Description
Take a walk with us through the streets of Prince Albert and get a fresh perspective on this town in the Great Karoo that’s turning 260 years old. Anri Matthee takes the turnoff 5 km before entering the town Greyton and discovers Genadendal (Valley of Grace), the oldest mission station in South Africa. If you look at a map of North West, where the northern border curves into Botswana, that’s where you’ll find Piet Plessis, Tosca, Bray and Vorstershoop. Willem van der Berg drove many kilometres on dirt roads and met people who still have time for stories. Wilgepoort, Trichardtspoort, Zusterstroom… or simply “the valley” is a place where the Wilge River cuts through the mountains about 40 m northeast of Bronkhorstspruit. First-time visitors tend not to have high expectations as they drive through. And yet, writes Mia Louw, there is an exceptional community of people who live and farm here. Closer to home we take a drive to Koperfontein and we learn about the Umoya Energy Wind Farm that supplies green electricity to the national grid. It is thanks to these wind turbines as well as the Copper Kettle coffee shop that this town is getting a new lease on life. We give a few reasons why you should think twice before cutting down all the eucalyptus trees, and celebrate that the critically endangered Southern ground-hornbills are getting a second chance too. Strassbergers in Clanwilliam has been making vellies since 1954. But the story of these shoes starts 180 years ago. We follow this much-loved leather shoe through the decades. We show you how you can make your own kokedama (or a Japanese moss ball), where the best places are in Nieuwoudtville and surrounds to experience the annual wildflower extravaganza and we encourage you to plant some broad beans to enjoy when spring comes.
