South Africa Archives - Page 14 of 24

GROOTKERK, GRAAFF REINET

Entering from the South you drive up the long main road of Graaf Reinet. After greeting some friendly locals on your way you will find this historic church at the top end of … well, Church Street! The church is probably the most recognizable and photographed landmark in Graaff Reinet. The church which claims to be the third oldest congregation in the Eastern Cape was designed by James Bisset. He (Bisset) incorporated some features from the Salisbury Cathedral in England into this majestic design. The stone for the church was obtained locally and the church, which can seat 1,250, has a steeple of 45, 72 metres. It also boasts a chimney – rather an unusual feature for a church I would think! On the church list are some famous dominees (preachers). Andrew Murray as well as Dr D F Malan, who later became Prime Minister of South Africa, were some… Read more >

RIVIER DECK, BUFFALO BAY (BUFFELSBAAI)

On a Sunday morning, we went for a bit of exploring in our own region and stumbled upon this little gem right next to the N2 at the Buffels Bay turn-off. I have passed this establishment numerous times in the past, but never made the effort to check it out. Hubby and I were looking for a place to have breakfast where we have never been before. So, River Deck it is! I think we were a bit early as we were the first patrons to pay a visit, but the wooden stove with the kettles already simmering radiated its warmth and welcomed us. Nice, as the sun was not out yet and it was still a bit chilly next to the river. Today was not the type of weather for canoes and peddle boats, however as I have observed during the past summer months this is a favourite spot… Read more >

ATHINA SHIPWRECK, ROBBERG

Shipwrecks are tragic events, but for me a shipwreck is always shrouded with some mystery and stories on what went wrong, what freight did they have on board when tragedy struck, were there any loss of life and what were the weather conditions, etcetera. Around Plettenberg Bay there are 18 hidden shipwrecks, the earliest one dating back to 1630, according to some research that I have done on the internet. I am not giving away my age, but some of you who are old enough will remember the stranding of the Athina at Robberg Beach, Plettenberg Bay. Some members in my family were still little boys and girls when this happened back on the 1st of August 1967. During the summer holiday of December 1967 my father in law swam out to the wreck, as I think a lot of holiday makers did too. At the date of the incident… Read more >

KNYSNA FIRE DISASTER, 7 JUNE 2017

7 June 2017 — I will surely never forget the date. This is the date when the worst fires ever in history struck the Garden Route area. 8 Junie 2017 — Soos wat ek nou hier sit en skryf elf uur die oggend is dit ‘n vriesende 8°C buite. Vir ons wêreld is dit koud, baie koud. Ek sit en my gedagtes dwaal na die mense wat vanoggend moet gaan kyk wat het hulle oor van hulle lewe – heel moontlik niks. So kom die berigte die een na die ander in. Die een gesin soek nog na hulle ma wat Alzheimers het. Hulle weet nie waar sy is nie … Die honde wat ronddwaal en soek na hulle base en huise … Mense wat die nag in hulle karre geslaap het met net die klere aan hulle lyf … Mense wat angsaanvalle kry … Eens bekende huise is onherkenbaar… Read more >

VOORTREKKER MONUMENT

The monument, which was opened in 1949, sits prominent on top of a koppie or hill overlooking Pretoria and its suburbs. So, it is easy to spot it when you are approaching the city of Tswane, no matter which direction you are coming from. The reason for our visit today was to bring an American friend from the state of Texas to explain some of our history to him. This massive granite construction (40 metres wide, 40 metres long and 40 metres high) is close to the heart of many South Africans -and it also impressed our Texan friend who can relate to the early Pioneers as America also share a Pioneering history. The monument was built to honour the Voortrekkers (Pioneers) who left the Cape Colony to escape from British rule between 1835 and 1854. As I climbed the steps up to the entrance I l noticed a circular wall… Read more >

THE OLD DROSTDY, GEORGE

The story around the drostdy situated at the roundabout at the top end of York Street goes like this: apparently it was completed in 1815 to provide a residence and office for the first magistrate of George, Adriaan van Kervel. However, I could not find any confirmation in the history records of the exact date of completion. Then in 1826 when the second magistrate (Van der Riet) and his family was on holiday disaster struck. Nearly the whole building was destroyed in a fire, but some parts could be saved and it was rebuilt. History states that in 1897 the building was turned into a boarding house and in 1903 it took another change to become the Victoria Hotel which apparently served famous pub lunches. Meanwhile Charles Sayers started a museum in a rented room in Courtney Street. The museum quickly expanded due to generous donations and moved to the Old… Read more >

DE BAKKE, MOSSEL BAY

How many times I was wondering about how and where the name “De Bakke” originated as in most older names there must have been some significance in the naming of the place. The other day, while on a geocaching spree, I got my answer and this is the story of this piece of history that survived development: The early farmers of the area used to rest their animals at the large drinking troughs called waterbakke and the stage coaches apparently stopped here to water their horses before taking on the long haul to the town of George or over the Outeniqua mountains into the Karoo. Although rust is setting in, one of these big iron troughs are still to be seen at De Bakke and was used until 1949. Check it out at: S 34° 10.381 E 022° 07.770