Please check your email and enter your one time pin below:   Open in Gmail Sorry there was an error loading the audio who inherited his grandfather’s impressive fossil collection housed for 91 years on the farm Wellwood near Nieu Bethesda said the facility housed the biggest display of holotypes (unique species) in the world and is also an educational and research centre Artists from design company Fancy Horse made a prehistoric scene come to life at the Karoo Fossil Centre in Graaff-Reinet The centre, in Graaff-Reinet, is a dream held for decades by the family that has now come true.advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads Rubidge headed the Evolutionary Studies Institute at the University of the Witwatersrand for more than three decades “Karoo Origins already serves as a field base for local and international scientists actively involved in research on the rocks and fossils of the Karoo,” he said All of the fossils in Rubidge’s collection are displayed but it is also a live collection – they will add and research new fossils found Read more: Dreams and discoveries: how a young fossil enthusiast is shaping palaeontology in Graaff-Reinet visitors can learn about the geological history of the Karoo and why it is considered a remarkable area for fossils Visitors can see life-size renderings of fossils at the Karoo Fossil Centre An exhibit reconstructed from fossils at the Karoo Fossil Centre The fascinating history of how Rubidge’s grandfather, Sidney, became interested in fossils is also told at the centre.advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads Sidney took his family on a picnic to a rocky outcrop on his farm This outing resulted in the discovery of the remarkably complete skull of a large flesh-eating therapsid by the internationally acclaimed palaeontologist Dr Robert Broom Some of the quirky letters exchanged between Broom and Sidney Rubidge are also on display The exhibitions in the centre are designed by Colin Payne and Diane Makings from the design studio Fancy Horse Payne said he was delighted to find some of the letters exchanged between Rubidge and Broome Broom asked about a ram that Rubidge was having trouble with on the farm Read more: Nieu Bethesda II: Big mountains, little fish and old fossils who is passionate about keeping the collection in the Karoo said one day Broom asked his grandfather if they could move this specific skull to the fossil centre at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg Artists from design company Fancy Horse delivered a lifelike prehistoric scene at the Karoo Fossil Centre in Graaff-Reinet “Grandfather answered that the skull had been in the Karoo for millions of years and most certainly did not want to travel to Johannesburg,” Rubidge said.advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads After the first skull, Sidney Rubidge began collecting fossils on and around his farm. His collection, Rubidge said, provided much information about the Permian and Triassic animals of southern Africa. The centre also tells the story of the remarkable fossil hunter James Kitching, who, as a child, was paid to find fossils by Sidney Rubidge.advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads “An important feature of the Rubidge Collection is the very large number of holotype specimens A holotype is the reference specimen of a newly described species As all 107 of these holotype specimens are on display Karoo Origins has the distinction of displaying the greatest number of fossil holotype specimens in any exhibit “The Rubidge Fossil Collection contains a wide diversity of fossil ‘reptile’ species that lived between 260-250 million years ago the most abundant land-living vertebrates were therapsid mammal-like reptiles the most distant ancestors of mammals,” Rubidge said He said the rocks of what is known as the Karoo Supergroup were deposited between 300 million and 180 million years ago “These rocks are internationally renowned for their wealth of ancient fossil reptiles that lived during the existence of the supercontinent of Gondwana This giant continent included the present-day Africa He said this made the collection internationally important The display cases where fossils from Sidney Rubidge’s collection may be viewed “What is being created here is an exciting experience and journey into the distant past We are looking forward to welcoming anyone with an interest in palaeontology whether it be amateurs with a general interest in the geological history and fossils of the Karoo to local and international scientists as well as undergraduate and postgraduate students,” Rubidge said The development in technology had opened the frontiers for new knowledge about fossils He said that through CAT scans of the fossils new research was being conducted on the metabolism of extinct animals and how biodiversity had changed over time Justin Arnols at work in his laboratory at the Karoo Origins Fossil Centre the more vulnerable to extinction,” he said He said they were investigating which animals survived extinction events He said preserving a sense of place for the fossils was very important to him This is the biggest collection of holotypes in the world.” In the 1940s, the former Monuments Council wanted to move the fossils, but Rubidge’s grandfather persuaded the council to allow him to keep them in the Karoo.advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads “He realised that it would be difficult to keep them on the farm had serious concerns about the collections in South African museums becoming neglected – even 25 years ago South Africa’s biodiversity collections were under threat but there are still concerns that more and more scientists are retiring and that collections will again be threatened “I think this collection has great potential for tourism,” Rubidge said The centre is open from 8.30am to 4.45pm in Parsonage Street What an achievement for the Rubidge family As a yr ’65 Union High school matriculant CONGRATULATIONS all those responsible for establishing this magnificent Karroo Fossil centre May it attract all those visiting this Gem of the Karroo I have had the privilege of seeing this museum it honestly leaves you wondering and breathless and of course the main attraction – the fossils are all beautifully displayed and presented ' + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.webview_notification_text + ' " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_title + " " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_text + " own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment Stellenbosch University provides funding as a partner of The Conversation AFRICA View all partners Place name changes are not uncommon in South Africa but they are still sensitive issues that can unify or divide communities For place names to change, there must first be a process of public consultation. As a professor of geography with a research focus on small towns in South Africa, I conducted a study to test public opinion about the proposed name change in Graaff-Reinet The study revealed that the vast majority (83.6%) of those surveyed across various population groups indicated that they didn’t want the town’s colonial-era name to be changed “Graaff-Reinetters” are clearly invested in the town’s identity and no longer associate the name with the past – they didn’t appear to feel much of an attachment to the name Robert Sobukwe Others thought a name change was a waste of money Understanding residents’ opinions in cases like Graaff-Reinet provides insights into cultural and political shifts in South Africa They reveal the complex interplay between place names Renaming places is often an effort to address historical injustices and colonial impacts This process is seen as part of decolonising society and honouring the rights and identities of indigenous communities Europeans first settled in South Africa in 1652 and the country was colonised until 1948, with the formal introduction of apartheid and its system of white minority rule The country’s first democratic elections were in 1994 Graaff-Reinet was established in 1786 The town was named after the Dutch governor Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe was born in Graaff-Reinet in 1924 and was a political activist and founder of the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) which fought against the injustices of colonialism and apartheid One of the questions we asked residents was about the origin of the town’s name The majority (69.8%) simply stated that the town was named after a man and his wife Another portion (16.7%) correctly identified that the town was named after a governor and his wife Of the 251 respondents who tried to identify who Sobukwe was 29.9% associated him with the PAC; 32.7% associated him with the freedom struggle; and 24.6% indicated that he had some roots in Graaff-Reinet The strata for the sample frame in the study were the three previous Group Areas Act areas of the town: apartheid divided the population into different racial groups Our study across these three sections was carefully calculated to ensure the results would reflect Graaff-Reinet’s population Afrikaans is the predominant language in Graaff-Reinet (72.1%) followed by isiXhosa (21.1%) and English (6.6%) Three quarters of the respondents had been living in Graaff-Reinet for more than 20  years indicating a stable and long-standing community with fieldwork conducted by a diverse group of university students including whether they found the current name offensive or associated it with any particular connotation 83.6% of respondents opposed a name change valuing the town’s historical significance The study revealed a strong sense of community identity and place attachment to the name Graaff-Reinet Many residents felt that changing the name would erase part of their identity as “Graaff-Reinetters” One unemployed male from the former coloured group area who had been living in Graaff-Reinet for 57 years said: If you name a child and then change the name it is someone else A smaller percentage felt that the focus should be on service delivery to rather spend money on improving lives than on changing names Respondents also highlighted the economic importance of the town’s current brand Black respondents were the most undecided (13%) and the highest percentage who said that the name should change (32%) Interesting to note is that since the 1960s many Xhosa-speaking residents have elected to use the word “Irafhu” to name their town This is a phonetic rendition of “Graaff-Reinet” The study underscores the significant role toponyms (place names) play in defining a place’s identity and are reinforced by connection to community The findings affirm that Graaff-Reinet’s name has evolved in meaning fostered by strong newer connections to the town people call home Unlike many South African cities marked by clear racial divisions in opinions on name changes Graaff-Reinet demonstrates a notable cross-race resistance to name changes Although spatial racial divides exist in Graaff-Reinet it does not appear to be the same for interrelations few respondents today associate the town Graaff-Reinet with its colonial origins one shaped by newer memories and experiences Names are more than just labels – they are repositories of collective memory and identity It is advisable for the government to adopt a thoughtful approach to changes in place names taking into account their effects on identity When paleoscience guru Bruce Rubidge first spread the word in the Eastern Cape town of Graaff-Reinet that he was looking for a youngster who was “practical could think out of the box and change a tyre” friends of Justin Arnols’ parents suggested that he should go and see the distinguished professor Soon, Rubidge realised that the quiet but friendly young man had an eye for fossils and took him under his wing. Today, Arnols works at the soon-to-be-opened Karoo ­Origins Fossil Centre in Graaff-Reinet’s iconic Church Street. advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads “It is a once in a lifetime opportunity — for me this is a real dream come true,” Arnols said His job as a fossil preparer involves painstakingly separating bone from stone to find ancient creatures that tell the story of a past stretching back millions of years It can sometimes take Arnols months to finish preparing just one fossil who is busy finalising an exhibit at the centre before planning its opening for sometime in April says Arnols is a crucial member of the team He is full of praise for the young man’s willingness to learn his natural talent and his patience to complete delicate work The fossil centre is a long-term dream come true for Rubidge. It will house the world-class collection of his grandfather, Sidney Rubidge, which used to be on display at Wellwood Farm near Nieu-Bethesda.advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads Rubidge is a distinguished paleontology professor at the University of the Witwatersrand Although he now gives most of his time to establishing the Karoo Origins Fossil Centre the Rubidge family has several creatures named after it The skull has pride of place in the fossil centre which also has a room showing a film of what a prehistoric waterhole in the Karoo would have looked like and which animals would have been around Visitors will also be able to see reconstructions of the Rubidgea atrox and some of the earliest mammalian creatures Justin Arnols touches the skull of a new species of dicynodont Arnols painstakingly works away at a fossil He matriculated at Graaff-Reinet’s Spandau Secondary School where he said he learned a little about fossils I would never have thought that I would end up here,” he said He had planned to become an engineer – but then he met Rubidge Arnols grew up on Mount Camdeboo Private Game Reserve word reached the game farm that Rubidge was looking for someone full of energy who could work with his hands “My dad said it won’t do damage to just try something new Even now when I talk about fossils my friends tell me: ‘Your whole face lights up.’ ” Rubidge gave him many books to read as well as assignments to do “I had to understand how the animals were and how they lived so I can know what it is that I see in the rocks.” He accompanied Rubidge on a field trip to Abrahamskraal near Beaufort West in March 2022 It was there that he found his first few pieces of bone “But from there I just got better and better at it My boss always says if something isn’t difficult or exciting The fossils that are the most difficult to work on are those collected in the Lower Beaufort Group which forms part of their work in the Karoo “These fossils are notorious for poor separation between the rock and the bone,” Arnols said But his biggest challenge and his most exciting discovery so far is a new species of dicynodont — a herbivorous animal with two tusks — whose skull took him eight months to prepare “We realised that we found a species never seen before,” he said. “Now Professor Bruce and his colleagues from the United States of America will write a paper on this.advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads “Yooo, it was a difficult one. It was the first one that I had to use acid separation to remove the lower jaw because it was lying in the wrong direction.advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads but I never thought it would be a new species Arnols’ laboratory has glass windows and visitors will be able to see him at work once the centre opens This story first appeared in our weekly Daily Maverick 168 newspaper Looking forward to travelling there just to see this exhibition Although some Graaff-Reinet residents and those of surrounding Karoo towns celebrated media reports that their names will not change Eastern Cape Geographical Names Committee chairperson Christian Martin said the process had not been finalised yet The proposed name for Graaff-Reinet is Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe or Fred Hufkie – both anti-apartheid activists with strong ties to the town – and the other changes in the province are Adendorp to Kwa Mseki Bishop Limba, Aberdeen to Camdeboo and Nieu-Bethesda to Kwa Noheleni.advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads Martin said in an interview that he wants to make it clear that it is not his idea to change geographical names “I don’t sit and think which name must be changed today.” For the past year the heavily contested application to change Graaff-Reinet’s name has been playing out in public meetings The Sobukwe family gave their permission for his name to be used but the Hufkie family withdrew their support Martin has been accused of being biased in favour of the change but he said this was based on a comment he had made that was taken out of context “I want to go back to where the idea originated to change place names the United Nations gave a mandate to change names “Aberdeen, for example – I think there are 30 Aberdeens in different countries. There is even one in Zimbabwe. If we take Aberdeen, for example, that will be a reason for us to change it.advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads Read more: Highlighting the compelling case for renaming Graaff-Reinet to Mangaliso Robert Sobukwe At the time of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu said that there wasn’t enough money to compensate those who suffered and they must be honoured by giving their names to towns the whole question of the historical background of an area One does look at restorative justice and restoration what is very important is to look at the wider South African context We have to acknowledge that we have a bad history in South Africa We must look at the conquered and the conqueror my question is: how do we let everyone feel that it is South African We are not here to change names for the sake of changing [them] Many people who are against name changes cite money being wasted that could be better spent “It is cheap to talk about this in the context of wasting money He said a budget of about R1-million has been set aside to cover the costs of consulting on name changes.advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads “It is ironic that suddenly now everyone wants to be consulted. Nobody consulted with the Khoi and the San when they changed names. Nobody consulted in the old South Africa. It is because we want to consult through the Constitution. Now we do it and now we are being opposed.”advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads Martin also dismissed the argument that city or town names become a brand that is known among tourists “It is lazy thinking to tell me the economics of a town like Graaff-Reinet is built around the name You must do the marketing and emotion in your new name,” he said The name change of the globally known historic town the oldest in the Eastern Cape and the fourth-oldest in South Africa remains so controversial that even the Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality Graaff-Reinet was named after Cornelis Jacob van de Graaff and his wife because the town was established when he was the governor of the Cape Colony “You know now everyone is quick to tell me that Reinet was a Khoi woman Nobody ever said anything about that before,” Martin said I am not just here to change names for the sake of it I have a mandate and I am trying to do this in a balanced way Martin said the meetings that the names committee held in Graaff-Reinet were filled with “bush politics” Those that have were lobbying the have-nots They didn’t have anything to do with the name Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie said the provincial names committee submitted a proposal to change the name Graaff-Reinet to Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe to the South African Geographical Names Council on 14 May The council’s meeting to discuss the proposed name change took place on 4 July But he added that the council took a resolution not to recommend the name change together with the three other Eastern Cape name changes submitted A view of Graaff-Reinet from the the Camdeboo National Park on 31 July 2010 (Photo: Gallo Images / Foto24 / Nasief Manie) “The council therefore took a decision not to recommend this name change for the minister’s approval The final report is still in the process of being circulated.” Read more: Welcome back, Hanover Street, goodbye Keizersgracht, as Cape Town City Council votes for renaming McKenzie said he was engaging with officials on a way forward and will make a determination at a later time. Martin said the provincial names committee will address the council’s concerns. “Conflict, I must tell you, is possible,” he added. “The other problem is that at the stakeholder meeting, people arrived already with boxes full of appeals and objections. They wanted to have our address to courier documents and we had done nothing yet. “What must I inform them? I haven’t made a mistake. This is very political,” he said. “Listen here, I am not just here to change names for the sake of it,” he repeated. “I have a mandate and I am trying to do this in a balanced way. I am ensuring the process is done. It is not me who wants to change names. If they welcome us [to public meetings] they tell us: ‘You can’t come change the names here.’” DM I think this obsession with changing every single name in SA is sad. Graaff-Reinet is a special place with a long history, and as far as I know Robert Sobukwe has no connection with the town at all. It is a pity that the name changers cannot preserve just a tiny piece of our colonial history. CAPE TOWN - Traffic officials are urging motorists to practice extreme caution on the roads following a crash in the Eastern Cape that left 15 people dead. The head-on collision, involving an SUV and a minibus taxi, happened on the N9 just outside Graaff-Reinet early on Monday morning. Makhaya Komisa, spokesperson for provincial Transport MEC Xolile Nqatha, said that the cause of the crash was being investigated. "Transport and Community MEC Xolile Nqatha expressed his deep sadness regarding the accident, offering sincere condolences to the grieving families and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured. He continues to urge motorists to drive cautiously and to reduce speed." Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) spokesperson, Simon Zwane, echoed the sentiment. "We want to call on motorists to exercise caution on the roads and peopel to better manage fatigue because we know that exhaustion both physical and mental exhaustion affects a driver's judgement." Officials said that the cause of the accident was still being investigated. Sections CAPE TOWN - The South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) has expressed its sadness following an accident near Graaff-Reinet in Eastern Cape where 15 people died The head-on collision involving a SUV and a minibus taxi happened on the N9 on Monday ALSO READ: In wake of deadly Graaf-Reinet collision, motorists urged to be cautious on SA's roads The cause of the accident is under investigation. The taxi, which belongs to the Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (CODETA), was traveling from Saldhana Bay to Gatyane - or Willowvale - in Eastern Cape. "SANTACO calls on our drivers and all road users to exercise extreme caution when traveling, adhere to all road safety regulations, avoid reckless and negligent behaviour on the roads, and prioritise safety above all else. We also urge the relevant authorities to intensify their efforts to ensure road safety and to hold accountable those who flout road safety regulations.” AVBOB celebrates a milestone by rewarding its members on a large scale JOHANNESBURG - At least 14 people have been killed in a horror crash on the N9 30km from Graaff-Reinet in the Eastern Cape Those injured in the accident are being treated in hospital Simon Zwane from the Road Traffic Management Corporation said the road has been cleared were in the grips of a devastating drought from 2016 “I even cashed in life policies just to keep feeding the animals,” Kroon said “I had obtained an import permit for saffron seeds from Europe a few years back so another farmer asked if he could take over my permit he brought me a whole bakkie full of seeds to say thank you.” These 300,000 “gift seeds” are now half a hectare of crocus flowers that yield a crop that sells for R280,000 per kilogram Kroon also started making lamb bacon and warthog salami Kroon said that part of what makes the saffron crocus ideal for the Karoo summer is that it doesn’t need any water during the hottest part of the summer “The plant can withstand temperatures of up to 44°C,” he said “We will start watering now at the end of February and then we will harvest eight to 10 weeks later,” he said.advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads The harvesting of the flowers is labour-intensive when the crocuses started blooming a day or two early he couldn’t find anybody to work and had to do the harvesting himself The stigmas of the crocus flower are then carefully removed and dried in the sun before being packed into glass jars “We get a lot of compliments about the flavour of our saffron,” he said Part of what makes the saffron crocus ideal for the Karoo summer is that it doesn’t need any water during the hottest part of the season The stigmas of about 150 flowers are hand-picked to yield a single gram of saffron as the country has imposed sanctions on the world’s biggest grower Kroon said it has been a learning curve for him “I was talking to some merchants the other day and they told me about fake saffron People are colouring the hair of a mielie to look like saffron “That is why the merchants like to see that our saffron has that little bit of green at the bottom of the stigma. It proves that it is fresh and real.”advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove adsadvertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads a jeweller’s scale is used to weigh it as it is measured in milligrams Some of the Karoo Saffron goes to Cape Town where an Italian chef makes a special Karoo Saffron sauce Part of the harvest is also used for health supplements Saffron is the dried stigma of the Crocus Sativus flower and is harvested when the flowers are in full bloom The stigmas of about 150 flowers must be hand-picked to yield a single gram of saffron A few farmers are growing saffron in places such as Touws River Saffron is the most precious spice in the world Farmer Joe Kroon said Karoo Saffron is sold for R280,000 per kilogram The stigmas must also be removed carefully by hand (Photo: Myburgh du Plessis / Human & Rousseau) Don’t be shocked by the amount of saffron used in this dish. In essence, if you’re buying one of those mini-tubs of saffron strands, you’re tipping the whole thing in, okay? Come now, be strong. It’s the hero of the dish, not some sad wallflower hiding in the shadows.advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads Read more in Daily Maverick: Saffron, coveted stigma Saffron is coming out into the full glare of the spotlight here advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads “You can’t keep a good man down” Wishing this farmer many happy years of successful harvests Agreed… until… Trump (who owns the world – including Canada Greenland & now Gaza also!… with buddy Musk in tow) decides to put a spanner in the works of anything SAn with sanctions Forgot these farmers are part of ‘certain classes of people’. who should be exempted or given USCitizenship maybe our supply to the US will remain an important foreign exchange earner The big fly in the ointment is the pig headedness of Ramaphosa and his mob in continuously goading Trump into viewing SA as an enemy What a great story – so much positive action in a sea of moaning and groaning And we’re definitely going to try that risotto of Tony’s Thanks for the recipe but again no mention of how many it would serve more and more DM posts has this repetitive “cadence” that reminds me how AI answers questions Please explain what you mean about “cadence” and AI GEORGE NEWS - First-class police work saw a 61-year-old suspect arrested just two hours after Jan van der Ross (49) was gunned down outside Benton's Tavern in Crystal Avenue Community members reported hearing a single gunshot at about 16:50 before word started spreading of Van der Ross lying in the road Sgt Christopher Spies said George police immediately launched a manhunt for the alleged gunman who according to eye witnesses fled the area in a black Audi Q5 Spies said various resources were mobilised and a search for the vehicle ensued.  The chase lead the police to the N9 near Graaff-Reinet in the Eastern Cape where the suspect was pulled over and arrested It is understood the suspect fled at speeds far exceeding the legal speed limit as sources reported the Audi being traced to an area near Willowmore is about 350km from where Van der Ross was shot and the suspect seems to have completed that distance in just over two hours A murder docket is being investigated while the suspect remains detained at George police station Spies said the motive for the killing is yet to be established and forms part of the ongoing police investigation ‘We bring you the latest Garden Route Home | South Africa A head-on collision between an SUV and a minibus taxi on the N9 road outside Graaf-Reinet in the Eastern Cape has claimed 14 lives The crash occurred in the early hours of the morning Provincial Department of Transport Spokesperson carrying six occupants collided with a fully loaded minibus taxi travelling from the Western Cape to the Eastern Cape Binqose says all six occupants of the SUV and eight occupants of the minibus taxi lost their lives in the crash “Fourteen people have died on the scene and sadly six of them are from SUV and are believed to be from the same family Its another head on collision and the MEC for transport in the Eastern Cape is constantly calling for you and I to be extra vigilant to help us avoid avoidable accidents like head on collision that we have seen so many of in recent days.” The Karoo offers a magical time for wine lovers just before May tips into chilly June Rose Wright of the Karoo Wine Club in Graaff-Reinet was the first to notice it. The days are warm (crisp Chenin blancs are more than perfect). The nights are cold and conducive to firesides and spicy shiraz. advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads the winemakers and estate owners have just come through the frantic picking and barrelling and bottling of harvest There is a brief hiatus before the next frenzy of activity the perfect time to exhale and contemplate the long winter ahead and to talk at leisure of their provenance And why not do it in the friendly Eastern Cape Karoo the streets are quiet and the people are friendly And so was born the annual Stoep Tasting weekend in Graaff-Reinet and Rose was elated to sell 45 tickets which gave wine tasters access to the products of five estates The second attracted eight winemakers and 120 wine lovers there were nearly 300 people drifting around 16 winemakers and three craft beer breweries It grew exponentially from 2018, sprawling to include the charming dorp of Nieu-Bethesda and now, two weekends. This year, Stoep Tasting weekends are held on 16 and 17 and 22 to 24 May. advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads Read more: Accolades, spicy menus and an Eastern Cape wine affair Part of the charm is that wine lovers get to confer and chat with the estate owners and winemakers They talk with passion and deep knowledge about their terroir the altitude and weather and soils and cultivars and the best times to drink their particular merlots Stoep Tasting boosts businesses in the Karoo towns Locals set up stalls and open up their shops and restaurants Up to 140 wine estates bring about 150 tonnes of wine for the weekends The two towns go through more than two tonnes of ice each day the Stoep Tasting phenomenon means a massive injection of money into these towns just before winter when tourism trade slows down Guesthouses are booked out months in advance The butcheries see a sharp uptick in trade and the restaurants are packed with the distinctive silhouette of Compassberg near Nieu-Bethesda For an insider’s view on life in the South African Heartland, get the Karoo Quartet set of books (Karoo Roads I-IV by Chris Marais and Julienne du Toit) for only R960, including taxes and courier costs in South Africa. For more details, contact Julie at [email protected] EAST LONDON - The Pakistani business community in the Buffalo City Metro says that nearly 200 foreign nationals from Pakistan and India have been kidnapped in the Eastern Cape since 2022.  The actual number is likely much higher when factoring in cases involving Ethiopian READ: Emaan Ghumman haunted by 8-day kidnapping ordeal These developments come after three foreign nationals appeared in court in East London, suspected of involvement in the recent kidnapping of a nine-year-old girl.  Recent ransom payouts for kidnapped victims are believed to be around R500,000 each.  However, the ransom demand for 72-year-old Naeem Sarwar, who was kidnapped three weeks ago in Graaff-Reinet, is reportedly around R4-million.  This article may contain graphic and/or adult content unsuitable for minors and sensitive readers. A Pakistani business owner who was kidnapped in Graaff-Reinet in the Eastern Cape has been rescued by police in Evaton in Gauteng. Lieutenant-Colonel Amanda van Wyk said four people, two South Africans and two Pakistani nationals, were arrested in different locations on Thursday, following an intelligence-driven operation. She said the team also seized an illegal firearm and a vehicle during this operation. “According to a preliminary report, the victim was kidnapped in Graaff-Reinet, Eastern Cape earlier last month by an unknown group of individuals who introduced themselves to the victim as immigration officials. “The victim allegedly accompanied these individuals to the nearest police station but never returned home,” Van Wyk said. The victim's family subsequently reported the kidnapping to the police after the kidnappers had allegedly demanded a ransom for the release of the victim. Van Wyk said an intelligence led operation led the multi-disciplinary team, and private security, to arrest an alleged kidnapper in Killarney where an unlicensed firearm was also seized. “This suspect led the team to the location of the victim in Evaton where two more kidnappers were arrested. “Further investigation resulted in the arrest of a fourth kidnapper in Benoni.  A vehicle which was used in the commission of the crime was also seized,” Van Wyk said. The suspects are expected to appear before a magistrates' court soon, while the investigation continues. Journey to Justice, an exclusive podcast on the life of Vicki Terblanche, a slain Gqeberha mother. Dive into the expansive world of motoring with Naresh Maharaj. Join Mark Marshall as he shares his extraordinary encounters with everything from bees to reptiles i SCHOOL NEWS - Located in the scenic Karoo town of Graaff-Reinet, Union High School has made significant strides in 2024. This co-educational, English-medium institution, offering boarding facilities, has excelled academically while enhancing its campus infrastructure to create a safe and inspiring learning environment. A standout achievement this year was the Class of 2024's impressive matric results, which included the top candidate in Graaff-Reinet and the first and third top candidates in the entire Dr Beyers Naudé municipal region. Joy Merrifield, the top achiever, celebrated an average of 88.29% with six distinctions, while Na'eem Mahomed, the head boy, secured third place with 80% and three distinctions. This marks the fifth consecutive year Union High School has produced the top matriculant in the area. In addition to academic success, the school has enhanced its facilities, including the resurfacing of the astroturf and the construction of a new astroturf at Union Preparatory School. Safety and security have also been prioritised with the installation of CCTV cameras in classrooms and common areas, ensuring a secure learning environment. Renovations to the life sciences classroom and lecture room reflect the school's dedication to academic excellence, fostering engaging spaces for learning. A new first-aid room, utilised during the winter sports programme, highlights the school's commitment to learner health and safety. As Union High School concludes a successful year, it stands as a beacon of academic excellence and holistic development, preparing its learners for a bright future. ‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’   is thrilled to announce a new partnership with the Karoo Lamb Consortium for the upcoming Karoo Lamb Champs competition, set to take place in Graaff-Reinet on 14 December. This partnership marks a significant milestone for Lamb Champs as it brings an added layer of authenticity and celebration to the Karoo Lamb Geographical Indication (GI), reinforcing the importance of protecting the unique, region-specific quality of certified Karoo Lamb. The Karoo Lamb Champs promises to be a celebration of tradition, quality, and regional pride. As the event approaches, Lamb Champs looks forward to working closely with the Karoo Lamb Consortium and its sponsors to deliver an unforgettable experience that reinforces the importance of supporting local communities, preserving South African heritage, and offering consumers the authentic taste of certified Karoo Lamb. Join us in Graaff-Reinet on 14 December to experience the flavour and heritage of Karoo Lamb firsthand and help us celebrate the farmers who bring this exceptional product to life. JOHANNESBURG - Road crashes in the Eastern Cape have left more than 30 people dead in the past week Fifteen people were killed on the N9 between Graaff-Reinet and Middelburg last Monday There was another massive crash over the weekend which claimed the lives of 12 people on the N2 outside Dutywa READ: SANTACO expresses sadness after deadly Graaff-Reinet collision The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) said it's worried about what appears to be a rise in deadly accidents in the Eastern Cape. According to RTMC, more than 1,000 people lost their lives during the 2023 festive season in the Eastern Cape. Eastern Cape transport spokesperson, Unathi Binqose, said it's all down to negligent driving. "I'm making a desperate plea to you and I as road users to be extra vigilant, extra vigilant, extra cautious, and be patient with one another on the road, and avoid avoidable crashes like these head-on collisions that are claiming so many lives." A school principal in Graaff-Reinet in the Eastern Cape is in custody on a charge of sexual grooming and rape According to an article published by Graaff-Reinet Advertiser the spokesperson for SAPS in the Sarah Baartman district the man was arrested on Monday following the alleged rape of a learner The accused briefly appeared in the Graaff-Reinet Magistrate’s Court on a charge of rape on the same day the accused was also charged with sexual grooming and the case was postponed to Monday for a bail application emphasised that the CPF is deeply disturbed by the alleged incident and strongly condemns any form of violence particularly when it involves vulnerable individuals “We believe that every learner has the right to a safe and secure learning environment,” he says “We stand in full support of the learner and her family during this traumatic time and want to assure them that they are not alone.” Ngoyo demanded that the school and relevant authorities take immediate action to ensure the safety and well-being of the learner and provide counselling and support services “The CPF is committed to working with the school law enforcement and other stakeholders to ensure that justice is served and that our learners are protected,” he says In response to Graaff-Reinet Advertiser’s request for comment DA member of the Provincial Legislature and Shadow MEC of Education A request for comment was sent to the chairperson of the school involved and to the spokesperson of the Eastern Cape Department of Education but no response was received at the time of publishing Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp Channel Read original story on www.graaffreinetadvertiser.com A road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) team dispatched to investigate Eastern Cape’s “deadliest” road accident was on Monday expected to do a reconstruction to determine how the crash led to the deaths of 14 people The devastating head-on collision between a minibus taxi and a Mazda CX5 initially claimed 13 lives on the N9 just outside Graaff-Reinet making the incident the deadliest this festive season in the Eastern Cape “The information at hand states that the number of people who died increased to 14 all six occupants from the Mazda CX5 and eight from the Quantum taxi Eleven other people suffered serious to light injuries and were transported to a medical facility for assessment “The preliminary reports also indicate that the two vehicles had a head-on collision the Mazda CX5 was travelling from Middelburg to Graaff-Reinet and the Quantum was travelling in the opposite direction towards Middelburg from Western Cape The cause of the crash is unknown and will be subject to the ongoing investigation,” said RTMC’s Simon Zwane Transport Minister Barbara Creecy and her deputy Mkhuleko Hlengwa sent messages of condolences to the bereaved families and wished a speedy recovery to those left injured The two repeated their call to all road users for heightened vigilance on the roads Eastern Cape Transport Department spokesperson Unathi Binqose said: “The death of the 14 people is the worst and deadliest we have had on our roads so far this December A total of three people also died and two others sustained injuries in a head-on collision involving a van with three occupants and a sedan with two occupants on the R61 road near Bizana on Sunday along with a female passenger from the van died on the scene In another accident where more than two people were killed four people died and six others sustained severe injuries in a head-on collision last week Monday involving a bakkie and a seven-seater Toyota on the N2 near Butterworth The deceased were all in the Toyota including a 4-year-old boy Other people were rushed to hospital with severe injuries,” said Binqose A case of culpable homicide was also opened at the Butterworth police station The volume of traffic on some of the roads started to increase sharply at the weekend With more expected this weekend ahead of Christmas holidays officials were deployed across the province especially in hotspot areas “The province has deployed all its law enforcement personnel to keep high visibility with special focus on some of the major roads connecting us with neighbouring provinces KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State that links the Eastern Cape with northern provinces such as Gauteng About 127 newly trained traffic officers have just completed an intense 12-months traffic law as well as physical and psychological training The Eastern Cape Department of Transport is urging road users to continue to be extra vigilant on the roads,” said Binqose Other provinces that reported high fatalities in one crash include the Western Cape where a bus travelling from the Eastern Cape to Cape Town overturned in Worcester killing eight people including six children More than 20 other passengers sustained injuries ranging from serious to minor 10 people were killed and one person was seriously injured on the N1 highway when a white Scania Truck-Tractor and a white Toyota Quantum were involved in a collision Cape Times aim to make the editorial mix such that readers get everything they need between pages first thing in the morning: news lifestyle and provocative commentary from leading columnists Read more Labour and SMMEs to benefit from road infrastructure development in Dr Beyers Naude Municipality Caption: Stakeholders at the introduction of slope stabilisation project in Graaff-Reinet Graaff Reinet, 5 July 2024 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced the introduction of a road infrastructure development project on the R63 outside Graaff-Reinet in the Dr Beyers Naude Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape. The slope stabilisation project at Ouberg Pass Cutting was introduced during the hosting of a stakeholder engagement session at the Alex Laing Hall in Kroonvale, Graaff-Reinet this week (Wednesday). The initiative underscores SANRAL’s commitment to enhancing road safety and socio-economic benefits in the form of job opportunities for local labour and subcontracting of targeted enterprises. Stakeholders included small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs), women, youth, people with disabilities and military veterans. The project involves the installation of a rockfall netting secured by rock dowels in a specified arrangement, securing large protruding and smaller unstable boulders and application of shotcrete over layers within the mudstone and dolerite showing evidence of disintegration. Catch fences will also be installed at the slope summit. The project has a contract period of 24 months, including a three-month mobilisation period. Dr Beyers Naude Municipality Mayor, Willem Safers, called for unity of the people whenever policies are implemented. “SANRAL has policies and I’m pleading with SANRAL to implement your policies and everyone, whether they are from the municipality or members of an SMME, must comply. If we establish structures for communication or coordination, let’s use them and not deviate because if we do, trouble starts,” said Safers “Dr Beyers Naude is the third largest municipality in terms of size,” said Safers. “When we talk about it, we are talking about moving from Graaff-Reinet to Willowmore, Baviaans, Nieu Bethesda – tens and hundreds of kilometres, which is mostly gravel roads. Whenever you’re going to employ, take the vastness of this municipality into consideration.” Contract Engineer, Johan Swanepoel, said the project is highly specialised and a lot of blasting should be expected. “There are not a lot of contractors who specialise in slope stabilisation. We will create a drop zone for rocks falling from the top. The road needs to be open for traffic 24 hours even if it’s only one lane, except during blasting,” said Swanepoel. A significant portion of the project’s budget is dedicated to empowering local labour and targeted enterprises. Targeted labour which will prioritize women, youth, people with disabilities and military veterans will receive a minimum of 6% of the project. A minimum 30% of the final contract value is earmarked for targeted enterprises, including a minimum of 2% for CIDB 1 and 2 grading and another 2% for CIDB 3 and 4 grading. SANRAL Stakeholder Relations Coordinator for the Southern Region, Welekazi Ndika, went to great lengths explaining the principles for project liaison and sourcing of labour. “Your labour should be managed because if you don’t, it eats into your profits. I hear some SMMEs don’t pay their labourers bargaining council rates of R41,75 per hour. If you don’t do that, you’ll be in breach. Don’t rob your labourers, it will come back to bite you.” The community was cautioned against stalling the project and the financial implications it brings. “Don’t drag SANRAL into your community issues,” said Ndika. “The problems of the previous projects should also not be brought into this one because this is a new project with a new project manager.” SMMEs were told about the availability of pre-tender training provided by SANRAL. This will enable them to compile tender documents without payment to third parties and manage their projects on site. The highly anticipated 3rd Annual Montego Champs 4 Change Tournament kicked off in Graaff-Reinet on Friday to bring awareness to the plight of women and children in the face of violence. This year’s event, at the Botanics Sports Grounds in Graaff-Reinet, aligns with the country’s National 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign, blending youth sportsmanship with a vital social cause. The soccer tournament showcases the talents of under-9 teams while raising awareness about combating violence against women and children. With 12 teams competing across three groups, the tournament brings together 120 young athletes, emphasising unity, empowerment and community transformation through sport. It started with a round-robin group stage, where the 12 teams are divided into three groups of four. Each team plays three matches within their group, with games lasting 22 minutes and 10-minute halves and a 2-minute halftime. The top two teams from each group, along with the two best third-placed teams, will advance to the quarterfinals. From there, the tournament follows a standard knockout format, culminating in the semi-finals and final. Group A includes the defending champions Jose Mourinho U9, Dangerous Darkies, Union Preparatory 1, and Isibane 2. Group B consists of the XI Attackers, Birds United, Union Preparatory 2, and Lingcom Primary, while Group C will include the Summers Strikers, Graaff-Reinet United, Isibane 1, and Mountain View FC. Since its inception in 2022, the tournament has grown into a beacon of hope, promoting conversations about societal challenges while celebrating youth talent. By combining soccer with activism, the event harnesses the unifying power of sport to inspire young athletes and engage the community. This year, all proceeds from the tournament will support Siya Phambili, a place of safety for abused women and children in Graaff-Reinet. Additionally, the tournament incorporates an eco-conscious initiative, accepting 10 empty plastic bottles as an alternative entrance fee to promote recycling. The tournament’s organisers have ensured that every participant, including players and coaches, receives a meal and a drink, fostering a sense of inclusion and gratitude. The organisers said that by empowering young athletes and their families, they aimed to contribute to the fight against violence and encourage conversations about creating a safer, more equitable society. As the tournament’s legacy continues to grow, plans are already in motion for next year’s 4th tournament. We have detected that you are using extensions to block ads. Please support us by disabling these ads blocker. CAPE TOWN - The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has called on motorists to practice extreme caution on the roads following a crash in Eastern Cape that left 14 people dead. The head-on collision, involving an SUV and a minibus taxi, happened on the N9 just outside Graaff-Reinet. Officials confirmed that a Mazda CX-5 SUV, with six occupants, and a fully loaded minibus taxi travelling from the Western Cape collided head-on early on Monday morning.   RTMC spokesperson, Simon Zwane, said the crash was a big blow to their road safety efforts.   "We want to call on motorists to exercise caution on the roads and people to better manage fatigue because we know that exhaustion, both physical and mental exhaustion, affects a driver's judgement." Citizens call for formal recognition of liberation icon; Minister Gayton McKenzie responds GRAAFF-REINET – A passionate call from Graaff-Reinet residents to honour anti-apartheid stalwart Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe has stirred renewed national interest following a formal letter addressed to the late leader and an official response from Minister of Sport Sibanga — collectively penned an appeal urging authorities to honour Sobukwe’s legacy in the town where he once lived and taught The letter acknowledges Sobukwe’s role in shaping young minds in Graaff-Reinet before his emergence as founder of the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) and one of South Africa’s most resolute voices against apartheid calling for visible tributes such as street names and commemorative events that will embed Sobukwe’s influence in the town’s historical fabric Minister Gayton McKenzie acknowledged the community’s request He clarified that while the South African Geographical Names Council (SAGNC) oversees feature renamings the naming of streets falls under the jurisdiction of municipalities “Municipalities are expected to follow a public consultation process,” McKenzie noted effectively placing the next steps in the hands of local government and community stakeholders The letter and response have galvanized interest among local organisations and residents Many are now advocating for immediate community consultation to begin the process of memorialising Sobukwe through public symbols and heritage initiatives Proposed ideas include an annual Sobukwe Lecture in Graaff-Reinet and educational programs reflecting his teachings This development also underscores a broader national discussion about the recognition of liberation leaders especially those whose contributions have remained under-recognised in the post-apartheid era and website in this browser for the next time I comment Add me to your newsletter and keep me updated whenever you publish new blog posts Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" © 2025 Pondoland Times. 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Privacy Policy The Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality’s failure to reliably supply water to its residents is alarming and unacceptable experience unreliable water supply on a daily basis These towns obtain their water from boreholes but residents’ taps are frequently running dry due to the Municipality’s poor maintenance of borehole pumps and pipelines Residents have a constitutional right to safe and adequate water supply and local authorities have a duty to ensure this in terms of expanded legislation Several statements by the Municipal Manager make it clear that the Municipality is unable to comply with this basic The harsh reality is that the water problem poses a significant risk to residents’ health and is detrimental to their quality of life The Freedom Front Plus requested the Municipality to urgently address the crisis and to provide a written plan of action to resolve it as soon as possible Residents have the right to know what is being done to resolve the water crisis and the Freedom Front Plus will see to it that their right to quality water and reliable water supply is protected The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) in the Mbombela Local Municipality (Mbombela/Nelspruit White River) is deeply concerned by the utter lack Yesterday’s EFF march to Kleinfontein was nothing but political theatrics riddled with racism to divert attention away from the failures of the coalition in the The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) questions the Tshwane Metro’s Department of Human Settlements’ decision to relocate yet another 5 200 people to a piece ❗️Corné Mulder: GNU must unite or fail — as Trump-era US eyes ANC’s foreign blunders @alechogg @MulderCorn VF Plus dien griefskrif in teen Mangaung-watertariefverhoging | Freedom Front Plus Die VF Plus het ʼn griefskrif teen die Mangaung-metro se voorgestelde watertariefverhoging van 11% oorhandig aan die .. The Freedom Front Plus is committed to group rights against affirmative action and towards a better SA for all