The First in Series on South Africa’s Famous Passes

The Swartberge Pass.

The Mighty Swartberg Pass

Carriages on the Pass circa 1880

This is the king of passes in the Cape. The Swartberge pass also known as the Zwartberg Pass and The Great Zwarte Pass is situated between Prince Albert and Oudtshoorn. This was the masterpiece of that remarkable and brilliant engineer and road builder, Thomas Charles Bain (1830 – 1893). This is also the last of the seventeen passes he built in the Cape Province.

The Eerstewater today

On entering the gorge from the Prince Alfred side, one is overwhelmed by a feeling of insignificance as one travels between towering, rugged, sheer cliffs. An ice-cold mountain stream greets the traveller at Eerste Water (First Water) – Bain’s camp was situated there. In later years it became known as Die Danssbaan (dance floor), as many young people came from afar to waltz under the stars. As the road snakes higher and higher, around hairpin bends, one becomes aware of the crisp, clear air filled with the scent of Proteas.

Modern Images at the start of the pass

From the summit at “Die Top” the view is breath taking.

A spectacular zig-zag in the Pass- an irressistible subject for photographers for over 100 year- This photo dates from 1910

Work was started by a John Tassie in 1881 but after 13 months of heavy work using 100 Mozambicans from Delagoa Bay he had advanced only 6 kilometres. Tassie was declared insolvent and work ceased until Thomas Bain took over in November 1883, using 200 to 240 convicts, using picks, shovels, sledgehammers, and gunpowder. Boulders were spilt using fire to heat the rocks and then doused in cold water. The smaller rocks were carefully dressed by the convicts and used to build impressive retaining walls that support the road against precipitous slopes. A century later travellers still marvel at this feat.

The Swartberge Pass is the last of the great passes built in the nineteenth centaury and is of great historical interest. Originally the routes through Meiringspoort and Seweweekspoort were the only link between the port of Mossel Bay and the towns and villages of the Great Karoo. The road through Meiringspoort was constructed by Adam de Smidt and was officially opened on the 4^th March 1858. These routes were frequently closed due to flood damage and rock falls. Heavy flooding during 1875 closed both roads for weeks.

Looking down from close to Die Top

Bad weather made construction difficult. A group of convicts died when the roof of their hut collapsed during a snow storm. During May 1885 heavy rain caused mudslides, which almost destroyed the convict camp and severely damaged the nearly complete road. The same rains washed away the road through Meiringspoort.

Two dates can be seen chiselled into the rocks in the Pass: 1884 was chiselled into a large boulder near Fonteintjie on the Prince Albert side near Die Top of the pass. In the high retaining wall near Boegoekloof on the Oudtshoorn side of the mountain you can see the date 1886. More than thirty curves and drifts in the Swartberge Pass have been named and each has its own interesting history.

The Oudtshoorn Courant of the 16^th September 1886 published this telegram: The Zwartberg Pass is now open to Wagons on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays – the Government taking no responsibility. On the 5^th May 1888 a notice was given of a toll to be imposed at the summit of the pass. A toll fee of four pence per wheel and one penny per animal. The toll official was responsible for collecting the toll and maintaining the road.

Dry stone walling from the original construction

In 1879 Bain estimated that the pass would cost 20 000 pounds on the 14^th July 1887 Bain reported that the total construction cost was 14 000 pounds.

A cape Cart at the clear stream at Eerstwater. 1890. Today there is a low water bridge across the stream.

Over six hundred plants have been identified in the Swartberge Nature Reserve. A large, colourful variety of Proteas, tolbosse, pincushions, Ericas and shrubs can be seen. Klipspringer, Vaalribbuck, duikers, baboons and dassies and more than 130 bird species have been recorded.

There are signboards placed along the road through the pass the following signs can be seen from north to south.

• EERSTEWATER (First Water)   Draught animals could be outspanned and watered there before starting the ascent of the pass.

• TWEEDEWATER (Second Water) Older people in the village remember waiting for the water level to drop before they could cross this drift. A low-water bridge was eventually built.

• MALVADRAAI (Geranium Bend) Geraniums grow luxuriously here. They can’t be missed.

• BLIKSTASIE (TRONK) (The Jail) look up and you will see the remains of a stone and clay jail where convicts were confined at night, during the building of the pass.

• DROEWATERVAL (Dry Waterfall) During the rainy season water cascades down this rock face but it is dry for most of the summer.

• 

  Droewaterval no water running at this time

  TEEBERG (tea Mountain) Here you find the well known honey tea bush, much sought after by earlier inhabitants, From this point the summit of the pass is visible and if you look down into the chasm you should recognise Malvadraai far below. The view across the Karro plains to the Nuweveld Mountains 120 kms away is spectacular

• GAMKASKLOOF 38 KM (The Hell) the sign indicates the Otto du Plessis Road (opened in 1962) which leads to Gamkaskloof also called The Hell.

• FONTEINTJIE 1884 (Little Fountain) this fountain forms a beautiful little waterfall and the thirsty traveller will always find crystal clear water here.

• OU TOLLHUIS (The old Tollhouse) On this site the old Tollhouse was erected. The foundations of the original House can still be seen. In 1827 the experimental pine plantation was started.

• DIE TOP (The Top) The summit of the pass is 1 585m above sea level Views all around are magnificent.

• DIE GROOT KLIP (The Big Stone) a wonderful view site.

• BOEGOEKLOOF 1886 (Bachu Kloof) In former times this was the area’s medicine chest. Several types of Bachu grow here. Bachu is a well-known medicinal plant.

• SKELMDRAAI (The Tricky Bend) To the traveller from the north the road seems to come to an end- but it makes a sharp left turn. Drivers ascending the pass were faced with a very steep left turn.

• FONTEINTJIE (Fountain) on the s0uthern slope a perennial stream flows from the high peaks to revive tired travellers from Prince Albert who would leave a watermelon in the stream to enjoy on their homeward journey.

• HOTELLETJIE (The Small Hotel) After completion of the Swartberge Pass a postal service was instituted between Prince Albert Road and Oudtshoorn. The hotel was built of offer overnight accommodation. Some maps still refer to the ruins of this inn as Victoria Hotel.

• PLANTASIE (The Plantation) another experimental pine plantation dating back from 1927.

• WITDRAAIE (The white Curves) The name derived from two hairpin bends cut into limestone deposits.

• STALLETJIE (The Stables) the horses and mules used to draw the mail coaches were fed and watered here. Fresh horses would be harnessed for the journey north or south.

• NEVILLE SE DRAAI (Neville’s Bend) a sharp bend on the plateau on the top of the mountain was named after John Fitz Neville. Clerk of works during the construction of the pass. It is too dangerous to erect a sign here but the name commemorates Neville, who was killed here on the 8^th March 1888. Some people believe he was killed in a dynamite explosion, others that he was thrown from his horse.

Map of The Swartberg pass

Sources and Biblography

Helen Marincowitz        The Swartberg Pass

Graham Ross                   The Romance of  Cape Passes

T.V.Bulpin                        Discovering South Africa

Some images Courtesy of Fransie Pienaar Museum, Prince Albert

A Nice One-Day Tour

Set out about 09h00 and drive along the N1, don’t go through the Heugonaut Tunnel but drive over the Du Toits Kloof Pass, much more scenic! Be prepared to take plenty of photographs of the mountains and the valley overlooking Paarl, the two domes and the very attractive bridge leading to the tunnel.

Du Toit's Kloof Pass

The pass Du Toit’s Kloof pass is really much more interesting than the tunnel although Joshua Joubert built a road through the kloof in 1738 as a private road Du Toit’s Kloof pass as it is today was only finished in 1949. It rises some 823m and then descends into the Du Toit’s Kloof, and what a splendid drive it is. The old road meets the tunnel road at the bottom of the valley next to the Moolinars River and Du Toits Kloof Lodge.

As you drive through the kloof the mountains gradually get lower and the vineyards and fruit farms get bigger.

Mitchell's Pass from the road

Along the Ni we turn off to the left just before Worster along the R43 until you join up to the r303 which runs alongside the Dwars River you can then drive up the Mostertshoek Pass built in 1765 and replaced by Mitchell’s pass in 1848. Stop and admire the view, there are a number of picnic and viewing sights along the pass, unfortunately probable due to baboons they are not kept as tidy as they should be. Looking down on the Dwars River you will see the old railway line used in the days of steam trains. Some cuttings were formed through the rocks, what a wonder train journey that must have been!

Return down the pass and you will come to the original Tollhouse, used to extract tolls from wagons using the pass. It is now used as a restaurant staff by very friendly waitresses a very suitable place to have a South African meal accompanied by wonder views of the mountains, and complete with large oak trees.

After lunch continue the journey on the r46 to Tulbagh where you will find Kerk Street now called Chris Hani Street. All along this fine street are historic houses old schools and churches.

Museum House No 22

House no 22 is the museum was built in 1803 the first postmaster lived here the outbuilding at the back was probably the first post office in Tulbagh.

Readers Restaurant and Curious Cat

House no 12  Readers Restaurant and Curious Cat this house was granted by Governor Ryk Tulbagh to Dr Nicolaas Fuchs a surgeon. This is the first house built in Church Street between the parsonage and the old Church in 1754. The house stands at an angle with Church Street because at that time the street did not exist. It was taken over by the church for the reader (of scriptures) in 1756 for the comfort of the congregation. The house was used as a school for over 100 years until 1860. It is believed that Danie Theron the famous Anglo Boar war scout was born in this house.

House No 42

House 42 in 1843 a rift occurred in the Tulbagh Congregation and a number of church members broke away to establish their own congregation on a farm outside town. They   were unhappy with the minister who they considered to be too strict. The newly formed congregation brought this house for their new minister in1874.

Forty's No 40

Forty’s No 40 this house was built for the widow Magtheld Smith, the daughter of a freed slave, shortly after 1795. The house was twice used as a doctor’s consulting rooms. The house could not be completely restored after the earthquake. But the front of the house was rebuilt using a photograph from 1861.

The English free school was opened in 1822 in the outbuildings of house No 32. The government paid the owner 25pence per month in rental for the school premises the school closed in 1837.

Plum Restaurant

Plum Restaurant. This house was built in 1880’s and was occupied for 30 years by Willem Witsche, who provided vegetables and milk from his garden across the street. His garden is now the site of the school sports field.

De Oude Herberg House No 6

DE Oude Herberg No 6 (The Old Inn) was built in 1860 and became the first boarding house in Tulbagh in 1885.

The gardens and house of Paddagong Restaurant

Across the road is Paddagang Restaurant and wine house.  Paddagang means frogs crossing, frogs migrate across the drive.

House No 25

House No 25 Built in 1814 it is an example of what a “Modern’ house looked like at the turn of the 19^th centaury. Charles Theron owned this property between 1849 and 1863. He was described as the “proprietor of the lock up house” in Tulbagh as he rented out one of the outbuildings to the authorities for a jail. He also had a smithy attached to the house and had the property insured against fire. Probably one of the very first owners with insurance@!

Having visited all the houses in Church Street, not all listed here. We return to Cape Town on the R44 past the very large Voelvlei dam and over the interesting Nieuwekloof Pass this pass replaced the original Oudekloof Pass.

A very nice Sunday trip.

A Mole-like Tour In Storm water Tunnels under Cape Town Streets

The colonies of cockroaches were disturbed when a group of us disappeared below the surface of Cape Town to discover the tunnel in upper Oranjezicht below Platteklip on Table Mountain an area called Camissa, the place of sweet water, as Khoi herders once called the City Bowl.

At the start of the tunnel

We entered the storm water system through a manhole in upper Oranjezicht and climbed fugitive-like from a manhole within the grounds of the Castle of Good Hope two wet kilometres later.  Despite the waivers that were signed, nervousness set in when it was explained that guides had numbered list of manholes we could use as emergency exist in the event of panic attacks.

Crouched in the concrete storm water pipe while waiting for the rest of the team to descend, boots already filled with water, the precariousness of our position hit home and anxiety threatened to end the excursion before it begin.  But fear of later taunts trumped immediate anxiety and we set off, happily unprepared flashlight-wise, down the system. Armchair philosophy abounded as we made our way, crouching low and slipping, through racing waters, and losing my camera in the process.

About a third of the way down the mountain the subterranean scenery changed. We could now walk upright, and were surrounded no longer by a concrete structure but by a face brick, built canal.  Stalactites started to make their appearance, as did the first cockroach, whose plentiful friends would only be encountered further down the line.  There would be no rats; we were thankfully, and truthfully, assured. Throughout the walk, we silently thanked the designers of storm water system as the occasional pool of light and air found its way down into the dark.

The sounds of the dense city traffic several metres overhead was audible, but occasionally team leader Dwain Esterhuizen of FO8 would relay our real-world orientation. That’s how we knew when we were under the Gardens shopping centre, or Harrington Street, or Roeland Street.  Rumour had it that the manhole covers in Roeland Street outside Parliament had been welded shut. Some said it was done for former US president Bill Clinton’s visit; someone else reckoned it had been the doing of apartheid head of state P W Botha.

Looking up at manhole in Roeland Street

Not much further down the line, things started getting a bit smelly, and old.  We entered the third and last leg of the journey, where the same stone that had been used to build the castle replaced the face brick. The tunnel changed shape from its earlier perfect roundness to a more squished oval shape, built by hand during the earliest days of the Cape Colony. History enveloped the awed walkers, whose heads had been gently brushed by cobwebs throughout.

At manhole number 14, sunlight through the end of the tunnel beckoned. Clambering clumsily from the manhole on the grass side of the castle watched by several soldiers, we took a while for the disorientation to register the cars racing down Darling Street.  There in the distance was Table Mountain, from were we had earlier surveyed the route we would travel.  Reality slowly returned, and we were back in the present

Light At The End Of The Tunnel

Looking For Sharks

On a shark cage dive at the little village of Gansbaai the trip from Cape Town starts very early – 5.45 am to be exact as this is because the twin hulled boat cannot get out of the harbour on leap low tide. The drive from Cape Town takes two and a half hours, albeit along some of the most beautiful coastline in the world. Finally we enter the sleepy village of Gansbaai, except that it’s a hive of activity with about six shark cage diving companies based there and they all have tourists wanting to see the Great White.

Our base was originally a private residence but has now been turned into a very nice office cum restaurant and yes, we are served breakfast. On our tour there are twenty-seven passengers, some not eating that much breakfast! I think the idea of five hours in a boat on the Atlantic Ocean is getting to them. However the owner of the company Brian Mcfarlane who is also the skipper of the boat really tries to put everyone’s mind at ease.

Waterproof “mae wests” in bright orange are handed out to all, is the weather that bad out at sea today!

It comes, as a relief when we see the size of the boat, equipped with toilets. At the moment the boat is sitting high and dry on the harbour runway. It is huge, the biggest in town Brian tells us. It is amazing to see the craft on a trailer being gently backed into the see by a very obviously skilled tractor driver. Bodies are scurrying about unhitching ropes and doing the many things needed to get a boat in the sea.

Just about everyone has taken a seasick pill offered to them by Brian’s very efficient staff and slowly they embark.

Ropes away, we head out to sea very slowly at first, there can’t be more than a metre of sea below our hull, and rocks around look very menacing. Finally we leave the harbour entrance and Brian opens the throttle allowing the three massive Yamaha outboards to burst into full song. We head out into the bay with the full force of the wind buffeting our bow. Have you ever ridden a rubber duck into the force of the Atlantic? I think Brian should have given us kidney belts as well!

Fifteen minutes of this, we are assured, and right enough just as we approach the area where the skipper thinks there should, called Shark Alley, be sharks we see a shadowy figure beneath the surface, our first Great White Shark. Not so big Brian assures us, we will see bigger! So sure is Brian of his knowledge of the sea and the sharks around here he confidently states that if we don’t see at least seven sharks he will refund all our tickets! Really!

The crew finally drop anchor and one stands on the stern of the boat, mixing what can only be described as a cocktail of dead fish and other gooddies, the smell, well at least the sharks seem to like it. Not to mention the hundreds of small mullet and seagulls that seem intent on getting an early breakfast. The crew unhitch the shark cage and gently lower it over the sides, it can hold seven poor mortals at a time. Word goes around that the first seven must assemble for a briefing, what ever you do not stick your hands and arms out of the cage – yeah right! Some of the less athletic members struggle to get into the wet suits, while the skinny ones are definitely going to feel the cold!  The sea temperature is 12 degrees.

Finally the trusty seven clamber into the shark cage and Brian gets to work tossing a Tunney fish head out on a long rope. Another crew throws out what looks like a beaten up hot water bottle attached to a rope. To a shark it looks like a seal I am told. I am not entirely convinced.  Eventually our first shark arrives, four and a half meters! |”Bite you in half” Brian explains. Keep your arms inside the cage I am reminded. It seem a little quiet and the divers are advised to sit on the edge of the cage so that they do not get too cold. “Down right” yells Brian to the divers as a shark passes beneath the cage. The groups change over a huge shark appears, one of the American ladies screeches out “Oh my God did you see that shark” and climbs gingerly out of the cage giggling from fright!!!

A light lunch is served on board and eventually everyone has had their turn below the surface of the sea. After five hours we raise the anchors and return to the harbour -unfortunately without see any whales.

Back at the base we are offered hot coffee chocolate and biscuits and invited to watch the video made of the trip. Passengers are offered DVDs of the whole event which is available only ten minutes after the first showing.

Without doubt a very slick organisation. I would like to thank Brian and his entire crew and the ladies for making this a memorable adventure. I hope to go again.

For further information see www.sharkcagediving.net

Table Mountain

I have just come back from a 3 hour hike along the middle contour path on Table Mountain.

After all the rain and wind we have had in the last two days it is fantastic to walk the paths around the mountain.

The waterfalls are going crazy and the scent from the fynbos is something to behold!

Have a look at my latest images

Whale watching Hermanus

Although there is probably one more month to go before the end of the visits of Southern Right Whales  for this season, you may still want to go and see these huge animals. If you do  I would suggest that you book a boat cruise, Southern Right Cruises are excellent.

However if you get up early 6am! Take the coastal route to, a wonderful drive, if the wind is blowing you will often find that once you round the corner past Gordon’s Bay the wind will cease!

For a wonderful view of False day take a drive up the service road to the Steenbras water pump station.

Before you pass Betty’s Bay drive to the beach and have a look at the African Penguins, there are often more than at Boulders.

Pressing on take time out to visit the Herald Porter Botanical Gardens. There are two wonderful walks, Disa Kloof Trail, and Leopards Kloof Trail. Lovely waterfalls at both. If you started early enough you can have a fine English Breakfast at their restaurant.

After your whale visit, usually 2-3 hours, arrange for lunch at the Harbour Restaurant. The best seafood in town.

Drive back to Cape Town Via Hemmal en Aarde (Heaven and Earth). There is a stretch of dirt road but nothing the a sedan can’t handle if driven carefully.

Drop in at one of the vineyards for a wine tasting.

Drive through scenic farmlands and thence up Shaw’s Pass through to Caledon. And the finally down Sir Lowerys Pass.

What a wonderful days outing combining so many items.

New study on How Sea Level Rise Could Affect Cape Town

It has been suggested that climate change across the globe will significantly impact on coastlines everywhere. Cape Town’s 307km of coastline are no exception, a study done by the City of Cape Town and consultants has said that our coast lines are particularly vulnerable.

Cambridge University hosted a seminar in Cape Town where Stockholm’s Environmental Institute economist Anton Cartwright spoke of sea levels rising by 15cm by 2020 and by two thirds of a metre by the end of the century. This rise will have a knock on effect, not only causing the frequency and intensity of storms around the coast line to increase, but also rendering current flood defences useless during these storms.

These findings have concluded in a risk assessment stating that in 25 years there is an 85% probability of 60.9km2, or 2% of the metro area being cover by sea for a short period. The estimated real estate loss is set at R20 billion.

Gregg Oelofse of the Environmental Resource Management at the City of Cape Town believes there are a number of things that can be done to help reduce the risk of coastal storms.

Firstly, the natural coastline of the area should be protected and all coastal or strip development stopped. The highly developed coastline of the Cape Peninsula is hindering the coastlines natural ability to recover after storm events.

“A healthy natural coastline is the best defence against storms and, thus, it should be preserved and maintained,” elaborates Oelofse.

Similarly, he believes that it is necessary to increase investment into the maintenance of the natural coastline.

He also believes that short term economic decisions and benefits should be put to one side and a longer term plan for protecting the coastline put into place which takes priority.

Oelofse also states that it is necessary to start putting together a framework that will allow the City of Cape Town to make long-term sustainable choices.

Most significantly, Oelofse states that it is essential that the City of Cape Town builds and retains a coastal managements skills pool, as, currently, the local government employs no coastal engineers.

The City of Cape Town’s is at present incorporating this research into their planning legislation and using it in the defining and upholding of a coastal buffer zone.

Source: www.simplygreen.co.za/local-stories/earth-and-animals/new-study-on-how-sea-level-rise-could-affect-cape-town.html

Flower time

 

I’ve never seen it like this before. Long queues of cars are piled outside the gates to the West Coast National Park.

It’s sunny today and the flowers are out – earlier than usual. People keep arriving, some riding bikes; others on foot; but mostly people are in their cars – enjoying the drive.

The wait in the queue is soon forgotten as I snake my way into the Postberg/Tsaarsbank region. There must be more than 20 varieties of common bushes in variegated greens.

Conspicuous amongst the greens are flowers in shades of fire orange; mustard and canary yellow; lilac purple and snow-white – even whiter than the sand dunes.

Further along at Tsaarsbank people are enjoying the long weekend – many sitting comfortably in camping chairs while others stand around the picnic-site and braai.

I cast my eyes amongst the scene of happy people. They’ve come prepared for the sunny weather and sit under umbrellas while youngsters play among the rocks.

Later during the day on the way home I realise I have spent over four hours in the park – it’s easy to lose track of time in a place where  there’s so much to see.

Remember Postberg Flower Reserve is only open for two months of the year – August and September – so make sure you get there in time to see the beautiful flowers. Also  check the weather before you leave – you won’t see flowers on overcast and rainy days. If the weather is good – bring your swimming costume and sun cream. There’s also a refreshment store and snacks available on route to Tsaarsbank and Postberg.

Venison, curry and a slice of wild life

“Impala meat doesn’t make for good breyani: chuckles Dr Yoganand Kandasamy, “the flavour’s too strong. But warthog, that makes an excellent curry.

We’re rattling down a service road in Manyeleti Game Reserve, neighbouring the Kruger National Park’s fenceless western border, with “Yogi” and game guard Augusto Mabunda, and we’re looking for buffalo. But the buffalo don’t want to be found, so our conversation turns to matters culinary.
Yogi’s from the southern Indian region of Tamil Nadu, and since starting his post-doctoral research into large herbivore abundance in the Kruger, he’s tried matching his home cooking with local venison.
We move onto the merits of biltong as we head towards a lookout point in our efforts to pick up the bleep bleep bleep that’s bouncing across the veld from the tracking collars on some of the females in the herd we’re after.
Yogi positions his aerial this way, then that, working the dial on his receiver.
Studio photographers get nervous about working with kids and animals because they’re so unpredictable. Wildlife photography is even worse – you have no control over your environment, and even less over the animals. But eventually we see a line of black slicing through the bushveld in the far distance.
Bingo. It’s our herd – 300 animals ruminating in the heat of the late morning.
Photographer Eric Miller and I were there to find out more about the dance of life and death between two of the mighty big five – lion and buffalo – and as is often the case with wildlife, it took plenty of patience to find our subjects.
But in the end, we got about as up close and personal as you’d want to, around such hefty and dangerous animals.

SANParks Goes Wild About Soccer

What’s more exciting? Putting on your first pair of new soccer boots, or seeing an elephant in the wild for the first time?

For 120 children living in villages close to the Kruger National Park, the Wild About Soccer programme provided an opportunity to do both. Wild About Soccer is a joint initiative between Dreamfields and South African National Parks (SANParks) which was launched in September 2008. DreamEvents are held in communities bordering on national parks and South Africa’s national conservation body uses the opportunity to teach the children about conservation and to improve relations with their neighbours.

“Children in the black communities are not exposed to the work that SANParks does,” says Chief Operating Officer Sydney Soundy. “If we change this when they are young, through Wild About Soccer and the other programmes for young people that we run, it will be much better for our future, and good for our business.”

Wild About Soccer 2008 saw four communities bordering on Kruger benefit. This year we also extended the programme to Golden Gate National Park in the Free State and Marakele in Limpopo. Kruger Park communities once again benefited, with tournaments held at the Punda Maria, Numbi and Paul Kruger gates. And the winning teams, boys and girls, were rewarded with a weekend trip to Skukuza and a chance to experience one of Africa’s greatest reserves.

“Conservation is a critical issue and we need to use whatever opportunity we can to raise awareness about this, to excite our kids about the environment,” says Xolile Caga, Group Transformation Manager at Edcon. “Using Dreamfields and soccer for this is a great idea. In this area they are surrounded by parks and yet very few of these children have actually visited them. They don’t know what our national parks stand for.”

Soundy can relate to that: “Before I started working for SANParks, I had never visited the Kruger National Park, despite growing up in Phalaborwa which is just a few kilometres away. My 14-year-old son has been going often. He loves the park and each time we go he always wants to bring his friends with him.”

Edcon staged the Paul Kruger Gate tournament, adding to their contribution at Marakele earlier this year. Other contributors included Total at Punda Maria, law firm Read Hope Phillips and journalist Gavin Evans who ran a marathon in Scotland to fund his contribution. And SANParks has come up with a brilliant initiative to support Wild About Soccer and other programmes aimed at teaching children conservation.

The Kuduzela is similar to the vuvuzela, but shaped like a kudu horn, and made largely of recycled plastic. Backed by FNB, this is SANParks colourful (and musical) contribution to our country’s World Cup celebrations. And more important, a portion of sales will go to projects that involve children in conservation – Wild About Soccer has already benefited from kuduzela sales to the tune of R100 000.

At the Wild About Soccer finals in Skukuza – after all the children had been on a game drive – the kuduzelas blew loudest for two teams from the Orpen gate. Matikinya Primary played like the Mpumalanga champions they are, to win the girls’ event, and the Mahlekisana boys defended theirWild About Soccer title in style.