Welcome to Kedar Heritage Hotel

Rustenberg

Address: R565 Rustenberg/North West/South Africa

www.kedar.co.za

email

Kedar Heritage Hotel offers wonderful accommodation and meals, Game Drives, and a local Historian who will inform their clients all about the Anglo-Boer War and tell them many stories of interest. Throughout the 19th century, after Great Britain had acquired the Cape of Good Hope in 1814 and expanded its possessions in southern Africa, ill feeling mounted between the Dutch-descended population, called Afrikaners, or Boers, and British settlers. This resulted in the Afrikaner migration called the Great Trek (1835-1843) and the consequent establishment of the Afrikaner republics: Natal, Orange Free State, and the South African Republic. Natal became a British colony in 1843, but the Transvaal territories were granted independence from Great Britain in 1852, and Orange Free State in 1854.

In the late 1850s, the Transvaal territories formed the South African Republic. The stage for war was set in 1884, when gold was discovered in the Witwatersrand, a region then encompassing parts of the southern Transvaal. The discovery lured thousands of British miners and prospectors to settle in the area, the influx being so great that the city of Johannesburg was created almost overnight.

The Afrikaners, primarily farmers, resented the newcomers, whom they called Uitlanders (“foreigners”), and in token of their feeling, taxed them heavily and denied them voting rights. The resentment on both sides grew, ultimately leading to a revolt by the Uitlanders in Johannesburg against the Afrikaner government.
British non-compliance with Kruger’s demands brought immediate action, and an alliance of the South African Republic and the Orange Free State declared war on October 12, 1899. Boer forces under the command of General De la Rey attacked the British garrison and railway siding at Kraaipan, south west of Mafikeng, thereby signaling the start of the Anglo-Boer War.

The North West province saw a number of important battles as both sides sought control of the main railway link to the north. The North West has a rich history of clashes that stretch between the coming of the Voortrekkers and the end of the Anglo-Boer Wars. The bulk of these battles occurred during the final two years of the Second Anglo-Boer War with the Siege of Mafikeng (14 October 1899 till 17 May 1900).

I wonder how many of you have ever been to Touwsriver? For many years it was a bubbling town with many steam trains travelling back and forth through this Little Karoo Town.  We were pleasantly surprised to see how they are trying to get back on their feet again. Such a pity that things like this
happen without thinking of what will happen in the future.

A while back we returned from an amazing Marketing visit to Touwsriver in the Western Cape, on Route N1, a 2 hour’s drive north from Cape Town. We were 5 ladies and 2 Gentlemen who were photographers, bloggers, twitters, and Marketers visiting this small country town, somehow forgotten by many South Africans.

Approximately 25 years ago, the large shunting yard and train centre closed down due to the stopping of the Steam Trains in South Africa. Nearly half the locals living in Touwsriver were employed by the Government Railway, if not more. When this large employment centre closed down, many people were left unemployed, forcing a large school to also close its doors and now stands empty and deserted as many people have left the town to go and find work somewhere else. The local Railway Station which had been running since early 1936, was not used and has been so badly vandalized since 2012. Great attempts are being made to try and restore the station back to its old glory, and have visitors staying over for 2 or more days in the old Hotel next to the Station which was also vandalized. Touwsriver used to be the biggest Steam Train Depot in the Western Cape. Luckily one of the old Steam Train Engines has been put to rest in the Gideon Joubert Park , which represents the History of the town and is still a great Tourist attraction. Luckily many other people have started new businesses in the town and also outside Touwsriver as you will read further below.

The Vandalized Railway Station

The Last Steam Train

The Marketing Team

Issie Kitchen Café

Contact: Nico Steenkamp (Director)

Location:
10 Van Riebeeck Street,
Bredasdorp
7280

Mobile:    082 892 4356

Email:    bookings@issie.co.za

Website: www.issie.co.za

Issie Kitchen Café is centrally located in Van Riebeeck Street, just a stroll away from Bredasdorp’s renowned Shipwreck Museum. The veranda seating is the ideal spot to indulge in your favourite coffee and enjoy delicious café fare, including all-day breakfasts, sandwiches, wraps, salads and soups.

Issie Kitchen Café does take advance table reservations and is available to be booked for private functions.

Business: Marine Dynamics

Contact: Zilé de Kock

Address: The Great White House, 5 Geelbek Street, Gansbaai Kleinbaai

Mobile: 082 380 3405

Office: 079 506 5707

Email: sharks@marinedynamicstravel.com

Website: sharkwatchsa.com

I am sure many you have wondered why a town in the greater Karoo is called Middelburg? This Karoo town is surrounded by beautiful mountains, and is an ideal base from where to explore the Karoo, which is halfway between Johannesburg and Cape Town, as well as half way between Bloemfontein and Port Elizabeth. The R56 route serves as a gateway between the Western Cape & Kwazulu Natal Provinces, and is also the shortest route between these provinces, plus it has all the roads from Colesberg, Steynsburg, Cradock, Graaff-Reinet and Richmond all leading into the Main Street of Middelburg, thus the name of Middelburg, Eastern Cape.

The area is recognized for its herbal plant life that grows naturally in the fields. The story of prehistoric animals is told by fossils and Middelburg is one of the few, and best places, in the world where fossil life has been discovered. San Rock Art in caves from the first known human inhabitants, the San Bushmen can also be found in the area. One of the best Stone Age collections in South Africa is to be found in the Middelburg Museum.

Another reason why Middelburg attracts tourists, is the interesting history of this town which was established in 1852 as a church town on the banks of the Little Brak River on the farm Driefontein. Historic places and Monuments tell the story of living back in time and can be visited by prior arrangement for some of them. Middelburg is also an Eco Adventure Mecca with Hiking trails, Horse riding, Quad bikes, 4x4 Routes, White water tubing and Rafting, Clay pigeon shooting, Archery, Abseiling and Bird and Game viewing.

Accommodation, Guest Houses, B&B’s, Caravan and Camping facilities plus Self-catering Units, plus excellent local cuisine can be enjoyed at the local Restaurants and Coffee Shops.

Middelburg also has a Cultural History Museum which contains fascinating memorabilia and relevant information from the Anglo Boer War, and also conserves information of the war hero Bob Southey, DFC who flew the first Harvard to South Africa, and aviation artist Tiro Vorster, plus links to Olive Schreiner can be seen in the Museum, for she was married in Middelburg.

Name of business: African Game Lodge

Contact: Thea Stopforth

Address: Driekuilshoogte Road, Montagu 6720

Telephone: +27 23 614 3176

Mobile:+27 82 855 2519

Email address info@africangamelodge.co.za

Website address: www.africangamelodge.co.za

Description:

In a pristine valley surrounded by the spectacular Langeberg Mountains, lies African Game Lodge, conveniently located only two and a half-hours from Cape Town and a 30-minute drive from picturesque Montagu. African Game Lodge is a private conservation area outside Montagu in the Little Karoo, Western Cape, dedicated to preserving the rich biodiversity of the area. Our guests can enjoy nature without expense to the environment through our sustainable approach and off-the-grid solar solution. We provide accommodation on a B&B basis plus Self-catering for those that prefer, and have a lovely restaurant where you can enjoyed our home cooking, and Dinner is also served in the evenings.

Name of business: African Game Lodge

Contact: Thea Stopforth

Address: Driekuilshoogte Road, Montagu 6720

Telephone: +27 23 614 3176

Mobile:+27 82 855 2519

Email address info@africangamelodge.co.za

Website address: www.africangamelodge.co.za

Description:

In a pristine valley surrounded by the spectacular Langeberg Mountains, lies African Game Lodge, conveniently located only two and a half-hours from Cape Town and a 30-minute drive from picturesque Montagu. African Game Lodge is a private conservation area outside Montagu in the Little Karoo, Western Cape, dedicated to preserving the rich biodiversity of the area. Our guests can enjoy nature without expense to the environment through our sustainable approach and off-the-grid solar solution. We provide accommodation on a B&B basis plus Self-catering for those that prefer, and have a lovely restaurant where you can enjoyed our home cooking, and Dinner is also served in the evenings.

Name of business: White Shark Diving Company

Contact: Samantha Hansen

Address: 9 Kus Drive, Van Dyk’s Bay, Kleinbaai, Gansbaai, 7220

Mobile: +27 63 680 3063

Email | Website | Booking

White Shark Diving Company, has been operating for 24 years with a 100% safety record. The number of guests on board each trip is reduced to ensure an exclusive, personalized experience with increased diving time and value for money. Deeply committed to the research and conservation of a variety of shark species via the founding of our research institute, Shark & Marine Research Institute.

Joining White Shark Cage Diving Company for this once in a life time adventure is a direct contribution to Shark Conservation, and aid or effort in the protection of endangered species and our Marine Ecosystem.

Look out for our specials and contact us directly for our local and children’s rates.