CHAMPAGNE NEWS Love the Drakensberg, Love the Champagne Valley

t grea o w t uc i ng ng t he d o r t In s alo walk terhorn Mat

Three wonderful ladies of the mountains: Muriel Leggitt Di Wilkinson Elizabeth Klarer

Learn about owls! hornbills! and creepie"crawlies

Summer 2014 Official Newsletter of the Central Drakensberg Ratepayers' Association

Cover photo by Paul Brogan

Chairman's Message Summer 2014

I may be wrong, of course, but

our verges are being cut, and our rubbish is being collected. The municipality has many challenges ahead—who hasn’t? —, but I, for one, wish Mr Siza Sibande, the municipal manager, and his team the very best of luck. To our landowners, our residents, our businesses, and our visitors, may 2014 be a prosperous, safe, and healthy year for you.

I think the turnout at our last

Paul Brogan

AGM in November was a record high, at least since I was first involved in the CDRA ten years ago. My thanks go to all who made the effort to attend.

It was also pleasing to be able to start the new year with the same committee that served so well in the previous year: Ernie Matthis remains as my deputy, while also acting as our legal expert and reporting on the activities of the Community Policing Forum; Wendy Goulding has been our secretary for donkey’s years, and I’m especially pleased that she continues in this role, as well as that of a DA councillor on the Okhahlamba Local Municipality; the burdens of my office are made considerably lighter by having Graham Barry as our treasurer; and Tim Bell has demonstrated plentiful initiative as our environmental activist, on issues that are particularly close to my heart.

Don't forget that the municipal waste-truck picks up your rubbish bags between 07:30 and 08:30 every Monday and Friday for free. Meet it on the R600 close to the Drakensberg Sun turn-off.'

In addition to these permanent committee-members, we now have two sub-committees with seconded chairmen: Bill Carter heads our town-planning efforts; Dave Abraham has taken upon himself the task of leading an analysis of Okhahlamba’s budgeting and rate-setting performance. Both are former chairmen of the CDRA and bring an enormous amount of experience and good sense to the table. Last, but not least, we have two ex officio committeemembers: Frik Lemmer is our local Ezemvelo/KZN Wildlife conservation manager, while Sebastian Brogan is our newsletter editor and website guru.

Our new municipal tractor—along with two new brush-cutters—splits its time cutting verges between Winterton and the Champagne Valley.

With such a competent team, I believe we are able to deliver much during the course of the next year. Let me also express my thanks to Okhahlamba, who, after only a year out of administration—following an unfortunate spell of corruption and incompetence—has finally begun to service our needs. Our potholes are being fixed, 2

Champagne News Summer 2014

www.cdra.co.za

the

CONTENTS

Editorial Summer 2014 Some animals, it seems to me, cannot help but attract mythological meaning. The owl, the great ‘ruler of the night’, is one such creature. From Africa to Asia, Europe to the Americas, the symbolic significance of the owl has been woven so tightly into the fabric of countless cultures that even now, in our supposedly enlightened age, it has the power to strike the human heart and imagination in a very real way. For most cultures the association is negative; they are seen as the evil harbingers of death. The tradition of the Kenyan Kikuyu claims that hearing the hoot of an owl means someone you know is about to die. The Aztec god of death, Mictlantecuhtli, was closely associated with owls in many recorded depictions. Owls were used in the works of the Dutch artist, Hieronymus Bosch, to symbolize the need for alarm or caution due to an unseen threat or mortal danger. It was the ancient Greeks, however, who thought of these night-birds in a very different way. Owls were often found accompanying images of both Athens and Athena. With Athens being such an important hub of scholarship, and Athena being the goddess of wisdom, it is clear that the Greeks thought of the owl as a symbol of knowledge and power. This conflict of meaning was brought to my mind as I read through the articles submitted for this edition of the Champagne News. Frik's decision to write about owls seemed apt as I read through the article about cannibalism on page eleven. It was, however, as I read the obituary of a life well-lived that I started to wonder whether there was a way to marry these two—seemingly divergent—subjects of wisdom and death, both so vividly depicted through the historical symblolism of the owl. Perhaps there is no conflict between death and wisdom. Perhaps it is more useful to consider these two concepts as a binary system; each one dependent upon the other for its continuation and survival. For instance, is it not wisdom we gain when we come to learn of our shared human history, especially when it highlights some violent traits we may view as disturbing and negative? Likewise, when a loved one is taken by death, is not an opportunity created for us to grow in wisdom as we contemplate the importance of legacy?

SUMMER 2014 Pg 2

Chairman's Message The Chairman considers the year ahead.

Pg 3

Editorial Death and Wisdom.

Pg 4

Champagne Walking The Walking Club introduces us to the beauty of the Matterhorn.

Pg 5

Owls: Rulers of the Night Did you know that a family of barn owls can eat over 3000 rodents in a single nesting season? Frik Lemmer explores the fascinating world of the owl.

Pg 6

Environmental Report Conservation update on our local family of southern ground hornbills.

Pg 7

In the Garden Keep your lawn weed-free this summer.

Pg 8

Clubs and Activities The summer calendar is full and very exciting.

Pg 9

Obituary We remember the life and energy of the late Muriel Leggitt.

Pg 10

Okhahlamba's Performance Improves Wendy Goulding reports.

Pg 11

Kaybar's Cave Burials A history of cannibalism

Pg 12

Valley Personality Happy birthday, Di Wilkinson. 80 years and still going strong.

Pg 13

Featured Business If it slithers, creeps, or crawls, chances are that you will find it at The Reptile Centre.

Pg 14

Town Planning The Drak Sun hotel sets a local and national precedent.

Pg15

Dragonfly Forget about Area 51. Aliens are landing in the Drakensberg.

Thinkreate can be contacted on 083-5600-735

www.facebook.com/groups/champagnevalley

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From here, you can return the way you came or proceed along a clearly marked path towards Cathkin Peak and the main

Champagne Walking

escarpment. You meet the main trail at Breakfast Stream,

Exploring the Matterhorn

the Sphinx. At the fork, follow the sign to the hotel and not to

In this edition, we focus on two walks in the vicinity of the

the Monk’s Cowl office.

Matterhorn, the prominent ridge along the Little Berg that lies behind Champagne Castle Hotel.

where the walk downhill commences, past Verkykerskop and

This most delightful walk is one of the very best four-and-ahalf hour walks in the Berg, but it is necessary to be a

For both of these walks, permission needs to be obtained from the reception desk at the hotel. It is also necessary to sign in at the Monk’s Cowl Ezemvelo/KZN Wildlife office and to pay a small fee before returning to the hotel.

competent walker without fear of minor points of exposure. Valley View As for the Sunset Trail above, walk past the water tanks, but

Sunset Trail and across the top of the Matterhorn, returning via Breakfast Stream and the Sphinx After parking at the hotel, walk up past the bowling greens and the aviary, taking the path across the gravel service road leading to the slopes of the Matterhorn. Continue past the lookout

follow the lower trail to the Valley View. You take a wonderful meandering contour path over steams and small yellowwood forests, ending at a belvedere at the very end of the Matterhorn ridge. The viewpoint is located at a rocky outcrop with a few indigenous trees. From here, you will see the shy but dominant Monk’s Cowl peak and the lovely verdant Wonder Valley.

point and water tanks: the upper path, not the path leading to

Enjoy a refreshing cup of tea, then return either the same way

Valley View.

or along one of the many paths at a lower level behind the Hendersons’ home, Strathyre, making your way back to the

The next hour and a half will be spent meandering up the

hotel along a short section of the R600.

slopes of the Matterhorn, with splendid views, an abundance of flowers and streams, and a yellowwood forest. Above the

A comfortable, entertaining walk of three hours and a half.

sandstone band, the going gets a little more difficult and the

For further information, phone Bill Carter on 083 604 0765.

path is badly eroded. The end of the climb comes into view fairly soon and a well-earned rest can be enjoyed on the the

For details of the Tuesday morning walking club, phone Carol Knowles on 082 494 6062.

Matterhorn.

Bill Carter

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Champagne News Summer 2014

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Owls have a number of physiological adaptations that

Owls: Rulers of the Night

make them suitable to a nocturnal life. For example,

Ezemvelo/KZN Wildlife

their eyes are large and face forward—called

vision’, a characteristic of

Nocturnal life is often much more

primates—and these assist

interesting than anything daytime can

owls in judging distance and

dish up. This is largely because we normally can’t see much happening at

focusing on prey with both Wood Owl

eyes.

night, but technological advances, such as infrared camera-traps and powerful lowlight cameras, have afforded us a glimpse into this fascinating world. Many and varied animals own the night, from large and dangerous predators to tiny and cryptic invertebrates. However, when it comes to the night sky, owls rule.

‘binocular

They

also

have

a

significantly larger number of plates and cones in their eyes than most other animals, which enhance light absorption and sharpen images. Further, owls have a row of fine hairs on the leading edge of their primary flight feathers, which reduce wind resistance and make them almost inaudible in flight. Next time you encounter an owl, stop and listen carefully for when its flies off—you won’t. This adaptation provides tragic

South African owls can be broadly divided into two groups:

surprise for prey like mice, who do not hear an owl approach

those with ear-tufts and/or round faces (family: Strigidae), and

until it is far too late.

those with heart-shaped faces (family: Tytonidae). The largest owls in South Africa are the Giant Eagle Owl and enigmatic

Owls are excellent pest-control

Pel’s Fishing Owl, while the smallest are the miniature Pearl-

agents; where their numbers

spotted and Barred Owlets. Size classes range from almost a

are high, rats and mice are kept

metre tall to only 18 cm. Owls occur in all habitats and in all

well under control. They

parts of South Africa, from coastal plains to highland

should

grassland.

encouraged to thrive.

be

protected

and

Owls nest in holes in trees, in barns, and on the edges of buildings, and they readily take Cape Eagle Owl up residence in a well-constructed owl box, and I have a design for a very simple and effective owl box—please contact me for more information. In the next edition, we shall delve deeper into the world of Barn Owl, showing its distinctive disc-shaped face

owls, concentrating on the species that occur in our region.

In the Champagne Valley, we have six species: the Wood Owl, Frik Lemmer

Barn Owl, Cape Eagle Owl, and Spotted Eagle Owl are very common around most dwellings. The Marsh and Grass Owls are much rarer and occur only in certain parts of the Berg. The

Frik can be contacted at the following email address: [email protected]

Grass Owl is the focus of an intensive conservation programme on the highlands around Witbank, and it is in serious danger due to habitat loss and paucity of prey. www.facebook.com/groups/champagnevalley

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Sexes are very similar in appearance, but, once mature, the males have fully red facial skin, while the females have a patch

The Valley's Ground Hornbills Environmental News

of violet blue below the bill, which in many cases can cover most of the lower parts of the facial skin. Hornbills live in family groups of between two and eleven, with a dominant alpha breeding pair. They are extremely

Not only does our valley host a rare nesting site for the bald ibis

vulnerable because of their social structure, and only one out

(at Champagne Sports Resort), but it also boasts its own

of two to three chicks actually fledge. The dominant pair

resident family of southern ground hornbills (Bacorvus

breeds on average only once every two to five years and

leadbeteri), which has been in the valley for the past twenty

fledglings are successful on average only once every nine years.

years or more.

They forage, feeding on worms, lizards, frogs, snakes, or even

In 2004, the local honorary officers discovered an active nesting site in the hills above the Drakensberg Sun road. There was a total of seven birds in the group, including three young. During 2012/2013, my recorded sightings were mainly of individual birds, sometimes pairs. The lack of juveniles was noted in 2009/2010; to date no juveniles have been positively identified. One hopes that the youngsters have moved on to greener pastures and have started their own families and that the remaining adults breed again soon.

tortoises, and can occupy territories in excess of 100 km2. They do not drink water and get moisture from the food they eat. When breeding, they require suitable natural holes in either large trees or rock faces in which to nest. One such rock-nest site was identified and registered in the Valley in 2004. Habitat loss to agriculture and deforestation are the two main threats to the survival of these birds. Numbers have dwindled countrywide from an estimated 2500 in 2002 to approximately 1500 today. They are classified as ‘vulnerable’ in the Red Data Book.

The southern ground hornbill is the largest of the 58 hornbill species, distributed mainly in Asia, India, and Africa. They are easily identifiable by their appearance and signature ‘boom-

Please report any sightings to Gappy Smythe at 082-850-4227.

boom’ call.

Gappy Smythe

Ground Hornbill Identification Guide

ADULT MALE

ADULT FEMALE

Completely red facial Red facial skin with skin violet blue patch under bill

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Champagne News Summer 2014

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JUVENILE MALE

JUVENILE FEMALE

Approximately 3 years old. Red and yellow facial skin

Approximately 2 years old. Very mottled facial skin. Violet patch already showing under bill.

Rainfall Statistics

In the Garden Summer 2014 Welcome back from the holidays, and may your New Year garden be a pleasure to you.

Monthly Rainfall in the Valley 300 225 150 75 0

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

2013 Rainfall Rainfall (mm) 48 Year Av 5 Year Av 2013

2250 2000 1750 1500 1250 1000 750

Jan 255 291 154

Feb 220 201 223

May

Jun

July

48 Year Average Mar 211 196 281

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

5 Year Average

Apr May Jun July Aug Sep 76 22 10 11 33 57 98 18 20 11 28 55 161 35 10 1 21 19

Oct 132 142 133

Nov Dec 161 234 131 244 126 268

After being away, I hear complaints from many friends that the weeds in their lawns are prolific and, no matter what they do to prevent them, they keep coming up, carried in by the wind, birds, or even a garden service.

Total 1421 1433 1430

Year-on-year Rainfall Totals and Averages

The care of a lawn depends partly on the choice of grass and partly on the quality of the soil. The basic rules for lawn care are frequent and regular mowing, fertilization and weed control, and, to a lesser degree, watering and pest and disease control. The frequency of mowing depends on the type of grass, the season, and the weather. Generally, once a week is the norm.

1966 1968 1970 1972 1974 1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012

Annual Totals Rolling 5 Year Average

Drakensberg Central 036-468-1429

HOT PROPERTIES FOR SALE CATHKIN ESTATE R1,600,000 Freehold property on exclusive conservation estate. 150 sq.m. house. 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms. Good finishes. Including furnishing. Double garage. Ideal for syndication. Excellent security. Outstanding Drakensberg views. CHAMPAGNE VALLEY R3,500,000 Prime Property in development area. 20 hectares. Two houses, plus self contained apartment. Numerous outbuildings. Behind Security Fencing. Breath taking views SOLE MANDATE Price reduced from R4,500,000

Fertilizing to encourage growth and improve colour should be a regular part of lawn maintenance. Nitrogen predominates in fertilizers designed for lawns; organic or non-organic may be used. The use of organic fertilizers may produce no immediate response until moistened, but they are generally safe to use as they will not burn the grass. With inorganic fertilizers, grass will often turn a deeper green a few days after application, but the risk of burning is greater. It is advisable to rinse off the foliage with a hose immediately after application. Healthy lawns are less prone to weed infestation. By choosing a regular feeding programme for your lawn, you are effectively reducing the need for herbicides or manual weed-pulling. The best way to choose the correct herbicide for your lawn is to identify the weeds present. Information on identifying the weeds and selecting the appropriate herbicide is best sought from experts at nurseries, garden centres, or lawn specialists. May your lawn in 2014 be beautiful, green, and a perfect frame for your garden. Sally Wood

Call your match-making team today. Dave Abraham 083-252-7768. Fred Knowles 082-322-0619. Carol Knowles 082-494-6062. www.realty1drakensberg.co.za

[email protected]

www.facebook.com/groups/champagnevalley

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Clubs & Events Summer 2014

CALENDAR EVENTS Date

Event

Contact Information

5 February

Estcourt Biathlon/Triathlon

Mark 082-374-2034

22 February

WFO National Enduro

Bianca 083-612-2373/083-785-1693

24 Feb-2 March

Barrier of Spears MTB Adventure

Loretta 036-438-6242

13-16 March

Flock in the Berg

Linda 011-789-1122

13-14 March

Learn About Birds

Linda 011-789-1122

16-20 March

Morris Minor Owners' Club

Robin 036-468-1068

30 March

Royal Drakensberg MTB Challenge

Megan 036-438-6270

12 April

Bergville to Ladysmith Marathon

Ladysmith Athletic 076-536-7070

25 April-3 May

Joberg2C

Kelly 072-227-2493

1-4 May

Music in the Mountains

Steven 036-468-1012

4 May

Cavanagh Marathon

Jenny 072-244-5611

28 June

Polar Bear Swim Challenge

Ann 082-828-0401

CLUBS & ACTIVITIES BRIDGE Thursday mornings, 09:00 at The Nest. Contact Cathy Robinson, 036-488-1015. BOWLS At The Nest, 'Tabs in' Wednesday and Saturday, 13:45 for 14:00. Whites unnecessary. Flat shoes (no heel). Bowls available. Contact Dave Goldworthy 084-206-7651. GARDEN CLUB First Wednesday of every month. Contact Sally Wood, 082-894-7198. WALKING CLUB Tuesday 07:00 in summer; 08:00 in winter. Contact Carol, 082-494-6062. PROBUS First Thursday every month, 18:00 at Monk's Cowl Country Club. Contact Nikki Walters, 082-490-5202 DRAKENSBERG BOYS' CHOIR Concerts at 15:30 on Wednesdays. 036-468-1012

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Champagne News Summer 2014

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Many thanks to Ann Gray for compiling this list of events. For more information, please contact her on 082-828-0401

Obituary: Muriel Leggitt The Gracious Lady of the Mountains Muriel Leggitt was to us a very special person among many special people. Two days short of her 85th birthday, she died peacefully last month at her home at the top of our Valley, choosing to spend her last few months surrounded by the love and affection of Allan—her husband of 62 years—, her family, and many Valley friends. Allan was especially grateful to Hilda Thornhill, whose dedication helped smooth the path that he and Muriel had to travel those past few months. She and William, Jens and Rita Jacobsen, Janet and Neil Crawford, and many, many others gave their hearts so that Allan and Muriel were able to face the end of their love and lengthy marriage with calmness, love, and

She was also the weather lady. Year in and year out, day by day,

faith. Muriel’s life ended with beautiful views down our

she faithfully kept note of every millimetre of rain, which

Valley, surrounded by her beloved family, friends, and cats:

enabled Jens to compile the annual records, graphs, and trends

such a blessing, and so richly deserved.

you see in this newsletter.

Muriel’s association with the Valley goes back to when R. O.

Muriel impacted our lives in a quiet, meaningful way, and all

Pearse, her father, author of Barrier of Spears and other books,

of us in the Valley shall be grateful for her very real love and

was appointed Headmaster of Estcourt High School and when

presence. We shall miss Muriel deeply. She expressed her love

he and Edith built their home, Emkhizweni, on the dusty

of life through its daily wonders: her home was her castle; her

R600. Eventually, Muriel and Allan built their own home

kitchen, her laboratory; her garden, her heaven on earth. She

close by, with a lovely path linking the two.

had no need for grand gestures. Her charm and attraction lay in her thorough goodness. We are also grateful to Allan for taking such good care of Muriel and showing us all how to make a good and lasting marriage, and we shall be at his side as he faces a new life, enriched by his memories and love of Muriel. Muriel’s children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren will also carry fond memories of Granny Mu’s life, and I am sure that Lally Boy will continue to encourage them to come

Muriel never missed a hike with the Walking Club easily and, despite her heart by-pass, she would keep pace with the best. I remember clearly, only two years ago at the age of 82, her climbing to the Little Berg along and up Keartland’s Pass— one of the most formidable paths to Blindman’s Corner—

walk with him in the mountains that she loved. God’s great gift to this valley is silence, and we bow our heads as we remember Muriel and keep Allan in our thoughts and prayers.

never complaining, just smiling at the enjoyment and the

Bill Carter

wonder of it all. I know that, if it were possible, we of the Walking Club should give her a 21-gun salute. Thank you, Muriel, for the memories. www.facebook.com/groups/champagnevalley

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Okhalamba's Performance Improves

There are electricity-supply constraints in several areas, including the Valley, so Okhahlamba has applied to Eskom for a project, with a total cost of R19 million, to tackle these and other priorities. Its aim is to have all households connected by 2016.

Congratulations are due to the Okhahlamba Local Municipality. For the first time, it has obtained a clean audit from the national Auditor General’s office, only one of seven in KZN for the 2012/13 financial year.

Construction of a licensing centre, testing ground, and disaster-management centre began in September 2013 and is scheduled to be completed at the end of October 2014, at a cost of R13.7 million. The site is on the R74 at the south entrance to Bergville, below the soccer field. As part of the Small Town Rehabilitation Grant, the roads in Winterton have been repaired and tarred, parking bays demarcated, and traffic lights installed at the intersection of the R74 and R600. A taxi rank is being constructed at the edge of Khetani.

At the beginning of 2012, Okhahlamba was still under administration. The positions of municipal manager and the four executive directors were all vacant. In recognition of this rapid turnaround, both in quality of staff and performance, the Auditor General will pay an official visit in January 2014. In the Town Planning Department, congratulations are due to Ms Sibongile Nene, who qualified as a certified town planner at the end of 2013. Another cause for celebration is that amendments to the Cathkin Park Town Planning Scheme, first proposed in 2006, have finally been approved. The Department of Higher Education (DHE) in Pretoria has approved the establishment of a Further Education and Training College in Bergville, to operate for two years as a satellite college to the FET in Ladysmith and to become a formal FET College thereafter. A budget of R5,6 million has been approved, and the DHE has asked the municipality to donate land for the college. Contractors are ready to start construction in 2014. R17 million has been allocated to Okhahlamba by the Department of the Environment for a new landfill site and an integrated waste-management plan, a statutory requirement.

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Champagne News Summer 2014

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The municipal offices have at last been fenced and paved on all four sides, providing much-needed parking space. Landscaping has commenced, trees have been planted along the R74, and a pavement has been added. We at last begin to feel the benefits of a municipality that is performing as it ought to do. Wendy Goulding DA Councillor, Okhahlamba Local Municipality

Kaybar's Cave Burials A History of Cannibalism Kaybar’s Cave, adjacent to Cleo’s Pool, is named after the manager of the old Cathkin Park Hotel in the 1930’s. Mr Kaybar had a deep interest in archaeology; when he became

Cannibalism may have arisen from the great famine of 1802, and became such a nuisance that Dingaan dispatched a force to the Valley in about 1830 to deal with the problem. Most of the cannibals were massacred, but some fled in the direction of Cathedral Peak and settled in the area later called the Upper Tugela Location.

aware of these burials, he asked Professor Raymond Dart, of

There was a certain degree of etiquette involved in

Taung Skull fame, to do a thorough survey of the whole

cannibalism. A community never ate its own members, but

Cathkin area. Professor Dart was unable to come, but he

rather sent a messenger to the headman of a neighbouring

passed the job on to the equally capable Professor Lawrence

group, saying, ‘Father, we are hungry, give us food.’ The

Wells of the Department of Anatomy at Wits University. On

headman would then select a suitable victim from among his

2 December, 1931, Wells, together with three other

own people, who was usually unaware of his fate, and bid him

archaeologists and a team of labourers supplied by Mr Kaybar,

accompany the messenger. Upon arrival, the victim was

began their survey.

immediately clubbed and eaten. The group that had furnished

They found eight cave-burials, three of which were in Kaybar’s Cave. Two of these were ‘tomb’ burials, the deceased being

the victim then had first claim upon the recipients for a similar favour.

buried in a sitting position in a stone-lined, corbel-vaulted

The skeletons removed from Kaybar’s Cave were housed in the

tomb. The roof of one of them remains at the extreme right

Department of Anatomy at Wits, while the cave itself was

end of the cave. The tombs are thought to be of the Amazizi

forgotten for forty years until rediscovered by Professor Wells

tribe, although the skeletons showed that they had Bushman

and the Wilcox family in 1972.

(San) admixture. (Tomb burials were common among the By D. Wilcox

southern Bantu tribes at the time.)

The first skeleton was of a middle-aged Bantu male with some Bushman admixture, while the second was of an adult Bushman female with some Bantu admixture. The mutilation of the second skull was thought to be either the work of Muti (medicine) hunters or the result of cannibalism, which was rife amongst the Amazizi tribe in the Valley at the time. A third skeleton, found on the cave’s floor, was that of a small child. www.facebook.com/groups/champagnevalley

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Her first job was brought to her by local resident, Jens Jacobsen: what had been a beautiful blue-and-white planter was now in 19 pieces, with a further two pieces missing.

Di Wilkinson

Unfazed, she set to work on this ceramic jigsaw and returned

Valley Personality

it, whole, to its highly pleased owner.

Are you concerned about the approach of age? Take a leaf out

Four years ago, Di saw an opportunity for tourist brochures to

of this lady’s book, keep age at bay, and learn, or do, something

be packaged and delivered to where they had to be, and she has

new. I spent a delightful time with Di, enjoying a gracious cup

been doing just that ever since, travelling far and wide.

of tea in her tranquil garden, and by the time this article appears, Di will be fast approaching her 80th birthday, which is hard to believe as we discuss her busy life.

This indefatigable lady is looking forward to seeing son Gaeran from Plettenberg Bay, daughter Devon from Hilton, and son Rowan from Johannesburg, together with spouses and

Di’s ambition was always to

four grandchildren, to celebrate together, and then she will be

get involved in farming,

back on her rounds.

but her father felt that this was no career for a young lady and it was some time before she was accepted into the Department of Agriculture for training in the dairy division. Once qualified, she had a wide area

throughout

province

to

the visit

regularly for TB testing in cattle herds, accompanied always by her faithful dog. Di brought herself and her three children to the Valley 36 years ago, and for most of that time her home has been her charming wood-and-thatch cottage with its genteel air of yesteryear, but the lady herself is certainly no antique. She worked in many of our tourist destinations, often, to her great joy, able to maintain her love of riding. She ran the stables at Champagne Lane for many years, worked at Monk’s Cowl, both the nature reserve and the golf course, Champagne Sports, Dragon Peaks, all over the show. When she’d turned 70, Di was reading an article in Garden and Home about repairing precious china, and she thought this was just the thing to keep her busy. She attended a twoweek course, returned home to practise what she had learned, then attended another two-week course in the Eastern Cape, finally qualifying in 2006; at the age of 73, she proved that one is never too old. 12

Champagne News Summer 2014

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Happy birthday, Di. Janet Bradley

The Reptile Centre boasts a wide collection. On view is the

The Reptile Centre Featured Business

Madagascar chameleon (the second biggest in the world), local and exotic snakes, including Brazilian boas, a black mamba, and a rhino viper (which is endangered), a tortoise, a tarantula, an Emperor scorpion, and an Argentinan horned frog, known

The Reptile Centre at the top of the S-bend is the brainchild

familiarly as ‘Pakman’ because it eats anything it comes across.

of CJ Hood, who has kept all sorts of unusual pets from childhood—horrible things that frighten mothers and nannies out of their wits—and he has a deep affinity for nature. It’s a way of life for him.

One of the biggest headaches in this venture is to acquire the necessary licences. The Department of Conservation Services has been most helpful in sourcing the permits required for the tortoises and understands the struggle involved to keep many of these extraordinary creatures in the interests of conservation. Maintaining the centre is a 24/7 job. Every creature has to be fed and watered: not the easiest of tasks. Crickets, meal-worms, cockroaches, super-worms, and other critters are reared to provide rations. The garden, too, is a vast source of nutrition: sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, leaves, roots, tubers, and African potatoes abound. The Reptile Centre is quickly becoming a ‘must see’ spot. It is open every day except Monday, unless it is a public holiday or

Looking for an opportunity to add value to our Valley, CJ has,

during peak season. Tours are on the hour, every hour, and CJ

in essence, developed an education centre with his creepies and

encourages people to call him on 082 955 1404 at busy times

crawlies, big and small. He believes that we should all face our

to avoid disappointment. If you’re a local and you come across

fears: what we fear, we kill, and if we understand the creatures

a creepy thing that you definitely do not want to keep, please

we share our world with, we are less likely to harm them.

give him a call; he will collect it and ensure that it is relocated

Snakes, spiders, and the like are not nearly as dangerous as

safely and far away.

many believe, and they play vital roles in our ecosystem. Puff

Janet Bradley

adders control rats and mice, for example.

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Town Planning Matters... ...as do environmental issues, as the Drakensberg Sun Resort, on the boundary of the World Heritage Site and within the Valley, so emphatically emphasized by receiving South Africa’s first Heritage Diamond Award. Congratulations: we are immensely proud of this achievement. Tsogo Sun’s stylish Drakensberg Sun Resort has consistently proven that, through sustainable efforts, a luxury resort can operate seamlessly and contribute to the upliftment and sustainability of local communities and businesses, while adhering to environmentally friendly practices. On 3 November, the resort achieved the highest accolade in South Africa—a Diamond Classification Status—because of its unwavering focus on sustainable environmental excellence for five consecutive years, officially making it South Africa's most sustainable tourism product. ‘Since 2008, the resort has maintained its Heritage Platinum Certification status and demonstrated its organizational commitment to responsible business, and this award recognizes the efforts that have been made to minimize impacts and raise awareness of environmental stewardship in the tourism sector,’ says Neal Dickinson, director of operations at Heritage.

* Diamond classification is the premier award, recognizing five years of continuous Platinum Status. The Drakensberg Sun Resort is the only South African hotel that has achieved this level. ‘The team have a clear understanding of their potential environmental impacts and have implemented extensive initiatives to identify and minimize resource use, reduce waste, and raise awareness of environmental issues with our guests. ‘Through their activities, they are upholding their responsibilities to our local communities, our guests, our shareholders, employees, and business partners by concentrating their efforts on resource conservation, natural habitat preservation, pollution prevention, and community upliftment,’ says Deon Viljoen, Director of Operations, Southern Sun Resorts at Tsogo Sun. ‘This recognition is particularly relevant as the Drakensberg Sun Resort is situated next to a World Heritage Site,’ adds Deon. In a nutshell, the resort operates like a small municipality. It draws and treats its own water, has implemented a waste recycling and removal programme, controls and monitors its own electricity consumption, and manages its own sewerage plant. There have been notable results: reductions in energy, water, and gas consumption, as well as waste. Its conservation activities include a vulture restaurant to encourage endemic birds back into the Drakensberg Mountains.The resort also reintroduced dassies into its immediate environment after an epidemic obliterated the population in 1992. The increased dassie population is also aiding the return of the black eagle.

‘The Drakensberg Sun Resort is recognized as a leader in this field by its peers and has received numerous awards for its efforts to become more sustainable. We are confident that, in awarding this prestigious status to the management and staff at the resort, they will be encouraged to continue to set the pace in responsible tourism practice,’ he adds.

Darron Moore, General Manager, says, ‘Integrating our environmental approach with our business practices has become second nature for the team. Every decision incorporates careful consideration of how it would impact on our immediate surroundings and the environment as a whole. All staff, suppliers, and contractors are guided by our environmental policies.’

Tsogo Sun requested the Heritage Environmental Rating Programme to measure and track environmentally responsible business and sustainable practices at all its properties.

The Drakensberg Sun Resort's efforts also extend beyond its own operations.

Developed using seven international environmental management systems and ISO 14000, Heritage is one of the top three environmental management programmes in the tourism industry worldwide. It is endorsed by the United Nations World Tourism Organization and is an integral part of the annual Fedhasa Imvelo awards. • Silver classification is the entry level. Properties that achieve this status recognize their impact on the environment and are actively working to reduce their footprint. • Gold classification properties have established a formalized environmental management system and are actively applying policies and procedures designed to minimize their environmental impacts. • Platinum classification is reserved for those properties that have achieved world-class standards of environmental stewardship and sustainable business practice. The Drakensberg Sun Resort first received Platinum Status in 2009. 14

Champagne News Summer 2014

www.cdra.co.za

‘We encourage and empower our local community to underpin and support our efforts through empowering them to make a living through our sustainable environmental activities. ‘One example is Thobisi, who used to be our gardener and who now manages our vegetable patch and herb garden. He "owns" the vegetable and herb business and we buy our products from him. We have also built a little shop where the local community and surrounding businesses can buy fresh produce from him.’ ‘Other recent additions include a traversing agreement for small game between the Drakensberg Sun Resort and its neighbours, as well as upgraded environmentally friendly hiking trails,’ says Darron. The Drakensberg Mountains are unquestionably one of South Africa's most magnificent natural treasures, one that the Drakensberg Sun Resort is working hard to preserve for generations to come. Taken from an official press release of Tsogo Sun Hotels

Star-trekking Dragonfly

When adventure calls, I camp on the escarpment, wait for darkness, and lie down with a pair of binoculars and a mug of whisky. I relive my boyhood fantasy: travelling between Mclass planets, like a butterfly in a field of flowers. Someone who did more than fantasize, and who entered Berg legend in the process, was Elizabeth Klarer. She was born in Mooi River in 1910, studied music and meteorology in England (a logical choice for a budding spacewoman), and learned to fly light aircraft (which, given later events, came in quite handy). After reading George Adamski’s Flying Saucers Have Landed (1953) and Inside the Space Ships (1955), Elizabeth suddenly remembered that she’d been receiving telepathic messages from a friendly space alien called Akon since childhood. She at last replied, and arranged to meet him, riding her horse into our valley on 17 July 1955. She climbed over the Sphinx to Breakfast Stream, where she turned uphill to where the stream began. You can still visit this rendezvous point today. When you reach a flat area, where the firebreak is burned every year, a 30- or 40metre circle where nothing grows marks the spot.

There are, of course, perfectly feasible geological explanations for the lack of vegetation, but let’s not spoil the story. Akon allowed Elizabeth to take pictures of his spaceship. This was the start of a beautiful romance and, on 7 April 1956, Akon actually landed. He swept her up in his arms (or tentacles, or whatever) and carried her off to the mother ship, which was in earth orbit. In 1957, he took her back to his planet in the Alpha Centauri system, and they consummated the relationship. At the age of 47, she had a son, who stayed behind for his education while she came back down to earth. The whole shebang—trip there, sex, pregnancy, delivery, and return trip—took a mere four months. Elizabeth took a little longer to publish the book, Beyond the Light Barrier (1980). Just before Elizabeth died in 1994, Russell Tungay flew her to the spaceship’s landing site, free of charge, for one more look. Many would be surprised at the numbers who still visit the Berg every year, having met her or read the book, to pay homage to this strange place where Akon seduced his little earthling. Whether or not you are a believer, the Galaxy has billions of stars and you too can enjoy a wonderful voyage, supine on your lawn with the lights out. Bring the binoculars, the Scotch, and your imagination.

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'Something will have gone out of us as a people if we ever let the remaining wilderness be destroyed; if we permit the last virgin forests to be turned into comic books and plastic cigarette cases; if we drive the few remaining members of the wild species into zoos or to extinction; if we pollute the last clear air and dirty the last clean streams and push our paved roads through the last of the silence . . .' - Wallace Stegner, The Sound of Mountain Water