here - Southern Drakensberg Information

Himeville - R 750 000
3 Bed character
thatch home with
separate cottage
and double
garage.
MOUNTAIN
ECHO
YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
SINCE 1984
Contact Neil 0822134795
www.harcourts.co.za.
DISTRIBUTED TO KZN MIDLANDS &
neil.prior@harcourts.co.za.
SOUTHERN DRAKENSBERG
DISTRIBUTED TO: Hilton, Merrivale, Howick,Curry’s Post, Lions River,Nottingham Road,Balgowan,
Dargle, Boston - Bulwer, Underberg, Himeville, Bushmansnek, Drakensberg Gardens,Sani Pass,
- Creighton, Donnybrook, Ixopo - Swartberg, Kokstad, Cedarville
VOL:33 NO:1
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016
FREE NEWSPAPER
All systems go for 2016 N3TC Drak Challenge
Underberg - The organisers of the weekend’s
N3TC Drak Challenge have given the green
light for the popular paddling race to go ahead
as scheduled on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24
January, ending months of speculation
about the water level in the uMzimkhulu
River that has been hard hit by drought.
Following a thunderstorm high in the
Southern Drakensberg that sent the levels
of the river up by over half a metre last week,
race committee members have been closely
monitoring the level of the uMzimkhulu at
four points along the 65km race course and
have been gratified to see that the surge
has had a significant positive effect on the
overall river level.
”The base level has definitely improved after
last week’s storm!” said race committee head
Barry Cole.
”We can now confidently say that the race
will go ahead this weekend and we have all
the infrastructure heading to Underberg this
week ahead of the race,” he added.
Hank McGregor (Jeep Team/Euro Steel) will be hoping to celebrate his 38th birthday by
winning the N3TC Drak Challenge when it ends on Sunday 24 January 2016.
Photo: Anthony Grote/ Gameplan Media
”At worst it will be a low level start at the
Trout Hatcheries, which our paddlers are
familiar with,” said Cole. “There are
thunderstorms forecast for every day this
week though, including decent rain forecast
for Friday, and if that falls in the right place
then we will not hesitate to start the race at
the usual start at Castleburn.”
Last year the race bosses took the courageous
decision to start the race from Castleburn
despite the river running at a level below the
footings at the bridge, which had been for
many years the widely accepted cut-off level
for racing from the top of the river.
The big field of paddlers responded warmly
to this decision and almost all of them
thoroughly enjoyed the technical demands
of the Valley of a Thousand Rapids at a low
level, including eventual race winner Andy
Birkett who showered praise on the race
organisers for their brave decision.
Cole said that the recent rise in the base flow
of the river had come at just the right time for
the race, after the annual FastDrak race had
to be postponed at the end of December
because the base flow of the river was too
low to race on.
The race has been providing daily photo
updates of the river levels on their website,
Facebook and Twitter accounts to ensure that
paddlers are fully aware of exactly what is
happening on the river.
The event has also bent over backwards to
accommodate uncertain paddlers by
scrapping their early entry deadline, dropping
late entry penalty fees and extending entries
until 6pm on Thursday, 21 January.
In 2003 the race took the decision to make the
N3TC Drak Challenge a K1 race for the
competitive paddlers.
”This section really is best suited to K1s, no
matter what the water levels,” said Cole. “We
have always allowed paddlers to bring up both
K2s and K1s to the race, and if they have
(continued on page 3)
Photo: Henry Stock
24 / 7
QUALIFIED REGISTERED PLUMBER:
Michael 082 321 7074
QUALIFIED REGISTERED
ELECTRICIANS
Brian Brandis
082 453 2775
Ian Kynoch
082 562 5591
Leon
082 850 6632
Office
033 7021878
Fax
086 660 1277
bnbrandis@vodamail.co.za
Proud members of the E.C.A.; E.C.B. and a
Registered Electrical Company with the
Department of Labour.
Our work is guaranteed and proven over
the past 20 years
Rosetta Country Market @ Rosetta Dam Contact Dave Whitfield: 082 550 4656
JAN 23
JAN 23 -24 N3TC Drak Challenge Canoe Marathon More information www.drak.co.za
JAN 23 -24 Euro Steel Drak MTB Descent Ed Smth on 082 299 5234.
JAN 28
“Shackleton’s forgotten Men” Talk by Tod Collins @ U.C.C 6.30pm R50 incl. snacks Museum Fundraiser.
JAN 30
Fab Fair @ Fab Alley, Himeville. Anyone wishing to book a spot please call Michele on 0724866895.
JAN 31
Sani Pass Wildflower Walk contact 033 7020330 / 0839873071 OR email info@sanilodge.co.za
FEB 13
Rosetta Country Market @ Rosetta Dam Contact Dave Whitfield: 082 550 4656
FEB 7
Dargle Local Market 9h00-11h00 at Lions River Club Contact: Mike 083 325 1082
FEB 14
Valentine Steam Train Ride & Picnic Patons Country Railway [kznrail@futurenet.co.za] 0832738037
Underberg/ Himeville Garden Club Talk by Jane King @ Yellowood Cottage in Himeville
FEB 17
FEB 21
Midlands Country Market @Peter’s Gate Herb Farm Contact Karen 076 412 1320 or Paola 076 872 7734
APR 23 -24 Underberg Golf Club Autumn Classic contact 033 7011130
MAR 24- 28 Splashy Fen Music Festival for more info www.splashyfen.co.za
MAR 26
Underberg/ Himeville Residents & Ratepayers Association AGM @ Underberg Country Club 6pm
MAY 1
Kenmo Lake Autumn Picnic @ Museum fundraiser at Hazeldene farm
MAY 14 -15 Acutts Winter Horse Trials @ Underberg Country Club 082 457 5535 - Sue Acutt
SEPT 30 - OCT 2 Underberg farmers Association Show 033 - 7011007 ufa@futurenet.co.za
OCT 21 - 23 Himeville Vets Tennis Tournament contact Marlene Wilton 033 - 7021810
DEC 17
Himeville Museum Christmas Market @ Himeville Museum 033 7021184
PAGE 2
082493 8700
All Shops Advertised
Below are at
The Trout Walk
Centre
on the road to
Himeville
mountainecho@telkomsa.net
www.mountainecho.co.za
MOUNT
AIN
MOUNTAIN
ECHO
Is Your newspaper. Your input is valued!
DEADLINE DATE FEBR
FEBRU
ARY
UAR
Y 12
UAR
Y19
DISTRIBUTION DATE FEBR
FEBRU
ARY19
OBITUARY ARTHUR RICHARD CHAMPKINS.
There are many milestones in life and another has just passed in the demise of Arthur
Richard Champkins. Born in Durban on 17 th February 1941 he attended Prep School in
North and then moved on to do his high schooling in Estcourt under the famed RO
ELECTR
O TECH Durban
ELECTRO
Pearce of Drakensberg fame and during which time he found himself heavily involved in the
Dramatic Society and becoming equally interested in matters historical. During his early
Tel: 033 7011240
years he came to develop a love for Underberg because his father would bring the family up
to the Dunraven Guest farm run by Maurice and Wilma Taylor for holidays, where he
RADIO - TV became fascinated by the rich flora and fauna of Underberg, an interest that continued to
increase over the rest of his life but he then never believed that he would one day be
SATELLITE
fortunate enough to actually
live in the SERVICE
area.. After- 8
finishing
COMBINED
JUNE school
2014 he worked in
SYSTEMS
Pietermaritzburg for a bit before starting a BA course at university but never completed it
leaving university to work again in Pietermaritzburg for a spell before moving to JohannesSALES, REPAIRS &
burg as a buyer for a fashion house. He then joined Johnson and Johnson where he became
INSTALLATIONS
BRIAN
MOLEFE 0768034580
a director of their medical warehousing a job he held until leaving to come down to live in
Himeville. During this period he frequently travelled widely on busiUNDERBERG CHIROPRACTIC
ness for the company both locally and overseas. He then became
interested in writing and compiled many articles on business and genCENTRE
eral subjects which were published in various magazines. A further
Dr. Barry Stranack
interest developed in old motor cars and specially Land Rovers which
Shop 21, Trout Walk Centre, Underberg
was fortuitous on account of his later becoming so involved with the
Sani Pass. On 24 th of December 1969 he married Felicity who already
Phone: 079 401 9143
had two children, they then had another two children before they
adopted another two, he became an excellent
father to them all according to Felicity and his
sons when they have made presentations at
various functions from time to time.
He and his brother Derek had bought two plots
in Himeville and proceeded to build houses on
them, it was while he was holidaying in
Himeville that he discovered there was a business that he fancied for sale in 1991 and in a
short time (though it seemed like a long time)
he became the proud owner of Mokhotlong
Mountain Transport based near the Sani Pass
Hotel. In a short time he was adding a lot of
Botanical detail to the talks he would give tourists when he took them up the Sani Pass a job
that he really enjoyed doing because he was
first and foremost a people person who enjoyed talking to and bonding with people and
providing hospitality to all and sundry. He
threw a big party to mark his 60 th birthday
which was held at the old sale yards in
Underberg and much to Felicities disgust he
demanded that tripe and onions should be
served. Despite the fears of it being rejected
Monday Night – Burger and by everyone it proved so popular that Arthur
never even got to taste it before it was all
Be
ver
a g e Night R55!!
Bev
era
lapped up by the guests. It was during this
y Night – Pizza And period that Arthur found time to write his book
T hur
sda
hursda
sday
‘Stones Unturned” about Basutho customs
Pasta Special From17h00
and the surrounds of the Sani Pass.
Despite having been brought up an Anglican he
became a leading member of the Congregational Church to which he was appointed as a
Deacon.
BINGO NIGHT - 1st
After ten years on Sani Pass during which time
Wednesday of
big changes took place in the transport industhe month.
try and specially on the Pass he sold the busiIf you attend 3 ness which was finally taken over by Murray
Open For Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Bingo nights in a Cairns who is still running the tourist side of
row you will go the original business that was 90 % freight oriMon – Sat 8am to 9pm
entated and which had been instrumental in
into a lucky draw the considerable development of the
Sunday 8am to 5pm
Steaks, Salads, Pizzas, Burgers, Light Meals,worth R6000 Mokhotlong ‘camp’ into something of a small
township and the conversion of the road from
Kiddies Dishes, Tea and Illy Coffee available.
a bridle path to the tarred road that the Chinese have now built for Lesotho.
0337011571. Shop 20,Trout Walk Centre, 12 Sani Road
Arthur was gregarious with a good sense of
humour who loved to talk to anyone about his
special subjects, history, old motor car makes,
botany, Lesotho and many incidental subjects
because he was a deep thinker whose interests were many and varied. He was a character
and a personality in an age of mediocrity, somebody who will be sorely missed by his family
and his many friends who were privileged to
know him and his greatest monument to a life
well lived will be the memories in the hearts of
those who benefited from his friendship.
Arthur passed away quietly in his sleep in the
early hours of 28 th November 2015 just a
month after being diagnosed with an inoperable cancerous tumor of the throat. By Mike
Clark.
& Simpson’s DVD
Shop
And Craft &
Gift Shop
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016
CLUB & SOCIETY
NOTICES
Sani Spoors Mountain Bike Time Trail and
Trail Run on third Thursday of every month; Cost
members free, non-members R20. Venue Sani
Spoors at the Duck and Do-little, Drakensberg
Garden’s road; Refreshments available5:15pm
Drak MTB ClubClub mountain bike rides on the
second Thursday of each month (from different
venues) and Club Time. Trial and fun ride at Sani
Spoors on last Thursday of every month +5.00pm. For information contact Spurg Flemington
on 0823297737 riverlea@futurenet.co.za
Sani Athletic Club Please contact Trish Crawley
0834470766 or Trish Collins 0828967524 by Friday am for details.All Visitors Welcome.
*Social Bridge: Every Tuesday at the Tennis Club
@ 1.30pm - all welcome. O33 7011124
*Country Womens Club: First Wednesday
of the month @ 10am. 033 7011 741.
*Friday Ladies Lunch Club: 11.45 on
every second Friday of the month. Apologies to
Sue Little telephone 082 2909 770 by wednesday
noon prior to friday lunch meeting
*Garden Club: Third Wednesday of every
month - All welcome.
*Moth “Boot & Saddle Shellhole”: meet
at
“Banks Farm” first Thursday 6.30pm Contact
Mouldy 033 7012845
*Sani SPCA: 8.00am to 4.00pm Mon-Fri Officer
on call after hours & weekends 0769178495.
*Himeville Museum: Open daily 9.00 - 3pm except
Mondays are closed.Sunday 9am- 12..30pm
* Sani Wildlife Committee: meets 1st
Thursday of month at 4.pm Himeville Hotel.
*Underberg Bowling Club: Tabs-In starting time
is 1.15pm. (13h15) All visiting bowlers and new
bowlers are welcome every Wednesday and
Saturday
Sani Carers: 082 873 7349 / 084 991 3000. We are
here to help.
Underberg Support Group
For Depression, Anxiety and Addiction. Meet every
second Tuesday at the Doctors Rooms. 18h0019h00. Contact Di Hallowes on 079 438 4642. For
the date of the next meeting.
CHURCH NOTICES
Parish of Drakensberg (Anglican)
Tel:033 7021013 - Rosanne Clark (office)
1 st
Sunday
of
the
month:
St.Michael’s,Himeville 7:30am Said Eucharist
9:00am Family Eucharist. Yellowwood
Church, Bulwer 9am Eucharist. 3rd Sunday
of the Month 7.30 am Eucharist. 9am Family
Eucharist Remainder of the month: St.
Michael’s 9am Eucharist & Young Children’s
church. Rector : Rev. Vikela Dlamini cell phone
0832257919 Assistant priest Merryl James
08127117670
Catholic Church Mass – 1ST and 3RD Sundays at 8am. Communion services – 2ND and
4TH Sundays at 8am
Underberg Baptist Church Polocrosse Hall
in the Underberg Club groundsTime: 9am
every SundayCommunion: 1st Sunday of
each month [at 9am]Pastor: Johann Strauss
Cell No: 072 629 9371
Email: johann.w.strauss@gmail.com
Underberg Congregational Church
Rev. Edward Pietersen 033-7011394 / 0828896362 Secretary 082-4038864 Email:
congchurch.underberg@gmail.com
Sunday Services: 9am Communion Service:
1st Sunday of the month Weekly Prayer
Meeting: Tuesdays at 6pm There is a big
screen TV monitor in the parents lounge for
those parents with children who would like
to watch the service in a comfortable
enviroment.
NG Kerk Ixopo/Underberg Dienste is soos
volg : Underberg/Bulwer Dienste word tans
by Pevensey Oord gehou 2de en 4de
Dinsdag vd maand om 10vm. Ixopo : 1ste en
3de Sondag vd maand om 10vm. Kontak asb
vir Ds Eugene Ferreira by sel nr 082 3441800
Highlands Church International Johann &
Debbie Van As: 033 701 1470 Sunday: 8:30am
Prayer meeting 9:00am Celebration Service.
Tuesday: 2:30pm Pevensey ministry 5:00pm
Prayer meeting – 1st Tuesday every month
6:30pm “Pulse” Connect group
JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016
082493 8700
mountainecho@telkomsa.net
www.mountainecho.co.za
SPLASHY FEN GOES
INTERNATIONAL
With just over two months to go, music-loving fans across the
country can set their sights on the rolling hills of Underberg,
where the annual Splashy Fen Music Festival will fill the picturesque surroundings with the sounds of both local and international talent over the Easter long weekend.
With over 80 musicians performing across 5 unique stage areas,
Splashy Fen 2016 is set to wow fans both old and new with the
promise of a bigger, better, more Splashy-esque experience than
ever before. In previous years, the festival genre focused primarily on folk and light folk-rock with the inclusion of black music
styles such as mbaqanga and isicathamiya. This offering has
grown to include mainstream, alternative rock, kwaito, rap, hip
hop and pop music and in very recent years, electro.
2016 will go above and beyond, boasting a selection of music
genres to please all tastes. Included in this melodic buffet, is internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist
Xavier Rudd, who will be headlining at the festival.
Since the very beginning, Xavier Rudd’s ability to connect with
his fans has been his most powerful gift. The more he has toured
the world, the more hearts he has touched with his music, his
message and his down-to-earth stage presence… and the more of
the world he has put back into his music.
Born in 1978, Xavier is well known on the music festival circuit in
Australia, North America, throughout Europe, and soon… South
Africa. He has recorded several albums and performed countless
live shows, where he surrounds himself in a complicated array of
instruments. Typically, he has three didgeridoos placed in front of
him on a stand, a guitar on his lap, a stomp box by his habitually
bare feet, and an assortment of drums, harmonicas & bells near at
hand. Using his music as a platform for social commentary, Rudd
sings about humanity, environmentalism and the rights of the
Aboriginal people of his homeland. He has performed with the
likes of Jack Johnson, Dave Matthews Band, Rodrigo y Gabriela
PAGE 3
Owners: Clive and
Trish P.
Crawley
Photo:
Welch
VISIT US AT: Shop 9a, Cloc
k
Clock
e, Underber
g
Centre
Underberg
Tower Centr
Phone: 033 7011577
YOUR F
AMIL
Y’S O
WN
FAMIL
AMILY’S
OWN
HEALTH
SHOP
- for all your natural preventative
and healing medicines
- good range of natural body care,
foods and gifts
CLIVE AND TRISH WISH ALL
THEIR CUSTOMERS A
HEALTHY 2016
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR
OVER FIFTEEN YEARS
SUPPORT.
and Ben Harper to name a few.
While Xavier Rudd, in all his bare-footed brilliance, will most certainly add a musical treat to the line-up, Impi Concept Events Business Manager Stu Berry assures fans that the aim is to remain true to
the core values of Splashy Fen by supporting local South African
acts. So much so, that over 90% of the performances will come from
local South African talent. Other festival acts include South African
favourites Mango Groove; who will be appearing at the 4-day Music
Festival for the first time in their performance history; Goodluck, Dan
Patlansky, Grassy Spark, The Kickstands and Chico Muyo… plus
many more exciting names to be announced in the next few days. So
watch this space Tickets are available online at www.splashyfen.co.za
By Kendall Snyman
WE CARE ABOUT YOUR HEALTH
All systems go for 2016 N3TC Drak Challenge
entered in a K2 and they see that the river is not that
full they can easily swop to K1 entries.”
The efforts have not gone unnoticed by the paddlers,
who have been on the receiving end of several races
being cancelled due to low river conditions this summer.
”It can’t be easy, especially with the terribly low river,
but you have kept us updated every day and you truly
have the paddlers’ best interests at heart,” said paddler
Pete Jacobs on the N3TC Drak Challenge Facebook
page.
”It reminds me of why we love this race... it’s paddling
in its purest form, on what nature provides us on the
day. Hopefully we see some good rain falling for the
race!” he added. The race committee has vowed to keep
up the daily river updates during the week and encouraged keen paddlers to follow their Facebook and Twitter updates.
”If we have serious rain on Friday night then the final
call on the race start will be made early on Saturday
morning” said Cole. “So it is imperative that paddlers
keep an eye on our social media accounts and our
website if there is any uncertainty.” The N3TC Drak
Challenge takes place on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24
January 2016. More information can be found at
www.drak.co.za Written by: Dave Macleod
Jennifer’s
Unisex
Hair
Salon
Have a Prosperous 2016.
Thanks for your support.
Volunteers from the Sani Search Volunteers undergo Swiftwater Rescue training in
preparation for the 2016 N3TC Drak Challenge on 23 and 24 January. N3 Toll Concession has bolstered the capacity of the rescue group by sponsoring new equipment that will enable them to effectively carry out rescue missions in remote river
valleys. Paul Roth/ Gameplan Media
Closed until near
the end of April
Tel: 033 - 7012 203
Cell: 083 9639 816
PAGE 4
www.mountainecho.co.za
mountainecho@telkomsa.net
082 4938700
BUREAUCRATIC BLUNDERS - SANI PASS
Traditionally the Basutho had maintained the Sani Pass a job that
they had accomplished quite efficiently with their wheel barrows
picks and shovels and the fact that the road lay within the Province
of Natal was quietly ignored in the interests of harmonious relations
and receiving a considerable benefit for free. The Basutho had after
all built the pass starting with the bridle path way back in 1932 and
then enlarged and improved it to the point that it became a ‘bye road’
available to wheeled traffic. The road was pretty rough and there
were many corners on which motor vehicles only managed to
negotiate the bend with difficulty by backing and filling up to seven
times on one corner in places. However things improved to the point
that larger vehicles could negotiate the road with only five corners
on which it was necessary to reverse once on each corner.
Politics ultimately had to enter the equation however and
Lesotho was given independence from Britain and became a
sovereign state which demanded the institution of border posts
and passports for those using the road. The maintenance of the road
however was left in the hands of the Basutho who carried on in their
normally efficient if somewhat stately manner despite the establishment
of the two border posts and the demanding of documentation in
order to access either Lesotho or South Africa. The old police post
established in 1934 two miles below the top of the mountain was
abandoned by the Basutho Mounted Police and was promptly taken
over by the road workers because of its convenient situation mid way
up the mountain that gave the workers easier access to their work
and everyone was happy.
The Forestry Department had control of all state land that was not
already controlled by one or other of the myriad departments and
their officers were responsible for the maintenance of the protected
land along the face of the berg, to keep an eye on poachers, illegal
immigrants and the controlled annual burning of the necessary fire
breaks as protection against wild fire during the spring winds etc. All
this work was carried out by the officers in charge of the different
sections of the berg who were given a fairly free hand and allowed to
organise themselves as necessary and when necessary without much
interference from Head Office, that is until the advent of one of those
beaurocrats who insist on everything being done by the book and
who then insisted on poking around in order to find something that
was not being done the right way. Inevitably this led to a demand to
visit the Sani Pass Mr de Kok was a very worthy up holder of
Government, an incorruptible gaurdian of the law and a staunch and
righteous member of the Dutch Reformed Church who saw himself as
a crusader in a world of iniquity.
Because the road up the pass was restricted to four wheel
drive vehicles only he had to call on one of his section managers to
take him up and a date was agreed upon and off they set. It wasn’t
long before Mr de Kok wanted to know why there was no fence to
keep the public out of the Forestry property ! The explanation that
there never had been one and the cost of establishing it was not on
any of the budgets fell on very deaf ears but he made a mental note to
see that one was built as soon as possible and sure enough a few
months later a fence was built at accost of a mere
R 25000 which was allowed to deteriorate rapidly and was eventually
removed by one of his successors. They passed the South African
Border post and progressed up the road till they came to the old
police post where the road workers were billeted. Mr de Kok wanted
to know all about it and discovered to his consternation that the
women he had seen among the road workers along their path were
also accommodated there. His enquiries also elicited the fact that
they were not married and the thought of the immorality that must
obviously be taking place on Forestry property set his puritanical
heart thumping, it was absolutely unacceptable !
Mr de Kok submitted a report to
Pretoria and his head office without delay
with emphasis on the fact that foreign
nationals were indulging in immoral living
within Forestry property and how they
should be expelled immediately. Pretoria
duly considered the matter and agreed that
the work should rather be carried out by male
South Africans. Accordingly they set aside
a sum of money with which to cover the
expense of the take over. The money
however had to also cover the cost of
supervision, of feeding the gang and of
transporting the supervisor on his weekly
inspections of the work so there was only
enough left over to obtain the services of
twelve healthy male Zulu’s.
For the moment everybody was
happy, the Basutho no longer had to work
on the pass, twelve healthy male Zulu’s had
found a job and Mr de Kok was happy in his
self righteousness at having achieved the
aim of restoring the Sani Pass to its original
sanctity. It was unfortunate however that
1973 –74 was a period of unusual weather.
It all began on 18th December when the
twelve healthy male Zulu’s had just gone
off for their Christmas leave and a
particularly bad storm hit the pass washing
away sections and dumping loads of soil
and rocks on the road. There were many
Basutho wishing to get home for the
holidays so after a couple of days of hard
labour some hundred men had cleared a
rough path that the trucks managed to
negotiate with difficulty and not a littler
danger But the road was barely useable and
by 10th January of ‘74 the twelve healthy
male Zulu’s were just beginning to filter back
to work. Maseru called Pretoria and asked
them why the road was not open ? Pretoria
explained that there was an awful lot of work
to be d…one and they only had twelve
healthy male Zulu’s, wouldn’t the Basutho
authorities like to come and help ? Maseru
called down blessings on their head but
agreed to do so as it was then the only
access to Mokhotlong and supplies were
JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016
running low. The Basutho men and women
returned to the pass where they were
disgustingly immoral but they soon got the
work done and everything returned to normal.
1974 was a year of snow on the mountains
and on the pass with the result that the road
was blocked in April, May, June and July for
at least a week each time and on every
occasion Maseru had to enquire what was
being done and then agree to give a hand.
The men turned out to clear the road but the
women stayed at home because it was no fun
being immoral in the snow !
Pretoria was
becoming thoroughly fed up with the
situation and having transferred Mr de Kok
to a station on the outer reaches of the
Kalahari they asked Maseru if they wouldn’t
take over the road again ? Maseru declined
the suggestion telling Pretoria that the road
was theirs and as they had already been kicked
off the road they should keep it. Pretoria
however prevailed and eventually offered
Maseru the money they had been paying the
healthy male Zulu’s. After a great deal of
deliberation Maseru realised they could
employ a larger gang for the money and agreed
to do so although their workers would then
have to live at the top of the pass and walk
down each day to where the work was needed.
Mr de Kok had finally won one round in that
the men and the women had to conduct their
immorality in Lesotho and not on Forestry
property but whereas South Africa was at
one time getting the road maintained for free
they were now paying for it to be done, I’m
sure there is a moral to this story somewhere?
By M. Clark.
18 January
W ATER PUMPS
THA
T SUPPL
Y
THAT
SUPPLY
UNDERBERG AND
HIMEVILLE
VILLA
GES WERE
VILLAGES
SWITCHED OFF
BECA
USE
BECAUSE
SISONKE
W ATER
HADN’T P
AID
PAID
ESK
OM
ESKOM
Kwa Sani Well Done!
I have been “guilty” over the years of
criticizing various public organisations who
weren’t acting in an environmentally friendly
way.
In response, Telkom re-positioned the
telephone lines at the Underberg viewpoint,
ESKOM moved power lines to the other side
of the R617 at Loch McVey, Vodacom moved
and camouflaged their mast at the viewpoint,
a hurricane removed a massive hotel
billboard on Thurstons’ Hill and wrecked
two TWK billboards on the R617.
At the beginning of the recent holiday
period the grass at our fabulous viewpoint
(picnic spot) was knee high and the litter
bins were overflowing and spewing rubbish
all over the countryside. A single pleasant
phone call to KwaSani, and more specifically
to Mrs McAllister’s PA, resulted in an
immediate clean-up, haircut, spit and polish!
Thank you KwaSani for giving our area a
nice clean face when our visitors arrived.
Now, about that ostentatious, taxpayer
extravagant “Welcome to the Southern
Berg” sign that was erected slap-bang from
where those offending structures at the
view-site were removed ...? Tod Collins
Underberg/Himeville
Trout Fishing Club
Stats for December 2015
Stillwaters had 71 Rods producing 76 fishRiver beats were closed due to water levels.
All Beats were opened at the beginning of
January 2016
Rod fees are R150.00 per rod per day per beat
and can be bought at NUD Sports 033 7011096
Office open on weekends 8am - 10am
otherwise call 0826363985
Submitted by A Payn UHTFC
JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016
082493 8700 mountainecho@telkomsa.net www.mountainecho.co.za
Malachite
Manor
&
Orchid
Thai
Restaurant
The Gem in the
Southern
Drakensberg
083-645-2026 carrin@malachitemanor.co.za
Mike and Carrin Pieterse have fulfilled their dreams in building this
luxurious Manor and Restaurant 4km on the Drakensberg Gardens
road. The building is so exciting to visit with many different woods
and beautiful spaces filled with light. A mezzanine floor looks down
on the lounge and sturdy pin oak bar with kiaat flooring and you can
admire the view beyond through the three storey high windows. In
the Thai restaurant Ryan Pieterse is your host and his Thai wife
Paweena from the northern mountainous part of Thailand will tempt
you with a selection of Thai food and of course there must be steaks
www.malachitemanor.co.za
on the menu to satisfy diners who are less adventurous. This intimate restaurant does not have
a liquor licence yet so you must bring your own
alcohol and seating is limited to sixteen, so booking is essential. While you are there you must
see the luxurious well appointed rooms with
beautiful views. Malachite Manor has added
another attraction on the Drakensberg Gardens
road and to the district.
BIRDING IN THE SOUTHERN KZN DRAKENSBERG
The conditions have certainly affected the birds and their movements.
The Amur Falcons arrived very late and have hardly used the
traditional roost in the Eucalyptus trees in Arbuckle Road this season.
I guess that as the Lesser Kestrels arrived first as usual, but were in
bigger numbers than normal and that they have to a large degree
remained here rather than departed for the drier south west of the
country, they may well have stimulated the Amur’s to follow
them to their roost. I had never been able to find this Lesser
Kestrel roost in the past. The present falcon roost is a bunch
of Poplar trees on Goxhill Farm, but the birds seem unsettled
as they have been seen roosting in small numbers in Thomas
Street, Sutton Street, the Himeville Nature Reserve, a few in the
traditional roost and Goxhill all at the same time. They also fly
in very late sometimes at 19h45 which is already very dark.
There are about 5000 birds with the majority being Amurs, but
we have seen many Lesser Kestrels and a few Red-footed
Falcons. A good place to spot the different species is when
they feed on the Polo field because while they settle down to
feed on dung beetles, they are easy to view with binoculars.
On 28 December we watched all three species feeding like this.
There was even a Rock Kestrel joining them on the field on 14
December.
Some good observations over the last few weeks are Kevin
Fraser’s Abdim’s Stork again on 11 Dec. This no doubt is the
same bird he saw last year, returning to the same area for about
a week. Mark Willment saw an Abdim’s Stork on John
Vinnicombe’s place, possibly the same bird. Pete Bodmann
saw an adult and immature Red-billed Ox-pecker disturbing his
dairy cows, they are obviously not accustomed to the birds,
but really good birds to have if they stay around. There are many
areas in the country that have gone to great lengths to re-introduce
these birds in order to help control insect and tick pests on cattle,
possibly these are some of those birds. William Rohrich had 7 Bluecheeked Bee-eaters on Balmoral Farm on 29 December, another
Zululand species which we seldom see here. The last group were
seen on Dieu Donne by Glen McLean about five years ago. I saw a
European Roller at Dieu Donne on 30 December. These birds are
becoming scarce, therefore observations have been asked for by
researchers should any more be seen. Sharron Berruti saw an immature
Verreaux’s Eagle on Hlogoma Mountain. Allen Payn saw two Namaqua
Doves on Moyeni, another bird seldom seen but every year someone
reports a bird somewhere in the district. Another observation over
the last few weeks was of a Greater Kestrel seen on the Sani Flats on
12 January by myself and a group of botanically minded visitors.
According to Prof David Ambrose, who produced the Lesotho
Checklist, there are only 3 records of Greater Kestrel in Lesotho since
the 1950’s. Another displaced bird probably because of the weather
Animal Farm & Playground. Open 9am - 4pm
CELL 074 1413153. CLOSED TUESDAYS
conditions. Pete Bodmann found an injured
Greater Kestrel at Dieu Donne a few years
ago, the bird subsequently died, this is the
only other record locally that I know of. On
the same day we saw Black-headed Canary
in the Sehonghong River valley, this male
Greater Kestrel
bird was not the same male I had seen on the
Sani Pass weeks earlier as the chest pattern
was very different. Stuart Mc Lean 082 742
6981
www.birdsand beyond.co.za
PAGE 5
catering & cookingclasses
DOMESTIC COOKING CLASS- intermediate & beginner
• beginners course- February 9th, 16th & 23rd
• intermediate course ‘family favourites’
- February 24th, March 2nd & 9th
Where: Spitskop Cottage
Cost: R620 per person for 3 day course
Time: 8.30am - 12.30pm
PICKUP & RETURN TO SPAR IF NEEDED
PAGE 6
www.mountainecho.co.za
082493 8700
mountainecho@telkomsa.net
From the Drakensberg Mountains to the Cape of Good Hope
girls – have been at Lawhill Maritime Centre for three years, Tsepang
and Bongane have both received study internships at MSC
mediterranean shipping Company in Cape Town.Ntsidiseng Jama is
doing a study internship at Subtech in Durban.
In 2015 another Clouds child, Lungisa Zondi (15), also received a
Transnet bursary and started at Lawhill in Grade 10.
The relationship between TNPA, Lawhill and the children’s care centre
began when Clouds volunteer fundraiser Jenny Rogers came to learn
from Capt Keith Burchell, retired from Transnet, about an opportunity
for children from disadvantaged backgrounds to apply for a bursary
to attend Lawhill Maritime Centre in Simons Town. She quickly
identified three young women who met the academic criteria and
applied on their behalf.
Unlike many girls in rural schools in South Africa, these three had the
support at Clouds of Hope that enabled them to continue studying
maths and science, and were achieving the required minimum in these
Gary is back from
subjects.
London. For the best
TNPA offered them a bursary to study at Lawhill Maritime Centre, to
complete grades 10 through 12 of High School in this specialist
hair cut call
maritime academy, including instruction in maritime economics and
0785530083
nautical science.
Rogers said: “This course presents an amazing opportunity for these
Ladies R100 Mens R50
girls from a landlocked town in KZN to pursue a career in the maritime
industry. Before they set off a well-wisher arranged a hasty trip to
Durban harbour, 200 kms away, so the girls could
at least see a ship before their departure.
“In January 2013 they set off on a 24 hour bus
ride from Kokstad, 120 kms from Underberg,
bound for Cape Town, a city they had only heard
of, and an ocean that they had only glimpsed,
but which they would soon be learning to sail
25 YEARS EXPERIENCE
on, navigate through and conquer on their way
to a new future.”
Rogers said Clouds of Hope Children’s Care
Centre is home to 70 orphaned, abandoned or
dennisw@acsales.co.za
vulnerable children. It is based in a deep rural
farming community near the KwaZulu Natal
town of Underberg in the Drakensberg
Mountains, near the South African border with
Lesotho. Clouds was started in 2002, and has
grown to employ 14 caregivers and many
volunteer support staff.
She added: “These are young people who have
had an unfortunate start in life. They are now
young people with hope, with education, training
and ability, going steadily forward with the
prospect of decent jobs to support themselves and
their future families, and contribute to our
economy.”
Four young people from the Clouds of
Hope Children’s Care Centre in Underberg,
KwaZulu-Natal have been granted an
opportunity to break the shackles of poverty
and pursue potential careers in the maritime
sector, thanks to a bursary provided by
Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA).
Three of the four – Tsepang Mhlakoana
(19), Bongane Mhlakoana (19) and
Ntsidiseng Jama (17), who are orphaned
TIGHT FIT
HAIR STYLIST
JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016
GARDEN CLUB TALK
17 FEBRUARY
Message of acknowledgement and thanks to the community
from the Himeville/ Underberg Garden Club for 2016.
‘The committee wishes to thank most sincerely the community
and local businesses and all those people who came forward with
assistance to help and support our Open Gardens in November,
and in particular those who allowed their spectacular gardens to
be included in the nine which were on show to the public.
The 2015 Open Gardens Festival organised by the Himeville/
Underberg Garden Club Committee was a resounding success
and it attracted many visitors to our beautiful area.
Special acknowledgment is due to our local friendly Spar for their
most generous sponsoring of the cocktail party held at The Barn
on the Viv and Kirsty Turners farm. We would also like to thank
the Turners for providing this beautiful venue which was the perfect
setting for the flower competition and backdrop for our talented
local artists . Other generous sponsors of the Festival were....Berg
Construction; Efekto; Farmers Agri-Care; Farm Equipment and
Garden Centre; Mays Auto Centre; Mango Moon; TWK. Grateful
thanks is also given to The Forge who so timeously transported
tables and chairs belonging to the UFA to and from The Barn for
us. The committee wishes to thank most sincerely all other
members of the community who so willing gave up their time to
monitor sales tables and and get our booklet sales rolling.
Combined efforts of this nature just go to show how fortunate we
all are to live in this magnificent part of our country. May 2016
bring you all the best life can offer.
The Committee has organised many interesting talks on diverse
topics for the coming year, set in tranquil outdoor gardens during
the good weather. During the winter months we have secured a
wide range of talks with power point presentations on many new
topics to be held at the Underberg Country Club.
Wednesday 17 February. . JANE KING . She will speak on
some features that make plants unique and the mechanisms they
have in place to survive in our gardens in this extreme climate.
Venue. Yellowood Cottage in Himeville.
Ladies Lunch Club seen here enjoying a scrumpious Christmas
Lunch at the Drakensburg Gardens Hotel, from left to right - Allison
Darch, Paddy Sauerman, Val Hardy, Geraldine McFarlane, Nicky
Bugwardt, Daphne Larner and Patricia White. W e welcome new
members if interested please telephone our secretary Sue Little
082 2909 770
Underberg Primary School
DUX 2016
Mrs. Zuma with her daughter Lusando Zuma achieved DUX of
Underberg Primary School and received a scholarship to study at
Pietermaritzburg Girls High School. Congratulations Lusando, you
are the first black pupil to achieve DUX at U.P.S.
Kee
p Cool this Summer
eep
Insula
te with
Insulate
ISO
THERM (insula
te ceiling)
ISOTHERM
(insulate
ISOBO
ARD(insula
oof
pr
ted & w
ater
ISOBOARD
(insulated
wa
terpr
proof
d)
ceiling boar
board)
CONT
ACT YOUR L
OCAL AGENTS
CONTA
LOCAL
UNDERBER
G FOR
GE
UNDERBERG
FORGE
033 7011420
RPM CONTRA
CT
ORS
CONTRACT
CTORS
TEL: 033 7011419 Cell: 0741024808 Rory
rory@rpmcontractors.co.za
RPM
Contr
actor
s
Contractor
actors
BUILT IN CUPBOARDS
& All
Your
Building
&
Plumbing
Needs
TEL: 033 7011419
0834571855 Colleen
colleen@rpmcontractors.co.za
0741024808 Rory
rory@rpmcontractors.co.za
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016
www.mountainecho.co.za
The Everglades Country Estate
now selling 15 investment
properties in our first phase.
Garden View
R870 000 SECTION B23 (158 Sqm)
3
1
Another prime located 3 bedroom thatched property with uninterrupted views over the Everglades gardens, farm pastures and the
Inhlosane mountain range. Lounge and decking area with numerous upgrade and solar energy options.
Sage Cottage
R830 000 SECTION B17 (79 Sqm)
2
1
This attractive 2 bed thatched property has recently been up graded
and is located next to the main hotel building. Private front gardens
and views over the gardens and swimming pool area. Another excellent investment opportunity for a self catering property utilizing
solar energy.
The Bungalows R1,030.000 SECTION B21 & B22 (158 Sqm)
mountainecho@telkomsa.net
0824938700
PAGE 7
The ultimate ‘Cry, the Beloved Country’
Experience
Creating a vivid experience of modern literature is the goal of any
English educator and here is the opportunity to provide this for your
learners.
Reverend Stephen Kumalo’s train ride from Carisbrooke to Ixopo is
described in Chapter 3 in CTBC. That track still exists, it is still functioning and the option that is now available is for your learners to
travel on the same narrow gauge tracks in vintage narrow gauge
carriages behind a vintage locomotive.
The views of Ingeli and Mount Currie described in the novel (“These
hills are grass-covered and rolling, and they are lovely beyond any
singing of it....... you look down on one of the fairest valleys of
Africa.”) will lie before your learners, and to reinforce the connection
between the environment and the novel, readings and commentary
will be provided by a retired Ixopo High English teacher ( the school
where Alan Paton once taught).
The countryside around Ixopo is treated almost like another character in the book and here is a unique opportunity to introduce your
learners to that character ‘in person’.
Where: Allwoodburn Station, Stuart’s Drive, Ixopo
Departure for Carisbrooke: 10am
Return From Carisbrooke: 1pm
Cost: R150.00 pp
For bookings and more information: e- mail bookings@pcngr.co.za
or phone 082 374 1417.
Splashy Fen
Local Tickets
Locals ticket sales for Splashy Fen will open
on 18 January next week.
There will be 300 tickets available, and will be
controlled through the school, Faithway College. The rules for ticket sales for locals are as
follows:
·
Maximum 2 adult tickets per person, and
locals show proof to Faithway of local origin
· Maximum of 2 child tickets per person, and
locals show proof to them of local origin
· Price will be R395 per person for adult, R150
for kids
A local is defined as someone who lives in the
KwaSani Municipality.
These tickets can only be purchased from
Faithway in person, not available to anyone
else online. email bursar@faithway.co.za
On The Paton Express
There
should only
be one
Race The Human
Race
We manufacture a wide range of Chairs,
Recliners, Couches and Lounge Suites
in a Fabric or Leather of your choice.
Tod Collins Talk
28 January
3
Shackleton’s Forgotten Men
3
Situated in one of the prime and elevated locations within the estate
with uninterrupted view across the Everglades gardens farm pastures and the Inhlosane mountain range. This recently thatched
property in good order throughout consisting of 2 bebrooms and 2
bathrooms and decking area.Plans have been prepared to link the 3
units together. Solar energy options.
The Gables
R1,230.000 SECTION B18 (140.9 Sqm)
8
6
Currently 6 established rooms and recently upgraded bathrooms all
in good order with a IBR steel sheeting roof. The property requires
some minor remedial work. Established private front garden and
court yard. The property has an elevated position with views over
the Everglades gardens and neighboring farm pastures. Another
excellent investment opportunity. Viewing essential.
For further details please contact us on 033 234 9042/3/4 or
Cell: 076 3127994 Web Site. www.theevergladesestate.co.za
E-mail. sales@everglades.co.za
083 788 7702
@ CLOCKTOWER CENTRE
UNDERBERG
NOW in Stock
NGUNI HIDES
with international
certification
Happy 2016.
May we have a prosperous
year together
Historical and Museum Society of Underberg,
Himeville and Bulwer
Presents: A talk by Tod Collins “Shackleton’s
Forgotten Men “ On Thursday 28th Jan 2016
6.30pm for 7.00pm At Underberg Country Club.
All welcome. R50.00 per person. Bar and
snacks available. Please book early at
Himeville museum or at the Country Club.
Limited space.
Tod Collins our well known Vet , author and
traveler will be talking on Ernest Shackleton’s
“support team” for his expedition to cross
Antarctica exactly a century ago. The story
of the courage and endurance of the men involved in the largely unknown - and tragic side of this expedition will be the theme of
this talk.
Tod has recently published his third book,
this time a “novel” based, amongst other
things, on his personal experiences climbing
the Himalayas. A share of the profit of this
book will go to a Sherpa village which suffered a devastating earthquake earlier last
year.
Daryn & Tamara Hiltunen
1 Campbell Road, Howick (Elaine’s Fabrics)
033 330 4803/ 0846177507 / 084 4044683
PAGE 8
www.mountainecho.co.za
mountainecho@telkomsa.net
CLASSIFIEDS
CARAVAN PARK &
COUNTRY ESTATE
Bushmansnek, Silverstreams. 30 stands and 7 chalets
to
rent
contact
0828598619
info@silverstreams.co.za www. silverstreams.co.za
MAKOTI SUPERIOR
GOOSE DOWN
Duvets and Down Products
available at 97A Main Street Howick.
Phone Corrie on 0842951770 or
0333302551
EMPLOYMENT
FREE EMPLOYMENT PLACEMENT
SERVICES. Employers, please contact us for
all your employment requirements. .033
7011777 0833053009 Lorna and Peta
COMPETANT CARPENTER Wiseman
0847502099 kitchen cupboard carpenter,
wardrobes, partitions etc references available.
EMPLOYMENT REQUIRED for Computer
Operators, Construction Workers, Tractor
Drivers, Herdsman, Domestics, Gardeners,
Care Givers, Child Minders. Please phone us
for your requirements. THIS IS A FREE
SERVICE 033 7011777 Lorna and Peta
0833053009
BUSY OFFICE requires competant person
with computer knowledge and a good
knowledge of the Underberg/Himeville area
contact 082 298 2135
FARM SITTER
Need a break? Need a farm sitter? Contact
Dave Willment on 073 618 8451
HOUSE SITTER
Contact Rob Wood 078 647 4468
FOR SALE
BMW G650GS Motorbike. 2011. 33 000km,
full service record, fantastic on- & off-road
pleasure. R60 000 onco. Nicki vd Heyde 033
7012285 082 6534166
MTB for sale: “Specialized” large frame,
carbon fibre,26" dual suspension R6000.00
contact Peta Parker 0833053009
082 493 8700
THANKS
Our family would like to thank this amazing
community and church familyfor the
overwhelming support,meals , flowers , and
letters of condolence , we as a family
received during the very sad time of Arthur’s
passing.He was a larger than life person ,
who influenced many lives and will be sorely
missed. Words could never aptly express our
deep appreciation and gratitude to all .
Felicity Champkins.
PERSONAL COMPUTER
TRAINING
- I’LL HELP YOU MAKE THE VERY BEST
USE OF YOUR COMPUTER, AS WELL AS
HARNESS THE POWER OF THE
INTERNET.The internet has changed our
lives forever and nobody can afford to be
without it. Here are a few of the ways the
internet can enrich your life: Netflix • Email
• Social networking • Internet banking •
Internet shopping • Wikipedia – the worlds
largest encyclopedia • Free internet phone
calls • Internet radio • Internet TV (including
Netflix) - watch the world’s biggest selection
of movies in high quality on your home TV
• I offer one-on-one personal training at
R150.00 per hour. I can train you in all
aspects of using your computer and the
internet. Also, If you’re in need of a reliable
and economical internet connection, on
your farm, or in the village, I can help !Call
Anthony Bannister - 082 55 44 666
A Visitor Thanks
the Good People of
Underberg
We recently had the pleasure of spending
time in Underberg and the beautiful valley
of Drakensberg Gardens. While we were
there we had car troubles and were helped
out by some of your locals who were so
incredible friendly, helpful and willing to give
of their time, all while expecting nothing in
return! This just doesn’t happen in the city
and I feel the need to tell you all how blessed
I.T, INTERNET AND CCTV
you are to live where you do.
SERVICES
The first person to mention is Roan from
provided All Computer, internet and CCTV Lake Navarone who tried his best to help
supply, service and support. Based locally. and was so accommodating. Then we met
Call Eugene 074 964 7890
Daniel Swanepoel from DC Electrical who
repaired our tyre while taking time from his
LOST
busy schedule and for no cost. His smiley
TOW HITCH picDSCN5173-001(38KB) face helped ease some stressful moments.
found on Bushmans Nek Road phone Peta Then along came another Good Samaritan
Parker 0833053009
in the form of Josh Hackland who offered us
LOST AND FOUND
accommodation on his property for no
Plain gold wedding? ring was found at charge! We were absolutely overwhelmed
Underberg SPAR parking lot approx two by all these offers of kindness and
weeks ago. Contact Com Watch on 033- generosity.
As it happened we stayed on for two
7021117.
ROSA MYSTICA CATHOLIC CHURCH
necessary nights at the Drakensberg
UNDERBERG
Gardens hotel (while our car was repaired in
Pietermaritzburg) which was also a blessing
ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE
as it enabled us to spend extra time in your
– 10th FEBRUARY 2016
exquisite valley
There will be an Ash Wednesday service at
Whilst we have thanked them personally,
the Catholic Church at 5.30PM. Any further
please share my letter in your newspaper to
information contact Joan on 033 7012065
publicly repeat our thanks to them all. Such
after hours.
good people are not easily found!
R.I.P.
We hope to visit Underberg again as soon
Uncle Stan Clarke
as we can. It’s a special part of our crazy
7/2/1936 - 10/1/2016.
world Best regards Cyndy, Mike and David
A truly awesome man Purchase [cyndy.purchase@telkomsa.net]
, he will be missed by
all.
Tr out
In
Stock
PRIVATE SALE
JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016
OMISSION
Graham Kletz’s name was omitted from the
Nurisng Services Christmas Tree and wishes
everyone a belated Happy Christmas.
SANI P
ASS CARRIERS
PASS
Twice daily to P M B
local - national international
Agents for DHL TNT
TIMEFREIGHT &
EXPRESS DELIVERIES
TEL: 033 7011017 or
FAX 033 7011030
ROD’S
ENGINEERING
3 Sangwana Crescent
No job too big or small
* Manufacturing of burglar
guards and gates
* Repairs to farm implements
* all types of welding
*precision turning & machining
*fabrication
*hydraulic repairs and hoses
082 569 8655
BEST LOCAL LAMB
BEST BERG WORS
BEST PORK SAUSAGES
VISITORS ALWAYS COME TO BUY
OUR BILTONG
20 Ha. Smallholding, approx. 50% arable balance grazing. Ample
water from 2 dams and Vlei with stream. Magnificent view of Bamboo
Mountain. Price R1,6million. Phone Mike 082 694 6844.
WISHING YOU A BLESSED 2016
W AYNE’S CYLINDER HEADS
& ENGINEERING
Head Overhauls
Broken Bolts
Head Skimming
Thread Repairs
OPEN 8am - 4.30pm
076 933 7406
DISCLAIMER
082 518 1550
033 701 2088
office@venniker-accounting.co.za
This Newspaper is Published by the owner Eilan Donan
Publishingcc T/A The Mountain Echo is printed by Gaurdian
Web,Pietermaritzburg. All copy is accepted IN Good faith.
The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher, Paul Richard Welch.
Hazeldene
Nursery
LARGE TREES IN
VARIOUS SIZES
FOR
INSTANT IMPACT
ALL YEAR ROUND
by appointment only
Tel/Fax: 033 7021686
JANUARY /FEBRUARY 2016
www.mountainecho.co.za
082 4938700
mountainecho@telkomsa.net
PAGE 9
SANI SPCA
We now have our own vehicle,pictured with our committee and
staff: The committee members are, from L to R: Val Hardy,
fundraising and tin collections; Colleen Mulholland, vice-chairperson and secretary; Garth Nortje, representative and manager;
Maryann Holt, treasurer; Tanya Piper, chairperson and Niki
Tucker,fundraising and media. Kneeling in front ,our staff: (L )Lindile
Jakatyana and (R) Sfiso Mlotshwa.
Our kennels are fully operational and we offer boarding facilities at
a rate of R50 per dog per night, including food.If your pet needs
special food, please bring it with you along with your pet.Thank
you to all those members of our community who made use of our
boarding kennels over the festive season.
Please remember that we do doggie dipping on Saturdays, from 10
am till 1pm, weather permitting. We are now a stand alone SPCA,
independent of Howick. So, we need to have as many paid-up members of our SPCA as possible.The forms for membership will be
available at the Thrift Shop in Underberg and the kennels in
Himeville.The rates quoted are per annum:
Life membership:- Corporate R1000, which includes branding on
SPCA bakkie, Scholars R40, Pensioners R40, Normal membership
R80, and Kennel Sponsorship which is R200 per month. We thank
all those members of the public for their ongoing food
donations,Meg Redfern for buckets for the kennels and Julie and
Richard Braby for a gas geyser, hot water at last! Goods donated to
the Thrift Shop keep the finances sound too. Our Facebook account is now legal as we have the mission statement and separate
banking details on this site.It can be found on Sani SPCA page as
“Sani SPCA, Kwazulu Natal, non-profit organisation. We are looking for a Tata 16 inch 5stud rim for a spare wheel,in case the bakkie
gets a puncture. Garth can be contacted on cell no.0780637699 and
email <sanispca2015@gmail.com>
The kennels have a new look after paint donations,alterations, shade
cloth and lots of hard work.Thank you all.
FUNKY JUNK & TRASHY
TREASURES
Lisa Amaral with her son
Cian on his first day at big
school Faithway Primary
in Himeville
Himeville Fort and Museum
What a roaring success the annual Christmas fair was! It was wonderful to see
how the Underberg/Himeville communities came out in force to support this
event. We would like to thank each and every one involved in making this the
best ever fair to date.
We are happy to announce the winners of the various raffles and Treasure
Hunt. 1.Sheep Raffle: First Prize: Andre Cronje Second prize:Phyl Palframan
Third Prize:Ilene van Dyk 2.Christmas Cake Raffle: First Prize: Marilyn Shire
Second Prize: Candice James Third Prize: Elsa Sterling 3.Planter raffle: First
Prize: Vicky Gore Second Prize:Felicity Davies Third Prize: Simon
Berkeljon.Treasure hunt Prize was won by Ciara Pascoe. Congratulations to all
the winners! We would also like to thank the sponsors
of the prizes as well – without their generosity the raffles would never have been as successful as they were.
The Himeville Fort and Museum has its own Facebook
page! We invite you to “Like” the page and to bring
the page alive with your comments and pictures. On
this page you will find news of upcoming events, feedback of events that were held and general snippets of
information relating to the Museum. We are also happy
to announce that the Museum will soon have a dedicated web site so keep your eyes peeled for this as
well.
All in all there is a really amazing year ahead and we
invite all of you to join in the fun!
The museum is open Tuesday to Saturday from 09h00
to 15h00 and on Sunday from 09h00 to 12h30. It is
closed on Mondays but is open on certain public holidays. Entrance is still free but donations are really
welcomed. Contact Bongi (Curator) on 033 702 1184
for any further information
Under The Tin Hat
Greetings one and all. Hard to comprehend that two
weeks of January 2016 are already over! Let’s hope
that 2016 is a good year and wishing you all Peace
and Prosperity.
The MOTH year ahead is as usual filled with events
and parades and collection and raising of money. Our
Golf Day will be the first event and by next month we
will have a date. 2016 is also the 100 year anniversary
of the start of the Battle of Delville Wood. We will be
holding a full parade for the event and again will have
a date by next month.
We are looking for a sponsors for our annual Bowls
Day Fundraiser in October/November. The last two
years we have not had a sponsor and we have
therefore not raised the funds hoped for. Should
anyone wish to be the Major and only sponsor for
this event please contact our Old Bill Mouldy Moulder
on 072 405 8854. That’s all for now, till next time
YUTTH The Scribe
Purchase from Mary
R240 including postage
maryfield@telkomsa.net
JANUARY 2016 STOCK SALE STATS
QTY SUPPLIED
354
QTY SOLD
344
MAX PRICE
R10950.00
MIN PRICE
R2000.00
AVE PRICE
R5741.57
Entrance on George street at Harcourts:
Main road,
opposite Museum, Himeville.
Open Tuesday to Friday 9 - 4, Saturday 10
– 2.
Spoil yourself with an OVERNIGHT STAY
at the Moorcroft Manor Country House.
Or simply visit us and enjoy
BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND SUPPER.
We also serve TEAS & CAKES;
all to be enjoyed in front of FIRES
in Dining Room and Lounge.
Sani Road, Himeville 3256, Kwazulu Natal
Telephone 033 7021967
WWW.MOORCROFT.CO.ZA
PAGE 10
www.mountainecho.co.za
Rhus Dentata
My wife Simone was born and bred in
Zimbabwe, and growing up in the
spectacular miombo woodland vegetation
which dominates the Highveld north of the
GIANT’S CUP
CAFÉ & CRAFTS
Lovingly stocked with quality, fairly
priced novel crafts & gifts for whole
family. Honey, cheese , trout, our own
organic homemade fare - rich icecream, yoghurt, farm milk, jams,
Simone’s chocolate almond treats,
Fair Trade coffee,chocolate & tea. We
support small crafters. Breakfast,
light lunches, cakes. Nature trail.
Good cycle stop off. Cows handmilked at 3pm. Open 7.30am - 5pm
daily. SANI PASS ROAD 0337020330
INDIGENOUS
PLANT SALES
:Choose from a range of tree and
shrub species. Information provided
and orders taken. Russell Suchet
0839873071
mountainecho@telkomsa.net
Limpopo, was totally in love with trees!
When we married, I knew very little about
trees, but tried my best to learn from her.
When we came to make our lives at Sani
Lodge, she bemoaned the lack of trees in
the Drakensberg grasslands, and I tried my
best to help her feel more at home by
planting as many trees around our house and
on our property as possible!
While looking at what local trees there were,
one of the first things she taught me was the
genus of Rhus which I soon learnt to identify
by its trifoliate (three-sectioned) leaves. The
Drakensberg has numerous Rhus species, but
the dominant one in our area is Rhus
Dentata, the Nana Berry. Of course there are
many Rhus species elsewhere, the most
famous probably being the dryland tree the
Karree. The name “Rhus”, according to Elsa
Pooley, comes from word for “flow” and
refers to its resinous secretions but another
explanation is that it refers to the bright
yellow, red and orange colours of the leaves
in autumn. The family is also known as the
“wild currants” because the various trees all
produce very small currant or berry like
fruits.
Rhus Dentata is a grassland tree, not a forest
tree, and grows into a medium-sized tree in
the right location. It is often “planted” by
birds who eat the seeds and then deposit
them under other trees on which they perch.
This means Rhus Dentata is often found
growing next to or under other grassland tree
species such as Buddleja or Halleria. The
leaf is quite variable, some specimens
having hairy leaves and some having
smooth, glossy leaves, but all are clearly
trifoliate and toothed. The tree is deciduous,
losing its leaves in a spectacular late autumn
show and sending our vivid green shoots in
spring! They flower in early to mid-summer
with dense clusters of tiny blossoms, which
then mature into clusters of reddish brown
berries which are enjoyed by seed-eating
bird species.
Rhus Dentata is a great garden tree, not
growing too large, surviving our harsh
winters, attracting birds and ending the
season with a splash of colour!!
Rhus Dentata and over 70 other species of
TWK AGRICUL
TURE
GRICULTURE
LIMITED
Underberg - Swartberg Cedarville - Ixopo Kokstad - Howick
underberg@twkagri.com
Tel: 033 7012229
SEED AVAILABLE
NUI
AGRI BOOST
MA
TILD
A
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TILDA
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OSPECT (ARR
OW/
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Thank the Lor
d ffor
or R
ain
Lord
Rain
082 4938700
JANUARY /FEBRUARY 2016
indigenous trees and shrubs are available from
our greenhouse at Indigenous Plant Sales at
the Giants Cup Café, 10km on the Sani Pass
road. Open daily 7.30am to 5pm. Enjoy a
coffee and delicious scones with homemade
jam and fresh farm cream while you read our
information booklet, browse our garden with
labelled plants and decide which plants your
garden needs. Local art works are also on
display. You can get a full plant list at
www.sanilodge.co.za and click on the
“Indigenous Plants” link.
Rhus Dentata
RAINFALL CORRECTION AND
CONSERVATION OF DEMINISHING
NATURAL ASSETS
During the war years when teaching wasn’t at
its best it took that ‘good school’ ten years to
teach me feet and inches so I have had a big
problem learning to cope with Napoleon’s
revenge over night.. Somehow a big glitch
got into my rainfall figures last month for
which I offer my sincere apologies. It should
have read, ‘there have been six years when we
have had less than 727 mm of rain for the year.
(Any year in which we receive less that 750
mm can be considered a seriously dry year.)
The worst years were:1934 – 35, 327.5 mm. 36 – 37, 548.75 mm.
45 – 46, 727 mm.
67 – 68, 723 mm. 82 –83, 633 mm. 92 –
93, 709 mm.
The average rainfall for :1934 – 1963, was 827.62 mm. 1964 – 1990,
961.64 mm. 1991 – 2015, 1040.42 mm.
The interesting thing is that the rainfall seems
to have been increasing over the years but I
would be happy if anybody would care to come
and check my figures because as I said they
are my records and will agree with few others
although they should reflect a trend.
The principle by which we all live and which
ensures our continued existence is that you
produce something be it, labour, manufactured
goods or a crop you have grown which you
sell to somebody who rewards you with a
payment with which you are able to pay those
who have provided you with your necessities,
a system that has been in place for more than
2000 years. However at last some experts
are beginning to look at the manner in which
the assets of the natural world are being short
changed and abused. The land on which our
crops grow is being gobbled up by greedy
developers, highways and urbanization or lost
to erosion. Our water, an ever diminishing asset
is being polluted faster then it can be
replenished by natural resource. The very
quality of the air we breathe and which
protects us from harmful radiation from outer
space is also being destroyed. Without these
three essentially important items life as we
know it will soon cease to exist. Humans have
come to abuse all these natural assets as a
matter of course and in their arrogance believe
they are infinite and inexhaustible although
even now governments have to spend vast
sums of money trying to keep up with the
demands being made on them. Land is being
taxed in many different ways but the tax men
put little back into the land rather keeping the
money for their own priorities. Dams are
constructed with funds from various sources
( such as Eskom etc.) but little attempt is made
to make the polluters pay for the damage they
are doing to our once nice fresh air and water
or protect the sources of our rivers. The
obvious aerial pollution attracts little attention
despite the high cost in health and corrosion
for which the pollution is responsible.
These are our assets in the Bank of Nature
and which should provide us with a
sustainable annual dividend instead of the
steady erosion of the capital and once that
is depleted what will we have to fall back
on ?
How many companies have any idea that
their business operations are being heavily
subsidised by the very Bank that they are
busy looting ? To them the natural world
is an obscure entity that is purely the sole
concern of Ezimvelo Wildlife and nothing
to do with them. What a surprise they will
get when they find the shop shelves empty
and the taps are dry while they gag on the
fumes created by their profitable
undertakings but doubtless they will still
get tremendous satisfaction from jingling
all the coins in their pockets which they
obtained by robbing our Bank of Nature.
The time has come for big business to pay
back so that nature can recoup some of her
losses and restore the integrity of her Bank.
Just how this may be achieved I am not sure
but there are many better scientific minds
than mine who have good ideas as to how
we can preserve our own beautiful country
not to mention the rest of the world. We
should all do our little bit for ourselves and
for future generations by putting something
back into ‘our’ Bank. At last the Dept of
Environmental affairs is beginning to take
the matter seriously and have
commissioned a report on the state of
biodiversity in South Africa but the crunch
will come when we will all see if they are
able to convert this into some sort of
positive action. M Clark
RABID DOG
FOUND ON THE
SANI PASS.
VACCINATE NOW
Rabies has been confirmed in a stray dog
on the Sani Pass road. This is probably a
spin-off of the endemic situation in jackals
in our region. By law, every dog must be
immunised at least every three years, but
in an “outbreak” such as this, ANNUAL
VACCINATION is essential. Please urge
your staff to take their dogs to the
Underberg Vets or the SPCA for free jabs;
and to encourage them to urge their
neighbours back at home to get vaccine
from the vets. We need to flood our district
with immunised dogs to prevent it
spreading.
JANUARY/ FEBRUARY 2016
www.mountainecho.co.za
COMMUNITY WATCH
As difficult as it may seem under the present
circumstances, we must remain positive
about our future in this magnificent country
of OURS. We are experiencing tough times
with the political and financial situation, the
drought, unemployment, crime, racism etc.,
but as hard as it may seem, our future is here.
We have to believe that things will improve.
To everyone reading the Mountain Echo,
may 2016 be a year of improvement in all that
affects our lives.
Kwa Sani municipality/Community Watch
saga. No one in their right mind will disagree
that Kwa Sani is doing its damndest to delay
finalizing anything until the amalgamation
between Kwa Sani and Ingwe municipalities
takes place. Try as they may, four court
judgements all in favour of Community Watch
with costs, cannot be disputed. Their ploy in
telling us to prove that Community Watch
has done the work is not only ludicrous, it’s
preposterous!!!! It clearly indicates the lack
of interest shown in what we do. Every
second Tuesday of every month a Disaster
Management and Rural Safety and Security
Meeting takes place. Until about a year ago,
this meeting was combined for obvious
reasons. SAPS chaired the meeting. Then
the MM decided that the Disaster
Management meeting must be held in the
Kwa Sani boardroom. The Rural Safety
Security meeting continues to be held at Com
Watch office. Minutes of both meetings were
and still are sent to ALL who attend. Since
we were kicked out of the municipal building,
the Kwa Sani mayor has not put a foot in our
premises, nor has he shown any interest in
what we do. He has no idea about the
sophisticated communication set up that has
been built up over the years, neither is he
interested, which as the mayor, surely he
should know. Our municipal manager was
introduced to me in this office by Alan Payn
soon after she took office. Five minutes she
spent here, asked no questions then excused
herself to attend another meeting. That is
the first and last time we have seen her.
Community Watch is the official COORDINATION CENTRE For KWA SANI
DISASTER MANAGEMENT. IT IS NOT
OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO MANAGE
DISASTER MANAGEMENT FOR KWA
SANI. They have an officially appointed
Disaster Management manager.
Three houses were burgled in Underberg in
broad daylight on 30th December 2015. A
white Ford Ranger double cab with 5
occupants completed their crimes within a
By John Pearce
very short time. All houses were equipped
with alarms which were ripped out. Berg
Protection responded in minutes but were
unable to stop the vehicle. All three house
owners were not in residence at the time. This
was obviously carried out with precision.
Apparently no finger prints were uplifted due
to the people wearing gloves. This crime
came as a shock to all of us! These crimes
indicate the importance of immediately
reporting suspicious vehicles, behavior and
movement within our community.
The “wild fire” which occurred on Reveille
farm on 6 th January 2016 destroyed
approximately 40 ha timber plantations
together with veld and some 100 round hay
bales. Very high temperatures and very dry
conditions made this fire almost impossible
to control. However the quick response by
many farmers and their workers from
throughout our community, together with
Sappi and Mondi, enabled the fire to
eventually be controlled. One cannot express
the difficulties and dangers faced by
everyone present in fighting this fire. One
cannot help feeling extremely proud of being
a member of this community who stand
together in responding to emergency calls.
Farmers and their employees in general are
not trained in fighting timber fires, but they
always respond and show exceptional
courage in exposing themselves to extreme
danger to help their fellow farmers. Well done
and thank you all!!!!!
To Sam and Kathy Knox, Underberg Spar,
your generosity and compassion shown for
members of our community in times of
emergencies, is stupendous! We as a
community are blessed in having your
support. On 6 th January, you personally
delivered at no cost other than to yourselves,
bread rolls, a dozen 2l cool drinks and I lost
count of the number of sealed bottles of water,
6$/9$*(
:$5(+286(
#%,51$0:22'',675,&752$'0(55,9$/(
3+21(25
MCCULLOCH BRAND
“PETROL-DRIVEN” :
‡75,00(56
‡:(('($7(56
‡%586+&877(56
‡%/2:(59$&6
$1'+('*(75,00(56
0$'(,17+(86$
%<+8649$51$
EXCELLENT
352'8&76²%$&.
833$5766(59,&(
AVAILABLE - VERY,
VERY,
COMPETITIVE
35,&(6
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ON SATURDAYS,
SUNDAYS, WED. THURS & FRIDAYS FROM 9
A.M. TILL 1 P.M. - PLEASE PHONE FOR
DIRECTIONS
mountainecho@telkomsa.net
082 4938700
PAGE 15
Community Watch donated a farm radio and an
installed base set to the Bambanani stock theft
group based at Mqatsheni. The Bambanani
group which was formed in November 2013
have 67 members in the Mqatsheni area. The
group since their formation have helped to reduce stock theft to negligible levels compared
with the incidents befor the end of 2013. L-R
seated: Sayinile Madladla ( Deputy Chairperson Bambanani), Otto Mbelu (Himeville Community Policing Forum Chairman), Eric Ndlovu
( Co-ordinator Bambanani) and Thomas Miya (
Chairperson Bambanani). L-R standing: John
Pearce, W/O Sosibo, Capt. Xaba, Chris Barras,
Wayne Mc Namara(U.F.A.), W/O Nyawose and
Sergeant Ndlovu. Bhekizenzo Majozi (member
to one and all the fire fighters. Then Sam of Bambanani group) arrived later. Mr. Ndlovu
stayed on and helped as a “spotter”. Thank
and Mr. Miya can be seen holding handsets.
you both!!
We periodically receive calls about
wandering/lost dogs. Our local SPCA is now
functional 24/7. Contact Garth Norje on 078
063 7699. Whilst on this subject, our local
vet Dr Tod Collins, is advising pet owners
to ensure that their cats and dogs are up-todate with rabies inoculations. These must
be done every 12 months. He also advises
people to inform their employees who must
also spread the word amongst their relatives
and friends. A case of rabies – a dog, has
recently been confirmed in the district. For
inoculations, contact our local vet surgery
or the SPCA. Our district needs to be
blanketed with up-to-date rabies inoculated
dogs and cats. Be advised that you could
be infected long before the symptoms
become apparent, so do something about it
NOW.
SERVICING.
Community Watch
DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER
24 hour emergency
ANALYSIS.
contact numbers:
033 – 702114/7;
7021143. Fax: 033
FORKLIFT - Sales /
– 7021821. Email:
Servicing
o p s @ c o m watch.co.za
Hydraulic pipes
Let us work
24 hr CALLOUT
together
in
fighting crime Masibuyisane
UNDERBERG
AUTO
CENTRE
0337011318
0827828408
DON’S REP
AIRS
REPAIRS
Silwe Nobulelesi
UNDERBERG
VETERIN
AR
Y
VETERINAR
ARY
SUR
GER
Y
SURGER
GERY
Tel: 033-7011092 (all hours)
Stockists of a carefully selected
range of
LIVESTOCK HEALTH PRODUCTS
Suited for local conditions
At excellent prices with
professional advice
NOTICE
WATER USE LICENCE
APPLICATION
—
Intended Water Use Licence Application
on Ptn. 6 of Farm Elands Hoek, No 1024 in
terms of Section 21 (a), (b), (c) and (i) of the
National Water Act, 1998 (Act 36 of 1998).
Application documents may be viewed at
the Howick Public Library.
Written objections to be lodged within 60
days of the publication of this notice to :
Applicant: G.A. Carr
c/o MBB Consulting Engineers (PMB)
P.O. Box 12051
Dorpspruit
3206
Tel : 0333453530
Email: info@mbbpmb.co.za
Workshop
Mackenzie Street - Goxhill Road
Himeville
MAINTENANCE OF
ALL MOTOR VEHICLES
D O N
B L A K E Y
033 7021110 or 7021835 or 0823421387
AUCTION SALE OF FURNITURE, HOUSEHOLD
GOODS, FARMING IMPLEMENTS AND
WORKSHOP ITEMS
ON BEHALF OF MRS J STRACHAN
(UNDERBERG)
DATE THURSDAY 11th
FEBRUARY 2016 @ 11:00
VENUE: DRAGONS REST,
UNDERBERG
HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE
Wardrobes, bedside tables, linen, beds, cupboards,
mirrors,
desks, trunks, chests, chest of drawers, tables, urn, paintings,
bookshelves, chairs, coffee tables, TV cabinet, lounge suites, mats,
carpets, curtains, heaters, freezers, fridges, microwaves, stoves,
ovens, pots & pans, dryers, washing machines, garden furniture.
WORKSHOP & FARM
Cast iron pots, brick makers, boilers, poldenvale sheep pens, calf
feeders, Howard slasher, anvil, baler, dam scoop, Ford County 4x4
tractor, Tecnoma sprayrig, baths, trailer, bandsaw, work benches,
lawn mowers, plastic boats, sawbench, fertilizer spreader, caravan6 berth, saddles & bridles, camping gear, braais.
Full Farm Workshop – Tools, compressor, saws, machinery etc.
TERMS: STRICTLYCASH OR BANK GUARANTEED CHEQUES
ON DAY OF SALE WITHOUT EXCEPTION.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES:
Joffs Coni – 082 889 5858
Farmers Livestock Office – 039 757 5253
www.farmerslivestock.co.za
PAGE 12
www.mountainecho.co.za
082493 8700
mountainecho@telkomsa.net
JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016
OUR NEW YEARS LISTINGS!!
Underberg: 033 701 1563 /
Kokstad: 039 727 3311
ESTABLISHED OPERATING B & B SINCE 2005
Situated in a good position close to the Primary and Pre Primary
Schools. 5 bedrooms en suite. Scenic mountain views.
NEW on MARKET.
Position,Position,Position in UNDERBERG
Upmarket 4 bed 4 bath home with excellent
finishes and many special features including
a Hi Tech Spa shower. Extravagant separate
cottage with fitted kitchen, laminated wooden
floors, spacious lounge and separate second
bedroom. Servants quarters , complete with
tiled shower and wood burning heater, plus a
remote controlled double lock up garage and
workshop, as well as a sparkling pool
overlooking a wide expanse of mountain
views complete this valuable property. R1,9m
Ref: 1UB1249515
UNDERBERG
R 970 000
Bedrooms: 3 / bathrooms: 1.5
Geared for relaxation and weekend getaways, this picture- perfect setting
with tranquil views is ideal for the outdoor person and nature lover.
Ref# 1UB1237564
Underberg / R765 000
Bedrooms 4 / Bathrooms 3 / Garages 2`
Set in a private cul- de-sac, ideal for the growing family - fully-fenced
garden with Mountain views. Within walking distance of all local
amenities.
PERFECT HOLIDAY HIDEAWAY R1.15M
Superbly finished modern home with many features ideal for
holiday lock up and go. Entertainment gazebo with uninterrupted
Views of the Mountains and Umzimkulu River.
Ref: 1UB1249954
UNDERBERG
R 1.14 million
Bedrooms: 1 / bathrooms: 1 / Garages: 2
4,06ha with quaint cottage and wooden deck facing the spectacular
views.
Loft bedroom for the kids. VAT inclusive
Ref# 1UB1191273
CHARMING COUNTRY HOME R750 000
Well priced 3 bedroom home in level fenced garden with spacious
open plan living area. Separate 1 bedroom flatlet and double lock
up garage. Serious Sellers.
SANI PASS Superb Gentleman’s country
residence on 30Ha with 4bed,4 bath, 2
lounges, Jacuzzi, deck and remote double
garage PLUS separate cottage with 2bed,2
baths, lounge, dining room, kitchen,
workshop, laundry and single garage. A third
building on the estate comprises a generator
room and workshop. A scenic river runs
through the property and mountain views are
grand. P.O.R.
Underberg / R1.395 million
Bedrooms 3 / Bathrooms 2 / Garages 1
Modern unit in the Meadows - spacious open-plan living/dining room,
fully-fitted kitchen. Large enclosed veranda with doors opening onto a
level garden - single lock-up garage.
Ref:1UB1181018
UNDERBERG
R 1.55 million
Bedrooms: 3 / bathrooms: 2 / Garages: 2
This home is set in a landscaped garden, top finishes and direct views
Ref# 1UB1212530
to the Drakensberg Mountain.
Himeville / R1.6 million
HAPPY FAMILY HOME R850 000
Comfortable family home within walking distance of shops and
schools in manageable garden with sparkling pool.
Bedrooms 2 / Bathrooms 1.5 / Carports 2
From the elevated deck of this solid timber home on 8ha, enjoy the
spectacular outlook over your shared trout dam of the Southern
Drakensberg - developed garden and security fence.
TIME SHARE UNDERBERG Holiday home
with Dam, delightful 4 bed 2 bath modern
home, tastefully furnished. Large open plan
entertainment area including spacious
verandah with mountain views over the water.
One eighth share (6 weeks) for R236 000.
UNDERBERG Half acre plot with views in
good area. R115 000. Excellent buy.
YOUR OWN “PIECE OF PARADISE” R1.5M
Lovely 5HA property in the Drakensberg Gardens Valley. Large
Homestead, cottage & staff accommodation in tranquil setting
with picturesque Mountain views. Stunning view site to build
another dwelling!
OFFICE: 033 7011359
Sue Acutt 082 457 5535
Kathy Abbett 082 925 7983
John Nothard 082 491 4447
Rentals: Megan Lemon Warde
071 8031065
www.acutts.co.za
underberg@acutts.co.za
UNDERBERG, God’s Haven Complex, 2613m²
with use of 3 fishing dams and Umzimkulu
River. Complex has tarred roads, Gate house
and lots of space between plots. Close to
town, yet in the country. R300 000
For Innovative
Property Solutions
Tel: 033 - 7011777
Cell: 083 305 3009 - PETA
082 901 8363 NORMAN
www.ppproperties.co.za
e-mail: nfo@ppproperties.co.za
Ref: 1UB124773
HIMEVILLE
R 1.695 million
Bedrooms: 3 / bathrooms: 2 / Garages: 4
Family home with beautiful views of the Southern Drakensberg incl. a
Ref# 1UB1011573
covered
verandah, outbuildings and s/c cottage.
Underberg / R1.895 million
Bedrooms 3 / Bathrooms 2 / Garages 2
This is a perfect ‘lock-up-and-go’ unit to use as your holiday home,
and /or retirement spot, in The Meadows Country Estate.
Go mobile
with your property
search!
Ref:
1UB1250293
Download
the PGP
UNDERBERG
R 4.95 million
Search App now.
Bedrooms: 4 / bathrooms: 3 / Garages: 2
Dramatic views to the Drakensberg Mountains and Umzimkulu River.
Excellent contemporary-design home. VAT inclusive
Office 033 7011563e
Agents
Underberg: Angela Walker 082 772 8984 / Sue Preston 084 880 8704 /
Paula Bullimore 079 491 0101 Kokstad: Ed Jenkins 073 41934205
Kokstad: Peter Desmond 082 456 6761 / Sanele Madlavu 072 885 355