A group of locals including Donald Campbell of Trout Lodge, Paul Clarke of Longmeadow Home Farm, Nigel Briggs of Dullstroom Inn and Frans Krige of Mpumalanga Parks "sparked" the idea of hosting an adventure race in the Dullstroom/Highlands Meander region. The idea behind the event is to create a market awareness of the diversity of activities available in the region, to draw people's attention to the environment and to encourage team/family leisure time outdoors. The organisational prowess and experience of Christo Horn of Compass Sports was drawn in to assist. Compass Sports has made a major contribution to organization and sponsorship of the forthcoming adventure racing events planned for the weekend of 12-16 December 2003.

The goodwill and hospitality of the many landowners through which the race events will traverse cannot go without acknowledgement.

Three adventure races are planned; a mini Adventure that will take place at Trout Lodge, an 100 km event for the not so brave and the AR Finals 250km event that will start and finish at Middelpunt Sport and Team Building Academy just outside Dullstroom.


Adventure racing in brief:
Popularised by television coverage of Mark Burnett's Eco Challenge events, adventure racing is no longer an obscure extreme sport. In a classical sense, adventure racing is a multi-discipline, multi-day endurance sport where competitors compete in teams of four, navigating from checkpoint to checkpoint to cover vast areas in a number of disciplines. Mini, Sprint and Short course categories now exist, luring those hesitant adventurers out for a morning or day of glorious dirty, off-road fun.

Disciplines frequently include: Mountain biking, kayaking, abseiling, orienteering, hiking and various other adventure activities. Each event will differ from the next and could include any of the following: kloofing, caving, swimming, coasteering, rock climbing, traversing, sea kayaking, obstacles and tasks... this is the charm of this sport - each event location is unique and it is up to the creativity of the race organiser to utilise the environment by incorporating unusual disciplines.

Teams are expected to navigate using a compass and 1:50 000 topographical maps. GPS-assisted navigation is not allowed. This is where the whole strategy aspect of adventure racing comes into play. Like the Hare and the Tortoise, just because you're fast and strong, it doesn't mean you'll do well. You have to be clever. Teams often get lost through inexperience, bad decisions, and they most frequently discover that short cut's are not always what they appear to be.

Teams are required to check in at passport control (PC) points between discipline transitions, where they have their passports checked by the event organisers. This keeps track of where the teams are on the course - safety factor - and provides navigation points, places they have to locate.

The racers are supported by their own seconding team who, particularly on longer events, they may not see for a day or two. The seconds meet them at designated transition points. Here the team refills their supplies, changes clothing and gear i.e. collect bicycles, and sleeps, if necessary. Sleep plays a major role in this sport - the less, the better.

But, no matter what your fitness, the distance you over which you race or the level at which you compete, there's one common rule; teams are required to complete the entire race distance together (not further than 50 meters apart), helping and assisting each other.

Adventure racing is about teamwork, not individual achievement.

The 250 km race will be the final event of the Mazda Drifter AR Series. The series consisted of a 200 km race in Lesotho, a 250 km race in Transkei, a 300 km event in Mozambique and now the Final SA Opens event in Dullstroom.

The area with all the farms that offer adventure activities lends itself to an excellent adventure destination not only for racing but for leisure, training and breakaways. Farms like Trout Lodge, Uitvlugt, Ratelspruit and Klipbankspruit have excellent hiking trials, waterfalls and breathtaking views. Just about every farm has horses and other activities like clay pigeon shooting and archery can be found on farms like Valleispruit, Middelpunt and Ratelspruit but to mention a few.

A final acknowledgement must go to the Master Adventure Race [of life] Organiser in whose creation we all participate.

For more information on the Mini Adventure Challenge contact:
troutlodge@dullstroom.net
Cell: 082 654 1832

Three million years ago the skurweberg was formed, one of the rarest and most endangered eco-systems in the world, the ancient grasslands of Africa. The increased rainfall on the lowlands allowed the invasion of trees which now constitute the bushveld of the lowveld. The ancient primates from which we have sprung were the first people who discovered the gorges and the valleys of the Skurweberg are now lost in the mist of time.

The earliest known people to hunt and live here were the Koi San, whose paintings can still be seen in the Bankspruit and Eland gorges. Later or perhaps earlier, came a mysterious and as yet never truly explained civilization, that built the stone circles and terracing in the area and then disappeared without trace. These extensive remains are the only significant stone buildings other than the famous Zimbabwe ruins on the sub continent.

Their heritage is a source of much study and speculation, but to date they have as yet not even been conclusively dated and their origins are a mystery. The Koi San were driven from the area by the influx of the great pastoral people of the Bantu and N'guni who moved south behind their herds of cattle and this eventually became part of the Swazi Kingdom and in particular was the royal hunting ground of their kings. The battles between this great tribe and the awesome might of their neighbours the Zulu and then the influx of the colonialists soaked these hills in blood.

Cattle and sheep were introduced and the Skurweberg with it's prime winter grazing became an integral part of the annual migration from the Lowveld of men and their herds grateful for the fresh water and sweet grasses of the highveld.

With the advent of the discovery of gold in Barberton the Skurweberg became a vital route of supply between the railhead at Machadodorp. From here all the supplies and materials needed to exploit the riches of the Barberton seams were loaded onto ox wagons to be hauled down the Hells Kloof Pass past the Skurweberg and through the Komati valley.

The Skurweberg again saw conflict when the Boer War spread to this region and over 200people with their animals hid here from and menaced the British forces for the final 2 years and most bitter part of the Boer War, after which they erected a monument on Brimansi overlooking the now named "Brides Leap Falls". These falls just one of many spectacular features of the Skurweberg is at 278 ft the second highest falls in Mpumalanga after the Mac Mac Falls, has a tragic tale.

In 1952 a sergeant in the Machadodorp Police came here to have his weddings photos taken, with his new bride of just a few hours. It was a glorious spring afternoon and the whole party were celebrating the happy event little thinking that the storm at the head of the Komati gorge would forever change their lives. The crashing storm unleashed its rain which forced the air to rush down the gorge and funnel up the Bankspruit gorge to catch the billowing gown of the bride and swept her over the end of the cliff. The groom in a fit of despair then leapt after her to die by her side. Today one can still see the bride when the river is strong and when it floods even the shadow of the groom and two brides- maids can be seen as though in memorial to a great love with such tragic outcome.

Today the Skurweberg is poised to become the next playground for the industrial heartland of Africa in Gauteng. Serviced by the new Maputo corridor and with easy access, the rivers, dams and the spectacular nature here is tempting all those who enjoy country pursuits. Now part of the Highlands Meander, the Skurweberg is welcoming both local and international visitors to enjoy life in our region. To ensure that all who visit our hills and lodges get the best quality service and information the local community has come together to form a Local Tourism Organization in conjunction with the Highlands and Mpumalanga tourism bodies. The Skurweberg Tourism Organisation will work to enhance and to promote the area and try to ensure that we maintain the highest standards in service, accommodation and safety.

Web site: www.theskurweberg.co.za

The Primary School section of Belfast Academy honoured its achievers on 5 November 2003.

202 Learners received prizes of which 65 were golden certificates, 12 received gold scrolls and 3 learners were awarded colours.

Ons as gesin wil graag volle erkening gee vir Johannes Foster Mbuyane.

Op Sat. 8 November 2003 was ons oppad terug van 'n vakansie in Natal en ons het op Dullstroom stilgehou om die dorp te verken. Nadat ons die dorp verlaat het en reeds oppad was na Lydenburg, het ons egter met 'n skok besef dat ons selfoon vermis is.

Ons het omgedraai en teruggekeer na al die plekke waar ons was maar kon egter nie die selfoon vind nie. Alhoewel ons seker was dat ons die foon nooit weer sal sien nie, het ons ons kontakbesonderhede by van die besighede en by die polisiestasie gelos.

Johannes Foster Mbuyane, 36 jaar oud, wat neute verkoop in die hoofstraat van die dorp het egter die selfoon sien lê waar dit geval het voor een van die winkels en dit opgetel.

Aangesien die selfoon afgeskakel was het hy toe sy eie sim kaart in die foon gesit en 'n totale bedrag van R29 geskakel op sy eie rekeningsonkoste om te probeer uitvind wie se foon dit is. Hy het so op die manier by ons familie uitgekom wie ons daaropvolgens laat weet het dat die foon gevind is.

Op die manier het ek sy selnommer gekry en geskakel. Ons het toe teruggedraai na Dullstroom waar ons Johannes aangetref het by die polisiestasie waar hy toe die foon wou inhandig.

Dit was voorwaar 'n wonderwerk dat 'n eerlike en opregte man soos Johannes die selfoon gesien en opgetel het en soveel moeite gedoen het om die eienaar te probeer opspoor.

Johannes is voorwaar 'n aanwins en advertensie vir die toeristedorp. Hy is 'n bewys dat daar nog eerlike en opregte mense is en stel voorwaar 'n voorbeeld vir baie van ons.

Ons wil hiermee eerstens vir die Here loof dat Hy iemand soos Johannes gestuur het om die foon op te tel. Baie dankie Johannes vir jou eerlikheid en moeite om ons op te spoor om die foon aan ons terug te besorg!!

Dirk en Annia de Klerk.

(Waterval Boven)

The Oosterlijn Bike Rally that was held at Waterval Boven 10-12th October 2003 was a huge success. The rally was held in aid of Laerskool Oosterlijn's Feeding Programme and was hosted by Camp Trevor Outdoor Adventure Centre.

Motorbikes started to arrive on the Friday evening and they were entertained in a marquee tent with a live band "Roosterbrood" and two new up and coming stars Elana May and Stephen. Live music was provided by them throughout the entire weekend.

On Saturday morning, the rest of the bikes arrived, and from 10h00 to 12h00 the guys were showing off their bikes and skills in town.

From 12h00 onwards it was fun and games at Camp Trevor. Games like "Bite the Sausage" and "Best Wheelie", "Slow Race", "Tug-O-War" and "Concourse Bike" were just a few of the competitions the bikers took part in.

Saturday night a braai and prize-giving ceremony was held in the dining hall and bikers danced until the early hours of the morning.

The event was positively accepted by the residents of Waterval Boven and they are looking forward to future rally's. The organisers were praised for their part in bringing some excitement to the town.

The hosts of the rally, Camp Trevor Outdoor Adventure Centre indicated that the event was an enjoyable experience and on request from the bikers will host the rally again next year.

A date for the next year's rally has already been set for 8, 9 and 10th August 2004.

The peeling, grubby railroad bridge pillars at Waterval Boven have been an eyesore for a long time and desperately needed re-painting. A team of 30 Waterval Boven residents got together on Thursday evening 9th October 2003 to rejuvenate the pillars with a fresh coat of paint.

The team started work at 16h00 and as evening approached flood lights were set up and the painting was completed by midnight. A braai was held to sustain the busy painters and they made short work of it.

19 pillars of 5m in height were painted in blue, green, mauve, pink, yellow and turquoise. What a face lift !! The colourful paint was supplied by Promac Paints and the residents complimented the painting team on a job well done !!

For Promac Paint details contact: Amelia or Alma at Trade Worx Tel: (013) 257-0124

At the recent Annual General Meeting, members approved a number of changes to the Constitution which was originally adopted in 1993. Most of the modifications were cosmetic with the main one being the change of name to the Dullstroom Residents Association which, members agreed, indicated a more realistic title.

Previous Chairman Bryan Rowland stepped down and Peter St Clair was elected Chairman in his stead. Bryan agreed to remain on the Committee as vice-Chairman. Other Committee members elected were Tina Pohlandt-Watson, Trish Kennedy, Chris Baines and Michael Vermooten.

One of the tasks of the Association is to monitor what is happening in our village and to liaise with the Highlands Municipality to ensure that we receive, at a minimum, our rightful share of the Municipal resources whether these be financial or labour-related. A number of meetings have been held with the Municipality on issues which affect our community and some positive results have been forthcoming. Amongst the more major items which we, together with the Chamber of Business, are jointly pursuing with the Municipality are water resource and management, frequent effluent flows into the Crocodile River, the state of roads and stormwater drains in and around the village and the legality of a number of business developments in Dullstroom, particularly along the main road.

To be an effective organisation this Association must represent the majority of residents/ratepayers in Dullstroom. At present we have a viable membership but there is a strong need for everyone who lives - or pays rates - in Dullstroom and Sakhelwe to throw their support behind us. Membership is a nominal R60 per year and we're even prepared to negotiate on this in cases of genuine hardship !

It is important that we show the Highlands Municipality we represent the significant majority of people in our village and I would ask everyone who is not a member, yet who supports our objectives, to come on board without delay.

Peter St Clair

The unique mixture of pine forest and vlei around Lakenvlei attracts a large number of devoted local as well as international orienteers. Indeed, people in the know say that the area boasts some of the best orienteering terrain in the country.

Through the continuous effort and support of father and son combination Pieter and Nicholas Mulder of the Rand and Wits Orienteering Club the sport has gone from strength to strength at Lakenvlei. The Mulders have mapped some 25% of the Belfast State Forest for orienteering purposes and in January this year the Lakenvlei Forest Lodge Permanent Orienteering Course was launched as a welcome addition to the number of recreational activities that are available to Lakenvlei's guests.

The course was opened by the British Orienteering Squad, who stayed at the Lodge to train "at altitude" for the 2003 World Championships in Switzerland. One of the visitors, Scotsman Jamie Stevenson in fact managed to win the world title in the Sprint discipline. Other international visitors included members and coaches of the world-ranking Halden and Nydalen clubs from Norway. Most of the visitors will be back during the bleak European winter to prepare for the 2004 World Championships in Sweden and enjoy our summer temperatures and sunshine, as well as our local hospitality.

Although these international stars navigated around the 1960m long forest course at a speed faster than it would take your average South African rugby player to get to the try line, Lakenvlei's Ulrich Seelbach is at pains to explain that the orienteering course is designed first and foremost to provide an interesting challenge and recreational pursuit for guests in the 5-90 age range who do not have to be super athletes.

Orienteering has its origins in Scandinavia and South Africa now boasts more than 100 mapped venues all over the country. Events are organised in Gauteng and around Cape Town virtually every weekend and are well attended.

Orienteers walk, jog or run with a specially made map, starting at a point shown as a triangle on the map and find their own way, aiming to locate a number of control points, which are marked by a circle on the map. 

Check points on the permanent course are in the shape of wooden poles. These are equipped with a pin punch which makes it possible to mark the control card and provide proof that the control site has been found. At a competitive club and provincial level, an electronic punching and timing system is used that allows for each of the participants' split times to be captured and printed and makes it possible to compare times and performance at the end of the competition.

In August this year the three day SA Orienteering championships were hosted at the Lakenvlei Lodge and more recently a two day provincial event attracted good support from orienteers all over the country. Two events are planned for the new year, one of which will be a 5-6 hours endurance competition.

Ulrich Seelbach who has done it and liked it has the final say: "try it, it's great fun!"

For further enquiries on orienteering and the Lakenvlei Lodge facilities.

Contact:  Pieter Mulder:
Tel: 011 678 5596 Cell: 083 260 2002
www.roc.org.za or email: pmulder@infodoor.co.za

Lakenvlei Forest Lodge & Conference Centre
Tel: 013 253 0550/2 Fax: 013 253 0844

(Anneke Marnewick)

World Travel Market 2003 was held from 10 to 13 November 2003 in London UK , at the ExCeL exhibition centre. One of the highlights included the World Travel Market's official welcome with spectacular fireworks by the river.

This travel exhibition had a six per cent increase in overseas visitors and a nine per cent rise in trade visitors this year. Overall there were nearly 45,000 delegates, exhibiting personnel and media as compared to 43,803 last year. A total of 191 countries participated with 119 new exhibitors. Overseas and UK media numbers also rose by seven per cent, this amazing figures is a sign that the tourism industry is thriving worldwide.

No other event attracts the number of senior industry professionals that gathered at ExCeL. You only had to look around the halls and the boulevard to see the volume of serious business being conducted and the amount of networking and catching up with old friends and contacts.

The sheer number of top quality visitors and significant business that took place during all four days is perhaps the greatest proof yet that travel and tourism is getting back on track for the future. Stands were designed and set up with pure perfection and creativity, and the traditional warm, friendly vibe that is associated with tourism was noticeable.

Travel and tourism is still an economic force to be reckoned with in the world, which has a wider and positive ripple effect on communities. Although the report forecast that tourists were returning, it stressed that yields are still down. Value for money is also likely to be a key issue in the next few years.

The event saw a number of new and improved features. The comprehensive free seminar, workshop, conference and stage schedule brought together leading industry experts and respected senior management.

The bread and butter, for any flyfisherman are the flies he chooses and uses. It is the vast range and intricacies of the different patterns and when and how to fish them that make the sport so intriguing. Many flyfisherman know that a Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear Nymph is a highly effective all round pattern, many however, would not recognize one if it fell out of their fly box right into the palm of their hand.

In light of this Jonathan Boulton of Mavungana Flyfishing in conjunction with Wildnet Africa have launched the countries most comprehensive flyfishing club as far as tangible benefits for the flyfisherman.

Club members will pay an special introductory annual fee of R240 through state of the art secure on line banking via the dedicated web site www.flyfishing.co.za. Each month they will receive three flies, of the same pattern, on a presentation card through the post. As the flies are sent off the member will receive a write up on the flies via e mail, this will include the tying instructions, the fly's origin and history, as well as the how and when to fish the fly most successfully.

This is just where things begin for the member. They will be able to go on line and shop preferentially at hugely discounted rates on the Mavungana Online shop. The online shop will carry a comprehensive range of equipment, clothing and accessories, as well as the largest range of on line flies. Flies will be sold loosely, as well as tried and tested selections for different species and conditions. There will be exclusive offers and specials, every month, for members only. In addition members will be able to buy flies at an exponentially discounted scale, paying as little as R3.55 a fly depending upon the quantities purchased!

Yes folks, it is that time of the year again. With the festive season and holidays approaching, I would like to bring up the topic of fishing etiquette (or just plain manners).

Most fishing venues will be fully booked over the next month and consequently you might find yourself sharing your angling space with that halfwit who keeps thrashing the water. If you are the former, then please put down this paper. However, should you be the latter (the halfwit) please continue reading!

Every fly fisherman enjoys his or her space on the water. The quietness and solitude is often the reason we fish in the first place. A first-come, first-served principle applies on the water. Yes, it may be your favourite spot, but he was there first - move on! Should your days fishing be a family affair (and there is no reason why not), there are certain unwritten rules, which need to be followed.

Neighbouring anglers will frown upon screaming children who are thoughtlessly allowing themselves to be hooked on a perfectly timed back-cast. A picnic lunch on a fishing jetty is similarly considered bad form. A car stereo blaring from the parking area fifty meters away will certainly not impress fellow anglers. Neither will over consumption of the good stuff SAB produces. A hip flask on the other hand is perfectly acceptable, if not essential, under certain conditions.

On a more serious note though, showing some consideration on the water will go far in ensuring all parties have an enjoyable and memorable days fishing - after all that's what it is all about.

Until next year,

Tight Lines and Seasons Greetings.

(African Eye News Service)

A R1,4m tourism cluster is being built in Mpumalanga's Piet Retief area as part of a job-creation project. The tourism cluster will include a cultural village, theatre, restaurant and accommodation that aims to not only draw tourists, but also create jobs among youth in the area, said chairman of the Mkhondo Economic Forum, Phillip Shikwambana.

"The cultural village is being built on a piece of land donated by the Mkhondo municipality that lends itself to the envisaged village and arts and craft centre," said Shikwambana. He said a dam at the site was ideal for birding and fishing, while there was also a game reserve nearby. Fully equipped workshops at the cluster will provide space for weaving, woodcraft and beadwork that will be available for sale to tourists. "More than 200 unemployed people are going to be trained in different skills this month," Shikwambana said.

(African Eye News Service)

A SINGLE entrance fee will soon be introduced for visitors to Mpumalanga's most popular attractions of God's Window, the Three Rondavels and Bourke's Luck Potholes.

A visit to the Bourke's Luck Potholes already costs R20 in entrance fees, but the new fee will cover all three attractions simultaneously, said spokesman for the Mpumalanga Parks Board, David Nkambule.

"The fee will be structured to allow people to visit the three attractions with just one payment," he explained. "This means they won't have to queue to pay at the entrance to each attraction." He said the entry fee, which will be implemented by April next year, is part of the MPB's efforts to provide tourist attractions of an international standard by ensuring they are convenient, have better security, and are customer friendly. The entrance fee hasn't been determined yet, but there will be different rates for South Africans and international tourists, said Nkambule.

He said the sites were also being upgraded, including upgrading toilet facilities; providing additional parking space; upgrading pathways and installing safety rails, as well as making the sites accessible to the disabled. The sites will also have tourist information centres and safety access control. A tender has been issued for the installation of a pay point at God's Window.

(Corin Baker)

The largest single group yet to land at the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA), which is situated near Nelspruit, arrived last Friday on a chartered Iceland Air Boeing 757-200 carrying with it 189 passengers.

As the international gateway into the region, KMIA provided direct access to the Kruger National Park , which the Swedish tourists visited for two days before departing for Cape Town on November 23. The group's tour of SA forms the final leg of an around-the-world trip won as a prize from the Swedish national lottery, starting in the US, then Brazil and finally to SA. ScanAfrica Incentives, an inbound tour operator with its head office in Cape Town and offices in Sweden and France, organised the tour.

Legendary Comrades Marathon runner Bruce Fordyce is running in the second Kilimanjaro Marathon in Tanzania in March 2004!

Official race organisers Wild Frontiers are very happy that Bruce is lending his weight to assist in developing the sport in Tanzania, and thanks him for this. A keen birder, Bruce may also be staying on after the race to do a safari to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, to view the wildebeest migration and do a bit of birding on a Wild Frontiers safari.

Bruce has no plans to win the race - but the opportunity to meet some of Tanzanias great veteran athletes, such as Filbert Bayi and John Steven Akwari, as well as the up and coming greats and the large social running contingent from South Africa and around the world, have drawn him to join next years race to run in the shadow of Africas greatest mountain, Mt Kilimanjaro.

November 2002 Edition