go: Platteland

Ten years. First double digit. Rather impressive. That’s a long time for any business, in any industry, to survive – especially in today’s world where rands and cents trump all else. You have to be able to jump through unanticipated hoops, think on y

In the Spring edition, you featured a snippet on “Herrie’s coin” (page 56). I have no idea where you got this information from, but much of it is wrong. The people you write about are my ancestors, so I have to point out the errors. (Just a note: I k

A litchi farm in high summer is usually a hive of activity, says Heidie Smith. “It’s what you would call a picking frenzy!” The fruit is ripe from mid-December, and the entire crop must be harvested within two weeks. This is when Heidie and her husba

Floraland is a family business in Bredasdorp in the Overberg – the heart of fynbos country – that has been producing, processing and exporting natural decor products for more than three decades. The company has made a name for itself internationally,

Top-quality coffee is scarce in many parts of the platteland, but residents of the Free State town of Marquard now have a coffee roastery in their backyard. MindBarista is a family business that opened its doors last winter to residents and visitors

“Every dog deserves a home” is the message that Aneska and Shaun Spies want to convey with their nonprofit organisation, Kennels for a Cause. With the support of local animal rescue organisations in Somerset West, they build dog kennels that are dist

“Big Mouth is actually a better name for this place, because these people love to talk,” “Big say former Gautengers Eric and Kayla van der Walt in reference to the meaning of Kleinmond, which translates to Small Mouth in English. The Van der Walts ha

Clement, born and bred in Kleinmond, says his late mother was nine years old when all the coloured families were relocated from the town’s harbour area. “My ancestors had a tough life and had to make do with very little: catching stumpnose and mullet

“This is the place!” my friend says. “Right here!” We are driving along the N1 between Laingsburg and Beaufort West, and I just know, here comes that story again… Years ago, he was hitch-hiking and a Cadbury sales rep dropped him off here at the turn

Three people embark on a road trip in a rental car. Two of them are Afrikaners and one is Dutch. Two historians and a sociologist. Three white women. Feel free to choose your combination. I am behind the wheel, a little apprehensive about the state o

Ten Cross Shoppe in Makhanda is rarely empty, but during lunch time the place is packed, especially on a Friday – because then it’s pancake day. This shop – something between a home industry, coffee shop, tea garden and farm stall – focuses on a diff

Is there any other country in the world where farmstalls appear at the roadside with such regularity as they do in South Africa? Probably not, but it’s hard to imagine otherwise – farmstalls are an integral part of our culture and history, and since

holingsberg.co.za 083 253 5371 If you’ve ever been camping in the Kalahari or driven through the Northern Cape platteland at night, you’ve probably seen the Milky Way lighting up the night sky, like countless tiny holes of light penetrating a big bla

Life is rather uneventful in the village of Koringberg – nothing earthshattering has happened here in a long time. Every now and then there’s a bit of a WhatsApp kerfuffle over an unplanned power outage or a dodgy character peeping over a fence. Or w

The unique Agapanthus ‘Blackjack’ was named the “Best new plant in the world” for 2023 at the annual Chelsea Flower Show in the UK. And who are the masterminds behind this impressive award-winning plant? South African botanist Andy de Wet, who has mo

If you’ve ever enjoyed the soft, exfoliating touch of a loofah sponge, you might be surprised to learn that this natural scrubber isn’t harvested from the ocean; it’s actually a gourd! The loofah (Luffa cylindrica or Luffa aegyptiaca), also known as

Choose as many dishes as you like and serve them all together, or in any order Braaibroodjie flatbread Biltong pâté Retro brandied shrimp cocktail lettuce cups Pan-fried feta with honey and thyme Charred broccoli and pak choy with soy sauce, sesame a

Watermelon cocktail Mussels in chorizo cream Rolled lamb shoulder Choose 3 or more of the following: Long-weekend potato salad Green vegetables with sweet chilli sauce Mustard mould Carrot salad with a difference Roasted sweet potato salad Condensed-

There is really nothing like taking a road trip through the platteland to help you truly feel the heartbeat of a country. I realised this again and again as I spent 15 months travelling around three continents. My recently retired Frenchman and I sol

– Karnemelksvlei, Citrusdal – When the air becomes still and the heatwaves dance above the streets, then I know it’s time to get away from “Hellington”, as people often refer to our town in summer. That’s when it’s most enjoyable for us to relax at t