: 027 482 2155

Explore Africa
Barry Tuck / Shutterstock.
30 |ISSUE 5|www.mzanzitravel.co.za | MZANZI TRAVEL

Explore Africa
MALAWI
THE WARM HEART
OF AFRICA
MZANZI TRAVEL| www.mzanzitravel.co.za|ISSUE 5 | 31

Explore Africa
Giovanni De Caro / Shutterstock
Dariush M / Shutterstock
Rafal Cichawa / Shutterstock
From the moment one lands in the capital
Lilongwe, you know you are in the warm heart of
Africa, in a country with some of the friendliest
people on the continent…and wonderful
attractions largely centred on the great Lake
Malawi.
But while the central feature most often
associated with this African country is Lake
Malawi with its crystal clear waters, boulderstrewn
bays and pristine white beaches, the country has tons more to
offer: from historical sites to cultural villages, varying landscapes and
scenery, highlands, forests, mountains, national parks, superb lodges,
island getaways, kayaking, steamboat cruises, abundant wildlife, over 650
recorded bird species, small but bustling cities, pre-historic archaeological
sites, arts and crafts, boat and 4X4 safaris, ancient rock art, and so much
more.
Malawi offers visitors the unparalleled combination of one of Africa’s most
beautiful lakes, magnificent landscape teeming with wildlife, a choice of no
less than nine national parks or wildlife reserves, and a captivating culture.
The country is also close and on connecting flight routes to other favourite
African destinations such as Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia (with
which it shares borders), and Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Strangely enough, despite a quarter of Malawi’s total surface area being
covered by the tranquil waters of Lake Malawi that also demarcates over
20% of its borderline, the country is landlocked. Lake Malawi is the third
largest and second deepest lake in Africa, and is also the ninth largest in the
world. The lake is one of the African Great Lakes and the southernmost in
a chain of large lakes in the East African Rift Valley system. The temperate
climate of the mountainous northern highlands gives way to subtropical
conditions and rolling plains below the escarpment.
For easy reference for tourists visiting the country, Malawi is divided into
the North, Central and South Malawi regions. While the northern and
central regions are dominated by Lake Malawi, the south has its very own
large, but lesser known water body, Lake Chilwa.
The vast freshwater body of Lake Malawi with its clear, clean waters is
fringed by beaches of golden sand, with fishing villages and excellent hotels
and lodges dotted along its shoreline, as well as several islands just waiting
to be discovered. It is a favourite for swimming, kayaking, boat cruises,
32 |ISSUE 5|www.mzanzitravel.co.za | MZANZI TRAVEL

Explore Africa
Sabino Parente / Shutterstock
Dietmar Temps / Shutterstock
snorkelling and scuba diving, fishing, or just lazing away the days on the
sun-baked sands.
Lake Malawi is home to more species of fish than any other lake and it
has about 1,000 species of cichlids, colourful schools of tiny fish that are
a favourite with divers and owners of home aquariums. The Mozambique
portion of the lake is a reserve, while a portion of the Malawian side of the
lake is included in Lake Malawi National Park.
Islands
For an unusual adventure several islands can be reached by kayak, small
boat or steam boats where eco-camps and lodges offer a total getaway
from the rest of the world, some being uninhabited and some even without
cell phone connections or electricity. These islands are completely off-grid
and some of Africa’s most unspoilt jewels. Among them are Chizumulu
Island, Likoma Island, Mumbo Island, and Domwe Island.
Likoma Island is the larger of the two inhabited islands in Lake Malawi,
the other being Chizumulu. Both islands lie just a few kilometres from
Mozambique and are entirely surrounded by Mozambican territorial
waters, but both belong to Malawi. In 1880 missionaries responded to a
plea by David Livingstone and established their headquarters on Likoma
Island where the magnificent St Peter’s cathedral, the size of Winchester
Cathedral in the UK, today serves the local faithful and visiting tourists
alike.
But it is the friendly people of Malawi who will make the most lasting
impression on any visitor. Some nine major ethnic groups forming a
population of over 15 million provide a feast of cultural diversity, with
various other foreign cultural influences also present.
Central Malawi
The largest concentrations of urban populations are found in the capital
Lilongwe in Central Malawi, the seat of government, commerce and
industry.
Significant highlands and forests are also found in Central Malawi, including
the Dzalanyama Forest Reserve known for its birdlife, the Dedza Highlands,
MZANZI TRAVEL| www.mzanzitravel.co.za|ISSUE 5| 33

Explore Africa
Dietmar Temps / Shutterstock
Dereje / Shutterstock
Dietmar Temps / Shutterstock
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Dedza-Salima Forest Reserve, Thuma Forest Reserve, Dowa Highlands and
Ntchisi Forest Reserve. Here you also find the Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve
and the Kasungu National Park.
The closest point of Lake Malawi to Lilongwe is Senga Bay, an hour and
half’s drive from the airport and boasting a range of hotels and lodges
overlooking lovely beaches. Further north lies the lakeside town of
Nkhotakota, once a centre for the slave trade, whilst around the town
of Dwangwa a giant sugar estate covers most of the area. South-east of
Lilongwe is the ancient Chongoni Rock Art Area, a UNESCO World Heritage
Site and the densest cluster of stone-age rock art found in central Africa.
Nearby is Dedza, a pleasant forestry town that is home to a thriving arts
and crafts industry.
Southern Malawi
The Southern Malawi region is the country’s most populous and is
dominated economically by the old colonial town, Blantyre, with its
modern shops and a number of interesting historical buildings. Zomba was
the capital in colonial times and here you still find a gymkhana club, war
memorials and colonial buildings that are all worth a visit.
In terms of scenery the area is dominated by the great Shire Valley,
through which the Shire River drains Lake Malawi as it snakes southwards
to Mozambique and the sea. And while the region is Malawi’s lowest point,
just over a hundred kilometres away is Malawi’s highest mountain peak,
the great Mount Mulanje which towers over 3,000 metres high.
Dennis Richardson / Shutterstock
Southern Malawi has more national parks and wildlife reserves than any
other region of the country. They include Majete Wildlife Reserve which is
currently being re-stocked to become a ‘Big 5’ destination; Lengwe National
Park with its variety of antelope, including the beautiful nyala; Mwabvi
Wildlife Reserve which is now being developed under a community-based
conservation project; the Elephant Marsh notable for its birdlife; Liwonde
National Park, Malawi’s premier game park, which offers boat safaris in
addition to the usual walking and 4X4 safaris; and Lake Malawi National
Park at Cape Maclear.
Lake Malawi National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Also in this
area, between the port of Monkey Bay and historic Mangochi you’ll find
the greatest concentration of hotels and lodges, dotted along a shoreline
of wonderful sandy beaches known as the Mangochi Lakeshore.
Northern Malawi
Image: Erichon / Shutterstock
Mzuzu is the regional capital of Northern Malawi, a small but rapidly
growing town. The north is characterised by its great highlands, plateaus
and mountains forming a forested spine running from Central Malawi to
Tanzania. Within this area is Nyika National Park, the largest in Malawi
covering some 3,200km2.
These northern Malawian highlands are also the cause of some of the
most dramatic shoreline along the lake, with fishing villages nestling at
the base of cliff-like escarpments accessible almost only by boat. Here
you will find Chintheche, with some of the most beautiful of Lake Malawi’s
Dennis Richardson / Shutterstock
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Explore Africa
Pascal Rateau / Shutterstock
Duncan Payne / Shutterstock
beaches. Another town is Nkhata Bay, a bustling lake port that is important
to the fishing industry. Livingstonia, set back a little from the lake shore,
is a mission settlement high on a plateau overlooking the lake. It has a
fascinating history dating back to 1894.
Those who are fascinated by archaeology will be delighted with a visit
to the most northerly lakeshore town, Karonga. It is an important
archaeological centre with a museum, where the skeletal remains of the
Malawisaurus dinosaur have been unearthed nearby, as well as the oldest
human remains in the country.
africa924 / Shutterstock
If you want to feel the warm heart of Africa’s beat, coupled to a sense of
adventure mixed in with some of the most unspoilt natural scenery in
Africa, Malawi should surely be your next destination.
Useful Information
Languages - English (official); Chichewa (common)
Capital – Lilongwe
Climate - Sub-tropical; rainy season (November to
May); dry season (May to November)
Time Zone - GMT + 2
Currency - Kwacha (divided into 100 tambala).
Airlines - British Airways and KLM via Nairobi,
Kenya, and South African Airways, Kenya Airways
and Ethiopian Airways fly directly to Malawi.
Airports - Lilongwe International Airport, Lilongwe;
and 13 local airports, including Chileka Airport,
Blantyre.
Entry Requirements - All visitors require a valid
passport. No visas required for tourist visits by
citizens of most Commonwealth countries, the USA,
Japan, most European Union countries and certain
other countries.
Health Requirements - Immunisation against
polio, tetanus, typhoid and hepatitis A is
recommended. Yellow fever immunisation may
be required only by visitors entering from a yellow
fever zone.
Useful Contacts
Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Culture -
Tel: +265 (0) 1 775 702 or (0) 1 775 499 or
(0) 1 772 702 or (0) 1 775 494;
Email: mail@malawitourism.com or
info@visitmalawi.mw.
Malawi Tourism Association
Tel: +265 (0)1 770 010; Tel/Fax: +265 (0)1 770 131;
Cell: +265 (0) 888 865 250;
Email: or mta@malawi.net;
Website: www.malawi-tourism-association.org.
mw.
Malawi Tourism Guide
Tel: (UK): 0115 972 7250;
Email: mail@malawitourism.com
Air Malawi – +265 (0)1 772 132 or 773 680
36 |ISSUE 5|www.mzanzitravel.co.za | MZANZI TRAVEL

Help ensure
their tomorrow
VISIT US
2 HOUR TOURS
7 days a week from
9h00 - 15h00
What you can expect on a tour:
See the rare king cheetah up close.
See how the cheetah breeding
programme runs. Learn about the
animals from qualified guides. Visit
animal enclosures and learn about
Rescued Rhinos @ HESC.
WCE @ HESC:
HESC offers the opportunity to
experience, first hand, the work of
the centre with this intensive
21-day programme. 1 or 2 weeks
also available on request. Animal
Care; Anti-poaching; Community.
Accommodation:
An eco-friendly self-catering
cottage is set within the Centre, in
its own private enclosed and
protected area, offering an
authentic bush experience with
value for money.
Deli and Curio Shop onsite.
BOOKINGS
ESSENTIAL
T: +27 15 793 1633
M: +27 83 654 2299
E: frontoffice@cheetahcentre.co.za
www.hesc.co.za
HOEDSPRUIT ENDANGERED SPECIES CENTRE

drive past the rest and come to the best
Winery & Vineyard Cottages
www.sevenoaks.co.za

Explore
South Africa’s beautiful lake districts /Domique de la Croix / Shutterstock
What do the southern
Wetlands region of
Mpumalanga and
the Garden Route
of the Western Cape
– 1,100km apart -
have in common?
Both provinces have
majestic mountains,
beautiful forests,
dramatic scenery, and water, water, and more water. In the form of
some 280 lakes.
After all, they are South Africa’s two premier lake districts, easily rivalling the
famous lake districts of England and Scotland.
The one is spread out south of the small Mpumalanga hamlet of Chrissiesmeer.
It has by far the larger number of lakes and pans – some 270 in total. The other
straddles the Garden Route coastal strip between the towns of Wilderness and
Knysna in the southern Western Cape and consists of a series of some 7 large
lakes and lagoons, interconnected by snake-like rivers and water channels, and
opening into the sea through beautiful estuaries.
With an abundance of things to do, places to stay and attractions to visit,
visitors to either of the two lake districts will be spoilt rotten for choice. Both
40 |ISSUE 5|www.mzanzitravel.co.za | MZANZI TRAVEL

Explore
LOSING YOURSELF
IN SOUTH AFRICA’S
ENCHANTING LAKE
DISTRICTS
by Stef Terblanche
fulfil the promise of an enchanting, relaxing and never-to-be-forgotten holiday.
Or a weekend getaway if you are fortunate enough to live nearby.
Chrissiesmeer Lake District
The Chrissiesmeer Lake District in Mpumalanga is numerically the largest lake
district in South Africa with more than 270 lakes and pans spread within a
20-kilometre radius of the hamlet of Chrissiesmeer. The charming little village
is situated on the northern bank of the largest lake in this system, Lake Chrissie,
which is also said to be the biggest freshwater lake in South Africa. In January
2014 the Chrissiesmeer lakes area was declared a Protected Environment.
The area is renowned as a bird-watcher’s paradise, home to some 287 bird
species. Among these you will find noisily chattering flocks of southern red
bishops, the shockingly bright red plumage of the breeding males contrasting
with the varying shades of blue, grey, yellow and green of the surrounding water
and landscape. Also vying for attention are the thousands upon thousands of
lesser and greater flamingos that stop over here in the late summer, while blue,
grey and even wattled crane are all found all year round. It is rare to find all
three crane species together in one place.
MZANZI TRAVEL| www.mzanzitravel.co.za|ISSUE 5| 41

ExploreAfrica
Flamingos on Lake Chrissie
Lake Chrissie, Mpumalanga /Suzanne Endersby
Also to be found here are crowned crane, blue korhaan, chestnut-banded
plover, yellow-billed stork, western marsh harrier, Asiatic golden plover, lesser
sand plover, redshank and curlew, among the many other species. The village
and surrounding areas host an annual Crane Festival.
The birds may think they have pride of place, but don’t forget the frogs.
African Republic, and someone McCorkindale and his wife were very fond of.
Many of the Scottish names surviving in the district such as Lochiel, Dundonald,
Bonnie Brae and Arthur’s Seat are McCorkindale’s legacy. Interestingly, his
friend President Pretorius also bought two farms named Elandspoort and
Daspoort between 1854 and 1855 for the purpose of establishing a new town,
in his case founding what later became the city of Pretoria.
There are no fewer than 13 species of frogs populating the wetlands area,
which explains why the area is also known as Matotoland, the Swazi word for
‘land of the frogs’. In this district frogs have right of way on the roads, and road
signs will tell you as much. The frogs too are honoured with an annual Frog
Night in December when locals and visitors put on their gumboots to go frog
spotting and learn all there is to know about these happy little creatures.
A word of advice: leave your cell phone headphones at home, as between the
birds and the frogs you will have enough natural music for a lifetime.
The importance of this wetland system is also underscored by the fact that
it serves as the source of four important Southern African rivers. These are
the Vaal River, which later joins the Orange on its journey to the icy Atlantic
Ocean; and the Komati, Usuthu and uMpuluzi which all reach the Indian Ocean
via Mozambique.
In the 1880s, Chrissiesmeer became an important stopover to and from
Barberton during the gold rush, and an important junction for wagon trains
taking goods to the harbour in Algoa Bay. However, over the years other towns
sprang up and developed faster, which resulted in Chrissiesmeer retaining its
unspoilt charm as a tiny country village perched at the edge of a lake. Today it is
one of the most important eco-tourism destinations in the country. The hamlet
is also an ideal stopover for people travelling between Gauteng and the Kruger
National Park, Swaziland, Mozambique and KwaZulu-Natal.
Frogs, birds and water by no means complete the list of local offerings. The
area also boasts a rich floral diversity which bursts into a spectacularly
colourful display of wild flowers in the summer months between August and
February. In addition no less than 12 different types of wild orchids are found
here. Knowledgeable local flower guides will take visitors on wild flower walks,
The area was first inhabited by the San, with plenty of excellent examples of
their rock art still to be found here. Other early inhabitants along with the San
were the mysterious Tlou-tle people who lived on rafts on the larger lakes, not
unlike the water-dwelling communities of Asia. It is said they hid underwater
from approaching enemies, breathing through reeds until the danger had
passed. Sadly, no traces have remained of these people and their water-bound
lifestyle, other than the written accounts of early travellers who came upon
them.
Those who have been to Scotland will surely sense a pleasant feeling of déjà vu
when visiting Lake Chrissie and surrounding areas for the first time. The lake
lies in the farming region once known as New Scotland, which was settled by
Scotsman Alexander McCorkindale about 150 years ago. McCorkindale bought
up dozens of farms here as it reminded him so much of his native Scotland.
In 1864, McCorkindale renamed Zeekoei Pan to Lake Chrissie for Christina,
daughter of Marthinus Wessel Pretorius who was then president of the South
42 |ISSUE 5|www.mzanzitravel.co.za | MZANZI TRAVEL
Chrissiesmeer Lake District /Kate Borradaile

Explore Explore Africa
On the frog trail in the Chrissiesmeer Lake District /Kate Borradaile
while the village hosts an annual wild flower day on the third weekend of each
January.
In addition, Chrissiesmeer and the surrounding districts are renowned for the
many beautiful sandstone buildings dating back to the mid-1800s found here,
another reminder of Scotland. Many have been beautifully restored and can
be visited. Among them are the Ou Sending Pastorie (Old Mission Parsonage),
the old Jail now used as self-catering accommodation, the old Methodist
Church, the old Barclays Bank, Chrissiesmeer Trading Store (now the McCloud’s
Factory), the Old Mill (now the McCloud’s Shop), the Reformed Church, the old
NG Church and more.
The old Dumbarton Oaks Hotel in the village was a popular stopover for
transport drivers on their way to Delagoa Bay, today known as Maputo Bay.
Among some of the infamous and famous who stayed in this hotel were the
serial killer Daisy de Melker and Swaziland’s King Sobhuza. Farm houses and
other old buildings such as sheds in the familiar sandstone style are also
dotted throughout the region, with the odd old building sometimes found
near the water’s edge along the lakes, providing a composition that will delight
photographers and artists alike.
The town’s cemetery, full of history, is another interesting place that can be
visited. It is the final resting place of many Boer and English soldiers who died
here in the Anglo-Boer War, as well as during the Battle of Chrissiesmeer which
took place here on 6 February 1901. Romantics will be charmed by a unique
love story. British soldier Arthur William Swanston died here a hero in a 1900
battle while attempting to save the life of a young private. Both are buried here.
Swanston’s fiancé, who lived in Scotland, sent flowers to the local post office
with a request to have them placed on the fallen soldier’s grave. She never
visited her love’s grave, but each October for the next 65 years a bunch of
heather would arrive at the local post office to be placed on the grave.
One of the largest collections of vintage tractors, including examples of nearly
every tractor model sold in South Africa since the 1920s, is found at farmer Jan
Randell’s Ranch Museum. In the district you will also find some very interesting
rock formations, considered a place of spiritual significance by the descendants
of early inhabitants of the area, and which is considered to be one of the holiest
places in South Africa by the famous Soweto-based traditional healer and
spiritualist Credo Mutwa.
Apart from the clear sunny skies and dramatic African sunsets, the feeling of
being in the Scottish Lake District can be completed with a bit of fishing. But you
MZANZI TRAVEL| www.mzanzitravel.co.za|ISSUE 5 | 43

Explore
will have to travel a short distance away for some trout fly fishing as the district
has no rivers. However, you could always try your hand at some bass and carp
fishing in the deeper lakes and pans of the district itself.
While Chrissiesmeer is the focal point of Mpumalanga’s lakes and wetlands
district, there are a number of other delightful towns quite close by, all with
much to offer. Among them are the small farming town of Amersfoort named
after a city in Holland; Amsterdam, which was named by McCorkindale in
honour of Holland’s support for the Boers during the First Anglo-Boer War
(1880-1881); Badplaas with its hot mineral waters; Breyten, an area rich in San
history; Carolina, known for its Highveld grassland biome and a bird watchers’
favourite; the sleepy little farming town of Morgenzon; Volksrust, where
Mahatma Gandhi was briefly imprisoned; the larger farming and commercial
centre of Ermelo; and Perdekop where Oom Gert Van Der Westhuizen’s private
Roodedraai Museum houses one of the largest collections of Anglo-Boer War
memorabilia in the country.
Garden Route Lakes
Garden Route water wonderland.
Seen from the air, the five lakes form a dramatic picture of dark, glistening
bodies of water surrounded by forests, reeds and grassland, and interconnected
by snaking rivers that meet up with the sea through large, blue lagoons and
estuaries. All of this is locked in between the towering and beautiful Outeniqua
mountain range on one side, and the sand dunes, beaches and river estuaries
along the Indian Ocean coastline on the other side. The lakes are about 20,000
years old, but the two dune ridges that originally shaped and dammed them,
are 300,000 and 6,000 years old respectively.
Much of the Wilderness–Sedgefield lakes area forms part of the Wilderness
Section of the Garden Route National Park and the CapeNature Goukamma
Nature Reserve. The Wilderness lakes were designated a Ramsar Site in 1991,
to be protected under the Ramsar Convention Treaty. The lakes here are
among only a few warm temperate coastal lake systems in Africa, and the
only one in South Africa. They are fringed by grass, reeds, coastal fynbos and
evergreen forests.
Our next stop is George, at the start of the Garden Route in the southern
Western Cape. This bustling capital of the Southern Cape is easily accessible
by air or excellent highways connecting it to Cape Town, Johannesburg or Port
Elizabeth. George also once briefly hosted a serial killer, Gert Swanepoel, or
better known as Bluebeard of the Karoo, who was hanged from a tree at the
end of York Street. The same tree was also the site of slave auctions. The tree,
with part of the chain used for the slaves embedded in it, are still there.
From George it is a short hop across the Kaaiman’s River to the hamlet of
Wilderness, and the first water body of this region’s lake district.
The lakes wetlands system here is comprised of four distinct systems: the
Wilderness system, which includes the Wilderness Lagoon, the Touws River,
the Serpentine, Elandsvlei, Langvlei, and Rondervlei; the central system
consisting of Swartvlei, the largest of these lakes, and the Swartvlei estuary at
the town of Sedgefield; the landlocked single lake of Groenvlei, which has no
connection to the sea; and finally the Knysna Lagoon and the estuary of the
Knysna River. Most scientific descriptions of the wetlands system talk of only
three systems and exclude the Knysna Lagoon, but in sheer size, beauty and
proximity travellers will most certainly view it as an integral part of the overall
The lakes, beaches and mountains together form one of South Africa’s most
popular holiday regions, filling up with thousands of holidaymakers each year
during December and January. For those seeking quiet tranquillity in the
bosom of nature, away from so many people, most of the rest of the year offers
just that.
On the way to Wilderness one passes the spectacular train bridge over the
mouth of the Kaaimans River across which the famous Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe
Train ran daily between George and Knysna until flooding destroyed part of
the railway line in 2006, thus ending the last remaining continually-operated
passenger steam train service in Africa. There have been attempts to revive this
train service so popular with tourists, but its fate remains uncertain. Along the
way you may also pass some of the numerous world-renowned golf courses of
the area, some designed by famous golf players like Gary Player and Ernie Els.
When entering the village of Wilderness you may be deceived into thinking it
is a real little sleepy hollow. Yet it is everything but. The village bristles with
eateries, pubs, and interesting little shops. Standing guard over the lagoon
formed by the Touws River estuary where it flows under the national road into
the sea, is the Wilderness Hotel, one of the oldest and grandest hotels of the
The Garden Route Lakes system/Google Earth
44 |ISSUE 5|www.mzanzitravel.co.za | MZANZI TRAVEL

Explore
View across Wilderness village and lake area/Grobler du Preez / Shutterstock
Garden Route. Today it combines old-style charm with modern facilities.
Looking across the placid lagoon waters one can spot the erstwhile holiday
and retirement home of the former State President of South Africa, P.W. Botha.
Looking at the house one wonders how many top state secrets and historymaking
decisions were once discussed in that very house in the days when a
single policeman and a flagpole still guarded its entrance.
From Wilderness kayakers can paddle across the lagoon, up the Touws River
and through the snaking Serpentine channel to the Elandsvlei, Langvlei and
Rondevlei lakes. Along the way you will pass millionaires’ mansions intermingled
with holiday homes, parts of the Wilderness National Park, caravan and
camping sites, and beautiful, forested environs. Hotels, B&Bs, self-catering
lodges and backpackers are in abundance here, some overlooking the sea
perched high atop sand dunes, others facing the inland lakes and mountains,
or hidden away inside the surroundings forests.
Kayaking in Goukamma Nature Reserve…the best way to get around/
Wandel Guides / Shutterstock
Swartvlei is the largest of the Wilderness lakes, its water running into the sea
through the Swartveli estuary at the town of Sedgefield. In contrast to the other
lakes, Swartvlei embraces a lake, lagoon and an estuary and is divided into the
upper region fresh water section and a salt water section in the estuarine area.
The town of Sedgefield is situated on what was once the historic Ruigtevlei
farm, originally granted to the widow Maria Meeding (née Terblanche) by
Lord Charles Somerset, governor of the Cape Colony. Today it is a bustling little
centre with restaurants, pubs, arts and crafts shops, B&Bs and very content
locals who enjoy living in their own bit of paradise. As the town is almost
entirely surrounded by water, boating is popular – motor boats are restricted
to certain areas, so kayaks are the best way to get around.
Groenvlei, which covers and an area of just over 3km2, is the most unique of the
Garden Route Lakes, being the only of these lakes with no recognisable inlet or
Water channels linking Wilderness lakes/
Marisa Estivill / Shutterstock

Explore
outlet. Its water seeps up from subterranean channels and is slightly saline, and
its distinct aquamarine colour that gave it its name (“groen” meaning green)
is caused by the reflection of sunlight on green algae against the calcium-rich
white floor of the lake combined with the reflection of the green forests and
bush surrounding it.
From Sedgefield it is a short distance to Knysna, situated on what was the
historic farm Melkhoutkraal. The town is steeped in history – site of erstwhile
Xhosa raids on settler farms; the place where British entrepreneur George Rex
built his empire, and who is generally considered to be the founder of the town;
and where the pioneering Norwegian Charles Thesen started a shipbuilding
industry, with one of the islands in the lagoon still bearing his name.
Today it is one of South Africa’s most popular holiday destinations, with plenty
on offer such as houseboats, golf, boating, swimming, hiking, golden beaches,
angling, restaurants, pubs, arts and crafts, forest walks, bird-watching, and so
much more. Historical buildings and other places of interest abound. The town
is surrounded by beautiful forests that include the wooden walkway through
the Garden of Eden where you can marvel at giant yellowwood and stinkwood
trees. A large variety of endemic plant species are found in the forests of the
area.
Some of the other delightful towns, villages and interesting places to visit in
the Garden Route Lakes area include the forest settlements of Diepwalle and
Karatara (settings of author Dalene Mathee’s famous novels), Brenton-on-Sea
on the eastern side of the Knysna Lagoon, the lovely holiday village of Buffels
Bay, the city of George with its transport and other museums and many places
of historical interest, the Goukamma Nature Reserve, the castles at Noetzie,
the nearby Outeniqua mountains, the ghost mining town in the forest above
Knysna, the surfers’ paradise of Victoria Bay, the Wilderness National Park, and
the Giant Kingfisher Trail, among many more.
The entire region is also a bird-watchers’ paradise, supporting over 260
species, including several species of water birds, the secretive African Rail, the
Black Crake with its red legs and fat yellow beak, Fish Eagles and African Snipe.
The estuaries here serve as a nursery for many seawater fish, while the rare
and threatened endemic Knysna seahorse and beautiful, delicately-patterned
pansy shells are also found here.
The Wilderness-Knysna wetlands system faces various environmental
challenges and is threatened by human activity. But numerous programmes
are in place to deal with these. As the names of the area – Eden, Garden Route,
Wilderness and others – suggest, it is still by far one of the most beautiful
places in South Africa with much to do and experience.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Chrissiesmeer Tourism Office
Tel: +27 (0)13 759 5300/01 or +27 (0)823789488;
Fax: +27 (0)13 755 3928; Email: info@mtpa.co.za;
Website: www.chrissiesmeer.co.za
Chrissiesmeer Tourism Chairperson
David Rathbone : +27 (0)82 824 3585
Steam train crossing the Knysna Lagoon /
Dominique de La Croix / Shutterstock
Mpumalanga Tourism & Parks
Tel: +27 (0)13 759 5300/01; Fax +27 (0)13 755 3928;
Email: info@mtpa.co.za
George Tourism Office (Wilderness)
Tel: +27 (0)44 801 9299
Wilderness Tourism Bureau
Tel: +27 (0)44 877 0045/ 0847;
Email: wilderness@george.org.za
Sedgefield Tourism Information
Tel: +27 (0)44 343 2658 / 2007;
Email: sedgefield@knysna-info.co.za
Knysna and its lagoon/
Dominique de La Croix / Shutterstock
Knysna Tourism
Tel: +27 (0)44 382 5510 (Knysna) and
+27 (0)44 343 2007 (Sedgefield);
Website http://www.visitknysna.co.za

SAY “I DO”
WITH THE OCEAN AS YOUR WITNESS

The Moruleng Cultural Precinct is a 21 st century museum space that celebrates the cultural history of the
Bakgatla-Ba-Kgafela. It’s a first of its kind community based museum to be developed. A highly conceptual
and an immersive space that stimulates the creative and critical thinking of visitors.
Conference Room
Wedding venue
Boardroom
Amphitheater
Wedding photo-shoot
Cultural Museum
Exhibition
Coffee Shop
Craft Shop
Traditional Food Tasting
Stage & sound
Marimba
Cultural Dance
Interactive Drumming
Bicycle Village Tour

End of April 2017

Discover
Church in centre of Philippolis /’Jens Friis
HIDDEN GEMS
OUR REGULAR FEATURE IN WHICH WE VISIT SOME
UNIQUE, HIDDEN-AWAY AND OFF-THE-BEATEN-TRACK
PLACES AND EXPERIENCES YOU PROBABLY DIDN’T KNOW
EXISTED…BUT WHICH ARE TRULY WORTH A VISIT.
By Stef Terblanche
50 |ISSUE 5|www.mzanzitravel.co.za | MZANZI TRAVEL

Discover
Philippolis…erstwhile capital of a
vanished Griqua state
Head the short distance east to Philippolis from the N1 between
Cape Town and Johannesburg, and step back in time to an era
of missionaries, a short-lived Griqua state, the rise of the Free
State Boer republic and a tragic war. The oldest settlement in the
Free State, it was the home of the Adam Kok Griqua leadership
dynasty, and the birthplace of the famous Sir Laurens Jan van
der Post, Afrikaner intellectual, author, close friend of Prince
Charles and godfather of Prince William. Today it is a fascinating
weekend retreat and a good place to stop over when next you
travel the N1. To take it all in though, you should stay longer. At
the same time you can sleep in the old jail, eat some of the best
Karoo lamb chops and drink a unique locally-brewed beer.
Located 23km northeast of the Orange River, the border between the Northern
Cape and Free State provinces, and 56km from Colesberg on the N1, the small
town of Philippolis was founded in 1823 by the London Missionary Society’s Dr
John Philip as a mission station for the local Khoi population. Not only is it the
oldest town in the Free State, but it also boasts the most historical monuments
in the province after Bloemfontein and Bethlehem. This latter fact testifies to
its rich and fascinating history.
In 1825, a sub-group of the Griquas known as the Bergenaars, broke away
from the main group living north of the Orange River in the Northern Cape
and received permission from Dr Philip to settle at the mission at Philippolis.
The group was led by Adam Kok II, grandson of Adam Kok I, founder of the
Griqua nation. A year later Sir Richard Bourke, governor at the Cape Colony,
confirmed Kok as the Paramount Chief of the Philippolis Griquas and that same
year the missionary James Clarke gave written title of the mission station and
its grounds to Kok and his Griqua group. This encompassed the entire area
between the Orange and Riet Rivers to north of the future Bethanie and east
of the future Bethulie.
Here they created a Griqua state, set up a government and legislature, built
homes, a school and several successive churches, the last of which later served
as the first Dutch Reformed Church after Boers descended from European
settlers started settling here. By now the Boer republic of the Orange Free
State had been established and an uneasy relationship developed with the
Griquas being a state within a state. Conflicts arose over land claims between
the Griquas, the Free State and the British government at the Cape. So, in
1861, Adam Kok III, who in 1837 had succeeded his father after his death, and
his Griquas sold their last land here to the Orange Free State government for
R8,000 and moved to Griqualand East, today part of KwaZulu-Natal.
Although the people and their state have long vanished from the area, their
footprints remain in the form of many typical little Griqua homes among other
things. Also surviving is what is thought to be the erstwhile home of Adam
Kok III with walls that are 650mm thick. Travellers like J. Backhouse and H.A.L.
Hamelberg who visited Philippolis around 1839, remarked that Kok’s house was
by far the nicest and sturdiest of all the Griqua houses lining the single long
street that then still made up the entire town.
Kok’s Griquas also left behind two of the three naval cannon presented to
them by the Cape colonial government in the 1840s that are still in working
condition and stand on a small hill overlooking the town. Each year in April,
during the town’s annual Witblits Festival, these guns are still fired. It is believed
the guns may have been used in the wars between the Griquas, the Boers and
the Basotho.
The town’s museum also houses an interesting display around three themes:
Dr Philip and the London Missionary Society’s presence in the area; the era of
the Koks and their Griqua followers; and Emily Hobhouse, an English woman
who strove to improve the conditions for the Boer women and children held
in British concentration camps during the Anglo-Boer War and who, after the
An old Griqua naval gun guards over Philippolis/
Felix Myburgh

Discover
war, established a spinning and weaving school for women in Philippolis in
1905. Hobhouse is buried at the Women’s Memorial in Bloemfontein.
In the museum the inside of a house as it was in the time of Adam Kok, has
been recreated. Behind the town’s museum, and below the hill with the two
naval canon, is a Griqua kraal with restored Griqua huts, and in the museum’s
backyard one can view a scarce horse mill and stable. Also in the museum’s
backyard is an original stookketel or distilling kettle salvaged from the district
and used by the museum to make its own Witblits (very strong spirits).
During the final year of the 1800s the tragedy of war came to this district, as it
did all over the two Boer republics when the British sought control over them.
Men and boys from the district joined the local Boer commando and bravely
fought the British that greatly outnumbered them. Later many of their women
and children would die in British concentration camps, and their farms torched
to the ground on the orders of Lord Kitchener, commander of the British forces.
A major battle occurred some 55km north of Philippolis at Jagersfontein, where
British forces wwere attacked by a republican Boer force led by Gen. J.B.M.
Hertzog, a future prime minister of the later Union of South Africa. A former
Philippolis magistrate, William Gostling, was appointed superintendent of the
Springfontein concentration camp east of Philippolis. To the south, at Norvals
Pont, was another concentration camp. It was in these camps, among others,
that Emily Hobhouse won the hearts of South Africans with her good work, and
which is honoured in the museum in Philippolis.
It was also at Zandrift, near Philippolis, that Gen. Christiaan de Wet, who
commanded the Free State forces, invaded the Cape Colony for the second
time. And just outside the town is Tomkins Koppie (hill), named after the
commanding officer of the British troops that occupied Philippolis during the
Anglo Boer War. Tomkins and his men were cornered on the koppie for several
days without food or water by the Boer forces.
In the final year of the war the bittereinder commandos led by Gen. Jan Smuts,
future prime minister of South Africa, would also pass this way on their way to
attack the British in the Cape. With Smuts was a young officer named Deneys
Reitz, son of a former president of the Free State who would later serve in both
World Wars with Smuts and become a South African cabinet minister in the
Smuts government. In his post-war book, Commando - A Boer Journal of the
Boer War, considered one of the best books ever written about the war, Reitz
gives a haunting account of the desertion and ruin his commando encountered
in Fauresmith, a town neighbouring Philippolis 66km away.
One would imagine that a similar fate might have befallen Philippolis during the
war. Nonetheless, today it is a happy, bustling little town of which its citizens
are immensely proud and offers much for travellers to enjoy. Today the town
has a population of some 7,500, about double the Griqua population that once
lived here.
The town cemetery is considered one of the most interesting in the Free State,
with graves of Griquas, English and Boer soldiers, prominent Jewish citizens,
and even a Free State president, all telling their own stories. The old jail in the
town on Justisie Street has been converted to a privately-owned guesthouse,
using cell blocks and other buildings for guest accommodation. Or you can
stay in a renovated Griqua cottage at Starry Nights Karoo Cottages, another
national monument. A visit to the Kruithuis (powder house) built in 1870, with
walls 48cm thick, is also worthwhile.
When entering the town from the north, visitors will find the Laurens van der
Post Memorial Centre, which commemorates the life of this famous native of
Philippolis - Afrikaner intellectual, author, adviser to the British government,
close friend of Prince Charles, and godfather of Prince William. The centre is
one of the town’s many national monuments. The Dutch Reformed Church
standing on the site of the old Griqua church is a national monument too.
Tiger Canyons lies near Philippolis on the Van der Kloof Dam, established by
John Varty, renowned wildlife filmmaker and conservationist, as an experiment
to create a free-ranging, self-sustaining tiger population outside Asia. Also a
short distance outside Philippolis on the road to Colesberg lies Waterkloof,
a ghost town. A shop there sells the locally brewed Karoo Ale which is made
with Karoobossie and Kapokbossie, two Karoo plants said to be the reason why
Karoo lambs has such a great taste! Philippolis most certainly is a town for all
seasons, tastes and experiences, and many, many interesting stories.
A cemetery full of history/Emily Ingle
Van der Post Memorial Centre/Felix Myburgh

Discover
Shop at Waterkloof ghost town/
Felix Myburgh
Contact:
Philippolis Tourist Information
Phone +27 (0)84 805 0145, +27 (0)82 89 24680,
+27 (0)82 892 4680, +27 (0)51 773 0063 or +27 (0)51 773 0063;
Van Der Post Memorial Centre and Guesthouse
Phone +27 (0)73 157 1212; Groenhuis Guest House
Phone +27 (0)83-290-4269, website www.philippolis.co.za; Transgariep
Museum Phone +27 (0)51 773 0216.
Rocherpan Nature Reserve…Taking
eco-tourism to the next level
CapeNature has taken eco-tourism to the next level with its
state-of-the-art eco-cabins at Rocherpan on the West Coast.
Hidden here between a vlei and the sea, you can stay in one
of eight eco-cabins for the ultimate get-together with nature.
Go on scenic hikes, saddle a mountain bike, fall asleep on the
beach beside the breakers, smell the wildflowers, and enjoy the
company of only tortoises, birds and southern right wales…
Rocherpan is a coastal nature reserve teeming with birds and colourful
wildflowers, located around a seasonal vlei some 25km north of Velddrif, less
than two hours’ drive from Cape Town along the R27 West Coast Road. The
nature reserve was established in 1966 and the adjacent Atlantic Ocean marine
reserve in 1988. The current eco-friendly development was launched in 2012
with four solar-powered cabins and eco-friendly waterless toilets, with another
four cabins having been added in 2015.
The nature reserve is a rare example of how human intervention inadvertently
actually assisted nature. In 1839 farmer Pierre Rocher, after whom the reserve
is named, arrived in this area in search of improved summer grazing for his
livestock. He and his workers closed off the mouth of the Papkuils River, forcing
it to flow behind the dunes that separate the sandveld from the sea. Ironically,
this created a perfect habitat for water birds, and the local species have thrived
here ever since. Another river, the Sout, also runs through the reserve.
Today the 930 hectare reserve is a birder’s paradise. The combination of sea,
land and vlei has created ideal breeding and feeding conditions for the 183
recorded bird species found here, of which about 70 are water birds. It provides
a sanctuary for South Africa’s second rarest coastal bird, the endangered
African black oystercatcher. Here you will also find white pelicans, greater and
MZANZI TRAVEL| www.mzanzitravel.co.za|ISSUE 5 | 53

Explore Discover Africa
Superb eco-cabins
lesser flamingos, all three being endangered species, as well as kelp gull and the
Cape shoveller. Wild ostriches roam the flats surrounding the vlei. The area is
one of the Cape shoveller’s most important breeding and moulting sites.
This abundant bird life can be comfortably watched from three bird hides, two
being on the south-western side of the vlei, and one on the north-western
side. A bird list and map is available from the CapeNature website or from the
reserve’s main office. Note that the vlei is currently dry because of the drought,
and under normal conditions it is also usually dry between March and June.
Between June and November visitors can watch southern right whales
frolicking behind the breakers, enjoying the warm water – by their standard
– after their long migration from the icy Antarctica. In addition dolphins and
seals are also often spotted from the beach. The reserve’s lush growth of
pristine coastal fynbos is complimented by a large array of wildflowers that
produce a spectacular kaleidoscope of colour in spring, with butterflies darting
from flower to flower. The Rocherpan reserve is also one of only two known
locations where the critically endangered aquatic plant, the Cape horned
pondweed, survives.
All of this complimented by the luxurious and superbly appointed eco-cabins,
broad wooden boardwalks that provide universal access, a swimming pool,
picnic and braai areas, cycling and hiking paths, a jeep track for cyclists, and
a 4.7km stretch of sandy Atlantic coastline with snow-white beaches. There
are two short hiking trails, the 9km Rocherpan Trail around the vlei and the
7km Beach Trail. Activities in the reserve include whale watching, picnicking,
swimming, hiking, mountain-biking and cycling, bid watching and recreational
fishing.
Although we doubt you’d want to leave the reserve, for those visitors who want
more activities and things to see, the picturesque fishing harbour villages of
Velddrif and Laaiplek at the mouth of the Berg River are just a short distance
away, as are St Helena Bay, Stompneus Bay, Shelly Point, Paternoster and
the town of Vredenburg. Here you will find plenty of restaurants, pubs and
interesting things to do and see.
Rates for the self-catering eco-cabins start at R850, while hiking permits for
Rocherpan cost R40 for adults and R20 for children.
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Some 183 recorded bird species
Contact:
Rocherpan Nature Reserve office (hours 08:00–16:30)
Tel +27 (0)79 203 1092;
Accommodation and permit bookings
Tel +27 (0)21 483 0190;
website
http://www.capenature.co.za/reserves/rocherpan-nature-reserve/.
Sutherland…keeping an eye on outer
space
Peer through one of the five biggest telescopes in the world at
distant stars, galaxies and quasars a billion times too faint to
be seen with the naked eye. See if you can spot any aliens or
approaching asteroids. Visit the childhood home of one of SA’s
greatest poets, or take a tour of graves, forts and blockhouses
from the Anglo Boer War. In winter you can frolic in the snow of
SA’s coldest place, and warm yourself by the fire sipping sherry.
There’s bird-watching, hiking, 4X4 trails and much more too.
Hike between the sea, fynbos and vlei

Discover
It may not be South Africa’s highest town or the one closest to space, but from
its perch on a semi-desert hilltop in the western Roggeveld of the Western Cape
Karoo, the town of Sutherland offers one of the clearest views into the starry
skies surrounding our planet. That is why the primary telescopes of the South
African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO), the national centre for optical and
infrared astronomy and research of astrophysics, are located here. They include
SALT (Southern African Large Telescope), the largest single optical telescope in
the southern hemisphere and among the five largest telescopes in the world.
This telescope is capable of recording distant stars, galaxies and quasars a billion
times too faint to be seen with the unaided eye. Through it objects in space can
be viewed that are hundreds of millions of light-years away, thus being seen as
they appeared those many millions of years ago, their light only reaching us now.
The large observatory telescope is able to capture that light reaching us now in a
way that makes the object visible to the human eye.
The Hubble Space Telescope that orbits earth, for instance, can look back in time
and space at objects over 13-billion light-years away…a couple of hundred million
years after the Big Bang. That’s long, long before any of humankind’s prehistoric
ancestors, or dinosaurs, were even roaming the earth. In fact, back then the
earth didn’t even look remotely as it does today.
Mind-boggling, isn’t it? Yet, you can share in some of this experience. The
observatory is open to visitors at specific times with daily tours guided by
qualified observers being conducted and consisting of a short slide presentation,
a brief talk on SALT, a description of how astronomers collect data and followed
by the highlight tour of the domes.
And while you are in Sutherland for your space exploration, you can do many
other delightful things too. The town is well-known for its hospitality, with
excellent tourist accommodation and eating places, cold and snowy winters by
the fireplace, dramatic Karoo scenery and a range of outdoor activities.
One of the older Observatory telescopes, Sutherland/
charissadescandelotter / shutterstock
Perhaps it was the serene and quiet remoteness of the place that also allowed
Sutherland to produce three of South Africa’s most famous and beloved
Afrikaans poets: DC Esterhuyse, NP van Wyk Louw and his brother WEG Louw. Of
the three NP van Wyk Louw is probably the best known. Reading his poems, one
finds there the influence of the natural surroundings of this place, the clear crisp
skies, the cold winters, the longing for distant things or people, and a connection
with his world.
Something of the legacy of these poets as well as another local writer, Pieter
Cornelius Johannes Jordaan, who wrote under the pseudonym of Datei, can
be viewed in Sutherland at the Louw House Museum, the 150-year old house
in which both the Louw brothers were born. The museum also showcases the
cultural history of the area with farm implements, clothing and furniture donated
by Sutherland’s residents and farming community over the years.
The town and its surrounding areas is saturated in history, from the graveyards
that bear testimony to those who fell in the Anglo-Boer War as well as prominent
citizens of the past two centuries, to the military forts and blockhouses
throughout the district that saw many a battle or skirmish between Boer and
British forces. The area was originally inhabited by Khoisan populations, with the
first Dutch settlers arriving in the district in the 1700s, later to be complimented
by British, Jewish and other arrivals.
Roggeveld Karoo, Sutherland/
Bildagentur Zoonar GmbH / Shutterstock
56 |ISSUE 5|www.mzanzitravel.co.za | MZANZI TRAVEL

We offer more
for less
Affordable luxury for the
modern-day business professiona
Convenient locations,
uncompromising service,
spacious rooms and an array of
amenities catering to the needs
of the busy professional.
It’s time you stayed Premier.
Much of its original architecture has been preserved in well-maintained
buildings constructed with the distinctive grey stone quarried in the area and
can be viewed on a walking tour of the town. Even better, you can stay in one
of them as many of these buildings now serve as guesthouses. You can also
join other visitors for a stargazing evening in an open enclosure on the farm
Sterland, where light meals like home-made Karoo Curry and rice or traditional
braaivleis are served.
Sutherland also has some truly fascinating natural attractions with plenty of
paleontological history that includes the youngest active volcano south of
the Equator (last active only 66 million years ago). At Salpeterkop the striking
circular strata and caves can be viewed, while it is also a site of significant fossil
finds.
Sutherland can be easily reached by car from Cape Town, a 350km distance via
the N1 and R354, or from any other part of the country.
Contact:
South African Astronomical Observatory
Tel +27(0)23 571 2436; Louw House Museum
Tel +27 (0)23 5711 131; Discover Sutherland,
email Alta Steenkamp at info@discoversutherland.co.za.
World Class Africa
Make your reservation today
Central Reservations:
086 111 5555
info@premierhotels.co.za
Visit
www.premierhotels.co.za
for more information.

Discover
Mission churches of the Northern
Cape
Christian mission stations became an integral part of South
Africa’s history over the last two centuries, and nowhere more
so than in the arid Northern Cape. Today a number of these
mission stations and their beautiful churches survive, where
the missionaries left their indelible footprints. Experience the
sanctuary and unusual sight of the imposing cathedral at Pella,
rising from a flat semi-desert plain, surrounded by a circle of
tall date palms, like a scene straight from the Bible. Visit more
mission stations at Leliefontein, Komaggas, Matjieskloof,
Concordia, Kuruman and Steinkopf, each with their own unique
history. And many more.
Travelling across the Northern Cape, a flat and mostly arid landscape,
interspersed by rocky outcrops, boulders and rugged mountains, stretches in
every direction as far as the eye can see. It is harsh country scorched by an
unforgiving sun and with little water. Today there are many oasis-like towns
connected by tarred roads, although mostly great distances apart.
This, without the towns and tarred roads but with many dangers that included
wild animals, lack of water, heat stroke, and law-breakers who fled into the
interior, and unknown indigenous people, is what awaited the first European
Christian missionaries who travelled here from the Cape of Good Hope in
the early 19th century to establish their mission stations. They were true
adventurers, courageous and hardy. Not only did they survive, but they built
homes, churches, schools and clinics that survive to this day. To the Nama and
other people who lived here, and who mostly warmly welcomed them into
their midst, they brought literacy, medicine and their Christian scriptures and
values.
But their role in the history and affairs of the region has come to be seen as
ambiguous by some historians. On the one hand they genuinely desired to
serve humanity and improve the quality of life of the indigenous people, but
on the other hand their moral self-righteousness often led them to make
uninformed judgements upon the mores, norms and values of these people.
Nonetheless, their legacy in the form of many beautiful churches are still
found across this wide open and beguiling land. Among them are the mission
stations and churches at places such as Leliefontein, Komaggas, Matjieskloof,
Concordia, Kuruman, Kuboes, Carnarvon and Steinkopf, and the imposing
cathedral at Pella. The latter is an extraordinary sight as it rises from a flat semidesert
plain, surrounded by a circle of tall date palms, like a scene straight from
the Bible.
The mission station at Pella was founded in 1814 by a missionary called
Christian Albrecht who had moved with his assistants and converts to Cammas
Fonteyn, having left Namibia where the Orlam Chief, Jager Afrikaner, had
been persecuting them. Over the years missionaries such as the Reverend
John Campbell, Heinrich Schmelen and Robert Moffat would visit here. The
missionaries of the London Missionary Society at Pella abandoned the place
Church at Kamieskroon, Namaqualand /
All images supplied by Northern Cape Tourism
Desert Cathedral at Pella

Discover
on numerous occasions due to hardships and also after being attacked by San
raiders, abandoning it permanently in 1872. The station was reoccupied in
1878 when the French Father Godelle, a Roman Catholic missionary from the
Society of the Holy Ghost, settled at Pella. But he, and several other priests
after him, also abandoned the station, until the arrival of Brother Leo Wolf in
1885, who remained here and served the community for the next 50 years
until his death.
Further west, close to the Atlantic Ocean and the town of Springbok, lies
Steinkopf, another town that started life as a mission station established by the
London Missionary Society. It was later taken over by the Rhenish Mission and
named after the Reverend Dr Steinkopf.
Today, there are still a number of these mission stations operating in the
Namakwa region, but also elsewhere in the province, with the Moffat Mission
Station in Kuruman being one of the most famous and historically significant.
At Barkley West you can visit the Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin, the first
Anglican Church to be built on the Diamond Fields in 1871.
At the small town of Campbell a beautiful red-roofed church known as Bartlett’s
Church, and built in 1831, survives. The town was named after the Reverend
John Campbell, while it is said the renowned missionaries Moffat and David
Livingstone once preached from the pulpit of this little church.
Campbell lies on the province’s ‘missionary route’ that runs between Kimberley
and Upington and cuts through the territory that once belonged to the Griqua
people. In Griekwastad (Griqua Town) the Mary Moffat Museum reveals more
about this era when missionaries like Moffat, Livingston and Campbell were
active here. Livingston of course later left the area to travel north and became
one of the most famous European explorers in Africa.
There is much else to do and see in the area, such as the Magersfontein battle
site where the British High Command was once stationed during the Anglo-
Boer War; or a tour of Griekwastad where Andries Waterboer had once settled
his people; visiting the historic diamond digging sites of Barkley West where
“President” Stafford Parker once led the short-lived Diamond Diggers Republic
declared by the diggers before colonial rule and the law extended here; or
find something to drink at the ironically-named town of Putsonderwater (well
without water). And if you find nothing to drink at Putsonderwater, you could
always try your luck some 75km north at the town of Grootdrink (Big Drink).
If all else fails, retire to one of the mission churches and summon help from
above. (To find out more about things to do in this province, see our feature
article elsewhere in this edition).
Contact:
Mission Stations, Kuruman
Tel +27 (0)53 712 1001 or email kurmun@ga-segonyana.co.za;
Northern Cape Tourism Tel +27 (0)53 832 2657 or
email marketing@experiencenortherncape.com;
Missionary Route Tel +27 (0)11 895 3000 or email travel@southafrica.net.
Church at Kuboes, Richtersveld
Church at Williston.

Explore Africa
The iconic Orlando Towers, Soweto/
Paul Trinity / Shutterstock
Art on Walter Sisulu Square /
Sean Heatley / Shutterstock
Soweto…delightful, pulsating loxion
kulcha
Mention Soweto and for many it conjures up images of a volatile
place of political struggle, or a sprawling dormitory of row upon
row of square box houses supplying labour to Johannesburg. Yet
today Soweto is a vibrant, pulsating city next to a city, in its own
right. Alongside its transformation over the last two decades, it
has developed its own unique lure for tourists and local visitors.
A place that never sleeps, and fundamentally different from its
neighbours Johannesburg, Sandton and Ekurhuleni (East Rand),
Soweto has it all…from art and culture, to unique eateries serving
Soweto cuisine, pubs and taverns called shebeens, fascinating
cultural tours and history, high fashion and loxion kulcha (location
culture), football, shopping malls and pumping nightclubs. It is
also the birthplace of the Freedom Charter, and two Nobel Peace
laureates had their homes on the same street here.
As its name implies, Soweto is a township on the south-western side of
Johannesburg, ‘Soweto’ being a syllabic abbreviation for South Western
Townships, that since 1904, slowly arose to its present form, its inhabitants
originally meant to work in the mines of the Reef and the industries they
spawned. With an official population of some 1.3-million people, this humming,
pulsating, bustling beehive of activity is today bursting at the seams. It is home
to one-third of the people of the larger Johannesburg Metro in which it falls.
Overnight in June 1976, Soweto became a name recognised around the world
when nationwide protests and riots led by schoolchildren first erupted here
in protest against the forced use of Afrikaans in schools. But in reality it was a
protest against something much bigger: apartheid. And it set in motion events
over the following two decades that would culminate in South Africa’s first fully
democratic elections in 1994, and see one of Soweto’s own former residents,
Nelson Mandela, installed as the country’s first black president.
the surrounding areas, share first-hand in this phenomenon, a number of tour
operators offer a variety of special tours of Soweto.
There are two houses of much historical significance on Vilakazi Street in Orlando,
Soweto. They are the former homes of Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Emeritus
Desmond Tutu, both giants of the struggle against apartheid, and both winners of
the Nobel Peace Prize. In fact, Vilakazi Street is the only street in the world where
two Nobel Peace laureates have lived in the same street. Visitors from all over
the world walk past traditional dancers, hawkers, taxis and the general bustle of
Soweto to visit these two iconic houses.
From 1946 Mandela lived at Number 8115 Vilakazi Street on and off for more
than 14 years. In his autobiography, The Long Walk to Freedom, he described it
as follows: “For me No. 8115 was the centre point of my world, the place marked
with an X in my mental geography”. The house has since been revamped, and is
open to the public as a museum.
Archbishop Tutu moved into his house in 1975, although he did not need to live
here, as he had been offered the dean’s official residence of the Anglican Church
in the wealthy then white suburb of Houghton. But Tutu turned the offer down
as he did not want to be seen as an “honorary white” and instead chose to live
on Vilikazi Street. Tutu’s house has since been enlarged and modernised, but is
not open to the public. Both houses, however, form part of the Johannesburg
Heritage Trail, a large part of which incorporate sites in Soweto.
In Orlando West the Hector Pieterson Memorial and Museum commemorates the
role of the country’s schoolchildren and students in the struggle against apartheid
and the Soweto protests of 1976. It is also a tribute to Hector Pieterson, a 12-year
old boy who was one of the first to be shot dead by police in this area during
the protests. Another memorial site of the apartheid struggle is the Regina Mundi
Church, the largest Roman Catholic church in South Africa, located in Rockville,
Soweto. The church was often used as a gathering place for people engaged in the
struggle against apartheid and became known as “the people’s church”.
With such powerful history behind it, and freed from the shackles of apartheid,
Soweto simply had to be destined for much bigger things. And it is living up
to that destiny. To let visitors from afar, as well as non-Soweto residents of
For a more cultural experience, a visit to the Credo Mutwa Cultural Village in the
heart of Soweto in Central Western Jabavu is a must. The village is a museumcum-outdoor
exhibition of intriguing sculptures and traditional buildings set in a
60 |ISSUE 5|www.mzanzitravel.co.za | MZANZI TRAVEL

garden created by Credo Mutwa, a renowned African artist and sangoma (traditional
healer). With his sculptures, created between 1974 and 1986, Mutwa juxtaposes
African folklore and art with an increasingly Westernised society. Some sculptures
are of Zulu chiefs, gods and tokoloshes, the latter being a mythical African creature.
Today the village is a major drawing card for visitors to Soweto.
Mutwa’s sculpture garden is set below the historic Oppenheimer Tower, and within
the Oppenheimer Gardens which is home to numerous important statues, including
King Shaka, the Zulu warrior, King Moshoeshoe, the Basotho strategist, and Ernest
Oppenheimer, the mining magnate. The gardens and tower are named after the
mining magnate who made a substantial contribution to the resettlement of black
South Africans displaced by the apartheid. The Oppenheimer Tower was built using
bricks from houses demolished during the forced relocations that resulted from
the apartheid government’s Group Areas Act. The heavily wooded Oppenheimer
Gardens, also planted with various herbs that are used by traditional healers,
accommodates much birdlife.
A favourite with Sowetans and visitors alike is Mofolo Park situated at 1209 Mzilikazi
Street, Mofolo Central. It is a much-loved venue for music concerts held in its Cultural
Bowl with its striking rainbow paintwork. Over the years it has hosted many jazz
festivals, gospel choirs and well-known local and international musicians and artists.
Then there is Walter Sisulu Square in the heart of Kliptown, Soweto, a development
that has exploded as South Africa’s first township entertainment centre, and a
broad variety of outlets used by local traders and others including 10 retail shop, 6
commercial offices, banks and service providers. This trendsetting square represents
a mixture of cultural and historical heritage, blended with everyday life and a
futuristic design. It is also a monument to the Freedom Charter, the iconic political
document adopted in Kliptown in 1955 and much of which formed the basis of the
current South African Constitution.
Experience Soweto from a local’s perspective:
travel the back streets, explore famous
neighbourhoods and enjoy local delicacies.
QUAD BIKING
The Soweto Quad Bike Tour takes you through the world-renowned
towns of Soweto in a manner unlike any other. Travel
through the dusty back roads of Soweto's squatter camps and
ride down the
famous Vilakazi
Street where Desmond
Tutu and
Nelson Mandela
resided. We have
various packages
and ride durations
to suit your
requirements.
There is of course much else to do and see in Soweto, such as visiting the Zuurbekom
Pump House built in 1899, the Avalon Cemetery where a number of notable antiapartheid
struggle figures are buried, Soccer City with its huge 2010 World Cup
stadium and home of South African football, the Baragwanath Precinct, the old power
station Orlando Towers now brightly painted and used for bungee jumping, visiting
the modern shopping complexes such as the Maponya, Diepkloof and Protea Glen
malls, or just letting your hair down at one of the many shebeens, restaurants and
clubs. Of course, don’t miss out on some typical Soweto cuisine such as a roadside
shisanyama (flame-cooked meat bought from a roadside stall), or a smiley (boiled
sheep’s head and a local delicacy) or the more traditional pap en vleis (porridge and
meat).
NEW
PADDLE
BOATS!!
Contact:
Soweto Tourism Information Centre
Tel +27 (0)11 945 3111; Soweto Guided Tours Tel +27 (0) 11 985 6249,
+27 (0) 76 863 5548 (All Hours) and info@sowetoguidedtours.co.za;
Soweto Outdoor Adventures Tel +27 (0)72 692 8159 or
email info@sowetooutdooradventures.co.za;
MoAfrika Tours Tel +27 (0)82 506 9641, +27 (0)72 783 9787 or
info@safaritour.travel;
Usizo Lwenkosi Tours Tel +27 (0)83 992 9607 or +27 (0)76 017 4972;
Vhupo Tours Tel +27 (0)11 936 0411;
Imbizo Tours and Travel Tel +27 (0)11 838 2667;
Dzedze Travel and Tours Tel +27 (0)61 407 5465;
Township Travel Tel +27 (0)11 051-5637 or +27 (0)83 241-0758 or email
info@township-travel.co.za; among many other Soweto tour operators who
can be found on the internet.
Tel: 072 692 8159
info@sowetooutdooradventures.co.za
http://sowetooutdooradventures.co.za

FAMILY RESTAURANT • GARDEN WITH CHILDREN’S PLAY AREA WOOD-FIRED PIZZAS • A LA CARTE-MENU •
AL FRESCO DINING • WEDDINGS • FUNCTIONS • KIDS’ PARTIES
WWW.COUNTRYBUMPKIN.CO.ZA; INFO@COUNTRYBUMPKIN.CO.ZA
TEL: 043-7484840

Cultural Travel
DANCE, DUST AND
ENERGY
Walking on air
THE WORLD OF THE FABULOUS
RIELDANSERS
By Stef Terblanche
When it comes to traditional
dancing in South Africa,
everyone knows about
the Zulu warrior dancers,
the gumboot miners’
dancing, the Cape Town
minstrels, and the Reed
Dances staged for the
Swazi and Zulu kings.
But how many people know about, let alone have witnessed, what is South aa
oldest dancing tradition dating back to the early Khoisan people…the fabulous
rieldansers of the Northern Cape and adjacent regions?
If you think the above dances or something like Michael Flatley’s Lord of the
Dance have energy, rhythm, precision, flying dancers and daring moves, you
aint seen nothin’ yet!
The rieldans is about much more than just music and dancing – it encompasses
an entire cultural world that spans the Northern Cape, Western Cape, Karoo
and some other regions. It represents a way of life with all its customs and
traditions, and is a rhythm-and-dance language all of its own. Its roots can
be traced all the way back to the Khoisan, the original inhabitants of much of
today’s racial and tribal melting-pot of Southern Africa.
In a way it can be viewed as South Africa’s unintentional answer to Argentina’s
tango street dancers, only with much older roots, even more flamboyance,
and with the ballroom grace of the tango being replaced with the fast-paced,
64 |ISSUE 5|www.mzanzitravel.co.za | MZANZI TRAVEL

Cultural Travel
Over the years the rieldans was also adopted as the dance of farmworkers and
sheep shearers in the Karoo, Namaqualand and other regions, elements of
their daily life and activities being portrayed in some of the dances.
Owing to the original campfire dancing venues in sandy, desert-like rural
settings and the later venues on farms, the dance is today still largely practiced
upon sandy locations. Adding to the electrifying energy of the dance produced
by the fast tempo music and the dance moves, is the kicking up of a veritable
dust storm by the nimble-footed dancers. Many of the dances are still
performed in a circular movement, just as they were by the ancient Khoisan
around their campfires in the dusty veld.
While the riel has survived in relative obscurity over the ages, it enjoyed
much popularity among farm workers and other working class people of the
Northern Cape, Western Cape and Karoo between the 1940s and early 1960s,
after which it started fading away. But it has been placed firmly back on the
national dance stage since 2006 with the assistance of the Afrikaanse Taal- en
Kultuurvereniging (ATKV), or Afrikaans Language and Culture Association, with
dance competitions and sponsorships.
Central to its revival, is Elias P. Nel, a native of Verneukpan in the Kenhardt
district of the Northern Cape region known as Boesmanland, who grew up
with the riel being danced in his area. Many years later he approached the
ATKV which adopted it as one of its many cultural heritage projects and now
organises an annual national rieldans competition, with Elias becoming its chief
organiser, ably assisted by the younger Benjamin Bock.
Thanks to their efforts, today the rieldans is again riding a wave of popularity
in the regions of its inception and beyond, and is danced by people ranging
from toddlers to pensioners. At recent dance competitions more than 80% of
the dancers were under the age of 18, a welcome injection of youth that will
ensure its survival.
Elias says tongue-in-cheek that the rieldans was originally created for people
with rubber knees, long breath and playfulness in the genes (in Afrikaans,
“mense met slap knieë, lang asems en ’n klomp speelsheid in die gene”).
high-energy fancy footwork of the riel. But like the tango, as a dance it strongly
reflects the love ritual with its sexually charged and suggestive moves. Yet it also
goes significantly beyond that.
Whereas the tango originated in the working class courtyards, on the street
corners and in the brothels of Buenos Aires, the riel originated around the
campfires of the Khoisan and Nama after the return of their hunters, after good
harvests or during celebrations. The Nama name for the dance, Ikhapara, was
derived from the word khapas which means ‘hat’, and the hat of a man was
considered a useful article with which to court a woman for her hand in marriage.
Hence the dance also became a dance of love and gave rise to many of the dance
moves still seen today, while hats still form an integral part of the costumes of
male dancers.
These days dance groups with colourful names like Bitterfontein Tradisionele
Dansers, Kamiesbergdansers, Vloedrieldansers, Betjies van Betjiesfontein,
Betjies Rooirots, Griekwa-Ratelgat-rieldansers, Kuierkraal-rieldansers and
Knersvlakte-rieldansers practice their dancing in the towns and villages with
equally colourful names like Pofadder, Loeriesfontein, Garies, Kakamas,
Onseepkans, Pella, Vaalputs, Soebatsfontein and Kamieskroon, where the
dance has survived since the early days.
But the riel is not only practiced with a view to competitions. It is also a common
form of entertainment over weekends in many of the towns within the area of
its original inception.
The rieldans is recognised as an ancient celebratory dance and the oldest
entertainment form used as a social, cultural and educational tool by the
Khoisan people before the arrival of Western cultures and traditions at the
Cape of Good Hope. But as the original Khoi and San languages increasingly
disappeared over time, and the influences of Western culture spread across
the sub-continent, the name Ikhapara became less used and was replaced by
the word riel.
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Cultural Travel
Polka-dot dancers
The name riel was borrowed from the word ‘reel’, a Scottish folk dance, and
adapted to the Afrikaans now mostly spoken by the descendants of the Khoisan
and the Nama, the latter being the largest surviving sub-group of the Khoi.
Coloured people at the Cape and practised by today’s Cape minstrels, which in
turn bears the influences of Malay slaves and the minstrel songs of the south
of America.
The music changed too, from the original trance-like chanting and indigenous
wind, string and percussion instruments of the Khoisan, to an infusion of
various other musical influences. These included the Irish and Scottish folk
music influences, the boeremusiek developed by the descendants of Dutch,
French and German settlers, along with the goema carnival sound of the
Today common music instruments used include the guitar, banjo, violin,
concertina and accordion. All of these musical developments have of course
over time also influenced modern jazz music and has even found some
resonance in today’s hip hop genre, far beyond local shores.
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Cultural Travel
Farm boy style with red veldskoen boots
It is not only the music and instruments that adopted influences from elsewhere
over time. The clothing is also matched closely to the clothes worn by those
engaged in courtship in a bygone era. It is customary for the dancing groups
also to dress up in colourful costumes resembling the traditional colonial-era
and mid-1900s clothing of the working classes and farm workers, both of the
everyday and Sunday-best variety, including long floral-print skirts and dresses,
the kappies or bonnets of the colonial era, braces, bowties, wastecoats,
fedoras, homburgs and feathered walker hats. These are interchanged with
more modern costumes reflecting the era of jazz, or the ancient traditional
animal-skin wear of the Khoisan.
While you can view the annual ATKV rieldans national competition in December
each year – the last one was held in Paarl near Cape Town – it may be even
more fascinating and satisfying to see these dancers performing in their home
towns in the everyday settings from where the dancing originated.
Following the dance trail will take you to some of the most unique and exotic
locations in South Africa, where you will experience some of the oldest, most
enduring cultural blends of the sub-continent as the guests of some of the most
hospitable folk to be found anywhere. The trail will take you through regions or
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Cultural Travel
parts of regions that include the northern Western Cape, the Tankwa Karoo,
Roggeveld, Knersvlakte, Boesmandland, Namaqualand, Griqualand West, the
Riemvasmaak Community Conservancy, the western Karoo, Kalahari and even
up into the Richtersveld.
Here you will find the world of the sheep shearers travelling with all their worldly
possessions and their entire families from farm to farm on their karretjies, small
donkey-drawn carts, from whose ranks developed an associated music genre
immortalised by David Kramer in his show Karoo Kitaar Blues.
In some parts the last surviving San clans still hunt and live as they have done
for thousands of years. It is the world also of the mission stations with their
beautiful churches established by the likes of John Campbell, Robert Moffat
and David Livingstone (see our article in the Hidden Gems section as well as our
feature on the Northern Cape of this edition).
In the west along the Atlantic coast you will find communities of fishermen and
diamond divers. In the northern areas of the Richtersveld and Riemvasmaak
conservancy you will encounter Nama herdsmen on their seasonal treks with
their herds between different areas, as they have done for hundreds of years.
Travelling through these areas, along with dramatic changes in the natural
landscape, you will find delightful little towns with much preserved original
All pictures supplied courtesy of the ATKV, with thanks to
Benjamin Bock.
Bonnets and aprons from bygone days
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architecture, hospitable people and interesting local characters, historical
sites, natural scenery, wildlife and plenty of cultural activity. The indigenous
cuisine of these areas is out of this world.
And if you ask around, or keep your eyes open for the movement and your
ears for the music, you will see the colourful groups of rieldansers kicking up a
storm, just like their ancient forebears used to do. The rieldans is as much a part
of the Northern Cape and adjacent environs as sheep, Witblits, the Kalahari,
Nama herds, gemsbok, and diamonds, and a cultural and entertainment mustdo
in the itinerary of any visitor to these parts.
For more information: ATKV Tel +27 (0)11 919 9000 or
website www.atkv.org.za; Northern Cape Tourism
Tel +27 (0)61 667 4321 or website www.northerncapetourism.co.za; Clarissa
Damara of Riemvasmaak Cell +27 (0)83 873 7715;
Green Kalahari Tourism Tel +27 (0)54 337 2800;
Namakwa Tourism Info Office Tel +27 (0)27 341 8131.
Kicking up a dust storm
A cake tin banjo plays its part
Dancers of all ages
MZANZI TRAVEL| www.mzanzitravel.co.za|ISSUE 5 | 69

Msinsi Resorts and Games Reserves...
your passport to nature!
Reconnect with nature by visiting any of
our six Msinsi Resorts and Game Reserves,
somewhere away from the stresses of work,
the tensions of the city, the bombardment
of technology, and feel the feeling that
washes over you when life becomes simple.
Msinsi has a resort just for you situated on
KZNs largest and most exquisite dams in
spectacular settings:
• Hazelmere Dam & Resort in Durban
• Shongweni Dam & Game Reserve in
Durban
• Inanda Dam & Resort in Durban
• Nagle Dam & Game Reserve in Durban
• Albert Falls Dam & Game Reserve in
Pietermaritzburg
• Bon Accorde Resort in Pietermaritzburg
Our resorts are not more than a half
hour drive from either Durban or
Pietermaritzburg offering the wonders of
the African bush, water-sports and a range
of activities to suit everyone of every age.
Nature is the remedy for so many ills, and
the more we connect with it, the more
invigorated and energised we become.
C e l e b r a t i n g
25 years
Central booking – 031 765 7724
Website: www.msinsi.co.za
Like us on Facebook: Msinsi Resorts & Game Reserves
Follow us on Instagram: @msinsiresorts
Follow us on Twitter: @MsinsiResorts

Situtated 140km from Cape Town, on the outskirts of Napier, is Eagles Rest Guest
Lodge and Venue Centre. With its tranquil settings , picturesque views, stunning sunsets
and nature at your feet, all guests will be made to feel welcome. Whether it is a
wedding, birthday celebration or corporate functions, we have the warm ambiance to
make it a true experience. With home style cooking, stylish decor and friendly service,
with a view to stun your guests makes Eagles rest a fine choice.
LUXURY SELF CATERING
Eagles Rest is situated on an indigenous
flower farm in quiet mountain surroundings.
The secluded self catering accommodation
offers units for 2, 4, 6, 11 people. The quiet
lifestyle offers beautiful bird life and lovely
hiking and mountain bike trails, as well as
beautiful dams for fishing and swimming.
Each room has its own en-suite bathroom
furnished with luxury amenities and is fully
self catering. Wide open spaces for the
family to enjoy.
CONTACT:
THERESA FOR BOOKINGS
TEL NO: 028 4233571
CELL : 0725961307
EMAIL: Theresa@floralandfresh.co.za
WEB: eaglesrestguestlodge.co.za

Escape
FABULOUS EASTER
GETAWAYS
Casterbridge Lifestyle Centre
The Easter holidays, South Africa’s second
busiest holiday period after December/
January, is just around the corner. For
those who missed out on getting away
to some fun and relaxation in December
or January, or those who feel they need
another break after a busy start to the
year, we have selected a number of ideal
Easter getaways below.
Go let your hair down, put your feet up and have some fun while recharging
your batteries!
Casterbridge Lifestyle Centre is a unique lifestyle destination with a
boutique hotel set in tranquil gardens, quirky independent shops, fantastic
entertainment spoils and fitness centre, all just 40 minutes from the Kruger
National Park and 10 minutes from the Kruger Mpumalanga International
Airport.
For top-class accommodation, you can book into the 30-room Casterbridge
Hollow Hotel. Mpumalanga’s first “green hotel” encompasses a concept
that has evolved with great charm, using the simplest and most basic
materials. Colours are reminiscent of romantic hillside villages in Provence
and Tuscany. Its contemporary style is enhanced by richly textured baskets,
sleek furnishings and designer fabrics featuring proteas and ‘bokkies’ which
give the hotel an original handprint and convey its South African roots.
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Escape
At the same time you can stay fit at the gym and pilates studio, or pamper
yourself at the health spa and with spoils from their boutique clothing and
jewellery stores.
Range, quality and that element of surprise are all part of the unique shopping
experience. Casterbridge proudly supports local industries and boasts award
winning artists, potters and sculptors from the area. Come and feast your retail
sense in over 35 stores, shopping against a background of perfectly manicured
gardens where you will be guaranteed a shopping experience never to be
forgotten.
The centre also has an enchanting vintage motor museum, while visitors can
also view some excellent national art exhibitions at the White River Art Gallery.
There are a number of restaurants when you can enjoy a culinary treat from
breakfast to dinner. Then head towards the Kruger for that unforgettable game
experience. Casterbridge’s slogan, ‘Eat, play, shop, sleep’ sums it all up.
For more information:
Casterbridge Lifestyle Centre Tel +27 (0)13 751 1540,
mobile +27 (0)82 8000 618 or email info@casterbridge.co.za; Casterbridge
Hollow Hotel Tel +27 (0)13 750 0898 or email
reservations@casterbridgehollow.co.za or gm@casterbridgehollow.co.za.
Tomjachu Bush Retreat
If its quality time you need with your family or partner, this is the ideal retreat
for you.
Tomjachu Bush Retreat near Nelspruit and the southern gate of the Kruger
National Park, with its 12-sleeper Valbonne Villa provides a sanctuary for
families looking to spend quality time together to create timeless memories for
all. As Tomjachu Bush Retreat is a third generation family-owned destination,
‘family’ is what they do best.
In the fast-paced life most of us lead, it is often difficult to carve out time to
spend with your children and parents. Now you can escape to the Lowveld bush
for a relaxing, family-bonding holiday at a 5 star, self-catering luxury resort.
Tomjachu Bush Retreat, just 3 ½ hours from Johannesburg, has the perfect
family accommodation. Its Valbonne Villa is set in a spectacular location in
the Bekker Mountains, looking towards the Crocodile Valley Gorge. This villa
is a double-storey, classical South African Lowveld home with cool rambling
veranda and six bedroom suites brimming with family antiques, paintings, local
art and a lifetime of memorabilia. The Valbonne Villa offers the exquisite luxury
of a multi award-winning 5-star TGCSA, self-catering villa suitable for 6 couples
or 12 guests sharing – fully serviced. An extensive covered terrace leads to a
large braai area set in luscious gardens, with an infinity pool - all overlooking the
most spectacular and dramatic views.
Tomjachu Bush Retreat also offers The Homestead with three individual
bedrooms and suites as well as its Bush Cottages that, surrounded by lush
trees, imparts a sense of being immersed and blended with nature…another
perfect family getaway. All of this is topped off with fantastic activities for all
ages, such as safari drives, hiking, mountain biking and fishing with great views
and tranquil time away from your everyday life.
For more information: Visit http://tomjachu.co.za/ or
Tel +27(0)82 704 4804 or email reservations@tomjachu.com.
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Escape
Gourikwa Reserve
Gourikwa Reserve situated between Still Bay and the Gouritz River mouth on
the Southern Cape coast is without a doubt one of the most unique private
reserves along the South African coastline. The reserve is a true escape with
5km of its own pristine seafront, a rich variety of indigenous fauna and flora
as well as boasting facilities ranging from top class accommodation to a
beachfront chapel and wedding facilities.
The reserve offers range of superbly equipped accommodation from cottages,
to fisherman’s houses, single villa rooms and an adventure centre for groups of
up to 120 children.
All the refurbished Cottages are less than 100m from the shore break, making
every morning a unique experience. There are a total of 6 deluxe cottages all
fully equipped with a kitchenette, built in braai and spaciously designed rooms.
The 9 fisherman’s houses are all free standing units, spread out along the coast
to have spectacular views of the seafront and the nearby lighthouse. Eight of
the units sleep 4 people each, and one unit sleeps up to 6 people. There are
also 3 blocks of 5 single rooms with the most beautiful view over the ocean.
If you are about to tie the knot, the reserve has a wedding chapel overlooking
the ocean - there surely can’t be many wedding venues that can compare
to Gourikwa’s offering. The picturesque chapel with a thatch roof and bell
tower is a mere 50m from the shore, the ideal setting for wedding pictures.
Within walking distance of the chapel is a brand new banquet hall, which can
accommodate between 180 – 200 people, with all tables and chairs supplied.
The pool house can be utilized as an additional bar facility with restrooms
available.
For more information:
Call Marelize van Rensburg on +27 (0)87 702 9126 or
email info@gourikwa.co.za.
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Escape
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Escape
Gooderson Drakensberg
Gardens Golf and Spa Resort
Celebrating 60 years in the great South African outdoors this year, the 3-star
rated Gooderson Drakensberg Gardens Golf and Spa Resort is known for its
spectacular view of the unforgettable Southern Drakensberg, crisp mountain
air, rejuvenating clear streams and azure blue skies. The resort has been a
haven for outdoor enthusiasts wanting to enjoy anything from golf to mountain
biking for six decades.
Set on a scenic 860 acre World Heritage Site, it is perfect for getting out of city
comfort zones enticing even the laziest couch potatoes to enjoy hiking, horse
riding, canoeing, trout fishing or even river rafting.
The resort has a challenging 18-hole golf course as well as an 18km custombuilt
mountain biking track which passes by the resort’s picturesque dam and
through the golf course as well as the lush pine forest, and is suitable for all
riders of all levels. Bikes are also made available from the hotel reception.
Other exciting features at the resort include a zip line suitably titled “The
Rinkhals”, that stretches from halfway up the Beacon Hike down to the resort’s
Adventure Park, a cricket field with netted pitch and field, situated inside a BMX
track (great for all ages, especially father and son bonding), an archery range
at the Adventure Park and the Jackal Buzzard Fort, a raised fortress for the
younger explorers, who, when planning their next adventure, get a bird’s eye
view of the zip liners ascending.
For the water babies, they have a new kids’ water park, complete with heated
pool and slides which will be just the thing for the little ones. If that’s not
enough, the resort also has a kids’ pushbike track as well as a climbing wall
catering to all. It’s certainly a place where the sun never sets on good value and
good fun. The resort also offers the perfect wedding venue with its very special
Ibis Pavilion, a covered boma style venue that looks onto Rhino Mountain. This
doubles as a tea garden for visitors to the Adventure Park.
The resort offers spacious and comfortable accommodation with standard,
superior and deluxe rooms. Options include four and six sleeper fully equipped
self-catering units which are ideal for family getaways.
In celebration of their 60-year milestone, Gooderson’s Drakensberg Gardens is
offering Mzanzi readers a special getaway package for the month of May and
June at a rate of R899.00 on a bed and breakfast basis per person sharing or
R1,249 per person per night on a dinner, bed and breakfast per person per
night (single). Terms and conditions apply.
For more information:
www.goodersonleisure.co.za or contact reservations
on +27 (0)31 337 4222.
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Escape
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Escape
Indaba Hotel, Spa &
Conference Centre
For an African oasis in the city, located just north of the fast paced business
world of Sandton in the upmarket residential suburb of Fourways, is the 258
bedroom Indaba Hotel, Spa & Conference Centre. It is a compelling blend of
business-like convenience and efficiency, with a relaxed and warm country
atmosphere and a setting that will make you believe you are out there in the
bush.
Coupled with easy and convenient access to all main highways, OR Tambo
International Airport and a mere 15km from Lanseria International Airport, the
hotel features an impressive selection of some 24 multi-purpose conference
venues that can accommodate up to 2,000 delegates in total with banqueting
facilities for up to 500 guests.
With two restaurants on property, there is no need to leave the comfort of
the hotel to enjoy world class cuisine. The 300-seater Chief’s Boma Restaurant
caters for all tastes with over 120 African inspired dishes ranging from North
African Moroccan cuisine to Koeksisters and Melktert from the Cape – and
with a “Shisa Nyama” grill boasting a variety of game meats sizzled to your
specification, everyone is sure to find their favourite.
Well known for their lavish, full South African breakfast buffet, the Epsom
Terrace Restaurant also boasts an evening Bistro Menu which will delight even
the most demanding gourmand’s exacting standards. A traditional carvery
lunch with live music can be enjoyed every Sunday, with limited outdoor
seating available for those who prefer dining al fresco – after all, Jo’burg really
has the best weather in South Africa.
Stroll through the 17 hectares of lush bushveld gardens and you will find the
Mowana Spa - a wellness sanctuary which will revive your senses, rejuvenate
your body and soothe your soul. The Mowana Spa offers wellness journeys
based on the healing energy of Tribal Massaging, while Signature Pamper
Journeys include the decadent Mowana Full Day African Rejuvenation Spa
pamper, among much more.
The Indaba Hotel and Mowana Spa are also proudly green, ensuring responsible
tourism and minimising carbon footprint through extensive recycling of waste
products, water-wise gardening, greening conference initiatives, better
material choices, minimising power usage and buying local
For more information: Visit www.indabahotel.co.za , email them at
indaba@indabahotel.co.za or call +27 (0) 11 840 6600.
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Wildlife & Landscape Photography • Commercial & Media Photography •
Style & Conceptual Photography • Aerial Photography •
Photographic Safaris & Courses
Passion. Vision. Craft.

Umlazi Township Tourism
– Experience African urban culture
Umlazi is the third biggest township in South Africa with its own unique number plate – NUZ. It
is also rich in historical, cultural and political heritage. It is where a new African urban culture
is developing.
Umlazi is famously known for its urban vibey lifestyle. From the fashion, to entertainment, urban
shopping malls, first class sport facilities and eatery establishments (Eyadini, Max’s Lifestyle, Nuz
Vegas, and Sdis Tavern, etc.). Umlazi boasts a beautiful park – How Long Park (now a host venue to a
number of musical shows).
Enjoy 360°views of Umlazi from Inwabi mountain summit, which stands at approximately 360m
above sea level. Come and explore Umlazi through its fascinating, interactive tourism route and
experience a unique Umlazi township vibe with its friendly people over the much loved shisanyama
(meat cooked on an open fire) in one of our classy eateries/lounges.
www.durbanexperience.co.za
Tel: 031 907 0995
Email: umlazitourism@gmail.com
Web: www.umlazitourism.co.za
NUZ 4031

Exceptional Places
KOLMANSKOP
A JEWEL OF A GHOST TOWN IN THE
DESERT SANDS
Pictures by Karl Terblanche
A
few kilometres inland from the
Namibian port town of Lüderitz,
rising out of the barren desert in
the diamond-bearing Sperrgebiet
(restricted area), are the skeletal
remains of a jewel of another
kind: a grand and typically German
town named Kolmanskop, or
Kolmannskuppe in German.
Perched on the southern edge of the Namib Desert, the town
was abandoned by its diamond-mining citizens in the years after
World War I for richer diamond pickings further south. It is now
Namibia’s most famous ghost town – and probably one of the most
famous in the world. Today, as the wind and the sand eat away
at the crumbling ruins and the desert dunes slowly reclaim the
area and the buildings, there are still many remaining traces of the
town’s erstwhile glamour and its grand architecture that created a
lively little Bavarian town in the middle of one of the most barren,
desolate stretches of Africa.
In 1908 the railway worker Zacharias Lewala found a diamond here,
showed it to his supervisor and soon a diamond rush to the area
ensued, with the German government declaring it a Sperrgebiet
as it sought to control the diamond mining. The town owes its
name to one Johnny Coleman, a transport driver who, during a
fierce sandstorm abandoned his ox wagon on a small incline. The
wagon stood there for a time, and the incline became known as
Colemanshuegel, later as Kolmannskuppe and eventually became
Kolmanskop.
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Exceptional Places
In its heyday in the 1920s, Kolmanskop was home to some 1,100
souls. They built large, elegant houses, offices and public buildings
in typically German style complete with wide windows, grand
verandas, ornate staircases and truncated roofs. All that was
missing was the snow…but there was a large ice factory.
Soon the town also had a lively pub, casino, ballroom, hospital,
power station, school, a skittle alley, theatre, gymnasium, doctor’s
rooms and an x-ray station, a public swimming pool, and the first
tram in Africa working the railway line to nearby Lüderitz. On
the Ladenstrasse, or shopping street, elegantly dressed women
visited the grocery store, the butcher, the baker, and the soda
and lemonade shop, while just around the corner the architect,
engineer and bookkeeper toiled away in their cool offices, taking
phone calls from distant places.
Over weekends sporting events took place and in the evenings
the townsfolk were entertained with ballroom dancing and by
opera companies shipped all the way from Germany. Today these
buildings are empty shells filled with sand, and the only sounds
you will hear is the wind shifting the sands and rattling loose roof
sheeting or wooden planks.
After World War I, declining diamond deposits and the discovery
of new and bigger diamond finds to the south around the Orange
River, caused the “diamond kings” and their families to start leaving.
These days Kolmanskop serves mainly as a tourist attraction and
an inspirational location for filmmakers, photographers and artists.
The late, renowned South African artist Keith Alexander captured
many of the ghostlike settings of this little town in his paintings.
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Exceptional Places
Kolmanskop is the best-known of several abandoned diamond
settlements in the Sperrgebiet – Elizabeth Bay, Pomona, Bogenfels
and Charlottental – while another ghost mining town, Kahn Mine,
can be found along the dry Swakop River further north. The mining
company NamDeb, which administers the area, has created an
interesting museum at Kolmanskop where much of the erstwhile
everyday life has been replicated, while some buildings have been
restored. Kolmanskop can easily be reached by road from the
South African border post at Vioolsdrif, or from Swakopmund and
Windhoek. Visitors can pre-book a guided tour which requires a
permit from NamDeb.
All pictures are by Karl Terblanche, a leading Namibian
photographer based in Swakopmund –
Cell: +264 81 679 8850 or
email: karlterblanche@gmail.com.
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Exceptional Places
The harsh force of nature
Keeping an eye on the neighbours
An unspoilt view…
A grand entrance

Exceptional Places
A sandy bath after a hard day’s work

Exceptional Places
The visitors have all gone, but the footprints remain
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Le Franschhoek Hotel & Spa, situated in the Cape Winelands, offers luxurious hotel accommodation
and a truly unique winelands hotel experience. This luxury Hotel features 79 en-suite, elegantly
finished rooms and suites, and two lavish villas. Each boasts breath-taking views over either the
towering Franschhoek Mountains, or manicured gardens. Le Franschhoek Hotel is elegantly portrayed
in their fine dining eatery. Offering diners an opportunity to indulge in a scrumptious à la Carte menu,
this Franschhoek restaurant is complimented by warm service, and picturesque placement.
In addition, it is an ideal destination for a team building, corporate function or even a fairy tale
wedding, boasting 5 world class conference venues, seating from 20 to 120 delegates.
Email: reservations@lefranschhoek.co.za • Tel: +27(21)876-8900 • www.lefranschhoek.co.za

BIG 5 SAFARI & SPA
Real Africa. Real Close To Cape Town.
Over 10,000 hectares of Big 5 Conservancy.
Eyeballing the Big 5 close up, together with outstanding personal service; it just does not get any better than
the award- winning Aquila Private Game Reserve and Spa. With game drives, quad bike and horseback safaris
situated just 2 hours from Cape Town, it’s the closest you can get to real Africa, in the lap of luxury.
It is a
renity and creative use of natural elements.
www.aquilasafari.com
FACILITIES AND ACTIVITIES
FOUR STAR ESTABLISHMENT | PREMIER, FAMILY AND STANDARD COTTAGES AND LODGE ROOMS | DAY TRIP SAFARI
| HORSEBACK SAFARI | QUAD BIKE SAFARI | STAR SAFARI | OVERNIGHT SAFARI | FLY IN SAFARI | WINE TASTING
| INDOOR & OUTDOOR RESTAURANTS | OUTDOOR POOL | WET BAR | CIGAR LOUNGE | CONFERENCE CENTRE
| SPA | LIBRARY | CURIO SHOP | CHILDREN’S FACILITIES & JUNIOR RANGER PROGRAMME | ARC (AQUILA ANIMAL RESCUE CENTRE).
Aquilasafari
AquilaSafaris
RESERVATIONS: +27(0)21 4307260 II MOBILE: +27(0)833 019 222 II E: RES@AQUILASAFARI.COM
WINNER2016

WELCOME
TO...
www.zktours.co.za sales@zktours.co.za 032 457 0470
LEADING YOUR WAY!
THE PERFECT AND SAFEST SOLUTION
FOR ALL YOUR BUSINESS OR
INDIVIDUAL TRAVELLING NEEDS
Transport options available include a fleet of luxury and semi-luxury
coaches, buses, mini buses as well as sprinters
With our excellent and reliable fleet we are able to cater for a wide range
of transport requirements including tailor made tours both nationally and
across South Africa’s boarders.
Corporate Travel and much more...
KEY FEATURES OF OUR FLEET
Luxurious Interiors
Professional Drivers
Air-Conditioning
Spacious and comfortable
seating
Safety belts
Toilet
Stereo and DVD
Fridge
Reclining seats
Full Insurance Cover
Tracker device on all Vehicles
Tour Guide Jump Seat
Operational permits for
anywhere in South Africa
SEATING CAPACITIES AVAILABLE
65 60 50 35
30 22 13

Business Travel
FROM TECH CITIES
TO LIONS
FOR BUSINESS TRAVELLERS SA OFFERS
UNPARALLELED VARIETY AND EXCELLENCE
Staff Writer
For the business or corporate traveller
to South Africa, the country offers
unparalleled variety and excellence, from
all-inclusive executive travel services, to
superb IT and other infrastructure, worldclass
accommodation, and sophisticated
conference and business facilities. And to
round it all off, business travellers can take
time off to go into the wild and view the
Big Five, or choose from any of the other
multitude of stunning leisure tourism attractions South Africa has
to offer.
With negative global conditions having led companies around the
world to reduce their international travel spend, factors such as the
rand exchange rate, sophisticated business-related infrastructure
and services, ease of travel and South Africa’s centrality, and
excellent local business travel services make South Africa the ideal
destination for business, incentive and corporate travel, as well as
for international conferences.
What’s more, visitors to South Africa can easily and flexibly
combine their business travel here with out-of-this-world holidays
or weekend getaways. So next time you need to do business in
South Africa, or attend a conference here, pack your family off to
one of many stunning resorts, finish your business and then join
them.
And South Africa will soon be investing even more to attract
more business travellers to this country. At the recent Meetings
Africa conference in Durban, Tourism Minister Derek Hanekom
announced that of the R494-million that was allocated to tourism
promotion in the 2017 national budget for the next three years,
more than half, or R290-million, will be used for promoting events
and business travel to South Africa.
A bidding fund will be set up to specifically focus on business events
that are aligned with the priority economic sectors identified by
the government, such as mining, manufacturing, ICT, life sciences
and business process outsourcing. Minister Hanekom also said
that his department’s research showed that delegates coming to
conferences here, and other business travellers, often want to add
on to their business trip, one of the many tourism experiences the
country has to offer. Minister Hanekom said South Africa aims to
attract five million additional local and international travellers over
the next five years, which will include business travellers.
Most business travellers to South Africa at present come from the
United States, while China is also a growing source market. About
one-third of all business travellers also slot in time for leisure travel,
with some favourite destinations being Sun City and Pilanesberg,
Hermanus, the Kruger National Park, Namaqualand, Soweto, the
Drakensberg, the Garden Route, Table Mountain and Cape Town,
Durban and Port Elizabeth, but certainly not confined to these.
While South Africa’s major cities offer world-class facilities such as
Cape Town’s International Conference Centre and Durban’s Inkosi
94 |ISSUE 5|www.mzanzitravel.co.za | MZANZI TRAVEL

Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre, many business events are also held outside
the major cities, with luxury game lodges, many of which have excellent facilities, being a
favourite. Thus, business visitors can go from doing business or attending a conference for
most of the day, straight to a late-afternoon guided game drive to see lions and elephant.
How many other places in the world can offer you that?
Many businessmen and women also enjoy a good game of golf. In this department too the
country offers an abundance of top-class golf courses, many of them designed by worldfamous
golfers such as Gary Player and Ernie Els.
Gauteng and Cape Town have excellent public transport in the form of integrated rapid
transit systems, while the O R Tambo International Airport and the cities of Tshwane,
Ekurhuleni and Johannesburg are connected by the high-speed Gautrain. Traditional and
Uber taxi services are available in all major cities, while an excellent network of international
and domestic airports provide quick, easy and safe access to any part of the country or its
neighbours.
As far as IT is concerned, South Africa offers some of the best and fastest connectivity in
Africa. Cape Town has just been ranked 22nd in the Tech Cities 2017 report among the
leading cities in the global technology industry.
A large number of South African corporate travel management companies offer extensive
and specialised corporate travel services such as booking and ticket services, proactive
consulting, medical cover and requirements, optimisation of travel spend, local transport,
accommodation and more.
We mean
business
For all your event and conferencing need
nationwide, Premier Hotels & Resort
offer a range of quality venues.
Various other services are also on offer to business travellers visiting South Africa, from
personal security to fully-equipped and staffed office facilities, chauffeur services, personal
travel experts at your call 24/7, the services of business intelligence and negotiations
experts, and travel managers.
The African Business Travel Association (ABTA) focuses on corporate travel in South Africa
and across the continent, providing a platform for corporate travel management education
and sharing of best practice. ABTA assists in raising the standard of the business travel
industry, works to increase awareness of Africa as a destination, has created a platform for
region-specific travel management education, networking opportunities and continued
professional development, among more. Therefore, with the help of organisations such as
ABTA, business travellers to South Africa know they are in good hands.
World Class Africa
Secure your conference facilities earl
Central Reservations:
086 111 5555
info@premierhotels.co.za
Visit
www.premierhotels.co.za
for more information.

Accommodation Inquiries:
Ian Middle - ianm@rrtrust.co.za
Academy Inquiries:
Thabo Sedibe - thabosedibe@rttrust.co.za
reservations.hta@rttrust.co.za / visit www.rrtrust.co.za
GPS Coordinates: S25°29.017 E 31°09.730
Physical Address:
Stand No 9003 Kanyamazane Road, Nelspruit- Mpumalanga
Tel: 013 794 3891/3892

PREMIUM DIAMONDS & TANZANITE
• ART OF DIAMOND CUTTING
• JEWELLERY MANUFACTURING
• TANZANITE BOUTIQUE
• LUXURY WATCH BRANDS
CAPE TOWN
Tel: +27(0)21 425 1970
CNR. Lower Long St,
Foreshore
(opposite CTICC)
STELLENBOSCH
Tel: +27(0)21 883 8400
11-13 Church St,
Stellenbosch
FRANSCHHOEK
Tel: +27(0)21 876 3318
Shop 1 Bijoux Sq,
58 Huguenot St.
O.R. TAMBO
Tel: +27(0)10 590 7031
International Departures
IDR34
NAMIBIA
Tel: +264(0)61 229 049
Shop 40, Old Breweries
Building, Windhoek
SEYCHELLES
Tel: +248 271 7971
Shop GO4 Capital City,
Independence Ave, Victoria
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